Sweetie Belle walked into the Carousel Boutique and found Rarity standing at a sewing machine guiding fabrics through it. Sweetie's entrance was no surprise. Rarity greeted her without looking up.
“How did you win the Cutie Cup?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“My role in the actual contest was short lived for I was only helpful during the third course,” Rarity began, “But between the courses, I made sure the other two were feeling at their best. I would do whatever to took to boost their confidence. It was I who made sure we were at our best during every course.”
“I don't understand. How can the moments between the courses have any benefit to winning?” Sweetie Belle questioned.
“Darling, there is more to playing a game than the game itself. You can have the best strategy, the strongest players, and even years of training, but you will not win if you lack energy and confidence. Our competitors tried to discourage us, but I successfully made sure their attempts failed. They loved to pick on Derpy, but she's a mare who will try at all costs, one who will never give up even when the world is against her! She did it! She found and captured the flag. Confidence in yourself and your teammates is very important! In fact, it may possibly be the most important asset.”
“But Scootaloo can't fly!” Sweetie Belle pointed out.
“Flight was never a requirement for winning,” Rarity assured. “In fact, pegasi who are capable of flying often preform poorly on the rock climbing course.”
“There are a lot of ponies faster than us,” Sweetie said. She hung her head in doubt.
“You don't need to be fastest,” Rarity told her, “Your team just needs to pass the finish line in under a minute. You three are definitely fast enough to do that.”
Sweetie Belle's ears shot up, “Really? You really think we have a chance?”
“I know you have a chance,” Rarity confirmed.
Sweetie Belle jumped up and hugged Rarity. Sweetie Belle knew she was going to win now. The two unicorns continued talking. Rarity asked Sweetie Belle to find the positive qualities of her friends, those that would encourage them to continue. Sweetie listed off the great things about her friends.
The door suddenly flew open as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo made their entrance. Scootaloo announced, “We should start training if we want to win and earn our cutie marks!”
Rarity stopped her, “The Cutie Cup will not give you your cutie marks, and for good reasons, too.” The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at her confused, so she continued, “Ponies are only able to compete in the Cutie Cup once. Your cutie mark should reflect on talents that you can live up to. I did not have my cutie mark when I competed. As you can see, my cutie mark has nothing to do with that competition.”
“We understand,” Sweetie Belle said. “I'm still afraid of cheaters, though.”
“Don't worry. You will be fine,” Rarity promised.
Sweetie Belle accepted the promise with a smile. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo quickly left. Sweetie Belle gave Rarity another hug before she followed her friends.