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Scootaloo was lying in bed, peacefully asleep inside her new room in the crystal castle. Through the window, a ray of sunshine was cast onto the floor, from where it got reflected, wrapping the room in a beautiful, natural light. Next to her, an alarm clock stood on the nightstand, quietly ticking away, but otherwise silent.

Outside the room, a shout and then faint murmuring could be heard through the thick crystal walls. A second later, stampeding hooves on the floor. The door of Scootaloo's room got flung open and banged against the wall. Scootaloo scrunched up her face and turned on the other side. In the door frame stood a visibly excited Flurry Heart, mane still in disarray, and a vivid, perky grin on her face. In her right hoof was a sparkling crystal horn, which she now held to her lips. She blew into it will full force, producing a loud and obnoxious blaring that would never pass as any kind of music.

The sound made Scootaloo do a jump into the air, her blanket getting flung aside in the process. Her eyes were opened wide and her teeth gritted.

“WAKE-UP TIME!” Flurry Heart blared, having taken down the horn. Her voice was very akin to the sound of the instrument from a moment earlier. “Your guard training happens in two hours, get ready!” Flurry narrowed her eyes and did a probing look at Scootaloo, who was now slumping on her bedsheets, before she zipped out of the doorframe and to the left.

Scootaloo looked in front of her from half-lidded eyes, a trace of bags under them. In the corridor, she could hear Flurry Heart stampeding again, then flinging open the door to Apple Bloom's room. The horn blared. Flurry Heart's voice, only a little quieter, rang out again. “WAKE-UP TIME! Your guard training happens in two hours, get ready!”

“GET OUT OF MAH ROOM, VARMINT!”

Scootaloo's alarm clock began ringing. She gave it a punch, making it instantly stop.
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Inside the kitchen of the royal apartment, Flurry Heart and her three guards sat at a table. In front of Flurry Heart hovered a large piece of toast with jam on it. Crumbs fell down onto the empty plate below as she munched away at it, eyes closed and a happy smile on her face. Steam from hot cocoa inside a mug rose up into the air. The mug was white, with the winking face of Laguna on it.

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were slumping in their chairs. All three of them had slight bags under their eyes. In front of them stood crystal mugs with black coffee, still steaming as well.

Flurry Heart finished chewing. She hovered over her Laguna mug, blew onto the cocoa with an exuberant expression, cheeks bulging, and took a sip from it. Putting the mug back down again, she gave her guards a smile.

“I'm so excited that you have your first training today! I'll join you and watch and I won't leave your side!”

“Uh-huh.” The three mares responded, nodding weakly. They reached for their mugs and took a gulp.

“Cherry Quartz is a great trainer!” Flurry Heart continued. “The crystal guards are all strong and you'll be as strong as them in no time! My parents will like that, cause then you'll be good at protecting me, and that means you can be my guards forever!” The last word reverberated menacingly through the room.

“That's a really great outlook on the future.” Scootaloo took another gulp of her coffee.

Flurry Heart made a loud gasp. Her mouth opened wide and her eyes bulged in their sockets. “Really?! I'm so happy you say this, Scootie!” She bit into her toast again, closed her eyes and munched in content, her mouth forming another smile.

Scootaloo gave Flurry Heart a doubtful look. “Scootie?” she asked. “Nopony has called me that in years.”

Flurry Heart opened her eyes and swallowed. “But now a pony does again, because we are back together! And we'll be a good team!” She leaned over the table. “And I'm getting combat training, too! We can go on adventures together and have fun!” She directed her attention at Apple Bloom. “Maybe we can even go to the fire swamp and vanquish the chimera who is responsible for–”

Instantly, a dark glare flashed up on Apple Bloom's face and she put her hoof down on the table with force. “Don't finish that sentence!” she growled.

Flurry Heart flinched back a little, puckering her mouth. “Oh..... Okay.” She lifted her toast to her lips again. “But we can go on adventures together! Imagine the four of us saving Equestria one day! Wouldn't that be awesome?!” Flurry Heart bit another piece out of her toast.

Apple Bloom's glare did not change. “Ain't no chance for that with a disaster like ya around.” Her expression became more sour.

A flash of sadness appeared in Flurry Heart's eyes, but she quickly concealed it by closing her eyes and taking a sip from her mug.

The three mares hastily emptied their mugs all of a sudden and got up from their chairs. Without saying a word, they folded their piece of toast, took it and left the table. They bit into their breakfast while trotting out the kitchen door.

Flurry Heart looked after them, surprised. “Hey, wait for me!” her voice rang out, carrying a trace of disappointment. She threw the rest of the toast into her mouth and zipped away from the table, hurrying after them.

Two crystal guards in full armor clashed together on the training grounds, their faces showing zeal and grim determination. The sharp, metallic ends of their spears trembled against each other for a moment, then the guards jumped back and brought distance between them.

Flurry Heart sat on a chair at the outer edge of the courtyard, throwing a hoofful of popcorn into her mouth and watching the combat training from wide, excited eyes that were glued on the spectacle in front of her. In a few meters distance, the two guards clashed again.

In a different part of the training grounds, Apple Bloom struggled with a pushup. Her eyes were closed and her teeth exposed, there was sweat running down her face. Next to her, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were busy with the same exercise. In front of them stood Cherry Quartz, staring down at them with a strict frown in his face.

The three new guards attempted another pushup, but as they were at the highest point, their forelegs fully stretched, they started trembling. For a few seconds, they resisted, but then broke down and fell into the grass. They kept lying there, panting with ragged breaths.

Cherry Quartz shook his head, still frowning. “That was a miserable show,” he judged them. “You only managed ten pushups before you gave up. Nopony will be interested in your skills as guards or fighters if your efforts are that low.”

Flurry Heart's head shot around at Cherry Quartz. She narrowed her eyes at him. The princess put her popcorn bucket onto the ground and stomped towards the guard trainer. Arrived at the scene, she approached Cherry Quartz with a mad glare.

“Hey, you shady excuse of a combat trainer! Stop talking like that to my friends!”

In another corner of the courtyard, Cherry Valley stood. A smile built on her face.

Cherry Quartz turned at Flurry Heart, his lips curling into a sardonic smile. His eyes looked down at her derogatory. He didn't say a word and turned back at the three mares under him. “Get back on your hooves!” he shouted. “For mares who travelled through Equestria for three whole years, you give a pitiful impression! The crystal guards operate on a higher standard! Ten more pushups before you grab your flanks and get into the armed training!”

The three of them groaned, but they did as told and got back up on unsteady hooves.

Flurry Heart began growling, her face distorting in anger. “Hey, do you even listen to me?!” her voice shrieked.

Cherry Quartz ignored her, watching the three guards how they begrudgingly started with more pushups.

Flurry Heart ignited her horn. All of a sudden, Cherry Quartz found his head wrapped into her yellow aura. His pupils shrunk as Flurry Heart forcefully yanked his head around to make him look at her.

His face became outraged. “You ridiculous, royal brat!” he shouted. Then the anger in his face disappeared and the mocking, sardonic smile returned onto his lips. “How do you want to stop me?”

Flurry Heart's eyes became hateful and she showed him her teeth. “Call me what you want, but if you insult my friends, I will show you what I can do!” Her horn flared up stronger and it was slightly pulsating now.

“Leave it be.” Cherry Valley's strict, disciplined voice suddenly rang out. She stood next to Flurry Heart and placed a hoof on her back.

Flurry Heart kept staring at Cherry Quartz, still concentrating her magic.

“Princess Flurry Heart, put your magic down at once!”

Flurry's face took on a startled expression and she gasped. The magic around her horn dissipated and Cherry Quartz' head got freed from her grip.

The guard trainer looked away and touched his face with his left forehoof. He moved his head carefully and groaned. Cherry Quartz spat on the ground, right next to Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, then he looked at the three mares. “Now it's twenty pushups! Thank your royal friend for that!”

“She ain't our friend!” Apple Bloom pressed out between gritted teeth, already struggling again.

Flurry Heart looked onto the ground, a sad expression appearing in her eyes. She turned around and trotted away.

Cherry Valley turned her head and looked after her, frowning.

The princess sat down on her chair again. She hovered the bucket back into her lap and began stuffing herself with popcorn.

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle dragged themselves to the other end of the training grounds. Their heads hung low and they wore exhausted looks on their faces, eyes partially closed and tongues hanging out of their opened mouths as they panted. Cherry Quartz trotted behind them and followed in a close distance, his strict eyes resting on them.

The other guards had left the space where their earlier, armed training happened. It was completely empty as the three of them arrived there, save for two spears that were lying in the grass. Flurry Heart rushed at their side, carrying their helmets in her magic, and put them onto their heads with a smile. She patted each of them on the head. “Now you're ready! Show Cherry Quartz what you can do, I know you will be great!” Flurry zipped away and took up position at the side of the battlefield, smiling in anticipation.

Cherry Quartz trotted past the three guards. He leaned down in front of the spears and grabbed one. Then turned around swiftly and chucked the spear at Apple Bloom. “You're first!”

The mare gasped. She hardly caught the spear. Apple Bloom looked down on it with a doubtful expression, then at Cherry Quartz. “And who am ah fightin' with? Do we fight against each other?” She looked at Scootaloo to her right, then at Sweetie Belle to her left.

“Atticus will be your opponent!” Cherry Quartz looked away from them and at a cobalt blue stallion with sea green eyes who stood in one corner of the courtyard. He was fully clad in the armor of the crystal guard, only his face, ears, neck, the underside of his torso and his legs weren't protected. The stallion set himself into motion the moment Cherry Quartz' eyes rested on him.

Atticus stepped in front of Apple Bloom. Cherry Quartz looked at him with scorn in his eyes, then back at Apple Bloom. “Atticus is one of the guards who are here the longest. He's also the best in the entire regiment. You will fight him and learn from his skills.”

Apple Bloom gulped.

Cherry Quartz stepped away, out of the battlefield and took position at the opposite side of where Flurry Heart stood. He looked over Apple Bloom and Atticus, the latter of which lifted the remaining spear from the ground. Cherry Quartz nodded, sternly. “Start fighting!”

Apple Bloom's legs began to tremble and she gulped again.

Scootaloo gave her a look with slight worry in her eyes. “Be careful, okay?” Then she and Sweetie Belle stepped back and out of the battlefield, as well.

Apple Bloom nodded, eyes fixated on the sharp spear Atticus was holding. Her own spear trembled in her hoof.

Atticus whirled the spear in his right hoof. He narrowed his eyes at Apple Bloom and, without a warning, rushed at her.

Apple Bloom reflexively yanked up her spear. It deflected the other spear from her neck, causing it to scratch over the backplate of her armor. Atticus jumped back a little, whirled around and came back for Apple Bloom, his spear pointing at her neck once more. Apple Bloom whirled around, as well. She held her spear in front of her and managed to block the strike. Atticus pushed on, trying to break free, but Apple Bloom held against his efforts. Sweat trickled down Atticus' face as he tried harder. After a few seconds, he applied more pressure and pushed himself away from Apple Bloom.

Atticus panted a little. He brushed a leg over his lips. Apple Bloom turned around to look at him and readied her spear. She took the opportunity and rushed forward before Atticus could recover. Atticus lifted his spear to block the attack, but it happened a second too late and Apple Bloom's spear halted a mere inch before his exposed neck.

“Gotcha!” Apple Bloom shouted. She smirked.

Cherry Quartz clapped his forehooves together. “That's enough!” he shouted. He looked at Apple Bloom with a sly smile. “Just as I said yesterday, the right amount of aggression that the crystal guard needs! You did well.”

Apple Bloom left the battlefield, grinning.

Cherry Quartz turned around and pointed at Scootaloo. “Now you!” he ordered. “Step up!”

Scootaloo exchanged a hoofbump with Apple Bloom, now grinning as well, and took her spear while she followed the command. Sweetie Belle smiled at the two of them.

Flurry Heart ran over to Apple Bloom, waving with a red towel. She hung it over Apple Bloom's neck and gave the mare a proud smile. “You did great, Apple Bloom!” Flurry cheered. She lifted one of the ends of the towel and began to wipe the sweat off Apple Bloom's face.

Apple Bloom growled and pushed her away. She grabbed the towel herself. “Go clean a worm or somethin', will ya?”

Disappointment flashed up on Flurry Heart's face and she returned to her spot, not saying any more.

As Scootaloo was on the battlefield, Cherry Quartz examined Scootaloo depreciatory. Lastly, he looked her into the eyes. “A pegasus' strength in battle is their speed. You're missing a wing, that means you're slower. Don't disappoint!”

The glare Scootaloo gave in response drilled into Cherry Quartz. The trainer did not flinch.

At the opposite side, Atticus had recovered and got ready for his first attack on Scootaloo.

Scootaloo prepared her spear, as well. She pointed it at the more experienced guard. “Come over here, big one!” Her mouth formed a grin.

Atticus did not waste time and rushed towards her. Just when his spear was about to hit, Scootaloo reared up and jumped back. The spear just about missed her stomach. Standing on all four hooves again, Scootaloo swirled around and flung her spear at Atticus. It hit his chest plate and scratched over it sidewards. Atticus lifted his own spear and thrust Scootaloo's weapon away from him. He instantly started attacking again and let a series of strikes rain down on Scootaloo. Agile and swift like a feather in the wind, Scootaloo moved her body and head left and right, dodging attack after attack, occasionally parrying some of them. After many strikes like this by Atticus, one got through and Atticus' spear scratched over Scootaloo's right cheek. Scootaloo yanked her head to the side and jumped away. There was a red cut on her cheek. A few drops of blood trickled out and Scootaloo wiped them away. She was finally panting a little, staring at Atticus from a strained face.

Scootaloo thrust forward at her opponent again, when Cherry Quartz' voice interrupted her movement. “That's enough for now!”
Scootaloo halted and put her spear down.

Cherry Quartz gave Scootaloo a cold stare. “Faster than I thought for a flightless.”

Scootaloo answered the cold stare with one of her own.

Cherry Quartz pointed at Sweetie Belle. “Now the last of you! Come on, don't waste time, the training is almost over!” he shouted at her in a hectic voice.

Scootaloo began trotting out of the battlefield, as Flurry Heart already hurried towards her, an orange towel wrapped in her magic and a concerned, fearful expression on her face. She rushed in front of Scootaloo, blocking her path, and began to dab the cut on her cheek. “Does it hurt?” she asked. “Don't worry, I'll have it cleaned in a moment. I can even heal it, I know about a spell that instantly closes the wound!”

Scootaloo huffed. She took the towel out of Flurry's hooves, looking at her annoyed. “I can do it myself.” She trotted past Flurry Heart and let her stand with a similar disappointed face as before.

Sweetie Belle took over the spear from Scootaloo, a nervous grin on her face. Scootaloo took up position at her side and looked at her with a smile. “You can do it, Sweetie! Just don't think too much, let your reflexes be your defense!”

“Uh-huh.” Sweetie Belle nodded, clutching the spear tightly with a fearful face as she looked at Atticus who stood back at his starting position. Legs trembling, Sweetie Belle moved onto the battlefield

Cherry Quartz cast a short, amused glance at her, then looked over to Atticus. “Be easy on her,” he told him.

Sweetie Belle frowned at her trainer for a moment, but quickly redirected her attention at Atticus. She held her spear in front of her with a shivering hoof. Her teeth began to clatter. Atticus watched her, waiting a moment.

Sweetie Belle eyed him carefully. Eventually, Atticus gallopped up to her, spear in attack position. Sweetie Belle yelped and covered her eyes with her left forehoof, the spear clumsily stretched out in front of her. Atticus struck the handle of Sweetie's spear with his own and sent it flying. Sweetie Belle shrieked. She opened her eyes and backed away. The spear spiraled through the air above her, then bore itself into the soil right next to her. Sweetie Belle fixated it with fear-filled eyes.

Flurry Heart gasped. She grabbed a white towel from below her and held it ready.

Cherry Quartz facehoofed. He shook his head. “A complete rookie.....” He sighed, then looked at Sweetie Belle, irritated. “Do it again!” he shouted. “In battle, you never let go of your weapon, no matter what happens!”

Sweetie Belle shook as she picked up her spear and held it in front of her once more. Like before, Atticus waited a little, then attacked. This time, Sweetie Belle froze in fear and dropped her spear on the ground.

Cherry Quartz watched with an incredulous face. “This isn't possible.....” He shook his head. “PICK UP YOUR SPEAR!” he yelled, angry now.

Sweetie Belle jumped and reached down for her weapon. Nervously, she fumbled around in the grass, not taking her eyes off Atticus, who pointed his spear at her head. As she finally managed to grab the spear, it immediately fell out of her hooves again.
Flurry Heart watched the scene with fear in her eyes. “Sweetie Belle!” she shouted and rushed onto the battlefield.

Sweetie Belle ignited her horn and lifted up the spear with her magic, the sharp end pointing towards Atticus. The stallion veered to the right, attempting to evade the spear. In this moment, Flurry Heart tripped. The filly yelped, then bumped into Atticus. The guard got knocked into the direction of Sweetie Belle's spear.

Sweetie Belle covered her mouth with her forehooves. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo gasped.

Atticus' helmet flew through the air. The stallion was lying flat in the grass and pressed his forehooves down on this brow. A bit of blood trickled out from under them.

Sweetie Belle looked at him in shock. Her spear lay in front of her on the ground, the edge of it reddened.

Next to Atticus, Flurry Heart groaned. She slowly rose onto her hooves and rubbed her head.

“Atticus!” Cherry Valley's voice rang out. The mare came closer. She gasped as she saw his head injury. Cherry Valley flashed a short look at Flurry Heart, then sighed, closed her eyes and shook her head.

Cherry Quartz facehoofed. “Training's over!” he said.

Flurry Heart sat on a chair in a long corridor of crystal walls that was lined with white doors. She wore an unhappy expression and eyed the floor. To her left, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle sat, staring at the opposite wall with grim faces. The teenage filly looked up and gave the door to her right a shy glance, before looking onto the floor again.

A few seconds passed in silence, then the door next to Flurry Heart opened and Cherry Valley stepped out of it. A doctor in white scrubs left the room behind her. They exchanged a few words, then the doctor left. Cherry Valley turned around at Flurry Heart and her guards.

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle got up from their chairs and joined the mare. Only Flurry Heart stayed where she was and kept eyeing the floor. “How is he doing?” Scootaloo asked.

Cherry Valley's face was still adorned with worry, but lesser than before. “He's over the worst,” she said. “They had to shave off a part of his mane and needed twenty stitches for the wound, but he is okay. Atticus won't be able to join the guard training for a while, though.” Cherry sighed.

Behind them, Flurry Heart raised her head slightly, but then looked reflexively back onto the floor.

A compassionate look was on Sweetie Belle's face, directed at Cherry Valley. “Can we go in and see him?”

“Sure, he's awake and–”

“Cherry!” A deep, calm voice that come from behind her interrupted Cherry Valley. She turned around. A yellow crystal stallion with a two-toned, blue mane and tail came down the corridor with brisk steps.

The three mares looked at him, surprised. “Who's that?” Apple Bloom asked.

Cherry Valley's face softened a little. “That's Ivory Rook. He's the owner of the Crystal Empire library and Atticus' brother.”

Ivory Rook stopped in front of Cherry Valley. A blue rook graced his flank. His face looked composed, but the expression couldn't hide the worry in his eyes. “I have heard about everything that happened already,” he explained. His voice sounded refined and a little stiff. “How is my brother doing?”

Cherry Valley mustered up a smile. “Atticus is doing good. They stitched him together already and he'll have to stay in the hospital for a couple days,” she explained. “He might keep a scar on his forehead, as well. But other than that, he's alright.”

Ivory Rook breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, good. I imagined this accident much worse in my mind.” He did a curious look to the right. “Are these three mares the new guards the empire is talking about?”

Cherry Valley nodded. “Yeah, these are Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.”

The three of them each raised a hoof as their name was said.

“They've come from Ponyville and arrived in the Crystal Empire only yesterday.”

“I see.” A frown appeared on Ivory Rook's forehead. “Pleased to meet you. I'm sorry you have to go through this.

Compassion radiated from their faces as they looked at the yellow stallion. “I'm sorry,” Sweetie Belle apologized. “It happened too fast, so we couldn't stop it.”

Ivory Rook shook his head, stern-faced. “Oh no, you three have no fault in this.” He looked past them and directly at Flurry Heart, his frown deepening.

Flurry lowered her head even more, like she could escape by sinking into the floor.

The reaction changed nothing about the anger that Ivory Rook felt. “My brother has been hurt because of you! The pain he feels now is your fault!” he scolded the young princess.

Flurry Heart squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head to the left.

The expression in the stallion's face did not become softer. “Don't think you can escape from everything this time! From now on, you are not welcome in my library anymore!”

Flurry Heart's eyes opened and she shot her head up with a gasp.

Ivory Rook looked at Cherry Valley again. “I need to see my brother now. You said he is awake?”

Cherry Valley nodded. “Yeah and I'm sure he wants to see you. Go inside.”

Ivory Rook nodded, as well. He aimed for the door, opened it and went inside. It clicked shut behind him.

As Cherry Valley turned around again, she suddenly faced Flurry Heart, who had gotten up from her seat in the meantime. The princess looked distraught, some tears forming in the corner of her eyes. “He can't ban me from the library, can he?” it burst out of her.

Behind her, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle gave her hostile looks.

Cherry Valley's face was stern. “It's his library, of course he can,” she explained.

Flurry Heart's bottom lip started quivering. “Can you help me?”

Slowly, Cherry Valley shook her head, eyes closed. She opened them again. “My grandmother works there as a librarian and she might be able to convince him of lifting your ban. But I won't ask her for this favor.”

Flurry Heart's expression became more desperate.

“It isn't just because Atticus is my friend,” Cherry Valley explained. “This could only happen because you were too eager, not careful enough and undisciplined, Princess. Maybe being banned from the library will help your discipline in the future.” Before Flurry Heart could say more, Cherry Valley gave a nod to her guards, then turned away from her and trotted down the corridor.

Flurry Heart looked after her, horror and disbelief in her face.

Flurry Heart entered the throne room of the crystal castle, her three guards trailing along behind her. Cadance came into her direction, a hectic expression on her face.

“Mom? I need your help with something!” Flurry addressed her, coming closer.

Cadance flashed a quick look at her daughter. “I'm sorry, Flurry, I am in a hurry right now. The mayors of Fillydelphia and Trottingham wait in the dining room to negotiate the new trade agreements. We can talk tomorrow!” She rushed past Flurry Heart, not giving her another glance.

Flurry Heart knocked at a high crystal door, then opened it and poked her head inside. Shining Armor sat at the back of the room, at a massive, brown desk that was covered in files and papers. He hovered a quill and was writing something. His face showed pure concentration.

“Daddy? I need to talk, I have a problem!” Flurry whimpered.

Shining Armor barely looked up. “Not now, Flurry. I am busy, hiring new guards is always so much paperwork. Maybe in a few hours.”

Flurry Heart's ears dropped. She retreated from the crack and closed the door again. Outside, Flurry Heart turned around at her three guards. She looked at them, shyly and subdued. “Could you help me?” she asked them. “Maybe, if all three of you talk to Ivory Rook, then–”

They shook their heads before Flurry Heart could finish her sentence.

“No chance!”

“Forget it!”

“You're going to have to do this alone.”

A deep sadness appeared in Flurry Heart's eyes. “B-But..... You are my guards, you must help me!”

“We mustn't do anythin'!” Apple Bloom shouted at the filly. “It ain't our job to pull ya tail out of trouble!”

The faces of her three guards were stone-cold and hard.

Now Flurry Heart's eyes got filled with tears. She opened and closed her mouth a couple times, trying to stammer a few words. As the tears ran over her face, Flurry Heart turned away and gallopped past them, wailing loudly.

Her guards turned around and looked after her, still wearing the same, cold expressions. Only in Sweetie Belle's face was a glimmer of empathy. None of them followed Flurry Heart.

Flurry Heart sat at the desk in her bedroom, a huge, leatherbound tome lying in front of her. She rubbed the last tears from her reddened eyes, then looked down at the tome with a grim, determined expression. Her magic engulfed the book and she opened it up and flipped through the pages. She stopped at one with aesculapian symbols on it. Her eyes darted over the page. Flurry Heart shut the book again, got up from her chair and left her room.

Atticus and Ivory Rook were talking in Atticus' room in the hospital. Suddenly, they looked up as the door of the room got flung open. Flurry Heart stood in the doorframe, looking at them with the same grim expression she already wore in her room. Atticus gasped as he saw the princess.

Ivory Rook, however, flashed her a glare. “What do you want here? I am not changing my mind, no matter what you tell me!”

Flurry Heart entered the room and aimed for Atticus in his bed, ignoring Ivory Rook. She bent down her head and held her horn at Atticus' forehead.

“What are you doing? Get away from my brother before I bring you into more trouble!” Ivory Rook threatened her.

Flurry Heart did not respond. She closed her eyes and her horn became engulfed by yellow swirls. Atticus looked up at his wound, surprise building up on his face. All of a sudden, the swirls around Flurry's horn disappeared. She retreated it and began to remove the bandages on Atticus' head.

“Okay, that's enough!” Ivory Rook went around the bed, readying his hooves to grab Flurry Heart.

Atticus raised a hoof and signaled his brother to stop. “Wait,” he said. “It doesn't hurt anymore.”

Ivory Rook stopped at the hoofboard of the bed and watched in confusion as Flurry Heart took off the bandages from Atticus' head. His cobalt blue coat appeared under it. There was no injury visible anymore, not even a scar.

“What did you do?” Ivory Rook's mouth gaped open.

Flurry Heart tossed the bandages into a basket next to the bed. She turned around at Ivory Rook. Her face was still grim, but she tried to make it look sympathetic. “Can I enter the library again now?”

Ivory Rook eyed the now pristine forehead of his brother. His own forehead was furrowed and his face showed that he was deeply sunken in thoughts. Eventually, he turned to face Flurry Heart. He looked at her for a few seconds.

“Fine,” he said then. “I am changing my mind only this once, because you undid the damage you caused. You may enter my library again.” His face remained stern.

Flurry Heart's face, however, quickly turned into the opposite. She beamed brightly. “Problem solved!” she cheered and zipped out of the room, without saying as much as a thank you.

Ivory Rook kept furrowing his brow as he watched her leaving the room.

Outside, Flurry Heart stampeded down the corridor. She galloped past an old mare with a trotting frame and whirled her around. “Watch where you step!” the mare shrieked.

Flurry Heart only giggled in response.
.

Author's Note

Featured Voice Performers
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Ashleigh Ball as Princess Flurry Heart
Michelle Creber as Apple Bloom
Madeleine Peters as Scootaloo
Claire Corlett as Sweetie Belle
Maurice LaMarche as Ivory Rook
Kathleen Barr as Cherry Valley
Doc Harris as Cherry Quartz
Brian Drummond as Atticus