CMC in Manehatten: An Apple and Orange Mature

by Never2muchpinkie

First published 14th of March, 2014

The CMC go with Applejack to Manehatten to visit Babs. Can she stand up to her former school bully?

This story is my response to reading that there would be no Babs in season 4. Apple family reunion confirmed she made some new friends and moved to a new school, and was doing better, but Applejack kept interrupting before we could get any real details. I made Babs the Orange's daughter simply for plot convenience since they both live in Manehatten and are related to Applejack/Apple Bloom, so it's not too big a stretch that they might be related.

Applejack is going on a family visit to her aunt and uncle Orange, and the CMC insist on coming along to hang out with Babs again and see what her new friends are like. Along the way they run into Babs' biggest bully at her old school. With five friends by her side can they convince her to have the courage to fight for herself and her beliefs? They intend to beat her at her own game: Soccer. But can a group of blank flanks who've hardly played the sport before really triumph? Babs and Apple Bloom each learn important lessons over the day.

Chapter 1: New friends and old bullies.

“Hee hee hee!”

“Yay!”

“Wahoo!”

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were hopping around excitedly around their car as the train pulled along. Applejack was going on a trip to Manehatten to visit her Aunt and Uncle Orange. Apple Bloom wanted to come along to visit her favorite cousin Babs, and, after some begging, she agreed to bring along her sister’s closest friends as they had missed the chance to see Bab’s during the Apple family reunion.

Applejack let out a playful sigh as she watched the three rambunctious fillies. “Settle down now, y’all. Don’t wanna be all plum tuckered out before ya even get there, ya know?” Thinking back she was glad Apple Bloom had wanted Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle to come along. After all, all four of them were still blank flanks and bothered by it. Having seen firsthand how Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had teased them the first time Bab’s left, she knew that all of them understood the pain of being teased and bullied for something that came at a different time for everyone.

Apple Bloom rushed up to Applejack, bouncing from hoof to hoof. “Oh, Applejack! How’em I 'posed to calm down? This is the first time I’m gonna see Manehatten, and I get to spend time with Babs! This is gonna be a great day!”

“You said it, Apple Bloom!” said Scootaloo as she walked up next to her friend. “I can’t wait to see what it’s like.”

“I can’t wait to see Bab’s again. I’ve sure missed that ‘bad seed,’ ” said Sweetie Belle, completing their trio as she also walked over.

“I know. Just make sure y’all behave yourselves, ya hear? Ponies in Manehatten behave differently than they do in Ponyville,” Applejack said warningly.

“Yeeesss, Applejack,” all three of them responded, though in that way foals do when they’re just telling you what you want to hear.

An hour later the train pulled into the station.

“Now, all of y’all stick close by me,” said Applejack sternly. “I don’t need y’all getting lost the first five minutes you’re here. There’ll be plenty of time to explore once we get there, alright?”

“Fiiinnee,” The trio responded.

“Don’t worry. It’s not that far. We’ll be there in a couple minutes.”

The three excited fillies hopped around as they took in all the sites during the short walk.

When they arrived Applejack raised her hoof and tapped unnaturally softly on the door. Seeing Apple Bloom’s questioning look Applejack said, “Your Aunt and Uncle Orange are a bit hoity-toity. Don’t you remember what I told you about them when you asked for my cutie mark story?”

“Oh, yeah.”

The door opened, and there stood Mrs. Orange. “Oh, Applejack, darling. Glad you could make it. It’s been so long.”

“Oh, shucks. I missed you too. How’ve y’all been?”

A slight frown crossed her lips at Applejacks’ country tone, but she reined it in quickly. “Everything’s fine. We have a nice big group working our orange orchards, so business has been good.

“Hmmm? And who might these three be?” Mrs. Orange asked as she noticed the three ponies behind Applejack.

“I’m Apple Bloom, Applejack’s sister!” she said with pride, giving her sister a quick nuzzle.

“I’m Scootaloo.”

“And I’m Sweetie Belle.”

“Ah,” she replied. “So you’re the three that Babs has been talking endlessly about. Well, this is good. You can keep our daughter occupied while we catch up. Well, come in, come in.” As the three fillies walked inside the fancy looking apartment Applejack closed the door behind them. “I do say, that daughter of ours is so rebellious. Refuses to act like a proper Orange.”

“Well, just give it some time,” Applejack responded. “I’m sure she’ll come around eventually.”

A voice rang out, sounding abnormally loud in the spacious apartment. “Mom, Dad! I’m going out to see my friends.” As Babs turned the corner she gasped in surprise to see the fellow members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders in front of her. “Apple Bloom! Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle!” She ran over to them, and the four all hugged each other. “What are youse guys doing here?”

Apple Bloom responded, “My sister’s here for a visit so I asked if we could come along. We really wanted to see you again.”

“That’s great! You can meet my new friends.”

“Sure! I can’t wait to see the newest members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.”

“Hey!” cried out Sweetie Belle. “Wouldn’t it be awesome if all of us got our cutie marks today?”

“That would be awesome!” said Scootaloo. “With twice as many of us now that’s twice as many ideas we can think of to get our cutie marks!”

Yeehaw!” Apple Bloom reared back, pumping her front hooves a few times. “Let’s get to it. Cutie Mark Crusaders, let’s go!”

Babs took the lead as the four of them went galloping out of the house.

Applejack cried out, “Apple Bloom! Girls! No running!” But it fell on deaf ears. They were too excited to listen. She looked awkwardly at her Aunt Orange, who looked disapproving.

Aunt Orange rolled her eyes before regaining her composure again. “It’s for the best, I suppose. At least they’ll be out of our manes for a while. I’m sure they won’t get into too much trouble.”

Knowing her sister as well as she did, Applejack wasn’t so sure about that. However, it was obvious that each of them was very happy to see the other. As long as they were together they would be okay.

As the four fillies walked down the road Babs looked on with amusement at how easily amused the other three were at every little thing. “You’ve never been to Manehatten before?” she asked.

“No,” said Apple Bloom. “I mean, Applejack’s been here before, but I’ve never been here. It’s so much better in person.”

“Well, why don’t I show you girls some of the sights around here?”

“That sounds great! Oh, but what about yer friends? Aren’t they waiting fer ya?”

“Oh, right. Let’s go get them first.”

After about ten minutes of walking a voice called out, “Well, well, well. If it ain’t ‘ol Babsy Wabsy.” A shudder went through Babs as her tail automatically slammed to her side, covering her blank flank.

Up ahead was a pegasus filly a little bit bigger than them, with a gray mane and eyes, and a pink coat. “Been missing you at school, Babsy. Heard you transferred out. How pathetic.” She took a quick look at the other three with Babs, and laughed uproariously. “I see you got a whole blank flank brigade with you! Where did you find these losers?”

“Hey!” snapped Apple Bloom. “You leave my cousin alone!”

“We are not losers!” said Sweetie Belle, her voice cracking slightly.

The filly smirked. “Well, I have to give it to you. You at least have a little bit more fight in you than Babs over there.”

“We got a lot more than that!” Scootaloo exclaimed, rearing back onto her hind legs and making punching motions, knowing that Rainbow Dash would do the same thing for her friends.

“Cute,” she replied sarcastically. “Well, I’d love to play around with you little tots a little longer but, unfortunately, as someone with talent, I’m busy at the moment.” She turned to the side, showing off her cutie mark of a soccer ball. She walked past the frozen Babs, saying back in a dismissive childish tone, “See you around, Baby Blanky Babsy.” With that she continued on her way.

“Hmph! What a jerk that girl was. Who was that, Babs?” As Apple Bloom turned towards her cousin her anger instantly went away as she saw Babs with an empty look on her face, looking completely out of it. “Babs,” She called out, getting no response. “Babs!”

“Huh?” Babs said dully, shaking her head.

“Who was that?”

“T-t-that was the biggest bully of my old school,” Babs replied. “She got most of the school to make fun of me. She gave me the nickname Baby Blanky Babsy, and everyone else started calling me that too. It was horrible.”

“Baby Blankie Babsy?” asked Sweetie Belle. “Did you bring your baby blanket to school one day?”

“N-no,” she replied. “Not blanky like a blanket. She was talking about my blank flank.” Tremors ran through her body as memories began assaulting her, of the fillies laughing at her, mocking her for not having her cutie mark. Her tail pressed more firmly against her side. “Every day it was the same thing.” A tear ran down her eye. “Every day people would pick on me, and she was the worst. Her name is Diamond Spoon.”

The trio shared looks of mutual disgust. Scootaloo crossed her hooves, saying, “Well, if that isn’t the most appropriate name for a bully I’ve ever heard.”

“You said it,” replied Apple Bloom.

“It never stopped,” Babs said, more tears running down her eyes. “Everywhere I looked were cutie marks. Everywhere but on me. The teachers couldn’t stop it all.” Her trembling legs lost the strength to support her as her despair increased, and she fell down to the ground, covering her face with her hooves, sniffing. “No one would help me, or tell me it would be okay. I didn’t have a single friend who was there for me. It… it hurt so much.

"I… just didn’t know what to do. Why couldn’t they just be NICE? I… I just felt so worthless and… stupid.” More tremors ran through her body as she began sobbing, the laughter of her tormentors ringing through her mind, drowning out all other sounds.

The three looked at Babs with pity. They could understand her pain all too well, having their own bullies back in Ponyville.

Apple Bloom was distinctly reminded of Fluttershy as she saw her shivering cousin. She walked the short distance to Babs, kneeling down and gently rubbing her hoof through Babs’ mane. “Come on, Babs,” she said gently. “It’s okay.” In her mind she was thinking of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, and how they treated her. Most of the rest of their class didn’t bother them about their lack of a cutie mark. Even at their worst she had never been this hurt by it. Her eyes went to Babs’ tail, stilled pressed firmly to her side. Maybe it was just a bigger deal in Manehatten to be a blank flank.

As she looked at her friends suddenly Apple Bloom got an idea. “Hey, Babs. Did I ever tell ya how the Cutie Mark Crusaders were formed?”

Babs shook her head, still hiding behind her hooves and crying.

“Well, a few months ago I was sorta in the same position as you. Everyone else in my class had their cutie mark. I was feelin’ jealous and upset, and the one person I expected ta understand me had just gotten her cutie mark right when I needed some help. I was feelin’ really lonely. I felt like I would do anything ta get my cutie mark, ta be like everyone else, especially as Diamond Tiara was throwing a big party ta celebrate getting hers. I didn’t want ta go, but I just happened ta be there when it started.

“I tried ta hide the fact that I didn’t have my cutie mark, but they found out, and they started makin’ fun of me. Everyone else started laughin’ about it. But then someone spoke up…”

Apple Bloom looked meaningfully at Scootaloo, who caught on to what Apple Bloom was trying to do. She walked over by Babs and said. “I asked, ‘You got a problem with blank flanks?’ ”

“And Diamond Tiara said it meant that I was totally not special at all, and Sweetie Belle said…”

Sweetie Belle finished, “ ’No, it means she’s full of potential.’ ”

“The two of them spoke up fer me because they also didn’t have their cutie marks, and they knew how much it hurts ta be made fun of fer it. That’s when we decided ta form our group so we can all work together ta get our cutie marks. But that’s not the only reason we’re together. It’s because we’re all friends.

When I got a cutie mark (well, a fake cutie mark, long story) Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle weren’t jealous at all. They cheered me on and told me they thought I was the most special pony ever. So even after all of us get our cutie marks it won’t matter, as we’ll still be together, and we can still be the Cutie Mark Crusaders, helping other ponies who are looking for their special talent.

“And so, now that I have them, even when Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon make fun of me and it hurts, I have two very special friends by my side, and knowing that makes the pain feel a whole lot smaller because I know they’ll stick up for me and share the hurt I feel.”

Apple Bloom moved her hoof in between Babs’, gently lifting her teary face back out into the open. Babs put up no resistance. “It’s alright, Babs. Yer not at yer old school anymore. And don’t ferget… you’re not alone. Not anymore. Ya have yer new friends here in Manehatten, and in Ponyville ya have us, yer fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders. Yer a part of our group because yer our friend and family, and so all of us will share some of yer hurt. Right, girls?”

“Right!” “Yeah!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle responded.

Sweetie Belle spoke up, “Remember that you were sworn in in front of your fellow sisters, friends, alleys, bosom buddies…” She gave Scootaloo a joking smile, remembering her friend’s overly long speech.

“That’s right, in front of yer gal pals, amiga’s, chum-o-chums,” Apple Bloom responded with the same expression.

“Oh, ha ha. That was so funny I forgot to laugh,” Scootaloo responded sarcastically, looking annoyed, but then all three of them started laughing.

A fourth laugh caught their attention. It was weak, but a small smile crossed Babs’ face. By unspoken consent all three of them gave Babs a strong hug. Babs just closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation as her cousin’s words sank in, and some more tears fell down her face, happier this time. The laughing, taunting voices of her tormentors became the laughter of her close friends, and a measure of peace entered her heart, knowing that this was what her cousin was talking about. The love she felt around her made the pain seem absolutely miniscule by comparison. She wasn’t alone anymore. She had people who would help her now.

“I love ya, Babs,” said Apple Bloom. “Don’t ya ever forget that.”

“Thanks, Apple Bloom,” Babs replied, standing up, her tail slowly returning to its normal position.

The rest of the journey was uneventful. They entered a small park, something they were more used to, apart from the cramped buildings of the city.

They entered a cluster of trees to a small clearing where they saw two ponies: a unicorn and a pegasus. The pegasus was a golden color with an orange mane and blue eyes. The unicorn had a green coat, with a mane alternating yellow and green with yellow eyes.

“Hey there, guys!” Babs cried out.

The two turned towards her voice, their eyes lighting up as they ran over to her, calling out her name and putting a hoof around her.

Apple Bloom felt a burst of happiness at seeing with her own eyes proof that there were a few people outside of her family that cared about Babs. It seemed so familiar to her own situation with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.

As the two let her go the unicorn asked, “Hey, Babs. Whose these new guys?”

“Let me introduce you,” she replied. “This here’s my cousin Apple Bloom, and two of my best friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.” She pointed to each of them in turn as she said their names.

“Oh!” said the pegasus. “So these are the Cutie Mark Crusaders from Ponyville you were talking about. Nice to meet you.”

“Same here,” said Apple Bloom. “So who are you guys?”

“These here are my new friends Lemon-Lime and Silver Wing.” Babs pointed to the unicorn and then the pegasus.

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all looked with confusion at Silver Wing. They didn’t see an ounce of silver on her. Silver Wing laughed, understanding their puzzlement. With a look of pride she said, “My mom and dad named me Silver Wing because they believe I am a very special pony. You see, I have a strange pattern on my wings, one that I haven’t seen in any other pegasus I’ve met.”

With that she unfurled her wings, and the trio oohed and aahed. While the outer part of her wings were the same color as her body, the other side, usually hidden, was pure silver. “My mom said that my name is a symbol of how you shouldn’t judge people just on how they look, because hidden deep down may be special things you can’t even dream of.”

“That’s so cool!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “I’ve never seen wings like that before, not even on Rainbow Dash.”

“Who’s Rainbow Dash?”

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom rolled their eyes, smiles on their faces. “Hope y’all packed a lunch,” Apple Bloom said. “Once she gets started on Rainbow Dash it’s hard ta get her ta stop.” A joint laugh went throughout the group with the exception of Scootaloo.

“Aw, you guys are just jealous YOU don’t have a sister that cool!” Scootaloo replied. “Rainbow Dash is only the best flyer in ALL OF EQUESTRIA! She created the Sonic Rainboom, and she is just so cool! She has an awesome cutie mark, and if it wasn’t for her YOUR sisters wouldn’t even have cutie marks!” With that Scootaloo stuck out her tongue at them.

Babs let out a little laugh, but then she sighed, her eyes fading out.

“What’s wrong, Babs?” asked Lemon-Lime.

“I ran into Diamond Spoon on the way here.”

“Oh, no. Are you okay?”

“Not really. If it hadn’t been for my cousin and our two friends I don’t know when I would have been able to get myself up to get over here.” Her tail twitched, moving partially over, but it didn’t completely cover up her side.

“We need ta do something about this!” said Apple Bloom strongly.

“Like what?”

A smile came to Apple Bloom’s face as an idea popped into her head. “We are gonna challenge Diamond Spoon ta a soccer game!”

“What?” Most of the other ponies responded flatly. Babs was the only one who didn’t, and that’s only because she was too busy trembling.

“Why?”asked Babs.

“She has a soccer ball cutie mark, so that makes it her special talent. So that means if we kin beat her then she’ll be too embarrassed ta make fun of ya anymore.”

“Ooh!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed. “That’s a great idea!”

“Hmm?” Scootaloo looked thoughtful. “We’ve never tried to get a cutie mark for that before. Maybe we can kick her butt AND get a cutie mark at the same time!”

Babs felt faint. “I can’t! We can’t win! It’s impossible. We’re just going to humiliate ourselves!”

“Come on, Babs,” said Silver Wing. “We won’t know until we try. If we work together we can do it. I’m sure of it.”

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER SOCCER PLAYERS!” The Ponyville crusaders exclaimed, putting their hooves on top of each other. Silver Wing and Lemon-Lime followed suit. All five of them looked at Babs, patiently waiting for her to join her hoof in.

Babs looked between each of her friends. Part of her wanted to just run home and forget about the whole thing, but Apple Bloom’s words rang in her ears. ‘You’re not alone. Not anymore.’ Back then a huge part of her pain was that she had no one her own age to confide in. Her parents were so stuffy and believed she should just not let it get to her, telling her to work harder at getting her cutie mark if it bothered her so much.

She took a deep breath. She knew she might regret it, but she hesitantly joined her hoof with the others. Reluctantly, as she put her hoof back down, she said, “Follow me.”

“Where are we going?” asked Apple Bloom.

“To the soccer field. If we’re going to do this then we’re doing it now, before I change my mind.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Chapter 2: The CMC vs. Diamond Spoon

They walked out of the park to the back of a school where there was a big open field with various things for sports scattered about. Babs stared up at the school, small quivers running through her body as the memories of her time there began resurfacing. She considered running away again.

She came back to the present as she felt her friends tapping her and calling her name. “Y’all right?” asked Apple Bloom.

She took a deep breath. “Not really. Youse guys promise to stay with me no matter what?”

“No matter what!”

“No matter what!” her other friends chimed in.

With another deep breath she said, “Okay. Let’s go.”

They sought out the soccer field, seeing Diamond Spoon kicking a ball around.

“HEY! Diamond Spoon!” Apple Bloom called out.

She turned around, and let out a laugh. “Well, if it isn’t the blank flank brigade. I see you’ve increased in number since the last time I saw you.”

“We challenge ya ta a soccer game!”

“Excuse me?” She let out a big laugh. “Sorry, but I’m busy playing with people with real talent. So could you please remove your talentless flanks from the field?”

“Alright. Fine, then. Come on, Babs. We can go tell everyone at your new school that Ol’ Diamond Spoon refused ta play us because she was too scared of getting beat by a group of blank flanks.”

“S-s-sounds good,” Babs replied, trying to sound tougher than she felt as they all started walking away like they had won.

“WHAT?” Diamond Spoon quickly spun around, her eyes narrowed. If they started spreading that around her reputation would be ruined. With a jump and a few flaps of her wings she landed in front of the group. “You want to be humiliated that much? Fine. At least a game with you babies will make a good warm up for our real practice.

“So, six on six. Give it your best shot.”

They walked to the middle of the field. Diamond Spoon kicked the ball to them. “We’ll be nice and let you go first. Good luck, blank flank brigade.”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at each other, nodding. “We can do this.”

“So what do you say? First to ten acceptable?”

“Sure.”

Each of them stood opposite a member of the other team, with the exception of Silver Wing and one of Diamond Spoons’ teammates. Those two were the goalies. They had each chosen a pegasus pony as their goalie because their ability to fly gave them more versatility in their ability to guard their goal.

They were staring each other down. “On your mark… get set…” Their bodies tensed, preparing to start. “GO!”

Apple Bloom ran forward, kicking the ball between Diamond Spoon’s legs, running past her and heading toward the goal. Another member of Diamond’s team went up to block her. Apple Bloom noticed that in order to block her, she had left Sweetie Belle open. “Sweetie Belle!” she cried out, kicking the ball in her direction.

Sweetie Belle missed it but managed to catch up before the others, and kicked it over to Babs.

Babs ran up, in range to score a goal. She kicked it toward the edge of the goal post. The goalie jumped, barely missing the ball.

The team cheered. “That’s one!” said Scootaloo happily.

On defense now they tried to block Diamond’s team from getting to their goal. After a couple of passes Lemon-Lime managed to steal the ball during one. With a rapid fire pass from her to Apple Bloom to Scootaloo and back to her she kicked the ball, scoring a second goal as, once again, their goalie missed it by a few inches.

Over the next five plays their team managed to either steal the ball or block their attempts to score a goal.

Another cheer went through the team. “Wow,” said Babs. “We’re really doing it. This is amazing.”

“Seven to nothing!” Sweetie Belle whooped.

“I can’t believe it!” said Apple Bloom. “Six cutie marks, here we come!”

“Oh, wow,” Diamond Spoon remarked. “I guess we’re going to have to get serious, aren’t we… girls?”

“Like it’ll help. It’s yer ball.”

Diamond Spoon looked to three of her teammates, a smirk on her face, who each nodded. “Time for our special combination move.” She kicked the ball to her teammate, who kicked the ball up into the air. The other two teammates were standing atop one another, an earth pony who used her superior strength to launch her pegasus friend into the air, and she kicked it still higher while Diamond Spoon raced to the sky, flying fast enough to become even with it. With a flip she kicked it hard as she could.

With tremendous speed the ball knocked Silver Wing out of the way with sheer force, bouncing off her and into the edge of the net.

Diamond Spoon flew back to the ground, an arrogant grin on her face at the six open-mouthed looks of surprise on the faces of their competition. “That was our most powerful play, the Atomic Slam. You didn’t think we were taking you babies seriously, did you? I told you before. This is only a warm-up for our real practice. Seven is a good enough handicap, I think.

“Well, your move. Don’t worry. We won’t need to do that again. It’s much too powerful a play to use on you kids.”

The tables had turned. Over the next plays Diamond Spoon’s team easily blocked every attempt to get to their goal, stealing the ball. It was like they were playing an entirely different team now.

Soon, the score was tied up at seven to seven. Shortly after that, despite their best efforts, it was nine to seven.

Babs was feeling that same overwhelming despair that had overtook her before. This was utterly hopeless. There was no way they were going to win. It was just as she had thought from the start. They should never have messed with Diamond Spoon. All they did was make themselves look like fools. She was never going to live this down.

Apple Bloom could see her cousin was on the verge of breaking down again, and all of them felt a trace of it too. Once Diamond’s team started playing seriously they hadn’t been able to score a single point. “Time out!” she called out.

Diamond Spoon just laughed. “If you must. Not like it’ll make a difference. Do you need a diaper for Baby Blanky Babsy because she wet herself from fear?” All of her team cracked up. “I mean, don’t you kiddies know when to give up? It’s obvious you’re not going to win. Why waste time when you know you’re not going to score three points before we can score one?”

“Because we’re never gonna give up ta you! Even if we can’t win we ain’t gonna quit.” With that Apple Bloom turned her back on Diamond Spoon as the rest of the team huddled around her.

Babs had a hopeless look on her face. “Why bother? What’s the point? She’s right! We can’t win! We never should have done this! I shouldn’t have listened to you! We’re going to lose just like I knew we were all along! She’s too good.” She fell to the floor like she had before, her tail once more pressed to her side.

“Maybe she’s right, Apple Bloom,” said Scootaloo, her head down.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just give up than make ourselves look even more stupid?” ssked Silver Wing.

Apple Bloom could see all of her friends were being infected by Bab’s pessimism, and she didn’t like it. She felt mad and more determined than ever to win. “So, what then, Babs? Is that what ya really want? Ta be a coward who never stands up fer what she believes in? If we keep playing we may lose, but it we quit now we’ll definitely lose. And if all a y’all are going to say it’s hopeless then it’s certainly going ta be. We all need ta believe in ourselves and not give up. We all love and trust each other more than they do, so I refuse ta give up. If we’re going ta lose I’m going to do it fighting ta the end.

“Ya kin try ta hide yer flank all you want, but you have two sides to yer flank and only one tail. And even if ya had two tails all ya’d be doin’ is drawin’ attention to yer blank flank.Stop tryin’ ta hide what ya are! Ya just haven’t figured out yer special talent yet, and that’s okay. Our lack of a cutie mark is what brought us tagether as friends, and it helped get ya some new friends.

“Babs, we all chose to do this together so we could help ya. Ya have ta make a choice. Ya kin can either sit there on the ground and cry and complain about how yer worthless, and believe a total jerk who cares nothin’ about ya, or ya can raise yer head high and believe in yer friends who all see yer potential and love ya with all their hearts. So which one is it going to be?”

For the next minute Babs didn’t move and didn’t respond, but finally she stood up, her tail returning to normal. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Well, there’s only one more round to go if the worst happens. No matter what the outcome I’m going to give it my best. Let’s show them our teamwork.”

Her cousin still looked conflicted, but she was at least ready to fight again. And as Babs regained her fighting spirit she could see the rest of them had it too.

Apple Bloom had them all huddle around her. “Okay, everypony. Listen carefully. They may have a lot more skill than we do, but we’re gonna take advantage of our own lack of skill ta take them by surprise.”

“Huh?” all of them responded.

“I have a few plans that will only work because they think we’re so weak and unskilled. These plans will rely on our teamwork. So listen up carefully.”

As Apple Bloom explained her idea’s all of them began snickering. It was brilliant. Diamond Spoon’s team wouldn’t know what hit them.

The huddle broke up as the team returned back to the middle of the field.

“About time!” cried out Diamond Spoon. She glanced around at the team, confused by their sudden change in attitude. Each and every one of them, even Babs, now looked confident. They surely didn’t believe they stood a chance, not after nine straight goals against them?

She dropped the ball in front of Apple Bloom, noticing that Apple Bloom’s team didn’t have a goalie, which perplexed her at first. Then it dawned on her what was going on. They were going for broke. Unless she pulled their own goalie into the action that made for six on offense verse five on defense, meaning one pony would be uncovered at all times. They figured they had nothing left to lose at this point. She found that interesting. It wasn’t like it would make a difference but at the least they finally smarted up enough to change tactics.

“You remember our plan right?” said Apple Bloom.

Her team all nodded.

“Bring it on!” said Diamond Spoon. “Show me your last desperate attempt.” Apple Bloom glared at Diamond Spoon, who met her gaze as the rest of her teammates ran into position. “Anytime you’re ready to lose. I do still have a practice to finish.”

“Fine, then.” Apple Bloom glanced over to one side of the field, seeing Scootaloo was open.

“Scootaloo!” she cried out, kicking the ball.

Diamond Spoon laughed. They really were amateurs. They always called out to the teammate they were kicking the ball to, making it easy for them during the early plays to find out each of their names. This game was over.

Diamond’s teammate jumped in front of Scootaloo, but to his surprise the ball didn’t come in his direction, but to another one of Apple Bloom’s teammates.

Silver Wing got the ball, running towards the goal as a different pony went to block their way. Babs was now open. “Babs! To you!” she cried out as she kicked the ball.

Like before, one of them went to block the player they called out to, only for it to go to another pony entirely. This time to Apple Bloom.

“Lemon-Lime!” she called out as Diamond Spoon went to block her.

This time the ball went to Sweetie Belle, who gave it a hard kick to the edge of the goal post, the confused pony missing it from expecting a different one.

Apple Bloom’s team cheered as they all met up, hugging each other.

“It went just like you said, Apple Bloom!” said Sweetie Belle excitedly.

“Yeah, that was an awesome plan!” said Silver Wing.

Diamond Spoon was trying to figure out what had just happened. How had they managed to score a goal like that? What was their game?

Her eyes narrowed again as she looked angrily at the little kiddies celebrating their point. Eight to nine now, but they weren’t supposed to have gotten any real points.

Her eyes went wide as she suddenly understood. They had used the fact they always called out the names of their teammates to their advantage. Each time they called out a teammate one of her own teammates would go to block the one they called out, leaving the one they actually wanted the ball to go to undefended. In order for them not to get confused they had to call out the other pony of the same race on their team.

She had to give it to them. It was a clever move, and it had momentarily shook them up, but that was over now. She was on offense now, so she would take care of this. She wouldn’t fall for the same trick twice.

She told her teammates what she had figured out. It only meant that they couldn’t just jump to whoever’s name was called out.

As the teams got back in position Diamond Spoon looked down at Apple Bloom with an amused smile on her face. “I’ll give you credit for that. It was a good plan. I hope you know that won’t work again.”

“I know that. That’s why we have a new plan for this round.”

Her mouth went thin. “I hope it’s enough,” she said in an annoyed voice. There was nothing more pathetic than ponies that just didn’t know when to give up.

She would end this quickly. She’d pass around the ball a few times, and then slam it in the goal for the final point. Simple.

She kicked the ball to a pegasus, who kicked it to an earth pony, her getting into position to strike. He passed it back to her. She drew her leg back, smashing the ball with all her strength. ‘Game over!’ she thought as the ball flew.

Her eyes went wide as she saw all six of them gather, three of them on top of their other three, completely blocking the net. With all of them combined they stopped the impact of the ball.

Sweetie Belle took it as the rest of them scattered. She kicked it to an open Lemon-Lime, who quickly kicked it over to Apple Bloom and then to Scootaloo. They were only half way down the field when Scootaloo kicked the ball with all her strength, but it went way too high and was going to go out of bounds so no one on Diamond Spoon’s team even tried to block it.

Diamond Spoon went to laugh but it was quickly cut short as Silver Wing jumped on top of the net with her front hooves, doing a hoofstand and catching the ball between her back hooves before swinging backwards to throw the ball into the net to the surprise of all of Diamond’s team.

Apple Bloom’s team cheered again. “This is great, Apple Bloom,” said Lemon-Lime. “Your plan worked again. We’re using our weakness at soccer as a strength.”

“Yer ball,” said Apple Bloom with a condescending grin. “It’s nine ta nine now.”

Diamond Spoon growled, gritting her teeth as she shook with anger. “These damn stupid little upstarts, thinking they’re so clever with their little tricks. I’m done playing along with these weaklings. We’re going with the Atomic Slam.”

“On them?” asked one of her teammates.

“Yes! It’s time to show them how pathetic they really are. They never had a chance to win to start with, and it’s time to show them that.”

Her teammates gathered around Apple Bloom. “Well, here it comes,” said Apple Bloom. “We knew this was coming. This is the last round. It’s us or them. The game is about ta end. We got her so mad she’s going to use that special move of hers. Well, we’ll show her we can do it just as well. It will just take us a few more ponies. Here’s where our teamwork will really show through. I’m countin’ on you, Babs.”

She nodded. “Win or lose, I’m giving it my all. I felt ready to give up before, but you’ve come up with some great plans. I’m really starting to believe we can actually win.”

“Good.”

Both teams got into formation. A unicorn on Diamond’s team took the ball, ready to kick it into the air as two more of her teammates stacked up like before.

On Apple Bloom’s side they were separated into three groups. Lemon-Lime, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom were also in a three pony stack, Scootaloo was on top of Babs and facing Diamond’s team while Babs was faced the opposite direction, and in-between them was Silver Wing standing alone.

Apple Bloom felt a little heavy with two fillies on top of her but she was still an earth pony and thus had greater physical strength.

She ran as best as she was able, and then jumped up into the air. Babs was running toward Silver Wing, who was tensing her body in preparation for her part in the plan. Babs jumped on top of her, going along with Silver Wing as she jumped again just as Silver Wing did to get extra air.

Sweetie Belle jumped from on top of Apple Bloom just as she hit the peak of her jump, and Lemon-Lime followed suit.

Babs hit the peak of her jump, landing on top of Lemon-Lime and jumping off her. Finally, she launched Scootaloo off her back into the air towards the high flying ball.

Diamond Spoon looked surprised at how well they had coordinated their ragtag team as both of them rushed toward the ball.

Scootaloo flapped her wings hard to get more air. She was ahead of Diamond Spoon so all she had to do was get there first. However, it wasn’t enough. Despite some lessons from Rainbow Dash in flying she still hadn’t mastered flying alone. She just wasn’t high enough before she stopped ascending.

Diamond Spoon let out a condescending laugh as she paused for a brief moment. “I guess in the end you babies still came up short.”

Sweetie Belle looked up with anger. “We’ve come this far! We can’t lose now!” She focused all her energy on her friend. “Come on, Scootaloo. You can do it.” She focused and focused, hoping Scootaloo would be able to bring them to victory. Suddenly, she felt a weird sensation coming from her horn.

Apple Bloom saw Sweetie Belle’s horn begin glowing green, and then at the gasp of her friends looked up to see Scootaloo zooming upward toward the ball.

Sweetie Belle was using magic! Her desire to help her friend had unlocked her power.

Scootaloo didn’t know what was happening. All she knew at that moment was that she was suddenly rushing upward toward the ball to a dumbfounded look from Diamond Spoon.

Not wanting to use the same name as their rival, and thinking of how there were six of them like just like there were six of Rainbow Dash and her friends, she came up with the perfect name for their own original move. Scootaloo flipped her body, giving the soccer ball a mighty kick as she yelled out, “Harmony Kick!”

Their goalie tried to block it but was too surprised to pay attention fully and it knocked him out of the way as the ball flew into the net.

Everyone on Apple Bloom’s team let out thunderous cheers. They hugged each other and a few of them were crying in happiness.

Scootaloo flapped her wings to slow her fall and Apple Bloom ran up to catch her as she came down.

“We did it! We won!” cried out Babs. “You were amazing, Apple Bloom!”

“ALL’a y’all wer’ amazin’! It was our teamwork that did it.”

An angry voice cut into their celebration. “I refuse to accept your victory!”

Apple Bloom looked over towards Diamond Spoon. “Why’s that?”

“You cheated! That point doesn’t count.”

“Cheated?”

“That one!” she cried out, pointing to Sweetie Belle. “She used magic! That’s cheating.”

“Ya never said we couldn’t use magic. Besides, I thought we were only practice. Don’t tell me y’all is a sore loser. If ya hadn’t held back ta show off then we’d only have three points right now anyway, right? Its yer own fault for underestimatin’ us and thinkin’ we was losers.

“We’re out of here to celebrate. We ain’t like ya, so we don’t need to go braggin’ about our awesomeness to everypony else, so we won’t go tellin’ everyone that we beat ya. It’s enough ta know that no matter what ya say from now on ya still got beat by the 'Blank Flank Brigade,' and nothin’ is gonna change that. Isn’t that right, Babs?” Apple Bloom gently pushed her cousin forward.

Diamond Spoon looked ready to burst. “You… you… you think you’re BETTER than me? Because you won a silly practice game by cheating and stupid tricks? Who do you think you are?”

“I could ask ya the same, fer thinkin’ yer so superior.”

A frenzied look appeared on Diamond Spoon’s face before she let out a strange sounding laugh. “Oh, this is just rich.” They may have won the battle, but she wasn’t going to let them win the war. “So do you feel better now, Babsy Wabsy? Now that you got your silly friends around? You haven’t changed at all, have you? You’re still a teeny baby blank flank and a talentless loser!” Bab’s tail twitched, moving over near her tail. Diamond Spoon liked that reaction. Babs was still scared of her.

Scootaloo went to speak up, but Apple Bloom put her hoof out to Scootaloo without averting her eyes from her cousin. Scootaloo looked questioningly at Apple Bloom, who shook her head, a dead serious look on her face.

Apple Bloom stared determinedly at Babs, knowing that now was the point of decision. It was time to see what Babs was going to do, who she would choose to listen to. They had helped her as much as they could; now it was time to see if Babs would believe in her friends or her bully. After all, they couldn’t always be right there whenever a bully was around. She needed to learn to speak up for herself. If Babs didn’t take this opportunity now to take back the power she had let Diamond Spoon take from her then she’d never change on the inside.

“You’re clearly no good at soccer, needing your worthless friends to feed you tricks and cheap shots for victory.” Diamond Spoon continued her tirade, continuously berating Babs as the other five of them watched. Each of the other four found it increasingly difficult to just stay silent when clearly Babs was getting upset over it. Apple Bloom believed in her cousin, though, and had no problem keeping her mouth shut.

Babs was having flashbacks of being back in her old school, of back in the days when every day this was the way it was. Diamond Spoon was always a jerk, but she seemed to seek Babs out specifically. Every time they saw one another she made sure to say something nasty. Because Diamond Spoon was popular and powerful, everyone else found it easier to go along with the crowd and bash her too. At first it had seemed reluctant, but soon enough they seemed to enjoy tormenting her too. Her parents were no help, and her older sister, while supportive, lived on her own and was too busy with school and work to always be there when she was needed.

She had felt so alone in the world. Every day was a torment. The entire world seemed to be against her. No one was on her side to tell her it was alright. Every day she was shoved, hit, laughed at. It was so painful. Her heart was at the point of breaking completely in two, never to recover again. Everything had felt like it was turning pitch black.

Suddenly… there was light. “Babs! It’s me, yer cousin Apple Bloom! And this is Scootaloo! And this is Sweetie Belle! And we are SO SO GLAD you’re here!”

That was how she had first met her cousin and her new friends. Even though she had let herself be tempted into bullying them to avoid being bullied somewhere else they still risked themselves to save her, and forgave her for the horrible way she had treated them. Then when she transferred into her new school she had met Lemon-Lime and Silver Wing. She had gained true friends just like Apple Bloom did.

“Don’t forget, Babs. Yer not alone. Not anymore.”

That was right.

“Yer our friend and family, and so all of us will share some of yer hurt.”

She had five friends willing to put themselves on the line for her. Even if she felt terrified when Diamond Spoon first showed up today Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo each stood up for her without a second thought. Things weren’t the same as they were back then. She had friends now. She wasn’t alone. They believed in her and wanted the best for her.

“Stop tryin’ ta hide what ya are.”

Even if she hid the truth with her tail it wouldn’t change what she really was. She couldn’t change herself into an entirely new pony. All she could do was try to change what she could and help her friends the only way she could in this situation: by believing in herself! By believing in the Babs that her friends saw!

“It means she’s totally not special.”

“No! It means she’s full of potential!”

Potential. Did she have a ton of that too, waiting inside her? It was time to find out. She didn’t know how far she could take it, but she was going to stand up for herself for once, because she knew if she started getting overwhelmed her friends would all be there for her if she needed it. She would take her chances flying towards the sun, knowing if she fell they would catch her.

Coming away from herself her tail returned back to its normal position. Staring at Diamond Spoon she said in a steady voice, “Why don’t you shut your big mouth for once, Diamond Spoon? You don’t know a thing about me! I have more potential in one hoof than you do in your whole body!”

“Really?” she said sarcastically.

“That’s right! You’re right. We stink at soccer and had to use tricks and magic to win. But Apple Bloom was right. If you hadn’t been so busy messing around you would have won. If you had played seriously from the start we would have lost easy.

“But so what that soccer isn’t what we’re good at. It’s enough that we beat your smug flank and I won’t ever let you forget it the next time you try to make fun of me.

“I’ll admit it. I’ve been a sniveling coward and I let you convince me that I’m talentless and worthless, but my cousin and my friends all helped me to see who I really am. Fine, we’re a blank flank brigade, but even so we still beat you. And, you know what, maybe I’ll be 'Baby Blanky Babsy' for the next few years until I find out what my special talent is, but that’s fine too. My lack of a cutie mark is what led me to all of them.” She gestured with her head to the rest of them. “I have some of the best friends around, and I wouldn’t trade them for a hundred cutie marks!

“Now I have to go! I have better things to do than spend my time picking on the losers that couldn’t even beat a team of worthless blank flanks.” With that she turned around without a second glance and began walking away.

Diamond Spoon tried to retort, but whatever it was she was saying wasn’t important, and Babs didn’t feel like listening to it. All she wanted to listen to now was the words of her friends, and the words of herself in believing she was worth something.

When they left the schoolyard and Diamond Spoon behind Apple Bloom and the rest all gave her a big group hug, congratulating her and praising her endlessly for finally having the courage to just accept herself and stand up to her greatest bully.

Babs felt herself the happiest filly in the world at that moment, tears coming down her eyes.

They all decided to go back to her house to celebrate. When they got there they were all balls of uncontained energy as they told Applejack and the Oranges about what had happened.

As soon as they were done with their tale they all got hyper, roughhousing and playing.

Applejack felt embarrassed again. “Apple Bloom! Girls! Don’t-“

“It’s alright…” said Mrs. Orange in a strange voice. It had lost the haughty tone she usually spoke in. She looked at her daughter, the mile-wide smile on her face, the twinkle in her eyes, laughing away. “This is… the first time in a long while that I’ve seen her looking so happy. For today… it’s okay.”

Applejack could see that despite what she said about Babs that her aunt did care a lot for her daughter.

For all of them it felt like too short a time they got to play together before Applejack told them it was time to get back on the train to head home. All of them said their goodbyes, pledging to visit each other again soon as the train pulled away from the station.

Last chapter: An apple bloomed

During the ride home the three kids talked nonstop about their day. Applejack just let them be since they were at least staying in one spot and not causing trouble.

Two hours later, when the four got off the train, Applejack took a sniff of the air. “Oh boy. Sure is good to be back in Ponyville. It just smells like home.” The three fillies also took a whiff, agreeing.

As they began walking towards Sweet Apple Acres they heard a familiar dismissive voice. “So where have you been all day?” asked Silver Spoon.

“Manehatten,” responded Apple Bloom.

Diamond Tiara said, “Well, if you three were there it would be more like-

“LAME-hatten!” the two finished in sync.

Apple Bloom looked over at the pair, feeling something well up inside of her. “Diamond Tiara! I got something ta say ta you!”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

Apple Bloom walked over, closing the gap. Applejack looked unsurely at her sister, not knowing what Apple Bloom had in mind and if she should intervene.

“You and Silver Spoon have caused all of us nothing but trouble. Ya made fun of us, tried to sabotage our act for the Equestrian games, brag about yerself and are just a nuisance most of the time for us, and I just want to say…” Apple Bloom was right in front of Diamond Tiara now, raising her front hoof. Her serious look faded as she placed a hoof on Diamond Tiara’s shoulder with a smile and said, “…thanks a lot fer it all.”

“Oh yeah? Well-“ started Diamond Tiara.

“Well, you-“ started Silver Spoon.

“You tell her, Apple-“ started Scootaloo.

“Go, Apple-“ Started Sweetie Belle.

All of them paused, ending with a big, “HUH?”

“If ya hadn’t been picking on me during your Cutecenera I might not have become such good friends with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. And if ya hadn’t taught me how bad it feels to be picked on I wouldn’t have truly understood what Babs was going through in Manehatten, and I wouldn’t have been able to help her get through all her pain and fear to learn to stand up fer herself. So thank ya, and keep up the good work.”

Apple Bloom continued on her way, still with her big smile as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon just looked at each other, confusion etched on their features as they tried to figure out what had just happened, unable to even come up with a cohesive response.

Scootaloo snickered as she said, “Yeah, thanks.”

“You guys are real pals,” said Sweetie Belle.

The rest of them followed along after her, Applejack letting out a laugh at how well her sister had handled things. “I’m gonna go home and rest. What are you three gonna do?”

“We still have an hour or two before the sun sets,” said Scootaloo.

“Yeah,” said Sweetie Belle. “We still have enough time to try one more thing to get our cutie marks. What do you think we should try, Apple Bloom?”

Apple Bloom was quiet, not possessing her usual pep, a thoughtful look on her face. “Nothin’,” she finally replied.

“Nothing?” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shared a look. “You want to get a cutie mark for doing nothing?”

“What would that even look like?” asked Scootaloo. “We’d probably still look like blank flanks.”

A little laugh came from Apple Bloom. “No, silly. I don’t mean a cutie mark for doin’ nothin’.” In her mind she was thinking of her cousin and the lesson that Babs had learned. “Watching Babs, it just got me thinkin’. A cutie mark isn’t the most important thing. What’s the most important is that we’re all friends and that we love each other and will help each other whenever we need it. So let’s just ferget about cutie marks today. Why don’t we just play until the sun sets?”

“Okay! I’ll go get my scooter.”

“I’ll go get a ball!” said Sweetie Belle.

“Cool! I’ll see you girls by the clubhouse in a little bit,” Apple Bloom said excitedly.

The three of them all ran off in different directions. Applejack wore a warm smile the whole way home, seeing that their trip to Manehatten had helped all of them grow up a little bit.

Later that night, after Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had gone home, Apple Bloom was sitting in Applejack’s bed. “Oh man, Applejack. My hooves are gonna be sore in the morning. I don’t think I’ve ever played that much in my life.” With a yawn she continued, “But that’s okay. This was one of the best days’a my life. I got ta help my cousin… and make some new friends… and beat three bullies in one day.”

“Yeah, you did a real good job today, Apple Bloom. I’m proud’a you.” Applejack could see her sister was going to fall asleep soon.

“Hey!” said Apple Bloom, perking up for a few seconds. “Wouldn’t it be cool if my special talent was being a good friend?”

“Well, I don’t see why not. Anything’s possible. I’m really glad I took all of you along with me today. It looks like it was just what Babs needed. She seems ta have finally overcome her fears. You, too.”

“Yeah.” Apple Bloom said slowly, her eyes almost closed.

Applejack let out a little laugh, walking over to her sleepy sister and pulling the blanket over her. “Goodnight, Apple Bloom.”

G’night… Apple… jack…,” she murmured, her mind turning back to their adventures that day one last time before she fell asleep completely. She thought of how she had inspired her cousin and led their team to victory and how she had stood up to their own bullies back here in Ponyville. She wanted to keep helping and protecting and inspiring her friends just like she did today.

Applejack gave her sister a loving nuzzle before leaving her alone to check on the animals and lock up for the night. She said her goodnights to Big Mac and Granny Smith before returning to her room to sleep.

She stifled a laugh as she saw her sister had made a mess of the blankets, being completely wrapped up in them. With a bit of gentle effort she managed to untangle Apple Bloom from the blankets without waking her. A questioning look came to her face as she went to cover her sister up again. There was something on her sister that stood out from her usual light yellow skin. With her hoof she tried to push it off, but it didn’t move. Going to the side of her bed she pulled out a small light and turned it on to figure out what it was.

A gasp escaped her as she stared open-mouthed for a few seconds before a big smile came to her lips. There, on her little sister’s flank, was a cutie mark! It was made up of a sun hitting an apple tree over a small field, with ponies sitting in the shade. In a whisper Applejack said, “A cutie mark fer being a good friend. You really did get it.”

As she examined it more closely she thought that it really did fit her sister. Even she only had three apples on her flank. Her sister had an entire tree, symbolizing her great promise. She was nurtured by the land and outside sources, growing into her potential. And, when those outside sources threatened her friends, they could all count on her to protect them. Apple Bloom had really come into her own as a result of their trip.

A great protector; maybe she was meant to be a leader. Perhaps what Sweetie Belle had said about her maybe becoming the mayor of Ponyville wasn’t so farfetched after all.

Applejack went to shake her sister awake to tell her the good news, but she stopped, her hoof an inch away. She pictured how that would play out.

“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I did it! I have to go tell Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo!”

Her sister had been trying so hard for so long to find her place in the world, to find out what made her special. Applejack knew her sister wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing she had gained her cutie mark, and with her youthful impulsiveness she wouldn’t think a thing of rushing out in the middle of the night to wake up her friends to let them know.

In a way Applejack thought it best not to tell her sister for another reason. Today Apple Bloom learned that her friends were more important than a cutie mark. She knew that Apple Bloom would quickly discover it in the morning, whether it be by Big Mac, Granny Smith, or her friends, but she thought it would cheapen the lesson she had learned to tell her right away. She wanted to let it settle in a little more.

As she settled into bed next to her sister she leaned over, giving Apple Bloom a kiss. She closed her eyes, a smile on her face, thinking of the surprise waiting for the young filly when she woke up. Still talking quietly she said, “I’m so proud of you, my little Apple. You’ve finally bloomed!”

Epilogue 1: Applebloom

Author's Notes:

Well, Mr. Kenshinryu is at it again, giving me ideas to continue a story after an ending. He felt it was unfair that only Applebloom got her cutie mark despite all of them working together, so I figured I'd give at least the Ponyville crusaders theirs. The reason I initially was against it was it would seem too easy if they all got cutie marks in one day. I spread it out for one a day for Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, but don't take these chapters too seriously.

In the morning Applejack woke before her sister. She got up, slipping the blanket down, getting to see Apple Bloom’s cutie mark in the light.

“Well, here we go,” she said with a laugh as she shook her sister awake.

Apple Bloom opened one eye before yawning and stretching. “G’morning.”

“Mornin’, Apple Bloom. How ya feelin’?”

“Good. I had a nice sleep.”

“So ya don’t feel any different?”

“Hmm? What’s that ‘posed to mean?” She could see Applejack had this weird grin on her face, like she had a secret she wasn’t sharing.

“Oh, nothin’. Now, c’mon. Let’s go downstairs so ya kin eat some breakfast before ya go ta school. I know yer gonna need a lot of energy today.”

“What’s so dern funny?” asked Apple Bloom as her sister laughed, still with that smirk on her face.

“Oh, you’ll see in a minute.”

“What, did ya prank the food or somethin’?”

“No. Nothin’ like that.”

Apple Bloom felt so confused as she followed after her sister. She felt like she was definitely missing something.

As they entered the kitchen she could see Big Macintosh and Granny Smith there at the table.

“Mornin’, y’all,” said Applejack.

“Good morning, there, youngin’,” said Granny Smith.

“So does anyone see somethin’ different ‘bout lil Apple Bloom here?”

Apple Bloom felt she was about to have the mystery solved, but after looking at her for a few seconds Granny Smith just shook her head and Big Mac said, “Nope.”

She felt Applejack push her until she had rotated ninety degrees. “How ‘bout now?” Applejack asked as she moved out of the way.

Apple Bloom heard both of them gasp. “What? What is it? What’s different?”

“Well, congratulations!” said Granny Smith.

“Eeyup!” said Big Mac.

Apple Bloom felt like she was about to burst. “Congratulations fer WHAT?”

“Why don’t ya look fer yerself?” said Applejack, pushing her head.

Apple Bloom’s eyes went wide, at first unable to process what she was seeing. Was that a… could it possibly be a… a…

“A cutie mark? I… I got a cutie mark!”

“Here it comes.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes were wide with joy, an ecstatic look on her face as she appeared to be about to go on a hyper rampage, but it suddenly faded. She began looking troubled, and then she suddenly burst into tears as she ran from the kitchen before they heard a door slam.

The three of them looked at each other, utterly bewildered by her reaction. “What just happened? I thought she’d be glad she finally achieved something so special. I mean, I know we don’t have the money to throw her a cutecenara but we could always throw a celebration between us.”

“I guess the only thing to do is to go ask her,” responded Granny Smith.

“Eeyup,” Big Mac agreed.

Applejack went upstairs, knocking on Apple Bloom’s door before opening it, seeing her baby sister bawling on her bed, her head on her hooves.

Sitting on the side of the bed she pulled her sister onto her lap. Apple Bloom threw her hooves around her sister, hanging on for dear life. “Come on now, Apple Bloom. What’s bothering you? You’ve wanted a cutie mark for a long time. Why are ya so upset now after gettin’ it?"

Apple Bloom didn’t respond. She just kept crying, so Applejack hugged her sister and rubbed her back until she began to settle down. “Alright, now. Ya done got yer emotions out. So now let’s talk.” She gently pushed her sister away from her so they could talk face to face.

Apple Bloom wiped her face. “I… I’m scared.”

“Why? Like I tried to ask you before, you’ve been searching for what makes you important for a long time. Why, after you finally got it, are you afraid of your success?”

Apple Bloom looked down at the ground for a little while before muttering, “I’m scared of losing my friends now.”

Applejack looked questioningly down at Apple Bloom. “What makes ya say that?”

“What if they get jealous and don’t want to be my friends anymore? Or what if they don’t want me to be part of the group anymore because I got my cutie mark?”

Applejack shook her head, pulling her sister back towards her. “Come on now, Apple Bloom. That’s just stinkin’ thinkin’. Yer group is the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Wasn’t the whole purpose of creating that group ta work together ta find yer cutie marks? Why, just yesterday you yerself said that yer friendship was worth more than a cutie mark.”

“Exactly! Now I sound like a liar. What if they think I’m just showing off and trying to make them feel bad when I tell them about it?”

Applejack had to fight not to laugh. Her sister was being a bit ridiculous. “Apple Bloom, yer friends will only feel joy fer ya gettin’ yer cutie mark. I know that for a fact. Do ya know how I know?”

“How?”

“Do you remember what happened when ya got the cutie pox? Yer friends were totally supportive of you, even after it started getting worse. If ya feel bad about gettin’ yer cutie mark first, then direct yer energy away from moping and redirect it towards continuing to help your friends.

“Take a look at yer cutie mark again, and think about what it represents. It wasn’t there when ya came home from playin’ with yer friends, but it was there when you went to bed. So what was it on your mind before you went to sleep?”

Apple Bloom tried to remember. “I… I was thinkin’ of how I had helped Babs overcome her fears, and about how I wanted ta always protect and help my friends no matter what.” She looked towards the mark on her flank, just staring at it for a while. An apple tree, protecting others from the heat of the sun; ponies eating of the fruit she produced, keeping them happy and healthy and providing nourishment. “I… I see it. I’m someone that others kin depend on.”

“There ya go. That’s better. Now take what ya learned and teach yer friends the best way you can. From what ya told me yesterday it was yer leadership that helped inspire everyone when they were ready to quit, and yer plans that allowed ya ta come back from a hopeless game ta win.”

“That’s right. I’m a little different than yesterday, but I’m not so different Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle won’t like me anymore.”

Apple Bloom hopped off her bed, jumping in the air. “I got a cutie mark! Woohoo!” She rushed out of the room bouncing like a rabbit.

Applejack smiled. “I guess here it comes for real.” As she went downstairs she saw what she had initially expected: Apple Bloom was bouncing off the walls in excitement, struggling to stay still long enough to eat some breakfast and clearly impatient to run off to school to show her friends.

When she arrived at school she sought out Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. “Hey, guys!”

The two of them turned towards her. “Hey. Apple Bloom,” said Scootaloo. “How was your night?”

“Just great. I have a surprise for you.”

“Cool! What is it?”

Apple Bloom turned to the side, and the two of them gasped, their faces lighting up. “You got your cutie mark!”

Sweetie Belle asked, “It’s real this time, right?”

“Yep!” Apple Bloom responded. “It’s not the cutie pox this time.”

“When did you get it?”

“According to Applejack it was right before I went to sleep. I was just thinking of how much I loved you guys and wanted to always protect you. I didn’t know I had it until I woke up and she told me.”

“So what does it mean?” Scootaloo asked, studying it. “I know it has to do with apples, since you have an apple tree and all your family has apple related cutie marks. Are you a farmer now?”

“Applejack said the tree is supposed to represent me protecting others from the things that can harm them. So I’m the one that helps provide shade in the hot sun, or the one who stands between you and a bully.”

“Ooh!” cried out Sweetie Belle. “I like that. It sounds a lot like you.”

Apple Bloom let out a little sigh. “I’m sorry, you guys.”

“Hmm? Why are you sorry?”

“When I saw I got my cutie mark I was afraid… well, I thought you wouldn’t like me anymore. I thought you would find it an insult after all we went through yesterday.”

“Nah!” said Scootaloo, giving her a playful shove. “We’d only find it an insult if you became like Diamond Tiara and thought you were too good for us now that you got your cutie mark.”

“Of course I don’t feel like that.”

“Then there’s no problem,” said Sweetie Belle. “It just means that me and Scootaloo need to work even harder so our trio remains a trio.”

“Yeah!” Apple Bloom said excitedly.

As she sat down at her seat she saw Diamond Tiara look at her out of the corner of her eye. She didn’t say anything.

“So you feel special now that you went to Manehatten?” Diamond Tiara whispered. “I hope you brought back something worthwhile with you so you’ll be less of a loser.” She was still sore at Apple Bloom for her behavior the day before.

“Yep!” Apple Bloom said, turning to her. “A much stronger friendship with the friends I already have, along with some new friends.”

“Hmph! Like it matters. You’re still a talentless blank fla-” Diamond Tiara stopped as she saw the mark on Apple Bloom, blinking a few times as she tried to process a retort.

“Before you ask, it’s real this time. The mark itself doesn’t really mean anything as much as the meaning BEHIND getting it. This cutie mark is a result of my bond with my friends and my desire to protect them. I don’t need to brag and show off my cutie mark like you. I only want to brag about my friends and show them off.”

Diamond Tiara was at a loss for words for one of the few times in her life. This was twice now that Apple Bloom had stumped her, and she did it in such a polite and disarming way.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle each looked at Apple Bloom with big smiles, having overheard what she was saying. The two of them felt honored that their friend wanted to show them off.

Epilogue 2: Scootaloo

Apple Bloom wanted to have a crusaders meeting that day and rush to keep the ball rolling for her other two friends, but she had too much to do at home. She knew her sister was going to throw her a party at home instead of at Sugarcube Corner. She invited them to come visit later on.

After school Scootaloo was riding her scooter along the path by the park. Along the way she heard the sound of crying. Her eyes looking around for the sound she saw a filly that looked two or three years younger than her by a tree, curled up and her eyes closed.

Skidding to a stop she said to the filly, “What’s wrong, kid?”

The filly was a pegasus just like her, with a peach colored coat and red eyes. Tears were still coming down her eyes as she looked up. “I’m not doing it!” she cried out.

Scootaloo’s eyebrow rose. “Doing what?”

“My sister sent you, didn’t she? Or my mom? I’m not going! And I’m not doing it!”

“Doing WHAT? I have no idea what you’re talking about. I just came over because I saw you crying.”

The filly stared at her suspiciously for a short time, like she wasn’t sure if she believed it, before she uncurled herself and stood up. “I… I’m scared. That’s why… that’s why I ran away.”

“Ran away from what? You keep beating around the bush.”

“I’m supposed to be going in for surgery today. I have a wing condition that they told me can only be cured by surgery. Everyone keeps telling me it’ll be fine, but I don’t believe it. What if something goes wrong? What if I die? Or what if they do it wrong and my wings end up ruined? I can’t take it! I’m too scared!” Tears spilled down her face as she began sobbing again.

Scootaloo acted on instinct. She didn’t even need to think about it. She placed her hooves around the child, holding her close. “It’ll be okay.”

The surprised filly didn’t know how to react, so she just stood there. She thought that this orange pegasus felt warm and comforting, and she settled down a bit, almost naturally sinking into the older girl’s hold as she was held tighter.

She sat down, pulling the filly with her onto her lap. “I’m Scootaloo. What’s your name?”

“P-peach Mango,” she responded.

Scootaloo considered something. She thought it was the longer way around the path, but with the state Peach Mango was in she couldn’t hope to fight the kid’s fear head on at this point. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s make a deal, you and I.”

“A deal?”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut and I won’t tell your mom or your sister where you are. Let’s just forget about the surgery and play for a little while.” Scootaloo could tell she had hit on the right approach as she felt Peach Mango’s tense body go limp in her lap almost instantly as she let out a big sigh of relief.

“Sure… that sounds good.” She stood up, but then a questioning look came to her face. “Well… what do you want?”

“Hmm?”

“You said we were making a deal and that you wouldn’t tell my family where I am, so what do you want in return?”

“I’ll tell you later. For now let’s just let play together, okay?”

“Alright,” she responded, wiping her face.

So the two of them ran around, playing tag, hide and seek, and other fun activities. Through it all Scootaloo could see Peach Mango get more relaxed the longer they went.

After almost an hour Scootaloo took Peach Mango on a scooter ride, telling her to hold on tight as she did tricks, jumping hills and doing spins as her riding buddy cheered and laughed.

Following the scooter ride Scootaloo took Peach Mango to a bench. “I want to show you something,” said Scootaloo. Opening her wings she jumped off, flapping hard as she cleared the tops of the trees, going in small circles for a short time before she suddenly lost her tempo and began plummeting to the ground. She managed to recover just before she crashed but she still hit the ground harder than she meant to.

“Well, that was about fifteen seconds. I know it’s not much, but you should have seen the helpless case I used to be. I used to only be able to hover a foot off the ground, and only then for about three seconds. Twelve seconds of extra time in a year may not seem like much to you, but I’m proud of every one of those seconds because I worked hard for them.

"I used to get mocked and bullied all the time by some of my classmates because I couldn’t fly, but now I’m getting there because of my friends and my older sister Rainbow Dash. They never stopped believing in me. They told me it didn’t matter if I could fly or not, because I was cool anyway.

“If they hadn’t encouraged me and believed in me I might have listened to the bad voices telling me it was impossible, or that it was hopeless and I shouldn’t even try, and then I would have stayed a loser and become the pathetic filly they saw me as.” She went and sat down next to Peach Mango. “But I didn’t listen to those voices, and I became a much stronger pony for it.

“You asked me what it was I wanted from you before, and now I’m going to tell you. I want you to be brave like I was, and stop listening to the bad voices inside YOU that keep telling you everything is going to go wrong.” Peach Mango looked afraid again, but not nearly as much as before. “I’m going to keep my word to you. I’m not going to tell anyone where you are if they come looking for you, but in the end, when you’re found, they’re going to make you have the surgery.

"In that case it comes down to a choice: Are you going to have to be dragged in there kicking and screaming and crying and pleading not to have to do it, or are you going to be brave and face your fear head on, and tell it that it can’t control you? Only you can make this choice. Your only other option is to spend the rest of your life running away from your family, and we all need our family to help us through the hard times. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my friends and family.”

Scootaloo closed her eyes, considering the concept she was about to bring up. Was she really willing to say what she was about to? ‘Rainbow Dash,’ she thought, feeling how her idol was so far above her. If she ever wanted to catch up she had to follow along in the hoofsteps of her hero, and she had to do it now.

“Peach Mango… have the surgery. I know it’ll work out. I believe that entirely. I’ll accompany you until they put you under. If by some unfortunate miracle it doesn’t go right, and your wings are crippled, then I’ll take responsibility for encouraging you so hard to do it, and I give you my word that I will never fly again for the rest of my life.”

Peach Mango looked at her like she had three heads, her eyebrows going up. “What? What did you say? You… you don’t really mean that.”

“You’re darn right I do!” Scootaloo didn’t avert her gaze, only kept staring right at her with determination.

“B-but why? You just met me. Why make a promise like that for me?”

“Because you’re important to Ponyville’s future, and have the potential to be great and amazing. You won’t achieve your goals and dreams if you’re not at your best. Who you are or how long ago I met you means nothing. The only important thing that matters is that you need help, and I’m the pony who is here to give it.

“Rainbow Dash is my idol. She’s the one who showed me what courage and believing in yourself is all about. She’s risked herself to save her friends and Equestria plenty of times. I want to be just like her and one day surpass her, but I’ll never do that if I only play it safe and never take any risks.

"If it means helping out and improving even one life, then putting myself and what I value on the line is a small price to pay, and it’s something I will always do if it’s within my power. I don’t have her strength and skill, but I do have courage and faith like her, and that’s what I want to give to you today.

“So what is it gonna be? Are you going to hide and cower, or are you going to trust me and your family when we say that everything will turn out okay?”

Peach Mango could hardly believe what she was hearing. She could see that Scootaloo was being dead serious. Her body clenched as she closed her eyes and took a shuddering breath. She then took a deep breath, and sighed as she reopened her eyes, some of Scootaloo’s feelings washing over into her. “I… I’ll do it. I’ll try to be brave like you.”

“Good to hear!” Scootaloo said happily, hugging Peach Mango again before playfully rubbing her hoof through the girls mane. “Way to go, kid. I’m so proud of you for making the right choice.”

Scootaloo's words helped her to feel some pride in herself. She still felt anxiety over what was to come, but the fear no longer felt like it was going to crush her. “Can we ride the scooter to my house?”

“No problem.”

The two of them left the park, Peach Mango holding tight onto her new friend, giving Scootaloo directions along the way until they arrived.

Scootaloo knocked on the door and a short while later the door opened to reveal a mare that looked like an older version of Peach Mango. “Yes?”

Scootaloo responded, “I have someone here who wants to tell you something.” She pushed Peach Mango away from her hiding place behind her.

“Peachy!” cried out the mare. “Where did you get off to? We’ve been worried sick.”

“I… I want to be brave,” she responded. “I want to be brave like Scootaloo. I was so scared before of the surgery because I didn’t know whether it was going to go right. I just wanted to run away. But if I do that I’ll never have any courage and I’ll just be scared of everything.”

“Well said, Peach,” said Scootaloo, patting her on the head.

“This is my mom, Caramel Coffee,” said Peach Mango. “And this is my friend Scootaloo. I just met her today.”

Caramel gave Scootaloo a hug. “Thank you for looking after my child.”

“No problem. I’ll do anything for my friends. She just needed some time to relax before she could face her fears, so I played with her a while before encouraging her to stand up for herself.”

Caramel let Scootaloo go before signaling Peach Mango over, hugging her as well.

“I love you, Mommy,” she said, crying now at her mother’s comforting touch.

“I love you too, my sweet daughter.”

When they broke apart Peach Mango said, “Scootaloo is going to come with me. She promised.”

“Very well. There’s not much time so we have to go now or we won’t make your appointment.”

Scootaloo waited outside with Peach as her mom grabbed a few things. Out of the house came a filly in-between the size of Peach Mango and Caramel Coffee, who was introduced as Silver Star.

Peach held onto Scootaloo as they rode towards the hospital. Since they were faster than the other two Scootaloo did tricks to help keep Peach calm and to pass the time until they caught up.

As they entered the hospital they greeted the receptionist and were directed on where to go. When they were outside the door Peach gave each of them a hug. Though she was clearly afraid she tried to hold her head high. “I… I have to open the door myself, right? No one else can make me do it. I have to make this choice.” She let out a sharp breath before raising her hoof and pushing the door open, facing her destiny.

For the next two hours it was relatively quiet. Scootaloo chatted with Peach’s mom and sister, but a part of her was feeling nervous of her own part in this. She probably wouldn’t see Peach Mango after this. She was making a promise where only she would be able to enforce her role in things. Would she really never try to fly if the surgery went wrong? It was a promise built solely on the honor system. Truthfully she didn’t need to fly. She did plenty well on her scooter. It was just something she wanted to do alongside Rainbow Dash.

She sighed. She would follow through with it. If she didn’t then her words would be empty and meaningless, and she would be undeserving of being trusted. If she wasn’t willing to commit to something risky for the sake of others she wouldn’t be worthy of standing alongside Rainbow Dash and she would just stay a kid forever.

When the surgeon finally opened the door he invited the three of them in. “How did it go?” asked Scootaloo, her heart racing.

“It was a huge success,” he responded happily. “She’ll need some time to recover, but she’ll be flying again within a month or two.”

The three of them let out sighs of relief.

When they entered the door Scootaloo saw Peach Mango on her stomach, her wings wrapped to her body with bandages, an inscrutable expression on her face. When they greeted her she turned to look, still with that uncertain appearance. “Scootaloo… I… I did it. I was… I was brave… wasn’t I?”

“Definitely!” she responded excitedly. “You did absolutely amazing! How do you feel?”

She grimaced a bit as she shifted positions. “It hurts. The doctor said it’s going to for a day or two.”

“Yeah, and he said the surgery was a huge success. You’re going to be fine now.”

Tears began streaming down her eyes. “Thank you for believing in me, Scootaloo.” She turned to her family. “And I should never have run away. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.”

“Oh, don’t fret, my daughter. Your fear was normal,” responded Caramel Coffee.

Silver Star hugged her sister around the neck. “Yeah, don’t worry about it. You’re fine now.”

“Can you walk?”

"Yeah," Peach responded as she stood up and hopped off the bed, following along after the three of them as Caramel finished filling out paperwork and paid for the surgery.

As they left the hospital Scootaloo asked, “What’s wrong, Peach? You don’t look too happy about the good news.”

“I was being so stupid. I didn’t have anything to be afraid of.”

“You weren’t stupid. We all have things that we fear. But if we don’t face them head on we’ll never be happy. Princess Luna taught me that. She saved me from a nightmare I was having and she told me that I would keep having them if I didn’t face what I was really afraid of. Before Rainbow Dash agreed to be my older sister I kept thinking that she would never think I was cool enough to want to do that, but when I actually talked to her about it she did. Don’t worry about it so much. You’ve shown that you can be brave and strong and courageous too. You are cool and awesome without a doubt!”

Peach started sniffing and shaking a bit, hugging Scootaloo again as she cried.

Scootaloo let out a little laugh as she patted the filly. “There, there. Don’t cry.”

When they broke apart Peach Mango asked, “Scootaloo? Would you be my big sister too?”

She smiled warmly at the filly. “Sure. But don’t forget about the sister you already have.”

“I won’t. I just want us to be able to play together again.”

“Well, maybe tomorrow. You just got out of surgery, so I would take it easy for today or you may just have to go right back in, and who wants that?”

“Not me!” She once again hugged Scootaloo. “I love you, Sister! Thank you so much for everything.”

Warm tears came down Scootaloo’s eyes as she returned the embrace. “You’re welcome, little sis. Well, I do want you to be safe, so let’s meet at the park again in, let’s say, three days instead, after school lets out.”

“You bet!”

After getting thanks from Silver Star and Caramel Coffee she waved her goodbyes as she got on her scooter and took off.

She was feeling great from helping a filly in need. As she reflected back on her adventure a mark appeared on her flank, of a scooter pulling a mountain attached to a rope behind her, signifying her lack of hesitance to do what was necessary for others.

Epilogue 3: Sweetie Belle

Sweetie Belle didn’t have much to do after school besides some homework, so she thought she’d just go to the party early and wait for Scootaloo to show up later.

The barn was set up with enough flair that even Pinkie Pie would be proud of it, though it still had the feel of an Apple party, with various apple themed decorations. There was a banner set up wishing her congratulations, along with different sized apples all over the place.

Apple Bloom herself was dancing around to the folk music, clearly having the time of her life as she danced with her big brother. Each of them was so ecstatic, reveling in each other’s happiness. That feeling washed over into Sweetie Belle, making her feel the same.

“Hey there, Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle called out.

“Sweetie Belle!” she responded, disengaging from Big Mac and running over to give Sweetie Belle a hug. “Glad ya could make it.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself so much.”

“I don’t see any harm in bein’ proud of my special talent.”

“Of course not. You should be happy! I know I would be.”

“Ya wanna dance?”

“Sure!”

As the two of them danced and partied Sweetie Belle found herself getting more and more into the festivities and loving how deeply the Apple’s favored each other and their friends, to the point where she almost felt like the party may well have been for her and there would be no difference in how she was treated.

Sometime later Scootaloo finally showed up on her scooter. “Hey, everyone!” She got an enthusiastic greeting back. By this point Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie had arrived. Twilight was the only one missing as she was very busy with studying.

“I am so ready to party!” She said as she ran over to her friends.

Rainbow Dash broke from her dancing to grab another cup of punch and greet Scootaloo personally. “So what’s up there, kid?”

“Not much. I just helped someone out. That’s why I was late.”

“Well, that was noble of you.” As Rainbow took a swig of punch she suddenly began coughing as Scootaloo turned.

“Are you okay, Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo asked with concern as she turned back around.

Rainbow Dash hit her chest a few times as she continued coughing for a short time. When she stopped she finally got out, “You too?”

“Me too, what?”

“A cutie mark! Way to go, kid!”

Scootaloo’s eyebrow rose. “Wait, really?” She quickly looked behind her. She let out little laughs, before she suddenly exploded out in happiness. “Alright! I got me a cutie mark!”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle ran up and the three of them jumped up and down in happiness. “One left! One left! One left!” Apple Bloom started the chant, with the other two quickly joining in.

“HEY EVERYPONY!” Rainbow yelled out, getting everyone else’s attention. “We now have a party for two!”

Scootaloo beamed with pride as she showed off her new cutie mark.

As they all gathered around her Scootaloo explained what she had been doing before the party.

Rainbow Dash looked amazed and impressed in one. “Wooooow, Scootaloo. You promised to give up on flying forever if that surgery didn’t go as planned?”

“If I wasn’t willing to risk myself I could hardly call myself your sister or hope to catch up to you. I wanted to give her courage. I wanted to show her that despite being afraid of the consequences I was still brave enough to go through with it, so I hoped it would inspire her to feel the same.”

For the first time ever Scootaloo saw Rainbow Dash cry. It was only a few tears, but they each said a million words to her even if none of them were spoken. Her pride was obvious, along with the warm gaze. Rainbow Dash grabbed Scootaloo in a tight hug, saying, “Ah, my little munchkin is growing up.”

The party took on a new life, filled with even more joy and happiness than before. It lasted for hours, until the sun went down. When things finally died down Rarity and Rainbow Dash took Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo home.

The next day at school Scootaloo showed how she was more like her idol Rainbow Dash than Apple Bloom, as she had no problem showing off her cutie mark. She wanted praise, but she didn’t boast or direct her energy towards Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. She had at least remembered not to sink down to their enemy’s level.

Sweetie Belle had had a great time at the party, and she didn’t begrudge Apple Bloom or Scootaloo of their joy, but the way Scootaloo kept taking every opportunity to flash her cutie mark only made her start feeling envious. She hated feeling that way, but now she was the only one left in class who didn’t have one. She felt like she understood what Apple Bloom had been going through mentally when she got her cutie mark. It changed the dynamic, and things couldn’t go back to the way they were.

She did her best to hide her feelings, though Apple Bloom seemed to have noticed a little bit, as she sternly told Scootaloo to knock it off, and after that Scootaloo shut up about it.

Though Sweetie Belle was all for making plans with her friends for cutie mark ideas she already had plans with her sister Rarity.

When she got to Carousel Boutique she greeted Rarity with a mumbled, “Hi.”

Rarity could see her sister looked down. “What’s the matter, Sweetie Belle? Rough day at school?”

“I… I don’t know what I should feel. Both of my friends now have cutie marks. I’m the odd one out now. I don’t like it.”

Rarity gave her sister a loving smile, setting down the sewing tools she was levitating. “Sweetie Belle, you’re never the odd one out. Don’t all of you have your differences? You’re all still fiends, aren’t you?”

“I know that! I know. I’m… I just… I can’t help it. I’m just… jealous.”

“You’ll find your own way. You just have to give it time.

“I was wondering if you might do me a favor.”

“Sure. What do you need?”

“I know that you love to sing, but you’re hesitant of singing in front of others you don’t know. I was hoping you could be brave and help me out.”

“Well… who do you want me to sing to? You told me yesterday I haven’t been able to see you all week because you’ve been extremely busy. When I asked you said you didn’t even have any clients. What is this important project you’ve been working on?”

“Come with me. You’ll see that they don’t call me the element of generosity for nothing.” As she started walking she continued, “When you see everything I’ve been working towards I’m sure you’ll forget all about your cutie mark problem.”

Sweetie Belle wasn’t so sure of that, but she followed her sister into the other room.

Rarity went into a closet and brought out twenty outfits, emblazoned with her typical artistic flair. After going through each of them she wrapped them up nicely and placed them in a travel bag.

“Those outfits look really nice, but they’re awfully tiny. I didn’t think kids my age were that into fashion. So who are they for?”

“I’m going to the hospital to visit the children’s wing. There are plenty of ponies there who have been stuck in there for years, and some who are in danger of never getting out. I figure what they need is a dash of inspiration coupled with a teaspoon of hope and a cup of joy.”

“Oh…” Sweetie Belle was feeling humbled now. Her cutie mark issue suddenly seemed a lot less important. “So you want me to sing for the sick and hurt children?”

“Yes. You have a fantastic singing voice. I get to hear it all the time when you think no can hear you. I’m actually a bit envious. You can sing even better than me.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so. I saw a flier the other day about a charity drive for the hospital, and so I went there and figured I’d donate in my own way, the best way I know how. When you look good you tend to feel good. And when you feel good you’re more likely to get better. Stress and anxiety are huge mood killers and can wreak havoc on the body. And so I’ve been working hard on creating outfits suited to each of the children’s taste. A gem for this one, a bird for that one. The thought of helping out a bunch of ponies at once is a truly wonderful prospect that just fills me with joy. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Sweetie Belle smiled and nodded. “That sounds great. When are we leaving?”

“Right now if you’re ready.”

“I am!”

“Then let’s go.”

Sweetie Belle followed behind Rarity as they traveled, thoughts of her lack of cutie mark forgotten. Her mind was now filled with the thoughts of helping others.

When they went in the front door Rarity brightly addressed the receptionist. “Hello! I am Rarity. I spoke with the director of the hospital last week about my special contribution to the charity drive.”

“Ah, yes,” responded the receptionist, smiling back at her. “You’re the fashion designer, right?”

“That is correct.”

“You are most kind to spend this time and effort for the children. It always warms my heart to meet those ponies who are willing to go the extra mile to help those in need. This will make for a great surprise for all of them.

“So do you need a guide or do you already know the way?”

“I can find my own way, thank you. Come along, Sweetie Belle.”

“Right behind you, sis!” Sweetie Belle responded.

The trip there didn’t take long. When they entered the children’s wing they spoke to another receptionist as Rarity introduced herself again.

“You can follow me,” said the receptionist. “They’re expecting you.”

They were directed to a set of double doors that opened up to a big room set up with toys and activities.

When she entered the room Sweetie Belle looked around. Some of the ponies didn’t look too bad, having a good time despite being in a cast or wrapped up in bandages for other injuries. But some of the other ones looked pale and listless. It was a sobering moment for her. She started to feel worse for being so petty. She let out a heavy breath.

Rarity heard her sister’s sigh and turned towards her. “Chin up, Sweetie Belle. We’re here to help cheer these kids up. They’ll only get more depressed if we don’t keep our spirits up ourselves.”

“Sorry, Rarity. You’re right.” She hitched a smile on her face.

“That’s better.” She turned to the other children and said brightly, “Hello, everyone!” As they looked over at her she said, “I am Rarity. I’m a fashion designer, and I have come with gifts for all of you.” She laughed as she saw them brighten up at the word “gifts.”

“So, then… who here loves cats?”

A pegasus filly with a broken wing raised her hoof. “Me! Me!”

“Very good.” Rarity opened her bag, going through a few of the outfits before she found the right one. “Ah, here we are.” Her horn began glowing as she lifted up the garment.

“Whoa…” said the filly as she looked at the shirt. It had ten cats playing with yarn, chasing each other, wrestling, drinking milk, and just being cute. The entire material almost looked like it was made of cat fur. “This is for me?” she asked with wonder.

“That’s right. It’s all yours.”

The filly took it and put it on, a huge smile etched on her face as she looked at her new garment. “It’s so soft, just like a kitten. I love it!” She ran over to Rarity and gave her a hug. “Thank you so much!”

“You’re welcome.”

“So what’s next?” she asked as she backed away. “I want to see what everyone else got.”

“Hmm.” She pulled out another outfit. “Ah, this is an easy one.” She pointed to a sickly looking pegasus colt. “So I hear you’re a fan of racing.”

“Yeah. I guess…” He didn’t seem to have much enthusiasm, only showing mild interest. His expression changed when she lifted his outfit. On the back was the Wonderbolts insignia. The general design was of a Wonderbolt outfit. When she turned it around tears started coming down his eyes. It contained several images. One was of him watching the Wonderbolts racing by, then of him a little more grown up, a tired but proud expression on his face with a finish line behind him and a first place medal around his neck, and finally him standing with the Wonderbolts, wearing one of their outfits, pure joy suffusing his face.

He walked over to her, feeling overwhelmed as he cried into her chest. “T-thank you, Rarity. This is the best present ever.”

“I’m glad you love it,” She responded, patting his back for a bit before she encouraged him to put it on and show it off.

When he got his shirt on he proclaimed, “I WILL be a Wonderbolt someday. No matter what!”

As Rarity continued going through all the outfits Sweetie Belle couldn’t help but be utterly amazed at the sheer effort each of those shirts must have taken to make. Each one of the children beamed as they took their special gift. She could see that, for Rarity, the giving was its own gift, as her good deeds came full circle from the gratefulness of the recipients she directed her generosity towards. It only made it clearer to her that she wanted to take after her big sister just like Apple Bloom and Scootaloo did with theirs.

Once Rarity had given away all her shirts Sweetie Belle saw that the mood in the room had picked up significantly than it had been before. Even the worst off of the bunch had picked up a better attitude. Rarity had done her part, now it was time to do hers. She wanted to help out and inspire others and be giving too.

“Well, everyone,” Started Rarity. “I’m not done yet. I brought my little sister along to sing you a song.”

Sweetie Belle still felt a little nervous about singing in front of others, but it was for a good cause. She stepped forward, closed her eyes, and began to sing.

“Hang in there, even when you’re feeling blue

“Even when your pain cuts your heart in two

“Even when your heart is crying out

“And you just want to sob and pout

“Your life will get better, if only you let it

“Things will improve, even if only bit by bit

“Believe in yourself and never give in

‘Then no matter what you will always win”

“Open your heart and let the light in

“And that’s when a great life shall begin

“All of your dreams shall come true

‘And your best self will shine through.”

Sweetie Belle continued singing a song of hope and inspiration, focusing only on wanting the best for everyone there. She felt something awakening inside her as she sang for them. It felt like what happened yesterday, but much more intense. Her horn began glowing, and green translucent instruments appeared, accompanying her song with powerful encouraging music.

When she finished and the last note faded away the tingle in her horn stopped. She opened her eyes and she could see every one of them was crying, even Rarity.

“T-that was…” Rarity blinked, wiping her eyes. “I’m… I’m at a loss for words. For a time there I felt your heart and all the love it contained.”

Sweetie Belle let out a small sigh. “That’s because I have you to inspire me. I was so moved by your generosity that I wanted to be generous too.” She threw her hooves around her sister as the children clapped. “I love you, Rarity!”

“I love you too, Sweetie Belle.”

The two of them just hugged, crying along with the rest of the children as they clapped for her.

They uniformly begged for an encore. Sweetie Belle no longer had any hesitance. This time she kept her eyes open so she could see all their reactions. Shortly after she started she tried to focus on her magic, and she found it came easier to summon her musical accompaniment to assist her.

As she finished this time her heart swelled at the effect she had caused in them. It was the light of hope.

Later on, after singing one final song, the two of them bid the children farewell. The hospital worker watching the kids thanked the two of them for all their help.

Sweetie Belle was all smiles as they left, hopping around the area. “That was so much FUN!” she cried out, her voice squeaking.

“I agree.”

“So can I sing a song just for you?”

“Sure. I always enjoy hearing your voice.”

She began playing a tune and singing about how much she loved Rarity and admired her accomplishments.

“I do so love your voice. I can’t deny that. So that’s your magical talent, hmm? My sister is a one-filly band.”

“Yeah, that’s awesome! Thanks for bringing me along today. It really helped a lot.”

“You’re right. It did.” Rarity came to a stop as she suddenly pointed, a warm smile etched on her face.

Sweetie Belle looked where Rarity was pointing, and her eyes lit up with surprise. “A cutie mark!” she cried out, her horn glowing as a triumphant theme played.

Her cutie mark consisted of three musical notes. The first was normal, the second was upside down and had a heart up top instead of the oval shape, and the last one had a blossoming flower up top.

“Woohoo! Now all three of us have cutie marks! And I also have my magical talent. What an amazing day!”

A mischievous grin came to her face. “Hey, Rarity.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know how one sheet of music talks with another sheet of music?”

Her eyebrow rose as she responded, “No. How do they talk to each other?”

“With NOTES!” Her horn glowed as she summoned an ethereal drum and cymbals, doing a rimshot.

A deadpan look came to Rarity’s face as she cringed a bit before letting out a few laughs. “Very funny. Please don’t tell me you’re going to make a habit of that.”

“A habit of what? Don’t you think I was really uplifting today?” A harp now appeared, playing a short stirring melody.

“Sweetie Belle!” cried out Rarity.

“Uh-oh! I’m in trouble now.” A dramatic piece of danger and tension now played. “This is so awesome! I can make my own theme music!”

“Sweetie Beeeellllleee!” cried out Rarity in exasperation.

Epilogue 4: The crusade continues

Sweetie Belle walked into school the next day feeling proud. She came up to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. “Hey, you guys! Guess who’s just like you now!”

“What do you mean?” asked Scootaloo.

“I have two big surprises for you. Number one is that I found out my magical talent.” Her horn glowing green she played a tune brimming with anticipation. “I was driving Rarity crazy yesterday with it.”

Apple Bloom laughed. “Now that’s funny. So what’s the second thing?”

“I got my cutie mark just like you two!” With that she turned to the side, showing off her mark.

“Alright, Sweetie Belle!" She hugged her friend. "So what did you do?”

“I went to the hospital with Rarity to perk up the children there. It was an amazing experience. To be perfectly honest, I started feeling a bit jealous of you two because you both had your marks, but when I saw how bad some of them had it I realized how petty I was being. So I sang them all a song. Watching Rarity made me want to be as big hearted and charitable as she was. I wanted to inspire all of them, and that’s when my magic awakened again.

“When we left the hospital that’s when Rarity noticed I had my cutie mark.”

The three of them looked between each other uncertainly. “So… I guess this means that the Cutie Mark Crusaders… are over?” said Apple Bloom tentatively.

“I… I guess so,” said Scootaloo.

“Yeah… we all have our cutie marks now,” said Sweetie Belle.

“Well, we’re all still friends right?” asked Apple Bloom. “That hasn’t changed. I just didn’t think the crusade would be over so soon.”

Though none of them could exactly express it properly, they were all feeling a bit of a void inside them. Going on wacky adventures for cutie marks was what they had done for so long. Without that what exactly were they going to do now?

“I think we should ask Twilight for advice after school,” said Sweetie Belle. “Today’s our weekly Twilight Time meeting anyway.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Maybe she can tell us what to do,” responded Scootaloo.

When they arrived at Twilight's she was in the middle of a book, but she closed it when she saw they were all there.

“Hello, girls, “ said Twilight. “How are all of you?” Each of them gave an almost unheard mumble of being alright. “What seems to be the trouble? You’re not mad at me for missing the party, are you? I heard you got your cutie mark, Apple Bloom.”

“Not just me,” Apple Bloom responded. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle turned to the side to show off their own cutie marks.

“Wow! All three of you got them this week?” Twilight looked impressed. “That’s really remarkable. So why do all of you look so down?”

“Well… we’re not sure what ta do now. Almost all of our days tagether were about finding a cutie mark. Now that all of us have them we’re not sure what ta do from here.”

“Well, I think we’ll put off practice for a little bit. I’d like to hear all of your stories about how you got your marks.”

Twilight listened, enraptured, as each of them told their own story. When they were done Twilight had a big smile on her face. “Oh, girls. Sometimes you can be so silly. I don’t see why things have to be over just because the three of you have your cutie marks. Isn’t the stated mission of the Cutie Mark Crusaders to help ponies get cutie marks? You think you’re the only three in town who don’t have one? And Scootaloo, didn’t you say that tomorrow you’re supposed to be going to visit the filly you helped? Did she have a cutie mark?”

Twilight could see the excitement beginning to build inside of them again. “No, she didn’t,” responded Scootaloo.

“Hey, yeah,” said Apple Bloom. “The crusade doesn’t have ta be over yet.”

“Not as long as there are poor filly’s and colts struggling to find their place in the world.”

Twilight hugged the three of them. “The three of you one will one day be the next in line of the teachings of friendship.”

“You think so?” asked Scootaloo excitedly.

“I know so. Think about what your cutie marks are all about. They all contain an essence of friendship. Apple Bloom, yours is about leadership and protection. Scootaloo, yours is about self-sacrifice for others. And Sweetie Belle, yours is about inspiring hope. Put those three together, and you have a group that will be able to handle anything. I’m very proud of you girls.”

The three of them shined with pride as they went through their lessons.

The next day Peach Mango was walking around the park, waiting for her other big sister. She brightened up when she saw Scootaloo, who was accompanied by two other fillies. “Hey, Scootaloo!” she cried out, running up to the small group.

“Hey there, Peach. So I was wondering if you’d be interested in having some more sisters.”

“Cool!” she responded joyously.

“This is Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, my best friends.”

“I’m Peach Mango,” she said to the two of them.

“Nice to meet you,” said Sweetie Belle.

“Same here,” said Apple Bloom.

“So, we noticed that you don’t have a cutie mark. Are you ready to work to get one?”

“Sure!”

“Then let’s go have some fun!” said Scootaloo.

Peach hopped onto the scooter behind Scootaloo and the four of them took off, the crusade and the hunt beginning once again.