The Crusaders of Harmonyby SunChaptersSuper StarBrat Free ZoneThe Unexpected GreetingPirate PipSuper Star"LADIES AND GENTLECOLTS!" "Hurry up, Sweetie Belle!" Rarity shoved her sister from behind. "Your on!" Sweetie Belle turned around and looked at Rarity with a smile. "Stop panicking, Rarity. I'm going to do just fine. Just you wait and see." "I know, I know." Rarity said. But Sweetie Belle wasn't so sure she did. Rarity was pacing in place, sweat dripping down her forehead. "EWW!" Rarity screeched as she noticed the sweat dripping down on her face."I can't be sweaty! This is just disgusting!" Sweetie Belle gigled softly while the white mare wiped her face with a cloth. "Now hurry up, Sweetie Belle!" She nuged her little sister. "You have to make your very best impression!" The younger mare wanted to argue, but she knew Rarity was right. She was performing for all of Canterlot. It was her biggest show of the year. But most importantly, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and one of Rarity's best friends, Princess Twilight was going to be watching her performance. Even Princess Cadence and Shining Armor were coming to watch all the way from the Crystal Kingdom. No wonder Rarity was panicing and taking deep breaths. Though Sweetie Belle knew she had made the right choice choosing her to be her offical manager. "PUT YOUR HOOVES TOGETHER..." Sweetie Belle gave Rarity one last smile before trotting onto the pitch black stage. The several spotlights wipped through out the crowd. There must be hundreds of ponies watching her tonight-no not hundreds- thousands probably. The white mare began to get butterflys inside her stomach when she spotted the princesses and Shining Armor sitting above the rest of the crowd on a golden balcony with their royal guards standing in front of them. "...FOR THE ONE, THE ONLY..." Sweetie Belle straightend herself up as the several spotlights all stopped and hit right on her. "SWEETIE BELLE!" The crowd roared with delight and pleasure, waving their hooves in the air and stomping the ground while the fireworks behind Sweetie Belle blasted with beautiful colors. She waved a hoof to her fans, smiling down at them. She could see Rarity behind the curtain backstage out of the corner of her eye, tears welling up in her eyes and beaming at her younger sister proudly. Sweetie Belle remembered quickly to bow to the princesses who smiled at her. Princess Twilight waved a hoof to her with a wide smile on her face, but Sweetie Belle could see something in the young Princess's eyes. What was it? Doubt? Was Twilight worried about the young mare's first performance in front of the Princesses? Sweetie Belle shook away the thought and turned back down to her crowd. She walked forward, turning on her microphone the laid next to her cheek. "Thank you!" Sweetie Belle called to her audience through her microphone. "Thank you everypony!" She could do this. She knew she could. She began to sing her several songs. Some ponies in the crowd began to sing with her. The concert went better then Sweetie Belle expected. The audience seemed to love her, which was big coming from snoby ponies in such a place like Canterlot. Rarity had given her the biggest hug, sobbing tears of joy leaving wet streams down the sides of her face-which of course she wiped off right away, still wanting to look her best, as always. While her crew tidied up the stage and everypony began to clear out, Sweetie Belle noticed the princesses padding towards her. Rarity trotted up behind her sister, her eyes and mouth open wide with shock. "What a lovely performance, Sweetie Belle." Princess Celestia's voice was gentle and kind as she spoke to the young mare. "You did excellent. Along with your manager putting everything together, I can't wait to see another concert." Rarity took the praise from Celestia as if someone had given her all the bits in the world. Sweetie Belle bowed to the princess, thanking her for the complements. "I'll be sure to get you the first ticket to my next concert." the white mare replied. Celestia smiled and dipped her head. "I look forward to it, Sweetie Belle." she said as she padded away. Princess Cadence was next to step up. "Wonderful, Sweetie Belle! If you don't mind," She said turning to Rarity, "we would love it if you set up a show in the Crystal Kingdom." Rarity quickly cupped a hoof over her mouth as she let out a squeak of delight. Some many princesses talking to her overwelmed her a bit. "I-I'll see what I can do your majesty." Rarity bowed, a smile still wide upon her face. "Please tell us when you can come!" Shining Armor walked after his bride, hopping into a crystal carrige led by two crystal pegasi royal guards. The two waved a farewell as the carrige sped off into the night. It was late now, Sweetie Belle realized as she turned to face the large clock behind her on a bulliten board next to Canterlot Savings Bank. 10:48. Had her concert really been that long? She started at only 7:45. The mare shruged and turned back to face Princess Luna, who was now standing in front of her. "WE HAS ENJOYED SWEETIE BELL'S CONCERT." Luna still hasn't gotten over using the "Royal Canterlot Voice" apparently. "WILL THOU PERFORM AGAIN AT DIFFERENT SETTING?" Sweetie Belle nodded, shaking Luna's spit off her face. "Of course your majesty." "WE THANK THOU FOR PUTTING IN THE TIME TO PRODUCE SUCH A MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCE." small bits of Luna's saliva sprayed on Rarity's face, but even she would'nt dare to say it to the Princess. "Yo-your welcome, Princess Luna." Rarity stammered, gently wiping the spit off her face, keeping her tounge, trying not to tell Luna to "say don't spray it." Luna walked over beside Celestia, who looked a bit embarresed about Luna's voice issues. She wispered something into Luna's ear, who stared directly at Twilight who was now walking up to Sweetie Belle. The two older princess's gazes followed Twilight as she came closer to the white mare. With a small flick of her tail, Sweetie Belle knew that Twilight sensed the two princesses were watching her. Sweetie Belle once again noticed the flicker of doubt in her eyes. "Wonderful job, Sweetie Belle!" Twilight's voice came out clear and as cheerful as ever, which startled Sweetie Belle. How could the alicorn's voice be so pleasent when there was still that small look of doubt in her eyes? "Thanks, Twilight!" the white unicorn pretended she hadn't noticed anything. Twilight stared down, shuffling her hooves against the ground. Celestia and Luna looked away slowly. "Uh oh" Sweetie Belle muttered under her breath. Rarity trotted from beside Sweetie Belle to stand beside one of her best friends. The two began to wisper quitely to one another, when Rarity's face became a look of pure shock. Sweetie Bell strained to listen: "Twilight, you know she won't do that! Don't you remember what happened?" "But she has to, Rarity! It's our only choice!" "Why her? Why them?" "You know what happened, Rarity. The Elements don't work anymore!" We have to create new ones!" "But her, Twilight? Them? They will never work together again, you know that." "When they formed the club when the were fillies, you never thought they would break up, did you?" "Well...no but-" "So then why do you think they won't together again? Anything can happen, Rarity!" "I know, Twilight, but I just believe after what happened they won't be able to work together happily again." "What are you talking about?" The two older mares jumped at Sweetie Belle's voice. They had no idea she was listening. "Well?" the white mare asked. She had a right to know. If they were talking about her, then she should defenitly know why. Twilight sighed. She padded over towards Sweetie Belle and looked over at Celestia and Luna, who simply nodded and walked back towards their castle, escorted and followed by the guards. "Rarity, go and finish helping your stage crew" Twilight turned to Rarity. "I can manage your sister on my own." Rarity was hesitant, but she nodded and walked away. She turned around and flashed a look of doubt back at Twilight, who narrowed her eyes telling her that everything was fine. "Sweetie Belle..." Twilight started off, staring at the younger mare who was now one of Equestria's biggest stars. "I know you probably won't want to do this, but please, before you say anyhting, I want you to know that your decision will decide the fate of Equestria." The white unicorn stared right into to Twilight's purple eyes. What could be so bad that she could say no to? Twilight sighed, her head down. Then she looked up. "I need you to regroup with the Cutie Mark Crusaders again." Sweetie Belle's mouth dropped and hung open wide. "What?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You want me to go back to those low-class-show-off-to-good-for-themselves-jerks!?" her voice turned into a high pitched squeak as she replied to Twilight, who took a step back from the younger mare. Twilight stared shocked at her. She was turning into Rarity. "Sweetie Belle!" Twilight cried. "Please! Equestria is depending on you!" "What's so bad that I have do the club again?" Sweetie Belle screeched. She was ruining her voice for her next show by screaming at a Princess. "Listen, Sweetie Bell." Twilight would have to tell her at some point. "Equestria is soon to be under attack again. Do you remeber...Gilda the Griffon?" "The one who used to be Rainbow Dash's old friend? "Yes." "What's wrong with her?" "Well according to Rainbow Dash-" "Wait." Sweetie Belle interupted. "You said according. So that dosn't mean that it's true, does it?" Twilight stopped in her tracks. "Well...no but-" "But what?" The young mare demanded. "Look, Sweetie Belle," Twilight was starting to loose her patience. "Just listen will you?" "Alright, fine." "Rainbow Dash has heard from her pegasi team- you know she's captain of the Wonderbolts and head of the weather patrol now, right?" "Yeah, Rarity told me about it." "Well, one of Rainbow's weather patrols was checking the area down near Fillydelphia, when over the hillside, they spotted a marching army of griffons with Gilda and the Griffon Emporer in the lead." "Ok.." "Well, the lead pegsus in the patrol-I believe it was Utopia, she's also Rainbow's assistant- saw the griffons and flew down with her patrol following. She greeted Gilda as friendly as she could, but the griffon spun around to the Griffon Emperor, Ember, and ordered an attack. "An attack?" "Yes. Ember and Gilda led a portion of their army-a small portion- to attack the patrol. The patrol was out numbered, so it was a quick fight. The griffons tried their best to rip the patrol to shreads, but Utopia ordered to fly away. Gilda shot up after them, and warned them that war between Equestria and the Griffon Empire was coming." Sweetie Belle had sat listening with wide eyes. "Then what happened?" "The patrol left their duties and Utopia flew them straight home-thank Celestia no pony was hurt that badly- and told Rainbow Dash about what happened. Rainbow came to me and told me about what happened and said that she would be increasing patrols and Wonderbolt training. I then later told Celestia, and Luna." "But what does this have to do with me?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Has...has Rarity told you that the Elements of Harmony don't work anymore?" Twilight questioned in a whisper, though no pony else was around. "No." The young white mare's eyes widened. "They don't work anymore? What do you mean, Twilight?" "I'm a Princess now, so my Element overpowers the others. I mean it's supposed to, but it's too strong now for the other Elements to keep up. So now Equestria needs you and your old friends to work together and create the new Elements." "Twilight..." Sweetie Belle didn't know what to say. "I-I just can't rejoin them though. After I was the first member to get my cutiemark, I thought they would all be happy for me. They were at first but then...Oh no." "What's wrong, Sweetie Belle." Twilight asked nervously. "It's-It's all my fault..." the unicorn began. "It's all my fault we split up. I was the one who decided to not be part of the club anymore a while after I got my cutiemark. I got mad at them thinking it was their fault beacuse they didn't have their cutiemarks yet. I thought they would never get them, so I decided that I should quit the club and not even help them try to get their marks. Then they got mad at me, so then everypony got into a fight blaming everyone else claiming that it was the other members fault. After that, everypony split up, and we never spoke to each other again." Twilight had listened with extreme caution. She had never actually known what had happened between the young fillies at that time, but now she did. This must have been years ago. "Sweetie Belle." Twilight snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the mare who was once a young little pony with all the free time in the world. "I know this will be hard, but please. All of Equestria will soon depend on you." Sweetie Belle thought it over. The break up with the club had been such a long time ago. Would the old members ever come to peace with one another again? And most importantly, would they ever forgive her for causing it? "Alright, Twilight." Sweetie Belle was calm as she spoke. She knew that this would be difficult though. "I'll do it." Twilight smiled. "I knew you would do it, Sweetie Belle." The white mare didn't care about what Twilight was saying. She was more concerned on how everything would go down. What if it didn't work out? What if their friendship was never to be resolved? Sweetie Belle looked at the clock. 11:54. She sighed. "When do we start?" She asked Twilight. Her body was so tired she could barley stand up. The alicorn smiled. "First you get some sleep in the castle." Twilight jerked her head towards the beautiful, large, colorful building. "Rarity can come too." "What about the rest of my crew?" Sweetie Belle asked. "They are still working right now." Twilight's head turned to look behind her at the stage crew who were still cleaning up the stage. "When they are done, the guards can escort them to the castle." "Ok." the white unicorn yawned. "Get as much sleep as you can tonight." Twilight told her. "We set off first thing in the morning." "Who-or where-are we going first?" Sweetie Belle asked as she and Twilight walked back towards the castle. The clock struck midnight. Twilight turned her head to face Sweetie Belle in the moonlight. "We are first going to the Wonderbolt Academy." Author's Note This is after each Cutie Mark Crusader gets their cutiemark. Sweetie Bell is an international singer for Equestria, and by going to the Wonderbolt Academy, Twilight means they are going to get Scootaloo first. P.S: About the Elements of Harmony not working, you'll find that out later in the story why and how come they don't work anymore. Thanks for reading the first chapter!!! Brat Free Zone"Do we have to get her first?" Sweetie Belle moaned as her and Princess Twilight Sparkle padded over to the training clearing of the Wonderbolt Academy. This section was the take off arena, and also the only part of the Academy that was on the ground and not in the clouds. Sweetie Belle really didn't want to do this. She didn't want anything to do with this mare, or this task of which she thought was almost stupid. She didn't want to have to do anything with the ponies who she used to call "friends" or working with them. She just wanted to go back to her normal life as one of Equestria's greatest stars. Couldn't she just go back to that? Apparently not. Not according to Twilight. According to Twilight, she had to work with these ponies. According to Twilight, she had to "save Equestria". Well, Sweetie Belle was sick of what she had to do according to Twilight. But it was to late. The mare who used to be her friend was swooping down from the sky. The white mare growled quitely as the Wonderbolt in training swiftly landed with Rainbow Dash at her side. "Well, Scootaloo." Sweetie Belle was pretending to be nice. "I sure have not seen you in a while." Scootaloo saw right through the unicorn's fake care for her and started off more agressivly to her. "So where have you been then, huh?" Scootaloo gave a flick of her tail. "After you left the club, you said you would become rich and famous...but I see that it hasn't exactly worked out." Sweetie Belle felt rage building up inside of her. She got ready to explode all her anger on to Scootaloo, but Twilight stepped in front of the two before any sort of fighting broke out. "Now, girls," Twilight's voice was firm. "We have to focus on the real matter at hand here. You two need to work together on this, so that means that I want no fighting. Understood?" "Fine." Sweetie Belle mutered. "No." Scootaloo snapped. Sweetie Belle stood with a look of shock on her face. How could the pegasus say that? "Scootaloo!" Rainbow Dash's teeth grited as she held back her anger. "Why in all of Equestrai would you say no?" "I shouldn't have to do this!" Scootaloo shot back. "Why do I have to go and work with this slob! There is-" "SLOB!" Sweetie Belle roared. "You think i'm the slob? Excuse you, but it seems as though you havn't washed your uniform in days! Why are you even here, anyways? You havn't been able to fly since after you got your cutie mark!" That blew it for Scootaloo. She let out a hiss of fury and spun around, darting into the skies. She wipped her head around as she flew away. "No way i'm coming back to help you, Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo shouted as she flew off. "I would never want you back here anyways!" The white mare retorted back loudly. "No brats on the team!" "Fine!" "Fine!" "I hope you fail on your 'so-called quest!'" "And I hope you never becom a Wonderbolt!" Sweetie Belle watched the sky as the young mare disapered. She stood there, nostrils flaring, teeth grinding, her eyes narrowed to slits. Oh how she hated that girl! "I'm really sorry about Scootaloo," Rainbow Dash apologized to Twilight. " I never thought that she would act like that. But don't worry, i'll fix her up, I promise." "Thanks, Rainbow." Twilght sighed. "See you later, I guess." "Bye." Rainbow called as she hit the skies. Twilight turned to face Sweetie Belle. Boy was she in trouble! "What...was that?" Twilight started out calmly, but grew angrier as she went on. "I thought I told you that we were here to recruit Scootaloo! Not to drive her off!" "She started it!" Sweetie Belle puffed. "No childish exscuses!" Sweetie Belle backed away as Twilight roared. "The fate of Equestria lies in your hooves, and you decide to start out by angering our first teammate?" "No, but-" "Never mind, Sweetie Belle. Lets just try to get at least one pony to help, alright?" "Yes, Twilight." The white mare stared at her hooves. "I'm sorry." "It's alright, Sweetie Belle." Twilight started to walk away. "Now, lets go to our next destination." "Who are we getting?" "Apple Bloom." The Unexpected Greeting"YEEHAW!" The excited exclaim came from the farm in front of Sweetie Belle. Her and Twilight were crossing into Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom's home. This was were the two would retreive her, and ask her to help with the mission ahead. Sweetie Belle felt more confident with trying to persuade Apple Bloom to help more then she had with Scootaloo. She still could not believe what that mare had done. How she had refused with such stuberness, then flew off into the sky still ranting at the white mare. Sweetie Belle didn't feel that this would happen with her and Apple Bloom. "That must be Applejack," Twilight padded beside Sweetie Belle as they reached the pasture in which Applejack and Apple Bloom were herding cattle with Applejacks ranch dog, Winnona. There was another figure on the side of the pasture, watching from the gate. Sweetie Belle couldn't make out who the figure was, due to the cattle racing past them. "See that, Babs?" Apple Bloom's head popped out from the gate where the cattle was setteling. Bab Seed! That's who the figure was. Babs trotted out from behind the gate to give her cousin a hoof bumb. "Like wow, Apple Bloom!" Babs still had that Manehattan accent. "That was some true cattle herding!" "I learned from the best," Apple Bloom replied, Applejack trotting up from behind her. "Aww thanks, sugarcube." Applejack gave Apple Bloom a nuggie on her head. "Now look ya'll! It's Twilight and Sweetie Belle!" The trio turned to see the princess and the white unicorn padding up together, side by side, matching eachothers hoof steps. "Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom's eyes widened. "Why ya'll here?" Babs gazed at Sweetie Bell, the young mare's expression couldn't be read. "Yeah, it's me." Sweetie Belle spoke softly. "Hi Apple Bloom. Hi Babs." Before Sweetie Bell knew what was happening, she was wrapped in a hug, smotthered by bright yellow fur. "Oh, Sweetie Belle!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, squeezing her hooves tighter around the white mare. "I've missed ya'll so much! You never come around anymore!" "I-I do!" Sweetie Bell was loosing air. Apple Bloom let go of her, but threw a hoof around the white mare's neck. "Well... All over Equestria, that is." Apple Bloom's eyes grew larger. "So it's true!" She exclaimed. "You'r a big super international singing star! And I thought Applejack was just toyin' with me." "No, no. It's true." Sweetie Belle replied cooly. "I am a super international singing star. What about you?" "Me?" Apple Bloom's face grew red hot with embaressment. "Oh, well...nothing really but work the farm with Big Macontosh and Applejack." Apple Bloom looked down on the ground, shuffling her hooves. Sweetie Bell was silent for a moment, not knowing what to say. Here she was, a super star to Equestria, Scootaloo was going to be a Wonderboltess, and Apple Bloom worked a life of labor on the farm. "Well that's nice for you." Sweetie Bell smiled. Apple Bloom looked up with a smile. "Oh!" She rushed over to Babs, and gave her a shove towards Sweetie Belle. "Babs has come to stay for the summer! Isn't that great!" The white mare smiled at Babs. She had only known her for a short wihle, and in that time, Babs had become a bully to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, aliiancing with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. But after a while the girls stopped her, and Babs became a member of the club. "That's wonderful Babs!" Sweetie Belle said to the young mare. "I hope you'r having fun here." "Huh, sure am!" Babs gave Sweetie Belle a hoof bumb, like the one she had given to Apple Bloom. "Good to see you around Sweetie Belle." "Same to you." The greeting of meeting Apple Bloom and Babs had been unexpected. While Scootaloo had met her with hostility, Apple Bloom had wrapped Sweetie Bell in an air puncturing hug. Thia was defenitly not what she had expected. "Well, we should get going with the task at hand, right, Sweetie Belle?" Twilight had finally spoken after all that time. "Oh!" Sweetie Belle suddenly remebered why she was here. She had been having such fun with her old friends that she completly forgot, "Would you mind telling them." The purple alicorn smiled. "Alright, Sweetie Belle." "They already know." Applejack broke in. "Ya'll told me what happened, and then to tell them, ya'll remember that, Twi?" "Oh." Twilight blushed. "Whoopsy." "Yeah we know why ya'll here." Apple Bloom nodded to Babs who nodded in return. The cousins moved in beside Sweetie Belle, pressing their flanks to hers on each side. "And we want in to help." The white mare broke away from them. "You mean you'll do it?" Her eyes widened. "You will really, really, do it?" "Sure why not?" Babs sat down on the soil filled ground. "It's fun to get back together with your old friends, isn't it?" "Defenitly." Apple Bloom agreed. "Let's save Equestria ya'll!" "Alright then!" Twilight exclaimed. "Let's go, girls!" "Good luck to ya'll!" Applejack cried as the four mares padded away. Applejack waved a hoof to Twilight, who smilied in return. "Bye ya'll! Come back soon, okay?" As the group padded towards their next destination, Apple Bloom suddenly looked up. "Wait...where are we going exactly?" "Oh," Twilight blushed again. "I guess I should have told you three, huh?" The mares glared at the alicorn, who stopped and chuckled softly. "We're going to get a friend of Luna's first, then to the candy sweet shop." "The one that Bon-Bon runs?" Sweetie Belle asked. She felt excitment tingle up her back. It wasn't that she was looking forward to the sweets that laid inside the shop, but the mare who made the sweets. "That's right, Sweetie Belle." Twilight responded. "We're getting Twist." "That mare who makes the candy pepermint sticks?" Apple Bloom looked at Twilight, who nodded. "Yes." She replied. "But after we get Luna's friend. He's a young little stallion who moved here from Trottington." "Who's that?" Sweetie Belle questioned. "He's a 'little stallion'?" Twilight giggled. "Yup. You might even say that he's a little pipsqueak." "Pipsqueak?" Apple Bloom asked. "That little colt who dressed up like a pirate on Nightmare Night years ago?" "Yes, that's who we are getting first before Twist." Twilight said. "Wait...where does he live?" Babs questioned. They seemed to be heading towards the old Crusaders Clubhouse. "He lives in your old clubhouse." Twilight prompted. "Ever since he was a kid, he wanted to join your club. But you never took notice of him because he was younger then you. He still is pretty young, but since he's in orphan, the clubhouse is perfect for him to stay and rest his flank." "He's an orphan?" Sweetie Belle felt a twinge of guilt crawling through her. "And we never let him in our club, either." "Poor guy." Apple Bloom remarked. "He just wanted to be noticed, and we treated him like a bruised apple with a worm crawling thorugh it." "Well now you can make it up to him." Twilight said as they approched the clubhouse. "He's in there." "Okay." Sweetie Belle took a deep breath. "Let's go girls." The three former club members approached the Crusaders Clubhouse and climbed up the ladder. They slowly sid to the door. "Should we knock?" Babs whispered. "Probably." Sweetie Belle agreed. Apple Bloom placed a hoof on the door and nocked three times. No awnser. She tried again. No awnser. She tried again. Still no awnser. "Are you sure he's home?" Sweetie Belle hissed down toTwilight who shruged in response. "Sorry again." Twilight stared down at her hooves. The trio eventually got to the point where Apple Bloom had knocked a total of 36 times. "He is not home." Apple Bloom confirmed. But at that very moment the door whisked open to reveal pitch black darkness inside the clubhouse. An outstreched hoof grabbed Sweetie Belle, thrusting her inside. She screamed as she hit the floor, a figure rearing on his hooves was the only thing she could make out in the pitch black darkness. The door slammed shut behind her, locking her inside. She looked back upwards to see the figure with a sword in his mouth. The figure lunged at Sweetie Bell, ready to slice her stomach in two, when suddenly- BLAM! The door burst open, Twilight, Apple Bloom and Babs standing there, Twilight using her magic to turn on the lights. On top of Sweetie Bell stood a young stallion, his fur matted. Opon his pelt were dark brown spots, including one over his left eye. On his legs his fur stopped at the bottom and showed bare hooves. He looked at the intruders who had barged into his home. Babs stepped closer, showing teeth as a waring to back off. The young stallion slid on the floor over Sweetie Belle, and landed on his flank on the floor in front of her. His sword was still gripped roughtly in his teeth, but now his brown eyes were wide and startled, full of fear. Twilight hung her head with shame. "Looks like I forgot to tell Pip." Author's Note The story of Pipsqueak's past is NOT true. I simply made it up to create more drama in the story Pirate Pip"WHAT IN THE NAME OF CELESTIA WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?!?!" Pipsqueak cowered on the floor as Sweetie Belle sat up and roared at him. This dumb colt hadn't answered his door, but he some how thought it was okay to throw himself right on to Sweetie Belle? "Sweetie Belle...calm down-" "CALM DOWN?" The young mare interrupted Twilight. "YOU EXPECT ME TO CALM DOWN, AFTER HE ALMOST SLICED ME IN HALF?" Sweetie Belle pointed a hoof at Pip. Her face was hot red with anger and fury, her eyes narrowed into thin slits. She was about to explode. "I-I didn't mean it..." The spotted stallion spoke softly from where he was cowering on the floor. "I just-" "Didn't mean it?" Sweetie Belle's face was still twisted with rage, and her voice came out like a snake hiss. "How could you not mean to practicly kill me?" "I'm sorry, mate." Pip bowed his head. "I'm a pirate crew member. See, I trained to protect myself from intruders. I wouldn't really hurt you. It was just for scare." "Wait a second here ya'll." Apple Bloom padded over to Pipsqueak. "You're really a pirate?" Pip nodded. Sweetie Belle had calmed down now, and she gazed thoughtfully at the stallion. Babs still stood behind, but her eyes widened. "That costume I wore on Nightmare Night, was just a costume. But it was my dream to be a pirate, so I went off for a couple of years and joined a crew." Pip explained as the four mares in front of him listened carefully. "The crew taught me how to navigate on a map, use a compass, and fight against enemies. But I would never hurt any pony, I promise. Only unless you were some sort of zombie...or somthin' like that I guess." "I see." Sweetie Belle still had that feeling of anger inside her, but she was mainly controlled now. "So do you always keep that knife on you?" "That's right, mate." Pip stood up. "Now you may know now that i'm Pipsqueak. But do you lot have names?" "Oh, right." Sweetie Belle giggled softly. "I'm Sweetie Belle. This is Bab Seed (The white mare gestured a hoof to the orange mare standing behind her), Apple Bloom (She pointed a hoof at the bright yellow mare with the bright red hair), and Princess Twilight Sparkle (Sweetie Belle nodded at the purple alicorn behind her)." The pirate's eyes widened. "Princess!" He exclaimed as he immeadiatley bowed to the floor in front of Twilight. "Blimey, i've never met a real princess before!" Twilight smiled. "Not many ponies have, Pip." "Well, I shouldn't say that." The pinto recalled. "I met Princess Luna on my very first Nightmare Night. She's my favorite princess." Pip's eyes travelled off in the distance as he began to remember the encounter with the Princess of the Night. "I'm sure she will be happy to see you again." The purple alicornprodded a hoof on the floor. "That is...if you come with us." "Come with you?" Pipsqueak looked around confusingly at the group of mares. "What you mean 'come with you'?" "Listen, Pipsqueak." Twilight began slowly explaining the Griffon Empire and how Equestria would soon be at war. She left out no details, making sure that the stallion would absorbe every bit of information she told him. She finally finished off by stating how her and the girls were re-building the Cutie Mark Crusaders along with some other ponies, and how they needed this to work because of a recent failure of the Elements. As Pip listened to the story, Sweetie Belle was lost in thought: "A recent failure of the Elements." What did Twilight mean by her Element of Harmony overpowering the others. What was thaat failure that had happened? Sweetie Belle couldn't remember the last time the Elements were needed. They had worked fine against Discord, and there had been no other conflicts in Equestria since then. "What is the failure Twilight is talking about?" Sweetie Belle whispered to herself. By now, Twilight had finished telling the story, and Pip was thinking over if het should join in with them or not. Finally after sveral moments, that had seemed to pass by like hours, Pip made his desicion. "I will join in on this fight to save Equestria. The pirate vowed. "And I am honered to be chossen by you, Princess." Pipsqueak added to Twilight with a bow. Twilight smiled with a soft chuckle. "Thank you, Pipsqueak. I'm the one who should be honored with the thought of having a pirate on her quest along side her." Pip stood boldly at the praise, puffing out his chest as if he was all muscle. Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. Stallions! They seemed to never think of anything but themselves! "What are we goin' to do?" Pip trotted behind the mares as they left the clubhouse. "Swoop down on ropes and attack those mangy grffions from behind? Ambush them in the middle of the night? Sneak attack them with some sort of magical-alicorn-high-tech-princess-top-secret-device?" Sweetie Belle glanced over her shoulder at the stallion, his eyes gleamed with the hunger for adventure, and the way he held his head high showed how determined he was. "I don't think there is any sort of device like that." The white mare told Pipsqueak. She lowered her voice to almost a whisper. "I'm not even sure what we are going to do." The pinto stared blankly back at her. "You don't know?" He questioned, his voice hushed. "Then how are we going to save Equestria, if we don't even know what the hell we're doing?" Sweetie Belle shrugged. How were they going to win this battle? Pip was right. They can't win if Twilight hasn't even mentioned how they were going to fight. "Now is not the time to worry about that." Twilght growled. "Dammit!" Sweetie Belle hissed back to Pip. "She overheard our conversation!" "Not my fault!" Pipsqueak retorted. "You should have talked quieter!" "ME?" The unicorn snapped. "You were the one who was trash talking Twilight about not having a plan-" "Enough! Both of you!" Twilight stopped walking and spun round to face the arguing ponies. "I don't care who spoke louder or who trash talked me, but for Celestia's sake, get along! We don't want to have another issue like what happened to Scootaloo!" "What happened with Scootaloo?" Pipsqueak asked Sweetie Belle. Their conflict had been forgotten. Sweetie Belle began to feel the anger rise back inside of her. That pegasus had made her so mad! "She was simply a brat, refusing to help and shouting insults back at me as she flew away into the sky." The white mare stuck her nose in the air. "Not my problem, though! If she wants to be that way, then fine! See if I care!" Pip looked down at his hooves. "Oh...I see." He trrailed off, not knowing what else to say. Sweetie Belle quickly changed the subject. "So, um...what's being a pirate like?" The unicron asked. Pip's expression brightend. "Oh it's truly spectacular! Casting out on the big ocean blue! Fighting with swords and knives in hoof and mouth! Swinging on ropes across your magnificent ship!" "Wow," Sweetie Belle seemed very intrested. "All that?" "Oh but pirates, we tell wonderful stories!" Pipsqueak cheered as he bounced on the earth. "Like one time, when I was sailin' out with me crew, a HUGE devious sea creature-and I mean HUGE!-shot out of the water and attacked me crew's ship!" Sweetie Belle's eyes widened as she listened to the young stallion's tale. "It was green and slimy, one of the most repulsing creatures I ever laid me eyes on!" Pip continued his story. "It brought it self down on the ship causing a great storm of waves. Some of me crew mates ran and cowered, screaming their lungs out while the monster roared. But I wouldn't let it hurt me ship or me mates! So I grabbed me sword and charged at the monster, slicing him in two so that me ship would never have to deal with that bloody torture again. I saved the day you know." Sweetie Belle wasn't so sure she believed Pip 100%, but he was a pretty good story teller. Though how he held himself caliming that he was a hero still annoyed the white mare. "Nice story there, pirate." Sweetie Belle nugged the pinto in the chest. "Want to hear antoher?" Pipsqueak smiled while Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. "I have a great one about-" "That's enough you two." Twilight glanced over her shoulder. "We're almost at Twist's." Pip stopped in his tracks. He tilted his head to one side. "Twist?" He asked. He had clearly never met the earth pony. "Yeah she's the one who makes the peppermint sticks at Bon Bon's candy shop." Sweetie Belle explained. "Poofy red hair?" "Never heard or seen her." Pip shook his head. "But we'll probably get off on the right hoof, right? I mean, I met you mares, and everything is going pretty smoothly with us." "Yeah i'm sure you and Twist will get along just fine." Sweetie Belle smiled as the group walked into Bon Bon's shop. "Just Twist, and then we'll be all set! That is if we can get Scootaloo in on this too." the white mare muttered to herself. "Just everypony wait. We'll be saving Equestria!"
Super Star"LADIES AND GENTLECOLTS!" "Hurry up, Sweetie Belle!" Rarity shoved her sister from behind. "Your on!" Sweetie Belle turned around and looked at Rarity with a smile. "Stop panicking, Rarity. I'm going to do just fine. Just you wait and see." "I know, I know." Rarity said. But Sweetie Belle wasn't so sure she did. Rarity was pacing in place, sweat dripping down her forehead. "EWW!" Rarity screeched as she noticed the sweat dripping down on her face."I can't be sweaty! This is just disgusting!" Sweetie Belle gigled softly while the white mare wiped her face with a cloth. "Now hurry up, Sweetie Belle!" She nuged her little sister. "You have to make your very best impression!" The younger mare wanted to argue, but she knew Rarity was right. She was performing for all of Canterlot. It was her biggest show of the year. But most importantly, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and one of Rarity's best friends, Princess Twilight was going to be watching her performance. Even Princess Cadence and Shining Armor were coming to watch all the way from the Crystal Kingdom. No wonder Rarity was panicing and taking deep breaths. Though Sweetie Belle knew she had made the right choice choosing her to be her offical manager. "PUT YOUR HOOVES TOGETHER..." Sweetie Belle gave Rarity one last smile before trotting onto the pitch black stage. The several spotlights wipped through out the crowd. There must be hundreds of ponies watching her tonight-no not hundreds- thousands probably. The white mare began to get butterflys inside her stomach when she spotted the princesses and Shining Armor sitting above the rest of the crowd on a golden balcony with their royal guards standing in front of them. "...FOR THE ONE, THE ONLY..." Sweetie Belle straightend herself up as the several spotlights all stopped and hit right on her. "SWEETIE BELLE!" The crowd roared with delight and pleasure, waving their hooves in the air and stomping the ground while the fireworks behind Sweetie Belle blasted with beautiful colors. She waved a hoof to her fans, smiling down at them. She could see Rarity behind the curtain backstage out of the corner of her eye, tears welling up in her eyes and beaming at her younger sister proudly. Sweetie Belle remembered quickly to bow to the princesses who smiled at her. Princess Twilight waved a hoof to her with a wide smile on her face, but Sweetie Belle could see something in the young Princess's eyes. What was it? Doubt? Was Twilight worried about the young mare's first performance in front of the Princesses? Sweetie Belle shook away the thought and turned back down to her crowd. She walked forward, turning on her microphone the laid next to her cheek. "Thank you!" Sweetie Belle called to her audience through her microphone. "Thank you everypony!" She could do this. She knew she could. She began to sing her several songs. Some ponies in the crowd began to sing with her. The concert went better then Sweetie Belle expected. The audience seemed to love her, which was big coming from snoby ponies in such a place like Canterlot. Rarity had given her the biggest hug, sobbing tears of joy leaving wet streams down the sides of her face-which of course she wiped off right away, still wanting to look her best, as always. While her crew tidied up the stage and everypony began to clear out, Sweetie Belle noticed the princesses padding towards her. Rarity trotted up behind her sister, her eyes and mouth open wide with shock. "What a lovely performance, Sweetie Belle." Princess Celestia's voice was gentle and kind as she spoke to the young mare. "You did excellent. Along with your manager putting everything together, I can't wait to see another concert." Rarity took the praise from Celestia as if someone had given her all the bits in the world. Sweetie Belle bowed to the princess, thanking her for the complements. "I'll be sure to get you the first ticket to my next concert." the white mare replied. Celestia smiled and dipped her head. "I look forward to it, Sweetie Belle." she said as she padded away. Princess Cadence was next to step up. "Wonderful, Sweetie Belle! If you don't mind," She said turning to Rarity, "we would love it if you set up a show in the Crystal Kingdom." Rarity quickly cupped a hoof over her mouth as she let out a squeak of delight. Some many princesses talking to her overwelmed her a bit. "I-I'll see what I can do your majesty." Rarity bowed, a smile still wide upon her face. "Please tell us when you can come!" Shining Armor walked after his bride, hopping into a crystal carrige led by two crystal pegasi royal guards. The two waved a farewell as the carrige sped off into the night. It was late now, Sweetie Belle realized as she turned to face the large clock behind her on a bulliten board next to Canterlot Savings Bank. 10:48. Had her concert really been that long? She started at only 7:45. The mare shruged and turned back to face Princess Luna, who was now standing in front of her. "WE HAS ENJOYED SWEETIE BELL'S CONCERT." Luna still hasn't gotten over using the "Royal Canterlot Voice" apparently. "WILL THOU PERFORM AGAIN AT DIFFERENT SETTING?" Sweetie Belle nodded, shaking Luna's spit off her face. "Of course your majesty." "WE THANK THOU FOR PUTTING IN THE TIME TO PRODUCE SUCH A MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCE." small bits of Luna's saliva sprayed on Rarity's face, but even she would'nt dare to say it to the Princess. "Yo-your welcome, Princess Luna." Rarity stammered, gently wiping the spit off her face, keeping her tounge, trying not to tell Luna to "say don't spray it." Luna walked over beside Celestia, who looked a bit embarresed about Luna's voice issues. She wispered something into Luna's ear, who stared directly at Twilight who was now walking up to Sweetie Belle. The two older princess's gazes followed Twilight as she came closer to the white mare. With a small flick of her tail, Sweetie Belle knew that Twilight sensed the two princesses were watching her. Sweetie Belle once again noticed the flicker of doubt in her eyes. "Wonderful job, Sweetie Belle!" Twilight's voice came out clear and as cheerful as ever, which startled Sweetie Belle. How could the alicorn's voice be so pleasent when there was still that small look of doubt in her eyes? "Thanks, Twilight!" the white unicorn pretended she hadn't noticed anything. Twilight stared down, shuffling her hooves against the ground. Celestia and Luna looked away slowly. "Uh oh" Sweetie Belle muttered under her breath. Rarity trotted from beside Sweetie Belle to stand beside one of her best friends. The two began to wisper quitely to one another, when Rarity's face became a look of pure shock. Sweetie Bell strained to listen: "Twilight, you know she won't do that! Don't you remember what happened?" "But she has to, Rarity! It's our only choice!" "Why her? Why them?" "You know what happened, Rarity. The Elements don't work anymore!" We have to create new ones!" "But her, Twilight? Them? They will never work together again, you know that." "When they formed the club when the were fillies, you never thought they would break up, did you?" "Well...no but-" "So then why do you think they won't together again? Anything can happen, Rarity!" "I know, Twilight, but I just believe after what happened they won't be able to work together happily again." "What are you talking about?" The two older mares jumped at Sweetie Belle's voice. They had no idea she was listening. "Well?" the white mare asked. She had a right to know. If they were talking about her, then she should defenitly know why. Twilight sighed. She padded over towards Sweetie Belle and looked over at Celestia and Luna, who simply nodded and walked back towards their castle, escorted and followed by the guards. "Rarity, go and finish helping your stage crew" Twilight turned to Rarity. "I can manage your sister on my own." Rarity was hesitant, but she nodded and walked away. She turned around and flashed a look of doubt back at Twilight, who narrowed her eyes telling her that everything was fine. "Sweetie Belle..." Twilight started off, staring at the younger mare who was now one of Equestria's biggest stars. "I know you probably won't want to do this, but please, before you say anyhting, I want you to know that your decision will decide the fate of Equestria." The white unicorn stared right into to Twilight's purple eyes. What could be so bad that she could say no to? Twilight sighed, her head down. Then she looked up. "I need you to regroup with the Cutie Mark Crusaders again." Sweetie Belle's mouth dropped and hung open wide. "What?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You want me to go back to those low-class-show-off-to-good-for-themselves-jerks!?" her voice turned into a high pitched squeak as she replied to Twilight, who took a step back from the younger mare. Twilight stared shocked at her. She was turning into Rarity. "Sweetie Belle!" Twilight cried. "Please! Equestria is depending on you!" "What's so bad that I have do the club again?" Sweetie Belle screeched. She was ruining her voice for her next show by screaming at a Princess. "Listen, Sweetie Bell." Twilight would have to tell her at some point. "Equestria is soon to be under attack again. Do you remeber...Gilda the Griffon?" "The one who used to be Rainbow Dash's old friend? "Yes." "What's wrong with her?" "Well according to Rainbow Dash-" "Wait." Sweetie Belle interupted. "You said according. So that dosn't mean that it's true, does it?" Twilight stopped in her tracks. "Well...no but-" "But what?" The young mare demanded. "Look, Sweetie Belle," Twilight was starting to loose her patience. "Just listen will you?" "Alright, fine." "Rainbow Dash has heard from her pegasi team- you know she's captain of the Wonderbolts and head of the weather patrol now, right?" "Yeah, Rarity told me about it." "Well, one of Rainbow's weather patrols was checking the area down near Fillydelphia, when over the hillside, they spotted a marching army of griffons with Gilda and the Griffon Emporer in the lead." "Ok.." "Well, the lead pegsus in the patrol-I believe it was Utopia, she's also Rainbow's assistant- saw the griffons and flew down with her patrol following. She greeted Gilda as friendly as she could, but the griffon spun around to the Griffon Emperor, Ember, and ordered an attack. "An attack?" "Yes. Ember and Gilda led a portion of their army-a small portion- to attack the patrol. The patrol was out numbered, so it was a quick fight. The griffons tried their best to rip the patrol to shreads, but Utopia ordered to fly away. Gilda shot up after them, and warned them that war between Equestria and the Griffon Empire was coming." Sweetie Belle had sat listening with wide eyes. "Then what happened?" "The patrol left their duties and Utopia flew them straight home-thank Celestia no pony was hurt that badly- and told Rainbow Dash about what happened. Rainbow came to me and told me about what happened and said that she would be increasing patrols and Wonderbolt training. I then later told Celestia, and Luna." "But what does this have to do with me?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Has...has Rarity told you that the Elements of Harmony don't work anymore?" Twilight questioned in a whisper, though no pony else was around. "No." The young white mare's eyes widened. "They don't work anymore? What do you mean, Twilight?" "I'm a Princess now, so my Element overpowers the others. I mean it's supposed to, but it's too strong now for the other Elements to keep up. So now Equestria needs you and your old friends to work together and create the new Elements." "Twilight..." Sweetie Belle didn't know what to say. "I-I just can't rejoin them though. After I was the first member to get my cutiemark, I thought they would all be happy for me. They were at first but then...Oh no." "What's wrong, Sweetie Belle." Twilight asked nervously. "It's-It's all my fault..." the unicorn began. "It's all my fault we split up. I was the one who decided to not be part of the club anymore a while after I got my cutiemark. I got mad at them thinking it was their fault beacuse they didn't have their cutiemarks yet. I thought they would never get them, so I decided that I should quit the club and not even help them try to get their marks. Then they got mad at me, so then everypony got into a fight blaming everyone else claiming that it was the other members fault. After that, everypony split up, and we never spoke to each other again." Twilight had listened with extreme caution. She had never actually known what had happened between the young fillies at that time, but now she did. This must have been years ago. "Sweetie Belle." Twilight snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the mare who was once a young little pony with all the free time in the world. "I know this will be hard, but please. All of Equestria will soon depend on you." Sweetie Belle thought it over. The break up with the club had been such a long time ago. Would the old members ever come to peace with one another again? And most importantly, would they ever forgive her for causing it? "Alright, Twilight." Sweetie Belle was calm as she spoke. She knew that this would be difficult though. "I'll do it." Twilight smiled. "I knew you would do it, Sweetie Belle." The white mare didn't care about what Twilight was saying. She was more concerned on how everything would go down. What if it didn't work out? What if their friendship was never to be resolved? Sweetie Belle looked at the clock. 11:54. She sighed. "When do we start?" She asked Twilight. Her body was so tired she could barley stand up. The alicorn smiled. "First you get some sleep in the castle." Twilight jerked her head towards the beautiful, large, colorful building. "Rarity can come too." "What about the rest of my crew?" Sweetie Belle asked. "They are still working right now." Twilight's head turned to look behind her at the stage crew who were still cleaning up the stage. "When they are done, the guards can escort them to the castle." "Ok." the white unicorn yawned. "Get as much sleep as you can tonight." Twilight told her. "We set off first thing in the morning." "Who-or where-are we going first?" Sweetie Belle asked as she and Twilight walked back towards the castle. The clock struck midnight. Twilight turned her head to face Sweetie Belle in the moonlight. "We are first going to the Wonderbolt Academy." Author's Note This is after each Cutie Mark Crusader gets their cutiemark. Sweetie Bell is an international singer for Equestria, and by going to the Wonderbolt Academy, Twilight means they are going to get Scootaloo first. P.S: About the Elements of Harmony not working, you'll find that out later in the story why and how come they don't work anymore. Thanks for reading the first chapter!!!
Brat Free Zone"Do we have to get her first?" Sweetie Belle moaned as her and Princess Twilight Sparkle padded over to the training clearing of the Wonderbolt Academy. This section was the take off arena, and also the only part of the Academy that was on the ground and not in the clouds. Sweetie Belle really didn't want to do this. She didn't want anything to do with this mare, or this task of which she thought was almost stupid. She didn't want to have to do anything with the ponies who she used to call "friends" or working with them. She just wanted to go back to her normal life as one of Equestria's greatest stars. Couldn't she just go back to that? Apparently not. Not according to Twilight. According to Twilight, she had to work with these ponies. According to Twilight, she had to "save Equestria". Well, Sweetie Belle was sick of what she had to do according to Twilight. But it was to late. The mare who used to be her friend was swooping down from the sky. The white mare growled quitely as the Wonderbolt in training swiftly landed with Rainbow Dash at her side. "Well, Scootaloo." Sweetie Belle was pretending to be nice. "I sure have not seen you in a while." Scootaloo saw right through the unicorn's fake care for her and started off more agressivly to her. "So where have you been then, huh?" Scootaloo gave a flick of her tail. "After you left the club, you said you would become rich and famous...but I see that it hasn't exactly worked out." Sweetie Belle felt rage building up inside of her. She got ready to explode all her anger on to Scootaloo, but Twilight stepped in front of the two before any sort of fighting broke out. "Now, girls," Twilight's voice was firm. "We have to focus on the real matter at hand here. You two need to work together on this, so that means that I want no fighting. Understood?" "Fine." Sweetie Belle mutered. "No." Scootaloo snapped. Sweetie Belle stood with a look of shock on her face. How could the pegasus say that? "Scootaloo!" Rainbow Dash's teeth grited as she held back her anger. "Why in all of Equestrai would you say no?" "I shouldn't have to do this!" Scootaloo shot back. "Why do I have to go and work with this slob! There is-" "SLOB!" Sweetie Belle roared. "You think i'm the slob? Excuse you, but it seems as though you havn't washed your uniform in days! Why are you even here, anyways? You havn't been able to fly since after you got your cutie mark!" That blew it for Scootaloo. She let out a hiss of fury and spun around, darting into the skies. She wipped her head around as she flew away. "No way i'm coming back to help you, Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo shouted as she flew off. "I would never want you back here anyways!" The white mare retorted back loudly. "No brats on the team!" "Fine!" "Fine!" "I hope you fail on your 'so-called quest!'" "And I hope you never becom a Wonderbolt!" Sweetie Belle watched the sky as the young mare disapered. She stood there, nostrils flaring, teeth grinding, her eyes narrowed to slits. Oh how she hated that girl! "I'm really sorry about Scootaloo," Rainbow Dash apologized to Twilight. " I never thought that she would act like that. But don't worry, i'll fix her up, I promise." "Thanks, Rainbow." Twilght sighed. "See you later, I guess." "Bye." Rainbow called as she hit the skies. Twilight turned to face Sweetie Belle. Boy was she in trouble! "What...was that?" Twilight started out calmly, but grew angrier as she went on. "I thought I told you that we were here to recruit Scootaloo! Not to drive her off!" "She started it!" Sweetie Belle puffed. "No childish exscuses!" Sweetie Belle backed away as Twilight roared. "The fate of Equestria lies in your hooves, and you decide to start out by angering our first teammate?" "No, but-" "Never mind, Sweetie Belle. Lets just try to get at least one pony to help, alright?" "Yes, Twilight." The white mare stared at her hooves. "I'm sorry." "It's alright, Sweetie Belle." Twilight started to walk away. "Now, lets go to our next destination." "Who are we getting?" "Apple Bloom."
The Unexpected Greeting"YEEHAW!" The excited exclaim came from the farm in front of Sweetie Belle. Her and Twilight were crossing into Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom's home. This was were the two would retreive her, and ask her to help with the mission ahead. Sweetie Belle felt more confident with trying to persuade Apple Bloom to help more then she had with Scootaloo. She still could not believe what that mare had done. How she had refused with such stuberness, then flew off into the sky still ranting at the white mare. Sweetie Belle didn't feel that this would happen with her and Apple Bloom. "That must be Applejack," Twilight padded beside Sweetie Belle as they reached the pasture in which Applejack and Apple Bloom were herding cattle with Applejacks ranch dog, Winnona. There was another figure on the side of the pasture, watching from the gate. Sweetie Belle couldn't make out who the figure was, due to the cattle racing past them. "See that, Babs?" Apple Bloom's head popped out from the gate where the cattle was setteling. Bab Seed! That's who the figure was. Babs trotted out from behind the gate to give her cousin a hoof bumb. "Like wow, Apple Bloom!" Babs still had that Manehattan accent. "That was some true cattle herding!" "I learned from the best," Apple Bloom replied, Applejack trotting up from behind her. "Aww thanks, sugarcube." Applejack gave Apple Bloom a nuggie on her head. "Now look ya'll! It's Twilight and Sweetie Belle!" The trio turned to see the princess and the white unicorn padding up together, side by side, matching eachothers hoof steps. "Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom's eyes widened. "Why ya'll here?" Babs gazed at Sweetie Bell, the young mare's expression couldn't be read. "Yeah, it's me." Sweetie Belle spoke softly. "Hi Apple Bloom. Hi Babs." Before Sweetie Bell knew what was happening, she was wrapped in a hug, smotthered by bright yellow fur. "Oh, Sweetie Belle!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, squeezing her hooves tighter around the white mare. "I've missed ya'll so much! You never come around anymore!" "I-I do!" Sweetie Bell was loosing air. Apple Bloom let go of her, but threw a hoof around the white mare's neck. "Well... All over Equestria, that is." Apple Bloom's eyes grew larger. "So it's true!" She exclaimed. "You'r a big super international singing star! And I thought Applejack was just toyin' with me." "No, no. It's true." Sweetie Belle replied cooly. "I am a super international singing star. What about you?" "Me?" Apple Bloom's face grew red hot with embaressment. "Oh, well...nothing really but work the farm with Big Macontosh and Applejack." Apple Bloom looked down on the ground, shuffling her hooves. Sweetie Bell was silent for a moment, not knowing what to say. Here she was, a super star to Equestria, Scootaloo was going to be a Wonderboltess, and Apple Bloom worked a life of labor on the farm. "Well that's nice for you." Sweetie Bell smiled. Apple Bloom looked up with a smile. "Oh!" She rushed over to Babs, and gave her a shove towards Sweetie Belle. "Babs has come to stay for the summer! Isn't that great!" The white mare smiled at Babs. She had only known her for a short wihle, and in that time, Babs had become a bully to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, aliiancing with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. But after a while the girls stopped her, and Babs became a member of the club. "That's wonderful Babs!" Sweetie Belle said to the young mare. "I hope you'r having fun here." "Huh, sure am!" Babs gave Sweetie Belle a hoof bumb, like the one she had given to Apple Bloom. "Good to see you around Sweetie Belle." "Same to you." The greeting of meeting Apple Bloom and Babs had been unexpected. While Scootaloo had met her with hostility, Apple Bloom had wrapped Sweetie Bell in an air puncturing hug. Thia was defenitly not what she had expected. "Well, we should get going with the task at hand, right, Sweetie Belle?" Twilight had finally spoken after all that time. "Oh!" Sweetie Belle suddenly remebered why she was here. She had been having such fun with her old friends that she completly forgot, "Would you mind telling them." The purple alicorn smiled. "Alright, Sweetie Belle." "They already know." Applejack broke in. "Ya'll told me what happened, and then to tell them, ya'll remember that, Twi?" "Oh." Twilight blushed. "Whoopsy." "Yeah we know why ya'll here." Apple Bloom nodded to Babs who nodded in return. The cousins moved in beside Sweetie Belle, pressing their flanks to hers on each side. "And we want in to help." The white mare broke away from them. "You mean you'll do it?" Her eyes widened. "You will really, really, do it?" "Sure why not?" Babs sat down on the soil filled ground. "It's fun to get back together with your old friends, isn't it?" "Defenitly." Apple Bloom agreed. "Let's save Equestria ya'll!" "Alright then!" Twilight exclaimed. "Let's go, girls!" "Good luck to ya'll!" Applejack cried as the four mares padded away. Applejack waved a hoof to Twilight, who smilied in return. "Bye ya'll! Come back soon, okay?" As the group padded towards their next destination, Apple Bloom suddenly looked up. "Wait...where are we going exactly?" "Oh," Twilight blushed again. "I guess I should have told you three, huh?" The mares glared at the alicorn, who stopped and chuckled softly. "We're going to get a friend of Luna's first, then to the candy sweet shop." "The one that Bon-Bon runs?" Sweetie Belle asked. She felt excitment tingle up her back. It wasn't that she was looking forward to the sweets that laid inside the shop, but the mare who made the sweets. "That's right, Sweetie Belle." Twilight responded. "We're getting Twist." "That mare who makes the candy pepermint sticks?" Apple Bloom looked at Twilight, who nodded. "Yes." She replied. "But after we get Luna's friend. He's a young little stallion who moved here from Trottington." "Who's that?" Sweetie Belle questioned. "He's a 'little stallion'?" Twilight giggled. "Yup. You might even say that he's a little pipsqueak." "Pipsqueak?" Apple Bloom asked. "That little colt who dressed up like a pirate on Nightmare Night years ago?" "Yes, that's who we are getting first before Twist." Twilight said. "Wait...where does he live?" Babs questioned. They seemed to be heading towards the old Crusaders Clubhouse. "He lives in your old clubhouse." Twilight prompted. "Ever since he was a kid, he wanted to join your club. But you never took notice of him because he was younger then you. He still is pretty young, but since he's in orphan, the clubhouse is perfect for him to stay and rest his flank." "He's an orphan?" Sweetie Belle felt a twinge of guilt crawling through her. "And we never let him in our club, either." "Poor guy." Apple Bloom remarked. "He just wanted to be noticed, and we treated him like a bruised apple with a worm crawling thorugh it." "Well now you can make it up to him." Twilight said as they approched the clubhouse. "He's in there." "Okay." Sweetie Belle took a deep breath. "Let's go girls." The three former club members approached the Crusaders Clubhouse and climbed up the ladder. They slowly sid to the door. "Should we knock?" Babs whispered. "Probably." Sweetie Belle agreed. Apple Bloom placed a hoof on the door and nocked three times. No awnser. She tried again. No awnser. She tried again. Still no awnser. "Are you sure he's home?" Sweetie Belle hissed down toTwilight who shruged in response. "Sorry again." Twilight stared down at her hooves. The trio eventually got to the point where Apple Bloom had knocked a total of 36 times. "He is not home." Apple Bloom confirmed. But at that very moment the door whisked open to reveal pitch black darkness inside the clubhouse. An outstreched hoof grabbed Sweetie Belle, thrusting her inside. She screamed as she hit the floor, a figure rearing on his hooves was the only thing she could make out in the pitch black darkness. The door slammed shut behind her, locking her inside. She looked back upwards to see the figure with a sword in his mouth. The figure lunged at Sweetie Bell, ready to slice her stomach in two, when suddenly- BLAM! The door burst open, Twilight, Apple Bloom and Babs standing there, Twilight using her magic to turn on the lights. On top of Sweetie Bell stood a young stallion, his fur matted. Opon his pelt were dark brown spots, including one over his left eye. On his legs his fur stopped at the bottom and showed bare hooves. He looked at the intruders who had barged into his home. Babs stepped closer, showing teeth as a waring to back off. The young stallion slid on the floor over Sweetie Belle, and landed on his flank on the floor in front of her. His sword was still gripped roughtly in his teeth, but now his brown eyes were wide and startled, full of fear. Twilight hung her head with shame. "Looks like I forgot to tell Pip." Author's Note The story of Pipsqueak's past is NOT true. I simply made it up to create more drama in the story
Pirate Pip"WHAT IN THE NAME OF CELESTIA WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?!?!" Pipsqueak cowered on the floor as Sweetie Belle sat up and roared at him. This dumb colt hadn't answered his door, but he some how thought it was okay to throw himself right on to Sweetie Belle? "Sweetie Belle...calm down-" "CALM DOWN?" The young mare interrupted Twilight. "YOU EXPECT ME TO CALM DOWN, AFTER HE ALMOST SLICED ME IN HALF?" Sweetie Belle pointed a hoof at Pip. Her face was hot red with anger and fury, her eyes narrowed into thin slits. She was about to explode. "I-I didn't mean it..." The spotted stallion spoke softly from where he was cowering on the floor. "I just-" "Didn't mean it?" Sweetie Belle's face was still twisted with rage, and her voice came out like a snake hiss. "How could you not mean to practicly kill me?" "I'm sorry, mate." Pip bowed his head. "I'm a pirate crew member. See, I trained to protect myself from intruders. I wouldn't really hurt you. It was just for scare." "Wait a second here ya'll." Apple Bloom padded over to Pipsqueak. "You're really a pirate?" Pip nodded. Sweetie Belle had calmed down now, and she gazed thoughtfully at the stallion. Babs still stood behind, but her eyes widened. "That costume I wore on Nightmare Night, was just a costume. But it was my dream to be a pirate, so I went off for a couple of years and joined a crew." Pip explained as the four mares in front of him listened carefully. "The crew taught me how to navigate on a map, use a compass, and fight against enemies. But I would never hurt any pony, I promise. Only unless you were some sort of zombie...or somthin' like that I guess." "I see." Sweetie Belle still had that feeling of anger inside her, but she was mainly controlled now. "So do you always keep that knife on you?" "That's right, mate." Pip stood up. "Now you may know now that i'm Pipsqueak. But do you lot have names?" "Oh, right." Sweetie Belle giggled softly. "I'm Sweetie Belle. This is Bab Seed (The white mare gestured a hoof to the orange mare standing behind her), Apple Bloom (She pointed a hoof at the bright yellow mare with the bright red hair), and Princess Twilight Sparkle (Sweetie Belle nodded at the purple alicorn behind her)." The pirate's eyes widened. "Princess!" He exclaimed as he immeadiatley bowed to the floor in front of Twilight. "Blimey, i've never met a real princess before!" Twilight smiled. "Not many ponies have, Pip." "Well, I shouldn't say that." The pinto recalled. "I met Princess Luna on my very first Nightmare Night. She's my favorite princess." Pip's eyes travelled off in the distance as he began to remember the encounter with the Princess of the Night. "I'm sure she will be happy to see you again." The purple alicornprodded a hoof on the floor. "That is...if you come with us." "Come with you?" Pipsqueak looked around confusingly at the group of mares. "What you mean 'come with you'?" "Listen, Pipsqueak." Twilight began slowly explaining the Griffon Empire and how Equestria would soon be at war. She left out no details, making sure that the stallion would absorbe every bit of information she told him. She finally finished off by stating how her and the girls were re-building the Cutie Mark Crusaders along with some other ponies, and how they needed this to work because of a recent failure of the Elements. As Pip listened to the story, Sweetie Belle was lost in thought: "A recent failure of the Elements." What did Twilight mean by her Element of Harmony overpowering the others. What was thaat failure that had happened? Sweetie Belle couldn't remember the last time the Elements were needed. They had worked fine against Discord, and there had been no other conflicts in Equestria since then. "What is the failure Twilight is talking about?" Sweetie Belle whispered to herself. By now, Twilight had finished telling the story, and Pip was thinking over if het should join in with them or not. Finally after sveral moments, that had seemed to pass by like hours, Pip made his desicion. "I will join in on this fight to save Equestria. The pirate vowed. "And I am honered to be chossen by you, Princess." Pipsqueak added to Twilight with a bow. Twilight smiled with a soft chuckle. "Thank you, Pipsqueak. I'm the one who should be honored with the thought of having a pirate on her quest along side her." Pip stood boldly at the praise, puffing out his chest as if he was all muscle. Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. Stallions! They seemed to never think of anything but themselves! "What are we goin' to do?" Pip trotted behind the mares as they left the clubhouse. "Swoop down on ropes and attack those mangy grffions from behind? Ambush them in the middle of the night? Sneak attack them with some sort of magical-alicorn-high-tech-princess-top-secret-device?" Sweetie Belle glanced over her shoulder at the stallion, his eyes gleamed with the hunger for adventure, and the way he held his head high showed how determined he was. "I don't think there is any sort of device like that." The white mare told Pipsqueak. She lowered her voice to almost a whisper. "I'm not even sure what we are going to do." The pinto stared blankly back at her. "You don't know?" He questioned, his voice hushed. "Then how are we going to save Equestria, if we don't even know what the hell we're doing?" Sweetie Belle shrugged. How were they going to win this battle? Pip was right. They can't win if Twilight hasn't even mentioned how they were going to fight. "Now is not the time to worry about that." Twilght growled. "Dammit!" Sweetie Belle hissed back to Pip. "She overheard our conversation!" "Not my fault!" Pipsqueak retorted. "You should have talked quieter!" "ME?" The unicorn snapped. "You were the one who was trash talking Twilight about not having a plan-" "Enough! Both of you!" Twilight stopped walking and spun round to face the arguing ponies. "I don't care who spoke louder or who trash talked me, but for Celestia's sake, get along! We don't want to have another issue like what happened to Scootaloo!" "What happened with Scootaloo?" Pipsqueak asked Sweetie Belle. Their conflict had been forgotten. Sweetie Belle began to feel the anger rise back inside of her. That pegasus had made her so mad! "She was simply a brat, refusing to help and shouting insults back at me as she flew away into the sky." The white mare stuck her nose in the air. "Not my problem, though! If she wants to be that way, then fine! See if I care!" Pip looked down at his hooves. "Oh...I see." He trrailed off, not knowing what else to say. Sweetie Belle quickly changed the subject. "So, um...what's being a pirate like?" The unicron asked. Pip's expression brightend. "Oh it's truly spectacular! Casting out on the big ocean blue! Fighting with swords and knives in hoof and mouth! Swinging on ropes across your magnificent ship!" "Wow," Sweetie Belle seemed very intrested. "All that?" "Oh but pirates, we tell wonderful stories!" Pipsqueak cheered as he bounced on the earth. "Like one time, when I was sailin' out with me crew, a HUGE devious sea creature-and I mean HUGE!-shot out of the water and attacked me crew's ship!" Sweetie Belle's eyes widened as she listened to the young stallion's tale. "It was green and slimy, one of the most repulsing creatures I ever laid me eyes on!" Pip continued his story. "It brought it self down on the ship causing a great storm of waves. Some of me crew mates ran and cowered, screaming their lungs out while the monster roared. But I wouldn't let it hurt me ship or me mates! So I grabbed me sword and charged at the monster, slicing him in two so that me ship would never have to deal with that bloody torture again. I saved the day you know." Sweetie Belle wasn't so sure she believed Pip 100%, but he was a pretty good story teller. Though how he held himself caliming that he was a hero still annoyed the white mare. "Nice story there, pirate." Sweetie Belle nugged the pinto in the chest. "Want to hear antoher?" Pipsqueak smiled while Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. "I have a great one about-" "That's enough you two." Twilight glanced over her shoulder. "We're almost at Twist's." Pip stopped in his tracks. He tilted his head to one side. "Twist?" He asked. He had clearly never met the earth pony. "Yeah she's the one who makes the peppermint sticks at Bon Bon's candy shop." Sweetie Belle explained. "Poofy red hair?" "Never heard or seen her." Pip shook his head. "But we'll probably get off on the right hoof, right? I mean, I met you mares, and everything is going pretty smoothly with us." "Yeah i'm sure you and Twist will get along just fine." Sweetie Belle smiled as the group walked into Bon Bon's shop. "Just Twist, and then we'll be all set! That is if we can get Scootaloo in on this too." the white mare muttered to herself. "Just everypony wait. We'll be saving Equestria!"
