//------------------------------//
// Arc 20-2: Gathering the Crew Together 
// Story: My Little Pony: One as a Family.  "Trials of Friendship" 
// by SaburoDaimando 
//------------------------------//


	Gathering the Crew Together



At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was busy shaking down bushels of apples from the trees alongside her mother Buttercup, her father Bright Mac, and her big brother Big Macintosh.  Granny Smith sat nearby looking after baby Applebloom.  Nearby, the buckets were full of delicious apples of all kinds.
“It’s not even the harvest season yet, and we’re getting ourselves a nice bumper crop,” Bright Mac said.
“Eeyup,” Big Mac nodded.
“Silly son of mine,” Granny Smith said.  “It’s because of the magic of the earth ponies, which happens to be us.”
“Oh yeah,” Bright Mac said before he slammed his hoof on the ground, causing apples to sprout from the trees.  “I forgot.  Silly me indeed.”
Applejack swung her legs back and kicked one of the trees hard.  In a large rustle, tons of apples fell onto the ground, burying the apple filly in a huge pile of the delicious fruit.  Applejack stuck her head, gasping for air from the mountains of apples.
“Guess I don’t really know my own strength,” Applejack said.
As Applejack pulled herself out from the mountain of apples, she noticed four figures run through the front gate and towards the group.  
“I wonder what Rainbow Dash and the others want?” Applejack said.
“Beats me,” Bright Mac said.  “Though I am surprised that they are running to us in a hurry.”
As Bright Mac, Buttercup, Big Mac and Applejack gathered together, Rainbow Dash ran up to the group with Danged Spell, Moondancer and Trixie right next to her.
“You three look like you’ve got some business with us,” Buttercup said.
“As a matter of fact, we do,” Rainbow Dash said.  “It’s about Starlight’s father.”
“You mean Firelight Glimmer?” Granny Smith said, walking up to the younglings with Apple Bloom in her arms.  “He has never stepped out of the house since he moved here.  I assume it’s because he misses his little ol Starlight.”
“You got that right,” Moondancer said.  “And as a matter of fact, we could use Applejack’s help to cheer her up.”
“First things first,” Granny Smith said, pointing to the mountain of apples on the ground. “She’s got chores to take care of.”
“Those look like a hoof full for her,” Danged Spell said.  “Stand back.  We got this.”
Danged Spell, Moondancer and Trixie levitated a number of buckets in front of the mountain of apples.  They picked up the apples with their magic and dropped them into the bucket, leaving Granny Smith and even Applejack startled.
“You showoffs,” Applejack said.  
“Why thank you,” Danged Spell said, bowing to Applejack.
“I forgot that unicorns could do that,” Granny Smith said.  “Very well.  You can go.  But under one condition.”
“Name it,” Applejack said.
“I have to go with you,” Granny Smith said.  “Besides, I think I’m due for checking up on Mr Glimmer.”
“But who will look after Apple Bloom while I’m gone?” Applejack asked.
“I will,” Big Mac said, stepping forward.  “I’ll look after Apple Bloom.”
Granny Smith reached over and gave Apple Bloom to Big Mac, who reached up and played with the back of Big Mac’s mane.  Granny immediately turned towards the other younglings who looked ready.
“We’re going to need to find the others like Fluttershy, Rarity, Maud, Juniper and Ditzy,” Moondancer explained.
“Actually, leave that to me,” Rainbow Dash said, flapping her wings.  “I know what to do involving Fluttershy.”
Rainbow Dash flew up into the air and took off in another direction, leaving Granny Smith with Applejack, Danged Spell, Moondancer, and Trixie.
“Let’s just hope it doesn’t involve her pranking Fluttershy,” Applejack said.  “But knowing Rainbow, she would be willing to do that.”
“I think you better head off,” Bright Mac said.  “We can take it from here.”
Granny Smith nodded before she took off from Sweet Apple Acres with Applejack, Danged Spell, Trixie, and Moondancer running from right behind them.

Meanwhile, Fluttershy was busy feeding some rabbits around her house with Mr Bovine napping nearby.  Fluttershy’s mane and tail appeared to have been cut shorter and had a bit of a slightly shaggy look.
“Now how is that, Mr Fluffybuns?” Fluttershy said.  “Doesn’t it taste delicious?”
But as the rabbits ate their carrots, Fluttershy noticed a rustling in the bushes nearby.
“Oh dear,” Fluttershy said.  “I guess everyone wants to eat their carrots and grow stronger.”
But as Fluttershy walked up to the bushes, a flying monster emerged from it, frightening the pegasi filly.  The monster looked down at Fluttershy and roared, causing her to leap into the air and scream loudly.
“GET IT AWAY!” Fluttershy screamed as she covered her face.  “YOU’RE WORSE THAN THE WINDIGO’S GUILD!”
But all Fluttershy could hear was the sound of Rainbow Dash laughing.  She looked up and saw Rainbow Dash take off her monster costume, laughing out loud.
“GOTCHA!” Rainbow Dash laughed.
Fluttershy just looked up at Rainbow Dash with a cold stare, and a slight smirk to her face.
“So you think that’s funny, eh?” Fluttershy said.  “Well laugh this off.”
Fluttershy tapped her hooves together, causing Rainbow Dash to pause for a bit.  Suddenly, tomatoes flew out from behind, pelting the pranksters of a filly in the back.  Rainbow Dash was soiled in tomato bits as she flew to the ground, all while Fluttershy giggled at Rainbow’s expense.
“Oh hah hah,” Rainbow Dash said in a sarcastic tone.  “Real funny, Fluttershy.”
“I knew you would pull a stunt like that,” Fluttershy said.  “So I had to give you a taste of your own medicine.”
“Well that being said,” Rainbow Dash said, shaking the tomato juice and bits of her fur.  “Firelight Glimmer is sulking at his new place while Mrs Glimmer, Sunburst and Pinkie Pie are trying to cheer him up.”
“I’ve heard he’s been depressed since coming here,” Fluttershy said.  “But I didn’t think he would be that depressed.”
“All that pranking aside,” Rainbow Dash said, “I was hoping you would come with us to help him out.  Cheer him up.  Make sure he’s on his good side.”
“Very well,” Fluttershy said with her smirk still shining tall.  “But only because I paid you back for that prank you pulled.”
“Deal,” Rainbow Dash said.  
Fluttershy made some animal noises as a random bunny jumped out and landed on Fluttershy’s back.  Fluttershy extended her wings out and flew off with the bunny holding on and Rainbow Dash flying right behind her.
“I don’t know why you wanted to bring Angel of all rabbits,” Rainbow Dash said.
“Oh don’t mind little Angel,” Fluttershy said.  “At least he’s a sweet bunny.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash said, sarcastically.  “Sweet bunny.”
But as Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash took off, Mr Bovine woke up and saw the two fillies fly off.
“If I didn’t know better,” Mr Bovine said.  “I swear they were going to help out a pony who needs some comfort.”

Meanwhile, Applejack tapped her hoof on the door of a house that resembled a fancy carousel.  Next to Trixie were Danged Spell, Moondancer, Trixie and Granny Smith.
“Rarity,” Applejack called.  “Rarity are you there?”
The door opened up and Rarity popped her head out.
“Applejack,” Rarity said.  “You came just in time. I was about to try out a new design for a dress inspired by the wedding.”
“Wait a minute,” Applejack said before Rarity pulled her into the house.
The others closed their eyes as the sounds of Applejack screaming, combined with objects being thrown around, echoed from the house.  When the sounds disappeared, Danged Spell took a peek inside.
“Hey guys,” Danged Spell laughed.  “Get a load of Applejack.
Trixie, Moondancer and Granny Smith peeked inside, where Rarity stood off a stage, holding her hoof up high.
“I present to you, my newest masterpiece,” Rarity said.  “The moonlight bride.”
Everyone looked up to see Applejack with her tummy on a stool, wearing a fancy wedding dress with long sleeves and a light hint of blue-violet.  Moondancer, Trixie and even Granny Smith struggled to hold in their laughter.
“Rarity,” Applejack said. “This isn’t a time for your shenanigans.”
“Why not?” Danged Spell laughed.  “I can see a colt being over the moon for you.”
“Danged Spell,” Moondancer and Trixie laughed.
Applejack furiously pulled herself out of the dress and marched over to Rarity.
‘“Rarity,”  Applejack snapped.  “Now is not the time for your silliness.  There’s a father of Starlight Glimmer who’s been down in the dumps and we came here to call you so you can help him out.”
“Oh dear,” Rarity said.  “Well why didn’t you say so in the first place?”
Applejack immediately slammed her hoof to her face in disgust while Granny Smith walked up to the duo.
“Don’t worry about Applejack,” Granny Smith said.  “Sometimes, she just needs to lighten up a bit.  But anyway, are you up for helping out?”
“Well other than to make him a handsome coat,” Rarity said, “I’m up for it.”
“Well thank goodness,” Applejack said.  “I was wondering if you would be on board with this.”
Applejack, Granny Smith and Rarity began to walk out, only for Rarity to pause for a moment.
“Will you excuse me?” Rarity said.  “It will be for a moment.”
Rarity quickly ran up stairs, leaving Applejack and Granny Smith behind.  A few moments later, she ran downstairs and up to the two ponies.
“Just had to let my folks know about Firelight Glimmer,” Rarity said.  “Well.  We’re off.”
With that, Rarity, Applejack and Granny Smith ran out the door with Danged Spell, Moondancer and Trixie following from behind.
“So who do we have left besides Fluttershy?” Trixie asked.
“Maud Pie, Ditzy Doo and Juniper Montage,” Moondancer said.  “So I’m guessing Canter Zoom’s movie studio should be our next stop.”
“Luckily, we know where it is,” Rarity said, pointing to her left.
Moondancer looked to her left to see a medium-sized building right out in the open.  She came to a stop and just stared right at it.
“Okay,” Moondancer said.  “Guess that makes finding Juniper a lot easier.  Though I expected him to build his studio on the outskirts of La Maresa.”
“Well what are we waiting for?” Trixie said.  “Let’s go fetch Juniper Montage, then we can find the others.”
But as the group ran off towards the movie studio, a persian bluish-gray filly earth pony with a grayish blue violet mane and a rock cutie mark walked up from behind, taking notice of the group.
“Pinkie told me about the three ponies who came from Canterlot,” the filly said.  “But I wonder why two of them are in a rush with her friends?  Guess I better find out.”

Inside the movie studio, a mare in a pink royal gown stares down at what appears to be a bulky dragon
“Release the legendary plumber of Neightendia,” the princess commanded.  “He is needed to unclog the drain of hope.”
“Never,” the dragon yelled.  “You will never take the legendary plumber from me.”
“Then you will face the power of the Princess of Neightendia,” the princess yelled.
But as the Princess and the Dragon jumped at each other, someone yelled out “AND CUT!”  The two actors came to a stop as Canter Zoom got up from his chair with Juniper Montage sitting next to him.
“How was that?” The Princess actor asked.
“Needs more anger into that voice,” Canter Zoom said.  “Like what the dragon did was that he kicked your cat for his own amusement.”
“Woah woah woah,” The dragon actor said.  “Kicking a cat?  Now that’s cruel.”
Suddenly, a crewmember tapped on Canter Zoom’s shoulder and said “Mr Zoom, someone would like to speak with your niece.”
“Right now?” Canter Zoom said.
“They say it’s about Firelight Glimmer’s depression,” the crewmember said.  “And how many of this youngling’s group of friends want to help pitch in.”
“Alright,” Canter Zoom said.  “We’ll take ten for a moment.”
As the cast and crew of the movie began to walk off stage, Juniper Montage looked up at Canter Zoom.
“Uncle,” Juniper Montage said.  “What’s this about Firelight Glimmer?”
“Yesterday,” Canter Zoom said.  “I was able to meet with Mr Glimmer when he arrived in La Maresa.  But he looked rather gloomy as if something horrible had happened to him.  Juniper, could you do me a favor and go to his place?  Your friends are waiting outside for you.”
“I’ll try,” Juniper nodded.
Immediately, Juniper Montage walked with the crewmember to the entrance while Canter Zoom sat back down in his chair, sipping his coffee.
“It’s not easy to be a director,” Canter Zoom said.  “But it’s even harder to see others suffer.  Maybe I should ask my writing crew about a story of a pony who's been suffering and the other ponies do what they can to help him out.”

Outside, a door opened up to see Juniper Montage walk out with the crewmember right behind her.  Danged Spell and Moondancer were the first to approach Juniper with Applejack, Rarity, Trixie and Granny Smith right behind them.
“Spell, Dancer,” Juniper said.  “What’s going on with Firelight Glimmer?”
“He’s been held up in his house since he moved here,” Moondancer explained.  “And now we need all hooves on deck to lift his spirit up.”
“So I was wondering if you could….,” Danged Spell said before Juniper placed her hoof on his mouth.
“You don’t need to say another word,” Juniper said.  “My uncle asked me to help you out on this occasion.”
“Well that’s great,” Moondancer said as Juniper walked up to Granny Smith.
“So now that we have you on our team,” Granny Smith said, “All we need are Ditzy Doo and Maud Pie.”
“It’s too bad Glimmy’s not with us,” Trixie said.  “I would have wanted to get her to meet Maud Pie.”
“Why’s that?” Danged Spell said, walking past the group.  “Does she want a muddy friendship?”
But as Danged Spell turned his head forward, he bumped into the nose of the very same grayish filly who followed them.
“Muddy friendship,” the filly said in a monotone voice.  “Now that’s funny.”
Danged Spell stepped back for a moment, looking down at the grayish filly with a surprised look on his face.
“I take it, that's Maud Pie,” Danged Spell said.  
“In the fur,” Maud Pie said.
“Maud,” Moondancer said.  “Sunburst and Pinkie PIe asked us to find you and the others.”
“I know why,” Maud Pie said.  “Firelight Glimmer’s been troubled since he had to leave his daughter behind with Princess Celestia, and you need all of us to help him out.”
Moondancer just stared at Maud Pie before her jaw dropped to the ground.
“Lemme guess,” Danged Spell said.  “You have the same power as Discord.”
“No,” Maud Pie said.  “But my sister Pinkie Pie is the reincarnation of Discord.”
As Danged Spell nodded his head in confusion, Granny Smith just laughed out loud.
“Well it looks like you’re up to date with our crew,” Granny Smith said.  “But there is still the matter of Ditzy Doo.  I wonder where she could be?”
Suddenly, a loud crash occurred within the town, surprising everyone.  Rarity jumped into the air screaming and landed in Applejack’s arms.
“SOMEONE HELP!” Rarity screamed.  “WE’RE BEING INVADED BY ALIENS FROM OUTER SPACE!”
“Rarity,” Applejack said in a cold tone.  “Drop it.”
“Whoops,” Rarity said as she tumbled out of Applejack’s arms.
“It’s okay,” Danged Spell said.  “No aliens.  But it sounded like it came near Firelight’s house.  We should go check to see if he’s okay.”
“I’m with you on that,” Granny Smith said before turning to the others.  “Come on.  To Firelight’s place to see if no one got hurt.”
With that, Granny Smith ran down the street with Juniper Montage, Danged Spell, Moondancer, Trixie, Applejack, Rarity and Maud following from behind.

But back at Firelight Glimmer’s place, Ditzy Doo laid dizzy on the ground with her wings extended out.  The mark of dirt near her hinted that she somehow crashed landed.  Near her were Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Angel Bunny.
“Ditzy,” Rainbow Dash said.  “What happened?”
Ditzy Doo shook her head and turned towards Rainbow Dash.
“I was minding my own business when I saw you and Fluttershy come over to Firelight Glimmers’ place,” Ditzy said.  “So I came here to find out why, and I really screwed up.”
“Ditzy you silly,” Fluttershy laughed as she got Ditzy Doo up.  “That’s not a screw up.  Even I had problems learning how to land without crashing.”
“Actually Ditzy,” Rainbow Dash said.  “We came here because we found out about Firelight Glimmer and we wanted to cheer him up in any way.”
Suddenly, the door opened up and Firelight emerged from the house.  He took a good look at Ditzy’s arm and immediately walked up to her.
“Are you alright, young lady?” Firelight asked.
“I think so,” Ditzy said.  “But I don’t think there’s anything wrong.”
“Actually, I think I know what’s wrong,” Firelight said, pointing to the injury on Ditzy’s arm.  “Somehow you scraped your arm.”
“Oh no,” Ditzy said.  “Am I going to….”
“No you’re not,” Firelight said.
“Honey.  What happened?” Firelight turned towards the door to see Starseeker, Sunburst and Pinkie Pie stick their heads out.
“Darling,” Firelight Glimmer said. “Can you get a cleaning cloth, some rubbing alcohol and a bandage?  This poor filly scraped herself.”
“I’m on it,” Starseeker said, running back inside towards the staircase while Pinkie Pie and Sunburst stepped outside.
“What happened?” Pinkie asked.
“Ditzy fell down and scraped her arm on the dirt,” Rainbow Dash said.  
“That’s horrible,” Sunburst said.  “At least something’s being done to treat it.”
Angel Bunny just hopped up to Ditzy Doo before looking up at her arm.  He turned away and gagged in disgust.
“Now Angel,” Fluttershy said.  “We shouldn’t be rude to Ditzy because she hurt her arm.”
Immediately, Starseeker ran out the front door, leaving a cleaning cloth, rubbing alcohol and a roll of bandages with her magic.  She approached Firelight and handed the alcohol and cleaning cloth to Firelight.
“I’ll help bandage her arm up,” Starseeker said.
“Thanks,” Firelight said.
“Is this going to sting?” Ditzy asked as she held her arm up. 
“It will,” Firelight said.  “But it will also help heal the pain.”
Firelight held the cloth underneath Ditzy’s arm and poured some of the alcohol on the scraped injury.  Ditzy Doo held her breath, wincing in pain, as the alcohol ran down her arm and onto the cloth.   Once Firelight pulled the alcohol and cloth away, Starseeker wrapped the scraped arm in a bandage before pressing it slightly to seal it tight.  Ditzy looked at her arm and smiled.
“Thank you, Mr and Mrs Glimmer,” Ditzy said.
But as Firelight Glimmer nodded, Granny Smith ran in with Danged Spell, Trixie, Moondancer, Rarity, Applejack, Juniper Montage and Maud Pie right behind her.
“What happened?” Granny Smith asked.  “Is Ditzy’s alright?”
“She’s fine,” Firelight Glimmer said.  “She just scraped her arm and I just had to fix it, with thanks to my wife Starseeker.”
“Aww you poor thing,” Rarity said, walking up to Ditzy and placing her arm around the cross-eyes pegasi.  “I’m sorry that your arm got hurt.”
“It’s okay,” Ditzy said.  “But thanks to Mr and Mrs Glimmer, I should be fine.”
“I’ll say,” Rainbow Dash said.  “But I think you should stick with the ground for the time being.”
“I dunno, Rainbow,” Ditzy said.  “I actually like flying.”
“It may be for your own good until your arm heals up,” Rarity said, pulling her arm away from Ditzy.  “But don’t worry.  You’ll be alright.”
As Ditzy walked off a bit disappointed, she bumped her head against a wagon that was holding up some potted plants, knocking her down.  Rainbow Dash flew over to Ditzy and pulled her up.
“Actually, I think I should stay by your side for a bit, Ditzy,” Rainbow Dash said, holding Ditzy up.  
Granny Smith walked up to Firelight Glimmer with a smile on her face.
“Mrs Granny Smith,” Firelight said.  “As you could tell…”
“You had to help out Ditzy Doo and make sure she’s alright?” Granny Smith interrupted.  “That’s the spirit.”
“Really?” Firelight responded.
“Of course,” Granny Smith said.  “We came here to help cheer you up.  But it looks like you’re really capable of doing that.”
“I was just doing what anyone would do,” Firelight Glimmer said.  “Besides, I wasn’t gonna let her suffer without proper care.”
“And that’s proof of what’s in your heart that counts,” Granny Smith said.  “You never realized just how capable you are of helping out others.  But when you heard Ditzy injuring herself, you wasted no time coming out and helping the poor youngster out.  For that, I am grateful for you.”
“Granny’s right,” Applejack said.  “We came here to help you out in any way possible, and we’re doing so by congratulating you for helping out Ditzy Doo.”
“Well, I,” Firelight said, rubbing the back of his head.
“Think about what they said,” Starseeker said.  “They came to help you out, and when you chose to help another out, they’re showing how appreciative they are of you.”
Firelight Glimmer thought long and hard for a bit before turning towards the group.
“Maybe you’re right,” Firelight said.  “I know I’m still saddened by having to leave Starlight behind in Canterlot.   But maybe, maybe I can get this all worked out in the end.”
“Glad to have you on board, Firelight,” Granny Smith said as the younglings cheered for Firelight Glimmer.  “Maybe a few days from now, we can take you up to Canterlot so you can reunite with Starlight Glimmer.”
“That I can look forward to,” Firelight said.
As the younglings all cheered, Danged Spell, Maud Pie, Moondancer and Trixie all gathered together in celebration.
“Guess our presence did help out in a way,” Trixie said.  “After all, there’s no one better than the friends of the Great and Powerful Trixie.”
“Yeah,” Danged Spell said.  “Tell me about it, Majix.”
Trixie paused for a moment before she glared up at Danged Spell.
“Please do not call me Majix,” Trixie snarled.  “My name is Trixie.”
“Okay okay,” Danged Spell said.  “Sheesh.  What a grouch.”
Immediately, Pinkie Pie walked up to the four ponies while Maud Pie placed her arm around her sister’s back.
“So you’ve met my big sister Maud,” Pinkie Pie said.
“We sure did,” Moondancer said.  “Though she’s a lot different than what we imagined.”
“I may be different from my sister,” Maud Pie said.  “But I can assure you I care for her like the rest of the family.”
“Well,” Danged Spell said, awkwardly.  “That is…nice to hear.”
“By the way,” Maud said, blinking at Danged Spell.  “Are you up for a walk together?”
Danged Spell slowly walked backwards and said “I just remembered, my mom is calling for me.”
Immediately, Danged Spell turned around and ran off in the opposite direction, leaving Trixie, Maud, Moondancer and Pinkie Pie behind.
“Wow,” Trixie said.  “What was that all about?”
“I think he’s just a little shy when it comes to mares,” Maud Pie said.  “But don’t worry, I think I can break that stone cold heart of his.”
“Stone cold heart,” Pinkie giggled.  “That’s a good one, Maud.”
Moondancer shook her head and said “I think we might be able to get used to this place after all.”
But as Maud Pie, Pinkie Pie, Trixie Lulamoon and Moondancer hung around, Eleanor Young observed everyone from behind the fence of Firelight’s house.
“I guess they’re alright after all,” Eleanor said.  “Maybe tomorrow, if things get better, I can return to Canterlot and let them know that they’re doing fine.”



	To Be Continued in…


	Firelight Glimmer’s Determination