//------------------------------// // The Crusading Begins // Story: The Club: Cutie Mark Crusaders // by deleted account DNB //------------------------------// "Welcome, one and all to the Talent Search Contest!," Mrs. Cheerlee said then every-pony cheered. "Now settle down and leave all applause till the end of the ceremony. Now as you may have seen we have 50 teams of fillies here competing for the same things. I expect to see one hundred percent effort from each and every one. Now to explain the rules. Your team has three chances to stay in the contest if they fail the event. Also, it doesn't count of one of your three chances if one of your team mates gets their cutie mark. If you happen to get your mark you can sit out for the rest of the contest cheering your teammates on to victory. But, if you cheat, hurt some pony, or leave the area your team has forfeited! And I can't forget to introduce the other two judges for the event. Let's first welcome our dear own Madame Mayor!," Cheerlee said as the crowd cheered as the mayor waved at them. "And now for the third and final judge. This is a pony who's wisdom and knowledge has no bounds and kindness beyond belief. Now I'm proudly to introduce our beloved Princess Celestia!," Cheerlee said with joy. Then a quickly blast of filled the room as the Princess and her two royal unicorn guards appeared and the Princess look strait at us. I started to blush. Then she walked up to the podium. "Thank you all. I'm very proud to be here on this day of discovery for each and everyone of you. The goal of this contest is to see what creates a cutie mark. And to discover who you really are. And let the contest commence!," the princess said as the crowd cheered at the top of her lungs. After the ceremony they divided the teams to 5 different tasks with 10 teams trying each task. I saw our little cheering section ready to see a awesome performance from us. Luckily, our first event is jump-rope! I decided to peep talk the team before the event. "Alright, our first event is jump-rope. So we have to jump 30 times or more to pass this challenge. So two of us will hold the rope and swing it around while the rest of us jump. Sweetie Belle and Sun Setter will turn the rope while Babs, Scootaloo and me jump. Every-one understand?," I said as made a huge grin. The team put their hooves in the middle and we all out them while saying, "Break!" Sweetie Belle and Sun Setter got into position holding the jump rope. All eyes were on our team. Our friends and family were cheering for the sidelines but that's only what they could do. The five of us working as a team is the only way we can get our cutie marks. So they turned the rope. We jumped in perfect sync and in the corner of my young eye I saw the princess looking amazed by our team work. "Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty! Ok stop, you've passed. Now return to your area. Thanks for your effort," said the official said then he walked away. We quickly flipped our capes up, but alas none us got our cutie mark. I walked up to the team and patted their backs and said, "It's ok. This isn't our thing, yet let's try harder on the next contest which is snorkeling!," I said jumping in the air. "Wait! I can't partake in this activity. It would ruin my precious flowing mane and plus the flippers would reform my perfectly shinned hooves!," Sun Setter announced while turning the other way. Scootaloo run in front of here and said, "Look, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are a team. And you are a part of this team! And that means were all in this and besides will get disqualified if you don't do it. So just suck it up!" Sun Setter ran towards Rarity and got her to come over to us. "Oh, Sweetie Belle! Why are you making poor Sun Setter's perfect mane get ruined by foul lake water. But if I promise to give your mane a styling after the snorkeling then can you do it PLEASE!," Rarity said blinking her eyes at Sun setter. "Oh, fine as long as I get to lead this one so I get out the fastest!," she said looking at us. We all nodded at to her request and went for Ponyville's Lake: The swimming hole. Normally, the area is very quiet, peaceful, and deserted. Since the event is here every-pony is here on the sidelines in tents, the picnic tables, and the stands were our group of supporters were being joined by Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Twilight! "All right my little ponies here are your snorkeling gear. And now I'll explain your objective. First, you have to successfully use the snorkel. Then you have two minutes for your team to explore the bottom of the lake. If each of your teammates finds one of the many treasures that are down their you pass. Good luck your team will be the third to go so remember to have fun!," Mrs. Cheerlee explained to us then she went to explain it to the next team. "Since Sun Setter is leading so she can explore by herself. I'll go with Sweetie Belle. While Babs will go with Scootaloo. Any pony have any questions?," I said. Of course, they agreed with the idea and we watched the first two teams go. The first team was of all earth ponies so they passed naturally. The second team was made of three unicorns and two pegasi. The unicorns found their objects, but the other two almost drowned if it weren't for Twilight levitating them out! Finally, it was our turn. The referee was at the sidelines and the judges were in place. All of our team had our gear on and we were ready to dive. Sun Setter went down first and quickly found her item: a pearl quickly because of using her wings like a fan. "Now that was dreadful. Now were is Rarity with my mane dryer?," Sun Setter said aloud as she came out of the water. Sweetie Belle and myself searched the right side of the pond. We found a treasure chest and we brought it up together. Thankfully, the official said the chest counted for the both of us because of its size and weight! I looked into the pond to see Scootaloo and Babs. They looked on the left side. Babs found a crown that was in the middle of a sunken raft, and Scootaloo found a pearl necklace around a skull of a pony! "You guys don't know what I had to do to get this necklace!," Scootaloo said as she put her treasure on the table. The referee came over to see our items and said aloud, " Congratulations you have passed this test. It seems none of you have gotten your cutie mark, so proceed to the next event at Sugar Cube Corner. Thanks for your dedication!," he said as he walked away. We all frowned as we heard the news about our cutie marks, but kept our heads high! "Sun Setter since the next event is in an hour would you like me to style your mane at my shop?," Rarity asked. Sun Setter gladly nodded and went with Rarity to get her mane done while we went home to eat some lunch.