//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: A School Graduation // Story: Friends Forever // by Sapphire Rose 12 //------------------------------// "She won't stop," Apple Bloom said to her friends, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. "I've never seen her look like that before." The Cutie Mark Crusaders had been watching Applejack for a while now. She stared off into space with a strange smile they had never seen her have before. It sort of scared Apple Bloom, but not too much. "Should we ask her if she's okay?" Scootaloo asked, worriedly. "Nah," Apple Bloom said. "She's fine." They looked back over at Applejack who seemed to be coming back to reality with a quick shake of her head. She then reached over into the saddlebag and pulled out a video camera watching the stage eagerly for the event. However, the Cutie Mark Crusaders wanted to know now what was going on with her, so they shuffled awkwardly over towards her. "Hey, AJ," Apple Bloom said. "Are you alright?" Applejack laughed. "Yes, sugarcube. I'm just so excited that you're graduating. My little sister is growing up so fast." Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle exchanged an excited look. "Can I tell you something about growing up?" Applejack asked. "Sure," Apple Bloom replied. "What is it?" "Stop it," Applejack snapped firmly, but only jokingly. Apple Bloom chuckled. "Nice try." Applejack grinned as she watched her sister trot away with her friends. She walked with a newfound confidence. One that she had seemed to learn over the years. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle followed in the same confident walk. They had also learned how to do it with passing time. Today was their graduation from filly school and no one in the school was more excited than the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle all planned their speeches together in the CMC clubhouse on Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Bloom had worked on including all of the adventures she had and thanking her teacher, Cheerilee, who she thought was possibly the best teacher there was in Equestria. Scootaloo had practiced a small flying routine with Rainbow Dash. It had taken her months, but she finally learned to a small little trick with her wings. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo both knew she was making progress with her flight. She planned on performing it after everypony had given their speeches. Sweetie Belle was wearing a dress that Rarity made her just for the occasion. It was in the style of a graduation robe, but it had some added flair to it to make it stand out. After waiting around for a while, the graduation started. Cheerilee stood on the podium and tapped the microphone a few times to make sure it worked. It screeched a little, but stopped quickly. "Welcome to our graduation!" Cheerilee announced warmly. "I'm sure you're all very excited for the family member or friend you see graduating on the stage today. This class has been such a pleasure to me and surprised me in various ways. So many have discovered their true destinies." She looked at the Cutie Mark Crusaders and smiled at them. "They've learned so much and worked so hard. And so now I present the speeches of the students in the Filly School of Ponyville!" Snips and Snail's speeches were short. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were surprised they were even graduating in the first place. Snips thanked everyone in the school and Snails talked about anything, but what was happening at the moment. Twist's speech was about earning her cutie mark and everyone who supported her throughout her years. She thanked Cheerilee for teaching her and Apple Bloom for being friendly to her and Sweetie Belle for taste testing one of her baking creations for the end of the graduation. Many spoke and thanked all the ponies who got them to where they were now. But one that the Cutie Mark Crusaders loved was Diamond Tiara's. As the former bully stood on the stage, many watched her with disapproving glances. Diamond Tiara frowned and looked about ready to back down, but Silver Spoon gave her encouraging smiles. She took a deep breath and began her speech. "I... know I haven't been your favorite pony throughout the school years. I admit that I was bossy. I admit that I was demanding and rude. I admit I acted like a spoiled brat... which I am spoiled. But I didn't want to be a brat. I just didn't know how to be the pony I wanted to be. And I'd like to thank the Cutie Mark Crusaders." She looked over at them and they grinned. Apple Bloom nodded to encourage her to continue. "They were the ones who helped me stop being rude to others and helped me become the pony I really wanted to be. I became someone to help the school and help others. And thank you Cheerilee for being such a great teacher. You really did teach the best lessons." As Diamond Tiara stepped away, the crowd roared with cheering. Diamond Tiara went over and the Cutie Mark Crusaders gave her a hug. "That was so nice of you," Sweetie Belle said. "Thank you so much!" "Of course," Diamond Tiara replied. "It felt wrong not to include the ponies who helped me find myself when I was younger." Silver Spoon nodded. "Thank you for helping me, too. I forgot to include that in my speech." "Aw, no worries," Scootaloo reassured. "We weren't really expecting to be mentioned." "Could I have everypony stand on the stage?" Cheerilee beckoned. Everypony stood on the stage. One by one, each student got their diploma and stood in a row on the stage. They cheered and threw their hats into the air in unison. The crowd went wild and rapidly snapped pictures and took videos. As everyone stepped away from the stage, Scootaloo flew into the air. She only did a front flip, but she felt proud and accomplished for being able to even fly. The crowd was stunned. All the ponies thought Scootaloo couldn't fly for so long. They were amazed that she overcame her obstacle and cheered for her. Rainbow Dash ran up to the stage and gave Scootaloo a giant hug. "I'm proud of you, Scoots. You did it! You're growing up faster than Pinkie Pie can blast her party cannon!" "That's pretty fast," Scootaloo said with a giggle. Applejack and Rarity gave their sisters a hug. "I can't believe it's your graduation," Rarity said. "Didn't you just meet your friends this morning?" Sweetie Belle shook her head and laughed. "No." "Impossible," Rarity breathed. "Great job, Apple Bloom!" Granny Smith exclaimed, hobbling over to Apple Bloom. "You finally graduated!" "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed happily. "Aw, thank you," Apple Bloom cried in joy. The Apples group hugged. Apple Bloom trotted back over to her friends with a big smile. "So, what now?" "Huh?" Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle asked simultaneously. "We're graduated," Apple Bloom repeated. "So, what now? What do we want to do now that we're finished?" "I don't know," Scootaloo claimed. "We should continue to meet in the clubhouse," Sweetie Belle suggested. "We can make plans about how to help others with their cutie marks and talk about what our futures will be like." "Together!" they all exclaimed in unison. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity looked at each other with a smile and continued to watch their graduated sisters as they happily squealed and talked.