"Welcome to the show Babs Seed," Tempest welcomed the filly, "Glad you got the courage to tell your story."
"The Crusaders should be the ones to thank. They're the ones who wanted me on the show to tell my story and how we are the best Crusaders ever," Babs said with enthusiasm.
"And what is your story to tell?" Trixie asked to start it all. Babs looked somewhat ashamed as she reflected on her past.
"It all started with Applejack invited me to Sweet Apple Acres to get away from the bullies from Manehattan where I live. I was a Blank Flank, so the Crusaders wanted me to be part of the CMC, but I was too embarrassed to join. I felt intimidated at it all. That's when Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon came in. Seeing how they bullied the CMC, I wanted to be no part of it, so I became a bully as well," Babs started her story with a downtrodden look. Sunset was the first to comfort her with a small pat on the back.
"What changed?" Tempest urged her to continue.
"They became the bully to me," Babs sighed, "It was the Derby, so they rigged the driving system, knowing I will take over. However, they realised their mistake when Applejack told them the reason for my visit. I became the bully to them, so they became the bullies back."
"Talk about irony," Trixie rolled her eyes.
"That's what Sweetie Belle said at the end," Babs snickered, "They saved me just in time as the rig system happened. They pushed me away when the cart fell into a ditch. After cleaning themselves up, they told me everything that happened. They said sorry for what they did, and I said sorry for what I've done to them. We made up and I became part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders!"
"So what's been happening since then?" Starlight asked.
"We've been closer ever since. I attended the Apple Family Reunion. It was a bit bumpy, with how Applejack overprepared everything, but we bonded over fixing the barn that was wrecked during a wagon ride," Babs told them about the event.
"Sounds like Applejack alright," Starlight rolled her eyes, "Always the stubborn, over the top, working pony I know."
"And what does it mean to have a cutie mark now?" Tempest wondered.
"The Crusaders already figured that out. They thought that I would be worried that since I have a cutie mark now, I would feel alone without them. They gave given me a care package of support, saying that even though I have a cutie mark, doesn't mean they're not my friends anymore. I hope to see Applebloom again next family reunion," Babs said with a soft smile.
"Great to have those who are close, even when far apart, right?" Starlight asked Babs, which she nodded, "I wish I learnt that when Sunburst left. We can still be friends, even when I was home and he was learning magic. We still make contact and meet each other when we have the time."
"That's the best thing about friendship," Sunset added, "Close but far, friends continue on through the ages, no matter the distance."
"And even when you fall out of your old friends, there will be new friends waiting to be yours," Tempest smiled.
"Well, that's all we have time for today, creatures," Trixie rounded off, "Thank you to Babs for being on the show with us, and remember, there is a story behind every creature. Take the time to listen and you will find so much more to the creature than you will ever imagine."