//------------------------------// // Mane Six Progress 2 // Story: CMC Going Away // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// Ever since Discord altered the map in the Castle, the mane six has been making good progress on fixing friendships throughout Equestria. Since their visit to Starlight's village, the girls are unable to think straight knowing that they cannot undo the damages they caused to Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Searching for redemption is out of the window. Applejack and Rarity can only hope that their sisters can someday give them a chance at redemption. Rainbow Dash knows she will never get an opportunity to be with Scootaloo. With her family present, their parents are more likely to give her another beating for harming Scootaloo. When Applejack returned to the farm after getting her cutie mark back, she told the Apple family everything she'd endured. Big Mac was relieved to know that Apple Bloom is safe and sound; however, hearing that she has no desire to come back home was a heartbreaker. He said that he'll go and try to patch things up but, Applejack told him that he'll lose his cutie mark in the process. Since Big Mac was the one that told them to go away, he would not be the same coming back home. That being said and done, Big Mac sighs in defeat. His wish is to take back what he said during his irate days over a silly gossip. Granny Smith was happy but sadden that she won't be seeing her granddaughter anymore. Applejack and Big Mac resume their duties working at the farm. Rainbow Dash is unable to train with the Wonderbolts. Ever since coming back home from Starlight's village, she took it upon herself to keep the injured wing as a punishment for her mistakes. Drenching the CMC with rainwater and hurting Scootaloo. Though Scootaloo is healed due to Discord, that doesn't change the fact she heard Scootaloo's cries and pain from the collision when she tried to attack Starlight. Rainbow Dash often visits her friends whenever they need assistance. Her friends notice Rainbow's depression as she is getting worse. Rainbow refuses to allow some joy to come to her as Scootaloo's screams and wails, echoes in her mind. Pinkie Pie is handling the aftermath better than most ponies. With many birthday parties coming up in Ponyville, she was able to distract herself. A few things bother her as she won't be able to throw three birthday parties according to her party planning in her party cave. The CMC's birthday had to be put aside when she came back from her first trip courtesy of the map. Never in her life, she thought about tossing aside three birthday parties away after planning decades in advance. Pinkie Pie reflects on her actions during the days of Gabby Gum's downfall. She failed as a friend for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Instead of being a reasonable and understandable pony, she was a bystander as everypony pelted them with tomatoes. Instead of going along with their apology by throwing an apologetic party, she ignored them as a gossip hurt her feelings as being a party animal. She wishes to help them during those days instead of leaving them to suffer the fate by the hate of Ponyville. Fluttershy is handling the aftermath better as well. With her animals needing more care and attention, she uses it as an advantage. She reflects a lot on the Gabby Gums incident and the trip to Starlight's village. She wished that she would handle the downfall of Gabby Gums better if she would have stopped crying and had a talk with them instead of letting Angel Bunny slamming the door on them. Hearing Rainbow vent to her, she couldn't help but have nightmares. Her animal friends are helping a lot with easing up the tensions. Fluttershy is more talkative on certain days whenever her friends come by for a visit. She vows to listen to those that require guidance and understanding. She refuses to make the same mistake when her feelings come into play. Ever since coming back, Rarity couldn't concentrate on her work as much as she used to. With her sister no longer coming back, she vows to ensure that other ponies treat their siblings with care, kindness, understanding, and patience. Whenever the map was to call her for friendship quests, she takes it upon herself to fix them by all means necessary. To make sure no pony ever goes through what she endured. Business for her has been dropping like flies. Feeling alone in her home, all Rarity will do is cry. Spike often comes by to give Rarity moral support. To Rarity, she treats Spike as a younger brother. Whenever Spike comes by for a visit, Rarity would hold him as he was Sweetie Belle. In a way, it calms her down but not long enough. Princess Twilight Sparkle has been keeping herself busy by practicing and studying more advanced magic. She would often have nightmares from her trip to Starlight's village. She blames herself for being a horrible friend to the CMC. She allowed gossip to get the better of herself. Why couldn't she talk with them? Why turn away three young fillies that didn't know any better. It enraged her a bit whenever she reflects on Gabby Gum's days and the downfall. Whenever the map calls her on friendship quests, she takes it upon herself to fix the problem and gives small lectures on helping one another when times are at its peak. Twilight and Spike are spending more time together as a family. With the CMC's running away, Twilight's motherly instincts kicked in. What if she has said or may do something that'll hurt Spike so much that he too would run away. Twilight refuses to allow that to happen. In recent days, Twilight has her friends in the castle. She was informed by Princess Celestia to gather her friends for an important meeting. They wonder if it's a new villain or monster making its way to Equestria. Pinkie wonder if its Princess Celestia wants to ask them to throw Luna a surprise party for her birthday. "Twilight did the Princess mentioned anything urgent to you from the letter?" Applejack asks. "Yes. She said it'll be vital for many changes in Equestria," Twilight confirms. She is walking in a circle worriedly. "You think someone more powerful than the Elements of Harmony is making their way to Equestria?" Rainbow asks. Twilight bites her lip. "I don't know! I don't know!" Twilight exclaim. Princess Celestia lands in front of the Friendship Castle. She walks in and sees Twilight and her friends. They turn to Princess Celestia, bowing in respect to her presence. "Princess Celestia," Twilight said. "Why you called for my friends and me to meet with you. Did something horrible happen? Is Equestria in dangered of a new threat rising?" "No, Twilight. Nothing horrible has happened," Princess Celestia calmly replies. "If nothing is wrong, why you wanted to see my friends and me? Why is it urgent?" Twilight confusingly asks. "Yea," Rainbow noted. "What's the situation since nothing bad is happening?" "I'm here to inform all of you that things in Equestria are going to change." "In what way, Celestia?" Applejack asks, approaching the topic. "For starters, I'm stepping down as being a Princess in Canterlot." "What?!" Everypony shockingly reacts. "You're not retiring, are you?!" Twilight shouts in a state of shock. Princess Celestia shakes her head. "I'm not retiring. I'm relocating." Twilight eyes widen in shock. She looks at her teacher in more shock and disbelief. Everypony else is silent. Stunned to hear what the Princess is saying. "Relocating to where your highness?" Fluttershy shyly asks. "The location I've chosen is Starlight's Village. If not there for other reasons, a remote town elsewhere in Equestria like Pony Central or Dodge City." Silence reign as the girls took the info in. They are stunned beyond belief. They don't know why Celestia would ever want to reside in Starlight's Village especially when they stripped cutie marks away from ponies. "Why there of all places?" Rarity exclaims. "I learned a dark truth within Canterlot. Something that I cannot explain yet. Just know that Princess Luna will be taking over in Canterlot. You can still send me letters Twilight. I'll inform you where I'll be relocating. If I can reside in Starlight's village, I'll come to you for visitations. If I reside elsewhere, you and your friends may visit me whenever." "Have you announced your departure from Canterlot yet, Princess Celestia?" "No. I will in an hour or so. I came here to notify you of what's going to happen so none of you would freak out and come looking for me or looking for answers." "Understandable, Princess," Applejack calmly states. "So no going away party?" Pinkie questions in hopes of getting the chance to throw on in honor of the Princess. "No," Princess Celestia shakes her head. "You may throw a party for Luna as a full-time Princess in Canterlot as I'm passing the torch to her." "Okay, then," Pinkie said. "Come by to Canterlot later today and celebrate with Luna. I bid you farewell for now," Princess Celestia said as she takes flight to Canterlot. Applejack and Rarity hope that Princess Celestia does reside in Starlight's Village. Maybe the Princess can send them letters to them informing how Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are doing. Perhaps with the Princess being around them, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle can open up more and give them a chance at redemption. Rainbow Dash feels alright with Celestia's decision. She is the Princess and knows what is best for all. Fluttershy is okay with Celestia's decision. Pinkie Pie is eager to throw Princess Luna a celebrational party. Twilight is left dumbfounded and shocked. Her teacher moving away due to a dark truth. What is that dark truth? Twilight sighs as Pinkie grabs her to start planning for Luna's party.