> The Crusaders Save the Day > by Brerdaniel > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After Cozy Glow is sent into Tartarus things got back to normal in Equestria Twilight, Celestia, and Neighsay strolled through the hall of the School of Friendship. Neighsay sighs in relief. "I'm glad you're back in charge of the School of Friendship, Princess." And then he used his magic to open the office doors. "It's clear to me now that there is nopony better suited for the job." And then they noticed the Young Six in caps and gowns. And Spike giving them scrolls. "What's going on?" Twilight asked. "Hi, Headmare Twilight!" Silverstream smiled. "We're just practicing our graduation!" And then Spike hands Silverstream her scroll. "Graduation?" Twilight frowned. "Now that we've saved Equestria, we figure we're done with school," Gallus said. Twilight and Neighsay couldn't help but laugh from that. And the Young 13 frowned. "Saving Equestria is nice, but I'm afraid it'll take more than one semester to learn all there is to know about friendship," Twilight said. Spike hands Gallus' scroll. "Told ya." He smirked. The Young Six groaned. "Awwww..." "Your headmare is right," Neighsay said. "I thought friendship was something only ponies should share with each other. But you all taught me how wrong I was. I suppose true friendship can take a lifetime to understand." "If it were easy to learn, we wouldn't need a school," Twilight said. And then he used his magic to open the office doors. The Cutie Mark Crusaders finally break out of the closet that Cozy Glow locked them inside. "We held her off for as long as we could!" Apple Bloom says. "But she locked us in the closet!" Scootaloo adds. Sweetie Belle topples over with a bucket on her head. Sweetie Belle lifts it up, and asks, "What happen?!" Is everything alright?! Where's Cozy Glow?!" Soon everyone starts laughing. Princess Twilight says, "Everything turned out just fine." "As for Cozy Glow, where she's going, she won't be causing any more trouble," Princess Celesta. "Let's just say she'll be joining Tirek in Tartarus," said Spike. Realizing it what they meant the Crusaders didn't that their ex-friend Cozy Glow was working with Tirek all this time. "Oh well, that's great." Apple Bloom said with a fake smile "Yeah totally," said Scootaloo. "Well, now that's done. Guess we better be going now." Sweetie Belle said. "Already?" Spike asked with surprise. "But we're planning a celebration? We heard that you distracted her so that Sandbar and the others can get Starlight out. So aren't you gonna come?" "Actually Spike, the girls and I have other plans so maybe later. " Apple Bloom declined. Twilight, Spike, Princess Celestia, Chancellor Neighsay and the Young Six are all looking confused as they watch them sadly leave. Moments later at Twilight is finishing up her documents with some grades in her office and also prepares for the celebration of Cozy Glow's defeat suddenly she hears her door knocking. "Come in!" she said. The door opened and Starlight Glimmer enters her office. "Hey, Twilight." Starlight said. "Hey Starlight, I heard that Cozy Glow trapped you in that vortex. Are you okay?" Twilight asked with concern. "Oh yeah, I am fine." Starlight assured her. "I have to admit it is rather scary when I fell into Cozy Glow's trap. I just can't believe she turn on us like that. I mean. Why would such a filly like Cozy do something evil like erased all of the magic from Equestria?" Twilight sighed. "I don't know. She use to be a sweet filly but it turns out she was penpals with Tirek and after all, she's done I think they deserve to be Tartarus together. I know it's a bit harsh for Celestia and Luna to sent her down there. But there's nothing we can do." "I know." Starlight sighed. "I wonder how the Cutie Mark Crusaders would take it?" "I was thinking the same thing," Twilight said. "Since they're first meeting with her well we all know how that turned out after how much they wanted to come to my school but I just hope they'll be okay. I mean Cozy Glow was their friend here after all." "Oh, I'm sure they'll get over it. We all do." Starlight said. "Speaking of which Pinkie Pie is getting everything ready for her party for Sandbar and the others after they saved the school thought you should know." "Thanks, Starlight," Twilight said getting off her chair and looked outside her window and see Sandbar and the others playing. "We know ever since I opened this school we're starting to connect ponies with all the creatures of Equestria and beyond. Just like our battle with The Storm King." "I know what you mean. I wish I could've been there. And well I was captured and all but you and your friends did great." "We can't take most the credit Starlight, Tempest did save us before he turned us into stone," Twilight said. Starlight said to her with a smile. "And we all saw that he was destroyed after besides you and your friends can pass on your heroism to other ponies like how me, Trixie, Thorax, and Discord saved you from Chrysalis and Sandbar, Yona, Gallus, Silverstream, Smolder, and Ocellus did save me and brought the magic back from Cozy Glow. We must never forget those moments." "You're right Starlight," said Twilight and embraces her with a hug. "Come on let's help Pinkie Pie and get everything ready for the party." "Yeah but I think she can handle most of the work." Starlight shrugged. As Twilight and Starlight leave a certain envelope has been put on Twilight's desk in her office which it appears to be Apple Bloom who did it as she, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are feeling down after what Cozy Glow did to them. "Are you sure about this Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle asked. "We had to. There's no other choice." Apple Bloom replied sadly. "Yeah, we knew becoming tutors was a mistake," Scooatloo said sadly. "What would Twilight and our sisters say?" "Look we haven't help Cozy Glow or the fact she used us for trying to take over Equestria and her school. None of this would've happened." Apple Bloom said. "She's right, Twilight said it herself last time we don't belong here anymore." Sweetie Belle said sadly. "Yeah." Scootaloo sadly agreed. "Come on girls. Let's get out of here." Apple Bloom said. The Crusaders sadly walked out of the Twilight's office and took one last look of the school of friendship and they continue themselves straight home. > Chapter 1 - Resigned and Betrayed > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the foyer of the School of Friendship, there is a hero party for the Young Six for defeating Cozy Glow, and everypony and creature are celebrating. As the Mane Six, Starlight Glimmer, Princess Celestia, and Luna are very proud of their bravery. "We are gathered here today to celebrate Sandbar, Gallus, Yona, Smolder, Ocellus, and Silverstream who have brought the magic back to Equestria from our former student Cozy Glow by retrieving the artifacts and save Guidance Counselor Starlight Glimmer," Twilight announced. All the ponies and cheered even Thorax, Ember, Prince Rutherford, and Silverstream's parents are even prouder of them well except for Grandpa Gruff but find Gallus' actions pretty impressive. "And to show our appreciation we like to reward you with these medals for bringing the magic back to Equestria." Princess Celestia presented the hero medals to the Young Six and puts them on the six students. Twilight levitates her drink to and proposes them at toast "So, we proposed a toast to the heroes of the School of Friendship and Equestria, Sandbar, Gallus, Yona, Smolder, Ocellus, and Silverstream!" They cheer their cups and the celebration has begun as DJ-Pon3 has started the music and all of Equestria dance around the dance floor and chatting around the tables and Yaks have been very careful with their bouncing and try not to make a mess of things. Twilight and her friends watched when their students are with their guardians telling about their experiences in the School of Friendship and how they manage to save it. "Wow, they seem to be having a good time." Rainbow Dash said. "Yeah, Ember and the others are very proud of them." Spike agreed. "That little meanie Cozy Glow shouldn't try to take control of the school but at least she and Tirek will be getting along just fine! She deserves to stay in Tartarus!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "Oh goodness. Isn't that a little harsh for what Celestia and Luna did?" Fluttershy worried. "Oh, it is unnecessarily." Rarity said. "But we can't argue with the princesses. Besides I can't Cozy Glow really did all this so she could have power to herself." "Yeah, but if it wasn't for Sandbar and his friends the magic wouldn't have come back!" Pinkie Pie. "They can't take all the credit." Starlight said. "They did have a little help just to try to get me out." "Speaking of Which where are the Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Spike wondered. "Huh," Applejack said. "Now that you mention it. Apple Bloom and the other young'ns should've been here by now." "Yeah, it's not like them to miss this party for anything." Rainbow Dash said. "I don't know." Twilight wondered. "Something must be wrong they did say Cozy Glow locked them in the closet. And they did break out after she was defeated." "Oh no, I hope nothing bad has happened to them." Fluttershy worried. "Oh, I'm sure they're just feeling a little down that's all. After all Cozy Glow was their friend, after all, they've done for her before she well we all know how that turned out darlings." Rarity assures them. They looked at each other and they all nodded in agreement on what Rarity said. "Yeah, I suppose you're right Rarity," Twilight said. "In the meantime, I got something special for them in my office I'll be right back." Twilight leaves to go get something from her office while the rest of her friends stay to enjoy the party and waited for the Cutie Mark Crusaders for their arrival. Twilight enters her office to look for something very special until she notices an envelope on her desk. "What's this?" she wondered. She levitates it and it's for her she opens the envelope and it was a letter from the Cutie Mark Crusaders and reads it. Dear Twilight, We're glad that all of the Magic of Equestria is back thanks to Sandbar and the others. But the Crusaders and I felt like we were responsible for Cozy Glow's evil actions. So, we never thought of wanting to come to your school in the first place. You were right about us knowing about friendship. But if we haven't met Cozy and helped her none of this would have ever happened. We did distract her and but she locked us in the closet. And nopony could get us out in time. We have no other choice but to resign our jobs as tutors of the School of Friendship before any more harm could be done and decided to go back to Miss Cheerliee's class like you said before we need her class, not yours we thank you for all you've done for us at your school Twilight. Yours truly, The Cutie Mark Crusaders. Twilight gasped when she finishes reading it and rushes out of her office to tell all the ponies and creatures the bad news. Back at the party Starlight is having a good chat with the Young Six. "So, how are you all doing?" Starlight asked. "Yona, feel glad that stop Cozy Glow from taking over school," Yona said. "Yeah but still we could've graduated after what we did." Gallus pouted. "Yeah, but like Twilight said it's going to take more than one semester to finish the School of Friendship." Starlight said. "But hey at least we brought the magic back." Ocellus said. "That's all it matters. Right?" "Eh, works for me," Smolder shrugged. "I never did save Equestria before," Silverstream said. "Well, I know that my cousin Skystar did help Twilight's friends defeated the Storm King and his army. At least I got a chance to do that." "Hey, let's not take all the credit." Sandbar said. "We could've never done it without any help from The Cutie Mark Crusaders. I wonder where they could be?" "Don't you worry y'all." Applejack said. "I'm sure they'll on their way as we speak." "They're not coming." Twilight's voice interrupted the conversation. As Starlight and her friends turn their faces on her. "Uh, Twi?" Rainbow Dash asked with concern. "Did miss something? It sounds like you're saying they're not coming." "I did Rainbow Dash," Twilight said with a sad look on her face. "What?!" Pinkie Pie shouted as the music stopped and all the ponies have turned to the School of Friendship staff when they hear Pinkie Pie screamed. "Sorry, it's just they never refuse to come to a hero party! They always come to our hero parties! Why's that?!" "Pinkie Pie, calm down," Twilight said when she calms her down. "I was just in my office for a minute and I found this note left on my desk. Turns they feel like it was their fault because what Cozy did. They were hurt really badly because she betrayed them after since they think of what she did for them to come to my school was all a lie. So they just quit their tutor jobs from my school. And they went back to Cheerliee's classes." Everyone gasped with worry when they hear the news even Princess Celestia and Luna were shocked about all this so are the other students. "What?!" Starlight cried. "But they were the best tutors around here! Why would they just quit?! They love it here!" "That's just it Starlight," Twilight said. "They were hurt. Probably because all the other students were brainwashed by Cozy Glow nopony can get them out of the closet in time." "What?!" Silverstream cried. "That's horrible!" Ocellus cried. "And I was the one who brought them here in the first place." Sandbar said feeling guilty. "It's not your fault Sandbar." Twilight placed her hoof on Sanbar's shoulder. "You did what you had to do to get help." "I know but still...." Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash are now feeling very sorry and worried about their sisters they knew how much they wanted to come to Twilight's school because it was so nice and much better than the Ponyville Schoolhouse and they just resigned because of Cozy Glow's actions. "Poor Sweetie Belle. She really has been taking this whole thing really hard." Rarity said trying to fight her tears "I better go check on her!" "I better go check on Scoots!" Rainbow Dash cried. "I'm coming with y'all too better see how Apple Bloom's doing!" Applejack said as she, Rainbow Dash and Rarity leave Twilight stops them with her magic. "Wait!" she cried. "It's best that I come along too and see what's going on with them," Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity nodded agreeing with Twilight's suggestion. "I'm coming too," Fluttershy volunteered. "The poor little fillies must've felt awful after what happened." "Me too!" Pinkie Pie also volunteered. "Somepony's needs to turn those frowns upside down." "Alright," Twilight said she turns to Spike and Starlight and said to them. "Can you stay here and keep an eye on things while we're gone? We won't be too long." "Oh sure, sure." Starlight said. "Don't worry we have everything under control I just hope I won't be in the same vortex-like last time." "Don't worry." Spike comfort Starlight. "We made sure those artifacts are somewhere safe some nopony can ever find them." Twilight hugged them "Thanks you two. We'll be right back with the girls." The Mane Six left the school to head over to the clubhouse at Sweet Apple Acres to find Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo hopefully to check on them although this leaves Princess Luna feeling a bit concerned. Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie stroll themselves through the streets of Ponyville glad to see that the citizens are having a good time that the magic is back but they're not in the mood for any thanks they just keep walking to Sweet Apple Acres and Twilight remembers too well on how much that the CMCs wanted to come to her school not only because they wanted to have fun with her and her friends but to get to know her students as well and she turns them down because they already know all about friendship and gives them honorary diplomas for helping Cozy Glow and gives them a job for her school. Now she learns that they have resigned because of her betrayal. Asides from Twilight. Rainbow Dash has remembered the time when Scootaloo started to look up to her rival Lightning Dust and her Washouts she feels a bit concern for her safety and when she learns that she'll never be the best of the best or wonder because she can't fly. But during her debut Rainbow manage to save her from the most dangerous untested stunt so Rainbow did show Scootaloo some appreciation by establishing the Scootaloo Fan Club. Applejack and Rarity felt very awful for sisters after all the work they've done for them when they heard about all the work they've done setting up a Cutie Mark Day Camp and their first friendship mission with Scootaloo to Mount Aris to help Terrimar to live in both worlds in land and sea for his parents. Minutes later The Mane Six manage to walk through Sweet Apple Acres walking through the apple trees then they reached their destination the Cutie Mark Crusader Clubhouse Twilight and the girls knew if girls would feel down about this whole fiasco so Twilight decided to knock on the door and it opened to reveal the three fillies. "Uh hi, girls." Twilight greeted. "Oh, uh hi Twilight, girls." Apple Bloom said. "We weren't expecting y'all what can we do for you?" "We just want to talk sugar cube." Applejack said. "So are y'all doing alright?" "Yeah, we're just doing fine." Sweetie Belle replied. "Why did you ask?" Pinkie Pie began to answer. "Because we heard that you quit the school because Cozy Glow hurt you and locked you in the closet since nopony would ever--" "PINKIE!!!!" They shouted. "Oops! sorry." Pinkie Pie said feeling embarrassed about what she said to them knowing they are sensitive. "No, no, It's okay," Scootaloo said sadly. "I guess you got our note, huh?" They all nodded as the fillies look sadly down on the ground but Twilight manages to have the courage to speak up. " Look, I know it's hard, and we all put all our trust in ponies who would betray us. I know we had when Discord team up with Tirek so he got tricked too. But you three are the best tutors anypony could ask for." "Yeah, and you all can't beat yourselves about that. I mean it's not like who you are dealing." Rainbow Dash said. "Y'all don't get it." Apple Bloom said angrily. "Cozy Glow has used us for her own purposes. And then the way she helped us get into your school it was all a lie!" "If we haven't help Cozy while we try to get into the school, then she wouldn't have done her evil plans in the first place." Sweetie Belle said getting tears in her eyes. "Listen here young'uns. I know y'all feel bad about what happened but just because of what she did. Doesn't mean y'all can't punish yourselves for what happened." Applejack reason with them. "We know how much coming to Twilight's school means so much to you," Fluttershy said. "But don't you think you three are going...um...." "Overboard?" Pinkie Pie finished. "Well, maybe not overboard." Rarity said. "So the point is betrayal always happens. How about you three reconsider. Think about what you're doing?" "No, we can't!" Scootaloo shouted. " Even before we got our cutie marks we have done some pretty crazy things in the past, and all we ever do is mess things up!" Twilight was surprised at Scootaloo's words. "That's not true. You three were-- "Look we really understand what you all are trying to do but it's not going to work!" Sweetie Belle interrupted getting tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry everypony but we just don't belong over there anymore. You girls are more competent than us!" Apple Bloom said with tears in her eyes. Scootaloo finishes her sentences with tears in her eyes. "We're sick and tired of all the trouble we've cost in the past! And the nightmares we have about Gabby Gums! Us trying to get our cutie marks! And not having a tiny of respect! Because WE...ARE...NOT...HEROES OF EQUESTRIA!!!" Twilight and the girls gasped in shock of their outbursts because the fillies are feeling more hurt indeed. "She's right we're just foals. We don't know any better." Apple Bloom said starting to cry. "Now if you all excuse us we just wanted to be alone right now." Sweetie Belle said sadly. The Cutie Mark Crusaders sadly walk out of their clubhouse so they can be alone and needed some time to themselves. "Crusaders, wait!" Twilight shouted. "Oh boy." Applejack sadly sighed. Twilight and her friends watched them leave now they felt very terrible for them because having a friend who once knew betrayed them is not an easy thing to get over so The Mane Six decided to head back to the school of friendship to tell everyone the bad news and call the party off so they can think about what to do to cheer the Cutie Mark Crusaders up. > Chapter 2 - Meeting and Class Assignment > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After the call off the party at the school. Twilight and her friends are in the throne room of Twilight's castle feeling bad for the CMCs after they spoke with them Twilight did explain to Starlight, Spike and the Princesses about what happened at the clubhouse they felt sorry for them as well. "You okay Twilight?" Spike asked. "I don't know Spike." Twilight sighed sadly. "I’ve never thought the fillies would be this upset before." "To be honest I never seen Apple Bloom like this since she and her friends try to get their cutie marks in the past." Applejack said. "Tell me about it." Rainbow Dash said. "Well, you all saw how Scootaloo felt the last time when the Washouts came to Ponyville. She is feeling even more down than the time she joined the Washouts because she couldn't fly." “Well, Sandbar and the students may have stopped Cozy Glow. But it looks like the damage she cost to my sister and her friends is already been done.” Rarity said sadly. "Oh, I feel so terrible for them," Fluttershy said in tears. "This is all Cozy Glow's fault!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "If she hadn't nearly drained all the magic from Equestria and turn her back on us and the Cutie Mark Crusaders! NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE EVER HAPPENED!!!!" "Pinkie Pie, she's not the only pony who gets most of the blame," Twilight said. "Whatever do you mean, darling?" Rarity asked. Well, you all remember the last time when I assigned the students about their big friendship test?" "Yeah? So what has that got to do with anything?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Rainbow, when Cozy failed her test on purpose I immediately accuse the Crusaders for failing her test when they tried to get back at me for not letting them enroll the School of Friendship. And then I simply ban them from the school grounds and having any communication from the students." The other ponies felt shocked about all this then she keeps continuing speaking. "I know I'm such a hypocrite we all are after Starlight told me on what Cozy did I mistreated them and we all know the rest after they once become tutors around the school. They wanted to come because they think it was so nice and much better than their own school. Then we all realize that Cozy Glow didn't care about them at all she wanted power instead of making friends. So frankly I'm the one who gets most of the blame if I just talk to Cheerliee about letting them come to my school then they wouldn't be in this mess. Everything was so perfect for them before the School of Friendship and Cozy Glow came into our lives. I just want things the way they were for them." The other ponies looked at each other after listening to Twilight's words and they look at her she starting to get tears in her eyes than Rainbow Dash manages to spoke up. "Twilight, the school was your idea to spread friendship all of Equestria. Sure it was harsh the way you turn the CMCs down from their offer but it's not your fault we all treated the fillies unfair when they wanted to come to your school so badly." "I think we all have regrets," Rarity said teared up. "When those things they said about them being sick of tired of all the trouble they went through to get their cutie marks. And all the nightmares they have about their terrible events and the Gabby Gums incident." "Gabby Gums?" Starlight asked in confusion. "Uh, you don't want to know," Spike told Starlight. Starlight decided not to ask them about that but she has a few words to Twilight and her friends in the throne room. "Okay, look I know we all felt bad and sorry for the Cutie Mark Crusaders and I may not know so much about them until they came to my party after Chrysalis' defeat. But I'm beginning to have a good feeling that not only they were just hurt because of Cozy Glow. They were hurt and unappreciated is because they never even got a chance to save the School and Equestria from her and any other villains." "HUH!?!?!" The Mane Six and Spike shouted. "What? Was it something I said?" Pinkie Pie scoffed "Pfft, Yeah, you just simply said that THEY never got a chance to save the school and Equestria!" "She kind of did Pinkie Pie," Fluttershy said. "I know right?!" "Yeah, just what are you talking about?" Applejack asked. "I think Starlight is right Applejack," Twilight said. Applejack and the other ponies turned to Twilight to hear what she has to say. "Before the Princesses went back to Canterlot, Luna explained a lot of things to me she saw some nightmares the Cutie Mark Crusaders had in the past, it's about when they had failed experiences with their quest to find their own cutie marks and their worse fears is them getting into a lot of trouble and us scolding at them. When Zecora first came to Ponyville, Apple Bloom followed and we went after them since the Poison Joke incident and we already figured out that she wasn't an evil enchantress because we judged her wrong. And then during their feel trip to Canterlot, we somehow learn that their argument accidentally free Discord from his stone prison and we got mad at them for letting him cost chaos in Ponyville." "Oh my!" Fluttershy gasped. "Well, at least he is reformed after Princess Celestia gives him a chance to do good around Equestria." "True," Twilight said. "But then the other dreams Luna told me about is when we were still mad at them with the Gabby Gums incident and we haven't forgiven them ever and they leave Ponyville forever. I know that was shocking. And while we were getting Rarity's dress for Sapphire Shores since we couldn't come to their play but we sent Spike to check it out. Luna told me that they went to Canterlot to save Rarity's reputation from the dress Sweetie Belle nearly ruined and then you, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack did ground them for a week." "Well, that was a close call I must say." Rarity said. "But at least they took that punishment well since we couldn't let them stay home for the Equestria Games in the Crystal Empire." Twilight nodded in agreement then she turns to Applejack. "And Applejack did you remember the day you and Braeburn judging Trouble Shoes wrongly when you took your sister and her friends on a trip to Appleloosa?" "Yeah, I did get mad at them and made them clean the stadium when we learn that Trouble Shoes wasn't a bad pony after all it's because of his cutie mark." Applejack said with a sigh. "I was trying to make sure Apple Bloom and her friends don't get into more trouble." "I know you were." Twilight patted her shoulder. "But that's not the worse part." "Uh forgive me for asking this Twilight," Spike said. "What's the worse part?" Twilight took a deep breath and said. "Luna showed me their greatest fear is that we blamed them for teaching Cozy Glow of her evil action and I fired and banish them from the school of friendship and sentence them to Tartarus and we told them that they'll never be the heroes of Equestria. I would never EVER do a thing like that to them! And then they felt a little jealous that we've been having some world-saving adventures battling the forces of evil. And now because what Cozy Glow did to the Cutie Mark Crusaders they feel so left out because...they never save Equestria from any threat because we weren't around or ask them for their help when we needed." The other ponies were shocked about Twilight said to them after her conversation with Princess Luna they had no idea they felt so strongly about this whole ordeal when left to Tartarus to check on Tirek to see he was responsible now they went silent for a few minutes until Twilight tried to fight the tears from her eyes and said to her close friends. "So, yeah you are right Starlight they do deserve a challenge they deserve a lot more respect and appreciation so now they think we don't love them anymore." "Oh no, I wouldn't say that!" Starlight said. "That's not true they do care about you and all of you and we do care about them. We just haven't show them yet." "I really hate to break this up." Applejack said. "I know I'm being overprotective or anything but those fillies are too young to handle any villains in Equestria they don't got the experience to do it. I just wanted to keep Apple Bloom safe and out of trouble if anything would have happened to her I never forgive myself nor Granny Smith or Big Mac would never forgive me if they learn what happened to Apple Bloom." "I'm with Applejack on this!" Rarity said. "I just can't stand to see what happens if poor Sweetie Belle gets into some horrible danger in the thought of her saving Equestria on her own." "What are you talking about?" Rainbow Dash scoffed, "They're the Cutie Mark Crusaders solving tough situations is what they do best!" Applejack and Rarity glared at her with anger but when Rainbow Dash saw this it made her change her mind it said. "But, Holiday and Lofty would never forgive me if I let something bad happened to Scootaloo and I can't imagine a life without her I just don't know what to do. Besides I would never forgive Lightning Dust after what she almost did to her during her Washouts show!" "Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash," Twilight said as the three ponies turn her attention. "I understand that you all care about them and you all don't want them to get hurt or worse. But I think it's time we face the facts and ever since they got their cutie marks they are starting to grow up and they are starting to have some experiences like we do. And we must think of all the good stuff they did for all of us." "Yeah, I'm sure I may be a small dragon and all." Spike agreed. "But still get to have most of the fun in action." "Yes Spike, we know." Twilight giggled rolled her eyes. "So I think we need to remember all the good times the Crusaders did for us and they did spend Twilight Time with me for the past few days and we had a lot of fun and I did go to Mount Aris with them on their first friendship mission to help Terrimarr to live in both worlds with his parents." "Well they did help me build my animal sanctuary and I really do appreciate their help," Fluttershy said. "And they did help me around Sugar Cube Corner with the candy flavors and the cakes it was super duper fun!" Pinkie Pie said with a grin. "You're right Twilight." Rainbow Dash said. "I did make a few mistakes with Scootaloo a few times when she brought my parents to the Wonderbolt Academy and I lost my temper at them right in front of her and almost lost her a friend and a sister and I did take her under my wing after putting those scary stories in her head during our first camping trip and I did make it up to her after the Washouts incident by establishing the Scootaloo Fan Club for her so she can get a little more respect." "Oh," Rarity whimpered. "I do remember those times me and Sweetie Belle we spend together and she did save my reputation and even before Gabby Gums, I did go snooping around her saddle bag. And she did try her best to help me around the Boutique when I was being to harsh on her when she spends the night before the Sisterhooves Social. And I somehow realize she wasn't a little filly anymore she's growing up to take care of herself." They turn to Applejack with a stubborn look on her face still thinking that she's still treating Apple Bloom like a baby then after hearing what Twilight said she look at them and said. "Aw shoot. I just can't forget those moments when Apple Bloom helps around the barn and such and after she took the pies to Canjun Swamp almost on her own sure she got lost but I was there to rescue her. I realized she don't need my help looking after her anymore. And we did got carried away with the Applewood Derby race, right Rarity, and Rainbow Dash?" Rarity and Rainbow Dash blush in embarrassment remembering that day too well when they took over their first carts that the derby was meant for them not for the older ponies then Applejack cleared her throat and continue speaking. "So, yeah. You're absolutely Twilight, if Apple Bloom and her friends want to save Equestria on their own then that's fine with me!" "And if they can handle things without our help like the way they set up a day camp for the other foals to get cutie marks then I am alright with it!" Rarity said. "Yeah, besides so we'll come up a way to cheer them up and set up a challenge for them if it's only to make them understand, that we love them more than anything else in Equestria!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "But how?" Spike asked. "How can we do that?" " Don't worry Spike, first thing in the morning I'll give the students a lesson about this whole thing. Hopefully, we'll come up with a plan besides we owe it to them." Twilight said So Twilight and friends put their hooves and claw together and raise up with their idea for with a new lesson at the School of Friendship tomorrow morning. The next morning, at Twilight's classroom, the Young Six and other pony students take their seats and Twilight and Spike entered to get things started. "Good morning students." Twilight greeted them. "Good morning, Headmare Twilight." the Students greeted. "Well, I'm sure you all recover from those regettable events of Cozy Glow who nearly earased all the magic of Equestria. And the fact that The Cutie Mark Crusaders resigned the school because they are hurt by her actions and never got the chance to save the school and Equestria from her." The other students were worried and shocked after what happend and the fact they were brainwashed by Cozy's words except for Sandbar, Yona, Gallus, Smolder, Ocellus, and Silverstream who felt really sorry and bad for them after what happened. "We all do headmare Twilight." Yona said, "Yona felt really bad for tutors to quit school because evil pegasus hurt Cutie Mark Crusaders." "Me too." Ocellus called out. "I just can't believe we forgot about them after we asked them to distract her to get Chancellor Neighsay out." Gallus raises his hand and says. "Excuse me, Headmare Twilight, do you think there's anything we can do to help them at all?" "Yeah and after what they did to other students since Counsulor Starlight gave them posistion as tutors around. Maybe we can do something to cheer them up." Sandbar said. "Well, Cozy Glow was their friend," Silverstream said "Well, until now that is. But we just need to tell them that we are true friends with them." "Like how?" Smolder asked. "They never done anything to us." "You're right Smolder." Twilight nodded. "While it's true they never done anything to help you around here. Which is why this class assignment is about to come up some ideas to cheer them up." When they other students heard about they think it's a good idea for them to make up from those terrible moments. "Well, I guess it'll be worth a shot." Smolder shrugged. "Yeah that way we can tell them how much they mean to us and the other students in this school." Silverstream said with excitment. "Great" Twilight said, "If you all will think hard and come up with good ideas let me and the other teachers know because I think we owe the Cutie Mark Crusaders a lot if we want them to come back to the School of Friendship. "Yes, Headmare Twilight!" The students shouted. And so they all worked on their assigments and think up for some good ideas to cheer Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Schootaloo up. Since Sandbar and his friends owe them a great debt for what happen last time they worked hard so Twilight and Spike watch them work on their assigment while that's going on a mysterious figure is lurking in the shadows and spying on Twilight thinking something she has in store her and her friends. > Chapter 3: Shutting down The Crusading Business > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the Ponyville Schoolhouse, the foals are having a lunch break while the Cutie Mark Crusaders sadly sat at their table all by themselves still feeling down after the incident. It's not easy to get over the betrayal of the friend who was once a student at the school of friendship. Diamond Tiara notices them and decided to check on them to see how they were doing after all the terrible things she's done to them before they've got their cutie marks and helps her with her issues with her mother so now she decided to return the favor. "Hey, Crusaders." Diamond Tiara called out. The Crusaders heard her voice as he approaches them. "Oh, hey Diamond Tiara." Apple Bloom said. "I couldn't help but notice that you three are feeling bumped today." Diamond Tiara said. "Are you three okay?" 'Yeah, we're doing fine." Scootaloo sighed. "We're just dealing with the Equestrian magic disappearance incident right now." Sweetie Belle said. "Oh," Diamond said and realize their situation. "I heard all about it I'm guessing it has something to do with this Cozy Glow character, huh?" "How did you know?" Apple Bloom asked. "I read it on the papers." Diamon Tiara answered. "It must've been really hard having a friend betray you like that when they try to do something evil." The CMCs couldn't answer that they hung their heads in sadness and they don't want to talk about it so Diamond Tiara decided to drop the subject and said to them. "Well, if you three want to talk I just want you to know that I'm here for you. In the meantime, you girls want to play with me and Silver Spoon until recess is over?" They look at each other and thought about it to get their mind off of things so they nodded so they went with Diamond Tiara and play catch with her and Silver Spoon. After school has ended Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo walk sadly back to their clubhouse. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon notice they are still feeling sad so they catch up to them to find out. "Hey, I know we were jerks to you before." Silver Spoon said. "But is there something else that happened at Princess Twilight's school?" "Yeah, maybe we can go there so you could give us a tour down there." Diamond Tiara said. "We can't." Scootaloo declined. "We're not part of the School of Friendship anymore." Apple Bloom said sadly. "Because we quit." "What?!" Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon said in shock. "I don't understand." Diamond Tiara said. "Why would you three quit?" "Because we felt like we were responsible for Cozy Glow's evil actions!" Sweetie Belle shouted. "She was the first student we ever tutored but then after she nearly drained all the magic of Equestria!" "She thought that friendship was power!" Scootaloo yelled. "So Sandbar manage to get us and free his friends and asked us to keep her distracted." "But then she is too smart for our distraction and she locked us in the closet!" Apple Bloom said in tears. "We tried to get out but nopony would ever bother to help us get out so she used our knowledge of friendship and turned against us so we fear our time at Twilight's school would make things worse for her students. So we resigned before any more harm can be done!" With that, the three fillies started to cry in tears for their regrettable events Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon watched as they began feeling sorry for them because Diamond Tiara knows what it was like having a friend who turns her back on her after Pipsqueak won the election. "I am so sorry girls." Diamond Tiara said. "I know what that's like. Remember when you all help Pip win the election?" "Yeah, I remember when I turned on you when I voted for him." Silver Spoon added. "Yeah." Diamond sighed. "It was a really bad day for me but if it wasn't for you three I would never become a much better pony that I am today." "We really appreciate it, Diamond Tiara," Scootaloo said. "But that doesn't change the fact from our past mistakes when we were blank flanks." "Like all those times we fail to get our cutie marks, and set Big Mac up with Cheerliee and later Sugar Belle! And during our first Friendship Mission, we even confused Terimarr more than he already was back on Mount Arris!" Sweetie Belle said. "Now after that Cozy Glow incident, we will never feel appreciated by Twilight, our sisters, and their friends at the School of Friendship! We are just foals who are gone way over our heads." Apple Bloom said. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon look at each other and nodded. "Look we admit we made a lot of mistakes in the past too." Diamon Tiara admitted. "What I did to you three with the Gabby Gums collum was unforgivable. If I listen to you three and stop this whole thing then you wouldn't have such a worse day." "And we were pretty selfish when we turn your cousin Bab Seed against you Apple Bloom you three could have had the best parade yet in Ponyville." Silver Spoon said. "And Scootaloo about the whole Friendship Games routine about you can't fly. We felt terribly ashamed of all the things we did to you and your friends in the past." Diamond Tiara said in regret. "Let's just forget it, girls. we must all put the past behinds us." Sweetie Belle said. "Yeah, but I will never forget after what Cozy Glow did to us." Scootaloo sighed. "After all we've done for her while we try to convince Twilight to let us come to her school." "She did get us in trouble when she failed her test on purpose when Twilight blamed us for it and banished us from her school. But she did confess why and we graduate from her school when she give us honorary diplomas. But Cozy never cared about us at all." Apple Bloom said. "And after everything, we've done for all of Ponyville. we still have nightmares about we Cutie Mark Crusaders are nothing but trouble." Scootaloo said. "So we think it's time we shut down our Cutie Mark Crusading business." Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon gasped in shock on what Scootaloo just said. "You can't do that!" Diamond Tiara protest. "What about all the other blank flanks that need special talents like Pipsqueak or--" "We're sorry Diamond Tiara." Apple Bloom interrupted. "But it is for the best before anything else goes wrong." The Cutie Mark Crusaders walk sadly back to their clubhouse Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon look at each other feeling worried about them shutting down their jobs for good so they rush to Ponyville to get Princess Twilight's help. Later when the School of Friendship just got finished all the students dismissed from their classrooms. While Twilight and her friends are gather together from clean up after their day of work. "Do you think this will work Twilight?" Spike asked. "I hope so Spike," Twilight said. "I just hope that the CMCs will feel better when the students have come up with some good ideas." "Headmare Twilight." Sandbar callout as he and his friends approaches to her and her friends. "I know we're going to do these assignments. But I still feel pretty bad about what happened to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Maybe if my friends and I go to their clubhouse and see what we can do to cheer them up." "We really appreciate it sugar cube." Applejack said as she takes off her hat and holds it on her chest. "We're just worried about them." Rainbow Dash said. "We're trying to think of a way to help them." "Yona wish Yona get Cutie Mark Crusaders out of closet that Cozy Glow lock them up!" Yona snouted. "Easy Yona, let's not get too upset." Smolder calmed her down. "Maybe I could take them to Mount Aris!" Silverstream suggested. "I'm sure my brother would love to see them again!" "Or maybe I'll send Gabby a letter so they could hang out together," Gallus said. "Those are wonderful ideas darlings." Rarity said with a smile on her face. "I'm the CMCs would love those plans you've made for them." Pinkie Pie said. "Well, I'll take you all to Sweet Apple Acres to see if they're better." Applejack said. They were about to get ready to leave but then suddenly Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon rush into the School of Friendship to see Twilight and her friends. "Diamond Tiara? Silver Spoon? What are you two doing here?" Twilight asked. "Princess Twilight I know we don't go to your school but we need your help." Diamond Tiara said. "It's the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Silver Spoon cried. "They are shutting down their crusading days for good!" "WHAT?!?!?!" The ponies and creatures shouted in shock. "But why?" Fluttershy asked. "They told us everything about what happened with the Cozy Glow incident and they are in self-doubts they decided to end their days as the Cutie Mark Crusaders Forever!" "Ooh, how could things get this bad to worse?!" Starlight Glimmer said. "Alright, every creature calm down!" Twilight said. "We'll just have to stop them before things get out of control." Just as they were about they are ambushed by the mysterious figure who is hiding in the hood and capture them and ties them up in ropes. "Hey, what gives?!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "We don't have time for your games we need to get to our sisters right now!" Rarity demanded. "Who are you and what do you want?!" Twilight shouted. The mysterious figure takes off the hood and it became quite a shock to Twilight and her friends as they gasped in horror. > Chapter 4: Cutie Mark Crusaders to the Rescue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back at the clubhouse, Apple Bloom is announcing the final day of their crusading with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle hanging their heads with sadness. "I hereby that this will be our last day for the Cutie Mark Crusaders." Apple Bloom said sadly. "If it weren't for our ex-friend Cozy Glow, we would've put everypony else in danger." "Ugh! It's not fair!" Scootaloo groaned. "Why didn't we thought about her working with Tirek when she nearly drain all the magic of Equestria?!" "And why did she use us when we tried to get enroll with Twilight's school?! I guess we never should've thought about coming to the School of Friendship in the first place!" Sweetie Belle yelled. "We would've been heroes of Equestria like our sisters!" Apple Bloom said. "But now it's not worth it we are just young fillies who don't have the experience to be heroes at all!" Just then, they notice a rock came through the window with a note tied up in a string. "What's that?" Scootaloo asked. "I'll take a look." Sweetie Belle said as she untied the knot and reads letter out loud to as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo listen. Dear Cutie Mark Crusaders, I have captured all of your friends that you loved. If you ever wanted to see them again, come to the Appaloosan Mountains at nighttime. Rover The young fillies were a little confused about the name Rover was unfamiliar to them. "Rover? Who's Rover?" Apple Bloom asked in curiousity. Sweetie Belle did remember something about that name that Rarity mentioned to her when she out gem hunting with Spike as she turn to her friends and asked. "Wait, remember Rarity told me about she was captured by the Diamond Dogs?" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo suddenly realize that they remember hearing something that Applejack and Rainbow Dash told them about their encounter with the Diamond Dogs. "Oh yeah, Spike and Rainbow Dash did say something about that!" Scootaloo said remembering that story. Apple Bloom still confused about the note. "Yeah, But what kind of friends we loved he's talking about?" she said. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are in a deep thought. Until suddenly, Apple Bloom opened her wide eyes with realization. "Applejack!" Apple Bloom gasped. "Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo gasped. "Rarity!" Sweetie Belle gasped as well. "And that means Princess Twilight and the rest of her friends are trouble too!" Apple Bloom cried. "So, what do we do?!" Scootaloo cried. The crusaders have no idea what to do about it they try to think of some easier way but all that fear from the Cozy Glow incident is still in their heads but Apple Bloom shrugs it off and turns to her friends about her decision. "Girls, I can't believe that I'm saying this. But we gotta go Appleloosa! And save them!" "WHAT?!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shouted in shock when they hear what Apple Bloom said. "We can't!" Scootaloo yelled. "But Apple Bloom, we're so small!" Sweetie Belle protested. "Shouldn't we get Princess Celestia and Princees Luna and tell them about this?" But Apple Bloom denied and said to her friends. "Look I know we're scared but there isn't much time to get to Canterlot! Rover wants us there tonight! So we got to do this!" "We got to?" Scootaloo asked. "Yes, Scootaloo, we're the Cutie Mark Crusaders and we solved a lot tough situations for other ponies!" Apple Bloom answered with determination. "And besides our sisters Princess Twilight and the rest of her friends are our family! And we don't turn our backs on family even when they make mistakes or make the wrong choices and decisions!" Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked at each other in concern, but they knew that Apple Bloom was right. "You're right, Apple Bloom. Our friends need us." Scootaloo determined. "And there's no reason for giving up." Sweetie Belle agreed. Apple Bloom smiled. "Then come on girls! we got a train to catch!" "Go, Crusaders!" they cheered together. they put their hooves together and Apple Bloom leaves Granny Smith and Big Mac a note that she and her friends will be out for a while and they rushed to the Ponyville Train Station to catch the train to the Appleloosan Mountains tonight. Somewhere inside the cave of the Appaloosan Mountains, Twilight Sparkle and her friends are tied up in a rope. "Why you dog-gone Diamond Dogs!" Applejack shouted all tied up in the rope. Twilight shouted at Rover. "What's the meaning of this Rover? !Why did you kidnap us?! What do you want?!" "You better give us the answers right now! Or you'll face the consequences!" Rainbow Dash screamed. Fluttershy is too afraid to speak up to Rover. "If you want us to dig up more of your gems it won't work!" Rarity said. "Oh no, it's not the gems that we want." Rover grinned. "Then what is it that you want?" Twilight Sparkle asked in confusion. "You'll soon see." Rover laughed. "Then why us?" Sandbar added. "We never done anything to you!" "Yeah so why not leave Sandbar and his friends out of this!" Spike shouted. "Quiet dragon! Unless you wanted to get eaten by the giant roc!" Fido. Spike gulped remember that memory only too well. "Aww... Lookie here, fellas." Spot called out as he reads the newspaper. "Equestria's magic is nearly drained by one of Twilight Sparkle's students. It says here, "Cozy Glow, one of Twilight's students thought friendship is power and she sent her and her friends to Tartarus to get them out of the way, so she can take over Equestria"." "A little filly who's evil?" Fido laughed maniacally. "This has got interesting." "So I guess you already heard about that." Starlight said. "Yes we sure do." Fido laughed. "Must've been awful for the Princess of Friendship to have one of her students betraying her." Twilight Sparkle glares at them for their mocking. Then Rover started to imitate as Cozy Glow. "Hello, I'm Cozy Glow. It's very nice to meet you, and I wanted to learn all about true friendship." he said as he show off his sweet innocent face, and then he turned it into an evil grinned face. "But I lied all the time! I wanted to be the Empress of Friendship, so I can make a lot of friends! So I'll use the artifacts to drain all the magic from Equestria, and no one will stop me!" Rover laughed manically as Twilight and the others find it very annoying. "And those so-called Cutie Mark Crusaders." Fido imitate as Cozy Glow. "After I did to for them to let Twilight come to my school, but at least they get to be my tutors but Ha! what a bunch of brats! Trying to distract me while the other creatures free Starlight and save Equestria. Well too bad for the Cutie Mark Crusaders they don't deserve to be heroes! Thanks to them I know all about friendship I can put my plan into action!" The Diamond Dogs laugh manically thinking that this is too interesting for them but Twilight and the others had about enough of it. "ENOUGH!!!" Twilight shouted. "What you said about them is not true!" Fido, Spot and Rover stopped laughing as they turned to Twilight Sparkle. "Oh and why's that?" Rover asked. "Yeah, why's that, huh?" Fido asked. As the Cutie Mark Crusaders got to the cave they hear Twilight and the others give her speech to the Diamond Dogs. "Because they help out a lot of ponies before we open up the school of friendship. Like the time Zecora first came to Ponyville. Apple Bloom showed us that she wasn't an evil enchantress." Twilight said. Spot crossed his arms and said. "Helping out a lot of ponies? How sweet." "That's right! Silver Spoon and I became mean bullies to them because of my selfish mother was hard on me." Diamond Tiara added. "But they help me and earn Silver Spoon's friendship back and help me become a much better pony that I am today." "And during they're trip here in Appleloosa they helped an outlaw named Trouble Shoes realize that his cutie mark didn't mean he was bad luck, but that he was a meant to be rodeo clown which they show me and the other ponies that he wasn't a bad guy after all." Applejack said. "They helped a hippogriff named Terramar realize that he didn't have to choose whether to live on land or the sea!" Rarity said. "Which by the way, was their friendship mission!" Rainbow Dash added. "And they did help Big Mac win the heart of a mare from my village that he liked." Starlight said. Applejack look at her in shock at Starlight notice. "Sugar Belle did told me about it when they came to my old village." She said to her. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were behind the rock, overhearing their friends' speech. They were surprised. "I can't believe for what I just heard." Scootaloo whispered "Me too." Apple Bloom whispered. "Me three." Sweetie Belle whispered. "And when we open up the School of Friendship they wanted to come there more than anything in Equestria." Fluttershy said. "Especially when they wanted to make some friends there!" Pinkie Pie said. "So they helped Cozy Glow with her test before she turned evil and they were honorary graduates and became tutors." Spike added. "Yona like Cutie Mar Crusaders!" Yona added. "Me too!" Ocellus agreed. "Me three!" Silverstream said. "Well they may have help Gabby but I like them too!" Gallus said. "Well when I learn about their history I guess I like them too they did free us so we can stop Cozy Glow." Smolder agreed. "Seeing them feeling hurt made us feel so bad for them." Sandbar said. "But if I haven't asked them for their help and discovered Cozy Glow's true colors then they wouldn't be in this mess but we couldn't get all the magic back in Equestria without them and that makes them true heroes." Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle can't believe their own ears right after hearing Sandbar's confident words. And then something has changed within them. Their sadness begins to disappear, their confidences are coming back right after what Cozy Glow has done to them. This time for what Sweetie Belle said before, they're not going to give up ever again. "Sandbar's right girls! They never stop Cozy Glow if it wasn't for us!" Apple Bloom said to them in a whisper. "If we free them and save them from the Diamond Dogs and that's what we're going to do." Scootaloo said. "Yeah, so what's the plan?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Gather round Crusaders." Apple Bloom said "Here's what we're going to do. Apple Bloom strategies with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo about their rescue misssion. "A very touching story." said Fido. "But who's going to save you all?" "Yeah! Now's the time to put all of you to work." said Spot. "Find the diamonds for us, and then we'll let you go!" ordered Rover. "Hey, Rover!" Apple Bloom's voice called out as they drawn their attention behind them and see Apple Bloom and his friends have arrived. "Are you expecting us?" "Apple Bloom?" Applejack gasped. "Sweetie Belle" Rarity gasped. "Scootaloo?" Rainbow Dash gasped. "Well, well, well. So you're the Cutie Mark Crusaders, eh?" Fido asked. "You bet we are!" Sweetie Belle said. "How about you let our sisters and our friends go!" Scootaloo said. The Diamond Dogs laughed at their bravery and as Rover walk up to them. "You think 3 little ponies like you can stop us?" he asked. "That's right so we're warning you!" Scootaloo said. "Or what?" Spot asked. "Or we'll do this!" Apple Bloom said and throws the apple at Rover's face as she and Scootaloo ran from their lives to keep them distracted. Now Rover is furious and commanded Fido and Spot to catch them. "Don't just stand there, get them!" The Diamond Dogs chase after Apple Bloom and Scootaloo while their distracted Sweetie Belle uses her magic to free Twilight and others from the ropes. "There, you're free!" she said. "Thank you so much Sweetie Belle!" Rarity said as she give her a hug. "But how did you find us?" Spike asked. "Rover send us a note and we came here on our own." Sweetie Belle explained. "All the way from Ponyville?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Yeah, look yell at us or be mad at us if you want! Right now I gotta go help Apple Bloom and Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle said as she ran of to go help her friends. "If those dog-gone dogs get their paws on our--" Applejack was cut off by Starlight. "Wait!" she said as she interrupt Applejack. "If they plan on saving us from the Diamond Dogs and taking care of them why don't we watch and see what happens." "You're right Starlight." Rainbow Dash agreed. "Come on let's find them and see if they need out help." Twilight said. The Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, and The Young Six ran to Sweetie Belle's location to where Rover and his friends try to catch Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Meanwhile, Rover, Fido and Spot were searching for Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. "Where did those two little fillies go?" Fido wondered. "We're over here!" Scootaloo called out. "Come and get us!" Rover, Fido, and Spot ran towards to the deeper side of the cave where they heard Scootaloo's voice they looked around but couldn't see them but suddenly all three jump on Rover. Scootaloo clings to his head while Apple Bloom clings to his arm and Sweetie Belle clings to his legs. "What the..." Rover said. "Get off!" "Nope we're just enjoyin' the view from up here!" Apple Bloom said. "That's right!" said Scootaloo. "Why you little...." Rover tries to hit Scootaloo, but she dodges and he ends up hitting himself in the head. He takes one of his clubs and tries to do the same with the other two, but they too dodge and he just attacks himself. "Missed me!" Sweetie Belle called. "Grrr, get them!" Rover commanded Fido and Spot as they try to hit them with their clubs. But the young fillies keep dodging their their attacks. "Hey!" Fido called out. "Hold... still! So I can clobber yah!" All three fillies collectively blow a raspberry at them Rover growls angrily losing his patience. "ENOUGH OF THIS!!!" he shouted. "I'm gonna get those brats once and for all!" "Yikes!" Apple Bloom shouted. "Please let me take those for a while!" Sweetie Belle uses her magic and levitate the clubs out of the Diamond Dogs' paws. "Hey! Give those back!" Spot shouted. "You want them? Come and get'em!" Scootaloo called out. The dogs chase the fillies deeper and deeper in the cave but it got too dark for them see but they can smell their sent but it leads them to three different tunnels leaving them confused. "Uh, where they go?" Fido wondered. "They must've split up into one of these." Spot thought. "Then we'll do it so we can catch each one of them." Rover said. "Oh Rover!" Apple Bloom sing fully called out her voice came from the middle. "This way!" Rover pointed out. "Here they come!" Sweetie Belle whispered. The CMCs hidden themselves as The Diamond Dogs arrived and searched high and low and all around them. "Alright little fillies." Rover called out. "Come on out, we won't hurt you. We just wanted to play." "How about a game of tag?" Scootaloo's voice called out. The called out and The Cutie Mark Crusaders swing down and knock each of the diamond dogs on the head with their own clubs. Making them get a headache and knocked down. Apple Bloom made a lasso of the rope and caught all three of them and Sweetie Belle tied them up real tight making sure that they don't escape. "So ready to give up or do you want more?" Scootaloo asked. "Alright! Alright! you win! you win!" Rover gave up. "We surrender! We surrender!" Fido said. "No more! No more!" Spot agreed. "Well, looks like we did it!" Apple Bloom said feeling very proud. "Yeah, we sure did!" Sweetie Belle said. The Crusaders cheer high-hoof, until they hear Twilight and her friends call out to them. "Girls, where are you?" Her voice called out. "Over here!" The three fillies shouted back. The Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, and The Young Six came to their destination they were relief to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders are safe and unharmed. "There you three are!" Applejack said as she hugged her sister. "We've been looking all over for you three!" Rainbow Dash said as she hugged her #1 fan. "Are you three alright?" Rarity asked after giving her sister a hug. "We're fine!" Sweetie Belle replied. "But look at what we did." The Mane Six, Spike, The Young Six, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are surprised that the Diamond Dogs are tied up in a rope. "Oh my." Fluttershy said as she was speechless. "You three did all that?" Diamond Tiara asked. "By yourselves?" Silver Spoon finished. "Yep!" The fillies said in unison. "No way!" Sandbar said couldn't believe either but he was impressed. "How did you three come up with a plan like that to save us and catch those Diamond Dogs?" Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo explains everything to everypony. They mention that they overheard about their conversation that gave them the support of heroism that they needed and the plan they had to rescue them. Twilight and the others were shock when they told them. "Wow." Twilight said speechless. "I can't believe you did all that to save us from the Diamond Dogs." "Yes, well like Apple Bloom said. You don't turn your back on family." Scootaloo blushed. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle nodded with agreement as Starlight Glimmer approaches to them. "Well from what you three explain to us all I can say..." Starlight grabbed the fillies and embrace them into a hug. "Thank you for saving us." "Yona owes you for being brave ponies!" Yona said to them. "I don't know about that." Apple Bloom blushed. "Sure you did what you three did was awesome!" Spike said. "Well my whining did let me go last time." Rarity added. "Although, we were a bit worried that you could've been hurt by those Diamond Dogs." "But the way you three fought them." Applejack said. "We were mighty impressed." "Thanks, guys. That's very thoughtful of you." Scootaloo said. "And when you talked about the good stuff about us to the Diamond Dogs, it made us snap out of it." Sweetie Belle said. "And even after all of our mistakes." said Apple Bloom. "I guess we've forgotten about the good things we've accomplished in the past, huh?" "Yeah, like we've get to be in the Equestria Games." Scootaloo nodded. "And helping out Trouble Shoes." Sweetie Belle agreed. "And discovered our true talent, helping other ponies earn their cutie marks. And of course, helping out Sandbar and his friends to stop Cozy Glow from taking over the school." Apple Bloom finished. Twilight walk up to them and said to them. "Yes, and I know you all resigned from my school because of you three were hurt and left out after what happened with Cozy Glow. But let's all go home. and I want you all come to the School of Friendship tomorrow morning we have a special surprise for you three." Everyone agreed and they left the cave and take the train back to Ponyville for a good night sleep and Spike began to wonder what Twilight said to them and asked. "Twilight, what sort of surprise you had in mind for the Cutie Mark Crusaders?" She turn to Spike and answered. "You'll see Spike. We know these three better than every creature. I'm gonna do something what I've should've done in the first place." > Epilogue: Cutie Mark Crusaders Hero Party > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next morning with everyone at home the Cutie Mark Crusaders made their way to the School of Friendship for a special surprise from Twilight. They stopped and look at the building and they hesitated at first but thought of something. "Do you really think we should go in?" Scootaloo asked. "Well, Twilight did say she had something special for us in there." Apple Bloom answered. "So I guess we had too," "But what kind of special surprise would that be?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Wouldn't the other students--" Apple Bloom silenced her with her hoof and answered. "Look girls, I know we quit. But we can't turn our backs now. So let's just go inside in find out what Twilight has for us." Sweetie Belle nodded as Apple Bloom knock on the door and it just opened as they came in they notice that's it's pitch black in the school. "Hey, what happened to the lights?" Scootaloo asked in confusion. "It's pitch black in here." Sweetie Belle said. "Hello!" Apple Bloom called out. "Anypony here?" Then suddenly the doors closed scared the willies out of the fillies then the lights turn on and The Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, and all the students pop out of their hiding places as Pinkie Pie shoot all confetti out of her cannons and the entire school is full of decorations and every creature shouted to them. "SUPRISE!!!" "Huh?!" The Crusaders gasped they were completely surprised. "Wha-wha-what is all of this?" Apple Bloom asked almost feeling speechless. "It's a hero party!" Rainbow Dash said to them. "Just for you three." "For us?" they asked in unison. "Well duh!" Pinkie Pie answered. "Didn't you see the banner?" They did look at the banner that Pinkie Pie made for them and it's says "The Cutie Mark Crusaders Hero Party!" Their went eyes went and jaws dropped feeling surprised and speechless again. "Wow, this is...." Apple Bloom said. "But, we just save you from the Diamond Dogs?" Scootaloo said. "So, why?" Sweetie Belle asked. Twilight walks up to them and said. "Because...ever since the Cozy Glow incident you three have been feeling left out and betrayed by her and never even got a chance to save the school and the magic of Equestria from her." Starlight also came up and added. "I know having a friend you once made and knew would turn on you is not an easy thing to get over but you three were the best tutors in this place and we would never blame you for that." "And you know why you know so much about friendship?" Twilight said. "Ever since you three met each other and formed the Cutie Mark Crusaders in the past you have learn so much when you try to earn your Cutie Marks like the times when Zecora came to Ponyville. helping Diamond Tiara earn her friendship back with Silver Spoon, and Troubleshoes discover his true talent. And your first friendship mission on Mount Aris." "Don't forget Big Mac winning his heart with Sugar Belle." Applejack added. "But don't tell him I said that to you. Anyway since you three earn your rare talent you've been helping other foals to find their other talents around Ponyville." "And when Gabby came to visit when you made her an honorary Cutie Mark Crusader." Gallus said. "You three have done some amazing and wonderful things. And that was very ignorant and very foolish of us to forget all of that! And we've been unfair to you three now, and before." said Twilight as she walks up to them. "And I too wanted to apologize for banning you from my school without hearing you out and not giving you a place here in the first place. I was wrong." "It's alright Twilight." Apple Bloom said. "That one is in the past." "I know." said Twilight. "But I couldn't stop getting over it so the girls and I had a little talk with Miss Cheerliee this morning about what's been going on." "And explain to her that how much Twilight's school means so much to you three and she gladly accept your time here." Fluttershy said. "You three can still be tutors in my school and set up a class room for you three." said Twilight. "You belong in the School of Friendship." After hearing these kind words from Twilight and Fluttershy and the others. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo smiled and look at each other and nodded in agreement. "Thanks everypony. This is most unexpected for the three of us." Sweetie Belle said. "We spend a few days feeling guilty and we didn't we realize how much you all meant to us what it was like missing out on the good stuff here in this school." Scootaloo said. "And you all gave us hope so we decided that the Cutie Mark Crusaders are here to stay in the School of Friendship." Apple Bloom said. Everycreature cheered of their announcement as did the Mane Six and their friends Twilight escort them to the platform and gave them her speech. "CMCs! CMCs! CMCs! CMCs! CMCs! CMCs!" Everycreature cheered. "As you all know, these three ponies have a rare ability to help ponies to discover their true talent in Ponyville and all over Equestria. But today they prove to me and my friends that they can handle everything on their own. By protecting it from the forces of evil whenever we go on adventures or ask them to watch over things when we're gone and let them come with us when we needed. So as the Princess of Friendship and for their bravery and saving us from the Diamond Dogs. it is my honor to present the Cutie Mark Crusaders the heroes of courage for saving us." "You three deserve them a lot more than anyone else." Rainbow Dash said. "And we couldn't be more prouder of you three than we are today." Rarity said. Twilight finished her and every creature applaud as Spike presented them the heroes of courage medals and puts them around their necks as Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity walk up to them. "You three deserve them a lot more than anyone else." Rainbow Dash said. "And we couldn't be more prouder of you three than we are today." Rarity said. "We sure are young'ns. And thank you for all you three have done in Equestria and Ponyville." Applejack said. the Cutie Mark Crusaders began to have tears of happiness all that guilt and betrayal ran away from them Twilight and her friends and the Students form a group hug. "Alright every creature, let's PARTY!!!!" Pinkie Pie shouted. Pinkie Pie invited DJ Pon-3 to the school to play a special song for the Cutie Mark Crusaders on their hero party. Everyone danced as the party goes on The Student Six approaches to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "Hey girls!" Sandbar called out. "Hey guys!" said the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "How are you three been?" Ocellus asked. "We're doing great thanks!" said Scootaloo with excitment. "And listen about what happen with Cozy Glow..." Sandbar was about to say something but Apple Bloom stop him and said. "Don't worry we just didn't realize she was evil and I admit we were hurt when she turn on us and locked us in the closet that nopony bother to help us to get out." "But that doesn't mean we should be mad at everyone in the school for it. After hearing you all said to the Diamond Dogs about us. We wanted to thank you for give us some courage and confidence that we need." Sweetie Belle said. "Oh great and I'm glad you all are feeling much better." Silverstream said with relief. "Yona too!" Yona said. "Yeah, I just wish we could've check on you sooner." Smolder said. "It's okay." Scootaloo said. "Besides you six are still our new friends since our sisters did told us a lot about you. And if you guys needed our help with your homework and other things. We'll be glad to help out since we're still tutors." "Scootaloo's right." Apple Bloom said. "All you have to do is ask." "We'll keep that in mind." Gallus said. "I'm happy to hear that." Twilight said as she approaches them. "And Cutie Mark Crusaders when the time has come we'll set up a classroom for you three so you can teach in there in the future." "Thank you Princess Twilight." the girls said to them. As the Cutie Mark Crusaders leave to celebrate with the Student Six. Starlight walks up to Twilight and asked. "Well I'm glad things worked out for those three. Who knows maybe they can be the next Elements of Harmony to defend Equestria while you and your friends are gone." "Oh I don't know about that Starlight." said Twilight. "But after what happen at the school and us with the Diamond Dogs perhaps they can be defenders of Equestria but who knows maybe someday it will happened." Twilight and Starlight laughed as they celebrate the rest of the party with everyone else. THE END.