Leaving The Nest
Rarity smiled as she watched her little sister outside with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. It had been
A few months now since they had gotten their cutie marks, and in the time since then the three
seemed to mature so much, having helped many in Ponyville, young and old, not only find their
mark but also understand what they mean. The three were well known now, acting as a sort of a
blend between a self help group and a therapist team to those in need.
"They are growing up." Rarity said aloud, with only Opal listening, as grumpy as ever. "Oh how it
seemed like yesterday Sweetie Belle was ruining my kitchen and messing up my studio. And now
look at her, helping so many find their purpose in life." She sighed softly, sipping some Earl Grey
tea with a hint of lemon. It was so relaxing to have the simple pleasure of a refined cup of tea and
some little cookies after a hard day of work.
Shame it was not to last as Spike rushed in.
"Rarity! RARITY!" He called, Rarity about jumping out of her chair, Opal climbing a nearby
drapery. The little purple dragon was a HUGE admirer of Rarity though she did not seem too fully
notice beyond his friendship (poor thing), but this did not appear to be a social call. He was holding a
scroll engraved with the seal of Equestria, and Rarity blinked in wonder upon seeing it. This was
not a typical letter from the princesses, THIS was something very big indeed.
And it looked to be addressed to the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
***************
A few moments later and the three were in Carousel Boutique, holding the letter with reverence, a
little afraid to open it, Rarity nearby nervous beyond belief and wanting to know what the fuss was
about.
"Well girls... should we open it?" Scootaloo finally asked. Rarity sighed exasperatingly.
"YES! OPEN IT! OPEN IT!!!" She said, eeping and calming down, Sweetie Belle rolling her eyes in
annoyance as they undid the scroll and read aloud.
"To the Cutie Mark Crusaders,
"We have heard of the many ponies you have helped since getting your cutie marks and as such my
sister and I have selected you for a very special assignment. We have recently heard from the
distant kingdom of Japanda, a land of the sacred bears who tend the bamboo fields. They have
expressed troubles in finding their other talents, and as we have great success in that we have been
asked to send help.
"Choosing who to send was difficult, as it had to be ponies that were not so much good with
friendship or love or even just listening, but who had a record of finding talents for those around
them. In this case, the answer was clear. News of your exploits has reached far and wide, and even
here in Canterlot there are those who seek someday to hear from, or be like, the Cutie Mark
Crusaders.
"Therefore, I have selected you, and this suggestion has been confirmed by my fellow Alicorn
princesses, as well as many you have helped, who all agree that, indeed, it should be the Cutie
Mark Crusaders who are the ambassadors of Equestria for this new land. If you accept you will
work with the Equestrian embassy in order to help the Japandas find their true talents and goals.
"I am certain you will do well, and await your acceptance. Please let me know either way within the
next week. Upon your acceptance a ship will be made ready for your travel to Japanda, and all
expenses will be covered. All my best wishes to you.
"Sincerely, Princess Celestia."
Everyone was quiet for a moment, until finally Apple Bloom spoke. "We...we're going to a new
land!"
The Crusaders all began to cheer, but Rarity was just stunned. While it was true this was a
wonderful opportunity, it also meant that Sweetie Belle was leaving home.... maybe for good.
Rarity felt her eyes began to water at that thought.
**********************
Later, she learned she was not the only one struggling with this news, as Applejack began to sigh
sadly, Rainbow Dash slowly sliding a cider mug across the table and asking for a fourth refill. It
was midday, and the three had decided to meet at the Happy Hayburgers, a local eatery next to the
new stores that had just opened. Not one of them felt hungry.
"Man... this bites." Rainbow Dash said, crossing her forelegs. "Why do they have to go? Man, my
little buddy is growing up too quick! When did he become a working girl?!"
"Tell me about it." Applejack said. "Apple Bloom was dancing about fer hours when she got home,
all cuz of that gosh dern letter. I really dun want her to go."
Rarity nodded. "I'm with you both. Sweetie Belle may be annoying but without her I feel so empty,
like a pie without filling. Oh what a horrible turn of events!" She said, dramatically falling back
onto the couch she took with her everywhere. "Oh I wish that letter had not have come. What if they
get hurt, or worse?"
It was a thought none of them really wanted to consider, but they spoke it anyway. And that led to
other, worse thoughts.
"Yeah, I mean no one has seen the Japandas for some time, and who knows if they are carnivorous?"
"And ah bet if they make it ok, what then? Zebraca and the tribes? Thrusha and the Catzacks? Or
even the Changeling Empire with Thorax... or Chrysalis?"
"Regardless... we will never see them again either way."
The three froze at those words, the worse thing of it all. They would be gone. Forever. All three
sighed and decided they better try and speak to someone about it who knew. Someone who
understood when those they loved grew up.
They had to see Celestia.
*****************
After hearing the issues the three had, the Princess of the Sun nodded in full understanding of the
situation.
"Your concern for the Crusaders is admirable, and I do understand your fears. However they will be
working with fine soldiers to help the Japandas find their talents, and I assure you they will be
quite alright."
"It isn't just that Your Majesty." Rarity said with a sob. "Sweetie Belle has grown up so fast and
now.... I fear I will never see her again. She will be moving on with her life and becoming a famous
crusader across the lands, helping others to find their talents."
Rainbow Dash chimed in. "And Scootaloo! She's like my little sis Princess! I planned on her
coming to my next air show! What if something happens to her?!"
Applejack nodded, unable to add anything but a sigh, crying inside. Celestia smiled gently and
walked to a window. She smiled as she looked out at the courtyard of Canterlot palace, the three
following behind.
"Let me tell you a story You see, there was a little pony once that showed herself to be a steadfast
worker and a fine student in almost every way. She was destined for great things just based on her
studies. So her teacher was asked for her to be a student to the princess.
"Their teacher was hesitant because it meant that she would no longer really get to see them much.
Saying good bye was the hardest thing they had to do. But worse for them before that was what
they thought might happen, the horrible things that could happen. Thinking about that began to
truly stress her out, and make her more worried than ever before."
Rarity blinked. "Wait... you mean Starlight as a student don't you?"
Celestia nodded. "That is correct. And I was here when she was most worried about Starlight. In
both her case and yours, and even with mine with Twilight, the worry is natural because we love
them. We care deeply for them and at the same time when they leave it is like a part of us that is
gone. But they are not. They will still be with us in many ways even if they cannot be right by us.
And I know that wherever they are they will keep in touch. After all, we cannot keep a bird in its
nest forever."
The three nodded.
"Now then, the ship to Pandara leaves tomorrow, so you all better get home and get some rest
before then. It will be a very busy day."
With one last look to one another the three walked out of the room quietly. She sighed some,
understanding more than they knew, looking about the empty castle chambers, once so full of sound
from her pupil and her friend. Now they were so quiet and still, with only her guard for company and
occasionally Luna. She watched for a moment until the three were gone, then let out a sad sigh. She
knew how hard this was, this idea that you could not hold on to those you teach or raise forever.
Sooner or later, they must leave the nest on their own adventure, find their own way of life, find
their own nest and family. And yet... knowing that does not make it any easier.
She returned to her throne and, rather than sitting on it, laid down and sighed sadly. She finally let
out a deep sigh and turned to her guards.
"Clear my agenda for tomorrow. I am going to the harbor."
The guard nodded. "Should I inform King Thorax to meet you another day?"
Celestia nodded. "Yes. Right now I need to be a shoulder to cry on. One who understands how it feels
to let your hatchlings fly."
The guards seemed confused, but nodded anyway. Sometimes it was best just to nod.
*****
The next day, the three crusaders were all packed and at the harbor as a huge three mast schooner
was waiting for them. Nearby, their families and friends watched with bittersweet emotion. The
day had gone much too fast for them, with a huge farewell party in Ponyville, then the
announcement their connection with the Japandas had arrived. Now here they were as said
representative, a huge black and white bear in a fancy red kimono, descended to meet the three,
sporting a bamboo umbrella. She bowed to the three.
"Konichi Wa." she said. "You must be the crusaders."
Apple Bloom stepped forward and nodded. "I'm Apple Bloom, and this is Scootaloo and Sweetie
Belle. We are honored to meet you." They bowed like they learned from Twilight, and the Japanda
smiled and giggled.
"Why, even the traditional greeting! I am honored we will be getting the aid of the legendary
Crusaders. My name is Mulan, and I will act as your guide while in Japanda. We best get aboard."
The three turned to their families, three mares in particular looking on with sad but smiling faces.
Scootaloo spoke up.
"One moment please... we need to say good bye."
Mulan shook her head. 'Never good byes in Japanda. For us, it is always... until we meet again."
The three Crusaders nodded, Scootallo the first to rush to her best friend and mentor, and also her
big sister in spirit.
"I promise I'll make you proud of me." She said. Rainbow smiled, wiping some tears away.
"You already have little buddy. Just... promise you'll... stop by often okay?" Rainbow Dash said,
trying not to just lose herself in tears, something Rarity had failed to do altogether. She and
Sweetie Belle hugged, Rarity letting the waterworks go.
"I...I..I'm so... so proud of you." She managed to get out amidst sobs, Sweetie Belle smiling.
"Oh sis, stop making a scene. Besides.... I couldn't do this without what you did for me by being my
sister."
Nearby Apple Bloom nodded. "Yeah, you made us who we are now."
Applejack smiled, her lip quivering, crying on the inside. She hugged her little sis and placed her
hat on the little filly's head. No... she was no filly anymore. She was all grown up and leaving the
nest.
"Wear that with pride, Apple Bloom, mah gift ta ya." She said, wiping a tear that managed to leak
out aside. Apple Bloom let her tears fall as she hugged her sister one last time, then turned with
the others to board the ship.
"Until we meet again!" They shouted. "Cutie Mark Crusaders forever!!!"
Everyone waved farewell as the ship's bell rang, the anchor raising. As Applejack, Rarity, and
Rainbow Dash let the tears fall, they waved and stood proud of their little Crusaders, now all
grown up and off to help everyone around the world. Nearby, Celestia waited, as did the other Mane
Six, to comfort the three mares as the ship slowly sailed away.
As the birds leave the nest and fly away to the future, one adventure ends, and another prepares to
begin...
Author's Note
I had this on my hard drive for a long time but never posted it as it was a little too soon after the season 7 premiere. But I had this idea for awhile of the C.M.C. going off to do the nexr big thing.... and the sadness left behind.
