It was a mild mid-summer day in Ponyville. The sun emitted toasty beams of gold that bathed everything in its light. The birds were singing, and a soft breeze waltzed through. The young fillies and colts were enjoying themselves, as they rolled in the crisp grass, and played their energetic games.
While all was fun and peace; there was one pony however who didn't appear to be enjoying the day like others would. Applebloom. Instead of frolicking in the field with the other Cutie Mark Crusaders; she sat at her windowsill, staring at the blue hazy sky. She didn't smile, speak, or move.
But why? Usually she would be outside on a day like this. She would either go help out with her sister, or hang out with her friends to enjoy a frosty cold root beer float. Instead, she stared out the window in sadness, as if guilt was on her back.
Off in the distance, Twist, Applebloom's classmate and friend, noticed the moping pony. In her curiosity, she strolled on over to her house. She stood below Applebloom’s window, staring at her and waiting for her to notice. For a while there was no response or movement. Then Twist yelled, "Hey Applebloom!" Applebloom jumped and looked around to see who was calling her from below.
"Oh… hi Twist…" she moaned.
"Why are you thitting inthide on great day like thith?" Twist asked.
Applebloom sighed," Ah finally got that mark on mah flank."
"You got a cutie mark?" smiled Twist bouncing up and down.
"I guess?" shrugged Applebloom resting her head on the sill.
“Did you show it off to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, so they would stop bugging you?”
"No, but do ya wanna know how Ah got it?" She asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I really want to know!" Twist said frantically.
Applebloom rested her head on her hooves and sighed. "Where do I start?"
Her tale of woe begins yesterday in the park. Few ponies visited that day, but the day's weather in general was the same as the next day. Up until high noon it was quiet, until three young fillies were running from different parts of the park.
It was as if they were in a hurry to meet up for an important matter. The three fillies were the Cutie Mark Crusaders: Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom, with a small basket in her mouth. The chance of it being about cutie marks was pretty high. They all seemed to be racing toward an old picnic bench with a sleeping white bunny on it.
As the three were approaching the bench, the bunny began to hear rumbling on three sides. It opened it blood shut eyes to examine its surroundings. When it saw the fillies coming, the bunny immediately sensed danger in the air. Without thinking, it tried to run, only to stumble on the smooth wood. It got back up, more nervous with the CMC approaching closer and closer, and leaped off the table, darting off for the nearest bush.
Each CMC member saw each other in their sights. They all had the same last minute thought of turning the simple sprint into a race. They began to accelerate in speed, looking dead straight ahead at the finish. As they closed in, all three long jumped, soaring in the air like a paper plane. They gritted their teeth, closed their eyes, and reached out to the goal.
They all fell short of their reach, and landed on the ground. They slid on the ground, kicking up dust in the air, until they slowly touched the bench at the same time. It was a tie. Applebloom had both hooves touching the seat on one side, while Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had theirs on their own corner on the other side.
The ponies had to catch their breath, with the hot sun pounding the salty sweat out of their manes. When the dust settled, the fillies had gained enough strength to try standing. Applebloom blurted out, "I win!"
"Nu-uh," denied Scootaloo, still catching her breath, "I won, you lost"
"You got last Scoots," added Sweetie Belle stumbling around.
"Well I-... Ah forget it, it was probably just another tie." Applebloom admitted.
"You’re right," said Scootaloo, "We’ll settle this later."
"Yeah, but for now, let’s get this meeting over with," stated Sweetie Belle, as she sat down on the creaking wood.
Applebloom and Scootaloo agreed with the unicorn, and sat down on the bench. "Alright, The Cutie Mark Crusaders meeting is officially in session!" Announced Applebloom," Now, do we all have our slips a paper?"
The other two nodded and placed a hoof-full of folded paper slips on the table. Applebloom also brought out a pile of her own. Each slip had an idea for a cutie mark scribbled on it. The red-headed pony collected the piles and poured them into the small woven basket she carried. She stuck her hoof inside and mixed the slips around. She plucked one out of the basket and unfolded it. She scanned her eyes on the writing, and said, "Cutie Mark Crusaders Fishing?"
"We already tried that." said Sweetie Belle.
"Well," said Applebloom, tearing up the slip, "We've got plenty of slips; Ah think we'll get a new idea on the next draw." She dug her hoof once again into the basket. Scootaloo leaned towards the basket, in hopes for the next idea being new and exciting. She pulled another slip out of the basket, "Cutie Mark Crusaders hang gliding."
"Yes... No!" Grumbled Scootaloo.
"Strange, I’ve got a bad feeling that were almost out of fresh new ideas." Suggested Sweetie Belle.
"That can't be it," denied Applebloom, "We've always had an idea for cutie marks, we're just not tryin' hard enough."
For the next hour, Applebloom pulled out slip after slip of paper, hoping that the next new idea would be on it. But every slip of paper turned out to be another tried attempt at getting their cutie marks. As the pieces of paper piled up on the bench, so did the boredom. Soon, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were lying face down on the hot wooden surface, baking in the sun without hope. By now, Applebloom was getting tired of the drawing, and started to lose hope as well.
"Let me rephrase," mumbled Sweetie Belle, "We've ran out of ideas."
"Yeah," moaned Scootaloo.
"Just one more girls," said Applebloom, exhausted, "I just know this is the one."
"Forget it Applebloom," Scootaloo sighed, "If all of these ideas are just reminders of all our past efforts gone to waste, what makes you think this one's different?"
Applebloom began to frown a little, then dropped her head on the table. "This is hopeless." she mumbled.
Sweetie Belle then looked up to find the last slip of paper in the basket. She pulled it out and began to open it with low expectations. She thought, "Wonder what failed attempt this is?" She scanned her eyes across the slip and slowly said, "Cutie Mark Crusaders...train engineers?" At that moment, she realized that the team hasn't tried this before.
"Hey guys!" she said fully energized.
"Not now Sweetie Belle," Scootaloo groaned.
"Can't ya see we’re trying to lie in shame here?" added Applebloom.
"No no, it's a good idea," Sweetie Belle defended, "Cutie Mark Crusaders, train engineers!"
Scootaloo and Applebloom turned to her and began to think, rubbing their hooves on their chins as they pondered. "Oh yeah!" they squeed in excitement.
"Ah forgot Ah put that one in there," Applebloom said.
"Good thinking Applebloom," Scootaloo complemented.
"I can see it now," Sweetie Belle imagined, "Cutie Mark Crusaders, driving the Friendship express from one side of Equestria to the other."
"I bet if we hurry, we can see a demonstration before the next train leaves," suggested Applebloom.
They all jumped up and down in excitement. "Well what are we waiting for?" said Scootaloo getting on her hooves, "Cutie Mark Crusaders train engineers is a go ponies!!" she yelled. She galloped off into town, full of confidence thinking, “This is it, this our chance!”
"Wait for us!" called Applebloom. She ran after the orange pegasus with Sweetie Belle tailing behind her. Applebloom sprinted as fast as she could to catch up, but for some odd reason, she couldn't. Scootaloo was going as fast as she would go on her scooter, but without her scooter.
Within the limits of the town, a crowd of ponies saw Scootaloo galloping in, kicking up dust as she ran. They could see that she was in rush, and they didn't want to get in her way. They began to duck and dodge as Scootaloo ran towards them. Many of the ponies yelled, "Maniac!" and, "Run for your lives, there's no stopping her." as she whizzed right by. The two Crusaders saw everything happen in front of them.
Scootaloo kept on sending ponies spinning out of control like wild twisters, and the cloud of dust didn't help much, but the two split up to dodge the attack. Then ponies began to leap straight at them. With enough reaction time, they could duck under, slide under them on the dirt ground, and get back up on their hooves and running in an instant. Whatever’s gotten into Scootaloo was beyond the ponies. But the young unicorn and the red-bowed pony that chased after her, saw it as some powerful motive of some form.
Applebloom then saw a familiar alley on her left. Immediately, she recognized it as a short cut to the station. "Sweetie Belle," she called, "I know a shortcut." Sweetie Belle felt confident with whatever plan she was thinking. If it was a plan to cut off Scootaloo at the train station, she was totally up for it.
Applebloom then cut left into the alley; Sweetie followed behind. The alley was dark, but was a great escape from the many ponies kicking and screaming outside. At the other end, they could see it: the Friendship Express. They swerved left and right to avoid crashing into any dumpsters or trashcans. Luckily, they didn't run into any strangers along the way.
As soon as they entered the light outside of the ally, the two stopped dead in their tracks. Not only was the train in front of them, but so was Scootaloo, looking at the train in amazement. She seemed to be admiring every aspect of the train. From the multi-coloured exterior, to the cute but strong might of the engine. She imagined that one day, it could be her and her friends driving ponies from place to place, and tooting the golden whistle.
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were completely baffled, their eyes popping out and their jaws dropped. How was it possible? They took a shortcut, and she took the long way. Scootaloo turned her head to see the two little ponies amazed.
"Wow!" she said, "I didn't think you'd be as happy as me to see the train."
Applebloom shook her head, "H-how did yah get here before us?"
"Yeah," added Sweetie Belle, "We took a short cut, and you took the long way."
"I don't know," Scootaloo shrugged, "But let's find the conductor." She went off towards the station office to ask the conductor for permission to see how the train works. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle followed her again with worry.
"I've got a bad feelin' about this," suggested Applebloom.
"What do you mean?" asked the young unicorn.
"I mean, I feel like this is gonna turn into a huge disaster like all the other tries. I mean, Scootaloo seems awfully happy to try train engineers. I just know that she wants to try it to see how fast it can go." Applebloom said nervously.
"Don't worry, we’ll be supervised by the conductor. He's gonna show us how it's done," Sweetie explained, "It's not like he's simply going to just let her drive it."
Applebloom felt a warmth of reassurance, but not completely, "Yeah, I guess you’re right."
They continued to follow the anticipating pegasus up the ramp to the platform. Ponies were almost done boarding the train, so they made it just in time. Scootaloo waltzed up to the office door next to the ticket window, stopping in her tracks. She looked up to see a yellow sign that read: “Out on an errand, back in 10 minutes.” Applebloom and Sweetie Belle read the sign, and looked at Scootaloo. She had her head hanging to the ground in disappointment.
Applebloom then looked at the board on the left side of the sign. It was one of the departure and arrival boards. According to the list, the next train would be leaving for Dodge Junction in 10 minutes.
The earth pony walked over to Scootaloo, wrapping her hoof around her friend's shoulder. "Shucks Scootaloo," she said, "Guess we'll need to be patient."
"Yeah," added Sweetie Belle, "It's only ten minutes; it'll be over before you know it."
“And look at the bright side, the train happens to leave in exactly 10 minutes, so the conductor will give us the full satisfyin’ experience of driving a train.”
"But I want to have a demonstration NOW!!" Scootaloo complained. She then turned her attention to the Friendship Express’s engine. No-pony was aboard it, or watching it. In an instant, she had an idea, and a REALLY bad one.
Without saying anything, she took Applebloom's hoof off her back, and walked on over towards the engine. Applebloom and Sweetie looked at each other, not aware of her plan. It was only when she was half way to her destination that their stimulus clicked in their heads.
Scootaloo halted in front of the engine and placed her front hooves on its metal floor, peeking inside. It was better than she ever imagined. As she was about to jump in, she felt something hug her legs anchoring her to the ground. She tried to get up, but she kept on slipping. She turned to see that it was Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, frowning at her.
"Oh," she chuckled nervously, "Hey guys, I-"
"Forget it Scoots," interrupted Applebloom. "We ain't gonna let you get us in trouble."
"I wasn't going to," Scootaloo explained, "I just want to take a look inside, that’s all. And besides, we don't even know how to operate a train engine."
"True," added Sweetie Belle, "But you have tendency of pulling things if you don't know what they are for."
Scootaloo took her hooves off the engine in defeat. The two fillies holding her legs in place also let go of her. "You’re probably right," she sighed," I'm sorry, I just got too excited about this. I mean, this may be the moment we get our cutie marks. We will make Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon rue the day."
"Aw, that's alright Scoots," said Sweetie Belle, "We want to make them rue the day as much as you do."
The three began to walk on over back to the office door, "Now let's wait till the conductor's back," said Applebloom, "like good little fil-."
"She's gone!" interrupted Sweetie Belle.
Applebloom looked to her side; she really was gone. "Where did she go?!" she panicked.
Sweetie Belle turned to the one place she might be, and to no-pony's surprise, she was in the engine room. ”Over there!” she said. Applebloom turned to where she was pointing, and dashed off to stop her. Sweetie Belle followed close behind.
They ran as fast as they could to catch her before she did anything stupid. Luckily, she was just looking, and hasn't pulled anything yet. Sweetie Belle remained outside, in case the conductor came back. Applebloom went ahead and jumped off the ground and into the engine. "I can't believe you!" she yelled.
Scootaloo turned to see Applebloom, furious. "Oooh just a few minutes Applebloom, I'll be out of here before the conductor gets back."
"No," Applebloom argued, "You’re coming out this instant."
"Not until I find the whistle," Scootaloo explained. She looked around for it among the many levers, switches, and strings among the complex controls. "Here it is," she said reaching for a white string.
"No you ain't," said Applebloom, swatting the orange hoof away from the string.
"Your right," grumbled the pegasus, "THIS is the whistle." She grabbed a lever in front of her and pulled it down.
"NOOOO!!" Applebloom cried out.
Then there came a series of clanks coming from within the engine. Sweetie Belle became concerned. "Guys… what's going on in there?" she said. A burst of powerful steam then blew directly into her face, knocking the little unicorn to the ground.
The wheels on the train suddenly began to move slowly, as steam from the funnel began to shoot out at a faster rate. The two on board felt themselves moving forward. The train was moving. Applebloom looked at Scootaloo, now ready to choke the life out of her.
Sweetie Belle looked up to see the train moving away from her. "Hey guys- wait for me!" she called. She got up on her hooves and sprinted as fast as she could to reach the engine. She jumped aboard, hanging on with her front hooves. Applebloom saw her struggling and came over to help her up. The train was now gaining speed.
Meanwhile at the platform, the conductor returned to the station only to find the train missing. He turned his head to the right, seeing that the train was leaving without him. He knew something was wrong, because he was the only one working that day. The conductor ran to try to catch the train, but the train was to fast by then. "Hey! Stop! Come back! Come back!" he called.
Scootaloo peeked her head out to see the conductor trying to catch up as fast as he could, as the train picked up speed. When he saw that she was the one controlling the train, he stopped to catch his breathe. "Mother of Celestia." He murmured in terror.
Scootaloo then turned to a confused Sweetie Belle, and a very angry Applebloom. "…All aboard?" she chuckled nervously.