Thread: MLP: Spoken with Authority (StarSiren & East)

MEANWHILE.... elsewhere in Ponyville.... Applebloom checked her watch for the hundredth time. It was almost 430 and Sweetie Belle still hadn't arrived. They were supposed to meet at Sugarcube Corner an hour ago! Sighing, the filly finished her milkshake, grabbed her bag and left. Ever since Scootaloo left for that fancy pegasus school, things hadn't been the same. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were struggling with only two active members in Ponyville. Well, only one lately. Sweetie Belle hadn't been to any club meetings in almost a month. She'd been too busy with... whatever it was she was always doing. Applebloom sulked home. She was so focused on her gloom that she completely missed the black limo parked outside their barn. She trudged straight to her clubhouse and flopped on the floor. Another day without her best friends. Why had it come to this? At least she still had Applejack and Big Mac. But she was an hour late getting home and they would notice. They were probably mad that she hadn't started her chores yet. Heck, they probably already did her share! her yellow furred fist slammed the wooden planks beneath her. It's not fair! Why am I the one who's gotta be lonely? Don't my friends still like me? She stared up at the pictures on the ceiling. Some were drawn, others were actual photos, but every one of them pictured three fillies as happy as could be. Applebloom sniffled and brought her arm up to cover her eyes. Applejack would tell her to talk to her friends about her feelings. But that was hard to do when your friends were too far away or too busy to see you. Big Mac might give her advice, but he also might just let her work it out on her own and just agree when she got it right. It wasn't always helpful. Granny Smith would probably just fall asleep. Maybe Twilight would know what to do? She was the Princess of Friendship, after all. Rolling over, Applebloom reached for her things but a loud slam stopped her in her tracks. She crawled to the window and peered out towards the house. There was Applejack. And Big Mac. And Granny Smith! And Filthy Rich? What was he doing here? And he brought some of his cronies along too? Was he giving Granny trouble again about the farm? The filly stared out the window, squinting her eyes and trying to hear what they were saying. I said NO! Ain't no way that's gonna happen ever! Nope! I can't believe you would even ask that! Yep! Go on now! Get off our farm! Now now, Let's not make hasty decisions. My offer stands for the next 48 hours. You know where to find me if you change your mind. I believe she told you to git! So go'on now! Git! Git up outta here! An' don' never come back 'round, ya'here? Filthy Rich walked back to his car with his henchmen and they drove away. As soon as their limo cleared the gates, Applebloom ran from her clubhouse to her family. Something bad had happened and she needed to know how she could help. They were her family, after all. Applejack! Big Mac! What happened? Applejack sighed. What's it look like? Filthy Rich is trying to put us out of business again. And seeing how he still holds the deed to this here farm, there ain't much we can do about it. Nope. Applebloom balked at the news. Granny Smith mumbled something under her breath and went back inside, leaving the apple siblings to talk amongst themselves. Well... tell me how to help! I'm old enough now, I can do more things around here. Applejack shook her head. No way was she going to tell her innocent baby sister about that pony's perverted request. It was better that her sister just let it alone. Now Applebloom, don't you worry about this mess. In a day or so, Filthy Rich will come to his senses and realize he'd be doing more harm than good if he bankrupted the Apple Family Farm. Hyup! But Applejack, I wanna help! Please! You gotta let me do somethin'! Applebloom pleaded with her siblings. She had to be able to help somehow! I said don't worry, didn't I? Big mac and I will take care of it. Applejack snapped. Why won't you let me help! I'm 16 now! I'm not a child anymore! At least tell me what he wants! But both Applejack and Big Mac just turned around and headed inside. Applebloom kicked a tuft of grass and spun around. If they wouldn't tell her, she know somepony who would. It didn't take her long to reach Filthy Rich's office. His limo was parked outside, so she knew he had to be there. Upon entering, she gave her name to the pony at the reception desk and was shown to a fancy sitting room. Applebloom took a seat on the couch across from the coffee table. She didn't know what she could do to help, but she had to try.