Spellbound Fireflies Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I’m still getting over the Olden Pony story. Is there somethin’ else we can do?”
    “We could play Truth or Dare,” chimed Apple Bloom, squishing a marshmallow onto the end of her stick. “That’s always fun.”
    Sweetie Belle beamed. “Okay!” Scootaloo shrugged and nodded, rotating her marshmallow over the small flame. “Who goes first?”
    “Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo shouted, “Truth or Dare?”
    “Dare!”
    “I dare you too…” she cast her eyes around the clubhouse, her face lighting up with a grin when she spotted the broken wheel, all that remained of their ill-fated golden apple float, propped up against the wall. “…Ride that wheel like a unicycle with your forehooves!”
    “That’s easy!” the earth pony hopped up and trotted briskly to the wheel. She grabbed onto the axle with her forelegs and kicked off the ground. Long red tail flopped onto the back of her head, Apple Bloom tottered around the clubhouse, zigging and zagging on the wheel. “See, what I tell ya? Piece a caa—!” Apple Bloom’s center of gravity teetered backwards and the wheel shot out from under her. It skidded into the wall and fell to an axle, wobbling like a top, while the filly fell to the floor with a thud. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo hid their snickers behind forehooves while Apple Bloom rubbed her sore rump.
    “Go ahead an’ laugh, girls,” she muttered. Her friends collapsed onto their backs, cackling madly. Apple Bloom’s frown slowly cracked and she rejoined the circle, laughing with them. Eventually the two sat back up, wiping the mirth from their eyes and grinning. “Alright, ya got me. Sweetie Belle! Truth or Dare!”
    The filly rubbed her chin with a hoof, her lower lip pursed out. “Truth, I guess.”
    Apple Bloom’s smile became predatory. “Between me an’ Scoots, who do ya like the best?”
    Scowling, Sweetie Belle huffed. “That’s so not a fair question. Dare, then.”
    Jumping back to her hooves, Apple Bloom grabbed Sweetie Belle by the shoulders and whispered into her ear. Scootaloo watched the unicorn’s eyes shrink to pin pricks. Her face lit up. “What is it?!”
    Sweetie Belle opened her mouth, but Apple Bloom clamped a hoof over it. “You’ll see Scootaloo. S’mores first!” After they ate their treats, Apple Bloom turned the flame on the lantern down to a low flicker and skipped outside.
    Scootaloo followed the other two fillies from the clubhouse, a questioning eyebrow raised as they quietly made their way through the orchards. They entered the farm yard and snuck towards the house, creeping over to a pile of hay. Apple Bloom surreptitiously peeked over their cover. The farmhouse lay dark against the evening sky, a lone beam of amber shining bright from an upstairs window.
    “Perfect!” Apple Bloom chimed, her voice pitched in a low stage whisper. “Looks like my big sis is still awake. Alright, Sweetie Belle, go for it!”
    The filly swallowed heavily, craning her neck around the hay before slowly crossing the thirty feet of open space between their hiding spot and the front porch.
    Scootaloo’s raised brow grew higher. “What’s she—”
    “Hush, Scoots. Just you watch an’ see,” Apple Bloom said with a small giggle.
    The little unicorn, head low to the ground and tail tucked around her, took quick but tiny steps, closing the gap as quickly but quietly as possible. At the edge of the porch, Scootaloo could see her friend’s chest heave in and out with several deep and steadying breaths. A trembling hoof settled on the step up to the landing and slowly pulled Sweetie Belle onto the porch. With tiny, controlled steps, she made her way soundlessly to the house. She rose onto her hindlegs and grasped the pull-string to the brass bell hanging by the door in her teeth. Scootaloo’s grinning face, stained with mischief, turned towards Apple Bloom. “Ding dong ditch?”
    “Yep,” she snickered, “Three times.”
    “You’re evil.”
    “Why, thank you