"Alright class! I have an important announcement to make." Cheerilee smiled sweetly as she stood in front of the classroom, every desk filled with the little fillies and colts she loved dearly. However, different feelings came from them. The chatter didn't die down as the students continued to gossip about the latest news.
"Did you hear about Photo Finish's new designs? I'm sooo getting them."
"I heard that the Wonderbolts are gonna be preforming here in Ponyville this week!"
"Don't be ridiculous, the Wonderbolts are in Canterlot for the rest of the month."
Rolling her eyes, the teacher looked around the room. The only pony not talking was Scootaloo, who was busying herself by doodling on the back of her homework. Cheerilee smiled. Scootaloo loved to brag, and show off at any possible moment. But one thing that distracted her was her imagination.
"Scootaloo." Cheerilee said as she walked up to the young pegasus. "Since your classmates are too busy with their own things," The noise died down a little as the students listened to their conversation. "Maybe you could help me with what I have here?" She gestured towards a small, see-through sphere that ponies usually used in raffles.
The orange filly finally looked up, just realising that her teacher was speaking to her. "Oh." She stuttered, trying to catch up on what she had heard. "Uh, sure. What do I have to do?"
"Well," Cheerilee cleared her throat, now happy that she had the class's attention. "In 2 days from now is the day of Winter Wrap Up. On that day, early in the morning, Princess Celestia raises the sun, and help the ponies melt the snow away. Except on that day, she uses the help of somepony else. This time, the pony is being chosen from Ponyville, and every year a filly or colt is chosen to help her raise the sun."
There was a small murmur of excitement amongst the ponies, until one raised their hoof.
"But Miss Cheerilee, how could such small ponies like us raise the sun?"
"Excellent question, Diamond Tiara. You see, nopony really knows. Princess Celestia asks the pony chosen to join her, and, well..." The purple earth pony shrugged. "They raise it together. To show the coming of Spring."
"This is why we have this thing here." She pointed to the sphere, which sat proudly on her desk. "To choose the pony to help her. It's a great honour to be chosen, and you should be considered lucky to be drawn."
"So what are we waiting for? How do we get in there?" Sweetie Belle called out, her voice cracking with excitement.
"I will give you all pieces of paper. Sign your name on it, and fold it in half. Then, put it in." At that, Cheerilee opened a drawer in her desk, and took out several little pieces of paper, imperfectly cut. One by one, she put them on each desk, to which the ponies excitedly scribbled down their names. Once they were done, the folded it in half, and put it in the sphere.
Cheerilee watched until the last pony put their name in. Nodding with approval, she addressed the class. "Tomorrow, I will scramble the names, and pick the lucky pony who gets to help Princess Celestia raise the sun. Class dismissed! See you all tomorrow!" She waved as the ponies rushed out of the building, each of them talking about the same subject.
"Eep! Can you believe it! Princess Celestia is coming to Ponyville! And one of us gets to help her raise the sun!" Sweetie Belle squeaked. Her, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo were at Sweet Apple Acres, sitting inside no other place but their clubhouse. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were doing their homework while Sweetie Belle excitedly trotted in place.
"Ah get that you're excited, but the chances of us getting chosen are pretty low." Apple Bloom commented without looking up from her work.
Sweetie Belle frowned. "Aww, don't be such a party pooper! We still have a chance of getting chosen, even if it is small! Right, Scootaloo?"
"Right! One of us is going to help the princess raise the sun, and you're looking at her!" Scootaloo smirked, pointing a hoof at herself.
The other two fillies laughed. "Right, Scootaloo. How do you plan on raising the sun, flying up to it?" Sweetie Belle laughed at her own joke.
"Speaking of which, I wonder how non-unicorns even get to help raise the sun. Or do they?" Apple Bloom put a hoof to her chin thoughtfully before shrugging. "Eh, better not to worry about it. The princess knows what she's doing."
Scootaloo nodded in agreement before going back to her work.
"Welcome back, everypony! Hope you all had a wonderful morning!" Cheerilee beamed as the students trotted into class the next day.
"I did, until I came here." Diamond Tiara muttered, making Silver Spoon and her giggle. Scootaloo rolled her eyes.
"I hope you're all excited as I am, because today's the day we pick a pony to help Princess Celestia raise the sun tomorrow! All of the names are in this bowl, and now it's time to mix them up!" Cheerilee said enthusiastically.
"Ready? Let's begin!" Using her teeth, she grabbed the small rotating lever on the side, and spun it around. The class watched excitedly as the names rolled around inside the ball. Around and around they went, until Cheerilee stopped. She didn't look it, but even she felt the same excitement the others were feeling.
"And the pony to help Princess Celestia is..."
"...Scootaloo!"
Scootaloo's jaw dropped to her desk. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle wore shocked looks on their faces, which turned to pride as they beamed at their friend. All of the other ponies clapped with their hooves politely, however one pony stood up. "WHAT!?" She shrieked, slamming her hooves on the desk in front of her.
Cheerilee frowned. "That's not proper classroom behaviour, Diamond Tiara. Please sit down and show some pride for your fellow classmate." However Diamond Tiara didn't listen. She strutted to the front of the class, and pointed an accusing hoof at Scootaloo.
"How could SHE win!? I was going to win! I was going to meet the princess! I even rigged-" She stopped mid-sentence, but it was too late. Diamond Tiara covered her mouth with her hooves, blushing madly. "No! I didn't-"
"That's enough, Diamond Tiara." Cheerilee snapped. "Go wait for me at the Principal's Office."
"B-But..." She stuttered, however gave a defeated sigh. "Yes Miss Cheerilee." She mumbled, and slowly trotted out into the hallway, her head down.
"Well!" Cheerilee returned to her normal, happy state. "Scootaloo, tomorrow our class will be boarding a train to Canterlot to be with the princess. When she asks for the pony who has been chosen, go with her. Remember everypony, the train ride leaves at 4 in the morning, so be sure to be here at 3:30. Now class, back to normal work."
The students groaned.
Cheerilee giggled. "Oh, don't be so sad. There won't be any homework due tomorrow! Now please hand in your homework from yesterday."
"Wow." Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle caught up to Scootaloo, who bore a smile on her face. "You're so lucky! Hay, we're even lucky to know you! You're like, famous now!" Sweetie Belle squeaked, beaming at her friend.
"Yea! Everypony will be talking about ya." Apple Bloom added. Scootaloo blushed.
"Aw, cm'on guys, it isn't THAT big of a deal..." Scootaloo mumbled, however only said so, for she knew what was coming next.
"Not that big of a deal!?" Sweetie Belle protested. "You're helping raising the sun for pony's sake!"
"Yea, I guess I am." Scootaloo smirked, and skipped back to her desk after handing in her homework.
The rest of the day flew by. The class assignment was to draw the best picture they could of a sunrise on Winter Wrap Up. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom added Princess Celestia and Scootaloo in theirs, earning yet another blush from Scootaloo. After school they all walked out together, chatting excitedly along with the other ponies.
"What are you gonna say when you meet her?"
"Will this make you a princess?"
"How are you going to raise the sun without a horn?"
"Anything cool, probably not, and I have no idea." Scootaloo answered her classmate's questions they asked her. She loved to act like she knew what would happen, however had a hard time, seeing she hadn't helped risen the sun yet. Behind her casual looking face was a mind full of joy, and excitement, but for some reason, mostly nervousness. But then she remembered what Princess Luna had told her, to face her fears. And that's what she had to do.
After declaring she had some chores to catch up on, the trio escaped the students after an hour of standing there, trying her best to give satisfactory answers. They trotted towards Sweet Apple Acres, however were stopped by yet another few ponies.
"Not so fast." Diamond Tiara sneered. They all groaned at once. Silver Spoon giggled, readjusting her glasses on her face.
Diamond Tiara marched up to the orange filly, and pointed a hoof at her. "You cheated! You shouldn't be helping raising the sun tomorrow, I should be doing that! Let's face it, I'm more princess-like than you'll ever even dream to be. You're just... A commoner. Let me help raise the sun, and I can probably help you." It was a lot of effort, but Diamond Tiara managed to pour more emotion into her words than normal. She smirked. "Well?" She asked.
"...No." Scootaloo said simply.
"WHAT!?" Diamond Tiara's voice cracked. "Nopony refuses my offers! I-"
"Diamond Tiara! Daddy's here to pick you up!" A voice called. Behind Diamond Tiara, a brown stallion waved his hoof, grinning cheerfully in front of a limousine
"Ugh. We're not done, Scootaloo." Whipping around, she stalked off.
"Yea! What she said!" Silver Spoon said with a 'humph' and followed the pink earth pony.
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. "Don't listen to her. Diamond Tiara's just jealous."
"Yea." Apple Bloom agreed. "We know you didn't cheat, Scootaloo. Let's get to the clubhouse."
For the rest of the day, they discussed excitedly how they thought tomorrow would be, and what Scootaloo will do to help Princess Celestia.
The next day, Cheerilee wasn't waiting inside her classroom. Instead, she and the rest of the class were waiting outside as Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle came trotting up to the school. The students seem drowsier than usual, seeing as the moon was still out.
"Hello my little ponies!" Cheerilee greeted them, then turned to the ponies. "Alright class, please line up in single file, and follow me to the train station." The ponies followed the orders, and they trotted merrily towards the train station, where they would ride to Canterlot. However, the line dispersed over time until they were completely spread out.
They arrived at the station, and the conductor checked their tickets.
"Tickets, tickets please." He requested, taking a quick glance at each of the little fillies and colt's tickets before motioning in the train.
The trio of fillies squealed with delight and hopped aboard the train, each taking a seat beside each other.
"Ah can't believe we're going to Canterlot to see Princess Celestia raise the sun! And it ain't even the Summer Sun Celebration!" Apple Bloom beamed as she stared out the window, the train slowly making speed.
"And I can't believe Scootaloo was the chosen pony to help the princess!" Sweetie Belle added, nudging the mentioned pegasus.
"Alright guys, I get it. I'm lucky..." Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "Geez, you don't have to obsess over it."
"I know... I'MJUSTSOEXCITEDICAN'TBELIEVETHISISHAPPENING!" Sweetie Belle squeaked, bouncing up and down in her seat.
"Alright, everypony in my class, please stay in your seats for the ride to Canterlot!" Cheerilee called out. Sweetie Belle almost stopped in mid-air and reluctantly sat back down.
The train screeched to a stop in Canterlot.
Scootaloo stretched before hopping off her seat with her friends. Apple Bloom, whom Scootaloo knew was a deep sleeper, had fallen asleep on the train ride, like a few other ponies taking advantage of the long ride. When Scootaloo left the train car, she checked the clock located at the Canterlot train station. It was 5am. One hour until sunrise.
Most sleepy from their recent wake up, the fillies and colts stayed mostly quiet on the way to the palace. The sun rising ceremony itself wouldn't take place inside, but rather on a small cliff located east to the castle. As the towers came into view, Scootaloo couldn't help but shiver with anticipation.
There weren't many ponies on the streets. Either they were sleeping, just waking up for the ceremony, or already there. Night guards patrolled the royal city, watching them suspiciously. Some even tagged along to escort them.
"This is so-o-o-o-o exciting." Apple Bloom yawned out as the reached the palace. The guards stationed there haulted them.
"Name?" One of them asked.
"Cheerilee, from the Ponyville Elementary School. I'm here to escort my class here, and one of my students is to assist Princess Celestia." Cheerilee replied, not helping but to smirk with pride.
"Go right on in, then." The guards parted, allowing them to enter the gardens.
Scootaloo remembered these gardens. Cheerilee had taken them on a field trip here. Then they came to the statue of Discord. She shivered as she remembered watching the draconequus fly by the train as they left the city. Sighing, she pushed that thought away. This was her time to shine, not send herself on a guilt trip.
A huge crowd was already crowding behind the gardens. Scootaloo recognised some of them from Ponyville. Lyra Heartstrings, Bon Bon, Rainbow Dash...
Wait, Rainbow Dash!?
"Scootaloo!" Rainbow Dash cried out, and flew over to the group of ponies.
"Rainbow Dash! What are you doing here?" Scootaloo asked, exchanging a quick hug with her.
"To watch you of course. Wouldn't wanna miss out on my sister raising the sun, huh?" The blue pegasus smirked. "Cm'on, you can sit by me for now." Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle joined Rainbow Dash at the front of the crowd.
"So, you excited?" Rainbow Dash asked, but she already knew the answer.
"Of course I am! I'm helping Princess Celestia raise the sun! Oh my gosh, I'm helping Princess Celestia raise the sun. What if I mess up? What if I fail? What if the sun doesn't rise up? Oh no, I'll be the laughing stock of Equestria!" Scootaloo started to panic. She looked worriedly at Rainbow Dash for comfort.
Rainbow Dash giggled. "You sound like Twilight. Relax, it'll be fine! The Princess knows how this works, and that's all that matters."
Suddenly trumpets sounded, and the crowd fell quiet. To their right, a castle door opened. Out came a chariot, pulled by four pegasi. On the chariot sat Princess Celestia herself. The chariot took to the night sky, circling above the maze twice, before coming to a rest in front of the cliff edge. Princess Celestia stepped out, and the chariot left.
"Fillies and Gentlecolts. Mares and Stallions. It is my honour to present the annual Winter Wrap Up Sun Celebration." The princess spoke, earning a loud cheer from the crowd.
"For every celebration, a filly or colt from a selected town is chosen to help me raise the sun. This year, the pony is from Ponyville. May the selected pony please step forward?"
"Have fun up there!" Rainbow Dash whispered, pushing Scootaloo forward with a wing, who stumbled a little before regaining posture. She could hear Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon snickering, which she ignored, and stepped up next to Princess Celestia.
"H-Hello, your majesty." Scootaloo stuttered, bowing. The princess smiled.
"Hello, Scootaloo. I recognise you, young filly. You were at the Royal Wedding. It is nice to see you again." Celestia smiled, then addressed the crowd.
"Scootaloo will assist me in raising the sun." She declared.
"Um... Princess? Not to be ignorant or anything... But how do I raise the sun?" Scootaloo whispered.
"A fine question. Since you do not have a horn to help me, you will fly up with me." She said, unfurling her own wings.
"But um... I can't fly..."
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who were at the front, cried with laughter. Princess Celestia didn't show any shock, and simply smiled warmly.
"That is no complication. Hop on my back." She said. Scootaloo beamed with delight, glad to have avoided a problem. The princess knelt down, allowing Scootaloo to stand on her back, in front of her wings.
The moon was setting, but the sun stayed out of sight, but Scootaloo knew that it was hiding beyond Equestria, where Celestia and Luna controlled the sun and the moon. "Ready, Scootaloo?" Celestia asked, glancing back.
"I'm ready." Is all Scootaloo said. The princess nodded, and with a great sweep of her wings, took to the air.
"Scootaloo, you said that you could not fly, but right now, I'm going to have to ask you to do so." Celestia told the young filly as she rose higher into the air.
"B-But, I've tried, princess, and I can't! I can't fly!" Scootaloo protested. The princess looked back at her.
"Trust me." She said. Looking back to the east, her horn glowed with a yellow hue. Scootaloo felt it immediately. Magic.
The magic spread throughout her, and directed itself to her wings. She shuddered as the unexplainable feeling passed through her, and her wings automatically fluttered. Her jaw dropped.
"I can fly?" She questioned. Flapping her wings, they brought her up, above Celestia. "I can fly!" She exclaimed, dropping a few feet to be beside the princess, who giggled.
"It is only for now, sadly, my little pony. Now, we shall raise the sun together."
More power coursed through her, and soon she was able to fly without any troubles. The princess grinned, and directed her horn towards the horizon. A soft orange glow peaked above the mountains, until the glowing orb of the sun could be seen, flying up into the air, just like Scootaloo.
"We did it! We raised the sun!" Scootaloo exclaimed. She had a sudden recognition of where she was. Looking down, she could barely see the ponies on the ground, with them looking like mere dots staring up at them.
"...Eep." Is all she could muster. Princess Celestia nudged Scootaloo a little, motioning her towards the ground. Putting less power into her wings, she was able to safely hover to the ground. Then she felt the magic slip from her body. But that didn't stop her enormous smile on her face.
"YOU DID IT!" Her two friends exclaimed, running forwards to hug Scootaloo.
"Nice job, Scootaloo." Rainbow Dash smirked, messing up the filly's mane with a noogie.
"You did wonderful, Scootaloo. Thank you." Princess Celestia said. "Thank you all for witnessing this event." The chariot from before pulled up, and she gingerly stepped on it. It then took to the sky, circling the maze twice again before re-entering the castle.
"Hey! Ah wonder if ya got a sun raising cutie mark from this!" Apple Bloom suggested, and Scootaloo looked back at her flank, grinning at the thought of a sun on her flank, just like the princess. Instead, her smile faltered as she saw no cutie mark there.
"Aww." She said, her happy mood gone.
"Don't be sad, Scootaloo, at least you can fly now!" Sweetie Belle brought Scootaloo's hopes back up at the mention of this.
"Yea, I guess I can!" She replied, and took a leap to the sky, flapping her wings madly. However, her wings failed to support her, sending her crashing back to the ground. The others giggled.
"Sorry squirt, but hey, I'll be glad to give you some protips." Rainbow Dash helped the orange filly up, who's smile couldn't get bigger.
"Flying lessons from the fastest flyer in Equestria!? Of course!" Scootaloo bounced excitedly.
"Well, I gotta get back to Weather Duties. See you guys around." Rainbow Dash took to the air, flying in the direction to Ponyville.
"What do we do now?" Sweetie Belle asked amongst them, expecting something big to happen.
"We go back to Ponyville of course!" Scootaloo answered. "Since I didn't get a sun raising cutie mark, we'll just have to keep on searching for ours together!"
"Hey, maybe that's our talents, working together!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders Teamworkers, yay!" They all hoof-bumped.
On the train ride home, nopony slept. They all asked Scootaloo questions on everything, how it felt to fly, why she couldn't fly now, what the princess told her, almost everything. By the time they got back to Ponyville it was.7:30 in the morning. At the train station, Cheerilee turned to face the ponies.
"Thank you everypony for joining us on this wonderful celebration, and congratulations to Scootaloo. School is dismissed for the rest of the day. Have a good morning!" She told them, receiving loud cheers as they left to go catch up on some sleep.
"Look Scootaloo, you rose that sun!" Sweetie Belle pointed to the star in the sky.
Scootaloo peered up through the sky, her eyes hurting from the bright light from the sun. She smiled. "Yes I did."