Her path retraced, Sweetie Belle saw the dense canopy above grow thin. Dim light illuminated the soft trodden dirt road.
"Hello my dear Sweetie Belle. You are looking rather well." Zecora said, garbed in her tan hooded cloak. She placed her sack on the ground, watching Sweetie Belle with a raised eyebrow. "Are you on some kind of special chore? I've never seen you alone in these woods before."
With a shrug, after receiving a kind wave from Sweetie Belle whom trotted off down the road after a quick pit stop, Zecora retrieved her botanical collection, resuming the journey to her house.
Sweetie Belle bounced along the path, akin to Pinkie Pie's motions. In a cheerful, quiet voice, she said to herself, "I have a special talent. I have a special talent."
Light from the exit further brightened the roadway, illuminating the worn bark of the nearby trees. Gentle rain drops landed on Sweetie Belle as she exited the forest.
"Where were you?!" two familiar voices said.
Sweetie Belle found herself staring up at the sky after she opened her eyes. Two objects sat on top of her before kind hooves were extended. Yanked to her hooves, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo pulled their friend along the dirt pathway; both lead Sweetie Belle back to the clubhouse. The three sat on the oval rug in the center as rain trickled down the windows of the Cutie Mark Crusader; its intensity increased at a slow steady pace to a medium downpour.
Quick flashes of lightning illuminated the room. The Cutie Mark Crusader anniversary banner still hung from the ceiling, the red velvet cake consumed. Sweetie Belle glanced toward the window and hid a slight smile from her friends. "It's kin-kinda c-col-cold in here, isn't it?"
"Ya don't look so good. Ack!" Apple Bloom said, receiving a sneeze as she tossed a thick blanket over her fellow crusader. "When the rain lets up, we'll get ya back home."
"Is there something on my face, Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle said.
"Umm..." Scootaloo said, fidgeting in place.
Sweetie Belle eyed her friend. She let out a sigh then said, "I met Zecora in the Ever Free Forest. If you were about to ask me."
"Heh, I guess Apple Bloom has a contender for fortune telling." Scootaloo giggled.
"Ah told ya, it ain't fortune tellin'!" Apple Bloom said. Her grimace turned into a cheerful smile, a chuckle to follow.
The three fillies' banter ceased. Apple Bloom moved toward the entrance, opened the door after a firm knock came, and shoved it shut after a pony came in.
"This is quite the storm. I thought it best to check on all of you before I -- O my," Twilight said. Silent, graceful hooves crept toward the blanket enveloped Sweetie Belle. One hoof pressed against the filly's throat, then moved up towards her forehead. The storm raged on, the club house groaning. Twilight, after a final examine, said, "We best get you home and into bed, asap. Rarity will have my horn and wings if this progresses any further."
Sweetie Belle, after a heavy sneeze, coughed into her front hooves. She watched a lavender colored glow surround her and the others before closing her eyes. Her mouth opened and a cold object slid under her tongue. She opened her eyes to Rarity's hoof gliding across her cheek, towards her throat, and then up to her forehead.
"Well, aren't you the lucky filly. " Rarity breathed a quick sigh of relief as she levitated her sister into the guest bed and removed the thermometer, "It looks like nothing but a little common cold, but you're a reckless little sister. I can't believe you stormed off, going into the Ever Free Forest by yourself. Mom and Dad left you in my care...." Rarity said, lecturing her sister. Lightning struck the metal rod atop Carousel Boutique, Rarity ceasing her stern words. She centered herself and said, "Anyways, it looks like you'll be on an extended vacation with me since Mom and dad have been delayed in Las Pegasus during their... 'excursion.' Sweetie Belle, are you listening to -- what's that around your neck?"
Sweetie Belle smiled, displaying the treasure to her sister.
Rarity squinted. She tapped a gentle hoof against the neck piece. Her eyes widened in awe, "Sweet Celestia! Where did you find something like that?! One on its own is rare? A Moon Pearl of that size ... it should be a royal treasure."
Sweetie Belle placed a gentle hoof against her treasure, "It's something special. My little secret."
Rarity grimaced. She groaned, but soon relented as she began to sing a quiet, lullaby-esk tune. As she watched her little sister's eyes relent a short time into the song, Rarity turned to Twilight after receiving a slight tap on her side. Both mares traveled into the hallway, gently closing the door behind them, and into the display room.
Outside Carousel Boutique, the storm's ferocity continued. Rain landed against the room's window, the wind howling. Sweetie Belle coughed. She let out another loud cough, snorting as her nose became congested. After sitting up, she stared out the window for a few moments then hid underneath the thick covers after a bolt of lightning struck Carousel Boutique's lightning rod; its thunderous crack shook the room's contents. Sweetie Belle poked her nose out from underneath the blanket, her head soon following. The room remained still with the rain tapping against the window.
Sweetie Belle slid her hooves to the bed's edge, hopped down, and rubbed her eyes. Banter came from behind the guest bedroom's door as she placed an ear against it. She peered out into the hallway. Near the stairs, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Rarity, and Twilight sat near the room's center with several candles around them.
"Are you sure Sweetie Belle is ok, Apple Bloom?" Rarity said.
In the window of Carousel Boutique's front door hung a closed sign. Sweetie Belle, after backing away to stifle a cough, crept toward the end of the stairs. She raised a hoof to her right ear.
"Ya, she'll be fine. We get some ice cream from Mr. Vanilla tomorrow." Apple Bloom said. She stopped; her eyes flashed; in a fluid motion, she pointed a hoof toward the stair case and made a beckoning motion, " We're just talkin'. It ain't anythin' special, Sweetie Belle."
"Hmph. I'm not to playing hide and seek with you anymore." Sweetie Belle said. Weak, unsteady hooves guided her down the steps. A fresh blanket tossed over her, a glass of water levitated toward her to sip on, she sat near the group. "I can't fool your 'future sight,' can I?"
Apple Bloom jumped as a bolt of lightning landed on top of the structure. She let out a boisterous yelp, several devious grins pointed her way. "Heh, ah guess ah didn't see that comin'. Ah think it would be wise to let you in on some things, Sweetie Belle.
"No!" Scootaloo's hoof shot up, "Princess Luna--"
"Sweetie Belle is our friend. She is a Cutie Mark Crusader." Apple Bloom said, turning back toward Sweetie Belle.
"That's alright. I'm sorry I stormed out on you guys and the party. Friends?" Sweetie Belle said.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders forever!" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom said, receiving the same reply in return from Sweetie Belle.
Apple Bloom held her hoof out, and Sweetie Belle stopped. "There are some things ah can't say, but ah do think this needs to be said. Sweetie Belle, what me and Scootaloo have, it wasn't easy. For me, before Princess Luna started to train me, things were a nightmare. Ya remember that time ah woke up in Cheerilee's class, started reciting those 'Celestial Oaths of Antiquity' and all?"
"I thought it was some kind of joke. Applejack said you went with Big Macintosh to Canterlot when me and Scootaloo tried to deliver your homework." Sweetie Belle said.
"It was the truth, kinda. Mah big brother came with me since ah was really scared. Thanks to Princess Luna, things are way better than they were. Still, there are times ah would like to give this talent up for a normal life of sorts." Apple Bloom said.
Scootaloo nodded at Apple Bloom. She rubbed a gentle hoof against her wings before looking toward her fellow crusaders, "I didn't tell you two the whole story at the club house, about my wings. It hurt really, really, really bad when they first grew out. I'm talking worse than a thousand paper cuts with lemon juice sprayed on you. It happened after I took Zecora's medicine. Part of me wanted to give up, but mom pushed me through it, reminding me that it was my choice the whole way through. Things are way better than they were."
Sweetie Bell remained silent. She looked at Scootaloo's wings then looked toward Apple Bloom. Her teeth bit down on her lip, a thunderous crack from a bolt of lightning resounding throughout the room.
"Sweetie Belle, you do have talent. I promise." Rarity chimed in with a gentle smile, "In regards to what Apple Bloom and Scootaloo said, their abilities not being easy to deal with, I believe it's like a dress that you have an idea for in your head. It looks beautiful on paper, yet that dress takes a lot of hard work to bring to light. At least, I believe that's what they are saying." Rarity said. She glanced over to see Twilight twirling her hoof on the ground. "Anything wrong darling? Did you have something to add?"
Twilight's lower lip quivered as she looked at her friend, "I, I mean... I thought I was the one to give advice." She steadied herself after tapping a hoof against her chin, "I guess you could say Apple Bloom and Scootaloo's gifts were curses before they started to hone them. It took time, effort, energy, and determination to gain control over their --"
"Anyways, I think that's enough bonding time. You need to get back into bed, Sweetie Belle. Twilight can get the others home." Rarity said. She chuckled to herself, watching Twilight storm off to the kitchen. She whispered to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, "Twilight may be a princess now, but she's still the same to me."
Apple Bloom shook. She raised a concerned hoof to Twilight as she returned to the display room, "Twi, Spike just licked that gem you left in the study. It looks like he's gettin ready to take a bite outta it. The one on the stand is a fake!"
Twilight vanished in a furious flash of purple light, succeeded by a flash of lightning. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo turned to Rarity. Their pleas received a firm no, but their puppy-dogged eye expression received a yes.
"Sleep Over!" Sweetie Belle said, ending with a cough.
"O no, I agreed to let them spend the night. It would be unthinkable, unconscionable to send Apple Bloom and Scootaloo out in a mess like this. I am going to make sure you don't spread your cold. They will sleep down here. You will sleep upstairs. As Apple Bloom stated, you'll be fine in the morning." Rarity said.
Sweetie Belle tapped a hoof against her chin. Her eyes crept toward Apple Bloom. "Wait. If I were to stay up, it would invalidate your prediction. I would be too sleepy to go with you. Or do I just fall asleep anyways?"
"Princess Luna told me it's more complicated than that, heh." Apple Bloom said, ending with a grin towards Rarity and Sweetie Belle. She stretched out her hooves, cracked her neck, and yawned. After a final stretch she said, "Anyways, don't worry about it. To be as honest as mah big sis, ah think we all need to get some rest. We'll have some fun tomorrow, ah promise."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders gave each other a firm smile. Sweetie Belle, escorted up the steps by her sister, climbed into bed. Her heavy eyes closed.
Rarity pulled out two sleeping bags from the closet, brought them downstairs, and unfurled them. She smoothed out the bags. "Thanks for being there for Sweetie Belle you two. It means a lot to her. It also means a lot to me."
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, a cheery "goodnight" given to Rarity, slid into the sleeping bags.
"Apple Bloom." Scootaloo said, watching Rarity leave.
"Yea?"
"What's going to happen to Sweetie Belle?"
"Ah don't know Scoot."
"What do you mean you don't know? You can see everything, Apple Bloom."
Apple Bloom unfurled her ribbon. She placed it off to her side, let out a sigh, and turned to Scootaloo. " As I told Sweetie Belle, it's more complicated than that. All ah can say for sure is that somethin bad happens in the Ever Free Forest. Also, somethin' big is comin'. That much ah know for sure."
*** *** ***
Clouds dispersed. A final drop of rain landed on the moistened land below. As the sun rose, its light caused the ground to sparkle like the stars above the dense rain clouds of the night before. The beautiful sunlight penetrated the windows of Carousel Boutique. Bright light illuminated the display room where the fillies slept.
Apple Bloom's right eye twitched, and she rose up. Off to her side, Sweetie Belle slept in a designer sleeping bag. After a quiet sigh to herself, Apple Bloom trotted toward the bathroom then headed for the kitchen.
Eggs, muffins, toast, and juice were laid out on the table. With a yawned "good mornin'" thrust toward her way, Rarity bid Apple Bloom a "proper" good morning in return. She watched Apple Bloom sit down at the table, and then nibble on some eggs and toast. Two more greetings met her ears, looking behind her to see Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo enter into the dining room.
"Surprised you didn't take that thing off last night." Apple Bloom said, glancing over to see the elegant moon pearl necklace still secured around Sweetie Belle neck. She finished her egg and toast, drank her orange juice, and placed two more helpings onto the plate. Semi-glazed over eyes glanced toward the clock. Her eyes turned toward Sweetie Belle. "Anyways, ya up for hittin the streets today?"
Sweetie Belle grasped the cup of orange juice cup in front of her; water droplets from the condensation rolled down her hooves. The glass placed on the table, she rubbed her eyes while giving one final yawn. With a devious smile, a quick nod to follow, Sweetie Belle soon shook her head in response to Apple Bloom's inquiry, "Nope, not gonna tell. I have my own little mission today, and it's a secret."
"Scootaloo, I know that Rainbow Dash is your idol and all, but...," Rarity looked away in disgust, "you really could stand to learn some etiquette." Rarity said, looking behind to see an eager pegasus filly presenting a cleaned plate. Scootaloo received a second helping of eggs. Rarity placed a soft hoof on her chest, closing her eyes while raising her nose into the air, and said in a dignified tone, "A 'proper lady' does not consume her food like some vile animal. This goes for you too Sweetie Belle. You as well Apple Bloom. All of you will be beautiful young mares. " Rarity lowered her hoof and faced the three fillies sitting at the table, "You all need to eat at a slower pace, not just for elegance. It aids in digestion."
"Naw, I don't need that etiquette stuff. Though, Princess Cadence--" Scootaloo placed a hoof over her mouth, coughed, and slugged down her orange juice as she tried, in futility, to scarf down her second helping. Guilty grin given, she resumed her composure. "Anyways, I don't need that stuff."
With her plate set, Rarity ate in front of the three fillies. The Cutie Mark Crusaders finished their breakfast and tossed a quick thank you then goodbye to Rarity.
Sweetie Belle darted upstairs to her saddlebag. Sparks erupted from her horn, eyes focused on the saddlebag's flap. She grunted, stopped, and sang a slight tune while trying again: the bag's flap remained motionless. After she bucked her bag, it hitting the wall with a loud thud, she placed it on her back. Sweetie Belle charged down the stairs, outside, and in front of her friends. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo galloped behind. The Cutie Mark Crusaders continued their rapid pace into the heart of Ponyville.
"Ok Apple Bloom, here's the plan. We're gonna stay away from the side of Ponyville where Mr. Vanilla works. This will prove that you can't predict everything." Sweetie Belle said. Focused eyes scanned the market district. With a devilish smile, Sweetie Belle said, "See. I knew it. You can't--"
"Hey there Cutie Mark Crusaders," Mr. Vanilla said. The stallion rolled a freshly constructed, mobile ice cream cart into a pitched tent. He hung some fresh bells for a final touch, jingling them with an eager hoof. "How ya like my new digs? The cart was a bit pricey on top of the shop's expenses, but it should help out in the long run."
Apple Bloom snickered. As Sweetie Belle's gaze reached her, she whistled an innocent tune.
"Not. A. Word." Sweetie Belle said.
Apple Bloom's hoof reached into the right pocket of her saddlebag. Eight bits dropped onto the cart's decorative counter. "Mah treat. Courtesy of a 'friend.'"
Scootaloo took her cone, licked it, and then smirked at Apple Bloom. In a hushed voice she said to Apple Bloom, "Princess Luna lost the bet?"
"Eeyup." Apple Bloom said, ending with a coy grin. Mr. Vanilla placed a container on the counter, Apple Bloom securing it in her saddle bag. "This is for Princess Luna. Still don't know about this Chocolate Hay Seed flavor though. Blech."
Sweetie Belle licked her cone and made her way down Mane Street, staying in front of Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. She looked behind and said, "What bet?"
"Ah bet Princess Luna you would try to prove mah visions wrong. She gave me the bits anyways after taking a look for herself. Now, to tell ya a bit of a secret that Princess Luna swore to keep to mah self, ah can't read minds." Apple Bloom said.
"Wait, so I can think different things but you can see my actions? I don't get it. Doesn't that mean you can predict everything?" Sweetie Belle said.
"Again, it's more complicated than that as ah need to figure out the particulars. Despite the fact ah could see 'a' lamp hittin Twilight's head, ah wasn't sure which one. Also, ah was kinda worried Twilight might have Applejack punish me for not warning her about it in advance before ya came. " Apple Bloom said. She took a bite out of her cone. Her left hoof shot up and rubbed against side of her head. "Gah! Brain freeze."
"Smooth move 'Fortune Teller.'" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo chortled at Apple Bloom, the filly continuing to rub her forehead.
The sun continued its trek across the sky as Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle passed by several shops. Sweetie Belle stopped then led her friends into Mr. Orchard's shop.
"I guess it was just a joke to her," Sweetie Belle said to herself, ending with a quiet sigh. The flap on her saddlebag remained motionless, despite the constant eruption of sparks that spewed forth from her horn. "Why should I even get these items if she's just messing with me."
"You alright?" Scootaloo said.
"Yea, I'm fine." Sweetie Belle said. She reached into her right saddlebag pocket and produced the list from Philomena Cantare. Her hoof crept down the small row of items, eyeing each of the five pieces needed. Several short moments later, a blood orange set alight with purple fire and paid for by Apple Bloom, all five items were crossed off the list. After nabbing the last item, placing the list back into her saddle bag with a single bit to spare, Sweetie Belle trotted out the door. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom followed behind.
Apple Bloom's eyes flashed. She darted ahead of her friends and stopped them. The Cutie Mark Crusaders shut their eyes quickly, and then opened them.
"Did you forget your training?" Princess Cadence said, tapping her hoof against the floor. "You shouldn't keep us waiting you two."
The Cutie Mark Crusader's vision cleared. Scootaloo's eyes glanced up to see Princess Luna's horn glowing in a dark blue light. She and Apple Bloom shied away, both giving a unison "sorry" to the two princesses.
Apple Bloom gave the ice cream container to Princess Luna who directed it toward Princess Cadence. She raised an eyebrow at Princess Cadence, receiving a sly wink in return.
"Do you mind if Sweetie Belle stays?" Scootaloo said.
"I don't mind, Scootaloo. It should be quite obvious Sweetie Belle can't assist with your training. Perhaps..." Princess Cadence turned toward Princess Luna, "perhaps she can help with Apple Bloom's session. What do you say, Princess Luna?"
Princess Luna remained fixated on the scroll that levitated in front of her. Her steadfast gaze, on the parchment's contents, relented after a soft hoof touched her flank. The regal mare's eyes were met with Sweetie Belle standing behind a pleading Apple Bloom.
"It is fine. In fact, I could use an extra bit of magic to help with Apple Bloom's training." Princess Luna said. Her scroll rolled itself up and vanished. She raised an eyebrow at her student, "Apple Bloom, why are you waving your hooves at me? You have my undivided attention."
Sweetie Belle sat down, tail curled around her hooves. Under quiet, bated breath she mumbled to herself.
Princess Luna, her horn still glowing, towered above Sweetie Belle. She looked down on her and said, "You need to speak up when addressing me."
"I'm sorry, Princess Luna. I... I can't... I can't use magic." Sweetie Belle rose to her hooves then ended with a whimper, refusing to look Princess Luna in the eyes. "I thought I had it. I keep setting things on fire...."
Princess Cadence placed a soft hoof over Sweetie Belle's back, "Magic isn't the easiest thing in Equestria to learn. It will come."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders stood back. Princess Cadence's horn illuminated, along with Princess Luna's. Four buckets of apples appeared in the room. One bucket levitated towards Princess Cadence. Another bucket floated toward Princess Luna before the two remaining buckets were placed in front of Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.
"Regardless of your ability to use magic or not, I can use some assistance. As you might say, it's time to 'up the ante' with my protégé's training. Ten out of fifty wasn't bad, but I want to see her talents blossom." Princess Luna said. She levitated a shield toward Apple Bloom. The three ponies took an apple out of their respective buckets. "I want to push Apple Bloom to her absolute limit. Our buckets contain twenty-five apples each, so we will test my protégé with one hundred apples total. When you're ready Sweetie Belle, chuck a few at Apple Bloom."
Sweetie Belle smirked. She picked an apple and focused a heavy gaze on Apple Bloom. The room remained silent. Each pony could hear their own steadfast heartbeat. Sweetie Belle's hoof rose. The apple's "ripe" smell entered her flared nostrils. The battle commenced.
Apple Bloom shielded herself behind the sturdy circular shaped bulwark. Apples bolted behind her, levitated by the princesses. She slid the shield behind, deflecting them. Several came from above, landing onto the hard metal shield swung upward. Sweetie Belle reached into her bucket. She chucked her last apple as Scootaloo flung hers. Princess Luna and Princess Cadence lobbed four each. Ten apples hurtled toward Apple Bloom.
The air remained still. Time froze for Apple Bloom as her eyes flashed. Her body moved on instinct as she darted near the edge of the circle carved into the wooden floor, raised her shield, and parried five apples. A scraping sound resonated in the room as the shield grinded against the wood floor, sliding behind to catch the other apples. With a couple heavy gasps for air, Apple Bloom wiped the sweat from her forehead. Her dilated eyes returned to normal.
"Perfect!" Princess Luna shouted. Her ears were met with the loud sound of the shield in Apple Bloom's hooves falling to the floor as she grabbed the filly in a monstrous hug, soon relinquishing her bewildered protégé from the tight grasp. She cleared her throat, composed herself, and then patted Apple Bloom on the back. Princess Luna's list materialized and an ink tipped pen slid across an item on it before vanishing. "Well done. This is most impressive. When you have recuperated, your next test will be another hundred apples. After that, we will go for two hundred. Now, I believe it's time for Scootaloo's session, is it not?"
Princess Cadence, with a nod, illuminated her horn. The four walls of the small room fell to the ground, revealing a large open space. Scootaloo winced. Though both had seen it before, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked on in awe as Scootaloo's wings assumed their large, regal-like appearance akin to Princess Celestia's. The quick check and approval given, Princess Cadence levitated Scootaloo into the air. The pegasus filly flapped her wings in a fluid motion. Stop watch levitating near her, Princess Luna raised a hoof then dropped it in a swift fluid motion.
Scootaloo spun around in the air, flapping her wings as hard as possible. Sweetie Belle maintained her astounded expression as she watched her friend rocket into the limitless sky above. Scootaloo flapped her wings once and dove passed the four ponies. She ascended at a rapid pace after another quick flap her exercise repeated several times.
Sweetie Belle dove to the ground, Scootaloo whizzing past. Her ears perked up. "Where's the sonic boom?"
"This area is something special Aunt -- I mean, what you see around us is a magical construct that Princess Luna created. Twilight had quite the field day here," Princess Cadence said. She chuckled to herself then turned to Sweetie Belle. "I think Twilight figured out the best explanation of this place being 'a dream world come to life.' Though this place is indeed powerful -- allowing a pony to practice whatever ability they want to their heart's content -- it does take a toll on the one maintaining the world."
"Please make a graceful descent, Scootaloo." Princess Luna said.
Scootaloo panted, her breaths resounding amongst the group. Her hooves wobbled heavily, touching the soft invisible ground near the others. Between exasperated gasps for air she said, "What's. My time?"
Princess Luna levitated the stop watch from her hoof, tapped it, and presented it. "You've done well. We will take a short break so you can gather your strength for the next exercise. Sweetie Belle, if I might have a word."
A door manifested near the two ponies. Sweetie Belle stepped outside, followed by Princess Luna.
"I will be rather blunt." Princess Luna said. Her mane flowed in the calm hallway. "Princesses cannot train every pony the come upon as ponies need to discover things for themselves and lead their own lives."
Sweetie Belle's tail crept around her body. She stifled a quiet whimper.
"It's quite obvious that circumstances may deem it necessary for us to watch over others, lending a helping hoof when needed. As you've seen the results for yourself, my sister taking on Twilight Sparkle as her protégé is a powerful example. After great deliberation, I decided to take make Apple Bloom my personal student to assist her. The same being said of your friend Scootaloo." Princess Luna said. She placed a hoof on Sweetie Belle's shoulder, "I will cut to the chase, getting to the heart of the matter. Please, keep the training of your friends a secret. You three have experienced the repercussions of what happens with undo attention, right."
Sweetie Belle's tail remained curled around her hooves. She looked up, "Y-yes, Princess Luna. I understand."
Sunlight pierced through the crystal clear windows. Several embellishments on the tapestries glinted in the light. Princess Luna reentered the room. The door closed, Sweetie Belle meandered down the hallway before she plopped down on the carpet near a large painting with large brass sconces on each side; the artwork displayed a mare -- her face and neckline missing -- clothed in elegant garb, standing near a table.
"Philomena Cantare," a voice said.
"Princess Celestia," Sweetie Belle said.
"That's quite alright my dear. There is no reason for formality. You are a guest here with your friends, correct." Princess Celestia said. She used the tip of her wing to wipe away a tear, looking at the painting with watery eyes. The ruler of Equestria sat alongside Sweetie Belle. "Cantare, one of my dearest friends."
"Was she your first 'friend?'" Sweetie Belle said.
"In a manner of speaking. She helped me through a difficult chapter in my life, after having to banish my sister." Princess Celestia said, extending her hoof out as Philomena flew towards her. The phoenix nuzzled its owner before it flew off down the hallway. Princess Celestia leaned in close to Sweetie Belle, "Between you and me, Philomena acts almost like the mare she's named after, heh. My Philomena is quite the prankster."
Sweetie Belle squinted at the painting, "What's that near her hoof?"
"You have quite the astute eyes, Sweetie Belle. That 'candelabra' is a present I gave to my friend. She was quite the singer and wanted to have something to focus on. It would have been nice if the portrait were whole....'" Princess Celestia said, chuckling to herself as she talked about the artist further. She stood up, "Unfortunately, I need to return to my duties. The job of a princess is never done, though, I did mean to ask, how is your magic progressing?"
"I'm a failure," Sweetie Belle said, making her way back toward the previous room.
"No pony is a failure, my dear. All things come to fruition when the time is right, so will your talent. One cannot write a masterful song within a day." Princess Celestia said, humming a tune as she left.
Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow. She faced the hallway, seeing Princess Luna standing near the plain wooden door. The regal mare's words reverberated within her mind as Sweetie Belle watched Princess Luna give her a firm nod.
The day's final test came for Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, both passing with flying colors. The Cutie Mark Crusaders smiled at each other, opening their eyes to see themselves in Carousel Boutique. Apple Bloom departed for Sweet Apple Acres. Scootaloo dashed home, making sure to return her wings to normal before heading out.
Sweetie Belle, darting out the door with her saddlebag on, headed down the path towards the Ever Free forest. As she retraced her hoof steps, the filly found herself at the entrance of Philomena Cantare's cave and peered inside. Her eyes crept upward then side-to-side. She moved forward on shaky hooves.
"Hello," a voice said. Cantare hummed a quick tune, the room alighting itself. "You are quite the jumpy little filly. Did you retrieve my things?"
"Pardon me if this sounds rude, but you have quite the odd tastes." Sweetie Belle said. She lifted her saddlebag flap, producing several items. "Blood Oranges? Raw Cacao beans?"
"Sweetie Belle?" Cantare said, motioning a fluid hoof at the filly. "Did you forget the other part of the bargain? I need some help with my throat. Just take it from the top, repeating what you did yesterday."
Sweetie Belle shook her head. "You're just joking with me. I tried to make the flap on my bag open with my magic, and it didn't work."
"Remember Sweetie Belle, I am not taking on disciples. What I can promise is that you will understand more by watching me than stumbling through life. It's up to you, and you alone, to say and learn." Cantare said. She pointed at her neck, "I would still like that session, if you don't mind."
Sweetie Belle approached Cantare. She sighed and placed her bag on the ground. As Cantare lowered herself to the ground, Sweetie Belle hummed a gentle tune and illuminated her horn.
"If possible," Cantare interrupted the session in a calm tone, "keep the pace but adjust the pitch in your voice."
With her tune adjusted, Sweetie Belle continued her melody. After a few tense moments, she stopped and wiped the sweat from her forehead as Cantare stood up then rubbed her throat.
"Good. You adjusted it rather nicely. Now, let me show you a trick." Cantare said, placing a gentle hoof on the filly's throat. "If you hum the tune at different levels, thusly," she pressed a hoof against Sweetie Belle's throat while humming a tune and ended it swiftly, " the rate at which you will heal those under the effects of the spell can be altered. For a beginner however, it will drain your magic quite quickly. Be mindful of that fact. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to eat my 'odd' treats."
"My throat feels so much better now, how did you heal -- o, right." Sweetie Belle said, ending with a embarrassing grin. She reached into her saddle bag, "What about this extra bit?"
Cantare levitated a blood orange towards her, removed the outer skin, and nibbled on the small treat. She finished the last slice and said, "You may keep it. Also, be mindful of the forest. It would be wise to come around noonish if possible."
Sweetie Belle bowed and left, the weight on her hooves relinquished like the day before.
"At least she didn't talk about my 'antique' again." Cantare said.