Life In Allspark Wells

by The Fraudulent Brit

The past seven months have been quite the experience for Apple Bloom. Learning about and bonding with her uncle Ironhide, tap dancing with her boyfriend Tender Taps, helping her new sister Sideswipe, befriending Marble Pie and Rattrap, and in general, exploring her new home of Allspark Wells. But that was only the beginning. Currently being posted on Fimfiction first.

14. Finding Inspiration

Life in Allspark Wells

Part 13; Finding Inspiration

Taking a deep breath as she prepared a small travel pack to take with her, Apple Bloom said to herself, "Alright, Ah've got some work gloves, sunscreen, and even a little snack." Making sure everything was set, the former farm girl slung her bag around her shoulder as she enthusiastically declared, "Alright, now all Ah gotta do is make sure Sideswipe is ready."

Several days earlier, Rattrap had stopped by the chop shop and invited Apple Bloom and Sideswipe to visit his place and hang out, and the former farm girl was more than happy to spend time with her friend. After all, helping him with his garden would provide an opportunity to relax, especially with the stress of her upcoming biology project.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Apple Bloom took in the outfit she'd chosen for the day. Deciding to return to her previous look, the former farm girl was wearing a blue and white striped tank top, dark blue overalls, and her black boots, a look that screamed as much farmer as it did scrapper. Smiling at her reflection, Apple Bloom allowed felt a whiff of nostalgia as she thought to herself, 'Can't wait to help with a bit of farmin'. It'll be just like old times."

Before Apple Bloom could continue to reminisce of days long past, however, she was distracted by the sound of Sideswipe groaning in pain. The burgundy haired girl turned to her bedroom door as she openly pondered, "What's goin' on." Making sure her pack was secure, she made her way through her bedroom door and approached the door to her sister's room before knocking on the door as she asked, "You alright in there Sideswipe?"

From the other end of the closed door, Apple Bloom heard Sideswipe's voice call out, "I'm not alright Apple Bloom! I feel gross and everything hurts! This…." Pausing for a moment, the pale biker let out an agonized, "It's bad this time!" A confused Apple Bloom awkwardly replied, "What's bad? And what do you mean "this time?""

From behind her, Apple Bloom heard her aunt Chromia speak out, "What's going on up here? I can't work with everyone screaming." Turning around to face her aunt, the former farm girl explained, "Sideswipe and Ah were supposed to be headin' to Rattrap's, but she says that she's feelin' gross and hurtin' really bad." She then turned back to the door as she added, "Ah've never heard her complain like this before."

At that moment, the bedroom door opened as Sideswipe peeked her head out the door, dried tear stains making it clear that she'd been crying for a while. The pale biker bluntly explained, "Isn't it obvious Apple Bloom? I'm having a period!"

Hearing this, Apple Bloom apologized, "Oh mah goodness! Ah'm so sorry Sideswipe!" Her sister reassured her, "It's alright Apple Bloom, but I don't think I'm in any condition to go anywhere today." Sideswipe would have continued, but the pale biker was overcome with more pain, leading to her close her bedroom door, followed by the muffled sound of Sideswipe screaming into a pillow.

As Apple Bloom took this in, Chromia sighed as she said, "Ok. I'll see if Ratchet has anything to help with Sideswipe. This sounds like it's worse than normal." Once the family matriarch was gone, Apple Bloom knocked on the door as she asked, "Anythin' Ah can do to help?" From the other side of the door, Sideswipe replied, "I'm fine. You go have fun with Rattrap." Before the former farm girl could say anything else, the pale biker's voice bluntly continued, "I mean it. Just go already."

Nodding, Apple Bloom bade her sister farewell with a resigned, "Alright. Hope you feel better." The former farm girl sighed in resignation as she made her way to the stairwell, leaving her sister to her pain.

Making her way into the living room, Apple Bloom was greeted by the sight of Wheelie sitting on the couch, his head held in his hands in boredom. Turning to face the young girl, the small robot lit up in excitement as he squealed, "Hey Apple Bloom! You going somewhere?!" Nodding, the former farm girl explained, "Yeah. Ah'm headin' to visit Rattrap. Sideswipe would've come along but she's on her period." Wheelie replied, "Sorry about that. Wait, what's a period?" Apple Bloom could only let out an amused chuckle as she replied, "Ah think Ah'll leave that for Wheeljack to tell you."

The small robot rolled his eyes as he lamented, "I wish. Wheeljack said he doesn't want to talk to me for the rest of the day." The former farm girl inquired, "What? What happened?" Sighing, Wheelie explained, "I was helping Brains with this sort of weird thing that Wheeljack made, and…. I forgot that batteries are supposed to go positive-negative and negative-positive rather than positive-positive and negative-negative." When Apple Bloom gave him a confused look, Wheelie simply stated, "Wheeljack told me I "did enough" today."

At that moment, an idea entered Apple Bloom's mind. "Ah got an idea! How about you come with me?" When Wheelie tilted his head in confusion, the former farm girl added, "Ah'm sure Rattrap would love to meet ya, and if what you said is true, Ah doubt Wheeljack would mind if you came along." She then added, "Though we oughta tell him first, so he at least knows where you are."

His eyes lighting up in a way to evoke smiling, Wheelie exclaimed, "Alright! New friend, here I come." Apple Bloom could only chuckle as she thought to herself, 'This might not be so bad after all.'

Arcee's Home, A Short While Later…

Just as she hoped, Wheeljack gave Apple Bloom permission to take Wheelie with her, and now the two had arrived at the pink home of Arcee and Rattrap. Parking her bicycle near the driveway, the former farm girl removed her helmet as she explained, "Now remember, Ah want you to behave yourself. Last thing we need is you messin' up part of Rattrap's Garden." The small robot climbed out of her bike's basket as he reassured her, "Don't worry. I'll be on best behavior." Wheelie nodded as he replied, "You've got it."

After making their way to the front door, Apple Bloom gave the door a good knock as she called out, "Hello! Ah'm here." No sooner had she finished knocking that the door opened, revealing a familiar, scrawny teenaged boy with messy silver hair, brown skin, a gray tee shirt, blue jeans covered in dirt, black sneakers with white toes and shoelaces, circular glasses, and a slight but noticeable overbite.

"Good to see ya there Apple Bloom!" Rattrap enthusiastically greeted his friend as he pulled her into a tight hug. As the burgundy haired girl returned the gesture and hugged him back, he continued, "It's always a treat to see you pop by."

Releasing her friend, Apple Bloom replied, "Thanks Rattrap. Ah'm just sorry Sideswipe couldn't make it." Rattrap then began to look around her, completely missing Wheelie as he asked, "That explains why I didn't hear her motorcycle. Where is she?" Leaning into his ear, Apple Bloom bluntly answered, "She's on her period." The scrawny teen could only recoil as he replied, "Ouch. That sucks."

It was at this moment that Rattrap's eyes noticed the small robot looking up to him. Jumping back in surprise, he exclaimed, "Gouda almighty! Who or what is that?!" Extending his hand, the pint sized promethean introduced himself "Hi there. I'm Wheelie." Apple Bloom then added, "Don't worry! He's harmless."

Catching his breath, Rattrap asked, "Judgin' from the looks of him, I take it Wheeljack made you?" Wheelie nodded as he replied, "Yeah. HE made me and my brothers Wreck-Gar and Brains." Gulping, the scrawny teen nervously remarked, "He made not one, not two, but three of you?" When Wheelie nodded, Rattrap bluntly exclaimed, "Huh. Wheeljack is makin' more sentient robots. We're all gonna die."

Shaking his cynical pessimism away, Rattrap asked, "Well, now that you two are here, you wanna see the progress on my garden?"

Rattrap's Garden

As everyone entered the backyard, Rattrap asked, "So, one farmer to another, what do you think?" Taking in the sight before her, Apple Bloom couldn't help but be impressed by what her friend had accomplished.

Rattrap had several plots of dirt organized throughout the yard, each one full of different vegetables. One was dedicated to potatoes, another was full of carrots, yet another for cabbages, and even some for fruit like blueberries and strawberries. Letting out an impressed whistle, Apple Bloom could only reply, "Ah gotta admit, you've done a fantastic job." She then added, "Almost reminds me of the farm back home."

Rattrap lit up as he replied, "Thanks. It's been a lot of work, but it's been worth every moment." Wheelie then asked, "So, what made you wanna do this anyway? Can't you just get food from a store?" Intrigued, the scrawny teen asked, "Where do you think stores get their food from?" The small robot raised his hand as he began to give his answer, only to realize that he didn't actually know, and simply held his head low in shame as he replied, "You got me."

Apple Bloom bent down to reassure her small friend, "Don't beat yourself up. No one can know absolutely everything." She then informed him, "For your information, food like fruits and vegetables are grown from plants like these." Rattrap nodded as he added, "Exactly. And let's just say that, after everythin' I've been through, I promised myself I'd never go hungry again, so I took up gardening so I could always have something if I get puckish."

Shrugging, Wheelie replied, "That makes sense. I think." Now that the small robot had received her answer, Apple Bloom asked, "So, what do you need our help with?" Scratching his chin, Rattrap replied, "Well, several of my vegetables are fully grown, so I'd appreciate some help picking everything. Think you can help with that?"

Nodding as she pulled her work gloves out of her pack, Apple Bloom replied, "Ah think Ah can handle that." Wheelie then replied, "I've never done something like this before, but I think I can do whatever you want." Cracking his knuckles, Rattrap declared, "Alrighty then. Now, the first things I need picked are…."

One Hour Later

Pulling a carrot out of the ground, Apple Bloom wiped the sweat from her brow as she remarked, "This sure does take me back." She then set the freshly picked carrot in a basket with several others, the former farm girl turned to Rattrap as she called out, "How you doin' over there?" From the other end of the garden, the scrawny teen replied, "Pretty good on this end. Just about to finish with these beets."

As she continued to gather the carrots, Apple Bloom couldn't help but feel a warm sense of familiarity. After all, she'd grown up on a farm and often used to be the one Granny Smith charged with tending to the vegetable garden. Chuckling to herself, the former farm girl remembered the time she had to chase off a gopher with a garden hoe. "Ah coulda swore Ah'd wear mah voice out with how much Ah was screamin' at that varmint."

Of course, the moment that memory entered her mind, Apple Bloom realized something; "It feels like a lifetime." It had been almost a month since the last time she was back at Sweet Apple Acres, and before that, she hadn't been on the farm in almost seven months. Letting out a deep breath, Apple Bloom wiped the sweat from her brow as she remarked, "It really feels like a lifetime ago."

Still, it wasn't like Apple Bloom had lost her green thumb entirely. After all, she was able to help Rattrap with his garden without any issues.

The former farm girl's blissful moment was interrupted when she heard the sound of something crashing onto the ground. Turning to see what it was, she found Wheelie standing behind several knocked over baskets of produce, which had now spilled all over the ground. Sighing to herself, Apple Bloom thought, 'He must have tried to carry too much on his own.'

Before Apple Bloom could say anything, Rattrap stood up and exclaimed, "What in the hell was that?!" Walking up to Wheelie, the scrawny teen furiously continued, "What were you doin'? How could you do something this stupid?" As the former farm girl tried to step in between her friends, Wheelie stomped his foot on the ground as he furiously retorted, "It was an accident, and don't you dare call me stupid!"

As everyone stood there, Wheelie looked down in anger and shame as he said, "Wreck-Gar and Brains call me stupid all the time. Mr. Wheeljack tries to make them stop, but they still do it." Apple Bloom then turned to Rattrap and said, "Let me handle this." She then turned to Wheelie and bent down as she said, "Ah'm sorry they call you an idiot."

Taking a deep breath, Rattrap apologized, "Sorry for gettin' angry. I just… I kinda blow up sometimes." He then knelt down to Wheelie's eyes as he said, "Just…. Promise you won't try to carry too much, will ya? Nodding, Wheelie replied, "You got it sir."

With everything settled, Rattrap said, "Now, I think I know something you can do." He then began to make his way to a secluded corner of the garden and began to get something. Wheelie then looked up to Apple Bloom and apologized, "Sorry for making another mess. I just wanted to be helpful." The former farm girl smiled as she replied, "It's alright. Just… try to think before you do somethin'. Letting out a rather adorable laugh, the pint sized promethean replied, "I will. At least, I think I can."

At that moment, Rattrap returned with a plastic tray filled with bright red flowers as he said, "Now then, these are some poppies I grew for Ironhide. A little gesture of gratitude for helpin' me." He then set the tray down as he continued, "I'd appreciate it if you made sure nothin' happened to these." Wheelie nodded as he replied, "I can do that sir."

As Wheelie guarded the poppies, Apple Bloom let out a sigh as she admitted, "Ah wish all problems could be solved this easily. Ah have a project up comin' up in a few weeks and Ah have no idea on what to do for it." Intrigued, Rattrap asked, "Really? What's in about?" Sighing, the former farm girl explained, "Ah gotta do somethin' that can help the environment, but it has to be somethin' "original."" She then sat down as she lamented, "Ah don't know what to do."

Sitting down next to his friend, Rattrap shrugged as he lamented, "I wish I knew a way to help." He then added, "I gotta admit I ain't been followin' environmentalism too much. Of course, I've been worryin' about other things." Apple Bloom could only nod in agreement, as she knew all about her Rattrap's past homelessness.

At that moment, a woman's voice called out, "Apple Bloom?" Turning to see who it was, the former farm girl was greeted by the sight of a woman with pale pink skin and white hair up in "cinnamon" buns who continued, "Ironhide just called. Said to make sure you come on home soon." Nodding, the former farm girl replied, "Ah'll head back home in a bit Arcee. Just let me finish up here."

Walking up to the two kids, Arcee asked, "How's your gardening going?" Standing up to face his maternal guardian, Rattrap replied, "Things are goin' alright. A little accident, but nothin' too bad." He then turned to Apple Bloom as he asked, "You mind helpin' me clean this up?" Nodding, the former farm girl replied, "Sure thing." With that, Apple Bloom and Rattrap began to clean up the spilled vegetables, all while Arcee made her way towards Wheelie as the small robot greeted, "Hi. I'm Wheelie. Who are you?"

Outside of the Chop Shop

Parking her bike near the front entrance of the family's residence, Apple Bloom let out a sigh of relief as said, "Home sweet home." She then looked down to Wheelie as she said, "Ah'll take that tray of poppies in." As the former farm girl gently lifted the tray out of her bike's basket as Wheelie replied, "Ok."

As the two made their way into through the shop's front door, the small robot continued, "Hey Apple Bloom? Thanks for agreeing to not tell Wheeljack or the others about dropping that basket of vegetables." Smiling, Apple Bloom replied, "No problem. Ah'm just surprised Arcee found you so adorable." Wheelie could only shiver in fear as he replied, "Egh. I never thought she'd ever let me go."

Setting the tray of poppies on the shop's counter, Apple Bloom called out, "Uncle Ironhide! Aunt Chromia! Ah'm home!" After a few moments, Ironhide emerged from the garage, wearing a gray and red plaid shirt, dark gray trousers, dark red boots, and a pair of suspenders. The family patriarch happily greeted his daughter and the small robot as he asked, "You two have fun with Arcee and Rattrap?" Wrapping her uncle in a gentle hug, Apple Bloom replied, "We did. And Rattrap even grew a little somethin' for you."

Motioning to the counter, the burgundy haired girl continued, "He grew these poppies for you." Taking the gesture in, Ironhide smiled as he replied, "That's sweet of him." He then made his way to the tray and continued, "And he chose poppies. That's a lovely gesture."

Curious, Apple Bloom asked, "If Ah may, what's so special about poppies?" When Ironhide turned to face his daughter, she explained, "What Ah mean is, what separates poppies from other flowers?" The older scrapper let out a gentle chuckle as he replied, "Well, how about I show these to the others as I explain why these are so special?"

As Ironhide gently lifted the tray of poppies, he turned to Apple Bloom and Wheelie as he asked, "Firstly, how much do either of you know about the First Great War?" Before the former farm girl could give an answer, Wheelie replied, "I know that it was the first one, but that's about it." The family patriarch let an amused chuckle as he replied, "That is true, there was the First Great War and the Last Great War a few decades later." Apple Bloom immediately asked, "That's the one your dad fought in, right?"

Passing into the living room, Ironhide replied, "Yeah. It was." As the family patriarch set the tray on the coffee table, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone and began to text something as Wheelie asked, "But what does a big fancy war have to do with some red flowers?"

At that moment, Apple Bloom and Wheelie were distracted by the sound a familiar and shrill voice calling out, "Hello!" As the former farm girl turned to see who it was, she and Wheelie were greeted by the sight of a large parrot with bright red feathers. 'Wait a minute.' Apple Bloom thought to herself. 'Is that Marble's pet parrot Scarlett?'

No sooner had the thought entered the burgundy haired girl's mind than Marble Pie dashed into the living room, wearing a gray button shirt, dark gray and black kilt, black boots, and her beloved leather jacket. Bending down as she extended her arm, the gray geologist frantically remarked, "There you are. I told you not to run off on me like that." As she climbed onto Marble's arm, Scarlett apologized, "Ooh. Sorry."

No sooner had the gray girl reclaimed her pet parrot that she realized she was not alone, leading her to say, "Oh! Hey Apple Bloom! Hey Wheelie!" The former farm girl happily replied, "Howdy Marble! What are you doin' here?" Blushing, Marble replied, "I got a call from Sideswipe, saying she was on her period, so Scarlett and I stopped by to help her, or at least keep her company." The crimson macaw let out an affectionate caw as she said, "Help our friend!"

Apple Bloom then asked, "How is Sideswipe doin'?" Letting out a gentle sigh, Marble replied, "She's doing alright. I think she's made it through the worst of it." She then added, "I was worried for a moment though. She…." Hesitating for a moment, the gray girl whispered something into Apple Bloom's ear, leading the former farm girl to giggle uncontrollably. Curious, Wheelie asked, "What's so funny?" As the two girls looked at each other, Apple Bloom explained, "It's a girl thing. You probably wouldn't get it."

Before Wheelie could ponder what his friends meant, Wheeljack and Ratchet entered the living room as the latter warned, "Remember, make sure to keep the wound clean. Last thing we need is that scab getting worse." The maverick mechanic simply scoffed as he remarked, "Oh please. What makes you think I won't keep it clean?" As the two men approached Ironhide, Ratchet simply quipped, "For starters, that time you had that rash on your ass?"

Ironhide then gently barked, "Stow it boys!" When the two other scrappers gave their friend their attention, the family patriarch continued, "Rattrap was kind enough to grow us some poppies." Ratchet immediately smiled as he replied, "That was sweet of him." As the three adults marveled at the red flowers, Apple Bloom asked, "Uncle Ironhide said that poppies are related to the First Great War. Why is that?"

Smiling, Ratchet answered, "Simple kid. Poppies represent peace."

When a confused Apple Bloom tilted her head, the old medic explained, "The first Great War was one of, if not the most destructive conflicts in history. In fact,…." Turning to Ironhide, Ratchet asked, "We still have that book lying around?" Wheeljack then interrupted with, "I know where it is! I'll be right back."

A few minutes later, Wheeljack returned with a hardcover book. Presenting the book to Apple Bloom, he explained, "This just a taste of what it was like." Taking the book, the former farm girl was intrigued by the cover, which featured a massive metal vehicle with treads around its side surrounded by massive craters, overturned trees, and discarded bullet shells. Perhaps what caught her attention the most was the single red poppy in the foreground.

Intrigued, Apple Bloom flipped through the book, taking in the sights of battlefields covered with ruined vehicles, massive cannons surrounded by mountains of discarded artillery shells, and even a few bodies lying among the craters and barbed wire. However, what spoke to the former farm girl was the images near the end of the book, showing poppies growing in the fields where, shortly beforehand, great armies had been engaged in what seemed to be endless slaughter.

Closing the book, Apple Bloom remarked, "Interestin'. Mind if Ah keep this for a spell?" Ironhide nodded as he replied, "Sure thing kid." The family patriarch then turned to his subordinates as he continued, "Alright, I'm thinking we can divide these lovely poppies between us, but for now we gotta get some water for these lovely little ones." As the adults continued their discussion over the poppies, Marble tapped Apple Bloom's shoulder as she added, "I better go check on Sideswipe. Don't want her thinking we ran out on her." She then turned her head to face Scarlett as she asked, "Do we?" The crimson macaw happily chirped, "Sideswipe." As the gray girl and her pet parrot made their way towards the stairs, Apple Bloom took another look at the book in her hands.

"Huh, wonder what else this book has?"

Apple Bloom's Room

Taking in the images on the book's pages, Apple Bloom took notes on everything it had to show. She didn't know what it was about these images of the battlefields of a century earlier, but, for lack of a better word, it spoke to her. 'Never thought Ah'd be so fascinated by this sorta thing.' The former farm girl thought to herself.

From behind her, Wheelie asked, "You find what you're looking for?" Turning around to face the small robot, Apple Bloom replied, "Can't really say Ah've found it if Ah don't know what Ah'm lookin' for." She then added, "Sometimes, it's nice to take a look at somethin' and let it surprise you." The young girl then turned the page of the book, only to be greeted by the image she found.

There, she saw a picture of a machine gun's barrel riddled with bullet holes as rain poured down, dripping through the many holes.

At this moment, an idea entered Apple Bloom's mind. 'Wait a minute. That barrel looks like it could move water through somethin' like Rattrap's Garden.' This gave the former farm girl another idea. 'Wait a minute.' Flipping her notebook to an empty page, she drew the picture of a tube with holes in it as well as some simple carrots below them. Adding water coming out of the holes, realized that, at long last, she had an idea for her project.

Apple Bloom leapt out of her seat as she exclaimed, "That's it! Ah know what to do for mah environmental project!" She then turned to Wheelie and picked him up, bringing him to eye level as she continued, "Do you know what this means?" A confused and nervous Wheelie replied, "You can stick it to that dirty hippie?"

Setting her friend down, Apple Bloom answered, "In a way, yes. Ah think Ah know what to do." She then turned back to the book as she confidently continued, "Ah'm gonna show how weapons can be used to serve other purposes." Smirking, Apple Bloom remarked, "Ah can't believe Ah found the answer in a book on the First Great War."

At this moment, Apple Bloom realized, "Hold on. Ah'm gonna need to learn more about weapons that might be salvageable for somethin' like this." She then remarked, "But this is just the surface. Ah'm gonna need to know more about this sorta thing."

Wheelie then spoke up with, "Wait a minute. I think I know how to help." The small robot darted out of the former farm girl's room, only to return a short while later as with another book. Presenting the book to Apple Bloom, the pint sized promethean said, "I remember Mr. Wheeljack showing this to Wreck-Gar to help with some old machine guns we melted down two weeks ago, and I think this might help." Taking the book from him, Apple Bloom read the title aloud, "Machine guns of the Great Wars?" Wheelie nodded as he replied, "If you know how these things work, you might be able to know how they can be taken apart for environmental purposes."

Lighting up in joy, Apple Bloom scooped Wheelie up as she exclaimed, "Wheelie! You're a genius!" The small robot was overcome with joy as he replied, "No one's ever called me a genius before." He then hugged the former farm girl, who in turn hugged him back.

Setting him down, Apple Bloom asked, "Say, you wanna help me with mah project?" Wheelie let out an excited squee as he replied, "I'd love to!" He then pumped his fists as he declared, "We'll show that stupid Compost guy who's just a collection of scrap metal!" The former farm girl replied, "Exactly. You and Ah have got this."

And so, Apple Bloom and Wheelie began to comb through the book on machine guns, hoping that if they more about these machines of death, they could use the pieces that made them to give life instead.