My Little Pony: Guardians of Crystal Growth (Season 1)

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It's now exactly three years ago... Three years since we left our home to find out if we still have a purpose. And now, we have to return to Ponyville with bad news...
When it all started, the three of us thought that it's just a local problem. And we were sure that it's easy to solve. If foals can't get cutie marks anymore, the best scientists and doctors of Equestria should be able to find a solution, isn't it? Unfortunately, they didn't. None of them could figure out what was wrong and until today, nopony knows the cause.
All ponies of Equestria are now unable to get a cutie mark. Which means, that the Cutie Mark Crusaders have become pointless... And we really tried to help ponies with their special talents, anyway. But without cutie marks, it has become a lot harder and nearly all ponies just settle on anything they're at least remotely good at.
Nopony cares about cutie mark counseling anymore these days... Somehow, it's nice that ponies practice more than just one of their talents now. But it means that there is nothing for us to do anymore...
We are glad that we can finally return home and see our families and friends again. But now that the Cutie Mark Crusaders aren't needed anymore, we don't know what we should do with our lives from now on...
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The quill that was just written with on the page of the book hovered out of sight, wrapped into a green aura. The same aura shut the book and, behind it, a brown dirth path, embedded into a lush, green landscape with the occasional tree dotting it, came into view.

Sweetie Belle hovered the journal and quill onto the wagon she was pulling. She closed her eyes and sighed. To her left and right, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo gave her a worried glance, the latter's glance coming partially from one slightly narrowed eye, with a skin-colored scar that stretched itself across it.

“Ya okay, Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom's voice rang out.

Sweetie Belle sighed again. “I'm fine,” she said then. “We are almost back home.”

A smile got cast on the faces of Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. They looked ahead and now all three mares faced the path in front of them. It was steadily going up. As they reached the top of the small hill, their eyes fell on the houses of Ponyville below them. Their smiles increased.

The three mares let their eyes wander over the little town, bliss and a receding homesickness in their eyes. The crystal castle that stood tall at one edge of Ponyville entered their view, then the building of the friendship school next to it.

“Hasn't changed much in the last three years..... Everything still looks the same,” Scootaloo remarked.

“Um-hm.” At her side, Apple Bloom nodded. “But ah think it's gotten a lil' bigger.” She held a hoof above her eyes to block out the gleaming sunlight and took a closer look.

“Maybe. I do think I can see a few more buildings stretching farther beyond the borders we know,” Sweetie Belle confirmed.

A deep satisfaction appeared in Apple Bloom's face. “An' that means Ponyville developed jus' great!” She cast a look at the towering school building with its waterfalls again. “Looks like friendship is still magic here!”

“So, should we go down?” Scootaloo asked, turning at her.

“Yep! Nothin' better than comin' home to ya family after three years of failure.”

Instantly, their faces grew stern. The three mares nodded together. A last glance was cast on the town by them, then they turned away from the sight and slowly trotted down the hill on the other side.....
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The morning sun shone down onto Sweet Apple Acres and somewhere from the distance, a rooster could be heard. Inside a room on the second floor of the farmhouse, Apple Bloom stirred in her bed as one of the sun's rays found its way onto her face. She turned away from the window. “Jus' two more minutes.....” a drawl left her mouth.

“Breakfast! Come down 'ere fer ya pancakes before Big Mac an' I eat 'em all alone!”

The sound of Applejack's voice made Apple Bloom sit up instantly. “Breakfast?! Pancakes?!” She fought herself free of the blanket and kicked it away, something that took her less than a second to do, jumped out of the bed and already galloped through the door and down the stairs.

As she arrived in the kitchen, she zipped towards the table and hastily sat down on one of the chairs, flashing a huge grin that spanned across her entire face. To her left, Big McIntosh gave her a startled look, momentarily looking up from his plate that was occupied by a large stack of pancakes and a waffle on top.

Applejack approached the table, holding a pan in her hooves and chuckling. “Swif' down the stairs the moment breakfast is mentioned. Just like ah remember it!”

She proceeded to Apple Bloom's plate and shoveled a stack of pancakes on it, one that was easily nearly twice as high as Big Mac's. She left the table for a moment to put back the pan onto the oven, then returned, grabbed a waffle from another plate in the middle of the table and added it to the stack, before she grabbed a bottle of apple syrup and poured its content over everything. The entire process was wordlessly watched by Apple Bloom, with an opened, drooling mouth.

“P-Pancakes?” the younger mare stammered. She rubbed some drool off her lips, closed her mouth and swallowed. “And waffles? A-At the same time?” Her eyes gleamed down onto her plate.

“Sure thing!” Applejack said, sitting down behind her own stack. “Ah thought that occasion just calls for it! Ya've been gone fer three years an' that means we need an extra special breakfast ta celebrate!” She gave her little sister a happy smile.

“Eeyup!” Big Mac voiced his agreement.

Apple Bloom kept staring, wordlessly.

“Ya not goin' ta eat?” Applejack lifted one eyebrow and smirked.

“Sure!” Apple Bloom shouted, suddenly awoken from her trance. She grabbed a fork that was placed to the right of her plate, pierced it into the waffle and shoved it as a whole into her mouth.

Applejack and Big Mac watched, gasping, then both of them broke out into laughter.

Apple Bloom looked around between them. “What?” she asked. A line of apple syrup was trailing down from her lips to her chin.

The fits of her siblings lasted for a few seconds longer. Applejack wiped the tears from her eyes. “Oh, nothin' much. But ya might wanna clean ya face, cause ya lookin' mighty silly right now, Apple Bloom!” she teased.

Casting down her eyes, Apple Bloom finally noticed the mess in her face. She grabbed a napkin and wiped away the syrup. “Thanks!” she said, crumpling up the used napkin and placing it on the table, then immediately digging into the pancakes and putting a huge chunk of them into her mouth.

“Ah can't believe ahm finally gettin' to eat ya sweet pancakes again, Applejack, it's almost like a dream after all this time!” Apple Bloom spoke with a full mouth, sputtering some bits onto the table. The mental picture of nearly-burnt pancakes, courtesy of Sweetie Belle, came up for her.

“Right so!” Applejack said, confirming the notion. “Ya can't imagine how glad Big Mac an' I are that ya finally back, Apple Bloom! Sittin' in that 'ere kitchen just ain't the same without the whole family bein' together!”

“Eeyup!”

Apple Bloom nodded. “More than right!” she then said, after swallowing. “An' when did we have pancakes and waffles at the same time for breakfast?! That must 'ave been when Granny was still here, ah wish she could see this!” A sigh came out of her throat, before she noticed what she just said. Apple Bloom let her fork sink and eyed her plate.

Immediately, a dark cloud hung over the table and the heads of the three Apple siblings. Big Mac and Applejack kept eating in complete silence, while Apple Bloom continued to sit completely still.

“Ah think ahm done eatin',” she announced and got up.

“Um-hm.” Applejack rose her head and looked at her. “Ya still comin' fer lunch later, Apple Bloom? Scootaloo an' Sweetie Belle are welcome, too, if they wanna join.”

“Um-hm. Yeah.” Apple Bloom did not answer the look. She reached to her left and gave her big brother a hug. “See ya later, Big Mac.” The stallion stopped eating for a moment and gave his sister a squeeze with his left hoof.

Apple Bloom let go of him and moved to the other side of the table, where she repeated the gesture, wrapping herself around Applejack. A faint smile built on her face, indicating that her spirits got momentarily lifted.

Applejack squeezed her tightly, resting her head on her sister's shoulder, with closed eyes. “Send Twilight my regards, will ya?”

“Okay. Yeah,” Apple Bloom spoke, absentmindedly, while returning the squeeze. She retreated and made her way for the door, where she turned around one last time. “Bye. See ya later.” Then she stepped through the door.

Outside, Apple Bloom stopped and let her eyes wander over Sweet Apple Acres, another sigh leaving her throat. For a few seconds, Granny Smith appeared in front of her eyes, slowly trotting over the acres, before she disappeared again. Apple Bloom reached up and wiped some tears out of her slightly reddened eyes. Then she braced herself and left the farm, heading for Ponyville.....
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In Ponyville, Apple Bloom knocked at the door of a house. Some arguing between two ponies could be heard inside, then brisk hoofsteps coming towards the door. It opened and Scootaloo appeared before Apple Bloom. Her mane was unkempt, with stray hairs sticking out at different angles, and there were noticeable bags under her eyes.

“Mornin', Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom greeted her, trying to sound chipper, but only succeeding with it somewhat.

“Good Morning, Apple Bloom.....” Scootaloo's voice rasped in response. She yawned loudly into her hoof.

“Ya lookin' like ya didn't get any sleep last night, Scoots,” Apple Bloom noticed. She watched her friend with a growing worry in her eyes.

“Not much,” Scootaloo confirmed. She scratched the left side of her body, taking care of an itching that came from a roundish scar where once one of her wings had been. “Because.....” Scootaloo didn't get a chance to continue her sentence, as hoofsteps emerged behind her and came closer. She put her hoof back on the floor.

Aunt Holiday appeared behind Scootaloo. One could almost say she was towering over her niece, she was a big mare and about one head taller than her. The look in her eyes and the expression in her face weren't happy ones.

“Did Apple Bloom come to pick you up?” Her voice was tender and caring, but it also sounded strained.

Scootaloo peered at her aunt suspiciously, with a hint of dread in her eyes. “Yeah.....”

Holiday sighed. “I think you should stay at home, Scootaloo. It's safer here.”

Now it was Scootaloo who sighed. She looked back at her. “Aunt Holiday, we talked about this last night..... It's not dangerous. I'm just going to the castle and talk with Princess Twilight.”

“But..... It could be, Scootaloo, couldn't it?” Her eyelids flittered. “You could trip and hurt yourself. Your wing or one of your hooves could get caught in a door when it closes..... Or a pegasus who flies above you could lose their grip of something heavy they're holding and it falls right on you!” She stepped at Scootaloo's side and turned to face her. The mare lifted a hoof and began to gently stroke over Scootaloo's cheek. “Please stay at home, Scootaloo. Do it for me.”

“I can't, Aunt Holiday, I'm sorry. It's an important meeting. And the castle of the princess is safe, nothing bad will happen there.” Scootaloo gazed at her aunt intensely, hoping to be understood.

“We thought the same of Sweet Apple Acres.....” Aunt Holiday suddenly swallowed hard and her eyes filled with tears.

The mention of the farm caused grim despair to flash up in Apple Bloom's face and she looked down.

“And then the–” Holiday continued, but then stopped herself from talking further, lips quivering and tears rolling over her face. She removed her hoof from Scootaloo's face. “You can never be sure where something will happen, Scootaloo. No place is truly safe.”

While she talked, Scootaloo's face dissolved into empathy, her sad eyes watching her aunt wordlessly. She reached out and gave her aunt a tight hug. “And it's the same with the house,” she explained, using the argument that just came to her.

Holiday's eyes widened as she grasped the logic behind the statement. “Y-You are r-right.....” she spoke hesitantly. “B-But you have to promise me to be extra careful, S-Scootaloo..... I-If the same t-thing happens again.....”

“It won't,” Scootaloo said, filling her voice with conviction. “Things like this only happen once in life. And I will be very careful.”

Her aunt squeezed her harder. “Okay..... T-Then I will let you go, this once.”

The two mares separated. “Please be careful!” Holiday uttered again, as Scootaloo stepped out and at Apple Bloom's side.

Scootaloo turned at Holiday. “I will,” she reassured her. “I have to leave now or we'll be late. But I'm going to be back in a few hours. Bye, Aunt Holiday!” She gave her a wave.

Holiday waved back, worry and trepidation about letting her niece go still visible in her eyes.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo finally turned away from the house and began trotting through the streets together. “Three more years an' she still ain't over it.....” Apple Bloom spoke in a mix of surprise and sorrow.

Scootaloo looked at her friend with a very similar expression. “Yeah. And the saddest thing is that she probably never will. There were always some things Aunt Holiday worried about and since the accident, she doesn't feel safe about anything anymore.”

Apple Bloom looked into Scootaloo's eyes, not knowing what to say.
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A purple door opened in front of Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and they found themselves looking at Rarity's face. The fashionista stared at them in surprise. “You're already here?” she asked, a little bewildered.

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said. “It's the time we arranged yesterday. Is Sweetie Belle ready?” There was now a small smile on her face, her mood perceptibly better.

Slight regret appeared in Rarity's face. “I'm sorry, dear, Sweetie Belle is still upstairs and getting prepared.”

“Really?” Scootaloo asked, sporting a surprised expression. “What is she preparing for, we're only going to see Twilight.”

“I'm not sure. But I guess she might want to look extra fabulous for meeting the princess!” Rarity's voice piped up and her face brightened at these words.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exchanged a confused look.

Rarity turned away from them and trotted a few steps into her boutique. She raised her head a little. “Sweetie Belle, darling? Your friends are here! Are you ready?”

“Almost!” Sweetie Belle's faint voice came ringing down from the second floor.

They had to wait for a few more seconds, then there were steps on the stairs and a door opened, Sweetie Belle coming out of it. She trotted past Rarity and joined her friends at the door. “Good Morning! Are you ready to leave?”

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo blinked. “Sure, but Scootaloo an' ah thought ya weren't ready.” At her side, Scootaloo closed her eyes and nodded.

Sweetie Belle looked at them incredulously for a few seconds. Then a small blush streaked across her face. “My bad.....” she chuckled, a sheepish expression in her eyes that was completely disarming. “I just overslept a little. We should leave.”

Sweetie Belle went ahead, aiming to get out of the boutique, but Rarity cleaned her throat, holding her back. “Sweetie Belle, are you sure your mane is brushed enough?” Rarity pranced at her side and began scrutinizing it.

Sweetie Belle grimaced, displeased. “It's fine, Rarity.....”

“Ah, but not quite,” Rarity countered. “I think it's better to go through it one more time.” A brush hovered over, wrapped into her blue aura, and Rarity began to move it through her sister's mane, holding it with one hoof.

“I'm sure it doesn't need that, Rarity..... Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and I have to leave.” She tried to get away but Rarity kept holding her mane.

“Oh, but it does!” Rarity objected. Her eyes grew a little. “You're going to meet a princess today, we want you to look extra special for this occasion.”

The looks Apple Bloom and Scootaloo gave Rarity became awkward.

“A princess?” Sweetie Belle asked, craning her neck to look at Rarity.

“Hold still there.” Rarity gently pushed her face so that she was facing forward again.

Sweetie Belle groaned. “We're just going to see Twilight, that's all.”

“Yeah, what's so special about this? We met Twilight hundreds of times. We're her friends, it's not necessary to make an impression,” Scootaloo argued, watching the scene with growing scepticism.

“Twilight?” Rarity let the brush sink and gave Scootaloo a look of surprise. “Oh, I'm not talking about Twilight. The other princess, of course. It's being talked about all over town. She hasn't been in Ponyville for six years, imagine that. But today, she will finally return.” She lifted the brush back up and continued with her task.

Apple Bloom's face became cold all of a sudden, while Scootaloo cocked her head and narrowed her eyes until they had almost become slits. Only Sweetie Belle's face remained normal, although, a slight recognition glimmered on it.

“Which princess?” Scootaloo asked. Her voice had taken on a slow, careful tone, like she was bracing herself for something.

“Princess Flurry Heart, dear.” There was a very faint accusation ringing in Rarity's voice. “I'm really surprised you didn't hear about it after your arrival yesterday.”

“What?!” Sweetie Belle's pupils shrunk and a squeak left her throat.

“You got to be kidding me.....” Scootaloo immediately added to the commotion. “I thought she would never show up in Ponyville again.....”

Rarity's face became sorrowful over the reactions. She started brushing Sweetie's mane a little slower.

Apple Bloom was the only one who didn't say anything. But she was gritting her teeth and her face showed pure rage. Her body was trembling slightly.

Rarity noticed, taking a glance at her. “I can see this isn't good news for you.....” she spoke, now in a serious and dry tone. Casting her eyes down, she focused on Sweetie Belle's mane. “But maybe,” she continued quietly “with a little generosity and forgiveness, you could–”

“NEVER!” it suddenly burst out of Apple Bloom.

Rarity twitched, showing her teeth. Her aura around the brush disappeared and it clattered onto the floor. Rarity let go of her sister's mane and Sweetie Belle used the opportunity to escape. She joined Scootaloo's side, where she gave Apple Bloom a cautious glance.

“I-I see.....” Rarity stammered.

“Ya didn't see anythin'!” Apple Bloom spat at her.

Rarity flinched back noticeably.

“Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo spoke to her friend firmly. She lifted her right hoof and placed it on Apple Bloom's shoulder. The other mare did not react, but also didn't talk anymore. She only glared at Rarity, with a piercing look of hatred radiating from her eyes.
Sweetie Belle looked away from Apple Bloom. “Rarity, it will be best if we leave now. Twilight is waiting for us anyway.”

“Um-hm.” Rarity only nodded, not a word was leaving her lips.

The trio of mares left the boutique, Apple Bloom only tagging along because of a firm push by Scootaloo.
Rarity looked after them, frowning. “I hope this won't become a disaster.....”
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“That varmint is comin' back to Ponyville!” Apple Bloom began ranting as they went through the streets of the town, face distorted with rage. “I can't believe it!”

“Me neither, Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo responded dejectedly. Her ears were dropped, just like Sweetie Belle's. Only Apple Bloom's ears stood upright, stiff from anger.

“How can she even dare to come back after everythin' she did?!” Apple Bloom exposed her teeth. She looked down and stepped onto a large pebble, crushing it under her hoof.

“I don't know.....” Scootaloo looked over at Sweetie Belle. “Do you think we're going to meet her, Sweetie?”

Sweetie Belle lowered her eyelids. “I hope not..... I think it wouldn't end well if we do.”

A grim understanding was in Scootaloo's face. For a second, she gave Apple Bloom a glance from the corner of her eyes, before looking back at Sweetie Belle. “Maybe she isn't here yet..... It's still early in the morning. If she only arrives in the afternoon, we can meet up with Twilight and be done before lunch. Then we can avoid her until she returns to the Crystal Empire.”

“She better ain't here yet!” Apple Bloom shouted to her left. “Cause if ahm havin' to see her, then she won't be save from mah hooves!” She crushed another pebble to underline her threat.

Sweetie Belle gave her a shy glance. “You can't attack her, Apple Bloom. That would just make everything even worse.”

“Oh, really?!” Apple Bloom stopped dead in her tracks and instantly turned around. She blocked Sweetie Belle's path. “Worse, Sweetie Belle? How could it get any worse?!” She brought down a hoof on Sweetie Belle's chest with force.

Sweetie Belle frowned, sternly.

“Have ya forgotten what this little pest did, Sweetie Belle?! How she thanked us for foalsittin' her when she came to Ponyville?!”

Scootaloo took up position behind Apple Bloom and placed a hoof on her back. “Apple Bloom,” she spoke as firmly as before. “You have to calm down. Sweetie Belle is your friend. She just doesn't want you to get into trouble.”

Apple Bloom's face became softer. The rage and the hatred vanished from it and became replaced with grief. “What she did.....” Apple Bloom sobbed. Her legs suddenly wobbled, then gave in. She sat down. “What she did to me and to Scootaloo and to her aunt..... Granny Smith and Grand Pear..... Without her stupid, foolish idea and her lies, they'd still be here today.....” Her body began to shake violently and she started crying.

Swiftly, she was being embraced by her two friends. “Apple Bloom.....” Scootaloo started an attempt to calm her down. “You know this isn't true. It happened six years ago. Granny Smith and Grand Pear were both very old when it happened. Even if Flurry Heart hadn't done this, they'd would still be gone by now.”

“B-But not like this, Scootaloo..... It happened the wrong way, they deserved somethin' peaceful.....”

Scootaloo fell silent. She kept her hooves clasped around her friend, eyes closed and head rested on her mane.

A rustling sound suddenly attracted Scootaloo's attention and she looked into its direction. In some distance in front of them, a pile of letters had appeared.

Hovering above the pile was Derpy Hooves. She looked down at the letters with a sad frown, an open mailbag hanging around her body. It was pointing upside down.

The mailmare descended with slow, steady wingflaps and landed next to the pile. “Oh no.....” she moaned, staring at the mess. “I hope no letters have gotten dirty.” She looked around, a little helplessly, as she suddenly locked her crossed eyes on something. They widened and her face lit up instantly. “Scootaloo!” she shouted happily. “I didn't know you returned! How are you doing?”

The happy voice of the mare cast a smile on Scootaloo's face as it washed over her and filled her with warmth. Before she answered the question, she looked down. “Apple Bloom?”

“Ahm fine..... Jus' go an' see her, Scoots.” Surprisingly, Apple Bloom's voice didn't sound tear-filled anymore. Even her sobs had stopped.

Scootaloo nodded and released her embrace. Sweetie Belle stayed with Apple Bloom. She stepped up to Derpy. “I'm doing good! How's it going for you? And how is Dinky doing?”

“I'm so glad to hear you are okay!” The enthusiastic pegasus mare swung her hooves around Scootaloo for a hug. “And I'm happy, too, have you heard that Dinky has been hired as a teacher at Princess Celestia's magic school?” She giggled.

“Really?!” Scootaloo pulled away and looked at Derpy in astonishment.

“Really!” Derpy grinned and fluttered her wings. “They needed a new teacher after her graduation and her grades were so outstanding that they offered her the position!”

“That's awesome news, wow!” Scootaloo shared Derpy's grin now. “I have to visit her in Canterlot soon!”

“You should, Dinky will be so happy that she can finally see you again! And how about we celebrate your return together? We can meet at my house once my morning shift is over!” Her grin grew even brighter.

Scootaloo nodded. “I will love to come! We have a meeting with Twilight now, but we can be there in the afternoon!”

“Great! I'll have muffins ready once you come!” Derpy leaped into the air a little, full of joy.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle joined her side. Scootaloo turned at each of them. “You girls are okay with this?”

“Fine with me,” Apple Bloom answered taut.

“I'll join, too!” Sweetie Belle piped. Then her face changed expression, like an idea just hit her. She directed her attention at the mailmare. “Hey, Derpy. You were just flying over Ponyille, right? Have you seen Princess Flurry Heart anywhere while delivering the mail?”

Derpy looked at her, surprised and a little confused. “Princess Flurry Heart? No, I haven't seen her anywhere. I think it's too early for her to arrive.”

A collective sigh of relief went through the trio. Although, Apple Bloom still wore a hostile expression at the same time.

“That's good,” Sweetie Belle said. The relief in her voice was mixed with condemnation.

Derpy lowered her ears a little. “Are you still hating her?” There was no accusation in her voice, but understanding and a little curiosity.

Apple Bloom's face distorted again. Scootaloo noticed and began pulling her away. “Sorry, Derps, but we gotta leave! We'll see you in the afternoon!”

“Bye!” Derpy said, sounding and looking a little sad over the sudden departure.

Sweetie Belle ignited her horn, quickly hovering the dropped letters into Derpy's mailbag, before she waved at her, turned around and ran to catch up with her friends. Derpy flashed her a smile in response.
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Sweetie Belle took a look up into the air, then turned at her friends. “Okay, so it seems we won't have to worry about Flurry Heart showing up at Twilight's place at the same time as we do,” she concluded while the castle drew closer, the view of the building only blocked by a few houses anymore.

“Lucky for her!” Apple Bloom growled.

Scootaloo eyed her, prepared to keep her in check if it should become necessary.

“We hurry so we'll be done here as fast as we can and then leave the castle immediately. Derpy said she hasn't arrived yet, so if all goes well, we won't even–”

“It won't go well.....” Apple Bloom suddenly interrupted Sweetie Belle's speech, her growl having become sharper. She pointed ahead of them, at the entrance of the castle that had come into view now.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle followed her hoof and gasped. In this moment, Princess Flurry Heart was entering the castle, a guard trailing along closely behind her.

“The varmint's here to ruin even more lives.....”

The faces of Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle collectively darkened at the sight of the young princess.....
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