Chapters I wake up at the crack of dawn and quickly run downstairs. Rarity is already awake and making breakfast. "What do you want in your scrambled eggs?" she asks me. I think about it for a second. "Um... egg?"
I get out a clean tablecloth and lay it out neatly on the table. I set out forks and napkins on the table and get out two plates for Rarity to put the scrambled eggs on. She serves up the eggs and we sit down to eat.
I grab my fork and eat eagerly. Rarity pushes the eggs around on her plate, but she won't eat them. "Rarity, are you okay?" I ask her. She puts down her fork. "Of course I'm okay, Sweetie Belle. Why wouldn't I be?" she replies. Something is up with Rarity... she usually loves scrambled eggs!
I shrug and go back to eating. Rarity picks up her fork and takes a few tentative bites. After a few more minutes, she sets down her fork again and looks at me sadly. I'm seriously freaking out. Rarity never acts like this!
"Sweetie Belle..." she says slowly. "I have something important to tell you. Remember the week of Twilight Sparkle's birthday last year, when I went to Canterlot to buy some dress supplies?"
I remember clearly. "Yeah, I remember that. You became super popular with everypony there." "Sweetie Belle, I received a letter from mister Fancy Pants, one of the richest, most popular Canterlot ponies. I met him back when I went to Canterlot."
I drop my fork. "What?! I knew you became popular, but I didn't know you met Fancy Pants!" "Well..." she continues. "I showed him some of my dress designs, and he wants me to open up a bigger, better Carousel Boutique in Canterlot."
I jump down and run over to Rarity, throwing my arms around her in a tight hug. "Rarity, that's great! Who are you gonna get to run the Canterlot shop?" She closes her eyes, tears starting to pour out.
"Sweetie Belle, that's the bad news. Fancy Pants... he wants us to move to Canterlot. To run the shop there. To get somepony else to run the shop here. I would have said no, but... he's just so famous, and... it's such a great chance..." Tears stream down her face as she looks at me sadly.
"I wanted to tell you before I told anypony else. So you could say goodbye to everypony. To all your friends. I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle... you understand though, right?" I blink, choking back tears. I run to my room, slamming and locking the door behind me.
I throw myself onto my bed, sobbing into my pillow. I think about all the times I've been with my friends. Getting my singing cutie mark... Scootaloo getting her competitive scootering cutie mark... Applebloom getting her carpentry and building cutie mark yesterday.
The time we had a sleepover at Fluttershy's cabin. Gossiping about ponies in the school newspaper and paying the price for it. Avoiding and then becoming friends with Applebloom's cousin, Babs. All those times and more. All soon to be gone.
I fall asleep there, lying on my bed, missing my friends already.
I hug Scootaloo and Applebloom one last time. "I'm really gonna miss you guys," I say, choking back tears. "Thanks for the party. You guys are awesome." I step onto the train platform and Applebloom grabs one of my back hooves. "Wait! Sweetie Belle, you can't leave yet! We haven't even given you your gift yet!" I shake my back hoof until Applebloom lets go, and then turn around. Scootaloo pulls out a dark purple velvet box. "Uh... thanks for the box. It looks very... uh... expensive." I say, somewhat confused.
Scootaloo laughs. "It's not the box, silly. It's what's IN the box!" I nervously take the box from Scootaloo and untie the light green ribbon on the top. I open the lid slowly and gasp. Inside is a golden necklace just like Rarity's generosity necklace. In the center, though, is a light green gem in the shape of a bell, replicating my cutie mark.
I gasp, speechless. Tears form in my eyes. "Guys... it's beautiful. I love it. Thank you." I throw my arms around Applebloom and Scootaloo in another big hug. The train whistle blows loudly. "Guys... I gotta go now. Can't get left behind! I promise, I'll never forget you guys. I'll send you guys something from Canterlot as soon as possible." I grab my suitcase and the box and hop onto the train.
I walk back to the train car where Rarity sits, waiting for me. I put my suitcase under my seat and put on my new necklace. Rarity sees my necklace and gasps. "Sweetie Belle, where did you get that necklace? It's beautiful! You must tell me!" I smile, slightly embarrassed. "Scootaloo and Applebloom bought it for me."
Rarity is astonished. "They bought you that? And I thought I was the element of generosity!" "Well... yeah. I told them I would buy them something from Canterlot. If that's okay..." I say nervously. Rarity smiles. "Sweetie Belle, I think that's a wonderful idea. Of course you can buy them gifts in return!"
I smile back and hug my sister. "Now Sweetie Belle, it's getting late. You better get your beauty rest." Rarity says, kindly but sternly. I yawn and lay down, resting my head on Rarity's shoulder. "I love you, Rarity," I say, and drift off to sleep.
Half an hour later, we finally arrive in Canterlot. It's everything I've ever imagined, and so much more. Mares in elegant gowns and stallions in fancy tuxes are absolutely everywhere. I get my suitcase out from under my seat and follow Rarity off the train.
I set my hooves down, and for the very first time, I'm in Canterlot. Rarity and I walk a few blocks (much to Rarity's disgust) until we arrive at a tall building in the central square of Equestria's capitol city. It looks just like Carousel Boutique, but taller and fancier.
"Is this the new Carousel Boutique?" I ask Rarity excitedly. Rarity nods. "Of course, Sweetie Belle. What else would it be? And I must say, it is quite magnificent! I can't wait to see what it looks like on the inside."
Rarity unlocks the door with her horn and we trot inside. The whole place looks just like Carousel Boutique, but upgraded to Canterlot status. I quickly run upstairs to where I know my bedroom will be. Just like everything else, it's the same, but upgraded.
I open my new closet and unpack all my clothes from Ponyville, including the dress from Rarity. "Sweetie Belle!" Rarity calls up the stairs. I quickly gallop dowmstairs. "Coming!" I holler. I reach the bottom of the stairs and stop in front of Rarity.
Rarity smiles and flips her mane back, over her shoulder. "Sweetie Belle, since we're going to live in Canterlot from now on, I went ahead and enrolled you in school. You will be attending Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns."
My jaw drops in shock. "Isn't that the most expensive school in Canterlot?" I ask in amazement. "Well of course it is, but of course you were recommended by Twilight Sparkle to the Princess, so you get a special pass. You get to attend for free! School starts tomorrow." Rarity replies calmly. "Now, do go wash the tart crumbs off your hooves. We have dresses to make."
I wake up the next morning to loud pounding on my door. "Sweetie Belle! I'm not telling you again. Open this door now!" Rarity yells angrily through the door. I roll off my bed and land on the floor with a loud thud. I stand up and unlock the door.
"Whatever. It's unlocked," I say. Rarity opens the door slowly and walks in. She sits down beside me on my bed and puts one of her arms around me. "Are you okay now, Sweetie Belle? Or do you want to cry some more?" she asks.
I sigh. My hooves hang off the edge of my bed, dangling back and forth. "Yeah, I think I'm good now," I say eventually. Rarity pauses. "Your friends came by yesterday afternoon. I told them you were sick. Now, pack your things. We need to leave in two hours in order to get to Canterlot on time."
I hop off the bed and toss my stuff in a small suitcase. I open my closet to pack my clothes. My Cutie Mark Crusader cape. A few small bows Rarity made for me to put in my mane and tail. A light purple Canterlot style dress...? I gasp. Rarity must have made it for me! It's a beautiful, flowing dress, the same shade as my mane.
My eyes full of tears, I run over to Rarity and hug her tight. "Rarity, it's a beautiful dress. I love it." Rarity smiles and hugs me back. "I made it just for you, so you can make a good first impression on the Canterlot ponies." I smile and pack the dress neatly and carefully into my suitcase.
I finish packing and close my suitcase. "Okay, Rarity. I'm ready to go." "Sweetie Belle, we still have an hour and a half before we have to leave. How about you head downstairs while I get my things together?" Rarity says. "Okay!" I say and trot downstairs.
I know something is wrong as soon as I reach the bottom of the stairs. Everything is dark and all the curtains are closed. I kinda feel like I'm being watched, too. Suddenly, I hear a loud explosion. All the lights turn on, and all the curtains open up. Confetti and balloons float through the air. "Party cannon!" screams Pinkie Pie, standing in the middle of the room. I look around and see a big banner on the ceiling that says "We'll Miss You Rarity & Sweetie!"
I look around the room for a second before being crushed under the weight of two other fillies. "Sweetie Belle! We decided that our awesome friendship shouldn't just end with a normal goodbye," says Scootaloo. "So we got Pinkie Pie to throw ya a party!" says Applebloom. The hop off of me and I give them a huge hug.
Rarity runs downstairs with her suitcase. "Sweetie Belle, I wanted you to have a chance to say goodbye to your friends. So, we got Pinkie to throw you a party!" My face lights up in a grin. My friends are the absolute best in the world.
I open my eyes groggily. Early morning light shines through the windows of the train car. I lift my head off of Rarity's shoulder and yawn. "Good morning, world," I say sleepily.
I trot over to one of the train windows. I look out and see a shining city in the distance. At that moment, the train conductor comes into our train car. "Alright folks, we should be arriving in Canterlot in half an hour," he says before returning to the front car.
My eyes light up with excitement and I run over to my sleeping sister. "Rarity! Rarity, wake up! We're almost there! We're almost to Canterlot!" I squeal with excitement. Rarity opens her eyes. "Huh? What? Sweetie Belle, what in Celestia's name are you going on about?" she says. I can tell she's slightly irritated that I woke her up.
"Rarity, we're almost to Canterlot! The train driving guy said we'll get there in half an hour! Isn't that great?" I jump up and down with excitement. Rarity sighs in exasperation. "Sweetie Belle, half an hour is still 30 minutes. That means we still have a long way to go."
My tail droops in sadness. "Oh okay... well, I guess I better calm down then." Rarity smiles at me, no longer annoyed. "How about you go get some food from the breakfast car? That should take your mind off of Canterlot for a while." I smile and hug Rarity. "Thanks, sis. You always know how to make me feel better." I say with honesty before galloping into the next train car, the meal car.
One side of the car is completely taken up by the biggest breakfast buffet I've ever seen. I look at all the amazing food: bacon, pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, toast, sausages, and some familiar smelling apple tarts. I recognized those tarts! Those were Applebloom's premium specialty all-natural 100% delicious apple tarts!
Of course, you would think that I, being a sophisticated young Canterlot filly, would calmly trot over to the buffet and serve myself one small tart. You would be wrong. I, being a hyperactive, reckless young Ponyville filly, ran over and put three of the best looking apple tarts on my plate. I know, how hyperactive and reckless of me. What can I say? I'm Ponyville at heart.
The next morning, I wake up at the crack of dawn, eager to get ready for my first day of school. I quickly brush my mane into its usual bouncy curls and brush my teeth vigorously. I rush back into my bedroom and then, slowly and carefully, I try on my dress.
It fits perfectly, as if it was designed just for me, which it was. I put on my golden necklace over the dress, completing the outfit. I trot downstairs slowly so I don't mess up my dress. I reach the bottom of the stairs and find that Rarity has already packed my saddle bag with all the necessary school supplies. I put my saddle bag onto my back and quickly say goodbye to Rarity before quickly but carefully dashing out the door and down the sidewalk to my new school.
I reach the school just before class starts. I trot into the classroom and the teacher directs me to a seat near the back, beside a silvery gray filly. I take my seat and pull out my materials, eager for the day to begin. a fresh piece of notebook paper, a pencil. A big pink rectangle eraser. A small binder for schoolwork.
The time flies until lunchtime. My teacher releases us to the cafeteria, and I lag behind the class somewhat, no friends to walk with. I notice the silver filly from earlier trot up with another filly, a brilliant gold color. I duck my head down somewhat, hoping they don't acknowledge me. Wow... I'm practically turning into Fluttershy... I think.
"So, you're the new filly?" asks the silver mare, raising an eyebrow at me.
I lift my head back up, deciding to try making a new friend. "Yeah, I just moved to Canterlot from Ponyville yesterday. I'm Sweetie Belle." I try to sound confident.
The silver filly glances at her friend and then smiles, extending one hoof towards me. "I'm Platinum Shine. Nice to meet you!" she introduces herself. "My friend here is Golden Glow."
I glance briefly at their cutie marks. Platinum Shine's is a silvery necklace, and Golden Glow's is a glittery golden brick that shimmers in the sunlight streaming through the windows as we walk together to the cafeteria. I smile to myself, hoping my new friendships will last a long time.