Of Apples and Oranges, Diamonds and Darkness.

Waking up the next morning was unreal for Scootaloo. She had to remind herself this was not a dream, nor a figment of her wild imagination, but indeed, as real s the mane on her head. Rainbow had prepared quite the inaugural breakfast, and Scootaloo was beyond pleased considering the plans she had made today.

As they ate, Rainbow decided to make conversation, she heard Scootaloo was rather easy to talk to.

“So,” Rainbow started, “Got any plans today squirt?”

“Yup!” Scootaloo replied, “We have a new filly joining the Cutie Mark Crusaders!”

“Ah,” Rainbow replied, though she was confused, “I thought you girls were done with the whole 'cutie marks' business?”

Scootaloo looked a bit surprised, “Well...we kinda like the name, and besides, we figured it's be fun to see what our cutie marks are anyway.”

“That makes sense I guess.”

“What about you mom?”

'Mom'. Rainbow wasn't too sure she liked the sound of that.

“The usual weather business, probably see what Twilight is up to; not much.”

That was the entirety of the discussion. Both very eager to get up and out. Once they finished eating and the necessary shower, Scootaloo shoved her scooter into her saddlebag, helmet on her head, hopped on Dashs' back and they were headed down to Ponyville's town center.

“So, I'll see you later tonight? Same place?” Dash looked down at Scootaloo who was already trotting into town.

“Sure thing!” Scootaloo chirped as she sped off towards a familiar destination.

The first stop for the filly was the Rich Estate. She knew Diamond Tiara would be there and she knew how to get her outside. As the scooter sped up the clean dirt road roundabout that sate in front of the front door, she kicked up some dirt as she skid to a stop. The first she heard was the hollering of an upset butler, the next was what she was looking for:

“Not to worry Brighton, this filly is a friend of mine.”  Diamond Tiara approached Scootaloo and stared at the wagon latched to the ride.

“Are you sure this is safe?” Diamond meekly tapped the side of the red wagon.

“Of course!” Scootaloo boasted, “Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom have rode along several times!”

“Won't I need a helmet?”

Scootaloo frowned. “No Diamond, I'll go slow and be safe I promise.”

Diamond hesitated just a little longer, fidgeting with her hooves before timidly crawling into the wago and sitting.

“Ready?” Scootaloo asked rhetorically as a devious grin crept on her face.

“Uh—su—AAAAAAH!” Diamond screamed. Scootaloo kicked into high gear, wings buzzing like mad as they erratically evaded, alerted, and swerved through the main street of Ponyville.  Then came the rolling hills leading to the Schoolhouse and eventually the clubhouse, Scootaloo did not slow for even a second, effortlessly gliding over the troughs and skipping along the hills like rocks on the water.

They finally arrived at the clubhouse where she again skid to a stop, lifting her helmet and checking on her passenger who was beyond shocked. She was speechless.

“Diamond are you alright?” Scootaloo asked as she nudged the filly.

“That. Was....So fun!” Diamond Tiara smiled. “How do you do that?”

“Practice.” Scootaloo grinned, “I love my scooter, ride it as much as I can.”

“Cool.” Diamond grinned; though as she looked at the clubhouse, the grin faded to a nervous face.

“What's wrong now?” Scootaloo asked as she helped Tiara out of the wagon.

“What if they don't want me here?” Diamond asked, her voice growing quiet.

“Relax, it doesn't look like Sweetie Belle or Apple Bloom are here yet.”

Just as she finished though they heard hoofsreps approaching. It was Sweetie Belle.

“Hey girls!” Sweetie Belle announced.

“Hey Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo replied as she walked up to the unicorn. Diamond Tiara looked down at the ground and did not make eye contact.

Sweetie Belle trotted up to Diamond Tiara and lifted her chin so they were eye-to-eye.

“Don't worry Diamond.” She smiled. “If you're nice to me, I'm nice to you, I for one am happy to have another friend to play with!”

“Even after all the mean things I said to you?”  Diamond asked.

“Don't worry about it!” Sweetie dismissed, “Think of it as a second chance.”

“Oh...Thanks.”

“Why don't we go inside yeah?” Scootaloo, Sweetie, and after hesitation, Diamond made their way up the ramp and inside the clubhouse. Scootaloo instantly went for some paper and crayons and put them on the table at the center of the room.

Diamond Tiara sat at one end with Sweetie at the other. Scootaloo eventually joined them with Diamond moving so she was next to the orange filly. Something about her made her feel safe. Both of the crusaders ignored it and moved on.

“So, what should we do today to try to earn our cutie marks?” Sweetie Belle began.

“Well, Diamond already has hers, how did you earn your cutie mark?”

Again the once boastful and flaunting filly found herself intimidated by both of the fillies staring at her with anticipation. She was in their territory and for once she was co-existing with them as opposed to confronting them.

“Well...er...I..” She couldn't speak.

Scootaloo and put a comforting hoof on her shoulder.

“It's okay Tiara,” She said, “We’re all friends here.” Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement.

“No we ain't.”  Came a rather dissatisfied voice at the door.

“What do you mean 'we' ain't'? Scootaloo growled.

“Aw come on Apple Bloom, be nice!” Sweetie Belle asked.

“No!” Apple Bloom hissed. “Once a bully, always a bully. Ah ain't lettin' some bully in mah clubhouse!”

“Your clubhouse?” Scootaloo fumed, “This is OUR clubhouse!”

“Girls, can we just drop this please?” Sweetie Belle plead. She could see their guest getting very uncomfortable.

“She ain't allowed.” Apple Bloom stated,

“To hell she isn't!” Scootaloo barked. “Either get along or get out!”

Apple Bloom got into Scootaloo's face.

“Girls stop!” Sweetie Belle plead.

“Ah believe it's you three traitors that ought to get yer no-good flanks off MAH property!”

“Apple Bloom why are you being like this?” Scootaloo asked. “This isn't what being a 'Cutie Mark Crusader' is about! We're about having fun and making friends, not being a bully!”

“Says the one that is friends with the meanest bully of them all!” Apple Bloom nudged Scootaloo whose tail started swooshing.

“Scootaloo don't.” Sweetie Belle ordered, though with a tremor in her voice.

Scootaloo calmed down but she never left the gaze of the butter Apple.

Diamond couldn't watch this anymore; she felt responsible for most of this and felt she should try to calm things down, maybe even make peace?

“Apple Bloom, I know I said and did a lot of mean things to all to you and...I'm so, so sorry. I want to make things right; a second chance maybe?”

Apple Bloom turned from Scootaloo and set her sights on the pink filly who was trembling in fear.

Before either Scootaloo or Sweetie could react, A shriek came from the pink filly who was now knocked to her back and staring at an angry Apple Bloom above.

“P—please don't hurt me!” Diamond covered her face with her hooves. “I said I was sorry!”

“And ya think that just makes it all okay don't ya? You spoiled brat!”

Scootaloo went to charge the filly with the bow but Sweetie Belle  stepped in her way,.

“Scootaloo, let me handle things for once okay?” The unicorn said sternly to the filly who sat down and watched as Sweetie went to where Apple Bloom was lording over Diamond Tiara.

“Apple Bloom please...” Sweetie Belle started, “We've all been through a ton lately, we've had time to grow and mature and learn to forgive. Diamond Tiara is no different; Scootaloo wouldn't bring her here if she thought she would cause trouble. She said she was sorry and she obviously doesn't want trouble.”

Apple Bloom sighed and backed off letting Diamond get up with Sweetie Belle's help.

“Why don't we try to be nice to her and show her what friendship looks like? No sense in being mean and being no better than she was.”

Apple Bloom glared daggers at all three. She did not want to resign to this at all.

“Fine. You girls have a good day!” Apple Bloom huffed as she walked off.

“Seriously Bloom?” Scootaloo said in disbelief.

No response.

They sat silently for awhile while they processed what just happened. Apple Bloom seemed out of character and neither crusader could gather why.

“i'm sorry you guys.”  Came a very hushed and ashamed Diamond Tiara. It was clear she was blaming herself for most of this.

“Don't be.” Sweetie Belle answered, Apple Bloom is just being really weird right now. We can still have fun with just the three of us!”

Scootaloo who was in a rut herself perked up at the prospect of fun.

“Yeah! So, what should we do?”

They decided a trip to Sugarcube corner was in order: First to have a satisfying snack, and second to brighten their spirits if only a little.

They arrived to a very packed establishment yet Pinkie Pie seemed more than happy to serve them....both food and an ear-full.

“I always like making new friends!” The pink party pony exclaimed as the three fillies scoured ther display for something delicious.

“One time there was this unicorn named Twilight and she was new to Ponyville and I knew she was new to Ponyville because I know everypony in Ponyvile! and so I was like {gasp} and threw a big super-duper-deluxe 'WELCOME TO PONYVILLE' party because that's I do when I meet new people who I never knew before because what's more fun than coming to a new town and a PARTY full of happy ponies to meet you!--OH! I know you're not new here but you're new to knowing eaxchother so why don't we--”

The babbling continued at a disturbingly quickened rate as Diamond turned to Scootaloo:

“Is she always like this?” Tiara asked,.

“Yeah.” Scootaloo laughed, “Don't try to think too much about it.”

“Typical Pinkie Pie.” Sweetie Belle added, “How my sister can be friends with her I don't know. She can't even handle me talking for five minutes yet she hangs out with her all the time!”

The three finally got some muffins and made their way to a corner three-seater where they sat and nimbly ate their confectioneries.

Outside the window they could see several ponies going about their daily business; some with carts of various goods headed to market, others simply going home or to see friends. All in all it was the same peaceful bustle and hustle that was routine in the village.