DISCLAIMER: This licence isn't mine. The opinions express by the characters are not mine. I do not support nor encourage the illegal acts or words present here. I can make a distinction between fiction and reality and I trust in my readership's ability in doing the same.

Chapter twenty-four: Where is Apple Dumplin'?

Strawberry Shortcake had had a difficult night. First, she worried about a potential romance between Orange Blossom and Peanut Butter, then she had stayed awake for hours with him to finally discover that the mysterious vandal they were tracking was her own little sister! The shock made her forget to tell Apple Dumplin' off, she had just found the energy to let her know they would "talk about it tomorrow". But this morning, Apple Dumplin's room was empty.

-She ran away again? Angel Cake asked, irritated.

-Maybe she's just scared by your reaction and she doesn't want to face you, Blueberry Muffin purposed. "Just wait. She'll finished by come back home."

-I hope so… Strawberry Shortcake muttered.

-Even thought you will be relieved to see her back, Orange Blossom said, "I really want you to tell her how unacceptable her behavior was. How would you react if someone made fun of vandalizing your Café?"

-I'm sure Strawberry Shortcake understand that, but putting the blame on her won't help, Peanut Butter cut, throwing his arm around Strawberry's shoulders. "It's not her fault."

-It is, Angel Cake retorted, "Because Strawberry Shortcake didn't raise Apple Dumplin' properly."

-Stop it Angel! Blueberry Muffin shouted.

-Apple Dumplin' is endowed with free will, isn't she? Orange Blossom asked. "So, that means she's supposed to understand by herself what is wrong."

Strawberry Shortcake was glad to see her friends defending her. But Angel Cake was right: She must have done mistakes in Apple Dumplin's education. She thought about it during the whole morning. Maybe she had overestimated Apple's Dumplin's virtue ? Maybe she had let her too much freedom?

-I must admit that I hadn't been berry present for Apple Dumplin', Strawberry Shortcake said to Angel Cake. "Maybe she thought I was neglecting her."

-You're right.

-But what should I do? I still have this Café to run!

For years, Angel Cake had envied Strawberry's success. She was as talented that her, if not more, but Strawberry Shortcake was the head chef; her, Angel Cake, was only her subaltern. And, without knowing it, Strawberry Shortcake had given her a great idea.

-Well Strawberry, Apple Dumplin' seems to really need you… she's more important than the Café…

-I'll do the right choice Angel.

Another ordeal had to hit Strawberry Shortcake. Later in the day, the Princess Berrykin visisted her and asked her if she could talk to Apple Dumplin'.

-I'm sorry Princess, but she's not here.

-When will she be back?

-I don't know it.

-Alright Miss Shortcake, so I'll talk to you about her. Something extremely… annoying happened yesterday.

Strawberry Shortcake's heart missed a beat.

-Did something happen to Apple Dumplin?

-No, not directly to Apple Dumplin'. Berrykin Bloom had a bad fall last night. Luckily, he had been quickly given first aid by his neighbors, but the doctor said he had a shoulder dislocated.

-Why would Apple Dumplin' be involved…?

But Strawberry had already understood what the Princess meant.

-Your sister Apple Dumplin' had already been convicted of bad treatments over the Berrykins. Berrykin Bloom swears he was all alone and just slipped on an icy patch and felt down, but I know he would be able to lie in order to protect her. Anyway, Berrykin Bloom is extremely important for our community; but he's also the frailest of us all, and I won't let anyone hurt him. Doctor Hazel Nutby treated his shoulder, but if I have another suspicion of Apple Dumplin's threatening his health or life… I will be force to take action.

Strawberry Shortcake refused to believe what she had heard, but the Princess Berrykin's reasoning was logical: Apple Dumplin' was dangerous, and she might be punished because of that (Strawberry wondered what was a Berrykin revenge). But why was she so violent with the Berrykins? Why did she refuse to respect the other Strawberrylanders? Was it her way to deal with the feeling of abandoning she felt? Apple Dumplin' had always been special, different from the other girls, she never really became integrated in the Berry Bitty City. Angel Cake was right: She had never been here for her when she needed to. Strawberry Shortcake felt her eyes fulling with tears while she thought about how lonely Apple Dumplin may have been… with anyone to share her passion for travelling with, without daring to ask the others for advices, always feeling like she was disturbing them…

-I want to find Apple Dumplin'. RIGHT NOW! Strawberry cried at her friends.

-You should calm down before starting the research, Blueberry Muffin advised.

-I'm not angry, Strawberry Shortcake said firmly. "I feel that Apple Dumplin is in distress and needs us now."

-Strawberry Shortcake has a strong instinct, Peanut Butter added nervously. "We should follow her."

-Will you let me run the Café? Angel Cake asked.

-Sure, Strawberry Shortcake answered.

The first place Strawberry Shortcake searched was the Berrykin Village. According to the Princess, it was the last place she had visited. Berrykin Bloom was here, carefully dusting the snow from the village's flowerbeds, his left arm in a sling.

-Good morning Miss Shortcake. To what do we owe the pleasure?

-Have you seen Apple Dumplin?

Berrykin Bloom totally turn over to face Strawberry Shortcake. In his eyes, a glint of anxiety (and… irritation?) glowed.

-I guessed you're send by the Princess Berrykin. To tell you the truth, I was running after having dropped the little Majesties off to the Palace, and I idiotically fell down.

-Why were you running? Strawberry asked, remembering the story he had told the princesses the previous night. "Was something chasing you?"

-No Miss Shortcake. I was cold, and in a hurry to come back home.

For a second, Strawberry Shortcake wanted to kiss the old Berrykin. He told her Apple Dumplin was innocent! The second after, she understood he had no information about her.

-Apple Dumplin has disappeared, and I was wondering if you knew where she could be.

-No, Miss. I'm sorry. I wish I could help you.

-Don't worry. You had already helped me a lot.

Just like Berrykin Bloom, none of the Strawberrylanders knew where Apple Dumplin has gone. Strawberry Shortcake felt no longer guilty, but she was still worried to death. After a full day of unsuccessful research, the girls had asked Plum Pudding and her brother for help. Plum Puddin' told them to act methodically: Did they searched all the places were Apple Dumplin used to go? Did they phoned all the persons who were likely to put her up?

-By proceeding step-by-step, he said, "We will proceed by elimination and eliminate all the wrong hypothesis one by one and, this way, we will reach a quick and reliable result."

-We're not solving an equation, we're looking for my sister! Strawberry Shortcake cried in despair. "We're in the real life, not in one of your sciences books! Do you know what it is to lose someone?"

Plum Puddin' didn't answer, but when everyone splitted up to continue the researches, he went closer to Strawberry Shortcake and muttered:

-When I was fifteen years old, my owl Elderberry was already on his last legs. He was almost blind, he was losing his memory, and his arthritis prevented him from moving without help. During one of his more and more rare moment of clarity, he told-let's rather say he ordered me to call a vet for… Well, I know what it is to lose a close friend. Elderberry Owl was like a second father for me.

Appearance can be deceptive.

To be continued…