CHAPTER 9

Cutie Mark Chronicles! Part 1

“Ack! Dash! Get your nasty tail out of my mouth!” I jerked my head back, trying to spit the hair out. “Come on...get off of me!” I started jabbing my hooves into her side, getting tired groans. “I’ll admit you got a nice ass but I rather it not be in my face when I wake up!” Somehow during the night, Dash had turned herself around and was on her back laying on me. “Dash! I am not your bed!”

The block headed mare just flicked me in the face with her tail and started snoring again. “Oh I see...Time to play dirty then.” I muttered under my breath. Only wincing slightly as I pulled a small globule of the crystal liquid out of my leg, I formed it into the desired object. A long needle. I grinned deviously as I stabbed it into her flank, right at the point of the lightning bolt.

“YEEEOOOWWCH!” Success! Dash bounced up off of me and tumbled to the floor. Her head popped up, angry glare coming my way. “What the hay, Newbie?! Why did you do that?!” I grinned as I spun the needle around.

“I wanted your ass out of my face and you wouldn’t wake up to me being nice about it but...I think I got my point across.”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Oh hahaha. Very funny.” She yawned and laid her head down on the bed. “What time is it?”

I got up and flew over to the window. “Dawn. The sun is just now coming up over the horizon.” I heard Dash grumble and she started for the door. I followed quickly behind, only stopping to pick up the large glob of crystal from yesterday out of my guestroom. I fitted it on and followed her downstairs. “So...What time does the school open up?”

Dash frowned as she turned towards the kitchen. “Um...maybe in another couple hours? I should be gone before then. We are going over to Rarity’s after breakfast. She can take you to the school afterwards.”

I froze. “W-what? Rarity’s? You are going to leave me alone with her?!” Dash nodded. “What hell have you condemned me to?” I chased after her. “Why am I going there?! Do you know what she’ll do to me?!”

Dash sighed. “Calm down, Newbie.” She opened the fridge. “Rarity isn’t all the bad and she is the only one that can watch you.” Dash pulled out the milk. “Everypony else has a full schedule and aren’t you going with her to the spa later?”

“Yes, but this is with Fluttershy...in public. Not alone in her place with no other pony to see!”

Dash sighed as she sat the milk down on the table. “Newbie, there is nothing to worry about. Sweetie Belle is going to be there. I really don’t see why you are getting so worked up about this.” Dash flew up to the cupboard and pulled out some cereal. “It’s just for a little bit and then Twilight is suppose to be taking over. “

I frowned. “Wait...when did you all have time to plan a schedule like this?”

Dash deadpanned as she landed at the table. “When you were out at the Library. Twilight is an egghead when it comes to organizing and stuff like that.” Dash almost started pouring out cereal but quickly realized there is no bowl. “She came up with a foalsitting schedule in like ten seconds flat.” The pegasus went to retrieve some bowls.

I just stared at Dash. “Oh? So I am some sort of foal that needs sitting?”

“I didn’t mean it like that, Newbie.” Dash came back with the bowls and set them down. “She does that sort of thing with all of us. She has a big chart in her room with everypony’s work schedule and planned events and all that. This thing with you has thrown her all in a loop so she is dealing with it the best she can.”

I huffed as I watched Dash pour her a bowl of cereal and then hoofed the milk to me. “Thank you.” I started to feel a bit guilty as something came to my mind. I really shouldn’t be arguing. Dash has taking me in and is caring for me without any pay and Rarity is taking me to the spa later so a few hours with her this morning wouldn’t kill me, even if I had to wear a dress or two.

I sighed as I pulled my cereal. “She is going to put me in a dress.”

Rainbow Dash was giving me the milk at this point. “Yeah. You can bet she has it waiting for you at her place.”

I began pouring milk into my bran, oats and raisins. “You know...I used to eat cereal like this back where I am from. Back on earth... Some cereal with a piece of buttered and honeyed toast. A tall glass of OJ. That was a normal breakfast for me...” I placed the milk down and put the pop cap back on. I scooped up a spoonful and put it in my mouth. “Oh wow. The oats and stuff make the milk pretty sweet.”

“Nah. The milk is always sweet like that when it’s fresh...er. The milk mare just brought it the other morning.”

I nodded as I took another bite. “Cows here make a lot sweeter milk than back where I come from.“

“That milk ain’t from a cow.”

My spoon stopped halfway to my mouth. “Huh?”

Dash leaned against the table as she took a bite. “Twi, Pinkie and Fluttershy use cow milk, I think. It is cheaper and you can get a lot more of it. Me and Aj don’t. It doesn’t have the proper nutrients for a working pony’s body.”

The word milk mare went through my head again. “So...when you said milk mare.”

Dash tilted her head. “Yeah. She lives on the other side of town. Got all the best equipment and all that. She even gives out pamphlets of her diet and all. Real professional about it.” She took another bite of cereal. I just looked down at mine. Oh who gives a fuck. I dipped my spoon in and took another bite.

There wasn’t much else said through breakfast. After breakfast we took a shower, apart, and then headed out for a morning lesson. Dash didn’t let up as she drilled me, making sure I was getting the basics down. It wasn’t all that easy and I was sore by the time we started for Rarity’s but I was definitely showing improvement.

There was certainly a large amount of dread as the boutique came into view. When we landed, Dash tossed me a small bag. There was a clinking as I caught it. “There are some bits for lunch or something.” Where did the bag come from? As I wondered this, Rainbow Dash went up to the door and knocked.

She was met by a bouncing little filly and a burning smell “Hi Rainbow Dash! I was just making breakfast for my sister. Come on...in.” She slowed down when she saw me. “Who is that?”

I tucked the bag of bits under the crystal chestplate and turned to the filly. “Oh hello, Sweetie. My name is Crystal.” Sweetie Belle’s head tilted to the side and her eyes went wide. Rainbow Dash didn’t seem to notice.

“Yeah, Crystal is going to be spending some time with you and your sister this morning and then going to school with you two.” This seemed to knock Sweetie out of her stupor.

“Oh...is she the pony Rarity was making those dresses for?” I just groan and fell to the ground.

“I will just die right here.” Dash rolled her eyes with Sweetie Belle giving me a weird look.

“Alright then, Newbie. I have to get going. Um...Good luck and have fun?” Dash scratch the back of her head. “See ya later.” Rainbow Spread her wings and quickly took off, leaving me with a grinning filly.

“Um..Hi?”

Sweetie Belle giggled. “Come on. I am sure we’ll have enough for you to eat too!” I was so glad I had already eaten breakfast when the acrid smell of smoke entered my nose. She lead me through the boutique and into the kitchen. When I laid my eyes on the room, one thought entered my head.

How can one little filly make such a huge mess?!

There was...something on the walls and floor. Smoke coming from a pot on the stove. It looked like she used orange juice in substitute of milk for the cereal. “Oh wow...Sweetie Belle...Your sister is going to throw a fit!”

“What?” The filly looked around as if just seeing the kitchen for the first time. “Oh no! I am going to get in so much trouble! She is still mad at me for ruining one of the dresses she was making last night.” The filly started pouting. Adorable!

“Don’t worry, Sweetie. I’ll help you clean up.” I owed her for the dress. “Come on. Show me where all the cleaning supplies are.”

The little pony hopped over to the sink, elated at the thought of me helping. She threw open the cabinet doors to reveal a plethora of cleaning supplies. Rarity seemed well prepared for any mess. Given her personality, though, it was to be expected. “Ok...wow. Hmm. Let’s get started then.” I split my chest piece into several different hand-like shapes.

Sweetie Belle gasped. “Whoa! How did you do that?! It’s so neat!”

I grinned. “It’s just something I can do. I guess you could say it’s my special talent.”

“But how are you doing that? You’re a pegasus and pegasi aren’t suppose to be able to use magic.”

“Eeyup. That’s what I am told.” I reached with the hands to grab some supplies. It was tough to control several pieces at once but I didn’t back down. I loved the way Sweetie Belle was watching me in amazement as I used the crystal to start to clean.

I was impressed. The little filly could make a mess but she sure knew how to clean up quick. She kept up with me every step of the way. About fifteen minutes and a sweaty brow later, the kitchen was spotless. “Nice work, Sweetie!” I held my hoof out to her as I reattached the crystal around my chest. She bumped my hoof with hers, big grin on her face.

“Oh my. You two did an absolutely splendid job of cleaning. I really must thank you for your help, Crystal.”

Sweetie and me whipped around to see Rarity standing at the door, a little plate and cup in her magical grasp. The mare walked in and set them on the table. “So, Crystal, what brings you by this early in the morning? Are you wanting to model for me? Now, it would be just rude of me to say no to that request.” She let out a little titter and sat at the table. I just froze.

“Um...Rainbow Dash said that you were going to watch me while she works...”

Rarity stared at me for a second and smiled. “Oh darling, it is really unladylike to make jokes like that. There isn’t anyway I could. I got a big order in yesterday and I am just going to be swamped for the better part of the week. Anyways, weren’t you going to be working for Rainbow Dash? I thought that was the plan.”

I cringed. “Well...technically it was but...something sort of popped up and...um.” I rubbed my foreleg with my free hoof and turned away from Rarity, feeling heat spread across my face. Unfortunately I turned to stare into Sweetie Belle’s big curious green eyes.

“Well, what is it, Crystal? Is there something the matter?”

I groaned and leaned in close to the fashionista. “Um...last night, Rainbow Dash told me I may be going into...estrus...soon.” I spoke low so that Sweetie couldn’t hear me but the little filly stared at me the entire time I spoke. “She said I had a little preshock last night.” A small smile played at Rarity’s lips. “I went to Twilight’s last night to see if she had something on the subject since it would be my first time.” Rarity nodded, listening to every word I said. “So she suggested I go to the school today because Cheerilee would have stuff on it..”

“Yes, I suppose she would, but I just simply don’t have the time to stay at the school this morning. I hardly have time to take Sweetie there.” The unicorn sighed. “I am sorry, Crystal. The customer has paid in advance and paid for the materials as well. It isn’t the type of job I could turn down either and with the spa trip this afternoon...”

I grinned. “I have a solution but you would have to trust me.” Rarity gave me a hard stare. “I could take Sweetie Belle to school. I assume she knows the way. That way I can go and get what I need and there wouldn’t be as much pressure on you.”

Rarity stared at me for a moment to sized me up. “...I do trust you.” She sighed and seemed to relax. “I guess it couldn’t hurt anything... I am putting my faith in you, Crystal.”

I gave a little bow. “Your generosity will not be misused, Lady Rarity.” The red could be seen across her face. I whipped around to Sweetie Belle suddenly and raised a brow. “Hmm...So you heard that?” The filly nodded. “You think you could handle it?”

She did a little hop. “Yes yes yes! Come on!” Sweetie started pushing me through the Boutique causing Rarity to chase after us.

“Sweetie. It’s a bit early to be heading out.”

Sweetie stopped with me at the door. “I know Sis, but there is something I really need to talk to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo about!” The filly opened the door and pushed me out. I only caught a glimpse of Rarity’s smile before the door closed. We weren’t four feet from the door before Sweetie Belle jumped on my back. “Come on. Let’s go to Apple Bloom’s first.” I nodded and started walking to the street. “Uh, what are you doing?”

“Huh?”

I felt the filly climb on top of my head. I looked up to see her staring down at me. “Come on. We have to fly. We’ll never make it on hoof!” My smile slowly turned into a frown.

“Sweetie Belle. I have never flown with someone else on my back before. I not sure if I could.” I have been improving in my flight but I still wasn’t anywhere near as good as a normal pegasus. Dash told me I was just above Fluttershy on her scale. That wasn’t too inspiring to my confidence.

“Aww. Come on, Crystal. I am sure it’s easy.” She climbed off my head. “What about this stuff?” She tapped my crystal armor with a hoof. “You can make things out of it, right? Just make something so I don’t fall!” Clever girl.

“Hmm...” I furrowed my brow and looked back at the filly. Big mistake. Sweetie Belle was giving me the biggest, green puppy dog eyes. “I...uhg...err...ok.” I couldn’t say no to that face. I heard a little squee from my back and I chuckled. “Now hold still.”  I let the crystal creep up the filly’s hooves a bit and hardened, securing her to my back.

“Oh! This is so cool!” I smiled as I could feel her bounce around a bit. Not that there was much she could do like that. I dug my hooves into the ground and spread my wings. I rolled my shoulders and jumped up, pumping my wings hard to compensate for the extra weight.

Too much compensation. I nearly flipped us but was able to regain control quickly, hoping Sweetie Belle didn’t notice my near screw up. “Woo Hoo!! This is great! Higher Crystal!” Something tells me she didn’t notice. I flew higher, up past the clouds. I wheeled around and landed on one of them. “This is so amazing! We’re up so high!”

I chuckled. “Yeah...Now where is there farm at?” I could tell she moved a bit but resigned to her ensnared fate.

“Um...it’s to the right, with all those big trees.”

I felt like an idiot when I saw the obvious farmlands to the right. “Oh...yeah.” I took a leap off the cloud and spread my wings to gently glide towards Sweet Apple Acres. I heard the filly on my back sigh. “What’s wrong, Sweetie Belle? Did you want me to dive or something?”

“No! That’s alright. I like this actually...We’re really high up.” I chuckled again. I don’t know if it was because of Dash’s training or natural pegasus instinct but it didn’t feel like we were too high. I knew... no...felt that if something happened and we did fall, that we would only get a little bruised and battered but nothing serious depending on how we fell. It was weird. I increased our descent as we neared the farmlands, inciting a gasp from the filly.

“Are you scared?”

“Um...yeah, a little. It was fun flying up but I don’t think it’s so fun going down.” I nodded. I wasn’t afraid of heights as a human but I could understand the fear. Also, being a small, ground dwelling pony might have some instinctual fear associated with flying. Anywho, I slowed my descent, meaning we had to circled around before landing near the farmhouse. I barely had time to fold my wings before Sweetie yelled from the top of her lungs. “AppleBloom!!! Scootaloo!!!”

Cringing wouldn’t be able to describe what I did but I guess it has to do. I gritted my teeth and ‘cringed’ as the filly yelled at the back of my head. It didn’t take but two seconds for the called fillies heads to pop up in a second story window. They waved and the heads disappeared. “H-hey Sweetie Belle...Would you like to get down now?” My voice sounded strange with my ears still ringing.

“Yes please.”

Such a sweet tone betrayed her true potential. I let the crystal slide off of her hooves and helped her down just as the two other Crusaders dashed out of the house, followed by a bedraggled looking AJ.  “Now ya'll just hold yer...” She froze when she saw me. “Oh...uhh, Hello Crystal. What might bring ya here this morning...alone.”

I gave my best ‘I’m not doing anything bad I promise’ smile as Sweetie Belle ran to the other and pulled them into a huddle. “Oh. Rarity got a really big order in last night and” -I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to tell her- “I am doing her a favor by taking Sweetie to school...I thought you would be out in the field by now. You alright?”

The question seemed to catch her a bit off guard. “Yeah. I...uhh...I just caught a bit of a cold.” Worst liar ever. “Big Mac is taking over for me until I get...um...better.” Wait...It couldn’t be.

“Does this type of cold begin with an E?” Bingo.

Applejack’s eyes grew big. “Y-yeah.” She admitted.

I suppressed a chuckle poorly. “Yeah...I was just going over to the school to research this type of...cold. Dash thinks I might be coming down with it. I seemed to have shown some...symptoms last night.” I could feel my face grow hot. The farm pony eyed me then grin. “If you want, I could escort AppleBloom and Scootaloo to school as well. I am headed that way.”

Now she looked worried. “Yah sure you could handle them, sugarcube? They can be a hoofful at times...”  

I held a hoof out to stop her. “Don’t worry. I know what kind of hijinks these three can pull. I will be fine.” AJ didn’t seem wholly convinced. “I got it, AppleJack. It’s just taking them to school. I am sure they know the repercussions of missing that.” The mare sighed.

“Well, I guess since yer taking Sweetie Belle anyways, it couldn’t be much more of a difference.” She started fidgeting a bit. “Uhh, You all have fun. I’m gonna...um...lay down.” She quickly retreated back into the house. I couldn’t help but laugh as I turned to the three fillies now in my care. The three fillies in my care...Oh gods, what have I done? I knew nothing about children, much less foals and all that. I could feel a bead of sweat starting to make it’s way down my forehead.

“H-hello girls.” All at once, they looked up. “Let’s get going to school, alright? I don’t think Miss Cheerilee would be happy if you’re late.” The CMC turned to me and approached with innocent smiles.

“So is it true?” Scootaloo tilted her head as if to look past me. I almost instantly felt a hoof jab into my flank from the other side.

“It is! There ain’t no cutie mark on her!” I wheeled my head around to stare at AppleBloom. She blushed and backed off a bit.

I then felt a tapping on my chest plate. “What is this? Some sort of armor? Are yah with some of them guard ponies from the other day?”

Sweetie Belle took this time to clear her throat. “Girls. Remember what I said? This would be perfect for a Crusader acquisition!”  

“An acka what now?” AB stared at Sweetie with a confused look. “I don’t know about that but I say we should try an’ get her ta join the Cutie Mark Crusaders.”

“That’s what I said!”

“No ya didn’t. You were wantin’ to whack her or somethin’.”

“That isn’t even close to what she said, AppleBloom.”

They started bickering between one another loudly. “Girls...Girls!” Nothing. “Girls!!!!!” I slid the crystal off my chest and to my hoof, forming a hammer and slamming it on the ground. That got their attention. “Now,” I let the crystal form into a ball and float over my head. “How about we start going to school?”

“That is awesome! How can you do that?”

“Yeah. I don’t see no horn on ya. What kind of magic is that?”

“Girls please. We’re going to be late.” I stared pleadingly at them. They didn’t look swayed. “Um...How about I give you a ride on it?” I formed the crystal into a surfboard shape and lowered it in front of them. Their eyes lit up and they jumped on. I nearly dropped the thing from the extra weight.

“Come on, Crystal! Let’s go!” Sweetie Belle waved her hooves. I chuckled and started trotting back towards town with the three in tow. We barely had made it through the gate before I heard a collective sigh.

“Can’t we go any faster? It’s so lame going at this foal’s pace...”

“Ah agree with Scootaloo. This ain’t fun at all.”

I turn back to look at them and grinned. “So...you want to go fast?” Three heads nodded. “Ok then...you asked for it...” I tightened my grip on the crystal surfboard and spread my wings. “ALLONS-Y!”

I jolted forward, using my wings to propel my run. A squeal of delight from behind me brought a smile to my face. “I have no clue how to get to the school! You girls are going to have to guide me!”

A combined yell of “Left!” came from behind me.

“Hold on then!” I shifted my wings and dug my hooves into the ground as I made a sharp left. I heard the CMC yell out as they turned. I made sure to keep an eye on the weight of the board to make sure none of them fell off. Don’t want to get to the school and find out I lost a filly or two.

“RIGHT!”

I took the turn, speeding into town. This was exhilarating seeing townsponies flash by me. It seemed like there was barely any effort for me while I dodged the ponies in the street.  At the speed we were going at, we were in front of the school in no time flat. I sat there panting and sweating as the CMC hopped off the makeshift surfboard. “Wow Crystal. That was cool! Maybe not as cool as Rainbow Dash but still really cool.”  The little orange filly held her hoof up.

I chuckled as I bumped it then fell back on my haunches. “I’m glad you girls...liked it...” I wiped the sweat off my brow with a primary. “Maybe next time...you can pull me.” We all laughed.

AppleBloom turned to me. “Well, Crystal, Ya wanna join the Cutie Mark Crusaders? We’re always lookin’ fer new members.”

“Sure kid. I could hang out with you three, given Dash doesn’t work me ragged in days to come.”

“You’re working with Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo jumped on top of AppleBloom, filling my view. “That’s so awesome! So you’re going to be a weather pony too!”

I laughed. “Yeah. She doesn’t want a freeloader living with her so she put me to work.”

“YOU’RE LIVING WITH HER?!?!” Scoots looked shocked. “How...but...I...you...Aaah!” She yelped as AppleBloom flipped her getting up.

“Wait...Are you that weird mare my sis has been talkin’ about? The one she and Twilight found in the Everfr-”

“OH MY GOSH! IT’S YOU!!” I was then hit in the back by a small rocket propelled object, falling forward with an oomph.

“This is like, so totally amazing! I mean...This is totally amazing. I didn’t think I would see you here but then I did and now you are here and it’s amazing that you are sitting here and awesome as well. I saw you yesterday. You know yesterday? It happened before today and that’s when I saw you. You and Rainbow Dash. You were fighting. Not with each other, that wouldn’t be amazing but it is amazing what you did. You two were fighting that lizard. I mean dragon but are dragons lizards too. I guess it’s not important to this because this is amazing and the difference between lizards and dragons isn’t very amazing. I watched the fight between you and the dragon. It was so totally cool. It was like in a story how you slayed it. I say slayed because it doesn’t sound as awesome if I said killed and you were, like, totally awesome.”

I felt something clinging to my wing as I tried to ruffle them. I looked back to see a white little unicorn filly with a pink mane. She was grinning widely and gripping my wing. “Um...Hello?”

“Snow Dew...what are ya doin? Ya nearly made Crystal smash me!”

“Crystal? Is that her name?!” The little filly squeed. “That is a perfect name! You made those swords and everything. I saw. You wanna know how I saw? Because I was there, like I said before. Ooo! You’re wearing armor! Are you a knight?! Ser Crystal of Equestria! That is perfect. You are so awesome! You are my idol! I wanna be a knight just like you when I grow up.”

“Well, thank you...Snow Dew was it?” She nodded. “Thank you Snow Dew but I am not a knight. I have only recently come to Equestria.” She got a weird look on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“Well...you said you just came to Equestria so that must mean you don’t have a lot of friends here and...well...I was just wonder if maybe, and you don’t have to, most ponies don’t.” She slid off my wing and hooved at the ground a little bit. “Do you think, if you would like, we could be friends?” She looked at me, one eye staring at me as the other was hidden by her mane. Very Fluttershy-esque and very very cute.

“Of course!” I sat back up. “I would love to be your friend.” That face she had next could rival one of Pinkie Pie’s smile. She started bouncing around as I looked back to the CMC. “Hey girls...Do you only recruit those who don’t have their cutie mark?”

“You slayed a dragon?”

The question caught me a bit off guard. “Um..I guess I did. It attacked me and Dash. I don’t think it was going to run away either...Now, about my question.”

“Well, I guess that is who we’ve been tryin’ for...”

I smiled. “Well then, why not let Snow Dew join here too.” I looked back at the raving, bouncing filly. Her cutie mark was snowflake with a drop of water, dew, in front of it. “She may be able to introduce some new ideas for you three...us four.”

AppleBloom pulled Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo into a huddle. They whispered amongst themselves before looking up and forming a line. “Ok!”

“Yeah. We don’t mind as long as she is cool with it.”

I looked back to Snow Dew. “How does that sound? Wanna be a Cutie Mark Crusader with me?” The filly froze.

“BEST! DAY! EVER!” She then collapsed on the ground, unconscious.

“Uhh...Snow? You ok?”  I turned around and poked her. “Snow?” She just layed there with her eyes closed and a big smile. I picked her up and put her on my back, moving the armor around so she would have a comfy place in between my wings to rest. “Ok then...I think maybe we should go find Miss Cheerilee.” The CMC nodded in response.

Scootaloo looked up on my back. “What happened to her? Is she dead?”

“No Scootaloo. She just fainted.” I started walking toward the school building. “It happens sometimes when someone gets really excited or has a big enough shock.”

“She must be as lame as you three if she fainted from that!” That voice. I turned around to find Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walking up.

“Well hello, blank flanks! What are you three doing here?”

“It’s school, Diamond Tiara. why do ya think we’re here?”

She laughed. “Like any amount of school could help you three...” The filly seemed to notice me for the first time. “Who is this?”

“This here is Crystal Blossom. Mah sis said she just moved into Ponyville.”

“Is that so?” She looked me over. “...Heh....Ahhahahaha! Silver Spoon, look! She is a blank flank as well!” Silver Spoon just took a step back.

“Maybe you shouldn’t make fun of an adult, Diamond...”

“Oh please, SS. What is she going to do?”

“And what are you going to do, Diamond Tiara? What can you do?” I took a step towards her. “I mean really? What is your special talent?”

“It’s...well...umm”

“What’s wrong? Afraid of the truth? You don’t really have a talent, do you?”

“I do!”

“Then what is it? It has to be something incredible with the way you walk around, acting like you’re better than everyone else.” She didn’t say anything. “Unless your talent is grubbing money off your father or making snarky little comments to cover up your own insecurities, then I guess you really aren’t that good at anything, are you?” I stood over her, looking down while keeping my face forward.

Her will was devastated. She looked to Silver Spoon for support but the filly just looked away. “Well...I...I.” She suddenly turned around and ran, most likely back to her home. Now here is where the guilt sets in.

I sighed. “I think I may have overdid that but I just can’t stand people like her, thinking they are better than everyone because they have money to throw around.” I turn to look at the three fillies I brought. “I am sorry you had to see that. It was a bad way to handle someone like her. Come on girls, let’s get inside.” We took a couple steps towards the school but then I stopped. “Silver Spoon, aren’t you coming with us?”

“Huh?” This came from the CMC and Silver Spoon.

“Come on. Don’t want to be late for class.” I walked towards the school while the fillies followed behind me. The one between my wings snuggled against me and mumbled something that sounded like big sis.