Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo trotted into Sugarcube Corner with empty stomachs. Inside there was a row of small circular tables where ponies sat eating treats or reading the newspaper and nearby was a glass display case of the wide variety of sweets the shop makes. Next to the display case was a small desk with a cash register and hanging from the back wall was the menu, which listed so many kinds of candies, smoothies, and so on to where the place would be more appropriately titled "The Sugar Rush Capital of the World". A sweet aroma covered the entirety of Sugarcube Corner, which was pleasant to the nostrils. The three approached the register, where a friendly stallion known as Mr. Cake was working at the moment.
"Hello there," said Mr. Cake politely, "Can I get you anything?"
"We'd like an extra large fruit smoothie with three straws, please, and make sure the straws are those twirly ones," said Apple Bloom, who emphasized the last request.
"Is that everything?"
"Yep."
"That will be ten bits, please."
Apple Bloom reached into her saddle bag and dug out a measly four bits, Scootaloo searched every corner of her saddlebag as though her belongings were stuck in a void and managed to find a paltry three bits, and Sweetie Belle, who had her bits in her hoof, only had two bits with her. The three collectively sighed, visibly distressed at being just one short.
"Sorry," muttered Sweetie Belle. "We're one short."
"I can provide a bit for you," said a mysterious voice. The voice belonged to a mare who was wearing a leather jacket, but whose face was conveniently covered by the newspaper she was reading. She reached into her pockets and pulled out one bit. Apple Bloom's face brightened up and she reached over and grabbed the bit as pure joy rushed through her veins.
"Thank you ma'am," said Apple Bloom, who could barely contain her excitement. "That was very kind of you."
"It's not a problem," the mare calmly said.
"Who are you anyways? I can't see ya under that big newspaper you've got."
"I'm a pony from Cloudsdale. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Close enough, but what about your-"
Apple Bloom noticed that the mare had left Sugarcube Corner, as though she had never been there. A tip on the table was left on top of the newspaper that was neatly folded. Apple Bloom was shocked to see someone disappear that quickly. She thought that it must have been a teleportation spell used by the mare, but she can't be a unicorn if she's from Cloudsdale, so therefore the mare would much more likely be a pegasus. Apple Bloom thought about who this mare could be and what she looked like, thinking she might look incredibly ugly if she's hiding herself. She was more curious as to why the mare was in a hurry. Perhaps she left the tea kettle on for too long, or she had some important business meeting to attend, but those were probably not the answers. Apple Bloom looked at the table more closely and discovered a solitary white feather by the tip, but she unfortunately didn't know any pegasus with white wings.
"Hey Apple Bloom," yelled Scootaloo. "Are you in there?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, just thinking about that mare is all."
"That kind of curiosity is what lands you in trouble. Remember that story about the chimaera you told me about?"
Apple Bloom groaned. "I do, and I tell ya I'm a big pony." Apple Bloom stood as tall as she could with a determined expression. Scootaloo smirked slightly and Apple Bloom replied with a smirk of her own. Sweetie Belle stood in the middle of the two, her eyebrows raised, confused at what was going on. "Oh forget about it, let's get our smoothie."
Apple Bloom paid the ten bits and after three minutes or so of waiting and smoothie making noise, a towering glass filled with a smoothie was brought over and placed on one of the tables. As requested, three twirly straws were inserted into the smoothie. The three friends approached their treat and drank the smoothie, the chilly, fruity taste touching their taste buds as they drank. Once the smoothie was all gone, the three left the table and headed out the door into the outside world once again.
"It was fun being with y'all," said Apple Bloom. "I've gotta go, so I'll see y'all tomorrow morning."
The three waved and went their separate ways, anticipating what tomorrow had in store for them. They knew Sweetie Belle would be with Silver Spoon tomorrow afternoon, so they formulated plans as to what they should do after school. The night passed, and before any of them knew it, the next morning had already begun.
Scootaloo trotted to her classroom, wondering what she should do after class. Apple Bloom had told her that she was going to do something important with Featherweight, leaving the young filly alone for the afternoon. Her mind raced as to what she should do. She thought about going to the arcade, but she did that yesterday, so that plan was scrapped. As she was thinking, Scootaloo bumped into something and fell over, unsure of what she ran into. In front of her was her answer, a light blue colt who politely held out his hoof and got Scootaloo back on her hooves. Scootaloo found him pretty cute, thinking that he might be in her class.
"Sorry about that," said an embarrassed Scootaloo. "I should have looked where I was going."
"It's okay," replied the colt. "Do you have a lot on your mind?"
"Yeah, my friends are all busy for the afternoon and I've got nothing to do."
"You know, I could hang out with you, if you're okay with that."
Scootaloo rubbed the top of her mane and grinned innocently, not expecting the response the colt gave her. "Fine with me. What's your name?"
"My name is Rumble. What's yours?"
"I'm Scootaloo. It's nice to meet you."
"I wish we could keep talking, but class is going to start soon, and I don't want to be late. Let's meet up during our lunch break and we can talk about what we'll do after school. Sound reasonable to you?"
"Sounds like a plan."
Scootaloo and Rumble entered their classroom and took their seats. They watched as the other desks filled up one by one and Spring Leaves entered last as she had done the day before. Today's class was focused on mathematics, much to the majority of the students' despair, and when the bell rang to indicate lunch, it felt as if they were released by the constriction of the snake of algebra. Scootaloo and Rumble trotted together and took their seats. Apple Bloom was with Featherweight and Sweetie Belle joined them after talking to Silver Spoon for a little bit. The five ponies all stared at each other awkwardly, and Featherweight cleared his throat to begin the conversation.
"So who's your new pal, Scootaloo?" asked Featherweight.
"I'm Rumble," he responded. "You must be Featherweight. I've heard about you before, though I can't remember why."
"It's because I'm an extraordinary photographer. Nobody has got my skills." Rumble tried his best to not roll his eyes at the blatant display of egotism. "Apple Bloom and I are gonna do something that only the bravest do."
"You mean only the dumbest." Rumble muttered just quietly enough so that nobody else could hear him.
"What do you have in mind?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Simple," replied Featherweight, who was flexing despite his frail stature. "Apple Bloom and I are gonna tag a wall in the wealthy unicorn district of Ponyville with the Symbol of Hope."
"The Symbol of Hope?"
"It's, well, hard to explain, but ever since that incident six months ago, ponies have been so frightened to the point where some gamblers have been doing pools to determine who will be Equestria's next biggest threat. Most are predicting a Smooze flood, but who really knows? Anyways, this feeling of dread has resulted in what I've been told is a movement towards a safer Equestria, which is where the Symbol of Hope comes in. It's supposed to borrow from something else because of some major news story a while back, but I can't remember it."
"Fair enough, but why the unicorn district?" said Scootaloo, who was still confused as to what Featherweight was blathering on about.
"Because the majority of the unicorn district thinks that Equestria is already safe, just so long as they place their faith in Princess Twilight Sparkle. They do have a point in that she always seems to save the day, but the movement says that successfully saving the world is only a part of their goal, they want to minimize the number of incidents. Personally, I think I'd side with those who already think Equestria is safe, but I can't help myself from doing something daring."
"Oh goodness, even Daring Do would tell you to calm down." Scootaloo wanted to tell Featherweight and Apple Bloom that there are better things to do than go on some silly dare, but she could easily tell that Featherweight would reflect her words.
"Then I must be really daring." Featherweight got up and left the table, looking back at the four he was leaving behind. "I'll see you after class Apple Bloom."
When Featherweight was finally away from them, Scootaloo grabbed Apple Bloom's head and stared intensely at her, looking like she was going to literally slap some sense into her.
"Why are you hanging out with this idiot?" said Scootaloo. "He's gonna do something ridiculously stupid one day, I can tell you that for sure."
"He might be a little crazy," said Apple Bloom, "but he seems nice enough. Besides, what he's doing isn't that stupid. It's not like my life will be in danger or anything."
"Slippery slope Apple Bloom, slippery slope."
The lunch period ended and the students all returned to their classes, continuing on the mathematics they were working on from before. The students in both classes watched the clock tick towards the end of class when the time was soon. Their counting ran in tune to the ticks and when the bell rang to signal the end of class, all of the students bolted out of the door. Apple Bloom went to meet up with Featherweight, Sweetie Belle went to Silver Spoon, and Scootaloo went to Rumble. All six were highly anticipating what their time together had in store for them, and soon the three groups departed the school grounds and went their separate ways.
Scootaloo and Rumble trotted over to Ponyville's central plaza. A large crowd of ponies were gathered in front of a stage with an opened red curtain. On the stage was an enthusiastic blue unicorn with a wizard's hat and cape. Dazzling spells and flashing lights shot out from her horn, impressing the crowd. She formed a ring of fire around her and leaped across the stage like a ballerina, the dancing of the red flames around her miraculously not catching anything on fire. Her horn glowed again and the fire disappeared from thin air, not leaving behind a trace. The unicorn bowed and the crowd cheered wildly.
"Thank you for watching the Great and Powerful Trixie," she yelled. The crowd chanted her name as she trotted off backstage, loving every chant of praise that her ears heard.
"That was really impressive," said Scootaloo, whose eyes were sparkling like Trixie's spells. "Let's try and talk to her if we get the chance."
"Fine with me," replied Rumble. "Why are you interested in her anyways? Does she owe you money?"
"No silly, I just want to ask her about this Symbol of Hope thing. I have this strange feeling that she has some answers as to what its about."
"Featherweight, as stupid as he is, explained it pretty well, so I don't know what else you want answered."
"Its the origins of the symbol I'm interested in."
The crowd dispersed and Scootaloo and Rumble approached the tall wooden stage. They trotted around the perimeter of the stage and saw Trixie drinking a glass of lemonade, smiling after another successful show. Scootaloo waved at Trixie, hoping to get her attention, and Trixie teleported in an impressive flash with her lemonade and reappeared in front of the two youngsters.
"Hello there," said Trixie. "What do you want to ask Trixie? I don't have a lot of time, so I hope it isn't anything too complicated."
"I wanted to ask if you knew anything about the origins of the Symbol of Hope," said Scootaloo.
"You're in luck, because Trixie can tell you just a little about it, but not much. I do know that the symbol comes from a group that is no longer together, but I don't remember who they are. Trixie's magic is more important than the name of a group. As for the movement for safety, Trixie fully supports it. Trixie must depart, but could you tell Trixie your names?"
"I'm Scootaloo, and this is Rumble. We're students at Ponyville Elementary. It's nice to meet you."
"Well Scootaloo and Rumble, may the stars guide you to a bright future. Goodbye."
Trixie trotted away from Scootaloo and Rumble with pizazz and was smiling cutely. She entered a small wagon with a modest red roof and closed the door. Scootaloo looked at Rumble and patted him on the back.
"She seems nicer than I was expecting," said Scootaloo. "Do you have an idea as to who this group might be?"
"I know, why don't you take a stab at it," replied Rumble, smirking at Scootaloo.
"Hmm, the Ponytones?"
Rumble tried his best to hold back his laughter, unsure if Scootaloo was even serious with her answer. "Not even close, it's the Wonderbolts."
"You mean the group that the awesome Rainbow Dash so thoroughly dominates that they split up?"
Rumble sighed loudly and placed his hoof on his face, surprised that someone this uncultured, in his opinion at least, could still be breathing. "Don't listen to Ponyville for your news kid, they've done a lot for Equestria. My big brother Thunderlane can attest to that. The countless achievements immortalized in international papers for the last squadron doesn't sound like a pathetic team to me, not to mention their shows always went without incident."
"Well Rainbow Dash covered those three failures perfectly. Oh, and she's undefeated in missions. Try and top that, fancolt."
"There's your problem, Scoots. You just can't handle the truth that the Wonderbolts are great."
Scootaloo's eyes flared up, her cheeks blushing brightly like suns. "Did you just call me Scoots?"
"Yep, and since it seems to irritate you a bit, I'll call you Scoots from now on." Rumble heartily laughed while Scootaloo stood next to him, filling up with the embarrassment of getting a cute and pathetic nickname.
"Well how about a bet. I'll take you to one of Rainbow Dash's shows and I'll prove to you she runs rings around the Wonderbolts. If I see you admit she's superior in every way, you'll owe me twenty bits. Deal?"
"You're on Scoots. I don't back down from a bet I can't lose. Shake on it, friend."
The two pegasi shook hooves, each one confident that they would leave the show victorious. Smug grins adorned their faces as they peered into the eyes of the pony in front of them. Scootaloo and Rumble waved goodbye to each other and trotted away with an air of confidence, eager to prove the other one wrong.
Sweetie Belle and Silver Spoon sat down next to a fountain in a courtyard. The fountain had a large diameter and the roaring sounds of the water rising from it made talking next to it difficult. Around the fountain was a larger circle of smooth stone tiles that was decorated with a mosaic pattern. Surrounding the fountain was a large grassland with trees sprouting from the earth in no particular pattern. The sights were stunning to those who appreciate nature and is a popular place for ponies to discuss their emotions.
"Say Silver Spoon, why did you rush into our argument with Diamond Tiara?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"I, um, I guess I just wanted to show the world how I feel about Diamond," muttered Silver Spoon. "Not many knew of our split, and because my past would be an obstacle for me to make friends, I did what I could because I was there. Not the most honorable action, but I don't have any regrets."
"I understand why you did what you did. It was brave of you to stand up to Diamond Tiara like that. I wish I was that brave."
"Thanks, Sweetie Belle." Silver Spoon's heart warmed upon receiving the compliment. "Oh, and don't worry Sweetie Belle, I know you can be brave. I don't know why, but I look at you and see a brave pony."
"Thanks for supporting me like that." Sweetie Belle received the same warmth of her heart that Silver Spoon did. "Do you have anything you like doing?"
"I like to hone my special talent of pastries. I feel as though I can become an esteemed pastry chef. Yeah, my cutie mark is a bit vague, but what are you going to do?" Silver Spoon looked down at Sweetie Belle's cutie mark. Despite being one of her nemeses for the longest time, knowing that she had reached a milestone in her life felt good for reasons she couldn't quite explain. "I assume your cutie mark of the musical notes signifies your singing talent, correct?"
"Yep. I'm really proud that I found my cutie mark. Looking back at the days of the CMC, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and I caused a lot of chaos, huh?"
"I guess so. I'm a bit guilty of causing chaos myself, usually in relation to what you did." The two cutely giggled, not having any feelings of conflict for the other over the eventful past. Sweetie Belle could hear her stomach grumble and Silver Spoon heard her stomach desiring for food as well.
"Want to go get an ice cream?"
"Sure, but first, why are you being nice to me?" Silver Spoon gave Sweetie Belle a confused look, as though she was a changeling who didn't read her script.
"It's because I believe in second chances. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo may take some more convincing, but I can tell when a pony changes for the better. Let's go, I could use a treat right about now."
Apple Bloom and Featherweight reached the unicorn district of Ponyville, named as such because of its high proportion of unicorns in a small area. The houses in this district were of a higher quality than those in other parts of Ponyville, as many of the residents came from Canterlot for the economic opportunities the town provided. Apple Bloom and Featherweight crept through the district and went down an alleyway and upon reaching a secluded site, Featherweight pulled out yellow and white graffiti spray and sprayed all over the light blue wall in front of him. He first formed a yellow thunderbolt that was sprayed with precision, much to Apple Bloom's surprise. Once the thunderbolt was done, Featherweight sprayed two wings on both sides of the top of the thunderbolt. The two looked at the work they had done, smiling at accomplishing the daring feat without a hitch.
"Well thanks for getting my adrenaline pumping over nothing," said Apple Bloom sarcastically.
"We still did it," said Featherweight, his face expressing bliss. "Now we need to scram."
Apple Bloom and Featherweight left their work and were back on the streets, surprised to see the roads were more crowded than before. The two trotted across the street, but didn't look both directions, causing them to miss a speeding cart that was headed for them. Apple Bloom looked to her left and saw the cart narrowly closing in on her, gulping at the thought of a huge bruise that might soon cover her body. She closed her eyes, bracing for the impact. She felt a jolt, but for some reason it didn't hurt. Apple Bloom thought she was dead, but once she opened her eyes, she was surprised to discover she was off the ground with Featherweight next to her, carried by a yellow pegasus mare. The mare gently placed the two kids on the ground and the stunned onlookers cheered at the mare for her courageous rescue.
"Are you okay?" asked the mare, the expression on her face clearly concerned for the two ponies' well being.
"Yeah," replied a dazed Apple Bloom, still trying to calculate in her head what just happened. "Who are you anyways?"
Apple Bloom then realized that the yellow pegasus was gone, now just a speck of yellow and orange flying into the sky. Apple Bloom shifted her attention to Featherweight, who was trying to catch his breath.
"Say Featherweight, who was that?" asked Apple Bloom.
"That was Spitfire," replied Featherweight. "She was-"
"Who?"
"She was known for being very intelligent, a bit brash, and has an inferiority complex, an odd combination for-"
"So she's a member of Linkin Pony, right?"
Featherweight groaned loudly in frustration, wishing he could slap Apple Bloom across the face for interrupting him so much. "You never go out that much, do you?"
"My family expects me home by four o'clock, so not really."
"Never mind."
Apple Bloom shrugged, remembering what Scootaloo told her about getting into trouble. She knew she should have listened to her friend, but getting out there and doing something dangerous made her feel alive. To Apple Bloom, it was a nice contrast to the regulated life her sister Applejack provided her. She and Featherweight watched Spitfire fly off into the sky, seemingly trying to avoid the press that would want to hound her for interviews and the like. Apple Bloom was disappointed that she couldn't ask Spitfire more questions about who she is, but she didn't let it consume her mind, and the two youngsters went their separate ways and headed home.