//------------------------------// // The Map's Location // Story: CMC Going Away // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// It's 8:30 in the morning. Twilight and her friends are present in the throne room. Everypony takes a seat as Spike is sleeping on his. Twilight starts questioning more of the castle until she sits down. A few moments later, the light of the thrones illuminate. The magic coming from the throne causes the floor to transform into a map of Equestria. Spike wakes up. The girls are in disarray. "I like it," Spike compliments of the map of Equestria. He walks on the map to observe. "This is incredible. It's got all of Equestria." Pinkie looks at her rock farm home. "Hi, mom and dad," Pinkie tears up a bit as Spike steps on the rock farm that the map features. Twilight uses her magic to levitate Spike off the map to see as her cutie mark glows. Her and her friends' cutie mark hovers in the air then hover an unknown area on the map. "If this is Ponyville, why our cutie marks over there?" Fluttershy asks. "I don't know," Twilight responds. "Hey, wait a minute," Applejack pause. "What is it?" Rainbow said. "Could the map lead us to where Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo are at?" Eyes widen as silence reign. Everypony takes a few moments to collect their thoughts and ponder Applejack's question. Rarity and Rainbow Dash are enlightened with the idea of the map revealing the location of the CMC. "Oh my gosh, Applejack. Maybe the map wants us to unite with them!" Rarity shouts and praises Applejack's thoughts. "Yea.., Yea! We haven't explored that part of Equestria! I bet Rich's investigation team hasn't explored that area as well," Rainbow quoted. "Twi, what do you think?" Applejack said. "I'm not sure that's what the map has intended for us to do. I think there is more about it." "We're not going to find out by standing around doing nothing. Let's get moving," Applejack said. "Yea! There could be dangers as well!" Rainbow proudly states. The rest agrees on going forth to the location their cutie marks are hovering. Twilight picks up an Equestrian map and mark the details on how to get to their destination. Half an hour later, the girls board the train as Spike meets up with Big Mac to watch Hoofball. It's now 11:00 in the morning. Scootaloo wakes up feeling happier than ever. Her parents Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood wake up as well. The trio hears lots of construction outside. "Hmm, wonder what they are working on?" Snap Shutter asks as he yawns. "Oh, dad. Those are our neighbors building your house next door to Aunt Holiday and Lofty." "Oooh. Silly me. I should have known," Snap Shutter chuckles. Mane Allgood sniffs the fresh aroma of waffles. She, Snap Shutter, and Scootaloo enters the kitchen. "Morning," Lofty greets. "Lofty and I made pancakes for you three. Since you two arrived yesterday, you should spend the day together as a family," Holiday said. "Thank you," Scootaloo happily thank. Lofty and Holiday kiss Scootaloo on her forehead and leaves the kitchen. Mane Allgood and Snap Shutter sit across from each other in a triangulation. Scootaloo is happy to have her entire family with her. As they enjoy their breakfast together, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle wake up late. They hurry downstairs to see Starlight Glimmer making waffles. "Morning girls," Starlight said in a cheerful tone. "Morning," Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle said in unison. "So, what's for breakfast?" Sweetie Belle asks. "Waffles with ice cream," Starlight smiles. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle gasps. They sit at the table, smiling widely. "So, did the two of you had a good night sleep?" "I have Starly," Apple Bloom said. "Same with me," Sweetie Belle concurs. "Good. You had fun with the party yesterday?" "I did. I'm happy that Scootaloo gets to reunite with her family." "Same, Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo's family is better than Big Mac and Applejack." "A bit better than Rarity. My mom and dad haven't been around as much. Always traveling together. I rarely get to see them." "Well, who needs them. We have Starly, Scootaloo, her aunts, her parents, and everypony else in the village." "Amen, Apple Bloom. Amen." "Judging from the two of you, I'm the closest thing to a mother you have," Starlight said, bringing a plate of waffles. "Help yourselves as I go get the ice cream." "Thank you," Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle said in unison. Starlight goes to her fridge and gets chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle take three stacks of waffles, leaving three for Starlight. "I want chocolate on my waffles, Starly!" Sweetie Belle said. "Sure," Starlight puts three scoops of chocolate ice cream on Sweetie Belle's waffles. "I want vanilla on mine," Apple Bloom said. "Coming up," Starlight puts three scoops of vanilla ice cream on Apple Bloom's waffles. "Thank you," Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle said. "You're welcome," Starlight smiles. She puts three scoops of vanilla ice cream on her waffles. The girls eat their breakfast. Half an hour later, everyone finishes eating. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle volunteer to clean the dishes for Starlight. Starlight allows them as she stretches a bit. After a few minutes, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle hug Starlight Glimmer. They thank her for watching over them. "You three, and I include Scootaloo, have helped so much in our village. We are thriving and growing as a family." "Yea, speaking of family, Scootaloo's folks are cool and understanding," Apple Bloom states. "Also, it was Scootaloo's aunts that made the save by getting those Zap Apples for us," Sweetie Belle states. "Not to mention housing us during Zap Apple Season," Starlight noted. "Yea. Scootaloo's parents want to partake when wrongful ponies come and bring justice. I cannot wait to see how they handle with ponies from Ponyville." "We'll know soon enough, Apple Bloom." "Until then, we wait to see if we are welcoming a newcomer or bringing justice," Starlight states. "Yea. Let's go see what everypony is doing today, Apple Bloom." "You two have fun," Starlight waves. "We will," Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle leave the household. Starlight smiles and leaves her house. She trots to Lofty and Holiday's house. She knocks, waiting for an answer. "Coming," Holiday said. She opens the door. "Starlight Glimmer. How nice to see you. Please, come in." "Thank you, Holiday," Starlight walks in. During this time, Mane Allgood and Lofty are cleaning the dishes as Snap Shutter is telling Scootaloo a story of how he was wrestling with a crocodile. Snap Shutter and Scootaloo sees Starlight walking in the living room. "Hi, Starly," Scootaloo said as she waves. "Hi, Scootaloo," Starlight smiles. "How is everyone doing today?" "I'm good. I'm happy to be with my mom and dad again." "Good, Scootaloo." "I'm good as well, mate," Snap Shutter gets up and hugs Starlight. "Thanks for watching our daughter during her time of need." "You're welcome," Starlight returns the hug. "So, what brings you here, Starlight?" "Just checking on things. Also, I want to thoroughly explain our methods of luring the wrongful ponies for justice," Starlight said. "Mane Allgood, Starlight is here. She has important info to give us." "Coming," Mane Allgood said. She trots to the living room. "Hi, Starlight. How are you today?" "I'm great. Thanks for asking." "Mane, Starlight is going to tell us how to lure the bad ponies for justice." "This should be good." "Mom, dad. Starlight is going to tell you the first portion. Then, I'll explain the second. I came up with the idea a long while ago." "You have a mind of a brainiac. Knowing you, kiddo, you thought of something decisive." "Thanks, dad." Within the hour, Starlight and Scootaloo explain their plan more in-depth. Mane Allgood and Snap Shutter are amazed to hear their well thought out plan. Scootaloo mentions a routine to lure the wrongful ponies into the trap. Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood couldn't help but applaud the idea. It's brilliant. "Wow, Scoots. I'm amazed that you devise that plan all on your own," Snap Shutter compliments. "Well, Starly had notions to follow through with her other ideas. I saw one and made modifications to make it flow better. Everypony in the village agreed on it. They shared many stories of those wrongful ponies." "Well, you have two powerhouses to help you when the time comes, Starlight," Mane Allgood said. "Yea. If they try to weasel their way out, I'll wrestle them." "Sounds good, Snap Shutter. Thank you for your time. I'll let you three be. You'll need a lot of catching up to do." "Thank you for your time, Starlight. Thank you for watching over Scootaloo and her friends," Mane Allgood said. "You're welcome. See you around," Starlight said as she leaves the house. It's now 3:30 in the afternoon. The train stops at the station. Twilight and her friends get off the train then reads the map. Unknown to them, Booster and Night Glider are at the stakeout. It's their turn on keeping watch. Booster sees six ponies on his binoculars and radios Starlight Glimmer. "Starlight Glimmer, this is Booster reporting. I see six ponies walking in the direction to where our village is." Starlight picks up the radio from her office. "Six ponies? Please explain." Night Glider takes the radio. "Six mares to be exact. Do you have your list of wrongful ponies?" "Right here. Please describe the six mares." "A purple Alicorn, a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane, a yellow pegasus with butterflies cutie mark, a white unicorn with a diamond as a cutie mark, a pinkie mare with balloons as a cutie mark, and Applejack." Starlight Glimmer's jaws drop after hearing the description. She couldn't believe that they are searching for the village. She doesn't know what to feel. Happiness to put the ponies in their place or worry that they may try to ruin the CMC's lives again. "Starlight, should Night Glider and I return to base?" "Yes. Judgment day has arrived. I'll get everyone in position. Fly here as quickly as you can." "Understood," Booster puts the radio down. "Let's jet, Night Glider. Time to put these ponies in their place." Night Glider and Booster take flight, heading back to the village. Starlight goes door-to-door to alert everypony of wrongful ponies are coming. Starlight knocks on Holiday and Lofty's door. Lofty answers. "Starlight, came by to visit Scootaloo?" "No. I need you all to be ready." "For what?" Lofty asks. "The ponies that drove your niece and her friends away." Lofty's draw drops. She calls out Scootaloo to come by the door. "What's up, Starly?" "Gather Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. Go to the upstairs bedroom and hide there. Your former friends are coming." Scootaloo's draw drops and looks at the sky. She thank Celestia to bring justice for getting drenched with rainwater. Scootaloo sees Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle rushing to Starlight's house. "Scootaloo, did you hear?" "Yea, Apple Bloom. They're coming. We gotta hide." Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo go inside Starlight's house. They head upstairs. Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood decides to protect the trio in Starlight's house. In case Rainbow and her friends try to sneak their way inside. Night Glider and Booster arrives in the village. They go home and prepare themselves for phase one of the operations. Two hours later, Twilight Sparkle and her friends see the town from afar. "That's it. That's the place on the map," Twilight said. "Let's go, girls," Applejack said. "Apple Bloom, if your down there, your big sis has finally arrived."