It was Saturday in Canterlot, as it had been a few times before that point. On most Saturdays, the townsfolk would simply have gone about their usual business, either shopping, relaxing, walking in the park, or many other and myriad activities.
But not today. Most of the town was in the town square, standing before a vast stage, or dais, that had been assembled quite hastily the previous evening and the morning as well. Out on the podium, Swift Order was addressing the assembled townsfolk, and police units that had turned out.
For today was a day of celebration.
Following the actions of the previous night, and the recovery of the stolen diamonds, police across California had fallen upon the rest of the train robbers, arresting them and recovering the gold and dollar bills they were preparing to smuggle out of the country. These men were all awaiting trial, and nobody doubted that they would soon be in jail. It was what they deserved, after all; crime did not pay, and it would be a very long time until they stepped outside again.
But this was not what Swift Order was addressing. He stood on the podium, addressing all gathered there that day.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “It is with great pride and emotion that I present this meeting and gathering of our citizens and police officers. Only yesterday did we witness the end of a most unfortunate incident in our town’s history, and indeed in the history of our State.”
He paused, before going on. “Only this Thursday, we saw a robbery on a scale and magnitude never attempted before, or seen in either this or any other country before or since. A robbery of fifty million dollars in dollar bills, gold, and diamonds that would have been remembered in the annals of infamy, had it succeeded.”
“But,” he continued, with a growing pride and approval in his voice, “the robbery did not succeed. This was thanks to the bravery of six individuals, six children of this very town, who would not let evil go unpunished, and did the right thing. Without them, we would never have caught the ringleaders. It was thanks to their bravery, taking a mail train onto the line and into harm’s way, with the very real risk of injury or death, to ensure that the stolen diamonds were recovered, that the situation was prevented from becoming very much worse.”
“To these six students, this town-and indeed the State of California-are forever indebted. Their bravery should inspire us all, just as they inspired us just a few short weeks ago reopening that railroad.”
There was a pause, as Swift collected himself, and looked down at the table. “It is now my pride and privilege, to award these six brave individuals the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
Applause erupted as the six students-Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Rumble, Pipsqueak, and Button Mash-stepped forward. Each of them shook Swift Order’s hand, and was then presented with the medal, enclosed in a smartly presented box.
They stepped off the podium, to cheering and adulation, from both their families, their siblings, and the crowd in general.
Bright Mac hugged Apple Bloom tightly. “Aw, Pa would be so proud if he were here!” he said. “You’ve done us all proud kid!”
Apple Bloom could only smile at the praise she was receiving.
Rainbow Dash shook Scootaloo’s hand. “Good job squirt!” she smiled. “First you come back from the dead, then you stop train robbers! Whatever next?”
“I know, right?” Scootaloo laughed.
Finally, Sweetie Belle received the highest praise from her parents. “Jolly good show!” her father exclaimed.
“You did us all proud today,” her mother echoed.
Suddenly, Applejack’s voice rang out clear in the crowd. “Three cheers for the Crusaders, the heroes of our town!”
Everyone fell silent, and waited for the cue.
“Hip hip!”
“HURRAH!”
“Hip hip!”
“HURRAH!”
“Hip hip!”
“HURRAH!!!!”
Just then, a 16-gun salute sounded from a group of offshore vessels, as the band struck up the National Anthem of the United States.
Later that day, in the evening, Apple Bloom fired up her PC and turned on Skype. She then selected a certain individual in the contacts list.
Sure enough, the face of her favourite cousin came up on screen.
“Howdy Babs!” Apple Bloom called.
“Cuz’!” came the warm reply. "How are things in Canterlot?”
“Well,” Apple Bloom started. “Did ya here about the train robbery?”
“It was all over the news!” Babs exclaimed. “How could I not have heard of it? I heard they caught the crooks though.”
Apple Bloom laughed. “They sure did...with a bit of help.”
Babs looked incredulous. “Really?” was all she said. “Let me guess, you were somehow mixed up in all this.”
“Yup. Scootaoo, Sweetie Belle, Button Mash, Pip, Rumble and Mahself helped ta stop them, by recoverin’ the diamonds they were plannin’ ta take with them.”
“This sounds like somethin’ out of a movie,” Babs replied. "How did ya stop them?”
“With a mail train and some TPO vehicles,” Apple Bloom told her, with a smile to rival the Cheshire cat. “True, it were a little hair-raisin' at times, but that’s how most things seem ta be around here these days!”
“I’ll take yer word for it,” Was Babs’ reaction. "What happened next?”
Apple Bloom said no more, but simply held up her Presidential Medal of Freedom so it was clear to view on the camera.
“Woah! You got the Presidential Medal of Freedom?”
“Yup!” Apple Bloom replied. “Ah don’t think Ah’ll be forgettin’ this one in a hurry, ya know.” She put the medal down, and chose to change the topic. “So, how ‘bout you, Babs? Anythin’ happen since we last talk?”
Babs smiled. “Yeah. We finally got some proper gigs, but ya remember Silverstream?”
“Ah remember her.”
“Her time at Edison has ended. She’s gone back ta Rhode Island.”
“Ah’m sad ta hear that. Who’ll be yer new drummer?”
“We’re still workin’ on that,” Babs replied. “But have a great day! I’ve gotta go!”
Apple Bloom went to bed that night with a feeling of contentment familiar to her from the last few months. For she and her friends had foiled the Great Canterlot Train Robbery.