Sweetie Belle looked out the window of her room. The sun was just rising in the distance and the last few stars of the night were fading into the day. She grabbed her brush with her magic and combed her mane and tail, then carefully opened her dresser and pulled out her saddle bags.
She snuck down the stairs, traded glances with Opal, and opened the door to the boutique with her magic. She slipped out into the early morning air, took a deep breath, and slowly closed the door behind her.
The grass around Carousel Boutique was covered in heavy layer of dew. She frowned, a vision of Rarity chastising her for dirty hooves playing in her mind. A small blue glow formed on her horn and she teleported onto the bridge. With a bounce to her step, she carefully followed the path around the bend, past Sugar Cube Corner and over to the library. She knocked lightly on the door.
The door opened a crack. "We open in a hour," said a bedraggled looking Spike.
Sweetie Belle put on her pouty eyes. "Please let me in. I finished the three magic books Twilight left me. There is nothing left on magic to read and my friends wouldn't understand me wanting more books."
Spike watched the spectacle for a moment then threw his arms up in defeat. "Sure, why not, just be careful not to wake up Twilight. Magic section is on the right side."
Sweetie Belle followed Spike into the library and began to browse the titles. Most of them were on subjects she didn’t have a particular interest in or she didn’t think she was ready for yet. One plain but expertly bound book caught her eye since it did not have a title. She was shocked by the name of the author, Twilight Sparkle herself. She grabbed that one, "Intermediate Illusions: Seeing What Isn't There" for her own reading, and "Earth, Wind, and Fire: It's Elemental" on the off chance that Scootaloo might be able to use it.
Spike yawned, then absent-mindedly stamped the books and handed them back to Sweetie Belle. She quietly thanked Spike and exited the library, trotting towards Sugar Cube Corner in the direction of home.
----
Scootaloo awoke as the first rays of sunlight radiated through the window of the clubhouse. She had chosen this particular spot so she would wake up as early as possible. She shook herself out, preened a couple of stray feathers, and opened the door.
Scootaloo spread her wings and took to the air. The wind rustled through her feathers as she gained altitude, the apple trees shrinking into the distance. She oriented herself towards Carousel Boutique and went into a dive. A surge of adrenaline rushed through her as her speed increased and the ground drew nearer. She flexed her wings and went into a loop then gently landed in the grass near the entrance. She strode up to the door and cautiously rapped on it.
The sound of hoofsteps issued from inside the building. The door opened a crack. "Carousel Boutique is closed at — Oh, Scootaloo. What are you doing here at this hour?" Rarity opened the door a little wider. She was dressed in a fancy blue nightshirt and had a towel wrapped over her mane.
"Is Sweetie Belle awake yet?" asked Scootaloo. "I have something important that I would like to do with her before school starts."
The door shut and she heard hoofsteps inside. Abruptly they got louder and more frenzied. She heard the sounds of some glass object shattering on the floor inside. Suddenly the door swung open, a panicked and disheveled Rarity emerging and then locking the door behind her. Her head drooped and her tail touched the ground, "Sweetie Belle is missing."
They charged across the bridge, and followed the path towards Sugar Cube Corner on their way to fetch Twilight. They rounded the bend and saw Sweetie Belle casually trotting in their direction.
"Whatever were you thinking?!" exclaimed Rarity.
"Um, hi sis, Scootaloo." squeaked Sweetie Belle. "I was just getting a couple of books before school from the library and..."
"You could have left a note at least. When I saw your room empty..." replied Rarity.
"More books?" questioned Scootaloo.
Sweetie Belle blushed, "I'm sorry. I really should have left a note. I was just embarrassed and didn't think of it."
Rarity hugged her sister. "I guess there is no harm done. Just don't worry me like that in the future."
Rarity and Sweetie Belle started moving in the direction of Carousel Boutique.
Scootaloo flew past them and landed in their path. "Can I borrow Sweetie Belle for a while?" She gazed into the sky, "I have to get this egg-head into the air while there is some time before school."
The sisters exchanged glances. "You may Scootaloo," replied Rarity. "Just be careful, and remember, she isn't Rainbow Dash and neither are you." She levitated Sweetie Belle's pack off her, gave her a couple of bits for her lunch, and continued on her way.
Scootaloo winced a bit at that statement but turned her attention towards Sweetie Belle. She examined Belle's wings thoroughly and straightened several feathers.
Sweetie Belle was too busy watching Rarity leave to notice. Her eyes focused on the towel wrapped around Rarity's mane. She had shown herself out in public while not being prepared. Sweetie Belle made a mental note to do something special for her sister.
"...and it is just that easy," rambled Scootaloo. "Are you even listening to me?"
Sweetie Belle nodded hesitantly. She watched as Scootaloo gently lifted off into the air then turned to face her in a hover. She steeled herself to the task and leaped towards Scootaloo, flapping her wings in a furious manner. Scootaloo ducked as Sweetie Belle passed over her head.
Sweetie Belle felt her pegasus magic pulse with every downward push of her wings and ease on each upstroke. She reveled in the visceral feeling of this new magical heartbeat. Cycle after cycle, she kept beating her wings. A sudden chill broke her out of the trance.
She gazed downward and saw what she thought might be a distant forest of oak far beneath her. She checked her sudden bout of fear and glided in a wide circle. She could see the clouds and rainbows that made up the city of Cloudsdale slightly below her and well off in the distance. In the opposite direction she could see Canterlot, but Ponyville eluded her.
"Hey, Sweetie Belle!" shouted Scootaloo from the distance.
She turned towards the noise and saw Scootaloo approaching. Sweetie Belle slowed her glide and Scootaloo came alongside her. Sweetie Belle blushed deeply, "We should probably try to get back down to Ponyville if we are going to get to school on time."
"I think you crossed that bridge already when you decided to try for the alicorn filly ascent record," deadpanned Scootaloo. She turned in the direction of Cloudsdale and brightened significantly. "Besides, I'm hungry and I've heard from Dash that some of the best food is in the clouds."
Cloudsdale grew as they approached. When it almost took up the entirety of the sky, they were able to make out numerous cloud buildings and rainbow fountains. Pegasi of many colors walked and flew at various levels, seemingly in a state of controlled confusion. Sweetie Belle landed clumsily, almost falling over. Scootaloo landed gracefully beside her.
They stuck close together as they walked up the main street on this level of the city. The third building they came to was named "The Impatient Griffon." Scootaloo recognized this as one of the restaurants Rainbow had mentioned, so they entered. About half of the tables inside were occupied with pegasi who were eating or chatting. Griffon rock music played in the background drowning out most of the conversations. They edged their way around the periphery of the restaurant and took a table along the side wall next to a framed flight suit from one of the wonderbolts.
Moments later a blue-green pegasus with a brown mane presented them with menus and glasses of water. "My name is Sky Swirls and I will be serving you today. The soup of the day is watercress. The special is a seventeen flower stir fry. The griffon cuisine special is a shrimp alfredo if you are feeling adventurous. Are you ready to order or do you need a few minutes?" She looked down at her customers and let out a short gasp. She gave a quick bow, barely squeaked out, "I didn't realize..." and cantered deeper into the restaurant and through a side door.
The fillies looked at each other for signs of understanding, but it was obvious they were both equally confused. Sweetie Belle levitated her glass and took a drink. The side door reopened and two figures emerged. The first was a griffon. He was somewhat larger than Gilda and wore a dark blue suit jacket. He was followed by a teal stallion wearing a chef's hat. They approached their table.
The griffon bowed, "My name is Olov, although most around here know of me as the impatient griffon. Welcome to my restaurant. We do not usually have royalty grace our establishment."
"Um, we aren't royalty," squeaked Scootaloo.
Olov looked into her eyes then cracked a gentle smile. "Well, well, how about we just treat you as such then? And who do I have the pleasure of addressing?"
"I'm Scootaloo, and this is Sweetie Belle. We flew here from Ponyville and since Rainbow Dash told me how good the food was here..." Her discourse was cut off by a loud rumbling from her stomach.
"How inattentive of me," replied Olov. "Order anything you want. It is on the house. If there is one thing we pride ourselves on here it is good food fast. The alfredo is especially tasty."
"I think I will have the stir fry," replied Sweetie Belle.
Scootaloo shifted glances back and forth between Sweetie Belle and Olav, and summoned her courage. "I'll try the alfredo."
"Excellent choice, you will not be disappointed," replied Olov. The teal stallion collected the menus, and followed Olov as he departed.
"I can't believe you ordered fish," stated Sweetie Belle flatly. She crumpled up her nose, "Rarity would faint on the spot."
"Then fall through the floor," replied Scootaloo. "These are Cloudsdale pegasi. It isn't entirely unheard of that a pegasus might eat fish every once in a while for an edge in flying. Also, Rainbow told me a story about Gilda and fish from her days at flight camp. It is sort of a rite of passage if you want to deal with griffons as equals."
Olov wheeled a serving table with two plates under domed steel covers. With a flourish he removed the first and placed it before Sweetie Belle. Steam rose off the many kinds of fried flowers. "And for you the best," he said to Scootaloo as he unveiled the alfredo.
Scootaloo looked towards Olov and back to the plate. The shrimp bits and noodles swam in a white sauce and she was at a loss as to even how to eat it. She tried to calm herself and concentrated on the area around a piece of shrimp. Her horn glowed a soft red as it floated to her mouth. The taste was odd, and it left a gummy residue on her teeth as she tried to grind it down. She swallowed it.
Olov gave a small bow and wheeled the service back into the side room.
Sweetie Belle thoroughly enjoyed her flowers. They were perfectly done. She glanced over at Scootaloo. She seemed to be not having quite as good a time as she perspired from the effort of moving more of the gloopy stuff on her plate to her mouth. Sweetie was surprised that Scootaloo hadn't set the room on fire thus far, and even more surprised that she could keep down what she was eating.
Scootaloo levitated yet another piece of alfredo. It really wasn't that bad once you got used to it. Eating with magic wasn't that horrible either. The continued concentration was not something she was used to, but at least she wasn't almost fumbling each piece now.
She observed a navy blue pegasus from the next table prodding the tan pegasus stallion she was seated with. They both stared at Scootaloo for a bit and walked over. They were joined by a couple of pegasi from the nearest table on the opposite side. The four pegasi bowed and the navy mare said in a low voice, "I noticed your... magic from over at my table."
Scootaloo stopped eating and responded, "yes?"
They alternated between chatting amongst themselves and staring until the awkwardness became tangible, at which point they shrugged and returned to their tables.
"That was creepy," muttered Sweetie Belle.
Scootaloo nodded and they went about finishing their meals.
Olov returned with a tray of chocolate eclairs. "My cousin Gustav is the premier pastry chef in all of Canterlot. We get in a shipment every morning and they always sell out. These are for you." He deftly removed their dirty plates and replaced it with the tray.
The decadent blend of chocolate and cream took their minds off the strangeness of the prior encounter. They just ate and got lost in the flavors. All too soon, they were finished and Olov removed the tray from the table.
Olov turned to Scootaloo. "It was a pleasure serving you this morning. If you should ever find yourself in Cloudsdale again, you are always welcome at my establishment." He turned and left through the side door.
The alicorns stood up and made their way to the exit. They took the the air just outside joining a steady stream of outgoing pegasi thirty hooves above the cloud deck. They landed near the outer edge of the city and scanned about for Ponyville. Scootaloo managed to see a glint of reflected sunlight far below in the distance. She oriented herself and started into a controlled dive, with Sweetie Belle just behind her.
Ponyville started to come into view and the alicorns corrected their course, turning towards the school building. They circled the vacant school grounds, slowing their decent, eventually coming to a landing somewhat outside the entrance.
----
Apple Bloom walked over to the dining room table and sat on her cushion. She waited patiently while Granny Smith gave thanks. Applejack passed her a plate of pancakes and she took a couple before passing the plate on to Big Macintosh. Her horn glowed a soft yellow as she pulled the syrup from the other side of the table.
Applejack shot her a withering glare. "What did I say about using magic at the dinner table? Just ask and we'll hoof it over."
She grabbed the handle with her mouth and poured some syrup on her pancakes, then started to eat them.
She collected up all of the plates and carried them into the kitchen, then she levitated them into the sink and returned to the dining room.
Applejack put her stetson on her head and walked out to the north field. Apple Bloom followed. Baskets were already placed around the Macintosh trees. They were the earliest apples of the season and were destined to become this year's prize cider.
She walked over to the nearest apple tree and gave it a good buck. All of the apples fell neatly into the baskets. She repeated the process three times more.
The next one was one of the oldest and hardest to buck trees on the farm. She looked at its gnarled bark and picked her spot. She set and bucked the apple tree. Like the four trees before it, the apples all fell nicely and neatly into the baskets with a single kick. With her enhanced earth pony magic it was all too easy.
She felt oddly introspective. Would she really want an apple cutie mark if she had the choice? She liked the farm and loved her sister and brother dearly, but she realized that she was always kind of distancing herself from it. Whether she was doing carpentry or crusading with her friends, she had more fun doing things other than her chores. And yes she considered farm work a chore.
That was the difference. No matter how much work her sister did around the farm, she never considered it a chore. Applejack loved it for what it was.
As an alicorn, Apple Bloom had more potential talent opportunities than any pony and she felt a determination to try them all with her friends. She had the chance to be truly special.
On the next apple tree, a single apple missed the basket. She lifted the apple into the basket with her magic, then turned towards her sister. "Take a filly to work day is coming up, and I was just wondering — if you wouldn't mind if I tagged along with Scootaloo this year and learn about weather with Rainbow Dash?"
"Ah don't mind sugarcube," replied Applejack. "While we could sure use your help, I understand what it is like trying to find your way in the world. She's a good mare. Learn all Rainbow can teach you."
Apple Bloom hugged Applejack. "Thank you for being so understanding."
"Have you asked her yet?" questioned Applejack. "She could always have her hooves full."
Apple Bloom scrunched up into a frown, "I didn't think, she might..."
"Probably best if you went and asked then," interrupted Applejack.
"Thanks again," replied Apple Bloom as she took off into the air. Applejack watched her fly off and thought momentarily of wings before going back to her farm work.
Apple Bloom circled the farm as she worked to gain altitude, then she gently glided towards Rainbow's cloud house. She made a soft landing on the cloud surface and felt it yield slightly beneath her hooves. "Rainbow Dash, are you in there?" she shouted.
The door swung open and Rainbow Dash emerged. She stretched her wings, then met Apple Bloom's gaze and queried, "What brings you out here Apple Bloom?"
"Hi Rainbow," replied Apple Bloom. "I was wondering if you could teach me about the weather on take a filly to work day. Applejack was concerned you might have your hooves full with Scootaloo."
"I can totally handle a second filly, but are you sure that is what you want?" Dash walked around Apple Bloom, examining her wings.
"I am eager to give it a try, and it would mean I could spend the day with Scootaloo as well."
"All right then," replied Rainbow Dash. "There will be a lot of flying. It is important that you are ready and rested. I have to pick up my work order from Cloudsdale that morning, so you need to be here at 8 sharp. Don't worry about breakfast, we will be eating in Cloudsdale."
Apple Bloom thanked Rainbow Dash and took off for the school. Diamond Tiara scowled as she flew over her and several other classmates, the wind ruffling their manes. She landed right in front of the door and trotted in. The first thing she noticed was three new desks of an adequate size for her. She happily entered one and looked forward at the teacher.
Cheerilee walked over and said, "Twilight was asking about you last night after class. First thing she did on entry was look at the desks and rant about learning environments. Then she looked at my lesson plans, frowned, and proceeded to make about a dozen suggestions. At any rate she wants to see you, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle an hour after class today. She certainly does get things done though. Those desks arrived early this morning."
More students filed into their seats. Cheerilee walked to the chalkboard and began her class. Everything was normal except for the conspicuous absence of her fellow crusaders.
The first hour of her lecture covered the flora and fauna of the White Tail Woods. She fielded a few questions then moved on to the next topic.
"You should never go into the Everfree Forest," continued Cheerilee. "Unlike the White Tail Woods, the Everfree has many dangerous creatures and even the most inconspicuous looking plant or animal can be deadly. A good example is the cockatrice. This small animal which resembles a baby chicken with a lizard tail can turn ponies into stone. If you ever..."
The door flew open and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle entered the room. They spotted the two empty seats and sat down next to Apple Bloom. The other students giggled and laughed at the interruption. Diamond Tiara put on a wide smile.
Cheerilee pointed her chalk at the tardy students. "Class started over an hour ago. What do you have to say for yourselves?"
"I'm sorry Ms. Cheerilee," replied Scootaloo. "I was trying to teach Sweetie Belle to fly and we ended up in Cloudsdale and brunch took longer than expected and I'm sorry."
The class erupted with another peal of laughter. Cheerilee motioned and the class went quiet. "Please do not let it happen again. I wouldn't want to have to bother your guardians. If you stay after class a bit I can catch you up on what you missed."
Diamond Tiara frowned. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle let out a sigh of relief and Cheerilee went back to her lecture.
The bell rang and Diamond Tiara glowered at the crusaders. As she left, she said, "special treatment for special alicorns."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders approached the front of the classroom. Cheerilee waited until all of the other fillies had left before asking, "do you understand why it was especially bad that you were tardy as opposed to the other students in my class?"
Seeing the blank looks on the alicorns, she continued, "while I would treat any of my students in the same way, the perception is different with your status. Diamond Tiara was probably not alone in questioning whether or not you were getting a special favor for your transgression. If anything the result is that you will get away with less as opposed to more than the other students. It isn't exactly fair, but it is how things end up working."
A smile came to her face as she said, "no real harm done." She then went into the sections of the class they had missed. When they were about to leave she said, "Oh, and don't forget to stop by Twilight's library."
The alicorns scrambled out of the classroom and into the afternoon sun. They started walking towards the library.
"Now what exactly happened?" asked Apple Bloom. "You went up to Cloudsdale? Without me?"
"Sorry Bloom," replied Scootaloo. "It just kind of happened. After all the wing-dragging that Sweetie Belle did, all it took was one time in the air for her to go flight crazy."
"I just got caught up in the magic of it all," added Sweetie Belle. "I was well above Cloudsdale before I even noticed what was happening."
"And since we were already near Cloudsdale and nothing was going to keep us from being late, we couldn't just leave without at least walking on those clouds," continued Scootaloo.
"I guess it's okay," replied Apple Bloom. "Oh, and I asked Rainbow Dash if I could join you for take a filly to work day, and she agreed. So I get to see Cloudsdale too."
"Um, how did Applejack take it?" asked Scootaloo.
"Surprisingly well; she is the best sister I could ever have," replied Apple Bloom.
Sweetie Belle deflated a bit.
Apple Bloom walked up to the door of the library and gave it a knock.
"It's a library, you don't need to knock while it's open," said Sweetie Belle as she opened the door with her magic.
The three alicorns walked in, and Sweetie Belle closed the door behind them. It was eerily quiet. "Twilight?" asked Scootaloo.
"Surprise!" yelled ponies from every direction, launching the three alicorns into the air.
Pinkie Pie was standing at eye level from the upper floor balcony. "You didn't think you could ascend without having an ascension party did you?" She fired her party cannon and with a spray of confetti and streamers, the central table was decorated and an alicorn shaped cake bounced onto the middle of it.
Rainbow Dash strung up a banner that read "Cutie Mark Crusaders: Alicorns."
Twilight levitated a couple of extra decorated tables from the upper level of the library.
Spike walked down the stairs with a decanter of punch.
Lyra flipped the switch on the record player and it started to play.
Pinkie Pie leaped down to the main floor as the crusaders descended, somehow maintaining eye contact the entire way. "We have pin the wings on the unicorn and oh, here." She pulled out some cupcakes from behind her. "Three flavor cupcakes: I baked them special just for you."
The alicorns each started eating a cupcake while Pinkie Pie bounced over to the door to greet Cheerilee.
Lyra walked over to a table with Bon-Bon and the only other filly in the room, Twist. The crusaders sat down to join them.
"And that is what happens if you add twice the peppermint to a candy cane," stated Twist to Bon-Bon.
"One time, I added twice the vanilla to a batch of butterscotch candies," replied Bon-Bon. "You wouldn't believe the amount of grousing. They weren't half bad to my tastes at least."
Scootaloo started to get back up, but Lyra met her gaze and said, "Bon-Bon gets that way sometimes when she starts to talk shop. She doesn't get to talk candy very often. How are things going with you?"
"Well, Sweetie Belle and I went up to Cloudsdale and had an interesting lunch, but then we had several ponies just come over and stare at us. The waitress just ran off when first seeing us also, but the owner was nice."
"You have to expect that, Scootaloo," replied Lyra. "You are different now, and it comes with the territory. It will not deter ponies of true worth from being your friends. Just be mindful of ponies who might want to take advantage of you."
"Take advantage of us?" repeated Sweetie Belle.
Lyra smiled. "Don't ever grow up completely, Sweetie Belle. It isn't worth it. But yes, if a stranger seems too friendly and follows it up by asking you for something, be sure to tell your sister about it."
Rainbow Dash called over from the central table. "Would you like to play a board game? We are short a few players."
The crusaders looked at Lyra. She said, "Go ahead and play. Thanks again for clearing the skies."
Scootaloo looked skeptically at the complicated map and its tons of pieces.
"It is very historical," said Twilight.
"Now why would you go and tell them that?" retorted Rainbow Dash. "Fortress Equestria is a fun game. Don't let egg-head over there spoil it for you with talk of historical significance."
Twilight frowned at Rainbow Dash, then began explaining the rules.
An hour later, all of Apple Bloom's minotaurs were off the board, Sweetie Belle's zebras were trapped, and Twilight's equestria fell to the combined might of Dash's lunar forces and Scootaloo's griffons.
Rainbow Dash smiled as she moved her pieces into Canterlot. "Boo-yeah, looks like the Lunar Republic wins again."
"If you didn't roll three sixes when I tried to take Trottingham, this wouldn't have happened," replied Twilight. "It was a lucky win."
"Luck doesn't win seven games in a row," added Dash. She hovered in the air as she did a one pegasus wave, moving her legs in a pattern from left to right.
Pinkie Pie bounded over, a fake pink unicorn horn strapped to her head. She said, "congratulations Dashie," then she deposited a plate of cake before each pony before moving on to the next table.
The alicorns ate their cake.
"Want to play another round," asked Dash.
"No," replied the trio as they rapidly moved to the other side of the room.
They amused themselves for a little while at ring toss before approaching Rarity.
"...and that is why the fall fashion line is going to be light colors this year," replied Rarity to Fluttershy.
Sweetie Belle yawned vigorously, followed a small faked yawn by Apple Bloom.
"Not having a good time, Sweetie Belle?" asked Rarity.
"Just tired, it has been a very long day," replied Sweetie Belle. “Okay, maybe a little."
Pinkie Pie bounced in out of nowhere. She guided the fillies in one game of pin the wings on the unicorn then gave them a brief serious look. A smile snapped back on her face then she said, "I understand."
The party broke up shortly after.
---
It was already mostly dark outside when Sweetie Belle and Rarity made it back to Carousel Boutique.
Rarity walked into her kitchen while Sweetie Belle did her nightly hygiene in the bathroom. She emerged with a yawn to see Rarity sipping some tea in the main area. They gave a sisterly nuzzle and Rarity walked Sweetie Belle up to her bedroom.
"Good night Sweetie Belle," said Rarity as the door closed.
Sweetie Belle walked over to her desk and pulled a book out of her saddlebag. She uncovered her bed and placed the book near the front of it. Then she got into the bed, pulled the cover over both her and the book, and cast a blue glow with her horn.
She flipped open the cover to the first page and started to read.
In neat flowing text it started, "Fake Door — This easy spell summons a temporary doorway for as long as the caster concentrates on it."
She started turning pages. Facial Hair Growth, Cloudwalking, Rarity's Gem Spell... This was one of Twilight's spell books.
"Rarity's Gem Finding Spell — This intermediate spell in its most basic form allows the caster to sense the closest large cluster of gemstones in the general vicinity. With greater effort and an example or a clear picture in one's mind, this can be made specific to a single type of gem like diamonds or sapphires." Below that were the specifics of the casting of the spell and then in a finer script, "As an advanced spell this can be greater generalized with significant effort to be a locator for practically anything the caster can conceive. Finding a missing misfiled book with this spell is hard but doable. Trying to find anything more abstract is generally not worth the huge energy expenditure."
She studied the spell for several minutes, then went through it a few times in her mind. When she felt confident that she knew what the spell entailed, she started to cast it. Her horn glowed a bright blue and she felt a gentle tug behind and below her in the direction of Rarity's inspiration room. She quietly squealed with delight.
She turned the book to the last page.
"Want it Need it — This advanced spell projects a mild to moderate metaphysical need for the object it is cast upon in any pony that views the object depending upon the amount of energy placed into the spell. It represents my attempts to copy Cadence's ability of mutual desire." Below the actual spell description was a segment written in red ink. "Warning: Beyond 1200 thaum this spell can cause compulsions of a dangerous variety. Beyond 2500 thaum it can be disastrous."
She pondered to herself about the other applications of her sister's spell and decided to give it a try. She concentrated on Scootaloo, and worked through the spell. Her horn shined a brilliant blue and she felt a tug vaguely to the west. "It appears Scootaloo is sleeping in the clubhouse tonight," she thought. A sudden wave of weariness fell upon Sweetie Belle and the pages of the book momentarily blurred.
She closed the book and started to levitate it in the direction of her desk. She was surprised by a mild but definite ache in her horn as it fell back to the foot of the bed. She blinked a couple of times, then opened one of the drawers of her desk with her magic and quickly deposited the book within. Just one minute later she was soundly asleep.
----
The next morning the CMC sat in their clubhouse.
"We could try snorkeling," stated Scootaloo.
"We already did that," replied Sweetie Belle. "We could go and collect some gems."
"Pass," said Scootaloo.
"I've got it," said Apple Bloom. "Seeing as we are all part pegasus now, we could build an addition to the clubhouse made of clouds."
"Yeah, I bet Rainbow knows all about that and it would be so cool," replied Scootaloo enthusiastically.
The crusaders flew up to Rainbow Dash's cloud house. Apple Bloom walked over to the door and knocked while Scootaloo cried out, "Rainbow Dash, are you home?"
Tank emerged from one of the windows and landed near the crusaders. Scootaloo gave Tank a hoof-bump against Tank's clawed fore-foot. The door opened soon after and Rainbow Dash sauntered out.
She eyed the trio and settled on Apple Bloom. "What are the crusaders up to this morning?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Well, we got to thinking. The clubhouse is great and all, but it could use a pegasus touch to it now that we can all fly. You are the only pegasus with a cloud home in Ponyville, so we decided to come and ask how they are made."
Rainbow Dash puffed up with pride at the thought of her home. "Most compressed cloud material is made at the weather factory, but you can create your own from regular clouds. It just isn't the fastest method or the easiest. Everything you see here except for the rainbow fountains and the furnishings was made by me."
Rainbow Dash flew off like a shot, leaving a bright contrail. She gathered five nearby puffy clouds together into one larger cloud then started flying rapidly around and around it. The cloud mass shrunk until it was about the size of one of the original clouds. She glided back to her cloud house with the newly compressed cloud following behind her.
She flew back out and gathered another five clouds.
Scootaloo leaped into the air and started to make tight loops around the cloud. It rapidly darkened and shot out a lightning bolt. Scootaloo's mane stood on end as the bolt barely missed her. Shaken, she returned to the cloud house and looked at Rainbow Dash.
"While clouds generally do whatever a pegasus wants them to do, they can be a bit edgy about being compressed down into a construction block," said Rainbow Dash.
"Ahh, so working with a clouds is like dealing with a stubborn apple tree," sagely replied Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom gently flew up to the cloud mass. "Scootaloo wasn't doing anything bad. We just want you to be part of our new clubhouse where we can be together for the next few years, if you will let me."
"Is she really talking to a cloud?" asked Scootaloo of Rainbow Dash. Rainbow just shrugged.
The cloud lightened in color to a more usual white. Apple Bloom started flying in loops around the cloud. It was nowhere near as elegant as Rainbow or Scootaloo but the cloud rapidly shrunk down to size. Triumphantly she returned to the group.
"Um, yeah," said Rainbow Dash. "That works. Well, the weather patrol is supposed to keep the sky clear today, so any cloud you obtain is one fewer we have to destroy. Have fun." She collected Tank and went back into her home.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders cloud architects go!" shouted the trio of alicorns in unison.
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle jumped off the cloud house and glided towards Sweet Apple Acres.
"Wait, we have to... horseapples," called out Apple Bloom. She moved the two compressed cloud blocks together into one mass and followed well behind them with the cloud in tow.
Apple Bloom alighted onto the stairs to the clubhouse. She left the clouds just outside and walked up the ramp and into the building.
Scootaloo had drawn a crude map of the border of Ponyville and the Everfree Forest. "The wind is blowing in clouds from the Everfree Forest into Ponyville. If we each take an area, we can grab the most clouds for our cloud fort."
"Apple Bloom should have the area closest to the clubhouse as she has to compress the clouds," added Sweetie Belle.
"I'll take the furthest area," quipped Scootaloo.
"Sounds like a plan," stated Apple Bloom. "Of course time is wasting for the clouds already over Ponyville."
Apple Bloom had an easy time poaching clouds from Thunderlane. After just two runs, he actually nodded and took off, leaving the area completely unattended. He showed up once three hours later but left again soon after.
Flitter saw what Sweetie Belle was doing and started to collect the clouds for her rather than destroying them. She also gave Sweetie Belle a few tips on how to be a weather pony.
Raindrops on the other hoof waged a constant battle with Scootaloo over the clouds. There were never any in the sky when she arrived and Raindrops actively tried to destroy the clouds before Scootaloo could get to them. They danced through the skies after each new cloud.
Time passed and the cloud fort began to take shape. The first few compressed clouds were used to make the floor, then Apple Bloom sculpted four pillars. She placed one pillar at each corner, and made a roof on a small pitch to carry rain off the building.
At the official end of the work day, Flitter followed Sweetie Belle to their clubhouse.
Flitter let out a whistle on seeing the cloud fort. "Wow, impressive little cloud dwelling you have here. I never had the drive to do anything like this at your age."
Apple Bloom blushed. "It wasn't too hard. Cloud is quite easy to work with, even easier than wood and there is nothing to nail."
"Don't sell yourself short," replied Flitter. "I wouldn't want to try to duplicate it from free clouds in a single day."
Flitter raised her wings to leave.
"Thank you for all the help," replied Sweetie Belle. "It would have been much harder without it."
Flitter waved. "It was very nice working with you today. Til we next meet in the sky."
"Bye, Flitter," replied all three crusaders in unison as Flitter vanished into the distance.
They turned to look at their flanks for cutie marks. Finding none they released a collective sigh and broke up for dinner.