//------------------------------//
// 6 - End Episode 2: Tiny Titan Watches 
// Story: Prickle Berry Tries to Be Careful 
// by David Silver 
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She stood in silent vigil, her keen eyes sweeping over the vista of her beloved town. Bad things happened in Equestria, but while she was around, her community was safe. No matter how huge and vicious the monster--

Prickle perked a costumed ear towards Scootaloo. "I have to fight monsters too?"

Scootaloo nodded in a wise fashion. "Of course. It's no big deal." She flopped on her belly, smiling at her friend. "You already fought one, remember?" She was pointing at Prickle's flank, covered as it was.

"That's true..." It didn't sound like she was eager to fight monsters. "I hope they don't show up at all."

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "Are you kidding? This is Ponyville. I'm sure one will be around in a moment or three."

Prickle clenched her teeth a little. It was true, monsters did like to roam through once in a while, but usually ponies just ran and hid until they were gone. If it was really bad... "Won't the princess save us from the big ones?"

"Who, Twilight?" Scootaloo rolled onto her side on the roof. "I mean, sure, she'll try, but she's not always here. You're our defender, one who actually lives here full time!" She spread her forehooves wide. "And you have the strength to do it!"

Prickle sank to her haunches. "I'll do my best... What if it's like a cockatrice and being strong won't be enough? You can't kick being turned into a statue."

Scootaloo offered a meek shrug. "That happens."

Prickle raised a brow. "That's all the advice you have for that?"

Scootaloo sat up on her haunches and smiled at her heroic friend. "Being a hero means sometimes you run into things you can't handle directly, so you have to be clever." She tapped a hoof on her head. "Just remember that this is a super weapon too."

Prickle looked up as if she could see her own mind, but that was not to be. "I'll try to remember that." She hopped up to her hooves and approached Scootaloo. "Come on, we should get back to school."

"Race ya there?"

And so they went, one bounding from roof to roof while the other zoomed along on her scooter, both smiling in the shared joy of friendship and athleticism, a joy one of them was only just starting to embrace the concept of existing.

Prickle folded up her outfit and crammed it carefully into her saddlebags for later. She wouldn't need them at school. Besides... "I'm Prickle here. Only Tiny Titan wears this." She gave a little smile and began to trot up towards the school. She shared hoofbumps with her friends on the way inside and took her seat.

"Now, class, as I'm sure many of you are aware," said Cheerilee with a serious tone of voice. "Silver Spoon was injured in a house fire. She's alright, but she won't be joining us for a little while. I think this is a fine time to go over fire safety, including how to avoid having one in the first place, and what to do if one does start. This could save your lives, even if you think you're invincible right now." She rolled her eyes as she turned towards the chalkboard. "It's alright, we all do."

She began giving the lesson, describing different kinds of fires and how they started and could be smothered. Prickle was paying attention, but only half. She looked out the window and hoped Silver Spoon would be alright. She may have bullied Prickle a lot before, but she was a pony, and she had said sorry... Nopony deserved to be roasted up like a cookie.

"Prickle Berry?"

Prickle jumped in place and smiled at Cheerilee. "Sorry!"

She brought her attention back to her teacher, which is where foals in school should have it.