My Little Pony: Nine Elements

Book 4

Written by Brandon Nell and Blake Hawkins

Chapter 5: Flight to the Finish

Nearly two months passed since the Guardians of Harmony learned A.K. Yearling and Daring Do were one and the same. In that time, Sunset, Phoebe, and Wallflower made regular visits to Ponyville (with Sunset still concealing her status as a phoenix alicorn). At the Ponyville Schoolhouse, class was in session. Ms. Cheerilee addressed the class.

“Everypony,” Miss Cheerilee announced. “We have two special guests with a very special announcement. First, please welcome the head of the Equestria Games, Ms. Harshwhinny!”

On Cheerilee’s introduction, Ms. Harshwhinny walked through the front door and stood before the class with her usual dignified expression. “Thank you,” she said before briefing the class. “Now, I'm sure you all know about the Equestria Games, where ponies from all over the land compete for glory in various athletic pursuits. Well, now you littlest ones will have the chance to compete for a weighty responsibility of your very own.”

In the distance, a second voice could be heard saying, “Come on, Ms. Harshwhinny! Tell them the fun part!” It was a voice that most of the students recognized. Making her grand entrance into the classroom was Rainbow Dash. “All you have to do is show her the coolest, most spectacular, most rocking routine and you’re going to be in the Games! The winner will have the honor of waving the flag to open the Games!”

Diamond Tiara felt confident she would win and made sure everypony knew it.

“I certainly have what it takes to wave that flag~” she boasted. “I’ll have a winning routine for sure.”

“I might win,” Aura said.

“Maybe my friends and I could win together!” Scootaloo said, happily hugging Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

“Or us,” said the voices of Snips and Snails.

The students looked at Snips and Snails with doubt, Tails shaking his face with embarrassment as they tried pulling off an impressive pose that immediately fell flat.

“Hey,” Snips shrugged. “It could happen.”

Rainbow cleared her throat. “Anyway, we look forward to seeing what amazing routines you come up with! I know you’re all going to do a great job!”

“Ms. Dash,” Ms. Harshwhinny said sternly. “I would appreciate it if you would curb your enthusiasm. Now, let me be clear on the rules. You ponies will form teams. Each team will create their own flag carrying routine. Everypony will be judged on grace, style, and originality. There is a most complicated scoring system, which I will elaborate on now. Firstly-”

But, before Ms. Harshwhinny could explain, Rainbow interrupted.

“Aw, get to the nitty-gritty later,” the athletic pegasus said. “Tell them the important things, like the fact that I’m the coach. Since I carried the Cloudsdale flag when I was a filly, I was most qualified to be the coach! I burst into the stadium, spreading my wings, and the flag fluttering in the breeze~”

“Professionalism, please!” Ms. Harshwhinny said sternly. “If you wish to keep your job as a coach, you must maintain a professional attitude and keep your emotions at check. Have I made myself clear?”

Rainbow could see that Ms. Harshwhinny was being serious and composed herself. “Yes, Ms. Harshwhinny. Professionalism is my middle name. Well, okay, it’s Prisma, but, you get the idea.”

“Very well,” Ms. Harshwhinny said. She then turned back to the students. “In three days, Ms. Dash here will accompany the competitors to the Crystal Empire where you will demonstrate your routines to myself and the other judges.” She glanced towards Rainbow before adding, “Who will judge you very professionally.”

“Ahem,” Rainbow said, keeping her composure. “Quite, quite correct. In the meantime, get ready to train and train hard because I know this opening ceremony will be one of the most important things that will happen to you in your young lives. I know you’re up for the challenge. Meet me after school tomorrow at 1500 hours sharp. Show me your flag carrying skills.” Tails rose a hoof. “Yes, Tails?”

“Are you aware that classes end half an hour prior to 1500 hours?” Tails asked. “Or, more simply, 3:00 p.m.?”

“I was just about to announce,” Miss Cheerilee said. “During the training, the school days will be half days this week. This will ensure you not only get the education you need, but, also time to practice and rest. So, instead of classes ending at 3:00 p.m. this week, they will end at 11:00 a.m.”

At that announcement, Snips and Snails cheered a bit too loudly.

“Hope that answered your question, Tails,” Rainbow said. “Now, I must go… professionally.” She then exited the schoolhouse as professionally as she knew how. “See how professional I am?” Ms. Harshwhinny was less than amused.

“Ugh,” she groaned, rolling her eyes. She then turned her attention back to the students. “Ponies, the most important thing is that your routine needs to show what your town means to you. So, do Ponyville proud. Work hard, be bold, and wow me. That is all!”

After school was let out for the day, the CMC were making their way out.

“What do you say, fillies?” Scootaloo asked excitedly. “The three of us working together would make a perfect routine and win this thing!”

“Ah’m ready!” Apple Bloom chimed.

“Me, too!” Sweetie Belle chimed in. “Now, just what's so special about Ponyville? And how do we show that in our routine?”

The three fillies put some thought into it. As she thought, Scootaloo looked at Apple Bloom, then looked at Sweetie Belle’s horn, and then looked at her own wing.

“I’ve got it!” Scootaloo said, fluttering her wings excitedly. “What makes Ponyville special is that it’s home to three different types of ponies living together as friends!”

"Earth ponies like me!" Apple Bloom realized.

“Unicorns like me!” Sweetie Belle added with a smile.

"And pegasi like me!" Scootaloo replied. “We’ll have to figure out a way to showcase that in our act.”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said. “We need a plan.”

“And it’ll take a lot of work,” Sweetie Belle put in.

“And a whole bunch of practice,” Scootaloo smiled. “We may just be little fillies, but, we have hearts as strong as horses!”

The Crusaders' rather excited celebration was only interrupted when they bumped into a cloak-clad Sunset Shimmer.

“Oof!” they all said.

“Oh, my gosh!” Scootaloo gasped. “We are so sorry!”

“We weren’t lookin’ where we were goin’,” Apple Bloom apologized.

“Girls, girls,” Sunset said. “It’s fine. No harm done.”

The three fillies got a good look at Sunset’s face. They heard about Sunset from Spike and the other Guardians and were among the ponies in attendance at her birthday performance, but, this was the first time they were personally meeting her.*

“Hey,” Sweetie smiled. “You’re Sunset Shimmer! Nice to officially meet you.”

“I take it Spike and the other Guardians told you about me?” Sunset guessed with a kind smile.

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom smiled. “Did they tell ya ‘bout us?”

“A little here and there,” Sunset admitted. “Now, don’t tell me who you are. Let me guess.” She looked to Apple Bloom. “You’re Apple Bloom.”

“Yup,” Apple Bloom smiled.

Sunset then looked at Sweetie Belle. “You’re Sweetie Belle.”

“Uh-huh,” Sweetie Belle nodded.

Sunset finally got to Scootaloo. “And you’re Scootaloo.”

“That’s right,” Scootaloo said with a smile.

“Have you heard I’ve been in another world for a while?” Sunset asked.

“We have,” Sweetie Belle said. “Spike told us that since we sometimes hang out together.”

“Well,” Sunset said. “In that other world, I met three young girls who look like human versions of you three.”

“Yeah?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Yeah,” Sunset said. “Though, they had different names. Blossom Alice Apple, Susie Belle Germaine, and Scottie Louise Peters.”

“Uh, what’s a human?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Well, you know Megan from the story of the origin of Hearth’s Warming?” Sunset asked.

“Oh, yeah,” Scootaloo said.

“I believe she was basically one of those,” Sunset said.

The three fillies nodded in an understanding way.

“Did they become Cutie Mark Crusaders, too?” Scootaloo asked.

“There’s a slight problem with that,” Sunset answered. “Humans can’t get Cutie Marks. I know because I’ve seen my own human counterpart in the buff when we showered together.”**

“So,” Apple Bloom said. “How do humans know what to do when they grow up?”

“Speaking from experience,” Sunset said. “They go to school until they’re like 18 to learn skills to get jobs afterwards. Some jobs require further schooling, which is where college comes in.”

“Sounds like a lot of learning,” Scootaloo said.

“It is,” Sunset said. “Before college, there are school events called career days. There’s also job fairs and talent shows.”

“Oh, we know about talent shows,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Anyway,” Sunset said. “Your human counterparts can’t get Cutie Marks, but, they do have a group name with the acronym, ‘CMC.’”

“The Classy Merry Creators?” Sweetie Belle guessed.

“No,” Sunset said. “Canterlot Movie Club.”

“Oh~” Sweetie Belle said. “That makes more sense.”

“There’s a Canterlot in that world?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yep,” Sunset said. “Canterlot City, Massachusetts.”***

“Neat,” Apple Bloom said.

“Your human counterparts set up a YouTube account to post music videos they made,” Sunset said. “To explain what YouTube is would take a bit too long, so, that would have to be a topic for another time. Anyway, what are you three up to?”

“We’re goin’ ta come up with a routine fer the Equestria Games,” Apple Bloom explained. “We’re showin’ what makes Ponyville special ta us: the friendship between three different kinds o’ ponies.”

They suddenly heard what sounded like clapping. They turned their attention to the sound and found that it was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

"Very impressive, too bad you're going to lose," Diamond said with a smirk. "If that's really the best you've got, then, we're going to win for sure."

“And besides,” Silver Spoon added snootily. “We already have the most divine routine planned.”

These are definitely the pony counterparts of Diamanta and Sylvia, Sunset said internally with a less than amused expression.****

“It’s absolutely certain to crush the competition,” Diamond winked sassily. “And I do mean crush.”

Scootaloo was hardly phased by the comment. "But, we're winners!" she replied before she began to burst into song as she added. "And we have hearts-"

“Sure,” Silver interrupted. “But, you know what you don’t have?”

“Patience to deal with bullies like you two,” Sunset said as she approached the fillies.

“Their Cutie Marks!” the two said mockingly before repeating, “Blank Flanks!” over and over again.

“Is that seriously your best material?” Sunset asked stoically.

“Trust us,” Scootaloo said. “We stopped being bothered by that taunt a while ago.”

“And they continue to use it?” Sunset asked.

“Yup,” Apple Bloom said.

“Okay, so, they’re insane,” Sunset said. “Got it.”

“Insane?!” the snobbish fillies asked in indignation.

“Exactly,” Sunset said. “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. That’s the traditional definition of insanity.”

“And Cutie Marks or no Cutie Marks,” Sweetie Belle said. “We’re not going to give up. We’ll do our best to ensure that the three of us will win and fly the flag.”

“Yeah!” Scootaloo said. “Let's keep practicing.”

“It was nice meetin’ ya, Sunset,” Apple Bloom said. “But, we got ta mosey on.” And with that, the three set off to practice their routine.

“You two are utterly pathetic,” Sunset said to Diamond and Silver Spoon. “You should be focusing on doing your own routine rather than bringing others down for working hard on theirs. And making fun of them for not having Cutie Marks yet? You may as well be harassing babies.”

“We don’t take advice from strangers,” Silver Spoon said, swishing her mane.

“Well, this stranger doesn’t take kindly to bullies,” Sunset said. “It doesn’t matter where they’re from.”

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, surprisingly without any snappy repartee, decided to go about their business.

The next day after school, Rainbow was about to coach the foals. The CMC were putting up a stage and a routine.

“Show me what you’ve got, Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Rainbow called. “And make it good.”

“Don't worry, we will!” Scootaloo said.

“This is a little something we’ve been working on,” Sweetie Belle said. “It’s not perfect, but, we welcome any and all critique afterwards.”

Unknown to them, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were watching from a nearby bush.

“Let’s see those goofs do their saddle routine,” Diamond said in a snooty way.

“Uh, DT?” Silver Spoon said nervously. “Should we really be doing this? I mean, what if somepony sees us and thinks we’re up to something?”

“If anypony comes around,” Diamond replied. “We’ll just come up with a rock solid excuse and hope they don't have any follow-up questions. It’s not like we’ll be sticking around anyway. You want to win, don't you? We need to know what we're up against and how to counter it. Worse comes to worse, as my mom says, we'll have to find a way to get under their fur.” But, it was then that Tiara's eyes focused their gaze upon Scootaloo's wings and an awful idea came to her mind. "Or maybe I should say, under their wings."

Then, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were ready to do their practice routine. Scootaloo announced from backstage, speaking into an acoustic megaphone.

“Since the dawn of recorded time,” she announced in a grandiose manner. “In one town of amazingness, three types of ponies co-exist.”

Apple Bloom then ran onto the stage with ribbons on her front hooves. “We are Earth ponies!” she declared.

Then, Sweetie Belle ran onto the stage with a ribbon tied on her horn. “We are unicorns!” she declared.

Finally, Scootaloo ran onto the stage with ribbons tied on her wings. “We are Pegasi! And the town where friendship reigns is our home! Now, welcome to the stadium from the place we love the most…”

“Ponyville forever!” the three fillies all cheered. “Yay!”

Rainbow Dash, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon all dropped their mouths open. The Crusaders' display was unbelievably good.

“It’s a work in progress,” Scootaloo said. “So, what did you think?”

“If that’s a work in progress,” Rainbow said. “I can’t wait to see the final result. Maybe I can get Sunset, Wallflower, and Phoebe to see it, too.”

“Thanks, Rainbow,” Apple Bloom said politely.

“We actually met Sunset up close yesterday on our way back from school,” Scootaloo said.

“She’s really nice,” Sweetie Belle said. “And super smart and brave.”

“You have no idea,” Rainbow said before becoming nervous. “You didn’t happen to see what’s under her cloak, did you?”

“No,” Scootaloo said honestly. “We saw she was wearing it and we just figured she was just wearing it because it’s comfortable.”

Rainbow sighed in relief. “Good,” she said. “Her secret’s safe.”

“What secret?” Apple Bloom asked.

Realizing her mistake, Rainbow quickly struggled to correct herself. “Uh, that’s strictly between the Guardians of Harmony, official and honorary alike.”

“Oh,” Apple Bloom said. “Okay then.”

“I’ll just be heading off now,” Rainbow said.

“Okay,” Scootaloo said. “We’ll keep working on our routine and fine-tune it.” With that, Rainbow took her leave.

“Did you see that?!” Diamond asked Silver from the bush. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but, they could win!”

“Well, what can we do?” Silver asked. “We already called them blank flanks and it’s become pretty clear to me that doing that doesn’t work anymore.”

“Well, I think it’s time we get under their wings,” Diamond said. So, brushing off the excess leaves, they sauntered up to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “Fillies, we just wanted to say that you proved us wrong. Your routine is amazing!”

The Crusaders immediately grew suspicious from her comment.

“If you’re trying to call us blank flanks again,” Scootaloo said. “It won’t work.”

“Oh, we’re not going to do that,” Silver Spoon said. “We learned our lesson and we won’t spout out those words again.”

“That’ll be the day,” Scootaloo said to the other Crusaders before addressing Diamond and Silver. “Well, whatever insult you have, get it over with.”

“Well,” Diamond said. “If you think the word ‘brave’ is an insult, then…”

“Brave?” Scootaloo asked in confusion. “What do you mean by that?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Diamond asked. “It is to us.”

“Yeah,” Silver agreed before realizing she had no idea what Diamond was talking about. “What exactly is obvious to us?” she whispered to the pink filly.

Diamond rolled her sapphire blue eyes in annoyance. “I mean, it should be obvious,” she continued. “You three are showcasing all three types of Ponyville ponies, yet you are showcasing a pegasus pony who can’t even fly!” Silver Spoon immediately picked up on what her friend’s plan was and backed up a bit in shock.*****

That is definitely something her mom would do, Silver Spoon thought to herself.

“What in tarnation does that have ta do with anythin’?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I'd say not even being able to fly has everything to do with everything,” Diamond said. “I mean, a Pegasus pony at your age? You should've been flying long ago.”

“Yeah, but, so what?” Scootaloo asked.

“Ms. Harshwhinny will never pick a Pegasus pony who can't fly to represent Ponyville in front of all of Equestria,” Diamond said while Silver quietly tried to make a getaway.

“Ms. Harshwhinny never said anything about that!” Sweetie Belle squeaked.

“I would’ve thought it was obvious,” Diamond said. “How about you, Silver Spoon?” But, she found Silver Spoon was no longer present. “Silver Spoon? Well, no matter. Have fun practicing anyway, even if your routine won’t, how should I say, take off.” And she sauntered away arrogantly. A short distance away, she caught up with Silver Spoon. “Where were you at the end?”

“Making fun of another pony’s disabilities?” Silver Spoon asked. “That’s low, even for you!”

“What’s the big deal?” Diamond challenged. “We make fun of them all the time for not having Cutie Marks.”

“That’s different,” Silver Spoon said. “Cutie Marks come eventually for everypony. Disabilities are things ponies can’t help. Look, I get that their routine is so good compared to ours, but, what you did was too much.”

Back with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were disgusted by Diamond Tiara’s insults.
“Don’t listen to her, Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle said. She then turned to see Scootaloo with a hurt expression on her face. “Scootaloo? Are you okay?”

Scootaloo put on the bravest face she could manage. “The routine isn’t working how it is,” she said, her voice slightly breaking. She then cleared her throat and said, “We’ve got to rethink my part in the whole thing.”

“What?” Apple Bloom asked. “Why?”

“If we want to win,” Scootaloo said. “I need to fly.”

“By tomorrow?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“If I work twice as hard,” Scootaloo said.

“Ah dunno, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom said. “Yer contribution is amazin’ n’ Rainbow did like what we showed her. Why don’t we just-”

“We’ve got to work hard together,” Scootaloo interrupted. “And I’ve got to fly. It's the only way we’ll win! Now, it’s back to practice.” She tried using her wings to get her off the stage.

“If Spike wasn’t in Canterlot for his therapy session,” Sweetie Belle asked Apple Bloom. “Do you think he’d think this was a good idea?”

“He’d pro’ly think not,” Apple Bloom said. “Ah mean, none o’ us have wings, so, we wouldn’t have good advice fer her.”

A loud thud was heard.

“Okay,” Scootaloo said, panting. “I’ll just have to work thrice as hard!”

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom could tell this would be a long day.

The sun was starting to set while the Crusaders kept practicing.

“Come on, fillies,” Scootaloo said hoarsely after the umpteenth failed attempt at flying. “Try it again.”

“We’ve been rehearsin’ all the livelong day,” Apple Bloom yawned. “We’re gettin’ tired.”

“And hungry,” Sweetie Belle said before sitting on her rump and looking down at her belly with her hooves up. “My stomach’s starting to sound like Spike’s when he skips breakfast.” As if to emphasize her point, Sweetie Belle’s belly made a deep growling noise that could rival the kind Spike’s stomach could make.

“Okay, that's fine,” Scootaloo said. “We’ll just skip to my impressive flying entrance. You’ve done the do-si-do to the left, then to the right. And then, I come in!” She tried to fly, but, she ended up falling with a thud. “Not quite what I had in mind, but, let’s try that again.”

As Scootaloo struggled to fly again, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle whispered to each other.

“Ah liked our routine the way it was,” Apple Bloom whispered.

“Me too,” Sweetie Belle replied, also in a whisper. “But, all Scootaloo cares about now is flying.”

At that point, Applejack, Rarity, and Scootaloo’s aunts arrived.

“There y’all are!” Applejack scolded.

“We have been worried sick about you three!” Rarity scolded.

“What are you doing out so late?” Auntie Lofty asked.

“We were practicing our routine,” Sweetie Belle answered honestly. “But, after Diamond Tiara came along and poked fun at Scootaloo for not being able to fly, Scootaloo decided to change the routine.”

Hearing the explanation, the normally composed Auntie Lofty began quivering with subdued rage.

“I don’t care if Spoiled Rich is one of the most wealthy mares in Ponyville,” she muttered. “I have some very strong words to say to her about Diamond’s awful behavior towards my niece! Making fun of a late bloomer Pegasus with earth pony heritage.”

“Hon,” Aunt Holiday said, trying to soothe her angered wife. “There’ll be time for that. For now, we need to get these little fillies home, fed, and tucked into bed.”

“Especially fed,” Sweetie Belle complained. “We haven’t eaten since lunch.”

“Come along now, sugarcube,” Applejack said to Apple Bloom, her stern attitude subsided.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle went to their respective sisters eagerly, but, Scootaloo required some coaxing from her aunts.

“What Diamond Tiara said to you was just wrong,” Holiday said gently. “You shouldn’t let her words get to you like that because she doesn’t understand you the way we do. We love you for who you are and we always will.”

“But, I can’t fly,” Scootaloo said.

“You’re a late bloomer,” Lofty said. “It’s more common than you think. I know because I was one, too.”

“You were?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yes,” Lofty answered. “Just like you, I had a Pegasus mother and an earth pony father. It took me longer than most pegasus foals my age to fly.”

“That would explain a lot,” Scootaloo said downheartedly.

“Don’t think about it too much,” Lofty said. “For now, we need to get you home. We’ll discuss this in the morning.”

“Yeah,” Holiday said gently. “Some good food and restful sleep will do wonders for ya, Scoots.”

The next day after school, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were about to do a runthrough of their revised routine. Rainbow was about to watch.

“Okay,” she said. “Show me what you got!”

Scootaloo ran onto the stage, panting. Though she was able to get some food and rest the previous night, there were still signs of fatigue.

“Ponyville~” Scootaloo announced in a slightly hoarse voice. “Home of the… um…”

“Friendships…” her friends whispered.

“Ah, friendships, yes!” Scootaloo announced. “Thanks. Now, there are four… no, three kinds of ponies living here!”

The fatigued crusaders struggled. They fumbled and stumbled through their routine until they were pony piled on the stage.

“Ta-da~” Scootaloo declared between panting breaths. “So… what do you think?”

“I think you should go back to the first version,” Rainbow said.

“Ah agree,” Apple Bloom said, rubbing one of her eyes.

“I have other teams to coach,” Rainbow said. “Don’t forget, we’ve got to catch the early train to the Crystal Empire. See you in the morning.” With that, she took her leave.

“I think Rainbow has a point,” Sweetie Belle said. “The first version of our routine was good the way it was.”

Scootaloo, however, had different concerns.

“What are we going to do?!” she exclaimed. “We’re competing tomorrow and I still can’t fly! Unless…”

“Scootaloo, stop!” Sweetie Belle suddenly snapped. “We’re too tired!”

“Yeah!” Apple Bloom also snapped. “Ah’m tired, ah’m hungry, n’ ah hate this routine now! It feels like it’s more about you ‘n it feels ‘bout all o’ us!”

“It’s like you don’t even need us anymore!” Sweetie Belle added.

“Of course I do!” Scootaloo insisted. Hearing this, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle smiled at this. “After all, without you two, who’s going to hold the hoop?” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle’s smiles dropped to disappointed frowns.

“Ya ain’t listenin’ ta yerself!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “Ferget this! Ah’m goin’ home!”

Scootaloo looked to Sweetie Belle.

“Are you going to leave me too?” Scootaloo asked.

“You heard Rainbow,” Sweetie said. “With the train leaving early tomorrow, we should get some rest. Don’t forget to do that, too. You don’t want your aunts to worry about you again.”

As she left, Scootaloo tried giving herself a pep talk. “Come on, Scootaloo,” she said to herself. “Do it for Ponyville! Just got to try it twenty times harder!”

She kept trying until the sun was starting to set. It was at that moment, her heart sank.

“I can’t fly,” she sighed sadly. She then began to walk home sadly. “I just can’t.”

She barely walked a few hooves when she bumped into a familiar cloaked mare.

“Scootaloo?” Sunset asked, turning to the downhearted filly. “What are you doing out here so late?”

“Trying and failing to fly,” Scootaloo said.

“Why?” Sunset asked. “I mean, it’s good to practice, but, you shouldn’t over-exhaust yourself.”

“But, I need to fly in order for my routine with the Crusaders to be the best it can be,” Scootaloo said.

“Who said you had to fly?” Sunset asked. “Oh, but, we should continue talking as I walk you back home.” She lowered herself so Scootaloo could get on her back. “Get on my back so you can save your energy.”

Scootaloo scampered onto Sunset’s back. “Thanks, Sunset,” she said gratefully. “And well… Diamond Tiara got it in my head that I couldn’t represent the three groups of ponies if I’m a pegasus pony who can’t fly.”

“I should have known she would find an even worse way to bother you,” Sunset muttered in annoyance. “She’s already getting a head start on being a teenage—” She paused when remembering Scootaloo’s on her back. “—female dog.”******

“I know what you mean,” Scootaloo said. “She’s already a bitch. But, she touched upon something that bothered me for a long time and I never told my friends about it.”

“That you can’t fly?” Sunset surmised before internally saying, The mouth on that filly.

“Yeah,” Scootaloo said. “And with my Auntie Lofty telling me that she was a late bloomer when she was a filly, I wanted to prove that I could. But, try as I might, I couldn’t.”

“You can’t rush your ability to fly,” Sunset said sagely. “Anymore than you can rush getting your Cutie Mark.”

“I figured that out,” Scootaloo said. “That’s why I’m thinking about dropping out of the competition.”

“Are you sure?” Sunset said. “That might not be such a good idea.”

“I’m sure,” Scootaloo said. “That way, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle will have a better chance of winning.”

Sunset could tell that Scootaloo needed to have some sense talked into her. So, it was just as well they ran into Scootaloo’s aunts on the way to their house.

“Scootaloo!” Aunt Holiday gasped happily. “You’re safe!”

“Thanks for finding her, miss,” Auntie Lofty said gratefully.

“This little filly’s been working herself to the bone trying to fly,” Sunset said.

“Those words are still bothering her,” Lofty said dismally.

“She needs some sense talked into her,” Sunset said. “Please, may I spend the night with you in your home? I think I have a story that might help her.”

The aunts looked at each other in uncertainty.

“Should we trust her?” Lofty asked.

“She did make sure that Scootaloo was safe,” Holiday said. “Seeing as she hasn’t done anything to harm her, I feel we should at least give her the benefit of the doubt.”

“Right,” Lofty nodded. She then turned her attention to Sunset. “Alright then.”

So, after dinner, Sunset followed Scootaloo to her room, where she saw the young filly’s Rainbow Dash paraphernalia.

“Boy,” Sunset said. “Rainbow really does mean a lot to you, doesn’t she?”

“She’s like my big sister,” Scootaloo said. “Anyway, you said you had a story that you think would help me?”

“There’s parts of me I asked the other guardians to keep secret,” Sunset said. “One of those things is just how much I can relate to what you’re going through and why I went to that other world in the first place. These stories are related.”

“I see,” Scootaloo said.

“The truth is,” Sunset said. “I know what it’s like to be bullied.”

“So, what did you do?” Scootaloo asked.

“I made the mistake of letting my bully get under my skin and became paranoid,” Sunset said before taking out her scroll. “I began keeping a list of the things she did to me.” She unfurled the several hooves long scroll.

Scootaloo read through the list and became horrified at what she read.

“Even Diamond Tiara wouldn’t do any of this!” she exclaimed.

“And worst of all,” Sunset said. “She did them in Princess Celestia’s name.”

“What?!” Scootaloo gasped. “That’s horrible! Princess Celestia would never allow that!”

“Believe me,” Sunset said. “I’m well aware of that now. I learned that she knew nothing about these shortly after I came back to Equestria. But, this isn’t the story I want to tell you. This is just to let you know you’re not alone.”

“Thanks, Sunset,” Scootaloo said, gratefully.

“First, let me ask,” Sunset said. “With your determination to try and fly, have you caused a rift between you, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle?”

Scootaloo carefully considered her answer. The tired expressions of her friends were still fresh in her mind.

“I guess I have,” Scootaloo admitted.

“Well, I can imagine Thomas and Percy would have some words of advice for you,” Sunset said.

“Who are Thomas and Percy?” Scootaloo asked.

“Two close friends who got into a feud over coal,” Sunset answered. “I have ways of illustrating the story so that you can follow along easier.” She took out a small train conductor whistle. “This was a gift from a friend of mine in the human world. I made some enchantments to it since I relearned magic.”

“Ooh,” Scootaloo said, fascinated.

Sunset blew into the whistle and clouds of steam formed around them. One had a depiction of this island:

“This,” Sunset said. “Is the Island of Sodor. It’s a relatively big island situated between Barrow-in-Furness and the Isle of Man. Don’t bother looking up any of them on any maps from this world. You won’t find them.”

“Fair enough,” Scootaloo said.

“Now,” Sunset said. “On this island, there’s vehicles that can talk. Mostly rail vehicles.”

“Wow,” Scootaloo said, enamoured. The steam shifted to show this engine:

“This is Thomas the Tank Engine,” Sunset said. “He lives on the island. He’s a cheeky little engine with six small wheels, a short stumpy funnel, a short stumpy boiler, and a short stumpy dome.”

“I see,” Scootaloo said. Once again, the steam shifted to show this:

“Thomas,” Sunset said. “Runs a branchline with his coaches, Annie and Clarabel. Thomas thinks his branchline is the most important part of the whole North Western Railway and his two coaches agree with him.”

“That’s cool,” Scootaloo said.

“But, Thomas doesn’t run the branchline all by himself,” Sunset said. “He has friends to help him.”

“That’s good,” Scootaloo smiled. The steam shifted once again to show this:

“There’s Toby the Tram Engine,” Sunset said. “Who works the part of the line that runs to the quarry with his own coach, Henrietta, and a luggage van named Elsie, who unfortunately is not present in this picture.”

“That’s okay,” Scootaloo said. “Toby and Henrietta still look nice.” The steam shifted once again to show this:

“And Percy, who does light mixed traffic work,” Sunset said. “As well as pulling the mail train.”

“Alright,” Scootaloo said.

“The three engines get along really well,” Sunset said. “But, they can get on each other’s nerves.”

“I see,” Scootaloo said.

“This story takes place on one such day,” Sunset said before the steam shifted again:

Unlike previous shifts, the engines could be heard talking.

“Good morning, Thomas,” said Percy.

“It’s 11:30,” Thomas pointed out.

“Still technically the morning,” Percy said.

“You look splendid, Thomas,” Toby complimented.

“Did you get a polish this morning?” Percy inquired.

“Why, yes, I have,” Thomas smiled. “Now my blue color is proper and perfect for my passengers. Blue is the only proper color for an engine.”

“Personally,” Toby said. “I prefer my brown paint.”

“Wait, that’s paint?” Scootaloo asked. “I thought it was just plain wood.”

“Believe me,” Sunset said. “He gets that a lot.”

“Ah, I see,” Scootaloo said. “Please continue.”

“I’ve always been green,” Percy said. “I wouldn’t want to be any other color.”

“Oh, well, uh, anyway,” huffed Thomas. “Blue is the only proper color for a… for a really useful engine. Everyone knows that.”

“Wait,” Percy said. “Weren’t you also green at one poi–?”

“REGARDLESS!” Thomas exclaimed. “I’m blue now and that’s that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have passengers to take.” And with that, he puffed on.

Percy and Toby stayed silent and smiled at each other.

“Thomas was green?” Scootaloo asked.

“Full disclosure,” Sunset admitted. “I have no idea where that came from. It’s likely that Thomas was once a burnt umber.”

“I see,” Scootaloo said. “So, what happened?” The steam shifted again to show Thomas on a siding.

“The following day,” Sunset said. “Thomas was resting in a siding, getting steam up for his next passenger run. The points leading to the siding Thomas was resting on were a bit tricky, so, engines always had to be extra careful when going over them. Before long, Percy puffed by with some coal trucks.”

“Hey, Percy, how are things?” Thomas greeted.

“Better if it weren’t for these trucks being so troublesome,” Percy puffed.

“Sorry to hear that,” Thomas said. “Speaking of hearing, I hear you have a milk train to pull in half an hour.”

“Oh, bother, you’re right!” Percy gasped. “I better hurry!” In his haste, Percy forgot to mind the points.

“Be careful, Percy!” Thomas called. “Those points don’t look very safe!”

But, Percy shunted his trucks into a siding next to Thomas so hard that the catch on one truck’s door burst open. With a rumble and a crash, an avalanche of coal poured out and piled up around Thomas’ wheels, a thick cloud of coal dust rising around him.

“Help!” Thomas coughed. “I’m choking!”

Despite initial worries, when the dust settled, Percy couldn’t help but laugh when he saw Thomas.

“Stop laughing!” Thomas called. “This isn’t funny! Get me out of here!”

“All that talk about looking really useful and now,” Percy said. “You look rather disgraceful!”

“I am not disgraceful!” Thomas called. “You did that on purpose!”

Later, Thomas was being cleaned.

“Stupid Percy,” he grumbled. “He ruined my paintwork on purpose!”

“It’s no good, Frank,” said one workman. “It’s taking too long to clean him.”

“Right, Joe,” Frank agreed. “Toby’ll have to take it.”

This made Thomas very upset. Toby collected Annie and Clarabel with Henrietta and Elsie.

“Not to worry,” Toby said to Annie and Clarabel. “I’ll make sure to look out for you as well as I do my own coaches.”

“I’m guessing that Elsie was between Toby and Henrietta?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yes,” Sunset said before the steam shifted again:

“That night,” Sunset narrated. “Thomas was grumpy, Percy was annoyed that Thomas thought he dirtied him on purpose, and Toby thought it was a great joke.”

“Fancy!” Percy huffed. “A really useful engine like Thomas becoming a disgrace to the railway!”

“It’s your fault!” Thomas protested. “You ruined my paintwork on purpose!”

“I did not!” Percy snapped.

“Rubbish!” Thomas said. “You laughed at me!”

“To be fair,” Toby chuckled. “You would have laughed at Percy if he ended up being covered in coal dust.”

“Yeah!” Percy agreed. “Besides, it was a funny moment!”

“Well, just you wait, Percy,” Thomas said. “One day, you’ll be laughing on the other side of your smokebox! And, trust me, that’s a painful thing to do.”

“What does that even mean?” a confused Percy asked.

“I DON’T KNOW!” Thomas snapped. “I’M ANGRY!”

“YEAH?!” Percy snapped. “WELL, SO AM I!”

“Will you lot shut your gobs and go to sleep already?!” a female voice called out. “Some of us need their beauty sleep, you know!”

“Sorry, Daisy,” Toby apologized.

“Who was that?” Scootaloo asked.

“She’s Daisy the Diesel Railcar,” Sunset said. “She’s basically a coach that can move on its own.”

“I see,” Scootaloo said. “So, what happened next?” The steam shifted again to show Thomas at a platform while Percy shunted in a junction.

“A few days later, Thomas was waiting at a platform while Percy shunted trucks from the junction,” Sunset said. “Just then, Toby passed by, carrying some fuel tankers for the quarry.”

“Take care, you two,” Toby called.

“But,” Sunset narrated. “Nobody noticed that one of the tankers was leaking.”

“Whew,” Percy wheeshed. “I better top off at the water tower.”

“And he did,” Sunset narrated. “Or at least, he tried to. The water tower was at the end of a siding that had unsafe buffers. It didn’t help that the fuel on the track made Percy’s wheels slip.”

“Whoa~!” Percy exclaimed. “I can’t stop!”

“Percy crashed through the buffers,” Sunset narrated. “And was wheel-deep in a coal bunker.”
“Now Percy is the disgraceful one,” Thomas chuckled to himself. The signal dropped and it was time for Thomas to leave. He had seen everything.

“Later that day,” Sunset narrated. “An engine named Edward came and pulled Percy out of the wreckage. By that point, he’d missed his train, so, it had to be pulled by another engine.”

“Bother that Thomas,” Percy grumbled.

“After that, the two engines didn’t feel like speaking to each other,” Sunset narrated. “They didn’t even want to share the same shed. So, Thomas decided one evening to spend the night at Tidmouth sheds with Gordon, the railway’s premiere express engine.”

“Didn’t think I would be seeing you around here, but, I’ll take the company for tonight,” Gordon said.

“I’m not spending the night with Percy,” Thomas grumbled. “We’ve been fighting over coal-related mishaps.”

“Oh dear,” said Gordon. “I think I heard something about that. Well, you both should let these feelings out and afterwards, you’ll both come around.”

“I don’t need your advice, Gordon,” Thomas said. “The last two times an engine took your advice, another engine got into an incident with trucks. One of them was me. It’s partially your fault I’m in this situation in the first place. You had the idea to go on strike because you were too lazy to shunt.”

“Must you bring that up?” Gordon groaned. “We were overworked!”

“When Edward offered to help lighten the load,” Thomas said flatly. “You mocked him for it.”

“And I learned from my mistake after we were shut up and Henry and James set me straight,” Gordon said. “Regardless, you have a branchline to run and Percy’s on it with you. Work still needs to be done. The best way to do it is through tolerance. Do you know how many boorish passengers I pull on the express in a day?”

Thomas paused and thought. “Quite a bit?”

“And it wouldn’t reflect well on me or the railway if I simply told them to bugger off, would it?” Gordon asked.

“I suppose not,” Thomas admitted.

“Precisely,” Gordon said. “Besides, do you remember when I pulled you at the back of the express?”

“How could I forget?” Thomas asked. “You nearly knocked me to bits.”

“And I was sent away for it,” Gordon said. “I did a very stupid thing under some misguided act of retribution. I wanted to pay you out for waking me up, but, I was horrified when I realized it might have killed you. If you can forgive me for almost killing you, then, surely you can forgive Percy for getting a little coal on you.”

Thomas took a moment to digest Gordon’s words. “I must admit,” he said after a pause. “That’s the most sensible advice you’ve ever given to anyone.”

“I suggest we get some rest,” Gordon said. “Hopefully, you’ll be in a better mental place in the morning.”

“Right,” Thomas said and he slowly started to drift to sleep. “Goodnight, Gordon.”

“What were they talking about?” Scootaloo asked.

“Those are stories for another time,” Sunset said.

“Alright,” Scootaloo said. “So, did Thomas and Percy make amends?”

“Yes,” Sunset answered. “But, not right away.” The steam shifted to show Percy pulling an empty train of trucks. “The next day, he was returning home with an empty train. He was starting to grow tired of being angry at Thomas and wanted to be friends again.”

“I just don’t think I can stay mad anymore,” Percy said. “This feud is fast losing its—” Suddenly, his contemplation when he looked up. “Oh, bugger, a tree!” A tree had fallen and landed in front of Percy. He stopped abruptly, causing his trucks to bump into each other.

“D’oh!” interjected one truck.

The steam shifted to show the mess being cleared.

“It took no time at all to clear the mess,” Sunset narrated. “Percy was more startled than hurt, but, he still felt sore when he returned to the sheds.”

“It wouldn’t have happened if you were watching where you were going,” Thomas said unsympathetically.

Percy was really upset to hear this. He quickly forgot his good resolution and spoke to Toby for the rest of the evening. He didn’t speak to Thomas throughout the next day, either. That night, Percy asked Toby a question.

“Toby, what’s a drip?”

“That’s when rain comes through a hole in your cab and the fireman hasn’t got time to mend it,” Toby explained.

“Are you sure?” Percy asked. “I heard a boy at the station call his friend a drip and I don’t think he could fit through a hole in my cab.”

“That’s different,” Thomas said, tired of being ignored. “That boy meant his friend was being a coward or a spoilsport.”

“Yes,” Toby agreed. “There’s that meaning, too.”

“So, if you interrupted a pleasant conversation I was having with Toby,” Percy asked. “Would that make you a drip?”

“You’re a drip!” Thomas exclaimed. “Now, shut up and go to sleep! Sensible engines are trying to sleep.”

The steam shifted again to show Thomas pulling Annie and Clarabel.

“The next morning,” Sunset narrated. “Thomas was running late with his passenger train and was puffing fast to make up for lost time.”

“I shan’t be late,” he puffed. “I shan’t be late!” Suddenly, there was a loud bang and something hard hit the bottom of his left hand water tank. “Ouch!” exclaimed Thomas and stopped. As he did, he felt water splashing cold against his wheels. “What has happened?!”

“One of your siderods has broken,” said the driver. “It swung up and punctured your tank. We’ll have to get help.”

The steam shifted to show Percy shunting.

“At Ffarquhar,” Sunset narrated. “Percy was shunting when the stationmaster came up.”

“Thomas has punctured his tank,” warned the stationmaster. “He’s leaking water and can’t get home on his own. Another engine must go to rescue him and his passengers!”

“So, get another engine to help him,” Percy said.

“You’re the only one available,” the stationmaster said. “Toby’s taking stone from the quarry to the harbor and Daisy’s on her own passenger run.”

“Well, I won’t go,” Percy protested. “Thomas called me a drip, so, he can jolly well stay there and drip himself.”

“Percy,” the stationmaster said sternly. “It would not do our railway any good if the passengers aren’t able to get home. Are you really willing to let them as well as Annie and Clarabel stay out all night over a feud with Thomas?”

Percy listened to the stationmaster and considered his words. “No,” he decided at last. “Alright, I’ll go help.”

During the journey, Percy’s driver found his voice.

“Percy,” he said. “Why have you been so harsh to Thomas lately?”

“I mean he started it,” Percy said.

“Did he really, though?” his driver asked.

Percy was about to answer, but, he found himself struggling.

“What are you two even fighting about in the first place?” his driver asked.

“I…” Percy started to say, but, he stopped. “You know? I don’t remember. I think it was something about coal and paintwork or something.”

“So,” the driver prodded. “You admit this whole thing is just stupid, then?”

“Now that you mention it,” Percy admitted. “It is stupid.”

“You may not want to admit it,” the driver said. “But, you and Thomas are like brothers even though you’re not of the same class. Are you going to leave your honorary brother out there?”

“No, I’m not!” Percy said with newfound determination.

The steam shifted to show Thomas having the broken part of his siderod being removed.

“Thomas had part of his siderod removed to make transporting him easier when help arrived,” Sunset narrated.

“Hello?” Thomas called hopefully. “Who’s coming?” His answer came in the familiar sound of Percy’s whistle.

“Don’t worry, Thomas,” Percy smiled as he stopped in front of Thomas. “I’m here to help.” He switched to Thomas’ line and buffered up.

“I’m sorry for my attitude,” Thomas said as Percy pulled him away. “Looks like my tank turned me into a bigger drip than we expected, didn’t it?”

“I’m sorry, too, Thomas,” Percy said. “This quarrel between us really wasn’t working out for anybody.”

“Do you think it’s possible,” Thomas asked. “That we can put this behind us and be friends again?”

“Percy,” Sunset narrated. “Was too happy to agree.” With that, the steam vanished completely.*******

“Wow~” Scootaloo said, amazed. “That’s quite a story.”

“That it is,” Sunset said. “Now, let’s get to sleep. You’ll need your rest if you’re going to catch the train to the Crystal Empire.”

“You’re right,” Scootaloo said. “Thanks for the story, Sunset. Goodnight.”

The next morning at the train station, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were on the platform. By then, their heads had cooled considerably.

“Where’s Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“It ain’t like her ta not show up in our group activities,” Apple Bloom pondered.

“Hey, fillies,” Scootaloo said as she walked up to her two friends.

“Scootaloo!” they cheered.

“We’re so glad ta see ya!” Apple Bloom said happily. “We were worried ya were goin’ ta miss the train!”

“Well,” Scootaloo said. “About that… I’m not going.”

Hearing this, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom’s smiles dropped to looks of surprise.

“What?!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed. “Why not?”

“Because I still can’t fly and I don’t want to blow it for the rest of you,” Scootaloo answered. “Otherwise, we’d be stuck in a feud like Thomas and Percy.”

“I can’t believe yer bailin’ on us like-” Apple Bloom started before asking. “Uh, who’re Thomas n’ Percy?”

“Too difficult to explain,” Scootaloo summarized. “The point is, you two are better off without me!”

“That’s not true!” Sweetie Belle protested.

“Ferget it, Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom said sternly. “It’s clear she can’t be talked out o’ this. If she’s goin’ ta quit, then we don’t want her n’ we don’t need her!”

“Fine!” Scootaloo said.

“Fine!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.

“Fine…” Sweetie Belle said sadly. The train’s whistle sounded.

“All aboard~!” called the conductor stallion. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom made their way onto the train.

Scootaloo then ran off with tears streaming from her eyes. She didn’t spot Sunset witnessing her running from the station.

Some time later on the train, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were seated in a passenger carriage, looking out the window. Apple Bloom looked angered while Sweetie Belle looked upset. Though, Apple Bloom’s anger seemed to be fleeting and slowly becoming regret. At that moment, Rainbow came up to see them.

“Hey, fillies,” Rainbow said. She noticed their expressions. “What’s the matter? And where’s Scootaloo?”

“Stayin’ home,” Apple Bloom explained.

“What?!” Rainbow gasped. “Why?!”

“Diamond Tiara put it in her head that she can’t really represent Ponyville without flying,” Sweetie Belle answered.

“When she couldn’t do it,” Apple Bloom added. “She told us she was quittin’.”

“Didn’t you do anything to stop her?” Rainbow asked.

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked at each other. They were ashamed.

“Actually, no,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Ah was so mad,” Apple Bloom said. “That ah told her that we didn’t want a quitter.”

“Are you bucking insane?!” Rainbow exclaimed. “You three are a team! But, most importantly, you’re friends and a team never leaves a friend behind! You think Spike would be happy to hear about this?!”

“No,” Sweetie Belle conceded.

“We got ta go back fer her!” Apple Bloom said.

Rainbow pulled the emergency brakes. The train screeched to a stop. Then, Rainbow allowed Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom onto her back.

“Come on!” Rainbow called.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon saw them leave the train. Diamond Tiara couldn't help but smirk and gloat. "That worked out even better than I thought! They might as well be throwing in the towel, they'll never make it back to the Crystal Empire in time to compete!"

Silver Spoon was utterly shocked by her friend’s lack of concern. Deep inside, she secretly hoped that the Cutie Mark Crusaders would make it to the Crystal Empire. "Excuse you?!" she loudly exclaimed. "Do you even realize how mean that sounds?! You proved your point, you drove a wedge between them! So, why can't you just leave them alone?! They never did anything to you!"

“What difference does it make?” Diamond asked. “As long as I win, that’s all that matters.”

“Yes, because you are all that matters, isn’t it?” Silver Spoon said. “Making fun of Scootaloo for having a disability was bad enough, but, this?! You want to win just by preventing them from showing up?! What would that even prove?!”

“That ponies with Cutie Marks are superior to blank flanks,” Diamond Tiara said. “They've always been one step ahead of us, upstaging us at every turn! How can you feel sorry for them?!”

“Because you deserve their upstaging us for taking your awful mother’s advice!” Silver said. “It’s obvious to everypony in Ponyville that your mother is a bad influence on you, but, you still try to get her approval! Lately, I’ve been wondering if her approval is even worth anything!”

Diamond Tiara took all of this in. It took a while for it to sink in, but, eventually, she realized that Silver Spoon was right. She then sighed sadly.

“You’re right,” Diamond said. “I was just jealous because their first routine was so good. It was wrong of me to get under Scootaloo’s wings as I did. When she comes back, I’ll apologize.”

“Especially for the disability thing,” Silver scolded. “I take it pretty personally because I have some kind of disability!” She gestured to her glasses. “You know I can’t see that well without my glasses!”********

“You’re right,” Diamond said. “I’m sorry. I’ll never do that again. And hey, whether we win or lose, I wouldn’t be doing this routine without you, Silver Spoon.”

Suddenly, something occurred to Silver Spoon. “Wait, did we even agree on a routine to practice?”

Diamond Tiara paused. She then held onto her own head and said, “Buck!”*********

Back in Ponyville, Sunset caught up with Scootaloo halfway to her aunts’ house.

“Scootaloo, wait!” Sunset said. “Why aren’t you on the train to the Crystal Empire?”

“Because I started putting a wedge between my friends,” Scootaloo said. “I didn’t want us to feud like Thomas and Percy did, so, I decided to remove myself from the situation altogether.”

“Let me get this straight,” Sunset said, trying to grasp the situation. “I told you a story about owning up to your mistakes and forgiving your friends for getting mad at you, and your takeaway from it was to remove yourself from the situation instead of addressing it?!”

“I’m guessing from your tone,” Scootaloo said. “That wasn’t the point of the story?”

“No!” Sunset said, bothered. “The point was to get you to apologize to your friends before the situation escalated. What you’re doing now is a good way to make the situation escalate.”

Scootaloo took a moment to digest Sunset’s lecture. “Oh, no,” she said. “I didn’t think about that. But, it’s probably too late now.”

“With good friends and teammates,” said Rainbow as she flew up to them with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. “It’s never too late.”

“Uh, Rainbow,” Sunset said. “Scootaloo’s feeling a bit touchy with her inability to fly and, noble as your intentions might be, flying while trying to comfort her might be rubbing salt in the wound.”

“No, it’s okay, Sunset,” Scootaloo said as Rainbow set her hooves on the ground. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle got off of Rainbow’s back. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“We ain’t goin’, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom said. “We wouldn’t go anywhere if all o’ us ain’t goin’. Ah wanted ta say ah was sorry fer gettin’ mad at ya when ya told us ya were quittin’.”

“I’m sorry, too, girls,” Scootaloo said after a sigh. “I made everything worse because I got so caught up in thinking that I had to fly for our routine and I pushed you both too hard. I hope you girls can forgive me someday.”

“We already have,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Who said you needed to fly, anyway?” Rainbow asked. “Diamond Tiara?”

“Pegasus ponies are supposed to fly,” Scootaloo said. “After all, you flew when you flew the flag, Rainbow.”

“That’s because that was my routine,” Rainbow said. “You are you. The first routine you did was amazing as it was because it showed what made Ponyville special and what made all of you awesome!”

“Besides,” Sunset said. “Your aunts have said you’re a late bloomer. It’s more common than you realize. You’re still an amazing pony. You’re creative, you’re brave, you're smart, and you’re a good friend. Maybe you’ll fly one day or maybe you won’t. Either way, don’t worry about what you can’t do and focus on what you can do, the best that you can do it.”

Scootaloo took a moment to take all of this in. Slowly but surely, a smile grew upon her face.

“You all are right,” Scootaloo said. “I should be doing what’s important for all of us and make Ponyville proud for just being me! What do you say, Crusaders? We go back to the Crystal Empire and do our routine the way it’s supposed to be done… the first version of it?”

“Yeah!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle yelled happily.

“And don’t worry about your wings growing,” Rainbow said. “Keep working the muscles and you could be flying as good as me. Maybe Bulk Biceps can give you some pointers. He was in the same situation you’re in now. He kept training them and even though they didn’t get bigger than yours are now, his wings still got him a spot in the Wonderbolts!”

“Maybe,” Scootaloo said. “But, we’ve got to get to the Crystal Empire! Can’t keep Ms. Harshwhinny waiting, you know.”

“Everybody, get close to me,” Sunset said. They did as Sunset instructed. In a flash of light, they were teleported to the train to the Crystal Empire.

“Whoo!” Apple Bloom whooped. “We heard that ya had powerful magic, but, that was a rush, Sunset!”

“Thanks so much,” Sweetie Belle said. “Do you think you’ll stay and watch the routines?”

“I may as well,” Sunset said. “My horn needs to cool down a bit before teleporting any of us again. It was risky teleporting all of us to a confined space moving about 70 miles an hour.”

“Well, thanks again,” Scootaloo said, hugging Sunset. “Thanks for everything.”

“Say, I’ve thought of something,” Sweetie Belle said. “Why were you in Ponyville in the first place?”

“Well,” Sunset said. “Wallflower and I have been planning on moving to Ponyville for a while, so, we’re trying to find a place to move into.”

“Ah, that’s so cool,” Apple Bloom smiled. “Have ya found any open houses yet?”

“Despite looking for the last few months,” Sunset admitted. “We’re not having much luck.”

“Oh,” Scootaloo said softly. “We’re sorry to hear that. We hope you can get the help you and Wallflower need to find one.”

Later, Ms. Harshwhinny was getting ready to announce the winner of the contest.

“In the Equestria Games,” she announced. “The Ponyville flag will be carried by… the Cutie Mark Crusaders!”

“Just as well,” Sunset said to Rainbow. “Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon’s routine looked like it was hastily slapped together at the last minute.”

“Either way,” Rainbow said. “I’m so happy for the CMCs!”

The Crusaders were given wreaths around their necks when Rainbow complimented them.

“Congratulations, fillies,” she said. “What you three did was truly acceptable.”

“Acceptable?” Ms. Harshwhinny commented. “What they did was truly stupendous! It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen! Especially after that lackluster performance by the duo of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon!”

Rainbow couldn’t resist a jab at Harshwhinny’s overexcitement. “Contain your excitement, ma’am.” Then, with a wink, she added. “Remember, professionalism.”

Ms. Harshwhinny cleared her throat. “Yes, of course.” She laughed nervously as she congratulated the three fillies once again.

Afterwards, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon approached the trio.

“You three really did an amazing job,” Diamond said humbly. “And you deserve to carry the flag in the Equestria Games.”

“Yeah, congratulations,” Silver said to the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“And Scootaloo?” Diamond said. “I take back everything I said about your wings. I was jealous and I touched upon something that I shouldn’t have. So, I’m very sorry and I promise not to make fun of that aspect of you ever again. You don’t have to forgive me, but, I just wanted you to know that I am sorry.”

“You’ll understand if we’re skeptical,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Yeah,” Diamond said understandingly.

With that, the two took their leave. The CMCs were skeptical about how genuine Diamond’s apology was, but, decided to leave it at that.

End of chapter.

Author's Note

Here's the next chapter. Sorry for the delay. I felt a bit emotional over the loss of someone who created a large part of my childhood andI'mtotallynotcoveringupforthefactthatIforgot.

*It's a callback!

**STOP IT~!

***Personal headcanon.

****Diamanta name provided by Blake. Sylvia name by me.

*****Everybody has standards.

******Self-censorship.

*******The following story Sunset told is dedicated to Britt Allcroft (12/14/1943-12/25/2024).

********Solid reasoning is solid.

*********Apparently, that's a reference to The Amazing Digital Circus my Co-Writer added.

If you liked this chapter, feel free to contact me via private messages if you'd like to help make future chapters.