Applebloom's School Project (Patreon)

 “Now remember everypony, next Friday is when your presentations need to be ready, so don’t wait too long before starting on them! Have a great weekend!” With that Miss Cheerilee dismissed her class in my Equestria dreamscape. 

  
  Foals boiled out of the schoolhouse to enjoy their weekend of freedom from the classroom. As usual the CMC walked home together and as they did they discussed the project Miss Cheerilee had given them.  

 
  “So whatcha going to do for your presentation Sweetie Belle?” Asked Scootaloo. “I know who I’m going to do it on!”

 
  Applebloom rolled her eyes. “Let me guess, it’s a going ta be Rainbow Dash?” 

  
  “Well of course!” Exclaimed the orange pegasus filly. “She’s the most awesome and amazing pony I know!” Scootaloo hopped and gave her wings a happy buzz. “So who are doing Sweetie?

”
  The little white unicorn filly looked down at the road as she walked along. “I don’t know Scoot?” Sweetie Belle looked over at Applebloom. “Do you know who your going to do it on Applebloom?” 

  
  The littlest of Apple family smiled and nodded her head. “Yes I do!”  

 
  Later that night Applebloom sat at her bedroom desk writing a letter. She finished signing it and then she set the pen down and reviewed her efforts. 

 Dear Princess Luna. I’m writing this letter to inform you that my classmates and I have been given an assignment where each of us must make a class presentation about a pony that we feel has been the greatest influence in our lives. The one condition Miss Cheerilee gave was that this pony could not be a family member of ours. Since I cannot give the presentation on my big sister I’ve decided to do it about you. No other pony has done so as much as you to help me through the various problems I’ve faced in recent times.
 My presentation will be next Friday morning. I know you’re a very busy pony and your presence is not required, but if you were available I’d love it if you could come to my school for the presentation.   
 Your faithful subject, student, and good friend 

 Applebloom 

 The little filly nodded her head and proceeded to look for an envelope.

   
  Applebloom sat nervously at her desk rocking her rear legs back and forth waiting for her turn to make her presentation. She was really proud of the work she’d put into it and while she didn’t have the vast collection of Rainbow Dash memorabilia to show off that Scootaloo had or the fancy assortment of jewelry that Diamond Tiara was exhibiting but she knew that her presentation would get every ponies attention.  

  
 Miss Cheerilee looked down at her list. “And next up is Applebloom! Would you please come up to the front of class and make your presentation please!” 

 Applebloom closed her eyes and took a couple of deep breaths, and then she trotted up to the front of classroom. She had on her school panniers that had everything she needed for her presentation. She removed them and begun to retrieve her notes and other materials. 

  
  “And who are you doing your presentation on?” Asked Miss Cheerilee. Applebloom checked her flash cards to make certain they were still in order then looked up at her teacher. 

  
  “My presentation is about Princess Luna!” Said the filly with a beaming smile. 

  Miss Cheerilee briefly had a quizzical look in her eyes. “Well, I know that her highness has helped you with some, uh, rough experiences in your life. Is that what you want talk about here. In class, today?”

   
  Applebloom shook her head. “Nah! While it is true that Princess Luna has a helped me with a heap of troubles, what I wanna talk about is what her and I have been doing since then!” 

  The little filly then proceeded to launch into her presentation. She spoke of her astronomy lessons once a week with the Princess, but primarily she talked about her trip to Canterlot for Service to the Crown day, and her training in the dream realm and the various adventures her and the Princess had already had. 

  For the most part the class along with Miss Cheerilee sat silently as Applebloom’s new surreal, and wonderful second life unfolded before them. However one filly sat in her chair with her front legs folded and scowled. Diamond Tiara glanced around at her classmates in frustration. Surely they couldn’t actually believe what this obviously deranged pony was saying!  She thought. 

  
  Applebloom finished her presentation and like all the presenters before her Miss Cheerilee allowed a few minutes for questions to be asked. Miss Cheerilee was starting to allow Snips a chance to speak when Diamond Tiara promptly cut him off. 

  “Do you really expect anypony to believe half of what you’ve said here today?” Said Diamond Tiara. “I understand you’ve had some, uh, how do I say it politely, um, problems. And Princess Luna has helped you get over them, but that doesn’t mean you can come in here and tell us that you and her are some how friends now! Besides what proof do you have support this so-called friendship?” 

  The little buttercream yellow filly glared back at her accuser. “If what I’ve said is untrue Diamond, why did I and my family get a invited ta the palace? Why do I have these letters?” Applebloom waved both Luna’s and Celestia’s letters in the air with a front hoof. 

  
  Diamond Tiara made a dismissive noise and casually waved a front hoof at Applebloom. “Pppffftt! So you’ve got a couple pieces of paper!” She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the desk. “Miss Cheerilee have you actually examined those letters to even verify they are addressed to Applebloom? For all we know she just found those lying on street of Canterlot and brought them back? I think this is just an example of how delusional Applebloom has become!”

 
     There was a collective gasp from everypony to Diamond Tiara’s accusation except for Silver Spoon who chuckled softly at her friend’s declaration. Applebloom glared at her accusers and was about to rebut her when another voice spoke out.

  
  “It tis unwise and unjust to accuse and slander the innocent for one’s own gain!” Standing in doorway of the schoolhouse was Princess Luna. 

  
  It took a couple seconds for everypony to register what had occurred; then there was a frantic flurry of motion as everypony scrambled to rise and bow to the Co-Ruler of Equestria. Applebloom trotted over to Luna and the bowed. 

  
  “Princess Luna!” Exclaimed the little filly as she rose from her bow. “Ya made it! Oh thank ya so much fer coming today!” 

  
  Luna stepped forward and nuzzled her pupil. “I’m glad I could make it myself for it allows me to verify some of your facts!” The princess glared at Diamond Tiara. “Especially for those who are so quick to dismiss them as coming from one who is supposedly delusional?” 

  
  Luna walked up to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon; the two fillies had not risen from their bows and now were visibly trembling as the Princess of the Night bore down on them. Luna stopped just a couple feet from them and looked down disapprovingly. 

  
  “Do you honestly believe foal that Applebloom would make such foolish claims considering what the penalties are for using Celestia or I’s name or likeness while attempting to defraud other ponies? Do you?” 

  Diamond Tiara swallowed and shook her head. “No your Highness. I don’t think so.” Squeaked the filly in a tiny voice. 

  Luna nodded her head. “Then I believe there is another reason for your actions!” 

  
  Luna paused and closed her eyes. “I believe that jealousy has clouded your judgment and blinded your wits. I must warn you to veer away from this course for in the end it will bring you only folly and despair! I all too well know the insidious effects jealousy has on one’s judgment! For once I to let it guide my actions and because of that I ended up threatening this very kingdom and all that was precious in it!”

 
  Luna opened her eyes, which were now glowing with brilliant white light; her shadow grew until it engulfed the room. Outside the light dimmed as if a great cloud was blocking the sun. The wind suddenly gusted and made the window frames rattle.

   
  “Because I let jealousy blind me Nightmare Moon was able to come in and poison my heart! AND MY REWARD WAS BANISHMENT TO THE MOON FOR A THOUSAND YEARS WHILE MY DEAR SISTER HAD TO CLEAN UP MESS I HAD MADE! IS THAT THE KIND OF LEGACY YOU WOULD WISH FOR FOAL?” Luna’s royal voice made the walls of the schoolhouse shake.     

        Diamond Tiara took a couple seconds to find her voice. “No your Highness!” She squeaked. 

  
  Luna nodded her head and the special effects vanished. “Good! Then my trip here today has been most profitable!” Luna strolled over Applebloom. “Good work on your presentation Little Bloom. I hope my presence here today has removed any doubts about our relationship?” 

  Applebloom grinned and shrugged her shoulders. “I think yer delivery was just a teensy bit over the top.” The little filly glanced over at Diamond Tiara who was starting to get some of her color back. “But at the same time I cannot deny that it does seem ta git the message across! Thanks fer coming here today! Do I have a lesson with ya tonight still?”     

     Luna nodded her head. “Of course! Now I must go. I need some rest before I must take over my Sister’s watch. Take care!” And with that Luna trotted out the door and launched herself into the late morning skies. Applebloom watched her fly off and then turned and looked back at her classmates who were still trying to digest what they had seen. For moment Applebloom and Diamond Tiara’s eyes met; it was perfectly clear to Applebloom.  She wouldn’t be getting any more grief from Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon. 

  
 To be continued.