Rainbow Dash had always emphasized the need for practice, in order make something totally awesome brought to extremely insane perfection. Having such a role model, albeit she slightly idolized, as well as a surrogate sister proved to be a welcoming addition to her foalhood. The colorfully maned Pegasus has shown her that there was no need to be a stud, but simply to embrace every part of her, wings and all, and aim to be the best pony she can be. Nor did she ever need to behave as one, as Sweetie had proven through her own sibling. All she needed to do, was to make the most of what she has right now, and enjoy it the way most befitting of her nature and talents: which was through the thrill and excitement whenever she put her thoughts into action, especially in speeding down the road, on her aerial-motored scooter.

Such was the motivation behind Scootaloo’s trail of thought, as she strove to take great strides at great lengths, to ensure her chances of flying were as high as she possibly could make them. Nothing deterred her from her focus in mirroring the senior Pegasus’ motions during the exercises, giving nothing short of her full effort. The orange filly put everything she had in moving the muscles in her wings, legs, back, and even her neck joints, knowing the importance of using her entire frame for takeoff and stability, when airborne.

“Like this, Mrs. P?”

“That’s perfect, Scootaloo,” beamed May, at once, “For whatever it’s worth, you’re far more a natural at this, than I am.”

Of course, Rainbow was not the only Pegasus Scoots ever learned from, far from it. Her parents certainly set the groundwork, the launching pad, that is, for her dreams to take flight. Her big brother, afterwards, was instrumental in helping her believe such dreams, with great effort, are not always beyond her reach, or something even greater could happen. However, after his new job sent him to live further away than Canterlot, thirty moons ago, he was unable to see Scoots as often as they both liked, though they still contacted each other by mail. In finding the perfect role model in a mare like Rainbow Dash, it helped to prove that such a reality was actually possible. For this little filly, the skies are the limit, and her mom and dad always wanted that for her. She knew her other sister was around to watch her, also. Even though she cannot see her.

“Man, I feel so pumped,” leapt the Pegasus filly, whirring her feathered limbs rapidly, “Like I can take on…on…well, something huge!”

“Well, with that sort of spirit, young lady, you’ll have your wings proper, in due time. So long as you remember to do these every day.”

“Is it okay that I come every morning, for the next few days? You know, so I can get these moves down flat?”

“Of course,” chuckled the cocoa brown mare, “Come visit as often as you like. And I would certainly love the company of a fellow flier to help me, also.”

“Sweet!”

Pong. After the usual sonic wave, Mrs. Parker told her that was all for the day, though it did not stop Scootaloo’s emphatic resolve to do these exercises every morning, noon and evening, before joining her fellow Crusaders. They all agreed upon exploring the Tree Castle even further than they already have, while also showing Gabby around. Although they found many guest rooms looking exactly alike to be a bore, they each sought out, or discovered something that they could enjoy even more about this structure. Babs Seed liked the washrooms and powder rooms that were lined for a vast number of ponies, believing them only lacking in seats, as she would find in a barber’s shop. Scootaloo clearly marveled the swimming pool and gymnasium, imagining Rainbow Dash performing amazing stunts and techniques for anypony to watch. Sweetie Belle enjoyed taking in as much as she could of the grand ballroom, its grandeur making her lift and turn her head as straight as possible to view the massive chamber, and a desire to dance and sing in there. It was as if she were in a whimsical pony’s tale Rarity had read to her, on occasion. As for Apple Bloom, she simply could not resist the urge to view the Map Chamber as often as possible, not just to take a look at the Cutie Map, but admire also the Grand Oak Library Chandelier her big sister put such effort in uprooting. Alongside her friends, of course.

“Wow, Crusaders,” the Griffon gawked, unable to contain herself from viewing such awe and wonder, “Now that I’m getting a good look at this place, I don’t think I can ever get it out of my head. Ever!”

“It sure makes fur a mighty fine place tah live in,” the yellow filly replied, as her tan cousin stared in wanderlust, beside her.

“Not sure a single buildin’ in Manehatten’s got anythin’ on this joint,” Babs spoke after Apple Bloom. The white Unicorn stared on, as she reminisced, “Can’t believe I only saw a little bit of the castle, during the first Hearth’s Warming in here. Now, I don’t think I can get enough of it. Ever.”

“You’re telling me,” Scoots added. The elated orange Pegasus fluttered her wings as would a hummingbird, causing her to hover momentarily. “I can’t wait to give these wings a try, and reach the ceiling!”

Once she grew tired of the exertion, however, she clopped her hooves onto the stone floor, and heaved a pant. “Just got to keep exercising…to get them stronger, is all. Whew!”

Just then, they heard a bright ringing bounce off of the crystal-like hallway they strolled through.

“Dinner!” The exclamation from all four foals was immediately followed by a scurried rush of excitement down the narrow tunnel of gemlike doors and lanterns. Noticing the faltering efforts of the little, orange one of the troupe, Gabby smirked when she used her arched, feline neck to launch Scoots onto her back. Before she could even think to protest, however, Scootaloo felt the excitement that elevated from such a prompt act, as well as the soft gusts rushing past her tired, outstretched wings, elating them from their efforts of the day. She also could not resist the impulse to wave her forelegs outward, and enjoy the Griffon-back ride altogether. “Whoo-hoo!”

“You said it, Scoots,” beamed the gliding hen Griffon.

“My turn, after her,” shouted Babs and Bloom, at once. “Nuh-uh, me!”

“What about me,” whined Sweetie Belle. Once they arrived the kitchen, though, their odorant senses dashed whatever aggression they may have attained towards each other. Immediately, as Gabby lowered the orange Pegasus back onto the floor, the foals’ curiosity to follow the source took action in their flailing gallops toward the counter full of steaming dishes, where May Parker stood beside, along with another mare.

“Hey, kids,” said the cyan Unicorn.

“Miss Heartstrings,” exclaimed the Crusaders, as the small, white Unicorn zoomed over to embrace Lyra’s front hooves first.

“And how’s my little pupil, this fine day,” she asked Sweetie, with a gleaming laugh.

“Great,” shouted back the filly, “I can’t wait to show you the super, big, enormous piano that I found in here!”

As the little girl shared with her music teacher what she discovered in the Tree Palace, the yellow Earth Pony introduced the local lyrist to her tan cousin. The moment they heard from the brown Pegasus that Lyra, and her roommate Bon-Bon shortly, were joining them all for supper, and their fun with Gabby, all four Crusaders gained all that much more enthusiasm to share this evening with more ponies in the Castle. The fillies continued talking, as Lyra and Gabby aided May in taking the treys and bowls onto the dining table beyond the swinging doors of the galley.

What came as an abrupt surprise, at first, was the sudden, scarlet flare that erupted at the nearby sofa. Adjacent to the door that connected the dining area to the reception hall, reclined the hooded Unicorn. After greeting the four fillies and Griffon before they entered the room, he adjusted his position with a slight huff. “Whooh. Wierd how it puts a lesser strain than taking the stairs, but of a completely separate variety. And, don’t worry. I’m planning to spend the night here. Keep an eye and ear on the front door, and save you the trip up. No moving around, unless I really have to.”

“Kind of stubborn, aren’t you,” quizzically said Lyra.

“Took a nice three-hour nap, before coming down, too.”

“I’m just grateful that same attitude has kept Peter from getting too close to danger,” May remarked, “Though, sometimes I wonder how much of an influence he’s been to the young man.”

“Hey, I’m no brother’s keeper. Not even my brother.” The smug response from the arachnid stallion prompted May to retort gently, “No, but he does seem to respect you as such, all things considered.”

“Can’t say I’ve done an A-okay job of keeping him out of trouble, though.”

“He’s remained a solid citizen, and stays in relatively good health, when he gets home. So, overall, a B-plus.”

“Yeah, well, there’s still that eleven percent scratched out.”

“I’d say more like ten-point-five,” smirked the elderly Pegasus, “But I was strictly talking about Peter. Everything else was beyond anybody’s control, and yours especially. Despite what you may think, you are no Superman.”

“Speaking of ‘Supes,’ is dinner ready yet? I'm so hungry, I can eat a...uh, something huge. I could smell the food from upstairs.” Spidey’s quip was answered in the opening of the main entrance by the Unicorn mare’s golden glow, its creak and groan echoing across the foyer, as an Earth Pony entered passed them. After the vanilla white mare hoof bumped with her Unicorn friend, she casually made her way towards the conversing ponies, saying, “Oh, don’t get me started on food odors. Had a pretty busy day, ended up skipping lunch, and caught that salivating fragrance from the opened kitchen windows.”

“Just glad you didn’t catch what I got. Workaholitis. You must be Bon-Bon.”

“Good to finally meet you, Spider Bite,” Bon-Bon offered her hoof with a smile, which he cordially took. After a week on vacation, she spent another week hearing about Lyra’s discussions with Twilight and the web-head, along with her roommate’s insistence on meeting him also. “And to see you’re looking better. Heard from Lyra that Gabby said you were hit pretty hard, yesterday.”

“Yeah, well, Mrs. Parker, here keeps insisting I need to stop exerting myself, until Doc gives the green light. Even in the small ways I’ve been doing. So, good to have Lyra offer taking over.”

“Believe me,” huffed Bon-Bon, with a playful role of her blue irises, “She more than jumped at the chance to get in cahoots again with a former human, from another world.”

“And even you don’t know where she got all that from? Her best friend?”

“Not a clue. Sorry.” She watched, as her roommate gave a satirical snort, then continued, “And given her response, she probably still won’t tell me, yet.”

“Because it was so obvious! The whole thing was under your muzzle. Right there, in front of us.”

“And, as usual, that’s as far as she will elaborate. But since the Griffon asked both of us to come here, rather energetically I might add, I’m guessing there’s more to my Castle invite for dinner. You want to get a legit system going for watching the place, while Twilight and the others are gone?”

“Actually,” plainly stated Spidey, “Gabby’s got the whole thing the Princess had planned out. Just need to talk it over with all of us together, and see what questions we’ve got.”

“After dinner, though. Alright?”

“Just remember, lady. I take the tab.”

“Well,” chuckled May at the playful exchange, “then I suggest you young ladies come to the table before it gets cold. Gabriella will be out with yours shortly, dear.”

“Thanks, Mrs. P,” nodded Spider Bite. As she led the way, with the cyan Unicorn behind her, Mrs. Parker was unable to notice the Earth Pony mare stop near the reclined pony, and whisper, “Does my secret with the girls and you apply to Gabby, as well?”

“No,” the web-slinger shook his head, in reply, “All I did was ask her to have you on board too, if you were interested. Like you said, Lyra was the only pony I knew who would jump at this.”

“Okay, thanks,” she sighed slightly in assurance, “Sorry to be a little pestering. Any number beyond just Lyra already breaks my quota.”

“Believe me, I more than get that.”

“I should hope so. I mean, it sounds like you were the first to suggest involving Lyra in this security detail.”

“It may be a small town, but she’s pretty much the only Unicorn I’ve gotten acquainted with that’s available. Plus, I knew just poor, sickly me and Gabby won’t be enough to keep the others safe, if it ever comes to that.”

“Point taken. Again, sorry for the nagging.”

“Don’t mention it. Like I said, I get where you’re coming from. Even Discord doesn’t seem too keen on letting out our secrets.”

“Don’t be so sure, bud,” squinted the mare with the mane of blue and brown, “That’s the Master of Chaos, you’re talking about.”

“Yeah,” scoffed the web-stallion, in deference, “No kidding.”

As the evening carried on, the meal prepared by May Parker, with the cyan Unicorn’s assistance, was thoroughly enjoyed. And in periodic intervals, before, then after supper, Lyra Heartstrings would activate her horn to send out the sonic pong of golden waves throughout the castle, as Spidey instructed. Allowing the Crusaders and Mrs. Parker to have dessert in the dining room, she, Bon-Bon and Gabby met with the wall-crawler, in the hallway. After she had promised the white filly to see the grand piano, and hear her practice, Sweetie Belle watched Lyra and the others depart, while she finished her own meal. Another momentary pause emanated from the little, white Unicorn, when an idea had brightened into her. Amazingly, she kept it to herself, for the remainder of the fillies’ final course, until they all aided the brown Pegasus in clearing the table and washing the dishes.

“Hey, Crusaders. I’ve been thinking.”

“What about, Sweetie Belle,” asked Apple Bloom. She received a rinse bowl from her friend, wiping it with a dish rag, before holding it over Scootaloo’s fanning wings to thoroughly dry. Babs Seed then took it onto a stack of other clean dishes, for Gabby to put away, up in the high cupboards.

“Well,” Sweetie began, “You know how much Spider Bite’s been really spending a lot of his time and energy pitching in, and helping ponies out wherever, and whenever he can.”

“Yeah,” huffed Scoots, after giving her wings a rest, after the final plate. Babs placed it onto the last pile for their Griffon Crusader, and added, “The doctuh said that’s what got him out’a shape, from the start.”

“And Doctor Bromwell also said that if he’s better tomorrow, he shouldn’t be doing too much still. Make sure he’s got enough rest.”

“What’re yah gettin’ at,” said the yellow filly with the red bow.

“I think he’s going to get pretty bored from staying inside any longer. And he might want to do more than just go outside to get fresh air.”

“I know what that’s like,” the little, orange Pegasus remarked, “First thing I want to do, when I get better, is get right on my scooter, and take it out for a spin!”

After receiving nods and mutters of sympathy from the two Earth Pony foals, the white Unicorn continued, “So, what about doing a little something for him tomorrow? You know. To make sure he doesn’t feel left out.”

“Ooh! Ooh,” squealed Gabby, “Like a great big, super, incredible party? That would be amazing!”

“Not exactly,” she answered, “Besides, my Mom and Rarity always tell me that sweets after getting better make you sick, again. Make you stay in bed even longer.”

“No kiddin’,” added the tan filly, blowing her crimson, magenta banes from her face, “But maybe a little somethin’ tuh help’m feel bettuh, and not just get bettuh.”

“Right,” Sweetie Bell nodded, “So, maybe we can bring other ponies over. Play games, and bring snacks…”

“And tell some funny jokes,” added Scootaloo. This got the fillies exuberant with cheerful anticipation, until Apple Bloom said, “But, we don’t have Pinkie Pie tah help us get anythin’ together fur somethin’ like that.”

This prompted a gloomy response from the other Crusaders, realizing that four small fillies will not be enough to make something so grand to happen. Gabby, however, beamed, as she helped to lift their chins. “Hey. Cheer up, Crusaders. I don’t think we really need Pinkie Pie to make this happen. Like Sweetie said, this isn’t exactly a party. Just a bunch of ponies coming over to have a good time, and let Spidey feel a part of it.”

“You’re right, Gabby,” Scoots perked up. “All we got to do is ask around, and see who wants to come.”

“Ask them to bring whatevuh games, or food they can,” followed Babs Seed.

“And if not too many can make it,” Sweetie said, “It can be just a small get-together with our families.”

“Yeah,” said Apple Bloom, “And Ah’ll bet Granny Smith would want tah spend more time with Mrs. Parker, at the Castle. Big Mac would like tah take a nice break too, if he’d be willin’.”

“My parents would love to get to know Spider Bite a little more, too. They’re always happy to see him, when he helps with Pinkie’s deliveries, or helping my sister at the Carousel.”

“And we’ll be here, too! Right?”

“Right, Gabby. We’ll be here. Doctor Bromwell will come with Mrs. Parker. Miss Lyra and Miss Bon-Bon might still be around. That would make…one, two…seven, eight, nine…eleven…thirteen of us!

“That’d definitely be more than plum plenty for a get-together,” beamed Apple Bloom, at Sweetie Bell’s head count.

“Yeah,” exclaimed Scootaloo, “This is going to be awesome! The Cutie Mark Crusaders will win the gold prize, once again!” The four fillies and Griffon hen raised their hooves and talon to meet in an energetic clomp, as the unofficial, Cutie Mark Crusader meeting was adjourned.

The table had been cleared, and the dishes were more than well cleaned. All that was left to do for everypony was to simply unwind. It was an hour before the fillies’ bedtime, so when Nick came to escort May back to Sweet Apple Acres, Gabby told him she will bring them home shortly. Lyra Heartstrings and Bon-Bon had decided to let the wall-crawler rest some more, leaving him to his lounging post in the foyer, and take the foals to the ballroom, where Sweetie Belle wanted to show the grand piano.

“So,” the cyan mare spoke, as she and the Unicorn filly sat on its bench, “Would you like to play a little something for us, Sweetie?”

“Yeah, I do,” she perked up, in reply. But she then lowered her head, saying, “It’s just…I don’t know what I want to play, right now.”

“Well,” Lyra seemed to ponder, “What about that song you’ve always wanted to keep practicing? The one you told me all about?”

“You mean that lullaby,” Sweetie asked, viewing the others spectating them both, with unease, “Here?”

“Yeah,” her music teacher answered, “You said your Mom would sing it to you, before bed. Right?”

“Uh-huh,” she nodded, “Then, when I visit Rarity, she would sing it to me, whenever I had a bad dream, or something. I remember the whole thing, but I don’t understand all the words, though.”

“I think right now’s a good time for everypony to hear it, then. Don’ you?”

“I,” she spoke hesitantly, then eyed her friends with a bashful sigh, “I guess so.”

“Don’t worry,” said Lyra soothingly, “I’m sure they’ll love it.” Seeing the comforting smiles from all their faces, Sweetie Bell blushed slightly further, as she pressed her hooves onto the keys. The soft, gentle notes gleamed throughout the chamber, returning to her ears in small echoes from all around. She was so focused, and intent to share the simple melody to all her friends, she became unaware of the fillies humming along, as she sang. Also was she oblivious to the teal glow her horn had made, as her hymn progressed.

Time to sleep now, dear Angel.
Rest, don’t be afraid.
Let dreams wrap you in cradle,
And watch in gentle glade.

When you hear this bell,
As soft and sweet as night,
Close your heavy eyes to this lullaby,
And hush fears out of mind and sight.

Make your dreams bring you a smile.
Guard with joy, be brave.
Good times you shared, and awhile,
Soon will come to save.

Let this be your bell,
When shadows give you fright.
Watch the evening sky. Hear its lullaby.
Hear stars sing their gentle light.

Let hope give you needed strength
To live, and carry on.
Hold on for one final length.
Share the load, ferry on.

Then you’ll hear the bell
Call you to joyful right.
When you’re asking why, sing this lullaby,
Then your path will soon be bright.

Look up to the sky, sing this lullaby,
Then your path will soon be bright.

Bon-Bon, Lyra and Gabby were the only members present able to watch what had transpired, for Apple Bloom, Babs Seed and Scootaloo were sound asleep midway through it. Even Sweetie Belle succumbed to her heavy eyelids, and leaned on her music teacher’s shoulder. As the mares and Griffon gently carried them downstairs, they noticed the completely still, and silent form of the lying web-slinger, with Owloysius perched on a glowing crystal across from him. “Hoo.”

Unbeknownst to the small Unicorn, her magic carried the sound waves of her music throughout the entire Tree Palace, causing their echoes to expand beyond the ballroom, and reach Spidey’s ears. Hearing the sweet hymn chime, it eased the tension in his shoulders, as his spirit gave in to the pure serenity it had brought him. Only the nocturnal bird was present, to view the calming spectacle Sweetie had accomplished.

Author's Note

Goodness, gracious! It took me long enough to finally get through this chapter. This one, and the next were to be rather challenging for me, since I had a clear idea for the ending, but wasn't sure of how to transition into it. I now have a clearer vision to move forward, and I will get to this next update, right away. Thank you, for your patience, and God Bless.