Morning Sky

“Death is not one’s final moment in this world.

One only ceases to exist once they are forgotten.”

Dreaming of the stars on high

That speak to me in secret sighs

Drifting on a breeze

Only I can feel and hear...

Sweetie Belle sang the words at a hushed whisper. She sighed and took a good look around her. This used to be a popular hilltop in Ponyville. Now the buildings were ruined, covered in vines, and charred, the ashes a grim reminder of the first few days. Sweetie Belle thought back to the days of the Cutie Mark Crusaders: her, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo. They had been so happy, so optimistic, so hopeful. Now what? Sometimes it just seemed that all they were was grateful to be alive.

“Six years,” she said under her breath. “It somehow feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago at the same time.”

She stared out over the top of the hill. The sun was just peering over the horizon. She lifted a hoof and carefully reached out with it. There was the line, not five inches from her. That strange tingling sensation wasn’t something you forgot once you knew what it was. She held her hoof there for a moment, then yelped and pulled it back. She could hear the sizzling of her coat. There was even smoke coming from it. Her hoof was a sore red now, like from a bad rug burn. She shuddered. After testing her weight on the hoof, she hobbled away from the line to find a safe place to lie down.

Her pack lay next to a bush on the path up the hill. All the roads had been torn up in Ponyville due to the frustration of maintenance for all the untrained ponies. Dirt paths with plenty of grass and trees along the sides had sprouted up in their place.

Sweetie Belle rooted through her saddlebag with magic. She found what she was looking for: a two-inch wide sapphire, saved from the drawing she had made for her sister as a filly. She brought it close and clutched it tightly. Tears flowed freely from her eyes, washing onto the dirt.

“I miss you, Rarity,” she whimpered.

Apple Bloom strained herself against the heavy cart. There was just enough room for two, maybe three of the carts side by side between the ridges on the sides of the road. The left wheel of her cart bounced on a rock, knocking loose a bushel of carrots onto the dirt path.

Forget it, she told herself. I can come back for it later.

The path from Sweet Apple Acres was the only quiet part of her days lately. She wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Still, it wasn’t like it was a lonely trek. She and Big Macintosh always made the deliveries together. He still wasn’t much for talking, however. Apple Bloom couldn’t blame him though. He did take two carts at once, each just as full as hers.

“Today’s the day,” said Big Macintosh. Apple Bloom nearly jumped out of her cart’s harness.

“What day?” she asked.

Big Macintosh pulled at his carts more forcibly to bring himself alongside Apple Bloom.

“Six years ago today is when this all started.”

Apple Bloom frowned and stared at the ground. “Have we really been at this that long?”

“Eeyup. Don’t forget to keep pushing.”

Apple Bloom looked up. Her brother had gotten at least a cart-length ahead of her. She shook her head and broke into a gallop to try to catch up.

“Isn’t this around when we sent out the first caravan, too?” she asked. She groaned against the cart. Big Macintosh slowed down for her.

“Yup,” he replied. “They left last night for this year’s run.”

Apple Bloom smiled. “I guess I missed seein’ ‘em off then.”

“Of course you did,” said her brother.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Hey, what you do with your friends every night is your own business,” he said plainly. “All I know is that you come home at sunrise every morning, instead of at sunset like I’ve told you to.”

Apple Bloom averted her eyes. “And I told you, it’s important...”

Big Macintosh shook his head. “I’m just worried, Apple Bloom. You’re the only sister I got left.” He stopped and ducked out of his harness. “Alright, we’re here,” he said.

“Want any help unloadin’ today?” asked Apple Bloom as she slipped out of her own harness. She walked around to the side and lifted her saddlebag out of the side of the cart.

“Nah,” her brother replied. “But thanks.”

“Anytime, big brother,” said Apple Bloom. She slung her saddlebag on and trotted up to her brother. She rest her head on his shoulder for a moment, and he rested his on her neck. Hastily she galloped away after the quick “hug”. Big Macintosh slowly made his way to the cart and started to lift boxes of produce out.

Apple Bloom galloped quickly through town, ducking between stands, homes, and the occasional other pony. Sure, this was a daily event for her, but every day brought something new. She could remember back to the good ol’ days, riding in a wagon behind Scootaloo’s scooter, scaring half of everypony in Ponyville to death as they flew around town. Even now that the they were older and bigger, they couldn’t get that same reaction anymore if they tried. There just wasn’t a “crowd” anywhere in town anymore. The population, or at least of ponies that weren’t sick, was more than just a mite bit smaller. On the bright side, at least Apple Bloom knew everypony’s name by now.

She passed by the town hall, or what passed for it now. All it really consisted of was a wooden stage at the foot of the town’s crystal. The crystal, no matter how many times Apple Bloom got a look at it, was simply beautiful. It stood almost twelve feet tall and shone a bright blue-green with the energy that kept them all alive. What did Zecora call it? Myrrh?

“Hey Apple Bloom!” called Scootaloo from the foot of the stage. She was reclining lazily against it in a patch of grass.

Apple Bloom smiled brightly and trotted over to her. “Good mornin’, Scootaloo!” she said. “You ready to go find Sweetie Belle?”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “I can already tell you where she is today.”

Apple Bloom frowned. “Where’s that?”

“Where do ya think?” said Scootaloo. “Same place she was last year, and the year before that, and—”

Apple Bloom hung her head and muttered, “Oh.”

“Can you do the talking this time? If I have to I might just make her cry again,” said Scootaloo. She stood up, using her wings to help lift herself, and righted her scooter from its resting place in the grass.

“You could try bein’ a little sensitive,” Apple Bloom cracked snidely.

Scootaloo sighed. “Hey, if you’ve gotten over it by now, so can she.”

“Nopony ever said I got over it, Scoots.”

“Do you still cry about it?”

“Well, no, but I—”

“Then you’re doing better than Sweetie Belle.” Scootaloo raised her wings. “Now can we hurry up and get her? You remember what happened last time we were late for practice.”

Apple Bloom shuddered at the thought, then nodded. Scootaloo took off, flapping her wings to push herself. Apple Bloom galloped alongside her.

Back on the hill, Sweetie Belle lifted herself off of the ground slowly. There was a salty mud puddle where she had been laying. I think I’m all cried out for now, she thought. With a sniff, she returned the sapphire to her pack. She heard frantic hoofsteps and an odd buzzing noise getting closer. In a panic, she tossed some dirt over the mud.

“Uhh, hey girls!” she called down the path. Scootaloo skidded in the dirt as she rounded the corner. She saved herself from flying into the bushes by breaking into flight, letting her scooter swing forward and around on the momentum. Apple Bloom wasn’t far behind. When she arrived, she was panting. Scootaloo laughed.

“I win again, Apple Bloom!” she said.

“I bet ya wouldn’t be so fast without that scooter!” Apple Bloom laughed at herself. “Oh, listen to me, I’m startin’ to sound just like Applej—” She caught her tongue. “Like, uhh, somepony I used to know.”

Sweetie Belle frowned and shook her head. “Like your big sister,” she said. “It’s fine, Apple Bloom. You don’t have to act special around me.”

Apple Bloom saw some of the puddle underneath Sweetie Belle’s hoof. “Are ya sure? I mean you—”

“I’m fine! Really!”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Great. You’re fine, we’re fine, everypony’s fine. Can we get going already?”

Apple Bloom put her hoof on Sweetie Belle’s shoulder. “It’s okay to be sad,” she said. Sweetie Belle sniffled. “But it’s been a long time since it happened. You can’t be sad forever.”

“I know,” said Sweetie Belle. “I know...” she whimpered.

Scootaloo grumbled to herself and leaned on her scooter impatiently.

“It was easier for me, since I still had Big Macintosh and Granny Smith,” said Apple Bloom. “I know she’s not really family, but I’m sure— no, I know Ms. Bon Bon loves you like her own. And I’m sure your parents, wherever they are, they’re fine.”

Sweetie Belle sighed. “Thanks Apple Bloom,” she said as she stood up. “Scootaloo’s right, we don’t wanna be late for practice.”

“Now that’s what I was waiting to hear!” said Scootaloo. She lifted the front wheel of her scooter up and re-angled it down the hill. “Come on you two, we’re pushing it as it is!” She glided down the hill on the scooter while waving behind her for the others to follow.

“If ya want, I’ll volunteer to go first this time,” Apple Bloom whispered to Sweetie Belle.

“C-could you please?”

Apple Bloom chuckled. “Of course, Sweetie! Now come on!” She galloped ahead. Sweetie Belle tossed her saddlebag over her back before running after Apple Bloom. A light breeze dusted off the dirt of the road, revealing the mud puddle once more.

The path they took winded around Ponyville. They mostly stuck to the more scenic back routes, as usual, so that no pony would see where they were headed. The lush greens of the trees and bushes they got to see on the way made it a rather pleasant walk on most days. It was a secret for a reason, or so they had to be reminded every now and then. Luckily, even though they were making much more noise than usual, no one seemed to be around.

Scootaloo was first to round the corner on the final stretch. She gasped as she tried to make a hard stop. The scooter’s wheels tilted too far; she skid across the dirt and rocks right up to the minty-green hooves of their teacher. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle rounded the corner at the same time. Both nearly slid on the same loose dirt, but they were going slow enough to regain their balance.

“You’re late,” said the mare standing above Scootaloo. Her piercing golden orange eyes were locked with Scootaloo’s in a disapproving stare. Scootaloo smiled nervously.

“It’s my fault, Ms. Lyra,” said Sweetie Belle with a sigh. She hung her head and slowly walked forward.

Lyra tilted her head. Her eyes widened as she made the connection to what day it was. “Alright, alright,” she said. “Just a warning this time. But don’t let it happen again.”

The three nodded nervously.

“Now come on, we need to get to work,” Lyra added.

Apple Bloom stepped past the other two while Sweetie Belle helped Scootaloo up. “I’ll go first today, Ma’am.”

Lyra chuckled. “Well if you’re sure, Apple Bloom.” She walked over to a small clearing in the road. There was a wide circle outlined by rocks on the ground. Behind it was a small, run-down shack with smoke coming from the chimney.

Apple Bloom nodded. She set her saddlebag down against the side of the road and pulled out a chunk of wood in the rough shape of a sword. She gripped it in her mouth tightly, then hopped into the circle.

Lyra levitated a similar piece of wood off of a pile next to the shack.

“Remember what I taught you,” she said. “Fight defensively to get the advantage.”

Apple Bloom nodded. Lyra brought the practice sword in front of herself and waved it back and forth. Apple Bloom watched it carefully.

Lyra’s sword lashed out towards Apple Bloom. Casually, Apple Bloom raised her weapon to parry the swing. Lyra repeated the strike from different angles. Apple Bloom countered each one harmlessly. Suddenly the sword swung around, aiming at the side opposite where Apple Bloom had her sword pointed. She loosened her grip on her sword and swung her head to the side. The sword spun around. She gripped once more, just in time to catch the other weapon before it hit her side. She swung forcibly back against it, and Lyra stumbled back from the strain against her magic. Apple Bloom jumped at her. She flipped her sword back as she sprang, stopping just short of her teacher’s neck.

“Wow, Apple Bloom, you have been practicing!” said Lyra. She smiled snidely as Apple Bloom felt a poke on her back. She looked around to see the tip of Lyra’s sword resting there. “You still need to work on watching your surroundings though.” Apple Bloom laughed nervously.

Scootaloo smiled and laughed. “Show off!” she yelled playfully. Apple Bloom set her sword down and stuck her tongue out at Scootaloo.

“It’s your turn to ‘show off,’ Scootaloo,” said Lyra.

Scootaloo groaned and trotted forward into the circle. Apple Bloom grabbed her sword and brought it back to her bag. She sat down next to Sweetie Belle.

“Hey, pay attention,” Apple Bloom whispered. “If nothing else, watching this catastrophe oughta cheer ya up.”

Sweetie Belle smiled and giggled quietly.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Alright, alright, let’s get this over with,” she said. She took a practice sword from the pile in her hooves. Lyra shook her head.

“Where’s the one I gave you?”

“Home, maybe. Does it really matter?”

“Are you practicing with it?”

“Every now and then. Sheesh, get off my back!”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “Just try to last a little longer today, will ya?” She readied her weapon in front of herself again. Scootaloo fluttered over to the far end of the circle. She gritted her teeth and growled.

“I think she tries to fight like a mad dog or something,” Sweetie Belle whispered to Apple Bloom. “But frankly she ends up more like an angry kitten.” The two snickered in unison.

Between waves of her sword, Lyra saw Scootaloo start a flying charge. Scootaloo started attacking repeatedly. Her strikes were quicker than the last time, but just as wild. Lyra sighed as she parried the blows, barely moving her sword.

“Come on, Scootaloo, we already went over why that doesn’t work.”

Scootaloo ignored her teacher. She flew back a few feet, panting. She bounced her sword between her front hooves. After a half a minute of this, Lyra smiled. She went for a simple stabbing strike. Scootaloo harshly kicked off of Lyra’s sword. She used the motion to fling herself for Lyra, sword first. Just as she was about to reach her target, her sword got knocked into her chin. She felt it push against her. Over and down she went as Lyra’s sword pushed against hers, pinning her to the ground. Once more, Lyra stood over her.

“Gah!” Scootaloo yelled in frustration. “That’s not fair!”

“It doesn’t have to be fair,” said Lyra calmly. “You have to be ready to face anything out there. There are creatures with way more powerful and strange abilities than just unicorn magic that can get in your way.”

“Well yeah...” Scootaloo said as she looked away from Lyra.

“Still, you are getting it, however slow.”

Scootaloo grumbled as Lyra let go of her. “Where did you learn to fight, anyway?” she asked. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom both leaned in for her answer.

Lyra raised an eyebrow. “You’re asking now? Well, fine,” she said. “Remember way back when the whole thing started? When Celestia left a few guards here?” she asked. Scootaloo and the others nodded. “Me and a few others wanted to make sure our home was safe, so we volunteered to learn from them to make up Ponyville’s town guard. It wasn’t that hard to learn how to fight since we were so willing back then. Now if I could just get Scoots here in the right mindset...”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’m no star student like Apple Bloom. Isn’t it time for Sweetie Belle’s turn?”

Lyra chuckled to herself. “I guess you’re right,” she said. “Come on, Sweetie Belle, let’s see what you remember from last time.”

Sweetie Belle nervously looked at her friends. Apple Bloom smiled at her. Scootaloo was more focused on her own problems. Sweetie Belle gulped as she stepped up. “W-what should I start with?”

Lyra used the end of her sword to trace a bull’s eye in the dirt. “Aim the Fire spell there.”

Sweetie Belle stared at it blankly. “I, umm... I can’t remember the words.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “It’s not that hard, Sweetie Belle,” she said. “Ahem: Flickering light and heat so dire, the power doth burn in Fire.”

Scootaloo snickered obnoxiously. Apple Bloom nudged her hard.

“What!?” said Scootaloo defensively. “Those words are so dumb!”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “No they aren’t. Right Sweetie Belle?”

Sweetie Belle stared at Lyra unamusedly. “I’m gonna side with Scootaloo on this one. What’s with the ‘ye olde’ whatsit?”

“Look, I think it sounds a bit dumb or cheesy or whatever the word is,” said Lyra. “But it’s supposed to make it easier to remember. Besides, a rhyming incantation works good with a musical talent. Sweetie Belle, try singing the words.”

“I don’t wanna!” she pleaded.

“Just do it!”

Sweetie Belle sighed in annoyance. She focused at the center of the target, then shut her eyes. “Flickering light and heat dire, something something something FIRE!”

Her horn glowed as she sang the couplet. The glow intensified on the final word, and a burst of fire appeared; unfortunately, she only hit one of the rocks on the edge of the circle. She opened her eyes, but frowned when she saw the look on Lyra’s face.

“I don’t get it, Sweetie Belle,” she said. “You’re a bright young mare, and it’s not like this magic takes a lot out of a pony or something.”

“Maybe she needs a little different approach,” said a sweet voice from inside the shack. The door opened and out walked a cream-coated mare with a blue and pink mane, carrying a tray of fresh bread.

“Hello Ms. Bon Bon!” said Apple Bloom cheerfully. Sweetie Belle quickly trotted up to Bon Bon as she set the bread down on a table.

“Good to see you, Apple Bloom,” she replied. She sliced a piece of bread off of the loaf. “Here you go, Sweetie. Everypony else, get in line! Breakfast is ready!”

Scootaloo smiled and zipped in front of Lyra. Lyra nudged her; they shared a quick laugh. Apple Bloom shook her head and she calmly got in line behind Lyra.

The next ten minutes or so were spent without much talking. Everyone was too busy eating and enjoying the fresh bread. Sweetie Belle was the first one finished, and the first one to start talking again.

“So, Aunt Bon Bon,” she said. “What did you mean about a different approach?”

“Well I thought I heard Lyra talking about it...”

Lyra swallowed what food was in her mouth. “I wasn’t really being serious, Bon Bon. The only place in town where we could get information about unicorn magic training is, well, the library.”

Scootaloo coughed, laughing as she ate. “What, you’re not afraid of him, are you?”

“I’d be afraid of anyone that far gone, Scoots,” Lyra replied.

“Well I’m not,” said Scootaloo. “I can go get whatever you need. Sounds easy.”

Lyra and Bon Bon looked at each other with concern.

Apple Bloom swallowed. “I could go with her if that’d make ya feel a might less nervous.”

“It’s for me, so shouldn’t I go anyway?” Sweetie Belle added.

Lyra chuckled. “You know what, fine,” she said. “Worst case, it’ll be good practice for dealing with danger.”

“Cool!” said Scootaloo. She stood up and shook her wings loose. “Whenever you’re ready, I am.” Apple Bloom nodded.

“Thanks for the bread Ms. Bon Bon!” Apple Bloom added before she collected her bag.

Sweetie Belle stood up and smiled. “What exactly should we look for again?”

“Anything about how different unicorn ponies learn magic differently,” said Lyra between bites.

Bon Bon put a hoof on Sweetie Belle’s shoulder. “Do be careful, Sweetie.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” she replied softly. Bon Bon hugged Sweetie Belle before bidding her on her way. The three younger mares galloped up the path into town. Bon Bon stared after them and sighed.

“Remember when they were just little fillies? Now look at them...”

Lyra swallowed once more and sighed with satisfaction. “I’m sorry, did you say something?” Bon Bon giggled and rolled her eyes.

“Nevermind. Come on, help me clean up,” she said with a quick nuzzle to grab Lyra’s attention.

Flickering candle light was the only illumination in the dark room of the library. Mounds of books and papers filled the floorspace. Many were left open, lying pages-down. Most of the pages were folded, torn, or crumpled. Of course, the lighting was so poor that only the library’s sole resident could see all of this anyway. He skimmed a finger down the pages of another book while he grumbled to himself. He reached the end of the final page and slammed the book shut. He tossed it aside and pulled another one from behind into the direct light.

Apple Bloom stared into the dark window through a crack in the curtains. She gulped and backed off.

“Are y’all sure about this?” she asked nervously.

Scootaloo laughed sharply. “Come on, Apple Bloom. It’s Spike! What’s he gonna do, yell at us?”

Sweetie Belle looked at Apple Bloom sympathetically. “If you want, you can stay out here...”

“No,” said Apple Bloom. She shook her head and sighed. “I gotta be brave. Besides, Scootaloo’s probably right. He hasn’t really hurt anypony before, has he?”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both shrugged.

“I’ll just take that as a no,” said Apple Bloom. She turned and knocked on the door with her tail.

“What!?” Spike yelled from inside.

“Uhh, hello? We just wanted to borrow a book or two, and—” asked Scootaloo.

Spike growled. “You again!? I told you to stay away from me. And don’t think I don’t know that was you throwing stones at my window the other night!”

“He’s makin’ that up, right?” asked Apple Bloom.

“Well...”

“A-ha!” Spike yelled.

“Ain’t nopony ever tell ya not ta shake the beehive!?” Apple Bloom exclaimed.

“Wait,” said Spike, “Scootaloo, Apple Bloom... is Sweetie Belle with you?”

“Y-yes,” Sweetie Belle whimpered.

There was a pause of silence, then Spike grumbled, “Door’s open.”

Sweetie Belle entered first, followed by Apple Bloom and Scootaloo side-by-side.

“What makes her so special?” Scootaloo whispered to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom shrugged.

Spike didn’t appear to have aged a day in six years, not counting his ever-paling scales. Apple Bloom didn’t even know scales worked that way until she saw him with her own eyes. He pulled open some curtains to let some of the sunlight in, then practically stomped back over to the small gap in the book piles he came from.

“Help yourself to whatever you need. Just don’t bother me,” he muttered.

Scootaloo stared at the mountain of books in front of her and frowned. “How are we supposed to find anything in here?”

“Figure it out!” said Spike bitterly.

Sweetie Belle walked up to Spike calmly. “Spike,” she said in a low, soothing voice, “We need to find something that’ll help me learn the magic I need to. Have you seen anything like that?”

He sighed. “Just had it. White cover, stack against the wall, about halfway down.”

Apple Bloom looked around. When she did find the pile, her eyes widened. Somehow, braced against the wall, there seemed to be more books above the only white-covered one than below it. This was saying nothing about how precariously the stack stood. It gave Apple Bloom the sense that it was already wobbling slowly.

“How are we supposed to get that!?” she asked.

“Again, figure it out! It’s not my problem,” said Spike.

“I’ll make it your problem you little—” Scootaloo started before Sweetie Belle cut her off.

“It’s not that hard, if you think about it,” she said.

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked at her like she had two heads.

“Look, if I brace the books above it with magic, Apple Bloom, you can take the book out while Scootaloo replaces it with something about the same size.”

Apple Bloom smiled and nodded. “On it!” she said. Scootaloo scratched her head, but started looking for another book anyway.

Sweetie Belle focused on the stack of books. This was a lot of weight for her to manage, even with magic. A faint glow covered the stack, and Apple Bloom quickly grabbed the book and darted back away.

“Hurry up, Scootaloo!” she said. She watched Sweetie Belle shut her eyes to maintain focus.

Scootaloo flew back to the stack and tested a few nearby books. Finally, one with a dark green cover managed to fit the spot.

“We’re good, Sweetie!” said Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle released the books and gasped for a breath. The stack wobbled for a moment. Scootaloo winced and ducked, but the books settled properly in a few seconds.

“Phew...” she said. She slowly and carefully crawled away from the stack.

They heard a slow clapping from the other side of the room. “Bra-vo, girls,” said Spike. “You got a book! Congratulations, you’re ready to go out and save Ponyville. No, you’re ready to save all of Equestria!”

“Hey, Sweetie Belle, any way we coulda made the books fall on him?” asked Scootaloo.

“Be nice, Scoots,” said Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle levitated the book away from her and looked at the cover.

“Magical Talent: The Beginner’s Guide to Using Magic,” she read. “Sounds about right. What did you need this for, Spike?”

“Same as usual,” he replied, suddenly much more calm. “I was wondering if there was any places in there that Twilight might’ve fled to that I missed in the other books.”

“Alright I think we need to get going,” said Scootaloo conspicuously. She pushed her friends toward the door.

“Uhh, sure...” said Apple Bloom.

“Thanks for the book, Spike!” called Sweetie Belle.

“Uhuh, sure thing.”

“Yeah, thanks!” said Apple Bloom.

“Bite me.”

Scootaloo slammed the door open and left in a huff. Apple Bloom frowned, then followed.

“Oh, and one more thing, since I just love the opportunity to stir things up every now and then,” Spike called after them. “Sweetie Belle, I better get that stack of books you borrowed the other day back soon, or I’m gonna have to ask Bon Bon about them myself!”

“Y-yes sir!” said Sweetie Belle quickly. “I’ll have them back by tonight, I swear!”

“Perfect,” he said as Sweetie finally passed the doorway. He jumped up and grabbed the door handle. “As always, a pleasure doing business with you, Sweetie.” He slammed the door hard enough to rattle the library’s windows.

Sweetie Belle turned around and jumped. Both of her friends were glaring at her.

“What?” she asked.

“You’ve been talking to him!?” Scootaloo burst out. “Are you crazy!?”

“He’s not that bad...”

“Sweetie Belle,” said Apple Bloom. “He’s known as the town nutcase for a reason.”

“But—”

“How long has this been going on?” asked Scootaloo.

“A few... years...” Sweetie Belle hung her head.

“Years!? Is this why you can’t get over your sister being gone? Do you honestly believe his craziness!?” Scootaloo through her hooves in the air as she shouted

Sweetie Belle turned to Apple Bloom with a tear in her eye. “You feel it too, don’t you!?” she yelled.

“Feel what?” asked Apple Bloom.

“That tug, you know,” said Sweetie Belle. She broke down into full-blown sobbing. “That special connection you feel, that you know your sister’s still alive and well, and she’s just out there, and—”

“Yeah, I know that feelin’,” said Apple Bloom. “Guess what? It ain’t real.”

“... W-what?”

“I’ve felt that since six years ago. I still feel it every now and then. But I know Applejack ain’t comin’ back. It’s been too long. The world is still so dangerous. We haven’t even got word of anything. Not from any o’ them.”

Sweetie Belle collapsed on the ground, weeping. Apple Bloom rest her head on Sweetie Belle’s.

“It’s hard to take, I know, but-”

“You just have to at some point,” Scootaloo finished quietly. A tear began to well up in her eye, but she turned with a “Hmph” before either of her friends saw.

A bell rang out across Ponyville. Scootaloo’s eyes widened as she stared at the crude tower by the town square. Apple Bloom looked up too. The last time that bell had been used, it was to announce the death of Mayor Mare from “sickness”. Now the chimes just sounded eerie to the ponies of Ponyville. Even Sweetie Belle looked up at the bell tower, just to make sure it was real.

“Come on,” said Apple Bloom quietly. Without another word, the three galloped away towards town square.

The town’s ponies gathered in a worried mob in front of the stage of town hall. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were almost the last to arrive. On stage stood Cheerilee and Zecora, the replacements for Mayor Mare and her staff. Cheerilee spotted the three and nodded in their direction with a blank, grim expression.

“Attention, citizens of Ponyville!” Cheerilee began. The crowd hushed immediately. “As you know, our town’s crystal caravan left last night to begin their yearly journey. Earlier today, we found them, unconscious, at the town gate.” The crowd immediately rumbled again with worried conversation.

Zecora slammed her hoof on the stage. “Settle down, you ponyfolk! Cheerilee's news is not a joke!”

“Thank you, Zecora,” said Cheerilee. “As far as we can tell, they will be fine eventually. They have some miasma burns, but no confirmed cases of miasma sickness.” She stepped aside on-stage to reveal the members of the caravan, laying and faintly groaning on stretchers. “They will, however, be unable to recover in time for this year’s caravan.” The crowd broke into a loud roar.

“Order! Order!” said Cheerilee. Sweetie Belle’s heart stopped. She looked at her friends. They were transfixed on their former teacher. They knew exactly what was coming.

“However!” Cheerilee continued. “We have planned for this. We had kept it a secret from most of you in at attempt to keep everypony’s hopes up, but we have been training a backup team to run our town’s caravan.”

She turned towards the three. “Wait, don’t tell me you three—” said Spike from behind them. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo jumped.

“Where’d you come from?” asked Sweetie Belle. Spike burst into laughter rather than answering.

“Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, please step up onto the stage,” Cheerilee commanded. Reluctantly they made their way through the crowd. They slowly ascended the ramp and took their scripted places beside Cheerilee.

Apple Bloom sighed. We’re ready for this. We have to be, she thought.

“I have had the personal pleasure of seeing these three raised from fillies into the fine young mares they are today,” Cheerilee continued. “I have seen their growth first-hoof, and I can honestly place my full confidence in them.” The crowd cheered and clapped their hooves.

“Now do not celebrate too hastily,” said Zecora. “They might not be quite ready.”

“They’re close enough!” called Lyra from the back of the crowd.

“We won’t know until they actually head out, Zecora,” said Cheerilee. She covered her mouth from the crowd and whispered, “Besides, we don’t have a lot of options.”

Apple Bloom felt something touch the back of her hoof. “Gah!” she yelped and jumped. One of the caravaners was rising. Apple Bloom recognized him from her school days: Snails. It was unnerving to see him so bruised and burnt-up.

Cheerilee gasped when she saw him moving. “Snails! Are you alright?” she asked.

“That thing...” he groaned. “Never seen anything like it. It was too big. Too strong.”

“Is that what did this to you?”

He shook his head weakly. “Something saved us. It sent is home. Some bright light.”

“It would seem what is hurt the most is his head,” said Zecora. “We may be lucky that he is not simply dead.”

He shut his eyes again. His hoof started tapping at the ground.

“W-what is it, Snails?” asked Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stood behind her, watching in fear.

“There was a shape... to the light,” he said. He continued to tap and scratch at the floor of the stage.

Sweetie Belle thought for a moment, looking around. Her eyes lit up as she walked to the edge of the stage. She focused her magic to scoop up a pile of dirt from the ground. She set it down in from of Snails’ hoof, letting it spread around where he was motioning. The shape he was tracing slowly took an actual form.

It was roughly a six-pointed star, with five smaller stars around it.

Zecora stopped his hoof once he started a second trace. Everypony on stage stared in disbelief and silence. The crowd behind them grew restless.

“What’s the big deal?” Spike muttered as he made his way through the crowd. He hopped partly onto the stage. When he caught sight of the pattern in the dirt, he nearly slipped off. He hastily pulled himself up and pushed past Apple Bloom to see it.

“I knew it!” he shouted excitedly. “This is proof!”

The crowd stared at him, confused.

“It’s Twilight’s cutie mark! She saved them! She’s still alive! And so are the rest of them, probably!”

An uproar broke out among the crowd. Cheerilee and Zecora turned quickly and tried to regain order.

Apple Bloom couldn’t take her eyes off of it. “It really is—”

“It’s not exactly a unique shape for a cutie mark though,” said Scootaloo. “R-right? I mean without color—”

“It’s hers,” said Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo stared at her for a moment, then silently nodded. Apple Bloom was already nodding continuously.

“I have to see her. I have to get to see her with my own eyes,” Spike muttered to himself. He turned to Apple Bloom. “I’m coming with you,” he said.

“What? No, you can’t—” Cheerilee interjected, overhearing them.

“Can’t what? Defend myself? I’m a dragon. I can handle myself. Besides, with hands it’ll be easier to carry that cup thingy.”

“The chalice,” corrected Cheerilee. “We don’t know anything about this yet, Spike.”

“What’s the worst that can happen? I get proven wrong while helping the town out for once?” he asked.

Cheerilee sighed. She turned to face the girls. “Are you all okay with this?”

“Yes,” said Sweetie Belle immediately.

“I guess so,” said Apple Bloom.

“I’m already outvoted, so why not?” said Scootaloo.

Cheerilee smiled. “Very well,” she said. She turned so that the crowd might hear. “In light of recent events, we have an additional member for the new caravan team: Spike. I might not be able to say as much about him as the others, but I know that at least at one time he was the most reliable assistant a pony could ask for. I hope the better side of him may shine through on your journey.”

The crowd cheered once more, although more uneasily. Cheerilee dismissed the town meeting. The ponies dispersed slowly. Within minutes the town was back to how it always was at mid-day, just quieter.

Cheerilee turned back towards the group. “Now, you’re going to have to get properly equipped and acquainted with the chalice and the cart. Zecora can handle explaining your duties more clearly. I’ll go talk things over with your trainer and the smith to make sure we have equipment that you each can use. With any luck, you’ll be out and on your way by tomorrow morning. Understood?”

All four of them nodded.

“Spike, you might have to show Lyra how you ‘handle yourself’ before we get too far. You can come with me. In the meantime, Zecora, would you mind explaining the chalice?”

“There is much about their task that I have to tell,” she replied, “But first I must help in treating the unwell.” She motioned towards the unconscious ponies behind them.

Cheerilee nodded. “Fair enough. Girls, you might want to go home and talk things over with your families while you wait. I probably won’t see you until the equipment is ready. Until then, just relax and try to enjoy the rest of the day,” she said. She hopped off of the stage and said, “Come on, Spike.”

Scootaloo sighed. “I’m gonna go try to find something for lunch,” she said. “You’re both welcome to join me after... whatever.”

“I’m gonna go talk with Aunt Bon Bon for a while,” said Sweetie Belle. She hopped off of the stage and walked away quickly.

“I’ll join ya in a bit, Scoots,” said Apple Bloom. “I just gotta—”

She stopped and stared out in front of the stage.

“Just gotta what?” asked Scootaloo. She looked out where Apple Bloom was staring.

Big Macintosh stared back. He sighed and turned away.

“Wait! Big Macintosh!” Apple Bloom called after pleadingly. “I’m sorry, Scootaloo, I gotta go.” She hopped off the stage and galloped after him.

Scootaloo stood on stage and grumbled. She had forgotten Zecora was still there until she spoke up.

“Unless you want to risk getting sick, I suggest that you go someplace else, and quick.” Her tone was still rather annoyed. Scootaloo jumped off of the stage. She grabbed her scooter and took off on a ride to anywhere but there.