The Night They've Been Waiting For

View Online

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were on their way to the Grand Galloping Gala. Twilight Sparkle decided that, at the age of 15, they were old enough to attend and asked Princess Celestia for tickets. Inside their carriage, pulled by Big Macintosh, they chattered away at the night they wanted to happen for so long.

"So, Scootaloo, I heard Shiner asked you to the Gala! What did you say?" Sweetie Belle asked eagerly.

"Well, he's a great colt and all," Scootaloo blushed, "but I wanted to spend the night with you guys!"

"Ah think you two were kinda sweet, ya know." Apple Bloom commented.

"Oh, stop it!" Scootaloo blushed more, "We're just friends!"

"Ah think she likes him back!" Apple Bloom whispered to Sweetie Belle. The two giggled.

"What'd you say? Sweetie Belle, what'd she say?" Scootaloo asked, blushing even more than she was before.

"Oh, nothing!" Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom laughed.

***

My Little Pony, My Little Pony, ah ah ah ah ah
My Little Pony! I used to wonder what friendship could be! (My Little Pony!)
Until you all shared it's magic with me.
Big adventure,
Tons of fun,
A beautiful heart,
Faithful and strong,
Sharing kindness,
Is an easy feat,
And magic makes it all complete! (Yeah!)
My Little Pony!
Did you know you're all my very best friends!

***

The carriage stopped infront of Canterlot Castle and the girls got out.

"Thanks, Mac!" Scootaloo said.

"Thank you!" Sweetie Belle smiled.

"Thanks, brother, that was real kind!" Apple Bloom said gracefully, kissing her big brother on the cheek.

The three stood and looked at the entrance. It was shining beautifuly and ponies flowed in, mostly in pairs. Scootaloo noticed a familiar pony. He was a light grey pegasus with bright blue eyes and a long flowing, straightened brown mane. He had the cutie mark of a silver platter.

"Hey look, Scoots, it's your special somepony!" Sweetie Belle said, nudging Scootaloo.

"You guys! I said I'm spending the night with you." She replied, but still stared at Shiner.

She didn't realise that whilst she was looking at him, the othet two had entered the building, he looked back and his eyes widened, Scootaloo quickly avoided eye contact and ran in to catch up with her friends. The two were giggling again when she got back.

"Go an' talk to him, Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom said.

"Guys! I said, I'm gonna be with you all night!" Scootaloo said quickly.

"We know what you want, Scootaloo. We can tell! We can have fun without you." Sweetie Belle said.

"...You think he'll accept me? I did turn him down earlier today. Oh, what if he hates me? Did I upset him? How's my hair? Is my dress creased?" Scootaloo began to look around herself frantically.

"Yer fine, Scootaloo! Go n' talk to him!" Apple Bloom said, pushing her over to his direction.

Scootaloo took a deep breath and walked slowly over to Shiner, her eyes darting back and forth, trying to primarily avoid eye contact with him before she approached him, but she bumped into him.

"Oh! Scootaloo! I am so sorry!" He said, helping her up.

"Shiner! No, no, it's my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going." She said, dusting off her dress.

The two stood and looked around awkwardly for a moment.

"You look lovely tonight." Shiner commented.

"Thank you, Shiner. I like your tux!" Scootaloo smiled.

The two again stood in awkward silence again. Scootaloo tried to pluck up her courage, then looked Shiner straight in the eyes.

"Shiner, I'm sorry I rejected you earlier today! I guess my worries overcame my feelings! I want to spend tonight with you, I really do! Will you give me another chance?" She said softly and slowly.

"Always." Shiner smiled.

Scootaloo smiled back. Shiner held out a hoof as an offer to walk. Scootaloo blushed and nodded, the two walked close, wings touching, through to the dinner hall. Scootaloo looked behind her and showed off a huge smile to her friends, waving to her and winking, then returned to Shiner's gaze.

They sat at a table with a small plate of food each. They didn't feel like eating at all. Their stomachs were both full of butterflies! Scootaloo moved a piece of food to her mouth, looking at Shiner but missed and dropped it on the table. Both their eyes were sparkling in the moonlight relfecting through the window. Shiner's throat was too caught up to say a word.

"Want to go on a walk?" Scootaloo asked.

"Y...y-eah!" Shiner smiled.

He stood up and helped Scootaloo down, then held his wing over her as the two exited to the garden. They then sat down by a fountain and gazed into eachother's eyes for minutes on end. Scootaloo thought to herself questions like 'have I always loved him?' and 'why can't I stop looking at his adorable face?'. She ignored this and leaned in and rubbed her muzzle against his, their heartbeats both reaching extremely fast levels. Still kissing, the two closed their eyes and rested their heads against eachother as if they were asleep.

***

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were on the dance floor, but sitting on the tables in complete boredom.

"I suppose Scootaloo's having the time of her life?" Sweetie Belle said.

"Yeah." Apple Bloom sighed.

The two sighed and stared out the window.

"Well, Ahm bored." Apple Bloom stood up and walked away.

"Where are you going?" Sweetie Bell asked.

"To have some fun!" Apple Bloom smirked.

***

Scootaloo and Shiner were rubbing muzzles when suddenly they heard and felt something that ruined it all.

SPLASH!

Apple Bloom, messing around in the fountain, was laughing her head off. She didn't care about her soaked dress or mane, but then looked to see that the sweet couple were much less than impressed. She stopped laughing. The two walked off, avoiding all eye-contact with Apple Bloom.

Sweetie Belle walked up and screamed loudly at the sight of Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bloom! Your dress! Your hair!" She cried, "I prepared it all for you especially for tonight!"

"Aw shucks, it's just a bit of water!" Apple Bloom forced a laugh, then her dress started to shrink.

"Well done." Sweetie Belle shouted angrily as she stormed off.

"I just wanted to have some fun..." Apple Bloom whispered to herself.

***

Scootaloo and Shiner were stood at a balcony, looking over at Equestria before them.

"The sight here is wonderful!" Scootaloo gasped.

"My sight is much more wonderful." Shiner bragged.

She turned around to see him looking at her and smiling.

"Oh Shiner, I love you!" She said with a happy tear in her eye.

She rested her head against his neck and they stood looking over the balcony again, violins playing in the distance, wing in wing.

Sweetie Belle came up to the couple.

"Scootaloo." She said sternly.

"Mhmm?" She muttered, distracted by her moment with Shiner.

"Apple Bloom is being annoying." Sweetie Belle stated.

"Yeah..." Scootaloo sighed, again not paying attention.

"She soaked herself! Hey, are you even listening?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"No." Scootaloo smiled.

Sweetie Belle let out a frustrated scream and stormed off again. Shiner looked back to where she was stood.

"Scootaloo?"

"Yes?"

"I think you should go talk to your friends. They sound like they may split up."

"No Shiner, I would never split up with you."

"Scootaloo!"

"Huh?"

"Talk to your friends!"

"Oh right, sorry."

They returned to the fountain where they heard shouting voices.

***

"I WORKED FOR WEEKS ON THAT DRESS AND YOU JUST GO AND RUIN IT IN ONE GO LIKE THAT?" Sweetie Belle yelled.

"AH WAS JUST TRYIN' TO HAVE A LITTLE FUN!" Apple Bloom rebutted.

"FUN? HOW IN EQUESTRIA IS RUINING YOUR FRIENDS HOOFWORK FUN?"

"SINCE WHEN IS PLAYIN' IN THE WATER NOT FUN?"

"WHEN YOU'RE WEARING A DRESS LIKE THAT!"

The two carried on bickering and didn't notice Scootaloo and Shiner walk up to them.

"Girls.." Scootaloo said.

They couldn't hear her over themsleves.

"Girls," still nothing, "GIRLS!"

They turned around to see Scootaloo wearing a huge frown.

"Oh. So you've stopped paying attention to your boyfriend." huffed Sweetie Belle.

"Finally come to join the fun?" Apple Bloom mocked.

"Girls. Stop fighting, please." Scootaloo said.

"Why should we?" Sweetie Belle said.

"Yeah, what do you care? All ya'll care 'bout is Shiner!" Apple Bloom added.

"But I care about my friends with the same importance. I wanted to spend the night with you girls but you wanted me to go and see Shiner and I'm glad you did. I'm so happy and you two helped me to get this happiness! We can still all spend the night together! The four of us!" she smiled.

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom thought for a moment, then Sweetie Belle dipped her hoof in the fountain and flicked some water at Scootaloo. Scootaloo laughed and looked at Shiner. The two jumped into the fountain and started splashing each other and Apple Bloom, then they all looked at Sweetie Belle.

"Oh, it. Is. On!" Sweetie Belle laughed.

***

Big Mac waited for the girls to leave so he could escort them home.

"Wh-what?!" he exclaimed when he saw them.

"Hey, big brother!" Apple Bloom laughed.

He looked at the drenched mares and stallion.

"What happened to y'all?" He asked.

"We had so much fun!" They all said in unison, then started to laugh.

"Mind giving me a moment, Mac?" Scootaloo asked, looking to Shiner.

"Nnnope." Big Mac smiled.

Scootaloo walked a little back with Shiner and exchanged a muzzle kiss.

"This was the best night ever." She said with a tear.

"Same for me." He replied.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

The two embraced again.

"See you at school tomorrow!" Scootaloo beamed.

"Remember the pony-science homework!" Shiner laughed.

"Darn it!" Scootaloo shouted.

She returned to her friends and they all laughed. They entered the carriage and left knowing that beyond any trouble the three may come into with their friendship, they can always overcome it.

"Best night ever?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Best night ever." Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle agreed.

***

Big Mac stopped outside Rarity's house and dropped off Sweetie Belle, then did the same for Scootaloo. He finally returned to Sweet Apple Acres, where Applejack was waiting outside.

"Alright, Apple Bloom, brush yer teeth and hit the hay. Ya'll have school t'morrow." she said.

Apple Bloom trotted upstairs.

"Were they any trouble?" She asked Big Mac.

"Nnnope." Big Mac replied.

"They had a good night?"

"Eeyup."

"Well that's good."

"It was truly the night they've been waiting for."

Cousin Applebrown Comes to Visit

View Online

"...so uncle Applecore and auntie Applestalk and our cousin Applebrown are comin' to stay fer a while. Why, you haven't seen lil' Applebrown in years, Apple Bloom!" Applejack finished reading the letter which her aunt and uncle had given her.

"Ah don't seem to recall her."Apple Bloom paused for thought.

"When y'all were little foals you two bucked 'yer first apple tree together! An apple fell on 'yer head and y'all had a bump this big," Applejack laughed, mimicking the bump with her hoof, "remember, Macintosh?"

"Eeyup." the stallion chuckled.

"Applebrown..." Apple Bloom whispered, just remembering her cousin.

***

After another long and studious day at Canterlot High, the four friends; Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Shiner, hopped on the train to return home.

"It felt like that maths class would never end!" Scootaloo sighed, resting her head against Shiner's neck.

"Oh come on now Scoots! It wasen't that bad! All you had to do was find the common factor, then use 'x' and double brackets to-" Sweetie Belle tried to explain, but Scootaloo, sitting opposite her, quickly put her hoof in her mouth.

"We just left school, I don't want to have to think about anymore learning. Besides, it's the weekend now!" she sighed and leaned back, her foreleg around Shiner and his around her.

"Did you guys know mah cousin Applebrown is comin' fer the weekend?" Apple Bloom asked.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle's pupils dilated and they both gasped quietly.

"Applebrown? Like the same Applebrown?" Scootaloo said quietly.

"Whadda ya mean?" Apple Bloom's eyes narrowed.

"Oh it's just...even before we all met we remember Applebrown from her last visit." Sweetie Belle said, dreading the thought of the past.

Apple Bloom obviously didn't get the hint.

"Anypony want a snack? I'll buy!" she smiled.

"Nothing for me thanks. I didn't eat at lunch." said Scootaloo, looking at Shiner and laughing.

"I'll just have some saltlick." Sweetie Belle said.

"I'll share with Scootie." Shiner said.

"Alrighty." Apple Bloom trotted off to the snack carriage.

Checking to see if she was gone, Shiner just had to ask.

"Who's Applebrown?"

Scootaloo groaned and buried her face in his neck.

"Apple Bloom's little cousin. The last time she was here she may have been a foal but she was one bad pony!" Sweetie Belle said.

"She nearly put us all in hospital." Scootaloo muffled.

"What? But she was just a foal..." Shiner commented.

"She was smart. Deviously smart." Sweetie Belle sighed.

~~~

"Now, lil' Applebrown, you stay here. Granny Smith's just going to buy some supplies from this here salespony." Granny Smith smiled to the foal.

The chubby baby was a sicky olive colour and had brown hair in a greasy ponytail. She sniggered as she crawled off to an apple stall. The pony running it looked down over the counter.

"Hello there, are you lost?" he asked.

Applebrown picked up one of the apples in the stall and threw it right at the salesman's face.

"Oh...these apples aren't for playing. Sorry little tyke!" he ruffled her hair and turned back around to check his stock and clean his face.

She snorted and picked up another apple and threw it at the salespony that Granny Smith was talking to, then quickly swiped another apple and put it in Apple Bloom's hoof. The foal put it in her mouth and started sucking on the red apple. Granny Smith turned around as soon as the apple exploded in the salespony's face and saw Apple Bloom teething on the apple.

"Apple Bloom! No, we do not throw apples!" she turned to the salespony, "I am so sorry for my granddaughter."

Apple Bloom, confused as to what was going on, started crying.

"It's fine," the frustrated pony wiped her face, "2 bits for the frying pans."

"Those timber wolves won't know what was comin'!" Granny Smith shouted.

Applebrown sniggered at the crying Applebloom with a snort in her laugh.

~~~

Apple Bloom came back empty hooved.

"Beaten to it again. No saltlick." she sighed.

The sound of a whistle blew and the train slowly began to make it's way back to Ponyville.

***

Apple Bloom opened the door to her house to see Applejack and her aunt and uncle sat down talking.

"Ah, Apple Bloom. You remember uncle Applecore and auntie Applestalk, doncha?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, 'course! Howdy!" she smiled, shaking hooves with her relatives.

"Cousin Applebrown is upstairs." Applejack said.

Apple Bloom walked to her room and opened the door, then saw that it was an absolute mess.There was papers, toys and trash all over the floor. Applebrown was sitting on her messed up bed.

"Uh...hey cousin." she forced a smile.

"You're Apple Bloom," Applebrown croaked. Her voice was hoarse, "let's go play outside."

"Sure..." Apple Bloom put down her school bag, "we can clear this up later."

"Yeah, you can." Applebrown snorted.

***

Apple Bloom knocked on Scootaloo's door. She answered.

"Oh, hey Apple Bloom," she greeted, then saw Applebrown behind her and frowned, "sorry I'm doing homework."

She slammed the door in front of them.

"Oh...busy then." Apple Bloom sighed.

Applebrown yawned.

"Want to try Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Whatever." Applebrown replied.

***

Sooner the three were walking around Ponyville. Sweetie Belle would've felt too guilty to say no to Apple Bloom.

"So...uh...Applebrown. Where do you come from?" she asked.

"Fillydelphia." Applebrown snorted.

"Oh. That's nice." Sweetie Belle commented.

Applebrown looked around and saw Derpy trying to hold up a very large parcel. She somehow had it balancing on it's corner and she was trying to keep it held up with her back. Applebrown snorted and sniggered, then snuck up to the box without the others noticing. She then turned her back to the precerious box and kicked it.

"ARGH!" Derpy cried as the box fell on her.

She tried to stand up with the box on her back, but she could only crawl. She lay there confused for what to do. Applebrown laughed nasally and caught up to her cousin. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were looking in the window of a clothes shop, but Applebrown was not interesed. Colgate walked out the door with a large yellow hat looking very worried.

"I didn't even want this colour." she sighed.

Looking at the ugly hat, Applebrown started to laugh hysterically. Colgate noticed and a tear appeared in her eye, she ran off crying. Apple Bloom turned around.

"Hey! Applebrown! That weren't very nice!" she said.

"That hat was rediculous!" Applebrown snorted.

Apple Bloom gave her an unsure glance. She noticed that something happened to Derpy a minute ago and started to suspect Applebrown. Then she remembered when she was a baby and the whole apple throwing incident.

~~~

Applejack, just before she got her cutie mark, was playing in the park with Apple Bloom and Applebrown. Sweetie Belle was at the top of a slide and Applebrown was climbing up, but Apple Bloom was too scared to climb the stairs so she stayed by the side. Sweetie Belle was about to go down but Applebrown shoved her off and she fell next to Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle began to cry and had a black eye. Applejack ran up to Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bwoom! Y'all didn't hurt this baby did ya?" she asked, "say sowwy raight now!"

Apple Bloom started to cry, it wasn't her fault.

"Applebrown, c'mon we're leavin'." Applejack said seriously.

Applebrown laughed and came down the slide, kicking Scootaloo who was at the bottom. She flapped her wings furiously but slammed into a climbing wall, but nopony saw.

~~~

Sweetie Belle opened the door to her home.

"I've gotta go now guys. I need to plan my textiles project for school." she expalined.

"Oh, sure. See ya on Monday!" Apple Bloom waved.

"Pff." Applebrown closed Sweetie Belle's door the moment she walked in.

***

That night, Applejack and Apple Bloom were cleaning up in the kitchen after dinner.

"Applebloom, why did ya throw yer pie at Big Mac?" she asked sternly.

"Ya gotta believe me, sis! It weren't me!" Apple Bloom defended.

"Oh really? Then who was it?" Applejack raised an eyebrow at her little sister.

Apple Bloom sighed and explained to her sister how bad Applebrwn is. To everyone she seemed innocent, but when she was around Apple Bloom got all the blame and she didn't say a word. Primarily because she couldn't, but now she could speak up.

"And yer speakin' from the honest heart?" Applejack whispered.

Apple Bloom nodded.

"Alright. I guess I better speak to aunt and uncle." she sighed.

***

Not much happened the next day. Applejack didn't get a chance to speak to Applecore and Applestalk since they had taken Applebrown to Canterlot, so she decided to talk to them on the Monday since they left on Tuesday.

Apple Bloom and her friends were sat on the train coming back from school. It was raining and the sky outside was gloomy, but it looked like it cleared over in Ponyville's direction. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked grumpy and silent.

"Can I get anyone anything from the snack train?" Shiner asked, trying to break the ice.

Nopony said anything.

"I'll come with you, Shiney." Scootaloo said. She knew things would be awkward if she stayed and he went.

When they left Apple Bloom looked at Sweetie Belle.

"I'm sorry for Applebrown's behaviour yesterday. Applejack's talkin' to mah aunt and uncle today about it." she said.

"Oh. I'm not grumpy about that. I'm just a little worn out. It's alright, Apple Bloom." Sweetie yawned, she looked like she was about to fall asleep at any time.

***

Apple Bloom walked into her house, but nopony was there. The others must have gone to see their relatives off. She trotted upstairs and opened the door to her room, expecting the mess to still be there, but to her surprise it was as clean as ever. There was a note on the bed, Apple Bloom set down her bag and began to read it.

"Cousin Apple Bloom,
I realise what I've done to you and your friends is not good. To be honest, I only did it 'cause I liked to see you get in trouble, I dunno why. I got bored of it on Saturday when you got no blame for the stuff I did in town and thought maybe what I'm doing isn't right. I'm sorry. I hope the next time we meet we can be friends and maybe I'll even talk some more, but nicely. As a gift of my apology, I cleaned your room, the first of my messes. The next, I hope this letter cleans the mess of our friendship. Please tell your friends I'm sorry for the past.
Love,
Cousin Applebrown."

Apple Bloom smiled and put the letter in her drawer.

***

Rarity galloped in to Sweetie Belle's room after hearing lots of frantic noises and yells.

"Sweetie Belle! Are you alright?" she asked.

Sweetie's room was a mess. Fabrics, tools and glues everywhere. Covered by many sheets of fabric, Sweetie was bawling her eyes out.

Made by the Hoof, Horn to Horn

View Online

"My goodness, Sweetie Belle!" Rarity gasped, "what is going on?"

Sweetie Belle tried to escape from the mess she had created but only her horn got out of the sheet of fabric she had trapped herself in.

"Rarity, it's HORRIBLE!" she squeaked.

Rarity levitated the sheet off of her sister and sat beside her.

"Whatever is the matter, dear?"

"It's my textiles project..."

"Textiles? Darling, you're magnificent at textiles!"

"You would say that! You're my sister."

Rarity giggled and stroked her sister's head softly.

"Darling, you can tell me whatever is troubling you about your textiles project."

"It's Quick Quilt again." Sweetie Belle sighed.

"Quick Quilt? You mean the awful mare who repeatedly made fun of your past...strokes of brilliance?"

Rarity shuddered. Sweetie Belle was right, Rarity only complimented her work because it made her feel better. She quite frankly has to resist the temptation to alter and improve them every time she looks at them. Despite this, Rarity used her magic to levitate a triangular cushion to her sister.

"This abstract piece of art is brilliant, Sweetie Belle. It looks just like the pony-pyramids!" she smiled.

"It's suppose to be an apple."

"Oh..." Rarity flung the cushion away with her magic, "Sweetie Belle, look at me."

Sweetie looked up at her sister and sniffed, wiping a tear away.

"No matter what that Quick Quilt says about your work, deep down you have the family's talent in your blood and heart. Now, what is the theme for this project? I will help in any way I can to make it your very best." Rarity hugged her sister.

"The theme is camping. I was thinking of doing a sleeping bag or something." Sweetie Belle tried to track her thoughts.

"We will make four," Rarity announced, "one for you, one for Apple Bloom, one for Scootaloo and one for Scootaloo's darling coltfriend."

"That sounds like so much work! I only have a week to do it!"

"A week? With me on your side you shall have it ready in a matter of a few days!"

"But Rarity..." Sweetie looked down,"I want to do this by myself to show Quick Quilt what I can do."

Rarity loosened the grip on her hug, she understood Sweetie's desire.

"Well, if there's any way I can help..."

"You could help me clean up this mess?" Sweetie giggled.

***

Early the next morning, at the Ponyville train station, schoolponies awaited the train to Canterlot High.

"So then the horse says to the donkey's marefriend, 'nice a-" Scootaloo was telling a joke to Shiner, but was interuppted by Apple Bloom coming up to the two.

"Have either of you guys seen Sweetie Belle? I knocked on her door but Rarity said she was busy." she asked.

"She's just over there..." Shiner pointed to a table where Sweetie Belle was hard at work drawing something.

"Oh. Right. Didn't see her." Apple Bloom gave a forced smile.

She walked up to Sweetie, but Sweetie stopped her from coming any closer with magic.

"Morning, Apple Bloom. Sorry we couldn't walk up together, I was getting this ready." she said, her head buried in her work.

"What is it?" Apple Bloom asked, still being held up by the magic.

"You'll see." Sweetie Belle said, releasing Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom trotted back to Scootaloo and Shiner.

"She's workin'."

"We noticed," Scootaloo said, "Anyway, so the horse says to th-"

She was interrupted by the train arriving, ponies quickly began to board. Scootaloo and Shiner went on but Apple Bloom noticed Sweetie Belle frantically trying to gather her things into her saddlebags.

"Sweetie Belle! Hurry up!" she shouted.

"Almost finished! Now this goes in here...fold up this and...done!" she ran and got on the carriage just before the train blew the whistle and began to move.

They went and sat opposite Scootaloo and Shiner, who were rubbing muzzles.

"Get a room." Apple Bloom laughed.

"We're in a carriage, it's close enough." Scootaloo sniggered.

"So guys, I bet you're just itching to know what I was doing back there!" Sweetie Belle wore a huge grin.

"Go on." Scootaloo laughed.

Sweetie fumbled in her bags and pulled out several A3 sheets of paper. She unfolded them and placed them on the table.

"My textiles project!" she beamed.

"Well...the desgins are neater than your other ones." Apple Bloom complimented.

"Oh...Rarity drew them, but the ideas were all mine! Look, it's four sleeping bags! One for each of us!" she pointed at the diagrams.

Apple Blooms was a pale yellow much like her coat, with a fluffy white lining at the top and small apple shapes running along the bottom. Scootaloo's was her coat's orange with purple round the sides and the mark of a pegasus wing on the base. Shiner's was big and grey and fluffier than the others. And finally, Sweetie Belle's was white with purple and pink stripes striking diagonally across it with a line of diamonds along each purple line.

"Now that looks cool!" Scootaloo smiled.

"Cosy!" Shiner laughed,

"Fashionable!" Apple Bloom added.

"Beautiful, right?" Sweetie Belle asked.

Everypony nodded in agreement and then a very sarcastic laugh was heard. A unicorn walked up to the four. She was a very pale light blue and had a red mane and tail. Her cutie mark was a sewing needle. She looked over at Sweetie Belle's designs and whinnied.

"Sweetie Belle? Like, oh my gosh, are those YOUR designs?" she was trying not to laugh.

"Yes they are, Quick Quilt," Sweetie said the pony's name with disgust, "what of it?"

"You didn't make those," she finally laughed, "like, that's way too neat to be yours."

"I got some help from my sister."

"Oh, you mean Rarity? Like the Rarity? Oh my gosh, I'm like, so totally jelly." she wasn't even trying to be subtle with her sarcasm.

"Go away, Quick Quilt." Scootaloo hissed.

"None of you are like even worth my time anyway." Quick Quilt walked off, her head raised high.

"I. Despise. That. Mare." Sweetie Belle glared at her.

***

There was an unusual case of the pony-flu going around. Much to both their disliking, Sweetie Belle and Quick Quilt were the only ponies in their textiles class. Their teacher, Mr.Stitcolt (a yellow unicorn with a black and white mane and tail and a black moustache), was looking at Sweetie Belle's designs, oblivious to the faces that the two mares were making at eachother. He looked up to see Sweetie's tongue sticking out; she noticed and retracted it quickly, Quick Quilt sniggered.

"These are very good designs, Ms.Belle! Have you started work on them?" he asked.

"Of course, sir!" she fumbled through her bag and brought out several large pieces of cloth in the colours of the sleeping bags.

"Very well done. If I were you I would start by making the bags themselves. Use a sewing machine this lesson, then get to work on the décor tomorrow."

"Yes sir."

He then went over to Quick Quilt who, without a word, pulled out a cylinder from her bag.

"And what's this?" Mr.Stitcolt asked.

She rolled it out onto the table, making a large light blue square, then it sprung up into a small tent with a red flag waving on the top.

"Magnificent! Quick Quilt, this is amazing! Are you ready to turn it in?" he asked.

"Nope. It needs way more work! Even Sweetie Belle will be finished before me. For once." she smirked at Sweetie Belle, hard at work on a sewing machine.

Sweetie growled back, then concentrated on her work.

***

Sweetie Belle ran into the botique and instantly into Rarity's idea room. She layed out the finished bags on the floor.

"Rarity!" she called, "I finished the bags! Now we just need to work on the décor!"

Rarity slowly trotted in, brushing her mane using magic.

"Well done Sweetie, I-AUGH!" she screamed at the sight before her.

The bags did not look like sleeping bags very much. They were just two pieces of fabric poorly stitched onto one another, the stitches weren't in a straight line either.

"Do you like them, or do you love them?" Sweetie smiled.

"I...they...that is...they're good." Rarity forced a smile.

Sweetie Belle jumped for joy, "I'm gonna go and get the fabric for the décor!", she galloped away to her room.

Rarity looked and sighed at the horrible sight before her. She began to use magic and redo what Sweetie had worked hard on.

Moments later, Sweetie came down with a box of fabric of different colours to see that Rarity had perfected the bags. Her mouth dropped to the floor.

"Oh, Sweetie Belle. I...er...thought I would just make some adjustments." she smiled.

"Adjustments? You could just say if they weren't to your liking," Sweetie roared, "they were fine before!"

"Oh, sister, if I'm honest with you there were lacking in quality before."

"Lacking? Oh, I see. Because I made them? I can do all this by myself! I'm under pressure here from that Quick Quilt! Her project is already halfway done and it's going to look even better by tomorrow! It may even be finished!" she began to cry again.

"Oh...Sweetie Belle...I'm sorry." Rarity began to cry herself.

Sweetie Belle took the sleeping bags and fabrics and stormed to her room.

***

She loked through her past projects and sighed. She set aside the 'apple' cushion and brought something else. It was supposed to be a scarf with her sister's cutie mark but it just looked like the arm of a sweater with an angry face on it. Then she looked back on her door to her old Cutie Mark Crusaders cape. The only one of them she had help from Rarity with. Then she perked up. She did need her sister's help! But she didn't want Rarity to take central command. Sweetie Belle had managed to gather the gemstones and fabrics to decorate her sleeping bags and cut them almost perfectly to do so. She needed her sister's help.

***

The next day in textiles class, Quick Quilt was demonstrating her tent to Mr.Stitcolt.

"And if you press this, this awesome windmill thing comes out!" she bragged, pressing a button which caused a pinwheel to pop out from the side.

"And what purpose does it serve?" the teacher asked.

"I dunno. It just like, looked cool." she spun the pinwheel with her hoof.

"Okay...what else is there?"

"That's about it. The flag, the cool little windmill."

"Alright. Do you know if Ms.Belle is in today?"

"Pfft. Why would I know?"

The door then opened; Sweetie Belle and Rarity walked in.

"Oh, Ms.Belle. And Ms.Rarity?" he said, confused.

"I want to present to you our finished project," Sweetie Belle said proudly, "there was no rule against my sister helping out. I did all the handiwork, of course."

"I suppose you're right...I didn't give too much on restrictions. Lets see what you've got."

Sweetie Belle unwraveled the sleeping bags. They looked even better than the designs originally showed and definitely outshowed Quick Quilt's tent.

"Magnificent! This is absolutely marvelous!" Mr.Stitcolt exclaimed.

"They're not that good. Do you have a windmill?" Quick Quily mocked.

"Nope. We just have sisterly love and some generosity!" Rarity smiled.

Quick Quilt instantly got off her high horse and frowned. For the first time, Sweetie Belle had bested her. She stormed out of the class room to go and cry in the toilets.

***

That night in Sweet Apple Acres, the four friends were laying down under the stars lying in their new sleeping bags, pointing out which stars were brighter than others. Then, they saw a shooting star.

"I made a wish." Apple Bloom announced.

"Yeah, like what?" Scootaloo asked.

"Probably that you and Shiner get a room!" Sweetie Belle laughed.

The two were snuggled up very closely in their seperate sleeping bags

"Nope, not that." Apple Bloom said.

"That we can do this more often?" Shiner asked.

"Close enough. I wished that we could start up the Cutie Mark Crusaders again."

"Apple Bloom, that sounds like a great idea!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"Isn't that the game you played as kids?" Shiner joked.

"No way. That was no game. Besides, we're fifteen and still have blank flanks! We must be on the verge of getting our cutie marks now!" Sweetie Belle said.

"Well Shiner has his cutie mark. How'd ya get it?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I just took what I was good at and enjoyed and I realised that was my special talent." he explained.

"Shiner works in a café in Cloudsdale." Scootaloo continued.

"So, what do you say? Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Sweetie Belle put a hoof out.

The other two put their hooves out too.

"Let's do it!" the three said.

Pony Work Experience Day

View Online

The day she had been dreading was finally here. Scootaloo was glad to finally not be at school for the day but now she had to work at the Pony Post Office. For free. She grabbed her bag and opened the door to her house.

"I'm going now, mom." she said with no response and exited the house.

***

"Oh I'm so excited, Rarity! I get to go to the elementary school again!" Sweetie Belle said, jumping around the house in excitement.

"I hope you enjoy it, dear. Now you must move along. Shiner will be here any minute and there's no time to waste!" Rarity pushed Sweetie Belle out of the door hurriedly and shut it behind her.

***

The last time Apple Bloom had tried to make something at the Sugarcube Corner it did not end too well. She was nervous to go back and work there with Pinkie Pie.

"Now, Apple Bloom, you made that delicious apple pie the other day." Applejack reassured her.

"Yeah but that was apples! Shucks, I can barely make nothin' but apple pie!" Apple Bloom cried.

"Apple Bloom, you'll do fine."

"Thanks, sis."

Apple Bloom quickly left the house and made her way to the bakery.

***

Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders, GO!
We're on an adventure, we're on a quest,
to find out what we do the best.
Our cutie marks are what we seek,
we'll push our selves every day of the week!
Cutie Mark Crusaders! Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Apple Bloom's the handy one,
give her work in a minute it is done.
Sweetie Belle, she just loves to sing,
she wrote this song, it has her ring.
Scootaloo is rad and cool,
try her stunts and you'll look like a fool.
But then Shiner already has his mark but,
he'll help us catch our cutie marks!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusa~ders!
There's no limit to what we will try!
No matter how many rules we will defy,
WE WILL GET OUR CUTIE MARKS IN TIME!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders YEAH!

***

Scootaloo had been in the pony post office for five minutes but there was nopony there to greet her, but she then heard a voice from behind the closed counter, the blind of which quickly and loudly opened up, shedding a flash of light which nearly blinded Scootaloo.

"Hello little girl, are you lost?" the voice cheerfully asked.

It was Derpy Hooves, head of the Pony Post Service.

"No...I'm here for work experience day." Scootaloo said.

"Work experience day? Oh, you must be Todaloo!" Derpy beamed.

"Scootaloo."

"Oh yeah, right! Well welcome aboard, Scootledoo! Now what are you doing here?"

Scootaloo sighed. This was going to be a long day for her.

"I'm here for work experience. Tenth grade at Canterlot High School, Scootaloo." she explained.

"Canterlot High?! I remember that place! It was so much fun! We used to have parties every night...although my parents never let me go. Oh and one time, Twilight Sparkle almost destr-"

"Can I please do some work?" Scootaloo interrupted.

"Oh, sure! Why didn't you just ask? Alright, you can deliver some letters to the neighbourhood!" Derpy said with a large smile.

Scootaloo sighed with relief. 'Some' letters wouldn't be difficult. Then, Derpy dropped a large and overflowing bag in front of her.

"These are for the whole town! Have fun!" she said.

Scootaloo looked at the bag in horror.

"Wasn't I supposed to just deliver a few letters to the neighbourhood?"

"Silly! Everypony in Ponyville is my neighbour! Now get to it, don't wanna be late!"

Scootaloo gulped and wrapped the large bag round her torso. She was instantly pushed down by the weight and she slowly dragged herself to the door.

***

Sweetie Belle made sure to arrive at Ponyville Elementary extra early so she could help her old teacher Cheerilee set up the room for the children. The pink mare was more than happy to see Sweetie Belle once again. Sweetie noticed that Cheerilee was aged somewhat for an adult and bore a few wrinkles on her face which made her look more mature. Her hair had also taken a slight grey tint.

"So, Sweetie Belle, you will be helping with this table," Cheerilee explained, showing Sweetie Belle a small square table surrounded by four chairs on each side.

"No more desks?" Sweetie asked.

"No, no, no. I decided the children work much better when in a group. You might know who taught me that," she giggled and left Sweetie Belle slightly confused.

"So, why this table and not the whole class?" Sweetie asked.

Cheerilee bolted upright and the corner of her mouth twisted into a forced smile, "I feel you should just start out small. The whole class is a big responsibility."

Sweetie Belle studied the teacher's face for a moment, then smiled, "okay!"

Cheerilee sighed of relief and began to explain to Sweetie what the class was currently learning about.

***

Rarity eagerly awaited Shiner's arrival. She was stood next to the entrance of the boutique, seemingly dancing with excitement. She didn't know why, but she hadn't had a colt work for her for years.

There was a knock on the door and Rarity immediately opened it with her magic, "HELLO!" she beamed.

Scootaloo, at the other side of the door, stared at Rarity, weirded out by her enthusiasm.

"Oh, Scootaloo. I was expecting Shiner," Rarity sighed.

"He's not here yet?" Scootaloo asked, looking behind Rarity for him.

"No. But what brings you here this early, dear?" Rarity asked.

Scootaloo paused for thought, then looked to her back and opened the bag. She fumbled through it with her mouth and brought out a few letters, which Rarity took with her magic.

"Oh, you're working for the Pony Post Office? Well I'm sure you'll do a great job, darling! I shall say hello to Shiner for you!" the unicorn smiled.

"You're wel-" Rarity shut the door abruptly in Scootaloo's face.

The pegasus stared at the door for a moment and then turned around, but bumped into somepony.

"Oh, sorry," the familiar colt voice said.

"Shiner!" Scootaloo beamed.

"Hey, Scooty! How're you doing?"

"Not bad. Just made my first delivery," she smiled.

"Awesome! Say, Apple Bloom's working at Sugarcube Corner, right? Maybe we could meet there after..." Shiner sniggered, "work!"

Scootaloo laughed, "you sound so grown up!"

The two shared a laugh, then embraced and said their goodbyes as Scootaloo walked slowly to her next delivery. Shiner knocked on the door to the Boutique and it instantly opened up. He saw Rarity on the other side with a huge smile and heard her make a squee.

"I'm here for...uh..." Shiner talked slowly, confused by Rarity's eagerness.

"Pony Work Experience Day! Come right in, we have so much to do!" she spoke fast.

As Rarity hopped back inside, Shiner slowly trotted in and followed. The room was empty except for in the middle, where there was a clotheshorse covered in clothes. Shiner gulped.

***

Apple Bloom had been stood at the door to Sugarcube Corner for ten minutes or so by now and didn't want to go in because she was so nervous. Her hooves shook rapidly and she took a step closer towards the door and it opened quickly. Apple Bloom darted backwards and saw Mr and Mrs Cake walking outside with two small ponies behind them.

"Oh, Apple Bloom! You're here!" Mr.Cake smiled.

"We're just taking Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake to school. Pinkie is inside, she'll get you started," Mrs.Cake explained.

The ponies poked out from behind her. One was a cream pegasus with a shaggy brown mane and the other was a yellow unicorn with a bouncy orange mane. They waved at Apple Bloom, who returned a nervous smile and watched the four walk past.

She slowly walked into the building and took a look around, but Pinkie was nowhere to be seen, but suddenly the pink earth pony dropped from the ceiling in front of Apple Bloom and loudly shouted, "HI!"

It was super effective. Apple Bloom fainted.

***

Scootaloo had just finished climbing a steep hill to reach the elementary school. She lay on her back, and the bag, panting for air with her eyes half shut as she got to grips with reality.

"I never...want to make....a climb...with a heavy bag...AGAIN!" she whined.

She slowly rolled over and stood up, slightly struggling under the weight of the bag. She had already visited somethingteen houses and it was still very heavy. She knocked on the door to the school.

"Sweetie Belle, could you get that? I still have to organise a few things," Cheerilee asked.

"Sure, Miss Cheerilee," Sweetie chirped, placing down some string she was levitating towards a desk.

She trotted towards the door and opened it with her magic, "Scootaloo!"

"Sweetie Belle! How's your work going?" the pegasus asked.

Sweetie Belle tilted her head slightly, then laughed, "it's great! All the kids are so energetic and lovely!"

Scootaloo smiled and looked behind Sweetie to see an empty classroom, "where are they all?"

"They're not here yet, Scootaloo. School doesn't start for another half hour."

"Oh, right. I'm so used to us going to school early, I forgot."

"So, mail?"

"Oh yeah! Here," Scootaloo dipped her wing into the bag and pulled out a few letters and a parcel, tied together by string.

Sweetie Belle took them and said thanks and good luck, then shut the door as Scootaloo walked away. Sweetie Belle turned back to Cheerilee.

"Say, Miss Cheerilee?" she asked.

"Sweetie Belle, dear, you can just call me Cheerilee. You're not my student anymore," Cheerilee replied.

"Oh, sure. Cheerilee? How come the table for the kids I'm working with is so far away from the others?" Sweetie asked, noting that her table had at least space for one more inbetween it and the next.

Cheerilee grew the strange smile again and inaudibly mumbled beneath a stack of papers. Sweetie decided to ignore the question. She then heard chatter from outside.

"Oh! The children are here!" Sweetie proclaimed.

"Sweetie Belle, you should go and sit on your table," Cheerilee suggested.

The unicorn nodded and plopped herself on the fourth seat at the table, which was much too small for her, but she managed to remain in a comfortable position. The door opened and Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake bounced in happily, giggling to each other and saying bye to their parents.

"Pumpkin Cake! Pound Cake! Welcome," Cheerilee gleamed.

"Good morning, Miss Cheerilee!" the two said in unison.

"Please take a seat at your normal table," the teacher said.

The two proceeded to bounce in a similar way to Pinkie Pie towards the table which Sweetie Belle was sat. They eagerly took their seats and stared at Sweetie with wide smiles, making her feel a little uncomfortable.

"Aren't you a bit old to be going to school here?" Pound Cake laughed.

"Oh! I'm not a student! I'm helping out today," she said pleasantly.

"I hope you're fun!" snickered Pumpkin Cake.

Sweetie released an awkward laugh, then stared off in a different direction to the young ponies. Over the next few minutes, ponies flowed into the classroom and it seemed like everypony was there, but there was one space left on Sweetie Belle's table. Then, from outside, a short blast of trumpets played and the ponies inside quietened down. The door opened with blue magic and a very light pink alicorn child walked through the door. He wore a red vest with gold around the edges and his neat, short mane was a dark blue colour and his eyes showed a brilliant green. He walked slowly with his chin up high and quietly took his place in the spare seat at Sweetie Belle's table.

"Ah, Regal Crown, it's a pleasure to see you here today," Cheerilee said softly.

Sweetie Belle stared in amazement. This was Prince Regal Crown sat before her. Son of Shining Armor and Princess Cadence! The boy was said to be a prodigy in both magic and flight and at the young age of seven, too! Sweetie had to wonder what such an important child was doing here in a small one-roomed elementary school. Perhaps his parents wanted him to live a normal life amongst other ponies? All this spun through her head as she stared mouth agape at him.

"Excuse me, but may I ask what it is you are looking at?" he spoke boldly.

"Sorry. Just...admiring the weather outside," Sweetie said awkwardly.

Regal Crown sniffed and Cheerilee began the school day.

***

Shiner stood in front of a mirror to take a look at himself. Rarity had dressed him in the brightest gear he had ever seen. It was all white and stood out on him very well. He wore a hat, shoes, vest, cape and even headbands all in this bright colour. He didn't like the clothes, but he couldn't say no to Rarity. He thought he would upset her.

"What do you think, dear?" she asked.

"It's...great, Rarity," he forced a smile.

"Oh! That's brilliant! This will be one of my first brand lines for colts over my fifteen years of working! Winter is coming soon, so I thought something maybe camouflaging would be appropriate. Winter Start-Up, I call it.

"Sounds...good!" Shiner said with an even more strained smile.

"Now you simply must try on my Pretty in Pink for males, Shiner!"

"PINK?!" Shiner exclaimed, then looked at Rarity's shocked face, "oh...um...yeah! Pink!"

He smiled again, which caused Rarity to dash off and collect more clothing. Shiner sat down and sighed.

***

Apple Bloom finally woke up to see Pinkie Pie still grinning. She shook her head to get a grip of herself and stood up.

"You alright Apple Bloom?" Pinkie asked enthusiastically.

"Yeah...you scared me," Apple Bloom said.

"Oops, sorry."

"Nah, it's alright. So should we get t' work?" Apple Bloom asked.

Pinkie looked around the room and saw ingredients readily lined on a table, then looked back at Apple Bloom.

"Let's make some cakes!" she cheered.

Pinkie once again sung her cupcake song to Apple Bloom like she had done many years ago, but this time, Apple Bloom payed more attention and used more care when preparing her confectionery. Then came the time to put the mixture she had put together in the oven, which was not already turned on. Pinkie Pie was at the other end of the room stacking shelves.

"I'm gonna go out and get some more stuff. Mr and Mrs Cake are away today too, so it should just be you here, Apple Bloom," Pinkie explained.

"Sure, leave it to me!" the pony said happily.

"You know how to work the oven, right?"

"Of course!"

"Okay then, see ya!"

Pinkie Pie bounced out of Sugarcube Corner to leave Apple Bloom to her own devices.

Apple Bloom turned the dial on the oven to the heat which Pinkie had told her to bake the cupcakes at. She stood and watched.

"Why's this takin' so long?" she whined after a few seconds.

She waited a few more seconds.

"Consarn it! Maybe I need to turn up the heat?" she wondered.

She moved her hoof to the dial again and turned it in a complete clockwise motion to the top, which was red and had the number '11' printed on it. Apple Bloom waited a few more seconds.

"Oh for buc-" KABOOM.

***

"Hey, Sweetie Belle?" Pumpkin Cake asked.

"Yes, Pumpkin Cake?" she replied.

"How do you do this sum?"

"Oh! That's easy! You can simply draw a diagram such as this to..." Sweetie Belle blabbered on about complicated ways to solve the sum, which was 13 multiplied by 4.

"Do you really have to go into such detail? It's a simple sum," Regal Crown snorted.

"I guess I'm just good at math," Sweetie Belle said braggingly.

Regal Crown rolled his eyes, then looked attentively at Pound Cake, who was slamming his head on the table loudly and hard.

"Pound Cake! Don't do that!" Sweetie Belle commanded sternly.

"THIS IS TOO HARD!" he complained, scrunching up his work and throwing it at a yellow unicorn filly.

The girl began to cry and Cheerilee strictly told Pound Cake to stand outside of the classroom.

"Fine! At least I won't have to do this CRAP work!" he shouted.

The young ponies gasped. They never thought even Pound Cake would use a SWEAR WORD in class!

"THAT'S IT!" Cheerilee shouted, "YOU ARE STAYING INSIDE AT LUNCH TIME!"

Sweetie Belle's heart skipped. In her time at the elementary school, she had never heard Cheerilee shout at a student. She was frightened herself and watched as Pound Cake stormed outside and slammed the door shut. Just as he did so, another sound came from in the town. A loud KABOOM!

***

Rarity approached Shiner with a pile of pink clothes and told him to put them on in the changing room, but just as he got a hold of them under his wing, the building shook with the loud sound. KABOOM!

***
Scootaloo approached the Sugarcube Corner. Her bag was significantly lighter now and she had no struggles in carrying it. She looked through quickly and saw she only had a few letters and two parcels left to deliver. She knocked on the door and it burst open with a loud KABOOM. She was sent flying backwards and crashed to the ground, then somepony fell on top of her. Scootaloo kicked the pony off, then saw it was Apple Bloom, covered in soot.

"Apple Bloom, what happened?" Scootaloo asked in shock.

"Ah think ah might've broken the oven..." she sighed.

"How did you manage that?"

"I kinda set it to th' max heatin',"

"That was smart of you," Scootaloo laughed.

"What am ah gonna tell Pinkie Pie?" Apple Bloom cried.

Scootaloo looked at her, then at the blasted door that had smoke blowing out from inside.

"You're gonna tell Pinkie you blew up the Cakes' oven?" she asked.

"Y'think ah should?"

"No. Any one of them could get mad at you. I'd just say it suddenly went on the fritz. You had nothing to do with it."

"Ah don't wanna lie, Scootaloo!"

"Do you wanna get in trouble?"

"No..."

"There we go then! Oh, right! Mail! Here," Scootaloo searched her bag and pulled out a letter.

"This is it?" Apple Bloom asked, confused.

"Seems so. See you around!" Scootaloo said, trotting off.

"Sure. See ya," Apple Bloom said shakily, looking back at the battered door.

***

"Everypony remain calm!" Cheerilee commanded.

The ponies were running in circles, screaming and some crying. Sweetie Belle had cowered under the desk when the explosion happened and when she came back up, both Pumpkin Cake and Regal Crown were missing. She immediately told Cheerilee, who demanded she found them immediately. Sweetie was terrified of this side of Cheerilee she had never seen before, but she followed her command and ran out the door. She saw Pound Cake leaning against the wall by the entrance.

"Pound Cake! Have you seen Pumpkin Cake and Regal Crown? They've gone missing," Sweetie Belle said in a hurry.

"Yeah, they ran off," Pound Cake muttered.

"Pound Cake. Show me where they went," Sweetie Belle demanded.

"Why?"

"POUND CAKE. You listen to me! I am responsible for you three today, this is my first experience of work and I want it to go well. Tell me where Pumpkin Cake and Regal Crown went NOW," she shouted, then panted for a few seconds, suddenly scared of herself. Or was she?

"They...they went towards town," Pound Cake said clearly and slowly, now looking directly at Sweetie Belle's eyes.

Now Sweetie Belle saw it. The reason why Cheerilee had put her with these three. The reason why she was so strict at times. It was all necessary for her to learn what being a teacher was like! Being put with the most difficult in the class made it somewhat stressful for her and she needed to vent it out eventually so they would pay attention and follow her. She apologized in her mind to Cheerilee for being afraid of her strict side, then took Pound Cake to find the other two.

***

Shiner and Rarity ran out of the Boutique as soon as they were sure it was safe to go outside, then saw a few doors away a little smoke.

"That's Sugarcube Corner," Shiner commented.

"Isn't Apple Bloom working there?" Rarity asked.

The two looked at each other and gasped, then galloped towards the door, just in time for Pinkie Pie to come back.

"Hi guys!" she smiled.

"Pinkie! Did you hear the explosion?" Rarity asked.

"Explosion? Hmm...don't think I did, sorry!" Pinkie giggled.

"How could you not hear it? It was so loud! And it came from Sugarcube Corner!" Shiner said.

"I wasn't at Sugarcube Corner. I was shopping and singing with the townsfolk. Did something bad happen?"

Rarity opened the beaten up door with her magic and they saw a soot-covered Apple Bloom hastily putting singed cupcakes on a counter.

"Apple Bloom? What happened?" Pinkie asked, sweeping her hair around, "why is the oven in pieces all over the floor? Why is there a smoky smell? Why is there a hole in the wall where the oven was?"

She gasped, "Apple Bloom! Did someone break the oven?"

Apple Bloom's eyes darted around, "no! It uh...malfunctioned! Ah was cookin' the cupcakes, then BAM! It blew up!"

"Was it on the right heat?" Pinkie asked.

"...uh...yeah..." Apple Bloom said quietly.

"Must've been a blip in the machine then," Pinkie smiled.

"Well, looks like everything is...alright," Rarity said as another piece of wall fell off.

Rarity and Shiner walked off, then entered the Boutique again. A clock chimed for three o' clock. Shiner smiled widely.

"Looks like my shift is over," he said.

"Oh..yes...of course, Shiner. It was fun, but really, we must try on more outfits next time!" Rarity smiled.

"Sure, next time," Shiner said with another forced smile as he walked out the door and shut it behind him, "phew."

***

Scootaloo walked back into the Pony Post Office, "Derpy! I delivered all the mail!"

The wall-eyed pony was nowhere to be seen, but then she popped out of a box next to Scootaloo and made her jump.

"Nice job, Skittlepoo!" she cheered.

"Scootaloo."

"Oh sure, that's what I meant, Sitadoo! And you're only two hours past the expected finish time!"

"Two hours?! Was I that bad?"

"Oh, no! In fact, I did my Pony Work Experience Day here too! I didn't get back here until midnight!"

"Woah...really?"

"Yuhuh! In fact, I'm still on Pony Work Experience Day!"

Scootaloo blinked slowly, "huh?"

"My daddy runs the business, so he thought it would be best if I stayed here instead of going to school! He never signed the forms to sign me out of school or to properly accept me as an employee, so I guess I've been on Pony Work Experience Day for ten years!"

"Ten years?!" Scootaloo repeated.

"Yeah! Ten years of fun!" Derpy cheered.

Scootaloo stood awkwardly for a moment, "I think my shift is over."

"Oh yeah! Well done, Scattlemoo! You did a good job today! Will you be back in tomorrow?"

"Uh...I don't think so, Derpy."

"Oh...well it was fun! See ya around!" she waved.

"...sure!" Scootaloo said, getting out of the door as fast as she could.

***

Sweetie Belle and Pound Cake ran into the town centre, calling out Pumpkin Cake and Regal Crown's names as loud as they could, but they heard no reply. Then, Sweetie Belle saw Sugarcube Corner.

"Apple Bloom is working there, maybe we should go and check it out?" she asked Pound Cake.

He shrugged, but they went in anyway and saw Apple Bloom galloping in circles in absolute panic.

"What's going on here?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Sweetie Belle! Glad yer here! Pumpkin Cake and Regal Crown turned up early from school! Ah had no idea what t'do!" Apple Bloom cried.

"It's not THAT bad, Apple Bloom!" Pinkie laughed.

"Why's that?" Sweetie asked.

"My sister, Regal Crown and me get to come here early after school every day. We dunno why, but Cheerilee insists that we go home an hour early. We play in the café room until Princess Cadence and Shining Armor come to pick up Regal Crown," Pound Cake explained.

Sweetie Belle giggled. She knew exactly why Cheerilee wanted them out so early. Pinkie then led everypony to the café, when Shiner and Scootaloo eventually came in to join them.

"We should try Apple Bloom's cupcakes!" Scootaloo suggested.

"Uhmm...maybe not," Apple Bloom said.

"Why not?" Sweetie Belle asked.

Pinkie walked in carrying an oven tray balanced on her head with what looked like solid coal in each circle. The ponies jumped back in disgust and Apple Bloom blushed, but then, the door slammed open.

"What is going on here?" Mr.Cake boomed.

Pinkie and Apple Bloom's hearts leapt. The two bakers did not look happy at all. They had heard about the explosion and even Cheerilee contacted them to say Sweetie Belle reported Pumpkin Cake was missing, as well as Pound Cake swearing in class. They were literally fuming. Apple Bloom's mind and heart raced, then she built up her honesty and courage and told the Cakes exactly what happened.

They let Apple Bloom's story sink in, then looked at each other, then at Pinkie.

"Did the mail come today?" Mrs.Cake asked.

Pinkie lifted the one letter they received. The two gave each other another glance and smiled.

"It's alright Apple Bloom. An understandable first timer's mistake," Mr.Cake said calmly.

"And don't you worry about the damage. This letter was for a competition we won. We got nine-hundred bits! That'll be enough for a new oven and repairs to the wall!" Mrs.Cake explained.

Apple Bloom smiled and apologized once more, then the large group decided to get some pre-made cupcakes and all have a meal on the house. But Regal Crown refused to eat what he referred to as 'peasent's sweets'. Sweetie Belle glared at the filly and decided not only that she did not like the prissy prince, but that this would not be the last time they met, either.

Start the Presses

View Online

In their tutor room, the crusaders were talking about what they should try next to get their cutie marks. Canterlot High School offered a wide variety of extra curricular clubs and they had just received a pamphlet detailing the tens of clubs available.

"What about embroidery?" Apple Bloom asked.

"That sounds good," Shiner said.

"My mom was really good at embroidery," Sweetie Belle commented.

Scootaloo and Shiner stared at her, their wings being kept folded tight.

"...and?" Scootaloo asked.

"I don't want the same cutie mark as her!" Sweetie Belle complained.

"Well there's a ton of other clubs we can do," Apple Bloom continued, "gymnastics, cooking, art..."

"All of them sound fun," Shiner commented.

"Yeah, but I want something we know we're good at," Scootaloo sighed.

Sweetie Belle looked at her copy of the pamphlet, then gasped, "what about working for the school paper?"

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, followed by Shiner in a delay, quickly shoved their heads to where Sweetie Belle pointed with her hoof and saw 'The Canterlot High Tribune: JOURNALISTS WANTED!' printed in large, red letters.

"That's what we're doing!" Apple Bloom smiled.

Shiner questioned this choice, referring to the previous Gabby Gums problem, but they were sure to only document the truth. They quickly wrote out application forms and handed them to their tutor teacher, Chemist Carpenter; a light-olive green unicorn with grey hair and a bushy mustache and then happily trotted out of the classroom.

***

After school hours, the crusaders made their way to the English block and to room A11, where the meeting for the newspaper would take place. Apple Bloom opened the door to see that only one pony was there so far, and that was Shady Daze. Much older in appearance now, he was a well known colt around the school; mainly for his impressive work on the paper in previous years. He greeted them as they entered the room and took seats. For a moment they sat in awkward silence until a few more ponies entered the room and the meeting was ready to begin.

"So where's the leader? Who's running this joint?" Scootaloo asked.

Shady Daze took a sweep of his head and looked over the present ponies, "not here ye-" he was interrupted by the door swinging open.

The crusaders gasped at who they saw enter the room, somepony they had not seen in years (or so they thought.) It was a pink earth pony with light purple and white hair, styled different than how it used to be and on her flank was the cutie mark of a tiara, but not just any tiara. One made of diamonds.

"Sorry I'm late," she said with a tone of voice that sounded like she did not mean her apology, "I had other things to do."

She trotted to the front desk, eyes shut and took a seat, then opened her eyes and reviewed the ponies before her. Her pupils dilated at the last three ponies she saw. 'Crusaders' she thought to herself. They were all gazing at her with unimpressed emotions detailed in each of their eyes, but she ignored this and began to speak to the whole room.

"You all probably know me, but if for some absurd reason you don't; my name is Diamond Tiara. As head of the Canterlot High Tribune, it is my duty to set you all jobs. Does everypony know what they want to do? To save me the trouble of course," she said with a lack of care.

The tens of ponies gathered mumbled to each other and looked to Diamond Tiara and nodded slowly, it was visible that they were all uncertain as to whether they liked her.

"Well whatever it is, write it down on a piece of paper and pass it to the front. It's gonna take a lot of time to go through each of you individually," she sighed as a unicorn pony handed out pieces of paper with magic, "write down your name and what you wanna do, then pass it to the front and you can go. I'll see you next week."

She looked at the ponies as they wrote their decisions, then to the Crusaders as they struggled between themselves to make a choice. Soon enough, the four of them were the only ponies left.

"Will you guys just hurry up? I want to get home," Diamond Tiara complained.

Apple Bloom looked up from their discussion and glared at her, Shiner then apologised but Scootaloo told him to be quiet. The girls couldn't agree on a part for the job, but Shiner agreed to every suggestion; he mainly did this because he didn't want to disappoint or upset anypony. This caught Diamond Tiara's attention and she studied him more. Eventually, the crusaders decided to get stories like they did for the Foal Free Press.

"So Diamond Tiara," Sweetie Belle asked, "why haven't we seen you at school these past few years?"

Diamond Tiara gasped and looked at them with angry eyes, "I've been here all the time that you have! Have you not noticed me?"

"Sorry!" Shiner quickly said. Scootaloo put a hoof to his mouth.

The three trotted out of the room giggling, they legitimately had not actually noticed Diamond Tiara in the past few years and saw this as a way to annoy her. Shiner looked back to see her staring at him through the glass on the door and quickly looked away.

Half an hour later the group was on the late-train ready to go home and it had just started its journey back from Canterlot to Ponyville. As usual, the four were sat on chairs around a table with Scootaloo next to Shiner and Apple Bloom next to Sweetie Belle. The train quickly left the school station.

Scootaloo turned to her lover, "isn't it your turn to get snacks today?" she asked.

He nodded, "of course! What does everypony want?"

The girls gave him their orders, then he pulled a bag of bits from his school saddlebags and trotted to the snack cart, which was about two down from the one they were sat in. He asked for the treats to the mare behind the counter and turned around to see Diamond Tiara smiling at him. Her stare made him somewhat uncomfortable.

"Uh...hi Diamond Tiara," he managed to say.

"Hey Shiner! Glad I saw you here actually."

"Why's that?"

"Well, I feel that I'll need to know what I'm working with on the school paper, I've never seen your writing before so I was hoping if you could do something for me?" she explained.

He raised an eyebrow, knowing of his friends' past rivalry with the earth pony. With caution he asked, "and what would that be?"

"Well, my class' English homework was to write a piece of non-fiction text on something. Maybe to prove what you can do for the paper, you could do mine? It'd be great to see what you could do!" Diamond Tiara smiled again.

Shiner had to think for a moment. He was a kind pony down to his heart, not one to usually say no to a favor; but he didn't really think of this as a favor. But this colt was not a pony to say no. With a smile he accepted the favor, to which Diamond Tiara pulled a notebook from her saddlebags and gave it over to him. He was unsure of what he may have been getting himself into.

The next morning, again in their tutor room, the crusaders had nothing to do; though this was usual for tutor mornings. Their teacher, Carpenter Chemist, had not yet arrived, but when he did, he rushed in looking worried and exhausted. He was trying to get the class' attention, but they were talking too loudly. He couldn't shout, so he looked to Shiner, who usually had to get everypony's attention. Not a pony to say no, Shiner sprung up and hovered in the air.

"QUIET! DR.CHEMIST IS TRYING TO TALK!" he shouted, then looked around as everypony was staring at him, "uh...thanks."

He flew down back into his seat, Scootaloo trying not to burst into hysterics over him. Dr.Chemist looked upon his class and took a deep breath before making his hurried and urgent announcement.

"I don't mean to scare anypony, but this is important news. I understand if you're surprised by this, so any sense of alarm is mutual," he began and took another breath.

"So what's the news, sir?" Apple Bloom asked.

"The young royal, Prince Regal Crown, has been reported as missing," he announced.

The class gasped in unison as if they had rehearsed it. Sweetie Belle looked to be the most concerned of all as her face instantly transformed into a frown of gloom and worry. The class quickly turned to muttering again; most with the news they had just heard, others with the awesome party that Grape Punch threw the previous night. Apple Bloom looked to the rest of the crusaders with a smirk.

"Gals...and colt," she sniggered to Shiner, "looks like we've got our first story!"

"You think we should report on Regal Crown?" Scootaloo asked for confirmation.

"Ah think we should do it, it'd be a good start to the new paper right?"

Shiner and Scootaloo nodded, but Sweetie Belle still looked confused.

"What exactly are we gonna do though? We can't exactly interview him," she said.

Apple Bloom paused for thought, "maybe we could talk to Shining Armor and Cadance?"

"Yeah! We were their bridesmares! We could easily meet them," Scootaloo noted.

"It could take a while to get to speak to them though," Shiner added, "I think we should do it! But let's focus on some other stuff in the mean time."

Chemist Carpenter spoke up again since the class was still somewhat quiet, "also, I'll be giving out forms for our school's residential. It's at Buckinghamshire Manor, some groups of ponies have gone already, but they haven't come back yet. It's been a month. I guess they just wanted to stay a little longer, but have a look at the letter and give in the forms by next week if you want to go."

He then walked around handing out paper with his unicorn magic. Eventually he got to the crusaders who eagerly took the letters.

"Look at this! Zip lines, archery...why, this place is lit'raly shouting 'CUTIE MARKS' at us!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.

The others examined the paper before them, but then the bell rang to begin the day and they stuffed the sheets into their saddlebags.

First lesson, Shiner had history, a lesson which which none of the others shared. He trotted down the many stairs from his tutor room, located at the very top of the science block, with Scootaloo who was headed in a similar direction. The two embraced before they split at the bottom and Shiner went along to history. He waited outside for the teacher to call them in, then Diamond Tiara approached him.

"Oh, Diamond Tiara!" Shiner smiled, "what are you doing here?"

"I'm in your class..." Diamond Tiara said with a hint of frustration.

"You are?" Shiner then realised he had to be nice, "oh yeah! Of course! Silly me! Hey, I have your English work here!"

He fumbled a wing through his saddlebag and passed a book to Diamond Tiara. She sat on the ground and flicked through it with her hooves to find the homework Shiner had done for her. She smiled to herself somewhat evilly.

"Good work, Shiner, good work. You'll be an excellent addition to the newspaper team!" she said with a fake grin.

Shiner laughed and told her it was his pleasure, then they were called in to class.

Afterwards, Shiner had exited when Diamond Tiara came to him again with a forced look of worry on her face. She looked Shiner dead on in the eyes to make him ask her what was wrong. He did quickly, being the pony he was.

"Well, the homework that Mr.Baker set us sounded hard...I didn't know what it meant," she whimpered.

"Oh. Well I understood it, maybe I could explain it to you?" Shiner offered.

Diamond Tiara acted a sigh and looked to a wall, "I still don't think I would understand it, Shiner."

"Okay...so what do you want me to do?" Shiner asked.

"Do you think...maybe you could do just this one homework for me?" she asked helplessly, "you did such a great job on my English homework..."

Shiner could detect the sheer desperate tone in her voice, but he didn't know it was all spurious behavior. He nodded to her and with a huge sigh and thanks, she gave him her book. She was liking where this was going. She would have less time bothering with homework because she could take advantage of Shiner's kind nature. Now she could focus on getting herself known in the school. With a colt doing anything she wanted, the name of Diamond Tiara would be common talk at Canterlot High.

Love With a Twist

View Online

Diamond Tiara leaned over to Shiner and whispered "pssst" in his ear. Shiner tried to ignore her, but that wasn't like him. He tried again as Diamond Tiara continued trying to get his attention. He closed his eyes tight and shook his head, then opened his eyes and continued writing. He felt a tap on his hooves and saw a piece of paper slide under his head. He read it, written by Diamond Tiara. It said 'what's the answer to number three?'

Shiner sighed and subtly moved his answer sheet over to the mare whilst the teacher wasn't looking. Diamond Tiara inaudibly giggled to herself, copied the answer, then the next one, then the one after that and so on until she had caught up with him and quickly moved the paper back to the pegasus and winked with a fake smile. Shiner returned an honest smile and was about to carry on with his work, but then the bell rang, much to his annoyance.

The history teacher, a grey earth pony with jet-black pointy hair, told the students to promptly pack up, except for Scribble Dibble, who he had a bone to pick with (but as usual, he was just trying to humiliate poor Scribble Dibble for no reason.)
As the other ponies began to make their way to the classroom, Shiner had just one question to ask Diamond Tiara.

"How, by the end of the lesson, were you only on question three?" he asked with a chuckle, to show he wasn't being mean.

Diamond Tiara feinted a sigh and looked to Shiner with her usual forged sad eyes, "I'm just no good at history. Oh, why did I pick it for Pony GCSEs? Plus Mr.Baker is...well...to be honest, really horrible. I barely learn anything from him."

Shiner nodded, "I can see that, but I've seen you do well before, you don't really need my help, Diamond."

"I guess," she sighed again, "oh! Do you have my maths homework?"

Shiner nodded and reached into his bag, passing a large, heavy textbook and notebook to Diamond Tiara.

"Thanks again!" Diamond Tiara smiled and trotted away.

Before he could make a move himself, Shiner heard Scootaloo's voice from round a corner, "and what was all that about?"

***

Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders, GO!
We're on an adventure, we're on a quest,
to find out what we do the best.
Our cutie marks are what we seek,
we'll push our selves every day of the week!
Cutie Mark Crusaders! Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Apple Bloom's the handy one,
give her work in a minute it is done.
Sweetie Belle, she just loves to sing,
she wrote this song, it has her ring.
Scootaloo is rad and cool,
try her stunts and you'll look like a fool.
But then Shiner already has his mark but,
he'll help us catch our cutie marks!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusa~ders!
There's no limit to what we will try!
No matter how many rules we will defy,
WE WILL GET OUR CUTIE MARKS IN TIME!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders YEAH!

***

"Oh...you mean Diamond Tiara? She was just-"

"Asking for your help with homework?" Scootaloo sighed.

"Yeah...she struggles with her classwork..." Shiner hastily replied.

Scootaloo shook her head, "she's using you, Shiner. Using you to do all her work."

Shiner stayed silent for a moment, but the two pegasi then heard a small cough. Looking to their right, they saw an amber coated pony with a scruffy turquoise mane and tail and a snail cutie mark. Snails. He was nervously stood in a corner, his thick hooves shaking as his mouth wobbled. Scootaloo looked to the unicorn colt and smiled.

"Oh, hey Snails!" she greeted him.

"H-hi, Scootaloo...Shiner..." he mumbled and stepped forward a little.

"Is there something wrong?" Shiner asked.

Snails got over his shaking hooves and approached the two, "no, nothing wrong. Just wanted to ask you something."

"Fire away!" Scootaloo laughed.

The unicorn took a sweep of his head to check nopony was around, "you guys are pretty....coupley...lovey dovey, eh?"

Shiner and Scootaloo looked to each other, giggled, and nodded to Snails, gesturing for him to continue.

"So yeah, I was wondering...there's somepony I kinda like, but...I'm scared to ask her out," Snails gulped air to try and continue his statement, "could you guys...I don't know, somehow...make me less nervous? Or something? Man, this is dumb of me..."

Scootaloo let out a loud 'awww' and giggled, brushing her head against Snail's neck, "aww that's so sweet, Snails! Who's the lucky mare?"

Snails stood stuttering, then another pony burst through the doors, a short and plump ginger unicorn with an opal coat and a cutie mark of scissors. He bounced up to Snails and nudged him hard in the chest with the edge of his hoof.

"Hey Snails, you got Scootaloo to hook you up with Twist yet or not? It's lunchtime and I'm hungry!" he whined, then looked at the three mid-conversation.

By now, Snails' face was redder than an apple from Sweet Apple Acres. He turned to Snails and glared.

"Oh right, yeah, Twist," Shiner giggled.

Scootaloo joined in his laugh, "oh come on, Snails, everypony knows you like her!"

"T-then why did you ask!?"

"Just wanted to make sure," Scootaloo sniggered, then shook her head, "but really, you need help talking to her?"

"No, not talking to her. He can do that just fine, he's just too wimpy to ask out the chick," Snips snorted.

"Stay outta this, Snips, you've been no help to me!" Snails roared in reply.

Deadly locked eye to eye for a moment, the two unicorns unanimously decided to keep out of one another's business and Snips galloped away to have his lunch. Shiner trotted to Snails and resting a wing on his body.

Shiner spoke in a consoling voice. "It's alright, just ignore him. Has he really been that bad?"

Snails nodded, "he's just hornblocked me every time I speak to her. I really need to be on my own when I do; but I just don't have the courage."

"The thing to do is," Scootaloo also trotted to Snails' other side, "be yourself, act natural. I know that may be hard to hear. But I sure know it's worked for me," she smiled at Shiner.

"Don't be afraid of rejection, Snails. Think of the positives," Shiner explained.

"Okay, be myself, positives..." Snails confirmed

"So, you gonna ask her out today?" Shiner asked.

Snails looked around, "maybe...I dunno...yeah, alright! I'll do it! After pony science I'll ask her!" Ge said with a slightly out-of-character burst of courage.

***

Just afterwards, up at the school field, Shiner and Scootaloo joined Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle for lunch.

"Took y'guys long enough," Apple Bloom laughed as they sat down.

"Sorry, got caught up with Snails," Scootaloo explained, bringing a lunchbox from her saddlebags.

"What'd he want?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"He wanted help on gathering the courage to ask Twist out, in the mean time it looks like Snips and him fell out," Shiner said.

The other two nodded, "so he's finally asking her out? 'Bout time. When's he gonna tie the knot?"

"They're not getting married..." Sweetie Belle whispered.

"After pony science, he wants me and Shiner to hang around nearby," Scootaloo once again did the explaining.

Shiner then bolted up, "oh yeah! I forgot something in history class, I'll be right back," he then galloped towards the classroom he had just left.

Scootaloo made sure he had gone far enough for him not to hear her, then spoke to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, "have you guys notices Diamond Tiara's...manipulation over Shiner lately?"

"Yeah, actually," Sweetie Belle commented, "he's been doing a lot of her work recently."

"Now that'cha mention it, Ah did see him an' her talkin' in maths class this mornin'. Looked like he was givin' her answers," Apple Bloom added.

Scootaloo nodded at this new information, "we need to get to the bottom of this...eventually."

***

On the last period that day was pony science class. Shiner, Scootaloo, Snips, Snails and Diamond Tiara all shared this class together. Towards the middle of the lesson, when Chemist Carpenter had given the ponies their work, Scootaloo spotted Diamond Tiara trotting towards her table where Shiner was sat.

"Hey, Shiner! You gotta see this!" She quickly commented, whisking the colt away before Diamond could work her ways and get him to do her work.

She brought him to a table at the side of the room, eagerly grinning at what was on it. Shiner was quite confused.

"It's a...bunsen burner...?"

"I know! Pretty cool isn't it?" Scootaloo said, still cheesily grinning.

Diamond Tiara sensed she would not get to Shiner with Scootaloo there. Scootaloo turned to face her and the two shared an angry growl before the couple returned to their seats.

For the whole lesson, it had seemed that Snips kept looking towards Snails, but looked away when the unicorn looked back, grumbling into his school work. For the whole lesson, Snails had been nervously chatting with Twist, giving her answers even if she didn't need them or just complimenting whatever she did. A lot of this made her giggle, especially when Snails told her what a good job she did writing the letter 'h'.

Soon, the bell rang and Snails' heart leapt out of his body. As the ponies excitedly galloped out the door to get the train home, he asked Twist to stay outside until everypony had gone. Scootaloo and Shiner stood round the corner, even witnessing Snips peeking through the door every few seconds.

"So...Twist...we're really good friends right?" Snails began.

"Of course, Snails!" Twist merilly replied.

"Have you ever thought of...I don't know...what I'm trying to say is...do you want to...maybe...take it...further? Our friendship...like, not that it could get better! That is, I mean...!" his words became jumbled and uneasy.

Twist laughed and blushed, "you mean you want to be more than just friends."

Snails squeaked, "yes," he whispered.

Twist intantly leapt to Snails' side and brushed herself against him, "of course, Snails! I've liked you for ages, I'm so happy you finally asked me!"

Snails smiled and rested his head on hers, then heard hoofsteps behind him. He turned and saw Snips looking towards him a few meters away.

"Oh, come on, man! What do you want?" Snails sighed.

"To say sorry, Snails," Snips said, "I realise I may not have been the best and most reliable friend to you and I really thought I'd hurt your chances with Twist, I didn't want that at all!"

He sighed, "will you forgive me?"

Twist and Snails came closer to the sad, pudgey unicorn, "of course, Snips, you're my best friend after all!" Snails accepted his apology.

The three then walked together towards the train station, "so are you guys gonna make out or what?" Snips cheekily laughed.

"We've been going out for like one minute, Snips! Shuddup!" Snails shouted.

"No you shut up!" Snips replied.

"No you, eh?"

"You!"

"YOU!"

This continued for a while, with Twist uncontrollably laughing the whole time.

***

Finally, onboard the train home, Sweetie Belle announced to her fellow crusaders that she had news. With her magic, from her saddlebag, she brought out two pieces of paper and set them on the table.

"And what is it?" Apple Bloom asked.

"A letter from Princess Cadence and Shining Armor! Plus another from school." she replied, holding them with her hoof.

"What do they say?" Shiner asked.

Scootaloo snatched them from Sweetie Belle and quickly skimmed them both, "They're happy for us to interview them! We've got the day off school tomorrow to visit them!" she exclaimed with glee.

"You know what this means?" Sweetie Belle squeaked.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER PRINCE AND PRINCESS INTERVEWERS! YAY!" the four shouted.

An Interview With Royalty

View Online

The Crusaders climbed aboard the train headed towards Canterlot High, but for the first time in a while, they were not going to school on that day. With their press hats on (literally) they were off to visit Princess Cadence and Shining Armor to question them on the disappearance of their son, Regal Crown, for their first and biggest scoop of their new job on the Canterlot High Tribune. Sweetie Belle rested some sheets of paper on the table as the train began to move and chuff its way to the school. She brought out a pen with her magic and rested it between her ear and her hat.

"So crusaders, any idea of what we'll ask the royal couple?" she asked her friends.

"Where in the hoof is Regal Crown?" Scootaloo suggested jokingly.

Nopony laughed, this was a serious matter, "we're not gonna be so blunt," Apple Bloom pointed.

After a pause for thought, Shiner spoke up "why don't we start with asking for their feelings on the matter?"

Sweetie Belle nodded with an approving 'mhm' as she levitated the pen from her ear and wrote on the paper.

"Then we should ask what happened," Scootaloo added.

"Why so quickly?" Apple Bloom had to ask.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes, "let's be honest, is there anything else you can think to ask besides for their feelings and what happened?"

"Yeah!" Apple Bloom objected, then searched her brain for something to retaliate with and sighed, "nah, wait, nothin'."

***

The Crusaders stepped off the train and quickly made their way to the hill that everypony descended to reach the school. Today, however, our four ponies climbed up the hill to make their way to Crystal Courtyard, where Princess Cadence and Shining Armor lived together. The magnificent building stood tall and grand, the crystal-blue stone that formed it shone majestically in the morning sunshine. The Crusaders marveled at the huge pillars before the entrance and the wonderful garden behind them. It was truly a place of much care to detail. They took their first steps through the giant wooden doors. Shiner almost slipped on the polished marble floor, but quickly got a grip of himself. Quickly, the ponies were walking on a soft red carpet as they looked forward to see many sofas, chairs and tables near a quaint little fireplace and in the distance more wooden doors leading to the Courtyard itself. The building was very quiet, but now the Crusaders heard small hoofsteps quickly trotting down a set of stairs. The girls and Shiner smiled at who they saw.

Almost in unison they exclaimed "Princess Cadence!" as they looked upon the beautiful pink winged unicorn pony. Today she had let her mane flow all the way down. She smiled at her bridesmaids and approached them, nuzzling the girls and shaking Shiner's hoof.

"It's so lovely to see you all again," she smiled, "Shining Armor should be here any second."

As if on cue, the large doors that led to the garden opened wide, allowing for more sunshine to flow into the room as they amplified the handsome grace of Shining Armor, wearing the same outfit he wore to his wedding as he trotted in.

"Good morning, reporters," he chuckled, closing the doors behind with shining pink magic.

"Please take a seat," the Princess invited as the Crusaders all plopped themselves on the same large sofa.

"Where should we begin?" Scootaloo whispered. Sweetie Belle put a hoof to her mouth to signal her to be quiet and let her do the introduction.

"Princess Cadence, Prince Shining Armor, my name is Sweetie Belle. I'm here with the Canterlot High Tribune reporters team. This is Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Shiner," she took a breath, "we would like to ask you some questions about the disappearance of your son, the royal Prince Regal Crown."

"Of course," Cadence confirmed, becoming serious.

"First up," Scootaloo barged in to the questioning, "how do you guys feel about your son going missing?"

Shining Armor spoke first. "The obvious answer would be very upset and of course we are." Sweetie Belle used her magic to write his exact words, then looked up and nodded for him to continue.

"There's one thing you should know that would further answer this question, but we think it's best if you ask us more before we tell you," Shining Armor finished.

"So then whadda ya know about why he disappeared?" Apple Bloom asked.

Cadence and Shining Armor frowned and exchanged sad looks, then nodded to one another. Cadence took a deep breath.

"He went away willingly."

There was a deadly silence as Sweetie struggled to write this down over her shock. She urged for Cadence to elaborate with a consoling point of eye contact.

"We had taken our soon away for a short visit at Buckinghamshire Manor; it seemed that we clashed with a residential from your school, actually."

"Yeah, we're going on the same residential in a few days," Shiner explained.

Cadence and Shining Armor gasped, then shared another nod. The air of the room became tense and serious. Sweetie Belle decided to ask one more question.

"What happened at Buckinghamshire Manor?" she stood up, "how did Regal Crown disappear?"

Now both the royal couple both stood up and paced around the room and cleared their throats. They looked desperately into each other's eyes, then to the floor.

Regal Crown Disappearance song
(to be sung to the tune of 'This Day Aria' from the 'that through any kind of weather' line.)
Character key:
Shining Armor
Cadence
Apple Bloom
Scootaloo
Sweetie Belle
Shiner

He smiled as he faded,
into darkness disintegrated.
It seemed that he was happy after all!
Our son willingly gave in,
what horrible parents we must have been!
What led him to leave both our sides?

A voice called out to us, sounded weak and very rushed,
Regal Crown, he liked the monster's sound.
It said it wanted to be friends, together 'till the end,
our son said yes and now we're in this mess!
Oh the horrors at Buckingham, this really was our last stand!
Oh, Regal Crown, how will we save you?

Oh Crusaders you must go~
To Buckingham, and save us from our woe,
There's no way we can say no,
I say we do it, save the show,
Regal Cro~wn will be~
Saved. We promise.

A smile then appeared on both Cadence and Shining Armor's faces and they bowed to the Crusaders.

"Thank you. If you bring him back, we will be forever in your debt," Shining Armor most graciously said.

"We need to tell you something else," Cadence added, "we can't go back there ourselves. Whatever dark creature took Regal Crown cast a spell on the manor and even the county around it. Specifically, the two of us can't even enter the county."

Shining Armor looked to his wife, "Cadence, since we already planned for someone to go and investigate, do you think it would be good to send her to go with the Crusaders? They're just kids after all. They need someone to watch and protect them."

Cadence nodded, then looked to the Crusaders, "I wish you the best of luck at Buckingham. We really can't thank you enough for what you've promised us," she said with a tear.

Shining Armor escorted the four out of the building and thanked them once again. He noted them that before they get on the train to Buckinghamshire, somepony will meet them to accompany them. So, the crusaders headed back to school.

On the train home later that day, Sweetie Belle brought out her notepad to read her notes to the others.

"Okay girls, and Shiner, this is what I've got. Shining Armor and Cadence took Regal Crown for a visit to Buckinghamshire Manor. Whilst there, they saw the students from our school's residential. The last lot of which were sent there last month. Regal Crown went missing three days ago, so that must have been when the couple returned home. We learned that Regal Crown was not only taken away by an evil spirit, he was willing to go with it too and be its 'friend'. Cadence and Shining Armor cannot go back to Buckinghamshire. Something fishy's going on there. The students staying there for a prolonged time and Regal Crown being taken away by a dark...demon...monster thing."

"It sounds really dangerous," Scootaloo noted, "why would they send us to get him back?"

"Because they trust us," Apple Bloom pointed out, "if they believe in us, Ah'm sure we can do it!"

The others nodded, then Shiner put his hoof in the center of the table, "Cutie Mark Crusader Prince Rescuers?"

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS PRINCE RESCUERS!" the four cheered.

The next two days were an organizational struggle for the crusaders. Whilst Apple Bloom had hardly anything to pack, she thought of the equipment she could borrow from the farm that might aid in their rescue of the prince. Sweetie Belle just couldn't fit all her clothes in her case and Scootaloo just jammed her suitcase with loads of pointless things she didn't need anyway. Shiner was fine though; he helped Scootaloo to pack appropriate stuff in the end.
At the beginning of the day before the residential started, Shiner had to quieten down the class for Chemist Carpenter to talk during registration. He levitated a piece of paper with his blue magic.

"Now children, this paper has the groups you'll be in to do activities during the residential. There are four ponies in a group. These will be the same groups that you will share a dorm with too, so pay attention."

The list revealed that boys and girls would not share groups. To cut it short and simple, Shiner's group had: Shiner, Scribble Dibble, Heavy Metal and Stellar Spike.

The crusaders were all put in a group, and their group consisted of: Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and...Diamond Tiara.

The Residential: Day 1

View Online

Apple Bloom made her final preparations to set off on residential. Applejack and Big Mac were helping her get her cases to the door. Just as the last case settled on the wall, Mac released it from his mouth's grip and sighed with relief.

"What've y'got in these cases anyways, Apple Bloom?" Applejack asked, "there's two of 'em and they're heavier than ol' Bessie's cowbell collection."

Apple Bloom's nervousy was thankfully subtle; she didn't have the heart to tell her siblings that she'd packed equipment to face off against or rescue from an unknown and evil supernatural force in an apparently haunted and dangerous manor house in another county.

"It's just clothes, sis! We need a lot if we're gettin' down and dirty in our activities," Apple Bloom explained.

"Well, whatever. You just take care, 'kay?"

Apple Bloom embraced and nuzzled Applejack and Big Mac, "o' course I will! I'll see y'all in a week. Bye now!"

She then stormed out the door with her bags attached to her back as she galloped towards Ponyville Train Station. A tear made up of both pride and sisterly worry worked up in Applejack's eye as the teenage mare happily made her way off.

"They grow up so fast," Applejack noted to Big Mac with a smile.

"Eeyup," the stallion replied.

***

Rarity quickled hastled to prepare the rest of Sweetie Belle's clothes. With a huge repitoire at hoof, she was struggling to find something suitable for the activities described in the residential letter.

"I honestly don't have much that can get dirty, Sweetie Belle! Everything here is just too precious and delicate!" she cried.

"I know that," her sister replied, "and I knew before we packed anyway. Just pack normal stuff, Apple Bloom said she'd lend me some of Applejack's old clothes for the walks and stuff."

Now Rarity was worried, "Applejack's clothes? Oh dear, oh dear, that won't do! They're all scruffy and...ick! I wouldn't want you wearing her 'fashion style'."

"They're just gonna get dirty anyway..." Sweetie Belle noted.

This didn't occour to Rarity. If she'd thought of that before she wouldn't have blabbed about her friend's choice of clothes. This was embarrasing and she wanted the moment to clear quickly, so she pushed Sweetie and her many bags out of the door quickly.

"Now have a nice time, be careful, don't get too dirty and wash and brush your mane every night! I love you, bye now!"

And the door shut. Sweetie Belle giggled then, with what magic she could use, she lifted her five bags from the ground and levitated them around her as she made her way to the station.

***

Scootaloo's parents had already left her house down in Ponyville for work this morning, but Shiner was coming to pick the pegasus up. Scootaloo tiredly plopped herself on a sofa in her dawn-filled living room, looking at the dust dance around the light flooding through the windows. She glanced at the clock, seeing that Shiner was a few minutes late. She rested her eyes, but just as her eyelids met, there was a hasty knock on the door. Scootaloo hopped off the sofa she had just sat upon and opened the door with a wing, then smiled at the sight of her boyfriend behind the door, wings aspread.

"Are ya ready to go?" Shiner asked with a smile.

"Of course!" Scootaloo replied, quickly hovering towards her single suitcase. Though she could not fly, Scootaloo had mastered hovering; she never got any bashful comments on her lack of proper areial activity. Scribble Dibble, another flightless pegasus, had cleared up that controversey a year or so ago.

"And that's everything?" Shiner asked before Scootaloo could turn around.

The mare paused for thought. She had obviously forgotten something if Shiner was asking that. Her eyes then fully opened in rememberance. She dashed upstairs and quickly galloped back down with a rolled up orange piece of fabric. The sleeping bag that Sweetie Belle had made for her. The Crusaders all promised to bring them to this trip.

"There we go!" Shiner laughed and opened the door wider for Scootaloo to exit.

Once the two had begun their trot to the station, Scootaloo asked Shiner why he was late.

"It was only a few minutes, Scootie...besides I got a little caught up reading my book," Shiner explained.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes, "the kid's book?"

Shiner narrowed his eyes in return, "Daring Do and the Pegasus Pendant is not a kid's book, Scootie. Loads of adults read the series! Even Rainbow Dash wrote one!"

"Yeah, yeah," Scootaloo giggled as Shiner blushed.

***

That morning, the Ponyville train station was in full bustle with young ponies and teacher strewn across the wooden platform along with their bags. The last ones to trot along were the crusaders, all coincidentally arriving at the same time. They all saw each ther and giggled, then looked forward to see there was no space for them on the platform, but then they saw a hoof fly up and wave to them. The hoof was a deep shade of blue and there was no fur on the end, leaving bare hoof. Curious, the four ponies shoved their way through the crowds to reach the one waving to them. They were then surprised to see a circle of emptiness on the platform and grinning at them, with a coat the same colour as his hoof, a scroll cutie mark, square-rimmed glasses and pegasus wings was Scribble Dibble.

"Uh...Scribs?" Shiner looked towards the enthusiastic pegasus, "why is there a huge gap in the crowd? Anypony could stand there...."

Then the ponies (except Scribble, who was still smirking) flinched as they heard a scream and saw a pony get flung into the air, landing at the other end of the platform. From where that pony was launched stood a grey unicorn with a white mane which, whilst spikey, remained downward flowing. Left to his matching tail was a microphone cutie mark. The faintest white aura faded away from his horn.

"Heavy Metal and I have been guarding this spot for you guys, don't wanna miss a catch up with our dormmate, do we?" Scribble laughed.

"What about Stellar Spike?" Apple Bloom asked.

Another deep voice rung out from overhead, "are they here yet, guys?" accompanied by a descending brown pegasus with darker brown hair and a telescope cutie mark. He landed on the ground and looked at the crusaders for a few seconds, "oh! How long have you been here?"

The four looked to one another, then to the pegasus. Sweetie Belle spoke up, "a few seconds."

"Oh," Stellar Spike laughed, "fine then."

Ponies began to scream and cheer as the train came into view. It stopped with a mighty screech and a huge blast of smoke, washing over the crowded platform and making the loads of ponies cough. The doors opened and chaotically, ponies boarded, shoving others out the way and making some unable to move. The crusaders were stuck in the middle of all of this, so they decided to stay still and be the last ones to board. As hoofsteps drummed around them, Scootaloo looked behind them and saw another pony standing still; though she didn't recognise it from the ones at school.

In a couple of moments, the crusaders were the last ones on the platform; even Scribble Dibble and his friends had left them after saving them a place. The four were about to step forward but they heard a voice.

"Oh, guys, glad to see you're here!" the familliar voice chirped. It was the voice of Twilight Sparkle.

"Twilight?" Apple Bloom chuckled, "what're you doing here?"

"My brother asked that I take care of you at the manor house. He has faith in you but of course he needed a pony as dependable as me to make sure you're all okay!" the alicorn had a hint of self-approval in her voice.

"Shining Armor did mention that somepony was coming with us, I never really thought about it though," Shiner admitted, then looked behind him, "we'd better get on the train! It'll leave without us!"

So the ponies dragged their bags along and boarded the train, which was at full bustle with ponies. It was hard to find a place for them to all sit down. Eventually, they found a place with Shady Daze that was completely empty. Only now did the crusaders notice he had a cutie mark of a newspaper. Upon seeing them, the earth pony invited them to sit down, looking rather enthusiastically at Sweetie Belle. He spoke as soon as they sat down and the train started its journey to Buckingham.

"How did the interview go?" he beamed.

Sweetie Belle immediatley answered, "it went well, we found out some information that we need to keep a secret for now, but interviewing is really fun!"

"I know!" Shady Daze agreed, "interviewing a prince and princess has to be much more interesting than what I'm doing..."

"What's that?" Sweetie Belle asked.

Shady began to explain "Well, Aperture and I were doing a report on the owners of the Shining Plate Bistro-"

He was quickly interrupted by Shiner, "That's my parents' cafe! I work there, what brought you over there?"

"Your parents are thinking of selling the place. Didn't you know?"

Shiner's pupils widened. His parents hadn't told him this yet; to him business there seemed great.

"Did they tell you why?" he asked.

"Lack of staff. They did mention only their son and one other pony were working there besides them, it's made things pretty stressful. Ponies have been leaving because it's been taking too long to get their orders," Shady explained, "here, have an advance issue of the Tribune. It's all in there."

Shady moved a newspaper towards Shiner. He moved it closer with his hoof and mumbled through the words, "I have no idea why they wouldn't tell me..."

"Say," Apple Bloom pondered, "since when did we start having such good quality photographs in the school paper?"

"Since Aperture came along of course!" Shady Daze chirped, "he's a natural with a camera. You can certainly tell why he has his cutie mark."

"So a lot of the ponies on the newspaper team have cutie marks related to it, huh?" Scootaloo thought out loud.

"Looks like we're on the right track!" Apple Bloom laughed, looking out of the train window.

***

Many hours later, after much newspaper talk between Shady Daze and Sweetie Belle, the train finally arrived at the convinent train station in front of Buckinghamshire Manor. It was a huge gothic mansion on the edge of a seaside cliff. Accompanied by the soothing sound of waves crashing against the lower rock was the fresh and delightful salty sea air smell. Ponies flooded out of the train and a warm coast breeze swayed their manes. As they were instructed, the ponies carried their bags along towards the manor. The crusaders, Twilight Sparkle and Shady Daze were once again the last ones to deboard the train. The six ponies made their way behind everypony else into the manor.

***

One inside, the ponies were shown to their dorm rooms. This was the time the crusaders were dreading as they were sharing a dorm with Diamond Tiara. They held their breath before entering but thankfully she had already dropped her bags and left. Looking around, the walls were grey stone, a small glass window sat above a small reading table and the floor was a comfortable carpet. The girls claimed their beds, which were bunk beds, and left their bags where they could be easily accessed. There was an en suite bathroom with their dorm with a toilet, sink and shower. They then exited the room and headed downstairs for dinner as it was late and they had already eaten lunch on the train.

They trotted down a narrow set of stone stairs and through a corridor to a huge dining hall with long wooden tables surrounded by equally longer wooden benches with a large and fine array of foods lined along the tables. Scootaloo dashed to the nearest empty seat and began grabbing things from every tray, making her own meal as big as any other ponies. Her friends laughed at her antics and joined her.

A few hours later everypony in the hall was stuffed but still bursting out with chatter. Carpenter Chemist came to the head of the hall and coughed for attention to no avail, he then looked to Shiner who rolled his eyes and hovered in the air.

"EVERYONE SHUT UP!!" he yelled over everyone. The attention was on him, all eyes were making contact with his, "Chemist Carpenter wants to talk..." he chuckled and sat down in his seat. It was all quiet except for Scootaloo in hysterical laughter.

The teacher cleared his throat, "Now everypony, I know you're probably all filled to the brim after that wonderful meal, curtosey of the manor chefs of course. In a few minutes we will have a campfire to break ourselves into the house, so please come round the back in ten minutes."

Ponies cheered and galloped away to prepare for the campfire, but the crusaders were left once again to exit last. Twilight came up to them, her wings outspread in joy after her meal.

"How was dinner, guys?" she asked positively.

"Delicious!" Scootaloo quickly responded, "I could get used to this!"

Twilight chuckled, "well I won't be coming to the campfire, I'm going to have a look around the place. I hear the manor has an excellent library! It'll be interesting to see what kind of books they keep." the unicorn then smiled sheepishly and hopefully, "might even get a few leads as to where my nephew is."

The crusaders nodded. They had almost forgotten their main reason for coming in the first place; to find Regal Crown. They said bye to the princess then trotted outside to enjoy the campfire.

***

Twilight was in a relaxed state after ten minutes. The manor was silent spare for the quietened mumbles of the ponies outside enjoying the campfire. She happily trotted through the halls, looking for the library. Suddenly, she stopped. She saw something infront of her, but not something; somepony. It was the ghostly figure of a red pegasus stallion with a white mane, smirking innocently at Twilight. She almost screamed at the shock the spirit gave her, but she kept her cool and studied him for a moment.

"A..are you a ghost?" she whimpered. Her wings opened up as a natural defencive reflex.

The ghost nodded, then turned around and looked towards Twilight, signalling for her to follow. She perked up a bit seeing as the ghost was friendly and began to follow him.

Meanwhile, at the campfire, everything had come to a hush as somepony suggested they tell ghost stories but nopony volunteered. Scootaloo looked around then stood up with a cheeky smirk plastered on her face.

"I'm sure nopony here has heard of the Darkness of Buckinghamshire Manor," she giggled.

Ponies shook their heads, slightly worried at the prospect of what they might be able to hear.

"It's a thrilling story, true too!" Scootaloo laughed, "they say that in this manor is an evil spirit. It lurks around, talking to ponies then takes them in its grasp and brings them to another dimension!"

Ponies recoiled in fear at what Scootaloo had just said, some of them unknowing if it was the truth or not like she had said. Apple Bloom pulled the pegasus down and whispered for her to shush.

"Y'can't let 'em know 'bout that! If whatever took Regal Crown goes for 'em, they'll be mighty terrified!"

Scootaloo simply sniggered and the campfire chattered roared back up as ponies giggled and sung. Scootaloo noticed that from the other side of the fire, Diamond Tiara was glaring at her. She returned the glare with a scowl and the pink pony looked away.

Twilight had been following the ghost for a few minutes now and finally it stopped at a door. Twilight opened it and what she was greeted with put a huge smile on her face; she had finally found the library! The ghost led her in and she looked around. It was huge. Not as tall as the library in the Crystal Empire, but still huge. The wooden bookcase held many paperback, hardback and leather books for her to explore but the pegasus ghost was leading her to something else. She decided to follow it more. She opened her wings and elegantly hovered up to the ghost's level. Once she reached him, he quickly flew into the bookcase. Curious, Twilight levitated some books out of the way and saw that the back was much wider. There was a large metal case which the pegasus was sat next to, smiling nicely at her. Twilight cocked her head and the pegasus nodded.

"Let's see what in here then..." she said, levitateing the box to her. She kept it above her as she descended towards a red leather chair and lay down, tucking her wings to her side.

She put the metal box on the table next to her and opened it with her magic, then brought out a very dusty leather book. The cover was hardly visible because of all of the dust. Twilight gently blew it off, but it went everywhere causing her to choke. Once she got over her coughing fit she looked carefuly at the cover. Engraved on it were olden pony runes. Luckily, over her years Twilight had studied these runes and quickly deciphered them.

The book was titled "Consonance and Desolation".

The Residential: Day 2

View Online

“The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his Desolation; I am alone.”
― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein.

The Residential: Day 2.

DONG!
Twilight Sparkle bolted awake.
DONG!
She was surrounded by complete darkness.
DONG!
She inhaled deeply.
DONG!
There was no noise around her but the loud brass ringing.
DONG!
She kept her breath inhaled as to concentrate.
DONG!
She focused magic to her horn.
DONG!
A small pink aura surrounded her horn.
DONG!
The light from the aura brightened the area around her.
DONG!
She took another look around.
DONG!
There was still over encumbering darkness.
DONG!
She increased the magical energy and brightened light from her horn.
DONG!
She sighed with relief and closed her outstretched wings. She was still in the library and had simply fallen asleep. She carefully slopped off of the sofa she lay on and positioned her hooves close to each other, pointing her head in the air and unleashing a blast of magic with her horn. The pink light rose up in a spherical shape and expanded to fill the ceiling of the room, turning a bright white as it grew, lighting up the whole room.

She looked down to the table before her and saw the book, still closed. She brought it into the air with a levitation spell then sat back down on the chair. She quickly opened the cover and turned the first few pages.

They were blank. So were the next few. She quickly flipped through the whole book. Every page was blank. She could only sit and stare at the book. She then looked beside her. The red pegasus ghost slowly approached her on hoof, walking through the table in front of her. He finally stood before her.

"Princess Sparkle. We have been awaiting your arrival for a long time," he said, though the ghostly mouth did not move. He sprung out his wings and the pages of the book began to flip as wind in the room picked up. The ghost began to glow as he closed his eyes and arched his head backwards. He rose up into the air and the light emanating from him filled the library, swallowing up everything visible.

The light then dimmed and Twilight found herself in midair. She struggled and quickly put out her wings, flapping furiously, but she didn't hover. She was suspended at the high angle without flight, looking down. What was below her was one of the rooms of the manor house, but it seemed to be decorated differently. There was only a dresser and two slabs of wood with blankets on them, as well as an oil lamp in the center of the room lighting it up. There was a familiar pony in here too. A red pegasus with neat brown hair and a feather quill cutie mark; the very same she had seen as a ghost. He held a book under his wing which Twilight once again recognised from its brown leather cover. It was the very book that he had led her to, just without the words on the front. She heard footsteps, as did the pegasus, who quickly shoved the book under one of the blankets. From the en suite at the side came a yellow unicorn with a somewhat messy black mane and the cutie mark of orange and blue hooves crossing one another. He levitated before him with a blue aura another oil lamp, which he blew out and set down.

"Are we now prepared for the feast and fire?" the red pegasus asked.

"Indeed," the yellow unicorn replied, "after just flushing away the troubles I am more than ready to go."

Twilight gagged a little after that statement, but then took in the peculiar way in which they were speaking.

"Then let us depart, Consonance," the red pegasus said.

"Quite," Consonance replied, trotting out of the door.

"Oh!" the red pegasus exclaimed, "my mistake, Consonance, I still have some more preparation to do."

Consonance laughed, "you forgettable scamp, Red Rune! I shall await your presence by the flames along with our teachers and fellow pupils."

Red Rune nodded as Consonance left the room. Twilight looked as the pegasus picked up the oil lamp in the middle of the room with his muzzle and entered the en suite.

"What could all this mean?" Twilight said, her voice echoed, "with the dialect they're using and the standard of the room...I'm looking into the past!"

Then, there was a loud crash. This room had a large glass window and it had just been broken through from the outside. Inside the room now stood a light brown pegasus, covered in red blotches. His eyes were bloodshot and his pupils small. He looked around quickly, his head darting at a furious pace, his wings were kept tightly at his side.

Red Rune's voice emanated from the en suite, "Consonance? What was that noise? Has something broken?"

There was no reply, the brown pegasus grinned at the en suite door. He slowly outspread his wings to reveal, in the right one, a bloodied and sharp looking knife.

He chortled maniacally yet quietly and whispered to himself in a more casual and broken accent, "this'll show them upper class snobs what for! If we city folk can't live 'ere, nopony can!"

Twilight gasped. The door to the en suite opened and Red Rune trotted out with his eyes closed and oil lamp in hand.Twilight called for him to look out but he couldn't hear her. As he was outside of the door he set the lamp down and exhaled happily. He opened his eyes and his pupils shrunk at the sight before him.

"W-who are you? Why are you holding that sharp instrument?" Red Rune asked in panic.

The brown pegasus slowly crept towards Red Rune, brandishing the knife with intent to attack, "I'm sick an' tired of these posh yobs rubbin' their wealth in my face, I am. Everypony in this 'ouse has gotta pay!"

Red Rune trotted backwards as the killer moved forward, "b-but I do not reside here. I have no money at hoof!"

"I don't mean pay as in money," the pegasus grinned.

Red Rune bumped into the sink of the en suite, he cold no longer move back. Twilight couldn't see into the room, but she flinched and covered her ears as she heard blood-chilling cries of pain and maniacal laughter.

"Stop! Please make it stop!" she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. A bright light filled the room and the screams faded away, Twilight found herself back on the sofa in the library, weeping into her hooves.

She looked up and saw the ghost again, the book closed itself and he looked at her, a frown on his face.

Twilight sniffed and held back her tears, "so you must be Red Rune."

The ghost nodded. Twilight spoke again, "so is what you've shown me the a lead to the strange disappearances here?"

Red Rune was about to move again, but light filled the room from outside, the sun was rising and its golden glow filtered through the window, fading the ghost away. Red Rune flew towards Twilight and with only a second to spare, a whispery voice emanated.

"The key is Con-" then the ghost disappeared completely as the large library was filled with sunlight.

Twilight looked beyond the window for a moment and those last words echoed through her mind. She then thought back to the vision she was shown. Processing this information for a moment, Twilight came to a temporary conclusion.

"Whatever took Regal Crown must be related to that awful brown pegasus," she thought, "maybe it's his spirit or something that's taken him away."

Twilight looked at a large clock on the wall of the library, "it's morning. Better get ready for breakfast," she said as she trotted out of the room.
She looked back in the room sighed, "we'll find you soon, Regal Crown. I promise," she said as she shut the door. What she didn't see was behind the door, in the library, a round pitch black shadow appeared on the floor of the library, bubbling slightly, and moved under the door, scaling the wall in the opposite direction to Twilight.

***

Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders, GO!
We're on an adventure, we're on a quest,
to find out what we do the best.
Our cutie marks are what we seek,
we'll push our selves every day of the week!
Cutie Mark Crusaders! Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Apple Bloom's the handy one,
give her work in a minute it is done.
Sweetie Belle, she just loves to sing,
she wrote this song, it has her ring.
Scootaloo is rad and cool,
try her stunts and you'll look like a fool.
But then Shiner already has his mark but,
he'll help us make our talents spark!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusa~ders!
There's no limit to what we will try!
No matter how many rules we will defy,
WE WILL GET OUR CUTIE MARKS IN TIME!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders!
Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders YEAH!

***

Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were bustling in their dormitory, awake and ready for the day to start. Diamond Tiara was snoozing on the top bunk she had claimed.

Apple Bloom looked up to her and grunted, "are ya gonna get up any time?"

Diamond Tiara yawned, "I don't want to be seen with you dweebs. I'll leave after you do."

"This ain't fair y'know. We sure ain't lyin' in. We got breakfast to get to, now hurry up."

Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes and got cozy in her blanket. Apple Bloom sighed, but Sweetie Belle looked ot her and shook her head.

"Look like after breakfast we've got ziplining," Scootaloo commented, looking at the schedule on their door, "that's gonna be great!"

"Yeah," Apple Bloom snickered, "you'll finally know what it's like to fly!"

"Hey!" Scootaloo shouted, her wings folding in. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle just laughed as the three ponies left the room.

***

In the dining hall, the crusaders had already found Shiner, who had his face in a cereal bowl, breathing into the milk and almost half asleep. He didn't notice the girls behind him giggling, as well as a majority of the dining hall looking at him. Scootaloo crept up to him and moved her mouth right to his ear and quietly took a deep breath.

"RISE AND SHINE, SLEEPYHEAD!"

Shiner bolted awake, bringing the cereal bowl up with him as it was stuck to his face from his snoring. It fell off and ponies around him laughed. He blushed, then smiled as his friends came to sit with him.

"So why're ya so sleepy this mornin' Shiner?" Apple Bloom asked.

"It was the other three in my dorm," Shiner sighed.

"Scribs, Stell and Metal? What was wrong?" Scootaloo giggled.

Shiner shook his head, "they were up all night talking. I didn't get what most of it was about but I caught something about a card game and...ugh," Shiner's head fell to the table again as he fell asleep.

The crusaders came and sat down with him and left him to try and catch up on his sleep. The hall was quieter than the night before with all the tired mumbles of the early bird ponies as opposed to the rowdy roaring, but breakfast was finished quickly nonetheless.

Thankfully for Chemist Carpenter, he didn't have to get the sleeping Shiner to get attention for him, it was quiet enough for everypony to listen to him anyway.

"Good morning students!" He announced, seemingly full of energy, "today is the first day of your activities. I trust you've all seen your timetables?"

Groans from the students mainly displayed negativity, they had only just woken up after all. Chemist Carpenter sighed.

"Well, groups one, two and three, you'll be ziplining, and Princess Twilight will be accompanying you to where the instructor will be showing you what to do. The other two groups, you're with me and we'll be going hiking!"

Frustrated moans erupted from the once quiet students, obviously for those with the destiny of an early morning hike. Sweetie Belle looked around for a second and turned to her friends.

"Hey guys?" she asked, "this is only our class. I swear Dr.Carpenter said something about another group being here..."

Apple Bloom shrugged, "maybe they left before we came up?"

Sweetie Belle shook her head and took another sweep of the room to look around. Scootaloo then noted that they should get ready for their activity.

***

Later on, the three groups -the crusader's minus Diamond Tiara, Shiner's and the third group - and Twilight gathered just at the entrance to the manor house, on some gravel by a small grassy area. Behind them was a bridge that led to a gymnasium hall, the exit and the path to go underneath the castle in what used to be a moat, which in itself led to various different places around the manor grounds. The crusaders then found out who the third group was composed of; Snails, Twist, Shady Daze and Quick Quilt. Twilight sighed, they were waiting for Diamond Tiara and she was taking her precious time. She turned to the crusaders.

"Girls. Do you know how much longer she'll be?" she asked.

They shook her heads, then Scootaloo spoke up, "she could take all day for all she cares."

"She'd better get here soon, I need to tell you about my discoveries this morn- er...last night," Twilight quickly changed her story as to set a better example to the girls.

"You actually found something?!" Sweetie Belle gasped.

Twilight nodded, "major."

Then, Diamond Tiara finally appeared, wearing nothing but her signature tiara on her head. Everyone but Quick Quilt sighed in disgust at how long it took her to prepare absolutely nothing. Even Twilight showed negativity. Quick Quilt however ran up to the earth pony, "Diamond Tiara? Oh my gosh! You're in this group?"

"Yeah, I'm with those losers though," she laughed, pointing a hoof at the crusaders.

"Well, like, whatever. Come and hang out with me, girl!"

Scribble Dibble sniggered and whispered to Stellar Spike, "I didn't know Diamond Tiara had friends."

The two giggled, but Diamond Tiara glared at them and they quickly stopped and stood up straight. Twilight called the groups to follow her down the moat, which would lead to a short forest path to a clearing with the zip wire. She stayed on a few feet ahead with the crusaders and Shiner, though the other ponies were quite content in their own ways. Twist and Snails just walked closely together, somehow not walking into anything while keeping their eyes set on one another. Diamond Tiara and Quick Quilt generally just vented about themselves, seemingly not even listening to one another but still getting along. Scribs, Metal and Stell kept bursting out with their own inside jokes and Shady Daze seemed to just keep his eyes on Sweetie Belle as they gradually made their way to the zip line.
Along the way, Twilight explained in depth to the crusaders what she had seen when the ghost of Red Rune had given her a vision of the past. Sweetie had brought a notepad with her, which she wrote down these details on, which seemed to cause a quiet squee from Shady Daze's direction.

In no time, they reached the zip line, but the area seemed completely desolate. There was nopony there, though Twilight had been expecting the instructor.

"I suppose we'll just have to wait until he turns up..." she said to the groups.

There was a small shelter near the zipline for those who were waiting their turn, so the ponies all hunkered in there, chatting away. After about half an hour the instructor still hadn't shown up.

"Now where could that pony be? He was supposed to be here before us," Twilight wondered.

Diamond Tiara made a point of herself to sigh audibly, "I'm bored. I'm going to go and stretch my hooves," she announced.

Nopony seemed to care or respond, except Quick Quilt who leapt to her hooves behind Diamond and followed her.

"Like, where are we going D-T?" she asked.

"Away from those losers," Diamond Tiara sighed, "I heard the sea near here is almost as beautiful as I am."

"Y'know who I really hate the most, D-T? That Sweetie Belle. Like...what a total...ickball! Who does she think she is anyway? Just strutt-"

Diamond Tiara wasn't listening but she interrupted Quick Quilt anyway, "shh...what'syourname...look..."

"It's Quick Quil-"

"SHH."

Diamond Tiara pointed in towards a small clearing past some bushes. There was a strange pile of black ooze on the ground.

"Ew. What is that?" Quick Quilt gagged, "it looks all yuck."

"I dunno," Diamond Tiara replied, "try and pick it up with your weirdo powers."

"My magic?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

Quick Quilt quickly built a light red aura, matching the streaks in her bunched up mane, which hovered above the black ooze. Quickly, the aura on the ooze turned black and sharp, then exploded into nothingness with a sharp snap and bright flash.

"What in the hoof was that?!" Quick Quilt gasped.

Diamond Tiara looked to her worriedly, "you mean you didn't do that?"

"Now way. I just tried to get a hold on it or whatever."

Diamond Tiara paused for another second to look at the puddle.

"Touch it," she commanded.

"What?!"

"Touch whatever it is."

Quick Quilt gagged again, "like, why?!"

Diamond Tiara just glared at her. Quick Quilt flinched and moved through the bushes towards the puddle with fear in her hoof steps. She was stood right by it and peered at it, seeing her own reflection clearly in the opaque black splotch. Without knowing it, her eyes turned a sharp green colour and then drained to a bleak grey. She looked up and turned her head around, then began to panic.

"D-T?! W-where did you go?! DT?!" she cried out.

Diamond Tiara walked hesitantly through the bushes, "I'm...right here...Quick Quilt," she replied with genuine worry.

"D-T! OH MY GOSH! DID YOU ABANDON ME?!" Quick Quilt cried, despite looking directly at Diamond Tiara.

"I'm in front of you! Are you blind?"

Then, Quick Quilt galloped on the spot, panting in fear and continued to cry out, "where is everypony?! They've...they've all gone! They left me here! I'm all alone!"

Diamond Tiara ran up to Quick Quilt and tried to put a hoof on her, but a black spark blew her hoof back and sent her flying across the dirt. Then, Quick Quilt seemed to calm down.

"Yes...yes I do need friends...they all left me. What? You'll be my friend? That's perfect," she said apathetically and completely out of character.

Then, the black puddle moved to beneath her hooves. Diamond Tiara could only watch in horror. A small black slither crept out of the puddle and wound itself round Quick Quilt, then more and more until she was completely covered in black. Then she breathed out once and dropped into the black puddle, from which a burst of green light shone and a grey feather shot out of, which was grabbed and brought back down by another black slither. The puddle crept towards Diamond Tiara, who was hyperventilating like crazy. It brought itself out before her and a black arch rose out of it and leant over the earth pony.

"Diamond Tiara?" Twilight's voice called out from afar, "Quick Quilt?"

The black arch shot back into the puddle, which then quickly dissolved into the ground. Diamond Tiara breathed quickly a few more times, then fainted, only hearing her name echoed a few times.

"Diamond Tiara?"

"diamo-"

The Residential: Day 3

View Online

“Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the Desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.”
The Bible, Proverbs 3:25

The Residential: Day 3.

"How is she, Mr.Carpenter?" Twilight asked the teacher.

Twilight, the crusaders and Chemist Carpenter surrounded a table, on which lay Diamond Tiara, still passed out. Twilight had found her in some shrubbery just after she fainted, but she couldn't see why.

"She's still breathing. That's the important thing," Chemist Carpenter responded.

"Wait," Scootaloo said, "wasn't Quick Quilt with her when she walked off?"

"We've sent some manor staff out to find her but there's been no luck yet," Twilight said. She whispered to the crusaders, "though I think we may know what happened anyway."

The crusaders nodded. After inspecting Diamond Tiara closer, Chemist Carpenter confirmed that she had passed out in shock. Her pulse was still rapid, matched by her breathing.
Outside the room, a crowd of ponies gathered, all wanting to get in and see what was going on. Twilight had locked the door however, and none of them could open it. A bell rang, signaling that dinner was ready.

"Twilight, you'll have to watch over Diamond Tiara while I supervise dinner," Chemist Carpenter looked to the crusaders, "you guys come with me. Don't worry, she's going to be alright."

The five ponies left the room. Twilight had brought some books with her to pass the time; some being about twenty. She lost herself in them while Diamond Tiara still lay out of conscience.

***

Hours later, Twilight looked up from her book, and noticed that it was dark. Diamond Tiara was still out cold. The princess got on her hooves and stretched out her wings. Hours of sitting down on a plastic seat may not have been the best idea. There was a note by Diamond Tiara. Twilight picked it up with her magic and read it.

"Twilight, you were too busy in your reading to notice me. Please keep an eye on Diamond Tiara all night; I'm busy settling down the students and preparing tomorrow's activities. -Chemist Carpenter."

Twilight nodded and put the note down. She stood at Diamond Tiara's side for a moment, then looked back to the pile of books by the chair she was sat on. She thought of Quick Quilt for a moment and then trotted over to the pile. With her magic, she dug out the book the ghost had led her to the previous night.

"Maybe he'll come back and give me more leads as to where Quick Quilt went..." she muttered to herself.

She flicked through the book, but nothing happened. She sighed, then put it down and continued to watch over Diamond Tiara. Nothing happened for a few moments, but Twilight noticed an odd sound. A bit like wind at the top of a cliff. She looked to the door, and through it came the ghost of Red Rune.

"Red Rune! It's you!" Twilight exclaimed, "could you show me more about what's happening to the ponies here?"

The ghost nodded, and dove into the book. It opened on its own and flicked through pages, then circled around Twilight and emitted a bright light, engulfing the whole room in it. The room changed to the dormitory Twilight had seen before. The first thing Twilight saw was the battered body of Red Rune. She screamed and gagged, then watched with one eye closed.

Consonance, the yellow unicorn who was in the dorm with Red Rune previously, trotted in.

"Red Rune! The celebrations have begun! Are you re-" he saw the body, "WHAT IN EQUESTRIA?!"

The unicorn galloped and kneeled down by the corpse, tears instantly flooding his eyes.

"What happened? Why would...I just do not understand..."

Consonance broke down immediately.

"My best friend...and for what reason did this happen? It makes no sense!"

Twilight teared up as well. Consonance did seem like a very cheery pony, and to see his best friend killed like this? It would have been heartbreaking.
But then that wasn't the only thing on Twilight's mind. She noticed that behind Consonance was a peculiar black flame, moving towards him. She was about to call out but remembered that the unicorn in the past could not hear her; she could only watch as the flame danced in the air and latched itself onto Consonance's horn. He noticed and yelled, shaking his head to try and get it off, but the flame had a firm hold. The yellow unicorn's horn was slowly being engulfed by the flame. He tried everything he could to get it off. He tried swatting it, dousing it with water from the en suite, rolling on the ground, but nothing worked. Eventually the flame had absorbed itself into his horn, which was a bleak grey colour. His eyes shut, then burst open; white replaced with yellow and red pupils, with a green slither emanating from the sides.

Twilight gasped, "dark magic...!"

Consonance's body changed gradually from yellow to grey, and his hair dyed itself black and grew longer. He himself grew in size, eventually becoming almost as tall as Princess Celestia. Then on his sides a green light shone. they took shape of the wingbone and one feather on each.
Consonance laughed in a deeper and rougher tone. This was no longer Consonance...or was it?

"Red Rune is dead...no! I can use this new power! I'll take Red Rune's soul and add it to my own!"

'Consonace''s horn took a green aura, which surrounded the corpse of Red Rune. From him came a green flame, which the grey alicorn levitated over to his horn. In a similar way to the black flame, the green one went through his horn, and then a new feather appeared on each incomplete wing.

"There must be hundreds of ponies here to take souls from...they can all be one with me! I'll never be lonely!"

Consonace started cackling maniacally. Twilight gasped as the vision before her swirled back to the medical room. She looked to the ghost of Red Rune.

"But...you're a ghost! If that was your soul...how are you here?" she asked, hoping it would talk again.

"I'm not quite a ghost. I am but a living memory, left here magically by the one part of Desolation that is still Consonance in hopes somepony would save him," he explained.

"Desolation? Is that what Consonance is called now?"

Red Rune's memory nodded, "Desolation has created a dimension underneath the manor where he rules over ponies. He takes their souls and collects them on his wings. The soulless husks of ponies stand before him, obeying his every command. He is convinced they are his friends....but they don't even have emotions. Consonance was in a weak spot when he saw my body, he was easily possessed, and his negative emotions completely overtook his body."

Twilight processed this information, "don't you worry. I have the Element of Magic here. I can bring Consonance back."

"It might not be that simple," Red Rune sighed, "Desolation needs to know TRUE friendship to be reformed."

"I can do that too! Friendship is what I'm best a-"

Twilight stopped mid sentence. She looked around the room. Red Rune had gone. As had Diamond Tiara. The room was empty. Slightly scared, she trotted outside and towards the dormitories. She opened doors and saw that they were all empty. She shouted names, hoping that somepony would reply.
She then found herself in the courtyard, and saw that all the lights in the manor were off. Everypony had just suddenly vanished in a split second. She heard a voice.

"Twilight Sparkle. Are you all alone?"

She looked around, but still saw nopony, "who's there? Where did everypony go?" she replied.

"They abandoned you Twilight. You have no real friends after all."

"You're lying! The kids love me! Where did they go?"

"They wanted to get away from you, Princess. They felt overwhelmed that they had to take orders from royalty on a casual field trip."

"But...I haven't ordered them at all! Hang on a second...you're-"

"Willing to be your REAL friend, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight looked to the ground and saw a shadow. From it rose Desolation, exactly as she had seen in the vision of the past.

"Desolation!" she scowled, "what have you done with everypony?"

"Nothing. Like I said, they abandoned you," Desolation laughed.

"There's no way! I know you did something!"

"I did nothing. I'm only here..." his horn shone green. Twilight had no time to retaliate. Her whole body was surged with dark magic. She was no longer in control of it, "to offer you my friendship. Please come with me...we'll be the best of friends."

Twilight nodded slowly and spoke with no character, "yes Desolation. I'll go with you. I see that nopony loves me here."

"Good...." Desolation whispered.

The black shadow underneath Desolation moved to Twilight. She sunk slowly into it. Desolation laughed hysterically as she descended into the darkness.

"That was all too easy!" he chuckled, "if I can take a Princess as my friend, the other ponies in there will surely be my friends as well!"

Desolation sunk into the ground as a shadow, and then made his way to the manor house.

***

The next morning, the crusaders woke up refreshed since Diamond Tiara wasn't there to give them any stress. They got ready for the morning and exited their room, only to find Shiner at their door.

"Good morning Shiner!" Scootaloo chirped.

Shiner's face didn't show happiness, it showed worry, "maybe 'good' isn't the best word to use..."

"Why not...?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Dr.Carpenter, Twilight and almost everypony on the trip..." Shiner's throat caught itself and he couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

The girls all gasped, "you mean they've gone missing?" Sweetie Belle whimpered.

Shiner nodded, "I checked every dorm. Nobody's here except the guys in my dorm and us. Thank GOODNESS you're alright. Scootaloo, I don't know what I would've done if..."

Scootaloo blushed, but remained serious, "where's the others from your dorm?"

"In the medical room," Shiner responded, "Diamond Tiara's still here too."

The girls look to each other, then hurried over to the medical room. Once there they found Diamond Tiara rolling around restlessly in her bed. Scribble Dibble, Heavy Metal and Stellar Spike were stood around the bed all with expressions that said 'what in the hoof is going on?' Scribs turned his head and saw the girls, who were just staring at Diamond Tiara in the same way they were.

"It looks like she's coming to," he commented.

"She's been like this for about 5 minutes," Heavy Metal added.

Stell poked his head closer to her, "it sounds like she's mumbling something..."

"qui...qui..."

Diamond Tiara lay still, then bolted up, shocking Stellar Spike who fell backward, "QUICK QUILT!" she screamed loudly.

"Diamond Tiara,,," Apple Bloom sighed, trotting up to her. She knew this was not the time to be her enemy, "how are ya feeling?"

Diamond Tiara's eyes teared up, "I saw....it was...I don't know what to do."

"What'd ya see?" Apple Bloom asked consolingly.

"It was Quick Quilt," Diamond Tiara said between sniffs, "we were looking to get away from you guys...and we saw this black puddle. It...it wasn't a puddle though. Whatever was in it...at least there MUST have been something doing it...but Quick Quilt had been blinded or something. She thought she was alone, but I was right there talking to her...but then she started talking to herself..."

"What was she saying?" Sweetie Belle asked.

Diamond Tiara thought for a second to recall, "it sounded like someone was inviting her to join them...then..." Diamond Tiara screamed mid sentence.

Shiner came close and held her hoof, much to Scootaloo's annoyance, "it's alright Diamond Tiara. You're safe now. What happened?"

"The puddle went underneath Quick Quilt...and brought her down in it. It was horrifying, it was so scary I..."

"You mean she just dove into the puddle?" Scribs asked.

Diamond Tiara nodded. Everypony took a moment to think about this.

"I think we know where everypony else has gone then," Heavy Metal noted.

"But are we sure that everypony's gone?" Stell asked to confirm.

"I checked all the dorms," Shiner explained, "I didn't see anypony els-"

He was interrupted by the door opening. Everypony looked to see Shady Daze enter. He had his camera around his neck. He looked relieved to see the others.

"Finally! Other ponies!" he cried out and galloped to stand with the crowd, specifically next to Sweetie Belle, "I was worried I may have been the only pony here!"

"Shady Daze!" Sweetie Belle sighed with relief, "where WERE you?"

"Taking pictures! I tracked this weird round shadow around the whole manor house. I've never seen anything like it."

Diamond Tiara hyperventilated a little, "b-black shadow?"

"It must be whatever is taking everypony!" Apple Bloom realised.

"You mean that's what happened to everypony? It just...took them?" Shady Daze asked.

Everypony briefly explained what Diamond Tiara had seen. He looked somewhat confused, but produced a notepad and paper and wrote this all down, no doubt his reporters instincts kicking in. When they were finished, Sweetie Belle looked at Shady Daze's camera.

"Isn't that one of those new electronic cameras?" she asked.

Shady Daze raised his neck proudly "Yeah! The pictures develop instantly onscreen! Okay...it's not developed but...anyway, the school newspaper team got them exclusively! They're brand new!"

Scootaloo rushed towards him and took it, he shouted, "HEY! THAT'S DELICATE!"

"I don't care! We gotta see those pictures! Where's the print button?" Scootaloo said hastily, messing around with the camera. She hit a button and it flashed in her eyes. She flinched and dropped it. It fell quickly, and almost collided with the floor, but a grey aura surrounded it. Luckily Heavy Metal had caught it just in time.

"Here, Shady Daze," he said, "you're the one who knows how to use it," handing it to him.

"THANK you." Shady Daze responded, before he pressed a couple of buttons and the screen on the back lit up.

He gasped, and the other ponies surrounded him to see the pictures he had taken. Except Diamond Tiara, who was still stuck in bed.

"Hey! Can I see?" she asked, being ignored.

"There's...." Apple Bloom mumbled.

"A pony?!" Sweetie Belle finished.

"An alicorn..." Stellar Spike noted.

The photos showed, instead of the shadow, a grey alicorn pony. The teens didn't know this, but it was Desolation.

"I didn't see any pony when I took these...just the round shadow..." Shady Daze said in awe.

"C'mon guys! Let me see!" Diamond Tiara demanded, still being ignored, she looked to the door, "GUYS!"

The sudden loudness of Diamond Tiara's voice caused everypony to snap their heads towards the door. They saw a black circle creeping underneath.

"It's the shadow that keeps taking everypony!" Shiner shouted.

"Why didn't you shut the door, Shady?!" Stellar asked in panic.

"That wouldn't have made a difference!" Scribble Dibble responded.

The ponies backed away as the shadow got closer. It stopped in the middle of the room, then started expanding. It covered the walls, and the floors. The entire room was just a black box. Diamond Tiara hurried off the bed, which was also consumed in darkness, to huddle with the other eight ponies. Two huge, sharp and lizard like green eyes appeared in the air before them

They all stayed deadly silent and heard a creepy and ominous laugh, which echoed around the now claustrophobic room. From seemingly nowhere, ponies slowly trotted towards them. They were all grey in colour and had no emotional expression on their face. They only groaned. The nine ponies recognised many of them.

"Welcome to my world, my new friends," the voice whispered, "you will spend an eternity here with them, and me, the only friends you will ever need..."

Too scared to do anything, the ponies only looked around to see who had been drained of any emotion. They saw Snips, Snails, Twist, Quick Quilt, Chemist Carpenter, Twilight Sparkle....

But directly under the green eyes in the air, at the front of all the ponies, was the pony they were looking for. The only pony not to have his colour and emotion drained. The voice didn't come from him, but from how close he was to the eyes, and his snarky expression, you could tell they were close.

It was Regal Crown.

Author's Notes:

I finished this chapter early as a birthday present to my great friend Ecthellion_Yuda, who I've known for years and is a big fan of this fanfic. He turns 19 on September 1st and we'll be celebrating with friends and family in a no doubt great party. Afterward he will be moving to Ireland for university, I can give him my best wishes. Brendan, I know you will no doubt do well at university and we will all miss you here in England. Just don't get too drunk every night! (We saw how that goes down in Amsterdam!)

So, soppiness aside:
Have you guys seen the audio drama yet? An adaption of this very story, still written by me! Check out episode 1 here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1byeT26rtk
Episode 2 out September! There's also a Twitter for updates on it! Follow @TeenCMC.

Hope you like this chapter! We're one step closer to the conclusion of this arc...! I start college again at the start of September, but that won't stop me from writing that much. I have the next 10 or so chapters planned out! I'll try and get the conclusion to the Residential story finished soon enough!

Stories of the Teenage Cutie Mark Crusaders

by Prince Luna

The Night They've Been Waiting For

Cousin Applebrown Comes to Visit

Made by the Hoof, Horn to Horn

Pony Work Experience Day

Start the Presses

Love With a Twist

An Interview With Royalty

The Residential: Day 1

The Residential: Day 2

The Residential: Day 3