> My Little Pony: Friendships and Magic [Season 1]
>  by Alpha Wolf 4500
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Friendship and Magic, part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was an early morning in Equestria. The sun was recently risen and the river was flowing peacefully. In the waters, a makeshift basket was floating down the river with a sniffling foal inside it.

Princess Celestia was taking some time to herself to go on a small walk near the river she visited often. However, something felt off about this particular time.

The basket with the foal inside got closer, and the foal inside progressed from sniffling, to feared crying. Hearing the crying, Princess Celestia looked in the direction of the basket. After seeing it, she used her magic to lift the basket and bring it to shore.

“Shh, sh sh. It’s okay.” Celestia said in a comforting tone, lightly rocking the basket, soothing the young foal. Upon closer inspection, the foal was revealed to be a changeling nymph with yellow scleras and bright red eyes. When the changeling looked at Celestia, he stopped crying. There was also a note next to him. The note looked like some of the ink was washed off thanks to the river.

“Bandit, give good home. Please. With Love.” It said. Celestia placed the basket down and picked the young nymph up and held him in her hoof.

“I will.” She said as she walked back to the castle. A few hours into the castle, Bandit was crawling around in the throne room, cooing at all the sights.

Eventually, Bandit began crawling to Luna’s throne and began starting to crawl onto it. Celestia giggled as she watched him and watched him.

Bandit slipped and landed on his flank, however, this didn't stop him from getting back up and trying again. Eventually, he managed to get up there.

“Good job Bandit.” Celestia said as she nuzzled him with a smile. Bandit smiles and nuzzles back.





9 years later, a nine year old Bandit was giggling as he was running from Celestia, playfully chasing him. He was wearing a red cape that looked a little too big for him. His mane also started growing in, it was a teal mane that was long on the right side. He also grew a carapace some time ago, a dark red one that covered his back with two gold-yellow wings on wings, the same color of his scleras.

“Come back here you!” Celestia said, playfully laughing.

“You’ll never catch me! Haha!” He said before hiding under Celestia’s throne. Celestia saw this, but pretended not to see him.

“~Oh Bandit.” She said in a singing tone. “Where aaaaare yooooooou?” 

Bandit giggled from under the seat and poked his head out.

“Come out come out wherever you are.” Celestia continued.

“Rawr!” Bandit exclaimed as he jumped out from his hiding spot and pounced on Celestia’s leg. Celestia squealed as he jumped out.

“There you are my little Lovebug.” She said with a smile.

“Did I scare you momma!? Did I!? Did I!? Did I!?” Bandit asked with a wagging tail.

“You were super scary dear.” Celestia said, nose nuzzling him.

“I heard that you were going to observe a pony’s spell today.” Bandit asked as he slid off her hoof.

“I am, yes. There is a young unicorn who is showing that she is very strong with her magic but I’m going to oversee her spell today.” Celestia said.

“Strong like me?” Bandit asked whilst wagging his tail.

“Yes sweetness, just like you.” 

“I hope I get to meet her at school.”

“I think you will, if all goes to plan.” Celestia said. Bandit plastered a wide smile.

“Yay! First friend!” Bandit cheered. Celestia smiled and walked to the door. She looked back at Bandit.

“Would you like to come?” She asked.

“Oh! Oh! Can I bring Chadwickson?” Bandit asked.

“Of course dear.” Celestia said. Bandit zipped off and returned with a red and purple egg. As soon as he got back, he climbed on her back and held on tight.

Celestia walked out of the castle and walked to the building. She enters the room and four unicorn ponies with clipboards bowed to her.

“Greetings everypony.” Celestia said as Bandit got off of her back and walked towards the front.

He walked past a light blue unicorn stallion, Night Light, and a grey unicorn mare with a purple and grey mane, Twilight Velvet.

Night Light looked at him and visibly flinched. This is when Celestia walked forward.

“Do not be alarmed, this is only my son.” Celestia smiled, ruffling Bandit’s mane.

“Oh, well then. Hi there fella, I’m Night Light.” Night Light introduced.

“Hi. I’m Bandit.” Bandit said with a smile. Night Light noticed the egg on Bandit’s back, strapped down.

“Whatcha got there Bandit?” He asked.

“This is Kama Ezio Clyde Armasta Laska Chadwickson IV.” Bandit said with a smile. Seeing Night Light’s face, he scratched his head. “But, Mom and I call him Chad.” 

“Well, it’s real nice to meet you both.” Twilight Velvet said with a warm smile. Bandit walked towards the young filly talking with  the princess.

Bandit leaned into her line of sight and waved at her. She smiled and waved back. Celestia looked at this, placed her hoof behind Bandit and pushed him forward.

“This is my son, Bandit.” Celestia introduced.

“Hi!” Bandit said warmly. The young filly looked up at him, Bandit was bigger and taller than her.

“H-hi! I’m Twilight Sparkle.” She introduced. Bandit looked at the egg on a cart and walked towards it.

“Aww, who’s this?” He asked.

“It’s a dragon egg, I named him Spike. I’m gonna help this little guy wake up.” Twilight said with a look of determination.

“I can’t wait to see it. This is gonna be awesome.” 

“Hopefully I can do it.” 

“I know you can.” Bandit said. He walked back to give him some room. Twilight takes in a deep breath and attempted to charge his horn. Nothing happened. She tried again, only for the same thing to happen. She began to get nervous. She kept trying, straining as she did so. Although this had no effect, Bandit was encouraging her.

“Come on Twilight, you can do it.” He encouraged. This is when Bandit felt the egg vibrating on his back. He looked back at it to see the egg cracking.

This is when a loud sonic boom was heard. Twilight gasped and her horn lit up. She shot a beam of magic at the dragon egg.

Both eggs hatched at the same moment, revealing a lavender dragon with a light green underbelly and green spikes, and a changeling nymph with purple eyes and white iriuses.

Then Twilight’s magic went haywire. Her magic made the four unicorns levitate, turning her parents into plants and turning Spike into a gigantic dragon.

Celestia places a hoof on Twilight, which managed to calm her down. The judges were dropped and landed on Bandit’s magic, who did so to let them have a soft landing. Twilight’s parents turned back to normal, and Spike turned back into a baby and began to suck on his tail. Chad crawled to Bandit’s chest and fell asleep. Bandit held him with an excited smile.

"Momma! Did you see that?! Did you see it?" Bandit asked her with excited hops.

"He's an excitable little fella isn't he?" Night Light said to Twilight Velvet.

“He sure is.” Twilight Velvet said.

“I sure did.” Celestia said with a smile. Twilight jumped around happily before she stumbled onto the floor, giggling softly.

“Does this mean she can get into the school?” Bandit asked with a tail wag.

"That's not the only thing she's got" She pointed toward the young unicorn's flank. 

Twilight gasped and looked seeing her own cutie mark "Oh my gosh oh my gosh Oh my gosh I've got my cutie mark. Mom! Dad! Look!"

"Cutie mark?" Bandit asked with a head tilt.

“That, my dear Bandit, is when a pony realises their special talent.” Celestia explained. This prompted Bandit to look at his own flank. It was in fact, blank.

“Will I get mine?” Bandit asked her.

“You never know. There hasn’t been a changeling with a cutie mark before.” She started to say. “But, I’m sure you will be the first. You’re known for being the first to do things.” 

Bandit smiles at that and the two share a light nuzzling.

(10 years later, the start of mlp season one episode one)

Bandit was inside of Twilight's house, sleeping on the couch, and snoring rather loudly. He had grown a lot over the past ten years. He was bigger than the couch he was sleeping on. His mane was also light grey and put in a long ponytail.

Chad, Bandit's younger brother, was searching the library for books to read out of boredom.

Twilight was walking back towards her house after doing some studying "I've gotta get back home and get all this studying done."

“Twilight!? Is their anything interesting to read?!” Chad called.

She rolled her eyes hearing him from outside "Everything is interesting if you give it a chance!" She called back.

"I read every book three times!" He said. He huffed with boredom before looking at Spike.

Chad started to sneak up on him. Upon being close enough he bites down on the tip of his tail.

Spike jerked out of shock. "Hey," he said as he looked at Chad

Chad hisses and pounced on him, playfully wrestling with him.

"Aah, oh you wanna tussle huh?" He asked as they wrestled. 

Twilight walked in, seeing them wrestling.

“Watch for fragile objects.” Bandit said as his ears twitched. Chad continued to try and pin Spike. Spike was having none of it, and maneuvered around.

Chad bit down on Spike’s neck, with no intentions of harm of course.

“Any news Twily?” Bandit asked her.

Spike struggled to get out of the grip.

“I’ve found a book that talks of the two sisters, and to be honest… I’m kinda scared.”

“The two sisters?” Bandit asked as he sat up. “The mare in the moon story?” Spike made an attempt to flip Chad, which worked.

“Yes, exactly. How do you know about that?” Twilight asked.

“Mom talks about it from time to time.” Bandit said. Chad hits the ground, but held onto Spike. He hisses and pounces again.

“A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria, defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal!” Twilight recited from the book. Bandit sat up and Chad got distracted from the word’s ‘eternal night’.

“That means the Eternal Night could happen tonight.” Bandit said as he got off the couch. Spike pushed Chad off of him. Spike attempts to perform an elbow drop on him, but Twilight caught him.

“Spike, get ready to take a note.” Twilight said. Chad got up, and got a quill for Spike.

“Dear Mother, my continuing studies of pony magic have led me to discover that we are on the precipice of disaster.” Bandit started.

“Hold on.” Spike said. He made an attempt to spell it. “Preci-- Preci--”

“P-R-E-C-I-P-I-C-E.” Chad spelled for him.

“Thank you, continue.” Spike said. 

“For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon is in fact Nightmare Moon, and she's about to return to Equestria, and bring with her eternal night! Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true. I await your quick response. Your Son, Bandit." Bandit said. Spike finished writing and got ready to send it. Chad snatched it right as he blew the fire.

“Hey!” Spike said. Chad placed it on his horn and transported it that way. “Grr! Spike smash!” Spike tackles him and the two started wrestling.

“Do you thing she’ll respond right away?” Twilight asked.

“I dunno, Twilight, Princess Celestia's a little busy getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration. And it's like, the day after tomorrow.” Bandit said.

“That's just it, Bandit. The day after tomorrow is the thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration! It's imperative that the Princess is told right away!” Twilight said. Spike and Chad stopped wrestling for a second and looked at them.

“What does imperative mean?” Spike asked.

“Very important.” Chad answered. Chad’s horn sparked and a letter was transported to him. Chad tried to grab it, but Spike got it first.

“Hey!” Chad exclaimed, reaching for it, only for Spike to use his claw to hold him back by the face.

“My, loving son and dearest pupil. I am aware of said prophecy and I can ensure you that I have accounted for everything. On a separate note, I have a task for you both. I will be sending you to Ponyville to oversee preparations for the summer sun celebration with an extra goal... make some friends" Spike said looking at them both. Bandit and Twilight gasped.





Twilight, Chad, and Spike were on a carriage in the air being pulled by two royal guard pegasi. Bandit was flying along side them. Chad had a stuffed panda on his back.

“Look on the bright side Twilight. Mom arranged for us to stay in a library. That’s a lot of books for me- I mean, us to read. Doesn’t that make you happy?” Chad asked.

Twilight smiled. “Yes, yes it does. You know why? Because I'm right! I'll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some proof of Nightmare Moon's return.”

“And what about making friends?” Spike asked.

“That all depends on how much they do or don’t like Changelings. And besides, the main goal is to check the preparations.” Bandit said.

“They’re gonna love you Bandit, you’re the nicest Changeling I know.” Chad said with a tailwag.

“Chad, I’m the only changeling you know besides yourself.” Bandit said.

“Nuh uh, I know Tiger Shade.” Chad said.

“That’s a fictional Daring Do Character.” Bandit said as the carriage began to land. Bandit landed beside them.

“Thank you sirs.” Bandit told them. The two guards look up at him and nod with a satisfied whinny. The first thing bandit took to notice was how much taller and bigger Bandit was compared to the ponies walking around.

“Maybe the ponies in ponyville will have some interesting things to talk about.” Spike said as they saw a pink pony trotting their way.

“Well, I guess it’s worth a shot.” Bandit said before moving Twilight in front of him to talk to the pink pony.

Twilight glares at him before letting out a sigh and looking at the pink pony.

“Um... hello?” Twilight greeted. The pony lets out a prolonged gasp before zipping off. The four looked at her in shock. The stuffed panda fell off of Chad’s back.

“Well, that was interesting all right.” Bandit said as he turned to start moving. “Maybe I should’ve went to Moondancer’s get-together.”

Chad picked his stuffed panda up and began following him.





The four made their way to a farm nearing Ponyville.

“Summer Sun Celebration official overseer's checklist. Number one, banquet preparations: Sweet Apple Acres.” Bandit said as he was looking at the checklist.

“Yeehaw!” An orange mare was heard yelling. The quadro see her run to a tree, buck it, and knock all of the apples into the buckets under the trees. 

“Let’s get this over with.” Twilight sighed.

“I got this.” Bandit said as he walked forward. “Good afternoon, My name is Bandit.”

“Well golly, ain’t you a biggin’!” The orange mare said looking up at Bandit. “You’re a straight up bonified work horse if I’ve ever seen one.”

The mare walked around him to get a good look at his physique.

“You probably got the strength of a thousand stallions in your left hoof. I'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like makin' new friends!” The orange mare introduced.

“Friends? Oh no, I’m not here for-” Bandit tried to say.

“So, what can I do you for?” Applejack asked with a wink. Chad, Spike and Twilight walked over.

“Well, I’m here with my friend Twilight to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you're in charge of the food?” Bandit asked.

“We sure as sugar are! Would you care to sample some?” Applejack offered.

“We got time. Sure.” Bandit said. Applejack zipped off, and started ringing a triangle. 

“Soup's on, everypony!” She said. Ponies started to file in. Pushing Twilight, Chad and Spike to a table. Bandit walked over to the table to join them.

“Now, why don't I introduce y'all to the Apple family?” Applejack offered.

“Thanks, but we really need to hurry—” Twilight said in an attempt to get out of it. Quickly, ponies were stacking food onto the table.

“This here's Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp…” She listed as the family members before taking a deep breath. “Big Macintosh [points to a large red stallion, holding a green cupcake with an apple slice on top of the icing]. Apple Bloom [points to a vanilla colored filly with a red mane and pink bow]. Aaaand-” She shoves an apple in Twilights mouth before pointing to a light green, elderly mare, sleeping in a rocking chair. “Granny Smith.”

“Up'n'attem, Granny Smith, we got guests.” Applejack said. She snorts as she woke up.

“Wha..? Soup's on? I'm up, here I come, ahm comin'...” Granny smith said as she walked over to them.

“Why, I'd say you're already part of the family!” Applejack said. Twilight spat out the apple and laughed nervously.

“Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled, so we'll be on our way.” Twilight said. The ponies started to look sad.

“Aren't you gonna stay for brunch?” Apple Bloom asked with puppy eyes and a quivering lip. Bandit gave a remorseful look.

“I’m really sorry, but we have a lot to do and not a lot of time.” Bandit said in a gentle tone. The apple family let out a disappointed ‘Aww’. Bandit looked at them and felt bad.

“I’m sure we have some time.” Bandit said. The apple family’s frowns flipped as they cheered.





Some time later, Bandit was walking back to Ponyville, wiping his mouth with a napkin that he places in his bandana after he finished. Chad and Spike were slumped over on his back, having eaten a lot of food.

“Food's all taken care of, next is weather.” Bandit said before looking back at Twilight who trotted up to catch up.

“Are Spike and Chad okay?” She asked.

“They’re fine, just ate too much trying to out eat each other.” Bandit said.

“I won by the way.” Spike strained out.

“You got lucky.” Chad strained in replied, following with a burp. “Excuse me.”

“Okay, the weather. It says here that two pegasus ponies, named Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint, should have cleared the clouds already but that hasn't been done yet" Twilight groaned. Bandit looked off to the side and Chad's shell shook.

"Well I don't know about pegasi, but I do see two Lightning fast beams of color flying towards us." Bandit said as he ducked down.

"Huh?" She looked up at the sky and wasn't fast enough to duck, as they both crashed into her and fell into a mud puddle.

"Mud puddle!" Chad cheered as he tried to jump in. Bandit grabbed him by the back of his neck like a mother cat to prevent it.

"No you don't." He said. 

"Aww." Chad said saddened. The two pegasi, one blue with a dark blue and white mane, with a cutie mark of a sword with two lightning bolts and a pair of wings behind it. And the other a light blue pony with a rainbow mane and tail looked at Twilight. 

"Sorry about that." Rainbow Dash said. 

“You okay Twily?” Bandit asked, still holding Chad like a kitten.

“I’m fine.” She said, slightly ticked off.

“We can fix this.” Lightning said. She pushes a cloud over Twilight and Rainbow Dash jumped on top of the cloud, coating Twilight in rain.

“Um, girls. You’re overdoing it.” Chad said as Bandit placed him on his back. Rainbow Dash giggled as she looked at them.

“Whoops. Yeah, you’re right. Lightning, care to take care of that?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Got it.” She said. She flew around Twilight to dry her off, making her mane fluff up, much to Bandit’s amusement.

"Aww! Look at you Twily, you're so fluffy!" Bandit teased a little with a snicker, patting her mane.

“I assume that the two of you are Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint?” Twilight asked.

“That’s us.” Rainbow Dash said.

“The coolest pegasi in Ponyville. I see you’ve heard of us.” Lightning Sprint added.

“I heard you two were supposed to be keeping the sky clear. I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent Bandit and I to check on the weather.” Twilight said.

“Yeah, yeah, that'll be a snap.” Lightning said with a proud smile.

“Just gotta get done practicing.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Practicing for what?” Chad asked, standing on Bandit’s head.

“The Wonderbolts! They're gonna perform at the Celebration tomorrow.” Rainbow Dash explained.

“And we are gonna show them everything we got.” Lightning said with a smug smile. Bandit got an idea. 

“I’m really sure the wonderbolts wouldn’t accept a couple of Pegasi who can’t keep the sky clear for a couple of hours.” Bandit said with a smirk. Chad added a snicker.

“Hey, the two of us clear this sky in ten seconds flat.” Rainbow Dash said. 

“All I hear is talk, I’m seeing nothing.” Bandit said. Chad pulled out a stopwatch. Lightning Sprint and Rainbow Dash nodded and zipped off. Chad started the timer. The two speedy pegasi began clearing the clouds.

Bandit and Twilight followed their movements. Both were amazed at what they were seeing.

“Loop-de-loop around, and wham! What'd we say? Ten. Seconds. Flat. We'd never leave Ponyville hanging!” Lightning said. Twilight’s mouth was agape.

“Well, it was actually about 8.9 seconds.” Chad whispered to Bandit. Bandit rolled his eyes.

“You should see the look on your face. Ha! You're a laugh, Twilight Sparkle. I can't wait to hang out some more. You too Big guy.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Catch ya later.” Lightning said as she flew off. Rainbow Dash followed suit.

“Those two were amazing.” Chad said. He looked at Twilight and started laughing at her mane. Twilight rolled her eyes and walked off. Bandit stuffed him into his bandana, which had a builtin pouch.

“Wait. It's kinda pretty once you get used to it!” Spike said as he walked after her.

“Twily, I’m gonna go check on the music arrangements.” Bandit said as he walked off in the opposite direction.

“Okay, see you at the library.” Twilight said as she walked to town hall.





Once inside the town hall, Spike checked the next set of preparations to check up on. ''Next up...Decorations.'' He said before taking one look at the beautiful decorations. ''Beautiful...'' He then sighed dreamily.

''Yes, looks like the decor is coming along just nicely. This ought to be quick, I'll be at the library in no time. You're right about one thing, they're beautiful indeed.'' Twilight agreed from where they were placed and how beautiful they all looked. ''No...not the decor, her.'' Spike said as he shook his head and pointed to another unicorn pony.

This pony's coat was white, she had a purple mane and tail which were wavy, a pair of dark blue eyes, light blue eye-shadow and a cutie mark consisting of three blue lozenge diamonds. But what caught Spike's attention the most, was that she was very gorgeous. The unicorn was currently going through the different ribbons to see which one would be best to have.

''No, no, no, oh! Goodness no.'' She said to herself. All the while, Spike had the looks of someone who just fell in love instantly. ''How are my spines? Are they straight?'' He asked Twilight with excitement, trying to make himself look good.

Twilight rolled her eyes while laughing in her mind before going over to greet the white unicorn. ''Good afternoon...'' Twilight began, the unicorn then spoke before Twilight could even say anything else. ''Just a moment please! I'm in the zone.'' She said while looking through a couple more ribbons.

''Oh, yes. A touch of sparkle always does the trick does it not? Why, Rarity, you really are a talent.'' The mare called Rarity said after finding the perfect red ribbon. She then turned towards Twilight before speaking.

''Now, um, how can I help yo...'' But before she could continue to speak, Rarity took notice of Twilight's messy mane and yelped in surprise. ''Oh my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?!'' She asked as if she was afraid of Twilight's messy mane. ''Oh, you mean my mane? Well, it's a long story. Anyways, I'm just here to check up on the decorations and then I'll be out of your hair.'' Twilight said after taking notice to why Rarity was frightened.

''Out of my hair? What about your hair?'' Rarity said before trotting over to Twilight. She then started pushing Twilight somewhere. ''Wait! Where are we going?! Help!'' Twilight called out, but Rarity still insisted that she come with her to fix her mane and tail. The situation to Twilight was bad enough when Spike was following Rarity and being completely oblivious to the situation at hand.

At the place known as Carousel Boutique

Rarity was busy trying to find the best outfit which suited Twilight best, but unfortunately for the purple unicorn, the white mare was taking ages to find the best one. ''No, no, uh-uh. Too green. Too yellow. Too poofy. Not poofy enough. To frilly. Too...shiny.'' She said as she got Twilight to try on several outfits, eventually she found a perfect outfit for Twilight.

''Now go on, my dear. You were telling me about where you're from.'' Rarity asked Twilight as she was tightening the outfit that she had on her. ''I've...been sent...from Canterlot...to...'' Twilight managed to say, it was hard to speak because of Rarity tightening the outfit. After hearing the word Canterlot however, Rarity stopped tightening and let go, causing Twilight to crash on the other side of boutique.

''Canterlot?! Oh, I am so envious! The glamour, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living up there! I can't wait hear all about it! We are going to be the best of friends, you and I...'' Rarity said with absolute delighted to know that Twilight was from Canterlot...until she noticed that there was something off about the outfit Twilight was wearing. ''Emeralds?! What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!'' She said with glee as she ran off to find some rubies.

But to Twilight, she knew this was bad. ''Quick! Before she decides to dye my coat a new colour!'' Twilight said before running off. Spike on the other hand was just too distracted to run.





“So Bandit, what do you think of this place so far?” Chad asked from the pouch.

“Well….. Not too bad. I wouldn’t exactly say I would like to stay here, but we’ll see.” Bandit said.

“Do you think this place has lemon trees?” Chad asked.

“Chad, no lemons for you.” Bandit scolded, resulting in an aww from his little brother. Suddenly, the two hear chirping from birds. 

“Shh.” Bandit says before hiding into a bush. He looks out to see the source of the music; it was a flock of different birds all singing together.

However, they weren't doing this by themselves, they were actually taught how to sing like that by another female pegasus pony. Unlike the last pegasus, this one was different. Her coat was light yellow, her mane and tail were pink and her eyes were teal coloured. She also had a cutie mark consisting of three butterflies with cyan bodies and pink wings.

She was currently working on the birds' singing and then noticed that one of the birds was singing out of key. ''Oh my. Um, stop please, everyone, um.'' The yellow pegasus said politely, one thing that was noted about her, she was really shy. The pegasus then flew up to the blue bird who was singing off key. ''Excuse me, sir? I mean, no offence, but your rhythm is just a teeny-tiny bit off.'' She said in the nicest possible way.

After speaking nice, the yellow pegasus then prepared to hear her bird friends sing gain. ''Alright now, follow me, please. A-one, a-two, a-one two three...'' She said, preparing to teach her birds to sing again until another voice spoke up.

“Hello?” Bandit’s voice spoke, startling the birds, and the yellow pegasus. She turned to see the changeling giant behind her.

“Oh, I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to scare your birds away.” Bandit said. “I’m just here to check on the music.”

Fluttershy seemingly started to shrink, intimidated by the much larger Changeling. Seeing this, Bandit lowered himself, loafing onto the ground.

“I’m Bandit, what’s your name?” Bandit asked.

“I’m Fluttershy.” She answered quietly.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Bandit asked.

“Um…..I’m Fluttershy.” She repeated, speaking very shyly.

“I’m really sorry, I didn’t catch that.” Bandit said. Then, like a joey in a flyer’s pouch, Chad popped his head out of the bandana pouch.

“I think she said her name was Fluttershy.” Chad said. Fluttershy lets out a gasp as she zipped over to Chad.

“Oh my goodness!” She happily said, scaring off the birds that just came back. “Aren’t you just the cutest thing!”

Chad blushes happily.

“Hehe, thank you.” He said bashfully.

“What’s your name?” Fluttershy asked.

“Kama Ezio Clyde Armasta Laska Chadwickson IV.” Chad said with a large smile, seeing Fluttershy’s confused face he let out a bashful chuckle. “But, you can call me Chad.”

“Well Chad, you are such a cutie pie. [She looks at Bandit] Is this your little brother?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yep. Well it was nice meeting you Fluttershy.” Bandit said as he started walking off. Fluttershy trotted around to look at Chad.

“I’ve never seen a baby changeling before. Or even a full grown one for that matter.” Fluttershy said. “Could you tell me about changelings? Yourself specifically?”

“Well, what do you want to know?” Chad asked.

“Absolutely everything!” Fluttershy said. Bandit took Chad out of the pouch and placed him on his back next to his stuffed panda.

“Well, from what Bandit told me, my egg was laid in-”





Fluttershy and Chad were still talking about Chad by the time the sun was setting into the mountains. ''...and that's the story of my whole entire life...well up until today that is." Chad said, finally finishing his story. 

“That is all very fascinating.” Fluttershy said with a smile. Bandit looked ahead and saw Twilight running to the library and sliding to a stop. She still had on the outfit Rarity put her in.

“Oh, hi Twilight. Is that a new-” Bandit tried to ask, but Twilight ran inside the library. Bandit looked back at Fluttershy. “Nice meeting you Flutter-” Twilight opened the door, grabbed Bandit and pulled him inside. Bandit ducked his head so not to hit his head on the top of the door. “-shy.”





Inside the dark library, the four walked to the middle of the room.

“That was a little rude. She was pretty nice.” Bandit said as Twilight took the outfit off and threw it across the room.

“Sorry, Bandy, but we have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time! I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time. Now, where's the light?” Twilight said.

“Can one of you get the light?” Bandit asked, seemingly to no one.

“Who are you talking to?” Spike asked. The lights came on, revealing the library to be full of ponies. Twilight and Spike jumped out of surprise.

“Surprise!” The ponies exclaimed. A kazoo blows next to them. Twilight lets out an annoyed groan. 

“Surprise!” The pink pony from earlier exclaimed. “Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?” 

“Very. For many reasons, the number one being how did you get in here?” Bandit asked.

“I thought libraries are supposed to be quiet.” Twilight said.

“Well, that's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring! Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all "hello" and I was all [deep gasp], remember? Y'see I've never saw you before and if I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!” Pinkie pie said in a jolly tone. Bandit gave an unamused look and walked to the table. Twilight walked beside him.

“And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, and that's why I went [deep gasp]! I must throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!” Pinkie explained. As she was talking, Bandit poured hot sauce into one drink and coconut juice into the other. Twilight put a straw in the wrong drink and started drinking. Bandit picked up the other one and began drinking as well.

He quickly performed a spit take into a napkin. 

“Twily, I think we mixed up our drinks.” He said. Right on cue, Twilight got red in the face and began tearing up.

“Are you all right, sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“She doesn’t look too good.” Lightning said. Twilight ran off upstairs.

“Aww, she's so happy she's crying!” Pinkie said. Chad picked up the hot sauce.

“Hot sauce.” He read. He poured some onto a cupcake and ate it. “Hmm…. could use some sprinkles.” 

Bandit walked through the crowd to grab a couple of books and walked upstairs.





As the party was going on downstairs, Twilight was one her bed, looking out of the window, as well as at the clock.

Bandit was reading on a couch that was down th stairs, lined up with the bed.

Spike and Chad came back into the room.

“Hey Twilight, Bandit! Pinkie Pie's starting "pin the tail on the pony"! Wanna play?” Chad asked.

“It’s gonna be fun!” Spike added.

“That sounds like a dangerous game in a room full of ponies.” Bandit commented.

“No!” Twilight said, immediately after Bandit. “All the ponies in this town are crazy! Do you know what time it is?!” Twilight exclaimed.

“It's the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration. Everypony has to stay up, or they'll miss the Princess raise the sun.” Bandit said from the couch. Flipping the pages as he read.

“You two should really lighten up.” Spike said as he and Chad walked away. Twilight mocked his words as they walked off. Bandit looked at Twilight.

“Spike is right you know.” Bandit said as he continued reading.

“Ugh, here I thought I'd have time to learn about the Elements of Harmony but, silly me, all this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it! "Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night." I hope the Princess was right... I hope it really is just an old pony tale…” Twilight said. Bandit tilted his head at one of the pages and observed it.

“Eight elements of harmony.” He muttered to himself.

Chad hopped into the room with a wide smile.

“Bandit! Twilight, it's time to watch the sunrise!” Chad said with a wagging tail.

Bandit stood up, and placed Chad on his back and walked out the door. Twilight sighed and followed him.





The four walked to town hall. Everypony from Ponyville had gathered to watch their beloved Princess raise the sun. It was the building where Twilight had met Rarity before. Pinkie hopped beside them.

“Isn't this exciting? Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited— well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went-” Pinkie performed a deep gasp. “-but I mean really, who can top that?” As Pinkie spot, Chad giggled at Pinkie.

At that moment, a fanfare done by Fluttershy and her birds was heard and a spot light was pointed onto the stage where the town's mayor was. "Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" Mayor Mare spoke as everypony cheered, even Pinkie and Chad too. Bandit leaned to Twilight.

“I got a bad feeling about this.” He said to her.

“I do too, this suddenly feels like something is gonna go wrong here.” Twilight replied.

"And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria..." The Mayor continued, getting everypony excited.

"Ready?" Fluttershy asked her birds who were all prepared to sing. "...Princess Celestia!" The Mayor announced, allowing the spotlight to be pointed to the balcony for her appearence. When that happened the fanfare started up again and Rarity drew back the curtains to reveal...

Nopony…

"Huh?" Rarity said as she and many other ponies chatted quietly but nervously about this. 
"Ohh, this can't be good." Twilight said.

“Mom?” Chad said with confusion.

"Remain calm everypony. There must be a reasonable explanation for this!" The Mayor said, feeling nervous herself.

"Ooh, ooh, I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" Pinkie asked with excitement. 

"She's gone!" Rarity exclaimed. Speaking this had caused everypony to gasp in horror.

"Ooh, she's good!" Pinkie said, but suddenly yelped when a dark blue mist appeared on the platform, making everypony very frightened. "Oh no...it's..." Twilight started, but the sentence was finished by Bandit who stepped beside her. "Nightmare Moon!" He said as the mist formed a tall black mare with terrifying wings, a sharp horn, dragon shaped pupils, a cutie mark of a luminous moon and a flowing mane and tail made from the same mist.

The mare was the terrifying Nightmare Moon, and seeing that Twilight and Bandit was right, Spike fainted off her back, Chad hopped off of Bandit’s and picked up Spike. "Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces." Nightmare Moon spoke as everyone cowered in fear...well, apart from one pony.

"What did you do with our Princess?!" Rainbow Dash asked angrily before trying to take on Nightmare Moon, only to be stopped by Applejack. "Woah there Nelly..." She said with a muffled voice as Nightmare Moon chuckled evilly. "Why, am I not royal enough for any of you? Don't any of you know who I am?" The wicked mare asked with everypony too afraid to answer.

"Ooh, ooh, more guessing games! Um, Hokey Smokes! How about...Queen Meanie! No Black Snooty, Black Snooty..." Pinkie said before Applejack shoved a cupcake into her mouth. "Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for 1000 years?" Nightmare Moon asked angrily towards Fluttershy. "Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?" She continued while taunting Rarity.

“We did.” Bandit said. The ponies in the room turned their eyes to the large changeling and lavender mare.

“You're the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon!" Twilight continued, causing Ponies to gasp in realisation. "Well, well, well...Somepony remembers me, not that I knew. Then you two also know why I am here." Nightmare Moon spoke as everypony looked towards Twilight and Bandit.

"You're here to...to..." Twilight said nervously before gulping. "Typical...nevermind." Nightmare Moon chuckled before continuing. "Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last day ever. So from this moment forth, the night, will last FOREVER!" Nightmare Moon said as she laughed wickedly with thunder appearing.

Both Bandit and Twilight were really frightened about this, but the question was, would they be able to prevent the night from lasting before it was too late?

TO BE CONTINUED...
> Friendship and Magic, part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nightmare Moon let out a maniacal laughter as she stood above the frightened ponies.

“Seize her! Only she knows where the Princess is!” Mayor Mare ordered. The three royal guard flew towards Nightmare Moon.

“Stand back, you foals!” Nightmare Moon said. She laughes as she strike them with lightning. The guards hit the ground and Bandit rushes to their aid. 

“Are you alright?” He asked, helping one of them sit up.

“We’re fine.” The lead guard said. Bandit looked up to see Nightmare Moon had turned into a tantabus and flew out the door. Lightning Sprint flew after her.

“Hey, wait!” Applejack said to Lightning, only to release Rainbow dash. The two flew out the building, but Nightmare Moon was all the way out of Ponyville.

“Get back here!!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“You coward!” Lighting Sprint yelled. They looked down and saw Bandit and Twilight running out of the building.

“Where are they going?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Let’s find out.” Lighting Sprint said.





Spike was placed in a bed, he was already sleeping slightly. He lightly woke up.

“We gotta stop Nightmare moon!” Spike said before going back to sleep. Twilight put a blanket over him.

“Get some sleep Spike. We’ll take care of this.” Bandit said. The three walked down stairs, and began trashing through the books.

“Elements, elements, elements... Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?” Twilight asked as she looked through the books. Rainbow Dash zipped in and went nose to nose with her.

“And just what are the Elements of Harmony? And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a spy?” Rainbow Dash accused. She was grabbed by the tail and practically tossed by Bandit. She was able to recover before she could hit a wall.

“Watch the accusations, we aren’t spies!” Bandit said. 

“And how do we know that?!” Lightning said as she got nose to nose with him. Bandit growls, only for Applejack to yank Lighting back this time.

“Simmer down sally, they ain’t no spies. But they sure know what’s going on. Don’t you?” Applejack asked them.

“We read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them; I don't even know what they do!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Found it.  ‘The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.’.” Chad said, trotting over with the book. Twilight grabbed the book in a snatch.

“How did you find that?!” Twilight exclaimed.

“I just grabbed the most important looking book….. And looked under E.” Chad said with a giggle. “Blep.” He said, sticking out part of his tongue as Twilight opened the book. Pinkie giggled and ruffled his mane as she hopped over to Twilight.

“Oh. There are eight Elements of Harmony, but only six are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, Motivation and Loyalty. The seventh and eighth is a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the eight elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now--” Twilight read. They transition to the entrance of-

“The Everfree Forest!” The 8 of them said.

“Looks fun! Let’s go.” Chad said as he began trotting to the entrance, only for Twilight to pull him back.

“Whoa whoa whoa! You are not doing that.” Twilight said as she held him up.

“But Twilight, I want to help.” Chad said.

“No. You’re not coming and that’s final.” Twilight said. Chad looked at her with puppy eyes.

“Chad, Bandit and I raised you. The puppy eyes won’t work on me a 45th time.” Twilight said unamused.

“No, but it works on them.” Chad said, pointing behind her. Bandit and Twilight turned around and saw the six with them, adored by Chad’s puppy eyes. “I have the attention, I have the power.”

“Ain’t he an adorable little fella.” Applejack said.

“Isn’t he the cutest?” Fluttershy asked.

“Aww, he is the most adorable little guy I’ve ever seen in my life!” Pinkie said, walking over and cupping his cheeks. “Can we bring him with us? Please?” 

“What? No! You girls can’t come either.” Twilight said.

“Why not?” Lightning asked.

“We’d rather do this on our own. Putting you in danger is something I’d like to avoid.” Bandit said.

“No can do, sugarcube. We sure ain't lettin' any friends of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple.” Applejack said as she and the others trotted into the forest.

“Especially if there's candy apples in there.” Pinkie said as she trotted into the forest. Bandit and Twilight looked at each other confused. 

“What? Those things are good.” Chad said on Bandit’s back, he jumped off and hopped after Pinkie. Bandit rolled his eyes and followed the group. Twilight sighed and followed along.





A couple of minutes into forest and trot, the ponies, except for Pinkie and the two changelings, looked unsettled as they walked.

“So, none of you have been in here before?” Bandit asked them. Rather unfazed by the spooky setting.

“Ugh, heavens no! Just look at it - it's dreadful.” Rarity said.

“And it ain't natural. Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria.” Applejack said.

“What does that mean?” Chad asked, hopping with his back turned. The nine managed to make their way to the side of the cliff.

“Nopony knows. You know why?” Lightning asked, moving in a spooky manner, with the intentions of scaring Chad. Chad’s excited looking smile proved that he wasn’t exactly frightened.

“Lightning, Quit it.”

“'Cause everypony who's ever come in has never come out!” Rainbow dash finished. It was at that moment that a chunk of the cliff they were standing on started to collapse. Bandit grabs Chad with his mouth and jumped to safety. Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Lightning Sprint flew into the air right as the others started slide down the cliff.

“Light! Flutter! Lets go!” Rainbow Dash said, flying down.

“Right behind you.” Lightning said.

“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness.” Fluttershy said as she and Lightning flew after her. Rainbow Dash grabs Pinkie pie and flies into the air.

Fluttershy grabs Rarity’s tail and pulled to slow her down. Lightning flies in front of Rarity and slows her to a stop before helping Fluttershy get her back up the mountain.

Applejack slides to a branch and grabs onto a branch to stop her from sliding. This was until she saw Twilight slide to the edge. Twilight manages to stop herself from going over the edge, and was holding on.

“Hold on! I'm a-comin'!” Applejack said, realising the branch and sliding down to Twilight and grabbing onto her hooves.

“Applejack! What do I do?” Twilight asked, holding on tight. Applejack held on for a moment before looking up. She then looked at Twilight.

“Let go.” She said. Twilight looked at her shocked.

“Are you crazy?” Twilight exclaimed.

“No I ain't. I promise you'll be safe.” Applejack said.

“That's not true!” Twilight said in a panicked manner.

“Now listen here. What I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe.” Applejack reassured. Twilight looked like she trusted her, took the chance and lets go.

She screams as she fell, this was before she landed on the back of certain Changeling. She looked and saw Bandit looking back at her with a smile, still holding Chad.

“Glad you could drop in.” Bandit joked. 

“Ha ha.” She said with an eye roll as Bandit lowered both of them to the ground. Twilight looks up to see Lightning Sprint carrying Applejack to lower ground.

The tantabus form that caused the cliff to collapse, travels to a manticore.





“You got quite the strong back there Bandit, you barely even moved when Twilight dropped on your back.” Applejack said as they walked. Bandit chuckles at the comment.

“You say that like Twilight is heavy.” Bandit said. “By the way, thanks for reassuring that Twilight will be okay.”

“Well, I’m glad to do my part.” Applejack said. This is when the manticore the tantabus irritated stepped in front of them with a growl.

“Manticore!” Rarity exclaimed.

“Wow! So cool!” Chad said as he looked at the beast. Bandit whistled. Chad hops off of his back and scurries under Bandit.

“Keep Chad protected, we’ll find a way past it.” Twilight said to Bandit, who nods in response. The first one the manticore attacked was Rarity. Swiping with his right paw, he attempts to smack her, but she ducks and kicks him in the face with her hind hooves. The manticore staggers back.

“Take that, you ruffian!” She boasted. She was rewarded with a loud roar that frazzled her mane.

“My hair!” She looked at the manticore, gasped and quickly ran away.

“Wait.” Fluttershy softly said. The manticore briefly runs out after her, only to feel Applejack jump onto his back. He quickly tries to buck her off.

“YEE-HAW! Git along, little dogie.” Applejack said as she held on. 

“Wait.” Fluttershy said, a little louder. The manticore roars before officially bucking Applejack off of his back.

“Whoa!” She exclaimed as she was thrown through the air. “All yours, partners.” She said to Rainbow Dash and Lightning. Both salute and fly to the manticore. 

“Wait.” Fluttershy said again. 

Flying around it to keep it confused. The manticore used its tail to bat Rainbow dash away, and it’s left paw to do the same to Lightning sprint.

“Rainbow!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Lightning!” Applejack exclaimed as both pegasi landed in front of the group.

“Okay, mind helping us out big guy?” Applejack asked. Bandit used his magic to pick up Chad and give him to Applejack.

“Hold my brother.” He said. Applejack nods and holds him as Bandit walked to the front of the group. The manticore got in a charging stance, as did Bandit. However, Bandit noticed something wrong with the manticore.

“Wait a min-”

“WAIT!” Fluttershy exclaimed, stopping both parties. Bandit tapped fluttershy and whispered something into her ear. She looked at Bandit and nodded. Fluttershy walked to the Manticore, Bandit right next to her. The manticore revs back its paw again.

“Easy there fella.” Bandit said as he stuck out his hoof and gently stroked it’s mane. “Easy……. Sun’s starting to set.”

The manticore slowly relaxed before looking at Fluttershy.

“It's okay.” Fluttershy reassured. The manticore then showed it’s paw, which had a thorn in it. “Oh, you poor, poor little baby.” Fluttershy said.

“Little?” Lightning and Rainbow dash said. 

“Jinx.” Rainbow Dash quickly said.

“Dang it!” Lightning exclaimed. Rainbow dash laughed at her a little.

“Bandit, do you mind?” Fluttershy asked. Bandit nodded and walked over to the paw.

“It’s gonna hurt for a little bit.” Bandit warned. He pulled it out and the manticore roared.

“Fluttershy!” All but Twilight exclaimed.

“Bandit!” Twilight worrily called. To their surprise, the Manticore was licking Fluttershy as Bandit pet its mane.

“Aw you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are.” Fluttershy said as the others moved their way past them.

Fluttershy and Bandit soon joined them and Chad climbed back on Bandit’s back.

“How did you know about the thorn?” Twilight asked them.

“Well, Bandit said that he saw it while he was fighting. I didn’t know before hoof. Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness.” Fluttershy said. Bandit smiled at her and started walking behind them.

“Let’s be grateful that wasn’t a Tigrischirophidio. Those guys are hard to tame.” Bandit commented.

Twilight soon followed behind him. The tantabus undisguises itself and flies after them again.





The 8 of them continued their tret through the forest, progressing into the more, murkier parts of the forest.

“No. My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck.” Rarity said, just before walking into a much darker part of the forest, impairing her vision. “Well, I didn't mean that literally.”

“Stay close to Bandit, he can see pretty well in the dark.” Twilight pointed out.

“I can’t see him.” Applejack said.

“I’m to your left Applejack.” Bandit said.

“Kinda cool how that moon was bright enough to provide that light.” Chad said.

“That’s because it reflects the sun. It still shines bright when she lowers it, you know that.” Bandit said as he navigated the forest. 

“Wait, is it considered lowering the sun if Equestia is a-”

“Oh wait, I think I stepped in somethin'.” Applejack said, interrupting Chad. Fluttershy screamed in her direction, confusing the apple farm mare. “It's just mud.”

She looked at the tree and saw how scary it looked, and she could have sworn she heard it growl at her. She jumped back with a scream.

The ponies watched in terror as they were seemingly surrounded by scary looking tress. Bandit was looking at them, confused as to why they were screaming. He looked behind him at Chad, only to see that he wasn’t there.

“Chad? Chad!?” Bandit called. However, the only response he got was from Chad and Pinkie laughing and giggling. Bandit looked in that direction and sighes from relief that Chad was safe.

Chad and Pinkie made a bunch of silly faces at the trees before laughing.

“Chad, Pinkie! What are you doing?! Run!!” Twilight yelled.

“Oh girls, don't you see?” Pinkie said before bouncing in place.

[Pinkie]

When I was a little filly and the sun was going down…

“Tell me she's not…” Twilight tried to say.

[Pinkie]

The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown…

“She is.” Rarity said.

[Chad]
And I would always cower
From what I thought I saw
But Bandit told me that wasn’t the way 
To deal with fear at all

“Where’s that music coming from?” Bandit asked as he looked around. Chad hopped on top of the larger changeling’s head.

[Chad]
You told me, ‘Chadwick, I know it’s frightening but
You can face your fears

[Pinkie]
Granny said, ‘That they can’t hurt you’
Just laugh to make them disappear.

[Chad and Pinkie]
Ha! Ha! Ha!

As if it were magic, the scary face of the tree they were facing, disappeared.

The ponies gasped, Bandit stood with a proud smile as the two looked back at the group.

[Pinkie]
So, giggle at the ghostly
Guffaw at the grossly
Crack up at the creepy
Whoop it up with the weepy
Chortle at the kooky
Snortle at the spooky

[Chad]
And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna... hahahaha... heh…

[Pinkie and Chad]
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh!

The group lied down on the ground and laughed, the scary faces disappeared and the forest’s moonlight shone through once again.





Pinkie was hopping along the path, still laughing with the girls, Bandit and Chad right behind her. She stops at the edge of water rapids, The 6 ponies behind her bump into her, Bandit stops so not to bump the others in.

“How are we gonna cross this?” Pinkie asked. Bandit looked to the otherside.

“Well, there’s nine of us, four of us with wings, and one with wings that can’t fly yet.” Bandit said.

“Aww. “ Chad said with an ear flop. 

“So, I’ll carry Twilight and Rarity. Lightning, you carry Applejack. Rainbow dash, you carry Pinkie. And Fluttershy, you carry Chad. If that’s okay with you-” Distant crying interrupted Bandit and he looked to where it came from.

“What a world, what a world.” The crying voice said. Bandit walked over to it, with the others following him. They see a large, purple serpentine dragon with orange hair and half an orange mustache crying in despair.

“Excuse me, sir. Why are you crying?” Bandit asked.

“Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off, and now I look simply horrid.” The dragon said gesturing to the half stash he was missing.

“Oh it was torn off, I thought it was a bad shave day.” Bandit commented. The dragon started wailing after that. 

The mares glared at him.

“I said that out loud didn’t I?” Bandit asked. Twilight lightly punching his shoulder was his answer.

“Look, I’m sorry about your mustache Mr.-” Bandit started.

“Magnet. Steven Magnet.” The dragon introduced glumly.

“Mr. Magnet. I’m sorry about your mustache, and for being insensitive a few seconds ago. But, you uh……. Look just as good with only half your mustache than with the full thing.” Bandit said. Steven started wailing dramatically again.

“Did you really think that was gonna work?” Applejack asked.

“No, but it was worth a shot.” Bandit said. This is when Rarity walked forward.

“How can you be so insensitive? Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales.” Rarity said, brushing his muzzle. Steven sniffled a little.

“I know.” He said.

“And your expertly coiffed mane.” She said, pointing to his hair.

“Oh, I know, I know.” Magnet said as he ran his claws throw it.

“Your fabulous manicure.” Rarity said. Steven gasped.

“It's so true!” He said.

“All ruined without your beautiful mustache.” Rarity said. The purple serpentine became saddened.

“It's true, I'm hideous!” Steven said before wailing.

“I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected.” Rarity said with a determined look. She walked over and plucked a scale off of him.

“Ow! What did you do that for?” Steven asked.

Rarity readied the scale.

“Rarity, what are you about to-” Bandit tried to ask, his jaw dropped as Rarity cut off her own tail. She then used her magic to attach the tail to Steven’s mustache.

“Oh-hohohoho! My mustache. How wonderful.” Steven said with a smile.

“You look smashing.” Rarity said.

“That mustache doesn’t look better.” Bandit commented. Applejack elbows him.

“Oh, Rarity, your beautiful tail…” Twilight said. Rarity looked at her tail and turned to Twilight.

“Oh. It's fine, my dear. Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back.” Rarity said.

“So would the mustache.” Rainbow dash said.

“Short tails were in LAST season you li-” Chad was about to say, before Bandit used his magic to zip his lips, causing him to muffle.

“The rapids are gone, we can cross now.” Bandit said. Steven made a bridge with his body.

“Allow me.” Steven offered. The group hopped along his body and got to the other side.





The group makes it to a cliff that lead to the castle. Twilight’s eyes brightened as she sees the entrance. Chad sees this and unzips his mouth.

“CASTLE HO!” He exclaimed happily.

“There it is, the ruin that holds The Elements of Harmony. We made it!” Twilight said as she started running to the bridge.

“Wait for us Twilight.” Applejack said. Bandit runs ahead of the other 6 and grabbed twilight’s tail right before her front hooves dangled over the cliff where the bridge was out. He pulls her back to safety.

“I know this is stressful, but no need to go over the edge just yet.” Bandit joked. Twilight rolled her eyes and stood up.

“Now what?” Pinkie asked.

“Ahem.” Bandit said as he fluttered his wings. “You guys stay here, I’ll get the bridge.”

“No no, I got this.” Rainbow dash said.

“Are you sure sugar cube? Bandit is probably the strongest one here aaaaaaaaaand she’s gone.” Applejack said, noticing that Rainbow dash had flown down already. 

Rainbow dash ties one end to the one post before looking at the other one.

“Rainbow….. Rainbow….” A voice called out for.

“Huh? Who’s there?” She asked.

“We’ve been waiting for you.” The voice repeated.

“I ain't scared of you! Show yourself!” She said, punching her hooves.

“About time we gained the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria.” The voice said.

“Who?” Rainbow Dash asked.





The remaining seven were standing on the other cliff. Bandit looked to the other side and saw Rainbow dash looking towards the clouds.

“Something’s up.” He said to the group.

“What’s taking Rainbow Dash so long?” Rarity asked. “She should’ve tied the bridge by now.”

“She’s talking to someone. It seems.” Bandit said before seeing three ponies, donning a purple and black uniform with yellow goggles, galloping in front of Rainbow Dash.

“Oh no.” He said. Twilight sees this too and gasps.

“Rainbow! Don't listen to them.” Twilight attempted to warn, but the clouds moved in front of them, blocking out her voice. “Oh, no. What are we gonna do?”

“Rainbow dash wouldn’t just abandon us, would she?” Rarity asked.

“I can’t believe it, if she decides to leave us here, we’re gonna-”

“Keep moving is what.” Lightning Sprint spoke up.

“What?” All but Chad asked.

“I said, we keep moving. I know all of you are skeptical about Rainbow Dash. None of you know here like I do. I know she won’t leave us behind, but, whether you know her or not, regardless of what happens, we don’t stop moving. The princess is relying on us.” Lightning Sprint said.





“We want you to join us, The Shadowbolts. We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria, but first, we need a captain. The most magnificent-” The Shadowbolt leader said.

“Yep.” Rainbow dash acknowledged

“Swiftest.” 

“Yes.”

“Bravest flyer in all the land.” The leader finished.

“All true.” Rainbow dash boasted.

“We need…… you.” The shadowbolt leader said.

“WOOHOO! Sign me up. Just let me tie this bridge real quick and then we have a deal.” She said as she attempted to tie the other rope to the podium. The three shadowbolts zipped over and stood between her and the rope.

“No! It's them or us.” The leader told her. Rainbow dash looked at the other end of the bridge to see Bandit looking at her.

“She seems to be talking to somepony.” Bandit was heard saying.

“Oh no.” He said. Twilight sees this too and gasps.

“Rainbow! Don't listen-.” Twilight attempted to warn, but one of the shadowbolts turned his head, lit up his eyes and the clouds moved in front of the bridge, muffling her voice. Rainbow Dash began to look conflicted.

“Well?” The shadowbolt leader asked.

“You.” Rainbow Dash admitted. The trio grins, thinking that she abandoned her friends. “Thank you! For the offer, I mean, but I'm afraid I have to say no.”

“What!? Don’t you want to be apart of a team of the best flyers in all of equestria?” The leader tried to tempt again.

“I do, but I’m not gonna leave my friends hanging. Especially after making it this far.” Rainbow dash said as she started to fly back. The shadowbolts turned back into tantabus and floated off.





The clouds moved away and Rainbow Dash flew back to the others.

The ponies cheered as they walked across the bridge.

“Good job Rainbow.” Twilight said. Lightning flew over and hoofbumped her.

“See, I'd never leave my friends hangin'.” Rainbow dash said.

“Darn right she wouldn’t.” Lightning said as the group crossed the bridge.





The eight walk into the castle and Bandit closed the door behind them. They see a podium with stone spheres on the ledges.

“Oooooh.” Chad and Pinkie said as they looked at the orbs.

“The Elements of Harmony, we've found them.” Twilight said. Bandit, Fluttershy, Lightning and Rainbow Dash flew up to grab them. “Careful, careful!”

The four puts the stones down. Rarity counted them and realized they were short.

“Wait, there’s only six.” She said. 

Chad opened his mouth, Bandit points at him. “No Marevel references.” Chad closes his mouth.

“The book said: when the six are present, a spark will cause the seventh and eighth Element to be revealed.” Twilight said.

“What in tarnation is that supposed to mean?” Applejack asked.

“Not too sure, but I got an idea. Everyone stand back, I’m not sure what will happen.” Twilight said. She lights up her horn. Applejack started to walk out the door.

“Come on now yall, She needs to concentrate.” Applejack said as she walked out. The others follow her and Bandit was the last one to head to the door.

The tantabus from before floated over to the elements and began to make them spin as Twilight’s eyes were shut tight. Bandit turned and noticed this.

“Twilight! The elements!” He exclaimed. Twilight opened her eyes and looked at what was happening with a gasp.

Outside, the other six hears the commotion and got worried.

“Come on! We gotta get back in there!” Lightning exclaimed as she flew to the door.

Bandit ran to the tantabus and jumped at it to grab the elements. It disappeared in a flash, with him in it right as the six ran inside.

“Bandit! No!” Twilight exclaimed as she reached out.

The ponies started to clamor over each other, wondering where Bandit went.

Twilight was sparking her horn, trying desperately to do something. Eventually, her magic conjured up and it started blinking red. The aura of Bandit’s magic. She looked around the magic grew dimmer when she looked away from where Bandit was located, and brighter when she looked in it.

“Look!” Rarity said as she pointed to a castle where the windows were glowing bright. Twilight looked and the castle, and her horn grew even brighter.

“Bandit’s there, lets move!” She said as she shut her horn off and ran out the door. The others, followed. Chad jumps on her back.





Bandit wound up transported into the other castle. He coughs a few times before looking up at Nightmare moon, who was not only physical, but had the elements surrounding her. She lets out an evil laugh. Bandit stood up and got ready to charge.

“You’re kidding. You’re kidding, right?” She asked him, unamused.

Bandit rears and then starts charging forward. Nightmare Moon charges at him in response. Bandit’s horn began to spark as he charged.

The two got close enough for a collision, but before they could collide, Bandit teleports to the elements, causing Nightmare moon to skid to a halt.

“One spark, coming up.” He said. He rears back and sends a beam of magic at the six elements. They started glowing in response.

“Yes!” He said. Nightmare moon sent an electric shock at Bandit, sending him flying back. As he hits the ground, Nightmare Moon flies over and looks at the elements fearfully.

“No, no!” She exclaimed. Then, just like that, the glow went away. Bandit looked up, shocked.

“What? Where are the final elements?” Bandit asked in slight panic. Nightmare Moon laughed and stomped her hoof on the ground, breaking the elements. Bandit could only watch in horror.

“You enormous fool! Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!” Nightmare Moon said with an evil laugh. Bandit stood back up and got in a defensive stance.

“If you think I’m gonna let this happen, you got another think coming.” Bandit said.

“You’re foolish to try and-...... did you just say I have another think coming?” Nightmare moon asked.

“Don’t you start.” Bandit said as he prepared himself. Then, he hears his friends talking over each other. He turns and his pupils dilated with realization. He smirks and turns to Nightmare moon.

“You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here.” Bandit said as the group came in the room.

“Huh?” Twilight asked. Bandit turned to them.

“The elements have been with us all along Twilight. Ever since we stepped hoof out into the everfree forest.” Bandit said. Twilight and Chad turned to look at the others. Twilight’s eyes sparked as she also realized this. “When my mother told me the story of how she and Luna defeated Discord with the elements of harmony, she never said she had them. She said that her and her sister represented them.”

Fragments of the elements started to float up and glow, much to the surprise of Nightmare Moon.

“What!?” She exclaimed.

“Applejack, who reassured Twilight when she was in doubt, represents the spirit of... honesty! Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... kindness! Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... laughter! Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of... generosity! Lightning Sprint, who lifted up all of our spirits when we started to lose sight represents the element of… Motivation! And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of... loyalty! The spirits of these six ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us.” Bandit said. As he listed them off, fragments of the elements began to circle around them. Nightmare Moon began to get worried.

“You still don’t have the final elements! The spark didn’t work.” She said.

“But it did! A different kind of spark.” Twilight said before turning to her friends, as did Bandit. 

“I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you.” Bandit said to them. “I realized that there wasn’t a distance on this plane of existence that I wouldn’t go to make sure all of you were okay.” Bandit told them.

“The spark ignited inside us when I realized that you all…” Twilight started. 

“Are our friends!” Bandit finished for her as he and Twilight turned to Nightmare moon. Two more elements began to glow above them. 

“You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the Seventh and Eighth element: the element of... magic!”  Twilight said as one of them lowered to her.

“And the element of.... Heroism!” Bandit said as the other one lowered to him.

The fragments surrounding the others began to form necklaces with jewels on them that corresponded with their cutie marks. Except for Twilight’s and Bandit’s. Twilight’s element instead turned into a crown. As did Bandit’s, the jewel on his, a gold and red yin yang symbol. A rainbow beam flies from them and towards Nightmare Moon.

“Nooo! Nooo!” She exclaimed as she was consumed by the beam.





The eight ponies plus Changeling were sprawled out on the ground, tired from what just happened. One by one, they stand up.

“Ugh. My head.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Everypony okay?” Applejack asked as she stood up.

“Oh, thank goodness.” Rarity was heard saying. They look at Rarity and saw that her tail was back to normal.

“Why Rarity, it's so lovely.” Fluttershy said to her.

“I know! I'll never part with it again.” She said as she nuzzled her tail.

“No. Your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark.” Fluttershy pointed out. Rarity looked at the similarities before noticing that nearly everyone else’s did too.

“So does yours.” Rarity said. Fluttershy looked at hers and gasped with delight.

“Look at mine! Look at mine!” Pinkie exclaimed as she hopped over to the group. Chad zipped over and looked at everyone’s cutie mark and necklace.

“This is so cool!” Chad exclaimed.

“Aw yeah!” Lightning Sprint and Rainbow dash said with a hoofbump.

Bandit and Twilight looked at their crowns, Bandit took a moment to look at his flank, but to his slight distain, he didn’t see a cutie mark on it.

“So, what’s mine supposed to look like?” Bandit asked. Twilight looked at him before taking off her crown to have him look at his reflection.

“I think I have an idea.” She said. Bandit looked at his reflection and saw his own eyes. He chuckled a little before Applejack walked over.

“Gee, you two! I thought y’all were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship.” Applejack said with a smile.

“Indeed you do.” A voice said. The nine look to the window to not only to see the sun rising, but also Princess Celestia return to them. All but Bandit, Twilight and Chad bowed.

“Mom!” Chad excitedly said.

“Mother.” Bandit happily said as he trotted over to her.

“Mother?!” The six exclaimed from surprise.

“My dear son Bandit.” She said as she nuzzled him in a hug. “I knew you and Twilight could do it.”


“But you told me it was all an old pony tale.” Twilight said. Chad zipped over.

“Nuh uh!” He said with a grin. “The letter said that she was aware of the prophecy!”

Celestia reached down and ruffled his mane. He giggles at this.

“That’s right. I told the two of you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more.” She said to them. “I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was you two who had the magic and courage inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Now if only another will as well.” She said before looking at a young alicorn 

“Princess Luna.” She called. The alicorn looked up at her and gasped.

“It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister.” Celestia revealed. She walked over to Luna and sat down.

“Sister?!” The ponies said from shock.

“Auntie?” Bandit and Chad said, also from shock.

“Will you accept my friendship?” She asked as she stood up. The ponies all looked in suspense as Bandit walked over to them.

“I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!” Luna said as she nuzzled Celestia. Bandit walked into her line of sight and Luna looked at him. Rather surprised at his height.

“Who is this?” She asked. Celestia wrapped a wing around Bandit with a smile.

“Luna, this is your nephew, Bandit.” She said.

“Nephew? I’m an aunt?” Luna asked. Chad climbed onto bandit’s head and looked at Luna with a blep.

“You are, to two.” Celestia answered as she moved her wing. Bandit looked at Luna and nervously laughed.

“Hey Auntie.” Bandit said before Luna pulled him into a hug as well. Bandit was taken by surprise, but hugged him back.

Pinkie wiped a tear from eye before smiling.

“Hey, you know what this calls for?” Pinkie asked. 





“A Party!” Pinkie exclaimed happily. Ponies were running to the party held in Ponyville. A chariot pulled Celestia and Luna to a crowd. Spike runs from the crowd and spots Chad. Chad spots him as well and the two hatching twins run over and hug each other.

Celestia and Luna stood in front of a bowing crowd. Luna looked glum before two fillies came over and placed a flower necklace on her. Her grim turned to a grin.

Bandit looked at the crowd with a smile before looking at a glum twilight. Before he could ask, Celestia beat him to it.

“Why so glum, my faithful student? Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?” She asked.

“That's just it. Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, we have to leave them.” Twilight said. Bandit’s ears flopped hearing this.

“Oh……” He said before looking at the new friends he’s made. He looked back at Twilight and tried to make her feel better. “Well, I’m sure our old friends will be happy to see us again. Although, I could’ve sworn I’ve seen some of them trotting around here.”

Twilight’s face shifted to slight happiness back to glum. Which gave Celestia an idea.

“Hmm… Chad, take a no-” Celestia was about to say, only to see Chad was asleep in Pinkie’s hooves.

“He fell asleep.” She said in a whisper.

“He was up all night.” Bandit said. Celestia chuckled a little.

“Spike, take a note please.” Celestia said. Spike takes out a piece of paper and takes a quill out of Chad’s hoodie pocket. He writes what Celestia says. “I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle, and My dear son Bandit, shall take on a new mission for Equestria. They must continue to study the magic of friendship. They must report to me their findings from their new home in Ponyville.” 

Bandit’s eyes dilated with delight as he turned to Twilight.

“Did you hear that Twilight!?” Bandit exclaimed happily as he hopped in place. He hugs Twilight and spins her around.

“We get to stay! We get to stay!” Twilight said happily.

“I'll study harder than ever before.” Twilight said as Bandit stopped spinning and put her down.

“I’m gonna tell Moondancer!” Bandit said as he happily reared.

Ponies all around started cheering for them.
> Ticket Master
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a warm Afternoon in Sweet Apple Acres. Bandit was walking to Applejack with two satchels full of apples, which Spike and Chad were sorting through.

“No. Nope. Nope..” They said, going back and forth. Spike tossed his apples off to the side, where as Chad ate the bad ones.

“Thank you kindly, Bandit, for helping me out. I bet Big Macintosh I could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If I win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles.” Applejack said, chuckling soon after. 

“You better hop he doesn’t figure out that I’m helping you out.” Bandit said with a wink.

“Hehe, he never did say how I had to do it.” Applejack said. Bandit rolled his eyes with a chuckle as he turned to see Twilight waking her way to them.

“Hey Bandit, everything going okay?” Twilight asked him with a smile.

“Doing good, getting a little hungry. All the boxes unpacked?” Bandit asked her.

“Meh, there are a couple of boxes left. Including your limited edition Marevel and IC Comic Book collectibles.” Twilight said as she started walking along side him.

“Did you also remember the My Little Wolfie plushies?” He asked.

“That all depends on whether or not you remembered to pack my Smarty Pants collection.” Twilight said with a teasing smirk.

“That was the 15th box I packed.” Bandit said with a wink. “When I get finished here, I’ll grab some lunch and help unpack. I didn’t eat breakfast this morning and this work only adds to my hunger.”

“Tell me about it.” Spike said as he tossed an apple into the air, which Bandit caught before it could bonk him on the head. He floats it to his mouth and ate it.


“Spike, you and Chad lounged on my back while we did most of the work.” Bandit told him.

“Exactly. You two are taking so long, I missed snack-time.” Spike said. Bandit’s stomach began to growl. 

“I’ll try to speed this up. So we can eat.” Bandit said. Chad picked up a delicious looking apple. He licked his lips and tossed the apple into the air. He opened his mouth, but felt nothing. He looked and saw Spike eating the apple.

“Hey!” Chad said. Spike snickered at him. He held his stomach and let out a burp. A scroll came out.

“A letter from princess Celestia.” Twilight said. Spike tried to grab it, but Chad grabbed his tail and pulled him away from it, he instead grabbed it.

“Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of-”

“Blah blah blah, get to the important part.” Spike said. Chad throws an apple at him, bonking him in the head as he skipped. 

“cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle, Bandit plus two guests.” Chad finished reading and pulled out four golden tickets.

“The Grand Galloping Gala!” Twilight and Applejack said excitedly.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies

[Bandit and Twilight]
Do you know you're all my very best friends?




“Here are the four tickets.” Chad said, floating them to Bandit and Twilight.

“Wow, great! I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?” Twilight asked.

“No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense.” Spike said.

“It’s not all fancy, a lot of times, things are often fun.” Bandit said. He keeps one of his tickets and gives the other to Chad, who went from neutral to happy trotting excited.

“You’ve been to the grand galloping gala?” Applejack asked.

“Twice. I usually hang out with Octavia and my favorite cousin Night Ace. We’d hit the donut shop, hang out with some of the local celebrities, meet with the wonderbolts, go dancing. It’s real nice.” Bandit answered.

“Nice? It's a heap good more than just nice. I'd love to go. Land sakes…” Applejack started. “If I had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles 'til the cows came home. Do you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big Macintosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip.” Applejack said before looking back at Bandit and Twilight. “Why, I'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala.”

“Oh, well in that case, would you like to—” Twilight tried to ask. Bandit grabbed Twilight’s tail and pulls her back. Lightning Sprint crashed into Applejack. The dust settled and Lightning shook off the dirt. An unamused Applejack glared at her.

“Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?” She asked.

“Lightning Sprint! You said that you and Rainbow Dash were too busy to help me harvest the apples. What were you busy doing? Spyin'?” Applejack asked in a accusing tone. Lightning Sprint turned her back to her.

“No. I was busy pranking Rainbow Dash while she was busy napping. I just happened to hear that you have a couple of extra tickets?” Lightning Sprint asked.

“Just one, but-” Bandit tried to say.

“YES! This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year.” Lightning Sprint started.

“I’m aware. Heck, I know some of them.” Bandit said with an eyeroll.

“I can see it now…” Lightning Sprint said as she began to fantasize. “Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Lightning Sprint! I’ll draw their attention with my awesome, one winged spiral!”

“The what now?” Bandit asked.

“Then, I would mesmerize them with my Aileron Swoop. And for my grand finale, the Lightning Flash! The ponies would go wild!” Lightning Sprint finished.

“But Lightning-” 

“The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member.” Lightning Sprint boasted.

“Hey! What about me!?” Rainbow Dash’s voice said from above them, she had a sharpie monocle on her left eye, which made Chad snicker. 

“Meh, you could probably be my sidekick if you’re good enough.” Lightning Sprint said.

“Sidekick!? I’m way better at flying than you. And since we’re talking about the grand galloping gala, and the Wonderbolts, I should be the one too go. Heck, once I wow the Wonderbolts with my-”

“Ah ah, no fantasy from you. You and Lightning Sprint act so similar you don’t need to describe, I get it.” Bandit said.

“So, I should get the ticket. This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me!” Rainbow Dash said. Lightning Sprint pushes her back with a hoof on the chest.

“No, I’m getting that ticket.” She said before Applejack tugged her down.

“Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here.” She said before spitting out her tail. “I asked for that ticket first.”

“So? That doesn't mean you own it.” Lightning Sprint said.

“Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to a hoof-wrestle. Winner gets the ticket.” Applejack said.

“What about me?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“We race after I beat Applejack. Unless she happens to win, then you hoof wrestle her.” Lightning Sprint told her before grabbing Applejack’s hoof over a stump. “Though me losing is next to never happening.”

The two began. Bandit lets out an attention grabbing whistle, causing the three mares to look at him.

“I don’t mean to interrupt your little acts of boasting and dominance here amazonians, but that extra ticket belongs to Twilight, she chooses who goes with her. Not you.” Bandit spoke up. Twilight nodded and stepped next to him.

“Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don't you think?” Twilight asked Bandit.

“Sounds like a plan.” Bandit said.

“Drummin' up business for the farm.” Applejack started.

“A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?” Lightning Sprint added.

“Livin’ the dream!” Rainbow Dash piggy backed off of.

“Money t' fix Granny's hip.” Applejack started up again.

“Oh my, those were all pretty good reasons, aren't they?” Twilight asked Bandit. Before he could answer, his stomach growled.

“I guess so, but, I’m starting to starve. We should get something to eat.” He told her.

“I agree. I can’t think on an empty stomach. I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach, so I'll, uh, think about it over lunch and get back to you two, okay?” Twilight said to them before walking off.

“Okay.” All three of them said before glaring at each other.

“Oh, Applejack, one more thing.” Bandit said as he walked back over. “Is the playdate for Apple Bloom and Chad still a go for tomorrow afternoon?”

“Yep, 3:00 sharp.” Applejack answered. Bandit nodded and continued to walk with Twilight. The three tomboyish mares went back to glaring at one another.





“So you spent the whole time unpacking? Why didn’t you eat something?” Bandit asked as the two walked through ponyville.

“Well, you were busy and I’m not exactly the best at cooking french toast so-” Twilight started.

“You couldn’t have made yourself a sandwich?” Bandit asked.

“You make better sandwiches than i do.” Twilight said. Bandit rolled her eyes.

“Well, I don’t feel like putting in effort, so where should we eat?” Bandit said.

“Duck!” Chad shouted. Bandit ducked his body right as Pinkie flew out of the top of her door and over Bandit. Crashing into Twilight instead.

The dust settles and the two golden tickets landed on Pinkie’s nose, causing her to panic.

“Gah! Bats! Bats on my face! Help!” She said as she ran around. Bandit helped Twilight to her hooves. Pinkie stopped in front of the tickets. “Wait, these aren't... tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?!” She said as here pupils dilated.

“Oh no.” Bandit said.

“It's the most amazing incredible tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria! I've always always always wanted to go!” Pinkie said before singing. 

[Pinkie]

Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Hip hip
Hooray!
It's the best place for me
For Pinkie...

“With decorations like streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and piñatas and pin-cushions. With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sun-beams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin the Tail on the Pony!” 

[Pinkie]

Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
'Cause it's the most galarrific superly-terrific gala ever
In the whole galaxy
Wheee!!


“Oh thank you, Twilight, it's the most wonderful-est gift ever.” Pinkie said as she gave twilight a smile.

“Um, actually—” Twilight started to say. Spike picked up the tickets. A gasp from Rarity got his attention, as well as Bandit’s who was beginning to get annoyed.

“Are these what I think they are?” Rarity asked.

“If you think it’s a bat, I’m afraid it’s not.” Bandit said with an eyeroll.

“Yes, yes, yes! Twilight's taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot.” Pinkie said with excited hops.

“Just a second Ponks, Twilight hasn’t-” Bandit tried to say.

“The gala? I design ensembles for the gala every year, but I've never had the opportunity to attend. Oh, the society, the culture, the glamour! It's where I truly belong, and where I'm destined to meet HIM.” Rarity said with a sparkle in her eye.

“Before you begin your internal fantasy of high expectations, can you be just a little more specific on who this ‘him’ is?” Bandit asked.

“Why, him of course.” She said before fantasizing.

“Ah crud, here we go again.” Bandit said.

“I would stroll through the gala, and everyone would wonder, "Who is that mysterious mare?" They would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself, and the princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him, her nephew: the most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage, and of course I would say, "Yes!" We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is what I would become upon marrying him, the stallion of my dreams.” Rarity finished.

“Does she mean Cousin Blueblood?” Chad asked Bandit.

“I really hope not.” Bandit said as he continued to listen.

“Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can... party, and prevent me from meeting my true love. How could you? Hmph.” Rarity said before turning her back. A small white rabbit hopped over and snatched the ticket away from Spike.

“Hey!” Spike said as the rabbit ran to Fluttershy and showed her the ticket.

She gasped. “Angel, these are perfect.”

Back with the group, Twilight spoke up once again.

“Uh, listen guys, I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to.” She confessed.

“You haven’t!?” Both Rarity and Pinkie asked. Rarity shocked, Pinkie stunned.

“Um, excuse me, Twilight. I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be all right, if you haven't given it to someone else…” Fluttershy said, getting their attention.

“You? You want to go to the gala?” Rarity asked rather stunned.

“Oh, no.” Fluttershy said before Angel started tapping her with his foot to change her mind. “I-I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of. You see…” Fluttershy started. “It's not so much the Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance. The flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria. For the night of the gala, and that night alone, would they all be in bloom... and that's just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna. There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz. Blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!” Fluttershy finished, hugging Angel at the end.

“As nice as that fantasy sounds Fluttershy, I’m afraid that the animals at the gala aren’t the most-” Bandit tried to say.

“Wait just a minute.” Rainbow dash said from on top of a roof, not looking happy.

“Rainbow dash?” Bandit asked as he and Twilight looked towards her.

“Were you following us?” Twilight asked as Rainbow Dash flew down.

“No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe. Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a goody-four-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Hold up Rainbow!” Lightning Sprint said as she zipped over to Rainbow Dash.

“You too Lightning?” Bandit asked.

“Hey, getting one thing straight, I was following Rainbow Dash.” Lightning said quickly.

“And I was following you to make sure neither one of yah didn't try any funny business. Still trying to take mah ticket.” Applejack said.

“Let me ignore my need to correct that grammatically erroneous sentence you just spoke out of your mouth to tell you that the ticket isn’t yours.” Bandit defended.

“Uh-” Spike was about to ask.

“Erroneous means wrong.” Chad told him. Silencing Spike.

“Yeah. It’s my ticket.” Lightning said.

“But Twilight's taking me.” Pinkie said. This sparked the others to start arguing. Bandit plugged his ears from the arguing.

“QUIET!” Twilight shouted, silencing all but Pinkie.

“And then I said, "Oatmeal, are you craz—" oh.” Pinkie said, stopping and looked at Twilight.

“Girls, there's no use in arguing.” Twilight said. Rarity tried to appeal to her nature.

“But Twilight-” She started before Bandit interrupted.

“No, Twily will make her decision in due time. But pressuring her isn’t making this easier on anyone.” Bandit defended.

“And I certainly can't think straight with all this noise…” Twilight added as she stepped forward. Her stomach growled rather loudly. “Not to mention hunger.”

“Now all of you, shoo!” Bandit said. Said ponies grumbled and started to walk away. 

“Don't worry, I'll figure this out... somehow.” Twilight said to her dispersing friends. Bandit placed a hoof on her back.

“Come on, let’s get something to eat.” Bandit said. Twilight nodded and walked with him.





At a nearby restaurant, Bandit, Chad and Spike were reading the menus as Twilight was slumped over the table.

“Bandit, what am I gonna do? All five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala.” Twilight said as she picked the petals off of the flower front of her. “Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity... Oh, who should go with me?” She asked. Her stomach growled, resulting in her eating the petals.

“Have you made your decision?” A waiter asked. Twilight growled at this.

“I CAN'T DECIDE!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Twily, he means on your food.” Bandit whispered to her. She sheepishly laughed.

“Oh. I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich.” Twilight said. The waiter takes her order and looked at Bandit.

“Do you have meat of any kind?” Bandit asked.

“Are….. are you a carnivore?” The waiter asked.

“Omnivore, from that reaction, I assume you don’t have meat. So, I’ll take six hard boiled eggs, 7 oranges, a yogurt on the side and cream soda please.” Bandit said.

“That’s a lot of food. Are you sure you can finish-” The waiter stopped talking when he finally realized how large bandit was. “Nevermind.”

“I’ll have the spicy hay sandwiches. Plain please.” Chad said.

“Do you have any rubies?” Spike asked. The waiter gave an unamused look. “No? Okay. I'll have the hay fries, extra crispy.” Spike said before looking at Twilight.

“What do you think Spike?” Twilight asked.

“I think we have to try another restaurant. I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?” Spike asked.

“She means about the gala Spike and the ticket.” Chad said.

“Oh, she’s still on that?” Spike asked. Twilight nearly jumped over the table.

“Spike, listen.” She sat back down. “How do I choose? And when I do choose, will the other four be mad at me? I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave four disappointed ponies. What if I—”

“Here comes the food!” Chad said as he saw the waiter. He smiled and wagged his tail, all that stopped as the waiter walked past them. He sheepishly laughed as he looked back at Twilight.

“Look Twily, if you want I can give away my ticket.” Bandit offered.

“But then you wouldn’t be able to go. I don’t want to got the gala without my favorite Changeling.” Twilight said as she nuzzled him a little. “Even though you went without me twice.” She said with a teasing scold.

“Not my fault you had a curfew that was earlier than mine.” Bandit said with an eye roll. “But I’m not going without you a third time. You’d be the best thing about the gala.”

“Aww, Thanks Bandit.” Twilight said with a smile.

“Your food.” The waiter said as he gave Twilight her sandwich. The rest of the food was given to everyone at the table. Spike and Chad began eating right away.

“Oh thank you. This looks so good. I'm sure everything will be much clearer once I eat.” Twilight said. Before she took a bit, she looked at Bandit eating the hard boiled egg, with the shells still on.

“You know, no matter how any times I see you eat eggs with the shells on, it’s never a conventional sight.” Twilight said. Bandit swallowed his food and blepped at her.

Ponies started to gallop past them.

“Sir, madam? Are you going to eat your food in ze rain?” The waiter asked.

“It's not raining…” Twilight said as she looked around, seeing that it was pouring down except from where she, Bandit, Chad and Spike were sitting.

“What’s going on?” Twilight asked.

“This has Rainbow dash or Lightning Sprint written all over it.” Bandit said.

“Hi there, best friend forever I've ever ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather?” Rainbow Dash asked from the opening.

“Looks like Rainbow Dash was in the fine print. And who are you calling best friend?” Bandit said unamused.

“Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?” Twilight asked her, in a scolding tone. Chad reached into his tail and pulled out two umbrella hats, giving one to Spike.

“Whaddya mean? I just saw the smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she could dine in peace, that's all.” Rainbow dash answered. Bandit grabbed a nearby vase and used a transfiguration spell to turn it into an umbrella.

“You know Rainbow, I’m no element of honesty, but it’s obvious you are doing extra work for extra points to get the extra ticket.” Bandit said as he looked up at her.

“Me? No no no, of course not.” Rainbow Dash said. Chad sneezed.

“Seriously, I'd do it for anypony.” Rainbow Dash said. Chad sneezed again. Ponies with wet manes were running by, immediately contradicting what Rainbow Dash just said. “Heh heh, eh.”

“Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors, so I'd appreciate it if you close up that rain cloud right now.” Twilight told her. Rainbow Dash groaned.

“Fine.” She said, zipping up the cloud up.

“That’s better.” Twilight said. Bandit opened his umbrella over Twilight’s head to keep her dry as the rain poured down.

“Thanks Ban-” Twilight was gonna say as she looked at Bandit, seeing how wet he got in seconds. “Oh, sorry.” 

“It’s fine. I can handle soggy food.” Bandit said as he shook his mane out of his eyes.

“Twilight, it's raining.” Rarity said, seeing the group.

“I don’t think we noticed.” Bandit sarcastically said.

“Come with me before you catch a cold.” Rarity said as she grabbed Twilight and pulled off.

“I thought you couldn’t get a cold in the rain.” Spike said.

“You can’t.” Chad said as Bandit stood up and walked after Rarity, picking up the sandwich Twilight didn’t finish. Chad and Spike followed after him.





At the boutique, Twilight shook the water off of her, her mane fluffed up and went back to normal.

She smiled before looking at a wet maned Rarity.

“Heh heh, oops, sorry.” Twilight said sheepishly. Rarity went from unamused to smiling.

“Oh no, it's quite all right. After all, we are... the best of friends, are we not?” Rarity asked as she nuzzled Twilight’s side with the top of her head. “And you know what the best of friends do?”

“Uh….” Twilight said as Bandit came through the door.

“Makeovers!” Rarity said as she pulled over a changing booth and started putting an outfit on Twilight.

“Ugh, Rarity, ow, this really isn't fixing it. I mean, thank you but, ooh, that's too tight.” Twilight said before Rarity moved the booth, revealing Twilight wearing a rather pretty saddle that sparkled like Twilight’s last name.

“Huh, that looks good on you.” Bandit commented.

“You really think so?” Twilight asked him.

“Yeah, It almost distracts the fact that Rarity is doing this for the ticket.” Bandit muttered. Rarity tried doing measurements on Bandit before he stopped her.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that Rarity, I have a Tailor back in Canterlot who’s familiar with my size, he’ll be sending me a suit soon.” Bandit said. Rarity nodded and stopped.

“And you!” Rarity said as she looked at Spike. “Oh Spike, I have a dandy little outfit for one of the dashing gent.”

She brings over the changing booth and started dressing Spike behind it.

“D-ah, ow, oh, hey, wow, watch it, whoa!” Spike exclaimed as he was getting forcibly dressed. The booth was moved and Spike was revealed to be in an old timey button up dress coat with golden buttons. Bandit started to chuckle.

“You look like Blueskin Peacock.” Bandit said.

“How does a pony, crony, son of a phony-” Chad started before Bandit covered his mouth.

“Not now.” He said. Chad giggled and stopped laughing.

“Now, the hat.” Rarity said, placing a hat on his head with a golden feather on it.

“Ugh, I told you, I don't want any part of this girly gala gunk. See you back at the library.” Spike said before zipping off. Leaving the clothes there.

“I guarantee by the end of the day he’s gonna want to go.” Bandit said before giving Chad a noogie. “He wouldn’t want to leave his twin brother out to dry.” Rarity laughed nervously.

“Oh, who needs him anyway. This is all about you,” Rarity said as she pulled a mirror over to Twilight and showed her how she looked. “and how fabulous you'll look at the Grand Galloping Gala.”

This is when Twilight realized what was going on and snapped out of checking herself out.

“Wait, the Grand—” Twilight started to say.

“What a coincidence Rarity. You just so happen to have a set right here that matches Twilight’s dress perfectly.” Bandit said. Chad looked at it through a large magnifying glass and then at Twilight’s.

“Down to the last strand of fabric.” Chad said before stuffing the magnifying glass back into his mane. 

“I see what's going on. You're just buttering me up so I give you the extra ticket. Well it's not gonna work. You're going to have to wait for my decision just like everyone else.” Twilight said as she tossed off the saddle and trotted to the door Bandit  had open for her. “Now if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch.” Twilight said as she walked out.

“Speaking of which, I kept that daffodil-” Bandit tried to say.

“Did somepony say lunch?” Applejack said as she poked her head in and grabbed Twilight. 

“Ugh. This is gonna be a long day.” Bandit said as he walked forward and saw the cart Applejack pulled her, full of Apple products. Chad’s eyes expanded and his tongue dropped out of his mouth.

“You gotta be kidding me.” Twilight said as she looked at that.

“I got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumblers, and apple Brown Betty.” Applejack listed. “Uh, the dessert, not my auntie.” Applejack clarified.

“So, what about Apple Fritter and Apple Tart? We just gonna eat two of your cousins?” Bandit asked. 

“What do you say there, best friend?” Applejack asked. Bandit’s eyes went wide  to angry as he scowled at Applejack.

“The tophet did you just say?” Bandit asked. Twilight’s stomach grumbled.

“Is that a yes?” Applejack asked.

“No. No. I don't know who I'm giving the ticket to, and all these favors aren't making it any easier to decide. In fact, I'm less sure now than I was this morning. Ugh!” Twilight said as she started to run off. Chad was in the cart, eating the food in the cart.

“So, is that a maybe?” Applejack asked. Bandit grabbed Chad and followed Twilight.





Bandit and Twilight started walking back to the library.

“Ugh, I never thought being showered with favors would be so aggravating.” Twilight said.

“The favors aren’t aggravating, the reasons behind the favors are what’s aggravating.” Bandit said. Twilight started to sweat a little from the sudden heat.

“Ugh, I’m starting to wish Rainbow Dash kept that cloud out.” Twilight said.

“Twilight, don’t say that out loud there’s still another weather pegasus that hasn’t-”

A cloud began to provide shade for the two.

“Hello again bestest friend in the whole wide-” Lightning Sprint tried to say.

“I’m gonna have to stop you right there. Please leave.” Bandit said.

“Oh come on, I see Twilight is very hot and I’ve got a big ole cloud to block those ravenous rays.” Lightning Sprint said. “We wouldn’t want the best purple unicorn in all of ponyville to get hot.”

“Hey!” Two unicorns said. Lightning Sprint looked at them.

“Sorry Sea Swirl, my bad Amethyst.” She said before looking back at Bandit and Twilight. The two upset unicorns walked off, clearly offended. Bandit used his magic to give Twilight the umbrella he had earlier. She opened the umbrella and used that as shade.

“There, problem solved.” Bandit said.

“Yeah, but what if-”

“Lightning Sprint, we appreciate the gesture. Mostly me, Bandit not so much, but these Special favors are becoming an absolute pain, so please take that cloud and go away so I can think!” Twilight exclaimed. 

“You try to help a friend out.” She muttered before moving the cloud. Twilight used her umbrella to block out the sun as she, Bandit, and Chad walked to the library. Bandit opened the door for Twilight. She walked in and Chad followed. Bandit walked in, forgetting to duck his head, and hitting his forehead on the top of the door frame.

“Ow.” He said before ducking his head.

He looked and saw Fluttershy cleaning and humming inside the library. 

“You’re on your own for this one Twily. I’ll kick my own flank to kingdom come if I scold her. I don’t want to make her cry.” Bandit whispered to Twilight. 

“Fluttershy, not you too.” Twilight said with a conflicted look.

“Oh, well, hello Twilight. I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you.” Fluttershy said.

“Flutters…. It’s summer.” Bandit said. Twilight looked unamused.

“Oh, well, better late than never, right?” Fluttershy asked with an embarrassed blush. “It was Angel's idea.”

The trio looked at Angel and saw him tossing some salad.

“Bandit, can I-”

“No.” Bandit told him immediately. “You just ate.” Angel went from smirking to scared.

“You're not doing this for the ticket, are you?” Twilight asked her.

“Oh no, I'm doing this because you're my very best friend. Right, Angel?” Fluttershy asked as she turned to Angel, only to not see him. “Angel?”

Angel peeked out from behind her hind hoof.

“We weren’t doing this for the ticket right?” Fluttershy asked. Angel made an unamused face and nodded that they were. “Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket.”

Bandit glared at Angel from that.

“No, no, no! Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but I'm not accepting any extra favors until I've made my final decision, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave.” Twilight said, walking over to the door and opening it.

Confetti blasted into the library.

“Surprise!” A bunch of ponies exclaimed. Pinkie reaches in and pulled Twilight out of the library.

“Hey!” Bandit said as he ran to the door. “Get back here with-!” Bandit was gonna say before hitting the top of the doorframe again. “Ouch!”

[Pinkie]

Twilight is my bestest friend
Whoopie, whoopie!

“Pinkie…” Twilight called as Ponies started throwing her into the air.

[Pinkie]

She's the cutest, smartest, all around best pony, pony!

“Pinkie.” Bandit called as he ducked down and walked out.

[Pinkie]

I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party!

“Pinkie!” They both called.

[Pinkie]

She'll give her extra ticket to the Gala to me!

“PIIINKIIIE!!” Twilight shouted. The ponies tossing her stopped and she started to fall. Bandit dives and catches her on his back.

“Yes Twilight?” Pinkie asked, fluttering her eyelids.

“At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket.” Twilight said as she sat up.

“Wait. What ticket? What gala?” One pony asked.

“None of your-” Bandit tried to say.

“Oh, you didn't know? Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Pinkie said.

“PINKIE!” Bandit exclaimed as the ponies gasped.

“The Grand Galloping Gala?!” The ponies exclaimed. They began to shower twilight with compliments and offers to get the ticket.

“Hold on Tight.” Bandit said.

“Say no more.” Twilight said, wrapping her hooves around his neck. Chad and Spike dived on as well.

Bandit reared and started to gallop off. The ponies in front of him quickly moved, but soon, all of the ponies ran after them.

Where ever the quadro ran, the following crowd were able to locate them in seconds. From, hiding in a cart, disguising themselves as a stroller pushing couple with twins, to pretending to be mannequins, the four of them were found each time before getting backed up into an alley.

“Welp, that was bound to happen.” Chad said. Bandit spread his wings, but upon seeing some pegasi flying to him, he quickly lowers them.

The ponies got closer to her. Bandit stayed in front of her protectively.

Twilight’s horn lit up and soon enough, she and Spike teleported away. Bandit looked at her as they teleported and sighed from relief.

“Thank goodness she learned how to teleport.” Bandit said. He grabs Chad and teleports as well, leaving lots of Ponies confused as to what happened.





Twilight and Spike appeared at the library, via teleportation. Spike’s scales were scorched from the spell.

“Ugh... Warn me next time you're gonna do that.” Spike said right before Bandit and Chad appeared next to them. Spike shook off the burns and looked at Twilight.

“I didn't even know it was gonna happen. Now quick, lock the doors!” Twilight said. Bandit zipped around and turned off all the lights. Chad ran around closing the windows. Spike started locking the doors, and Twilight blew out the lanterns and the four of them leaned against the door, finally with some breathing.

“Finally.” Bandit said as he closed his eyes. Hearing the light turn on, Bandit looked up and saw the other 6 friends looking at them with light grins on their faces.

Bandit’s eye twitched and he became infuriated.

“That’s it! I can’t take it anymore!” Bandit exclaimed as he looked at the 6 mares. “You should all be ashamed of yourselves!”

Upon saying that, their faces dropped.

“Twilight has been trying her hardest to think and decide on who she wants to be her plus one for the gala. But all those favors, and reasons that you have are putting a lot of pressure on her. Is it really so hard for you to see that she doesn’t want to disappoint any of you, and every favor is just making it worse?” Bandit asked them. He made sure he calmed down before saying all this, but his scolding tone, and Twilight’s pressured face was enough to get the message across.

Applejack walked over first.

“Twilight, sugar, I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you, and if it helps, I don't want the ticket anymore. You can give it to somepony else. I won't feel bad, I promise.” Applejack said.

“Me too. I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful.” Fluttershy said.

“I think we also owe you an apology too Bandit.” Lightning Sprint said. “We’ve been so focused on getting that ticket from Twilight that we weren’t considering how rude we were being to you. I’m real sorry.”

“And me too. It's no fun upsetting your friends.” Pinkie said as she hopped down.

“Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did. And Bandit, it was very rude for me to intervene with you and Twilight’s day.” Rarity said. 

“Yes! That means the ticket is mine. Ha ha, I got the ticket, I got the ticket—!” Rainbow Dash started to sing. She then looked at her friends and saw that all of them, even Chad and Fluttershy, where glaring at her. “You know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either.”

“We all got so gun-ho about going to the gala that we couldn't see how un-gun-ho we were making you.” Applejack told them.

“We’re sorry.” They all said. Bandit and Twilight smiled at this.

“Chad, take down a note.” Twilight started. Chad nodded and took out a quill and paper. “Dear Princess Celestia, I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala.” Twilight said.

“Ahem.” Bandit said as he floated his ticket. Chad smiled and did the same.

“Scratch that. Twilight and I are returning ALL of the tickets to the grand galloping Gala.” Bandit said.

“What?!” They other 6 exclaimed.

“If all our friends can’t go…” Twilight started.

“Then we don’t want to go either.” Bandit finished.

“Twilight, you don't have to do that.” Applejack said.

“Nope. I've made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now.” Twilight said. Chad tosses the letter to Spike, who walks to a window and transports it to Celestia.

“Now you two won't get to go to the gala either.” Fluttershy said.

“It's okay, girls. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me…” Twilight said before looking at Bandit. “Or my BGCFF who doesn’t want to go without me.”

“BGCFF?” Applejack asked.

“Best Giant Changeling Friend Forever. Twilight likes to use acronyms to describe me and her older brother.” Bandit said as he wrapped a hoof around her.

“That’s kinda cute.” Applejack said with a smile.

Spike’s stomach growled and a letter came out. Chad zipped over and snagged it.

“‘My faithful student Twilight and my Dear son Bandit,
Why didn't you just say so in the first place?’” Chad read. He then pulled out nine golden tickets. “Nine tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!”

“Sweet! Now all of us get to go!” Bandit said as he started kicking his hooves happily. He stopped when Twilight’s stomach started to growl.

Bandit took the sandwich and gave it to her.

“Daffodil and daisy sandwich?” Bandit asked her. Twilight smiled and took the sandwich. Then Bandit’s stomach started to growl.

“Allow us to treat you to dinner.” Rarity said as she led Bandit out of the library. He follows suit, making sure to duck his head.

“My kind of apology.” Bandit said as he licked his lips.

“And to celebrate! Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me!” Pinkie said. 

“Can I help make them?” Chad asked as he hopped on Bandit’s back.

“The more the merrier.” Lightning said.

“Hope he knows how to cook.” Rainbow Dash said.

The nine of them left the library, taking all the tickets leaving a saddened Spike in the library.

“How come I don't get a ticket to the gala?” Spike asked sadly. Chad poked his head inside.

“Don’t worry Spike. I left her a PS.” Chad said. As if on cue, Spike burped up another letter. He opened it and read.

“And one more for Spike.” He said before looking at the ticket. He giggled and ran to the door before looking at a smug Chad.

“I mean, gross, I have to go too?” Spike quickly tried to act.

“Don’t worry Spike. I won’t tell anyone.” Chad said. Spike sighed in relief. “But I will make fun of you.”


“What!? No!” Spike said.

“Too late.” Chad said with a wink as he started running to catch up. “Blueskin Peacock.”
> Applebuck Season
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack was looking at all the apple trees at Sweet Apple Acres.

“Boy howdy! I got my work cut out for me. That there is the biggest bumper crop o' apples I ever laid eyes on.” Applejack said. Big Macintosh was standing next to her with bandages around his torso.

“Eeyup. Too big for you to handle on your own.” Big Macintosh said.

“Come on, big brother! You need to rest up and get yourself better. I haven't met an apple orchard yet that I can't handle.” She said as she poked his side, making him flinch in pain. “Oops, sorry.” She said as she moved her hoof. Big Mac glared at her a little. 

“I'll take a bite out of this job by day's end.”

“Biting off more than you can chew is just what I'm afraid of.” Big Macintosh said. Applejack looked at him slight offended.

“Are you sayin' my mouth is makin' promises my legs can't keep?” Applejack asked him, in a way that basically said, take that back.

“Eeyup.”

“Why of all the... This is your sister Applejack, remember? The loyalest of friends and the most dependable of ponies!?” 

“But still only one pony, and one pony plus hundreds o' apple trees just doesn't add up to…”

“Don't you use your fancy mathematics to muddy the issue! I said I could handle this harvest and I'm gonna prove it to you. I'm gonna get every last apple out of those trees this applebuck season all by myself.” Applejack said. Big Macintosh sighed and started to walk away. As he did, he saw Bandit walking to him with Chad on his back.

“Hey Big Mac.” Bandit said as he got to him.

“Hey Bandit. What brings you here?” Big Macintosh asked.

“Dropping Chad off to his playdate with Apple Bloom a little bit early, if that’s alright.” Bandit answered.

“That’s fine. She’s in the house. Just knock, she’ll open the door.” Big Macintosh said. Bandit nodded and walked past him.




(Intro)
My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies

[Bandit and Twilight]
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Bandit walked towards the house before looking in Applejack’s direction.

“Hey there Applejack.” Bandit said.

“Howdy there Bandit. You’re dropping Chad off awfully early.” Applejack said.

“I know, I hope you don’t mind.” Bandit said.

“Not at all.” Applejack said. Bandit looked up at the trees.

“That’s a lot of trees.” Bandit commented.

“Eeyup. Applebuck season.” Applejack said.

“Applewhat now?” Bandit asked.

“It's what the Apple family calls harvestin' time. We gather all the apples from the trees so we can sell 'em.” Applejack explained.

“Sounds like an interesting time of year.” Bandit commented.

“Yeah. I sure do got my work cut out for me. But if I want to get these Apples harvested I need to start now.”

“Mind if I give you a helping hoof?” Bandit offered.

“Nah, I can do this on my own. Besides, that means I’d have to teach ya the proper way for applebucking, and then I gotta watch over you to make sure that you put the right apples in the-”

Bandit tapped a tree with his back left hoof, making some apples fall into some baskets with an unamused look on his face.

“Applejack, this isn’t neuroscience. I know, I’ve studied it. Let me give you a hoof.” Bandit offered.

“Bandit, I appreciate the offer, but I can do this one on my own.” Applejack said. The ground rumbled and an apple dropped, hitting Applejack on the head.

“You sure the trees can’t do them on their own?” Bandit asked.

“Real funny big guy.” Applejack said.
        
“Stampede!” Lightning Sprint was heard saying. Bandit and Applejack looked towards town. They saw a bunch of the cows from the farm running into town.

“We gotta do something!” Applejack said.

“You got Apples to buck. I’ll handle this.” Bandit said as he ran off. 

“Winona!” Applejack called. A brown border collie ran to her and barked.

“Go help Bandit.” She said. Winona barked and run to Bandit, running along side him.



 

In town, ponies were panicking and running around town trying to get inside before the Stampede would hit. Except Pinkie, who was enjoying the rumbling and how her voice sounded.

“Hey! This makes my voice sound silly!” Pinkie said as her voice vibrated with the shaking ground.

“Pinkie, are you crazy?! Run!” Twilight exclaimed as she ran off.

“Everypony calm down. There’s no need to panic.” Mayor Mare said, trying to calm down the panic. Rarity ran over to the Mayor.

“But Mayor, whatever shall we do?” Rarity asked.

“Look!” Lightning pointed out.

“Look there!” Rainbow Dash said. The group watches as Bandit ran and started to pull ahead of the stampeding cattle. Winona riding on his back.

The other 6 began cheering after seeing him. Pinkie had a bag of popcorn as she watched.

“This is the best rodeo show I’ve ever seen.” Pinkie said as she ate the popcorn. Twilight rolled her eyes at her randomness.

“Hey? Winona was it? Herd them from the other side!” Bandit said to Winona. Winona barked and jumped off, running to the left side of the stampeding herd, Bandit being on the right.

“Sorry, don’t mean to be rude, but I need to turn this way.” Bandit said as he used his magic to make a lasso and wrap it around the chest of the lead cow. Bandit then started to pull, with Winona’s help, steered the lead cow away from the bridge. The following cattle followed. Seeing this, his friends, along with other ponies, began to cheer.

Bandit slowed down and tugged gently, but firmly, to get the lead cow, as well as the others to slow to a halt.

“Don’t hurt the cow, don’t hurt the cow, don’t hurt the cow.” He said to himself as he carefully halted the stampede. Winona ran to Bandit and barked happily. Bandit pet her before walking to the lead cow. “Okay, mind telling me what that was all about?”

The lead cow, DaisyJo, let out a moo before clearing her throat.

“Oh my! Begging your pardon there sir, but Moo-riella here saw one of those nasty snakes.” DaisyJo explained as she gestured at the cow who wore the cowbell. The mention of the word snakes made the other cattle gasp and become startled. Luckily, they didn’t move. “And it just gave us all the willies, don'tcha know.”

“I understand fully. I’m sure Chad will take care of it if he finds it. If not, then I’ll make sure it’s taken care of. But, next time, could you stampede clear of Ponyville?” Bandit asked politely. The cattle started to walk back to the farm.

“We certainly will, Sir. What’s your name?” DaisyJo asked.

“Bandit.” Bandit introduced with a head nod.

“Goodbye Bandit. So long, Winona!” DaisyJo said as she walked with the others. Winona barked as Bandit looked towards the crowd. They cheered as he walked to him.

Twilight was the first to run to him.

“Bandit. That was amazing! Where did you learn to do that?” She asked.

“I may watch just a little too much Ponanza.” Bandit sheepishly confessed. Pinkie started bounce around.

“Yeehaw! Ride’em Cowpony…...er Cowchangeling.” She said.

“That was just…… just…” Mayor Mare said, trying to find the right words.

“Bandittastic!” Pinkie said from above them before falling down.

“You turned me into an Adjective?” Bandit asked.

“MmHm!” Pinkie said before rolling to her feet.

“We must do something for you for single-hoofedly saving the town.” Mayor Mare said.

“Oh no, it’s alright. I insist. I’m gonna take Winona back to the farm. See you guys later.” Bandit said as he walked back to the farm. Winona barked and followed him. Mayor Mare looked at the other ponies.

“If he insists on saving the town, then we insist on rewarding him. Any ideas?” Mayor Mare asked.

“I know!” Pinkie said.





Bandit walked back to the farm to drop off Winona.

“I’m back.” Bandit said as he saw Applejack still bucking the apples out of the trees.

“What made the cattle get riled up?” Applejack asked.

“One of them saw a snake and it spooked the rest of them.” Bandit answered.

“That’s bad, hopefully we find that snake before it spooks them again.” Applejack said as she knocked a few apples out of the next tree. Bandit looked at all the empty trees. Which there was only ten of.

“Are you sure you don’t need my help? You did say I’m a straight up bonified work horse when we first met. How about we put your bits where your bake is?” Bandit asked. Applejack looked at him confused for a second. “Bake is another word for mouth.”

“Once again, I appreciate your offer to help, but I can do this by myself.” Applejack said. 

“Suit yourself.” Bandit said.

“You’re it!” Chad was heard saying. Bandit and Applejack looked and saw Apple Bloom chasing Chad. Both of them giggling as they ran.

“Well those two are getting along well.” Bandit said. 

“I see that. If he wants he can spend the night.” Applejack offered. 

“Hey Chad.” Bandit called. Chad stopped in front of Bandit.

“Yes?” Chad asked.

“You want to spend the night here?” Bandit asked him. Chad’s eyes dilated.

“Can I!?” Chad asked with a tail wag. Bandit nodded. Chad was gonna say something, but Apple Bloom tackled him. Chad looked up at her as she booped his nose.

“Yer it.” She scurried off. Chad scrambled up and ran after her. Bandit looked at Applejack.

“I’ll drop off his sleeping bag later.” Bandit said as he walked off. As he did, he kicked a tree and knocked the apples into the baskets under the trees.





One week passes by, and Bandit was sleeping on the couch in the library. 

“A party!” Pinkie’s voice was heard saying, which woke him up.

“Did you seriously wait until the end of the week to say that?” Lightning Sprint was heard asking. Bandit sat up and started to stretch.

“Gah, what are they doing out there?” Bandit said as he peeked out the window and saw the ponies decorating town hall. “How long have they been up to this, and why haven’t I noticed beforehoof?”





Twilight walked over to Rarity who was fixing a bow on a tree.

“We all ready?” Twilight asked.

“Just one last thing.” Rarity said as she turned to a banner. She placed it onto the town hall, revealing the banner to be decorated with the words, 'Thank you Bandit!'. "Now we're ready."

"Is Applejack coming with the food?" Rainbow dash asked.

"Actually, I haven't seen Applejack all week." Lightning Sprint said as she flew over.

"Did you drop off the invitation?" Rainbow Dash asked Lightning Sprint. 

"What do you think?" Lightning Sprint asked sarcastically.

"I think you forgot, since AJ isn't here." 

"I dropped off the invitation." Lightning Sprint said unamused.

“I’m sure she’ll arrive soon.” Rarity said. “It’s not like Applejack would miss a fun little get together like this.”

This was when Twilight remembered something.

“Wait a minute, who’s distracting Bandit?” Twilight asked. The five quickly looked panicked and Twilight turns to see Bandit about to walk around the corner. She dashes off towards him. She turns to face him and dives, knocking him onto his back.

“Bandit! Hi, hey, good to see you. How are you today?” Twilight asked as she looked down at him with a nervous smile.

“Other than wondering how you turned into a football player suddenly, I’m wondering what’s going on in town hall.” Bandit said as he looked up at her.

“NOTHING!” Twilight quickly yelled.

“You are not a good liar.” Bandit said as he attempted to sit up, but Twilight somehow forced him back down.

“I need you to get something for me!” Twilight said. Bandit raised an eyebrow.

“What do you need?” He asked. Twilight began to think and looked panicked by the second.

“A… A-” She looked around and finally spotted something. “A KITE! I need you to buy me a kite.”

A brief silence occurs between the two.

“Okay.” Bandit said as he picked up Twilight and placed her down. “But only because I know you’re trying to distract me from something.” He began to walk away.

“Phew.” Twilight said as she wiped sweat off of her head.

“How long will he be gone?” Lightning Sprint asked.

“At least 30 minutes, he can be pretty indecisive if I’m not specific.” Twilight said as she began to walk back to the town hall. “I just hope Applejack can be there in time.”





30 minutes go by and Twilight walked to the stand on Town Hall with a stack of index cards that she organized before looking at the crowd before her. She reads off of the cards.

“Welcome, everypony! Today we are here to honor a Changeling we can always count on to help in matters great and small.” Twilight said as she flipped to another card. “A changeling whose contributions to--”

“Twilight.” Chad whisper called from beside her. Twilight looked at him before trying to continue. 

“Who contributes to acts of Kindness,-”

“Twilight, I need to tell you something.” Chad whispered. Twilight put the cards down and turned to Chad.

“What?!” She whisper yelled.

“Bandit’s not at home, or at the kite store.” Chad whispered.

“What!? Then where is he?” 

Chad only shrugged as a response. Twilight lit up her horn to call Bandit.

“Yes Twily?” Bandit asked as he answered.

“Where are you?” Twilight asked.

“Well, when you said that you wanted me to buy you a kite, you weren’t specific and I couldn’t decide on what you would like so I went to the arts and crafts shop to-”

“Bandit, you need to get to town hall, as changelingly possible.” Twilight said.

There was a brief pause between the two.

“Do you still want the kite?” Bandit asked.

“No I-!”

“I made it look like your cutie mark.” Bandit said. Twilight paused. 

“Okay, you can still bring the kite, but get here asap.” Twilight said. She disconnected and turned back to the crowd.

“Ahem, where was I? Oh yes. Who contributes to acts of Kindness, Heroism, and-”

“I made it Twily!” Bandit said from the crowd. The crowd turned to look at him.

“Well, I wrote this entire speech for nothing.” Twilight said as she tossed the index cards in the air.

“To be fair, you did tell him to get here asap. One step for him is like fifty for the rest of us.” Lightning Sprint commented. Mayor Mare walked to the stand and cleared her throat.

“And so, with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the prize, the first ever, Changeling of Ponyville Award, to our beloved guest of honor, a changeling of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity. Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend: Bandit!” Mayor Mare said. As the eyes fell on the large changeling, ponies, Spike and Chad began to cheer.

“Cool! Way to go Bandit, that was awesome!” “You’re the most awesomely awesome changeling in the-” Spike and Chad both stopped as they realized everyone else had stopped cheering.

“This is a little awkward.” Chad said.

“You think?” Spike asked.

Bandit sprouted his wings and flew over to the stage.

“Excuse me, sorry, don’t wanna step on anyone’s tail, or hoof.” He said as he landed on the stage.

“Ms. Mare. I would like to thank you kindly for this award. Though, I did say it wasn’t necessary, I appreciate the gratitude.” Bandit said as he looked at the trophy. 

“Well from what Twilight has said about you, you really know when to be there for somepony who needs you.” Mayor Mare said. Bandit smiles as he looked at the crowd. Although, he managed to make out a face he didn’t see.

“Well, that’s me. I like lending a helping hoof to those that need it. And as much as I would like to make up a 10 minute speech at the top of the head I wasn’t prepared for, there is someone else that needs my help. Once again, thank you for the award [He shakes Mayor Mare’s hoof] thank you all for the ceremony, but I’ll be off.” Bandit said as he grabbed the award and flew off. The kite fell off his back and landed in front of Twilight. Twilight picked it up and looked at it. It was shaped and styled like her cutie mark.

“Quite crafty.” Rarity commented as she looked over Twilight’s shoulder.

“Anyone else think Bandit was in a bit of a rush?” Lightning Sprint asked.

“Very much so. Why was he in a hurry to leave?” Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight looked among them, and soon realized who wasn’t here.

“Wait a minute. Where’s Applejack?” Twilight asked.





At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was asleep in front of a tree that had previously been harvested of the apples. Bandit makes it to the orchard, sees Applejack and then puts his trophy down.

He walked over to some of the trees and began to kick the apples out of the trees and into the baskets.

Applejack snorted like she was about to wake up, causing Bandit to jump into one of the trees. Applejack opens her eyes, shakes her head and walked over to the same tree bandit kicked and tried to kick it. She missed because she wasn’t close enough. She backed up and tried again, only to kick the basket over.

“Whoops.” Applejack said.

“Applejack!” Twilight called to get her attention. The attempt didn’t work, so she walked closer. “Applejack!”

Applejack fell asleep again. Bandit peeked out from the tree and climbed down from it. He bucked another apple tree. Taking advantage of the fact that she fell asleep.

“Applejack.” She called again. Bandit bucked 3 more trees before Twilight tried to wake up Applejack again.

“Applejack.” She sees that this doesn’t work and she teleports in front of her, which took a moment. “AppleJACK!” Twilight shouted. Applejack woke up, shaking her head.

Bandit quickly hid behind a tree. Twilight used her magic to pull him out, via using his ear.

“Owowowowow!” Bandit exclaimed as he got walked over to her. “Fishes under contagious kelp twily, that hurt!

She lets go.

“Oh, howdy, Twilight. Hey Bandit.” Applejack said.

“What is all this?” Twilight asked.

“It's Applebuck season.” Applejack said as she started to walk to another tree. Twilight started using her magic and teleported in front of Applejack. Startling her. “Whoa!” Bandit teleports with her, taking much less time. 

“Applewhat season?” She asked.

“Think of it as a harvesting season.” Bandit told Twilight. Applejack walks past them and Twilight teleports in front of him again. Bandit simply walked around to get to her.

“But why are you doing it all alone?” Twilight asked. Applejack walked past again.

“'Cause Big Macintosh hurt himself.” Applejack answered. Bandit stood in her path, which stopped her.

“What about all those relatives I've met when we first came to Ponyville? If you won’t accept my help can't they?” Bandit asked. Applejack sighed and walked past him.

“They were just here for the Apple family reunion. They actually live all over Equestria and are busy harvestin' their own orchards. So, uh, I'm on my own.” Applejack said, both Bandit and Twilight teleported in front of her. She stopped. “Which means, I should really get back to work.” They didn’t move. “Ahem... hint hint? Get back to work?”

Bandit rolled his eyes and stepped to the side. Twilight moved as well.

“Bandit, Twilight, could you two step aside?” She asked.

“We just did. Applejack, you don’t look so good.” Twilight said, taking note of her condition. Although to Applejack, her voice was echoing.

“She’s suffering from sleep deprivation Twily, aside from dizziness, it’s starting to influence her decision making.” Bandit told her as Applejack walked past them.

“Eh, don't any of you six worry none, I'm just fine and dandy.” Applejack said. Twilight and Bandit teleported in front of her again. “Whoa.”

“You’re getting good at that.” Bandit complimented.

“Thanks.” Twilight said before looking at Applejack. “Do you... want some help?”

“Help?” Applejack scoffs before shaking her head. “No way, no how!”

“Applejack, I mean this in the most respectful way possible, but there's no way you can do it all on your own.” Bandit said. Applejack got nose to nose with him, standing on her hind legs to do so, thanks to his height.

“Is that a challenge?” Applejack questioned, very defensively.

“No, it’s a statement.” Bandit answered, backing up a little, making Applejack nearly fall over.

“Well, I'm gonna prove to you that I can do it! Now if you'll excuse me, I've got apples to buck.” Applejack said as she walked past them in a stomp. The ling and the unicorn looked at one another as if to say, ‘this will not end well.’.





Lightning Sprint and Rainbow Dash were perched on a fence. Seemingly waiting for something.

“Ugh, where is she?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“There she is.” Lightning Sprint said as she saw Applejack rush over.

“I'm a mite sorry, Rainbow and Lightning.” She looked at them in the wrong order. “I was busy applebuckin' and I guess ah, I closed my eyes for a second and, when I woke up, I was late. Now, what's this new trick y’all are trying to do?” She asked.

“See that contraption?” Lightning pointed out first. Applejack looked at it.

“Uh…. Yeah.” Applejack confirmed.

"Well, I'm gonna stand on one end with Dash on my shoulders, then you're gonna jump down from that platform, launching us into the air faster than I can take off on my own. Once we're in the air, we're gonna do some amazing synchronized flips and spins that are sure to impress the Wonderbolts." Lightning Sprint explained. Blue sports lines marking down the process as she did.

“Isn’t that a mite dangerous?” Applejack asked, quite concerned. The two pegasi confidently scoffed.

“Heh, not for a pair of ponies who can fly.” Rainbow dash said.

“Especially two as good as us.” Lightning said, the two hoofbumped with a smile. They flew to the seesaw like contraption.

“Well, all right-y then.” Applejack said as she walked over with them and climbed up the tower. She looked down and had some very blurry vision. She had a hard time seeing where she was supposed to land. “Oh my.” She said.

“Ready!? Three! Two! One!” Lightning Sprint counted down. To her and Rainbow Dash’s surprise, she body slams onto the ground. 

“Perhaps the instructions were unclear. You have to land on the other side.” Rainbow dash emphasized. Applejack pulls her face off the ground with her eyes rolling in different directions.

“Got it.” Applejack said. However, she missed the next three times she went. Aggravating the two blue pegasi.

“Applejack, what the hay is going on?” Lightning Sprint asked.

“Yeah, we should’ve been flying through the air by now.” Rainbow Dash said.

“I'm okay. Really. I-I have an idea. Watch this.” Applejack said. She walks over and pulls down the other end of the seesaw, lifting Lightning Sprint and Rainbow Dash into the air on the platform. “Tada!”

The two would look at her, as this wasn't what they had in mind.
 
"Oh... Maybe not. Okay, one more try. I'm sure to get it this time." Applejack said as she climbed back up the ladder.

"Ugh" Lightning Sprint groaned as she began helping Rainbow Dash back onto her shoulders.

"Heh heh... Here I go!" Applejack said as she jumped off, RIGHT as Rainbow slipped off Lightning's shoulders.

Lightning Sprint managed to grab Rainbow Dash but couldn't stop Applejack "Wait wait wait! Applejaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!" 

The two were launched into the sky, towards the library.

"You're welcome!" Applejack called after them.

Chad, who was reading a book with Twilight, had his shell shook before he dove away from the railing as the two of them landed there. Diving under Twilight as a result. 

They both groaned in pain as they slammed into the railing.

"Huh, you two took your time dropping in." Chad said from under Twilight.

"I think I broke something" Lightning Sprint wheezed.

"Twilight. We might need your help." Rainbow dash said.

"Applejack?" Twilight asked with a very unamused face.

"Yep." They both said. Later, back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack had bucked a few apples out of the tree, causing them to hit the ground. She bends over and picks one of them up only to hit the back of her head against the tree as soon as she stood.

"Ow!" She exclaimed. At this point, Twilight had arrived to SAA with Chad on her back.

"Applejack, can we talk? Applejack, can we talk?" Twilight asked, walking over.

The first time she spoke, it merely got her attention. The second time however, she heard nothing but an inaudible voice, forcing her to try and read her lips.

"Can bees squawk?! I don't think so." Applejack completely misheard.

"No. Can we talk?" She asked again.

"Twenty stalks? Bean or celery?" Applejack misheard again.

"No! I need to talk to you." Twilight exclaimed. 

"You need to walk to the zoo? Well, who's stoppin' you?" She completely misheard.

"I need to talk to you!"

"Oh! Well why didn't you say so? What you wanna talk about?" She said as she tried to continue working, and failing. 

"Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint dropped in today." Twilight told her, hoping she would catch the hint. She did not.

"That's quite neighborly of them." Applejack wrongly assumed.

"They crashed onto my balcony after you launched them into the air" Twilight told her. Applejack went back to a soft spoken tone  and hung her head.

"Oh, yeah. I wasn't feeling quite myself this morning." Applejack said softly, feeling bad.

"Because you're working too hard and you need help." Twilight told her, only to be misheard again.

"HELP! You need HELP!" Twilight yelled in her face.

"Nothin' doin', Twilight. I'm gonna prove to you, t'everypony, that I can do this on my own." She said as she started to walk away. Right into a branch. Thunking her head against it and making her go cross eyed. "Ow! Now if you'll excuse me, I've gotta go help Pinkie Pie." She said before running off to Sugar Cube corner.

"Ugh!" Twilight groaned in frustration.

Meanwhile, at Sweet Apple Acres, Mr and Mrs Cake were packing up to head out.

"Now Pinkie Pie, are you sure you're up for baking the muffins and running the store this afternoon?" Mrs. Cake asked.

"Yes siree bob, Mrs. Cake. Plus, I have Ponyville's prized pony to help me out. Why, she's the best baker ever. Right, Applejack?" Pinkie answered. Applejack looked at Pinkie. Unable to hear her distorted voice, she began to shake her head.

"No? You're not the best baker ever?" Mr. Cake asked. This caught Applejack off guard. 

"WHAT? Oh no! I mean, don't you fret. I can bake anything from fritters to pies in the blink of an eye." Applejack said.

Mrs. Cake let out a sigh.

"All right. Well, see you later, girls!" She said before walking out with her husband. Applejack began shaking her head again.

"Stop with the shakin' Let's get bakin'." Pinkie said. Applejack nodded and walked to the kitchen with Pinkie.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the two earth ponies had the ingredients in front of them.

"All right-y! I'll get the sugar and the eggs. Can you get me some chocolate chips?" Pinkie asked in a low and distorded voice, well not to herself, but to a tired Applejack, it sounded like that, and as a result Applejack misheard her.

"Chips... got it. Tater chips, a little salty and dry, okie-dokie." She said as she grabbed a bag of Chips and poured it into the bowl. "What next?" 

"Baking soda." Pinkie answered in the same voice.

"Soda. Perfect. That'll get the tater chips nice and wet." She said as she grabbed some soda and poured it into the bowl, once again mishearing what she said. "Now what?" 

"A cup of flour."

"A cup o' sour? Well, limes are sure sour. One cup o' sour, comin' up." Applejack said as she poured lime juice into the bowl. "Anything else, Pinkie?" 

"One last thing. Wheat germ." Pinkie answered. Sounding Distorted at the words 'Wheat Germ'. And once again, Applejack misheard her.

"Wheat worms? Oh, that must be fancy talk for earthworms." She said before walking outside, digging some up and heading back to the bowl, placing them inside. 

"Now that's gonna be delicious." Pinkie said as the bowl was placed in the oven.

"If you say so." Applejack said, not exactly believing her.

A short while later after the mix came out Pinkie turned to the group that had gathered. "Free muffin sample spectacular!"

Ponies began lining up in order to get a free muffin.

Later, Bandit, Chad and Spike ran to the location of the sick ponies, results of the ill causing muffins.

"We came as soon as we heard." He said to Nurse Redheart.

"We need all the help we can get." Nurse Redheart said, moving the curtains.  Multiple ponies were green in the face, sickened and groaning.

Bandit walked in and saw all the sick ponies.

"Oh no! What happened?" Bandit asked as he looked around. Chad began sniffing the muffins in a bowl.

"It was a mishap with some of the baked goods." Redheart answered. 

"Not baked goods. Baked bads" Pinkie said, groaning.

"Applejack." Bandit deduced. Chad offered Spike one of the muffins, having eaten two already.





Back at Sweet  Apple Acres, Applejack was falling asleep again as she worked on the apples. At first, she knocked a bunch of apples out of a tree, falling a sleep as they fell. An apple bonked her on the head, making her wake up. She then began to back the applecart  into a barrel, causing the barrel to tilt in too and dangle her upside down, causing her to fall asleep. 

"Applejack, we need to talk." Bandit said as he arrived. This woke her up.

"Wha, huh? Oh, it's you, Bandit. I know what you're gonna say, but the answer is still no."

"Applejack, your drowsiness caused you to poison some of the residents of Ponyville. Not to upset your applecart, but you need help." Bandit told her.

"Hardy har." Applejack said as she struggle to detach from the cart 

"I got you." Bandit said as he was about to move forward. 

"No no! I got it." She said as she swatted him away. Well, at least tried to. He wasn't close enough to her for her to hit.

Bandit stood still as she started trying to get out. Bandit facehoofed, but she eventually detatched cart.

"There. I'll prove that this apple can handle these apples. Come on [she started kicking the tree] apples [she kept kicking] fall off [She kicked harder]. Bandit gave an unamused look.

"AJ.....That's a dead tree you're beating." He said. Applejack looked up as a leaf fell down.

"I knew that." She said before walking off.

Bandit groaned and followed behind her.

"Another thing Applejack. You know all that backing with Pinkie you did? Well you ended up-"

"I'm kinda busy to be lectured right now, Bandit." Applejack interrupted.

"Applejack, You're putting everyone else's health at risk. Just let me help before-" Bandit tried to say again.

"Ugh. No, no, NO! How many times do I gotta say it? I don't need no help from nopony!" She exclaimed as she stomped off.

Bandit groaned. 

"Ugh. She's more stubborn than a bull charging a waving cape." Bandit said before looking at the black bull in the fence.

"That's not offensive is it?" He asked.

"Not at all." The bull said.





Later, Fluttershy was leading Applejack to the bunnies.

"Oh Applejack! Thank you so much for offering your herding skills for the annual rabbit roundup." Fluttershy said gratefully. 

"Ugh. Why are we doin' this?" Applejack asked

"Well, lots of new baby bunnies have been born, so it's my job to get a count of all the new families." Fluttershy said answered as they walked.

"Fine. Can we just get on with it?" Applejack asked. 

"Certainly, but remember, these are bunnies we're dealing with, not cows. They're a timid bunch and need to be treated gently." Fluttershy tried to warn. Applejack began to prove she wasn't the element of patience at the moment.

"I do NOT need any direction on corrallin' critters. Right, Winona?" Applejack said.

Winona barked affirmatively. The bunnies were on alert as a result. Fluttershy got to them and began to softly speak.

"Okay, little bunnies! I need you to all gather here in the middle." Fluttershy began to instruct. Then Applejack decided to take the aggressive approach. 

"That's right! Let's go, bunnies. In the center. Hop to it." She said with a stomp of the hoof. This scared the bunnies into a scatter.
 "Swell. Just swell." She began to run after them, like she would herd cattle. "Put 'em up, Winona!" 

Winona barked at the bunnies and ran after them as well. Every bush the bunnies hid in, Winona jumped in it and scattered them again.

"Applejack! Winona! Stop! You're scaring them." Fluttershy warned.

"We know what we're doing! Get along little bunnies!"

That's when the bunnies and started to stampede away and head straight to Ponyville. 

"Oh no." Fluttershy said.

In the sky, Lightning Sprint looked towards the direction the bodies were coming from and saw how many were coming this way.

"Again?" Chad asked from the bathtub.

"STAMPEDE!" Lightning Sprint exclaimed as the bunnies rushed towards town.

As Ponyville began panicking to get to 'safety', The bunny stampede was running towards Daisy. As she saw them running towards her, she fainted in the middle of their path. The bunnies stampeded around her.

It didn't take long for Bandit to arrive at ponyville. There was no big mess that he could see, even when looking towards the 3 fainted ponies.

"The horror, the horror." Roseluck said.

" It was awful." Lily said.

"A disaster. A horrible, horrible disaster." Daisy added.

Bandit looked around again and didn't see any changes.

"I don't get it." He said.

"Our gardens, destroyed." Lily said

"Every last flower, devoured." Roseluck added. 

"By... by... THEM!" Daisy said. Bandit looked and saw the bunnies eating the flowers.

"Okay. THAT'S it." Bandit said as he flew back to Sweet Apple Acres .





Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was practically talking in her sleep as she was kicking the 'last' tree.

"Must…. keep….. buckin'... just…... a few….. more. Must finish harvestin'." Applejack said.

Bandit landed in front of Applejack and hoisted her up with one hoof.

"All right, Applejack. Your applebucking hasn't just caused you problems, it's over-propelled Pegasus', practically poisoned plenty of ponies, and terrorized bushels of brand new bouncing baby bunnies. I don't care what you say, you. Need. Help." Bandit told her. Applejack frowned and wriggled out of his one hoofed grip. And kicked the apples out of the tree.

She looked at them fall in her baskets with pride.

"No, I don't. Look, I did it." Bandit looked and saw all the trees she Harvest. "I harvested the entire Sweet Apple Acres without your help. How d'ya like them apples?"

Bandit turned her head to the other 3/4ths of the apple trees. The ones she didn't do.

"How do you like THEM Apples?" He asked.

"Yeh beat me by one second." Big Macintosh said from beside them.

Applejack looked at all the apples she DIDN'T kick down.

She mumbled indistinctly before finally fainting.

"Applejack?" Bandit was heard calling very faintly at first, but as she opened her eyes, his voice became clearer.

"Applejack!" He called again.

"Huh?" She answered as she looked up at him.

"Oh good, you're okay." Bandit said with a relieved smile. "Now Applejack, I completely respect the Apple family ways. You're usually there to help anypony in need, so maybe you can put a little of your stubborn pride aside and allow your friends to help you." Bandit said to her.

"Okay Bandit" Applejack said.

"And this time. Saying no isn't gonna wait what?" Bandit asked, caught off guard.

"Yes Bandit. Yes, please. I could really use your help." She said, placing her hooves together as she begged him. Bandit chuckled.





"Dear my loving mother. My friend Applejack is the best friend a pony or Changeling, could ever have, and she's always there to help anypony. The only trouble is, when she needs help, she finds it hard to accept it, so while friendship is about giving of ourselves to friends, it's also about accepting what our friends have to offer. Your loving son, Bandit." Bandit wrote before sending the letter. He was pulling a large cart of apples before Applejack trotted over.

"How about y'all take a little break? I got some fine apple juice waitin' for ya!" Applejack said to the group. The other seven walked over to the table with the apple juice. 

"I can't thank you enough for this help. I was acting a bit stubborn."

All Bandit had to do was smirk and raise an eyebrow.

"Okay. A mite stubborn, and I'm awful sorry. Now, I know I learned an important lesson about asking for help, but the true lesson here, is how lucky I am that I have all of you as my friends." Applejack said. Bandit smirked and started to pick them all up, hugging them. They giggled and hugged back. Chad popped out of Bandit's mane.

"Anyone hungry? I got those delicious muffins from earlier." Chad said as he held up a bowl of them. Pinkie recoiled in slight disgust. 

"Eww! I threw those all away. Where'd you get them?" Pinkie asked. 

"I remade them. Potato chips, soda, a half cup of lime juice and earthworms." Chad listed as he ate one. "Anyone?" He asked with a full mouth. Bandit took one and ate it as Spike grabbed another one.

The ponies began to walk away.

"Just a little nibble? Come on." Chad said as he followed them. Bandit smiled and followed as well, with Spike on his back.
> Griffon the Brush off
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a sunny day and Pinkie Pie was talking as Bandit was reading. Lying down on a bench that he was a little too big for. 

"Hoof-biting action overload! She was like a stunt superstar, flying higher and higher, and then Rainbow Dash swooped down—swoosh—and right before she hit the ground—shoom, she pulled up—vrrrmmm!" Pinkie described, making The motions as she did. Bandit, although he was listening to everything she was saying, he was pretty uninterested with the whole wonderbolt stunting. But so not to be rude, he responded as he listened.

"No kidding?" Bandit asked, multitasking with the reading.

"And then Lightning  Sprint was tagged in and she took to the skies, looped around and around like whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo!" She described. Moving her head in multiple directions of work falling to the ground.

"That all does sound very cool." Bandit said, his eyes not coming off the book, but he was smiling to let Pinkie know he wasn't ignoring her.

Then Rainbow dash was seen flying through the sky. Pinkie stood up and hopped towards her direction. Bandit looked up and rolled his eyes with a smirk.

"RD's biggest fan." He commented before turning the page.





"Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie was heard calling. Rainbow dash was startled at first before looking down.

She looked down and saw Pinkie following her. She groaned.

"Ugh. Pinkie pie? Not again." She tried to fly faster. 

Pinkie began running to keep up. "Rainbow Dash!" She called urgently. 

"Not now, Pinkie Pie." She said as she kept flying, trying to lose her.

"But, but Rainbow Dash—"

"I'm in the middle of something." She flew faster.

"But-"

"I said not now—" Rainbow dash said before crashing into a pillow on the side a mountain. Rainbow dash watched as the pillow fell back down to Chad. Who threw it up so she wouldn't crash into the side of the mountain.

"I was gonna tell you to watch out for that mountain." Pinkie said. 

"I got her covered." Chad said with a blep and a salute.

Rainbow dash grumbled a little.




(Intro)

My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?




Pinkie was  humming and walking around, looking for Rainbow Dash again, as well as Lightning Sprint this time.  The humming annoyed the two pegasi resulting in them taking part of the cloud to shove into their ears.

Pinkie stopped by a kiosk full of ponies.

"Hi, I'm looking for Rainbow Dash. Have you seen her? What about Lightning Sprint? Have you seen her?" She asked as she walked. Rainbow dash heard this from her cloud and began starting to dig her head in so she wouldn't be seen on top of it.

Lightning Sprint wasn't too far from doing this herself, but then made the mistake of peeking over the side of her cloud.

Chad looked up at them and waved a hello. He was on Twilight's back as she was running errands.

"Hey Twilight, Hey Chad. Have you seen Rainbow Dash or Lightning Sprint?" She asked.

"Isn't that them up-" Chad started to say before looking at Lightning Sprint.

She quickly shook her head, not wanting him to say it. Chad caught the hint and instead shrugged.

Pinkie looked around. "I've got a favour to ask them."

"Maybe I can help you with it. If That's okay with you and Twilight." Chad suggested. He and Pinkie were both equally random, as well as physics breaking. Those 2 together would be either a really good idea, or a really bad idea.

"It's fine by me." Twilight said with an approving smile.

Chad smiled before pouncing onto Pinkie's back.

"Lead the way!" Chad exclaimed happily.

Pinkie began happily trotting away. 

Lightning Sprint looked towards Rainbow Dash.

"Thank you Chad." Rainbow  dash whispered. 

"You're welcome!" Chad was heard answering. Despite the fact back he was definitely way too far to hear that whisper.

"How did he-?" Lightning Sprint began. 

"Okay. That kid kinda freaks me out." Rainbow dash said.

"Try living with him." Bandit was heard saying.





Back with Pinkie and Chad, Chad held on tight as she trotted.

"So, what are we doing?" He asked.

"You'll see. I would've asked them to help me move a cloud into place but I'm sure we can handle this" Pinkie answered. Chad looked up at the cloud, tapped his chin before using his magic to create a lasso and wrap it around the cloud.

Pinkie then started to give instructions to him. On where to move the cloud.

"Over to the right. No no, a little to the left. Oh wait, back to the right. Now a little leftish while staying rightly. Stop. Hmm. Maybe a few inches to the south. Now a couple centimeters north. Okay. One more smidgimeter to the—"

"Perfect!" Chad interrupted as he got the cloud in the right spot.

"Perfect." Pinkie said immediately after him. "Now what for my signal." 

Chad used the rope to climb onto the cloud before making the rope disappear. Pinkie peeked inside of Town hall and saw that Spike was gathering a few scrolls while humming the theme song before walking out the door.

Pinkie gave him a signal and Chad jumped up and landed on the cloud, making it thunderclap. 

Spike yelped and jumped. There was a pause before he began to hiccup.

Chad began to laugh, laughing so hard that he fell off the cloud and onto his tail on the ground.

"I told you you get scared you into getting the hiccups." Chad told him as he laughed.

"No I [hic] don't!" Spike said.

"Yes you do. Haha! And you laughed at me for doing the same thing." Chad teased a little.

"This isn't [hic] funny Chad. You just [hic] [hic] wait till I get my [hic] own back on you." Spike said. Then he started laughing with Chad. Chad noogied him before walking back with Pinkie. 

Pinkie giggled happily. "That was great!"

"I got something else that's funny." Chad said with a small smirk.

"You do?" Pinkie asked

Chad smirked and used his magic to whip the cloud, which made the cloud go off again, this time to scare Pinkie.

Pinkie yelped before she began to hiccup, laughing in between.

Chad began laughing too.

"I'm so glad you decided to [hic] do this with me [hic]" Pinkie said.

"No problem Pinkie. Innocent pranks are fun as long as no one gets-" Chad tried to say.

"Dizzy? [hic] Lost? [hic] Sleepy? [hic]" Pinkie asked.

"Hurt Pinkie. I was gonna say hurt." Chad said. Seconds later, a thunderclap startled him into the hiccups as well. This thunderclap was a little farther than the first two, because it was caused by two certain pegasi.

Lightning Sprint and Rainbow Dash both began laughing. Chad looked at them and also began laughing. His hiccups disappearing seconds later.

"We didn't take you two for pranksters" Rainbow Dash said.

"It's fun to pull pranks. The only one I can't prank is Bandit. He's too good at avoiding them." Chad pointed out. Lightning Sprint took that as a challenge.

"We'll see about that" Lightning Sprint said.

"So! Who do we prank next?" Chad asked with a tail wag.

"I've got the perfect pony." Rainbow Dash said.





A short while later, the group would be outside Rarity's house. Chad was sitting at the door, in position looking adorable according to plan.

"Is she even home?" Rainbow dash asked.

"Doesn't look like it." Lightning Sprint said.

Then Rarity came to the door. 

"This is gonna be gold." Pinkie said with a grin. Rarity stepped round the corner and saw him. 

"Aww! Aren't you the most adorable!" Rarity said as she picked him up and cradled him into a hug. What she didn't know was that there was sneezing powder in his mane, and as she hugged back, the powder began to do its job.

Rarity rubbed her nose and let go of him before beginning to sneeze repeatedly

Chad giggled a little.

"Gotcha." Chad said with a wink before pulling the powder out of his mane, dropping it by mistake and causing powder to hit his nose.

"Uh oh." Chad said before sneezing, propelling him away. Rarity smirked at this.





In the tree of friendship, Twilight was making some potions and recording the results.

She turned back around to observe the potions, only to see that the ink on her paper had disappeared. She gasped and quickly began to see what kind of ink she had. It was invisible ink.

Chad, Pinkie and Rainbow dash laughed from the window. She looked out at them and smirked as Lightning Sprint took the ink back and flew out without being detected.





Bandit was just finishing the book he was reading before finally closing it. He stood up from the bench before his ears began Twitching.

"I'm telling you, it's not gonna work. Bandit is too good at avoiding pranks." Chad was heard saying. Bandit smirked and began to stealthily walk towards that location in the bushes. To his full knowledge all he was doing was walking towards a bush that had nothing but a recorded tape.

Above Bandit was Rainbow dash, Lightning Sprint and Chad with Pinkie on his back.

"He's falling for it." Lightning Sprint whispered. What she didn't know was that the Bandit stalking the tape was nothing but a hologram spell. The real Bandit was behind them on a different cloud, with a series book next to him that was titled, 'Holograms for dummies' through, 'Hyperrealistic Hologram spells'.

He snickered as he moved his cloud behind theirs.

Holo-Bandit got to the bush and jumped over it with a growl. Then he looked stunned.

Rainbow dash and Lightning  Sprint jumped up to make the cloud thunderclap, but Bandit beat them to it. Thunderclapping the cloud he was on, he scared all four of them. Pinkie, Lightning and Rainbow were all scared into the hiccups. Chad just looked at him and then back at the three.

"I told you. He's too good at avoiding pranks!" Chad said before Bandit noogied him.

"This [hic] isn't [hic] over." Lightning Sprint said with a slight growl, playfully.





Lightning Sprint and Rainbow dash were peeking out of some bushes with binoculars.

"So, who's next?" Chad asked from behind them.

"Well, we were thinking about pranking Applejack. We're looking for her right now." Rainbow dash said as she looked towards sweet Apple Acres. 

"Oh, maybe we should prank Big Macintosh too. I know how to get him good." Chad said as he began snickering. However, he wasn't snickering because he had a plan for Big Mac.

Rainbow dash took the binoculars off and looked at Chad.

"Well then, what's your plan?" She asked. She didn't know that there were black circles around her eyes where the binoculars were. Chad's snickering got louder. Lightning Sprint began to laugh at her, despite her having suffered the same fate.

Chad looked at them both and fell down laughing before booping their noses.

"Gotcha." He said. He laughed before looking up to see a griffon standing over him. The griffon had white feathers, a yellow beak, and a brown lower half. 

"Hi!" Chad greeted with a tail wag.

"Sup." The griffon said. Rainbow dash and Lightning Sprint rubbed the black ink off before looking at the griffon.

"Gilda! What up!" Rainbow said as she flew over.

"Hey Dash. Hey Sprint" Gilda said. 

"You made it!" Lightning said.

"Pinkie, Chad, this is our griffon friend, Gilda." Rainbow dash introduced.

"What's a griffon?" Pinkie asked.

"Half eagle half lion. I met one back in Fillydelphia during the Equestria games." Chad answered.

"I remember the Equestria games." Rainbow dash said in a slight pout.

Gilda looked between them. "You forgot the all awesome part!"

"Yeah! Griffons are awesome!" Chad exclaimed.

"You've met a griffon before?" Rainbow dash asked.

"Yeah! His name was Clyde. We got along great because we had the same name....sort of." Chad pointed out as he took out a photo of him and a cardinal tiger griffin chickub. Despite the fact that everyone except for Bandit, Spike, Fluttershy and Twilight knew him only by Chad.

"But, your name is Chad." Rainbow dash said.

"No no, Chad is just my nickname, my full name is Kama Ezio Clyde Armasta Laska Chadwickson the IV." 

They all stared at him, mouths open.

"What?" Chad asked with a head tilt.

"That is an AWESOME Name!" Rainbow dash exclaimed as she picked Chad up.

"Why did you never tell us this?!" Lightning Sprint exclaimed.

"It was never important."

"It's such a cool name!"

"It's not that cool." Chad brushed off, he was unaware of the glares Gilda was giving him.

"It's a mouthful that's for sure" Gilda said. Rainbow dash placed him down.

"You can call me Chad for-" Chad tried to say to Gilda.

"Uhuh, right." Gilda brushed off rudely. Chad raised an eyebrow and tried to say something again.

"It's nice to meet you Gil-"

"So Dash, Sprint, what are you guys doing with yourselves?" She interrupted, stepping over Chad to be in front of Sprint and Dash.

"Well, we've been doing pretty well. Practicing our wicked moves to impress the wonderbolts for the Gala." Rainbow dash boasted. Chad sat down, listening to all of this.

"Yeah. We're gonna do everything we can to blow them away" Lightning Sprint added.

"Hey, didn't we promise you a flying lesson?" Rainbow dash smirked.

"Flying lesson?" Gilda asked.

"Yeah, you look like you need it." Lightning Sprint teased.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means we can probably still dust you." Rainbow dash answered.

"What?!" She playfully shoved them.

"Wanna prove us wrong? Or get tired trying?" Rainbow dash taunted.

"Oh you are so on! To that cloud. Ready? Set?! Go!" Gilda said as she took off.

Lightning Sprint took off with her, along with Gilda.

"Hey!" Pinkie said as they went.

The trio flew fast and past the cloud. Landing onto it as they finally made it.

"Ha! Beat you both!" Rainbow dash said. It was too close to determine. 

"What?! I clearly won" Gilda said.

"Not a chance!" Lightning Sprint said.

Chad popped out of the cloud with a camera. 

"I took a picture, and, by a picometer, Lightning Sprint tied with Gilda and Rainbow dash tied for second." Chad said as he showed a picture and a zoomed in picture.

The three looked at one another. 

"How did you get up here?" Lightning Sprint asked

"I used my magic to make a lasso and climb up." Chad answered before dangling upside down, using his tail to hang onto the lasso. Lightning Sprint giggled at him.

"Chad. You are so random." Lightning Sprint said.

"Blep!" Chad said as he stuck out his tongue. Gilda wasn't won over by these adorable antics, then she got an idea.

"So, Dash, Sprint, got any new moves in your tricktionary, or are you 100% old school?" Gilda asked.

"New moves? Heh, sit back G, this is gonna take a while." Rainbow Dash answered as she flew off. 

"It's gonna be worth it though G. Trust us." Lightning  Sprint said as she flew with her.

Gilda then looked at Chad, turning her fake smile back into her true intentioned scowl. She turned upside down and grabbed Chad by his hoodie collar.

"Don't you know how to take a hint to get lost? They don't need to hang with a dweeb like you now that I'm around. You're dorkin' up the skies, so make like a bee and BUZZ OFF!" Gilda said, using a talon to cut the lasso.

Chad tried to flap his wings, but they weren't strong enough to keep him in the air. He faceplanted rather painfully onto the ground.

Pinkie had attempted to catch him but didn't manage to. She quickly ran over to him. "Chad!"

Chad stood up and he was pretty dizzy, with mini versions of Rainbow dash and Lightning Sprint flying around his head.

"I'm okay." He said.





Later, back at the golden oaks library, Pinkie was relaying what happened to Bandit and Twilight.

"So she's really that mean?" Twilight asked 

"Um, yeah. She keeps stealing Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint away, she interrupts you, she cut Chad's lasso and she told him to buzz off. I've never met a griffon this mean. Well, actually, I've never met a griffon at all, but I bet if I had, she wouldn't have been as mean and grumpy as Gilda." Pinkie said.

"Wait, she did what with his lasso?" Bandit asked sternly, knowing that's how Chad basically 'flew'.

"She CUT it! I tried to catch him but wasn't quick enough."

"Alright. Now I don't like this Gilda." Bandit said as he already started thinking of not safe for the rating ideas.

"Maybe she just misses RD and LS a lot." Chad tried to justify.

"Not a chance." Twilight said. "Someone who misses a friend would not do that."

"Hmm." Chad started to think. "Maybe I'll see what she likes to turn that Grump into a Grin!" Chad said.

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea after what she did to you." Bandit said, whilst glaring out of a window.

"It could help let her know that I'm just as willing to be her friend." Chad said.

"Chad-" Bandit tried to say.

"I'll be safe, I promise!" Chad said as he trotted out.

Twilight sighed softly as he left. 

"Twily. How do you feel about Eagle Piccata?"  Bandit asked, making Twilight widen her eyes.





At Ponyville, Gilda was walking through the town.

Chad was sitting nearby, looking towards her as she moved through the town. 

Gilda hid beside a cart and used her tail to appear as a snake, which started Granny Smith.

"Aaah! A rattler, a rattler! Run for the hills! Everybody forsake yourselves!" She exclaimed before walking slowly away, currently unable to run.

Gilda laughed before looking at the vendor. She played it off as checking the freshness of the apples.

"This stuff ain't fresh, dude." She said before walking off.

"Aw, poor Granny Smith, she didn't know it was a joke! How mean! No, no, I can't misjudge her. It was kind of a funny prank, I guess." Chad tried to justify.

Next, she used her tail to slither past some ponies and grab an apple, that she of course, began to eat. Chad let out a gasp as he caught this. 

"I did misjudge her! She's not only a rude rascal, she's also a thief! Nonononono, she might give it back. Or….buy a new one to replace it, like what Bandit does with Momma's cakes."

Gilda was then standing in the way of Fluttershy that was leading a bunch of baby ducks on the road.

Fluttershy was backing up so didn't see her. "All right little ones, this way, this way. Mama duck, you're free and clear."

It didn't take long until she bumped into Gilda. And she wasn't happy.

"Hey!" She exclaimed.

"Oh. Please excuse me." She said politely to de-escalate the situation. Gilda was having none of it.

"I'm walkin' here." She aggressively said. Fluttershy began to back away.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She mocked before turning aggressive again. "Why don't you just watch where you're going, doofus?"

Mama duck and the baby ducks scattered as Fluttershy was backed up.

"B-b-b-but I... I..." Fluttershy stuttered. Gilda inhaled and let out a terrifying roar. Well, not terrifying to Chad.

Fluttershy gasped before running off crying. The ponies, plus Chad, who saw this all looked at Gilda with disapproving eyes.

"Ugh, please, all these lame ponies are driving me buggy. I gotta bail." She said before flying off.

"She's a sourpuss, and a stealer, and a-" Chad pulled out a dictionary and flipped through it. "Scourge!" He tossed it away. "The meanest kind of creature there is! I can take it, but no one treats Fluttershy like that. No. One. This calls for extreme measures, Chad style!" Chad said with a double hoof slam on the table. Then pinkie popped up beside him with two ice cream cones. One of chocolate ice cream. The other was a red with white stripes. 

""Ice Cream?" Pinkie offered from beside him.

"What flavour?" He asked.

"Tiger stripe vanilla cherry."

He took the ice cream with a smile. Then he looked at Pinkie.

"Pinkie, get the supplies ready. It's time to plan a party." He said as he bit the ice cream. Not licked. Bite, whilst rubbing his hooves menacingly. 

Bandit was looking from the window and grinned.

"Lightning, Rainbow." He said without turning around. Both of them were behind him with whipped Cream on their hooves.

"I got an idea for your pranks." He told them as he turned around. 

The two pegasi looked at each other before nodding.





Later on, Pinkie was moving a cake towards the center of SCC.

"This good Chad?" Pinkie asked.

"Perfect" Chad answered. The two looked at their work and saw how welcoming the decorations were.

"Are you sure this is gonna work Chad?" Pinkie asked. Chad grabbed her face and got nose to nose with her. 

"I'm positive" Chad said before letting go. 

Pinkie nodded as Ponies began walking through the door. She and Chad welcomed them left and right. 

Chad turned, looking towards other members of the mane 8 as they entered.

"Who's this Gilda I've heard nothing about?" Applejack asked as she was speaking with Rarity and Bandit.

"I hear she's an old friend of Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint. A griffon, so rare." Rarity responded.

"Not that rare." Bandit added. "There's Griffonstone, Griffinstone with an I, I was gonna say Shesepankh East, but I'm sure hieracosphinxes don't count since their wild animals." 


Fluttershy and Twilight were having a bit of a conversation off to the side.

"You met her. What's she like?" Twilight asked. Fluttershy looked down nervously.

"I'll tell you later" Fluttershy said. She slowly walked over to Pinkie.

"Um, Pinkie Pie, about this party for Gilda. Umm... do you really think it's a good idea? I mean—" She asked softly.

"Oh, this wasn't my idea. It was Chad's." Pinkie pointed out. Fluttershy looked at Chad, who ended up lifted by Pinkie.

"Don't you worry your adorable head Fluttershy. I've got this all taken care of or my name's not Armasta." Chad said as he dropped out of her grip and trotted back to the entrance. 

"Ain't his name Chad?" Applejack asked after hearing that.





Chad looked up at Gilda.

"Gilda! I'm so honored to throw you the first and only party i've ever thrown, and I really, truly, sincerely, hope you feel welcome here amongst all us pony and changeling folk." Chad said as he stuck out his hoof.

Gilda Cautiously grabbed his hoof with her talon, only to get shocked.

A lot of the guests began laughing. 

"The old hoof-shake buzzer. Chad, you are a scream." Rainbow Dash said whilst laughing.

"One for classics eh?" Lightning nudged him while laughing.

"....Yeah. Good one, Chad." Gilda said, not sounding happy. "Come on G, I'll introduce you to some of our other friends." Lightning Sprint said as she began to walk off.

"Right behind you." Gilda said before glaring daggers at Chad.

"I know what you're up to." She gritted, trying to intimidate him.

"Great." Chad said. "This was a lot of hard work to do." 

She groaned in annoyance.

"Rrrh. I know what you're planning."

"Well Spluh, it's not a surprise party." Chad said.

"I mean, I've got my eye on you." She said as she got nose to nose with him. Chad pressed back against hers.

"And I've got my eye on you." He said before stepping back.

Gilda was about to walk away, but Pinkie grabbed her.

"Everyone, I'd like you all to meet Gilda, a long-time, dear friend of Lightning  Sprint and Rainbow Dash. Let's honor her and welcome her to Ponyville." She said. Ponies cheered as Gilda smiled awkwardly. Lightning Sprint and Rainbow dash wrapped a hoof around her as Chad brought forth a bowl of cherry candy drops.

"Here, help yourself." Chad said. 

"Don't mind if I do." She said as she took one and ate. However, she began to sweat. "HOT!"

"G! The punch!" Rainbow Dash said

Gilda ran over and grabbed the punch, attempting to drink it, but the punch fell onto her before reaching her mouth.

"Well, whaddya know, chili pepper in the cherry drops, and the punch served in a dribble glass!" Chad said. 

"Ha! Priceless, priceless!" Lightning Sprint said, picking Chad up and putting him on her back.

Gilda rushed over to the counter and grabbed another cup of punch to drink. She gulps it down, finally cooling off her tongue. She pants before talking again.

"Yeah. Hilarious." She said annoyed.

"Look G, Presents." Rainbow dash pointed out. Gilda walked over and opened one, only for spitting snakes to spook her. Her feathers fluffed up as a result.

"Spittin' snakes. Hah, somepony pulled that prank on me last month." Applejack said.

"Ha ha. I bet I know who that is." She said as she glared at Chad. She was completely ignorant to the fact that Chad has only been there for a couple of weeks.

"You do?" Chad asked.





Ponies were chatting amongst each other, and birds were chirping thanks to Fluttershy's directing. Then pinkie pie walked over with the cake.

"Hey, can I blow out the candles?" Spike asked eagerly.

"Why don't we let Gilda blow out the candles, Spike? She is the guest of honor after all." Bandit said, still Glaring daggers at her.

"Exactly." Gilda said. This was until she walked past Bandit and saw how big he really was, she carefully cowarded and blew out the candles.

The candles flickered back to being lit.

She looked confused and blew them out again.

They did the same thing again.

She continued to try and blow the candles out how much but they kept turning on. Eventually she ran out of breath.

"Re-lighting birthday candles, I love that prank! What a classic." Spike said, giggling from Gilda's face.

"I wonder who could've done that." Chad said, still laughing. 

"Yeah, I wonder." Gilda glared.

"Mmm. Who cares? This cake is amazing" Spike said as he ate.

"Spike?" Bandit said with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" Spike asked as his face was already covered in icing. Bandit rolled his eyes.

"Oh Never mind. Move over I want some too." He said. Spike smiled and moved to the side so that Bandit can also eat the cake, taking one of his mother's habits. Gilda shot a glare at Chad before Rainbow dash spoke to her.

"Hey G, you're not upset about some silly candles are you?" She asked as Gilda plastered another fake smile.

"No way, Dash. Like I said, I'm down with a good prank." She feigned.

"Come on, let's have some cake." Rainbow dash said as she ran to the cake. Gilda drops the smile as she did.

Chad began Eating some of the cake as well. 

Then Gilda grabbed Chad and pulled him out of sight.

"Hey, I'm watching you. Like a hawk." She threatened.

"Shouldn't you be watching me like a griffon?" He asked. She growled at him.

"Hey y'all," Applejack  said, making Gilda play the 'acting natural' look. "it's pin the tail on the pony. Let's play." Applejack was heard saying.

"Oh, my favorite game. Can I go first? Can I have the purple tail?" Rarity asked, she then reached for the tail.

Gilda zipped over and snagged the tail.

"Well, I am the guest of honor, and I'll have the purple tail." Gilda rudely said as she started walking towards the target.

Rarity stepped back "Oh" 

"Yeah, Gilda should definitely go first. Let's get you blindfolded." Chad said. Spike approached Gilda with a blindfold in his claws.

The blindfold was placed on her eyes.

"Hey what— ugh— what are you doing? Rrrah!" She exclaimed before Chad began spinning her around. 

"We're spinning you around and around and then you can pin the tail on the pony." Chad said before grabbing her talon to guide her to the poster. "Now just walk straight ahead and pin the tail." Chad said. Gilda snatched her talon away.

"Now just walk straight ahead and pin the tail." He mocked. "Hmph, yeah, right. This is another prank, isn't it? I'm going this way." Gilda said As she turned and walked toward the kitchen.

"Wait. The poster is this—" Chad tried to warn. Gilda ended up slipping in some icing and headed straight towards the kitchen. 

There was a bunch of crashing sounds as well as a Gilda letting out multiple pained grunts.

She came out of the kitchen with the tail pinned to her beak and covered in icing.

"Um, Gilda? That's on the wrong end." Chad told her. This caused other ponies to laugh. Gilda finally had enough.

She let out a roar.

"This is your idea of a good time? I've never met a lamer bunch of dweebs in all my life! And you Chad!" She then glared at Chad. But as Bandit stepped in front of him protectively, she kept her distance, but continued to hurl insults.

"You are king lame-o with your weak little party pranks! Did you really think you could make me lose my cool?" Chad's ears flopped as he looked down saddened. "Well, Dash, Sprint and I will have ten times as much cool as the rest of you put together! Come on you two, we're bailing on this pathetic scene." She said.  The reality of it was, She wanted to get as far away from the older brother before he lost his temper. But she was confused when Sprint and Dash didn't follow her. 

"Come on, you two. I said, we're leaving." They looked at each other before looking back at Gilda. Neither of them were happy. 

"You know Gilda,  Lightning and I were the ones who set up all those weak pranks at this party." Rainbow Dash responded. Resulting in gasps.

"That makes sense. I was wondering why Bandit wasn't touching anything here." Chad said. Bandit grabbed the cherry drops and began to snack as he enjoyed the show.

"So that means we're the queens of lame-o right?" Lightning Sprint asked.

"What?" Gilda asked.

"We were the ones who set up the pranks at the party." Rainbow dash said. Gilda gasped. 

"Come on, you guys, you're joshing me." Gilda said, not believing it. While also desperately trying not to look like the bad guy.

"They weren't all meant for you specifically, it was just dumb luck that you set them all off." Lightning Sprint said. 

"No way, i-it was Chad! He set up this party to trip me up, to make a fool of me."

"You don't need him to make you look like a fool." Bandit countered.

"I threw this party to improve your attitude. I thought a good party might turn that frown upside down. I even did research on what griffons like to make presents for you." Chad said as he pointed out the presents.

"You know, this is not how we thought our old friends would treat my new friends. If being cool is all you care about, maybe you should go find some new cool friends someplace else." Lightning Sprint confronted. Gilda growled before glaring at them.

"Rrgh... yeah? Well you, you... you are such a, a flip-flop, cool one minute and lame the next. When you decide not to be lame anymore, gimme a call." Gilda insulted before walking to the door. Chad ran to her with a present on his back.

"Wait. At least take your present." He said as he lifted to her. She was about to smack it, but she saw the ponies looking at her. Mostly, Bandit ready to move at a moments notice. She scowled, snatched the present and walked out the door, slamming it shut as she did.

"Not cool." Rainbow dash said. 

"Talk about a party pooper." Spike commented. 

"I can hunt her down if you want." Bandit told them.

"She's not worth it" Lightning Sprint said, shaking her head.

She nodded before looking at Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow dash shook her head rapidly, not wanting that to happen.

Bandit then looked at Chad.

"I'm sorry your party didn't work." Bandit told him.

"It's no problem Bandit, I can't be friends with everyone. We've still got plenty of party to finish!" Chad said with perked ears.

Bandit smirked as he went to continue the party as Twilight wrote a letter to Celestia.

"Dearest Princess Celestia, today I learned that it's hard to accept when someone else doesn't want to be your friend. Though it's impossible to control whether they want to be your friend or not, it is possible to control your own behavior. Just continue to be a good friend. In the end, who's truly worthy to be a friend will surely come to light. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle" Twilight wrote.

Celestia smiled before beginning to write a letter herself.

"Dear Twilight Sparkle,
My most faithful student... Oh!" She saw the ink starting to disappear. "Disappearing ink. Classic Chad." She said with a smile. A morse code was then sent to her horn from Chad in response.

"--. --- - -.-. .... .-" Celestia giggled as a response. 
> Spiked Third Wheel
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a dark, gloomy night. Kama Talon (Chad), who was dressed in red and purple rogue clothing was walking towards a very tall castle. In his belt was a wanted poster for Garbunkle (Spike).

Inside the castle, Garbunkle was waiting as his pursuer got closer. He looked out of the window of the tall castle. He smirked as Kama Talon walked through the doors.

Kama walked into the dark room where he was. Only being illuminated by those light behind the door he just opened. At least that's what it looked like from an outside perspective since he could see in the dark.

"Well well well. What do we have here?" Garbunkle's voice asked.

"Garbunkle, the great dragon wizard. I have been traveling for miles and miles to look for you." K. Talon said as he walked towards the throne Garbunkle was sitting on.

"Kama Talon. Greatest bounty hunter in the land. What brings you to my castle?" Garbunkle asked.

"I have been waiting for a moment like this." K. Talon said as he used his magic to pull out his pair of daggers. "It's time for us to end this."

"Ha! Enough talk." Garbunkle responded, drawing his staff and sent a spell towards him. K. Talon rolled to the side To avoid one spell and then brought up his sword to block another 1.

"What's a Rogue to a Wizard?" Garbunkle taunted before K. Talon through down a smoke bomb and moved through the shadows.

"The wizard's end." K. Talon said. Blades were then thrown from the smoke. Garbunkle brought up a shield quickly.

K. Talon dropped down from the ceiling to Garbunkle with daggers at the ready. At least that's how it was seen in their imagination.

In reality, the two were playing with Ogres and Oubliettes, with action figures dressed like the heroes they were playing as. They were on a table next to a jewelry shop.

"You're no match for my skills." Spike said, moving his action figure.

"Well that may be, but I got the lucky rolls on my side." Chad said as he rolled a 20 sided die.

"15 plus and i get rewarded double damage." Chad said. Then he saw Spike snatch it mid air.

"Hey! Spike, you're supposed to let it land!" 

"Who is Spike?" He asked, staying in character. "15 plus and your damage is halved" He said before then rolling.

Chad took it back before getting the number. 

"10 plus and the damage is tripled for me." He said, to make up for Spike taking his turn. This time, he had to hold onto the die as Spike tried to take it from him. Neither of them were letting go.

"You rolled last time!" Spike said.

"No I didn't! You grabbed it mid air!"

"Let go!"

"You let go!" Chad exclaimed. However, the two of them let it go by mistake and the die went flying right into the glass window of the jewelry store. The egg twins gasped and went wide eyed.

"Oh no!" Spike exclaimed. 

Chad stared in disbelief before gulping.

"Okay okay. We can fix this. We just have to-" Chad looked at Spike and saw he was gone.

"Huh?" He said as he looked around.

"Not it!" He called.

"You coward!" He exclaimed before seeing the jewelry store clerk look at him. Then he sighed and walked towards the mess.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies

[Bandit and Twilight]
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Chad finished cleaning up all the glass. Using a brush and a dustpan to get the glass off the floor and throw it away in a trash can.

"Sorry about the window." He told her.

"Not a problem. At least you cleaned it instead of running off" She said to him.

"I'll try to pay for the window when I can." Chad said as he threw the glass away. "Or repair it. I'm still working on restoration spells." 

She smiled at him. "That's really kind of you."

Chad bowed and put the brush and dustpan back in his hoodie. His surprisingly spacious hoodie.

"Am I good to go?" He asked.

"Of course." Chad began to walk out of the store. He looked at the board and figurines as he placed the die back onto the board. He places it all away and stuff it into his hoodie. As he began to make his way back to the library, his shell shook and he turned around and caught a ball that was headed towards him.

"Sorry!" A voice called from nearby. Chad picked up the ball and looked for who threw it. A small white pinto colt with brown patches around his body, and a brown mane. He was also much smaller than Chad which wasn't a surprise considering Chad was bigger than the average colt, but considering the colt's size, he was smaller than the average colt.

The small colt ran in his direction. "You found my ball!" The colt said, speaking in a cockney accent. 

"Oh, this is yours?" Chad asked as he tossed it back. The colt caught it.

"Thanks. My name's Pipsqueak." The colt introduced in a friendly manner.

"Chad. Short for Kama Ezio Clyde Armasta Laska Chadwickson the IV." Chad said with a grin. Pipsqueak had a bit of a dumbfounded look on his face.

"Wow. That sure is a mouthful." He said. Chad nodded with pride.

"You wanna play?" Pipsqueak offered as he rolled the ball over to him. "I was playing by myself over there for a few minutes but you look like fun." 

"Sure! Go long!" Chad said as he picked up the ball. Pipsqueak started to scamper off to a long distance. Chad throws the ball to him. Pipsqueak continued running, stumbled a little and jumped to catch it. 

"Good catch Pip!" Chad exclaimed, already nicknaming him. Pipsqueak looked back at him with a smile.

"Thanks. Here it comes." Pipsqueak said as he threw it back. Chad did a backflip before catching it. Pipsqueak's mouth went agap and he began clapping his hooves. 

"That was amazing!" He exclaimed. Chad did a smirk and a bow before throwing the ball again. Pipsqueak wiggled and tried to do the same thing, only to land flat in his back. Chad gasped and ran to see if he was okay.

"Hey, are you alright?" He asked as he got to him.

"I'm okay." Pipsqueak said before laughing. Chad gave a warm smile before laughing himself. 

"You're fun to hang out with Pip." He said with smile.

"You are too Chad. I just moved here from Trottingham, you're making me feel really welcome here."

"To be honest. I haven't been in Ponyville that long either. I only got here like what, a month ago? These chapters don't exactly have a time frame other than a few weeks." Chad said. Pipsqueak tilted his head.

"All i understood from that was you weren't here that long." Pipsqueak responded. 

"Wanna play some more?" Chad asked as he wagged his tail.

"You bet!" Pipsqueak exclaimed. The two of them began to run off.





Back at the library, Bandit was putting away the last box, which officially moved them in.

"That's all of them. We are now OFFICIALLY moved in." Bandit said with a prideful smile.

"The first couple of weeks didn't count because?" Twilight asked.

"Because I finally unpacked the last box, making it official." Bandit said as he booped her nose. Twilight giggled as a response.

"Wonderful" Twilight said, clapping her hooves.

Bandit turned to the door as Spike walked through, trying to sneak downstairs.

"Hey Spike.....Where's Chad?" Bandit asked, making Spike freeze in his place and turn to him with a nervous smile.

"Well you see... the thing is-" Spike started before sputtering a bunch of excuses that Bandit could tell, didn't add up. He walked to Spike and lowered himself to roughly Spike's height.

"Spike...where is Chad?" Bandit asked again.

"Well. We were playing by a store and... may or may not have broken a window." Spike said, trying to sound like that wasn't what they did. Bandit's eyes widened.

"You broke a window!?"

"We didn't mean to!"

"Did you try to fix the window at least?" Bandit asked. Spike gulped and rubbed his arm.

"Well.... I kind of.... ran." Spike answered. Bandit gave off a disappointed sigh.

"Which means that you left Chad behind. Come on Spike, you know better than to do that." Bandit told him, his voice stern. 

"I'm sorry Bandit I-" Spike tried to say.

"No no, don't apologize yet. Go get Chad, right now." Bandit told him in a stern tone. Spike nodded and ran out the treehouse. Bandit facehoofed and looked at Twilight. 

"That wasn't too harsh was it?" He asked.

She simply shrugged "Stern but fair if you ask me." 




Outside, Chad was stalking Pipsqueak in a bush. Pretending to hunt him like a Predator. Pipsqueak looked around for him. Chad moved slowly towards Pipsqueak, stalking closer with every step. Pipsqueak was none the wiser.

"Chad?" Pipsqueak called. Chad smirked as he was close enough for the 'attack'. Chad pounced on him with a tiger roar. Pipsqueak yelped as he was tackled, but he soon began laughing.

Chad grinned.

"Oh, you wanna laugh? I'll give you something to laugh about." He said before tickling his stomach. This made Pipsqueak laugh louder.

"Falter before the might of the tickler!" He said as he tickled his pits as well. Pipsqueak kept laughing as he wriggled around.

"I surrender!" Pipsqueak exclaimed. Chad smirked and slowed to a stop. He then flopped to the side to give Pipsqueak a shot at revenge. He jumped at the chance and began tickling Chad's stomach.

Chad's leg shook as he laughed heavily.

"Hahahahahaha!" He squirmed.

"My turn tickler!" Pipsqueak exclaimed as he continued to tickle him, as a result Chad's leg continued to shake as if he was a puppy.

Pip eventually allowed him to breathe. Chad rolled to his hooves with a smile before giving Pipsqueak a noogie.

"Chad!" Spike was heard calling. Chad's ears perked up, he turned to look towards Spike before hiding to scare him.

"Chad! You here?!" He called out.

Pipsqueak hid with Chad. Chad smirked as he got ready to pounce on Spike. Wiggling his body as Spike walked into view. Chad let out a hiss and pounced on him. Pipsqueak jumped out too, but didn't land on Spike like Chad did.

Chad hissed in his face, loudly. Spike let out a terrified yell and tried to get away.

Chad snickered before getting off.

"I reckon that's pay back." Chad said with a wink.

"Ya think?!" Spike said as he sat up, dusting himself off.

"Miss me too much?" Chad said, nudging him. Spike playfully shoved him.

"With every fire ball so far." Spike said before noticing Pipsqueak. "Hey, Who's this?" 

"Spike, this is Pipsqueak, my new friend." Chad said proudly.

"Nice to meet ya." Pipsqueak said, offering his hoof.

"Yeah, likewise" Spike said as they shook.

"Met him after I finished cleaning up the glass." Chad said, which in turn, made Spike look and feel a bit guilty. 

"Sorry about that." He said.

"Nah, don't worry about it." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the die. "Here's your die back." He said as he tossed it to him. Spike caught it and smiled.

"Thanks." 

"Come on Pip, let's play catch about the park." Chad said as he picked up the ball. Spike perked up a little and wanted to be involved.

"Can I come?" Spike asked. 

"If you're not busy. But I have to warn you, we haven't exactly adjusted for 3." Chad said. Spike looked kinda saddened at that statement. "Oh, I know. How about monkey in the middle? We always-"

"It's alright." He interrupted, pausing for a moment. "You guys go." 

"Are you sure?" Pipsqueak asked.

"We can try to come up with another game if you-" Chad tried to say, Spike shook his head.

"No no. Honestly. You guys go." Spike said. Pipsqueak looked at Chad, shrugged and began to walk to the park. Chaf looked at Spike before he followed, right as Bandit arrived.

"I see Chad made another friend. You okay Spike?" He asked.

Spike didn't even look at him. "Yeah. I'll just.... go clean up." He began to glumly walk away. Bandit gave a sympathetic look before going to follow him.





In the park, Pipsqueak threw the ball to Chad. The two of them were being watched by Pipsqueak's mother, who went by the name Cherry song.

Chad jumped up to catch it with his tail and threw it back. The two of them were having a fun time as Twilight came over to them.

"There you are Chad. I see you're having fun." Twilight said with an approving smile. 

"Sure am Twilight!" Chad said as he wagged his tail.

"Did Spike come looking for you?" Twilight asked. As these two spoke, Pipsqueak ran back to Cherry Song, talking about something else, something that had Pipsqueak excited. 

"He did back when I was by the jewelry store." Chad answered. 

"Did you talk?" Twilight asked, a bit concerned.

"For a little bit. He didn't seem too happy. He was kinda bummed out." Chad admitted as he took a seat. "I mean, I'm good at reading emotions, but the why of the emotions. I think he felt guilty for running away when I needed his help, but I forgave him for that. Do you know why?"

Twilight simply looked at him for a moment, almost feeling like she couldn't put into words what she wanted to say. "Spike feels replaced."

"He does?" Chad asked with a head tilt. Twilight nodded.

"Why is that? I've only been friends with pipsqueak for like 20 minutes." 

"Well, he ran off, you got blamed and then ended up making a new friend. In his head, he probably thinks you did it to get your own back on him."

"Using someone as a form of payback? Come on twilight, Spike knows me better than that." Chad smiled as he brushed it off.

"Bandit is chatting with him now. I'll go talk with him too."

"Thanks Twi-" His shell shook, making him look towards the ball bouncing towards him.

Twilight ended up catching the ball that was thrown. 

"Thanks Twi!" Chad said as Twilight gave him the ball. Pipsqueak got to Chad and whispered in his ear. Chad gasped as Twilight was about to walk away. Chad zipped in front of her.

"Twilight. Pipsqueak said he wants to have a sleepover at our place! Can we Twilight!? Pretty please?!" He asked with the puppy eyes. Twilight rolled her eyes with a smile.

"I'll ask Bandit. If he says yes then you can." Twilight answered. 





Back at the library, Bandit was having a little heart to heart with Spike.

"Look spike, you and Chad have grown up alongside one another. You know he wouldn't just up and replace you for any reason." Bandit told him. Spike was still kinda down.

"That's just it. We've always been together. Maybe he's just tired of me" Spike said.

"Don't think like that. Come on Spike."

Spike just sighed.

"Think about it okay Spike?" Bandit asked.

Spike nodded in response. 

Bandit walked off as Chad came running in right as Twilight arrived.

"Bandit! Pipsqueak wants to have a sleepover here." Chad said.

"The timing couldn't be worse." Bandit muttered under his breath.

"Can he Bandit? Can he spend the night, pretty please?" Chad asked. Bandit looked at Spike and gulped. 

"Sure." Bandit said. Chad ran out and opened the door for Pipsqueak. 

"I told you they'd say yes." He said as Spike silently left the room. 

Pipsqueak walked in with his sleeping bag and a bag with pajamas.

"This is fantastic!" He said.

"Huh, so this is why your name is Pipsqueak." Bandit said as he looked down at him with a snicker. Before getting an ear pull.

"Seriously?" Twilight asked.

"Owowowow!" He exclaimed. Trying to get his ear back. She eventually let go.

Bandit rubbed his ear.

"You gotta stop that." Bandit said.

"You give me no choice." Twilight responded with a glare.

"Imma get you back for that." 

"I'd like to see you try."

Bandit glared at her before laughing and nudging her playfully. She began laughing too.

"I'm gonna make dinner. Any ideas?" Bandit asked.

"Gumbo. Delicious gumbo." Twilight said. Bandit nodded and walked off.





Chad was downstairs with a chess board, playing chess with Pipsqueak. So far, they were evenly matched.

Pipsqueak smiled as he took a pawn of Chad's. Chad moved his bishop to take his knight.

"Good move." Pipsqueak admitted.

"Thank you thank you. Spike and I play this game a lot. We are both practicing to beat Bandit one day." Chad asked.

"Who's won more out of you both?" Pipsqueak asked as he moved his took to take Chad's queen.

"It's a draw. We never did play the tie breaker. I always declined." Chad said as he got Pipsqueak in check with his knight.

"You did? Why?" Pipsqueak asked, moving the king out of Check.

"I felt like regardless of who wins, we would stop playing with one another." Chad responded as he moved his bishop.

"Why's that?" Pipsqueak asked. Moving his Queen to block the bishop.

"Whenever one of us wins a game, we try to find a different game to beat the other. Chess was the last game on the list. Well, the last competitive game." Chad responded. As he moved his knight again.

"Oh. I see." Pipsqueak said as he moved his king backwards. Chad moved his rook and to the end of the board, ending the game.

"Checkmate." He said.

"Wow, you are good at this." Pipsqueak said as the two shook hooves.

"Wanna play another round or you wanna play video games?" Chad asked.

"Video games sound fun." Pipsqueak said.

Chad walked upstairs and returned with 2 controllers.





Upstairs, Bandit was cooking dinner for everyone. 

"Spike, can you pass me the carrots?" Bandit asked. He had Spike with him to help him get his mind off of Pipsqueak and Chad. So far, it was working.

"Coming at ya." Spike tossed them to him. Bandit caught it, chopped it up and placed it in the pot. Spike watched with a half smile. Bandit took out a scoop and offered it to Spike.

"Care to do the honors?" He asked. Spike eagerly nodded his head. He tilted his head back with his mouth open as Bandit poured the scoop into his mouth. Spike ate the food happily and licked his lips afterwards. 

"This is amazing." He said with a smile.

Bandit smirked and started to pour bowls.

"Go get Chad and Pip." He said, hoping that Spike's mind was now clear of jealousy. And considering how Spike was eager to get moving, his plan worked. For now.





Inside of Chad and Spike's room (down stairs), Chad and Pipsqueak were playing Minecraft and had just finished building a two story house. The two of them were talking, preoccupied to the point where they didn't hear when Spike knocked on the door before poking his head in. He started to head into the room.

"So your birthday is tomorrow?" Chad was heard asking. "And you want me to come to the bowling alley with you tomorrow for the party!? I would love to go!" He exclaimed.

Spike stopped in his tracks.

"I'll be your main hype pony...er, Changeling." Chad said. That was usually something he did for him and Spike's birthday.

"That's our thing..." He muttered quietly. He then walked out of the room with his head down.

"I promise, I'll make your birthday worth remembering." Chad said. Then the smell of gumbo hit his nose.

"Gumbo's ready." He and Pipsqueak quickly ran out of the room. Spike was behind the door as they ran past.

He walked back into he and Chad's room and took one of the books off of the shelf. It was their picture book. Photos of the things the two had done together through the years. Spike welt up as he slowly began to cry.





Later that night, an envelope was placed on Spike's bed, as he was cuddled close to the book. It kept falling off, so the magic lifted up his arm and tucked it underneath.

Chad, the one who was placing the invitation, smiled before walking back to his own bed. Too bad one late night shuffle was all it took for the envelope to take a journey under the bed.





The next day, Chad was at the bowling alley, with Pipsqueak and he was hyping up the party.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts! Put your hooves together for the birthday colt himself! Pipsqueak!" Chad said on a microphone.

The crowd cheered for Pipsqueak as he stepped forward. He was a bit nervous since the only ones he actually knew were his mother, and Chad. But upon hearing the ponies celebrating as he came around the corner, he was a lot less nervous.

"Enjoy the party everyone and have a fantastic time!" Chad cheered as he stepped away from the microphone. However, as he looked around, he saw that Spike wasn't around.

Pipsqueak walked over. "What's wrong?"

"I don't see Spike anywhere." He said. 

"Now that you mention it. Neither have I. Did you give him the invite?" Pipsqueak asked.

"I could've sworn I did." Chad answered. Chad walked over to Bandit and Twilight. 

"Twilight,  Bandit, Where's Spike?" Chad asked.

The two looked at each other and then at Chad.

"We thought he came with you to help set up." Bandit answered. 

"I thought he would be here." Chad said with an ear flop.

"Did you give him the invitation?" Twilight asked.

"I tucked it under his arm last night." Chad said. Bandit's eyes widened and then squinted as he realized what happened.

"Of course it's that type of Clichè." He muttered before turning to Twilight. "Twily, I know what happened, I'll go check on Spike." Bandit said as he flew back to the library.





At the library, Spike was sitting at the end of his bed. Definitely bummed out about not only missing out on Pipsqueak's birthday party, but in his eyes, he wasn't even thought about or invited.

Bandit walked into the library, and made his way down the stairs.

He got to Spike and Chad's room and peeked his head in.

"Spike? You in here?" Bandit called right before looking at Spike as Spike looked towards him.

"Spike. Chad's looking for you. Why are you in here?" Bandit asked as he walked over to him. Spike hung his head again.

"Cause I wasn't invited." He answered.

"But he you were. He left the invitation on you last-"

"I didn't see an invitation." Spike interrupted. Bandit wasted no time looking under the bed.

"Here it is." He said.

Spike stared in disbelief "Oh..." Bandit gave it too Spike but before he could move, Bandit stopped him.

"Spike....don't you think you should talk to Chad? His newly found friendship is clearly bothering you. If you don't talk to him, this is only gonna get worse." Bandit told him. Spike took a moment before nodding his head. Bandit placed Spike on his back and began to walk back to the party.





It didn't take long until Bandit walked through the doors and the two saw Chad sitting and looking on at the party. It was pretty obvious he was worried and bothered.

Spike climbed down from Bandit, walked towards Chad and cleared his throat.

Chad turned to look at him with his ears perked.

"Hey Chad." Spike started.

"Hey Spike. I'm glad to see you." Chad responded.

"Look.... about earlier." Spike began.

"How much earlier? Earlier today, last night or-" Chad was saying before Spike simply looked at him. "Right earlier. Yes. About earlier."

Spike let out a sigh. "Look. I'm really sorry. About everything. The jewelry store, the whole jealousy thing, not realizing that you've only made a friend. I'm sorry. I should've been a better friend." Spike told him. Chad raised an eyebrow.

"Friend? Spike. You and I were never friends." Chad said. Record scratched and Spike took a step back in response.

"W-w-we're not?" Spike asked.

"Spike, friends are creatures who come in and out of our lives. Creatures we develope bonds over in due time. But you and I Spike. We were never like that. We were bonded together ever since birth. We were brought into this world side by side, faced all our problems together. That doesn't make us friends Spike. That makes us Brothers." Chad told him. Spike felt tears welling up in his eyes. He stepped forward and embraced Chad in a hug. Chad smiled and hugged back.

"You're the best dragon brother I could ask for." Chad said.

"You're the best changeling brother ever." Spike said.

"Awwww." A crowd said, having heard and saw everything. However, the two brothers didn't move until they were ready to.

"Come on Spike. Pip has a game for three on bowling. Wanna play?" He offered.

Spike was about to accept, but saw Bandit getting out the quill and paper.

"Yes, definitely, but there's something I gotta do first." Spike said before running towards Bandit. Chad smiled and went to put Spike's name in the slot.





Bandit was about to write a letter. Then he felt Spike tug on his wing. He looked down towards him.

"Thanks for getting me to talk things through with Chad." He told him.

"No problem Spike." Bandit said as he ruffled his scales. "Wanna write the letter?"

Spike's eyes dilated with joy.

"Really!?" He asked.

Bandit smiled and gave him the paper and quill. Spike jumped up and hugged Bandit, his legs dangling as he held onto him. Bandit smiled and hugged him back.

"You're getting good at Jumping."

"Learned from the best." Spike responded. 

"Who Twilight?" Bandit asked, completely missing the hint. 

Spike put a finger on Bandit's nose.

"Oh me! Sorry about that. My bad."

Spike chuckled and hugged him once again. Bandit hugged him back with one hoof before letting him write the letter.

Spike took the quill and scroll, briefly thinking about what he'd write.

"Harder than it looks isn't it?" Bandit asked as he sat beside him.

"Yeah. I don't know how you and Twilight do it so easily." Spike answered. 

"Let me help you. Dear My Loving Mother." Bandit said as he began to assist.

"Today, Spike learned That sometimes you close as family members are going to branch out and make more friends. And just because they want to make some more friends, it doesn't mean that they're going to be replacing you. Sometimes they are going to prefer to hang out with the new friendly just made, and that's OK, so long as you're always there for your family. 
Sincerely, Your loving son Bandit and honorary brother, Spike." 

He smiled as he sent the letter. Spike smiled, running off to find Chad, waving to Bandit as he went.

Twilight walked over, standing beside him. "You definitely know how to bring out the best in them." She said, looking at Spike and Chad.

"A little something I've learned over the years." He responded as Spike rolled a strike.

"Yeah!" Spike cheered happily. Pipsqueak, Chad and Spike all high clawed/high hoofed in celebration. 
> Boast Busters
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was another day in Equestria and Bandit was Rubbing Twilight shoulders to get her ready.

"Come on, Twilight. You can do it." He told her. "It's literally so easy that Chad just did it." 

He was referring to a Transfiguration spell. A few seconds ago, Chad had turned a teacup into an apple, he was currently eating it as well.

Twilight took a few deep breaths. "Okay. I can do this." She said as Bandit gave her a shoulder rub.

"All you have to do is point and shoot. You have nothing to worry about." Bandit told her before letting go and looking at the orange. Twilight illuminated her horn before casting the spell on the orange. A magical aura began to swirl around the Orange before turning it into a lemon. Twilight would turn to look at Bandit after seeing the lemon, feeling confident and accomplished, only amplified by Bandit's excited in place trotting.

"Ha ha! Ya did it! Growing magic, that's number twenty-four. Twenty-four different types of tricks and counting." Bandit said before hearing someone eating the lemon. He turned around and, to his horror, Chad had eaten the lemon. Twilight looked between the two, confused.

"Everybody get down!!" Bandit exclaimed as he dove to cover. Chad had a grin on his face and was twitching as if he had ingested coffee mixed with energy drinks. Twilight quickly grabbed Spike, who was standing nearby, and dove beside Bandit.

It didn't take long for Chad to start bouncing off of walls, running in circles, and making a hyperactive mess of everything.

"Does this always happen?!" Spike asked.

"Yes! This is why he's not allowed to eat lemons. He'll tire himself out eventually." Bandit said. Chad ran in circles that were so fast that they were creating small tornadoes before he finally crashed, falling asleep in the middle of the still spinning tornadoes.

Spike and Twilight peeked out, looking towards him. Chad was curled up adorably on the floor, snoring. Bandit used his magic to clean up the mess surrounding everyone. 

"That was fast." Spike commented.

"That's because we are in an enclosed space." Bandit responded. 

Spike nodded, turning to look at Chad.

He was still asleep. Bandit put him in a blanket and placed him on his back.

"That was a lively start to the day." Twilight said, practically impossible to not hear the eye rolling tone in her voice.

"Your sarcasm is appreciated." Bandit said with an eye roll. Twilight giggled at the response.

"Want to try number Twenty-five?" Bandit asked her. Bandit asked. Twilight began to grin.

"Just don't do it on me. I don't-" He tried to say. A beam hits his snout and lower chin before he finished talking.

"Too late." She said as she finished. Seconds later, facial hair grew out of his face, making him sport a mustache, beard combo.

"You did it!" Spike exclaimed. Twilight giggled and touched his beard.

"You know, you look good in a beard." Twilight said. Bandit gave her an unamused look and moved her hoof off of him.

"Don't worry Bandit, it'll 'grow' on you." Spike said before laughing. Bandit looked towards the audience unamused.




My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Little Pony)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Back with the group, the 4 were walking throughout Ponyville. Bandit was scratching his facial hair.

"Twenty-five, Twilight. Twenty-five different kinds of tricks and counting. I thought unicorns were only supposed to have a little magic that matches their special talents!" Chad said, now fully awake, but still in the blanket.

"True, for ponies whose talents are for things like cooking or singing or math, but what if a pony's special talent was magic?" Twilight asked.

"Like you and Bandit, Twilight, and you two know a ton of magic." Chad said.

"Well, i don't have a cutie mark for it so-" Bandit had to say.

"Yet. You don't have a cutie mark for it yet." Spike interrupted. 

"I'm sure there are others here who know a lot about magic." Twilight said.

"Are you kidding? I don't think there's another unicorn in all of Equestria with your kind of ability, Twilight." Chad said with a tail wag. Spike snickered.

"Aww Chad you're too kind" Twilight said, blushing. Chad blepped at her with a wink.

"Suck up" Spike muttered with a smirk.

"What was that Spike?" Bandit asked with a smirk, startling Spike.

"N-Nothing!" Bandit chuckled.

"By the way Twily, How much longer until this facial hair goes away?" Bandit asked. 

"Uh... It should go soon" Twilight answered. 

Bandit was about to say something, but he was interrupted by Snips and Snails running past them.

"Gangway! Comin' through!" Snails exclaimed. Bandit Quickly picked up Spike so he wasn't run over by the two running colts. Chad leaped off of Bandit's back, leaving the blanket and ran after Snips and Snails.

"Snips, Snails! What's goin' on?" Chad asked. They slid to a stop, Chad was still running but teleported back to them.

"Haven't you heard?!" Snails asked.

"There is a new unicorn in town."  Snips answered. 

"Where was this kind of excitement  when I came to town?" Bandit asked. He was clearly not happy with that. Twilight playfully nudged him. Bandit pouted as a result. 

"They say that she's got more magical powers than any other unicorn ever!" Snips said, making Twilight stunned a little.

"Really?" She asked, feeling bad about hearing that.

"What do you mean? Twilight is right there." Chad said.

"Yeah, no unicorn is more powerful than her." Spike added. Twilight blushes as a result before becoming interested in finding out who this was.

"Where is this unicorn?" Twilight asked. Snails piped up.

"She's in town square. Come on!" He said as he began running.

"Yeah! Come on." Snips said as he ran behind him. Bandit and Twilight looked at each other and began running, Chad and Spike right beside them.





In town square, there was a crowd gathered around a wagon parked in front of the building.

"Come one, come all! Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie!" A voice called out. Bandit, Twilight, Spike and Chad made it to the front, Bandit loafed so the ponies behind him could see. A blue unicorn wearing a lavender wizard hat and cape, complete with yellow and varying shades of blue stars and dots, 'teleported' in front of the curtains. She was the self-proclaimed, great and powerful Trixie.

"Oooh." The crowd that gathered said.

"Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!" Trixie exclaimed as fireworks went off.

"Wow, she's a boaster." Bandit commented.

"My goodness Bandit, did you grow a beard?" Rarity was heard saying.

"Well yes but actually no." Bandit responded.

"It looks good on you, you should keep it." Applejack complimented.

"Thank you, I wish I liked it as much as you do." Bandit said as he continued scratching it. Twilight walked over to Bandit, hearing what he said previously. 

"There's nothing wrong with being talented, is there?" Twilight asked.

"Nothin' at all, 'cep'n when someone goes around showin' it off like a school filly with fancy new ribbons." Applejack said, glaring at Trixie as she made a bunch of flowers appear out of nowhere. Bandit saw how that made Twilight feel.

"Twilight, I'm sure she meant-" Bandit tried to say.

"Just because one has the ability to perform lots of magic does not make one better than the rest of us." Rarity interrupted. Twilight's ears flopped. Bandit tried again, only to be interrupted by Lightning Sprint and Rainbow dash. 

"Especially when ya got us around." Rainbow  dash said. 

"Being better than the rest of us is kind of our job." Lightning Sprint added. 

Both Applejack and Bandit glared at them. Though it was mostly Bandit that got them changing their minds.

"Heh... Uh, I mean, yeah, uh, magic shmagic." Rainbow dash said.

"Boo!" Lightning Sprint added to show she got the point. Unfortunately, Trixie heard them.

"Well, well, well, it seems we have some neighsayers in the audience." Trixie started.

"Is everyone doing bad puns today?" Bandit muttered to Twilight. 

"Who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Do they not know that they're in the presence of the most magical unicorn in all of Equestria?" Trixie asked. Bandit rolled his eyes.

"Great, it's Blueblood 2.0." Bandit said. Rarity scoffed and turned to Twilight.

"Just who does she think she is?" She asked her. Then Spike piped up to tell Trixie off.

"Yeah! Since we all know that Twilight here is—" Spike tried to say before Twilight interrupted. 

"Spike! Shhh!" She said before pulling him away from the crowd. Bandit quickly flew up to follow her, grabbing Chad as he did so.

"What? What's wrong?" Spike asked as he turned around. 

"You see the way they reacted to Trixie? I don't want anyone thinking I'm a show-off." Twilight answered, she was pretty nervous.

"Twilight, there's a difference between-" Bandit tried to say before fanfare went off. Lightning Sprint flew over to Trixie.

"So, "Great and Powerful Trixie". What makes you think you're so awesome, anyway?" She asked her. Trixie gave off a confident scoff.

"Heh, why, only the Great and Powerful Trixie has magic strong enough to vanquish the dreaded ursa major!" She proudly said. The fireworks went off and illustrated 'what happened'. Starting with making the ursa. 

Most of the audience gasped in awe, especially Snips and Snails.

“When all hope was lost, the ponies of Puffington had no one to turn to, but the Great and Powerful Trixie stepped in and, with her awesome magic, vanquished the Ursa Major and sent it back to its cave deep within the Everfree Forest!” She told the crowd. Bandit gave off a glare, he didn't buy this story at all.

Although, before he could voice his own opinion on the matter, Snips and Snails continued to worship her.

“That settles it.” Snips said.

“Trixie truly is the most talented, most magical, most awesome unicorn in Ponyville.” Snails walked up to her stage and boasted her ego.

“No! In all of Equestria!” Snips added, which only increased it.

“How do you know? You didn’t see it.” Chad yelled. Bandit smiled proudly, appreciating that he wasn't as gullible. “And besides, Twi…” Twilight quickly used her magic and zipped Chad's mouth before he could finish, literally. Spike ran over to try and unzip it.

Trixie only laughed. “It’s true, my enthusiastic little admirers. Trixie is most certainly the best in Ponyville.” She arrogantly said.

There was only silence and crickets chirping.

“Don’t believe the Great and Powerful Trixie?” Trixie said before giggling. “Well, then, I hereby challenge you, Ponyvillians--- anything you can do, I can do better. Any Takers? Anyone? Hmm? Or is Trixie destined to be the greatest Equine who ever lived!” She said and the fireworks were shot out again. Bandit was about to step forward, but Trixie was quick to shoot down this challenger. 

"Up bup bup. Sorry friend, but the only challengers are ponies only." She said with a grin. Bandit gasped and then growled. Chad unzipped his lips and grabbed Twilight's hoof.

"Please! She’s unbearable! You got to show her you just got to!” He begged Twilight.

“There’s no way I’m gonna use my magic now, Spike, Especially since…” Twilight told him, but was interrupted by Trixie.

“Hmm. How about…you?” Trixie said, pointing her hoof at Twilight. Twilight gulped nervously. “Well, how about it, hmm? Is there anything you can do that the Great and Powerful Trixie can’t do?” She asked, confident that Twilight can’t outdo her.

"You got some nerve, you know that?" Bandit started to talk. "Won't accept me as a challenger, but pick on someone who doesn't want to-" Bandit started before being interrupted again.

"Oh please. I don't need to waste my time with, whatever you happened to be. And besides, I remember saying that I am the most powerful pony to ever live. And you don't match that basic qualification." She mocked. Bandit was now heated from that statement.

"Why you-"

“How about you, little hayseed?” Trixie mocked Applejack.

“That’s it. I can’t stand for no more of this.” Applejack broke.

“You show her, A.J.!” Spike encouraged her.

"Make her look worse!" Chad added.

Applejack got on the stage. “Can your magical powers do this?" Applejack asked, before she began whirling her lasso. She did a few tricks with it, jumping through the lasso a few times  before tossing it to grab an apple off a tree, bringing the fruit back into her mouth and ate it. Everyone cheered for Applejack's performance. “Top that, Missy!” She told Trixie.

“Oh, ye a little talent, watch and be amazed at the magic of Trixie!” Trixie said, her hat levitated off her head as her horn glowed. She used her magic to grab Applejack’s rope and hypnotized her like a snake. Trixie used the other end of the rope to grab an apple from the same tree. The other end that Applejack was distracted by tied her legs together and placed the apple in her mouth. The audience cheered and laughed at Trixie’s performance.

“Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie prevails.” Trixie announced as Applejack hopped to the end of the stage. Bandit, still angry, walked over and bit the ropes off.

“There’s no need to go strutting around and showing off like that.” Rainbow Dash challenged her. Lightning flew next to her.

“Oh?” Trixie replied.

"That's our job." The two Pegasi took off. Rainbow Dash flew to the windmill, flew around the rotor a couple times and shot off to the sky like a rocket. 

Lightning Sprint flew towards the river and flew circles around it, making tornadic water sprouts before taking to the skies.

Rainbow dash penetrated through a bunch of clouds and stopped in front of the sun at the same time as Lightning Sprint. They crossed and took the paths the other took. Lightning Sprint went through the clouds, taking rain droplets with her.

Rainbow dash flies though the water sprouts, taking droplets with her. Both of them landed on the stage on opposite sides, letting the droplets hit them and create rainbows above them, the same colors as their manes.

"We aren't called Dash and Sprint for nothing." Lightning Sprint said with a smirk. Everyone began to cheer for them.

“When Trixie is through, the only thing they’ll call you two is ‘losers’.” Trixie said before she started using her magic again. She shot a beam at the rainbow over Rainbow Dash and wrapped it around her, also taking one of the still spinning Watersprouts. Trixie spun the rainbow around, creating a tornado that Rainbow Dash was trapped in, trapping Lightning Sprint in the water sprout. The two tornadoes flew through the sky for a few seconds before they stopped when they reached the ground. 

"I'm gonna be sick." The two of them said.

“Seems like anypony with a DASH of a good sense would think twice before Sprinting to a tussle with the Great Trixie.” Trixie said before she summoned a thunder cloud behind them both.

Bandit quickly pushed them out of the way before getting shocked by the cloud.

The crowd began laughing.

"Bandit! Are you okay?" Twilight asked, very concerned. The only damage to Bandit was that he was currently being laughed at. 

"I'm fine." Bandit said as he shook his hair and facial hair back to normal. He neither sounded fine, or looked happy.

"What we need is another unicorn to challenge her. Someone with some magic of her own." Spike said.

“Yeah! A unicorn to show this unicorn who’s boss.” Rainbow Dash agreed.

“A real unicorn to unicorn tussle.” Applejack added.

"Yeah! Give her the what for!" Lightning Sprint exclaimed, flying into the air. 

Rarity used her magic to bring the pegasus back to the ground. 

"Enough. Enough, all of you. I take your hint, but Rarity is above such nonsense. Rainbow Dash, Lightning Sprint and Applejack may behave like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace." Rarity said.

“Ooo! What’s the matter? Afraid you’ll get a hair out of place in that rat's nest you call a mane?” Trixie insulted, trying to bait Rarity into a challenge.

“Oh… it… is… on.” Rarity said, taking the bait. She got onstage, trotting around Trixie. “You may think you’re tough, with all your so-called powers, but there is more to magic than your brutish ways. A unicorn needs to be more than just muscle.” She said, before using her magic to grab Trixie’s blue curtains. “A unicorn needs to have style.” The curtains wrapped around her, and she created a dress with it. “A unicorn’s not a unicorn without grace and beauty.” She said, showing off her dress to the audience.

Trixie gave a grin. She had something sinister planned for this.

"A unicorn is not a unicorn without grace and beauty." Rarity said.

“Rarity won’t let Trixie get the best of her." Chad said.

"She's strong, she's beautiful, she's—" Spike began. That stopped when Trixie blasted a spell that changed Rarity. Everyone gasped in shock.

"Quick! I need a mirror! Get me a mirror! What did she do to my hair? I know she did something terrible to my hair!" Rarity exclaimed in a panic.

“Nothing.” Twilight lied.

“It’s fine.” Rainbow Dash lied.

“It’s gorgeous.” Applejack lied, which was the biggest shock.

Bandit simply gave her a mirror.

"Ugh, no. Green hair! Not green hair! Such an awful, awful color!" Rarity cried out as she ran off.

She ran past a mare with green hair.

“Well! I never.” The mare exclaimed angrily.

"Well Twilight, guess it's up to you. Come on, show her what you're made of." Spike said. 

"What do you mean? I'm nothing special." Twilight said.

“Yes, you are. You’re better than her.” Chad continued.

"I'm not better than anyone." She continued trying to get out of the spotlight.

“Ha! You think you’re better than the Great and Powerful Trixie? You think you have more magical talent? Well, come on. Show Trixie what you’ve got. Show us all.” Trixie challenged Twilight. All eyes began to fall on her.

“Who, me? I’m just a run of the mill citizen of Ponyville. No powerful magic here. I, uh… I think I hear my laundry calling. Sorry. Got to go.” Twilight declined and rushed back to the library. Bandit began to follow.

"Twilight? Bandit?" Chad and Spike called, watching them walk/run away.

“Ha. Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie has proven herself to be the most amazing, unicorn all of Equestria.” Trixie proclaimed. “Unh. Was there ever any doubt?” She said before walked off stage. As the crowd disbanded, Chad and Spike looked at each other and nodded.





Later on, Trixie was brushing her mane in front of a mirror before being brought a smoothie by snips.

“Here’s the oat smoothie you asked for with extra hay, just how you like it.” Snips said. Offering it to her on a tray.

“Mmm. Hay.” Snails drooled.

Trixie levitated the plastic cup and slurped through the straw. “Yes?” Trixie asked them, who seemed to be waiting for something.

“Oh, tell us another story, Great and Powerful Trixie.” Snips asked.

“Yeah, tell us about how you vanquished the Ursa major.” Snails asked. Trixie scoffed.

"Guh! Trixie is far too exhausted from performing feats beyond imagination. Begone with you until morning." She told them. They bowed and began to back away.

"Oh, of course, Great and Powerful Trixie." Snails said.

"Anything you say. We are at your beck and call." Snips bounced off. They continued to back off before the egg brothers spoke.

"What are you two doin'?" Chad asked.

"Just bringin' the G and PT a—" Snips started before Spike interrupted. 

"The what?" Spike asked.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie." Snips translated. 

"Mean and Pompous more like." Chad remarked.

"Just bringin' her a smoothie." Snips finished.

"How can you fall for her lameness? She's just a show-off. Unlike Twilight and Bandit, who—" Spike tried to said before Snips spoke up again.

"First off, Bandit is not a pony." Snips said. Chad let off a wolf growl. "And second, The Great and Powerful Trixie vanquished an ursa major. Can your Twilight or Bandit claim that?"

"One, Bandit and Twilight saved Celestia AND the summer sun festival. And B; Were you guys actually there?" Chad asked. They both had to think for a moment.

"Well, eh, uh... no, but—" Snips tried to justify.

"But nothing. The proof is in the pudding." Spike interrupted this time. Snails drooled once again.

"I like pudding." Snails said.

"Me too, but unless an ursa major comes waltzing up the street for Trixie to vanquish, I am not gonna believe a word she says, and neither should you!" Chad said. Spike nodded in agreement. This gave Snips an idea, obviously a bad one.

"Hm, an ursa walkin' up the street, hey? Snails! You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?" Snips asked Snails.

"Why is it they call it a flea market when they don't really sell fleas?" Snails asked. Spike continued to look unamused.

"Because the term comes from the phrase, marché aux puces. Literally translating to market of the fleas." Chad answered.

"I'm not even gonna ask why you know that. Snails, come on!" Snips said as he began to walk away. Chad and Spike walked back to the library. 

"Also Spike, that's not what lameness means." Chad added.





As they came back to the library, Bandit and Twilight were having a bit of an argument.

"Twilight, would you put down that book and just listen to me?" Bandit said. Twilight's book was on a pedestal as she was reading it.

"Didn't you see how they hated Trixie's bragging, Bandit? If I go out there and show off my magic, I run the risk of losing them as friends." Twilight retorted, looking back at him. Chad and Spike peeked in.

"It's not the same thing, Twilight. You'll be using your magic to stand up for your friends. She was hated because she was a loud mouth in addition to being a jerk. You saw what she did to them, showing up is not the same as showing off." Bandit said back.

"No, Bandit, it's exactly the same!" Twilight said, beginning to raise her voice.

“Come on, Twilight. Any one of these tricks, even the teeniest, would be enough to show up Trixie.” Bandit  continued to insist. 

“I don’t want to be seen as a bragger like Trixie.” Twilight said, before using her magic to summon a blue door in front of Bandit. He tried to say something else but the door was closed in his face. Instead of opening it, Bandit simply looked over the top of it, considering he was much taller than the average door.

"But you're the best. Chad, Spike and I tell you all the time." Bandit told her.

“Ugh! Please, Bandit. I said no.” Twilight exclaimed. Bandit let out a gruff and got off the door, opening it to peek through. 

"Fine, if you aren't gonna show Trixie Who's the truly great and powerful unicorn around here, then at least do me a favor and get this stupid mustache off of me." Bandit said, slightly cold tone in his voice. Twilight sent a spell at Bandit's face, which got rid of the mustache, but the beard was still there. Bandit groaned, He knew he wasn't specific and should have seen this coming.

"And the beard please." He requested, slightly less cold in tone. Twilight eliminates the beard too. Bandit stormed off to his room, with a couple of books.

Chad and Spike looked at each other.

"They seem pretty tense." Spike pointed out.

"No kidding. Let's go get them some ice cream to calm them down." Chad suggested, pulling a bag of bits out of his mane. Spike nodded and the two ran off to Sugar cube corner.





In the everfree forest, Snips and Snails were walking towards a cave, Slightly spooked by the way the scary forest looked in the dark. They walked into a cave and it only got darker from there. So much so that the only thing that could be seen from both of their perspectives were their eyes.

"Oh, how are we gonna find an ursa major when I can't even see my own hoof in front of my face?" Snips asked.

"Hold on." Snails said as she began to spark his horn to light up the cave. Like the classic 3rd time's a charm trope, it didn't light up the cave until the 3rd try.

"Oh, heh. That's better." Snips said. It was at that moment when the 2 of them realized that the breeze they were feeling on their backs wasn't coming from the entrance of the cave, but from the snout of an Ursa behind them. They turned around and saw the ursa wake up and growl at them.

They both screamed as the ursa roared.





Chad and Spike were eating some of the ice cream they just bought, by the edge of town. Not from the containers, they had ice cream on cones. Spike's was strawberry ice cream. Chad's was tiger stripe vanilla cherry.

Then they heard Snips screaming and Snails panting. They both looked up and saw the 2 colts running past them.

"Snips? Snails? What's going on?" Spike asked.

"Can't talk now." Snips exclaimed. 

"Got a major problem!" Snails exclaimed. Chad and Spike looked towards them confused. 

"Yeah, ursa major, to be exact." Snips said. Spike scratched his head as Chad turned around, seeing the ursa. Hearing it Growl too. Spike gasped as he turned around. 

"That's more of a minor incident." Chad said before scooping spike on his back and running. As he ran, the containers of ice cream floated in the air from his speed. He came back and Spike grabbed them and they continued to evade the ursa. It roared and followed them

"Trixie!" Snips and Snails exclaimed. 

"Twilight!" "Bandit!" Chad and Spike called.

The two colts got to Trixie's wagon and banged on her door. Calling out for Trixie and talking over one another in a panic. Trixie was not happy when she got to her window.

"Trixie thought she said the Great and Powerful Trixie did not want to be disturbed!" Trixie berated. Snips laughed nervously. 

"We— We have a— a tiny problem." Snips said nervously. 

"Actually it's a big one." Snails said.

"What is so important that you cannot wait until morning to disturb Trixie?" She asked angrily. Her anger turned to shock when she heard the growl and roar of an Ursa. She looked up and saw the beast knocked over some trees and that made her scream and opened the door, hitting the two colts as she ran out and away. Screaming her head off. Snips and Snails were right behind her. The ursa crushed her wagon and roared after them.





Chad and Spike ran inside the library, where Twilight was still reading the book.

"Twilight! You've gotta come! Quick!" Spike said as he hopped off.

"I already told Bandit you two, I don't wanna show up Trixie!" Twilight told them, Not wanting to go through the same argument with different creatures.

"No! You don't understand, it's-" Chad tried to say.

The roar of an Ursa was the next thing they heard, interrupting what Chad was going to say next.

"That's not what I think it is, is it?" Bandit asked as he came out of his room.

"Only a minor chance it isn't." Chad responded.





Meanwhile, Trixie, Snips and Snails were cornered by the Ursa. 

“Great and Powerful Trixie, you’ve got to vanquish the Ursa.” Snips told her.

“Yeah! Vanquish so we can watch.” Snails encouraged.

“It took a lot of trouble to get that thing here.” Snips said.

“Wait. you brought this here?” Trixie gasped "Are you out of your little pony minds?!” Trixie exclaimed.

“But you’re the Great and Powerful Trixie.” Snips excused.

“Yeah. Remember? You defeated an Ursa Major.” Snails said. The Ursa heard him and roared at her.

“Uh, okay.” Trixie gulped. “Stand back.” Trixie’s horn glowed and levitated a rope out of a vase. The rope floated it to the Ursa’s left paw and tied two of it’s fingers together. “Ahh. Piece of cake.” She said.

The ursa lifted its paw and simply opened its fingers, snapping the rope off and smirking at Trixie.

“Aw, come on, Trixie.” Snips said.

“Stop goofing around and vanquish it, eh?” Snails added.

Trixie gulped and her horn glowed again. This time, she summoned a thunder cloud right over the Ursa Minor’s back.

“Well, that was a dud.” Snails said, unimpressed.

“Yeah, Pbht! Come on! Where’s all the cool explosions and smoke and stuff like earlier, you know.” Snips asked frustrated.

Lightning came out of the thunder cloud and struck the Ursa Minor in the hind. It didn’t do anything besides aggravate it even more.

“Uh oh.” Trixie said, knowing that they were in trouble. The Ursa Minor roared in absolute anger. Trixie and the colts screamed and ran underneath it.

The roaring ended up getting the attention of everyone in ponyville. This resulted in a panic and most of the residents running away. Bandit and Twilight, with Chad and Spike on their backs, ran towards the ursa, past the crowd to do so.

They then ran to Snips and Snails.

"What happened?" Bandit asked.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked.

"We brought an ursa to town." Snips said proudly.

"You what!?" Bandit and Twilight exclaimed.

"Don't worry, the great and powerful Trixie will vanquish it." Snails tried to excuse. Trixie flopped her ears and lowered her head.

"I can't." Trixie said. Surprising them both.

"What!?" Snips and Snails exclaimed. 

"Oh, I can't, I never have. No one can vanquish an ursa major. I just made the whole story up to make me look better." Trixie confessed. 

"Made it up!?" Snips and Snails exclaimed again.

"Anyone else not colored surprised?" Bandit asked, getting punched in his front hoof by Twilight. 

"Not the time." She gritted. The ursa was heard growling behind them. Letting out a roar, scaring nearly all that saw it.

Bandit looked at Twilight and nudged her. The two of them walked forward. The Ursa walked to them.

Bandit whispered something into her ear, and the two nod.

Bandit sparked his horn first and stuck his right hoof out. Flowing gusts of wind began to flow gently through the holes of his hoof, making a sweet lullaby tune The lullaby made the Ursa begin to sway, calming it back into its original sleepy state.

"Nice use of number 16." Spike said, then he heard Chad snoring, nudging him to wake him up.

"Huh? Oh right, ursa." He said as he stood back up.

Twilight used her magic and levitated a water tower and unscrewed the top of it. She dumped the water inside and floated it inside a barn filled with cows. When it came out, the tower was filled with the cow’s milk. She screwed the top back on and floated it to the Ursa.

"That's new." Chad and Spike said.

The song made the ursa fall asleep, nearly landing on Trixie. Bandit and Twilight combined their magic to pick up the ursa and rock it gently. Twilight gave the ursa the milk filled water tower, which in turn, it began to suck like a baby. Bandit stopped the music and the two levitated the Ursa Minor back into the Everfree Forest. Both were exhausted, one a little more than the other.

"You okay?" Bandit asked Twilight. She nodded.

"Yes. I'm fine." She answered with a smile. It faded when she heard everypony started cheering for her and Bandit.

“Heavens to Betsy! We knew you two had ability, but not that much.” Applejack exclaimed. Rainbow Dash stood next to her, nodding in agreement.

“I’m sorry.” Twilight apologized. “Please, please don’t hate us.” She asked them.

“Hate you?!” Their friends asked.

“Why, whatever do you mean, darling?” Rarity asked.

“Well, I know how much you all hated Trixie’s showing off with her magic tricks, and I just thought-” Bandit stopped her. 

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Magic’s got nothing to do with it. Trixie’s just a loudmouth.” Lightning  Sprint told her.

"In addition to being a bit specist." Rainbow dash added.

“Most unpleasant.” Rarity added.

“All hat and no cattle.” Applejack said.

“So… you don’t mind our magic tricks?” Twilight asked. 

"Duh." Bandit said before snickering.

“Your magic is a part of who you are, sugar cube, and we like who you are. We’re proud to have such a powerful, talented unicorn as our friend.” Applejack told her.

“And after whupping that Ursa’s hindquarters, we’re even prouder.” Rainbow Dash said.

“You are?” Twilight asked in excitement.

“Told you it wasn't the same thing." Bandit nudged. Twilight rolled her eyes with a smirk.

"Wow, guys! How’d you know what to do with that Ursa Major?” Spike asked.

Chad was about to correct him, but Bandit zipped his lips this time.

"That's what I-" Twilight started.

"We." Bandit added.

"We were doing when you came looking for us." Twilight said.

"Trixie's story didn't add up for me, so I had to check my sources." Bandit said.

"And I was so intrigued by Trixie’s bragging that I was compelled to do a little reading up on them.” Twilight explained.

“So, it is possible to Vanquish an Ursa Major.” Spike asked. Bandit unzipped Chad's lips to let him correct Spike. 

"That wasn't an Ursa major. It was a baby, an ursa minor." Chad corrected.

"That was just a baby?" Trixie asked in shock, who was standing in the crowd. Pinkie Pie was also next to her.

"Suddenly all the times you said the word minor makes sense." Spike said to Chad.

"And it wasn't rampaging, it was cranky because someone was Sow inconsiderate to wake it up." Bandit said. Chad zipped over and hoofbumped him for the pun made, but Bandit kept his glare on the two colts responsible. The rest of the crowd shared his look.

“Ohh.” Snips and Snails said in shame.

“Well, if that was an Ursa Minor, then what’s an Ursa Major like.” Spike asked in fear.

"Imagine a purple version of what we just saw with much larger teeth and big enough to fit that baby in one arm." Bandit said. Chad drew an accurate picture and showed it to Spike. Who gulped as a result.

Trixie walked up to Twilight. “Ha! You may have Vanquished and Ursa Minor, but you will never have the amazing, show stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!” She said, popping a smokescreen. Once it disappeared however, everyone saw Trixie running out of Ponyville.

“Why, that little…” Lightning Sprint said, taking off into the air, but Twilight stopped her.

“Just let her go. Maybe someday she’ll learn her lesson.” Twilight told her.

"Yeah, and plus I can't bear to hear that irritating voice anymore." Bandit said. Hoofbumping Spike this time for the pun. Then he saw the two trouble makers attempting to sneak away. However, Chad walked the opposite direction as them, grabbed them by the tails and dragged them back to Bandit and Twilight.

"Now about you two." Twilight said. They both looked at her nervously.

“Uh… we’re sorry that we woke up the Ursa Minor.” Snips apologized.

“We just wanted to see some awesome magic.” Snails explained.

"And the two of you thought bringing a creature to destroy the town was a smart way to do that?" Bandit asked, still glaring.

“Yeah! and the way you vanquish that Ursa Minor was awesome!” Snips answered. That was not the answer neither of them wanted to hear. Evident by the looks not changing. The attempt at buttering them up did not work, so they gave up and lowered to the ground.

"We deserve whatever punishment you give us.” Snails said.

“For starters, you can clean up this mess.” Twilight said, looking at the remains of Trixie’s wagon.

“And… what do you think, Bandit? Should I give them number 25?” Twilight asked him. Bandit smirked.

"Oh yeah. And I think Spike and Chad want it too." Bandit answered. Chad and Spike zipped over next to them as the two lit up their horns.

Snips and Snails cowered in fear as Spike and Chad waited in anticipation. All four of them received varying mustaches or in Chad's case, mustache and beard, on their faces.

"SWEET!” 3 out of 4 exclaimed. Chad was scratching his face.

"On second thought--" Chad started. Twilight used her magic to get it off his face. "That's better."

Bandit gave him a noogie.





The next morning, Bandit was making breakfast as Twilight wrote the letter to Celestia. 

"Dear Princess Celestia, I have learned a very valuable lesson about friendship. I was so afraid of being thought of as a show-off that I was hiding a part of who I am. My friends helped me realize that it’s okay to be proud of your talents and there are times when it’s appropriate to show them off, especially when you’re standing up for your friends.” Twilight said, finishing the letter. Bandit then leaned next to her.

"Say it." He said with a grin.

"No." She said with a giggle.

"Say. It." He said again, nudging her this time.

"If I say it will you stop?" Twilight asked her. Bandit wrapped his hooves around her torso and stood up. Lifting her off the ground.

"Eep! Okay okay! You were right." She said whilst laughing.

"Not that. Say you're the best unicorn in all of ponyville and I'll put you down." Bandit said. There was a pause before she smirked.

"I'm the best unicorn in all of Ponyville." She said. Bandit smiled and put her down. She booped his nose.

"But that's nothing to brag about." She told him.

"Well, not yet anyways. Enjoy your breakfast, I'm gonna send this to mom." Bandit said as he took the letter, walking out of the room, grabbing half of the pancakes he made as he did.

He walked downstairs just in time to see Spike drawing a mustache on a sleeping Chad. However, Chad woke up when the smell of pancakes hit his nose. He saw Spike and growled.
> Eye of the TCO
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was an early morning at Sweet Apple Acres, so early in fact that the sun hadn't even risen yet. 

Bandit walked to the gate with Chad on his back and met with Big Macintosh, who was standing there waiting for him. 

"Hey Big Mac. Applejack told me she needed me here?" Bandit asked.

"Eeyup." Big Macintosh said before doing the come on gesture. Bandit followed him to the chicken pen, where Applejack was.

"Thanks for coming so quick, Bandit." Applejack said.

"Be lucky. I would have seen your letter if I wasn't getting an early morning snack. What do you need?" Bandit asked. Applejack opened the Chicken house. All the chickens inside were terrified.

"Something has been spooking all the chickens in the pen. At first we assumed it was our previous hawk problem, but the hawks had been disappearing from the sky as of late. I was hoping you would help us figure out what's got the chickens so spooked." Applejack explained. The chickens looked at Bandit and Chad and got even more scared.

"I don't think us being in sight of the chickens helps them not be spooked." Bandit commented. Applejack closed the door as a response.

"So will ya help?" Applejack asked.

"I'll see what we can find out." Bandit answered. 

"Thank you so much Bandit, I really appreciate that." She said as she shook his hoof.

"No problem. I'll tell you what I find. Check anywhere you think has what's scaring them." Bandit told her, Applejack nodded and she walked off. Bandit began his investigation. Chad climbed off and started to look around. A few seconds later, Bandit noticed grass and dirt unevenly placed together. Bandit used his hoof to dig it out and revealed a hole. He looked inside and saw that it took a left turn.

"That probably wasn't here before." Chad said from behind him.

"Sure wasn't. Mind taking a look inside?" Bandit asked him. Chad saluted and began to crawl inside. Bandit pulled him back out.

"Not yet." Bandit said. Bandit lit up his horn and Chad had a purple outline that matched the shape of his body. Bandit put him down. "Now you can go." 

Chad crawled into the hole and Bandit walked above it. The spell he used allowed Bandit to see the outline of Chad through the dirt. He followed as Chad crawled through the tunnel. The 2 of them walked until they got to the entrance of the Everfree forest.

"I think I found the problem." Chad was heard saying. Bandit looked up and saw there were a bunch of leaves piled on top of another hole. He walked over and took the leaves off and revealed the other end of the tunnel as well as a sleeping creature that made him gasp.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Both Bandit and Chad, who climbed over the creature to get out of the hole, were looking at the creature in the hole. Said creature was a red tiger with two large teeth protruding from its mouth. It had two bat wings on its side and had a black king cobra for a tail.

"A Tigrischirophidio? That's what's been scaring the chickens?" Chad asked.

"Seems so. It's probably been the one taking care of that hawk problem while everyone's been asleep. The chickens probably saw it hunting one day and got spooked." Bandit answered. He looked at the TCO. 

"So what do we do now?" Chad asked.

"Well we gotta cage it up and take it out of here. We definitely don't want Applejack to see what's been scaring her chickens." Bandit said. He picked up a nearby rock and used the transfiguration spell to transform it into a cage.

"Chad, go-" Bandit tried to say before seeing Chad enter the other end already. "Nevermind, he's already doing that." 

A few seconds later, Chad's hissing was heard, startling the TCO into running towards the cage, that blocked the only exit it had. It ran into the cage and Bandit closed it as Chad climbed out and shook off the dirt.

"Mission completion." Chad said with a salute.





Later on, the sun had risen and Bandit had the cage in the living room. The other apples were surrounding the cage.

"I'm sorry. What is a.... Tirig....Trig....uh…" Applejack tried to pronounce. 

"Tigrischirophidio, Just call it TCO for short." Bandit said.

"I have never seen a TCO before." Applejack admitted.

"They're pretty rare. Not like they're endangered or anything, they're just really good at hiding." Bandit told her.

"You seem to know a lot about these things." Apple Bloom said.

"3rd grade nature project. Never forgot Professor Top Marks giving me a B when I deserved an A. Two weeks of 17 hour research and he gives me a B, unbe-"

"Um. Bandit?" Applejack said.

"Huh? Oh right." Bandit said as he looked at the TCO, who was on guard the whole time.

"So what are we gonna do with it?" Apple Bloom asked.

"We could just give it to Fluttershy. You know how she is with animals." Applejack said. Bandit, Chad and the TCO all looked at each other.





Bandit was knocking on the door to Fluttershy's cottage. She opened the door and smiled.

"Oh, hi Bandit. What brings you over here?" 

"Hey Fluttershy. We were wondering if you could watch this Prince For a little while." Bandit said as he showed it. "I have to call the animal sanctuary so they can come and get him."

"A prince? I'm sure I can-" She then gasped upon seeing it.

"Oh, a prince is what you call a baby male Tigrischirophidio." Bandit clarified.

"Ah, I see" Fluttershy said, nodding slowly.

"So, can you do it?" Bandit asked with a head tilt.

"I'll see what I can do." Fluttershy answered with a nod. Bandit smiled.

"Thanks Fluttershy, I appreciate it. Just make sure you let me know if anything goes wrong." Bandit said as he put the cage down and headed back to the library. 





Around 5 hours later, the group was watching Saturday morning cartoons before Fluttershy knocked on the door. 

"Oh come on." Bandit groaned, not wanting to get up. "Not during Shinobi Tigers."

Fluttershy's knocking got louder than what it usually would be. Bandit groaned and got up. He walked over to the door and opened it.

"Fluttershy, what is-"

"I can't do it!" Fluttershy practically exclaimed. Bandit flinched from that.

"Whoa whoa whoa, what's wrong?" Bandit asked.

"I just can't do it." She answered. "No matter what I did, what I offered, how hard I tried to get him to come out of the cage, the poor thing just wouldn't come out." Fluttershy said.

Bandit looked at the creature, and it had not moved from that spot in the cage.

"Okay. I'll see what I can do." Bandit said as he took the cage. "Come on in, You might want to do some studies on these creatures as well."

Fluttershy nodded and walked inside.

"Bandit! You're missing the show!" Chad was heard calling.

"Oh, did I come at a bad time?" Fluttershy asked.

"Not really, Shinobi Tigers have been over since I was 8. All the episodes we see on Saturdays are reruns." Bandit answered. Fluttershy nodded before glancing at the prince once again.

Bandit walked upstairs and placed the cage down. He walked to the kitchen, grabbed some food and placed it in front of the cage. He then opened the cage, walked downstairs and got on the horn with animal sanctuary. 

"Come on, come on, pick up." He said. He left the door creaked open so Fluttershy could see if the prince walked out to eat. Fluttershy watched as Bandit headed downstairs and patiently waited for the prince to begin eating.

"Hello?" Bandit asked as someone answered. The prince slowly poked out both of its heads to sniff the bowl. Fluttershy found herself smiling at the prince as it moved towards the bowl. 

"Yes. I have a TCO cub here and I was hoping someone would be able to come and get him for a sanctuary." Bandit was heard saying. "Red fur, black stripes, black cobra for a tail."

The TCO grabbed the bowl and pulled it into the cage.

Both of the heads ate the food and pushed the bowl back out.

"Five days? Okay, I'll take care of it until then." Bandit said as he hung up. Fluttershy slowly walked over,  showing she wasn't a threat to it.

It looked at her and raised its fur. Making itself look bigger.

"I don't mean any harm" She said softly. Even though she was very nervous, she kept calm.

The Prince continued to raise its fur, but it wasn't threatening her, it was nervous.

"A-Are you still hungry?" She asked it. It began to open its mouth to show its teeth. This is when Bandit walked into the room. 

"Fluttershy, he's nervous. Take a step back." Bandit told her. Fluttershy took a step back and the TCO lowered its fur.

"TCOs do that when they're nervous. Usually the result of something bigger than them approaching them." Bandit told her.

"A lot of animals do that." Fluttershy pointed out.

"Yeah, to appear bigger to scare off potential attackers." Bandit added. Then he started thinking. "So it's weary of its surroundings."

"Do you have anything to help him be less frightened?" Fluttershy asked.

"I got an idea." Bandit answered. "It's a risky idea, but let me give it a shot." Bandit said. He walked into the room, grabbed the bowl and refilled it with some food. He put the bowl down in front of the cage, and lied down in front of it. 

"Are you sure about this?" Fluttershy asked.

"I'm sure, it's not exactly gonna risk biting me." Bandit said. The TCO smelled the food and slowly sniffed his way out. Both heads looked at Bandit and tilted his head.

Fluttershy watched intently at them, wondering what would happen. She even started writing down any notes that she was able to take.

The TCO approached the bowl, stopping every few seconds to look at Bandit. Then it got to the food and both heads began to eat. Fluttershy continued to watch and take notes, remaining silent.

The two heads finished eating the food, But then something amazing happened. It didn't go back into the cage. Instead it sat down and looked up at Bandit.

Fluttershy tilted her head, looking towards it. Bandit gently grabbed the bowl and it almost went back into the cage. 

"Wait a minute." Fluttershy said softly. It stopped and looked at Fluttershy. Bandit looked at her as well, standing up.

"Do you think it's still hungry?" She asked Bandit. He put the bowl down.

"He probably is. But he had 2 bowls of gumbo. I'm not too sure." Bandit said. The TCO looked at the bowl and then at Fluttershy and Bandit. The cobra slithered around the bowl and dragged it to Bandit. The tiger pawed at it. Fluttershy looked at it and then at Bandit, who seemed to look fascinated.

"Well, that's interesting. It's asking for more food. It's starting to associate the bowl with food so it's asking for more." Bandit pointed out.

"Maybe it has a bigger appetite than we thought." Fluttershy said. 

"You know how large they get?" Bandit asked. "They're the largest of the big cats. A teenage TCO is the same size as a Manticore." 

"Ooooooh." Fluttershy said, writing that down.

Bandit took the bowl and began to walk downstairs. Unbeknownst to him, he was being followed by the TCO. Fluttershy took notice of this and gasped.

"Um..." Fluttershy mumbled, trying to get his attention. Bandit kept going to the kitchen and started to pour some more leftover gumbo in the bowl. 

"Bandit?" Fluttershy said, still too quiet to hear clearly. He began to stir the soup as the TCO sat in behind him. 

"Bandit" Fluttershy said a little louder. Bandit's ear twitched and he turned around.

"Yes Fluttershy?" He asked. She simply pointed at the TCO. Bandit looked down and almost gasped as he saw the TCO sitting patiently for the soup. 

"He followed you." Fluttershy said as she was about to squeal.

"He did!?" Bandit almost exclaimed as Twilight, Chad and Spike came into the room.

"Hey Bandit, Hey Fluttershy" Twilight said to them as they entered.

"Hey Twilight." They both said. The TCO hid under Bandit.

"How's everything going?" 

"Pretty well. Did I miss the whole episode of Shinobi Tigers?"

"Unfortunately." Spike said.

"Meh, no biggie. Those are all just reruns anyway. For about a week we have a new pet."

"A pet?!" They exclaimed. Twilight surprised, Spike excited, and Chad confused.

Bandit moved his hoof and showed the TCO.

"Hey, I remember this guy. I chased him into a cage earlier." Chad said, making Twilight double take.

"You did what?" Twilight asked, very surprised. 

"You want the long story or the short version?" Chad asked her.

"Short." Twilight answered.

"Applejack was looking for something that was scaring the chickens, it was scaring the chickens and we had to get him off the farm, so I scared it out of its hole into the cage." Chad answered. Twilight, though still surprised, nodded her head.

"I see. So this creature was what was causing the disruption" Twilight said.

"Unintentionally. It was actually hunting the hawks that were trying to eat the chickens." Bandit responded.

"But spooked the chickens in the process. That makes sense" Twilight said.

"Eeyup. Anyways, he'll be staying with-" Bandit was beginning to say. Twilight closed his mouth for a brief moment.

"Before you finish. Do you know what he needs?" Twilight asked. Bandit nodded, Twilight moved her hoof.

"Remember my third grade nature project on these guys?" Bandit asked.

"The one you got a B on?" Chad asked.

"How did-"

"I remember" Twilight answered.

"I still remember what their diet consists of. It's mostly other carnivorous animals, hence why they're notorious for protecting livestock. So all we have to do is send them to the Everfree forest and let that problem sort itself out." Bandit said.

"Does he have a name?" Chad asked.

"No. But-"

"Can I name it!? Ple-" Chad tried to say before he was shoved by Spike.

"Too bad, Chad. I'm doing the naming" Spike said. He tried to run towards Bandit.

"Oh no you don't." Chad said as he pulled him away by the tail.

"Hey!" Spike exclaimed.

"You wanna name the TCO? You gotta beat me in battle." Chad said as he pounced on him. Spike maneuvered and wound up on his back, latching on tight.

"Challenge accepted!" Spike exclaimed. Chad rolled him off and performed an elbow drop and the two of them got into a cartoon fight cloud.

"Or, Chad can name one head, Spike can name the other." Bandit said. The two stopped, looked at one another, and then started fighting again.

"If only  it were that simple." Fluttershy joked.

"I completely forgot you were here. But you DO have a point." Bandit responded. 

The brief battle only lasted about 35 seconds before the 2 of them decided to stop.

"Okay okay. Let's settle this with a coin flip." Chad suggested.

"I call tails." Spike said, dusting himself off.

"Okay, Heads I win, tails you lose." Chad joked as he flipped the coin.

"Yeah!" Spike said before realising what was said. "Wait a minute!"

It was too late to complain because the coin landed on heads.

Spike sighed. "Oh well, looks like it's your choice." Chad looked at the tiger body and gave some thought. He ended up noticing that 1 of the stripes on its back resembled that of a K.

"I got it. Klaw."

"Klaw?" Bandit asked with a tilted head. Chad nodded proudly. 

Klaw looked at his snake tail, who nodded in approval.

"Okay Spike, you name the tail." Chad said, Spike looked confused for a moment.

"Me?" Spike asked "But you won the coin toss."

"To name the Tiger body. You can still name the snake. I'm not gonna rob you of that." Chad nudged. Spike looked at the snake tail in thought.

The snake looked him in the eye and tilted his head. This revealed that 1 of the snake's fangs was bigger than the other.

Spike narrowed his eyes, looking at the fangs. "How about Fang?" He asked. Bandit looked at the two.

Fang looked at Klaw, who nodded in approval.

"Klaw and Fang. I like it." Bandit said with a smile.

"So we're in agreement?" Spike asked.

"Sure are." Chad answered. 





The next day, Bandit had woken up early To make breakfast for everyone, and to his slight surprise, Klaw was waking up too. Everyone else was still soundly asleep, so Bandit walked over to the cage, unlocked and opened it, before heading down stairs. 

As Bandit made breakfast, Klaw wrapped Fang Around his neck and walked to the kitchen with him, so not to drag him on the floor as he slept. He brought the bowl he ate out of yesterday and placed it at Bandit's hooves. The bowl gently clinked as it was placed on the ground.

Bandit turned around and looked at the bowl. Klaw Did the same thing he did yesterday and tapped the bowl, requesting food. Bandit put scrambled eggs into the bowl, adding pepper.

The aroma of breakfast being prepared made its way towards the others. As a result, Spike walked in. Twilight wasn't too far off.

"Morning everyone." Bandit said as he put the pancakes down.

Chad crawled in and looked at the pancakes and then at Spike.

"So, you wanna split the pancakes?" He asked. Then he was shoved.

"Like that's gonna happen" Spike said. Chad tried to tackle him but missed. Spike blew a raspberry at him before eating the pancakes.

"Do you have to playfight first thing in the morning?" Twilight asked with a yawn.

"You severely underestimate the energy of the young. I guarantee when they get older they're going to relate to us in forms of being tired." Bandit said. Klaw finished his bowl right as Fang woke up.

"Wow, Klaw ate pretty quickly." Spike said, eating 3 of the 7 pancakes.

"Yeah, Fang didn't get to eat yet." Chad said. Bandit refilled the bowl, adding more pepper. Klaw sat to groom his paw as Fang began eating. Spike ate one more pancake before pushing the plate over to Chad. Chad smiled and began to eat them.

Fang finished eating and the bowl was practically licked clean. Bandit grabbed the bowl and put it in the sink.

"You know, if he's gonna stay with us, he's gonna need a few things while he's here." Twilight commented. 

"Twilight. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Bandit asked.





Later, Rarity was making collars for the two, with the TCO hidden of course.

"Not exactly what I was thinking, but this'll do." Bandit said. 

"What were you thinking?" Twilight asked, curiously. 

"I was actually thinking of getting them bandanas like me, but Collars work. Less likely to get snagged on something." Bandit responded. Rarity trotted back over.

"Here you go darlings." Rarity said as she gave them the collars. Bandit took them in his magic, and placed them in his Bandanna. 

"Thanks for doing this for us Rarity." Twilight said. 

"No problem. But I have to ask, where is this new pair of pets?" Rarity asked.

"I can't tell you that." Bandit said as he gave her the bits. "Not just yet anyways."

Twilight smiled gratefully as they headed towards the door. Rarity nodded in understanding, but remained confused. 





Later on, the 2 were now in the collars and Klaw was playing with his collar, Fang was admiring him in his reflection.

"I'm guessing that they're strong enough to not break." Twilight said, watching Klaw.

"Or he's being careful not to break it." Bandit responded.

Klaw continued to play with his collar. Not using his claws so he doesn't accidentally scratch or damage the collar.

"So what else do we need?" Chad asked as the snake rubbed against him. The affection was pretty ironic considering Chad eats snakes. 

Twilight checked the list. "Let's see." The list, despite being in Twilight's possession, was rather short.

The next thing on the list was food.

"Tigrischirophidios are mostly Omnivorous. So food won't be an issue." Bandit said. 

"Yeah, if we can feed Bandit, we can feed anything." Chad joked.

"Hey." Bandit said back, faking like that offended him. Klaw and Fang both began laughing.

"So, food and toys. That's all we need so far that we don't already have." Bandit said.





"Two. Two last things they need." Bandit said.

Later, Bandit had the fridge stocked as Klaw and Fang were playing with the toys on the ground.

Spike was sitting nearby to them, watching with a smile. Klaw was shaking around a mouse squeaky toy. Fang was tossing a steak toy in the air, moved its head back, and lunged out to grab it as it was falling.

Klaw accidentally knocked the squeaky toy towards Spike. He ran over and got in the play position. Spike looked at the toy and then towards Klaw. Klaw picked up the toy and placed it closer to Spike. He wanted to play fetch.

"Oooooh. You wanna play fetch?" Spike asked him.

Klaw spun around as a yes.

Spike picked up the toy and squeaked it. "Ready?"

Klaw raised up fang as he got ready to run. Spike turned around and threw the toy. Klaw ran after it, but Fang grabbed it first. Klaw grabbed the other end and tugged with it. Klaw was victorious in snatching it. He took it back to Spike.

Spike smiled and slowly reached out a claw to pet them both well done. Both of them backed up from the claw. They weren't quite there yet, but they weren't gonna be mean about it.

Spike put his claw down. "Right. Not there yet."

Bandit picked up the squeaky toy and threw it. Klaw bolted after it. 





On the second day, Klaw and Fang were looking over Twilight's shoulder, at the book she was reading.

Twilight was softly humming as she read before looking at Klaw and Fang, smiling. They walked over and sniffed the book and Tilted their head at it. He was very curious as to why twilight was so intrigued by, what seemed to like to him, as a folder of paper. Then it saw the words.

Both heads dropped the toy and sat down, lightly touching the paper. Twilight giggled as she watched them, observing their curious behavior. 

A few seconds later, their eyes started to follow along the words. Twilight was in shock.

"Are you..... reading?" Twilight asked in disbelief.

As if to prove that he was, he lied down and continued to follow along the words in the book.

"This is amazing!" Twilight said, clapping her hooves in excitement, which got Bandit's attention. 

"What is?" Bandit asked as he walked into the room. Twilight pointed at Klaw. Bandit looked and his jaw dropped as he saw Klaw and Fang reading.





The third day.

Klaw was looking at the cage he was in and started batting at the slide bolt. Twilight could hear the sound of the bolt and poked her head into the room. Klaw kept trying, but to no avail. Fang used his tongue to nudge it a little, Klaw batted it upwards and Fang used his larger fang to pull it back, opening the cage. Twilight gasped upon seeing them work together to open it.

"Adapting to using each other's skills to work tools. Fascinating." She whispered. Klaw stepped out and climbed on Bandit's bed, sleeping on his back. "Awww."

Bandit, Klaw and Fang looked up and towards her. All they saw was a closed door. 

"It's just Twilight up early again. Early morning studies." Bandit said to Klaw as they went back to sleep.





On the fourth day, Chad put a ball in a cup and began to spin three cups around in front of Klaw and Fang, who was sitting down and looking at the cups. Spike watched from nearby.

Chad stopped and Klaw and Fang seemed to be in thought. They both nudged the middle one, Chad lifted it and the ball was there. Spike began applauding them. Chad did the same before doing it again, much faster.

Klaw and Fang nudged the one on the left, corrected again.

"They're good." Spike said.

"Very good." Chad replied. He cracked his hooves.

Chad put the ball back and did it extremely fast before stopping.

Klaw and Fang looked at the cups, then at Chad, before just knocking over all the cups.

"Yeah, too fast." Chad said. As he put the cups back to go slower





The last day, Bandit and the others, plus Klaw and Fang were sitting in front of Twilight, watching her practice a few more spells before hearing a knock on the door.

"I got it." Bandit said. He stood up and went to open the door. A mare for the animal sanctuary was on the other side. She was a red unicorn with a light green mane, wearing the uniform. Behind her was a teenage aged blue pegasus stallion, in a similar uniform. 

"Good afternoon." The mare said.

"Oh, hey." Bandit said, now remembering. "You must be-"

"Here to take the Tigrischirophidio to the sanctuary" She said without missing a beat. "We received a call a few days ago saying you had one ready for us."

Bandit turned to look back at Klaw and Fang, who was playfully biting Spike's tail. Spike was happily laughing, having not seen the mare at the door.

"Oh." Bandit said with an ear flop. Klaw was batting at Spike's tail, Fang was nipping at it gently. "Okay. Let me uh.....let me get them ready." Bandit said. He walked over to the group, leaving the door open.

Spike looked towards the mare and gasped, he then quickly hugged Klaw and Fang. "No. We can't."

"Spike, we have to we-" Bandit started.

"But Bandit, he likes it here. We like him here." Chad said, also hugging them.

"We can't give him up!" Spike exclaimed.

"Spike-"

"Bandit please." Chad begged.

"I wish we could, but-"

Spike resorted to puppy dog eyes. Chad joined him. Bandit turned around.

"I do wanna keep him. Honestly I do, but this is out of my hooves now." He said, just as upset.

The mare looked between them all. Klaw walked over to Bandit and hugged his hind hoof, Fang coiled his hoof in the form of a hug. The mare paused for a moment before smiling warmly at them. Bandit Turned around as the two stop hugging him. 

"They're gonna take good care of you. I promise. We'll visit whenever we can." Bandit said to Klaw and Fang.  Both of them nodded. Not only did it understand what he was saying, but understood the concept of how to express its feelings.

"You have a strong connection with them." The mare said.

"Yeah. I guess you can say that." Bandit said.

Her attention turned to Klaw and Fang. Klaw and Fang stood up and got ready to be taken away. Looking back at the family that they have.

Spike and Chad both looked down at the floor, saddened that he had to go.

"Klaw and Fang belong here" Spike said quietly. The mare's ears twitched upon hearing their names.

Klaw and Fang got to the mare, looked back at the family and waved goodbye.

The assistant stallion, clearly new to the job, kneels down and opens a cage for them both. Klaw started walking towards the cage. Klaw got into the cage and Fang closed it.

"Hold on a minute" The mare began. 

Klaw, Fang and the Stallion all looked towards the mare.

"Huh?" Bandit asked.

"You seem to have taken really good care of it whilst we sorted everything." She said, making the mistake of calling them 'it'.

"Him." Bandit politely corrected. "We have been taking very good care of him." Bandit added.

"Him, right, my apologies. It seems he's really grown attached to you all." The mare said.

"The feeling is mutual." Chad commented. The stallion looked at Klaw and Fang before putting the cage back down.

"I don't think he needs to go to the sanctuary." The mare said.

"He doesn't?" All said. Varying degrees of surprised. 

"It seems like he'll do fine here."

"Does that mean we can keep him?" Chad asked with his tail wagging. The mare giggled at this.

"It sure does kiddo." She answered. "Just as soon as the paperwork is signed for you guys to be his owner."

Bandit pulled out a quill with a wide smile.

The mare illuminated her horn, making a clipboard appear in front of him. "If you could sign on the two dotted lines please."

Bandit smiled and began signing. Also writing to Princess Celestia. 





"Dear My loving mother. Today, I have to admit, This isn't exactly a friendship lesson, but I did learn something about the responsibility of owning a pet. Sometimes when someone owns a pet, the 1st few times they can interact with it, they can be tough. But sometimes you'll find a pet that just clicks with you. Even if there would be a time where you would have to give them away, things will usually work out in the end." Bandit narrated as he wrote.

"P.S. How are the animals in the sanctuary we own? I've grown curious about them." Bandit wrote before sending the letter.

"Go fetch!" Spike was heard saying, followed by the toy squeaking. Bandit received a letter from Celestia.

"Dear Bandit, I assure you, the animals at our owned sanctuary are all safe and happy. I'm happy you regained your interest in having a pet. Maybe your pet and Philomena could have a playdate soon. Sincerely, Your loving mother, Celestia." The note said.

The toy mouse was heard squeaking again. Bandit looked outside and saw Klaw use his wings to fly into the air and grab the toy. Running back to give it back.

Spike laughed happily before taking the toy and throwing it again. Bandit walked out as Fang caught it this time. Klaw ran past Spike and to Bandit, placing the toy at his hooves and waiting.

"Looks like it's your turn to play." Spike said.

"Seems like it." Bandit smirked and picked up the toy.
> Dragonshy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a normal day in Ponyville and Fluttershy was in her cottage feeding all the animals around. She started by feeding the ferrets fish. Next she moved to the birds and fed them worms, spitting out the taste as she saw them eat. Next up was her own bunny, who was already eating a carrot.

"Not too fast now, Angel Bunny. You don't wanna get a tummy ache." She told him. 

Angel bit off the top of his carrot and swallowed it. He looked at Fluttershy angry and dropped his carrot. Angle crossed his arms and looked away. Fluttershy just giggled.

“You really should eat more than that. Don’t you think.” Fluttershy told him. Angel just jumped out of his home and hopped away from Fluttershy. Fluttershy picked up the partly eaten carrot with her mouth. “It’s not playtime yet.” She said, flying over to catch up with Angel.

“I know you want to run, but just three more bites.” Fluttershy asked him after she dropped the carrot in front of him. Angel turned his back toward Fluttershy and shook his head. “Two more bites?” she asked. Angel shook his head again. “One more bite? Pretty please.” She asked again, scooting the carrot towards him. Angel just kicked the carrot away and hopped away from us, causing Fluttershy to sigh.

Angel kicks the carrot away before hopping away. Then, he started coughing seconds later.

"Oh, goodness. Are you okay?" Fluttershy asked, concerned. He kept coughing, he was also looking up.

"Are you coughing because there's a carrot stuck in your throat?" He glared in an unamused tone before coughing again.

"Do you need some water?" He rolled his eyes and coughed loudly, lifting her head up at the sky where black smoke was omitting from the cave.

“Because of that giant cloud of scary, black smoke?” Fluttershy asked, see the smoke trail heading straight to Ponyville. Angel threw the carrot at Fluttershy. “I’ll take that as a… yes.” She said.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Later on, a bunch of Ponies were conversing in Ponyville, none seeing the large smoke cloud that was currently in the path of Ponyville. 

"Help. Help! Please? Help? There's- there's a horrible cloud of smoke. It's headed this way and-" Fluttershy began, before she ducked under a bouncy ball. Rainbow dash zipped over, Bouncing a ball between her and Lightning  Sprint on their heads.

Fluttershy let out a shriek. 

"Don't panic Flutters. It's just us" Lightning Sprint told her.

"Future Equestria ball-bouncing record holders." Rainbow  dash said, before counting. "Three forty six, three forty seven."

"This calls for a celebration!" Pinkie Pie said before zipping off.

"This is no time for celebration. This is a time for panic, for-" Fluttershy tried to say.

"Ooo! I'm going to need balloons! One for every pony in Ponyville!" Pinkie said, bouncing off.

"There's- there's smoke. And- and where there's smoke, there's fire. And-" Fluttershy tried to say before running into her tail. Pinkie was unphased by Fluttershy running into her tail as for Fluttershy it would be like running into a wall. 

"Let's see, that's one, two, three, four..." Pinkie began counting.

“154, 155… No, wait.” Rainbow Dash said, losing her count. Which in turn made Lightning Sprint lose hers.

“7…” Pinkie Pie said, pointing her hoof at Lightning Sprint. This caused Lightning  Sprint to miss the ball and she had to catch it with her wing.

"Pinkie Pie! Now we have to start over." Lightning  Sprint complained. 

"We're all going to have to start over, in a new village." Fluttershy said before Rainbow dash zipped off. "'Cause ours is gonna be-"  

"Dash wait up!" Lightning Sprint called after her before zipping off.

"Oh, please, this is an emergency. I-I need everypony to-" Fluttershy started before Bandit let out a whistle. All eyes fell on him.

"Listen up! Smoke is spreading over all of Equestria." Bandit informed. The crowd gasped in shock, looking towards the smoke.

"That's what I've been trying to-" Fluttershy began.

"But don't worry, I've just received a letter from Princess Celestia informing me that it is not coming from a fire." Bandit added.

"Thank goodness." Fluttershy said.

"It's coming from a dragon." Bandit finished. The crowd gasped.

"A... d-dragon?" Fluttershy asked.





Later on, The mane 8 were in the library, gathered around. Twilight was looking through a few books.

"What in the name of all things cinnamon swirled is a full-grown dragon doing here in Equestria?" Applejack asked.

"Sleeping." Bandit answered.

"Huh?" The others bar Twilight asked. 

"Most dragons emit smoke when they snore. That's why the sky is like that." Chad said, literally coming out of the book Twilight was holding. As Chad hopped out, Twilight looked at Chad, then the book, then back at Chad in disbelief. 

"He should really see a doctor. That doesn't sound healthy at all." Pinkie said, referring to the dragon smoke.

"Well, at least he's not snoring fire. What are we meant to do about it?" Rarity said

"I'll tell you what we're meant to do. Give him the boot." Lightning Sprint said.

Rainbow dash started doing various Karate moves.

"Take that. And that!" She threw a kick that Bandit caught mid air to drag her back down.

"We need to encourage him to take a nap somewhere else. Princess Celestia has given us this mission, and we must not fail." Bandit told them all. Lightning Sprint and Rainbow dash saluted.

"If we do, Equestria will be covered in smoke for the next one hundred years." Twilight added. Fluttershy gasped.

"I wouldn't go that far." Bandit snickered.

"Hmph. Talk about getting your beauty sleep." Rarity said.

"More like being lazy." Lightning Sprint said.

"Like you and RD skipping out on helping me?" Applejack clapped back. Both pegasi speedsters looked at one another then back at Applejack. 

"Touché." Lightning Sprint said. 

"All right everypony, I need you to gather supplies quickly. We've got a long journey ahead of us. Let's meet back here in less than an hour." Bandit said.

"Okay, girls, you heard Bandit" The fate of Equestria is in our hooves. Do we have what it takes? Lightning Sprint asked, trying to motivate the group, it worked as she got confident agreements. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash, left the door. All except Fluttershy.

“Um…actually…” Fluttershy softly said.





A montage goes on with the group all packing their items to head out. First was Bandit, who stuffed items into his Bandana. Those items ranged from scarfs, a compass, a map, and a book with a fire on the front cover.

Rainbow grabbed some of the Rainbow substance and smeared it on her face as war paint. 

Lightning Sprint ruffled up her mane and feathers to make herself look tough and rugged.

Applejack was getting her things packed and placed on her back before rearing with determination.

Pinkie stepped out of Sugar Cube Corner with her bags packed, giggling happily. Confetti popped out of her bag seconds later. She giggled at the sight before composing herself. "Grr!"

Rarity was wearing a camouflage helmet before walking past a mirror.

"Eww," she said before exchanging it for a sun hat. "Much better. Onward!"

Fluttershy slowly came out of her cottage, wearing a large amount of protective gear. The door slammed behind her, startling her.

So far, everyone was ready.

"Let's go!" Applejack said as they all, but Fluttershy, zipped out of their montage.

"Um….Let's...not?" Fluttershy softly said before squealing nervously.





Later on, the team was formed up in front of Bandit.

"All right girls, listen up. I'm mapping out the fastest route, but we've all got to keep a good pace if we expect to make it up the mountain by nightfall." Bandit said.

"M-m-mountain?" Fluttershy asked.

"The dragon is in that cave at the very top." Twilight said as she pointed to the mountain.

The group turned their gaze to look towards it.

"Looks pretty cold up there." Applejack said.

"Not scared of a little cold are you AJ? You know it gets colder the higher you're up." Lightning Sprint said with a nudge. Applejack glared at her.

"I brought scarfs for everyone. And I learned some slight pyrokinesis so if you really need someone's I can just turn up your body heat." Bandit told everyone. Before clarifying. "Outer body heat, not internal. Don't want any of you having symptoms of a fever while we're up there."

"You can do that?!" Rainbow Dash asked.

Bandit sparks his horn and demonstrations on Rainbow dash, heating up her cheeks to make her blush. She placed a hoof on one of her cheeks, feeling it. 

"That is so cool!" She said. Lightning Sprint snickered.

"Careful Dash. Your blush is showing." She said. Rainbow dash shoved her as a result, they both laughed as a result. 

"Are we all ready to move?" Bandit asked.

"Yeah!" The group cheered. 

"Well.... actually Bandit-" Fluttershy began. Bandit gave the map to Twilight as he walked over to Fluttershy.

"Oh, is something wrong Fluttershy?" Bandit asked as he turned around.

"Well.... it's just that I think that I should stay here and-"

"I don't mean to be rude, but let me stop you right there. You have to come. Your kind nature towards all living creatures will come in handy." Bandit said in a gentle tone. "Also, Chad, Klaw, Fang and Spike will take good care of your animals while you're gone."

"Oh... okay." She said, letting out a gentle whimper. Bandit's wing was then tugged. He turned to look at Lightning, who was the one who tugged his wing.

"Yeah Lightning?" Bandit asked.

"Are you sure you want Fluttershy to come along?" Lightning Sprint whispered.

"What's wrong with bringing Fluttershy?" Bandit asked.

"That pony is scared of her own shadow."

"And?" He asked.

"I really hate to say it but she might slow us down." she answered.

"Oh, she's just a little nervous. Once we get going, I'm sure she'll be fine." Bandit said before hearing Fluttershy squeal. He snapped around on high alert, only to see that Fluttershy was desperately trying to push her own shadow away before hiding in a bush. 

Bandit walked over and grabbed her by the scruff, picking her up.

"Eeeep. Oh it's you Bandit." Fluttershy said.

"Come on everybody, let's get moving." Bandit said as he started walking, holding Fluttershy like a kitten.

"Is he gonna carry her like that all the way?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"He has to, so she doesn't run away." Applejack pointed out.

"Won't he get tired?" Pinkie asked.

"I have no idea." Applejack said.

"I can hear you guys." Bandit said, his voice muffled from holding Fluttershy by her scruff.

"Come on girls. Let's go." Twilight said. The group began to make their way to the mountain.





After a while, they finally reached the base of the mountain where the dragon is sleeping. They heard the dragon snoring loudly from the top of the mountain. Fluttershy got scared and curled up, Unable to do anything else considering Bandit was still holding her.

“Whoa! What was that?” Lightning  Sprint asked.

“That is what it sounds like when a dragon snores.” Twilight answered.

“It’s… It’s so… high.” Fluttershy said,  shaking still.

“Well, it is a mountain.” Rainbow Dash told her. "I’m gonna fly up there and check it out!” She was about the fly up there, but Applejack grabbed her tail and pulled her back down.

“Hold on, now. I think we should all go up together. Safety in numbers and all.” Applejack said, voicing her opinion. That everyone agreed to.

“Oh, all right.” Rainbow Dash reluctantly agreed.





The group was all walking up the side of the mountain, except for Lightning Sprint and Rainbow dash, who were both flying.

"I hear the only thing that sparkles more than a dragon’s scales are the jewels they use to build their nests. Ohh! If I play my cards right, I might be able to convince him to part with a few.” Rarity told everyone.

"Actually Rarity-" Bandit said before using his hoof to hold Fluttershy, so he could talk without muffling. "Dragons don't hoard jewels and gold for a fashion statement. They do it for protection. They have some very soft underbellies so the gold is so that smaller creatures don't get underneath them to attack their weakness."

"Really?" Rarity asked.

"Yep." Bandit answered. Then Pinkie spoke up.

"Welcome to my cave, Rarity. Care for a diamond? RRARRR!” Pinkie Pie said, trying to imitate the dragon’s voice. Most laughed at her imitation.

“Everypony! This is no laughing matter.” Twilight told us. She was right, we needed to focus on the mission. “Fluttershy, you’re the expert on wild creatures. What do you think the dragon will be like?” She asked Fluttershy.

Fluttershy was still shaking. Bandit nudged her to get her attention before gesturing to Twilight.

"Uh, um. I-I. I don't know." She said quietly.  The dragon snored loudly again, making her curl up. Rainbow dash rolled her eyes.

"I don't think Bandit appreciates being a babysitter for this trip." Rainbow dash said.

"Do not speak for my interests." Bandit muttered.

"What?" Twilight asked.

"What?" Bandit covered up. Twilight glared and Bandit only smiled sheepishly.





Before long, the group reached a break in the path. Rainbow Dash was the first to run up and jump to the other side. One by one, everyone else  jumped across it. Bandit walked over and wiggled to jump. Fluttershy saw the gap and gasped. She got off Bandit and stayed on the other side.

Bandit landed and felt Fluttershy wasn't holding onto him. He turned and saw her still on the first side of the broken ridge.

"Fluttershy, your turn." Bandit said, trying to encourage her.

“But it’s so wide.” Fluttershy responded. Bandit looked at the gap and then gave the most unamused expression. He then turned to Twilight.

"Twilight, This is exactly what you look like whenever you overthink something." Bandit told her.

"Hey!" Twilight said. Bandit chuckled just a little.

“You could just leap on over.” Applejack suggested.

“I…” She didn’t finish as the dragon snored loudly again. “I don’t know.” She curled up into a ball in fear. Bandit walked over to the other side. Stepping over the gap, grabbing Fluttershy by the scruff and stepped to the other side.

"See? Not so bad was it?" Bandit asked as he put her down.

"I guess not." Fluttershy said, cowering under him sheepishly. 

"Daww, I was just about to sing a song." Pinkie said.

"I know, I had to be quick. Time limit." Bandit said as he ruffled her mane like he would do to Chad. She giggled as the journey continued.





The group continued on the path until they came across some trees growing out of the mountain.

"Okay, now let's keep our voices down here. This is an avalanche zone. The smallest peep could cause a huge rock slide." Bandit told in a quiet tone.

"An... an ava... ava..." Fluttershy began to say. 

"Shh." Twilight told her.

Everyone began to walk as quietly as they could. So far the only noise that could be heard was the wind howling silently, and the leaves rustling from Rainbow dash flying through them. Lightning Sprint saw a leaf about to land on Fluttershy and dropped down to grab it in her mouth. She was able to do so, but the second leaf, the one she missed, landed on Fluttershy's rump, making her panic.

"AVALA-!"

Lightning Sprint quickly closed her mouth as Fluttershy's voice echoed. When the echoes stopped, everyone let out a sigh of relief. Then the ground rumbled. Bandit looked up and saw the rocks beginning to fall down.

"Avalanche!" Everyone called out but Bandit called out.

"The one time Fluttershy is loud." Bandit muttered as he started doing what he could to protect who he could.

More and more rocks were beginning to fall. 

Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint dodged and weaved between them in the air. 

Bandit used his magic to blast any incoming rocks that would fall on his friends.

A large boulder was about to fall on Twilight. Bandit and Applejack both dove and pushed her out of the way. As the avalanche finished, the path they had to take was blocked.

Bandit looked around, Twilight on his back.

"Everyone okay?" Bandit asked.

"Thanks to you I am." Twilight said, nuzzling the back of his head.

Rarity was covered in dirt.

"Eugh, Blech." She said as she shook off the dirt, onto Pinkie.

"Whoo-hoo! Let's do it again!" Pinkie sails with a smile, not minding the dirt.

"Uh! This is why a girl always packs extra accessories." Rarity said as she tied a scarf around her neck, looking back into the bag. "Oh, please tell me I brought the tiara that goes with this."

"Uh, think we got bigger problems than making sure our hair bows match our horseshoes." Rainbow Dash said, pointed to the path, now blocked by dirt and rocks.

"Sorry." Fluttershy said, looking away.

"It's okay. It's fine." Bandit said.

"We'll just have to climb over." Twilight said with a sigh.

"Everybody hop on." Bandit said as he loafed. Fluttershy and Twilight were the first ones on. Applejack and Rarity got on next, soon followed by Pinkie who jumped on Bandit, literally. 

Bandit walked up the large pile and hopped down onto the other side. He lied back down. 

"All offboard. Thank you for riding with the Changeling Transport Authority." Bandit said in an automated voice. All except Fluttershy got off. Bandit was trying to talk her off as Rainbow Dash looked at Lightning Sprint.

"Think Bandit was right to bring Fluttershy?" She asked her, clearly annoyed.

"I have faith in what Bandit says." Lightning responded.

"It's also too late to turn back, cause we're here." Bandit interjected. The group looked and all saw that they were standing in front of the cave as the smoke was still flowing out.

“Rainbow Dash, Lightning Sprint, you two use your wings to clear the smoke.” Twilight told them. Lightning Sprint flew up and started clearing the smoke. Rainbow dash was right behind her.

“Rarity and Pinkie Pie, you create a diversion to distract the dragon if things get a little hairy in there.” Bandit told them. Pinkie Pie got out a rubber chicken with her mouth and started swinging it around. Rarity looked confused at Pinkie Pie’s antics, as did Twilight. Bandit was used to this, so he paid it no mind.

“Applejack, you’re ready with the apples in case he decides to attack.” Twilight told her. Applejack grabbed a couple of apples with her mouth and tossed them in the air. When they came back down, she kicked them at the tree and they splatted to pieces.

"But it shouldn't come to that, because Fluttershy will do what she needs to do to wake him up, and between the two of us, we should be able to get him to understand why he needs to go. Is everypony ready?" Bandit asked. Various affirmations were made with smiles.

"Okay then, we're going in." Bandit said as he and Twilight walked in. As they entered the cave, Twilight looked around.

"So, what is the best way to wake up a sleeping dragon without upsetting him?" Twilight asked. Bandit was about to answer, but Twilight was talking to Fluttershy, and thus, was the first to notice she wasn't there. "Fluttershy? Oh, come on!"





Bandit and Twilight exited the cave and walked to Fluttershy, who had her head in the dirt.

“Come on!” Twilight said before she pulled on Fluttershy’s wings. “We have to do this.” She tried to push Fluttershy but she wouldn’t budge. 

"We have to do this! Now! Every  second longer that dragon sleeps is another acre of Equestria that is covered in smoke." Twilight said,  the others, bar Bandit, joining in pushing her. She still wouldn't budge. Bandit walked in front of her.

"Fluttershy. What's wrong?" He asked. 

“I…I…I can’t go in the cave.” Fluttershy said, causing everypony to groan. Well, everyone except Bandit, who loafed in front of her.

“Oh, great! She’s scared of caves now, too.” Lightning Sprint said.

“I’m not scared of caves. I’m scared of dr…” Fluttershy tried to say, but couldn’t bring herself to admit it.

“What’s that sugar cube?” Applejack asked.

“I’m scared of Drag…” Fluttershy tried to say again.

“Go on Fluttershy, let it out." Bandit told her.

“I’m scared of dragons!” Fluttershy admitted right before the dragon snored loudly again and spread smoke around them. All ponies began to cough.

The smoke cleared and Fluttershy hid behind Applejack. 

“But, Fluttershy, you have a wonderful talent dealing with all kinds of animals.” Twilight said.

“Yes, because they’re not dragons.” Fluttershy told Twilight.

“Oh, come on! We’ve seen you walk right up to a horrible manticore like it was nothing.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Yes, because he wasn’t a dragon.” Fluttershy told Rainbow Dash.

“Spike is a dragon. You’re not scared of him.” Pinkie Pie said.

“Yes, because he’s not a huge, gigantic, terrifying, enormous, teeth-gnashing, shark-scale-having, horn-wearing, smoke-snoring, could-eat-a-pony-in-one-bite, totally all grown up dragon.” Fluttershy said before said dragon snored loudly. Fluttershy got scared again and hugged the ground. Bandit reached up and felt his teeth. He matched a lot of the description she just gave. All except shark-scale-having, and Smoke-snoring.

"Isn't that basically Ban-" Pinkie tried to say, only for Bandit to zip her lips.

“But if you’re so afraid of dragons, why didn’t you say something before we came all the way up here?" Twilight asked her.

“I was afraid to.” Fluttershy answered. Rainbow dash groaned at that answer.

Applejack walked over to Fluttershy and nudged her up. “All of us are scared of that dragon." She told Fluttershy.

“I’m not!” Rainbow Dash gloated. 

"Me neither." Lightning Sprint added.

Bandit, though also not scared of that dragon, shot them an unamused look. "Not. Helping."

“Almost all of us are scared of that dragon, but we’ve got a job to do. So get in there with Twilight and Bandit and show'em what you’re made of.” Applejack tried to convince her.

“I…I…I just…can’t.” Fluttershy told everyone before she walked away.

“Oh, Fluttershy.” Twilight said. Bandit and Twilight looked at one another and gestured inside. 

"We're going in." Twilight said. They both headed inside the cave. "We're goin' in. He... probably just doesn't realize what he's doing... right?"

"I am not too sure. I hope he's not doing it deliberately." Bandit commented as they continued walking. Bandit stopped just short of the dragon. Twilight was still walking.

"Mr. Dragon." She called. Bandit tapped her back and stopped her before pointing at the dragon. The massive dragon with red scales and razor sharp pink spikes, with a yellow underbelly.

"Um...excuse us?" Twilight called softly.

"Mr. Dragon." Bandit called, not as soft, but still quiet so as not to disturb the dragon. The problem was it also didn't wake the dragon. So he tried again.

"Mr. Dragon." He called louder. The dragon opened his eyes. "Oh, good, you're awake. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Bandit. And this is Twilight-" 

The dragon let out a yawn, letting his breath hit both of their faces. Bandit had a much more sensitive nose, so the smell hit him the worst. He ran out of the cave gagging.

Twilight decided to finish.

"Sparkle, and my friends and I are residents here in Equestria. Ponyville, to be exact. We've come here to ask that you find another spot to take your nap. It's just that you seem to be doing an awful lot of snoring, and every time you do you send out a terrible cloud of smoke." The dragon breathed smoke into her face, making her cough. When she stopped coughing, she continued talking. "Equestria simply can't survive a hundred years in a dark haze. You understand, don't you?" Twilight asked. All the dragon did was stretch and yawn.

"So, you'll find another place to sleep?" She asked. The dragon went back to sleep. Snoring more smoke at her. Twilight walked out of the cave, coughing. As was everyone else.

"So much for [coughs] persuading him." Rainbow dash said. Lightning Sprint stops coughing at that moment.

"Now what?" Lightning Sprint asked. Rarity stepped forward. 

"Obviously, this situation just calls for a little "pony charm". Allow me, girls." Rarity said as she trotted into the cave. "I'm so sorry to interrupt." She sang. The dragon woke up and looked at Rarity, seemingly interested in what this one had to say. "But I couldn't possibly head back home without mentioning what handsome scales you have."

The dragon flexed the scales on his back as a result. "And those scales have to be hidden away in some silly cave for a hundred years?" Rarity asked, placing a necklace on. The dragon smiled a little. He was flattered.

Rarity leaned against his snout. Now wearing a bracelet, a diamond ring on her hoof and a crown.

"Personally, I think you should skip the snoozing and be out there, showing them off." She said. The dragon stood up, running a claw through his scales. He was considering showing them off, but then Rarity got greedy. "Obviously, I would be more than happy to keep an eye on your jewels while you're gone."

The dragon's eyes go wide, now knowing her intentions. He growled, slamming his arm down and pulling back his treasure, and startling Rarity. Rarity runs off, the jewels and crown flying off of her. The dragon grabbed them all as Rarity exited the cave.





Rarity was upset as she leaned against a rock.

"I was This close to getting that diamond."

"You mean...getting rid of that dragon?" Twilight emphasized. Rarity then realized where she went wrong.

"Oh, yeah sure." She said. Bandit looked at Pinkie and saw that she was wearing a very silly get up. She blew a party blower.

"What in Tarnation?" Applejack asked. Rarity walked over.

"Darling, you look ridiculous." Rarity said.

"Exactly! Sharing a laugh is a sure-fire way to get someone on your side!" Pinkie said as she waddled inside.

"To be completely honest, if that was the first thing I see when I wake up, I'd attack it on sight." Bandit admitted. 

"Hi!" Pinkie was heard saying. The next thing heard was balloons popping and a Box blowing up. Pinkie walked back out, two flippers missing, only one balloon unpopped and her box crushed.

"Apparently he doesn't like laughing, heh. Or sharing." She said. Bandit then got an idea.

"I got it. I'm going back in." Bandit said. Twilight stood in front of him.

"And that plan is?" Twilight asked.

"Combine all three. Encourage, charm, make laugh. I do all 3 of those things and surely he's gonna be in a good enough mood to listen." Bandit said as he flew over her and trotted back inside.

"Hey big guy. What's up?" Bandit was heard saying. "I know we got off on the wrong claw but hear me out."

As Bandit was talking, Rainbow Dash lost her patience.

"All right, that's it. We tried persuasion, charm, whatever it is Pinkie Pie does." Rainbow dash pointed out. Pinkie blew her broken blower. "It's time to stop wasting time! I'm going in!" 

She flew in.

"Rainbow dash no!" Lightning Sprint said, trying to fly after her.





Meanwhile, Bandit was in a conversation with the dragon.

"Basil Razer? That is a cool name." Bandit said, making Basil smile. Then Rainbow dash flew in.

"Get! Out!" She said before kicking the dragon in the snout. Lightning Sprint got to her just in time to see this happen. She facehoofed as Basil sneezed before growling at her.

"I'm...sorry." She said, now regretting her choices. Basil roared, sending both pegasi out of the cave and knocking their friends down like bowling balls.

Bandit ran out of the cave as the dragon stepped out. He stood in front of his friends, ready to stand his ground.

Basil let out a roar which resulted in smoke leaving his mouth and pushing against Bandit. Bandit was still standing there when the smoke cleared, but his friends were knocked into a rock comment so hard that it ended up shattering. Bandit turned to them, and ran to check on them. Fluttershy, who was on the other side of the rock that broke, looked at her friends and Bandit tending to them. And she. Was. Ferocious. 

“How dare you?” Fluttershy said, she was definitely angry. Bandit Looked up in surprise. During the time he was in Ponyville, he never thought that Fluttershy would look angry before now. “HOW DARE YOU!” She yelled before she flew up to Basil's face. “Listen here, mister! Just because you’re big doesn’t mean you get to be a bully! You may have huge teeth and sharp scales and snore smoke and breathe fire, but you do not, I repeat, YOU DO NOT HURT MY FRIENDS!! You got that?” Fluttershy told Basil. Basil cowards away from her and whimpers. “Well?” She asked him.

“But that rainbow one kicked me.” The dragon told her, pointing his claw at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash nodded proudly. Bandit shot a glare at her that made her sheepishly cower.

“And I am very sorry about that. But you’re bigger than she is, and you should know better. You should also know better than to take a nap where your snoring can become a health hazard to other creatures.” Fluttershy told him.

“But I…” Basil tried to say, but Fluttershy interrupted him.

“Don’t you 'but I' me, mister. Now, what do you have to say for yourself?” Fluttershy asked him in an authoritative voice, but Basil didn’t respond. “I said, what do you have to say for yourself.” She asked again. Basil began to cry, making the tears fall around the group.

Bandit looked at Basil and felt bad.

"Now now Basil, you're not a bad dragon." Bandit said as he flew up to rub the bridge of his nose.

"You just made a bad decision. Now, go pack your things. You just need to find a new place to sleep. That’s all.” Fluttershy said as she flew back down to everyone.

Everyone cheered for her as Basil grabbed his treasure to move out, dropping a crown on his way out.

Bandit picked it up.

"Hey, Basil! You forgot your crown!" Bandit said as he held it up. Basil turned around.

"Keep it!" He said as he continued flying. Bandit looked at the crown and smiled. He turned back around to see his friends giving Fluttershy praise.

“You did it. I knew you could do it.” Twilight joyfully told Fluttershy.

"And I thought Flash Magnus was the embodiment of Bravery." Bandit said with a smirk. Rarity eyed the crown and gave Bandit the, 'pretty please eyes'. Bandit looked at her, and then turned his head. Rarity scrunched her face in unamusement, much to Bandit's amusement. 





Twilight and Crowned Bandit walked back to the library, where Spike was  chasing Angel.

“I said, come back!” Spike said before he ran into the book shelf. Angel was trying to climb up it, but Spike grabbed his leg and pulled him back down. “How does Fluttershy put up with you furry little things?” He said as Angel tried to get free. Chad was playing with one of the Lynxes.

"Chad?" Twilight called, getting his attention. “Take a letter.” She said.

"I got it!" Spike exclaimed trying to take the quill and paper so not to deal with Angel. Chad moved it out of the way, making Spike faceplant.

“Dear Princess Celestia, I am happy to report that the dragon has departed our fair country and that it was my good friend Fluttershy who convinced him to go. This adventure has taught me to never lose faith in your friends. They can be an amazing source of strength and can help you overcome even your greatest fears. Always your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight said. Chad finished writing before sending the letter.

"Twilight! Bandit! You gotta come see this! They're just five away from a new pony record!" Applejack was heard saying. All eyes looked out the window, and watched as Rainbow dash and Lightning Sprint bounced a ball between each other.

"Three hundred forty-seven, three hundred forty-eight…"

Bandit smirked and got out of the library and stalked them both. He got close enough and let out a roar, startling them both.

"Dragon!!" Rainbow dash cried out as she toppled over, fainting on her back. Lightning Sprint flew into the air out of fear. But then the girls started laughing making her come back down.

“Why are you laughing? That awful dragon is back!” Lightning  Sprint said. Bandit turned them around and roared again.

"Bandit, you scared us!” Rainbow Dash told her before she realized what she said. “I mean, uh…you broke our concentration.” She tried to say.

Fluttershy flew down next to them. “It’s okay, you two. Not everypony can be as brave as me.” Fluttershy told them.

A leaf floated down to Rainbow Dash’s head and she blew it back up. The leaf ended up on Fluttershy’s back. Fluttershy screamed in fear and fell on her back. Everypony laughed while Twilight and Bandit shook their heads.
> Look Before You Sleep
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It started out bright and sunny this morning, but the pegasi ponies were covering the sky with dark clouds. The pegasi weather ponies forgot to make a light drizzle of rain last week so they’re making up for it today. Applejack and Rarity were among some of the ponies that were cleaning the dead branches. Applejack groaned in frustration as she cleared the branches away, using her lasso to do so.

Rarity on the other hand was mending them back on the trees. Not only that, she used her magic to form the leaves into art forms of ponies.

“Perfect.” Rarity said, admiring her work. Then a lasso tore it down. Applejack's lasso. Rarity turned to look at her as she spat the lasso out of her mouth.

"Just take the broken limbs down, Rarity. Don't y'all care about nothin' other than prettifyin'?" Applejack asked.

“Somepony has to. You are making an absolute mess of the town square, Applejack.” Rarity argued as she looked at all the fallen branches on the ground.

"Yeah, well, the storm's gonna make an even bigger mess if we don't prune all these loose branches so they don't tumble down on anypony." Applejack informed her.

“I simply cannot image why the Pegasus ponies would schedule a dreadful downpour this evening and ruin what could have been a glorious sunny day.” Rarity said.

"Think more practical-like, will ya? They accidentally skipped a scheduled sprinkle last week, so we need a doozy of a downpour to make up for it, is all." Applejack sighed. At that moment, it was beginning to rain.

“Oh no! My wonderful styled mane shall be ruined!” Rarity cried out.

"Ya shoulda hurried up and finished the job already." Applejack told her.

“Oh! Ah! Oh! It’s coming down too fast! Aah! Oh! Oh! Aah! Help me!” Rarity said as she began running around to avoid the rain droplets.  Applejack looked around for shelter. She spotted a table nearby. 

"Uh, there. Hunker down to yer heart's content whilst I finish things." Applejack pointed.

Rarity galloped to the table, but stopped after she saw how muddy it was underneath the table. “Oh, no, no, no!” She cried.

"What now?" Applejack asked, very annoyed.

“I’d prefer not to get my hooves muddy.” Rarity told her, gesturing to the wet mud underneath the table. Bandit placed an umbrella saddle on her back. Bandit had a wagon with dead branches inside attached to him.

Applejack sighed. “There is just no pleasin’ you, is there? Everything got to be just so.” She said.

“Oh, well, and how does muddying my hooves serve any useful purpose?” Rarity argued.

“Y’all wouldn’t know useful if it came up and bit you.” Applejack argued back.

“That doesn’t even make any sense.” Rarity continued. Bandit rolled his eyes at them arguing.

"Does so.”

"Does not.”

"Does so.”

"Does not.”

"Does so.”

"Does not.”

"Excuse me ladies." Bandit tried to interrupt. The girls continued to argue.

“Does so Infinity. Ha!” Applejack continued.

“Does not infinity plus one. Ha!” Rarity countered.

Rarity said before she and Applejack glared back at each other. “What say we go our separate ways before one of us says something she will regret?” Rarity suggested.

“I reckon y’all are gonna say something you’ll regret first.” Applejack told her.

“On the contrary, I believe it shall most certainly be you who says something you will regret first.”

“I’m not sayin’ anything!” Applejack argued.

“Nor am I!” Rarity said.

"You're both still talking." Bandit pointed out unamused. 

“Y’all just be on your way, then.” Applejack continued

“After you!” Rarity continued.

"LADIES!!" Bandit exclaimed, using his royal Canterlot voice. Both Rarity and Applejack snapped over to him, he had their attention now.

"I know you two have your differences, but arguing isn’t helping any-" Bandit looked up and gasped. "LOOK OUT!" 

He pulled them towards him and a Lightning bolt struck down in the spots they were standing. This scared Rarity and Applejack into hugging each other.

"Okay, new plan, you two come with me." Bandit said as he started to walk to the library, upon seeing them still frozen in their spots, Bandit picked them up with his magic and began moving.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Bandit got to the library and opened it.

"Alright, everybody inside." Bandit said. Rarity and Applejack ran inside. Chad tried to run out, only to get grabbed by Bandit.

"No mud puddles during a storm." Bandit told him.

"Aww." Chad said with an ear flop.

"You can play in the mud after." Bandit told him, making his ears perk again. Bandit got inside and closed the door. Applejack looked up within the tree.

“Whoa, nelly. Is inside a tree really the best place to be in a lightning storm?” Applejack asked.

“It is if you have a magical lightning rod protecting your home like I do.” Twilight answered. 

"Asgardian Electric Absorption Spell. I used that on the rod when we moved here." Bandit said with a smile.

"You think of everything don't you?" Rarity asked with a smirk.

"I do my best." Bandit responded.

Rarity sighed in gratitude. “We are most grateful for your invitation.” Rarity said as she bowed a little.

“Thank you kindly for the hospitality.” Applejack said as she walked towards Twilight.

Rarity raised her hoof in front of Applejack and pointed at her muddy hooves. “Uh, do be a polite houseguest and go wash up, please, won’t you.” She told Applejack.

Applejack groaned. “If I got to spend one more second with that fussbudget Rarity today, I can’t be held responsible for what I’m gonna do.”

Bandit twitched his ears and looked at Applejack. 

"Come on AJ, I'll help you." Bandit said as he walked out the door.

"Some storm, huh? The Pegasus ponies sure have outdone themselves this time. I hope you and Applejack don't have any trouble getting home." Twilight said as she looked out a window. 

"It may indeed be a problem." She said as she shifted her eyes a little. 

"Well, you're welcome to stay if need be. Spike is away in Canterlot on royal business. Bandit was gone too, for like 4 hours but like always, he finished early so he could come home." Twilight said before gasping. "You and Applejack should totally sleep over! We'll have a slumber party! I've always wanted one of those."

"Doesn't Bandit live here?" Rarity asked.

"He doesn't count. He's practically my roommate. So we're sleeping in the same household all the time. But I've always wanted to be at, or host a slumber party." 

Rarity looked like she didn't want that to happen.

"Oh! Uh, goodness. Uh, I do believe I have another engagement scheduled for this evening that completely slipped my mind until just now." She tried to cover up with a nervous laugh. "Ah, silly me, I can't possibly stay here all night -- with Applejack." Rarity said. Twilight walked over to a bookshelf and used her magic to pull down one of the books. She levitated it over to Rarity, who began to read it. "Slumber 101: All You've Ever Wanted to Know About Slumber Parties But Were Afraid to Ask."

"My own personal copy. It's a fantastic reference guide. You should see the table of contents. I've been waiting for a chance to use it, and today is the day! This is gonna be so great!" Twilight said as she reared happily. Rarity looked out the window and saw Bandit hosing the mud off Applejack. 





Bandit and Applejack walked back into the library. 

“What in tarnation?!” Applejack said in surprise. They saw Rarity and Twilight giving each other mud masks for some reason. “Now wait just a gol-darn minute! You make me wash the mud off my hooves, but it’s okay for y’all to have mud all over your faces?” She asked.

"Applejack, that's a mud mask." Bandit corrected. 

"It's to refresh and rejuvenate your complexion." Rarity added as she added more mud to Twilight's face.

“We’re giving each other makeovers!” Twilight added excitedly. “We have to do it. It says so in the book.” She said as she levitated the book to them. Bandit read the title and gave an unamused look.

Applejack began reading it. “Slumber 101: Everything you…” She stopped when she realized what the book was about. Huh? I didn’t think Twilight would want a slumber party. “Oh, hey would you look at the time? I gotta skedaddle on home quick. I’m powerful late for,…for something. Uh, good night.” Applejack said as she headed toward the front door.

Bandit pulled her back at the very second lightning struck. Applejack jumped, hugging Bandit's neck.

“Or maybe I’ll sit here for a spell.” Applejack said.

“Hooray, slumber party!” Twilight exclaimed excitedly while clapping her hooves.

Rarity threw mud on Applejack’s face and began rubbing it in. She was about to do Bandit, but he kept backing away. She gave up and went back to Applejack. She finished by placing a pair of sliced cucumber over Applejack’s eyes. “What in the world is this for?” Applejack asked.

Rarity sighed. “To reduce the puffiness around one’s eyes, of course.” Rarity told her.

“Puffiness, Shmuffiness!” Applejack said. She licked her tongue across her own face and ate the cucumbers.

“Isn’t this exciting? We’ll do everything by the book, and that will make my slumber party officially fun.” She said as she was reading said book.

“Did you hear that, Applejack? You certainly would not want to do anything that would ruin Twilight’s very first slumber party, would you?” Rarity told Applejack.

"Rarity. You are neither the element of subtlety or perspicaciousness." Bandit said to her.

"Perspicaciousness means having a ready insight." Chad said before remembering. "Oh right Spike is in Canterlot."

“I do know Rarity wouldn’t, either, I reckon.” Applejack said.

“So, do we have an agreement?” Rarity asked.

“You betcha.” Applejack said before she spit on her hoof for the agreement.

“Oh, gross! You know, there’s messy, and there’s just plain rude.” Rarity said in disgust.

“You know, there’s fussy, and there’s just plain getting on my nerves.” Applejack told her.

"You know, there's simple disagreements, and just being irritating. Guess which one the two of you are being." Bandit said back to them.

“Fortunately, I can get along with anypony, no matter how difficult she may be.” Rarity said in response.

“Oh, yeah? Well, I’m the get-alongingest pony you’re ever gonna meet.” Applejack said.

Chad looked at Bandit.

"I got no synonyms to correct that word." Bandit told him.

“That’s not even a word.” Rarity told her.

“This is gonna be the bestest slumber party ever! Yay!” Twilight said in the middle of their argument.

“Yay.” Applejack and Rarity reluctantly said. Bandit read the book and saw the first thing on the list.

"Makeovers?" Bandit asked. He then looked at a grinning Twilight, who moved her mane with her hoof to drop the hint. Bandit went wide eyed.

"Nuh uh. No. Not happening." Bandit told her.

"Pretty please Bandit?" Twilight asked. 

"No. There are only 2 ponies I let alter my mane. My mom and the hairdresser she hires every two weeks. No exceptions." Bandit said.

"I'll bake you a Cherry grape pie." Twilight told him. Bandit went silent and there was a pause.





Later on, Bandit and Chad were eating slices of the pie as their manes were getting braided.

"I don't think you can bribe me like this a second time. I won't be so easy to buy. I'm only going through with it because it's your 1st slumber party." Bandit told Twilight.

"Sure you are." Twilight said. Bandit playfully hissed at her. She tried to copy the hiss. Chad also hissed, the trio then began laughing.

“So. How are you getting along over there, Applejack?” Rarity asked with a smirk on her face.

“Just fine, Rarity.” Applejack responded, annoyed.

“This is so awesome!” Twilight giggled. “Makeovers, check.” She said as she used her magic to check the book. She teleported the curly liners off their manes. For some reason, their manes went back to normal instead of being curled up. Except for Chad and Bandit, Who both had to manually return their manes back to normal. “Ooh! It says here we have to tell ghost stories. Who wants to go first?” She asked.

Bandit was about to tell him. Celestia told him many ghost stories growing up, but Applejack was too quick on the call.

“Me!” Applejack volunteered. “I’d like to tell y’all the terrifying tale of the prissy ghost who drove everypony crazy with their unnecessary neatness. Ooooh. I’m sure y’all are familiar with that one.” She told Rarity. Bandit nearly rolled his eyes out of his head.

“Never heard of it. But I have a much better one.” Rarity responded. “It’s the horrifying story of the messy, inconsiderate ghost who irritated everypony within 100 miles! Ooooh!” Rarity said, also lacking subtlety.

“That’s not a real story! You made it up!” Applejack told her.

"1) Look who's talking, and 2) All ghost stories are made up." Bandit said.

The lights then went out, making Applejack and Rarity scream. Bandit and Chad scratched their ears from irritants

"You know, my ears are super sensitive to sound, so can you not scream in a closed off space like this?" Bandit asked as he rubbed his ears. 

"Sorry." Applejack said.

"Can I tell a ghost story?" Chad asked on top of Twilight's head.

"Go for it." Twilight said. Chad flipped off and landed in a seated position with a lantern under his chin.

"This story is called The Legend of The Headless Horse. It was a dark and stormy night, just like this one. And three ponies were having a slumber party, just like this one... minus the changelings." Chad started.





As the story continued, the mares had huddled together. 

"...and just when the last pony thought she was safe, there, standing right behind her, just inches away was--The Headless Horse!" Chad exclaimed. There was a perfectly timed crack of thunder which ended up making them scream, in addition, Bandit had a blanket over his head making him look headless.

Chad covered his ears just in time. Bandit took the cover off his head and the earplugs out his ears.

Twilight went over to the book. “Ghost story, check.” She said as she checked off the book. Applejack and Rarity, who hugged each other in fear, realized they were still hugging and let go, Twilight got between them with a smile. “Now, who wants s’mores?” She asked.





Bandit was cooking the s'mores over a fire as Rarity taught Twilight how to stack smores.

"Then you place one marshmallow on the top of the chocolate and be sure it's centered--that's critical--and then carefully put another perfectly square graham cracker on the top. And done. Ta-da!"

“Ooh!” Twilight said, admiring the s’more Rarity made.

“Nah, you just eat ‘em.” Applejack said before she munched on Rarity’s s’more, much to Rarity’s annoyance. As well as Bandit's, who hated when someone chewed with their mouth open.

Applejack let out a belch.

Rarity scoffed at Applejack’s behavior. “You could at least say, excuse me.” She told Applejack.

“Oh, I was just about to, but you interrupted me.” Applejack told her. “Pardon.”

“S’mores…check.” Twilight said, checking off her book. “Now the next item of fun we have to do is Truth or Dare.” She said.

"Ah boy, here we go." Bandit said, already knowing this was going to end terribly. 

“I dare Applejack to do something and neatly for a change.” Rarity said.

“Oh, yeah? Well, I dare Rarity to lighten up and stop obsessin’ over every last little detail for a change.” Applejack responded.

“I think the truth of the matter is that somepony could stand to pay a little more attention to detail.” Rarity said.

“And I think the truth is somepony ought to quit with her fussin’ so the rest of us can get things done.” Applejack told Rarity.

“Um, I don’t think this is how the game’s supposed to work. You have to give an honest answer to any question or do whatever anypony dares you to do.” Twilight told everyone.

I dares you to step outside and let your precious tidy mane get ruined again.” Applejack dared her.

"Applejack, You are taking this just a little too-" Bandit was gonna say.

“You have to. It’s the rule.” Twilight told Rarity.

“HA!” Applejack yelled in triumph.

“Fine!” Rarity said before she slowly walked out the front door. She came back a couple seconds later completely drenched and shaking. Applejack snickered at Rarity’s dismay. Bandit offered a towel, but Rarity was so ready for revenge that she walked right past it.

“Okay, I dare Applejack to play dress-up in a froufrou, glittery, lacy outfit.” Rarity dared Applejack.

Applejack gasped at her dare. She glared at Rarity and walked to the basement. She came back wearing what looked like an outfit princess. Bandit was very confused. 

"Okay. Where did you get that outfit and how did you get that on so fast? You left my line of sight for like 2 seconds." Bandit asked, but he was ignored.

“Happy?” Applejack grudgingly asked.

“Very.” Rarity responded with a smirk.

“Um, do I ever get a turn?” Twilight asked.

“I dare you to enter the next rodeo when it comes to town.” Applejack continued.

“I dare you not to enter the next rodeo that comes to town.” Rarity responded.

“I dare ya to not comb your mane a hundred times before bed.” Applejack continued.

“And I dare you to comb yours just once.” Rarity continued.

"I dare you two to get along!" Bandit interrupted. Rarity and Applejack both stopped and begrudgingly folded their hooves.

"It's the rule." Chad said. The mares groaned and shook hooves.

“Um, yeah. Maybe we should check off truth or dare and move on.” Twilight said before she looked back at the book. “Let’s see what our next fun, fun, fun thing is, shall we?” She looked at the next thing on the list. “Hmm, what does this mean? Pillow fight?” She said. 

"Oh no." Bandit muttered.

“Oh, please. I am not at all interested in participating in something so crude.” Rarity said before a pillow was thrown at her face. She spit out the feathers that got in her mouth.  "It…is…on!” She said before she threw the pillow back at Applejack.

"Let's get you out of the line of fire." Bandit said as he moved her out of the way. Applejack started bucking some pillows at Rarity. Rarity got hit by them in the face and she used her front hooves and kicked the pillows back at Applejack.

Rarity’s shots missed as Applejack lassoed three pillows together and whirled them at Rarity.

Rarity used her magic and levitated the pillows. They each through the pillows at one another while

“Oh, I get it. Pillow…fight. Fun!” Twilight said before she got caught in the crossfire.

"Girls, you might want to chill out." Bandit said. Getting hit in his legs. Once again, he didn't even flinch.

“I will if she will.” Applejack told Twilight.

“She started it.” Rarity retorted.

Twilight was buried under the pillows, Bandit had a stack reaching his chest. Bandit let out a whistle.

"Okay. Time to head to sleep." Bandit said before Chad clocks him in the back of the head with a pillow. Bandit slowly turned to him. Chad screams and starts running. Bandit picked up a pillow.

"Come're you!" Bandit exclaimed as he dove for him.





Twilight was in her bed, Chad was in his. Bandit sacrificed his bed to Applejack and Rarity, since it was literally big enough for the 2 of them. He slept hoping to rest easy. But unfortunately the bickering did not stop, even though both parties were whispering.

"Keep your muddy hooves on your side of the bed.” Rarity told Applejack.

“My hooves ain’t muddy.” Applejack replied.

“They were. There might still be a little on them.” Rarity told her.

“There ain’t. See?” Applejack said, shoving her hoof towards Rarity.

"Ew!" Rarity silently exclaimed before tugging all of the blanket. Bandit took his ear plugs from before and shoved them in his ears.

“Now who’s bein’ inconsiderate.” Applejack said as she took the blanket from Rarity and wrapped herself in it. Rarity got off from the bed.

“I have to make the bed again so the blanket will be right. Get up.” Rarity said before she pushed Applejack off the bed with her head.

"Hey!” Applejack said.

Rarity used her magic to fold the blanket on the bed neatly. Applejack was about to get back in bed by lifting the blanket up. “Unh-unh-unh. You’ll ruin it. You have to do it like this.” Rarity said before she slid in better the cover.

“Yeah. That’s not gonna happen. GERONIMO!” Applejack yelled before she jumped on the bed. This caused Rarity to be bounced off the bed.

“Hey!” Rarity said as she was launched off the bed. “You did that on purpose.” Rarity told Applejack.

“Um, yeah.” Applejack admitted.

“Get up so I can fix it again.” Rarity ordered.

“Can’t hear you. I’m asleep.” Applejack said before she started making imitated snoring.

Rarity got fed up and pulled the blanket off Applejack with her mouth.

“I ain’t budgin’.” Applejack told her.

“You will if you want any blanket!” Rarity said while holding the end of the blanket with her mouth. Applejack got up from the other side of the bed and started tugging the other end of the blanket.

Bandit growled as he took his earplugs out.

"Alright! THAT'S IT!! ENOUGH!!!" Bandit shouted as he flew over to them. They stopped tugging the blanket and sat down. "I get it! The two of you have your differences, you have about as much in common as I do with my cousin Blueblood! But all this bickering and being at each other's throats needs to end right here! Right now!" 

Bandit's shouting made Twilight speak up as well. 

"As if that wasn't enough, it says right here that the number-one thing you’re supposed to do at a slumber party is have fun. And thanks to you two, I can’t check that off.” Twilight told them while holding the book and quill with her magic.

“I’ve been tryin’ my darnest to get along.” Applejack told her.

“No, it is I who have been trying my best.” Rarity countered.

“No, it was me.” Applejack said.

“No, it was I.” Rarity.

“Me!”

“I!”

"HEY!!" Bandit exclaimed, making them both stop butting heads and look towards him in a seated position. 

“I hope you're happy, both of you. You’ve ruined my very first slumber party. The makeover, the s’mores, truth or dare, the pillow fight! I mean, is there anything else that could possibly go wrong?!” Twilight asked in frustration.

Lightning struck on the top trunk of a tree near the library. seconds after she said that.

"Okay Twilight, that one's on you." Bandit said to Twilight, his tone changing back to normal.

"Oops. Sorry I asked." Twilight said sheepishly.

Chad turned the light on as he walked in with a head tilt.

Everyone gasped as they saw that the top of the tree was limping toward a house, indicating that it was about to fall.

Applejack turned toward Rarity. “You see?! That’s why we need to take down all those loose branches in town, not spiffy ‘em up.” She told her. 

"How do dead branches affect Lightning?" Chad asked. Bandit was gonna answer, but Chad held up a hoof and started reading a book. He then got the answer. "Oooooooh."

“But I…” Rarity tried to say, but Applejack interrupted her.

“Out of my way, missy! Time’s a wastin’.” Applejack said before she headed to the window. She opened the window and took out her lasso. She started whirling her lasso.

“Wait! Stop! Don’t!” Rarity tried to warn Applejack, but Applejack was having none of it.

“No waitin’! No stoppin’. Doin’.” Applejack said before she threw her lasso at the tree. She managed to grab hold of the tree before it fell. 

"Whoa. Good going AJ." Chad said.

"And that, my friends, is what we call getting her done.” Applejack said before she grabbed the rope again.

"Applejack DON'T!" Bandit and Chad exclaimed.

Before she could process the warning, the tree came crashing through the window. Bandit grabbed Chad and dove off the top floor to avoid the tree. Bandit put Chad down and looked up.

“I tried to tell you it would come crashing down in here!” Rarity told Applejack.

“Well, you should have tried harder!” Applejack replied. 

"You were pulling TOWARDS the library! Someone shouldn't have to tell you that's common sense!" Chad told her.

Bandit looked at a saddened Twilight.

"Twily? Are you okay?" Bandit asked. Applejack looked guilty as she looked at Twilight too.

“I’m mighty sorry, Twilight.” She apologized.

“It’s…well, its not okay. There’s a giant tree branch in the middle of my bedroom! And the book doesn’t say anything about having a giant tree branch at your slumber party, or at least I haven’t found that entry yet.” Twilight said as she started flipping through the pages.

“What in tarnation are y’all doin’ over there?!” Applejack asked Rarity, who was placing books back on the shelf.

“Cleaning up this mess somepony made! Who was that again? Oh, right…that’s you!” Rarity yelled at applejack.

Applejack went back to twilight, but she was still looking through the book. “Baking, BFFs, brothers. There’s nothing in here about branches.”

Bandit grabbed an umbrella saddle, and walked outside.

Applejack tried pulling, kicking, and bouncing off the tree, but it did nothing. “Rarity, for pony’s sake, stop sweatin’ the small stuff and help us get rid of this thing!” She yelled as Rarity was still trying to put the books on the shelf. Rarity just ignored her. “I said hustle over here and help me!” Applejack continued before a strong wind came through the window. “Look…I’m sorry, all right?” She said. Rarity was so stunned she dropped the book.

"What was that?"

“I said I’m sorry! I should have listened to you when you noticed where this here branch would end up. Your annoyin’ attention to detail would have saved us from this whole mess. But right now, you need to stop bein’ so dang fuzzy, pickin’ up all those little things, and help me move the one big thing in here that actually matters!” Applejack yelled. Rarity was still looking the other way. "Please!"

Rarity finally looked over at her, but stopped when she looked bothered by something. “Uh, uh, but I’ll get all icky."

"Consarnit! What the... eh... you…" Applejack with seconds away from snapping, but calmed herself. "I mean, yes, ickiness is often a side effect of hard work. But y'all need to get over it, on account I just can't fix this mess I made myself. I need your help." 

Rarity hesitated a moment, but finally looked at Applejack and me. “Oh. Let’s do this!” She said in determination.

"Well, they do have a section about backyard slumber parties. Is that what we're doing right now? Does this count as camping?" Twilight was heard asking.

Applejack was on one side, Taking the dead branches away from the windows. Rarity is on the other, blasting them into ornaments that were similar to the ones that she made in the park. The very second they finished, the tree was pulled out. The mud and debris on top of the tree splashed on them both.

"Huh?" They both say as they look outside and see Bandit dragging the tree with a rope out of the way of anything important before flying through the window and shaking the water off. Applejack pulled the window shut before looking at Rarity, who looked at herself. 

"U-ugh. Oh, I look awful." Rarity said as she looked at herself. Chad handed Applejack two cucumber slices he didn't eat yet. Applejack smiled and placed them over Rarity's eyes. "Better?"

Rarity giggled a little.

"Thanks." She said as she reached out to hug Applejack. Twilight looked up from her book and saw the ornaments in front of her.

"Ooh, pretty. Where did these come from? They’re not in the book, either.” Twilight said. Chad came up and used his tail as a mop the water up.





The next morning came around and the group was playing 20 questions. Rarity and Twilight braided their manes again.

"Is it bigger than a house?" Applejack asked Bandit.

"Nope." He answered. 

"Is it smaller than a saddle?” Rarity asked.

"No! Only three of your twenty questions left!" Chad said, snickering.

"We're never gonna guess what you're thinkin' of, it could be anythin'." Applejack said.

"Are we getting warmer?" Rarity asked.

"Not exactly." Bandit admitted.

"That counted as a question, only two left." Chad said. Applejack then gave some thought.

"Is it... a six-legged pony with a purple polka-dotted mane and shootin' stars comin' out of his eyes?" Applejack asked.

"Who flies through the air all over the world to hide magic, sparkly eggs?" Rarity added.

"Intergalactic Easter Horse, That was it." Bandit said.

"It is?" They asked together. 

"That's a thing?" Twilight asked. Bandit chuckled a little.

"No. It's the telescope." Bandit answered.

"I was thinking of a SEVEN legged pony if that counts." Chad said.

Applejack and Rarity looked at each other and then at Bandit.

"Sleipnir. Anyway, it was just so nice to see you two finally getting along, I wanted you to be able to win together. For Twily's sake." Bandit said with a smile.

Twilight smiled at him. 

Applejack began laughing, as did Rarity.

"See? We could have been having fun like this all along." Twilight said.

"If only somepony hadn't been so persnickety." Applejack said to Rarity.

"Well, maybe she wouldn't have been if somepony else hadn't been so sloppy." Rarity clapped back. Smiles soon turned to scowls, which turned back into small smiles.

“Sorry for bein’ such a pain in the patootie.” Applejack apologized.

“Oh, no. I’m sure I was much worse.” Rarity responded.

“That’s kind of you to say, but I’m the one who’s sorry.” Applejack responded back.

“Oh, I’m much more sorry than you are.” Rarity continued.

Applejack scoffs. “Are not.”

“Are too.”

“Are not.”

“Are too.”

“Are not.”

“Are too.” Rarity finished before they both started to laugh.

"And I'm sorry for being so snappy. It was wrong of me to yell at you like foals." Bandit told them.

"To be fair, We were behaving like foals." Rarity said.

"We'll do our best to make sure that we don't do that again." Applejack said with a smile. 

“I declare my first slumber party a success.” Twilight announced. Chad pulled out a party popper and let the confetti go off, and everyone cheered.

Bandit grabbed the book.

"Have fun, check." He said before Twilight grabbed the book.

"Hey, that was supposed to be my thing." Twilight said, glaring at him. Bandit booped her nose, making her scrunch a smile. 





Later on, Applejack was blindfolded as Rarity was navigating her around. 

“Now take two steps to your left. Uh, no my left.” Rarity said, trying to instruct Applejack.

“Well, which is it? WHOA!” Applejack said before she tripped over a pile of books. She quickly got up with a pillow laying on her head. “That mess is your fault, Not mine.” She said before laughing.

“Sorry.” Rarity laughed as well. Meanwhile, Bandit was writing a letter to Celestia. 

"Dear My Loving Mother, it’s hard to believe that two ponies who seem to have so little in common could ever get along. But I found out that if you embrace each other’s differences, you just might be surprised to discover a way to be friends after all.” He finished writing.

“So…who’s up for another slumber party tomorrow night?” She asked everyone. Bandit turned around. 

Applejack and Rarity looked at each other and grinned. They threw a couple of pillows to her face. “How about a week from Thursday? Ooh, how about two weeks from Saturday.” Twilight asked again. The girls continued to laugh.

“A month from now?” Twilight continued. Then Rarity realized something. 

"Oh, I meant to ask. What were you collecting those dead branches for?" She asked.

"To help Chad with Transfiguration." Bandit said as Chad tried to do exactly that, but failed. Outside, The clouds were cleared and the Sun was finally shining once again.
> Bridal Gossip
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a partially cloudy, but still mostly Sunny day in Equestria. Bandit and Twilight were admiring the sunshine as they were headed to lunch.

“Wow. What a gorgeous day.” Twilight said.

“Rainbow Dash must have gotten up early for once and cleared all the could away.” Chad guessed. He and Spike were both on Bandit's back as they walked.

“I bet all of Ponyville is gonna be out enjoying the sunshine.” Twilight said. 

"Uh...where is everyone exactly?" Chad asked as he looked around.

Bandit looked around and saw one mare closing the windows to her building before seeing a mare yank her foal back inside. 

“Is it some sort of pony holiday?” Spike asked.

"Ooh, tumbleweed." Chad said as he followed the bouncing tumbleweed. "Wait. Why do tumbleweeds start bouncing around the town whenever no one's around? And who the heck is letting these tumbleweeds shrivel up and die just to let them start bouncing around?"

"Wait….those are dead tumbleweeds?" Spike asked.

"Yeah. Wait, you don't know what a live tumbleweed looks like?" Chad asked. Spike shook his head. Chad pulled a piece of paper, drew it as photo realistic as possible and showed it to Spike.

"You think anything spooked them into hiding?" Twilight asked Bandit.

"I'm not too sure. For all I know, it could be zombies." Bandit joked a little. Accidentally spooking Spike.

"Zombies!?" He exclaimed. 

"I'm kidding Spike. The chances of there being zombies is highly unlikely." Bandit said, which gave Chad ample opportunity to scare Spike.

"The chances are low, but they are never 0." Chad said to Spike in a sinister voice. Spike shoved him back.

"St-stop that." He stuttered as Chad chuckled a little. Then they all heard Pinkie's voice.

"Psst." Her voice said. Twilight and Spike looked around for her, as Bandit and Chad looked right at the door of Sugar Cube corner. 

"Bandit! Twilight! Spike! Chad!" Pinkie whisper yelled from the door's top half opening.

"Come here! Hurry! Before she gets you!” Pinkie whispered. Bandit placed Chad and Spike on Twilight's back as he turned around to watch their backs as Twilight jumped inside. Bandit waited a few seconds before going in himself. 

Pinkie shined a flashlight on the four, Bandit and Chad shut their eyes until she moved it back on herself. Bandit looked around and double taked right behind them.

“Who? The zombie pony?” Spike asked as he hugged Chad.

Pinkie Pie brought the flashlight to her face. “Z-Zombie pony?” She said in a horrified voice. This caused Spike to tighten his hug.

“Spike, there are no zombie ponies.” Twilight told him, causing him to let go of Chad and get off. “Pinkie, what are you doing here alone in the dark?” She asked her.

"She's not alone." Bandit said as he turned Twilight around to look at the rest of the eight, in addition to Apple Bloom, who saw Chad and tackled him off with a smile.

Twilight gasped in surprise.

“Okay, then, what are you all doing in the dark?” Twilight asked.

“We’re hiding from her.” Lightning  Sprint  said, pointing out the window. Apple Bloom let Chad up as He, Bandit and the rest of the group walked to the window.

They all saw someone alone in the middle of town wearing a brown hooded cloak. The figure appeared to be digging for something with her hoof. The cloaked figure turned around and looked at them with yellow glowing eyes, causing most of the group to become scared. Bandit and Twilight did not look phased OR amused.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





“Did you see her Bandit? Did you see… Zecora?” Apple Bloom asked Bandit, climbing on Chad's back to look up at him.

“Apple Bloom, I told you never to say that name.” Applejack told her, sounding fearful and agitated.

"Is that name the Voldimort of Ponyville?" Chad asked.

"Who?" Lightning Sprint asked before Bandit answered the question. 

“Well, I saw her glance this way.” Bandit answered.

“Glance e-e-evilly this way.” Pinkie Pie added.

“And then a bunch of you flip out for no good reason.” Twilight told them.

“No good reason?!” Applejack exclaimed. “You call protecting your kin no good reason?" Applejack asked as she pulled Apple Bloom close. "Why, as soon as my sister saw Zecora riding into town, she started shaking in her little horseshoes.” She said as she hugged Apple Bloom and started shaking her.

“Did not.” Apple Bloom said otherwise.

“So I swept her up and brought her here.” Applejack finished after she scooped Apple Bloom on her back.

“I walked here myself.” Apple Bloom said.

“For safekeeping.” Applejack told her.

“Applejack, I’m not a little baby. I can take care of myself!” Apple Bloom told her.

“Not from that creepy Zecora.” Applejack responded.

“She’s mysterious…” Fluttershy said.

“Sinister…” Rainbow Dash added.

“And spooooky.” Pinkie Pie finished. All Bandit could do was roll his eyes, he looked back out the window with Twilight. The others zipped over and looked as well, shoving against them both.

Zecora pulled back her cloak’s hood and revealed her face. Her coat and mane were black and white in a strip pattern, and her mane was a mohawk. She wore golden earrings and several more gold rings around her neck. The group gasped again.

“Will you cut that out?” Twilight told them

“Just look at those stripes. So Garish.” Rarity exclaimed. Bandit raised an eyebrow at her.

"She's a zebra." Bandit said.

"A what?" Everyone but Twilight, Spike and Chad asked.

“A zebra.” Twilight continued for Bandit. “And her stripes aren't a fashion choice Rarity, they're what she was born with." Rarity fainted at the thought of being born with stripes.

“Born where? I never seen a pony like that in these parts, except… her.” Applejack asked, quivering at the end.

"Zebrica." Bandit said. Eyes fell on him. "It's a continent about 250 miles from the country of Shesepankh. Mostly occupied by Zebras, Kelpies, Abadas and Okapis. If I had to predict, those rings on her neck and hooves tell me she's from Farasi." Bandit told everyone.

"Also, it's where my nickname comes from. Chad's a country in Zebrica." Chad said.

"How do you know so much about this…. Zebrica place?" Lightning asked.

"I've been there. Momma took me when I was ten. It's where I learned Chewa and Swahili. It's also where Chad's egg was laid, hence the reason why his nickname is one of the countries in Zebrica." Bandit answered. Chad smiled pridefully. "She's probably trying to make friends while she's away from home." 

“That’s just it. She lives in… The Everfree Forest.” Applejack answered. Suddenly, there was a large crash in the kitchen.

“Spike!” Twilight yelled. In the kitchen, Spike was around the pans he knocked over as he had a candy cane and a cupcake in his claws.

“Uh, sorry.” Spike apologized.

“The Everfree Forest just ain’t natural. The plants grow…" Applejack started.

"..animals care for themselves…" Fluttershy added.

"and the clouds move…" Lightning Sprint added. 

"all on their own.” Applejack, Fluttershy, and Lightning  Sprint said. Rarity fainted again at the thought of living in the Everfree Forest.

"All three countries of Zebrica I've been to have those quali-" Bandit tried to say. 

“And that wicked enchantress Zecora lives there, doing her evil…stuff! Why, she’s so evil, I even wrote a song about her.” Pinkie Pie interrupted before she began singing.

"Wait. You wrote a song about someone you never met?" Bandit asked.

“Here we go.” Rainbow Dash groaned.

"She's an evil enchantress
She does evil dances
And if you look deep in her eyes
She'll put you in trances
Then what will she do?
She'll mix up an evil brew
Then she'll gobble you up
In a big tasty stew
Soooo... Watch out!" Pinkie sang. During the song, Applejack was hugging Apple Bloom, who pushed her off. Bandit was, again, not amused.

“Wow. Catchy.” Twilight gave her opinion of the song.

“It’s a work in progress.” Pinkie said happily.

"You didn't write a song about me did you?" Bandit asked.

"Oh! I did!" Pinkie said before singing again.

"This is our bestie Bandit
No need to start a riot
He may look mean and scary
But he's a gentle giant
He's smart, he's cool, he's sweet and kind
All things I say are true.
Don't be afraid, he just wants to be friends with you!" Pinkie sang.

"Pinkie, hum or sing both songs to yourself until you find the irony in them." Bandit said. Pinkie saluted and began doing just that.

“This is all just a lot of gossip and rumors.” Twilight said.

“Yeah, it’s not like anypony actually saw her doing things evilly.” Chad said, as he took a cupcake and was about to eat it, but Twilight put it back.

“This is all just a lot of gossip and rumors.” Twilight said. 

"Now tell me, Golden Girl Gossip Group; what exactly have you actually seen Zecora do?" Bandit asked. 

“Yeah, well…once a month, she comes into Ponyville.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Ooh!” Twilight sarcastically said.

“Then…she lurks by the stores.” Rarity said.

“Oh, my.” Bandit sarcastically added.

“And then she digs at the ground.” Fluttershy said.


“Good gracious!” Twilight said sarcastically again.

"Oh come on, you seriously think someone like that is up to any good?" Rainbow dash asked. 

"The menacing look, the mysterious nature, the dangerously unknown behaviors. There is no way anyone like that is up to…" Rarity stopped as she and Rainbow dash turned to look at Bandit, who wasn't happy about any of this. Considering he was menacing to look at, he knows very little about his own species, and he had a lot of behaviors ponies don't do or know about. In other words, they basically insulted him too

"I mean-" Rainbow dash was gonna attempt to save.

"We didn't mean-" Rarity said, talking at the same time as Rainbow dash. 

"Stop talking." Bandit interrupted. 

"Okay." They both said.

“Okay, I’m sorry, but how is any of this bad? Maybe she came to town to visit.” She said.

“And she's just trying to be neighborly.” Chad said.

“And maybe she’s not lurking by the stores. Maybe she’s going to them, lurk-free, to do some shopping.” Twilight said.

"Hard to do when no one is in the stores." Bandit added.

“Yeah. everypony likes to shop. You know what I think-” Apple Bloom tried to say.

“Apple Bloom, Chad, hush and let the big ponies talk.” Applejack told them.

Chad pouted and folded his hooves.

"I am a big pony." Apple Bloom muttered.

"Applejack, do NOT talk to my brother like that." Bandit nearly snapped, making her flinch. "All of you are fearful of someone none of you know anything about. Silencing those with common sense helps no one."

“What about digging at the ground? You’ve got to admit that’s weird.” Lightning  Sprint said. Apple Bloom was walking towards the door. Chad looked out the window before walking towards Apple Bloom. 

“What if she’s digging for innocent creatures?” Fluttershy added, worried. Meanwhile, Pinkie was still singing both songs to herself. 

“I am sure there’s an explanation for everything Zecora does. And if anypony here were actually brave enough to approach her, she would find out the truth.” Twilight told them.

"Heck, Chad and I are Changelings. Change-Lings. You guys aren't scared of us, so what's the issue?" Bandit added.

Apple Bloom and Chad looked at each other and smiled.

"We're brave enough." He said.

The two of them snuck outside and hid behind a tree. Apple bloom peeked out. Zecora looked in her direction, making her retreat into the same spot. When she looked back, she saw Chad was replaced by a dummy. She looked back past the tree and saw a box scooting towards a box. Chad came out wearing a grey bandana and looking towards Zecora with a pair of binoculars. Apple Bloom got to him.

"Psst hey!" She silently called. Chad turned to her.

"Make some room for me." She said. Chad made the box bounce and flip over to the open end down, covering both of them. 

Chad used his magic to pick the box up as they walked behind Zecora, who didn't turn around for the most part, so she didn't see the box.

They followed her to the forest.





Back in Sugar cube corner, Bandit and Twilight were still in defense of Zecora.

“You ponies are being ridiculous!” Twilight continued.

“Well, I heard that Zecora eats hay.” Pinkie Pie said. 

“Pinkie, I eat hay. You eat hay.” Twilight pointed at her.


“Yeah, but I heard it’s the e-e-vile way she eats hay.” Pinkie countered.

"I literally eat meat and all of you are unbothered by that." Bandit pointed out. "I'm starting to think the only thing keeping you all from avoiding me was the fact that I arrived with Twilight." Bandit said.

“Hey! Where’s Apple Bloom?” Applejack exclaimed.

"Chad's gone too." Spike said as he walked around the corner, a pan on his head.

Fluttershy gasped as she saw the door was open.

“The door’s open.” Fluttershy pointed out fearfully.

“She went outside!” Rarity cried out.

“And Zecora’s still out there.” Rainbow Dash asked in fear.

“That silly little filly. I told her to stay put.” Applejack said.

"You also told her, 'hush and let the big ponies talk'. You didn't wanna listen so she didn't." Bandit said before turning to Spike. "Spike, you stay here in case they come back."

“Will do!” Spike saluted. The group ran out.





Chad and Apple Bloom made it to the entrance to the Everfree forest. Chad took the box off and teleported it back to the treehouse. He walked into the Everfree forest before turning back to look at Apple Bloom. She was scared at first, but sucked it up and hopped inside, walking beside Chad.

They continued to follow Zecora, through a patch of blue flowers before their names were called.

“Apple Bloom?!” Applejack called out. Apple Bloom stopped and turned her head around. “You get back here right now!” She shouted.

"Chad!? Are you okay!?" Bandit called out. Chad nodded in response to him before hearing Zecora talk.

“Beware! Beware, you pony folk! Those leaves of blue are not a joke!” Zecora exclaimed. Bandit looked down at the patch of flowers he was about to step into and then went around. Applejack, like the others, didn't heed the warning and walked through the patches and scooped Apple Bloom onto her head.

“Y-you keep your mumbo jumbo yourself, you hear!” Applejack yelled. The others except Twilight began to shout in agreement, Pinkie was even reciting her song….well, the wrong one anyway.

“Beware! Beware!” Zecora warned us before she disappeared into the mist.

“Yeah! Back at you, Zecora! You and your lame curse are the ones who’d better beware!” Lightning  Sprint yelled.

“And you!” Applejack why couldn’t you just listen to your big sister?” Applejack asked Apple Bloom.

“I-I…” Apple Bloom tried to say something.

“Who knows what kind of Nasty curse Zecora could have just put on you?” Applejack said. Bandit checked Chad for injuries, upon seeing he had none, he scooped him onto his back and looked at the others.

“Just like in my song.” Pinkie Pie exclaimed before singing her song again.

"Hey, guys. I don't think you should be standing in those flowers." Bandit said.

"What makes you say that?" Rainbow dash asked.

"I don't know, maybe the words 'beware pony folk' and 'leaves of blue not a joke'. There's something about these flowers Zecora was nice enough to warn us about." Bandit answered.

"Pfft. Nice Schmice. She probably tried to put a curse on us." Lightning Sprint said.

“You guys, there’s no such thing as curses.” Twilight told them.

“Well, that’s interesting to hear coming from Mrs. Magic Pants herself.” Rainbow Dash said as she flew to Twilight through the blue flowers.

"Mrs?" Bandit and Twilight asked, then Twilight shook her head and got back on topic.

“My magic, real magic, comes from within. It’s a skill you’re born with. Curses are artificial, fake magic. It’s conjured with portions and incantations, all smoke and mirrors meant to scare. But curses have no real power. They’re just an old pony tale." Twilight said.

"No Twilight, whatever the tophet Trixie does is fake magic. Curses are real, we just haven't seen one yet." Bandit told her. Twilight only rolled her eyes before Applejack spoke up.

“Just you wait, Twilight. You’re gonna learn that some pony tales really are true.” Applejack said as everyone else was leaving.

Bandit growled. Them judging Zecora without meeting her was bringing back some bad memories for him. Twilight saw his face and grabbed his hoof to lead him home. 





Later on that night, Twilight was hearing everything replay in her head. The things her friends were saying, and what Zecora had said.

"Beware! Beware!"

"If you look deep in her eyes, she will put you in trances!"

"Wicked, wicked zebra!"

"... it's a curse."

"This is our bestie Bandit!"

"Just you wait, Twilight; some pony tales really are true."

"Then she'll gobble you up in a big tasty stew! Soooo... Watch out!"

It all ended when Zecora let out an evil laugh.





Twilight Was able to sleep until morning, having a serious case of bed hair as she woke up.

"Ugh... what a dream... Curses, schmurses." She said as she got out of the bed.

When she looked in a mirror, she saw how her hair looked.

"Whoa." She said before chuckling. "Maybe Zecora cursed my hair."

Twilight used her magic to pick up her brush and brush her mane back to normal, upon doing so she gasped. "Or my horn!"





Bandit walked into the main floor of the treehouse with a yawn before seeing the books all sprawled out on the floor.

"What the-" 

"No no no no no! None of these books have a cure! Ugh! There has to be a real reason for this!" He heard Twilight panicking.

"For what?" Bandit asked. 

"This!" Twilight exclaimed as she pointed to her floppy, blue polka-dotted horn. Bandit bit his own lip to keep himself from laughing.

"There has to be a real reason for this! An illness? An allergy?!" Twilight asked.

"A curse?" Spike said.

"I said a real reason. Something that points to something real." Twilight said.

“How about this one.” Spike said, showing her the book.

“Supernaturals?” Twilight read the title. “Spike, the word supernatural refers to things like ghosts and spirits and zombies, which are as make-believe as curses. This book is just a bunch of hooey.” She said, pointing at the book.

“But what if you’re wrong, Twilight? What if this really is a…”

"A purse!" Pinkie said, her tongue large and polka dotted.

“A purse? How could it be a purse?” Spike asked.

"Curse." Bandit corrected Spike, which was usually Chad's thing. Chad zipped into the room at that moment.

“Pinkie! What happened?” Twilight asked her.

“Pee pah pah pfurse pah! Pee pah pah pfurse pah pah!” Pinkie Pie tried to say as she was spitting. Spike was standing in the spits path.

“Hey, say it, don’t spray it, Pinkie!” He said.

"She said, 'It was Zecora, she put a curse on me'." Chad translated. Pinkie nodded to confirm. Then the group heard thuds outside. They turned and saw Rainbow dash flying into the window.

"“She’s…trying to say…ow! Zecora…oh. She slapped us all." Rainbow tries to say.

"Chad already translated Pinkie, you don't have to say anything." Bandit said as Rainbow dash crashed throughout the door, and into him. Again, he didn't even move. "Zecora has to be behind this."

“I’m afraid I have to agree.” Rarity was heard saying. They turned around and saw that Rarity’s mane and fur were all frizzled up and soggy, covering up her body and face.

“I hate to say I told you so, you two, but I told you so!” A squeaky voice said from the back of Apple Bloom. Everyone looked and saw that Applejack was much much smaller and on the back of Apple Bloom. Bandit, Chad and Spike were trying very hard not to laugh. “It’s a curse, I tells ya!” She said.

Lightning Sprint and Fluttershy were standing together and looked pretty much fine, however LS had a bed sheet wrapped around her.

"But Fluttershy and Lightning Sprint seem fine." Twilight pointed out.

“Yes. There doesn’t seem to be a thing wrong with them.” Rarity added.

"So, no one notices the bedsheet?" Chad asked. 

"Are you both okay? Are you hurt?" Twilight asked.

"We're fine." Lightning Sprint answered.

"Then why are you all covered up Lights?" Applejack asked. Lightning Sprint let out a defeated sigh.

"You uh..... might wanna shield your eyes." Lightning Sprint said. Bandit and Chad did exactly that. She briefly opened up the bed sheet and a bright light shone from her. It seemed like her fur was extremely bright.

"Gah! Turn it off! Turn it off!" Rainbow exclaimed.

"It's so bright!!" Applejack exclaimed. 

"My eyes!" Rarity, ironically, said.

"I told you!" Lightning Sprint said as she wrapped herself back up.

"She's been like that all morning." Fluttershy said in a very masculine voice.

The others all stared at her in disbelief. 

"I was like that when I first heard her talk too." Lightning Sprint said before seeing Rainbow Dash and Spike smirking at her. "Either of you try and swaddle me and I swear to Celestia-"

Bandit broke down laughing. Chad followed suit. Spike also burst out laughing. "This is hilarious!"

"Look at all of you! We got hair-ity, Rainbow Crash, Spitty Pie, Apple-tini, Flutterguy, Lightning Glint and this one's my favorite. TWILIMP FLOPPLE!" Bandit fell down laughing, Spike heard Twilight's name and dropped on his back laughing.

“Ah-ha-ha-ha.” Twilight said sarcastically. “This is no joke, Bandit. Now, start looking for more books so I can find a cure.” She told him. Spike was holding his laughter as Twilight’s horn was wobbling.

"I'm not done laughing." Bandit said, as he was still laughing. Although he still helped Rainbow dash to her hooves.

“I think we’ll find a cure to this curse at Zecora’s place!” Rainbow Dash said while flying unbalanced.

“It’s not a curse!” Twilight told her before Rainbow Dash flew into the shelf.

“I agree with Dash. We’ll go to Zecora’s and force her to remove this hex.” Applejack proclaimed.

“It’s not a hex either!” Twilight yelled. 

"Guys, I think I know what-" Bandit started to say before everyone began to argue over one another. Apple Bloom looked at Chad. Chad made the head gesture to follow him and started to head out to the Everfree forest. 

"Where do they think they're going this time?" Applejack said, too high to be heard over the shouting. She hopped towards them and dove into Apple Bloom's tail. Meanwhile, the group was still arguing.

"I'm sorry but I can't agree with you. It's time to pony up and confront Zecora. Come on girls!" Rainbow Dash said.

"So, none of you are aware that Chad, Apple Bloom and myself are unaffected?" Bandit pointed out.

"Well look at you? Do you think anypony would try to hit you with a curse?" Rarity asked. 

"I'm pretty sure I'd be the 1st creature someone would aim at if they're throwing around curses." Bandit said, very unamused. "Look, Zecora said Something along the lines of beware, leaves of blue not a joke. Considering myself, Chad, and Apple Bloom were the only ones not standing in that batch I would say those flowers had something to do with it."

"Zecora could've been the one to plant those flowers there. She knew about them, so obviously she knows the cure for them. What do you think Applejack?" Rainbow dash asked before realizing Applejack was nowhere to be seen. Everyone looked towards the location Applejack was in last.

"Pf-she's gone-pft!" Pinkie said.

“Aah! Somepony stepped on her!” Rarity exclaimed as she checked her back hoof. Bandit checked all his hooves, making sure he of all creatures didn't step on her.

“Or sat on her.” Twilight added. All mares checked their flanks. Bandit was too busy averting his eyes to do so.

“Rarity’s hair!” Rainbow Dash suggested.

Pinkie Pie began searching through Rarity’s hair. “Oh! Oh! Pinkie, what are you doing?” Rarity gasped. “Really, ow! Ever hear of personal space?!”

“Nope.” Pinkie Pie replied, shaking her head.

“Apple Bloom and Chad are gone too!” Twilight exclaimed.

“I bet they went after Zecora.” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“Well, we’d better go find them.” Bandit said as he began walking out. “Come on everyone. Let’s go.”

Rarity tried to move, but was stopped because Pinkie Pie was stepping on her hair. “Oh, dear. Oh, this is so unseemly. Aah!” 

Pinkie Finally realized that she was the one stepping on her hair and decided to let go. She began following as soon as she was free.

“Hey, a little help here?” Rainbow Dash asked, flying upside down on the floor.

Bandit ran back in, picked her up by the scruff and began to run back out. 





Meanwhile, Chad and Apple Bloom had gotten back to the Everfree forest before hearing Applejack. 

"Stop right there!" Applejack said, making both of them slide to a stop. Both of them looked in Apple Bloom's mane and saw Applejack.

"You two turn around right now ya hear!?"

Apple Bloom smirked at Chad before answering. "No."

"No?! You can't ignore a direct order from your big sister!"

"Sorry Applejack but I'm the big sister now." Apple Bloom said, picking AJ up and putting her on a branch.

"And also, Bandit told you not to talk to me like that." Chad added before walking away. Apple Bloom stuck her tongue out at her.

"Apple Bloom, you come back here right this instant! I'm gonna tell Big Macintosh on you!" They both kept walking. "Aw, pony feathers."





The group galloped into the forest as quick as possible.

“Come on, everypony. We’ve got to get to Zecora’s.” Twilight announced.

Unfortunately, Rarity tripped on her loose strands of hair. “Easier said than done.” She said, after she got some leaves and dirt in her hair. Bandit continued running with Rainbow dash still being held by her scruff. He then saw Applejack on the tree branch and slid to a stop. He put Rainbow dash down and looked at Applejack. Bandit got to her and smirked.

"What's the matter champ, did you get lost on the field trip?" He teased.

"Very funny." She said before hopping on Rainbow dash, making a makeshift halter from a stick and vine, and placed it on Rainbow Dash’s muzzle. “I need to get to Zecora’s pronto! Giddy up pony!” She said as she got onto Rainbow Dash.

“Excuse me?!” Rainbow Dash said irritated.

“Yee haw!” Applejack yelled before she kicked Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash instantly started flying after that. “What the…” Bandit watched as she flew backwards. He groaned and ran back towards his friends.

“No, Rainbow Dash! Other Way!” Applejack exclaimed, making Rainbow dash steer towards the hut. But the fact that she was crashing every 5 seconds very much delayed their time. Bandit followed the scent of the others in front of him.





The group all arrived at the hut except for Applejack and Rainbow dash for obvious reasons.

“Oh! I look horrible!” Rarity exclaimed, having leaves, twigs, and mud in her hair.

Pinkie Pie lifted Rarity’s hair to see Zecora’s hut. “Plis place plooks horrible!”

“Oh, my. That place really does look horrible.” Rarity said.

"Actually, this place doesn't look all that bad." Lightning Sprint said as she observed it. "Could use a few more windows though, maybe a skylight."

The group got to the window and looked inside. There were many tribal masks and a large cauldron in the room.

“Nice decorations; if you like creepy!” Rarity said, looking at the decorations.

Zecora walked in, carrying a bowl. They group quickly hid so Zecora wouldn’t see them. She poured what looked like purple beads in the and started chanting in her native language, all while Chad began to stir.

“Pfhe whole my psung! She split mm mm!” Pinkie Pie spat angrily.

“She stole your song?” Rarity asked.

“Oh, Pinkie. It doesn’t sound anything like your song.” Twilight responded.

Pinkie Pie nodded in anger at her before looking over at Fluttershy. She ran over to Fluttershy and begged her. Even going so far as using the puppy dog eyes on her.

Fluttershy let out a sigh of annoyance.

"She's an evil enchantress
And she does evil dances
And if you look deep in her eyes
She will put you in trances
Then what would she do?
She'll mix up an evil brew
Then she'll gobble you upIn a big tasty stew
Soooo... Watch out." 

"Pinkie. Continue to hum the song about me and the song about Zecora until you find the irony. You're not allowed to say anything else until you find out why." Bandit said.

"But-" Pinkie began

"Ah ah!" Bandit said. "None of the sass." 

Pinkie pouted, blew a raspberry at him, but hummed the songs.

"You saw those terrible things. Now do you believe us Bandit?" Rarity asked.

"N-O-P-E. Nope." Bandit answered. "Chad is in there helping her with the cauldron literally as we speak. If she was as dangerous as you guys say she is, he wouldn't be standing there."

"Yeah, well...what if she's making him prepare to throw himself in the stew?" Rarity asked.

"He's young. Not stupid." Bandit responded.

"Mmm! The perfect temperature for ponies, I presume. Now, where is that little Apple Bloom?" Zecora asked, looking around. The group gasped.

"Or maybe she's making Chad turn Apple Bloom into soup!" Rarity said. Bandit was about to object, but everyone began to scream. Making him cover his ears as the loud scream began to disorient him. Twilight ran over to help with his ears.

Chad's ears twitched as he turned to the door. His shell then shook.

"Hit the deck!" Chad told Zecora. He dove down and covered his head. Zecora did the same right as Rainbow Dash crashed through the door. Rainbow Dash was crashing into almost everything. Zecora was speaking in her native tongue as she quickly grabbed Chad to protect him.

However, in doing so, it made her look like she was trying to keep him away from the others. A gesture even Twilight fell for.

"Hey! Let him go right now!" Rarity exclaimed to her. Chad was trying to say something, but her protection ended up covering his mouth. Which made it look like she was trying to foalnap him even more. In turn, Applejack lassoed her ear and began to wrestle it. Twilight ran in right as Rainbow dash  knocked over the cauldron.

"Put! Him! Down!" Twilight said. Zecora put Chad down and placed him behind her to protect him.

“We’re onto you, Zacora. I didn’t want to believe that you cursed us, but the evidence is overwhelming.” Twilight told her.

“You made me look ridiculous.” Rarity accused.

“You made me sound ridiculous!” Fluttershy accused.  There was a brief silence as Pinkie was still humming both of the songs to herself.

"You made Pinkie speak ridiculous!" Lightning said for her.

“You ruined my horn!” Twilight accused.

“How dare you! You destroy my home, destroy my work, then rudely accuse me of being a jerk?!” Zecora defended in anger.

“You put this curse on us, now you’re gonna un-curse us!” Rainbow Dash demanded. 

"It is unwise to venture down this road. Your actions will make my anger explode!" Zecora said. Twilight stepped forward and was head to head with Zecora, both pushing against each other.

"Now step away from Chad and tell us what you did to Apple Bloom." Twilight said aggressively. 

Chad got between them both.

"She didn't do any of that." Chad defended before Apple Bloom walked in.

“Zecora, I think I found all the things you asked for.” Apple Bloom was heard saying as she came in the front door and noticed the situation. “What in Ponyville is going on here?” She asked.

Applejack gasped. “Apple Bloom! You’re okay!” She exclaimed, still holding onto Zecora’s ear.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Apple Bloom asked smiling.

“Because Zecora is an evil enchantress who cursed us and was gonna cook you up into soup.” Twilight said after she grabbed Chad and jumped in front of Apple Bloom.

Chad, Apple Bloom and Zecora all started laughing at the ridiculous accusation.

“Oh, Twilight. Did those silly fillies get in your head? You know there’s no such thing as a curse.” Apple Bloom said.

"Oh no, there is Apple Bloom. This just isn't one." Chad said.

“Apple Bloom, sweetie. You can’t just stand there and tell me this isn’t a curse.” Twilight said, gesturing to our changes.

"Then I'll tell you. This isn’t a curse.” Chad said as he wriggled out of Twilight's protective grip.

"Remember when she said the whole, Leaves of Blue are not a joke schtick that all of you assumed was a curse, but then I pointed out how it had something to do with a batch of flowers and you guys still dismissed it? Guess what?" Bandit started.

"You were right?" Twilight asked in an annoyed tone.

"I was right." Bandit said with a smirk.

"He was right." Chad and Apple Bloom said.

"That plant was called Poison joke." Chad further explained. 

“That plant is much like poison oak, but its results are like a joke.” Zecora added.

“What in the hay does that mean?” Applejack asked, still standing on Zecora’s head.

“It means this plant does not breed wrath. Instead, this plant just wants a laugh.” Zecora tried to explain.

Applejack paused for a moment, trying to understand what Zecora just said. “Will somepony please talk normal?” She said.

“I think what she’s saying is that when we ran in to save Apple Bloom, we ran into the poison joke. All our problems are just little jokes it played on us.” Twilight responded.

“Little joke?! Very funny.” Applejack said sarcastically.

“Okay. Fine. But what about the cauldron?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“And the Chanting?” Fluttershy asked.

“And the creepy decor?” Rarity asked.

“Treasures of the native land where I am from.” Zecora said as she looked over at a couple of masks leaning against the wall. “This one speaks hello, and this welcome.” 

"Hey, I remember this one." Bandit said as he pointed to the one that represented welcome. "One of the Zebra's I roomed with had this on his wall. What was his name? Zane, Zeb, Zen- ZEN! Zen, That was his name. We were best friends for like the entire 3 days I was there."

“Not welcome at all, if you ask me.” Rarity said, looking at another tribal mask.

“The words I chanted were from olden times. Something you call a nursery rhyme.” Zecora explained.

“But the cauldron, the Apple Bloom soup?” Twilight questioned.

“Looky here, Twilight, that pot of water wasn’t for me. It was for all of these herbal ingredients. The cure for poison joke is a simple old natural remedy.” Apple Bloom explained as Twilight walked over to the book Apple Bloom gestured to. “You just got to take a bubble bath.” Apple Bloom finished as she picked Applejack up with her hoof.

“But I tried to find a cure in all my books and couldn’t find anything. What book has this natural remedy?” Twilight asked.

"In this book Twi." Chad said as she showed the exact book she shunned when Spike gave it to her. "We have this book in the library don't we?"

Twilight realized this and looked disappointed. “We do. But I didn’t look inside because the title was so…weird.” Zecora opened the book again, showing Twilight a page. “Supernaturals: Natural remedies and cure-alls that are simply super.” Twilight read out loud. “I…I… I’m so sorry, Zecora. I had the answer the whole time, if only I’d bothered to look inside.” Twilight admitted.

"So you mean to tell me this entire thing would have been prevented had you guys not judged the book by its cover?" Chad asked in the most condescending, monotonous tone.

Zecora laughed. “Maybe next time you will take a second look and not judge the cover of the book.” Zecora told them, making them feel disappointed for their behavior.

"Zecora, would you be kind enough to mix up another batch of the herbal bath?" Bandit asked her.

“Mix it up, I certainly will. Yes I am missing an herb from Ponyville.” Zecora said.

“But whenever Zecora comes to town, all the shops are mysteriously closed.” Apple Bloom explained. 

"We can fix that I'm sure." Bandit said with a smirk and a nudge.





The mane 8 plus Chad and Apple Bloom walked back into town. They ponies in town saw her and began to panic.

"Look Rose! How awful!" Daisy exclaimed.

"The wicked enchantress has cursed them all." Roseluck exclaimed.

"The horror, the horror!" Lily exclaimed as she started running. Other ponies began running and panicking as well.

"Run, ponies! Run!" Daisy exclaimed.

Twilight walked up to the flower shop and knocked on the door. The door opened up slightly showing Daisy, one of the owners.

“Daisy, we need to talk.” Twilight said.





In the Ponyville Spa, Rarity and Fluttershy were sitting in, relaxed. Twilight dunked her head under the water and came back up. Her horn back to normal as Pinkie cannonballed into the water. Apple Bloom, Chad and Zecora poured the herbs into the water.

"Dear Princess Celestia,
My friends and I all learned an important lesson this week: Never judge a book by its cover. Someone may look unusual, or funny, or scary. But you have to look past that and learn who they are inside. Real friends don't care what your "cover" is; it's the "contents" of a pony creature that count. And a good friend, like a good book, is something that will last forever. Your son Bandit is a walking example of that.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle." Twilight said as she wrote the letter.

“Miss Zecora, I would love to get the recipe for this bath. It’s simply luxurious.” Lotus requested.

“Applejack! Hey! Where’s Applejack?!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. Everyone began to look for her in a panic.

"Over here." Bandit said as he helped her out of the cup.

"I ain’t tiny no more.” Applejack announced with a smile. 

“Oh! I have never felt so lovely in all my life.” Rarity said. Pinkie hopped out and landed next to Bandit.

"Bandit, I found the irony in those songs! Pinkie started. "The song that I made about you was all about how we shouldn't judge you based on how you look because deep down you're really a nice stallion with a heart of gold. Meanwhile the song I made about Zecora was literally just me judging her based on how she looked without getting to know you."

"You hit the nail right on the head." Bandit said as he ruffled her mane.

"I also never realized how horrible it is not to be able to talk. I mean, I love talking so much, and when I couldn't talk anymore, my tongue was all 'ehhhh'! It was the worst! Don't you agree, Fluttershy?" Pinkie asked. There was a small pause before a quiet answer.

".... Yes." She answered. The group laughed.
> Swarm of the Century
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a bright, sunny day in Equestria with the birds and butterflies flying around peacefully. Fluttershy was out picking some flowers from the batches, of yellow and blue variations.

"La, la la, la la, la la, la la." She sang. As she trotted over to another batch, a squirrel ran over with a dandelion in its mouth. It got to her and tugged at her tail. She turned it around.

"Thank you little squirrel, but remember: these flowers are for Princess Celestia. Only the prettiest ones will do." She told the squirrel. The petals of the dandelion began to fly away in the wind, the squirrel places it back behind its back before scurrying away to find better flowers. Fluttershy continued trotting along as she looked for more flowers.

"La, la la, la la, la la, la la." Fluttershy sang. She then heard a chirp come from a rock, Which startled her into hiding behind a basket. She peeked back out and a small round, blue creature, with insect like wings and four legs came out and showed itself. It opened its eyes and revealed two large green ones.

"Hello, little guy. I've never seen anything like you before." Fluttershy said as she got close to it.

The small creature fluttered over to one of the apples that was not in the basket. Sniffing it and letting out a little whimper.

"Are you hungry?" She asked it. She walked over to the Apple, stood on it and crushed it before pushing it over to the creature.

"Here you go." She offered. The creature flew over the Apple and then started to eat the entire batch of apples that was right next to the singular one. It flew back over to Fluttershy.

"I guess you were hungry." She said as she smiled at the creature. The creature then nuzzled into her mane. Purring happily.

"You're the one of cutest things ever! I can't wait to show you to my friends." Fluttershy said as she began trotting off to town.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





In the library, Bandit and Chad were just finished cleaning their own rooms as they looked at the books sprawled on the floor.

"Oh! Hurry up, Spike! This place isn't gonna clean itself." Twilight said.

"It also didn't mess itself up." Spike said as he picked up a stack of books. As Twilight was dusting off every surface she saw.

"Twily, you don't have to be so worried. Mom is just visiting her sons." Chad reassured.

"I'm gonna pulverize that loudmouth who let the whole town know she was coming." Bandit said, who was actually the mail pony Care Package, who was outside his door as he said that. Care Package slowly backed away from the door after leaving the mail.

"This isn't just a visit. There is nothing casual about a visit from royalty." Twilight said.

"Twi. She is visiting her sons." Bandit emphasized.

"I want this place to be spotless, and you guys barely made a dent in the clutter." Twilight said.

"Speak for yourself. I cleaned every room until it looked better then when we moved in. Except for this one right here would you have a habit of not reading 1 book at a time. At least if you're gonna do that, have it neatly stacked." Bandit said. Twilight groaned and kept cleaning. Chad's shell shook and he quickly positioned himself for Spike to fall on his back, in front of the ladder.

Spike promptly landed on his back "Thanks." Twilight got over to them all.

“Everything’s got to be perfect. No time for fooling around!” She emphasized.

"Twilight this isn't- oh forget it. I'm gonna go check on the preparations." Bandit said as he walked out.

"I'll come with you." Twilight said as she gave the duster to Spike. The two began walking out. Chad and Spike looked at each other.

"Bet I can clean faster than you." Chad said.

"You're on." Spike said as he started to dust faster. Chad started cleaning up the books.





The two got to the park and so far the decorations looked spectacular. The trees were decorated with bells and ribbons. Twilight seemed satisfied with how everyone is doing with the decorations. Bandit was just annoyed as he deemed all this unnecessary. A pair of female ponies lifted two poles with a cloth between the top of the two.

"Welcome Princess Celest?" Bandit asked as he started to snicker.

“What happened to the rest of her name?” Twilight asked them.

“We couldn’t fit it all in.” One of them said. Bandit had to double take at this one.

"Wait, didn't I see you with Derpy in town?" Bandit asked her. Before she could answer, Twilight spoke up again.

"You can’t hang a banner that says ‘Welcome, Princess Celest.' Take it down, and try again.” Twilight told them before she ran off to check on the other preparations with Bandit following her. She stopped near Bon Bon, who was watering the plants.

“That looks perfect. Keep up the good work.” Twilight complemented Bon Bon before running off. Bandit leaned in to whisper to Bon Bon.

"Psst, Celestia's second favorite flowers are yellow tulips." He whispered. He was about to walk away. But Bon Bon called back in a panic.

"Wait wait! Then what are her favorites!?" She exclaimed.

"Oh no. That is a secret that only I, and as of recently Luna, will ever know. No exceptions." Bandit said as he walked off.

"But-" 

"No exceptions!" He said as he continued walking. Bon bon started giving the yellow tulips extra care.





Bandit ran and caught up with Twilight at Sugar cube corner. Inside, Mr. And Mrs. Cake were still making and baking treats. Most of the treats made already had bites out of them.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Cake. How’s the banquet coming?” Twilight asked them. Bandit peeked in over her.

“Uh, it would be coming a little better i-if…” Mrs. Cake looked at the deserts, which all looked like somepony took a bite off of each one. Their eyes settled on a pink cake with a yellow crown on it. Said cake was gobbled by Pinkie who wore the crown now. After eating the cake, she had a frosting beard, which she ended up licking off.

“Pinkie! What are you doing?! Those sweets are supposed to be for the Princess!” Twilight told Pinkie.

“I-I know. That’s why I’m tasting them. Company needs to make sure that everything is tasty enough to touch the royal tongue." Pinkie started, touching her tongue as she said that. "And I, Pinkie Pie, declare that these treats are fit for a king. Or a Queen. Or a Princess!” Pinkie exclaimed before she ran over to another cake.

"Are you sure you were taste testing? Because this looks like you attended the Sin of Gluttony's school of feasting." Bandit pointed out.

"Bandit, Twilight, Pinkie! You won’t believe-!” Fluttershy started as she ran in, she then slid to a stop and looked at them. They turned to the front door to see her come in. “Oh, I’m sorry. Uh, am I interrupting?” She asked.

“No, not at all. Come on in and make yourself at home.” Pinkie Pie replied before she opened her mouth to eat the cake. Without looking, Bandit moved the cake out of reach, as Pinkie kept going after it, he kept moving it.

"What's going on Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.

“You won’t believe what I found at the edge of the Everfree Forest.” Fluttershy told them before she looked at her mane. “Come on out, little guy. It’s okay.” She said. The cute blue bug popped out of Fluttershy’s mane and flew on her back. Two more of the same creature flew out as well. One of them was yellow while the other was brown. “Three.” Fluttershy gasped.

Bandit doubletaked at them and dropped the cake, directly into Pinkie's mouth, slowly beginning to drool.

Fluttershy didn't see Bandit's action and smiled. "Hold on. There was only-"

They all screamed and hid back in Fluttershy's mane.

"What's wrong? Was it something I said?" Fluttershy asked.

"Fluttershy, Do you know what those things are?" Bandit asked.

"N-Not really. Do you?" Fluttershy asked, slightly nervous. 

"I do. These creatures are very well below me in the food chain if you get my drift." Bandit said as he licked his lips. Fluttershy quickly put it all together and gasped, protecting them.

"What?" Bandit asked.

"You're not going to try and-" she began.

"I’ll take one of your hooves. I’ve never seen anything so adorable since Chad and Spike were babies.” Twilight offered. The bugs didn't move until Bandit got out of sight. One came out and landed on Twilight's hooves. "Besides, it’ll be nice to have a companion for Spike and Chad so they won’t bother me so much while I’m studying."

"Chad, Klaw or Fang will de-" Bandit was gonna say before Twilight shoved a hoof in his mouth.

“Pinkie, do you want the other one?” Fluttershy asked her.

Pinkie Pie stuck her tongue out in disgust. “Ugh! A parasprite?! Are you kidding?!” She said before she walked past them.

"Ugh?” Fluttershy said in confusion.

“A para-what?” Twilight asked confused.

“How could you not like…” Fluttershy said before Pinkie spoke up.

“Ugh! Now I gotta go find a trombone!” Pinkie Pie told us. None of them knew what she meant.

“A what?” Twilight asked.

“A trombone. You know.” Pinkie said before she imitated playing the trombone and left.

“Typical Pinkie.” Twilight said, rolling her eyes. The bug with Twilight flew next to her head. Bandit crept up on it before it noticed. It flew back into her mane and Twilight looked at Bandit unamused.





Meanwhile, Rarity was dressing up Lightning Sprint in the boutique, Who kept moving her hooves.

"Stand still, Lightning Sprint." Rarity scolded.

"Rarity. I can't!" She began to fly, but Rarity held her tail. "I neeeeeeed to fly and be up in the air. This is waaaay too boring." Lightning Sprint complained.

"Do you want to look nice for Princess Celestia or not?" Rarity asked.

"Again. Not that kind of visit." Bandit said from the door. He and Twilight had walked in.

Lightning Sprint began blushing out of embarrassment upon seeing Bandit and Twilight. "Could this day get any more embarrassing?"

"Yes. Yes it can." Rainbow dash said as she flew in and took pictures. 

"Wait! Dash don't!" She tried shielding her face. She kept taking the pictures, Bandit grabbed the camera and smashed it against the wall.

"Hey!" Rainbow dash exclaimed.

"Note to self. When Rarity offers you cookies, say no." Lightning Sprint muttered.

"You fell for that?" Bandit and Rainbow dash asked.

"What? I can never resist them!" She revealed.

"Note to self, Lightning Sprint can be easily swayed by cookies." Bandit smirked.

"Hey! You can't-" Lightning tried to say, Bandit offered a chocolate chip cookie. She gasped and looked at it, her tail beginning to wag. 

"Want a cookie?" Bandit asked her. She nodded, completely fixated on it, her tail wagging faster. Bandit tossed it to her and Lightning Sprint sprang on it like a puppy would a chew toy.

"Oh I am so gonna remember this." Rainbow dash said with a snicker.

“Wow! Rarity, those outfits are gorgeous.” Twilight said, admiring the clothes Rarity made. Lightning Sprint and Rainbow dash did not show the same thought. One more so than the other.

Rarity giggled. "Thank you, Twilight. Nice to know someone appreciates my talents.” Rarity said smiling.

Lightning Sprint brought her hooves to her eyes and groans. “So boring!” She complained.

Just then, the critter is Twilight’s mane chortled, getting all attention.

“Huh?” Rarity said walking up to Twilight.

“What’s that sound, Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked, flying behind Twilight.

"Your mane makes noise now?" Lightning Sprint asked as she flew in front of Twilight.

The insect popped out of Twilight’s mane. except it was pink. It flew out of Twilight’s mane, revealing three other insects with it. Blue, the original yellow one, pink and green.

“Wow! What are they?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“The better question is, where did they come from? I only had one a minute ago.” Twilight said, a little concerned.

“I-I’ll take one!” Rainbow Dash said, grabbing one and smiling.

“Me too! Oh, they’re perfect!” Rarity said, admiring how cute they were.  Bandit was eyeing the green one, which quickly flew to Lightning Sprint for protection.

"I uh… guess I'll get one too." Lightning said.

"I should probably warn all of you that-" Bandit tried to say before Pinkie walked in.

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie came through the door. “Does Anypony know where I can find an accordion?!” She asked, but everypony else was too busy with their own cute bugs.

"The music shop. Should be the 5th building to the left of the jewelry shop." Bandit said.

"Thank you!" Pinkie said before running off. 





At night, Bandit and Twilight were getting ready to head to sleep, while also admiring The clean up work that Spike and Chad managed to do. The parasprite was sleeping next to Spike, with his bed next to Twilight's for once so not to be spooked by Chad.  Bandit went to sleep as fast as he could, so as not to be on the end of Twilight's worrying. Twilight was still just awake and a bit worried.

"Oh, the decorations, the banquet. I really hope everything comes together in time for tomorrow.” Twilight said, looking out the window. She then looked at Spike, the parasprite, Bandit and smiled, letting out a yawn.

“What’s there to worry about?” Twilight said before heading to bed. Bandit woke up facehoofed and went back to sleep.





The next morning, growling, hissing and flapping wings were the first things heard. When Twilight woke up, she found herself surrounded by sleeping parasprites. Spike was suffering the same thing. 

"Spike!" She exclaimed as she toppled out of the bed. She zipped over to spike, who was still sleeping. "Wake up! What happened!?" 

He woke up, And found himself currently unable to open his eyes due to the Parasprites being in them. He yelled, and took them out, now noticing the chaos that was before them. "What's going on?" 

"Where did they come from?" Twilight asked.

“I don’t know. The little guy got hungry in the night. So I gave him a snack, but I have no idea where these others came from.” Spike said.

Suddenly parasprites started messing up Twilight’s room. They were pulling the books off of the shelves. “Oh, no! They’re messing up all mine and Chad's hard work!” Spike exclaimed.

“The Princess will be here in a few hours!” Twilight said.

Spike tried to grab a parasprite carrying a letter, but he missed. Twilight grabbed a duster with her magic and got them to drop the objects the parasprites were carrying.

"Spike! Go get Bandit and Chad, hurry!" Twilight said. Spike ran downstairs and upstairs and slid to a stop as he saw that the downstairs was completely untouched.

"Whoa... What happened to all the Parasprites?" Spike asked. Chad let out a burp.

"There you go." Chad answered. Spike coughed a little.

"Augh, they did a number on your breath." Spike said as he plugged his nose. Chad smirked and got in his face.

"Hhhhhhhhhuh? Hhhhhow did you say my breath was?" Chad asked as he chased him around. Twilight grabbed them both in her magic, having come downstairs.

They both groaned.

"We know. We know. 'Stop fooling around'." Chad and Spike said at the same time.





Meanwhile in the Cloudominium, Rainbow Dash was resting peacefully before soon waking up. As she did, she saw a parasprite looking at her. She smiled in turn, but the smile turned to confusion when another one popped up. And then another one. She lifted her head and saw that she was surrounded by parasprites.

"Huh?" She asked as she was soon cuddled by the parasprites. She swatted them back, but they came right back to her.

"Aaaaaah!" She exclaimed as she flew upwards, swatting the bugs away before flying to get away from her. She flew a couple of feet and turned back to swat her hooves to keep the parasprites at bay. They stuck to her hooves.

"Get off me!" She exclaimed as she shook them off. This worked, but they got right back onto her head. She swatted them off her head. They reattached to her body, one upper body, the other below body. She swatted them away again, But they attached themselves to below her mouth, making it look like a beard. This time when she tried to shake them off, they didn't move. 

"Aaaaah!" She exclaimed as she started to fly away. The parasprites not attached to her flew after her.





Inside of Rarity's boutique, the parasprites were helping her with the outfits and was unbothered by the numbers. Two parasprites were holding a fabric sheet up in front of her.

"Not only are you adorable, but you're also quite useful." Rarity said as she rubbed under a yellow one's chin. The yellow one purred before seemingly starting to gag, worrying Rarity. 

"Oh! Are you okay?" Rarity asked. Then out came something squishy, brown, and messy, colliding with Rarity's eye. "Aah!" She exclaimed. 

She gasped before pulling it off. "Eww!" The results of what could have been assumed as the parasprite's lunch soon revealed itself to be a parasprite. Rarity shrieked and swatted it away.

"Gross gross gross! No creature that behaves so revoltingly is allowed in my boutique." She scolded. Seconds after she said that, the Brown one ended up hacking out a lavender one. With one final shriek, that was the last straw with Rarity.





As Rarity Began walking out of her Boutique with a bag full of Parasprites, Pinkie pie bounced over to her.

"Look Rarity, Applejack loaned me a harmonica." She said before playing a tune on it. "Isn't that great?" A parasprite chirped in Rarity's bag, before she closed it again. Pinkie let out a gasp.

"And not a moment too soon." She said. Rarity took a step back.

"Ugh, Pinkie, I'm a little busy right now." Rarity dismissed.

"And I'm not? You know how many more instruments I've gotta find? A lot, that's how many. Now if we split the list between us, we might just make it in time." Pinkie said, wrapping a hoof around her. Rarity moved away from her.

"Please, Pinkie, I don't have time for some silly scavenger hunt. I've got a real problem." Rarity said as she started walking off.

"You've got a real problem, all right. And a banjo is the only answer!" Pinkie exclaimed before running off. Rarity rolled her eyes.





Twilight was running towards Fluttershy's cottage as Bandit ran behind her, ready to devour any parasprites that came out of that bad. She slid to a stop as she saw Rarity arrive at the same stop. She noticed her bag shaking.

"I see we're having the same problem." Rarity remarked.

"Ditto!" Rainbow Dash screamed, flying past with the Parasprites on her tail. She shook the ones off her face and kept flying off. Lightning looked around before climbing out of her tree. She was lucky enough to avoid the parasprites line of sight.

"Fluttershy knows everything about animals." said Twilight Sparkle, "I'm sure she can tell us how to stop them from multiplying." 

"Let's hurry!" Lightning Sprint

They all ran along the path until they reached Fluttershy's cottage, but  before they could even open the door, a flood of Parasprites came out, nearly knocking them over. They quickly moved out of the way. "…or not."

The parasprites flew in a wide circle to avoid Bandit.





Inside the house, Twilight, Bandit, Rarity, Lightning, and Rainbow, stared in horror at the sight of the multiple Parasprites that were flying around the interior and Fluttershy was trying to stop them without any real luck.

"Ugh, do something Fluttershy, can't you control them?" Twilight Sparkle asked.

"I've tried everything I know." Fluttershy confessed, ducking as one of the Parasprites flew past with her frying pan. "I've tried begging, and pleading, and beseeching, and asking politely and…" she trailed off and shrugged.

Rainbow dash let out a grunt before Twilight's imagination began to give her the worst case scenario.

She imagined Celestia arriving, only to be carried away by the quantity of Parasprites, screaming.

"If we can't get them under control before the princess arrives, it'll be a total disaster," she moaned.

Rarity cringed when one of the Parasprites hacked up gunk that turned into a new Parasprite. "Ew! If you ask me, it's already a total disaster."

Just then, Applejack arrived with a cart filled with apples. "Here's all those apples you wanted, Fluttershy, but I still can't figure why'd ya need so many." she remarked, yelping when the Parasprites suddenly consumed the apples. "Hey!"

"What do we do?" Fluttershy wondered fearfully.

Bandit lifted his hoof for a suggestion before Twilight got an idea. "I got it! Nopony can herd like Applejack….well, except Bandit but-"

"We get it." Rainbow dash interrupted. "We can drive 'em back into the forest."

Applejack unhooked herself from the wagon and scoffed. "I'll rastle 'em up, but I need everypony's help to do it." She told them. "Twilight, you, and Rarity wait over there. I'll herd the little critters straight at ya like a funnel. Bandit, you, Lightning Sprint,  Rainbow  dash and Fluttershy stay on top of 'em, don't let 'em fly away."

"None will get past us." Bandit said as he flew upwards.

"Yeeeeeee-haw!" Applejack called out and she began herding the Parasprites, which were screeching as she and her friends herded them all into a large ball, and then they started rolling the ball down the path toward the Everfree Forest. 

"Alright y'all, here goes nothin'. Look out Rarity, that one's fixin' to get away." She warned when one tried to sneak out, but Rarity managed to stop it.

"Keep a lead on 'em, Lightning Sprint!" she called out as another one tried to fly away. Before Lightning could do anything, Bandit swallowed that one.

"I will never get used to you doing that." Rainbow dash said.

"Probably best if we don't." Lightning  Sprint said with a shrug. 

Twilight, in front of the parasprite ball, was surprised when she was joined by Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie!"

"Twilight, we don't have much time," Pinkie Pie announced.

"You're telling me," Twilight Sparkle agreed. "The princess could arrive at any moment."

Pinkie Pie nodded. "Exactly. That's why I need you girls and guy to drop what you're doing and help me find some maracas."

"Maracas?" Twilight Sparkle repeated. "Pinkie, we've got much bigger problems than-" Twilight started, but Bandit spoke up.

"Check with Chad, he has some maracas you can borrow. Keyword borrow." Bandit said as he swallowed another stray one.

"Thanks Bandit you're the best! Now I need to find a tuba! Follow me!" Pinkie said as she zipped off. Nobody moved, resulting in her doubling back. "I said follow me." 

"Pinkie Pie, you are so random." Rainbow Dash remarked.

"And you are all so stubborn!" Pinkie Pie snapped.

"Pinkie, find Chad. He'll help you." Bandit told her. Pinkie saluted and ran off.

"Can you not humor her?" Twilight asked.

"She knows what she's doing." Bandit said. 

Applejack shook her head as she kept up the herding. "Forget her ladies. Focus. Head 'em up and move 'em out." And they sent the Parasprite ball rolling into the forest, and out of sight.

"All right!" Rainbow Dash cheered, hitting her hooves with Fluttershy, who winced a little.

"Ouch." Fluttershy said, making Rainbow dash feel bad.

Lightning Sprint hoofbumped Bandit who grabbed her and noogied her mane.

"We did it," Twilight Sparkle said happily. "Nice work, Applejack."

"Couldn't have it without y'all," Applejack agreed.

"You know they're gonna be back right?" Bandit asked.

"How could you be so sure?"

"Parasprites are very persistent. That and I haven't eaten all of them." Bandit answered.

"Let's use this time to get back and clean up the mess they made before the princess arrives." Twilight said.





It wasn't long before they were back at the house and had gone over what they would need to do in order to have everything ready. 

"Okay, everyone knows what to do, right?" Bandit asked. Everyone nodded in response. "Friendly reminder, it doesn't have to be spot less. Just-"

"The princess deserves perfection." Twilight said.

"Twi-" Bandit was interrupted when Fluttershy opened the door to her home, gasping and ducking when millions of Parasprites flooded out.

"Again!? Seriously!?" Lightning Sprint exclaimed. 

Twilight Sparkle ducked to keep from being hit. "Where did they come from?"

"Well, I may have kept just one." Fluttershy confessed, revealing a yellow Parasprite that'd been hiding in her mane. None of the others were happy.

"Heh. I couldn't help myself. They're just so cute." She said. Bandit walked over and ate the one she kept. Fluttershy gasped as a result. 

"Fluttershy, I don't mean to be a jerk. But you brought that on yourself." Bandit told her.

"We don't have time to keep rounding up these things. Bandit won't be able to every single one before the Princess gets here." Twilight Sparkle complained. "What do we do now?"

Rainbow dash and Lightning Sprint flew down with goggles one their heads. 

"We call in the weather patrol." They both said. They took to the skies and looked down at the chaos.

"Ready to take out the adorable trash?" Rainbow dash asked.

"You know it." Lightning Sprint answered. They put their guards on, hoofbumped and flew down. Flying in circles so as to create a massive tornado strong enough to suck in all though parasprites. Bandit used his magic to hold everyone else still.

"Looks like our problems are solved," Applejack commented as the last of the Parasprites were sucked into the tornado.

"They will be with these cymbals." said a trotting Pinkie Pie with a pair of symbols in front of her. cymbals, only to have them get sucked away into the tornado. "Hey! Give me those back!"

Inside the tornado, Rainbow Dash and Lightning  Sprint were getting ready to redirect it toward the Everfree Forest, but then they found themselves being attacked by the flying cymbals. 

"Whoa. Yaa! Yow! Whoa! Wow! I can't hold it!" Lightning yelped before the cymbals ended up knocking her out of the tornado, crashing into a tree. Rainbow  dash was still trying to dodge the cymbals, but the tornado itself launched her out and into the ground. 

"She's breaking up." Rainbow exclaimed as she watched helplessly. The tornado dissolved with the Parasprites flying toward the town in the distance.

The others, with the exception of Bandit looked at Pinkie, very unhappy. 

"Pinkie Pie, what have you done?" Twilight Sparkle asked, alarmed.

"I've lost Chad's pair of cymbals, that's what I've done." Pinkie Pie complained. "You know how mad he's gonna be at me!?"

"Will you forget about your silly instruments for one second?" Twilight Sparkle snapped. "You're ruining our efforts to save Ponyville."

Pinkie Pie stared at Twilight shocked, like she'd grown a second head. "Me? Ruin? I'm not the ruiner, I'm the ruin-ee! Or is it ruiness? Ruinette?" she pondered.

"Ruined." Bandit helped her.

"That's the word!" Pinkie exclaimed. 

"Come on girls, there's no reasoning with that one," Applejack grumbled. "She's a few apples short of a bushel." And they ran off toward Ponyville.

"Hey!" Pinkie Pie shouted after them. "I'm trying to tell you all that the ruining is on the other hoof. If you'd just slow down and listen to me!"

Bandit walked over to her.

"Pinkie. We gotta talk about your ability to communicate." Bandit started. Then Chad walked over.

"Pinkie, I found the tuba you needed." Chad said. Pinkie looked at Bandit, slightly afraid. 

"Don't look at me. I didn't lose his cymbals." Bandit said. Chad's eyes widened.





By the time that the six ponies reached the town, the Parasprites were already consuming everything edible from slices of cakes to the gardens, alarming the ponies, and creating all kinds of chaos in the process.

"What do we do?" Fluttershy wondered, now wishing that she'd never befriended a Parasprite in the first place. "They're eating all the food in town."

Applejack gasped and she ran off toward Sweet Apple Acres. "My apples!"

"We've gotta do something," Twilight Sparkle muttered and got another idea. "I got it! I'll cast a spell to make them stop eating all the food." She then cast the spell, which hit all of the Parasprites and they stopped their eating.

Out by Fluttershy's cottage, Bandit was still explaining to Pinkie, meanwhile, Chad was searching for his cymbals.

"...so you have to tell them why you need to get those-" Bandit started before seeing the spell from where he was sitting. His pupils shrank.

"Oh no." Bandit said. 

"What's wrong?" Pinkie asked.

"Pinkie quick! What other instruments do you need!" Bandit exclaimed. Pinkie gave him the list. He took off to the library and brought out the wagon of dead sticks.





Twilight Sparkle held her breath as one of the Parasprites flew over to an apple and sniffed it, but turned away from it, refusing to eat the fruit, and she sighed with relief. Then the Parasprite suddenly ate the nearby basket instead, spitting out the apple. Soon the rest of the Parasprites were going after everything that wasn't food.

"Hey, it worked," Rainbow Dash said sarcastically. "They're not eating the food anymore." Twilight lowered her head sheepishly. 

"There's a cruel irony about this situation that I'm missing here." Lightning Sprint said. (A/N: Last episode they judge someone based on their appearance, thinking they're bad simply because of how menacing they looked, Here they judged a creature based on how they looked and the exact opposite happened.)

"Oh no… if they get inside my store… Everypony for herself!" Rarity screamed, running off to save the boutique. But it was too late, by the time she reached the boutique, she was alarmed to find that the Parasprites had gotten there first, and they were consuming the clothing and her supplies. "My outfits!" She exclaimed, watching them consume the clothing on the mannequins. She got over to one of the parasprites and tried to swat it away.

"Go on, shoo! Get out of here, you naughty! Naughty!" she shouted, trying to chase it away. This was until the Parasprite coughed up gunk to create a new one, and she jumped on top of a stool, shrieking.

Pinkie Pie ran into the boutique at that very moment. "I'll save you!" She declared.  Instead of helping Rarity, who was happy to see her, she raced over to pick up a recorder, and then ran back out, leaving Rarity to let out a scream.





Over at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack had set up a barricade with the help of Big Mac and Granny Smith, and they were prepared to defend their farm and their apples, armed with a swatter, and a rake. 

"No woodland creature's gonna eat the Apple Family's crop." she declared. The parasprites were seen heading right for them.

"Brace yourselves y'all! Here they come!" She said as she pulled out her own weapon of apple defense.  However, the trio stared in shock when the Parasprites flew by, ignoring the apple trees, and consumed the barn instead. All of them were so shocked that they dropped their defense tools.

"Didn't see that one comin'." Applejack admitted. 





By the time that Twilight Sparkle got back to the library, the Parasprites were already there, attacking the books and scrolls, and poor Spike was hiding under his basket, to protect him from falling books. "Help!

Twilight stared in shock as she watched one parasprite like the words out of a book.

"Chad left for 5 minutes and then this happened!" Spike exclaimed. 

"They're eating the words!" Twilight exclaimed as she watched another one slurp up words like spaghetti. 

She jumped up and caught one by its wings and raced back out. Once again leaving Spike, who peeked out.

"Help.." He whimpered out.





Twilight ran as fast as she could to through Everfree forest, to Zecora's hut.

Inside her hut, Zecora was balancing upside-down on a stick and mediating when the door was slammed open by Twilight Sparkle, and she toppled to the floor with a pained yelp. 

"Ugh. Have you gone mad?" She angrily, getting up.

Twilight Sparkle released the Parasprite so that she could talk. Who glared at her before turning to Zecora. 

"Zecora, these little guys are devouring Ponyville, and the princess is on her way. Can you help us, please?" she asked desperately.

Zecora stared at the red creature as it flew over and landed on her nose. Her ears flopped.

"Oh, monster of so little size. Is that a Parasprite before my eyes?" she inquired, staring at it until it flew off.

"I don't know!" Twilight Sparkle said in a panic. "Is it?"

"Tales of crops and harvests consumed."  Zecora started, recalling what she knew of the creatures as the red parasprite reproduced a pink version. "If these creatures are in Ponyville, you're doomed." Twilight let out a gulp.





Exiting the Everfree Forest, Twilight Sparkle grunted and waved off two Parasprites with her tail when she saw in the distance the carriage of Celestia flying from Canterlot. 

"Oh no, here she comes." She raced back into the town, where the ponies were fleeing from the Parasprites. The stress began to get to her, and her mane began to be frazzled.

"Okay, here's the plan. Lightning Sprint, you distract them." she instructed as the blue pegasus flew past, screaming with Parasprites on her tail. 

"Good. Everyone else, we need to build an exact copy of Ponyville right over there," she ordered, pointing at a random location. "We've got less than a minute."

The chaos was still happening, a house was even thrown in the distance. With utter chaos happening, she finally hung her head in defeat.

"Zecora was right, we're doomed." She then heard fanfare and looked toward the edge of the town. "Oh no, the princess's procession is here. It's all over!"

Instead of the princess however, it was Pinkie with a wide assortment of instruments. A tuba, an accordion, a banjo, a harmonica and a pair of tambourines. Behind her was Chad, who was also playing a fair share of instruments, ranging from the cymbals, a recorder, a bass drum, a trumpet, a recorder and a sousaphone. The two of them were playing polka music as they walked past.

"Pinkie? Chad? We're in the middle of a crisis here. This is no time for your… nonsense?" she began and trailed off when she saw the Parasprites stopped eating and, bouncing in time to the music, began following. Bandit finally caught up, his horn red but turning normal as he walked into sight.

Twilight walked over to the other five and shrugged. Soon, they were following Pinkie and Chad as they led the parasprites towards the Everfree forest. 

Bandit flew close behind them. Just then, the carriage carrying Princess Celestia landed not far from them.

"Look!" Twilight pointed out. The group ran past Chad and Pinkie and stopped in front of the carriage.

As the ponies bowed, Bandit ran out in front and trotted to Celestia. 

"Bandit, my dear little nymph." Celestia said as Bandit gave her a hug. 

"Hey momma." Bandit said as he let go.

"So lovely to see you again, as well as your friends." Princess Celestia commented, briefly distracted by Chad crashing cymbals together. As she looked, Chad stopped and waved at her, running over to hug her hoof as the instruments continued to move on their own as if he was still right there. After the hug, he ran back to the instruments and slid back into the spot like he never left.

"How was your trip?" Bandit asked. Celestia giggled a little before looking at Bandit.

"Parasprite infestation?" Celestia asked him.

"That's putting it lightly." Bandit chuckled. 

"I bet you had quite the buffet before deciding to have them parade out." Celestia responded with a wink.

"About that-" Bandit tried to say.

"But as much as I would like to catch up, I'm afraid these adorable little creatures are causing trouble in Fillydelphia." Celestia said. Bandit was quiet for a moment.

"Sooo, that means the eagles aren't playing this Sunday?" Bandit asked, Celestia booped his nose.

"Don't get your hopes up." She said as she walked back to the carriage. "Before I have to go, would you both care to give me your latest reports on the magic of friendship in person?" She inquired.

"Actually, I do. learned that sometimes the solution to your problems can come from where you least expect it. It's a good idea to stop and listen to your friends' opinions and perspectives…" Bandit said, he winched as the cymbals crashed again. "Even when they don't always seem to make sense."

"I hope Chad's ears are okay." Celestia said as she looked at him.

"He's fine, he put hearing protection in this time." Bandit said. Celestia smiled before giving Bandit a kiss on the forehead. 

"I'm so proud of you and Twilight. I'm very impressed with your friends as well. It sounds like you're all learning so much from each other." Celestia said.

"Thank you mother." Bandit said. And with that, the carriage was lifted away to do with the problem in the city. The seven walked over to Pinkie as the last parasprites entered the forest. Pinkie and Chad stopped playing.

"Hey, what happened to the princess?" she asked.

"Emergency in Fillydelphia." Lightning Sprint told her.

"Some sort of infestation." Rainbow Dash added with a smile.

"Oh no!" Pinkie Pie gasped. "Have they got Parasprites too? Well, have tuba and Chad, will travel." 

She started to leave, but Bandit stopped her.

"Don't worry, momma can handle it." Bandit told her. Chad took the ear plugs out.

"So you knew what those critters were all along, huh Pinkie Pie?" Applejack inquired.

Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes. "Well, duh! Why do you think I was so frantic to get my hooves on all these instruments? I tried to tell you."

"We know, Pinkie Pie, and we're sorry we didn't listen." Twilight Sparkle apologized as did their friends.

"Well, I wasn't exactly explaining why I needed them. Would've been easier if I was a little teeny bit more clear." Pinkie said with a sheepish smile. 

"Well regardless, you're a great friend, even if we don't always understand you." Bandit told her.

"Thanks guys, you're all great friends too, even when I don't understand me." Pinkie Pie replied.

"Now if you'll excuse me. I have to pay a visit to care package, and give him a little lesson on keeping his mouth shut." Bandit said as he flew off. Twilight turned back to Pinkie after watching Bandit fly away.

"You saved our reputation with Princess Celestia, and more importantly, you saved Ponyville," Twilight Sparkle added, as they returned to the town, only to see just how much damage had been caused by the creatures. "…Or not."

Chad played the sad tone on a trombone.

"Hey! I was looking for that!" Pinkie exclaimed.
> Winter Wrap Up
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was very early in the morning in Ponyville and everyone was sound asleep in the library. That didn't last long as Twilight was the first to wake up. 

Twilight let out a gasp as she woke up. "It's Winter Wrap Up day! Spike, wake up." She said before rushing to Bandit and Chad to wake them up too.

Bandit was already dreading having to wake up. Chad, who was too excited to sleep, had fallen asleep in the seated position. 

"Bandit! Chad! It's Winter Wrap Up day!" Twilight said to her giant friend. Bandit groaned and put his blanket over his head, which left his lower body out. Twilight ran over and jumped on him. "Get up lazy bones!" 

Bandit groaned and sat up. His bandana already on.

"Twilight, it's very early." He said in a dry voice.

Twilight rolled off him and stood up. "But it's Winter Wrap Up day! The first day of spring is tomorrow."

"I know that Twilight, we read the same book. But if Chad isn't awake, Regardless of how excited he was and wasn't able to sleep, you're up too early." Bandit told her. Twilight turned to look at Chad, who was in the seated position, still asleep.

"You never know. He could be having a Extra long sleep." Twilight said. Bandit got nose to nose with her.

"An extra long sleep? Chad? Extra long sleep?" Bandit emphasized. Twilight hung her head with a sigh.

"I'm just really excited about it." She said.

"I know. But, Don't you think the other workers of Winter wrap up should be awake before we start?" He said as he pointed to the window. She looked out of the window and saw it was still dark. 

"Maybe it is too early."





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





A few hours later, the sun rose and Chad was awake and ready. Holding onto Twilight as they moved to town hall. Bandit was right beside her with Spike on his back, much less ready and more sleepy, the snow on the ground all around them. 

"Those must be the team vests Rarity designed. Blue for the weather team, green for the plant team, and tan for the animal team. I wonder which team vest I'll be wearing." Twilight said. She was very excited to be here.

"Knowing this town, Bandit's probably gonna be on every team." Chad said.

"Spike, what team do you wanna be on?" Bandit asked him.

"I'll take a blue vest, same color as my blankie," Spike grumbled, cracking an eye open to see the vests, "which I think I hear calling my name. "Spike! Spike! Come to bed!" Ugh, it's too early."

Once the ponies were gathered, Mayor Mare was ready to begin. "Thank you, everypony, for being here bright and early," she told them. "We need every single pony's help to wrap up winter, and bring in spring." And the ponies cheered. "Now, all of you have your vests, and have been assigned to your teams, so let's do even better than last year, and have the quickest Winter Wrap Up ever!" And the ponies cheered again.

"Oh, this is so exciting." Twilight squealed as she trotted in place.

"All right everypony, find your team leader." Mayor Mare ordered, nodding to Applejack, who was wearing green vests, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, and Rarity and Fluttershy, who were wearing tan vests. "And let's get galloping!"

"Oh gosh, where should I go? I'm not sure where I fit in. What exactly does everypony do?" Twilight asked as she looked around.

"Just do what I do." Bandit started. "Any one of the stations that need help, just help them." 

Twilight nodded and began to follow his lead.

"Three months of winter coolness
And awesome holidays" Rainbow Dash sang.

"We've kept our hoofsies warm at home
Time off from work to play" Pinkie Pie sang.

"What's with the singing?" Bandit asked.

"But the food we've stored is runnin' out," sang Applejack. "And we can't grow in this cold."

"And even though I love my boots," Rarity sang. "This fashion's getting old."

"The time has come to welcome spring
And all things warm and green
But it's also time to say goodbye
It's winter we must clean
How can I help? I'm new, you see
What does everypony do?
How do I fit in without magic?
I haven't got a clue!" Twilight sang.

Bandit looked around.

"Where is that music coming from?" 

"Winter Wrap Up!
Winter Wrap Up!" The ponies sang as they either took to the air, headed for the countryside, or remained in town to get rid of the snow. 

"Let's finish our holiday cheer. 
Winter Wrap Up!
Winter Wrap Up!"

"Cause tomorrow spring is here. 
Cause tomorrow-" Applejack was singing before Rainbow dash flew by to sing

"-spring is here." Rainbow Dash and Applejack sang. 

"Bringing home the southern birds
A Pegasus' job begins
And clearing all the gloomy skies
To let the sunshine in
We move the clouds
And we melt the white snow." Rainbow Dash continued.

"When the sun comes up
Its warmth and beauty will glow!" Pinkie Pie joined in.

"Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
Let's finish our holiday cheer
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
'Cause tomorrow spring is here
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
'Cause tomorrow spring is here
'Cause tomorrow spring is here!" The ponies all sang.

"Why are we singing!?" 

"Little critters hibernate
Under the snow and ice." Rarity sang.

"We wake up all their sleepy heads
So quietly and nice" Fluttershy sang.

"We help them gather up their food
Fix their homes below."

"Hello!?" Bandit exclaimed, but was still sung over.

"We welcome back the southern birds."

"So their families can grow!" Rarity joined in.

"Why are we- oh forget it."

""Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! (Bandit: Winter, winter) Let's finish our holiday cheer. Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! (Bandit: Winter, winter) 'Cause tomorrow spring is here. Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! (Bandit: Winter, winter)."

"'Cause tomorrow spring is here
'Cause tomorrow spring is here!"

"No easy task to clear the ground
Plant our tiny seedsWith proper care and sunshine
Everyone it feeds
Apples, carrots, celery stalks
Colorful flowers too
We must work so very hard" Applejack sang.

Cherry berry and Carrot Top joined her.

"It's just so much to do!"

"Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! Let's finish our holiday cheer. Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up! 'Cause tomorrow spring is here. Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!" Bandit sang.

"'Cause tomorrow spring is here.
'Cause tomorrow spring is here" Pinkie sang.

"Now that I know what they all do
I have to find my place
And help with all of my heart
Tough task ahead I face
How will I do without my magic
Help the Earth pony way
I wanna belong so I must
Do my best today,
Do my best today!" Twilight sang.

Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
Let's finish our holiday cheer
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!
'Cause tomorrow spring is here
Winter Wrap Up! Winter Wrap Up!" Ponies sang.

"'Cause tomorrow spring is here
'Cause tomorrow spring is here
'Cause tomorrow spring is heeeeere!" Bandit sang.

The song ended with that. Bandit cleared his throat. 

"Everypony belongs to a team. What should I do? Where should I go?" Twilight asked, looking around.

"Twily. Just do what I do and go wherever you're needed." Bandit told her. Twilight nodded and started to follow him.

Bandit was about to look around for where he was needed, But thanks to his size, he was pretty well demanded. A crowd, all from different teams, was soon surrounding him.

"Well, I know where I'm needed, but I'm gonna have to do this one at a time." Bandit told them. They waited as Bandit looked around and then looked in the air.

"I'll start on the weather." Bandit said as he started to fly up. Spike gulped and held on tight. Twilight followed them on the ground as they got to Rainbow Dash, who was talking with a team of pegasus. 

"All right team, you're clear for takeoff," she said and watched as they flew up into the sky and south to retrieve the birds.

"Rainbow dash." Bandit called.

"Oh, hey Big guy, what's up?" She asked as she turned around. 

"I'm here to help with the weather. I see you already sent a team away, how about I help clear these clouds for when they come back?" Bandit asked.

"Good idea." Rainbow dash said. 

"Hey, where's Lightning Sprint?" Spike asked.

"She's in bed sick today. Came down with a nasty cold." Rainbow dash answered.

"Poor thing. I'll pay a visit to check on her soon." Bandit said as he got to work. Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight who wanted to help but couldn't as she didn't have wings.

"Right. No wings." Twilight said. Chad looked at Twilight and tried to make her feel better.

"Don't worry Twilight...i can't fly either." He said.

Twilight looked at him. "You'll learn soon" She said, picking him up and nuzzling him nose to nose. Chad giggled as he was put back down.

"I have an idea, Let's try to find someone else we can help." Chad suggested. Twilight placed him on her back.

"I like that idea." Twilight said as she walked off.





After a short run, Twilight spotted Rarity, who was putting the finishing touches on a bird nest, tying on a pink bow on the front. 

"Rarity, please tell me there's something, anything we can help you with." Twilight said.

"Well, how would you like to help create Ponyville's finest birds' nests?" Rarity offered, needing as much help as she could get since her team was still getting the rest of the nest-making supplies. 

"Birds nests?" Twilight asked with a puzzled look.

"Why yes," Rarity explained. "When the weather team guides the birds back north for the spring, they'll need a place to live and lay their eggs."

Twilight Sparkle admired the nest sitting on the table. "Wow, Rarity, that one's really beautiful."

"Oh why, thank you most sincerely," Rarity said graciously. "Would you like to try your hoof at a nest?"

"Would I? Yes! Where do I begin?" Twilight Sparkle asked eagerly, thrilled to have found a way to help with the winter wrap up.

"Okay," said Rarity, magically handing her friend a basket full of supplies and watched as Twilight quickly and effectively sorted out the supplies. Chad double taked Because she literally did this while he blinked.

"Now… uh, take some of that straw and hay over there, and a little bit of branch. Now, weave them through there, yes." She watched and tried to give instructions as her friend went to work on making a nest. "Uh, take some ribbon, yes, oh uh, n… not there, oooh, yes, uh, tuck it in over there, uh but be careful not to… I don't know I guess that would do… oh dear."

Twilight Sparkle quickly finished and frowned when she saw that her – um – nest looked nothing like the nest that her friend had made. "There! It looks just like… yours. Oh my," she said sheepishly.

"I like it!" Chad said with a smile.

"it's not so bad, ah, maybe birds can use it as a…"

"Their home. Birds won't care how it looks…. Unless it's a Phoenix." Chad said.

"It's just fine. It's just a little rough around the edges. Let me lend you a hoof. Let's just untie this ribbon, and let me take out these sticks here, we'll shave this…" she was soon mumbling and focused entirely on the ruined nest.

Twilight Sparkle hung her head, disappointed.

"Come on, let's try something else." Chad said as he grabbed her hoof to pull her away. Rarity was still altering the nest.





Heading out of town, Twilight and Chad went to the nearest frozen lake, where they were greeted by Pinkie, who was skating on the icy surface, cutting lines that criss crossed across the surface.

"Hellooooooo, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie called out as she spun in a circle and squealed. "Wheeeeeeee!"

Twilight ran down the path to the edge of the lake, impressed by the display. "Wow, Pinkie Pie, you're quite the skater." she complimented as Pinkie skated up to her. "Probably the best skater I've ever seen."

"Thanks Twilight, I've been doing this since I was an itty-bitty little-wittle Twinkie-Pinkie," Pinkie Pie replied cheerfully. "Just comes natural. Which is probably why they designated me the lake scorer. I cut lines in the lakes with my skates. That way, when the rest of the weather team comes here to break the ice, it'll be easy as pie."

"How clever," Twilight Sparkle commented. "When the thick ice begins to melt, it'll break along the lines. Well, you sure have a lot of work ahead of you, there's quite a few lakes in Ponyville."

Pinkie Pie nodded, having finished the pond earlier, but the lakes would take longer. "Ha, tell me about it. Hey, Twilight, wanna help me out?" she offered.

Twilight Sparkle beamed. "Would I?"

"Come on, put on those skates over there," said Pinkie Pie, nodding and pointing to a set of white skates that were identical to the ones she was wearing on her hooves. "I bet you'll be a natural too."

"Okay." Twilight said.





Chad was skating around the lake with his tongue out and having a good time as Twilight was barely able to stay up on the ice.

"Wowee Chad! You're good at this." Pinkie complimented.

"I used to play hockey." Chad said as he slid to a stop.

"I'm not so sure about this now." Twilight said. Chad skated over.

"Come on Twilight, it's really easy, just stroke left then right. See?" Chad said as he did exactly that. Stroking is left hooves then his right to propel forward. Twilight started to mirror him, but was not nearly as coordinated.

She was now skidding across the ice, unable to control where she was going. "Oh no, whoa, wow…!"

"Twilight, steer! Steer!" Pinkie Pie shouted. Twilight crashed into her, sending them both flying across the ice and toward the shoreline, where Chad was watching. "Look out Chad!" she warned and then screamed as Chad skated out of the way, Pinkie and Twilight crashed, being buried by the snow so that they looked like a strange-looking snowman.

Chad skated over and used his tail to dust the snow off of them.

"Are you okay?" Chad asked her. Twilight simply nodded.

"Twilight, you did a great job your first time around," said Pinkie Pie once they were freed of each other. "I'm sure my first time was just as wobbly and bobbly and crasheriffic as yours."

Twilight Sparkle gave her a skeptical look. "Really?"

Pinkie Pie shook her head. "No."

"Mine was. It's how I lost my first tooth." Chad reassured. This made Twilight check his teeth.

"At uas ears a-ao." Chad said (That was years ago).

"I think you'll be super awesome at something that keeps your hooves on the ground," Pinkie Pie suggested. "I know, Fluttershy could probably use your help with the critters."

"Well… I'm pretty good with little animals," said Twilight Sparkle, figuring it would be safer then ice skating. "Yeah, I'll go help her." Unfortunately she started skating the wrong way. Chad skated to her and grabbed her hoof to skate the correct direction.

"This way~" Chad said as Pinkie watched them.





Fluttershy was ringing a bell and had her head inside one of the many burrows. 

"Wake up, little sleepy heads." She started, her voice muffled. "Hope you had some wonderful dreams and restful hibernation, but it's time to get up now, spring is coming." She then backed out and smiled as a pair of hedgehogs came out, yawned and stretched, and then went off to join the other animals for food.

"Awww, how cute" Twilight said as she looked at the small creatures.

"Aren't they? This is my favorite task the whole season, when I get to see all my little animal friends again." Fluttershy said happily.

"I bet they must be hungry, sleeping for an entire winter would make me hungry enough to eat a mango." Chad said. Fluttershy looked confused, so Twilight leaned over.

"He hates mangos." She whispered. Fluttershy nodded in understanding. She walked over and began to ring inside of another burrow.

"Wake up, little porcupines." She said.

"Spike would love the idea of hibernation, minus the fact that he'd have to eat less food." Chad nudged Twilight. A pair of Porcupines came out, yawned, and when they hugged each other, they yelped because of the quills poking them both.

"Oh, would you just look at all these warrens and dens?" Fluttershy asked sadly, looking at the burrows and dens that she needed to work on. "I'm worried that I won't be able to wake up every animal before spring comes."

"Well, I'll help, Fluttershy," Twilight Sparkle offered.

"You will? Oh, that would be wonderful." Fluttershy said gratefully, giving Twilight a bell before going to the next den to wake up the animals.

Twilight Sparkle went to the nearest burrow. "Okay, let's start there." She then rang the bell inside the opening. "Hello? Wake up little friends, wherever you are. Spring is coming."

She looked back at Chad.

"I wonder which cute little furry creatures I've awoken." she wondered and yelped when three snakes came out, hissing. "Waaa! Snakes! Snakes!"

She started backing up towards another burrow. Chad looked at the snakes and licked his lips. The snakes coiled up defensively. However, before he could snack on the danger noodles, Twilight accidentally ran into a bat cave, Only to be chased out by the bats and colliding with a tree.

"Ugh!" she grunted and then she screamed when a beehive landed on her head, and she was chased into another den by the bees. "Ugh!" she groaned when she was overwhelmed by a horrible smell produced by the skunks she'd woken up, which had sprayed her in response. 

Fluttershy and Chad reached the burrow just as the three skunks came out of the smelly den. Chad placed a plug on his nose so as to not smell the skunk's spray. 

"Good morning, friends." Fluttershy said before she sighed. Twilight groaned from inside the burrow.





"1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (fresh bottle), ¼ cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and 1-2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap." Chad listed as he added those ingredients to the bowl in front of him. After mixing all of it up, he walked over to Twilight in a tub. He began to scrub the solution all over Twilight.

"All this Winter Wrap Up stuff is a lot harder than it looks." Twilight complained. 

"Well, to be fair, you're used to using your magic." Chad told her. "Maybe you could find a way to use magic without breaking tradition?"

"The entire tradition is based around not using magic Chad. Ponyville has never needed magic to wrap up winter."

"Think how much quicker they could wrap up winter with your magic. Or Bandit's magic for that matter." Chad said as he continued scrubbing.

"No, no, no!" Twilight exclaimed as she splashed. "I'm gonna find some other way that I can help out if it kills me." 

Chad gasped at the last four words. His ears flopped in worry. Twilight turned around at him.

"Okay, maybe not until it kills me." Twilight reassured.





After the anti-skunk bath, Twilight was on the way to Sweet Apple Acres. When she got there, she saw there were a number of ponies busy plowing the fields and were being overseen by Applejack. Bandit was also working the snow plows, having already finished with all the clouds. And it was no surprise that he was doing it much faster than everyone else.

"Keep pushin', Caramel, try to keep up with Bandit." Applejack called out to the ponies, who were using plows to shove the snow off the fields. "That's it, Bumpkin. I know it's hard work, but you guys are doin' great. Yee-haw!"

Twilight Sparkle and Spike came up to them. "Hey, Applejack, Sunrise," she said. "How's everything going?"

"Oh, just dandy," Applejack replied. "A little slow startin', but peachy all the same. There's a lot of ground to clear, ya hear? We can't even start the plantin' and the waterin' until we get all these heap a' snow hightailed outta here. Luckly yer friend Bandit showed up and has been speeding things up."

"Well, I'd like to help," the purple unicorn offered.

Applejack gave her an uncertain look since the plows weren't that easy to move. "Well, I… I dunno Twilight. Those plows are pretty heavy."

"Just give me a chance," Twilight Sparkle begged.

Applejack still wasn't sure. "Well, I never turn down a hard worker, but…"

Twilight went to a nearby plow, determined to prove that she could do it, and she struggled to push it forward, barely able to move it an inch. She turned back to look at Chad, who sat down on top of the snow and thought about their earlier conversation.

"I could use a come-to-life spell." Twilight thought to herself. She concentrated on the spell, her horn glowing pink. 

"Hwww… Here goes…" The plow started to move on its own. She smiled as she quickly followed, making it look like she was plowing away the snow, surprising the hardworking ponies she passed. She ended up matching Bandit's current work speed.

"Oh, hey Twily." Bandit said.

"Hi Bandy." Twilight greeted. Bandit looked at her horn and then at her. He squinted his eyes. She smiled sheepishly.

Applejack watched her friend's progress, which was going oddly well, and this had her suspicious. 

"Hmm. She's awful strong for such a little pony." Applejack said with a raised eyebrow.

Chad looked and saw the horn. His ears perked and his eyes widened.

"I'm about to regret what I said earlier aren't I?" Chad asked out loud.

"And what in tarnation does that mean?" Applejack questioned him.





"Twilight, I thought Winter Wrap Up had a no magic rule." Bandit said in a stern voice, while also quiet enough to not give away what she did.

"I know, but i wasn't strong enough to move the plow, so I used a spell to bring it to live and-"

"Wait, the come-to-life spell?" He asked.

"Yes, why?" She asked. Before Bandit could tell her, the plow began to move fast, pushing against her behind and making her surpass Bandit, which made everyone watching suspicious. 

"Slow down. Slow down!" she screamed as the plow moved even faster, zooming all over the place while creating a large ball of snow that was growing bigger. Bandit tried to run to catch up to her, but the plow slowed him down a great deal thanks to the snow he was building up.

Applejack wound up ran over, Chad jumped up and ran on the snowball as it rolled.

"What's going on?" Applejack demanded as she went rolling across the field, forcing the plowing ponies to scatter. "Wha'd'ya do? You used magic, didn't you?" And they only stopped when they crashed into a small cliffside, and this triggered and avalanche of snow that buried them, and then it covered most of the freshly cleared fields.

Bandit detached himself from the snow plow and flew over to them.

"Sweet Celestia! Are you all alright!?" Bandit exclaimed as he got to them. Chad, Applejack and Twilight popped up out of the snow.

"Nuts, Twilight, you used magic." She scolded.

"That's kinda my fault AJ. I suggested it to her." Chad confessed.

"That's not how we do it 'round here, Twilight," Applejack snapped, "and especially not on MY FARM!"

"HEY! Will you chill out!?" Bandit said back at her. That calmed Applejack down real quick. Bandit, knowing Applejack was right to be mad, calmed himself. "Look, I know you're upset at what happened, but yelling at Twilight is not gonna undo the mistake. She had the right thing in mind." 

Twilight felt horrible and tears began brimming in her eyes. "Well, see, I just wanted to…" She dug herself out of the snow and fled, crying. Bandit and Chad looked at each other and then went after her.





Bandit and Chad followed Twilight's scent to a large snow-covered bush in the town square, and he tried to get her to come out. 

"Come on, Twilight. Come on out." Bandit said.

"Leave me alone Bandit" Twilight said, sounding pretty bummed out. Spike got over to them, stretching as he finished napping before seeing Chad and Bandit. 

"So, what'd I miss?" Spike asked as he got over.

"You mean other than the fact that I'm a Winter Mess Up? Nothing." Twilight said sarcastically.

"Oh. Ah well." Spike turned around. "Back to sleep." 

Bandit pulled him right back.

"Twilight, you can't just give up on something because you messed it up the first time around. What do you always tell me?" Chad asked her. There was a pause. "I will not move from this spot until you answer."

"If at first you don't succeed, try and try again." Twilight answered. There was silence again.

"Until-"

"Until you get it right or need a break." Twilight answered. She then let out a sigh.

"Come on Twilight, we can't just give up yet." Bandit told her.

Just then Applejack came up to Rainbow Dash with a request. "Rainbow Dash, y'all on the weather team need to melt the rest of the snow here on the ground and the trees, pronto."

Rainbow Dash nodded. "Got it." And she turned to take off when Fluttershy stopped her.

"Wait." she said quickly. "My poor little animals' homes will get flooded if the snow melts too fast."

Rainbow Dash nodded again. "Got it."

"I'm tellin' you, Rainbow, you gotta melt that snow now." Applejack ordered.

"No, you simply must wait." Fluttershy insisted.

Rainbow Dash looked between them, wondering who to listen to as they were argued. "Okay."

"Go."

"Stop."

"Go."

"Stop."

"GO!"

"STOP!"

"Ugh! Make up your minds!" Rainbow Dash shouted in frustration, and they were soon arguing, drawing the attention of the other ponies.

Hearing the arguing, Mayor Mare came over and promptly scolded them. "Oh! What in Equestria are all you arguing about?" she demanded. "This sort of silliness is why we were late for spring last year, and the year before that, and the year before that."

Hearing this, Twilight poked her head out of the bush. "Did she say late?" she asked and the two changelings and baby dragon nodded, and they all listened.

"I was hoping my amazingly inspirational speech would urge everyone to do better than last year, but now it looks like we're going to be later than ever," Mayor Mare complained, gesturing to the limited progress that had been made so far. "I mean just look at this catastrophe. The ice scorers made the ice chunks too big to melt. The nest designer is horrendously behind, we need several hundred, and she's only made one." And poor Rarity was sobbing, giving up on the ruined nest. "The only thing ON schedule are the clouds in the sky being cleared away, but the icicles are still on the trees… This isn't good, not at all!"

Bandit looked at Twilight with a sly look. Twilight glanced towards him.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Bandit asked, only getting a tilted head.

"What?" She asked.

"This entire wrapping up of winter needs some organization from a very organized bookhorse?" He said, nudging her for her to get the hint.

Twilight tilted her head briefly yet again. "But who would- ooooooh" She said, realising what he was hinting at.

"Spike. Get the clipboard." Bandit said. Spike nodded and quickly ran to get it. Bandit walked with Twilight to the crowd.

Applejack nodded. "And it's gonna be all to pieces disastrous if we can't get our seeds all planted."

"Chillax Applejack, we're bustin' our chops as fast as we can," Rainbow Dash pointed out.

"No, not fast," Fluttershy objected, "we have to wake animals slowly."

Big Macintosh came up with Caramel. "Uh, AJ?"

Applejack groaned when she saw their sheepish expressions. "Oh good gravy, Caramel lost the grass seeds again, didn't he?" she guessed.

Big Mac nodded while Caramel hung his head in shame. "Eeyup."

Rainbowshine flew down with a report of her own. "Ditzy Doo accidentally went north to get the southern birds!"

"Oh that featherbrain," Rainbow Dash complained. "Didn't she learn her lesson last year when she went west?" And soon all the ponies were grumbling and complaining.

"Stop this at once," Mayor Mare ordered. "We don't have time to argue. It's almost sundown. Spring is going to be late again. Another year of scandal and shame. If only we could be more organized."

Suddenly, a bird let out a loud, attention getting whistle, making everyone turn to it. 

"Thank you." Bandit said to the bird, paying it in bird seeds, which it ate graciously.

"I know you all want to complete your jobs on time, but arguing is no way to go about it." She pointed out as Spike returned with the requested items, plus a quill. "What you need is organization, and I'm just the pony for the job."





The first thing to do was finishing the nests. Bandit was putting his best attempts at work at this to finish the nexts with Rarity's and Chad's help. Twilight checks off the nests as they were completed in record time. As soon as Bandit was done, he and Chad zipped off.





Next was lake scoring. Bandit looked at Twilight's grid and relayed the plan to the other members of the ice skating team. After everyone was ready, they sliced the ice into equal sized blocks that would melt easily. Bandit and Chad did an ice skate hoof bump before taking off the ice skates and moving on.





Next up was Sweet Apple Acres. Thanks to Twilight's planning, ponies were plowing away the snow, and seeds were being planted behind him. Bandit plowed the snow away as Chad sat on the plow, tossing the seeds where they needed to be.





Over where the animal burrows and dens were located, Twilight had Fluttershy and her team use ropes to hang the bells in front of each opening, and once the last bell was in place Bandit yanked on the rope, ringing all the bells at once. Soon enough, all of the remaining animals woke up and exited their homes so that they could be cleaned, and when Twilight saw snakes slithering her way, she jumped into the tree, making Fluttershy smirk a little. Spike checked off the task as Chad chased one of the snakes. Bandit grabbed him and shook his head, stopping him.

Once the last of the animals were out and the last of the animal homes were cleaned, Fluttershy nodded to a red bird sitting on her shoulder, and the bird chirped loudly while Twilight climbed out of the tree once she was certain the last of the snakes were gone.





Rainbow dash and the other weather ponies looked at the animals leaving, and saluted before being joined by Bandit. They flew at high speeds to clear the last of the snow and icicles away.

Soon the ice was melting and flowing away through the streams and rivers as the sun began to set. The ponies worked through the night to finish up the planting of the seeds, which even Spike was helping with, and the last of the new flowers. 

One of the vendor ponies was giving free juice to all the workers passing by. She gave one to Doctor Whooves, Golden Harvest, Creme Brulee, Caramel, Berry,  Golden Harvest… The vendor doubletaked after seeing Golden Harvest twice, but was snapped out of it when Bandit cleared his throat. She gives a larger one to him. Chad was in Lightning Sprint's house, giving her some tea to help with her sickness. She smiled gratefully, but he ducked for cover before she could sneeze.





When the sun rose the next morning, the ponies were finishing up on watering the newly planted sends as the pegasus teams returned with the southern birds, even Derpy returned after getting word that she'd gone the wrong way again. The birds took up residence in their brand new nests, and the various insects came out of hiding to enjoy the sunlight and the flowers.





Twilight watched all of this from a hillside, where she was joined by Mayor Mare and the rest of the ponies, who were tired but happy that they were successful for once.

"I can't believe it." said Mayor Mare with utter amazement. "Spring is here! On time! And we have you to thank for it. If it weren't for your organizing skills we would still be arguing."

"Eeyup." Big Mac agreed and the ponies all laughed in agreement.

"It was a team effort, and let's not forget about Bandit and Chad's hard work too. They were practically doing everything at once." Twilight said before looking around for him. "Where are they?" 

Everyone looked around before seeing that he was sleeping in the seated position, Chad curled up underneath him. 

"They worked themselves tired, poor things." Applejack said. Mayor mare smiled and looked at all three of them.

"Since the three of you helped every team, we have an official vest for you all. We give you the title, "All-Team Organizer"." Mayor mare told her as Rarity came over with three newly made vests that had all three colors on them, and placed it on the trio.

Twilight Sparkle grinned widely since it was perfect. "Gosh, I don't even know what to say. Thank you, everypony."

"And hereby I declare that winter is… wrapped up on time." Mayor Mare announced and the whole town cheered. Somehow Bandit and Chad were still asleep.

"So, uh….how are we gonna get them home?" Rainbow dash asked. The silence hit as Rarity picked up Chad. 

"Dibs." She said.





Back in the library, Chad was asleep, cuddled up to Quincy, as Bandit was asleep cuddled by Klaw and Fang. 

Spike was writing the letter as Twilight spoke.

"Dear Princess Celestia, Winter Wrap Up was one of the most special things I've ever been a part of here in Ponyville. It helped me to learn we all have hidden talents, and if we're patient and diligent, we're sure to find them, and as always, with good friendship and teamwork, ponies along with some help from changelings can accomplish anything."

"Aaaaaand. Done." Spike said as he sent the letter. He looked back at the changeling duo as Twilight placed blankets over them.

"Sleep tight you two." Twilight said.
> Call of the Cutie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a nice spring day in Ponyville and at the school, the fillies were chatting away as Miss Cheerilee got ready to teach them a new lesson.

"Let's quiet down please." Miss Cheerilee said, walking over to a canvas that had a large piece of paper. "We have a very important lesson to get to." And the class quieted down. 

"Thank you." she continued. "Today we are going to be talking about cutie marks." And she flipped the paper over to reveal another paper filled with different kinds of cutie marks.

"Bo-ring." Diamond Tiara said, a female filly with pale magenta skin, brilliant cornflower blue eyes, pale violet mane and tail with white streaks, she wore a diamond tiara on her head, and she had a diamond tiara as her cutie mark, which had appeared last week. 

Miss Cheerilee ignored the filly since the other fillies, which included Apple Bloom who was ready to take notes, were interested, and that included the ones who already had their cutie marks. 

"You can all see my cutie mark, can't you?" she asked, nodding to the three flowers that were on her flank. "Like all ponies, I wasn't born with a cutie mark. My flank was blank." And she flipped the paper over to reveal one that had a photo of herself as a baby.

"Aww…!" said Twist, a filly with light amber skin, light pink eyes behind a pair of purple glasses, and scarlet red mane and tail. "She's so precious!"

Cheerilee smiled and then continued her lesson. "Then one day, when I was about your age, I woke up to find that a cutie mark had appeared." And she showed them a different photo, which was of her as a teenage pony with frizzle hair, and an 80s-style outfit.

"Look at her hair!" Diamond Tiara exclaimed and the fillies giggled, saved for Apple Bloom, who was busy taking notes.

"Yes I know, but honestly, that's how everypony was wearing their mane back then," said their teacher, having expected that kind of reaction. "I had decided to become a teacher, and the flowers symbolized my hope that I could help my future students bloom if I nurture them with knowledge. The smiles represented the cheer I hoped to bring to my little ponies while they were learning. Now, can anyone tell me when a pony gets his or her cutie mark?"

Twist immediately waved her hoof. "Oh! Oh! Oh! When she discovers that certain something that makes her special!" she answered excitedly.

"That's right, Twist. A cutie mark appears on a pony's flank when he or she finds that certain something that makes them different from every other pony. Discovering what makes you unique isn't something..."

"I have a question Cheerilee." Rumble, s light grey pegasus colt with a dark grey mane and  said, holding up his hoof. 

"Yes Rumble?" Cheerilee asked as she looked towards him. 

"Are ponies the only creatures that can get Cutie marks?" He asked, this made Cheerilee tap her chin.

"From what we've seen it usually is only ponies but that doesn't mean that another creature can't get one." Cheerilee said. Then she started talking about the stories of other creatures who may have gotten cutie marks. "There has been speculation-"

"Psst." Diamond Tiara said to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom tried to ignore her, but Diamond Tiara was able to get her attention.

"What?!" She whisper yelled, her irritated mood turned to confusion when Diamond tiara offered her a piece of paper, which Silver Spoon, a grey filly with a light grey braided mane and tail, light blue glasses and matching pearl necklace, with light lavender eyes, was gesturing her to give to her. She let out a sigh before she took the paper into her mouth.

"Apple Bloom!" Cheerilee exclaimed and startled Apple Bloom into dropping the paper. "Are you passing a note?" she asked, sounding very disappointed in her.

Apple Bloom gave a look of discomfort with embarrassment. "Uh, I… Um…"

Cheerilee walked over to the two fillies. "What could be so important that it couldn't wait until after class?" she asked and looked at the paper, becoming confused when she saw that there wasn't anything on it. "It's blank."

Diamond Tiara burst out laughing. "Remind you of anypony?"

Apple Bloom sadly looked at her own flank as the majority of her classmates started laughing at her.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





After class, Apple Bloom was walking out on her own. She was looking down at the ground. Twist walked alongside her.

"Want some sweets?" Twist offered. "I've got some peppermint sticks. I made them myself." She added proudly.

"Mm-mm." Apple Bloom said, shaking her head.

"They'll make you smile!" Twist added, trying her best to cheer up Apple Bloom. She only turned her head, dejected.

"No." Apple Bloom answered. Then Diamond Tiara and Silver spoon walked over.

"I don't know why we had to sit through a lecture about getting a cutie mark," Diamond tiara complained. "I mean, waiting for your cutie mark is sooo last week. You got yours, I just got mine. We all have them already." She then gasped and mocked Twist and Apple Bloom, circling them. "I mean, almost all of us have them already. Don't worry, you two, you're still totally invited to my cute-ceañera this weekend," she added, referring to the celebration that was held whenever a filly got his or her cutie mark.

"It's going to be amazing," Silver Spoon added, joining in the rude teasing.

Diamond Tiara grinned as she joined in. "It's a party celebrating me and my fantastic cutie mark. How could it not be?" she joked and then she and Silver Spoon did their friendship routine and chant. "Bump! Bump! Sugar-lump, rump!" After bumping their rumps, they both walked away, laughing.

"Gimme a break," Apple Bloom grumbled, glaring after them.

"See you this weekend…" Silver Spoon called back mockingly before being joined by Diamond Tiara. "Blank flanks!" And they disappeared around the bend, still laughing. Twist shot Apple Bloom a look of sympathy as Apple Bloom looked down and saddened.





Outside of the library, Chad was tossing sticks into the air and used his magic to transform them into different things, being supervised by Bandit. Klaw and Fang were trying to catch any of the sticks that hadn't turned.

He was getting better at transfiguration, smiling as he was doing this practically with no effort, making a cake at one point, which he ate messily. Bandit looked up and saw Apple Bloom practically stomping her way home.

"Apple Bloom?" Bandit called. Distracting Chad, making him turn the last stick in the air into a bow similar to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom looked towards them both and walked over.

"You seem a little down in the dumps, what's the matter?" Bandit asked. Apple Bloom flopped into the seated position. 

"I'm one of the only little fillies in my class who hasn't got them a cutie mark and it's just not fair! Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon constantly making fun of me." Apple Bloom complained. Bandit and Chad both looked at their own flanks upon hearing that.

"Oh boy." Bandit muttered before looking back at Apple Bloom. "Trust me Apple Bloom, I know the pain. But there's no need to worry about yourself. All ponies get a cutie mark eventually."

"But I don't want one eventually!" Apple Bloom wailed. "I want one right now! I can't go to Diamond Tiara's cute-ceañera without one, I just can't!"

"Of course you can. I mean, I've gone to plenty of cute-ceañeras without a cutie mark, and the only bad one was Prince Blueblood's, for obvious reasons." Bandit told her as he walked forward. He sat down in front of her. 

"So it never bothered you that you never had one yourself?" Apple Bloom asked him.

"I won't lie, it always picked at me like an annoying itch, but I'm a changeling. We aren't exactly known for having cutie marks because there hasn't been one in recorded history to receive one. But then again, ponies don't exactly interact with changelings other than myself." Bandit confessed. "I'm getting off topic, but yes it did bother me a little. But it's not something you can rush or beg for. The only things you can do is try to find your destiny, or let it come to you."

"So what do you suggest I do?" Apple Bloom asked. Bandit tapped his chin as he began to remember what he did when he was her and Chad's age.

"You know, when I was younger, I asked around how other ponies got their cutie marks before trying a bunch of things myself. I would try asking your family first. Who knows, maybe being last runs in the family." Bandit said, a light bulb seemed to go off in Apple Bloom's head.

"Runs in the family? Runs in the family! Runs in the family!" She hopped onto Bandit's back. "Applejack has apples for a cutie mark, Granny Smith has an apple pie, Big Macintosh has an apple half, my unique talent must have something to do with apples!" Apple Bloom said before she started to bounce up and down excitedly. "Apples! Apples! Apples!"

She accidentally jumped off Bandit, who used his wing to catch her.

"Whoa! Calm yourself Apple Bloom, you don't want a cutie mark in being accident prone." Bandit said with a chuckle. Apple Bloom giggled and slid off his wing to run back to Sweet Apple Acres. Chad was still looking at his flank, tilting his head before looking at all the cutie marks around.





Back inside, Chad was being bathed by Twilight as he halfheartedly played with a boat. Which usually meant that he had something on his mind.

"What's wrong Chad? You're not usually this quiet during a bath, or still. Usually, I have to anchor you down to the bath." Twilight asked as she soaped up his mane.

"Twilight, will I ever get a cutie mark?" Chad asked her. Twilight was caught off guard by that question. 

"A cutie mark? What makes you ask that?"

"Well, Diamond Tiara was making fun of Apple Bloom today for not having one. I'm just curious. That's all." Chad answered. Twilight began to think.

"I'm sure that when you find your special talent that will be when you get one." Twilight said, trying to keep his spirits up.

".....what about Bandit?" Chad asked her. Remembering Bandit doesn't have a cutie mark.

"I'm sure he'll get his too." Twilight told him as he scrubbed his back.

"But.....what if we never do?" Chad asked, turning to look at her. Twilight wasn't sure how to answer. 

"How much do you want one?" She asked him. Chad looked at his flank before sitting back down.

"Actually….. pretty badly. I don't wanna be stuck wondering for the rest of my years what my purpose in life is meant to be." Chad said before his mane got rinsed off. Twilight looked down at him after the water was poured. 

"You'll find your purpose. If you want, you can try a bunch of things in the meantime. Just as long as you don't get hurt." Twilight told him. Chad's eyes lit up as he hugged her tight. "Ah! Hey, you still gotta rinse off mister."

Chad slipped right back into the water, blowing bubbles out of holes of his hooves as he was rinsed off.





Chad had on his newly cleaned hoodie, he began to look around for things that he could try to do to get his cutie mark. He tapped his chin and looked around, seeing all the cutie marks of those around.

"When I look all around Ponyville.
The marks are truly all I see.
I know it's only a matter of time.
Before I discover my destiny!
A mark for me!" Chad began to sing. "I'll try it all until I-

Earn My Mark.
I know it's only just the start,
For the day i'll play my part, but I will
Earn My Mark.
So I won't be so far apart
From the creatures close to my heart. 

The perfect cutie mark could be the same, could be unique.
It could be anything I like or love or right for me. 
Here's what I'll do, I'll try everything, then I'm gonna see.
What talent or purpose I'm truly meant to have or be.

Martial arts, Singing. 
Chess Master, Acting. 
Magic spells, Arts and Crafts!
All to earn my mark at last.

I'm not gonna wear out or rest.
I'm gonna put forward my best.
Till I find my special talent and
Earn My Mark.

I plan to work real hard
And play my handed cards
Until the faithful day that I just might-
No The day I
Earn my mark! (My Mark!)

I know it's only just the start,
For the day i'll play my part, but I will
Earn My Mark! (My mark!)

Not a moment left to lose
So many things I got to dooooooooooo!

From the bottom of my heart
I will Earn! My! Mark!" Chad slid on his knees as he finished the song. He stood up and skipped off to start trying things.





The next day, Saturday, Applejack and Apple Bloom had their apple cart set up in town square for market day to sell their apples, and Apple Bloom was doing her best to receive her cutie mark.

"Get your delicious, nutritious apples here!" Applejack called out while wearing a white apron to hold the money she earned. Apple Bloom was balancing an apple on her nose and she was also wearing a white apron. 

"Delicious and nutritious, and so many uses!" she announced while tossing the apple into the air and caught it in her mouth, eating it. "You can eat 'em." She swallowed and grabbed another apple, tossing it into the air and hitting it with a tennis racket she'd found, splattering pieces everywhere and getting protests from several nearby ponies. "Play with 'em."

"Hey, watch it!"

Oblivious, Apple Bloom grabbed another apple from the cart and kicked it into the air. 

"Create fine art for your home with 'em." she continued as the apple spattered against a blank paper that a light purple unicorn stallion was about to paint on. Making him glare in their direction. "You have to be crazy not to get a bushel of your very own."

Applejack quickly grabbed her sister and hid her behind her. "Heh… she's so creative, heh."

Zipping around Applejack, Apple Bloom ran and jumped in front of Carrot Top.

"You, ma'am, care to buy some apples?" she asked eagerly.

"No thanks." Carrot top said politely as she shook her head, turning to walk away.

"Why not?" Apple Bloom asked, having managed to block her way a second time.

"I have plenty at home," Carrot top assured her, trying to get away from her, but Apple Bloom wasn't letting her walk away.

"Are you sure?" Apple Bloom questioned.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure I…" Carrot  top began.

"You're pretty sure, but you're not absolutely positively completely super-duper sure, are you?" asked the filly, still keeping him from leaving.

"If i buy one, will you please leave me alone?" Carrot top requested, pleading that that would work.

Apple Bloom cheered with delight. "Alright!"

Carrot top tossed a bag of bits at Applejack, grabbed an apple and ran off.

"You forgot your change!" Applejack called after her, and then glared at her little sister.

"Woo-hoo! That's how you sell s'm apples and get a cutie mark!" Apple Bloom squealed, and then she peered at her flank, trying to see if she'd gotten her cutie mark. "So, what does my cutie mark look like? A shoppin' bag full of apples? A satisfied customer eating an apple?" She frowned when she didn't see anything.

Carrot Top walked over to Applejack.

"Excuse me, do you have any Honeycrisp apples, I need some for-"

"There you are. Here, you left your change." Applejack told her as she reached into the bag to pull out the change.

"But I wasn't-" Carrot top tried to say.

"Or do you want me to add that to the budget of the Honeycrisp apples you want?" Carrot top was silent for a moment before nodding her head. Applejack gave her 10 apples in a bag and Carrot top went on her way, confused but satisfied.

"You touch it, you buy it!" Apple Bloom was heard yelling at Berry Punch, who was looking at the apples with interest. Applejack turned to look in her direction.

"We take cash or credit." Apple Bloom said. Applejack walked over.

"I'm sorry ma'am." She said to Berry Punch, but she zipped off fearfully. 

"Ma'am!" She called out for, but it was hopeless. She then turned back around to Apple Bloom. Aww… Now Apple Bloom, you can't just…" she began, turning just in time to see the latest stunt being pulled by Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom dumped a basket of apples into Bon Bon's bag, who wasn't paying attention, and then she held out her hoof. 

"That'll be four bits." She said.

"I didn't put those in my bag." Bon Bon told her.

"Likely story," Apple Bloom sneered. "Four bits, lady!" Then Applejack's hoof covered her mouth.

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack exclaimed, as she shoved her behind her before turning to the angered Bon Bon. "I am really really sorry about that. She's new. Here, take these. No charge." She offered as she filled the other saddlebag. Bon Bon was not satisfied. 

"And these." She placed some more in the bag. Still, a scowl was on her face. Applejack pulled out a basket. of apples.

"And these." She placed the basket of apples on Bon Bon's back, and Applejack watched as she hauled away the apples, in a struggle. "Y'all come back now, y'hear?" She turned back to her little sister and she was furious since they were out of apples and had barely made any money.

"What?" Apple Bloom asked innocently.

"Sorry, little sis, but your apple-sellin' days are over." She said as she snatched off the apron.

"What?" her sister yelped. "But how else am I gonna get my cutie mark?" Apple Bloom asked as she snatched it back.

"Home. Now," she ordered. Apple Bloom spat out the apron and pouted, making Applejack sigh.

"Ugh. Listen, sugarcube, I know it's hard to wait for your very own cutie mark, but, you just can't force it. Besides, you're not that grown-up just yet. Ain't there other fillies in your class without one?" Applejack asked. Apple Bloom thought about it for a moment.

"Well… Twist doesn't have hers yet." Apple Bloom answered.

"Do you think you'd feel better if you went to the party with her?" Applejack asked encouragingly.

Apple Bloom nodded, smiling once more. "Mmm-hmm."

"Well there you go! Bet you and Twist would have a great time together. Now run along and find your friend."

Apple Bloom nodded and started to leave, but then she stopped. "You're sure you don't want me to stick around 'till the end of the market?" she asked.

"Hey!" shouted Ace Player, who was holding the tennis racket from earlier. "Who's been using my racket?"

Applejack sighed while her sister flushed. "Yeah. I'm sure."





Apple Bloom headed over to the home of Twist and knocked on the door, and the upper half opened to reveal her friend.

"Oh, what's up, Apple Bloom?" Twist asked when she saw her friend.

"So I was thinkin'… maybe we could go to Diamond Tiara's cute-ceañera together." Apple Bloom suggested hesitantly. "I don't have a cutie mark, you don't have a cutie mark."

Twist flushed a little. "Well, um…" she opened the lower half of the door to reveal that she had her cutie mark: two pink candy canes forming a heart, and Apple Bloom gasped. "Isn't my cutie mark swell?" she asked proudly. "I've always loved making my own favorite sweets, but it took me some time to discover that it was my super-special talent. Pretty sweet, huh?"

"Yeah, pretty… sweet." Apple Bloom agreed dejectedly, her ears drooping.

"Hey… this doesn't mean we can't go to the cute-ceañera together." said Twist when she saw her friend's reaction. "You're still gonna come to the party, are you?" she asked, just as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walked past.

"Of course she will." Diamond Tiara sneered.

"It's not like being the only pony there without a cutie mark would be, like, the most embarrassing thing ever." Silver Spoon added with her own sneer, and they both walked off laughing while poor Apple Bloom felt worse than ever.





Later on, Chad was holding onto Rainbow dash as she was flying at high speeds. Rainbow Dash raced through the sky laughing happily. As Chad holds on, he double takes at a dark cloud hanging over the head of Apple Bloom.

"Whoawhoawhoawhoa, Rainbow dash, saddened Bloom at 4 o'clock." Chad said. Rainbow dash skidded to a stop in the air and flew to Apple Bloom.

"Whoa, looks like somepony's got a dark cloud hanging over her head. Let me do something about that." Rainbow dash said, however, when she turned around she saw Chad use his magic to make a lasso and pull the cloud away. "Or not. What's the matter, kid?"

Apple Bloom took in a breath. "There's a cute-ceañera this afternoon and everypony in my class will be there and they'll all have their cutie marks and I wanna get my cutie mark but I'm no good at sellin' apples but I really wanna go to the party but how can I go to the party if I don't have my cutie mark which my big sister says I'm gonna get eventually but... I WANT IT NOW!"
She said rapidly.

"Cutie mark eh? I'm helping Chad here with the same thing." Rainbow dash said as she ruffled his mane.

"You have?" Apple Bloom asked. 

“Eeyup! Well, she’s only been helping with the iron grip cutie mark. I already tried for my hoof wrestling cutie mark, violin cutie mark, canoeing cutie mark set a new record by the way, and my jewel finding cutie mark. I needed Rainbow’s super fast flight for my iron grip cutie mark attempt.” Chad explained. Apple Bloom was in awe before Rainbow Dash spoke up.

"If you want, you can join the two of us." Rainbow dash said. "We can get you a Cutie Mark like that [she whips her tail]."

"Applejack says these things take time. I have to just wait for it to happen." Apple Bloom said.

"Why wait for something to happen when you can make it happen?" Rainbow dash asked her.

"But Applejack says th-" Apple Bloom started before Rainbow dash interrupted her.

"Hey, who are you gonna listen to, Applejack, or the pony who was one of the first in her class to get a cutie mark? I always liked flying an' all, but I was going nowhere in a hurry. It wasn't until my very first race that I discovered a serious need for speed, and KAZAM, this sweet baby appeared as fast as lightning." Rainbow dash said as she showed her mark. Lightning Sprint flew to her.

"You rang?" Lightning asked.

"Lightning! Perfect timing, we gotta help these two. Stat." Rainbow dash said with a smile.





Later in a field, Chad was stretching with a smile. 

"Alright. Are you both ready?" Lightning Sprint asked.

"I'm ready!" Chad exclaimed loudly 

"Chad's got the spirit! Do you Apple Bloom?!" Rainbow dash asked. 

"I'm ready!" Apple Bloom said, not as loud as Chad.

"We know you can do better than that! Are you ready!?" Lightning Sprint exclaimed.

"I'm ready!" Apple Bloom said as she reared her hooves.

"Juggling! Go!" Rainbow dash said.

Apple Bloom was struggling to juggle in the field. Chad on the other hand, was balancing on a ball while juggling smaller versions of the ball. Apple Bloom looked at him in awe, only to fall and the balls bonked her on the head. Chad flipped off of the ball and the other balls landed in his hooves. Neither party got a cutie mark.

“Hang gliding, go!” Lightning Sprint said. Apple Bloom ran as fast as she could to try and get in the air, however, she tripped and landed on the hang glider before she even got to the edge. Chad was hang gliding in the air, moving past to transition to the next scene.

“Karate! Go!” Rainbow Dash said. Apple Bloom was in a dojo with Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint were in gis, Rainbow in a white gi and black belt, and Lightning Spring was in a Red gi and a black belt. Apple Bloom wiggled and jumped towards a heavy bag.

“HiiiiiYA!” She war cried, she collided her hind hoof with the bag and went rigid. She fell to the ground and the bag did not move. Chad kicked a torso bag, knocking the water bottle on its head into the air before jumping up and tornado kicked it towards the heavy back, he kept spinning and kicked the torso back into a wall, leaving a crack.

“....I can fix that.” Chad said sheepishly.

“Kite-flying! Go!” Lightning Sprint said. In the same field they were juggling in earlier, Apple Bloom was running to get the kite in the air. Chad was reading a book with a tornado on the cover.

Apple Bloom was able to get the kite into the air, this didn’t last long. As the kite landed, Apple Bloom spat out the kite in frustration. Chad was skipping along with his kite, a mini tornado formed underneath to keep it airborne.

"Ultra Roller Derby!" Lightning Sprint said.

Chad was sitting this one out. Apple Bloom looked towards him. The very moment she did that, one of the Derby rollers shoved her, making her yelp and fall over. Chad threw a pillow for her to land on, softening her landing.

“Thank you!” Apple Bloom said, Chad nodded proudly.





Meanwhile, the two were resting in a field while Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint were going over a checklist to figure out what to do next, having marked off the ones they already tried. Then Apple Bloom heard the giggles of Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara, when she looked over and saw them, she dove in a bush behind Chad. 

"Your new outfit is, like, perfect for the party," Silver Spoon gushed. Diamond Tiara had a gift wrapped box on her back as she walked by.

"I know," said Diamond Tiara gleefully. "It totally shows off my cutie mark."

Silver Spoon sighed happily. "I love being special."

"Can you imagine how embarrassing it must be to be… not special?" Diamond Tiara wondered with a mocking tone.

Silver Spoon made a show of shuddering. "I don't even want to, like, think about it."

"Tried that one… tried that one… tried that one…" The two pegasi listed off. Chad turned to look at Apple Bloom in the bush.

“They’re gone.” Chad told her, she walked out of the bush distraught.

"I'm doomed. Doomed! If you can do all those things flawlessly and not get a cutie mark, then I'll never find somethin I'm good at.” Apple Bloom said. Chad patted her back as Pinkie popped up beside them. 

"You look like you'd be good at eating cupcakes." Pinkie told them

"Eatin' cupcakes?" Apple Bloom repeated.

“Eating cupcakes!?” Chad repeated, excited.

"Eating cupcakes?" Rainbow Dash repeated skeptically.

Pinkie Pie nodded excitedly. "Eating cupcaaakes!" And she bounced off, heading for Sugarcube Corner. Chad dove into her tail, making her spin around and chase her own tail. Apple Bloom walked over to Rainbow Dash.

“I really appreciate all your help, Rainbow Dash. You're a really great coach and I really learned a lot from you and I'm sure I can learn a lot more but... I've got some cupcakes to eat! See you at the cute-ceañera! Hold on, Pinkie Pie, I'm comin'.” Apple Bloom said as she ran to Pinkie. She dove in Pinkie’s tail too.





It didn't take long until they made it to sugar cube corner.

"Here we are!" Pinkie said. Chad bounced out of her tail, Apple Bloom latched onto his back. He bucked around playfully, making her lose her grip and land on the ground. She laughed as she rolled to her hooves.

"I can't believe I didn't think of this," Apple Bloom remarked, entering the kitchen of Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie Pie was setting up ingredients and cooking supplies. "A cupcake-eating cutie mark, it's sooo obvious." She looked around for the cupcakes. "Now, where are those cupcakes? I'm ready t' chow down!"

“We have to make the cupcakes first you little sillies.” Pinkie Pie said as she placed bakers hats on both of them. 

“Cupcake baking and eating cutie mark!? Woo, sign me up!” Chad said as he reared.

"I guess, uh, making-cupcakes cutie mark could work too." Apple Bloom said, a little less excited. Pinkie then began to sing.

“All you have to do is take a cup of flour!
Add it to the mix!
Now just take a little something sweet, not sour!
A bit of salt, just a pinch!
Baking these treats is such a cinch!
Add a teaspoon of vanilla!
Add a little more, and you count to four,
And you never get your fill of...
Cupcakes! So sweet and tasty!
Cupcakes! Don't be too hasty!
Cupcakes! Cupcakes, cupcakes, CUPCAKES!” Chad then zipped off and skipped in with two baskets full of Cherries and raspberries

“How about I give myself a little challenge?
Add a few things new!
Mix up a new solution of batter
Delicious cupcake brew!
Butter Sugar Salt Large Eggs and Flour
The normal to begin!
Add a little lot of what is new
For the surprise at the end!
Cupcakes! So sweet and tasty!
Cupcakes! Don't be too hasty!
Cupcakes! Cupcakes, cupcakes, CUPCAKES!” Chad sang as he put his batter in the second oven, hoof bumping Apple Bloom.





Several attempts later, Apple Bloom was busy using the mixer to mix up more batter when the timer on the oven went off, and she hurried over. She opened the door, backing into a flour bag, and she coughed a little when a cloud of flour puffed out. She then took out the tray of cupcakes. "Hot, hot, hot!" she yelped, dropping it.

Pinkie Pie came over to look at the tray of blacken and burnt cupcakes. "Oooh, those look much better than the last batch." And she ate one of them, chewing it with a smile on her face. "Mmm…"

At the counter, Ponies were lined up buying the ‘new cupcakes’ Mr. and Mrs. Cake were selling. Chad was covered in all the batter he was using as the timer on the oven he was using went off. He grabbed his and his cupcakes and began to put the frosting on, only to have flour enter his nose. He made two motions that he was gonna sneeze, but then stopped. He put the frosting on the cupcakes, placed them on a plate before giving them to Mr. Cake to sell. He then backed up a reasonable distance and sneezed, propelling himself into the flour bag. Apple Bloom looked at how Chad’s cupcakes were being sold while hers didn’t even look presentable.

"Ugh! I guess I'm not cut out to be a baker either," she muttered, sighing and she started walking away. "I just have to face it, I'm gonna have a blank flank forever."

“Hey, what’s that?”  Chad asked, pointing to a white splotch on Apple Bloom’s flank.

"What about what?" Apple Bloom asked, and looked at her flank in the reflection from an upside-down bowl. "Is there something on my flank? Is there, is there, is there?" She gasped when she saw it, and she tried to guess what it was. "A cutie mark! It's a… a measuring cup? No. A mixin' bowl? No… Are those cupcakes? A tower of cupcakes maybe."

Chad used a towel to wipe off the splotch off, revealing it to be flour.

“Nope, flour.” Chad said. Apple Bloom looked at his flank and saw he had once neither. Chad followed her eye sight and his ears flopped.

“Whoa. Now I see why this place is busy.” Bandit said from the door, he then looked at Chad. “Chad, Twilight has been-” He stopped when he saw the cupcakes Apple Bloom made, he started to eat them one by one.

“Twilight has been wondering if you wanna-”

“Bandit! You have to help me!" Apple Bloom pleaded.

“Whoa whoa! What’s wrong?” He asked, he saw her flank was still blank and put the pieces together. “Oh.”

“Tiara's cute-ceañera's today and everypony in my class will be there and they'll all have their cutie marks and I want to get my cutie mark but I'm no good at selling apples or making potions or hang-gliding or making cupcakes, but I wanna go to the party but how can I go to the party if I don't have my cutie mark, which Pinkie Pie says I can't just make appear, but I need it to appear, right now!" Apple Bloom said, she was desperate.

“How exactly am I supposed to help you with that? You want me to up some activities or-”

"You can use your magic to make my cutie mark appear," Apple Bloom suggested with a hopeful expression.

“Oh no. That is not a tree I plan on barking up. A cutie mark is something a pony or creature has to discover for themselves." Bandit told her.

“Please Bandit, please just try.” Apple Bloom begged.

“I can’t. I’ve done it before on myself. Watch.” Bandit said as he zapped his own flank. Apple Bloom watched as a silver shield appeared as his cutie mark only to fade away. “See?”


“M-maybe you gotta-”

“Try more than once?” Bandit interrupted. He zapped a few more times and various marks appeared only to disappear. Bandit continued this process until his horn began to glow bright red from how often it was being used. Both Chad and Apple Bloom were losing hope now, Chad even more so. “I’m sorry, but not even magic can make a cutie mark appear before it’s time.” Bandit said before putting his horn under cold water.

“I’m never gonna get a cutie mark.” Chad said as he flopped into the seated position, saddened.

“Come on Chad, don’t say that.” Bandit said to comfort him.

"It's hopeless, hopeless!" Apple Bloom wailed and she walked toward the doorway that led into the main room. "I just won't go to the party, I can't go. Everyone will just laugh at me and make fun of me and call me names. It will be the worst night of my life."

“Don’t you think you’re exaggerating a bit?” Bandit asked her before double taking at where Apple Bloom was walking. “Apple Bloom-”

Apple Bloom shook her head. "Forget it, there's no way I'm going to that-" she looked up and gulped when she saw that she was at the party and there were already ponies fillies and colts there. "-party."





Bandit looked at Chad and walked over to him, sitting beside him.

“Look, Chad I know you’re bummed but saying you’ll never get a cutie mark is a bit of a stretch don’t you think?” Bandit asked him.

“Is it? I don’t have a cutie mark despite everything I’m good at. You don’t have yours despite being the best in so many things! I’m probably gonna be as old as you before I get close to mine.” Chad said. Bandit was taken back at that.

“As old as- Chad I’m 19. You’re only 9 years younger than me.” Bandit said. Chad faceplanted into the ground. “Wrong choice of words, sorry. But…. Look. I never gave up on my cutie mark.”

Chad looked up at him.

“You haven’t?” Chad asked as he stood up.

“No. I’m still trying to find what I’m meant to be. Albeit, more subtle than when I was your age, but my destiny has yet to be discovered. I’ll find it and so will you.” Bandit said as he wrapped a hoof around Chad. “Who knows. Maybe you’ll find you’re mark before I find mine. After all, the best thing about not having a destiny yet, is that the possibilities are endless. Although you can’t make your mark appear, but you can work towards what you wanna be. Does that make you feel better?”

Chad sat up and leaned against Bandit and hugged him.

“Thanks Bandit.” Chad said. Bandit ruffled his mane.

“Not a problem. Now, you wanna go enjoy the party?” Bandit asked. Chad nodded and began to walk out.





(A/N: This scene is happening at the same time as Bandit and Chad’s tall)

Apple Bloom finally had her memory jogged and realized that she was at the cute-ceañera. She duck behind a chocolate statue shaped like a rearing unicorn. "How could I have forgotten the time?" she moaned, peering around at the ponies and fillies celebrating, plus one pony biting a cupcake and spitting it out since it was one of the burnt ones. "How could I have forgotten Pinkie Pie was hosting the party? How could I have forgotten it was at Sugarcube Corner?"

Pinkie Pie plopped a party hat on the filly's head. "Don't forget your party hat, Forgetty Forgetterson!" she advised and bounced away, wearing a party hat of her own.

Apple Bloom removed the party hat and looked around frantically. "I have to get out of here before anypony sees me," she muttered and found a hiding place behind a cake, only to have Snails walk up and take large bite out of it, forcing her to find a new hiding place.

"Hey!" Diamond Tiara snapped. "It's my cute-ceañera, I'm supposed to get the first bite of cake."

Apple Bloom ran across one of the counters and duck behind a bunch of balloons, which were then popped by a unicorn dancing nearby with his eyes shut. She dropped to the floor and hid herself behind crowds of ponies with their backs turned before settling under a table that had a bowl of punch and cups on it. Peering out from under the table cloth, she spotted the open front doorway. 

"Okay, Apple Bloom, almost there," she whispered and then carefully made her way across the floor, pausing every now and then, allowing one pony to get a drink, and then she stopped just a foot away from the door. She began to trot towards the door with a smile and her eyes closed. Only to be shoved back inside unintentionally by Applejack, who was happy to see her little sister. 

"Apple Bloom, you made it." She said cheerfully She walked into the party, dragging Apple Bloom away from the door as she walked as Apple Bloom tried desperately to reach it, to no avail. "After I heard about Twist, I was afraid you wouldn't show up. I sure am glad you came to your senses about this whole cutie mark thing. These things happen when these things are supposed to happen. Trying to rush 'em just drives you crazy. I'll let you be, looks like your friends want to talk to you." 

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon gave evil grins and began to head toward her. Upon seeing them approach, Apple Bloom quickly grabbed the table cloth off the nearby table and tied it around her waist, hiding her blank flanks.

"Well well well, look who's here." Diamond Tiara said snidely.

"Nice outfit." Silver Spoon added, also in a snide manner.

Apple Bloom thought quickly. "Just sumt'n I, uh, pulled together last minute."

"It really shows off your cutie mark." Diamond Tiara commented in a mocking tone. "Oh wait, that's right, you don't have one."

"Uh, I have a cutie mark," Apple Bloom lied. Silver Spoon blinked, confused. 

"Eh, what? Since when?"

Apple Bloom thought quickly before answering. "Since… Um… Earlier today."

"Oh really? Let's see it," Diamond Tiara demanded, not believing Apple Bloom for a second.

"I shouldn't. I couldn't," Apple Bloom refused politely. "My cutie mark is so unbelievably amazing, I'm afraid that if I show it off, everyone will start paying attention to me instead of you. Outshined at your own cute-ceañera. Can you imagine how embarrassing that would be?"

Diamond Tiara was taken back by this and snorted. "Uh, forget it, I didn't really want to see it anyway."

"Okay, well, I'm gonna go mingle," said Apple Bloom and she walked away. "Enjoy your party." She kept walking towards the exit, only to end up tripping on the edge of the table cloth and crashed into the table holding the record player, scratching the record, and everypony looked at her. Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara gave off smirks now that they could see her nonexistent Cutie Mark. Apple Bloom looked back and saw how everyone could see her blank flank. 

"Oh no." Apple Bloom said before standing up.

"Wow, that is an amazing cutie mark," Silver Spoon said with a cruel sneer.

"Nice try…" said Diamond Tiara, and she was joined by Silver Spoon, "Blank flank!"

Chad was standing behind the crowd and saw what just happened. After hearing them tease her, Chad spoke up.

“You got a problem with blank flanks!?” Chad demanded. There was a bunch of gasps as they all turned to look at Chad who was walking over to confront her.

"Well! You heard him! You got a problem with Blank Flanks!?" A light orange pegasus filly with purple eyes and pink/purple mane and tail asked as she came out from under one of the tables with a young  white unicorn filly with pale green eyes, and mulberry purple mane and tail with pale rose streaks.

Silver Spoon snorted. "The problem is, I mean, she's like, totally not special."

"No, it means she's full of potential." A familiar voice said. Eyes looked to the other side as the pegasus, the unicorn and Chad walked over to stand with Apple Bloom. They saw Rumble, Pipsqueak and a light blue unicorn colt with pale blue eyes and a light blue mane and tail with yellow streaks walking towards them. 

"It means she could be great at anything." the young pegasus filly agreed. "The possibilities are, like, endless." She added to mock.

"She could be a great adventurer.” Pipsqueak said. 

“Or an amazing artist.” Chad added 

“Or a famous writer.” The blue unicorn colt said. 

“She could even be mayor of Ponyville someday." The unicorn added.

"And she's not stuck being stuck-up like you two." The pegasus filly added, and many of the gathered ponies and foals laughed at this.

Diamond Tiara glared at the group who was backing up Apple Bloom. "Hey, this is my party, why are you six on her side?" She demanded angrily.

“Because....” Rumble said before he and the others turned to show they had no marks. The six of them were all blank flanks. Apple Bloom was shocked at the other five who were markless, already knowing Chad had no mark.

"You don't have your cutie marks either?" She asked, amazed. "I thought Chad and I were the only ones."

"We thought we were the only two." The pegasus filly admitted. 

“We thought we were the only three.” Rumble said.

“Not me, but only because I know Chad.” Pipsqueak said as he and Chad hoof bumped.

Twilight walked over to them. "I for one think you are all very lucky fillies and colts." She told them with a smile.

"Lucky?" Diamond Tiara repeated, confused and frustrated that the six foals plus nymph were getting attention instead of her. "How can they be lucky?"

"They still get to experience the thrill of discovering who they are." Twilight Sparkle reminded her, "and what they're meant to be."

"And they got all the time in the world to figure it out." Bandit said as he walked over.

"Not just an afternoon." Applejack added, smiling at her sister.

The other colts and fillies looked at them with wonder and began to walk over.

"Wow you guys. I wish I could be a scientist." A colt said to them.

"Do you really think you could be mayor?" A filly asked.

"Maybe I got my cutie mark too soon." Another said. All of the young foals were talking over each other in interest.

"Hey, what's everypony doing?" she demanded. "This is my party, everypony is supposed to be paying attention to me."

"Whatever. We still think you're losers, right, Diamond Tiara? Bump, bump, sugar… lump…" Silver Spoon said, trying to cheer her friend up. She trailed off when her friend didn't take part in their friendship routine.

"Not now, Silver Spoon," Diamond Tiara grumbled and walked away, her friend following her.

"Name's Scootaloo," said the young pegasus, introducing herself.

"And I'm Sweetie Belle," added the unicorn filly.

“Rumble.” Rumble introduced.

“Pipsqueak, at your service.” Pipsqueak added.

“Skeedaddle.” The unicorn colt introduced. “Skeedaddle with two e’s my dad is Skedaddle with one e.”

“Apple Bloom.” Apple Bloom stated proudly.

“Kama Ezio Clyde Armasta Laska Chadwickson the IV.” Chad said. Four of the six foals looked at him like he made up a language.

“Chad for short.” Pipsqueak told the group.

“Beat me by one second.” Apple Bloom told him.





Some time later, the party was back in full swing with ponies and fillies laughing, chatting, eating, drinking, and even dancing. Everypony was having a good time except for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who were sitting on the staircase, glowering at the happy ponies and fillies.

"This song is so super!" Twist called out, dancing.

Apple Bloom was sitting at a table with Sweetie Belle, Pipsqueak, Chad, Rumble, Skeedaddle and Scootaloo. "So I was thinking, now that we're friends… I mean, we are friends, right?" she asked.

"How could we not be? We're totally alike." Rumble said before nudging Chad. “For the most part.”

“We don’t have cutie marks, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon drive us crazy-” Scootaloo said, rolling her eyes.

“Totally crazy.” Skeedaddle added.

“For the most part.” Chad nudged Rumble back. 

“Well, now that we're friends, what if the seven of us work together to find out who we are and what we're supposed to be?" Apple Bloom suggested.

"Ooh! Ooh! We could form our own secret society," Sweetie Belle suggested eagerly.

Scootaloo nodded. "I'm liking this idea."

“Exactly what I was thinking.” Chad added.

“We need a name for it though." Pipsqueak added.

“The Cutie Mark Seven?” Scootaloo suggested.

“The Cutastically Fantastics?” Sweetie Belle suggested.

“Prophets of the Marks?” Pipsqueak suggested.

“Seekers of the Lost Marks?” Skeedaddle asked.

“The Cutastically Fantastic Prophets and Seekers of the Lost Marks Seven?” Rumble suggested, eyebrows were raised. “Keep it short, got it.” 

“How about-” Chad started before Apple Bloom spoke at the same time as him. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders.” They both said.

"It's perfect!" Scootaloo exclaimed, liking the name.

"This is gonna be so great!" Sweetie Belle squealed.

"We're gonna be unstoppable!" Apple Bloom declared.

Rumble grabbed a nearby cupcake. "What do you say we celebrate with some of these delicious cupcakes?" He suggested.

“They’re really good, try’em.” Skeedaddle said as he gave one to Scootaloo. Apple Bloom leaned to Chad and whispered in her ear.

“Those are the ones you made right?” Apple Bloom asked. Chad sniffed one in Pipsqueak’s hooves, he had two. He was able to smell the RaspCherry mix.

“Yep, those are the ones I made.” Chad said to her before wrapping his tongue around the cupcake and swallowing it in one bite.

“Hey. That was supposed to be mine.” Pipsqueak playfully glared before eating the other one.

“Sorry Pip.” Chad said before his ears twitched. “Come on, let’s make the most of this party.” He trotted off to the dance floor, with his new friends before being joined by Spike and Twist during a dance.

"Dear my loving mother, I am happy to report that my baby brother, Kama Chadwickson, as well as his friend Apple Bloom, have learned a valuable lesson about friendship. Sometimes, the thing you think will cause you to lose friends and feel left out…” Bandit narrated.

"…can actually be the thing that helps you make your closest friends and realize how special you are." Princess Celestia finished reading and smiled at her own cutie mark. Which she earned over a millennia ago. She looked back at the letter, since there was more.

"P.S. I think I might start trying really hard again for my own Cutie mark. See if I can or if destiny has other plans." Celetia finished reading. She giggled as she put the letter down. “Your cutie mark will be an amazing one.”
> Fall Weather Friends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a hot sunny day in Ponyville and at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack and Lightning Sprint were having a little competition of horseshoe throwing.

Lightning Sprint grunted as she threw her horseshoe, watching it land next to the post. "Whoo-hoo!" She exclaimed, somersaulting.

"Hoo-wee!" said Applejack, impressed. "Not a bad pitch for a pony who works with her head in the clouds." She added in a teasing manner.

"Oh yeah? Think you can do better, cowgirl?"

"I know I can," Applejack said confidently, grabbing a yellow horseshoe with her teeth and tossed it toward the stick, only to have it fall short of the blue horseshoe. "Oh, for Pete's sake!"

"Heh! Looks like this Pegasus can pitch better than the workhorse. The object of the game is to get the closest to the stake."

Rolling her eyes, Applejack shoved the remaining blue horseshoe toward her friend. "All right, all right. You got another throw there, pony girl." she reminded her with a smirk.

Lightning Sprint flicked it up onto her nose before throwing it but missed by a long way. Chad, who was pulling a plow as Big Macintosh supervised, caught it and spun it on his tail.

"Wow, Lights, heh," Applejack said, back to her teasing manner. "You couldn't hit a barn door with that kind of a throw."

"Yeah, yeah. I still have the closest throw, Apple Smack. Just try and beat it."

Picking up the horse shoe and lining up her sight, Applejack tossed her remaining horseshoe and this time it hooked on the stick and circled it twice before landing on the ground. "Yee-haw! It's a ringer." she cheered while Lightning’s jaw dropped in shock. "That's how you do it down here on the farm."

"I lost....." Lightning Sprint said, looking down.

"Ah, don't feel bad, Lightning," Applejack told her to cheer her up. "It's all in good fun."

"I hate losing." She added before muttering under her breath. "I lose too often."

"Besides, you're a mighty good athlete," she added smugly. "I'm just better. Heh heh heh." Applejack said, Not hearing what she muttered under her breath.

Lightning Sprint flew after her, not wanting to take this lying down. "All right, Applejack, you think you're the top athlete in all of Ponyville?"

"I believe that title goes to Bandit." Applejack pointed out. “Best pony athlete however, and I would say I’m the best in all of equestria,” She then swished her tail in her face. “But that might be gildin’ a lily.” Applejack continued to trot off.

"And I think I'm the top pony athlete. So let's prove it."

Applejack poked her head back towards Lightning. "Prove what?"

"I challenge you to an Iron Pony competition.” Lightning Sprint told her, Applejack raised a brow at the suggestion. “A series of athletic contests to decide who's the best, once and for all." Lightning Sprint said with a grin.

Applejack smiled with determination. “You know what Lightning? You’re on.” 

Both mares spat in their own hooves and hoof bumped before going head to head, smirking with a determination to win.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





The next day at the farm, Big Macintosh was busy setting up the last of the events needed for the Iron Pony competition with Chad and Rainbow Dash’s help, and on a nearby hill, Lightning Sprint and Applejack were warming up their muscles when they were joined by Bandit and Spike, having gotten a letter at the doorstep of the library.

"So you two are doing what, now?" Bandit asked them.

Applejack was caught off guard by Lightning Sprint, but composed herself and continued. "See, we've set up a bunch of events to decide which one of us is-"

"The most athletic pony ever!" Lighting cut in. Applejack looked annoyed with the interruptions.

“And I’m currently standing here instead of prepping for the newest episode of Power Ponies vs Retaliators because why?” Bandit asked.

"Well.... we kinda need a judge. So we figured, why not have the best athlete in Equestria to judge us instead?" Lightning Sprint said. Bandit got nose to nose with her with an unamused look.

".... Are you trying to flatter me so you can score some extra points as a just in case?" Bandit asked her.

"What? No." She answered quickly, realizing he was onto her. 

Bandit brought out a cookie and waved it across her nose.

She gasped and looked at the cookie. 

"You will tell me the truuuuuuuth." He teased in a hypnotic manner.

"I will tell you the-" She repeated before shaking her head quickly. "Hey!" 

"Eh, close enough."

She narrowed her eyes at him, pressing back against his nose this time. "That's not gonna work everytime."

"No cookie for you then." He said as he moved back to eat it.

"But I want the cookie." She said with a whimper. He rolled his eyes and tossed it to her.

"Yay!" She caught it with a smile and happily took a bite. That was the faithful moment she realized that the cookie given to her was oatmeal raisin, she thought she was receiving a chocolate chip cookie. She quickly spat out the piece she'd eaten, coughing and sputtering. "Oatmeal?! I will not forget this betrayal"

Chad slid over.

"You gonna eat the rest of that?" He asked.

"Knock yourself out." She answered, giving the rest of the cookie to him. Chad ate it in seconds.

"Fine, I'll judge the competition." Bandit said. 

"Awesome." Lightning Sprint said, hugging Bandit tightly.

“But don’t expect special treatment.” Bandit told her as he patted her head.





A short while later, it was time for the competition to start, and Spike, who was standing on Twilight's back this time, had grabbed a stick off the ground and was using it like a microphone. "Hello everypony, and welcome to the first annual Iron Pony competition!" he announced.

"Uh, Spike, who are you talking to?" Twilight Sparkle asked, looking over her shoulder at the baby dragon.

Spike flushed a little and nodded around. "Um… Uh, them!" he exclaimed as Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie arrived to cheer their friends on. "Let the games begin!" And as Applejack and Rainbow Dash took their places before the first event, a few other ponies arrived to cheer them on.





The first event was barrel weaving. "Ready. Set. Go!" Bandit called out and Applejack raced through the barrel weave, avoiding the barrels until she just barely brushed the third to last one.

“Dagnabbit.” She said looking back before she managed to weave past the other barrels and reached the finish line.

"Time Chad?" Bandit asked.

"17 seconds." Chad answered.

"You're kiddin'!" Applejack exclaimed as she slid over, surprised and delighted by her time. "That breaks my record from last year's rodeo."

"But you got a five second penalty for nudging the barrel." He added.

Applejack sighed, disappointed. "Nuts and shoes." she grumbled for a moment before turning grateful once again. "Still, that's 22 seconds. Not too shabby."

Lightning Sprint was beginning to sweat, getting nervous. 

"Hey, don't be nervous." She suggested, nudging her friend a little. "Remember, it's all in good fun. Now git on up there."

She nodded and moved into position. 

"Ready. Set. Go!" Bandit said, and with that, Lightning Sprint zipped through the barrels without touching a single one.

"Woo! That was some fancy hoofwork there, Lights!" Applejack cheered.

"Thanks, but I-" Lightning Sprint panted "-couldn't have been as fast as you."

"What was the time on that, Chad?" Applejack asked. Chad looked at the stopwatch.

"18 seconds!" Chad announced.

"18 seconds." Applejack repeated, surprised and then gave her friend a friendly nudge. "Lights, are you sure you're not secretly a rodeo pony?" she teased Lightning Sprint.

"Lightning  Sprint wins the barrel lead!" Twilight announced and Rainbow dash updated the scoreboard with a woot.

Lightning cheered for herself loudly. "Oh, I can't believe I won."

"Yeah, well, don't you go gettin' used to it." Applejack told her, yanking on her friend's tail to bring her back to the ground. Leaning in her back with a slight glare.





The next event was to ring the bell at the top of a tower. Having won the first event, Lightning sprint was first up to the tower, and used her back legs to kick the target hard. The punt shot upward and hit the bell, ringing it. The gathered ponies cheered, and there were more of them as word spread about the event.

Applejack, who was resting under a tree, peered out from under her hat before getting up to take her turn. "Mighty respectable," she commented, spitting out the piece of straw she'd been chewing on, "but let me show ya how it's really done." She then went to the tower and with a loud grunt, slammed her back legs into the target. The punt shot upward and knocked the bell clean off, winning her the event, Bandit used his magic to catch the bell. While the ponies all cheered, she trotted back to Lightning, who was staring with a stunned expression,  added with a dropped jaw. "Years of applebuckin'." She added before kicking the tree. The apples fell out of the tree and bonked her on the head to the tune of 'shave and a haircut'.

Fluttershy placed a point on Applejack's score.

Two more apples bonked Lightning Sprint in the tune of, 'two bit'.





The next event was the bronco buck. The mares had the choices between Chad and Spike. Lightning Sprint zipped over and grabbed Spike, remembering Rainbow dash had told her about Chad's iron grip. Applejack walked over to Chad and placed him on her back. Chad held onto her sides, waiting to be bucked off. In the stands that'd been set up, Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac were cheering her on.

"Waa-hoo!" Granny Smith Cheered.

"Whoo-hoo!" Apple Bloom cheered.

"Eeyup!" Big Macintosh cheered.

"Bring it on." Chad said.

"Why me?" Spike said.

"Go!" Bandit said. Applejack began to buck as hard as she could. Lightning bucked as fast as she could. Not even five seconds went by and Spike was bucked into the air. Bandit dropped the whistle and dove for him, catching him at the cost of the scoreboard, chipping off the top of it.

"Lightning Sprint wins the bronco buck!" Bandit said as Rainbow dash put a point on the board.

"FYI, I got the winner." Rainbow dash told him. Applejack was still trying to buck Chad off, tiring herself out as a result.

"Quite….the grip….you got there." Applejack said per pant. 

"Like iron." Chad said as he flexed his front hooves. Applejack smirk since he let go of her sides, so she bucked him off, sending him into a haystack. He popped out.

"Again!" He exclaimed excitedly.





More ponies arrived at the competition and they were cheering with the rest as Chad and Spike ran around the fenced area. Applejack was spinning her lasso with ease, Lightning Sprint was having a very difficult time.

Chad was zig zagging the best he could, but was tripped by Spike when Applejack aimed for him. The lasso missed Spike and grabbed Chad, hog tying him for the end result.

“Spike you traitor!” Chad exclaimed. Spike laughed and fell on his back. Chad wasn't the only one tied up at the moment. Lightning Sprint, who'd been having troubles with her own lasso, was now tied upside-down to one of the branches of a nearby tree. "Does this count?" She asked.

Fluttershy put a point on Applejack’s side.

“Come on Lightning! You can do it!” Rainbow Dash cheered for her.





The next event was ball bouncing and while Applejack struggled with bouncing her ball, toppling over, making the ball bounce over to Lightning sprint, who was bouncing both of her own on her head, and Applejack’s ball on her hind hoof.





The next even was the hay bale toss. Lightning was up first, Lightning Sprint picked up her bale and gave it a great throw. She quickly flew to watch it land. She flew over to it, and smiled at Applejack, seeing the hay bale Applejack threw was about to hit her. She rolled out of the way and the bale landed farther than Lightning Sprint’s





The next event was hoof wrestling. Both Applejack and Lightning Sprint had a strong hoof, but Lightning Sprint had more power in her front hooves and wound up winning when she pinned Applejack’s hoof to the stump, which in turn knocked Applejack to the ground, which won her a point.





The next event was the football kick. Lightning Sprint kicked the ball while flying upright as Applejack bucked the ball. Lightning’s ball went under the cloud of three pegasi. Applejack’s ball went over the cloud the pegasi were on.





"Fillies and gentlecolts, at the halfway point, our competitors are tied at five and five." Spike announced. On Bandit’s back this time.

“You’re getting pretty good at that.” Bandit told him.

“Who are you talking to Spike?” Twilight asked as she walked over. 

"Them!" Spike said happily and her jaw dropped when she saw that nearly every pony in Ponyville was gathered for the competition. Some of them were even performing cheerleader routines.

“Twilight, can you judge the rest of the competition? I’ve got an episode of-”

“Go ahead.” Twilight interrupted. Bandit flew off to the library.





The next even was pushups and Twilight Sparkle was keeping track of how many pushups were being done by Applejack and Lightning.

"Ninety-five, ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine..." Twilight counted. 

Lightning Sprint used her wings in order to keep herself up.

"Yes!" Lightning Sprint exclaimed.

"One hundred!" Twilight announced.

Applejack glared up at the blue pegasus, who was flying above her like a spoiled brat. "Be a good sport, Applejack." She muttered to herself.





The next event was the long jump, and Applejack was up first. She took a running start and managed to make it a very far distance before it was Lightning's turn.

Lightning Sprint began running and took her jump. Upon realising she wouldn't make it as far, she flapped her wings to get further than Applejack.

Applejack glared again. The next event was to bring the chicks to the mother hens. They had to cross mud in order to do so. The two began crossing and Applejack lost her chicks within seconds due to the mud. Applejack looked and tried to get them back before looking at Lightning.

Lightning went past, balancing them on her wings.





"Okay, I'm back from-" Bandit skidded to a stop upon seeing the scoreboard and looked very confused.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Lightning Sprint has been pulling away." Twilight answered.

"She has? They were tied together when I last saw them.

Twilight nodded. "We're coming up to the last event now."

Bandit looked and saw Applejack and Lightning Sprint holding onto a rope. 

"Give it all you've got!" Twilight called. Spike waved a flag to start the event.

Applejack was pulling as hard as she could, and was about to pull her over the mud. 

"Looks like the workhorse might come out ahead in this one." Spike commented. Right before Lightning could be pulled into the mud, she used her wings to stop herself and then pulled straight up.

The flying drag Applejack with her, making her dangle over the mud.

"That's not fair," Applejack called out the best she could with a mouth full of rope. "You can't use your wings to help you win."

She tilted her head, not understanding her. "What?!" She called

"You're cheatin'!" She gritted.

"I can't understand you with the rope in your mouth."

Applejack spit out the rope. "I said… uh-oh," she began before realizing what she'd done.

Lightning Sprint gasped upon seeing her let go. Seconds later, Applejack fell into the mud and the crowd cheered.

The crowd cheered loudly as the final score was 15-5. Lightning Sprint had won.

"Whoo-hoo!" Lightning Sprint cheered loudly while her friend pulled herself out of the mud. "I win by a landslide.”

“Or, mudslide in Applejack’s case.” Rainbow Dash laughed.

Applejack shook off the mud and she was furious. "You only won 'cause you cheated!" She snapped at Lightning Sprint.

"What?!"

"You used your wingpower to help you win over half those contests!" Applejack confronted her angrily.

"That sounds quiet sour to me Applejack."

"Are you sayin' you didn't use your wings?" There was a pause.

"Well... no. But you never said I couldn't use my wings."

"Should she have too?" Bandit spoke up.

"It pays to be specific... and besides I still think I would have won without my wings.” Lightning sprint said. Chad pulled out a list.

“Let’s see, long jump, high jump, tug of war, chicken transfer, and push ups. Nope. The events would be a tie.” Chad said as he showed her the list. There were five stamps with wings in the shape of a w, signifying that her wings were the reason she won.

Applejack glared. "I didn't think I needed to tell you to play fair."

"Both of you, stop." Bandit stepped forward. Lightning Sprint and Applejack looked at him. “Listen. Both of you are very wrong in this situation. Applejack, If you didn't want Lightning Sprint to use her wings, you should have made that clear from the get go. Lightning, you really should have known better than to use your wings and it’s disappointing that someone should have to tell you."

Lightning Sprint looked down upon being told.

"You're right Bandit, I should have." Applejack said, looking down.

“Look, let’s give you both the benefit of the doubt and say that you’re tied. How do you suppose we settle the tie breaker?” Twilight asked as she walked over.

“Tomorrow is the annual Runnin' of the Leaves,'' Applejack informed Bandit before turning to Lightning Sprint. "I challenge you to race me in it." Lightning scoffed.

“Is that it? You’ll be eating my dust faster than you can-” Lightning started to fly away, but Applejack tugged her back down by her tail.

"There is one condition: the point is to run, so no wings allowed." Applejack told her.

“No wings? No problem." Lightning said as she broke out of her grip. They then spit on their hooves and shook while glaring at each other. Lightning then blew a raspberry that broke the tension a little, and they both chuckled. But then they went back to glaring at each other.





The next morning, Bandit was walking to the location with Spike on his back. He was of course going to participate.

"Don't you think it's gonna be too easy for you?" Spike asked.

"By a mile. No doubt, but it’s been too long since my trophy room got a new addition. My last first place medal was 3 years ago. I plan on changing that today." Bandit answered.

“Wasn’t that first place medal in racing?”

“Yes it was.” Bandit said. 

“You’re gonna completely dust everyone. I’m hoping I get to be the announcer again.” Spike said. Bandit looked back at Spike.

“Uh, Spi-”

"Just listen: Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to the annual Running of the-"

"Welcome to the annual Running of the Leaves!" Chad was heard announcing. "This is Chad, your mad lad glad to make you not sad and feel rad, announcer.

Spike looked towards him. "Chad's announcing?"

"He called dibs last night after you went to sleep." Bandit told him. Spike threw down the stick with a grumpy expression on his face. “You’ll get your chance.”

“The running of the leaves is a very important tradition here in Ponyville, for without it, the autumn leaves of this lovely town would never fall. It is an exciting and wonderful race I have dreamed about announcing for ever since I read about it last night! The race begins in five minutes, so all participants get ready.

Applejack and other racers were at the starting line, stretching and getting ready for the race.

"Excuse me, sorry, 'cuse me. Make way for the Iron Pony." Lightning Sprint said, moving through the crowd to Applejack.

"The Iron Phony, you mean." Applejack growled, as Lightning got to her.

"So, Applejack, you ready to win second place?" She teased.

"I'm ready to run a good, clean race," Applejack retorted.

“No wings, got it. Geez.” Lightning Sprint said with an eye roll. Applejack then pulled out a rope. "What's that for?" Lightning asked.

A few moments later, she was tying down the wings to her body.

"Agh. Did you have to tie it so tight?"

"Trussed up like a turkey," she remarked, after tying the knot. "Well, a turkey who can't fly, that is."

"Very funny AJ."

This time Applejack smirked. "'Least now we know we're racin' fair and square." Just then a series of trumpets were played.

"Racers!" Chad called out. "Please take your positions!"

Spike walked over to Chad’s balloon and waved to get his attention.

“Hey Spike! Besides me, what’s up?” Chad asked.

“Well, you’re probably gonna say no to this, since you called dibs, but can I announce with you?” Spike asked.

“Sure!” Chad said. Spike shrugged.

“Well, it was with a shot.” Spike said as he turned around to walk away. 

“Three….two...one.” Chad counted down. Spike ran back over.

“Wait! You said yes!? Spike exclaimed. Chad threw down a rope and Spike began to climb up.

As Applejack was double-checking the rope, Bandit walked over with the number 27 on his flank.

Lightning Sprint glanced beside her and saw Bandit. "Oh come on!"

"What?" Bandit asked.

"Bandit sugar, what are you doing?" Applejack asked. 

"Participating?" Bandit answered. "Is something wrong with that?"

"We don't have a chance with you here." Lightning said.

“Bandit, you look like you’ll take five steps and you’ll cross the finish line.” Applejack told him.

"I'm not the one you're competing against thankfully. Twilight's racing too."

Lightning had to hold in a laugh. "Twilight is racing? As in, reads books all day Twilight?"

“Hey, you never know. She might surprise you.” Bandit said with a shrug as Twilight arrived.

“Yeah, she’ll surprise us by how long it takes.” Lightning Sprint said as she laughed. 

"But have you ever run a race?" Applejack asked her after snickering.

“Well, no, but I do know a lot about running.”

"And you know this from…" Lightning Sprint asked.

"Books," said Twilight Sparkle proudly. "I've read several on the subject."


Bandit covered Lightning’s mouth before she could start laughing loudly.

“Enough with the judgements, judgy mcjudgerson. The race is about to start.” Bandit told her.

"All right, ponies and Changeling, are you ready?" Chad asked from the sky, and the ponies below him and Spike got into their starting positions.

The crowd of runners all got themselves ready.

"Get set!" Chad added. A bell rang and Bandit took off, leaving everyone else in the dust. Everyone else physically stopped as he went, stunned at his speed.

"And they're off! This running of the leaves is off to an amazing start, Bandit already leaving the group in the dust!" Chad announced.  "You know, Spike, despite its name, the leaves don't do any of the actual running." He remarked. "No, that's left to the citizens of Ponyville. So, the name should be running for the leaves.”

"Uh.... right." Spike said.

"Very interesting, Considering back in canterlot as well as a lot of places that my brother and I have visited, the leaves actually fall naturally. Adding to the uniqueness of this town." Chad said. "But we are not here for me to point out Miniature trivial facts about the world that's only gonna be explored later on, we are here to watch two ponies face off in this race." 

"That's right. We're here to watch Applejack and Lightning Sprint race against one another to see who is the best" 

"This is one grudge match for the centuries, That's for sure."

"It sure is." 

"Applejack and Lightning Sprint are both neck and neck, both of them putting forth a lot of effort in order to overpass the other but Applejack seems to get the lead by a centimeter." Chad said. Lightning Sprint ran forward and tried to pass her once again.

"And it looks like Lightning is making up for that centimeter, an additional burst of speed gets her in the lead by an inch!" Chad announced. "The battle for second place gets more intense as Applejack and Lightning are at the exact same spot and speed." Chad announced.

"Not so easy without wings, is it?" Applejack asked Lightning as she began to pull ahead.

"Come on Lightning, show’em what a proper Sprint looks like" Lightning Sprint said, beginning to catch up, kicking it into high gear.

"And Lightning is running as fast as her first name as she performs her last name to catch right back up to Applejack." Chad announced with a smile.

Applejack looked at Lightning as she caught up.

"You didn't think I was gonna let you off that easily, did you?" Lightning said

Applejack was about to reply, before she suddenly tripped on a rock and went tumbling across the ground. 

“Whoa!” She exclaimed as she came to a stop, almost getting run over by the other ponies. After the dust and leaves settled, she went into her hooves, enraged. "I don't believe it." she grumbled.

"I know. It's beautiful isn't it?" Twilight asked, trotting over to join her.

"Not the scenery, Twilight," Applejack protested. "Lightning  Sprint just tripped me."

"She did not." Twilight said.

"She did too!" Applejack insisted.

"She did not. If you looked where you were going you'd see you tripped over a rock." Twilight said, pointing to the very rock that her friend had tripped over.

"What? Oh, hayseed!" Applejack groaned, realizing that they were right. "Now I got a lot of ground to make up to catch Lightning." And she raced off, hoping that she would be able to catch up with Lightning.

“Just me careful!” She called after.





Far ahead, Lightning Sprint was in the lead by a landslide as Applejack was nowhere to be seen. Lightning Sprint sighed and slowed to a brief trot. The very moment she did that, Applejack began to pass her.

"See you at the finish line!" She called out as she disappeared down the road. Lightning Sprint gasped and ran after her.

"I don't believe it. After a huge setback, Applejack is back at the front of the pack." Spike announced.

"She's head of the pack alright, but will she remain the alpha wolf?" Chad announced.

"Not so fast, Applejack! This race isn't over yet!" Lightning Sprint exclaimed.

"It is for you. Heh," Applejack replied, grinning.

Moments later, Lightning tripped and fell to the ground, results of tripping over a stump. Applejack and the other ponies raced past, she got buried by leaves.

She quickly shook them all off and got back up.

"Guh, I don't believe it, Applejack tripped me!" She complained.

"Don't you ponies ever look where you're going?" Twilight Sparkle asked from behind her. "You tripped on a stump. See?"

She looked at the stump. "Oh no no no no no. I have to win. I just have to."

"Lightning, relax, it's just a game. Take your time and be safe." Twilight told her before trotting by.

"It's a game, and the rules have changed." Lightning Sprint said before she took off running.





The Running of the Leaves was still going strong with it being halfway over and flying overhead, Chad and Spike were still reporting on the rest. 

"Welcome back, Ponyvillians, it's me, Chad the rad mad lad Who's glad he's had the opportunity to do this fad and not be bad." said Chad cheerfully.

"And Spike... uh... the dragon who is easy to like….like a bike?" Spike added, trying to copy Chad. "It looks like Lightning Sprint is doing her best to catch up."

“And boy is she catching up. Running faster than a cat lapping chain lightning.” Chad said.

"It's like she's got a new purpose and a burst of energy."

"This energy seems to put applejack in quite a pickle as Lightning finally overtakes her."

"Pickles are good" Spike said.

Chad handed him a lunch box with a pickle sandwich inside.

Applejack double takes at Lightning Sprint.

Lightning Sprint had gained on Applejack and ran by.

“See?! No wings! No Problem!” She taunted. Growling, Applejack kept running, running much faster than before.

"As the racers enter Equestria's Whitetail Wood, Lightning Sprint is back in the lead." Spike announced, with his mouth stuffed, spotting the upcoming forest.

Lightning grabbed a nearby branch and with her teeth and let it whip back at Applejack.

The branch hits Applejack knocking her to the ground.

"What the-" she exclaimed as she looked at her, seeing her grinning at her.

"Nice work Lights" She said to herself as she ran.

"Why, that little cheater did that on purpose," she growled. "It's on." She glanced at the branch and smirked, getting an idea.

Applejack got onto the branch as it was pulled back and then let it loose, sending her flying.

Lightning kept running as fast as she could.

An orange blur Zipped past her within seconds. Applejack was now way ahead of her.

“What?!”

"Later!" called out Applejack, running and when she saw a beehive surrounded by buzzing bees, she paused long enough to buck it out of the tree. And Lightning ran right into the bees. Out of sheer panic, she ran as fast as she could in order to get away from the bees before jumping into a bush, losing them.. As she realized Applejack was a long ways away, she sees the sign of the arrow pointing to the path.

“I see your bees and raise you…" She flipped the sign. "A path of misdirection."

She hides in the bushes and when Applejack arrived, she saw the way the sign was pointing, and she started up a mountainside. Lightning  Sprint came out of hiding and fixed the sign before laughing so hard, draped over the sign, she didn't pay attention when the other ponies raced past her.

"Oh my, Whitetail Wood is just lovely." Twilight Sparkle commented as she trotted to the sign and saw Lightning Sprint still laughing there. 

"Hey, Lights, shouldn't you be up ahead?" she asked, surprised.

Lightning  Sprint chuckled. "I'm sure I'll win now."

"Except that the other racers just passed you." Twilight pointed out, Lightning's eyes went wide.

"Oh horse apples… See ya!" She took off.





Meanwhile, Applejack kept following the mountain path until she found herself on a cliff that was far from the race, and she blinked when a familiar hot-air balloon appeared.

"Applejack, what are you doing up here?" Chad asked.

"There aren't even any trees," Spike added.

Applejack flushed. "Er, no, but the sign's pointed this way…" she trailed off, realizing what had happen. "Lightning." She gritted before looking up at the two. "Mind giving me a lift?" she asked hopefully.





Back in the race, Rainbow Dash had managed to get ahead of the other ponies and she was started when Applejack, who was hanging from a rope on the base of the hot-air balloon, went flying by with a cheerful wave. "What the hay?! You said no flying!" she protested.

Applejack landed a short distance ahead of her and shook her head as she began running again. "No, I said no wings."





"You know Spike, for my first time watching the running of the leaves, this is way more interesting than I thought it was gonna be." Chad told him.

"What were you expecting?" Spike asked him.

"Definitely not two ponies forgetting the objective is to run the race." Chad said.



 

Down below, the two ponies kept trying to figure out how to trip each other up, that at one point, Applejack was sent spinning, that she turned into an orange tornado that swallowed up Lightning Sprint, and they went spinning up the side of a nearby mountain, crashing into the side. 

Dizzy, they found themselves on a ledge and were glaring at each other when it suddenly broke, and they went sliding and screaming back onto the path, just barely missing the other ponies as they raced past.

"Forgive me, girls. I know I'm not an athlete, but shouldn't the Running of the Leaves actually involve running?" Twilight asked as she trotted by.

They both watched her go and then Lightning looked at Applejack.

"You know what? I think Twilight is right." Lightning said. Applejack looked at her confused.

"You do?"

"Yeah! If you wanna beat me, you better... RUUUN!" Lightning exclaimed as she ran off. Applejack took off behind her.

"Once again, Lightning Sprint and Applejack are neck and neck, jockeying for position." Chad announced.

"Applejack inches ahead, now it's Lightning, it's Applejack, it's Lightning Sprint, it's Applejack..." Spike added. The two ponies saw the finish line and just like that all gloves were off.

Lightning Sprint tried to knock  Applejack off course.

"Oh no, she di'int!" Spike exclaimed, just as Applejack tried to do the same with the Lightning.

"Oh yes, she di'id!" Chad exclaimed.

Applejack grunted when Lightning  Sprint collided with her again. "Cut it out!" she snapped, returning the favor. 

"No you cut it out!" Lightning Sprint said, glaring at her.

"You started it." Applejack glared back.

"And now I'm gonna finish it." She said as she ran ahead.

"Oh no, you won't," Applejack vowed, unaware that the other ponies had just passed them, including Twilight who scored 3rd place Twilight.

Applejack and Lightning Sprint yanked each other back multiple times before Applejack bit the ropes and accidentally freed her wings.

Lightning opened out her wings and began flapping. "That's it! All bets are off."

Applejack raced after her and leapt into the air, knocking her back to the ground. "Oh no, you don't." And they turned into a mobile dust ball as they fought along the rest of the path to the finish line.

"Stuck in a cartoon cloud of dust and violence, this is looking real intense here folks!" Chad exclaimed. 

"It's Applejack, it's Lightning Sprint, it's Applejack, it's Lightning Sprint--" Spike said. 

Once the dust cleared and they were over the line, Lightning Sprint stood up looking a little banged up. 

"I did it.  I won!" She said.

"No, I won!" Applejack snapped, also banged up from the fight.

"I won!" Lightning Sprint snapped back.

"You tied." Chad said as he hopped out with Spike on his back.

"Tied!?" They both exclaimed.

"For fir-" Applejack was about to ask before turning to see Bandit with the first place medal on. "For second?"

"For last." Spike answered. 

"Then who won?" Lightning Sprint asked before seeing Bandit's medal. "Erm. Who got second!?"

Twilight walked over with a medal around her neck.

"You!?" They both asked.

Twilight laughed and shook her head. "Oh no, but I did get third place, which is rather great considering I've never run a race before. Second place actually went to Carrot top."

They looked and saw Carrot top being squeezed via hug by Derpy.

"How is that even possible?" Applejack asked Twilight.

"You ran so slow. And looked at the scenery." Lightning Sprint said.

"Exactly. I paced myself, just like my book said. Then at the end, when all the other ponies were worn out, I sprinted to the finish." Twilight said.

"Not so bad for 'Reads books all day' Twilight is it?" Bandit asked them with a smug grin.

"I don't believe it….Twilight beat us." Lightning Sprint said to Applejack. 

"From Chad's commentary. The two of you horsing around played a part in all of that." Bandit commented.

"You're right, Bandit," Applejack agreed, feeling very sheepish. "Our behavior was just terrible."

"We weren't exactly being good sports" Lightning Sprint added.

"Look, I understand that you're competitive and have a need to win, I can get competitive too, and it's quite the motivator, but It's important to remember that the friendship is always more important than the competition." Bandit said, he was unaware of his mother's presence.

"Sounds to me that an important lesson was learned." Princess Celestia's voice was heard, followed by the gasps of ponies who all bowed.

Bandit turned to Celestia and instead of bowing he hugged her.

"Hey mom." He said. 

"Hello Bandit." She smiled happily and returned the hug. Bandit then pointed to his medal proudly.

"Oh look at that. That's wonderful" Celestia said.

"W-What are you doin' here?" Applejack asked, now embarrassed by her actions earlier.

"Fall is one of my favorite seasons." Princess Celestia explained, "So I came to celebrate the Running of the Leaves." She then cupped Bandit's cheeks and squished them. "And I wanted to see my darling baby nymph run the race."

Bandit shook out of the cupping hooves.

"Moooom." He groaned out of embarrassment.

"Sorry, my little stallion." She teased, booping his nose. Twilight giggled at Bandit. Celestia looked at the forest and then at Applejack and Lightning Sprint. 

"Now, unfortunately, because the two of you were busy tricking each other instead of shaking down leaves, many of the lovely trees of Equestria are still covered." She added and it was clear that only half of the trees had been freed of their leaves.

Applejack glanced around and got an idea. "Why, Princess, I bet we can knock those leaves down for you lickety-split," she promised and turned to Lightning Sprint. "Whaddya say, friend? Wanna go for another run?" she offered.

Lightning Sprint grinned. "I'd love to stretch my legs." And they ran down the path together, using their speed not to beat each other, but to bring down the remaining leaves.

As Celestia watched them run, Chad began sneaking up behind her and wiggling, about to pounce. How shameful he was playing into Celestia's hooves.

Celestia pretended that she couldn't see him, until Chad pounced aiming for her back.

She quickly spun around and caught him "Gotcha."

Chad squirmed knowing what was gonna happen next. 

"Wait! Wait no plea-" It was too late, the royal tickling commenced.
> Suited For Success
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a beautiful day in Ponyville and Rarity was in her boutique, preparing to make her dress for the Grand Galloping Gala, and she had finished the drawing phase, which she was showing off to her cat, Opalescence, who was trying to nap on pink cloth that was covering one of the dress mannequins.

"Oh, Opalescence," she sighed, magically holding up the drawing so that her pet could see. "Can't you just picture it? Moi, stepping out in a stunning new gown at the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot!" She then set the drawing aside and magically wrapped the cloth around herself while her cat was knocked to the floor.

Meowing in annoyance, Opalescence went to find a new place for her nap while Rarity pranced around her sewing around. "Why, yes! I did make it myself," she said, pretending that she was at the Gala. "Thank you so much for asking." She then magically set the cloth next to her sewing machine, unknowingly yanking it out from under her cat, who let out a low growl of annoyance.

Misinterpreting the growl, Rarity magically set her cat on a counter and gave her a pincushion to hold in her mouth. "Oh, Opal, of course you can help me. Thank you." She said as she went to work on designing her dress and noted that her pet was still growling. "What's that? You want to help me more? Oh, aren't you the sweetest thing?" She magically gave her cat more to hold so that the poor thing was balancing on one paw. "Careful now. Don't move. This shouldn't take long at all."

Opalescence let out a muffled growl and was wishing she was somewhere else.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Sometime later, Rarity was hard at work on her dress when the door banged open and Applejack, Twilight Sparkle,  Chad, and Bandit entered. Upon not seeing her, Bandit and Chad sniffed the air and followed her scent to the sewing room.

Bandit opened the door and saw her in there.

"Morning Rar-" He saw that she was working on something. "Ope, sorry Rarity. I'll come back later."

He started to head back out.

“She’s busy, Let's come back later." Bandit said from the other side of the door.

"What's she doing?" Applejack asked.

"Making a dress, come on. Let's let her concentrate." Bandit said. However, Rarity opened the door, unable to tune out her friends, and gave a polite question.

"Is there something I can help you with?" 

"Oh, so very sorry to trouble you, Rarity." Twilight apologized, "but Bandit and I need a quick favor." She pulled an orange/red dress out of her saddlebag and set it on the nearest table to reveal that one of the buttons on the front was close to falling off. "Could you please fix the button for me?" she requested. "It's my dress for the Grand Galloping Gala."

Rarity shot a very shocked look at the dress, not approving of the style.

"Oh, no, no, no! You can't wear this… old thing," she protested. "You need a glamorous new outfit for the Gala and I'll make it for you. No problem at all. It will be my pleasure!"

"Oh, that's really sweet of you to offer, Rarity, but I can't let you do that. It would be so much work," Twilight politely declined. "This dress is fine."

Rarity fixed her friend with a stern look that was amplified by the glasses she was wearing. "Twilight Sparkle. I insist on making you a new dress."

"But…" Twilight Sparkle began.

"Not another word." said Rarity sharply. "I won't take no for an answer."

"Well, in that case… Thank you for your generosity, Rarity." she said politely. "Knowing your handiwork, I'm sure it will be absolutely beautiful."

Rarity turned her attention to Bandit.

"And you Bandit? Twilight mentioned you need a favor."

"Well, I was gonna ask if you could make a suit for Chad here. Since it's his first gala, my usual tailor doesn't have his size memorized. So would you be willing to do it?" Bandit asked her, holding Chad up, who blepped adorably.

"Awwwww." The others all cooed.

"I only have one request. No bowties." Chad said.

"No bowties? Why?" Spike asked, having appeared out of nowhere.

"I hate bow ties." Both brothers said. Then they double taked. "When did you get in here?"

"Just now. I heard you were all going to Rarity's and I had to come." Spike answered. The two ling brothers looked at each other before Rarity grabbed Chad.

"I'll see what I can do with this adorable little star." Rarity said, softly nuzzling him. Chad giggled as the nuzzling tickled him.

Applejack chuckled a little under her hoof.

"Let me guess, Applejack," she said sarcastically. "You don't want a new gown either."

"Gown?" Applejack repeated, mildly alarmed. "Shoot. I was just gonna wear my old work duds."

"You can't possibly be serious, Applejack! You absolutely must wear formal attire." Rarity said before nuzzling Chad again. Spike was glaring at Chad jealously. 

Applejack thought about it for a moment and then made her decision. "Hm… Nah."

"What if I just spruce up your… duds for you a little bit?" Rarity offered, hoping that she could get Applejack to wear something that was up to fashion standards.


"Okay, sure." Applejack agreed. "Why not? Since you're up for it and all. Just don't make them too… frou-frou-y."

"Deal!" Rarity exclaimed happily. Chad's shell shook within the next few seconds and he grabbed Rarity and pulled her away from the ceiling.

“Look out below!” Rainbow Dash was heard shouting. She crashed through the ceiling and was about to hit the ground, but Bandit dove out and allowed her to land on his back.

“Thanks big guy.” She said.

“Incoming!” Lightning was heard saying, she landed on Rainbow Dash, softening her landing on Bandit, but knocking the wind out of Rainbow dash.

"Thanks for the save." Lightning said to Bandit with a smile.

“Thanks for the lack of air.” Rainbow Dash said to Lightning before bucking her off. Bandit did the same to Rainbow Dash.

“What brought the two of you here?” Bandit asked.

"New trick that went slightly wrong." Rainbow Dash answered.

"We didn't exactly plan to drop in." Lightning Sprint added.

“Boo.” Chad said, as the pun was in poor taste.

"Wow, tough crowd."

"Tough joke to laugh at." Chad remarked, hoofbumping Spike. Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity all giggled as Bandit let out a chuckle. Then something clicked in Rarity’s mind.

"Hmm…Idea!" she exclaimed. "I'll make you two an outfit for the Gala too."

They both looked at each other. “Outfit for the what now?"

“The gala? You know, the place you and everyone else wanted to go to so badly that you harassed Twily for days?” Bandit reminded.

"I'll make one for you and you and all of you!" Rarity announced excitedly. "Oh! And of course Pinkie and Fluttershy too. Oh, and when I'm done, we can hold our very own fashion show!" As she said this, she began to magically gather up the fabric and tools she would need, setting them up on an empty counter.

"Ahem." Chad cleared his throat. A little reminder he wasn't a mare or filly.

"And I'll make you the best little suit ever" She said, squishing his cheeks.

"Could you make Spike one too?" Chad asked, not wanting Spike to feel left out.

"For me?" Spike asked. Rarity looked towards him.

Chad winked at Spike, wingmanning the situation.

“Uh...Yeah! You know, twins at the gala and all.” Spike said.

Rarity scampered over, smooshing Spike's cheeks too. "You'll be a matching set!" Spike practically melted at her touch.





After her friends left to get back to their normal activities and let both Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie know about the dressmaking, Rarity went to work on designing and making the six dresses, singing while Opalescence did her best to stay out of the way.

“Thread by thread, stitching it together
Twilight's dress, cutting out the pattern snip by snip
Making sure the fabric folds nicely
It's the perfect color and so hip
Always gotta keep in mind my pacing
Making sure the clothes' correctly facing
I'm stitching Twilight's dress

Yard by yard, fussing on the details
Jewel neckline, don't you know a stitch in time saves nine?
Make her something perfect to inspire
Even though she hates formal attire
Gotta mind those intimate details
Even though she's more concerned with sales
It's Applejack's new dress

Dressmaking's easy, for Pinkie Pie something pink
Fluttershy something breezy
Blend color and form,
[To Opalescence] Do you think it looks cheesy?

Something brash, perhaps quite fetching
Hook and eye, couldn't you just simply die?
Making sure it fits forelock and crest
Don't forget some magic in the dress
Even though it rides high on the flank
Rainbow won't look like a tank
I'm stitching Rainbow's dress

Piece by piece, snip by snip
Croup, dock, haunch, shoulders, hip
Thread by thread, primmed and pressed
Yard by yard, never stressed
And that's the art of the dress!

For Lightning something sleek
With a little hint of mystique. 
Come the end of that special day
She'll blow everyone away. 
I'm making Lightning's new dress.

Keeping the details fine
Making the most of my time
These darlings, sure to match
Whilst being quite the catch. 
With a little flair to boot,
I'm making Chad and Spike's new suits" Rarity sang as she worked on the material.





One week later, Rarity invited her friends back into her shop and, after insisting that they needed to keep their eyes shut, leading them into her sewing room. "That's it. Keep them closed. Don't look!" she ordered.

Bandit had to keep Chad in a harness because he was so excited to see his suit.

"Are you ready?" Rarity asked.

"I'm ready! I am super duper ooper schmooper ready!" Chad exclaimed as he wiggled in his harness.

"Okay, you can look now!" Rarity said. The 10 of them took off their blindfolds and all of them gasped. "These are your new outfits." Rarity said proudly.

Chad's eyes dilated as he zipped over to his own suit, dragging his massive brother with him.

"Oh my goodness!!" He exclaimed. His suit, complete with a black jacket, a dark purple button up undershirt and a red and blue handkerchief for his jacket pocket, made him very happy.

"I love it so much! Can I try it on!? Can I!? Can I!?" He asked Bandit. Bandit looked at Rarity, who nodded in approval. Bandit unlocked the harness and the small, hyper nymph grabbed the suit and took off to the changing room.

"This is the first time I've seen Chad willing to put on something other than his hoodie." Bandit commented.

"What about the rest of you?" Rarity asked. Spike was taking his suit to the changing room. The others were still in shock.

"What do you think of your old duds now, Applejack? Pretty swanky, are they not?" She gestured to the dress that was green with an elegant brown saddle, small red apples on the end of the skirt, on the collar, and gold tassels with the front boots matching perfect, and a new cowboy hat with red apples on the brim.

"And Twilight! I made this dress for you and I designed each outfit theme to perfectly reflect each pony's unique personality." She beamed at the slightly dark blue dress that was adorn with silver, purple, and blue stars.

"Oh, it took me forever to get the colors right on this one, Rainbow Dash, but I did it. Oh, and it turned out beautiful, don't you think?" Rarity pointed to the amazing dress that was made out of rainbow fabric with puffy lace to resemble clouds, purple gems designed to look like a bunch of grapes on the front, a gold wreath on the head, and gold ballet slippers.

"And I know you are going to love yours, Fluttershy. It just sings spring!" The dress was a lovely shade of green with blue lining, blue blue butterflies, some flowers, and slippers shaped like vines.

"And Pinkie Pie, look! Pink! Your favorite!" And that dress certainly had a fun and beautiful candy theme with the pink, blue, candy pattern, and along with shoes, a hat as well.

"And Lightning Sprint, I know you're similar to Rainbow dash, but I decided to make yours very different, for a little…..pizzazz! Aren't they all amazing?" And the last dress, belonging to Lightning Sprint, an elegant purple dress, a yellow pendant that resembled her cutie mark, white accents, and golden ballet slippers to match with Rainbow dash. 

"Wow! Rarity these are all-"

"Bandit!" Chad called. Bandit briefly ignored him.

"Rarity these are-"

"Bandiiiit!" 

"Rari-"

"BANDIIIIIIIT!" Chad called loudly.

"What!?" Bandit asked back.

"It's lemon scented!" Chad exclaimed. Bandit rolled his eyes but smiled.

"He loves it in other words." Bandit told her. Rarity giggled as Chad and Spike came out of the dressing rooms, wearing the suits.

"My my little darlings, you two look absolutely dapper." Rarity complimented. Chad bowed and looked at the others.

"So what do the rest of you think?" Bandit asked them.

"Wow… They're…" Twilight Sparkle stammered, unsure of what to say.

"Whoa! Purple?! I never would have thought of that!" Lightning Sprint exclaimed, looking at her dress.

"They sure are… somethin'," said Applejack uncertain. 

Twilight Sparkle nodded. "Yes! Something." Spike elbowed her.

"I love something!" Pinkie Pie said quickly. Chad elbowed her.

"Its something alright." Rainbow dash said, Bandit elbowed her, almost knocking her into a mannequin.

"It's… nice," Fluttershy said finally.

"But what's the matter?" Rarity asked, exchanging a confused look with Bandit  "Don't you like them?"

"They're very nice…" said Twilight Sparkle slowly.

Applejack nodded. "And we're plumb grateful 'cause you worked so hard on them."

"Mine's just not as cool as I-" Bandit elbowed Rainbow dash again, making her strain. "I mean… it's awesome Rarity. Just what I imagined."

"Rarity, the dresses and suits are amazing. It almost makes me consider getting a suit from you." Bandit said. Rarity was about to roll out a suit made just for him. "But I already paid full price for the one made by Tailor Coat." Bandit said, revealing his normal tailor, was the number one fashion designer in the eyes of Hoity Toity and Photo Finish. Rarity gasped as she put her suit back.

"T-Tailor Coat? The Tailor Coat?!" Rarity exclaimed.

"You heard of him?" Bandit asked.

"Heard of him!? He's the number one fashion designer! Hoity Toity and Photo Finish said so themselves!" Rarity said as she trotted in place. Squealing with excitement.

"Oh, yeah that." Bandit said as he brushed off the fact that his normal tailor was practically a celebrity in the fashion world.

"What's he like in the flesh?" Rarity asked. “Is he sophisticated? What does he draw inspiration from? Is he Creative?!” She squealed. “I have to know!”

"If you must know fanfilly, he literally draws inspiration from anything. If you send him a picture and say, 'make something based off that', he will surprise you. Other than that, he's laid back. He doesn’t even talk about his accomplishment like it’s a big deal. He’s usually just like, ‘Oh, almost forgot, Toity and Finish made me number one fashion designer.’." Bandit described before hearing scribbling. "Are you writing this down?"

"I need to know this as to how I can develop as a designer."

"Rarity, you don't have to carbon copy his per-"

"This'll help me to become revolutionary!" Then she tapped her chin. “Literally draws inspiration from anything huh?”

“Oh no, what have I done?” Bandit muttered to himself.

“You know what,  I want you to be 110% satisfied. Not to worry, I'll redo them." Rarity told them.

“Oh nonono, my dress is perfect.” Lightning Sprint spoke up.

"Oh, Rarity," said Fluttershy. "You don't have to do that. They're fine."

“You shouldn’t do that.” Bandit advised.

"You see. They're lovely but they're not exactly what we had in mind." Twilight said.

"Guys, what do you mean, they're-" Lightning Sprint tried to agree with Bandit.

"Had in mind? Twilight never thought abou-" Bandit tried to say but Rarity shushed him.

"It's okay Bandit. It's clear that my friends had some alterations they wanted to make. After all, you said it yourself, the greatest fashion designers can be sent a picture saying, ‘make something based off that’ and surprise you." Rarity said.

“No I did not-” Bandit tried to clear up.

"Oh, it's no imposition." Rarity said reassuringly. "Really, I insist."

"Well, in that case… Thank you again, Rarity," said Twilight Sparkle and she left with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. Chad, Spike, Lightning and Bandit all looked at each other. Then Lightning spoke to Rarity.

“Please don’t change my dress.” Lightning Sprint said.

“It will remain untouched darling.” Rarity said. Spike and Chad raised a claw and hoof. “As will the suits.” They lowered their appendages.





The next day, Rarity, whose normally perfect mane was looking a bit ragged, was at her sewing machine, working on making adjustments to one of the dresses when there was a knock on the door and Fluttershy came in.

"Hello? You wanted to see me, Rarity?" the yellow pegasus asked.

"Fluttershy! Your new-new gown's ready," said Rarity, hurrying over and put the adjusted dress onto her friend. "I completely revised it and I know you're going to love it. What do you think?" she asked hopefully.

Fluttershy looked at her reflection in the mirror, noting that her friend had gone back and changed the hairpiece from a blue butterfly to a blue flower, and the flowers along the hem were now circles. "I… love it," she said finally.

"Oh, you're just saying that," said Rarity, happy that her friend approved.

"No, no. I do," Fluttershy insisted. "It's… nice."

""Nice"?" Rarity repeated, frowning with mild confusion of how they went from love it to nice.

Fluttershy nodded. "Nice."

"If you don't like it, you should just tell me," Rarity pointed out, wondering what was wrong with the dress this time.

Fluttershy shook her head, not wanting to anger her friend. "Oh, but I do like it."

"Like it or love it?" Rarity questioned.

"Um… both?" Fluttershy guessed.

Rarity silently counted to ten. "Which is it?" she asked, trying to remain calm.

"Please stop asking me this, I…" Fluttershy began.

"Well, just tell me what you really think," Rarity requested.

Fluttershy shook her head. "No, that's okay…"

"Tell me," Rarity requested again.

"No… it's fine…" the yellow pegasus stammered.

"Tell me!" Rarity shouted, her temper getting the better of her.

Fluttershy cringed. "I… like it…"

"Tell me, tell me, tell-me-tell-me-tell-me!" Rarity shouted, stomping her hooves.

"All right!" Fluttershy shouted, surprising them both. "Since you really wanna know…" She inhaled and began speaking. "The armscye's tight, the middy collar doesn't go with the shawl lapel, the hems are clearly machine-stitched, the pleats are uneven, the fabric looks like toile, you used a backstitch here when it clearly called for a topstitch or maybe a traditional blanket stitch, and the overdesign is reminiscent of prêt-à-porter and not true French haute couture." She paused when she saw her friend's stunned expression. Rarity stared after her, shocked that she knew so much about sewing and fashion, and that she'd said more in the past minute then she had all the years they'd been friends. "But, uh… you know… um, whatever you want to do is fine.”





Over the next week, Rarity worked with each of her friends, all except for Lightning Sprint, who was truly happy with her gown and didn't want any changes to it, which was one of the bigger surprises to her considering her similarities with Rainbow Dash. Now she was trying to include everything that they wanted in their outfits.

Right now, Rarity was listening to Twilight Sparkle, who was telling her what kind of stars she wanted on her dress, and was trying to get them right.

"Now, the stars on my belt need to be technically accurate." said Twilight Sparkle, supplying her friend with all kinds of books, diagrams, and photos of various stars. "Orion has three stars on his belt, not four." 

“Stitch by stitch, stitching it together
Deadline looms, don't you know the client's always right?
Even if my fabric choice was perfect
Gotta get them all done by tonight.” Rarity sang.

Later, Pinkie Pie was visiting with suggestions for her own dress and was choosing fabric colors that weren't meant to go together, and all Rarity could do was make suggestions.

“Pinkie Pie, that color's too obtrusive
Wait until you see it in the light
I'm sewing them together!”


"Don't you think my gown would be more "me" with some lollipops?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Well, I think…" Rarity began.

"Balloons?"

"Well…"

"Do it!"

“Hour by hour, one more change
I'm sewing them together, take great pains
Fluttershy, you're putting me in a bind
Rainbow Dash, what is on your mind?
Oh my gosh, there's simply not much time
Don't forget, Applejack's duds must shine
Dressmaking's easy, every customer's call
Brings a whole new revision
Have to pick up the pace, still hold to my vision.”

“That constellation is Canis Major, not Minor.” Twilight said to Rarity. She had pretty much all the time in the world since Bandit was covering the library duties.

Two birds flew over to Rarity with a drawing. "French haute couture, please." Fluttershy said to Rarity. Rarity pulled out some fabric, groaning in the process.

“What if it rains? Galoshes!” Rarity looked as if she was about to lose it from the stress.

"More balloons" Pinkie suggested. "Oh no, that's too many balloons. More candy! Oh, less candy. Oh wait, I know. Streamers!"

"Streamers?" Rarity repeated, alarmed.

Pinkie Pie fixed her with a look. "Whose dress is this?"

Rarity faked a smile. "Streamers it is."





Last up was Rainbow Dash, who hadn’t said a word as she watched her dress being made.

"Aren't you going to tell me to change something too?" she asked, looking frazzled.

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "No, I just want my dress to be cool."

"Do you not like the color?" Rarity asked desperately.

"The color's fine," said the blue pegasus, "just make it look cooler."

"Do you not like the shape?"

"The shape's fine, just make the whole thing… you know, cooler," Rainbow Dash said. "It needs to be about 20% cooler."


[Pinkie Pie]
All we ever want is indecision

[Rainbow Dash]
All we really like is what we know

[Twilight Sparkle]
Gotta balance style with adherence

[Fluttershy]
Making sure we make a good appearance

[Applejack]
Even if you simply have to fudge it

[Everyone bar Rarity and Bandit and Lighting Sprint]
Make sure that it stays within our budget

[Rarity]
Got to overcome intimidation
Remember, it's all in the presentation!
Piece by piece, snip by snip
Croup, dock, haunch, shoulders, hip
Bolt by bolt, primmed and pressed
Yard by yard, always stressed
And that's the art of the dress!





Bandit was being led to the dress room, having been blindfolded.

“Rarity, it smells like shame and agony in here, what happened?” Bandit said before the blindfold came off.

“Well, tell me what you think?” Rarity said as she smiled very nervously.

“Do you want me to give my honest opinion?” Bandit asked.

“Please.” Rarity answered.

“These are the ugliest dresses I’ve ever seen in my life.” Bandit said.

Rarity sighed in relief "Thank Celestia someone else thinks that!"

“The saying goes, the customer is always right in matters of taste. Now I see even that saying holds no truth. Rarity, these are the dresses being worn at the fashion show?” Bandit asked. Rarity nodded. “They can not wear these. They wear these, they'll be a laughing stock to put it lightly.”

That was what did it, Rarity’s lip quivered and she began to bawl her eyes out. “I’m gonna be ruined!” Bandit walked over and gave her a hug.





"Okay." said Rarity once their friends were gathered. Bandit, Klaw and Fang were there for Rarity’s moral support. "I did exactly what each of you asked for. Now don't hold back. Let me know what you really think." She revealed the five dresses that were so covered with so much stuff that they didn't even look like dresses at, and Opalescence was growling and hissing at them, being held back by Fang, coiled around her upper body so she wouldn’t move, while simultaneously not hurting her. Lightning Sprint was covering her mouth so not to accidentally laugh.

Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie were all excited and gushing over them. "Oh my! It's… perfect! It's cool! Why, they're the best duds I ever did see. It's exactly what I asked for!"

"Thank you, Rarity." Twilight said, graciously.

"Are you as happy with them as we are? Huh? Huh? Huh?" Pinkie asked eagerly.

"Well, I'm… happy that all of you are happy," Rarity answered without admitting that she wasn't happy in the slightest. "I'm just relieved to finally be done."

“Rarity. I think you should tell them the-”

Just then, Spike came running in, out of breath and very excited. "You are never gonna believe this! You've heard of Hoity Toity?" he asked.

"He was previously mentioned by Rarity, why?" Twilight asked.

Spike nodded. “He heard about your fashion show." he informed Rarity. "Well, maybe I happened to mention it to him… He's coming here all the way from Canterlot to see your work, Rarity!"

"Whoa, Nelly!" Applejack exclaimed. "You could sell a ton o' dresses to this guy. Your business will be boomin'!" And Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy all agreed, excited for their upcoming fashion show.

Rarity, however, was alarmed. "Hoity Toity?" she repeated. "He's coming here? To see these dresses?"

"Yep! Tailor Coat is coming too!" Spike confirmed. "Get ready for all of your dreams to come true."

Chad walked over to Spike and slapped him in the back of the head.

“Ow! What was that for?” Spike asked. Chad pointed to the dresses and Rarity. “Uh oh.”

“It’s not a dream come true, that’s a nightmare!” Chad whispered to him.





Two nights later, all of Ponyville was out to see the fashion show and Rarity was peering out of the curtain to see whether all of the ponies were seated, and she then she saw Hoity Toity, who was a male pony with bluish gray skin, bluish gray mane and tail with light gray stripes, light blue eyes hidden behind purple sunglasses, and his cutie mark was that of a golden fan. Behind him was Tailor Coat, who was a red unicorn with his right eye purple and his left eye blue, with a black bowler hat, a purple and royal blue mane, a green and dark green scarf and white coat marking socks at his hooves.

"Oh." Rarity gasped as he seated himself on a red velvet pillow at the end of the runway. "There they are!" She took several deep breaths. "Okay. Relax, Rarity. Your friends like their outfits and so will he." She suddenly squealed when the lights went down. "What's wrong with the lights?! Oh, yes. That means the show's starting. Good."

Tailor Coat was yanked into the crowd.

“What the-” He was about to exclaim before seeing who yanked him. “Bandit? What is the meaning of-”

“You have to warn Hoity Toity that this show is going to be a complete disaster.” Bandit told him.

“How big of a disaster are we talking about here?” Tailor asked.

"Cosplayers at ComicCon with a 5 bit budget but a 75 bit costume idea disaster." Bandit said. Tailor’s eyes went wide before he looked at the stage.

DJ Pon-3, a white unicorn with dark blue hair stripped with light blue, purple-red eyes hidden behind dark purple glasses, a music symbol for a cutie mark, and headphones, and who was the resident DJ for Ponyville, started the music.

"Since the beginning of time, the elite of Equestria have longed for pony fashions that truly expressed the essence of their very souls." Said a stallion, who was definitely getting paid by the hour, into a microphone as the light show began. "Patiently waiting decades – no, centuries – for the perfect pony gown. Today, at long last, Equestria, your wait is over! Let's hear it for the breathtaking designs of Ponyville's own Rarity!"

The curtains opened and out came Twilight Sparkle, whose dress was shades of dark purple and covered with tons of stars.

“We have to stop the show.” Tailor said.

“Any ideas on how to do that without humiliating Rarity?” Bandit asked. Tailor looked around before seeing the fuse box.

“Hmm…. Did Rarity make you a suit by chance?” Tailor asked.

“She did, why?”

The next one out was Applejack, whose dress was covered with all kinds of farming gear and was wearing galoshes. Followed by Fluttershy, whose dress had tons of feathers and she had a nest on her head, Rainbow Dash, whose outfit made her think of a fancy soldier, and Pinkie Pie, who looked like a walking candy shop.

Lightning Sprint tapped the announcer Stallion from earlier and gave him some new cards to read off of.

"Why's everypony lookin' at us like that?" Applejack whispered uncomfortably.

Twilight Sparkle glanced up at her star-covered headband and the realization clicked. "Oh dear."

"You think we overdid it?" Rainbow Dash whispered, worried.

"Nah." said Applejack and then looked down at her bright yellow galoshes. "Okay, maybe a little."

At that moment, the lights went out and the power went off on the stage, and as the audience gasped in disbelief, each of the five ponies on stage were yanked off one by one. Yelping each time. Chad gave DJ pon-3 another record to play, both nodded and Chad zipped off.

“Now, that was simply act one of the fashion show. A piece titled, ‘Even in Taste, the customer can be wrong’.” The stallion read, getting giggles from the crowd. “Now comes Act Two, titled, ‘Fashion with grateful Passion’.” 

The lights came back on and Chad was on the stage.

The crowd all looked towards him. 

"Who is this?" Hoity Toity asked, intrigued. Chad walked towards the edge of the catwalk, showing off the suit with various striking poses.

"Look at him go!"

Chad finished and began to walk off the stage. Hoity began to clap his hooves. Next out was Spike. Who’s suit matched Chad, but he had a handkerchief that was decorated with green gems sewn on for a special shine.

Spike began strutting down the runway, mostly because he thought Rarity was watching. Everyone who was looking at the show was cheering happily. He struck a pose before walking back and then offstage.

There was a pause before Lightning Sprint stepped onto the stage. She was wearing the elegant purple dress, with white accents, that complemented her figure, and the pendant around her neck. Her mane had been styled to look longer and silkier.

She too, struck a pose and then walked off the stage. Last up was Bandit. The suit Rarity made for him was a dark red jacket with golden outlines, with a black button up undershirt. His Bandana still around his neck, but turned the opposite direction.

"Bandit?" Hoity asked "You look astonishing!"

"You know him?!" A random pony asked.

“Of course!” Hoity said before clapping his hooves.

After the show, the four of them were back in stage to bow in front of the audience, who showered them with applause.

"Magnificent! Magnificent!" Tailor coat was cheering

"Simply wondrous!" Hoity Toity added. “Who is responsible for these amazing works of art?”

Spike turned back stage.

“Come on out and take a bow, Rarity.” Spike said, before seeing that Rarity wasn’t there. “Rarity?”

Bandit looked as well. Klaw and Fang gestured to the boutique.

“Oh boy.” He muttered.





Later on, Bandit had led the others back to the boutique and knocked on the door.

“Rarity? Come on. Please come out.” Bandit said.

"I'm never coming out!" Rarity wailed. "I can't show my face in Ponyville ever again! I used to be somepony. I used to be respected. I made dresses. Beautiful, beautiful dresses! But now everypony is laughing at me. I'm nothing but a laughing stock!" She then broke down, sobbing.

"You're not a laughing stock, Rarity." Twilight Sparkle said reassuringly.

“She kind of is.” Rainbow dash said, Chad bit her in the hind leg making her jump in pain as he walked to the door. 

“Rarity, we fixed the show. Hoity Toity loved it.” Chad said.

“Lying to me isn’t gonna make me feel better.” Rarity said.

“But-”

"Leave me alone!" Rarity shouted, still sobbing. "I vant to be alone! I want to wallow in… whatever it is that ponies are supposed to wallow in! Do ponies wallow in pity? Oh, listen to me, I don't even know what I'm supposed to wallow in! I'm so pathetic!"

Bandit turned to the others.

“Great, now what are we gonna do?” Bandit asked.

"Uh… panic?" Fluttershy suggested.

“Let me rephrase that. Now what are we gonna do that’s useful and helps the situation?” Lightning Sprint asked.

“We can’t just leave Rarity like this.” Applejack spoke up.

"She'll become a crazy cat lady!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, alarmed.

Twilight gave Pinkie a skeptical look. "She only has one cat."

"Give her time.” Chad warned.

Twilight peeked through the keyhole and caught a glimpse of a group of mannequins, rolls of fabric, and then the unfinished dress with the design attached on the wall. She gasped and grabbed Bandit, making him look through the keyhole. He pulled back and looked at Twilight.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Twilight asked him.

“Probably.” Bandit said as he pulled back and turned to their friends.





Several hours later, after the sun was raised, Rarity was standing in front of her mirror, wearing a pink robe and slippers on her front hooves, and she was staring at her reflection, noting the ragged state of her mane and tail, the look she had the night prior.

"Exile… I guess technically I'd have to move away to live in exile," she muttered. "Where would I go? And what would I pack? Oh, it's going to take me forever to do all of that packing. What are you supposed to pack when you go to exile? Are you supposed to pack warm?"

She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard Opalescence meowing pathetically outside. "Huh? Opal?" She ran to the window and slid it open, looking around to discover, much to her alarm, that her cat was clinging to a branch high in the nearby tree. "Opal, how did you get up there? Hang on, you poor dear! Mama's coming!"





Moments later, Rarity ran outside to rescue her cat and skidded to a halt when she saw Lightning Sprint sitting on the branch next to her terrified cat. "Lightning Sprint?! How dare you strand my poor Opal in a tree?" she demanded angrily.

“Well, one. Rainbow Dash did it. I’m just making sure she doesn’t fall. And two, this was to get you out here to show you, this.” Lightning Sprint said, pointing to her left.

Rarity turned to look and her jaw dropped when she saw Twilight, Bandit, Applejack, Pinkie, and Fluttershy standing on either side of the mannequin that was wearing a completed version of her dress for the Grand Galloping Gala. 

"What is it? It's not… You…" She trailed off, unable to find the words to express what she was thinking, so she only ended with a gasp.

“We finished your dress for you.” Pinkie said proudly.

"Thanks to Fluttershy's freaky knowledge of sewing." Applejack said. 

“And Chad’s nose to sniff out the right material.” Pinkie added. Chad waved from Bandit’s back as Fluttershy blushed from the praise.

Rarity walked around the dress, which was a lovely combination of pale pink, dark pink, accented with maroon, gold, and inlaid with pink, maroon, and yellow gems with matching jewelry and tiara, and she examined it from every angle before she said anything. "Like it? Like it?!" she repeated, turning to face them.

"Uh-oh," said the yellow pegasus. "She doesn't like it."

"No, I don't like it," said Rarity and her friends expressed their disappointment, except Bandit. 

“Give it a moment.” He said.

"I love it!" Rarity announced proudly.

"Yay!" Her friends cheered.

"You all did an amazing job." Rarity complimented. "It's exactly the way I imagined it."

"We just followed your brilliant design." Chad told her, smiling.

"Like we should have let you do for our outfits," Twilight confessed. "Those first dresses you designed were perfect. Bandit, Lightning, Chad, and Spike all knew it, but we couldn't see it."

Pinkie nodded. "We're so super sorry." She apologized. Lightning Sprint flew down.

“They should have been a little more grateful for the dresses you made, instead of trying to look a gift horse in the mouth.” Lightning Sprint said as she gave Opal to Rarity. “I don’t think it’s hard for them to see that now.”

“Well, I forgive them.” Rarity said as she turned to the others.

Applejack beamed. "Well, that's mighty big of you."

"But my whole career is still ruined!" Rarity wailed dramatically.

Applejack shot a remorseful look. "Oh, right. That."

Bandit and Chad looked at each other before giving off a high pitched, “Weeeeeeeeell.”

The mares turned to look at the brothers before seeing Tailor Coat and Hoity Toity approach.

“Well well, we haven’t got all day.” Hoity said as he walked to the boutique.





A short time later, Hoity Toity was seated before the small stage, Opalescence played with his mane before Klaw grabbed her by the scruff and moved away. 

"Act three." Hoity said.

As the music started to play, the curtains opened to reveal Rarity, who used her magic to create different scenes for each dress, and Twilight Sparkle came out first, this time wearing the dress that Rarity had made her her.

"Hello…" said Hoity Toity, taking off his sunglasses for a closer look, and he was amazed by the beauty of the dress. "Oh is this really the same designer?" He watched as the scene shifted from stars to hills filled with apple trees and Applejack came out and posed, wearing her new updated duds. 

"Simply magnificent!" he exclaimed. "And I suddenly have a fierce craving for some Dutch apple pie, candied apples on a stick, apple turnovers, apple cobbler…" He trailed off before the scene shifted to one of candy falling from the sky and Pinkie Pie came out wearing her dress. 

"Brilliant!" he cheered and then duck when thunder pearled out with the scene shifting to colorful beams of light cutting through storm clouds and Rainbow Dash appeared in her dress. 

"Oh, spectacular!" He was floored as the scene shifted to an outdoor setting with butterflies flying around and Fluttershy posed for him in her dress. "Now this is a fashion show!" he praised. 

"All of these dresses are absolutely amazing. Who is responsible? Step forward, show yourself!" he asked, looking around eagerly as the scene shifted back to the stage, where Rarity appeared in her new dress, and her friends stood behind her in their gowns. "Brava! Brava!" he called out, clapping his hooves together. "Magnifico! Encore!"

“Absolutely amazing. Bandit has good taste in designers.” Tailor nudged. Hoity looked at him.

“From you that’s high praise.”

"Oh, thank you," said Rarity graciously, to both the celebrity designers in front of her and her friends. "Thank you! Oh, thank you so much!"





A few moments later, Tailor gave Bandit his suit who began to walk back to the library to put away as Chad wrote down what Twilight was saying.

"Dear Princess Celestia, This week, my very talented friend Rarity learned that if you try to please everypony, you often times end up pleasing nopony, especially yourself. And I learned this: when somepony offers to do you a favor, like making you a beautiful dress, you shouldn't be overly critical of something generously given to you. In other words, you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth." Twilight narrated. Chad sent the message off with his horn.

Hoity Toity approached Rarity and shared his thoughts with her. "Rarity, my congratulations to you on a most impressive fashion debut," he told her. "Would you do me the great honor of allowing me to feature your couture in my Best of the Best Boutique in Canterlot?" he asked and when she gasped with a delight smile, he took that as a yes, and made his request. "Now, I'll need you to make a dozen of each dress for me by next Tuesday."

Rarity laughed nervously.

“Don’t worry, I’ll lend a hoof.” Tailor Coat told her, she almost started to squeal.
> Pinkie's feeling a Chad Keen
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun was shining bright over Ponyville and Twilight was out practicing more of her magic spells with Spike, Bandit and Chad. Spike had a rock on his head, Bandit was holding a stick like a cane, and Chad was wearing leaves around his neck.

“Number 24 Twily. It’s all easy.” Bandit encouraged. Spike was looking away from the lavender unicorn as she transformed Chad’s leaves into a tuxedo. Bandit’s stick got transformed into a cane, which he twirled with a smirk. Twilight turned her attention to Spike, who was still looking away.

“Eyes over here, Spike!” She directed.

Spike immediately looked back at her and she began to turn the rock into a top hat. "Uh, sorry," he apologized, but just as the transformation was complete, he looked away again, and the hat turned back into a rock. Chad’s shell shook and he tackled Spike out of the way before the rock could hit him in the head.

“Whoa. Thanks.” Spike said.

“No problem.” Chad said as he helped him up. 

"Spike! This magic needs our full attention to make it happen. There's no other way.” Twilight told him.

"I can't help it," said Spike, still watching what grabbed his attention earlier. "Look!”

Bandit, Chad and Twilight all looked in the direction he was looking at and saw Pinkie, wearing an umbrella hat, sneaking around the town, acting stranger then usual.

Twilight Sparkle scoffed before giving off a smirk "Ugh, never mind her. She's just being Pinkie Pie."

“Even by Pinkie Standards, that’s a bit random.” Bandit said.

Pinkie paused near one of the buildings and looked at her tail, which was twitching. 

"Hmm… Twitchy twitcha twitcha twitch."

“Hi Pinkie.” Chad said from behind her.

“Hi Chad!” She said as she turned around.

"What are you doing?"

"Hiding from whatever's falling out of the sky." Pinkie answered

"Falling out of the sky?" Chad asked, a little confused.

"Yup, when my tail twitches that means something is gonna fall out of the sky."

"Wow! My shell shakes whenever that happens. But it's usually immediate."

"Really?!" Pinkie asked, looking at his Carapace.

"Yeah, Bandit calls it my Chad sense. I wanted to call it my Arachnymph sense, but it was too much of a mouthful."

“Ooooo.” Pinkie said, intrigued.

"Pinkie Pie?" Twilight asked, walking up to her with Spike and Bandit. "What in the wide, wide world of Equestria are you up to?"

"Oh! It's my tail!" Pinkie gasped, her tail was still twitching. "It's my tail! It's a-twitch a-twitchin'! And you know what that means!"

"What does that mean?" Bandit asked.

"The twitchin' means my Pinkie Sense is telling me that stuff's gonna start falling!" she replied, looking around wildly. "You four better duck for cover."

"Rain or object?" Bandit asked, knowing Chad had a sense just like that.

"Oh, Pinkie, it's not gonna rain. Why, there's barely even a cloud in the-!" Twilight started. Chad’s shell shook and Bandit managed to see this. He ducked his head and a frog that would’ve landed on Bandit, landed on Twilight’s face. The frog let out a croak.

"He said 'nice catch' in frog." Pinkie said. The frog happily croaked again.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





"Oh, I'm so, so sorry," Fluttershy apologized from above them, flapping her wings to keep afloat with a wagon, a bag, and a basket filled with frogs that was in her mouth, plus there was a frog on her head. "You okay, Twilight Sparkle? I just couldn't stand to see the pond getting so overpopulated, what with the frogs all hopping into each other and all, so I decided to fly as many as I can on over to Froggy Bottom Bog."

Twilight gave her an unamused look as Chad got into pouncing position. “Of course you did.”

"Bye-bye!" said Fluttershy cheerfully and flew off with the frogs.

Pinkie watched her fly off and then looked at Twilight.

"Um… Twilight? You gotta little somethin' on your-” Pinkie was gonna say before seeing Chad snatch the frog off her face and devour it. “Nevermind. I see Chad took care of it.”

"Oh, really? Did your Pinkie Sense tell you that, too?" Twilight asked sarcastically.

“No sense needed, she could just see it.” Chad said after swallowing. Pinkie then bounced off.

"Huh, looks like there's a Chad sense and a Pinkie sense." Bandit commented.

"You believe this?" Twilight asked

"Twilight, I lived with Chad and practically raised him. Whenever that shell shakes, something's coming down. He has other senses too you know."

Twilight shot him a look.

“Oh really? Like what?” Twilight asked him.

“Well, his tail will shoot straight up into the air if mud is about to splash on you. And then there’s-” Bandit stopped talking when Chad’s tail shot straight up. He back trekked immediately, just in time for a cart being pulled by a pony raced past, splashing her in mud.

“Probably should have warned you that you’ve only got about 3 seconds to react when these senses go off.” Bandit said.





Later, Bandit was washing Twilight in Pinkie's house, since it was closer.

“So, to put it bluntly, certain things will happen to Chad if something is gonna happen in the immediate future. Shaky shell, something’s falling. Straight up tail, incoming mud. Fluttering wing, discarded money is nearby. Curling tail, whatever you’re about to eat is poisonous.” Bandit said as he scrubbed her mane. “Seems like Pinkie has senses just like that.”

Pinkie came in with bubble soap on her head.

“Ooh! I have other senses too! Like, if my back is itchy, it means it's my lucky day. And, when my knee gets pinchy, that means something scary's about to happen."

"Is your knee pinchy now?" Twilight asked, annoyed.

Pinkie shook her head. "No, but my shoulder's achy," she replied. "That means there's an alligator in the tub." She then reached into the tub and pulled out a small green alligator, setting him on the floor.

Twilight Sparkle screamed and jumped into the air, Clinging onto Bandit. "How come your knee didn't get pinchy?!" she yelped. "That isn't just scary, it's downright dangerous!"

"No, it's not, silly!" said Pinkie Pie cheerfully. "This is my pet alligator, Gummy. He's got no teeth. See? Haha!" And she laughed as Gummy demonstrated by trying to bite her hoof, mane, and tail with no ill effects.

"Okay, okay… I get it." Twilight said as she let go of Bandit as he pet the small alligator, who flopped over playfully.





After finishing washing up, Bandit was walking Twilight back to the library with Pinkie bouncing along side them.

"Well, I still don't believe all this… ‘special power’ stuff. It’s just a bunch of Mumbo Jumbo." Twilight told her.

“Twilight, You, Chad and I all use magic all the time, what’s the difference?” Bandit asked her.

"Huge! For one thing," Twilight cleared off a crate, climbed on top and cleared her throat, "magic is something you study and practice. It only happens when you decide to do it, and it's meant to make something specific that you choose to happen, happen. With Pinkie and Chad, uh, it makes no sense at all!" Bandit was gonna respond, but Pinkie spoke up.

“That's so not true, Twilight! Sometimes it's a bunch of random things happening to my body at random times that supposedly predict the future. I call 'em "combos".” Pinkie told them.

“Combos?” Bandit and Twilight asked.

Pinkie Pie nodded. "Sure! You know, like, ear flop, then knee twitch, then eye flutter. That means the sky is about to be graced with a beautiful rainbow!" She announced happily.

“Why would you need a sense for that?” Bandit asked.

“Have you ever seen how beautiful a Rainbow is?” Pinkie asked him.

“I mean….I guess.” Bandit said.

“Yeah, sure.” Twilight said, still not believing any of this. 

Pinkie Pie suddenly stopped. "Uh-oh, I feel a combo coming on. Ear flop, eye flutter, knee twitch!" she yelped.

“Wait, wasn’t it knee twitch then eye flut-” Before Bandit could ask, the door of the library slammed into Twilight as Spike walked out, carrying a stack of books. 

"Ugh!" she groaned as the door shut while making the beeping noises of a truck backing up. She then flopped to the ground. "Ughhh… You said that combo meant "beautiful rainbow"." she grumbled.

“Apparently that’s Ear flop, knee twitch, then eye flutter.” Bandit said as he walked over and helped her up. “I guess the ladder means, Look out for an open door.”

Chad walked out of the library and saw Twilight.

“Are you okay Twilight?” Chad asked.

"I don't believe this," Twilight complained.

Pinkie Pie giggled. "You don't believe because you don't understand."

Twilight considered this and got an idea. "Hmm…"





Not too long later, Twilight had Chad and Pinkie hooked up to a machine to monitor their brain activity. Bandit plugged everything in and the machine got to work.

"Now when either of you get another twitch, we'll have all kinds of scientific information." Twilight told them

"Okie-dokie-lokie!" Pinkie said cheerfully.

“This feels weird.” Chad said as he took a seat.

“Don’t worry Chad, it’s harmless. I promise.” Bandit told him, patting his back. The monitor started to beep as Chad wagged his tail, and Twilight zipped over.

“Chad’s experiencing an increased level of dopamine.” Twilight said before sighing in disappointment. Pinkie was intrigued.

“Ooo! What does that sense mean?” Pinkie asked.

“He’s happy.” Bandit told her.

Twilight began to pace back and forth, waiting for something to happen. "Now? Anything?" she inquired.

Pinkie Pie cocked her head. "Wait! Hold on! Uhh, no."

“Are you kidding me?! After a whole day of nonstop twitching and shell shaking, now that I've got you both all hooked up, you're not getting a single one?”

“I can’t control it.” Chad told her.

“Yeah, feelings like that just come and go.” Pinkie told her.

"That makes no sense!" Twilight exclaimed.

“Twilight, you’re scaring me.” Chad told her.

“Twily, sometimes you just gotta believe in these things. Even if they don’t make sense.” Bandit told her.

"I will not believe in anything I cannot explain.”

“Chad sense, Pinkie sense; A phenomenon in which Chad and/or Pinkie’s bodies give off signals that something is gonna happen in the immediate future. There’s your explanation.” Bandit told her.

“I mean how it happens smart-flank.” Twilight glared.

“Can you also explain how our magic is capable of doing things like, transfiguring objects into other things? Or teleport ourselves?” Bandit asked.

“Rearranging atoms to construct something different.” Twilight said back.

“Oh how convenient that there’s just enough atoms to make something bigger than what it was originally.” Bandit said in a condescending tone. “Better yet, reduce the amount of them without blowing something up.”

“You two argue like an old married couple.” Pinkie said with a giggle.

“WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!” Bandit and Twilight exclaimed to her.

“Um… I’m starting to feel-” Chad started, Twilight zipped over.

"Oh my gosh, what? What is it?!" She asked eagerly.

“My stomach. I’m hungry.” Chad told her. Pinkie’s stomach rumbled too.

“I’m hungry too, let’s eat.” Pinkie said with a smile on her face. Bandit began to undo the straps and clamps.

"Just forget it! I don't need to know if this is real or not. I don't need to understand it! I don't even care!" Twilight snapped as she stomped off.

Pinkie Pie looked at her forelegs, which she easily removed from the clamps, and she followed Twilight up the stairs. 

"Okie-dokie-lokie." She followed her friend along the landing toward the doors when she suddenly stopped and gasped as parts of her body began reacting. Her ears flopped, her eyes fluttered and then her knees twitched. In addition to this, Chad’s ear twitched.

Before Twilight or Bandit could ask what was wrong, Twilight was smashed into the wall by the door being slammed open, and Spike stepped inside. 

"Chad? Have you seen Twilight?" He asked.

“She’s behind the door.” Chad told him. Spike looked behind the door. 

“What are you doing back there?” Spike asked.

“You crushed her with the door.” Bandit said as he walked over and peeled her off. 

“Cool! So your ear twitches to warn you of opening doors?!” Pinkie asked Chad.

“Um, no. My ear twitched because I heard Spike coming.” Chad answered.

"Urgh! This is ridiculous." she grumbled, getting up. "This can't be happening. This makes no sense. I have to figure this out."

Bandit and Chad looked at each other and then back at Twilight as she stormed out.





While all of this was going on, Fluttershy was still flying toward Froggy Bottom Bog with the frogs in tow. One of the frogs that was on her head, pointing out the location, which she followed.





A short while later, Twilight was looking through some binoculars in Pinkie Pie's direction. Chad walked towards the bush, only to get shoved towards Pinkie. As Chad walked over to Pinkie, Twilight began to document everything she was seeing.

"Was that really necessary?" Bandit asked her from behind, scaring her. She turned to him and pulled him down to the bush’s height.

“You are the size of a building, how do you keep sneaking up on us?” Twilight asked him.

“I still hunt for my food you know. What are you doing and why was shoving Chad part of it?” Bandit asked her as he looked at the journal.

"I'm doing what I must, getting scientific research on Pinkie Pie and Kama Chadwickson. Scientific names: Pinkius Pieicus and Kamacaon Picchad, in their natural habitat."

“Okay Ace Outback. Is this step one of your descent into insanity?” Bandit asked her. Twilight turned to him.

“Ace Outback?” She asked.

“The Cragadile hunter?” Bandit clarified.

“Oh right. Well, there’s something fishy going on with the whole twitchy prediction thing, and I'm getting to the bottom of it." She responded. "So, shh. Come on, Pieicus and Picchad are on the move." She began to move the bush after them. Bandit followed behind her in the stalking position.





Reaching the school, Pinkie Pie was humming happily as she rolled around in the grass. Chad was digging at the ground, stopping to place his ear on the ground, and then started digging again. His wings fluttered making him dive in a bush.

"Fluttering wings." Twilight commented, writing this down in her journal. Chad came out of the bush with two bits in his mouth, smiling and looking like a puppy.

"Aww.” Twilight said before documenting that. “Now he's got money. Okay, now what?"

“Twi, that’s what happens to him when discarded money is nearby.” Bandit reminded. Twilight documented that too. Pinkie stopped to scratch her nose.

"Hm…" Twilight Sparkle mused. "Itchy nose…" She kept watching as Pinkie Pie gasped and duck under a piece of playground equipment, looking around fearfully, especially toward the sky. Chad looked at her confused, but when he sniffed the air, he made a break for a tree and climbed up.

"Aha! That makes no sense." She announced while she took notes. "See? She's hiding like something's about to fall from the sky, but a twitchy tail means something's gonna fall from the sky, not an itchy nose."

“Did Chad’s shell shake?” Bandit asked her.

“No, he sniffed the air and then climbed up a tree.” Twilight answered, Bandit quickly looked towards the sky. “Which doesn’t make sense, if something’s falling from the sky why would you try to take higher ground? Further proving that Chad and Pinkie’s senses are nothing but malarkey.”

Bandit spotted what Pinkie and Chad were hiding from. A swarm of bees were headed their way, and they were moving fast.

“You might wanna run.” Bandit warned her as he ran towards the swarm.

“From what?” She asked. The bees got to the bush and some were stinging Twilight, others were running from Bandit and Chad.





At Sweet Apple Acres, Bandit had placed the last bandaid on Twilight’s bee sting as she was looking at Pinkie sniffing a flower. Chad was playing with Winona.

“Sniffing a flower, playing with Winona. What does that mean?” Twilight asked Bandit.

“The flower smells good, the dog is playful.” Bandit said in an unamused tone. Twilight laughed sheepishly and slowly crossed both of those statements out.

"Wait. I'm getting something from Pinkie. Ear flop, eye flutter, knee twitch." Twilight said. Bandit looked at the barn door and then at Twilight. 

“Watch out for opening doors.” Bandit said as he pulled her and the haybales away from the door she was next to. Chad, seeing the combo, began twitching his ears to try and find the door that would be opening.

"Oh-ho. You really, really believe this stuff, don't you?" She teased and she rested a foreleg on the partly open door.

“Well Twilight, the doors are currently winning, 2 to 0 so-”

"Here, let me show you there's nothing to be afraid of." When nothing happened, she removed her foreleg and started walking away. "You see? I promise you there's nothing to fear from that-" 

Suddenly a door opened in front of her, and she went screaming down a flight of stairs into the ground. "Wo-o-ah! Ow! Ugh! Ow! Ow!"`

"Twilight!" Applejack exclaimed from inside the cellar that Twilight had fallen into. "You came to visit my new apple cellar, how nice. Twi? You okay? Uh, Twi?" She asked concerned. Bandit peeked down the cellar.

“Doors 3, Twilight 0.” He said as he walked down the stairs.





After a trip to the hospital, Twilight and Bandit located Pinkie and Chad in the park. This time, Pinkie and Chad were joined by Spike, who was riding on Chad’s back.

Bandit used his magic to lift the binoculars to Twilight, since she couldn’t do so herself due to her forehooves being bandaged up.

“There you go.” Bandit said. Twilight looked through the binoculars.

“Okay, take this down: twitchy tail.” She said. Bandit looked at the notes.

“Something’s about to fall from the sky.” Bandit said.

“Then why isn’t Chad’s shell shake-” At that moment, Chad’s shell shook, vibrating Spike. “It just shook.”

Bandit rolled Twilight out of harms way as a flower pot landed on his head.

“I’m okay-” He was interrupted by an anvil hitting his Head. “Still o-” Followed by a hay cart. “I’m fi-” Then finally a piano. There was silence. “I’m still okay!”

Up above, Derpy and another pegasus named Raindrops looked sheepish at what just happened.





Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie was humming and Chad was trying to buck Spike off his back when Applejack walked up, carrying a basket of apples on her back. "Hey, Applejack. Whatcha doin'?" Pinkie asked cheerfully.

"Takin' more apples to my new apple cellar," Applejack answered. "How 'bout you two? Whatchu doin'?"

“We’re letting Bandit and Twilight follow us around town.” Pinkie said. 

"You mean you knew all along?!" She asked as she walked over, followed by Bandit, who had a bandaid on his forehead. "Why didn't you tell me?"

“Chad told me not to.” Pinkie answered. Twilight looked at Chad.

“What? You looked like you didn’t want us to know.” Chad told her.

“You did shove him towards her.” Bandit told her, she gritted her teeth angrily. Then, Chad went stiff, his nose shivering and the shiver went from his nose, to his forehead, along his back, all the way to the tip of his tail. Pinkie’s entire body shuddered.

"What does that mean?!" Spike asked.

“I-I-I don’t know. That’s never happened before. What was that supposed to do?” Chad asked fearfully. It happened again.

"Guys... I'm scared."

"We'll get to the bottom of this." Bandit said.

"Do you know if this feeling leads anywhere?" Spike asked.

“This is my first body shudder too. Whatever happens, it must be a doozy. Something you’d least expect.” Pinkie told him. She shook again. “Hu-bu-bu-bu-bu hu-bu-bu-bu! And it's gonna happen… at Froggy Bottom Bogg!" she yelped when she stopped shaking.

“Wait a minute.” Bandit started.

“That’s where fluttershy is headed!” Applejack exclaimed.

"Oh no! Is it about her?" Spike asked, worried.

"Uh, I'm not sure," Pinkie Pie admitted, making Bandit grow concerned.

"We better go and make sure she's okay." Bandit insisted, concerned for his more timid friend.

Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. "Calm down, everypony, and everyling." she said reassuringly. "All we know right now is that Pinkie and Chad just got a case of the shivers. That's all." She then realized that the others had run off and, sighing, gave chase.

She moved her legs faster to catch up to Bandit, who was carrying Chad and Spike. Spike turned to look at the purple unicorn.

“Hey! I thought you didn't believe in this stuff?" He asked, surprised.

"I don't," Twilight responded. "I just want to be there to see the look on Pinkie's face when we find out nothing's wrong." And as she said this last part, she glanced over at Pinkie Pie.

"Okie-dokie!" Pinkie said cheerfully.

“Seriously Twilight. You’re starting to worry me.” Bandit told her.





Meanwhile, Fluttershy reached Froggy Bottom Bog, where she was busy letting the frogs, who were croaking happily, out into the water. Unbeknownst to her, something large and scaly was swimming through the water around the small island she was standing on.

In the woods nearby, the ponies plus Changeling kept running. Pinkie had to stop as she started shivering yet again. Chad went stiff and shivered too, almost falling off Bandit.

"Cold?" Twilight Sparkle asked sarcastically. "Need a jacket or something?"

"No thanks, I'm fine," said Pinkie Pie, shivering once again. "Hu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu!"

“I have a hoodie on al-” Chad tried to say.

“Not you.” Twilight told him. Spike looked at Bandit.

“What do you think happened to Fluttershy?” Spike asked. Bandit began thinking. 

“She’s probably fighting a bear.” Bandit said. 

“Really?”

“Well Pinkie did say something unexpected. Fluttershy fighting anyone is something I wouldn’t expect. Let alone an animal.”  Bandit answered.

“What if she exploded!?” Spike asked.

“Just exploded?" Applejack asked skeptically. "For no reason?"

“Spontaneous combustion. It’s a thing.” Bandit said. Twilight slapped him in the back of the head.

“That is not an image I need in my head!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Spike said it, I just gave the term!” Bandit exclaimed back.

"What if… What if she exploded, and then… and then exploded again!?" Pinkie yelped.

“Stop.” The large Changeling begged.

"Can you do that? Can you explode twice?" Spike asked.

"Of course not." Applejack said reassuringly.

"But what if she exploded, and exploded again, and then— ugh!" Spike yelped as Bandit grabbed him and looked him in the eye.

“Can you flarping NOT!?” Bandit exclaimed. “I do not need to have those images in the back of my head!”

“Sorry, sorry.” Spike said. Bandit placed him back on his back. Chad stood on Bandit’s head.

“Look!” Chad pointed out. The others looked in that direction, seeing the swamp.

“There's Froggy Bottom Bogg!" Applejack exclaimed, pointing to the swamp that was directly ahead with dragonflies buzzing, and they began searching for Fluttershy. 

"Fluttershy?" They all called. Chad hopped off Bandit’s back and began sniffing the ground. Bandit was doing the same. They both snapped up and looked in the same direction. They ran towards a tree root where they saw the yellow pegasus still letting the frogs out the basket.

“Found her!” Bandit said. Chad jumped and hugged her.

“Fluttershy! You’re okay!” Chad said happily as he latched on.

"Of course." said Fluttershy, surprised to see them there.

"Whew, what a relief." Applejack said with a relieved smile.

Pinkie Pie nodded happily. "I'm so glad everything's all right."

"Sorry, I know it's not nice to gloat but… Aha!" said Twilight Sparkle triumphantly, unaware that a strange green/yellow fog was starting to rise out of the water. "I told you there was nothing to worry about, and I was right. Pinkie Pie said whatever she and Chad were shuddering about was a-[she began coughing]"-doozy, and-" she kept coughing, unaware that something was rising out of the water behind her, "-and the only-[she coughed again]-doozy here is how right I am."

“Twilight. You might want to-” Bandit tried to warn, but Twilight continued talking.

"Pinkie and Chad have made a lot of predictions today but-[she coughed] -ugh, what is that smell? But what we've shown here is that there's no point in believing [she coughed] in anything you can't see for yourself."

“Twilight….You should see what’s behind you.” Chad said as he pointed behind her. Twilight turned around right as the creature growled. She looked up to see towering high above them was a four-headed Hydra. 

"I see it… But I don't believe it!" she said fearfully. 3 of the 4 heads roared, startling the 4th head, who also roared to keep up.

“Is that a hydra!?” Pinkie asked as she stared up at it, shocked.

“Yes! It’s also a reason to run!” Bandit exclaimed. Applejack was the first to start running. Bandit, having Spike and Chad on his back, took off right after her. Fluttershy and Twilight ran as well. Pinkie was frozen in fear. Bandit turned back and saw the hydras lick their lips. He tossed Chad and Spike onto the backs of Applejack and Twilight before running over to Pinkie. One of the hydra heads tries to bite down on Pinkie, but Bandit jumps and headbutts the hydra head, stunning it before grabbing Pinkie by the scruff and running to put her with the group. 

One of the frogs was also hopping to safety, making Fluttershy regret bringing them here.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She apologized.

The hydra head Bandit headbutted did not look happy, and soon the four headed creature began to chase after them. Each of the other heads tried to bite down on the group, only to; hit their head below the water, latch onto a tree, or bit down on a rock. This in turn made the head that Bandit headbutted laugh at them.

They came across a dead end before Twilight spotted a way out.

“Everyone, up that hill!” She said. They began to head up the hill, all except Spike, who had fallen off Applejack’s back and was now stuck in the mud.

“He-e-elp!” Spike begged as he struggles to stay afloat.

Bandit skidded to a stop and ran back down the hill.

“I’m coming Spike!” He exclaimed. He got to Spike and grabbed him by the scruff. When the hydra head Bandit headbutted earlier tried to get payback, he was only greeted with a buck to the chin, which knocked out a tooth that strangely enough, was a different color that what was in his mouth. Bandit hurried up the hill.

Bandit got a head of the group and placed Spike down, gesturing everyone else to get up the hill.

“Come on, we can make it!” Bandit said.

“But Pinkie’s still shuddering!” Spike pointed out. Pinkie was shuddering up the hill before it suddenly stopped.  "Oh, lookie there, it stopped." she said cheerfully.

As Twilight ran by, she shivered as Chad held on and he still shivered.

“Mine didn’t!” He exclaimed. Then, Pinkie shuddered again. Bandit went back down and grabbed her, taking her up the hill. As the others arrived, they soon realized there was a large gap between their current location, and the trail was on the other side of the gap.

They stared uneasily at the outcrops, which was one of two means of getting across.

“Bandit, can you fly us across?” Spike asked.

“If everyone can get on my back in time. Otherwise, we have to jump.” Bandit said. The group heard the footsteps and turned to see that it would be a bit time consuming, so Fluttershy was the first to begin jumping across. Spike looked at this.

“Wow I wish I could jump like that.” Spike said.

“Wish granted.” Chad was heard saying. Before Spike could turn around, Chad yanked him by his tail and began jumping across. He got halfway there before she shiver made him freeze mid jump. He tossed Spike across before he stopped shivering and then latched onto the outcrop he was on before he made the jump, almost slipping off. He tried to use his wings, but they weren’t strong enough to lift him. Spike jumped back across and helped him up.

“Thanks Spike.” Chad said as the two jumped across.

Pinkie shuddered a little too close to the edge, making Applejack yank her back before she could fall. Bandit turned and saw how close the hydra was.

“He’s too close, I’ll distract him. Go!” Bandit told them. Twilight stepped to him.

“You are not doing that by yourself.” Twilight told him. Bandit looked back at her. Then the hydra roared, which got Applejack to start jumping across with Pinkie’s tail in her mouth.

“I’d throw you across if we had time.” Bandit told her as he looked back at the hydra. Then he got an idea. “Hey Twilight. Remember those Ling the Changeling legends I used to tell Spike and Chad?”

“Roughly.” Twilight answered.

A few seconds later, Bandit and Twilight were running towards the hydra.

“Chaaarge!” They both exclaimed in a battle cry. The hydra lunged their head towards the two, but they ducked under them and went under the body and to the other side. All but one head went after her, resulting in its' whole body flipping onto its back and landing on the head that hadn't moved in time, stunning it.

Twilight and Bandit turned around and raced back to the gap as a still shuddering Pinkie and a still shivering Chad called out to them.

“T-T-T-twilight! B-B-B-bandit!” They both called. Bandit and Twilight got close to the gap, but before they could jump, Bandit’s rival hydra head smashed into the first two outcrops, widening the gap.

“Oh no! What do we do know?!” Twilight exclaimed. Bandit looked at her. She looked back at him before realizing why she was receiving that look.

“Don’t you dare.” She said.

The others see Twilight being thrown to the other side. The others scrambled to catch her, which they semi-succeeded in doing. They looked up and saw Bandit fly into the air and began zipping around the hydra heads as they snapped at him. He kept doing this until they tied themselves in a knot. Bandit started to fly back to the other side, and the head he usually attacked tried to bite him, he was stopped short due to the knot. Bandit landed on the other side and stretched out his wings before smiling at the group.

Everyone began cheering, Chad hugged Bandit tight.

“That was amazing Bandit!” Chad exclaimed. “If that wasn’t the doozy Pinkie and I were feeling, I don’t know what it could be!” 

At that very moment, he and Pinkie both began to shiver/shudder.

“Uh oh.” Bandit said.

“What!? How could that not have been it!?” Chad exclaimed.

“What are you talking about Chad?” Applejack asked.

"The hydra wasn't the doozy." Pinkie said. The hydra, having untied itself, blew a raspberry at them before heading back to the bog. "We’re still getting the shudder/shivers.” They both shuddered and shivered. “Oo-o-oh, oo-o-oh. You see? There it is again. Whatever the doozy was at Froggy Bottom Bog, my Pinkie Sense says it still hasn't happened."

“Apparently, my Chad sense says it hasn’t either.” Chad responded. The shiver happened again. Bandit took a step away from Twilight.

"Huh? But I— WHAT?!” Twilight shrieked. "The hydra wasn't the doozy?! How could it not be the doozy?! What could be doozier than that?!"

“I really don’t know.” Chad answered. Bandit flew off and returned with a bucket of water. Twilight ended up so angered and frustrated that her mane and tail caught fire. Her body turning a bright, firey orange and white, with her eyes turning red. Bandit poured the water on her, which turned her back to normal. She slumped over with a defeated sigh.

"Ooh… I give up…"

"Give what up, Twi?" Spike asked.

"The fight," Twilight confessed. "I can't fight it anymore. I don't understand how, why, or what, but Pinkie Sense somehow… makes sense. I don't see how it does, but it just does. Just because I don't understand doesn't mean it's not true."

"Y-Y-Y-You m-m-mean you b-b-b-believe?" Pinkie asked as she continued to shudder.

Twilight nodded. "Yup, I guess I do."

Chad’s shiver came back, but it started at his tail, went along his back, onto his forehead and ended at the tip of his nose. Pinkie shuddered and took the form of many shapes before turning normal.

“That was it! That was the doozy!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Wait wait wait. Twilight believing in this was the doozy?” Chad asked. Pinkie nodded. Chad looked at his hooves before looking at Twilight. “You know what…..I believe that.”

“Twilight believing in something she can’t explain really is a bigger doozy than that hydra we just faced.” Bandit admitted. Applejack looked at him confused. “I’ve known her a long time.”





Back at the library, Chad and Spike were racing there before finally arriving. 

“Ha ha! Ha!” Spike laughed at him as he made it first.

“Yeah yeah, you win. I’ll get you next time.” Chad nudged him before he walked through the door. They saw Bandit, Twilight and Pinkie in helmet/umbrella hats.

“Spike, Chad. You’re just in time to take a letter.” Bandit said. Twilight nudged him.

“I believe it’s my turn.” She said before she began to talk. Chad began writing it down. “"Dear Princess Celestia, I'm happy to report that-"

“Uh, Spike? You okay there buddy?” Bandit asked. Spike shook his head.

“Uh, yeah. It’s just that.”

“Pinkie’s tail’s a-twitchin’ and you know what that means.” Twilight said as she pointed to Pinkie’s still twitching tail. Chad looked at his carapace, which has yet to be shaking. Implying that whatever’s about to fall hasn’t started falling yet. Twilight continued her letter.

“I am happy to report that I now realize there are wonderful things in this world you just can't explain, but that doesn't necessarily make them any less true. It just means you have to choose to believe in them, and sometimes it takes a friend to show you the way." Twilight said. Bandit booped both mares on the noses with his hooves.

“Boop.” He said with a smile and a blep.

“Boop.” Spike repeated as he wrote that down.

“Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight concluded. As soon as Spike wrote that down, Chad snatched the letter and took off. 

“Hey!” Spike exclaimed, running after him. Pinkie and Twilight laughed as they walked out. Bandit followed the egg brothers, to make sure they don’t break anything.

Outside, Pinkie’s tail twitched yet again. "There it goes again."

"I wonder what's gonna drop outta the sky this time?" Twilight wondered, looking up at the sky.

Pinkie Pie grinned. "You never know." And they trotted off while glancing up at the sky.





Chad beat Spike to the window upstairs and was about to send the letter, when Spike pounced on his back. As soon as he did that, Chad’s shell shook, making him  and Spike look up.

Celestia came down and landed on the balcony, startling Spike.

“Twitchy shell? I mean, Shaky tail. I mean-”

“Hi mom.” Bandit and Chad said. Chad gave her the letter, and Celestia planted a kiss on his and Bandit’s foreheads before flying off.

“Holy Guacamole!” Spike said as he watched her fly away.
> HyperSonic Rainboom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a beautiful day in Ponyville and on a nearby hill, Chad was trying to coach Fluttershy on the art of cheering.

“Okay Fluttershy, Like this. Strong like a palm tree! Tough as a cactus! Dash and Sprint fly against you just for practice!” Chad cheered with a back flip. Fluttershy tried to mimic his motions.

“Um...Tough as a palm, oh, wait.” She began softly. “Strong like a palm tree. Um… Dash and Sprint-”

“Nonono. Fluttershy, you’re a little too nervous. You gotta be confident. Encouraging. And-” Chad tried to say.

“Passionate.” Lightning Sprint said as she landed beside them.

“Yeah! And Passionate. Now, let’s put them all together and let out with a big cheer!” Chad told Fluttershy. She inhaled before letting out a cheer.

“Yay.” She said quietly. Lightning Sprint facehoofed.

“You’re gonna cheer for Dash and I like that?” Lightning Sprint asked her, disappointed.

“Come on Fluttershy, the point of a cheer is to be heard.” Chad said as Rainbow Dash dropped down.

“Which means, be louder.” Rainbow Dash told her.

"Yay."

"Louder!"

"Yay."

"Louder!"

Fluttershy took a deep breath. "Yaaay."

Both pegasi face hoofed and dropped to the ground with a thud. Chad and Fluttershy looked down at the two.

"Too loud?" Fluttershy asked. Chad looked at her.

“The silence was too loud.” Chad commented, which earned him a sheepish smile from Fluttershy.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint were standing on two different clouds looking down at Chad and Fluttershy, who were ready to cheer them on. Well, one of them was ready to cheer them on at the appropriate volume.

“Just follow my lead Fluttershy.” Chad said before looking up at the two speedsters. “Hooray!” He cheered loudly.

“Yay.” Fluttershy cheered softly. Taking in a deep breath, The two used the clouds as a diving board. Lightning Sprint dove into the air as Rainbow Dash dove down.

“Now, phase one of our routine.” Lightning Sprint said.

Lightning Sprint maneuvered around Clouds in a loop-de-loop form as Rainbow dash zigzagged past trees. Both zipping by Fluttershy and Chad.

“Woohoo!” Chad cheered loudly.

“Woo.” Fluttershy cheered softly.

The two crossed paths and looked at each other.

“Phase two."

Shooting into the sky, Rainbow Dash got three large clouds spinning in different directions by flying around them quickly. Zipping down, Lightning Sprint flew towards the river and flew circles around it, making tornadic water sprouts the same way she did in Boast Busters before taking to the skies.

Chad and Fluttershy looked at both, although Fluttershy’s eyes were spinning before she finally stopped them. The two flew up at an angle, almost forming a triangle.

“Here we go. Phase three.” Lightning said. 

“The Sonic Rainboom.” “The Hypersonic Lightning Strike!” The two Pegasi said at the same time. They dove down, side by side one another as Chad and Fluttershy looked on in amazement. Mach cones began forming around the pegasi as they gradually picked up speed. Then the air resistance got to them. They both looked at one another.

"Uh oh." They both said before the air resistance sent them both flying off. They let out terrified screams.





Over at the library, Bandit magically placed a book on a shelf and sighed. "Last one."

Twilight turned towards Applejack and Pinkie Pie. "Thank you so much for helping us clean up all these books, guys. It was a crazy week of studying."

"It sure was because bookhorse doesn't put books back after a cross reference." Bandit teased, sticking his tongue out at Twilight.

"I was in the zone!" Twilight exclaimed

"The messy zone." Bandit said as he offered a hoofbump to Spike. Spike chuckled as they hoofbumped.  The faint sound of screaming drew closer and closer. Bandit turned to the window and saw Rainbow dash closing in. He brought a shield at the window to stop her from crashing through. He sighed in relief and brought the shield down, right as Lightning Sprint collided with Rainbow dash, which knocked them both into the room, knocking almost all the books over. Bandit was able to save one shelf. The other books feel, covering Spike and the three mares. 

Bandit groaned as he helped them out. Chad was on Fluttershy's back as she flew into the library.

"Rainbow Dash, Lightning Sprint you rock woohoo." Fluttershy said before looking at the books. "Oh my. Did my cheering do all that?"

Rainbow Dash stood up and looked back at her friends. "Hehe. Sorry about that ladies and gents." she apologized sheepishly before turning back to face Fluttershy. "That was a truly feeble performance."

"You two did great! Not exactly a feeble performance." Chad told them.

“She’s talking about the cheering from Fluttershy.” Lightning Sprint clarified.

"What are you three arguing about?" Bandit asked them.

"We were arguing?" Fluttershy asked. "Oh, sorry."

Rainbow Dash grunted in annoyance and looked at their friends. "I wish you guys could come to Cloudsdale to see us compete in the Best Young Flyer Competition." she said to them, in a slightly regretful tone.

"What's that?" Twilight asked. Pinkie was gonna say something, but Chad beat her to it.

"It's where all the greatest Pegasus flyers get together and show off their different flying styles!" Chad answered.

"How did you know that?" Lightning asked.

Chad held up a book on that very subject.

"Oh. That explains it."

"Some are fast." Chad said as he scooped Spike on his back and zipped around the room on his legs.

"And some are graceful." Pinkie said as she tried to move gracefully, but she ended up slipping on the books. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" And she fell down, being buried by books again. She tripped Chad, making him faceplant in front of Applejack, who picked him up.

“I’m okay.” He said as he was placed back down onto his hooves.

"Golly," Applejack said, impressed. "I'd love to see you both strut yer stuff in that competition."

Rainbow Dash nodded sadly. "Yeah. I wish you guys could be there." She said honestly. 

“Fluttershy's a great support, but her cheering isn't exactly inspirational. Heck, Chad is like what? 10 and he’s louder than her.” Lightning Sprint added.

“You greatly underestimate the noisiness of foals.” Bandit told them.

"Ooh! I'd love to see you make a sonic rainboom! Or A Hypersonic Lightning Strike" Pinkie squealed. "They’re like, the most coolest things ever! Even though I've never actually seen them, but I mean come on! It's a sonic rainboom! And a Hypersonic Lightning Strike! How not cool could it possibly not be?!"

“What are Sonic Rainbooms and Hypersonic Lightning Strikes?” Twilight asked. Chad popped up out of the books with one in his mouth, which Bandit grabbed and opened. He turned a few pages before getting to where he needed to read.

“When a Pegasus goes at speeds greater than mach 7, they can become capable of-” He looked at his friends and saw Twilight and Chad were the only ones who weren’t shooting him a confused look. He rolled his eyes. “A pegasus flies super fast, a rainbow and bolts of lightning will come out with a sonic boom.”

“Oooooh.”

“It also says that they are both extremely rare.” Bandit added. Applejack patted Rainbow Dash and Lighting Sprint.

“Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint here are the only pony to ever pull it off in our lifetimes!" Applejack announced proudly. Rainbow Dash flushed a little, as did Lightning Sprint. 

"It was a long time ago… We were just a pair of fillies." Lightning Sprint said.

“As a pair of fillies yeah,  but you're gonna do it again, right?" Pinkie asked them. Lightning looked at Rainbow Dash and saw how unsure she was, so she stepped forward.

“Are you kidding? We’re the best flyers to ever come out of cloudsdale. A Sonic Rainboom and a Hypersonic Lighting Strike? Those are as easy as taking a nap.” Lightning Sprint said to motivate Rainbow Dash and herself. 

“Wow” Twilight said as she walked forward. “If the two of you pull that off, you’ll win the crowns for sure.” Twilight said. Bandit looked confused.

“Both of them can win the crown?” Bandit asked.

“We can ride solo, or we can do teams. Teams are judged a little more harshly, but hey, who doesn’t love a challenge right?” Lightning Sprint said.

"The grand prize is an entire day with the Wonderbolts." She added. "A whole day of flying with our lifelong heroes… It'll be a dream come true!" 

"Yay." Fluttershy softly cheered.

"I'm gonna go rest up." Rainbow Dash said. "Don't wanna over prepare myself, y'know. Hehe." She then fixed Fluttershy with a stern look. "You, on the other hand, better keep practicing. I need a cheering section to match my spectacular performance." She then flew back out of the window.

"Wait up!" Lightning called after her, taking off.

“Bandit, didn’t you say you met some of the wonderbolts?” Chad asked him.

“Eeyup.” Bandit answered before hearing Big Macintosh in the distance.

“Stop stealing my line!” He was heard exclaiming.

Bandit snickered a little.

"I hope now isn't a bad time for me to say, The 2 of them practiced those moves hundreds of times, and didn't even come close." Chad told the group.

"Not even once" Fluttershy added. "I thought my cheering would help."

"My cheering's loud enough, but I don't think it'll help." Chad said. Fluttershy flew off after that. Bandit began to start picking up the books.

“Well, guess we better get this cleaned up… again," Twilight said, sighing as she magically began picking up books.

Rarity poked her with her horn, making her toss the book into the air, which Bandit caught.

“Go on, go on."

"Go on what?" Twilight Sparkle asked, shooting her an unamused glare as she tried to gather up the books again.

"Find a spell that will get us wingless ponies into Cloudsdale," Rarity requested. "Didn't you see how nervous she was?"

"Nervous?" Applejack repeated. "Have you spit yer bit or somethin'? They tootin' their own horns louder than the brass section of a marching band!"

"Rarity has a point. It might not have been Lightning Sprint, but Rainbow dash had the stage fright." Bandit said.

"Are you sure?" Twilight asked "It looked like Lightning Sprint was pretty nervous."

"Not as nervous as Rainbow dash. Lightning had to carry the convo." Chad said.

"Chad is right. I have put on enough fashion shows to recognize stage fright when I see it. We've got to find a way to be there for her." Rarity said before bumping Twilight with her rump. “Now go on.”

Twilight yelped and landed among the books. She poked her head out, unamused.

"How are we going to find a flight spell in all this?" Twilight asked.

Chad dove into the pile like a fox diving head first into the snow and came back up with a book in his mouth.

"Page twenty-seven." He muffled, tossing the book to Twilight.

“How did you do that?” Applejack asked him, looking at the young nymph, surprised. All he did was wiggle his nose. Applejack was confused at first, but Spike leaned in.

"He can recognize books by smell. You know, a better sense of smell and all." Spike said. Applejack nodded.

"Okay, we'll give this a try." Bandit said. Twilight stepped beside him. "Any volunteers?" Bandit asked. Chad raised his hoof. "One without wings already?" 

Chad places his hoof down.

"I would happily volunteer." Rarity stepped forward. Chad pouted and sat down. "Awww, don't look so glum darling."

Bandit and Twilight lit their horns.

"Here goes." They both said. The magic duo concentrated on their magic, feeling it build up, and then a light blue magic began wrapping itself around Rarity. Moments later, there was an explosion of light that knocked almost everyone backwards, into the bookshelves.

"It worked!" Bandit exclaimed, not knowing his friends had been blown back from the force, that is until he turned around. 





The next day, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were flying toward Cloudsdale for the competition, and Rainbow Dash was trying to get Fluttershy to be more assertive in order to successfully cheer her on. 

"You've got to learn to be assertive, Fluttershy." she insisted as they arrived on the outer rim of the city. "Don't be afraid to speak up."

Just then, they were approached by three male Pegasi: Dumb-Bell, who had dark brown skin, light gray hair, blue eyes, and an exercise weight for a cutie mark; Hoops, who had light brown skin, brown hair, sea green eyes, and three basketballs for a cutie mark; and Score, who had dark gray skin, dark brown hair, gray eyes, and three footballs for a cutie mark.

"Well, well, well," Dumb-bell sneered when he saw the two female pegasi. "What do we have here?"

"It's our friend, Rainbow Crash." Hoops said.

"Without your BFF Burnt Lightning. Was being kicked out of flight school too much for her to be your friend?" Score taunted, earning a grit from Rainbow dash. 

"I didn't get kicked out." Rainbow dash said with a glare.

"Face it, Rainbow Crash. Flight school had too many rules, and not enough nap times for you." Dumb-bell told her.

Hoops snickered. "Huh, ask her about the sonic rainboom."

"That's nothing but an old mare's tale. Just like that Hypersonic Lightning Strike." Dumb-Bell stated, refusing to believe that Rainbow Dash had actually done one when they were fillies. "You don't have the skills to try something like that. Neither does your friend."

"Now wait just a minute!" Fluttershy snapped, startling them and herself. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm trying to be more assertive," she apologized before being assertive again. "Anyhow… She is going to do a sonic rainboom along Lightning Sprint’s Hypersonic Lightning Strike!"

"No she's not, 'cause there's no such thing! Same with that Hypersonic Lightning Strike." Dumb-Bell snapped.

"Then show up at the Cloudeseum and see for yourself!" Fluttershy challenged before toning down her voice, flushing. "…If you're free."

Dumb-Bell, Hoops, and Score all stared at her for a long moment, having never seen her that assertive before, and then they burst out laughing.

“Oh, don't worry. We'll be there!” Dumb-bell said tauntingly.

“See you then, Rainbow Crash!” Hoops taunted.

After they flew off, Fluttershy looked at Rainbow Dash, who wasn't looking as confident as before the encounter. "Did you see that?" she asked happily. "I was so assertive!"

"Those guys are right," Rainbow Dash said, sighing. "I'll never be able to do it."

"But, Rainbow Dash," said Fluttershy, surprised to see her friend's loss of confidence. "Just because you've failed the sonic rainboom a hundred thousand times in practice doesn't mean you won't be able to do it in front of an entire stadium, full of impatient, supercritical sports fan ponies."

"Aaaaaah!" Rainbow Dash screamed, going into a full panic attack. "What do I do?! Everypony's gonna see me fail! The Wonderbolts will never let a loser like me join. Princess Celestia will probably banish me to the Everfree Forest! My life is ruined!" She sank to her knees, covering her head with her forelegs.

Fluttershy stared at something over Rainbow Dash’s shoulder that'd caught her attention. 

"Rare…"

"Rare?!" Rainbow Dash repeated, looking up at Fluttershy with annoyance. "The sonic rainboom is way more than rare!"

"Rarity?" Fluttershy asked, still staring.

Blinking, Rainbow Dash looked behind her and her jaw dropped when she saw that their fashion friend was indeed there, and growing out of her back were colorful butterfly wings! "Rarity! Are you… flying?!" she yelped, jumping to her hooves.

"I most certainly am!" Rarity confirmed happily, flapping her new wings and enjoying their lovely colors. "Aren't my wings smashing?! Twilight and Bandit made them for me. I just adore them!" She then saw the expressions of shock on Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. "Why so shocked? We couldn't leave our favorite flyers without a big cheering section!"

“”We”?” Rainbow Dash asked. At that moment, Bandit came through the clouds, pulling a carriage with his friends and younger brother(s) on it.

"It's incredible!" Fluttershy exclaimed, happy to see their friends.

"This is so cool!" Rainbow Dash cheered. "You guys made it!"

“Sure did!” Chad said, jumping out before Bandit landed on the cloud.
“Chad wait!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, almost diving for him. Chad landed on the cloud without falling through. 

“How'd you do that?" she asked, exchanging a perplexed look with Fluttershy as Bandit landed, in which Applejack, Pinkie, Spike, and Twilight Sparkle also hopped out of the basket to stand on the clouds. "Only Pegasus ponies can walk on clouds."

“Well, that’s a bit of a stretch. Anyone with wings can walk on clouds.” Bandit said as he detached the carriage. 
Pinkie did a cartwheel on the cloud.

“Pretty cool huh?” Pinkie asked.

"Bandit and I found a spell that makes temporary wings." Twilight explained, "but it was too difficult to do more than once. So I found an easier spell that lets the rest of us walk on clouds.”

“I wouldn’t say it's difficult. Just a bit messy.” Bandit said with a nudge. 

"And we came to cheer you to victory!" Applejack encouraged.

"To be honest, I was starting to get just the teeniest, tiniest bit nervous." Rainbow Dash attempted to downplay her close panic attack. “But I feel a lot better now that you guys are here. Hey, we've got some time before the competition. Why don't Fluttershy and I show you around Cloudsdale?" She offered. Most of them agreed but Chad was looking around.

“Hey, where’s Lightning Sprint?” Chad asked. The two Pegasi looked at each other.

“We thought she was coming with you guys.” Rainbow Dash said. Chad sniffed the air.

“I smell freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.” Chad said.

“I found her.” Bandit said with an eye roll. “I’ll go grab her, y’all head on.” 

They nodded and began to move, but he grabbed Rainbow Dash.

“By the way, mother would never banish you for a bad display. So don’t worry about it.” Bandit informed her before flying off, grabbing Chad.





A short distance away, Lightning Sprint was eating a plate of cookies. Her tail was wagging like it usually did. Bandit and Chad managed to find her there. The two share a sly look and Bandit hid in a cloud as Chad started to stalk her like a tiger, since her back was turned. Lightning was none the wiser.

Chad wiggled and pounced onto her tail.

"Boo!"

"AAAAH!!!" She jolted, knocking the cookies onto the cloud, most of them breaking.

Chad playfully nipped her tail and held on.

"Nom." 

She looked back at him. "Chad?" Chad smiled and shook her tail around.

She began wagging it. Chad continued to hold on, trying to keep it on the ground.

"What are you doing?" She asked. "Wait. If you're here then that means-"

"Boo!" Bandit exclaimed from behind her.

"AAAAAH!!!" She jumped, falling to the ground. Chad and Bandit began snickering at her.

"Gotcha." Bandit said with a smirk. 

"What are you doing here?" Lightning Sprint asked. 

“We came to watch you compete actually. But you not being with Rainbow Dash sort of made me worried that you might have also have stage fright.” Bandit answered.

“Aww, you were worried about me?” Lightning teased. Bandit rolled his eyes at this.

“Yeah yeah, big ole softy.” Bandit sarcastically said.

“Caring for your little sister huh?” Lightning Sprint nudged, making Bandit raise an eyebrow.

“Lightning, you’re 3 years older than me.” Bandit told her.

“I’m referring to height Lingzilla.” 

“Let’s just go.” Bandit said as he grabbed her by the scruff. Chad hopped onto Bandit’s back.

“Wait! But cookies!” She cried out as Bandit began to fly.

“I’ll buy you some after the show.” He muffled as he flew off.





The other 6 ponies plus dragon were led to the whole city came into view. "Here it is: the greatest city in the sky!"

"Oooh! Aaah!" Four of the six ponies, plus dragon, said, admiring the view and the city itself.

Rarity, however, was admiring herself and her wrings in a mirror. "Oooh! Aaah!"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and lead them into the city. "Uhh… Some of the greatest Pegasi in history came from Cloudsdale!"

"Oh, wait for me!" said Rarity, flying to catch up, distracting three construction pegasi that were working on the cloud. One of them lost a jackhammer, which went over the edge of the cloud.

"Those wings are gorgeous!"

"Why, thank you!" Rarity responded, diving down to her friends with her new wings.

"Be careful with those wings, Rarity." Twilight began to warn. "They're made from gossamer and morning dew, and they're incredibly delicate."

"Don't worry, Twilight." Rarity said, flying over them. "I'm sure they can't get worn out from too much attention."

Bandit arrived and put Lightning down.

“Bandit, you finally made it.” Applejack told him.

“You say that like I was gone for an hour.” Bandit responded.

“I was just about to ask Rainbow Dash about where the weather’s made.” Applejack said.

"Great idea!" Rainbow Dash agreed. "C'mon, girls. To the weather factory!"





A short time later, they arrived at the factory, where there was a number of thunder clouds floating around, letting out the occasional lightning bolt, and they put one some of the white work coats and hats before going into the first room, except Bandit, who was too big for the coat and could only wear the helmet.

“This is where they make the snowflakes," Rainbow Dash whispered, nodding to the large room, where a dozen pegasi were busy making snowflakes under magnify glasses, and completed snowflakes were hanging from the ceiling. "Each one is hoofmade. As you can see, it's a delicate operation."

“It must be hard to make all those snowflakes making sure none of them are the same.” Spike said before seeing Rarity fly up.

"Ooh, the snowflakes look even better from up here," Rarity said happily, unaware that the flapping of her wings was creating a breeze that send the snowflakes flying around the room, alarming the workers, and they went running around, trying to rescue the snowflakes before they hit the floor and shattered.

"We better move on before Rarity ruins winter and causes a drought." Rainbow suggested wincing as a snowflake shattered near her. Bandit grabbed Rarity’s tail and pulled her out.





The next area they entered was outdoors, and here the workers were busy stirring up large pots of rainbow colors, pouring them into a massive container. "And here's where they make the rainbows!" Rainbow Dash announced proudly.

“Ah, so this is where you were created.” Bandit joked. Rainbow dash rolled her eyes at that with a small snicker.

“Yeah, Lightning hasn’t made that joke before.” Rainbow said with a nudge.

Pinkie dipped one hoof into one of the pots so it came out colorful, and she slurped it off. Seconds later, her face shifted through a rainbow of colors while panting from the heat. 

"Spicyyyyyy!" She panted out before zipping off. The others laughed a little at that. 

"Yeah, rainbows aren't really known for their flavor." Rainbow Dash agreed.

Chad stuck his hoof in and took a lick. He smacked his lips and smiled, dipping his head in to lick some more, before Bandit stopped him.

“Chad likes it?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah. Chad loves Spicy.” Bandit answered as he placed Chad on his back.

"Whoa!" Dumb-Bell exclaimed, staring at the beautiful wings. "Oh, where'd you get those amazing wings? I want a pair!"

Rarity considered that for a moment. "Hmm… Yeah, I guess I could see that."

Dumb-Bell then noticed the blue pegasus and smirked. "Oh, hey look, it's Rainbow Crash again!" he teased.

"Heheheyeah! Rainbow… Umm… Eyah… Crash!" Hoops agreed snidely.

"Rarity! What're you doing talking to these guys?" Rainbow Dash demanded angrily.

"Oh, they were just admiring my wings, Rainbow Dash," Rarity replied, obvious to the bullying going on.

"Yeah, you should forget the sonic rainboom and just get yourself some wings like these!" Dumb-Bell sneered and he, Hoop, and Score all burst out laughing. The laughing began do die out as Bandit walked over. They looked up to him and slowly backed away before flying off.

“Cowards.” Bandit said as he looked at Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint. “Don't listen to them. You're both gonna win that competition for sure.”

“Are you kidding? I can't do the sonic rainboom, and just look at these boring, plain old feathered wings. I'm doomed!” Rainbow dash said. Lightning Sprint tapped her chin and got an idea.

“Uhh... C'mon, girls. Why don't we go see how clouds are made?” Lightning Sprint suggested.

“I’ve always wanted to taste a cloud.” Chad said. Spike nudged him.

“You want to taste everything.” Spike told him.

“Not ‘everything’.” Chad said. Rarity stood next to him.

“Sure. Not ‘everything’. You adorable little tiger shark.” Rarity answered, pinching his cheeks. Chad pouted. Rarity smirked and nuzzled his cheek, which made it hard for him to keep his adorably mad face. Spike folded his arms as he watched this happen.





At the factory where the clouds were being made, Chad used his magic to lasso a cloud and pull it to him. He took a bite before spitting it out.

“Bleugh!” He exclaimed. Bandit and Spike laughed at this before hearing glamorous from behind them. Courtesy of the pegasi admiring her wings. 

"What, these old things?" Rarity asked, enjoying the attention. "Go ahead, everypony. Photos are encouraged."

Bandit walked over to Rarity, looking up at her with a disapproving look.

“Rarity.  we're supposed to be helping Rainbow Dash relax, remember?" Bandit reminded her sternly, whispering so Rainbow Dash wouldn’t hear him. "Put your wings away and stop showing off!"

"Oh, pfft," said Rarity, rising up so that the sunlight was reflecting through her wings, creating an incredible rainbow effect. "How can you ask me to put away perfection?" she asked when she saw the workers awing and the rainbow she was creating. "Waa-haa-haa!"

Bandit turned to look at Rainbow dash.

“Rainbow, are you alright?” Bandit asked. Rainbow dash looked like she was on the verge of a panic attack. Lightning Sprint was doing her best to keep her calm.

"Of course!" Rainbow Dash said quickly, panting. "Why wouldn't I be okay? Everyone's so in love with Rarity's wings that they won't even notice when I totally blow it in the Best Young Flyer's Competition."

“Now wait just a minute-”

"Hey!" Rainbowshine called, overhearing her and looked up at Rarity. "There's an idea! You should enter the competition!"

"Yeah!" Foggy Fleece agreed. "I could watch you fly all day long!"

"There really isn't anypony who uses their wings quite like me," Rarity remarked thoughtfully. "Perhaps I should compete."

Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint stared in horror. "WHAT?!" she yelped while the workers continued awing at Rarity. She flew off and the workers followed her.

“She is so losing those wings.” Bandit said under his breath. 

"What am I gonna do?" Lightning Sprint wailed. "We'll never win the competition now. We’re gonna be laughing stalks…"

Bandit turned to look at them.

“Oh no, not you too Lightning.” Bandit said. 





Hours later, every pony and pegasus were seated in the stadium, where they were waiting for the competition to begin, and Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Spike, and Twilight Sparkle had managed to find a good cloud seat so that they would be able to see the entire competition.

“Hey, where are Bandit and Chad?” Spike asked.

A male pegasus named Madden flew onto a cloud and he spoke through a speaker. "Fillies and gentlecolts! Please rise and join me in welcoming our beloved Princess Celestia! And her sons, Bandit and [briefly reads the long name] erm….Chad!" 

There was fanfare and applause as the Alicorn, two changelings and two pegasus guards flew over, and they landed in the royal balcony. 

"Please welcome our celebrity judges for the Best Young Flyer Competition: the Wonderbolts!" he called out and the crowd cheered as six of the Wonderbolts flew overhead, doing a brief show that ended in a firework, and then three of them took their positions in the judging stand while the other three flew off. "And now, let's find out who will take the prize as this year's best young flyer or flyers!"

The wonderbolts judges looked up at Bandit and Celestia and then gestured to the others and flew over.

“Hey. Long time no see you’re highness.” The yellow pegasus with a fire orange mane with orange eyes.

“Oh, hey Spitfire.” Bandit said as he looked up at them.

“How you been? Haven’t seen you since what….the second gala you were at?”

“Yeah, the second. I’ve been pretty well.” Bandit said before an idea sprouted in his head. “Actually, I have a favor to ask.”

“I hope it’s not rigging who wins.” Spitfire joked.

“Trust me, with my two friends competing, I don’t need to rig the system.” Bandit said. Two of the three wonderbolts chuckled at Bandit’s confidence in his friends.

“I like your confidence. So what do you-” Spitfire glanced to the side. “Fleetfoot stop staring.”

A light blue mare with a white mane and purple eyes shook her head.

“Huh? Um, what?” Fleetfoot asked. 

“Forgive her. So, what’s the favor you needed?”





Lucy Packard turned to the waiting pegasus. "Okay, contestant number one, you're up," she announced and Orange Swirl flew through the curtains to loud applause.

Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint looked at her before the two realized they were the number two contestants, and they looked around for a moment before sneaking off to switch numbers with one of the other pair of pegasi. 

"Okay, number two, let's go," Lucy Packard called out once Orange Swirl finished flying.

"Umm…" went Rainbow Dash, who was hiding behind a brown pegasus, who was eating some grass. Lightning Sprint was whistling past a light grey pegasus who was sipping a hayshake.

"C'mon, c'mon, we ain't got all day!" Lucy Packard shouted, becoming annoyed.

Lightning nudged the grey pegasus. 

"Psst. That’s you two.” She said.

He blinked and noted that he had a different number. "Oh. Umm… Oh, I guess that's us! Come on Turner!" The grey pegasus said as he hurried away.

Lucy Packard sighed and checked while Rainbow Dash slipped past her to change numbers a second time, Lightning Sprint was doing the same thing while number three went next. "Okay, number four, time to go," she called out.

Rarity poked her head out of the dressing room, her mane done up in rollers. "I'm number four, and I need just one more itsy-bitsy minute," she requested. "Be a dear and have somepony go ahead of me, hmm?" And she duck back inside.

"Look, I don't care who it is, but somepony's gotta go on!" Lucy Packard snapped.

Meadow Song had number five, so he went next. "Let's do this!"

Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint now had number six and they had to think fast, again. 

"What are we gonna do?" Rainbow dash asked. Lightning Sprint turned her attention towards Derpy and her partner, a pegasus stallion they didn’t know.





Meanwhile, the gathered pegasus were admiring all of the competitors that had performed so far, and Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Twilight Sparkle were commenting on what they each thought about the performances.

"I loved number the seven duo." Twilight Sparkle commented. "Doing fifteen barrel rolls in a row over your partner’s aileron rolls can't be easy."

"My favorite is number ten." said Fluttershy. "She just looked like such a nice pony."

Applejack nodded, but she was worried that two certain friends hadn't appeared yet. "Hmm… Wonder how come we haven't seen Rainbow Dash, Lightning Sprint or Rarity yet," she remarked. "The competition's almost over."

“I can’t wait to see Rarity’s act. I know she’s gonna look amazing.” Spike said. 

“Of course you’d think that.” Twilight teased. Spike rolled his eyes as his stomach growled.

“Man, I’m kinda hungry.” Spike said before a bag of popcorn was teleported to him, via Chad. He smiled and gave a thumbs up to Chad, who was eating a bag of popcorn on his own.





Meanwhile, Lucy Packard walked over to Rainbow Dash, who was curled up in a ball next to one of the pillars with a terrified expression on her face, and Lightning Sprint, who was pacing back and forward so fast she was practically running. 

"Number fifteen, let's go!"

"Rarity… is ready!" Rarity announced, stepping out of the dressing room and was wearing a rainbow-colored outfit with matching makeup, and a very fancy hairstyle.

Lucy Packard looked at them both with an exasperated expression. "Look, ladies. I don't know what to tell you." she snapped. "There's only time for one more performance. If all three of you want to compete, you'll just have to go out there together!"

"Well, Rainbow Dash? Lightning Sprint?" Rarity asked. "Shall we?"

Rarity headed for the curtain while Rainbow Dash did some scared babbling as she got up to follow, shaking like a leaf. Lightning Sprint took in a deep breath and walked to the curtain.

“We can do this.” Lightning Sprint tried to encourage.





"And now, for our final competitors of the day, contestants number fifteen!" Madden announced as Rainbow Dash and Lighting Sprint nervously flew out. He then blinked when he saw Rarity come out with them. "Uhh… And apparently contestant number four…" The crowd began cheering.

"Good luck, you two." Rarity told them. "Just do your best. I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of changing our music. That "rock and roll" doesn't really match my wings." She then began to do a fancy dance as classical music began playing.

Rainbow Dash watched her for a moment and gulped. 

"C'mon, Rainbow Dash," she muttered to herself. "You can do this. We can do this. Just remember the routine. Phase one." Lightning Sprint told her to encourage her, but was shaking with every word. They began the first part of her routine, Lightning Sprint maneuvered around Clouds in a loop-de-loop form as Rainbow dash zigzagged past clouds that were shaped like trees, which she wound up colliding with the last one. Her yelp made Lightning Sprint look back at her, which in turn made her collide with the last cloud.


"Nice work, Crash and Burn!" Hoops called out and joined in the laughter of his friends.

Rainbow Dash recovered, and did her best to ignore them while glancing at Rarity, who was still dancing around and flapping her fancy wings. Bandit was about to throw something at the bullies, but Celestia yanked the rock from his grip. Which made him pout.

"Time for phase two." Lightning Sprint told Rainbow dash. Rainbow Dash got three large clouds spinning in different directions by flying around them quickly. Rain drops came out and Lightning Sprint flew around them quick and made them stay mid air.

"Look!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "Phase two is working." And the crowd was cheering. Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash messed up again., this time by bumping into the fourth cloud, which was sent spinning into the stadium. Lightning Sprint tried to go after it, but she was caught in her own wind current and was thrown back to Rainbow Dash. Celestia and Bandit both used their magic to destroy the cloud, in an effort to protect each other. They both look at each other and chuckle a little. Bandit’s stomach then growled.

“I’m gonna get some more popcorn.” Bandit said as he walked off.

Oblivious to what was going on around her, Rarity was on a high and she was about to do something incredibly stupid, but she didn't see it that way. "And now for my grand finale," she announced. "I will fly right up to the sun and beam my beautiful wings over the whole city of Cloudsdale!" She gasped and squealed. "They'll be talking about it for years!" She then flew high into the sky, heading for the sun.

“Wait a minute.” Chad said as he looked up. He dropped his popcorn and then ran off to get Bandit.

Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint watched her go. "Looks like this is our last chance to turn things around." Rainbow Dash said.

“Phase three. The sonic rainboom and Hypersonic Lightning Strike.” Lightning Sprint said.

“Wings, don’t fail us now.” Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint flew up at an angle, almost forming a triangle

The crowd gasped and watched the three fly higher and higher into the sky, with Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint trying to fly fast enough to create the sonic rainboom and Hypersonic Lightning Strike while Rarity reached the sun itself.

"Look upon me, Equestria, for I… am… Rarity!" she announced as the sunlight was made into rainbow beams by her wings, and they beamed down onto the stadium, where the crowd oohed. Unfortunately, the heat of the sun caused her wings to go poof! She hung in the air for a moment and realized that she was in serious trouble. "Uh-oh." She then dropped back toward the ground that was very, very, very far below, screaming.

"Oh no!" Twilight Sparkle yelped. "Her wings evaporated into thin air!"

The three Wonderbolts: Fleetfoot, Soarin, and Spitfire flew into action, flying after the falling unicorn.

Rarity was still screaming as the three Wonderbolts reached her, but since she was also waving her legs around wildly, she accidentally knocked them all out, and so they were now falling to the ground, too.

Chad came back with Bandit, who had five bags of popcorn and pointed to Rarity who was falling with the three pegasi.

“Gah! I was gone for a minute.” Bandit exclaimed as he gave the bags to the guards and Chad.

Hearing the screams and seeing Rarity fall, Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint stopped mid air and then dove down. 

"Hold on, Rarity! We’re coming!" Rainbow Dash shouted, hurtling toward the ground as fast as she could. Lightning Sprint was right beside her. Bandit jumped into action too, diving down as fast as he could.

Rainbow dash was forming a mach cone as Lightning Sprint began to spark. Bandit looked at both of them and smirked. He placed ear plugs in his ears and as soon as that happened two sonic booms shook the arena. One resulted in a rainbow explosion, the other with bolts of lightning shooting out. Bandit grabbed onto one of the lightning bolts and picked up a vast amount of speed. Both Lightning Sprint and Rainbow Dash had their tail and mane color’s trailing behind them.

Rarity gasped in amazement as the three headed towards her. 

"A sonic rainboom! And a Hypersonic Lightning Strike!" Fluttershy shouted, hopping up and down in celebration. 

"They did it! They did it! Wooo!" Chad cheered from next to Celestia, who was holding him so he wouldn’t cheer himself over the edge.

Rainbow Dash, Lightning Sprint and Bandit got to the falling for and Lightning Sprint grabbed Soarin. Rainbow Dash grabbed Rarity and Bandit jumped off the lightning bolt and grabbed Spitfire and Fleetfoot. Bandit slowed down before flying straight back to the stadium. Lightning Sprint and Rainbow Dash were still flying at an extremely fast so they arched back to the stadium. Looking at each other’s trials before winking and doing a (technically) double rainbow above the stadium before flying back in. Bandit was already giving Spitfire and Fleetfoot back to the wonderbolts and took his ear plugs out. The crowd was going crazy.

"A sonic rainboom! Wooo! Yeah!" Chad exclaimed.

“Hypersonic Lightning Strike! Woohoo!” Fluttershy cheered.

"We did it." Rainbow Dash said, tearing up from pride. 

“We did it!" Lightning Sprint exclaimed, definitely happier.

"You sure did," Rarity agreed, sighing. "Oh thank you, both. You saved my life!"

“Technically, Rainbow Dash saved you.” Lightning Sprint said. 

"It was a team effort." said Rainbow Dash with some modesty. "We did that too. Ha, best day ever!" She and Lightning then whooped and did a number of loop-dee-loops to celebrate while Bandit walked over and placed Rarity on his back, after fixing his mane from the Lightning Fritz treatment.





A few minutes later, Rarity was in the carriage Bandit brought the others in.

“I want to apologize to all of you for getting so carried away with my… beautiful wings," she told her friends. "I guess I just lost my head."

"It's okay.” "Oh, don't worry about it, kiddo." “We still love you.” “I’m just glad you’re okay.” “You were amazing.” The group bar Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint spoke over one another.

"And I'm especially sorry that I was so thoughtless as to jump into the contest at the last minute after you two had worked so hard to win it.” Rarity said to Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint. "Can you ever ever forgive me?"

"Aw, it's okay." Lightning Sprint reassured her. 

"Everything turned out all right, right? I just wish  we could have met the Wonderbolts when they were awake." Rainbow Dash said. Bandit gave off a sly look before giving off a high pitched;

“Weeeeeeeeell.”

Rainbow and Lightning’s jaw dropped when the three Wonderbolts landed next to Bandit.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!

“Bandit pulled us aside and told us to come and meet you after the competition. As a little favor. But we also want to say thanks for saving us. To all of you.”

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" They both squealed. Bandit rolled his eyes.

Celestia and her guards arrived to them which led to everyone bowing. Everyone but Bandit and Chad, who nuzzled her.

“Did you enjoy the show mom?” Chad asked.

“I sure did. Especially your friends at the end.” Celestia said.

"Princess Celestia, I am sorry I ruined the competition," Rarity apologized. "Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint really are the best flyer in Equestria."

"I know they are, my dear," Princess Celestia agreed. "That's why, for their incredible act of bravery and the spectacular Hypersonic Rainboom-”

“I came up with the name.” Chad whispered to them before Celestia continued.

“-I'm presenting the grand prize for Best Young Flyers to this year's winner, Miss Rainbow Dash and Miss Lightning Sprint!" Celestia said as a pair of crowns were placed on their heads.

"Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh!" They both said as the others lifted them into the air in Celebration.

“So. Bandit, Twilight?” Celestia called. “Did you two learn anything about friendship from this experience?" she inquired.

"We did Princess," Twilight started before turning to Rarity. "but I think Rarity learned even more than us."

"I certainly did," Rarity agreed. "I learned how important it is to keep your hooves on the ground, and be there for your friends."

Celestia nodded with approval. "Excellent. Well done, Rarity."

Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint were brought back and jumped onto the ground.

“Best day of my life!” Lightning Sprint said with a squeal.

"Uhh, hey, Rainbow Crash," Dumb-bell began when he was roughly elbowed by Hoops, who hissed "Dash!", and he quickly corrected himself. "Oh! Uhh… Sorry. Rainbow Dash. Uhh, we just wanted to congratulate you and Lightning Sprint on winning the competition."

"That Sonic rainboom and Hypersonic Lightning Strike combo was awesome!" Hoops exclaimed.

Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint smiled a little, impressed that the three bullies were being nice to Rainbow Dash. "Heh, thanks, guys."

"Uhh, we're really sorry we gave you such a hard time before," Dumb-bell apologized.

"Aww, that's okay." said Rainbow Dash. "Don't worry about it."

"Hey. Do you want to hang out with us?" Dumb-Bell offered. "Maybe you could show us how you did that incredible trick!"

Rainbow Dash smiled and shook her head as she linked forelegs with the Wonderbolts. "Sorry, boys.”

“But we’ve got plans!" Lightning Sprint added as she linked forelegs with two more wonderbolts.

Bandit smiled as he watched them fly away before feeling a tug on his wing. He turned around and saw a few wonderbolts lined up with photos of him holding onto the lightning bolt to catch Fleetfoot and Spitfire. In the front of the line was Fleetfoot.

“Um….Would you mind giving us an autograph? Please?” Fleetfoot asked. Bandit was confused for a second.

“Who the heck took a picture of that?” Bandit asked before Celestia slapped him in the back of the head with her wing.

“I mean, of course.” Bandit said as he grabbed a quill and got to signing.

“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" Fleetfoot squealed.
> Stare Master
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chad walked to Rarity's boutique and knocked on the door. Rarity answered.

"Oh! Good Chad, you're here for Sweetie belle's sleepover!" She said as she pulled him in.

"Oh, not yet,  Right now I'm here for-" Chad tried to say before she placed him next to Sweetie belle before continuing her business. 

"Where'd I put that?" Rarity muttered, running while magically carrying three balls of different colored thread. "Ohh, I thought I already…" She set them on a table and ran back for fabric. "Ohh, and I can't forget I've got to… oh, how am I ever gonna get this done?"

“Um, Rari-” Chad was trying to call.

"Are you sure I can't help?" Sweetie Belle asked. "I could-"

"No!" Rarity shouted, running past with the fabric.

“Rarity, can I please say-”

"Maybe just a-"

"No thanks!"

"How about-"

Rarity paused while folding up some fabric to look at her little sister. “Why don’t the two of you go play in your room?”

"But-" Sweetie Belle began.

"Where you'll both be out of the way," Rarity interrupted up and dropped the fabric when she realized that she'd forgotten something important. 

“My extra silk fabrics! Where are the other silk fabrics!?” Rarity exclaimed. Chad pulled three folded stacks of silk out of his hoodie. 


“Bandit told me to run this over here. He saw it was for you at the post office and since I’m trying for my delivery cutie mark, it worked out.” Chad told her. Rarity snagged it and continued to rummage around, she then realized she forgot something else important.

"Ribbon, ribbon! Where's the ribbon?!"

Sweetie Belle looked around and spotted the item on a high shelf. "I got it!" And she quickly climbed onto a chair and tried to reach it while leaning on the sewing machine, which began tipping. She began to fall towards the ground.

"Whoa!" She exclaimed. Chad dove and caught her before she hit the ground. “Thanks Chad.”

The ribbon wound up knocking over a mannequin, and then it caused a chain reaction of items being sent flying. Sweetie Belle clinged to Chad as everything crashed, clanged and clattered.

The chaos came to an end and the ribbon rolled over to Sweetie belle. Chad was about to walk towards the mess to help fix it, but Sweetie belle grabbed his hoof.

“Uh, I-I think we’ll go play now. Where we’re out of the way.” She said as she ran with Chad in hoof.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Some time later, Rarity was finishing up cleaning the mess that was made. Sweetie Belle had came back as Chad was fishing around for a game for the two of them to play.

"Won't you at least let me help you clean up?" she asked.

"No." Rarity said sternly while magically putting away the fabric she didn't need. "You've helped me quite enough." 

"I'm sorry, sis!" Sweetie Belle apologized. "I just thought that if I could help, I might find my special gift and finally earn my cutie mark." And she looked wistfully at her blank flank.

"I understand," Rarity said sincerely, for she recalled how frustrating it could be for some fillies waiting to get their cutie marks, and her own frustration, too. "It's just that… I need this time to fill this order without any… complications," she added, setting up the last of the mannequins. "Okay, all done. Now, back to work. I've lost a lot of time, and I cannot have any more interruptions." She went to her sewing machine to start sewing when the doorbell rang, and she groaned. "Oh, what now?!"

The door was heard opening.

“Oh, hi Fluttershy.” Chad was heard saying. “Yeah she’s here but she’s really wrapped up in her work right now…….Yeah, I can take Opal to her…..Oh come on, she can’t be that bad.”

Rarity gasped and she started to run to the door.

“No Chad wait-” Rarity exclaimed before Chad walked through the door with Opal purring on his back. Fluttershy was right behind him. Rarity was taken aback by how Opal was with Chad and vice versa.

“Oh…Well, she looks great!” Rarity said before turning to Fluttershy as Opal kneaded Chad’s hoodie. "I just don't understand how you're able to do it! I can't get near her without getting a swipe from her claws," she remarked, stepping close to her cat, only to have Opalescence hiss and swipe at her. "Ahh!" She jumped back. "Did you use… the Stare on her?" She asked Fluttershy.

"Oh, no!" Fluttershy gasped. "I wouldn't! I couldn't! I-I don't really have any control over when that happens. I-It just happens. No, I'm just good with animals. It's my special gift, you know?" she added. She turned to see Chad moving his tail that Opal was swiping at playfully. “Looks like Chad has the special gift too.”

"Well, maybe Chad would have a picture of Opal as a cutie mark." Rarity said, which gave Sweetie Belle an idea. She ran over and glomped Chad .

“Ooh, ooh, oh, oh, oh, oh! Maybe I can be good with animals, too!" She said. Not taking lightly to her playtime being interrupted, Opal took a swipe at Sweetie Belle’s mane. The part of the mane fell off and Opal smirked at her. “Or not.” 

She got off Chad and went to the other side of the room. Chad sat up, grabbed the fallen mane and ran over to Sweetie Belle to fix it. Somehow, he managed to do so.

"I'm sorry I can't invite you to stay and chat, Fluttershy." Rarity told her friend, sighing. "I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew with this order."

Sweetie Belle stared at her sister, confused. "But you're not eating anything."

“Sweetie Belle it’s an expression. It means taking more than you can handle.” Chad said. Rarity began to walk past.

“Chad’s right. I've got twenty of these special robes to make tonight! They're due in Trottingham tomorrow morning." She then unfolded some beautiful gold fabric Chad had brought in earlier and Fluttershy gasped with amazement. "See? I've lined them in a special gold silk," she added, looking fondly at her handiwork. "It took so long to make, but I think it adds just the right touch, don't you?"

"These are lovely, but twenty by tonight?" Fluttershy asked while admiring the fabric. "How will you get it all done?"

“I could ask Bandit to call Tailor Coat to help.” Chad suggested.

“That would take too long darling, and I’m already behind schedule.” Rarity responded as she lifted the fabric yet again. 

"Oh, oh, oh!" said Sweetie Belle, jumping up and down with a new idea. "Maybe I could… just…" Rarity shot her a look. Sweetie belle gave a sheepish smile and grabbed Chad’s hoof. “Take Chad over here…..to play.” She walked over to a corner as Chad.

"I'll manage." Rarity said to Fluttershy, who began walking towards the door.

"Well, maybe I should get out of your mane so you can work." Fluttershy said before a couple of blurs zipped inside. Those blurs belonged to Skeedaddle, Rumble Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Pipsqueak.

"Hi, Fluttershy! Hi, Rarity!"

“Hello, uh, kids.” Rarity said, a little uneasy with the additions of foals.

“Hey Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom exclaimed.

“Hiya Chad!” Rumble, Skeedaddle and Pipsqueak exclaimed.

"You ready for tonight?" Scootaloo asked eagerly.

"Yup!" Sweetie Belle replied happily. "Cutie mark planning session is a go!"

"Tonight is the night we each try to find our own special talent." Pipsqueak confirmed.

"Even if it takes us all night!" Rumble added.

"I'm ready! You ready?" Apple Bloom asked.

“Very ready!” Skeedaddle exclaimed.

"Cutie Mark Crusader sleepover at Rarity's! Yay!" All but Chad exclaimed, who had to cover his ears. However, he looked up with a smile.

"And… look what I made us!" Sweetie Belle announced. The group watched as she put a red cape with a blue patch with a yellow pony wearing a cape on it.

“Wow!” The two fillies said.

“Whoa!” The guys all said, as they looked at the cape. Fluttershy walked over as the patch caught her eye.

"What does that patch on your cape mean?" Fluttershy asked.

"The Cutie Mark Crusaders!" The six foals shouted together, Chad covered his ears again.

“We're on a crusade, a mission!" Rumble announced.

"To find our cutie marks!" Apple Bloom added.

"Yup. And look," said Sweetie Belle, lifting up her cape to reveal the underside, which was made out of a familiar gold fabric. "I lined them with this special gold silk. It took sooo long to make, but I think it adds just the right touch, don't you?" she asked her friends "Oooooh!" over it.

Chad tilted his head as Rarity eyed it, considering it looked familiar.

“Hey, isn’t that Rarity’s golden silk she needs for the special robes she mentioned?” Chad asked. That was what did it. 

Rarity stared in horror to see that the fabric her sister had used was her own, and she raced over to pick up a section lying next to her sewing machine, discovering that seven squares had been cut out of it. 

"Sweetie Belle! What have you done?!" Rarity shrieked as Sweetie Belle gave off a sheepish smile. "I still needed that gold silk! Oh, now I'll have no choice but to make more! Oh, I hope I can make more in time. I'm gonna have to work all night! Which means…" She took a breath and faced the seven young creatures. "Sorry, everyone, I'm afraid the Crusaders sleepover is cancelled."

“What?!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

"I just won't have any time to watch you if I want to get these robes delivered on time." Rarity pointed out.

"But-" Sweetie Belle began, having been looking forward to the sleepover.

"No buts this time." Rarity told her. "I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle. It's just the way it has to be."

“Aww….” The crusaders said. Fluttershy saw the saddened looks on their faces. Then she got an idea.

"I, uh, I suppose I could take them for the night," she offered. The six pony crusaders looked at her with hopeful smiles. Chad’s tail began to wag.

Rarity was surprised to hear Fluttershy make an offer like that. 

"I couldn't ask you to do that." She attempted to decline.

"Oh, it's no problem at all," Fluttershy said reassuringly.

"Have you met my sister and her friends?" Rarity asked skeptically. "The only one I know isn’t gonna be an issue is Chad."


"Did I have a problem with Opal?" Fluttershy reminded her friend. "You've seen how well I handle small creatures."

Rarity knew that Fluttershy had a point and was one of the few ponies around who could get her cat to behave. "I suppose that's true… and I do have a lot of work to do…"

“I think it’ll be fun!” Chad said happily. Although Rarity was still unsure.

"I assure you, they're quite a handful."

"These sweet little angels?" Fluttershy asked and the seven all smiled innocently. Haloes appeared over their heads. Chad looked up and grabbed his and held it.

Rarity sighed. "Well… all right."

"Cutie Mark Crusader sleepover at Fluttershy's cottage! Yay!" They cheered and raced out the door. 

"So cute." said Fluttershy before flying after them. "W-wait for me!"

Rarity could only look on in slight discomfort as she felt Fluttershy was doing the exact same thing she did with the dresses. 

Chad came back and held out the halo, he let out a whistle for Opal and patted the ground. Opal looked at him and then the halo, ran over and jumped through the hoop. He ran back out and Rarity looked completely shocked.





Fluttershy flew after the foals as they ran ahead, giggling, and she already planning fun activities to do with them. 

"Oh, won't this be ever so fun? We can have a nice little tea party, and braid each others' tails, and sit quietly and color, and tell each other fairy tales, and-" she stopped when she realized that she'd lost sight of the foals and Nymph. 'Oops!'

Twilight was trotting through town before almost getting run over by the six foals, resulting in her spinning. Chad got to her and stopped her.

“Thanks Chad.” She said as she looked down at him.

“Hey, Twilight. The sleepover has been moved to Fluttershy’s cottage. Are my bags still at home?” Chad asked.

“Sure are.” Twilight told him before seeing Fluttershy. “Oh, hello fluttershy.”

"Oh! Hello, Twilight." said Fluttershy, hovering in the air. "Where are you off to?"

"I'm heading to the Everfree Forest to Zecora's to get some of my favorite tea." Twilight answered.

"Th-The Everfree Forest?" Fluttershy repeated nervously. "Ah, you'll be careful, won't you?"

"Of course!" Twilight Sparkle promised. “Chad told me you’re taking over as the host to the Cutie Mark Crusader sleepover. Taking care of those three colts, fillies and Chad all by yourself? You sure you can handle it?"

"What? These sweet little angels?" Fluttershy asked as the six foals zipped up next to her with innocent smiles on their faces, and more haloes popping up, which Chad grabbed and placed into his hoodie. "They'll be no problem at all." 

Twilight nodded and then looked at Chad.

“You want to bring Spike with you?” Twilight asked.

“I would, but he’s playing Castle-Maneia right now, and the Gorgon heads keep resetting him. I don’t wanna be around when he breaks and asks Bandit for help. Because the controllers will suffer.” Chad answered.





It was nightfall by the time everyone arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage. Chad was placing his sleeping bag onto the ground. Angel hit his hoof with a carrot.

“Oh. Still hate me huh?” Chad asked him. He kept doing it making Chad roll his eyes. “Look, I’m sorry about wanting to eat you before. I promise this maw won’t touch you, okay?”

Angel went to hit him again, but stopped and instead offered him the carrot. Chad smiled and eats the carrot and then pet angel.

"Wow! Look at this place!" Sweetie Belle said when she saw there were more animals inside the living room, along with some small staircases. 

"What's that? Are those chickens?" Skeedaddle asked as he also looked around, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Rumble, Pipsqueak and Scootaloo ran around, looking at everything, startling the animals so much that they hid themselves to keep from getting run over. Chad picked up Angel to move him away from the antiques before joining in on the zipping around.

"No… problem at all," Fluttershy whispered to herself, hoping that she hadn't bitten off more then she could chew. 

"Okay, everyone, uh, what should we do?" She asked, but the foals weren't paying attention since they were more focused on getting their cutie marks.

“I'm gonna get my mark first!” Scootaloo started, which began an argument.

"Hello?” Fluttershy asked, but she was talked over.

“Nuh uh!” Skeedaddle argued, though in a joking manner.

“Should we-" She tried to get their attention. 

“I am!” Pipsqueak interrupted.

"Everyone, now settle-"

"I'm staying up all night!” Rumble exclaimed as he jumped onto Angel’s bed.

“Same here!” Pipsqueak added. The other Crusaders all agreed, except Chad.

“Take it from me, staying up all night isn’t all that’s cracked up to be.” Chad told them with a smile.

"I-I know you're excited, but – kids, oh, oh, careful with the – oh, ah, kids-"

Apple Bloom was on a tilting chair, resulting in Fluttershy running over to fix it so she doesn’t call.

“Careful with the-” She was interrupted when she saw Sweetie Belle’s head stuck in a bird house. Chad climbed up the stairs and pulled her head out.

“Foals.” Fluttershy called. Rumble zipped by her head, resulting in her having to fix her mane.

"So! What do you wanna do? Play a game?" She asked semi loudly, finally getting their attention.

Scootaloo thought about that for a moment and had a different idea. "We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!"

"And we want to crusade for our cutie marks!" Skeedaddle added.

“No matter what it takes!” Pipsqueak added. Sweetie Belle climbed on Chad’s back to contribute to the excitement.

“And, and, and, we, um- yeah! What they said!" Sweetie Belle said as she nuzzled Chad’s mane.

“I think I agree with Chad with not staying up all night. How about a nice quiet little tea party?"

"Or… we could go adventuring in the Everfree Forest!" Rumble suggested. 

“Yeah!” The other crusaders, except Chad, exclaimed.

“I’m okay with either one.” Chad said with a smile. 

"Oh, no!" Fluttershy objected positioning herself in front of the door to keep them from getting out. "The Everfree Forest is much too dangerous. It's filled with far too many strange creatures."

"But you could go with us and we could catch those creatures," Sweetie Belle pointed out. "We could be, umm… creature catchers!"

“Chad caught a.... Tirig....Trig....uh…" Apple Bloom failed to pronounce.

“Bandit already said to call it a TCO.” Chad told her.

“A TCO. Chad caught one before, which means we can too!” Apple Bloom answered, which also added to the CMC’s excitement.

"Yay! Cutie Mark Crusader creature catchers!" The group all said excitedly.

Scootaloo grabbed a basket that she put on her own head, snatched up a big rug, and she hopped onto Skeedaddle’s back, covering themselves with the rug. 

"Arrrr! I am a dangerous creature from the Everfree Forest! Rrrarr!" She growled. Chad smirked and played a long.

"Halt, dangerous creature of the Everfree Forest." Chad announced. "I am Kama Chadwickson! The catcher of all creatures of the everfree, and I am here to catch you!” 

Sweetie Belle smirked as she slid off his back and stood to his side.

“And I’m Sweetie Belle! His catcher sidekick.”

Apple Bloom slid over as well. “And I’m Apple Bloom! His other sidekick!”

Pipsqueak put a pair of fake teeth in his mouth and Rumble mimicked a hiss.

“You might catch her, but you won’t catch all of us.” Pipsqueak told them.

“You cannot run from us.” Apple Bloom announced before giving chase. The group began to chase each other back and forth. Laughing as they did so.

"Um, oh, maybe that's not such a – [they ran by again] now, kids, how about we do some nice coloring? Doh-" She whimpered as Sweetie Belle hopped off her back. 

“Come back, dangerous creature, so I can catch you!" Sweetie Belle called out, chasing her friends. Chad pounced into the air and managed to drag Rumble down to the ground mid flight.

"Never!" Scootaloo declared, laughing.

"Careful… you don't…" Fluttershy began and flinched as she saw the object in question, a blue table. "…break anything”

"Sorry, Fluttershy." Sweetie Belle said, filled with guilt. Scootaloo looked towards Fluttershy, with the basket still on her head.

"Yeah, sorry." Scootaloo agreed, Skeedaddle took the basket off Scootaloo’s head and began to put the rug away.

Apple Bloom hung her head in shame. "I guess we aren't creature catchers."

"Oh, little one, it's okay. I-" Fluttershy began.

"I know!" Pipsqueak said, getting an idea. "We could be Cutie Mark Crusader carpenters!"

"C-carpenters?" Fluttershy repeated.

“Oh, Bandit taught me about carpentry.” Chad said as he took a tool belt out of his hoodie and put it on.

“Chad, is there anything you can’t do?” Rumble asked.

“Watch Titanic without falling asleep.” Chad answered. Confused looks hit him.

“Really?” Skeedaddle asked.

“Yep, that’s a movie I will never understand how so many ponies like it.” Chad told him. 

“Let us give this a shot at Carpentry.” Apple Bloom said as she wrapped hooves around Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. The trio zipped off and came back with stethoscopes and head mirrors on, observing the table like a patient.

“Hammer.” Apple Bloom requested.

“Hammer.” Scootaloo repeated, grabbing a hammer and passing it to Sweetie Belle, who passed it to Apple Bloom. The trio looked at it again.

“Hammer.” Sweetie Belle requested.

“Hammer.” Scootaloo repeated, grabbing another hammer and passing it to Sweetie Belle.

“Hammer.” Scootaloo requested. There was a silence before Skeedaddle reached over and picked up another hammer.

“Um...Hammer?” He said, slightly confused.





It didn't take them very long, but when they were finished, they were confused by what they'd done with the remains of the table, which didn't look like a table anymore.

"Um … that doesn't look like a table." Sweetie Belle said, frowning. 

“You guys were building a table?” Pipsqueak asked.

“Somepony needs to put this thing out of its misery.” Rumble suggested, resulting in a slap to the back of the head from Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo shook her head. "We are definitely not Cutie Mark Carpenters."

Chad walked over and started to repair the table the correct way.

"Who wants a picture of a hammer on their flank anyway?" Sweetie Belle grumbled.

“Well, Gullfaxi has a cutie mark like that.” Chad answered as he finished the table.

“Who’s that?” Pipsqueak asked.

“The youngest of the Faxi triplets. I’ll get into that later.” Chad said as he looked back at Fluttershy.

"Well, now that we've gotten that out of the way, how about a game?" She suggested, leading them over to the couch.

"A game?" Apple Bloom asked as they seated themselves on the couch. Fluttershy nodded. 

"It's called "Shhh!"

"What's that?" Rumble asked, looking both confused and slightly disgusted at the suggestion.

“Well, it's a game about who can be quiet the longest. Sound fun?” Fluttershy asked. The only one who looked interested in the slightest was Chad. Everyone else, even Pip, was unamused at the suggestion. “I'm the world champ, you know. I bet you can't beat me!" She then took a deep breath and held it.

The six foals all exchanged looks.

“I lose.” Scootaloo said, everyone else followed suit, except Chad.

"Me too!"

"Me three!"

“Me four!”

“Me five!”

“Me six!”

Fluttershy let out a sigh of disappointment as she looked at the antics the foals were doing this time.

"Okay, now what can we do?" Scootaloo asked as she jumped up and down on a nearby bed. Skeedaddle came down from the chimney after climbing up.

"Oooh! How about Cutie Mark Crusader coal miners?" Skeedaddle asked.

“Yeah!” The other CMC, except Chad all cheered.

"No!" Fluttershy said firmly.

“Aww.” The sextet said as they looked down sadly. Chad grinned at Fluttershy.

"I mean, it's time for bed, don't you think?" Fluttershy said suggested as she herded the fillies to the staircase. “Aren't you excited to get all toasty and warm in your snuggly-wuggly widdle beds?"

“Snuggly-Wuggly? What are we 5?” Rumble asked. Apple Bloom came back from the staircase to slap him in the back of the head.

“I for one am. I get to go to sleep the new ‘Shh’ world champion.” Chad said with a happy grin. Fluttershy gasped as she realized she spoke before Chad during the game.

“We have more crusadin' to do!" Pipsqueak said.

"We've got plans!" Scootaloo agreed.

"And capes!" Skeedaddle added, pulling the capes out of their bags.

Briefly ignoring the loss of her championship, she herded the fillies up the stairs as the colts plus nymph stayed downstairs. “Um, okay, um. Maybe the crusading can wait until morning? When it's light? And not so… dark?"





Upstairs, Fluttershy was preparing the fillies for bed.

"How are we gonna find our special talent in our sleep?" Apple Bloom wondered, not wanting to sleep.

Fluttershy blew out the candle and turned to the three fillies. "Maybe you'll have a lovely little dream about your special talent," she suggested.

"But we're not even tired!" Scootaloo complained as Fluttershy placed a cover over them.

"How about I sing you a lullaby?" Fluttershy offered and the Cutie Mark Crusaders all agreed eagerly.





Downstairs, Chad was fast asleep while the other three colts had a little too much on their minds to head to sleep at the moment.

“Ugh. How can I go to sleep?” Rumble asked as he planted his pillow over his own face.

“There are so many things to try for our cutie marks, we could be doing any of that instead of sleeping.” Pipsqueak added.

Skeedaddle looked up at the others with his head under his pillow. “Maybe we’ll get our cutie marks in sleeping.”


“Doubt it.” Rumble said. He then looked at Chad. “I don’t know how Chad is able to sleep.”

Seconds after he said that, Sweetie Belle was heard singing loudly, which woke Chad up.

“Hush now! Quiet now!
It's time to lay your sleepy head!
Said hush now! Quiet now!
It's time to go to bed!” Sweetie sang loudly.





Upstairs, Fluttershy was trying to keep Sweetie Belle quiet.

"Okay Sweetie, that was…" she began.

“Driftin' (driftin') off to sleep!
Exciting day behind you!
Driftin' (driftin') off to sleep!
Let the joy of dream land find you!” Sweetie continued to sing. 

"Thank you Sweetie, um…" said Fluttershy, trying to get the young unicorn's attention. Chad got upstairs and looked through the door way. Skeedaddle stood on his back to peek in, Rumble stood on Skeedaddle’s back to peek in, and Pipsqueak stood on Rumble’s back to peek in.

“Hush now! Quiet now!
Lay your sleepy head!
Said hush now! Quiet now!
It's time to go to bed!
Ow!” Sweetie Belle finished singing. As Fluttershy turned to look at the mess and began cleaning, the three fillies heard flapping and clucking outside.

"What is that?" Scootaloo asked. As Fluttershy finished cleaning the mess, she turned back to the bed and saw that the fillies weren’t there. She turned to the door way, where the colts and nymph pointed to the window.





Fluttershy opened the window wider and looked outside. 

“Girls!” She called. Chad and the colts walked downstairs and got outside to see what the fillies were seeing.

"Fluttershy, your chickens are on the loose!" Apple Bloom called out to her as the chickens were running around the fencing.

"I wonder what could have caused that…" Sweetie Belle wondered.

“Not what. Who.” Skeedaddle said as he glared at Sweetie Belle, who gave off a sheepish smile.

"Don't worry, Fluttershy." said Scootaloo to Fluttershy as she still looked on from the window. "the Cutie Mark Crusaders will handle this!"

"Cutie Mark Crusader chicken herders! Yay!" Sweetie Belle cheered and they all ran inside the fence, chasing after the chickens. Chad slid to a stop, pulled a bag of grain out of his mane and shook the bag. As a result, some of the chickens were chasing him right back into the chicken house.

"No, I don't think that's a— ah, come back. Please!” Fluttershy called, though not loud enough. The foals continued to chase the chickens, except Chad who was feeding grain to the chickens that followed him. Fluttershy came out of the house and landed near the group. “Kids, the chickens are fine.”

The foals were still giving chase. Fluttershy then went with her big filly voice.

“KIDS!” She exclaimed, which got almost all of their attention. A chicken landed on Fluttershy’s head. She clicked her tongue to get the chicken’s attention and the chickens followed her back to the coop, where they stopped and looked at her. 

"Come on, in you go." She requested, but when they didn't move, she sighed and fixed them with the stare, and they marched backwards in the coop. They looked a bit nervous at first, but when hearing the bag of grain that Chad was shaking got them running inside.

"There's some good chickens." She said pleasantly and then turned to the foals as Chad walked out and shook his messy mane back to normal. “Okay everyone, Isn't it about time you got into bed?" She asked.

"But-" The six Foals began.

"Please?" Fluttershy asked them

“I’m feeling tired.” Chad said with a yawn. The others reluctantly agreed and got back into the cottage.





Upstairs, the fillies were tucked back into the bed.

So, no more crusading for tonight, all right?" She requested.

"Yes, Fluttershy!"

"We promise, Fluttershy!"

"Good night, Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy smiled as they all shut their eyes. "Okay, good night.” She said, blowing out the candle once again, and she went back downstairs. As soon as she was out of sight, the trio opened their eyes and looked at each other to begin talking again.

"Okay, so what kind of crusading do we do next?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"There's not much we can do from this room… unless we become Cutie Mark Crusader cottage cleaners," Apple Bloom suggested.

Sweetie Belle shuddered at the suggestion. "N-no, thanks."

Apple Bloom went to the window and rested her forelegs on the edge, thinking. 

"Well, we have to think of somethin'. We can't just waste this opportunity to find out what our special talents are," she grumbled and then noticed that there was a gap in the fence surrounding the chicken coop, and there were chicken prints leading away from the gap. 

"Hey, girls! Look! Some of the chickens may have escaped!" She exclaimed and her friends joined her to see that she was right.

"Into the forest!" Scootaloo pointed out. The trio then looked at each other.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders chicken rescuers are go!" They whispered and quietly headed for the stairs.






In the living room, Fluttershy was curled up on the couch, exhausted from chasing the fillies, and she let out a content sigh. 

"It really wasn't that hard … I mean, all I needed to do was just show them who's in charge." she mumbled, curling up to go to sleep and was unaware that the three fillies were sneaking past her. "Nothing's gonna get past Fluttershy! Good with animals, good with kids."

The fillies began to sneak past the back door, before seeing the colt members of the group sneaking to the door too.

“Hey, what are you guys doing?” Sweetie Belle whispered.

“We couldn’t sleep, and we saw the chicken coop was torn.” Skeedaddle whispered back.

“We were doing the same thing.” Scootaloo whispered excitedly.

“Where’s Chad?” Apple Bloom asked.

“He’s asleep. He’s impossible for us to wake up without also waking Fluttershy.” Pipsqueak answered in a whispered.

“Aww.. He’s not joining us?” Sweetie Belle asked disappointed, still whispering.

“Let’s hurry before Fluttershy wakes up.” Pipsqueak said as he and the crusaders ran out of the cottage. Scootaloo’s cape got caught on the fence, and she had to tear to keep up with her friends. 

"Wait up!" Scootaloo called before they all disappeared into the forest to find the missing chicken, hoping to get their cutie marks.





Back in the cottage, Fluttershy was dozing on the couch, mumbling to herself. 

"Mmm, peace and quiet." She sat up with a gasp. "Too quiet."

She zipped over to the room the colts were supposed to be sleeping in, only to see Chad being the only one in his sleeping bag. She then zipped upstairs to the room the fillies were sleeping in, and saw that they weren’t there. After calling for them, she wound up checking the chicken coop and saw that one of her chickens were missing.

"Elizabeak! She's missing!" She exclaimed before seeing he gap in the fence and both the chicken prints and hoof prints. 

"Capes?!" She gasped flying until she reached the fence and found a piece of red fabric from one of the capes.

"Oh, no! They must have gone looking for my missing chicken! Which mean… they must have gone into…" she gulped. "The Everfree Forest!"

"Those foals have really done it this time!" Fluttershy grumbled. “They've really bitten off more than they can chew! Oh, just like me! I never should have offered to watch them.”

She looked at the path and then at the cottage, she grabbed the cloth and ran back inside.

After waking up Chad, Chad sniffed the cape and picked up Scootaloo’s scent before running towards the forest. Fluttershy was hot on his trail.





Meanwhile, The group of six was still looking for the chicken.

"Here, chick-chick-chick-chick-chick!" Apple Bloom called out and began making clucking noises. "Brawck, bawk-bawk-bawk, brawck!"

"What are you doing?" Scootaloo asked.

"Callin' for the chicken!" Apple Bloom replied 

“That is not how you call a chicken.” 

“You would know.” Rumble said with a smirk. Scootaloo stopped and looked at him.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Scootaloo confronted.

“That you’re a chicken.” Rumble answered. Scootaloo growled.

“I am not a chicken!”

"Oh, wait, now I know how to call a chicken! Scootaloo! Scoot-scootalooooo!" Rumble mocked. Apple Bloom silently snickered at this.

“That's so funny I forgot to laugh." Scootaloo said as she walked by a cave with glowing eyes inside.

"You also forgot how to call a chicken!" Rumble teased, blowing a raspberry at her.

“Why you…”

“Come on, guys.” Pipsqueak started. “We're not gonna find the chicken or our cutie marks by arguing."

“I mean….we could if we tried hard enough.” Skeedaddle suggested.

“Could not.” Scootaloo began to argue.

“Could too.” Skeedaddle argued back.

“Could not.”

“Could too.” Skeedaddle then moved his cape. “Anything yet?”

Scootaloo looked at his flank and then her own. “Nope.”

“Daww.” Skeedaddle said disappointed. Scootaloo patted his back as he walked by. The two share a laugh, joined by Apple Bloom and Rumble. 

“Heeeere, chick-chick-chick-chick, baaawk, bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk, b-baaaaawk!" Apple Bloom continued to call.

“Maybe we should go back and grab a bag of grain. I saw Chad do something like that earlier.” Sweetie Belle suggested.





Chad was sniffing the ground and following the smell of the crusaders he could smell.

“A-anything Chad?” Fluttershy asked him, looking around nervously.

“Well, I can still smell them. But the wind is making it a little harder for me to track them.” Chad answered. He continued to smell before Twilight’s smell caught him off guard. As he went to investigate, Fluttershy was trying to give herself a pep talk.

"Oh! Get a hold of yourself, Fluttershy." She scolded herself. "Just put one hoof in front of the other." She then stepped on a twig that snapped, and she yelped, jumping backwards. 

"Ahh! What was that?" She then backed into a tree, and she ran forward screaming.

She ran before seeing Chad running towards her, causing her to slide to a stop.

“Fluttershy, we got a problem. A really really super gi-mega-normous problem.” Chad told her, using his hooves to express how big the problem was.

“What’s wrong?” Fluttershy asked. Chad pointed towards Twilight’s silhouette. Fluttershy only took one step before seeing that Twilight was completely encased in stone, which made her gasp. She practically jumped when she saw the bushes rustle. Bandit was the one to walk out from the bushes.

“Fluttershy? Chad? What are you two doing out here? Aren’t the foals supposed to be asleep?” Bandit asked her.

“They came outside looking for one of my lost chickens.” Fluttershy answered. “W-why are you out here?” 

“I’m looking for Twilight. She left a couple of hours to get some tea and hasn’t been back for hours. I was tracking her a couple of minutes ago, but the wind has been sending me all over the place.” Bandit answered. Chad and Fluttershy pointed to Statue Twilight. Bandit’s eyes went wide.

“Oh no. Fluttershy, you said the others came outside to find the lost chicken?” Bandit asked. Fluttershy nodded. “We gotta hurry.”

“I got a scent!” Chad called out as he sniffed the air. Bandit and Fluttershy began to follow Chad, Bandit doubled back and places a force field around Twilight so she doesn’t get cracked while he was gone.





Meanwhile, Skeedaddle and Scootaloo were still arguing.

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

“Skeedaddle, Scootaloo!” Pipsqueak snapped, which stopped them from arguing. “Our special talent is not arguing. Besides, what would the cutie mark of somepony whose talent is arguing even look like?" 

Skeedaddle tapped his chin.

“Ever heard of a lawyer?” Skeedaddle asked. “My dad hangs out with a lot of them at work.”

“Skeedaddle, your parents ain’t got no job.” Rumble told him.

“But-”

“Over here!” Chad was heard saying. The other crusaders looked up and saw Chad running towards them with Bandit and Fluttershy flying in behind him.

“Fluttershy? Bandit?” Everyone but Sweetie Belle asked. 

“Chad!” Sweetie Belle said happily and hugged Chad tight. 

“Thank goodness we found you.” Fluttershy said.

“Okay, we need to get all of you back to the cottage asap, before that Cockatrice finds you.” Bandit told them.

"But… we haven't found the chicken yet.” Pipsqueak initially protested.

"There's no time for that," said Fluttershy quickly. "There's a cockatrice on the loose!"

"A cocka-what now?" Apple Bloom asked, a bit confused.

“A half snake and half chicken creature. A bit of a menace, so we need to go now.” Bandit told them.

“Half chicken half snake?” Scootaloo asked, before giggling. “That doesn’t sound menacing, that sounds silly.” 

“Why, if I ever saw one of them cockathingies face-to-face, I'd laugh at how silly it was." Apple Bloom said. 

“Oh no. A cockatrice isn’t an animal you want to challenge to a staring contest.” Chad told the group, who looked at him confused.

“You don’t wanna look one in the eye.” Bandit translated. Then they spotted the chicken run out of a bush. “"If you look a cockatrice in the eye-"

"The chicken!" Apple Bloom exclaimed and she chased after the chicken, followed by her friends, bar Chad.

“Hey! Wait!” Bandit exclaimed as he jumped and landed in their path, making them slide to a stop.

“Whoa. Bandit knows how to jump.” Rumble said as he looked at him. The chicken ran into a bush and popped her head out. Then another ‘chicken’ popped out his head.

"Two chickens?" Scootaloo wondered, confused.

“I thought only one escaped.” Pipsqueak said, sharing her confusion.

“Should we grab them both?” Sweetie Belle asked. The other ‘chicken’ opened his eyes, showing his fully red eyes as he came out of the bush and revealed the rest of his body, the body of a snake with chicken legs, and the wings of a dragon.

Bandit closed his eyes with his left hoof.

“Everyone cover your eyes!” Bandit exclaimed.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Skeedaddle asked as he and the other crusaders peeked out.

They see the Cockatrice fly after the fleeing chicken, land in front of it, and then fixed it with its' glowing red eyes. The chicken let out a terrified squawk before it was turned into stone and landed on the ground, its head stuck in the ground.

The next thing Bandit heard were the screams of all but Chad, who was plugging his ears. Bandit was forced to plug his ears next before feeling Chad plug his ears with ear plugs, who took some out of his pocket, also having ear plugs in his own ears as well.

Bandit looked around and saw the crusaders had scattered.

They kept running until Scootaloo tripped on a rock and they crashed to the ground in a heap. Sitting up, they saw the stone figure of Twilight with her own expression frozen in surprise, and they screamed again.

Bandit, Chad and Fluttershy got over to them.

“See? Now we have to-” Fluttershy tried to say, but the six all began screaming in terror and running around. Bandit used his magic to hold them all up, making them run in place.

“Hey! Kids! We need you to calm down and stop screaming!” Bandit said, amplifying his voice so he could hear himself. Fluttershy looked and saw the Cockatrice had followed the sounds of screaming in terror. She gasped and turned to Bandit.

“Bandit! Protect the kids!” She exclaimed, louded enough to be heard by Bandit.

Bandit brought the kids towards him and put them down behind them.

“Stay behind me!” Bandit told them. Chad sild by them and looked towards Fluttershy, who threw herself between Bandit and the cockatrice.

“You!" She scolded, startling the cockatrice. "Just who do you think you are, going around turning others into stone?" And when the creature's eyes glowed, beginning to turn her to stone, she used the Stare, scaring the Cockatrice. "You should be ashamed of yourself. I have a mind to find your mother and tell her what you've been up to, young man," she growled and the transformation stopped so that only her back half was stone. "Now you go over there, and turn Elizabeak and my friend Twilight back to normal, and don't ever let me catch you doing this again. Do you understand me?"

The Cockatrice did some dismayed squawking and it flew away to do as she commanded.

Her back half returned to normal and Fluttershy turned to check on the six crusaders, who were staring at her with utter amazement on their faces. "Are you all alright?" she asked. "I was so worried!"

"Yeah, fine!" Scootaloo answered. Bandit and Chad took the ear plugs out of their ears.

"Thanks to that stare of yours.” Sweetie Belle added, clinging to Chad.

“You're like the queen of stares.” Skeedaddle said before gasping. "You're the- Stare Master!"

"We're sorry we snuck out of the house and into the forest." Rumble began to apologize.

“And we’re sorry we didn’t bring you with us Chad.” Apple Bloom apologized to him. Chad hugged her before Pipsqueak spoke up again.

“We'll listen to you from now on Fluttershy." Pipsqueak said.

"We promise." Skeedaddle promised.

"Oh, you do, do you? Well, you better, or I'll give you… the Stare!" Fluttershy teased, pretending to give them the Stare and they all giggled while the Cockatrice flew past.

Bandit and Chad heard Twilight tapping on Bandit’s forcefield. Bandit dropped the field and she walked over.

“What… what happened?" She asked and they all turned when the chicken began squawking frantically, no longer stone and its' head was still stuck in the ground.





The next morning, the six foals plus Nymph were running around the front yard, giggling and having fun while Fluttershy, Bandit and Twilight were seated at a table, drinking tea, and Fluttershy was telling the Twilight, who was writing it all done for her report, about the encounter with the Cockatrice.

“And that's when it brought you back from stone," Fluttershy concluded.

“This is gonna make quite a letter to the princess." Twilight remarked. "I was wrong about you. You certainly do know how to handle those kids."

Fluttershy flushed a little. "Oh, I wouldn't go that far." she said softly.

"Hmm? How so?" Twilight Sparkle asked.

“Let me guess, you thought that since you were so good with animals, you’d be good with kids?” Bandit asked her. Fluttershy looked at him and nodded.

“Y-yes. How did you-”

“Personal experience.” Bandit chuckled out. “But, go on.”

“Bandit’s right, I assumed that I'd be just as good with kids as I am with animals." Fluttershy confessed. "Boy, was I wrong. I really learned the hard way not to bite off more than I could chew."

Twilight nodded, writing it down before magically setting both the report and the quill on the table. "You and Rarity both.”

Chad was wrestling with Skeedaddle before seeing the letter. He ran over to them and delivered it. Bandit looked over and saw Rarity walking over with a box.

“Hey Rares.” Bandit greeted.

“Good morning Rarity.” Twilight greeted as she looked up.

“Did you finish all those capes?" Fluttershy asked.

Rarity nodded and sighed. "Just delivered them," she answered. "I have to admit, if you hadn't come along, I might not have. Thanks again."

Twilight then looked at the box.

“Hey, what’s that?” She asked.

“Oh.” Rarity took the box and put it on the ground. “I saw this box at the post office and it said it was for Chad, from Tailor Coat.”

Chad opened the box and jumped inside. He came back out with a couple of red hoodies with a blue patch with a yellow pony wearing a cape on it, and gold silk on the inside.

“My Cutie Mark Crusader hoodies came!” Chad exclaimed. 

“Won’t you stay for some tea?” Fluttershy asked.

Rarity politely declined. "I really must get back to the shop and clean up," she said and then she called out to the six foals. "Kids! Get your things. Time to go. Kids!" But the Cutie Mark Crusaders were too busy giggling, calling to each other, and running around.

Bandit turned to look at Chad.

“Chad, how did you pay for the hoodies? They don’t look cheap.” Bandit asked.

“Remember my RaspCherry cupcakes? Mr and Mrs Cake gave me some bits after the party.” Chad answered. Bandit did the numbers in his head and smirked and noogied his brother.

“Kids!” Rarity exclaimed to try and get their attention. Fluttershy got up from the table and joined her. 

"Allow me." she requested and she cleared her throat. "Kids?" She called softly.

"Yes, Fluttershy?” Apple Bloom asked, zipping up with the others.

"You called?" Rumble asked.

"Go and get your things," Fluttershy requested. "Rarity is here to see you home."

“Of course, Fluttershy, right away!" Pipsqueak said as he and the others zipped inside. The colts were the first ones out and gasped as they saw the new hoodies.

Rarity blinked a few times, trying to make sense of what just happen. 

"Ah, huh, ah, how did you… how did you do that?" She asked very shocked.

Fluttershy looked behind her, winking at Twilight and Bandit, who smiled or winked back.

"I guess I'm just as good with kids as I am with animals." Fluttershy answered. The Cutie Mark Crusaders ran past with their bags packed, the colts were wearing the new hoodies. 

"Thank you, Fluttershy!” “Bye!” “Thank you, Stare Master!" They all said as they ran by.

"Ah, uh, speaking of which," said Rarity, "I could use your help with Opal."

"Of course," said Fluttershy. "How about later today?" She blinked when she heard Opalescence yowled nearby. "Huh?"

Rarity turned to reveal that Opalescence was clinging to her flank. "How about now?" she suggested, wincing and straining while her cat yowled again, her claws digging into the unicorn's side. Fluttershy giggled a little and walked over. Twilight walked over to Bandit.

“So, did Spike have to ask you for help to beat the Gorgon heads?” Twilight asked.

“Yes.” Bandit answered immediately. Twilight rolled her eyes as she and Bandit let out a chuckle.
> The Show Stoppers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a bright and sunny day at Sweet Apple Acres, and Applejack was leading the Crusaders through the trees. Skeedaddle, Rumble and Pipsqueak were wearing the hoodies with the CMC logo on it. [A/N: They will continue to have on throughout the series] 


"Where are you takin' us?" Apple Bloom asked her big sister.

Applejack just smiled. "We're almost there, young'uns."

Sweetie Belle looked around, not having spent that much time in the orchards. "I've never been here before."

Applejack and Apple Bloom both brushed past a large leaf, which ended up hitting Skeedaddle in the face.

"Ouch!"

"Oh. Sorry." Apple Bloom apologized, going back and moving the leaf. Skeedaddle used his magic to hold the leaf as the others walked by. 

“Are we there yet?” Scootaloo asked as she walked by.

"There? Where? What? I don't even know what we're doing," Sweetie Belle complained. Skeedaddle let go of the leaf prematurely and almost hit Pipsqueak.

“Blimey!” He exclaimed as he ducked to avoid it.

“Whoops.” Skeedaddle said.

Applejack lead them out of the orchard and into a clearing that had a single tree in the center with what had once been a treehouse built onto the branches. "Here we are." she said with a big smile.

"What are we lookin' at?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I have no idea.” Pipsqueak answered.

"What is that thing?" Sweetie Belle wondered.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders, welcome to your new clubhouse," Applejack announced proudly and sighed when she was met with silence from the three fillies. "Well, don't thank me all at once," she muttered, leading them up a ramp to the porch lining the treehouse. 

"This was my clubhouse when I was your age. Sure it hasn't been used in a while, but it's empty and on a secluded, private part of the farm. And it's all yours.” A part of the roof caved in, resulting in a sheepish look on the face of Applejack. “It just needs a little, uh… TLC." 

“Tender loving care or Totally lost cause?” Rumble asked. Apple Bloom slapped him in the back of the head.

“We're supposed to turn this into our new clubhouse?" Pipsqueak asked, still in a state of shock upon seeing the clubhouse.

Applejack sighed and leaned against the nearest wall. "Well, maybe y'all will get your cutie marks when you discover your talent for… Waaah!" she yelped when a section of the wall collapsed, and she fell inside, getting buried by rubble. She dug herself out with a slight dazed expression as the three fillies poked their heads inside to check on her. "Uh… house cleanin'?" 

Apple Bloom began walking off.

“I’m gonna go get Chad.” Apple Bloom said.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Some hours later, Skeedaddle was drawing out a map of Ponyville. He was drawing the library of ponyville. As soon as he finished drawing it, Scootaloo zipped by on her scooter. Skeedaddle watched in amazement.

As Scootaloo went past a few obstacles, as well as almost running over Granny Smith, who in turn shouted “Soup’s on!”, she managed to make it to the clubhouse, where Apple Bloom was painting the ramp as Chad was hammering some nails into the roof, with Klaw holding a bucket of nails in his mouth and Fang was coiled around the tool box. Apple Bloom hears Scootaloo coming and turned to look at her, cringing as she braced for impact, but it never happened. She looked at her.

"Whoa! Hi, Scootaloo! Back already? You're amazin' on that scooter." She commented.

Scootaloo hopped off her scooter and removed her helmet while her mane sprang back into shape. 

"Thanks!" She said before looking at Chad climb down the tree. Klaw and Fang flew down and sat next to him as Scootaloo saw the clubhouse, which was now so much better then it had been that morning. 

"Wow Chad. You and Apple Bloom did all of this?" She asked, impressed.

“We sure did.” Chad said as he pet Klaw and Fang. “We fixed the broken shutters, sanded off the splinters, rebuilt the roof, painted.”

Skeedaddle managed to catch up to the trio and saw the clubhouse.

“Wow! That looks so cool. You guys did that yourselves?” Skeedaddle asked.

“Sure did.” Apple Bloom answered. Klaw and Fang walked off and came back with a stick. Chad began playing fetch with them as Rumble got to them. He had a wagon of posters.

“Got the interior decorations.” Rumble told them. Pipsqueak walked over with a plastic container of shield shaped cookies on his back.

“My mum made cookies for our first day in the clubhouse.” Pipsqueak said as he presented the cookies. “Freshly baked.”

The crusaders all took a cookie out to eat. Chad was about to eat his but saw Klaw beg for a piece. Chad broke his in half and gave him one half and ate the other. The red tiger was about to eat the cookie, but his snake tail looked like he wanted a piece. So he held it out and the two broke off a piece to eat.

Scootaloo then looked around.

“Hey, what's Sweetie Belle up to?” Scootaloo asked, Chad’s ears twitched.

“Singing.” Chad said as he began to walk to her location. “Follow me, I’ll lead you to her from hearing her voice.”





A short distance away, Sweetie Belle was singing and dusting off a picnic table with her tail. "We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders…" she hummed. "…Never stop the journey…" She was still humming and dusting off her tail on a nearby tree.

“There she is.” Chad said as he lead the others over to her. “Told you I could lead you to her from hearing her voice. Which is awesome by the way.”

“What's that sweet tune you're singing?" Scootaloo asked, Sweetie Belle looked a bit bashful.

"Oh. I was just working on our new Cutie Mark Crusaders theme song." She answered.

“Cool!” The other 6 said.

“Teach us?” Rumble asked.

“Well, I've only come up with one part… but okay!" Sweetie Belle agreed after hesitating for a moment.

“I’ll help too if you want.” Chad offered. Sweetie Belle nodded as they all went back to the clubhouse.





Applejack went to the treehouse out of curiosity of how the CMC were doing, which she was impressed to see was vastly improved, and then she heard Sweetie Belle singing. She went up the ramp to the nearest window and listened.

"They all say that you will get your mark," Sweetie Belle sang.

“When the time is really right…" Chad sang.

“And you know just what you're supposed to do.” Apple Bloom sang. Applejack smiled from the window, but ended up cringing when Scootaloo began singing.

"And your talent comes to light!" Scootaloo sang both loudly and off-key. Applejack shook her head and looked at the group proudly.

“Well, uh... I'll be, Cutie Mark Crusaders. You've done one fine job with this place. So, what's next?” Applejack asked as she looked in through the window.

"Well, now that we have a real life clubhouse…" Apple Bloom started.

“…and a map of Ponyville…" Skeedaddle said as he pointed to the map he drew earlier, which was on the wall.

“And a cutie mark crusader theme song.” Pipsqueak, Chad and Sweetie Belle said at the same time.

"Theme song?” Applejack questioned.

We're gonna go out in the world and discover our talents," Apple Bloom announced.

"A new adventure!" Scootaloo declared.

"And earn our cutie marks," Sweetie Belle added.

"We'll leave no stone unturned!" Rumble divulged.

"No mountain unclimbed!" Pipsqueak announced

"No meal uncooked!" Skeedaddle proclaimed

"No sock unworn!" Chad exclaimed.

“Well okay then! Sounds like you have a plan. I gotta, uh… Leave no apple unpicked! See y'all later!" She told them before leaving to get back to work on her chores. Chad looked at the group.

“Are we ready to get our cutie marks, crusaders?" Chad asked as he raised a hoof.

“Ready!” The others said as they High hoofed.





Their first stop was at the barn at Sweet Apple Acres, where they filled troughs with buckets filled with a bunch of food for the pigs. 

Skeedaddle, Scootaloo and Rumble were filling up the troughs evenling, Sweetie Belle and Pipsqueak were ringing the bell, and Apple Bloom and Chad were opening the door, and the pigs came running in to feast. They ended up running over most of the crusaders, They were all knocked down as a result. The pigs were eating their food as the crusaders fish themselves out of the mud. They all looked at their own flanks and every single one of them were blank. All of them looked down sadly.





The Cutie Mark Crusaders then went to Carousel Boutique, where they set up a hair salon with Rarity's permission.

Apple Bloom was ringing a bell, inviting customers inside.

There were 2 different chairs. A chair with the female crusaders who were mixing some shampoo, and a chair with the male crusaders, who were readying clippers.

A mare and a stallion were sitting in their respective chairs.

There were 2 very different reactions when the job was done. The mare was crying from the fact that her hair was now styled like that of a clown. The stallion was satisfied with his new cut, but this was only because he didn’t notice the patch on the back of his head. As the fillies checked for a cutie mark, the colts took off before the Stallion took notice.





The next activity was a trip to sugar cube corner. Chad was baking more of the RaspCherry cupcakes. The fillies were trying to sort out the Caramel and the toffee and the colts were trying to mix them all together, but all three got trapped inside when Rumble’s wing got caught and Pipsqueak and Skeedaddle tried to grab him.

Chad unplugs the machine and the colts pulled themselves out, stuck together. Yet, their flanks remained blank.





Later the group was in front of a table out in a field by SAA, trying to solve a puzzle. Apple Bloom was looking at her options of cards as Chad was waiting there patiently. She pressed the triangle card, which was wrong, evident by Chad shaking his head. She then pushes the star card, which was the same result. Then she got an idea, and pressed all the buttons at once. 

Chad ducked his head and his friends were assaulted with a bunch of cards.







Next up was mountain climbing, where the crusaders were trying to climb up a large rock that had snow on top of it. Chad was the only one who wasn’t having trouble, due to him sticking onto the rock. The crusaders slipped and were forced to hold onto Chad’s rope. Chad trotted less than 10 steps to get off of the large rock.





Next up was scuba diving. As the six foals swam underwater for fun, Chad was on the seabed digging at the sand where he grabbed a crab. He looked up and saw a squid chasing his friends. He swallows the crab and swims after the squid, who retreats from away from him. Chad was on his tail until he was inked, making him lose the Squid’s trail.





Bandit, Cheerilee and Twilight were chatting about their favorite books when they entered the library and Spike ran up to them with an alarmed expression on his face and Chad putting a lot of the books in their original spot. 

"I had nothing to do with this." He said defensively.

Twilight was confused until Bandit made her look at the mess in the middle of the library. Nearly all of the books were in a pile on the floor, along with pieces of papers. 

"What is going on here?" she asked, shocked.

"Hmm… Well, we sure aren't getting our cutie marks for being librarians." Pipsqueak said. 

"I should think not." Spike said. Bandit shot him a glare. “What?”

"Kids. I think you're going about this the wrong way." Bandit told them.

"Instead of trying to do things in areas you're not familiar with, why not try doing things in areas that you already like?” Twilight suggested.

"And I have the perfect place to start.” Cheerilee said as she filtered through her bag and pulled out a flyer.

""Showcase your talents…"" Apple Bloom read.

""…for all to see,"" Skeedaddle read.

""Perform in the Ponyville school talent show!"" Sweetie Belle finished reading.

"There'll be all sorts of-” Cheerilee started.

“Hold on.” Chad said as he and the other colts hid under the books. The stallion from the Rarity’s Boutique peeked his head in, looked around and moved on. The colts came out.

“You were saying?” Chad asked.

“Right, There'll be all sorts of awards," Cheerilee explained. "Best dramatic performance, best comedy act, best magic act… Surely you can find your talent."

Apple Bloom was excited and she was already coming up with ideas. "This would be the perfect place to discover our talents." she agreed. "Jugglin'!"

"Acting!"

"Magic tricks!"

"Square dancin'!"

"Tightrope walking!"

"Tiger taming!"

"My little ponies." Bandit started. He looked at Twilight so she could continue it.

"My big changeling too." She said before looking at the group. "You're missing the point. Think about the things you already enjoy doing. Think about what you're already good at." Twilight continued.

"Sure! We can do that." Rumble said.

"Yeah! Sure we can." Sweetie Belle agreed.

“Well, whatever we do, we'll do it as…” Chad held up his hooves. 

“The Cutie Mark Crusaders!” The others reared up before High Hoofing together. Klaw pawed at Chad and Fang dropped a bone at his feet.





At Rarity's boutique, Sweetie Belle was grabbing various pieces of material putting them in a wagon that was pulled by Chad.

Rarity came running out of the shop, yelling at them.

"Sweetie Belle!" she shrieked after the three filles. "I told you not to touch my things. Come back with my supplies!"

"We're just borrowing them for the talent show sis. I'll bring them back, I promise!" Sweetie Belle called.

Going into town, they stopped by the shop run by Mr. Breezy, who placed a fan into the cart.

"Thanks Mr. Breezy, we'll return the fan real soon" Scootaloo said as Chad began moving to the next location.

Next, they went to the nearby hardware store to pick up wood, plywood, nails, paint, and brushes.

"Okay, so that's six wooden planks, four-by-eight plywood, a box of nails, four cans of paint, and four brushes. Anything else?" Scootaloo said. Pipsqueak reached into Chad's mane and pulled out a list.

"Instructions on how to use six wooden planks, four-by-eight plywood, a box of nails, four cans of paint, and four brushes." He read. Chad reared and began running.





Twilight Sparkle gave them a book about building sets and a second book, which had her perplex. ""Ghosts, Goblins and Ghoulish Figures"?" she asked, reading the title before Spike put the book in the cart. "Good heavens, kids. What do you need a book like this for?"

"We need it for the tal-" Chad was silenced by a beet being shoved in his mouth. 

"You'll see. Thanks, Twilight. We'll give it back as soon as we're done with it." Scootaloo said. Bandit watched as Chad pulled away while eating the beet.

"What do you think they're up to?" Twilight asked.

"I have no idea," Spike admitted, "and I don't know if I should be excited or scared to find out."

“Well, Chad’s involved so it won’t be that bad.” Bandit said. 





Once they had their supples, they went back to the treehouse to work on their plan for the talent show. Chad was multitasking as he played fetch with Klaw and Fang.

"I'm glad we're doing this as a team." Apple Bloom said.

"Me too." Chad agreed. "Um… so what are we doing again?"

"A super awesome dramatic song for the talent show, of course." Scootaloo answered.

"With super-cool scenery. And amazing costumes!" Pipsqueak added.

"And mind blowin dance moves!" Apple Bloom said.

Chad began performing dances as she said that.

"This is gonna be so amazing!" Rumble said.

"Sweetie Belle, I think you should be a singer." Pipsqueak suggested.

"What? No way I'm singing in front of a crowd," Sweetie Belle protested, hiding behind the fabric.

“What if Chad sang with you? You two would make a killer duet.” Skeedaddle suggested. Sweetie Belle looked at Chad.

“Actually, I want to sing a wicked rock ballad.” Scootaloo spoke up.

“Then who’s gonna do the dance choreography?” Rumble asked. Eyes turned to Apple Bloom.

"Hm… I'm not much of a dancer…" Apple Bloom admitted, thinking, "but I do like Kung-fu. That's kinda like dancin'. Hi-ya! Hah! Hah! Yah!" And she did a few fancy kicks. One of the kicks was caught by Chad.

“And we’re gonna help out every step of the way.” Chad said.

“Yeah!” The colts said with a smile.

"Then it's settled!" Sweetie Belle said, no longer hiding behind the fabric. "Let's get started."





A couple of hours went by and the group were all doing what they were assigned. Scootaloo was still at the piano, trying to coming up with a song, and she was struggling with both the piano keys and the words. "We fight the fight, walk the walk. Talk the talk, eat the… uh… food like a celery stalk?" she wondered and then groaned, banging her head on the piano keys in frustration. "Ugh! I'll never come up with anything! Never, never, never!" She sat up and blinked when a roll of purple fabric went rolling and bouncing past.

"Come back! Come back!" Sweetie Belle yelped, chasing after the runaway fabric and failed to catch it. Chad pounced on it and caught the fabric and gave it to Sweetie Belle. He then trotted over to Scootaloo.

“Hey Scootaloo, how are the lyrics coming along?” Chad asked. She blew a raspberry. Chad mimicked it. “That bad huh?”

"I'm just no good at lyrics," Scootaloo complained. "Coming up with words is, like… really hard.”

“Oh, it can’t be that bad.” Chad said as he looked at the lyrics. “"With our cutie marks we'll rock Equestria. We use our stomachs to… digestia"? Wow, these lyrics are absolutely terrible.”

Scootaloo was about to say something but Chad spoke up again. “Maybe it would help if you play the tune first. Usually when I think of the tune of the song I want to write it helps.”

He started playing a tune on the piano.


"The 7 of us, we are the CMC
Doing our absolute best despite impossibility.
Sure sometimes we go and try and that results in a fail, 
but we'll always get back up
Persevere to prevail
Yes you can knock us down, you can push us around, but will always get ourselves back up off the ground.
This is one part of our journey that is just the start, 
and it will begin once we gain ourselves a cutie mark." Chad sang. Sweetie Belle walked over and joined in the singing.

“They all say that you will get your mark
When the time is really right.
And you know just what you're supposed to do
And your talent comes to light!” Sweetie Belle sang, then the two sang together.

“We fight the fight
And there is nothing that we fear
We'll have to figure out what we'll do
until our cutie marks are here.
We are the cutie mark crusaders
Our journey is close and our goals are clear.” They finished.

"Wow! That's so awesome!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "Did you two just come up with that now?"

Sweetie Belle blushed and nodded. "Yeah… kind of."

“You can use that if you want.” Chad told her.

"Thanks, I'm totally using that." Scootaloo said. She took out a pencil and began writing it down.





Sweetie Belle was now sewing the costumes. When she was done, she held it up for Skeedaddle to look the gold/purple outfit over. Skeedaddle walked over and looked at the outfit.

"One, two, three, four, five?" He counted that she'd made five legs instead of four and Sweetie belle first moaned and then sighed.

“Well, Chad has taught me about asgard. I believe there’s a five legged pony. I think his name was Helhest?” Skeedaddle said.

“That’s the three legged one, you’re thinking of Grani.” Chad said from the distance. 

“Right, Grani.” Skeedaddle said.

Apple Bloom was working on a spin and stumbled over. She was about to fall but Chad flopped where she was going to land, making her have a softer landing.

“Thanks Chad.” Apple Bloom said. Sweetie Belle looked at Apple Bloom.

"How's the spin coming along?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I think I gotta just stick to punches and kicks." said Apple Bloom, figuring that it was less dangerous and then she raised her eyebrows at the costume her friend was holding. "You know, ponies only have four legs."

“Except Grani apparently.” Sweetie Belle commented.

“Granny who?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I’ll explain later.” Chad said. Sweetie belle moaned.

"I'll never be a designer like my sister Rarity." Sweetie Belle moaned. Rumble tapped her head and pointed to the mannequin. 

“Why don't you use the dress form?" Rumble suggested.

"Yeah, it'll help you with your patterns and help you put all the pieces in the right places." Apple Bloom added.

"Oh, is that what that's for?" Sweetie Belle asked. Pipsqueak walked over with a paint brush in his mouth.

“Pip, are you cleaning the paint brushes in between each color?” Chad asked. Pipsqueak’s eyes widened and then he smiles sheepishly. Before turning to the scenery, which was looking more muddy then bright.

“I was wondering why all the colors looked like mud." Pipsqueak said.

“You're not using power tools, are you?" Apple Bloom asked.





Several days went by, and Applejack decided to check on the Cutie Mark Crusaders and their progress for the talent show. "The talent show is just around the corner," she remarked, reaching the treehouse. "I wonder how the foals are doin'." 

Reaching the top of the ramp, she peered through the window and her heart sank when she saw the foals practicing.

"Oh! Sorry, Scootaloo."

"That's okay. Ugh!"

"Oops! Sorry, Scootaloo. Ouch!"

“My bad Skeedaddle!”

“Whoops. Didn’t mean that Pip.”

“Rumble watch your wing!”

“Ouch! Chad look out!”

“Sorry!”

Applejack hurried back down the ramp, disturbed by what she'd seen. "Well, gosh. Sure wasn't expectin' that," she muttered when she heard them come out, she tried to sneak away.

"I think that sounded pretty good," said Apple Bloom.

"Me too. You think we're ready?" Sweetie Belle wondered.

"Ready as we'll ever be.” Scootaloo said. Skeedaddle then noticed Applejack.

"Hey! Did you see us practicing Applejack?" He asked.

Applejack hesitated before answering. "Uh… Yeah."

"Well? How'd we do? How'd we do?" Apple Bloom asked eagerly.

Applejack hesitated again, unsure of whether to tell the truth or not. "Uh…"

"Speechless!" Scootaloo said.

“Actually, I think that’s a different type of speech-” Chad tried to say.

"See, guys? I told you that's what we're gonna do. We're gonna leave them speechless."

"Yay!"

""Speechless" is right," Applejack agreed, worried about how the talent show would turn out.





It was the night of the talent show and every pony in Ponyville had turned out to see the various talents that the fillies would be showing off.

"…And on the count of three, this rabbit will disappear, and something tasty will reappear in its place," Snipes said as Snails placed a black top hat over a gray rabbit.e "A one, a two, and a three!" he said and removed the hat to reveal that the rabbit was gone, but there was nothing in its' place. "Hey! Where are they?" he asked, looking around frantically while the ponies tittered. "Snails, where are the… carrots. Snails!" He saw his friend was eating the carrots, and chased him off the stage to the laughter of the ponies.

Cheerilee came on stage smiling nervously. "Uh, how about a round of applause for the S&S magic act?" she asked and the ponies stomped their hooves loudly. "Now for our next act, we have Sunny Daze and Peachy Pie reciting their favorite poem… on roller skates!"

Backstage, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were waiting to go on next and their costumes were hidden under cloaks. Except Chad, who was playing with Klaw and Fang. He waved as the two ponies went on stage.

"Break a leg!” Chad encouraged.

“Chadwickson! What a thing to say!” Apple Bloom objected.

“It’s a figure of speech. You see, in the theater it's considered bad luck to say "good luck". So you say "break a leg" instead." Sweetie Belle defended.

Twilight walked over with Bandit.

“My little ponies.” Twilight called.

“My big Changeling too.” Bandit added. “How are you doing?"

"Nervous…" All but Chad said. Klaw and Fang ran to Bandit and began to climb him.

“I’m not too nervous.” Chad said as he looked at the duo.

“You're gonna be amazing. Remember, just stick to what you know best. I can't wait to hear you and Chad sing, Sweetie Belle." Twilight said.

“I’ve got the camera ready for your performance Chad.” Bandit said as he showed a camcorder.

“Actually, I’m not singing.” Chad told him.

“You’re not?” They both asked.

“Nope! I am.” Scootaloo said.

"And I'm the main dancer," said Apple Bloom, striking a pose. "Hi-ya!"

"And I'm in charge of…" Sweetie Belle began.

"Costumes?" Twilight asked. Sweetie Belle nodded.

“And I’m in charge of the props!” Pipsqueak said.

“I’m the background dancer.” Rumble said.

“I’m the background singer!” Skeedaddle said.

“And I’m in charge of the music!” Chad said with a wagging tail.

“Well, at least there’s hope for the music.” Bandit said, Twilight stepped on his hoof. He stepped back and shook the discomfort out.

“What he means is, are you sure?” Twilight asked.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders, you're on next," said Cheerilee as she trotted past. "Break a leg."

"Break a le-" Twilight began when Apple Bloom tripped before hurrying after her friends as they all tossed off their cloaks. "Uh… good luck!"

Bandit placed a book titled, ‘Idioms for Idiots’ and her ears flopped.

“Did I just give them bad luck?” Twilight asked.

“Well kinda.” Bandit shrugged, he kept himself from saying ‘They were doomed from the start’. “Come on, we’ll still give them our full support. Maybe it won’t be as bad as my first talent show.”

“Wait a minute, your wha-”

“Moving!” Bandit said as he grabbed her by the scruff and trotted off to the crowd. Klaw and Fang began playing with the cloaks before looking at the lights turn on the CMC.





On stage, the Cutie Mark Crusaders began their performance and they were dressed like rock stars.

"Look, here, are seven little creatures,
Ready to sing for this crowd,
Listen up, 'cause here's our story
We're gonna sing it very loud!" Scootaloo began singing, very off key, joined by Skeedaddle, who was trying desperately to remain on key. Chad appeared with a guitar and played a brief solo.

The lights came on to reveal the scenery, which was looking vastly better, but the crowd, and especially Applejack were too stunned by the performance. And not in a good way.

"When you're a younger creature
And your flank is very bare (very bare)
Feels like the sun will never come
When your cutie mark's not there (not there)
So the seven of us will fight the fight
There is nothing that we fear
We'll have to figure out what we'll do next" Scootaloo continued, with Skeedaddle singing in the background. Pipsqueak used a series of ropes to place the props onto the set. Rumble and Apple Bloom were doing the ‘kung fu’ for the dancing. They all went to the platform to sing.

“Till our cutie marks are here!” They all sang, followed by another guitar solo from Chad. The mixture of who was on and who was off key was unsettling to the ears. Klaw and Fang looked at each other and began to walk over to the smoke machine.

"We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders
On a quest to find out who we are
And we will never stop the journey
Not until we have our cutie marks." They sang together. Klaw moved the smoke machine on stage and Fang turned it on. Rumble and Apple Bloom collided with each other at one point making Rumble stumble backstage. The smoke impaired Pipsqueak’s vision as he tried to run another prop over, as a result, ended up tripping over Rumble.

“They all say that you'll get your mark
When the time is really right (Really Right)
And you know just what you're supposed to do
And your talent comes to light (Comes to Light)
But it's not as easy as it sounds
And that waiting's hard to do (Hard to do)
So we test our talents everywhere.”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders sang together after changing the color of the light to blue for effect. 

"Until our face is blue!”

Klaw flicked the fan on with his paw as Pipsqueak ran past him. 

Unfortunately Apple Bloom got one of her high-legs stuck in one of the sets, which started falling, and Skeedaddle struggled to keep it from falling as his friend freed herself. 

"We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders. 
On a quest to find out who we are. 
And we will never stop the journey. Not until we have our cutie marks!" 

Chad’s shell shook and he quickly pulled all his friends out of the line of the falling sun. Klaw and Fang looked at the rope and saw that it gave out. They came back out from behind the curtains, saw the ponies were staring speechless for several seconds before they all burst into laughter.

"They're....laughing? I was not expecting that but let's go with it." Chad said.

"Go with it?" Sweetie Belle asked. They looked and saw Chad was in a hat and cane. There was a happy piano tune as Chad danced off stage as Klaw and Fang closed the curtains, the crowd roared with laughter.

"Okay, that was funny." Pipsqueak said.

"Where did that hat and Cane come from?" Skeedaddle asked.

"This is Chad we're talking about." Apple Bloom said.





Backstage, the cmc were listening to the crowd still laughing.

"Well.....that was-" Skeedaddle started.

"Eventful." Scootaloo said.

"I was gonna say an absolute cinematic disaster that somehow indeed humor, but will go with eventful." Skeedaddle said.

"I can't believe they laughed at us." Apple Bloom said.

"Was it that bad?" Sweetie Belle wondered.

Cheerilee came over to them with Spike, who was going to be helping hand out the rewards. "Back on stage, kids," she informed them. "It's time for the awards."

Chad and Spike did a hoof/claw shake which ended with Chad giving him a noogie.

"Back on stage?" Pipsqueak repeated, alarmed. "No."

"They'll just laugh some more." Rumble added.

Scootaloo nodded sourly. "Yeah, what's the point?"

"Now kids, let's be good sports," said Cheerilee, escorting them back onto the stage. "You made a great effort. You should be proud. Now come on."





Once all of the CMC were back on the stage… well, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were hiding behind the other foals to avoid being seen, except Chad, Cheerilee turned to the audience. 

"Let's hear it for all our talented fillies and colts," she requested and they all stomped their hooves. "Our first award goes to… Snips and Snails for best magic act."

Spike put over their necks blue ribbons with three gold stars on them, and the two admired their rewards.

"Hey!" Snips said happily. "Mine's at least shinier."

"Well, mine's bigger," Snails retorted, and they walked off the stage, bickering.

"Oh yeah, well… Well, mine is, um… heavier?"

Chad, Spike, and Cheerilee shook their heads as they continued walking.

Cheerilee waited until they were gone before announcing the next winner. "The next award goes to… Sunny Daze and Peachy Pie for best dramatic performance." And the two fillies gasped as Spike gave them their rewards, which were shaped like happy masks. 

"And finally, the last award of the night goes to… the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" She announced and the Cutie Mark Crusaders stared at her in confusion since they couldn't hide anymore.  "For best comedy act." And the ponies cheered as the seven foals were given their ribbons by the baby dragon. Chad and Spike hoof/claw bumped afterwards.





The Cutie Mark Crusaders raced backstage again, only this time they were thrilled by the fact that they had managed to win despite their performance ended in a disaster.

"Can you believe it? We won!" Apple Bloom squealed, jumping up and down.

"I knew our act was awesome." Scootaloo said happily.

"You know what would be the best?" Sweetie Belle asked eagerly and her friends looked at her. "If we won and we got our cutie marks." And the Cutie Mark Crusaders got rid of their costumes to check their flanks, as well as revealing Chad was still wearing his hoodie underneath, only to find that they were still blank, and they all pouted. The only one not disappointed was Chad. The colts put their hoodies back on as Twilight and Bandit came over.

"Congratulations, ponies and youngling! Job well done." Bandit cheered.

“Thanks Bandit.” “Thanks Bandit!” The crusaders said, most of them disappointed.

“Why’s Chad the only one excited?” Twilight asked out of concern.

“We worked really hard and won a prize, but we still don't have our cutie marks."

"Which is the prize we really wanted." Sweetie Belle added.

“Oh.” Bandit said as his own ears flopped. “Look, I understand your-”

"But we think we know why," Apple Bloom interrupted and she was looking happier.

"Yes. We know why." Sweetie Belle

"Oh? Tell me.” Bandit said as he pulled out a scroll and quill. “I’d like to write a letter to mother about what you learned.”

"Well, maybe we were trying too hard." Rumble admitted, thinking.

Twilight nodded. "Yes? And?"

Bandit wrote this down.

"And instead of forcing ourselves to do something that's not meant for us…" said Scootaloo thoughtfully.

Twilight nodded eagerly. "Yes? Yes?"

"We each should be embracing our true talent!" Skeedaddle said.

"And that is…?" Twilight asked hopefully.

"Comedy!" The Cutie Mark Crusaders announced together. Bandit stopped writing and looked up with a facehoof.

Just then, Applejack came in with Rarity, Thunderlane, Cherry Song and Rainbow Dash. Among them, Rarity was the only one who didn’t look amused.

"Apple Bloom! You did it!"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders bar Chad ran over to them to show off their medals. "Did you see our award? Weren't we funny?"

“I can’t wait to show my parents when they’re off work!” Skeedaddle was heard saying.

“Skeedaddle, your parents ain’t got no job.” Rumble was heard saying.

“Do too!”

“Do not!”

Bandit shook his head and sent the letter.

“One day.” Twilight said, then looked at Bandit.

“So, what did you do with the camcorder?” Twilight asked Bandit.

“I followed the recording the first talent show tradition and burnt it to ash.” Bandit said. Twilight put the pieces together.

“So that’s why I’ve never seen that video.” Twilight said.

“Like I was gonna give you material to make fun of me. Not happening.” Bandit told her. Twilight gave him a smug look before rolling her eyes.
> A Dog, Ling, and Pony Show
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a bright sunny day in ponyville and Rarity was working in the boutique, working on her new creations. 

"Perfect!" She said after putting on some gems. The doorbell rang to indicate that somepony had just entered her shop.  She magically closed the curtain on her latest creation and turned to greet the potential customer.

"Coming! Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique." she said in her best hostess voice and gasped when she saw a yellow pony with blue/white mane and tail, and yellow eyes, recognizing her instantly. "Sapphire Shores! The pony of pop!"

"Good afternoon, Miss Rarity!" said Sapphire Shores cheerfully, trotting past the stunned unicorn.

"You yah... y-y-you know my name?" Rarity stammered.

"Well of course I do darling. Bandit told me quite a bit about you." She said, examining some of the outfits on display. "I make it a point to know all of the up-and-coming designers and Clothes Horse magazine simply raved about you. Bandit, Hoity, and Tailor Coat brag about you a lot." 

"Oh my stars," said Rarity, doing her best not to faint. "If I'm dreaming, do not wake me up. How may I help you, Miss Shores?" she asked, pulling herself together.

"Oh please, call me Sapphire," said Sapphire Shores pleasantly.

Rarity giggled nervously. "How may I help you, Sapphire?"

"Well, as I'm sure you know, I'll be touring all of Equestria with my latest concert," Sapphire Shores explained. "Sapphire Shores' Ziegfilly Follies, so I need to look seeensational! Ow!"

"I have just what you need." said Rarity, recalling the outfit she'd finished moments ago, and she went to the curtain. "Sapphire Shores, prepare yourself for the pièce de résistance de la haute couture." She magically opened the curtain to reveal a white outfit that was ruffled on the cuffs, and covered with all kinds of gems. "I used every last diamond I found on this one garment."

Sapphire Shores gasped with utter delight. "And it is spectacular! I'll take it."

"Really?" Rarity asked, pleased.

"Oh yes, and five more, each done up in a different jewel." The pop star said, nodding with approval.

Rarity blinked, not sure that she heard that last part right. "Beg pardon?"

"Costume changes." Sapphire Shores said as she examined the outfit while Rarity glanced at her empty chest and then fainted. The pop star noticed this and chuckled. "Yes, I do have that effect on ponies."





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Later on, Chad was sniffing around an area not too far from Ponyville. Having agreed to help rarity find more gems for the outfits, while pulling a wagon. Rarity was nearby using her horn to look around for gems.

“I can’t believe Sapphire actually managed to stop by. I thought Bandit was pulling my leg when he told me [turns his mane similar to Bandit’s], ‘Expect to help Rarity soon, because I told Sapphire Shores about her. She’ll want some of those dresses or suits she made.’. [turns his mane back to normal].” Chad went back to sniffing and dug a hole and took out some jewels before catching up with Rarity.

“By the way, why did you ask for my help instead of Spike’s?” Chad asked. Rarity booped him on the nose.

“Because darling, you have the nose to find gems so I’m not doing all the locating.” Rarity said. Chad smiled and wagged his tail. “Also, you’ll eat a lot less gems than Spike.”

“Speaking of which, is it okay if we get some gems for Spike too?” Chad asked.

“Of course darling.” Rarity said. As they kept looking, Chad started asking questions again.

“So, were you totally flipping out or what?!" Chad asked her.

Rarity chuckled. “Ladies do not "flip out" Chad." she corrected him. "However, I was quite in awe. Oh, I need to find more jewels than ever before to decorate her costumes." Her horn brightened and on the ground, an image of gems briefly appeared. "Oh, aha!" 

Chad sniffed the air and found the same spot Rarity found the gems.

“I got them.” Chad said as he dug those gems up and placed them all in the wagon. All except one red gem, which made Chad lick his lips. He was about to eat it but Rarity called him.

“Chad. I promised I'd give you gems to snack on, but we need to collect more first or I'll never be able to make these outfits for Sapphire." She added. Chad made the puppy eyes, which worked. “Okay, just the one. But no more after that.”

Chad smiled and ate the gem before going back to pulling the wagon and sniffing out gems. Rarity continued to search with her horn as Chad sniffed the ground. He dug up at his site before moving over to Rarity, placing them in the wagon before seeing it was now full. Chad tapped his chin.

“Maybe we need more wagons.” Rarity said. Chad looked at one of the rocks and sparked his horn and blasted at one of them, making a wagon out of it with transfiguration. “That’ll work.”

Chad dug in the locations he sniffed out and the locations Rarity marked. He even used his tail and mane as a jackhammer and a drill. Soon enough, Chad was pulling 3 wagons full of jewels.

“You have been such a grand helper Chadikins.” Rarity said, she grabbed a few gems and piled them in front of Chad. “These are for Spike and-” She piled a few red gems next to the other pile. “These are for you.” 

“Thank you Rarity!” Chad said with a smile as he put Spike’s gems in a box that he pulled from nowhere and closed it, putting it right back. Then he began placed the red gems in his hoodie pocket, eating three of them. His tail was wagging as he snacked. Rarity smiled and pulled him into a hug.

“You are the most adorable.” She said as she nuzzled the top of his head. Then her horn started glowing. “Oh, more gems. Chadikins, bring the wagons. There are more over here.” 

She started trotting that way, unaware she was still holding Chad, who was using his magic to pull the wagons and the box.

“Um...Rarity?” Chad called. She looked down, laughed sheepishly and let him go. He latched himself back onto the wagon and trotted behind her.

Unknown to either Chad or Rarity (so far), they were being watched from the nearby bushes, and a gray dog-like paw pulled the bushes apart so that they could spy on the nymph and the wagon full of gems.

"Yesss, gemss.” One of the creatures said in a very raspy voice. "Gemsss!"

"Where?" A second creature asked.

"Preciousss gemsss!" It hissed excitedly, seeing Chad digging some more gems out of the ground. "He is the gem hunter. With him we can have all those gems… and more! Let's get that…...whatever he is." And it closed the gap in the bushes with the intent of going after Chad. Chad’s ears were twitching and he looked towards the bush as the gap closed.

“Chad!” Rarity was heard calling. “Where are you?” 

"Wait! Who is that?" The creature wondered as it opened the bushes again. Then it saw the unicorn with the glowing horn.

"You know, it's terrible to keep a lady waiting," Rarity said in a mild scolding manner as her horn pinpointed another spot containing gems. Chad was much faster in trying to dig these out.

"I think we're really going to strike gold this time," Rarity remarked with a giggle. "So to speak."

Chad pulled out a large batch of gems that were mostly stuck together.

"Oh, it's not just that thing we want." The creature, said practically drooling. "It's the pony too!”

“The pony.” The other creatures said as they closed the bushes.





Chad put the gems on the third wagon before looking at Rarity.

“Rarity, we need to leave ASAP.” Chad to her.

“I agree, we have more than enough for the out-”

“No, someone or something is spying on us. And they-” Chad tried to explain, but Rarity’s horn began to glow glowing brighter then before. 

"Why don't we start headi… Oh!" she gasped and followed the glow. "What's this? Another jewel. Oh.. Oh, strange. It's in the trees." She peered up through the leaves to see a yellow topaz. “Oooo… Ewww!" She yelped and jumped backwards as the owner of the topaz popped out of the tree to reveal that it was a light gray dog-like creature with light green eyes, wore a black collar with diamonds, and a green vest whose pockets were filled with gems. "Uh… uh… Good day, gentle… uh, fellow," she stammered as it stalked toward her. Uh, I am Rarity and this is my friend Chad.”

Chad was in a defensive stance already. Backing away with Rarity.

"And you are?" Rarity asked, doing her best to be politely despite being terrified.

"A Diamond Dog." the creature answered in its' raspy voice.

"Oh really? Oh well, that explains your fine taste in jewelry." Rarity remarked "I mean I-I-I know that diamonds are a girl's best friend and now I know that they're a dog's best friend too, ha ha ha. So, um." she cleared her thought politely "You're out hunting for gems as well?"

The Diamond Dog nodded, still stalking toward them. "Yes. We hunt."

"Uh… we?" Rarity repeated, confused. Chad’s nose picked up two more smells, making him turn around.

"We hunt for gems," The Diamond Dog said as two mounds of dirt behind his targets shifted as the other two Diamond Dogs dug upward, Chad let out a growl. "But you two are better hunters. So now we hunt… for you!"

Rarity screamed when the two Diamond Dogs popped out of the ground. One tried to grab her but she ducked under it. Chad grabbed the tail of the smaller diamond dog and shook him like a rag doll and throwing him into the wall. He then bucked the bigger one towards the tree before turning to Rarity.

“Rarity run!” Chad said before the bigger diamond dog grabbed him, wrapping his arm around his mouth so not to be bitten. 

“You let him go!” Rarity shouted, trying to spark her horn. However, the medium sized diamond dog from earlier grabbed her, resulting in a screech as she was pulled into the hole he came out of. Chad’s eyes went wide and he saw thus, he used his magic and used his tail to grab a rock and clocked it in the knee, making him let go. He tried to run for Rarity but, the smaller diamond dog grabbed him. He flipped the script and pinned him. Snapping his fangs at the diamond dog who was only barely able to hold him back before the bigger diamond dog scooped him in a sack. He stuck his paw in to shove him down, only to be bitten. Chad’s upper half came out with a hiss as his horn sent a beacon into the air before he was shoved back into the bag as the two dogs tied up the bag.

The beacon hit the air, and Bandit both heard and saw it from the library. He quickly ran to get the others.





Bandit, Spike, and the other ponies were running to the location Chad and Rarity were previously. They all skidded to a halt and gasped, for the whole area was covered with large holes, and even Spike wasn't sure which hole was the one that the Diamond Dogs had used to grab Rarity and Chad.

"Holy moly, that's a lotta holeys." Pinkie Pie said, no one disagreed with her since she was right about the amount of holes.

Bandit began sniffing the air before following Chad’s scent, which was at the moment, mixed in Rarity’s since they were pulled the same direction.

“Follow Bandit, he’s got their scent.” Spike pointed out. Twilight was following, but something growled and got her attention, making her look down a hole where a pair of eerie yellow eyes appeared. Her startled gasp turned into gagging when she was suddenly hit in the face by an eruption of dirt that sealed the opening. "Puh!"

Rainbow Dash was next on the unwanted face mask list as she was hit as well.

“Yuck!” She exclaimed. The other six ponies and the baby dragon all got hit in the face with eruption of dirt filling in the holes they'd been peering into, and they looked around with horror as the holes were being filled all around them. Bandit followed the scent and ended up finding the hole Rarity and Chad were dragged into. He walked into the hole, only to here his friends getting into a struggle.





"Quick!" Twilight shouted, running toward a hole that hadn't been filled in yet. "We gotta get down one before they're all filled up." And the ponies did try to get down one of the holes, but the Diamond Dogs were quick to fill them up, and they had an advantage since they were underground, most likely using tunnels to get around.

"We can't muscle through it!" Applejack shouted, frustrated.

“Where’s Bandit? He could!” Spike exclaimed.

Rainbow Dash wasn't about to give up and did a dive-bombing run toward a hole along with Lightning Sprint. 

"No time." And just when it looked like they were going to get inside, the hole, Lightning Sprint ended up colliding with a pile of dirt instead and Rainbow Dash skidded to a stop. 

"Whew. Heavens to Betsy," said Applejack, shaking off the dirt. "Now I'm used to pickin' myself up and dustin' myself off, but Rarity won't even touch mud 'less it's imported."

The ponies nodded, already imaging what Rarity was enduring, knowing her need for being clean would be sorely tested by being underground. "Oh, Rarity…"





Rarity was in a cell, pacing around in frustration. 

"Oh, woe is me!" she sighed dramatically. "Whatever shall I do?" 

She then stepped into a bit of dirt and she panicked. 

"Ah! Dirt, dirt! Get away, dirt!" She tried to shake the dirt off, but she ended up running into the walls, and she was soon covered with dirt. "Oh! Make it stop, make it stop! Ah! Filthy, disgusting dirt. It stings, it burns. Help! Oh, somepony save me, save me!"

“Or poor Chad! He’s probably so scared.” Pinkie said. They all started imagining what fear Chad was experiencing. 





Chad had his back to the wall in the cell he was in. He was looking around with a terrified look on his face. A small pebble dropped onto the ground next to him and made him jump and start pinballing around the cave.

“I wanna go home!” He cried out.





Bandit popped the thought bubble with his horn.

“Do you guys always have these overexaggerating imaginations?” Bandit asked. Applejack shook her head.

"We gotta save them."

"But they blocked up all the holes," Fluttershy pointed out.

Applejack climbed up onto one of the piles. "Don't mean we can't dig 'em out," she reminded her friends, and she began digging. "Come on!"

Soon the six ponies and the baby dragon were busy digging into the piles of dirt, determined to save their friend.

“Wait guys! There’s an easier way-” Bandit tried to say before seeing a diamond dog pop up and grab Pinkie’s tail, sling shotting it into her rump.

The dog sees Bandit pounce at him and barely dove back into the dirt. Bandit sniffed into the air and jumped up, diving head first into the dirt, grabbing the diamond dog by the tail and pulling him out, shaking him like a rag doll.

“Noooooot aaaaagaaaaaain!” He exclaimed as Bandit threw him into another dirt mound. The diamond dog dug himself into the mounds to escape. Bandit was gonna go after him, but heard his friends struggling.

He ran over to see his friends a bit sprawled out.

"All those scary monsters popping up everywhere," Fluttershy complained as she and the others stood up. "Oh, poor Rarity and Chad must be terrified." 

They were soon imagining what kinds of horrors their friend was enduring, except Bandit, who sideglanced in slight annoyance and walked back to the hole and jumped in.





As the others imagined the scenario of Rarity and Chad being scared, Bandit continued to follow their scent and soon found himself surrounded by Diamond dogs. He looked around and rolled his eyes.

“Surrounded by diamond dogs. What ever will I do.” He said in the most sarcastic tone. Four kicks connection four different diamond dogs changed attitudes real quick. There was only one left and Bandit glared at him. The final diamond dog bonked himself on the head and knocked himself out. Bandit continued on his way.





Meanwhile on the surface, Spike managed to find a jewel and instead of eating it, he was using it as a bait over a hole.

"I'll save you, my sweet."

The ponies joined him at the hole, just as the baby dragon began lowering the gem into the hole, like he was fishing. Twilight was touched by what he was doing. "Spike, it is very noble of you…"

"Shhh!" Spike hissed.

"…to sacrifice the gem you found. I know how much you love those gems." Twilight Sparkle whispered.

"Oh, Lady Rarity," Spike sighed, daydreaming. "My damsel in distress."

“And Chad?” Twilight pointed out. But Spike was already in his fantasy.





Sir Spike, who was tall and wearing a suit of arm with a spear, entered the liar of the Diamond Dogs. "I shall save you," he announced. "Show yourselves, you dogs! You curs!" And the Diamond Dogs appeared out of the shadows, growling. "Ah. There you are, you mangy mutts."

"Who are you calling mutts?" the leader of the Diamond Dogs growled. "Unleash the hounds!" And he blew a dog whistle.

Soon over a dozen Diamond Dogs, which were wearing armor, charged out of the tunnels and tried to attack the dragon, but he used his spear, his tail, and his fire breath to chase them back into the tunnels with their tails between their legs.

Sir Spike then confronted the three Diamond Dogs, who were cowering near a wall. "Now, where is Lady Rarity?" he demanded, and they pointed the correct way. He hurried through a tunnel and he soon found Rarity, dressed like a princess, waiting for him.

Lady Rarity gasped when she saw him. "Spike! I knew you would save me!"

"Nothing could stop me, milady," said Sir Spike, bowing.

Lady Rarity swoon for a moment. "Ohohohoh, Spike. You are my… hero," she whispered and shut her eyes as she made a kissing gesture with her lips.

Beaming, Sir Spike bent down so that he could kiss her. "Mmmmmm…"





Applejack, who was standing near the baby dragon, chuckled when it looked like he was going to kiss her. "Hoho there, lover boy," she said and he flushed, embarrassed.

Suddenly the fishing line became tight and nearly dragged Spike into the hole. "Whoa! Whoa whoa whoawhoawhoa… I got a bite! I got a bite!" He yelped, trying to reeling in whatever he'd caught.

Applejack grabbed the end of his tail with her teeth, trying to keep him from being dragged into the hole. "Hold on there, little fella." She grunted and she soon saw that she was going to be dragged into the hole with the baby dragon.

Twilight ran forward and grabbed her friend's tail. "Applejack!" Only she started being dragged forward, too.

"Twilight!" Rainbow Dash grabbed the purple unicorn's tail, only to be dragged, too.

"Rainbow Dash!" Lightning Sprint clamped her teeth onto her friend’s rainbow tail, but despite her best efforts, she was also being dragged toward the hole.

Fluttershy quickly grabbed Lightning’s tail, but ended up being dragged forward instead. "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness…"

Pinkie bounced forward and got the yellow pegasus' tail with her teeth. "Wait for me!" And she squealed when they were all dragged into the hole. "Whee!"

The group screamed as they were dragged through different kinds of tunnels with Pinkie being the only one having fun, and they all eventually crashed onto the ground of a cavern filled with tunnel openings.

While the six ponies were grunting and getting up, Spike jumped to his feet, excited that his fishing trick worked. "Ha ha, it worked! We're in! Now we can finally save Rarity!"

Twilight got onto her hooves and she looked around at the various tunnel openings. "Um… Which way do we go?" she wondered.

Spike looked around, too, and he was devastated. "Nooooooooooo!"

“Where’s Bandit when we need him?” Lightning Sprint asked, completely forgetting that everyone was ignoring him earlier.





The group was now walking throughout the tunnels trying to find out which one was the gonna lead them to Rarity and Chad.

"All these tunnels… How are we ever gonna find Chad and Rarity?" Twilight asked, beginning to get even more worried.

"Guess we're just gonna have to start going down them one by one." Applejack suggested.

"That could take forever!" Rainbow Dash complained. 

"There's gotta be way to narrow it down." Lightning Sprint deduced.

Spike suddenly had an idea. "I know!" he exclaimed and felt like kicking himself for not figuring it out sooner. "I bet they've taken Rarity and Chad down the tunnel with the most gems."

"But Spike, Rarity is the only one who knows how to find gems," Twilight Sparkle reminded the baby dragon.

"No, Twilight. You can!" said Spike. "You can copy Rarity's gem-finding spell. It clicked in her mind as she realized that he was right. "Oh my gosh! You're right! Rarity showed Bandit how to do it, then he show me how to do it a few moments later." she recalled and began concentrating. "If I can just remember…" Soon her horn began glowing pink and caches of gems began appearing in the walls of the nearest tunnel, and there was a lot of gems.

"That's it. You did it, Twilight!" Spike said, hopping on Twilight’s back, who rears before running. "Come on! We're coming, you two. We'll save you. Just hold on." 

The group was soon they were running down the tunnel, following the trail of hidden gems in the walls and the ground.





Chad’s bag was thrown into a cell and he was moving around in the bag. Rarity did not approve of this.

“You let him out of that bag this minute!” She exclaimed before the the diamond dogs turned to her. This made her back away from the diamond dogs.

"Oh please, Diamond Dogs." She pleaded. "Please let us go. If not both of us, at least let Chad go."

"No!" The Diamond Dog known as Spot said.

"You're our precious little pony, and what ever that other thing is. He’s our’s too." The Diamond Dog known as Fido said 

"Forever! Mwhahahaha!" The Diamond Dog leader known as Rover cackled in his Gollum voice.

“I’m a changeling!” Chad exclaimed now under Rarity. The dogs all flinched, surprised to now see the small changeling who they previously threw in a cell.

“What the!? How are you out of your cell!?” Rover exclaimed.

“I hopped through the bars I was clearly small enough to fit through.” Chad pointed out. The diamond dogs growled at him, Rarity held him close.

“Please, just tell us what you want.” Rarity begged.

"Gemsss!" Rover hissed.

"Yes!" Spot agreed eagerly. "The gems. The jewels."

"Find them!" Fido demanded. "Find them all!"

Rarity blinked and immediately calmed down. "Oh! Is that all? Well then, Chadikins, could you be a dear?” 

Chad saluted and sniffed around, he managed to find a good spot and Rarity used her horn to find the same spot. 

Rarity magically used a stick to mark the spot with a large 'X'. "There. A lovely pocket of jewels are right there. Now, if you'd be so kind as to show us the exit?" She requested politely. A spear was pointed at her, which Chad was about to snap at, but Rarity pulled him back.

"Good!" he laughed. "Now, dig them up." Rover told them, denying their request.

"What? But you said you wanted us to find the gems," Rarity reminded him, not recalling anything about digging into the ground.

"Yes! Find and then dig." Spot told them.

“Dig?” Rarity asked.

"Yes. Dig." Fido confirmed. Rarity looked at the x and was about to walked over to try and dig, but was stopped.

“Not you. Him.” Rover said as he pointed to Chad. Chad looked like he took offense to that.

“Oh please, you are not attacking my friend and I and then forcing me to dig squat. Rarity just had a Pony-pedi and I don’t work with nymphnappers.” Chad said as he sat down and folded his hooves.

"We said dig!"

“And I said no!” Chad said back. He was behaving like a spoiled brat…..to them. 

Rover groaned and covered his face with one paw. "Oh, for goodness— Fine! Fine! We’ll do it ourselves!" he shouted, frustrated. "Dig, dogs! Dig! And fast," he ordered and several guard dogs began digging on the spot to get the gems out.

Chad was whispering something to Rarity. Fido held up a cart for the gems to be placed in and Spot held up a harness. 

"You won't dig, you’ll pull." Fido said as they immediately tried to harness the nymph to the wagon, which the newly uncovered gems were placed in. Chad quickly backed away.

“And you think you’re doing what exactly?” Chad asked.

"Others will dig." Fido informed him. "Precious pony will find the gems, you will haul the wagon."

They managed to harness him to the wagon. Although the harness was almost bigger than Chad, it was able to fit him. Chad looked disgusted.

“Yuck. Look, I’m all for not judging creatures based on their appearances, but come on. When was the last time any of you did proper nail care?” Chad asked as they adjusted the harness. Chad wouldn’t hold still. “Easy easy, you’re gonna rip holes in my hoodie.”

"Please be quiet!" Rover snapped, exposing him to his dog breath.

Rarity made a face, from a fair distance away. "Good heavens, what is that smell?" she demanded.

“The breath of someone who obviously doesn’t know the invention of mints….or mouth wash. Or anything involved with dental hygiene.

Rover checked his own breath and he could tell that he was right. He then shook his head, realizing that they were distracting him from the gems. "Enough! Search, uh, thing!" He ordered. Rarity gasped and walked over to hug him.

“Chad is not a thing! He is a Changeling, and the cutest one there is!” Rarity said.

“I don’t care! Just search!” Rover exclaimed, getting very irritated.

Rarity sighed and she walked along the cavern, with Chad pulling the wagon and pinpointing more gem caches with her spell and his nose, using a stick to mark the spots so that the guard dogs could dig. 

"Well, since you insist… But I must say the working conditions in here are simply dreadful." Rarity complained, getting on the nerves of the three Diamond Dogs, which were following her and Chad. 

"Musty and damp, it's going to wreak havoc on my mane. And this air is stifling, suffocating. Poor Chadikins could go nose blind from the horrid smell. When I try to take a deep breath, the stench of all you dogs makes me nauseated.” Two of them ended up getting pancaked by falling rocks, much to Chad’s amusement.

“You look and smell like you haven't bathed in weeks. Have you never heard of soap? You could all do with a good round of soap and water. Oh water, oh water, I'm terribly thirsty. Could I please have some water?" Rarity asked.

"Good gracious, I can't take this anymore," Spot groaned, covering his ears with his paws. "Be quiet, pony!"

“We have names you cat.” Chad told him, confusing the diamond dogs.

“Cat?” Fido asked.

“I’m not allowed to say the other word, but my name is Kama Ezio Clyde Armasta Laska Chadwickson the fourth. Pick one of those names to call me by, but don’t call me thing.” Chad told them.

"And I am a lady and I wish to be addressed as such. So you may call me "Miss" or "Rarity" or "Miss Rarity"." Rarity told them.

"Enough!" Rover shouted. "Your whining! It-it-it hurts!"

“Oh, you think that’s whining? T’was nothing but complaining. Thiiis iiis whiiining! Owie, this harness is too tiiight! It’s squeezing me and is so itchy! It’s so filthy and gonna stain my hoodie! Why didn't you clean it first?! I’m just a baby nymph, why do I have to pull it!” Chad whined.

Spot began whimpering, clamming his paws over his ears, trying to block out the noise and it wasn't working. "Aaah! Make it stop!"

"Stop whining!" Rover pleaded.

“But I thought you wanted whiiining!” Chad whined louder. Rarity was giggling at this.

Rover couldn't take it anymore and fell to the ground, groveling. "Geh! We'll do anything! Anything you want, just please stop complaining!”

Chad looked at Rarity and the two shared a smile.





Soon, the various guard dogs were busy redecorating the cavern and fanning Rarity, who sighed after taking a sip of the water from a gold cup. 

"This water is hardly sparkling. But I suppose it will have to do." She remarked. She looked over at Chad, who was in a comfortable pile of red gems he was feeding himself with his tail. “Enjoying yourself Chad?”

“Sure am.” Chad said as he ate another one. Meanwhile, the Diamond Dogs were busy hauling carts filled with gems across the ground. Rover was panting as he dragged the cart and then he stopped suddenly. 

"Wait! Why are we doing this?" He asked his group.

"To stop the awful noises from the….what was he again? A Changeling? That Changeling’s mouth, remember?" Spot reminded him, pretending to whine. “My neck-”

Rover covered his mouth. "Yes, yes, I know, This is ridiculous! Letting a changeling order us around. What are we? Mice or dogs?" He demanded.

Fido and Spot exchanged a look before stammering a mixed answer. "Mi… dogs?"

"Dogs do not pull," Rover growled, yanking off the harness. "Ponies and Pony-like creatures pull. Let him make the awful noises."





Chad was eating another red gem before being hoisted up by Rover and placed on his legs.

“Hey! What are you- I wasn’t done eat-” Chad tried to say before the harness was placed on him. Rarity looked up and saw this.

“Hey! You leave him alone!” Rarity said before also getting harnessed. “Not sooo tiiight!"

“You’re squeezing me!” Chad whined. Rover wasn’t phased this time. 

"Ha! Make the noises all you want," Rover sneered. "But move while you make them. Now get moving you little freak!”

Rarity gasped. Chad turned to look at him. 

“Did you just….call me a freak?” Chad asked, his eyes about to water as Rover blinked and began getting smacked with the reality that he just screwed up. Badly. Chad’s lip quivered and he began to cry, loudly. 

Wondering what was going on, Spot came over and stared at the bawling baby changeling.

"What are these noises?" he asked, confused.

“He called me a freak! Nobody likes a freak! They’re ugly, disgusting and….and….Oh some other word that makes me unlikeable as a creature and it’s so true!” Chad cried loudly, curling into a ball. Rarity trotted over and picked Chad up to cradle him.

“You should be ashamed of yourselves! What’s next, you’re gonna call me a mule?” Rarity scolded them.

“No No! You’re still beautiful, po… uh, Miss Rarity." Fido tried to defend.

“I never said mules were ugly.” Rarity huffed. Chad was still crying, which was being more and more annoying to the dogs.

“Gah! Chad! I’m sorry! You’re not a freak!” Rover exclaimed.

“You’re just saying that!” Chad cried out.

“You’re um...strong! And and…...adorable!” Spot tried it out.

"I don't believe you!" Chad wailed. "You never liked me!" He kept wailing loudly.

Rover clamped his paws over his ears, trying to block out the wailing. "Oh, I've had just about enough of this!"





While all of this was going on, Twilight was leading the way down the tunnel, the spell revealing larger and larger amounts of gems, which meant that they were getting close to finding Rarity and Chad to save them from the Diamond Dogs.

"We're getting close." she said confidently. "I can feel it." And they soon reached another cavern that had tunnel openings, plus an opening that was blocked by a locked door. Soon they could hear Chad’s distant crying.

Spike pointed to the blocked opening. "It's coming from down here. Come on!"

“That sounds like Chad!” Lightning Sprint realized.

“If they touched hurt ONE hair on his head-” Twilight started.

"If he’s in there, Rarity must be in there too." Rainbow Dash agreed. "Let's go!"

Suddenly six guard dogs landed on the backs of the ponies, knocking Spike to the ground, and they wrapped ropes around the startled ponies' noses and mouths to create muzzles. "More workhorses."

"Hoh, doggies." Applejack said, who had no intention of being a workhorse for anyone but herself. "If you can take this bull by the horns, you better be ready for a ride." She then began bucking around and her friends were quick to follow suit. "Come on, ponies! Kick 'em up, kick 'em out. Buck 'em up, buck 'em down."

Soon all six ponies were bucking around the cavern like crazy, the guard dogs were clinging to them until they were sent flying to the ground with most of the makeshift muzzles, where they picked themselves up and fled, yowling in fear.

"Yeehaw!" Applejack cheered. "Get along, little doggies!"

Spike jumped back onto Twilight's back, clutching a lance-like stalactite. "I'm coming for you, milady," he called out, grabbing hold of the rope that was still around her mouth. "Hi-ho, Twilight! Away!"

Twilight fixed him with a look. "And just what do you think you're doing?" She demanded.

"Please, Twilight." Spike requested. "Just give me this."

Twilight sighed, deciding to humor the baby dragon. "Eh… fine." She then reared, neighing, and went charging through the locked door, smashing it to pieces, and their friends followed after them.

Soon, Twilight smashed through another door and they entered the cavern. Spike jumped to the ground with his lance at the ready. "Lady Rarity, I'm here to save you!" He announced.

Bandit was on the other side of that door, surrounded by more unconscious diamond dogs. Rover, Spot and Fido came running toward them, screaming and they fell to the ground before the baby dragon, Changeling and the ponies, pleading loudly. "Save us! Please, save us! Make it stop! Please!"

“Bandit, what did you do?” Twilight asked him.

“Chad and Rarity.” Bandit pointed out before the Diamond Dogs began listing off the suffering they’ve endured.

"So picky." Spot moaned.

"And critical." Fido whined.

"She won't stop talking." Rover exclaimed.

"He won’t stop crying." Spot added.

Rover whimpered as Rarity and a smug looking Chad came into view, both harnessed to gems. "We, uh, give them back." He said quickly. "Yes."

Spike ran over to Rarity and hugged her, relieved to see that she was all right. "Rarity! Chad! You're safe!"

“Well duh.” Chad smirked.

"Why, yes." Rarity said, slightly taken aback by the hug and greeted her friends. "Hello, everyone. You arrived just in time to assist us."

"Assist you with what?" Applejack asked. 

Bandit pointed to the other carts behind the carts already pulled by him.

Spike stared at the gems, and was almost about to drool. "You're letting them leave with all these… jewels?" He asked the Diamond Dogs.

"Yes." Rover said quickly as he, Spot, and Fido dove behind a stone pillar to protect themselves. "Take them. And those two with them."

"Please!" Spot said, watching as the Mane eight, Chad and Spike left with the carts of gems.





It wasn't long before the Mane eight, Chad and Spike were back above ground, and they were heading back to Ponyville with the carts of gems.

"I can't believe you found all these gems!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"Heh. I can't believe you tricked all those dogs." Rainbow Dash added.

"Just because I'm a lady doesn't mean I cannot handle myself in a sticky situation," Rarity said smugly. "Chad and I had them wrapped around our hooves the entire time."

"I can't wait to write to Princess Celestia to tell her what you two taught me today." Twilight said happily.

Chad glanced at her. "Us? What did we teach you?" He wondered.

"Just because somepony is ladylike, or a certain nymph is young doesn't make them weak," Twilight explained. "In fact, by using their wits, a seemingly defenseless pony, or nymph can be the one who outsmarts and outshines them all." 

"Hm… ‘Outshines’ is right.” Spike said, eating some of the gems from the box Chad had prepared for him.

"Now you have enough gems to cover Sapphire Shores' costumes." Chad said to Rarity. 

“I’ve had quite the helper slash bodyguard.” Rarity told him before giving him a kiss on the cheek. Spike dropped a gem and glared daggers at Chad.

“Someone’s in trouble.” Bandit said to Twilight, making her chuckle.
> Green isn't your color
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was another beautiful day in Ponyville and Fluttershy was at the spa, reading a magazine while waiting for Rarity to show up for their weekly get-together. She looked up when Rarity rushed in, wearing an elegant blue hat with light blue fur, green feathers, and a green gem to hold the feathers in place.

"So sorry, Fluttershy," Rarity apologized while magically putting her hat on the nearest hook. "I hate being late for our weekly get-together. The usual!" she called out to Lotus Blossom, who beamed and hurried them both through the door. Bandit was on the other side getting somewhat of a back massage from Bulk Biceps, who couldn’t quite massage the carapace effectively. 

“Rarity, Fluttershy. Good to see you.” Bandit said. Despite Bulk’s poor attempts to massage the carapace, Bandit was relaxed.

“Bandit, I need to talk to you. Mind joining us when you have time?” Rarity asked. Bandit stopped Bulk and got off the table.

“Alright, I’m right behind you.” Bandit said. As Fluttershy and Rarity walked off, Bandit gave Bulk a hundred bit tip before trotting behind the mares. Bulk’s jaw hit the ground.





A short while later, Rarity, Bandit and Fluttershy were dressed in robes with towels wrapped around their heads as they were in the sauna, where steam hissed as Lotus Blossom poured water onto the hot coals.

"But you will not believe what happened to me." Rarity said.


"What happened?" Bandit asked.

"Is everything alright?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, it's much more than all right. I was on my way here, wearing my latest hat creation, when who should stop me on the street but Photo Finish!?" Rarity answered.

“Oh, I remember her.” Bandit pointed out. Both of the mares looked at him. “What? Tailor Coat mentioned her, and I met her at the gala. One of the most famous photographers ever.” 

“ONE OF!?” Rarity exclaimed.





When they were done in the sauna they moved onto having a mud facial. Well, Rarity was getting the full mud facial while Fluttershy only needed some mud added to her cheeks, and Rarity continued her story.

Bandit was given a bowl of cucumber slices, which he was eating as he was given a neck massage.

"She is the most famous fashion photographer in all of Equestria." Rarity explained while she was giving pillows to rest on as they got on the massage tables, and Lotus Blossom used a file on her horn to smooth it out. "Anywho, she saw me in my hat and said it was absolutely marvelous!"

“So what did she say about the hat?” Bandit snuck in with a smirk. Rarity giggled and threw a cucumber slice at him, which he ate.

"What a lovely compliment." Fluttershy commented.

Rarity nodded happily. "She was so impressed that she wants to take some pictures of my shop featuring some of my clothes!"

As Rarity got her horn filed by Lotus as Aloe came to Fluttershy with a file for her hooves. Fluttershy gave a nervous squee of a smile to decline 

"That's wonderful." Fluttershy told Rarity as Aloe walked away.

“I’m happy for you Rarity.” Bandit added with a smile.





Up next was the massages and Rarity kept talking while getting her serious massage. "Do you know what this could mean for my fashion career?" She asked.

“That it could skyrocket. That combined with good reviews from Hoity Toity and Tailor Coat, and you could take the fashion world by storm.” Bandit said as he massaged his stomach and chest, which was softer and a bit easier than his back. But it was not by much.

“Yes! Exactly!” Rarity said. Her voice still vibrating from her massage.

"Oh, Rarity, I'm so happy for you," Fluttershy said while she got a soft massage.





After the massages, they went into the next room for seaweed wraps and mud baths. Rarity grunted, but kept talking as she was wrapped up in the seaweed. "But I'm going to need someponies fabulous to model for me." she continued, sliding into the mud bath.

“What kind of someponies?” Bandit asked as he was sitting by a bath for his size.

“Well, somepony with beauty. Someling with good-looks. Somepony with grace. Someling with charm. Someone like….the two of you?” Rarity asked.





Later, Rarity and Fluttershy were in separate hoof baths as Bandit was in his normal bath. He still had his bandana on the entire time.

"Oh, goodness." Fluttershy said, taken aback by the offer. "I don't know."

“I feel like a changeling being a model isn’t gonna be a positive thing.” Bandit said from his spot.

“Nopony is going to have your elegance and poise, Fluttershy. Or your naturally handsome, photogenic looks Bandit." Rarity added.

“Rarity.” Bandit tried to call.

“Nopony!” Rarity added.

“Rarity, you’re gonna have to find someone else.” Bandit tried to decline.

“Please!” Rarity pleaded.

"Somepony more into fashion." Fluttershy said.

“Please!” 

"Somepony more comfortable in the spotlight." Fluttershy said.

“Someone more suited for the spotlight.” Bandit added.

"Please, please, pleeease!" Rarity said. Bandit groaned and rolled his eyes.

“Okay. I’ll do it. This seems really important to you.” Bandit said. 

"Oh, if it's that important to you, of course I'll do it," Fluttershy agreed.

"Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" Rarity squealed. "You two are the best friends a pony could ever have!"





The three came out of the spa a couple of hours later. All of them, real relaxed from the spa.

“What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon." Fluttershy said. Bandit stretched and popped his back.

“That’s an understatement.” Bandit said as he finished popping his back and walked with the two.

"Isn't it?" Rarity agreed, but she wasn't as relaxed as She normally would be after getting her usual treatment. "Though I was so afraid you two wouldn't agree to model for me that I felt completely frazzled. I think I feel a pimple coming on. Oh! Only one solution!" 

She zipped back inside, interrupting Aloe and Lotus who were shockingly admiring the tip money Bandit gave them. Upon seeing Rarity return in the robe, they dropped the bits and zipped to her.

"The usual!" she announced and the spa ponies popped up with eager smiles.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Tomorrow arrived, and both Bandit and Fluttershy were getting ready for Photo Finish’s arrival. After losing the argument to Bandit about whether or not Bandit should keep on his bandana, he was currently wearing a black tuxedo with a pink button up shirt underneath to match Fluttershy’s black/pink outfit with gems on both the gown and the headdress, which had pink feathers.

“She's going to want to see attitude and pizzazz." She said as she walked around the stage.

"A-a-attitude and, um… pizzazz," Fluttershy repeated nervously. Bandit looked at Fluttershy and patted her back.

“Don’t be nervous Fluttershy, we got this.” He comforted, making her smile.

Rarity studied the setup for a moment. "More light!" Bandit lit up his horn, but Rarity hoof signaled him to stop. “Not you.” Twilight used her magic to raise the lights to brighten the stage.

"It has to catch the sequins just so or the whole outfit is just a disaster. Oh, and the headdress needs more feathers. Pinkie Pie! More feathers!" And when Pinkie Pie came over with a basket full of different colored feathers, Rarity magically added more pink feathers to the headdress. "And sequins! More sequins!"

Spike skipped over with a bowl full of light blue sequins and a dreamy expression on his face. Rarity magically added it to the outfits. Making both of them sparkle for perfect photo.

Rarity studied the changes and came up with another one. "And more ribbon! For the ponytail!” Rarity said. Chad used a rope to suspend from the ceiling to place a ribbon on Bandit’s ponytail. It took everything in Bandit not to growl from his ponytail having an accessory added.

“Less ribbon.” Rarity said. Chad took the ribbon off. Bandit sighed from relief.

"No! More ribbon.” Rarity said. Chad put it back, and Bandit looked miserably annoyed. Rarity examined the hem of the dress Fluttershy was wearing and was alarmed. "Oh, this hem is completely off. Pincushion!"

Chad zipped back up to the ceiling with the rope and then slid next to Rarity. He shook his tail and revealed a couple of pins in it. Rarity looked a bit concerned before taking four of them off. Chad shook the rest back in before walking back to the others.

"Thank you all for helping me." Rarity added to her friends. "I'm sorry to be so short with you, but I'm… I'm just so nervous."

Chad sat down as Twilight and Spike looked at him a bit concerned. 

“Doesn’t that hurt?” Twilight asked. Chad looked at her. 

“Oh, nah. Doesn’t bother me at all. Can’t feel a thing in my tail.” Chad told them. Spike leaned down aiming to playfully bite his tail like Chad normally does to him.

Chad was none the wiser, however, Spike bit the tail and his tongue was poked with a pin that was still in his tail, making him yelp. Chad turned to look at him.

“You okay Spike?” Chad asked.

“You still have pins in there.” Spike answered. Chad shook the pins out of his tail. Seeing them sprawled out, Chad walked over to pick them up and put them back. As he walked away, Spike turned to look at Twilight and Pinkie. “I'm gonna tell you two a secret. But you have to promise not to tell anyone." He requested.

“I promise.” Twilight said.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Pinkie said as she placed a hoof over her closed eye.

Spike gestured the duo close about three times, getting them to lean close before whispering to them, "I have a crush on Rarity!"

Pinkie gasped. "We won't say a word!"

"Give me a break," Twilight groaned. "Everypony already knows how you…"

"Twilight!" Pinkie scolded. "You promised Spike you wouldn't say anything. He trusts you. And losing a friend's trust is the fastest way to lose a friend forever!"

"But…" Twilight began.

"Forever!" Pinkie Pie hissed.

Twilight sighed. “My lips are sealed, but there's someone who didn’t promise.”

Spike looked confused before turning around and seeing Chad standing there with a smug, cat smile on his face. He flinched before looking nervous.

“Chad….how much of that did you hear?” Spike asked. 

“Enough.” Chad said.

“Please don’t tell anyone!” Spike whispered.

“I’ll think about it.” Chad said, keeping the smirk. Spike growled and tackled him. Twilight rolled her eyes at their antics.

Just then, the doorbell ringed as the door was slammed open to reveal a pony with pale blue skin, light gray hair, dark indigo eyes hidden behind black/pink sunglasses, and she wore a black/white/pink outfit that covered her star-shaped cutie mark.

"I, Photo Finish… have arrived," Photo Finish announced, stepping into the boutique and posing with her assistants on either side of her.

Rarity greeted her with a gracious smile. "Let me just say, what an honor!"

Photo Finish, however, walked past her to the stage where Fluttershy and Bandit were waiting.

"We begin… now!" she ordered and one of the assistants quickly set up a case that popped open to reveal the camera on its stand.

Although taken aback, Rarity zipped to Fluttershy. "Attitude and pizzazz!" She zipped past.

Fluttershy and Bandit had a few pictures taken of them before Photo Finish spoke up.

"Show Photo Finish something." She said. Fluttershy tried to do the poses that Rarity had suggested, but every time Photo Finish objected, she did the opposite and this resulted in some unusual photos being taken. Even better was that Bandit was doing a few poses of his own, which didn’t get denied at all. 

"No! Yeees. No! Yeees. No! Yeees. Enough!" She snapped and walked away while her assistant packed up the camera.

Bandit got off the stage and took the ribbon off. Twilight looked at Pinkie as Photo Finish walked past them.

"She hardly took any pictures." Twilight told her.

Fluttershy was sad, positive that she'd screwed up the photo shoot. "I'm so sorry," she apologized. "I tried my best."

"Well, the headdress is too big for you and the cape has too much sparkle." Rarity admitted as she took off the headdress. "I can't believe I ever thought I could impress her."

“I actually think it went well.” Bandit said as he took off his suit and placed it on a mannequin for his size. “Tailor Coat told me most Photographers will determine whether someone’s worth taking into fashion from the first 5 to 10 pictures.”

Suddenly Photo Finish popped up, making Rarity and Fluttershy jump. "It seems that I, Photo Finish, have found the next fashion stars here in Ponyville." She announced.

"Really?" Rarity asked eagerly.

"Yes. Really," Photo Finish confirmed. "And I, Photo Finish, am going to help them to shine all over Eqvestria.” Rarity squeed happily.

“Tomorrow, a photo shoot in ze park." She paused for a moment. "I go!" Photo Finish said as she left the boutique with her assistants.

Rarity hurried to the door and watched her leave before she turned back to her friends, who were looking equally surprised and impressed. "Did you hear that?" she asked. "I am going to "shine all over Equestria"."

"Oh, Rarity," Fluttershy said, happy that she hadn't screwed up after all. "I was so worried I'd ruined everything."

“Wait a second. I’m pretty sure she said they.” Bandit pointed out.

“Of course she said they. You two were perfect for the job and now she wants to see more.” Rarity said. She then started giggling excitedly before jumping up and down, unaware that she was jumping on Spike's tail. Chad moved Spike out of the way.





The next morning, Fluttershy, Bandit and Rarity went to the park with a rack full of outfits that Rarity was certain that Photo Finish would want to use for the photo shoot, and soon enough she had Bandit and Fluttershy trying them on. She had yet again, lost the argument to Bandit about taking off his Bandana for other shoots.

"No, no, no, yes! That is definitely the one," said Rarity after getting Fluttershy into a disco-like outfit covered with blue sapphires, and Bandit into a black and gold 80s like outfit. "Photo Finish is going to love it. Everypony is going to love it!"

"Oh, I am so excited for you.” Fluttershy told her.

“Don’t forget about the little ponies when you become the most famous designer in all of Equestria." Bandit nudged, getting a light shove from Rarity as she giggled, which he didn’t move from.

“Bandit, everyone is little compared to you shire horse.” Rarity teased. Bandit blepped at her. “But you have my word that I never will.”

At that exact moment, Photo Finish arrived on a platform being carried by two pegasus stallions. "Put me down here." She ordered and they set the platform down, she hopped off and approached the two waiting ponies with her assistants. "Oh, nonononononono," she objected when she saw the outfits, and gestured to the trees around them. "The models should be in something simple! Something inspired by… the nature!"

“I actually like this outfit.” Bandit said as he adjusted his coat.

“Correction. One of the models should be in something simple.” Photo Finish changed her mind.

Rarity was taken aback for a moment. "That's just what I was thinking," she agreed and quickly checked the other outfits, but she couldn't find any nature-based. "Um… give me a moment and I'll, uh, put a little something together," she offered.

"Yes… that will not be necessary." Photo Finish said.

“Wait. How...how can Rarity “shine across Equestria" if she doesn’t design something new for these pictures?" Bandit asked, confused.

"I am not going to help her shine across Equestria." Photo Finish scolded and she pointed at him and Fluttershy. "I am going to help the two of you shine. You two are my stars. She, go!” 

Bandit was very shocked, as was Rarity.





Sometime later at the photo shoot, Fluttershy, Rarity and Bandit were still in the park for the photos.

"I can't, Rarity," Fluttershy protested, now wearing a green/blue outfit with some flowers provided by Photo Finish.

“This wasn’t the plan Rarity. The idea was to get you to shine.” Bandit said. Now wearing a greenish suit with a daisy in the pocket. He still had on his bandana.

"Oh, but you must." Rarity insisted. "Photo Finish wants to make you a star. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

“Rarity. I’m Celestia’s son.” Bandit said.

“You know what I mean!” She said before sighing. “I know we were all hoping it would be my lifetime, but nonetheless you can't throw away this chance. You must do this for me. You must. You must! You must!"

"Floottershy! Bandeet!" Photo Finish called out. "It is time to make… the magics!” Bandit and Fluttershy looked at Rarity, who beamed a smile. Fluttershy guiltily walked over. 

“This conversation isn’t over.” Bandit said before walking off. As they walked off and as Photo Finish complimented the two, Bandit looked at Rarity and saw her walking off.





A short time later, Rarity was in her bedroom, sewing something made out of black fabric and had just finished when Pinkie, Twilight, Spike, and Chad came in.

"How'd it go?" Chad asked eagerly. "How'd it go?"

"It didn't," Rarity answered, pulling on the black cloak. "Photo Finish wanted to work with Fluttershy and Bandit, not me."

"Oh, Rarity. I'm so sorry." Twilight said, sad that her friend's dream had been crushed. "Is there anything we can do?"

"I just vant to be alone right now," Rarity replied, pulling the hood over her head so that they couldn't see the tears leaking out of her eyes.

Spike turned to the three ponies. "You heard her. She vants to be… alone," he stated, shooing them away, and when he turned back to go to Rarity, his egg brother grabbed his tail and yanked him out of the room, where he found himself facing three stern looks. "What? I didn't think she meant alone alone."





Meanwhile, the photo shoot was over and Fluttershy was now in another building for a fashion show. Both herself and Bandit were in the make up room. Bandit was waiting for Fluttershy to be finished.

Photo Finish was watching and frowned at the amount of blush being applied to Fluttershy's cheeks. "Too much blush. Not enough. Too much. Not enough. Perfect." She said when the right amount was reached.

Fluttershy felt her nose twitched and she knew that she was going to sneeze from all the makeup dust. "Ah… Aaah…" And she let out a tiny sneeze.

"Oh, yes!" said Photo Finish. "Even her schneezes are graceful. Now go!" And the ponies exited, leaving her with Fluttershy, who she escorted toward the opening to the runway. "How do you feel? Excited? Overjoyed? Thrilled beyond your wildest dreams?" She asked eagerly. Bandit was right behind them.

"N... nervous." Fluttershy answered.

"And you?" She asked Bandit. 

"Meh. No big deal." Bandit answered. 

"Two different reactions to a large crowd of ponies who will be watching your every move and silently judging you." Photo finish said.

Fluttershy gulped nervously.

"Want me to go first?" Bandit asked.

"P-Please."

Bandit shrugged and walked out first. He didn't pose, he didn't make any Flash movements, all he did was walk out and be himself somehow that was more impressive than anything else. The photographers, of course, went crazy with flashes left and right. Snapping picture after picture.

Bandit went back and gestured for Fluttershy. Fluttershy took a breath before stepping out. Bandit walked with her to help her be less nervous, and photographers went crazy.

"So graceful."

"So lovely."

"So perfect for my new advertisement."

"You can't let Rarity down. You must do this. You must. You must. You must" Fluttershy muttered.

Over the next week, photos of Fluttershy and Bandit were popping up on billboards, ads, and in magazines all over Equestria, and the duo found herself doing more photo shoots, fashion shows, and standing with Photo Finish at conferences.

And through all of this, Rarity was doing her best to be encouraging, but it was becoming difficult, especially when Fluttershy, Bandit and Photo Finish were allowed into an exclusive club and she wasn't for the first time in her life Bandit came back to let her in, but Rarity pretended to insist and walked the other way.. Even in Ponyville, it was clear that the two were famous when Rarity saw their photos on the sides of apple crates over at Sweet Apple Acres, and she gasped and growled with jealousy when Rainbow Dash flew past with a banner that had Fluttershy's image on it.

Rarity was not happy to see any of these advertisements. Chad was walking by and saw Rarity’s face.

“Hi Rarity. Are you okay?” Chad asked. 

“No. I am not.” Rarity admitted.

“What’s wrong?” Chad asked. 

“Well, if you must know. I’m just….just a little bit. A tiny…” Rarity tried to say. Chad tilted his head. She sighed. “Oh, I need someone to talk to privately.”

Chad nodded, he was about to walk off to get Spike, but he was picked up and taken to the boutique.

Upon arriving at the boutique, she arrives to see Bandit putting Fluttershy down after previously carrying her to the boutique by the scruff.

“I was wondering why there were photographers at the window.” Chad said as he hopped off Rarity’s back.

"Wow." Rarity remarked, hiding the fact that she was jealous. "Look how popular you both are. I'm so excited for you. You must two be having the best time ever."

"Oh, yes." Fluttershy agreed. "Best time ever…"

“Hey, Rarity, we need to talk about-” Bandit tried to say, but the sound of the entrance bell distracted him, making him turn around to see Photo Finish standing there.

"Floottershy! Bandeet! I have been looking for you everywhere." she said quickly. "We have the thing at the place."

“It can wait, we have to talk to Rarity.” Bandit told her.

“I’m sure what you need to tell me can wait until after you’re done with the….thing at the place.” Rarity said, very much trying to hide her jealousy.

“I'll see you at the spa? Our usual time?" Fluttershy asked hopefully as she followed Photo Finish out.

“Of course! Will you be there as well Bandit?” Rarity asked.

“Can’t. Auntie Luna sent me a letter requesting that I create a dessert and call it a Moon Night after this appointment is done.” Bandit told her.

“Oh…..Okay.” Rarity said as Fluttershy was pulled out and Bandit walked out. As they walked out, Rarity scowled. "I'm the one who should be mobbed by strangers wherever I go.”

Chad tapped his chin before getting an idea and zipping out. He comes back a few seconds later with a small crowd behind him.

"And here is the Boutique that Bandit and Fluttershy adore. Every single one of the dresses and suits that you see them wearing don't hold a candle to the dresses here." Chad told them. 

“They don’t?” One of the mares asked.

“Nope. And they were made by the one and only, Rarity.” Chad said as he pointed to Rarity. He was trying to get her to receive the attention she wanted.

“Are they still here? We saw Bandit and Fluttershy come in here.” Another Mare asked.

"You just missed them" Rarity said 

"Let us get moving." A stallion said.

"B-b-but. There are still many interesting things we can do here in the boutique that they lo-" Chad tried to say. They all turned and began walking out. Chad flopped his ears and looked back at Rarity. “Sorry Rarity.”

Rarity hugged him.

“I appreciate the effort.” She told him. 





At the photo gallery, which was filled with different shots of Fluttershy and Bandit, Photo Finish was speaking with the press while Fluttershy was trying to get her attention. "Obviously I, Photo Finish, am thwilled to have found zem." She said proudly, ignoring Fluttershy. Fluttershy looked at Bandit and got his attention so he would get Photo Finish’s attention. "Zey’re a natural in front of the camera. I only need to point and shoot, and I capture… the magics!" And she beamed as the press ponies took pictures of the duo.

Bandit walked over to Photo Finish and tapped her finish.

“Ms. Finish. Fluttershy and I have to be somewhere.” Bandit told her.

"How could I have forgotten?!" She exclaimed. "Your appearances at the ballet opening! Everypony who is anypony will be there."

“Not that. I have to head to the bakery to make this dessert.” Bandit said as he walked out the door.

“Okay then, I’ll just take flootershy.” Photo Finish said.

"Oh, actually I'm supposed to be meeting my friend…" Fluttershy began.

Photo Finish, however, shoved her out the door. "We go!"





Over at the spa, Rarity was in the hot tub with Chad nearby. Twilight walked over to them wearing a robe and Rarity got to complaining.

"My hooves are getting positively pruney, I've been waiting here so long." Rarity complained, holding up one hoof, which was indeed turning her from marshmallow to raisin. "Obviously Fluttershy's just too busy with her new career to spend time with her best friend."

"I'm sure she just got tied up. Even Bandit has been a bit busy from time to time." Twilight suggested. 

"Of course she did," Rarity agreed sourly. "She's a big bright shining star! I wish that star would burn out."

Chad and Twilight gasped from that and looked at her.

"Rarity! Fluttershy is your friend. You can’t wish bad things on your friends, that’s just wrong." Chad said.

"I know, I know." Rarity agreed, regretting her earlier statement. "And I should be happy for her, but instead I'm just… jealous! Oh, please promise you won't tell her I feel this way. Please, please, pleasepleaseplease!"

"You have my word." Twilight promised. "Losing a friend's trust is the fastest way to lose a friend."

“Hi Pinkie.” Chad said seconds before she popped out of a bowl full of sponges, scaring the daylights out of the two unicorns.

“For- Hi Chad!- Ever!” Pinkie said before sinking back in.

“Rarity, don’t you think it should be a good idea to tell Fluttershy how you feel?” Chad asked. Rarity shook her head.

“Absolutely not! Fluttershy must have my complete support.” Rarity told him.

Rarity exclaimed before she walked behind a privacy screen. Chad looked at Twilight very confused before Rarity walked back out wearing a stunning red/white outfit. "Wow! You look great!"

Rarity beamed. "Fluttershy may be the one who's famous, but that doesn't mean I have to stop looking fabulous. Come now Chadikins, your assistance is required.” Rarity said as she walked out of the spa with Chad in her magic. Twilight relaxed in the hot tub as Fluttershy arrived.

"Rarity!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "I'm so sorry I'm…" she trailed off when she saw that the grey unicorn wasn't there. "Oh no. She's already gone, isn't she?"

Twilight Sparkle nodded. "Sorry."

"Oh, I can't believe this," Fluttershy complained, landing on the floor. "I am so frustrated, I could just scream." She inhaled and let out a frustrated squeak.

"Feel better?" Twilight asked.

Fluttershy shook her head and flew up to stand next to the hot tub. "No. Can I tell you something?" she asked.

Bandit came running in.

“What happened? I heard Fluttershy scream.” Bandit said.

“For the most part she is.” Twilight told her.

"You promise not to tell Rarity?" Fluttershy asked.

"I swear." Twilight promised.

"Pinkie Pie Swear?" Fluttershy asked urgently.

“Chadwick’s promise. I swear this promise won’t be broken. This promise shall remain unspoken.” Twilight said as she crossed her hoof across her chest and across her mouth. Fluttershy looked confused. “I don’t wanna poke my eye by mistake.”

Fluttershy took a moment before finally talking. “I don't like being a model," she complained, pacing. "No, I hate being a model. All this attention is awful, just awful. And I'm only doing it because Rarity told me we must. We must! We must!" She sighed sadly. "I must.”

Twilight was surprised at all this before smirking and getting an idea. “Oh, really?" She looked around to make sure that there was no one around before gesturing for Fluttershy to lean in close. "Well…" she whispered. "If you wanna know the truth, Rarity…" She stopped when Pinkie Pie suddenly popped out of the bowl of sponges again, startling both ponies, and she fixed the purple unicorn with a warning look before disappearing into the bowl once again.

Fluttershy blinked and looked at her friend questioningly. "Oh, what were you about to say?" she inquired.

"Forever!" Pinkie whispered.

"Nothing!" Twilight said quickly, choosing not to reveal what she knew.

“I feel like poor communication is a running theme with this place.” Bandit said.





Later into the week, Twilight and Fluttershy were walking around town. Fluttershy was wearing a big hat and sunglasses to disguise herself as Twilight pitched her an idea. 

"I was just thinking. If you really don't like being a model, you could always quit."

"Oh, no," Fluttershy protested. "I could never do such a thing. Rarity would be devastated and Bandit would have to model on his own.”

“Bandit doesn’t exactly care for modeling. And Rarity told me…" Twilight began and gasped, startled when Pinkie suddenly popped out of a cart full of apples to give her a warming look before biting into an apple. She chewed a few times before smiling from the taste. 

"Mmm… Juicy!" Pinkie said, chewing the apple happily.

Twilight groaned. "Uhhhhhh!" And she and Fluttershy kept walking.

"Oh, if only all these ponies didn't like me so much," Fluttershy complained, sighing. "Photo Finish wouldn't want me to model anymore. She'd find somepony else with… the magic!" And she struck the pose.

"I guess you're right," Twilight agreed and she got an idea that had her bouncing around excitedly. "You're right. You're right, you're right, you're right!" She was so excited that she accidentally knocked the hat and the sunglasses off her friend.

"It's Fluttershy!" a pony exclaimed and the purple unicorn got run over as the ponies surrounded poor Fluttershy once again.





At sugar cube corner, Bandit was decorating some dark blue cupcakes with star sprinkles and a moon cookie on them.

"Don't you see? On her own, Fluttershy could never do something unattractive," she explained. "But if I used my magic to help her do something unattractive at her next fashion show, no one will ever want her to model again. And if Fluttershy no longer has to be a model, Rarity will no longer have to be jealous of her. And I'll no longer have to keep their secrets! It's the perfect plan! You can't tell anyone about it. Promise me you won't tell anyone?"

“Chadwick’s promise. I swear this promise won’t be broken. This promise shall remain unspoken.” Bandit said as he packed the cupcakes into a box with his face on it and gave it to a mail pony to send to canterlot.

“What are those for?” Twilight asked.

“They’re called Moon Nights. Luna wanted me to create a dessert with that name.” Bandit answered.

“Why?”


“So Auntie Luna can make a ‘my favorite dessert is a Moon Night’ and it makes sense.” Bandit answered.

“Did Celestia make the sundae pun?” Twilight asked.

“Yes she did.” Bandit answered.





When it came time for the next fashion show, Twilight joined Fluttershy backstage and shared her idea about helping her with her magic.

"You really think it'll work?" Fluttershy asked, while listening to the ponies chattering on the other side of the curtain, waiting for her to appear.

"They love you for being you," Twilight pointed out. "So all I have to do is make you not be you. Just leave it to me. The hard part is getting Bandit not to be liked.”

“Actually Twilight.” Bandit said as he walked over to the two. “I told her that I quit.” 

“You did what?!” Twilight exclaimed.

“How is she taking it?” Fluttershy asked. Bandit pointed out the curtains. Photo Finish was hyperventilating at the moment.

“Not well. But one chat with the press on my decision will clear that up in a heartbeat. Now come on Fluttershy, let’s get you out there.” Bandit said as he held the curtains open for her. 

Meanwhile, Rarity arrived with Chad, wearing her newest design, a dress with purple/blue with feathers and gems.

"Guess it's time to see what all the fuss is about," Rarity said, sighing. Chad looked on stage and tilted his head.

As Fluttershy began walking down the runway, Twilight peered out from behind the curtain and her horn began glowing as she casted her spell on Fluttershy. "Oof!" she grunted, face-planting on the runway, and as the gathered ponies gasped the music stopped. She grunted as the magic did all kinds of things to her, stretching her like a cat, making her fly upside down, and drag herself across the ground with her wings. "Ooh… Aah!" And then she barked like a dog, braying like a donkey, and she even picked her nose with her hoof.

Chad was about to start snickering from what he was seeing, finding the situation hilarious. The crowd looking on did not share his humor, neither did Rarity.

"Oh no." Rarity said in horror as the crowd hurled insults as Photo Finish fainted.

"Get her off the stage!"

"She's an embarrassment to all things fashion!"

Photo Finish regain consciousness and she was positive that her career was over. "I, Photo Finish, have made a terrible mistake!" She wailed while the ponies booed. Rarity looked like she felt bad.

Meanwhile, Twilight smiled at how the plan was working, but her smile dropped when the crowd died down from when Chad started clapping. They all looked at him as he clapped with a wide smile on his face.

Rarity looked at this and then got a plan.

“Bravo!" Rarity called out. “I say bravo!"

"Bravo? How could you possibly say bravo to that horrid display?" A pony asked them. 

“I found it fun and entertaining.” Chad answered honestly.

"Such attitude! Such pizzazz!" Rarity declared. "She's invented an entirely new kind of modeling! Bravo!"

“Who is saying those things?” A pony who couldn’t see over the heads of some of the crowd.

“It’s them.” A pony pointed out. “The unicorn in the gorgeous cape and headdress and the changeling in that rather stylish hoodie.”

"Now those are creatures who clearly know a thing or two about fashion." the pony commented. "Well, if that fabulous pony likes it, then I do too! Bravo!" And the rest of the ponies began cheering again.

Fluttershy looked around and moaned. Bandit facehoofed.

“I don’t understand fashion.”





Later in the backstage room, Fluttershy was upset by the failure of the plan. 

"This is awful." She moaned as she looked at Twilight. "Just awful! Somehow I've become more popular than ever. Oh, I'm so frustrated I could just kick something!" She reared her hind legs and gently kicked a vase that wobbled a little. "If only Rarity didn't want me to be a model so badly."

"Ugh! But Rarity…!" Twilight began before Bandit shoved a hoof into her mouth. 

“Twilight. You promised. Let me.” Bandit said as he turned to Fluttershy. “Rarity doesn’t-”

Before he could finish, Rarity walked in with Chad on her back.

 "Fluttershy! Are you alright?" Rarity asked.

"I'm great!" Fluttershy lied, smiling. "I'm a super famous fashion model. Why wouldn't I be great?"

“Because you ha…!" Bandit covered her mouth again.

"Out there on the runway, everyone was turning on you and… Oh… Oh, Fluttershy," She said unhappily. "It's so awful. I wanted them to."

Fluttershy stared at her, surprised. "You did?!"

"Of course she did!" Twilight said, moving her head again. "Because…!" 

Before Bandit could try to keep her mouth closed, she shoved fruit into her mouth.

"I'm jealous!" Rarity confessed. "I wanted all the attention. And instead it was going to you. I even started hoping that you would do something silly so your modeling career would be over. But then, when it started happening, all I could think was how could I want you to fail at something you love so much?"

Twilight spat out the fruit. "But… Fluttershy doesn't… Ugh!" She groaned and stuffed her face into the dirt in a potted plant.

“Okay, both of you PLEASE just tell each other the truth before Twilight bursts a blood vessel!” Bandit exclaimed.

“Can you say blood with this story’s rating?” Chad asked.

“Hush.” Bandit told him.

Fluttershy took what Bandit said into account and spilled the beans.

 "Oh, Rarity. I hate being a model."

"You do?" Rarity asked, surprised to hear this.

Fluttershy nodded. "More than anything."

"Then why did you keep doing it?" Rarity inquired.

"I was afraid if I quit," Fluttershy confessed, "you'd be mad at me for not wanting to… "shine all over Equestria"."

"And I thought if I told you how jealous I was of your success, you'd think I was a terrible friend."

Fluttershy shook her head upon hearing this. "Never!"

"All this time!" Rarity laughed.

Fluttershy giggled. "If we'd just told each other the truth."

“You girls gonna be honest with your feelings from now on?” Bandit asked them.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Fluttershy said.

“I swear this promise won’t be broken. This promise shall remain unspoken.” Rarity said. Chad tilted his head.

“Maybe I should change the words to that promise.” Chad said as he tapped his chin.

Just then, Photo Finish rushed into the room with a delighted expression. "You were brilliant," she declared. "Brilliant! I've already got six photo shoots lined up for tomorrow alone."

"I'm sorry, Photo Finish," Fluttershy said politely, "but I don't think I'll be able to make any of them."

Photo Finish stared at her, confused. "Whaaat?"

Fluttershy and Rarity exchanged a smile, knowing what to do. "We go!" 

The two mares exited the room.

Photo Finish stared after their retreating forms, very confused. "Vat has just happened?" She asked.

"Spike has a crush on Rarity!" Twilight exclaimed as she pulled her head out of the pot, unable to take it anymore. Pinkie appeared in the mirror and shook her head.

“You were doing so well.” Pinkie said, disappointed.

“Oh come on. Everyone knew already.” Chad said with a snicker.





Back at the Spa, Rarity, Fluttershy, Bandit, Chad, Spike and Twilight were happily enjoying their sessions.

"Now this is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon," Fluttershy commented from the hot tub, relaxing in the warm water.

"Isn't it, though?" Rarity agreed from inside the sauna, where she was wrapped up in a robe with a towel wrapped around her head. Bandit was sitting in a hot tub of his very own.

“Dear my loving mother, Being a good friend means being able to keep a secret. But you should never be afraid to share your true feelings with a good friend.” Bandit said as Chad wrote the letter. Chad used his magic to send it before Bandit looked at an unhappy Spike.

“Spikester, what’s the matter?” He asked.

“I still can’t believe Twilight someone about my secret feelings for Rarity." Spike said with his arms folded. Bandit looked at Twilight, who was in the tub next to him and gestured to Spike.

"You're right," Twilight agreed and she apologized. "That was wrong of me, and I'm very sorry."

Spike smiled. "Apology accepted." Then he scowled at Chad. “But YOU were spending so much time with her, knowing that I had a crush on her.”

“Oh Spikey Wikey!” Rarity called. “Chad told me that you’re excellent at back massages. Care to give me one please?”

Spike looked shocked and then looked at Chad, who winked at him.

“Coming!” Spike exclaimed as he zipped off.

Bandit, Chad and Twilight had a good laugh at this.
> Over a Barrel
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was another beautiful day in Equestria and the Mane Seven were currently on a train, which was being pulled by four strong stallions, heading for the newly built town of Appleloosa, which had been constructed by Applejack's relatives, and she was looking forward to the visit since she had something special to give them as a gift.

Bandit was helping pull the train along the tracks with the train ponies.

"And that's when the yellow birdie thought to himself, "Hmm. My favorite little tree isn't such a little tree anymore." So she sang her song, big and strong, and they all lived in that great, big tree happily ever after. The... end." Applejack read, looking towards a large tree. She then closed the book and tucked the blanket closer around the tree.

"Applejack!" Rarity exclaimed, making the orange pony jump, and turn to the doorway. "Were you reading a bedtime story to… an apple tree?"

Applejack chuckled nervously at being caught. "Heh… uh… Well, ya know, bein' replanted in a whole new place is very upsettin' for a tree… and Bloomberg here is one of my favorites," she pointed out while stroking and nuzzling the green leaves of the tree.

"No fair, Applejack!" Rarity complained, stalking over and glared at the tree. "You've got a luxurious, private sleeper car for a tree, while I am crowded and cramped in the same car with all the other ponies. How am I supposed to get my beauty sleep?!"

"But Bloomberg's the whole reason we're makin' this trip." Applejack reminded her friend. "He needs his rest so we can give him as a gift to my relatives in Appleloosa."

Rarity scoffed at the attention that an apple tree was getting. "Hmph! You talk about it as if it's your baby or something. Or like Chad talks to Quincy.”

“Who you callin' a baby?!" Applejack demanded defensively. "Bloomberg's no baby!" She then turned and began doing baby talk to the tree while nuzzling the leaves again. "Don't wet widdle Rarity make you all saddy-waddy. Bloomberg's a big and strong apple tree. Yes, he is. A-coochie-coochie-coo-coo-coo!"

Rarity was a bit disturbed at the affection Applejack was giving the tree before scowling.

"It's widdle Rarity who's all "saddy-waddy"!" she whined before storming out of the car. "Urgh!"





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Night had fallen and the train was still going down the tracks. In one of the sleeper cars, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash were chatting away while Rarity, Chad, and Spike were trying to get some sleep since they were due to arrive in Appleloosa the next morning.

"Oh man, we're going fast!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "This is so exciting, I can't even wait!"

Lightning Sprint was looking out of the window, keeping to herself in a very excited manner.

"Oh my goodness...." Twilight said, gazing out the window as she was looking forward to being in town. Rarity, however, groaned and stuffed her head under her pillow, trying to ignore her chatting friends. "For crying out loud in the morning!"

Spike groaned as he woke up. "Do you guys mind? I was up early, fire-roasting those snacks you're all eating, and I'm pooped!" Spike said.

"And I was the one supplying the snacks! You know how hard it was for me not to eat them myself? That kind of restraint takes a toll on my energy." Chad said as he cuddled Quincy under his blanket.

"Awww." The mares said, bar LS who was still window gazing.

Spike looked at Chad and softly chuckled.

"Uh, speaking of snacks." Pinkie started. Chad threw some Twizzlers down the hall, which Pinkie ran after.

"Good night!" Spike said. 

"Night Spike." Lightning Sprint said, raising a hoof but still looking out the window.

"Night everyone." Chad yawn.

"Night Chad." Everyone responded. Chad went to sleep. He didn't know that he did this, but he started sucking on his hoof.

Twilight tapped Rainbow Dash and put a hoof to her lips before pointing at the sleeping changeling. Rainbow dash looked at this and she nearly squealed at what she saw. Twilight giggled at her reaction. The other girls looked at him as well before Twilight kissed Chad on the forehead before putting the blanket further over him. She does the same to Spike and then gets in her bed.

“Maybe it's time we all got a little shut-eye. We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow." And they blew out the candles while their friends all grumbled, but they put out their candles, too.

Soon all was quiet in the car, saved for Spike's soft snoring, and this went on for several minutes.

"Psst!" Rainbow Dash whispered. "Pinkie Pie, you asleep yet?"

"No, are you asleep yet?" Pinkie Pie whispered back.

Rainbow Dash lit her candle and hopped out of her bed so that she was on the floor near the bed Spike was in. "If I was sleeping, how could I have asked you if you were asleep?" she asked, still whispering.

Pinkie Pie got out of bed and joined her, giggling. "Oh yeah!"

"When we get to Appleloosa, you think we'll have to carry that heavy tree all the way from the train to the orchard?" Rainbow Dash wondered.

"Unless Bandit takes the tree." Lightning Sprint said, finally turning from the window. 

“You’re talking about Bloomberg right?” Pinkie asked.

“…No, Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash whispered sarcastically.

"Fluttershy's not a tree, silly!" Pinkie Pie whispered, giggling.

“What’s going on?” Twilight asked, not exactly whispering.

"Rainbow Dash thinks Fluttershy's a tree!" Pinkie Pie informed her, snickering.

"I do not think she's a tree! I was just-" Rainbow Dash began.

"Did you say she was a tree?" Twilight Sparkle inquired.

Rainbow Dash shook her head and stammered. "No. Well… Yes. But not exactly-"

"Ya know she's not a tree, right?" Twilight interrupted.

Pinkie giggled again. "She's not a tree, Dashie!"

"I'd like to be a tree…" Fluttershy said, joining the conversation with a smile.

“Ugh!” Chad exclaimed as he rolled out of bed. 

“For pete’s sake!” Spike exclaimed as he grabbed his pillow and jumped out of bed. Chad took Quincy and walked with Spike to the other car. Where Bloomberg was.

"Well that was kind of huffy," Twilight remarked, wondering what had caused the baby dragon to storm off like that.

"Huffy the magic dragon!" Lightning sprint joked and they all giggled.

Just then, Rarity sat up and glared at them. "Would you all be quiet… now?!" she demanded, revealing that her hair was in curlers, and she had a mud mask on her face, which looked creepy in the candlelight.

"Aaaaaah!" The five ponies went as they quickly blew out the candle.

Bandit heard this from his spot and looked back at his friends' car. He chuckles into his hoof and keeps pulling the train with the other train ponies.





Chad got into the car and lied down his blanket.

"Hiya Bloomberg. Mind if we crash here for a bit?" Chad asked as Spike lied down next to the tree and pulled up the blanket. 

"Sorry, but I tend to snore a bit. Good night." Spike said as he settled down, sighing with contentment, and went to sleep.

Chad used his tail as a pillow before heading to sleep himself. 





The sun was rising as the stallions pulling the train raced past, and the ponies in the sleeper car were all sleeping peacefully when there was a sudden loud rumbling that shook the car, knocking Rainbow Dash out of her bed onto the floor, and her friends all woke up. Wondering what was going on, they gathered in front of one of the windows, and they gasped when they saw racing alongside the train was a huge herd of buffalos.

"A buffalo stampede!" Twilight exclaimed.

"I just love their accessories!" Rarity complimented.

"They're getting awfully close to the train." Twilight commented as she observed. Sure enough, the herd was getting a lot closer to the train. 

"Oooh, looky! Now they're doing tricks! Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Now do a backflip!... Or... Just jump?" Pinkie said. 

"It's not a performance, Pinkie." Lightning Sprint said.

In the front of the train, one of the bison tried to knock the ponies off the track. Other Buffalo were slamming against the cars, the one that the girls were in, resulting in them bouncing around a bit. All the while, Spike and Chad were both still asleep. The bed Spike and Bloomberg were on conveniently slid past Chad each time.





The buffalo were still trying to sabotage the stallions pulling the train, then one made the mistake of trying to knock Bandit off, and received a devastating headbutt in retaliation. Said Buffalo fell to the ground and another buffalo tripped over him as Bandit pulled the train faster.

Back in the sleeper car, the seven ponies were sprawled on the floor, dizzy and dazed from being knocked around. Pinkie, however, bounced back up like nothing happened and went back to the window to see what was going on with the buffalos.

"Oooh, looky!" she exclaimed and her friends joined her and watched as two of the buffalos jumped onto the back of a third buffalo, balancing carefully while the third kept running near the train with the rest of the herd. "Now they're doing tricks!" And she nodded excitedly to a small female buffalo, who leaped across the backs of the herd until she jumped onto the small tower. "Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Now do a backflip!" she squealed and was a bit disappointed when the small buffalo leaped onto the train and headed to the back of the train. "Or… Just jump?"

Rainbow dash followed the steps she heard, hearing the steps head to the back of the train.

"Something tells me this isn't a circus act." She then flew out and over the train, spotting the small buffalo, and landed on the train ahead of her. "Hey there!"

The small buffalo gasped, but she kept running across the train cars, forcing Rainbow dash to move out of the way to avoid being run over.

Rainbow Dash flew after the small buffalo, named Little Strongheart. "Where ya headed in such a hurry?" She asked. Little Strongheart quickly began running, nimbly jumping across cars. Rainbow dash quickly caught up, however.

"Wow, you're pretty quick for someone so… bulky. No offense." She, somewhat, complimented. But Little Strongheart ignored her and kept racing toward the last car.

Determined to get some answers, Rainbow dash flew ahead and landed so that she was blocking the route. "I just wanna know– Hey!"

Little Strongheart kept dodging past her.

"I'm talking to you– Whoa… Arrgggg… I got you now, you-" However, she missed grabbing the small buffalo, and she slammed into a sign, crashing to the ground with a loud groan.

Smirking, Little Strongheart dropped down to unbuckle the last car and flipped back onto the roof before whistling. Soon the entire herd broke away and swarmed around the car, pushing back down the tracks.

Hearing the commotions, Applejack raced and stopped at the opening, staring and gasping in horror at the sight. "They've got Bloomberg!" 

As she said this, Chad appeared in the window. Spike peeked out beside him. 

"They have Chad and Spike!" Rarity exclaimed.

"Heeeeeeeelp!" They both called.

Lying under the sign, Rainbow Dash sat up and gingerly rubbed her sore head with one hoof as the buffalos raced past with the car. "Ugggh…" she groaned and then she heard the fading cries of help coming from the baby dragon and nymph. 

"Dragon-napping Spike and Nymph-napping Chad. I'll show her!" she vowed and winced. "Ow…" Feeling the pain in her head, she got up, took to the air, and flew after the disappearing herd, determined to save the baby dragon and teach the small buffalo a lesson.

Bandit looked off to the side and saw the cart the two were in being hauled away. His eyes went wide.

"What's our call boss?" The stallion behind him asked, seeing his reaction.

"Get this train to Appaloosa, I'm going after them as soon as I stop. And it's not gonna be pretty." Bandit said as he picked up the speed.

"You got it." He nodded and matched his speed.





A few moments later, the train arrived at the station located just outside Appleloosa, and Applejack was quick to exit the train. Bandit unhinged himself. The others quickly raced out of the train. Lightning Sprint looked in Bandit's direction.

The others didn't get very far before they almost ran into a pony with light gold skin, orange hair with amber highlights, light green eyes, a red apple cutie mark, and he was wearing a brown cowboy hat and a brown vest.

"Hey there!" He exclaimed when he saw the ponies and Changeling. "Welcome ta Aaaaaapplelo-"

Bandit used his magic to slide him out of the way as he went and got some rope, a stetson, and a desert scarf for the sand and began to trot back out. The others look towards him. 

"Bandit wait up." Lightning Sprint said, flying over.

Before she could get close, he began running somehow way too fast for her to keep up. He was already out of sight.

"Whoa....he's in a hurry. How about I show ya'll the rest of Appaloosa?" The stallion asked.

"Braeburn, listen-" Applejack began, recognizing her cousin.

"Cousin Applejack, mind yer manners." Braeburn scolded. "You have yet ta introduce me to your compadres! Shame on you!"

Applejack rolled her eyes, not in the mood for politeness. "Braeburn, listen, somethin' terrible's happened-" she began again.

"Terrible can't be right. Y'all are here right on time. Just in time for you to delight in the pleasures and wonders of… A-A-A-ppleloosa!" And he shoved them all to the other side of the station so that they could see the town, and it was an impressive sight with the neat buildings and the ponies walking around wearing all kinds of cowboy outfits. "Boggles the mind, we settler ponies built all this in just the past year, don't it?!" he continued, shoving them through the town for the cour. "And as you can see, we have all of the finest comforts. Like horse-drawn carriages!"

"Alright. You pull now." The stallion pulling said to his friend inside. 

"But we just switched!" The other stallion said.

Braeburn then hurried them to another spot, where several fillies were busy drawing the carriages and their drivers. "And those there are horse-drawn horse-drawn carriages."

"…Listen, Braeburn, I– Oof!" Applejack began and grunted as they were herded to their next destination.

Braeburn stopped when they reached a saloon. "And here's our local waterin' hole, the Salt Block." he said proudly.

"No more salt for you!" A bartender said, throwing a stallion out. The old pony, known as Ol' Salt, sat up and looked blearily back at the saloon with traces of salt on his mouth. 

"Can't I at least… get a glass of water?" he asked, hiccuping before flopping back onto the ground, having just passed out.

Morton Saltworthy, the stallion who threw a stallion out, snorted and went back inside.

Chuckling, Braeburn continued the tour by stopping at a building with a silver star on the front. "Over there's the office of Sheriff Silverstar," he announced, waving to the sheriff, who waved back and then showed them to the two dance locations. "And here's where we have our wild west dances! And here's where we have our mild west dances!"

"But, Braeburn, we-" Applejack began once again, trying to get him to listen to her.

Still ignoring his cousin, Braeburn herded them out of the town and onto a nearby ridge that was overlooking a huge apple orchard. "And here's the most wonderful sight in all of… A-A-A-ppleloosa! Our apple orchard."

"Braeburn!" Applejack shouted, wishing he would shut up for a few seconds and listen to her.
Braeburn was looking proudly at the apple orchard, and the trees were brimming with apples. "First harvest should be any day now."

The mares all looked towards Applejack. Lightning Sprint was about to shout but Applejack beat her to it.

"Braebu-"

"Good thing too!"

"Brae-"

"'Cause we need that grub to live on."

"Braeburn!" Applejack screamed and, it did the trick to get the pony's attention.

Braeburn finally looked at his cousin. "Uh, yes, cuz?" he asked.

"You have a very nice town an' all, but we have a hu-uge problem!" Applejack snapped. "Some of our friends are missin'!" And her friends all shared what happened at once.

"A stampede of buffalo!" Fluttershy said.

"They took Spike and Chad!" Rarity and Twilight said.

"Rainbow Dash and Bandit went after them!" Lightning Sprint said 

"And we can't find Pinkie Pie." Fluttershy added.

"And we had an apple tree with us for your orchard, but they took that too!" Applejack concluded.

Braeburn stared at them, blinking for several seconds. "Did you say… buffalo?" He asked. After Lightning Sprint nodded her head to confirm, to which he sighed. He knew about the buffalo. He knew all too well 

"Them buffalo. they want us settler ponies to take every single tree you see here off this land," he explained, nodding to the orchard. "They sure as hay don't want any new ones added in."

"Why? That's not fair!" Lightning Sprint said, flying a little off the floor.

"Believe me. We know." Braeburn added. 

"But why?" Fluttershy asked.

"Beats me," Braeburn admitted. "We put a lot of hard work into this land, so we can feed our town, our families, our foals! And now they're sayin' all these trees have to go? T'ain't fair…"





Bandit was in the air, sniffing around. Looking for Chad, Spike's, or even Bloomberg's scent. He got a strong lead and landed in the ground to get an even stronger one. As he did this, Rainbow Dash was following nearby, though she was being more stealthy than Bandit.

"Ooh, I can't wait to get my hooves on that little buffalo…" She vowed and winced a little since her head was still a bit sore from earlier. "Hnnh… Ow! Nobody tricks Rainbow Dash and gets away with it." She crawled along the ground and was about to slip behind a rock when she suddenly found herself nose-to-nose with Pinkie.

"Boo!" Pinkie said.

Rainbow Dash yelped and jumped back into the air for a few seconds before landing flat on her back. "Yah! …Pinkie Pie!"

"Ah, ya caught me!" Pinkie Pie joked. "Looks like I tricked you and didn't get away with it either! You're good."

"Shhshh!" Rainbow Dash shushed, shoving a hoof onto her mouth to keep her quiet. "What do you think you're doing?! You gotta get out of here!" She let go and hid behind a rock.

"I do?" Pinkie asked.

Rainbow Dash nodded while making sure that they hadn't been seen. "You're gonna blow my cover."

"I am?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"I'm trying to save Spike and Chad!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"Oh my gosh! So am I! I followed Bandit when he flew from Appaloosa. I mean, I was still behind the train when I saw him fly-"

Bandit landed in front of both of them.

"Time to stop talking. We're surrounded." Bandit told them seconds later, they were surrounded by the buffalo. Bandit stood in front of them protectively. The rope extended and ready to lasso.

"Okay….who's first?" He asked. The buffalo began to charge forward until two familiar voices spoke up.

"Stop!" Chad and Spike's voices exclaimed. 

All eyes turned to Chad and Spike, who were among the buffalo. 

"We know them. They’re with us.”

“They’re cool.” Spike added.

“If you say so.” One of the buffalos said. Chad hoof bumped him. “Catch you later bros.”

Bandit walked over to Chad and Spike, hugging them tightly.

“I’m so glad you’re both safe.” Bandit told them.

“Come on, we’ll explain everything.” Spike said as he and Chad led the way. Bandit looked at Rainbow Dash and Pinkie for following them.





That night, Spike and Chad were seated near a campfire with Pinkie, Bandit, and Rainbow, explaining what happened after they and the apple tree had been abducted that morning.

"Seems they took us by mistake. And they feel awful about it too, poor guys. Fortunately, they totally respect dragons and whoever they associate with, so they treat us like honored guests." Spike said.

Chad tapped the ground with his hind hoof, and on cue, three bowls of some kind of grayish food were brought to the two ponies and changeling.

“They don’t like ponies much though.” Chad told her.

Rainbow Dash sniffed the contents and made a face before shoving the bowl away. "Ugh…"

Bandit was eating the food, however.

"Huh. Well, I still don't trust them," Rainbow Dash stated, standing up and looking around. "I say we turn tail and bail while we still-"

"Mmmmm." Pinkie said whilst chewing. "Before we finish eating? Are you loco in the coco?!” She asked as she looked at Little Strongheart, who had a bowl full of turquoise for Spike. “Can I please have more of that mushy stuff, whatever it was?"

"Certainly," Little Strongheart agreed. "And, Mr. Spike, you like gemstones, yes?"

"Turquoise. Mmm! Heh hah! This here is Little Strongheart, and these are our friends Bandit, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash." Spike said. 

Rainbow Dash briefly glanced at the small buffalo unimpressed and turned back, doubletaked to face her when she realized who the buffalo was. "You!"

"You!" Little Strongheart exclaimed, surprised too.

"That's it!" Rainbow dash growled. "We are outta here!"She trotted off. Pinkie smiled awkwardly before Rainbow Dash came back, dragging Pinkie by her tail. However, Little Strongheart jumped in front of the two ponies, blocking their way. 

"Wait! Please accept my apologies for what happened on the train. We didn't mean for anyone to be hurt." She apologized. 

“Yeah right.” Rainbow Dash said as she wasn’t phased by this and walked in a different direction, to which Little Strongheart moved again to get in front of her. “We only wanted the tree. The settler ponies have overtaken the land and have planted an orchard all over it! Because of their thoughtlessness, we can no longer run over our traditional stampeding grounds."

“Wait, what?” Bandit asked.

"Huh?"

"I think it's time they met Chief Thunderhooves." Spike said, Chad nodded and began to lead the way to Chief Thunderhooves.





Soon, they were gathered in the middle of the camp, surrounded by the herd, and before them was the leader of the buffalo, Chief Thunderhooves.

He let out a brief grunt before speaking. "We have a long and winding stampeding trail that we have run upon for many generations. My father stampeded upon these grounds, and his father before him, and his father before him, and his father before him, and his father before him, and-"

Bandit walked over and placed a hoof over his mouth.

“Look, I don’t mean to be rude but we get it. You’re boring your own tribe to sleep.” Bandit stated in the most polite way possible before moving his hoof. Chief Thunderhooves looked at the buffalo and saw they were trying to stay awake. He grunted and continued his story.

"Hmph. It is a sacred tradition to run the path every year. But this year, these… settler ponies, these…" he snorted angrily. "Appleloosans!" And he kept snorting until Little Strongheart stopped him.

"They planted apple trees all over it without asking our permission." She added.

"Well that's not very nice," Pinkie remarked, frowning, and looked to her friend. "Right, Rainbow Dash?"

“That does sound like a bad thing to do.” Bandit said as he tapped his chin.

Rainbow Dash merely grunted, her forelegs folded with a huff.

"The ponies refused to move their trees, so we are stuck here, and it is not fair!" Little Strongheart complained.

“See guys?” Spike began. "They had a good reason to-" Rainbow Dash interrupted him by flying to face the two buffalos. she grunted and the buffalo gasped. 

"I'll say they had a good reason!" she declared. "C'mon. We have some apple-pickin' Appleloosans to talk to!"

“Hold on a second.” Bandit said to get their attention. “What if they just didn’t know this land was inhabited? Like how you folks didn’t know Spike and Chad were in the cabin with bloomberg. Did you guys ever try talking with the Appleloosans?” 

There was a brief silence before the buffalo looked at Chief Thunderhooves, who looked back at Bandit.

“What are you suggesting?” Chief Thunderhooves asked.

“I’m suggesting we give you guys a chance to talk things over, maybe you guys could find some common ground.” Bandit suggested. Little Strongheart looked at Chief Thunderhooves looked at each other and nodded.





The next morning, Applejack, Lightning Sprint, Fluttershy, Twilight, Braeburn, and Rarity were getting ready to head out and find their missing friends, plus get the apple tree back from the buffalos while convincing them to leave Appleloosa alone.

"Ow!" Rarity groaned as Applejack tightened the straps on her saddlebags. "Gently, please!"



"Sorry, Rarity." Applejack said when she was done with the straps, "but our friends are out there and we have ta' be ready for a long hike into buffalo territory if we're gonna save 'em! Let's go!" 

The group began running, and not even five feet away, they slide to a stop when Bandit, Chad, Spike, Pinkie, and Rainbow dash weren’t too far from them.

“Hey guys!” Chad and Pinkie exclaimed.

“Pinkie!” Fluttershy exclaimed as she tackled Pinkie with a hug. “We're so glad you're safe."

Twilight hugged Bandit and then Chad and Spike. Rarity, Applejack, Lightning Sprint, and Braeburn trotted over, glad that they were okay.

“How did you get them away from the buffalo?” Twilight asked Bandit.

“I didn’t.” Bandit answered before turning to a rock. “You can come out now!”

Little Strongheart came out from behind the rock with a nervous smile on her face.

"We promised the buffalo a chance to talk." Rainbow Dash added.

“Oh yeah?” Applejack asked as she walked forward, looking at Little Strongheart with both a suspicious and disapproving look on her face. “'Bout what?"

"We brought our new pal Little Strongheart here to explain to the Appleloosans why they should move the apple trees off buffalo land." Rainbow Dash explained as she brought Little Strongheart over to them. 

"That information would be quite help-" Braeburn began with a smile.

"That's weird." Applejack interrupted as she shoved Braeburn forward. "'Cause my cousin Braeburn here wants to explain to the buffalo why they should let the apple trees stay."

"That would be a useful thing to-" Little Strongheart began.

"The land is theirs!" Rainbow Dash snapped, interrupting this time. "You planted the trees not knowing that. Honest mistake. Now, you just gotta move 'em, that's all."

"Can you let them two tal-” Bandit tried to say.

"They busted their rumps here!" Applejack snarled, glaring at Rainbow Dash. "An' now they're supposed ta bust their rumps again, just 'cause some buffalo won't stampede someplace else?"

"Plant the trees somewhere else!" Rainbow Dash growled.

"Where?!" Applejack demanded. Showing how there was no other flat terrain from where they were. "It's the only flatland around these parts!"

Rainbow Dash gestured around with one hoof. "The buffalo had it first!"

"The settler ponies need it to live!" Applejack shouted angrily. Bandit groaned and walked over as the two over another.

"Come on, Applejack!" "You're bein' unreasonable!" "I put my hoof down!"

They stopped when Bandit lightly tugged their ears with their magic. It wasn’t too hard, but it was enough to get their attention, and felt very unpleasant.

“Owowowow!” “Stop, please stop!”

Bandit let go of their ears and cleared his throat.

"Look! Both the settlers and the buffalo have good reasons to use this land." Bandit said. Twilight walked over to have her say as well. 

"There must be something we can do." Twilight said.

Just then, Pinkie jumped up. "Hey! I've got an idea!" She suggested brightly before Bandit caught her, keeping her from hitting the ground.





A few hours later, both the ponies of Appleloosa and the buffalos were gathered around a stage that'd been built just outside the town. Bandit turned to look at Twilight.

"So, what’s this about you saying Fluttershy is a tree?” Bandit asked Twilight. She looked sheepish, but then Chad started to play a fun tune on the piano.

The curtains opened to reveal a large white calm shell, and it opened to reveal Pinkie Pie, who was wearing a fancy saloon girl outfit, and she began singing.

“We may be divided
But of you all, I beg
To remember we're all hoofed
At the end of each leg.” Pinkie started. Two female ponies appeared on the stage and lifted her out onto the stage.

“No matter what the issue
Come from wherever you please
All this fighting gets you nothing
But hoof-and-mouth disease
Arguing's not the way
Hey, come out and play!
It's a shiny, new day
So, what do you say?
You gotta share
You gotta care
It's the right thing to do
You gotta share
You gotta care
And there'll always be a way through
Both our diets, I should mention
Are completely vegetarian
We all eat hay and oats
Why be at each other's throat?” Four ponies joined her and they began line dancing for the chorus.

“You gotta share
You gotta care
It's the right thing to do
And there'll always be a way
Throoooough!”

Chad played the last note. Spike was the only one applauding. Bandit and Twilight facehoofed, one out of embarrassment, the other unamusement.

“All right, Pinkie Pie!" Spike cheered. "That was fantastic! What a great song! Yeah, right on!" 

Pinkie was bowing to the stage, Chad was confused as to why everyone was silent.

Chief Thunderhooves exchanged a look with Sheriff Silverstar and they both nodded, clearly agreeing on something. "It appears that Sheriff Silverstar and I have come to… an agreement," he announced.

"We have." Sheriff Silverstar agreed.

"That was the worst performance we've ever seen," Chief Thunderhooves declared. Pinkie looked saddened at this. Chad walked over and gave her a comforting hug.

Sheriff Silverstar nodded. "Teh… Abso-tively!"

"The time for action… Hmh… is upon us!" Chief Thunderhooves announced and glared at the ponies. "Our stampede will start at high noon tomorrow. And if the orchard is still there, we'll flatten it… and the whole town!" The ponies gasped, very alarmed at the declaration.

"But, Chief!" Little Strongheart protested, not wanting to fight the ponies.

"An' we Appleloosans say you'd better bring yer best, 'cause we'll be ready and waitin'," Sheriff Silverstar declared, glaring at the buffalos. 

"But, Sheriff…" Braeburn protested, but both groups parted ways, and he sighed sadly, following after the ponies of Appleloosa.

“We can’t let them fight. If they fight, not only will we get caught in the middle, but everyone is going to lose.” Bandit told Twilight.

“There has to be something we can do.” Twilight said. Both of them looked off to the two sides.





Sometime later, Applejack was watching as the residents of Appaloosa got the town ready for the battle by boarding up the windows, and she was worried since this wasn't what she wanted and she turned to Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Lightning Sprint.

"I want my kin ta' have what they need to live… but a storm's a-brewin' here." She admitted unhappily. "And I don't like the look of it."

"We've just got to talk some sense into them before somepony gets hurt." Twilight suggested and her friends agreed, so they went around the town and the orchard, trying to talk some sense into the ponies, but they weren't having very much luck. "Listen, maybe if you would just reconsider, we-" she began, only to have the ponies jump into the building and slam the doors and windows in her face.

"About the trees," Rarity said to a pair of ponies. "Now if you could-" But they glared at her so hotly that she jumped up, falling onto her rump.

At the orchard, Lightning was trying her hoof at talking some sense into the ponies there, who were busy bucking apples from the trees and into baskets that were being carried and carted away back toward the town. "If we could just sit down and talk we could-"

She was growled at by the stallion she was trying to negotiate with. She groaned out of pure annoyance. 

“Will nopony listen to reason here!?” She exclaimed.





Back in Appleloosa, the ponies were busy cutting up the apples, which went into pies that were being baked by the hundreds, and throughout the town, there was a lot of hammering, sawing, and nailing going on as barriers were being built.

Applejack approached Sheriff Silverstar with her friends and tried to reason with him. 

"Sheriff, if we could only-" she began, but he walked away with other ponies, and she sighed, frustrated. She and her friends gave up and just watched as the preparations were finished and the ponies raised the town flag, which had an apple tree on it, and cheered.





That night in the buffalo camp, Rainbow Dash, Chad, Bandit, and Spike were trying to reason with the buffalos, but they weren't having any luck either. While Bandit went to talk with Chief Thunderhooves, Spike and Chad watched as the buffalos hit their heads together, sharpened their horns, and applied war paint to their faces.

"Isn't there someway to stop this?" Chad asked Little Strongheart.

Little Strongheart shook her head sadly. "Unless the settlers remove those trees, I do not think so." She then offered the twins a bowl of turquoise, and they sighed sadly while accepting the bowl and began munching on the gemstones. They were so glum that they didn’t try to steal each other's food.

Meanwhile, Bandit was still talking with Chief Thunderhooves.

“Look, I know you don’t want to do this. There has to be some kind of compromise you can come to.” Bandit said.

“I doubt the ponies will be willing to negotiate.” Chief Thunderhooves told him.

“It’s not too late to try. It’s never too late to try and find some common ground.” Bandit told him, trying to get him to call off the attack.

"At noon, it will be too late," Chief Thunderhooves warned her while applying red/white war paint to his face.





The next day, the ponies of Appleloosa were positioned behind the barriers, armed with apple pies, and the buffalos were standing on a ridge, some distance from the barriers. Seven members of the Mane 8 were watching with Spike and Chad, and they were all worried that this would end badly for both sides. Bandit loafed and tapped his hoof. Spike and Chad went into his Bandana Pouch for safety.

Rainbow Dash was trying to come up with an idea or something to stop the fighting before it started.

"Come on, think!" Rainbow Dash said to herself, thumping her head with her hoof. "Think, think, think, think, think, think, think!"

Just then, the clock struck twelve times. Both sides were quiet and staring at the other. Braeburn looked at the ponies and the clock, looking very worried at what was going to happen.

Little Strongheart got Chief Thunderhooves’s attention and gave him a pleading look. He let out a sigh and looked towards the ponies with regret. Much to the relief of the mane 7, Spike and Chad.

“He’s not gonna do it!” Rainbow Dash said happily. The others sighed in relief. Unfortunately, Pinkie decided to sing that song yet again.

“–what do you say?
You gotta share
You gotta care
It's the right thing to do.” 

Bandit snapped his attention towards Pinkie as the Chief Thunderhooves began growling with anger.

“You gotta share”

“Chaaarge!” Chief Thunderhooves roared.

“You gotta care” 

Chief Thunderhooves led the charge down the ridge and toward the town. Bandit ran out of his spot and towards Pinkie. Before the buffalo could reach her, he grabbed her by the scruff and flew into the air. The buffalo missed her by inches. Bandit flew back to the others before holding pinkie in his hoof.

“Pinkie?”

“Hmm?” Pinkie asked, turning her attention to Bandit.

“Don’t sing that song again.” Bandit requested. Pinkie pouted her lip as they landed.





The charging Buffalo ended up crashing through the first barrier.

"Ready… aim… fire!" Sheriff Silverstar ordered, having expected this. Soon the ponies were launching pies at the buffalos, knocking them down and some were blinded by the pies, resulting in them falling to the ground. Carrot top poked her head out of the tower she was in before jumping out and wrestling a bison to the ground. More ponies and Bison were confronting one another one on one.

Ponies on the rooftops were tossing pies as well as ponies on top of hay bales. One pony gasped as a bison charged right for her haybale, knocking it and her away. Another bison charged for a hay bale and wound up hitting an anvil on the other side. The two ponies responsible hoof bumped each other proudly.

Another Bison was pied in the face and ran right towards the clock tower, crashing into it and cracking the tower. It started to fall to the ground. Bandit used his magic to pull the bison and the two ponies out of the way of the crashing tower. Chief Thunderhooves jumped next to the wreckage and looked around. That’s when he spotted Sheriff Silverstar, who was moving from hay bale to hay bale, launching pies left and right.

He began charging after him. The Sheriff sees him, as well as the other pies missing him, and reaches for another pie but was all out. Looking out and seeing the Chief barrelling at him, he took off his hat and accepted his fate.

However, right before Chief Thunderhooves could take out the Sheriff, a pie was sent flying at him from the sidelines.

“Nooo!” He said before he was hit in the face with the pie. He hit the ground in front of Sheriff Silverstar. The sheriff looked at him in surprise.

Both sides either removed their hats in respect or were reduced to tears. Chad and Spike popped out of the pouch and hugged each other sadly. Bandit took off his stetson out of respect but was initially confused.

Just then, some of the apple pie on Chief Thunderhooves’ horn broke off, dropped onto his tongue, and the second it made contact, he pulled it in his mouth and his eyes popped open. He jumped up and licked the rest of the pie off his face. "Yum!" he exclaimed with an excited expression on his face. "Hey, I've got a much better idea!"





A short while later, after repairing and cleaning up Appleoosa the ponies were cutting down some of the trees. This created a path that the buffalo were able to stampede through. Applejack let out a while, and Rainbow Dash leads the way down the path with the buffalos racing right behind her.

"We… will allow the apple orchard to stay in exchange for a share of its fruit.” Chief Thunderhooves narrated as his tribe ran past and was given freshly baked Apple Pies. “Those… delicious apple pies!" 

Chad and Spike were sitting and watching the buffalo go by. Chad was eating an apple pie as Spike had a bowl of turquoise.

“I'd rather eat turquoise any day of the week.” Spike said. He tossed one into the air to catch it in his mouth. Chad yoinked it and ate it. Spike glared at him as he snickered.

On a nearby hill, Applejack was beaming as she finished planting the newly recovered apple three. "Bloomberg, this is yer special day," she told the tree, smiling. "Mama's so proud of you!" 

Little Strongheart looked over and jumped over to them, waving at Bandit and inviting Applejack and Rainbow Dash to join them. Bandit waved back as Applejack and Rainbow dash ran/flew over to join in the stampede.

Bandit took a seat as he smiled at the stampede, writing the letter.

“Dear My Loving Mother,  Friendship is a wondrous and powerful thing. Even the worst of enemies can become friends. You need understanding and compromise. You've got to share. You've got to care."
> A Bird in Hoof
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ponyville was given yet another lovely day to start. Fluttershy was tending to the animals in her cottage. She finished bandaging the leg of a mouse

"There you go, Mr. Mousey." She told him, carefully pushed the wheelchair to a nearby mouse hole, where the mouse family was waiting. "Now you stay off that leg and do everything I told you. And it will be just like new in no time at all." 

The mouse squeaks a thank you to Fluttershy.

"Oh, you're welcome. Happy to be able to help." Fluttershy said. All the while, Angel was running towards Fluttershy with a watch in his paws and a panicked look on his face.

Angel got to Fluttershy and jumped headfirst towards her from behind, which got her attention. She turned to him and Angel gestured to and shook the watch.

"You… found a watch?" Fluttershy asked, trying to figure out what Angel was trying to tell her. Angel shook his head before imitating a clock. “You… wanna be a watch?” Angel shook his head again and began running in place, pointing to the watch yet again. “You're running! Running out of time? No. You're… late?"

Angel nodded and pointed through the open door, where the clock just began striking four. This reminded Fluttershy that she was late. She was late. For a very important date.

"I'm late for a very important date!" She yelped. "The big brunch for Princess Celestia at Sugarcube Corner. Oh, the princess is here in Ponyville for a party, and we all promised we'd be there. But I'm not there! Oh, do I look all right? Do I need to bring anything? Maybe I shouldn't go." She jumped when she heard the trumpet fanfare. "Aah! It's starting! I'm missing it!"

She started to run out the door. Angel sighed with relief, and he began hopping away when Fluttershy came back.

"Oh, thanks, Angel." She said before flying back out. Angel shrugged and went back to hopping. Then Fluttershy came back again. 

"I mean, if you hadn't reminded me, I might have not remembered, and then I wouldn't be there, and everypony would be wondering where I was and…" She blinked when he thumped her foreleg. "Oh, right. I'm late." She flew out the door again. Angel quickly hopped over and shut the door, locking it. It began rattling before Fluttershy caught the hint.

“Oh, okay then. See you later.”





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Meanwhile, at Sugarcube Corner, two of the Royal Guards, both white pegasi with golden armor, were standing guard outside the door. Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint peered out the door at the two guards before hopping out to talk to them.

“So… what do I have to do to get to be one of the Princess's royal guards, anyway?" Rainbow Dash asked, trying to get a reaction. 

"You mean what do WE have to do. Hellooo? Anybody home?" Lightning Sprint asked, waving a hoof in their faces. No reaction, Lightning Sprint looked at Rainbow Dash.


“First one to get a reaction wins a milkshake from the other?” Lightning Sprint suggested.

“Deal.” Rainbow Dash said as she zipped over to try first. She made faces and silly noises. They didn’t react at all.

Lightning Sprint walked up to one and slowly moved her face closer to his, the goal to make him uncomfortable.

“You guys are good.” Lightning Sprint said.

"Yeah, Too good. Booooooring." Rainbow Dash said as she went back inside.

“Lame.” Lightning Sprint said as she flew back inside as well. As they went back inside, Fluttershy finally arrived, a bit out of breath.

"Phew. Made it." She then headed for the door and gasped, startled when the guards suddenly blocked her way with their wings.

"Halt!"

"Who goes there?"

Fluttershy gulped and she began backing away. "No one." She said, not wanting to cause trouble. "Never mind. I'll go home."

Bandit looked past the door and at Fluttershy. Then he looked at the guards.

“Swift Bolt, Arctic Flash. It’s cool, she’s with me.” Bandit informed them. They lowered their wings.

“Apologies your highness.” Swift Bolt, the one on the left said. 

“No worries.” Bandit told him, patting them both on the back. He opened the door to let her in. Fluttershy walked in and as he walked Fluttershy inside, the guards smiled. Dropping it right before Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint peeked out to see a reaction.





“Thanks, Bandit.” Fluttershy said as she got inside.

“So glad you could make it Fluttershy. It wouldn't be the same without you.” Bandit told her as he led her to the main room where the party was being held.

Spike was in the kitchen, heating some of RaspCherry cupcakes that Mr. Cake had made, ringing the bell each time, Mrs. Cake came over to get the fresh batch.

Out in the main room, Mr. Cake carried around the tray on his head, offering the food to the ponies gathered. "How's everypony doing? Good? Good."

Mrs. Cake, who was carrying a tray of cupcakes on her head, approached the main table, where Princess Celestia was seated. 

"Anything else we can get for you, dearies…?" she began and corrected herself as she was joined by her husband. "Ooh, I-I mean, esteemed guests."

"Everything is fine, Mr. and Mrs. Cake." Celestia reassured them. Klaw was under the table batting at Celestia’s tail, who was putting it under the table on purpose for him. Fang was taking some of the scraps off the table to eat.

“Sorry I'm late." Fluttershy apologized as she and Bandit walked to the main table. "I had to finish taking care of a patient first."

“You and I both share a love for animals, so I know for a fact mama is gonna love that about you.” Bandit told her. Fluttershy giggled a little.

“Aww, you call Princess Celestia mama.” Fluttershy pointed out. Bandit scrunched his face with unamusement, blushing with slight embarrassment. “You know Bandit, I thought you were gonna be nervous about being here.”

“What’ve I got to be nervous about. Sure, she’s the ruler of Equestria and is the most important pony on the face of this planet, but she’s still my mother. I trust her with everything, so I got nothing to worry about. Especially with her meeting my friends.” Bandit said with a proud smile.

“Um….I was talking about the social gathering.” Fluttershy said, letting him finish before saying something.

“Oh….my bad. Well, it's just a casual get-together. Nothing to be nervous about.” Bandit said. Seconds later, he heard Rarity’s voice.

"Don't touch me!" Rarity shrieked. Bandit looked over to see Rarity in the middle of the room, wearing the dress she'd made for the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala. "Watch the dress!" she hissed at any pony that got too close. "Careful, you're gonna spill that on me!" She smiled when Mrs. Cake offered her some of the RaspCherry cupcakes. "Oh, oh, that looks delicious. What is it? Oh, does it stain?! Keep it away from me!" she yelped and backed away from the food.

“Huh, I guess it isn’t that casual.” Bandit said, very unamused.

Applejack was seated at the main table and was looking perplexed by the different kinds of food, unsure of which item she should eat first. 

"Uh… which is the salad and which is the appetizer again?" she wondered. "And which am I supposed to eat first?" She looked between the food items again and then hung her head in frustration. "Oh, never mind. I'm not hungry."

Bandit rolled his eyes with a smirk.

“Manners don’t have to be perfect. I don’t know why everyone’s trying so hard.” Bandit said with a smile before realizing something. “Hey, Twily. Where are you?” He called before Pinkie zipped past him. Eyeing all of the treats she could find. “Whoo-hoo! Cupcakes, candies and pies, oh my!” She shoved a pie in her face. She then spotted the chocolate fountain.

“Oooh! Chocolate fountainy goodness!" She said as she stuck her head into the fountain and pulled it back out. The chocolate hardened around her head and then cracked, then broke off, revealing that she was happily munching the chocolate. She then bounced over onto the table, where Princess Celestia was about to eat a cupcake. "You gonna eat that?!" she asked before eating the cupcake herself.

Mrs. Cake gasped and she ran past, yanking the Pinkie off the table by clamping onto her tail.

"Hey!"

Mr. Cake returned to the table with a teacup and RaspCherry cupcake. "A thousand pardons, Your Majesty."

"That's quite all right, thank you.” Celestia said. As she picked up the cupcake, Bandit walked over with Chad on his head. Chad’s mouth was covered in red frosting. He looked at the cupcake, Celestia offered him a bite, which he shockingly turned down.

She was shocked, but took a bite and drank her tea. She placed it onto the saucer, making Mrs. Cake notice the empty cup.

"Empty teacup at 4 o'clock!" Mrs. Cake exclaimed.

"Uh, I see it, honey bun!" Mr. Cake responded, he then raced over and refilled the cup.

"Oh, um… thank you." Celestia said, a little surprised by the gesture.

"Not at all, Your Highness." Mr. Cake said happily.

Princess Celestia sipped her tea and this time, Mrs. Cake refilled her cup. "Thank you again."

"Oh, but of course, Your Majesty." Mrs. Cake said. Bandit and Chad rolled their eyes with smirks, humored by this as Bandit grabbed a teacup himself.

Celestia drank and got her drink refilled twice before deciding to have a little fun. She pretended to take a sip, making Mr. Cake go to refill. However, instead of an overflowing teacup, Bandit placed his teacup over hers, making Mr. Cake pour into his teacup instead.

“Aww.” Celestia playfully pointed at Bandit.

“Gotcha.” Bandit winked. Then he saw Twilight duck down at the end of the table. “Oh, there you are Twilight.” Bandit said as Fluttershy walked beside Twilight.

“Oh, you’re Fluttershy, right?” Celestia asked as she turned to look at her. 

"Me? Oh yes, Your Highness." She confirmed.

"I understand from my son and Twilight Sparkle’s letters that you enjoy tending to the needs of woodland creatures." The princess commented.

"Yes, I love to take care of animals." Fluttershy nodded. 

"As do I." Princess Celestia agreed. "As Princess, I care deeply about all creatures, great and small." Behind her was a seemingly empty cage, and Applejack jumped when something inside began coughing and red/orange feathers began flying out. "Nothing means more to me than the well-being of all my subjects." She then heard the coughing and turned to the cage as an ill-looking bird appeared from the bottom of the cage, climbing up onto the perch, still coughing and hacking. "Ah, Philomena, my pet. You're awake. Do say hello to our gracious hosts."

“Hey Philomena!” Bandit said as he opened the cage and stuck his hoof in. Philomena sickly perched onto his hoof. Philomena kept coughing and hacking, losing more feathers in the process. Bandit chuckled and scratched under her chin, seemingly disregarding 

"Oh...my." Fluttershy said.

"Is it supposed to look like that?" Lightning Sprint whispered to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash shrugged, completely unsure.

Princess Celestia noticed Fluttershy's concerned expression and glanced at the bird. "She is quite a sight, isn't she?" She remarked.

"I… I… I've never seen anything like it." Fluttershy stammered while Philomena coughed again. Klaw came out from under the table with Celestia’s tail in his mouth and looked at Philomena.

“That’s because she’s a-” Bandit tried to say, but Philomena quieted him with her featherless wing placed in his mouth. He rolled his eyes before putting her back in the cage. “Okay then, back in the cage with you.”

Swift Bolt came up to Celestia and cleared his throat before whispering into her ear.

"Really?" Princess Celestia asked and he nodded. "Well, if I must…" she sighed and spoke to the gathered ponies. "I'm sorry, everypony. I'm afraid I have to cut the party short.” At that moment, Twilight almost spat out her tea. “The mayor has requested an audience with me. Royal duty calls. Thank you for a wonderful time. It's been a joy getting to know you all better." 

She then turned to Chad and pinched his cheek.

“We’ll talk about getting you and Spike a pet.” She said before walking out with Swift Bolt and Arctic Flash, leaving the cage with her pet bird behind to retrieve later. Bandit looked up at Chad.

“You and Spike want pets? But we have Klaw and Fang.” Bandit said as Klaw began batting at his tail.

“Well, he’s more your pet. You do most of the care taking.” Chad clarified.

"Phew!"  Applejack said, thankful she no longer had to figure out what to eat first. "Now I can eat someth'n! I'm starved!" 

Before she could take a single bite, Mr. Cake cleared the table, and she sighed, disappointed. "Oh…"

Pinkie was cartwheeling towards the exit, knocking a few ponies through the exit. Two more ponies were going to move to the exit, but Rarity was heard making commands.

"Stay right where you are." Rarity ordered as she began backing out of the shop. "All I want is a clear path to the exit. Nobody move and my dress won't get hurt! Stay back! Back, I say!"

Applejack walked towards the exit with a bunch of food items on top of her snout as she walked out the door. Bandit looked at Spike and Chad.

“You guys wanna take care of Philomena while Momma’s gone?” Bandit asked them. Chad and Spike turned to one another and nodded their heads. Bandit turned to the cage and was surprised not to see Philomena in it. He got closer and looked at the bottom of it, he saw feathers rather than what he saw last time she disappeared to him.





Fluttershy returned to her home and went inside with Philomena perched on her back. 

"Oh, you poor little thing." She said sympathetically, setting the sick bird on the couch. "How did you ever get in such bad condition? Don't you worry, Philomena. I'll nurse you back to health. As a favor to the princess, who's obviously just far too busy to care for you properly."

Philomena coughed and slumped over, losing several feathers. Fluttershy still looked like she felt bad for the condition Philomena was in.

"I'm sure the princess will appreciate the help." She said as she helped her up and then frowned when the bird slumped over again. "Oh my. We'd better get you to bed right away." 

Fluttershy picks up Philomena and takes her to a small bed that she set up, tucking her into the bed with a thermometer. "There." She said before seeing the red line skyrocket and the bird began sweating a lot. She quickly removed the blanket and placed a cold pack on the bird's head. Moments later, the red line dropped drastically and the bird began shivering violently.

Fluttershy quickly removed the cold pack and tucked the blanket around Philomena, only to have the bird's temperature skyrocket again. She switched between the cold pack and the blanket several times until the end of the thermometer shattered.

"This is far worse than I thought." Fluttershy realized, her concern skyrocketing as well. "What you need is some medicine. Stat!"





Soon, Philomena was sitting on a small chair and coughing weakly as Fluttershy set a plate down with a single pill on it.

"Here you go, Philomena." Fluttershy said. "This will fix you right up." She watched eagerly as Philomena sniffed the pill and then turned around snobbishly, folding her wings at the pill. "Doctor Fluttershy expected that." She remarked, with a smug look on her face, having dealt with stubborn animals before and knew how to deal with her. She grabbed a large bag and dumped a small pile of birdseed on top of the pill, hiding it from view.

Philomena immediately began eating the birdseed, pecking through it like a jackhammer, and soon the birdseed was completely gone.

"Always works." Fluttershy said smugly [towards the audience] before turning back to Philomena. She gasped when she saw that the pill was still on the plate. "Uh… Almost always." 





Taking a different approach, Fluttershy made some soup and offered it to the sick bird after blowing on it a bit to cool it down. 

"There's nothing like homemade soup to cure what ails you." she said, nudging the bowl toward the bird, who sniffed at it and then turned her beck up at it like she did the pill. "Come on now. You're not gonna get better if you don't cooperate." 

She pretended to eat some of the soup. "Mmm… See? It's delicious. Good and good for you." When the bird still refused to eat the soup, she picked it up and began making train sounds. "Here comes the choo-choo train. Chugga-chugga, chugga-chugga, whoo-whoo!"

However, each time she tried to feed the soup to the bird, she turned her head away, and all the way around, multiple times before the rest of her body spun around, back to normal before face-planting in the soup. 

"Oh dear." Fluttershy said as Philomena pulled her head out to look at Fluttershy. "Don't worry, Philomena. I know what'll make you feel better. Wait right here. I have just the thing." Fluttershy trotted off right as Philomena coughed and went back into the soup.





When Fluttershy returned, Philomena was busy eating some seeds that were meant to be for some mice. 

"Look, Philomena." Fluttershy said, showing a green hummingbird that was sitting on her forehoof. "I brought a fellow feathered friend to cheer you up. Hummingway here was sick once too, but he let me help him and got better in no time. Didn't you, boy?" She asked happily.

Hummingway nuzzled against Fluttershy before he hummed. "Mm-hmm!"

"Say hello to your new friend Philomena." Fluttershy said with a smile. Hummingway flew next to Philomena before landing on her back and nuzzling her neck. "Aw, look. I think he likes you." Hummingway flew back to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy vocalized the theme song. Hummingway hummed the same way. She smiled before looking at Philomena. 

"Your turn now, Philomena. Go ahead. You can do it." Fluttershy said. she vocalized them again, before waiting for Philomena. Philomena began making choking sounds before hacking out the mouse seeds she was eating earlier. Fluttershy stumbled and wiped it off. "Oh! Um… good try?"





After cleaning her face, Fluttershy walked into the bathroom where Philomena had a towel around her waist and head. 

"I know what'll clear up that tickle in your throat." She said cheerfully. "A humidifier." She went to the water heater and turned it on… soon steam was coming out and filled the bathroom. She took a deep breath and looked hopefully at Philomena. "Refreshing." she commented. "How's that feeling now for you, Philomena? Better?"

Philomena took a deep breath, which gave Fluttershy a false sense of hope. Philomena then coughed violently, losing several feathers.

"Oh… That's okay." Fluttershy said, gathering up the feathers and tried to think of something else to help the sick bird. "I know lots of other ways to take care of you. Don't worry. You're gonna get better. How about…"



 

Fluttershy had Philomena in a room with a bunch of candles.

“Aromatherapy?” She suggested. Philomena sniffed in some of the smoke, and then let out a sneeze. Seconds later, she lost more feathers. Fluttershy pouted.





She began to fill up a warm bath for the sick bird.

“Warm bath?” Fluttershy asked. Soon, Philomena began soaking up water like a sponge and then lost some more feathers. 

“Ointment?” Fluttershy asked, placing ointment on her head, only for the bird to receive warts, in addition to losing more feathers. 





Fluttershy was now desperate to help Philomena, so she took drastic actions. So much so, that she had a head mirror on.

"Scalpel." She requested. Angel handed her a scalpel, which she used. 

"Surgical tape." She requested and the white bunny handed her the roll of tape. 

"Feathers." She was given the bowl that she'd put the feathers in. While she worked on the bird, Angel wiped the sweat off her forehead, and she was soon done.

Philomena looked up at Fluttershy from the floor, her feathers had been taped back onto her, and she coughed, losing several feathers.

"Oh, Philomena," Fluttershy moaned, disappointed that she couldn't help the sick bird. "I thought it would be easy to nurse you back to health. I've tried everything I know. And look at you. You're worse than ever."

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

“Royal guard! We’re looking for the Princess’s missing bird!” A voice said from the other side. Fluttershy gasped and began to look around. Philomena squawked, but Angel closed her mouth. Fluttershy began to panic before running to open the door. She hugged the forelegs of the stallion on the other side, not realizing it was Bandit.

“I’m so sorry! I meant well I pro-”

“Relax Fluttershy, it’s me. I was just kidding.” Bandit said while chuckling. Fluttershy looked up at him and sighed with relief. “I am here for Philomena though.”

She stood up and led him inside. “I don’t mean to be degrading or anything, but leaving a good impression on my mother and then stealing her pet is definitely not a good look.”

"I couldn't leave the poor thing there." Fluttershy informed her friend. "She needed my help."

“Believe me Fluttershy, no she didn’t.” Bandit said as he held out his hoof. Philomena got out of Angel’s grip and perched on his hoof. “You see, Philomena is a-”

Philomena bit his ear making him recoil. He glared at her.

“You seriously wanna go through with this?” He asked her. She nodded and Bandit rolled his eyes. “Fine. But only because you can make me go deaf.” 

“She can?” Fluttershy asked as she looked at Philomena.

“Well, yes. But that information will come later.” Bandit said as he went to the door. Philomena began coughing again. Fluttershy slid in front of Bandit.

“W-wait, can I at least give her the pill?” Fluttershy asked.

“She won’t eat it, but you’re welcome to try.” Bandit said as he gave Philomena to Fluttershy. Fluttershy went back to the back to try and feed Philomena the pill. At that moment, Swift Bolt and Arctic Flash arrived.

“Your highness, we weren’t expecting to find you but we have some bad news.” Swift Bolt started.

“Your mother’s pet has gone missing.” Arctic Flash finished. Bandit gave them a gesture to relax.

“Tell her it’s a code 602.” Bandit said. Both guards seemed to look confused.

“Code 602?” Arctic Flash asked.

“She’ll know what that means.” Bandit said. They looked at each other, saluted, and flew off. As they flew off, Fluttershy ran in.

“Bandit! Philomena-”

“Ran away when you took your eyes off for one second?” Bandit asked. Fluttershy nodded. “Oh boy that takes me back. Come on, let’s find her.”

Bandit walked out and bumped into Twilight, making her yelp.

“Oh, sorry Twilight. What brings you here?” Bandit asked her. Twilight stood back up to look at him.

“I came to thank Fluttershy for making a good first impression in front of Princess Celestia.” Twilight said. Bandit rubbed the back of his head.

“About that.” Bandit started. 





Twilight ran over to Fluttershy with a panicked expression on her face.

“You took the Princess’s pet?!” She asked her, trying not to be so loud.

“I-”

“And then you lost her?!” She exclaimed.

“I’m sorry, I-”

“We need to find her fast. If Celestia finds out that you took her pet, she might banish you from Equestria. Or throw you in a dungeon. Or banish you and then throw you in a dungeon in the place that she banishes you to!"

"You really think the princess would do that?" Fluttershy asked.

"Okay. Granted that probably won't happen, but do you wanna take any chances?" Twilight asked. “We have to find that bird!”

“There she is.” Bandit pointed out. Philomena was on a bench, saw Bandit see her, and then she bolted. Fluttershy and Twilight zipped off after her, but the bird was fast for its condition. Bandit looked at the time before tapping his chin. He received a call from Celestia.

“Yes mom?......Oh, you said yes?.....They’re here now?.....Right now right now?.....Okay I’m on my way.” Bandit said he spread his wings. He took to the skies. “Yeah, a code 602. Remember when I was 7?”





Back with Twilight and Fluttershy, first, they followed Philomena around a tree only to wind up losing track of the sickly bird. They kept running before stopping and looking to see where she could have run off to. Not knowing that had they looked up, they’d see Philomena running across the branch.

As the guards were seen walking around Ponyville, asking around for the whereabouts of the bird using posters, Philomena was crossing a streamer, out of their sights.

Later, Twilight and Fluttershy came across a bench.  Where a bird in a mustache, reading a newspaper looked at them. They began imitating Philomena. The bird shrugged. Twilight and Fluttershy looked at each other before running off to try and find Philomena, unaware that Philomena was the bird in the mustache.

Philomena ran past the guards from behind, Twilight and Fluttershy snuck past to not be seen. Philomena evaded them when they tried to follow her. They bumped into each other, stunning one another long enough for Philomena to run past.

The guards put up yet another poster, only for Philomena to draw eyebrows and a mustache on it and then take off.





Fluttershy and Twilight were racing side-by-side toward the center of town, still looking for Philomena, before being joined by Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint.

"What are you two doing?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Are you having a race?” Lightning Sprint asked flying upside down. They both then got excited.

“Can we join?” Rainbow Dash asked. Lightning Sprint straightened out.

“OneTwoThreeGO!” She counted before she and Rainbow Dash zipped off.

Twilight and Fluttershy both exchanged looks and kept running toward the fountain, where Rarity, Applejack, Chad, Spike, and Pinkie were hanging out.

Pinkie was eating a cupcake when she was suddenly lifted on the back of Fluttershy, who was searching the ground. 

"Excuse me." Fluttershy said as she looked around.

“Hi!” Pinkie said joyfully. Twilight got to Chad and opened his mouth, looking inside.

“Hi wiligh.” Chad said before his mouth was closed. “What’s wrong?”

Twilight moved over to Rarity, picking her up to check the area.

“Beg your pardon.” She said as she searched.

“Put me down!” Rarity demanded. Twilight placed her down seconds later.

“What’s going on?” Spike asked, a little confused.

"Sorry, but we've gotta find…" Fluttershy began.

"The princess's pet bird!" Arctic Flash called out. Everyone turned their eyes to the top of the fountain. Philomena was sitting on the top of the statue, coughing, and she only had one feather left on her tail.

"Philomena, come down from there! You'll hurt yourself!" Fluttershy called out, very worried. Just then, the last feather fell off. Philomena coughed and dramatically fell onto the head of the statue. She got back up to choke and dramatically fall off.

"I'll catch you!" Fluttershy called out, racing forward as Philomena fell.  She got close enough to dive forward, so she could catch the bird in her hooves when Philomena suddenly burst into flames.

Bandit arrived from the library with Klaw and Fang seconds after the flames turned the bird into ash. Fluttershy gasped as she landed on the ground, catching only warm ashes in her hooves. Her lips began trembling as the ashes fell to the ground in a pile and she began crying and whimpering over her failure to help Philomena.

Swift Bolt and Arctic Flash’s jaws were dropped as Celestia arrived.

"What is going on here?" She asked. The other ponies bowed. “Twilight?” 

Twilight lowered her head as she walked forward. “Yes, your Majesty, there's been a terrible accident.”

Fluttershy then stepped forward.

"It's all my fault.” Fluttershy confessed.

“Flutter-” Bandit tried to say.

“No Bandit. It’s all my fault. I should have taken Philomena back when you came to get her. But instead, I insisted on trying to help her without Celestia’s permission.” Fluttershy then turned to Celestia. “I really was only trying to help the poor little thing. Then I was gonna bring it right back to you, honest. So, if you wanna banish me and then throw me in a dungeon in the place that you banish me to, then that's what I deserve."

Bandit and Celestia looked at one another before nodding. Bandit stepped over to the ashes.

“Okay you little drama queen, you can stop your joke. You had your fun.” Bandit said to the ashes.

“Bandit!” Fluttershy exclaimed, surprised at Bandit’s ‘heartlessness’. She was going to say more, but the ashes began to move. They flew up into the air, creating a small tornado, and the gathered ponies, dragon, and changeling gasped. Staring in awe as the ashes became a beautiful red, orange and yellow bird. Said bird flew onto Bandit’s outstretched hoof. Fluttershy began asking questions.

“I don't understand! What is that thing? What happened to Philomena?” Fluttershy asked.

"This is Philomena." Celestia answered. "She's quite a sight, as I said. But nothing unusual for a phoenix. Isn't that right, Philomena?" “ She asked and Philomena squawked in agreement.

"A… A phoenix?" Fluttershy asked. Like the Tigrischirophido, she didn’t know what that was as she hasn’t heard of that animal before. Philomena nodded at her.

"A phoenix is a majestic and magical bird." Celestia started to explain. Philomena took flight again, flying around to show off. "While it appears healthy and happy most of the time, every so often it must renew itself by shedding all of its feathers and bursting into flame.” 

“Just a bit melodramatic, if you ask me." Bandit said to Fluttershy before Celestia continued explaining. Philomena landed on Celestia’s forehoof this time. 

"It then rises from the ashes, fresh as a daisy. All just a normal part of the life cycle of a phoenix.” Celestia finished.

“She decided to use this occasion to mess with you, the mischievous rascal. She did that exact same thing to me when I was 7, it was horrible. I would’ve told you sooner, but she has the power to make me go deaf. Sorry Fluttershy.” Bandit told her. Celestia looked at Philomena with a slightly stern look.

“Say you’re sorry young lady.” Celestia said to Philomena. Philomena made vocal cues to sound like ‘I’m sorry’ to Fluttershy.

"So… aren't you gonna banish me?" Fluttershy asked as Klaw batted at Philomena’s tail. Philomena looked at Klaw, then Fang, and the spread her wings and flying to them, engaging in play. "Or throw me in a dungeon? Or banish me and then throw me in a dungeon in the place that you banish me to?"

“What is with all of you and thinking that mama’s gonna banish you over something small?” Bandit asked. Twilight grinned at him. He referred to Celestia as mama again. He realized, blushed, and face hoofed before Celestia nuzzled the top of his head.

"I guess I have some imagination." Fluttershy defended Twilight.

"Fluttershy really did do everything she could to try to take care of Philomena for you.” Twilight added to defend Fluttershy just a little bit more.

"And I do appreciate that your heart was in the right place, child." Celestia agreed. "But all you had to do was ask me and I could have told you Philomena was a phoenix and saved you all this trouble. Or asked Bandit, when Philomena isn’t around to deafen him." She nudged Bandit, who nudged her back.

“I know." Fluttershy agreed. "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. Next time I'll ask before taking matters into my own hooves."

“You want me to write this down momma?” Chad asked, appearing on Bandit’s head again.

"No, that's quite all right. I think I can remember." Celestia said. Swift Bolt and Arctic Flash walked over with Philomena’s cage. Klaw and Fang saw the cage and recognized it was time for Philomena to go, so they stopped. Philomena waved with her talon, Klaw waves with his paw as Philomena flew off. Planting a feather in Fluttershy’s mane. She looked up at it and then at Philomena.

"It's beautiful," Fluttershy said delightedly. "Thank you, Philomena. No hard feelings." 

Philomena flew to Bandit and nuzzled under his chin, making him chuckle and pet her wings gently. Lightning Sprint looked at the guards, looked at Philomena, and got an idea. She flew over and whispered in Philomena’s ear.

“Hey, you know what you should do? You should go over there and tickle them.” She said. Philomena looked at Bandit, who both heard the whisper, and nodded.

Philomena flew over to land on top of the cage, spread her wings, and tickled the guards' noses with her feathers. Soon both royal guards were laughing. 

“Yeah! Rainbow, you owe me a milkshake!” Lightning Sprint celebrated. Rainbow dash sighed but then smiled. As everyone shared a laugh, Celestia looked at Bandit.

“Did you get the packages?” Celestia asked.

“Sure did, but I gotta ask, what pets did you get Spike and Chad?” Bandit asked. Celestia looked at Chad on Bandit’s head, soundproof bubbled his head, and then whispered in Bandit’s ear.

“Colossal Mellivora Badger and a Harpy eagle.” She answered. Bandit went wide-eyed as the bubble came off Chad.
> The Cutie Mark Chronicles
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was another lovely day in Ponyville, and out in the forest, Three of the seven Cutie Mark Crusaders had set up a zip-line, and they were getting ready to slid down to the other end, hoping that this would help them get their cutie marks. These three were Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo

Sweetie Belle peered over the edge of the platform they were standing on, wearing helmets and were strapped into harnesses, and she wasn't looking too keen on doing the zip-line. "Are you sure about this, Scootaloo?" she asked uncertainly. "I've never even heard of a pony zip lining before."

"Neither have I." Scootaloo admitted excitedly. "but Chad told me it was awesome!" 

Apple Bloom looked down and saw Chad with a mattress for them in case something went wrong. There was a Colossal Mellivora Badger (a  sabertooth honey badger the size of a border collie) with, a purple left eye and a green right eye, next to him. This is was Ace. He waved at her, she waved back, only for Scootaloo to jump off the platform, dragging her friends with her since they were roped together. They made it halfway down when the rope suddenly stopped in the middle where they got stuck, and the catches had gotten hot enough that they burned through the rope. The three fillies screamed when the rope snapped. They fell into a tree. Chad moved the mattress below the tree, which they landed on, covered in tree sap and leaves.

“Thanks Chad.” Scootaloo said.

“See anything?” Sweetie Belle asked him. Chad looked at her flank and saw it was still blank.

“Tree sap and Pine needles, but no cutie mark.” Chad answered. Apple Bloom looked at his flank.

“You didn’t get your cutie mark in being a safety changeling either.” Apple Bloom said. Chad sighed.

“I wonder how the guys are doing at log sledding.” Sweetie belle said. Spike walked over with the three colts covered in splinters.

“They didn’t do too well.” Spike said. Spike’s harpy eagle, Achilles, was pulling some of the splinters of the colts.

“I take it it’s time for us to go for plan B?” Rumble asked.

“What’s Plan B?” Skeedaddle asked.

“Yes. The cannon idea.” Scootaloo brought up. Chad tapped his chin.

“I wonder if Pinkie has a cannon big enough for the rest of us.” Chad said. The other crusaders, bar Scootaloo, looked a bit shocked. Scootaloo instead took her helmet off and tossed it to the side. Ace walked over to it and batted it around.

"It's no use! No matter what we try, we always end up without our cutie marks." Scootaloo complained.

“And covered in splinters and tree sap.” Rumble said as Achilles pulled out another splinter.

"Maybe we should do something less dangerous, like pillow testing or flower sniffing." Sweetie Belle suggested, taking off the harness. Apple Bloom and Chad brought pails full of water with washrags for everyone to clean themselves off.

“Hey, I got an idea.” Spike suggested as everyone washed themselves off. "This town is full of ponies who have their cutie marks. Why don't we ask them how they did it?" Spike said.

"Spike. You're a genius!" Chad exclaimed as he placed Ace on his back. “We’ll go around and ask how ponies got their cutie marks.” 

“And I know exactly who we can start with.” Scootaloo began as she turned to the group. “The coolest pony in all of ponyville.”

"Applejack!" Apple Bloom suggested. 

"Rarity!" Sweetie Belle said eagerly.

“Bandit!” Chad said.

“Coolest pony Chad. That was the keyword there.” Rumble pointed out. “Also, Bandit doesn’t have a cutie mark.”

“But he hasn’t given up, maybe he could give us some advice on never giving up.” Chad said.

“Come on, guys, I said "cool"!" Scootaloo said as she began flapping her wings so that she buzzed around her friends. "You know who I'm talking about. She's fast. She's tough. She's not afraid of anything!"

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle exchanged a look. "Pinkie Pie?"

"No!" Scootaloo said. "The greatest flyer ever to come out of Cloudsdale."

"Fluttershy?" They both asked. Rumble facehoofed.

“Don’t worry Scootaloo, I know who you mean.” Skeedaddle said.

“You do?” Rumble asked him.

“Of course he does.” Scootaloo smirked.

“Lightning Sprint.” “Rainbow Dash.” The two said at the same time, not on the same page. They quickly glared into one another.

“Both are good ideas.” Chad said before they could start argue. “We could just ask all of them.”

“Or skip straight to Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo suggested.

“We’ll put it to a vote. All those in favor of asking all we know?” Chad asked. Everyone but Scootaloo and Skeedaddle raised their hooves. “Vote tallied, everyone we know it is.”

“I want a recount.” Scootaloo said. Ace growled at her, making her flinch. “On second thought, everyone it is.”





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





Chad was pulling the CMC plus Spike in a wagon that he was hooked to. Achilles was flying near the wagon and Ace was on Chad’s back. They were traveling at a good pace when they almost ran into three rabbits, who were racing away from Sweet Apple Acres with apples clutched in their paws. Chad slid to a stop and the rabbits looked grateful.

"Get back here, you thievin' varmints!" Applejack shouted, leaping out of the bushes. The rabbits ran off. Chad’s shell shook and unhitched his harness to roll out of the way with Ace lifted in his magic so he wouldn’t roll him over, and Spike jumped. Applejack landed crashed into the other crusaders. Applejack grunted and peered at her little sister, who was sprawled on her back.

“Apple Bloom?” She asked. Apple Bloom raised her head and spotted her sister's cutie mark. "Hey sis! How'd you get your cutie mark?" She asked. Chad sent Ace after the apples that the rabbits were stealing. Spike sent Achilles to help him.

"I never told you that story?" Applejack asked as they all got up and dusted themselves off.

“Dang it. I thought we’d get to Lightning Sprint first.” Skeedaddle said as he kicked a little dirt around.

“You’ll get your chance fanboy.” Rumble nudged. The crusaders plus Spike sat down to listen to Applejack’s cutie mark story, and Applejack was more than willing to tell it. 

"Why, shoot. I was just a little filly. Even littler than y'all."





"I didn't want to spend my life on a muddy old apple farm." Young Applejack left the farm with her bag on a stick, and both Granny Smith and Young Big Macintosh watched her leave with tears streaming down their cheeks, sad to see her go. Comforting one another as she continued on her way. "I wanted to live the sophisticated life, like my Aunt n' Uncle Orange. So I set out to try my luck in the big city, Manehattan! The most cosmopolitan city in all of Equestria."

Young Applejack went in search of her aunt and uncle's home and almost ran into a dark grey stallion named Count Caesar, who snapped at her.

"Hey! Outta the way, you rube!" He yelled, making Applejack move out of the way.

"I knew I'd find out who I was meant to be in Manehattan."

Soon young Applejack found the right apartment building and went up to the corrected floor, knocking on a door that had an orange on the front. The door opened and two ponies were on the other side. A marigold colored stallion with a lime green mane and an full orange cutie mark and a light orange mare with an orange mane and orange slices for a cutie mark. "Aunt Orange! Uncle Orange! Thank y'all so much for lettin' me stay!"

Aunt Orange led her further into the building. ""Y'all"." Aunt Orange repeated in a Posh accent, laughing. "Isn't she just the living end?"

Uncle Orange closed the door behind them before also talking in a posh accent.

"How quaint."

"Don't worry," Aunt Orange assured her niece. "We'll have you acting like a true Manehattanite in no time."

After a couple of nights, Young Applejack was seated at a long table with her relatives and their friends, who were chatting and sipping sparkling drinks through straws. She had her mane up in a fancy hairdo and she was doing her best not to sound like she was from the country.

"And how are you finding good old Manehattan?" Tall Order inquired.

"Oh, it's simply divine." Young Applejack answered in a posh accent, doing her best to keep her country accent underwraps.

"Very well said, my dear." said Aunt Orange with approval.

"Although, I must admit the city noise took some getting used to." Young Applejack continued. "Where I'm from, nights are so quiet, you seldom hear a peep until the roosters wake you." She fought back a sigh when she earned confused looks and her aunt pushed some loose strands of hair back into the hairdo.

Dane Tee Dove blinked, confused. "The… what?"

"I say, my dear, what in the world is a "rooster"?" Tall Order inquired.

'What's he talking about?' Young Applejack began to think to herself. 'What do I say? I don't wanna look like a fool.' She was saved from answering when the waiters came in with the food.

"Dinner is served."

"Thank goodness." she said, relieved as a covered plate was placed before her. "Being a city pony's hard work. I'm so hungry I could eat a…" she trailed off when the cover was removed to reveal a very small amount of fancy food. 'This is it?'

The next morning, Young Applejack got up before sunrise and went to the window to watch it rise. "Cock-a-doodle-doo…" she said before resting her chin on her forelegs, feeling very homesick. "Oh, I wonder what Granny Smith and Big Macintosh are up to," she said wistfully. "I bet they're applebuckin' their way through the Red Delicious trees. Oh, what I wouldn't give for just one bite…"

`"I never felt so homesick in all my days as I did right then."` Applejack narrated.

Just then, there was a massive explosion that made Young Applejack look up and her jaw dropped when she saw the most amazing rainbow arch through the sky with lightning Sprouting from it, and she watched as it disappeared in the direction of Ponyville. A wide smile appeared on her face.

`"It was amazin'! A rainbow pointin' right back to… home. In that moment, it all became clear. I knew right then just who I was supposed to be.”’

Young Applejack made her way back to Sweet Apple Acres and ran through the trees to get back to Granny Smith and Big Macintosh, who were happy to see her again. She ran to them and hugged them both happily. During the embrace, her cutie mark appeared on her flank. 





“That's when this here appeared." Applejack said as she smiled at her cutie mark. "I've been happily workin' in the farm ever since.”

Ace walked over with an apple in his mouth and Achilles flew over with 2 apples in his talons. They placed the apples at her feet, and all three had teeth marks and talon holes in them. Applejack cringed slightly at the condition of the apples. She then smiled at the two.

“You know what, keep the apples.” Applejack told the two before heading back to the farm. Ace ate the apple in front of him and Achilles rolled the apples over to him as he perched on Spike’s arm.

"Aw." Sweetie Belle said, having enjoyed the story. "That was such a sweet story!" Apple Bloom nodded in approval

"Sweet? Try sappy," said Scootaloo, mock-gagging and hopping back in the wagon while the others joined her. "Come on! We've got to find Rainbow Dash and hear the cool way to get a cutie mark." 

“If we see her next then we’ll ask her.” Chad said as he placed the harness back on and began pulling the wagon. Ace got on Chad’s back and Achilles flew along side the wagon. 





As the wagon was being pulled, the CMC colts and Spike were talking about the story.

“I do have to wonder what that explosion was.” Pipsqueak said.

“I gotta say, that part explosion sounds a bit familiar.” Chad commented.

“It does?” Spike asked.

“Yeah. I feel like I should recognize it, but-” Chad looked ahead and saw Fluttershy in his way and he slid to a stop, which nearly flipped the wagon and sent the other members of the CMC and Spike over his head and the seven landed before Fluttershy.

“Thanks for the warning Chad.” Spike groaned as he stood back up.

“What do you want from me? I barely saw her.” Chad said as he walked over to help everyone up. As he helped his friends back up, Fluttershy continued to assist the ducklings. 

"All right, little ones." She said to the ducklings. "This way. This way.” The ducklings cross to the otherside, she turned to the six foals plus Nymph and Baby Dragon, who were either helping up or helped up. "You really should be more careful." She advised. "Somepony could get hurt. Why are you in such a hurry anyway?"

"We're trying to find Rainbow-” Scootaloo tried to say before Chad shoved a hoof in her mouth.

“Actually, we’re trying to find Lightning-” Skeedaddle tried to say before Spike closed his mouth with his claw.

“We’re learning how everyone else earned their cutie marks.” Rumble spoke up. 

"Oh, it’s interesting that you bring up those two." Fluttershy remarked, smiling. "You know, I wouldn't have gotten my cutie mark if it weren't for Rainbow Dash."

"Rainbow Dash?!" Scootaloo asked excitedly. "Really?!"

“Oh yes.” Fluttershy said. Scootaloo shot Skeedaddle a sly look before they at sat down to listen to Fluttershy’s story. “It all started at Summer Flight Camp."





”You'd never guess, but when I was little I was very shy. And a very weak flyer." Fluttershy narrated.

“Noooooo.” Rumble sarcastically said before a smack from Apple Bloom made him yelp.

Young Fluttershy watched the other fillies fly through the cloud loops on the course before trying herself. Flapping her wings she struggled to lift herself up and just as she started passing through the nearest loop, her hoof caught on the edge and she went tumbling through the air, down a cloud slope, collided with a flag, and then crashed into a cloud, yelping the whole time.

Young "Dumb-Bell" was flying by when he saw the whole thing and laughed cruelly before landing before her. "Nice going, "Cluttershy"!" he teased. "They oughtta ground you permanently."

Young Hoops joined his friend to mock the young yellow pegasus. "Ha! My baby brother can fly better than you!"

`"It was the most humiliating moment of my life. And then, out of nowhere…"`

Just then, Young Rainbow Dash flew by and landed between Young Fluttershy and the bullies. "Leave her alone!" he snapped.

"Ooh, what are you gonna do, "Rainbow Crash"?" Young Hoops sneered when he saw the young blue pegasus.

"Keep making fun of her and find out!" Young Rainbow Dash challenged.

"You think you're such a big shot?" Young Dumb-bell demanded. "Why don't you prove it?"

Young Rainbow Dash looked forward to any challenge they could suggest. "Whaddya have in mind?" She asked.





After a few moments later, Young Rainbow Dash, Young Dumb-bell, and Young Hoops were waiting at the starting line of the ariel course, preparing to race, and Young Fluttershy was standing on a cloud with the black/white start flag in her mouth.

"You're going down!" Young Hoops sneered.

"In history, maybe," Young Rainbow Dash retorted, smiling. "See you boys at the finish line!"

Young Fluttershy waved the flag and the three racers took off, zooming past her so fast, she spun off the cloud and plunged toward the ground far below.

Young Fluttershy screamed as she continued fall, unable to get her wings to work, and the ground was growing closer and closer and-

Suddenly, she was no longer falling and she blinked. "Huh?" She then realized that she was being carried by a large flock of colorful butterflies, which she had only read about in books, and how she was seeing them for the first time. She was further amazed as they deposited her in the middle of a meadow, and she was greeted by various other animals, insects, and even frogs.

`"I had never seen such beautiful creatures. Butterflies don't fly as high as my cloud home. And I'd never been near the ground before."`

Amazed by the animals, Young Fluttershy rose into the air and began to sing as she explored the meadow and the nearby forest while the animals followed her around. 

“What is this place
Filled with so many wonders?
Casting its spell
That I am now under
Squirrels in the trees
And the cute little bunnies
Birds flying free
And bees with their honey
Hooooonneeeeeeey!
Oooh, what a magical place
And I owe it all to the Pegasus race
If I knew the ground had so much up its sleeve 
I'd have come here sooner, and never leave
Yes, I love ev-er-ythiiiiing!"

Just as Young Fluttershy finished singing, there was a massive explosion, and the sky was filled with a rainbow-colored shockwave and lightning coming out of the shockwave. This scared the animals and they scattered, fleeing back to their homes and other hiding places. Concerned for the well-being of the creatures, she went to some bushes, where she found a family of rabbits hiding.

"Shhh. It's okay." Young Fluttershy reassured them, convincing them to come back out. "You can come out. Everything's okay. There's nothing to be afraid of." She then went around, convincing all of the creatures to come out of hiding, and soon enough, they were gathered around her. Seconds later, her cutie mark appeared on her flanks.

`"Somehow I had the ability to communicate with the animals on a different level."`





"Wait, wait, wait." Scootaloo interrupted, trying to make sense of how the story went from the race to creatures and singing. "What happened to Rainbow Dash? What about the race?" she asked.

Fluttershy blinked a few times. "Oh. Well, I wasn't there, so I don't really know what happened." She confessed.

“Thanks for your story Fluttershy.” Pipsqueak said as he got back in the wagon. Chad was still tapping his chin before feeling the wagon get heavy again. He was trying to piece this together.

“Where to next Chad?” Apple Bloom asked. He didn’t answer so Ace patted his head to get his attention. Chad looked back at them. “Where are we going next?” 

Chad pulled out a deck of cards and shuffled them he presented the deck to Apple Bloom.

“Pick a card Apple Bloom.” He said. Apple Bloom picked one up and looked at it.

“Six of blue diamonds?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Rarity.” Chad said as he began pulling the wagon.

“Yes!” Spike exclaimed happily as Chad began to pull off. Scootaloo and Skeedaddle groaned as Chad pulled the wagon. 

“Bye Fluttershy!” Sweetie Belle said as she waved to her.

"Bye, girls!" Fluttershy waved.





Chad pulled the wagon to the boutique and knocked on the door. As they waited, they began talking again. Chad ‘parked’ his wagon and unharnessed himself as the others got off.

“So after we hear everything, what should we do for our cutie marks?” Apple Bloom asked.

“We could try filmmaking. Or book writing.” Chad said.

“We should totally try filmmaking.” Sweetie Belle said. Then the crusaders got to thinking.

“What should the movie be about?” Skeedaddle asked. Before they could answer, Rarity opened the door, having heard them talk as she opened the door.

“Are you all still obsessing over your cutie marks?” Rarity asked as she opened the door.

“Yes. Yes we are.” Chad answered. Rarity opened the door and let them in. 

"Most of the fillies at school already have theirs.” Sweetie Belle said as she walked in.

“Foals. Colts are in that class too.” Skeedaddle pointed out. Sweetie Belle looked at him unamused.

“Most of the foals at school already have theirs.” She emphasised that time.

"Mmm, I know how you feel." Rarity remarked, recalling the events that lead to her getting her own cutie mark and setting her on the path to be an fashion designer. As she did, Opal began stalking Achilles and then pounced for him. He flew out of the way and avoided her before the two began playing. "For the longest time I couldn't figure out why I didn't have mine."





On a stage not far from the school, music was playing, and three fillies were wearing costumes and dancing on the stage. Off to the side, Young Rarity and the teacher were watching the performance.

"Well done, Rarity." Rarity’s teacher said. "Your costumes are very nice."

"Nice?!" Young Rarity repeated, alarmed. "They need to be spectacular! And the performance is tomorrow!"

“I tried every trick I could think of, but nothing seemed to work. The costumes just weren't right. And the play opened that night." Rarity narrated.

“Nice rhyme.” Spike was heard saying.

“Quiet Spike.” The female Crusaders said.

Young Rarity sat at the sewing machine, trying to improve the costumes, but she couldn't figure out how, and she sighed in defeat. "Maybe I'm not meant to be a fashionista after all.” She said with her held down. Then her horn lit up, causing her to yelp when the magic dragged her out of the room. "What's going on?!"

"I had no idea where my horn was taking me. But unicorn magic doesn't happen without a reason. I knew this had to do with my love of fashion and maybe even my cutie mark!" Rarity continued to narrate.

Young Rarity grunted as she was dragged through the countryside and yelped in pain when she collided with something large.

“I knew that this was… My destiny!” Rarity added. Young Rarity recovered, rubbing her sore head, she looked up and saw that there was a large black rock towering over her. 

"A rock?!" Young Rarity shrieked. "That's my destiny?! What is your problem, horn? I followed you all the way out here for a rock?!" She groaned in frustration. "Dumb rock!"

Young Rarity heard a massive sonic boom, making her stumble back, and she stared at the massive rainbow shockwave that shot through the sky. A lightning bolt came out of the rainbow hue and struck the rock, cracking it open and revealing the inside. Inside, there were gems of all shape, size, and color. "Ooh!" 





That night at the play, the music played and the three fillies dances in their gem-studded costumes. Off-stage, Young Rarity and the teacher watched as the ponies awed, and then Young Rarity blinked when her cutie mark appeared on her flank. 





"Ugh!" Scootaloo groaned, standing back up. "These namby-pamby stories aren't getting us any closer to our cutie marks! They're all about finding who you really are and boring stuff like that."

“That’s….that’s the point of a cutie mark.” Chad said as he turned to her.

“Come on everyone. We need action! We need Lightning Sprint!" Skeedaddle said as he ran out. 

“No! We need Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo argued as she ran out. Chad groaned before looking at Achilles, pinned by Opal, trying to ‘fight’ her off.

“Achilles, it’s time to go.” Chad said. Achilles got onto his talons and flew over to Spike’s arm and perched again. Chad carried Ace on his back again as he walked outside.





Skeedaddle and Scootaloo face planted onto the table in front of them, having run into Twilight before getting to Rainbow Dash or Lightning Sprint. Skeedaddle flopped his hood onto his head as Twilight spoke.

“As a young filly in Canterlot, I always wanted to go to the Summer Sun Celebration, where Princess Celestia raises the sun.” Twilight began to narrate.





“And I saw the most amazing, most wonderful thing I've ever seen.” Twilight Narrated. It was an early morning at the Summer Sun Celebration, the sun was only a few minutes away from being risen. Trumpet fanfare announced the arrival of Celestia. Young Twilight carefully pushed her way through the crowd in order to get a good view.

Soon the tall and graceful Alicorn arrived, folding her wings to reveal her sun cutie mark, and Princess Celestia smiled at the crowd before rising back into the sky and used her golden magic to raise the sun. The crowd cheered and Twilight was excited since that was the most wonderful display of magic she’d ever seen.





"I poured myself into learning everything I could about magic." 

Young Twilight concentrated hard, managing to turn the page of her book with her magic. 

"My parents decided to enroll me in Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. It was a dream come true!” Night Light and Twilight Velvet showed an approved certificate to Young Twilight, which made her dance in celebration. “Except for one thing... I had to pass an entrance exam!"

Young Twilight stood before four unicorns. Apple Polish, Crystal Clear, Arpeggio, and Top Marks. She looked back at her parents, who gave her the gesture to smile. She smiled back at the unicorns, still nervous. A stallion wheeled in a wooden cart bearing a lavender egg with dark purple spots, and a sign attached to the side of the cart. She looked at the sign and saw that she was tasked with hatching the egg.

“I got so nervous that I cowered behind my parents.” Twilight narrated. Young Twilight ran back to her parents and hid behind them. At that moment, Celestia walked in. She enters the room and four unicorn ponies with clipboards bowed to her.

“Greetings everypony.” Celestia said. Twilight looked up and saw Celestia in the middle of the room. Twilight Velvet looked back at Young Twilight and gestured to have her go talk to her. Hoping that would help her with her nervousness. 

“Celestia came to witness my entrance exam and I went to tell her how nervous I was. She encouraged me to try my best. Then, I met Bandit.” Twilight narrated.

After finishing talking to Celestia, Young Bandit leaned out from under Celestia’s legs and waved at her, She smiled and waved back. She placed her hoof behind Young Bandit and pushed him forward.

“Bandit and I only met each other for 3 minutes, but he encouraged me and believed in me or than I did in myself.” Twilight narrated. Young Twilight, now filled with a little more confidence as she looked at the egg.

“You can do it Twilight!” Young Bandit silently encouraged. Young Twilight gave it her best, but it her horn barely even lit up. Nothing happened. She tried again, only for the same thing to happen. She began to get nervous. She kept trying, straining as she did so. Although this had no effect, Young Bandit was encouraging her.

“Come on Twilight, you can do it.” He encouraged.

“No matter how hard I tried, no matter how much Bandit encouraged me, nothing I tried worked. My entire future depended on the outcome of this day. But I couldn’t do it.” 

Young Twilight then hung her head in shame. She looked up and saw that Young Bandit wasn’t facing her. She sighed and turned back to the four unicorns. This is when a loud sonic boom was heard. Young Twilight gasped and her horn lit up. She shot a beam of magic at the dragon egg.

Both eggs hatched at the same moment, revealing a lavender dragon with a light green underbelly and green spikes, and a changeling nymph with purple eyes and white iriuses.

Then Young Twilight’s magic went haywire. Her magic made the four unicorns levitate, turning her parents into plants and turning Spike into a gigantic dragon.

Celestia places a hoof on Young Twilight, which managed to calm her down. The judges were dropped and landed on Young Bandit’s magic, who did so to let them have a soft landing. Twilight’s parents turned back to normal, and Spike turned back into a baby and began to suck on his tail. Chad crawled to Young Bandit’s chest and fell asleep. Young Bandit held him with an excited smile.

"Momma! Did you see that?! Did you see it?" Young Bandit asked her with excited hops.

“Sounds like Bandit was more excited about your accomplishment than you were.” Chad was heard saying.

“For a moment he was.” Twilight narrated.

“Does this mean she can get into the school?” Bandit asked with a tail wag.

"That's not the only thing she's got" She pointed toward the young unicorn's flank.

Twilight gasped and looked seeing her own cutie mark "Oh my gosh oh my gosh Oh my gosh I've got my cutie mark. Mom! Dad! Look!"





“So not only did I get a cutie mark, and became Celestia’s protege on the same day, but I got my very own BGCFF.” Twilight said. The crusaders, minus Chad and Spike looked confused.

“Best Giant Changeling Friend Forever.” Chad clarified.

“Ooooooooh.” The group said.

“Something about all these stories feels familiar.” Chad said, tapping his chin.

“That was a nice story Twilight, but we gotta go find Lightning Spri-, I mean, we gotta hear the other stories.” Skeedaddle said. Twilight smiled and nodded her head.

“Okay, be safe. And Good Luck.” She told them. Chad walked off harness himself onto the wagon.





Chad was pulling the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike through the town again, and Scootaloo was becoming frustrated. As was Skeedaddle, who was looking annoyed with folded hooves.

"Ugh!" she groaned. "Why don't we ever smash into Rainbow Dash?!"

“Or Lightning Sprint.” Skeedaddle commented.

“You know, I read somewhere that the more you try to make something happen, the harder it is to happen.” Spike told the two.

“That explains your Rarity situation.” Chad muttered.

“What!?” Spike exclaimed.

“Nothing.” Chad said as he and Rumble snickered. Spike glared at him.

"You're looking for Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint?" Pinkie asked from her seat behind Spike, and seven in the cart were startled since she hadn't been there a second ago. "If I were them, I'd be at Sugarcube Corner. Of course, if I was anyone, I'd be at Sugarcube Corner. Hey! I have an idea! Wanna go to Sugarcube Corner?" She suggested brightly, leaning back and almost falling off the wagon. Spike grabbed her to keep her from falling.

"Well, we're sort of looking for Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint, so we can hear how she got her cutie mark," Sweetie Belle informed her.

Pinkie considered this. "Cutie mark?" she repeated and then smiled brightly. "Come with me and I'll tell you how I got mine!"

Scootaloo sighed, having already heard stories from Four of the Seven with Cutie Marks. "Why not?"

“How did you earn your cutie mark?” Skeedaddle asked defeated.

"All right!" Pinkie squealed.





"My sisters and I were raised on a rock farm outside of Ponyville. We spent our days working the fields. There was no talking. There was no smiling."` Young Pinkie Pie, whose mane and tail were straight instead of curly, sighed as she rolled a rock across the ground until she could add it to one of the piles. While her parents and sisters went inside, she looked toward the sky wistfully. `"There were only rocks. We were in the south field, preparing to rotate the rocks to the east field when all of a sudden…" Pinkie narrated.

Young Pinkie Pie jumped when there was a loud explosion and a rainbow shockwave shot through the sky, creating a serious wind that left her mane and tail all curly and tangled. She then saw a rainbow that was left behind and she smiled widely for the first time, happy by the beautiful sight.

`"I'd never felt joy like that before! It felt so good I just wanted to keep smiling forever! And I wanted everyone I knew to smile too, but rainbows don't come along that often. I wondered, how else could I create some smiles?"`

Getting an idea, Young Pinkie Pie ran to the barn and went to work.

The next morning, a rooster crowed and her family came out of the house to go to work, unaware of what was happening in the barn.

"We better harvest the rocks from the south field.” Igneous Rock Pie said before he stopped hearing music come from the barn.

"Pinkamena Diane Pie!" Cloudy Quartz called. "Is that you?"

Young Pinkie Pie poked her head out of the barn, letting out a ballon and some confetti. "Mom! I need you and dad and the sisters to come in. Quick!" And she duck back inside.

The Pie family entered the barn and their jaws dropped when they saw the decorations, the cake, and listened to the happy music that was being played.

"Surprise!" Young Pinkie Pie said happily. "You like it? It's called… a party!" and she blew on a party tweeter. When her family didn't react, except for their mouths to start trembling, she became sad, positive that they didn't like her party. "Oh. You don't like it." Her sad face turned into a happy face and she gasped when her family all smiled brightly. "You like it! I'm so happy!" And they danced and had fun for the entirety of the part.





Chad parked the wagon in front of Sugar Cube Corner.

"And that's how Equestria was made!" Pinkie Pie concluded, confusion most of the group.

"Wha… huh?" Scootaloo asked.

“Oh look at that we’re here. Let’s head inside.” Skeedaddle said as he tried to get out of the wagon, only to face plant. Rumble laughed at him as Pipsqueak helped him up.

Pinkie hopped out of the cart and headed for the door. "Maybe on the way home I can tell you the story of how I got my cutie mark," she said cheerfully. "It's a gem!"

"Oh, come on," Sweetie Belle said while Scootaloo was still looking a bit confused. "She's just being Pinkie Pie." 





Skeedaddle went inside and was soon followed by the others. As they walked in. They saw Seven Members of the Mane 8. The only one who wasn’t there was Lightning Sprint. And as a result, Skeedaddle pouted again, but Scootaloo was thrilled to see Rainbow Dash at the counter.

"Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo exclaimed when she saw the blue pegasus, and she was relieved to see her. "You're here!"

Beaming, Rainbow Dash walked over to the three fillies. "I hear you're looking for my cutie mark story," she remarked.

Scootaloo sighed and nodded. "You have no idea what I've been through today to hear that story." She admitted, sitting down on the rug, looking forward to hearing about the pegasus race. But Rainbow Dash looked at Skeedaddle.

“Hey, what’s the matter champ?” Rainbow Dash asked. Skeedaddle sighed.

“I just wanted to hear Lightning’s story on how she got her cutie mark.” He told her. Lightning arrived at that moment before smirking and standing behind him, giving the shush signal to Rainbow Dash, who smirked and looked at Skeedaddle.

“What if I told you she’s the reason I got my cutie mark in the first place?” Rainbow Dash asked. THat got his attention. He looked up at her.

“She was?” He asked, now willing to hear the story.

"It all happened during the race at Flight Camp…" Rainbow Dash began, recalling the race.





"…where I stood alone against all odds to defend Fluttershy's honor."

Young Rainbow Dash, Young Dumb-bell, and Young Hoops were waiting at the starting line of the ariel course, preparing to race, and Young Fluttershy was standing on a cloud with the black/white start flag in her mouth.

"You're going down!" Young Hoops sneered.

"In history, maybe," Young Rainbow Dash retorted, smiling. "See you boys at the finish line!"

Young Fluttershy waved the flag and the three racers took off, zooming past her so fast, she spun off the cloud and plunged toward the ground far below.

"I've never flown like that before! That freedom was unlike anything I've ever felt! The speed, the adrenaline, the wind in my mane… I liked it… a lot! That was until…." Rainbow Dash narrated.

Young Rainbow Dash flew through the course, having the time of her life while Young Dumb-bell ended up crashing into a cloud, and she was going faster then ever before when she was suddenly knocked off course by Young Hoops. "Ow!"

"Ha!" Young Hoops laughed. "Later, Rainbow Crash!" He shot through the course. 





“That jerk knocked me out of the race, and he was way too far ahead for me to catch up.” Rainbow Dash told the group.

“How did you catch up?” Scootaloo asked.

“A certain someone gave her a helping hoof.” Lightning Sprint said from behind the group. Skeedaddle snapped around happily and hugged her. She hugged back.

“So when Rainbow Dash landed on my cloud, I knew it was because of a cheap move.”





Young Rainbow Dash landed on the cloud of Young Lightning Sprint, who gasped and looked at her.

“Are you okay?” She asked. Young Rainbow Dash got up and looked at the course.

“Those jerks knocked out of the race!” Young Rainbow Dash exclaimed. Young Lightning Sprint looked at the culprit and glared.

“Not yet they didn’t, come on!” Young Lightning Sprint encouraged as she began flying.

“There’s no way I’ll catch up now!” Rainbow Dash said as she followed Lightning Sprint.

"Hey! You can do anything you set your mind to!" Young Lightning Sprint continued motivating. "Hey, I'll race with you. Come on!"

The two of them took off at very high speeds to catch up, They were right behind Young Hoops during the dive and were gradually picking up speed.

“Rainbow and I discovered what we had in common that day. The only thing we loved more than flying fast-.” Lightning Sprint narrated.

“Was winning.” Rainbow Dash added. 

The two fillies bolted forward, an explosion of Rainbow and Lightning charging it. Several pegasi were watching in absolute awe as the sky filled with Rainbows and the Lightning omitting from it. As the two pegasi were flying, the two of them earned their cutie marks.

“A sonic Rainboom was already rare.” Rainbow Dash said.

“A hypersonic Lighting Strike was even more so. Ponies didn’t even believe that either existed.” Lightning Sprint added.

“But together, the two of us made the impossible happen.” They both said.





"And that, little ones, is how you earn a cutie mark," Rainbow Dash concluded proudly, folding her wings so that they could see her cutie mark.

"Whooooaaaa…” The CMC and Spike, bar Chad said. Some gears got to turning in his head before it finally clicked.

“Wait. I see the connection now.” Chad said, getting everyone’s attention.

“Connection?” Bandit asked.

“Fluttershy heard the explosion that scared the animals. Pinkie heard it before seeing the rainbow that taught her to smile, A lightning bolt shattered the rock revealing the gems for Rarity, a rainbow pointed Applejack home, and Twilight’s exam would have been botched if that explosion didn’t awaken the power she truly had.” Chad said. Rainbow Dash squinted.

“What are you getting at?” She asked.

“I think he’s saying that if it weren’t for the two of you, none of the group would have their cutie marks. We have a special connection with one another before we even met.” Bandit said as he walked over with Klaw and Fang sitting on his hoof as if he was perched.

Pinkie slid in front of the two of them.

"We all owe our cutie marks to you!" Pinkie Pie squealed, hugging the two. Lightning Sprint looked at Bandit.

“Well, almost everyone.” She said. Applejack bonked her in the head. Bandit smiled and walked over.

“Meh, I don’t need a cutie mark to know I got some fantastic friends. Come here you!” Bandit said as he hugged the seven. They all giggled as they were picked up.

Chad walked over to Bandit and tapped him. Bandit placed the others down and looked at Chad.

“So what did you-” Ace walked over and cuddled under Chad. “Dang it Ace, I was talking.” 

Ace curled under Chad and sat there. Chad looked back at Bandit.

“What did you do when the Hypersonic Rainboom went off?” Chad asked. Bandit smirked and winked at Chad.

“Never stopped trying. Even if my attempts are a bit more subtle nowadays.” He noogied him. Chad smiled and looked back at the CMC, where Scootaloo was hugged against her will by Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.





Back at the library, Chad was writing the letter as Twilight spoke.

"Dear Princess Celestia,Today I learned something amazing. Everypony everywhere has a special magical connection with her friends, maybe even before she's met them. If you're feeling lonely and you're still searching for your true friends, just look up in the sky. Who knows? Maybe you and your future best friends are all looking at the same rainbow." Twilight wrote.

"Gross!" Spike complained, staring at her with a disgusted expression. "When did you get so cheesy?"

“Oh, that was cheesy huh? How about I recite your pickup lines you were practicing in the bathroom.” Bandit teased from behind. Spike gasped and turned to him and jumped to close his mouth.

“Nono Please! I’m sorry!” Spike panicked. Bandit smirked and held him in one hoof.

“Relax Spikester, I was kidding.” He began to noogie him. Spike sighed from relief, laughing at the noogies.
> Not-so Happy Flappers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a beautiful night sky overlooking Equestria. In the clear sky, Chad was flying through the night. Soaring across the sky with his wings flapping in the wind before going for a dive. Breaking through the clouds and then gliding over the waters down below. Sticking his hoof in the water as he glided above it. He looked up in the sky and swooped up into the sky. Flying straight up, the wind in his mane, the chilling feeling in his hoodie as he flew upwards towards the stratosphere, his eyes closed to savior this moment. He was so excited in his flight that he felt as if he no longer felt his wings.

He felt as if he no longer felt his wings.

He opened his eyes and looked at his back and saw that his wings were no longer on his back. He screamed in terror, having  his wings turned to dust. He began to fall down. He turned himself around and quickly tried to grab onto a cloud, only for his body to go straight through the cloud. He tried to use his magic, only for his horn to disappear next. He looked down and he saw how fast he was approaching the ground, despite having been flying over water. Right before he could collide with the ground;

Chad jolted nearly out of his bed as the near collision with the ground woke him right up. He looked around and looked at Ace, who was still asleep. He flopped back into his bed.

“Stupid fake fall wake up.” Chad said as he threw his pillow onto his own face in frustration.





My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?





A few hours went by and Chad was sitting on a cloud next to Bandit, who was using magic to pull a cloud into a position. They were currently over Sweet Apple Acres, with Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh below. 

“You ready Chad?” Bandit asked. Chad looked at his wings and looked down below. Apple Bloom waved at him. He waved back before looking back at the cloud.

“I’m ready.” Chad answered. Bandit spread his wings, took a brief running start and jumped off the cloud with his wings spread allowing him to glide to the next cloud and land on it. He turned around and looked at Chad.

“Okay Chad, now you.” Bandit said. Chad wiggled and ran to the edge, jumping and spreading his wings to glide to the other cloud. He was able to get to the other side with no trouble whatsoever. He landed and looked at Bandit.

“Easy enough right?” He asked.

“Well we’ve been performing the glide practice since I grew wings. I got good at it.” Chad said as he fluttered his wings, then he looked down. “There’s a few bits by that tree.”

“We’ll grab them later, let’s glide to the next cloud.” Bandit said as he got ready.

“Are we only gonna be gliding today?” Chad asked, making Bandit stop.

“Well if you can land on three clouds without struggling, we’ll go straight to the flapping stage once we get to the ground instead of fall stopping. Sound like a plan?” Bandit asked as he fluttered his wings. Chad scrapped his hoof and took a running start, jumping into a glide. Bandit quickly flew over him to get to the cloud. Chad was able to land onto the cloud with no issues.

“Okay, that’s good. But next time, wait for me to get to the other cloud.” Bandit told him.

“Okay.” Chad said, his tail wagging with excitement.





After a couple of extra cloud gliding, the two brothers glided down to the field, landing without a struggle. Big Macintosh walked over to them with cider and Apple Bloom walked over with apple juice.

“Thanks for letting us use the field here at Sweet Apple Acres Big Mac.” Bandit said.

“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh said as he gave Bandit the Cider, which he drank.

“Thanks Big Mac.”

“Eeyup.”

“You’re a natural at Gliding Chad. You’ll be flying in no time.” Apple Bloom encouraged as she gave Chad the Apple Juice to him.

“I hope so. Bandit said we’ll practice flapping after the break.” Chad said as he drank the juice he was given. After he was finished, Apple Bloom spoke up again.

“You want to get Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint to help also?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Afraid they won’t be much help. Changeling wings are different from a pegasi’s wings.” Chad said as he placed the juice box in his hoodie. Bandit gave Big Macintosh back his cider cup.

“You ready Chad?” Bandit asked. Chad gave a playful and encouraged salute. Bandit began to flap his wings to hover. “Okay, now you.”

Chad nodded and began to flap his wings as fast as he could, even matching the speed that Bandit was flapping them. Unfortunately, he got nothing more than his wings bringing him to his tip toes.

“Come on Chad, you can do it.” Apple Bloom encouraged him. Chad gave it his all, but he got tired and went back onto his hooves, panting.

“I don’t get it. Are my wings not strong enough?” Chad asked as he looked at his wings.

“That could be the case, but getting the wings stronger won’t help right away.” Bandit said as he lowered himself to the ground.

“It won’t?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Well, our wings aren’t like a pegasi’s where the stronger the wings to quicker you can come off the ground. The stronger our wings are, the stronger we have to be to flap them.” Bandit explained to them. Chad looked at his wings.

“The outside force controlling what I can and can’t do has a cruel sense of humor.” Chad said as he hung his head in shame.

“Don’t ask.” Bandit said to Big Macintosh.

“Eenope.” Big Macintosh responded. Bandit turned back to Chad.

“You’ll fly with your wings eventually. The words I speak give you no lies, you’ll see the truth before your eyes.” Bandit told him before reciting the promise in his head. “That does fit the situation more.” Chad looked at him.

“You know, when you promise I’ll do something ‘eventually’, that kinda makes it impossible for that promise to be broken.” Chad told him.

“What do I say about promises?” Bandit asked him.

“Don’t make one’s you can’t keep.” Chad responded, Bandit ruffled his mane.

“Exactly. Come on, let’s head back home. We did enough practice for today.” Bandit said as he placed him on his back. He looked back at Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom and waved at them. They waved back as he walked back to the library.





As Bandit came back home, Chad went downstairs to he and Spike’s room, where he was watching a movie. He didn’t hear Chad come in, so Chad got into stalking mode.

“It's his M.O., isn't it? I mean, what are we, a team? No, no, no. We're a chemical mixture that makes chaos. We're... we're a megaspell.” One of the characters said. Achilles was perched next to Spike, watching the movie as well. Chad moved closer and closer.

“You need to step away.” A different voice asked.

“Why shouldn't the guy let off a little steam?” Another voice asked. Chad got close enough to bite Spike’s tail and gave him a surprise nip, making him jump in surprise and turn around.

“Surprise!” Chad told him. Spike growled.

“Spike Smash!” Spike exclaimed as he tackled him. The two landed on the remote, changing the channel to a nature channel, where a hieracosphinx was soaring in the sky on screen.

“As the hieracosphinx soars the skies, one can’t help but marvel at this magnificent creature’s ability of flight.” The nature commentator said, getting Chad’s attention.

“Whoa.” Chad said as he looked at the tv. Spike tried to push Chad off while he was distracted, but Chad learned from last time and forced him down via hoof to the forehead as he looked at the tv. Spike tried to move his hoof.

“As a mighty and strong creature, the ability to fly is not lost on one.” The nature commentator said as Chad got off and walked towards the tv. Spike sat up and looked at the tv as well.

“I take it flight lessons didn’t go well today?” Spike asked. Chad shook his head as he sat in front of the tv to watch the flying of the creature on the screen.

“So, what went wrong this time?” Spike asked as he grabbed the remote.

“Same thing that always happens, my wings aren’t strong enough to take my body off the ground.” Chad answered. Spike offered to change the channel, via shaking the remote as Ace walked over and hopped in Chad’s hoodie. Chad nodded his head to agree.

“Why don’t you start working out your wings?” Spike asked as he started flipping through channels.

“Well if I do that then my wings are gonna be too heavy to flutter fast enough to get off the ground, which means I’ll have to get stronger at flapping them, which adds more weight so I can’t get off the ground.” Chad explained.

“Sounds like you’ve got it rough.” Spike said as he kept flipping.

“Sounds more like lazy writing.” Chad said as he seeming glared to the side.

“There has to be something you can do to-” Spike let out a scream as a horror movie came on, causing Chad to take the remote and change the channel. Spike calmed down and continued what he was saying. “There has to be something you can do to start flying.”

“I could keep flipping through the channels until I come across something that will inspire me to try something that could work.” Chad said as he kept going through the channels. However, all that he saw was a bunch of different channels that showed flight in one way or another. This was beginning to discourage him.

“Lunch is ready!” Bandit was heard calling. Chad took Ace out of his hoodie and was about to walk back upstairs, but then Bandit spoke up again. “We’re having Neighponese Dumplings.”

Chad was gonna start running, but Spike shoved him aside to barrel past him, only for Chad to drag his tail back with his magic so he could run forward, only to be grabbed by the leg.





Lunch was over after a few minutes and Bandit placed a basket of left over dumplings in a refrigerator. He turned to go to his bed, but Klaw and Fang were in front of him, in begging position for two more dumplings. Bandit opened the fridge and gave both heads a dumpling before closing the door. He went back to his room only to see Chad rummaging through his stuff.

“Chad?” Bandit called, making Chad flinch and hit his head on Bandit’s bed. Chad turned to look at him.

“Oh, hey Bandit.” Chad said as he started putting his stuff back.

“What are you doing?” Bandit asked as he walked over. 

“I was looking any pictures of you flying, so I could at least see how you did it before I decide to give up.” Chad said as he looked at his stuff again.

“For the day?” Bandit asked.

“Forever.”

“Whoa! Forever? Don’t you think that’s a little extreme?” Bandit asked him.

“What’s extreme is that I’m as old as I am right now and I still can’t fly. I should be able to keep my hooves from touching the ground, but it’s like my hooves don’t wanna go anywhere but the ground. Maybe I’m just meant to be confined to the ground.” Chad said in a glum manner.

“Come on Chad, I know trying to fly is hard, but you shouldn’t just give up.” Bandit pointed out. “If you give up, you’re gonna contribute to me breaking a Chadwick’s promise. And we both know how much we hate that.” Bandit told him. Chad’s face didn’t change a bit. Bandit sighed and sat down. He began to tap his chin and then he got an idea.

“Hmm, how about I tell you how I learned how to fly? Will that give you some hope?” Bandit asked. Chad gave it some thought, nodded and sat on Bandit’s bed. Bandit walked over and sat in front of him as he began to remember his past.

“I was only 5 years old when my wings grew big enough to support my bodyweight, and my carapace grew in too. Ironically this was on the 1,095th anniversary of momma raising the son.”





(14 years earlier)

Celestia walked into the throne room, her crown and peytral seemingly missing as she wasn’t wearing them but instead, she was looking for them.

“I heard that it was momma’s suniversary on the same day my carapace grew in, and my wings grew bigger, I decided to surprise her with both.” Bandit narrated.

A maid ran into the room in seemingly a panic.

“Your highness! He has escaped from his room overnight again!” She exclaimed. Celestia turned to look at her.

“Did you check the kitchen this time?” Celestia asked.

“The cherry products haven’t been touched, he’s not there.” The maid told her. Celestia’s peytral and crown were sliding behind her with a paper crown above them. Celestia heard the sliding and turned to look at the moving jewelry, she giggled and turned to the maid.

“Found him.” Celestia said as she walked over to the moving jewelry. She sat in front of Bandit. Bandit sat down and began to levitate the paper crown off of the crown and peytral.

“Happy suniversary momma!” Bandit told her. Celestia gasped as she saw the heart on the crown that said ‘Best Mom’.



“You made this?” Celestia asked.

“Uh huh! Blep!” Bandit said as he blepped. Celestia smiled and blepped back. As she moved the crown to place on her head, the 2 seconds her vision was blocked by the crown, Bandit’s wings were sprouted to the side, showing her how big his wings got. Celestia gasped. Before prancing around, picking him up and spinning around with him.

“Momma was so excited that my wings are big enough that she began teaching me how to fly 10 minutes later.” Bandit narrated.

“Let me guess, you couldn’t get off the ground either?” Chad asked. Bandit let out a nervous chuckle.

“Well, I could get off the ground, but there was one problem.” Bandit narrated.

Celestia flapped her wings as a demonstration.

“All you have to do is flap and lift.” Celestia instructed. Bandit nodded before taking position. He flapped his wings and wound up colliding with the roof at such an alarming speed, due to the strength of his wings giving him zero control of direction. He fell back down to Celestia’s hooves, who looked at him worried.

Bandit shook his head before smiling at Celestia.

“I could get off the ground just fine, but no matter how hard I tried, the only two directions I could ever go were up and down.” Bandit narrated 

Bandit was on the balcony outside his room and tried to fly out the window, but like last time, he went straight up. He wound up stuck in a cloud. He was flailing to get out of the cloud. A royal guard pegasus with a red coat and blue eyes flew over and pulled him out the cloud.





Later that same day, Bandit found himself alone and tried again to fly forward. He went straight up and wound up clinging to a chandelier above. The same royal guard came and pulled him down.

“I tried everything in my power to use my wings correctly, and practiced at every turn.” Bandit continued. 

Bandit was about walking out his room, only to see that royal guard, who was just clocking out of his shift, look at him slightly worried and disapproving. Bandit smiled sheepishly and went back inside.

“Well, almost every turn.”

The next morning, Bandit was woken up by Celestia. It was still dark out.

“Every morning, momma would wake me up so that the two of us could practice before she raised the sun.”

Bandit tried a various amount of tactics to fly towards Celestia on another cloud. He went down, flew back up running in place before landing on the cloud. He went make up and attempted to swim through the air before landing. He flew back up and tried to fly with his hooves stretched out like superstallion, only for his efforts to be met with failure as he flopped back onto the cloud. Celestia flew over to him and picked him up, sitting him on her lap as she turned to where she raised the sun.

“Do you wanna raise the sun?” She asked. Bandit looked up at her and nodded. He looked towards the horizon and began to light his horn up. The 5 year old gave it his all to lift the sun. However, he didn’t know Celestia lit her horn to raise the sun without him knowing…..well, without 5 year old him knowing. As the sky was lit up with the morning light once more, Bandit was flown back to the castle.

“So, you couldn’t fly anywhere but up and down for how long?” Chad asked.

“It took me until I was seven years old to do so, and let me tell you, it was not the most ideal way to learn.” Bandit answered 

Two years have gone by, and Bandit was using a makeshift hang glider on his back in order to glide through the air. He was flapping his wings to keep him from hitting the ground. It was late at night, and celestia was asleep. No one knew he had snuck out of his room for the upteenth time, this time to attempt to fly.

He was making good progress with his flying and was gonna make an attempt make this fun. He was rushing and got to doing somersaults in the air and performing a few tricks. He silently cheered before looking up at the stars. He then began flying up as high as he could. The wind in his mane, the chilling feeling flowing through his cape, and the beautiful night sky shrouding him from sight while at the same time illuminating his success to only himself.

“It was the best moment of my life. I finally felt that I was flying for real. That I finally could soar through the sky like a bird. But then….”

As Bandit continued to fly upwards, he heard a click and a breaking noise, making him look back. His hang glider broke in two and he began to fall. He quickly tried to use his wings, but his body was facing upright rather than parallel to the ground, he flew himself to the backwards right into a thundercloud, rather than straight up. The thundercloud went off and a bolt hit the back of Bandit’s head, dazing him as he began to plummet down to the ground. Bandit was spinning out of control and couldn’t tell which was was up nor which way was down.

“Were you scared?” Chad asked.

“Chad, I was barrelling towards the ground at terminal velocity without an idea which way was up or down. What makes you think I wasn’t scared?” Bandit asked him.

“You’re…..well you?” Chad pointed out. Bandit chuckled and noogied the smaller ling.

Bandit finally managed to turn his body around and saw himself gaining onto the ground. He flapped his wings and went straight up. As he did, a white blur snatched him clean out the sky. Bandit looked up and saw Celestia holding him. He know what was gonna happen next and began to brace myself.

“Momma wasn’t happy with me. At all. It was one of the most reckless things that I’ve ever done. All because I wanted to fly.” Bandit narrated

“What were you thinking!? You know better than to sneak out at night! Let alone doing something as dangerous as flying by yourself! You’re lucky I woke up for a midnight snack, otherwise who KNOWS what could have happened.” Celestia yelled at him. Bandit hung his head in shame and sadness. “What do you have to say for yourself young stallion?!”

“I’m sorry. It was wrong of me to try to fly when I wasn’t ready. I could have gotten hurt or hurt someone else. I-I, I should’ve known better…….no. I knew better and did it anyway.” Bandit said as his ears flopped. “I will never do it again.”

“You’d better not. Now go to your room. You’re grounded for the rest of the week.” Celestia told him. 

“Yes mom.” Bandit said as he walked back to his room.

“It was a long week to be honest. And I didn’t want to try and use my wings after that. Not because I felt like all I could do was get into trouble if I tried anything involving my wings, but I felt like I would never be able to. As if every single attempt that I could ever make would only result in me doing the same thing. Failing horribly.” 

Celestia looked at Bandit on the cloud behind her after flying to it. He was sitting down, looking at his wings and didn’t even want to try. Celestia flew back over and lifted his chin.

“Is everything alright?” Celestia asked him. Bandit shook his head. “It’s been a few days since you tried to fly. What’s wrong?”

“Well, it’s been 2 years. Since my wings began working, but no matter what I do, if I don’t have any help, I can’t fly anywhere but up or down.” Bandit began to admit. Celestia moved her hoof and picked him up to cradle him. “If I can’t get it right after trying this hard for so long, what if I’m not meant to fly.”

Celestia took what he said into consideration before hugging him tighter.

“Oh Bandit, just because you can’t do something now doesn’t mean you have to quit.” Celestia told him. Bandit looked up at her.

“I know. But I feel like if I can’t do it after this long, then what’s the point of trying?” Bandit asked. Celestia lifted him so the two could see eye to eye.

“Not everything is gonna be easy Bandit. Raising you has taught me quite a few things, but you wanna know what you taught me?” Celestia asked him.

“Yes please.” Bandit answered.

“You taught me that the hardest things to accomplish are usually the most rewarding to achieve once you do. Whether it’s raising the sun, or raising a son.” She said as she poked and tickled his stomach. Bandit giggled at the tickling before Celestia put him back down. Bandit looked back at the cloud and then became filled with determination.

“I’m ready to try again momma.” He told her. Celestia smiled and flew to the other cloud.

“And that day, all because of momma, I was able to achieve what I thought was impossible.” 

Bandit spread his wings and began to flutter them. Unlike all his previous times, his wings didn’t send him flying straight up. He flew towards the cloud and landed before Celestia, stumbling a little but looked up at Celestia with a very excited smile.

“I DID IT! THAT WAS SO COOL!” Bandit exclaimed happily. Celestia scooped him up and spun him around.

“You did it! My precious little baby flew! You flew towards me!” Celestia exclaimed as she hugged him tight.

“Are you proud of me momma?!” Bandit asked her with a wagging tail. Celestia kissed him on his cheeks and forehead with a smile.

“I am so proud of you. I always am.” Celestia told him.

“I learned a very, very valuable lesson that day. Just because something is hard to achieve, doesn’t mean it’s not worth achieving.”

During the sunset on the same day, Bandit and Celestia were flying side by side. Allowing themselves to become silhouettes to the orange sky as they flew. Laughing and playing in the sky.

Bandit began to trot on the clouds as he flapped his wings each time he came off the cloud. Celestia did a few barrel rolls above him. Bandit flew off of the last cloud and landed in Celestia’s hooves.

They were still flying, before Celestia disappeared in the clouds. Bandit went through the clouds and looked around for her. She used a cloud to sneak up on him. Bandit continued looking around, not seeing the cloud inching on him. That was, not until it was too late. He tried to fly straight up, only to be grabbed by Celestia and became the victim to the belly raspberry. Bandit was heard laughing, both from being tickled and pure joy.

Some time later, Celestia and Bandit were on a cloud, and looking at the sunset. Celestia nudged Bandit and gestured to the sun.

“For that day, she let me set the sun for the first time ever. And I couldn’t have been happier.” 

Bandit let his horn and concentrated on lowering the sun. In no time at all, the sun was lowered to bring forward the beautiful night sky. Bandit looked at Celestia and let out a yawn. He looked sleepy and tuckered out. Celestia picked him up and flew back to the castle. Taking the little prince to his room, she tucked him in and placed a kiss on his forehead before leaving the room, looking back at Bandit.

“Good Night Bandit. I love you.” She said before closing the door behind her to head to sleep herself. However, she only got away before hearing Bandit say;

“I love you too Momma.”

(Back to Present day)

“So, after hearing all of that, do you think that you should give up?” Bandit asked Chad. Chad stood up while wagging his tail.

“Are you kidding? I can’t wait to start flying now! I’m gonna start trying extra hard if it means I can fly with you or ma!” Chad exclaimed as he started jumping up and down on the bed. Bandit grabbed him to stop him.

“Well, we still got some time kiddo. Wanna get some more practice done?” Bandit asked.

“Uh huh!” Chad nodded his head. Bandit put him down and the two went back outside.





Later that night, Bandit was writing the letter to Celestia while Chad, who was very tuckered out, was sleeping on his back.

“Dear My Loving Mother, today Chad learned yet another valuable lesson, not about friendship but about life in general. Sometimes you’re gonna try to achieve something that might seem too far out of your reach. Sometimes you’ll try your best to succeed only to fail still. But failure doesn’t come when you don’t succeed the first time, but instead when you give up. So long as you’re still trying, you’re one step closer to your goal. Because sometimes the hardest things to accomplish are usually the most rewarding to achieve once you do.” Bandit wrote. He used his own magic to send the letter before carrying Chad to his own bed. Tucking him in before walking out of the room.

“Good night Chad. I’m proud of you.”

He closed the door and walked out. A smile appeared on Chad’s face after hearing those words.
> Owl's Well That Ends Well
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was Dusk in Ponyville and Spike was grabbing the last few things on Twilight's checklist for the two of them, Bandit and Chad could head out. 

"This meteor shower tonight's gonna be amazing!" Twilight said. Spike jumps onto a hanging fruit basket in the kitchen.

"Awesome." Spike added, tossing three bananas over his shoulder, where Chad caught them and placed them neatly into the wagon. 

"You know," Bandit walked over. "this shower only happens once every one hundred years."

“A centennial celebration!” Chad exclaimed as Spike juggled a few apples. They start to get away from him, Chad used his magic to make a brief slid, right into the wagon.

“I’m amazed of the amount of things that happen once every few hundred years that we’re gonna be lucky enough to see.” Chad began as Spike ran off to the punch bowl. “Meteor showers, Grandma and Grandpa’s Celestial rings, the Eastern Comet, The eruption of Blackrock Titan, all we’re alive to see.”

“All the more reason for us not to be late.” Bandit smirked. Spike nearly lost his balance as he walked with the punch bowl. Bandit stuck a hoof out to catch Spike and used his magic to grab the punch bowl.

“Spike! Did you grab my quill and ink?” Twilight asked. 

“Check!” Spike said, sweeping them up from a table.

“Scrolls?” Twilight asked. Chad showed that he had them in his tail.

"Did you also pack a telescope, apples, bananas, a camera, and our freshly baked, homemade triple-decker nut-crazy vanilla creme cookies?" Bandit asked Spike.

Spike showed the platter of the cookies, while also having some of the cookie crumbs on his face, having been eating some.

“Quintuple check!” Spike said. Bandit chuckled.

“Looks like you ate a Quin-couple of those cookies.” Bandit nudged him. Spike looked at his mouth, realizing the mess he has made on himself, he slurps up all the crumbs with his tongue and flashes a silly little smile. Twilight starts down toward the reading room.

“You think of everything Spike. And that is why you are my number-one assistant.” Twilight said as Spike began pulling the wagon. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.” Spike said as they reached the ground floor. Bandit picked Chad up and placed him on his back.

“That is why you are my number-one assistant.” Twilight said, speaking louder and slower. Spike put a claw to his ear.

“Missed that. Huh?” Spike asked, trying to hear it again.

“I said…” Twilight started before finally realizing what Spike was getting at. She let out a laugh at the joke and looked back at them as they got to the front door. “Come on, let’s get going.” She then stopped.

“Wait! I almost forgot! I want to bring The Astronomical Astronomer’s Almanac to All Things Astronomy!” Twilight said. 

"The Astronomo-lomo homono what?" Spike asked.

“Oh, the really old big blue book on stars, moons, planets, the universe?” Chad asked. “I know where it is, I’ll go get it.”

Chad tried to run past Spike, but Spike stopped him.

“Oh no, I’ll do get it. I am the number one assistant after all.” Spike said before running off to the adjoining room in search of it. Chad smiled in support while rolling his eyes, climbing back on Bandit’s back.

In the next room, Spike grabs a ladder and climbs to the top shelf in no time. He finds the book in question and brushes it off, a thick cloud of dust rises from the cover, considering it was unused ever since Chad finished reading it three times when they first moved in and sends him into the windup for a sneeze. It fails to come, so he sighs with relief and opens the book; only for the sneeze to burst out of him, bringing a quick shot of green fire with it,  which wound up leaving the pages into a half-burned ruin. The cover was still in one piece though slightly singed, and he tilts it upright while fearing the worst. To his dismay, the pages disintegrate into streams of ashes that cascade to the floor.

“What’s taking so long ‘number one assistant’? Did you get lost?” Chad called before chuckling a little. Spike closes the cover in a panic, slips it back on the shelf, and climbs down.






My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?






The 4 began making their way to the hilltop, where many ponies have gathered under the night sky. Fluttershy, Lightning Sprint, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders stand in a group, and Applejack and Pinkie Pie are on their way to join them. Several others were sitting or standing in other spots. Bandit had Chad and Spike on his back, pulling the wagon.

“I could’ve sworn I put that book back where I found it.” Chad said as he tapped his chin. “Are you sure it wasn’t on the-”

“Maybe someone borrowed it.” Spike quickly covered up. “You guys don’t need the book anyway. Twilight’s super-smart and astronomically awesome. Bandit knows practically all of the planets and stars, and you remember everything.”

“Thanks, Spike. You’re such a flatterer.” Twilight said. Bandit looked back at Spike with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, I’m a sweet-talker.” Spike said.

“And a number-one assistant!” Twilight said, winking. “Right?”

“Check!” Spike said. He tried to hop off Bandit’s back, but Bandit places him back onto his back.

“Chad, could you set everything up? The number one assistant deserves a bit of a break.” Bandit said. Chad saluted and hopped off. As Chad got to work, Bandit began setting up the telescope, placing Spike next to him. Away from Twilight’s earshot.

“You feeling okay Spike?” He began asking, catching Spike off guard.

“Huh? What do you mean? I’m perfectly fine.” Spike brushed off. Bandit finished with the telescope and looked back at him a bit concerned.

“Are you sure?” Bandit asked.

“Yeah! I’m just...you know. Tired. Being Twilight’s number one assistant is a lot of work.” Spike told him, Bandit patted him on the back.

“So you’re a bit tuckered out from your hard work? I can understand that.” Bandit told him. “Don’t be afraid to ask for a break.”

Spike laughed and rubbed the back of his head

“After all, we do have you to thank for being on schedule.” Bandit said as he stood up to walk over to the picnic area Chad finished setting up. Rainbow Dash picked up an apple and ate it.

“You’re lucky to have such a rad assistant.” Rainbow Dash said. Chad held out a cookie, which Lightning Sprint zipped by to snag. She ate the cookie and looked at Spike. 

“I wish I had someone to do whatever I told them.” Lightning Sprint said. Skeedaddle looked at her and hopped in place.

“I can do that! I’ll be your assistant.” Skeedaddle said excitedly. Lightning Sprint smirked and ruffled his mane.

“How about getting me some more of those cookies, Bandit won’t let me get more than one.” Lightning Sprint said. 

“Cause, you’d eat them all.” Bandit nudged her. She blew a raspberry at him. Skeedaddle ran to do just that, returning with three more cookies for her.

“Do we have Spike and Chad to thank again for this amazing spread?” Rarity asked as she walked over, along with the others.

“Well, mostly Spike. I just set everything up.” Chad smiled. 

“Simply amazing.” Rarity said, referring to both of them, but the twins thought she was talking about Spike.

“Aw, come on…” Spike said, squeezing his eyes tight with a smile on his face, pointing to his cheek as if to ask for a kiss. When nothing happened he opened his eyes. “I said come on.”

Pinkie gave him a noogie on the top of his head. "Little Spikey-wikey! Who knew that big ferocious dragon started off so cutesy wootsy?"

“Spike, you are such a little star that I had to make this little bow tie for you.” Rarity said as she levitates the particular bow tie into view: bright red and liberally studded with small gems of all colors. She secured it around Spike’s neck, turning out it was nearly as wide as his entire head. 

"Gosh," Spike said, touched. "You guys are embarrassing me. Stop it." He then looked at Twilight. “Twilight, your turn.”

“That’s enough.” Bandit was heard saying. 

“Uh, right. That’s enough.” Spike said. A dark-gray stallion with two-tone light gray mane/tail, the former cut in a Mohawk, and light brown eyes walked over with Rumble on his back. He was looking up at the sky and saw the show beginning. This was Thunderlane, Rumble’s older brother.

“Look everyone, the show is starting.” Thunderlane called out. Chad scooped Spike onto his back and hopped onto Bandit’s back for a good view. Ponies were lined up to watch as the brilliant white meteors begin to streak across the night sky. Apple Bloom was on Big Macintosh’s back, Sweetie Belle was on Rarity’s, Pipsqueak was on his mother’s (Cherry Song) head, Skeedaddle was in front of Lightning Sprint and Scootaloo was beside Rainbow dash. 

“Whoa.” The group all said. Bandit was taking pictures, without the flash, as the meteor shower’s radiance washed over them. Spike let out a yawn, but Chad was able to help keep him awake so that he wouldn’t miss any of the action.





The meteor shower soon came to an end and as the CMC chased each other, Bandit, Big Macintosh, and Thunderlane were drinking some cider Big Macintosh brought.

Fluttershy got a cookie for herself as Pinkie and Lightning Sprint ate the last of the cookies, and obviously, Lightning Sprint ate the most of them.

“Wow, these are delicious!” Lightning Sprint said as she wiped her face.

“Spike and I made them. He’s a fast learner when it comes to food.” Bandit said. “If he’s not eating the batter that is.”

“Speaking of,” Twilight started as she looked towards where Spike is. “Spike, can you bring us some punch?”

There was no response.

“Spike?” She called. Bandit walked over and saw Spike asleep, with his head in the now overturned nearly empty punchbowl. 

“Worked himself to sleep poor little guy.” Bandit said.

“And now the punch has been……Spiked!” Pinkie said the other ponies began laughing. Bandit walked over and picked him up.

“It’s past his bedtime anyway.” Bandit said as he began walking back home.





After getting back home, late at night, Bandit placed Spike in his bed, that’s when Achilles woke up, flew over, and nested next to him. Spike pulled him close.

“Sleep tight Spike.” Bandit said as he walked to his bed and went to sleep himself. Chad did the same.

Twilight on the other hand stayed awake, walking downstairs to a candlelit table right next to the window. She begins to start writing.

“The Study of Comets. Comets are small, irregularly shaped bodies that are made of non-volatile grains and frozen gases.” Twilight spoke out loud as she wrote down before a creak got her attention. She lets the quill drop and takes a cautious look around the room, before going out onto the balcony, but she couldn't see anything. 

"Huh." She went back inside and shut the window, but it didn't latch properly. Unaware of this, she went back to writing her report. "…have body structures that are fragile and diverse…" She paused when there was another creaking sound. This time she opened the window that was in front of her desk to peer outright as a shadow seem to have flown past that she didn’t see, before bearing witness to her scroll blowing off the desk from the wind.

“Shoot!” Twilight exclaimed.

Out on the balcony, the parchment sails out through the now-open screen door and over late-night Ponyville, leaving her unable to do anything but watch it go. She ducks back in as the shadow crosses the screen again. She goes back inside and trots nervously in place.

“Ohh, this is a job for Spike! If only he were awake! I don’t wanna wake up Bandit, he’ll be very cranky.” She complained before hearing An owl’s soft hoot at the start of her panic attack. She looks across the room, she finds a small brown owl sitting on the kitchen table. In its beak was her rolled-up report draft, which it sets down before preparing to fly away. Twilight hurries across to it.

"Wait! Don't go! Don't be afraid." She called. The owl turned its head 180° to look at her. "Thank you for returning my scroll."

The owl hoots in reply, turning its body around as well, and shivers as a sudden gust blows in and nearly extinguishes the candle.

"Gosh, it's cold tonight." Twilight pointed out. "Say, would you like to relax in here and keep me company while I work?" she offered.

The owl hooted before he perched on the nearby hat stand. 

Twilight smiled before closing the windows and magically picking up her quill and focused on the report. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes. ‘…fragile and diverse with a surrounding cloud of material called a coma, that grows in size and brightness as the comet approaches the sun…’.” She wrote.





The next morning, Spike was woken up by Achilles pecking at his face. He tried to wave him off, but then he realized it was morning.

Leaps out of his basket with a panicked yell and whips out an alarm clock, revealing the time as a few minutes before 10:00.

“I overslept!” He exclaimed. He tosses the clock across the loft and scrambled for the stairs. Achilles flew after him.

“I know it’s already ten, but I’m scaly-tailed and bright-eyed! I’m ready to work twice as fast! Oh, please don’t be upset, Twilight! What do you want for breakfast? Oatmeal? How about a sunflower smoothie? Grass pancakes?” Spike spewed out as he ran down the stairs to Twilight to see Bandit helping pack her saddle. 

“Whoa, Spike, take it easy.” Bandit said as he held out a hoof to keep him still.

“But—my morning chores!” Spike said.

“You needed the rest kiddo. So Owlowiscious took care of them.” Bandit told him. Spike looked a bit confused for a second.

“Who?” Spike asked.

“He’s our new junior assistant. He’s gonna help out with your chores so you won’t be so tired all the time.” Twilight said as she walked past him.

“Wh—what do we need a junior assistant for? I’m not tired. I do fine on my own, I don’t need sleep, I—” Spike began to worry.

“Spike, relax, you’re not getting replaced, he’s just here to help out.” Bandit reassured him, remembering the last time someone new came into the lives of someone he was close to.

“Bandit and I have to go out, so why don’t you introduce yourself to Owlowiscious? He’s in the library.” Twilight told him.

“Klaw, Fang, Chad and Ace are already well acquainted with him, join the club. Also, Chad took Ace to the park if you wanna meet him there.” Bandit said, ruffling the top of his head as he walked out with Twilight.

“Worried? Do I look worried? I’m not worried. Who’s worried?” Spike asked. He walked downstairs and looked across the room. "Hello? Hellooo!" he called out and spotted the owl that was sitting on the desk. He was startled when the bird turned its head completely around to look at him. "Whoa! Dude, that's creepy." He muttered before greeting the owl. "Uh… Hi there! I'm Spike. I'm sure Twilight has told you all about me."

"Hoo." Owlowiscious said.

"Uh, Spike?" said the baby dragon, confused to be asked the question. "You know, assistant number one?"

The owl blinked. "Hoo?"

"I'm Spike!" Spike repeated, annoyed. "And who are you? What are you?"

"Hoo!"

"Who?"

"Hoo!"

"I thought your name was Owlowiscious!"

"Hoo?"

Spike growled a little, fed up. "Okay, "Who", "Owlowiscious", whatever," he grumbled. "I'm Spike, okay? Look! All you need to know is that I'm number one and you're number two. Got it?" And he fixed the owl with a stern look.

"Hoo?" Owlowiscious said. Spike was so irritated that he wound up twitching his eye.

"So, a man of mystery, huh?" Spike sneered as he headed for the door to go outside. "I'm keeping my eye on you! I've got eyes in the back of my head too, you know?" He was so focused on the owl that he crashed into the door, and he rubbed his sore head. "Well, not really, but… You know what I mean!" He then went outside, slamming the door shut.

“That bird is after my job. He wants to be number one! Well, I’ll prove to Twilight that I deserve to be number one, not Freaky Feathers over there. I won’t let him have my job, if it’s the last thing I do!” Spike said as he stomped away. As he walked away, Achilles looked at Owlowiscious before flying to the door, pulling it open, and flying out.





Later in the day, Chad was walking over to Spike with a book that Spike requested.

“What’s this book for Spike?” Chad asked as he gave Spike a book with an owl on the cover. Spike snatched it.

“Reasons.” Spike said as he got to reading. Meanwhile, Twilight was showing Owlowiscious off to the other six ponies, and Pinkie’s voice got their attention.

“Oh, what a fantastical fluffalicious feathery little friend! I’m “hoo”-ked!” Pinkie made the pun. The others began laughing.

“I’m talon you, that wasn’t that funny.” Chad said to Spike from the window. Spike glared at Chad while covering his mouth so as not to accidentally laugh. However, his attempts not to laugh were helped by Fluttershy talking next.

"He's just wonderful," Fluttershy complimented.

"‘He's just wonderful’," Spike muttered mockingly. Chad quickly tapped him to notify him that the girls heard him, and when he looked he saw the girls looking at him, a bit surprised. "Uh, yes. Wonderful," he said quickly. "He's quite… the charmer."

Bandit got back to the library just in time to see Rarity pull out a bow tie identical to the one she gave Spike.

“And Owlowiscious is just such a star, I just had to make this little bow for you.” Rarity said as she placed a bow around his neck.

Spike turned to look in shock. 

"I mean, he's alright." Lightning began before getting bonked by Applejack. "Ow."

This was a gesture that sent Spike’s face into a fuming red anger-blush and caused him to blow steam from his nose. He storms back into the library, slamming the window closed. The eight look up at the window.

"What's he all saddle sore about?" Applejack wondered.

"He's probably just jealous of Owlowiscious," Rainbow Dash guessed.

“Probably?” Bandit questioned. “He’s definitely jealous.”

"Maybe Spike feels threatened or worried that Owlowiscious will replace him?" Lightning Sprint suggested. 

“Replace him? Hah! That’s crazy. Spike knows he can’t be replaced.” Twilight said.

“Does he? Remember when Chad made friends with Pipsqueak?” Bandit asked her.





“It’s like when I made friends with Pipsqueak Spike, they’re not gonna replace you.” Chad said as he walked down the stairs with Spike.

“I know they’re not going to, because I’m going to step it up and make sure that Twilight and Owlowiscious know that I’m still number one.” Spike said. Before Chad could counter-argue, Twilight and Bandit walked in, with Owlowiscious on Twilight’s back.

Twilight stops at an open book on a stand and looks around briefly. The owl no longer wears his bow tie, courtesy of Bandit taking it upstairs.

“Hey, Spike! Can you fetch me that book called ‘Two-headed Myth-’

"…Mythological Mysteries!" Spike interrupted as he ran down the stairs"I know where it is." He reached for the top shelf and blinked when his claws touched an empty space instead of the book. "Huh?"

"Thanks, Owlowiscious," Twilight said. Spike turned around, revealing he had raced up a ladder and used a few books to reach the correct shelf. "Hey, Spike, no worries. Owlowiscious flew up and got the book for me. Oh, and gee! I guess I need "Ferrets of Fairyland" too."

Before Spike could climb back down, the owl flew by, snatching the book from the stack that he was standing on, and he ended up tumbling to the floor. "Hey! Whoa! Whoa!"

"Climb down from there before you fall." Twilight advised. Chad dove and caught Spike before he could hit the ground. Bandit got back downstairs to see the books and ladder fall. He places the items back, not seeing an angry spike and a concerned-looking Chad.





More time goes by, and Twilight was taking notes upstairs before her quill snapped.

“Shoot!” Twilight exclaimed. Spike popped up with a salute.

“Yes sir.” Spike said, ready to work.

“My last writing quill. It’s broken.”

“Never fear—Spike, your number-one assistant, is here!” Spike said as he zipped across the room and begins to rummage in a desk drawer.  He fished out a horseshoe, an apple, and a lace-trimmed saddle blanket, tossing them all to the side.

“Quill, quill…where is it? Not here…” He said.

Later, he was searching the bakery of Sugar Cube Corner, tossing a lot of things around, only to find nothing there. “Quill…hmm……ugh…quill, where is it?"

Back at the library, be checked under Bandit’s bed, nothing there. He pulls aside a shower curtain that Owlowiscious happened to be behind, sitting on a perch over a full bathtub and wearing a shower cap, Spike is initially caught off guard by this but closes the curtain to keep looking. Even checking inside a daffodil sandwich. He began getting increasingly frustrated.

“Where am I gonna get a quill?” Spike asked himself. Then he ran out the front door, Bandit opened the window.

“Spike wait!” He called, Spike didn’t listen.





Spike was in front of a store with a quill and sofa sign above it, talking to Davenport, a tan earth pony stallion, with a slicked-back dark brown mane and tail, green eyes, and a cutie mark of a quill and sofa. Unfortunately, there were no more quills in the store.

“But the store is called Quills and Sofas! You only sell two things!” Spike complained.

“Sorry, Junior. All out of quills until Monday.” Davenport said. Spike looked down in disappointment before hearing Davenport again. “Need a sofa?”





Spike was then outside Sugar Cube Corner, next to the side door where the top half was open, and Pinkie’s voice emitting from the inside.

"I swore I had one here somewhere." She said and then found what she was looking for. "Ah, here it is! A quince!" A very not quill-shaped fruit was dropped in front of Spike.

"Not a quince," Spike said impatiently, kicking the fruit away. "A quill!"

"Right," Pinkie said, going back inside. “A quail?” and out came a brown quail Spike could’ve grabbed the feathers off for a quill, but waved it off as more Q-lettered items were tossed to him. “A quilt! A quesadilla? Aha! A quiche!"

Spike caught the quiche and shook his head. "Not a quiche. A quill!"

"Nope. Sorry," Pinkie apologized. "All outta quills."

“Aw Shoot.” Spike said, taking a big bite of the quiche to console himself.




The next location was a henhouse on the grounds of Sweet Apple Acres. A squawking chicken scurries across the fenced-in yard, with Spike in hot pursuit.

“Come on, chicken! Here, chicky-chicky-chicky!” Spike called as he chased. He ended up chasing it into the house. “Here, chick-chick-chick-chicky! Come here!” 

The chicken leaped out through a window at the far end, Spike ran right into the wall and knocked it down, while his face was on the wood, he heard the chicken sound startled followed by a muffled squawk coming from it. He looked up and saw Achilles pinning the chicken and keeping the chicken’s beak shut. Spike smiled and ran to grab a feather off the chicken.

“Finally!” Spike exclaimed, Achilles looked at Spike confused. “I wonder if this is big enough to be a quill.”

Achilles then looked very unamused. Spike looked at him.

“What?” He asked. The Harpy Eagle pulled his own feather off of his wing and held in his beak for him. Spike chuckled sheepishly. 

“Oh.” He grabbed the feather. “I uh...I guess I should’ve started with that.” 

Achilles flew above him and began pecking his head, not hard but enough to annoy and send him running.





Reaching the library, Spike staggered inside, panting and he successfully held up the feather. "Spike… to the rescue." He announced.

“Spike, that’s why I was calling for you. Owlowiscious gave Twilight one of his feathers to use as a quill.” Bandit said as he gestured to Twilight, who showed the quill she was currently writing with. Spike got so angry that the heat from his palm burned the feather.

“That’s just great! Perfect!” Spike said, slamming the door behind him. “Sweet! I think I’ll just…uh…finish up the rest of my chores! Or did Owlowiscious already do them?” Spike asked them.

“There are still some of your chores left, but first you need to-” Bandit tried to say.

“Well, that’s fine-” He sat on the stairs. “-because I can just stay up all night and finish-” He fell asleep on the last syllable right as Chad came down the stairs, he went back up and came back with Spike’s blankie to place it over him. Spike cuddled the blanket and snored lightly.

“Poor Spike. He’ll come around. He’s genuinely a good little guy.” Twilight said to Owlowiscious.

“Chad, can you take Spike to his bed?” Bandit asked.

“Can I do it when I come back upstairs? I’m about to look for the Astronomical Astronomer’s Almanac to All Things Astronomy. I meant to double check where it was when we came back from the meteor shower.” Chad said.

“I’ll go look for it, get Spike off the stairs, it’s bad for his back.” Bandit said as he walked off. Owlowiscious flew after him.





Chad placed Spike in his bed and at that moment, Bandit’s thundering voice woke him right up.

“SPIKE THE DRAGON! GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!” Bandit was heard shouting. Chad looked at Spike with wide eyes. Bandit calling Spike by the name ‘Spike the dragon’ was the equivalent of him calling Chad by his entire name. Safe to say, Spike was in trouble.

“What did you do?” Chad asked. Spike ran down the stairs.

“Coming!” Spike said, worried. Chad followed him but stayed a good distance away.

Spike got downstairs and Bandit presented the book in front of him. 

“What is this?” Bandit asked in a stern tone. Spike gulped as Twilight spoke up.

“You said this book was missing. Well, Owlowiscious found it right where it belongs, but like this! How did it get this way?” Twilight asked him, equally as stern.

“Uh…well, um…you see, I…I just didn’t want to disappoint you and, uh…have you ever seen a dragon sneeze?” Spike asked, nervously, holding his tail. Chad was watching from the top of the stairs.

“Yes Spike. I have seen a dragon sneeze. And I know when you sneeze fire comes out and burns what’s in front of you. All you could’ve said was ‘I burned the book on accident.’ But you decided to lie to us.” Bandit scolded.

“I am very disappointed in you Spike.” Twilight told him.

“We both are.” Bandit told him. The two of them walked off, Twilight upstairs, and Bandit outside. Spike looked sad before looking resentful towards Owlowiscious.

“You set me up! Well, two can play that game!” Spike said.

“Hoo.” Owlowiscious hooted.

“Not who, two!” Spike exclaimed, he groans loudly and storms off.





Spike walked through the town, furious that this was happening to him. "Owlowiscious is out to take my place, I just know it!" He grumbled. "I've gotta stop him. But how?" he wondered when a mouse ran past, squeaking, and he recalled from the book he'd been reading that owls ate mice. "Ah…" 

Ducking into the nearest shop, he comes out in a stereotypical bad-guy outfit. Complete with, a black top hat and cape with matching mustache. He takes it one step further by wrapping the cape around himself, twirling the mustache, and voicing a sinister laugh. "Muahahaha!"






Hurrying through the town, Spike stopped behind a tree and peered at Carousel Boutique. It wasn't long before Rarity and Opalescence left the shop.

"Come along, Opal," Rarity shutting the door behind her. "Let's hurry up and get to Fluttershy's tea party." And they headed down the path.

Spike waited until he was sure that they were gone and then he hurried to the shop.

Once inside, the baby dragon looked around until he found the toy mouse and picked it up. 

"So lifelike," he sneered. "And when Twilight discovers it shredded up on her floor, she'll think mouse-eating Owlowiscious is to blame. And I'll be number one… again! Muhahaha!" He laughed evilly and exited the shop, unaware that Bandit was exiting the bookstore that was within the line of sight of the boutique, and saw what was happening.





Back in the library; a pull at one thread undoes a patch on the mouse’s back and allows the stuffing to protrude. The whiskers are yanked askew next, and a quick rub at the face leaves one button eye on the verge of falling off. The ‘nefarious’ baby dragon scatters bits of stuffing near the front door and throws the rest of the “carcass” down among them, then tiptoes off. Chad was watching this and walked over as Spike came back with ketchup and began to spill it over the stuffed mouse to make it look like a crime scene took place.

“Spike!” Chad exclaimed. This made him jump and turn to him. “Excuse my hebrew, but what the Tophet are you doing?”

“Uh…..” Spike tried to say.

“Because it looks like you took a mouse toy, ripped the stuffing out and then decided to make it look like the rating increased to teen overnight.” Chad pointed out.

“Well, Owlowiscious set me up, so I’m gonna set him up. After Bandit and Twilight see this, Owlowiscious will be to blame for this mess.” Spike told him.

“Spike, we live with three omnivores excluding myself and Bandit, and Achilles is a harpy eagle. I’m sure they wouldn’t be upset for nature being nature.” Chad responded.

“But they would be upset about the mess ‘Owlowiscious’ selfishly made.” Spike argued.

“Spike, this isn’t gonna work.” Chad told him.

“How do you know that?” Spike asked him, getting more irritated.

“Because Bandit and Twilight are standing right behind you.” Chad pointed out. Spike’s eyes went wide as he turned around and saw a very disappointed-looking Bandit standing before him. Beside him was an equally disappointed Twilight, with Owlowiscious on her back. He quickly got out of the outfit and tried to play the role.

“That poor little field mouse! Turn to piece-”

“Spike, stop.” Bandit said. Spike closed his mouth.

“So you burned a book, lied about it,  deliberately tried to set up Owlowiscious and you believed something like this would work!?” Bandit scolded him. “You need to get your act together, and until you do, you are grounded. Now go to your room.”

“But-” Spike tried to say, but Twilight interrupted him.

“Now.” She told him. Spike looked down and walked over to the downstairs door.

“You’ve let your jealousy get the best of you, Spike. I am truly disappointed. This is not the Spike I know and love!” Twilight was heard saying. As Spike closed the door behind him, his eyes grew wide, and tears forming.

“They….don’t love me anymore.” He wrongly assumed.





Later that night, Spike was trudging through the Everfree Forest with a bindle on a stick slung over his shoulder. He waited until everyone was asleep before having run away.

“Everyone hates me. I’m cold, hungry, tired, and lonely. Could it get any worse?” He said. The universe answered his question with a thunderclap and rain pouring down.

“I guess that’s a yes.” He said. Looking around, he spots a not-too-distant cave and heads for it. He peeked inside and looked around. 

“Hello?” He called, no response. “Hel-looo?” All he was met with was an echo. The lightning illuminated two indistinct shapes from where Spike was. He spotted it and moved closer. “What is that?”

He got closer and saw two large piles of gems before him. His gloom was soon replaced with joy upon seeing them.

"If this is what running away is all about, I never wanna go home!" he exclaimed and ran to the piles, jumping in, and swam through them, eating some as well. "Gems! Mmm… Woohoo!"





Some more time has past and Spike’s belly was overstuffed. He wound up hiccuping, which took the good spirits away. He sighed as he rubbed his stomach.

“Even if my tummy’s full, the rest of me is still empty. I miss Twilight…...Bandit…..Chad….and the pony gang—but they doesn’t love me anymore.” Spike said. “So I’m better off here—all by myself.”

Spike picked up a half-eaten orange gem and began to suck on it like a lollipop. That’s when steam began to appear and Spike began to sweat and fan himself.

“Wow. Seems to be getting warmer.” Spike said. He tried to go back to his gem, but more steam occurred.

“This steam is great for my complexion, but it’s sure getting hot in here.” Spike said. He tried to suck on the gem one last time, only to hear a low, irritated growl. He turned and managed to see a gigantic green dragon with Yellow-green head spines and ridges above eyes; pale yellow hide running down the throat and on the bat-wing ears; yellow-orange eyes with pale yellow whites. 

“What are you doing in my cave? And why are you eating my gems?” He asked. His voice low, gravelly, and full of malice. Spike spat out the gem.

“Uh…heya, bro. I didn’t know this was your cave. And I didn’t know these were your gems, but…we’re cool, right?” Spike asked, trying to defuse the situation.

The dragon began to inch closer, not liking those answers.

“Whoa, whoa! Hey, uh…we’re like brothers, you know? I mean, you’re a dragon, I’m a dragon, it’s us against the world, right?” Spike asked. That answer wasn’t favored either, and a roar and belch of steam sent him into a pile. Spike got back up, ready to put up a fight.

“You don’t scare me. So you’re big.” He said. A growl and Spike looking up to observe his height gave Spike a reality check and he became frightened once more. “Really big.”

His claws came out, revealing they were bigger than the size of Spike.

“And your claws are super-sharp.” Spike said before seeing the tail extend its spines. “Tail…extra-spiky. But, uh… …you don’t scare me! Hah!” Spike let out his best fire breath he could manage, which was only more intimidating than an eight-week-old kitten. “How’d you like that?”

He ducked when the green dragon unleashed his own fire, the scales on his head getting a bit burnt. "Uh… I'd love to stay, but gotta go! See ya! Wouldn't wanna be ya!” 

He runs in between the dragon’s legs, as he blows a flame at where Spike was just standing. Spike dives behind a rock an instant before the tail smashes it to gravel. Seeing as it wasn’t safe, He ran off again, barely staying ahead of the stomping feet and gnashing teeth, but a dead-end wall leaves him nowhere to go. The dragon’s shadow casts over him as it warms up to incinerate him.

“GET AWAY FROM HIM!” Bandit’s voice said. The dragon turned to see where the voice came from, only for the body of Bandit to slam right into his head, making him stumble back. Spike looks up in happy surprise, but Owlowiscious flew in front of him, gesturing him to follow. Spike nods and follows Owlowiscious to the cave entrance, where Twilight, Chad, and Achilles were standing.

“Spike!” Chad called.

“Over here!” Twilight called. Spike and Owlowiscious ran over to them.

“Am I glad to see you!” Spike said.

“Hurry! Hop on!” Twilight said as she turned to allow Spike to hop on. As soon as he did, Achilles flew to him and nuzzled him. Twilight and Chad began running, Owlowiscious right behind them. Thuds, broken rocks, and fire being blown were all being heard as they ran. They got into the forest and darkness began to impair Twilight’s vision.

“It’s too dark! I can’t see!” She said. Owlowiscious took position in front of her and hooted as if to say, follow me. Now confident, Twilight followed Owlowiscious as Chad followed Twilight. They were able to navigate safely to the other side of the forest. As they reached an area where the moonlight allowed them to see, all parties looked back to see if Bandit was close. It was quiet, and it felt like forever, but soon enough, Bandit came flew over the trees, and landed near the group, panting a bit. Sighs of relief came around before Twilight spoke up.

“Spike! We were so worried about you! Very much worried about you!” Twilight started.

“Why on earth did you run away?” Bandit asked him, very concerned, let alone worried.

“I thought you didn’t need me anymore, and that you didn’t love me anymore.” Spike answered with his head hanging. Bandit walked over and lifted his head up.

“Spike, just because we were disappointed doesn’t mean we don’t love you.” Bandit told him.

“You are my number-one assistant and friend, and you always will be. It’s just that sometimes I need some help at night. I can’t ask you to stay up late. You’re a baby dragon, and you need your rest. Owls are nocturnal, so I asked Owlowiscious to help, but not to take your place.” Twilight told him. 

“No one can replace you spike. Even if you’re being a jealous block head.” Chad said as he noogied him. A smile began to form. Spike hugged Twilight, and Chad and Bandit joined the hug.

“I’m sorry guys, I never should have been so jealous.” He said before rubbing the back of his head. “I guess I should’ve learned from last time.” 

“And I’m sorry too, Spike. I should have been more sensitive. I should’ve remembered what happened between you and Chad.” Twilight said. They all let go and Spike looked at Owlowiscious in the tree, who was next to Achilles.

"And Owlowiscious… I know now that you weren't out to take my job. Forgive me?" He asked hopefully and was confused when Owlowiscious hooted. "Me. Forgive me, Spike," he repeated and when the owl hooted again. Spike looked back at the three.

“He said, ‘it’s okay, I forgive you’ in owl.” Chad said. All but Owlowiscious looked at him. “What? You mean to tell me speaking owl is Owl-t of the ordinary?”

Twilight rolled her eyes, Bandit smirked and Spike let out a light laugh. Then Spike realized something. “Wait, how did you know where I was?”

“Owlowiscious found your ketchup covered footprints leading out of the library, and a lingering ketchup and dragon scale scent isn’t hard to track.” Bandit told him. Spike looked at his feet and saw some of the ketchup was still on the bottom of his foot.

“Oh...yeah.” Spike said. Bandit placed Spike and Chad on his back.





They make it back to the library, and Achilles and Owlowiscious were on nearby perches. Spike was in front of the table with a few books on it and was ready to write.

“I know Princess Celestia will want to read about what happened today.” Twilight said.

“Ready when you are.” Spike told her. Bandit whispered something in her ear. She nodded at him and they both looked at Spike.

“Hey, Spike! Why don’t you write to Princess Celestia and tell her what you’ve learned?” Twilight suggested.

“Again? Why, that’s a big responsibility!” Spike said. Bandit nudged him.

“You can handle it.” Bandit encouraged. Spike smiled warmly before starting to write. 

"Dear Princess Celestia," he began. "This is Spike, writing to you about my adventures. This week I've learned that being jealous and telling lies gets you nowhere in friendship. I also learned that there's plenty of love for every friend to share. So from here on out, I promise, that I, Spike, will-" He then fell asleep, snoring on top of the letter.

“Oh, Spike.” Twilight said, shaking her head with a smile.

“Hoo?” Owlowiscious asked.

“Who? Spike. You kn-,” She catches herself, realizing her mistake. “Ohhhh!”

She giggled and walked off. Achilles and Owlowiscious looked at each other as Bandit carried Spike off to his bed. They shook talons before Achilles flew off to nuzzle up with Spike. Bandit place the blanket over him and smiled.

“Sleep tight….little brother.” He said before walking off to his own bed.
> Party of One
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a very sunny day in Ponyville yet again, things were fairly quiet in both the town and the library. Inside the library, Twilight was doing a bit of studying As Bandit and Chad were practicing their magic. A knock at the front door interrupts them and Chad walked over to open it, with Bandit and Twilight behind him. On the other side of the door was a very eager-looking Pinkie Pie who was wearing a party hat and red rubber-ball nose and is capering on the step. Her pet alligator Gummy stands alongside her, with his own hat.

“Oh, hi Pinkie. Hi Gummy.” Chad said, then the pink horse began singing. 

“This is your singing telegram
I hope it finds you well
You're invited to a party
'Cause, we think you're really swell!” She sang to them. Later she was in front of the boutique with her and Gummy having on matching suits.

“Gummy's turning one year old
So help us celebrate
The cake will be delicious
The festivities first-rate.” Pinkie sang to Rarity. The next location was Sweet Apple Acres, Pinkie and Gummy no longer had the suits on, but Pinkie had confetti cannons strapped to her head and flank.

“There will be games and dancing
Bob for apples, cut a rug [the cannons fire]
And when the party's over
We'll gather 'round for a group hug.”

Gummy was then holding onto the fold of a hot-air balloon that Pinkie was using in order to look sing to Lightning Sprint, who was looking at her dumbfounded.

“No need to bring a gift
Being there will be enough
Birthdays mean having fun with friends
Not getting lots of stuff.” She sang, her singing slowing down having been singing this to each of her friends.

She was at Fluttershy’s cottage next, wearing a birthday cake on her head and a second one that encases her body, with Gummy perched on her neck.

“It won't be the same without you
So we hope that you say yes
So, please, oh please R.S.V.P.
And come, and be our guest!” Pinkie sang even slower than the last verse, then she collapsed.





Pinkie staggered back upstairs to her room. "Next time, I think I'll just pass out written invitations," she said in a raspy voice and collapsed with her pet gator on her back. She then popped up when she realized something.

“Oh no I forgot Rainbow!” She zipped out, making Gummy flip off her back, she ran back and caught him before running out the door.






My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?






In the upstairs area of Sugar Cube Corner, across the party room, a lively tune plays on the phonograph. Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie are dancing, Applejack and Lightning Sprint are at the bobbing tub, Fluttershy and Rarity talk by the refreshment table Bandit and Chad were arriving with a few gifts, as well as Ace who was on Chad’s neck as if he was pretending to be a scarf. Applejack dunks her head into the water and quickly brings up an apple in her teeth, which she tosses up and eats in one bite. The pegasus maintains her composure in the face of the workhorse’s smirk.

“Nice one. Now let me show you how it’s really done.” Lightning Sprint said before revving up to do so, but before she could do so, Pinkie trotted over.

"Hey, girls!" Pinkie said happily.

"Hey, Pinkie Pie!" Lightning Sprint said.

"Howdy!" Applejack said.

"Just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you could make it to Gummy's party," Pinkie Pie told them with a smile.

"Are you kiddin'? I wouldn't have missed it for the world." Applejack told her.

“Me neither. When Pinkie Pie throws a party, I am there!” Lightning Sprint said before bobbing for an apple. She took her head out of the water and had an apple in her mouth.

“Score one for Lightning Sprint.” She muffled as she ate the apple.

"Aw! It's just a boring old apple," Pinkie Pie remarked. "Don't worry, there are plenty of other surprises in there."

Lightning Sprint spits out the apple. "What kind of surprises?" she asked eagerly, ready for competition with Applejack.

"I can't tell you that, silly," Pinkie teased before trotting off. "Then it wouldn't be a surprise."

Exchanging a look, the two ponies poked their heads into the tub. It wasn't long before Applejack grabbed what she thought was a green apple with her teeth, but when she tried to pull it out, it turned out to be a ball attached to a spring that yanked her back in. By the time she let go and shook the worst of the water off, Lightning Sprint straightened up with Gummy on her face, and she shook him off. The two ponies looked at each other and then they laughed, agreeing that those were interesting surprises.

Chad and Bandit placed their gifts down as Rainbow Dash flew over them.

“So, what presents did you get for gummy?” She asked.

“I got gummy a little crown, I don’t know what Chad got for him. He kept it a secret.” Bandit said as Chad made the bow on the present long enough for gummy to grab when he was ready.

“What can you give a gator?” Rainbow asked. Bandit turned past her to look at Pinkie hopping by.

“Just about anything. Gummy is a very grateful boy!” Pinkie said. At the refreshment table, Rarity was happily sipping a cup of punch through a straw. When it ran dry, Pinkie steps over and refills from a ladle in her teeth, quickly setting it aside. Chad trotted over for some punch too.

“This punch is simply divine. Is this the same recipe you used for your “Spring Has Sprung” party?” Rarity asked as she began drinking.

“Nope, something new.” Pinkie said. Rarity looked and saw Gummy inside the bowl, blowing a few bubbles while he was inside it. The sight caused Rarity to spit her mouthful directly into Pinkie’s face. Not only does not shift her broad smile even an inch, but she didn’t even blink.

“It’s gummy’s favorite.” Pinkie said. Chad got to the table and grabbed the cup to drink out of, Rarity pretended she was looking away to let him sneak the drinks. Twilight was about to scold him for this, but Rarity subtly shook her head. Then a new tune starts up on the phonograph.

“Ooh, this is my jam!" Pinkie said as she zipped off. As soon as she was gone, Rarity grabbed Chad and squeezed him towards a potted plant and the punch came flowing out. She put him down and he stumbled towards the dance floor.

Twilight and Fluttershy were soon joined by Pinkie, Chad, and Bandit, who initially came over to take Ace off of Chad’s shoulders before he started dancing before dancing himself.

"Having fun?" She asked as they danced together.

"A blast!" Twilight Sparkle answered happily.

“This is a grand time.” Bandit said as he danced. Chad grabbed Bandit’s hoof and Bandit spun him around before letting him flip back onto the floor.

“You always throw the best parties, Pinkie Pie.” Fluttershy told her.

“They’re always the best parties ’cause my best friends are always there!” Pinkie said. Her dancing got a little too lively and as a result, she wound up accidentally hip-checking Twilight and Fluttershy. Bandit quickly moved Chad out of the way before he could get hip-checked.

“Come on, everypony!” Pinkie encouraged. Bandit pulled Fluttershy off of the wall as Chad used his magic to pull Twilight off, it was a bit of a struggle for him, but he managed.

“Gummy wants to dance!” Pinkie said. Soon they all surrounded Gummy, dancing with him. Ace was grooming himself as Gummy ‘danced’ moving his tail to the beat.

“Go, Gummy! It's your birthday! Go, Gummy! It's your birthday!"





Later, Chad placed the ribbon in gummy’s mouth for him to pull. Gummy blinked before Pinkie lightly pulled him back, which let Gummy pull the ribbon and the box collapsed and revealed a giant plushie version of Gummy. 

“It’s a plushie of the Grand, Groovy Gator Gummy himself.” Chad said as he pets Gummy’s back. Gummy wabbled over and bit at the leg of the plushie. Bandit placed the tiny crown he made for gummy on his head.

“Happy Birthday Gummy.” Bandit smiled.





Nightfall has occurred and everyone was heading home after the party had ended. Pinkie was watching everyone leave from the top floor window.

“Hoo-wee! I am beat.” Applejack was heard saying. "I haven't danced that much since... Well, since your last party. Thanks again for the invite!" And she headed home.

"See ya later, birthday alligator!" Rainbow Dash called out before flying off.

"Bravo for hosting yet another delightful soiree." Rarity complimented. 

“Thanks for having us, we had a grand ti- Chad don’t eat that cake slice, that’s for Spike.” Bandit said, stopping Chad from eating a slice they grabbed for Spike.

“It’s been lovely.” Fluttershy said.

“You sure you don’t want to stay?” Pinkie asked. Twilight and Bandit were in the back so they were the ones to turn around.

“Uh, I think I’m-” Twilight started.

“We.” Bandit added.

“We’re gonna pass.” Twilight said. “Great party, though. We should do this again soon.”

And with that, they all left. Pinkie was left in thought before thinking of what she believed to be a grand idea.

“We should do this again soon!” She said out loud.





The next morning, Bandit was placing breakfast on the table before hearing a knock on the door. He walked downstairs and opened the door to see Pinkie again.

“Oh, hi Pinkie-” Bandit tried to greet.

"It's soon!" Pinkie interrupted excitedly.

“Pardon me?” Bandit asked.

“You and Twilight said we should have another party soon, and… it's soon!" Pinkie responded and presented Bandit with the basket, which had eight invites in it. "Here's your invitation!"

Bandit took the invitation and began to read it.

“You are invited to Gummy’s after-birthday party, this afternoon at three o’clock.” Bandit read before looking at the hopping Pinkie.

“All our bestest friends are invited, and there’s gonna be dancing and games and cake and ice cream and punch!” Pinkie listed.

“This afternoon? This ‘afternoon’ this afternoon?” 

Pinkie nodded “Yes indeedy.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Pinkie, but I can’t make it. I’ve got some more letters to write to Momma and Auntie in preparation for the upcoming gala.” Bandit told her.

“Oh, well what about Twi-”

Twilight walked over with a quill in her magic and Chad was rushing around, making a bunch of stacks of books out of sight.

“Actually, I’ve gotten a bit behind in my studies.” Twilight said before gesturing inside, showing Pinkie the stacked books. “I’ve really gotta hit the books.”

“And Chad?” Pinkie asked.

“He’s out helping Rarity. She called last night asking if he could stop by first thing in the morning to help.” Bandit said. Behind Pinkie, Chad popped up behind a bush wearing a ghillie suit, going back under and then popping up behind the bush across from the one he was in originally, wearing another grey bandana before taking off without a single sound being made.

“I understand. Your studies come first. But don’t worry. We’ll be sure to save you some cake.” Pinkie told them.

“Please do.” Twilight said.

“Thanks Pinkie.” Bandit said. Pinkie began trotting off. Then she stopped to look back at them.

“Oh, and Twilight? You shouldn’t hit the books. You should really just read them.” She said as she hopped off.

“It’s an expres- oh, never mind. Have a good day Pinkie.” Bandit said with a wave.





Over at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was pulling three wagons full of apples, Pinkie pops her head and basket hat out from some hay bales. "Huh? Oh, hi, Pinkie Pie! What brings you 'round these parts?" she asked before taking the invite out of the basket.

"Who's ready to shake their hoof-thang?!" Pinkie Pie asked excitedly, unaware that her friend had dropped the invite after reading it. "It's an invitation to Gummy's "after-birthday" party this afternoon. There's gonna be dancing, and games, and cake, and ice-cream, and punch!"

"This afternoon?" Applejack repeated, stammering a little. "A-as in, "this afternoon" this afternoon?"

"That's funny," Pinkie remarked. "That's just what Bandit, and the answer is, "Yes! It's this afternoon!"

"Uh, well, I… I… uh… I don't think I can make it 'cause… uh… I have to… uh… uh, you know what? I… uh… pick apples! Yep, apples! 'Cause that's what we do! With the… apples. We, uh… pick 'em!" she announced, hoping that her friend would believe her, and smiled nervously.

Pinkie eyed the orange pony for several long seconds before her mood went back to her normal, bubbly self. "Okey-dokey-lokey!" she said cheerfully. "A party is still a party, even if there are only five guests." And she trotted off, missing out on Applejack sighing with relief.





Later, Chad was moving the trash outside of Rarity’s boutique, along with Spike’s ‘help’. Chad was doing most of the heavy lifting whereas Spike was holding onto the trash can, attempting to carry it. All he was doing was tilting the trash can every so often and as a result knocked some trash onto himself, which Chad had to use his magic to put back. He grunted when he set the can down and Spike went back to her. 


"Anything else I can do for you, most beautiful one?" He asked hopefully.

“How about a bath? You smell worse than the trash we just carried.” Chad said. Spike turned to him.

“Quiet you!” He whisper yelled, however, Rarity still heard him and walked over to him.

“He’s right darling. How do I put this delicately? You smell like a rotten apple core that’s been wrapped in moldy hay and dipped in dragon perspiration.” Rarity said.

“If Rumble’s taste in music had a smell, it would be you right now Spike.” Chad said.

In Rumble’s room, he was bobbing his head to the music he was listening to before taking his headphones off to look out the window as if he heard the insult.

Back with Rarity, Spike and Chad, Spike had completely disregarded the insult and, like the first time he met Rarity, he floated off the ground with a lovestruck sigh and goofy smile, hearts in his eyes and floating up along with the stench. She steps out to nudge him with her hoof so that he drifts off like a helium balloon.

“Hi Pinkie.” Chad greeted and warned Rarity. Rarity turned to look at her and then looked at the basket on her head.

“Ooh, love the new hat. Very modern. What’s the occasion?”

"Gummy's "after-birthday" party is this afternoon," Pinkie announced happily. "I'm delivering the invitations."

"The party is this afternoon?" Rarity asked, worried. "As in, "this afternoon" this afternoon?"

Pinkie looked upwards, perplexed. "It's so strange. Everyone keeps saying that."

“Oh…do they?” Rarity asked, a bit uneasy, fiddling with her own mane.

"I know it's short notice.” Pinkie admitted, "but we had such a great time at his birthday party, I thought we could have even more fun at his after-birthday party."

"And I'm sure that we would, but I'm going to have to decline. I have to… wash my hair!" Rarity said, thinking quickly.

“Don’t be silly. Your hair doesn’t look dirty.” Pinkie said.

“Sure it does, right Chad?” Rarity asked, turning to him for an outing. Chad gave the so-so gesture. Rarity looked at Pinkie, she wasn’t buying it. So Rarity zipped over and then dipped her head into the garbage can, contaminating her made in filth.

"See?" She asked, choking down her gag reflex. "Dirty! I have to go!" And she bolted inside her boutique, closing the door behind her. Pinkie looked at Chad and Rarity opened the door again.

“Also I need Chad for those hard to reach areas.” She said, pulling Chad into the boutique by the hoodie and tail.

“Huh. No Bandit, No Twilight, no Applejack, no Rarity.” She spoke out loud, then she smiled again, pushing any negative thoughts out of her mind. “Oh, well. A party is still a party even with only three guests.”





The three guests in question, the three pegasi from cloudsdale, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Lightning Sprint were currently before her.

“This afternoon?” Lightning Sprint asked.

“As in-” Rainbow Dash tried to ask.

“Yes!” Pinkie interrupted. “As in ‘this afternoon’ this afternoon!”

“Oh, man, we’d love to, but…we’re house-sitting this afternoon.” Rainbow Dash said. Fluttershy and Lightning Sprint nodded in confirmation.

“All three of you?” Pinkie asked.

“It’s a really big house.” Lightning Sprint said. Fluttershy and Lightning Sprint looked at Rainbow Dash, who drew a watch on her hoof and pretended they were getting late.

“Uh, look at the time! We’d really better get going.” She tried to get moving with the two behind her, but Pinkie began asking more questions.

“Wait!" Pinkie Pie called out, making the trio stop. "Maybe I could bring you some after-birthday cake and ice-cream. Who're you house-sitting for?" She asked as they floated back to her.

Rainbow Dash thought quickly of a name. "Harry."

"Harry?" Pinkie repeated to see if she heard that right.

"Yeah, I don't think you know him." Lightning Sprint said.

"That's strange" Pinkie remarked. "I know just about everypony around here. And Bandit and chad, you know, cause they’re not ponies."

"He's… a bear," Fluttershy said, Which surprisingly enough, wasn't a lie.

Pinkie blinked. "A bear?"

"Yup!" Lightning Sprint confirmed. "He's a bear all right, and he'll be pretty upset if we don't get over to his house soon." The 3 started flying away again.

"Wait!" Pinkie called out, stopping them once again. "There's a bear around here who lives in a house?"

"It's, uh, really more of a cave," Fluttershy admitted.

"But he's fixed up the place so much, it feels like a house." Rainbow Dash added. Pinkie was still looking at them confused.

Fluttershy nodded. "And, uh, he wants us to look after his house… uh, cave… while he's, uh…"

"A-at the beach!" Rainbow Dash finished quickly.

Pinkie looked at them questioningly and very confused. "He's vacationing at the beach?"

“Yes, he loves to-” Fluttershy tried to say, only for Lightning Sprint and Rainbow Dash to talk at the same time.

“Collect seashells!/Play beach volleyball!…Play beach volleyball!/Collect seashells!…Collect volleyballs!/Play seashells!” The two speedy pegasi said. They all then took off flying, since they had a hard time keeping the story straight.

“Gotta go!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“See ya!” Lightning Sprint exclaimed. Pinkie plastered a perfectly perplexed expression on her face. She was back at home with that exact expression on her face as Gummy was pulling his plushie around the room.

“Something strange is definitely going on around here, Gummy. Sure, Rainbow Dash, Lightning Sprint and Fluttershy had to house-sit for that vacationing bear, but what are the chances all my other friends would have plans this afternoon too?” Pinkie said standing up. She then walked towards the window.

“Rarity has to wash her hair? Chad has to get the ‘hard to reach places’? Applejack has to pick apples? Twilight is behind on her studies and has to hit the books? Bandit has to write to his Mother and Aunt to prepare for the gala?” She briefly stopped herself and thought about that last one. “Actually, that last one makes the most since. But, the more I think about what the others told me, the more those are starting to sound like…” She then realized with a gasp. “Excuses!”

Looking worried, she casts her line of sight out over Ponyville, only to react with sudden surprise and ducked down to peek over the sill. Across the way, she spots Bandit, who was walking towards Sugar Cube Corner. He walked inside, and Pinkie started to get suspicious.

“That doesn’t look like writing letters….or preparing for the gala.” She said. She went back into her room, not seeing Twilight sneak into a bush.





Bandit rang the bell as he stood at the counter. Mrs. Cake walked out of the kitchen and spotted Bandit. 

"Ooh!" She said, coming up to the counter. "You must be here for…"

"Shh!" Bandit warned before looking around in a hushed whisper. "Is Pinkie Pie around?"

“I don’t think so.” Mrs. Cake said. Bandit opened his mouth but stopped when a tin can on the end of a string was dropped down in front of him. Bandit looked up and saw the hole it was through.

“She’s here.” Bandit whispered. He then wrote down what he was here for while at the same time, talking to throw Pinkie off.

“I’m just here for a few snacks, letters to mom and aunt to help prepare for the gala took a toll on my stomach.” He said before giving her the paper, which confirmed he was here for what Mrs. Cake thought, while also telling her to play along.

“Oh I understand.” She winked, confirming she was playing along. “Hard work can give you quite the appetite, I’ll be right back.”

“Why would Bandit ask where I was before asking for a snack? What wouldn’t Bandit want me to know anything about?” She asked herself. She pulled the tin can back up right as Bandit turned to the door to wink at Twilight. Although she didn’t see the wink, she did see the paper on the counter. She couldn’t see the top half, but she did see the bottom half that said play along.

“He is hiding something.” She whisper yelled. Bandit turned back to Mrs.Cake, but when he realized he couldn’t see the tin can he looked up. He saw an empty hole, due to Pinkie moving before she could be seen. Then he looked down and saw the paper she could’ve seen.

“Here you go.” Mrs. Cake said. Bandit leaned over the counter and whispered something into her ear. She nodded.





Back outside, Bandit was walking back to the library, and Pinkie was hot on his tail. As he walked, Pinkie watches from around a corner. An instant later, she pops closer to where he was walking, with Gummy perched on the back of her head.

“Time to get to the bottom of this.” She said, putting on a pair of Groucho Marx-style joke glasses, complete with a large nose and bushy eyebrows and mustache. She tails him back to the library and peers through the window. She sees him set at a desk, taking a few Moon Nights out of the box to eat before continuing to write the letters. 

“He wasn’t lying?” She asked. However, briefly, she looked at the reflection in the window and saw Bandit passing off the box on his back to Twilight. She turned around just in time to see Bandit disappear into an alley and Twilight sneaking off. The Bandit in the library was the Hyperrealistic Hologram spell from Griffon the Brush Off.

“He was!” She hush shouted. She then looked at her disguise. “He knew I was coming, I need a new disguise.”





It wasn't long before Twilight reached Carousel Boutique and she rang the doorbell. Rarity opened the door, looked around quickly, and then subtly stepped out next to Twilight.

"She didn't see Bandit drop off the package to you, did she?" she inquired in a low voice.

"She should still be distracted by the hologram." Twilight Sparkle replied, sliding the box off her back and onto the ground between them.

"Oh, good," Rarity started, relieved. "I'd hate for her to ruin everything."

"Me too, where’s Chad?” Twilight asked.

“Ready for if things go wrong.” Rarity answered. And with that, she left.

Rarity stepped to the side so that the box was hidden from view, and she scooped it into her tail before heading off. As she turns past one of the tents set up near her shop, a nearby straw bale grew four pinkie legs with Pinkie’s eyes peering out the front, and Gummy popped out of the top and sneezed.





Later, Rarity walked down a street, where Fluttershy poked her head out from around a corner making sure the coast was clear. Rarity walked over to her and gave her a wink before stopping in front of her.

Pinkie’s disguise, now outfitted with a baseball cap and trench coat, peered around the corner to listen in.

"Have you seen her?" she asked.

"Not since this morning." Fluttershy replied.

"Me neither," Rarity agreed. "Twilight said, Bandit had her distracted with a hologram spell, but you can never be too sure with Pinkie Pie. Can you believe she was planning on throwing an after-birthday party today?"

"I'm just glad I was able to come up with an excuse for why I couldn't be there." Fluttershy responded.

"Me too!" Rarity added. "This is obviously going to be so much better." Pinkie’s eyes showed nothing but sadness.

"As long as we keep her from finding out about it, it will." Fluttershy added.

Rarity nodded and whispered, "See you later!" She then walked the opposite way.

Fluttershy picked up the box by the string wrapped around and she began walking out of the alleyway. Pinkie started to frantic hop to make her getaway, which was cut short when she knocked herself silly against the corner of a house. She bounces backward and bumped against Fluttershy, which made her drop the box and stumble back. Stunned, she looked at the haybale and gasped when she saw eyes staring right at her. Fluttershy screamed, snatched up the box, and flew away as fast as she could.

Pinkie watched her go and pouted while Gummy popped out of the pocket of the jacket. "I thought everypony loved my parties." She stated sadly.

Lightning Sprint then trotted by.

“Hi Pinkie pie.” She said. She then froze when she realized who she just saw. “Uh-oh!” She took off.

“Lightning Sprint wait!” Pinkie called out as she hopped after her. Lightning Sprint got a good distance away, only for Pinkie to pop out of the barrel she was next to, no longer in her disguise. “Where are you going!?”

“Sweet Honeydew Inside Tuile!” She exclaimed after getting startled and flew up. She flew into the Ponyville Schoolhouse Bell. She let out a sigh of relief, only for Pinkie to be right next to her, dangling upside down like a bat.

“What’s the real reason you didn’t want to come to Gummy’s party?!?” Pinkie shouted. The bell rang and Lightning Sprint flung herself out, trying to escape via the nearest mountain. She gets to the top and pants.

“Thirsty.” She said, a pink hoof gave her some water, which she drank, before doing a spit take upon realizing who just gave her that water bottle.

Pinkie then noticed that Lightning Sprint was carrying a saddlebag, and something was in there.

“WHAT’S IN THOSE BAGS?!?!?” She demanded.

“How are you so fast!?” Lightning Sprint exclaimed before taking off, leaving behind a trail of blue and white. 

“I’M ASKING THE QUESTIONS HERE!” Pinkie exclaimed before running after her, leaving a trail of pink and green due to Gummy being on her back.





Flying as fast as she could, Lightning Sprint barreled towards Sweet Apples Acres, where Applejack spots the fast-approaching chase 

"Applejack! We have a problem!" Lightning Sprint exclaimed.

Pinkie was hot on her tail. Applejack quickly whistled and she and Lightning Sprint ran inside, while Chad slides out in the seated position right in pinkie’s path. Pinkie slid to a stop as Chad used his magic to close the door.

“Heya Pinkie!” Chad said with a wide grin.

“Can’t talk now Chad, I’m taking a look inside that barn.” Pinkie said as she tried to walk past him, but Chad used his tail to pull her back in front of him.

“I’m afraid you can’t go in there.” Chad said.

“Lightning Sprint just went in there.” Pinkie pointed out.

“She’s supposed to, she’s helping with the in barn construction.” Chad said. Seconds later, a song was heard playing.

“Rainbow! Wrong Disc!” Lightning was heard whisper shouting. 


“Sorry sorry sorry.” Rainbow Dash whisper yelled back before construction noises were heard playing. Pinkie glared at him, and Chad smiled widely, dilating his eyes. She started asking questions, glaring more intently per question.

“What tool is Twilight using?”

“She’s handling blueprints.”

“Applejack?”

“Hammering the beams.”

“Lightning Sprint?”

“Getting any tools we forgot.”

“Bandit?”

“Finished with the letters and getting any building materials we forgot.”

“Rainbow Dash?” 

“Providing the nails.”

“Fluttershy?”

“Moral support.”

“Pinkie Pie?”

“Asking me questions.”

“Oh forget it!” Pinkie exclaimed as she stomped her hoof and turned around stomping off. Chad looked to his left, where Pinkie popped back, nose to nose with him, but he still didn’t break. And with that, she backed off. Chad trotted back inside and the other ponies plus Bandit let out a sigh of relief.





Back in town, Pinkie was pacing around Gummy, who was sitting there with his normal blank expression on his face as Pinkie spoke.

"Secrets and lies!" She scowled, still pacing while Gummy merely blinked his eyes. "It's all secrets and lies with all of them! They're up to something, Gummy! Something they don't want me to know about!” She zipped back over, bumping into Gummy, making him go back on all fours. “Well, I'm gonna know about it! I'm gonna know about it big time! And I know just who's gonna tell me all about it. Tell me all about it big time!"





Later on, Spike was in Pinkie’s upstairs room, standing in a chair and looking at a plate full of gems.

"Wow! Nice spread!" Spike exclaimed.

"It's all yours, Spike.” She said with a smug grin. She then pulled out a spotlight, grabbed his tail, and pulls it through the back of the chair, letting Gummy bite down to hold him in place. The spotlight is turned on, all the other lights in the room switch off, and she leans in close through the glare.

“All you have to do is talk.” She said, expecting Spike to tell him what she wanted to hear.

Spike blinked. "That's it? Aw, you got it," he agreed. "Okay… uh, beautiful weather we're having, eh? I love a sunny spring day, don't you? The birds chirpin' and the flowers blooming."

Spike tried to reach for the gems, only for Pinkie to slide them away. "No, no, no. Talk about our friends." She said, again Spike didn’t tell her what they wanted.

"Oh, okay," Spike said. As he stood on the chair. "Let's see, there's Twilight Sparkle. She's a unicorn. Good with magic. A real brainiac. Then there's Bandit, who’s like Twilight but much more laid back and doesn’t yell at me for sneaking a late night snack. And then you got Rarity. Total knockout. Twilight seems to think I don't even have a chance with her, but… eh, what does she know? Chad’s always taking her attention from me, I know I’m a way better catch. Let's see. There's… there's Fluttershy, a Pegasus who's afraid of heights. Heh, what's up with that?" Spike said. Before he could continue, Pinkie stopped him with a growl.

“No! You're not understanding me! I want you to confess!" Pinkie exclaimed. Gummy was no longer holding Spike’s tail and was instead looking down at the two from on top of the chair.

“Confess?” 

“Confess!” 

Spike got nervous and sweaty. He tried to stay strong, but he couldn’t hold his tongue.

“I’m the one who deleted Chad’s minecraft world and told him the save file corrupted!” Spike said.

“And?”

“And I lied to Bandit when I told him I got rid of my old Stuffed Ursa, Virgo!” Spike confessed. Pinkie didn’t get what she wanted, so she pushed on.

“And?” She asked. Spike gulped.

“And sometimes… when no one's around… I do this." Spike grabbed a mirror and he began flexing his muscles in front of it. "Lookin' good, Spike! Lookin' real good!" 

Pinkie looked like her brain broke for a moment, but then she shook her head, and her patience broke.

“No, no, no, NO!” Pinkie exclaimed, knocking the mirror away. Spike began to get scared.

“Wh…what do you want to hear? Tell me what you want me to say and I’ll say it!” Spike told her.

“Tell me that my friends are all lying to me and avoiding me because they don’t like my parties and they don’t want to be my friends anymore!” She shouted, the last two words nearly sent the spikes on his head flying.

She breathed heavily and Spike was so scared that he repeated those exact words to her.

“Your friends are all lying to you and avoiding you ’ cause they don’t like your parties and they don’t want to be your friends anymore!” He said, fearing the worst. Pinkie gave a triumphant smile.

“Aha! I knew it.” Her smile then disappeared and her normally puffy mane deflated like balloons, her ears flopped and her overall color scheme darkened. She looked down in sadness. “Oh, no. My friends don’t like my parties and they don’t want to be my friends anymore.”

“Uh. Pinkie?” Spike called. Pinkie moved the gems over to him. He gulped and got off the chair. “I think I’ll pass.”

He got to the stairs before stopping, coming back, and grabbing a green gem. “Just one.”

He then ran out as fast as he could.





Sometime later, Pinkie looked up with a smile on her face.

“Thank you all so much for coming.” She started. She was talking to her ‘guests’ which consisted of a bucket of turnips, a pile of rocks, a clump of lint, and a bag of flour. Gummy’s plushie was also there, as Gummy was on its back, biting at the back of the plushie’s neck. All but Pinkie were wearing party hats. And Pinkie was puppeting all of them.

"Could I have some more punch?" The turnips asked, Pinkie giving it a deep male voice.

"Well, of course you can have some more punch, Mr. Turnip." Pinkie answered, setting a cup of punch in front of the bucket. She then twitched before moving to the pile of rocks.

"This is one great party! "You really outdone yourself!" She made the pile of rocks took in a Brooklyn accent.

"Why, thank you, Rocky." She said before moving to the clump of lint.

"I'm having a delightful time as well.” Pinkie gave an English accent to.

"I'm so glad, Sir Lintsalot." She thanked before twitching yet again.

"Might I trouble you for anozer slice of cake?" the bag of flour asked in a polite French accent.

"Anything for you, Madame le Flour." Pinkie said presented the bag of flour with a slice of cake. 

"I'm just glad those so-called friends of yours decided to show, up don’tcha know?" Pinkie gave Gummy’s plushie a midwestern accent.

"Oh, they're not so bad." And that was the moment where her mind officially snapped. As the smile stays in place, the eyes above it slowly drift in two different directions on the sides of her head.

"Not so bad?" Rocky repeated. "Puh-lease! They're a buncha losers!"

Pinkie was taken aback by this. "Oh, c'mon now," she said. "‘Losers’ might be a little strong, don’tcha think?"

"After the way they treated you?" Sir. Lintsalot asked. "I say "losers" isn't strong enough."

"Well, it was pretty rude…" Pinkie admitted.

"Pretty rude?" Madame le Flour repeated, offended. "It was downright despicable!"

"It was, wasn't it?" Pinkie began to agree

"If I were ya, I wouldn't speak to them ever again." Gummy Plushie said.

"You know what? I'm not gonna speak to them ever again." Pinkie agreed, her mind slipping further into insanity. "And I'm not gonna invite them to another party as long as I live! They don't deserve to be invited to my parties.” She twitched again. “Not after the way they've been acting."

Madame le Flour clapped in agreement. "Deeespicable!"

"Such losers!" Sir Lintsalo declared.

"Yes, zat's right," Madame le Flour agreed.

"Well done," Mr. Turnip agreed.

"Yeah!" said Sr. Lintsalot.

"You show 'em!" Rocky agreed.

“Woo!” Gummy’s plushie said. Although to Pinkie they were moving on their own, in reality, she was moving them so that they could speak/move. Her antics were soon interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Who could that be?” She asked. Bandit opened the door located on the balcony of Pinkie’s room. He and Lightning Sprint both entered the room and Lightning Sprint looked around and saw how everything looked.

“Hey Pinkie. Sorry about-” Bandit tried to say.

“Oh I’m out of here.” Lightning Sprint said. She tried to fly right back out to escape the creepy setting, but Bandit yanked her tail to bring her back. She nearly hit the ground and recovered to look at Pinkie.

“Sorry for being busy for most of the day.” Bandit said, he was unbothered by the setting he had come into, but that was because he was concerned about the pony they came to get. “Had some things to take care of.”

“You know how that goes.” Lightning Sprint added.

“I know how it goes, all right!" Pinkie gritted through her teeth.

“Well, to make it up to you, we have something we want you to see at Sweet Apple Acres.” Bandit told her.

“Why don’t you come with us?” Lightning Sprint said.

"No thanks." Pinkie stated as she trotted to the bag of flour. "I'm spending time with my real friends. Isn't that right, Madame le Flour?" She asked, making the flour agree.

"Oui! Zat iz correct, madame." 

Bandit and Lightning Sprint looked at one another and then back at Pinkie.

“Pinkie?” Lightning Sprint tried to call, her creeped out feeling replaced with the same concern Bandit had.

"Another slice of cake, Gummy #2?" Pinkie asked.

"I'd love one, don’tcha know." Pinkie said in the midwestern accent yet again. 

“Okay, Pinkie, let’s get you out of self isolated Elm street and head to the barn.” Bandit said. Pinkie shoved Mr. Turnip in front of him.

“She’s not going anywhere.”

“I most certainly am not." Pinkie stated in her normal voice. "I'm having a wonderful time right here."

Bandit slid the turnips out of his way.

“Pinkie, I think it’s important that you-”

Pinkie then moved Rocky in front of him.

“You heard the lady! She ain’t goin’ nowheres, chump!” Rocky said. Bandit glared, not liking that being said at all.

Seconds later, Rocky was thrown out the window conveniently left open.

“Next time watch who you’re calling a chump-I can not believe I just shouted at a rock.” Bandit said as he facehoofed. 

“Okay Pinkie, your….whatever this is, is started to get contagious. Let’s go before this infects me next.” Lightning Sprint said as she got behind Pinkie.

“No.” Pinkie said.

“We’re leaving, now!” Lightning Sprint demanded.

“I said No!” Pinkie persisted. Lightning Sprint then began trying to forcefully move her using her head.

“You…have to…come with…us!” She said per step taken, moving Pinkie each step.

“No..” Pinkie dug her front hooves into the floor. “I…” She lifted her lower body, knocking Lightning Sprint off balance. “Don’t!” She slammed her rump on the top of her head. Bandit ran over and yanked her out. Lightning Sprint was dazed but shook her head.

“I got this.” Bandit said.





Bandit was walking to Sweet Apple Acres with a flailing Pinkie Pie being held by the scruff with Gummy on his head. She was trying to hit Bandit to get him to let her go, but Bandit used his magic to block them before opening the door.

“We’re here!” Lightning Sprint announced.

Bandit brought Pinkie into the room and sat her down gently. She looked up and saw Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Chad all wearing party hats.

“Surprise!” They all shouted in unison with loving smiles on their faces. Bandit moved her further into the barn as the expressions shifted from smiles to uncomfortable as they saw she was glaring instead of smiling.

“I’d really thought she’d be more excited.” Fluttershy said to Twilight.

“Excited? Excited?!? Why would I be excited to attend my own farewell party?!?” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Farewell party?” Chad asked, rather confused.

“Yes! You don’t like me anymore, so you decide to kick me out of the group and throw a great big party to celebrate! A “Farewell to Pinkie Pie” party!” Pinkie exclaimed as she faced away from the group in a pout.

“Why in the world would you think we didn’t like you anymore, sugar cube?” Applejack asked.

“Why? Why? Why?!" Pinkie shrieked, getting louder and louder. She then jumped up and floated/flailed mid-air.

“Because you’ve been LYING to me and avoiding me all day! That’s why!” Pinkie shouted. Bandit grabbed her and set her back down.

“Well, duh. That’s the point of a surprise party isn’t?” Bandit asked.

“We'd been planning this party for such a long time," Rarity explained. "We had to make excuses for why we couldn't attend Gummy's party so that we could get everything ready for yours."

“Well, except Bandit. He really did have to write those letters.” Chad pointed out.

“It’s true.” Bandit said, taking a very Applejack-like stance.

"If this is a farewell party, why does the cake Bandit picked up from Sugarcube Corner say "Happy Birthday, Pinkie Pie"?" Twilight asked, nodding to the pink cake that had a picture of their friend on the top.

Pinkie looked around at the decorations, the presents, trays filled with truffles and bonbons, and the cake before with a loud squeak, her mane and tail went back to their curly state. "Because it's my birthday!” She stretched out her hooves and hugged her friends. "Ooh, how could I have forgotten my own birthday?" Her friends sighed in relief. 

"And you like me so much you decided to throw me a surprise party!" She let go and hopped around.

"That's what we've been trying to tell you, darling," Rarity said with a smile.

"You guys are the best friends ever!" Pinkie stated before looking down and sadly adding. "How could I have ever doubted you?"

“It could’ve happened to any of us.” Bandit said. The others came forward, agreeing with him.

“I’m just glad I haven’t been replaced by a bucket of turnips.” Lightning Sprint said.

“Don’t ask.” Bandit said to Twilight.

“How about we, ‘turnip’ the music and Party!” Chad said. Ignoring the pun, the music started and the party started.





As the party was full swing, Bandit was writing the letter to Celestia.

“Dear My Loving Mother, I am writing to you from the most delightful party. I'm not only having a great time with my friends, but also was given the opportunity to learn a valuable lesson about friendship. Always expect the best from your friends, and never assume the worst. Rest assured that a good friend always has your best interests at heart. Your loving son, Bandit." Bandit said before having Spike send the letter. He smiled and went to join his friends in the conga line. Spike watched before feeling Spike tap his shoulder. Spike turned and saw a very angry-looking Chad.

“You deleted my save file?” He asked with a growl. Spike gulped.

“I know you’re mad, let me explain.” Spike said. Rather than explain, he bolted. Chad ran after him. Applejack saw this and giggled.

“Boys.”

"You girls wouldn't mind if we celebrated Gummy's after-birthday party too, would you?" Pinkie asked, nodding to her gator, who was trying to eat a pink balloon. "His party was cut short, and he's pretty upset about it."

"Oh, definitely."

"Aww, he was upset?"

"We can do that."

"Uh-huh, sure!"

"Absolutely."

"For Gummy, yeah!"

"Yeah, why not?" 

"Let's have a party for Gummy.”

“Happy belated Gummy.”

“Ooh! We should do this for your birthday Bandit!” Pinkie said. Bandit shook his head.

“Oh no, I don’t celebrate my birthday.”
> Game of Groans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike was running as fast as legs could carry him back to the library. He was holding a plastic bag with something in it. He was also smiling the entire way back to the library.

In the treehouse, Chad was in his room watching television with Ace on his shoulders again. On the screen was the cartoon known as Shinobi Tigers.

“Chad Chad Chad!” Spike called as he raced through the doors, Bandit and Twilight opening them before he could collide with the doors, so the doors wouldn’t be broken. Chad turned to look at Spike as he came running in. 

“What’s going on Spike?” Chad asked. Spike held up a game with two velociraptors, one with green markings on his side, the other with orange markings.

“Dino Dasher 3?” Chad asked.

“Yeah! It finally came out!” Spike said with a little dance to match his excitement.

“I thought that game was delayed.” Chad said with a tilted head.

“It was, but they managed to release it. Guess they fixed whatever problems they were having.” Spike said as he placed the game into the console and sat down. Ace hissed at him as he was sitting in his spot. Spike moved and Ace got off Chad’s shoulders and curled up in his spot. The game turned on and revealed a low resolution, 8 bit game that was very different from the cover of the game. Chad looked at the cover, the game, back at the cover, and then at the game.

“This is the worst game my eyes have ever been cursed into seeing.” Chad thought before looking at Spike. 






My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?







The character select screen was in front of them. The two characters, Rex (the green one) and Dex (the orange one) were bobbing up and down to the music as they were waiting to be chosen.

“Rex and Dex huh? They haven’t changed the characters since we weren’t born.” Chad tapped his chin. He picked up the Player 2 controller.

“You can be player 1 Spike.” Chad told him. Spike doubletaked but then took the controller and picked Rex. Chad chose Dex and as soon as they started the game, it froze and crashed.

“Dangit, the game crashed, hold on.” Spike said as he walked over to restart the game. 

“Spike! Chad! Lunch!” Twilight called.

“Coming!” Chad exclaimed as he zipped off fast enough to leave behind a dust silhouette, who gently placed down his controller before disappearing as Spike rushed after him.





After lunch, Chad was making his way to the door, only for Spike call out for him from the door to their room.

“Hey Chad! Ready to get our Dino on?” He asked. Chad turned to look at him and tried to look for an outing.

“Oh, uh yeah, but it’ll have to be later, you see I gotta…..” He shifted his eyes before noticing Big Macintosh in town before smiling. “Help at Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Oh, okay.” Spike said.

“See you when I get back.” Chad said as he zipped off so fast, he left another dust silhouette, who waved at Spike before fading once again. Spike shrugged and walked down the stairs to play the game. He was completely unbothered by Chad not wanting to play they game.





Chad made it to Sweet Apple Acres where Applejack was bucking apples, with Apple Bloom doing the same. Apple Bloom looked up and noticed him.

“Howdy Chad!” She called out. 

“Hi Apple Bloom! Howdy Applejack!” Chad said as he ran over.

“What brings you over?” Applejack asked.

“I came to see what I could help with things at Sweet Apple Acres.” Chad said with a smile and a wagging tail. Applejack tapped her chin.

“Well, there’s not a lot for you to do. Unless you can pull that plow.” Applejack said as she pointed to the plow that was nearby. Chad trotted to plow and used a magic lasso to harness himself to it. “Wait, Chad I don’t want you to-”

Chad started pulling the plow with very little effort. 

“Huh….I guess you can.” Applejack said, extremely stunned at Chad’s ability to pull the plow.

Chad plowed the entire field before finally letting the magic lasso disappear, and then pushing the plow back to its original place.

“That was some mighty fine work there Chad. You sure you’re not secretly a farm pony under all this exoskeleton?” Applejack asked as she tickled him, he laughed and thumped his leg. “Huh, you’re deceptively soft.”

“Got anything else for me to do?” Chad asked. 

“Why so helpful all of a-”

“I could use some help with my household chores.” Apple Bloom interrupted.

“Apple Bloom, I’m sure Chad doesn’t want to do any of your-” Applejack doubletaked to see Chad was nothing more than a dust silhouette now, which of course faded away. Apple Bloom and Applejack head inside and found Chad dusting and tidying Apple Bloom’s room. 

“Aaaaaaaaaand.” Chad zipped over and dusted Apple Bloom’s nose. “Done.”

Apple Bloom let out a small sneeze before giggling.

“What else?” Chad asked.

“Uh. Well the kitchen needs some mop-” Applejack tried to say, but once again, Chad ran out so fast that a dust silhouette was left. The dust silhouette sighed as it faded once more.

Apple Bloom and Applejack followed the trail once more and saw Chad using his tail as a mop. Dousing it in bubble soap and water before moving back and forth, moving furniture in his magic while at the same time sliding around the room on his tail like a sled. He was finished in no time and Applejack looked at the floor.

“Wow!” Apple Bloom said as she looked at the floor.

“This floor’s so clean that I can see my reflection.” Applejack said with a smile. Chad washed his tail and hopped over to them.

“Anything else?” He asked. 

“Afraid not Chad. That was everything.” Applejack said. 

“Oh, okay.” Chad said as his ears slightly flopped. He had delayed the inevitable. But Apple Bloom tapped her chin and got an idea.

“Hey, maybe Sweetie Belle and Rarity could use some help at the boutique.” Apple Bloom suggested. Chad zipped off, not leaving a dust silhouette this time, but then came back and hugged them both.

“Thank you.” He said zipping off again, leaving his dust silhouette. The dust silhouette looked at itself before holding up a sign towards the readers that said, ‘I quit’, before fading away, along with the sign.

“Huh, that was weird.” Applejack pointed out. Apple Bloom wasn’t paying attention to the dust cloud.

“Think he’s available tomorrow?” Apple Bloom asked. Applejack shot her an unamused look.





At the library, Spike was playing Dino Dash 3 as Bandit came downstairs.

“Spike, you down here?” He asked. Spike paused the game and looked at the stairs. 

“Yeah, I’m down here!” Spike called. Bandit down the stairs and looked at the game. It was still the first level, despite how long he was playing the game.

“Dino Dasher 3 huh? What level are you on?” Bandit asked.

“Level one.” Spike answered.

“Still? You’ve been playing this for hours.” Bandit asked as he looked at the screen.

“Well, the game kept crashing and freezing. Then I couldn’t get past the first drop because they changed the jump button.” Spike said.

“Again?” Bandit asked.

“And the attack button, and theres no tutorial.” Spike answered.

“Wow. This game is…” He looked at how Spike was playing the game. “Interesting to say the least.”

“I bought it today.” Spike told him. 

“How much was the game?”

“70 bits.” 

“Wow. That sounds like a serious steal.” Bandit said sarcastically.

“Well it kinda was. I could have gotten the Ultimate edition for the additional 4 levels for 15 extra bits, or 100 bits for the retro edition, which lets me get Tex and Apex.” Spike explained.

“Spike, I was being sarcastic. This game looks like it’s been around longer than the dinosaurs on the cover. And from what you’ve told me, this is probably one of the worst games you could buy.” Bandit clarified.

“You wanna be player 2 while Chad is out?” Spike asked.

“Absolutely.” Bandit said as he picked up the other controller.





At Rarity’s Boutique, Chad was holding still for Rarity, who was using him as a size reference to make more hoodies for sale. 

“Thank you so much for your help darling. It’s so hard to find a colt who holds still long enough for me to get a good measurement.” Rarity said as Sweetie Belle came over with a juice box.

“Glad I could help Rarity.” Chad said as Sweetie Belle levitated the juice to Chad.

“Thank you Sweetie Belle.” Chad said as he drank the juice.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand. Done.” Rarity said as she finished her sewing. Chad used his magic to keep the hoodie still as he slipped out of it and directly into his normal hoodie in less than a second.

“Thank you darling.” She said as it was revealed that multiple different Hoodie designs were on dress forms roughly Chad’s size. The hoodies ranged from normal colored to multi-toned hoodies with multiple, yet fashionable colors. “I’m sure many foals will love these hoodies. Although I must ask. Why are you so helpful all of a sudden?”

“Darn.” Chad said.

“What?” Rarity asked.

“I was hoping Sweetie Belle would interrupt you before that question would leave your mouth.” Chad told her.

“Oh, Sorry.” Sweetie Belle said.

“It’s fine Sweetie Belle. I just thought it would be the third pony I tried to help. Or one that didn’t have a distracting Sibling.” Chad said before sitting down and looking at Rarity. “I’m trying to buy myself time so I don’t have to play Dino Dasher 3 with Spike.”

“You don’t want to play the game with Spike?” Rarity asked.

“No, I love playing with Spike. The problem is the game he wants us to play. Dino Dasher 3, which he just bought.” Chad answered.

“Wasn’t that game delayed?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“They released it after ‘fixing the difficulties’ in the game. Which is a fancy way of saying we fixed nothing, here’s the game now give us your bits.” Chad said.

“I take it you’re not a big fan of that game?” Rarity asked.

“I hate that game more than Kazoos.” Chad said. 

“Wait, why do you hate kazoos?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“I do not trust kazoos. At all.” Chad said.

“Why don’t you just tell Spike you don’t like the game and try to play something else?” Rarity asked.

“He loves that game series, he’s always playing the games I like. Well, except the Moonball series. I mean, I still play his favorite games that I’m not fond of, Like the Pixie Park games, Ironsphere, and literally any game from Tidal Wave Studios, especially their Dino Dasher series.” Chad said before looking out the window and seeing the sun beginning to lower. “Alright. The inevitable has been delayed long enough. Thanks for helping out.” Chad said as he walked out of the Boutique. As he walked out, a colt (Featherweight) was pointing to one of the hoodies, clearly asking his mother to by it.





Chad arrived back at the library and was greeted by Ace, who ran over and climbed onto his shoulders. Chad went downstairs just in time to see Spike and Bandit passing level one.

“Wow, that was frustrating.” Bandit said as he placed the controller down. 

“Yeah, first level wasn’t a very fun. I’m sure the next levels are gonna be better.” Spike said optimistically.

“I’m back.” Chad said from behind them.

“Okay, you kiddos enjoy game time, I gotta run some errands.” Bandit said as he got out as quickly as possible.

Chad grabbed the controller and sat down. He saw that level 2 was just unlocked.

“How long have you been trying to unlock Level 1?” Chad asked.

“Since you left. It gave me enough time to figure out what controls are what. As it turns out, you press B to jump and then press A to double jump. You have to press down the joysticks twice to use your special ability, and double tap Y to go superspeed.” Spike explained to him. Chad looked at the controller before unplugging it and grabbing a more generic looking controller.

“Just in case I feel like the controller needs a flying lesson.” Chad said.

“But controllers don’t fly.” Spike slightly misunderstood.

“This’ll be the first.” Chad said.





(Level 2)

Chad and Spike were on level two of dino dasher 3, and the second the game started, they were greeted with the dashboard, for the game crashed yet again.

“What just happened?” Chad asked.

“The game crashed again.” Spike said as he clicked on the game. His pupils then shrank. “Uh oh.”

“Don’t tell me. You didn’t save after you completed level one.”

“Nope.”

“Starting back from the beginning?” 

“Definitely.”

“........Of course.”





(Level One)

Chad and Spike started back to the beginning, controlling Rex (Spike) and Dex (Chad), they began playing.

They came across a pit fall to jump over and Chad double tapped A to jump over it, only to walk right off the edge.

“Dang.” He muttered.

The game restarted to the beginning of the level.

“Wait, if one of us loses the level restarts?” Chad asked.

“Yeah.” Spike answered. Chad sighed yet again.





Chad managed to get to the jump again and pressed B to jump, but he double tapped it to double jump, but no second jump happened and instead he dropped straight down. Chad looked up at the ceiling out of frustration with a groan as the level restarted.





Chad finally cleared the jump and let out a satisfactory sigh, successfully double jumping over the drop. His celebration was cut short when Spike fell down the platform.

“Spike!!” Chad exclaimed.

“I hit the wrong button!” Spike exclaimed as they restarted to the beginning of the level.

“Aaaaaargh!” Chad exclaimed.

“I’m sorry!” Spike exclaimed.





Both were finally over the platform and they saw an enemy coming their way.

“Use X to attack.” Spike told him. Chad used the X button and took the enemy out with one hit with a tail whip. They came across another drop and Chad fell down again, even though he pressed B.

“What!?” He exclaimed before looking at his controller. “You are asking for it controller! You are begging for-” He abruptly stopped and looked back at the screen as the level started from the beginning.

“Chad are you okay?” Spike asked as he looked at him.

“How many controllers did you break during the gorgon heads level of Castlemane-ia?” Chad asked.

“4.” Spike answered.

“I’m about to make it 5.” Chad said.





They got back to past the drop where they’re confronted by an enemy, which was quickly defeated. They jump over the next drop and came across a series of platforms above them that were gonna be dropping spikes.

“Okay, this is where we use our speed boost. Ready?” Spike asked.

“Double tap Y right?” Chad asked.

“Right.”

“Okay okay, ready.” Chad said. The two of them double tapped Y, to speed boost, but Chad went in one short burst while Spike was still running. And of course he was defeated by a spike. Chad sighed before looking at Spike.

“Did you have to hold down the button to keep the speed boost going after you double tap?” Chad asked.

“Yes.” Spike answered. Then he realized he didn’t tell Chad to hold the button down after double tapping Y. “I forgot to tell-”

“Yes. Yes you did.” Chad said with an eye twitch.





After yet another painful hardship, they finally got to the end of the level.

“Finally!” Chad exclaimed. The level completed text popped up. “Lemon pie couldn’t make me happier than seeing those letters.” Chad said. Spike hit continue and they were moved onto the second level and Spike paused the game to save their progress and as soon as possible.

At that moment the game froze.

“No!” The two exclaimed. Spike started moving the joystick and pressing the A button out of panic.

“Please! Please don’t crash!” Chad exclaimed. His begging was answered, but since Spike was spamming the joystick and A button, the game did his last movements, which made him quit without saving progress.

“NO!!” Spike and Chad exclaimed, quickly starting the game again, and of course, they were back on level one.

“NOOOOOO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!” Chad exclaimed as he spiked the controller to the ground. “Absotively Positutely not! I’m going to sleep!” 

Chad stomped to his bed and threw the covers on to fall asleep. Spike looked at him, then the controller, and the game. He then went back to playing the game.





The next morning, Chad woke up and saw Spike asleep in a sleeping bag next to the controller he was playing with. Chad walked over and saw that the game was still on and on the pause menu of a water level. Chad looked at the level and saw that it was on level 5, and the bags under Spike’s eyes as he slept told Chad that he had been playing until late night.

Chad looked at the level and then walked upstairs.





Chad was at Sugar Cube Corner with Skeedaddle, Rumble, and Apple Bloom. He had a bag on his side, having just bought something from the game shop. As they waited for their food, Skeedaddle spoke up.

“Hey Chad. Do you think consider sequels films that aren’t made by the original screenwriters to be high-budget fanfiction?” Skeedaddle asked.

“I literally just sat down and that’s how you start off a conversation?” Chad asked.

“You feeling okay Chad?” Rumble asked, noticing his tone.

“No not really, Spike bought Dino Dasher 3 yesterday. I played it with Spike last night and I’m dreading playing it again.” Chad answered.

“Wasn’t that game delayed?” Skeedaddle asked.

“They released it anyway.” Chad said. “It’s still very buggy and I broke a controller in a fit of rage last night.”

“Is the game hard?” Rumble asked.

“For all the wrong reasons. The game requires you to save after each level or it will start you from the very first level, which wouldn’t be so bad if the game didn’t crash in the pause menu.” Chad answered.

“How does a game like that crash? It’s at most, 2 gigabytes.” Rumble said right before their food arrives.

“That’s not even the worst of it. What is the universal rule of double jumping?” Chad asked.

“You press the same button twice to jump twice.” Apple Bloom answered.

“Dino Dasher 3 doesn’t have that. You have to press two different buttons to double jump. I usually don’t like the Dino Dasher series, but it’s still playable. Double-D 3 makes playing Chess with Gummy seem like a walk in an ice cream covered park.” Chad said. He slapped the end of his plate and launched his food into his mouth.

“Wait, it’s hard playing Chess with gummy?” Skeedaddle asked.

“Yeah, cause he’s a cheater!” Pinkie was heard saying from her room. They chuckle before Apple Bloom looked at Chad.

“Does Spike know how much you don’t like the game?” Apple Bloom asked.

“No he doesn’t. But before someone goes on about the cliche, ‘maybe if you talk this out he’ll understand’, I understand that. I’m just trying to give the game a chance. Spike paid 70 bits for that game, he loves the series that much. Hopefully the game will surprise me with something, but if it gets to the point of one return, I’ll tell him.” Chad told the group.

“Don’t you mean point of no return?” Rumble asked, receiving a bonk from Apple Bloom. “Ow!”

“No, I mean point of one return. When they only way out is the way you came.” Chad said as he got off and went to pay for his food. As he left, Mrs. Cake walked over with milkshakes.

“Mrs. Cake, can I get a to go box? My parents left for work early, so I have to feed Lazy Bones.” Skeedaddle said.

“Coming right up.” Mrs. Cake said as she dropped off the milkshakes and went back. Apple Bloom and Rumble glared at him.

“What?” Skeedaddle asked.

“Your parents don’t have jobs.” They both gritted to him.





Chad got back to the library and walked through the door. He went to the kitchen to fill up Ace’s food bowl. Hearing the sound of food, Ace was there in less than a second to eat. Chad pet him before heading downstairs and saw that Spike was awake again, playing the game’s first level. Confused, Chad walked over to Spike.

“Spike, why are on level one again? You were on level One before I left.” Chad said as he sat down.

“The game updated when you left, it restarted my saves.” Spike answered.

“I’m sorry what was that?” Chad asked, dumbfounded by this information.

“Oh, when you left the game updated to fix some of the bugs, but it deleted all of my saves so I have to play from level one again.” Spike answered.

“This game hasn’t been out for 18 hours, and there was already an update, and it was one that deletes saves?” Chad asked.

“Unfortunately.” Spike told him. Chad’s eye twitched and he placed the newly bought generic controller in their controller cabinet.

“Okay, that’s it. Spike. I have a confession to make.” Chad said as he sat down. Spike paused the game and looked at Chad.

“What is it Chad?” Spike asked.

“I absolutely positively, absotively positutely detest this game. And game series.” Chad began. Spike looked at Chad and listened well. “Were do I start? The games keep crashing for literally no reason. Dino Dasher 3 I’ll give the benefit of the doubt because it just came out, but 2 and 1 crash all the time when I get to the end of the level. The controls are always changing per game and they make no sense whatsoever. Coming from me, that’s rich but seriously, I can accept the jump button not being at the bottom of the face buttons, but whoever thought making the button to double jump different from the button you pressed to jump in the first place should not be making games. That goes triple if the previous games of that entry had that mechanic. The game’s cover is so different from the actual game, it would be better off called false advertising.” Chad said.

“I think Cashgrab is better.” Spike said.

“That too. Don’t even get me started on the characters. Rex and Dex are literally the exact same dinosaurs with different color makings on there side. Apex and Tex are literally red (Apex) and blue (Tex) versions of them. The game expects you to pay 30 extra bits for two characters who been around since the first Dino Dasher game, as a DLC. And lastly, here’s no lore. At all. Two dinosaurs go from one side of the level to the next, and solve obstacles, and all of them are left to right. No secret levels, no hidden lore, and worst of all, no freedom. In other words Spike, I don’t like nor want to play this game.” Chad said. There was a brief silence before Spike chuckled and laughed a little.

Chad was confused and tilted his had as Spike stopped laughing.

“Why didn’t you just say so?” Spike asked as he took the game out of the console and put it back in the case.

“Because you play all of my favorite games with me.’ Chad answered.

“Well duh, because I like those games too. You don’t have to force yourself to play a game you don’t enjoy just so we can play together.” Spike told him.

“I don’t?” Chad asked. Spike shook his head.

“No. I mean, there is only one game you like that I don’t.” Spike said.

“Game series. Moonball series, yes.” Chad said.

“Ever since I told you I didn’t like the game series, have you asked me to play it with you.” Spike asked. Chad facehoofed at his own foolishness. “And there’s the click.”

“I guess I should’ve been honest about how I didn’t like the game when you bought it. I guess I was too worried about discouraging you from playing the game to say anything.” Chad told him. Spike raised an eyebrow.

“Were you?” He asked.

“Nah, I wanted to give the new game a chance before I said anything.” Chad answered. Spike grabbed him and noogied him with a smirk. “Gah! Hey!” 

Chad wiggled out and began chasing him. Both laughing as they ran.





“Dear My loving mother, Hi mom! It’s me Chad! I hope you can imagine my voice as you’re reading this. Today I learned that sometimes, the interest of your friendsfamily friends and/or family may not be something that you’re interested in, or like. Sometimes you might feel like you’ll have to pretend to like what they like to spare their feelings, but like Rarity and Fluttershy have learned before, you should never be afraid to share your true feelings. Who knows, maybe you’ll find out that the course of actions you took was very unnecessary, even if it’s the thought that counts.” Chad narrated before giving it to Spike to send to Celestia. Spike then looked at the clock and then at Chad. 

“Still got some time before lunch. Wanna play Dino Dasher 3?” Spike joked. Chad looked unamused before zipping off with a blur. Chad peeked back in.

“Oh right, my dust silhouette quit. Anyway, gonna pass.” Chad said as he went back out. Spike smirked.

“Knew you would. Let’s find another game to play.” Spike said as he walked out the room.
> The Best Night Ever
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a bright sunny day in Ponyville and the Mane Seven were getting ready over at Carousel Boutique, for that very night was the Grand Galloping Gala. At the moment, Pinkie was outside the shop and she was bouncing on a trampoline while Twilight was trying to memorize a new spell from a book.

"Ahh!" Pinkie squealed, bouncing up and down. "I… can't… believe… the Grand… Galloping… Gala… is… tonight!"

Twilight looked annoyed for a moment before looking at Pinkie.

“Pinkie, please stop shouting! I’m trying to concentrate!” Twilight requested. Rarity then stepped out of her boutique. 

“Pinkie pie!” She called as she ran out to the trampoline. Stop that right now! It’s time to prepare for the Gala, and I refuse to let you put on your new dress if you’re all sweaty.” Rarity told her.

Pinkie skidded to a stop mid-air to land on the trampoline without bouncing before hopping off, landing next to Chad, who was eating an apple, and Spike, who was holding one. Twilight was still reading the book, now levitating it in front of her.

“What’s Twilight doing?” Pinkie asked.

“Working on a spell for the gala.” Chad answered as he finished eating the apple.

"Where are the others?" Rarity asked, beginning to worry that they wouldn't have time to get ready before the Gala. "It's getting late."

“Hold your horses girl.” Applejack was heard saying as she, Lightning Sprint, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Bandit walked over.

“We’re here.” Bandit said.

“Perfect. I’m ready.” Twilight said happily.

“For what?” Bandit asked. Spike walked over with his apple.

“Alright Spike.” Twilight signaled. Spike placed the apple down.

"An apple! Are we having pie?" Pinkie asked eagerly.

"Shh! Watch." Spike said with a smile. Twilight began sparking her horn, aiming her magic at the fruit, which began to bulge and swell before finally turning into a carriage ready for a team of horses. Retaining its apple shape, and gaining an appropriately decorated pennant is attached to the stem on top.

“Wow, that’s amazing.” Bandit said, very impressed.

“Thanks. But that’s just the start. Fluttershy, did you bring your friends?” Twilight asked as she looked in Fluttershy’s direction.

“Yes.” Fluttershy said as four white mice came out of her mane. She lowered her head, allowing the mice to scamper out onto the ground. “Will they be safe, Twilight?”

“You have my word.” Twilight reassured as she lit up her horn. With a flash of magic, she transformed the four mice into four white stallions. However, their heads and faces retained their distinctly mouse-like appearances, including the long whiskers. She was met with all sorts of confusion. "Neat, huh? And don't worry. They'll be mice again at midnight."

Looking from the bushes, Opal’s eyes went wide upon seeing the horse-mice before smirking and wiggling to pounce.

“Opalescence, no!” Fluttershy called out for. It was too late, The white cat latched onto the mouse horse, startling them into running, which Bandit used his magic to grab Opal before she could be carried off by them, or hurt by them. Twilight could only look in horror.

“Wait! Come back!" Twilight shouted after them, it was no use. She turned back to the others. "Those horses were supposed to pull our carriage she complained. "How will we get to the Gala?"

“Oh no, now we have no one to pull the carriage.” Bandit said in an overly dramatic tone. “Where ever will we find a way to get to the gala with no one to pull the carriage.” Bandit added with a very rarity-like hoof to the forehead before smirking. Lightning Sprint snickered a little. Twilight laughed sheepishly, realizing what he was getting at.

“Bandit, would you mind?” Twilight asked.

“Mind what? Be specific Twilight.” Bandit teased. Twilight huffed a little.

“Bandit, would you mind pulling our carriage?” Twilight asked.

“Pulling it where? To Manehattan? Las Pegasus? Los Pegaso?” Bandit teased. Twilight puffed her cheeks with slight annoyance before giving in.

“Would you mind pulling our carriage to the grand galloping gala in canterlot?” Twilight asked him.

“Of course, why didn’t you say so?” Bandit asked. Twilight groaned, but Bandit nudging her made her smile again. “That was payback for the beard.” 

“Always holding a grudge.” Twilight giggled before walking into the boutique.






My Little Pony,
My Big Changeling too
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…

[Bandit]
(My Little Pony)

We used to wonder what friendship could be
(My Big Changeling too)

[Twilight Sparkle]
Until you all shared its magic with me

[Rainbow Dash]
Big adventure

[Pinkie Pie]
Tons of fun

[Rarity]
A beautiful heart

[Applejack]
Faithful and strong

[Fluttershy]
Sharing kindness!

[Lightning Sprint]
Motivate the team

[Bandit]
Heroics makes it all complete
You have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?






Later on, 7 of the 8 members of the Mane 8 were inside the changing room of Rarity’s boutique, Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy reading a magazine, were sitting under hair-salon dryers over their heads. Pinkie was standing in front of one, observing it before pushing a button, which caused the dryer to blow with enough force to blow her away. 

Outside, Spike was knocking on the door as Bandit was reading a magazine while loafed next to the wall, and Chad was playing with Opal, being very careful not to get fur on him.

"Come on, you guys." Spike pleaded, banging on the door. "Let me in!"

Lightning Sprint walked over with a towel on her head.

“Sure thing Spike.” She said. Rarity zipped over to keep the door shut.

"Heavens no!" Rarity objected. "We're getting dressed."

“Rarity, you’re aware that Chad and I wear more clothing than you girls right?” Bandit asked from the other side of the door. Rarity sighed and opened the door.

“I’m sorry, Spike. Some of us do have standards.” Rarity said as she walked inside. Chad, Spike, and Bandit followed in that order.

“Ridiculously high standards.” Lightning Sprint muttered. Rarity came back and glared at her.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.” 

"I still can't believe we're gonna be at Canterlot tonight." Spike said, excited at the thought. "Our hometown, guys!” Spike said to Twilight, Bandit, and Chad. “And the best part is that we all get to hang out together all night long!" He said to everyone.

“Uh—I don’t know, Spike.” Rainbow Dash said, currently under a hairdryer. 

Rarity magically applied fake eyelashes to her own eyes. "We'll just have to see."

Lightning Sprint took her towel off her head, revealing how messy her mane was. “We might not have that much time.”

Applejack was polishing Fluttershy’s hooves, giving it a good spit-shine, even adding the spit. "We're gonna be a mite busy.”

Pinkie’s dryer lifted, showing her mane looking like it did when she assumed her friends were ditching her. “Busy having fun!”

Chad tugged her mane, making it poof into its original state. 

“Oh, Okay.” Spike sulked. Bandit looked back at him.

“Don’t worry Spike, you can still spend time with Chad and I, once we meet up with Night Ace, it’ll be like our very first guys night. Until the girls decide they wanna be with us.” Bandit reassured.

“Guys niiiiight.” Chad said with a celebratory flip.

“Guys niiiiight.” Spike added.





Hours later after sundown, Bandit was pulling the carriage with the girls inside and Chad and Spike seated in the front of the carriage where the reins were. Bandit was wearing a red suit jacket with gold outlines on the edges and buttons, a white dress shirt, and his bandana still around his neck. Spike and Chad were wearing the matching black jackets, a dark purple button-up undershirts Rarity made for them. With their appropriate handkerchiefs (Chad with a red and blue handkerchief, and Spike with green gems sewn in his).

“Before our guys night, I gotta show Rarity the crown jewels, and Applejack the Princess's golden apple tree. And Pinkie, we gotta go to my favorite donut shop.” Spike said.

“Donut Joes right?” Bandit asked.

“Yeah, how did you know?” Spike asked.

“Spike, I’ve been to the gala three times. That’s usually where I go after meeting up with Octavia and Night Ace.” Bandit reminded.

“Oh right.” Spike said.

“Do you think you’ll actually think this year’s gala is more than nice for once?” Chad asked.

“That all depends on which cousin I end up seeing first.” Bandit answered before looking back at them. “But since I got you guys here, my time at the gala will be way more than nice.”

“Spike, if you say that was cheesy I’ll kick you off.” Chad said right as Spike opened his mouth, making him close it.





After some time, Bandit parked the carriage and unharnessed himself. Chad trotted over and opened the door. Spike bowed as the mares came out. All donning their outfits Rarity made for them. Bandit walked around and smiled at them.

“Whoa, you all like a million bits.” Bandit said.  The seven were more fixated on the castle and city.

"I can't believe we're finally here." Twilight began happily. "With all that we've imagined, the reality of this night is sure to make this… The Best Night Ever!" 

“They’re about to start singing aren’t we?” Bandit asked.

“Sure are!” Chad wiggled his tail.

[Twilight Sparkle]

At the Gala

[Choir]

At the Gala

[Fluttershy]

At the Gala

In the garden
I'm going to see them all
All the creatures
I'll befriend them at the Gala

[Choir]

At the Gala

[Fluttershy]

All the birdies
And the critters
They will love me big and small
We'll become good friends forever
Right here at the Gala!

[Choir]

All our dreams will come true
Right here at the Gala
At the Gala

[Applejack]
At the Gala (It's amazing)
I will sell them (Better hurry)
All my appletastic treats (Yummy yummy)
Hungry ponies (They'll be snacking)
They will buy them (Bring your money)
Caramel apples, apple sweets (Gimme some)
And I'll earn a lot of money
for the Apple family!

[Choir]

All our dreams and our hopes from now until hereafter
All that we've been wishing for will happen at the Gala
At the Gala

[Rarity]

At the Gala
All the royals
They will meet fair Rarity
They will see I'm just as regal at the Gala

[Choir]

At the Gala

[Rarity]

I will find him
My Prince Charming
And how gallant he will be
He will treat me like a lady
Tonight at the Gala!

[Choir]

This is what we've waited for to have the best night 
ever
Each of us will live our dreams
Tonight at the Gala
At the Gala

[Rainbow Dash]

Been dreamin'

[Lightning Sprint]

I've been waitin'

[Rainbow Dash]

To fly with those great ponies

[Lightning Sprint]

The Wonderbolts, their daring tricks
Spinning 'round and having kicks

[Rainbow Dash]

Perform for crowds of thousands
They'll shower us with diamonds

[Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint]

The Wonderbolts will see me right here at the Gala!

[Choir]

All we've longed for
All we've dreamed
Our happy ever after
Finally will all come true
Right here at the Grand Gala
At the Gala

[Pinkie Pie]

I am here at the Grand Gala
For it is the best party
But the one thing it was missing was a pony named Pinkie
For I am the best at parties, all the ponies will agree
Ponies playing
Ponies dancing
With me at the Grand Gala!

[Choir]

Happiness and laughter at the Gala
At the Gala

[Twilight Sparkle]

At the Gala (At the Gala)
With the Princess (With the Princess)
Is where I'm going to be (She will be)
We will talk all about magic and what I've learned and seen (She will see)
It is going to be so special
As she takes time just for me (This will be the best night ever!)

[Choir]

Into the Gala we must go
We're ready now, we're all aglow
Into the Gala, let's go in and have the best night ever
Into the Gala, now's the time
We're ready and we look divine!

[Choir and Fluttershy]

Into the Gala

[Fluttershy]

Meet new friends

[Choir and Applejack]

Into the Gala

[Applejack]

Sell some apples

[Choir and Rarity]

Into the Gala

[Rarity]

Find my Prince

[Choir, Lightning Sprint, and Rainbow Dash]

Prove I'm great

[Rainbow Dash]

As a Wonderbolt is

[Fluttershy]

To meet!

[Applejack]

To sell!

[Rarity]

To find!

[Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint]

To prove!

[Pinkie]

To whoop!

[Twilight]

To talk!

[All but Bandit and Chad]

Into the Gala
Into the Gala
And we'll have the best night ever!
At the Gala!





At the end of the song, as the Mane 8 plus Chad were now inside the gala, Spike slid over to the group on his knees.

“Yeah!" he cheered. "This is gonna be the best night ever. You know why? 'Cause we're all gonna spend time at the Gala to-" He began when the seven ponies bolted in different directions, causing him to spin. Bandit kept him from falling to the ground. Spike looked around and looked down disappointed.

“-gether.” He then looked dejected. “Or not.” Bandit picked him up.

“Come on Spike, we can still have a good time.” Bandit said. Chad offered Spike a hoof bump, which he smiled and accepted.





Inside the castle, it didn't take Twilight very long to find Princess Celestia, who was greeting the ponies at the doorway that lead into the grand ballroom, and there was a very long line. However, it wasn't long before Twilight reached the Princess and she was able to greet her teacher.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight called.

"Twilight!" said Princess Celestia with a delighted smile. "It is so lovely to see my star student."

“Hi mother.” Bandit was heard saying as he approached. Celestia looked up and saw Bandit trotting her way. He flew up next to Twilight and hugged Celestia, who wasted no time hugging back.

“And it’s even better to see my son.” She added.

“Oh, I’m so excited to be here! We have so much to catch up on.” Twilight told her. Celestia giggled at her excitement.

“If you want, you can be right by my side so we have plenty of time.” Celestia offered. Twilight zipped around to be next to Celestia.

“That’s just what I was hoping you’d say.” Twilight said happily. Celestia then looked at Bandit.

“Tailor coat did a wonderful job on your suit Bandit. Like always, you’re the most handsome stallion in the gala.” Celestia told him. Bandit blushed a bit before turning to show Spike and Chad.

“What about us Mama?” Chad asked. Celestia’s pupils dilated.

“My little chadikins, you look so adorable in your matching twin suits.” Celestia said. Chad smiled happily, while Spike slightly pouted, blushing just a bit.

“Have you seen Night Ace? He’s been awfully quiet since I left. He hasn’t responded to my letters.” Bandit said. Celestia pointed her hoof towards the ballroom.

“In the ballroom. Night Ace said there’s a surprise for you.” Celestia said. Bandit nodded and walked off.

“Bye mom!” Chad waved.





As Bandit walked to the ballroom, Rarity walked in through the doors to the right of the staircase, just in time to see Prince Blueblood, the same stallion from her dreams, walk out of the room. Luckily, He and Bandit didn’t see one another. Rarity gasped happily before making her pursuit.

"Hurry, Rarity.” She ran. “Oh, but not too fast." she advised herself, slowing a little to not draw so much attention to herself just yet. "But don't wanna lose him…" She started to speed up and then slowed herself again. "Wait! Have to play it cool. Oh, but don't be cold! I can't lose him, I can't! He's everything I imagined!" She went outside and she let out another squeal when she saw the Prince standing next to the rose bushes, with a perfect red rose in his mouth, looking in her direction and raising his eyebrows. Safe to say, Rarity was hooked. "Even better than I imagined."

As she walked to Prince Blueblood, A bird looped its way past a stretch of bushes, where Fluttershy looked up to gaze at the bird.

“Oh my! A meadowlark!" Fluttershy silently said happily before following the bird deeper into the garden, where she heard whistling. "I think she's calling to me.” She guessed excitedly. "It's exactly what I wished for!" She hummed the exact same tune and was met with the same whistling.





Pushing along a cart to an open area. Applejack opened it up to reveal her baked goods in the main hallway, and she soon was greeting one of the Wonderbolts. "Howdy, partner! You hungry?" She asked.

"As a horse!" The white pegasus, Soarin from the Best Young flyers competition, answered rather proudly

"Well, what'cha hankering for?" Applejack inquired, gesturing to the baked goods. "Caramel apple? Apple pie? Apple fritter? Apple fries?"

Soarin pointed to one of the large apple pies on the shelves. "I'll take that big apple pie!" he said and dropped a number of bits into the basket before accepting the apple pie and walking away happily.

"Well, thank you kindly, sir!" Applejack called after him, thrilled. "Yee-haw! In the first minute, I made my first sale. Just like I expected."





Soarin carried the apple pie in his mouth to the roped-off VIP section of the ballroom, where he was greeted by his fellow Wonderbolt, Spitfire.

"Always hungry after a show." she teased. "Eh, Soarin?"

"Heh. Yeah!" Soarin agreed and accidentally dropped his pie. "My pie!" He called out as he watched it fall. Lightning Sprint sprang into action. She grabbed the pie and tossed it up so she could rebalance herself. Rainbow Dash flew over her and caught the pie, landing with it in her hoof. 

"You saved it. Thanks." Soarin said gratefully to the both of them, taking his pie back.

"Hey, no prob." Rainbow Dash said with a smile.

“It was no biggie.”

"Hey! I remember you.” Spitfire said, recognizing the pair of blues. "Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint. The ones who saved us at the Best young flyers competition. Bandit speaks real highly of you guys."

“Yep! That’s us!” Lightning Sprint said, trying hard to keep herself from fangirling.

"Well you two. Looks like your skills saved us again. Oh, well, at least they saved Soarin's apple pie."

Soarin was in the middle of eating said pie before he let out a ‘Yeah.’ It was hard to tell whether he was agreeing with Spitfire or the pie was that good. Perhaps it was both, not even the one typing this story was sure.

"Wanna come hang out with us?" Spitfire offered as the guard pony opened the way to let them in.

"Sure. Why not?" Rainbow Dash agreed.

“We got loads of time.” Lightning Sprint played it cool. As the wonderbolts walked in, the two blue pegasuses stopped at the entrance. 

"We’re… hanging… with the… Wonderbolts!" They both squealed. They ran inside, excitedly.





In the ballroom, Bandit was looking around for Night Ace, with Chad and Spike still on his back. 

“See Night Ace anywhere?” Chad asked.

“I don’t see him.” Bandit answered. He sighed and walked over to the punch bowl, as he walked over, Pinkie walked in.

Pinkie was exploring until she found where the dancing was supposed to take place, only none of the ponies were dancing to the formal music being played, instead, they were merely chatting. The pink pony, however, was too focused on the location itself. "The shiny dance floor…" she said, her excitement growing. "The pretty party ponies… Ooh, the fancy band… Shiny! Pretty! Fancy!" She made an anxious noise. "Gotta dance!"

Pinkie leaped onto the dance floor, startling the ponies. Dancing and singing to the tune of ‘Jolly Good Fellow’. 

[Pinkie]
I'm at the Grand Galloping Gala,
I'm at the Grand Galloping Gala,
I'm at the Grand Galloping Gala,

It's all I ever dreamed.
It's all I ever dreamed, woohoo!
It's all I ever dreamed, yippee!
I'm at the Grand Galloping GalaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAA!


She suddenly paused when she saw the disapproving looks that the ponies were giving her. "It's all I've ever… dreamed?" she finished discouraged, as the ponies went back to their conversations. Bandit looked on and felt bad.





Chad grabbed a cup of punch and took a sip. He looked to his left and right before grabbing another cup, filling it with punch. He opened his shirt and held the drink close. Ace’s head popped out and he began licking the drink as Chad drank his own cup.

Bandit was still looking around, and upon not seeing who he was looking for, he sighed.

“Okay, we’ll go-” Bandit started.

“Looking for someone?” A mare’s voice asked from beside him, Ace zipped right back into Chad’s shirt. Bandit turned and saw a Keppel-colored mare with a grey mane and tail, added with dark grey streaks in, with a blue bandana around her neck, worn the opposite way Bandit wore his. She had magenta eyes and her cutie mark was a white shield with a crown in the middle of it. 

“Yeah I-” Bandit looked away and then back at the mare in the form of a double-take. “I am.” He sounded unsure.

“Who are you looking for?” She asked.

“My cousin. Night Ace.” Bandit answered.

“What does he look like?” She asked. Bandit narrowed his eyes.

“Wait a minute.” Bandit said. A thought bubble popped up for Bandit. In that said thought bubble was a Keppel-colored Stallion with a grey mane and tail, magenta eyes, and a white shield with a crown in the middle for a cutie mark. The gears turned for less than a second before his jaw dropped.

The mare giggled.

“Took you long enough cousin.” She said.

“Night Ace? You’re a-”

“Mmhmm.” Night Ace nodded. Bandit was still in shock for a few more seconds before going back to compose himself.

“Are you happy with this?” Bandit asked.

“Very much.” She answered.

“That’s all I care about.” Bandit smiled, noogieing her mane. She giggled before shoving his hoof off.

“Were you surprised?” She asked.

“Very much. You and I have got to catch up.” Bandit answered. Chad was still drinking his punch as Spike just looked plain confused.





Outside, Rarity was sniffing a rose in a bush when Prince Blueblood walked over.

“Well, hello.” He called. Rarity looked up and was a bit shocked to see him approach her. “I am Prince Blueblood.”

“I am… Rarity.” Rarity greeted, charmed by his suave voice. “Oh my, what a lovely rose.” She attempted to hint at.

“You mean… this rose?" Prince Blueblood asked, gently picking the rose, much to the delight of Rarity, who was then instantly disappointed when he inserted it into the buttonhole of his own suit. "Thank you. It goes with my eyes." 

That one sentence made Rarity remember the interaction between Chad and Bandit when she talked about her dream to go to the gala.

“Does she mean Cousin Blueblood?” Chad asked Bandit.

“I really hope not.” Bandit said. Briefly played in her head.





Meanwhile, Fluttershy was still humming and following the whistling through the garden. "My little meadowlark is right around this bend!" She said excitedly.  She ran around a corner, but instead of the meadowlark, she found an old brown pony, whose name was Mr. Greenhooves, whistling instead. 

"Was that you?" She asked, disappointed.

"Yep!" Mr. Greenhooves confirmed as he racked up leaves. "I love whistlin' while I work." And as he went back to work, he resumed whistling.

Fluttershy flushed and flew away. "Oh! Yes… Well… Excuse me." As she left the gardener, she brightened when she saw all kinds of animals just ahead. "Oh! I see a toco toucan! And a spider monkey! And, oh! Is that a wallaroo?" She attempted to get close, but the animals panicked and fled. 

"Oh, Fluttershy. You're such a loudmouth.” She sighed, disappointed.





Inside the castle, the VIP section was filled with ponies chattering. Lightning Sprint and Rainbow Dash were trying to get the attention of both Spitfire and Soarin, but it wasn't easy, and both were getting frustrated. 

"Hey, Spitfire! You ever done a rain cloud double backflip?" Rainbow Dash asked eagerly, but she couldn't be heard over all the talking. Gritting her teeth, she turned to see Lightning Sprint trying to talk to Soarin. 

"You ever soared past lightning?" She asked, trying to be heard. "It's awesome!" 

There was no reaction. Lightning Sprint scowled as Rainbow Dash glared.





In the main hallway, Princess Celestia was greeting all the newly arrived ponies with Twilight at her side. 

"Welcome to the Grand Galloping Gala.” she said to a mare.

"Princess! I've been so excited to spend time with you and…" Twilight began.

"Yes. Me too, Twi…" Celestia unintentionally interrupted, as another pony arrived. 

"Oh, good evening! Welcome to the Gala.” She tried to talk to Twilight. “Which is why I-” She was interrupted when she saw a pair of ponies walk to greet the princess. “Ladies! Lovely to see you again."

Twilight let out a sigh as she looked down the line and saw how long it was getting.

“Looks like getting a chance to talk to the Princess is gonna be a magic trick in itself.” She said to herself.





Meanwhile, the excitement that Applejack had felt when Soarin bought the apple pie earlier was slowly starting to die out. 

“First Minute, First sale.” She said while motivated. But as more and more ponies ignored her backed goods, she slowly lost the motivation she had left.

“Second… Fourth… Sixth… Sixtieth minute… no sales she complained and sighed. "This ain't what I expected at all."





In the dance room, Pinkie was sitting at a table, sadly singing to herself. 

"I'm at the Grand Galloping Gala… and it's not what I dreamed." She moaned.





Outside, Prince Blueblood positioned a pillow on the grass, but when Rarity went to sit on it, he sat on it instead, and she pouted.

"This isn't at all what I imagined." She whispered with disappointment.





In the main entrance, Celestia was still greeting the ponies as they kept coming, Twilight's smile didn't take long to fade, as she had been standing there for a long time, and still hadn't been a good chance to speak with Princess Celestia.

"This isn't what I hoped." Twilight said softly.





In the VIP section, Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint were disappointed that the Wonderbolts they were trying so hard to meet, were surrounded by other fans, so they couldn't get a word within earshot of any of them. 

"This isn't hanging out." She complained.





Out in the garden, Fluttershy was still trying to see the animals, but they kept fleeing every time she got close to any of them, and she was becoming upset. "This isn't what I wished for.”

It was then that the seven were filled with the determination to keep the night from being ruined.

"No!" Twilight exclaimed. 

" I waited all my life..." Rarity said. 

"...for this moment!" Fluttershy said.

"And I'm not going to..." Pinkie said

"...let it slip by," Applejack said.

" If it's the last thing I do..." Rainbow Dash said 

"... I'm going to make this" Lightning Sprint said 

"The best night ever!" They all said.





Prince Blueblood had gone to the bathroom during Rarity’s speech of motivation, however, when he came out, a stallion ran towards him. Said Stallion was white with a pale yellow mane, a red tie on, and a purple diamond cutie mark. Beside him was a light green mare with a purple sun hat with pink feathers and a pink ribbon, a grey tippet, and a pumpkin orange mane and tail, with a white diamond cutie mark.

“Prince Blueblood!” The stallion, Solar Comet called as he stopped.

“What is it?” Prince Blueblood asked.

“You’ll never believe who showed up.” He said. Prince Blueblood raised an eyebrow waiting for him to spill the beans. Solar pointed to Bandit, who was currently talking with Night Ace. 

“Well well well.” Prince Blueblood said as he started walking that way.

“Oh, this is gonna be good.” The mare, River Lilly, said as she and Solar Comet walked with him. As they walked, Rarity herself took a trip to the Mare’s room.





“Bone and River are getting along real well. Maybe they’ll have some cubs in the meantime.” Night Ace told Bandit.

“Those two tigers are made for each other if you ask me. I hope I can see the cubs if they have them.” Bandit responded. Night Ace looked past him, gasped, and then grabbed his hoof.

“Come on, let’s head inside.” She said attempting to pull him. Bandit started to walk with her. Chad turned around and went wide-eyed.

“Uh oh.” Chad said. Hearing this, Bandit turned to look at him to ask what was wrong, only to see Prince Blueblood trotting his way. Spike turned to look and leaned towards Chad.

“What’s going on?” Spike asked.

“Cousin Blueblood isn’t the nicest to Bandit.” Chad whispered back.

“Spike, Chad, wait for us in the ballroom.” Bandit instructed.

“But what about-” Spike tried to ask, but Chad (and Pinkie) shook as he did on the day of the hydra encounter. Seeing the doozy sense go off, Spike nodded at Bandit and both hopped off, heading into the ballroom, but right as Bandit turned to look towards the incoming cousin, the two poked out to witness. Even Ace popped his head out of Chad’s dress shirt to bear witness.

“Cousin Bandit, Night Ace.” Prince Blueblood greeted.

“Hey Cousin Blueblood.” Bandit greeted. Night Ace only narrowed her eyes.

“So lovely to see you both.” Prince Blueblood said with a bow. Bandit was caught off guard by this but bowed back.

“That’s awfully nice of you. For a second I thought-” Bandit began to voice his gratitude, only for Prince Blueblood to degrade him.

“Must be the most meaningful thing you’ve done in a long time.” Prince Blueblood started.

“Ugh, there it is.” Bandit groaned.

“Not to mention you actually showed up.” Prince Blueblood added.

“He was invited. By his mother.” Night Ace told him.

“That doesn’t guarantee he’d show up. After all, what would be the point? He’s only got, what? Two friends he hangs out with here. One of them is his cousin, quite sad if you ask me.” Prince Blueblood continued. Bandit’s eye twitched a bit.

“So….you don’t read my letters.” Bandit asked. Bandit had written a few letters to Prince Blueblood about his journey and his friends. They were usually after a letter to Celestia and sent the old-fashioned way.

“What letters?” He asked.

“That explains it.” Bandit muttered before clearing his throat. “For your information, I made six new friends when Twily and I moved to Ponyville.”

“Bet they only care about his status.” Solar Comet whispered to River Lilly, who chuckled a bit. Bandit looked right at him.

“They don’t actually, but next time have the guts to say it louder.” Bandit said. Solar gulped and backed up.

“Well you seem in like you’re in a pleasant mood.” Prince Blueblood sarcastically said.

“I was, but then you walked over with the intentions of agitating me. Like what always happens when I see you.” Bandit said.

“Whatever do you mean? Is bonding with my little cousin such a crime?”

“Look, Blueblood, can we not do this?” Night Ace said.

“I’m not sure what you mean Night Ace. Surely this is the only time he’ll do something notable.” 

“Will you stop?” Night Ace raised her voice. Bandit’s eye twitched again.

“What’s the matter Bandit? Is something angering you?” Prince Blueblood asked.

“Why are you like this?” Bandit asked, an angered expression plastering onto his face. “Every single time I see you, you go out of your way to aggravate me.”

Night Ace quickly got between them.

“Okay okay, let’s just go opposite ways and try to enjoy our time at the gala.” Night Ace tried to defuse the situation. Bandit used his magic to slide her behind him.

“Oh please, don’t tell me you’re angry about me picking on you a little bit. I thought you had some thick skin buggy boy. Or is it a tough exoskeleton.” Prince Blueblood taunted.

“A little!?” Bandit exclaimed.

“Bandit, let’s just go.” Night Ace tried to pull him by the hoof, but Bandit snatched himself away.

“NOTHING about what you’ve done was little!” Bandit began to raise his voice.

“Bandit-” Night Ace tried again.

“Everytime you and I were in the same building growing up, it turned out to be the one of the WORST days of my life!” Bandit exclaimed, his voice raised enough to start drawing attention.

“Oh please, name one time.”

“One time?! I can give you 1,981 times and that would just be scratching the surface!” Bandit began.

“I just asked for one you overgrown crybaby.” Prince Blueblood rolled his eyes, Bandit got nose to nose with him.

“Do not. Call. Me. A Crybaby!” Bandit gritted. “That’s number one! When you weren’t calling me ‘Buggy boy’, or ‘Creepy Critter’, you wouldn’t stop calling me that!”

“Well it’s not my fault you cried so much.”

“‘Breaking news, a newborn changeling cries, and thus deserves to be mocked because of something they couldn’t control!’! As if that wasn’t enough, it was your fault for crying! You did nothing but take, take, take! My favorite rattle when I was 2, my favorite stuffed tiger when I was 5, and because of you! I haven’t celebrated my own birthday since I was 7, all because YOU would hijack it!”

“And you’re any better? You wouldn’t even bother to come to my birthdays!” Prince Blueblood tried to shift the blame.

“You mean the birthdays you’d go out of your way not to invite me to? The birthdays where you’d tell me I shouldn’t have shown up?” Bandit gritted. 

“Bandit please.” Night Ace tried one last time to defuse the situation. 

“Oh, and you’re just so perfect? The last time you and I were at the same party, you told me you hated me to my face.” Prince Blueblood studdered a bit, trying again to turn the tables.

“You stole Grandma Galaxia’s gift from me and chopped down the cherry tree momma gave me on my 4th birthday! Of course I did!” Bandit told him. 

“W-what’s so special about that dumb little box and tree anyway?” He said.

“Blueblood!” Night Ace exclaimed.

“That ‘dumb little box’ was her last!” Bandit shouted at him. Prince Blueblood’s eyes widened. “You hijacked my birthdays, took all my favorite things, chopped down my cherry tree that took care of and loved dearly since I was four, and kept me from seeing my grandma’s last gift! Guess what, Lily-Diamond Daffodil Blueblood, when I told you I hated you and wished you weren’t my cousin, I meant every last word!”

As soon as those words left his lips, Bandit looked shocked. Prince Blueblood looked just as shocked at this, as did the crowd. Night Ace, Chad, Spike, and even Ace were all completely stunned. 

“Bandit, please, let’s just go.” Night Ace said, tugging his wing. Bandit turned around and started walking off. Chad, Spike, and Ace looked at each other before Ace went back into Chad’s shirt. Chad and Spike began tailing Bandit. Night Ace looked at where he was heading and began writing something before she used her magic to send it. Straining a great deal to do so.

“Fine! Who needs you anyway? Now if you’ll excuse me, I got a date waiting for me anyway, so ha!” He said as he stomped off with his head held high.





Out in the garden, Fluttershy was determined to get the animals to come out of hiding, and she had an idea of how to do it. Working quickly, she set up a box with a stick keeping it open, tied a rope to the stick, and then she put a carrot under the box.

"I just have to be more bold, like Bandit and Twilight are." she whispered, and then she spoke loudly. "I'm so sorry to have scared you, my friends! But I'm leaving now, so you can all come out!" She then ducks behind a bush to wait, and it wasn't very long when she heard the sound of crunching. Yanking the rope, she heard the box fall, and she jumped out from her hiding place.

"Gotcha!” Fluttershy said happily. “It's okay.” She said, approaching the box. "I promise not to hurt you. I just wanna be your… friend?" She trailed off when she found Mr. Greenhooves eating the carrot with the box on his head.

"Mmm… Sounds good to me.” He said. Seeing the look on Fluttershy’s face, he chuckled a bit. “Sorry, Bandit used to do this all the time when he was a youngin, playing with the animals. Just wanted to humor ya a bit.”

Fluttershy didn’t look the slightest bit amused.





Meanwhile, in the VIP section, Rainbow Dash and Lightning Sprint were still trying to spend time with Soarin and Spitfire, but so far, every other pony was getting in their way.

“Okay Rainbow Dash. We want them to notice us, we have to make them notice us.” Lightning Sprint told her. Rainbow Dash looked at a grey Stallion talking with a pink mare next to him. The two looked at each other and smirked, nodding. They pretended to be casual, only to headbutt the grey stallion (Caesar) and the pink mare (North Star) in the rumps to send them flying into the air.

As they went flying, the duo crisscrossed and caught the opposite of who they sent into the air. As the North Star landed on Rainbow Dash’s back, and Caesar landed on Lightning’s, they both high hooved and looked over at Spitfire, and saw she was still talking with a fan, not even having looked their direction. They bucked them off, frustrated.

As they stormed off in a frown, Rarity and Prince Blueblood were walking in the ballroom.

“I do have to ask, What was that shouting I heard earlier?” Rarity asked.

“Nothing you should worry about.” Prince Blueblood brushed off. Rarity was gonna ask further but decided against it.

“Just give him a chance, Rarity." She whispered to herself. "His princely side is sure to come out if you're just patient."

"Miss Rarity! Stop!" Prince Blueblood said as he held out a foreleg and stopped her.  Rarity blinked and then she saw the spilled drink on the floor. 

"Oh. Prince Blueblood!" She gasped. "How chivalrous."

"One would hate to slip." Prince Blueblood remarked.

"Yes. One certainly would." Rarity said, hinting at a tone.

"One's cloak should take care of the problem.” He said.

"Oh, of course it will." She agreed, the two making eye contact for too long. Not too long later, it was not a chivalrous gentle stallion using his jacket to cover the slip, or the two simply going around it, but Rarity’s magenta cape going over it and Prince Blueblood walking over the puddle.

“Bandit and Blueblood can’t have been raised under the same roof.” She muttered as she snatched her cape back up.





In that same Ballroom, Pinkie tapped her chin watching the other ponies talk. She then got an idea and quickly went over to the musicians, whispering in their ears. Octavia looked at her and whispered back to her.

“Ms. Pie, I am supposed to meet-”

“Just this once to liven the party.”

“Okay fine, but I’m gone as soon as the song’s over.”

Pinkie smiled and whispered to the others. Octavia turned to Beauty Brass.

“This is a boring party anyway.” She whispered. Beauty Brass blew into the tuba for a single note. Pinkie tapped the microphone to test it.

“Come on, everypony! I know what’ll make you shake those groove thangs!” Pinkie announced. Some polka-like music began to play from the musicians, and Pinkie’s singing began. As she sang, Twilight, Applejack, Lightning Sprint, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and especially Fluttershy was having very poor luck.

“You reach your right hoof in
You reach your right hoof out
You reach your right hoof in
And you shake it all about
You do the Pony Pokey meeting lots of folks with clout
That's what I'm talking about.”

As Pinkie sang this verse, Celestia ended up getting the letter Night Ace sent. As Twilight shook hooves with the greeters and got lifted off the ground during one of them, Celestia read it, gasped, and whistled for a guard. A red unicorn guard with red and gold styled armor came with a salute. She whispered in his ear, and he nodded and teleported.

“You step your left hoof in
You pull it right back out
You step your left hoof in
But you better help him out
You do the Pony Pokey but should find a different route
That's what it's all about.”

During this verse, Applejack was trying to get somepony to buy her apples by having them slip on them as they walked by. This tactic didn’t work at all.

“You kick your back left in
You pull your back left out
You reach your back left in
Just be brave and have no doubt
You do the Pony Pokey feeling like you're gonna pout
That's what I'm singing about.”

Lightning Sprint kicked a coconut drink into the air, which Rainbow Dash was able to catch with her hind hoof, with her eyes closed. Spitfire and Soarin were impressed, but couldn’t give praise as they were pulled away to take pictures with fans. Neither Skittles nor Blueberry was happy that happened.

“You tilt your head in
You tilt your head out
You tilt your head in
Then you shake it all about
You do the Pony Pokey even though your date's a lout
You're better off without.”

Rarity was trying to get Blueblood to open the door for her, who was trying to get her to open the door for him. The two of them went back in forth with the head tilts, but Prince Blueblood turned his head away. Rarity grew frustrated and relented. Opening the door, she let Prince Blueblood through the door. As the door closed, it knocked her over as she wasn’t all the way through the door.

“You stomp your whole self in
You stomp your whole self out
You stomp your whole self in
And you stomp yourself about
You do the Pony Pokey and you give a little shout-”

“COME OUT!” Fluttershy shouted, once again missing the animals. Her more, directly pouncing to the animals approach helped her 0%, and it was breaking her.

“That's what I'm talking about.” Pinkie continued to sing, Pinkie was then caught up in the fun, so much so that she ended up making all but the piano player stop playing the music.


“You do the Pony Pokey
You do the Pony Pokey
You do the Pony Pokey
And that's what it's all about

Yeah!”

Her enthusiasm was silently ill-received.
“Young lady." A mare began to scold. "This is not that kind of party."

“Ohhhhhh... they don't want a party. These ponies want a paaartay!” Pinkie misunderstood. Octavia got off the stage. Thinking she knew something they didn’t, the rest of the ensemble went off as well in quite a hurry.





Upstairs, Bandit was in his old room, looking out his window. The room had purple walls, one of which had a bunch of graded assignments, with the lowest being an A-. Sitting against that same wall was a trophy. 

On the wall the head of the bed was placed, there were six pictures. One of Celestia, another of a young Bandit poking his head into frame, the third with Bandit’s entire head in the frame, blowing a raspberry into the camera. The fourth one was just Bandit, the fifth with Celestia poking her head into the frame, and the last frame was her blowing a raspberry into the camera.

Bandit was looking at a stump in the garden, where his cherry tree used to be. His ears twitched as he heard magic behind him. He turned to look and saw a large cosmic Sphinx, appear behind him. Said sphinx, had a red galactic body, a purple galactic face, an armband with a golden milky way on it, and interstellar clouds on her underbelly. She also had a long, light teal mane. 

“Anubi?” He asked. The sphinx looked around and then looked at Bandit with a gasp.

“You got so big. Oh my goodness.” She said as she zipped over, she stopped right in front of him and looked at his face. “This is so exciting, how long has it been since you and I spoke. 4, 5, 6, 7-”

“6 years. It’s been a while.” Bandit said. Anubi ruffled his mane with her paw.

“And here I feared you outgrew your favorite imaginary friend.” Anubi said. Bandit’s face didn’t change as he fixed his mane. Anubi looked at him with her own ears flopping. “Oh no, looks like the grump goblin stole your joy again.”

“Who?” Bandit asked.

“The grump goblin? Remember, whenever you were sad we’d imagine a goblin that carried a barrel of…” She trailed off as Bandit was not changing his expression, from his sad/angered state. “..your...You know what, that’s not important. What’s on your mind?” 

Bandit sighed and looked back out the window.

“I got into it with Cousin Blueblood again. And this time I said something I really regretted.” Bandit said.

“What did you say?” Anubi asked.

“I said-”

“Hold on.” Anubi said as she poked her head out of the room, she then walked out to check the halls before hopping back through the wall. “Sorry about that, just needed to make sure no one was in ear shot. If someone heard you talking to me they’d assume you’re a few apples short of a apples short of a bushel.”

Anubi paused and looked at herself.

“Since when did I start talking in countryisms?” 

“Sorry, new friends. Applejack uses them, anyway. I told him I meant it when I said I hated him and wished he was never my cousin.” Bandit said. Anubi gasped at this. “Yeah, I was shocked I said that too.”

“I’m guessing he tried to downplay his constant mistreatment of you?” Anubi asked.

“While purposely aggravating me.” Bandit added. He looked back out the window. “I didn’t mean what I said. I….I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Bandit.” Anubi said.

“I know what you’re going to say. ‘You shouldn’t let Blueblood get to you. He wants to drag you down, be the bigger changeling.’, and I get that. But-” Anubi covered his mouth.

“I wasn’t going to say that.” Anubi said, moving her paw. “Look, I know Prince Blueblood is rude, conceded, selfishly entitled, doesn’t acknowledge any of your accomplishments, takes a lot of things from you solely for the purpose of having them, possible contender for Narci-”

“Please get to the point.” Bandit interrupted.

“Skipping the monologue. I know he gets on your nerves, and I know the hardest thing about being the bigger changeling is letting the one who’s wrong think that they’re right. I’m not gonna tell you what to do, but I am gonna tell you this. Prince Blueblood can pretend to be better, but he and you know that you're who's better. Never forget that. Emperor Ersatz, Starswirl the Bearded, Ling, even your own mother have had creatures pretending they're better. It never stopped them.” Anubi told him. Bandit looked at the stump.

“I still gotta apologize for what I said.” Bandit said. Anubi patted him on the back.

“Do your thing. By the way, I hear hoofsteps coming. Looks like this conversation’s over.” Anubi said.

“Seems so. Good talking with you again.” Bandit smiled.

“Imagine me again soon.” Anubi said as she faded away. As soon as she was gone, Chad and Spike poked their heads into the room.

“Bandit? Is this a bad time?” Spike asked. Bandit looked at them and smiled.

“Not at all.” Bandit said as he walked out of the room. 

“We wanna help you feel better Bandit. Is there anything we can do?” Chad asked. Bandit ruffled his mane with a smile.

“Your presence is enough, now come on. We still have a guys night to attend to.” Bandit said as he placed them on his back. He started walking.

“Also, Chad.” Bandit called.

“Hmm?” Chad asked.

“You don’t have to hide Ace.” Bandit said. Squeed and pulled the top of his shirt and Ace came climbing out and placed himself on Chad’s shoulders as Bandit walked.

“I have a question. Lily-Diamond Daffodil Blueblood, why did-?” Spike asked.

“Blueblood’s parents thought he was a filly when they named him. Ever since, he’s only went by Prince Blueblood.” Bandit interrupted to answer. Both twins snickered just a little bit.





Outside, Applejack was resting her chin on her hoof as Rarity and Prince Blueblood approached.

Upon seeing them approach, Applejack straightened up happily.

"Two apple fritters, please." Rarity requested.

"Two apple fritters comin' right up." said Applejack, putting two of the fritters on a tray and presented them. "That'll be four bits."

Rarity glanced at the Prince and cleared her throat. "Ahem."

"Ahem." Prince Blueblood said, hinting that he was expecting her to pay for the food.

"Ahem!" Rarity said, shooting him a look that said she wanted him to pay for the food.

The Prince gave her the same look. "Ahem!"

Rarity sighed, giving up. "I'm going to have to pay, aren't I?" She asked and reached for her money pouch.

"It's okay, Rarity." Applejack assured her friend, sensing the tension between the two ponies. "I got you covered."

"Thank you, Applejack." Rarity gratefully said while shooting Blueblood a very disapproving look. "At least somepony here has good manners."

Prince Blueblood took one of the fritters and took a bite from it. Seconds later, he spits it out and stared in horror at the baked goods on display. 

"Oh! Fritters! Dumplings! Caramel apples!" he yelled and snatched up a cup of punch to wash the taste out of his mouth. "My royal lips have touched common carnival fare!”

He turned away and started walking with his head upright. “I'm going to the buffet for some… hors d'oeuvres.”

Rarity angrily followed. The meter of her tolerance was reaching its peak. Applejack watched them leave before narrowing her eyes, finally figuring out why no one was buying her food.

"Well, no wonder nopony wants my food." she complained. "They're fillin' up on those fancy-schmancy vittles. Well, my down-home apples are plenty good enough for this crowd. I'll just dress 'em up a bit and prove it to 'em.” She began pushing the cart.





In the garden, Fluttershy began to go crazy and resorted to setting a net trap so she could make herself a friend.

"I'll catch you yet, my pretties." She said, becoming more unhinged per word. Even one of her eyes began to twitch. "Oh yes. As soon as one of you little birds or monkeys or bears touches this net… you'll be mine! Mine!" 

She let out an evil laugh, having full faith in this plan, that was until she slipped and fell directly into that net.

"Whoa!" She yelped as she set off the net trap. Dangling off the ground, a white rabbit hopped over and looked up at her. She let out a defeated sigh.





In the dance hall, Pinkie was still determined to liven up the party, and she set up a DJ table, playing some dance music.

“Come on, everypony!” She started as she jumped down to the floor. “You wanted a par-tay? Now let’s par-tay!”

As she danced, trying to encourage some unhappy, rather frightened, and flat-out uncomfortable ponies to dance with her, Applejack came through the door pushing the cart. On the cart was an eight-tier cake with an apple on the top.

“Okay, all you high-class ponies. Here’s a highfalutin apple cake for all your hoity-toity taste buds!” Applejack said.

“STAGE DIVE!” Pinkie exclaimed, diving off the stage. Not only did she shook mid-air, making her go a few extra feet before landing right onto the cart, sending the cake flying.

Rarity had the door opened for Blueblood, and as he walked through the door, and Rarity closed the door, both of them looked up to see the cake coming down. Both let out a yelp, and Prince Blueblood acted fast, buy positioning Rarity in front of him. The cake hit her, ruining her gown and not a single crumb landed on the cowering Blueblood. Rarity. Was. Ferocious. And when she turned around, she gave Blueblood a piece of her mind.

“You, sir, are the most un-charming prince I have ever met!” Rarity exclaimed, backing him into a wall. “In fact, the only thing royal about you is that you are a royal pain!”

“Ewww! Stay back! I just had myself groomed!” Blueblood said, cowering against the wall.

“Afraid to get DIRTY?!?” Rarity asked. She shook her body and Prince Blueblood was soon covered in his share of the cake. He stumbled and knocked himself against a pedestal. A pedestal that had an alicorn statue on it, which promptly began to topple over.

“Now’s our chance!” Lightning Sprint exclaimed. She zipped over and dove under the statue, catching it before it could hit the ground.

“Yeah!” She said. However, her balance wasn’t good thanks to the weight. “Whoa! Rainbow, a little help!”

By the time that sentence left her mouth, Rainbow Dash was there, flying and pulling the head of the statue, only to break it off by mistake. Rainbow went flying into a wall, and the statue dragged Lightning Sprint towards a pillar and knocked it over. Bandit walked in and saw the pillars begin to domino the surrounding area. Luckily almost everyone was away from the falling debris. Unluckily, Prince Blueblood wasn’t almost everyone. Quickly taking Chad, Spike, and Ace off his back, Bandit ran over and quickly tackled Blueblood out of the way. The pillar falls and both princes were unscathed.

Celestia and Twilight walk in and seeing Bandit next to the rubble, she quickly ran over to him.

“Are you alright?” She asked.

“I’m okay ma.” Bandit answered, hugging her. She hugged back.

“Well, it can’t get any worse.” Twilight said. Ace faceclawed after she said that.

“Three….two….one.” Chad counted down. As soon as he hit one, a rumbling was heard. The rumbling got louder, and closer until a bunch of animals was seen running through the door. A certain, deranged yellow pegasus at the door, the reason for them running.

“You’re…going to LOVE ME!!” She shouted. Panic soon erupted, and ponies and animals were scattered around.

“Well….this makes things interesting.” Bandit said as he watched.

“Run.” Celestia whispered to him. Bandit whistled, getting the attention of his friends. He pointed to the door, and they ran out accordingly. Twilight grabbed Spike and Chad as she ran, Ace still on Chad’s shoulders. Bandit looked back at Prince Blueblood and sighed. He reached into his Bandana and pulled out some napkins.

“I’m sorry about what I said.” Bandit said.

“Hmph, took you long a-” Prince Blueblood was gonna say before Bandit shoved his hoof in his mouth.

“Do NOT make me take it back.” Bandit said as forced the napkins into his hooves before running out the door. As he ran, Prince Blueblood looked at the napkins and then at the door.

As the mares ran down the stairs, one of Rarity’s glass slippers fell off. Spike saw this and hopped off to grab it.

“Rarity! You’re glass slipper! I grabbed it for you!” Spike called out. Getting horrid memories of her disaster date with Blueblood, she zipped to Spike, knocked the slipper out of his hands, and broke it with one single stomp.

“Let’s go!” She exclaimed as she ran back down. Spike looked at the broken slipper, so Rarity went back up and grabbed him. The group all ran outside and Chad looked at Twilight.

“So, did any of us have a best night ever?” He asked.





Later, the 10 were all in Donut Joe’s donut shop, sitting at a table and just got done talking about their night.

“Sounds like we all had the worst night ever.” Spike said.

“We did.” They all said, before taking a moment to laugh about it.

“I just hope Princess Celestia isn’t upset with us for ruining the Gala.” Twilight said sadly.

“As far as Galas go, that was definitely one of the most exciting one.” Bandit said.

“I couldn’t have said it better my self.” Celestia said from the door. They all turned and saw Celestia at the doorway, with a gift box on her back and two guards to her left. Both red guards, but one pegasus and the other a unicorn.

“Princess Celestia!” The ponies, plus Spike said, quite surprised. The changelings both waved, however.

“Hi mom/Hi mother.” The two said as she walked over. Bandit looked at the two guards and smiled, giving them both crushing hugs.

“Astral Comet, Justice Shield! Long time no see!” Bandit said.

“Can’t…” The unicorn, Justice shield started.

“Breathe.” The Pegasus, Astral Comet finished. Bandit let them go.

“Sorry.” He said with a smile.

“Pardon me Princess, but tonight was just...awful.” Twilight said as Bandit walked back over.

“Oh Twilight, Twilight, the Grand Galloping Gala is always awful.” Celestia told them. Night Ace walked in as well.

“It is?” Twilight asked.

“That is why I was thrilled you were all attending.” Celestia said.

“Things sure got livened up with all of you around, that’s for sure.” Night Ace said.

“This evening didn’t go according to plan at all.” Bandit said before smiling at his friends. “But with friends like these, bad days hold no lasting effects.”

Twilight smiled and looked at all her friends.

“You’re both right. Friends have a way of making even the worst of times into something pretty great.” Twilight said.

“Looks like everyone did in fact do what you wanted Spike.” Bandit nudged him. Spike beamed up at him.

“Do I get to say it?” Spike asked.

“You earned it, go right ahead.” Bandit said. Spike climbed on his head and looked at the others.

“I was right!” He announced. They all walked over.

“As horrible as our night was…" Applejack began.

"…being together here has made it all better." Rarity concluded.

"In fact, it's made it…" Pinkie began and the others joined in."…the best night ever!

As they laughed, someone else approached the door.

“Bandit? Night Ace?” Octavia’s voice called. Both of them looked up. “I’m not late am I?” 

“You’re right on time Ms. Tavi. Join us.” Bandit offered as he looked at Donut Joe.

“Donut Joe, three dozen donuts please.” He said.

“Coming right up.” Donut Joe said. Bandit looked back at the others.

“You guys want anything?” He joked. Gaining more laughter.





Some time passed by, and everyone was talking to each other, Celestia whispered for Bandit to meet her outside. Bandit nodded and walked out with her.

Outside, Bandit looked up at Celestia, tilting his head.

“Yes Mother?” He asked.

“Here, I got you a little something before you leave.” She said as she gave him the present off her back and gave it to him.

“What is it?” Bandit asked as he began to open it. As soon he did, Bandit’s eyes widened with surprise. “Is this-”

“When Blueblood chopped down your tree, I spent the last six years making you this. I know it’s no Morello, but I hope you like it.” Celestia said. Bandit took out the gift, a small, bonsai cherry blossom tree. He looked at Celestia and hugged her tight.

“I love it momma. Thank you.” He said. Celestia hugged him back.





The gala was over and the group was beginning to head back home, Bandit was heading over to get the carriage when he saw a small box by the on the front of the carriage, where the reins were. Bandit looked at it and saw a note on it.

‘I’m sorry I took this from you.’

Bandit opened the box and smiled a bit.





Chad and Spike were both asleep on Twilight’s back. Ace was circling her from the ground, trying to get on her back. Twilight picked him up and placed him on Chad’s back. The girls all waited for Bandit to show up with the carriage. After a few moments, he did, and the girls looked surprised.

“Carriage is here, ready to head home?” Bandit asked. They were silent for a moment, so he spoke again. “Something wrong?”

“New look?” Twilight asked. Bandit’s white ponytail scrunchie was replaced with a red scrunchie with two streamers attached. One of them, white with Celestia’s cutie mark, the other dark blue with Luna’s cutie mark. Bandit smiled and nodded.

“How do I look?” Bandit asked. The mares walked to him and then began entering the carriage. 

“Like a million bits.” All of them said. Bandit smiled and began to pull the carriage back to ponyville.