Cutie Mark Crusaders

The room was silent. I felt that Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle needed to know. How could they not think that I'd accept the offer? Were best friends for crying out loud! Although, I kinda did think they wouldn't approve. We are, after all, best friends. I feel bad now....

"You did what?!" Apple Bloom suddenly screeched, knocking me from my thoughts.

"I thought you'd feel happy for me.." I said, feeling sad.

Apple Bloom's expression suddenly changed to shame and sadness. "Ah'm sorry Scootalo. Ah' jus' didn't expect that is all."

"It's OK Apple Bloom." I said reassuringly. I knew she didn't mean to hurt me. I think I would be shocked too if Apple Bloom had just come out and said, "Howdy Y'all, I'm leaving your sorry asses to join a fashion business in Canterlot!" Of course, she wouldn't say it like that.

"Y-you're really leaving?" Sweetie Belle asked sadly.

"Yeah. I even talked it over with Rainbow Dash, and she said I shouldn't let this offer go to waste." I said.

"This must feel like a slap in the face to them...." was my only thought.

"P-please don't leave us!" She cried.

I looked at her, sadness in my eyes. I gave her a hug, and felt a drop fall down my face.

"Is it raining in here?" I thought. Suddenly I realized something. "It's my first time crying...."

I slowly left the hug, and flew home, in hopes of seeing Rainbow Dash.

Once I arrived, I noticed that she was home, but asleep on the couch, her WonderBolts uniform hanging off the arm.

As soon as I left the room, I heard her wake up.

"Rainbow Dash?" I asked.

"Hey, what's up kid?" She responded, reaching out for a hug.

"Do you honestly think that I should leave?" I searched her eyes for an answer, only to find sadness.

"Yeah kid. You'll do great. You'll fulfill your dream, and besides, I can always visit you!" She answered, obviously holding back tears. "Are you sure?" Was the only thing I could manage before tears started falling from my eyes.

Rainbow Dash pulled me in a tight hug, and I could feel her tears running down my back.

"I'm really gonna miss you." She whispered.

"I'm gonna miss you too." I replied.

For the rest of the night, Rainbow and I slept on the couch, since those would be our last hours together before I left to Canterlot in the morning. Rainbow was my sister, and best friend. I would really miss her when I'm gone. I can't believe that I just gave up my friends, and only family just to dance.

In the morning, once I woke up Rainbow, I quickly packed up my stuff and flew to the train station. I was eager to arrive, and I couldn't wait to dance! Once I got there, I could see the train slowly pulling into the station. Rainbow wrapped me in a warm hug, and gave me a quick goodbye.

I quickly boarded the train, and headed for the nearest seat. Suddenly, a colt plopped down next to me. He looked about my age, and he looked cute. Cute.... Cute.... How am I familiar with this word?

The colt noticed me staring at him and blushed. "So, where are you going?" He asked, looking around.

"I'm going to the Wonder Dalts academy..." I responded, still looking at his face.

He was white with an electric blue mane. His cutie mark had two ponies doing a tango with music notes.

He just nodded and finally looked over at me. I felt happy that I could finally make a new friend. Not just with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "So, what's your name?" I asked.

"My name is Midnight Tango." He replied.

"So, where are you from?" I prodded, curious about him.

"You sure you wanna know?" He asked playfully.

"Well duh, why do you think I asked?" She laughed.

"Well, you already know my name, but anyway, I'm from Las Pegasus, and I arrived in PonyVille yesterday. I'm also going to the Wonder Dalts dancing academy. Anyway, I was born in Las Pegasus, and raised by both parents. When I was about 5, my Dad, Dancing Moon, died in a fire, leaving me with my Mom, Shining Stars. She passed away last year. Now I'm staying with my Grandma, Little Light." He answered.

I wiped a tear from my face and gave him a hug. "I'm sorry about your parents." I whispered. I felt bad for him. Only having a grandma. I know how he feels. I only have Rainbow Dash. "So," He said looking at me, "What about you?"

I looked out the window for a few moments before starting. "My name is Scootalo. I live in PonyVille with my sister, Rainbow Dash. Our parents died when I was only 4." I broke off, remembering the tragic accident that took their lives. "Then, when I learned how to actually use these," I said, pointing to my wings, "We moved into a CloudHouse. Later, we moved, I couldn't stand being far from my friends. Then, I got my cutie mark." I finished.

Later, we moved to the food cart to get some food. We ate a few things. Once we finished, we grabbed our stuff and headed to a bunking cabin. It was then I finally noticed that he was also a pegasus. I facehooved at my sudden realization and put my last bag up. "Night!" He whispered. "Night!" I whispered back.

Soon, the only noise was the snoring of a few other ponies who were also in the cabin...

When I woke up, I noticed that we were close to Canterlot. I yawned and climbed down the ladder to see Midnight Tango stirring. When he woke up, we walked to the food cabin together. "Morning." I said, smiling as we sat down.

"Morning" He responded, sounding tired. He didn't talk for the rest of the conversation, but I didn't mind.

Once we ate, we grabbed our luggage and sat in a regular seat, waiting for our stop to come.

"Midnight, I wanna ask you something." I said, kinda blushing. "Yeah?" He asked.

"I know we just met, but I was hoping we could be best friends. I want to get kinda close to you." I finished.

He sat, processing what I had said, and then nodded. "Sure. I do think we could get close, since our parents died." He then laid out some cards. "Wanna play?" He asked, bringing a smile to my face.

When the train stopped, we got off and walked through the busy streets trying to navigate where we were supposed to go.

Once we reached the building we noticed a pony waiting. It looked like the one that had given me the offer. "Is that Tango?" I asked rhetorically. "I think so.." Midnight answered anyway. "Welcome my students!" She said. "Come on in! You'll wait inside while everyone else comes, that way you won't be cold." She said warmly.

Once we walked inside, I felt that I had made the right choice by coming here. A new story was about to unfold right in front of me.