The Aerial Ballerina
Scootaloo loved flying. It took her way too long to learn to fly, but now she had learned how to do so. It had taken several long months of grueling training under Rainbow Dash and input from two surprising sources as well.
The first source was Fluttershy. This was surprising, because while Fluttershy was a pegasus, she stuck mostly to the ground and didn’t even finish flight school. Fluttershy however was a natural flyer as far as pegasi go.
The butter yellow, pink maned pony wasn’t fast, but she did have a knack for flying. She just flew more like an easy going butterfly is all. Scootaloo thought this was fitting given her name and cutie mark.
The second and far more surprising source was Princess Twilight Sparkle. Scootaloo never thought royalty would have the time to help her out with flying. Twilight having just recently earned her wings went, and studied up on them as much as she could and experimented on different methods of wing use.
Her intelligence was instrumental to helping Scootaloo learn to use her wings once they finally grew strong enough for her to use them. It also helped that Twilight now knew how to explain things for normal ponies to understand, having spent so much time around the others by this time.
During her lessons the young orange pegasus soon realized she wouldn’t be as awesome as Rainbow Dash at flying. This disappointed Scootaloo. Twilight told her she shouldn’t let something like that get to her, and just enjoy flying as her own pony.
It took sometime, but eventually Scootaloo got over her disappointment. Once Scootaloo did this, she found out she was very graceful as she flew in the air. She did have some good speed, but it wasn’t the raw speed Rainbow had. As the filly flew, she felt freer than she had ever before in her life.
Scootaloo had a beautiful smile on her lips as she started twirling in the air and flying in loops. She also loved walking on clouds as well. Before long, Scootaloo was dancing and frolicking across the sky from cloud to cloud. She would also do small flips in the air. She wasn’t trying to be a rough and tumble awesome pegasus up here. She could fly, and didn’t feel like she needed to impress Rainbow Dash now.
“Woah Scoots!” Rainbow said in her slightly squeaky voice. Scootaloo paused and blushed when she heard Rainbow speak. She still felt a little too girly, and embarrassed around her idol for her liking at times. This was one of them.
Rainbow gave her a frown and said, “Why did you stop?”
Scootaloo blinked a few times and only said, “Huh?”
“Why did you stop your dancing? I thought it was pretty cool,” Rainbow answered. She then scratched the back of her signature mane as she gave a sheepish smile. “I didn’t mean to startle you Scoots. I was just surprised you could dance like that. I didn’t know you could.”
Scootaloo gave a bright smile and blushed again, this time at the praise from Rainbow. “I always have when I’m alone or at home. My family kept telling me I should actually preform, but I didn’t want ponies to see me as uncool and girly. Though sometimes I think the others noticed I was a tiny bit girly at times. Plus I always wanted to impress you and be just like you Rainbow.”
Scootaloo gave a little giggle as she said, “I guess finally taking Princess Twilight’s advice on just enjoying flying as myself got to me.”
Rainbow gave her a smile as she said, “Hey being yourself is awesomer than copying me Scoots. Besides, though I can fly faster than anypony and even do a Sonic Rainboom, I could never do what you were just doing. Why don’t you keep going? I liked it.”
Scootaloo gave another big smile and once again started dancing through the air gracefully, even if she was shouting for joy in her head at how Rainbow just called her awesome. As she continued, she didn’t notice a couple of other flying ponies join Rainbow in watching her, nor did she notice the others on the ground watching her as well.
Scootaloo happily lost herself to the mental music she was dancing to. She felt this was something she could happily do for the rest of her life and wanted to do just that. She kept dancing and imagining all kinds of different things as she made up some dance moves.
Once Scootaloo finally came to a stop on a low cloud with her eyes closed to catch her breath, she was shocked to hear several ponies applauding and cheering for her. Scootaloo opened her magenta eyes and gasped at the small crowd watching her.
Princess Twilight was there along with Fluttershy. On the ground, she saw Applejack, Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Miss Cheerilee, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, a couple of other ponies and finally Sweetie Belle.
Scootaloo felt she should be embarrassed by all of this. She felt she should try to be the tough filly she always tried to be in front of others. However she felt happy to see her friends smiling at her with the other ponies there, and all of them delighted by her impromptu performance. Fluttershy was surprisingly cheering the loudest of the group as she jumped around on the clouds in excitement.
“Great job Scootaloo! That was beautiful! I never knew you could dance like that.” Princess Twilight said to her.
“Well I just listened to you is all Princess Twilight.” Scootaloo said as she smiled.
Twilight then came closer to her looking at her with a smile as she said quietly. “I’m glad to hear that. So how do you feel right now? Also you can just call me Twilight you know.”
Scootaloo ignored that last part, and wasn’t sure what to think about the question. Despite this she answered it anyways. “I feel great actually. I haven’t felt this good in a really long time or ever I think.”
Twilight gave a knowing smile as she next said, “Well then I bet you will feel even better if you take a look at your back side.”
Scootaloo’s eyes widened. “It can’t be….” She said in a barely audible voice. The new princess gave her a wonderful smile as she motioned for her to look with a hoof. Scootaloo gulped, feeling a little nervous and excited, or as a pink pony would say nervecited. Magenta eyes turned to look at her flank.
Scootaloo’s smile grew even wider as she looked at her behind. She then did a few flips in the air in excitement. She had her cutie mark finally! She now understood why Twilight had been so excited when telling them about her Cutie Mark tale. She knew she would be just as excited to tell anypony her tale in the future.
Scootaloo’s cutie mark showed a white ballet dress with magenta wings on its back. She didn’t care if it wasn’t what she would have considered cool at one time. She thought it was beautiful and she loved it!
She kept jumping around for a bit as she shouted “I got my Cutie Mark!!!! I got my Cutie Mark!!!” All of the ponies below cheered in congratulations for her. There was one little yellow pony with a large bow in her mane, who didn’t cheer as loud as the others though.
Rainbow cheered louder than the others as she gave the little orange pegasus a hug. “Awesome! Let us see it!” Rainbow released her and Scootaloo proudly showed her Cutie mark off. “I get a feeling Ponyville will one day be known for having the coolest aerial ballerina ever calling it her home, Scootaloo.”
Scootaloo then flew so all of the others could see it as well. Everypony cheered for her again, even if two young ponies gave slight frowns for different reasons. One was happy for her friend, but a little concerned about how things might change. The other wasn’t sure what to think about her friend. She wanted to be happy for her, but there was something burning just below the surface inside her that kept her from doing so.
“Well this calls for our group picnic to be a party now!” Pinkie shouted and the others joined her as they went to go set it up. They would have done so sooner, but they just had to watch Scootaloo dancing when they all arrived.
Scootaloo came to a stop next to Twilight. The two had grown closer as Princess Twilight helped her with flying, and Scootaloo saw her as mentor on pretty much everything for the most part now.
She had to ask though, “But why now? I have danced for my family before in the past. I mean I liked dancing for them, and I have always been good at it. So why did I just now get my cutie mark?”
Twilight gave her a warm smile and wing hug as she said quietly. “What have I and the others been telling you three girls for a long time now?”
“Do something you are good at and enjoy doing… But why didn’t we get them earlier if that was the case? I mean I tried to find out what we were good at by trying everything like Rainbow Dash told Apple Bloom all that time ago.” Scootaloo said as she looked to the sky in front of her in thought.
Scootaloo missed the dirty look Twilight gave Rainbow who blushed, and nervously rubbed the back of her mane. Rainbow was about to flee, but Twilight quickly used her magic to stop her.
Rainbow gave a sigh and said, “Look Scootaloo… I didn’t know she already had something she loved doing and was good at. I told her that thinking she hadn’t figured out what she liked doing yet...” Twilight released Rainbow. Rainbow landed on the cloud next to them and hoofed it lightly.
One of Scootaloo’s eyes twitched as she absorbed this. She slowly spoke. “You mean… to tell me… We have been doing the wrong thing to get our cutie marks all this time?!” Rainbow looked up to her with sorrowful rose colored eyes.
Twilight spoke to head off what would be a rather unpleasant confrontation. “She didn’t mean any harm Scootaloo. I’m sure. Besides you made two really great friends, and you three went on some very exciting adventures together. You have all kinds of tales you can share with others as you continue growing up. Those experiences are magical, and will only help you as you become a famous and wonderful dancer.”
Scootaloo did something she noticed Twilight do from time to time, when she struggled with helping teach Scootaloo at first. She took in a deep breath, placed a hoof on her chest, and exhaled slowly while extending the hoof forward. It worked really well she noticed. “I guess… That still doesn’t really help me understand about getting a cutie mark though.”
“A young pony gets their cutie mark when they realize they love doing something and that they are good at doing it. Also they have to realize it is something they would love doing the rest of their life. I got mine when I used my deeply hidden magic, and knew I wanted to learn more about it, and would study it in some manner for the rest of my life.” Twilight said to Scootaloo, still giving her the warm smile from earlier.
“I got mine from learning how much I loved flying really fast, and wanted to keep doing so as long as I could.” Rainbow Dash said next.
Fluttershy, who had come to congratulate the orange filly as well, spoke. “I got mine when I realized how much I loved animals, and wanted to help them for the rest of my life. I ummm… guess we all kind of got a little too excited, and detailed when we told you girls about our cutie marks the first time. I’m sorry and hope you will forgive me… if you want to Scootaloo… We should have just told you three the plain and straight to the point version instead.”
Scootaloo frowned in thought, but then smiled as she said, “Well at least now I can help the others get their cutie marks better since you all told me this. Oh I can’t wait to see what their cutie marks will be!” Scootaloo was excited now. It was “the best day ever!” The four flyers then took off to go, and join the others for the picnic turned unofficial party.
{-} {-} {-}
Scootaloo was relaxing on a cloud recovering from the picnic turned party at the moment. She still didn’t get how Pinkie Pie seemed to have everything party related, hidden away somewhere always accessible to her at all times. Not to mention, where she stored her party cannon.
It had been a wonderful time Scootaloo thought, but she did notice Sweetie Belle seemed a little concerned about something at first. The young flyer finally pulled her friend to the side and asked her, “What is wrong Sweetie Belle? I can tell you’ve been having some fun, but something is worrying you. What’s up?”
Sweetie looked down and gave a sniff. She looked up to Scootaloo with teary eyes and asked weakly, “You won’t leave us and stop being our friend now that you have your Cutie Mark right Scootaloo? I know I am being silly, but I have always feared this day in the back of my heart. I never really thought we would all three get our cutie marks at the same time really. I just didn’t say anything because I love you two so much. You two are the only friends I ever had, but it was our quest to get our cutie marks that brought us together. So what happens now?”
Scootaloo gave Sweetie Belle a tight hug as she said to her softly, “Now I help you two get your cutie marks. I know how to get one now. I’m just waiting until our next meeting to tell is all. But I promise you Sweetie all three of us will still be friends, and you two will get your cutie marks as well.”
Sweetie then returned Scootaloo’s hug and said happily, “I’m glad to hear that. By the way you were amazing up there dancing Scootaloo! I didn’t even know you danced that much.”
Scootaloo gave a little chuckle as she said, “I always have, but usually it was just in front of my family. I can’t wait until they’re all home tonight! I’m going to tell them all about getting my cutie mark, and show them my aerial dancing. Oh mom and dad will be so proud! Hopefully my younger sister and older brother will be happy about it too.”
Sweetie simply gave her a pat on the back and said, “I’m sure they will be Scootaloo. Well I think we should go back to the others now.” With that the two headed back to the picnic.
Sweetie Belle was much happier now and Scootaloo was as well. She did however think it odd that Apple Bloom seemed a little distant. Scootaloo was concerned, but she couldn’t get Apple Bloom alone and talk to her about it. So the orange pegasus decided it couldn’t be anything too bad, and just enjoyed the rest of the day.
{-} {-} {-}
Scootaloo made it home before the rest of her family, so she happily went about making their supper tonight. Her parents were busy at city hall today with the mayor, and couldn’t make it to the picnic earlier. Her mom left instructions asking whoever got home first to start making dinner at 5:45 P.M. Everyone in her family helped out with supper from time to time.
Her older brother, Blueprints, was busy with work as well. He was a dark tanned and brown maned Earth Pony with a drafting pencil and compass tool cutie mark. He still lived with the rest of them because “It’s a big brother’s responsibility to take care of his little sisters.” Scootaloo knew it was also because her brother wanted to save up bits and design his own home, which took time.
Scootaloo’s younger sister was busy with her own friends that day, since she was a little too young to hang out and crusade with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Her younger sister, Flower Sky, was also a pegasus despite their mom being an Earth Pony and their dad a Unicorn. Flower had a brown mane, like their dad, with a yellow coat. Their parents always said Scootaloo and Flower took after their grandma who was a pegasus, but passed away when Scootaloo was still just a small foal.
Scootaloo wasn’t far along in prepping supper when her parents came home. Her mom was named Warm Field. She had a light magenta mane and light yellow coat with a smiling flower sprouting from the ground for a cutie mark.
Her father was named Greenhouse. He had a brown mane and a light grey coat with a glass greenhouse as a cutie mark.
“Hey mom! Hey Dad!” Scootaloo shouted from the kitchen before hovering into the living room to give them a big hug.
As she hugged them she smiled brightly and said, “Guess what happened today?!” After a couple seconds but before they could answer, Scootaloo turned to her side so they could see her cutie mark and shouted, “I got my Cutie Mark!”
Her mom gasped and grabbed her into a big hug as she said with tearful eyes, “I knew you would get it soon! You have to tell us all about it at supper. Are your brother or sister home yet?”
Her dad then came and gave her a big hug as well, but he just smiled at her. He never really talked much in general.
“Nah! I was working on supper I just got home not too long ago myself. I hadn’t really done anything, but get some of the ingredients together yet though.” Scootaloo was about to head back into kitchen when her mom stopped her.
“No daughter of mine is going to cook on the day she gets her Cutie Mark! You wait right here! We are going to have your favorite meal instead tonight!” Her mom then left for the kitchen in a hurry to start cooking lasagna and hay fries.
“We are both very proud of you Scootaloo.” Greenhouse said before giving his daughter a hug again, and mussing up her mane. Scootaloo just gave a little giggle while she smiled.
“Thanks dad! I’ll have to show you, mom, Flower and Blueprints how I got it after supper. Rainbow Dash said I was awesome! And Princess Twilight said it was beautiful!” Scootaloo said happily hugging her dad tightly.
It was shortly before supper when Flower and Blueprints arrived home. Supper was a wondrous and exciting affair that night as they all celebrated Scootaloo getting her cutie mark. After they finished eating, it was still light enough outside for them to watch Scootaloo perform her dance from earlier when she got her mark.
When she finished her brother cheered, whistled and shouted, “Yah! Right on Scoot! I can tell all my friends and co-workers my younger sister can literally dance through the air!”
Flower cheered as well, she was happy for her sister. She even beat her tiny wings real fast as she tried to hoover in the air. When she couldn’t hoover she frowned, but then smiled and asked, “When I get my wings strong enough will you teach me to be a ballerina in the air too big sis?”
Scootaloo gave her a hug and said, “I’ll teach you to fly, but I'll make sure you do like Princess Twilight told me. ‘Just enjoy flying as yourself.’” Flower looked a little disappointed, but soon smiled again as the family enjoyed the rest of their night. Scootaloo was exhausted when she went to bed that night, but was excited for tomorrow when she went to school.
{-} {-} {-}
When morning came Scootaloo quickly checked her flank to make sure she still had her cutie mark, and it wasn’t all just a dream again. She smiled as she looked at the white ballet dress with the magenta wings again. She now felt so special knowing her talent, and having what she thought was a pretty Cutie Mark.
She also hoped with her new understanding of cutie marks, she could help Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle get theirs quickly. She wanted them to feel this amazing as well. She also knew their cutie marks would be cool.
After a wonderful breakfast, Scootaloo for once was eager to get to school. She wanted to show everyone her cutie mark ,and maybe rub it in Diamond Tiara’s face a little bit. Like how Apple Bloom did when she had the cutie pox before things got out of control. Except Scootaloo’s cutie mark was genuine, and better than some fake gaudy crown like Diamond’s.
As she flew to school that morning, the orange pegasus hummed a dance tune to herself as she danced and twirled through the air. Occasionally added in a pirouette on a cloud. Once she was in front of the school house, she came down for a smooth and graceful landing on one hoof with her wings out stretched behind her. Her eyes were closed and her forehooves spread out above her head. She didn’t take notice of the watching ponies.
Her landing left all of the watching fillies and colts speechless at the beautiful dancer before them. Some of the colts figured she must have been some angel pony sent before their eyes. Many of the fillies wished they could dance like that. Most actually gave a clap as Scootaloo blushed, and nervously bowed before walking over to where she saw her friends.
Diamond Tiara frowned at the display unable to think of anything to make fun of Scootaloo for besides teasing her about being girly. She thought that would be enough to get the orange filly though.
She made a show of laughing at Scootaloo and said, “Wow who would have thought you would be so girly Scootaloo? I bet Rainbow Dash would be ashamed to call you her fan after seeing that display. That was probably the most girly thing ever, so far away from being awesome. Not to mention your extremely girly Cutie Mark!”
Scootaloo gave a pleasant smile as she said calmly, “For your information Diamond, Rainbow Dash was there and said it was awesome. She even asked I keep dancing and applauded with Princess Twilight, and everypony else there when I finished.”
Diamond turned a little red with anger as she said, “Yah well… your Cutie Mark looks stupid anyways! Mine is much better.”
Scootaloo kept smiling and said, “I think my Cutie Mark is pretty. It stands for my graceful aerial dancing ability, and I can dance just as well on the ground.” Scootaloo then gave Diamond a questioning look as she said, “Tell me. What does your ‘much better’ Cutie Mark even mean?”
Diamond blushed in anger and didn’t say anything. Her special talent was being daddy’s spoiled little princess. This is part of the reason she got meaner once she got her mark. After all, who would honestly be proud of being a spoiled little brat? She got what she wanted from her dad sure, but her “special talent” did bother her. She didn’t tell anyone what it was, not even Silver Spoon.
Scootaloo waited a couple of seconds, and then finished making her way over to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. She was smiling as she said, “Did you two see the look on her face?” Sweetie Belle giggled and just nodded. Apple Bloom forced a laugh and smile as she agreed with Sweetie Belle.
Apple Bloom again felt something burning just below the surface. She knew what it was and she wasn’t happy with it. She should be happy for Scootaloo and she was. However a part of her couldn't help but think, “That should be me showing off mah real cutie mark and rubbing it into Diamond’s face. That should be me showing it off to everyone and getting their congratulations.”
Apple Bloom shook her head. This was one of her best friends. She shouldn’t think like that. Plus school would start soon, and she needed to try and pay attention in class.
Once class started Miss Cheerilee congratulated Scootaloo on her Cutie Mark again, and said she was glad Big Mac asked her to the picnic. At recess that day, Miss Cheerilee asked if Scootaloo would perform for them. Scootaloo was happy to do so.
Sweetie cheered whole-heartedly for her friend. Apple Bloom tried her best to support the dancing pegasus, but that burning feeling deep down was getting harder to keep under wraps and shove away.
{-} {-} {-}
Once the school day ended Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom headed to the club house. Scootaloo had to speak with Miss Cheerilee about something, but promised to join them afterwards.
Apple Bloom couldn’t help but frown as they waited into the club house. Sweetie was excited about the day, and filled with the hope it would only be a matter of time before they got their marks as well. She didn’t notice Apple Bloom’s souring mood.
Scootaloo flew into the club house a little bit showier than usual, but it was only because of her excitement. “Hey girls! I know how you can get your Cutie Marks now for sure!” She said to them. Sweetie cheered and Apple Bloom didn’t really meet her eyes. Scootaloo frowned but decided once they got started the yellow filly would be really happy.
Sweetie Belle smiled and asked brightly, “Oh? How so Scootaloo?!”
The orange pegasus smiled as she said, “You remember what all the adult ponies told us about getting Cutie Marks right?”
Sweetie rolled her eyes, “Yah. Yah. They all said something like…” Sweetie cleared her voice, and then attempted to mock some nondescript older pony. “Do what you love doing and what you’re good at, and it will happen in due time.” It was actually a pretty good imitation.
Apple Bloom asked, “What does that have to do with anything Scoots?”
Scootaloo gave a smile and started, “They were actually telling us the truth….” Before she could go on there was a chorus of dual huhs. Scootaloo beckoned with her hooves for their patience. “No really. They were right… They just didn’t explain it to us correctly. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Princess Twilight told me afterwards the whole truth.”
Scootaloo gave a sigh, “They should have just told us from the get go why we needed to do what we loved doing and were really good at. You get your cutie mark once you realize the thing you are good at and enjoy. It may seem normal to you, but you love doing it anyways. That is your special talent!” Scootaloo exclaimed with a smile hoping to hear sounds of comprehension from her friends.
The two other fillies just stared at her like she was crazy. They also hoped she was going to say something else but when she remained silent, Sweetie’s hopes sunk deeper and Apple Bloom’s jealousy finally got the best of her. She wasn’t going to try hiding it anymore. “Ya mean to tell me we’ve been doing it wrong this whole time?” Scootaloo looked a little unsure and nodded slowly. She didn’t like Apple Bloom’s tone.
Apple Bloom stood up looking angry. “Ya mean to tell me what Rainbow Dash said to me was wrong?” Scootaloo nodded again. Apple Bloom pinned her ears back in anger. “Ah didn’t think you would go and try to make fun of us by acting like we’re stupid. What makes you an expert on cutie marks anyways?!”
The country filly felt like Scootaloo was doing what everypony with a Cutie Mark always did. They just gave a laugh and offered vague advice on how to get it, or went on about how wonderful their mark was. She would have kept fighting her jealousy, but she felt a bit betrayed by this. Scootaloo was just like them until yesterday. She knew how they felt. She should at least help them out too.
Scootaloo looked a little hurt. She didn’t mean to come off like that at all. “I’m not making fun of you or Sweetie, AB. It’s the truth. Besides I did just get mine not too long ago. The memory is still fresh in my head. I felt amazing while I was dancing in the sky yesterday. I realized this is what I wanted to always do. I felt special when Rainbow complemented me and told me to keep going. Then I got my Cutie Mark.”
Scootaloo was hoping they would understand now. She knew it wasn't easy to accept they were wrong, but getting their Cutie Marks and staying friends was more important… right?
Apple Bloom almost believed her winged friend, but her jealously had consumed her now. “I was going to congratulate you again on ya Cutie Mark. But I see you are just being a liar and a plain show off now. You just wanted to tell us how wonderful getting a mark is, and rubbing it in our faces that we ain’t got ours yet.”
Now her friend was calling her a liar and a show off? Sure Scootaloo knew she had been extra showy today, but Apple Bloom was worse when they thought she had her cutie mark back then. Scootaloo was angry now as well. “You’re calling me a show off?”
“Sure am Miss Flashy Dancer.” Apple Bloom then started imitating her, by prancing around. “Oh look at me I can fly and dance on clouds. Hey Diamond what does your ‘much better’ cutie mark mean anyways? Oh hey everypony here. Want to watch me dance again? I am sooo special.”
Sweetie Belle was shocked Apple Bloom was acting this way. Scootaloo looked really angry now. “You can’t call anyone a show off Apple Bloom. I remember what happened when you got your ‘cutie mark in loopty hoopin’.”
Scootaloo then made a horrible accent and said, “Hey everypony watch me! Watch me! Ah got mah Cutie Mark last night. Oh hey Diamond Tiara… Ya need some help there? No? Don’t worry. Am sure if you keep practicing you’ll be half as good as me. Hey everyone watch this move!’”
Scootaloo then did a little aerial flip before landing and saying in a venomous voice, “At least my Cutie Mark is real! And I haven’t even shown it off half as much as you did with your fake cutie mark. Apple Faker!”
Apple Bloom growled at her and said, “Watch yer mouth Miss Flashy Dancer. Ya’ll gonna say something you’ll regret.”
Sweetie Belle yelled, “Girls!” trying to get their attention but to no avail.
Apple Bloom lunged at Scootaloo, who rose up just out of reach. Apple Bloom shouted, “Ya’ll get down here right now Miss Flashy Dancer!”
Scootaloo just made an angry face and chanted, “Apple Faker! Apple Faker! Apple Faker!” Sweetie Belle tried to get them to stop again, but neither of her friends would listen to her at the moment.
Apple Bloom got angrier and threw something at Scootaloo, who dodged it. “Get down here now so Ah can show ya whose a Faker.”
Scootaloo stuck her tongue out and said, “What are ‘Yall gonna’ do about it, Apple Fake?”
The two continued to fight until finally a voice said, “What in tarnation are you two shouting about?!” Applejack was checking some of the trees nearby, and heard their ruckus and decided to see what was going on.
“Miss Flashy Dancer here wanted to come and show off she had her Cutie Mark and we didn’t! Some friend she is!” Apple Bloom said still angry, but she winced inwardly as she actually saw the orange pegasus’ hurt face. Apple Bloom also knew deep down what she said wasn’t true, but right now she didn’t care.
Scootaloo looked really hurt and betrayed. She just got her cutie mark. It was supposed to be a happy time for her, yet one of her closest friends wanted to just be jealous at her instead. She was trying to hold back tears as she said in a shaky voice. “At least I didn’t care more about getting my cutie mark then being with my friends ever!”
The orange pegasus was remembering the times Apple Bloom refused to have fun with them while crusading because she hadn't gotten her cutie mark. This was actually a fairly rare occurance, and had she not been so hurt an angry she would have apologized right a way. For the time, Scootaloo wasn't thinking clearly and just wanted to get back at her supposed friend.
Scootaloo turned to look at her other friend. Sweetie Belle looked to be just as hurt as her. Scootaloo sniffed and said quietly to only Sweetie Belle, “I’m sorry Sweetie Belle.” She then slowly left the clubhouse, and took off for home as fast as she could.
Sweetie Belle looked at Scootaloo leaving, and then turned to Apple Bloom. Sweetie then ran outside and left crying as well. Sweetie wanted them to still all three be friends. She had hoped after talking with Scootaloo yesterday they still would be. At the moment, it wasn’t looking like that would be the case.
“Come on Apple Bloom…” Applejack said simply, but her tone showed just how disappointed she was at her little sister right now. Apple Bloom knew she was at fault for what happened. She knew deep down that Scootaloo was just trying to help them out. Apple Bloom cursed her jealousy as she followed her sister to their house.
{-} {-} {-}
When Scootaloo made it home, she went straight to her room and cried. “This isn’t fair! This isn’t right!” she thought to herself. She finally got her Cutie Mark and everything was going horribly wrong. “Why didn’t we figure something out for when this happened?” She asked herself quietly, not noticing her mother looking into her room before knocking softly on the door.
“Are you okay Honey?” Warm Field asked.
Scootaloo looked up and immediately flew to her mother and wrapped her hooves around her, and started bawling into her mom’s coat. “It’s not fair mom! I got my Cutie Mark and I was so happy! I was going to help my friends get theirs too. But when I spoke to them after school, I got into a fight with Apple Bloom.” Scootaloo sobbed as her mother rubbed her back soothingly with a hoof and tried to calm her filly down.
She started saying words of comfort to her oldest daughter and telling her “It will be alright Honey.” Scootaloo just kept crying until finally she seemed to have calmed down. Warm Field picked her daughter up and placed her on the bed and sat beside her. She calmly said to her daughter, “Tell me what happened Honey.”
Scootaloo then told her mom everything. Once she finished, her mom gave a sad smile and said, “This is something everypony goes through Scootaloo. It will all work out somehow. It might take some time, but it will work out.”
Warm Field then gave Scootaloo a hug and said, “Besides Sweetie Belle will always be your friend no matter what. And I’m sure Apple Bloom will come around as well.”
Scootaloo hugged her mom tighter and felt better now. “So are you going to be ok Honey?” Her mom asked. Scootaloo nodded.
“Great supper should be ready soon enough. I had dad take over before I came up here to check on you. So how about we go see how he’s holding up?” Scootaloo followed her mom downstairs, and she eventually enjoyed the rest of the night for the most part.
When she went to bed that night Scootaloo cried some more. This time it was because she was concerned that she wouldn’t be friends with Apple Bloom anymore. She remembered that Apple Bloom used to be decent friends with Twist.
At first Scootaloo thought the two just drifted apart, or maybe stopped being close friends because as nice as she was, Twist was pretty nerdy. Now Scootaloo realized the two only stopped talking after Twist got her Cutie Mark. The orange pegasus feared Apple Bloom would stop talking to her as well. She hated this whole thing. Getting your Cutie Mark wasn’t supposed to end in tears while you cried yourself to sleep at night.
{-} {-} {-}
Over at the Carousel Boutique, Rarity was serving her puffy eyed Sweetie Belle some refreshing tea. She sat next to her younger sister and placed a hoof on her shoulder and said, “There there you poor dear… Have some tea and you will feel better.” Rarity started to lightly rub her sister’s back to comfort her.
Rarity kept comforting her sister, but she couldn’t help feeling this is something their mother should be doing instead of her. However Rarity couldn’t refuse helping her sister, she even closed her shop up early. Thankfully, she didn’t have any orders to still fulfill for the day. She hated seeing Sweetie like this, and despite how she may sometimes act around her sister, Rarity cared deeply for her.
After a few minutes of silence, Sweetie spoke up and said, “Rarity. Do you think they won’t be my friends anymore?”
Rarity leaned closer and held her sister tighter. “Oh Sweetie Belle… I would think they will still be your friends. I know Scootaloo will still be your friend no matter what.” Rarity sighed, “Apple Bloom will be the problem I think.”
Sweetie gasped and was about to say something when Rarity placed a hoof on her mouth. “She will be your friend again. It just might take some time. If there is one thing the Apples are known for, other than their family business and uncouth manners, it is their friendliness, reliability, but more than anything it is their stubbornness! I am sure she will come around in time. I may sometimes have my disagreements with Applejack, but I will admit she has raised her sister well and done right by her family.”
Sweetie seemed to be a little bit better hearing that, and started sipping her tea again. Rarity smiled to herself and realized she would be having her sister over for the night. The poor dear was a right mess when she arrived and cried herself into exhaustion, before telling Rarity what happened.
As Sweetie finally fell asleep, Rarity floated her up stairs and placed her in the bed. Fortunately, it was a large bed so there would be room for both of them. Rarity next called her parents and told them what happened, and that Sweetie was okay now, but would be sleeping the night here.
Once that was done, Rarity climbed in her bed as well. Before she knew it the little filly had quickly snuggled into her side. Rarity might have complained, but when she saw her sister sleeping peacefully, she couldn’t help but smile. The scene brought memories back to when she was younger and still living with her parents.
Whenever Sweetie had nightmares, or was scared of thunderstorms outside. She would always come and climb into bed with Rarity. Rarity thought it was heartwarming. She loved her sister. It was just things got hectic at her job. That was the reason why she usually tried to get her sister to leave her alone when she had a lot of work going on.
Rarity continued looking down to her sister and gently stroked her light pink and lavender mane a couple of times before falling asleep herself. She hoped things would be much better for her sister in the morning.
{-} {-} {-}
Applejack was not happy with her sister at the moment. She heard enough and saw enough to know that Apple Bloom had started that fight. She had told Apple Bloom how disappointed she was in her, and that she should apologize to her friend. Apple Bloom frowned during the whole talk.
Applejack looked out into the night sky and sighed. She knew Apple Bloom regretted what she said and did in the clubhouse. She was sure the smart filly knew she was the one in the wrong as well, but their family’s stubbornness would keep her sister from apologizing for a while yet. She would have told her something about that, but she figured Apple Bloom would have to take over from here.
She only hoped her sister acted quickly. Apple Bloom doesn't always realize how lucky she is to have two great and wonderful friends like Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo at her age. Applejack hoped her sister didn’t mess things up by waiting too long to act.
The lead mare of the Ponyville Apple family wished her mom or father were still around for times like these. It would make things so much easier on her. She tried her best to make sure Apple Bloom got what she never did, a foalhood. Foalhoods were precious. Applejack knew since hers was cut off early.
Applejack had to start running the farm before she even had her cutie mark. Sure she ran off to go on a journey of self-discovery, but back then Granny, while slow, was still capable of working Sweet Apple Acres with Big Mac’s help. When their parents passed away Applejack swore her little sister would get to grow up, and live her normal life without having to work on the farm more than would be expected of filly her age. For the most part things had worked out like that just fine, but sometimes it got hard being both the older sister and when needed the mother figure.
Applejack looked to the two stars she always thought would be her parents. She hoped they thought she had done right by them with Apple Bloom, as they looked down from pony heaven. After gazing into the moonlight sky, the farm pony finally decided to call it a night and get herself some good old shut eye.
{-} {-} {-}
For the rest of the week after their fight, things weren’t easy for Sweetie Belle. Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo wanted to still be her friend and hang out with her, but they didn’t want to speak with each other. They kept trying to get Sweetie to pick one side or the other on every little thing. By the end of the week, the young unicorn was tired of this and decided to take things into her own hooves.
The first day of the weekend Sweetie Belle went and met with Apple Bloom. She knocked on the door and when Apple Bloom answered she said in a no nonsense voice, “We need to talk at the club house Apple Bloom.” Apple Bloom decided to follow her lead to their club house.
Once the door was closed Apple Bloom asked, “What did ya want Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom braced herself when the unicorn turned to face her.
“I am tired of your stubbornness regarding Scootaloo Apple Bloom!” Sweetie said causing the yellow filly to gulp as she kept listening. “I hate to lose a friend or take a side between you two, but the truth is you are undoubtedly in the wrong here Apple Bloom.”
“But she was showing… off….” Apple Bloom tried to defend herself, but even she knew she had wronged her flying friend.
“Yes she did. I’m pretty sure if I just got my Cutie Mark I would show off a little as well. And I know! You would show if you got your Cutie Mark Apple Bloom. That doesn’t change the fact you let your jealousy ruin her moment when she was really going to try and help us get our marks as well.” Sweetie Belle said, her light green eyes glowing with anger.
Apple Bloom’s bottom lip quivered, and her eyes grew with tears as she started crying and said, “I know I did wrong… Sweetie Belle… But how do I apologize for ruining the best moment in her life like that…” Sweetie Belle’s eyes soften as she gave Apple Bloom a pat on the back.
Apple Bloom spoke again, “Ah don’t know how to do that. I knew I did wrong when she left that day, but Ah ruined the best moment of her life by calling her names and then saying she wasn’t a good friend….”
Apple Bloom cried a little more as Sweetie patted her back and said, “You just go to her and apologize to her and mean it. She is our good friend and at least she did get to enjoy it for one day.”
Apple Bloom stooped crying and decided she would go and see her friend right now to apologize. Apple Bloom would beg her friend, if needed, to receive her forgiveness. “Come on Sweetie Belle! I’m going to get mah friend back!” Sweetie Belle smiled and followed her.
After Apple Bloom told Applejack where she was going and for what reason, her older sister gave a smile and handed her an apple pie made just the way Scootaloo liked them. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle made their way to Scootaloo’s house carefully, hoping they wouldn’t lose the pie. Apple Bloom hoped Scootaloo could forgive her for what she did to her. A small part of her feared Scootaloo wouldn’t ever forgive her.
{-} {-} {-}
Once they finally came to her house, Apple Bloom knocked on the door. She gulped and half hoped the family was out for the day. The door opened and before her stood Flower with a frown on her face as she said. “Oh it’s you. I don’t like what you did to my sister. You better be here to apologize to her.” The small filly glared at Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom looked to her meaningfully and said, “That’s exactly why I’m here Flower.”
The small filly looked at her a couple moments longer and nodded to her before standing to the side. “She’s in her room. Knock before you enter.”
Apple Bloom simply said, “Thanks.” She and Sweetie then headed upstairs.
They knocked on the door and heard a sleepy “Come in.”
They opened the door and the once tired pegasus was now at full attention as she smiled to Sweetie Belle and said, “Hello Sweetie Belle.” Next she frowned and turned to Apple Bloom and asked, “What do you want Apple Bloom?”
Apple Bloom was a bit relieved she at least called her by her real name this time. Apple Bloom closed the door after Sweetie entered the room and sat down on the floor between the two of them. Apple Bloom turned to Scootaloo and tried her best to show how sorry she was. “Ah came here to apologize to ya Scootaloo… I’m sorry for how I acted… I shouldn’t have let mah jealousy get in the way and ruin your special day like that.”
Apple bloom sniffed as she said, “Can you please forgive me?! Ah don’t want to lose our friendship. I wanted to apologize sooner, but I didn’t know how I could for what I did to ya that day. I had no right to call ya any names nor say yall were a showoff. The worst was when I called you a bad friend. If anypony should be called that right now it should be me…. Can you please forgive me Scootaloo?”
Apple Bloom wasn’t sure what would happen, but she was surprised when the next thing she felt was Scootaloo giving her a hug. Scootaloo said, “I forgive you Apple Bloom. But you better not call me names like that again. I’m still mad at you for ruining my special day though.”
Apple Bloom gave a soft smile and then pulled out the pie she had, “Will an Apple Pie made just the way you like it by my sister help?”
Scootaloo looked at the pie, took a whiff and said, “It’s a great start.” She then gave a giggle and smiled.
Sweetie Belle came over and pulled both of them into a hug and said, “Ohhh. You two girls! You better not do this to me again you hear? I had to put up with being in between you two this whole week!”
The other two ponies laughed and Scootaloo said, “I’m sorry Sweetie Bellle. Will letting you pick the first pie slice help you forgive us?”
Sweetie pretended to think over it and said, “I suppose I can be satisfied with those terms.”
“Well then let’s get ta eating that pie then!” Apple Bloom said as she led them down to the kitchen.
{-} {-} {-}
After they had their pie, the three friends were now out in the back yard under a tree relaxing and enjoying being with each other. Apple Bloom was the first to break the silence, “You Know Scootaloo. I actually thought your dancing through the sky was beautiful. I’m sorry my bad mood got in the way of me telling ya that.”
“Thanks Apple Bloom. I’m glad you liked it.” Scootaloo said as she shifted so she could look at her two friends better.
“Also the way you handled Diamond Tiara! That was priceless! She was so angry but couldn’t do anything about it.” Apple Bloom said as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both laughed at the now pleasant memory.
“Scootaloo how did you know she wouldn’t answer you back?” Sweetie Belle asked with a smile.
“I didn’t for sure. I just realized everypony always talks about what their Cutie Mark means when asked, or they try to show it off except for Diamond Tiara. Considering she is always going on about how amazing it is to have a Cutie Mark, but never said what her mark means, I guessed it was something embarrassing to her. Plus how many Cutie Marks are there that stand for aerial ballet out there? How many could be as cool as that?” Scootaloo said as she looked at her Cutie Mark and smiled.
“Not many Ah reckon.” Apple Bloom said.
“I know I haven’t heard of one before. I’m sure if there was a pony like that out there Rarity would have heard of her. When I asked her if she knew any ponies like that she didn’t have an answer.” Sweetie Belle said as she looked at Scootaloo’s cutie mark and smiled at it, she really liked the ballet dress and wings for some reason.
“Yeah I don’t know of any either. However, I bet once you two get your Cutie Marks they will be just as awesome in their own way!” Scootaloo said smiling.
She then turned to them seriously and said, “By the way what I told you two that day was the truth. I was upset when Princess Twilight explained it to me and Rainbow Dash backed up her claim.”
Apple Bloom looked to her and raised an eyebrow in question. Scootaloo nodded and said, “Rainbow admitted she didn’t know you already had something you were good at and liked doing at the time. She thought you were starting from scratch. She didn’t know until later how close you really were. So next time you are doing your favorite activity, either of you two, think carefully about the feelings it brings to your heart.”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both had notepads out and were writing down what Scootaloo was saying to them. Scootaloo gave a little chuckle at this sight, but played it off as her laughing at her soon to be lecture. “When I was flying and started dancing in the sky, it was after I finally understood what Princess Twilight told me about forgetting trying to be like Rainbow Dash, and just enjoy flying as myself. I closed my eyes and thought about what I would do up in the sky with the complete freedom it offered, and thought no one was watching.”
Scootaloo had a dreamy expression on her face as she continued, “I’ve always loved dancing for my family, but I never did for anyone else. I was too caught up in trying to be cool and awesome like Rainbow Dash. I also wanted to be seen as tough and not some girly pegasus. When I let go of those thoughts, and just enjoyed myself fully doing what I loved the most. I thought to myself how amazing it was, and lost myself to the music I was playing in my head as I danced.”
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were listening in awe. Their pencils and notepads lay to the side forgotten. Scootaloo smiled brightly, and without knowing was hovering in the air just off the ground. “When Rainbow Dash startled me and told me she thought my dancing was cool and I should keep doing it, I started again.”
Scootaloo smiled wider at her two friends as she told the last part of her cutie mark tale. “When I started dancing again was when I realized in my heart and soul I could happily do this for the rest of my life. I kept dancing and when I stopped that second time I heard everyone applauding and noticed you were all watching me. I felt happy to bring joy to others while dancing. That was when Princess Twilight told me to check for my Cutie Mark, and you all know what happened after that.”
Sweetie Belle sniffed into a handkerchief. “That story was Beautiful!” She then cheered loudly using her lungs fully.
Apple Bloom nodded in her agreement and said, “Ya know I’m surprised you would end up with such a ‘girly’ Cutie Mark Scootaloo, even if you said it didn’t bother you anymore to be seen as tough. Who da thought you could have a mushy story.” Apple Bloom giggled after she spoke and Sweetie Belle joined her.
Scootaloo pretended to be annoyed as she said, “Ha Ha! Laugh it up. But really I don’t care if it is girly. I love my Cutie Mark and dancing. I know I’m tough. I don’t need to prove it to anypony else. Anyways it may be sappy, but I will proudly tell my own foals all about it when I have some, and they want to hear about it. Also once I’m done with school I will do everything I can to dance for others again, and for as many ponies as I can.”
The others gave her a smile, but Sweetie Belle thought about something. “What will we do when you end up on like Bridle Way in Manehatten though?”
Scootaloo frowned to this. Apple Bloom answered Sweetie, “I guess we have ta think about that as well. Ah don’t know what my Cutie Mark will be, so I’m thinking I will be staying here at the farm. I guess we won’t all be together in the same place forever.” The others frowned to this.
“That doesn’t mean we can’t still be friends, and visit each other every so often and keep in touch. I don’t want to lose my two best friends again.” Scootaloo said with hope in her eyes. The other two agreed with this.
“Anyways until then we have to work on you two getting your Cutie Marks!” Scootaloo said so they wouldn’t worry about the future that much yet. With those words the three started planning on how to get their Cutie Marks once more, even if one of them already had theirs.
{-} {-} {-}
Once Scootaloo told them the secret to getting a Cutie Mark, a real Cutie Mark, it took Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom no time at all to figure out their own special talents.
Apple Bloom still kept to family tradition and got hers last in her class, but when she got her Cutie Mark it was something to be proud of she thought. It also helped that Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stuck by her the whole time too. She at first panicked about being the last in her class, but with her friends by her side it didn’t matter.
In the end, the three friends’ special talents actually allowed them to keep together in the same places and even work together from time to time. They still returned to Ponyville plenty of times to visit other friends and their family. They eventually each became well known for their talents in their respective fields.
Each time they came back to visit Ponyville they still ran into Diamond Tiara, who was still richer than them, but she never made fun of them anymore. She was always jealous of them though. They each had wonderful talents compared to hers and they were always happy.
She might have tried something on them from time to time, but it never succeeded. Sure she had money but each of the Cutie Mark Crusaders was well respected, and on friendly terms with Princess Twilight Sparkle along with several other important ponies in all of Equestria. This was something Diamond’s money couldn’t make up for in the end.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders enjoyed all life had to offer them and had wonderful friends and families. They always held true to each other through the good and the bad. They told their stories to their own foals who kept the tradition of the CMC alive.
Sure Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle may have taken longer to find their talents than other ponies their age did. However, few ponies built such strong bonds of friendship like they did because of their time in the CMC. As Princess Twilight had told Scootaloo the day she got her Cutie Mark, her time in the CMC with her Two best friends was magical and had helped her out as she grew older.
