The time has come for the CMC to pass their final test... literally but there is one thing that is bothering them apart from the test.
As the graduation day comes closer the Cutie Mark Crusaders are studying very hard to pass the final test, meanwhile Cheerilee has other concerns and tells the sisters of the fillies about them. The crusaders will find their own path in the right way.
THIS AIN'T GOOD! YA HEAR ME THIS AIN'T GOOD!!!" Applebloom shouted startling her friends who were in the clubhouse with her.
Her friends just stood there watching Applebloom going nuts, "this ain't good... this test is making me lose mah mind, why does it have to be about everything we have ever learned in school? I just can't recall anything of that much importance while being in school even if it is in mah book" she stated sighing and finally face planting herself to the desk. "I know how you feel Applebloom, seeing this gianormus amount of stuff that we need to study just seems well... unfair, but we have to learn this all if we want to graduate from school" said Sweetie Belle taking a look at Scootalo who look lost in space. "Scootaloo?" there was no response, "SCOOTALOO!!!" she yelled at her friend making her snap out of whatever world she was in and fall from her chair. "Scootaloo are you alright?" asked both fillies in worry; "Yeah yeah, just a little dizzy that's all" replied Scootaloo to her worried friends; "Sorry for yelling at you" said Sweetie Belle in an apologetic way, "Don't worry, I guess I'm just also a little anxious for the test that's all" expressed Scootalo as she got up to her chair. Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow, "Yeah right Scootaloo, we all know that's not what's bothering you, after all you're the best of our class" said Sweetie Belle giggling. "Sweetie Belle's right, you can memorize a book in ten seconds flat! Tell us, what's bothering ya?" asked Applebloom in concern. Scootaloo took a second to respond as she looked out the window to see the beautiful day that Ponyville was having, the sunlight entering through the window made her sigh. "its a wonderful day we're having today, Rainbow Dash and her squad must had worked extra hard today "she thought "rainbow dash...". She turned back to face her friends’ stares in wonder, "You're right Applebloom" saying this in a gloomy way "I'm not worried for the test, I have already learned everything single thing for it, it's just... I'm worried about what will happen after that" concluded Scootaloo. "After what?" asked Applebloom don't understanding what her friend just meant. "Oh I know I know! You must mean the Sisterhooves Social that's taking place next Saturday" exclaimed Applebloom with enthusiasm as if she has solved the most difficult puzzle in the world. "No Applebloom that's not it" contradicted Sweetie Belle, "She meant the graduation day that is gonna also happen next week". "Of course not Sweetie Belle, you're wrong it's clearly about the sisterhooves social because she's going to enter it with Rainbow Dash" exclaimed Aplebloom. "Don't be silly! It's clearly about the graduation it has to be about it because of the pres-- was saying Sweetie Belle in a mocking way as Applebloom interrupted her, "Don't call me silly! You're the silly it's clearly about the Sist-- , "But you're being silly! Silly!" emphasized Sweetie Belle", "No hold just a minute, if someone is silly here is--. "STOP" screamed Scootaloo startling her friends "I thought we had already tried an arguing cutie mark! You shouldn't be treating each other like that! We ARE friends, more than friends we're the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" stated Scootaloo scolding her friends. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom looked down at the floor feeling embarrassed, *sigh* "after all you're both right" expressed Scootaloo. Her friends looked at her with wonder, "what do you mean?" asked the two fillies at the same time. Scootalo looked again out the window, it was almost noon. "You're right! The graduation and the Sisterhooves social both scare me" Before any of her friends could say anything she continued talking "you know how at this year’s sisterhooves social there's gonna be a new race for pegasi" her friends nodded "well I didn't" she looked down and sighted as she started telling her story "just the other day I was with Rainbow Dash in Sugar Cube Corner having a milkshake when Pinkie Pie entered the place hoping around as usual, she came to our table, I happened to notice that she had something in her mouth it looked like a piece of paper she then put it on the table and started jumping up and down in excitement as Rainbow Dash examined the sheet of paper". "Isn't this just The MOST AMAZING NEWS EVAAAARR?" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as Rainbow Dash finished reading the paper and put it back in the table and that's when I finally understand what all was about. The piece of paper turned out to be a poster for the Sisterhooves Social announcing the event that was to be hold in Sweet Apple Acres. "Yeah Pinks this surely sounds... great!" said Rainbow Dash putting the paper away like trying hide it, "but why are you so hype?, isn't the sisterhooves social only for... well sisters?" asked Rainbow Dash confused. I saw Pinkie Pie start giggling and then burst into laughter while me and Rainbow Dash remained there looking at each other bewildered "Oh you silly of course I know that!". Rainbow Dash frowned disconcerted at Pinkie Pie as she continued chuckling. Just before Rainbow Dash could say anything Pinkie Pie talked again "I'm going to enter the Sister Hooves Social along with Maud! She's coming to Ponyville next week so I thought how else to spend some time with my Best Sister Friend!, oh I'm so nervicited!" but before Rainbow Dash say something Pinkie Pie bursted... again "OH and I just have the perfect idea for a sister party for Maud! Sorry Rainbow Dash gotta go!" she shouted as she left Sugar Cube Corner in a flash. Rainbow Dash sighed and looked at me maybe recognized my what the heck just happened face, "just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie" she said, I had heard that phrase more that anypony could think. "Yeah haha I guess you're right" I told Rainbow Dash as I got another sip of my shake. "Sooooo..." started Rainbow Dash turning back to me "Do you have any plans for next Sunday?" I was startled with the question not exactly getting what she meant, "Mmm not actually, I have the final exam on Friday and the graduation is on the Saturday, so I guess the Sunday i'll be resting or hanging out with Sweetie Belle and AB". Rainbow Dash looked at me like trying for me to get what she was getting at with the question, I still didn't understand and raised my eyebrow in confusion, "For Pete's sake" she exclaimed "Scootaloo do you want to assist the Sisterhooves Social with me?" I was impacted I didn't know what to say I just stood there gazing at her, I imagined running with her on the race, eating pies and-- "So what is it squirt?" asked Rainbow Dash snapping me out of my thoughts. "Of course Rainbow Dash, OF COURSE!" I shouted and started skipping all around the shop. Rainbow Dash embraced me making me stop from bouncing all around the walls, "Geez Scoots calm down if you keep doing that I won’t take you" told me Rainbow Dash to which I replied "Oh right, sorry hehe" as we returned to our table to finish our shakes. "So which competition are we going to enter?" I asked "Pie eating, grape squeezing, hay throwing?" "Well I was thinking more of a race" said Rainbow Dash "You know the main event of the Sisterhooves Social the big team race between sisters". "Oh right, I remember Sweetie Belle and Applebloom taking about it last year but I didn't pay too much attention to it" I frowned while trying to remember but then suddenly catched my gaze. As I grabbed the poster Rainbow Dash continued talking not paying attention to me "Yes that one Applejack and Rarity both have competed with their sisters and I'm sure they will compete this year again, but of course they won't have any chance of beating us 'cuz we are the most amazing team ever" stated Rainbow Dash who finally glanced again at me. From the corner of my eye I could tell that her smile had left her face when she saw me reading the poster. "Scoots don't look at that!" she reacted snatching the piece of paper from my hooves but she obviously noticed that it was too late. "There's going to be a race just for pegasi this year?" I asked Rainbow Dash as I could feel a tear forming on my eye, she noticed this and pulled me into a strong hug "Scoots" she started "You don't have to worry about this", "Oh but I have to, you love to fly! You love to be in the sky and not grounded, that's why Tank has that propeller thingy!' I told her as I started crying, I could feel her eyes looking at me with compassion while she told me "That's true, I LOVE to fly and I love the sky" she sighed "but I love you way more sis and I really don't care running the earth race, its actually good for my legs after all you've seen me in the running of the leaves". I looked back at her and she wiped some tears from my cheeks as she continued "I think this race is gonna be very special and you know why?", her question really intrigued me "why?" I asked, "Because I’m going to participate with the best squirt in whole Ponyville". I looked at her smile for a moment and then eturned her hug with great hapinnes, we hugged for about a minute and then she pulled back an told me in a firm voice "Now finish that milkshake quick, we have some practicing to do!". I smiled back at her, "Yes ma'am!" and after that we sent the whole afternoon training. "Aww that's very cute Scootaloo" exclaimed Sweetie Belle, "Yeah that surely was a heartwarming story, but I can't figure why that is bothering you that much" said Applebloom. "Well isn't it obvious" stated Scootaloo looking back to her friends "it's that I really want to compete with Rainbow Dash on that pegasi race but... I can't", Sweetie Belle and Applebloom exchanged looks and approached their friend embracing her between them. "Don't be like that Scootaloo I'm sure you're going to fly someday, I just know and you know I don't lie, mah sister is the element of honesty you know" said Applebloom cheering her friend a little. After they finished their hug they returned to their places and tried to retake their studies but Applebloom asked "Oh ah' almost forgot" their friends glanced back at her intrigued "why was the graduation bothering you too?" she asked Scootaloo. "Well it was because--" started Scootaloo but then Sweetie Belle cut her in her speech "I know what it is, it's about the talent presentation we have to do in the graduation ceremony isn't it?". "The presentation!"Applebloom gasped "I totally forgot 'bout that!, I can't believe I forgot but then we haven't really discovered our talents so what's the problem with that?" exclaimed Applebloom looking with concerned eyes at her friends. "THAT'S exactly the problem" muttered Scootaloo giving a uneasy stare at her. "Yes that's exactly the problem" continued Sweetie Belle "My sister told me that in that presentation each pony is supposed to do something related to their special talent, in other words their... cutie mark" as she said this all three fillies looked at their flanks and sighed, "she told me that when she was in school she made a whole fashion show in the graduation to display her talents and I believe Applejack also did something with apples but I can't remember what Rarity told me it was about. "Oh now I can see what you were talking about" said Applebloom as she returned her disappointed look from her flank, "Yeah" Scootaloo sighed, "U-hum" finished Sweetie Belle. "But we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" yelled Applebloom gaining the attention of her friends "and we've got hearts strong as horses! It doesn't matter if the graduation comes we'll never rest until our cutie marks are here right? So let's just give our best in this exam, let's make an amazing presentation and let's let see all other ponies in Ponyville what the Cutie Mark Crusaders are made of! So what do you say crusaders?". "Yeah let's do that!!" joined Scootaloo, "Oh yeah right, Woohoo!" stated Sweetie Belle a little late. "Cutie Mark Crusaders Hard Workers" exclaimed all three fillies as they performed a three way hi-hoof. And so they continued their Monday afternoon studying and trying their best. When the night came by they all bid their farewells and returned their homes all thinking about the very important week they had ahead of them. On the way they all started thinking about the same thing. Their cutie marks. Suddenly something neither of them could explain happened, they all saw what seemed like a night rainbow in the sky but it was different than any other rainbow they had saw it was dark blue and a lot of sparks it was simply delightful and the fillies felt as it filled something inside their hearts making them feel a huge happiness and a lot of determination they were going to find their talents even if it was the most difficult thing they had ever done. That night when they were all in their respective homes and tucked into bed they shared the same thought although not knowing it, "I know Applejack or Big Mac can help me find mah talent" thought Applebloom;"Rainbow Dash is the greatest pony ever, I know she will help me find my cutie mark" believed Scootaloo; "Rarity surely is making a lot of noise tonight, but I bet she can lend a hoof while trying to discover what I am good at" Sweetie Belle meditated as Rarity was in her room making some dresses for a client. "Oh well the perks of staying at your sister's only to spend time with her" Sweetie Belle thought as she finally fell asleep.
Rarity woke up early the next day and went to Sweetie Belle's school to have a meeting with Miss Cheerilee because her parents were busy at work, "Why do I have to go to a meeting with Sweetie Belle's teacher? And this early in the morning, it's a crime against beauty sleep!! Just control yourself Rarity this is for your little sister she would do the same for you if you needed it" Rarity murmured to herself as she galloped without noticing what was in front of her, suddenly she bumped with someone, "Oh I'm really sorry, I wasn't paying attention were I was going" she apologized as she started cleaning herself from the dust. "Don't worry about it darling" replied a familiar voice. Rarity looked up and saw Applejack grinning at her. "Pretty funny Applejack" she said as Applejack helped her get up. "So Applejack I know you usually wake up early but what are you doing around this parts, isn't Sweet Apple Acres all the way around?" asked Rarity as they walked together. "Well yeah but it turns out I have a reunion with Applebloom's teacher, Miss Cheerilee" replied Applejack surprising Rarity a bit "Granny Smith was going to attend but she just couldn't get up from bed and Big Mac blushed every time I brought Miss Cheerilee's name up, so at the end I was the only one left to attend" finished Applejack. "That's weird because I too was supposed--" Rarity was cut out by something that fell from the sky just in front of them. "What was that?" Applejack exclaimed coughing, "I don't know let's see", Rarity used her magic to blow all the dust away and they discovered a rainbow maned mare sleeping peacefully on the ground in front of them. "Rainbow?" Applejack said with concern in her voice, "Huh-am-wha?" yelled Rainbow Dash startled "Oh its just you too, what are you doing here this.. eeeaarly?" asked Rainbow Dash as she yawned. "We were just going to ask you the same thing darling? Why did you fell from the sky and why are you here? You usually don't wake up until later" Rarity said, "I fell?" Rainbow Dash reacted surprised "oh well I'm tired that's all, I had to wake up early 'cuz I have this meeting with Cheerilee about Scoots or something, her mother was going to attend but she had to do something else so she asked me" explained Rainbow Dash. "Really? You too Rainbow?" asked Rarity in surprise, "Shucks, don't tell me that's why you're here today too Rarity?" asked Applejack, "Why, yes that's exactly why I am here, I was about to tell you when Rainbow crashed down" replied Rarity. "So you two are here for Applebloom and Sweetie Belle? hmm what is this reunion all about?" Rainbow Dash babbled a little bit because of her sleepy state, "I don't know but now I am really concerned about our sisters so let's hurry up and get to the school right now" Applejack proposed and her friends whom nodded in agreement. They entered the school and saw Miss Cheerilee checking the newspaper which had a peculiar headline "Strange Plant found in Canterlot Gardens". Cheerille saw the mares and greeted them "Hi girls how are you?", "Fine thanks Miss Cheerilee" smiled Applejack, "Simply Divine" replied Rarity, "tired... and hungry" said Rainbow Dash a little bit irritated. "Well I'm glad you could all make it, please take a sit" Cheerilee pointed at the chairs for the girls to sit down. "So what is this all about?" asked Rainbow Dash yawning.. again. "Well you see, I'm concerned about Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, it's something really important that's been bothering me..." Miss Cheerilee started while the mares carefully listened to her, even Rainbow Dash was now wide awake because of the topic. Cheerilee finished talking, the girls thanked her for telling them her concerns and just like in a wink they stormed out of the school, each of them with a plan already formulating in their minds.
"How can you call yarself a teacher?" yelled another filly voice full of rage but also dissapointment.
"I thought you were supposed to help us but in reality you actually didn't care about us" finished the last voice sounding as heartbroken as it could ever sound.
"No wait, that is not true, please listen to me I tried to do everything I could!" Suddenly a vortex formed and started sucking everything I could feel how it was dragging me away while I couldn't do anything only stare at the shapes of three fillies crying and probably looking at me with angry eyes. "NO please, WAAAAAAIIIT!".
I woke up with a loud scream and sweating a lot just like when Mac has worked the whole day without any breaks, I looked outside and noticed that it was still very early in the morning, Princess Celestia hadn't even risen the sun jet. I then sighed after remembering the nightmare I just had, "It was just a nightmare" I thought as let myself breath relieved. I got from bed and went to the bathroom, I noticed myself in the mirror and giggled a little, "I look hideous", I brushed my hair brushed my teeth and went downstairs to eat something that dream had left me starving. I sat down in the table with my oat cereal and the daily newspaper that was always delivered in front of my house. I took a bite at my cereal and just as I was about to start reading the paper (there was a headline that had caught my eye, something about a weird plant or something), I heard a knock at the door. I opened the door and saw Filthy Rich standing with a suitcase by him and looking at his clock like he was running late to something, before I could say anything he saw me and smiled a little "Hi Miss Cheerilee, I am so sorry to be bothering you this beautiful Sunday morning but I need to ask you for a favor". "Oh hi Mr. Rich!" I replied with also a smile "Of course what do you need?". "Well you see I'm aware that Diamond Tiara's graduation is going to be next Friday, and that her presentation is supposed to last 10 minutes and she's the second in line for the presentation but I was wondering if you could do a little change in the schedule, you see we have an important dinner to attend that night with all our family so I was wondering if you could put Diamond Tiara's presentation first so we can leave earlier" He stated looking frequently at his clock, "Eeyup, he is in a hurry" I thought, "Anyway.." he continued snapping me out of my trance "I really need to get going I have an important meeting in 5 minutes, so if you could give an answer I really would appreciate it" he finished smiling nervously as he looked at his clock. "Well sure Mr. Filthy Rich, I'll just check with Twist's parents to see if they are ok with the re-schedule, but I'm sure tere will be no problems at all" I told him and I could see a expression of relieve forming in his face "As soon as they reply me I'll give you the news". "Thanks a lot Miss Cheerilee its always a pleasure talking to you" he said calmly, just as I was about to reply he noticed his clock "Oh mulehair!" he exclaimed "the meeting is in four minutes, see you later Miss Cheerile, see you lateeeer..." he yelled as he ran away in direction of the town hall. I couldn't help myself but to chuckle a little as I saw him running away, "that's one busy pony for sure", I returned inside and finished my breakfast and sat at the couch with the newspaper I was going to read it but then I remembered that I had to run some errands of the school and for the graduation, so I took my saddlebags, put the newspaper in there, I then grabbed a quill and a piece of paper and started making a list of things I had to do for the day. "Well first I need to pick up the exams from the Quill and Scroll Express, after that I need to go to Sweet Apple Acres to see if my order for the graduation is going alright, then I need to go and speak to Mayor Mare to see if she has already signed the school certificates, oh I suppose I also need to go and talk to Twist's parents about this new stuff and last of all I need to go to Twilight's to ask her if she and Spike are still going to help me with the graduation". I finished writing my list, checked it to see if had forgotten anything, then I double checked it just as Twilight has taught me to do, I dropped the list in my saddlebag and went to my first destination, the Quill and Scroll Express.
As I started strolling in Ponyville streets with all the usual noise, people talking, birds chirping and Pinkie Pie singing something near Sugar Cube Corner, "Another normal day in Ponyville, well I guess not that normal since I have a lot of things to do, guess I know how Filthy Rich feels everyday being the busy pony he is" I thought. Although, I couldn't stop thinking about the dream I had, "Why did they said those things?" I started mumbling trying to meditate about this "who exactly were them? I remember three different voices that sounded like fillies voices but I can't put my hoof on who they we--" just as I was talking to myself I crashed against other pony or... for the fact she crashed against me making me to fall to the floor as I fell her weight on me. "Aaauchh" I expressed as I felt my head hurting like hay. "Hehe.. ups" I heard a mare's voice over me "Sorry about that! Guess my trick didn't go as I thought, here let me give you a hoof". As she helped me to get up I noticed here rainbow mane and cutie mark. "Don't worry" I managed to say as my head palpitated with a little pain "So what exactly where you doing Rainbow Dash?" "Well... there's this new trick that consists of doing like a barrel roll backwards but it appears it was more difficult that I thought! I'm really sorry Miss Cheerilee" she replied while still having a grin in her face like if she wanted to laugh. "It's okay at least we're both ok right?" I said smiling too. "Yeah, hey I wanted to know when exactly Scoots graduation is. Because I want to know how much time I have to find her an awesome gift" she asked. "Oh! The graduation is next Friday at 6 pm in the town hall" I answered her question just as I was going to continue talking she screamed startling me a bit "FRIDAY?? Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh, sorry Cheerilee I need to fly I've gotta find that gift soon, thanks bye!" and like that she flew away pretty fast. "What's up with everybody being that busy on a Sunday?" I raised my eyebrow at the thought and then giggled, "Oh well I have also some things to do so I've better get going".
I arrived at the Quill and Scroll Express and surprisingly I was able to do everything I had to do in 15 minutes, it’s surprising because it always take like 1 or 2 hours by only making the line, heh lucky Sunday as it seems. After making a few more errands which involved trying to find Mayor Mare in all Ponyville when she actually was in the Quill and Scroll Express which was kind of ironical but well not so good luck Sunday after all, then I went to Twist's parents to talk to them about the re-scheduling of the presentation, they didn't have a problem with it actually they told me that it was a relief because Twist was very nervous about her presentation. "Nervous about making sweets?".
After that I decided to go to Sweet Apple Acres to check on the food, when I arrived I saw Applejack bucking the apple trees so I approached and greeted her. "Hi Applejack happy Sunday" "What's up with this Sunday business?". She turned around and saw me, she then waved back "Hi Miss Cheerilee, what brings here today? Want some apples?". "Oh no no, I was just wondering if you could tell me how the preparations for the graduation are coming?" I asked politely, "Oh right, I'm glad you came then, I was just bucking the last apples for the supply, and probably on Tuesday Granny Smith and me are going to start the baking" she answered with a smile "Oh and I actually got Ms. Cake to help us with the baking so we'll have everything ready by Thursday afternoon tops". "That's great to hear" I responded "And how's Applebloom doing for her exam?" just when I said that something clicked in my mind but I dissimulated it with a smile. "Actually just right now she's with the crusaders studying in their treehouse" Applejack stated and then something else clicked in my mind, it was them I could remember clearly now it was them! Applebloom, Scootalo and Sweetie Belle they were the fillies in my dream, I was pretty shocked at the thought that I didn't realize that I us stood there like for I don't know how long with my mouth open looking at Applejack until she spoke "Amm.. Miss,, Cheerilee are you alright?" "Yeeh" I cleared my throat "Yeah just remembered something.. he.. he", Applejack saw me with intrigued eyes "If you say so" she said "Well it’s been a pleasure Miss Cheerilee, but I have to go to town with Granny Smith to sell some apples, if you have any other concerns you can go and talk to Big Mac". She then waved and headed to town. As she trotted away I waved at her "Okay, thanks a lot, bye". I was pretty uncomfortable with the thought of my dream, I needed to talk to somebody and I remembered what Applejack told me, so I decided to go to talk to Mac, we had become like best friends since that incident with the girls and I have to admit that he was very cute. I went to the fields and found Big Macintosh planting some seeds, he looked very good doing that, "Hi Big Mac" I approached him "How have you been good?". As his usual self he replied "Eeyup". "I am so glad to hear that" I told him "I was just wondering if you wanted to have some lunch with me, you see there's something bothering me and I could use a good friend to talk to right now, so what do you say, want to come?" I asked. He thought for a moment and then stood up, cleansed himself a little bit and chuckled "Eeyup". We went to a restaurant in town, when we ordered our food I started speaking "Nice Sunday right?" "Really Sunday... again?" I thought". Mac replied "Eeyup! So what was that that was bothering you that you wanted to talk with me?". His statement actually surprised me, "How did you know something was bothering me?" I asked really wanting to know the answer, "I know you very well", his response actually made me blush a little "I think I can tell when something is bothering you Cheer!" he finished with a grin. "Well aren't you awesome?" I teased a bit "You always know how to make me smile". "Eeyup! So tell me" he said while taking a sip at his drink. I nodded "You see, yesterday I had a dream that well I can't really explain, everything was black and the only thing that I could hear were these three voices telling me this horrible things like if they were disappointed at me or something; but this voices, they belonged to three fillies but I couldn't put my finger on who they were, well that was until today when I was talking with your sister". "You mean AJ?" he asked, "Yeah AJ" I agreed. "This fillies were none other than Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, and I don't really know if this nightmare means anything" I concluded. "Hmmm..." Mac said as if he was thinking about the whole situation "Well I don't know for sure but... maybe there is something that they are nervous about or something will happen or is happening at school that may disturb them, or probably it’s just another dream". I thought at what he said but everything just was so weird so I decided to let this go... or at least for a while. "Yeah.. possibly it’s just a bad dream" I said as the waiter brought our food to us "Mmm this looks delicious, I'm so glad you came with me Mac it means a lot". "What are friends about?" Mac said "I don't know about you but working at the farm all day has made me very hungry". "Eeyup" I said "Let's eat".
I spent the rest of the lunch with Big Mac talking about usual stuff, I have to admit I really enjoy spending time with him, he's just such a good friend! After we finished we bid our farewells and he returned to the farm, I went to Twilight’s because I needed to know if she was still willing to help me at the graduation ceremony. I arrived at the library and knocked at the door, after a few seconds she opened it "Oh! Hi Cheerilee" she smiled at me. "Hi Twilight how's everything going?" I returned. "Fine fine, so what can I help you with?" she asked with her usual smile, "I was wondering if Spike and you are still going to lend me a hoof in the graduation next Friday?" I replied. "Well, of course Cheerilee I wouldn't miss it for anything" she responded. "That's very good to hear" I said "So then I'll see you on Wednesday?". "Sure" she replied "Oh don't you want to come in and chat a bit, Spike can make something". "Hmmm I just had lunch, but chatting sounds good" I said as I entered the library. "So how you've been Cheerilee?" asked Twilight, "I've been kind of busy especially for a Sunday" "Ok I swear no more Sunday talk" "but I managed to do everything I had to do for today" I told her. "That's good" said Twilight "And how are the children preparing for their final exams, you know I can give tips for studying" she winked at me. "Hah, I don't doubt it" I giggled "Actually, I'm pretty sure that everyone of them will pass, but now that you mention there's something that's been bothering me". "Oh.. and what could that be?" she looked at me with concerned eyes. "Should I really be telling her this? .... She is a princess after all so.. maybe she can help me" "You see I had this kind of dream last night and..." I told her all the story. "Wow that is a very interesting dream, hmm you know yesterday I was reading a book named Dreams & Psychology and it said something that may can help us" she said while trying to think "Let me see if I can find it".
After like 30 minutes of reading Twilight closed the book "I think I know what's up" she said with confidence "You said the three voices were form the Cutie Mark Crusaders right?" I nodded. "Well you see, for what I understand, on Friday they have to do a little presentation in the graduation" she explained "And this presentation has to be about their special talent". Just as she said that I knew where she was going at. "Those girls doesn't have Cutie Marks and they don't know what their talent is, so they won't be able to do the presentation like the others". When I heard that I was paralyzed, I loved being a teacher, I loved my students and something like this happening really made me feel... bad. I WAS a bad teacher how couldn't I saw this?. Twilight must have noticed this because her grin disappeared, "Cheerilee are you alright?" she asked. No I'm not a bad teacher, my cutie mark is my witness, I will do everything I can to help those girls. "Twilight can you make Spike do me a favor?". "Of course!" she replied "Spike can you come a second". "Thanks!" I finished.
"So that's what happened yesterday it surely was a uncommon Sun... day.." "I give up". "That's why I asked Spike if he could deliver all those letters to you.. or at least your sister's houses". "Thanks Miss Cheerilee we really appreciate you telling us" Said Rainbow Dash in an extremely polite way.. or at least for her. "Yeah, I didn't even knew, Thanks" said Applejack. "We're really so grateful for this information darling, thanks a lot" finished Rarity. "Of course!" I spoke closing my eyes and smiling "I told you I would do everything I could to help them, so if you need my help for anything don't hesitate to come because Celestia is my witness I will always do my best to help my students, I will be the best teacher Equestria has ever seen, that is my life goal and I'm going to reach it" I finished my inspiring speech and opened my eyes to notice that they were already gone. "Hmmm" *sigh* "Oh well I'll continue reading this newspaper, I really want to check out his plant business.
8 AM- Fluttershy was sitting in a couch at the spa, reading a magazine while the morning sun peeked from the window, her usual “waiting for Rarity” routine that she had invented after many spa appointments she and Rarity had had. Usually it took Rarity from 10 to 15 minutes to get there and she had grown used to it, after all she did enjoy peaceful mornings and a good magazine.
After a while and just on time, 15 minutes late of course, Rarity appeared looking very distraught. Fluttershy was known with her friends as a good therapist and she was actually very good at reading others emotions it was just natural to her maybe it was because of her shyness and that she usually didn’t talk that much instead she observed and that skill came to be very useful when something was troubling one of her friends but she usually didn’t have to use it because her friends came to her first before she had the chance to use her talent. But this time it was different from the moment that Rarity arrived she knew something was very wrong.
“Amm.. Rarity are you alright?” Fluttershy asked concerned.
“Uhh.. oh of course dear” replied Rarity flinching a bit “It’s just that I have a lot of thing in my head right now that is all, thanks for worrying thought.
“Of course but you know if you need help or want to talk about it I am here for you okay?” Fluttershy said while walking to the massage table.
“Okay” Rarity said plainly. “Maybe I should talk about my concerns with Fluttershy after all she’s one of my best friends and she always has the best advices”. “Fluttershy, dear..” started Rarity as she made her way to the massage bed right next to her friends’ one.
“Ye-e-e-ss Ra-re-ee?” replied Fluttershy while one of the spa sisters was giving her a massage. “You see…” Rarity continued trying to select the correct words “I had a meeting with Miss Cheerilee today”.
“Oh-h-h my wh-y-y?” Fluttershy cut her off. “Well it wasn’t just with me, Rainbow and Applejack were also there”.
Fluttershy seemed to catch what she was saying and looked over to Rarity with concern “Oh my, what did the girls do?” This of course surprised Rarity but then she remembered that Fluttershy was very close to the crusaders since all the commotion in the Everfree Forest, “No they didn’t do anything wrong, actually Cheerilee only told us marvelous things about them its just that there’s a little detail that concerned her”.
“Oh and what could that be?” asked Fluttershy sweetly. Rarity sighed and responded “She was telling us about the presentation that each pony has to do the day of the graduation, and how she was concerned for the girls because the presentation had to be about the talent of each pony” Rarity noticed how Fluttershy’s eyes widened following Rarity as she talked “And well you can probably figure out the rest” finished Rarity.
Rarity noticed Fluttershy looking ate her blinky and she sighed and looked away once more with a pensive face, "Even she doesn't know what to do..."
Fluttershy was at loss of words she wanted to help but how could she help she knew for a fact that each pony has to learn what their talents are by themselves, other can help of course but it is up to every pony to finally fully understand what they are passionate about. She also knew Rarity and anyone that knows Rarity knows that she is an excellent plan maker, heck not everypony was able to make their own bussines from nothing and manage it without any help that was something that she respected Rarity for and not only her but all of her friends thought the same thing. So what could she do? The only thing that she could do was be there for her, give her support and help her with whatever plan she came up with, if she needed it of course.
The rest of the spa session went on without much talking just some little chit-chat here and there about the treatments but nothing more.
It was already past noon when they left the spa neither of them feeling more relaxed at all. “Well my dear it was as always a pleasure to spend a morning with you, thanks for coming with me Fluttershy, but I have to get back to work, see you later?” Rarity finally broke the silence.
“Oh okay, don’t mention it I always have fun with you” Fluttershy flinched a bit, “Almost always anyway…”. Rarity started to leave but Fluttershy couldn’t let her go she simply couldn’t what kind of friend would she be if she didn’t offer her help or try to comfort her?.
“Rarity wait” said Fluttershy with her voice a little high pitched catching Rarity’s attention. She saw her and immediately felt worried and hided her face with her mane “If it isn’t a problem that is” she finished.
Rarity chuckled, this was so Fluttershy it was something that she liked about her she was very shy and that usually made her act like this, “Not a problem dear” she stated while moving Fluttershy’s mane from her face “What’s the matter darling? Need any help with something?” she asked kindly.
“No no, I’m okay its just… you see… I-I was wondering… if it was okay with you of course… that… maybe I-I… umm… if you needed… only I you needed… am not saying you aren’t capable! I would never do that! Oh I’m sorry I didn’t want to insult you! Please don’t be mad at me!” Fluttershy cried and fell to the ground shivering.
Rarity stood there perplexed and then just smiled, oh Fluttershy… “Dear, don’t worry you didn’t insult me at all!” she assured “You don’t have to be nervous about telling me something, we are friends and friends hear each other, so tell me I won’t get mad” she chuckled.
Fluttershy looked up, her eyes looked like she was about to cry, *sniff* “Promise?” Fluttershy asked.“Promise” Rarity assured with a smile.“Pinkie Promise?” Fluttershy stood up. Rarity rolled her eyes and started making the classic movements “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye”.
Fluttershy sighed and with all of her power of will she spoke “Well, it’s just that I noticed that something has been bothering you” she could tell that she was spot on by the flinch that Rarity made “so I wanted to know if you needed any help or if I could do anything for you”.
Rarity turned a little bit and dropped her gaze to the floor as if it was a ruby or something and she stood like that for what could be at least a minute making up her mind in whatever she should talk to her dear friend or not. She thought deep about it until she broke the silence, “Why don’t you come with me and I will explain everything to you in the boutique, okay?” Fluttershy nodded “Okay” and they started walking towards the boutique”.
They arrived at the Carousel Boutique and took a sit on the couch.
Rarity started “Fluttershy dear, you really don’t have to do this I, I mean—“
“I know” Fluttershy said sternly “But I AM your friend and I will help you”
Rarity smiled “Thanks dear”. So Rarity started telling her friend about everything, what Cheerilee had told her, the problem with the cutie marks and the presentation of talents and even the stories of her parents’ cutie marks.
With that last part something sparked in Fluttershy’s head “Rares you said your parents were always into the fine arts?”
“Why yes Fluttershy they still are” Rarity answered.
“And you are a fashion designer” Fluttershy pressed.
“Um yeah but I don’t get where are you going at” Rarity replied.
“Maybe Sweetie Belle’s talent is something related to arts, I mean I have heard her sing and she has a wonderful voice so maybe that is it or something else like dancing or painting“
“Fluttershy dear that is brilliant” Rarity said excited.
“Oh thanks” Fluttershy blushed “It wasn’t really that much”.
“Not that much?” Rarity said “It was more than… oh oh OH! IDEAAAAA!” Rarity exclaimed.
“Oh what is it?” Fluttershy Inquired.
Rarity smiled and stood up walking to the stairs “Dear Pack your stuff we’re going to Manehattan”.
7:50 AM- Rainbow and Applejack had just given their farewells to Rarity who had left for her spa appointment with Fluttershy. They were walking in silence side by side on way on Sweet Apple Acres, both of them were too immerse in their respective minds to say something. They continued walking until the gate of Sweet Apple Acres came into view and a Rainbow yawned snapping Applejack out of her trance. “Ya tired Rainbow?” asked Applejack with a smile. “You bettcha” responded Rainbow with another loud yawn “I never get up so early NEVER!” she stated while stretching a bit and flapping her wings. Applejack rolled her eyes because of her friend’s statement “Well you can go and take a nap and—“she turned to see Rainbow Dash but discovered that she wasn’t with her anymore. She frowned and sighed as she continued and thinking. Rainbow had decided to take a nap due to her lack of sleep and the fact that she had woken up earlier than she used to. She decided that her house was a little too far away so instead she simply took a cloud and started to made a bed out of it, after years of practicing this art she had her bed in ten seconds and even in less time she had drove out of reality and started snoring.
“Ugh” Rainbow groaned as she tried to deflect the light that was assaulting her face. After a few minutes she accepted her defeat and decided get up. She opened her eyes slowly and stretched her joints “That was one of the greatest naps I’ve ev—“she was cut off when she realized that the sun was already setting as her eyes opened widely. “WHAT?” she bolt out of her cloud and looked over to the Ponyville clock tower, her fears became real when she saw the clock reading *6:57 PM*, yep it is already sundown. She stood there motionless and mouth agape for a brief moment and then dashed off to Ponyville’s animal shelter and home of one of her closest friend.
Twilight was reading a new book that Princess Celestia had send and had just arrived she was so hyped at first when the princess wrote to her telling her that she would send a book. At first she tought it would be about magic or friendship or strange creatures or even history, anything else than what she was actually reading a… botanical book… yes… a book about plants. She didn’t understand why the princess would send her a book like this but she knew that Celestia was wise and always did things for a reason, although she had to admit that her princess could be a prankster or a troll as Rainbow called it from time to time. She didn’t bothered on the reasons of why the book was sent to her instead she simply started reading and taking notes as if she was studying for an exam. Eventually she heard something that startled her but she shrugged it off. “Oh why do I have to be always so immersed in books to the point to not foresee something like this?” she thought as she felt another body slam into her and send her falling to the ground. “Arghh” was everything Twilight could say as she stood up searching for the thing that slammed into her. She found what she was searching a rainbow mane Pegasus with a sky colored coat looking at her with a smirk in her face “RAINBOW WHAT THE HAY? What’s wrong with you?” Twilight shouted at her friend. Rainbow couldn’t hold it back anymore and started laughing very hard and fell to the ground “HAHAHA, oh.. oh.. oh.. that was so much, you should have seen your face” Twilight simply muttered under her breath and started organizing everything her tomboy-ish friend had thrown away with her little ‘entrance stunt’. Finally Rainbow finished laughing and stood up wiping a tear from her eye “So-sorry Twi, I was in such a rush that—OH RIGHT!” Rainbow yelled startling Twilight who watch her with concern, just when she was about to say something her friend rushed toward her and pined her to the ground “TWILIGHT! Do you know where is Fluttershy?” asked Rainbow, Twilight simply shot a glare to her friend and spoke coldly “Yes. Get off me”. “Heh heh right sorry about that too” said Rainbow as she helped her friend from the ground “but do you know?” Twilight sighed “Yes Rainbow I know but please calm down”. Rainbow obeyed her friend and sat down “She came here earlier asking me for a book that she could borrow for the train to Manehattan” Twilight finished her story just in time to see Rainbow about to fly off, “Rainbow wait! Where are you going?” Twilight asked as her friend took off. “I need to talk to Pinkie” she said and disappeared in the same window she came in. “But Rainbow, Pinkie—“Twilight tried to reason but her friend was already gone she sighed and decided to continue her reading.
About 20 minutes later Twilight found herself hearing an unusual noise that she thought sounded familiar but she couldn’t place it. Just when she was about to shrug it off she reacted and moved from her place like a flash just in time to see a rainbow blur pass by inches from her “Huh those alicorn powers I had really made me more agile” she thought as she breathed in relief for the accident she just prevented. She approached her friend who was lying in the floor all spread and asked with a mocking tone “Yes Rainbow, how can I help you?” Rainbow Dash stood up looking a slight drowsed by the crash “Uh-huh” she managed to say as she tried to snap out of her confusion. When she finally recovered from her crash she went and grabbed Twilight by the shoulders and practically yelled “WHERE THE HECK IS EVERYBODY?” Twilight couldn’t hold it anymore seeing how her friend was acting and she released a giggle “Rainbow that is was I was trying to tell you just before you bolted outside twenty minutes ago”. “Oh right he he” Rainbow chuckled in embarrassment “Anyway what is it?” Twilight rolled her eyes and sighed “Typical Rainbow”. “Well you see…”
12:00 PM- Applejack was lying next to an apple tree, relaxing after she had finished all her morning chores and had lunched with her family “Wow Granny Smith’s cooking can’t really get better” she thought as the gentle afternoon breeze stroke her mane. Even though her usual work had kept her from thinking about what she was going to do about the current ‘Situation’ she still couldn’t shake off the fact that she really needed to do something but what could be done? She had told her little sister a bunch of times that a cutie mark appeared when the time was right… right? But now she found herself not actually believing the advice that she had gave her sister all those times, was she right in all those times? Should she had done something? She was starting to feel a little overwhelmed by thinking all this stuff maybe she needed to talk to someone. Yeah… she in fact needed to talk to someone… “Maybe Twilight can give me some advice” she thought “I’ll go visit her after my afternoon chores are done”. With that she stood up and walked to the barn to continue her labors.
3:00 PM- “Wow ah really did all my work in three hours?” Applejack thought while she trotted by Ponyville. Sure it had seemed that it had been more than that but apparently her being concerns about her sister made her feel like in another reality were time flowed way more slowly. She arrived at the castle and knocked only to be greeted by the Princess of Friendship herself. “Howdy Twi” she greeted her friend. “Hi Applejack” Twilight smiled back “What brings you around town a Monday?” she asked knowing very well the Sweet Apple Acres schedule “Come in” she beckoned her friend to follow her.
“So Applejack what’s up?” asked Twilight breaking the silence that had been between them since she had poured the tea and they had sat down… and that was fifteen minutes ago. Applejack sighed and looked down “It’s just that I am concerned about mah little sister and—“ “And you were wondering about her cutie mark, the Friday presentation and her talent am I right” Twilight cut her off. This hit Applejack in a completely unexpected way, her jaw dropped and her eyes widened “How the hay do you know that? Don’t get me wrong Twi Ah know you are very intelligent but that was like something Pinkie would pull off”. Twilight giggled “I know about it because Fluttershy was here earlier and she told me everything” Twilight explained “She told me that she and Rarity were going to Manehattan to do a bunch of stuff Rarity had planned to help Sweetie Belle get her cutie mark”. Applejack continued to be in what could be described as a state of shock so Twilight continued. “She also told me about Applebloom and Scootaloo so I simply figured you were here for the same reason” Twilight said calmly “Speaking of which what has really surprised me is that Rainbow Dash hadn’t showed up around here” Twilight wondered and then laugh “Hah well in fact I get it I would be the last person Rainbow would try to ask for help! She probably would like to do ‘Awesome things’ with Scootaloo like tricks, stunts and stuff and my expertise wouldn’t actually match”. “You mean that your egghead-ness wouldn’t actually match” said Pinkie Pie startling both of her friends. “PINKIE?” Twilight shouted “When did you get here?” “Well duh just about now and I was very intrigued on whatever you guys were talking about” Pinkie explained as if it was the most normal thing in the world. “Uhh okay” said Applejack “So Twi, if ah get ya right, Rarity is going to take Sweetie Belle to Manehattan but what exactly is the purpose of that ah mean how is it going to help Sweetie with discovering her cutie mark?” Inquired Applejack. “Well that’s actually simple” Twilight started “You see just like in your family Apples are conection between yourselves in Rarity’s family the ‘high arts’ are something that bond them together, Rarity is a designer, her mom is a stylist and her dad is a professional photographer but not quite in the same way as Photo Finish”. “Ohhh and in my family that would be rocks… well except for me hehehe” Pinkie stated. “Yes Pinkie exactly, so Rarity is going to take her sister to Manehattan to experience a lot of different fine arts to see if they can find her talent, though I already have an idea of what it is” Twilight chuckled “And Fluttershy is going to go with them and help taking in fact that she herself knows a lot of things in that specific area. “OHHHHHH” Aplejack yelled frightening even Pinkie “THAT’S… simply brilliant, how couldn’t I think of it! It makes me feel so dumb” Applejack said. “Yes it in fact was a very intelligent idea Fluttershy gave Rarity” said Twilight. “And the change of scenery is going to help a lot to” exclaimed Pinkie Pie. “So what ah have to do is try to connect Applebloom to the Apple Family roots but in a way that she can find her own path, right?” Applejack asked. Twilight widened her eyes “Right… wow Applejack that was very deep”. “Aww shucks, ah have mah moments” said Applejack. “Oh oh!” exclaimed Pinkie “Why don’t you take her to Appleloosa you know where there are a lot of apples and apple trees”. “Pinkie there are apples and apple trees in Sweet Apple Acres” groaned Twilight. “Well duh I know that silly” said Pinkie “But I mean Big Mac and AJ found their cutie marks easily in there but that doesn’t mean is going to be the same for AB she might just need a change of scenery and as Applejack said her own path to her roots”. Now it was Twilight and Applejack turn to be perplexed. Applejack spoke up “How did you—“ but before she could continue her pink friend cut her off “What I have my moments too” laughed Pinkie Pie. “Well Pinkie ah’ll have to thank you that is exactly what I am going to do” Applejack thanked Pinkie and stood up and walked to the door “Thanks to you too Twi”. “Not a problem” the lavender mare assured and waved she then turned to Pinkie to notice she was gone too. “Huh?... oh well back to that book Princes Celestia sent me”.
Applejack was returning back to Sweet Apple Acres already thinking about the train schedules and what she would do by time they arrived at Appleloosa. “Applejack wait!” Pinkie called her. She was wearing her saddlebags and was sweating for apparently running or something. Applejack turned to see her friend. “Pinkie Pie? What happened?” “I-want- *gasp* to- *gasp* go-with you” Pinkie said between breaths. Applejack lift an eyebrow “Why?”, “Well that’s nice Pinkie but you don’t have to come” Applejack responded. “Please Applejack I want to help you and I don’t want to be the one not going on a adventure, also I grew in a farm so I know a thing or two about the business”. Applejack wasn’t going to even ask about what she meant with the only one without an adventure even though Twilight seemed like she was going to have a very normal week and Rainbow would probably stay in Ponyville with Scootaloo but whatever Pinkie was Pinkie “Ummm… well okay if you really want to” she said. “Oh thanks a lot!” Pinkie hugged her friend “This is going to be so fun and I already have some songs we can sing for our journey”. Applejack eyes widened “Oh boy…”
8:10 PM- Twilight had just finished telling her friend the story of where Pinkie and Fluttershy were. Rainbow groaned and fell on her back “Dang it” she said “I really needed some help, I had thought in taking Scootaloo to Cloudsdale and go to an Wonderbolts show or something like that where she could cheer up but I can’t exactly take a filly and some luggage to Cloudsdale by myself” she stood up again and grabbed Twilight “That’s why I needed Fluttershy to help me or Pinkie Pie to take us on the balloon”. “Well Rainbow” Twilight started “I don’t exactly have a lot to do this week so maybe I can help you” Twilight smiled. Rainbow looked at her friend with eyes full of hope and asked “Really?” “Really” assured Twilight. “Thanks Twi, maybe we will need an egghead on our trip” Rainbow grinned. Twilight rolled her eyes “Oh and maybe we can go to the Cloudsdale museum or go and see some books at the library and look at the sky patterns in Cloudsdale! OH OH maybe—“Twilight started an exited rant about nerdy stuff while Rainbow’s eye twitched very violently. And twitched. And twitched. And twitched. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO”
