The Favor that Changed it All

After a slow, groggy morning start Esbin wrapped his scarf around his neck, Margret packed Esbins saddlebag with his lunch and several school supplies to get him started for the day. Charles was waiting for his son at the front door as Esbin tried to get his coat on before heading out. As Esbin walked up to his dad, Charles asked, “Are you sure you’re ready for school Esbin?”

Esbin put on a smile and said, “Sure thing dad.” Deep down inside he really didn’t want to go to school, but he was still able to convince his father that he was alright.

As they trotted through the layer of snow the fell overnight, Esbin noticed several young ponies playing outside the school house; some were playing tag, going on the swings, and were having a snowball fight. Just then the bell at the top of the school house began to ring and all of the students grudgingly head inside.

“Alright kiddo,” Charles said the Esbin, “better head in or you’ll be late. And remember, just because it’s your first day of school, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be the worst day of your life. Mommy will pick up after school at two o’clock.”

Esbin looked up to his dad, nodded and said, “Okay dad, if you say so.” He started to trot over to the school entrance before he heard his father call out to him while he was halfway to the door.

“Esbin,” Charles called out. “I love you.”

Esbin stopped in his tracks to see that some of the student had heard his father say that. “I…I…,” Esbin stammered as he saw the other children chuckling at him, “I love you too dad.” Charles smiled in happiness while the students behind Esbin laughed at his embarrassment. “This is going to be the worst day EVER.”

~~~~~~~~

“Alright my little ponies,” the teacher, Miss Cheerilee, said to the class, “we have a new student in the class so let’s give him a little round of applause, shall we?” Most of the class clapped to the new student that made his way up to the front of the room, while some chuckled quietly to themselves. When Esbin finally made to the front he felt as stiff as a stone statue. “Why don’t you introduce yourself little one,” Cheerilee asked, “Just tell us your name and where you’re from before you and your family came to Ponyville.”

Esbin stared at the class in front of him; he could feel drops of sweat drip from his temples. When finally he spoke, his voice a little loader than a whisper. “Hel….Hello. My name is Esbin Hoofin and I’m… I’m from Canterlot.” A handful of the students gasped in surprise by Esbin statement. Suddenly Esbin felt the sense of embarrassment die away and started to feel more comfortable about the class. “This might not be so bad after all."

Throughout the course of most of the school day things went pretty easy for Esbin, apart from during one of the times he was called to solve a math problem on the chalkboard - he felt that somepony stuck his or hers hoof out and tripped him. On his way back after solving the problem somepony laid a tack on his chair as he sat down, causing him to cry in pain. Esbin didn’t know if this was kind of a weird joke or somepony really hated him. He would soon find out.

When the bell for recess started all of the students ran out to play, but Esbin took his time walking up, as he was still recovering from is tack injury. He couldn’t help to feel that he was being watched...

On the other side of the playground two fillies stared hatefully at the new student; one was a pink with a tiara on her head and the other was a silvery grey with glasses. “Like, how dare that stupid uptight colt steal our attention,” Diamond Tiara huffed, “Daddy just bought me this brand new coat for this winter and no pony paying attention to it!”

Silver Spoon glared at Esbin and said, “He probably thinks he’s so special. Who is he trying to fool? He’s probably just a third class popper. I bet his mommy made him that stupid saddlebag of his.” Suddenly Diamond Tiara came up of a devilish idea and began to whisper her idea to Silver spoon who began to grin as well.

~~~~~~~~

“Did any of ya see anythin’,” Apple Bloom asked her friends.

“All I saw was that little colt bawling his eyes out.” Scootaloo laughed to herself.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle glared at the orange pegasus with disapproval. “What I’m just saying he needs to tough it out, that’s all.”

Sweetie Belle gently nudged Scootaloo on the shoulder and said in a sarcastic tone, “Seriously. We should go introduce ourselves to him and try to make friends with him.”

“What did he say his name was again? Ah couldn’t quite hear 'im.” Apple Bloom asked.

“I think he said name was Benson, or something like that.” Scootaloo said.

“Nah, ah think it started with an E.” Apple Bloom corrected her.

“I really wish that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon didn’t trip him and stick that tack on his chair; poor guy must feel so embarrassed. We should have told Miss Cheerilee that we saw someth…” Sweetie Belle began to trail off.

“Ah’m tellin' y’all he can be as tough as mah big sis if y’all give him a chance.” Apple Bloom said, trying to defend Esbins honor.

“Are you kidding?! The kid needs somepony to watch over like a bodyguard. Actually, that might just be a great idea for a cutie mark talent.” Scootaloo said.

“Um…girls.” Sweetie Belle spoke.

“How would that get us a cutie mark?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Think about it. Colts can’t beat us up and girly fillies would think twice about messing with us,” Scootaloo explained.

“Girls,” Sweetie Belle spoke again.

“Ah can see how that could work, but how would the mark look like anyway?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Who care what it would look like?” Scootaloo asked.

“Ah do for starters!” Apple Bloom answered.

“GIRLS!” Sweetie Belle Shouted, finally breaking her friends' conversation.

“WHAT?!” both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo asked simultaneously.

Sweetie Belle pointed the two fillies on the other side of the playground that were walking over to Esbin, who was just standing in the middle of the playground looking for a place to sit. “What do y’all think those two are up to?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Whatever they’re gonna do,” Sweetie Belle said, “it can’t be any good that’s for sure. Come on.”

Esbin looked around the playground, deciding what to do for recess; he wanted to go on the swings, but they were all full up. He thought about joining somepony in a snowball fight, but then his opponent might be the mystery pony that seemed to hate him. Finally he thought about just sitting down on one of the benches and enjoy the lunch his mom made him - but then a sharp reminder quickly changed his mind, as well as rubs the sore spot on his rump. Esbin entertained the idea for a moment before deciding head back inside the school, but just as he turned somepony called out from behind him.

“HEY YOU,” Diamond Tiara shouted. Esbin froze in his tracks for a moment, then slowly turned around to see two fillies walking up to him with disapproval written clearly across their features. “Like, come here for a sec,” Diamond Tiara said in a friendlier tone. “Where ya going? Don’t you wanna play?”

Esbins eyes flicked from left to right while he tried to come up with an excuse to head back inside the school. “I was um…um…trying to um…” Esbin stammered. “Just ask Miss Cheerliee about something, that’s all.”

“But we wanted ask something about you,” Silver Spoon replied.

“You do?” Esbin asked with concern.

“Yeah, like where did you get the awesome saddlebag, it looks so much cooler than mine.” Diamond Tiara asked.

Esbin relaxed a bit at the question and answered, “My mommy made it herself for me on my birthday. She said, ‘I made it with a lot of love and care.’” Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon nearly busted out laughing for Esbins answer.

“Oh we were just wondering if she did it blindfolded or has stained it with her vomit for that disgusting color.” Diamond Tiara insulted.

“Well she… wait what?”

“Quite frankly, we weren’t sure is it was grass stained it or just sneezed on it and used it as a handkerchief,” Silver Spoon said, adding insult to injury, “It so doesn’t matches your coat.”

Esbins eyes started to well up with tears as the insults continued, his two tormentors carring on until he finally dropped to the ground completely heartbroken. Diamond Tiara walked up in front of him and said in a fake sympathetic tone, “Awww don’t cry. It’s not your fault that your parents had to move here because of you, it just because that don’t love that’s all.”

“That’s not true! My mommy and daddy love me very much! And my parents probably love me more than your parents love you!” Esbin yelled out from his tears.

“Wha…What did you just say to me?!” Diamond Tiara asked with a mixture of anger and shock.

Esbin backed away a little and said, “You heard me.” Silver Spoon gasped as Diamond Tiara stood there with her mouth agape her face turned from her usual pink color to a pale pink, then turning into boiling red. Instead of blowing her top, she tried to think of a more humiliating insult but she struggled to keep her cool.

“You…you…YOU,” Diamond Tiara started; Esbin backed away even more covering his face with his front hooves, afraid of what she might do or say.

“Hey! Leave him alone!” Sweetie Belle called out. As Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon turned around to see the newcomer. Esbin shakily moved to peer past the two aggressors and saw three fillies about his age standing up against the bullies.

“Well, well, well, look who it is! if it isn’t the Blank Flank Crusaders.” Silver Spoon mocked.

“What do you three losers want?” Diamond Tiara asked with annoyance.

“Me and mah pals want y’all tah stop messin' with whats-'is-name.” Apple Bloom ordered.

“Hmph, fat chance blank flank.” Silver Spoon shouted.

“You keep talking like that you’re gonna get it.” Scootaloo warned with a glare.

“Yeah, you tell her Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle cheered her friend.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon began to falter when they realize that they were outnumbered, until Diamond Tiara came up with another devilish idea. “Well if that’s how it’s gonna be, I guess that will just…” Diamond Tiara suddenly gasped and pointed behind the young Crusaders shouted, “What in the name of Equestria is that?!” The three fillies quickly turned around long enough for Diamond Tiara to snatch Esbin's saddlebag with her hooves and shouted, “Keep away!” Silver Spoon dashed around the other fillies and Diamond Tiara tossed the saddlebag in to the cool air over her friend.

“Hey,” Esbin shouted in distress. “give that back! It’s mine!” He picked himself off from the snowy ground and went after Silver Spoon who caught the saddlebag at the last minute. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle galloped alongside Esbin to help retrieve his saddlebag, while Scootaloo stayed close to Diamond Tiara to make she didn’t catch it the next time.

Silver Spoon dodged all of the lunges at the bags as best she could until she heard Diamond Tiara call out while waving her hoofs in the air, “Over here! I’m open, I’m open!” Silver Spoon heaved the bags with a heave over her friend, so Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle broke off and began running over to Diamond Tiara. Instead of sticking with Silver Spoon, Esbin thought ahead and broke toward the jungle gym. The bags flew in the air before they were caught by Diamond Tiara who just nearly got bumped aside by Scootaloo; she began to edge ahead of the orange pegasus and suddenly noticed a yellow earth pony and a white unicorn covering her on both sides, with still Scootaloo right behind her.

All three of the Crusaders having boxed in Diamond Tiara, they lurched down as they be began to jump on the pink pony at once. Without thinking, Diamond Tiara threw the saddlebags straight up into the air and ducked as low as she could under Apple Bloom at the very moment she and her friends jumped. The three fillies, without even realizing what happened, suddenly crashed into each other and fell to the snow-covered ground. The green saddlebag fell right on top of the filly pile with a 'plop'; Silver Spoon idly scooped up the bags and set them on her back, giggling along with Diqamon Tiara at the sight of the filly mish-mash.

“Like, you blank flanks look ridiculous right now, I mean seriously.” Diamond Tiara laughed.

“Yeah I’m never gonna let you live this down,” Silver Spoon laughed, nearly in tears of mirth.

It was hard to admit, it was rather embarresing. The two fillies continued laughing at the clutter of ponies in front of them until Silver Spoon paused and asked, “Hey, where is the other dweeb that we were picking on anyway?” Both Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon looked around, but saw neither hide nor hair of Esbin.

Diamond Tiara shrugged and said, “I guess he ran off to go get his mommy and daddy.” They both started to laugh again. Silver Spoon opened Esbin's saddlebag to see if there was anything worth taking, and it wasn’t until the very last second when Diamond Tiara noticed the brown colored colt charging right at them shouting at the top of his lungs, “GIVE ME BACK MY SADDLEBAG!”

Esbin crashed into Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara, forcing them right up to the wooden fence that surrounded the playground. The fillies managed to stay inside the playground, but Esbin on the other hoof flopped right to the outside of the fence and down a hill along with his saddlebag. The Crusaders watched in shock as they picked themselves up and ran to the fence, only to see Esbin lying face-down in the snow about two pontlengths from a frozen lake at the bottom of the hill. Before Apple Bloom could ask if Esbin was alright, all three of them were spooked by Diamond Tiara sudden screaming. “My hair,” Diamond Tiara wailed. “YOU RUINED MY PRECIOUS HAIR! I’M SO GONNA GET YOU FOR THIS YOU BLANK FLANK!” She and Silver Spoon began to run off.

“Y’all okay haystack,” Apple Bloom called out, “that was some tumble ya had there.”

Esbin pulled his head out of the snow and spat out a mouthful cold mud from around the edge of the lake before saying, “Bleh. Yah, I think so. I don’t …wait! Where’s my saddlebag?!”

He scanned around him and didn’t see his bags anywhere, and then he heard Scootaloo shout, “Over there!” She pointed out toward the center of the frozen lake; Esbin's eyes widened in shock at seeing that his saddlebag had landed so far out.

“Don’t worry we’ll find somepony that can help,” Sweetie Belle said. “Maybe we can go get Twilight or maybe even… Hey what are you doing?!” Esbin had dashed onto the frozen lake without even giving himself time to think. His hooves twisting and swaying on the slick surface of the ice, he occasionally fell before getting back up and doggedly forging on
.

The fillies couldn’t believe what they were seeing; they called out to Esbin to come and forget about his saddlebag, but he just ignored them and continued making his way over to his bag. He didn’t even notice the small cracks beginning to form under him... until he suddenly slipped and started too slide over to where his saddlebag had come to a stop. Esbin screwed his eyes shut until he stopped moving; opening his eyes and saw that his bag was right next to him. He smiled as he picked his saddlebag and flung it onto his back. With a proud smile still on his face he began to make his way back, when about halfway one of his front hooves stepped right through the ice; the chilling pain from the frigid waters hit him like a hammerblow. He pulled his hoof out from the icy hole only to find that one of his rear hooves getting stuck as well.

Esbin panicked and began trotting as fast as he could to the edge of the lake, only to let out a panicked yell as a large patch of ice broke off from the rest of the sheet and rose into a sharp slant, dumping him into the freezing ice water. Esbin let out a breathless gasp as he felt the sharp cold water washing around him; the water soaked into his saddlebag and began to add more weight to the weakening colt's burben as he flailed his hooves, trying to grab hold of anything nearby.

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were still in complete shock, seemingly frozen in place at the fence-side. “HELP,” Esbin cried out. “Somepony, anypony please HELP ME, I CAN’T SWIM!”

“Come on girls,” Apple Bloom yelled, snapping out of the terror they were witnessing, “we gotta save whats-'is-face and fast!”

She and her friend nodded to each other and simultaneously cheered out, “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS ICE LAKE RESCUERS!!!” The fillies slid down the muddy hill and carefully trotted over around the lake.

“Hang in the haystack,” Apple Bloom called out. “We're gonna get ya out this mess!” While Esbin desperately tried to keep his head from going under, Scootaloo reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a length of rope. She then handed the rope over to Apple Bloom, who quickly made a lasso from it. Apple Bloom twirled it around and around above her head before flinging it as far as she could towards Esbin; the loop landed only inches away from Esbins hooves. Esbin spotted the rope floating on the surface and drew whatever energy he had left in him to kick his back legs and grab onto the lasso loop with his teeth before it sank under the surface.

“Gotth itt,” Esbin shouted through the rope, “pull mee bcckk!”

As soon as Apple Bloom ordered, “Y'all heard 'im girls, pull 'im out!” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo lined up a few steps from each other,grabbed hold of an even length of rope and began to pull.

“One, two, one, two, one, two.” Apple Bloom repeated, trying to keep a rhythm going.

“Hey Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Why did you have this coil rope in you saddlebag anyway?”

“Remember that one time we tried mountain climbing for our cutie marks?” Scootaloo replied.

“Oh yeah that’s right.” Sweetie Belle said brightly.

“Would y'all quit yer yappin' and help me!” Apple Bloom snapped. The fillies stopped their chatting and continued pulling in the freezing colt at the end of the line, who was starting to black out as he was a few hooflengths away from reaching the edge of the lake.

The world around Esbin began to fade in and out until eventually all he saw was complete blackness. He let go of the lasso in his teeth and with his last conscious thought cried out, "Mommy!”

“Oh sweet Celestia,” Apple Bloom cried. “he let go of the darn rope!” All of the fillies dropped the rope and sprinted the short distance to the lake edge to dive into the frigid waters; they reached out for the limp foreleg that begun to sink beneath the waters. All three grabbed hold of the frozen colt and began to swim back to the surface; as came up for air they gasped with relief for a few moments before soon making thier way back to the edge of the lake.

They finally slowly dragged themselves and their burben way out of the lake, all four of them shivering from the cold - but Esbin was shaking to his very core. They made their way up to the path that lead to the top of the hill; about halfway up Esbin woke up with a sharp gasp and started flailing his limbs like he was still trying to swim, crying out, “Mommy Daddy HELP ME!”

“Whoa whoa whoa, take it easy,” Sweetie Belle soothed, trying to calm Esbin, “It’s alright everything’s gonna be okay.”

Esbin looked around him and saw that he was surrounded by the most beautiful fillies he had ever seen. He was almost too shocked to say anything but he managed to force out, “Who…who are you three?” Sweetie Belle and the others traded puzzled looks before answering.

“Name's Apple Bloom,” the yellow earth pony answered.

“I’m Scootaloo,” the orange pegasus pony added.

“I’m Sweetie Belle,” the white unicorn cheered.

“And we’re,” all three of them said in unison, “THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!”

“The…what now?” Esbin asked.

“The Cutie Mark Crusaders-” Apple Bloom answered.

“Were on the quest for our cutie marks-” Sweetie Belle continued.

“And we won’t stop until we get them!” Scootaloo finished.

Esbin looked in confusion, as they spun around to show their flanks only to revile that they were sill bare. “Aw come on!” Sweetie Belle yelled.

“I thought for sure that we would get our cutie marks for rescuing you,” Scootaloo groaned.

Before any of them could say another word, Esbin jumped up and pulled all three of the fillies in to a huge bear hug, all of the winter chill that had afflicted him suddenly vanishing in an instant and started to feel warm again. All the while he said at the top of his lungs, “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.” The fillies started to feel crushed by the young colt's grip, while Esbin realized that he was hugging them for a little too long and quickly released the Crusaders. “Hey, you know what,” Esbin continued, “since you three saved my life, I guess I own you all a favor.”

“Wow Seriously!” Scootaloo exclaimed.

“That’s what I call a real gentlecolt.” Sweetie Belle replied with a cute smile.

“Boy ah’ll say that’s mighty generous of ya um… um, ah’m sorry ah don’t think ah’ve heard yer name durin' class this mornin'.” Apple Bloom asked.

“Oh, my name? My name is Esbin Hoofwin.” Esbin answered.

“Esbin Hoofwin, hhhmmm, that’s aaa…” Scootaloo tried to think of a compliment.

“That sounds about right from somepony from Canterlot.” Sweetie Belle supplied.

“Ya know, ya don’t strike me as one of them fancy pants folks, bein' all up tight, spit sposh, havin' a snooty accent and a fancy lookin' cutie mark. No offense.” Apple Bloom confessed.

“None taken and on the contrary,” Esbin said as he turned to the side to reveal his flank, “I’m a blank flank too.”

“NO WAY!” the cutie mark Crusaders said at one.

“You should join us!” Apple Bloom cheered.

“M…me, being a Cutie Mark Crusader? That sounds like a plan! If the favour for saving my life is joining you three, I'm happy to! In fact I…” Esbin agreed with excitement, until…

“There they are Miss Cheerilee,” a familiar voice called out from on top of the hill, “I told you those bullies were messing that new colt Esbin.” Diamond Tiara pointed a hoof down at the three fillies standing behind the shivering colt, with Miss Cheerilee following behind Silver Spoon, let out a gasp of horror.

“Oh my stars,” Cheerilee was shocked; Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon grinned as their teacher cantered past them and up to the four ponies , “What in good heavens happen to you all?!”

Apple Bloom and her friends tried to explain what happened with mixed success, until Esbin said, “It’s not their fault Miss Cheerilee. It’s those two fillies' fault were like this! They were bulling me and these three fillies came to save me, but that pink one stole my bags I charged at them and then, they fell on the ice and went after it, but the ice broke and I fell in and would have drowned if it wasn't for my friends here." He paused to take a huge breath after such a rushed explanation, giving Scootaloo the opportunity to interject.

“It’s true!” Scootaloo said, “He said that he couldn’t swim so needed to help him!”

Cheerilee's mouth was agape after hearing Esbin's story and she angrily glared at Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara who were caught in the act of backing away. “Girls!” Miss Cheerilee called out before the two fillies run off.

“Yes, Miss Cheerilee?” Diamond Tiara asked nervously.

“Meet me at the school house when I get back; I'll have to think of a punishment for you two and I’m certain that both your parents will very displease with what you’ve done today.” Cheerilee said in a disapproving tone.

“But…but…but,” Diamond Tiara tried to come up with another excuse but couldn’t.

“No buts. You are to stay after class and wait for your parents arrive!” Cheerilee ordered.

The two fillies hung their heads in defeat and walked back to class just as the bell tower began to ring to let the children know recess was over. “And as for you three,” Cheerilee continued, turning to the Cutie Mark Crusaders who looked apprehansive at the thought they were in trouble now, “that was a very brave thing you all did, risking your lives to save another in distress. But just look at yourselves, your soaked to the bone! Lets head inside before you all catch your death, especially you Esbin.”

Esbin sneezed and sniffled as he trotted alongside his friends; he took his saddlebag to pull out his scarf only to find that all his contents had been soaked from the lake, including the crayon drawing that he made for his mother and the lunch she prepared for him. He quietly sobbed to himself, but Apple Bloom pulled out a Red Delicious apple from her saddlebag and passed it to Esbin with a smile, while Sweetie Belle took out a light purple scarf from her bag and wrapped it around Esbin's neck as Scootaloo said, “Thanks for standing up for us, you’re a real pal.”

Esbin looked at his new friends with the most sincere smile and thought to himself, "Maybe things in Ponyville won’t be so bad after all."