Under Wraps

“Dash, why did you and the weather team have to make it snow so much this winter, we almost didn’t get winter wrapped-up this time,” ground a sore Twilight Sparkle as she slowly trudged into Sugarcube Corner.

“Hey, don’t blame me! I only make the weather. The orders come from the royal weather service. Don’t like the snow, sent them a letter, not me.” Rainbow said, waving a hoof dismissingly as she hovered in the air.

“Well I for one am rather grateful for all the snow this year. I sold almost triple the winter wear. I can finally get a real show room for my boutique,” Rarity added cheerfully.

“Rarity, all dat dear snow may have been good for yer business, but not for Sweet Apple Acres. We had to wrap straw blankets around all the Apple trees to protect them from the cold. We almost lost half the farm!” Applejack interjected.

“Tell me about it! The Cakes took the foals for a Hearth’s Warming vacation, and left me to run Sugarcube Corner all by myself! And you know they would never do that in the show.” The others looked up and gave their pink friend a questioning look. “Ugh, don’t even ask. I am too tired to explain it. Fluttershy, you go,” exclaimed Pinkie as she slummed over a table

“Oh! Ok, I umm… well I didn’t have much to do, not with all my animal friends hibernating. It was kind of lonely,” the yellow Pegasus whispered as she looked at her hooves.

Rarity smiled as she walked in front of her friends. “I must say, the Cakes had the right idea. A vacation! Simply divine. OH! Ideaaaaa! We should all go to the spa tomorrow, spend the day relaxing, eating sweets and chatting about the latest gossip.”

“Beg pardon Rarity, but dat, dear, ain't my idea of relaxen,” chimed Applejack.

“Twilight, Twilight!” Spike came running in, preventing another pony from speaking.

“Spike! What have I told you about shouting and interrupting ponies while they are talking?” scolded the purple unicorn.

Spike stopped running as he got the stern look of his mother. “I’m sorry Twilight, but this letter just traveled from the Princess, and I thought you would want it as soon as possible.”

“That is true Spike, and I appreciate your diligence, but you still need to watch your manners.” Twilight used her magic to take the letter and unrolled it.

“Well, don’t keep us in sapience darling, what did the Princess say?

“It says that there had been a mishap with the weather reports and we were given four times the amount of snow we were supposed to have and that.”

“What?! Are you telling me the weather team worked our hooves to the bone and became the most hated ponies in Ponyville for a mistake?!” Rainbow yelled, while cutting off Twilight.

“Rainbow, manners.” The rash Pegasus just rolled her eyes at Twilight’s lecture.

“Now as compensation, I will be giving every Pegasus on the weather team a large bonus for their hard work in the face of this mistake. I would also like to reward the team leaders for this year’s Winter Wrap Up for toiling in their tasks and bringing winter on time. So the leaders of the Weather, Animal, Plant, Lake, the all-team Organizer, and of course, the pony that designed this year’s team vests will be sent to Saddle Lake for a weeklong getaway. Sincerely, Princess Celestia.”

As if on cue, as soon as Twilight had finished reading, Spike belched up their traveling arrangements, which he had started reading.

“Woohoo! This is awesome! A free vacation and I get a bonus!” spoke an excited Dash as she spun in the air.

“Party on the lake!” Pinkie shouted while throwing confetti around.

“Uhh… Twilight?” Spike said softly.

“Oh, just think of all the new cute animal friends I can make.” Fluttershy said softly, but clearly happy.

“Boy howdy! A real vacation sounds like a lot of fun,” Applejack said, trying to sound enthusiastic, but she looked nervous.

“Are you okay Applejack? You seem a little on edge, don’t you want to go?” Twilight asked, walking over.

“Twilight…” Spike said a little more urgently.

“Wha? Oh no, it ain't that at all, I just can’t…”  Applejack muttered under her breath.

“What was that? I didn’t quite catch that,” Twilight asked leaning in.

“I can’t swim…” Applejack mumbled.

“Come on AJ, speak up already,” Dash chastised.

“I can’t swim!” There! Y’all happy now! Applejack, the toughest mare in Ponyville, can’t swim!”

“Applejack dear, that is nothing to be ashamed of. A lot of ponies can’t swim. I myself couldn’t swim for the longest time…” Rarity said warmly as she walked over to her friend.

“Twilight!” Spike yelled out this time, grabbing everypony’s attention.

“Spike! Can’t you see we are trying to have a conversation and help Applejack? I can’t believe you would interrupt us again like that!” Twilight had her attention on Spike diverted as he held up the dispatcher information to her.

“I know. And you can talk to me about my manners later, but your train leaves in less than an hour!” Spike shouted and pointed a claw at the time the train left.

The room was silent for a moment. Then, like magic, their previous feelings of soreness, and fatigue seemed to have vanished.

Pinkie was the first to zip upstairs and came back down with a pair of suitcases and her party cannon. As her friends gave her odd looks, “What? I always have things ready for a party.”

“Pinkie Pie, you are so random.” With that, Rainbow bolted out an open window. Rarity had a look of horror painted on her face as she ranted about packing the right fashions before rushing out the door. Fluttershy made a little confused squawk and flew out the front door.

Twilight levitated Spike and put him on her back before walking over to where the farmpony was standing. “Applejack, please come with us? It won’t be the same without you there.”

“Don’t you worry none Twi, I was already plannin on goin, I was jest embarrassed about swimming and all,” Applejack smiled. “Now if you excuse me, I got to run back to da farm and get to packen, or I ain't going anywhere. Pinkie, Twi, I’ll see ya at the train station.”  With that, the orange mare took off in a full gallop out the door.

“Ok then. Come Spike, we have to hurry and get ready. See you soon Pinkie!” Twilight’s horn lit up and she and Spike vanished.

The lone Earth pony looked around the now empty shop as if looking for something to do. But then her face lit up. “OH! I’m going to make cupcakes!”

Carousel Boutique had looked as if a tornado had struck it from the inside out. Rarity was running every which way, trying to pack everything she thought she needed as dresses, hats, and everything was flung into the air.  “No. No. Oh heavens, no!”

“Come on Rarity, why can’t I go with you?” Sweetie Belle was sulking on the floor as she watched her manic sister run amuck.

“I’m sorry Sweetie Belle, but I only have one train ticket, and the booths are already closed this evening. And don’t forget school starts in two days. No, this hat just won’t do,” the seamstress stated as she put the hat back in the rack.

“But it can be so boring here sometimes,” Sweetie replied while looking at the huge trunk her sister was packing. “Except the Everfree Forest, I have never even been outside of Ponyville.”

“And what about that time you went to the Canterlot sculpture garden, and the rest of the Crusaders woke up Discord?”

“Hay! It’s not our fault he woke up! And why are you so uppity about him? If Discord never showed up, then you never would have met the love of your life. What was his name?” Sweetie rubbed her chin in mock thought as Rarity gave her a hard glare. “OH! That’s it! Uncle Tom!”

“I thought I told to never mention that again,” Rarity spoke through gritted teeth. “Now that you had your fun, don’t you have your crusader camping night in the clubhouse tonight?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Sweetie Belle lied back on the floor, wishing she could go, and then it hit her. “Your right! Love you Sis. Have fun! Bye!” And she was out the door before Rarity could even blink.

Down on the farm, Applejack had told her brother and Granny Smith that she was going off for a spell and had already finished packing some food and her bits, and was about to leave when Apple Bloom grabbed onto her hind leg. “Please let me go too, I promise I will be good.”

“Now you stop acting like a baby, I know ya know better, now why do you want to go so badly anyhow?” Applejack said while dragging her sister as she walked.

“Because it will be fun, and that way, I don’t have to deal with the other fillies in school.” Apple Bloom let go of her sister’s leg and sighed.

“They still teasin ya about your cutie mark?”

“Yea, and now they’re makin fun of us for tryin to get our cutie marks. Even Twist is doing it now… It ain't fair!”  whined the filly.

“No it ain't, but do you think running away from yer problems will make them go away?” Apple Bloom shook her head. “Good, now I have to hurry or I will miss mah train. Now, you run along to your Crusader camping out.” Applejack kissed her sister’s head and started down the path back to Ponyville.

Scootaloo was pacing back and forth under the clubhouse. The sun was almost down and her friends had yet to show up, and she was getting bored. She was almost starting to miss the snow. “Where are they? I already told the matron I was not going back tonight.” Scootaloo’s ears drooped at the thought of going back to the orphanage tonight, she hated it there. She looked up to the sun just as it gave way to the night sky. “I guess I am camping alone tonight.”

“Now what’s that mean? Just because I’m late don’t mean I ain't coming at all. Now let’s go! We have to find Sweetie fast!” Apple Bloom ran over and grabbed her orange friend and took off in the orchard.

“What? Hey, what’s going on? Where are we going? All my stuff is in the clubhouse!” Scootaloo shouted as she bobbed around the trees.

“Mah sister and her friends are going out of town for a week and we’re going to find a way to go with them!” Apple Bloom smiled.

The Pegasus filly thought about it, she knew they would get in trouble. She knew she would be on lockdown for a long time for leaving the home like this, but she all knew how much fun this was going to be. “COOL!”  She started running on her own power. “How much time do we have?”

“I don’t know, I think twenty minutes to get to the train station and find a way on!”

“Apple Bloom! Scootaloo! Rarity is going on vacation!” shouted Sweetie Belle as the other two entered the grove.

“We know, we are planning to sneak onto the train,” Scootaloo said after coming to a stop. “But I don’t have any ideas. Do you?”

“No, not really. We can try dressin up as a big pony again with a cote and just walk on? But we don’t have a ticket...” Bloom said, starting to get depressed.

“Well, I have an idea, but it will be a tight fit. Rarity is packing a big trunk and a lot of other bags. I think we can stow away in the trunk. It might be too small for all of us…” Sweetie Belle suggested her idea, hoping the others liked it.

“Sweetie Belle, you’re a genius!” exclaimed the young flier. “Twilight will be packing a huge trunk of books! And if we take them out, then Apple Bloom and I can fit in there, while you ride in Rarity’s!”

“Sounds like a plan to me. Now we have to send notes to mah big brother and your parents letting them know we went with our sisters. And Scoots, umm did you want ta leave a note for the matron?” Apple Bloom asked slowly. She hated bringing up the fact her friend had no real home to go to.

“Nah. It’s fine, she is nice and all, but if I told her where I was going, she would only come and get me. And I am already going to get put on lockdown again, so I may as well have fun first, right?”

“Good point, now we need ta hurry and run back to da clubhouse and get snacks and da notes, but we need ta hurry,” Apple Bloom spoke as she started running back to the clubhouse.

“Hey Scoots, how do you know Twilight will have a big trunk anyways?”

Scootaloo looked at Sweetie Belle as they ran after their friend and sighed. “Well remember a few months back when you and Apple Bloom were all hyped up over the Sisterhooves Social?” Both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom flinch, only now realizing they had completely excluded their friend that day. “Hey, don’t get all sad for me. You know how much I hate pity. Anyways, I was feeling kind of down, and I ran into Twilight on my way to the lake. She asked where you two were and then she brought me back to the library for snacks. And after that, I have been spending more time there. She is really nice when you get past her know-it-all attitude.”

“Wow, I never thought I would see da day when you liked somepony other than Rainbow Dash,” Apple Bloom teased.

“Ha, ha, that’s so funny I forgot to laugh.”

Now Apple Bloom had a wide smile on her lips. “You also forgot how to call a chicken!”

“AHH! I am not a chicken!”

XXX

Unbeknownst to the plight her books were now in, Twilight was eagerly packing up her things and books she felt she would need for this trip. “Okay Spike, let’s makes sure we have everything. First, did you get me traveler’s writing kit, so I can write to the Princess in case one of us learns something?”

“Yep, I even grabbed your back-up traveler’s writing kit, just in case you run out, plus two extra vials of ink, just to be safe,” Spike said proudly as she checked the items off the list.

“Good, now how about my tent, sleeping bag, lanterns, six mosquito nets, because I don’t think the others thought to bring any. Oh and your basket... you know, you are getting a little big for that, I need to get you a real bed soon.”

“NO! I love my bed, and I am not giving it up,” Spikes eyes narrowed at Twilight and blinked sideways.

Sighing and shaking her head, Twilight walked over to the books. “Ok, ok keep it for now, but you better watch the greed mister. Or I will cast the empty cave spell on you again.”

With a shudder on the thought of that spell, Spike went over the list. “Check, check, and check.”

“Ok, now how about books? Let’s see...”  Twilight let her eyes drag over the shelves of books trying to think of the ones she wanted. “Let’s see, Ghost Goblins and Ghoulish Figures, good for ghost stories. Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers, Everything to Need. Fishing for Fillies. The Master’s Guide to Troth and Deer.” This went on for the next twenty minutes as Spike wrote out all the titles and put them in her trunk. But little did they know that both Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were taking the books out and hiding them in a closet before getting into the now almost empty trunk. “And the most important book. Book number seven of the 101 series, Vacationing 101: Everything you ever wanted to know about vacations but were afraid to ask! OH! I love these books!” The last book floated into the trunk before the lid came down, but the sound of the lid locking was not something the little fillies wanted to hear.

“Umm Twilight do you really need all those books?” Spike asked, handing her the now filled-out checklist. “That is a big trunk. I don’t think I can pull it.”

“Spike, I have my magic to carry everything. Even my Number One Assistant needs a vacation too. Oh Spike, can you run upstairs and open the balcony window for Owlicious for me? I don’t want him to have to sleep outside while we’re gone.”

“It’s already taken care of, it’s open wide enough for him to get in and out, and closed enough to keep most weather out. But we need to hurry Twilight, we have only five minutes until the train leaves!” Spike stated anxiously as he pointed out the clock. But the look he got from Twilight made his cold blood even colder. “Oh no.”

XXX

“All Aboard! Last call for boarding to Saddle Lake! All Aboard!” The conductor was a chunky but tall unicorn with a dark green coat, and was dressed in a blue blazer with a pocket watch hanging from the lapel. “If you ladies are getting on, you need to do so now,” he spoke as he walked up the train, telling others the same thing.

Fluttershy looked at the conductor and snaked to the floor. “Oh where is she? We can’t leave without Twilight.” The train’s whistles blow suddenly, making the timid pony hide behind Applejack.

Rainbow was passing in the air with her front legs crossed over her chest looking frustrated. “Well duh we can’t leave without her. She has our tickets! If I’m going to miss the train, I wi….”

With a bright flash and a popping sound, Twilight materializes behind Rainbow Dash scaring her in the air. “Twilight! You know how much I hate that! I get enough of ponies popping up randomly with Pinkie Pie and Scootaloo!”  

.

“Ohhh, you know I hate it when you do that Twi,” moaned out a greener than normal Spike. He slid over Twilight’s back and immediately ran for the closest trash can and lost his lunch. No one heard the twin retching sounds from inside Twilight’s trunk.

“Sorry Rainbow, but if I did not teleport here, I would have missed the train. Now let’s get on before they leave us behind.”

They all got on the train, much to the ire of the conductor, who now had to show them to their cabin and stow their bags. Once he was done, he made his way up to the engineer to tell him it was all loaded up and ready for departure. As the girls were getting settled in, their cabin in the train lurched to life, making Twilight fall over. “Been walking long egghead?”

“Well about as long as you have been flying Dash.” Before the Pegasi could ask what she had meant, Twilight’s horn lit up and Dash had teleported to the other side of the room. The sudden magical travel had her disoriented and nauseous, which made her fall to the floor in a heap while her friends laughed.

“Twilight, I don’t think that was very nice, you could have really hurt her.” Fluttershy said, rushing over to her sick friend’s aide.

“But it was only a joke Fluttershy, she’s not hurt or anything.. I was just,,, I mean.” Twilight’s ears drooped to the top of her head as tried to sink lower into the floor.

“Fluttershy it’s.. Oooh, it’s fine. I got Twilight into a little prank war with me. And that was a good one, but ohh..” Rainbow moved quickly to the window and threw it open before losing her lunch all over the side of the train.

Rarity watch the scene unfold before her and gagged as she heard the sounds emanating from Rainbow. “Ok, there is only so much vomit a lady can take before she starts getting upset, so can we all please stop with the teleporting, Twilight?”

“I’ma gona have ta agree with Rarity on this one Twi, I am too tired to deal with a barfen Pegasus right now.”

“Sorry girls, I guess I overdid it a little.” Walking over to Rainbow, whose head was still hanging out of the window, she began channeling magic though her horn before putting it to the back of Rainbows neck and sending a pulse of magic through her making her feel better almost immediately.

“Thanks, Twilight, but don’t think I won’t get you back later,” smiled the cyan Pegasus.

“OH! Can I play too!? I love pranking, I remember when Rainbow and I went out and pranked almost all of Ponyville! We painted all of Applejack’s apples, we…” It was at this time Twilight opened the door leading out of the cabin, and Applejack and Rainbow picking up a still talking Pinkie Pie and set her in the hallway.

“Ya have a good night Pinkie, we’ll leave da door unlocked for ya. See ya in the morning,” Applejack shut the door and blew the candles out before settling down for the night’s ride.

“And then I was like Oatmeal? Are you Crazy!? Oh, ok girls, good night! I am going to have a look around. La la la la.”

At the back end of the train, a lid to a white trunk creaked open and a pair of green eyes peeked out. “Hello?” The little voice chirped out as the eyes looked into the darkness. Apple Bloom… Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle’s voice did not carry well over the sound of the train speeding down the rails. “Oh no... What, what if they didn’t make it? That means…” The white filly gulped and looked around the cargo car before sinking back in to her trunk.

Thump. Thump. Thump. The little unicorn’s head shot back out of the box.  “That sounded like it was close by.” Thump. Thump. To the right of herm she saw a larger and less brightly colored trunk. “Guys, is that you in there?” she called out unsure.

“Yes, now hurry and open the lid, it smells in here!” shouted the trunk.

Sweetie jumped from her hiding spot and ran over to Twilight’s trunk and tried pulling the lid open. When the lid failed to move, her ears fell. “Umm it wont open,” squawked the now panicking filly.

“We know! Twilight locked it after we got in, ya have to find a way to get us out. It’s hot, and … Just hurry!” Apple Bloom’s voice was muffled from the hard wood of the trunk.

Sweetie Belle spun in a circle, looking for anything and everything she could. Save for other boxes and luggage, there was nothing for her to use. She had thought about running to find Twilight, but then she would have to leave her friends behind and even then, it was too soon to show themselves to the others. The could still be sent home. “Ohh, I hope this works.” Sweetie Belle planted her hooves and lowered her head, taking a deep breath. She closed her eyes and concnetratedd as hard as she could. The filly’s horn flickered a bit, making it light up a little, then it was glowing brightly as a few sparks popped out. She heard her friends pounding on the chest, begging to be let out, and knew if this did not work, she would have to go find Twilight. With a grunt her horn flashed as magical energy exploded from the tip of the horn, shooting the young unicorn back in the a stack of suitcases.

The lid popped opened and two very happy ponies clammed out of the trunk, gasping for air. Apple Bloom sent her orange friend a dirty look. “Scoots, that was da worst idea you ever had, I ain't doin that again.”

“Hey, don’t blame me! The trunks were Sweetie Belle’s idea, and you threw up too! How was I supposed to know Twilight would teleport us? So what are we going to do about Spike’s bed?”  If anypony had been outside the train they would have been confused in seeing a window in the luggage car open and then see a big basket get tossed outside to never be seen again.”

Scootaloo shut the window and breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks for getting us out of there Sweetie Belle. How did you get us out anyway? Sweetie Belle?” Turning around, she saw that her friend was out cold sleeping like a foal. “She’s asleep?”

“Umm Scoots, I think ya need to come and see this.” Apple Bloom’s voice was a shaky one as she pointed a hoof at Twilight’s Trunk. Once Scootaloo saw what her friend was pointing at, her jaw dropped. The lock on the trunk had been completely obliterated, the bottom half was so badly melted, one could not even recognize it. The top part was nowhere in sight and the lid was now scared with scorch marks.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts! Next Stop Saddle Lake! Saddle Lake next!” the conductor shouted while he walked up and down the halls.

“Oh, I so do hate sleeping on trains, it’s so loud and bumpy. It’s not at all good for one’s beauty sleep.”

“Don’t worry Rarity, once we get to our cabin, you will have a large bed all to yourself. So, what is everypony looking forward to the most?” Asked Twilight as she wiped the sleep from her eyes.

“Oh, I want to meet all the little critters I can, so I can tell them about Ponyville and all the fun I have with my friends,” Fluttershy spoke while hovering happily.

“Ugh, can’t you all be quiet, I am trying to sleep,” grumbled an angry Rainbow Dash as she pulled her blanket over her head.

Applejack walked over and started prodding her sleeping friend “Rainbow, get yer lazy flank up, were almost dar.” Rainbow rolled over and stuck her tongue out at her friends before retreating back in the blanket. “Ya know Twi, I ain't ever been to this here lake, what is there to do?”

“Twilight gave her normal know-it-all smile and opened her mouth, but said nothing. “Ummm I don’t know. I have never been there either,” Twilight pulled the letter back out and started reading it once again. “Well, we were given a cabin on the lake and we get use of a boat during are stay as well. Oh and there is a…” The train slowed to a craw and the sound of music filled the air. Really upbeat music.

“UGH!! What does a pony have to do to get some sleep! Pinkie turn off the music!” yelled an angry Rainbow Dash as she shot up in bed.

“But Rainbow, Pinkie isn’t even here. I don’t think she is the one playing it,” Fluttershy spoke timidly as she hid behind her mane.

“Then where in Equestria is all the noise coming from?” As the train came to a stop, the music was louder than ever. Hearing it coming from outside, Dash pulled her curtain back to reveal a huge celebration. There were balloons, even a full scale marching band. “Whoa.”

“Whoa is right, what do you reckon they’re doin?” asked a confused farmpony

“I don’t know. Maybe somepony famous is on the train?” Twilight suggested. “But I can’t see the banners…” She tried moving her head in hopes in seeing, but it was useless.  

“Ohh can… can we please wait here until they leave, this gives me bad memories.” Fluttershy sneaked from under her bed.

“It’s fine darling, we can get off on the fair end of the train and walk around the crowds,” said Rarity comfortingly.

As the others were still looking out the window, the conductor opened their door and poked his head in. “Um excuse me, is there a Twilight Sparkle here?”

Turning around, Twilight walked up to the stallion, tilting her head in confusion. “Yes, I’m right here, is there a problem?”

“Oh, no nothing like that, I was just here to inform you that your party’s bags will be taken to your cabin at the request of the Princess,” stated the green unicorn.

“OH! Why thank you very much. That will be a big help.” The pony smiled politely to Twilight before leaving the group of mares. “Well how do you like that? Fluttershy, now we won’t have anything to carry and slow us down. So are we all ready to go?”

“I think so Twi, but I still don’t know where Pinkie went,” Applejack spoke as she put her hat on.

“Knowing her, she’s probably already out there with everypony, and we all know she will pop up later and scare one of us,” Dash explained, sharing a laugh with her friends.

All of them left their room and walked to the far end of the train, while outside, the party seemed to be going harder than before, and the marching band began playing the Equestrian National Anthem. Soon the girls found there way off the train and started walking around the celebration. That was until a shout of “There they are!” when they saw what all the banners said. “Welcome the Elements of Harmony!” Others had their faces on them and ponies were cheering their names.

“Oh dear.”

“What in tarnation?”

“Oh no..”

“This is so awesome!”

“Good gracious.”

“Hey lookie, lookie! They’re all here to see us!” Pinkie ran out of the crowed covered in confetti. Were super duper famous! OH! And here!” Pinkie reached into the crowd and pulled out an aged stallion. His coat was a salt and peppered, cooled with a faded red and a sailboat cutie mark on his flank. “This is Mayor Tredds!!! He set all this up just for us!”

Laughing hardly, “Mayor????” he smiled. “That I did, but the townsponies helped me a great deal. And let me welcome you to our humble community.” The crowd of ponies cheered loudly while stomping there hooves, making poor Fluttershy cower.

“Umm OK, but how did you know we were even on the train? Or who we even are for that matter?” Twilight asked, giving the Mayor an odd look.

“Well it was the Princess that told us, and we must tell you it is truly an honor to receive the heroines of Equestria.”

“And look! We even have clothes!” Pinkie held up a hat, shirt and umbrella-hat, all of them had Team Laughter embroidered. “They also have Team Magic, Team Loyalty, Team Generosity, and Team Kindness!” As Pinkie spoke she ran about putting the shirts on their respective ponies. The shirts themselves matched there coats almost to a tee, and with the stylish lettering on either side, they looked well-made.

“I would have gone with a different material, but I must say, these are well-made.” Rarity stated.

“Ah Yea!” Rainbow exclaimed while looking at her shirt.

“So let me get this straight. Ya set up this huge party just fer us?” inquired Applejack.

“Well, not all of it. No, you see, every year we hold celebration for the coming of spring. We have dancing, shows, games, contests, and there is a fishing contest, that is the oldest tradition we have. But with you all here this year, it’s going to be all the better!

“Come on everypony! Let’s party!” shouted Pinkie Pie as she grabbed all her friends and pulled them into the crowd.

It had been many hours before the Elements of Harmony had gotten away from the crowded party and their fans and had only just now got to their cabin. The cabin was a large log cabin right on the lake, the front porch had several chairs and a table for picnics, a chimney sticking out. On the right in the back was a thick forest with a winding trail, and it was right on the lake with its own privet dock where the boat was tied.

“Wasn’t that so much fun?! That had to be one of the super bestest parties I have ever been to! I mean, yeah the music could have been better, but there were so many ponies! I can’t wait to go back!” Pinkie spoke loudly as she hopped up and down.

“Well, you can have the party Pinkie. I need to show that stuck-up group of ponies what a Pegasus can do! I will catch the biggest fish in this lake!” Shouted Rainbow while she landed on the porch.

“But Rainbow, have you ever even gone fishing before?” Twilight inquired as she gave her friend an odd look.

‘Well no, but how hard can it be? I mean I already have the boat!”

“Well, I am happy that I could talk to the owners of the pet shop. They are so nice, they even said I can come by anytime I wanted to.” The timid pony was smiling brightly, one couldn’t even tell she was mobbed my fans. Fluttershy was the first to enter the cabin, only to shriek and bolt right back out as she saw a large and burly Earth pony standing inside. But what the others saw that Fluttershy hadn’t was his dark blue uniform and golden badge.

“Excuse me ladies, I am Lieutenant Block. The train station called the police a few hours ago saying they caught some thieves trying to steal the passengers’ luggage.” The girls’ eyes went wide in fear and anger at the thought of somepony robbing them. “When my partner and I got there, we were given these three fillies.” The officer pointed his head to the couch where three very nervous crusaders were sitting, looking back at them with pleading eyes. “They claim to be the sisters of a Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash.”

“Apple Bloom!”

“Sweetie Belle!”

Both Applejack and Rarity marched in the room looking madder than they had ever been in their lives and began a long yelling session.

“I am so sorry they caused you so much trouble. I assure you, they will be disciplined. Whose bags did they get into?” Twilight asked, trying to sort it all out. Even if she was mad at the girls, she did not want more trouble for them.

“It would seem only two trunks. One belonging to Miss Rarity, and one to a Miss Sparkle.”

“Well that explains how they got here. They must have stowed away in the trunks before we left.”

“Ya what!? Y’all could have broken yer necks doing something so reckless! What would Granny and Macintosh say about this!? Do they even know where ya are! They must be goin plum loco!” Applejack yelled as she heard what Twilight had said.

“They also had these towels wrapped around their heads. When I asked them about it, all they said was they needed them.” And the other two looked at the Pegasus as if looking for answers. The officer pulled the towels off his bag, letting Twilight take them with magic before making his way to the door.

“Wait, you said something about your partner. Where is he? I would like to apologize to him as well.”

“Well you see, these little fillies would not stop asking her about being a cop and how she got her cutie mark. And this was going on for about two hours, so at one point she yelled that she quit and ran off cursing the name Cutie Mark Crusaders.”

Even while they were being yelled at, the crusaders giggled at that, but the yells from the two sisters silenced Apple Bloom and Sweetie belle, while Scootaloo slowly scooted away seeing how she was almost ignored.  

“Oh my gosh! I am so, so sorry.” Twilight was mortified at what the Crusaders had done, but Rainbow had fallen to the floor laughing.

“Oh, don’t worry. And her? She was a lousy cop.” Lieutenant Block smiled and nodded his head before stepping over Rainbow and closing the door behind him.

“I told you that you couldn’t come along with me, and what do you do? You and your friends were hitchhiking on the bag of a train. Hitchhiking like a bum! Sweetie Belle, that is unacceptable. I… I… OHHH!” Rarity was getting so mad, it was hard for her to even think anymore and her red face looked like it was ready to pop, and Applejack did not look much better off.

“Fluttershy, can you please help me get Applejack and Rarity outside so they can cool off?” Twilight asked while looking over the still yelling mares.

Fluttershy had been hiding on the porch ever since Applejack and Rarity started yelling. She had felt really bad for the Crusaders, and thought nopony needed be yelled at that much. But she also knew what the girls had down was wrong and dangerous. “Um Rarity, Applejack, may… if it’s not too much trouble that is… can you step outside? I think that the fresh air will help you calm down a little.”

“I know what I’m doin Fluttershy!”

“As do I, now please stay out of this!

Their voices reached a new level as they yelled more, the Crusaders had starting crying at this point. Even Scootaloo, who was yet to really be yelled at. But upon seeing the fillies in tears, Fluttershy flapped her wings and stood in front of her two mad friends and gave them the stare.

“No, I will not stay out of this. Just look at their faces. They’re crying, and family should never make family so sad that they cry. I know you’re mad, but you need to stop yelling before you say something you can’t take back! Now go outside and take a deep breath and calm down.”  Applejack and Rarity took the look at full force and both looked as if they had seen a ghost.  Without even a breath, Applejack and Rarity both took a step back. Then another. And another until they were outside and shut the door. Like the last time all three crusaders had been behind Fluttershy, the three were spared. But Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were not so lucky.

Rainbow may have had a run in with a cockatrice. She was frozen to the spot with a look of pure dread on her face. Unlike Dash, who could still be seen breathing, Pinkie was stark still, sitting on her haunches, smiling away, but never blinking.

Twilight was lucky. She knew something like that might happen, so she turned her head away and watched with some fear as Applejack and Rarity walked out.

“Oh my goodness I did it, didn’t I!” Fluttershy raced all over the cabin and started begging for forgiveness from her friends.

“Fluttershy, it will be ok. I promise you, no one will be mad at you.” Twilight looked at Dash and snickered. “Too bad I can’t take credit for this, she would never be able to out-prank that.” Turning her head, Twilight saw Scootaloo heading out of the room “AH! Oh no you don’t young filly, just because your parents aren’t here does not mean you are off the hook. Now sit down with the others until I get back.”  Magic enveloped the young filly and plucked her off the floor and floated her back to her spot on the couch and left to go outside, but not before giving her a disappointed look. A look Scootaloo was not accustomed to getting.

Scootaloo sat there with her friends, not saying a word. Something was wrong. She saw that her friends were sad and felt bad for them, she had no reason to really be sad, and she wasn’t until Twilight talked to her. “Umm, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy had been trying to snap both Pinkie and Rainbow out of there comas and had just placed a cold cloth on Rainbow’s head when she heard her name. “Yes Scootaloo? What is it?” She asked as she walked over.

“Umm why do I feel so bad? I mean I’ve broken the rules and been yelled a lot, and the Matr… I mean, mom never made me feel like this.” The orange Filly said while she held her head to the top of her hooves in shame.

Fluttershy heard her stutter of the word ‘mom’, but felt it better to ignore it for now. She moved to the front of the couch and folded her legs up underneath herself, so she could sit in front of the fillies. “Well, good ponies feel bad when they hurt or disappoint someone they care about.”

“But I never really had the problem before. Well, other than with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.” The remaining Crusaders smiled at their friends’ words, but none of them knew just what Scootaloo’s own words were giving away.

“Well when I feel like I let somepony down, I think that they’re disappointed in me, and that they might think less of me. Or maybe I did something, and they feel like they can’t trust me. It is really easy to feel like you have let somepony down, but if they really care for you, then you can never let them down at all. Your feelings are just letting you know that you want those around you to depend on you.” Fluttershy smiled as she saw that all three Crusaders were nodding and felt happy she could help them. “Was it Twilight’s talk that mad you upset?” Before Scootaloo even knew she did it, she nodded

Outside by the lake, Applejack was looking off the water while Rarity sat on the docks looking down into the water.

“Boy, I feel lower than a grounded Pegasus. I can’t believe I yelled at her. I never yelled at her... Not… not like that.” Applejack held her head low as a tear rolled from her eye.

“Sweetie Belle was right. She would be better off without me for a sister. How can I be so cruel? I said she was stupid!” Rarity whimpered as she fell over and cried into her hooves

“You’re wrong Rarity, Sweetie Belle needs you. She looks up to you and you know it. You just lost your temper, it happens to all of us. But if she is even half the pony I know she is, Sweetie Belle will forgive you.” Twilight spoke softly as she approached her friends.

Rarity looked up and dried her eyes as Twilight came closer. “But she must hate me now…”

“She could never hate you, she is your sister and she loves you. Remember the Sister Hooves Social, and everything you went through for her?” After receiving a nod from the depressed mare, Twilight continued. “What you might now know, the night after you two sent your letter to Princess Celestia, she came over and asked me to send another. It said: Princess Celestia, I wanted to tell you thank you for giving Rarity as my sister, we may fight sometimes, but I still think she is the best sister anypony anywhere can have.”

Rarity was crying again, but only now she was smiling. But Applejack was still kicking herself. “I’m mighty sorry Twi, ya came here for a vacation and now I gone and ruined it for everypony with mah stupid family feudin.”

“Applejack, you just said it. It’s not about the vacation, it’s about family, and if I remember what you said right, we are all family. And right now, I am helping my family.”

Applejack felt her pride swell at Twilight’s words, but that did not stop her from feeling like a mule. “But you saw how I was yellin at her, and I have never yelled at her like that before.”

“You were worried about her, you thought she was safe at home only to learn that she wasn’t. And that she hopped on a train without knowing where she was going. She could have been hurt, lost, or worse. You both have every right to be upset with them, but yelling like that won’t solve anything at all,” Twilight said in her proud lecture voice. “Now, who’s ready to go back in and talk to some fillies?”

As the three mares walked back into the cabin, the three fillies sank lower onto the couch as they thought the yelling was about to start again, and the looks Rarity and Applejack were getting made them feel low again.

“I’m mighty sorry Apple Bloom, I know I shouldn’t have yelled at you like dat. I am your sister and I should help ya, not scream like a rooster in sunup.” Applejack took her hat off and held it to her chest, letting her sister see her solemn expression.

“I said so many nasty things to you, Sweetie Belle. I knew you meant no harm and I still treated you in a way no family should. I was behaving no better than an old lonely hag, can you please forgive me as well?” Rarity looked to me on the verge of tears again as she spoke.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle didn’t even think about it before latching onto their sisters with hugs. Even as happy as Rarity and Applejack were, they both knew the talk was long from over.

Soon, everypony had settled down and were looking less upset. Twilight levitated the Crusaders’ towels into view. “Now, before we start as to way you three did all this, I have to ask, why did you have towels wrapped on top of your heads?”

“Oh, that’s easy, Scootaloo told us she read it in a book,” Sweetie Belle said from her seat next to Rarity.

“And what kinda book is that?” Applejack asked in a confused manner as she looked over to Scootaloo.

“Well the book told me that if you’re going to hitchhike, you should always have a towel with you because it shows that you know what you’re doing, and others will think that you’re cool. Twilight let me read it a week ago, it was funny up until the dolphins left the planet, then it was just weird”

Twilight brought her hoof up to her face and started muttering to herself about ponies taking things too literally.

They had long since fallen and the mood had long since taken its place. The talk with the Crusaders had been a long one, and had ended with the girls knowing they would be grounded when they got home, but can have their fun while on vacation.

It wasn’t until after dinner when Dash started moving again, and begged Fluttershy to never do that again and she was sorry for everything she had ever done. But Pinkie still sat there unmoving.

“Come on Pinkie Pie, it’s not funny anymore.” Dash poked her pink friend only to have her then Pinkie Pop, and Rainbow screamed.

Soon everypony was confused as to what happened until Pinkie stuck her head out from under the couch. “Wow, that took forever. I was starting to think no one knew I was gone. I mean, I had been under the couch forever and my legs had fallen asleep four hours ago! Did my Pinkie balloon really fool you all that well?”

The others just walked away from Pinkie as she went on and on about her balloons

when Spike came into the room. “Hay Twilight, have you seen my bed?” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo both sank to the floor before telling him the horrible truth before the lake rippled under the force of his cries.

As the night gave way to the morning, the door to the cabin opened up and out walked Twilight. She took a deep breath of the fresh air. On the other side of the lake, she could see that the townsponies were still celebrating spring and wondered what she was going to do today.

“Howdy Twilight, did ya sleep well?” Looking up, Twilight saw Applejack sitting on the deck with her hat tipped over her eyes.

“As well as I can with Spike kicking me in his sleep all night, I am going to have to go into town today and get him a new bed.” Twilight sat on the cost and smiled. “So where is Apple Bloom?”

“I have her and her friends some spending bits and sent dem off for some fun.  Celestia, she ain’t going to have any once they’re back home.” Letting out a sigh, Applejack pushed her back up. “Twilight, I think there is something wrong with the Crusaders. Well, with little Scoots anyway. Did ya see how every time we brought up her parents, she would change the subject or agree with before we even finished talken? Now I hate to toot mah own horn, but being the Element of Honesty, I got a real knack for reading ponies.”

“Now that you mention it, yes. It was a little odd, and with what Fluttershy told us last night... Applejack, have you ever met her parents? “

Applejack’s eyes widened when she realized where Twilight’s line of thought was going. “No, and I never seen them or Scootaloo at any of the school things neither. And she does spend an awful lot of time in the clubhouse, even when the others aren’t around. Tell me, ya ain’t thinking the same thing I am?”

Twilights ears drooped and nodded her head. “Scootaloo, is an orphan.”

“You are correct Miss Sparkle.” Both Applejack and Twilight looked up to see a mare they have never met before. Her coat was a light chocolate brown with a short bright red mane with what looked like a pair of blue and red bouncing balls. “Excuse me, my name is Happy Days, I am the matron of the Ponyville Orphanage, I am here looking for the same filly you are discussing.”

Twilight got up and walked over with Applejack. “She and her friends left a few hours ago, they should be back for lunch, but why are you here Happy Days?”

“Scootaloo had left without permission, and I am held responsible for any damages that filly causes, so I am here to take her back and of course, I will have her disciplined. Now will you please point me in the right direction so that I may find her faster?”

“But what happened to her parents? Where are they? And why hasn’t anyone adopted her? I know that the orphanage is almost always empty,” Twilight asked while getting a little emotional. If the three mares hadn’t been so focused on their conversation, they would have seen the Crusaders hiding on the side of the house.

“It’s simple. On her fifth birthday, her parents dropped her in my care, saying they never wanted a foal and that she was too much for them to handle, and nopony wants a little Pegasus that can’t learn to keep her mouth closed. You see, one day last year, an Earth couple had come in looking to adopt. Scootaloo was walking by my office when they were telling me they wanted a filly with a cutie mark that can match theirs, and Scootaloo took offence to this and ran into the office yelling at them, so after that, she would always yell at ponies or just disappear on adoption day. Between you and me, this filly will never find a home or amount to much in life.”  Scootaloo was crying as she heard this and started walking away when…

‘Enough! You are supposed to take care of her and you treat her like a burden!” shouted Twilight as she stomped her hoof.

“It’s no wonder I’ve seen her sleepin in the clubhouse so often, she had nowhere else ta go!” Applejack yelled as well she could not believe such a cold mare was in charge of finding foals new homes.

“You know what? You can just leave because Scootaloo is not going anywhere, because when we get back to Ponyville, she will be coming home with me!”  Scootaloo was stuck still as a rock. But Twilight wasn’t done yet. “I know first-hoof that she is a very special filly and has more potential than even she can ever imagine.”

“Twi, I know you’re tryin to look out fer her, but do ya know what your sayin?” Applejack was shocked at how passionate her friend was on this subject, but she was more proud than anything else.

“Yes I am Applejack. I may not be the best mother for her, but I will try.” Twilight looked away from Applejack and turned cold eyes to Happy Days. “But I know I will never give up on her. So if you would please go back to Ponyville and get my paperwork ready, and if you need references, I will have the Princess herself write you a letter because Scootaloo Sparkle will not be returning to that orphanage.”

Turning around, Twilight gathered that all her shouting had attacked their friends from inside the cabin and now they all had a front row seat. Dash was smiling warmly, Pinkie was outright crying along with Fluttershy, Rarity was hugging her sister tightly, while Apple Bloom hopped up onto her sister’s back and kissed her cheek. But right now, her eyes were on the scared face of an orange filly. Spike had walked over to Twilight and stood there smiling at her before he, too, looked over to Scootaloo. “Of course, it is your decision Scootaloo. Do you want to be part of our family?”

With that question, Twilight and Spike were tackled to the ground by an orange blur as her new daughter cried into her chest. And the only words that reached anyone’s ears over all the tears. “Thank you… Mom.”

Kissing the top of her head, Twilight smiled. “You’re still grounded when you get home.”