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.

36. Auditions

Life in Allspark Wells

Part 32; Auditions

Stepping out of her sister's sidecar, Apple Bloom took a deep breath as she reassured herself, "Alright. Enough worryin' about school. Now it's time to kick back and make a little noise!" Shaking her head, Sideswipe smiled as she replied, "Heh. You said it. I gotta stretch my legs before I start getting charley horses." As the two girls gathered their belongings, the former farm girl turned to face their destination: Hoofer Steps's Dance School.

Just like every other week, the time had come for Apple Bloom and Sideswipe's weekly tap class. 'And after the crap and chaos Ah've had to put up with this week, Ah think Ah deserve a little fun.' The burgundy haired girl thought to herself. After all, what could be better than doing something she loved with her friends, sisters, and boyfriend?

Feeling her cares float away, Apple Bloom began to tap her way across the parking lot and up the concrete sidewalk. 'Shuffle hop step ball change. Shuffle hop step ball change. Shuffle hop step shuffle hop step shuffle hop step.' She thought as she performed the corresponding steps on her trek towards the studio's front door. The former far girl was distracted from her dancing by Sideswipe calling out, "Hey! Save some energy for class!" Apple Bloom could only let out an embarrassed chuckle as she replied, "Heh. Sorry."

As the two girls entered the studio's front door, they found the familiar sight of Ravage seated behind the front desk. The dark man was speaking on the phone, saying, "Da. Da. We're getting everything ready. Is she holding up alright?" Realizing that he was busy with something important, Apple Bloom leaned towards her sister and whispered, "Ah think we should just leave him for later." Nodding, Sideswipe replied, "I agree." The two girls then made their way to the changing rooms, hopeful they could swap into their dance attire without too much of a fuss.

The Changing Rooms

"There we go!" Apple Bloom said to her reflection as she straightened her braided pigtails. "Just a little more and… Perfect!" She exclaimed as the last few stray strands were flattened back into line. Giving her reflection a confident wink, she couldn't help but admire her appearance.

The former farm girl was once again dressed in her regular dance attire: a maroon tank top and a pair of loose black pants. Right now, her feet were covered in a pair of black socks that didn't even reach her ankles. All in all, it wasn't something she'd wear to impress anyone, but it was perfect for moving her body without feeling obstructed.

As she looked at her reflection, Apple Bloom noticed the black pair of tap shoes that rested next to her duffle bag. Turning around, the burgundy haired girl made her way to her beloved pair of oxfords and picked them up. "Always feels good to pull you two out, doesn't it?" She asked her shoes. Of course, they could not answer her back, so Apple Bloom simply answered, "Ah guess it does."

Before Apple Bloom could continue to talk to her shoes, she was distracted by the sound of Pastel's voice calling out, "Everything alright in there cowgirl?" Caught off guard, the former farm girl replied, "Ah'm fine. Just give me another minute." This statement as followed by the cerulean goth's voice continuing, "Well you better hurry. There's a cute boy here looking for you." Hearing this, Apple Bloom began to blush as she scooped up her tap shoes and water bottle.

Once she was outside, Apple Bloom was greeted by Pastel Goth and Tender Taps, the former still dressed in a pink dress under her leather jacket while the latter had already changed into a dark purple sleeveless top and black pants. 'Gotta admit, he always has a way of lookin' nice.' She thought to herself.

Approaching her boyfriend, the burgundy haired girl asked, "Howdy Tendy. How's your day been?" As the two hugged, Tender Taps replied, "Pretty good. Things are easing up in theater class. Guess now that the PYA are gone, no one has to hide in the closet anymore." Pastel then added, "Tell me about it. People have stopped hounding me about my little elephant issue."

Apple Bloom then asked, "Ah forgot to ask at lunch, but how's Double Shuffle doin'?" The former farm girl received her answer when her honorary little sister's voice replied, "I'm doing fine, thank you very much." To her side, Apple Bloom found Double Shuffle and Featherweight, both still in their normal clothes, entering through the front door as the blue girl continued, "Just a normal day, nothing exciting." The cream boy, meanwhile, answered, "Same here, except I'd like to forget this week's scout meeting." He then shuddered and gently grasped his neck as he continued, "Remind me to never trust some of them with knot tying again."

Before anyone could add anything else to the conversation, the door to one of the studio's opened as a gaggle of young girls emerged, followed by Hoofer Steps. The dance teacher called out, "Alvight everyvone! Ve finished a little early today, so I do apologize for ze sudden svarm here!" She then turned to the older kids as she continued, "As for you all, you have still have a few minutes to get veady, but you'd better hurry. Ve've got a lot to go over today." She turned her attention to her younger pupils as she gently called, "Come along now kinder."

As Hoofer Steps escorted the gaggle of younger girls to their parents, Apple Bloom took Tender Taps's hand as she playfully chimed, "Come on! We better start stretchin'. Don't wanna end up gettin' a muscle cramp, do we?" She then pulled her boyfriend into the now empty studio, followed by everyone else.

Once they were inside, Apple Bloom and Tender Taps sat down against the wall as they began to slip on their tap shoes. As the former farm girl began to tie her left shoe's laces, her boyfriend remarked, "Don't know if you know this, but the competition season is coming up soon. I heard Hoofer Steps is thinking of seeing which of us wants to participate." Tilting her head, Apple Bloom asked, "Competition? That like some sort of thing between everyone here?"

Shaking his head as he tied his own shoes, Tender Taps replied, "Nope. It's where dancers from all over a region gather, perform routines against each other, and people judge them on who did the best." He then let out a wistful sigh as he continued, "Double Shuffle and I used to do it all the time before we moved. We sorta had to take a break to get settled in here, not to mention the fact I was still partially grounded after that little tussle with Garble."

Taking this in, Apple Bloom replied, "Ooh. You know that sounds kinda like fun. Ah might like to try that." Tender Taps smiled as he pumped his fist, squealing, "Awesome! We just have to hope that Miss Hoofer Steps decides to put us together for a duet or something!"

Before Apple Bloom could take her boyfriend's statement in, Hoofer Steps entered the studio, flanked by Double Shuffle and Featherweight, both younger kids having changed into their proper class attire. Clapping her hands, the gray woman called out, "Alvight kinder. I vant you all to line up. It's time to begin our varmup exercises." Both Apple Bloom and Tender Taps stood up and joined their classmates in the straight line, making sure to stand next to each other.

Walking over to the radio and speakers, Hoofer Steps pressed the button to begin playing music as an old jazz standard tune rang through the enclosed studio. "Alvight everyvone! Ve're starting vith our toe taps, zen heel taps, followed by toe heels und heel toes. Und vemember, ve go eighth notes, syncopated eighth notes, triplets, und sixteenth notes!"

After a brief countdown from Hoofer Steps, Apple Bloom and the rest of the class began the exercise, stamping their toe taps against the studio's wooden floor for several eight counts. Once they'd passed, everyone repeated the same, only in a syncopated rhythm. Once that was done, they moved on to a triplet rhythm, with Apple Bloom counting in her head, 'One and a two and a three and a four and a….' After a few moments, everyone repeated it again, this time tapping their toes twice as fast as they were earlier.

A few minutes later, and everyone had finished their warmup. Stretching her arms, Apple Bloom thought to herself, 'There we go. Ah'm feelin' better already.' Seeing her students were now properly warmed up, Hoofer Steps clapped her hands together as she began, "Now zen, I believe ve should begin vith….."

One Hour Later

"Und a Five! Six! Five six seven eight!" Hoofer Steps counted as the music began to play again. Once she finished counting, Apple Bloom, Tender Taps, and the rest of the class performed the combination they'd just learned. 'It's shuffle leap shuffle leap stamp hop step.' The former farm girl thought as her feet brushed, clacked, and tapped against the hardwood floor.

After a few moments, the class came to a part Apple Bloom was nervous about: the single pullback. 'Here goes nothin'.' She thought to herself as she shifted her weight onto her left leg. When the moment came, the former farm girl pulled herself back, making sure to brush her toe tap against the floor. While she didn't get it quite right, Apple Bloom did feel her feet briefly make contact with the floor, proving to herself that she'd at least done a decent job on the complicated step.

Soon, everyone finished the combination as they held their arms out in a dramatic pose. Once the music stopped, Hoofer Steps complimented, "Vonderful vork everyvone! Sadly, I believe ve are out of time zis veek. Before you leave however, zere is something I feel I must tell you all. Gather around please." As she approached her teacher, Apple Bloom thought to herself, 'This has to be the thing about the competition stuff.'

Sure enough, Hoofer Steps began, "Everyvone, in a few months, ze dance competition season vill begin, und I vant to see which of you vill vish to compete. Zis Saturday, I vill be hosting audition zis Saturday at eleven AM. All of you are invited to try out."

Hearing this, Apple Bloom knew one thing. 'Ah really wanna do this. Scratch that, Ah've gotta do this!'

The Chop Shop, That Evening

"Uncle Ironhide! Aunt Chromia! We're home!" Apple Bloom called out as she and Sideswipe entered the shop front. The two girls were immediately greeted by Wreck-Gar and Wheelie, the two robots cleaning the counter and floors respectively. Seeing that his sisters had returned home, the pint sized promethean ran up to the burgundy haired girl as he enthusiastically asked, "Hey Apple Bloom! You have fun at school and dance class?" Bending down, Apple Bloom gave him a gentle hug as she replied, "Yes and yes."

At that moment, Ironhide entered the shop front as he asked, "Well, looks like you two made it back in one piece. You girls have a good day?" Sideswipe answered first with, "Pretty good, but right now, I think I gotta go take a nap." The pale biker then walked past her guardian as Apple Bloom approached her uncle and made her request.

"Uncle Ironhide? Can Ah ask a question?"

The Living Room, A Few Minutes Later

"You want to do this competitive dance thing?" Ironhide asked his daughter. The former farm girl had just finished explaining her request to her uncle, and now she was preparing for his response. Scratching his chin, the family patriarch pondered, "Well now…"

Apple Bloom immediately began to beg, "Please uncle Ironhide! Ah promise, if it's too expensive, Ah can do any additional chores around here! Ah'll even take latrine duty!" As she began to prepare for the worst case scenario, the former farm girl took a deep breath and tensed her muscles as she thought, 'Well, Ah guess it was at least worth a shot.'

To her surprise, Ironhide replied, "I suppose we can see about that." Hearing this, Apple Bloom asked, "Wait, really? You don't mind me doin' this?" The former sergeant nodded as he replied, "Of course not kid. I think it'd be pretty cool to see what you can do on stage like that." He then leaned into his daughter's ear as he playfully added, "Besides, I doubt it could be as expensive as Wheeljack's impact on the electric bill." Hearing this, Apple Bloom couldn't help but giggle as she wrapped her uncle in a tight hug as she replied, "Thanks uncle Ironhide."

At that moment, the two were distracted by the sound of Chromia's voice asking, "What's going on in here?" Turning to see who it was, Apple Bloom found her aunt, Ratchet, and Wheeljack enter the living room, the maverick mechanic remarking, "Yeah. Sounds like someone just got shot over the rainbow."

Patting his daughter on the shoulder, Ironhide replied, "Apple Bloom here told me she wants to do some competition dancing." Hearing this, Chromia complimented, "My, that sounds like fun!" Ratchet then added, "And it sounds like a way to keep you active and moving." Even Wheeljack seemed intrigued as he replied, "Oh my. Can't wait to see what you can do."

Ironhide then asked, "So kid, I take it you'll need to be at the studio sometime this weekend?" Nodding, Apple Bloom replied, "Yup. It's this Saturday at eleven. Ah got a feelin' Ah'll need someone to get me there." To her surprise, Ironhide spoke up, "I can take you kid." The former farm girl smiled as she replied, "Thanks uncle Ironhide. Ah hope it's not too inconvenient for you."

The family patriarch reassured his daughter, "It's alright kid. We'll figure it all out." He then gave Apple Bloom a hug as he added, "But for now, I think it's time we started getting dinner ready." As they released each other, he continued, "And you and I are on KP tonight. Come on." Smiling, Apple Bloom replied, "Sir yes sir." The two then departed for the kitchen, hoping they could fix up something everyone would find delicious.

Hoofer Steps's Dance Studio, A Few Days Later

As the crimson van pulled up to the dance school, Ironhide turned to his daughter as he asked, "You ready for this kid?" Taking a deep breath, Apple Bloom replied, "Ah think so. Ah mean, Ah'm a little nervous, but nothin' Ah haven't dealt with before." The ex-sergeant pulled the key out of the van's ignition as he reassured her, "If you can stare down that washed up hippie in court, you can wow that dance teacher of yours."

Feeling a bit more confident, Apple Bloom picked her dance bag up from the car floor and said, "Thanks uncle Ironhide. Wish me luck." As she unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the car door, Ironhide replied, "Good luck kid. I'm right behind you." The two then stepped out of the van and made their way to the studio's front door.

Once they were inside the lobby, both Apple Bloom and Ironhide were surprised to see Ravage directing several men as he barked, "Dvigaytes'! We're burning daylight here!" Curious, Ironhide asked, "Excuse me, everything alright?" The Slavic man turned his attention to the new arrivals as he replied, "Ah, Yablochko! Mladshiy serzhant! Good to see you two!" He then continued, "Da, everything is. Hoofer Steps and I are planning on…. Well…." Pausing a moment, Ravage finished, "We're taking a kid in."

"Really?" Ironhide asked in surprise. "That's pretty generous of you two. I just hope you both understand that you're committing to a responsibility." Nodding, Ravage replied, "We know. But for now, I see we have someone here for the competition audition?"

Apple Bloom nodded as she replied, "Yup. Ah hope we're not too late or anythin'." Ravage let out a gentle chuckle as he replied, "Of course not. Your paren' and the little Bolshoi are already here, and the others looking forward to this should be arriving soon." He then turned to Ironhide as he asked, "Actually, would you mind giving me a hand with some stuff here? We can discuss the paperwork and all that boring stuff while we're doing it."

Ironhide nodded as he replied, "Sounds like a plan. You better get ready kid." Straightening her bag, Apple Bloom began to make her way to the changing rooms as she bade, "Ok. See you in a bit!"

The Studio Floor, A Few Minutes Later

Having changed into her dance attire once again, Apple Bloom entered the dance studio to find that Tender Taps and Double Shuffle were already there, just as Ravage had said. The orange boy was dressed in a dark purple tank top with black pants while the blue girl was wearing a black leotard and shorts. Noticing his girlfriend, Tender Taps waived his hand as he called out, "Hey Apple Bloom! Over here!"

Joining her boyfriend and little sister, Apple Bloom greeted, "Great to see y'all! Ah can't wait to show Ms. Hoofer Steps what Ah can do!" As she ran up to her older sister, Double Shuffle hugged the former farm girl as she remarked, "Same here. Hey, where's Sideswipe?" Scratching the back of her neck, the former farm girl replied, "She said she wasn't too keen on this whole thing. Guess she isn't as much of a diehard dancer as us." The blue girl gave a large smile as she added, "Yeah. Her loss!"

Walking up to his girlfriend, Tender Taps asked, "So, you nervous about performing for Miss Hoofer Steps?" Apple Bloom nodded as she replied, "A little bit. Ah don't wanna let her down." The orange hoofer rested his hand on his girlfriend's shoulder as he reassured her, "Don't worry. If you were good enough to make it into the advanced class, then you'll be a shoe in for a group number." Double Shuffle then added, "Yeah! You might even get a solo!"

'A solo?' Apple Bloom thought to herself. 'Just me on stage in front of Primus knows how many people?' The prospect of her doing a solo was as terrifying as it was exhilarating to the former farm girl. As a confident smile formed on her lips, the burgundy haired girl replied, "You know, Ah think that sounds just fine."

Sitting down against the wall, Apple Bloom opened her duffle bag and pulled out her tap shoes. However, instead of her all black pair, the former arm girl had brought her special red and black shoes. As she slipped her right shoe on, Tender Taps remarked, "Hey, you using the pair dad gave you?" Nodding, Apple Bloom replied, "Yup. Ah figured an occasion like this calls for bringing out these girls."

Double Shuffle squealed as she exclaimed, "No way! Same here!" The blue girl then scooped up her bag and pulled out her own yellow and black tap shoes. Apple Bloom let out a gentle chuckle as she quipped, "Well, aren't we thinkin' on the same level." As she tied the laces on her shoe, the former farm girl continued, "Who knows, maybe we'll get a duet together or somethin'."

The three tap dancers were interrupted by Pastel's voice calling out, "Hey girls! Hope we're not late or anything." Turning to face her friend, Apple Bloom found the cerulean goth entering the studio, dressed in a black tank top and shorts, her tap shoes held under her arms. As she joined the others, Featherweight followed, the cream boy wearing a white tee shirt and black pants.

As Double Shuffle and Featherweight caught up with each other, Apple Bloom replied, "Oh no, you're right on time." Tender Taps then said, "Good to see you here! You ready?" Nodding, Pastel replied, "You bet. I just hope I can do a good enough job for her."

Tying the laces on her right shoe, Apple Bloom stood up and reassured her friend, "Don't worry. You're an amazin' dancer, and Ah know you're gonna do great." Feeling a bit more relieved, Pastel pulled the former farm girl into a hug as she replied, "Thanks cowgirl." As Apple Bloom hugged her back, the cerulean goth complimented, "Nice shoes."

At that moment, Hoofer Steps entered the studio, clad in a long-sleeved leotard, pink tights, and her black and white tap shoes. Extending her hands, the dance teacher greeted, "Guten Morgen everyvone! I'm glad zat you all are here today!" As everyone turned to her, Hoofer Steps continued, "Now, since I've seen how you are as a group during class, vhat I am going to do today is to see how good you are in a vone on vone environment. Zis vay, I can see who vill not only be part of zis year's group number, but also who is best suited for a solo or duet."

Clapping her hands together, Hoofer Steps asked, "Who vould like to go first?" Seeing an opportunity, Apple Bloom raised her hand as she exclaimed, "Ah'd like to go first ma'am!" The dance teacher nodded as she ushered the former farm girl away with, "Very vell. Follow me miss Bloom." As she began to leave, Tender Taps gave his girlfriend a thumbs up as he wished, "Good luck."

Once they were one of the other studios, Hoofer Steps asked, "So tell me Apple Bloom, how confident do you feel about your skill level?" Pausing for a moment to process what she'd been asked, the former farm girl replied, "Well, Ah know Ah'm not the best in the class, but Ah do feel like Ah'm improvin', and Ah can be good enough for anythin'." Taking a deep breath, the former farm girl thought to herself, 'Ah hope that didn't come out as too cheesy.'

Hearing this, Hoofer Steps replied, "Very vell. Now, Ve are going to see how skilled you are." Walking up to the former farm girl, she ordered, "Please show me ze most complicated steps you can confidently perform."

Pausing for a moment, Apple Bloom took a deep breath before she performed a single pullback, lifting her right foot as she brushed back on her left foot, before continuing with scattered wings. Once she'd finished with those, the former farm girl began to alternate her shuffles before finishing with a "shave and a haircut." Hoofer Steps took this information in as she complimented, "Very good Apple Bloom! You are improving." Hearing this compliment, Apple Bloom smiled as she replied, "Thank you ma'am."

Hoofer Steps then continued, "So, let's see vhat else you can do…"

Later That Day

Sitting as she stretched her legs, Apple Bloom thought to herself, 'Ah hope Ah did a good enough job for miss Hoofer Steps.' After finishing her personal assessment, the former farm girl had returned to join her friends as one of them joined their teacher for their turn. The next to go was Tender Taps, then Double Shuffle, Pastel, and now Featherweight was being tested. All Apple Bloom could do now was wait and hope that she'd impressed her teacher.

As she sat against the wall, Apple Bloom allowed her eyes to drift to her reflection in the large studio mirror. Specifically, the former farm girl noticed the metal plates on each of her toes. 'Heh, Ah know Ah should be used to this, but Ah just love seein' these little fellas.' She thought as she wiggled her toes.

Turning to face her boyfriend, Apple Bloom found Tender Taps chatting with Pastel, leading the former farm girl to think to herself, 'Ah gotta find a way to thank him for introducin' me to this.' After all, Tender had been the one who introduced her to tap dancing in the first place. Sure, she'd seen videos of people dancing before, but to actually meet someone who could tap and was willing to teach her?

And once she actually started, Apple Bloom realized two things. The first was that she was pretty good at it. Sure, she wasn't on the same level as Tender Taps, Double Shuffle, or Hoofer Steps, but the former farm girl was certainly very good with her feet.

The other thing Appel Bloom realized was the fact that she loved tap dancing. She loved being able to make music as she danced, she loved the sound of taps striking a wooden floor, and she loved how it felt as she danced. 'Heh. It's like…. It's somethin' Ah was meant to do.' Apple Bloom thought to herself. 'Ah don't know it Ah'd be one of them professional dancers, but Ah know Ah wanna do this for the rest of mah life.' Pausing for a moment, the former farm girl continued, 'Or at least as long as Ah can before mah body gives out.'

Apple Bloom was distracted from her train of thought when Hoofer Steps and Featherweight entered the studio as the gray teacher spoke out, "Alvight everyvone! You have all done an exceptional job. Now, I need to do a little thinking over, but I vill give you your routine assignments vithin ze next half hour."

Hearing this, Apple Bloom asked, "Does that mean you'll tell us who we're dancin' with and what song we're dancin' to?" The older dance instructor shook her head as she replied, "Zat is something I vill reveal vonce I'm done, ja?" The former farm girl nodded as she replied, "Ah understand ma'am." Now that she'd made her announcement, Hoofer Steps departed as she bade, "I vill be back in a moment, at vhich point I shall also inform your parents."

Once Hoofer Steps was gone, Apple Bloom turned to Tender Taps as she asked, "You think we'll get a duet together?" The purple haired hoofer took his girlfriend's hand as he replied, "I hope so. You're an amazing dancer, and I'd be honored to tap with you." The former farm girl couldn't help but blush as she smiled and complimented, "Thanks. Ah could say the same of you."

Featherweight then walked up to the group as he nervously asked, "Uh… So, if I'm doing a duet, could…." The cream boy then turned his attention to Double Shuffle as he asked, "Would you be my partner?" As Double Shuffle found herself caught off guard (and starting to blush herself), Apple Bloom leaned into Tender's ear and whispered, "Is this what Ah think it is?" The orange boy nodded as he whispered back, "Then we should give these two a little space."

As the two older teens gave Double Shuffle and Featherweight some privacy, they were joined by Pastel, the cerulean goth noticing, "I just noticed there's an odd number of us here. You think we might have an odd one out skipping on a duet?" Hearing this, Apple Bloom found herself speechless as she realized, 'She's right. There's only five of us here, and even if Sideswipe and Pizzelle were here, we'd have a similar problem.' Thinking the situation over, the former farm girl replied, "Ah'm not sure."

Thankfully, Tender Taps reassured Pastel, "Don't worry, Hoofer Steps said that she'll do another one of these next week. Hopefully we'll get people from one of the other classes." This seemed to ease Pastel's worries, with the pale blue girl replying, "That's good. I think." Apple Bloom then took her friend's hand and told her, "Hey, Ah'm sure everythin' will work out just fine."

Smiling as she let out a gentle sigh, Pastel nodded as she replied, "Yeah. Just fine."

Twenty Minutes Later

As the studio door opened, Hoofer Steps reentered the studio, this time followed by Ironhide, Soft Shoe, Blaster, and a woman with green skin and white hair whom Apple Bloom suspected was Featherweight's mother. Turning to face her uncle, the former farm girl noticed the beads of sweat that dripped from his forehead that he'd been busy helping Ravage. However, what really surprised her was the fact that the ex-sergeant was chatting with Soft Shoe. 'Huh. Ah wonder if they're talkin' about….' Apple Bloom thought before she was distracted by Hoofer Steps clapping her hands.

"Achtung kinder!" The dance instructor called out. As everyone turned to face her, Hoofer Steps began, "Danke for coming today. I have taken everysing you have shown me today, as vell as your progress in class into account, und I have somesing important to announce." Apple Bloom found herself growing nervous, her stomach twisting into a knot as she feared that she failed her audition.

Pausing for a moment, Hoofer Steps declared, "congratulations everyvone. You vill all be in ze group number for zis competition season!"

Hearing this, Apple Bloom felt her heart soar as she began to smile. 'Ah can't believe it! Ah did it!' She then turned to face Tender Taps, finding her boyfriend was smiling a great big grin as well. From the other end of the studio, the burgundy haired girl could hear the adults clapping as Ironhide's voice called out, "Way to go kid!" Before Apple Bloom could say anything, Hoofer Steps then dropped another bombshell.

"On top of ze group number, All of you vill also have a solo routine."

'A solo?!' Apple Bloom thought. 'Ah get to perform a solo?' Unable to contain her excitement, the former farm girl pulled Tender Taps into a tight hug as she squealed, "This is amazin'!" The orange hoofer hugged his girlfriend back as he replied, "I know!" Pastel then joined the group hug as she exclaimed, "This is gonna be so awesome!"

Once all the kids had allowed their excitement to simmer down, Hoofer Steps spoke up again, "Zere is vone more announcement I have to make. Vight now, I have decided zat four of you vill also have a duet routine, und I vould like to announce your partners." Turning to face her teacher, Apple Bloom crossed her fingers as she whispered, "Please let me and Tender have a routine together. Please.' After another pause, Hoofer Steps revealed her duet assignments.

"Ze first duet partners vill be Tender Taps und Featherweight. Ze other duo shall be Pastel Goth und Apple Bloom."

The moment she heard this, Apple Bloom and Tender Taps felt their hearts sink. 'Ah mean…. It's not like it's the end of the world.' The former farm girl thought to herself. 'Still, it kinda sucks.' As she sighed to herself, Tender Taps took her hand as he gently reassured her, "Hey, at least we'll have the group number."

Hoofer Steps then spoke up with, "Now zen, your partners vere chosen based both on your personal skill level, but also to provide a challenge since you haven't been as close vith each other in class. Ze competition season begins in ze new year, so ve only have about two months to vork on your routines. Zis year, I have decided to allow you all to decide ze music for your routines, both solos und duets. You vill have two weeks to decide, so make sure you are able to communicate vith each other." She then added, "Vone final sing, Apple Bloom und Pastel Goth? I vill need a vord vith you und your parents." Turning around, she added, "Herr Ironhide? Herr Blaster? Follow me."

As Blaster and Ironhide followed Hoofer Steps, the ex sergeant turned to Soft Shoe and whispered something to the yellow dancer. Apple Bloom couldn't hear it, but she could make out Soft Shoe's response, a simple, "Of course. We'll be there." The burgundy haired girl would have continued to ponder on what her boyfriend's mother meant by that, but she was distracted by Pastel pulling at her arm as she said, "Hey cowgirl. I think they want us. Come on."

Nodding, Apple Bloom replied, "Sure thing." She then turned back to Tender Taps as she said, "Guess Ah'll see ya later?" The orange hoofer nodded as he replied, "Yeah. Good luck with whatever Hoofer Steps has for you." He then took her hand and kissed it, leading Apple Bloom to blush as she replied, "You're too kind."

With that, Apple Bloom and Pastel Goth joined their guardians and Hoofer Steps.

Private Room

As the group entered the private office room, Hoofer Steps sat down at the head of a long office table as she began, "Now zen, please take a seat, everyvone." Once everyone was seated, the gray dance teacher turned to Apple Bloom and gently continued, "I know you und Tender Taps are… "close," so ze veason I vanted you und Pastel here to be partners to prove zat you can be in sync vith somevone else."

Ironhide raised his hand as he asked, "You basically want to see if she can work well with someone other than her boyfriend?" As Apple Bloom began to blush, Hoofer Steps replied, "Pretty much." Once the former farm girl recovered from her embarrassment, Apple Bloom asked, "Is that it? Because Ah got a feeling this is about more than pushin' mahself to be the best."

Pastel nodded as she replied, "Yeah. That's…. something a bit more serious." Hoofer Steps then nodded as she added, "Ja. Fraulein Pastel, may I continue?" The cerulean goth shook her head as she said, "Actually, can I tell her?" As the gray teacher nodded, Pastel turned to Apple Bloom and explained what was going on.

"Apple Bloom, you're one of, if not my best friend. You were one of the first people I came out to. And well…." Pausing for a moment as she took a deep breath, Pastel said, "And I just want a partner I know I can trust, especially since I don't know how the people who run these competitions will react to me being trans."

Hoofer Steps then spoke up with, "Miss Bloom, I hope you understand vhy I have allowed Fraulein Pastel to choose you as her partner." Taking this all in, Apple Bloom replied, "Ah understand." She then turned to Pastel as she reassured her friend, "And don't worry, we're gonna be an amazin' team." The cerulean goth felt her eyes begin to tear up as she gently replied, "Thanks cowgirl."

Hoofer Steps then stood up from the table as she said, "Wunderbar. I'm glad zat you two are up for zis, und I trust zat you vill find ze perfect song for your routines." Blaster then added, "You girls can always come by the station and check our music library. We've got like thousands of songs and albums for you to choose from." As the two girls rose up to their feet, Apple Bloom replied, "Thanks Blaster." The crimson disk jockey reassured the former farm girl, "No problem. It's the least I could do for my sis's dance partner."

Ironhide then added, "Now then, I think we better start moving off." He then turned to his daughter as he playfully quipped, "You smell pretty rank." Apple Bloom feigned offense as she replied, "Please. Me smell bad?" She then lifted her arm and sniffed her armpit, only to be overwhelmed by an unpleasant stench. Sighing in resignation, the former farm girl defeatedly admitted, "Ok, maybe Ah could use some deodorant."

Hoofer Steps then said, "Zat should do it zen. Girls, I shall see you at our next class. Auf wiedersehen." As she and the adults made their way for the door, Pastel stopped Apple Bloom as she asked, "Apple Bloom?" When the former farm girl stopped and turned around, she found herself wrapped in a bone crushing hug as the cerulean goth said, "Thanks." Hugging her friend back, Apple Bloom reassured her, "You're welcome."

Once the two girls returned to the studio lobby, Apple Bloom noticed Tender Taps and Featherweight talking with each other, the orange hoofer reassuring the cream boy about something. Seeing her boyfriend chat with the younger boy made Apple Bloom's heart melt as she remarked, "Ah gotta say, he's got a way with people." Pastel then gave her friend a gentle elbow nudge as she added, "Yup. He's as great a dancer as he is an inspirerer or whatever the word is."

But as Tender Taps knelt down and began to undo the laces to one of his tap shoes, a thought entered the former farm girl's mind. 'Wait a minute. His dancin'…. That's it!' Looking around, Apple Bloom found Ironhide chatting with Ravage and Soft Shoe, the yellow woman saying, "Trust me, if there's one thing you need to be careful of, it'll be when, not if, your kid gets their rebellious phase."

Running up to her uncle, Apple Bloom asked, "Uncle Ironhide? Can Ah ask you somethin'?" Turning to face his daughter, the family patriarch replied, "Sure. What is it kid?" The burgundy haired girl continued, "If there's a chance, can Ah use the forge at some point in the next few days? There's somethin' Ah wanna make with it." She then gestured to Tender Taps, leading Soft Shoe to say, "Oh my. If you're wishing to use that for what I think you are, I'd better go so I can't spoil the surprise."

Apple Bloom then continued, "Ah think Ah know what to do for Tender's birthday present, but Ah need to use the forge." Pausing for a moment as he took this in, Ironhide replied, "Alright, I suppose I can help you with that." Lighting up with joy, Apple Bloom pulled her uncle into a tight hug as she squealed, "Thank you! You're the best!" Ironhide hugged his daughter back as he replied, "No problem kid."

Once their hug was done, Ironhide said, "Now then, how about we head home? You need a shower, and I can get lunch ready." Apple Bloom nodded as she replied, "That sounds like a plan." With that, the former farm girl bade farewell to her friends before she and her uncle departed for home.

She wanted to be in good enough shape to work the forge for her boyfriend's birthday present.