//------------------------------// // An Unusual "Twilight Time" // Story: Untold Stories of Equestria: Episode Five- The Everfree Crusaders // by Sparrow9642 //------------------------------// Twilight stood before her young students, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, watching them progress tremendously after many months of attending what they had named “Twilight Time.” Sweetie Belle had gone from lifting silly things like brooms to unlocking doors, and even writing simple things with her magic. Scootaloo had surpassed fixing scooters to helping fellow Ponyville ponies with fixing things such as wagons, gates, and even helping Applejack out with problems in the barns at Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Bloom's efforts in growing plants had become a great help in the fields of Sweet Apple Acres as well, especially in the summer when Applejack and Big Mac would start planting some seeds in the fields. The three young fillies were doing great at progressing in their greatest goal; getting their cutie marks, but still remained blank flanks, even after learning all that they had learned in Twilight Time. Despite them not getting their cutie marks, the CMC were not going to give up on Twilight Time, because they enjoyed their time with Twilight, and were learning more than they were before they started attending Twilight Time, so they continued to learn from Twilight regularly. “You three are doing great,” complimented Twilight. “I'm really proud of all of you.” “Thanks, Twilight,” said Apple Bloom. “If it weren't for you, we'd still be where we were when we first attended,” added Scootaloo. Twilight smiled, noticing Sweetie Belle struggling in her own little corner. She walked over to the young unicorn, hoping to find out why she was straining herself so much. “Come on!” exclaimed Sweetie Belle. “I've almost got it! Sweetie Belle's horn tip started to glow, but just as she was about to cast the spell, she collapsed from exhaustion. “Drat!” yelled the young unicorn. “One more try!” Twilight intervened in Sweetie Belle's final attempt. “Sweetie Belle, you look like you are going to pass out,” assured Twilight. “It would probably be best if you take a break. You don't want to strain yourself too much.” “But, I'm so close!” said Sweetie Belle. “I know I can do it!” Twilight sighed. “You remind me of myself when I was learning how to do magic. I was willing to push myself as far as possible to achieve my goal, but in doing so, I gave myself a horn sprain.” “What's that, Twilight?” asked Sweetie Belle. “It's an injury that only unicorns can get, and is caused when a unicorn pushes themselves too far, causing a nasty reaction in the magic line. The magic line is what allows a unicorn to do magic, but if you push that line beyond it's limit, it'll swell shut for a short time, seizing the unicorn's magic abilities.” “That doesn't sound like fun!” shrieked Sweetie Belle in a worried tone. “It isn't, so will you take my advice and take a break from this spell.” “Okay, Twilight,” agreed Sweetie Belle. “Good.” At that moment, Spike walked into the room carrying a platter with four separate sandwiches on it. “Did somepony's order some sandwiches?” asked Spike. “Oh boy! Lunch!” yelled the CMC in unison. The three fillies exited each of their separate corners and grabbed a sandwich, causing Spike to lose his balance, and the platter to fall down on his small body. Twilight used her magic to grab her own sandwich. “Now, girls, what do you say to Spike?” asked Twilight. “Thank you, Spike,” said the CMC in a mild tone. Twilight gave the CMC a look, showing they had another thing to say to Spike, which all three of them recognized. “Oh, and sorry,” they said with sheepish smiles. Spike popped out from under the platter. “Ah, it's alright. That's what these scales are built for,” said Spike, showing off his scales. Twilight smiled, and rolled her eyes a little at Spike's humor, as she heard the clock strike. “Time's up, girls,” assured Twilight, leading them out of the library. “Already?” said Scootaloo. “Time sure does fly by.” “I'll see you three next time,” she said leading them to exit. As the three fillies followed Twilight, all of them noticed that Twilight's cutie mark was flashing. “Twilight, why is your cutie mark flashin'?” asked Apple Bloom. Twilight was surprised, as she lifted her wings, noticing that her cutie mark was indeed flashing. “Oh. No worries girls,” said Twilight. “This just means... she paused. “THE MAP!” she yelled. The CMC looked at each other, confused. “I need to gather the others,” said Twilight, rushing toward the exit. The CMC struggled to keep up with Twilight, wondering why Twilight was in such a hurry. “Twilight, is everything okay?” asked Sweetie Belle. “Every thing's fine, girls.” assured Twilight. “I just need to gather the others, because the reason my cutie mark is flashing is because the map is calling us to do something. The CMC were still confused, but just followed Twilight's lead, as they made their way out of the castle, along with Twilight, shutting the castle door behind them. “I'll see you girls next time, but for now, I need to gather up the others.” “Okay, Twilight.” said the three fillies. Twilight rushed off into the distance, leaving the three fillies alone at the castle entrance, still a little confused on what exactly was going on. “Well, now what?” asked Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo raised their front legs, expressing a “I don't know.” ENTER THEME