The Cutie Mark Mobsters

by Firefly2012

Chapters

Chapter 1: Reunited
Chapter 3: The Grand Illusion
Chapter 4: We Are Family
Chapter 5: Breaking The Law
Chapter 6: We Didn't Start The Fire
Chapter 7: We Take Care Of Our Own
Chapter 8: After The Fall
Chapter 10: Right Here Waiting
Chapter 11: Broken Wings
Prologue
Chapter 2: Head Games
Chapter 9: Shattered Dreams

Chapter 1: Reunited

Apple Bloom studied the assigned chapter in her book on Equestrian history, reading it again and again. She was a good student and believed in being prepared. She studied the chapter intently, losing all track of time. When she looked up at her clock, it showed as 12:30 in the morning. She closed the book, turned off the light in her bedroom, and crawled into bed. Although she was confident in her ability to pass the next morning's test, her growing fears about going to school were caused by a different problem. One she still felt powerless to solve. Despite her apprehension, the yellow filly was tired and it didn't take her long to fall asleep once she lay down.

"Apple Bloom, would you come to the front of the class, please?"

Apple Bloom hesitated and stood up. She walked between the desks and other students and made her way to the front of the class, only to take a misstep and wind up falling on her face. She could hear the other students laughing hysterically at her. When she stood up again, she looked at the students who were pointing and laughing at her, feeling scared. Never before had ponies mocked her, and she didn't know what to do.

"Yes, Miss Cheerilee?" Apple Bloom asked.

"On the chalkboard, please demonstrate the proper way to do long division. Divide 2,745 by 5 and show your work." The teacher replied.

Apple Bloom worked the math equation out on the chalkboard, carefully writing the numbers and showing her work as instructed. When she was done Miss Cheerilee went over the equation step by step to demonstrate for the class how Apple Bloom had arrived at the right answer.

"Thank you Apple Bloom, you may take your seat."

The yellow filly was much more careful as she walked back to her seat, making sure not to trip again. Just after she sat back down in her seat Diamond Tiara leaned over toward her.

"Nice job, blank flank."

Apple Bloom woke up from her dream abruptly. She had nightmares from time to time, but it was the first time she had had one about the first time Diamond Tiara had ever called her blank flank. Since that day the nickname had stuck with her from year to year. Apple Bloom knew that once she got her cutie mark the nickname would go away, but she was determined not to have to put up with Diamond Tiara's bullying until that day came.

She looked at her clock and saw it was about fifteen minutes before she would normally get up. So she decided to get out of bed and go for a walk in the apple orchards before breakfast. When she went outside she was greeted by Winona, who wagged her tail enthusiastically when she saw Apple Bloom. The pair walked through the orchards for ten minutes, occasionally stopping and smelling the apple trees. Apple Bloom picked up a stick and tossed it away. Winona was more than happy to retrieve it, and as they walked every so often the filly would toss it again.

When Apple Bloom finally turned around and headed back to the house, she saw her older siblings standing on the porch, looking around.

"There you are," Big Macintosh said.

"Ah was a wonderin' when you'd come back from your walk," Applejack said.

"How'd you know I went for a walk?"

"Big Macintosh saw you walk outside. He looked through the window and saw you and Winona go into the orchards. You're just in time to have some breakfast before you go to school." Applejack opened the door for her siblings.

When Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh went into the house, Applejack followed closely behind them. They all sat down at a breakfast table that had apple pancakes, waffles, toast, hash browns, apple jelly, and apple juice all laid out. Granny Smith was already waiting at the table for them.

"We know you've been feeling pretty lousy lately, Apple Bloom," Big Macintosh said. "That's why we've arranged a little surprise for you."

On cue, Babs Seed came into the room. Apple Bloom blinked twice and leapt to her feet. She ran over to her cousin and gave her a big hug.

"How in Equestria is this possible? How are you? How have you been? I've missed you!" Apple Bloom said excitedly.

"I've missed you too Apple Bloom," Babs Seed replied and hugged her cousin back. "I'm so excited to be back."

"How long are you going to be here for?" Apple Bloom asked as she and Babs sat down next to each other at the table.

"I'm going to be here quite awhile, actually."

"Babs’ parents are going to be out of town for awhile on a assignment from the Princess. Princess Celestia requested them because of their experience in identifying edible fruits and vegetables in the wild. They're going to be part of a scientific exploration team studying the wilds to the north," Applejack explained.

"What for?"

"Now that the Crystal Empire has reappeared everypony thought it be a good idea to research the best crops to cultivate in that region," Applejack explained. "Examining what grows there naturally is a better place to start than to just grab a bunch of seeds and see what grows and what doesn't."

"While they're gone they asked Big Macintosh and Applejack if it would be all right if I stayed here. It's too dangerous for me to go with them."

"When they approached us about it we jumped at the chance to have Babs stay with us," Applejack said. "I've already talked to Miss Cheerilee about enrolling her in your class, and she said that won't be a problem."

"If you need any help catching up to where the rest of the class is, let us know. Miss Cheerilee said she has no problem working with you after school to get you caught up to where the rest of the students are," Granny Smith added.

"No sweat, I’m sure it won’t take me long to catch up,” Babs replied. “But what I’m really excited about is seeing Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo again."

"Once you chow down on these tasty vittles ah reckon you and Apple Bloom can go on to school and meet up with them before class starts," Applejack said.

The two fillies ate their breakfast quickly, realizing that they had to get on their way to school or they'd risk being late. Miss Cheerilee didn't like her students being tardy for class, and had a habit of giving detention to those who weren't on time. Apple Bloom was a good student, but she didn't want to spend more time in school than she had to. Normally it was Apple Bloom’s job to clear the table, but Applejack motioned to the clock and then to the door. Taking the hint, the filly grabbed her saddlebag and she and Babs trotted off toward school.

It was normal for Apple Bloom to meet up with her friends just outside of Sugarcube Corner. So when Apple Bloom and Babs Seed saw Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo there waiting for them, it didn't come as a surprise. The real surprise came when the other two fillies saw Babs Seed was with Apple Bloom. Both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle ran over to her and caught her in a group hug.

"I was just thinking about you!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"I got your letter yesterday and sent one in the mail back to you," Sweetie Belle said.

"It'll be some time before I get it," Babs Seed replied. "I'm staying with Apple Bloom while my folks are away. I'll be going to your school, too."

"You will? That's awesome!" Scootaloo said.

"Now the Cutie Mark Crusaders are reunited! Whoohooo!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.

"Come on, we'd better keep moving. We don’t want to be late for school," Sweetie Belle said.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders trotted toward the school and barely managed to put their stuff in their lockers and get to Cheerilee's class on time. Until she could get her own locker, Babs shared Apple Bloom’s locker. When the Crusaders walked into class, their teacher walked over to them.

"Good morning Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom. Good Morning Babs Seed. Welcome to my class."

In perfect unison the Cutie Mark Crusaders said, "Good Morning Miss Cheerilee!" and burst into laughter.

"Please take your seats. Babs there is an extra seat in the front row on the far right side, just in front of my desk."

"That will be fine," Babs Seed replied.

One by one all of the students came in and took their seats. Cheerilee was doing a head count as they came in, and noticed that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were missing. She waited a few minutes longer than she normally would, hoping they would arrive. Finally she couldn't wait any longer and moved to the front of the class.

"Okay my students. May I have your attention. Today we're going to do something a little out of the ordinary. We're having an assembly out on the playground. So I need all of you to file outside and meet near the swings."

"What's this assembly about?" Featherweight asked.

"The principal has something important he wants to address the entire school about," Miss Cheerilee replied.

The students all left the classroom and joined a sea of ponies leaving the school and gathering in the playground. The teachers instructed their students to sit while they stood watch over them, and the principal stood in front of the gathered students. Just before he started speaking, two ponies came out of the school and ran toward the crowd of students. Cheerilee looked at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon as they approached her.

"You two are late."

"We're sorry," Diamond Tiara replied.

"I warned you both about being tardy for class," Miss Cheerilee ignored the apology. "You both have 30 minutes detention after school today."

"Is everything ok, Miss Cheerilee?" Principal Icepick asked.

"Just fine." Miss Cheerilee said.

"Good. Students, teachers, faculty members, thank you for coming. For those of you who haven't met me yet, I'm Principal Icepick. You can just call me Icepick. Now, what I have to say is very important, so please pay attention. The subject of this assembly is bullying. There have been a rash of incidents at schools all around Equestria that involve students bullying other students. There have even been a few reported here as well.

There are many reasons that a pony chooses to bully another. Yet whatever reason a bully uses to justify their actions, it is wrong. Everypony is different. We all have different names, different coats, different manes. Maybe you’re fillies, maybe you’re colts. Maybe you've found your cutie mark. Maybe you haven't. Perhaps its because your cutie mark is different than everypony else's. Whatever reason you think you have to bully somepony, you are wrong.

I will not allow my students to be bullied. As of right now I'm going to overlook any past incidents that have occurred. Everypony here has a clean slate. This is as fair as I can be about this. If I find proof that bullying is going on in my school, I will find whoever is doing it. I will expel anypony caught bullying another student. You will be forced to repeat whatever grade you are in again at a different school.

I have seen many of you around, but have actually met surprisingly few of the students here. I don't know what my reputation is among you, and I really don't care what it is. Just know this. If you never believe anything else I ever tell you, know that there is no grace period. There will be no discussions about the punishment. I have all the authority I need to expel you for bullying. I don't want it to come to that, but if I find any of you are bullying another student, I'll do it without hesitation.

This is the only warning you will receive. Teachers, if any student comes to you because they're being bullied, I want to know about it immediately. Are there any questions?"

Principal Icepick waited a few moments and nopony raised their hoof. He looked at each student and teacher, and nodded.

"I think we're done here. Teachers, you may take the students back to class. Students, have a good day," Icepick said.

The large gathering of students turned and walked back inside. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were the last students to re-enter the building, followed by Cheerilee and Principal Icepick. The three fillies entered the classroom followed by their teacher, and the principal closed the door behind them. When the students had all taken their seats, Miss Cheerilee stood in front of her class and looked at them.

"Okay, class. It's time for the test on the Laws of Ponyville. Babs, I am going to give you this test, too. In your case it's to see how much of Equestrian law you know. The results of this test won't count on your record."

"Why does she get a free pass?" Silver Spoon asked.

"Because she wasn't here when I assigned the homework to the rest of you. I can hardly expect her to be prepared for a test she didn't know was coming. Since the rest of you knew about it I expect you to have prepared for it. That's why this test will count for the rest of you, but why it won't count for her."

Cheerilee walked to her desk and pulled out the test. She distributed it to each of her students and watched as they wrote down their answers. When each student was done, they brought the test to her desk and sat down. What surprised the pink earth pony was that Babs Seed was one of the first students done with the test. Cheerilee frowned when she saw her turn in the test so quickly, but smiled when she read her answers. Babs Seed got almost every question right despite not having studied for it. Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara turned their tests in at the same time.

For the next few hours the students of Miss Cheerilee's class learned about math, history, science, and literature. The Cutie Mark Crusaders paid attention to their teacher and took notes about the lessons she was teaching them. When it came time for lunch, the Crusaders all got food from the cafeteria and sat at a table by themselves. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon saw them sitting alone, and sat at a table near them.

"Look what we have here. It's like a club for losers," Silver Spoon said.

"Most clubs have a purpose in life, unlike those ponies," Diamond Tiara said.

"Don't you have anything new?" Babs Seed asked. "This record is so old it makes Neighl Diamond's greatest hits look contemporary."

"How long are you going to be here for? Don't you have a school of your own?" Silver Spoon asked.

Diamond Tiara took a sip out of her drink, and realized her cup was empty. She stood up and walked toward the water fountain to go get more water, and when she walked past Apple Bloom she turned and said, "It's a shame your cousin is more likely to get her cutie mark than you are."

Unfortunately Diamond Tiara wasn't paying attention to where she was walking, and she stepped out in front of Featherweight. Apple Bloom saw the collision about to occur and pushed Diamond Tiara out of the way. Featherweight stepped aside too and arely avoided dumping his food all over both of them. Caught completely by surprise, Diamond Tiara lost her footing and fell to the ground, landing hard on her side. The entire room burst into laughter at her. Everypony except Silver Spoon, who helped her back up.

"You pushed me!" Diamond Tiara shouted, looking at Apple Bloom.

"I tried to stop you from crashing into Featherweight and having food spilled all over you," Apple Bloom said.

"Can't you even say thank you?" Scootaloo asked.

"I should thank her for pushing me?" Diamond Tiara asked. "You're nuts."

"I think we should be heading back to class," Babs Seed said. "Lunch is just about over anyway."

"This isn't over. You will all pay dearly for this," Diamond Tiara said, her voice dripping with contempt.

The afternoon part of school went without incident. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon made no effort to bother the Cutie Mark Crusaders; even during recess the two ponies avoided them. After school Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were held over because of their detention while the Crusaders were free to go to Sugarcube Corner and have some cupcakes to celebrate Babs Seed’s return. While they were enjoying their time there together Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were released from detention and allowed to go home.

"Stupid Cutie Mark Crusaders," Silver Spoon said.

"I've been thinking about the best way to express my appreciation for what Apple Bloom did to me at lunch today."

"What's on your mind?" Silver Spoon asked.

"Do you still have that tape recorder you showed me the other day?"

"Yeah, it's at home."

"Go get it and meet me at their clubhouse," Diamond Tiara replied, grinning mercilessly.

Silver Spoon trotted back to her home and retrieved her tape recorder while Diamond Tiara made her way to the Crusaders' clubhouse at Sweet Apple Acres. It took about fifteen minutes for Silver Spoon to get there with the recorder. Since the Crusaders hadn't returned yet there was still time. Diamond Tiara ran inside the clubhouse and put the recorder in a hidden spot under one of the floorboards. She hoped the Crusaders wouldn't look there as she turned it on. When she finally came out of the clubhouse and climbed back down the ladder she looked over at Silver Spoon, who was tapping her hoof impatiently.

"Find a good spot for it?" Silver Spoon asked.

"I sure did. Now if they would be so kind as to not find it, we'll have a very good day tomorrow," Diamond Tiara said, smiling.

The two fillies disappeared into the Apple family’s orchards, heading back to town. A few minutes later the Cutie Mark Crusaders walked into the clubhouse.

"Those cupcakes were awesome. I wish our local bakery was this good," Babs Seed said.

"Those were good, but wait till you taste them when they're piping hot right out of the oven," Sweetie Belle said.

"And with extra sprinkles. Pinkie Pie taught me you can never have enough sprinkles," Scootaloo added.

"So Scootaloo have you seen Rainbow Dash lately?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Three days ago she said she was going to visit her friend Gilda."

"You mean that nasty griffin who came to town?"

"Yeah, that's her. Apparently she apologized and Rainbow Dash forgave her, but she doesn't feel comfortable coming back to Ponyville after the mess she caused. I haven't heard from Rainbow since, but I'm sure they're having fun. Dash told me before she left that Gilda was one of the best flyers she knew!"

"I think we should get this meeting underway," Sweetie Belle interrupted the orange pegasus.

"Agreed. This meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders is now called to order. Is there any old business before we discuss new ways to earn our cutie marks?" Apple Bloom asked.

After waiting a few minutes with nopony speaking up, Scootaloo broke the silence.

"Since there is no old business, I think we should give zip lining another try," Scootaloo said.

"That didn't work out so well last time. It took me hours to get all the tree sap out of my mane," Sweetie Belle replied.

"I smelled like pine trees for days," Apple Bloom said.

"You gotta admit it was fun. At least until the line broke and we all fell to the ground," Scootaloo said.

"What about the cannon idea? That was fun," Apple Bloom suggested.

"Sure. Until I got shot out of it and landed head first in a bee's nest," Scootaloo said. "I'm sure the doctors in Ponyville Hospital remember. They said they never saw so many bee stings on one pony in their lives."

"That pretty much ended the idea of Cutie Mark Crusader Circus Acrobats," Sweetie Belle said.

"What about training animals? Maybe Fluttershy can let us teach some of her animal friends some tricks," Babs suggested.

"We thought that way once, too. We went into the woods and tried to become Cutie Mark Crusader Animal Handlers," Apple Bloom said.

"How'd that work out for the three of you?"

"No so good. We tried to teach a group of squirrels how to play cards. From what Fluttershy said one squirrel accused another of cheating, and next thing we knew we were in the middle of a six-way brawl between squirrels. Angel Bunny had to pull them off of us," Sweetie Belle said.

"How about we go swimming? Maybe we can get our cutie marks as swimmers," Babs suggested.

"It's worth a try," Apple Bloom replied, adjourning the meeting.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders left the clubhouse and went to a lake south of Ponyville. They spent hours there, swimming and playing around. While they were swimming, Diamond Tiara slipped out of her house and returned to the Crusaders’ clubhouse. She found the tape recorder exactly where she left it. She picked it up, made sure things were put back the way they were, and went home. After listening to what was recorded and laughing, she went to sleep. She knew she would have to be up early the next morning to catch the Cutie Mark Crusaders off guard, and so as not to get detention two days in a row for being late to class. As it got later in the evening, the Crusaders came back to town and went home for the night, blissfully unaware of what Diamond Tiara had planned.

The next morning at school went by pretty smoothly. Babs Seed was starting to get more adjusted to being in a new class and was participating a little more, much to Cheerilee's delight. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had just learned they scored perfectly on yesterday’s test, while Scootaloo was happy to have passed with a C+. But best of all none of the Cutie Mark Crusaders had been bothered by Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon. When class let out for morning recess, the trio of fillies did what they always did and walked along the edge of the fence around the playground.

When they made their way around the perimeter of the playground, they saw their classmates gathered around the swing set. They walked over to it and saw they were surrounding Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Diamond Tiara was holding a tape recorder, and the four Crusaders looked nervously at each other.

"I don't like where this is going," Scootaloo said.

"Just because she has a tape recorder doesn't mean it has anything to do with us," Babs said.

As if on cue, Diamond Tiara pressed play on the tape recorder and the conversation the Cutie Mark Crusaders had had in the privacy of their clubhouse played for their entire class. Every idea they suggested and every response they had to ideas they tossed around were now known to their classmates. That caused those classmates to point, laugh, and snicker at the Crusaders. The four fillies looked absolutely infuriated at having their conversation played for the rest of the school. They stood stoically and looked at Diamond Tiara, unsure what response to give to this development.

Scootaloo stood alongside her friends, trying to keep her rapidly swelling emotions under control. When she felt a tear form in the corner of her eye, she took a step toward Diamond Tiara. Her friends knew her well enough to know what would happen if she were allowed to reach her, so they hopped on top of her and knocked her down. Once Scootaloo was on the ground, they pinned her down.

"Let me go!" Scootaloo shouted.

"Not like this. We know what you're about to do," Sweetie Belle said.

"We're not going to let you get kicked out of school," Apple Bloom added.

"I don't care about that!" Scootaloo replied, her emotions finally getting the better of her. The single tear that was in her eye dripped to the ground, and she began to cry hard.

"There's another way," Babs whispered in Scootaloo's ear.

"Don't let her win," Sweetie Belle said.

Despite struggling against her friends, eventually she calmed down. Once she stopped struggling, her friends helped her back onto her hooves. The Crusaders turned and walked through the crowd, who were still laughing at them, and headed back inside the school. As Scootaloo passed Diamond Tiara, the filly said to her, "You're lucky your friends stopped you.”

"You're lucky we didn't let her go," Apple Bloom replied.

There were still several minutes left in the recess, and the Crusaders sat in the back of the classroom.

"You said there was another way," Scootaloo said. "What exactly did you mean?"

"After I transferred schools to get away from bullies, I made friends. The problem was they, like you, were being bullied. They taught me the value of standing together. Together we can stand up to bullies in ways that none of us can do alone," Babs said.

"We've tried standing up to Diamond Tiara. You see how that's going," Apple Bloom said.

"Some ponies can be talked to. Bargained with. Reasoned with. And there are those ponies who can't. When those efforts fail, you have to explain things to them in a way they will understand," Babs Seed replied.

"What do you have in mind?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"After school today we'll have our Crusaders meeting. I'll explain then," Babs said.

"I move we change where we hold our meetings to a more secure location," Scootaloo said.

"Seconded," Apple Bloom replied.

"I agree," Babs Seed said.

"Motion is unanimous. But if not in the clubhouse, where?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I've got a place in mind. It's still at Sweet Apple Acres, but its much more isolated," Apple Bloom said. "We'll meet at the clubhouse, but we'll move once we all get there."

"I seriously doubt Diamond Tiara will try and record us again," Babs said.

"Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, I say we don't give her the chance to do it again," Apple Bloom said.

The Crusaders took their seats and kept largely quiet the rest of the day. Miss Cheerilee noticed the change in behavior after their first recess. She noticed their facial expressions and the absolute lack of participation from any of them in class. When school let out for the day, she stopped them and waited till everypony else had left the room.

When the last student had left the room, she closed the door and turned to the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"I wanted to ask you all something. What exactly happened during first recess?"

"Nothing," Apple Bloom replied.

"I'm not blind. I noticed after you all came back from recess you changed. You were less responsive in class. None of you smiled once the rest of the day. Even now that school is out you're still not smiling. If something happened I want to know."

"Nothing happened. We walked around outside for a little while, then we came back inside and sat in here until recess was over. We talked amongst ourselves," Sweetie Belle said, choosing her words carefully.

"Uh huh," Cheerilee replied, sounding unconvinced. "You all were so happy and so full of life this morning when you came to school. It showed right up until I dismissed you for recess. When you came back you looked very different, and I'm supposed to believe that whatever happened during recess had nothing to do with it. Right?"

"Nothing happened," Babs Seed said.

"If you've got anything you need to tell me, or want to tell me, this is the time. If the problem is what I suspect it to be, you'd be right to tell me what happened."

"Seriously, nothing happened. All we did was talk," Scootaloo said.

"As you wish," Cheerilee said, opening the classroom door. "Have a good night my students, and I will see you tomorrow."

The four fillies walked out of the classroom toward their lockers. After retrieving their saddlebags and schoolbooks, they left the schoolhouse and walked toward Sweet Apple Acres. Usually they talked along the way and joked around with each other, but today they walked in almost complete silence. When they got to the clubhouse, Apple Bloom led them into the apple orchards, far away from the clubhouse, the barn, the house and everything else. Once Apple Bloom was certain they were alone, she took off her saddlebag and kicked it into a tree.

"I'm so sick and tired of this. Every day we have to take abuse from her," Apple Bloom said.

"Not even the adults will deal with her. The principal and Miss Cheerilee tell us it will pass, and to just be patient," Sweetie Belle said.

"There was a time and place for talking. After today, I think we can all agree that time has passed," Babs Seed said.

"When you said that some ponies need to have things explained to them in a way they will understand, what did you mean?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I think I know what Babs means," Sweetie Belle said. "And I have an idea on how we can drive the point home."

"Really? What do you have in mind?" Babs Seed asked.

"First we'll need some tools. We'll need rope, a hacksaw, some plastic bags, some markers, and flashlights," Sweetie Belle said.

"What are we gonna do with all that stuff?" Scootaloo asked.

Sweetie Belle laid out her thoughts on how best to deal with Silver Spoon.

"That seems a little extreme. I'd hate it if somepony did that to me," Apple Bloom said.

"Agreed, it is extreme. But desperate times call for desperate measures," Sweetie Belle replied.

"Time to put it to a vote. All those in favor of Sweetie Belle’s plan raise their hooves," Scootaloo said.

All four ponies raised their hooves.

"It's unanimous," Babs Seed said. "Motion carries."

"Think we can do this tonight?" Apple Bloom asked.

"There's a Sapphire Shores concert tonight. I know she's going because she rubbed it in my face that she has tickets and I don't," Sweetie Belle said.

"Babs, if you and Sweetie Belle can take care of that, we'll get everything else ready and meet up with you," Apple Bloom said.

"We won't be long," Babs Seed said.

The next morning, Apple Bloom woke up early and made breakfast for her family, much to Applejack’s surprise and delight. While her younger sister’s cooking wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t bad, either. She helped herself to a second portion of pancakes before Granny Smith or Big Macintosh woke up.

With the rest of the Apple family distracted eating, the two cousins trotted off to school, and met up with the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders at their usual spot. While they were walking to school they saw a light green pony with a pink mane run past. She was wearing a black cap with a police shield on it, and she was pulling a wagon with the words "Ponyville Police Dept." on the sides. They looked and saw the police pony stop in front of Silver Spoon’s home. Silver Spoon was sitting on the sidewalk in front of her home, with her parents at her side.

"Uh oh," Apple Bloom said.

"Shh, don't talk about it," Sweetie Belle said.

"Don't even think about it," Scootaloo said.

"Keep walking. Everything is fine," Babs Seed said.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders kept right on walking to school, trying to keep their pace even. Silver Spoon didn't even notice them as they walked right past her, and when they got to school they looked behind them and saw the silver filly racing for the school. Ponies were still in the halls near their lockers when Silver Spoon reached hers. She opened her locker and saw all the heads of her stuffed animals come pouring out of it.

Silver Spoon loved stuffed animals and she had quite the collection going. Hundreds of stuffed animal heads came pouring out of her locker, and Silver Spoon screamed at the top of her lungs as they landed on top of her. She looked at them and saw somepony had drawn her cutie mark on each one. To not raise suspicion, the Cutie Mark Crusaders gathered around her along with the rest of the ponies in the hall and looked horrified.

"Who would do such a thing?" Featherweight asked.

"Why would anyone do something like that?" Twist asked.

"That's horrible. That's what that is," Snails said.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked on at Silver Spoon, who was crying so hard she was shaking as Cheerilee came out of the classroom to see what the commotion was all about.

Chapter 3: The Grand Illusion

"What?!" Everypony shouted in unison.

"Please, climb into the wagon," Minty said. "I'll take you to holding and we'll get this over with."

"Not so fast. Nopony's going anywhere 'til you tell us what in the hay makes you think they're guilty of foalnapping Diamond Tiara," Rainbow Dash said.

"Yes. They're foals themselves you know," Rarity added.

"They'd never foalnap anypony," Applejack said. "I know my sister and her friends."

Minty looked at the fillies in front of her for a few moments, pondering something, "Because there is a chance I might be making a mistake here, I'm going to tell you exactly why I'm arresting them, and let you explain to me why they're not guilty with the evidence I have. I can't guarantee I won't have to arrest them anyway, but you have a right to know why I'm doing this."

"What evidence do you have?" Babs asked.

"Earlier this afternoon we received a visitor at the police station. Diamond Tiara’s father, Filthy Rich, came running into the police station and told us he needed help. We went with him back to his home, and on the way there he told us he believed his daughter had been foalnapped. We went inside and searched his home. Diamond Tiara’s room was ransacked. We believe there was a struggle because we found a lamp shattered against a wall that did not have an outlet. It looked like she threw it at whoever was attacking her."

"What exactly does that have to do with us?" Apple Bloom asked.

"We searched the room for any sign of who might have done this. We found evidence that a pegasus with orange feathers was in her room. Know any pegasi with orange feathers?"

"Look around, Minty. Go for a walk in Ponyville. You won't go a block without seeing a pegasus with orange feathers," Rainbow Dash replied.

"While that may be true, how many of them know the missing pony? Given Scootaloo and Diamond Tiara go to school together, I decided to come here and ask you some questions. When Applejack answered the door I asked if she knew where you and your friends were, Scootaloo. She took me to your treehouse. When we got there we called out to you, but nopony answered. So we climbed up and looked inside. Can anypony tell me why there was a piece of a tail inside your treehouse that looks a lot like Diamond Tiara’s tail?"

"There was what in the treehouse?" Rarity demanded.

"A piece of a pony’s tail. It has the same colors that Diamond Tiara’s tail has," Minty said. "I've got it in an evidence bag and I will take it to the police station, along with a brush Filthy Rich said she used to brush her tail. I'll compare the two and see for myself if it matches. If it does, you fillies are in a whole world of trouble."

"That's impossible!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"We were together the whole evening," Apple Bloom said.

"We didn't foalnap anypony," Babs said.

"Then explain how that tail wound up in the treehouse," Minty demanded.

"We haven't been in the treehouse in days," Sweetie Belle said.

"There has to be some mistake," Big Macintosh said.

"How about it?" Minty asked. "Any of you fillies have anything you want to say?"

"We didn't have anything to do with this," Scootaloo said.

"You're not leaving me a choice here. Now you know the reasons why you're being arrested, so into the wagon you go," Minty said.

Sweetie Belle looked at the wagon and burst into tears. Rarity hugged her sister and burst into tears with her. It wasn't long before Apple Bloom and Babs began to cry, which caused Applejack to give them both a hug. Scootaloo held out the longest, but eventually the tears started flowing and Rainbow Dash embraced her. Minty watched the fillies start crying and felt tears well up in her own eyes.

"Please, Minty, I'm begging you. There must be another way." Applejack said softly.

"I'm sorry," Minty replied, tears dripping down her cheek. "I haven't got a choice. Until we find Diamond Tiara, I have to take them into custody under suspicion of foalnapping. I won't put them into general holding. I’m in charge of all crimes committed by or against juveniles, so there are special cells for fillies and colts next to my office. That’s where I'll be taking them. They'll be alone, but they'll be safe. You're all free to visit them as often as you wish. In fact I encourage you to visit them. Jail is a scary place even for adults, so I do my best to make an unpleasant experience as nice as possible."

"But I don't wanna go to jail!" Sweetie Belle shouted.

"I know," Rarity said, hugging Sweetie Belle again. "We'll be there soon. We're going to go get Twilight. Maybe she has a spell she can use to help us find Diamond Tiara. The faster we find her, the faster we prove you weren't involved and get you home."

The Crusaders looked at each other and nodded. They walked over to the wagon, and Minty let the tailgate down. They stepped up on the wagon and Minty raised the tailgate behind Scootaloo, who was the last one to climb in. She raised a cloth canopy over the wagon and snapped it in place, effectively shielding the fillies from view on all sides.

“What are you doing, sugarcube?” Applejack asked as she saw Rainbow Dash walk over towards the wagon’s harness.

“I’m going to steal the wagon and take them someplace safe. You two go get Twilight and come up with a solution to this mess.”

“Rainbow, darling, I’d like to add the phrase ‘aiding and abetting’ to your vocabulary. While your loyalty to your friends is commendable as always, this is not the right way to go about doing things. You’ll only add to their problems by adding ‘resisting arrest’ to the list of charges against them, and you’ll go to jail too,” Rarity admonished the pegasus.

“That’s only if I get caught, and that hasn’t happened yet!”

She tried to run towards the wagon but Applejack clamped onto the blue pegasus’ tail with her teeth and stood her ground. In the meantime Minty hooked herself up to the wagon and started walking back towards town.

Rainbow Dash sighed as she watched the wagon depart with the fillies inside. “Think we could call in a favor to Princess Celestia to fix this?”

“We’ll ask Twilight if she thinks we should. And the sooner we get to the library, the sooner we can ask her,” said Applejack as she and Rarity ran past Rainbow Dash. The rainbow-maned pegasus bolted after them.

"We're arrested," Babs said. "How in the hoof is any of this possible?"

"This is ridiculous," Apple Bloom said. "We've been together the whole day. We didn't do anything to Diamond Tiara."

"Sooner or later they're going to realize that and let us go," Sweetie Belle said.

"You're an optimist. I've got a better question. Exactly how did one of my feathers get into her bedroom? I've never been in there."

"Or how did her tail get into our clubhouse? We haven't gone back there for a reason," Babs said.

"You think she's setting us up?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"It makes sense. She could have gotten one of Scootaloo’s feathers from anywhere," Apple Bloom said.

"After doing that to her room she could have cut her own tail off and hid it in the clubhouse. After all we weren't there," Scootaloo said.

"This is all well and good, but how do we prove it? We've already.... Oww! Watch it you crazy cop lady!" Babs shouted toward the front of the wagon.

"Sorry!" Minty shouted back. "The road is full of potholes. I can't avoid them all. You know how this town gets destroyed every few months? All the repairs come out of the road repair budget."

"How come that’s not in the ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ brochure Pinkie Pie gave me when I moved to town?” Babs shouted back at the mint green mare.

“It is mentioned in the brochure. What else could the phrases ‘excitement never ends’ and ‘our town is full of surprises’ mean?” Minty asked.

Babs shook her head and turned back towards the rest of the Crusaders. “We've already told them we didn't do it. Unfortunately, we can’t prove that. All we can do is hope that somepony finds Diamond Tiara soon. Once she's back, the truth will come to light.”

"So that means the only thing we can do is wait," Sweetie Belle replied.

"And think of what we can do when we catch up to Diamond Tiara again," Scootaloo said.

"This is most definitely not the time or place for that conversation," Babs said sharply and motioned towards Minty.

After about ten minutes the wagon slowed. Another minute passed and the wagon stopped completely. They heard Minty unhook the harness from her chest and let it drop to the ground. Then Minty walked around and removed the cover from the wagon and lowered the tailgate.

"Please step down," Minty said.

The four fillies stepped off the wagon and looked around. They were in a well-lit garage with two doors. On the door to their left was a sign that read, ‘To holding, main offices, and the drunk tank’ and on their right was a sign marked ‘Exit’. Minty walked over and opened the door to the right. She glanced outside. “Um, oops. Let's pretend that I didn't almost inadvertently release you under your own recognizance.”

She then opened the door to the left. The fillies walked through the door and Minty closed it behind them. In the next room were several cages on both sides. Each one had a cot and a small table. Except for the last two cages the rest were empty. As Minty and the fillies walked past the cages they saw Trixie in a cage on the left, and Berry Punch in a cage on the right, near the door.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie is too powerful to be behind bars."

"True, but the Great and Powerful Trixie should have thought about that when she forgot to get a permit before performing in the town square," Minty replied as they walked past.

"I don't even know why I'm here," Berry Punch said, hiccupping as she talked. "Is it a crime to drink?"

"No," Minty replied, her voice dry. "But it is a crime to be intoxicated in public."

"That’s slander and I intend to press charges. The minute I'm sober," Berry Punch replied, taking a step and falling over.

Minty rolled her eyes and opened the door that led out of the room. The Crusaders walked through first, followed closely by the green earth pony. She led them through the building toward the front and into an office room.

"This is my office. Through here is a large room that is mostly empty," Minty said, opening the door in her office. She led the fillies to an empty room adjacent to her office.

"What's this room used for?" Babs asked.

"The chief of police gave it to me so I can keep juveniles separated from the rest of the inmates. I'll go bring in some cots and blankets for each of you."

"I suppose we should thank you, but since we didn't do this and you're locking us up anyway we're not," Babs said.

"I know how frustrated you must feel. But I'm just trying to do my job."

"Do your job?" Scootaloo said angrily. "If you want to do your job, find whoever took Diamond Tiara. They're still out there. Find them and lock them up in here, and let us go. Then you'll be doing your job."

"I'll be back soon," Minty said, turning and walking out of the room. She locked the door behind her.

About ten minutes passed before the fillies heard the door open and saw Minty come walking into the room, carrying four bags on her back. She set the bags down on the ground and set up four cots. She walked out of the room and came back in, this time carrying sleeping bags and pillows.

"I'm going to order some dinner. I know you fillies have to be hungry. What would you like to eat tonight?"

"Nothing," Sweetie Belle said.

"No, she's right. We need to eat," Babs said.

"I'm not hungry," Scootaloo said.

"Not eating won't help you," Minty said. "I'm willing to go get you food from anywhere. Anything you want. You just have to tell me what it is you want to eat."

"A cheese pizza from the cafe would be great," Apple Bloom said.

"I'll be right back," Minty said, trotting out of the room. It took her nearly half an hour to return, but when she walked back in the room she was followed by Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash.

"I ran into your sisters while on my way to the cafe, so I bought enough pizza for everypony," Minty said, setting the pizza boxes on the floor and closing the door behind Rarity, who was the last pony to enter the room.

"Look at this place. Not a trace of fashion to be seen anywhere. It's just absolutely dreadful. Cruel and unusual punishment, even," Rarity said.

Twilight interrupted the overdramatic unicorn, "Minty, Applejack was telling me about the evidence you have. Do you mind if I examine it for myself?"

"The evidence is on a train headed to the crime lab in Canterlot for analysis right now. I don't think the lab would allow you to examine it due to the potential for contamination. They prefer to keep things done by their own ponies."

"I’ll have Spike send a message to my brother in Canterlot. As the Captain of the Royal Guard I'm sure he can help us catch whoever did this," Twilight said.

"Is there a spell you can cast that can help us find Diamond Tiara?" Rarity asked.

"A locator spell?" Twilight asked. "I've read about them, but I’ve never tried one. When I get back to the library I'll give it a shot."

"Ah was wonderin' something," Applejack said. "Is it possible whoever took Diamond Tiara could have planted the evidence to frame the fillies?"

"That thought crossed my mind, too. I've asked the lab to run the feather Officer Sweet Stuff found and the tail I located through Radiometric dating. It'll let them figure out how old the samples are."

"They can tell that without any samples to compare them to?" Twilight asked.

"I have a fresh sample," Minty said. “Scootaloo preened a few feathers while in the wagon. Saves me from having to ask permission to pluck one.”

“Pegasi sometimes preen when nervous,” Rainbow Dash explained. “Fluttershy used to do it when we were fillies. She actually failed summer flight camp due to over-plucking. She had to take it again, which is actually a good thing since if she hadn't, we'd have never become friends.”

"Steering this conversation back on topic, I'd love to take a tour of the lab sometime," Twilight said.

"Once this is resolved I can try and arrange one for you. In the meantime I'm going to go to Ponyville Elementary School tomorrow. While I'm there I'll pick up your schoolwork. There's no reason for you to fall behind in your studies."

"Why are you going to Ponyville Elementary tomorrow?" Scootaloo asked.

"This investigation is on hold until the lab sends me the analysis report from the evidence I sent them. Since I can't do any more investigating with this yet, I thought I'd try and find out how those animal heads got put in Silver Spoon’s locker."

The ponies talked and ate pizza until every single slice was gone. They talked about anything and everything to get the fillies’ minds off their present predicament. When it got late, Minty allowed the adults to say their goodbyes to the Cutie Mark Crusaders and then escorted them from the room. She locked the door behind her, and everypony went home. Minty asked the officer on duty, Sweet Stuff, to check on the fillies every half hour to see if they needed anything.

The next morning Minty went to Ponyville Elementary School early and caught up with Cheerilee before class.

"Hi Cheerilee!"

"Hello Minty. How are you this morning?"

"Doing okay. There's something I need to tell you. Several of your students won't be in class today."

"Who?" Cheerilee asked.

"Diamond Tiara was foalnapped last night. Due to the evidence that was found I was forced to arrest Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Babs Seed because it looks like they were involved."

"What?" Cheerilee asked, shocked.

"Do you have any homework you'd like them to do? I told them I'd check with you while I was here today."

The teacher gave the assignments for the next few days to the pink-maned mint green pony.

"I can't believe you'd arrest them. They're just fillies. There's no way they could have done this."

"I would like to believe that. But we found evidence that makes it look like they did."

"I'm not going to tell my students about why they're absent. It's better if they don't know."

"Agreed. I'll keep you updated if anything changes with them," Minty said, turning and walking down the hall.

Miss Cheerilee watched Minty go, wondering how in Equestria that pony could possibly be a police officer. When she heard the bell ring that signaled the start of class, she turned and walked inside her classroom. Her remaining students were waiting for her, and she began teaching them about Equestrian geography.

Silver Spoon sat at the middle of class. She had expected to see Diamond Tiara come walking in late as usual, but she had never been this late before. The silver filly also noticed that not a single one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders had shown up for class, either. They seldom missed school, and for all of the Crusaders and Diamond Tiara to miss school at the same time made her feel uneasy. When the morning session was over and recess came, she waited for the rest of the class to leave. Cheerilee saw her still sitting in her seat and walked over to her.

"Are you okay?" the pink pony asked. "You should be at recess with the others."

"Where are Diamond Tiara, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Babs Seed?" Silver Spoon asked flatly.

"I don't know if I should tell you. This isn't something that can get spread around."

"She did something, didn't she?" Silver Spoon asked.

"Did something? What do you mean?"

Silver Spoon looked down at her desk for a few moments, then back at her teacher.

"I need to be excused from class today."

"I can't do that without a good reason."

"I don't know exactly what it is she had planned," Silver Spoon said. "But I'm guessing something happened to the Cutie Mark Crusaders and I'm betting Diamond Tiara is responsible."

"You knew about this and didn't tell anypony about it?" Cheerilee asked, sounding worried. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't think she'd actually go through with her threat. I thought it was idle chatter. Something to make her feel better. What did she do?"

"Diamond Tiara didn't do anything," Miss Cheerilee said. "She was foalnapped last night. Officer Minty arrested the Crusaders because she thinks they were involved."

"You need to let me go talk to Officer Minty. The Crusaders are innocent, and I can prove it."

"Go. Last time I talked to Officer Minty she said she'd be here looking into what happened to you yesterday, though she could be anywhere by now. As much as I hate saying this, try looking on the playground first, and if she isn't there check the cafeteria."

“Will do. And if I don’t find her here I’ll check the police station."

"Wait,” Cheerilee reached into her desk. “This is the homework I’m assigning to the class. Due tomorrow."

"I'll have it done," Silver Spoon said as she trotted out of the classroom.

Silver Spoon searched all over the school for Minty, and she finally found the policemare when she was on her way out the door. The mint green pony wasn't going very fast and Silver Spoon raced to catch up to her. Minty heard her running and turned around to see her just as she came to a stop.

"Hi there, Silver Spoon."

"Off...Officer Minty," Silver Spoon said, trying to catch her breath.

"Take your time. Take a few deep breaths."

"I need to talk to you about Diamond Tiara," Silver Spoon said, finally breathing normally again.

"Miss Cheerilee said she wouldn't talk to her class about that," Minty said. "Guess that promise didn't hold up long."

"She didn't talk to me about it," Silver Spoon replied. "I...I already knew."

"You wanna run that by me one more time, please?"

"I knew about Diamond Tiara already."

"Does your teacher know where you are right now?" Minty asked.

"Yes. I told her I had to go talk to you and why."

"Have you had breakfast yet?" Minty asked.

"No. I woke up too late. I didn't have time to eat."

"Come with me. I'm going to take you to the cafe and treat you to some of my favorite pancakes. I need you to tell me everything you know. Just start at the beginning. How exactly did you know what happened to Diamond Tiara?"

Minty and Silver Spoon walked toward the cafe side by side. The silver filly explained about the conversation she had had with Diamond Tiara after school the day before, including Diamond Tiara’s threat to get even with the Crusaders, and their history of not getting along with each other. Minty occasionally stopped her to ask questions. Silver Spoon didn't hold anything back and poured out information to Minty as fast as she could.

"So let me get this straight," Minty said. "You believe that Diamond Tiara took advantage of the crime committed against you and staged her own disappearance just to get me to arrest the ... what was it you called them? Cutie Mark Crusaders?"

"She said she was going to frame them. She didn't specify exactly how she was going to or I would have come to you sooner," Silver Spoon said.

"Don't blame yourself," Minty said. "You're doing the right thing by coming to me with this."

"So you can release the Crusaders. They're completely innocent."

"I wish it were that easy," Minty said. "I believe you, but I need to find Diamond Tiara first. Only then can I release the Crusaders because I will have undisputable evidence they really didn't foalnap her."

"I think I know where she is," Silver Spoon said.

"You do?" Minty asked, surprised. "Where?"

"There's a spot between Fluttershy’s cottage and the Everfree Forest. It's a small clearing in the forest next to a stream. When she was younger, back before she got her cutie mark, she and I spent hours there. We haven't gone there in years, but I think she might have gone there now."

"You need to take me there as soon as we've eaten," Minty said. "The sooner we find her and bring her back, the sooner I can let your friends go home."

"They're not really my friends. Just my classmates. Actually, Diamond Tiara's my friend. Or at least she was. I don't think she's going to like it much that I've turned her in."

"I commend you for doing the right thing. It's not easy to turn state's evidence against a friend. I know, I've been there myself. It stinks, especially when they have to relocate you to Ponyville as part of the Witness Protection Program, and you end up taking a job as a cop because you're terrified of what your friend will do to you when she gets out and you want to be prepared. Anyway, I've been assured that Flippity Flop should be out of the slammer in another three to five years, assuming good behavior."

"What did Flippity Flop do that was so bad?"

"She was making unauthorized copies of Major League Baseball film reels. That's a big no-no. The league really hates that. I know it sounds kinda trivial, but the law's the law."

Silver Spoon had no idea how to respond to that confession, so she decided to change the subject instead, "So what will happen to Diamond Tiara?"

"I'll keep her in holding at the police station until we can find her father. When he comes and takes custody of her, we'll release her to him and file charges against her for all of this. She'll most likely go before a judge and get community service as her sentence. I can't really see a judge throwing anything harsher at her for this. Unless she gets Judge Wysteria. In that case, all bets are off. She's a real hardflank. Poor Sunny Daze. Two months in prison for rollerskating in 'no skating' area. I mean a hefty fine should have been sufficient, or like two weeks in jail, max."

Minty's discussion had not put Silver Spoon's mind at ease. In fact, it had actually made her more confused than ever. She questioned if she was really doing the right thing as they ate their breakfast in silence. Both had double raspberry pancakes and orange juice. After they ate Silver Spoon led Minty to the outskirts of Ponyville, past Fluttershy’s home, and eventually into the Everfree Forest. They walked quietly, partly because of how dangerous the forest was and partly because Silver Spoon was still uneasy about what she was doing. Silver Spoon led Minty to the clearing in the forest, where as predicted, the two ponies could see Diamond Tiara off to the right side. She looked at the two approaching ponies and tried to run.

"Freeze!" Minty shouted, and ran after her. The policemare was faster than Diamond Tiara, and caught her easily before she could reach the forest again.

"Let me go or my father will hear of this!" Diamond Tiara shouted.

"You're absolutely right. Your father will hear of this, I promise. I'm placing you under arrest for falsifying evidence and a litany of other charges I will determine when we get to the police station."

"You can't arrest me. You have no proof. Do you know who my father is?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"The question you should ask is do I care who your father is. And the answer to that is I don't. You're under arrest. As for the proof, whatever happened to that pretty little tail of yours?" Minty asked, looking at Diamond Tiara’s missing tail.

Minty cuffed Diamond Tiara’s hooves together. With help from Silver Spoon, they got Diamond Tiara onto the green earth pony’s back. The policemare carried her out of the Everfree Forest, followed closely by Silver Spoon.

"I never thought you'd betray me," Diamond Tiara shouted.

"I never thought you'd stoop so low as to frame innocent ponies," Silver Spoon retorted.

Minty took Diamond Tiara through town in hoofcuffs, ignoring everypony who looked at them. She led Silver Spoon into the police station and put Diamond Tiara in a holding cell in the back of the station. She finally removed the hoofcuffs from the filly once she locked her in a cell.

"After I release the Crusaders I'll find your father and inform him about all of this. When he arrives I'll release you into his custody. I'm certain you and he will have a lot to talk about this afternoon."

Minty and Silver Spoon walked out of the holding area and back to her office. She knocked on the door where the Crusaders were being held and opened it.

"I've got some good news for you fillies," Minty said.

"Let me guess. You found the tail was Diamond Tiara’s and now we're going to Canterlot for trial?" Scootaloo asked.

"No," Minty replied. "We just found Diamond Tiara. You fillies are free to go. All charges are dropped, and I’m sorry for having arrested you."

"Just like that you're letting us go?" Babs asked.

"Wait a second, whaddya mean we found Diamond Tiara? Who's we?" Apple Bloom asked.

Minty stepped aside and Silver Spoon stepped forward.

"You?" The Crusaders asked, incredulously.

"I helped Officer Minty find Diamond Tiara," Silver Spoon said. "I'm sorry she did this to you."

"How'd you know where she was?" Babs demanded.

"It's a long story, and not worth repeating," Silver Spoon said. "All that matters is you're free."

"Silver Spoon is too modest," Minty said. She related the events of the morning to the four fillies.

"I think I speak for all of us when I say CUTIE MARK CRUSADER GROUP HUG, YAY!" Apple Bloom shouted, and the four fillies gave Silver Spoon a hug in unison. Minty stifled a giggle at the sight.

"If there's nothing else, we'll be on our way," Sweetie Belle said.

"Where is Diamond Tiara?" Babs asked.

"Remember those holding cells you passed yesterday? Since you're all still in here, I couldn't bring her here yet. So I put her in a cell at the far end of the room. I'll bring her here once you're gone She'll stay in here until her father comes for her later."

"She's gonna have a night she won't soon forget," Scootaloo said.

The five fillies walked out of the police station and stood alongside the street, looking at one another.

"I know we've had our differences in the past," Silver Spoon said. "And I know I've been rough on all of you. I'm sorry. I want to start over if you can find it in your hearts to forgive me."

"You want to be friends?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I don't want us to be enemies anymore. What Diamond Tiara did showed me how wrong I was for acting like a snob. I promise not to act like that anymore. Whether we become friends or not I won't treat you like that again."

"I think this is the start of a beautiful new friendship," Scootaloo said.

"School's almost over for the day so there's no point in going back there," Silver Spoon said. "Normally I'd be going home right about now, so that’s what I’m going to do. I'll see you all later."

"What about Diamond Tiara?" Babs asked.

"After what happened last night and today, I'm pretty sure my friendship with her is dead. She's probably going to start making my life hard because she thinks I betrayed her."

"That's not fair to you. All you did was help us," Sweetie Belle said.

"Don't worry about that. Right now Diamond Tiara’s got so many problems I'm sure she'll forget all about me by the time her father gets here."

Silver Spoon trotted off toward her home, and the Crusaders turned and walked back toward the library. They wanted to tell Twilight that they were free first, since she was the closest. It turned out that it was a good decision because Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack were all there, pouring over books in an attempt to prove the Crusaders' innocence.

"Hi Twilight!" Babs called out as the fillies walked in. "We just got released and we..."

Before Babs could finish her statement the fillies were swept up in a group hug. The four adults hugged them, pinning them together for a few moments.

"What happened? Why'd they release you?" Rarity asked.

Sweetie Belle recapped the events of the morning for them.

"I'm just glad it's over," Twilight said, smiling.

"Diamond Tiara’s father is going to be furious with her. Filthy Rich is well-known for having a short temper," Rarity said.

"It's just what she deserves," Applejack spat. "Putting them through this."

"You know what would be the perfect way to celebrate?" Twilight asked.

"A party?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Just what I was thinking. Too bad Pinkie's in Manehattan. I'm sure we can whip up somethin' though," Applejack replied. "Let's get to the farm and get things set up."

As the group left Twilight’s tree and headed to the farm, Minty found Filthy Rich on his way home from a business meeting. "We've found your daughter. She's in holding."

"She's in holding? I demand you release her at once."

"No can do. She's got some charges against her. It’s a long story," Minty said, explaining the situation to Filthy Rich.

"I want to see my daughter."

"Of course. We figured you would," Minty replied, as the two walked to the police station. She led the stallion straight to her office and into the room where Diamond Tiara had been moved to. Diamond Tiara jumped up when she saw her father walk into the room, followed by Minty.

"Father!" Diamond Tiara shouted.

"Diamond Tiara. What have you done?" Filthy Rich demanded. "They tell me you're responsible for framing students that go to your school to get Officer Minty to arrest them. Do you have any idea how much trouble you're in?"

"I can explain..."

"Release her. I'll take full responsibility for her."

Minty nodded and opened the door that led out of the room and back into her office. She waited until both Diamond Tiara and Filthy Rich were out of the room and closed the door behind them.

"That pony attacked me, and put hoofcuffs on me. I want to file charges!" Diamond Tiara shouted.

"Will you please shut up?" Filthy Rich asked.

"But I'm your daughter," Diamond Tiara said, tears forming in her eyes.

"And I love you," Filthy Rich said. "But right now you've got me furious. We're going to go home, you're gonna clean your room and wait for me to figure out a suitable punishment for you."

"I should inform you that this isn't the end of this," Minty said. "Because she framed others for a crime, the Canterlot prosecutor’s office is planning on filing charges. Once they’re filed you'll receive a letter informing you of them, and when to bring her to court to face the judge."

"We'll be there. She's gonna plead no contest, won't you Diamond Tiara?" Filthy Rich asked.

"You want me to do what!?" Diamond Tiara asked, sounding horrified.

"You're guilty. Officer Minty knows it. I know it. You know it. Those fillies you framed know it. If you try to fight this, you'll lose. The punishment might be worse. If you plead no contest and you accept responsibility for what you did, you might get an easier sentence from the judge. Of course that won't change what I’m going to do to you because of this."

"You won't even try to protect me?" Diamond Tiara asked, tears streaming down her face.

"You need to learn why this is wrong. I could punish you, and I will. But I'm not sure that will be enough. I want you to know I love you, but you simply can't go around doing things like this to innocent ponies. This is a case where tough love is required. You did the crime. You will do the time," Filthy Rich said, reaching down and giving his daughter a hug.

"You sound just like one of those cheesy Iron Will seminars," Diamond Tiara said, as she slipped out of her father's hug. The last thing she wanted was to be hugged by him at this moment. Betrayed by her best friend and her father, both. They would pay dearly for this. Both of them.

The two ponies left the police station and went home. Diamond Tiara went straight to her room and stayed there most of the evening, coming out only when it was time to eat dinner. The next morning Diamond Tiara was on her way to school when she heard a familiar voice call out to her.

"Diamond Tiara. There you are." Babs Seed said, smiling menacingly as the rest of the Crusaders appeared at Babs’ side. "We've been looking all over for you."

Diamond Tiara’s eyes flew open and she swallowed nervously.

Chapter 4: We Are Family

Diamond Tiara backed away from the four fillies, a look of dread on her face. The Crusaders were content to walk toward her but not close the distance, so for every step backward Diamond Tiara took they took one step forward.

"What's the matter Diamond Tiara?" Babs called out.

"Look at her. She looks so nervous," Apple Bloom said.

"I know! It's because of her missing tail," Sweetie Belle added.

"Maybe she's having a case of the feather flu. Where oh where could she have gotten that from.... pick up any feathers recently?!" Scootaloo demanded.

Diamond Tiara turned away from the Crusaders and ran toward the school. The Crusaders chased after her. Although Diamond Tiara wasn’t an athlete she had enough of a lead on the Crusaders to let her reach the school before they could catch her. She hit the doors to the school hard, sending them flying open and ran inside, with the Crusaders right behind her. While Diamond Tiara ran to the classroom, the other four fillies went to their lockers.

After getting their books, they went to the classroom and found Diamond Tiara was in the room alone. Miss Cheerilee had not arrived yet. Diamond Tiara saw the Crusaders walk into the room and stood up from her seat. She backed up as far away from them as she could, until her hind legs hit the wall. The fillies walked straight toward her until they surrounded her.

"Well lookie what we have here," Sweetie Belle said.

"Where's your smart mouth comments now, Diamond Tiara?" Scootaloo asked.

"Miss Cheerilee will be here any minute," Diamond Tiara said hastily.

"So what? Do you think we care if she comes in here and finds us talking to you?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I can pay you," Diamond Tiara blurted out. "Whatever you want. Just let me go."

"So now the mighty Diamond Tiara is resorting to bribery to get out of trouble," Sweetie Belle replied sarcastically.

"It's a pity that we don't want your money," Babs said.

"What do you want?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"We want you," Apple Bloom said bitterly.

The school bell started ringing, signaling that class was about to start.

"We'll finish this later, Diamond Tiara," Babs said.

"You can count on it," Scootaloo added, her voice deadly quiet.

The Crusaders abruptly turned and walked back to their seats just as their teacher walked into the room. When Cheerilee looked around and saw Diamond Tiara standing against the wall, she stopped and looked at her, then at the Crusaders.

"Diamond Tiara, are you okay? Why are you standing back against the wall?"

"Yes, why are you back there?" Babs asked, turning to face Diamond Tiara and giving her a dirty look. From the angle Cheerilee was at she couldn't see the look Babs had on her face.

"Babs, please. I'll handle this."

"I'm fine," Diamond Tiara said nervously.

"You don't look fine," Cheerilee replied. "Or sound fine."

"I'm just tired. I didn't sleep well last night," Diamond Tiara lied.

"If that’s all, then please take your seat," Miss Cheerilee said.

Diamond Tiara walked toward her seat and sat down as the other students walked into the classroom. Miss Cheerilee began her lessons for the day by teaching about Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night. Her lesson lasted right up to the first recess. When the bell rang she dismissed her class. When the students reached the playground, Diamond Tiara didn't have any trouble finding the one pony she was looking for.

"I was hoping we could talk about things," Silver Spoon said calmly as Diamond Tiara approached.

"What's there to talk about? You sold me out. You betrayed me!" Diamond Tiara shouted.

"I’m sorry but you left me with no choice. I couldn't let the Crusaders stay in jail for something they didn't do," Silver Spoon said.

"Yes you could have! You should have!" Diamond Tiara shouted. "That's what friends do for each other!"

"If you were the one in jail and I could have gotten you out, wouldn’t you have wanted me to do it? What if it wasn't me and it was somepony else who could have gotten you released? Wouldn’t you want them to do it?" Silver Spoon asked.

"You think you were helping, but all you did was prove your own hypocrisy. How many times have we gotten revenge on ponies in the past? Now all of a sudden you're developing a conscience?" Diamond Tiara demanded.

"Watch it, Diamond Tiara," Silver Spoon said. "You're about to say something you can't take back."

"You called yourself my friend. Then you stabbed me in the back!" Diamond Tiara replied angrily. "I'm amazed you got your cutie mark so fast. You should have gotten a black rose for one instead."

"How dare you say that to me! I'm supposed to be your friend, and you're going to treat me this way? You don't even care about our friendship, do you?" Silver Spoon demanded angrily.

"Not in the least," Diamond Tiara replied flatly. "Just leave. You're as worthless as those Cutie Mark Crusaders."

"Then I guess our friendship is over. Funny, I always thought it would be harder to lose a friend than this," Silver Spoon retorted.

"It was pretty easy for me," Diamond Tiara said. "I'll get even with you for this. I swear by Celestia I will."

Silver Spoon turned and walked away from Diamond Tiara. She headed over to the swing set and sat down on an empty swing. Diamond Tiara walked over to the merry go round where most of the other ponies were playing. Silver Spoon didn't notice the Cutie Mark Crusaders playing tag near the swings. When Apple Bloom saw her sitting on a swing by herself, she stopped so quickly that Babs ran right into her, causing both of them to fall to the ground.

"Hey, what gives?" Babs asked.

"Look," Apple Bloom said, motioning toward Silver Spoon.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle trotted over to the two Apple cousins, and they all approached Silver Spoon.

"Hello," Apple Bloom called out.

Silver Spoon looked at the Crusaders and smiled. "Hello to all of you, too."

"Are you okay, Silver Spoon? You look sad," Apple Bloom asked

"I just lost my best friend, Sweetie Belle," Silver Spoon replied curtly. "Now she's threatening to get even with me."

"She'll do it, too," Babs replied.

"Don't you think I know that?" Silver Spoon asked. "I just wish it hadn't come to this."

"Give her time. She'll eventually calm down and maybe you can start being friends again," Apple Bloom suggested.

"Not after this. She told me I deserved to have a black rose as a cutie mark," Silver Spoon replied.

"A black rose?" Scootaloo asked.

"Remember when Miss Cheerilee was teaching us about the only pony in history who ever betrayed pony-kind and caused the destruction of Dream Valley?" Apple Bloom asked.

"That was his cutie mark. The cutie mark of a traitor. Since that day nopony in recorded history has ever had that cutie mark again," Sweetie Belle said.

"Diamond Tiara believes I should have it, because I betrayed her trust," Silver Spoon said. "There's not going to be any coming back from that comment."

"I'm sorry," Babs replied.

"Me too," Silver Spoon said. "I must admit, I’m quite jealous of you Crusaders."

"Jealous of us?" Apple Bloom asked, confused. "Why?"

"You have each other to watch your backs. Your friendship is genuine. My friendship with Diamond Tiara was forced at best. It was a one sided thing, with me doing all of the giving and her taking until there was nothing left for me to give. I wish I had friends like you to watch my back."

"We could watch your back and help keep Diamond Tiara away from you," Apple Bloom said.

"I can't ask you to do something like that for me. The only thing that would do is make you all a target for Diamond Tiara."

"Let us worry about that," Scootaloo said. "Besides, I'm pretty sure we're already on her enemies list."

"She's already had us thrown in jail. What could she possibly do to us she hasn't already done?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Are you sure you want to find out? This is Diamond Tiara we're talking about," Silver Spoon said.

"If it will make you feel better about it, you could give us like five bits per week. For that we'll escort you to school, watch your back while you're in class, at lunch and at recess, and escort you back home again," Babs suggested.

"At least you'd get something out of it," Silver Spoon replied. "Okay, let's do it. Thing is I don't have five bits on me right now. All I have is my lunch money."

"Keep your lunch money, Silver Spoon," Babs said. "Consider today a freebie."

"Thanks. I think maybe we should head back now. It has to be getting close to time."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders walked with Silver Spoon as they headed back to the schoolhouse. The rest of their class was not far behind them when they entered the classroom. About a quarter of the way through the second class session of the day there was a knock on the door and Minty walked into the room, dragging a ladder in with her.

"Excuse me, Cheerilee," Minty said, "I've got some cameras to put up."

"Cameras?" Miss Cheerilee asked.

"Yeah. I spent the better part of last night and all of this morning putting up cameras over each window and door into the school, over Silver Spoon's locker, and in the hallway with her locker. Now if anypony tries to put something in there again I’ll know. Now I want to put cameras all around the classroom pointing straight at her desk."

"That won't work," Cheerilee replied.

"What? Why not?" Minty asked, confused. "I made sure those cameras point at her locker and every possible way to get to it. They're filming right now. All we need is somepony to return to the scene of the crime, and bam! We've got this case all wrapped up."

Miss Cheerilee facehoofed.

"It won't work because the crime has already happened. You would have had to put those cameras in place before the crime happened for it to work. Now, it's just not going to do anything," Miss Cheerilee replied. “Also, there’s a distinct possibility that the guilty party is in this classroom, and now you’ve revealed the existence of your cameras, not to mention their locations.”

"Are you telling me I'm going to have to take down all those cameras?" Minty asked.

"I'm afraid so," Miss Cheerilee replied, struggling to keep sarcasm out of her voice.

"Awww come on! Do you have any idea how long it took me to get all those cameras set up? It's going to take me all afternoon to take them down and fix the holes I drilled for them."

"Then I suggest you get started," Cheerilee replied.

The mint green mare turned and dragged the ladder back out of the room. Cheerilee shook her head and closed the door behind her.

“You know what, everypony? It’s such a nice day I think we’ll have the rest of this morning’s class outside.”

“Is that so Officer Minty can work in peace?” asked Snips.

“Somewhat. Mostly it’s because I suspect she’s just as bad at masonry as she is at law enforcement and I don’t want us to end up as collateral damage.”

“What’s collateral damage?” asked Scootaloo.

“It’s when you accidentally break something you're not intending to,” said Sweetie Belle.

“Close. It’s when you’re aiming for one thing but hit something else along with your intended target. For example, picture Officer Minty. Now picture her holding a hammer. Picture a nail in front of her, which she wants to hit with the hammer. Finally, picture her hitting her hoof along with the nail. Her hoof has become collateral damage,” Cheerilee couldn’t help but grin at the mental image. She let her imagination run wild and had Minty hit three more nails and the rest of her hooves along with them. It didn't matter that hitting her rear hooves with a hammer held in her mouth would be physically impossible, it was Cheerilee's fantasy and she could visualize anything she pleased.

She pictured Minty swinging the hammer back with her head only to release it by accident, sending the hammer flying through the air. It boomeranged back on the mint green mare, striking her in the head. It didn't matter that this was even more implausible than the previous part. Cheerilee was in her happy place. Her smile only grew larger as random objects started raining from the sky, landing on Minty's head: an anvil, a wagon, a grand piano, the moon...

Minty stared at the offending hole. It was tiny – if she hadn’t known exactly where to look for it she probably never would have found it. She filled it in with some putty and started sanding it smooth.

“Perfect! Hmn, no. It’s not perfect at all,” she frowned and continued sanding. Suddenly the hole reappeared, bigger than before. She had sanded straight through all of the putty and into the wall itself.

“Well, this just won’t do at all.” Minty sighed and tried again.

“Now before we begin today’s history lesson, did everypony read the assigned chapter?”

Before any of her students could answer a cloud of dust poured from what had been her classroom just minutes earlier.

“I’m okay. Really!” Minty called out from the wreckage. “But it sure got dusty in here all of a sudden.” The mint mare sneezed and returned to work.

It was relatively peaceful for the next half hour. The students could hear the banging of a hammer, the grinding of a saw, and the sneezing of a mare, but there were no signs of imminent disaster.

“…and to this day Commander Hurricane is still considered the greatest military tactician in Equestrian history for…”

A loud crash interrupted Cheerilee’s lecture. The class turned to look at the mint green mare that was staggering towards them.

“And that, my little ponies, is why you should always wear a hardhat in a construction zone. I could have been seriously hurt, but thanks to my precautions instead I’m only seeing double. No, triple. No, back to double again.” Minty turned around, but the sudden movement made her dizziness worse and she crashed to the ground with a thud. “I meant to do that!”

“Should we help Officer Minty?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“No, I’m afraid that in order to let you help I would need permission forms signed by your parents absolving the school of all responsibility in the event of an accident. Besides, she’s perfectly capable of tearing down the schoolhouse without any help.”

Minty shook her head and her vision returned to normal, “Phew! No damage done!” She skipped merrily back towards the school, taking a not so quick detour through the playground.

“I want to be just like Minty when I grow up,” Twist said.

Cheerilee ignored that comment and continued her lecture on the history of the Pegasus-Griffin Wars, highlighting how a once-shaky truce to end the fighting had strengthened into the strategic alliance between Equestria and the Griffin Kingdom today. After she dismissed the class for lunch, Cheerilee returned to her classroom to check on the policemare.

“Minty, are you finished?”

“Yes. And I must say I think your classroom looks better with that hole I put in the… I mean the new skylight I installed. Completely intentionally. To, um, let more light into the room, so your students uh, don’t strain their eyes so much. Yeah! Anyway, duty calls. One or two hundred more trips down the slide and then I’ve got to get back to the station.”

“Earlier today this classroom had four walls. Now it has three.”

“Oh, yes! I made a slight alteration. Now you have a nice view of Ponyville. Hey! Isn’t that Big Macintosh?”

Cheerilee turned to look and when she didn’t see the red earth stallion she returned her glance to where the green mare had been seconds earlier. She sighed and looked at the devastation Minty had wreaked upon her classroom.

Meanwhile, the Cutie Mark Crusaders joined a line of students getting food from the cafeteria and sat down at a table near the exit to the playground. The lunch schedule for the school was staggered so that not everypony in school would be on lunch at the same time. It made it easier for the lunch staff to manage. It also made it easier for the students to find seats in the cafeteria.

Silver Spoon sat down at a table near the one the Crusaders were sitting at with a plate of food. When Silver Spoon stood up to go get a drink, Diamond Tiara walked past and stole her lunch. Most of the ponies were in line and nopony witnessed the act except the Crusaders. When the Crusaders saw Diamond Tiara take her lunch, they moved quickly. They stood up and caught Diamond Tiara while she was still between tables.

"That doesn't belong to you," Babs said.

"Yes it does," Diamond Tiara retorted, setting the tray down on a table.

"We watched you take it from where Silver Spoon put it. Give it to us," Apple Bloom said.

"Or we'll take it by force," Scootaloo said.

"There are witnesses here," Diamond Tiara said smugly.

"Look around. Think any of these ponies will stop us just to protect you?" Babs said quietly.

Diamond Tiara looked around the room and saw her classmates, and a few cafeteria workers.

"Maybe not, but I'd bet those cafeteria workers would," Diamond Tiara said.

"I think they'd be curious to know how a pony who didn't go through the lunch line wound up with a lunch," Sweetie Belle said. "You really want to explain that to them?"

Diamond Tiara looked nervously at the fillies, then at the lunch staff.

"Last chance. Give us the tray or else," Babs demanded.

"Take it," Diamond Tiara replied, backing away from the tray.

"Smartest thing you’ve ever done," Sweetie Belle said.

Apple Bloom picked up the tray and took it back to Silver Spoon. The rest of the Crusaders went back to their lunches and sat down just in time to see Silver Spoon come back to her table. She saw Apple Bloom set her tray down and smiled.

"Thank you, Apple Bloom."

"Anytime," she replied, smiling.

The rest of the school day went by without any drama. During the rest of lunch and the afternoon recess period the Crusaders kept an eye on Silver Spoon while they played, making sure that Diamond Tiara was nowhere near her. Diamond Tiara seemed more than happy to stay away from her, keeping her distance and walking in the opposite direction anytime she got too close. After school the Crusaders walked Silver Spoon home. They kept looking around for Diamond Tiara, but they didn't see her. Once they made sure the silver filly was safely home they turned and walked toward Sweet Apple Acres.

"Hey Scootaloo, wait up!" A voice called out.

The Crusaders turned and saw Rainbow Dash flying toward them. The blue pegasus landed about two feet in front of them.

"Hi Rainbow Dash, what's up?" Scootaloo asked.

"I've got some tickets to the Wonderbolts show in Baltimare tomorrow, and was wondering if you all would like to go. I've already talked to Rarity and Applejack and they said it’s all right with them if you want to go," Rainbow Dash said, holding five tickets in a hoof.

"These aren't just tickets," Apple Bloom replied, examining one of them. "They're front-row tickets. VIP tickets."

"And backstage passes, too, complete with a lunch with the Wonderbolts," Rainbow Dash said grinning.

"How did you get these?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"They were a gift from Princess Cadence. She wanted to thank me for the Sonic Rainboom I did at her wedding. I sent them back and asked if it would be possible to change them to a lower ticket so I could get a few more to take you with me. She sent back 5 VIP tickets with backstage access and a lunch invitation from the Wonderbolts."

"That was very generous of her," Babs said.

"That's what I told her when I sent her a letter thanking her," Rainbow Dash said.

"So when do we leave?" Scootaloo asked, excited.

"As soon as you all can get home and get packed. We'll leave this afternoon. Meet me at the train station at a quarter to five. We should be in Baltimare before dark. Once we get there I'll get us a room at an inn. We'll spend the night tonight, do some sightseeing tomorrow, attend the show and eat lunch with the Wonderbolts in the afternoon. Then we'll hop on the train and be back here before dark."

"We'll be back in an hour," Babs said.

She and Apple Bloom ran toward Sweet Apple Acres. Sweetie Belle ran back toward her home, but Scootaloo didn't move.

"Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said softly. "I..."

"I know." Rainbow Dash said, reaching down and hugging the orange pegasus. "I've got some clothes just for you that you can use. Oh, and I have another surprise for you."

"Another surprise?" Scootaloo asked.

"I didn't want to mention this in front of your friends. I know you haven't mentioned it to anyone other than me, and I haven't told anyone either. While you were in school I spent the day in the courthouse in Canterlot filling out paperwork. I told you I would take you under my wing, and now it's official. All you gotta do is sign one paper, and we're officially sisters."

"You...me...sisters?" Scootaloo stammered, not believing what she was hearing.

"The truth is..." Rainbow Dash said, looking at the ground nervously. "I've never said this to anypony other than my parents, and were it any other pony besides you I wouldn't say it. I love you Scootaloo. That's why I agreed to take you under my wing. That's also why I filled out the paperwork to adopt you."

"I love you too Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said, crying as she hugged the blue pegasus again.

"The courthouse is closing in about an hour, so I won't be able to get the paperwork back to them before Monday. They're closed over the weekend. But first thing Monday morning I'll fly over to Canterlot and turn it in. That is, if you're interested in becoming my little sister," Rainbow Dash said, grinning as she gave the paper to Scootaloo.

Scootaloo wasted no time signing it and giving it back to Rainbow Dash. They hugged each other again, tears forming in both of their eyes. After a few minutes they let go of one another.

"But Rainbow Dash, wouldn't you adopting me make you my mother?" Scootaloo asked.

"Look kid, I'm too young to be a mother. So don't call me mom or the deal's off. I want to be your sister. Call me Rainbow Dash, Sis, anything else other than mom."

"Okay, I will." Scootaloo promised.

"Come on, I want to show you something," Rainbow Dash said.

"Where are we going?"

"Home," Rainbow Dash said. "I have a bag packed for you, but I don't have it with me. So we need to go get it before your friends show up."

"I get to see where you live?" Scootaloo asked, getting more excited by the second.

"Where we live. My home is now our home."

"Uh...I have one question. I'm not sure I can fly to Cloudsdale. How am I supposed to get up there every day?" Scootaloo asked.

"I already considered that. I bought a house here in Ponyville last week. I live here now," Rainbow Dash said.

"You did? Why? I never thought you'd want to leave Cloudsdale," Scootaloo asked.

"I’m not leaving Cloudsdale. Well, not exactly. See, I spend most of my time here as a weather manager anyway. I keep getting called here day and night to help with the weather, and there have been times where I was just too tired to fly home after working all day. Sleeping in the park can be relaxing, but I really don’t want to do that come winter. So I bought a house here, but I’m keeping my house in Cloudsdale too. That house has been in my family for generations and has too much sentimental value to sell. So my Ponyville pad's a bit smaller, but it has an extra bedroom we can move you into."

"I can't wait to see it," Scootaloo said, enthusiastically.

"The full tour will have to wait until we get back," Rainbow Dash said. “But I can show you where it is and go get the bag for you. Then we can meet up with the others at the station."

Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo walked toward the center of town and past the Golden Oaks Library to a two-story house. It was old, but it was clean and well kept. It had a white exterior and a pitched roof. The layout of the house was straightforward. There was a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room on the ground floor, and two bedrooms and another bathroom upstairs.

"This is our home? I love it! It's everything I've ever dreamed of!"

"It's not much, but it's cheap, clean, and most importantly, it’s all ours, squirt."

"Thank you so much. You're the best big sister a filly could dream of!"

"You're welcome. Thank you for agreeing to be my little sister. It means a lot to me too." Rainbow Dash opened the door and walked inside. She quickly emerged with a bag and gave it to Scootaloo. "They're all hand-me-downs from when I was a filly. But don't let that fool you, though. They're all clean, and have no wear and tear on them. I made sure of that."

"I don't know what to say," Scootaloo said. "You're always looking out for me."

"I always will," Rainbow Dash replied. "Come on, we've got to get to the station. There's an ice cream stand near it we can hang out at until the others get there. I'll treat you to my favorite ice cream."

The orange and blue pegasus ponies walked side by side down the road toward the station. As promised, Rainbow Dash bought some ice cream while they waited for the others to show up. It wasn't long before they saw the other three fillies come walking down the street toward them.

"Looks like we're right on time," Babs said.

"Sure are," Scootaloo said. "What time does the train leave?"

"It should be arriving anytime. I'll go buy our tickets," Rainbow Dash replied.

Rainbow Dash walked over to the booth next to the tracks and bought five tickets to Baltimare.

While she was gone Babs announced, "I've got an idea how we can use this trip to make some money."

"How?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Tell ya later," Babs replied as Rainbow Dash came walking back toward them.

A few minutes later the train pulled into the station and Rainbow Dash and the fillies climbed aboard and took their seats along with a few other ponies. For a Friday afternoon there were surprisingly few other travelers.

"I can't wait to see Baltimare. I've always wanted to see their aquarium," Sweetie Belle said.

"Aquarium? I wanna go on the roller coasters. They've got one of the biggest roller coasters in all of Equestria," Apple Bloom said.

"We can do both," Rainbow Dash replied. "The show's not ‘til noon and lunch is right after. We’ll get some sleep and we can be up bright and early. We'll hit the aquarium, ride on the roller coasters a few times, and have plenty of time left to get to the show on time."

"Yay!" The Cutie Mark Crusaders shouted.

The train pulled away from the station and moved along the track. The ponies were looking out the window, pointing out the sights they could see. Over the next few hours they watched as town after town went by until they finally reached their destination. Rainbow Dash led the fillies off the train and they looked around in awe.

"Welcome to Baltimare," Rainbow Dash said.

"Look at this place!" Sweetie Belle said.

"I can see the roller coasters from here! Look at that one!" Babs said, pointing to a roller coaster that was clearly visible above the city’s skyline.

"That's gotta be the biggest one I've ever seen," Rainbow Dash said, impressed.

"Let's go on it!" Scootaloo suggested.

"It's too late. They're closing down for the evening," Rainbow Dash said. "I think we should go get a room and get some sleep. We can go on the rides in the morning."

"Awwww," the fillies said.

"I'm just as disappointed as all of you are. I'd love to take you all on it and see if that ride is as cool as it looks. That's why we'll do it in the morning," Rainbow Dash said. "The hotel's this way."

Rainbow Dash walked with the Crusaders and took them to a hotel, and booked a room for the night. She led them to their room and helped them settle in for the evening. The Crusaders took the bed in the room and Rainbow Dash dragged a couch next to the bed.

"I'm so excited I don't think I'll be able to sleep," Rainbow Dash said. "The Wonderbolts have been advertising they've got some new tricks for their show. It's gonna be sooooo awesome!"

"Not me, sister. I won't have any trouble sleeping tonight," Scootaloo said.

"Sister?!" The rest of the Crusaders turned and looked at the two pegasus ponies in the room.

"You might as well tell them," Rainbow Dash said. "They were going to find out sooner or later."

"Rainbow Dash is my big sis. She officially adopted me!" Scootaloo shouted.

"Congratulations!" Apple Bloom said as the rest of the Crusaders piled on Scootaloo and gave her a hug. "Everypony deserves a big sis and you've got one of the coolest. Not quite as cool as Applejack, but Rainbow Dash is up there, for sure."

"I don't know how any of us are going to sleep now," Sweetie Belle said.

"If you don't get sleep, then we can't go to the aquarium tomorrow. Or ride the roller coasters," Rainbow Dash warned the fillies.

Within five minutes the Crusaders were fast asleep. Rainbow Dash carefully tucked them in and went to sleep on the couch. It wasn't her usual cloud bed she liked to sleep on, but it was kind of comfortable once she got used to it.

Chapter 5: Breaking The Law

Babs was the first of the fillies to wake up in the morning. It was only four o'clock in the morning, but she had spent the better part of the night thinking about how she and her friends could make money off the Wonderbolts. She knew that the only sure way to make money was to know the outcome of a race before betting on it. Otherwise, it was just risking money. She didn't have all that many bits, and she knew her friends didn't have much money either. But Babs was planning to change all that.

The question that kept going through the filly’s mind was which of the Wonderbolts should she approach about it. She knew them only by reputation, but from what she heard Spitfire was definitely out. She'd never go along with them, and would probably report them the first chance she got to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash would tell Applejack and Rarity, and that would be the end of them all hanging out together. So approaching Spitfire was definitely not an option.

Next she considered whether Soarin’ would be a good candidate. She knew the second in command of the Wonderbolts was well known for believing in fairness. The more she thought about it, the more she saw that he resembled Applejack in many ways. That was enough to eliminate him from being an option. Anypony who could be the male equivalent of Applejack was definitely not the right fit for what Babs had in mind.

"Babs, are you awake?" Apple Bloom whispered softly.

"Yeah," Babs replied, keeping her voice quiet, "Just thinkin' about stuff."

"Me too," Apple Bloom whispered.

"What's going on?" Scootaloo asked quietly, looking over at the two fillies.

"Sorry, we didn't mean to wake you," Babs replied.

"You didn't. I've been awake for a little while."

"But you did wake me," Sweetie Belle replied. "What does it take to get some beauty sleep around here?"

"You’re definitely related to Rarity," was Apple Bloom’s sassy comeback.

"I'll take that as the compliment I know it was intended as. Rarity is an amazing inspiration to everypony she meets."

"I think we should take this outside," Babs said. "Before we wake up Rainbow Dash."

The four fillies carefully climbed out of bed and walked softly across the floor. They got to the door and opened it, thankful that the hinges were well oiled and didn't squeak. They closed the door gently behind them and walked out of the hotel. They sat down on the sidewalk outside and looked around. It was very early in the morning and nopony else was outside.

"Babs, what were you trying to tell us before we boarded the train?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I've been thinking about ways we can earn some money. I know that none of us here have all that much, and there are some good things we could do if we got more. I've been trying to figure out ways we can do that."

"You mean like what you suggested at the last meeting?" Scootaloo asked.

"Well that’s still an option, and something we'll be looking into when we get back to Ponyville. I was thinking of something we could do while we're here. With us unexpectedly having one on one access to the Wonderbolts, I was thinking about making a business proposition to one of them. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. One we can't afford to squander."

"What kind of proposition?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Ponies just love to bet on races, especially those that the Wonderbolts are involved in. The Wonderbolts are incredibly popular, and any race that they're in, even if there's only one Wonderbolt in the race it' s enough to make ponies from all over go crazy betting on them.

What I'm proposing is we find a Wonderbolt who'd be willing to finish the race in some position other than first. Let's say third, for example. They agree to finish third, we bet everything we've got on the Wonderbolt finishing in third place. It's almost expected a Wonderbolt will finish first, or at worst second, so if we get them to agree to third place nopony's going to question a bet like that.

They'll figure it's a sure win for them. A Wonderbolt finishing in third place? Absurd. So they'll take the bet. Then the Wonderbolt will finish in third place, and we collect our money. We send part of the winnings to the Wonderbolt as their share, and we split the rest between us."

"You're talking about fixing a race," Scootaloo said.

"Yes, I am," Babs replied.

"I think it's brilliant," Sweetie Belle said.

"If we can get a Wonderbolt to go along with it," Apple Bloom said. "How do we know that the Wonderbolt won't just tell Rainbow Dash about our intentions?"

"I was thinking about that," Babs said, "We need to choose carefully who we approach. Naturally Spitfire and Soarin’ are out. There's no chance either one would agree, and a good chance they'd tattle on us."

"You know how Rainbow Dash is always talking about the Wonderbolts. Well, she once mentioned a pony she was surprised to see become a Wonderbolt. I think her name was High Winds. According to Rainbow she apparently has a rather colorful past," Scootaloo said.

"It's a shame we can't get more info on what she did in her past," Sweetie Belle replied, "That'd be really helpful for us to make up our minds."

"Maybe we could, but it won’t be in time to help us decide now. If we're going to approach her, our chance is today," Babs said.

"All those in favor of approaching High Winds and asking her if she'd be willing to come in third place in her next race?" Apple Bloom asked.

Every one of the fillies raised their hoof.

"Then it's settled. We'll approach her after their show today if we can get her away from the others. If we can't get to talk to her in private, we call it off," Apple Bloom said.

The other Crusaders nodded.

"Let's head back inside and get a little more sleep. If Rainbow wakes up, we don't want her to find us all gone. She might get mad," Scootaloo said.

The Crusaders returned to their room and managed to catch a few more hours of sleep. When they next woke up it was almost seven o'clock. They looked at one other, and then at Rainbow Dash, who was snoring very softly as she slept.

"Hey Rainbow Dash, it's time to get up," Sweetie Belle said.

Rainbow Dash turned on her side and mumbled something incomprehensible. The Crusaders looked at each other and giggled.

"Come on Dash, it's 7 a.m. Don't you want to go on the rides?" Scootaloo asked.

Rainbow Dash opened one eye just barely enough to see the Crusaders, then looked at the clock on the wall.

"I only recognize one seven o'clock per day. This isn't it," Rainbow Dash muttered, closing the eye she had opened.

"Aww come on, you promised us remember?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Just twenty more minutes," replied the rainbow-maned pegasus before sleep overtook her once more.

The Crusaders let the cranky pegasus go back to sleep and laid back down for a brief nap as well. They all slept longer than twenty minutes, and when the Crusaders looked at the clock again they saw they had slept for nearly an hour.

"Okay, you wanted twenty minutes, Rainbow Dash. You got an hour. It's time to get up now," Babs said.

"Not this again. Look, I'll get up when I'm good and ready," Rainbow Dash said. "And I'm definitely not ready."

The Crusaders looked at each other and smiled. They all went and got plastic cups and filled them with ice-cold water from the sink in the bathroom. Then they returned to where Rainbow Dash was still sleeping.

"Well, that’s an interesting point of view," Babs said. "But I urge you to reconsider it in light of the following..."

The Crusaders wasted no time dumping their cups of water all over the resistant pegasus. Rainbow Dash screamed in surprise and leapt off the couch and into the air, her head dripping with water. She looked at the couch and gave the four fillies the dirtiest look she could manage. The Crusaders took one look at the expression on Rainbow's face and burst out laughing.

"That's not funny," Rainbow Dash said, annoyed.

"Maybe not to you, but from where we’re sitting it's pretty funny," Scootaloo replied, smiling innocently.

Rainbow Dash landed next to the fillies and shook the water off, spraying each of the four younger ponies with water. She laughed as she watched them knock each other over trying to get away from her. She spent a few minutes stretching her wings and legs while the Crusaders dried themselves off.

"Now that we're all even, I think we should go get some breakfast. There's a cafe not too far from here."

"What kind of food do they serve?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Because of the vast tracts of farmland around here, they specialize in meals based off fresh vegetables. I've eaten there a few times. Trust me, the food is amazing."

Apple Bloom held the door while Rainbow Dash led the others out of the room, and she closed it behind her. They walked down the long hallway, hooves making no sound as they trod along the plush burgundy carpeting towards the exit. Once outside, it was just a short walk down the block to the cafe. There were two-dozen wooden tables outside, and another dozen inside as well, but there were only a few ponies eating when they arrived.

Rainbow Dash led the fillies to a table in the middle of the dining area, and once they sat down a waitress came over to them.

"Well look who it is!" A turquoise-colored pegasus mare said as she prepared to take their order. A trio of green music notes adorned her flank. "Rainbow Dash! I haven't seen you since flight school!" She motioned for Rainbow Dash to stand up.

Rainbow stood up and received a hug from her long lost friend. She glanced around awkwardly as all eyes in the cafe were on them.

Scootaloo came to her rescue by running to the window and shouting, "Hey! There's a dragon attacking the building across the street!"

The rest of the ponies in the cafe rushed to look out the window, while Rainbow Dash quickly returned the hug.

"I see you still have problems displaying affection."

"Yeah, it kinda goes against my image. But it really is good to see you again. I've missed you since I dropped out. How have you been?"

"I've been okay. Took up residence here in Baltimare and I've been working here ever since I left Cloudsdale. How about you, Dash? Still as fast as you were back then?" the other pegasus asked.

"Faster,” Rainbow grinned, “Now I can do the Sonic Rainboom anytime I want."

"Really? That's amazing!"

"Of course it's amazing. If I'm involved it's bound to be amazing, awesome, or radical, or maybe even all three at once."

"So who are these fillies you have with you?" the blue mare interupted Rainbow's bragging.

"These are the Cutie Mark Crusaders. This is Babs, her cousin Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and my sister Scootaloo," Rainbow Dash replied, pointing to each of the fillies in turn.

"Sister? You never mentioned you had a sister before," the mare replied, looking at Scootaloo.

"There are lots of things I've never mentioned," Rainbow Dash replied.

"Fair enough. Nice to meet you young ladies! My name is Medley, and I'll be your waitress today."

“Nice to meet you, Medley,” replied the Crusaders in unison.

"So what does being a Cutie Mark Crusader entail?"

"It means we're on a quest to find our destinies!" said Apple Bloom.

"We're trying to find our place in this world," added Sweetie Belle.

"By trying absolutely everything we can until we find our special talent."

"Good luck, girls. I remember back in flight camp when I was trying to find my cutie mark," Medley said.

“How’d you get it?” asked Sweetie Belle, eyes wide with excitement.

"It started off when I was a little filly. My parents decided we should go see an opera. They wanted me to get to experience as much as possible, so every time a play, performance, or opera came to town they took me along. I developed quite a love for music by listening to music composers. My favorite is Baythoven. His song Moonlight Sonata is one of my all time favorite songs."

"Baythoven?" Apple Bloom asked. "Miss Cheerilee has mentioned him once, but she's never played any of his music in class."

"You should ask her to. If she doesn't have any of his music ask Rainbow Dash to send me a letter and let me know. I've got all of his records and I'd be happy to lend them to you," Medley replied.

"So you earned your cutie mark by learning to play music like Baythoven?" Babs asked.

"Not exactly. Listening to him gave me a love of music but I wasn’t talented enough to play as he does. My parents did get me piano lessons, but the instructors all agreed that it probably wasn't my destiny to play. If it were I would have a natural ability to do it and wouldn't have struggled like I did. So my parents withdrew me from the lessons, and that was the end of my piano playing days. That night they took me to an opera. A famous pegasui named Rosa Ponyselle was singing that night. One of my music teachers had taught us about her and let us listen to her songs. I was familiar with the one she was singing, so I sang along with her. I wasn't aware that I was singing loud enough for her to hear me."

"She heard you?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yep. She stopped the whole opera and demanded to know whom it was that was singing. My parents stood up and apologized for my actions. They assured her that it wouldn't happen anymore. Miss Ponyselle had other ideas, though. She complimented me on my singing and asked me to join her on stage."

"You got to join her on stage?" Scootaloo asked, sounding impressed.

"She said she enjoyed my singing and wanted me to sing with her for the rest of the evening. I hesitated but my parents talked me into it and I joined her. We sang the rest of the opera together, and the audience gave us a standing ovation. After the show was over Miss Ponyselle took my parents and I backstage and she talked to us about music and singing. She asked me if I had known that I had talent like that. I told her I sang from time to time but didn't think I was that good. My Mom pointed to my flank and when I looked back I had my cutie mark."

“Awww,” Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom replied in unison.

"How'd you wind up here?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I thought you were going to be a part of the Symphony Harmonic in Canterlot."

"I sent in an application, but they told me they had no openings available at the time. Starsong, one of my friends, said she was opening a club here in Baltimare and would love it if I'd come perform for her. So I work for her during the night. I didn't take this job because I need the money. I took it because I love being around ponies. Well, that and the owners don't mind if I sing while I work."

"I never knew so many pegasi left Cloudsdale," Sweetie Belle said.

"Oh yeah. Cloudsdale is the most wonderful city in the sky, but there's a whole world out here. Anyways, that’s enough about me. What can I get you to drink?"

"Do you still sell apple cider soda and pumpkin floats?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"We sure do. It's one of our most popular drinks," Medley said.

"We'll each take one."

"Apple cider soda and pumpkin floats?" Babs asked.

"You're in for quite a treat. It’s the best drink in Baltimare," Rainbow Dash replied.

"Do you need a menu or do you know what you want to go with those drinks?"

"We're going on some roller coasters later, so I'm thinking we'll have the light breakfast casserole," Rainbow Dash said. "Individual portions."

"Got it. I'll be back soon with your drinks."

Medley turned and walked back to the kitchen. Five minutes passed and she came back carrying a tray with five drinks on it. She set the tray down and gave each of the ponies at the table a glass filled with apple cider topped with whipped cream, a cherry on top, and a straw in each glass. Medley went to wait on other customers while the Crusaders each took a sip of their drinks.

"This is the best drink I've ever had," Apple Bloom said. "Applejack would love this."

"Maybe you can convince her to come back here with you. I'm sure she'd be able to find something to do in town, or go check out some of the farms around here," Rainbow Dash suggested.

"What is this cherry coated with? It tastes so sweet," Scootaloo asked.

"Cane sugar," Babs said. "At least, that's my guess."

"Not a bad guess, and completely right," Medley said, coming up to them with a tray with their breakfast on it.

She placed a rectangular dish containing a mixture of vegetables and cheese in front of Rainbow Dash and each of the Crusaders. The fillies were hungry and ate their breakfast quickly. Once they were finished eating they left the cafe and headed south. The aquarium was on the southeast side of town, about four blocks away.

********************************

Diamond Tiara and her father, Filthy Rich, were sitting on their living room sofa engaged in a discussion neither really wanted to have. Filthy Rich was explaining the process of Diamond Tiara's upcoming court appearance but was interrupted by a knock on the door. He answered the door to find a courier standing on his front porch.

"Excuse me, sir. I have an important message for you. I was told to wait for your reply."

The courier handed a letter to Filthy Rich. Filthy Rich opened the letter, read it, and frowned.

"Are they serious?"

"They sounded pretty serious, sir. They insist that you give me your response so I can go back and tell them."

"This matter will require my personal attention," Filthy Rich replied. "I will give them my response. In person."

"I will tell them to expect your arrival, sir." After the courier left, Filthy Rich closed the door and went back to the couch.

"Idiots."

"What's wrong, daddy?"

"I have to go to Canterlot. Apparently one of my partners lied to one of my customers. The board fired the partner, but I still have to make things right with our customer. They're our biggest client and we can't afford for them to take their business elsewhere."

"We're going to Canterlot?"

"I am," Filthy Rich corrected his daughter. "I expect when I get there I'll be in business meetings well into the night, trying to straighten this mess out."

"Awww come on, let me go with you. I'll stay out of trouble, I promise," Diamond Tiara begged.

"Sorry, not this trip. I just can't watch you and take care of this problem at the same time. Thing is, I can't leave you here alone either. What am I going to do with you while I'm gone?" Filthy Rich asked.

"Why can't you leave me here alone? I can take care of myself."

"That trouble with those fillies makes me wonder about that," Filthy Rich said. "I think it would be better if we got you a fillysitter."

"A fillysitter? You've got to be kidding! I'm not five."

"When you start acting more responsibly, I’ll be able to leave you here alone. Right now, I don’t want to take the chance that either you’ll do something to cause more trouble, or those fillies you had thrown in jail will retaliate. I don't want either one to happen, so you get a fillysitter. The only question is who is available on such short notice?"

"I don't know of any that I'd want to go to," Diamond Tiara said, hoping that would convince her father to take her with him.

"I think I know of one: Fluttershy."

"You don't mean that crazy animal hoarder, do you?"

"She's one of the kindest ponies in Ponyville. I'm sure she'd take good care of you for the day and let you spend the night at her cottage while I'm away."

"I still don't get why I can't just come with you," Diamond Tiara replied bitterly.

"Look, this isn't open for discussion anymore. You're staying with a fillysitter for today and tonight, and that's final. Now, go get your schoolbooks. I want you to study while you're there, so you can keep up with your class," Filthy Rich replied, trying his hardest to keep calm.

Diamond Tiara retrieved her textbooks from her bedroom, as well as a few other items she thought she might need and returned to the living room. Meanwhile her father was packing a travel bag with some clothes for his business trip. He grabbed the bag and slung it over his back, and then grabbed his briefcase. Diamond Tiara opened the door for her father, and once he was outside she quickly locked it behind them. After what happened to Silver Spoon’s stuffed animals, there was no way she was going to take any chances.

They walked from the center of town northwest toward Fluttershy's cottage. Ten minutes later they arrived at their destination. Filthy Rich knocked gently on the door with his hoof. For a few moments there was silence, and Diamond Tiara hoped with each passing second that Fluttershy wasn't home.

"Coming!" Fluttershy called out.

Her hopes shattered, Diamond Tiara's aggravation only grew when it took almost two minutes for yellow pegasus to open her front door.

"Hello?" Fluttershy hid behind her hair.

"Miss Fluttershy, my name is Filthy Rich. This is my daughter Diamond Tiara. I was wondering if you were available to fillysit today and tonight."

"Gee, I don't know. I'm working on rebuilding my chicken coop today."

"See? She's too busy," Diamond Tiara said.

"Maybe Diamond Tiara can help you," Filthy Rich replied. He was used to overcoming objections in his line of work.

"I suppose I could use the help," Fluttershy finally said. "Okay, I'll watch Diamond Tiara. Are you expecting to stop by tonight or tomorrow to pick her up, or should I bring her home?"

"I'll be back from Canterlot late tonight. I don't know exactly what time that will be, so if it's not too much trouble can she spend the night here? I'll come by in the morning and pick her up."

"Sure she can spend the night. I'll take good care of her, I promise."

"What is the going rate for a fillysitter?" Filthy Rich asked.

"It's five bits per hour," Fluttershy replied. "Since she's going to be here the whole day, let's call it 60 bits for the whole day."

Filthy Rich opened his saddlebag and removed a small bag.

"There's a hundred bits in it. Keep the change."

"Thank you. You’re very generous."

"Sorry I can't talk, but it's urgent that I catch the next train to Canterlot. Thank you, Fluttershy. Diamond Tiara, I love you," Filthy Rich said, giving Diamond Tiara a hug. She hugged him back and watched as he walked down the path away from Fluttershy's cottage.

"So, what would you like to do? I see you've got some books with you."

"My dad wants me to study."

"Might I suggest a nice quiet spot to study in? Underneath that tree is a small bench," Fluttershy said, pointing to a pine tree. "There's plenty of shade under the tree, and you can always move the bench if you want to be in the sunlight or have the tree block the breeze. It's one of my favorite spots."

"That'll be fine."

The shy pegasus watched as Diamond Tiara took her saddlebag and sat down under the tree Fluttershy had indicated and started to read one of her books. Fluttershy walked over to her chicken coop and continued to work on rebuilding it.

**********************************

When Rainbow Dash and the Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived at the aquarium they found themselves in a short line. Despite Dash's insistance on sleeping in, they had somehow managed to arrive before it got crowded and the line moved quickly. Rainbow Dash bought five tickets and the group continued past the ticket booth. The first stop in their visit was to an exhibit showing the coral reefs that could be found a few miles out to sea. There were over five hundred different types of sea creatures swimming around in the exhibit, from small fish and turtles to sea snakes and jellyfish.

"Did you see the size of that sea turtle? That thing is huge!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.

"Look at the colors of those fish," Sweetie Belle added. "I've got get Rarity to come see this."

"Yeah right. Rarity in an aquarium. That'll be the day," Rainbow Dash said.

“And why not?” Sweetie Belle reeled on Rainbow Dash.

“Uh, because, you know, all these slimy fish are uncouth.”

“Rarity would find these fish beautiful and inspirational. I can just hear my sister right now. ‘Why this is a striking color combination! Why did I never think of it?’ ‘Look at how that turtle’s flipper ripples the water. If only I could make ruffles that fluttered in the wind like that. Why that’s it, what a darling idea!’”

Rainbow Dash stared at the white unicorn filly, “Yeah, that’s your sister all right. You even got the accent right.”

“I get a lot of practice,” Sweetie Belle smiled and joined the other three Crusaders.

The next exhibit they went to was showing the rain forests well to the south of Equestria, past the griffon territory. There were toucans, parakeets, frogs, sloths, anteaters and several dozen other types of creatures in the exhibits. Rainbow Dash looked at them, trying her best to fake interest. Sweetie Belle and the other Crusaders looked at each of the exhibits with genuine interest and they tried to name as many of the animals as they could.

They moved on to the next exhibit that showed some of the more dangerous sea creatures, including sandbar sharks, nurse sharks, tiger sharks, sawfish, and electric eels. After a few minutes of standing still and gawking at the sharks Rainbow Dash grew bored and started pacing around the exhibit, wishing there wasn’t a ‘no flying’ policy in place. Knowing full well that the fillies would be most enthralled with the sharks she curled up on a handy bench and decided to take a quick nap.

“Just remember, if we ever have to send somepony to ‘sleep with the fishes’ these are the kind we’re referring to,” Babs admired the massive sharks.

“Why would we do that?”

“Well, Sweetie Belle, not every pony is as nice as the ones you’re used to in Ponyville. There are plenty of unscrupulous ponies out there that are even more ruthless and predatory than these sharks. And the only way to deal with them is to silence them. Permanently. Sharks don’t leave evidence. Not only that, it’s good for the environment. That way we’re not taking up valuable room in the landfill and we’re providing valuable nourishment to hungry sharks.”

“Couldn’t they just swim away?” asked Scootaloo.

“Not if they’re wearing concrete horseshoes.”

“Why would they wear something silly like that?” asked Apple Bloom.

“Because we put them on the pony before throwing him into the ocean,” said Sweetie Belle slowly, as she put the pieces together.

“Very good! You’re catching on,” replied Babs.

“But how do we get them to the ocean? It’s more than fifty miles from Ponyville to the coast,” said Apple Bloom.

“Stop thinking small. Do you really want to live in Ponyville for the rest of your life?”

“Well, I was kinda plannin’ on it. I mean the farm’s there, and my big sister is there. And Big Macintosh and Granny Smith too!”

“Stop thinking so small. If we play our cards right we could take over Equestria.”

“But the farm?”

”You’ll have so much money you can afford to pay for ponies to buck apples and then your siblings won’t have to break their backs doing all that work.”

“That sounds pretty good,” Apple Bloom agreed.

After a few more minutes of watching the graceful movements of the deadly predators, the Crusaders decided that they’d rather be riding the roller coasters. Much to their dismay Rainbow Dash was out like a light again.

“Does she ever do anything aside from sleep?” Babs asked.

“Absolutely!” Scootaloo defended her new big sister. “She performs heroic feats and awesomely radical stunts. And sometimes she even performs radically awesome stunts. It takes a lot of energy to do all that so she has to rest frequently.”

“Yeah, well, watching her sleep is boring. Come on, I know just how to wake her up,” Babs grinned. She whispered her plan to the other fillies and they took their places.

Sweetie Belle ran past the sleeping pegasus screaming at the top of her lungs, “Run! They’re loose!”

“Land sharks! Oh no! They got that pony over there!” Apple Bloom added some screams to the end.

Rainbow Dash bolted awake and took to the air, “Land sharks? Where? I’ll save you!” She glanced around the room and saw the four Cutie Mark Crusaders giggling like crazy.

“Gotcha, sis.”

“Memo to self – do not fall asleep around the fillies again.”

The Crusaders resumed laughing while Rainbow Dash just muttered under her breath.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes?” Rainbow Dash turned to face the pony that had addressed her.

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“Oh, let me guess. This is another prank from the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Well I’m not falling for it.”

“Uh, Rainbow Dash…”

“Not now, Scootaloo. I’m not falling for another one of your tricks.”

“This isn’t one of our tricks. He really is with the aquarium’s security.”

“Oh. Well, in that case, we’ll be going now.”

“Wise idea. And don’t come back now, y’hear?”

With their abbreviated tour of the exhibit concluded, Rainbow Dash stretched her wings and looked at the Crusaders, "So who’s ready to hit the amusement park?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Cutie Mark Crusader roller coaster riders, yay," replied the four fillies in unison.

Rainbow Dash’s ears were ringing from their outburst. Fortunately her eyes were still working fine and she saw the door to the aquarium open and the security guard glaring at them once more, “Right, so all of you then. Okay, let’s go. Preferably now, before that security pony decides to detain us.”

*********************************

Minty walked into the police station Saturday morning. She had spent all day and most of the evening at the school, trying to figure out how to repair the damage that was done. She was physically exhausted but she had to check in before she went back to the school. When she walked into her office she saw a note on her desk.

Minty,

Come to my office at your earliest opportunity.

Paradise

Minty looked at the note curiously, then crumpled it up and discarded it in a trash bin as she walked out of her office and down the dimly lit hall until she came Paradise's office. She knocked on the door.

"Come in," Paradise called out.

"Officer Minty reporting as ordered." Minty saluted as she opened the door and stepped into the room.

"Please close the door."

Minty closed the door and sat down at the desk in front of Paradise.

"Cheerilee came to visit me yesterday. She seemed very upset about the way things have been going at the school. She said you’ve caused a tremendous amount of property damage. She claims the cause of the damage was you removing those cameras you put up."

"I was trying to do a good job patching up the holes I drilled for the cameras. Things may have gotten a little out of hoof."

"Okay, why did you choose to install those cameras in the first place?" Paradise asked.

"I was hoping to catch somepony putting stuffed animal heads into Silver Spoon's locker. Then we'd have our culprit and this case would be solved."

"Although that’s an interesting idea to have video cameras set up to watch the school, the problem is this crime already occurred."

"That's exactly what Cheerilee said to me yesterday."

"Has there been any progress in this case since you went to the school?" Paradise asked.

"I've talked to the staff and students at the school. Silver Spoon is an average student with exactly one close friend: Diamond Tiara. She has a reputation of being a snobbish filly with the other students."

"Do you have any leads?" Paradise asked.

"No. Whichever pony did this left no evidence behind that I could find."

Paradise looked at Minty, then at the floor.

"Cheerilee wants you replaced as the officer in charge of this case. She's given me a detailed report about the things you've done while investigating this case. Starting with your random theory about drug runners to spending several hours on the playground, then installing cameras all over the school, and finally nearly destroying the entire building while trying to remove them. Not only has she demanded I remove you from this case, she’s requested that I formally reprimand you as well."

"But...I..." Minty stammered, looking visibly shaken. "I'm trying my best, honest I am. What more can I do?"

"For the time being I think it would be best if you avoid going anywhere near Ponyville Elementary. At least until we get the immediate problem squared up."

"Oh come on! Surely you don't mean the playground, too? It's where I do my best thinking. Besides it has the best swings and slide and merry-go-round in all of Ponyville."

"Especially the playground. That was one thing Cheerilee was very insistent on."

"Can we at least install a playground here?" Minty asked.

Paradise rolled her eyes, "The Mayor said she was having a new playground installed in a park near the south side of Ponyville. I doubt she'd let us put one here, even if we had room. Which we don't. I’d like to remind you that this is a police station, and we’re here to protect and serve, not play and ignore."

"That sucks," Minty replied sadly. "And so does this. I'm doing my best to solve this case, and Miss Cheerilee has been so critical of me ever since I set foot in that school. I don't know what else is expected of me. My best is all I can do."

"I know, Minty. That's why this decision was hard for me to make," Paradise said softly.

"So you’ve already made your decision," Minty replied, tears dripping down her face.

"I'm not going to remove you from this case, Minty. When I put you on this case I believed you were the right pony for the job. Despite everything that has happened, I still believe that. However, because you violated policies regarding destruction of public property by a civil servant, I really do have to punish you."

"What policies?" Minty asked, confused.

"They’re outlined in the books I gave you when you were hired," Paradise replied. "You have to do things by the book, or more problems will occur."

"Ugh, by the books? That requires reading," Minty replied. "Boooooooring!"

"Be that as it may, had you read and followed those policies, this wouldn't have happened," Paradise replied. "So here's what we're going to do about this. I’m going to place you on unpaid administrative leave. Basically it means you're suspended until you pass the test."

"Test?" Minty asked.

"Cheerilee wanted you to be fired outright for the damage you caused to the school. I convinced her that you’re a valuable pony on the police force, and gave her examples of how you've helped us maintain law and order in Ponyville since you joined us. She threatened to go over my head and file a formal complaint with the District Attorney’s office about this if I don't do something. So I'm going to give you time to review the books that you were supposed to read, and give you a test on them. When you pass I can get them off your back."

"And if I fail?" Minty asked.

"Minty, you need to pass this test. I've always had your back, Minty. From the day you were just a recruit fresh out of training I've helped you. This is one of those times you need to help me help you. If you don't pass this test, I can't protect you. Please, take the time. Study hard. And don't worry about the damage to the school – that’s no longer your concern. I've hired a farm pony named Applejack and her brother Big Macintosh to repair the school. All you need to focus on is passing this test. Until you do, you're dismissed."

“It’s an open book test, right?”

“No.”

“Please?”

“Dismissed, Minty.”

Minty struggled to keep her composure as she stood up. She turned and walked out of the office, carefully closing the door behind her. She walked into her office and picked up her saddlebag. She slung it over her back and turned off the light. She left her office and walked past Sweet Stuff, who was sitting at the receptionist desk.

"Minty, are you okay? Where are you going?"

"Home," Minty replied sadly. "I'm going home."

"Home?" Sweet Stuff asked, confused. "Why?"

"I don't want to talk about it," the green mare replied bitterly.

Minty pushed both doors open at once and bucked them closed so hard behind her that the window on each door spiderwebbed. "I bet that's coming out of my next paycheck. Oh wait! I'm on unpaid leave. Good luck collecting money from me to replace them!" She shook her right hoof at the police station behind her and sighed. She had no idea what to do now that she was technically unemployed.

Paradise poked her head out of her office. "What was that?"

"DJ Pon3 trying out a new stereo across the street. Apparently the volume goes all the way up to eleven," Sweet Stuff lied to protect her friend.

"Well what are you waiting for? Go arrest her for disturbing the peace."

"I already ordered her to cease and desist. Gave her a warning. I didn't notice the windows were cracked until I got back inside or I would have written her up."

"Somepony has to pay for those windows."

"Aren't we insured, chief?"

"Well, yeah, but I hate making a claim. It raises our rates."

"We could blame it on a weak and poorly-executed escape attempt from the Great and Powerful Trixie?" Sweet Stuff suggested.

"As tempting as that thought is, she was released last night, after your shift ended. Not to mention that it would be both illegal and unethical."

"But immensely satisfying."

"Only until you remember that it would mean her sentence would be extended and she'd be here longer. You know what? I think I'll just make the claim. At least Minty didn't do it. Good thing, too, because our insurance policy no longer covers acts of Minty..."

"Why not?"

"Something about replacing a schoolhouse," Paradise sighed as she closed the door to her office. That was the other reason Minty had to go – the department's insurance company threatened to drop them if Minty remained on the force. And like it or not, there was no way they could operate without insurance. But Paradise liked Minty, so she devised the test as the nicest way to get rid of her. She knew there was no way the green mare would ever be able to pass it.

Minty turned and walked slowly away from the station. Because it was nearly eleven in the morning the stores were open and the streets were full of ponies. She walked toward her home, thinking about the events of the past week. She felt her heart sink the more she thought about it.

Minty loved to sing and thought maybe a song would lift her spirits. She turned and walked down an alley between stores, and when she thought she was alone she sang out loud.

I may not be the smartest mare
But I sure do try my best
Now I have to pass this test
To keep my job, it’s just not fair

My whole career rests on this one thing
I can't focus, my nerves are frayed
I'll lose my job without some aid,
The tears have come, how they sting

I've never been this down and out
I feel so alone without my friends
Pain keeps coming, it never ends
Worst of all I'm full of doubt

Minty kicked a rock and was surprised to hear a familiar voice add a verse to her tune

But you're not alone
When your head aches
And your heart breaks
Even when you moan and groan

Why so blue instead of green?
Pinkie Pie is that you?
Well it's sure not Ditzy Doo!
Oh Pinkie, they were so mean!

That's what made my smile fall
It's really hard to beam
When all they do is scream
I just can't give it my all

If sadness you wish to break
I'll give you a hint-y
Hey! Not much rhymes with Minty!
Laughter's what it's gonna take

So you’ve got to smile and laugh today
Who knows what tomorrow might bring
But today we have songs to sing
So come on, let's go play!

"Okay!" Minty agreed, giggling. She couldn't help it; Pinkie's smile was contagious.

"Now then, let's go to the playground and play on the swings and slide, and you can tell me all about what's bothering you," Pinkie Pie said.

"Oh, I don't think that's a good idea. Miss Cheerilee doesn't want me anywhere near the school."

"That won't be a problem. There's a park on the south side of town. They put up a brand new slide there last week. The swings are pretty good, too," Pinkie Pie said.

Pinkie Pie and Minty started walking out of the alley and headed toward the park.

"Oh Pinkie, it was awful! They were so mean!"

"Who was mean? I'll give them a piece of my mind! Nopony is mean to my friends! Nopony!" Pinkie shouted, her voice loud enough to put Princess Luna's Royal Canterlot Voice to shame.

"Miss Cheerilee. She told Paradise about several theories I have about what happened to Silver Spoon. Apparently she was not impressed by any of them. She also told her that I destroyed the school. Miss Cheerilee wants me kicked off the case, and reprimanded too. She told Paradise that if Paradise didn't reprimand me, she'd go over her head to Shining Armor."

"What?!" Pinkie shouted, shocked. "She wants you kicked off the case and reprimanded? That's totally not fair!"

"It gets worse."

"How could that get worse?" Pinkie asked, regretting it the moment she did.

"Paradise suspended me from the force and then told me that I have to pass a test on the books on policy and procedures I was given when I got this job. If I don't pass...she made it sound like I would lose my job," the mint green mare said, staring at the ground.

Pinkie gave her a hug, "Don't you worry your pretty little pink mane about that. I know just what to do."

"You do?" Minty asked.

"My friend Twilight Sparkle is one of the smartest ponies I know. She's always reading books, and taking tests. Princess Celestia is always giving her tests and Twilight is always passing them. If anypony can help you it's her."

"Do you think she could take the test for me?"

"No, but I know you're nervous about taking tests. I'm the same way." Pinkie replied. "I don't like having to study for them because the books are usually booooooring!"

"That's exactly what I said."

"But that's all Twilight does is read and study. She even studies for fun. For fun! Can you believe that?”

Minty shuddered as she shook her head. That seemed absolutely preposterous to her. Who could possibly find studying more fun than sliding and swinging on the playground?

“She might be able to give you pointers on how to study effectively. Maybe she can even quiz you on the books, to make sure you're ready for the test."

"You think she'd do that for me?"

"Of course! Twilight’s the kind of pony who'd do it for anypony. All we’ve gotta do is ask."

"Would you mind going with me when I ask her?"

"Sure I'll go with you!" Pinkie replied, giving Minty another hug. "Anything for a friend."

"Then let's go to the park and play for awhile. Right now I wanna relax before I start thinking about this mess again," Minty replied, and the two friends trotted off toward the park.

********************

"Ahhhhhhhhh!" The Crusaders screamed as the roller coaster reached the top and began its rapid descent back down. Just before it reached the ground it banked to the left and began a hard climb again.

When the roller coaster finally came to a stop the Crusaders and Rainbow Dash climbed out of it.

"That was the best ride ever!" Babs exclaimed.

"Yeah right squirt, I saw how terrified you were on that last barrel roll," Rainbow Dash said, grinning.

"Don't think I didn't see how green your face was when we reached the first spiral," Babs replied.

"My face wasn't green," Rainbow Dash said sharply.

"Whatever you say," Sweetie Belle replied. "But it sure wasn’t your normal light blue either."

"Do we have time to go on another ride?" Scootaloo asked.

Rainbow Dash looked around and spotted a clock on one of the concession stands.

"I don't think so. There's going to be a line at the Wonderbolts show. I know we already have our tickets, but we don't want to be late," Rainbow Dash replied.

"Awww," the Crusaders whined in unison.

"I know, but the Wonderbolts are the reason we came here after all. If there's time later before we catch the train home we can come back for one more ride."

"Can we hit the concession stand? I've got to get some water," Sweetie Belle asked.

"Sure thing. I could use a drink myself," Rainbow Dash replied.

The prismatic pegasus led the Crusaders to the nearest concession stand and bought them all some water. They drank it as they left the amusement park, walking steadily to the racetrack on the east side of town. When they got to the track they saw a long line of ponies waiting to be let in. There were nearly one hundred ponies in the line and it continued to grow as they watched.

"Look at this crowd!" Rainbow Dash said. "Good thing we've already got our tickets or we'd never get in."

"Speaking of which, how are we going to get in? By the time we get to the front of the line the show will have started," Babs pointed out.

"There's a separate line for VIP's over here," Rainbow Dash said. "That's where we'll enter."

"What's VIP stand for, anyway?" asked Scootaloo.

"Very Important Pony," Rainbow Dash replied.

The group walked over to another line that was much shorter. When they got to the front Rainbow Dash handed a pony their tickets.

"Welcome to the Wonderbolts show," an usher said. "I'll take you to your seats."

"That's okay, we can find our way," Rainbow Dash replied.

"It's my job to show VIPs where their seats are. Please let me do it."

"All right," Rainbow Dash reluctantly agreed.

The group followed the usher to their front row seats and sat down just in time to see the Wonderbolts do a flyby. The Wonderbolts climbed high into the air and using their signature smoke trails they wrote "Wonderbolts" in the sky. Then they dove and buzzed the crowd, passing so close to Rainbow Dash she could feel the air being displaced as they flew over her head. The entire audience was on their hooves, cheering at the top of their lungs.

The Wonderbolts performed their show pulling off stunts that were dazzling and breathtaking, leaving the crowd hoarse from all the cheering. Spitfire unveiled a new move for this show – she created a giant ring of fire midair and each of the other Wonderbolts immediately passed through it from a different direction.

Other than that one new trick, it was the same old stunts Rainbow Dash had seeen countless times before and spent years memorizing and practicing. But no matter how many times she saw them perform, she never grew tired of it. And she knew the fillies had never seen one of their shows before, so she was happy to explain the intricacies of each of their stunts for an all too willing audience.

Unfortunately, it was over far too soon, and even with the crowd shouting and stomping their feet in appreciation, there was only one encore. After the show was completed the crowd began to leave the track. Rainbow Dash led the Crusaders onto the field and right up to the Wonderbolts.

"Oh hi Rainbow Dash," Spitfire said, watching the rainbow colored mare walking toward her. "How are you?"

"Doing good," Rainbow Dash replied. "I'd like to introduce you to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. This is my sister, Scootaloo. And this is Babs Seed, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle."

"Greetings to all of you. I'm Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts. This is Soarin’, and this is High Winds. They're my lieutenants," Spitfire said, going around and introducing them to all of the Wonderbolts.

"Those were some pretty slick moves you were doing up there," Scootaloo said.

"Glad you liked them. We've spent hundreds of hours practicing them," Soarin’ replied. "That's what makes you get good at something. Practice, practice, practice."

"So what do I have to do to get to be a Wonderbolt?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I've filled out application after application to join."

"It takes more than just applications, Rainbow Dash," Spitfire said. "We have an academy we're setting up. We've already got your application, and it'll be one of the first ones we process when we get the academy going. We'll see how you do there. Then we'll talk about your future."

"You know I'm going to blow away the competition," Rainbow Dash rubbed her chest.

"I've heard that a lot, from far more ponies than you. The only way to know for sure is to see how you do in the competition," Soarin’ said.

The Crusaders listened while Rainbow Dash talked to Spitfire and Soarin’, but were far more interested in finding out where High Winds had disappeared to. They spotted her sitting on a bench, putting her flight suit away. The Crusaders walked over to her and sat down on either side of her.

"That was a great show you Wonderbolts put on. I really liked the part where you buzzed past Rainbow Dash," Babs said.

"Thank you very much."

"If you don't mind me asking, how much does a Wonderbolt make per show? I'm considering my career options and I'm just wondering if it's about the money or the thrills," Scootaloo asked.

"Mostly it's about entertainment. The pay is decent, but not great."

"If you had a way to make more money per show, would you be interested in doing it?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Of course, but there isn't one. Spitfire will give us a yearly raise, but beyond that the pay is the same."

"We're not talking about her offering you money. We're talking about a business deal between us," Babs said.

"A business deal? But you're just fillies," High Winds said. "What kind of business deal could you possibly have to offer me?"

"We're interested in helping you make money off your races. All we need to know is what position you're going to finish in. We'll place all kinds of bets on you finishing in that position. You finish in the position you tell us you'll finish in, and we'll give you a cut," Babs said.

"You're talking about fixing a race," High Winds replied.

"Exactly. Do you want in?"

"I dont know," High Winds replied. "Spitfire will be really angry if she finds out about any of this."

"So will Rainbow Dash. That's why it's in our best interests to keep our mouths shut about it and do what we've gotta do," Babs replied.

"How much of a cut are we talking about?" High Winds asked.

"Twenty percent," Babs replied.

"Forget it. I'm not risking my job for twenty percent," High Winds replied. "Eighty percent is a much nicer number."

"Only in your dreams," Babs replied flatly. "That doesn't make it worth our effort. Forty percent."

"Sixty percent." High Winds countered.

"Fifty percent." Babs said.

"I can live with that," High Winds replied. "Now, exactly how are you planning on getting me my cut?"

"Figured we could send it to you at whatever your address is," Sweetie Belle replied.

"That might cause problems." High Winds replied. "Sending money can't be done without me signing for it when it arrives. Should anyone start seeing money being sent to me, that could cause a lot of questions to be asked and I don't think any of us wants that to happen."

"Agreed. So what do you suggest?" Apple Bloom asked.

"The way our schedule works is we have three weeks on and one week off every month. That way we can get a break in between shows and be able to spend time with friends and family. During that week we're free to do whatever we want, wherever we want. Where exactly do you fillies live?"

"Ponyville," Scootaloo replied.

"I'm not very familiar with that town, honestly. I've only been there once. Is there someplace on the edge of town where we could meet? Somewhere isolated, where no other ponies will be?"

"I know a spot." Apple Bloom said. She gave directions to Sweet Apple Acres and to where they could meet on the farm and assured the pegasus that nopony would see them.

"Perfect. I shall meet you on the last day of the month at midnight at that spot. Don't be late. Oh, and I'm trusting you fillies to make this worth my time. If I find out that this isn't worth the effort I'm putting forth, meaning you aren't making enough money to make it worth this, then the deal is off."

"Don't worry about that. We're not going to go through all this just to not make money," Scootaloo said.

"When and where is your next race?" Babs asked.

"Two days from now in Fillydelphia."

"There's only four of you racing in that race, right?" Babs asked.

"Five." High Winds replied. She gave a list of all the Wonderbolts participating in her next race.

"Think you can take third place?" Babs asked.

High Winds thought about it for a minute before she replied.

"I can take third. I'll make sure it's competitive, so it doesn't look like I'm throwing the race," High Winds said.

"Good. We'll place a lot of bets on you coming in third. Most ponies would expect you to place in the top two, so they'd think us crazy for betting on a third place finish. That's how we'll get them," Babs said.

"You make it sound so easy," High Winds replied.

"Trust me. This'll totally be worth your while," Babs grinned.

"All right I'm yours. Third place in my next race."

High Winds and the Crusaders discussed the next two races after that one and determined where High Winds could finish that wouldn't draw attention to herself and would let the Crusaders bet like crazy on her. They quickly changed the subject when they saw Rainbow Dash, Spitfire and Soarin’ walking toward them.

"We're about to go get some lunch," Spitfire said.

"I'm ready," High Winds replied, zipping her saddlebag closed and slinging it on her back.

"So are we," Scootaloo said. "We were just asking High Winds what it's like to be a Wonderbolt."

"You can continue your conversation at the restaurant," Rainbow Dash said. "I'm pretty sure the Wonderbolts would love to get some food after a good show like that."

********************************

Diamond Tiara read her schoolbooks slowly. She was bored, and desperately wanted something else to do, but from what she saw Fluttershy was completely surrounded by animals of all sizes and types. She didn't expect to find much in the way of entertainment around here, so she did the only thing she could think to do: read her schoolbooks and do her homework.

"Thank you Angel, how did you know I was getting thirsty?"

Diamond Tiara looked up and saw Angel Bunny holding a cup of water for Fluttershy. After the pink-maned pegasus took the water Angel Bunny moved the step stool she was using over so she could finish building the chicken coop. When Fluttershy was on the far side of the chicken coop, Diamond Tiara set her textbook down on the ground and approached Angel Bunny, who looked at her questioningly.

"Hey Angel Bunny, have you got a minute?" Diamond Tiara asked.

Angel stamped his foot impatiently.

"You're very helpful to Fluttershy. How'd you like to be helpful to me, too?" Diamond Tiara asked.

Angel shook his head enthusiastically no and stuck his tongue out at the filly.

"I can make it worth your while," Diamond Tiara said quietly.

Angel Bunny pointed back to the tree where Diamond Tiara had been sitting and ran over to it. He tapped his foot impatiently until Diamond Tiara took the hint and came over to him.

"You wanted to make sure Fluttershy didn't overhear us, is that it?" Diamond Tiara asked.

Angel Bunny nodded his head in approval.

"I want your help in taking care of a few problems I have. Starting with Silver Spoon. Do you know who that filly is?" Diamond Tiara asked.

Angel shook his head no. Diamond Tiara pulled out a picture of her from her saddlebag and showed it to Angel Bunny.

"I want you to make her suffer. There can't be anything that points back to me or I'd do it myself."

Angel looked confused for a minute, then his face lit up when he realized what it was that the little pony wanted. He took the picture of Silver Spoon and showed it to Diamond Tiara, then tore it in half.

"No, don't kill her," Diamond Tiara said sternly. "Stop short of killing her. Make it painful, but not lethal."

Angel winked at Diamond Tiara.

"Now then, what can I give you in return?" Diamond Tiara asked. "Oh, I know! I've been saving this cupcake for a special occasion. Angel Bunny, it's yours."

Diamond Tiara pulled a cupcake out of her saddlebag and gave it to the white bunny. He sniffed it and his face turned green. He immediately shoved it in Diamond Tiara's face.

"How dare you!" Diamond Tiara said angrily. "When I get my hooves on you..."

Angel Bunny smiled and picked up the torn pieces of Silver Spoon and slowly walked toward Fluttershy.

"Wait. What will it take for you to do it?" Diamond Tiara asked.

Angel Bunny ran inside the cottage and returned a few moments later with a magazine. He opened it and showed Diamond Tiara a page with a number circled on it.

"You want me to order this for you?" Diamond Tiara asked, looking at the page, confused.

Angel Bunny rolled his eyes, slapped Diamond Tiara with the magazine and pointed at the circled number.

"Oh, I get it," Diamond Tiara said. "You want me to pay you.....that much?!"

Angel Bunny nodded in agreement.

"That's my allowance for the whole month! I won't do it."

Angel Bunny looked at Diamond Tiara with a frown on his face. He stood there looking at her for a few moments.

"I said no. That price is much too high. I'll pay you half."

Angel Bunny shook his head in disagreement. He pointed at Diamond Tiara, then at the number circled on the magazine page. A few seconds later he pointed at himself, the torn picture of Silver Spoon, then at Fluttershy.

"If I don't pay you that much you're going to tell Fluttershy aren't you?" Diamond Tiara asked.

Angel Bunny smiled and nodded yes.

"I don't have that many bits on me. I’ll get them though and bring them by after I go home tomorrow. First I want you to take care of Silver Spoon. Then you get paid."

Angel Bunny shook his head no and pointed at the number again.

"Fine. I'll pay you first. But you better live up to your end of this. Or I'm gonna drag you into the Everfree Forest and tie you to a tree. See how long you survive before one of the timber wolves come for you."

Angel Bunny nodded. He picked up the magazine and the torn pieces of the picture and hopped into the cottage.

"Aren’t you going to give me my picture back?" Diamond Tiara asked.

Angel Bunny shook his head no.

"Oh, one more thing. Make it look like an accident."

Angel tapped his paw on his nose and grinned at Diamond Tiara.

Author's Note

Baythoven = Beethoven

Rosa Ponyselle = Rosa Ponselle.

Chapter 6: We Didn't Start The Fire

The two mares started walking towards the park, but halfway there Minty said 'Race you!' and took off running, Pinkie Pie in pursuit. It was a short race, one easily won by the pink pony.

"I'll never understand how you do that."

"Do what?"

"Outrun everypony. You've outrun pegasus ponies flying flat out."

"Oh, that's easy. I just know lots of shortcuts," Pinkie smiled as Minty slid down the slide.

"Wheeeeeeeee!" cried the mint mare.

"....built this city!" answered Pinkie Pie.

"Wheeeeeeeee!" Minty said again, once more sliding down the playground's slide.

"....built this city on rock and roll!" Pinkie once more responded, as she took her turn on the slide. She balanced on her hind legs and slid down the slide surfer style, "Wheeeeeee!"

"....didn't start the fire!" answered Minty, wasting no time following her friend down the slide, "Wheeeeeeeee!"

"....are the world...."

"Wheeeeee!"

"....are the children...."

"Wheeeeee!" Minty once more slid to the bottom.

"....are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving!" Pinkie Pie answered. She took her turn sliding, "Wheeeeee!"

"...are the champions!" answered Minty as she landed on top of Pinkie Pie in a crumpled heap. The two mares giggled as they stood up.

"Yes we are!" agreed Pinkie Pie. "And we can do anything if we put our minds to it!"

"You're right!" Minty giggled.

"That was fun. We totally need to do that more often!"

"Agreed! How do you always know how to brighten my day?" Minty asked, her problems forgotten.

"Cause I'll do anything to make my friends smile," replied Pinkie. "And you needed a smile! Now that you're feeling better, let's go see Twilight so we can solve your problem."

*************************************

"What did you think of the theme park?" High Winds asked, looking toward Rainbow Dash, "They've got some of the best roller coasters in Equestria."

"We loved it! I had a hard time dragging these fillies away from them to come see the show.”

“I particularly liked the ones that go upside down. The feeling of weightlessness was incredible," Apple Bloom replied.

“That’s the way I live every day,” Rainbow Dash rubbed her chest. “There’s nothing like the feeling of flying through the sky. Nothing.”

"Rainbow Dash is right. How would you fillies like to experience what it's like to be a Wonderbolt, from our perspective?" Spitfire asked.

"How? We can't fly," Babs replied.

"No, but we can," Soarin' replied, "We'll just strap you to our backs and take off. We always practice after a meal anyway. Helps burn off extra calories."

"That offer is extended to you, Rainbow Dash." Spitfire said, "If you're interested of course."

"You want me to practice...your routines...alongside you?" Rainbow Dash stammered, "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!"

"You have better attendance to our shows than some of our support staff. As intently as you've been watching us you should know our routines pretty well by now," Spitfire replied, "So let's see if you can keep up."

“I’m the fasting thing in the air. You’re gonna be begging me to slow down just so you can catch up.”

One by one the Crusaders climbed onto the backs of the Wonderbolts, except for Scootaloo. Because she wasn't able to fly on her own yet, Rainbow Dash picked her up and held her in one hoof as she flew. The Wonderbolts leapt into the air, making sure the fillies were safely on their backs before they flew higher and began their routine of dives, twists, and turns. The Crusaders were cheering as the Wonderbolts flew so close to the ground the fillies could reach out and touch the grass with their legs as they flew by.

When the Wonderbolts pulled up and flew back into the clouds, they took a few seconds and split into two teams. Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Soarin', and Babs were on one team while Spitfire, Sweetie Belle, High Winds, and Apple Bloom moved away from them. When they got two clouds away they turned and faced Rainbow Dash and Soarin'.

"What are they doing?" Babs asked.

"They're squaring off against us," Soarin' explained, "They're going to come right at us in a few seconds. This is to test our flight skills."

"Hold on," Rainbow Dash said, watching Spitfire flap her wings, "You take High Winds. I want Spitfire."

"Are you sure about that? All those practice sessions you've seen her in; even the shows she's performed in don't show what she's capable of. There's a reason she's the Captain," Soarin' replied.

"I'm sure," Rainbow Dash said, "I want to see what she's got."

Soarin' and Rainbow Dash didn't wait for their opposition to come to them. They flew straight at Spitfire and High Winds. High Winds climbed and accelerated high and left while Spitfire dove and flew to the right, breaking in opposite directions from each other. Soarin' went after High Winds while Rainbow Dash dove after Spitfire. Spitfire climbed and turned sharply, her wings extended as she went for a head-on pass with Rainbow Dash. To avoid a collision Rainbow turned to the left and Spitfire turned to the right, both coming within inches of one another when they flew past each other.

******************************************************

Silver Spoon set the empty glass down in the kitchen sink and sighed. Her parents had insisted she drink the last of the Apple Family Cider they had saved for a special occasion in an attempt to cheer her up after recent events. But now they were out, and she knew her parents loved it too – possibly even more than she did herself. She decided to surprise them by buying a replacement barrel with her allowance.

She trotted back to her bedroom and grabbed her piggy bank from her dresser. She gave it a quick rattle, and satisfied that the contents would be enough to cover her planned purchase, she dropped the bank on the floor. Seconds later the little ceramic piggy shattered and Silver Spoon helped herself to all of the bits that poured out.

“There really aught to be a better way of opening these things,” she thought, as she earmarked a few bits to buy a replacement piggy bank and made a mental note to stop at the general store on her way back from getting the cider. She went outside and double-checked that the door was locked before removing the tarp from her family’s wagon.

Silver Spoon hooked her harness to the wagon and attached it around her waist. Then she started the short walk to Sweet Apple Acres, taking her time to enjoy the warmth of the sun as she walked down the street. It took her about twenty minutes to get from her home to Sweet Apple Acres. She didn't see anypony there, so she unhooked the wagon and left it near the front of the farmhouse. The silver filly walked around to the back of the house, looking for any member of the Apple family. She was completely unaware that she was being watched.

Angel Bunny observed Silver Spoon as she unhooked her wagon and walked around to the back of the house. He couldn’t believe his good luck – he certainly had not expected to see Silver Spoon here today. He had recruited some of Fluttershy's critters to help him steal some of the Apple family's cider. Harry the bear had carried two empty barrels from her cottage to Sweet Apple Acres. Their plan was to wait till the Apple Family was distracted and swap out the empty barrels for full ones. Seeing the filly he had been paid to take care of made Angel pause and rethink his plans.

When Silver Spoon disappeared around the corner of the house, Angel Bunny ran over to the wagon and looked at it. He thought back to the deal he made with Diamond Tiara. She wanted this to be an accident, and Angel had seen enough wagon crashes to know that if an axle broke, the wagon would tip over. The terrain back to town was full of hills and if he could get one of the wheels to come off at just the right moment his problem would be solved.

Angel looked at the wheels carefully, debating on how to do it. Removing the bolts that held one of the rear wheels would require tools that he didn't have on him. He thought briefly about trying to get into the barn and see if he could find something he could use, but that would take time. His target might leave before he got back.

Angel looked underneath the wagon. He could see that the wheels were held on to the axle by bolts, but the axle itself was made of wood, which was already showing signs of wear. Everypony knew that wood axles would eventually have to be replaced. If they broke, the wagon would become unstable and likely to roll over. Angel quickly decided to that today was the day that axle would break. Since nopony was at the front of the house, Angel motioned for Harry to come over. Angel pointed to the spot on the axle that was splintering and motioned for the bear to help him.

Together they took chunks out of the already damaged wood, weakening it further. After a few moments Angel started getting nervous, and motioned for both of them to head back to the woods. They carefully made their way around the house, staying in the woods until they could get a clear view of Silver Spoon.

"Hello?" Silver Spoon called out, "Is anypony here?"

Applejack was in the orchard bucking apples. She heard the filly's call and shouted as she started trotting back to the farmhouse, "Be right there!"

A few minutes later Applejack emerged from among the apple trees. She looked at Silver Spoon and walked up to her. "Well howdy Silver Spoon. What brings you to these parts?"

"I wanted to surprise my parents by getting a barrel of cider. If you have any left."

"You're in luck, sugarcube," Applejack said smiling. "We just made a fresh batch."

"How much per barrel?"

"Ah rekon Ah can't hardly charge you for one. Twouldn't be right since you helped my kin and all," Applejack replied.

"I don't feel right about just taking it without giving you something," Silver Spoon replied.

"You gave me my little sis. Without you she and her friends might still be in jail. That's the greatest gift you could have given me. Ah can't take your bits for this."

"I know I helped Apple Bloom, but you can't just give me a barrel," Silver Spoon protested. "You worked too hard to make it to just give it away."

"You're right. We did work hard to make it. It's ours to do with as we see fit, and Ah can't think of a better way of showing our gratitude for what you did. Besides, we've got forty barrels now," Applejack said, grinning.

"You're not going to let me pay you, are you?"

"Sorry sugarcube, that ain't gonna happen."

Silver Spoon looked around. When she didn't see anypony else around she gave Applejack a hug. Applejack hugged her back.

"Thank you," Silver Spoon said.

"You're welcome. May I ask how you're planning on getting them home?"

"I left my wagon over there," Silver Spoon said pointing to her wagon. "Wait a second… Them? I only need one barrel."

"Well, you picked a pretty good time to come here. We've got a bit of a storage problem right now. We overestimated demand and made a few too many barrels, and now we don't have anywhere to put them. So you're getting two," Applejack said, "Go get your wagon, and we'll get you all loaded up."

"How could you overestimate demand? You’ve been making cider for years."

"Normally we don’t have this problem because Pinkie Pie chugs cider like every glass could be her last. But she said something about her Pinkie Sense telling her a friend needed her and Ah haven’t seen her since. You would think this would mean Rainbow Dash would stock up, but she’s flat broke. Apparently she just bought a new house. So their loss is your gain, sugarcube."

Applejack loaded the cider barrels into the wagon as Silver Spoon harnessed herself to it. Little did they know Angel Bunny was watching them like a hawk. He looked at the two barrels on her wagon and smiled.

"Now are you sure you're gonna be able to pull this back to town? Ah can help ya if ya want," Applejack offered.

"No thanks," Silver Spoon replied, "I can manage."

"Alrighty then. Take care. Ah'll tell my sis you stopped by when she gets home."

"Apple Bloom's not here?" Silver Spoon asked.

"She and the rest of the Crusaders went to Baltimare to see the Wonderbolts. They'll be back this evening sometime."

"Okay. Thanks Applejack."

"You're welcome."

Silver Spoon took the path back to town and had no problems with the cartful of cider she was hauling until she reached the hill. She briefly considered going back to Sweet Apple Acres and asking Applejack for help, but she dismissed that notion. She was almost an adult she reminded herself – she had her cutie mark now. She could do this without help. Or so she convinced herself. She managed getting the wagon up the first hill by going slowly and when she reached the top of the hill she allowed herself to stop and catch her breath. Angel Bunny and his crew stayed in the dense undergrowth as they silently tracked their quarry. When they saw Silver Spoon stop, they stopped.

The road ahead of Silver Spoon sloped down and curved to the left about half way down the hill, to avoid a twenty-foot drop. The sheer cliff was known to be hazardous, especially in inclement weather. But today was picture postcard perfect, so Silver Spoon didn’t give the sharp corner and steep incline a second thought. She walked slowly, trying to keep from gaining momentum as she carefully guided the wagon down the hill. The weight of the barrels was pushing her down the hill a little faster than she was used to going, but she felt she still had control of the wagon.

As she approached the corner, she tried to slow the pace down. She turned to the left, following the trail, but as the wagon turned, the rear right wheel hit a rock. Silver Spoon heard a loud crack and looked back at the wagon just in time to see the rear right wheel come loose. Silver Spoon never had time to stop or unhook herself from the harness before the wagon tipped over to the right. It fell off the edge of the road and pulled her over the cliff along with it.

Angel watched as Silver Spoon’s crash with satisfaction. He hopped toward where the wagon went over, listening as it fell. It created a lot of noise as it went down, and he sincerely hoped the barrels were okay, though he doubted they would be. If not at least Sweet Apple Acres wasn't that far from them.

When the white rabbit finally got to the edge of the road he looked down and saw what was left of the wagon. Silver Spoon was laying at the front of it, but she wasn't moving. Angel kept looking and eventually saw the barrels. They had been flung from the wagon and landed further down the hill. He motioned for the bear to join him, and together they worked their way down the slope.

Angel kept an eye on Silver Spoon while they moved toward the wagon. Any sign of her moving would have been very bad for them, but the whole time they moved down the hill Silver Spoon never once moved a muscle. When they got close enough to the wagon the bear took the two empty barrels he was carrying and bashed the ends of them into a tree. He did it hard enough to cause them to have cracks in the wood, and tossed them away from the wagon.

While the bear was doing that, Angel went and found the barrels Silver Spoon was hauling. They were cracked and some of the cider was leaking, but the cracks were limited to one side of the barrel. When the bear picked up the two barrels he turned them so the cracks were facing up, and the leaking stopped. Having accomplished what they set out to, the two started walking back up the hill, leaving the silver filly where she lay.

**************************

Bon Bon trudged along the road leading to Sweet Apple Acres, sweating as she pulled a heavy load of confectionary supplies. Applejack placed orders for sugar through her sweet shop weekly, and the cream-colored mare was more than happy to offer free delivery to one of her best customers. Besides, she could consider the chore to be her exercise for the day and as an added bonus Applejack usually extended a free cup of fresh cider to her while she was there. She parked the wagon in front of the barn and saw Applejack standing out front waiting for her.

"Hello Applejack," Bon Bon replied smiling, "Here's your order."

"Right on time. Thank ya kindly," Applejack replied.

"Do you want the same order next week?"

"Yes’um. Ah reckon the same amount should do nicely."

"Okay, I'll make sure it's ready."

"Would you like some apple cider before you go?"

"Well, now that you mention it, I could use a drink."

Applejack got a glass of cider while Bon Bon unhooked her wagon. There was a lot of sugar on the wagon and Applejack would unload it later in the day, when Big Macintosh was available to help her. Bon Bon had no problem leaving her wagon at Sweet Apple Acres – she knew that either Applejack or Big Macintosh would return it after they unloaded it, and she had other wagons she could use to make deliveries with in the meantime.

"Thank you," Bon Bon said, taking a long gulp of the cider.

"Don't be a stranger, ya hear? You're welcome here anytime. By the way we're having a party here in a few days. Pinkie Pie wanted to throw a party. You're welcome to come, and you can bring all your friends, too," Applejack said.

"That could bring out a lot of ponies."

"Pinkie's spreading the word all over Ponyville, but she always says the more the merrier."

"Alright. I'll let my friends know, but knowing Pinkie she probably already has," Bon Bon said, "Take care of yourself, Applejack."

"You too."

This was Bon Bon’s only scheduled delivery for the day so she made her way back to Ponyville. It was a beautiful day so she immersed herself in the sights and sounds of the forest as she walked through it. Birds chirping, leaves rustling, and insects buzzing were all normal sounds she expected to hear in the woods. The sound of raspy breathing was not. She quickened her pace and much to her horror saw the twisted remains of a wagon at the bottom of a cliff. Worse, there was a pony still strapped to the harness. She gasped as she realized the injured pony was only a filly. Bon Bon watched the little pony’s chest rise and fall – she was still breathing, that was a good sign.

"Hello down there!" Bon Bon shouted. "Are you all right?" The cream mare sincerely hoped the filly was conscious and could answer her question. She waited almost a minute, watching intently for any sign that the pony below was moving. After seeing no sign of movement aside from shallow breathing, she looked at the sharp drop over the hill. She could probably get down to the pony but there was no way she'd ever be able to get back up the hill again. She needed help.

"I'll be right back, I'm going to get help!"

She dropped her saddlebag and raced back toward Sweet Apple Acres as fast as her legs would carry her. When she got there she found Applejack and Big Macintosh unloading the sugar she had just dropped off.

"Help!" Bon Bon shouted as she ran toward them.

"What's wrong?" Applejack asked.

"Somepony with a wagon fell down a hill. I can't get to them without help," Bon Bon said, between pants.

"Are they hurt?" Applejack asked.

"I don't know. Whoever it is didn't respond. I could barely see them. I think it’s a filly."

"I'll get some rope," Applejack said. She had a sinking suspicion that she knew who the mystery filly might be but she really hoped she was wrong.

Applejack ran toward the barn and grabbed some rope. Big Macintosh backed the wagon near the house and rapidly unloaded the remaining bags of sugar. They were fifty-pound bags and he unloaded them onto the porch by himself like they were pillows. Applejack threw the rope into the wagon and then hooked Big Macintosh to the harness. The trio ran down the road and stopped when they found Bon Bon's saddlebag. Applejack and Big Macintosh looked down over the hill.

Applejack’s fears were soon proved true. She blamed herself for letting Silver Spoon take two full barrels of cider back home without help. The weight had obviously been too much for the little filly to adequately slow down in time. "Silver Spoon!" Applejack shouted. "Can ya hear me?"

"We have to get down there," Bon Bon said.

"Here, tie this end of the rope to this here tree. Ah'll tie the other end to me, and Big Macintosh can lower me down to her. Ah'll tie my end of the rope to her and he can pull her back up. You untie it from her and toss it back down to me, and Big Mac can pull me up, too."

Bon Bon did as instructed and tied one end of the rope to the specified tree. When Applejack had the rope tied around her, she began to descend carefully. It took about five minutes for the farm pony to work her way down to Silver Spoon. She moved some of the debris out of her way and climbed toward the front of the wagon.

"Silver Spoon, it's Applejack. We're going to get you out of here."

There was no response from the filly, which made Applejack start worrying even more. When she reached the front of the wagon she saw Silver Spoon laying face down in mud, her head next to a tree. Applejack unhooked her from her wagon and then untied the rope from herself. She quickly tied the rope around Silver Spoon's torso.

"Okay, pull her up. Slowly! She's hurt!" Applejack shouted.

A moment later the rope began to move as Big Macintosh walked slowly forward, jaws firmly cramped around the rope. Silver Spoon began to rise in the air, and after a few minutes Applejack saw Bon Bon reach down and pull Silver Spoon onto the road. The rope was tossed back down and Applejack was lifted back to the road, too.

"We need to get her to a doctor right away," Bon Bon said.

Applejack grabbed Silver Spoon's hind legs while Bon Bon picked up her front ones, and they put her in the wagon. Bon Bon tossed her saddlebag in the wagon and climbed in. Applejack climbed into the wagon, and Big Macintosh raced back toward Ponyville. The earth shook as the big red pony’s hooves struck the ground, flinging mud in his wake. The wagon slid from side to side behind him and Applejack shouted for him to slow his pace down. Getting to the hospital fast wouldn’t matter if they didn’t make it in one piece.

What normally was a twenty-minute walk took less than ten minutes for Big Macintosh to run. He ran straight through Ponyville, slowing down only when he came to turns as he barreled toward Ponyville Hospital. Ponies jumped out of his way as Applejack and Bon Bon did their best to shout warnings in advance. Big Mac finally stopped when he arrived at the medical facility. Applejack and Bon Bon were ready when he stopped, and they hopped out of the wagon, carrying Silver Spoon with them. They ran into the hospital, and the nurse quickly got Silver Spoon admitted.

"What happened to her?" Nurse Redheart asked.

"She fell down the side of a hill hauling a wagon," Applejack replied.

"Are either of you related to her?" Nurse Redheart asked.

"No," Applejack replied.

"Do you know where her parents are?" Nurse Redheart asked.

"I know where her mother is. She works at the rail depot," Bon Bon replied.

"Please go get her. We'll need some information."

"I'm on it." Bon Bon turned and ran out of the hospital, heading toward the train station.

"Is she gonna be okay?" Applejack asked.

"She'll be fine. We'll just get these wounds all clean and bandaged up."

Nurse Redheart excused herself and shortly returned with Doctor Stable. They began to treat Silver Spoon while Applejack paced back and forth. Big Macintosh came walking into the hospital, having parked the wagon alongside the building.

"Ah should never have let her take those barrels. This is mah fault," Applejack said.

"It was an accident. It could have happened even if you had been walking with her. It could have happened even if you had been pulling the wagon," Big Macintosh replied.

"Still it ain't right. Nopony deserves this," Applejack said.

"Agreed, but at least she's safe. What about her parents? Has somepony gone to find them?" Big Macintosh asked.

"Yeah. Bon Bon's taking care of that," Applejack said.

"Then I guess we've done all we can do here," Big Macintosh said.

"Ah'd like to stay, if ya don't mind," Applejack said.

"I was hoping we could get that wagon back up the hill first. I can't do that alone. After we get it loaded into one of our wagons you can come back. We can't just leave it there," Big Macintosh said.

"All right, big brother. Let's go get that wagon cleaned up."

The two farmers left the hospital and went back to the spot where Silver Spoon went off the road and down the hill. They decided to use the same method to get the debris up the hill that they had used to get Silver Spoon to safety. It took them about an hour to recover all the pieces of the wagon. When they finally were done loading them on their own wagon, both Applejack and Big Macintosh sat down for a few minutes beside it.

"What a mess," Applejack said, wiping sweat from her brow.

"I don't know if we can put this wagon back together or not. It's all tore up," Big Macintosh replied.

"Ah think we should try anyway. Besides, you know Ah love a challenge. Hey, look at these barrels. They were full when ah gave 'em to Silver Spoon."

Applejack and Big Macintosh examined the cider barrels and found cracks in both of them.

"The cider must have leaked out on the ground. I'd be amazed if it hadn't, given how much damage was done to the wagon," Big Macintosh said.

They spent a few more minutes looking at random pieces of the wagon. There was so much damage done to the wagon there was no way for them to tell that the rear axle had been tampered with. After they finished their break Applejack helped Big Macintosh into the harness and she walked alongside him as he pulled the wagon back to the farm.

**************************************************

High Winds and Soarin' were the first of the Wonderbolts to land. They had spent several hours flying around, giving the fillies quite the roller coaster ride while practicing the techniques and maneuvers they had used during the show. Although they were flying quite fast, both Soarin' and High Winds were always mindful of their young passengers and never did anything that could cause them to get dizzy or lose their grip. When the pegasi landed on the ground, both fillies hopped off their backs.

"That was awesome!" Sweetie Belle shouted.

"Better than any roller coaster," Apple Bloom replied, grinning from ear to ear. "Yeeeehaw!"

"I don't know about you," High Winds replied, "But I need a drink."

"I'll drink to that," Soarin' said, following his pegasi friend over to a cooler. He poured them each a glass of water. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom followed them and Soarin' poured them drinks as well.

"Thanks," Sweetie Belle said.

"You're welcome," Soarin' replied.

"I wonder where the others are," Apple Bloom said.

"I'm not seeing them anywhere. They must be above the clouds," High Winds said, scanning the sky.

A thunderous boom was heard off in the distance. The four ponies turned and looked to see an expanding rainbow-colored ring in the sky, and a rainbow leading away from it. They followed the rainbow to its source. Rainbow Dash was flying at breakneck speed, twisting and turning amongst the clouds, with Spitfire right behind her. No matter what maneuver Rainbow Dash tried, Spitfire always managed to stay right behind her.

Rainbow Dash and Spitfire circled the sky a few more times before both pegasi landed on the ground next to the others. Scootaloo was cheering her sister's performance while Babs was just happy to be on solid ground again.

"I've got to give you credit. You're good. Possibly the best flyer I've ever raced against. You kept up with me right up until the rainboom," Rainbow Dash said.

"That sonic rainboom you performed was impressive," Spitfire replied, "But I was holding back."

"You held back? I thought we were going all out," Rainbow Dash said, confused.

"Rule number one when flying with passengers: protect them at all costs. I didn't want to do something that might wind up injuring Babs, so I kept my maneuvers easy."

Rainbow Dash looked at Spitfire, trying to keep her facial expression the same. She had flown with all of her skill and speed, and the only thing that had let her pull away was her signature move. If Spitfire was truly holding back… She was starting to see just why Spitfire was the Captain of the Wonderbolts. The group of pegasi and Crusaders sat back down on one of the benches and stretched out.

"I can see you have doubts. Watch this." Spitfire leapt into the air and disappeared from view.

"I think with the proper training you'll make a good Wonderbolt someday," Soarin' said while they waited.

"You do?" Rainbow Dash said, the excitement clear in her voice.

"Sure. You've got a lot of raw potential, but raw potential doesn't mean anything if you don't hone your skills. That's what the academy we're setting up is designed to do. It'll separate those who think they've got what it takes to be a Wonderbolt from those who actually have what it takes."

Before Soarin’ could expand on that, the sky lit up in a giant ring of fire. Spitfire zoomed away from the ring, a trail of flames blazing behind her. She landed next to Rainbow Dash and put her hoof under the prismatic pegasus’ chin and gently shut her jaw. "You’re letting the flies in.”

"But…why….how?"

"As for the why, you performed one at the Young Fliers competition, which proved it was physically possible to accomplish. As for the how – lots and lots of practice. I call it the ‘Sonic Flameboom’."

"So far Spitfire’s the only other pegasus aside from you to pull it off,” said High Winds. “We’re all curious as to what our own booms will look like. My personal guess is Soarin’s will involve pies somehow."

"That would be delicious,” Soarin’ licked his lips as he imagined that scenario. “Oh my, yes, especially if I swoop back around and gather up all the pies. I could even distribute half to the audience!"

"Only half?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Hey! A stallion’s gotta eat, after all."

They all cracked up at that. When the laughter finally died down they sat down and talked about what it took to be a Wonderbolt, the performance they had finished earlier that day and potential ways to improve upon it, the flight they just took, and every other subject under the sun. In the process, the group lost all track of time. Nopony realized how late in the day it was starting to get until Soarin's ears perked up and he abruptly looked to the east.

"Did you hear that?"

"What?" Spitfire replied.

"It sounded like a train whistle," Soarin' said. He stretched his wings and leapt high into the air.

"What do you see?" Spitfire called out, looking up at Soarin'.

"The train is already past the station, headed westbound."

"Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh," Rainbow Dash stammered, "We're late!"

"Soarin' go catch that train," Spitfire ordered, "Try and get them to wait long enough for Rainbow Dash and her friends to get onboard."

"We still have to get back to the hotel and get our stuff. No way will they wait that long," Babs replied.

"It won't matter if I try and catch the train," Soarin' replied. "Because it's already clear of the station. It's half a mile away now and moving at speed. Even if I do catch it it'll be miles away from here before it comes to a stop. Assuming I can get the conductor to stop the train at all."

"Looks like you're gonna have to catch the next train," High Winds replied.

"We can't do that," Rainbow Dash said, "I promised to have these fillies back in Ponyville tonight."

"The next train doesn't leave here for another four hours," Spitfire replied, "I don't think you'll be able to keep that promise."

"There's another way," Soarin' said. "Perhaps we can let Rainbow Dash borrow one of our wagons. She can pull the fillies and their stuff back to Ponyville."

"It'll take you quite awhile to get back there," Spitfire replied, looking at Rainbow Dash, "But it's probably your only other option besides waiting for the next train."

"So what do you fillies say?" Rainbow Dash asked, "Do you want to go for another wagon ride?"

"Are you sure you can do this?" Scootaloo asked, "Ponyville is a long way from here."

"Piece of cake," Rainbow Dash replied, rubbing her chest with her right hoof. "Though a better question is how do I get the wagon back to you after we get back to Ponyville?"

"Keep it," Spitfire replied.

"Are you sure? Returning it to you won't be that much of a hassle. We can put it on a train and ship it to wherever you want it," Rainbow Dash replied, "Or I can bring it with me to the academy when I go for the tryouts you mentioned."

"We've got hundreds of wagons ready to go to the academy once it's built. I'm not sure how we ended up with so many of them, but we have far more than what we'll ever need for those ponies trying out. At least we know you’ll put it to good use," Soarin' said.

"I'll do you one better," Spitfire said, grinning, "I've read your application, Rainbow Dash. I know how fast you claim you can go. Although the sonic rainboom you perform is spectacular, I'm curious to see how well you'd do over long distances. The ability to do short bursts of speed isn't enough to make somepony a Wonderbolt."

"I can do more than just short bursts," Rainbow Dash replied, "At the annual Running of the Leaves I didn't even break a sweat."

"That’s impressive by itself, but it's not the same thing. The Running of the Leaves was only over a dozen miles or so," Soarin' replied.

"A Wonderbolt has to have the ability to push themselves beyond what they believe are their physical and mental limits, Rainbow Dash," Spitfire said, "We have to be ready to do whatever has to be done, regardless of what it is. From running long distances without stopping to carrying heavy loads to performing while sick, we do what we set out to do regardless of the circumstances. That’s what it means to be a Wonderbolt. You say you're ready, your application says you're ready, but I am wondering how ready you actually are."

"Let me prove I'm ready," Rainbow Dash replied, "Give me a test and I'll show you."

"As you wish," Spitfire replied. "That clock tower near the train depot shows it’s currently quarter to seven. You've got fifteen minutes to get your stuff from the hotel and report back here. We're going to give you a time trial."

"Fifteen minutes to get to the hotel and back with our stuff? Please, surely you can do better than that," Rainbow Dash blurted out, instantly regretting her choice of words when she saw the look Spitfire gave her.

"It's quarter to seven now," Spitfire replied, smiling, "We're going to have you meet up here and use this as a starting point. If you can make it back to the train station in Ponyville by 10:00pm, you'll prove you're ready to compete at the academy, and I’ll excuse you from that part of the course. All you have to do is check in with the clerk at the train station. Have them verify on a time slip what time you arrived, and bring me the time slip they'll give you."

"That's no problem for Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said looking up at Rainbow Dash, who was looking at the clock, "She can do that easily."

"Oh, one other minor thing Rainbow Dash," Soarin' said as he flew next to the blue pegasus, hovering off the ground close to her, "Although you’re probably capable of pulling the wagon in the air, this test will require you to remain on the ground. You are free to use your wings to increase your speed if you wish, but you are not free to fly."

"That'll be cutting it close," Sweetie Belle said, "Ponyville is a good three hours away by train."

"That's what makes it a challenge. And I never turn down a challenge," Rainbow Dash replied.

"The longer you stand here talking about it, the less time you'll have to do it," Spitfire said, pointing at the clock.

Rainbow Dash and the fillies took the hint and bolted back toward the hotel to get their stuff, leaving Spitfire and High Winds coughing in the dust trail the ponies left in their wake. Soarin' landed a few seconds later at Spitfire's side, laughing. Spitfire flapped her wings and kicked up more dust, causing him to start coughing instead.

"Think she'll make it?" High Winds asked.

"Rainbow Dash may be a self absorbed, egotistical, and extremely arrogant pony," Spitfire replied, "But the thing about her is she can usually back it up. Never underestimate her."

**************************************************

Minty and Pinkie walked away from the playground and back to the mint green pony's home. Minty opened the door and trotted inside; grabbing her saddlebag and every book she was given from the police department. She put them all in her saddlebag and walked back outside to find Pinkie sniffing some of the flowers growing in her yard.

"Those are my favorites, too."

"I love their smell and I think Fluttershy would, as well," Pinkie replied, "She's always trying to find new and unique flowers for her gardens."

The two mares trotted from Minty's home to Golden Oak Library in the center of town. Minty looked at the library and started getting nervous as they approached.

"What if Twilight's not home?" Minty asked.

"Maybe Spike will be. He can pass along our request," Pinkie replied.

"What if she's too busy?"

"Don't be nervous, Minty. Twilight'll make time to help a friend. Trust me."

Minty walked up to the door and hesitated before knocking. She looked back at Pinkie who reassured her with a smile. Minty took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Coming!" Twilight called out. A few moments later Twilight opened the door, "Good afternoon, Pinkie.” She turned her head and was surprised to see the policemare. "Uh, good afternoon, Minty.” She looked back at Pinkie and said, "Pinkie Pie! I’m not posting bail for you!” Twilight exclaimed. "Again…" she muttered under her breath.

"That was totally a prank!"

"You do not squirt the princess with a Super Soaker from the sixth story of the school book depository!"

"Princess Celestia got a kick out of it…well, she did eventually anyway."

"We never did find that second pony on the grassy knoll. Whoever it was sure moved fast," Twilight mused. "I wonder who you know who moves rapidly and likes to play pranks..."

"Must have been Saddle Arabian terrorists."

"I find that scenario highly dubious."

"It could happen."

"In theory, yes. In practice, it’s very unlikely."

"But not impossible, right?" Minty asked. "In my line of work we need to make sure we leave no room for reasonable doubt before accusing somepony."

Twilight sighed as she let the other ponies in. "Point conceded. It’s not impossible."

"See! I told you I was good at this law enforcement stuff!" Minty bounced in place while Pinkie Pie giggled at the purple unicorn’s frustration.

"So what brings you two by this afternoon?"

"I…uh… " Minty stammered, stopping mid-hop. She fell to the ground in a heap. "I…uh…have no idea how Pinkie can defy gravity when she stops in midair."

Twilight rolled her eyes. "And that’s the only reason you’re here today? To get me to explain Pinkie Pie’s antics to you? I already tried researching that, and let me tell you something, she defies all rational logic!"

"Actually, we were kind of hoping you could help Minty study for a test she has to take."

"Oh! You came to the right pony – I'd be happy to help. What kind of test is it?"

"I have to take a test on police procedures. On everything in these books."

Minty took off her saddlebag. Twilight used her magic to remove the books one by one and she levitated them in front of herself as she read the titles of each.

"I don't really know much about police procedures, Minty," Twilight admitted, "I think the first thing I should do is read these books. Then I can help you study them. I'll take notes on what I read and create a way to help you memorize these procedures."

"Is there anything we can do to help you?" Minty asked.

"I don't think so. Given the quantity of books, it's going to take me the rest of the day to finish reading them, take notes, and prepare the lessons and tests I'll give you on them."

"Nooooooo! Not more tests!" Minty whined, "There's gotta be another way, Twilight. Tests are just evil."

"These aren't the kind of tests that can hurt you, Minty. What I need to know is how much of the information in these books you already know. There’s no point in going over what you already know. So this test will save us both time. If you don't know it, the tests will show it. I'll go over those specific areas with you, and you'll be more prepared for your real test."

"See? I told you she was the best at this kind of thing," Pinkie said.

"Come see me first thing tomorrow morning. Pinkie, I'd like you to come tomorrow, too. I think I know a more useful way to help Minty learn from these books, but I'll need your help."

"You bet I’ll be here!" Pinkie Pie saluted. "When a friend needs me, I’m at their disposal! Oh, I really hope they don’t dispose of me."

"Aww, nopony would dispose of you, Pinkie Pie," Minty said, patting the pink mare on the back. "They’d have to be completely crazy!"

"According to my observations since I’ve lived here, most of the ponies in this town really are crazy."

"You know it! Nopony can throw a party like a Ponyville pony! We could totally use a studying for a test party right now! Where’d I leave my cannon?"

"But if we party, I won’t be able to study because I’ll be too busy having fun, and then Minty will fail her test."

"Oh no! We can’t have that. I need my job, Pinkie!"

"Okay, okay, no party. At least not until after Minty passes her test with flying colors!"

"That would be an appropriate time to party," Twilight replied, as she opened the door, hoping her visitors would take the hint and leave.

"Thank you, Twilight," Minty said.

"We'll leave you to your studies, Twilight. Come on Minty, I know just the thing to take your mind off of this! The Cakes are making a brand new cupcake today. I think you of all ponies'll love it. It has mint frosting."

"Mint? Sounds yummy," Minty replied. She blushed as her tummy gurgled.

"We'll bring some back for you and Spike," Pinkie promised.

"Thank you. I’m sure Spike will thank you later as well."

"It’s the least we can do for all the help you’re giving Minty."

Twilight watched Pinkie and Minty leave the library and closed the door behind them. She took the books Minty had left behind and walked over to her couch. She used her magic to levitate a piece of parchment over to her and a quill, and then she opened the first book and began to read.

**************************************************

Rainbow Dash wasn’t familiar with the terrain she was running through. She usually viewed the world from either onboard a train or from high above it. Traveling the roads the ponies had made between cities and through the woods was foreign to her. Although she didn't know exactly where she was, she knew enough to follow the train tracks. They led to Ponyville, and all she had to do was keep them in sight as she ran. Flexing her wings, the blue mare used them to increase her speed.

Most normal ponies would slow down before turns, especially when hauling a wagon. But Rainbow Dash wasn't an ordinary pony, and she had no intention of slowing down for any reason. She saw a sharp turn to the left ahead of her and knew if she didn't slow down the wagon would tip over.

"Hang on and lean out of the turn!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

The fillies moved to the right side of the wagon and leaned as far as they could as Rainbow entered the turn. She dragged her left hooves and kicked out with her right ones, forcing her body to turn abruptly. The momentum created by that act translated to the wagon and it leaned sharply to the left, the right side coming off the ground. The fillies were all on the right side of the wagon, clinging desperately to it as it came off the ground. Their weight kept the wagon from tipping over completely as it rounded the corner, and once Rainbow pulled it straight again, the right side came back down on its wheels with a thud. Rainbow glanced over her shoulder and looked back to see the fillies all sitting back up in the wagon.

"Are you all alright?" Rainbow called over her shoulder.

"We're fine, keep going!" Babs shouted back.

Rainbow Dash resumed glancing at the railroad tracks as she ran. She divided her attention between keeping them in sight and the road ahead of her, and never saw the silhouette of a pony flying overhead. The Crusaders gasped in awe as they watched Princess Celestia land in the wagon alongside them.

"Princess Celestia!" the Crusaders said in unison, bowing before the Princess.

"Hello, my little ponies."

"Hey Rainbow Dash," Babs said.

"Not now kid, we've got another turn coming up."

"Uh Dash," Scootaloo replied, awe in her voice, "You're really going to want to turn around and see this."

"Not now! If I lose concentration we'll crash!" Rainbow shouted back, focusing on the turn rapidly approaching.

"Should we tell her, Princess?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Who are you calling a princess back there?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Oh that would be me."

"Princess Celestia? This better not be another joke, Scootaloo…" Rainbow Dash turned her head abruptly to look at the Princess standing in the wagon.

The momentary lapse of concentration was enough for Rainbow Dash to trip, sending both her and the wagon out of control toward the turn in the road. Princess Celestia saw the turn and immediately realized the danger they were in. Her horn glowed brilliantly, and when the spell she cast dissipated, Rainbow Dash found herself past the turn, with her legs beneath her again and the wagon traveling at a much slower pace.

"Forgive me Princess, I didn't know you were there," Rainbow Dash said, blushing as she brought the wagon to a stop so she could bow before Celestia.

"Oh it's quite alright."

"May I ask what brings you to this stretch of road? Shouldn't you be in Canterlot?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"During the evening I always go for a flight before bed. It helps me unwind. What brings you and your friends out this way, if I may ask?" Princess Celestia inquired.

The fillies took turns explaining about their adventures in Baltimare, carefully leaving out their deal with High Winds. Rainbow Dash explained why she was racing to get back to Ponyville.

"I apologize for my interference," Princess Celestia said. "I did not know this was one of their trials."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Princess," Rainbow Dash replied.

"Since I cannot teleport you all back to Ponyville without violating the deal you made with the Wonderbolts, there's really not much I can do to help you except wish you good luck."

"Thank you Princess," Rainbow Dash replied.

"I must be going now, as it is nearly time to lower the sun for the day. Take care." Princess Celestia extended her alabaster wings and flew high into the air before disappearing into the clouds.

"She really does show up in the strangest places, huh?" Scootaloo asked.

"Yeah," agreed Babs. "That’s another thing to remember later. You never know who’s watching you or who’s listening in. We’ve gotta be careful, capisce?"

"Quiche?" asked Apple Bloom. "Applejack made one of those for me once but I didn’t much like it."

"No. Capisce. It means ‘do you understand?’" Sweetie Belle explained.

"Everything except for the part involving the quiche," Apple Bloom replied.

While the fillies debated the differences between quiche and capiche, Rainbow Dash wasted no time accelerating and once again she and the fillies were racing down the road, trying to make up for lost time.

**************************************************

By the time Applejack and Big Macintosh started walking toward Ponyville Elementary School, the sun was still above the trees, but not by much. Both of them were hauling wagons full of tools to begin the repairing the school. When they got to the school they unhooked their wagons and walked around the building, surveying the damage.

"Look at this mess," Applejack said in awe as she and Big Macintosh examined the wreckage that used to be Cheerilee’s classroom.

"It's hard to believe one pony could have done all this by herself. The fact she isn't even a unicorn and still managed to pull this off is impressive," Big Macintosh said.

"Well shoot, the unicorns ain’t got nothin’ on the pegasi when it comes to breakin’ things. The most destructive mare I know is a pegasus."

"Rainbow Dash?"

"Got it in one." Applejack chuckled. "Ah'm startin' ta wonder if maybe we bit off a might more than we can chew with this one. Havin’ this school repaired by the start of class Monday might not happen."

"Eeeyup," Big Macintosh said, "But there’s only one way to find out. Which would you prefer? Drawing up the plans for the repair or cleaning up the debris?"

"Ah'll take the debris. You're better at drawing up plans and measurin' stuff anyway with them there fancy mathematics y’all are so fond of. Let me know when you're ready to start."

"And what would you like me to do?"

"Uh, who are you?"

"I’m Patch, the school janitor. I’m not sure how you were planning on working here without these…" Patch dangled the keys to the school.

"Well shoot, there’s a giant hole in the side of the wall. We were just going to walk in and get started."

"Right, and I’ve been sitting here since that crazy cop wrecked the place to make sure nopony enters who isn’t supposed to. I take it you’re Applejack?"

"Right on! Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Patch. This here’s my big brother, Big Macintosh. He’s the strong, silent type."

"Eeeyup."

Patch couldn’t take her eyes off of the red stallion. He was massive. He was muscular. He was a real hottie. She wished she were twenty years younger with all of her heart, but alas, all the wishing in the world couldn’t regress her age to that of the stallion’s. She had to content herself with looking. "Just so you both know, I’m required to stay here and supervise you as you work. I can help wherever you need me, but if I leave, you both have to leave too."

Big Macintosh squirmed under Patch’s unwanted attention. Why did all the mares always have to check him out? He was nothing special. Maybe a little tall, but there was nothing wrong with that, was there?

The two farm ponies followed Patch through each of the classrooms and hallways as she led them on a tour of the school. They surveyed the damage and were astounded at just how many holes were punched in the walls and ceilings.

"Very thorough," Big Macintosh said, "Had Officer Minty chosen to leave them in place, those cameras would have provided good security for the school."

"How did she afford all those cameras in the first place? She musta done blown the police department’s whole budget for the year on surveillance cameras for this one case," Applejack replied.

"Dunno, sis. But she did, and then she had to take ‘em out. And it’s our job to repair the holes, not speculate on the Ponyville PD’s yearly finances."

"Good point. Time’s a-wastin’ and we don’t have time for small talk. Ah think we should tackle the damage to the classroom first. It's gonna take some time for the cement we'll need to dry."

"Give me an hour," Big Macintosh said, "I'll take measurements and figure out how much wood and concrete we'll need to repair the wall. Then we'll go get the supplies."

"The chief of police wants all the receipts we get. She said she has an account at every shop in town. We just have to tell them to charge it to her account and give her the receipts," Applejack said.

"Interesting how she'd need an account at every shop in town," Big Macintosh pointed out.

"Well, she does have Minty on her payroll. If you two don’t know her…well…she’s a walking disaster area," Patch reminded the Apples she was still there.

Big Macintosh was going to reply to her, but when he turned his head he caught her checking out his flank again. He rolled his eyes and decided it was time to get to work. "Let's get started."

The two siblings walked out of the school and back to their wagons. Big Macintosh pulled some tools out of his wagon and walked around the school, while Applejack pulled out a ladder and a small saddlebag filled with construction tools and then went inside. Big Macintosh started measuring the area of Cheerilee's classroom that once contained a wall while Applejack used her ladder to reach the holes Minty had put in the ceiling. She began to smooth out the edges of the holes, figuring it would make patching them a lot easier.

**************************************************

Every muscle in Rainbow Dash's body was sending shockwaves of pain through her body as she pulled the wagon much faster than it was designed to go. She used her wings and hooves in tandem, trying to increase her speed. The result was a wagon that was traveling over the ground so fast it was practically floating on air as she pulled it. The pegasus desperately wanted to prove to both the Wonderbolts and herself that she could rise to any challenge they posed to her, but even her own unshakeable faith in herself was starting to come to the realization that if she didn't get to Ponyville soon she would have to stop.

Rainbow crested a hill and began the descent, using gravity to aid her in pulling the sleeping fillies toward the glowing lights in the distance. Never in her life did she think she'd be this happy to see Ponyville, but this was hardly a normal day for a pegasus who just spent the last three hours of her life running flat out. The rainbow-maned pegasus was just glad that Applejack wasn't likely to be at the train station to see her collapse when she stopped. Rainbow ran straight through town and got to the train station in time to see the train departing for the next stop. She had kept up with a moving train the whole way from Baltimare. Now if she could just beat the clock. With one smooth motion she dropped the harness and ran inside to the ticket counter.

"Wh...time...?" Rainbow Dash asked, panting and coughing.

"It's two minutes after ten," the clerk replied.

"Two minutes?" Rainbow Dash asked, sounding aggravated, "Two minutes! I lost by two minutes!"

"May I ask what it is you lost? There's another train going to Canterlot in a couple hours."

"It's not that," Rainbow Dash exasperated, "I was given a chance to prove myself to the Wonderbolts, and I failed by two minutes. I don't suppose there's any way you could say I was here at ten on the dot, could you?"

"Sorry, I can't do that. I'm a certified notary. I can only put what time you were actually here."

Rainbow Dash felt crestfallen as she walked back outside toward the wagon. She had just spent the last three hours giving everything she had, and she had come up short. Losing was not something Rainbow Dash did often, and it wasn't something that she took very well. She looked over at the wagon and saw four heads sticking above the rails, looking at her.

"Are you okay?" Scootaloo asked.

"What time is it?" Babs inquired.

"Did we make it?" Apple Bloom queried.

"No. I missed it by two minutes. Two lousy, stinkin' minutes!" Rainbow Dash shouted bitterly.

Babs and Scootaloo looked at each other and stood up in the wagon.

"Say, sis, do you mind if I go use the bathroom before we head home?" Scootaloo asked, "I've been holding it in for a long time now."

"I need to go, too," Babs said.

"I think you all should go inside and take care of your business," Rainbow Dash replied, "I'll stay here and watch the wagon. And sulk. Maybe I’ll try writing some angsty poetry. That’s what Fluttershy used to do back at flight camp. Anypony know a word that rhymes with unsure?"

"Uh, maybe manure?" Sweetie Belle offered. "Since we're so close to home, I'll wait. I'd prefer not to use a public restroom."

"Me too," Apple Bloom said, "I'll be fine."

"On that note we'll be right back," Scootaloo said.

"I’m so full of whoa. Whoa is me."

"Well, you could always rhyme ‘whoa’ with ‘tell them where to go’?" suggested Sweetie Belle.

"But where would I tell them to go?"

"Most ponies would normally assume you meant Tartarus…"

"Oh! Yeah, that works…"

Scootaloo and Babs hopped off the wagon and walked into the station.

"Excuse me," Babs said as she looked up at the pony behind the window, "Can you show me where the restroom is?"

"Why certainly little lady," the pony replied, coming out from behind the desk.

Babs glanced back at Scootaloo and smiled when she saw Scootaloo wasting no time going behind the counter. Babs quickly turned her attention back to the pony escorting her. Scootaloo was glad that from the angle Rainbow Dash was standing she couldn't see the ticket counter. Sweetie Belle was keeping her distracted, helping her write emo poetry.

With everyone in position, Scootaloo grabbed a time slip from the counter. She looked around and saw a pile of slips the clerk had already filled out in one of the drawers in his desk. Scootaloo took a pen and forged his signature on the paper. She made sure everything was back to the way it was and moved out from behind the desk. A few minutes later Babs and the clerk came back from the restroom area.

When Babs and Scootaloo came back out of the station, they saw Rainbow Dash had already hooked the wagon harness back up and was tapping her foot impatiently. Scootaloo walked over to her and gave her the time slip.

"What's this?" Rainbow Dash asked, confused. "I thought he wouldn't change the time."

"While we were inside I told him how hard you worked to get us back here on time and how much it would mean to you to be able to say you got back here at ten. Let's face it, two minutes shouldn't penalize you like it would if you tell Spitfire what time you got back here," Scootaloo said.

"I can't believe you did that," Rainbow Dash replied, staring at the ticket.

It was her chance to prove to the Wonderbolts she could handle whatever they threw at her, even if she had to bend the rules a bit. Scootaloo was right – it was only two minutes. And she had lost more time than that thanks to Princess Celestia’s interference anyway. Rainbow Dash picked up the ticket and grinned at her younger sister.

"Thanks."

"Anytime sis," Scootaloo replied.

"Hug! Hug! Hug!" The three fillies chanted in the back of the wagon.

Rainbow and Scootaloo glanced back at the fillies, who promptly chanted louder. They both moved closer to one another and reached out toward the other. When they were inches from hugging, they both took a step back and laughed.

"Awwwww," three disappointed voices called out.

"We've got to go. We're late as it is, and your sisters are going to kill me," Rainbow Dash replied as Scootaloo and Babs hopped in the wagon.

Rainbow Dash pulled the wagon down the street away from the train station toward Carousel Boutique. She had promised to have the fillies home this evening and wasn't at all surprised to see Rarity waiting for her when she pulled the wagon next to the building.

"You're late," Rarity said, "You promised to have them home twenty minutes ago."

"Things change," Rainbow Dash replied, "At least they're home now."

"Oh Rarity I'm so glad to see you again!" Sweetie Belle shouted, rushing up and hugging her older sister.

"It's good you're home. You have school in the morning, so right to bed with you. You can tell me all about your trip tomorrow over breakfast. I’ll make pancakes, with some toast, and scrambled eggs, why that would be delightful, now wouldn’t it?"

"Yes," murmured Sweetie Belle as she stifled a yawn, "Do I have to go to bed? I’m not even tired."

"You say that, and yet you can barely keep your eyes open. Perhaps if Rainbow Dash had the responsibility of being an older sibling, she would understand that she shouldn’t keep fillies up past their bedtimes."

This was met by giggles from the four Crusaders. They would let Rainbow Dash explain her adoption of Scootaloo in her own words and at her own leisure.

"I fail to see the humor in my statement," Rarity rolled her eyes.

Sweetie Belle walked back to Rainbow Dash and gave her a hug, which made Rainbow Dash's face turn several shades of red. Rarity allowed herself a rare un-ladylike moment to laugh at Rainbow Dash’s reaction, while the rest of the Crusaders continued to giggle. Rainbow Dash realized the only way to get Sweetie Belle to stop hugging her was to hug her back, so she did so. Just like that the embarrassing moment for Rainbow Dash was over.

"Thanks for taking me with you," Sweetie Belle said.

"Anytime kiddo."

Sweetie Belle bounded back to Rarity, and together they walked into the boutique. Rainbow Dash turned and looked at her sister and her friends, who were trying to stifle their laughter. The blue pegasus mare pulled the three fillies on the wagon from Carousel Boutique across town to Sweet Apple Acres. When they got to the farm Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo stopped on the road and watched as Apple Bloom and Babs made their way to the farmhouse. Once Rainbow Dash saw the door to the house open, she turned away and took Scootaloo to their home in Ponyville.

"Where is everypony?" Babs asked, "The lights are on but nopony's here."

"Granny Smith is probably asleep by now. Big Macintosh and Applejack could be anywhere."

"Look at this," Babs said, looking at a note on the counter.

Apple Bloom, Babs,

We hope your trip went well. Granny Smith went to sleep early tonight. Applejack and I were hired to repair Ponyville Elementary School. We'll be there mixing and pouring the cement for the foundation for the west wall of your classroom, then we'll come home and get sleep. We'll head back very early tomorrow to continue repairs. We have a deadline of Monday, when school resumes, to have repairs completed, so we're not going to be home much if at all tomorrow.

We know you've done a lot of traveling but we need help keeping up with things on the farm while we're both away. Applejack and I figure if you and Babs work together it shouldn't take you long to do it. What we need you to take care of is going through the south side of the Apple Orchard. Rows 43 to 50 on the map in the barn. Pick up all the apples that were blown down by the wind and discard the bad ones. Bring whichever good ones you find on the ground back to the barn and put them up with the rest.

You needn't worry about harvesting any from the trees by yourselves. When we finish this project we'll start the harvest then, and you and Babs can help us as much as you want.

We love you and hope you both had a great time.

Big Macintosh

"Guess we've got a chore to do tomorrow morning," Apple Bloom said.

"I don't know how big those orchards are, but we've got to get it done fast," Babs replied, "We've got other things that have to be done tomorrow, too."

"Let's go turn in. We'll get some sleep and start early. We might be able to have it done by 9 o'clock."

"Well...about that..." Babs said.

"You're not still thinking about going out tonight? If Applejack or Big Macintosh come back and find you not here they're going to be furious."

"They won't even know I'm gone. They're at the school. That's at the opposite end of town from where I'll be. The shops are all closed by now, so it's not likely they'll go back through town for any reason. The shortest distance between here and the school is to take the outskirts of town, not cut through it. Besides, with any luck this won't take long."

"You don't know what you're going to run into out there. What am I supposed to tell them if you get in trouble?"

"You're forgetting that I've done this before. Trust me, I'll be fine."

Apple Bloom watched as Babs snuck out the backdoor. She wanted to go after her and stop her from doing this, but she knew her cousin had far more experience in these things than she did. She knew how hard her family worked to keep the farm going. Although it was harvest season and business would be great for the farm, Apple Bloom knew that wouldn't last. Eventually the cider they make would be gone until next season, and they would have to live off whatever they saved up until then.

Applejack and Big Macintosh primarily worked on the farm, but there were times they would take odd jobs away from the farm building this or repairing that to earn extra income. Her siblings worked so hard on the farm to support the family. It made Apple Bloom feel guilty for not being able to do more. Both of her siblings had told her many times that her responsibility is to go to school and get good grades. There'd be a time when she was done with her school, and then she could help them on the farm more.

Apple Bloom sighed and took their stuff to her room. She lay down for a few minutes and closed her eyes, trying to take her mind off of her cousin. The more she tried to think about something else, the more her mind focused on what Babs was doing. After five minutes Apple Bloom realized she wouldn't be able to get any sleep as long as her cousin was out potentially risking her life. Applejack herself had said reward in life doesn't come without sacrifice. If you want something you've got to work for it. It was those words that caused Apple Bloom to decide to go after Babs.

Apple Bloom crawled out of bed and went back downstairs. She slipped outside, carefully closing the door behind her so as not to wake Granny Smith, and ran after her cousin. Babs was a good distance away from Sweet Apple Acres and didn't know her cousin was trying to catch up to her, so she didn't slow down. Both fillies managed to keep about the same pace as they made their way back to town, never closing or extending the gap between them. When Babs got to town the first thing she did was get off the main road going through town. She didn't know Ponyville very well, but she knew she stood a better chance avoiding detection if she wasn’t on the main road.

Her cousin, on the other hoof, knew Ponyville exceptionally well. What she didn't know is exactly which way her cousin had gone. She had made it from the farmhouse all the way back to town and hadn't seen Babs once along the way. Apple Bloom looked to her left and right, and saw no sign of Babs. She didn't know which way to go, but she knew staying where she was wasn't going to help her find Babs any faster.

The young filly started walking down the street, looking down every alley and side street she came to. When she heard voices coming from one of the alleys she turned and walked toward the sound of the voices. She got near the end of the alley and saw two colts standing next to about a dozen boxes.

"That makes fourteen. Six more and we're good," one of the colts said.

"So where's the drop point?" the other colt asked.

"Same place as last time. They'll pick them up soon as we get them there," the first colt said.

"Hey wait a second," one of the colts said, looking at Apple Bloom, "We've got ourselves a witness."

"The boss don't like witnesses," the other colt said.

"Wait! I'm not a witness!" Apple Bloom protested, "I want to join you."

"Join us?" the first colt asked, laughing, "Join us doing what exactly?"

"I'm guessing you're moving these boxes to somewhere. I can help you," Apple Bloom offered, "In exchange for being paid, of course."

"Not very subtle, are you?" the second colt asked, sounding annoyed, "Saying things that shouldn't be said. Sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. You smell like a cop."

"You're not a cop are you?" the first colt asked menacingly.

"What? No! I'm not!" Apple Bloom shouted.

"Drawing attention to yourself. That's not a good sign, either," the second colt replied, "Let's take care of her already and get on with this. We've got a schedule to keep."

"I don't know. We take her out that'll draw attention to us. Attention we don't need or want."

"We can't simply let her go. She'll rat us out the first chance she gets."

The two colts moved away from the boxes and converged on Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom backed up into the alley but the two colts were both bigger and faster than she was. One of them moved slowly toward her, the other took a different route and got behind her, cutting off her only means of escape.

Author's Note

I apologize for the long time between updates. Part of the delay was that all of the preceding chapters have been edited (to fix errors) and a few scenes have been added as well. Nothing that alters the story (so it's not necessary to go back and reread them) but hopefully the additions will help expand on a few things and offer some extra laughs in the process.

Chapter 7: We Take Care Of Our Own

"Didn't my cousin come talk to you earlier?" Apple Bloom inquired.

"Just who is this cousin of yours?" the first pony demanded.

"Babs Seed."

"Your cousin is Babs Seed? Why didn't you tell us that at the beginning?" The second pony piped up.

"Sorry, I'm kind of new at this."

"Fair enough," the first pony stated as they backed away from Apple Bloom. "Sorry 'bout all that. As you can imagine, we don't like surprises."

"I can see why. But I wasn't too sure how to approach you."

"Water under the bridge." The first pony grinned. "We've got work to do. We're gonna give you a saddlebag that's already loaded full. All we need you to do is carry it and follow us. Drop your bag where we set ours and then back away from it."

"That's as easy as Babs made it sound," Apple Bloom observed.

"It's not complicated," the first pony said. "The only thing you've got to know is not to ask questions. Don't ask what's in the boxes in the saddlebag, where we're going....it's safer if you don't."

"Okay," Apple Bloom replied, "Can we go now?"

"This one's yours." The second colt picked up a saddlebag and placed it on Apple Bloom's back. "Can you handle the weight?"

"Don’t let my size fool ya none. I’m almost as strong as my big sister."

It took the others a few moments to put on saddlebags of their own. Watching as the two ponies began to walk down the alley, Apple Bloom moved right behind them. It was hard for Apple Bloom to keep track of where she was going and keep up with the two colts ahead of her, so she concentrated on keeping pace with them. Between the weight of the bags and the fact she was trying to keep with colts that had a four-inch leg reach on her, she was panting heavily as she moved down the street. She was so focused on pumping her legs to keep up with the colts she never noticed Babs Seed across the street as they passed her.

Babs watched Apple Bloom follow the two colts she had spoken with earlier in confusion. Last she knew Apple Bloom was back at the farm. She had intended to bring rest of the Crusaders in on this, but she didn't ever intend for her cousin or their friends to go alone the first time. She was positive it wasn't anything that Apple Bloom couldn't handle, but Babs believed in being cautious. She kept almost a block behind the trio of ponies and followed them, making sure to have something she could duck behind if they looked back.

After about ten minutes of walking the trio turned down another alley and walked behind a building. When they were no longer visible from the street they stopped abruptly.

"Take off your bag and place it next to ours," the first colt ordered, dropping his saddlebag on the ground.

Apple Bloom looked around curiously as she set the bag down and backed away from it. When she saw the other bag set beside hers the colts began to walk away from them. The first colt glanced back and saw Apple Bloom had not moved.

"This is when we leave," he said flatly, and watched as Apple Bloom took the hint and started walking toward him.

When the trio came around the corner they stopped and waited for a few minutes. The second colt walked back to where they set the bags down and came back a few moments later carrying a small bag of bits. The colt poured the bits out and divided them amongst the trio of ponies.

"You know, kid," the second pony said, looking down at Apple Bloom, "You did okay."

"Thanks, I guess."

"We're going to meet up near the Golden Oak Library about one in the morning," the first pony said. "You're welcome to come work with us again. Tell Babs she's welcome to show up, too."

"Will do," Apple Bloom replied, watching as the two ponies trotted down the street. When Babs tapped her on the shoulder Apple Bloom jumped in the air. Babs watched in amusement and burst into laughter as he cousin faceplanted on the sidewalk.

"That's not funny," Apple Bloom said flatly.

"Yes it is," Babs smirked, "Looks like things went all right."

"Yeah," Apple Bloom replied. "Not too bad at all."

"Glad to see you made some money. Now let's get home. We've got a busy day tomorrow, and a race to prepare for."

******************************************************************

"Hi Minty," Twilight greeted as the green and pink mare walked into her tree house, followed by Pinkie Pie. "Hello Pinkie. I'm glad you're both here so early."

"Hello Twilight!" both mares shouted in unison, which caused them to bust into giggles.

"Now on to business. I've spent a lot of time reviewing the material you gave me, Minty. I've got a test for you to take. Pinkie, for the moment I'd like you to hang out here," Twilight said, motioning toward her couch, "When Minty finishes the test we'll have a better idea how to proceed."

"Where's the test?" Minty asked, looking at the various tables in the library.

"Right here," Twilight replied, leading her to a table, "I've got plenty of quills and some water if you'd like some. Take your time, Minty. There's no rush."

Minty sat down at the table and glanced at the test in front of her. There were almost a dozen questions on the first page with multiple choice answers for each one. At the bottom she saw page one of eight and gasped.

"Are you okay?" Pinkie asked.

"I will be," Minty replied, looking at the stack of pages in front of her. "Much, much later."

"It can't hurt you, Minty," Twilight said, "Do your best, take your time and think things through. Oh, and there are several essay questions. I'd like you to be as specific with your answers as possible."

Minty picked up a quill and started taking the test when she noticed the feathers on the quill were sticking out in random directions. She tried to straighten them out with her hoof, only to make them all point to the right.

"Excuse me, Twilight. May I have another quill please?"

"Sure," Twilight replied. When she walked over to Minty she looked at the quill on the desk, confused. "Here you go."

"Thanks," Minty took the quill and examined it. "It's not right."

"What's wrong with it?" Pinkie asked, as she and Twilight looked at the quill Minty was holding.

"The feathers are all uneven," Minty said, holding up the quill, "They're all pointed to the left."

"Here, let me see if I can fix it." Pinkie said, taking the quill and brushing the feathers down with her hoof.

"Now they're pointed to the right," Twilight observed.

"Try this one," Pinkie suggested, offering Minty another quill.

Minty examined the new quill and took a pair of scissors off the table. She began to trim the feathers on one side of the quill.

"What are you doing?" Twilight asked.

"These feathers don't quite match the feathers on the other side of the quill. Don't worry, I can fix it," Minty stated, cutting a few feathers. Twilight and Pinkie watched as Minty carefully cut feather after feather, and held the quill out in front of her, examining her work.

"Now the feathers on the left are shorter than the ones on the right," Pinkie observed.

"And the ones on the right are pointed out," Twilight said, "You can't bend them back in place without breaking them off."

"I need another quill," Minty said.

"Spike!" Twilight called out.

"Yeah?" Spike asked, walking into the room and looking at the mess on the table that used to be a quill.

"I need you to run to the store. We need more quills."

"Didn't we just buy a bunch?" Spike asked.

"We did, but I've got a feeling we're going to need more." Twilight sighed. It was going to be a long day.

************************************************************************

As Filthy Rich trekked up the hill toward Fluttershy’s cottage, he pondered making the young mare an offer for the lovely little cabin in the woods. It was calm, peaceful, and quiet. Exactly the kind of place he wanted to retire to someday. His thoughts eventually turned to his daughter. He desperately hoped she had behaved herself for Fluttershy, but he had to consider what he would do if she didn't.

His daughter was growing up, and slowly drifting away from the innocent filly she once was to somepony he barely knew anymore. He was going to have to work hard to rebuild their relationship. When he got close enough he knocked on the door, and was promptly greeted by Angel Bunny, followed by Fluttershy.

"Hello again," Fluttershy greeted.

"Hello Miss Fluttershy," Filthy Rich greeted back, "How are you?"

"I'm doing just fine, thank you. Please, come in," Fluttershy stepped aside from the doorway so her guest could enter. "Diamond Tiara is upstairs."

"This was on the ground in front of your door when I arrived," Filthy Rich pointed out, dropping a newspaper on Fluttershy's table. "Forgive me for picking it up, but there's something on the front page that we need to talk about."

"Accident leaves filly in hospital. A young filly named Silver Spoon was hospitalized after her wagon tipped over and took her down a hill with it," Fluttershy read, horrified. "That's awful."

"Diamond Tiara doesn't know yet, does she?"

"I don't believe so. This is the first I've heard of it. And we’ve both stayed here all day."

"Fluttershy, has Diamond Tiara given you any trouble this weekend? Has there been any point where she has been out of your sight?" Filthy Rich asked.

"You don't believe she would have done something like this, do you?"

"A year ago I would have said no way. Three months ago I would never have believed it, but now... I don't know," Filthy Rich admitted. "I know she's a good kid, but she's made a lot of bad choices recently."

"She hasn't left the cottage all weekend. She even helped me do some chores around here, as well as finishing all of her homework."

"I'm glad to hear it. I had hoped she would be good while I was gone. Hey, your rabbit just stole the paper!"

"Oh Angel Bunny does that from time to time. Sometimes I find bits and pieces of it in birds nests, other times I find he played with it and left it laying around. It's harmless."

"Shouldn't we get it back before Diamond Tiara sees it?"

"I wouldn't worry about that. Angel Bunny keeps to himself. Diamond Tiara was delightful," Fluttershy said, changing the subject away from her mischievous bunny. "I'd fillysit her anytime."

"I do need to be going, but I'd like to tell Diamond Tiara about Silver Spoon myself, and then take her by the hospital to see her later."

"Diamond Tiara!" Fluttershy called out. As quickly as her voice stopped Diamond Tiara trotted into the room.

"Yes Fluttershy? Oh hello, father," Diamond Tiara smiled as she saw her father, "Did you have a good trip?"

"It was productive," Filthy Rich replied as he gave Diamond Tiara a hug. "Go get your things, it's time to go home."

"Yes father."

"She really is a good filly," Fluttershy stated as she watched Diamond Tiara trot up the stairs.

"I know she is. That's why I want to help her stay that way."

Diamond Tiara gathered her books and cleaned up the room she had spent the night in. She never saw Angel Bunny enter the room, and practically jumped through the ceiling when he tapped her on the shoulder.

"Oh it's you," Diamond Tiara said flatly. "Don't you know any better than to sneak up on ponies?"

Angel Bunny ignored her and held up the newspaper.

"Your work I presume?" Diamond Tiara inquired as she read the article, a cruel smile forming on her face.

Angel Bunny simply grinned, and held out his paw to Diamond Tiara.

"I thought you wanted your money upfront," Diamond Tiara stated, "In any case you’ll just have to wait until I get home. I simply don't have it on me right now."

Angel looked at Diamond Tiara, then at the clock on the dresser. He grabbed the clock and pointed to the number 5.

"I seriously doubt I'll be able to come back here today, if that's what you're implying," Diamond Tiara advised, "My dad isn't going to let me go out without him."

Angel tapped the clock again.

"Yes yes I see it. 5 o'clock. Fine. That doesn't change that I will have your money, but won't be able to get it to you."

"Diamond Tiara, is everything okay up there? You’ve been getting ready an awfully long time."

"Coming father."

Angel glared at the filly as she left the room.

************************************************************************

Big Macintosh grabbed a rope with his teeth and pulled. The pulley system that he and Applejack had improvised was working well, and the last bundle of roofing material began to lift into the air. Slowly Big Macintosh backed up and as the bundle finally reached the roof he tied the rope off to the wagon.

"Good job, brother!" Applejack called out, looking down at Big Macintosh. "Shouldn't take but a few minutes to finish up the roof."

"Eeyup. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. I could sleep right here."

"At least we won't have to worry about this after today," Applejack replied, hammering away on some shingles "Once we're done the rest of the day should be pretty easy."

"Isn't that Apple Bloom and her friends over there?" Big Macintosh asked.

"Yeah, sure looks like 'em. Ask them to come over here for a minute," Applejack stated, "I'd like to know if they got those chores done."

Big Macintosh trotted toward the four fillies, and a few minutes later they returned and sat at the ground next to the ladder while Applejack climbed down.

"Good mornin’ sis," Apple Bloom said, "How're the repairs going?"

"Oh we're just about done here. Ah'll get the roof tacked on, clean up the mess, and we're good to go. Did y'all get our note? It's important those chores get done."

"Oh don't worry about them," Babs replied. "We worked together and got them done."

"We found something on the front porch this morning," Apple Bloom started to say but was interrupted by Applejack.

"Before you continue there's something Ah need to tell y'all," Applejack interrupted. "It's about Silver Spoon."

"I was just about to say that," Apple Bloom replied. "There was an article in th’ newspaper today that said she's in the hospital."

"Yeah, we already knew that..." Big Macintosh said.

"You did? How?" Babs asked.

It took nearly ten minutes for Applejack and Big Macintosh to tell the Crusaders what had happened to Silver Spoon.

Applejack watched the Crusaders as they spoke, not the least surprised by the shock on their faces as they came to the part with her in the hospital.

"I'm glad you were able to help her so quickly," Sweetie Belle said.

"Will she be okay?" Scootaloo asked.

"We sure hope so. The doctors think she'll be laid up in the hospital for awhile," Applejack replied.

"We're going to go visit her," Apple Bloom stated.

"Why that's right nice of you," Applejack replied. "I'm sure she'll be grateful for the company."

******************************************************************

"All right Minty," Twilight looked at the mare sitting in front of her. "I've graded your test. Out of the forty-eight multiple-choice questions and the four essay questions I asked you, you got thirty-seven of them correct. Of the fifteen questions you missed, you got six partially correct."

"Partially correct?" Minty asked, sounding confused.

"How can an answer be partially correct?" Pinkie asked.

"When I made this test I found myself thinking about Paradise," Twilight admitted, "If I were in her position I would make a test that had multiple choice answers, and phrase them in a way that only one was correct, but others had elements that were right with one or two things that were wrong. Just to make certain you knew exactly what to do in a situation."

"That's sneaky," Pinkie said.

"It is, but as you can see it's highly effective at finding areas where we need to study," Twilight said, "Now, Minty, I circled the questions you got wrong and highlighted the answers. I'd like you to take a few moments and review them. Then we're going to put on an interactive play for you."

"An interactive play?" Minty asked.

"I've prepared several different scenarios we're going to act out with you based on how you did on the test," Twilight replied, smiling. "Given the fact you share Pinkie Pie's opinion about reading books..."

"Borrrrrrriiiiiing!" Pinkie and Minty shouted in unison, and burst into laughter.

"Yeah, that opinion," Twilight continued, unphased by their outburst. "I thought you might get more out of this if we showed you how these laws work instead of just telling you."

"So what's first?" Pinkie asked.

"Minty, the first question you answered wrong was how to properly subdue a suspect. Since you don't have unicorn magic to help you, I'm going to have Pinkie be the suspect, and I'll show you how to do it," Twilight answered.

"Ooohhhh I get to be a suspect? One sec," Pinkie disappeared in a pink cloud of smoke, and then reappeared just as quickly. She was dressed in a black cape, wearing a black hat on her head, and twirling a handlebar mustache.

"What's with the costume?" Twilight asked.

"I can't play the part of the suspect and not dress for the occasion. How often do I get to wear my fedora after all?"

Twilight Sparkle ignored the pink mare. "Okay, let's see here. Minty, please show me how you subdue a suspect."

Minty shrugged and walked over to Pinkie Pie. Minty grabbed Pinkie Pie from behind and tried to wrestle her to the ground, only to have it backfire. Pinkie wound up standing over Minty, holding her down with a hoof.

"Pinkie! Honestly, we're supposed to be showing Minty how to restrain a suspect, not how to be restrained by one," Twilight said.

"But it's funnier this way," Pinkie replied, giggling.

"Perhaps you can show me how to restrain her," Minty suggested, "But first think you can get off me now Pinkie?"

"Oh, sorry," Pinkie replied, hopping off the green mare and helping her up.

"Now," Twilight stated, "This is how you properly restrain a suspect. First, you tell them to lay down on the ground. Pinkie, if you would please."

"Okie dokie lokie," Pinkie replied, lying down on the ground.

"Next, you take some hoof cuffs and clip them around the suspect's hooves," Twilight said. "Like so."

When Twilight moved to place a pair of hoof cuffs on Pinkie, Pinkie moved at exactly the right moment and Twilight came tumbling over her. Wasting no time Pinkie clicked the cuffs around Twilight's front hooves.

"Pinkie! You're the suspect! You're supposed to let me restrain you so I can show Minty how she's supposed to restrain a suspect! You're not supposed to restrain me!" Twilight shouted.

"Silly, you don't expect a suspect to just let themselves be restrained, do you?" Pinkie replied, a smug grin on her face.

Twilight rolled her eyes and her horn began to glow. A second later the cuffs fell off of her and she glared at Pinkie Pie.

"Minty, perhaps you'd like to help me restrain the subject," Twilight said, glancing over at Minty and levitating another pair of cuffs to her.

"Of course I would," Minty replied.

Minty leapt forward and tackled Pinkie. While she and Pinkie struggled on the ground, Twilight tried to cuff Pinkie's hooves together. That only made Pinkie struggle harder, and the trio found themselves in a cartoon ball of violence. While Pinkie was struggling for dominance over her two would-be captors and Minty was honestly trying to restrain Pinkie, Twilight had given up and was just trying to escape. Every time she thought she was clear a hoof grabbed her and pulled her back into the ball. When the smoke finally cleared they found themselves cuffed together.

"I don't think this is quite what was supposed to happen," Minty observed.

"Not exactly, I was supposed to win," Pinkie replied.

"Can you move your hoof? I can't see where the keys to the cuffs are," Twilight stated.

"Oh those. Yeah, they're in the other room on the counter," Minty replied.

"What are they doing there?!" Twilight shouted.

"I dropped them on the floor. They got all dirty so I decided after I took the test to wash them," Minty replied.

"I can't even see the keys from this angle, how are we supposed to get free?" Pinkie asked.

"Spike!" Twilight shouted.

"Coming," Spike called from the kitchen. When he entered the library he took one look at the three mares and burst into tears laughing. "Oh this is too rich for words. Wait, I'm gonna go get a camera. Rainbow Dash'll never believe me."

"Just get us out of this," Twilight suggested, "Please."

"Just a minute," Spike said, snapping a few photos, "Let's see, one for me, one for the Princesses. Ok, now I'll get the keys."

****************************************************

"We need to stop by my house before going to the hospital," Sweetie Belle said.

"Why?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Usually ponies bring gifts to their friends when one of them is in the hospital," Sweetie Belle replied. "I've got a new toy that I think Silver Spoon might enjoy."

As the Crusaders turned from the road leading to the hospital and walked toward Sweetie Belle's home, Babs turned and looked at the rest of the group.

"We do have some other things to take care of this morning. I trust you all brought the money you have?" Babs asked.

"I sure did," Scootaloo replied.

"So did I," Sweetie Belle said.

"Me too," Apple Bloom said.

"Okay, let's divide it up now," Babs said, stopping in her tracks. The Crusaders dumped all of the bits they brought with them onto the ground and split them into even piles.

"Looks like we've each got 15 bits," Apple Bloom said.

"It'll have to do," Babs said. "Now, we have to go place bets with ponies all over town. Remember, don't bet more than the 15 bits you have, but bet as much of it as you can. The more bets you place the more money we stand to make if High Winds comes through for us."

"What position was she supposed to finish in?" Scootaloo asked.

"Third place in tomorrow's race," Babs replied.

"Got it," Scootaloo said.

It didn't take the Crusaders very long to reach Sweetie Belle's home. While Sweetie Belle went to retrieve the toy, the rest of the Crusaders waited outside. After what seemed like forever she finally emerged from her home and joined up with the others, carrying a neatly wrapped box.

"We were starting to wonder what was taking so long," Babs said.

"Anyone can bring a toy, but I wanted her to have the privilege of unwrapping the gift," Sweetie Belle replied.

It took nearly fifteen minutes for the Crusaders to cover the distance between Sweetie Belle's home and the hospital. When they arrived they walked up to the desk and the duty nurse looked down at them.

"Welcome to Ponyville hospital, my little fillies. How can I help you?" Nurse Red Heart asked.

"A friend of ours was admitted yesterday," Babs said. "Her name is Silver Spoon. Would it be possible for us to see her?"

"Let me see…" Nurse Red Heart looked through some paperwork on her desk, "Ah here it is. She's in room 301. Right this way."

"Thank you," Sweetie Belle replied as Nurse Red Heart led the fillies through the hospital and up some stairs.

"I apologize for not taking the elevator, but maintenance is doing some repairs today. For today it's for medical emergencies only," Nurse Red Heart explained.

"That's fine, we don't mind walking," Sweetie Belle said.

"How is she doing anyway?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I'll let her explain that," Nurse Red Heart said, stopping in front of a door. She knocked gently on the door and called out, "Silver Spoon, are you awake?"

"Yes?" Silver Spoon called out. When the door opened she gasped as she saw the nurse lead in four fillies.

"Your friends decided to come pay you a visit. I need to return to my post," Nurse Red Heart stated, "There's a button next to your bed. Press it if you need anything."

"I sure will, thanks," Silver Spoon replied, watching the Nurse depart. "I can't believe you all came to see me."

"We're still having some trouble believing you're actually here," Babs said.

"It's a long story," Silver Spoon said.

"We ran into my sis," Apple Bloom said, "She told us what happened."

"We brought you a gift," Sweetie Belle said, giving Silver Spoon a box. Silver Spoon wasted no time shredding the wrapping paper and found an Etch A Sketch inside.

"Thank you! It's the perfect gift!" Silver Spoon said, excitement clear in her voice.

"I'm glad you like it," Sweetie Belle replied, "I saw those drawings you made during arts and crafts in class. We thought you probably wouldn't have any way to draw here, so..."

"I love it!" Silver Spoon said.

"So how long are you going to be here for, anyway?" Babs asked.

"The doctors tell me I'll be able to go home in a few days, but I won't be walking around anytime soon. I broke my left leg."

"Can we sign your cast?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Sure." Each one of the Crusaders took turns signing her cast and wishing her well.

"Can I ask you something?" Babs asked.

"I know what you're going to ask," Silver Spoon replied. "It's been the only thought on my mind ever since I woke up here."

"You've known her for a long time," Apple Bloom said, "Would she go so far as to try and have you killed?"

"I do know this....if she swears revenge on somepony, she finds a way to make it happen," Silver Spoon said. "But as far as trying to have me killed...I just don't know. I don't know what she's capable of anymore."

"When you were pulling the wagon did you notice anything strange about it?" Scootaloo asked.

"Nothing. It pulled just fine."

"Any idea what happened to the wagon after you were rescued?" Babs asked.

"My folks told me Applejack and Big Macintosh took it back to their farm. They said they'd try and fix it when they had time."

"We can't just assume that Diamond Tiara did this," Sweetie Belle pointed out. "Yes she's a vicious, vindictive pony who has taken every chance she has gotten to make our lives miserable, but this crosses a line. We can't accuse her of this without proof. Proof that even she can't deny."

"The other thing is it's not likely she'd just be out and about these days," Apple Bloom said. "I can't imagine Filthy Rich being very happy with her at the moment. I know if I had done what she did Applejack'd have me at her side just so I couldn't cause any more trouble."

"There's a good chance this was just an accident, but we should look into it just to be safe," Babs said. "In the meantime you should get some rest. We'll come back and visit you again later."

*****************************************************

Diamond Tiara looked at the clock in her bedroom. When she got home the first thing she did was collect the bits she owed Angel. Although she was certain that only Fluttershy could talk directly to animals, she knew enough about magic to realize it wouldn't be difficult for a unicorn to cast a spell on either themselves or Angel if they wanted to talk to him directly. For the first time in her life, she felt like she might have gone too far. Diamond Tiara quickly dismissed such thoughts as meaningless. It was done, and too late to worry about what-if scenarios right now.

After she finished re-counting the bits, she unpacked her schoolbooks. Realizing she was missing one of her books, she trotted toward her door and stopped before opening it. Her father was adamant when she got home she was not to leave her room except to use the bathroom, but the fact remained. She needed that book for class tomorrow, so she opened the door and walked downstairs. Hearing her door open, Filthy Rich was watching her as she walked toward him.

"Excuse me young lady, I thought I told you to stay in your room," Filthy Rich admonished.

"Yes father, and I would have done so, but I just realized I left one of my schoolbooks at Fluttershy's cottage," Diamond Tiara replied, "I will return to my room."

"Wait," Filthy Rich replied, "I want to talk to you about something. One of your friends had an accident. Silver Spoon is in the hospital."

"She is?" Diamond Tiara replied, doing her best to imitate surprise, "What happened? How is she?"

"The newspaper said she had a accident and got dragged down a hill by a cart she was hauling," Filthy Rich replied, studying his daughter's reactions. "She's expected to be in the hospital for a couple of days. I was wondering if you wanted to go and see her."

"I don't know. She hasn't been much of a friend as of late."

"I see," Filthy Rich replied, not really understanding but not wanting to push her into going to the hospital, "I'll go see if I can catch up with Fluttershy and get your book."

"Thank you," Diamond Tiara said, "I'll go back to my room."

"I don't know exactly what happened between you two," Filthy Rich replied, watching his daughter walk back up the stairs. "But don't let hatred win."

"Tell that to her," Diamond Tiara retorted, closing the door behind her.

*****************************************************

"Ok, that's a bet," Babs said, "Thank you, Thunderlane."

"It's not every day a filly is foolish enough to bet that one of the top Wonderbolts won't finish first in a race where only two of the top five Wonderbolts are racing," Thunderlane smirked. "You sure you want to go through with this? It'll be like taking money from a filly."

"I'm sure," Babs smiled, "Besides, you never know what can happen in a race. Maybe Spitfire'll hurt her wing or something."

"Alright," Thunderlane replied, "Can't say I didn't warn ya."

"Take care," Babs said, watching Thunderlane flap his wings and soar into the sky.

"How'd it go?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Just finished placing my share of the bets," Babs replied.

"That's a coincidence. So did we," Apple Bloom giggled as she and Scootaloo trotted toward the other two Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"Already?" Babs asked, surprised.

"It was pretty easy," Scootaloo stated, "We were walking near the cafe' and heard a few ponies talking about the race. One thing led to another and presto! We've got ourselves a bet."

"Much as I like the idea of fixing a race, it's not going to be enough to really help us, is it?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Doing that job last night paid, but it will take a lot more of them before I can be of any real help to my family," Apple Bloom said, "Not to mention that we're splitting the money evenly, so it'll take even more."

"You want to do something that provides a lot more of a payday?" Babs asked, watching as the three fillies nodded their heads in agreement.

"As long as nopony gets hurt," Sweetie Belle replied.

"That won't be a problem," Babs said, "Now we just gotta choose what kind of payday are we going after here. There's a lot of ways we can do this."

"Like what?" Scootaloo asked.

"I need some time to look around town," Babs said, "I'm not all that familiar with what shops and businesses are in Ponyville. I'll get back to you on that later. The next thing on our to-do list is Diamond Tiara."

The mention of those two words caused the Crusaders to stop in their tracks.

"We have to have proof before we move against her," Scootaloo warned, "Otherwise it'll look like a personal vendetta for what she did to us."

"I think the first thing we should do is go back to Sweet Apple Acres and look at the cart. Maybe try and piece it back together ourselves and see if anything looks odd," Apple Bloom said, "It shouldn't be very hard. I've helped my sis rebuild several wagons over the years."

*********************************************************

Diamond Tiara sat on her bed, reading. Being grounded limited her entertainment options drastically. She had board games, but those required a second player. For years that second player had been Silver Spoon, but now that was no longer an option. Likewise, most of her toys had memories associated with them that she really didn’t feel like reliving at the moment, so reading was pretty much the only thing she had left to do.

She was so engrossed in her book that she never noticed she had acquired a lapin companion. Angel thumped one of his hind legs on the bed to announce his arrival.

"Oh. It's you."

Angel tapped a pocket watch and extended his right forepaw.

"Here's your payment as promised. Good work. I take it you stole that book out of my saddlebag?"

Angel grinned and nodded. He hopped off her bed and in a blur of white fur he was gone. Diamond Tiara found herself left alone in her room once more.

*********************************************************

"I think I'm finally ready," Minty smiled. She was sitting on the couch next to Spike, sipping on some tea he brought in for the mares, "I want to thank all of you for your help."

"It's not a problem," Twilight said, "It's been educational for me too."

"And don't worry about the stairs," Spike said, "We'll get them patched up in no time."

"Did Paradise give you a time when you could take the test?" Pinkie asked.

"She didn't give me a deadline," Minty replied. "She only said to come back when I'm ready. I'm going to go see if she's at the station," Minty said. "If she is maybe I can take this test now and get it over with. If not I'm going to go to her home and ask if I can do it."

"It's getting a little late, are you sure you wish to do this right now? Maybe doing it tomorrow would be better," Twilight suggested.

"Why wait?" Minty asked. "I'm as ready as I'm gonna get. Either I pass it or I don't, but at least I won't have this hanging over my head to ruin next week."

"Would you like us there for moral support?" Pinkie asked.

"I'd appreciate it," Minty replied.

Before anypony could stand up, a loud knock was heard. Spike looked at Twilight and walked over to the front door.

"Can I help you?" Spike asked as he looked over the mare standing in the open doorway.

"Can you tell me if a mare named Minty is here?" the mare said, her voice sounding rough. "My name is Paradise and it's very important that I speak with her."

"She is. Please come in. Would you like some tea?"

"No, thank you," Paradise coughed. Spike led her into the library where Minty, Pinkie and Twilight were. All three mares looked in surprise when they saw Paradise.

"Hello Paradise," Minty said smiling. "We were just coming to see you."

"We need to talk. There've been some developments you need to know about."

"Can we do it after I take my test? I'd like to get it over with today if at all possible," Minty asked.

"That's what I need to talk to you about," Paradise replied, "There's not going to be a test, Minty. Ever."

Minty looked quizzically at Paradise, then at Pinkie, then at Paradise again.

"You want to run that by me one more time?"

"There's not going to be a test, Minty," Paradise said between coughs. "There's no point to it."

"What exactly do you mean there's no point to it?" Minty demanded, "My job is the point of it! I spent all day studying and practicing!"

"Minty, the reason my voice sounds so bad is because I've spent the last several hours yelling at the insurance adjusters," Paradise explained. "Earlier today I received a notice from them regarding the incident at Ponyville Elementary. They did make reparations to the Apple Family, who completed the repairs to the school."

"Okay, that's good news," Twilight said.

"The problem is they threatened to drop coverage for the police department entirely if you're allowed back on the force. I told them that they can't dictate who is and who is not an officer on the force, and that when you passed a competency test I fully intend to let you resume your job. They said they went to the Mayor and told her what would happen if her police department was not covered by insurance and something happened. How much money the town would have to pay to repair damage caused by us if they won't cover us? I went and spoke personally with the Mayor about this, Minty."

"I don't like where this is going," Minty replied. "But since we've come this far you might as well take the next step. Do I or don't I have a job?"

"I convinced the Mayor to let me hire you in an administrative role, Minty. You'd be behind a desk the rest of your time with us, but you'd still have a job."

"I thought they wouldn't cover her if Minty was allowed back on the force?" Spike asked, "That is what you just said, isn't it?"

"If Minty is allowed to be an officer who responds to calls, they'll drop our coverage, but the Mayor will let her be a secretary who does paperwork and other administrative tasks. The Mayor said she'd go to the insurance company and assure them that's all you'd do, Minty, but you'd be able to keep your job. I’m sorry, it's the best I can do for you."

"So let me get this straight," Minty said, anger clear in her voice, "I've spent the last several days worrying about taking a test to keep my job, studying for that test, involving my friends and asking them for help to prepare me to take the test, only to now have you tell me that all our efforts were in vain? I've said it many times now that I do not want to sit behind a desk, Paradise. And I still don't."

"Minty, I know you're angry, and I don't blame you a bit. But if you don't accept this job I can't let you come back."

"Since you're beating around the bush saying it," Minty replied bitterly, "I'll just say it for you. I quit!"

"Don't do anything hasty, Minty," Paradise advised. "Making this kind of decision while angry can come back to haunt you. So here's what I'm going to do: I know your skills, Minty. You'd make an excellent pony running our office, so if you want your job, you need only come to the station and tell me. I'll hold the position for you."

"Don't you need help if you've got an open position?" Twilight inquired.

"I could use the help so I won't have to do all the office work myself," Paradise said, "But it's no more work than what I'm doing now anyway. Think it over, Minty. The job is yours when you want it."

Paradise stood up and excused herself from the library. When she left, Pinkie, Minty, Spike and Twilight all walked to the door and watched her leave.

"They can't do that, can they?" Pinkie asked.

"Paradise is right about something," Minty admitted, "Ponyville Police need insurance. Maybe I can go to the insurance company and talk to them directly."

"In the meantime what will you do? How will you pay your bills?" Spike asked.

"Looks like I'll have to get another job. But I won't go back to the station. Being reminded daily of what I lost is worse than just losing it and being done with it."

*********************************************************

The Cutie Mark Crusaders had the smoking gun in front of them. The wagon was more complete than they had thought. The chassis was mostly intact, as the body had taken the brunt of the damage. The missing chunk of wood in the axle was easy to spot.

"Whoever did this was inexperienced, in a hurry or both," Apple Bloom concluded. "But one thing is for certain – this was no accident."

"We need to alert the police."

"Are you crazy, Sweetie Belle? The cops are already suspicious of us. If we go to them they'll probably think we did it and are confessing, or trying to pass the blame off on somepony else." Babs thumped the side of the wagon for emphasis.

"Can we prove Diamond Tiara did this?" asked Scootaloo.

"No. And we were out of town all weekend so we have no idea where she's been or what she's been up to," Babs replied.

"We should go back to the hospital and let Silver Spoon know about this. Maybe she can fill in some of the missing pieces, or maybe she saw somepony suspicious on her way to the Apple farm," Scootaloo suggested.

"It's getting' kinda late. Are you sure we should go over today?" asked Apple Bloom.

"The sooner we get answers the sooner we can plan retribution. Silver Spoon was paying us for protection and she got injured on our watch. This cannot go unpunished. An eye for an eye."

"Isn't that kinda harsh, Babs?"

"We need to send a message to Diamond Tiara or whoever did this that anypony under our protection is off-limits. And the only way to do that is to rough 'em up more than what they did to Silver Spoon."

"But then won't whoever we rough up come back after us and beat us up even more than what we did to them?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Not if we send a strong enough message."

"And what message is that?" asked Apple Bloom.

"That messin' with the Cutie Mark Crusaders is hazardous to your health."

"That's a good message," Scootaloo agreed.

"I dunno. I don't like the idea of anypony getting hurt." Sweetie Belle frowned.

"I agree with Sweetie Belle. We can't just go around hurtin' other ponies. That makes us no better than they are."

"Our enemies have already proven they're not afraid to resort to violence. If we don't check it now, how many more ponies could get hurt? It might be Rarity next time. Or Granny Smith."

"Point made and taken," Sweetie Belle replied, conceding defeat. She would go along with the others for the sake of her sister and other innocent ponies, but she didn't have to like it. "I just want to make it clear I'm not going to hurt anypony no matter what happens."

"Same here," Apple Bloom agreed.

"Fine, I'll do it," Scootaloo said. "I don't have any issues taking a prybar to somepony's kneecaps if need be."

"I'm not afraid to get my hooves dirty either," said Babs.

The awkward silence that followed lasted until they arrived at the hospital. They checked in and walked up the stairs to Silver Spoon's room. They opened the door to Silver Spoon's room and were surprised to find she already had visitors.

"Diamond Tiara! What are you doing here?"

"Visiting my poor injured friend." She glanced towards her father.

Filthy Rich turned to look at the new arrivals. "Aren't these the fillies you tried to frame, Diamond Tiara?"

"Yes, that's right," Babs replied.

"What do you say?"

"I'm sorry." Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes and fought the urge to gag. She needed to get her father out of the room. "Father, I think the least I can do to make reparations to these fillies is to provide them all with a meal. Would you be so kind as to get us something from the hospital cafeteria?"

"I'm glad to see you're taking responsibility for your actions. I'd be happy to." He took their orders and left to get their food.

"All right, now that we can talk privately, what do the four of you think you're doing here?"

"We came by to tell Silver Spoon that her accident wasn't an accident. It was on purpose. Somepony broke the axle of your wagon," Babs said, leveling her gaze at Diamond Tiara.

"Just try and prove it was me."

"Who else has motive?" asked Scootaloo, as she pressed her snout against Diamond's.

"But I have an alibi: I was grounded all weekend and I have Fluttershy as my witness."

"So who did you pay to do it?" Babs demanded.

"A filly has to have some secrets." She flashed the Crusaders a wicked grin. "Whoever it was did good work – the traitor got just what she deserved. I may have four more jobs for them. Nopony important, just a few blank flanks. I'd watch my flanks if I were you."

"I've had enough of this. Your bullying days are over, Diamond Tiara," Babs said, joining Scootaloo in confronting her. "This time you've gone too far."

"And what are you going to do about it, blank flank?"

"Try me and find out."

"Typical. Won't even make the first move. Chicken."

"I'm sick of that stupid chicken joke!" Scootaloo headbutted Diamond Tiara, knocking her into the hallway.

"Oh, so you do have some fight in you. I was worried this might get boring."

"Come on, Sweetie Belle. Let's find a place to hide."

"Good plan." The white unicorn filly followed Apple Bloom towards the elevator. The doors were open, so they could hide in there and still have a good view of the fight.

Diamond Tiara quickly pinned Scootaloo. "You're not much of a fighter."

"Try me on for size," Babs said, as she rammed Diamond Tiara off Scootaloo. The two fillies slid several yards on the recently waxed floor. They continued to struggle, with Diamond Tiara once again gaining the upper hoof in their fight. She pinned Babs dangerously close to the still open elevator shaft. "Have a nice fall, blank flank."

Apple Bloom jumped out of the elevator shaft and tackled Diamond Tiara. "Leggo o’ mah cousin!"

Diamond Tiara stood up and shook her head to clear the cobwebs. Before she could say a word Apple Bloom bucked her hard in the chest. She stumbled backwards.

"Oh no!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed as Diamond Tiara tumbled past her.

There was a sickening half-crunch, half-splat as Diamond Tiara hit the bottom of the elevator shaft. The Crusaders gasped as they looked down at her body sprawled in an ever-widening pool of blood.

Chapter 8: After The Fall

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle screamed in unison as they looked at the motionless body of Diamond Tiara.

"Scootaloo, get help!" Babs shouted.

"It was an accident," Apple Bloom stammered, "I never meant to hurt her, I just wanted to get her off of you."

"It's okay," Babs said softly, giving Apple Bloom a hug while Scootaloo raced down the hall. Sweetie Belle’s face was frozen in shock as she looked in horror at Diamond Tiara laying on the top of the elevator several floors below.

It took a few minutes for Scootaloo to reach the nurse’s station and return with Red Heart in tow. The nurse was carrying a white bag with a red cross on it. Babs, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle moved out of her way so she could get a good look down the shaft.

"By Celestia!" Red Heart exclaimed. She slung the bag over her back and reached for one of the cables holding the elevator in place.

"What are you doing?" Sweetie Belle asked, having recovered somewhat from her shock.

"I'm going down there," Red Heart replied. "What’s your name?"

"Sweetie Belle."

"Sweetie, listen to me. I need you to go back to the nurse’s station. Down the hall, three doors to the left you'll see an office door. The pony inside is Dr. Hoof Stitch. Tell him to have maintenance raise elevator number 2 until they hear me tell them otherwise. Tell the doctor to meet me here with a gurney and a crash cart."

"But I..." Sweetie Belle stammered, but Red Heart cut her off.

"No! Don't stop, don't think about it! Just start running and make this happen," Red Heart ordered.

Seeing Sweetie Belle hesitate, Babs replied, "I'm on it," and ran down the hall toward the stairs.

Red Heart grabbed the cable and hugged it with her front and back legs; sliding down the cable and ignoring the pain it was causing her while she did it. The steel cable was rubbing the hair off her legs and scraping against the flesh below, but Red Heart didn't care. She was going to get to Diamond Tiara if she had to jump down to her to do it. While she slid down the cable, Filthy Rich came around the corner, pushing a cart with several trays of food. He looked at the Crusaders gathered by the elevator, and then into the room with Silver Spoon.

"Where's Diamond Tiara?" Filthy Rich asked.

When he didn't receive an answer from the Crusaders or Silver Spoon, he trotted over to the elevator shaft and looked down. Upon seeing Diamond Tiara and Red Heart, he turned to the fillies near the elevator.

"What did you do to my daughter?"

"We didn't do anything," Scootaloo replied.

"Liar!" Filthy Rich roared.

"I think we should give them some room," Apple Bloom noted, watching as Babs led a doctor pushing a gurney toward them. The group of fillies and one stallion backed away and watched as the doctor positioned the gurney next to the shaft. The food cart was shoved aside to make room, its contents growing cold.

"How is she?" Hoof Stitch shouted down.

"Not good," Red Heart replied. "She landed back first into a lateral support for the elevator ceiling. It looks like her back is broken, and she's got two compound fractures. Where are those blasted maintenance ponies? I need some help here!"

"They're on their way," the doctor replied. "For now focus on stabilizing her."

"I'm trying," Red Heart replied, pulling instruments and bandages out of the bag as she continued to work. Without warning a loud hum was heard.

"Red Heart, can you hear me?" A voice from below called out.

"Yeah."

"We're moving the elevator. Make sure you and whoever else is there with you stay away from the sides of the shaft and the pulleys." The elevator began to rise. When it got close enough Red Heart stomped her hoof on the ceiling.

"That's close enough!" Red Heart called out. The second the elevator stopped the doctor climbed onto the elevator roof and helped Red Heart continue to work.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Filthy Rich asked.

"We'll need a hoof moving her in a minute," Dr. Hoof Stitch replied. "As soon as we get this bleeding under control."

"Where's the blood coming from?" Filthy Rich asked. "I've had a compound fracture, and there wasn't this much blood."

"The bones punched through arteries next to them when they broke through the skin," Hoof Stitch replied, "That's what we're clamping off."

"I've got this one under control," Red Heart said flatly, nodding toward the compound fracture on her front leg.

"I'm trying to get the one on her back," Hoof Stitch said softly, "But I'm having trouble reaching it. We're going to have to cut around the bone to get the artery."

"We need your help," Red Heart said, "Hold her down please."

"Hold her down?" Filthy Rich asked, moving next to his daughter.

"Put your hooves here and hold her still. It's important that she doesn't move," the doctor instructed, "We've got to stop the bleeding, and to do that I have to cut into her. It's going to hurt her a whole lot, but if I don't she'll die right here."

"What about an anesthetic?"

"I'm giving her one right now, but it won't take effect fast enough to help her," Red Heart replied, injecting a powerful sedative into Diamond Tiara. Filthy Rich put his hooves on his daughter's back, holding her firmly as the doctor reached into the bag and grabbed a scalpel. The second he began to perform surgery on Diamond Tiara she screamed in pain and tried to move, but her father's grip on her was stronger, and he held her in place.

"Clamp," the doctor said, and Red Heart gave the doctor the tool. "Can you sop up some of that blood? I can't see the artery yet."

"Got it," Red Heart replied, taking a sanitized towel from the emergency bag and cleaning the wound as best she could.

"There it is. Clamp," the doctor ordered. Red Heart gave the clamp to the doctor, and he put them on the artery, stopping the bleeding.

"Okay, let's move her," the doctor said. Filthy Rich reached down gently and picked up his daughter by the front, while Hoof Stitch picked her up from behind, and they lifted her in the air. Red Heart moved the gurney underneath Diamond Tiara and the two stallions carefully lowered her onto it.

"Take her to the operating room and prepare her for emergency surgery. I'll be there after I scrub," the doctor instructed. "Meanwhile, get an orderly up her to figure out what happened here."

"It was an accident," Babs said, "She attacked me, Apple Bloom got Diamond Tiara off me, and Diamond Tiara slipped and fell down the shaft."

"You have a personal grudge against my daughter, and now you've tried to kill her. I want these fillies arrested!"

"Have an orderly escort the girls to the room with Silver Spoon," Doctor Hoof Stitch instructed. "Then have them remain there until the police arrive to sort this mess out. Filthy Rich, come with me."

An orderly came trotting up moments after the doctor and Filthy Rich ran down the stairs toward the operating room.

The Crusaders followed the orderly back to Silver Spoon's room. Meanwhile Red Heart had already completed preparing Diamond Tiara for surgery, and was wearing an operating gown.

"You can talk to us while we're in surgery through this," Hoof Stitch said, motioning to a box on the wall, "You need only speak and we'll hear it."

"What did you need to know about Diamond Tiara?" Filthy Rich asked, "She's a very healthy filly, with no allergies."

"For the moment that's all we need. There'll be paperwork you'll need to fill out, but that'll wait till later," the doctor said. "For now you'll need to excuse me. I've got some surgery to do."

*************************************************************

"Exactly what happened in the hallway?" Silver Spoon asked, "From where I sat I didn't see what went down after you knocked Diamond Tiara out of the room."

"She had an accident and fell down an open elevator shaft," Scootaloo explained.

"An accident? Is she okay?"

"It doesn't look good," Babs said. "They're sending for the police right now to come talk to us."

"She admitted to hiring somepony to have me killed, and threatened to do the same to all of you. She's going to be lucky if she doesn't spend the rest of her filly-hood in juvenile detention."

"True, but her father thinks we intentionally pushed her into that shaft. He thinks we tried to kill her," Apple Bloom replied.

"I can tell the police what I saw," Silver Spoon said, "But I can't tell them what happened in the hall. Once you left the room you went out of my line of sight. I did overhear what happened in the hall, but I won't lie to the police."

"You don't need to," Babs assured. "Telling them the truth will be enough."

"The question is, even with everything that happened to her, will she learn anything out of it?" Silver Spoon asked. "This can't be allowed to go on anymore."

"She won't hurt you again," Sweetie Belle said. "If anything now she'll come after us."

"No, she won't," Silver Spoon reassured.

"What does that mean?" Babs asked.

"I'm going to reason with her," Silver Spoon said, "I learned. I changed my ways. I'm sure she can too, if she'd only take the first step. It gets easier with each one. So I'm going to see if I can push her into taking that first step."

"What if she doesn't?" Apple Bloom asked, "What if nothing changes?"

"I have a trump card here. If after she and I talk I remain unconvinced that things will change with her, I'll go to the police and tell them she confessed to me and all of you about what she did, and she'll spend the rest of her filly hood in jail. I want you fillies to do something for me if you would."

"Sure, what is it?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Don't tell the police about the wagon or Diamond Tiara's possible involvement in my accident yet," Silver Spoon replied.

"What? Why not?" Babs asked.

"I want to talk to Diamond Tiara first. Give her one last chance to change before something happens that will affect the rest of her life."

"Alright," Apple Bloom said. "We won't say a word."

A loud knock broke the silence that followed the promise, but before any of the fillies could respond the door opened and Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Filthy Rich, and Sweet Stuff walked into the room.

"Hello my little ponies," Sweet Stuff said. "I'm happy to see you all again."

"May I ask why we've been called here?" Rarity asked.

"You said something about there being trouble down here, and our presence was required," Rainbow Dash said.

"One of the interns from the hospital came to the station and told me that a filly named Diamond Tiara had an accident and that these fillies were involved. Given that you're their siblings, I thought it best that you be present when I question them about today's events."

"You're not going to simply arrest them, as I requested?"

"No. At least not yet."

"How is Diamond Tiara?" Babs asked.

"Still in surgery. The doctors aren't sure yet if she's going to live," Filthy Rich said.

"Shouldn't you be at her side instead of here?" Applejack asked.

"I want to make sure those responsible for her condition are punished," Filthy Rich said.

"There's no evidence of a crime yet. First I'm going to gather information, then determine if any of Ponyville's laws were broken. If they were, those responsible will be taken to jail. If not, then I'll file my report and move on. For now, I'm going to ask you to step outside. As I will need statements from everypony involved, I'm going to take them one at a time. I might as well start with you, so you can go be with your daughter," Sweet Stuff said, following Filthy Rich out of the room.

*************************************************************

Filthy Rich paced back and forth outside of the operating room. He begged to be allowed inside, but the nurses told him no. They had said they understood his concern for his daughter, but there was a risk of infection if he was in the room while the surgeon worked, so they wouldn't let him past the door. Filthy Rich looked at his daughter as the surgeons worked on her, his thoughts cursing himself and those four fillies who were with her.

"If only I hadn't left her alone with them."

The door to the Operating Room opened and Nurse Red Heart emerged. When she came out another nurse wearing a surgical gown and mask walked in and closed the door behind her.

"How's my daughter?"

"We were able to arrest the bleeding, but she's extremely weak. She lost a great deal of blood due to her injuries. We're giving her transfusions which will help her, but the problem the doctor found is she had two compound fractures and a broken back."

"So that's what is taking so long?"

"Correct. Each of them is a serious injury, and Doctor Hoof Stitch is being certain about what he's doing before he does it."

"Will she be able to walk again?" Filthy Rich tried to hide his anxiety but his voice cracked, betraying his true emotions.

"It's still too soon to tell," Red Heart admitted, "I won't lie about the severity of her injuries, or how complicated things became when her back was broken. After her surgery, it will take time for the drugs we've given her to wear off so she can regain consciousness. Only then will we know if she can move her hind legs. If she can, she will walk."

"If not?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I don't wish to give you reason to fear, but you deserve to know where things stand."

"Is there a specialist we can contact? Anything at all we can do to improve her odds of walking again?"

"There's nothing else that can be done at this point," Red Heart said.

*************************************************************

"Silver Spoon, I've asked your friends to leave the room so I can get your unbiased statement. They're in the maintenance room down the hall with one of the orderlies, and I assure you that they can't hear us. What I need from you is the truth so I can try to make sense of what happened. If a crime was committed, justice needs to be served," Sweet Stuff said, pulling out a notepad and quill.

"I'm not sure how much help I can be," Silver Spoon replied.

"Just start at the beginning. Take me through today's events, step by step. I know from the hospital staff that those four fillies who were with you when I arrived came here after Diamond Tiara and her father did," Sweet Stuff said.

"That's correct."

"What happened next?"

"When the Crusaders arrived, that's what they call themselves – the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Diamond Tiara wanted to talk to all of us but she didn't want her father around. So she asked him to go get food."

"What happened next?"

"Diamond Tiara started arguing with the other filly's about their right to be here. She called them 'blank flanks'."

"Did Diamond Tiara say anything else?" Sweet Stuff asked, taking detailed notes on her notepad.

"She told them that if she were them, to watch their flanks," Silver Spoon said.

"What happened next?"

"Diamond Tiara called Babs a chicken because Babs didn't attack her first. Scootaloo headbutted her and Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo, and Babs went into the hall," Silver Spoon said.

"Okay, so Scootaloo started the fight," Sweet Stuff said, "What happened next?"

"My bed doesn’t have a good view of the hall so I didn't see anything else. I heard a few comments coming from the hall, but the ones that were relevant were 'have a nice fall, blank flank' and 'leggo o' mah cousin!'"

"It seems kind of likely that Apple Bloom or Babs said 'leggo o' mah cousin', since they're cousins. As for the blank flank comment, based upon what you've told me, it's likely Diamond Tiara said that," Sweet Stuff said, as she finished jotting down her notes.

Sweet Stuff looked at the filly laying in the bed and smiled. "I want you to know that nothing you've done constitutes a crime, Silver Spoon. Whatever happens regarding this incident, you will not be prosecuted because you've done nothing wrong."

"What about my friends?" Silver Spoon asked.

"Don't worry about them. You just focus on getting better. I'll take care of the fillies," Sweet Stuff assured.

*************************************************************

"Filthy Rich?" Doctor Hoof Stitch called out as he emerged from the operating room. Filthy Rich wasted no time closing the distance between himself and the doctor.

"How is she?" Filthy Rich asked, "When can I see her?"

"She's in post-op right now. We're going to keep her there until she regains consciousness, then we'll move her to a hospital room. Right now the only one we've got available is with Silver Spoon," Hoof Stitch replied.

"What?! You expect to put my daughter in the same room with one of the fillies that tried to kill her?!"

"First off, we don’t know how this happened to Diamond Tiara. Second, I know what wounds Silver Spoon has, and I can assure you she couldn't have had anything to do with it. She needs assistance getting out of bed to use the bathroom right now. The point is, she's currently no threat to your daughter."

"I don't know. Silver Spoon has reason to be unhappy with Diamond Tiara, too," Filthy Rich admitted.

"The only other option is to have her transferred to another hospital, and the closest one is in Canterlot. We could arrange a pegasus air transport for her if you would prefer, but it is not advisable to do it so soon after her surgery. Since we can't leave her in post-op forever, she's going to have to go into the same room as Silver Spoon for the time being."

Filthy Rich was about to reply when a noise behind him caused both him and Hoof Stitch to turn and see Sweet Stuff leading Applejack, Babs, Apple Bloom, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo past them toward the exit.

"Where are you going?" Filthy Rich asked, "We're not done here."

"The police station," Sweet Stuff replied. "We've got some things to talk about there."

"Please put my daughter in with Silver Spoon when you're ready," Filthy Rich said, his thoughts distracted by the sight of the fillies who did harm to his daughter.

"Where are you going?" Hoof Stitch asked.

"I want to know what the police intend to do about this," Filthy Rich replied, "If Diamond wakes up before I return please let her know where I am and that I will return shortly."

*************************************************************

"How long must we be here?" Rarity inquired, "They've told you it was an accident what happened over and over now. How many ways must you hear it?"

"I wanted to confirm the statements that you gave to Sweet Stuff. I'm going to be investigating this, and I wanted to make sure I've got your side of the story straight," Paradise stated.

"So we're free to go?" Applejack asked.

"For now yes," Paradise replied, "I’ll file my completed report with the district attorney’s office. It's up to them how they choose to proceed when they get the facts."

"You don't believe us?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I don't know," Paradise admitted. "By your own admission it was your kick that sent Diamond Tiara down the elevator shaft. By your admission, Babs, you joined in the fight against Diamond Tiara that made it two on one. By your admission Scootaloo you threw the first punch. Given your history with the victim, I'm sure you can understand why I'm hesitant to simply take your word for it."

"So you're going to talk to Diamond Tiara when she regains consciousness?" Babs asked.

"Her version of events will prove enlightening," Paradise said. "Although she's got as much of a history with you fillies as you have with her, it’s still my job to sort all of this out."

"So you're just going to let them go?" Filthy Rich asked, as he walked into the police station.

"I thought you were at the hospital," Paradise said, "That's what Sweet Stuff told me at least."

"Answer my question," Filthy Rich demanded, "Are you simply going to let the fillies who tried to kill my daughter walk free?"

"I have no grounds to hold them at this time," Paradise replied. "I'm not through with my investigation, and until I have sufficient evidence this was more than an accident I can't keep them here."

"My daughter is fighting for her very life, and you're not going to do anything about it?!" Filthy Rich shouted, an angry scowl on his face. Paradise stood up from her desk and walked between him and the fillies, about the same time that the three mares moved to block his path.

"Choose your next action carefully, Filthy Rich," Paradise warned, "If you attack them I will arrest you."

"I would never harm a filly no matter how much they might deserve it, they have nothing to fear from me. What I will do, however, since you obviously have no intention of doing anything about this, and is to take matters into my own hooves. Applejack, more than half the money you make from Sweet Apple Acres comes as a direct result of sales from my retail establishments. Effective immediately all business transactions between my stores and Sweet Apple Acres will cease. Your products will be removed from my shelves and returned to you, any future orders you have placed with my businesses are cancelled, and any outstanding bits owed to you will be repaid immediately. Of course if it turns out you owe me any bits I expect them immediately, and you and your whole family will be permanently banned from shopping in any of my stores. I'll have your pictures posted at every store cashier just to make sure they know not to sell to you."

"You're gonna do what?! That ain't fair!" Applejack shouted.

"If I cannot punish your sister, I shall punish you. Which brings me to you, Rarity," Filthy Rich formed a cruel smile on his face and looked at the white mare, "You might not be aware of just how many stores I own, Rarity. I own stores all over Equestria – including some in the most popular markets like Canterlot, Baltimare, Las Pegasus, Cloudsdale, Manehattan, Fillydelphia, and many other cities. My business contracts with you are terminated, all unsold merchandise will be removed from my stores' shelves and returned to you, any bits owed to you will be repaid and any you owe me I expect to be paid immediately. Like Applejack, you and your whole family are banned from shopping in any of my stores too."

"But....but...." Rarity stammered, realizing the implications for her business.

"Last but not least, Rainbow Dash. While you and I have no business dealings, you and your filly are both still banned from shopping in any of my stores," Filthy Rich said, looking at the blue pegasus.

"Yeah, well I do all my shopping in Cloudsdale anyway. Your store doesn't carry the cloudcakes I like," Rainbow Dash retorted.

"Thanks for the information. There's only one business in Equestria that makes cloudcakes, and it turns out I own them. Effective immediately they will no longer produce cloudcakes of any kind."

"You'd punish ponies everywhere just to get at me?"

"It's not like I'm firing my employees," Filthy Rich said, "They're just going to switch to other products."

"You can't possibly be serious, Filthy Rich," Rarity said. "You're biting your nose off to spite your face. Sweet Apple Acres makes the best apple products in all of Equestria and my dresses continue to gain in popularity year after year. Rainbow Dash is not the only pony who enjoys cloudcakes – you'll be losing out on sales to the others as well. In addition, I have a contract with you. You can't simply terminate it like this."

"Actually I can."

"I'm gonna take this up with the Princesses," Applejack warned.

"Please do. Oh, and when you do, be sure to show them the copy of the contract you signed. You know, the one that has a clause that specifically says either party, you or I, can terminate the contract for any reason at any time. I left that clause in so if there was a problem and you needed to terminate the deal, you could do so without fear of reprisal from me for doing it, and I could do likewise. Now I can use it to break our contracts, and you haven't got a leg to stand on. Good day," Filthy Rich smirked as he walked out of the station and went back to the hospital.

"Why that low down sneaky rotten," Applejack said, starting to raise her voice.

"Now now, let's not get into language that's not appropriate for the fillies to hear," Rarity suggested. "There's got to be something we can do."

"Go out of business," Applejack retorted, "His contract was what kept us above water all these years. Now what are we gonna do?"

"We'll think of something," Rainbow Dash said. "We always do."

*************************************************************

"Sir, as I've tried to explain, the doctor knows how badly you wish to be with your daughter, but he's asking that you wait outside until she's moved from post-op. He doesn't want to run the risk of infection occurring. Until her wounds are fully bandaged, you must wait here," an intern said.

"Listen to me very carefully. I will say this once," Filthy Rich said menacingly, "I am going to be with my daughter. If you do not step aside, I will move you."

"What's going on here?" Red Heart asked, opening the door from inside post-op and stepping into the hall, "I can hear you two all the way down at the other end."

"I wish to see my daughter immediately," Filthy Rich said flatly. "Tell your intern to step aside and please take me to her."

"I've explained to him why he can't go into post-op, but he won't listen to me."

"It's okay," Red Heart said. "I just finished putting on the last of the bandages and salve. It's safe for you to see her now."

"Thank you."

Nurse Red Heart opened the door leading into post-op and led Filthy Rich past a row of empty beds to the one on the far end that had Diamond Tiara laying on it, still knocked out from the surgery.

"How is she?"

"I gave her a stimulant that will help her regain consciousness shortly. Her surgery went exceedingly well. We fixed the fractures and broken blood vessels that happened due to the accident, and we repaired the damage to her back. Look, I know you're angry about what happened, and with good reason. But please listen to me – you have a lot to be thankful for right now. Your daughter is alive. This could have been much, much worse. You saw for yourself the extent of her injuries. It helps that the accident took place here and we were able to get to her immediately. If we had gotten to her even ten minutes later you'd be planning a funeral right now."

"One does not make it far in the business world with an attitude of forgiving and forgetting. My daughter has been done wrong, and to not punish those who committed this atrocity would send the message that the Rich family is weak and nothing but pushovers." Filthy Rich looked at the nurse, noting what she hadn't said yet. "Will my daughter be able to walk again?"

"We remain hopeful that she will, though now it's up to her. All we can do is wait and hope."

"Right now my primary concern is that daughter doesn't spend the rest of her life crippled. If it costs me everything I own I will see two things: The first is that my daughter will walk again and the second is that those responsible will pay dearly." Filthy Rich leaned down and kissed his daughter on the cheek, tears dripping from his eyes. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there when you needed me."

Diamond Tiara moaned softly and opened her eyes, blinking several times.

"Nurse, she's starting to wake up," Filthy Rich said.

"Please do not help her with this," Red Heart advised, "It has to be all her if we're to know for sure if she can use her legs. Diamond Tiara, can you hear me?"

"Oohhh my head," Diamond Tiara said, yawning. "What happened?"

"You had an accident," the nurse replied. "I need you to concentrate for me. I need you to flex your hind left leg. Your right leg has a cast on it and you won't be able to move it yet, but please try and move your left one."

Diamond Tiara grunted as she tried and tried to move her leg, looking in horror as it didn't respond to her efforts. "What's wrong with me? Why can't I move my leg?!"

Filthy Rich reached around his daughter and gave her a hug, holding her close to him.

"It'll be okay," he said reassuringly. "We'll find a way to help you, I promise."

Diamond Tiara closed her eyes, and tried once more to move her leg. Red Heart was watching carefully for any sign of movement, and when she saw the leg move an inch on its own she shouted so loud she could have been heard from outside.

"It moved! It moved! It moved!" Red Heart shouted, overjoyed.

"It did? That's wonderful!" Filthy Rich said, who cried in relief at the news his daughter would be ok after all. Diamond Tiara wasn't used to hearing her father cry about anything, and the sound made her want to start crying all over again. She buried her head in his chest and cried, glad that her father was there for her.

*************************************************************

"Father, you really don't have to stay here with me. I know you've got work to do. I'll be fine."

"Last time I left you alone here things didn't turn out that way."

"They'll be in school. There's no way they'll come here today, and I'm sure after what you told those mares who were with them they'll make sure those fillies stay far away from me."

"You seem pretty confident about that," Silver Spoon said, turning over in her bed.

"So you are awake," Diamond Tiara replied, looking over at the filly across from her.

"See? I've got Silver Spoon to talk to and a hospital staff taking care of me. I'll be fine. Go, take care of your business," Diamond Tiara said, hugging Filthy Rich, "You can tell me all about your day when you get back."

"I love you," Filthy Rich said, hugging her back, "You stay in bed and take it easy. Remember, the doctor doesn't want you even trying to walk yet."

"I will," Diamond Tiara promised.

Once Filthy Rich left the room and the door closed behind her, Diamond Tiara glanced at Silver Spoon. She hadn't moved from her bed, so Diamond Tiara made herself comfortable again.

"I do hope you've at least learned something from all of this," Silver Spoon said.

"Yeah, not to play near elevator shafts with the doors open."

"That's not what I mean."

"I know what you're implying," Diamond Tiara said, "But tell me why I should listen to you?"

"Because you know this isn't right," Silver Spoon replied. "You and I were friends once. The best of friends, Diamond Tiara. We both know that making true friends was never easy for either of us. Your father's money is why people sucked up to you, but most of them weren't interested in you, just what you could do for them."

"It was the same way with you," Diamond Tiara said, "Your only friends came with a price tag."

"While that is true, I've learned through recent experiences the flaws of doing things the way we did them," Silver Spoon said. "We looked at ponies like the Crusaders and laughed because they choose to hang out with each other."

"The only reason they do is because they're blank flanks," Diamond Tiara said.

"You're wrong. Even if one of them gets a cutie mark, they would all still hang out together. When they all get their marks they'll still be friends, just like they are now. Watching them has shown me quite a bit about how to be a good friend to ponies, and the fact is what happened that day at school opened my eyes to what I've done. I was such a mean filly to everypony around me except you, but I don't blame you for that. I made those decisions, and it's on me to change."

"After that you became a mean pony to me, too." Diamond Tiara said.

"Level with me, Diamond Tiara," Silver Spoon said, "Who did you hire to wreck that cart and try and kill me?"

"Why should I answer that?"

"Because I hold your life in my hooves," Silver Spoon said, "Don't you see what you've done here? The Cutie Mark Crusaders found proof that the wagon was tampered with. You have yet to say outright that you were not involved, only that you have an alibi, and you threatened to hire whoever you hired for this against them. The wagon itself is at Sweet Apple Acres, and I asked them not to do anything with it except store it. Eventually they're going to take it to Fluttershy and show her what they found, and ask her if any of her critter friends could have done this."

"You think I'd use her animals?"

"Stop me when I'm wrong," Silver Spoon said, "But since you were grounded and stuck at her cottage, I'd be willing to bet somehow you convinced them to do it. Bribed them, paid them, whatever...the point is, when Fluttershy tells them just what kind of animal it was that did this, they'll tell Fluttershy everything. She'll question her critters, and if any of them confess to this, you're going to spend the rest of your days as a filly in a jail cell."

"Well you've just got things all figured out, don't you? I can't talk to animals, so how in Equestria am I supposed to have done all this?"

"It's only a matter of time until they find out," Silver Spoon said, "But I asked them not to do anything about this yet."

"Why?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"Because I don't want to see you spend the rest of your life being branded a mare who's so vindictive you actually tried to kill your best friend."

"We're not friends. Not anymore."

"I may have turned away from the lifestyle we lived but I still want you as a friend. I still believe that our friendship can survive."

"I tried to kill you, and you still think our friendship can endure?" Diamond Tiara smirked. "You're insane!"

"Tell me you haven't thought about what our friendship meant to one another," Silver Spoon said softly, "Tell me that the time we've spent over the years with each other means nothing to you."

"Of course it meant something to me, but that's where it stops. It meant. Past tense. Before you betrayed me," Diamond Tiara retorted sadly. Silver Spoon could hear it in the pink filly's voice that she was realizing what a huge mistake all of this had been, but she had to be sure.

"Don't you feel anything?" Silver Spoon asked, "Don't you feel even the slightest bit of remorse about what you've done? I'm not only talking about what you did to me, but what you've done to the Crusaders, to Snips and Snails, and the rest of our class too?"

"You want the truth?" Diamond Tiara asked bitterly, "Of course I feel bad! The day you turned your back on me was the second worst day of my life!"

"I am sorry that I did that. I should have had this talk with you right then and there."

"You tried, but I didn't listen," Diamond Tiara replied, tears forming in her eyes, "I'm so sorry for what I've done!"

Although her doctor didn't want her to get out of bed so soon, Silver Spoon carefully climbed out of her bed and crawled along the floor until she reached the bed across the room. She lifted herself onto Diamond Tiara's bed and hugged her friend, letting Diamond Tiara cry on her shoulder.

"I've missed you as my friend," Silver Spoon whispered.

"I swear I will never do anything like this again, and I'll begin making things right with everypony. Starting with the Crusaders," Diamond Tiara whispered between sobs.

Silver Spoon's ears perked up. It was rare for Diamond Tiara to call them anything other than blank flanks. This change in Diamond Tiara's personality began to melt Silver Spoon's heart, and she began to cry while she hugged her, realizing that there was hope for their friendship after all.

*************************************************************

Minty gulped as she walked up to Ponyville's fanciest restaurant. She gathered her courage and pushed against the door. Pushing with all of her might the door still refused to budge. She checked the clock over the railroad station – it was five minutes until her scheduled interview so there was no reason for the door to still be locked. She huffed and stared at the door. She giggled sheepishly as she grasped the handle in her mouth and pulled it open.

"Name?" the maître d' asked.

"Hi! I'm Minty! I have an appointment at two o'clock."

"Ah yes, you're here about our opening. Follow me." He led Minty to a back office and instructed her to wait until the owner arrived.

"Mademoiselle Minty?"

"That's me!"

"Bonjour, I am Port-o-bella, owner of this establishment." Old habits die hard as Minty's police training took over. She quickly scrutinized the mare, noting that she had a white coat, a pink and orange mane, a blue and violet tail, and a mushroom cutie mark. Which she figured was quite appropriate for the owner of an upscale Prench restaurant. "Tell me a little about yourself. Why should I hire you?"

"I'm a dedicated, hard-working mare…" Minty trailed off as the rest of her memorized speech slipped from her mind.

"And?"

"And I know Prench. Well, I mean I took Prench in high school. But it's been a few years since I graduated so I'm a little rusty."

Port-o-bella quickly tested the green mare’s Prench and she was impressed that Minty managed to keep up her end of the conversation. Minty struggled a little but this was still the most Prench she had heard since moving to Ponyville three years prior. Meanwhile Minty was pleasantly surprised to see she remembered more than she thought.

"You're hired."

"I am? Shouldn't you test my cooking first?"

"If you have enough faith in your cooking abilities to apply for the position, I have enough faith in them as well, mademoiselle. You can start immediately."

"Super!" Minty bounced out of her seat and towards the door. "Just point me towards the kitchen!"

"Follow me." The white pony lead the way and soon Minty found herself in a large, well-stocked kitchen. Nearly every surface area from the counter tops to the cabinets was made of stainless steel and Minty giggled at her distorted reflection. Now all she had to do was figure out how to cook. She loved Prench fries and Prench toast, so how hard could it possibly be?

A yellow stallion with mauve hair walked into the kitchen. "You must be our new chef. I'm Golden Grape." Minty noted the muscular stallion’s build and his cutie mark consisting of a pair of grape bunches, taking delight in the fact that they were green grapes and not red grapes.

"Yep, that's me all right! I'm Minty, nice to meet you!"

"I see you're full of energy. You're going to need it. The dinner rush starts in an hour."

"No sweat – I've got this."

"Excellent. Here's your first order," he replied, sticking the slip above Minty's workstation. "Daisy salad with hollandaise sauce."

"You got it. Or rather, the customer's got it. Well, not yet. But she will have it in a few minutes. Oh, you know what I mean." She grabbed a bowl, noting with distaste that it was purple. She laid down a bed of leafy green lettuce, quickly followed by some dandelion greens, scallions, celery, and a chopped tomato. She placed the daisy on top and took a second to admire her culinary masterpiece. It was mostly green, accentuated by the white daisy, and ruined only by the red tomato slices that stood out like a neon sign. She checked the kitchen but they had no green tomatoes in stock. She glared at the yellow sauce as she poured it into a cup to serve on the side. No way was she pouring a gaudy yellow sauce over her green work of art!

Golden Grape took the tray containing the salad to the dining area and left her a new slip.

"Eggs benedict?" That was a new one on Minty and she checked the menu for the ingredients. "Prench toast, poached egg, Portobello mushrooms, and hollandaise sauce. Again with the icky yellow sauce. And not a single green ingredient in the bunch!" It was at this point that she realized she had no idea how to poach an egg. Well, there were ways to fix both of those dilemmas.

She grabbed a bottle of green food dye from her saddlebag and set about frying the Prench toast, adding the food coloring to create the desired look. While the toast was cooking, she checked the definition of poaching and decided that simmering an egg in water wouldn't be all that challenging. Green food dye was added to the eggs, mushrooms, and even the sauce and Golden Grape served the very green platter to the customer.

"Minty?"

"Oui?"

"We have a complaint here. Are you aware that the only green ingredient in eggs benedict is the sprig of parsley on top?"

"There's supposed to be parsley in there? But the recipe didn't mention that at all."

"It's generally assumed that most dishes will contain a sprig of parsley as a garnish."

"Oh."

"Now I understand that every chef likes to add their own unique presentation to their work, and I get that you like the color green, but you have to understand that most customers are quite used to seeing their food in an array of colors instead of monochrome green."

"Sorry." Minty ducked her head.

"Don't worry about it. We all make mistakes on…"

The smoke detector interrupted her.

"Oh! That's right, the spinach pizza is still in the oven."

"Perhaps we should start you off with dish washing and let you work your way up to chef," Port-o-bello said as she removed the charred pizza from the oven. Golden Grape ushered the customers out of the restaurant while Minty opened a window to let the smoke out.

"Well, I suppose I could give it a shot. But I really had my heart set on cooking," Minty pouted.

"This is merely a minor setback. I'm sure you'll earn the chef position back in no time."

"Can we at least get some green dishes? These dishes are too purple."

"That's because they are purple."

Half an hour, two visits from the fire department, and three hundred and forty-seven broken purple dishes later, Minty was once more unemployed with nothing to show for it as her half a day's pay was withheld to cover damages.

*************************************************************

"Class, may I have your attention please?" Cheerilee called out, looking at the students in her classroom until they quieted down, "Thank you. Today is a special day. I've arranged for us to take a field trip across town. As part of their annual exhibit, Upper Crust and Jet Set have set up a collection of some of the rarest artwork in Equestria, and we're going to the museum to go see it."

"Aww an art field trip?" Snips whined.

"I'm always trying to broaden your horizons, my little ponies. That's why this field trip is important."

With Cheerilee in the front, she led her students out of the classroom and onto the street leading toward the center of town. Without Diamond Tiara the Cutie Mark Crusaders had nothing to fear by being grouped together, so they made sure they were the last in the group, following close enough for Cheerilee not to say anything to them but back far enough so they could talk without other classmates overhearing them.

"After school today we've got to check on the race results. The race is supposed to be going on in about an hour," Sweetie Belle said, "So if High Winds did what she said she would, we've got some bits to collect."

"You know, this trip might give us a better opportunity to make some bits," Babs said, "If this art is as rare as Miss Cheerilee suggests, it would be worth a lot of bits to the right buyers."

"Are you suggesting we steal the art and sell it?" Scootaloo asked.

"I sure am. We'll steal it; sell it to the ponies who in turn would sell it to the buyers. That way it's out of our hooves faster, we get paid sooner, and run less risk of being caught," Babs said.

"How are we going to do that?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Class, we're going to turn left here. The art is on display at the museum down this street."

"Notice anything about the museum?" Babs asked.

"Two doors at the front, one at the side," Scootaloo observed.

"It's close to the train station," Apple Bloom stated.

"Bingo. Were I Jetset or Upper Crust, that's how I'd travel. I can't see them sending the artwork here by wagon, especially if it's as valuable as Cheerilee suggests it is," Babs said.

"You're thinking about robbing the train, aren't you?"

"It'd be a lot easier than trying to rob the museum, Sweetie Belle." Babs replied.

"We should finish this discussion later," Apple Bloom said. "We're here."

As Cheerilee opened the door to the museum and watched her students file in, she took a head count. When all of her students were accounted for, she led them toward the back of the museum into a room specifically marked for the art exhibit, and motioned to one of the paintings on the wall.

"Class, who can tell me about this painting?"

"The placard below it says it was made by Sir Archer Windstrom," Snips replied, as he continued reading. "Made shortly after Discord was imprisoned by the Royal Pony sisters."

"Very good, but what can you tell me about the painting itself?" Cheerilee asked.

"It's using mostly oil based paints which were hard to come by during that time period, so the artist must have either been commissioned to paint it by somepony wealthy, or he must have been wealthy himself," Twist replied.

"Correct. Sir Archer Windstrom was commissioned by Princess Platinum herself to make this painting that portrays the three pony tribes uniting under the rule of Princesses Celestia and Luna," Cheerilee said, "This is one of the few paintings that survived that era. Now, over here we have a painting that came from before the tribes united. This painting features one of the legendary Breezies, which only visit Equestria once per year."

"What's a Breezie?" Snails asked.

While Cheerilee and the students continued to discuss art and the history of their society, the fillies' attention was focused on the artwork all around them. They saw portraits of the Princesses, beautiful landscape paintings and even a painting of Canterlot that looked like the artist painted while they were flying above the city. The plaque below it indicated it was done by Princess Celestia and donated to the Canterlot Orphanage.

"These paintings are amazing," Sweetie Belle said, "Look at the detail. Rarity would absolutely love to make a dress just like that one."

"I wonder how long these paintings are here for," Babs said.

"Let's find out," Scootaloo replied. She walked over to one of the ponies standing near the entrance to the art museum and asked, "Excuse me, do you know how long this exhibit will be on display?"

"Today's the last day," The pony replied, "The art has to be back in Canterlot by tomorrow for their exhibit."

"Come on, Jetset," the mare standing next to the pony replied, "We need to be heading back to the hotel to pack."

"Coming, dear."

"The art exhibit's being taken down today," Scootaloo said, trotting back to the others.

"They'd likely wait till the museum closes at five," Babs said, "This much artwork should take them at least two hours to pack up."

"So what do we do?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Later," Babs said as she saw Cheerilee and some of the class coming toward them.

"I'm glad you fillies are taking a interest in this painting," Cheerilee said, "It's one of my favorites. The amount of detail displayed in it shows considerable skill by the artist. She captured the pegasus city of Cloudsdale perfectly."

"A pegasus drew this? I've never heard of a pegasus artist before," Scootaloo said.

"There are a lot of famous artists, some of which are Pegasus ponies," Cheerilee replied. She started listing off several of them, but Scootaloo had stopped listening to her teacher after she confirmed the masterpiece was drawn by a Pegasus. Scootaloo felt drawn to that piece and silently vowed to make it her own.

*************************************************************

Rarity paced back and forth in Carousel Boutique watching the clock nervously. Rainbow Dash looked up from the nap she was taking on Rarity's sofa. "Could you pace quieter? I need my beauty sleep."

Rarity levitated the pegasus off the couch and into the changing room. Rainbow Dash attempted to unfurl her wings to escape but found herself powerless in the unicorn's grip. "I'm so glad you've chosen to volunteer to greet our potential applicants in my latest style."

"Some day when you least expect it I will get even for this." The cyan pegasus was now wearing the frilliest dress Rarity had in stock. Pink ruffles cascaded from her flank to the floor and she gagged as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

"Promises, promises. Now, which of these ensembles do you think looks best on me?" Rarity levitated an orchid print evening gown above her head, then set it down and levitated a sleek jogging suit in its place.

"Go with the gown. And let me wear the jogging suit. Please?"

"But Rainbow, darling, you look so pretty when you're dressed in style. Why I dare say if you let me style your mane you would be the most dashing pegasus in all of Ponyville."

"Yeah, I don't want that title. Work your magic on Fluttershy."

"I tried that. She had a brief but interesting modeling career, but she didn't enjoy it. Hence why you are here today in her stead."

"I'm only doing this to keep you from going out of business." Rainbow tried walking in the gown and faceplanted as she tripped over it. "And because it's my fault. Scootaloo started that fight and I'm responsible for her."

"But it isn't your fault." Rarity turned serious, and she averted her gaze out the window. "And I appreciate your help, Rainbow Dash. I really, really do. Fancy Pants was willing to front me the bits to keep my doors open another two months but if I don't have a new line ready to go by then I'll be forced to close down entirely."

"You know, Big Mac convinced AJ to cut all expenses and operate Sweet Apple Acres as leanly as possible until they find new retail outlets. You could try that."

"Unfortunately that's not a viable option for a fashion designer. If I wish to capitalize on all of my hard work to date I must plow ahead. If I were to retrench my name would be forgotten with next season's new look. Then I would be forced to start from scratch at a later date and I would have to work thrice as hard just to be taken seriously. Fashion is a very fickle occupation and I'm not willing to throw away years of labor just because some holier-than-thou ruffian has it in for me. I may not have all of Filthy Rich’s resources at my disposal but I do have my fair share of connections in Canterlot – and I've called in every outstanding favor owed to me for this. I've literally bet the boutique on creating next season's must have outfits."

"That's a lot at stake."

"Everything is at stake. If I fail not only will I lose my shop, but also my home, my career, and my reputation. I'll be forced to move back in with my parents and share a room with Sweetie Belle. I love my family dearly, really I do, but that would be the worst possible thing!" She flopped on the couch and wiggled her legs as dramatically as possible.

The door chimed, advertising they had a visitor. Before the door could shut Rarity had bounced off the couch and composed herself. "Welcome to Rarity's Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique!"

"Uh, hi. I'm here about the job?"

Rarity looked over the unicorn in front of her. "I'm sorry, but I have a very specific vision in mind and I'm afraid you're just not what I'm looking for at this time. However, I would love to work with you in the future." Rarity picked up the pony's mane in her hooves. "Yes, I definitely see some potential here, the ideas are already coming to me. If I'm still in business next year come look me up."

"Harsh," Rainbow remarked as the dejected would-be model left the boutique.

"I need an earth pony model but unfortunately saying as much in an ad is in poor taste and can be considered prejudiced."

"So why not use Pinkie Pie or Applejack?"

"I did consider those possibilities, but Pinkie Pie really doesn't convey the message I'm trying to send either. Her mane is a tangled mess no comb can tame, believe me, I've tried! In addition, while I hate to speak ill of one of our friends, her chronic snacking has left her a little pudgier than a model can get away with being. Applejack, on the other hoof, is too far in the other direction. Have you seen her muscles? She could get away with modeling swimwear or athletic wear but that's not what I'm working on. In addition, she's not available because now that Sweet Apple Acres is facing the same crisis I am, she can't afford to hire outside help and hence is doing everything herself."

"Filthy Rich really has you and AJ by the throat. I mean the only thing he can do to me is try to eliminate my favorite snack, and he's already managed to fowl that up. He doesn't have the monopoly on cloud cakes he thinks he does as there are half a dozen bakeries in Cloudsdale that make them far better than his company ever did. I just wish his attack on the two of you were as off the mark as his revenge on me."

"It is, rest assured. He may have the mass retail markets covered in most major cities, but he does not control the high-end shops in Canterlot that dictate all of Equestria's trendiest styles. And while I've focused on mainstream to build my brand equity I've been trying to move upmarket since day one. If I fail here it's because of my own shortcomings." She sighed and neglected to mention he had cut off any hope of maintaining her mainstream status if she failed. "Applejack, on the other hoof… unless some new major retailer comes along she's in big trouble. One little booth at the town market isn't going to keep a farm the size of Sweet Apple Acres in business for long."

The bell above the door tinkled again and Rarity turned away another potential model.

"He was an earth pony."

"Wrong gender, darling. I really don't think my dresses would look good on him, or even fit him for that matter."

"It would have been amusing at least. Beats the boredom of waiting here."

"It shan't be a long wait, dear. The few occasions I've had to put out a call for models I've always been overwhelmed with applicants."

"So why do you need an earth pony model, anyway? You've got me."

"Because Equestria is home to three tribes, all of whom have their unique traits when it comes to designing clothing. By having a trio of models comprising one pony of each I can demonstrate my skill at adapting to the challenges of each." She changed subjects. "Aren't you worried Filthy will go after your job too?"

"Eh, he can try but it won't do him any good. My results speak for themselves. Anyone in Ponyville can vouch for me that I'm doing my job."

*************************************************************

Spitfire stared intently at the pony sitting across from her. She tapped a hoof on her desk absently as she mulled over his offer. "Your sponsorship proposal would effectively double the Wonderbolts' budget. What I'm failing to see is the catch."

"That's because there isn't one. My only caveat is that I get a say in all hiring decisions. I would hate for my store's image to be tarnished by unsavory spokesponies."

"That seems fair. I'll send this over to our legal department to review, however, as a branch of the armed forces the princesses get the final say on this matter to ensure there are no potential conflicts with matters of national security. That said I don't see any reason why they'd object, Mr. Rich."

"In that case I look forward to doing business with you."

*************************************************************

"Welcome to Rarity's Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique," Rainbow Dash had heard the greeting so many times in the last few hours she could recite it word for word, back and forth, in a nearly perfect imitation of Rarity's sing-song voice. Which is why the unicorn had put her in charge of the door while she went to make lunch. Which was probably for the better, Rainbow Dash was the first to admit she would never be known for her cooking prowess.

"Hi! I’m Minty! I’m here about your open position."

Rainbow Dash gave the green pony the once over. No wings. No horn. Female. This was her opportunity to end this overly prolonged search. "You're hired."

"Awesome! What will I be doing?"

"You're going to be modeling all of the lovely outfits you see surrounding us."

"Rainbow, darling, did I hear somepony come in?"

"You sure did. This is Minty, and she's going to be modeling for you."

"You hired her?"

"Of course! She's exactly what you've been looking for."

Rarity rolled her eyes. The green mare in front of her was most definitely not what she had been looking for. Sure, she was a female earth pony with a good build, but the problem was her mint green coat. It was going to clash horribly with most of her existing clothes and there wasn't enough left in her budget to design an entire new wardrobe for one model. Still, she could work with this. "Tell me, Minty, do you have any prior modeling experience?"

"Nope!"

"A fresh canvas, how wonderful." Try as hard as she might to contain it, some of the sarcasm dripped out with her reply. Thankfully it went unnoticed by the other two ponies present.

"So does this mean we can finally get started?" Rainbow asked hopefully.

"Yes. Minty, put this on. There's a changing room to your right. Rainbow, would you be a dear and fetch our photographer?"

"Sure!" The blue pegasus flapped her wings and headed towards the door. "Wait. Who’s our photographer?"

"Spike."

Dash nodded and flew through the door, leaving a rainbow trail in her wake.

"Wow," Minty muttered as she watched the prismatic pegasus leave. She opened the fitting room door and walked through, Rarity following her.

*************************************************************

"Okay, so here's my plan," Babs said. "We're going to assume they're moving the artwork by rail since it has to be in Canterlot tomorrow. Which means they have to load it all onto the train. Scootaloo, we'll need your scooter. Apple Bloom, we'll need you to get a wagon from the barn. Make sure it's something you and Scootaloo can load onto the train. What I'm proposing is you two sneak the wagon and yourselves onto the train. Find somewhere to hide and watch where they load the artwork on the train, and the moment they close the doors to the cargo car, load the artwork onto the wagon."

"That doesn't sound too hard. Normally I can move a wagon pretty easily, even if it's full," Scootaloo replied. "I get why we're loading the art on the wagon, but exactly why are we loading the wagon on the train?"

"Because it would cause quite a commotion if you were seen loading the art that was just loaded on the train onto your wagon, then pulling it away from the station," Babs said. "If you do it on the train, nopony will notice until it's done."

"That's all good," Apple Bloom replied, "But we can't go to Canterlot! There are no stops for the train between here and there."

"That's where Sweetie Belle and I will come in," Babs said. "We'll run on ahead and find a place to hide while you get situated in the train. Once the train is outside of Ponyville, we'll find a way to make the train stop. When it does, we'll pop open the door and let you two out with the wagon. I'll close the door, we'll hide 'til the train leaves, and we're home free."

"I don't imagine Jetset or Upper Crust will be overly pleased when they discover their artwork is missing," Sweetie Belle said.

"That's right, they won't," Babs said. "Which is why once we get the artwork I'm going to take steps to get rid of it fast. The longer we have it, the more likely it becomes we'll get caught."

"But how are we supposed to stop a moving train?"

"The train tracks run parallel to the Everfree," Babs replied, "The construction workers must have felt it was easier to avoid going through the Everfree so they laid the tracks right next to it. I figure if we knock a couple trees down the train will have to stop until the conductor can clear them."

"We have to cut down trees? That'll take forever," Sweetie Belle said. "Not to mention there's only two of us. If the trees there are as big as the ones here we'll never get them down in time."

"Apple Bloom, do you have any fireworks left over from last year's Hearth's Warming Eve celebration?" Babs asked.

"Yeah, I've still got some," Apple Bloom replied.

"If you'll go get them, I'll go to the barn and start getting a few of those plastic tubes that were laying around," Babs said. "Then we'll just need some candles and some string."

"Candles, string, fireworks, plastic tubes, what do we need that stuff for?" Scootaloo asked.

"Trust me, I've got a idea on how we can do this," Babs said, "But first, are we sure we all want to go through with this? Everything we've done up until now has been minor compared to what we're about to do. I'm not trying to talk you out of going through with this, I'm just making sure you understand that if we get caught, we go to jail. What we're doing is beyond any reasonable doubt completely illegal."

"My sister is going to lose most of her business," Sweetie Belle said, "All because of Diamond Tiara's dad. I want to help her, and if this is what it takes, so be it."

"Though they don't talk about it while I'm around, I've listened to my family talking about how much trouble the farm's in because of losing Filthy Rich's business. They're going to be struggling to make ends meet, so much that Big Mac and Applejack both're going to continue to take whatever jobs they can get to work during the night, after spending all day working on the farm. I gotta help my family," Apple Bloom said.

"Scootaloo? What about you?" Babs asked.

"Although Dash wasn't directly affected by Filthy Rich's...decisions.... all of my friends and their families were. And you're all as much family to me as she is. So count me in. Besides, it sounds like a lot of fun."

"Alright, let's get to work," Babs replied, smiling at Scootaloo's comment.

Chapter 10: Right Here Waiting

Rarity was distinctly aware of a burning in her chest. Semi-conscious, she existed in a state that was not quite awake and alert but also definitely not the nothingness of oblivion. Was this to be her eternity? Forced to be trapped within her own mind with no chance of escape? "Of all the worst possible things, this is the worst possible thing!"

"No, the worst possible thing would've been if I hadn't caught you when I did."

Rarity knew that raspy feminine voice. "Rainbow Dash?"

"Oh good, you remember me. I was afraid your memory had been damaged at some point. Along with the rest of your brain."

"Now, now, Rainbow Dash. It's not very nice to call somepony brain damaged. Now, what precisely happened? Why is my chest sore? Why can't I see anything?"

"Your chest is sore because that's what happens when somepony crashes into you at near-supersonic speeds."

"Darling, you really need to learn to slow down..."

"If I had slowed down you'd be very, very dead right now. Had I hesitated for even a fraction of a second..." Rainbow choked on her words and trailed off. "We may not see eye to a lot of the time but...I don't want to lose you. None of us do."

Bits and pieces of memories were coming back to Rarity. "Oh...oh dear."

"'Oh dear' is right. Where do you get off doing something that stupid?"

"Now Rainbow, there's no need for that tone..."

"The hay there isn't. I'm mad at you, Rares. Madder than I've ever been at anypony in my life. As for why you can't see, I took the liberty of tying you up and blindfolding you with some fabric. Just so you can't do anything else stupid until I make sure you're okay. Now answer my question!" She reared and stomped her front hooves into the floorboards. "Where do you get off doing something this incredibly stupid?"

"Filthy Rich has taken everything from me. My business, my home, and even my dignity. I have...nothing left."

"You have your family. You have your friends."

"Well, yes, of course I do. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say you all have me. A horrible burden, leaching off of your hard-earned bits. No, darling, it would've been much better for all of us if you'd have just let me finish what I started."

"Don't you dare try claiming you did this for us. There's nothing generous about suicide, Rares." Rainbow poked Rarity in the chest. "It's the single most selfish thing you or anypony else could ever do."

"Ouch, I'm still sore there, thank you very much."

"Good, pain means you're still alive." She poked her friend in the chest yet again. "Your sorry flank is mine now. I own you."

"I belong to myself, thank you very much."

"Not any more, you don't. There's an obscure pegasi law based on an old code from our warmongering days. If a pegasus comes across a pony about to commit suicide and manages to prevent it from happening, that pegasus is entitled to claim the would-be victim as their own property. The reasoning being that the pony in question forfeited the rights to their own life when they attempted to end it. Since you saw no value in your own life, it's now up to me to give you some purpose...by serving me. As you can guess it really cut down on unnecessary suicides back in the day as indentured servitude tended to be a fate worse than death."

"I get the feeling I'm not going to like where this conversation is going..."

"Oh, I know you aren't. The only reason your head is still attached to the rest of your body is because I've been following you the last few days. I knew something was wrong when you gave me that dress and hinted I might have need to wear it soon."

"Perhaps I was a bit obvious, but considering the audience I thought that would be subtle enough to slip right over your head."

"Speaking of heads, I'm no Twilight Sparkle, but even I know that at the height you jumped from the force of your body hitting the rope would've taken your head clear off."

Rarity sighed. "That was the point, Rainbow dear. I wanted to ensure that the ordeal was over as quickly as possible. I certainly didn't want to linger for half an hour, struggling for breath. I considered overdosing on sleeping pills or slitting my throat but I didn't want to accidently fail or stop halfway because it was too painful. I've failed quite enough in my life, thank you very much. And I admit, I rather like the idea of Carousel Boutique being forever tainted with my blood so nopony would ever want to buy it. This place is a part of me, and I don't want somepony just moving in and destroying my legacy."

"So you'd rather destroy your own legacy instead."

"Not necessarily. By dying so young and tragically, before reaching my full potential, my existing designs would no doubt appreciate in value."

"I know you're a very prissy pony, Rarity, and I know how barbaric you think I am. I just want it noted that for the record I'm resisting the urge to beat the stupid out of you. But only just barely. Every time you open your mouth you tip the scale the other way. So choose your next words carefully before you speak them because the weight's shifted towards the middle."

"Fine then. I don't suppose there's any chance you'd be willing to release me and forget this silly ownership business? After all, slavery is quite illegal."

"Sure thing, Rarity. The other option is I blab this to Twilight, the mayor, and everypony else in town and you get to spend some quality time in a mental health facility. But there's no way I'm letting you out of my sight unless you're supervised. I'm not taking any chances."

The blood that thanks to Rainbow Dash's intervention wasn't currently spilled all over the floor of Carousel Boutique, and instead was miraculously still flowing through Rarity's veins turned ice cold. Of course there would be consequences to this failed suicide attempt. "I'm not going to Shady Pine. And you can't tell anypony about this. Especially our friends."

"I'm glad to see you've decided to see reason. You'll be moving in with me and Scootaloo. That way if I'm not around the Squirt'll be there to keep an eye on you."

"You want one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders to keep her eyes on moi?"

"Yeah, I know it's crazy. She's not my first choice but she's all I've got to work with so we're just going to have to roll with it."

"Oh Rainbow..." Rarity completely broke down in tears and buried her face in Rainbow Dash's shoulders. "Oh Rainbow, I can't believe I did that. But what else was I to do? I couldn't move back in with my parents and share a room with my little sister. At this age? How pathetic would that be? My life is over..."

Rainbow Dash had never been the most empathetic mare, but having been friends with Fluttershy since they were both fillies meant she at least had some experience at consoling distraught ponies. She patted the unicorn's back and stroked her hair, something she never would have dared to attempt just a day earlier. Rarity in turn buried her muzzle deeper into Rainbow's coat and continued pouring her heart out. Every failure in her life, big or small, real or perceived, was recited to the prismatic pegasus as the unicorn covered topics ranging from poorly-designed dresses she made as a filly to relationships that were shot down before they even had a chance to begin. Rainbow Dash just stood there, holding her friend and taking it all in. She was amazed at Rarity's ability to remember even the slightest details from events that had happened over a decade ago, while Rainbow herself often forgot what she'd eaten for lunch the previous day.

When Rarity finished crying herself out, Rainbow knew her better than any other pony could ever hope to. "C'mon, Rares, time to go home."

"But I am home, darling. For another few days anyway."

"No way. This place is poison for you. You need a complete change of environment, you need to be around other ponies who care about you. There's no way in Tartarus I'm leaving you alone. You're coming with me." Rarity offered only token resistance as Rainbow Dash scooped her up in her well-toned forelegs. "So strong, yet so gentle to the touch," Rarity mused. "Just like the pegasus herself," she decided.

*************************************************************

Minty swallowed the lump in her throat and knocked on the door.

"Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! Where every treat is chic, unique, and magnifique! Oh wait, that's Carousel Boutique's tagline. Silly me."

"I'm cold, I'm hungry. Take me in."

"I think I'm going to have to check with the Cakes first..."

"Please Pinkie. I don't have anypony else to turn to. I can't keep a job more than three hours. I haven't eaten anything other than grass in over a week. I got evicted yesterday and spent last night sleeping on the pile of trash bags that contains everything in the world I hold dear."

Pinkie dropped her voice to a whisper. "There's no room here. Between the Cakes, their twins, and me Sugarcube Corner is full."

"I could always share a room with you. I don't take up much space..."

"I've seen your sock collection, Minty."

"Oh yeah..."

"Look, I'm not going to leave you homeless. I mean I know everypony in town, so I can easily find you a place to crash until you get back on your hooves. Probably literally, knowing you!" Both ponies giggled at Pinkie's joke. "In the meantime, why don't you come in and get cleaned up. You've, uh, well, to be perfectly honest you've looked better."

"Yeah, well, to be honest I've felt better, too."

Pinkie led the way to the upstairs bathroom, and then returned to the kitchen to explain the situation to her employer/landlords while Minty let the relaxing warm water wash away the dirt caked onto her flank.

"Minty? Isn't that the mare who destroyed the school?" asked Mrs. Cake.

"And almost burned down Carousel Boutique?" added Mr. Cake.

"Well, yes. That's her. But she's one of my best friends and somepony's got to watch out for her."

"More like everypony needs to watch out for her... and stay as far away as possible to avoid becoming collateral damage."

Drips of water started splattering around the kitchen. "Hehe, I, um, I'll be right back," Pinkie said, as she flashed the Cakes her most confident smile. She dashed up the stairs and splashed her way into the bathroom. "What's going on?"

"Sorry Pinkie Pie! I was just sitting in this super relaxing tub and I fell asleep and the water was still running and um, I may have flooded the bathroom...and the hallway."

"Minty, Minty, Minty." Pinkie shook her head.

"I know, I know, I know."

Pinkie shut the water off and the two friends mopped up the overflow as best they could. Once they were done Pinkie insisted Minty meet the Cakes. "Be on your best behavior because they're the ones who get to decide if you can stay here or not."

"Got it."

"Mr. and Mrs. Cake, this is my friend, Minty. Minty, these are my employers and landlords, Dazzle Cake and Carrot Cake."

"Pleased to meet you!"

"Um, likewise," Mrs. Cake replied. "Pinkie was explaining your situation to us. We'd be happy to let you stay here..."

"Thank you both so very much!"

"...But only for the night. Think of it as, um, a sleepover."

"Oh." Minty's face fell. "Thank you."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to run the twins over to my in-laws."

"But don't they live in Manehattan, Mr. Cake?"

"That's why I've got to leave now if I want to make it back home before midnight. But the only way we're agreeing to this is if they're outside the potential blast radius."

*************************************************************

Diamond Tiara was in pain. She opened her eyes. It was the almost four in the morning but she couldn't sleep. At the moment she was lucky to get twenty-five minutes of sleep at a time due to the pain. Making matters worse the doctors had told her she would likely be living with at least some of this pain for the rest of her life. She wouldn't even be able to walk again until she healed enough to start undergoing physical therapy. That would be a months-long process and she'd have to learn how to use her legs all over again. She wasn't looking forward to it, but at the same time she was desperate to walk, run, and do all the things she used to do. Staring at the same things every day was giving her a bad case of cabin fever. The eggshell white walls, minimum décor, and medical equipment made for a very depressing environment. Sterilized white and stainless steel. There was only word that summed it all up: dull. And the infernal beeping of those stupid machines was driving her almost out of her mind. If she had the ability to move they'd have been ripped apart long before now and thrown out the window.

Silver Spoon, was of course, still asleep at this hour. Her injuries were healing at a reasonable rate and it wouldn't be much longer before she was released from the hospital. That was another depressing thought, as long as Silver Spoon was still recovering she at least had a friend to talk to. Her father was doing the best he could, spending as much time with her as he could while still meeting his business obligations. He'd taken to sleeping in the chair next to her bed instead of going home. That he chose to rest close to her in a folding chair instead of the pillow-top mattress that he'd paid several thousand bits for meant a lot to her. Her daddy loved her. Even after everything she'd done.

Movement caught her attention. "Dad? Are you awake?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't wake me. Boop. Beep. Boop. Beep. It's hard to sleep in here."

"Those machines are monitoring you, making sure that everything's all right."

"I don't care, I can't sleep with them making these noises all night. Not that it matters. I'm in so much pain that if I so much as twitch it shoots waves of pain through my whole body."

"I'll check with your doctor about getting you stronger painkillers, pumpkin."

"Thanks, Dad. So what are you doing up at this hour, anyway?"

"I have a little errand to run."

"At four in the morning?"

"There was a bit of a delay with my supplier, but I finally got what I've been waiting for. Remember what those bad Apples did to you? Well, I'm making sure that all their apples are bad from now on." He held up a jar.

With the limited light Diamond Tiara couldn't quite make out what was inside. But she could see a changing pattern.

"Aphids. Hundreds of thousands of aphids. They'll destroy the orchard and put the Apples out of business permanently."

"You can't do that."

"Why not?"

"I've forgiven them. I've... I've had a lot of time to think about things. My fall was an accident, and I'm as much to blame for it happening as they are. They don't deserve your hate."

Filthy Rich leaned over the bed and kissed his daughter on the forehead. "I'm so proud of you, honey. That's why you're my little princess. You're already a much better pony than I'll ever be. Maybe someday when you're a parent yourself you'll understand why I've got to do this. But hopefully you'll never need to relate to this. Now I've got to get going or the Apples will be awake by the time I get there. You know how farmers are about getting up with the chickens."

*************************************************************

It was half past nine and Sweet Stuff was still in bed. With the police department short-staffed after Minty was removed from the force, this was the first day off she'd had in almost two weeks. It certainly didn't help that Ponyville was in the midst of the worst crime spree to ever hit the town. For a town that was used to only one major crime every three years or so, the last two months had provided them an entire decade's worth. She hoped with all her heart that this was a fluke and not indicative of a new trend.

Knock, knock, knock-knock-knock-knock-knock. She groaned. That was definitely Pinkie Pie's impatient knock. She debated her options. Option one: stay in bed, pretend she didn't hear it, and hope the persistent mare eventually grew bored and wandered off, or option two: answer the door, frazzled, and hope that Pinkie made it as short as possible.

"Hiyas!"

Sweet Stuff pulled the blanket over her head. Or she could take option three: spend so much debating options that Pinkie Pie decides to let herself in. "Um, hi Pinkie. What are you doing in my house?"

"Oh, I just had some questions for you. Is this a bad time?"

"Yes."

"Are you aware that it's after nine and you're still in bed?"

"Yes."

"Can Minty move in with you temporarily?"

"Yes. Wait, what?"

"Thank you so very much, Sweet Stuff!" Minty jumped onto the blue mare's bed and embraced her through the blanket. "You won't regret this. Well, hopefully not much, anyways. I mean, I am pretty accident prone, but I'll be like totally extra special careful! It'll be just like old times when we were both on the force together! Won't that be fun?"

Sweet Stuff slid the covers off her as she wracked her brain for an escape route. As an ex-cop, Minty living with her could prove problematic. "But wouldn't you living with me create a potential conflict of interest?"

"Nah! Socks are interesting and as long as you don't try to steal them from me, there won't be any conflicts. Got any snacks?"

"You're totally reading my mind, Mints! I'm like starved and junk too! It's been eight whole minutes since breakfast." Pinkie bounced in place, thinking about all the sugary concoctions she wanted to munch on.

"You don't mind if we raid your fridge, do you? No? Thanks!" Minty bounded out of the room, Pinkie right behind her.

Sweet Stuff pulled the covers back over her head. It was too early in the morning to be dealing with this.

*************************************************************

Angel stood guard, waiting for his rivals to come back to their base of operations. Nobunny made a fool out of Angel Bunny and lived to tell about it. There was no sign of any of the slave laborers, or as Fluttershy preferred to call them, 'the nice Apple family that lives up the lane'." He rolled his eyes and gagged at that thought as he grabbed an apple to munch on while he waited.

Much to his irritation, the paintings weren't inside the clubhouse. Wherever they were stashed, the Crusaders had done a good job of hiding them. There was always the possibility that they were storing them in one of their homes. The two Apple brats were out, the Apple family was close-knit and he doubted there was any privacy in their farmhouse. Sweetie Belle's house was possible, Opal had droned on more than once about how dumb Rarity and Sweetie Belle's parents were. But Scootaloo seemed the logical choice. Rainbow Dash wasn't exactly the most responsible pony out there, and how she'd ever convinced anypony to let her actually adopt Scootaloo was a mystery to the rabbit. Probably because there weren't any other volunteers.

As Angel waited he heard the leaves rustle behind him. As sharp teeth snapped towards him he balled his paw and swung at the offending predator. A red fox spat out two teeth and cocked his head, looking at the rabbit. He slowly backed away from Angel but the bunny had no intention of living up to his ironic name and fell upon the careless vulpine. After beating the fox to within an inch of its life Angel offered it a choice: join up with his woodland mob or die. The fox chose life and one of Angel's lackeys escorted the injured woodland creature to Fluttershy's cottage for medical attention.

Finally, after hours of waiting the Cutie Mark Crusaders emerged from the apple orchard and climbed into the clubhouse. Angel grinned. It was finally show time. Harry, a bear living in the Everfree forest and a frequent visitor to Fluttershy's cottage, silently climbed towards the treehouse. With a mighty roar he lashed out with his muscular paws and started ripping the Crusaders' clubhouse to shreds.

"What the hay?" Babs poked her snout out the window and nearly had her head ripped off by the swipe of the bear's paw. "Yeow!" She quickly withdrew back inside the rapidly disintegrating clubhouse. "There's a bear attacking us. We need to get out of here. Now!"

"How do you propose we do that? It already took out the ladder!" Scootaloo opened the trapdoor and surveyed the damage.

"I don't know! It's your clubhouse! Isn't there an emergency exit?"

"The ladder was the only way out. We're trapped!" Sweetie Belle started panicking. "I don't want to die!" she wailed.

"Babs, grab that rope. Scootaloo, open the window on the opposite side from where the bear's attacking. Sweetie Belle, please stop hyperventilating. We need to work together if we've got any hope of getting out of here..."

"What's the plan?"

"I want you to jump to that tree over there, Scootaloo. It's not too far so you should be able to glide over without too much difficulty. Then you tie this rope around that tree and the rest of us can escape using our old zip-line equipment."

The pegasus filly wasted no time. She grabbed the rope in her mouth and then leapt from the window. Her tiny wings unfurled and she aimed for the nearest tree. Just as she thought she was going to make it she started losing altitude. She flapped her wings for all they were worth and barely grabbed hold of a branch as she was passing under it. She climbed up, tied the rope around the trunk, and motioned for the others to join her.

"I hope this works better than our first time zip-lining," Sweetie Belle said as she pushed off from the clubhouse. Babs and Apple Bloom followed the unicorn filly. Much to their dismay, as they neared the halfway point a woodpecker landed on the line and started pecking it.

"Shoo!" Scootaloo tried to brush the bird off the line but it stayed just out of reach. The rope snapped and Scootlaoo could only watch helplessly as the three fillies plunged to the ground below. "Noooooooooooo!"

*************************************************************

Beads of sweat dripped down Cheerilee's face, stinging her eyes. Pulling a wagon laden with apples wasn't exactly what she meant when she promised Big Macintosh she'd do anything to repay his family's kindness. Earth ponies may be stronger than pegasi and unicorns, but Cheerilee was used to spending the bulk of her time behind a desk. She just couldn't keep pace with the farmers who did this on a daily basis. She stopped pulling to take a drink of water. Two things were for sure: she wasn't cut out for manual labor and she had a new appreciation for those ponies who were.

Big Mac and Applejack were poetry in motion. Applejack bucked, both hind legs simultaneously striking the tree behind her. She was rewarded by apples falling neatly into the baskets at the base of the tree. She made a mental note to ask exactly how the apples always landed in the buckets. Big Mac didn't even need to buck. With his strength, all he needed to do was nudge a tree with one leg and it was eager to shed as many apples as it could give. Bucking required precision and strength, which is why she had been left with pulling the wagon for them instead.

The Apples were so grateful for any help that they could get, and they were going above and beyond to take care of her while her home was rebuilt. They wouldn't even take money for boarding her because, as Applejack had put it, 'Kin or not, friend or foe, the Apples help ponies.' It struck a chord with her, especially since they were in dire need of aid themselves. She wanted to help them as best she could, but farm work wasn't her thing. Muscles she didn't even know she had were aching and begging for mercy.

She looked at the path behind her. It had taken her nearly half an hour just to go one hundred meters. And there was another forty or so to go until she reached the barn. Then she'd have to find an empty cart and repeat the process all over again. It was going to be a long day...

*************************************************************

Sweet Stuff hadn't dared to venture out of bed until well after noon. And that was only because the smoke detector was blaring. She ran down the stairs, and when she didn't see her living room ablaze she decided to risk it and poked her head into the kitchen instead of running out the front door to safety. Inside her kitchen Minty was waving smoke out the open windows.

"Minty? What are you doing?"

"Just airing the place out, hehe. You know how, uh, smoky these old houses get."

"This house was only built three years ago."

"Heh, the time really flies! Depreciation sets in early these days... Chocolate mint cupcake?" She offered the a tray filled with cupcakes to Sweet Stuff, who took one hesitantly.

Sweet Stuff examined the cupcake. It wasn't burnt, it hadn't been dyed green (though the mint frosting was definitely green), and it wasn't as hard as a brick. Surprisingly, it appeared to be edible. "Okay? What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing! Sheesh, why does everypony think I can't cook?"

"My smoke detector is still going off."

"Details, details... Just try it already!"

Sweet Stuff closed her eyes and nibbled the cupcake. The nibble turned to a bite, and seconds later the treat had been devoured entirely. "That really is good!"

"I can't believe you doubted me. I can bake."

"In that case, why is my kitchen filled with smoke?"

"Because I got distracted and left the second batch in too long, okay? I'm not perfect." Minty sat at the table and rested her head in her hooves. "I'm so far from perfect it hurts. Usually literally. Look, I'm sorry for getting your kitchen all smoky, I'm sorry for just barging in on you like this." She started crying. "I'm a mess. All I ever do is fail at things. I'm homeless, jobless, penniless, and everything else-less. I...I try so hard. I don't want to mess everything up. I can't help it that I'm a klutz. I can't help it that my IQ is only 64. I just... I just want to be like everypony else. I want to be useful. I want to be needed. I....want to be loved. Is that so wrong?"

Sweet Stuff patted Minty's foreleg, comfortingly. "Not at all, Minty. I think you try too hard to fit in that you lose track of your own talents."

"Like what? Sock collecting? That's not a talent, that's a hoarding problem."

"Well, for one, you just made some fantastic cupcakes." Sweet Stuff helped herself to another one.

"Yeah, but I can only do it if they've got mint as an ingredient." She pulled the second batch out of the oven for Sweet Stuff's examination. They weren't so much cupcakes as they were hockey pucks. "These were supposed to be chocolate chip. Apparently I can't mess up mints because of my cutie mark."

"But that's a talent. You could make mint cupcakes, mint toothpaste, mint well, mints."

"I already tried Sugarcube Corner. They wouldn't hire me."

"So mint cupcakes are out. What about toothpaste?"

"Minuette's Colgate brand is really popular. And it really is good, too. It would be hard to compete."

"So mints?"

"Yes?"

"No, I meant you could make mints."

"I tried that too. I worked at the Fillydelphia Mint for all of two days... Right up until I spilled an entire wagon full of shiny new bits all over the place. I think they're still finding them every time they clean the machinery..."

Sweet Stuff couldn't help giggling. "If nothing else, you're good at making other ponies laugh."

"You really think so?"

"You've got this self-deprecating sense of humor that's hard not to like. As long as you don't mind ponies laughing with you, at you, then yes, yes I do."

Minty flung her forelegs around Sweet Stuff in an embrace. "Oh, thank you so very much!"

*************************************************************

Babs Seed opened her eyes. Her blurred vision revealed they had landed on the dirt path leading to town. She groaned as memories of what had just happened came back to her. As she regained coherency she realized the farm was quiet. There was no roaring of a bear, and no splintering of wood. Something white hopped into her field of vision. As her eyes focused she could see a small white rabbit. "Beat it, bunny. I'm not a carrot."

Angel rolled his eyes and smacked the insolent pony. As Babs rubbed her cheek, the rabbit scanned the other Crusaders. The youngest Apple was there, but she was thick as a brick, not to mention just as unconscious, so there was no point wasting time on her. That left the magicless unicorn. He grinned maliciously as he approached the quivering filly.

"Please don't hurt me..." Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and whimpered.

The white pony with the useless horn was timid, fully aware of her inferiority in light of her new lapine master. Just the way Angel liked ponies. He stuck a foot out for the frightened pony to kiss, but with her eyes clenched shut she didn't see it. There was only one thing to do in this situation. He smacked her. It was much lighter than the smack he had given Babs, and much, much lighter than the many he had applied to that idiotic vulpine that thought he'd make a quick and easy meal. A slap light enough not to sting, but firm enough to ensure that the point got across – cooperate and things would go smoothly, act defiant and his paws were more than capable of delivering pain. Wise ponies, like the yellow one whom he graciously allowed to share his domicile in exchange for her domestic services, quickly learned to fear his paws of death. Sweetie Belle was the most reasonable of the trotting disaster zone known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Surely she would come around to his way of thinking. Just like Fluttershy had.

Sweetie opened her eyes to a white rabbit's foot in her face. She glanced up to see Angel Bunny glaring down at her. He puckered his lips and pointed to his foot. Sweetie sighed and kissed his foot. Angel rewarded her by nodding, and motioning for the bear holding her down to let her up. Babs and Apple Bloom remained restrained.

"You're Angel, right? Fluttershy's pet rabbit?"

Angel facepawed. Why did ponies have to be so stupid? Fluttershy was his pet pegasus pony, not vice-versa.

Sweetie Belle continued, nonplussed. "I'd recognize those cute little ears anywhere. And that adorable tail, and....that death glare." Sweetie Belle withered under Angel's gaze. "Tell me what you want," she whimpered.

Intelligence, something he had never dared to dream he would find amongst this rival mob. There might even be an open position for Sweetie Belle in his organization – he was always in need of good, well-disciplined lackeys, after all. Having one that could actually talk would be a big benefit. He started drawing pictures in the dirt for Sweetie's benefit.

"You want a pony?" Angel pointed to the frame around the pony. "You were framed by a pony?" Angel facepawed. "You want a picture of a pony?" The rabbit nodded. "I can get you a picture of my sister's latest crush. She keeps dozens of pictures in the little room that she doesn't let me into." Angel shook his head.

"He wants the pictures we stole from the train." Angel nodded affirmatively at Babs' comment.

"Oh! Well that works out perfectly then! We need somepony to post the pictures for us! Do you want to do it?"

"That's fence, Sweetie Belle. Fence the pictures, not post the pictures. And he doesn't want to fence them for us, he wants to steal them from us."

"Oh, well, that's not very nice."

Both Babs and Angel struck their foreheads at the same time. Angel turned his attention to the Manehattanite. She was obviously the brains of the outfit, perhaps she could be made to see reason with the right application of force. He hopped over to her and smacked her on the nose.

"When I get out of this I'm gonna feed you to Wynona!"

Angel shook his head and nodded towards the bear pinning her down. He lifted his leg in the air and slowly brought it back down. The bear nodded in understanding and started applying more pressure to Babs. The filly struggled for breath as the bear slowly crushed her.

"Let her go!" Scootaloo announced her attack as she leapt from the tree and onto the bear pinning her friends. The net effect was similar to that of a butterfly pummeling a mountain gorilla. The bear swatted her off easily and continued crushing Babs until Angel gave him the signal to stop.

As the pressure was lifted from her barrel Babs gasped and sucked in as much air as her lungs could take in. Once more Angel filled her vision and he pointed to the pictures and then pantomimed a crushing action.

"Spare me the dramatics," Babs wheezed. "I get it. You want the pictures or you'll crush me." Angel nodded and grinned. "We don't have them here. The clubhouse is...was too drafty and exposed to the elements. You'll have to let us go if you want us to retrieve them."

Angel pulled out a pocket watch and pointed to the 5. "Five o'clock." Babs looked to the darkening sky. "It's already past that, so I presume you mean tomorrow afternoon?" Angel nodded his head. "Where are we to meet you?" Angel motioned for them to follow him and the bear scooped up the two Apple fillies, leaving Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to follow under their own power. Angel led them to a spot deep in the apple orchard. Recently bucked, there would be no reason for any of the older Apples to intrude upon their activities.

They returned to the ruins of the clubhouse where Angel directed a beaver to use his tail to rub out the pictures he had drawn in the dirt. His tail eradicated the images from the ground, kicking up a dust cloud in the process. When he was done, Angel motioned for the gang to leave.

"You'll never get away with this, Angel!" Scootaloo shouted, shaking a hoof at the fleeing bunny. "Just wait 'til we tell Applejack what you did to our clubhouse!" Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom each bit onto her tail to restrain their winged friend.

Angel held up a paw and his gang stopped their silent retreat. He pointed to the beaver, and then to the tree that had previously housed the clubhouse. The beaver nodded and gnawed through the bark, dropping the big tree in a matter of minutes. He grinned as if to say 'There goes your evidence.' With their job completed, Angel's gang returned to their base of operations and left the four Crusaders staring at the pile of debris that had once been their home away from home, or in Scootloo's case, her home after she ran away from the orphanage and up until Rainbow Dash adopted her.

"I think we have a real problem on our hooves," Babs said, fuming.

"How can a bunny that cute be that mean?" Sweetie Belle wailed.

*************************************************************

Cheerilee stood looking over the destruction. Having been their teacher for so long, she'd expected to come across a few disasters while she was staying on the farm that just happened to contain their clubhouse. A clubhouse, she noted, that had a nickname around town as 'ground zero' and with good reason. Still, nothing had prepared her for this.

The clubhouse that had been the birthplace of so many schemes lay crushed, the tree that it had rested in now smothering its remains. Sweetie Belle lay on the ground, bawling while the other Crusaders tried to console her. But most surprising of all, it appeared that for once the fillies hadn't caused the disaster personally. She was pretty sure nopony had 'destroyed by a beaver' in the 'how will the CMC clubhouse be destroyed' betting pool. Not that such a thing existed, of course, and Cheerilee definitely had not wagered on fire in this imaginary betting pool.

It broke her heart to see her perpetually happy students this miserable. She sighed. Too many bad things had happened in Ponyville recently. And the Crusaders seemed to be right smack in the middle of most of it. The Apples might not let her help out financially, but she knew they'd never object to her treating the fillies. "Come on, kids. Ice cream's on me."

"You'd look cool sporting chocolate sideburns!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"Wouldn't it be more fun if we ate th' ice cream instead of wearin' it? Less messy too."

Sweetie Belle stopped bawling, hiccupped, and said, "She means she'll treat us to ice cream."

"As long as we don't have t' wear it."

*************************************************************

With so few remaining belongings, it hadn't taken long to move Rarity into Rainbow Dash's Ponyville home. What she was most thankful for was that she hadn't given away the tools of her trade. Despite initial protests, Rarity had finally agreed to Rainbow's demands that she make at least one new outfit each day, regardless of how uncreative she was feeling that day. The first few were simple designs, amateurish at best, and laughable attempts for a seamstress of Rarity's talent. Today, however, inspiration had struck and she was completely absorbed in the project. So much so that she was completely oblivious to the dozen times Rainbow Dash checked up on her throughout the morning.

When lunch rolled around, however, Rarity was nowhere to be found. Rainbow started searching the house in a panic, fearing the worst. She was completely unprepared for what she found. Rarity was dusting. That in and of itself wasn't abnormal, Rainbow had indicated cooking and cleaning were to be her indentured servant's duties, after all. No, it was the fact that she was wearing a Prench maid uniform that caught her attention. Her wings fluffed out in surprise.

"Oh, is it lunchtime already?" Rarity batted her eyelashes. "I left your meal in the fridge. If you'll pardon me, I need to make sure my master's bedchambers are thoroughly cleaned." She turned away and glided sensuously across the floor, swishing her tail back and forth the whole time.

Rainbow hadn't seen that swagger in her friend since the runway disaster. She gulped down her lunch, but her thoughts kept returning to Rarity. Even when she returned to work she couldn't keep her mind off her unicorn friend. "What's gotten into her? For that matter, what the hay is wrong with me? She's a friend, nothing more. And she likes stallions. Hay, I like stallions." Once more the scene of Rairty turning and sashaying away played through Rainbow's mind. "Don't I?"

*************************************************************

The morning of the real estate auction dawned overcast, and stayed that way the rest of the day. It was the most Rainbow Dash could do for her friend, since she hadn't the bits to buy the boutique any more than Rarity had. Rarity stayed in, as she had every day since moving in with Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Dash had to work, but without needing to break up the clouds, that meant her whole day would be spent filling out paperwork and scheduling the weather for the next two weeks. Of course, the upside to that meant she could stop by Sweet Apple Acres on the premise of 'consultation' and spend a few hours lounging in the apple trees and chatting with Applejack and as long as they at least covered the topic of what days she needed rain, it was technically work-related.

As soon as her adopted big sister was out the door for the day, Scootaloo dashed out the backdoor towards Sweetie Belle's house. Ever since the destruction of their clubhouse Sweetie's room had become their new meeting area. It was the only place in town they could be reasonably sure of that Angel didn't have covered by one of his animal spies. As usual, Scootaloo was the last of the Crusaders to arrive.

"You're late."

"I had to wait 'til Dash left. And it only takes her two seconds to get to work because of how awesome she is."

"Time's wasting. The auction starts in less than an hour! We're never going to get it for her," Sweetie Belle moaned.

"We're never gonna get it for her, anyway. Not with a grand total of 583 bits. Unless we can sell those paintings in th' next few minutes we're out of the running before this auction even begins." Apple Bloom dumped the bits out in front of her to emphasize her point.

"Besides, how are we supposed to place a bid, anyway? They won't let a bunch of fillies into the auction."

"Don't worry, I've got an idea." Babs flashed them all her biggest grin. "Sweetie Belle, you're in charge of finding a pony to bid for us by proxy."

"What's proxy mean?" asked Apple Bloom and Scootaloo in unison.

"It means somepony who can act as a substitute for us," Sweetie Belle replied.

"Exactly. You give her all our bits and then stick to her side until the auction's over. You should pick someone who's trustworthy but not very bright."

"Got it!" Sweetie Belle beamed at the others. She bounced out of the room to start her search.

"Okay, now that Sweetie's gone, here's the plan. When the proxy gets there, I want that pony to be the only bidder."

"And how are we s'pposed t' do that?"

"Easy, cous." Babs hoofed her a baseball bat. "The three of us are having a friendly little game in front of the boutique. But if anypony gets too close, we delay them, or distract them. If they're persistent, we threaten to bust kneecaps. If the cops come calling, it's their word against ours."

"The cops are already suspicious of us, though. I think they're more apt to believe the other ponies we're threatening than us at this point."

"Scootaloo's got a point."

"Then we just need to make sure the cops are busy elsewhere. And I think I know how we can do it..."

*************************************************************

Filthy Rich stepped out of his house rolled his eyes. "Overcast. Yes, boo-hoo, your little unicorn friend's home is going up for sale so let's make everypony in town mourn along with the two of you. Egotistical maniac." He glanced at his watch – there was still enough time to check the Weather Bureau's weather charts to see if this was a scheduled overcast day or if Rainbow Dash was abusing her powers. It wasn't like he needed to arrive early – he'd made it a point to put word out that he intended to bid on the property. Everypony in town knew he had the deepest pockets around so that it would be futile to bid, and nopony wanted to risk getting on his bad side by jacking the price up. Sure, there'd probably be one or two ponies there who hadn't heard the word, but they'd get the news the minute he walked through the door. What Filthy Rich wants, Filthy Rich gets.

"Hi! May I help you?" Cloudchaser greeted him as he arrived at the office.

"Yeah, I want to see the weather schedule for this week. Now."

"Right away, sir." She reached into one of her drawers and pulled out a copy. "You can keep that copy if you like."

He stared at it and finally demanded to see the weather manager on duty. Flitter led him to Rainbow Dash's office.

"What is the meaning of this?" He threw the schedule down on her desk.

"Well, the little sun symbol here means that it's going to be sunny tomorrow. These raindrops mean it's going to rain Thursday night, and this little cloud here means it's overcast today..."

"And why is today overcast? Why isn't the sun shining?"

"Because the schedule says it's supposed to be cloudy today, sir." Rainbow continued answering his questions in a bored monotone. The official answers were recited from memory, so often had she quoted them to frazzled parents looking for any excuse to get their cooped up fillies and colts out of the house.

Filthy Rich took a deep breath and sank into the chair across from Rainbow. "You know, I don't really have a problem with you, Miss Dash. My bone to pick is with your adopted daughter..."

"Sister."

"...I don't think it works that way."

"I'm not old enough to be her mother."

"Point conceded. As I was saying, my issue is with your little sister, Scootaloo, not you. I'm willing to make you a little deal. As you know, I now control who is, and who isn't, hired for the Wonderbolts. I can have you on the team this afternoon if you'd like."

"Whatever you're going to say next, I don't want to hear it. Just get out of my office."

Filthy Rich stood up. "If you should ever change you mind, all you need to do is drop Scootaloo off at the orphanage. You wash your hooves of the little brat and there's an open spot on the Wonderbolts waiting for you. She's cramping your style and you know it."

Before Filthy Rich could make it to the door a blue blur rushed past him. "What. Was. That?" She snorted and dared him to pass.

"You heard me, Miss Dash. Now I recommend you step aside and let me pass before you do something stupid you'll regret for the rest of your life. I have an appointment to get to. There's this little piece of real estate in town I've had my eye on for a new retail property. I'm thinking of opening up a new line of boutiques called 'Diamond Dazzle Tiara's Fashion Emporium'. What do you think?" He smiled at her.

Rainbow Dash's snarl slowly morphed into a grin. "You know what? Maybe we should talk things over. I think right now would be the perfect time to do so, don't you? Unless you think you can get past the fastest pegasus in all of Equestria?"

"You realize that if I miss this auction thanks to your interference my offer's off the table, permanently?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way. You can take that insulting offer of yours and..." Rainbow Dash trailed off as she remembered she was still at work. "...and shovel it... into a furnace."

"Nice save, Miss Dash. But mark my words, I will bury you for this, one way or another. You've done nothing here except bite your snout off to spite your face. Your little friend's boutique is going away forever whether I'm there to bid on it or not. All you're doing is enraging me. And I'm not the kind of pony you want to get angry."

"Neither am I. And you crossed that bridge about five minutes ago. Right before you doused it in gasoline and threw a match on it." Her nostrils flared and she adopted a crouching defensive position in front of the door.

Filthy Rich waved a hoof, dismissively. "Seriously, Miss Dash, if you think I'm going to resort to fisticuffs you're sadly delusional."

"Yeah, I guess that would require getting your hooves dirty. I bet you have ponies to do that sort of thing for you."

"I'm impressed, really I am. I'd heard that your attention span only lasts ten seconds before you need a nap."

"Color me impressed you actually grasp the concept of sarcasm."

"I'd do that, but it appears somepony has already colored you. Poorly at that. Your hair looks like a five year old filly colored it...after a three year old cut it."

"At least my colors are vibrant, like my personality. Not dull like your colors... and your personality."

"I'm going to be the bigger pony and ignore that."

"Ha! You the bigger pony, that's a laugh. Unless you're talking about your hindquarters, that is. You're trying to steal the home of the very Element of Generosity herself. That's real big of you."

Knocking on the door to the office interrupted their war of words. "Um, Rainbow? Is everything all right in there?"

"Everything's fine, Flitter."

"Okay, I heard shouting and I just wanted to check."

"Appreciated. Hey, while you're out there would you mind doing me a favor?"

"I guess. What?"

"Would you mind stopping by Carousel Boutique on your lunch and check to see if the real estate auction is done yet?"

"Sure. Should I take lunch now?"

"Absolutely."

"On it, boss."

"Thanks, Flitter."

"Nice way to abuse power without actually abusing power."

"Just taking a page out of your book. The sooner you get out of my office the better I'm going to like it."

"Makes two of us. You know I'm just going to buy it from whoever purchases it at the auction."

"Well at least you'll have to pay more for it!"

*************************************************************

"Dumb and trustworthy. I wonder who I can find to fit that bill?" Focused on thinking, and not watching where she was going, Sweetie Belle ran smack into Minty. "Sorry about that. Oh, hi Minty. I haven't seen you in a while. How have you been?"

"Well, it's been up and down the past few months, but I think things are starting to look up."

"Well that's good to hear." A light bulb slowly brightened over the filly's head. "Say, you wouldn't happen to be free for the next hour or so, would you?"

"Sure! What's up?"

"I don't know if you heard, but our clubhouse got destroyed a few days ago when a beaver chewed through the tree supporting it. So we were hoping to buy this old boutique at the public auction today to replace it, but they won't let fillies in to bid. I was on my way to go get my parents but I don't know if I can make all the way home and back in time. Would you mind...?"

"Of course I don't mind! Come on, let's get in there and get bidding! Now don't get your hopes up, there are a lot of high rollers in town that'll probably drive the price out of your range, but it never hurts to try, right?"

"You're right!"

"How much do you have to spend?"

"583 bits."

"Not bad, kiddo. That's way more than I've got to my name. Like 582 and a half bits more. But I found a half-bit earlier. I was going to use it to get lunch, but how about I treat us to ice cream after we're done instead?"

"Okay!"

Minty chuckled to herself. It might not buy them a new clubhouse, but ice cream was a surefire way to put a smile on any filly's face. They trotted into the former Carousel Boutique and waited for the auction to start.

Outside, the other Crusaders took their positions. Babs gripped a baseball bat firmly between her teeth, while Scootaloo tried balancing the ball on her head. Apple Bloom just griped about how uncomfortable the glove felt on her hoof.

"And just what do you three think you're doing?"

"Cutie Mark Crusader baseball players, yay!"

Paradise looked at them, they were certainly dressed the part. "Perhaps you could find a safer place to play? You know, away from other ponies and windows that might get broken accidently?"

"Oh, we weren't planning on playing here. We're just waiting for Sweetie Belle to arrive and then we're going to head over to the park."

"Sounds good. Have fun!" Paradise trotted off on her patrol. With Sweet Stuff taking a day off, she'd had to cover her normal beat today. That meant she couldn't stand around foalsitting them, she needed to get over to Sugarcube Corner to check to make sure it was still standing. And to get coffee. And a doughnut. Or maybe a dozen...

Lyra Heartstrings trotted past the fillies and headed towards the boutique they were guarding.

"Hey Lyra! Where are you going?"

"I was going to place a bid on the old boutique. I'd like to open up a music store here in town. Wouldn't that be great?"

"I guess," said Apple Bloom. "But Noteworthy's already got a music store here. Do ya really think Ponyville's big enough t' support two music shops?"

Lyra paused in her tracks. "No, I guess not. Well phooey. Thanks! You just saved me from making a big mistake."

A few minutes later Roseluck tried to pass them. Before she could enter the boutique, Scootaloo chomped down on her tail. "What is the meaning of this?"

The pegasus filly spit out a few tail hairs. "We just wanted to ask you why you'd be interested in a tacky old building like this."

"Tacky? I was going to buy it so I could move my flower shop to a new location. I think this street gets more traffic, and it's a bigger building."

"Bigger just means there's more t' heat in the winter and more t' cool in the summer. Higher bills. Do you really need that much space?"

"Well, now that you mention it, no."

"And your current shop is so quaint and picturesque. It would be a shame to leave it. Especially for this ugly old eyesore."

"You know, I never noticed just how awful Carousel Boutique really is. You would think Rarity of all ponies would have better taste. Ha! That's probably why she went out of business in the first place. Thanks kids, you saved me some money. I appreciate it! Why don't you all stop by later and I'll give you each a rose."

"Sounds good, thank you," Scootaloo called after the departing mare. "Hey, I thought we were gonna get to bust some kneecaps. So far we've just talked everyone out of buying it."

"Violence should only be used as a last resort, girls." Apple Bloom sighed. Memories of what had happened to Diamond Tiara (and her own role in what had transpired) came back to her. "Or better yet, not at all."

It was at this point that Sweetie Belle burst out of the boutique. "We won! We won!"

Minty followed her. "There were no other bidders, so we got really lucky! The bank's not going to be happy, but that's their own fault for not advertising it better." The fillies all giggled and decided not to tell Minty they'd ripped down all the posters that had been put up. "There's just one unfinished piece of business. They need a name to put on the deed."

"We can't use one of ours, we're too young to own property."

"Don't look at me," replied Minty. "I helped you bid but if I put my name on this deed I'm moving in myself."

"We could form a company to jointly own it between the four of us," Babs said.

"That would work. See! I knew you fillies could find a solution."

"Now we just need a name..." Babs continued, ignoring the mint mare. "If we take the first initial from all our names, we get SABS. Or ABSS. Or BASS. I guess the last one is the best."

"I don't want to be named after some stinky old fish," Sweetie Belle argued.

"You're such good fillies," Minty continued.

"That works," Babs said. "We'll call our new company Goodfillies!" The five ponies all jumped up and down, cheering. She turned to Minty. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to reserve a post office box for us? We're going to need a mailing address, after all."

"You're right! I'll go do that for you right now!"

"I can't believe that worked!" Sweetie Belle was still bouncing up and down. "Now what?"

"Now we incorporate Goodfillies in the Grand Shetland Islands..."

*************************************************************

It had been a long day for Rainbow Dash. By the time Flitter finally returned to the Weather Bureau it was just before 3 o'clock. After Filthy Rich received no answer from her regarding who had purchased the boutique he finally left the office, swearing that Rainbow would live to regret her treatment of him. Once he was gone she'd needed to spend hours catching up on the paperwork she was supposed to be doing during working hours. Now that she was home all she wanted to do was collapse into bed and sleep. Without turning on the lights she stretched, climbed into bed, slid under the covers and rolled over... straight into another pony. "What the hay?"

"Rainbow, darling, you're finally home. I must've dozed off while I was waiting for you."

"What in Celestia's name are you doing in my bed, Rarity?"

"Well, I did some research on this pegasus law you mentioned, and I discovered that it doesn't actually exist." She batted her eyelashes. "So I got to thinking, why would you want to keep me here, all to yourself? In all the time I've known you you've never once mentioned having ever had a coltfriend, even upon my repeated inquiries."

"That's because I haven't."

"So it only seemed logical that perhaps mares were more your style, and I just happen to be a mare. And a lovely one at that. Don't you think?"

"Yeah, I guess. You're probably the hottest mare in Ponyville. At least Spike certainly seems to think so."

"Ah yes, my little Spikey-wikey. How's he doing?"

"Fine, I guess. You know, nothing says you need to stay cooped up here all the time. Just because I own you doesn't mean you can't leave the house..."

"Oh, but you were quite insistent that somepony needed to keep an eye on me at all times." Rarity slid a hoof along the cyan wing closest to her. "And I noticed how excited you were to see me in that little Prench maid outfit I whipped up to do your housecleaning in."

"My wings only poofed out because I was surprised."

"A likely story," Rarity said as she nibbled on Rainbow's ear.

Rainbow's wings unfurled and she shot out of the bed and into the air. "What the hay has gotten into you, Rarity? I thought you liked stallions!"

"I thought so too, but then I realized that every stallion I've ever been interested in has ended in complete and utter failure. From the time I asked Big Macintosh out in elementary school and he said 'ee-nope' I've not had a single stallion go out with me. You remember the disaster with Prince Blueblood at the Gala. All of my potential love interests have ended just like that. So I thought that perhaps I would try a real stallion on for once, even if that stallion just happens to be a mare. A beautiful mare with the most divine hair I've ever seen."

"I...uh....wow. I'm not sure how to reply to that. So I'll leave it at this: I really do like stallions."

"Then why the complete lack of success, hmn? A mare as beautiful as you should have no trouble attracting a handsome stallion. Perhaps they're all intimidated by you?"

"I get offers all the time. It's just that like you I'm career-oriented. I want to be a Wonderbolt, though with that dream shattered perhaps I'll consider starting a family after all. Especially now that I've adopted Scoots. The main reason I've shot every stallion down is I never wanted to risk getting pregnant and destroying any chances of getting on the team. Think about it for a second. I'd lose months of training, I'd have lots of additional fat to work off once I gave birth, and it's exceedingly tough to be out on the road all the time with a foal. No, it was just easier to pretend I wasn't interested. Soon offers turned into rumors I was a filly-fooler. And quite frankly, the rumors don't bother me as it just means fewer stallions asking me out."

"Well, there's no chance of you getting pregnant if you do a little filly-fooling, you know." Rarity winked and rolled over on her back. "And I'm all yours for the taking, master."

"You know what, I'm suddenly not feeling very tired at all. I think I'll go get the mail at my house up in Cloudsdale. Feel free to sleep in my bed tonight..."

"While I applaud you for sticking to your morals and not taking advantage of a vulnerable mare such as myself, I must insist you stay here. I'm quite lonely, Rainbow Dash, and still very depressed. Would you at least hold me? Please?"

"I...uh...sure." Rainbow remembered the reason why Rarity was now living with her in the first place. Leaving her alone was the last thing she wanted to do. The pegasus settled back into the bed and wrapped a foreleg around the unicorn, cuddling her.

"Mmmmnnn, yes, I like that. I feel safe in your embrace, darling. Strong, brave Rainbow Dash is here to protect me. Perhaps its because you've saved my life so many times now, but I just feel like everything's going to be all right as long as you hold me. Good night, Rainbow. And thank you."

"You're welcome, Rarity." Rarity soon nodded off to sleep but Rainbow Dash found that she was no longer tired. Her mind was racing a mile a minute wondering what had gotten into Rarity, then asking herself some questions that cut to the core. "Do I like mares? Could I like mares? If so, could I love Rares?" One thing was for sure, Rainbow wasn't the type of pony who was interested in flings or experimentation. If she was going to love somepony, she intended to love that pony for life. She'd always assumed it would be a stallion, but if it was a mare that captured her heart, so be it. You couldn't ask for a more loving or more loyal partner than Rainbow Dash. That much was certain. No, the question that was keeping the cyan pegasus up was whether a mare well-known for changing her mind on a whim could be the faithful and loving partner she'd always hoped to find...

Author's Note

First up, I want to apologize for the long delay in getting chapter 9 posted. As you can see, chapter 10 was written with 9 and both were intended to be posted a week apart so as not to leave Rarity's fate unknown for a long period of time.

While I won't apologize for this controversial scene, I'd like to offer an explanation to those willing to listen, and hopefully keep reading. The loss of one 'insignificant' reader would be a shame, in all honesty. I just ask you to have some faith in the author (and the editor). If you've liked the story up through the first eight chapters, you're going to keep liking it on the whole (the game's not changing halfway through). A story exists not just as an outlet for the writer's creativity, but also for the audience's enjoyment. None of you are insignificant and we thank you for reading, even if you don't continue on. We may not reply to the comments but we definitely read them and take them into consideration when writing future chapters.

This fic does have a dark tag, and while Rarity was never actually in danger of being killed off (note the lack of a tragedy tag – I'm not saying that nopony's going to die, this is a mob story after all, but I think Diamond Tiara's scene earlier set the precedence for the tone of the fic) the subject matter at hand does require a certain amount of bloodshed. There's a delicate balance between providing a good mob story and a good MLP fanfic. One requires violence and death, while the other's usually sunshine and rainbows. There are going to be near misses. Reading the comments there were a number of folks really hoping Diamond Tiara would die, while at the same time the majority were hoping for some miraculous save for Rarity (and on both, there was a minority wanting the opposite). No one story can please everyone, but as crazy as it may be, we're trying to because as stated previously, no one reader is insignificant. With a story this long and treading this many emotions, there are going to be parts that aren't your particular cup of tea. We just hope the parts that are up your alley are written well enough to make up for the parts that aren't. Believe it or not, there are parts that aren't up either of our alleys, either.

There was a very subtle hint at the end of chapter 9 that Rarity wasn't actually dead, but it requires reading between the lines: With that sickening, bone-snapping sound the air was forced from Rarity's lungs and everything went black. If she had reached the end of the rope, no new air would be able to be taken in and the existing air would be trapped inside her lungs (and hence unable to be forced from them). At first glance this could easily be dismissed as a case of "Did Not Do The Research" but I'm surprised no one pointed it out in the comments. Also, and this was something I didn't know until I did the research when writing the scene, but drops of more than ~eight feet will decapitate the victim. Something Rainbow Dash touches on in this chapter while berating Rarity.

There are some overarching themes to this story, not the least of which is bullying and the responses various folks have to it. We've seen the Crusaders band together and lash out at their tormentors (becoming bullies themselves at times). What Filthy Rich is doing is also bullying, just in a very different way than what Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were doing. This was Rarity's response. Rarity's a very dramatic character, often prone to 'whoa is me, my life is ruined' moments. Break her far enough and she's probably the cast member most likely to commit (or at least attempt, possibly as a cry for help) suicide. Thankfully she had a friend to catch her when she was falling. Many in real life are not so fortunate.

What I will apologize for is if the subject matter was not handled tactfully. Suicide is a very sensitive subject, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. From the responses, I gather it was written realistically, but not necessarily written well. And for that, I'm sorry.

And finally, a question for those out there still reading. While writing this chapter a rather unexpected potential romance between Rarity and Rainbow Dash popped up. Despite her last second rescue, Rarity's still not "right" after all that's happened to her. She's embracing her current situation because she's desperate to cling to something...anything. And that something just happens to be the pony who's just saved her life for the fourth time (they've definitely got a Superman & Lois Lane thing going on at this point). As for Dash, she's making up the whole indentured servitude thing to keep Rarity close so she can help. As another pony obsessed with the limelight, she also understands the need for discretion. And that's the only reason why Rarity isn't currently in a mental health facility (which would, in fact, be the best possible scenario for her). Had almost anypony else saved Rarity (Twilight with magic, Fluttershy in a similar aerial rescue to Dash's, Pinkie using her Pinkie Sense, etc.) there's no way she'd talk her way out of getting professional help (maybe Pinkie).

Author and editor have discussed it and we can go either way on it (seriously, this just happened while writing, it wasn't in the plans, and yet Rarity developing a crush on her savior worked too well to dismiss outright – in addition to being a dramatic character she's also a hopelessly romantic one as well). Neither of us really writes romance but we don't have any objections to it, either. So RariDash shipping: yay or nay? Either way she's going to get put back together, and that's the important thing. In one case she gets a marefriend and in the other she becomes stronger, and realizes she doesn't need to base her happiness on somepony else. Whichever of those two ideas is more appealing, let us know in the comments or in a private message. I just wanted to mention this in advance because she's definitely acting out of sorts this chapter.

Chapter 11: Broken Wings

"Now Angel Bunny. What's gotten into you lately?" The rabbit sat on the windowsill, looking outside with a scowl etched upon his face. "Would you like a carrot? Fresh from Golden Harvest's garden. She assured me that these are the most delicious carrots she's ever grown." The rabbit continued to ignore the shy pegasus and she eventually gave up and left him alone to sulk.

Angel glared out the window. 5 o'clock had come and gone with no sign of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Being the generous lapine that he was, and knowing the fillies' tendency to get into trouble, he excused their absence for an additional three days in case they were currently grounded or incarcerated. The arranged meeting place was under constant surveillance and so far there was no sign of any activity. Somehow the Crusaders had managed to shake his rodent spies, much to Angel's annoyance. They had suffered the consequences for failure: mice were an easily disposed of resource, after all. Conveniently many of his gang members were predisposed to eating small mammals. And while he now had well-fed predators, he had no information on the whereabouts of his rivals. There was only one thing to do: he'd just have to take matters into his own paws.

He hopped towards the front door of the cottage and thumped a foot, impatiently.

"Oh, um, are you sure you want to go outside, Angel? I mean, that might not be the best idea. You've been in a bad mood for a few days and..." Angel glared at Fluttershy. "...Okay, I guess you know what you're doing. Have fun and be careful."

The delay had been good for one thing, however. It had been plenty of time to scheme the demise of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Starting with the Apple brats. Their barn had recently been rebuilt during a family reunion, and it would cause the Apple's insurance company to become suspicious of them should it be destroyed yet again. While a fun and ironic target, destroying the barn wouldn't convey the right message at all. But it did contain some goodies worth raiding, not the least of which was a small stockpile of kerosene for lamps. And Angel always had use for flammable liquids...

As he poked around the barn, he found much more than he bargained for. First there was an entire 55 gallon drum of kerosene. While Harry was hauling that back to his cave for safekeeping, Angel found the mother load: several pounds of explosives. He grinned as the wheels in his mind started spinning with possible uses. Satisfied that he'd salvaged everything of value from the barn, he hopped towards the farmhouse. Once he verified that the whole family was inside, he clapped his paws together. A Doberman bounded up with a gas can clenched in his jaws and Angel directed him to pour the contents around the foundation of the farmhouse.

Inside the farmhouse, Wynona's nose twitched. Her eyes flew open as her brain registered what she was smelling. "Woof! Woof! Woof!" She raced up the stairs, barking for all she was worth.

Outside, Angel tossed a match onto the accelerant. He turned, put on a pair of sunglasses, and slowly hopped away as the flames leapt to consume the building. It was a satisfying moment and he wanted to savor it as long as possible.

Wynona's barking roused Applejack from her slumber. She groaned as she cracked an eye open and looked at the alarm clock. It was barely past midnight. It was way too early to be getting up and with all the extra work she'd been putting into the farm lately she needed as much rest as she could get. She rolled out of bed intent on shutting her canine companion up. Cheerilee opened her eyes as Applejack walked past her bed. "Don't you fret now, I'll go see what the problem is. Try and get some shuteye, we've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

Big Macintosh was also awoken by Wynona's yapping. He grunted as he stepped out of his bed. Muscles weary from a hard day's work begged for mercy as he opened the door to the hallway. He sincerely hoped that Wynona had a good reason for waking them all up. "It better not be another squirrel..." Two steps into the hallway is when he smelled the smoke.

In Apple Bloom's room, she and Babs were still sound asleep. Wynona scratched at their door but there was no answer. Unable to get their attention she bounded into Granny Smith's room. She always left the door open in case nature called in the middle of the night. Her bladder wasn't what it used to be, and she'd be the first to admit it. Usually as part of a long story about the good old days... Wynona didn't know what half of what Granny Smith talked about meant, but she always enjoyed listening to the Apple matriarch's words regardless. Her hearing wasn't what it used to be either, and Wynona barked right in her ear and still got no response. Desperate, she pulled out the surefire way to wake a pony up. She placed her cold, wet nose right in the small of the sleeping pony's back. Granny Smith awoke with a start, exclaiming, "Land o' Goshen! It's the griffins, they're attacking!"

"Fire!" thundered Big Macintosh's voice through the hallway.

"I'll get Granny Smith. Y'all get Apple Bloom and Babs!"

"Ee-yup." Big Mac nodded and galloped towards the fillies' room. When he reached the door he found it locked, so he turned around and bucked it for all he was worth. The wood splintered and he crashed through the remains of the door and bellowed, "We need t' get outta here now!"

Apple Bloom and Babs both stumbled out of their beds, Apple Bloom getting tangled up in her blankets as she fell. Big Mac knelt down and motioned for the fillies to climb on his back. "Keep your heads as low as possible and hold on tight." Without another word he turned and headed back down the hallway towards the stairs. As he reached them, he found the ground floor of the farmhouse completely engulfed in flames. He turned back around and headed back towards the fillies' room. He reared and smashed the window, ignoring the shards of glass that stuck in his hooves. Once out on the roof, he surveyed the situation. The pile of hay off to the side of the house, what would normally be a good place to leap to for a cushioned landing, was already ablaze. There were no trees within leaping distance. "Ee-yup, this is going to hurt." He backed up to get a running start and jumped into the cool night air. He landed twenty feet away from the burning building, stumbling to the ground upon impact.

*************************************************************

A few miles down the road, Fluttershy jumped out of her bed and fluttered mid-air. "Earthquake!" As she calmed down she checked for damages, and finding none relaxed. Until she realized that a number of her pets weren't present and accounted for. "Angel?" Getting no response, she made up her mind to go out looking for him.

She didn't go far before she ran into Angel heading straight towards the house. The rabbit froze in his tracks; he was caught red-pawed.

"Oh Angel! I was so worried!"

Angel smiled as Fluttershy hugged him tight. Saved by her naivety. Again. Still, if she was awake, it would be impossible for the rest of his cohorts to slip in unnoticed. He needed a distraction, and there was a very obvious one he could point her towards. He gestured wildly in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.

Fluttershy looked in the direction he was pointing but couldn't see anything. "What is it?" Angel took his time pantomiming the answer to her question. It wouldn't do him any good if she rushed in and got herself killed trying to be a hero. Good help was hard to find, after all. Normally he wouldn't have to worry as the timid mare would hide under her bed at the first sign of trouble, but if one of her friends or an animal was in distress, she went into mama bear mode and nothing would get in her way of coming to the rescue, come Tartarus or high water.

With Fluttershy not grasping the pantomiming, Angel drew an apple in the dirt. "Apple. Applejack? Sweet Apple Acres?" Angel nodded. He then drew a few licks of flame. "Is on fire?" Angel nodded and pointed. "Oh my goodness gracious! That's terrible! We've got to help!" She picked Angel up and took off flying in the direction of the farm.

It was a short flight. She spotted Applejack and Granny Smith from the air and landed next to them. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine. But Big Mac's been better." At the sound of his name, the red stallion tried to rise to his hooves, only to be restrained by the orange mare. "Oh no you don't. You need medical attention."

"It's just a sprain."

"Just a sprain, my flank. All four of your ankles are broken."

"I'll walk it off."

"I can, um, set them. If that's all right with you?"

Big Mac sighed. "I reckon that would be right neighborly of you, Miss Fluttershy."

"That's what friends are for." The shy pegasus took a quick head count. "Um, where's Wynona?"

The Apples all looked to one another. "For that matter, where's Miss Cheerilee?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Oh horseapples. I told her to try and go back t' sleep. She's probably still in there..." They all turned to look at the burning home. The second floor was now engulfed in flames. If Cheerilee and Wynona were still in there then there wasn't much that could be done for either of them.

Fluttershy whistled. "Here Wynona. Here girl." There was no answer. "I'm...I'm going in." She set Angel on the ground and kissed him on the forehead. "If mama doesn't make it, take good care of everyone, okay Angel? I'm counting on you." Angel grabbed hold of Fluttershy's leg and refused to let go. "I'm sorry, I have to do this. They could be hurt."

She leaped into the air and Angel was left sitting on the grass watching her go. It would be... inconvenient... if something happened to her. She was well-trained. She would be hard to replace. But he wouldn't miss her. Nope. Not at all. Tears rolled down Angel's face as he resigned himself to the sad reality that he had probably seen Fluttershy for the last time.

Applejack watched her friend fly through the window Big Mac had bucked out. "Girls?"

"Yes, Applejack?" they answered in unison.

"Run t' town and get everypony out here on th' double. We need Dr. Stable or Nurse Redheart, Rainbow Dash or some other weather pegasus to round up some rain clouds t' put out th' blaze, and it wouldn't hurt none t' get Twilight Sparkle too."

The fillies nodded and ran towards Ponyville.

*************************************************************

"Wynona?" Fluttershy dodged burning debris as she flew through the house. "Here girl." She made a beeline for Applejack's room, holding a hoof over her muzzle to limit her smoke inhalation the best she could.

Wynona was a good dog. Well, she tried her hardest to be a good dog, but sometimes the commands the Apples gave her didn't always make sense. Like when they'd tell her to stop barking at strangers, or not to drink out of the big white water bowl on the second floor. While her survival instincts were urging her to flee, staying with the family guest seemed like the right thing to do. She had tried to lead her out of the house but the pony had initially refused to move from the bedroom, and when she did finally get up to move she had collapsed only a few feet from the bed. So Winona had decided to stay here and protect her as best she could.

"Wynona?" Fluttershy gasped as she entered Applejack's bedroom. Cheerilee was lying prone on the floor, Wynona curled against her. Neither one of them was breathing. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh..." Fluttershy had to force herself to stop hyperventilating. She grabbed Wynona and positioned her between her wings. Then she rolled the teacher onto her stomach and scooped her up under her forelegs. With no time to lose she flew back down the hallway the way she had came, only to find the passage was blocked by burning debris. She detoured into Big Macintosh's room which had surprisingly been spared the flames thus far.

Able to breathe for the first time since she'd entered the house, she gasped in some relatively smoke-free air as she raced towards the window. Not wasting time opening it, she crashed through it. Glass shards cut into her and her wings locked up as one of the shards hit a vein. She lost her grip on her passengers as they all tumbled to the ground below.

*************************************************************

"You get Rainbow Dash, I'll get Twilight and a doctor." Babs nodded in acknowledgement and the two fillies split up as they reached town.

"Twilight!" Apple Bloom pounded on the library's door. "Wake up!"

The library's door levitated open and Apple Bloom walked in. "I wasn't asleep. I was actually in the middle of some fascinating research on the..." Twilight trailed off as she saw the frantic filly.

"Sweet Apple Acres. Fire. Injuries. Help." Apple Bloom managed to spit out between gasps for breath.

Wasting no time Twilight teleported herself and Apple Bloom straight to the hospital. Nurse Redheart blinked in surprise but before she could ask what was going on Twilight blurted out. "I need the doctor on duty, now." Redheart nodded and paged Dr. Stable, who immediately came running.

With another flash of light Twilight Sparkle and Dr. Stable teleported to Sweet Apple Acres, while Nurse Redheart stayed behind and examined Apple Bloom for injuries over her protests that she was fine.

Back on the farm, Twilight and Dr. Stable gasped at the sight before them. Fluttershy was favoring her right legs and bleeding profusely from her left wing but was valiantly trying to resuscitate Cheerilee despite her own injuries. Big Macintosh was laying on his side, his latest attempt to get up had left him sprawled on the ground. Granny Smith and Applejack were attending to Wynona. Miraculously, the canine had started breathing again once Fluttershy got her outside. Unfortunately the fall from the second story hadn't done her any favors. Dr. Stable rested a hoof on Fluttershy's withers. "I'll take it from here. You need to get that wing bandaged up and then lay down. I'll get you patched up when I'm done here."

"Not until I make sure Wynona's okay." Dr. Stable let her go. He knew he had a better chance of convincing Pinkie Pie to give up sweets than he had of convincing Fluttershy to ignore an injured animal. Both were statistically zero.

Meanwhile, Twilight was attending to Big Macintosh's ankles. "This is going to hurt a bit at first..." She gingerly set his ankles and they glowed purple as the unicorn performed a healing spell upon them. "They'll be good as new in three weeks but you'll have to take it easy until they fully knit. You'll be able to walk relatively pain-free but absolutely no trotting, galloping, or apple-bucking. You could do permanent damage to your legs if you strain them before the spell finishes healing them."

"Eeyup."

High above them, Rainbow Dash zipped to and fro, pushing rain clouds to the farm as fast as Cloudchaser, Flitter, and Thunderlane could empty them on the burning farmhouse. Half an hour later the flames had been doused, but the wooden home was nothing more than smouldering ruins. The four pegasi landed and Dr. Stable asked for their help transporting his patients to the hospital. Thunderlane and Rainbow Dash hooked themselves up to one of the Apple family's wagons and trotted back to town, Cheerilee, Fluttershy, and a protesting Big Macintosh in the cart behind them.

*************************************************************

Babs sat on Scootaloo's bed. Rainbow Dash had zipped off to get her weather crew over to the farm as quickly as possible. She had wanted to go back to Sweet Apple Acres too but Rainbow Dash had forbidden it. And for some strange reason Sweetie Belle's sister happened to be living with them now too, so they couldn't just sneak out after she was gone.

"Cocoa?" Rarity asked as she brought in a tray with three piping hot mugs of hot chocolate loaded with marshmallows and whipped cream. She sat between the two fillies as she passed them their mugs. She took the remaining mug for herself. "Now I know your first instinct is to run back to the farm and try to help, but there are ponies who are trained to handle these sorts of things. It's the same reason I'm waiting here with you instead of running on over there myself. I'd only get in the way. And you've already done a lot just by coming here to get help. Why, I dare say you may even have saved lives tonight. I know you're concerned and want to know what's going on, but we're all just going to have to be patient. But if you'd like to talk about it, I'm here for you."

"That's nice, and I appreciate it, Rarity. But right now I'd rather just talk to Scootaloo if it's all right with you."

"Of course it is. I understand you'd probably feel better opening up to a friend more than a mere acquaintance, albeit one with more life experience. I'll give you two some privacy, but be ready to leave here in fifteen minutes."

"Leave?" asked the fillies in unison.

"Why of course. We'd be in the way over at Sweet Apple Acres, but you do realize they have to take the injured to Ponyville Hospital. And we'll be right there in the waiting room when they arrive!"

"We'll be ready to go." Babs said, as Rairty closed the door behind her. She turned to Scootaloo. "How have you kept her from finding you know what?"

"It hasn't been easy." Scootaloo sighed. "We need to get them out of here."

"And take them where? The clubhouse is gone and..." Babs trailed off not wanting to talk about what was happening at Sweet Apple Acres as they talked.

"How about Sweetie Belle's house?"

"Her parents are suitably oblivious but Rarity has access there too. She's even more likely to snoop into her little sister's business than yours. And as odd is this sounds, I really don't trust their cat."

"Opal?"

"Yeah. With all the problems we're having with that rabbit, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he's using Opal to spy on us."

"Speaking of Angel, I bet he's responsible for that fire tonight."

"He probably is. I didn't mention it to anypony but I smelled gas once I got outside. With as strong as the smell was, I'm sure they're going to figure out pretty quickly this was arson."

"Right, and they're probably going to blame Filthy Rich for it."

"He's probably up to something too."

"Whatever it is, it can't be worse than Angel Bunny."

"Now you're just tempting fate, Scoots."

"I'm serious. Filthy Rich has to be sneaky or he'll get caught. But Angel has the perfect alibi so he doesn't have to worry about that. He can walk among the ponies in town without drawing even the slightest bit of suspicion. He can do anything to anypony he wants and nopony's going to stop him. Who's going to believe a cute little bunny rabbit is a criminal mastermind? Come on, let's get ready before Rarity comes back in here."

*************************************************************

"Mr. Rich?"

Filthy Rich jolted awake. "Yes?"

"Paradise is here to see you."

"Send her in, Miss Redheart."

"Actually, she requested you come to her. She's in our office. I'll escort you." Filthy Rich followed Nurse Redheart up the stairs to the hospital's main office.

"Mr. Rich, please be seated. Thank you, Miss Redheart. That will be all." Filthy Rich took a seat across from the police chief while Nurse Redheart closed the door behind her on her way out.

"I'm assuming this must be important if you're taking me away from my daughter's bedside at quarter after two in the morning."

"I'm afraid it's very serious, Mr. Rich. There's been a fire at Sweet Apple Acres. At the moment I don't have any details, but rest assured my department and I will be investigating this. In the event the fire turns out to be suspicious, you have a known grudge against the Apple family. I'm here to advise you not to leave town."

"And leave my daughter? Never. And I couldn't possibly have set that fire. I've been at the hospital all night."

"A fact which Nurse Redheart confirmed. However, she also mentioned you've left the hospital other nights at random hours of the morning."

"I do have a business to run."

"And you have meetings in the wee hours of the morning?"

"I have meetings whenever it's convenient for me to have meetings. At the moment with spending so much time at the hospital, yes, I have meetings at odd hours of the night. I'm trying to spend as much time with my daughter as I can when she's awake. I don't want to get interrupted in the middle of her therapy by mere business. I've let my relationship with Diamond Tiara be sullied by enough meetings and business trips over the years. I refuse to let it happen again. My business partners know I'm here, and they know the best time to reach me is when she's resting."

"I hope that's true for your sake. But if any of those 'business partners' just happen to be proficient in starting fires, we'll be talking again soon." Paradise stood up. "We're done here."

*************************************************************

"They're here!" Scootaloo pressed the button to hold the automatic doors open.

Rainbow Dash burst through the open doors a few seconds later. "Make way, coming through... Squirt? What are you and Babs doing here?"

"Why shouldn't they be here, darling? Why, the little dears have both been worried sick for their friends and family."

"She has school tomorrow, er, I guess it's today now."

Twilight Sparkle emerged behind Rainbow and Rarity, levitating Cheerilee, Fluttershy, and a reluctant Big Mac. "Rainbow! I thought you were going to get Nurse Redheart."

"Sorry! On it!"

"That won't be necessary. I'm right here. Follow me, we're going to rush Cheerilee and Fluttershy to emergency. Big Macintosh, if you'd be so kind as to wait here we'll get you set up in a room shortly."

"Eeyup."

"Don't worry, nurse. We won't let my brother sneak on out of here before y'all have a chance to examine him. And how's Apple Bloom doing?"

"Wearing a groove in the floor of her room pacing back and forth, worrying. I told her to get some rest but I really can't blame her for not following that advice."

"If'n y'all could point out her room I'd be right obliged." Nurse Redheart gave her directions and continued leading Twilight Sparkle while Applejack went to check on her little sister.

Dr. Stable stood outside the operating room. "Whoa there, that's far enough. If you could just place the patients onto these gurneys I'll handle it from here."

Nurse Redheart and Twilight returned to the waiting room. "Big Macintosh, I'll escort you to your room now." He groaned as she motioned for him to get into a wheelchair.

*************************************************************

Angel Bunny hopped down from his hiding place under the Apple family's cart. As always, the insignificant ponies had forgotten him. Of course, being an afterthought is what made him so ruthlessly effective. Well, usually. Tonight his work had inadvertently injured Fluttershy. That was... inconvenient. Yes, mere inconvenience. Still, he had no intention of leaving her all alone in a hospital. He would supervise the doctors to ensure that they healed her. And if they failed, well then, he would personally see to it that they never lost another patient ever again.

He couldn't help but check out his handiwork as he entered the hospital. The Red Giant was injured. Albeit only minor injuries, but any injury to the massive stallion was an accomplishment. And it would take him out of commission while he healed. He could effectively double activities in the apple orchard for the next three weeks. Unfortunately, the fillies who were the target of his ire had both escaped unscathed. That made him angry, but there was nothing he could do about that at this very second. He wouldn't miss again, that was for sure.

He continued hopping down the hallway towards the operating room. He slipped through the door unnoticed and found a hiding place under Fluttershy's gurney. From his position he could hear everything, even if his view consisted of nothing but the legs of the doctors and nurses in the operating room.

"She's lost a lot of blood. We're going to need a transfusion."

"Go check to see if any of her friends know her blood type. Maybe one of them's a match."

"Breathing's stabilized. High probability of a concussion from the fall."

"I don't like the looks of this wing. She may never fly again."

"You're saying she was trying to resuscitate the other patient and then she went and helped a dog too? With these injuries? Incredible."

"You don't know her, do you? When there's an injury to one of her friends or an animal, there's absolutely nothing that can stop her. She's a hero, pure and simple."

"Explains why she's an Element of Harmony, all right."

Angel sat and listened. His pegasus was severely damaged. Somepony needed to pay for this. Of course, Fluttershy had volunteered to rush into the burning building so there was no one to blame there. And he himself had set the fire, so he couldn't place the blame there, either. Nope, this was all the fault of the Apples. If they hadn't left the teacher and the dog in there, Fluttershy never would have put herself in harm's way. Of course he would've let that goody two-shoes mutt burn too given the opportunity. But Fluttershy was a bleeding heart. It was one of her better qualities. A yang to his yin. As much as it pained him to admit it, he needed her as badly as she needed him. Almost. He turned his attention to the other patient in the room.

"She's stable. A lot of smoke inhalation. Other than that, she has mostly minor injuries from the fall and some lacerations from the glass. Nothing overly serious. Looks like Fluttershy protected her as best she could on the way down."

"Technically she was clinically dead for all intents and purposes at the time. That means she was limp when she hit the ground, while Fluttershy tensed up. That didn't do Fluttershy's head, neck, or her legs any favors."

"You wouldn't believe how we got her heart beating again. I didn't have a defibrillator so I had Rainbow Dash manipulate some lightning and Twilight Sparkle use her magic to direct it and filter it so it wouldn't completely fry her. I'm amazed it worked. I want to get some unicorns and pegasi trained on this new procedure. It has the potential to be a real lifesaver when we don't have equipment to work with out in the field."

*************************************************************

"Do any of you know Fluttershy's blood type? Or better yet, if any of you is a match for her..."

"I'm a match for her. She donated blood for me when I got injured in a hoofball game back in school. I'd be happy to help her."

"Follow me, Miss Dash."

"Rarity, take the fillies home. And Granny Smith and AJ too. They're going to need someplace to stay until the house gets rebuilt." She turned and followed the doctor to the operating room.

"That's a lot of ponies under one roof. I can squeeze one in at the library."

"I think right now it would be best if the Apples stayed together," Rarity said.

"I could take you in, temporarily, if you'd like?"

"While I appreciate the thought, darling, I'm settled in at Rainbow's place. We'll make do. In the meantime, why don't you write some letters to Applejack's relatives. Perhaps we can get a new farmhouse built before Big Macintosh is released from the hospital."

"I'll get on that as soon as I get back to the library."

"You going to stay here a while?"

"Yeah. If anything goes wrong, I want to be here in case I can help."

"Noble thought, darling. Well, good night. I'm off to find the Apples."

*************************************************************

The next day dawned bright and cheery. There were no clouds for the weather team to break up. Truly, it was a day made for enjoying. Sadly very few citizens in Ponyville were enjoying it. Even Angel Bunny felt disheartened as he hopped down the trail towards town. Following him was almost every animal residing at Fluttershy's cottage. All of them wanted to see the pegasus mare in the hospital. A humming noise made the rabbit pause in his tracks. He knew that sound. He motioned for the rest of the animals to disperse into the woods and then he took cover in one of the bushes on the side of the trail.

Scootaloo's wings buzzed as she rode towards Fluttershy's cabin. There was no doubt in her mind who had caused the fire at Sweet Apple Acres. That pesky rabbit needed to be stopped, and with the possible exception of Babs, she knew none of the other Crusaders had the guts to do what needed to be done. A crowbar 'borrowed' from Rainbow Dash's workbench was nestled in her saddlebag.

While she wasn't exactly fond of school, she did like Miss Cheerilee. For a teacher, she was pretty cool. Not as cool as Rainbow Dash of course, but then again, who could ever possibly hope to achieve that level of sheer awesome? Seeing her in the hospital angered her. And Apple Bloom's big brother was always super nice. And he had gotten hurt saving Apple Bloom and Babs. It just wasn't fair. Even Fluttershy was injured, Angel's very own caretaker and quite possibly the nicest pony in town. The only thing she could do to make sure Angel never harmed another pony was settle the score with the rabbit once and for all.

As she steered her scooter around a curve in the path, a stick shot out from the bushes alongside her. With no time to react, she watched in slow motion as the front wheel caught the branch and tipped the scooter forward. Scootaloo flipped over the handlebars and her trusty vehicle landed on top of her. "Owww..." The filly rubbed her head as the shrubs started shaking.

Angel stepped out of the shrubbery, grinning maliciously. He picked up the prybar that had tumbled from Scootaloo's bag when she tumbled and started tapping it against his outstretched paw.

"Uh... That's not what it looks like. Really..."

Angel just shook his head and whistled. Harry stepped out from behind a tree and grabbed the scooter off of the prone pegasus. With a grunt he smashed it to pieces. Scootaloo took advantage of his momentary distraction to flee in the opposite direction. Unfortunately she found her way blocked by a pair of beavers. Before she could turn around Harry had her in his clutches. He grabbed her by the wings, unfolding them and holding her by them.

"Hey! Wings are the most sensitive part of a pegasus!"

Angel nodded, grinning. He was well aware of that fact as he'd spent most of his life living with a pegasus, after all. He ran his paws through her feathers. So soft. So colorful. So attached to her body. But not for long. He yanked the largest primary feather out of her right wing. Scootaloo howled in pain while Angel stuck the orange feather into a hat, which he placed upon his head.

Scootaloo clenched her mouth shut mid-wail. She was just as tough as Rainbow Dash, surely she could handle a little pain. No way was she going to let the enemy see signs of weakness. Meanwhile, Angel hopped atop a ferret so he could see eye to eye with Scootaloo. He smacked her cheek and shoved his foot in front of her lips.

"No way am I kissing your stinky foot, you stupid rabbit!"

Angel shook his head. That was the wrong answer. He stuck his right paw out to the side and a fox handed him the crowbar.

"What are you going to do? Hit me with it?"

Once her mind caught up with her mouth Scootaloo realized that was exactly what he aimed to do. The prybar smashed into her wings, over and over again. She yelped in pain, unable to control her outburst this time. Tears streamed down her face as she choked back the sobs as best she could. A minute later the assault was over. Her wings lay limp against her sides, broken and bleeding. Harry shoved her into the dirt so she could clearly see the pictures Angel was drawing with the crowbar.

"I know..." she trailed off, coughing. "You want the paintings." Unable to lift her head, she watched as the leaves under her started turning crimson as they soaked up the blood oozing from her broken wings. "They burned..." She hacked yet again. "They were in Sweet Apple Acres."

Angel shook his head, pointed to her, and then sketched a house in the dirt.

"How'd you know they're at my house?"

Angel shrugged his shoulders and grinned that same smug grin. He clapped his paws together and the various members of his gang melted back into the woods like they'd never even been there, leaving Scootaloo alone with her broken scooter. She struggled to her hooves, thankful that she could still walk. Amazingly, Angel had focused all his energy on her wings. She could still walk, which was good because the hospital was nearly a mile away and she hadn't told anypony where she was going.

Scootaloo had barely trudged a hundred feet before she stopped in her tracks. Hospitals asked a lot of questions. She could blame it on a scooter crash, and her scooter was definitely broken enough for that to be believable, but her injuries were rather centralized. No, if anypony was going to believe her, she'd have to look a lot worse than she already did. "Today just isn't my day." She bit her tongue to keep from crying out as she ran through a briar patch. Several dozen lacerations and a few bruises later she arrived at Ponyville General Hospital.

"I had an accident."

Nurse Redheart looked up from the desk and gasped at the battered filly before her. "I'd say that's an understatement." She paged Doctor Stable to surgery as orderlies assisted Scootaloo to the operating room.

*************************************************************

Minty looked up at the giant department store and gulped. This was it. The last place in town she hadn't tried working for. After what Rainbow Dash and Rarity had said about Filthy Rich being a big meanie, she really didn't want to work for him but she was officially out of options. She sighed and pushed the door open. "Welcome to RichMart!"

"Hi, I'm here about the job."

"Please go to the Customer Service Desk."

After waiting in line to be helped, it was finally her turn. "Hi! I'm here about the job."

"Please go to the back of the store by the Layaway department. Our Pony Resources Director will be right with you."

Two hours later a bored pink pony approached her. "Follow me."

"So tell me about yourself."

Brightbow looked up at Minty. "Uh, miss, I'm interviewing you. That means I'm the one who's supposed to ask the questions."

"Well I have questions of my own! How long have you worked here? What made you choose working here?"

"I've been here twelve years. Ever since I was seventeen." She paused. "I don't exactly know why. This was just supposed to be a summer job. You know, to get some spending money so I could go to the movies with my friends or hang out at the ice cream shop where the hunky stallions worked. Maybe earn enough to spend a week at the beach. You know, nothing serious. It was never supposed to be a career. It just happened that way." She sighed. "I shouldn't have dropped out of college after only one semester." She buried her head in her hooves and whispered, "I hate my life."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Did I say that out loud?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Look, I'll make this quick. Are you desperate?"

"Very."

"Then you'll fit in perfectly around here. Welcome to RichMart, where all your hopes and dreams come to die a slow and agonizingly painful death. Grab a vest from that closet over there. You're hired." She stood up and motioned for Minty to follow her. "This is the break room. If you're lucky you'll get two fifteen minute breaks and a half hour lunch. Wild Flower, are you on lunch right now?"

"That's why I'm eating."

"Great. Pack it away and show our new hire around the store for me."

"No."

"Well, if that's how you feel, who am I to stop you? The head of Pony Resoures, that's who. Which means that by failing to obey my direct order, 'insubordination' will go on your permanent record..."

"Can I at least finish eating first?"

"If you can cram a full tour of the store into whatever remains of your lunch after you finish cramming that food into your mouth, sure. If not, then no." Brightbow slammed the door behind her and cantered back to her office. Breaking the spirits of her coworkers was one of the the last joys she had left in life.

"I hate her."

"If it's any consolation, she hates herself, too. My name's Minty, by the way. Nice to meet you, Wild Flower!"

"Enthusiasm. I had forgotten what that sounds like. We'll start the tour off with the back stockroom. This is where we unload wagons filled with the merchandise we sell in the store."

"Who's in charge of doing that?"

"We all do it after the store closes. We come in at 8AM for opening, work until the store closes at 9PM and then we all come back here and work together to get the wagons unloaded. It rarely takes more than two hours or so..."

"That sounds like slavery."

"Nah, we get paid for working."

"How well?"

"Minimum wage."

"Plus overtime, right?"

Wild Flower gave a half-hearted chuckle. "Yeah, overtime. Ha...ha...ha..."

"They can't legally not pay you for time worked. I used to be a cop. That's illegal. We could all complain to the..."

"Hold your horses there, Minty. You're new around here so I guess it falls to me to explain how things work since Brightbow's useless at doing her job. This is a last chance job. You only work here because you have no other options available. And Filthy Rich knows it, too. He takes advantage of every loophole he can find."

"Then why are you here, Wild Flower?"

"Call me Wildy. I'm here because I was an idiot. I lived up to my name back in high school. From the time I was thirteen until the day before I turned eighteen I was wild thing. I spent more time in juvey than I did at home."

"Wait, come to think of it didn't I arrest you for vandalism?"

Wildy waved a hoof. "Eh, probably. You probably nailed me for underage drinking and public intoxication, too. I honestly don't remember and I think it's best if I don't. If it matters to you I don't hold it against you, you were just doing your job."

"So why the change of heart?"

"Because I realized that starting on my eighteenth birthday everything started counting against my permanent record. I was being given a clean slate, and I admit the party lifestyle had burned me out. I was spent and to make matters worse my parents were tired of putting up with me. They didn't believe I was serious about turning over a new leaf and kicked me out of the house on my birthday."

"That's awful."

"No, it isn't. It was exactly what I needed, and I'll be the first to admit I deserved it after everything I put them through. It made me determined to prove them wrong and well, I ended up here. Crashed with friends until I saved up enough to afford a little apartment. Now I'm planning to go get my GED. Then maybe I can get out of here. But until then, RichMart owns my sorry flank. Enough about me, we have about two minutes for me to show you the rest of the store."

They trotted out the swinging doors to the sales floor and almost bumped into another pony. "Oh hey, Pina Colada. I was just looking for you. Instead of taking lunch you're supposed to show Minty here around the store."

The hot pink mare glared at the pale pink earth pony. "You're just dumping your job off on me."

"I ran out of time. I've got less than a minute to get back to work. I didn't get my lunch either."

Pina Colada gave her a sad nod of understanding. "Fine, get back to the Garden Center. I'll take over from here." She motioned for the green mare to follow her. "I work the cash register up front. So I'll start the tour there. We have thirty state of the art check-out aisles."

"Why is only one of them open?"

"Because I'm on lunch right now. And then when I get back Bright Eyes there will go take her lunch. And then we'll have two lines open for a little bit until I go to break." She trotted to the right. "By the door is our Pony Greeter, Butterscotch. You probably talked to her on your way in." She indicated an ancient mare with a vaguely orange coloration. Whatever color her hair once was it had long since turned completely to gray. "Over this way is our Garden Center. You've already met Wildy. This is where she works." She continued trotting through the store. "Pet supplies, sporting goods, toys."

"Who works these departments?"

"Right now, just Yo-Yo. They hired her for toys but she kind of absorbed the rest of this side of the store as other ponies quit and were never replaced. She's got electronics, hardware, and stationary too. And oh, crafts too now that Sew-and-So quit."

"That's a lot of store for one pony."

"Oh, it's not like she's ever around to do anything on the floor anyway. Most of the time she's too busy helping us run register. Or out pushing shopping carts back to the store after ponies take them home and don't bring them back. Then we all help straighten out the store after our shifts. You know, stock new product, face everything forward to fill holes on the shelves, clean up any messes that may have been made like colts leaving chewed gum on the floor."

"When do we do that?"

"Whenever we get done unloading the wagons. That doesn't usually take more than a couple of hours. The faster we unload them, the faster we can get to cleaning the store. The faster we do that, the faster we can stock the shelves. And then we can go home and sleep for a few hours before we come in and do it all over again tomorrow."

"Just how long do you usually spend here in a given day?"

"Let's see, I get here a few minutes before 8AM and I usually leave at about half past one in the morning. Sometimes 1:15 if it's a slow night. The latest I've ever stayed until was quarter to four. That sucked getting up the next morning. I got like two hours sleep, tops."

"Why do you put up with it?"

"Because I've got two foals at home. I've got to keep food in their mouths. My grandsire keeps an eye on them during the day while I'm here at work."

"What about their father?"

"I don't know where their fathers are. Nor do I care."

"Oh, sorry."

"Nothing to apologize about, I'm honestly not even sure who their fathers are..." She changed the subject. "Over there's Fabrics & Crafts. Let's watch Yo-Yo cut some fabric so you can learn how to do that."

The purple pegasus with pink hair was struggling to manipulate a cutter with her wings. Finally in frustration she brought one of her forelegs down on it and it slammed down, cutting the fabric neatly. "There you are, ma'am."

"Thank you, dearie," replied an ancient spinster. "I just need thirty-one more colors." The crowd of ponies behind her groaned as they waited impatiently for Yo-Yo to help them.

"We should probably check out Softlines. Quickly." Pina Colada all but shoved Minty towards the middle of the store, deftly avoiding irate customers with a skill only those who'd been in customer service for far too long could ever hope to achieve. The two ponies stood in the middle of an immense clothing section. "It didn't always used to be this big, but Filthy Rich personally insisted we expand it to try and run that fancy boutique on the other side of town out of business. So now we have upscale clothing and lingerie in addition to our usual selection of work duds, casual wear, and undergarments. And this is Satin 'n Lace, who's in charge of everything you see here." She motioned to an orchid earth pony mare with a pair of silver bells on her flank. "Satin, this is Minty. She's new."

Satin 'n Lace briefly looked up from the garments she was sewing and said, "Charmed." She went back to sewing and paid her visitors no further mind.

"She's a little behind in making clothes at the moment. Until Filthy Rich finds some new manufacturers she's sort of in charge of making everything." Pina Colada led the way over to the grocery side of the store. "And here's our deli. Nice 'n' Spicy, this is Minty. She just started today."

"La petite mademoiselle! You look like you haven't eaten in weeks!" The purple mare shoved a bag of potato wedges over the counter. "Eat!"

"Merci!"

Nice n' Spicy paused. She hadn't heard anyone pronounce 'merci' correct in a long time. "You know Prench?"

"Oui." I learned a little in school. You know there's a Prench restaurant in town that's still looking for a chef. They should be reopen for business by now."

"Merci! I shall go check in on that on my lunch!"

"Good luck! Where did you learn Prench?"

"I come originally from Neigh Orleans, down on the bayou! I moved here a month ago from Fillydelphia after my Cajun restaurant went out of business. I have not yet had the opportunity to explore your town. They keep us very busy here with the work."

Minty gave her directions to Port-o-bella's restaurant and Nice n' Spicy slipped her vest off and galloped towards the door and sweet, sweet freedom. She never came back. Port-o-bella hired her on the spot.

Pina Colada facehoofed. "Congratulations, Minty. You're now in charge of the deli and by extension, the entire grocery department including dairy and produce. Good luck."

*************************************************************

Rainbow Dash was napping in one of the trees on the Apple farm. Technically she was on the clock, but her job was to keep the skies clear. That hadn't been necessary this morning, which was a welcome relief to the exhausted pegasus. It had been a long night at the hospital. Once Fluttershy was out of surgery, she hadn't left her friend's side until it was time to go to work. Now she was catching up on that lost sleep.

"Rainbow Dash!"

The rainbow-maned pegasus cracked an eye open. "Pinkie Pie? What is it?"

"Like, I was totally delivering balloons and flowers to the hospital for Fluttershy and Big Macintosh and Cheerilee, and then Scootaloo walked in all beat up and said she had an accident. I figured you might want to know. I'm going to go make her up a care package, too. At this rate, I'm going to just have to move into the hospital just to keep up with everypony."

No amount of sleep could've prepared her for this. First her best and oldest friend was injured and now her adopted sister. She zipped off her cloud and rocketed towards the hospital. She walked up to Nurse Redheart's desk and demanded, "Where is she?"

"Follow me."

Rainbow took one look at Scootaloo's broken wings and her heart sank. They were mutilated beyond recognition. Most of the feathers were gone and there were multiple places where the bones were sticking out right through her skin. Muscles just dangled from the mess, no longer attached to anything by more than mere threads. "What the hay happened?"

"I wrecked my scooter and tumbled down an embankment."

Rainbow took another look at her sister's wings. "Uh-huh."

"Dr. Stable would like to see you in his office."

"Yeah, I'd kinda like to see him myself." She followed the nurse to the doctor's office, though by this point she had been here enough times recently to know the entire layout of the hospital.

"Miss Dash, I suppose you've seen your sister's injuries."

"Yeah. What can you do for her?"

"With what's left of her wings, not a whole lot. Usually in cases like this we recommend amputation."

"That seems a bit... extreme. And not in the good way. What other options are there?"

"There's an experimental new treatment that we could try. Basically we would rebuild her wings and fuse prosthetics in to fill in the pieces we can't fix. At least 90% of her wing bones would have to be replaced. The pieces that are left of her bones are absolutely shattered. Most of the skin and muscles are there, though."

"Would they be stronger than her natural bones?"

"Absolutely. There's even a slight chance she'd be able to fly. Not a very good chance, maybe 25% or so."

"That's better than the 0% chance she has currently."

"Very true."

"Do it."

"Before you agree to it, I need to advise you that this is still an experimental treatment. Because of that it isn't covered under your medical insurance."

"I don't care, just do it."

*************************************************************

The charred remnants of the farmhouse gave testimony to the intensity of the blaze. A lone pegasus from the fire brigade stood watch over the property in case of any flare-ups. Paradise and Sweet Stuff were slowly taping off what was obviously a crime scene. The smell of gasoline had so overpowered them upon approach that there was no rational explanation for the fire other than arson.

"This place smells like a refinery, chief."

"Which means whoever did this wanted this place to go up in flames quickly. Either we're dealing with an inexperienced arsonist or somepony who just doesn't care if the world knows this fire was deliberate or not." Paradise flared her nostrils. "So what do you think? Filthy Rich?"

"He's got the motive, but I have my doubts. He seems more like a 'revenge is a dish best served cold' kind of stallion. And he knows we're watching his every move right now. Besides, this is sloppy work. If he was going to have someone do the job, he'd make sure he hired someone who knew what they were doing."

"Who else has a motive. The Apples?"

"It makes more sense. The farm's on the line so they could use the cash infusion the insurance payout would give them. And everypony knows Filthy Rich is angry with them, so if their farmhouse goes up in flames then there's a handy scapegoat."

"I sense a 'but' coming on. What's your gut telling you, Sweet Stuff?"

"But Applejack admitted telling Cheerilee to go back to bed. And she's beating herself up over it pretty badly, too. So either the Element of Honesty is the world's best liar or the most cold-blooded pony I've ever met. And Fluttershy's a friend of hers. Granted, AJ doesn't know how she even knew there was a fire. Per her testimony she just kind of showed up."

"It will be nice when she wakes up and we can finally get her statement. I don't know about you, but I've got a lot of questions for her."

"I'm sure I'll come up with a few. Of course, it's quite possible the fire was designed to kill Cheerilee and Fluttershy just got caught up in it. But it just doesn't add up. The insurance payout will only cover rebuilding the house. Sure, they could live in temporary housing or even the barn, but this is a farm. You ever farm, chief?"

"Can't say I have."

Sweet Stuff started pacing back and forth as she continued, "I grew up on a farm. We lived on the farm because there's never any shortage of chores that need to be done. Commuting to work an apple orchard? Not really a great business strategy. Most farms are low profit. Paying for housing is going to suck their finances dry. How about the barn? Well, barns exist for a reason. Living space isn't that reason. On top of that, their single best worker is out of commission for the next three weeks."

"So then who?"

"Unless the Apples have some more enemies I don't know about, I think we've got a psychopath on our hooves. With all the other unsolved crimes we've got on our plate right now, I think we've got a very disturbed pony taking advantage of current events to stir up as much trouble as he can. What's your gut telling you, chief?"

"That pretty much every unsolved crime we have right now revolves around the Cutie Mark Crusaders in one way or another."

"Except the paintings."

"Except the paintings," Paradise echoed. "Of course, there's always the possibility the Cutie Mark Crusaders were trying to get cutie marks in art theft that day."

"That's a good one, chief. Cutie Mark Crusader mobsters, yay!"

"But that happened well outside of Ponyville and may be completely unrelated to everything else going on. With all their antics, I'm thinking the Crusaders ran afoul of somepony powerful. And I bet they know who, but aren't talking."

"Because they're scared of retaliation? Or because whatever they did in the first place was wrong and they're afraid to implicate themselves in their own crime."

"Bingo."

Prologue

What does it mean to be bullied? To know that every day when you go to school, you will face ponies that choose to torment you because you don't have your cutie mark yet. Worst of all is knowing that the ponies you turn to for help are powerless to stop the ponies who are bullying you. This is the dilemma that faced three little fillies: Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. Each are students at the Ponyville Elementary School.

They loved almost all of their classmates, with the two exceptions being Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Both of these fillies were what could be defined as snobbish elitist types. They thought just because they had their cutie marks they were better than other ponies in their class who had not yet discovered theirs. It was because of their belief that they were superior that made them both act like bullies, and ridicule and torment any pony who had not yet gotten their cutie mark.

Sadly for these three fillies, they were the only blank flanks remaining in their grade. Despite their many attempts to earn their cutie marks, none of them had theirs yet. Yet even being blank flanks had an upside as the three of them never would have become friends otherwise. They had even taken to calling themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders in an attempt to try everything they possibly could to find their place in life. The downside was that fact made them a target for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

It was only the beginning of the school year, but fillies and colts that started school together always stayed together in the same class throughout their entire education. Unfortunately that meant the Cutie Mark Crusaders would be stuck with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon until they graduated. And until they got their cutie marks, things would continue as they had all last year, and the year before, and the year prior to that. At recess on their first day back to school, Diamond Tiara kept up the routine she had for the past few years.

She ridiculed them for forming their group, and for spending every moment they were awake all summer long trying to earn their cutie marks, only to fail miserably in their quest. This act infuriated the three Crusaders. Determined not to have to tolerate her ridicule another year, they waited until class had let out for the day, and approached their teacher Miss Cheerilee.

"Excuse me, Miss Cheerilee. Can we talk?" Sweetie Belle asked as she, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom walked up to her desk after class.

"Why certainly, my little ponies. What can I do for you?" Miss Cheerilee asked, looking up from a stack of papers on her desk.

"We wanted to ask you for help," Scootaloo said.

"We're being bullied." Apple Bloom said.

"Bullied?" Miss Cheerilee said slowly, "By whom?"

"Diamond Tiara," Scootaloo said.

"She torments us relentlessly because we don't have our cutie marks," Apple Bloom said.

"I see. Thank you for coming to me with this. I will set aside time tomorrow and talk to the entire class about bullying," Miss Cheerilee said.

"With all due respect, isn't that what you did last year when we talked about this? She's making our lives miserable. We can't even walk down the street without having to be ridiculed by her," Sweetie Belle replied bitterly.

"I'm sorry, but there's only so much I can do. It's not that I doubt what you're telling me is true, it's just that my hooves are tied. The only other thing I can do is offer to speak to her parents about it. While I believe you, they'll ask me if I have witnessed Diamond Tiara bullying anypony, and I haven't. Until I see something personally there’s not enough evidence to do anything about it."

"In the meantime we have to suffer because nopony will stop her," Scootaloo said

"I will speak with her parents, and with her about bullying. That is as far as I can go," Miss Cheerilee said.

"Let's go," Apple Bloom said as she, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo turned and headed for the door to the classroom. "We're wasting our time here."

The trio went back to their lockers and grabbed their books and saddlebags.

"It's hopeless isn't it?" Scootaloo asked.

"We must have faith that our teacher can do something," Apple Bloom said.

"We all know she can't. As she said, there is only so much we can do," Sweetie Belle replied.

"What about going to the principal?" Apple Bloom suggested.

"We'll give it a week and see if anything changes," Scootaloo said. "It is unlikely Miss Cheerilee can stop Diamond Tiara, but we still have to give her a chance."

"If it doesn't work, then we'll go to the principal," Sweetie Belle said.

True to her word, Cheerilee did give a lecture the next day about bullying and the effects it can have on students in every aspect of life: morale, grades, attitudes, and even social interactions. The speech the pink earth pony gave was insightful and well thought out. The teacher was extremely careful in her wording, to avoid implying that anypony in her class was a bully or that any of the gathered ponies were being victimized.

Cheerilee knew all too well what bullying could do to a pony’s self esteem. She had seen many bullies over her career as a teacher, and she had even gone to school with many that would easily qualify as bullies. She could relate to what her students were going through, but the reality was that only Diamond Tiara’s parents could stop this.

She pulled Diamond Tiara’s file from a cabinet in the principal’s office, memorized her address, and walked slowly towards the filly’s home, thinking carefully about what to say. She needed to convince her parents to intervene, but she wouldn't lie. She could not say she had witnessed the bullying because she hadn't.

When she reached Diamond Tiara’s home, she knocked on the door. Filthy Rich, Diamond Tiara’s father, opened the door.

"Can I help you?" Filthy Rich asked.

"Hello. I'm Cheerilee, Diamond Tiara’s schoolteacher. May I come in? I have something I would like to discuss with you."

"Of course. Would you care for a drink?" Filthy Rich asked.

"No, thank you."

"So what is it you would like to discuss?"

"I wanted to ask you if there have ever been any issues with Diamond Tiara bullying other ponies."

"Not that I'm aware of," Filthy Rich asked. "Why do you ask?"

"Three of my students came to me and said she was bullying them."

"Have you witnessed Diamond Tiara bullying them?"

"No," Cheerilee replied.

"Then how do you know it's true? You must believe it or you wouldn't be here."

"I have never known any of them to lie. On the other hoof, I've never known Diamond Tiara to lie either. Since neither group involved has a reputation or history of lying, I wanted to ask you if there have ever been any problems of her bullying anypony previously."

"As far as I know there haven't been any. DIAMOND TIARA!!" Filthy Rich shouted at the top of his lungs. Diamond Tiara trotted into the room and looked surprised to see her teacher sitting beside her father.

"Yes father?"

"Do you know what a bully is?" Filthy Rich asked.

"Yes, father. I know," Diamond Tiara answered.

"Are you bullying students at your school?"

"What?! No! Never!" Diamond Tiara did her best to sound shocked by the accusation.

"Don't lie to me, Diamond Tiara. This is a serious matter," Filthy Rich said.

"I'm not lying, father. I don't bully anyone."

"That's good enough for me," Filthy Rich said. "But just so we have an understanding, Diamond Tiara, we are rich. Exceptionally rich. Richer by ourselves than every other pony in this town combined. But that doesn't make us better than them. I'm glad you're not bullying anyone. Make sure that never changes."

"I will," Diamond Tiara said, feeling extremely nervous. She didn't like lying to her father, and she certainly wouldn't like it if he ever found out about it.

"Well, that's all I wanted," Cheerilee said. "Thank you for your time. Diamond Tiara, I'll see you in class tomorrow."

"Our door is always open," Filthy Rich said. He stood up and escorted the pink pony to the door. He opened it and held it for her as she exited, then closed it behind her.

Cheerilee walked toward her own home, feeling pretty good about things. Diamond Tiara was many things. Conceited, arrogant, and cocky all came to mind, but she was not a liar. Although the teacher had her suspicions that the filly in question had just become one, she had faith that deep down everypony was a good pony. If Nightmare Moon could be reformed, there had to be hope for Diamond Tiara, too. Hopefully bringing this to her father’s attention would help persuade Diamond Tiara to stop pestering her fellow students.

Day in and day out, the Cutie Mark Crusaders went to school, doing their best to avoid contact with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. They trusted their teacher since she had kept her word, but they didn't want to have a confrontation with them regardless. This strategy proved effective to a point, but that Friday Diamond Tiara caught up with them at lunch.

"My, my look at that," Diamond Tiara said, looking at the three fillies. "They call themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Yet they have no cutie marks. Come up with another lame-brained scheme to try and earn one?"

"Why are you such a nasty little pony, Diamond Tiara?" Scootaloo asked.

"What have we ever done to you?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"You have your cutie mark. Why can't you leave us alone so we can find ours?" Apple Bloom asked.

"You don't seem to get it. You're never going to get cutie marks. Everything you've ever tried doing to get one you've all failed at. Face it; you're never going to never get one. Blank flanks!" Diamond Tiara said, laughing.

The trio of ponies stood there in the cafeteria, looking at their tormentor. It was Sweetie Belle who lost it first and burst into tears. Ignoring her food, her friends, and the sea of ponies between her and the exit, she ran. She ran as fast as she could toward the doors and plowed head first into them, sending them flying open. The last thing she heard as she exited the cafeteria was Diamond Tiara’s mocking laughter echoing in the cafeteria.

Seeing their friend in tears, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom ran after the white unicorn filly. They were feeling just as miserable as she was, and were moments away from bursting into tears themselves, but they knew they had to find her. They saw her run outside, and they followed her out of the building. They finally caught up with her when she sat down at the far end of the playground.

"She's wrong," Apple Bloom said.

She and Scootaloo sat down next to Sweetie Belle and gave her a hug. The little unicorn continued to cry uncontrollably, which caused her two best friends to cry as well.

"We'll get our cutie marks," Scootaloo said.

"I can't take this anymore. Nopony should have to go through this," Sweetie Belle replied, her voice cracking as she cried on her friends’ shoulders.

"We'll go talk to the principal after school," Apple Bloom said.

"No. Not after school. Right now," Scootaloo suggested.

"We can't go right now. It's almost time to go back to class. Miss Cheerilee won't like us being late," Apple Bloom said.

"I don't care," Sweetie Belle replied.

A few minutes passed before the unicorn could regain her composure. The Cutie Mark Crusaders continued to hug each other for a few more minutes before they stood up, and then walked back toward the school in unison as the bell rang. They saw the door to their classroom close as they entered the school. They walked down the hall and passed their classroom door, ignoring it. At the end of the hall they came to a door with the words "Mr. Icepick, School Principal". Scootaloo knocked on the door.

"Come in," a male voice called out, and the ponies opened the door slowly and walked inside.

They saw a well-lit, organized office with an oak wooden table in the middle of the room with chairs all around it. At the far side of the room was a pony with a blue coat, white mane, and white tail. His eyes were light green and he watched the three fillies enter.

"Please, close the door and take a seat. I'm Principal Icepick, but you can call me Icepick."

"I'm Scootaloo."

"I'm Apple Bloom."

"And I'm Sweetie Belle."

Icepick looked at the three fillies for a moment before it dawned on him.

"Apple Bloom, is your sister Applejack?" Icepick asked.

"Yeah."

"And you, Sweetie Belle... is your sister Rarity?"

"How did you know that?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"You'd be amazed at how closely you both resemble your sisters when they were your age. I remember when they were both students here," Icepick replied. He was interrupted by a knock on his door, which opened to reveal Cheerilee entering the room.

"Excuse me, principal, I hate to bother you but I've got three missing..." Cheerilee trailed off as she saw the trio of fillies she was looking for sitting across from Icepick. "Never mind. I just found my missing students. You should all be in class."

"It's ok, Miss Cheerilee. I have always had an open door policy. Anypony at any time is welcome to come into my office. When we're done I'll escort them back to class," Icepick said.

"Okay. Next time, though, please let me know where you're going. I wouldn't have stopped you, but I need to know where my students are at all times. I don't want to see anything happen to any of you," Miss Cheerilee said.

"We're sorry we didn't tell you," Sweetie Belle replied.

"Next time we will," Apple Bloom said.

"That's all I ask," Cheerilee said. She turned around, walked back out of the room, and closed the door behind her.

"Now then, my little ponies. What brought you here today?" Icepick asked.

"We've got a problem and we don't know where to turn," Apple Bloom said.

"We went to Miss Cheerilee, and she did try to stop it, but it didn't work," Scootaloo said.

"What was she trying to stop?" Icepick asked.

"We're being bullied," Sweetie Belle replied quietly, looking down at the table.

"Bullied?" Icepick said slowly. "By whom?"

"A filly named Diamond Tiara," Apple Bloom replied.

"Okay. This is one of those times you need to be very specific. Start at the beginning. Tell me everything that's happened."

The three Cutie Mark Crusaders took turns recounting specific incidents of being bullied, both on and off school grounds. They spoke until their voices became strained. Icepick stood up and got each of them a glass of water.

"That's wrong," Icepick said. "I won't allow bullying in my school."

"Miss Cheerilee gave a lesson to our whole class the other day on bullying, but it didn't do any good. She said she would speak to Diamond Tiara’s parents about it. That was a week ago. It still hasn't stopped," Apple Bloom said.

"I will do something I don't normally do," Icepick replied cooly. "I'm going to hold a general assembly. Every student, every teacher... everypony will be there. I will address this problem head on."

"I'm not sure talking will be enough. Many other ponies have talked about this... and it hasn't ended," Sweetie Belle said.

"I will take every step within my power to protect the fillies and colts in my school. Tomorrow morning we'll have an assembly in the playground. Thank you all for bringing this to my attention."

"Please, help us," Scootaloo said softly.

"I will. For now, though, you'll need to get back to class. I don't want you fillies falling behind in your studies."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders stood up. Icepick walked over to the door and opened it for them, and he led them back to their class. When they got to the door, Icepick knocked on it. When Cheerilee opened the door, the fillies walked into the classroom and took their seats.

"We're having a general assembly tomorrow morning. After you take attendance, take your students to the playground. This assembly will involve the whole school," Icepick informed her.

"Will do."

"I'm going to go pass the word to the other classes," Icepick said, and he turned and went to the next classroom.

"Okay class, the day is just about over. Your homework tonight is to read chapter three of ‘The Laws of Ponyville’. We will have a test tomorrow. Have a good night, and be careful going home."

The students of Cheerilee's class stood up and filed out of the room, with Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom leading the pack out of the room. They went straight to their lockers, grabbed their saddlebags and books, and walked out of the school.

"Well here come the crybabies. Are you going to cry again, blank flanks?" Diamond Tiara taunted.

"No, they won't. They'll just go running to the teacher again. Too bad you can't stand up for yourselves. You have to rely on others. That's pathetic," Silver Spoon added.

"Just keep walking, Crusaders," Apple Bloom said. "Ignore them."

"No, I think they're worth responding to," Sweetie Belle said.

"Arguing with them won't do any good. Sooner we get away from them the better we are," Apple Bloom replied.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders kept on walking, ignoring Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

"I don't feel much like meeting tonight at the clubhouse," Sweetie Belle said.

"I know how you feel. I think tonight we can take the evening off," Apple Bloom replied.

"What happens if the Principal can't get Diamond Tiara to back off?" Scootaloo asked.

"I intend to talk to my sister this evening when I get home, and ask her for advice," Apple Bloom said.

"I hope she has some ideas on what we can do, because I'm fresh out," Sweetie Belle said.

"Me too. We've talked to just about anypony that would listen and asked them to stop Diamond Tiara, but nopony is doing anything that will. Talking to her or her parents hasn't changed anything," Scootaloo said.

The trio walked through Ponyville side by side, waving at familiar ponies all along the way. They saw the Cakes walking along the path that led to their shop. They saw Twilight Sparkle and Spike out shopping. They walked all the way to the edge of town. There were two paths. One led to Sweet Apple Acres and to the Everfree Forest, while the other led to the western end of town.

"I'll catch up to you two in the morning," Apple Bloom said.

"Take care, Apple Bloom," Sweetie Belle said.

Apple Bloom walked back toward Sweet Apple Acres while the other two Crusaders turned and walked down the other path, towards Sweetie Belle's home. Once the white unicorn was safely inside her house, the orange pegasus backtracked to Sweet Apple Acres where she took shelter in their clubhouse. Unbeknownst to the other fillies, Scootaloo was an orphan and had no place else to go.

When Apple Bloom entered her house, she tossed her saddlebag in her room and went looking for her big sister. It did not take her long to find Applejack out among the apple orchards, bucking her way through the back forty.

"Well howdy there, little sis. I didn't know you were home from school already."

"Have you got a minute? We need to talk," Apple Bloom asked.

"Why sure, sugarcube," Applejack replied, trotting over to her younger sister and sitting down on a log. Apple Bloom walked over and sat beside the orange mare.

"So what's on your mind?"

"When you were a filly did you ever have to deal with a bully?"

"Bully?" Applejack asked. "Is somepony bothering you?"

"Diamond Tiara. She's relentless in rubbing Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and my noses in the fact we don’t have our cutie marks yet."

"There was one bully who did pick on ponies in my class. She picked on me, but not about my cutie mark. One day I just got so sick of taking the insults I went to my teacher and my principal and asked them to intervene."

"And did they?" Apple Bloom asked.

"They did what they could and tried to help, but in the end it didn't work. The pony just kept right on teasing everypony else around her. Only thing I could do was take it because nopony would do anything to stop it," Applejack said. "I'm sure if I really wanted to I could have fought that pony and beat her senseless. In fact I know I could have. That might have ended it right then and there."

"If that could have stopped it, and saved you and others from having to deal with being insulted all the time by a pony nopony else would do anything about..." Apple Bloom started saying, but in typical sister fashion, Applejack finished her thought.

"Why didn't I?" Applejack asked. "Easy. That might have been the short-term solution. But it wasn't the right way. Just because you can beat up a pony doesn't give you the right to. I had a heart to heart with our parents about it, and with Big Macintosh too. That's what they told me. And they were right."

"I don't know how much more I can take. It's not easy to have to deal with constant ridicule by somepony you haven't ever done anything to."

"Have you spoken with your teacher and your principal about it?"

"I have. Miss Cheerilee talked to Diamond Tiara's parents and to Diamond Tiara about it. That didn't stop it. I talked to the principal today. He assured me he'd call an assembly tomorrow and address the whole school about it. But that's just more words. I'd bet you my entire allowance that won't stop it either."

"The only way you can deal with this is to deal with her directly," Applejack said. "Diamond Tiara is the type of pony who's stuck on herself. She's not going to take advice from anypony. Her parents might have influence with her, but from what you said your teacher tried that approach, and it didn't work. If her parents can't stop her, then nopony else will be able to reason with her either."

"It sounds hopeless," Apple Bloom said. "She actually made Sweetie Belle cry today." She neglected to inform her sister that she had broken down in tears as well.

"Confront her. Head on. Tell your friends to back off and talk to her one on one if you can. Let her know how her actions are affecting you and it has to stop. Deep down she's a good pony. Maybe one on one would be the way to handle it."

"What if that doesn't? I can't go on with going to school every day for the rest of my education like this. It's not fair!"

"The thing is there's always going to be bullies. I could have you transferred to another class in another school. The only thing that will do is get you away from Diamond Tiara. But it won't stop the next bully. I can't remove Diamond Tiara from your class. That's a decision that is up to her parents or the school. Unfortunately, you're going to have to come to terms with her.

The sooner you do, the happier you'll be. I wish I could help you more, but when it comes to facing a bully, you have to do this. I know how hard that step is going to be, because it was right hard when I did it too. But if you don't do it, you'll spend a lifetime cowering in the corner, afraid to talk to ponies because they might turn on you. That's not the recipe for a happy life."

"So I'm supposed to talk to her and hope she chooses to leave me alone? And if she doesn't leave me alone I'm supposed to take it 'til she gets tired of doing it?" Apple Bloom asked bitterly.

"I choose not to fight. I believe that fighting is something that is to be reserved only for those times when there is no other choice because all other possible options have been exhausted. I don't believe you've reached that point. Yet. But if that time comes you'll know it in your heart, because it will make you sad that you have to do it. Right now fighting her sounds like a good idea. Like the simplest way to handle it. But it's not the right way. You've gotta trust me on that."

"I won't fight her today. Or tomorrow. I don't know how long I can restrain myself to give other ways a chance to work, though," Apple Bloom admitted. "I can't stop the others from fighting her. If Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo choose to, I won't stop them, and I can't promise that if they choose to fight her I won't join in."

"That's a choice you'll have to make if that time comes. But remember for every action there is an equal reaction, and there are consequences to fighting. But if you absolutely have to do it, make sure you win. Because losing will make you even more of a target. I've seen it happen to others..." Applejack's voice trailed off.

"I'm gonna go back to the house and get some schoolwork done. Thanks for the talk," Apple Bloom said, giving Applejack a hug.

"Anytime, little sis," Applejack said hugging her back. She stood up and watched as Apple Bloom trotted back to the house, and found herself thinking back to her filly days.

She remembered being bullied and finally confronting the bully. The threat of physical retaliation had been enough to cause the bully to back down and leave her alone. Thankfully she had never had to go through with the threat, but when it finally came to dealing with the bully, Applejack had been prepared to do it and face whatever consequences came out of it.

Applejack knew how Big Macintosh would react if Apple Bloom got into a fight at school, and was trying to shield her younger sister from being punished. Applejack also knew that if Diamond Tiara didn't back down, it was going to come to that, and as hot-headed as Apple Bloom could be at times, it meant that any confrontation could get out of hoof quickly.

Chapter 2: Head Games

Cheerilee looked at the crowd gathering around a group of lockers and pushed her way through it. When she finally got to the front of the gathered ponies she saw Silver Spoon crying on the ground. The pink earth pony looked at the stuffed animal heads next to Silver Spoon and stifled a gasp when she saw the cutie mark drawn on each one.

"All of you get to your classes," Cheerilee said sharply, looking at the severed plush heads all over the floor. "There's nothing to see here."

The crowd slowly started to disperse as ponies went from the hall to their classes, but it didn't move nearly fast enough for Miss Cheerilee, so she decided to try and help them on their way.

"Move!" she shouted. In about thirty seconds the entire hallway was cleared of ponies.

The teacher sat down beside Silver Spoon and gave her a hug. Silver Spoon continued to cry so hard she started coughing.

"It's all right," Cheerilee said softly. "Let it out. Take all the time you need."

It took about ten minutes before Silver Spoon managed to regain enough of her composure to stop crying and look up at her teacher. Silver Spoon hugged her teacher back for a few moments, then the two ponies released the other from their hug.

"Do you have any idea how this happened? Who would do this?"

"I.." Silver Spoon said, coughing and gasping for air as she tried to talk, "It started when I got home last night. I went into my bedroom and found all my stuffed animals.... without their heads..."

"What did your parents do when you told them?"

"They went and got the police. They were so worried for my safety that we stayed in a hotel last night."

"We've got to get this mess cleaned up. Come on, we'll put everything back in your locker for the time being."

"In my locker?" Silver Spoon asked, confused.

"We can't leave the hallway like this, and we can't stay here all day. We'll put all these heads back in your locker, close the door, and go to the principal’s office. You'll stay there while he goes and gets the police. Unless you want to go back to class."

"I....I don't know..." Silver Spoon said softly.

"That's what I figured," Miss Cheerilee replied.

It took the two ponies a few minutes but they managed to get all the stuffed animal heads off the ground and back into Silver Spoon’s locker. Cheerilee escorted the filly to the principal’s office and informed him of what was going on.

"What?!" Icepick asked, horrified.

"It gets worse. The stuffed animal heads were put in her locker" Miss Cheerilee said. "When she opened the locker this morning, they came pouring out of it."

"What did you do with them?" Icepick asked.

"Put them back in her locker," Cheerilee replied.

"Okay, I'm going to go get the police right now. Silver Spoon, you're welcome to stay here until they arrive. Miss Cheerilee, you might want to stay here with Silver Spoon, but first you should check on your class."

"I was thinking the same thing," Cheerilee replied, looking over at the frightened filly. "Will you be alright until I get back?"

"I think so." Silver Spoon replied, looking down at the floor.

"We'll be right back," Miss Cheerilee said.

She and Icepick ran out of the room. Cheerilee went back to her class and the principal ran out of the school and toward the center of town. He ran into the police station, and a few moments he came back out followed by a pony wearing a police uniform. The mare harnessed herself to a wagon marked with "Ponyville Police Department" lettering on the sides. The two ponies then ran back to the school.

"Class," Cheerilee said as she entered the room, "I'm going to be occupied for awhile. I want all of you to work on your art presentations. I'll check back every fifteen minutes to see how you're doing. Oh, one more thing. Nopony is allowed outside the classroom for any reason until I return."

When Cheerilee turned and left the room, her class moved out of their normal seating assignments and ponies all across the room rejoined their friends. The Cutie Mark Crusaders gathered in the back of the room and helped Babs get started on her presentation. When they looked up they saw Diamond Tiara sitting alone, working on hers.

"Do you think we went too far?" Sweetie Belle whispered.

"We tried every other option we could," Apple Bloom said quietly, her voice reflecting her own nervousness.

"Except punching Diamond Tiara in the face," Scootaloo whispered back.

"That wouldn't have stopped her. You would have gotten thrown out of school. Nothing more," Babs whispered, glancing at Diamond Tiara.

"You realize this isn't over, right? The police were at Silver Spoon’s home," Apple Bloom whispered.

"Now they're here," Scootaloo whispered nervously, looking out the window.

Their classroom faced Ponyville and when the Crusaders saw their principal running toward the school, they saw a police pony following him. They watched as the light green pony stopped right outside the school and unhooked herself from the police wagon.

She and the principal walked inside the school side by side and headed straight for Icepick’s office. Ten minutes passed and the door to the class opened. Cheerilee walked in and sat down at her desk.

"Is Silver Spoon okay?" Snips asked.

"She's talking to the police right now. I'm sure she'll be fine," Cheerilee answered. "Does anypony need a hoof with their presentations?"

Miss Cheerilee went around and looked at each pony’s presentation. She was about to check the Crusaders’ presentations when her classroom door opened and the mint green police pony walked in, followed by Principal Icepick.

"Children, I'd like your attention please," Icepick said. "I'd like to introduce you all to Detective Minty. She's going to be working here until we find out what happened this morning."

"Thank you, Principal Icepick. I'll take it from here," Minty said, as she turned to address the class. "My name is Officer Minty. Can anypony tell me why I'm here this morning?"

"To investigate what happened to Silver Spoon," Featherweight said.

"That's why I'm here?" Minty asked, surprised. "I thought I was here to sew those animals back together again. Rats, now I've got a lot more work to do!"

"Perhaps you should start by asking the children if they know anything about it," Cheerilee suggested.

"That's an idea," Minty said. "Does anypony know how this happened?"

"Somepony cut the heads off the stuffed animals and put them in Silver Spoon’s locker," Diamond Tiara said.

"I guess that about sums it up. Case closed," Minty said, turning and heading toward the door.

"That's it? Case closed? You're not even going to investigate?" Cheerilee asked, stunned.

"But...investigating means I have to look for clues. That's really more of a Twilight Sparkle kind of thing. It'll also make me have to ask questions....boring! I've got a better idea. I'm going to go look at the evidence I've already got and that will tell me who did this."

"What evidence do you have?" Apple Bloom asked.

"A locker full of stuffed animal heads that have a symbol drawn on them. When I match that symbol to something, that'll tell me who's responsible for this."

"That's Silver Spoon’s cutie mark," Cheerilee replied. She rolled her eyes at the imcompetent policemare, but Minty failed to notice that, also.

"So she's the culprit," Minty said. "Case closed."

"She didn't do this to herself," Cheerilee said, voice rising with her frustration level.

"But I said case closed."

"I think you might want to dig a little deeper into this case," Miss Cheerilee said.

"Fine," Minty said, turning and looking at Snails who was closest to her, "Teachers. Never happy, huh?"

The whole room burst into laughter as Minty turned and walked outside. Cheerilee looked rather annoyed and the class quickly stopped laughing and got back to their assignment. The pink earth pony sighed and closed the door behind Minty.

The rest of the morning went without incident. When the class was let out for morning recess, the four Crusaders walked away from the rest of the class to the far end of the playground.

"If that's the pony investigating what happened, we've got nothing to worry about," Apple Bloom said, a grin appearing on her face.

"Don't get over-confident," Babs warned. "We were very careful and we've been lucky so far, but this can't go beyond us. If anypony ever hears one word about this, we're all in big trouble."

"I sincerely hope Diamond Tiara learns something from this," Scootaloo replied, glancing over at Diamond Tiara who was sitting on a swing.

"So far she's kept to herself," Sweetie Belle said. "But that might not last long."

"Has anypony seen Silver Spoon?" Scootaloo asked.

"The last time I saw her was in the hall this morning," Babs replied.

"She's probably still in the principal's office. Or maybe they let her go home for the day," Sweetie Belle added.

"I have one question. I'm sure it's on everypony’s mind right now," Apple Bloom said.

"What if Diamond Tiara keeps pushing us around?" Babs asked.

"Are we really going to do something like this to her if she does?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Do we have any other choice?" Scootaloo asked.

"It's not like we're throwing the first punch here," Apple Bloom said. "If she stops we won't have any reason to go after her."

"And if she doesn't?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"If she doesn't then we do to her what we did to Silver Spoon," Babs said.

"I'm going to go over to Diamond Tiara," Apple Bloom said.

"What?!" Scootaloo shouted.

"Why?" Babs asked.

"Look at her," Apple Bloom said. "She looks so lonely. If we can make friends with her now, maybe we won't have to worry about having to go through all this again. We can end it right here, right now."

"I agree with Apple Bloom. I think we should all go over to her," Sweetie Belle said. "That way we can show her that we're sincere about wanting to be her friend."

"I can see why we should, but this is a bad idea," Scootaloo replied. "I want this to be over as much as the rest of you, but she's leaving us alone right now. Why risk being ridiculed by her?"

"If we can end this right now, we're free. If not at least we know," Babs said.

The Crusaders turned around and slowly walked toward Diamond Tiara. She was sitting on the swing, not moving. She was so lost in thought she didn't even notice the four fillies until they stopped in front of her.

"Diamond Tiara?" Apple Bloom said softly. "Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be okay?" Diamond Tiara snapped at her.

"We just thought because you were sitting alone, you might enjoy some company," Sweetie Belle said.

"From you blank flanks?! Please, don't make me laugh," Diamond Tiara said. "Don't you have some harebrained scheme to hatch and fail at to try and earn your cutie marks?"

"We just thought you were lonely, and could use a friend," Babs said.

"Well you thought wrong. Once again. If you had half the sense you pretend to have you would see I'm not lonely and you would go away. The fact you're all still standing here says more about your lack of intelligence than my words ever could. Think you can go away now?" Diamond Tiara asked angrily.

"For once, I agree with you," Apple Bloom said.

"Trying to be your friend is a complete waste of time. All we wanted was to be your friend, Diamond Tiara," Sweetie Belle said sadly.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders walked away from the swing set. When they were well away from it they stopped and looked around.

"Well, it was worth a try. But she hasn't learned anything," Apple Bloom said.

"Any thoughts on what we should do to her?" Scootaloo asked.

"Whatever we do we can't do it now," Babs said. "That cop is still around. It's too hot to try anything."

"That cop? Please. She couldn't catch a cold," Apple Bloom laughed.

"Be that as it may, we still shouldn't do anything right now. It's too soon," Babs cautioned.

"It's almost time to go back," Scootaloo replied.

The rest of recess went by without incident. When the Crusaders returned to class, they found Miss Cheerilee, Silver Spoon, and Minty waiting in the classroom.

"Silver Spoon, are you okay?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I will be," Silver Spoon replied.

"If there's anything we can do, please let us know," Sweetie Belle said.

"I just need to be left alone," Silver Spoon said.

"I'll leave you to your students and go get some cafeteria food. School food is awesome! Then I'm going to go to recess," Minty said, smiling.

"You don't get a recess. You're here to work," Miss Cheerilee said.

"But...aww come on, those swings look soo fun! I know that slide is, I've gone down it like a million times!" Minty said.

"Oh all right, just wait till the students come inside first. But don't spend all day out there. You've got a mystery to solve," Cheerilee said.

"Oh right. That," Minty replied. "It's already solved, so I'm gonna spend the rest of the day on the swings!"

"You already solved it?" Scootaloo asked.

"Who did it?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Trottingham drug runners. They hid the drugs in the dolls. Then they snuck into Silver Spoon’s room, cut the heads off and removed the drugs. They drew her cutie mark on the heads and shoved them in her locker as a warning to keep quiet about it. But I'm too smart for them. They won't get away!" Minty replied, shaking her hoof towards the invisible enemy.

"I don't think that's likely," Cheerilee said, shaking her head.

"Then how do you explain the white stuff I found all over her bed and bedroom, and the same white stuff I found in her locker?" Minty asked.

"The stuffing inside the plush animals," Miss Cheerilee said, annoyed.

"That's what they want us to believe. But I've taken samples and am going to give them to the techies at the station. Let them tell us what that stuff is," Minty said.

"Yeah, good luck with that," Cheerilee said. "In the meantime its almost time for class to start. You're welcome to stick around if you want, or you can go get lunch while they're still serving it."

"I think we both know the answer to that. Viva La FOOD!" Minty shouted, and darted out of the room.

The Crusaders and Silver Spoon took their seats as the rest of the class filed back into the room. Miss Cheerilee taught them about math and geography for the next few hours. The afternoon recess came and when the class was dismissed for recess, most of the students gathered around Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. The crusaders kept their distance and walked along the edge of the fence as they always did.

"I've got a proposition for you guys I wanna discuss after school today," Babs said.

"Proposition?" Scootaloo asked.

"I wanna ask you how far you're willing to go. Depending on what you're all comfortable with, there might be some ways to make money by doing work," Babs said.

"What kind of work?" Apple Bloom asked.

"The under the table kind. The kind we'd be well paid for doing."

"I don't know about that," Scootaloo replied.

"We'd have to know exactly what kind of work this is before we agree to anything," Sweetie Belle said.

"I'll go over all the details at today’s meeting," Babs replied, grinning mischievously.

After the final recess was over and the students returned to class, the last thing Cheerilee taught her students was science. This day's lesson found her covering how plants need both sunlight and water to grow. Because of all of the earlier excitement she assigned less homework than usual and dismissed class ten minutes early.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders went on their way to Sweet Apple Acres. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon met up in Diamond Tiara’s home and went straight for her bedroom.

"That was a low blow those Crusaders pulled on you," Diamond Tiara said.

"You really think they did that?" Silver Spoon asked.

"Who else would?" Diamond Tiara asked. "Even if they didn't, it does give a grand opportunity for us. Let's say they're innocent. Why wait for whoever did this to strike again? We can help them out and get rid of those blank flanks at the same time."

"Are you suggesting we frame them?" Silver Spoon asked.

"Why not? Let that cop find proof they're involved. At the least it'll get them in trouble and give us some laughs," Diamond Tiara said.

"I don't know who did this to me. I don't much care. I'm done helping you with your schemes," Silver Spoon said.

"Why?" Diamond Tiara asked, genuinely surprised.

"Whoever did this was very angry. They went to a great deal of trouble, Diamond Tiara. I don't know that the Cutie Mark Crusaders were involved. I don't know that they weren't. What I do know is I'm not making anypony angry again. If they were willing to go to this length to get me, I don't want to find out what would happen if I anger them again. I think this was a warning, and I'm taking it as such."

"You can't just give up now. If you do you'll let the Crusaders win."

"I don't care. I'm not going to help you with your scheming anymore. I know you won't take it, but I'm going to give you a piece of advice anyway. Quit while you're ahead. If you haven't angered whoever did this, then you're safe and you should stop now before you do. I'm still your friend, Diamond Tiara. I just won't help you mess with ponies anymore. This opened my eyes."

"Mine too," Diamond Tiara said, sounding annoyed. "I never knew you were a coward."

"I'm going to leave now. Before either of us say something we can't take back. I won't stop you from doing whatever you're going to do. Just know I won't help you either. I'm out of it," Silver Spoon said.

She stood up and left Diamond Tiara’s home, feeling just as bad as she had when she opened her locker. Silver Spoon had been under a huge amount of stress over the last twenty-four hours. First, there was what happened in her bedroom, then what happened at school, and finally what had just happened with the only pony she had ever considered a friend. She walked home slowly, each step feeling like the weight of the world was on her back. Each step she took going home became harder and harder for her, until she finally sat down on the sidewalk and burst into tears.

When the Cutie Mark Crusaders got to the spot on Sweet Apple Acres they were using for their meetings, they gathered around Babs Seed. The clubhouse was deemed too dangerous to use until Diamond Tiara had been dealt with, so they continued to meet in a remote spot in the orchards.

"Ok, this meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders is called to order. The first piece of business is what Babs was talking about. Babs, the floor is yours," Apple Bloom said.

"I'm sure all of you know there are ponies out there who sell things for money. Some sell tools, some sell food. Others sell clothes, or scrolls or potions. That is the bright glowing side of Ponyville. However, there is a darker side of Ponyville just below the surface. While I was in Manehattan I was working for my group doing runs. We would get items in boxes from one pony and deliver it to another."

"What exactly was in the boxes?" Scootaloo asked.

"I don't know and they didn't tell me. It was in my best interests not to ask questions. I was told simply to take a box and deliver it to a pony at a specific place and time. I showed up, gave them the box unopened. They paid me, I gave my group the money. They gave me my cut. Everypony got what they wanted."

"You make it sound easy doing courier work," Sweetie Belle said.

"It really was easy money. There were other ways to make considerably more money, but that was the safest one. Just make sure you never ever open the box. It stays closed, you stay safe."

"How would we get involved in that?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I'll start making inquiries around town, see what I can find out," Babs said. "If you're interested."

"All those in favor of making some money," Apple Bloom asked, and all four ponies raised their hooves.

"It's unanimous," Apple Bloom said. "Motion carries."

"Now onto other business. Anypony have any ideas what we should try today to earn our cutie marks?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"We could try gymnastics. I can do a cartwheel," Scootaloo said.

"I can do a forward roll," Apple Bloom said.

"I'd be willing to try and walk on a beam and to do twirls and stuff," Babs said.

"So its unanimous," Sweetie Belle said. "Let's go earn those cutie marks, girls!"

While the Cutie Mark Crusaders were out building their own gymnastics equipment, Diamond Tiara thought of a plan. She was going to teach those blank flanks a lesson they would never forget. It took her about fifteen minutes before she was satisfied everything was ready.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were out until late in the evening working on their gymnastics equipment. By the time they were ready to start practicing it was getting late and the sun had set. They agreed to part ways for the evening, and the shortest way off of Sweet Apple Acres was to pass near the farmhouse. The four fillies walked as a group and emerged from the apple orchards only to find Applejack, Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Minty waiting for them.

"Rarity?" Sweetie Belle asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you. Thank Celestia you're here," Rarity said. "I've been looking for you for hours."

"Rainbow Dash? Why are you here?" Scootaloo asked.

"I was at Rarity’s when they came looking for you. I told them their best bet was to come here, so when Rarity came here, I did too," Rainbow Dash replied.

"Applejack, what's going on?" Apple Bloom asked.

Minty stepped forward. "Apple Bloom, Babs Seed, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle," Minty said formally. "By the authority granted to me by the Mayor of Ponyville and the Captain of the Royal Guard, I am placing the four of you under arrest for foalnapping Diamond Tiara. You will come with me now."

Chapter 9: Shattered Dreams

Minty turned around and walked down the runway yet again. The ruffles on the lilac-colored evening gown she wore gently brushed against the well-varnished cherry wood. Candles lit both sides of the walkway as she tried her best to look fabulous. She paused by the curtain and blew a kiss to the camera, then skipped back towards the others.

Rarity sighed and shook her head. "That's more of a prance, darling." The longer she worked with the mint mare the more she was reminded of Pinkie Pie. "I'm looking for more of a sashay."

"What's that?"

Rarity resisted the urge to facehoof. "You know, wiggle your hips a bit when you walk. Draw attention to your flank, as if you were trying to capture the attention of a handsome young stallion."

"Oh, is that how you do it? I've never had much luck with the boys. Every time I get interested in a stallion he ends up going to jail."

Rarity cocked an eyebrow. "Uh?"

"I used to be a cop. You, um, don't really get to meet a lot of good ponies in that profession. Handsome, yes. Rich, sometimes. Good... not so much."

"What about fellow police officers?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"The higher-ups kinda frown on dating co-workers. Most of the ones who do it keep it on the down low."

Rarity took another look at Minty. "You're not very good with the whole concept of down low, are you?"

"Not in the slightest. I just get to talking, and then I get kinda nervous and before I know it I'm talking about things I don't want to talk about. Internal affairs quickly discovered I was the best pony to talk to about uncovering secrets from my co-workers... and after that none of them really wanted to talk to me."

Rarity immediately regretted the fact she hadn't thought to have non-disclosure agreements drawn up in advance. Working in a cutthroat field like the fashion industry, it wouldn't do to have her designs leak before she was ready for them to do so. And with Filthy Rich aiming to ruin her, there would be no shortage of ponies willing to fill his stores with designs shamelessly copied from her own. Unfortunately that would require a lawyer to draw up the paperwork, and a notary to authenticate it, and those were bits she could ill afford right now.

"Don't worry about it, Minty. I shall just have to explain the basics. This is a sashay." Rarity exaggerated her hip movements as she sensuously glided across the runway.

Rainbow smacked Spike in the back of the head and whispered, "You'll never capture her heart if you stare at her like that."

"Hey, if she's gonna put her assets on display she's got to expect a little window shopping." That comment earned him a thwack from both Rainbow Dash and Minty.

Rarity completed her walk up and down the runway and returned to the others. "So do you think you can manage that, dear?"

"Yeah! I got this!" Minty puffed out her chest and swung her hips to the left. Her entire body followed and she crashed through the front window of the boutique. "I'm okay! Really!"

"Um, you may want to try a little less sas and a little more shay," Rainbow Dash said as she failed to contain her amusement. She and Spike both fell to the floor, laughing.

Rarity sighed yet again. Her business, not to mention home, was going to look dreadfully tacky with plywood covering the window. Unfortunately there was no budget to replace that, either. "Perhaps we should forget about the sashaying for now and focus on the basics. I want you to walk down the runway. No hopping, no prancing, no galloping, just a nice leisurely stroll. Can you do that?"

"Piece of cake! Oh, I did it again. Now I want some cake." Minty's stomach gurgled, reminding her it had been almost a full day since she had last eaten. "What's that delicious smell?"

"Cloud cakes, fresh from Cloudsdale. I bought a box this morning. Here, catch!"

Minty leapt into the air with all the grace of elephant. She crashed back to earth and landed in a heap. Rarity cringed at what the roughhousing would do to the elegant gown she had spent so much time designing.

"I missed it! Where is it?" Rainbow Dash snickered and looked up. Minty followed the pegasus' gaze and was amazed to see the sweet floating in the air. "How?"

"Cloud cakes are made with 100% real clouds."

"Totally way cool!" Once again Minty jumped, straining to reach the dessert, but it remained out of reach.

"Here, let me get that for you." Rainbow glided across the room and snatched the cloud cake, then hoofed it to the green mare.

"Thanks!" Minty crammed the dessert into her mouth. Crumbs spewed from her mouth as she declared it delicious.

"If the two of you are quite done playing, we do have work to do here. Rainbow, darling, why don't you..." she trailed off, nostrils flaring. "Does anypony else smell smoke?" The three ponies immediately turned to the fire-breathing dragon in their midst.

"Hey, don't look at me. I'm just standing here with the camera waiting to actually take some pictures."

"Well, if not you...perhaps one of the candles?" Rarity inspected the runway, and was surprised to see that despite the antics of the other two mares, none of the candles had been overturned.

"Is it me, or is it getting warm in here?" Minty asked.

"It's you. You're on fire."

"That's nice of you to say, Rainbow. But like, I totally haven't gotten the hang of this modeling thing yet."

"No, I mean you're literally on fire. That dress you're wearing is smoking."

"Yeah, Rarity is an awesome designer! This dress really is smokin'!"

Rainbow facehoofed.

"Minty, listen to me very carefully. The gown that you are presently wearing has caught..." Rarity started but was interrupted.

"It burns! Hot, hot, hot! I'm on fire! I'm on fire!" Minty started running in circles while Rainbow Dash fetched a bucket of water. She made a beeline for the door, cutting through the racks of clothing to get outside as fast as possible.

Rarity's jaw dropped as licks of flames started dancing atop her masterpieces. She stood stone still in shock, unable to move as she watched all her hopes for the future go up in flames. By the time Rainbow arrived with the water, most of her new fall line was already ash.

"Geez, Rarity. Don't you know you're supposed to exit a burning building?"

"Everything's gone," she mumbled, barely audibly. "My life's work...ruined."

"Not totally. I mean, you've still got the outfits we're both wearing."

"Two outfits...two outfits..."

"And, um, you have the designs still, right?"

"When inspiration hits I just start on the project without sketching it."

"Oh. Um... In that case, I'm very sorry for making Minty jump over lit candles."

"Get out of my boutique, Rainbow Dash."

Spike was rummaging around where the racks of clothing had been. "Um, Rarity? Are you going to be using these gems?"

"Go ahead and eat them, Spike. They're scorched so they're useless to me."

"Thanks! Barbequed gems, delicious! Now I just need to get some BBQ sauce!" Spike grabbed as many as he could carry and headed back to the library.

Once the dragon was gone she continued, "And it's not like I'll be making any more dresses anyway."

*************************************************************

Apple Bloom looked around the train station and glanced at the ponies around her. So far nopony had approached her and asked what she was doing there, which didn't bother her a bit. She glanced over at a clock inside the ticket booth and realized that Scootaloo should be showing up on her scooter with a wagon hitched to her any minute, but so far there was no sign of anypony hauling anything out of the museum. From her vantage point she could see the street that ran in front of the museum, and anypony taking crates away or any wagons that came up to the museum would have been easy to spot.

A faint whistle echoed its way through the station, which caused Apple Bloom to turn her head. She saw the light of a train off in the distance, and when she turned back to the museum she saw ponies emerge from the door on the side, carrying boxes.

"It makes sense they'd wait," Apple Bloom thought, "That stuff is too valuable to just leave out in the open."

The ponies stood near the side door and watched as the light from the train grew until the train became visible. When it came to a complete stop the ponies began to move from the museum, each carrying a crate with them. Apple Bloom glanced around but didn't see Scootaloo, which made her feel a little nervous. Without Scootaloo, there was no way she was going to get onto that train. She walked over to the ticket stand and glanced back at the train. The ponies were loading the crates into the caboose. She turned and saw Scootaloo, hiding in the bushes about fifteen feet away from the station.

Apple Bloom waited until Scootaloo was looking at her to make a single gesture toward the last train car. Scootaloo nodded and watched as one by one the crates were put into the car. Apple Bloom didn't have any idea how she was supposed to get onto the train, or how Scootaloo was going to do it with her wagon. She glanced toward the front of the train and saw passengers debarking the train, while others were getting onto it. When the last of the crates were done being loaded, one of the ponies closed the freight car door and walked away.

It took nearly ten minutes for the passengers to finish boarding the train. The train conductor walked around the train and inspected each car door, making sure they were closed properly. As the final passengers boarded the train, the conductor closed the passenger doors and made his way back to the front of the train. Realizing the train was about to pull out of the station, Apple Bloom looked around and saw no one else on the platform. The pony inside the ticket booth was reading the newspaper and paying her no attention, so she darted toward the train and ran to the caboose.

Reaching for the door, she realized the conductor hadn't locked it. He probably figured it was okay just being closed, which worked in Apple Bloom's favor. She slid the door open and saw Scootaloo dart toward her. After helping the young pegasus pull her wagon into the car, Apple Bloom climbed in as the train began to move. Scootaloo ran after the train and was just out of reach of Apple Bloom, who stretched as far as she could reach.

"I'm not gonna make it!"

"We can't do this without you, now run!" Scootaloo pushed herself as hard as she could and jumped into Apple Bloom's waiting hooves. Apple Bloom pulled her into the car with all of her might and sent the orange Pegasus tumbling into a stack of crates, knocking them down. Apple Bloom shoved the door closed in time to hear voices coming from the other side of the train car.

"Yes, I'm sure I heard something in here, now please open the door. I want to check on my art." Jetset said.

Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at each other in horror. Realizing they had only seconds before the door opened, they picked up the wagon and hid it amongst the crates at the far end of the car, away from the door. They hid behind the boxes and watched as Jetset and another pony wearing a uniform that indicated he worked for the railroad walked into the freight car. The porter reached for a string and a light came on in the car.

"I told you I heard something! Look at this mess!" Jetset said.

"A few of the boxes fell over. They were probably stacked poorly," the porter replied.

"Well, help me stack them so they don't fall over again. I don't want anything to happen to this stuff," Jetset replied.

It took them a few minutes to straighten out the boxes Scootaloo had knocked over. Both Scootaloo and Apple Bloom kept perfectly still, waiting for what they believed to be the inevitable moment when they got caught. Apple Bloom was still trying to come up with some excuse as to why they were in the car with a wagon when the light turned off and they heard the click of a door closing.

"Wow was that close," Scootaloo said.

"To be honest that was kind of exciting," Apple Bloom admitted.

"It was, wasn't it?" Scootaloo agreed, giggling. "Now let's get the wagon loaded. We've got to be ready when the train stops."

"What happens if they can't get the train stopped?" Apple Bloom asked.

"After we get the art loaded, I'm gonna crack open the door and look outside. If we pass the Everfree without the train stopping, you and I are gonna have to throw the wagon and a couple of crates off the train," Scootaloo said.

"What about us? We can't ride all the way to Canterlot, we'll get caught," Apple Bloom pointed out.

"There's a reason Babs choose me to be on the train," Scootaloo said, flexing her wings. "As long as we make sure the wagon gets off the train, I'll make sure you do."

"Are we really going to do this? Ah know Ah wanna help mah brother 'n' sis and all, but this just doesn't feel right.."

"What else can we do? Our families won't let us get a job, and even if we did how much do you really think they'd pay us? It won't be enough to make any difference. We need money to help them right now. Look, if you don't want to do this, tell me now. I won't force you to be a part of this if you don't want to."

"You'd do that for me?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Of course. Our friendship means more to me than any amount of money. Just say the word and we'll open the door, toss the wagon off and jump."

"I appreciate that." Emotions waged inside Apple Bloom as she weighed the choice Scootaloo had just given her. Finally she conceded defeat, "You're right. There isn't any other way."

*************************************************************

"I think I hear the train coming," Sweetie Belle said, looking in the direction of Ponyville.

"Do you see the light from the train?" Babs asked.

"No, but it's possible it's still blocked. It's full of hills out here."

"I'm all set here," Babs replied. "Cover your ears, and duck."

Babs stood her ground and watched Sweetie Belle do as she was instructed. When Sweetie Belle ducked down she glanced back at the trees. They had arrived well before sunset and, using tools they had borrowed from Sweet Apple Acres, they had managed to cut enough out of the wood to set one of the tubes Babs had worked on in place. Babs had put string in one end of the tube, and using some flint rock she managed to set it ablaze. Running like her own tail was on fire, she managed to dive next to Sweetie Belle and cover her ears as the fireworks exploded inside the tubes.

Babs and Sweetie Belle glanced back in time to see a pair of large trees come down across the tracks. The trees were thick and it would take quite some time to clear them out of the way.

"Watch for the train," Babs said, "I'm going to retrieve as many of the pieces of the tube as I can."

"Why?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"As far as anypony knows these trees came down on their own. Just in case somepony comes looking into it, I don't want them to have any reason to think otherwise. These trees blocking the train's path are just a coincidence, nothing more."

"You're planning on what happens when the cops investigate the missing art," Sweetie Belle noted, sounding impressed.

"Bingo. Not every policemare is going to be like Minty. And Cheerilee got her fired, so there's no chance she'll be the cop investigating this robbery. So it's in our interests to not give them anything that points back at us."

Before the two fillies could continue their conversation they heard the distinct sound of metal grinding and a train whistle blowing sharply. Neither of the two fillies were visible from the tracks, but the sound of a train using it's emergency brakes was unmistakable. The train came to an abrupt halt less than a hundred feet from the downed trees. The two fillies moved slowly through the woods, seeking cover as they heard rocks being stepped on by what they presumed was the train's conductor.

"I swear I hate this route. Every time we get so much as a drizzle some tree from this forest falls down," the conductor muttered to himself. "Oh well. No sense putting off the inevitable."

Working their way toward the back of the train, Babs motioned to Sweetie Belle and pointed at the conductor. Sweetie Belle nodded, realizing that she was being asked to watch him. Babs continued on toward the back of the train and slid the door on the freight car open, to find Apple Bloom and Scootaloo waiting for her. Apple Bloom jumped down first, followed by Scootaloo. The trio lifted the loaded wagon off the train and put it on the tracks. Babs dropped the pieces of the pipe she had found into the wagon and closed the freight car door. The four fillies never noticed a pair of beady little eyes watching them as they worked. Fortunately for him he knew exactly who these little ponies were. And he'd make sure they'd pay for beating him to the punch.

"On the tracks?" Apple Bloom whispered.

"Level terrain and it will help hide the tracks the wagon will make until we get closer to town," Babs whispered. "I'll go get Sweetie Belle."

With the three fillies watching the train for any sign of anypony looking out a window toward them, Scootaloo took off down the track, towing the wagon and her friends behind her. Once the train was out of sight, she slowed down and the fillies hopped off the wagon. Babs took the pieces of the pipe and discarded them into some bushes on their way back to town.

"I can't believe it was that easy," Sweetie Belle said.

*************************************************************

Rainbow Dash lazed in an apple tree on Sweet Apple Acres. "So Rare's pretty mad at me right now."

"Now what did you do?" Applejack wiped the sweat from her brow as she took a seat in the shade of the tree. While her body welcomed the unscheduled break, her mind was already worried about all the apples she wasn't bucking while they talked.

"We had a modeling session at the boutique today. Me, Rarity, and some pony named Minty."

"Hold up there, sugarcube. Minty? Mint green mare, pink and white hair, trio of mints for a cutie mark?"

"That's her all right."

Applejack pulled her hat down over eyes. "Whoa nelly, if Minty was involved this here story's gonna be one hay of a doozy."

Rainbow Dash recanted the day's events to Applejack. "And then she swings her hips and bam! Right through the window!"

"Well shoot, if Rarity got off with only a busted window, she's come out ahead. Did I ever tell ya what she up and did t' the schoolhouse?"

"That was her? The school was like totally demolished!"

"Ee-yup. Big Mac 'n' me had t' put it all back together. I'm glad they called us, too. Those extra bits are the only thing keepin' the farm in the black right now. Filthy Rich has got the biggest chain o' stores in all Equestria. Big Mac's been workin' on negotiatin' some contracts today with some ma and pa type stores but ain't gonna be near enough. There just ain't any other stores big enough to effectively compete with him. And the little stores are scattered all over the place. We just don't have the distribution network Filthy Rich has. We can grow apples all day long, but actually gettin' them t' the stores before they go bad is our problem. It takes all of us working t'gether t' keep the farm runnin' smooth. We can't afford to be away from Sweet Apple Acres runnin' all over Equestria delivering a few apples here and a few apples there."

"I could help you with that. There's no faster flyer in Equestria, after all!"

"No bigger ego, either. 'Ceptin' maybe Trixie. You're fast but you're not strong. Flying willy nilly all over the country at breakneck speed doesn't amount to a hill o' beans o' good for us if'n y'all can't haul a wagon full of apples with ya."

"I can pull a cart of apples."

"Oh yeah? How about that cart, right over there?" Applejack gestured to a full-size wagon overflowing with red delicious apples.

"Uh..."

"Exactly my point, sugarcube. Big Mac can pull that no sweat. I can pull it with a little effort. You'd never even get it off the ground. Now then, y'all never did finish your story. So why does Rarity hate you all of a sudden?"

"I may have accidentally set Minty on fire and she may have accidentally destroyed Rarity's entire inventory of dresses..."

"She doesn't need any of y'all's help to be a one-pony wrecking crew."

"You know, she's in the same financial situation as you and Rarity. And I think you just gave me an idea on how to get her out of it."

"How's that, sugarcube?"

Rainbow Dash flashed her biggest grin. "If she's that good at destroying things, I'm going to get her a job with the demolitions company."

Applejack took her hat off and scratched her mane. "I reckon that's a plum good idea. But I can't help thinkin' it'll backfire and she'll miraculously figure out a way t' restore whatever it is she's tryin' t' knock down back t' new.

"Ha! That's a good one. But even Minty has to have some talent at something. Now if I could just figure out a way to make things up to Rarity."

"You're in pretty good with them there Wonderbolts ponies. Maybe you could convince them to give her a little free advertisin'? You know, a celebrity endorsement or somethin'."

"Yeah! That could work! I'll go see Spitfire tomorrow."

"Put in a good word for Sweet Apple Acres while you're at it. I'm a proud mare, and I hate t' ask for favors... but RD, y'all know I can't lie t' save my life." Tears welled up in her eyes as she took her hat off. "I can't lose th' farm, Rainbow. I just can't. It's the only home I've ever had, the only home I've ever wanted. And movin' off the farm would probably kill Granny Smith. It would mean a lot t' me if you'd try and get an endorsement from the Wonderbolts for Sweet Apple Acres too."

*************************************************************

Minty held her head down as she walked through Ponyville, the soggy and singed remnants of what had once been a fancy nightgown clinging to her body like spandex. Her pace was slowed both by the complete lack of usefulness she felt, as well as the rather uncomfortable places the rags clinging to her had decided to ride up in. At the rate she was going she'd never find gainful employment. At the moment she couldn't care less about that, all she wanted was a nice relaxing bubble bath to wash away the day's failures. She rounded the corner and approached her home. She twisted the door handle but nothing happened. "Did I lock it?" She fumbled with her key but no matter how hard she tried it wouldn't go into the lock.

"You're behind on your rent."

Minty cringed. She had gone to great lengths to avoid the purple unicorn since she lost her job with the police department. "Uh, hi Kimono. Pleasant day we're having, right?"

Kimono gave the mint mare a quick glance. "Such a great day you decided to run through sprinklers while wearing your best outfit?"

"Hehehehe, yeah. That's it entirely. Now if you'd just be so kind as to let me into my home so I can get a much needed bath and some rest..."

"About that, Minty. I'm evicting you."

"You can't do that to me, Kimono. We've been friends since we went to school together!"

"Minty, when I agreed to rent this house to you against my better judgment, you promised you'd never play the 'but we're friends' card. I even remember specifically telling you we were more acquaintances than friends, anyway."

"Please give me another month, Kimono. I'm sure by then I'll have a new job."

Kimono grumbled. "Fine. Don't make me regret this, Minty."

*************************************************************

Rainbow grabbed her mail as she unlocked her front door. She dumped it on the dining room table and turned her attention to making dinner. What she'd neglected to tell her friends was that while she owned one of her two homes outright, she'd gone heavily into debt to buy the second home and had used the first home as collateral on the second. At the time it had seemed like a good move but now she was having second thoughts. With Filthy Rich making life miserable for her friends, she couldn't help but feel a little worried that he'd somehow manage to strike at her too. She'd already had a long discussion on the matter with her boss at the weather factory and had been assured that no formal complaints had been filed... yet. Her boss had also promised to double-check any potential complaints from Filthy Rich with Mayor Mare to verify their accuracy.

Rainbow wasn't feeling particularly hungry, so she took a few fresh vegetables out of the fridge and started to make a salad. Her thoughts turned to Scootaloo – she was spending the night in the Ponyville house while Rainbow Dash had felt a need to come to her Cloudsdale home for the night. No matter how long she spent on the ground, it just wasn't home to her. She was a pegasus, master of the sky. She needed to be in the air. Especially when she wasn't happy. She sighed. Cloudsdale was probably the only really safe place for any of them at the moment. Filthy Rich couldn't fly, after all. She made a mental note to look into transferring Scootaloo into Cloudsdale's elementary school. "If only there was some way I could do the same for Rarity, Applejack, and their families too. And Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Twilight. Who knows how long before he starts going after my friends too?"

Rainbow took a quick walk outside and gazed over the edge of the clouds to Ponyville down below. Sweet Apple Acres was completely dark, but a quick look at the clock verified that was normal for this time of the evening. The family of farmers went to bed early so they could get up early the next morning. Next she glanced at the dark and foreboding Carousel Boutique. That was decidedly abnormal. Rarity often found her best inspiration to come at night, and often burned the midnight oil working on the next big fashion trend. But the unicorn had voluntarily shut off her electricity rather than run up a debt she couldn't pay so the entire building was shrouded in darkness. "Poor Rarity. I've gotta help her out of this mess. It's all my fault. If I hadn't thrown that stupid cloud cake Minty never would've wrecked her outfits. Hay, or for that matter, if I hadn't hired Minty in the first place and let her pick her own model."

Finally she turned her attention to the mail. "Maybe there's some good news in here. Let's see, bill, bill, junk mail, flyer for a new shoe store ha, like I wear shoes." The glint off an official seal caught her attention on the next envelope. "Whoa! A letter from the Wonderbolts! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh..." She did a backflip and ripped into the envelope to reveal the letter inside.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

Thank you for your interest in joining the Wonderbolts team. However, at this time you're just not what we're looking for.

Sincerely,
Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts

"Not what they're looking for?" Rainbow screamed. "Since when? This just reeks of Filthy Rich. But how?"

*************************************************************

Angel fumed as he hopped towards his destination. His buyer was expecting him to have a pile of paintings, and instead all he had was an excuse. His client wasn't the type of pony who dealt lightly with failure, and as a precaution Angel had taken the liberty of hiding various members of his gang in the woods around the meeting spot. If things got out hoof, they'd intervene and make him regret the day he dared cross Angel Bunny.

He found the unicorn waiting for him in the designated spot in a small clearing, a few meters off the main trail. Easily overlooked in the daylight, nearly impossible to find at night. Several bags filled with bits were laying on the ground, as usual. Angel looked at the bags, knowing each contained a hundred thousand shiny gold bits. Bits that would be extremely useful... but only if he could uphold his end of the bargain, which at the present time was impossible. He looked up at his buyer and shook his head, indicating he had not obtained the merchandise.

The unicorn cocked an eyebrow at that. "You've never failed me previously. What happened?" Angel pantomimed that he had been beaten to the punch. "Do you know who stole them out from under you?" Angel nodded. "Then I take it that you plan to resolve this situation satisfactorily?" Angel nodded once again and flashed him a wicked grin. Chills ran down the unicorn's spine – the little rabbit was easily scarier than any pony he'd ever met. Still, a job that wasn't completed couldn't be rewarded. "I hope so, for your sake. There's nothing stopping me from feeding you to my pet snake."

Angel clapped his paws together and the trees off to the left shook. A second later the unicorn's pet snake was thrown to him. The boa had been tied into a knot, but was still alive. For good measure Angel kicked the snake in the nose. Angel looked up at the unicorn.

"I see. Well then, I see this situation is in good hooves, er, um, paws. If you'll excuse me, I have a snake to untie."

*************************************************************

"Hey Minty."

"Rainbow Dash? How'd you know I lived here?"

"I asked Pinkie Pie. She knows where everypony lives."

"Oh yeah, she would." Minty giggled a bit. "So what's up?"

"I feel bad about what happened at the modeling session the other day so I figured I'd make things up to you. I found a job that would be perfect for you. You don't have to worry about accidently breaking something by being clumsy, you'll be getting paid specifically to break things."

"I can do that!"

"I figured you could. You've got an interview at 2 o'clock, over at Derby's Demolitions."

"Thanks, Rainbow Dash! This means a lot to me."

"I have faith in you."

Five hours later Minty bounced into the small shack serving as an office for Derby's Demolitions. Most of the property was taken up by heavy equipment, limiting the amount of space available for the building itself. "I'm here for an interview?"

"Welcome! I'm Belmont Stakes, third generation owner of Derby's Demolitions." He motioned to some portraits hanging on the wall. "That's our founder, and my maternal Grandsire, Kentucky Derby, and my Dam, Preakness Stakes."

"Your mother's quite pretty, and your grandpa is very handsome."

"Ha! Don't let him hear you say that or he'll be flirting with you like crazy."

"Oh. Is he around?"

"Nah, he's retired these days but he still pops in from time to time. Anyways, you're here for a reason, so let's see what you know about demolitions." He led her outside. "This is our largest crane which just happens to be supporting a wrecking ball at this very instant."

"Ohhhh, shiny!"

"Have you ever operated any heavy machinery before?"

"Well, my refrigerator is pretty heavy, and I manage working that just fine. Though I never did figure out if the light bulb stays on when the door is shut..."

Belmont laughed. "You've got a good sense of humor, I like that. Hop up there in the cab and show me what you've got."

Minty did as instructed and stared at the various levers on the vehicle's control panel. Not knowing what to do, she did what she did best: started playing with the levers to see what they would do. The cab of the crane started spinning, the wrecking ball gaining momentum and was soon nearly horizontal with the mast of the crane. With an ear-splitting snap the cables broke and the wrecking ball sailed through the sky over Ponyville like a shot put. "Uh, I think I hear my socks calling..." Minty disappeared in a cloud of dust as Belmont stared in the direction the wrecking ball had sailed off in. A muffled boom could be heard as it landed somewhere across town.

"I sure hope nopony was hurt. This is going to kill my insurance premiums..."

*************************************************************

The Cutie Mark Crusaders sat on Scootaloo's bed. Rainbow Dash was still at work so they had the whole house to themselves at the moment, perfect for figuring out their next move.

"So we got the pics. Now what, cous?"

"Simple. Now we fence them. Then we get our money and they're that pony's responsibility to resell. Or get caught with. Either way, we don't care because we got paid."

"But if he gets caught, what's to prevent him from ratting us out?" asked Scootaloo.

"Because we'll be concealing our identities. We'll wear trenchcoats that cover our tails and flanks so that he can't see our cutie marks, or rather our lack of them, big hats that shade our faces and cover our manes, and sunglasses to hide our eyes. Furthermore, only the two of us will meet the buyer. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle will hide and observe to make sure everything goes smoothly. If not, their job is to create a diversion and get us out of there as fast as possible.

"So where do find this fencer pony?" asked Apple Bloom.

"I have a few contacts in Manehattan. We just have to wait a few days for the news to get out. Once ponies realize that these paintings are missing, there will be interested parties making inquiries on how to obtain them. I'll hop a train to Manehattan on the pretext of visiting friends back home. I'll make the arrangements while I'm there and then I'll come back to Ponyville and we'll have a date and time to meet the fence. It should all go off without a hitch and we'll get paid quickly."

"That's great, because my sister's about to lose everything. She could really use the money." Tears welled up in Sweetie Belle's eyes.

"Don't worry, we won't let her lose the boutique."

*************************************************************

Paradise listened to the Royal Guard droning on about jurisdiction and rolled her eyes. Somewhere between Ponyville and Canterlot a number of priceless paintings went missing. Like it or not, this would have to be a joint operation between their forces, even if the guards were trying to force their way into taking over the whole investigation. Honestly she was tempted just to let him have his wish and give him the reins, but that would look bad for her department. But they were short-staffed without Minty and they already had several as yet unsolved crimes to work on. The Royal Guards, being on the Princesses' payroll, were much better equipped to deal with a crime of this magnitude.

So far the facts of the case were few and far between: 1. The paintings were loaded onto the train in Ponyville. 2. The paintings were seen on the train, while it was in motion, by their owner, JetSet, and one of the porters. 3. The train made an unscheduled stop between Ponyville and Canterlot outside the Everfree Forest. 4. The paintings weren't on the train when they got to Canterlot. The Royal Guards were running background checks on every passenger and railroad employee who'd been on the train, while Sweet Stuff was investigating the scene of the unscheduled stop, looking for clues.

Sweet Stuff could see her boss and the Royal Guards debating something from where she stood. She counted her blessings that she was merely an investigator and not in charge of anything. She turned her attention back to the tree stump in front of her. There were definitely singe marks where the tree had snapped, but they didn't seem consistent with a lightning strike. Furthermore, the odds of two bolts of lightning hitting two trees so close together was statistically zero. More so in the Everfree with its erratic weather patterns. A pegasus could manipulate lightning strikes to do the damage, but not in this environment. And while close to one another, the two trees were far enough apart that no single bolt of lightning knocked both of them down. Nope, these trees were definitely not felled naturally.

Now that she had uncovered the first major break in the case she examined the area around the two trees looking for clues to the perpetrators. Anything deemed of interest was bagged and tagged, and a few minutes later she trotted out to Paradise and dropped a baggie in front of her. "Merry Hearth's Warming, chief. Remnants of a pipe bomb. The biggest pieces were already picked up, probably by the perp trying to cover his tracks."

"Anything else?"

"Nope, sorry. The ground's hard as rock and covered in dead leaves, so no tracks. No blood, strands of hair, or patches of fur."

"Regardless, good work, detective. Now we have a lead. Take this back to the lab for analysis."

"No can do," said one of the Royal Guards. "We'll be taking that, thanks." He confiscated the baggie and directed his underlings to comb the woods around the trees looking for more evidence.

Paradise and Sweet Stuff trotted back to their police wagon. "Well, I guess that settles that."

"Not quite, chief. I figured they'd take the evidence. That's why I separated it into multiple bags. Not our fault they didn't ask if I had any more."

"Good work, Sweet Stuff. Now let's get this to our lab and see if we can break this case open before they do."

*************************************************************

After a long day teaching, all Cheerilee wanted to do was curl up on the couch with a good book. She turned the corner towards her house but was surprised to see a large crowd gathered on her block. She excused herself repeatedly as she pushed through the crowd towards her home. Or rather, what was left of it. Something large had crashed through the southeast corner of the structure, demolishing her kitchen, dining room, and living room in the process. As she started running towards the wreckage she was restrained by several pairs of strong hooves.

"Sorry, miss, but we can't let you pass."

"That's my house!"

"Oh, my condolences, ma'am. We've been trying unsuccessfully to locate you for a few hours now."

"Minty," she mumbled under her breath. "I don't know how she did it, but I know she did it."

"As near as we can tell there was an accident involving a wrecking ball..."

Cheerilee looked at the giant metallic ball sitting in her house. "Really? I never would've guessed that." She tuned the policestallion out as he droned on. Apparently Minty wasn't the only incompetent police officer in Ponyville.

"C'mon folks, give the mare a little privacy. She's been through a lot t'day."

That voice. Cheerilee would recognize it anywhere. "Big Macintosh!"

"Ee-yup. I came as soon as I heard what happened. It's a right shame, but don't worry none. Applejack 'n' I will fix it up right good."

"Thank you so very much." Cheerilee wrapped her forelegs around the hefty stallion, embracing him. "But what am I supposed to do in the meantime?" She put on her best pouty face.

"You're welcome t' stay with us on the farm."

"Yes!" Cheerilee thought.

"I discussed it with my sister before coming. She'll be happy to let you split her room with her temporarily."

Cheerilee's thoughts raced. Internally she thought, "But I want to stay with you." Externally she thanked him for the offer and batted her eyelashes and said, "I'm a little shaken up by this." Her eyes pleaded with him. "Come on, I know you're shy but you need to comfort me. Say something. And it better not be 'ee-yup' or I'll scream!"

"I reckon you have all the reason t' be shook up. But don't fret none, we'll show you some good ol'-fashioned hospitality and hopefully take your mind off your problems. Maybe you can even help us with one of our own."

"Of course, I'd be happy to help. I'd do anything for you." She smiled. "Anything."

Big Mac pushed a wagon between them. "I brought this so we can load up your possessions. No sense leavin' everything exposed to the elements...or sticky hooves, for that matter."

Cheerilee sighed. He was right, time was wasting and she should get to work. It wouldn't be safe to leave her possessions out in the open. They worked for the next several hours in silence loading the wagon. When they were done they secured what was left of the house against potential looters and then departed for Sweet Apple Acres. Cheerilee trailed behind Big Mac, ogling him as he easily pulled the heavy cart.

*************************************************************

The first rays of the sun shone down on Cloudsdale as Spitfire flew towards the Wonderbolts Academy. With a little luck, and a whole lot of hustling her flank, she could get a good chunk of the paperwork piled up in her inbox knocked out before the first class began at nine. She landed and walked towards the door to her office.

"Spitfire."

She looked up. "Rainbow Dash? Is that you?"

Rainbow stepped out of the shadows. "Yup. I bet you can guess why I'm here."

"I have a pretty good idea."

"Why?"

"Filthy Rich came to us with a sponsorship proposal. All he asked for in return was the ability to veto any applicant he felt would be a bad spokespony for his store. Had I known he was only doing this to spite you, I never would've agreed to it."

"I see."

"You're not mad, are you?"

"I'm furious, but not at you. No, he misled you, and my anger's directed at him, not you or the team. How long?"

"Five years. I've had my legal team go over the contract and there's no way out. He's got an escape clause but he didn't leave us one. My hooves are tied, rookie."

"Five years?" Rainbow's face fell.

"I'm truly sorry. For what it's worth, we all want you on the team. If there weren't so many procedures and legal hoops to jump through you'd already be on the team and we wouldn't be having this conversation."

'Is there anything that can be done?"

"I'm afraid not. Even in the highly unlikely event his business goes bankrupt he paid up front, in cash. Believe it or not that scenario's covered in the contract. He really wanted to spite you. Once he found out Lightning Dust was just as fast as you, he hired her on the spot."

"Even after what happened at the academy?"

"Yup. Our protests were overridden. She starts training with the team on Monday. He's really hoping she can learn the Sonic Rainboom."

"He wants her to steal my routine? That's low."

"Unfortunately flying fast enough to break the sound barrier isn't really considered a trademarked move. His lawyers argued that if any other pegasus just happened to fly that fast, a sonic boom will occur, whether that pony wants one to or not. Therefore, it was ruled that it isn't protectable. I'm really, really sorry about this. Making matters worse, while Lightning Dust has the speed and determination, she lacks the skill and discipline you have. She's probably going to kill herself out there. As far as she's concerned, she didn't call us, we called her, and we didn't call you. In her mind she feels vindicated. Her ego and recklessness have gotten even worse as a result."

"That's possible?"

"Surprisingly, yes. Anyways, I've already said far more than I'm supposed to. But I like you, I respect you, and I feel you've been given a raw deal and deserve the right to know what happened. Straight from the horse's mouth, as it were. Unfortunately, I need to escort you off our property. Another of Filthy Rich's edicts."

"I understand. Thanks for telling it to me straight. I appreciate that."

"Any time, rookie."

*************************************************************

In the weeks since her last chance gamble for saving Carousel Boutique had gone up in flames, Rarity had withdrawn into herself. Friends came to offer moral support, only to discover the fashionista wasn't home. Her friends decided she needed some time alone and let her have it, albeit reluctantly. Rainbow Dash in particular had to be distracted away from performing an aerial search for her.

Now, finally at peace with what had happened, she plastered her face with the biggest smile she could muster. A short walk through Ponyville brought her to the Golden Oaks Library. She knocked on the door and waited.

"Geez, this is a public library. You don't need to knock before entering..." Spike cut himself off mid-rant as he opened the door. "Rarity? To what do I owe the pleasure, m'lady?"

"You're as charming as ever, my little Spikey-wikey!" She pinched his cheeks for emphasis. "As you know, I've recently experienced some setbacks that are forcing me to move out of Carousel Boutique and back home with my parents. As I shall be sharing a room with my dear sister, Sweetie Belle, I find myself in dire need of downsizing. Rather than have a yard sale, I've decided to just give my things away to those who would most appreciate them. And I can think of no one more worthy of my inventory of fine gems than you. After all, you helped me excavate most of them in the first place." She neglected to mention she had spent a good portion of the last few weeks adding to the pile, just for him.

Spike blushed. "But Rarity, I only wanted to help you..."

"And you did, ever so much. And now it's time I repaid your generosity with some of my own." She opened the library door all the way and Spike's eyes bulged out of his head as he gazed upon a wagon overflowing with gems.

"Those are all for me?"

For the first time in months, Rarity genuinely smiled. "Oh, silly Spike. These aren't all of them, these are only the ones I had room for in this wagon. There are two more loads waiting for you back at the boutique. So the sooner you unload them the sooner you can help me move the rest of them here."

"I...I... Thank you." Spike stammered. "This is the most awesome thing that's ever happened to me. Tears welled in the corners of his eyes.

Rarity leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Eat them in good health, my brave knight. Take them and grow into a handsome dragon and go forth and find your princess."

"I've already found her..."

"No, I'm afraid you haven't. It's been cruel of me to toy with your emotions, but I haven't wanted to break your heart. I don't, can't, feel the same way about you."

The tears that had threatened to spill from Spike's emerald eyes earlier finally burst through like a flooded river overflowing its banks. "But...but..."

"No buts, dear. You deserve far better than I anyway. By the time you're old enough to woo me seriously, I shall be naught but a withered mare well past my prime, and a mere mockery of the unicorn that stands before you today. In addition, your kind measures lifespans in geological epochs, while I'll be lucky to make it a full century. But never let it be said that I don't care about you, for I do. And the kindest thing I can think of to do is to tell you all this, now, and save you years of pain and suffering as you long for something you can't have." She scooped him into a hug. "Now go and unload the cart. It'll help you take your mind off things, and then we'll go and get the rest. Okay?"

"Okay. I guess." Spike hung his head as Rarity let go of him. He pushed the front door open, slamming it against the exterior of the tree as he stomped out.

"My apologies, Twilight. I... I just couldn't bear to see him continue pining for me."

"I actually appreciate that. Spike will too, eventually."

"I hope so."

"So how are you?"

"I don't suppose you'd believe me if I said 'fine' now would you?"

"Not in the least."

Rarity sighed. Twilight wouldn't let her have her dignity. That was to be expected, though. Her thirst for knowledge was fueled by her inner curiosity. "Filthy Rich is trying to force me into bankruptcy. I'm afraid he won't rest until I'm a destitute pauper forced to turn tricks to make enough money just to eat. He's run off every potential buyer I've had for the boutique. I overheard the last one say to the real estate agent that he'd just wait for the public auction and pick it up cheaper than my asking price."

"You could try lowering your price?" Twilight suggested.

"I've already set it as low as I can. The list price is exactly what I owe on my mortgage. As it stands, it's already much lower than what I paid for the building and property when I purchased it because I know I need to sell it as soon as possible."

"I've got some savings, and I'd be perfectly happy to loan you the money to keep going for a few more months."

"Twilight, darling, one simply doesn't jump on board a sinking ship. I would be a lousy friend if I accepted your generous offer, for I know full well you'd never recoup your investment. No, I fear I've failed and I simply must face the consequences of that failure. The foreclosure and auction are next week, anyway, so it's far too late to do anything about it now. The notice has been pinned to my front door for a week now."

"I could write to the Princesses. Surely all your service in protecting Equestria has to be worth something."

"A noble thought, dear, but you'd be better off convincing Princess Celestia that Sweet Apple Acres is a historical landmark that cannot be allowed to fall into the grips of suburban development."

"That's...actually not a bad idea at all."

"I've been putting a lot of thought into it. I just wish I could solve my own problems nearly as easily." Rarity sighed and looked out the library's window. The faintest hint of a smile twitched her lips as she caught sight of a familiar pony outside. "However, I do know of one wrong I can make right. I hate to cut this short, Twilight, darling, but duty beckons."

"Well, my door's always open if..." The door clicked shut as Rarity trotted out. "...you ever want to talk." Twilight groaned. "How am I supposed to write a friendship report about this if she won't open up to me about how she feels?"

Rarity's eyes adjusted to the bright daylight and she scanned the area. There was no mistaking the owner of rainbow-colored tail she had glimpsed through the window while talking to Twilight. She caught sight of the prismatic mare trotting towards Sugarcube Corner. "Rainbow, darling, would you be so kind as to wait up?"

"Rares? I thought I'd be the last pony you'd want to talk to right now."

"Actually, about that. I've come to apologize."

"Wait, back up a second. I may not be prim and proper or ladylike, but shouldn't I be the one apologizing to you?"

"No, I've thought about it and while I was understandably upset at the time, the ultimate blame for what happened rests with me and not you. It was...foolish of me to put all of my eggs in one basket, so to speak. I was cocky, expecting success in spite of nearly insurmountable odds. Then I roped you into modeling for me, even though I know how much you hate it, and I can't fault you for doing what you could to liven things up a bit."

"What about Minty? I was, er, the one who hired her."

"Yes, and it was my decision to put you in charge of watching the door, despite knowing your short attention span and your expressed desire to get done as soon as possible. Really, I should've seen this coming a mile away."

"Um, apology accepted. Can you ever forgive me for what happened?"

"I already have. Indeed, I want you to take this gown you were wearing that fateful day. I have no use for it, and I truly designed it to be worn by you. You could've had a fantastic career as a model. With my dresses combined with your lithe build, your multi-hued hair, and your dedication, drive, and competitive nature we could've taken the fashion world by storm. But it is what it is, and I want you to take this. I'm sure there will be a formal occasion in your future that you'll want to get dressed up for. Perhaps sooner than you might think." She gave a half-hearted smile to her friend. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go see Fluttershy. With everything going on right now, I'd like her to watch Opal for me until I get settled in at my parents house."

Rainbow Dash watched the white unicorn walk away. Gone was the saunter in her step that begged every stallion in the area to pay attention to her. Her mane, once a source of immeasurable pride and kept neat and trim was ragged, with hairs jutting out at all angles. Her purple tail dangled limply from her dock, swaying only when a stray gust of wind caught it. Her coat was as dull and lifeless as the prior conversation had been; the normal glossy sheen of a mare who spent slightly less on beauty products than the Griffin Empire did on their military was long since gone.

There had been a time Rainbow Dash had longed for the day when she'd see Rarity unkempt. But now that she'd seen it, it scared her. "I never thought I'd say this but I really want the old Rarity back..."

*************************************************************

Time has a way of slipping away from ponies. Thirty days came and went quickly, and for Minty, forty-three job opportunities came and went with them. The best was a waitressing job she managed to keep for two and a half days. The shortest was the ten minutes she spent working in a china shop. It was also the most expensive...

After four last minute interviews came up empty, Minty plodded home to find that she was locked out. "Oh, come on..."

Kimono was sitting on the porch swing waiting for her. "How'd the job search go?" Minty's face fell. "That bad?"

"Yeah. I don't suppose....?"

"Not this time. No job means no rent money. No rent money means no house. This time I've already taken the liberty of changing the locks."

"But, like, all my stuff is in there. My whole sock collection!"

"Not anymore it isn't. Everything's in those trash bags out back. You've got 'til the trash ponies come on Thursday to clear it out of here."

"But you can't just kick me out! Where am I supposed to go?"

"You've got family, right? Friends?"

"Well, yeah, but..."

"Then you've got places to freeload at. But you won't be staying here again unless you can provide all back rent and the next two months up front."

"But Kimono..."

"No buts, Minty. I've been more than patient with you over the years you've lived here. I've overlooked violations to the 'no pets' policy, the addition of a poorly placed balcony, and the fact you repainted absolutely everything inside the house green, including light switches, doorknobs, the kitchen counter, and even the bathtub. It's going to take me months to renovate this place just so I can rent it to somepony else. And in order to do that, I need you out now."

"I take it this means I'm not getting my damage deposit back?"

Kimono wasn't known for her sense of humor, but she fell to the ground laughing at that thought.

"I'll take that as a 'no' then."

*************************************************************

Rarity trudged up the stairs of Carousel Boutique. What few possessions she had left had already been moved out the day prior, and were now sitting in her parents' basement. The electricity had long since been shut off, but that hardly mattered to the unicorn. A soft glow from her horn was enough to light her way, and even that was really unnecessary to the pony who had lived and worked in the building for the past few years.

The dark and empty boutique matched the emptiness in the young unicorn's heart perfectly, and she couldn't think of a more appropriate setting for what she needed to do next. Reaching her final destination in the attic, she started braiding the strongest rope she could. It wouldn't do for it to break, as that would be yet another failure to add to the heap. And she just couldn't bear another defeat. It was over. Her dreams, her destiny, her life.

As she worked, the weight she had been carrying on her shoulders slowly dissolved. Sweetie Belle wouldn't need to suffer for her older sister's failures. Her friends wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen in public with her. Her parents wouldn't be overburdened with yet another mouth to feed. And her lovers... well she'd never had any luck in that department. All of the stallions she had liked had proven to be arrogant jerks, interested in somepony else, or gay. Her love life, or rather the lack thereof, was just another failure to add to the list.

But it was all going to be okay soon. She laughed. Everypony would be better off without her. Why, Sweetie Belle would get a week off of school for bereavement. More than enough time for the happy filly to bounce back from whatever grief she might feel at her sister's passing. After the funeral, Rainbow Dash might never need to look at a frilly dress ever again. Spike would no doubt take it hard, but she had done what she could to ease the pain of losing his prepubescent crush earlier. Indeed, he was likely feeling very angry towards her currently, perhaps even wishing her dead at this very moment. Fluttershy would have Opalescence to comfort her in this difficult time. Rarity had made sure that her beloved pet would be well taken care of – there were certainly no hooves in Equestria more capable of taking care of Opal. And he would be good for the shy pegasus as well. Certainly she was the only pony the feisty feline had ever managed to get along with. Not even Rarity herself had the bond with her pet that Fluttershy had.

Granted, the Elements of Harmony probably wouldn't work without Generosity in the mix, but there was no shortage of generous ponies in Equestria. She was replaceable.

"Ha! Let them try to sell Carousel Boutique now. Nopony would ever be foolish enough to buy it after this."

Rarity walked out onto a support beam and closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath she leapt into the air and plummeted towards what had once been the sales floor where she'd sold so many dresses. As the rope uncoiled her life flashed before her eyes, from the good times spent with friends to the embarrassing times with her family. The overwhelming joy she felt at getting her cutie mark, and the despair that she wouldn't live to see her dear sister obtain hers. She did her best to block out the crushing weight of the past few months and focused her last thoughts on memories of happier times. After all, everything was going to be just fine in less than a second.

Crack.

With that sickening, bone-snapping sound the air was forced from Rarity's lungs and everything went black.