Life in Allspark Wells
Part 31; Ms. Toadstone
As the school bell rang out, Shockwave clapped his hands together as he declared, "Alright everyone. That will do for today. We'll pick up where we left off tomorrow with dominant and recessive genes. And remember, clarity of thought before rashness of action." As everyone began to gather their belongings, Apple Bloom replied, "See you tomorrow sir." The former farm girl then slipped her papers into her messenger bag before making her way to the door and entering the school's hallways.
Walking through the halls, Apple Bloom took a deep breath as she said to herself, "One period down, three to go. At least there ain't no hide nor hair of the PYA." It had only been one day since Monsieur Labelle's visit, and every last trace of the Patriotic Youth Association had been scrubbed from the school. Every banner had been pulled down, every poster removed, and every hurtful and hateful word they'd said was gone. Smiling, the former farm girl remarked, "Glad to see those jerks are gone."
Apple Bloom was so lost in thought that she failed to notice a group of older girls in front of her. Before she could react, the burgundy haired girl bumped into one of them, forcing the older teen to drop her books. "Oh mah gosh! Ah'm so sorry!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. She then bent down and began to reach for one of the discarded books as she offered, "Let me get that for you."
The former farm girl found her hand swatted away as the girl scolded, "Don't touch my stuff!" As she recoiled, Apple Bloom apologized, "Sorry about that. Can Ah…" She was interrupted when one of the other girls bluntly stated, "She said not to touch her stuff! Go stick your nose in someone else's business!" Realizing that she wasn't going to get through to them, the burgundy haired girl simply nodded and walked away, continuing her trek towards her English class.
'That's odd.' Apple Bloom thought to herself. 'It's not like Ah said anythin' mean or tried to take anythin', right?' Stopping to lean against the wall, the former farm girl continued, 'That's the second time somethin' like this has happened today.'
Thinking back on earlier that morning, Apple Bloom recalled when she walked past another group of students whispering something. She was not concerned about whatever it was they were talking about, but the moment she passed them, the burgundy haired girl noticed that they'd stopped talking. When she turned around to see what was going on, Apple Bloom found the group staring at her, watching as if she'd done something horrible.
Shuddering, the young girl continued to think, 'Ah mean, it's not like Ah need to know what's goin' on, but it felt like they thought Ah was eavesdroppin' on them.' And what was it that one of the teens she'd accidentally bumped into said? "Go stick your nose in someone else's business?" Shaking her head, Apple Bloom couldn't help but think, 'Somethin' weird is goin' on."
Before Apple Bloom could contemplate her situation further, her eyes noticed the clock on the wall, more specifically the time on it. "Oh no! Ah better get to class!" She then began to dart through the hallway, hoping she could make it in time.
A Few Minutes Later
Entering her English class, Apple Bloom was relieved to see that she wasn't late. 'Heh. Looks like Ah'm not even the last one to arrive.' She thought to herself as she scanned the classroom. Letting out a sigh of relief, she began to make her way to her seat.
As she approached her desk, however, the former farm girl couldn't help but feel that something was off. Looking around, Apple Bloom found that many of the other students were staring at her, some even glaring at her. 'Not this again.' She thought to herself. 'Now Ah know somethin's goin' on.'
Once she was at her seat, Apple Bloom turned to one of her classmates, a boy with red skin and white hair as she asked, "Howdy. How's your day been?" The boy didn't reply, instead sticking his nose in the air as he turned his head, leading the burgundy haired girl to quip, "Guess you're not in a talkative mood today, huh?"
At that moment, Apple Bloom heard the sound of her teacher's voice call out, "Alright everyone." Turning to face Mr. Rust Dust, the former farm girl found the dusty brown man closing approaching the front board of his classroom as he continued, "Good to see you all. We have a lot to go over today, starting with the importance of similes and…."
The Cafeteria, Later That Day
Making her way to an isolated table, Apple Bloom sat down and placed her tray on the table as she lamented, "Ok, two classes down, and now Ah know somethin's goin' on." English class had proceeded as normal, with the only thing that she noticed was the fact that everyone was still giving her suspicious looks. "Somethin's…. just not right." She muttered to herself. "It's like Ah've come down with the Cutie Pox or somethin'."
As she took a bite from her slice of pizza, the young girl noticed Tender Taps off in the distance. 'At least now Ah can expect some friendly company.' Apple Bloom thought to herself as she waived to her boyfriend. The orange hoofer noticed her and began to make his way towards her, all while getting the stink eye from everyone at neighboring tables.
Once he sat down, Tender Taps asked, "Hey Apple Bloom. You having a good day?" Shrugging, the former farm girl answered, "Ah'm not sure." Concerned, the young hoofer asked, "What's wrong?" Apple Bloom sighed before replying, "Well, Ah don't know how to put it, but Ah've just got this feelin' that everyone's got a bone to pick with me." She then asked, "Ah haven't done anythin' bad, right?"
Shaking his head, Tender Taps replied, "Of course not! If anything, you helped bring the PYA down after everything they put us all through." He then took his girlfriend's hand as he reassured her, "If everyone is giving you the cold shoulder, then I'll give you a flaming hot one." After an awkward pause, the young hoofer sheepishly continued, "Ok, that was a little awkward."
Laughing, Apple Bloom blushed as she replied, "It was. But it was sweet." She then rested her other hand over her boyfriend's as she continued, "Just like you Tendy." Tender Taps began to blush himself as he replied, "I could say the same of you."
As the two teens began to lean towards each other, Tender Taps asked, "Oh, there's something I've been meaning to ask you. When is your birthday?"
'Mah birthday?!' Apple Bloom mentally asked herself. 'Primus almighty! Ah've been so focused on school and the PYA and Mr. Compost that Ah completely forgot!' Catching herself, the former farm girl heard Tender Taps nervously continued, "Everything alright? I just… I know we've been dating for a while, and you haven't mentioned it and…"
"It's alright." Apple Bloom gently interrupted. "Ah guess it slipped mah mind." As Tender Taps let out a sigh of relief, the former farm girl answered, "Actually, mah birthday is comin' up soon. It's the twenty ninth."
Hearing this, Tender Taps lit up as he enthusiastically replied, "No way! That's my birthday too!"
Apple Bloom couldn't believe it. She had the exact same birthday as her boyfriend. Allowing the biggest, dumbest smile to form across her face as she squealed, "This is amazin'! We gotta do some sort of dual party or somethin'!" As she pulled her boyfriend into a tight hug, Tender Taps replied, "You know, that sounds like fun! I'll ask my mom about it." He then returned the hug, saying, "It'll be awesome."
Apple Bloom was so excited for the prospect of a shared birthday with her boyfriend that she forgot to worry about her current predicament.
Art Class
Entering her next class, Apple Bloom was once again greeted by the sight of several classmates staring at her, watching her as if she'd fed a baby to a ravenous frog demon. 'Guess Ah shouldn't have expected things to be different here.' She thought to herself. After lunch, the former farm girl had to bid her boyfriend farewell and return to the normal doldrums of her school day, which meant the continued unwanted attention she'd been receiving all day. Now that her happy respite had ended, she just wanted to get the day over with.
If there was any comfort for the burgundy haired girl, it was the fact that Pastel Goth was already in class. The cerulean goth was waiving for her friend, ushering Apple Bloom over to her. 'At least there's another friendly face here.' The former farm girl thought to herself as she made her way over to her friend.
Once she sat down, Pastel asked, "How you holding up today cowgirl?" Hearing this, Apple Bloom thought to herself, 'That's an odd question. Does she know about everythin' goin' on?" Scratching the back of her neck, the former farm girl asked, "Uh… Not too bad? What makes you think Ah wouldn't be alright?"
Sighing, Pastel asked, "I take it you haven't noticed the attention you've been getting today?" Apple Bloom nodded as she replied, "Ah mean, Ah've noticed people givin' me the stink eye, but…. How'd you know about that?" The cerulean goth explained, "I overheard some guys in first period complaining about how that Mr. Labelle guy was complimenting you for your hand in exposing the PYA. Apparently, something he said about your "indiscretion" impressed him." She then began to nervously dart her eyes around as she revealed something that caught Apple Bloom completely off guard.
"Whatever he said to you, people think you used your "Anon-A-Miss" experience to stop those twats."
The moment she heard this, Apple Bloom felt her heart sink. 'Oh no.' She thought to herself as she shook her head. Letting out a deep sigh, she asked, "So, people think Ah reverted to Anon-A-Miss?"
Both girls received their answer when a familiar yellow girl walked past them and mockingly replied, "Well you said it, not me."
Hearing this, Apple Bloom groaned as she allowed her head to crash to the desk as she complained, "Well, ain't that prime?" Concerned for her friend, Pastel replied, "I'm sorry Apple Bloom. Anything I can do to help?" The former farm girl lamented, "Ah don't think so, but Ah appreciate the thought." The cerulean goth could only nod as she solemnly replied, "No problem cowgirl."
But Apple Bloom wasn't paying attention to her friend's response. Instead, she simply zoned out, giving up on any hope of enjoying the rest of her day.
The Family Kitchen, That Night
Staring at her plate of dinner, Apple Bloom glumly played with the mashed potatoes as Ironhide's voice asked, "You alright there kid?" The former farm girl wasn't paying attention to her uncle's words, instead just continuing to stare into her food.
After returning home from school, the young girl tried to throw herself into her chores and homework, but nothing she did could get her mind off the fact that the rest of schools seemed to be angry at her for seemingly relapsing into Anon-A-Miss. 'Guess Ah should've known better than to think Ah could make people forget everythin' Ah've done.' She thought to herself as she brought a scoop of mashed potatoes to her mouth.
Apple Bloom was distracted from her melancholy moping by the sound of Wheeljack blurting out, "Hey Apple Bloom! Ironhide is asking you a question!" As the former farm girl accidently flung her fork in shock, Chromia lamented, "Really Wheeljack, you couldn't think of a more respectful way to get her attention?" The maverick mechanic shrugged as he replied, "What? It got her attention, didn't it?"
While Chromia and Wheeljack bickered with each other, Ironhide remarked, "I know something's bugging you Apple Bloom. You're usually on to your second serving by now." As Ratchet and Sideswipe turned to her, Apple Bloom sighed as she replied, "Ah guess today wasn't the best day. All day, people have been watchin' me and treatin' me like Ah've got the plague." Concerned, Ironhide asked, "Really? Why?"
Before Apple Bloom could answer, Sideswipe spoke up with, "Because word is spreading she used her Anon-A-Miss experience to stop the PYA." As the former farm girl turned to her sister, the pale biker asked, "What? The cat's already out of the bag. I'm just ripping the bandage off."
Sighing, Apple Bloom replied, "She's right. People are sayin' that Ah relapsed or somethin', and it's like Ah'm an outcast all over again." Ratchet shook his head as he lamented, "Well, that's going to make things all the more stressful." Ironhide nodded as he replied, "Yeah. Sorry about that kid." The former farm girl shrugged as she tried to reassure her uncle, "It's alright. Guess it's just part of bein' me." She then continued to glumly eat her dinner.
Ironhide remarked, "You know kid, we can handle the rest of KP tonight. If you want, you can have the rest of the night off." Apple Bloom replied, "You sure uncle Ironhide? It ain't like me havin' a glum day at school will interfere with everythin'." The family patriarch shook his head as he retorted, "We can handle everything. Right now, I think you need a bit of R and R." As much as she wanted to protest, Apple Bloom didn't have the will to argue with her uncle, and she relented with a defeated, "Ah suppose so."
Standing up from the table, Apple Bloom said, "Ah think Ah've had enough. Ah'm headin' upstairs. Love you guys." As she began to leave, Ironhide replied, "I love you too kid."
Apple Bloom's Room
Lying on her bed as she hugged her plush rabbit, Apple Bloom found herself staring at her wall as she lamented, "Well, today has been a fun day, hasn't it little guy? What starts as a normal day in the doldrums ends in me findin' out everyone hates me for stoppin' Oak Leaf and his stooges because Ah….." Groaning as she threw her hands in the air, the former farm girl complained, "Ugh! Why can't Ah just have a normal school year? Ah'd give anythin' to just fade into the crowd."
Pausing for a moment, Apple Bloom brought her stuffed rabbit up to her face as she continued, "Ah mean, Ah don't wanna give up mah friends or Uncle Ironhide or…." She then shook her head as she finished, "Ah dunno. Ah just wish things weren't so… stressful."
As her eyes noticed the time on her alarm clock, the former farm girl said to herself, "Eleven o'clock? Ah better get some sleep for tomorrow." Tucking herself into her covers, Apple Bloom began to drift off as she thought, 'Just please, let tomorrow be better than today.'
Somewhere in Time and Space
'Where the hell am Ah?' Apple Bloom thought to herself as she found herself standing in an empty school hallway. Looking around her, the former farm girl muttered, "This place looks like Iacon High." However, even though the hall she found herself in resembled her high school, the lights were flickering in a way she knew would never have been allowed.
"Oh no." The burgundy haired girl muttered to herself. "Ah'm havin' another dream, aren't Ah?" She then tried to pinch her arm, only to find that, aside from some mild pain, nothing had changed. Sighing, Apple Bloom relented, "Guess Ah'm stuck goin' all in." Taking a deep breath, she straightened herself as she began to walk down the eerie hall.
After a few minutes, Apple Bloom found herself greeted by an unsettling sight. There, in front of her, stood a large circular table, around which all her friends were seated and chatting. 'What in the name of…. Tender Taps? Rattrap? Sideswipe? Marble? Pastel?' She thought to herself. 'What are they all doin' here?' Even if she was confused, however, the former farm girl couldn't help but feel a bit relieved to see her friends, and she began to walk up to them as she called out, "Hey everyone!"
As her friends turned to face her, Rattrap glared at her as he sarcastically remarked, "Well, what do we have here?" Sideswipe groaned as she answered, "Isn't it obvious? It's Anon-A-Miss, coming to snoop around for more secrets." Upon hearing this, both Pastel and Marble turned their heads, refusing to make eye contact with their friend.
Feeling her heart drop, Apple Bloom tried to defend herself, "What are you talkin' about?" The former farm girl received her answer when Pastel shot up to her feet, stomped over to her, and furiously answered, "Don't play dumb! We all know you told everyone I'm trans!" Caught off guard, Apple Bloom replied, "What are you talkin' about? Ah never told anyone that!" The cerulean goth simply folded her arms as she asked, "Well if not you, then who?"
Rattrap then added, "And don't forget, you told everyone about me bein' homeless!" This was followed by Sideswipe shouting, "And you told all those people about my dad!" Marble then added, "And you told everyone about my dad and my Perceptor's Syndrome!"
Taking all this in, Apple Bloom shook her head as she tried to defend herself, "The only part of that that's true is about Rattrap, and even then, that weren't somethin' Ah could just sit on!" Feeling her eyes start to water, the burgundy haired girl pleaded, "Please, you gotta believe me!" Turning to Tender Taps, Apple Bloom hoped her boyfriend would stand by her as she asked, "You believe me, right Tendy?"
Sadly, Tender Taps simply shook his head as he coldly replied, "How could I believe the person who outed me?"
Before Apple Bloom could process her boyfriend disavowing her, the former farm girl heard an unfamiliar man's voice shout, "Over zere! Ze spy!" As the former farm girl turned around to see who it was, she was greeted by a man in a gray military uniform, black jackboots, and a peaked cap. What surprised Apple Bloom the most was that this man had white skin, green eyes, and pink and purple hair. 'Wait. That guy looks kinda like…. Sweetie Belle?'
Apple Bloom immediately found herself grabbed by her shoulder and thrown face first into the ground. Rather than a hard floor, however, the former farm girl was slammed into a patch of dirt. Spitting the dirt out of her mouth, Apple Bloom found that she was no longer in the twisted reflection of Iacon High.
Instead, the burgundy haired girl found herself in a bombed out town under a gray sky. 'What in the…' Apple Bloom thought as the officer barked, "On your feet dummkopf!" As she rose to her feet, the young girl was pushed forward whilst the officer continued, "Ze commandant vill decide your fate."
After a few moments, Apple Bloom was brought to two other officers. Both were dressed in similar gray uniforms, but while one of them had orange skin with purple hair, the other had olive skin and black hair. 'Wait a minute.' She thought to herself. 'They look like Scootaloo and… Oak Leaf?'
Apple Bloom found herself thrown to the ground again her first captor declared, "Mein herr, I found zis vone snooping avoud. Vhat do ve do vith her?" As the olive officer strutted up to her, the orange officer scoffed, "Another pathetic Untermensch?" The olive man, however, grabbed Apple Bloom by her cheeks, rotated her head around and inspected her as if she were some sort of chunk of meat before saying something that horrified her.
"She's a spy. Hang her. Leave ze body as an example."
"What?" Apple Bloom asked in fear. "You… You can't do that! Ah'm not a spy, or anythin' like that!" However, none of the three officers were listening her. Instead, the orange officer replied, "Jawohl herr oberst!" both of the subordinates then grabbed the former farm girl by her shoulders and began to drag her away.
After a few moments, the two officers brought Apple Bloom to a lamp post as the pale one ordered, "Ze rope?" The orange officer gave an unnerving smirk as he presented a large piece of rope, tossed it over the lamp post, and began to tie a circular knot with several coils above it. Gulping, Apple Bloom asked, "Uh… is this really necessary?"
The former farm girl received her answer when the pale officer slapped her in the face as the orange officer placed a discarded stool under the rope. As Apple Bloom was placed on the stool, the pale officer wrapped the rope around her neck as he remarked, "Vell, I vould say something about "vules of var, but I'll be honest, I just do zis because it's fun."
Feeling her breaths grow short and sweat drip from her forehead, Apple Bloom begged, "Please! You don't gotta do this! Ah'll do anything!" The two officers paused and shared a knowing look with each other before the orange man asked, "Anysing?" As Apple Bloom began to tearfully nod, the pale one simply replied, "Zen learn to keep your mouth shut!"
Both officers then kicked the stool out from under Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom's Room
"AAAAHHHHH!" Apple Bloom screamed as she shot up from her bed, her hands clasped around her neck. As she let out short, panicked breaths, the former farm girl was pleasantly surprised to see that she was, in fact, tucked into her bed. Letting out a sigh of relief, Apple Bloom remarked, "Heh. At least it was just a bad dream."
At that moment, someone knocked on her bedroom door, followed by Ironhide's voice asking, "You ok in there kid?" As the door opened, both Ironhide and Chromia entered, followed by Sideswipe as the pale biker let out a yawn as she complained, "Yeah. You were screaming about how you weren't the one who outed Pastel, then you started speaking German."
Sighing, Apple Bloom lamented, "Ah just… Ah had a dream that everyone was mad at me for revealin' everythin', and then these kraut officers were tryin' to hang me for bein' a spy." She then shuddered as she added, "It was….. Ah know it's a dream, but Ah just…."
The former farm girl was interrupted when Sideswipe threw herself at her sister, hugging her as she reassured her, "Hey, don't overthink it." As Apple Bloom hugged her sister back, the pale biker continued, "Look, whatever it is I said to you in that stupid dream of yours, I'd never lash out at you." She then paused for a moment before quipping, "Unless you really deserved it, but you haven't done anything to deserve it."
Chromia then walked up to her daughters as she asked, "Feeling any better Apple Bloom?" The former farm girl nodded as she replied, "Ah do. Thanks." Ironhide then added, "Well, it's just after two AM, so I think you better get a little more sleep. We've all got a busy day ahead of us." With that, everyone began to depart from her room as Apple Bloom tucked herself back under her sheets, hoping she could get at least a few hours of peaceful slumber.
Halls of Iacon High, the Next Day
Once again, Apple Bloom found herself walking down the halls of her school, flanked by Pastel Goth as eyes glared at her. Taking a deep breath, the former farm girl lamented, "Well, guess it would've been a pipe dream to think people would've gotten over everythin'." The cerulean goth sighed as she remarked, "Sheesh. Almost makes you wonder if everyone actually liked those PYA twerps."
As the two girls passed another group of their fellow classmates, one of them, a dark red boy with yellow hair, called out, "Hey Anon-A-Miss!" Stopping herself, Apple Bloom groaned, "Oh boy, here we go." Turning around, the former farm girl found herself looked down upon by the red boy as he growled, "So, I don't know if you know this, but you got Oak Leaf expelled."
Taking this in, Pastel quipped, "Sounds to me like he got himself expelled." However, Apple Bloom wasn't thinking of any quick comeback or even an apology. Right now, she just wanted to get to her next class, and so she took Pastel's hand and whispered, "Come on, let's just get out of here."
Both girls quickly found themselves cornered as two other boys placed themselves behind them, blocking their escape. The red boy then began to crack his knuckles as he declared, "It's time to teach you a lesson about sticking your nose in other people's business." Apple Bloom tried to deescalate the situation, pleading, "Look, we really don't want trouble. We just wanna…."
She was cut off when the red boy declared, "I'm gonna tear you both limb from limb! Then, I'll teach that faggot boy friend of yours…"
Apple Bloom was no longer paying attention to the boy's words. Instead, she found herself clenching both her fists and her teeth, needing all of her resolve to not slug him in the face. A concerned Pastel nervously asked, "You alright there cowgirl?" The former farm girl didn't respond to her friend's words, instead growling as she struggled to keep herself from punching the red boy in the face.
At that moment, everyone was distracted when Doctor Pennywhistle's voice rang out, "Well, well, well. What is going on here?" Turning to find her homeroom and history teacher approaching, Pastel Goth quickly declared, "Sir! These jerks had us cornered! We were minding our own business and they sorta jumped us!" The old teacher straightened his coat as he replied, "Well, since it looks like no one has done anything too rash, I suggest you all get to class." The red boy tried to speak up, but Doctor Pennywhistle gave him a simple stare that ended any hope of insubordination.
As everyone began to walk away, the old teacher called out, "Excuse me Apple Bloom! A word?" The former farm girl gulped as she turned around, tensing up as she prepared to get lectured to, 'Ah just know he'll be mad for almost gettin' in a fight.' As she shrunk into her shoulders and closed her eyes as she prepared for an oncoming barrage of disappointment and even disgust.
Instead, Apple Bloom felt a gentle pat on her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she found Doctor Pennywhistle with a solemn expression on his face as he asked, "I take it you wanted to fight that young man?" The former farm girl hesitated before she simply nodded in confirmation. She then added, "Ah mean, Ah didn't want to because Ah don't wanna get in trouble, but Ah…."
Doctor Pennywhistle raised his hands as he said, "I want you to go to the counselor's office." Apple Bloom found herself caught off guard as she asked, "Ah….. Ah'm not in trouble?" The older teacher shook his head as he simply replied, "Not exactly. But I do think you need a little moment to yourself." Pointing down the hall, Doctor Pennywhistle explained, "Just head to the atrium and take the third door on the left. Hopefully, Ms. Toadstone will be there to help you."
Nodding, Apple Bloom replied, "Alright sir. See you later today." She then began to depart as Doctor Pennywhistle bade, "I'll inform your next class you're unavailable. Good luck young lady."
The Counselor's Office
Opening the door, Apple Bloom found a simple office consisting of a desk with a swivel chair, a bookshelf full of books, binders, and other assorted papers, a few framed photographs, and two chairs for whoever Ms. Toadstone's guests were. However, the former farm girl was the only person currently inside the small office. Feeling a bit nervous, she tiptoed up to one of the fixed chairs as she began to wonder, 'So, what's this Ms. Toadstone like?'
It was something of an odd name though. 'Toadstone.' Apple Bloom thought. 'Makes me think of some old witch who'd make Granny Smith look like a baby.' Shaking her head, the burgundy haired girl tried to remind herself, 'Don't think like that. That's mean.' Still, she didn't know what to expect. 'An old fart? An overworked, underpaid burnout who couldn't be bothered to care about what she had to say?'
Before she could wonder further, Apple Bloom was distracted by the sound of a door opening, followed by a young woman's voice saying, "So, you must be Apple Bloom." Turning around, she found an unfamiliar woman entering the small office. This new woman couldn't have been older than thirty, and she had something of a muddy green/brown skin with bright yellow hair, cut into a short boyish style not unlike Sideswipe's. She was dressed in a blue v-neck shirt, a dark purple skirt, short black boots with pink socks, a black leather jacket, and two gold circular earrings. However, that wasn't what caught Apple Bloom's attention.
That dubious honor was the fact that the woman had a long scar across her cheekbone.
As the woman sat down at her swivel chair, she introduced herself, "Nice to meet you. I'm Toadstone." She then offered her hand, which Apple Bloom returned as she said, "Nice to meet you. Yeah, Ah'm Apple Bloom." As the two shook hands, Ms. Toadstone complimented, "I like your nails." The former farm girl found herself momentarily confused before she looked down to her nails, which were still covered in black nail polish. She let out a gentle chuckle as she replied, "Heh. Thanks. A friend of mine helped with this. Guess black has grown on me."
Ms. Toadstone then asked, "Is this the friend who you were standing up for a few minutes ago?" Apple Bloom sighed as she replied, "Sorta. Pastel Goth and Ah were surrounded by those As….. jerks, but they insulted mah boyfriend." Sighing, the former farm girl lamented, "This sorta thing has been happening for a few days."
As Toadstone began to write something down in a notebook, Apple Bloom lamented, "So, Ah guess you know everythin' that's happened, right?" Shaking her head, the blonde woman replied, "Not exactly. I was just told that you were having a rough couple of days and that there was a close call." She then sat her notebook down as she continued, "So please, tell me everything on your mind."
As much as she was hesitant to share anything about herself with this new woman, there was something about her that made Apple Bloom feel safe with her. 'Well, Ah guess there's no point in wastin' time.' She thought to herself. Taking a deep breath, the former farm girl began to explain her situation.
"Well, Ah suppose you know about how Ah'm mere because of everythin' Ah did back home in Canterlot City. You know how Ah was the…." Ms. Toadstone gently interrupted with a simple, "Mastermind of Anon-A-Miss?" When Apple Bloom let out a nervous gulp and sheepish nod, the older woman explained, "I was… not the only teacher who was informed about everything you've done before the start of the school year."
Scratching the back of her neck, Apple Bloom continued, "Well, Ah guess this started when the PYA started causin' so much trouble. They were scarin' all mah friends and, well, Ah knew Ah needed to do somethin'. So when one of mah uncle's friends had a plan to take them down, Ah felt Ah had to pitch in." She then sighed as she added, "Ah just didn't know that it would lead to that assembly and Monsieur Labelle and everythin'!"
Feeling her eyes begin to sting, Apple Bloom lamented, "And now everyone is starin' at me and treatin' me like Ah'm Anon-A-Miss all over again! Ah just…." Sighing as she curled up into the chair, the former farm girl finished, "Ah just don't know what to do."
As Apple Bloom sniffled to herself, Ms. Toadstone stood up, walked over to the young girl, and rested her hand on her shoulder as she tried to reassure her, "I'm sorry. I know the feeling." This well meaning statement seemed to get to the former farm girl, who replied, "You sure you do? Because Ah don't know if you've ever made a mistake, got taken away from everyone you've ever known, finally start to move past it, only to find yourself forced to choose between lettin' a bunch of fascists run free or unknowingly do the same thing that got you banished in the first place!"
Realizing she'd begun to lash out at the counselor, Apple Bloom sheepishly apologized, "Ah'm sorry, Ah just… Ah've been dealin' with a lot. All this crap goin' on, not to mention Ah didn't sleep that well last night…" She was interrupted when Ms. Toadstone replied, "I understand."
As Apple Bloom began to compose herself, Toadstone began, "Well, I can see the problem with your dilemma. Though, if I may, I think you did the right thing." Hearing this, the burgundy haired girl replied, "Really? Well, thanks, but Ah doubt that's gonna change too much around here."
Returning to her desk, Toadstone pointed to the scar on her cheek as she began, "I take it you noticed this on my face. Not exactly a birth mark." The older woman began, "I guess you could say you and I aren't that different. I used to be a bit of a manipulator myself. Bossed my friends around, guilt tripped them into doing what I wanted." She then let out a gentle sigh as she continued, "Of course, eventually, they realized what kind of person I was."
Letting out a deep sigh of her own, Toadstone continued, "One day, we were in a fencing class, and one of them, a girl named Poppy, challenged me to a little duel. Before I could get ready, she slashed at my face." She then pointed to the scar on her cheek as she said, "Guess I should've seen it coming."
Taking this in, Apple Bloom replied, "Ah'm sorry. But, if Ah may ask, what does that have to do with me?" Toadstone let out a gentle chuckle as she answered, "I guess I'm trying to say I understand what it's like when you're trying to move past a mistake you made, even when it won't go away." Hearing this, Apple Bloom asked, "So, did you ever make up with your friends?"
Ms. Toadstone shook her head as she replied, "No. After some of the things I'd roped them into, they didn't want anything to do with me." Hearing this, Apple Bloom remarked, "Ah know that feelin'. After everythin' Ah did back home, mah friends cut me out of their lives. Guess that's somethin' else we have in common."
Hearing this, Ms. Toadstone asked, "So, anything else you'd like to discuss?" Pausing for a moment, Apple Bloom answered, "Well….."
A Short While Later
"I must say, you've got quite a lot on your plate." Toadstone said as Apple Bloom finished her story. "With your dancing and everything at home, I'd say you've proven yourself quite the busy little bug." She then rested her notebook on her desk as she remarked, "I'm just sorry that you've been dealing with all this."
Apple Bloom nodded as she replied, "Thanks. Ah'm sorry Ah took up so much time with you. Ah just needed a moment to let some stuff out, you know?" The school counselor reassured the former farm girl, "It's alright Apple Bloom. It's my job. Sometimes kids need a push in the right direction, and sometimes they just need someone to listen to them."
Hearing this, Apple Bloom asked, "If it's not too much, would it be alright if we talked again if Ah'm feelin' too overwhelmed or anythin' like that?" Toadstone let out a gentle chuckle as she replied, "Of course. My door is always open." The older woman then extended her hand to Apple Bloom.
Instead, the former farm girl gave her a quick hug, one which the older woman briefly reciprocated.
Once Apple Bloom had finished her hug, Ms. Toadstone said, "Now then, you'd better get to your next class." The former farm girl gave a small smile as she replied, "Thanks." She then scooped up her messenger bag and coat before walking out of the office as Toadstone sat back in her chair, the latter looking to a framed picture of herself as a teenager as she said to herself, "Well, that's one girl who really does remind me of you, doesn't she? Hopefully, she's learned to not make the same mistakes we did."
Apple Bloom, meanwhile, felt a sense of relief leave her. 'Ah mean, it's not like everyone's gonna stop givin' me the stink eye, but at least Ah've got someone to talk to about it.' She thought to herself. Straightening herself, the former farm girl began to walk towards class, hoping she wasn't too late.
All while she tried to think of the perfect birthday present for Tender Taps.
