An Imaginative Performance

by Bob From Bottles

Rating: everyone
Tags: Apple Bloom, Comedy
Length: 23933

Apple Bloom pretends the play she's in is actually happening.

It’s once again time for Ponyville’s annual school performance. This year, it’s a musical retelling of a story about what it means to be a hero. With curtains only minutes away from rising, each student is finding their own way to deal with the pressures of being on stage. Some have no fear at all, while others are just hoping to get the night over with. A few even distract themselves by pretending the audience is doing something silly. Then, there's Apple Bloom, who imagines everything happening on stage is real, regardless if it makes sense or not.

Published 2012-04-22 17:34:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-04-22 17:34:02 UTC

Act One

“Does my horn look alright, Sweetie?” Apple Bloom asked, turning away from the dressing room’s mirror. The yellow, plastic headband seemed straight, but she needed a real unicorn’s opinion on it. She then noticed that the dressing room was down one pony. “Hey, where’d Sweetie Belle go?”

“She—urgh—said something about—gah—going backstage and left,” Scootaloo said, her voice strained. She flopped around on her back as she worked an all-black fabric suit up past her wings.

“Oh. Well, what d’you think of my horn?”

Scootaloo stopped struggling with her outfit and looked up at Apple Bloom. “It was fine until you started touching it.” She resumed trying to fit into her clothes.

With a sigh, Apple Bloom looked back into the mirror and tried to get the accessory back in place. She had been excited when this year’s school performance turned out to be a play based on the Lady Blue Petal series of books. She had been even more excited when her class picked her to play the lead. The stories about the heroic unicorn knight had always been some of her favorites. Of course, the pictures that adorned the book’s pages weren’t half bad either. They always featured Blue Petal standing in heroic poses, wearing her ornate barding and sword. The metal armor had been painted white to match her coat while drawings of blue flowers, the same color as her mane and tail, lined its edges. Her sword looked equally ornate as she held it high with her magic, letting it shine in the sun, ready to smite the foes who would dare to threaten the ponies of the world.

Apple Bloom’s costume, on the other hoof, had been made by the students in her school. It still looked nice, and she appreciated the effort, but since none of her classmates knew how to make metal barding—or even normal barding—they had decided to create a cloth caparison instead. The result looked more like a dress version of the classic armor. At least her painted cardboard sword was somewhat like the drawings.

“Finally,” Scootaloo said with a sigh of relief. “These outfits the running crew are supposed to wear are ridiculous.”

“I think they’re cool. Y'all look like ninjas runnin’ around in black so you can’t be seen.”

“Uncomfortable ninjas that are sweating to death. I think I’ll leave the hood off until we start. Whoever designed this outfit definitely wasn’t a pegasus. The wing holes are too far back.”

“And the tail hole looks extra-large. You sure you don’t have it on backwards?”

Scootaloo stared blankly for a moment before giving a long sigh. She wrapped her tail in its cover, then bit onto her hood and slung it over her back. “I’m not even going to try to straighten this out. Come on. Let’s go find Sweetie. I should probably also do another check of the props before we start.”

***

Sweetie Belle gulped down the last of her water and slammed her cup to the table. She breathed deeply, keeping her eyes closed to the buzz of activity that filled the backstage. Once her heart no longer felt like it was trying to escape her chest, she opened her eyes and looked around at her classmates. Several students were practicing their lines one last time, while others busied themselves getting the props set up just right. A few groups with nothing to do just stood around, talking and laughing. The sound of hooves on metal drew her attention to up towards the walkway, which ran the length of the stage. A lone stallion walked across it, testing the lights one by one.

No matter where she looked, Sweetie Belle noticed that, regardless of what they would be doing tonight, everypony wore a smile. Everypony except for herself, that was.

She looked back at the stage curtains she had come from moments ago. Even at the water table, she could still hear the muffled sounds of the audience talking and the band warming up. She shivered and pulled the hooded cloak of her costume a little tighter.

“There she is,” the voice of Scootaloo called out.

Sweetie turned to see her two friends approaching. They were smiling too. She gave a half-hearted wave as they walked up to her. “Apple Bloom?” she asked. “Are you feeling... nervous at all?”

Apple Bloom tapped a hoof to her chin a few times and appeared to give the question some serious thought. She then broke into a grin. “Nah. I’m pretty excited. Why? Are you?”

“Kind of,” Sweetie admitted.

“You shouldn’t be,” Apple Bloom said. “You were great at rehearsals. Besides, this ain’t any different than the talent show we did last year.”

“Yeah... but that time, I was so busy with the props and trying to keep the set from collapsing that I didn’t have time to think about the audience.”

“No need to worry about that tonight!” Scootaloo said. “The running crew will be taking care of all the behind the scenes stuff. We did an amazing job getting the set together. Everything is built solid.”

To emphasize her point, Scootaloo knocked on one of the cardboard trees, which then fell over. She glanced between her friends and chuckled nervously. “We got carried away making props and ran low on cardboard, so some of the background trees are a little unbalanced. Try not to lean on them. Or touch them. Or, well... it's probably best to just avoid being near them, if you can.”

Scootaloo wiggled her head under the fake tree’s leaves and quickly pushed up. The tree rose a bit before falling back on top of her. She grumbled something about this tree being one of the big ones and moved further beneath it.

Sweetie watched her friend and was about to offer her help when she felt something land on her shoulder. She yelped and whipped her head to the side, then blushed when she saw Apple Bloom’s hoof.

“Sorry, I was tryin’ to reassure you, not scare you,” Apple Bloom said, removing her hoof. “Wow. You really are jumpy, ain’t you?”

The look of concern in her friend’s eyes only made the butterflies in Sweetie’s stomach flap harder. She turned her head away from Apple Bloom and tried to keep her voice from wavering. “Maybe... maybe we should find Miss Cheerilee a-and get somepony else to play my part.”

“Hey, don’t say that,” Apple Bloom said, moving so Sweetie faced her. “You practiced just as hard as all of us. Probably even harder! You’re gonna do great. Trust me. Although...” She quickly looked left and right, leaned in, and switched to a whisper. “I do have a secret technique that’s guaranteed to scare off stage fright. Wanna hear it?”

Sweetie locked eyes and nodded quickly.

“Just imagine everypony in the audience is wearin’ only pants.”

“What?” Sweetie said, drawing back. “Why?”

“Because it would look silly!” Apple Bloom whispered excitedly, her face breaking into a huge grin. “If everypony in the audience looks silly, then you don’t have to worry about lookin’ silly yourself!”

Sweetie tried imagining ponies in pants, but didn’t see how that could help. “My Mom wears pants, and she doesn’t look silly.”

“Only pants and nothing else?”

“...No.”

“And that’s the secret!”

Sweetie still had her doubts it could be that easy. “Is that what you do?”

“Well... no,” Apple Bloom said, blushing a little. “You see, I, uh... I like to pretend. Tonight, I'm going to imagine I really am Lady Blue Petal, and that the things we’re doin’ up on stage really is real.”

With a frustrated yell, Scootaloo flicked her head upward again. The tree stood upright and wobbled a bit but remained standing. She panted and said, “No offense... Apple Bloom... but that just seems weird.”

Apple Bloom blushed more. “Yeah, kinda... but it’s fun and keeps me too busy to worry ’bout bein’ scared.”

“I think I’ll just stick with the pants thing,” Sweetie said.

“Heads up. Incoming trouble,” Scootaloo said with a nod towards two approaching fillies.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon both wore simple-looking clothing in shades of brown. The look of annoyance on their faces didn’t match the kindly-villager roles they would be playing tonight. “Hello, Apple Bloom,” Diamond Tiara said as she got close. “Ready to be laughed off stage again?”

“Still sore you didn’t get to be the lead? It must be so awful playin’ an innkeeper,” Apple Bloom said, rolling her eyes.

“Actually, I find it very ironic that the innkeeper has a much better singing voice than the hero. I can’t wait to see the audience react to you drawling your way through your songs. My song, however, will be leaving the audience in tears.”

“Tears of pain or tears of misery?” Apple Bloom asked innocently.

Diamond Tiara narrowed her eyes. “Let’s go, Silver Spoon. These losers are going to break my concentration.”

As Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walked away, Sweetie and her friends looked at each other flatly. Despite her best efforts, Sweetie’s lips began to curve into a smile, so she placed a hoof across her muzzle. Scootaloo snorted and clenched her quivering lips tighter, which only caused a giggle to slip out of Sweetie. Apple Bloom held her watering eyes shut tight as she grinned and bit her lower lip. Finally, once the bullies had traveled out of earshot, the laughter they had been holding back came bubbling out. The tension Sweetie had been feeling faded somewhat as she shared the moment with her friends.

“That... that was painful trying not to laugh,” Scootaloo said as she wiped away a tear. “E-every time I see her, I keep remembering the look on her face when she found out that Silver Spoon was the only one that voted for her to play Blue Petal.”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said with a nod, “but I only won ’cause nopony else ’sides the two of us wanted to be the lead.”

“That’s because Blue Petal sings in almost every song,” Sweetie said.

“Eh, maybe.” Apple Bloom shrugged. “I still think you should have tried for the lead, Sweetie. You’d be the perfect Blue Petal.”

Sweetie felt like she was choking. “What?” she squeaked, her voice rising in pitch. “No way! I can’t sing out there! Even imagining the whole audience with pants on their heads wouldn’t be enough to stop my stage fright, then!”

“Okay, okay! Calm down. You don’t have to sing if you don’t want to. I only meant you’d be the perfect Blue Petal ’cause you sort of look like her. You also wouldn’t have to wear one of these dumb fake horns.” Apple Bloom taped her headband, which loosened it enough to fall over her eyes. “Not again! Urgh, I just fixed this! This better not happen on stage.”

Sweetie giggled and reached out a hoof. “Here, let me. You really should have chosen a smaller headband.”

“Yeah, I know, but this was the only one close to my color.”

“Attention, everypony!” the voice of Cheerilee called across the stage. The students quickly finished what they were doing and lined up in front of their teacher. “Curtains are coming up in five minutes. I’m so proud of what a good job you have all done. Don’t worry if you make a mistake or forget a line. I’ll be out front and ready to help you if you need it. Just remember to do your best and have fun! Those of you in the first act, find your places. Running crew, be ready with the trees. Ohhh, this is so exciting! You’re all going to be wonderful!”

Cheerilee walked off stage, leaving the students to hurry into their positions.

Scootaloo sighed as she looked at her hood. “Guess it’s time to start sweating,” she said. She fit the hood over her head and twisted it around until the eyeholes were in front. She disappeared behind a tree that wobbled slightly until her hooves reached around to hold onto the sides.

“Break a leg, Apple Bloom. I’ll see you in the second act,” Sweetie said. She hurried after the other actors and slowed to a walk once she was offstage. “Pants, huh?” She then noticed a smile had finally found its way to her lips.

***

Apple Bloom walked over to her starting spot. She closed her eyes and took a deep calming breath. She imagined what it would be like to be Blue Petal. The cheers of the ponies she saved. The satisfaction of another evildoer brought to justice. The feel of her magic lifting her sword. True, she had no clue what that last one would actually feel like, but she tried to imagine it anyway.

It was silly, but it really did work for her. When she reopened her eyes, she could no longer see the stage. Instead, a great forest stretched around her. Ahead of her, the trees finally started to thin out, and a valley could be seen beyond the forest’s edge. It looked like the sun had just risen over the horizon, signaling the start of another glorious day.

Lady Blue Petal stood ready for her adventure.

***

The audience hushed themselves as Cheerilee walked across the stage. She smiled at all the citizens of Ponyville who had come to see tonight’s performance. Over two hundred she had heard. A much better turnout than at last year’s talent show. Thankfully, the school board had decided to spring for actual seating for their theater. It was one thing to stand around for a couple quick acts but quite another for an entire musical.

“Welcome, everypony, to this year’s school performance!” Cheerilee announced when she had reached center stage. The audience cheered and stomped their hooves in applause. She waited for them to quiet again before continuing. “Tonight, we have a very special play for you all: a retelling of the classic Lady Blue Petal story, ‘The Trials of the Hero!’”

The pianist in the band began playing a soft melody to accompany Cheerilee’s words.

“Our story takes place in a fanciful land that is plagued by troubles. The ponies of this land were miserable, for they were under constant attack from the forces of darkness. One day, tired of watching the world live in fear, a few brave ponies stepped forth. Through their actions, they pushed back the armies of darkness, and the world became a safer place once again. For their bravery, these ponies became known as the First Heroes. However, theirs is another story.

“Many, many years have passed since the defeat of the darkness, and the First Heroes have all been laid to rest. Though they may be gone, their stories still lived on in legends, inspiring new generations of ponies to take on the mantle of the hero. One such pony was Lady Blue Petal.

“Blue Petal had decided to model her life after the lessons taught by the First Heroes. Ever since she could remember, she had helped those in need. With every heroic deed or evil foe vanquished, she would become more and more renowned.

“However, Blue Petal wasn’t without faults. As her fame grew, so did her ego, until she lost sight of what being a hero truly meant. The ponies in need became nothing more than stepping-stones for her to achieve further greatness. It got to a point where only the most heroic of deeds were good enough for Blue Petal, and many ponies with lesser troubles had to go without the hero they so desperately needed.

“But fear not, ponies of the world, for our once-noble hero has not yet been lost to us. Sometimes, it takes a little reminder from our past to steer us back on to the proper path.”

Cheerilee took her place off to the side of the stage. The curtains opened to reveal a forest of painted, cardboard trees with Apple Bloom walking through them.

“We join Blue Petal as she begins a new adventure in search of heroic deeds to perform,” Cheerilee narrated. “Her hopes were high as she...”

Blue Petal’s hopes were high as she traveled through the forest. She felt good having the sunshine on her now that the trees had finally thinned out enough. Her white ornate barding—which totally did not look like a dress—seemed to glow in the early morning light.

The cravings of adventure had once again called out to her, driving her to find new ponies in trouble. She couldn’t wait to show the world some more of her amazing heroic deeds. Maybe she could even get a few more books written about her.

Rumors had told that the valley on the other side of this forest was a pure and clean place full of happy ponies, living in their happy homes and going about their happy lives. It practically screamed to the world for all the villains to come attack and turn it into their new base of evil operations. This sounded like a prime opportunity for some heroics, and Blue Petal was going to be sure to get in on it. She quickened her pace, eager to exit the forest and see the devastation that had befallen these poor, helpless ponies. Hopefully, the valley was still under attack, so that she could get straight to the fighting.

The trees cleared away as Blue Petal rushed into the valley, revealing a sight that was worse than she had imagined. There were no fires. There were no marching evil armies, or even standing-still evil armies. No fire-breathing dragons causing trouble, or lakes of acid, or oppressive-looking castles, or wild animal attacks. She looked around, feeling disappointed that she hadn’t even received a decent greeting by a gang of roaming bandits.

This place really was nothing more than a happy valley. In the distance, she spied a tiny farming village that looked just as happy as everything else around it did. Blue Petal sighed and walked in that direction. Hopefully, word had just gotten out that she was coming, and this was all some sort of act.

A thought had been bothering Blue Petal for some time, and entering this valley had just confirmed it: an invisible band was following her. They weren’t bad as far as invisible bands went. They had a violin, a lyre, a trumpet, and a piano. They were all in tune and worked well together as they played an uplifting tune.

With clear, sunny skies above, Blue Petal found herself not caring that there was nothing heroic to do at this very moment. Things would get interesting soon enough. They always did. It was the start of what would be a wonderful day. She could feel it.

The music following Blue Petal sounded very happy and was building in strength. She wondered if she should—no. She couldn’t just start singing for no reason. Could she? The music felt so light-hearted and inviting. It would be a shame not to have some vocals to go with it. Well... as long as nopony else was around, she might as well humor the band. It might just get them to leave her alone.

Blue Petal:

Today is goin’ to be — such a wonderful daaaay!

Everythin’ will be great. All will be goin’ my waaaay!

There are no dark clouds that I can see.

The birdies and critters are singin’ for me.

Yes, today is goin’ to beeeeeee — a wonderful day!

Even if this valley is so happyyyy,

There’s probably still some evil drawin’ neeeear!

I will keep an eye out for the ap-proa-chin’-doom,

So I can give it a beat-down most seveeeere!

Blue Petal felt so liberated singing for no reason and couldn’t help but smile. She wanted to share her happiness, but the village was too far away to hear her. She knew she had to share this feeling with somepony, and if no ponies were close, then it would have to be nature.

“Good mornin’, Mr. Sun!” Blue Petal yelled to the sky. “Thank you for this wonderful day!”

“You’re quite welcome,” the sun answered unexpectedly.

Blue Petal raised an eyebrow. Most ponies didn’t expect the sun to answer back. Of course, most ponies also didn’t speak to the sun in the first place. For all she knew, this could actually be normal. She didn’t know what confused her more: that the sun could apparently talk, or that it had a thick Trottingham accent. Still, why waste a chance to say she spoke with the sun?

“Hey, Mr. Sun. Would you like to sing with me?”

“I would love to!”

Sun:

I can see you down there — having a wonderful daaaay!

Going on another adventure with-out delaaaay.

There’s so much joy that we can share.

Let’s sing all day without a care.

I can see what you have theeeeeeere — a wonderful day!

Blue Petal laughed. “Yes, Mr. Sun, it sure is a wonderful day. After all...”

Blue Petal:

How can it not be wonderful with a heroooo?

Stridin’ proudly ‘cross the countrysiiiide?

Everypony knows that I am the-best-there-is!

My countless deeds are known both far and wiiiide!

“Oh... that’s, er, nice,” the sun said. “Excuse me, o great hero, I’m... going to go somewhere less full of themselves—I mean stuffy. I’ll be over there.”

Blue Petal watched the sun move across the sky until she could no longer see it. This apparently had no effect on the time of day, though. She decided this must just be one of those little oddities of nature and not, hopefully, some sort of ill omen.

The music kept playing, and Blue Petal’s mood kept feeling better. She had gotten closer to the village, but they still wouldn’t be able to hear her at this range. She looked around for something else to sing with and then heard a chattering sound coming from a nearby tree. Looking up, she saw a squirrel sitting on the highest branch. She decided to perform a test.

“Well hello there, Mrs. Squirrel,” Blue Petal called out.

“Hi there!” the squirrel answered.

Blue Petal nodded. Her test had been conclusive. She decided not to question her newfound ability to communicate with nature and instead asked, “Would you like to sing with me?”

“Oh, wow! Would I?” the squirrel said happily.

Squirrel:

I’m having so mu—Ahhh!

Blue Petal watched in horror as the squirrel lost her balance and fell from the branch. The squirrel cried out in pain as she hit the branch below her and then continued falling. Fate was a cruel mistress today as Mrs. Squirrel unluckily hit every single branch on her way down the tree. She tumbled helplessly through the air before finally hitting the ground with a thud. The poor critter lay on her back, silent and unmoving.

The invisible band respectfully stopped playing, and the whole valley went silent as it mourned the loss of Mrs. Squirrel.

Apple Bloom stared down at Archer, who was upside down and staring back with flushed cheeks. Thankfully, the fake-branch platform had only been a few inches above the stage. While Archer didn’t appear hurt, her costume hadn’t been so lucky. The fall had bent her paper squirrel tail at a right angle.

“Oh, my!” Cheerilee said as she rushed across the stage. “Archer? Are you alright?”

“Yes, Miss Cheerilee,” Archer said as she got back up.

“Are you sure? We could—”

“The show must go on!”

“Well... okay, then. Let’s start again with your lead-in, Apple Bloom,” Cheerilee said, heading back to her place.

Mrs. Squirrel twitched once and sprang back to her feet. She was alive! Truly a miracle, and Blue Petal needed to celebrate it the only way she knew how: with song!

“Would you like to sing with me?” Blue Petal asked the squirrel again.

“Oh, wow! Would I?” the squirrel said happily.

Blue Petal noticed that the squirrel’s tail appeared to be broken. The critter’s will had to have been the thing of legends to be able to move around, let alone want to sing, under what could only be excruciating pain.

Squirrel:

I’m having so much fun — it’s a wonderful daaaay!

Any problems that I have will work out somewaaaay!

It feels so great being in the sun.

I want to jump and climb and run.

Do you know what is fuuuuuuun? — A wonderful day!

“Yes, Mrs. Squirrel. I do know what is fun.”

Blue Petal:

All the ponies in this valley cheerin’ for meeee!

As I tell them of my many noble deeeeds.

My heroic actions put me on top-of-the-charts!
Squirrel:

(I think that’s something your ego far exceeds.)

Blue Petal blinked. “Uh... what was that last part, Mrs. Squirrel?”

“Nothing! Good day to you, mighty hero,” the squirrel said as she giggled and ran away, hopefully to seek out medical attention.

Today truly was a wonderful day for Blue Petal. The sun was warm, bright, and not in the sky anymore. The birds were singing. She was singing. That squirrel had also been singing. It seemed, in this valley, that the hills really were alive with music. She couldn’t help but worry that maybe there had been something wrong with the flowers she had eaten for breakfast.

With every verse, the village drew miles and miles closer. Already, she could make out a number of features. Only a few dozen buildings made up the village, mostly lined along one main road. Wood and thatch was the building material of choice when it came to homes. The only non-residential houses she could see were a blacksmith, a general store, and an inn. Unfortunately, no fences or other easily defensible structures existed. If these ponies were going to survive for more than a fortnight, she would have to correct that.

Blue Petal knew she would have her work cut out for her getting this place ready for the inevitable attack, but for now, she could only smile wider and wider as ponies poured out of the village to greet her. With so many ponies to join her, it was time for the big finale.

“Hello ponies of this happy village that I don’t know the name of,” Blue Petal said with a wave.

A villager with an accent oddly similar to the sun said, “It’s called Happy Village!”

“What a coincidence! Are you having a wonderful day?”

“Yes, I am,” the same villager replied.

“Such a wonderful day,” another villager said.

“Best day in years,” yet another said.

“Then, sing with me!” Blue Petal cried out as the villagers surrounded her.

All:

We just can’t help but smile — at this wonderful daaaay!

No worries! No work! No school! It’s a day to plaaaay!
Villager 1:

I feel like I could run a mile!
Villager 2:

It’s time to show off my new hairstyle!
Old villager 1:

Pull up a chair and stay awhile.
Two fillies:

Come play with us in our sand pile!

All male ponies:

We just can’t help but smile.
All female ponies:

We just can’t help but smilleeee.

All:

Just watch and you will seeeee,

With one hundred percent certaintyyyy,

Today is going to beeeeeee!

A wonderful day! (You got that right)

A wonderful day! (An absolute delight)

A wonderful day! (From morning until night)

Today is a wonderful day!

With the impromptu musical number over, the ponies of Happy Village went back about their business. Overwhelming happiness aside, Blue Petal had to get serious. This valley was a ripe fruit about to fall into the waiting clutches of evil, and she was going to be the one to save it.

The villager who had greeted Blue Petal first had remained outside. He shot her a smile and walked up close. “So, what brings you around these parts, stranger?”

“Stranger?” Blue Petal said with a raised eyebrow. “I’m the travelin’ big-time hero, Lady Blue Petal! Haven’t you heard of me?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I have. We don’t get out much, and traders only visit us no more than twice a year.”

Blue Petal gasped. This village may have been secluded, but to have never heard of her? “Are you sure you haven’t heard of me? I’ve not only been voted the best hero in the world five times runnin’, but I’ve also got three gold medals in epicness, a first place trophy in trophy-having, and a master’s degree in awesomeneering.”

The villager smiled weakly. “Oh? I-is that all?”

“Well, those are just the awards. If we want to talk celebrity endorsements, we’ll be here all day. Anyway, the point is simple: you got troubles, and I’m here to solve ‘em.”

“Well, that’s wonderful. We may be a small village, but we always have things needing to be done. Come inside. I’m sure we can find some work suitable for you.”

Blue Petal smiled. Now she was getting somewhere. It was time for her to show these ponies what being a big-time hero was all about.

The audience applauded once the lights darkened on stage. The band played some transitional music while the running crew hurried about in the darkness, switching the painted background, moving the props, and getting everything ready for the next scene.

“And so, Lady Blue Petal entered Happy Village in search of heroic deeds to perform,” Cheerilee said to the audience. “But, could such a small village contain the big action she craved? And how would these ponies react once they found out what a big-time hero Blue Petal thought herself to be?”

Blue Petal trudged along behind her overly enthusiastic tour guide, her head hung low and ears drooped. She had tried to be polite at first, but this villager would just not stop talking.

“...and so,” the villager said, “that’s the reason why we called this place Happy Village even though, statistically speaking, we are only at an average level of happiness when compared to other villages of similar size. Come to think of it, that’s also probably the reason why only earth ponies live here.”

“Uh huh.”

“And over here we have our library. Well, I say library, but it’s actually being rented out at the moment. Oh! Funny story about what happened to the previous librarian. You see—”

“Mr. Villager-whose-name-I-never-learned, weren’t we supposed to be talkin’ about the heroic deeds you needed me for?” Blue Petal asked.

“Oh! How rude of me. I completely forgot to introduce myself. My name is Village Greeter.”

Blue Petal stopped walking. “Really? Your name’s—you know what? Never mind. It was obviously fate. So, heroic deeds?”

“Well... I’m not too sure how heroic they are, but there are plenty of jobs that need doing,” Village Greeter said. “We have a new barn that still needs to be painted. Old Lady Hill is getting on in years and could use some help with her cleaning. Let’s see... there’s always wood to chop, or weeds to pick, or—”

“Sorry, Village Greeter, I think there may be some confusion. I’m lookin’ for heroic deeds. You know, beatin’ up behemoths, overthrowin’ overlords, rescuin’ royalty. Non-alliterative deeds work too, but they don’t sound as good in song.”

“I, uh... I can ask around, but... I think all our royals are in safekeeping." He frowned and shook his head. "Sorry, but I’m not so sure if you’ll find what you’re looking for here. This really is a quiet vil—”

“Help!” a filly’s voice yelled in the distance.

“There we go!” Blue Petal said as she took off in a gallop. “Sorry to run, but somepony needs a hero!”

It took only a moment for Blue Petal to spot the panicked filly running down the street. She positioned herself sideways across the filly’s path and struck dramatic pose number four: shoulder out, head high, and a smile showing off her pearly-whites. “It sounds like you need a hero!”

The filly looked up at Blue Petal, eyes widening. “Yes! Yes, I do need a hero!”

Blue Petal sat down and put of hoof on the filly’s shoulder. “Okay, kid. Calm down. What are we dealing with here? A volcano? Rabid snakes? Aliens?”

“Worse!”

The corners of Blue Petal’s lips twitched upward, but she kept her serious face on. “You accidentally broke a seal on some ancient evil, and now its corruption is seepin’ out? The world is going to end in three days, and you’re a time traveler sent back to stop it?”

“Even worse!”

Blue Petal’s heart pounded. This was it. The great evil that would doom this valley had started, and only she could stop it. She took a few breaths to steady herself and stared hard at the filly, years of practice letting her catch the light just right for her eyes to twinkle. “Lead the way. I’m here to help.”

The filly smiled wide and took off like a bolt of lightning. Blue Petal gave chase, but then nearly stumbled when the filly came to a sudden stop after only a dozen feet. The filly stared eagerly at a tree in a little flower garden. Blue Petal looked too, and even tried squinting her eyes, but couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

“So... is the tree evil?” Blue Petal asked. “Or maybe it’s a good tree that’s been corrupted by evil. It’s a bit small to be a world tree, but I suppose they all had to be little at some point.”

“It’s not the tree,” the filly said. “It’s my cat!”

Blue Petal’s steely resolve faded. She glanced up at a cat lying on a branch. It appeared to be asleep.

“Is... is the cat is evil?” Blue Petal asked hopefully, even though she realized this was likely only an overreacting filly.

“No! My cat is stuck and needs to be rescued!”

The cat’s tail twitched slowly as it purred. Blue Petal sighed. “Sorry, kid, but this is a job for your local fire department. Or at least somepony with a ladder and a high endurance to cat scratches.”

“Y—... you’re not going to save my cat?” the filly asked as her lip quivered and eyes watered. “I thought you were a hero!”

“I am. A big-time hero, to be precise. I only help with big problems. Now, if your cat was stuck on a manticore... or if your cat was a manticore, then I could help you.”

The filly ran off, yelling again for help. Blue Petal shook her head and walked down the street in hopes of finding somepony that actually required her services. She didn’t get far before a mare stepped in front of her.

“Excuse me?” the mare asked. “Did I hear you say that you were a big-time hero?”

“The biggest of the big-time heroes,” Blue Petal said, lifting her head and placing a hoof across her chest.

“What is that, exactly? Is it any different from a normal hero?”

Blue Petal set her hoof back down and looked at the mare. Did she really just ask what a big-time hero was? She may as well be asking if flowers smelled good. Or what color the sky was. Or why apples were the greatest fruit ever. It was something foals should have learned even before their own names.

Blue Petal then realized that this village wasn’t just secluded: it was downright deprived. She had to correct this oversight.

“Ma’am, you appear to be confused,” Blue Petal said, then noticed a small crowd gathering around her. She decided to speak extra loud and set everypony straight at once. “Big-time heroes are way different than normal heroes. A normal hero will solve your little problems, but a big-time hero will solve every problem you have! Even the ones you don’t know about yet! We do this by gettin' rid of your big problems so that the crushin’ weight of hopelessness doesn’t drag you down. Once the big problem is gone, the rest of your life feels better by comparison.”

The mare’s face lit up. “Really? You can solve all of my problems?”

Blue Petal opened her mouth to remind the mare that she only solved the big problems when a sense of foreboding came over her. The pianist had started to play with a lot of enthusiasm and was soon joined by... a banjo? When did the invisible band get a banjo player? Were invisible auditions going on?

The overexcited ponies came from everywhere.

Mare:

You’re a big-time hero? Can you help me move my shelf?
Fancy stallion:

Hello there, big-time hero. Will you do all our jobs yourself?
Mare:

Can you mop my floor?
Stallion 2:

Or fix my door?
Mare 2:

Mind my store?
Stallion 2:

I need help more!
Colt:

That’s what a big-time hero is? Then help me with a chore!

“Whoa now!” Blue Petal said as she backed away from the ever-increasing crowd. “I think there’s still a whole lot of confusion goin’ on. Let me see if I can clear it up.”

Blue Petal:

I am a big-time hero, but I can’t be bothered with small things.

And as a big-time hero, I’m very choosy with my helpings.

I’m afraid it’s true,

But I can’t help you,

With every issue,

And little snafu.

I am a big-time hero, and big deeds is what I do.

Mare 3:

If you’re a big-time hero, can you help me with my plants?
Blue Petal:

(Uh... no.)
Fancy Stallion:

If you’re a big-time hero, can you help me find romance?
Blue Petal:

(Sorry.)
Fancy Stallion:

Then can you help me,

With my goatee?
Mare:

Or my laundry?
Panicked pony:

I saw a bee!
Filly from before:

Please help me big-time hero, my cat is still stuck in a tree!

Blue Petal:

I’m a big-time hero, but your problems aren’t big enough!

As a big-time hero, my deeds need to be challengin’ and tough.

Please don’t complain,

Let me explain,

It’s about the fame,

I stand to gain,
Panicked pony:

I need a big-time hero now! The bees got in my mane!

“I, uh... suggest you go dunk your head in some water or somethin', then,” Blue Petal said.

The pony with bees crawling in his mane nodded once and ran away. The rest of the crowd looked confused and whispered amongst themselves. Blue Petal placed a hoof on her forehead and sighed. These ponies just didn’t get it.

Blue Petal:

Now, you still seem not to get it in your head.

I only do the big jobs, not the small.

When you become a famous hero with the life that I have led,

You learn that, frankly, it’s impossible to do it all.

And so it is the only jobs I do are the big ones,

So that my deeds will be known far and wide.

And now I hope you can understand my reasons,

For being picky on where my heroic talents are applied.

As a big-time hero, my jobs need to be boisterous and grand.

As a big-time hero, I need to be known ‘cross the land!

Now, I beg pardon,

But I need action.

Need to be the one,

That gets things done.

I am a big-time hero, the greatest hero under the sun!

Mare 2:

So, if you’re a big-time hero, you’d defeat the monsters in the night?
Blue Petal:

(You got it!)
Fancy Stallion:

And if you’re a big-time hero, you’d save the land from a deadly blight?
Blue Petal:

(Now we’re talkin’.)
Mare:

You’d battle armies?
Stallion 2:

And cross the seas?
Colt:

Fight yetis?
Panicked pony:

Destroy the bees!
Blue Petal:

Yes! That’s a big-time hero. Now, what troubles can I ease?

The crowd looked between each other, then turned as one and walked away.

“Hey!” Blue Petal yelled after the departing ponies. “Don’t you need a big-time hero for anythin’?”

“Sorry, big-time hero,” a mare called back, “this is a small village that only has small problems. Let us know if you decide you want to help us with something.”

Blue Petal’s mouth hung open. What was with this village? Everywhere that she had gone before had showered her in endless praise. How could there not be a single thing wrong that required a big-time hero? Had she been wrong about this valley? She decided to get to the bottom of this.

“Excuse me, sir?” Blue Petal said to a passing pony. “There’s not any other villages near here, are there? Like maybe one being attacked by bandits? Or one being attacked by monsters? Or one being attacked by monstrous bandits who, as a surprise twist, turn out to be the original villagers under a curse, and that the villagers in the village were actually the real monstrous bandits all along?”

“No. This is the only village around for many miles. Good day,” the pony said and then hurried in the opposite direction.

Blue Petal walked up to a mare. “Excuse me, miss? This may be a personal question, but you'd tell me if you were a cockatrice in disguise, right?”

The mare glanced around behind her and looked back at Blue Petal. “Yeah... I guess so.”

“So, are you?”

“A cockatrice in disguise?”

“Yes.”

The mare backed away. “I’m walking away now. Please don’t follow me.”

Blue Petal sighed and continued down the street.

“Blue Petal felt tired after she had searched the village but found no problems requiring a big-time hero,” Cheerilee said. “It had been a long journey to reach this valley, so she decided to find somewhere to relax, enjoy a hot meal, and rest her weary hooves.

“The ponies of this village seemed to have no need of her services, and it appeared that there really was no encroaching evil. Worse, though, was the odd way the villagers had reacted to her. Didn’t they know that big-time heroes were only supposed to help with big problems?

“Blue Petal soon found the inn she had seen earlier and stepped inside. It was there that a past long forgotten began catching up with her.”

“Take a seat. I’ll be with you in a moment,” a voice called from the kitchen after the bell above the door jingled.

After only one hoof inside the inn, Blue Petal instantly felt better about her day. Ponies sat at tables or at stools set up along a long counter. Delicious looking soups, salads, and sandwiches were being eaten, all while friendly conversations and laughter were shared. Several ponies gave Blue Petal a warm smile as she passed. A fireplace crackled merrily against the wall, and they even had a pianist playing—no, wait... that was just the invisible band that wouldn’t stop following her.

This inn was definitely one of the most pleasant she had even been in. However, if Blue Petal had to choose one thing that felt out of place in the room, then it would have been the unicorn stallion sitting on one of the stools, wearing a full suit of gray-colored armor. White or black armor made it easy to tell somepony’s alignment. Gray, on the other hoof, required more investigating. Blue Petal took a seat at the stool next to the knight and gave a relaxed sigh.

“Nice place they got here,” Blue Petal said in an attempt to be friendly: step one in determining a ponies place on the good-slash-evil scale.

The knight said nothing.

“So, uh, what’s good to eat here? I notice a lot of bowls of soup on the tables. Seems like you finished yours. Was it tasty?”

The knight did not reply.

“Do you have to take your helmet off to eat or is there a hatch the opens up? I suppose you could use a straw.”

Blue Petal watched the unmoving knight suspiciously. So far, he hadn’t scored any points, good or bad. It was time to step it up a notch.

“Strong silent type, huh? I can respect that. Or are you missin’ your tongue? I once knew a pony that had his tongue removed because he had annoyed everypony around him with his constant jabberin’.”

Blue Petal waited for the knight to say something. After the continued silence, she suspected this knight was nothing more than a suit of armor somepony set up as a joke.

“Snips!” Apple Bloom whispered, “it’s your line.”

“I thought you had five lines before I answered,” Snips whispered back.

“What? Oh! Darn it. I skipped the second one. Um... just say your line, and we’ll keep goin’.”

“Oh... uh... a lesson you ignored, it seems,” the knight said.

“There we go! Got you talkin’. So what brings you around these parts?”

The knight got up and walked towards the door.

“Hey, what’s the matter, Mr. Knight-I’ve-never-met-before? Was it somethin’ I said?”

The knight stopped with his hoof on the door handle, and the invisible band suddenly stopped playing. Blue Petal could sense the tension in him and prepared to grab her sword. However, when he turned his head to glare at her, her ears flattened, and she shied away.

“Never met before?” the knight said with growing fury. “Never! Met! Before? Blue Petal... you are the worst pony I have ever known.”

Blue Petal felt like she had been smacked. “What? I—”

“I used to look up to you. Do you have any idea how hard it’s been seeing what you’ve become?”

“What do you mean? The only thing I’ve become is a hero.”

The knight shook his head slowly. “Pathetic. I don’t know if I should be sad or angry at how blind you are. I've heard tale of your heroic deeds, but the way I see it, if any of them are even true, then it's only because you've been taking credit for someone else's actions.”

Blue Petal got up, grit her teeth, and stared the knight straight in the eyes—which she felt was rather impressive, considering that she could hardly even see his eyes behind his visor. “Never! Everythin’ I’ve done, I’ve done on my own. I would never steal the credit from somepony else!”

“I wish I could believe that, Blue Petal. Do you know what I did when I arrived in this village yesterday? I spent the whole day helping the villagers fix the roofs the last storm had damaged. Not because I was asked to, but because it needed to be done, and I was able to help. I spoke to, and shared laughs with, many of the villagers during the repairs. They offered me a room and a meal for my help, but that wasn’t my reward. My reward was knowing I helped somepony. How many ponies have you helped since arriving?”

“Well... none, yet. But, that’s only because I haven’t found anypony needing my particular brand of heroics.”

“Goodbye, Blue Petal,” the knight said, then stepped out into the street. The bell jingled violently as the door slammed shut.

Blue Petal took a deep breath and willed down her anger. “Sheesh. What’s his deal?”

“That’s the Stone Knight, or so he calls himself. He came here looking for the Forest of Trials,” a voice from behind Blue Petal answered.

Blue Petal turned around to see who had spoken. A mare that must have been the innkeeper stood on the other side of the counter. She wore a plain brown dress, an apron, a smug look, and, completely unfitting to her role, a tiara. Blue Petal found herself hating this innkeeper instantly for some reason.

“The forest of what?” Blue Petal asked as she returned to her stool. Her eyes kept moving to the tiara.

“The Forest of Trials. Supposedly, anypony that enters the forest will be presented with three trials to test their special qualities. If they pass, then they’re declared a... a, a super hero.”

“A super hero?” Blue Petal said as she stared at the innkeeper flatly. “Are you sure you don’t mean a true hero?”

“You know what I mean,” the innkeeper snapped, then grabbed a cloth to start wiping down the counter.

Blue Petal put a hoof on her forehead and sighed. “A true hero? What’s the difference between that and a regular hero?”

“A true hero is a hero who has discovered what it is that makes them a hero. They become a shining light that beats against the darkness, unable to be corrupted no matter how hard evil tries.”

Blue Petal rubbed her chin. “That does sound interestin’.”

The innkeeper finished her washing and turned with the damp cloth in her mouth. It whipped into Blue Petal’s horn, causing it to break off and land on the countertop.

And thus, Lady Blue Petal, the heroic unicorn knight, became an earth pony.

“Oops. Sorry, Apple Bloom,” Diamond Tiara whispered innocently.

Apple Bloom blushed as the audience chuckled. She picked up her headband and rushed to get it back on. “You did that on purpose!” she whispered.

Diamond Tiara placed a hoof on her chest and feigned shock. “What? I’d never. Why would you say such a thing?”

Blue Petal screwed her horn back in. Luckily, it had been detachable for just such an occurrence.

“Very interestin’ indeed,” Blue Petal said as she watched the innkeeper for any sudden movements. “But, I already know what makes me a hero.”

“Really? And what is that?”

“Well... let’s see. Bein’ brave, for one. I also know a thing or three about swingin’ a sword. Oh! I’m also plenty good with children—”

“Why won’t anypony save my cat!” a filly yelled from outside the inn.

“Most children, anyway. Uh... what else?”

“That’s all you can come up with?” the innkeeper asked more rudely than was necessary.

Blue Petal was beginning to suspect that this inn probably didn’t get much in repeat business. “I just have too many good qualities. It’s hard work choosing the best of the best. What qualities make you special, if you think it’s so easy?”

“Why, being the best at everything, of course.”

“That’s not your line!” Blue Petal hissed between her teeth.

The innkeeper ignored Blue Petal. “But, we aren’t talking about me. What is it that makes you a hero? The Forest of Trials will tell you. Don’t you want to find out? Hit it, Sam!”

The invisible pianist complied, hitting the keys most professionally. Apparently, his name was Sam, and he was a traitor.

Innkeeper:

What is a painter, if they are not creative?

Without their voice, what would a singer be?

Every profession has their own required talents.

This includes heroes too. Wouldn’t you agreeee?

The other patrons of the inn hummed along and harmonized with the music better than the innkeeper could. If all these ponies were loyal to the innkeeper, then Blue Petal hoped things wouldn't come to blows.

Innkeeper:

Whaat maakes youu special?

What makes you great?

Makes them adore you,

Can’t ignore you,

Want to celebrate?

Please tell me.

I want to knoooow.

What is it about you,

All throughout you,

That makes a hero?

The innkeeper hopped onto the countertop and twirled as she danced in time to the music. Blue Petal could only stare in disbelief as the ponies around her mimicked the innkeeper’s dance. They were too well choreographed for this to have been spontaneous. The other patrons were no longer satisfied with only humming and began singing along as well.

All but Blue Petal:

Some ponies are amazing at the arts.

Some ponies, they are better when baking.

There are ponies that are superior at playing sports,

When it comes to where your talents lie, there is no fakiiiing.

Be they lovers. Be they fighters.

Be they scholars who pull all-nighters.

Be they givers. Be they takers.

Knocker-downers or the makers.

What about you?

Let’s hear you speeeeak.

What’s inside you?

Please describe you.

What makes you unique?

The patrons and innkeeper settled down and returned to their places. Blue Petal considered backing away slowly and looking for another inn.

Innkeeper:

Without their speed, a runner is not so grand.

And a dancer? They aren’t so hot without their moves.

What is it that’s so special about a hero?

What is it about their selves that the world approoooves?

So tell me, hero.

Please set me straight.

Why do they love you,

Thinking of you,

On you, they fixate?

I’m just not sure.

Let me be fraaaank.

Why do they need you,

Always heed you,

When you’re a blank flank?

Blue Petal stared in shock. Had the innkeeper just insulted her through song by calling her a blank flank? Had she actually had the nerve to call the greatest hero to have ever lived a blank flank? Lady Blue Petal, with her cutie mark of a shining sword sheathed in a wreath of blue flowers, a blank flank? Blue Petal should have been laughing at such a ridiculous claim, but instead, she could only feel her cheeks and forehead burning.

“Well then,” Blue Petal said, making an effort to keep her teeth from clenching. “I think I’ll have to go check out that forest for myself and see if I can find out what makes me such a great hero.”

“It’s just south of the village. You can’t miss it,” the innkeeper said with a wicked smile.

Blue Petal got up and, while resisting the urge to use her magic to set the inn on fire, went out the door. If she ever turned evil, this tiara-wearing innkeeper had just made the top of her list.

The curtains closed as Cheerilee walked across the stage. She frowned briefly at what had just happened. Putting her smile back on, she turned towards the audience. “Blue Petal was confused with the way the villagers and the Stone Knight had reacted to her. It reminded her of days long past when she had first set out to be a hero. She had tried to start at the top, but she was unable to convince anypony that such a young filly could be a real hero. She had been forced to help with the little things, and in doing those little things, she had learned the joy of helping those in need.

“It had been a long time since Blue Petal had need of doing the little things. As she had traveled across the land, she had inspired more and more ponies to become heroes too. Like her, they also started small. With the little problems mostly taken care of, she had all the time she needed to focus on the big ones. It felt good being recognized for her deeds, but it had felt better just seeing the joy she brought others.

“The Stone Knight’s words had hurt Blue Petal because she had realized that, at some level, they were true. She knew she had to get to the Forest of Trials. She had to prove that she still had whatever it was that made a pony a hero.

“After Blue Petal exited the inn, she took a detour and walked to the small garden with the tree. A filly sat beneath its branches, every so often wiping the tears from her eyes. Several ponies covered in scratches looked sadly at the filly, but they kept their distance from the cat with the sharp claws. Blue Petal reached out with her magic, gently lifted the sleeping cat through the air, and placed it next to the filly.

“One little thing, and it brought so much joy.”

Cheerilee smiled to herself for a moment before continuing. “And so ends the first act of tonight’s play. I hope everypony is having fun. Don’t wander too far. We’ll be starting act two in fifteen minutes.”

Act Two

“Dumb Diamond Tiara! She’s gonna ruin everythin’!” Apple Bloom said, kicking at the floor. She and Sweetie stood together while the running crew rapidly changed the set for the next act. A clattering sound drew their attention to Scootaloo and an overturned stool.

“Great. Even the real things are falling over,” Scootaloo said with a sigh, then turned to her friends. “Don’t let that brat get to you. That’s it for her part until the end.”

“And who knows what she’s plannin’ for that?” Apple Bloom wailed. “I can ignore her makin’ fun of me, but we all worked really hard at this. She’s ruinin’ the play because she didn’t get her way!”

Scootaloo frowned and rocked the stool back and forth. “I need to go help get the next act set up. Maybe we can find Miss Cheerilee and get her to talk with Diamond Tiara?” She pushed the stool, rolling it off stage.

Apple Bloom just shook her head. The damage had already been done. She only hoped the rest of the night went well.

“Maybe you’ll feel better after a drink of water?” Sweetie asked.

“Yeah... I am thirsty. All that singin’ is hard work. I don’t know how you make it look so easy,” Apple Bloom said as she followed Sweetie to the water table. “Your scene is soon. How you doin’? Still nervous?”

“A little, but I think I’ll be okay.”

“Just remember: pants,” Apple Bloom said with a wink and then drank her cup of water.

“Riiiight.”

“Hey! Watch where you’re going!” Silver Spoon’s voice yelled.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle turned to see Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara glaring angrily at Dinky.

“I said I was sorry,” Dinky said, backing away a step.

“Ignore her, Silver Spoon,” Diamond Tiara said with an upturned nose. “She’s just a crybaby.”

“I am not!”

Diamond Tiara smirked. “Are so. That’s why you were cast as the cat filly and the lost child, because you’re so good at crying. Too bad that’s all you’re good at. You barely even get to sing more than one line.” She and Silver Spoon laughed.

Dinky’s cheeks turned red as she wiped a hoof across her eyes.

“The nerve of her!” Apple Bloom said. She marched towards the bullies. “I’m gonna give her a piece of my mi—”

“And the only reason you even got a singing part was because we got sick of listening to your whining about not getting the lead!” Dinky yelled as loud as she could. Silence gripped the stage as everypony stopped what they were doing and turned to watch the unfolding scene.

Diamond Tiara’s wide-opened eyes slowly narrowed as she grit her teeth. “What? Now listen here you little—”

“No, you listen!” Dinky stomped the floor. “You’re ruining this play by using it to take out your frustrations on others! You keep bragging about your ‘beautiful’ singing voice, yet you were off-key for half of your song. Just like in rehearsal! You added your own lyrics that, not only, didn’t fit with the music, but they didn’t even fit in with the story!

“We are supposed to be a team! Every one of us is important. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t even be on stage! Perhaps if you spent less time worrying about how important your part is and more time actually trying to make this play a success, you would find that sometimes it’s about putting the enjoyment of others above your own selfish desires.

"Gee, maybe somepony should put on a play teaching a lesson similar to that? Oh, wait. We are! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go get ready for my next part.”

Dinky lifted her head and strode past Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who were too stunned to move. The giggling of several cast and crew got Diamond Tiara to snap out of her shock. She glared at those that had laughed, daring them to say something. The other students quickly went back to their jobs.

“Yeah? Well, you’re... you’re just a loser!” Diamond Tiara yelled, though Dinky had already left the stage for the dressing rooms. “All of you are a bunch of losers! Who needs this stupid play? I’m going home.”

Silver Spoon quickly blocked Diamond Tiara's path. “But what about the final scene?” she asked. “We’re in it.”

“Then stay with the losers. I don't care,” Diamond Tiara yelled, making her way off the stage.

Silver Spoon looked back and forth between the set and her departing friend, then sighed and chased after Diamond Tiara.

“Wow,” Scootaloo said as she walked up to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom and Sweetie only nodded in agreement.

“You know,” Apple Bloom said. “Suddenly, I’m feelin’ pretty good ‘bout the rest of the play.”

***

Cheerilee walked to the middle of the stage and cleared her throat loudly. She waited a moment for the audience to quiet. “Everypony, please find your seats. The next act is about to begin,” she said. The few ponies that were standing quickly returned to their seats. Once everypony had settled and the noise stopped, the curtains opened, revealing a path leading to the edge of a thick forest. Apple Bloom slowly walked on to the stage, looking at the floor.

“Blue Petal left Happy Village and traveled south to the nearby forest,” Cheerilee said. “Along the way, something consumed her thoughts. Something she hadn’t felt in a long time: doubt. She was still a hero, wasn’t she? Ponies cheered for her. They shouted their love for her. They sold her merchandise on the street corners. Didn’t that mean something?

“Blue Petal had felt good when she had helped the filly get her cat back, but that feeling was soon replaced with sadness. When was the last time, before today, she had helped somepony, not because it would bring her fame and glory, but because they had just needed help? She couldn’t remember.

“The Forest of Trials loomed before her. Was she still a hero? She would soon find out.”

At last, Blue Petal found herself in front of the Forest of Trials. Staring at the trees, two things ran through her mind. The first: how exactly did this work? Were there some magic words to speak or a toll to pay? Did she just wander inside? There should at least have been a sign to direct her or something. So far, the customer service at the Forest of Trials stunk.

The second: this had to be the smallest forest in the history of forests. She felt confident that she could run around it in less than five minutes, if need be. The densely packed trees cut off most of the sun’s light from reaching inside. It would take either magic or some serious upkeep for a forest like this to remain living.

As Blue Petal wandered around the outside of the forest, looking for whatever could signify the entrance, she saw a familiar face. Or a familiar helmet, at least.

“Hey there, Mr. Stone Knight,” Blue Petal said. “Imagine meeting you here. Actually, the odds were pretty good, considerin’ how I knew you were comin’ here. So, you’re a hero too, I take it?”

“I never felt the need to refer to myself as such,” the Stone Knight said in a gruff tone. “I’m just a pony that enjoys helping others. What are you doing here?”

“Thought I might check out this Forest of Trials thing. Maybe head inside. Trial it up or somethin’,” Blue Petal said, then quietly added, “See if I still have what it takes to be a hero.”

“What was that?”

“What was what?” Blue Petal kept a blank look on her face.

The Stone Knight sighed irritably and walked towards the forest. “You better think hard about what you’re trying to accomplish before deciding to follow me,” he called back and disappeared between the trees.

Blue Petal stared at the forest. It was time to prove she was still a hero. “Well, okay then,” she said. “I’ll just head inside. One hoof in front of the other. Just, uh... walk right in... I guess.”

Blue Petal took a step forward and stopped. She looked around her, then back at the forest. “That’s what I’ll do. Walk right in. Nopony to stop me.”

A few more steps and Blue Petal stopped again. “Yep... nopony at all. I mean, if somepony wanted to stop me, now would be the time. Not that I’m scared, mind you. Nope... not scared at all to find out my life may have been a lie up to this point.”

The forest remained silent. Blue Petal swallowed nervously and took another step forward.

“Who approaches the Forest of Trials?” a voice bellowed from within the trees.

“Lady Blue Petal, um... approaches. I, uh, I can turn back if the forest only admits one at a time. Maybe come back tomorrow?”

A unicorn mare dressed in a deep-blue cloak stepped out of the forest, walking until she stood right in front of Blue Petal. “Welcome, Lady Blue Petal, I am...” The mare’s eyes went wide.

Apple Bloom bit her lip as Sweetie’s head slowly turned to stare out at the audience.

Sweetie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Pants,” she whispered. “Imagine. Pants.” She opened her eyes again and stared intently at the audience. After a few seconds, she smiled. “That does look silly.”

Apple Bloom smiled back.

“I am the keeper of the Forest of Trials,” the mare said as she snapped back to reality. “Do you wish to prove that you are a hero?”

Blue Petal thought hard. She could still turn around. Just forget about this whole silly idea and go back to her adoring fans. She had a good life. Did she really want to risk learning that she might have been wrong?

“I do.”

“Then enter the forest. Inside, you will find three trials that test for the qualities of a true hero. Be warned. Once you enter, you may not leave the forest until you pass or fail each of your trials. The trials will be difficult, but you only need to pass one in order to be declared a true hero.”

“Only one?” Blue Petal said in relief. “That doesn’t sound too hard at all!”

The keeper smirked. “Have you ever heard of anypony passing the trials?”

“Well, no... but I never heard of anypony failin’ either. Actually, I never even heard of this place until today.”

“That is because the names and deeds of those that fail are erased from history. The world’s memories of the would-be heroes fade into obscurity. Do you still wish to enter?”

Blue Petal gulped and took a step back. Her heroic deeds were all that she had. Without them, she would just be an everyday pony. However, if she did fail, wouldn’t she want the world to forget about her?

She took on a look of determination. “Of course I do! I’m goin’ inside. I’m goin’ to pass every trial you throw at me, and I’m goin’ to show the world that I am still a hero!”

“Very well,” the keeper said as she stepped from Blue Petal’s path. “The Forest of Trials accepts you. Enter when ready.”

Blue Petal walked to the forest’s edge and stopped. She looked back at the keeper. “Before I enter, I have two questions.”

“Ask.”

“I’m sorry if this is rude, but it’ll bother me to no end if I don’t find out. Isn’t the Forest of Trials a little small to be considered a forest?”

The keeper looked away while rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof. “Yeah... it is. However, it sounds better than Thicket of Trials, and Grove of Trials was already taken.”

“Fair enough,” Blue Petal said. “Then, for my second question. Do I... know you from somewhere?”

The keeper gasped. She reached on top of her head and pulled her hood forward, covering her eyes. “N-no, I, uh... just have a really common face.”

“Okay, then. If you say so.” Blue Petal gave one last look at the mare and then entered the forest.

“Please succeed, Blue Petal,” the keeper said almost too quietly to hear. Blue Petal missed the rest, but it sounded like, “The world can’t lose you yet.”

***

Even though the thick branches overhead blocked out almost all sunlight, Blue Petal could somehow still easily see everything around her. Magic, probably. She wandered through the forest for what felt like an hour and came to realize that one of two things must have been happening. Either the forest had been magically enchanted to be much bigger on the inside than out, or she was hopelessly lost and going around in comically small circles.

No trials had presented themselves yet. Blue Petal tried to stay focused, but the lack of action had begun to bore her. She stopped walking and looked around. It could have been possible that the first trial had already started. Perhaps this was a test of patience? She resolved to keep her mouth shut and not complain, just in case.

Blue Petal had just started to move again when a loud crack sounded throughout the forest. She turned quickly to see one of the great trees falling towards her. The bark splintered along the base of the tree as its massive roots twisted and snapped, tearing forth from the earth. She dove out of the way of the falling trunk, narrowing avoiding being crushed, as the tree landed with a mighty crash. The startled cries of birds and other critters sounded all around her as the forest shook.

Blue Petal’s heart felt like it might beat out of her chest. She slowly got up and examined the fallen tree that had nearly claimed her life, her heavy breathing the only noise in the now eerily quiet forest.

“Oops! Sorry, Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo said from behind the fallen cardboard tree. “It got away from me.” She bit onto the tree’s base and started tugging. A colt rushed onto stage and helped lift from the other end.

Suddenly, the tree lurched and rose from the ground. The roots regrew and dug into the earth while the cracked bark pulled itself back together. In a matter of seconds, the tree had righted itself. The only signs it had ever fallen were some leaves and broken branches along the forest floor.

Blue Petal raised an eyebrow at the tree. Perhaps this had been a test, and she had passed her ‘not being crushed by a tree’ trial? She doubted it. This seemed more like a completely random occurrence. At least the tree’s strange action meant this really was a magical forest, and that she wasn’t going in circles.

She continued her journey and soon came across a clearing with an earth pony stallion in it.

The massive stallion stood easily a head taller than Blue Petal. She hoped this could finally be a trial giver. She also hoped that his trial didn’t involve hoof wrestling. The trial giver stared at what appeared to be boulders broken into smaller pieces. Blue Petal stepped forward, thankful to have sunlight shining upon her once again. The trial giver’s ears perked up and he turned towards her.

“Well, now,” the trial giver said slowly. “It looks like I have another hero to test.”

“Uh, yeah,” Blue Petal said warily. “What do I have to do for this trial?”

“This is a trial of strength. Only the strongest ponies deserve to be called a hero... um... don’t you think?”

“I guess. Strength can be helpful at times.”

The trial giver nodded. “Yep. So to test your strength, we’re going to have a boulder-smashing contest! We’re testing physical strength, though. So no magic.”

Blue Petal gaped at the trial giver. A boulder-smashing contest? She doubted she could even smash a small rock without using magic. Maybe if she had a large hammer, but something told her this stallion wanted this done by hoof. She looked at the pile of broken stones.

“Uh, beg pardon. I’m all ready for this contest—lookin’ forward to it really—but your boulders appear to already be, well, smashed.”

The trial giver gasped and stared down at the broken boulders. “Oh no! You’re right! But... but... uh, h-how can we have a test of strength without boulders to smash? It’s just not possible!” The trial giver frowned and sniffled.

“Hold on! No need to get upset,” Blue Petal said. She could already imagine how ridiculous she would look trying to comfort this massive stallion if he started crying. She wandered the clearing and looked around. “There has to be somethin’ else around here we can use.”

A part of the clearing covered in shadows suddenly grew brighter. Blue Petal looked at it and smiled. “Hey,” she called out, “come take a look at this!”

The trial giver stood next to Blue Petal, and together they stared at a line of four circular, solid-stone pillars that were about twice as tall as a normal-sized pony. She looked sidelong at the trial giver. “What if, instead of a boulder-smashin’ contest, we had a pillar-pushin’ contest?”

The trial giver brought a hoof to his chin. “Hmm... I don’t know... I suppose it could work. They look kind of heavy. Let me see if they’re even pusheroverable.” He walked to the open space in the middle of the pillars and began warming up his muscles.

Blue Petal raised an eyebrow as she watched the strangely acting trial giver. There wasn’t a pillar in front of him, only open air. What did he think he was doing?

Finished with his warm-up, the trial giver reared up on his hind-legs and brought his front hooves forward. His hooves struck out and stopped against something invisible. The clearing shook. Maybe even the whole world did too.

Blue Petal stared in horror as the trial giver stood on his hind-legs and pushed against the air. This must have been one of the fabled world pillars that held up existence. She hadn’t meant for him to push this pillar over. What would even happen if he succeeded? She had to stop this madness.

“Uh? Snails?” Apple Bloom whispered.

Snails had his eyes closed as he pushed as hard has he could against the metal bar coming out of the stage. His face looked strained as beads of sweat formed along his brow.

“That’s the bar holdin’ up the walkway over the stage. I don’t think the pony doin’ the lights will be too happy if you manage to push it over.”

Snails stopped pushing and looked up. The lighting technician had his front legs wrapped around the walkway’s railing. He glanced down nervously at Snails.

“Whoops, sorry,” Snails said, blushing. He sidestepped to one of the stone pillar props.

Having tested his strength against the world pillar and, thankfully, not knocking it over, the trial giver looked ready to begin. He reared up again and smashed his front hooves against the pillar, easily knocking it down.

Trial giver:

Run ton riddleton town!

I knock the pillars down!

The invisible band began playing a slow song with a heavy beat. Blue Petal wondered if they were taking the trials too. She hoped they passed. It would be nice having the only heroic invisible band in the world following her.

Trial giver:

Well now, little pony,

I hope that you can see,

When it comes to massive strength,

The strongest here is me.

But, I’m feeling fair,

So I’ll tell you what I’ll do,

If you push over just one pillar,

Then, a hero, I name you.

But hurry, little pony,

I’m afraid you don’t have long,

This trial will come to its end,

When I finish with my song.

To make his point, the trial giver shoved another pillar, effortlessly making it fall.

Trial giver:

Run ton riddleton tall!

I make the pillars fall!

Blue Petal rushed to one of the pillars and pushed. She almost thought the pillars must have been made from foam with how simple the trial-giver made it look. However, they were definitely some kind of abnormally heavy stone. She gritted her teeth and got her shoulder into the action, but, no matter how hard she pushed, she couldn’t even get the pillar to wiggle. The trial giver laughed as he walked past her.

Trial giver:

Come on, little pony,

You don’t look that weak.

You may be smaller than me,

But I don’t think you’re meek.

Push with all your might!

You can’t just stand around.

Hurry up and complete the trial.

Push that pillar to the ground.

It’s simple, little pony,

Let me show it to you again.

You just need a little muscle,

And that is how you’ll win.

Blue Petal moved to her pillar’s side and tried to get a better angle on it. Despite her efforts, she hadn’t even begun to sweat, but that only meant she had to push harder.

The trial giver used only one hoof and, with a slight tap, toppled another pillar.

Trial giver:

Run ton riddleton topple

I make the pillars, uh... topple.

With a toothy grin, the trial giver turned towards Blue Petal. “Good thing this isn’t a singing contest, or I might have lost.”

“Yeah... good... thing,” Blue Petal said as she continued her struggle.

Trial giver:

What’s wrong, little pony?

Is my trial just too tough?

Do you forelegs feel like jelly?

Have you finally had enough?

The trial’s at its end,

My song is almost done.

I’ve knocked over three pillars,

And so far you have none.

I’m sorry, little pony,

But today is not your day.

You have failed your first trial,

Now, step out of my way.

Blue Petal gave one final push before taking her forelegs off the pillar. She frowned and felt a lump forming in her throat. How could she have lost so badly?

The trial giver pushed the pillar over with ease.

Trial giver:

Run ton riddleton tover!

“Who knocked my pillars over!” a voice yelled, echoing throughout the forest.

The trial giver froze in place, his head slowly turning towards Blue Petal with his lips forming an ‘o.’ The voice had sounded very angry. The familiar cracking sound of a falling tree came from the forest, followed by the ground vibrating from its impact. The trial giver had gone very pale.

“Oh no! Oh nooo! That’s the forest witch! These must have been her pillars!” the trial giver said. He ran behind Blue Petal, laid down, and placed his front hooves over his head. “You got to hide me!”

“I'm pretty sure she could still see you if you tried to hide behind me,” Blue Petal deadpanned, then shook her head. “There must be something we can do. Let’s put the pillars back up!”

Blue Petal turned her head as the sound of another tree falling echoed throughout the forest. That one had sounded much closer.

The trial giver whimpered. “She’s too close! She keeps yelling at me not to touch her stuff, but I don’t know what stuff is even hers! She’ll turn me into a frog this time for sure.” Suddenly, he stopped shaking and looked up at her with hope in his eyes. “I know! Say you did it!”

“What? I don’t want to get turned into a frog either!”

“This would be your first offense. She’ll go easy on you. If you do it, I’ll say you passed the trial. Pleeeease? I don’t want to be a frog! They’re all slimy, and hoppy, and I’d have to find a princess to change back, and—wait... are you a princess?”

“Pretty sure I’m not.”

“And I’d have to find a princess to change back, and flies taste bad, and—”

Another tree fell, this time at the edge of the clearing. An old mare of small stature walked around the fallen trunk. Blue Petal stared at her, wondering if that just the forest-keeper unicorn now wearing a black cloak. No. The age was too different. Perhaps her mother or grandmother, then? Blue Petal stopped her internal debate over family resemblances and just tried not to let her knees buckle under the angry mare’s glare.

“I should have known I’d find you here” the witch said.

The trial giver nudged Blue Petal and looked up at her with pleading eyes. Blue Petal took a step forward. “I know who knocked over your pillars,” she said.

“So do I!” The witch stomped up to Blue Petal and looked her in the eyes. “The coward is failing to hide behind you.”

“N-no, you see—”

“No? What do you mean ‘no?’ You trying to say you did it? A scrawny unicorn like you? I bet you couldn’t even knock over a pebble, with or without magic.”

Blue Petal took a deep breath. “I—”

“I, I, I—spit it out!" The witch gave Blue Petal a sneer. "If it wasn't him, then who was strong enough to knock over my pillars?”

“It was... the thing is... i-it was...”

Blue Petal tried to say that she had been the one to knock over the pillars, but every time she started to speak, she heard the voice of the Stone Knight in her head. He had accused her of claiming other’s actions as her own. It was a lie, and she wouldn’t make it true, even if it meant failing.

“You're right... it was him,” Blue Petal said with a heavy sigh.

The witch stepped around Blue Petal and grinned wickedly at the trial giver. “I hope you like the color green,” she said as her horn glowed bright.

“Stop! It’s wasn’t his fault!” Blue Petal stepped in front of the witch.

“He knocked over my pillars. You even said so. How is it not his fault?”

“Because he wanted to have a boulder-smashin’ contest, but there were no more boulders to smash. I saw the pillars and suggested pushin’ them over. We didn’t know they were yours. I’m sorry,” Blue Petal said, hanging her head.

“You take full responsibility for his actions?”

Blue Petal looked back at the trial giver, who was still quivering in fear. “I do.”

The witch glared at the trial giver. “You! Get out of here!”

After stumbling several times, the trial giver finally managed to get on his hooves and bolt from the clearing.

The witch circled around Blue Petal a few times, all the while cackling to herself. “First things first,” the witch said as her horn glowed once again. The pillars shakily rose into the air and wobbled a bit before setting back upright, except for the far-right pillar, which continued to dangle helplessly in the air.

The witch stared at the dangling pillar for a moment before turning back to Blue Petal. “Uh... n-now then. For your punishment! You’re not going to believe what I’m going to do to you.”

Blue Petal gulped but stood her ground.

“Nothing!”

Blue Petal stared in disbelief as the witch cackled with glee. “You’re not going to punish me?”

“Nope. I see no need to. That was the first trial, and it seems like you failed. Too bad, it was the easiest of the three.”

The witch cackled again as she left the clearing. Blue Petal sighed. Things were not looking good if this trial really had been the easiest. She wasn’t going to give up, though. There were still two trials to go.

A snapping sound came from the dangling pillar as it fell back to the forest floor, then toppled over into the pillar next to it. Blue Petal watched as, one by one, the pillars fell over again. She decided to leave before the witch could blame her.

***

Blue Petal trotted deeper into the forest. The canopy of leaves and branches had thickened, dimming what little light she had left until it was dark as night. It may very well have already been night, for all she knew.

Thoughts of the first trial weighed heavily on her mind. The first trial giver would be safe from the witch’s wrath, so long as he kept from touching any more of her things. Though Blue Petal had failed the trial, she still felt good. She had helped somepony. She would bring this good feeling with her into the second trial and take on whatever the forest threw at her. She felt ready for anything.

“Hif fare! Arf ou rea-y for or fecondf frial?” a voice said from Blue Petal’s side.

Blue Petal spun, ready to fight off the ambush, but stopped when she saw it was only a filly standing next to her. The filly wore green, brown and black clothing that covered everything except her eyes. Her clothes made her almost invisible when placed against the forest’s background.

“Forry,” the filly said, “did If fare ou?”

“Uh, what was that?” Blue Petal said with a hoof raised to her ear.

Twist rubbed her hoof against the cloth around her mouth and gasped for air as she freed herself. “Sorry, Apple Bloom,” she whispered with her lisp. “It’s hard to talk in this thing.”

The filly cleared her throat. “What I tried to say was, ‘Sorry, did I scare you?’”

“Nah, it’s hard to scare me. I was more startled than anythin’.”

The filly half-closed her eyes and gave Blue Petal a knowing smile. “Oh, of course. I should have known it would be hard to scare such a great hero. I’ll try harder next time.”

“Next time? Is this some sort of fearlessness trial? Because I warn you, I would consider the use of caterpillars cheatin’.”

The filly scrunched up her face. “Caterpillars?”

“Big, fuzzy ones,” Blue Petal said, shivering. “They just give me the willies.”

The second trial giver giggled. “No. No caterpillars. This trial is all about speed.”

Blue Petal sighed and wiped a hoof across her forehead. She was much better at being fast than at strength. “So, are we goin’ to have a race? Let me do some stretches first if we are.”

“No racing,” the trial giving said, shaking her head. Her cheeks pushed up as a huge grin spread across her face. “We’ll be doing something much simpler.”

“Oh? And what will that be?”

The trial giver reached out and touched her hoof to Blue Petal’s nose. “Tag!” she announced. “You’re it!”

More giggling came from the trial giver as she sped into the forest. “Catch me and you pass the trial!” she called back. “But no grabbing me with magic! That's cheating!”

Blue Petal smiled. She had won many blue ribbons in playing tag during her time in school. This trial giver didn’t know what she had gotten herself into.

Apple Bloom chased Twist back and forth across the stage. A few times, they ran too close to a fake tree or rock and knocked them over, but the running crew quickly fixed any problem with the set.

“Blue Petal chased after the trial giver for what felt like hours,” Cheerilee said. “She had thought herself good at playing tag, but the trial giver proved to be a difficult opponent. Many times Blue Petal had thought she had won, only to find out that she had tagged a disguised beehive or fallen into a pit trap.”

Apple Bloom slowly crept towards a tree that Twist had run behind only moments before. Suddenly, Twist came from the opposite side of the stage, looked at the audience, and raised the edge of her hoof to her lips. A few muffled giggles escaped from the audience as Twist slowly positioned herself behind Apple Bloom and shouted, “Look out! There’s a big, fuzzy caterpillar in your mane!”

Blue Petal rolled on the ground frantically. “Get it off! Get it off! Get it off!” she screamed.

The trial giver laughed until tears ran down her face. Blue Petal got up and blushed. It seemed like the whole forest was laughing at her.

“So, give up?” the trial giver asked.

“Never!" Blue Petal panted. "H-how much time do I have left?”

“Oh, there’s no time limit. We’ll play until you stop chasing me, which will probably be when you get tired and fall asleep.”

“Not a chance. I once stayed up for eight days straight on a bet. I’ll be fine. Just... just give me a minute to catch my breath.”

“Okay, but don’t keep me waaaitiiiing,” the trial giver taunted as she ran off.

Blue Petal sighed. She wasn’t going to win this trial with speed alone. She needed a plan. There had to be a way to beat the trial giver at her own game.

***

It took some time, but Blue Petal had finished putting her plan into action. She had removed her barding and propped it up on some fallen branches in an attempt to trick the trial giver into thinking it was her. Now, all she had to do was hide behind a tree and wait for the trial giver to take the bait. She felt pleased with herself when it took less than a minute for the trial giver to begin creeping up behind the barding. Now, it was Blue Petal’s turn to sneak up on someone.

It was the perfect plan. Blue Petal just had to close the distance between them and she would win. She had to move fast, but not so fast that she made noise. It would not be long before the trial giver discovered the trick, and Blue Petal could not afford to let this opportunity slip away. She kept up her pace, getting closer and closer to the trial giver.

It was then that she briefly heard the sound of crying come from deeper within the forest.

Blue Petal slowed for a moment, but shook her head and continued her sneaking. It was probably just the wind. Again, she heard the crying. This time, big choking sobs from a young pony. It definitely wasn’t the wind, but she couldn’t stop now. This was her best chance to win. Once she had passed the trial, she could run to see where the crying was coming from.

She tried to ignore the sound that was tearing at her heart and quickened her pace. Then, she heard a wavering voice cry out for their mommy.

Blue Petal stopped, looked towards the direction of the crying, and walked that way.

***

It took a while for Blue Petal to find the filly, even with how loudly she cried. The forest echoed here and, more than a few times, she had gotten herself turned around. The filly sat against a tree, hooves over her eyes, and tears running down her cheeks.

“Are you alright?” Blue Petal asked softly as she got closer.

The filly gave a startled yell and pressed up further against the tree.

Blue Petal stopped moving. “It’s okay. I’m here to help you. My name’s Blue Petal. What’s yours?”

“G-Gentle Stream...”

“Well that’s a lovely name. What are you doin’ here all by yourself, Gentle Stream?”

Gentle Stream sniffed and rubbed her eyes, but the tears didn’t stop. “I w-was having a picnic wi-with my Mommy. S-she took a nap afterwards, and I—” Her voice broke with a small wail.

Blue Petal moved a little closer. “Go on... what happened?”

“I... I saw a butterfly a-and I followed it, but... but...”

“But you got lost and couldn’t find your way back?”

Gentle Stream nodded and whimpered. “I looked... but I can’t find her. S-she’s not... any... w-where.”

Blue Petal sat across from the filly. “I’m sure she’s lookin’ for you right now. But, if you keep movin’, then it's just going to take her longer to find you.”

Gentle Stream's eyes flooded with as she realized she had been making things more difficult for her mother. Blue Petal attempted to make soothing noises to calm the filly, but had little luck. She frowned and said, “If you’d like, I can sit with you until your mother gets here.”

Gentle Stream responded by hugging against Blue Petal and squeezing into her side. Watching the filly, Blue Petal felt a lump growing in her throat, but didn’t know what she could do other than wait. She was good with children. She had to do something to try to stop the filly’s tears.

Blue Petal began humming a tune, a simple song that she made up as she went along. Gentle Stream quieted a little, but her shoulders still shook with silent sobs. Blue Petal soon found a melody she liked. It was so familiar to her, but she didn’t know where—

She gasped.

She remembered where this song had come from. Her own mother had sung this lullaby for her whenever she was feeling sad. She felt terrible that she had forgotten it but was overjoyed that it was all coming back to her.

Blue Petal resumed humming with more enthusiasm. She smiled when the invisible lyre and violin players joined in and added their melody to her own. She could help Gentle Stream dry her eyes. She took a deep breath and then sang slowly and softly.

Blue Petal:

Do you know what I want?

What I’d really like to do?

It’s to hold you close,

And spend some time with you.

Tell me about your day,

And everythin’ you’ve seen,

Your mornin’ and your night,

And everythin’ in between.

Did you make any new friends?

Did you let them in your heart?

Can you still feel them close,

Like you’re never far apart?

Will you show me how to laugh?

Will you let me see your smile?

Can you dry all of your tears,

If only for a while?

Do you see all of your dreams,

Floating in the stars above?

Will you listen to my hopes?

Can you feel all my love?

Can you find happiness inside you?

Do you know what it’s made of?

Dry your eyes, my dear... I will always be near...

Do you know what I want?

What I’d really like to try?

It’s to be with you,

And sing this lullaby.

The crying had faded away to be replaced with a soft snoring. Blue Petal kept humming softly now that Gentle Stream slept quietly against her. She heard the snap of a nearby twig and looked up as the trial giver strolled out from behind a tree.

The trial giver tilted her head in confusion as she silently approached them. She looked down at the filly, then up at Blue Petal. “I found your barding,” the trial giver whispered. “What are you doing?”

“Waitin’ for her mother,” Blue Petal whispered back.

“It’s been a while since you’ve chased me, are you giving up?”

“What? I—no.”

“Then come on. Leave her here and chase me,” the trial giver said as she hopped around in excitement.

“But... if I move, she’ll wake up. And if I leave her, she’ll start to cry again.”

The trial giver rolled her eyes and walked away a few steps. “Well, if you don’t get up and start chasing me now, then I’ll declare this trial over. You’ll fail.”

Blue Petal frowned. She couldn’t hate the trial giver for forcing this choice, even if it did seem unfair. She was just doing her job, after all. However, Blue Petal had a job to do too. “Then... I guess I fail.” Blue Petal sighed. “I’ll just have to try extra hard on the last trial.”

“Be careful, that last trial is a doozy. Bye, hero. It was fun playing with you,” the trial giver said with a wave before she wandered off into the forest.

Blue Petal found herself once again alone with the sleeping filly. She hummed for a little while longer, but then her ears perked up. She thought she had heard somepony calling out. She remained quiet and listened harder.

“Gentle Stream!” the not-so-distant voice called. “Where are you?”

“Over here!” Blue Petal yelled.

The filly startled awake. “Mommy?” she asked, looking around.

“Gentle Stream? Is that you?” the voice said, closer still.

Gentle Stream got up and shouted, “I’m here, Mommy! I’m over here!”

A mare in a green cloak stepped around a tree, her eyes widening when she saw Gentle Stream running towards her. She scooped the filly up, falling back on her haunches and locking her daughter in an embrace. Blue Petal couldn’t help but smile. She also couldn’t help but stare at the mare. The keeper of the forest hadn’t been kidding when she said she had a common face.

The mare nuzzled her daughter and looked up at Blue Petal with tears in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost her.”

Blue Petal got up and dusted herself off. “All in a day’s work, ma’am. Are you two okay with findin’ your way out?”

“Yes,” the mare said, nodding. “I know the path back to the village.”

“That’s good. You be careful about chasin’ butterflies, Gentle Stream.”

“I will,” Gentle Stream said. “Thank you.”

Blue Petal turned to go, but then looked back at the mare. “One more thing. It’s probably not a good idea to have picnics in an enchanted forest. You might leave and find a hundred years have passed... or that everypony has forgotten about you.”

“Blue Petal said her good-byes to the mother and daughter and returned to her barding,” Cheerilee said. “Much to her horror, the trial giver had covered it in fuzzy caterpillars. It took a long time for Blue Petal to work up the nerve to remove them.

“As Blue Petal wandered through the forest, she found herself feeling worried, but not about having failed two of the three trials. Instead, her thoughts drifted to her time before becoming a hero. She found it difficult to recall those times clearly. As she thought, she was able to remember her mother, her home, and the trouble she would get into as she tried to learn how to be a hero. However, something was missing. She was certain that she had a friend growing up, but she couldn’t remember his face or name no matter how hard she tried.

“When was the last time she had visited her home? Had she just left and never came back? Had she really forgotten her best friend? The answers to these questions disturbed Blue Petal. Her thoughts were interrupted as the forest cleared and a giant castle loomed before her.”

The castle before Blue Petal had seen better centuries. Some of its towers had collapsed and taken other parts of the structure with them. Most of the walls still standing had stones missing, and it seemed the only reason the castle hadn’t completely fallen over yet, was because of the large amount of moss holding everything together. Still, Blue Petal couldn’t help but be impressed that the tiny forest’s magic was able to fit such a giant castle in it.

Blue Petal looked up at the night sky above her. Every so often, she could hear the rumbling of far-off thunder. Two torches burning on the castle’s outer walls provided the only light available. Blue Petal smiled. The melodramatic setting was perfect for the final trial that would decide her fate.

The castle’s doors creaked opened, and a mare in a dark cloak stepped out. This mare, thankfully, didn’t appear to be one of the forest keeper’s relatives. She walked a few steps, then stopped, her eyes widening.

Blue Petal waited patiently, but the mare didn’t say or do anything.

Ruby stared at the audience. She whimpered, her breathing growing erratic as she broke down well past what the 'imagining pants trick' could help with. Apple Bloom glanced nervously at Cheerilee, who walked across the stage until she stood behind Ruby.

“It’s okay,” Cheerilee whispered to Ruby. “Just repeat after me. Welcome, Blue Petal.”

“Welcome, Blue Petal!” the trial giver said quickly while still staring at nothing.

“Are you prepared for the final trial?” a disembodied voice asked.

“Areyoupreparedforthefinaltrial?” the trial giver mimicked with her voice rising in pitch.

Blue Petal blinked. If this was a trial in not getting confused, she was doomed. “Uh... y-yeah, I’m ready. What is it I have to do?”

“The third and final trial is a test by combat.”

“Thethirafitriatecomat!”

Blue Petal decided to ignore the high-pitched, hyperventilating trial giver and speak with the voice actually pronouncing her words instead.

“Well, that’s great! I’m very good at combat,” Blue Petal said. Her smile faded as she thought about the twists the previous trials had. “We are talkin’ about normal combat, right? Not like, food-eatin’ combat, or spellin’-bee combat?”

The trial giver made a high-pitched squeak, spun around, and darted into the castle. Blue Petal shuffled nervously and wondered if she should follow, but then, a ghostly light appeared where the trial giver had been standing and formed into the form of a fuchsia-colored mare. The mare looked more like some sort of schoolteacher than a ruin-guarding spirit, but, at this point, Blue Petal felt she couldn’t question anything anymore.

“It is a sword fight,” the mare said, “but it will be more difficult than any fight you’ve ever faced before.”

Blue Petal had encountered many tough fights in her life. She wondered how much worse this one could be. As if to answer her unspoken question, the invisible band began playing. Was this ghostly mare really going to sing? With the trial giver having run away, wouldn’t it be a good idea to paraphrase the song and skip to the fight?

The ghostly mare slowly shuffled around Blue Petal, her rhythmic movements forming a strange dance.

Third trial giver:

I hope that you are ready, Blue Peeetaaal.

For I don’t think you quite realize your fate.

To pass your final test,

Your opponent you must best.

Inside these castle doors, they do await.

This may be too much for you, Blue Peeetaaal.

For your chance of winning here is very faint.

Inside there’s no retreat,

You will only find defeat.

Your opponent is not known for his restraint.

But listen to me closely, Blue Peeetaaal.

For there is another path that you don’t know.

This trial, I can end,

And the rules, I can bend,

So that the world will still call you ‘hero.’

The music continued to play as Blue Petal thought things over. She knew that any offer too good to be true, usually was, or at least came with a very steep price that only seemed insignificant at the time. “What do you mean by ‘bend?’” she asked cautiously.

“If you fail, the world’s memories of you fade, but I can change that so that different memories are taken. You won’t even have to take the trial. Accept my offer, and I’ll guide you out of the forest.”

“What memories are we talkin’ about?”

The ghost gave Blue Petal an unnerving smile. “Your memories. Specifically, the ones from before you became a hero and the ones you’ve had since coming to this valley.”

Blue Petal’s eyes widened. She tried to speak several times before words would come out. “You can’t take those! They’re mine!”

The ghost covered her mouth as she laughed, shaking her head. “Are they really that precious to you? How often have you even thought about them before coming to this valley? Hmm? Don’t you hate the way they make you feel? Confused. Doubtful. Sad. You never felt that way when you were out being a big-time hero. Wouldn’t you like to go back to that?”

Blue Petal looked away. “Well... I...”

Third trial giver:

Weren’t you so much happier, Blue Peeetaaal.

Don’t you like to hear your shouted name?

A hero quite supreme.

This could all just be a dream.

Come with me and forget about this game.

So now, you know my offer, Blue Peeetaaal.

The choice that is correct can’t be ignored.

So tell me what you choose.

Do you go inside and lose,

Or do you wish your happiness restored?

Blue Petal thought about the ghost’s proposal, then shook her head. “It’s like you’re not even giving me a choice. Losing or happiness? Who in their right mind would choose losing?”

“Then, what is your choice?”

Blue Petal glowered at the ghost. “Isn’t it obvious? I want my happiness!”

The ghost smiled quietly for a bit. “Very well. I’ll take your memor—”

“You leave my memories right where they are! Weren’t you listenin’? I chose happiness! My memories may make me confused, or doubt myself, or even a little sad, but only because I’ve realized what a fool I’ve been! I helped ponies today for no reason other than because they needed it. I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time. I’d rather the world forget about me than give up a single memory from today!”

Blue Petal marched past the stunned ghost and up to the castle doors.

“But the world’s not goin’ to forget about me,” Blue Petal said. “I’m takin’ the final trial, and I’m goin’ to pass it!”

Blue Petal walked through the castle doors with her head held high. She slammed the doors behind her, causing the rotten wooden frame to collapse outward. She looked out the gaping hole in the wall. “Uh... sorry ‘bout that,” she said.

The curtains closed, and the running crew ran onto the set. Apple Bloom walked over the fallen doorframe.

“Sorry, Miss Cheerilee. I musta slammed it too hard,” Apple Bloom said.

“That’s alright,” Cheerilee said with a smile.

“Wow... I didn’t know you had such a nice singin’ voice.”

Cheerilee blushed. “Well, this isn’t the first musical I’ve been in. Can you go check on Ruby for me? I’ll come see her myself after I speak to the audience.”

“You got it.” Apple Bloom ran off behind the set.

Cheerilee walked around the curtain and out in front of the applauding crowd. “And so, Blue Petal entered the castle to face her final trial,” she said. “It was there that her greatest challenge waited. However, Blue Petal wasn’t the only hero who had entered the forest that day. A difficult choice was about to be presented not only to her, but to another as well.

“Act two has come to its end. Please take a moment to get up and stretch. Act three will begin in fifteen minutes.”

Act Three

Apple Bloom walked behind the set and found Ruby sitting down with a few of the other actors.

“I’m sorry. I really messed up,” Ruby said when she saw Apple Bloom. “I was fine when there was a bunch of us on stage, but once it was just the two of us... and then I started thinking about singing... and there were so many ponies watching us.”

“That’s okay. The important thing is you tried,” Apple Bloom said. The other actors nodded in agreement.

“How bad was it after I left?” Ruby asked.

“Not bad at all. Miss Cheerilee knew your lines. She even sang!”

Ruby sighed in relief. “That’s good, I was afraid I ruined everything. But, what about the next act? I’m supposed to sing in that one too! I... I don’t think I can.”

“Maybe Miss Cheerilee can sing again?” Sweetie suggested.

“I would prefer not to, if it can be avoided,” Cheerilee said as she walked up to the actors.

“But you’re so good at singin’,” Apple Bloom said.

“Thank you, but this is supposed to be your play. Also, it would be a bit hard to switch between narrating and singing during the next scene. Does anyone else know the lyrics to the next song and think they can sing it?”

“Ooh! Ooh!” Twist said, her face lighting up. She raised a hoof as far into the air as she could. “I know the lyrics!”

“Wonderful! That’s one problem solved, but we still have another. Has Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon come back yet?”

“I saw them walking around without their costumes,” Pipsqueak said. “I asked if they were still going to perform, but Diamond Tiara just called me a loser and walked away.”

Cheerilee frowned. “Oh dear... I’ll have to see if I can talk with them. Does anyone know Diamond Tiara’s lyrics for the end?”

Again, Twist raised her hoof into the air. “I do. I memorized the whole play!”

“Excellent!” Cheerilee said. “Let’s find you some villager clothes, an apron, and a cloak. Come on everypony, the show is not over yet!”

***

Apple Bloom took a sip of water from her cup and noticed Snips and Snails walking towards her. Snails had changed back into his villager clothes, while Snips still wore his Stone Knight costume.

“Hi, Apple Bloom,” Snips said. “Ready for our big scene together?”

Apple Bloom finished her water and set her cup down before replying. “Lookin’ forward to it. A little bit of sword fightin’ action will be fun.”

Snips and Snails snickered at each other. “Not that scene,” Snails said. “The one after that!”

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Are you talkin’ ’bout the song at the end?”

“No,” Snips said while trying not to laugh. “Never mind. Break a leg!”

“Uh, you too.” Apple Bloom shook her head as the two colts walked away.

***

“Welcome back, everypony! It’s time for the third and final act of our play,” Cheerilee said as the curtains opened to reveal the stone walls of the inside of a castle.

“Blue Petal walked through the musty old castle and soon came across a large, open room. It was there that her third trial waited.”

Blue Petal walked down the musty hallway and into a large, open room. Much to her relief, this room appeared to be in a somewhat better condition than the rest of the castle and was therefore suitable for combat. As awesome as fighting in a building while it was collapsing may sound, she knew from personal experience that it was nothing but stress.

The room still had its problems, though. The glass windows came in two varieties: broken or covered in grime. The furniture lay in smashed heaps that cluttered the floor. The wall decorations had long since rotted away. Somepony had even left an old suit of armor standing in the middle of the room.

“I just can’t seem to get away from you today, can I?” the Stone Knight said as he turned around.

“Hey there, Mr. Stone Knight. I almost thought you were just a suit of armor, you were so still,” Blue Petal said.

“I guess you must be my opponent for the third trial. How fitting.”

“Wait, we’re supposed to fight each other? Isn’t there somepony else we could fight instead? Maybe even team up?”

“No! It is you two that shall fight!” a lisping voice said. Blue Petal and the Stone Knight turned to see the third trial giver—who must have been some kind of shapeshifter, as she now looked very much like the second trial giver—standing near the far wall. “This is a trial of swordplay. You may use your magic, but only to hold your weapon. The trial is confined to this room and lasts until one of you is defeated.”

“At last, a trial I can agree to,” the Stone Knight said. “Draw your sword, Blue Petal. I’m going to enjoy this.”

The Stone Knight grabbed his sword with magic and held it before him. Blue Petal didn’t want to fight but drew her sword for defense.

Scootaloo moved next to Apple Bloom and set a harness on her back. A long wire came off the harness and dangled in front of Apple Bloom’s face. Scootaloo bit onto Apple Bloom’s sword and attached it to the end of the wire, giving it the illusion of being levitated.

“Hold up, Mr. Knight,” Blue Petal said as her opponent advanced. “I don’t think this is the way two heroes should be acting.”

“A hero? A hero? Don’t you dare tarnish that name further by referring to yourself as such! Blue Petal, in the name of all true heroes, I will end you!”

The Stone Knight roared, and the invisible band played quickly. Blue Petal wished it had been a slow song. A fast tempo guaranteed a fight. The Stone Knight swung his sword and began trading blows with Blue Petal.

Stone Knight:

You’re a hero? Don’t make me laugh.

I have to say on your behalf,

You’ve forgotten everything a hero’s supposed to do!

I can’t believe my eyes.

You are something I despise.

You think that you act noble and behave true?

Somehow, you just can’t see,

Your own inability,

To do the right thing only just because it’s right!

Don’t you see how you act,

With all the fame that you attract?

Well, let me tell you that I find it a horrid sight.

I try to ignore and to be tough,

But I’ve finally had enough,

Of watching you stain our reputation and our name.

No more boasting, no more gloats,

And the displays that it promotes.

The honor of every true hero, I will reclaim!

Blue Petal fought, trading blow for blow, but found herself being pushed back. The Stone Knight definitely knew his swordplay. She could probably beat him if she gave it her all, but she didn’t want to hurt him. He had been right. She hadn’t been acting like a hero at all. She had let her fame blind her to the horrible path she had been walking. The problem was, she had already had this startling revelation in the forest, and apparently, he hadn’t been around to see it.

“Please stop, Mr. Knight,” Blue Petal said as she hopped over a broken chair to gain some ground. “We can talk this over, put aside our differences. Maybe even become friends. I’m sure we’ll be laughing about this by tomorrow. Yikes. You don’t seem ready to start laughing.”

The Stone Knight had stopped his attack. He breathed hard in and out, his body shaking. “Friends?” he spat. “Why would I want to be friends with you? I already know how you treat your friends! I’ve already been tossed aside by you!” The Stone Knight began undoing the straps on his helmet.

“What are you—” Blue Petal's voice caught in her throat when the knight had removed his helmet. She tried her hardest to keep herself from screaming.

The memories came pouring back. Every guilty thought she had chosen to push down deeper and deeper until she had finally forgotten them. Memories of her family. Memories of her home. Memories of everyone who had ever been important to her until she had left them all behind in her misbegotten attempt to become the greatest hero ever known.

Blue Petal remembered her best friend. His face. His name. Every moment they had shared together. She had completed her training at a very young age and set out into the world first. Before she had left, she had made a promise. She promised that she would return a hero and help her friend become just as great as her.

Blue Petal stared at the unicorn across from her with the light-gray coat and charcoal mane. “Palisade.” She could barely even whisper.

“So you finally remember me,” Palisade said.

“I’m so sorry.”

Palisade hesitated for a moment before resuming his attack. Blue Petal fought back her tears. She had to do something, say something, to get Palisade to stop attacking and listen to her.

Blue Petal:

I was a hero, but I can see,

There was something wrong with me.

I understand the way I’ve been actin’ has been wrong!

Let me tell it to you straight,

My own ego, I would inflate.

I was boastful, shameful, and more than a bit headstrong.

This can’t be how it ends.

I want to make amends!

I have learned much from this forest, magical and strange.

I’ve failed these trials, therefore,

A hero I am no more.

Please believe me when I say that I have change’d!

“What do you mean you failed?” Palisade asked, holding his sword at ready but not advancing.

“I have failed the first two trials, and I’m failing this one now. Trial giver! I give up! I am defeated,” Blue Petal yelled.

“Blue Petal... I don’t understand. You realize what this means, don’t you? Memories of everything you’ve done, good or bad, will be erased from the world. It’ll be like you’ve never existed.”

“After what I’ve learned about myself today, being forgotten would be a mercy." Blue Petal forced a smile and raised her chin. "I’ll start over. From the beginning. Do things right this time. My only regret is that, now, you’ll be the one to forget me.”

Blue Petal looked into Palisade’s eyes and saw that the malice in them had faded slightly. At least now, she might have a chance to talk to him and set things right. But then, laughter echoed through the halls. Blue Petal looked for its source and saw the trial giver now appeared to be made from swirling shadows. The music slowed and turned ominous.

Third trial giver:

Perhaps you don’t understand,

All the magics of this land

The spells that bind yourselves to these very halls.

If you wish to leave,

Then my blessing, you must receive,

Which I will not give until your opponent falls.

“Falls?” Blue Petal questioned.

The trial giver laughed once more. “In a word: dead. Now, get back at it. I’d prefer death by multiple stab wounds, but I suppose any type of death will do. Bonus points if you surprise me.”

“You’re crazy! I refuse to keep fighting,” Blue Petal said.

“A-as do I,” Palisade said.

“Do you now?” the trial giver said, turning her eyes on Palisade. “Do you really bear no more ill will towards Blue Petal? Have you forgiven her transgressions so easily?”

Palisade screamed as if he were in pain.

“Palisade?” Blue Petal asked, placing a hoof on his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

Palisade’s sword swung, and Blue Petal barely dodged in time. “Blue Petal... r-run!” Palisade said. “I... can’t stop... myself.”

“Leave him alone!” Blue Petal yelled at the trial giver but received only laughter in return. She tried to use her magic to hold Palisade down but found it blocked. A look behind her confirmed her next suspicion: the hallway she had come from had vanished. It appeared the trial giver wouldn’t allow her rules to be broken.

The music’s tempo picked back up as Palisade charged. His sword came down hard, but Blue Petal managed to deflect it. He attacked relentlessly, and she soon found herself only parrying while she retreated. She had several narrow escapes as she tried to find ways to disarm Palisade without causing him lasting harm. With each failure, her hopes of a peaceful resolution faded. She felt herself starting to tire and knew she had to do something soon. As much as she hated to admit it, she could only see one outcome to this fight: one of them would die.

Palisade’s eyes looked around wildly as his body fought without his control. He seemed to be trying to resist the trial giver’s spell but was having no luck breaking free. “Blue Petal,” he said.

Palisade:

Please take this fight seriously,

Or I’m afraid that it will be,

Your life that is taken from you this night.

It seems it is too late,

This trial is now our fate.

Who becomes a hero will be settled by this fight!

Blue Petal met Palisade’s eyes. She saw all his fear, regrets, loneliness, pain, and hatred. Whether she had meant to or not, she had done this to him. It was almost too much for her to bear. She gritted her teeth and blinked the water from her eyes, focusing with renewed determination. She knew of one way to save her friend.

Blue Petal:

Palisade, listen to me, please!

I know of your worries,

To bear your pain this long has been very brave.

Though the price may be steep,

A promise I will keep.

If only one of us can live, then it’s you, I save!

Blue Petal stepped inside Palisade’s reach and didn’t try to dodge his next sword thrust. She wrapped a foreleg over his back and pulled him into an embrace. He struggled for a moment until he realized what was happening. Then, the tension slowly faded from his body.

“Blue Petal,” Palisade said as he pressed his neck harder against hers. “I couldn’t stop. I—”

“Shh... I forgive you.”

Blue Petal broke the embrace and looked into Palisade’s eyes. It hadn’t been enough. He still had some pain he wasn’t letting go of. She had been so close too. She smiled weakly before collapsing to the floor. Palisade stared down at his fallen friend and the sword protruding from her breastplate.

“No! What have I done?” Palisade said as he pulled his sword from Blue Petal and threw it away.

“You have passed the trial. Congratulations, hero,” the trial giver said with another laugh.

“I’m no hero!” Palisade yelled, looking about wildly. “What kind of hero slays his best friend? I’m a monster! I’m—”

“Palisade,” Blue Petal said weakly. She wasn’t about to let the trial giver undo her work.

Palisade sat down by Blue Petal. He turned her on her back and looked into her eyes. It pained her to see such grief. All the light faded from the room except for one beam shining on them.

Blue Petal sucked in air until it hurt. This could very well be her last breath; she couldn’t afford to waste any of it.

Blue Petal:

Do you know what I want?

What I’d really... like to do?
Palisade:

(Blue Petal, stay with me. I’ll find help.)
Blue Petal:

It’s to apologize... for...

Forgetting about... you.

I’ve... caused so much pain,

Even though I’ve... said sorry.

Can you... find it in your... heart,

To f-forgive... m-... me...?

Palisade wiped his eyes. “It hurt so much seeing what you had become, but it hurt more knowing you had forgotten about me,” he said. “I forgive you. I really do! It shouldn’t have ended this way. I went too far. I’m sorry.”

Blue Petal stared up with half-open eyes and saw the friend she remembered staring back. She smiled as her vision began to fade away into darkness. She had helped one last pony before she went.

Palisade wrapped one foreleg behind her neck and slowly lowered his mouth towards hers.

“Snips?” Apple Bloom whispered before his lips got too close. “I know in the stories that Blue Petal and Palisade went on to fall in love, but I swear, if you kiss me instead of huggin’, I will buck you so hard in the face that you’ll be eatin’ all your meals through a straw for the next month. Got that?”

Snips gulped. He loosely hugged Apple Bloom and pulled away in a hurry.

With one last hug, Blue Petal closed her eyes and waited to fade away. Much to her relief, it was apparently true that you stopped feeling pain when dieing. Good thing too. That sword had hurt a lot.

Blue Petal turned her thoughts to Palisade and her happiness for him. He would go on to be a great hero. Maybe she would get a memorial for this? Nothing big, though. Just a simple plaque that read something like, “Here lies Blue Petal, yadda yadda yadda. Died to save her friend, blah blah blah.”

How long did it normally take to die, anyway? Blue Petal felt she might have closed her eyes too soon. She would just feel silly if she opened them again, though.

“This is really touching, but you can both get up now,” a voice said.

Blue Petal gasped for air as she opened her eyes. She and Palisade were back in the forest with the keeper standing over them. Blue Petal rolled out of his forelegs and got up. Her hoof went to her breastplate, finding the puncture missing. “My wound is gone!” She turned to Palisade and hugged him harder than before.

“Congratulations, Blue Petal. Congratulations, Palisade,” the keeper said, smiling. “You have both passed the Trials of the Hero.”

“We did?” Blue Petal asked as she broke the hug. “But, I thought—Ooooh... it was one of those ‘say you’re testing one thing, but you’re actually testing another thing’ deals. Very clever, keeper.”

The keeper blushed and nodded. “Yes, I gave you trials to test for responsibility, compassion, and acceptance. With one extra lesson at the end. To teach forgiveness.”

“I’m... I’m a bit embarrassed that I had to be taught those lessons,” Palisade said.

“Me too,” Blue Petal said. “I can’t believe how selfish I became once I got famous. I won’t be makin’ that mistake again. You can count on it. There’s just one thing I have to say about this whole experience though." She turned her eyes innocently on the keeper. "Ow! Did I really need to get stabbed to learn a lesson?”

The keeper’s ears flattened as she took a step back. “Uh, well... s-sometimes pain is an excellent teacher?”

“I was dying!”

“Um... sometimes death is an excellent teacher?”

“Kinda hard to learn much when you’re dead. ’Cept maybe what you should have done differently, so that you didn’t wind up dead in the first place.”

“I'm sorry about what you two were put through,” the keeper said while shuffling a hoof, "but I really wouldn't have let either of you die."

After deciding she had teased the keeper enough, Blue Petal broke into a smile. “I know. I’m just giving you a hard time. Thanks, keeper. I mean that.”

The keeper looked relieved until she noticed Blue Petal squinting at her. “Is... everything alright?”

“I still can’t get over the feeling that I’ve seen you before.”

“Perhaps you remember my picture from the story books?”

“From the story books?” Blue Petal asked, then gasped. She bowed low and kicked Palisade when she noticed he wasn’t bowing too.

“What was that for?” Palisade asked, rubbing his foreleg.

“This is one of the First Heroes,” Blue Petal hissed. It took another kick for him to finally show some respect. She turned back to the spirit and lowered her head to the ground. “Thank you for returning from the great beyond to show us the way, Lady... oh no! I’m so sorry, hero. I can’t remember your name!”

“Nopony alive still remembers my name,” the spirit said. “I made sure of that. Besides, I would rather be remembered for my deeds. Now, stop bowing before me. It’s embarrassing. I’m not that special.”

“Not that special?” Blue Petal asked, rising. “You and your friends pushed back the darkness and saved the world!”

“Yes, Blue Petal, not that special, because we didn’t do a very good job of stopping the darkness. It is returning, and, in a few more years, it will be free. The spirits of the other First Heroes and I have been seeking out potential candidates to lead the fight. The others thought you and Palisade too far gone, but I had hoped to bring you back. I created this forest and these trials, then guided you to them, with hopes of redeeming you. I’m pleased that you both did an excellent job proving me right.”

Blue Petal looked at the forest around her. “So, is this place some kind of illusion?” she asked, kicking a small rock.

“Sort of. It’s actually a dream the both of you are sharing.”

Blue Petal smiled and nodded knowingly. “Now things make sense. The valley, the village, this forest. It was all a dream!”

“Actually, just the forest isn’t real. You really did come to the valley and stay briefly at Happy Village. I just had the villagers let you know about a Forest of Trials so that you would go looking for it. That way, I could more easily put you into an enchanted sleep.”

“Wait a second...” Blue Petal said, frowning. “I’m not zonked out in the middle of some field somewhere, am I?”

The spirit grinned sheepishly. “Uh...”

Blue Petal stared flatly at the spirit, who refused to meet her gaze. “I am, aren’t I?”

“Maybe...”

With a hoof on her forehead, Blue Petal sighed. The spirit at least had the decency to look embarrassed. “So long as I’m not in an embarrassing pose or covered in caterpillars, I guess I forgive you,” Blue Petal said.

“Don’t worry, you aren’t. Goodbye, you two. It’s time to wake up. Remember, the world will need you in a few years. So don’t slack off!”

The spirit waved goodbye as the world faded away to black.

***

Blue Petal woke from her sleep to find herself lying in an open field of tall grass. She grumbled as she rose to her hooves, squinting her eyes against the offending light of the morning sun. Happy Village stood off in the distance. Only a few minutes jog, by her estimates. A nearby noise got her attention. She turned to see Palisade lying near her, also waking up. They looked at each other, sharing a smile. Today was going to be a wonderful day. She could feel it. Judging by the light-hearted and inviting music coming from the invisible band, they could feel it too.

Blue Petal:

Palisade,

Come look and see!

All around you. I think you’ll agree.

It’s a wonderful day. I have never felt so aliiiive!

Come with me,

There’s much to do.

A brand-new day for us to pursue.

So much to make up for. I feel like I’ve been reviiiive’d!

Palisade got up and stood next to Blue Petal. He looked around with a sense of wonder on his face.

Palisade:

You are right,

I feel it too.

A brand-new beginning for me and you.

The weights have been lifted. I feel as if I have been freeeeed!

Here, we go.

Look at us now.

Thank you, spirit. You’ve saved us somehow.

We’ll remember your lessons. We’ll be sure to suceeeeed.

Both:

I can’t wait to let everyone seeeee,

The new hero who is meeee.

Today is going to beeeeeee! — A wonderful day!

Blue Petal and Palisade laughed as they ran through the grass. The fields rushed by like a painted background carried by a pair of ninja fillies, and soon they arrived in the middle of the village. They waved to all the ponies going about their morning business.

“Hello, Happy Village!” Blue Petal shouted.

“Well, hello again, big-time hero,” Village Greeter answered.

Blue Petal winced and hoped her cheeks weren’t too red. “Please don’t call me that. I wasn’t thinkin’ right when I made that title. Just call me Blue Petal.”

“As you wish, Blue Petal.”

Village Greeter:

I can feel it everywhere — it’s a wonderful daaaay!

No matter if things go wrong, it will be okaaaay.

Lady Blue Petal, you’re looking fair.

I must say you two make quite a pair.

I can feel it everywheeeeeeere — a wonderful day!

I hope you’ve enjoyed your time spent in this valleyyyy!

It seemed you had a lot stuck on your miiiind.

I know that we villagers may just be-sim-ple-folk,

But, we still know how to relax and to unwiiiind.

Blue Petal laughed. “It has been a long time since I relaxed. It felt good,” she said and then cast her eyes downward. “I’m sorry about before. I really am here to help if needed.”

“I need help!” a filly yelled as she ran up to the heroes. “My cat is stuck in a tree again!”

“I’ll handle this one, Blue Petal,” Palisade said. He walked off with the smiling filly.

Blue Petal continued trotting down the street until she came to the inn she had stayed at before. The innkeeper stood outside the door but no longer looked hostile. Instead, she waved to Blue Petal and gave a friendly smile.

Innkeeper:

What we have here — is a wonderful daaaay!

Let me know if you ever need a place to staaaay!

I’m glad your head is finally clear.

And I do mean that most sincere.

I know what we have heeeeeeere — a wonderful day!

I see now what it is that makes you speciiiaal.

Your ability to overcome the trials that you faaaace.

I was a little worried that you would-not-re-turn,

But, I’m glad you found the virtues that you misplaaaace’d.

“So am I,” Blue Petal said. “Thank you for telling me about the Forest of Trials. I needed that.”

“My pleasure,” the innkeeper said, walking back inside her inn.

“Bees! So many bees!” a panicked pony yelled.

Blue Petal rolled her eyes. How could one pony really have this much trouble with some lousy bees? She held up a hoof to stop the pony from running, walked to his side, and glared angrily into his mane.

“Hey, you bees!” Blue Petal yelled. “You get out of this pony’s mane this instant! Don’t you dare buzz at me! I’ll come in there and force you out myself if I have to!”

The pony stood rigid as the bees flew out of his mane. He carefully reached a hoof behind his neck, a smile spreading across his face. “Thank you. You don’t know h—”

“And as for you!”

The pony shut his mouth and gulped.

Blue Petal lowered her voice and spoke gently. “I know it might smell nice, but things like this wouldn’t happen if you stopped using a honey-based shampoo.”

“Right. Sorry to cause trouble,” the pony said before shuffling away.

Blue Petal:

Today is going to be — such a wonderful daaaay!

So much left to do, but it’ll be goin’ my waaaay.

It feels like my mind is finally free.

It took a while, but I can see,

Today is going to beeeeeee — a wonderful day!

Though I may have found what makes a heroooo.

I still have past actions to be undoooone.

There are many ponies that need an a-po-lo-gy.

Starting with my hometown as number oooone.

After rounding a building's corner, Palisade shot past Blue Petal with a cat wrapped around his head. “Sharp claws! Sharp claws!” he yelled with a higher-pitched voice.

“Help!” the filly chasing Palisade yelled. “My cat is being stolen!”

Blue Petal stepped in front of Palisade as he came back around and blocked his path. She poked the cat gently with her horn, causing it to hop off into the filly’s waiting forelegs.

“Are you okay?” Blue Petal asked.

Palisade stopped panting and looked at Blue Petal. “I am now.”

What must have been every pony in the village gather around the heroes. It looked like this was the big finale.

All:

It’s so very true — this is a wonderful daaaay!

The heroes are back on the path, after being led astraaaay!

Blue Petal and Palisade (To each other):

There is so much to do.

Now that I’ve re-found you.

All:

Just watch and you will seeeee, (A Wonderful!)

With one hundred percent certaintyyyy, (A Wonderful!)

Today is going to beeeeeee!

A won-der-ful daaaaaaaaaay!

The final note cut off, and the curtain closed. Apple Bloom’s heart pounded as she grinned. They had done it. It was over. Sure, there had been a few mistakes, but the audience must have enjoyed it with how loudly they cheered.

Every filly and colt that had been part of the production came on stage and lined up in a row. They quietly congratulated each other on a job well done. Apple Bloom looked down the line at her friends, who smiled back at her. She noticed Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon standing at the end as if they hadn’t abandoned the play in the middle. Apple Bloom decided to ignore them like always. They may have been jerks, but they still deserved credit for what little they did. Just so long as they didn’t try anything funny.

The curtains opened once more to renewed applause. The students bowed and smiled at the audience.

Cheerilee came up on stage. Her face beamed with happiness as she looked at all her students proudly. She held up a hoof, and the audience quieted.

“And so ends our story,” Cheerilee said. “Blue Petal and Palisade went on to have many more adventures, but always on their minds were the words of warning from the spirit. They knew they had to prepare for the return of the darkness. However, that is a story for another day.

“Thank you, everypony for your show of support! We hope you enjoyed this year’s performance. Now, let’s give another round of applause for our actors, stage crew, musicians, and everypony else that made tonight possible!”

The students bowed once more to the thundering sound of cheering and applause. Apple Bloom listened hard and then let her grin grow even wider when she made out the voice of her sister, who was hollering just loudly enough to be heard over the rest of the commotion. Apple Bloom felt like she could stand there for hours, but before she knew it, the moment had ended, and the curtains fell for the final time that night.

With the play finally over, all the nervous, excited energy released itself in a torrent of conversations. Several of her classmates came by to congratulate Apple Boom on her performance or compliment her on her singing. She congratulated each of them back, and slowly made her way off to the side to join up with her friends.

“It’s over. We did it!” Sweetie Belle announced with a smile.

“Yeah. We sure did,” Apple Bloom said, then reached up to slip off her plastic horn. “I’m just glad I can finally take this dress off.” She sat down and slid the caparison up over her head. Truth be told, the costume wasn’t as bad as she made it out to be. If she got to keep it, it might even make a decent Nightmare Night costume.

As Apple Bloom set her caparison, sword, and horn down on a table, she noticed that Scootaloo was still as ninja’d up as ever.

“Gee, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom said, “with the way you went on tonight, I thought you’d be outta those clothes as soon as the curtain hit the floor.”

Scootaloo looked away and grumbled something.

“What was that?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I said I can’t take them off,” Scootaloo said and sighed. “I’ve sweat so much that it shrunk, and I think it might have also permanently bonded to my coat. I’m really hoping that scissors will be enough to get it off.” She must have noticed the smirk on Apple Bloom’s face since she added, “And don’t either of you even think about laughing. This is seriously uncomfortable.”

“Okay, okay,” Apple Bloom said, “I’ll try not to. But you hafta admit it’s a little funny.”

Sweetie Belle giggled, then quickly covered her lips. “I, uh, I think I remember seeing some scissors back by where the props were stored between sets. We should go check it out.”

However, before they could act on their plan, they heard the voice of Cheerilee saying, “Attention, everypony! I have some good news for all of you!”

The students stopped whatever they were doing and lined up in a semicircle around their teacher. Once everyone was accounted for, Cheerilee continued, “I’ve just finished speaking with a certain somepony, and she was so impressed with the wonderful job you’ve all done tonight that she’s decided to throw all of you an ice cream party at Sugarcube Corner!”

The news went over as expected with everypony chatting at once. Flavors were discussed and a few bets were made over who could eat the most, with Snips announcing that of course the Stone Knight would defeat any challenger. Cheerilee clearing her throat brought everyone’s attention back to her.

“However, before we leave,” she said calmly, “I believe we have two fillies that have something they would like to say to us all.”

Cheerilee stepped back to make room for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon to walk forward. They both kept their heads down, and appeared to be trying their hardest not to glance at their fellow students. That is, except for one brief moment where Diamond Tiara met Apple Bloom’s eyes and instantly looked away.

They stood together as the center of attention under the scrutinizing stares of their peers. It took a few false starts, but they finally managed to get out a, “We’re sorry.”

“We shouldn’t have left before the play was over,” Diamond Tiara said.

“Sorry for any trouble we caused,” Silver Spoon added.

Apple Bloom looked around at her classmates. Some nodded and seemed to accept the apology while others just rolled their eyes. She then notice that somepony was approaching and turned to find Diamond Tiara in front of her.

Diamond Tiara bit her lower lip and didn’t make eye contact. She glance over her shoulder at Cheerilee, who smiled and nodded once, somehow both friendly and firmly at the same time.

“Apple Bloom? I...” Diamond Tiara began, then took a deep breath before blurting out, “I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have made fun of you. It was wrong of me.”

Apple Bloom stared back. She could feel every eye in the room on her, waiting for her response. There were several things she could have replied with—though, most of them she would never have said out loud since they would have gotten her in trouble—but there was one response that came to her mind that seemed more right than the others.

“Thanks for appologin’,” Apple Bloom said. “I forgive you.”

Diamond Tiara blinked and took a step back. She stared blankly for a moment and then stuttered, “Oh, w-well... good. Thank... thank you.”

With the apology over, the students began breaking off to complete their leftover tasks quickly in order to get to the party as soon as possible. Apple Bloom watched Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon as they walked towards the exit and talked loudly about how they were going to get to Sugarcube Corner first so they could get the best seats. Right before they went out the door, Diamond Tiara slowed her pace, glanced once at Apple Bloom, then hurried on.

“I can’t believe you let her off so easily,” Scootaloo said.

“Yeah, well...” Apple Bloom mumbled. She was a little surprised as well. “Maybe Dinky was right, and we should be listening to some of the lessons that were in the play.” She quickly shook her head and added, “I dunno, at least she’ll probably feel guilty enough that she’ll leave us alone for a couple-a weeks.”

“You got that right. Now come on. I need to find those scissors before this outfit gets any tighter!” Scootaloo yelled, then half-stumbled, half-trotted away in her shrunken outfit.

Sweetie Belle stifled another giggle and said, “You know what I think?” She glanced out the corner of her eye at Apple Bloom. “I think maybe a little bit of pretending to be Blue Petal has rubbed off on you.”

“Eh, maybe.” Apple Bloom shrugged, but still felt a little heat coming to her cheeks. “I guess I’ve just been inna heroic mindset tonight."

"Come on, you slow pokes!" Scootaloo shouted back. "Let’s hurry up and free me. You know Snips and Snails are going to end up eating themselves into an ice cream coma again, and we can’t miss that.”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle laughed as they chased after their friend. This had already been a night to remember, and there was still more fun to come.