“Well here’s the train to Ponyville!” Apple Bloom grinned noticing the train approaching the platform.  “Manehatten sure is awesome…”

“It sure is,” I smiled, looking at Babs who stood next to me.

“You’ll be back soon right Flick?” Sweetie Belle’s ears dropped slightly.

“Three days, that’s all I be,” I hugged my cousin reassuringly.

And so Scootaloo waved, hopping on to the train quickly followed by the other two, and before long the train started to head back to Ponyville.

"I bet you're gonna miss them huh? I know I do..." Babs voiced trailed off sadly.

It must have been hard for Babs, she was a member of our group and she lived fairly far from Ponyville "They'll be fine without me for three days," I smiled hopefully.

"Well if you don't like it you can leave this club house right now!" Scootaloo yelled.

"Well maybe I will!" Sweetie Belle restored angrily, her voice squeaking.

"Well I guess that's it then! This stupid argument has ruined everything, I don't want to be a cutie mark crusader anymore!" Apple Bloom stomped her hooves angrily.

"Neither do I!" Scootaloo turned her head away angrily, "I don't want to see you both again!"

"What the hay are you readin'?" Apple Bloom looked over to Sootaloo sitting opposite her.

The train journey had just begun on the way back to Ponyville.

"Huh? Me reading? Pfft" Scootaloo subtly hid the book behind herself.

"You are reading something! What is it?" Apple Bloom leaned over and stole the book from behind Scootaloo  "The Path of Flight... Where did you get this?" She read the words on the cover bemused.

Scootaloo didn't want to admit it, but she'd had this book ever since before Twilight became a Princess, at the time we were sorting through the books in her library.

"You stole this from Twilight's library didn't you?" Apple Bloom read the inside cover.

"I didn't steal it! I just... Borrowed without asking," Scotaloo scoffed.

"What's is about?" Apple Bloom asked.

"It's an amazing book of all the greatest flyers in Equestria! And full of awesome tips!" Scootaloo couldn't contain her excitement as her eyes widened.

"And is Rainbow Dash in there?" Apple Bloom laughed.

"Of course! She's number one in the top 25 flyers list!" Scootaloo rolled her eyes, as if Apple Bloom was stupid.

"Oh whoa! Let's see!" Apple Bloom was genuinely surprised.

"Hey hooves off... It's my book," Scootaloo yanked the book away.

"You stole it! Besides Rainbow Dash never mentioned being in no stupid book!" Apple Bloom growled.

"Hey I deserve it! Look what it says. The path of flight, for the true leaders and masters of flight. And since I'm the leader of us crusaders, I figured it'd be a good read," Scootaloo nodded her head confidently.

"You... The leader. What the hay?" Apple Bloom adjusted the bow on her mane and stared Scootaloo down.  "Oh come on Scootaloo, we all know who the leader is..." Apple Bloom shook her head

"Me," Scootaloo edged forward.

"Seriously?" Apple Bloom was flabbergasted.

"Yeah of course I am! I'm bravest and toughest. Like Rainbow Dash!"

"No I’m tougher! I help run the whole of sweet Apple acres!" Apple Bloom growled.

"Yeah because that's what leaders do... Help run farms," Scootaloo laughed.

"Okay then... Let's prove it, over the next few days we'll prove who the leader is," Apple Bloom retorted.

"Fine by me!" Scootaloo growled.

"You in on this challenge Sweetie Belle? Even though I'm clearly the winner," Apple Bloom maintained her gaze on Scootaloo.

"What? Oh... Yeah whatever" Sweetie Belle had drifted away during the argument. Something was clearly on her mind.

"Mail for Rarity!" The blonde derpy eyed Pegasus called excitedly, placing the mail in the mailbox, smiling contently as she did so before stumbling and walking away.

"Oh come on Flick, get over your mailmare fear already..." Sweetie Belle turned over in the large bed moaning. However she soon realized I wasn't next to her. "Oh, I almost forgot!" And so she did the usual mail sorting for Rarity, flicking through the letters before arriving at the one she had dreaded, it was from school, two letters from school each with results from the big test we had recently, her results and mine.

"Anything important dear?" Rarity hummed to herself while sewing some fabrics together at her sewing machine.

"Oh no. The usual stuff..." Sweetie Belle laughed nervously. To delay the tense moment of opening the letters she put both envelopes under the respective pillows of our bed, then left the room leaving them behind.

"So now I need to prove to the other two that I'm the leader, not silly Scootaloo with her silly Path of flight book..." Apple Bloom gasped for air after telling the entire story to Twilight Sparkle.

"Path of flight? Scootaloo has a copy of that too? I lost mine..." Twilight lifted her hoof to her mouth.

Apple Bloom giggled nervously before composing herself. "You're a leader Twilight, you're a princess. How do I prove myself as the leader of the crusaders?" She asked desperately.

"Look Apple Bloom, you and the crusaders, you're best friends... I mean are you really going to compete to see who's the leader of a group of friends? I mean seriously. What pony would call themselves a leader of a friendship group?" Twilight laughed at the idea.

Rainbow Dash laded on the grass in style, "Look kid. I know how you feel, I mean, I'm totally the leader of my friends by far. You need to assert yourself, do something that shows you're a force to be reckoned with," Rainbow Dash paused for a moment before flying off again.

"Like what exactly?" Scootaloo felt dizzy from watching Rainbow Dash fly around so quickly.

"Finally get your hooves off the ground! Flying is the true form of leadership... I read a cool book about that once," Rainbow Dash called down to Scootaloo.

"The path of flight?" Scootaloo called back questioningly

"You read it? Oh wow, that book is amazing" Rainbow Dash was fairly intrigued and landed with precision right next to Scootaloo.

"Of course I have! I've got my own copy, you're totally number one in the top flyers countdown Rainbow Dash right?" Scootaloo grinned excitedly.

"You didn't tell everypony that did you?" Rainbow Dash scratched her mane.

"Of course I did. I had to brag for you since you're so modest!" Scootaloo bounced excitedly.

"Look kid. You idolize me, I dig that. You're the most awesome crusader in my opinion... You just need a helping hoof," Rainbow Dash flapped her own wings in preparation.

"But how? When I can't even get my stupid hooves an inch from the ground...even your turtle can fly... And me, I have wings but do they work? No." Scootaloo flapped her own wings as fast as she could, straining hard.

"I just got a pretty cool idea," Rainbow Dash placed her hoof to her mouth tapping whilst thinking through her plan.

"What is it?" Scootaloo paused and stared anxiously.

"Meet me back here in one hour, bring the book I'll show you the true path of flight,"

"Apple Bloom what are you doing?" Scootaloo stopped in her tracks noticing Apple Bloom standing by a wooden stand in the middle of the busy street.

"Oh hey there Scootaloo... Nothing much, just counting all my bits!" Apple Bloom pointed her hoof to a sign and several kegs nearby, a load of bits in a small brown bag next to her.

"That's insane how did you make all of that? ... You're selling cider?" Scootaloo had to read the sign twice.

"Yep! It ain't even cider season but you know me being a good thinker and leader I figured what the hay, I'd make some and make a fortune early this year... Leaders initiative!" Apple Bloom emphasized the final words.  "Had a good day riding on your scooter? Cause that's totally what a leader does right?"

"Oh I'll show you, I won't need this scooter soon, I'll have my hooves off the ground so who needs wheels? I don't need a stupid scooter!" Scootaloo flapped her wings and sped off on her scooter before Apple Bloom could respond.  "Sorry I didn't mean that..." She whispered stroking the hoof bars.

"Hey kiddo sorry I'm late, did you bring the book?" Rainbow Dash approached Scootaloo.

"Got it right here Rainbow Dash! Just look at these great flyers!" Scootaloo admired the page she was on, an awesome two-page spread about the Wonderbolts  "They all have something so special, the Wonderbolts are only the second best according to this book." Scootaloo was in amazement. Then again you are number one!” She grinned to Rainbow Dash.

"Turn to page three," Rainbow Dash instructed.

Scootaloo quickly flicked back several pages before arriving at the page Rainbow Dash had said.

"Mindset...having the right state of mind," Scootaloo read the words out loud.

"You see scoots. A lot of it isn't here," Rainbow Dash touched where her heart was.  "Most of it is here," She firmly tapped her hoof against her head.

"I have the determination but I just don't have the strength," Scootaloo sighed sadly looking down.

"You need to be more assertive... Think positive, you don't just think you'll be a good flyer. You know you'll be a good flyer," Rainbow Dash tried her best to motivate the small Pegasus.

Scootaloo remained looking down until Rainbow Dash carefully picked her up.

"Whoa are we going flying?" Scootaloo perked up in surprise.

"You're going flying," Rainbow Dash soared in to the sky holding tightly on to Scootaloo.

"But I can't. Please don't let go! Oh this is just like when Flick did that flight spell," Scootaloo covered her eyes.

"Relax, we did this before remember, didn't it feel like you were flying back then? Just think how much you want to fly... Have that mindset. You can do anything,” Rainbow Dash yelled over the sound of the harsh wind that was caused by the extreme speed of her flight.

"I... I can do it!" Scootaloo panicked.

"Now flap your wings! I'm right here for support!" Rainbow Dash let go of Scootaloo and began to glide along side her.

"Oh my... I'M DOING IT, I'M DOING IT!" Scootaloo felt as though she was soaring, until she realized despite her tiny wings flapping she was falling rather quickly "I'm not doing it, I'M NOT DOING IT!"

"You're doing good! You re just gliding downwards, your strength isn’t keeping you up. Keep flapping!"

But despite her efforts Scootaloo couldn't hold on and her wings grew tired and stopped. Rainbow Dash flew down and caught her before she hit the ground.

"You see... How can I have the right mindset if that always happens?" Scootaloo growled in anger at herself.

"Turn the page," Rainbow Dash pointed to the book that lay open on the grass.

Scootaloo picked it up and spoke the words out loud. "Practice... All of the greatest flyers in Equestria started off unable to even get their hooves off the ground."

And then she read the quote.

"That's a great quote..." Scootaloo reread every word several times.

"You remember this, I read this book cover to cover constantly. That quote is the single greatest piece of advice you'll ever read. So... Without further ado, let's practice!" Rainbow Dash flapped her wings eagerly.

"If I fall you'll catch me again right?" Scootaloo looked away shyly.

"Anytime you fall from a stepping stone on the path to flight, I'll always catch you," Rainbow Dash placed her hoof on Scootaloo.

"Wow Rainbow Dash, you really are number one!" Scootaloo perked up.

"You really believe I am don't you..." Rainbow Dash wouldn't admit it, but she blushed slightly.

"Well you're number one in this book! And to me!" Scootaloo hooped and flapped her wings.

Rainbow Dash laughed nervously. "Hey kiddo... You think I could borrow this? Just for one night, I'd love to reread it," She picked up the book.

"Sure you can Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo smiled eagerly.

The sun was shining bright still as it began to slowly set in Ponyville park, but Rainbow Dash had one more treat for Scootaloo.

"Thanks kiddo! Hey, want to see me do the triple somersault wing glide?"

"You can do that move?" Scootaloo's mouth dropped.

"Sure as hay! Check this out!" Rainbow Dash kicked off the ground with speed.

And so an hour passed with Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash talking about the path of flight, while Rainbow showed her moves and taking Scootaloo for a fly and showing her some techniques.

"So yeah, according to Rainbow Dash, you know, the leader of her friends. I'm totally on the path of flight to awesome," Scootaloo nodded smugly.

"The hay you are! Look how many bits I made! Only a true leader can do that!" Apple Bloom pointed her hoof to three brown bags of bits next to her.

"Yeah well Rarity told me I'm the best..." Sweetie Belle spoke quietly, rather annoyed.

"Oh yeah, your big sister told you you're the best, therefore that's true you've not even done anything to prove you're the leader... You seem so down today what the hay is wrong with you?" Apple Bloom turned to Sweetie Belle annoyingly.

"She's just jealous... You both are because I totally am the leader, Rainbow Dash is so amazing..." Scootaloo fondly remembered the day she'd just had.

"You guys are annoying me so much! You don't know what I've got going on," Sweetie Belle stood up and turned her back.

"Well if you don't like it you can leave this club house right now!" Scootaloo yelled.

"Well maybe I will!" Sweetie Belle restored angrily, her voice squeaking.

"Well I guess that's it then! This stupid argument has ruined everything, I don't want to be a cutie mark crusader anymore!" Apple Bloom stomped her hooves angrily.

"Neither do I!" Scootaloo turned her head away angrily, "I don't want to see you both again!"

And with that said, each of the three ponies left the clubhouse, without any words spoken.

"Wow the weather is terrible here compared to Manehatten isn't it fuzzy?" I’d finally gotten off the train and stepped out in to the heavy rain. "We're a little earlier than expected, come on let's go surprise Rarity and Sweetie Belle!" The small ferret burrowed in to my mane to keep dry. And so I galloped through the heavy rain eager to get home.

I knocked on the door several times and was quickly greeted by Rarity. "Flick! Oh my dear, I've missed you so much!" Rarity instantly hugged me upon opening the door.

"I missed you too Rarity!" I beamed, trying to breath despite the tight embrace.

"Oh you must tell me all about Manehatten! That fabulous city... Oh I am ever so jealous of you," Rarity brought me in from the rain.

"Well you know I meant to write to you to let you know, there's a fashion week next week, who knows maybe you'll be invited. Now you're a fashion parade princess," I smiled.

"Oh that would be so fabulous... But enough about fashion for now, I do hope you had an amazing time back home!" Rarity smiled warmly at me, before turning around. "Sweetie Belle, Flick is here!" She called upstairs.

Rarity looked back at me and squinted. “You have a Rose flower in your mane dear..." She glanced at the bright red rose, resting in my blue mane.

"Long story," I smiled to myself.

"Where is Sweetie? I imagine she’s still sulking… I have no idea what’s going on. Go up and see for me dear, she’ll be happy to see you,” Rarity sighed.

"Sweetie Belle!" I called happily entering the room.

"Flick!" Sweetie Belle hopped off the bed happily for a moment.

"Hey... Have... Have you been crying?" I noticed Sweetie Belle’s eyes were red and puffy.

"Oh Flick, everything is going wrong..." Sweetie Belle fell to the floor.

"What's happened since I've been away?" I dreaded the answer.

"Calm down!" Sweetie Belle sat on the bed trying to keep me calm.

"How did this happen?" I panicked, pacing around the room.

"Scootaloo and her stupid Path of flight book!" Sweetie Belle growled.

"Path of flight?" I questioned.

"It's some stupid book she borrowed from Twilight’s, or rather stole. I just can't handle these stupid arguments. Plus now we've gotten our school results that's just extra stress," Sweetie Belle fell down on the bed.

"Wait the results are here?" I asked nervously.

"Yeah but I'm worried to open mine," Sweetie Belle shook her head.

"We need to get Scootaloo and Apple Bloom here," I decided to get back to the main problem.

"What? But it's only half an hour until bed time!" Sweetie Belle looked to the clock on the bedside table.

"Half an hour is all we need, besides, I know a quick way to get them both here...Fuzzy, you know what to do!" I looked down at the tiny ferret that perked up at his name.

"What the hay is going on?" Applejack glanced out the kitchen window.

"What is it Applejack?" Apple Bloom asked, sitting at the table.

"There's some ferret making noises outside by the looks of things..." Applejack rubbed her eyes and looked again.

"Ferret? FUZZY, I totally forget, that must mean Flick is back!" Apple Bloom hopped off the chair happily.

"Your friend Scootaloo is out there with him too."

"Scootaloo is there?" Apple Bloom stopped in her tracks, taking a deep breath, she headed outside.

"Scootaloo... What the hay is going on? What are you doing with Fuzzy?" Apple Bloom glanced down at the small ferret and back to Scootaloo.

"Hey Apple Bloom..." Scootaloo avoided eye contact. "He came to my house and started trying to get me to follow him and he led me here."

"He wants us to follow him?" Apple Bloom was puzzled.

"Well Flick is back... Maybe this is his way of getting us all to go to Carousel Boutique," Scootaloo rolled her eyes.

"Fine I'm going. But only to see Flick..." Apple Bloom looked away from Scootaloo.

"Yeah of course... Same here," Scootaloo was unconfident with her words.

"Flick... You have a flower in your mane." Apple Bloom laughed upon entering my room.

“Nice to see you too…” I sighed.

Scootaloo laughed also, trying to contain it.

“Now, I got Fuzzy to summon you here, to sort this out,” I spoke determinedly.

Everypony sighed.

“Come on! You can't let a stupid book distract you from the important things in life," I shook my head looking at Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.

"Tell that to Sweetie Belle," Scootaloo pointed over.

Sweetie Belle was sat on the bed reading a book.

"Sweetie Belle can you - " My eyes widened when I saw the book. "Wait what are you reading?"

"Your diary," Sweetie Belle teased.

"Flick you have a diary?" Apple Bloom laughed again.

"It's not a diary! It's just a journal," I argued.

"So it's a diary," Scootaloo snorted.

"Stop reading it!" I yelled to Sweetie Belle.

"Awh will this tell us why you have a flower in your mane?” Sweetie Belle kept reading the words.

"Why do you have a flower in your mane?" Scootaloo asked impatiently.

“It was from when I visited my friend Daisy - ” I started.

"Daisy...you told us about her before your best friend in Manehatten?" Sweetie Belle asked, still reading the book.

"We'd not been getting on much before I left, for... Reasons," I sighed sadly.

"Because she earned her cutie mark... You were jealous right?" Sweetie Belle read from the book.

“Why are you even asking me? You’re just reading my life story right there,” I growled.

"Hey Daisy!" I smiled as the door to the small house opened.

"Flick! Oh my what are you doing here?" The small pink haired pony hugged me tightly.

"I was with friends watching the New Year display, I wanted to drop by to say hi," I smiled looking at my best friend for the first time in months

"Come in! Oh you're going to love the place, my parents like, got me so many flowers to decorate my room with its insane," Daisy beamed, leading me inside.

"She seemed okay with you there," Sweetie Belle looked up at me.

"She was…” I sighed. “Everything was fine like nothing ever happened. It was kind of like an elephant in the room though, so eventually - "

"So how are things in Ponyville? Are the flowers nice?" Daisy asked intently after showing me the new flowers by her window.

"Erm yeah they are, it's all good. Me and my friends have our group called the cutie mark crusaders, I mean we're all trying to find our talents so it's a -"

"The cutie mark crusaders. You're a member?" Daisy immediately stared at me wide eyed. "That's like the most popular thing that's happened in school recently you wouldn't even believe it, you left here just before it all took off!" Daisy’s mouth opened wide.

"Wait, Popular?" I asked confused.

"All around school ponies are forming their own crusader groups, all dedicated to finding their talents, it was all started by somepony who visited Ponyville and one of her cousins was a member there," Daisy nodded.

"Wait... Babs Seed?" I asked.

"Yeah! You know her?" Daisy confirmed.

"No way, Babs actually did it! She made us crusaders a Manehatten phenomenon!" Apple Bloom smiled to Scootaloo who stood next to her.

"How awesome!" Scootaloo smiled back.

"So um... What did you and Daisy do?" Apple Bloom asked, looking over at Sweetie Belle to read more of the book.

"Well, she let me stay the night to catch up and stuff, so the day after..." I looked at Sweetie Belle who had no doubt already read ahead.

"Thanks again for letting me stay last night" I looked to Daisy and smiled, she sat opposite me.

"It's no problem, you're always welcome you know that," Daisy smiled back at me.

"Your milkshakes" The taller pony gave us both of strawberry ice cream shakes.

"Thanks," We both grinned; this was just like old times.

"I was kind of worried you didn't want to be my friend anymore..." Daisy finally spoke after a few moments of silence. Slowly taking a sip of her milkshake, glancing out the window sadly.

"I'm so sorry for how I acted...you know, when you earned your cutie mark," my ears dropped in shame.  Fuzzy sat on the chair next to me and sadly looked up at me, jumping next to me to try and cheer me up.

"Look it's okay Flick, I know you didn't mean to act that way," Daisy smiled reassuringly at me.

"Look the way I see, you're the winner anyway, you found your cutie mark. You're amazing at just about everything and picking flowers is like, the most adorable cutie mark related talent ever. And me, well I'm a member of a group of ponies who haven't been so lucky," I looked down and laughed at myself, I really hadn’t achieved much.

"You've got so much of your life to find your talent Flick. And there is no winner; there aren't winners or losers. Leaders or followers, as stupid as it might sound, if you have friendship, you're not alone on the journey," Daisy put her hoof on mine.

"That sounds like something my friend would say," I smiled, fondly thinking of Twilight.

"Do you still keep that diary of yours?" Daisy asked.

"Journal," I corrected.

"Yeah okay, journal" Daisy laughed, teasing me. "If you still keep it, I want you to write in there everyday, write about the positive side of your journey, don't look at everyday as another failure to find your true talent, look at it as a day closer to finding it," Daisy looked in to my eyes, meaning every word she spoke.

"I never looked at it that way..." I couldn’t find the words.

"Sometimes you need to think outside of the box," Daisy smiled looking down at Fuzzy who seemed fairly happy "So when are you heading back to Ponyville?" She quizzed.

"Tomorrow, I was going to stay here just another night, I won't ask to stay with you again, I don't want to be a pain," I looked down.

"You're always welcome Flick... But don't you think it'll be good to see your parents?" Daisy spoke truthfully.

"I guess I have to... I mean they'll be happy to see me but well they might be disappointed I've not found my true talent yet, you know how pushy they are."

"They'll never be disappointed with you," Daisy shook her head.

I smiled back at my friend, I hoped she was right.

Sweetie Belle paused, flicking through two pages of the journal. "And then... The diary just goes straight to when you're heading to the train station the next day... What about your parents?"

"I don't write everything in that thing," I sighed.

"How about you keep reading Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom asked, sensing my discomfort on the whole parents subject.

"Train will be here soon Fuzzy," I sighed contentedly.

"Flick!" I heard the familiar voice call.

"Daisy?" I was surprised to see my friend running towards me on the train platform.

"I wanted to catch you before you left," She caught her breath.

"What is it?" I asked confused.

And then she leaned up and fixed a red rose flower to my mane and giggled. "You look ridiculous!" She beamed.

"What's this for?" I giggled in return.

"It's a special rose that's going to be with you always okay? Keep it safe someplace and always know that friendship is like an everlasting flower. It blooms and with the right care and effort it'll stay that way, healthy and wonderful. Write in your diary, journal whatever you want, but life isn't a book. Life is so much more, remember that."

"Daisy... I don't know what to say."

She’d done it again… said something that left me entirely speechless, a few tears formed in my eyes.

"No crying! And if anypony laughs at you on the train don't worry, the flower suits you!" Daisy teased.

And without words I moved forward and hugged her, in that moment realizing just how much I’d miss her all over again.

"The train is here!" Daisy pointed to the oncoming train.

"Look I'm going to visit more often now okay? Like as often as I can," I spoke determinedly.

"It's fine Flick, whenever we're not with each other, just look at the flower. Remember I care, you'll always be my best friend."

I smiled back as the train pulled up and the conductor stepped off, awaiting any passengers to come aboard.

“I’ll see you soon Flick!” Daisy hugged me once more.

"Wow... so that's why you have a flower in your mane," Sweetie Belle giggled.

"Daisy is right, life is more than a book," Scootaloo looked sadly at the ground.

"Friendship does last... If you fight for it," Apple Bloom looked towards Scootaloo, the two exchanged a smile.

"Shall we all just forget the stupid leader thing happened?" Scootaloo finally spoke up hopefully.

"Yeah... Who needs a leader, we've coped fine before without any of us being titled the leader," Apple Bloom nodded.

"Finally the argument is over!" my fluffy purple tail flicked upwards happily, the crisis had been averted and I felt content.

"Oh hey I got ninety six percent in my pop quiz!" I cheered, reading the contents of the envelope out loud. "That's an A+" I sighed with relief, laying down on my bed.

"Congratulations Flick, I got a B..." Apple Bloom sighed.

"I got a D, like I care," Scootaloo scoffed.

"Hey so I got the highest score..." I spoke, a moment of silence lingered and I hesitated. "So... this means I'm the leader cause I'm the smartest?"

And then began another huge argument.

"You're just assuming you got higher than me?" Sweetie Belle's voice grew even more high pitched. "Could you be any more big headed?"

"Hey I'm not being big headed... Why does everything have to turn in to an argument? I'm always fixing the mess you guys make, you're always causing problems... I'd have been better off just staying in Manehatten," I scoffed.

As soon as I'd said those words however, I regretted it. My crusader friends averted their gaze from mine.

"Well it's nice to see how much we mean to you," Apple Bloom spoke coldly leaving the room.

"No guys... I didn't mean that! I didn't mean that at all... Sweetie Belle..." I spoke to my cousin.

Sweetie Belle looked at me and sniffled, holding back tears, she turned and left with the others, within seconds they had left Carousel Boutique and I was alone with Fuzzy.

"What have I just done..." I gasped. Fuzzy gently scratched my mane from where he rested on top of my head, "I know buddy... at least we never argue," I sighed.

So the next few days were pretty horrible, Sweetie Belle had stayed at Apple Bloom's place, all to just avoid me.

“The Equestria games are just days away, I’m so excited!”  Twilight beamed, hovering in the air to rearrange some books in the book shelf.

“It’s sure gonna be awesome that’s for sure! Scotoaloo seems pretty excited about it too!” Rainbow Dash beamed.

“You and her have become really close lately,” Twilight smiled, noticing the close bond between the two ponies.

“I love the kid, taking her under my wing was a good move on my part, she’s got attitude, I like that, I love those four crusaders,” Rainbow Dash fondly spoke. "Although I'm a little worried about Flick."

"Why?" Twilight paused from rearranging her books.

"I saw him earlier, when I was on my way here and he said - "

“My friends pretty much hate me,” I spoke sadly looking towards the ground.

“What? How the hay do you think that?” Rainbow Dash gasped.

“I’ve been upset because of all the arguments we have and I told them... I said I would have been better off staying in Manehatten." I sniffled.

"Yikes..."

"I keep spending time with Fuzzy because we won't argue... pets just don't cause rifts between you like friends can I guess."

“Oh I know what that’s like,” Rainbow Dash started. I looked up at her slightly confused. “Look kid, I know you love Fuzzy, I know what it’s like to love a pet.”

“You love Tank don’t you?” I smiled slightly. I loved seeing Rainbow Dash’s sensitive side.

“More than anything, when Fluttershy was helping me choose a pet, I was immature about it, I wanted fast, flying, awesome… I wanted a pet that was cool and lightning fast and it was selfish of me,” Rainbow Dash fondly thought of her loyal pet. “Tank came through for me, helped me when I needed him because he was loyal to me, even after I’d treated him unfairly and assumed he’d not be the right pet for me. I love him to bits,” Rainbow dash smiled, looking down at me and Fuzzy.

“Fuzzy is always there for me too,” I looked down to the small ferret scurrying around the ground.

“Exactly, but so are your friends, your crusader friends, me, Rarity and the gang we’re all here for you," Rainbow Dash spoke confidently. "Think about everything you've been through since you came here, all the trouble you crusaders have gotten in to, but you've all stuck together still, loyalty is what ties friends together."

“I just want to be a good owner and a good friend,” I sighed.  “I’ve been a bad friend haven’t I…” I cried slightly.

“Not at all, you’ve just been a caring owner, you know what, I have an idea. Come to Sugarcube corner in an hour!” Rainbow Dash started to head off.

"Sugarcube corner? What for?"

Rainbow Dash turned back to me, "Your aunt Rainbow Dash has a plan! be there!"

I stared for a moment as I saw her walk off, oblivious to the ponies in the street walking past me, I was lost in my own world.

"Sugarcube corner?" Twilight asked, "Was Flick okay? what are you planning?"

"Oh you're going to love it, I've planned something pretty awesome!"

I entered the familiar setting of Sugarcube corner, a place me and my friends spent so much time, suddenlyI heard a loud blast of confetti and cheers.

“Surprise!" Everypony called out in unison.

I was fairly surprised that’s safe to say, my mouth dropped as I glanced around, Twilight, Rarity and all their friends were here, along with the other three crusaders.

“Happy Friendship appreciation day!” Pinkie Pie cheered.

“Glad you could join us kiddo!” Rainbow Dash winked at me, she stood next to my crusader friends.

“Friendship appreciation day?” I couldn’t keep the smile from my face.

“The day that celebrates friendship and what it means to us and the loyalty that comes with it!” Twilight stepped forward smiling down at me. "This party was going to be one of Pinkie's usual random parties, but Rainbow Dash had a different idea."

I looked at Rainbow Dash and smiled.

“This is a day to appreciate all friends furry and small,” Fluttershy spoke gently at me and Fuzzy.

“And all friends loyal and cool!” Rainbow Dash winked.

“All friends hard working and honest!” Applejack took her hat off and smiled warmly at me.

“All friends that love to party!” Pinkie bounced.

“All caring family and friends.” Rarity added, gently pushing my three crusader friends forward towards me.

My three best friends stood in front of me and smiled. “All friends that are loyal crusaders to the end!” They spoke together.

It was safe to say I was speechless but I managed to force a few words out.

I looked down sadly. "I'm sorry, I know i misplaced my loyalty, I didn't mean what I said earlier."

“Well that’s why it’s a special day, a day to reflect on life and appreciate your friends,” Twilight smiled.

"You're all young, you're going to argue every now and then... hey, even we do," Rainbow Dash glanced around at her best friends. "But we're all together still, we're all loyal to each other, because friendship is something that lasts, and is worth fighting for."

I smiled and walked over to my three best friends, "You guys... I - "

"We know," Sweetie Belle smiled, "Rainbow Dash told us how miserable you were earlier, so we know you didn't mean anything you said. We're crusaders Flick, we'll never let an argument destroy us again."

"We're going to stick together forever!" Apple Bloom cheered.

"Miss Rainbow Dash, I don't know what to say..." I turned to the pegasus that stood behind me.

"You've learnt a pretty good lesson now I hope, if you four are loyal to each other, you'll find you never fall out again."

I nodded with a grin on my face, for a day that had started terribly, everything had worked out.

"Come on, open it! what grade did you get?" Scootaloo egged Sweetie Belle to open the letter.

Sweetie Belle stared nervously at the envelope.  "Here goes nothing..." she eagerly tore open the envelope and scanned the letter carefully.

"I... what?" her mouth dropped open. "An A?"

"You got an A?" I put my hooves to my mouth in excitement.

"Eighty seven percent... that's an A!" Scootaloo glanced at the results.

"I can't believe I got an A!" Sweetie Belle was thrilled, she would be able to stay living here with me and Rarity.

"For real! I'm so happy for you!" I beamed embracing my cousin. "That means you can stay!"

"Oh I'm so happy! I did it!" Sweetie Belle squeaked unbelievably happy.

"So I still got the highest!" I beamed.

Sweetie Belle shot a glance at me.

"But hey... lets not argue about it." I quickly shut my mouth. I glanced over towards Rainbow Dash who winked at me, I couldn't help the huge smile I returned.

Next Chapter: Chapter 12: Unexpected Change Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 7 Minutes