Chapters Chapter 1 : Winter Wrap Up
“So, winter's ending soon, and we have to clean Ponyville up for spring, or else Ponyville will flood.” Sweetie Belle said, pointing to the huge piles of snow that is found underneath the trees. “What are you all doing for Winter Wrap Up?” She asked, stepping aside from snows under trees.
Applebloom had her uniform on, because her team is starting Winter Wrap Up one day earlier, “Ah'm helping Applejack out with the ground, and seeds.” She pointed to the huge land that was once a carrot farm, but now covered in snow. “Mayor Mare asked us to replant some trees at certain areas, just to give Ponyville some nature.”
“I'm working with the weather team!” Scootaloo added in.
“Cool! So, you're going to bring back the southern birds?” Sweetie Belle asked. She had noticed some ponies from the weather team had to bring back the southern birds from last year's Winter Wrap Up.
Scootaloo shook her head, “Sadly, no. The others are going to bring the birds back. Hopefully, Derpy doesn't go north again like last year.” Scootaloo remembered the last time when Derpy went north to find the southern birds, and came back when everypony finished Winter Wrap Up.
“Riiiiiighhhhhhtt....” Applebloom said. “Oh, right! Scootaloo, you're the captain of the north team right?”
“Yeah, what about it?” Scootaloo questioned, looking a little confused.
Applebloom pointed to the clouds at the north, “For tomorrow, do you mind clearing half of the clouds, and move some to the east? Mayor Mare wants them there some some apparent reason.”
Scootaloo nodded. “Sure, I can do that. Why does Mayor Mare even want those clouds there anyways?”
Applebloom shrugged. Sweetie Belle pushed the two ponies aside, “Okay, ponies! We have a big day tomorrow! So, let us all take a nap!” She announced.
“I agree with Sweetie Belle. I mean, it's Winter Wrap Up tomorrow, and we all have to wake up bright and early.” Scootaloo agreed with Sweetie Belle. “None of us want to be late, do we now?” She looked over at Applebloom. Scootaloo knew that Applebloom will always wake up late due to late night harvesting at Sweet Apple Acres every single day. Except during winter of course. But, who knows? Maybe Applebloom is doing other things at night that she sleep so late and overslept during the day?
The three ponies each head to different direction and went back to their homes. Scootaloo flew up to the cloud house. She moved in with Rainbow Dash when she learned how to fly up high. “I'm back, sis!” Scootaloo called out.
“Welcome back, squirt. How did your meeting go?” Rainbow Dash asked, coming out from the kitchen.
Scootaloo walked over to the sofa, “Oh, you know. Tomorrow's task and stuff. Yadda, yadda.”
Rainbow Dash chuckled, “Yeah. It's a shame you didn't get to bring back the southern birds though. I know you love to fly far.” Rainbow Dash sat down beside Scootaloo on the sofa. “Hey, squirt?”
Scootaloo looked over to Rainbow Dash. “What is it?”
“Congratulations on getting to lead the north team.” Rainbow Dash messed Scootaloo's hair, and Scootaloo had to comb it back with her hooves.
“Well, I got a big day tomorrow, so, goodnight sis.” Scootaloo gave out a yawn as she went upstairs. Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, stayed up late and have some late night cookies. She was found snoring on the sofa with some cookie crumbs on her mouth the next day.
Scootaloo putted on her uniform, and she dashed downstairs. The first thing she saw was Rainbow Dash snoring. She went closer to her sister and poked her, “Eh... Sis? It's four in the morning, and it's time to go. Everypony probably is ready already.”
Rainbow Dash awoke from her sleep. “Huh? Wha? It's four already?” She asked, still half asleep.
Scootaloo nodded. Rainbow Dash shook her head and look at the clock that is hanging on the wall. It was pointing to four. Rainbow Dash quickly ran up the stairs, and dashed into her room to get her uniform. “I'm going to go first!” Scootaloo yelled from the living room downstairs.
“You go ahead!” Rainbow Dash answered.
“Okay!” Scootaloo yelled back, and is already going out the door. She flew down to the ground, and saw everypony gathering at the town hall. She even spotted Applebloom and Sweetie Belle in the crowd. She walked over to the two ponies, “So, what did I miss?”
“Nothing much. Just some blabbering of Mayor Mare saying that Twilight will be organizing everything, and will be checking on everypony every thirty minutes.” Applebloom said. “And we have to finish by tomorrow morning at four. So, we have to stay up twenty four hours.” Applebloom explained.
“I will be working on those bird nests.” Sweetie Belle said excitedly. “I can't wait! Me and Rarity, side by side, working on those magnificent bird nests! I could see it now...” Sweetie Belle said, as she was now lost in her own imagination.
Scootaloo flicked her horn, “Pay attention! We aren't here to mess around. It's Winter Wrap Up!” She said in a serious tone. “And sorry about your horn.” She apologized.
Sweetie Belle shook her head. “Nah, it's okay.”
Applebloom was constantly paying close attention to whatever Mayor Mare was talking about, while Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were chattering away like long lost friends. Their ears twitched when they heard the mayor announced “Let the Winter Wrap Up begin!” Everypony cheered, and all of them went to different directions to meet their teams.
“Okay team! Mayor Mare had told us to clear up half of the clouds from the north side, and move some clouds over to the east. So, we'll just pass the clouds to the east team, and let them deal with the clouds. I bet Mayor Mare had already told them what to do with those clouds.” Scootaloo announced to her team of pegasi. “Let's try to clear out as many clouds as we can, and help the ponies out with the snow on the trees.”
“But, what about the birds?” One of the ponies in the group asked.
Scootaloo flew to the pony, “Mayor Mare had reassigned another team to get the southern birds, so we don't have to worry about that.” Scootaloo explained. “Okay, that's it. Let's get moving and busy some clouds!”
Everypony flew in different directions and do their jobs. Half of the ponies were moving clouds to the east, and the other half is busy busting the clouds. Scootaloo assigned Rumble as the pony in charge of the cloud moving, while she was in charge of the cloud busting. Don't want anypony slacking on Winter Wrap Up. Twilight was walking pass by to check on the north weather team.
“Doing great!” She said cheerfully, and checking the north weather team off her checklist. “Remember ponies, we got to be done by tomorrow morning.” She reminded and walked off to the next nearest team.
“Keep busting those clouds! There seem to be more coming in?” Scootaloo said confusingly, as she looked back to the area where they just cleared moments ago. “Why is there more clouds coming in?” She asked.
One of the ponies came back from the east, “Scootaloo, the easy team is having some problems with their clouds. It seems that the clouds keep coming back.”
“Same with us.” Scootaloo pointed to the clouds. “It seems to keep increasing each time.” She noticed. “I'm going to go find Twilight, she should be checking on Applebloom and the others which aren't far from here. Keep busting those clouds while you're at it.”
The ponies all nodded, and they went back to busting clouds. In the meantime, Twilight was checking on Applebloom and the farming team. “How's the plowing?” She asked, levitating her checklist.
“Quite good, I guess. Everypony is doing just fine.” Applebloom said happily, looking at everypony. “Me and the other ponies got the seeds ready one day earlier, so we wouldn't need to have to bring it in later.”
“Oh, very good.” Twilight said, checking another box from the checklist.
Scootaloo dashed by, and she saw Twilight with Applebloom. “Twilight! I'm so glad I found you! We have a little problem with the clouds.”
“What kind of problem? I bet we could sort it out.” Twilight asked.
Scootaloo looked up in the sky, and she saw ponies trying their best to bust the clouds, and it's getting worse by the minute. “Look up.” Scootaloo lifted Twilight's chin, and Twilight looked up in the sky.
Twilight saw so many ponies trying to bust the clouds. “Why is there so many clouds?” She questioned, “Didn't you cleared that area moments ago?” She asked, remembering what she saw when she was checking on Scootaloo's team.
Scootaloo nodded. “We did. But then, the clouds came back up. It's like it's multiplying or something.” Scootaloo explained. “If this keeps up, I think we have to push Winter Wrap Up one more day.” She said sadly.
“And if the clouds won't stop multiplying, it would cover up the sun, and it'll prevent the snow from melting, and the seeds from sprouting.” Applebloom said, frowning.
Twilight sat down and thought for a moment. “Hmm... Your team is clearing the clouds near the Everfree Forest, am I right?”
Scootaloo nodded. “Yeah, why?”
“It's mostly windy at the north, why don't you clear out the clouds near the forest? It could maybe stop the clouds from coming back again?” Twilight suggested.
“I guess we could do that. I'll tell the team.” Scootaloo waved off to Applebloom and Twilight and quickly dashed back to the north.
Applebloom looked up in the sky again, more clouds are coming in, and slowly blocking out the sun. “Okay, I better be going now to check the other teams. It seems that I have to check on Rarity and Sweetie Belle on their bird nests.” Twilight trotted peacefully, leaving Applebloom and the other ponies with their task on plowing the ground and planting the seeds, at the same time, clearing some of the snow on the ground.
Scootaloo was busy helping out the team clear out the clouds near the forest, and half on them was still moving some of the clouds to the east. “The wind current is decreasing. I think we all could clear out all these clouds in no time!” Scootaloo said happily, clearing out some few leftover clouds near the north side.
Few minutes passed, and the team have already cleared out the clouds at the north, and Scootaloo had called everypony to gather together at town hall. “Okay everypony, we all had done a great job on clearing all the clouds at the north. So, it is time for us to help the other ponies on clearing out the snow on the tree and under the tree. We'll split into four groups, and I'll choose the leader for each of them.” Scootaloo announced. She divided eight ponies for each teams, and made one of them the leader of the team.
The four teams splitted, and went different directions to help the ponies on clearing out the snow on the trees. Sweetie Belle was already done with making bird nests, so she decided to help the ponies out with clearing out the snow.
“Are you sure you don't need anymore help, Rarity?” Sweetie Belle asked her sister who is making more bird nests.
Her sister shook her head, “Oh, it's okay, Sweetie Belle darling. You have, uhm... Helped... A lot?” Rarity looked over to the horrible bird nests that was made by Sweetie Belle. “You could maybe help the others out with the snow or something.” She said, pointing over to the snow that is on the ground.
Sweetie Belle trotted over to the group of ponies who were cleaning up the snow. Sweetie Belle spotted some certain pony who was shaking the tree branches, and she quickly went over, “Hey there Scootaloo!” She waved.
Scootaloo looked down. “Oh, what's up Sweetie Belle? I thought you were suppose to help Rarity out on the bird nests?” She questioned, a little confused with Sweetie Belle at the area.
“Rarity had everything under control, and she doesn't really need my help anymore. I think that I may have overdid on some parts of the bird nests.” Sweetie Belle said, pointing to the bird nests in the distance.
Scootaloo looked over to the bird nests that can be seen in the distance. “Uh... Nice nests?” Scootaloo lied.
“Enough chattering, I'm here to help! What can I help you with?” Sweetie Belle asked, hoping there was something she could help with.
Scootaloo quickly looked around, and saw a clear wagon. She dashed over to the wagon and dragged it over to Sweetie Belle. “Well, the snow kept dropping off the tree branches when me and the team shake them off, and maybe you could help pull this wagon an place it under the tree, so the snow doesn't drops on the ground or something.”
“Sure. Anything to help!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed as she used we magic and pulled the wagon over to one of the trees. Some of the ponies were shoving the snow aside, making a huge snow mountain, while most of the ponies were pulling wagons under the trees.
Hours passed, and there was nine more hours to go. “Okay, everypony. Let's all take a break! I bet all of you had done a great job so far.” Twilight announced happily, checking her checklist.
“Finally!” Scootaloo exclaimed in relief, and laying on the ground.
Applebloom went over and poked Scootaloo's head. “Are you alive? Or are you dead?” She joked.
“Mmmmmhhp!” Scootaloo said in the ground.
Sweetie Belle and Applebloom was both confused, and they tilted their head. “What?” The both of them said at the same time.
Scootaloo turned over. “I said ‘I'm alive!’ Can't you hear me?” Scootaloo asked.
Applebloom shook her head, “Not at all.”
Sweetie Belle nodded at Applebloom with agreement. Scootaloo glared at the two of her friends, like she isn't even impressed. “Really? I was just being sarcastic.”
“Uh, no.” The both of them answered, and laughed.
Scootaloo saw Applejack walking by with a bag of carrot seeds. “Why, howdy there. How's yer day?” Applejack asked.
“Oh, hey there sis! Ah'm doing fine.” Applebloom answered happily. “Bringing in more seeds for your team?” Applebloom asked, pointing to the bag of seeds Applejack was carrying.
Applejack nodded, “Yeah. It seems that we finished cleaning up the snow at our side, and we planted nearly all of the seeds.” She explained.
Rarity walked pass by, levitating a bunch of bird nests to be placed on the bird nests. “You're reading with all the nests already?” Scootaloo asked the busy Rarity.
“Why, yes I did! I had plenty of help.” Rarity said, as she levitated some few bird nests on the tree.
“The trees near the forest are all cleaned up. I'm just letting you know. ” Scootaloo said.
The crusaders sat straight up, and Applebloom went ahead and grab a sandwich and ate it. Sweetie Belle joined in with Applebloom and ate the second sandwich. Scootaloo looked around in the picnic basket and found a cupcake. “Hey, look! It's that cupcake that Pinkie Pie made for me!”
“Who said my name?!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in joy. “I heard somepony said my name! Hey, do you know that if you call somepony's name three times, he or she will disappear?” Pinkie Pie said jokily.
“Where did you even come from?” Sweetie Belle asked confusingly.
Pinkie Pie came out of the basket, and stood up straight. “Well, I was walking to the town hall when I found this basket with some delicious food in it. So I went ahead and helped myself with some of those sandwiches and cupcakes.” Pinkie Pie giggled before she completed her sentence. “And well, I fell asleep inside of it for a few minutes.”
“Okay, everypony. Break time is over! It is time to continue our wrap up.” Mayor Mare announced and rang the bell. Everypony went their separate ways and went back to their teams.
“Okay, ponies. We all had completed clearing out all the clouds, and how is the west, east and south for the snows?” Scootaloo asked the three teams.
Rumble, the leader for the east team, stood up. “Well, the east side is mostly cleared, and I think just a few more minutes at that area, and we'll be done in no time.” He answered.
“Great! I'll send some ponies there with you later. Uhm... Lightning, what about you and the south team?”
“We had some troubles with the snows, but we are doing quite good.” Lightning answered.
“I'll be there to help you out later.” Scootaloo said. “Uhm, what about you Thunder?”
Thunder snapped out of his thoughts, “It's fine. We had cleared most of the snow on the trees. There's only a few more snow left.”
Scootaloo gave out a smile, “Okay, good job everypony. I'm going to help Lightning and the other team. So, keep clearing those snows! Or whatever it is called. But I call it white color fluff, because it's so fluffy.” Scootaloo joked.
Everypony splitted up, and Scootaloo followed Lightning and the other team.
The day had ended, and everypony had finished wrapping up winter. All of them was called to gather at the town hall at two in the morning. “Good job everypony! It seems that we had finished cleaning up winter two hoes earlier.” Mayor Mare announced happily. “Now, we don't have to worry about winter for another year!”
Everypony stomped their hooves on the ground with cheer, and some pegasus flew in the sky and hoof bumped. “Aw yeah!” Rainbow Dash cheered. “We cleared up winter two hours earlier!”
Scootaloo gave Rainbow Dash a hoof bump, “This is so awesome! We never had cleared up winter this fast before!”
Rainbow Dash agreed with Scootaloo, “I know right? This is a new record!” She said happily. “Twilight even checked everything in her checklist!”
“Wait, really?” Scootaloo said in shock.
“Yeah, nothing surprising. I mean, come on! Twilight will always complete her checklist. She's Twilight!” Rainbow Dash said.
Scootaloo rolled her eyes with a smile on her face. “You're right. I guess.”
Rainbow Dash messed up Scootaloo's hair, “Kiddo, I'm always right.”
Scootaloo combed her hair with her hooves once again, and looked up to Rainbow Dash. “Not always.” She said.
The both of them laughed at the end, and went home like everypony else. It was already two and a half in the morning, and everypony was tired after the wrap up. Everypony went home and immediantly slept with their uniforms on.
“Goodnight sis.” Scootaloo said, turning off the lights.
“Goodnight, kiddo.” Rainbow Dash closed the door gently and went to her room and fell onto her bed, and fell asleep immediately.
Scootaloo had owned a journal, and Sweetie Belle and Applebloom shared the journal with her. They will write in it every night, and Scootaloo had some little time, so she wrote a few sentences in it. With one sentence written in bold letters.
“Today was the best day ever!”
Author's Note
I am really happy with this chapter, because I never had written a chapter this long, and so far, this is the longest chapter I ever written! So, I hope you like this chapter, and will enjoy this story.
Chapter 2 : Admiration
“Boy, that was sure a lot of snow we cleaned up yesterday.” Scootaloo gulped on a cupcake that was deliciously made by Pinkie Pie and the Cakes at Sugarcube Corner. “I really love these new cupcakes that were made! I wonder what they put inside these.”
Applebloom nodded as she took a bite on one of the cupcake, “Pinkie Pie told me that the Cakes spend three weeks to work on this recipe, and Pinkie Pie helped out.”
“Wow, that's long.” Scootaloo said in surprise. “I didn't expect that.”
“Neither do I.” Sweetie Belle joined in the conversation.
“I hope you guys enjoy the new taste!” Pinkie Pie said happily. “You have no idea how long me and the Cakes have to spend in the kitchen to make that new recipe!” Pinkie Pie wiped the sweat that is dropping from her forehead. She bounced to the table that the crusaders were at, and sat on one of the extra chairs. “So, how was Winter Wrap Up for you guys yesterday?”
“Tiring.” Scootaloo answered.
Applebloom looked over to Scootaloo, “You think everything is tiring. So, it's no big difference at all.”
“True.” Scootaloo nodded.
Sweetie Belle gulped down onto her cupcake. “Hey, do you know Pumpkin Cake?” She asked.
“Who's that?” Applebloom responded.
“Oh, Pumpkin Cake is the Cake's daughter. You haven't met her before?” Sweetie Belle said.
Applebloom and Scootaloo shook their heads. “I think I saw her walking pass us while we're doing some of our crusading the last time.” Sweetie Belle explained. “I've talked to her, and she has the cutest voice ever!” Sweetie Belle nearly squeaked.
“Do you mean that yellow colored unicorn with orange poofy hair that somehow looked like Pinkie Pie's hair?” Scootaloo asked, remembering the filly unicorn that was passing by while their crusading the last time.
“Oh, you mean Pumpkin Cake? She's a real sweetie! I bet you three could be best friends with her!” Pinkie Pie cheered. “Let me bring her here, and maybe her brother too.” Pinkie Pie bounced away and trotted up the stairs.
Pinkie then came back down the stairs along with two ponies at the same age, but one is a unicorn, and the other is a pegasus. “What is it Pinkie?” Pumpkin Cake asked.
“Yeah, Pinkie. What is so important that it can't wait until later?” Pound Cake added in.
“You'll see!” Pinkie bounced down the stairs. “Meet the Cutie Mark Crusaders! Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom.” Pinkie Pie pointed to the three crusaders as she said each of their names. “We have one more member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, but Babs live in Manehatten.” Pinkie said.
Applebloom walked front over to the two fillies, “Nice to meet you, my name is Applebloom.” Applebloom introduced herself to the two fillies standing in front of her. “These ponies here are my friends. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle waved at the two fillies in the background.
“My name is Pumpkin Cake. I've met Sweetie Belle before. I think I met her while you're doing that... Uhm... Crusading stuff?” Pumpkin introduced herself. “This here is Pound Cake, he is my twin brother.” She pointed to Pound Cake, who waved at the three crusaders.
Pound Cake looked behind Applebloom, and saw Scootaloo talking to Sweetie Belle. “Wait, are you Scootaloo?” He asked politely.
Scootaloo nodded. “Yup! The one and only.”
“I am a big fan of you! Your scooter stunts are so awesome! How do you do it?” Pound Cake said excitedly and joyfully.
“Huh?” Scootaloo backed out a little. Sweetie Belle have Scootaloo a grin.
Sweetie Belle whispered into Scootaloo's ears. She said something like “Looks like you got a fan.”
“Could you maybe teach me how to fly or something? Please?” Pound Cake begged, giving out an adorable looking eyes. He had always admire Scootaloo as his idol when Scootaloo perform her awesome scooter stunts during Pound and Pumpkin Cake's 5th birthday.
Scootaloo patted Pound Cake's head. “Uh, sure I guess? Maybe one day, I'll be up for something like that.” She said.
“Really?!” Pound Cake exclaimed in disbelief.
“Yeah.” Scootaloo responded. Pound Cake bounced around in glee.
Pumpkin Cake rolled her eyes, and walked over to Pound Cake. “Yeah, he idolizes you when you perform those tricks at our fifth birthday.” Pumpkin Cake explained. “He never forgot about his fifth birthday ever since.”
“Hey, Sweetie Belle. Do you have any suggestions on where I can learn magic from?” Pumpkin Cake asked politely.
Sweetie Belle sat down and thought for a moment. Then it hit her. “Well, I never ever learned magic from any schools, but I do know a pony who might agree to help you out with your magic.”
Pumpkin Cake's eyes lit up, “Who is it?” She asked excitedly.
“Well, I know Twilight. She owns a library, and she owns all kind of books, and she is the student of Princess Celestia. She may be able to teach you magic. I'm not sure. I'll need her to agree to it though.” Sweetie Belle explained.
“Do any of you have any suggestions on flying?” Pound Cake added in.
Sweetie Belle shook her head. “Well, I don't know about that.” She said sadly.
“Pound Cake, was it? Well, if you want flying lessons, I suggest you go for flight camp.” Scootaloo suggested. “I've been there, and I have learned everything about flying over there.”
Pound Cake nodded, “I guess I could ask my parents about that.”
Applebloom was having her time munching down to all the cupcakes she want. Scootaloo went over to check on her. “Aren't you bored or something?” Scootaloo asked. Applebloom shook her head.
“Nope!”
“I don't understand you sometimes.” Scootaloo said jokily.
Applebloom gulped down on her cupcake and rolled her eyes. “You don't understand anything.” She said jokily, something like what was Scootaloo saying.
“We better be going now. We got a train to catch to Canterlot Castle to meet the Princess.” Sweetie Belle said, joining her two friends, who were now walking to the door.
Pound and Pumpkin Cake waved goodbye as they see the three crusaders walked out the door. Sweetie Belle stopped by at the boutique to pick up the journal that Scootaloo dropped. “Gotta bring this journal along. I want to write something in it.” Sweetie Belle said, levitating the journal into her saddlebag.
“What for?” Applebloom asked.
Sweetie Belle shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe I want to write about my trip to Canterlot.”
Applebloom and Scootaloo shrugged and just agreed with whatever Sweetie Belle said.
The three of them walked over to the station, and they just reached the station in time. The train was already there. They heard the conductor shouted out...“Everypony all aboard to Canterlot!”
Author's Note
I really want this chapter to last longer, but I kinda ran out of ideas for this one. The next chapter, the Cutie Mark Crusaders will be visiting Canterlot Castle. So, I will try my best to make the third chapter last as long as the first one.
Chapter 3 : Canterlot Castle
“The train's already here!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, running into the train.
“The train will leave in a minute.” The conductor announced into the microphone.
Sweetie Belle stayed in the train and used her magic to drag Applebloom and Scootaloo into the train. “Stop daydreaming, you guys. We're leaving in one minute, and you both were still standing there.” Sweetie Belle complained. “What were you both even thinking about?”
“Sorry about that, Sweetie Belle. I guess I'm a little caught by the train's cleanliness.” Applebloom said, a little embarrassed with what she was saying. Scootaloo sat down and tilted her head.
“You were distracted with the train's cleanliness?” Scootaloo tilted her head in confusion. “Why?”
Applebloom scratched her head, “Well, you see. I've never been to the train before, and in the good old days, trains aren't as clean as these.” She said as she went over to touch the glass windows. “I know I've been to the Crystal Empire on a train before, but i didn't have time to admire the inside, because me and Sweetie Belle had troubles with you unable to fly and stuff.” She explained.
“Right.” Scootaloo said, remembering what had happened the last time they went to the Crystal Empire to do the flag routine.
The three crusaders found a place to seat, and they went ahead and sat on that area. A lot of ponies seem to want to go to Canterlot, and the train was packed as hay! “Looks like a lot of ponies really want to visit Canterlot.” Sweetie Belle said, looking around the train. “Even the boot is packed!” She walked over to the train connectors and saw a lot of ponies in the next cart.
“I wonder why.” Sweetie Belle went back over to her group and took a seat.
“It's a mystery.” Scootaloo exclaimed softly. “Nopony will ever know the legend of the Canterlot train!” She said in a spooky, deap voice, making up stories that somehow gives Applebloom and Sweetie Belle the shivers, even though they know that there aren't such thing as ‘The Legend of The Canterlot Train.’
Applebloom looked out the window, “Hey, look gals! That is the castle!” She pointed out. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle went ahead and look out the window along with Applebloom. “Isn't it beautiful?”
“Well, yeah. But didn't we seen it before? Like a few years back during the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shinning Armor?” Scootaloo said.
Applebloom nodded, “That was a long time ago. Look at the castle now. They added more flowers here and there. Their even getting ready for Hearths and Hooves day.” She noticed some decorations that were being used for Hearths and Hooves day.
“Their getting ready already?!” Sweetie Belle said in shock and disbelief. She looked out the window, and saw the gates of Hearths and Hooves. “I wonder why.”
Scootaloo got closer to Sweetie Belle, and begin doing the spooky voice again. “Nopony knows!” She said creepily that gave both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom the shivers.
“Stop doing that!” Sweetie Belle scolded. Scootaloo laughed.
“You should have seen the looks on your face!” Scootaloo pointed. “If I had a mirror with me, I would show you how you look like right now. Your face is somehow red.” Scootaloo poked Sweetie Belle's cheeks, which are rose red by now.
Steam came out of Sweetie Belle's ears, and Scootaloo backed away, and pretended like nothing ever happened. “Or... not...” She whispered quietly at a side, leaving hot steaming Sweetie Belle alone.
“Hey gals! We're already here.” Applebloom said, picking up her saddlebag from the chair.
Scootaloo stood up and walked over to the exit. “That was kinda quicker than I thought.” She said.
Sweetie Belle and Applebloom came out of the train right after Scootaloo. “Well, Canterlot is Ponyville's neighbor. And you can pretty much get there faster by train. Unless you want a fancy carriage ride, then I have no idea how long it will take to get here.” Sweetie Belle explained as she happily trotted away. Scootaloo and Applebloom followed Sweetie Belle from behind.
“Why don't we have a look around Canterlot before we see the Princess? She told us to meet her at five, and it's three.” Applebloom suggested.
Sweetie Belle thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. “Okay!” She answered. “We got plenty of time to roam around. So, let's do it.” She cheered.
The three crusaders went to Canterlot park, where ponies were decorating the lamp posts with pink shimmering strings with red heart shaped cards with white laces, and the gates were decorated with red roses. Bushes were decorated with some of the cards, but mostly has roses in it. “Canterlot is sure in the mood for Hearth's and Hooves.” Applebloom said as she looked around, and all she saw was ponies decorating things, and turning it into some kind of Hearth's and Hooves day material.
Scootaloo joined her friend, and begin looking around the park. “I agree with you, AB. It's creepy and weird at the same time. Yeesh!”
Sweetie Belle was taking the lead, and she wanted a place to rest her hooves. “Why don't we sit over there? I want to take a break.” She said. The two ponies shrugged, and followed Sweetie Belle over to the bench, and the three of them sat on it and enjoyed their time. “Hey, look who's over there.” Sweetie Belle exclaimed and pointed to a white unicorn with pink mane and emerald colored eyes.
“It's...” Applebloom said, but the word is incompleted. “It's... Lovestruck!” She finally remembered who the pony was, and she stood straight up. “Remember Lovestruck, the pony who organizes every Hearth's and Hooves day for both Canterlot and Ponyville?”
Scootaloo bonked her head with her hooves for not remembering who the pony was. “Oh, yeah! I totally forgotten!”
“We even helped her out with the decorations last year.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Let's all go and say hi!” Applebloom ran over to the pony. But Sweetie Belle stayed put, she still wants to rest some more. “Hey, Lovestruck. Remember us?”
Lovestruck turned around, and saw two familiar faces. “Applebloom? Scootaloo? It's so nice to see you both! How's Ponyville?” She asked happily, levitating her checklist.
“Oh, you know. Just finished wrapping up winter.” Applebloom said.
Scootaloo pushed Applebloom aside gently, “Mind telling us why is Canterlot getting ready for Hearth's and Hooves so early?” She aske politely.
Lovestruck nodded. “Well, Princess Celestia requested me to organize Hearth's and Hooves day earlier for Canterlot after she heard that I was traveling to Manehatten to help out on the decorations. It'll take two days for me to help out at Manehatten, and by that time, it'll be Hearth's and Hooves already, so I will not have anymore time to help Canterlot decorate.” Lovestruck explained.
“What about Ponyville? You can't forget about Ponyville.” Applebloom said.
“I got that covered. I'm coming back tomorrow, so, if you want to, you could help me out with the decorations too.” Lovestruck said cheerfully, “I better be going now. Every second counts here, and if I don't get this done by today, I don't think Ponyville will ever have their park decorated.”
Lovestruck waved goodbye to the three crusaders, and trotted to the ponies who were decorating the bushes. The crusaders kept walking, visiting every inch of the park. It was much more bigger than Ponyville's, and it's much cleaner too. Mostly, some of the ponies would throw dirty cans of milkshakes to the ground, that can be normally found near the trash cans. Since the crusaders do have some kind of clean-up duty at the park, they will always pick up the garbage and put them into a garbage bag. They are doing this to keep Ponyville clean, and give out a better role model to the younger ponies and the next generations.
But, forget about Ponyville at the moment. We're here for Canterlot!
The three crusaders were mostly impressed by how fast the ponies were decorating, and how clean the park was. “You know, I'm beginning to like this place.” Sweetie Belle said, giving out a smile as she admired the view of everything around Canterlot.
“Too bad we aren't here to mess around.” Applebloom said, bursting Sweetie Belle's bubble.
“Come on, we're quite near to the castle. Why don't we quickly finish up our business with the Princess, and maybe go roam around this place some more?” Scootaloo suggested. “I think the three of us would like that a lot. I can easily tell.”
Sweetie Belle's face lit up, and she dashed through the road she was walking on, and into the entrance of the castle she go. The two ponies caught up to her a few minutes later. “What took you both so long?” Sweetie Belle questioned.
“Who asked you to dash off?” Applebloom replied.
Sweetie Belle shrugged.
The three crusaders walked into the castle entrance, and they saw so many guards guarding the entrance. “Halt! Who goes there?” The guards blocked the three crusaders’ way with their spears.
“Scootaloo, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. We're here to meet the Princess.” Scootaloo said.
“Nopony shall see the princess without a special invitation.” The guards replied.
Sweetie Belle took out the invitation the Princess gave her and showed it to the guards. “Is it this invitation?”
The guards retrieve their spears, allowing the three ponies to pass. The three crusaders trotted into the castle, and they were greeted by Princess Luna. “Good evening, dear ponies. What have brought you here?”
“Princess Luna!” The three crusaders exclaimed in surprise, and they bowed down.
“Stand up, little ponies. There is no need to bow.”
The three crusaders stood up, and they looked at Princess Luna. “We came here to meet Princess Celestia. She wanted to talk to us about something.” Sweetie Belle said.
Princess Luna crossed her hooves, taking a few moments to think. “My sister hath went out to visit Manehatten for an important meeting just a few minutes ago.” Princess Luna explained, pointing to a note that is stuck onto Princess Celestia's throne. “But, do not worry. She promised us that she would be back as fast as she could. Do you want a cup of tea?”
“Yes, please.” Sweetie Belle responded politely.
The Princess nodded, and trotted to an exit, which leads to the royal Canterlot gardens. “Follow me, my little ponies. For we shall drink tea in the garden.”
The three crusaders followed the Princess out to the other exit, and stepped outside of the exit. The first thing they saw was birds flying everywhere, matching the beautiful scenery of the Royal garden. The garden has statues, each represents different things. The three crusaders continued to admire the scenery as they followed Princess Luna in a straight line to the little dining area. “Our sister always come out at night with us, and dine here. We hope that is is okay with you.”
“Oh, no worries, Princess Luna. It's fine.” Scootaloo said. Applebloom gave Scootaloo a hit on the shoulders.
“She is the Princess, at least give her some respect!” Applebloom scolded in whispers.
Scootaloo rubbed the area Applebloom hit, and the three of them joined the Princess and sat on the chairs. After about an hour of talking and drinking tea, “When is Princess Celestia coming back?” Applebloom asked politely, sipping onto her cup of tea.
“Perhaps around eight.”
The three crusaders stopped drinking onto their tea, and Scootaloo was having a hard time to not spit out the tea. “Eight?!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in disbelief. “B-but...”
“No need to worry. We have arranged a room for you to rest, for it may take a long journey back home tomorrow.” Princess Luna said calmly. “Unless you wish to leave tonight.”
Sweetie Belle shook her head. “Thank you, Princess, for having us over.”
The Princess waved her hooves from right to left two times, “It is our pleasure.”
“Go, you must be tired.” Princess Luna said. “My guards will bring you to your rooms.” Princess Luna clapped her hooves, and two ponies who looked like bats flew down from the sky.
“You called, your highness?”
“Yes. Please help these ponies to their rooms.” Princess Luna commanded in a polite way. The two bat ponies nodded, and the two bat ponies leaded the way, while the crusaders followed from behind.
After a few minutes of walking, they have finally reached their rooms. “This is where you will be staying. It may look like one room, but inside, it has three bedrooms, and everything else you need in your daily lives.” The guards said, opening the doors for the crusaders.
“Thank you.” Applebloom thanked.
The two guards closed the doors when the three crusaders fully went into the room, and left the crusaders alone. “This place is so awesome! It got it's own living hall and kitchen and stuff.” Scootaloo said excitedly checking through all the rooms.
“I'm getting a little tired... I'm going to take a shower and head off to bed.” Sweetie Belle said, lazily dragging herself to the room. “Call me if you need me, but please don't call me when you don't.”
“Okay!” Applebloom replied.
Scootaloo nodded as Sweetie Belle slowly entered her room.
“I'm going to make some apple pie for some late night snack.” Applebloom walked into the kitchen, and begin searching for ingredients. “Oh, dang! I forgotten, I don't have any flour.”
“I think there is a night market somewhere nearby.” Scootaloo said, tilting the map over and over again.
Applebloom rushed over to Scootaloo, and pushed her aside. Applebloom looked over at the map, “The market isn't far, I think I can make it!” She zoomed out the door, and off she goes to the market.
Scootaloo yawned, she was feeling tired too. After that long journey, and that tea with Princess Luna, she don't think she could contain anymore excitement for a day. She walked over to one of the rooms and entered the room. She found a soft white fluffy pillow sitting on the bed. Scootaloo walked over to the bed lazily, and lay on the bed, hugging the pillow onto we chest.
“So tired...” She yawned, and she closed her eyes, and fell into her slumber.
Author's Note
This came out later than I thought, and I'm so sorry if this chapter isn't as exciting as the others. I wanted to make this exciting, but then I got an uncurable disease called ‘Writer's Block.’ So, all I can say is that I hope you like this chapter, and wish me luck on the next one.
