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A Prelude to a Ritual
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“Sweetie Belle! What have you done?!” Rarity shouted, “Oh, now I’ll have to make more!”
Sweetie Belle frowned. All she had done was make her and her friends some capes, so they could show off their membership to the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
“Oh, and now I’ll have to make more!” Rarity complained, “Oh, I hope I can MAKE more… I’m gonna have to work all night! Which means… Sorry, girls… I’m afraid the Crusaders sleepover is cancelled.”
“What!?” Sweetie shouted.
“I just won’t have any time to watch you, if I want to get these robes delivered on time.” Rarity apologized.
“B-But—”
“No ‘buts’ this time,” Rarity sighed, “I’m sorry Sweetie Belle; this is just how it has to be.”
“Awww…” The girls said collectively, all put out by the sudden loss of their plans.
Rarity sighed, but then looked to Fluttershy getting an idea... Maybe one of her friends could look after them.
Fluttershy knew the look she was receiving, but had made plans with Rainbow Dash and Twilight tonight.
“I’m so sorry…” Fluttershy said, having been listening to the entire thing, “I’d offer to take them, but I have some plans with Twilight and Rainbow Dash tonight.”
Rarity sighed, and tried thinking of anypony else that might be able to look after the girls.
No Twilight.
No Rainbow Dash.
Applejack already discussed this night with Rarity, and told her that she couldn’t.
Alex or Spike? Ehhh…
And Pinkie… No… No Pinkie.
There was no pony…
“I’m sorry girls,” Rarity said again, “But I don’t think this is going to work out.”
The three sighed dejectedly.
“Why don’t you all spend a couple more hours up in Sweetie’s room?” Rarity offered, “Then you can all head home when the sun starts setting.”
The sadness felt by the three girls was stronger than anything they had ever felt. The Cutie Mark Crusader sleepover was cancelled. It was like their favorite TV show was being taken off the air… Except there was no TV in Equestria. Bad example.
The next few hours passed, as the three did very little. They had sulked, eaten a snack, sulked again, and then tried to be Cutie Mark cheer-er uppers. That also failed.
“I can’ believe we hav’ to go home…” Apple Bloom sighed.
“I know…” Scootaloo groaned, “I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks.”
“I’m sorry I made us these capes…” Sweetie squeaked, “I should have left them alone.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Scootaloo smiled, “They’re really cool.!”
“Yeah!” Apple Bloom agreed, “At least we’ll look good when we’re out tomorrow!”
Unfortunately, as much as they tried to find the silver lining, it still stung that they weren’t going to be doing this.
“Well,” Scootaloo sighed, “I guess I’d better head back to the orphanage… They’ll be upset if I’m back past a certain time.”
“Why don’t you ask if we could stay over there?” Sweetie asked suddenly.
“It’s lights out at nine,” Scootaloo said, “We’d have no time to do anything there.”
“Aww…” Apple Bloom said.
“Wait a minute…” Scootaloo said, “I just got an idea!”
The two other girls looked at her, eyes wide.
“Oh my goodness!” They heard Rarity call from the main floor below them.
“Right on time!” Scootaloo grinned.
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“P-Princess Luna!” Rarity stammered, “Please accept my deepest apologies for shouting in front of you!”
“Please don’t worry yourself on such matters,” Luna smiled, “I’m simply here to bring Scoot-Ah-Loo her overnight bag.”
“Oh,” Rarity said quickly, “I’m terribly sorry, but the sleepover had to be cancelled.”
Luna cocked her head, “Why? What has happened?”
“I’m afraid that I overlooked something, and I need to spend all night tonight fixing the problem,” Rarity explained, “I simply won’t have the time to watch them.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Luna said. “Scoot-Ah-Loo sounded so excited this morning.”
“Princess Luna!” Scootaloo called, running into the main section of the store.
“I’ve heard the grim news,” Luna said to her, “You have my deepest sympathies.”
“Uh… what’s she talkin’ about?” Apple Bloom asked.
“I heard that you weren’t having your overnight ritual,” Luna explained, “I truly wish there was something I could do.”
“That’s why I came to talk to you!” Scootaloo said, “Could we have the sleepover at Canterlot Castle?”
Rarity immediately flew into action.
“Now Scootaloo,” She began, “I don’t think the Princess would have the kind of time that’s—“
“Of course!” Luna beamed, surprising everypony, “I have long awaited to see one of these overnight rituals myself!”
Rarity was shocked.
“Is it alright if I take your sister tonight?” Luna asked Rarity.
“O-of course!” Rarity laughed nervously, “Have her for as long as you like!”
“Wonderful!” Luna smiled, “Girls! Let us proceed to Sweet Apple Acres, to secure permission from Applejack!”
And, as quickly as she appeared, Luna walked out with the three fillies.
“Bye Rarity!” Sweetie Belle called.
Rarity was slack-jawed, and completely silent.
“See you tomorrow!” Sweetie said, as she headed off into the night.
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“Uh, I suppose y’all could spend the night in Canterlot,” Applejack said, “Are you sure it’s no trouble? You’ve got enough time tuh watch ‘em?”
“Of course,” Luna said happily, “I do very little during the night, so I can keep an eye on them.”
“Well, go ahead then!” Applejack smiled, “Have a good time tonight girls!”
“We will!” Apple Bloom beamed.
“Thanks!” The other two called to her as Applejack closed the door.
“Well,” Luna said to them, “I suppose that means the overnight ritual is back on!”
The truth was, Luna had been looking for every moment she could to spend time with Scootaloo, and this was just perfect. She would let them do whatever they wanted, and by that logic, be the coolest princess ever. It was the perfect plan… Except that it really wasn’t.
“Yay!” They shouted together, “Cutie Mark Crusader Sleep Over at Canterlot Castle!”
Luna beamed, having no idea what she had just gotten herself into.