Applejack went to Appleloosa intend to help her cousin Braaburn in winning the rodeo competition. But she wouldn't be the only pony to go. Her boyfriend Caramel also wanted to go and support his best girlfriend in winning the game. Apple Bloom also wanted to watch the competition but at the same time, finding her Cutie Mark. She even brought her friends (Sweetie Bell, Scootaloo, Nyx and Alyson).
Applejack and her team had arrived at the Appleloosa through the use of train. They came across the carnival. It is also where it hosted the rodeo competition as well. They saw many Taxes Earth Ponies were enjoying the games and carnival - playing games, watching the event and eating foods.
"Now, you fillies better stick with Cousin Braeburn," Applejack sternly yet calmly said to the fillies, "Coz your big sister is gonna help the rest of Apple Family in winning the haystack pyramid rodeo. And I intend to win this game again!"
"Sure, no problem." Apple Bloom smiled happily. Applejack giggled a bit before she and Caramel headed off at once. The little Apple Filly turned to her friends, "Aren't you glad y'all came with me to see Applejack compete in the Appleloosa rodeo?"
Scootaloo nodded, "Totally! This place is a cutie mark gold mine! " She looked around of her surroundings as she listed them down, "There's barrel racing, roping contests, rodeo clowning... steeplechase!"
Apple Bloom smiled in agreement, "If we can get into some of these events, we could all three walk off the train back in Ponyville with brand spankin' new cutie marks!"
"Wouldn't a barrel look good here?" Scootaloo asked curiously.
Apple Bloom smiled, "I want a lasso!"
Sweetie Belle looked around as she found some ponies had injuries on front hooves, back and even neck. She even found Braeburn had his hoof bandaged who was talking with some ponies. She recalled of how he got injured during the practice.
"I don't know..." Sweetie Belle said in concern, "All these events look a little, well, dangerous."
Apple Bloom smiled, "No risk, no reward."
"Isn't that a bit extreme, A.B.?" Nyx asked in concern. Apple Bloom looked at Nyx with her left raised-eyebrow. She sighed, "Think about it, Apple Bloom. I think it's overkill."
Apple Bloom scoffed a bit, "You worry too much. You're becoming like Twilight."
"Alright, everypony, listen up!" Sheriff Silverstar called firmly. Some of his deputies gathered at the sheriff's office. He continued, "We need a big presence at this here rodeo, so make yourself plenty seen! I want that low-down varmint to know we mean business!"
Cutie Mark Crusaders overheard the latest situation.
"I hope nothing bad is going on." Sweetie Belle said in concern.
Apple Bloom smiled, "A cutie mark-apalooza and a low-down varmint? This is shapin' up to be the most excitin' rodeo ever!"
"Yeah, come on!" Scootaloo exclaimed happily.
Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo galloped off at once while both Nyx and Sweetie Belle sighed in annoyance.
"Do any of them listen to a word we said?" Nyx asked in a bit annoyance.
Alyson giggled in amusement, "And I thought I have the stubborn brother."
Sweetie Belle shrugged, "Well, that's Apple Bloom. She'll do what she can to get her Cutie Mark. I heard that they have the 'Wild Galloping Rodeo'. Why didn't you bring Dragoking here? You could have won."
"I could have make Apple Bloom jealous at me," Nyx joked before giggled a bit, "Nah... Dragoking preferred the battles than competition. Hydragoon is known to fight and battle till the last and never compete, unless it involved the leadership. That's his way."
"I hear ya. Come on, let's follow them." Sweetie Belle agreed.
Nyx and Sweetie Belle followed their friends. Unknown to any of Texan Ponies, a giant shadowy pony saw and heard everything. As he slowly walked back, only thing he left behind is his big horseshoe print on the ground. Could he be the one?
At the Apple Open-Field, Applejack and her family were practicing their skills in making their group of haystacks as the tallest in the Appleloosa. From the ground, her bulky and strong Golden Stallion cousin swung his lasso on the last haystack bale before passing it to the light green Earth Pony with lighter pink mane and tail. She passed it to the second cousin - greenish Earth Pony with red mane and tail. She then used her head in passing it to crimson Stallion with greenish mane short and tail. He then passed it to Applejack who thrown it up to the top. Their haystack tower is complete.
Caramel whistled happily, "That's my girlfriend!"
"Woo-hoo! Yee-haw! Don't forget that she's my cousin!" Breaburn reminded Caramel, "Go, Applejack, go!"
Applejack climbed down from the tower of haystack bales as she met up with both Caramel and Breaburn. She sighed in relief as she wiped her sweats off, "Whew! It's been a dog's age since I got to compete. All the rodeos 'round Ponyville are closed down for some reason."
Caramel smiled as he gave Applejack a gentle nuzzle, "You're still the best, honey."
Braeburn sighed, "Well, I guess havin' injured kinfolk in Appleloosa sure paid off then, huh, cuz?"
Applejack smiled as she departed from Caramel, "Just doin' my best to fill your horseshoes, Braeburn."
"Keep tossin' like that and I'll be out of a job!" Breaburn smiled. Before he could say anything, Applejack gave a hoofpunch on his injured hoof. He yelped painfully, "Ow, ow!"
"Ooh, sorry." Applejack apologized as she looked around of her surroundings, "Say, where's my sister and her friends?"
Braeburn gasped in shock yet realization, "Uh-oh. Gee, uh, I guess I got so caught up watchin' you that I—"
"Bad move, Burn," Caramel remarked in fear while shaking his head, "You just make her pissed!"
"You said you'd keep an eye on those fillies!" Applejack exclaimed in anger, "How am I supposed to focus on practicin' if you're not gonna—"
"Applejack, chill!" The calm and gentle voice called.
Everyone turned and found Saber Dragoon accompanied four Cutie Mark Crusaders (Scootaloo worn a hat with cactus, Apple Bloom and Nyx worn the flag cap, Sweetie Belle and Alyson holding the caramel apple) and a young brown Earth Pony with black mane in bun shape and short tail coming to Apple Farm.
Saber Dragoon continued, "Do not need to go overboard for nothing. And besides, these girls are big now. After all, they did save your live."
Applejack blushed in embarrassment while everyone laughed and giggled in amusement.
Applejack groaned as she scolded the Cutie Mark Crusaders, "Y'all can't go runnin' off like that, y'hear? Backstage at a rodeo ain't no kind of playground!"
"Sorry, Applejack. We won't wander off again." Apple Bloom apologized. She then smiled, "But, uh, speakin' of the rodeo... what would you say about me and the Crusaders maybe competin' in one teensy-weensy little event or three?"
Saber Dragoon gasped, "Look out!"
Everyone looked up at once. The tower of haystack bales was about to fall like something had shaken them. They were about to fell over Cutie Mark Crusaders. Applejack jumped and pushed the fillies aside before the haystacks fell on the ground hard. Applejack got up as she looked at the messes.
"What the hay just happened?" Applejack asked in concern.
Three stallions came to the fillies at once to see if they were okay. The fillies nodded their heads in agreement as they were alright.
"Sugar and salt licks! Well, I'll be..." Sheriff Silverstar said darkly. Everyone turned to him as they wondered of what he was talking about. He pointed at the big horseshoe print, "Ain't no doubt. It's Trouble Shoes."
Everyone but Braeburn looked at each other for the moment. Who is Trouble Shoes?
Townspony have gathered at Sheriff Silverstar's office as they all shouted and complained angrily of the latest troubles.
"Is it true? Is Trouble Shoes here? You ain't gonna shut down the rodeo, are ya?!" Townsponies demanded in concern.
Sheriff Silverstar sighed, "All right now, I called for a meetin', not a mob scene. Now, as many of you know, the Equestria rodeo circuit has been plagued by the dirty dealin's of a notorious outlaw."
"He knocked barrels every which way at the Hoof City rodeo! Nearly crushed my Aunt Bae Mare! That's nothin'! He sabotaged the steer pen at Pinto Creek rodeo, settin' off such a stampede they canceled the whole dadgum thing!" The Townponies complained in anger.
"Now, now, it's true we had an incident this mornin' at our own Appleloosa rodeo." Sheriff Silverstar explained calmly and firmly, "Hay bale stack came down right near on top of three little fillies! I examined them hoof-prints myself and, uh... it was Trouble Shoes, all right."
The Townponies gasped in shock and concern.
Sheriff Silverstar snorted in anger, "I reckon I oughta cancel this rodeo like all the others done. But dag-hoof it, this has gone far enough! We'll double the patrols! This rodeo will go on! Appleloosa ain't gonna be intimidated!"
The Townponies cheered wildly and happily as they were all relief and pleased that their rodeo will be safe from danger.
"Glad that's settled." Apple Bloom smiled in relief, "So, uh, Applejack, about me and my pals competin' in the rodeo..."
Applejack, Caramel, Braeburn and Saber Dragoon turned and gave the fillies a raised-eyebrow in displeasure and anger. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo laughed nervously. Nyx and Sweetie Belle sighed in annoyance. This doesn't bode well...
At Braaburn's House...
"Don't send us home! It's not fair!" Apple Bloom exclaimed in upset.
Scootaloo nodded her head, "I mean we can handle with everything! Remember we save your flanks from the Dark Plague? We did it by ourselves!"
Applejack and Caramel were packing and setting the bags up for the fillies to take. Seeing how danger Trouble Shoes is, they decided to send Cutie Mark Crusaders home for safe.
"Now, quit yer bellyachin'." Applejack snapped in annoyance, "I can't have y'all around here with some outlaw on the loose. And by the way, Scootaloo - you were with Lance, Shiroi and some teenage heroes! Be lucky that you weren't Demon Lords' lamb chop. Aw, maybe I oughta call it quits and go home too."
Caramel nodded, "No argument there."
"No, you can't! This rodeo is important to Appleloosa! And with you in there, we got a real shot at winnin'!" Braaburn pleaded as he pushed both Applejack and Caramel to outside, "Come on, now, you head on back to practice and don't worry none about these three. I won't let 'em outta my sight."
Cutie Mark Crusaders smiled innocently as they don't want any trouble and be the good little girls.
Saber Dragoon nodded, "I'll investigate on Trouble Shoes. I'm pretty sure that he didn't mean any harm to us or the rodeo. The last report I heard from is that he stayed away from rodeo since his tryouts."
"Really? But that doesn't make any sense," Caramel said in concern.
Applejack nodded, "Yeah... If he did stayed away, but why would he cause the mess at the rodeo?"
"Don't worry about that! Just leave investigate to Saber," Braaburn said confidently, "While I keep an eye on the fillies."
Before the trio could respond, Braeburn quickly closed the door and locked it up. He brought the chair there as he leaned down on it. He then glared at the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"Ya hear? Y'all ain't leavin' my sight!"
Cutie Mark Crusaders looked upset and disappointed that they have no way out from Braeburn's watchful eyes. Few hours later, it became the night. And Braeburn snored peacefully, without some disturbance or noise.
Apple Bloom opened the window as she and the Cutie Mark Crusaders quickly escaped through it. They then headed off through the woods.
"I thought we weren't going to wander off again." Sweetie Belle said in concern.
Nyx nodded, "Yeah... And the last thing we want is being grounded for the rest of our lives."
Apple Bloom scoffed, "This ain't wanderin'. We know exactly where we're headed – to find Trouble Shoes!"
Alyson gulped in concern, "But isn't he a dangerous criminal?"
"We only need to find him." Apple Bloom corrected, "We don't need to capture him. The sheriff can handle that!"
Scootaloo smirked, "And once he's in jail, we'll be competing! And then it's..."
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exclaimed happily, "Cutie mark city!"
"Worst idea ever." Nyx, Sweetie Belle and Alyson sighed in annoyance.
"I still don't think that Trouble Shoes is a criminal," The Earth Pony said calmly. Cutie Mark Crusaders turned and looked at him in shock and surprise. He continued, "I'm pretty sure he wants to play with us. He did want to make some friends."
Alyson yelped a bit, "I forgot you can talk..."
"Still... I doubt of that. And what kind of a criminal wanted to keep messing the rodeo around, uh..." Apple Bloom hummed in concern as she forgotten of his name, "Uh... What was your name again? I kinda forgotten. I definitely know you're Saber's brother. And I mean adopted brother from your adopted pop's."
"Kindy Dragon," Kindy introduced a bit.
Nyx sighed, "No disrespect, Kindy. Apple Bloom's right. I don't think he's a friend. And besides, yours can't be good like surrendering your kingdom to your enemies?"
Kindy sighed, "The kingdom was completely in ruins. The citizens were in great anger for my officers. Both Prime Minister and Prodigal have used too much of supplies and gears for their last expedition. And we were lucky to have second chance in making a better world now."
"Still... I'm with Nyx," Alyson said in concern, "I think we stick with staying away from Trouble Shoes..."
With the Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded in agreement, they then headed off in search for Trouble Shoes. Unknown to any of them, they have been watched by the pairs of crimson eyes...
Six Cutie Mark Crusaders continued their journey across the woods in search for Trouble Shoes. They came across the giant hoof print. They knew who it belonged to. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo smiled in please and happy that they're getting close to their criminal.
"Do either of you have any idea where we are?" Sweetie Belle asked in concern.
Before any of them could do anything, the lightning stroke out. Cutie Mark Crusaders squealed in fear and concern. The water droppings fell from the sky. They all moaned in upset.
"Maybe we should head back and try again later." Scootaloo said in concern.
"You think?" Alyson asked in annoyance.
Apple Bloom turned to the front. She found some hoof print trails slowly socked and wet. She gasped as she knew that they won't have their chance to find the criminal!
"C'mon, before we lose the trail!" Apple Bloom ordered.
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Kindy galloped at once. Nyx groaned a bit as she headed off in stopping her friends from going. Sweetie Belle and Alyson remained silent before the lightning strikes in scaring and making them squealed.
As Cutie Mark Crusaders continued their walking and searching, both Sweetie Belle and Alyson grew tired and exhaustion from walking.
"Come on, we've gone far enough!" Sweetie Belle complained, "It's time to go back!"
"She's right..." Alyson said in agreement as she looked up. The rain rained heavily than before. She continued, "It's getting worse. Let's come back tomorrow."
Apple Bloom sighed in defeat, "Maybe y'all are right. Let's go home."
"So, how do we get back?" Kindy asked curiously and concern. Everyone remained silent as they have no answers. He looked shock and concern, "You mean you don't know?!"
With the lightning strikes again, the Cutie Mark Crusaders quickly hugged each other hard and tight. They were all afraid and scared now...
At the Apple Family's Barn, Applejack and her family had finished their practice in making the tower of haystack bales. They quickly entered the barn before they could get wet since it was raining now.
"Whew! Good job, y'all." Applejack commented happily to her relatives. Caramel approached and gave Applejack a kiss on her cheek. She giggled a bit, "I know they need lots of mud for the rodeo tomorrow, but I wish they would've warned us about this rainstorm."
Saber Dragoon entered the barn as he shaken his body off the water. He opened the briefcase as he took the papers out.
"So, how's the investigation going?" Caramel asked curiously.
Saber Dragoon hummed calmly, "Just as I expected, Trouble Shoes never did cause the mess. He was there to watch the rodeo. It's just some bad luck make him troubles." Applejack and Caramel looked at him in shock. He continued, "I read his background and life history from Equestrian File. They proved what happens today."
Caramel hummed, "Make sense. The sheriff and the folks didn't know what was really going on with Trouble Shoes."
"Just another big misunderstanding. It kinda reminds me of meeting Zecora," Applejack commented. She turned and found Braeburn panted heavily as he was coming in. But at the same time, she found something amiss, "Braeburn? Where are the girls?"
Braeburn laughed nervously as he explained of his latest situation to his cousin. And oh boy...
"WHAT?!" Applejack screamed in shock yet anger and concern.
Applejack quickly rushed in fear while three stallions chased after her in making sure that she's okay from harm.
At the sheriff's office, Sheriff Silverstar was playing the deck with his deputies. Applejack stomped in, along with her friends.
"Sheriff Silverstar! You gotta help!" Applejack frantically explained in fear, "My sister's gone! And her friends too!"
Braeburn nodded in concern, "I've searched and searched, but no sign of 'em anywhere!"
Caramel gasped in concern, "It must've been Trouble Shoes!"
Applejack gasped, "You're right. I mean the only criminal could have done a mess at rodeo was none other than himself."
"No!" Saber Dragoon exclaimed in concern, "I already told you what happen. It can't be him. I'm pretty sure they were playing around or trying to prove that they can handle like Third Mystic War and Finding the Eight Rare Medicine Ingredients."
Sheriff Silverstar nodded his head, "The Princey here's right. Trouble Shoes done a lot of bad things in laughed his day, but nothin' like that!"
Her mind and heart were filled with pure concern and fear, she instead spoke, "You really wanna take that chance?"
"Applejack!" Saber Dragoon exclaimed angrily.
Caramel stood before him, "Look! As much as I want to believe, I think it's best we should check again. After all, no one is always right even the Mystic."
Saber Dragoon groaned a bit as he disliked everyone being right.
Feeling that his ponies were right, Sheriff Silverstar nodded in understanding, "Come on, y'all! Let's ride!"
Sheriff Silverstar and his deputies headed off at once, followed by Applejack, Caramel and Braeburn. Saber Dragoon sighed in annoyance as he better prayed that his investigation was correct than Applejack's instinct...
Cutie Mark Crusaders continued searching and finding of where and how they get back home safely. And so far, they found wrong way to go back. And all they found is woods and muds. They came across the edge. And before they could do anything, the edge shaken and broke off. The Cutie Mark Crusaders screamed in fear and concern as they all slided down the river of mud to the ground.
Cutie Mark Crusaders were covered in dirty mud.
Alyson groaned a bit, " We gotta get out of this rain. There's no tellin' how long this storm could last."
"Look!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
Scootaloo was pointing at the abandoned trailer wagon.
Kindy hummed in concern, "It looks abandoned. But at least we have someplace to stay and sleep until morning..."
"Good idea," Apple Bloom agreed. "Let's go see if we can find some blankets or somethin'.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders entered the trailer wagon's door. They looked around of their surroundings as they found some messy yet old junks and artifacts. They wondered - who lived in the abandoned trailer wagon?
Suddenly, the Cutie Mark Crusaders heard the heavy hoofsteps in approaching to the door. They quickly stood and stayed together as one. The door was opened. They found someone was coming in. And the trailer wagon belonged to him. With the lightning strikes, he revealed to be a bigger Earth Pony than Big Mac or Drillmap! And it scared the Cutie Mark Crusaders out. But it even scared him more.
The mysterious pony bounced but his head got knocked by the door's ceiling edge. He then tripped some items and knocked some items and walls for few times. He was wrapped by curtains and carpet around him. He then got himself knocked by the lamp. He fell to the ground hard. The figure moaned and groaned painfully.
After turning the lights on, they found a brown and white mixed big Earth Pony wearing a small white Texan Hat. The Cutie Mark Crusaders approached and checked on him if he was okay.
"Hello? You alright?" Apple Bloom asked.
The big pony sighed, "Surely..."
Nyx cleared her throat a bit, "We didn't mean no harm. We just came in to get out of the rain."
"Had some hot cider a-cookin' in the kitchen. Doubt it survived." The big pony said as he looked at his home was a big mess. He sighed, "I ain't gonna rise to greet y'all. Awfully rude, I reckon, but as you can see, I'm the fresh casualty of an unusually unfortunate circumstance. My lot in life, I suppose."
Kindy hummed calmly as he looked closely at the big pony, "Are you... Trouble Shoes?"
Trouble Shoes sighed, "That's me."
Kindy and Apple Bloom was about to help but stopped by their friends. They weren't sure if that was a good idea to help Trouble Shoes since he was the criminal who cause the mess. But nevertheless, both of them helped and unwrapped Trouble Shoes from his wrapping carpet and curtain.
Trouble Shoes stood up and looked at the pony kids, "Of course guests would arrive while I ain't got no pie to offer. Scores more misfortune points for old Trouble Shoes."
Before Trouble Shoes could do anything, he got tripped and slipped by the banana pill. He rammed straight to the book shelf hard. Three bowling ball rolled knocked on his head three times. Ouch! That hurt!
Trouble Shoes grunted a bit, "Typical. Bad luck never rests."
"You sure that's bad luck? Seems like maybe you're just a little, um..." Apple Bloom said in concern. She was avoiding a word from offending him.
Sweetie Belle and Alyson asked, "Klutzy?"
"Tell that to the flank! Upside-down horseshoe – bad luck." Trouble Shoes exclaimed in anger and annoyed. He showed his flank an upside down horseshoe. He sighed, "Follows me wherever I go like sour on old milk." He then led his guests to the door as he spoke rudely, "Y'all best vamoose before my bad luck rubs off and sticks to y'all. Get along! Skedaddle!"
Cutie Mark Crusaders remained silent for the moment. It annoyed Trouble Shoes a lot.
Trouble Shoes exclaimed, "Am-scray!"
It scared the Cutie Mark Crusaders but neither of them make a move since they have one tinsy problem...
Scootaloo gulped, "We don't really know the way back to Appleloosa..."
Kindy nodded, "Would you mind helping us? We would be appreciated."
"But o' course I do. Wouldn't you know it? My lucky day." Trouble Shoes muttered softly
The Cutie Mark Crusaders sighed in relief to have somepony to keep them accompanied and helped them find the way back to Appleloosa.
Trouble Shoes accompanied and guided the Cutie Mark Crusaders all the way out of the woods. They were all relieved and happy to have someone to guide and led them to safety. They had their own discussion about him.
"It's actually kind of sweet of him to help us out like this," Sweetie Belle commented.
Scootaloo nodded, "I know! What do we do if he takes us back to Appleloosa and the sheriff arrests him? If I get a cutie mark for that, I'll feel guilty every time I see it."
Kindy smiled, "We should talk and convince them. They will listen to us. As I had said before, he's not really a criminal."
"Then... what cause ponies to hate him?" Alyson asked in concern.
Determined to find out the truth behind Trouble Shoes's crimes, Apple Bloom approached him as she asked, "Say there, Trouble Shoes, you might not want to take us all the way back to Appleloosa. The sheriff sort of has it in his mind that you're a no-good outlaw lookin' to shut down the rodeo."
Trouble Shoes sighed, "My kind of luck he'd think that."
"But... is it true?" Nyx asked as she and her friends joined up with Apple Bloom.
"Y'all like stories?" Trouble Shoes asked. Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded their heads in agreement as they were all interested. He sighed, "Just my luck. I was hopin' you'd say no."
Flashback:
Trouble Shoes narrated, "When I was a colt, I wanted to be a rodeo star somethin' fierce, but I just didn't seem to have the knack for it."
Some time ago, the young Trouble Shoes smiled happily as he watched at the rodeo. He decided to take a tryouts. He tried jumped over the barrels but instead he knocked on it very hard. Some buffalos laughed softly in amusement.
Trouble Shoes tried the lasso on objects and animals but instead, he was caught and tied himself. Buffalos again laughed in amusement.
"I practiced and practiced..."
Trouble Shoes tried to jump over the fence but tripped and spun himself around and around for the moment.
"And finally, I wrangled up the guts to audition for rodeo school. Right in the middle of that tryout, I knew I was doin' what I was meant to. And wouldn't you know it? In a flash comes this here cutie mark."
Trouble Shoes came to the judges as he began his tryouts. He lassoed around from top and then to the bottom for few times. For the moment passed, the flank glowed brightly. It revealed the upside down horseshoe.
As Trouble Shoes took a peek on his flank, he was distracted as his lasso lassoed and grabbed the barrel before he pulled it down hard. The barrel slammed on him hard. His head emerged from the hole. He was like a tortoise. The judges laughed in amusement at him.
Trouble Shoes sighed as he decided to leave the rodeo for good while avoiding the bad luck at all cost...
"I can still remember them judges a-laughin'. Didn't even finish my routine 'cause right then I knew bad luck was my fate."
Despite of that, Trouble Shoes sneaked back to rodeo as he watched and witnessed it for the rest of his life. He even now as an adult for wanting to watch more.
As the excitement went wild, Trouble Shoes accidentally knocked the tower of barrels too hard. They fell right on the competitive ponies. They all moaned and groaned painfully. Trouble Shoes hid below the barrel as he was too scared and shamed to see it. It never ends...
"That fire for rodeo never did leave me, though. Couldn't keep away from 'em. So I'd sneak down and have a look, and wouldn't you know it? Bad luck would strike again. Just my lot in life, I reckon..."
Flashback Ends:
Cutie Mark Crusaders looked and felt sorry for Trouble Shoes. Kindy was right from the start. He wasn't a criminal, he wasn't very careful or cautious with his movement.
"Poor Trouble Shoes." Sweetie Belle said, "I can't believe those mean judges would laugh at him like that."
"Yeah... All he want is to be part of rodeo..." Nyx said in concern.
"Why are you smiling?" Alyson asked suspiciously.
Kindy smiled, "I admit it. It was rude of me to smile upon his tragic story, but I find it a bit amusement." Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at him. He continued, "They weren't laughin' at him. They were just enjoyin' the show."
Scootaloo asked, "What are you saying?"
Apple Bloom gasped as she realized of what Kindy was talking about, "Think about it. If we saw a rodeo clown doin' what he did back in that shack, we'd think he was the greatest!"
"You're right! He could still be in rodeos," Sweetie Bell nodded in agreement, "just not the way he thought!"
"So he's been looking at his cutie mark wrong the whole time! It's not bad luck, it's-!" Scootaloo was interrupted.
BOOM! The ground was opened with a big hole. Something jumped out as it revealed to be angry growling Quake. Cutie Mark Crusaders and Trouble Shoes gasped before they screamed in fear and worry.
Quake snarled, "Finally... I found you at last. And this time, you're not getting away!"
"Oh no..." Nyx said in concern.
"What the heck-?! Is that-?!" Alyson asked in concern.
Apple Bloom nodded, "It is! It's Dai Gui's Son - Quake! And he's not a happy Demon!"
"Great... Just what we need," Scootaloo groaned in annoyance, "Another crazy Demon!"
"Demon?! You mean tell me that thing is a Demon?!" Trouble Shoes asked in concern, "Why he's nothing but a cow?! And he's barely even a monster!"
"ENOUGH!" Quake exclaimed in anger as he slammed his fists on the ground hard. He scoffed angrily, "You've delayed me up enough! It is time for revenge! Prepare to die, Yue!"
Cutie Mark Crusaders screamed in fear and worry as they hugged and held each other hard and tight. Trouble Shoes even screamed too as well. But at the same time, he was worried for them too. The only way he can do is screamed while charging straight at Quake.
Quake was annoyed as he moved aside at once. Trouble Shoes rammed on the tree hard. The big pony tried to get out of the tree's hole but he got stuck. Quake chuckled in amusement while Cutie Mark Crusaders looked worry and scared. As Trouble Shoes struggled in getting out from the tree's hole, he accidentally using too much might in pulling the tree out. Trouble Shoes fell, and so did the tree fell right on Quake's head to the ground.
Trouble Shoes came out and stood up. He saw Quake got knocked. He sighed in relief. And so did the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
But the earth shaken very hard, the hole was created as Quake emerged. Quake roared in anger while Trouble Shoes screamed in fear. The Earth Demon Heir chased after Trouble Shoes around and around the trees while slamming his fists on the latter but missed. For few times had passed, Trouble Shoes got out at once. Quake growled in anger as he glared at the big pony who smirked a bit as the latter pointed up. The trees started falling down on the screaming Demon Earth Heir.
Trouble Shoes sighed in relief. Quake rammed through the trees out as he jumped out from the hole. He slammed on the ground as his body steamed very and very hot. He slowly approached to Trouble Shoes who slowly moved back on the tree which slowly landed on the ground. Quake approached while growling a bit.
"I shall tear you apart, filth!" Quake exclaimed in anger.
Trouble Shoes screamed in fear, "Don't hurt me!"
Trouble Shoes tripped and fell to the ground hard. Nyx gasped as she quickly fired her magic on Quake at once as the Earth Demon Heir felt light while the tree suddenly moving. Quake gulped in concern. The tree thrown and launched him away from them. He screamed in fear.
Alyson whistled, "As my big brother always said - 'bomb's away'."
Quake screamed in fear as he whirled around and around before slamming on the ground hard. He moaned painfully as he slowly came out from the ground. He looked and found Mei Kai and Drago looking at him.
"So... Where's my caramel apple package?" Drago asked in annoyance, "I heard that they're good for sweets."
Mei Kai sighed in annoyance, "Let me answer that - you decide to hunt Yue by yourself without our orders?"
Quake groaned in anger, "I hate defeat..."
Trouble Shoes and Cutie Mark Crusaders took a deep breathe in recovering from the attacks. They were very lucky to survive Dai Gui's Son's Wrath.
"You fillies alright?" Trouble Shoes asked in concern. Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded their heads. He sighed, "Thank goodness... I sure I wish I was strong and brave enough to beat that monster. I guess bad luck happens all the time..."
"You're wrong, Mr. Shoes," Alyson denied it. Trouble Shoes turned and looked at her. She smiled, "You may think your Cutie Mark is your bad luck but it actually saved us from danger."
Kindy nodded, "If it weren't for it, you wouldn't have tired Quake out in time."
"And for me to shift his weight with the tree's," Nyx added, "And in other words, Demon Catapult!"
Trouble Shoes was in shock and concern about it, "Say what? But that's impossible! I couldn't even be careful for carrying the barrels."
"Maybe..." Sweetie Belle shook her head while smiling, "You're a hero, Mr. Shoes."
Scootaloo nodded, "And besides, I don't think your Cutie Mark was meant to be bad luck. It was meant something special."
"Entertainment!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. Trouble Shoes was confused and concerned about it. She continued, "We'll show you. For now, let's go home!"
"There he is! Get him!" The firm and angry voice exclaimed.
Before Cutie Mark Crusaders or Trouble Shoes could do anything, Sheriff Silverstar and his deputies lassoed on Trouble Shoes's body tightly in making sure that he won't escape. Applejack, Caramel and Saber Dragoon came to the scene. Cutie Mark Crusaders gasped in shock and concern.
Trouble Shoes grunted a bit, "Just my luck..."
"Still think he's innocent?" Caramel demanded.
Saber Dragoon shook his head, "No... This can't be right."
"Trouble Shoes, you're under arrest for vandalizin' the property and peace of mind of the good rodeo-lovin' ponies of Equestria! Not to mention fillynappin'," Sheriff Silverstar exclaimed firmly, "And... generalized mayhem!"
"Wait!" Apple Bloom exclaimed in concern.
Applejack halted Apple Bloom from moving, "Apple Bloom... Thank Celestia to see you safe. And for now, that criminal is going to jail for the rest of his life!"
"But Trouble Shoes isn't the menace everypony thinks!"
"Sakes alive, what's with you? Why in tarnation would you want me to help get him out of jail when he's the one who ran off with y'all to begin with?!"
"Applejack!" Saber Dragoon called, "I'm pretty there's some explanation to this."
Applejack groaned, "Now don't you dare start with your investigation was right. It ain't right! And you saw what happen! And it's the prove that Trouble Shoes is the one who kidnapped the fillies."
"Or maybe they ran off for troubles?"
"Are you saying that my sister would do something stupid like this?! Are you comparing your little brother to mine that he's smarter than her?"
"No! What I'm saying is that we should investigate and get a clear about this mess."
Caramel groaned, "Whose side are you on? I can't believe that a Mystic Pony like you sided with criminal!"
"Yeah! And I thought you're the smart one," Braeburn said in annoyance.
Saber Dragoon groaned, "This is about whose sides. It's about getting a clear investigation. And I'm certain that he's not the one! Unless you think it clearly, you're nothing but a dumb mule!"
"Now what did you just call me?!" Applejack, Caramel and Braeburn asked angrily.
Saber Dragoon got into the argument with Applejack, Caramel and Braeburn of what and how they should handle with the criminal. Cutie Mark Crusaders were in deep concern and scared of what they should do next and how they can help Trouble Shoes.
Kindy groaned as he screamed, "Trouble Shoes is innocent! He didn't kidnapped us! We ran away to find him and stop him from destroying the rodeo!"
"Say what?!" Everyone but Cutie Mark Crusaders and Trouble Shoes asked in shock.
Cutie Mark Crusaders yelped in concern! They're now in big trouble!
"Apple Bloom! Explain!" Applejack demanded angrily. Cutie Mark Crusaders explained of how it happens. She and her friends were in shock and surprise. She turned and looked at Trouble Shoes, "Is it true? Did you save my little sister and her friends from Quake?"
Trouble Shoes sighed, "Truthfully... I wasn't sure. My Cutie Mark is nothing but bad luck. I couldn't even land a single punch on that Demon."
Apple Bloom groaned, "We had said it before, Trouble Shoes."
"I know!" Trouble Shoes exclaimed before he sighed, "But it's the truth. What good am I when I couldn't even be careful of where I'm going?"
Saber Dragoon shook his head, "Even so, you're still hero. You may be clumsy, but you kept them safe from Demons at all cost. Not every pony get the chance in dealing with the Demons."
Caramel nodded, "Yeah... I guess we owe you an apology."
"And not to mention," Braeburn agreed, "you deserve the reward. And I'd say the best one you ever had!"
"Nah... You don't need to-!" Trouble Shoes was interrupted.
"Give him the rodeo!" Cutie Mark Crusaders exclaimed happily, "We're gonna make his dream come true!"
"Say what?!" Everyone but Cutie Mark Crusaders asked in shock and concern.
Were the Cutie Mark Crusaders serious about letting Trouble Shoes to join in rodeo?! Was that even a good idea?!
Next day...
Appleloosa Ponies have gathered at the rodeo as they were all cheering wildly and happily for the rodeo games. Applejack's cousins were outside as they were preparing themselves for building a tower of haystack bales. Applejack stayed behind as she was talking with her friends (Cutie Mark Crusaders, Saber Dragoon, Caramel and Sheriff Silverstar) about Trouble Shoes.
"Well, how do I look?" Trouble Shoes asked in concern.
Everyone turned as they found Trouble Shoes emerging from the tent. He was dressed like a clown - wearing a polka dots yellow shirt, cyan trouser with patches, clown red shoes and a purple hat. He even wore a white makeup with red lipsticks, and purple afro. Everyone giggled and laughed a bit at Trouble Shoes's costumes.
Caramel laughed a bit, "You're good. Trust me - my job was the classic clown. No one can tell about that."
"Apple Bloom, are you sure it's good idea?" Applejack asked in concern.
Apple Bloom smiled, "It'll work. I promised."
"Well, you'd better hope so," Sheriff Silverstar said in concern, "The last thing I want is some angry mob gone cooker head. I'd better go now to make some special presentation for Trouble Shoes."
Sheriff Silverstar then headed off at once while leaving the rest behind.
"Next stop - Apple Family!" The announcer announced happily.
Applejack smiled, "Looks like I'm next!"
Caramel grabbed Applejack and kissed her lips passionately and gently, "Knock them dead, sugarcube!"
Applejack smirked as she headed off at once. The rest of her friends stood there as they watched carefully of the event. She and her cousins began towering the haystack bales to the very top. Everyone cheered happily and wildly for them.
Trouble Shoes excitedly shouted, "Come on now, stack them bales! Woo-hoo!"
"Come on! Apple-Baby!" Caramel screamed happily, "Show them why you're the best!"
Applejack and her cousins made one last attempt in making to the top. As her cousins passing the bale to the top, she then kicked to the very top. The haystack bale was about to fall, causing everyone gasped in concern and worry. Instead of falling down, it landed on the top. The Pegasus Announcer flew to top in checking and finding where it stopped. She then gave an arrow point for Apple family's position, which was higher than others.
Everyone cheered wildly and happily for the Apple Family. Applejack and her family bowed for the moment before they left. The rodeo clown ponies emerged and began their silliness and goofiness game. The spectators laughed a bit at them, and even Trouble Shoes.
"'Kay now, Trouble Shoes, you're on!" Apple Bloom said happily.
Trouble Shoes gasped, "Say what?! I may be dressed like one, but I ain't no rodeo clown."
"You got your cutie mark all wrong, Trouble Shoes!" Alyson spoke, "You were born to entertain! You've got a gift for making folks laugh, don't you?"
"She's right. This is what you're supposed to do," Nyx supported.
Looked at the clown ponies, they all proved to be professional and good at it. Trouble Shoes gulped, "But my cutie mark's an upside-down horseshoe, and that means bad luck."
"That all depends on how you look at it." Sweetie Belle remarked.
"You always wanted to be a part of the rodeo, right?" Kindy asked nicely, "Well, now's your chance."
Trouble Shoes still doubtful of his ability as rodeo clown. But within his heart, he wanted to be part of rodeo. Maybe the kids were right about him. It's time to find out! He charged into the open field. He stopped as he witnessed of how good and professional the rodeo clown ponies were. He gulped for the moment as he changed his mind.
Trouble Shoes turned and looked at Cutie Mark Crusaders who smiled happily as they wanted to support him to do it.
Caramel smiled, "Come on, buddy! Show them what a clown can do!"
"Go on!" Saber Dragoon called, "Time to shine, clown."
Felt confidence and supported, Trouble Shoes head into the game. It's time to shine! Before he could do anything, he tripped by the ball. It thrown off as it hit on Braeburn's head. The ponies laughed happily yet amusingly. He saw what has happened. They actually liked his act!
Trouble Shoes smiled as he looked back and found his friends cheering for him. He charged in to make more entertainment.
Applejack approached to her friends and family as she held the Haystack Bale Tower Trophy up. She smiled proudly, "How 'bout your big sis, huh?"
Cutie Mark Crusaders were a bit distracted as they kept on watching and looking at Trouble Shoes's performance as the rodeo clown. Applejack felt a bit offended. Before she could ask, Caramel interrupted and gave her a kiss on her lips.
"How about that? Good enough to get a respect?" Caramel asked.
Applejack sighed, "Good enough..." She turned to the open field. She smiled, "I hate to admit he's doing well. Maybe I was wrong about him."
Saber Dragoon nodded, "Glad someone learn that lesson."
Trouble Shoes came to the barrel where the clowns climbed and hovered before making goofy and silly poses. As he was on the barrel, he wasn't sure what pose he can make. Another clown pony accidentally knocked him off and even himself over the ground. Both Trouble Shoes and the clown struggled in getting off from each other as they were pressing each other's hooves up and down. Everyone then laughed happily yet amusingly.
Next was for some clowns to go through three hoops by three ponies. Trouble Shoes got up as he found what ponies did.
"Just leave me be, cutie mark!" Trouble Shoes begged as he charged off at once. He headed straight to the middle pony with the hoop. He scared them off. He followed the dwarf pony as he was trying to pass through it, "I aim to clear that there hoop!"
Trouble Shoes continued chasing after the middle pony but he knocked some barrels. As the middle pony hidden behind the haystack bale, Trouble Shoes's head was covered by a barrel as he struggled in getting it off. He ran around and around.
With clown ponies formed together in pyramid forms, they quickly jumped off upon looking at the charging yet unnoticed Trouble Shoes. He knocked on the tower of haystack bales hard. Its all bales fell off as they knocked and hit almost all of clown ponies and even Braeburn. Trouble Shoes stopped for the moment. His trouser's belt got broken and it fell off.
The Appleloosa Ponies all laughed happily and wildly yet amusingly of watching the rodeo clown, even Applejack and her friends. They all also clapped their hooves happily.
Applejack giggled happily, "That's the best rodeo clown I ever seen! Trouble Shoes make a mighty impressive!"
"You bet! He's even better than me!" Caramel exclaimed happily.
Trouble Shoes looked through a hole of barrel as he found so many ponies laughed happily. Unlike before, he smiled proudly. He realized that the Cutie Mark Crusaders were right about him. This was what he meant to be!
As Trouble Shoes took the barrel out, the water fell on his face. His makeup slowly socked and washed away, along with bouncy nose.
The Appleloosa Ponies gasped in shock, "TROUBLE SHOES!"
Nyx yelped, "That can't be good!"
"Definitely not," Applejack agreed.
Appleloose Ponies cried in anger and upset as they wanted to punish him fro ruining their rodeo. Not a chance. As they were about to march in, the Cutie Mark Crusaders quickly stood besides with Trouble Shoes.
"Wait, y'all! He ain't what you think he is!" Apple Bloom pleaded.
"He never wanted to ruin any rodeos! Those were just bad accidents!" Sweetie Belle begged.
Alyson nodded, "They're right! He's a friend, not criminal!"
None of Appleloosa Ponies even bothered to listen to the young fillies.
"Hold it! Let the fillies speak up!" Sheriff Silverstar called. Everyone turned to him. He continued, "We all know what he did was unforgivable! But there's more to him than the story we make up about him. So, let the fillies speak up!"
Everyone became silent as they let the Cutie Mark Crusaders speak.
Scootaloo spoke, "Trouble Shoes has a gift for making ponies laugh!"
Nyx nodded, "He thought his cutie mark was telling him to keep away from rodeos, but deep inside he knew it's where he was meant to be. He just didn't know how to do it."
"After all, he's the best rodeo clown," Kindy remarked happily.
Everyone but Applejack, Caramel and Saber Dragoon muttered and chatted with each other about Trouble Shoes. So far, he did well in making them laughed for fun and enjoy.
"Well... I'd say these kids were right," Saber Dragoon smiled, "Without him, there wouldn't be the best rodeo clown you ever had."
Caramel smiled, "With him around, you'all gonna enjoy it for the rest of your live!"
"What they say is true. This here entertainin' y'all with my klutzin'? That's what I was supposed to be doin'. I know it now." Trouble Shoes spoke up, "I didn't mean no harm, honest! I just ain't never loved nothin' like I love the rodeo, so I kept on sneakin' back and makin' a big old mess of things. Turns out I was just a-lookin' at my cutie mark all wrong."
Trouble Shoes smiled as he looked at Cutie Mark Crusaders that he was glad and happy to have them as his friends. Everyone smiled and awed happily to see how sweet and kind Trouble Shoes is. He really wasn't the criminal after all.
Applejack smiled, "And I'd say that everyone agreed to let Trouble Shoes in?"
"You betcha!" Sheriff Silverstar agreed before cleared his throat, "Therefore, I officially declared that Trouble Shoes is now part of rodeo as the clown!"
Everyone cheered happily and wildly for Trouble Shoes. Trouble Shoes smiled happily that his dream finally come true after a long struggled yet misadventure journey to overcome. He is now part of the rodeo.
Everything is okay...
Applejack and her friends were on their way back to Apple Home. Tomorrow, they planned to go home but not without some consequences to pay...
"My parents are so gonna kill me..." Nyx said in concern.
"Tell me about it. At least yours doesn't have a blazing fire on the head," Alyson said in annoyance, "My brother had a bad temper..."
Apple Bloom sighed, "You really want us to be grounded for a month?!"
"Not fair..." Scootaloo muttered.
Applejack huffed, "Maybe it'll teach you not to go wanderin' off after I say not to!"
"You know your sister too well, B," Caramel spoke, "when Applejack means something, she meant it. You should have taken her words from the start."
Saber Dragoon huffed, "Funny... I found someone didn't take my words serious when my work is right from the start."
"Hey, that's different!" Applejack said in annoyance. She sighed, "Okay... I'll say you were right and I was wrong. Happy, Mr. Detective?"
"Happy enough..." Saber Dragoon smirked proudly. He turned and glared at Kindy, "I hope you learned your lesson, Kindy. The next time you pull that stunt, dad is gonna make sure that you're gonna study for the rest of the years."
Kindy sighed, "Yes, brother. But must you be mean to me?"
"Tell me about it," Apple Bloom agreed in upset, "Ain't it bad enough that you get to go back to Ponyville with a shiny trophy, and all we're bringing back is these same old blank flanks?"
Applejack shook her head gently, "Y'all helped Trouble Shoes realize what his cutie mark really means. Ain't that a nice feelin' you can take back with you?"
Hearing Trouble Shoes to make his dream come true while realizing about his weakness had make the Cutie Mark Crusaders smiled happily. They did helped him. Helping others is the true reward of everything...
"I guess we did make things a little better." Sweetie Belle commented.
Scootaloo smiled, "Yeah... It does feel kinda nice."
"Do we think we can come here next year for rodeo?" Nyx asked happily, "I sure love to see Trouble Shoes being the clown again. It's funny."
Alyson giggled happily, "Yeah. I would love that."
Apple Bloom turned and looked at Applejack, "So... Think you can bring us here for Trouble Shoes's show again?"
"Nnope," Applejack denied.
Cutie Mark Crusaders groaned in upset. It looks like they'd never gonna get to come back and watch Trouble Shoes's show again since they caused the trouble for making their family and friends worry.
Saber Dragoon nodded, "She's right... All of you need some time off."
Applejack smiled in relief. As she opened the door, something fell on her head. Everyone but Saber Dragoon gasped in shock and concern. Her head was covered by the bucket of... mud? Applejack took it off as she turned and glared at her own friends. Someone is responsible of the pranks.
Saber Dragoon smiled before chuckled a bit, "When I say 'all of you', and I'm including A.J. as well. She really needs time off."
Applejack smirked, "Is that so?"
Applejack took the mud and formed it as ball. She threw it straight at Saber Dragoon's face. She then giggled happily, followed by all of her friends. They all took mud balls as they threw at each other while laughing happily yet enjoyment. Despite of the mess, they still had their own fun...
But from the distance, three Demon Successors watched the whole event. And needless to say, they weren't pleased of it.
Mei Kai hummed, "How disgusting to see her like this. She brought the shame to our family's name and reputation. She will pay for her treachery..."
"We should have killed her now," Quake exclaimed in anger.
Drago huffed, "Not yet... I had the feeling that Dark Xing and our associates had special plan for the ponies. It's gonna be the blast..."
Both Mei Kari and Quake smirked darkly as they both agreed with Drago. It's not over yet...
END...
Review and Suggest...
Main Casts
Michelle Creber: Apple Bloom
Kira Tozer: Nyx
Madeline Peters: Scootaloo
Clair Corlett: Sweetie Belle
Alyson Stoner: Alyson Joy
Steven Staley: Kindy Dragon
Jim Miller: Trouble Shoes
Minor Casts
Ashleigh Ball: Applejack
Will Friedle: Saber Dragoon
David Kaye: Caramel
Brian Drummond: Sheriff Silverstar
Michael Dangerfield: Braeburn
Michael Rosenbaum: Drago
Hynden Walch: Mei Kai
Kevin Michael Richardson: Quake