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.

24. My Naam is Appelboei

Life in Allspark Wells

Part 22; My Naam is Appelbloei

Staring at the oven, Apple Bloom groaned, "Come on, hurry up down there." Turning to face the clock, the former farm girl saw that it was only eleven thirty. Sighing, she muttered to herself, "At this rate, these apple fritters won't be finished before sundown."

It was Saturday morning, and the burgundy haired girl had decided not to spend the day doing more than just helping around the shop. After all, Wheeljack would be handling that as part of his "probation" for his carelessness earlier that week. Now, she had decided she wanted to do something to show her gratitude to…

"Whatcha doing there?" Sideswipe's voice rang out from behind her. Turning around, Apple Bloom found her sister standing in front of her, her hands behind her back as the pale biker smugly remarked, "I got you, didn't I?" The former farm girl rolled her eyes as she replied, "Ah hate to burst your bubble, but Ah don't think much gets me anymore." Sideswipe simply sighed as she replied, "Unless it's a wolf, but even I'm not that naughty."

Shivering at the mere mention of a wolf, Apple Bloom remarked, "Speakin' of wolves, Ah'm makin' some apple fritters for Onslaught." Sideswipe lit up as she replied, "Onslaught? You mean that guy who saved you from those wolves and beat the shit of Mr. Compost?" The former farm girl raised her hand as she answered, "Firstly, yes. Secondly, Ah don't know about that. Ah just know someone broke his legs, and that it was more than one person."

Taking a moment to catch her breath, Apple Bloom continued, "And thirdly, Ah just wanna show mah gratitude for what he did for me and Dream Wave." She then turned back to the oven as she finished, "Just doesn't feel right to have him save me and not do somethin' to make it up to him."

At that moment, the oven began to ring, leading Apple Bloom to remark, "Speakin' of that, looks like the apple fritters are done." Slipping on a pair of oven mittens, the former farm girl switched the oven off and pulled the tray of apple fritters out before setting it on the stove above. Turning to face her sister, Apple Bloom warned, "Ah know you can be reckless, but please don't touch these yet. They're bound to be pretty hot."

Straightening her vest, Sideswipe shot back, "Oh please. I'm not that reckless." Apple Bloom gave her sister an amused smirk as she asked, "Then what were you doin' leapin' to and from the scrap piles last night?" The pale biker found herself caught off guard as she stammered, "Well…. I….. Shut up."

A few minutes later, and Apple Bloom had begun to pack the now cooled off apple fritters into a basket. As she wrapped them up into napkins, the former farm girl noticed Sideswipe trying to sneakily snatch one of the small delectables. Slapping her sister's hand away, Apple Bloom warned, "Watch it. These aren't for you." The pale biker could only groan as she lamented, "Fine. Don't share. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

As Apple Bloom finished packing up the apple fritters, Sideswipe asked, "So, you actually know how to find Onslaught? I don't think you've ever been to his place." The former farm girl replied, "Uncle Ironhide gave me directions on how to get there." The pale biker then asked, "And do you know how far it is from here?" Apple Bloom was about to answer before stopping and saying, "Actually, Ah didn't read them yet."

Playfully rolling her eyes, Sideswipe replied, "That old Boer lives like twenty minutes if we take my bike. On your bike, it'd be an hour if you're peddling at full speed." Hearing this, Apple Bloom asked, "We?" The pale biker nodded as she explained, "Yeah. With Wheeljack handling most of the chores around here, things are kinda boring." Before the former farm girl could say anything, Sideswipe interrupted with a blunt, "This ain't up for debate."

Apple Bloom relented as she replied, "Alright. But we better hurry." She then began to reach for the basket, only to stop as she warned, "And no pinchin' any apple fritters, or else Ah'm tellin' Uncle Ironhide." Rolling her eyes, Sideswipe lamented, "Ok, lead the way Apple Bloom." Smiling, the former farm girl gestured to the door as she said, "Get your keys and meet me at your bike."

As the two girls departed the kitchen, Apple Bloom could only think to herself, 'Ah hope bringin' her isn't a mistake.'

Onslaught's Property, Twenty Minutes Later

Riding in her sister's sidecar, Apple Bloom found herself taken aback by the green fields that surrounded their motorcycle. As they rode down the dirt road, the former farm girl couldn't help but remark, "Kinda reminds me of back home." Not looking away from the road, Sideswipe replied, "Makes sense, if you like that kind of thing."

After a few moments, the motorcycle pulled up to a large two-story house. As Sideswipe parked her bike, Apple Bloom took a mental note of the building before her. The house had an off-white paint job, an outside patio, and if her eyes weren't deceiving her, a separate one-story building that acted as a garage, in front of which rested a familiar four-wheel drive.

Stepping off her bike, Sideswipe asked, "Isn't that one of the jeeps Onslaught and his buddies had when they…." She was interrupted by Apple Bloom finishing, "Brought Dream Wave an Ah out of the forest? Yeah." The burgundy haired girl began to reach into the side car for her basket as she asked, "You think Onslaught will like these?" Shrugging, Sideswipe simply replied, "I dunno. Only one way to find out."

Walking up to the front door, Apple Bloom knocked on the front door, waiting for someone to response. When no one replied after a few moments, the former farm girl took a deep breath as she knocked again.

At that moment, a familiar voice barked out, "Olroight! Olroight! Oi'm commin'!" As Apple Bloom found herself stepping back in surprise, the door opened, revealing a familiar man with dark blue skin, red eyes, black hair, and dressed in an olive-green shirt and dark blue jeans. Taking note of the two teens in front of him, Onslaught asked, "Appelbloei? Wat maak jy hier?"

Caught off guard, Apple Bloom nervously stammered, "Uh…. Hello Mr. Onslaught?" She then nervously presented her basket as the older man replied, "Uh….Wat?" As the two stood in awkward silence, Sideswipe interrupted as she gave a blunt, "Nice to see you too Onslaught."

Calming herself down, Apple Bloom explained, "Ah just wanted to give you these as a thank you for savin' me from those wolves." For a few moments, everyone stood there in an awkward silence. Eventually, Onslaught accepted the basket as he asked, "Ah. Dankie." He then opened it and inspected the contents as he asked, "Ooh! Whet ore these?"

Feeling somewhat relaxed, Apple Bloom replied, "They're apple fritters. It's kinda an Apple family tradition." She then added, "Ah just wanted to show mah appreciation." Softening his posture, Onslaught replied, "Well, Oi appreciate the gesture." He then asked, "Whoy don't you two come in?"

Apple Bloom hesitated for a moment as Sideswipe remarked, "All due respect sir, but… you know… stranger danger?" Letting out a laugh, Onslaught replied, "Olroight then. Oi'll call Ironhide and you can tell him everything that hoppens here when you get home, olroight?"

Hearing this, the former farm girl thought to herself, 'Well, uncle Ironhide does trust him, and he did say to tell him everythin'…" Shrugging, Apple Bloom replied, "Well, Ah guess a quick visit couldn't hurt." Sideswipe, on the other hand, pumped her fist as she added, "Awesome! Anything for some of those apple fritters!"

Snickering to himself, Onslaught invited the two teens in with, "Well then, come on in." With that, the two sisters entered the house.

Inside Onslaught's House

Entering the building, Apple Bloom was taken aback by just how impressively homely everything was. While nothing compared to a great plantation house, it was still an impressive sight. In front of her was a great foyer with a simple chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and the walls were decorated with portraits of what the former farm girl suspected were long dead relatives of her host.

From behind her, the burgundy haired girl heard Onslaught remark, "Oi know it's not quite the royal palace or the Ou Raadsaal, but it does it's job well enough." The blue man passed his guests as he added, "Oi'l set some tea oon the kettle." As he passed her, Apple Bloom asked, "What's the ooh Rad…. That place?" Pausing for a moment, Onslaught answered, "Old historical landmork where Oi'm from. Think of it as loike a parliament or senate hoose."

"Ooh." The former farm girl replied. As Onslaught continued his trek to the kitchen, he continued, "One important hoose rule. If eny door is loocked, it's because there's somethin' on the other soide that's not safe, so don't go troyin' to unlock anythin'." Hearing this, Sideswipe sighed as she sarcastically quipped, "Guess I'll have to try my lockpicking someplace else."

Apple Bloom, on the other hand, asked, "Mr. Onslaught? You need a hand with anythin'?" Caught off guard, Onslaught replied, "Well… Oi don't want to impose on you. You two ore my hooseguests." He then quickly added, "Of coorse, we will not be alone." Curious, the burgundy haired girl asked, "Alone? What do does that mean?"

She received her answer when the sound of a door opening rang out in her ears, followed by another familiar voice called out, "Hello? Onslaught? There a reason there's motorcycle parked in front of the house?" Turning around, Apple Bloom found herself greeted by the sight of Blast Off, the purple man dressed in a khaki tee shirt and shorts with black boots. Seeing the young girl in front of him, Blast Off asked, "Apple Bloom? What are you doing here?"

Sideswipe spoke up with a simple, "She wanted to deliver a little gift as a thank you for saving her from those wolves." Nodding, Apple Bloom replied, "Yeah. And Onslaught invited us in for tea." Intrigued, Blast Off let out a humored chuckle as he replied, "Well, make yourselves at home. It's always nice have visitors."

Onslaught then spoke out with a gentle, "Apple Bloom? You said you wonted to help?" The former farm girl replied, "Be right there." Turning to her sister, Apple Bloom said, "Sideswipe, you'd better keep Blast Off company." As she disappeared, the pale biker found herself alone with Blast Off as she asked, "So… What's new with you?"

Onslaught's Kitchen

Entering the kitchen, Apple Bloom was greeted by the sight of Onslaught setting a tea kettle on the stove. 'Heh. Kinda reminds me of Wreck-Gar.' She thought to herself. Once she approached the older man, Onslaught asked, "Hoe gaan dit met jou?" The former farm girl tilted her head as she asked, "Uh… What?" Letting out a gentle chuckle, the blue man elaborated, "It means "how ore you?" A greeting, you know?"

"Ah." Apple Bloom replied. "Sorry for not understandin' it. Ah've never heard anyone speak…." Pausing for a moment, she asked, "What language was that any way?"

Turning the stove on, Onslaught replied, "Kaapse tong." The former farm girl immediately replied, "Bless you." The blue man quickly explained, "No no no. Kaapse tong is moy first language. One of the many languages spoken where Oi'm from."

Intrigued, Apple Bloom asked, "If Ah may, where are you from exactly? Ah remember you said you were from some place called Tran…. Transel…." As she snapped her fingers whilst trying to remember what he had said back in the forest, Onslaught interrupted with a gentle, "Transvaal. It's a province of the Suidelike Republiek." He then paused for a moment before correcting himself with, "The naam changed to Gauteng a whoile back, but Oi still coll it Transvaal, even if it's just because it's how Oi learned it."

As the steam began to emerge from the tea kettle, Apple Bloom remarked, "Ooh. Never heard of any of this before." She then asked, "So that greetin'…. It's "Woe haan dit met you?" Onslaught couldn't help but chuckle as he politely corrected, "It's "Hoe gaan dit met jou." Of course, informally, it's just "Hoe gaan dit."" He then gestured to his throat as he added, "You've gotta make thet sort of phlegm sound with your throat."

Taking a deep breath, Apple Bloom tried to repeat, "Woe gaan dit met you?" Just saying the phrase made her throat feel like she had something stuck in it, knowing that she was trying to speak another language made all rather exciting.

Nodding, Onslaught replied, "Dit gaan goed, dankie." He then added, "A little pronunciation trouble with "Hoe," but ootherwoise, pretty goed." Giving a small snicker, the blue man added, "Ot this rate, you'll be speakin' Kaapse tong in no toime." Smiling, he continued, "Here's a little bit for you. Wat is jou naam? My naam is Aanslag." Hearing this, the former farm girl asked, "That mean "What is your name" and "My name is Onslaught?" Nodding, Onslaught answered, "Yup. Of course, for you, it'd be "My naam is Appelbloei."

Before Apple Bloom could reply, the high pitched whining of the tea kettle distracted the both of them.

Grasping the kettle's handle and preparing some tea bags, Onslaught asked, "Well, whoo's up for a spot of tea?"

A Few Minutes Later

Sitting down at a circular table, Apple Bloom and Sideswipe found themselves seated across from both Onslaught and Blast Off. As the two girls made themselves comfortable, the blue man began to pour tea into the cups as he said, "Oi must admit, we hoven't had many visitors up here in a long while." Blast Off couldn't help but let out a snort as he added, "Except for Brawl, and that's just because we had to bring him up here to calm his arse down."

Once the tea was set, Onslaught removed the apple fritters from the basket and began to place a few on each plate. As he placed a few on Apple Bloom's plate, the former farm girl said, "Ah hope you like these. Ah wanted to show how much Ah appreciate what you did for me an' Dream Wave." The blue man nodded as he replied, "It wos nothin'. Oi just heard your screamin' and the wolves, ond thet Oi couldn't let you two get eaten."

Taking a bite of her apple fritter, Sideswipe let out a euphoric moan as she complimented, "These are soooooo good!" Swallowing her mouth full, the pale biker asked, "How come you don't make these more often?" Apple Bloom smiled and replied with an amused, "Because with how busy Ah am between school, dance, and normal chores, Ah don't have as much time. Besides, Ah prefer to leave bakin' for special occasions."

Turning her attention to Blast Off, Apple Bloom asked, "Mr. Blast Off? Do you live here with Onslaught?" Nodding, the purple man explained, "Of course. We both moved out here after we met on a job." Onslaught let out a wistful chuckle as he replied, "Oi remember you were rather green. For a whoile, Oi thought you were gonna get us oll hurt."

Curious, Apple Bloom asked, "What job were you doin'?" Hearing this, both Blast Off and Onslaught gave each other concerned looks. The purple man whispered something into his friend's ear, leading Onslaught to reply, "Doon't woory."

Turning to face the two girls, Onslaught explained, "We first met woorkin' as game wordens et a safari park." Blast Off added, "I'd just mustered of the royal air force, and I needed the money." Taking a sip of her tea, Apple Bloom asked, "You two worked at a safari park? What did you do there?"

Smiling, Onslaught explained, "Oor job was to keep a close oye on the animals ond keep them safe from poachers." He then leant closer to his young guests as he menacingly asked, "You'd be surpoised just how much some fokken bastards would pay for a rhino's horn." Blast Off then added, "That's why the park wanted ex-soldiers like both of us. You don't just let any kind of half-crazed prick with a gun protect rare animals worth millions of pounds."

Hearing this, Sideswipe groaned, "Ugh, I hate poachers." Swallowing her mouthful of apple fritters, Apple Bloom asked, "An' you two just sorta…. Stuck together?" As Onslaught and Blast Off gave each other knowing looks, the pale biker couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. After a few awkward moments, the blue man added, "Well, we trekked around the continent foor a while, ond eventually made our way here where we met the others."

Taking this in, Apple Bloom asked, "So, kinda like uncle Ironhide with Ratchet and Wheeljack?" Onslaught nodded as he awkwardly added, "You could say that…" He then did something neither Apple Bloom nor Sideswipe anticipated.

Onslaught gently rested his hand on Blast Off's hand.

Seeing this, Sideswipe jumped into the air and pumped her fists as she squealed, "That's awesome! I'm so happy for you two!" When the two men gave her a confused look, the pale biker meekly apologized, "Sorry. I just…. Get a little excited every time I meet…. You know…" Blast Off couldn't help but laugh as he added, "I know young lady. I sort of figured your "spunky style" gave away that were in the same club."

Apple Bloom asked, "What's goin' on?" Sideswipe leant into her sister's ear and whispered, "I think they're in a relationship." Taking this in, the former farm girl said, "Ooh. That's nice." She then took another bite of her apple fritter as she thought, 'Guess that's somethin' Sideswipe can relate to.'

As everyone continued their tea, the former farm girl couldn't help but think, 'Never thought Ah'd be havin' a tea party with these guys.'

A Short While Later

After their little snack, Apple Bloom found herself exploring Onslaught's residence. Walking down the halls, the former farm girl couldn't help but think, 'Ah gotta admit, this place kinda reminds me of Aunt Apple Rose's place, only less fancy and showoff-y." After all, her aunt owned a large, ancestral home, something far fancier than Onslaught's residence. Making her way to the end of the hall, the burgundy haired girl found a door labelled "Trophy room." Curious, Apple Bloom called out, "Mr. Onslaught? What's your trophy room?"

From the end of the hall, the blue man made his way towards his guest as he answered, "Thet's where Oi display moi trophies from moi hunts ond treks." He then began to turn the door knob as he asked, "Octually, Oi there's somethin' in there that you moight recognoize." Curious, Apple Bloom asked, "What is it? Some of the stuff from your tent?" as she entered the room, however, the former farm girl was caught off guard by what she found.

There, decorating the room, were taxidermized animals.

"Oh my." Apple Bloom remarked with curiosity. Indeed, the walls were decorated with the heads of many different species of deer and antelope, while the floor was adorned with rugs made from bears or big cats. The icing on the cake was the fact that, scattered across the room, stood the taxidermized remains of several animals. There were a few antelope like creatures, a mountain lion, and even a dark orange tiger. However, none of them were what really caught the former farm girl's attention.

Her attention was focused on a gray wolf that stood in the corner.

Walking up to the ferocious canine, Apple Bloom couldn't help but remark, "Why does this guy look familiar?" Once she was closer, the former farm girl noticed that there was a spot on the right side of it's head that looked like a healed over hole. Taking this in, Apple Bloom realized that she'd seen this wolf before.

Staring at the wolf's head, the former farm girl remarked, "This is the wolf that almost…. Almost got me and Dream Wave." Nodding, Onslaught replied, "Aye. Oi went beck to get this prick once you were safe, ond Oi had him stuffed. Sort of a little memento." He then added, "Thet ond… He is in rother good condition." However, the teenaged girl wasn't focused on his compliment.

Apple Bloom was too enamored with the stuffed wolf that stood inches before her. Feeling her heart begin to beat faster and faster, the former farm girl nervously extended her hand to the deceased creature's jaw. 'It ain't like he'll bite me. He's dead.' She thought to herself. As a bead of sweat dripped down her forehead, Apple Bloom thought, 'So why am Ah still nervous?'

Seeing his guest overwhelmed, Onslaught asked, "You olroight there?" Hearing this, Apple Bloom replied, "Yeah, pretty much." She then gestured to the wolf as she continued, "Guess just bein' around…." Trying to find the right words, she finished with, "… Around this guy just still kinda feels wrong." Taking a deep breath, the former farm girl asked, "You ever feel uncomfortable around somethin' even when you know you're alright?"

Nodding, Onslaught replied, "Oi think you mean it still haunts you?" As Apple Bloom nodded, the blue man let out a sigh as he continued, "Join the club." Curious, the former farm girl asked, "You almost eaten by a wolf as well?"

Letting out a gentle chuckle, Onslaught answered, "Actually, it wos a lion." As Apple Bloom took this in, the blue man elaborated, "Oi was on a job in the north of the Suidelike Republiek, ond my team and Oi were surrounded by these two lions. We thought that they were female because they didn't hove manes, but after Oi got a look at one of their bodies…." He then made a snipping motion with his fingers, resulting in Apple Bloom letting out an impulsive chuckle.

Once he'd finished laughing, Onslaught continued, "Of course, we lost most of our team to those two, on top of about thirty locals." He then shivered as he added, "Oi still get noightmares about it sometimes." Motioning to the stuffed wolf, Onslaught asked, "Guess thots something both of us heve in common, roight?"

Letting out a gentle chuckle, Apple Bloom replied, "Ah guess we do." She then asked, "So, does this mean that mah fear of wolves doesn't really go away?" Onslaught shrugged as he replied, "Not quite. It con diminish with toime, in your case, but you'll olways feel just a bit… Off around wolves." He then scratched the back of his neck as he added, "Just like Oi always feel a bit off even seein' a photograph of a lion."

It was at this moment that an idea entered Apple Bloom's mind. Looking at the stuffed wolf's mouth, the former farm girl thought, 'Well, Ah suppose there's one way to ease mah nerves.' Taking a deep breath, she extended her arm and rested her hand right in the deceased canine's mouth and began to feel around. Though she felt a chill run down her spine as a few beads of sweat fell from her brow, knowing that the wolf who had tried to devour her couldn't hurt her or anyone else made her feel just a bit better.

And in that moment, if only for an instant, the wolf wasn't quite as scary as he had been.

Onslaught's Living Room

Entering the living room, Apple Bloom found Sideswipe and Blast Off watching something on an old television. Approaching her sister, the burgundy haired girl asked, "What you two watchin'?" The pale biker turned to her sister as she replied, "Some old marionette series from wherever Onslaught is from." She then pointed to the screen as she explained, "Good thing this show has subtitles."

Turning over to the tv screen, Apple Bloom found the image of two puppets dressed in gold and blue suits facing down a creepy pail alien puppet wielding some sort of sci-fi ray gun as the latter said, "So ontmoet os weer, Kaptein Springbok!" Thankfully, the subtitles at the bottom of the screen provided a translation, saying, "So we meet again, Captain Springbok!" Intrigued, the young girl remarked, "Ooh. Ah'd better check this out sometime."

At that moment, the sound of a telephone rang out. Hearing this, Blast Off stood up from his seat and made his way over to the phone before picking it up and asking, "Hello there. Who is this?" The mystery person on the other end said something, leading the purple man to reply, "Of course, they're both here." After another pause, he continued, "I'll tell them right now." With that, the other person hung up, leading to Blast Off turning to the two girls and revealing what he'd just heard.

"That was Ironhide, and he says you two better start heading home."

Hearing this, Apple Bloom said, "Guess we better start headin' on then." For her part, Sideswipe groaned, "Awh… ok. Just let me get my keys." As she began to rummage through her pocket, Onslaught entered the living room as he asked, "Whet's goin' on here?"

Turning to the blue man, Apple Bloom explained, "Uncle Ironhide called and said we better head home." Nodding, Onslaught replied, "Very well then. Oi'll get your besket."

Outside

Sitting down in the sidecar, Apple Bloom turned to Onslaught and Blast Off, both of whom were standing on the porch, as she said, "Thanks for invitin' us in!" The blue man replied with a warm, "Thonks for the opple fritters." Blast Off then added, "We should do this again sometime." Turning to his partner, Onslaught added, "So long as we invoite Oironhide."

Turning to her sister, Apple Bloom fastened her seatbelt and strapped on her helmet as she asked, "You ready?" Sideswipe pulled a pair of goggles over her eyes as she confidently replied, "Always!" Reving up her bike, the pale biker accelerated her ride forward and, soon, both girls had begun their trek home.

Once the two girls were gone, Blast Off asked, "So, you tell them about the other stuff we did back in the day?" Shaking his head, Onslaught replied, "Nee. Oi didn't wont to stress them. Opple Bloom has enough on her plate olready." He then took a deep breath before reassuring him, "Laast thing either of them need is finding out we used to be mercenaries."

Receiving his answer, Blast Off extended his hand as he said, "Come on. We better start getting dinner ready." As Onslaught took his partner's hand, the purple man continued, "I'm thinking spaghetti." With that, both men entered the house, looking forward to a nice dinner with each other.

Apple Bloom's Room, That Night

Seated at her desk, Apple Bloom stared at the empty notebook sitting in front of her. To the side of the desk rested a book that Wheeljack had found lying around for her. Reaching for this book, the former farm girl noticed the cover as she read out, "Kaapse tong for beginners."

Letting out a gentle chuckle, Apple Bloom remarked, "Well, let's see if Ah can follow along with this." Opening the book, she began to take notes on the first lesson as she wrote down, "Hallo. My naam is Apple Bloom." Pausing for a moment, she remembered what she'd learned from Onslaught, and decided that she'd use what she'd learned to give her a head start. Taking a deep breath, Apple Bloom scribbled over her writing as she started over with something else.

"Hallo. My naam is Appelbloei."