Scootaloo could feel the excitement in the crowd; everypony was holding their breath. Even Pinkie Pie was completely silent as the moderator stood like a statue on the podium and awaited the envelope with the final vote count. Apple Bloom was staring up at the stage, apprehensively chewing on her lip. Applejack looked equally nervous, unsuccessfully refraining from biting her hooves. Fluttershy was quivering; Cloud Blazer was sweating, but Java Chip seemed somehow serene.
Finally, one of the ballot counters began approaching the stage with the results. Seconds seemed to last for hours as she ambled methodically up to the podium and turned over the envelope. Ponyville’s judge opened it and poured over the results for what felt like an eternity. Scootaloo was itching, probably from the anticipation. Sparklefly was absently rubbing her eye patch. The silence grew even thicker when the judge faced everypony.
"The results are in and have been counted thrice, as is our tradition,” he began. The air was almost electrified with tension. "We have a clear mandate from the citizens of Ponyville. The mayor, by a majority of sixty-seven percent of the vote is..." he paused, presumably for dramatic effect, "Applejack!"
Cheering erupted throughout the crowd. A Pinkie Pie explosion practically tackled Scootaloo before bounding through the sea of ponies toward the stage. The surge of unbridled jubilation spread like a wild fire. The moderator was beating his gavel again, but silence was not restored for several minutes. As the exuberant noise finally died down, Diamond Tiara stood to speak.
"I uh..." she hesitated, her expression was of ghostly shock. It was as if she’d been sucker-punched in the gut. Scootaloo thought she seemed much smaller somehow. "I didn't have a speech prepared for this." She paused again, clearly deeply wounded at the outcome. “But let me say that I'm sorry that I let you all down. Had I done better as mayor, perhaps tonight would have gone differently..." she trailed off again, as if searching for words. Before she spoke again, she walked over to Applejack, motioning for her to stand. "This isn't procedure, but..." Diamond Tiara took a deep breath, "Let me be the first to congratulate you on your victory." She shook a stunned Applejack's hoof firmly, and then turned to the crowd again and forced a smile. "Ponyville, give it up for your new mayor!"
The crowd roared with approving applause. Scootaloo was watching closely, and through her large smiling facade, Diamond Tiara was crying. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Cloud Blazer were together with Scootaloo, and the four of them shared this moment in the midst of the uproar. Their childhood enemy had been defeated.
"After all the mean stuff she’s done to us, I thought I'd feel happier right now," Sweetie Belle said.
"I know what ya mean," Apple Bloom agreed.
"Don't worry about it," Cloud Blazer said. "I'm sure she'll bounce back to her nasty old self soon enough."
"Maybe," Scootaloo said, "maybe so, but right now I just can't help feeling sorry for her."
Applejack held up a hoof to silence the crowd. It was her turn to speak.
"Well, first off, let me say thank you; that's mighty kind of you to say," she said to Diamond Tiara. She then turned to the crowd, "And thank y'all for coming out tonight. I'm much obliged to each of you. I'll do my very best to be the best leader of Ponyville that I can be." She paused a moment, looking completely uncertain what to say next, but then she grinned wide. "I don't much feel like sleeping, so anypony that wants to, come join us immediately after this at Sweet Apple Acres. We're short on food, but we've got some cider. I know it’s not the same as getting it fresh, but it’s what we got, and we haven't had a proper barn dance in far too long."
The crowd began to cheer as Applejack was sworn in and the candidates retreated into town hall.
Sparklefly was wearing a large smile.
"What are you grinning about?" Apple Bloom asked her.
Pinkie Pie interrupted, "Because it's the best day ever! Woohoo!" She did a cartwheel, and then her enthusiasm was poured out on the crowd by way of jumping and shouting. It was truly a rare occurrence that nearly the rest of town bore equal excitement.
"Yeah, what she said," Sparklefly said. Then she smiled and added, "I'm just thrilled when one of my plans goes right!"
Scootaloo shot her a look, "Since when have any of your plans not worked?"
"Hey, don't jinx it!" Cloud Blazer said emphatically and with a grin.
Sparklefly's face became serious, and Scootaloo was certain that she was pondering something specific. She was trying to think of a way to discreetly ask what it was when Java Chip interrupted.
"This is so awesome!" she shouted as she grabbed a hold of Apple Bloom.
"Darn tootin!" Apple Bloom replied.
"I have to go tell Swiftlight; does anypony want to come?" Java Chip asked.
Sparklefly nodded as Scootaloo said, "Sure, I'll go with you!”
Apple Bloom answered, "I need to get back to open up the barn.”
"I'd better pass on both counts,” Cloud Blazer said. "I'm really tired, and I think I need to get back to the hospital anyway. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good barn dance; I’m just not feeling up to it today.”
Scootaloo could tell he intended this as a joke, but nopony else seemed sure how to react to it.
"I'll take you back," Sweetie Belle volunteered.
“You know, I think you actually enjoy pushing me around!”
Scootaloo felt like there was something off about his mood, but she wasn’t sure what.
“Sweetie Belle, you really have been constantly keeping an eye on him; why don’t you go with Apple Bloom and get the barn set up? I’ll take Brownie back to the hospital and meet up with you guys there.”
“Okay,” Sweetie Belle replied.
Cloud Blazer’s spirit seemed lifted by the suggestion, but he didn’t say anything.
Apple Bloom asked, “Hey, where's Fluttershy?"
"I'm right here," she said in her soft sweet voice. It was nearly inaudible against the noisy crowd. "I'll come with you, Apple Bloom. If you don't mind that is!"
"Course not!"
"Lead the way Java," Sparklefly said.
Java Chip began walking toward the castle as she said, "I can't wait to see the look on Swiftlight's face!"
“I know! Oh, I wish I could be the one to tell Rarity,” Sweetie Belle said as she and the others headed toward the farm.
Scootaloo took her position and began pushing the wheelchair away from the others. It was slow progress to navigate the crowd. They proceeded silently toward the hospital.