It had been a pretty eventful time in Ponyville for me recently, my mother had visited and I’d just rebuilt my relationship with her and for a while after that I really took the valuable advice I’d been given from Octavia to heart. So skipping to the next big part of this story, a very special day for my beloved cousin.

“Happy birthday Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo bounced happily in to Carousel Boutique with Apple Bloom swiftly following.

“You’re one year older now!” Apple Bloom grinned, hugging her friend.

“Thank you guys!” Sweetie Belle squeaked playfully.

I sat next to my cousin on our bed; the other two soon joined us. “How’s it feel to be old?” I asked jokingly.

I was the youngest of us crusaders, yet I often felt like the most mature... I mean come on, I'm totally the mature one right?

“Hey don’t talk to your elders like that.” Sweetie Belle laughed. “I feel so old now…” She suddenly got lost in thought.

“Oh Sweetie Belle you’re still so young! I do miss being so carefree at your age…” Rarity had walked in to check on us. “Oh but do open the present I got for you!” She eagerly pointed to the small wrapped gift that remained on the bedside table.

“Oh I wonder what this could be…” Sweetie Belle groaned to us, quietly enough that Rarity didn’t hear.

I’ve mentioned before how Rarity seemed to always make us some form of winter clothing at any gift giving opportunity, she’d often make us some rather comfy wooly scarfs, hats, or just about anything.

“Another scarf maybe?” Sweetie Belle asked Rarity.

“I love the scarfs she makes!” I spoke happily.

“Since when?” Scootaloo scoffed.

“The last one she made me is comfy.” I defended Rarity’s work.

“And bright green.” Apple Bloom pulled a face of disgust.

“It seemed to go down well at show and tell.” I reasoned, pulling the scarf from under the bed, I wrapped it around my neck. “And something about this scarf… is just, I don’t know…”

“Icky?” Scootaloo asked.

“So not your color?” Apple Bloom added.

“Special.” I finished, smiling down at the comfy scarf I was wearing.

Truth is it was, the green scarf was actually very special, but that comes in to the story later, much later. I will say though, without it, I’d probably not be sitting here telling you this story now. It’s amazing what a scarf can do, without it I wouldn’t have my cutie mark.

Sweetie Belle had unwrapped the gift to find a comfy looking pink wooly hat, as usual, hoof made by Rarity.

“It’s not even winter yet.” Scootaloo stared confusingly as Sweetie Belle held the hat.

“Do try your hat on Sweetie Belle!” Rarity giggled excitedly.

Sweetie Belle put the rather itchy hat on her head. “How does it look?” She looked around at us all as we stared blankly, Rarity was giggling happily.

“Why not check… the mirror?” Apple Bloom hesitated.

Sweetie Belle’s mouth dropped open wide. “The mirror? I… I don’t think I’m ready…” She put her hooves to her mouth.

I should explain, you see in Carousel Boutique, the place was full of mirrors naturally this was so Rarity could examine every inch of her dresses as she modeled them. However, the biggest mirror in the shop was huge glamorous mirror, towering above all the others, mounted on a wall just by Rarity’s work station, sparkling jewels surrounded the frame. Whenever Rarity looked in to that mirror, she’d see the most crystal clear reflection of herself sparkling in the light of the jewels.

There was just one problem.

“I can just about see the top of the hat!” Sweetie Belle attempted to jump several times to see herself. “It’s my birthday! I haven’t even grown an inch.” She sighed sadly.

Yeah, the mirror was mounted high up, just enough in fact that none of us crusaders were tall enough to even see the top of our heads in that thing.

Sweetie Belle pounded the floor with her front hoof. “It’s my birthday, I must have grown!”

“Now, Sweetie Belle, these things take time, I’ll be back in a moment I must prepare your birthday cake!” Rarity happily left the room.

“I hate being short.” Sweetie Belle groaned.

“Hey we’ll all grow, and one day we’ll be able to see ourselves in that beautiful mirror I guarantee it!” I tried to remain optimistic.

Apple Bloom glanced up at the mirror, frowning as she just saw the tip of her red bow at the bottom of it. “Well listen to the professional model here, that hat isn’t so amazing so you’re not missing out on much and Flick that magical amulet thing doesn’t suit you either.”

I ushered Apple Bloom to stay quiet. “Keep your voice down will you? I told Rarity it’s a gift my friend Daisy gave me. She doesn’t know it’s magical.”

“Does that thing really…” Scootaloo looked around cautiously. “You know, read minds?”

I nodded pulling off my scarf so I could look down at my amulet. “Yeah, it only seems to work for me.”

“Who gave that to you? And why? Any ideas?” Apple Bloom asked.

“None at all…” I shook my head.

“Eh, it still doesn’t suit you, it’s almost as bad as Sweetie Belle’s hat, I should know. I am the model!” Apple Bloom proclaimed proudly.

“I’m not having this argument again! Why do you have to be so rude Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle was angered at Apple Bloom’s passive aggressive attitude. “Flick say something!”

I shook my head and sat down. “Sorry… I’m loyal to all of you, I can’t pick sides!” I nodded confidently.

You remember I had learnt the lesson of loyalty from Rainbow Dash, the crusaders and I had been arguing constantly, so to avoid all the conflict I started to neglect my friends and spend more time with Fuzzy, my adorable ferret. Yet this caused more of a rift between us. Then your aunt Rainbow Dash threw me a party to show me that being loyal was truly important.

It really was a life lesson. I’d go on to learn a lesson from Rarity and her friends, all six lessons were a life changer for me. In fact not long from now I’d learn the next lesson from Applejack, but I’m getting to that part.

“Oh Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle don’t argue, oh my this is just like when Fluttershy became a model and I did find myself being ever so jealous of her…” Rarity had walked in to the room once more.

“You guys see what’s happening here right?” I quizzed my friends.

“No idea.” They all spoke in unison, clearly not wanting me to elaborate.

“Miss Fluttershy was a model once! She told me all about it.”

“And?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Now you’re a model and you and Sweetie Belle are arguing, we’re having similar adventures to Rarity and her friends, I knew it! We’re just like them!”

“Yeah! I can be the famous one though, I mean just look how amazing I look in this magazine!” Apple Bloom threw the magazine in front of us all.

The magazine featured a huge photo of ‘Apple Swoon’ on the front, in her not so scary outfit that failed to terrify at nightmare night.

“Oh look at my eyes in this photo, they’re just gleaming… no wonder everypony will swoon over me.” Apple Bloom spoke dreamily, admiring herself.

I took a deep breath. “Okay and just like Rarity and her friends, we’re going to sort this out like grown ups and not – “

“Oh and there’s an article in here about Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom quickly flicked through the pages.

“Wait what?” Sweetie Belle’s heart sank.

“Sweetie Belle slumped to the floor, taking off her hat and her ears dropped. “This is just the worst…” She buried her head in her hooves and remained still, wishing the ground would swallow her up.

“Would this be a bad time to say I have another photo shoot next week?” Apple Bloom added.

“Apple Bloom!” I argued.

“Hey hey calm down!” Apple Bloom ushered me to calm down. “And it’s Apple Swoon if you don’t mi- “

I shot Apple Bloom a harsh stare.

“Can we get on to the birthday beatings now?” Scootaloo pounded her hooves together.

Sweetie Belle immediately stood up. “Do that as much as you want, you can’t make me feel any worse than I already do.” She walked off with her head hung low, not uttering another word, leaving the room.

“It’s her birthday, today of all days can we not get in a silly fight?” I hissed.

“I wish we could cheer her up, I didn’t mean to upset her.” Apple Bloom spoke. “I’m just proud of myself is all!”

“I was joking about the beatings… totally joking.” Scootaloo cleared her throat.

“I don’t know what to do.” I sighed. “Miss Rainbow Dash would tell us all to be loyal right now, and if I know Miss Rainbow Dash, then I’m fairly sure she’d also - “

“Hold on just one second.” Scootaloo stopped me mid sentence.

“What is it?” I asked, looking around confused.

Scootaloo took a deep breath. “I get that you’re super polite and from the apparently posh part of Manehatten…” She screwed her nose up.  “But of all the ponies to call ‘Miss’, can you not call Rainbow Dash that?” She shook her head, folding her hooves as she sat on the floor.

I glanced left and right a few times as my brain began to work. “She’s a miss and her name is Rainbow Dash, so she’s miss Rainbow Dash.”

“It makes her sound way less awesome when you call her that, she’s the super fast amazingly awesome Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo stood up in excitement, before frowning.  “Not… ‘Miss’ Rainbow Dash, it makes her sound like some posh snob.”

“Well excuse me for being brought up with manners! Clearly your parents didn’t…” I stopped and thought for a moment.  “Okay I still have no idea who your parents are but still, it would sound odd to not call her Miss Rainbow Dash.”

“Says you with the silly name, Flufftail!” Scootaloo retorted, leaning towards me and grabbing my tail with her mouth and pulling it, like a rubber band it snapped back and caused a sharp pain as it struck my flank.

“Ouch!” I cried, tears immediately formed in my eyes at the sharp pain. “You…you yanked my tail.”

“Yep!” She gritted her teeth in annoyance, holding back laughter.

“I’ll have you know I take pride in my flufftail! You can’t just yank it!” I growled. “How dare you! I’ll have you know my mother and father would wash my mouth out with soap if I referred to anypony without an appropriate title!” I argued.

“Okay you two, hate to break up this pointless argument, but I’m feeling super guilty over here, and the birthday girl has literally walked out in tears.” Apple Bloom stood up, standing between us both.

“You’re right… we need to find a way to cheer her up.” I turned my attention away from Scootaloo.

“Okay arguments aside for now… any ideas?” Scootaloo was acting reasonable.

“Rarity will still be preparing the cake, Miss Twilight and the others will be coming around soon for the party… Sweetie Belle needs to be back by then!” I panicked.

“She’ll miss out on Rainbow Dash doing the totally awesome sonic rainboom!” Scootaloo was equally as panicked.

“Miss Rainbow Dash is actually doing a sonic rainboom for Sweetie Belle?”

Apple Bloom thought for a moment “Maybe we could – well… it’d be kind of hard.”

“Maybe we could what?” I asked, before the amulet around my neck began to glow a bright purple. “Oh I know exactly what you’re thinking! That… could work.”

“What is it?” Scootaloo asked, looking between us both.

I giggled at the idea Apple Bloom had. “Sweetie Belle wanted to be the model, so lets make her the model, lets have a fashion show!”

Sweetie Belle had walked around aimlessly for a few moments, grunting often as she walked past the busy ponies of Ponyville. “Silly Apple Bloom…  and she calls herself my friend.” She growled to herself.

“Oh Sweetie Belle!” A familiar cheery voice called.

Sweetie Belle immediately smiled, hiding her anger. “Hi Mrs. Cake!” Sweetie Belle smiled at the familiar face.

“Oh it’s that special day finally isn’t it!” Mrs. Cake smiled.

“Yup it is!” Sweetie Belle squeaked happily. Sweetie Belle’s mind was racing; Mrs. Cake was no doubt about to give her a huge birthday cake or a milkshake, surely something.

“Oh please do congratulate the special somepony for me.”

Sweetie Belle stopped in her tracks. “But I’m… It’s my – “

“Apple Bloom’s a star in a fashion magazine now, I’ve heard everypony talking about it, the magazine came out today! Oh how adorable!” Mrs. Cake sighed happily. “I must get myself a copy, I’ve always said she was so sweet, Applejack must be so thrilled for her!”

“Oh… yeah, go Apple Bloom.” Sweetie Belle spoke sarcastically. “Everypony loves Apple Bloom don’t they?” She shook her head in anger. “Stupid magazine, silly Apple Bloom… GRR!” She stormed off.

Mrs. Cake stood staring blankly as Sweetie Belle walked off. “Oh no… the stroppy stage…” She shook her head.

“Okay gang, we’re all set for this!” I made some adjustments to the small stage we had made. “And Scootaloo you’ve got the camera right?”

“Yep! But one problem, Sweetie Belle hasn’t come back yet.” Scootaloo looked around several times.

Apple Bloom sat down watching me and Scootaloo work. “How are we going to get her back here?”

“Leave that to Miss Pinkie!” I winked. “Oh miss Pinkie?” I called.

The eager pink pony ran from the other room, she, Twilight and her friends had arrived not long ago for the party. “Yesyesyesyes?” She bounced up and down.

“Find the birthday girl and bring her back here, and don’t mention anything about this surprise!”

Pinkie Pie nodded enthusiastically. “Yes sir Flicktailus!” She saluted me and immediately ran out of the room.

“It’s useful having Pinkie around.” Apple Bloom noted.

Sweetie belle sat alone in the clubhouse pondering, lost in her own thoughts.  "Happy birthday to me…” She leaned out of the window, watching several birds fly through the sky. “I bet I wont even have a birthday cake…”

And then the thought suddenly hit her.

Rarity sat next to Sweetie Belle. "Okay sweetie Belle! Blow out the candles and make a wish!" She gestured towards the burning candles on the huge birthday cake.

"Will it come true?" Sweetie Belle tapped her hooves together excitedly.

"Of course!" Rarity smiled at her sister.

"Okay I've got it!" Sweetie Belle blew out the candles. "I wished for -"

"Oh goodness no Sweetie Belle! Don't tell me, it won't come true!" Rarity immediately put her hoof to her little sisters mouth.

"Oops!" Sweetie Belle muttered. "But I need to tell somepony! Keeping a secret is hard!"

"Not a word to anypony!" Rarity spoke sternly.

"I wished that I'd become a beautiful model and that everypony in Ponyville would swoon over me! I mean Rarity told me not to tell anypony otherwise it would jinx it... But you're no pony!" Sweetie Belle sighed a huge sigh of relief having finally spilt her secret.

Gummy stared at Sweetie Belle blankly. Not flinching, the tiny alligator just stared, as it often did.

"What could go wrong?" Sweetie Belle patted Gummy happily.

“This is my worst nightmare!” Sweetie Belle cried, everypony in the costume contest audience was horrified to see Sweetie Belle covered in green slime.

“And that worked out well…” Sweetie Belle sighed to herself, suddenly her ears perked up. "If I make a wish... And don't tell a living soul, it will come true!" Sweetie Belle grinned.

“Happy birthday!” A sudden high-pitched voice boomed from behind Sweetie Belle.

“Oh my Pinkie, you made me jump!” Sweetie Belle turned to see the eager face of Pinkie Pie.

“Well that’s your birthday surprise sorted! Absolutely no more surprises, why not come back home and have a totally none surprising birthday?” Pinkie Pie patted Sweetie Belle's head.

“Pfft, I’m not going back there, Apple Bloom is being annoying and rubbing her success in my face.”

SPLAT!

Pinkie Pie had grabbed a cupcake seemingly from thin air and face planted her own face in to it.

“Pinkie what the – “

“Rubbing cupcakes in your face is more fun, and delicious!” Pinkie squeaked, using her tongue to swiftly lick the cupcake from her face. “Yummy! Now come on! Lets go back to Carousel Boutique!”

Sweetie Belle shook her head, staring out of the window. “I don’t want to go, I’ll stay here until the sun goes down, then my birthday is over and I can forget it happened.”

“But… but –“

And then your aunt Pinkie said the most amazing sentence she’d ever speak in her life, out of pure desperation.

“If you come back you can have free milkshakes forever from Sugarcube corner!” She suddenly put her hoof to her mouth realising what she had said.

Sweetie Belle shook her head. “Pinkie I told you I’m not – wait… free milkshakes forever?”

Pinkie nodded, clearly not thinking the plan through. “Sure! Mrs. Cake wont mind at all – “ She grinned nervously.

I’ve told you both how Sweetie Belle’s free milkshake forever guarantee almost put Sugarcube corner out of business right?

“I can have free milkshakes… forever?” Sweetie Belle spaced out for a moment, staring in to the distance. “Yummy…Okay deal!"

Oh milkshakes, the one thing Sweetie Belle would do anything for.

“Then lets go!” Pinkie grabbed Sweetie Belle and galloped out of the clubhouse, swiftly heading back to Carousel Boutique.

“Pinkie you’re running way too quickly, what’s the rush?” Sweetie Belle panicked, she sat on top of Pinkie’s back attempting to stay on.

“I’m not running! This is how I walk!” Pinkie yelled.

Sweetie Belle tightened her grip to stay on Pinkie’s back “Is this how you get to places so fast and seemingly appearing out of thin air?”

“Oh no silly! When I want to do that, I just teleport!”

“How is that even possible? You’re not even a unic –“ Sweetie Belle was unable to finish before Pinkie bounced happily.  “Whoa careful Pinkie!” She nearly fell off.

“Here we are birthday girl!” Pinkie immediately stopped, Sweetie Belle fell off her back, barely landing on her hooves.

“Happy… birthday to… me.” Sweetie Belle fell over in a daze, attempting to not be sick.

“Come on lets go inside!” Pinkie grabbed Sweetie Belle and took her inside, Sweetie Belle put her hoof to her mouth after composing herself from the motion sickness.

As soon as Sweetie Belle entered the room, she noticed the lights were all off, the entire room was shrouded in darkness.

“Everypony stamp your hooves for the beautiful Sweetie Belle!” Rarity’s voice suddenly came.

“What’s going on?” Sweetie Belle turned to Pinkie Pie who smiled at her excitedly without answering. Suddenly the lights turned on, lighting the whole room.

“Happy birthday!” Everypony called in unison.

Sweetie Belle glanced around to see all of her friends, the crusaders, Twilight and her friends and of course Rarity. “Is this a birthday party?” She asked surprised. “I know I had one last year but I thought this year – “

“This is more than a birthday party, this is a fashion show!” Apple Bloom stepped forward. “For you!”

“But I… I’m not the model… you’re the – “

“Selfish one.” Apple Bloom shook her head.  “I’m the selfish one… but ya need to know, I never meant to act that way.”

“We’re friends… I never wanted to be so jealous.” Sweetie Belle felt her eyes filling with tears. “I’m sorry.”

“Miss Rainbow Dash taught me the lesson of loyalty, and now we’ve all learnt it, why argue when we can be supportive of each other?” I stepped forward, smiling back at Rainbow Dash.

YANK!

Scootaloo had leapt forward, biting my tail and pulling it once more, it snapped back and struck me yet again.

“Ouch! Scootaloo! WHY?”

“You called her miss again.” Scootaloo whispered to me, before smiling again at Sweetie Belle.

“You’re the prettiest pony in Ponyville Sweetie Belle.” Scootaloo smiled.

“I… thank you Scootaloo I – “

“You’re the prettiest pony in Ponyville Sweetie Belle.” Apple Bloom cheered.

“Apple Bloom thank you –“

“You’re the prettiest pony in Ponyville Sweetie Belle!”  Everypony else in the room stepped forward.

Sweetie Belle blushed as the compliments from all of her friends made her feel like she truly was the most beautiful pony in Ponyville.

“You’ll be a much better model than I was sweetie!”  Fluttershy stepped forward embracing Sweetie Belle. “I’m sure in the future you’ll grow up to be just as fabulous as your sister.” She whispered caringly.

Sweetie Belle probably doubted herself still back then, if only she knew just how fabulous she’d grow up to be.

“Oh I must get a beautiful framed photo of you Sweetie Belle!” Rarity wiped away a tear.

“But I’m not wearing a special dress or anything.” Sweetie Belle’s ears dropped. “How can I be pretty?”

“You don’t need a dress to be pretty Sweetie Belle, you’re perfect the way you are.” Rarity wiped a tear away from her sister’s face, hugging her tightly.

“It’s a good job you don’t have a dress Sweetie Belle remember what Fuzzy did to Rarity’s fashion parade dress.” I laughed at the memory. “Where is he anyway?”

“He’s over there just staring out the window.” Scootaloo pointed.

“Hm… I’ll go see if he’s okay.” I walked over to the tiny unusually quiet ferret.

“Now Sweetie Belle I must have a lovely photo of you on your birthday!” Rarity took the camera and used her hoof to adjust her sister’s mane slightly.

“Wait there’s something I need to wear!” Sweetie Belle quickly ran in to her room.

“Oh Sweetie no! I told you, you’re beautiful even without a dress, you don’t need – “ Rarity suddenly stopped as Sweetie Belle walked back in to the room.

“I think this item is pretty special though.” Sweetie Belle smiled as she wore the pink hat Rarity had made for her.

Rarity put her hoof to her mouth, smiling happily trying not to tear up again.

Meanwhile I was sat by the window. “Hey Fuzzy what’s up?” I asked the small ferret who was simply staring outside, upwards towards the sky. “Pal? Are you okay?”

Fuzzy simply stared, not moving a muscle, the blank expression could almost be one of fear.

“What’s out there Fuzzy?” I leaned out and stared up at the peaceful sky, I glanced down at the amulet on my neck, which now began to glow an unusual red. “What’s happening?” I panicked.

The light began to glow red and flash at a rapid rate, as if it was attempting to warn me about something, without thinking I took it off and threw it to the floor, at which point, the red glow quickly stopped, the centerpiece changed to it’s usual purple in an instant. “What is going on?” I looked down to the amulet and back to the sky. My panic was quickly interrupted by the loud cheers of everypony in the room. I hurriedly place the amulet back around my neck, pausing for a moment to ensure it didn't glow red.

“Three cheers for Sweetie Belle everypony!” Rainbow Dash hovered in the air, holding Sweetie Belle.

Everypony in the room cheered loudly.

I glanced back towards Fuzzy who had suddenly snapped out of his unusual state at the sound of the cheering, eagerly sniffing around before climbing up my hoof and on to my head. I decided to quickly join the others to ensure nopony suspected anything.

“Thank you all so much!” Sweetie Belle was almost shaking with happiness. “And thank you for the hat Rarity, you’re the best sister ever! I promise I’ll wear it every winter!”

“And I promise I’ll wear my green scarf every winter too.” I smiled, still nervously looking down at the amulet.

"You have something around your neck right now Flick, I've been noticing that all evening." Twilight squinted as she observed my amulet. "What is that? It looks like - "

"It's just a plain old necklace my friend Daisy Spring from Manehatten gave to me!" I grinned, trying to convince Twilight.

"It sure looks magical!" Twilight smiled playfully.

"It totally isn't!" I laughed, clearing my throat.

"Anyway birthday girl." Rarity stood up. “I think it’s time you saw how beautiful you really are.” Rarity looked lovingly down towards her sister.

“What do you mean?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Rarity scooped Sweetie Belle up in her hooves and lifted her up high, just enough so for the first time ever, Sweetie Belle could see herself in the mirror we had never once been able to gaze in to.

“Whoa…” Sweetie Belle admired her own reflection, the light reflecting off the jewels surrounding the giant mirror, making her mane and entire face sparkle, her white coat was gleaming she looked beautiful. “I look…"

“You’re beautiful.” Rarity smiled.

Sweetie Belle made eye contact with Rarity through the mirror, and returned the smile, glancing back at herself, her smile only growing wider, for a moment time seemed to stop, as both sisters stared in to the beautiful mirror.

“I’m proud of you all! You’ve really shown the true power of loyalty, to think a few months ago, you’d have probably all fallen out for days over this!” Rainbow Dash sighed contently. “I really taught you a good lesson!” She winked at me.

“We really are loyal to each other now Miss Rainbow Dash, we’ll always stay – “

"Again? Whoa I'm going to be doing this a lot..." Scootaloo muttered to herself.

YANK!

She had yanked my tail once more.

“GAH!” I cried in pain. “Scootaloo!”

“Every. Single. Time.” Scootaloo stared at me with determination.

I gulped, everypony else was too busy admiring Sweetie Belle to worry about my newfound dilemma with Scootaloo.

And so a while later, we did the usual birthday tradition.

“Rarity?” Sweetie Belle sat in front of her birthday cake, everypony had gathered around to watch.

“Yes Sweetie Belle?”

“Do you think I could be a model someday? For real?” She asked.

“You’re the prettiest pony in all of Equestria Sweetie Belle.” Rarity stroked her sister’s mane. “You can do anything you want.”

Sweetie Belle blew out the candles, her eyes tightly shut. “Maybe this wish will come true.” She smiled to herself.

The amulet around my neck began to glow purple once more, I quickly took it off my neck and cast it aside. "If I read Sweetie Belle's mind I'll know what her wish is and it wont come true." I spoke up to Fuzzy quietly so nopony else could hear me, I glanced back to my cousin who was now being hugged by Rarity. "And Sweetie Belle of all ponies deserves her dreams to come true."