//------------------------------// // Cutie-Marked Best Friends // Story: CMC: The Mare Chronicles // by Just A Random Pegasus //------------------------------// The lights on the stage turned off as the curtains closed. The entire audience then erupted in a huge applause, especially Scootaloo, Rarity, and Apple Bloom. The moon shone brightly in the sky, making a very beautiful night. Meanwhile, backstage, Sweetie Belle was taking off her performing outfit. "Another day, another concert." Sweetie said to herself as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had thick eyeliner and mascara on, including some blush and eye shadow. Rarity had advised for her to wear a lot of makeup when performing. She smiled at herself. She had come a long way since she had first gotten her cutie mark for singing. "Sweetie Belle!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo remarked as they ran up to Sweetie and gave her a hug. "Congrats! You were great!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "I agree! You keep getting better and better!" Scootaloo added on, hoof-bumping her friend. "Oh, Sweetie, your singing voice is still as beautiful as ever!" Rarity remarked, walking up to her sister. "I think it's more than enough to impress your date tomorrow, hmm?" Sweetie blushed a faint shade of red. "Rarity, I-" Apple Bloom giggled. "I know Button Mash will be impressed. Ever since ya two got back together, he wouldn't stop leavin' ya alone!" Sweetie flushed even more. "Yeah, neither of us want to separate again. That was too painful." "I bet." Scootaloo remarked before her face lit up. "Wait... aren't you coming back to Ponyville with us tonight?!" Sweetie nodded. "Yep! And then I'm going on a date with Button tomorrow!" Scootaloo got an even brighter smile. "Hey! We should sleepover at my place tonight!" "Yeah! I haven't had a sleepover with you girls in at least a couple months!" Sweetie Belle responded, smiling brightly. "Well, then let's go, ya'll!" Apple Bloom remarked as she ran with her friends to get onto the train. Sweetie Belle had a short performance, so she didn't have to stay after to sign autographs and take pictures like normal. Rarity walked gracefully behind them, wanting to look sophisticated while walking the streets of Canterlot. Soon after Sweetie Belle became a mare, she moved to Canterlot to perform at the nicest concerts they have to offer. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom stayed in Ponyville while working with their special talents: scooting and painting. Scootaloo performs on her scooter, doing insane stunts. Apple Bloom set up her own painting business by Sweet Apple Acres, and receives very nice profits. Overall, they were doing very well. The train ride took a while, but soon they were in Ponyville. It was very late at night, causing them to be very tired. "Well, I'll see you girls later!" Rarity exclaimed before looking at Sweetie Belle. "We need to go to the spa tomorrow, Sweetie! It's been a while!" Sweetie Belle nodded. "Of course!" She then waved to her sister and looked back at her friends. "Now... who wants to have one of the best sleepovers ever?" "Us!" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom agreed as they ran to Scootaloo's place. When they entered, they saw many ribbons won by Scootaloo herself. They were all from The Equestria Daredevil Competition, where Scootaloo showed off her skills. Scootaloo spread her wings and hovered in the air. Her wings had grown since she was a filly, enabling her to fly. Rainbow Dash had shown her many tricks to do in the air, which she instantly mastered; being so good on the scooter. "So... are we all sleeping in guest rooms?" Apple Bloom asked as Scootaloo shook her head. "Let's sleep on the pull-out beds down here, so we all can tell each other awesome stuff that's happened to us!" Scootaloo suggested as the two nodded. "Ah also want to know how Sweetie's relationship is goin'," Apple Bloom responded, playfully raising an eyebrow at Sweetie Belle. Sweetie giggled. "Sure. I'll explain the details to you." "No way! Button is a real flatterer!" Scootaloo remarked as Sweetie Belle nodded her head. "Yeah! I really didn't expect him to do that. He's really changed since he was a colt, that's for sure." "Sounds like it!" Applebloom responded. "Yeah! And now that I told you guys my relationship news... what about you? Any secrets you want to share?" Sweetie Belle asked as she fluttered her eyelashes at her friends. Scootaloo turned her head away as Apple Bloom laughed. "I'm not interested in anypony, ya silly filly!" Sweetie Belle nodded her head. "I guess I would expect that from you. I'm just helplessly romantic at times, so it's no wonder I'm dating." Apple Bloom giggled again. "Well, you're related to Rarity. According to mah sister, she is the biggest romantic in all of Equestria!" "Yeah, she sure is!" Sweetie Belle responded as she looked over at Scootaloo, who had her head turned. "Are you alright, Scootaloo?" "Yeah, I'm fine!" Scootaloo responded quickly as she kept her head turned from her friends. "Uh... let's move onto the next subject," Sweetie Belle suggested. She then brightly smiled. "Scootaloo, how's the show business doing?" Scootaloo turned back around to face Sweetie Belle. "It's awesome! Everypony wants to see me perform! Heck, I'm even giving out autographs to some foals!" Scootaloo beamed. "Wow, ya remind me a lot of Rainbow Dash," Apple Bloom remarked as Scootaloo cocked her head. "Thank you, that's very flattering! But... why?" "Well, you are becomin' admired by the foals of Ponyville, just like you admired Rainbow Dash. You are also showin' off your talents, just like Rainbow did at times. I wouldn't be surprised if a foal asks for you to take them under your wing!" Apple Bloom responded as Scootaloo got a huge smile. "Yeah... maybe!" Scootaloo exclaimed as she yawned. "I don't know about you girls, but I need to get some shut-eye. Don't want to perform tomorrow seeming drowsy!" Sweetie Belle nodded her head in agreement. "I agree with that. I have to seem nice for Button tomorrow!" "Yeah, Ah better do the same thing. Ah have to get to my shop early tomorrow mornin'" Apple Bloom agreed. Scootaloo then got adjusted on her bed. "Alright... well, goodnight!" "Goodnight!" Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom chorused. Scootaloo then turned off the lights as the three drifted off into a slumber.