After meeting at Joe’s, Minuette, Twilight and Skaterloo walked through Canterlot. Several ponies waved to them. Minuette always waved back and Twilight did occasionally. After about three minutes, the trio had arrived at their first stop, Twinkleshine’s house.
Minuette walked up and knocked on the door. “Hey, Twinkleshine you there!”, the blue unicorn said.
After a minute an ivory unicorn opened the door. “Hey, Minuette!”, Twinkleshine said giving Minuette a friendly hug. After looking up a bit Twinkleshine noticed a familiar purple unicorn, “And Twilight!?”
“Umm yeah it’s me,” Twilight said a bit awkwardly.
Minuette nodded and smiled, “Yep she’s here, in fact, she’s going to hang out with us today.”, she explained.
“Wow and she doesn’t have any books?” Twinkleshine asked a little shocked. She then took notice of a pegasus colt who looked about five years old standing next to Twilight, “And who are you?” Twinkleshine asked the younger pony.
“I’m Skaterloo.”, the orange pegasus replied.
“Skaterloo Huh?” Twinkleshine rubbed a hoof under her chin, “How do you know him anyway Twilight?”, she questioned.
“Well it’s like this-“ Twilight said before going on to explain how she found Skaterloo and was waiting for the princess to receive missing foal reports from the towns closest to Canterlot.
Upon hearing the story Twinkleshine did feel bad for the colt but said, “Well let’s not let that put too much of a damper on our mood. And make sure you enjoy your time in Canterlot, Skaterloo.”
Minuette nodded and so did Twilight and Skaterloo. The new group of four resumed walking through the city. During the walk, Minuette and Twinkleshine were talking. Skaterloo asked Twilight why she wasn’t talking to the two. Twilight thought about why she wasn’t. There had to be a reason. She called these ponies friends.
“Hey girls!”, a voice said.
The four looked towards the voice seeing a pale light yellow unicorn with glasses who had her mane styled the same as Twilight’s.
“Moondancer.” The three adults said.
Moondancer smiled. “So where are you three...-“, Moondancer began before seeing that an orange colt was standing next to Twilight, “Who is this? He with you Twilight?”
“Yeah I’m going to be taking care of him for a few days,” Twilight replied.
Moondancer nodded in understanding, “So when was it decided that you would look after him?”
Starting to walk again Twilight answered, “Just earlier today actually.”
“How do you know him?” Moondancer asked.
“How many times will I have to explain this today?” Twilight both thought and said under her breath.
Minuette realizing Twilight‘s frustration explained the story of how Twilight had found the orange colt in an alley and was currently waiting for the princess to receive the missing foal reports from the towns around Canterlot.
Moondancer nodded, “I see. That’s very kind of you Twilight.”
“So where are we going now?” Skaterloo asked, “Don’t you have another friend?”
“Yes, her name is Lemon Hearts. She works at the castle.”, Twinkleshine informed the colt.
“Are we going to meet her next?”, the youngest pony in the group asked.
“Well, I don’t know if we can today she’s probably busy today.”, Minuette said
Skaterloo looked up at Twilight and asked: “Can I meet her tomorrow Twilight?”
“I guess I can introduce you.”, Twilight said before looking to her three friends. “So what do you want to do.”
The three thought for second when Moondancer remembered something, “Hey aren’t The Wonderbolts holding a show today?”
Skaterloo’s ears twitched at the mention of the Wonderbolts, “Can we see it? Can we! Can we!” The colt jumped and buzzed his tiny wings.
The older ponies laughed, “I don’t see why we can’t but if we are we should hurry.” Twilight said, “The line will get pretty long.”
The group nodded and followed Twilight towards the stadium where flight shows where held.
The five ponies after ten minutes of walking arrived at the pegasus race track. There were already 10 ponies already there. The group ran to the back of the line which wasn’t that far back since most of the ponies in line where foals with older ponies, likely their parents.
“This is going to be great! I’ve heard of Wonderbolts shows but never seen one before!” Skaterloo said so excited he couldn’t sit still.
“I remember hearing they’re getting a new Captain soon,” Moondancer said.
Twilight nodded, “I remember hearing that too. I think her name is Spitfire. Captain Aluminum Cloud will probably officially announce his retirement after this show.”
While waiting in line for a while with several ponies behind them now they occasionally saw foals trying to cut in line and the older ponies with them scolding them for it.
Eventually, the line started moving and the group got to the front, “Five tickets please, four adults and one foal.” Twilight said
The stallion in the ticket booth nodded, “Ok and how old is the foal?”
“5 years,” Twilight answered simply.
The stallion nodded, “Very well, that will be 33 Bits total.”
Twilight nodded and opened up her Bit Bag. Before she could get out all the Bits the other adults said they would pay for their own tickets. After paying and entering the building, Skaterloo was getting more excited. He was going to see a Wonderbolts show for the first time in his life.
“This is the best day ever. I get to see the Wonderbolts!” the colt said jumping and buzzing his wings.
“Oh, he’s so cute. Don’t you think Twilight?!” Minuette cooed.
Twilight was caught a little off guard but chuckled looking back at the colt, “I guess he is.”
The ponies made their way to the seating area and waited for the show to start. Out of all the ponies in the group, Skaterloo was the most excited. Like all the foals in the stadium, he was almost jumping in his seat and looking to the sky eager for the show to start.
“So Skaterloo, why do you like the Wonderbolts so much? I thought you said you haven’t seen a show before?” Twilight asked.
“Well, I want to be a great flyer when I grow up and when I heard about how the Wonderbolts do all these amazing tricks I wanted to see them but no one would take me so when they came to my town I could only watch from far away if I could. So I’ve always wanted to see one up close.” Skaterloo explained.
Twilight nodded.
“Good day everypony and welcome to the Canterlot Wonderbolts show.” a stallion’s voice said over the speaker system, “I hope you enjoy. Now fillies and gentlecolts I present the Wonderbolts!”
With that six pegasi shot up leaving streams of smoke behind them.
“It’s starting,” Skaterloo said excitedly, stopping his jumping but was now shaking a little.
The older ponies in the group just smiled and looked to the sky watching the pegasi splitting up. Loopty looping, barrel rolling, and doing several other tricks.
“This is awesome!” Skaterloo said, “The speed, the colours, the sound!”
Twilight felt her smile grow and just looked back to the flying pegasi and enjoyed the show.
The pegasi eventually flew right over the crowd causing everypony’s mane to blow in the direction they flew. They finished by grouping together and spiralling before all landing.
The crowd all applauded cheering at the top of their lungs. A few let out a whistle.
“Thank you everypony you are all very kind and I’m glad we had a great turnout.” Aluminum Cloud announced. “Now as some of you may know I’m retiring as the captain of the Wonderbolts and a pony is taking my position. May I introduce you to the new captain, Spitfire!” The dark grey pegasus exclaimed.
After that, a yellow pegasus mare wearing a Wonderbolt uniform walked up next to the stallion, “Thank you, Captain, it’s an honour to be given your position.”
Spitfire gave a small speech about how she will attempt to make the Wonderbolts even greater than they already were. Everypony, both the Wonderbolts and in the audience all cheered.
After the speech, the Wonderbolts gave their old captain one final send-off, thanking him for all the great years he had given them.
The show was over and the audience was leaving. After getting out of his seat, Skaterloo said, “That was the best.”
“Yeah, that was pretty good,” Twilight said.
The others nodded in agreement.
As they left the building Minuette asked, “So what are we doing now?”
“Well it’s getting close to lunchtime so how be we do that,” Twinkleshine suggested.
Twilight nodded, “Sounds good. So where do you want to eat?”
“How about we just go to my place?” Twinkleshine asked.
“Sure then if she isn’t busy tomorrow we can get to together with Lemon and all go out for lunch,” Moondancer responded.
“Sounds like a plan!” Minuette smiled.
The others nodded and went back to Twinkleshine’s house.
Once they got there Twinkleshine unlocked her door letting everypony in closing the door behind herself once they were in.
Twilight looked around, “Hmm, this is a nice house.”
“Thank you Twilight.” Twinkleshine replied, “I did do a little cleaning earlier.”
Twilight turned seeing the young colt with her had slightly dirty hooves, “Skaterloo you should wipe your hooves before you walk around in here.”
“Hmm!” Skaterloo looked down at his hooves seeing there was a bit of dirt on them, “It isn’t that much.”
“It’s still the polite thing to do,” Twilight stated.
Skaterloo tried raising a hoof opening his mouth slightly. But Twilight gave him a serious look. Knowing he shouldn’t talk back to an older pony he walked back over to the mat and wiped his hooves across it getting the dirt off. “Is that better.”
Twilight just nodded smiling.
Everypony followed Twinkleshine to her kitchen table sitting down at the chairs surrounding it, “So what do you have Twinkle?” Moondancer asked.
“Plenty of stuff! What does everypony want? I’ll be having a daffodil and daisy sandwich.” Twinkleshine said.
Twilight looked towards the Ivory mare, “I’d like one too. I love them.” she exclaimed not knowing why she added the second bit.
“I do too.” Twinkleshine smiled.
“Do you have any salad?” Minuette asked.
Twinkleshine nodded.
Moondancer was going to have what Twilight and Twinkleshine were having a daffodil and daisy sandwich. Skaterloo asked for a carrot dog. Twinkleshine nodded, turning to her kitchen.
Minuette followed Twinkleshine, “Hey we’ll help with our meals.”
Moondancer nodded, “Yeah this isn’t a restaurant so it’s only fair we pitch in with our meals.”
“Thank you,” Twinkleshine said.
Twilight got up too, “I’ll help with my own and Skaterloo’s.”
Twinkleshine nodded.
Twilight turned to Skaterloo and asked, “So how do like your carrot dogs.”
“Boiled,” Skaterloo answered.
“Ok,” Twilight responded.
Everypony went to Twinkleshine’s kitchen to help with preparing their meals.
Twilight asked where the pots were which to answer the ivory unicorn pointed to a cabinet next to the stove saying, “In there.”
Twilight nodded in understanding before opening the cabinet and taking out a pot. After filling it with water and placing one carrot in it, she levitating the pot carefully on to the stove setting the element’s temperature to high.
“So girls what’re we going to do after lunch?” Twinkleshine asked
Moondancer placing the daisies over the daffodils and bread on her sandwich suggested, “How about the park. I’m sure Skaterloo would like it there.”
Skaterloo looked up to Twilight, “Can we, Twilight?”
Twilight turned to the colt. He had a look of absolute joyful innocence. The sight of which Twilight couldn’t stop a smile from coming across her face. “I guess we can as long as you eat all of your carrot dog!”
“Ok!” Skaterloo’s smile only grew.
Twilight felt a warmth grow in her heart, “So cute! Wait, did I just say that? I mean, yeah, he is a cute kid. He’s just so innocent and full of joy about everything... It reminds me of Spike when he was younger.”
“Uhhhh, Twilight I think you should pay attention to the pot,” Moondancer suggested.
Twilight’s eyes widened slightly, “Oh, right thanks Moondancer.” She turned to the stove seeing the water had started boil, eventually bubbling.
The mares waited for Skaterloo’s lunch to be finished before sitting down to eat their own.
The ponies ate their lunch all enjoying it. Skaterloo kept his promise eating his entire carrot dog.
Twinkleshine after swallowing the last bite of her sandwich asked, “So how was everypony’s lunch?”
“Great!” Skaterloo said before anypony else could answer. For their replies, the older ponies just nodded in agreement.
After taking their plates or bowl in Minuette’s case to the kitchen to be washed. The group left for the park. On the way, Skaterloo skipped excitedly, along the road beside the mares.
Twilight smiled as she walked beside the orange pegasus. She was really starting to like the little colt.
After a short time, they were approaching the park at which Skaterloo asked, “Is that it?”
Twilight smiled, “Yes that’s it.”
Skaterloo ran to the park with the mares not too far behind him.
“Ska-skaterloo wait up!” Twilight exclaimed.
The orange pegasus slowed down, “Sorry Twilight.”
Twilight and the others caught up, “It’s ok, just don’t run too far ahead of us anymore.”
The orange colt nodded.
The mares smiled and led him into the park.
After entering the park Skaterloo rushed over to a swing set and hopped on to one and tried to start swinging back and forth but to not much avail. The mares caught up to the colt.
Twilight walked behind the swing. “Want a little push?” the unicorn asked looking down at the colt.
“Yes please!” Skaterloo nodded.
So Twilight pushed the swing forward with a forehoof.
“Higher!” Skaterloo laughed as the swing swung back.
Twilight smiled and pushed the swing again, “Try kicking your hooves.”
“Like this?” the pegasus asked kicking his hooves forward.
Minuette smiled, “You got it.”
Twilight stopped pushing and the colt continued swinging and stepped back on to the grass, making sure Skaterloo was still completely in her sight still swinging away.
“Twilight, after you find where Skaterloo came from, are you just gonna go back to just reading at home? This is the first time since we all first met that we’ve hung out with you when you weren’t reading even or at all really.” Twinkleshine questioned.
Twilight thought for a second. So far this day had been really good. She’d enjoyed it all the Wonderbolt show, lunch, hanging out here. Even though she hadn’t done much this had made her feel just a little bit closer to her friends. She never really guessed she would enjoy their company so much.
“I don’t know but maybe not as much I do now,” Twilight responded.
The three mares smiled all hoping she would but before they could the mares heard a colt’s voice say, “Hey kid watch where you’re going.”
The unicorns turned. Twilight was already looking in the direction so she was the first to see three unicorn colts standing in front of Skaterloo.
“I-I’m Sorry I-I didn’t mean to! I just-“
“Just what? Thought you could just walk wherever you want!” one colt interrupted.
“B-but-“ Skaterloo tried.
“What!?” another of the older colts yelled.
I-I-.” Skaterloo stuttered, tears starting to well up in his eyes.
“What a crybaby! Am I right?” the first colt chuckled. The others started laughing as well.
“HEY, YOU!” Twilight yelled.
The three colts turned to see a group of mares sprinting over to them.
Once the mares reach the colts they all glared at the unicorn colts. “And just what do you three think you’re doing?” Moondancer asked.
“W-we weren’t doing anything!”
“Don’t even bother with lying. We heard and saw everything. You yell at a five-year-old until he cried and then mock him for it!” Twilight growled.
“We-well. M-mind you’re own business!” one of the colts snapped.
“It IS my business not only since I’m taking care of him right now but because you’re picking on a foal half your age. You’re what 10-11 and you’re picking on a five-year-old colt you should be ashamed!” Twilight continued.
“He should have watched where he was going!”
“Or you should’ve! The park has a path you can walk on! He was just trying to walk back to us! What were you doing to not see him!” Minuette joined in.
The colts just gave up and ran to the other side of the park.
Twilight smiled before looking down to Skaterloo who had buried his face in his hooves, “It’s ok. Those bullies are gone now.”
Skaterloo looked up his eyes still had some tears in them.
Twilight lifted a hoof and wiped the tears from the colt’s eyes.
“Thank you.” Skaterloo sniffed.
Twilight smiled, “You’re welcome. Are you ok now?”
Skaterloo wiped his eyes again, “A little. Can you push me on the swing again?”
Twilight chuckled, “Of course.”
After a while of Skaterloo playing around in the park, the group realized how long they’d been there.
Twilight looked up to the sky noticing how low the sun was getting, “What time is it?”
“5:16!” Minuette answered.
Twilight turned to the blue unicorn in confusion, “How do you know? You don’t have a watch or anything. How do you know the exact time?”
“My special talent! I’m really good at telling the time. It’s why I’m in charge of scheduling at my work.” Minuette stated, “It’s also why my Cutie Mark is an hourglass.”
Twilight thought for a minute, “Now that I think about it, you were never late for class. In fact, you were there before me sometimes.”
Minuette smiled, “Yep!”
“Maybe we should get going before it gets too late,” Twinkleshine suggested.
The others nodded in agreement.
After the mares had walked for a bit Minuette asked, “So girls, should we meet again tomorrow?”
“Yeah!” Twinkleshine and Moondancer said in unison.
Twilight closed her eyes, “Hmmm.”
“Twilight?” Moondancer turned to her lookalike.
Twilight lost in thought didn’t respond, “Should I? I still don’t fully see the point in making friends but I can’t help but feel a connection with these three! So I’ll-”
Confused at why the unicorn was silent Skaterloo tried shaking her, “Twilight?”
Twilight opening her eyes, “Hmm. Yes.”
“Pardon?” Moondancer asked.
“I said yes I’ll see you tomorrow,” Twilight exclaimed.
“Y-you’re actually going to come out of your spire and spend time with us, two days in a row?” Twinkleshine asked making sure.
Twilight nodded.
Minuette chuckled, “Well hasn’t today been unexpected Twilight’s left her spire and socialized.”
“Yeah! I was starting to think it would never happen!” Moondancer exclaimed
Twilight smiled awkwardly.
“So what time should we meet?” Twinkleshine asked.
Twilight asked, “How’s 11:30 AM work?”
“Works good for me!” Twinkleshine replied.
Minuette then added, “Same!”
Moondancer just replied with a happy nod.
“See you then!” Minuette waved to her friends, “Have a nice evening!”
“You too!” Moondancer returned.
Twinkleshine left in the direction of her house.
Twilight and Skaterloo left in the same direction as Moondancer since her spire was in the same direction as the other unicorn’s house.
“So you’re actually going to hang out again tomorrow?” Moondancer asked.
Twilight nodded.
The unicorn smiled, “Hey think you could take a look through the antique shop? I really enjoy it.”
“Yo-you like antiquing too?” Twilight asked.
Moondancer nodded, “Yeah, of course, it’s really fascinating to see what ponies used centuries ago! One time saw an original Equestrian Law Book in the original Olde Ponish!”
“Wow!” Twilight exclaimed
“Have you ever found anything interesting?” Moondancer questioned
“Actually one time I found a book on ancient remedies,” Twilight said.
Moondancer smiled, “That does sound really interesting.”
“We have a lot in common!” Twilight said.
Moondancer chuckled, “Yeah we do.”
The ponies reached Moondancer’s house and stopped there not going in.
“I wonder what I have in common with the other girls,” Twilight said.
“Well, only one way to find out come to hang out again and we’ll all do what we’re interested in,” Moondancer said.
Twilight nodded in agreement.
Skaterloo spoke up, “Uhh Twilight?”
Twilight turned her head back, “Yes Skaterloo is something wrong?”
Before the young colt could answer his stomach growled. The orange colt blushed.
Twilight giggled, “Sorry to cut this short Moondancer but I gotta get this little guy fed.”
“Ok see you tomorrow!” Moondancer exclaimed.
Twilight waved goodbye.
Skaterloo said, “Bye!” he waved.
Moondancer smiled and waved to the two.
After the two got back to the unicorn’s spire. Spike approached, “What took you so long!”
Twilight’s eyes widened, “Oh sorry Spike we were just with Moondancer, Twinkleshine and Minuette today.”
“Wait! You actually hung out and talked to them without a single book all day!?” Spike asked.
Twilight smiled sheepishly and nodded, “Yeah and I’m going to tomorrow.”
“Can I come?” the dragon asked a little annoyed he was left behind today.
“Of course!” Twilight exclaimed.
Skaterloo’s stomach suddenly growled again making him blush.
“So what do want for dinner?” Twilight questioned.
“What can I have?” Skaterloo asked.
Spike replied, “Well we have some leftover macaroni and cheese. Would you like that?”
“Yes please!” Skaterloo exclaimed licking his lips.
As she and Spike led Skaterloo to the kitchen Twilight thought to herself about the days she had ahead of her.