Before long, the two ponies arrived at Sweet Apple Acres and began picking their way through the vast groves towards the Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse. Even now, Silver Spoon found the prospect of trying to make amends with the Crusaders more than a little daunting, and discreetly slackened her pace as she followed the red unicorn across the orchard.
“Come on, Silver Spoon,” coaxed Locomotion, a minor tone of impatience slipping into his voice as he slowed to let her catch up. “It's not that much further to the clubhouse.”
“I don't know about this, Loco,” murmured Silver Spoon, reluctantly picking up a little speed. “Supposing they still see me as a bully even after I own up?”
Locomotion snorted dismissively. Admittedly, even he was growing a little apprehensive himself, but he wasn't going to let a little thing like that stop Silver Spoon from making amends with the Crusaders. “No way is that going to happen, not so long as I'm around,” he asserted. “So what if you're one of their least favourite ponies right now? They're sure to change their tune once they see how hurt and sorry you are – and even if they don't, I'll still stick up for you.”
“What, and risk losing some of your own friends?”
“Let 'em forsake me!” retorted Locomotion. “If they don't like that I'm standing up for the likes of you, then that's their tough luck.” Just as he had finished his sentence, he looked up into the trees again and promptly came to a stop. “Uh-huh – right on target.”
Silver Spoon followed his gaze, and could only cringe with dread when she saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse looming ahead. Now, it seemed, was her time to face the music...or was it, she wondered? Judging by the voices coming from inside the clubhouse, it sounded as if they were holding a lengthy conference about...something; but it plainly wasn't about Cutie Marks, and neither was it to do with Diamond Tiara. Curiosity got the better of her, and she quietly came in closer so as to hear them more clearly.
“That sure was a great story, Tootsie Flute.” Silver Spoon clearly recognised that voice as Apple Bloom.
“Yeah, it's good that those two managed to work it all out.” Rumble, by the sound of it.
“The point is, Apple Bloom,” explained Tootsie Flute, “if Mom and Mother could work around their differences and enjoy a happy marriage, there's every chance that you and Featherweight will be able to do the same with your relationship. Yes, certain issues have a habit of getting in the way at the best of times, but it's how you feel about him that counts.”
At the mention of Featherweight's name, Silver Spoon felt a sudden pang of guilt at having rubbed the off-white Pegasus colt the wrong way, followed by an ominous heartache as she recalled what had happened immediately afterwards. Her eyes began to flood with tears, and she choked back a small sob. Seeing the state she was in, Locomotion rested a reassuring hoof on her shoulder and gave her a small, sympathetic smile.
“Ah guess yo' right, Tootsie. Perhaps it was wrong o' me ta ignore Featherweight a' this time. But Ah'm gonna go make it up to 'im. If Chip Mint wants Cotton Cloudy as 'is fillyfriend, then let 'im, say Ah!”
Locomotion quickly realised that Silver Spoon's chance of apologising to all the Crusaders at once was rapidly slipping through. “Go on, Silver Spoon,” he urged.
But the grey-furred filly didn't move a muscle. “I...I can't,” she wept.
“You said you wanted to make it up to them.”
“Well...yeah, kinda, but...”
“Then go make it up to them,” and before Silver Spoon could protest any further, Locomotion hurriedly levitated her over to the gangplank leading into the clubhouse just as Apple Bloom was making her way out. The grey filly took one look at the yellow-furred blank-flank, and plaintively looked back to Locomotion for help; but the red-furred unicorn simply motioned for her to carry on. With a heavy sigh and her head hanging low, she quietly accepted her fate and began making her way up the gangplank.
“Yeah, and if I didn't know any better,” said another voice from within the clubhouse, which she instantly recognised as Pipsqueak, “I'd say it's already about to tell us something even worse.”
Silver Spoon didn't know who or what he meant by “it”, but plainly the “something even worse” must have been her. Almost at once, all fell silent as the Crusaders stopped what they were doing, and she could feel more than a dozen eyes gazing down upon her. “Silver Spoon?!” they all exclaimed at once.
Apple Bloom, who had stopped halfway down the gangplank, shot the grey filly a dirty look. “What are y'all doin' ere?!” she demanded, barring her way. “Shouldn't ya be out with Diamond Tiara tryin' ta find new ponies to insult?!”
Silver Spoon didn't reply. She just stared down at the gangplank, trying to fight back her tears.
“You've got some nerve, coming back here after Babs' first visit!” added Scootaloo coldly. “What are you up to now, trying to run us out and reclaim this place as an anti-blank-flank shrine?! Well, guess what,” she ranted on, not even bothering to wait for an answer, “there's more of us Crusaders than there are of you snobs, so you might as well throw in the white flag and buzz off while you still can!”
“Yeah, go back to Loser Town where you belong!” put in Tornado Bolt fiercely.
Locomotion slapped a hoof to his face. So much for that gentle nudge! “Now just a minute, you three!” he snapped as he marched up to the gangplank. “That was totally uncalled for!”
Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Tornado Bolt stared in confusion. Surely they hadn't heard him right...had they?
“I know you guys have had no end of trouble with Silver Spoon in the past, but she's not here to besiege the clubhouse or anything like that,” went on Locomotion sternly. “She actually has something really sensitive that she needs to tell you Crusaders.”
At that moment, Sweetie-Belle and Dinky emerged from the clubhouse looking most dismayed. “What's wrong, Silver Spoon?” asked Dinky anxiously. “You look like you've found a bit and lost a fortune.”
“I'll say,” agreed Tootsie Flute. “Did something bad happen?”
“Wouldn't surprise me,” huffed Tornado Bolt. “The way she treats us, she deserves it.”
Locomotion glared at her. “You're no better, to hear you talk. Now shut up and let Silver Spoon speak!”
“So yeah, what happened?” ventured Sweetie-Belle as all eleven of them made their way back into the clubhouse.
Silver Spoon told them all about what had happened between her and Diamond Tiara the previous day, how she had been harbouring a crush on the pink-furred filly for so long, and how Locomotion had helped her find her hooves again once he had learned the whole story himself. The Crusaders were understandably baffled to hear that Diamond Tiara had actually had the nerve to hit her own friend on purpose, even though the reason behind it came as no surprise.
“So...let me get this straight – you befriended Diamond Tiara simply because you suck at trying to make friends properly?!” asked Pipsqueak, raising a dubious eyebrow.
“That's right,” affirmed Silver Spoon sadly.
“Seems a bit shallow, doesn't it?” muttered Scootaloo.
“Yeah, how could she call herself your friend if her only reason behind it was because you were both so rich?” added Noi.
Silver Spoon heaved a deep sigh. “It's my own fault,” she lamented. “I let her manipulate me into a heartless bully simply because she was the only friend I ever managed to make – aside from Babs, perhaps, but even that didn't last for very long. In fact, that's the whole reason I came here in the first place...”
“What is?” asked Sweetie-Belle, Dinky and Tootsie Flute in unison.
“...I wanted to apologise,” clarified Silver Spoon, shedding a few tears of shame. “You Crusaders have had it way harder than you deserved, and I'm truly, truly sorry.”
There was a long silence as the Cutie Mark Crusaders exchanged thoughtful glances. Rumble and Pipsqueak were still unsure what to make of the turn of events, and it was clear to see that Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Tornado Bolt's attitudes towards Silver Spoon still left a lot to be desired.
At last, Sweetie-Belle spoke up. “It's okay, Silver Spoon,” she soothed. “Okay, so you might have been a thorn in our sides for Celestia knows how long, but as long as you're willing to mend your ways, then I for one am prepared to forgive you.”
“That makes two of us,” put in Tootsie Flute kindly. “Everypony deserves a second chance, I always say.”
“And me,” agreed Dinky.
“Yeah, if anypony's at fault here, it's Diamond Tiara,” Locomotion spoke up. “She took advantage of you, she corrupted your personality, she trampled on your heart when you let slip that you intended it for her – she's the one who should be paying for all this, not you.”
Silver Spoon paused and wiped her eyes as she took in their meaningful words. Just minutes ago, she had been expecting every single one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders to laugh at her misfortune if they hadn't already decided to chew her out for all she had done to rile them – and yet at least three of them had been good enough to overlook her misdeeds and offer her the hoof of friendship. It was almost too good to be true. “So...even after all the horrible things I said and did...”
Tootsie Flute nodded. “There's nothing worse in life than not having any friends at all, even if they happen to be the, er...the 'wrong sort'. I don't know about these three,” she quipped, indicating towards Scootaloo, Tornado Bolt and Apple Bloom, “but me and Dinky and Sweetie-Belle will gladly start out fresh with you.”
The grey filly smiled warmly. “Thank you, girls,” she whispered. “I'd been hoping for that – I really had.”
“You're very welcome,” replied Sweetie-Belle, and drew Silver Spoon into a friendly hug.
Locomotion looked on with a small smile of his own. “Well, guys,” he asked the other Crusaders innocently, “still think of Silver Spoon as a heartless bully, do you?”
“Uh...no, now you come to mention it, I don't,” commented Pipsqueak. “Matter of fact, I never realised she was such a...lonely filly.”
“Me neither,” added Noi. “I always thought she was just winding us up for kicks like Diamond Tiara.”
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but that was still a stupid decision she had ta go an' make,” she griped.
“True,” put in Rumble wisely, “but personally, I think Tootsie Flute's right. She's apologised to us, so it's only fair we give her a second chance. It's what Mom would have wanted if she'd heard about all this.”
“Yeah, perhaps,” agreed Scootaloo grudgingly. “But if she messes this one up, then that's it – I'm not having anything else to do with her as long as I live.”
“That's fine by me, Scoot,” chuckled Locomotion. He then turned his attention to Silver Spoon; “There, you see, Silver,” he encouraged, “that wasn't so difficult now, was it?”
“Well...it was, kinda,” admitted Silver Spoon. “But whatever – I'm still glad I had you to help me see it through. Thank you, Loco. You're a true friend.”
Locomotion blushed modestly. “Yeah, well...what can I say?” he replied. “What's the use in calling yourself somepony else's friend if you don't help them in their hour of need?”
“And as your new ones, how about we all treat you to some quality time at Sugarcube Corner?” offered Sweetie-Belle.
Silver Spoon grinned broadly. “Yeah, I'd like that. Loco, you coming?”
“Sorry, Silver, no can-do,” confessed Locomotion gravely. “Like I said, I'm due on shed in...” He paused, levitating his watch up to his eye level. “Quarter after ten?! Oh, bonker, I've gotta go! See you round, Silver Spoon, everypony!” and he darted out of the clubhouse like a rabbit on a sugar rush.
Silver Spoon looked a little disappointed. “Oh...okay then,” she murmured.
“Never mind, Silver Spoon,” chuckled Tootsie Flute. “There'll be plenty of other opportunities for you to hang out with him. Besides, he does have his responsibilities after all.”
“Yeah, it's not like we're not used to him running off like that sometimes. So – we off to Sugarcube Corner then?” prompted Dinky cheerfully.
“We sure are,” affirmed Silver Spoon, cheering up a bit.
“Ah won't if ya don't mind,” said Apple Bloom. “Ah've still got mah own priorities ta fill.”
“As in...Featherweight?”
The yellow-furred farm filly blushed with embarrassment. “Eeyup – you got me,” she muttered meekly.
Silver Spoon giggled inwardly at Apple Bloom's uncharacteristic shyness. To think that she had been chasing after Chip Mint for so long when her heart was practically singing out for the scrawny young Foal Free Press editor! “You really do care for him, don't you?” she asked softly.
“Oh yeah? Wanna make somethin' of it?!” demanded Apple Bloom in a sullen tone.
“Maybe Diamond Tiara would, but I wouldn't. I know we teased you about it an awful lot, but...well, you may not believe this, Apple Bloom, but I was actually being dead serious in my own way,” replied Silver Spoon. “He really does feel for you, and he doesn't even care that you're a...that you still don't have a Cutie Mark – yet,” she went on, choosing her words carefully. “Every time I look into his eyes, I can see that all he cares for is who you are inside – something me and Diamond were too short-sighted to have done ourselves all these years.”
Apple Bloom was stunned. She had never expected Silver Spoon to be so positive and profound towards her, but even more incredible was that there was nothing in her expression to suggest she might be messing her around – no hidden smirk, no sarcasm, no self-important tones – just a plain, sincere smile of encouragement. In spite of all her past experiences with the grey filly, it was becoming increasingly clear not just to her, but to everypony in the clubhouse, that the old Silver Spoon was rapidly dying out. At long last, she managed a small smile of her own. “Thanks, Silver,” she whispered. “Ah sure hope yo' right.”
“Well, of course I'm right!” laughed Silver Spoon heartily. “Now go win your stallion, Bloom!”
“You betcha Ah will!” and Apple Bloom cantered determinedly out of the clubhouse to find Featherweight. The rest of the Crusaders looked on, mouths agape at what had just transpired, while Silver Spoon just smiled and silently willed the yellow filly on.
The rest of the day went swimmingly for Silver Spoon. She found herself surprisingly mesmerised as the Crusaders chattered enthusiastically about their past adventures, and was equally surprised to find that Scootaloo and Rumble had gained their Cutie Marks at long last. Perhaps that stunt routine they had been talking about two days ago hadn't been so frivolous after all.
But there was just one small concern that rather perturbed her; “So...what happens now your Cutie Marks have appeared?” she asked anxiously.
“What do you mean?!” chortled Rumble. “The aim of this group is to help others find their special talents, not just to find our own. Blank-flanks or not, we're still Cutie Mark Crusaders.”
“Yeah, Silver Spoon, why leave just because we've realised our destiny?” added Scootaloo. “That's the sort of thing Diamond Tiara would do!”
Silver Spoon could only agree; but deep down, she still couldn't help wondering what might have been if she had had the sense to try and change the pink-furred filly's ways.
Having finished at Sugarcube Corner, Silver Spoon and the Crusaders went to try their hooves at an animation workshop which was being held at the theatre, and spent a happy afternoon creating a stop-motion film about a donkey making friends with a changeling. This gave the grey filly ample opportunity to learn a little more about her new friends; Tootsie Flute, for example, was very adept at making origami flowers, and at one point confided to Silver Spoon that she hoped to become a florist one day, while Tornado Bolt had an impressive knack for modelling in plasticine, a skill that she had learned from Locomotion.
“Pity he doesn't do so much with plasticine nowadays,” she quipped. “He's, like, really good at it.”
Pipsqueak only laughed as he and Dinky began positioning the models ready for filming. “He still builds model trains from time to time, Bolt; why would he need to worry about plasticine?”
“He does still use it for faces,” observed Dinky, “but it's not really good for building working OO-scale trains. With him, it's better to use brass, plastic, tinplate or white-metal – but believe you me, the things he makes out of that stuff are amazing.”
Silver Spoon was most impressed. “And there I thought Mom was the only one with metalworking skills,” she murmured. “I probably ought to go have a look at his trains someday.”