Author's Notes:

Here it is everypony, the tenth chapter of My Little Pony: Friendship of Generations! Double digits! Glad to have achieved getting the story this far. As always, biographies on the accompanying website (http://mylittleponyfriendshipofgenerations.webs.com/) will be updated ASAP, so keep a look out for them. This episode is meant as a passing of the torch scenario. It isn't highly important to the ongoing storyline, but does involve important characters. It also has the feels, so be warned. Otherwise, enjoy.

The wind fiercely gusts throughout town as Ponyville's citizens rush around the streets, their lives busied with work, family, friends, and so much more. These days, things such as these are what the ponies rely on to get by. Everyday life is not what it used to be, not with the threat looming over the town. Since the arrival of the dark stars months back, things have become different for everypony. While it's true that they have moved on and continued to live their lives, they are oblivious to the many attacks made against Equestria since. The attacks that six brave ponies have halted by themselves.

Though they might not always notice it, things are not the same as they used to be. And as she trots towards the western end of town, Spring Rise wonders if they'll ever be the same again.
Far off in the south-western fields of Sweet Apple Acres rests a large and old apple tree. Long gone is it's ability to bear fruit, it has become hardened and sturdy, standing there in reminder of the importance and age of the acres. Many long years ago a small tree house was built there, and after it had been abandoned and long forgotten about, three adventurous little fillies were given the reigns, making the little tree house into their very own Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse. However, even those three left it eventually, having found their cutie marks and going out into the world to accomplish their destinies.

It's been just under fifteen years since they left that clubhouse for the last time, and through their generosity, Spring and her newfound friends in class have received it. Passed down through the generations, friendships have been forged and strengthened in the very wooden tree house that the little filly now approaches. The paint had begun to fade and chip, and the boards had loosened. When first given the clubhouse by none other than Apple Bloom herself, they decided to fix it up. Majus did most of the work, seeming to have a real knack for the job. She and the other two merely helped him, and they're pleased to the brim with how it all turned out.

A new wing added to the clubhouse, and the main wing expanded upon, they have added much to it. Now painted a deep red color with black accents, the clubhouse stands there, greater than ever before. As the young filly quickly comes upon it, she remembers how she first met her three new friends thanks to the kindness of her classmate Chupa. It was shortly after she first moved to town, and it felt wonderful to be shown such love that soon. Forging friendships has helped her cope with the sudden change of scenery, having moved from the bustling city of Detrot. It's helped her get through it all, and not only accept it all, but embrace it with open hooves.

Climbing the stairs, she reaches the main door of the clubhouse, pulling it open with excitement and enthusiasm. A bright smile spreads across the whole of her face as she enters, greeting her three friends who had already been there for an hour or so by this point. Gumdrop and Honeysuckle are seated at the makeover mirror, braiding each others hair, giggling to themselves, when they notice Spring come in. They turn and wave with wide smiles, excited that their friend had finally made it. Majus sits in the book nook, reading a copy of Daring Doo and the Temple of the Octivael that Spike had donated to the clubhouse from the Princess Twilight Sparkle Memorial Library.

While Gumdrop and Honeysuckle as quite outgoing, it seems that Majus is the dark horse of the group. Constantly brooding, he remains quiet the majority of the time and prefers to read or do things on his own. It had originally confused Spring as to why he was even in the group. However, things had soon been brought to light when Honeysuckle told her how they had saved Majus from being beaten down by a bully named Rough Knut. He had been hanging out with them ever since, and though he acts all tough and quiet, he really does appreciate and care for his friends.

"Well everypony! It's time to begin the first meeting of the new CMC-Mk II!" Spring shouts out with glee, excited to begin this new venture. It was an idea of Apple Bloom's when she donated the clubhouse to them. Since all four of them have yet to discover their special talents and earn their cutie marks, she explained to them what the Cutie Mark Crusaders once were, and how they could be the new generation of them, questing and crusading to find their destinies in this world. Naturally they were all excited to do this, and when they rebuilt the clubhouse, they made it perfect for being the headquarters of the Cutie Mark Crusaders Mark 2.

Gumdrop and Honeysuckle finish their braiding and trot over with giggles, taking a seat in the meeting area of the clubhouse. Majus closes his book and walks over as well, seeming more curious than excited, though a smile is still shown on his face. At the forefront, standing upon soap boxes behind a tall stand, is Spring Rise, who has been voted upon to lead the meetings. She wears a special red and gold silk cape, crafted by former CMC member and famous singer, Sweetie Belle, at her late sister's old business Carasoul Boutique, and modeled after similar capes worn by her and the other original CMC's years back. In her hoof is three more capes, which she proceeds to pass out to her friends.

"With the passing of the capes, I declare the first meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders Mark 2 officially open!" Spring yells out excitedly, causing Gumdrop and Honeysuckle to cheer out. Majus smirks a little as he ties his cape to his back, but says nothing more. "The torch has been passed and it's time we do whatever we can to find our cutie marks! Does anypony have any ideas?"

Silence fills the clubhouse for what seems like the longest time, and only the faint chirping of birds outside can be heard. It then shocks the other three as Majus stands to his hooves and is the first of them to speak up. His voice, which they have barely heard up to this point, is high-pitched and friendly, despite his dark and brooding personality. He smiles gently as he tells them, "I have an idea, if you're interested."

"What is it!?" Gumdrop shrieks out, her voice reaching an octave she had not expected. Instantly her hooves pop up to her mouth and she blushes in embarrassment. The others laugh, even Majus, which seems to break the tension that had filled the air following the sudden speaking of the gloomy little colt.

"Well, it's not my idea really, but it's their ideas; the original Cutie Mark Crusaders. Maybe we should think about the stories we've heard of things they did to try and get their cutie marks and go from there."

"Great Scott! That's a glorious idea!" Honeysuckle laughs in her thick Trottingham accent, "I bloody love it! But where should we start? There's a lot to work from."

The four of them spend the next two hours sharing stories with each other regarding the three ponies who at one time long ago had used this same clubhouse for their own meetings. Spring is the first to share hers, talking about how the CMC once went around town to ask their friends how they got their cutie marks. Majus follows it up with a memory of how he once heard that the three of them tried various different methods like hang gliding and even rocking out on stage during a Ponyville School Talent Show. Gumdrop goes next and reveals that her parents have told her about the CMC's adventures into the Everfree Forest long ago, where they attempted to find and rescue Miss Fluttershy's missing pet chicken, ending up coming across a dreaded cockatrice instead.

The final of the four friends stands now and replaces her excitable little friend at the stand, speaking out now as well. Smiling, Honeysuckle looks at them. She's had the perfect story this entire time, told to her weeks ago by Apple Bloom herself back when they first secured the clubhouse for themselves. She begins to tell them of the one time when the CMC members went out to try and earn their cutie marks through helping out everypony that they could in town. They helped Mr. Breezy fix some fans, cleaned the schoolhouse for Miss Cheerilee, bucked some apple trees with Applejack and Big MacIntosh, studied some classic literature with Princess Twilight Sparkle, and even ended up critter sitting the pets of their friends and families for Spike. All of that in the same day.

"We should really thank Miss Apple Bloom for letting us use this clubhouse," Gumdrop cheerfully tells the others, "and for lending us the materials we needed to fix it up! This has been a great thinking session and will definitely help us get some ideas down!"

"Yeah, we should definitely do that," Spring replies as the others nod their heads in agreement. She has never even met any of the original CMCs. With Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle off being famous, and since she was sick when her friends had gone to Apple Bloom to see about using the clubhouse, not once has she ever seen them outside of pictures. She knows that there are three of them in Ponyville, and others around Equestria in the Cutie Mark Crusaders branches, such as the one in Manehattan started by Apple Bloom's cousin Babs Seed. So without a second of hesitation, she tells her friends that she'll go to Sweet Apple Acres and meet with the owner to thank her and maybe find out a bit more. Her friends agree to let her and, for now, continue to discuss their ideas and plans.

Many hours pass by them, and the bright sun begins to lower behind the horizon, darkening the evening sky. Spring smiles as she heads out of the clubhouse, feeling that it's best to visit the farm around this time. Most of the work around Sweet Apple Acres should be finished by this point, so it wouldn't be as big an intrusion and interruption to go and meet Apple Bloom now. She knows the way, as there's a small path that leads in two directions branching out from the clubhouse. She knows that the one way goes towards the town, and the other heads to the main house on the farm, based on what she's been told by her friends.

The narrow road is encapsulated on both sides by towering apple trees. She's entered the south orchard, meaning that the main house has to be a short bit ahead. The young filly shyly passes by them. However, with the waning light, she can barely see her own hoof in front of her face. Being in an unlighted area, this is darker than dark for her, and the path becomes less and less visible with every passing second. Fear begins to eclipse her, and she notices that she's no longer on the path as she bumps into a tree. Exactly how long she's been off isn’t something she’s quite sure of, and the terror she's now feeling causes her a sensation of vertigo.

The filly falls to the ground with a plop, beginning to cry loudly as she no longer knows what to do. She's cold, lost, and alone. All she wanted to do was meet Apple Bloom and thank her for everything she did to help her and her friends. Maybe get some advice on finding her cutie mark. She never wanted this sorrow and fear. As she sits there sobbing uncontrollably to herself, a light suddenly shines towards her, seeming to split the very trees around. It's the light from a flashlight, and while not too bright, it certainly shows her the way to go. Getting back up, she gallops in the direction, tear-filled eyes closed to avoid looking directly in it. That's when she hits the pony carrying the light dead on, falling down to the ground below. Looking up, Spring is able to make out the form of a mare in the small bit of light. She has a brown coat with three seeds on the flank. Her hair is pink and hangs down on the side of her head. Her eyes are bright green, with freckles resting beneath them. A flashlight sits in her mouth, and as she looks down at the filly in curiosity, her head cocks to the side.

She motions for Spring to follow her, and the two head in the opposite direction, dodging tress to each side as they trot along. She makes sure to not let this mysterious mare out of her sight, knowing that if she does she could get lost again. So she sticks by her side, glancing up at her every so often. She looks familiar, but at the same time, she can't place why. This isn't a pony she's seen around before, but something about her is just well-known to her. The two walk on until they reach a clearing. Lit up with oil lamps and other lights set about, the large path of land before her is amazing. Tractors and cornfields around, a pig pen and a couple barns, even the main house that she had been searching for.

The mare leads her to the house and tells her quickly that Apple Bloom will help her. She then trots off to continue what Spring can only assume is guard duty. Knocking politely, not roughly, on the door, she waits for a moment. Voices come from inside, and a loud crash is heard. A moment later the door opens. Before Spring stands the pony she's been waiting to see. Light yellow coat emblazoned with an apple being cut by a saw. Her mane and tail are both a brilliant red color, the former of which is styled down with a bow near the bottom. A bow also rests near the bottom of her tail. Both are small, but fashionable. She wears a cowboy hat and a green ascot.

"Why, hello there," she says in a thick southern accent, "what can I do for ya?"

"Um...Miss Apple Bloom?"

"Yes, that's me."

"My name is Spring Rise, and I'm one of the new Cutie Mark Crusaders with my friends. I wanted to come to thank you for giving us the clubhouse, and for all the help you gave in helping us get it fixed up."

"Well why didn't ya say so!? Come on in, we're having pie!"

Following the friendly mare into the house, the little filly is astounded by the look of it all. It seems to be completely made of wood and decorated with various apple-related decorations. Pictures hang on the walls showing a large family of ponies, but it's the one that shows only five that interests her. She spots the filly Apple Bloom in the photograph right away, but the others...there's a large red stallion, an orange coated and blonde maned mare, an elderly green mare, and a pink mare with wild hair. Is this the Apple Family she heard so much about? Big MacIntosh, Applejack, Granny Smith, and Pinkie Pie? They look so happy. It's hard to believe that only one of them are still there.

The young filly continues to follow Apple Bloom into the large, homely dining room. When they arrive, Spring sees an older mare cleaning up a broken dish from the wooden floor. That explains the crash that she had heard before.
Now that she gets a good look at this pony, she reminds her so much of the one she saw outside; the one who helped her get here after she had gotten lost. However, this pony's coat is of a lighter shade, and her hair is styled differently. She too has seeds on her flank, but these ones are cracked open. Could this be who she thinks it is? Could this possibly be Sunflower Seed? If that's so, then she can only assume that the mare outside must be her younger sister Babs. She ponders this as she takes a seat at the table, offered to her by the owner of the acres. She then looks up and sees everypony else smiling over at her.

"Let me introduce ya to mah family," Apple Bloom cheerfully says, pointing right away to the pony that Spring had just previously noticed. She confirms her suspicions as she introduces her as Sunflower Seed. The mare then proceeds to go around the table, introducing the rest of the Apple Family currently living at the farm; Apple Tart, Candy Apple, Hard Cider, and even her husband Fuji.

The little pony smiles at them all, saying her hellos to the entire family. They all seem so friendly and welcoming, unlike most of the other families in Ponyville. Well, more so than the other ones at least; much more so. It's almost as if they've accepted her as one of them with a simple glance and introduction. Turning back to Apple Bloom, Spring asks her if she can, well, ask her something. The mare begins to laugh, assuring the filly that she can ask her anything that she wants.

"Um...how can my friends and I get our cutie marks? Could you maybe give us some advice?"

"Well mah friend, me and the other crusaders...wait, I got an idea! How about ya come back here tomorrow? I've got the perfect idea to tell ya all about it! But we can talk about that then, and when we're done tonight, Babs can take ya home. For now though, let's have some pie!"

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Spring wakes up early the next morning, excited to be able to learn what she can from Apple Bloom. She wonders though why she couldn't have told her last night. Maybe she's going to put her to work on the farm. Or maybe she wants to spend the entire day telling stories of different things she's tried in the past. The thrill of it all is overwhelming! So barely doing anything to prepare, the young filly rushes off from her house, heading in the direction of west Ponyville and Sweet Apple Acres.

Last night, after pie, Babs Seed had indeed brought her back. They first went to the clubhouse to round up the others, and then were dropped off one by one at their homes. She remembers when they got to the clubhouse, and how she told her friends about what had happened. They were just as excited as her, but Majus had suggested that this be something for Spring to do alone. He told them that Apple Bloom probably wouldn't be expecting them all, and this is something planned between her and Spring. Gumdrop and Honeysuckle weren't as enthusiastic about the idea, but agreed to it nonetheless. So Spring decided to leave this morning without telling them anything, so that they wouldn't become jealous and possibly change their minds. To be honest, this is something she wants to do alone. She wants to be able to spend some time with the hard-working mare, by herself.

She arrives at the acres in short time, her trot turning into a run. She's so excited that she just can't hold it back. Her mind is racing fast enough to create a double rainboom! Galloping towards the main barn, where she was told to meet the farm mare at, Spring thinks of what she's going to be able to tell her friends after this. She stops as she reaches the door, opening it cautiously. Though she is full of energy, she doesn't want to just barge in screaming in enthusiasm. She peeks inside to find, surprisingly enough, a party going on. Music and dancing and balloons everywhere. However, the party is not the most surprising thing about it all, for right there before her stands five mares smiling down.

Apple Bloom walks up and welcomes the little filly before turning to introduce her friends; the friends she had made when she herself was just a little filly; the friends who joined her in countless adventures in trying to find their cutie marks. The first introduced steps forward, glimmering ivory coat and emerald eyes. Her pink and purple hair is styled elegantly, and she proudly shows the young pony the musical note on her flank. Sweetie Belle, the world famous singer, is really here in front of her.

The second of them steps forward. It's the same pony she had met yesterday before Apple Bloom. Now wearing a Cutie Mark Crusaders cape, Babs Seed grins and pats the filly on the head. Beside her stands an orange-coated pony with beautiful wings and a cool-looking purple mane. She wears a pair of rainbow-colored flight goggles on her forehead, and her Wonderbolts racing suit. Captain Scootaloo smirks and welcomes Spring Rise to the party, inviting her to have some punch and maybe a cupcake or two.

The last of the mares is one that she had not expected. A faded, grey-ish purple coat and blonde mane, Dinky Hooves trots up as well, having been dancing up until this point. She had heard that Dinky is going to get married soon to Chupa's friend Agelian. Out of these, she's also the only one Spring has met previously. The bubbly mare owns a muffin shop in town that Spring and her friends frequent. Stepping forward, Dinky greets the filly and pulls a blueberry muffin out of seemingly nowhere, passing it over to Spring.

"What are you all doing here?" the filly asks them all, her gaze focusing on Apple Bloom in a quizzical way.

"I told you that it'd be perfect! When you left last night, I called up the former members of the CMC to come here for a party today. Told 'em that ya wanted to know more about cutie marks and maybe get some advice. I thought it best for ya to hear it from all of us."

"But...I didn't know you were a Cutie Mark Crusader, Dinky," she says, looking to the mare who's begun to devour down a lemon surprise muffin.

"I joined only a year before we all got our cutie marks," the mare explains, voice muffled by the food stuffed in her mouth. She swallows the muffin and grins widely, adding, "I stayed friends with everypony after though. We had a lot of fun together."

"We sure did," Sweetie laughs, "all those crazy things we did. Honestly it kind of seems stupid now. Some of the ways we tried to get these cutie marks were definitely way off. We all grew up the best of friends though. When I heard that you wanted some help, I couldn't say no."

"Me neither," Scootaloo says with a smirk towards the filly, "practice can wait. I'm already awesome anyways, so one day off won't hurt."

Laughing, Apple Bloom places a hoof on Spring's shoulder and adds, "We wanted to all get together and help you. We thought that maybe you'd like to hear the stories of how we got our cutie marks, and how all of our efforts up until that point had been in vain, but was well worth the adventure."

Nodding her head a thousands miles a second, Spring smiles as wide as she can. She can't believe this is happening. Getting to hear stories from the entirety of the legendary Cutie Mark Crusaders on how they discovered their special talents and earned their cutie marks is just amazing! It's something any filly or colt waiting for their own would dream of. She takes the muffin that Dinky had given her, and grabs a cup of punch as well before taking a seat at a circular table. The CMC do the same, and begin to tell their stories.

Apple Bloom decides the order for them all, deciding that she'll go first, followed by Dinky, Scootaloo, Babs, then Sweetie Belle. She asks Spring if that's alright to her, but to be honest, the little filly doesn't mind what order they go in. She just wants to hear the stories either way. She nods anyways though, and smiles more than ever as the farm pony begins.

"It happened almost fifteen years ago now," she begins. Her smile seems to fade suddenly, and she tears up as bad memories are brought to the forefront of her mind for the first time in a long time, "it was after mah sister and brother had died. I'm sure ya probably heard, but Applejack was killed by a falling tree, and my brother...my brother..."

The others all go over to their friend and wrap their hooves around her, hugging the sorrowful mare as she tells Spring that her brother committed suicide because of her sister's death. It takes a minute or so for her to get a good cry out and be good enough to continue. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she breaths in and says, "It was so hard for me. The only pony I had left was Granny Smith. Babs lived in Manehattan at the time, and there wasn't really anypony else. With the constant bullying I received from Diamond Tiara, and now this, I attempted to take mah life as well. Luckily, Granny Smith was there to stop me."

"I was just so depressed, and because of it I needed something to take mah mind off of the pain. I began to work more around the farm, doing everything that mah siblings used to. I bucked the apple trees, I fixed up whatever needed it, and I pushed mahself to mah limits. Granny Smith didn't want me forcing mahself into doing all of that though, so she called in members of the Apple Family from around Equestria to help instead. I insisted to at least take Big Mac's place. For some reason, I had really begun to enjoy the hard work and manual labor. It was hard of course, but I always felt accomplished afterwards."

"Soon the other members of the family had begun to arrive at the farm, ready to help take care of the apple bucking and other jobs. I spent mah days fixing things around the farm, building barns, and so much more. It had become much more than just an escape for me, it became a passion. I absolutely loved doing it, and as Granny Smith had always told me, I did it very well. It kind of reminded me of when Applejack first gave the clubhouse to Sweetie, Scoots, and I. We all had our jobs to do, and I decided to fix it up. AJ told me that I did an amazing job."

"I begun to have a sneaking suspicion that this might be my talent, but I wasn't quite sure about it yet. Soon enough, both Sweetie and Scootaloo earned their cutie marks, and I felt left out. I even got angry, wondering why they got their special talents and I didn't. I resented my own friends, and it hurt me inside. But, then I suddenly understood. One day, while I was repairing the collapsed roof of the main barn, I realized what I had been denying about mahself this entire time. This hard work was what I was meant to do. The manual labor was mah ambition and passion, and mah destiny. I then watched as the image of a saw cutting an apple in half appeared on mah flank."

"Heh, I nearly fell off the roof I was so excited. I went and showed my friends at once, as well as nearly everypony else in Ponyville. I hate to say it, but Applejack and Big Mac's deaths led to me finding out mah destiny. If things hadn't happened like they did, then I probably wouldn't be where I am now. So I decided to live like they would have wanted. Granny Smith soon passed, and I took charge of the farm. It became mah life's passion to make sure that Sweet Apple Acres kept being as good as ever, if not better."

Spring looks at the mare in shock and awe. Such an amazing, wonderful, heart-warming story. She can't believe that she went through all of that and bounced back. Sweet Apple Acres is a staple of life in Ponyville, more so than any other time in history. And considering Ponyville was started with the farm, that's saying something. Apple Bloom took a seemingly hopeless situation and turned it around into a huge success. Dinky is the next to tell her story, explaining to the filly that she got her cutie mark while she was with her mother, Derpy Hooves.

She notes that it was bring your child to work day, and that she was helping her mother with the mail delivery. She had discovered through helping her, and making the citizens of Ponyville happy, that her special talent was bringing a shining joy to others. Her cutie mark appeared, three sparkles, representing her shining personality that reaches out to anypony who might need it. Just like with Apple Bloom, it's a wonderful story, but doesn't quite capture the oomph that the former did. She thanks Dinky anyways, knowing that everything helps.

"My turn then," Scootaloo laughs out. However, just like Apple Bloom did before, her smile quickly and suddenly fades, and she quietly repeats to herself, "my...turn then..."

Spring sits there, looking at the Wonderbolts Captain with excitement. The mare doesn't seem to hold the same enthusiasm however, and swallows hard before beginning, "I was a huge fan of Rainbow Dash, the Wonderbolts Captain before me. She's...she's a legend here in Ponyville, a true hero of her time. She worked harder than anypony else to achieve her goals, and remained loyal to those she loved. Well, she achieved her goal and became a Wonderbolt, and when Spitfire retired, she assigned Dash to take her place."

"I was so excited for her. I idolized Dash, heh, she was the best pony that ever lived. When she died, it devastated me. I heard the news quickly. She had been in a routine training exercise with the Wonderbolts. She hadn't been herself since the incidents with her friends had begun, and she was sinking into depression. A tornado had appeared on the course she was training on, and she flew headfirst into it. She must have given up on life, because I know she could've bested that tornado if she had tried. But instead she was thrown onto a weather rod. The impalement wasn't a quick death. She suffered..."

It seems to come out of nowhere. Right in the middle of her words, Scootaloo breaks down. Crying harder than Apple Bloom had, she loses it right there. Spring can understand that this must be hard for them to relive such painful memories. She's worried with how Sweetie Belle will be. She's heard how close Sweetie and her sister were. The bawling goes on for what seems like forever until Scootaloo is finally able to regain her composure. She apologizes to the filly, and continues.

"I stayed in my room for a long time after that, not even leaving to eat. I just didn't want to believe that somepony as cool as Rainbow Dash could be dead. Eventually I had to leave. Rainbow's will was to be read, and I was told that I was in it. So I went down to the funeral home for the reading, and what she left me changed my life. Her will said 'to my apprentice and friend Scootaloo, the little filly who always cheered me on and never gave up on me, even when I had, I leave my Wonderbolts goggles and racing suit in hopes that one day her wings will take her to new heights and allow her to soar into her dreams'. The same rainbow colored goggles and Wonderbolts racing suit that I'm wearing right now once belonged to my hero, and she had given them to me."

"That very day, I went out to Winsome Falls. It was where Rainbow had agreed to take me under her wing, and where she let me feel what flight felt like for the first time. I spread my wings, and forgot all the pain. I left behind all my worries and sorrows, and before I knew it, I had risen. My hooves left the ground and I had begun to fly for the first time in my life. I cried so hard, and flew even harder. I had to go fast, for Dash. I decided right then and there that my life's goal would be to make my hero proud, and become a Wonderbolt like her. That's when my cutie mark appeared, representing my never-ending determination to go fast and always exceed my limits."

Wow, and she had thought that Apple Bloom's story was powerful. Scootaloo had not only overcome her sorrow and pain, but she overcame her very inability to fly in order to make her idol and mentor proud. She changed her own destiny because of one bad event. Spring never even knew that one could change their destiny. It's amazing what ponies can do when they're determined enough. Babs is the next to give her story, telling the filly how she got her cutie mark when she returned to Ponyville.

She had come with her sister to help out on the farm after Applejack and Big Mac's deaths, as Apple Bloom had noted in her story. She and her sister were two of the ponies assigned to apple bucking, but she was also given the task of harvesting the seeds and replanting them. She would take care of the planted seed and help them grow into full trees, though none have become fully grown even by this time. She discovered that she had a love for helping grow plants and trees, and because of it she got her cutie mark. Just like Dinky's, it was a good story, but wasn't as amazing as either Apple Bloom's or Scootaloo's. Now it's finally time to hear how Sweetie Belle got her cutie mark.

"Well," the ivory pony says, beginning right away, "you can probably guess by now, but I also got my cutie mark after my sister's death. Scootaloo was the first of us to get her cutie mark, but I came soon after."

It's surprising to Spring that Sweetie hasn't begun to cry. Tears form in her eyes, but she isn't showing the kind of pain like her friends had. That's when she understands. She's not holding her emotions in, but rather she must have learned to deal with them more than the other two have. Sweetie soon confirms this as she adds, "I had begun as an apprentice to my sister at the Carasoul Boutique, and so even after her death I worked there with Grace Storm. I was around memories of Rarity every day, and I eventually learned something. Yes, it was horrible what happened. My own sister, mauled by a beast in the Everfree Forest while she was just trying to collect some silk. But at the same time, I remembered something that she had told me once."

"Sweetie Belle, she told me, when pain and misery fills your heart, when all hope seems lost, don't let it control your life. You must control it, and overcome it. She told me this only days before she died. She must have been feeling the same kind of pain from losing her friends. I listened to her wise words and overcame my sorrow. I didn't get rid of it, I was still sad, but I didn't let it control my life.”

"I began to work more and more in the boutique, and even thought that it might be what I was meant to do. However, Grace caught me singing one day. She thought I sounded beautiful. I had only ever sung for myself before. I had never even considered doing so as more than just for fun, aside from a talent show, but that didn't go too well." Scootaloo and Apple Bloom both laugh at the memory of that one time. Spring laughs too, trying to imagine it.

"Well, she convinced me into trying out for another. I reluctantly signed up, and I won it. I couldn't believe it. Something I had always just done for fun became a hobby. That hobby soon became an interest, and that interest became a passion. I loved singing, and so I went to Fluttershy. With both my sister and Big Mac gone, the Ponytones had split up. Fluttershy had been a member, and so I wanted to get her advice on it. She helped me to understand that sometimes singing in front of others can be a scary thing, but that sometimes we need to conquer our fears. It was the last thing she had said to anypony before going into seclusion, and I took it to heart."

"I began to work hard on my singing, and with the help of Mayor Mare and my friends here, I put on a concert for Ponyville. I...I had written a song in honor of my sister. I called it, Love is a Rarity. I was nervous beyond reason, and was sweating bullets when I stepped up onto the stage. I began to sing, and when I finished, the cheering and applause was deafening. I cried tears of joy, I had found my calling. My cutie mark appeared right then, a musical note. That's when I knew that music was my destiny, and that my love for Rarity had kickstarted what would become a dream come true."

The little filly sits there in disbelief. These five amazing stories have taught her so much. Love and loss, dreams and passion. From Apple Bloom whose destiny was discovered through necessity and the attempt to overcome the pain of losing loved ones, to Scootaloo who was left a meaningful gift that propelled her to achieve her dreams and overcome the greatest of obstacles. Sweetie Belle stayed strong in the midst of heart-wrenching pain and fell in love with the one thing she had always done. Babs, Dinky, all of them. They have given her so much to work with here, and she realizes now that one day, she too will discover her talent.

Whether it be from working with family, through a necessary loss, or from helpful advice, she will discover what makes her special. She and her friends wanted to know how to get their cutie marks, and now she knows exactly what she's going to tell them. Sometimes you can't rush things. You have to live life and let it come to you. When the time is right, you will reach your goals, and everything will eventually make sense. Life is about the experiences you have in the meantime, and how well you live, and love, for those around you.

Thanking the former members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the little filly excuses herself, wishing to head out and tell her friends everything that she's learned. However, the barn door suddenly opens, and the three little foals enter. Spring looks at them in surprise, and puts together quickly that they must have been listening in the entire time. Tears are in their eyes, and they smile over at what they had heard through their peeping. Majus steps forward and right up to Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. He's crying harder than the others as he asks them how they've been able to deal with it all.

"My parents died when the dark stars came," he says through his sobbing, "they were crushed when the Hay and Stay Hotel exploded. I've been living in the Ponyville Orphanage ever since."

He then looks to his friends and adds, "That's why I've seemed so distant and quiet around you all. I didn't know how to deal with it, so I locked my feelings up inside. Being included in your group felt so good. To be accepted just like that made me feel happy again."

"Listen, sometimes we all go through horrible things,” Sweetie tells the young colt, “Our sisters never got to see our talents bloom, but do you know who did? Our friends and those who care about us. We've made friendships that will last through the generations, and because of it, even in the hard times, we will never be alone. Embrace your friends, and let them embrace you back," Sweetie tells the young colt. She smiles as she hugs him tightly. Honeysuckle, Gumdrop, and Spring join in and show him how much they do truly care for him. Apple Bloom tells them all that there's nothing wrong with searching for your talents, but that in the end, you have to be patient.

The four children smile and laugh together as they thank the Cutie Mark Crusaders for helping them understand things a little better. Apple Bloom smiles back when suddenly, the door to the barn bursts open once again. This time, there are four adult ponies and one filly standing there, serious looks on their faces. Star Rider, Chupa Cabra, Agelian Wingblade, Terra Lionmane, and Devlin Speedster all look in, worried expressions etched upon their faces. Star then sees the fillies standing there, looking at them, and nearly freaks out. She runs up to Honeysuckle and hugs her tightly. The filly seems unsure of how to react, and begins to hug Star back. However, the mare releases and looks over at Apple Bloom and the others.

"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry! I didn't mean for this to happen, I don't even know how or when it happened!" she cries out as her friends come in to try and comfort her. However, the dark blue mare just shrugs them all off and hugs Honeysuckle again. None of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, old or new, understand what's going on, but then, Star continues, saying something that etches fear into the little orange pony's heart, "Honeysuckle, your big sister...your sister Bri she's...she's missing! We can't find her anywhere! She just disappeared!"

Preview for Episode 11
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“Star, Agelian, please stop fighting!” They aren’t listening to me. Why aren’t they listening to me? They just keep blaming each other for Bri’s disappearance. Why can’t I just bring them peace?