//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Cutie Mark Crusader Changelings 
// by Smiley216 
//------------------------------//

The crusaders had missed the morning bell, but they had all silently decided today wasn’t a good day for school. Sweetie and Scoots were curled up in the wagon with the scooter while Apple Bloom had herself hitched up to pull them along. She’d opted to skirt the town so as to avoid any unnecessary attention. Eventually coming to the one place nopony would think to look for three wayward fillies cutting class. It was a quiet place for them to talk, think, not talk, and/or shut the world out for a while.

A quick knock and a few moments later a lavender unicorn greeted them. “Great Oaks Library, how can I-” she paused as she realized who it was, “hey girls.”

Apple Bloom was the most familiar with the unicorn so she opted to do most of the talking. “Hey, Twilight. Can we come in?”

“Sure, of course,” she said, stepping aside to allow them in, “but … shouldn’t you three be in school?” She chanced a look up at the sky before closing the door and saw that it was mostly cloudy out. Though there was no scheduled rainfall for today, it wasn’t the type of weather that usually drove otherwise good girls to try their hoof at truancy.

Apple Bloom looked down at her feet. She knew skipping school was wrong and her sis would likely give her ‘what fer’ when she found out. But Scootaloo was hurting and because of that, they weren’t going to be paying attention anyways. “It’s … it’s kin’na …” she looked to Sweetie Belle for help.

“Extenuating,” she offered.
“Yeah, exten-ee-ate’n circumvention”
“Stances”
“S’wat ah meant.”

Twilight appraised the three for a moment before slowly nodding. Though she would normally never condone a student skipping on what was no doubt a very valuable lesson, she could tell something was wrong. “Okay,” she said, hesitantly, “but I’m afraid I am going to have to tell your sisters. And your foster parents too,” she added, nodding to indicate Scootaloo. Apple Bloom made a small move to place herself between Twilight and her friend. It was little more than a step, but the protective gesture was unmistakable. “They’ll be worried if they hear you missed class and don’t know where you went.”

The three of them looked between each other silently for a few moments before Apple Bloom said, “That’s fair.”

The librarian was rather surprised. They hadn’t even tried to talk her out of it. There’d been no wheeling or dealing, promises they’d come clean on their own, or even trying to just get her to wait a bit before getting them in trouble. It was a most peculiar behavior that spoke of something much more than just getting away from class for a while, so she opted to give them some time before alerting their caregivers. “Spike’s out running errands at the moment, and I’ve got a fair amount of studying I need to do so, I’ll be upstairs if you need anything.”

“Thank’s Twa’light.”

Twilight turned and began to climb the stairs that circled the main library up to her study. As she did though, she saw that the girls hadn’t really moved from where they stood. Her pace slowed so she could watch them a little more intently and saw them glancing back and forth at each other, but none of them really made eye contact for more than a moment. This was a stark contrast to the excessive bundles of energy that was widely considered to be a force of nature that even the combined power of the Elements of Harmony would be hard pressed to contain … even briefly.

“Ya know girls,” she started, turning back down the stairs, “I was thinking.” This drew all three pairs of eyes up to her with curiosity. “I know it’s not something you three normally try, but … perhaps there’s a few types of cutie marks you could get by trying some of the things I do?”

This drew a suspicious eyebrow from Scootaloo. She’d heard Rainbow Dash talking about Twilight’s boring egghead-ed-ness on more than one occasion. So she was naturally skeptical. “What exactly did you have in mind?” she asked.

“Well, my special talent is magic,” she said, turning her flank a little closer to reaffirm a fact they already knew, “but that itself touches on a wide range of specific skills that I can introduce you to.”

Sweetie Belle, being a unicorn and not entirely averse to crusading for something a little tamer than their usual gambits, was the first to show interest. “Like what?” she asked.

Twilight smiled as she felt a nibble on the bait she’d just dangled in front of them, but knew they weren’t sold on it just yet. “Well,” she said, “there’s of course spell-casting and mana control for one; potions, alchemy, and chemistry for another; historical research, astrology, astronomy; anatomy and physiology, psychology, philosophy.” She’d managed to pique a little interest in all three of them, though she could tell they were still skeptical. “Like I said,” she added, deciding to finish up her pitch, “it’s not what you girls normally do. But it’s a quiet, no stress option, which also makes for a good way to pass the time.” 

The three fillies looked back and forth to each other, a silent debate playing itself out in their eyes. A consensus was reached, all three nodded, and Apple Bloom voiced the decision. “Alright,” she said, “we’ll try it.”

She couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride fill up inside of her at those words. Twilight knew the agreement was fragile and conditional, but it would at least give them something else to think about while they worked through whatever the problem was. So she held up a tentative hoof, “Cutie Mark Crusader Scholars, Scientists, and Sorcerers yay.”

This elicited smiles from everypony. And while it wasn’t the most enthusiastic high-hoof they’d ever shared, it was at least a sign of brighter horizons.

~~~~

Dear Miss Cheerilee,

Please excuse Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo’s absence today as they will be here with me at the library today. They came to me seeking shelter and (I hope) some form of guidance on an issue that I, as of yet, do not know the extent of; however it seems to be deeply upsetting for all of them. I suspect it may involve a personal matter of Scootaloo’s, but as I said I do not yet know for certain.

When you read this I will have already sent similar letters to their respective guardians, so there will be no need for you to trouble with doing so yourself. If you could provide Spike with the materials for any homework or studies they missed being assigned today I will ensure they receive it. I expect they will all be studiously attending your class tomorrow but will keep you informed if I am made aware of circumstances to the contrary. As always, thank you for the part you play in molding the pliable minds of Equestria’s future inheritors.

Your friend, neighbor, and local proponent of the written word,
Twilight Sparkle