On a normal day in Eqeustria a strange miasma rolls in that will change the lives of three fillies forever.
Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were hanging out in their clubhouse when a strange miasma rolls in. It's mere presence brings in strange creatures known as shadows that seek to destroy all that is good but why did the fog roll in and where did the creatures come from.
Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were currently in their clubhouse. Apple Bloom frowned as she looked over their list “Any new ideas for getting out Cutie Marks?”
Sweetie Belle eyes widened as she looked outside “Um, is it supposed to do that?” The sky darkened blotting out the sun, shadowy being began to form as Applejack galloped into the clubhouse.
Applejack shouted “Come on, we need to get you to the farmhouse!” As they galloped out, several of the shadows now having formed blue masks and arms surrounded them. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stood in front of Sweetie Belle as she shivered, the shadowy creatures slowly approached. Applejack bucked one with full force, it shrugged off the attack as if it was nothing. Death now bearing on them triggered something that was very rare.
An orange light emerged from Scootaloo’s body as a yellow one emerged from Apple Bloom and a white one emerged from Sweetie Belle. The orange one formed into an orange griffon twice the size of Applejack with clipped wings, the yellow one formed into a massive yellow pony made of stone and the white one formed into a soft, cat like creature.
The three beings spoke “I art thou and thou are I.”
All three of the fillies felt words in their minds, Scootaloo smiled at the Griffon “Speedwing” she then turned to shadowy masked creatures “use Bufu!” Speedwing fired ice into one of the creatures destroying it. Scootaloo cheered “Yes!”
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom turned to their new allies “Velvet/Tremor” they turned to the shadowy creatures “use Agi/Magna.” Velvet torched a shadow with a fireball while Magna crushed another with solid rock. One of the shadowy creatures leapt at Sweetie Belle, she smacked it into the ground hard enough to cause a large crack.
She blinked as it turned to smoke “Wow, I didn’t know I could do that.”
Apple Bloom frowned as she crushed one of the shadowy creatures “We don’t have time for this! There could be more of these creatures out there and Ah’m not about to let them destroy our home!”
Scootaloo growled as she looked at the smoke fading in front of her “Let’s go Apple Bloom.” Scootaloo burst into a gallop with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle close behind their allies following them. Applejack was stunned at the events that played out in front of her.The run into town only to see three shadowy creatures clustering around Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara.
Scootaloo sighed “We really have to save them from the Shadows, don’t we?”
She leapt on one of the Shadows as did Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. As the smoke cleared Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon rubbed their right foreleg with their left “Thank you for saving us from those monsters.” Before the trio could say another word, a strange card with a moon surrounding a lake of it appeared in front of them.
Then strange text appeared above strange gauge that went up from 1 to 2. Temperance Social Link: Unsure Bullies bond increased.
As Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon galloped away a strange doorway appeared behind them in the middle of street. Always a curious bunch, the Crusaders entered the only to find themselves in a strange blue room covered in the finest velvet, a strange griffon with a long pointed beak sat there on the other side of the table “It’s been a long time since we’ve had an Equestrian in here yet alone three.”
Sweetie Belle blinked “What is this place and who are you?”
The griffon smiled calmly “This is the Velvet Room, a space between dreams and reality, between mind and matter. Only a select few may access this place and to those unwelcome they will not be able to even see the entrance. As for me, I am the proprietor of this place Igor.”
Apple Bloom frowned “What does this place do?”
Igor chuckled slightly “I like you, straight to the point. I can improve your Personas here as well as allow you to catalog them should you ever need one back. You can also make new Personas here as well as check your Social Links, notably they will slightly different for all three of you as your relationships are stronger with others.”
Scootaloo frowned “What does that mean?”
Igor nodded “Allow me to explain further. For example, the Fool Arcana which you represent is at a three due to you relationship with each other, your Social Link is at a three and will grow rapidly. While Apple Bloom, your Strength Social Link with your sister is strong and deep at ten fully complete.”
He then turned to Sweetie Belle “Your Priestess Social Link with your sister, is quite low at 2. You may want to spend more time with her, really take your time to see understand her.” He then turned to Scootaloo “Your Chariot Social Link with Rainbow Dash is 5, you have great respect for her but you don’t know much about her under the surface.”
Sweetie Belle winced “I didn’t realise that our relationship was that frayed, I need to spend more time with her. “
Scootaloo frowned “What were those creatures out there anyway?”
Igor explained “Those are Shadows, dark manifestations of the spirits of individuals. All of their negativity become Shadows but they have not been in your world for a long time, I have a feeling that things are going to rougher for a while and you may need to be ready for bigger threats to emerge. Also enhancing your Social Links will help you forge stronger Personas and it may be wise to max out all of them.”
Scootaloo cheered “So when do we start forging Personas!”
Igor summoned three books “First we will register your current Personas in the compendiums. By doing this you can retrieve Personas for a price, this place needs upkeep after all.” The books glowed as Speedwing, Velvet and Tremor appeared in the respective books.
Igor then summoned three sets of Personas, three Pegasi appeared on one side and three Breezies appeared on the other. Igor then raised his hand “These aren't true Pegasi or Breezies, no individual is dying here. There are physical manifestations of them from the minds of others, all Personas fused are.”
He then raised his hands slamming them together as the six Personas fused, out of the fusion came three ponies made of sand. He smiled “Ah, three Sandponies. They exist in the Dream Realm and helped guard the dreams of others since the Moon Princess vanished. Us them well.”
Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom smiled as the new Personas touched their souls before vanishing “Thank you, Igor. We’ll be back as soon as we can!”
Igor chuckled as three fillies left “I wonder what’s in store for these three, well let’s wait to fin out shall we.” He grinned as the door closed, the three fillies long gone.
Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom emerged only to see a larger version of the Shadows they had been fighting so far. Apple Bloom was about to rush at it when Sweetie Belle pulled her back “This is a lot bigger than the smaller ones, we need a plan. Maybe it has some sort of weakness to exploit.”
Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and could start seeing information coming from the creature, it’s name was Cowardly Maya (Enlarged). She scanned for weaknesses and smiled, she opened her eyes “It’s weak to fire.” She leapt out and shouted “AGI!” Velvet materialised and threw a fireball at the large Shadow.
As it collapsed to the ground, Sweetie Belle smiled “Now let’s go all out while it’s stunned.” All three of them jumped on it, dust forming around them as they beat down the Shadow. As the shadow dissolved the sky began to clear.
Apple Bloom frowned “So that was the strongest one and destroying it caused the miasma to dissipate temporarily.”
Rainbow flew over with a grin “What you three did was awesome, you beat that thing! I couldn’t even dent it flying at full speed! We must throw you a huge party for saving the town, I’m sure Pinkie already has it set up!”
Scootaloo frowned “A short one, as much as I would to love spend all day celebrating how awesome we were, we need to get ready as it’s quite possible that more of those things could turn up.”
Rainbow’s eyes widened “You mean more of them could turn up!”
Sweetie Belle grimaced “Stronger ones too, the fact that neither you or Applejack could hurt them but we can means we need to prepare to fight them again. We are the only ones who can.”
Applejack galloped over to them, fury in her eyes “You don’t know how reckless that was, you could have been hurt!”
Apple Bloom glared at her sister “These creatures are going to keep appearing and they are only going to get stronger. Even you as strong as you are weren’t able to dent them, if we don’t fight this it could be the end of the world.”
Before another word could be spoken, a burst of solar light and a flash of night magic filled the area. Celestia trotted forward a grave expression on her face, she frowned “The Shadows have returned and so have the Persona users. I thought it was just a legend from the days before Discord.”
Luna nodded gravely “A legend from the days when our parents were mere foals, ones that they told us to help us sleep at night. That legendary heroes who wielded a fragment of their soul known as a Persona to fight the darkness that comes from within all of us.”
Rarity trotted over to the group nervously “What does that mean exactly?’
Celestia frowned “It means these three are to be our guardians and champions. To face the monsters that even we cannot, to face the enemy that legends say brought the end to the age of Alicorns. Why they are reappearing now.”
Rainbow looked at Celestia with anger in her eyes “Does that mean they have to fight them again! They are only fillies, they should be worried about school and making friends!”
Twilight who had just arrived looked nervously at Rainbow “I don’t think you should argue with the Princess, Rainbow!”
Rainbow turned to her and roared “ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME TWILIGHT! SHE IS GOING TO SEND FOALS TO FIGHT MONSTERS, HOW IS THERE ANY GOOD REASON FOR THAT!”
Scootaloo closed her eyes “Rainbow, it’s because we are the only ones who can. You heard what Celestia said. Even if we had an army of Alicorn Princesses it wouldn’t make a difference in the long run, we are only three in Equestria who can stand against this threat.”
Applejack looked at Apple Bloom sternly before sighing “Ah can’t stop you, Ah’ve seen that look in mah own eyes. Still please be careful, I don’t want to see you meet your parents too soon.”
Apple Bloom nodded “Ah understand, Ah will be careful” she then turned to Rainbow “don’t worry, Ah will keep Scootaloo safe. Ah will keep all of us safe.”
Celestia frowned “I will be sending down a supplier who stocks good that, for the right price will be very helpful. He is one of the best at what he does but he is not always the nicest. Still as long as you pay for your goods he is tolerable.”
They blinked as they were all suddenly shifted into Sugarcube Corner, the room was covered in streamers and there was food on every table. Before even a single word could be spoken, everypony jumped out of nowhere with Pinkie Pie at the head “Thank you for saving Ponyville!”
A huge “THANK YOU FOR SAVING PONYVILLE SCOOTALOO, APPLE BLOOM, SWEETIE BELLE!” covered unfurled from the roof. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom galloped over to a table and begun stuffing their faces.
Rarity was about to say something when Rainbow frowned “Let them enjoy this, if they are going to be putting themselves in danger then let them enjoy the spoils a little bit. They are going to be fighting monsters that none of us stand a chance against.”
Rarity shouted “Wait they are going to be putting themselves in danger! We can’t let them do that!”
Pinkie appeared in front of them with a scowl on her face, her mane flat “That is not really your choice to make. They have a great destiny ahead of them, to stop them now we leave them as a shadow of their true potential.”
Twilight frowned “How do you know about their destiny?”
Pinkie shook her head “I can see many things Twilight, many things I am not allowed to share. I am an observer of all these things but too speak of them would prevent them for happening. So please don’t ask any more questions.” They all blinked only for Pinkie to be in the party with her usual cheer as if their little conversation never had happened.
Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were up early in their clubhouse. Scootaloo groaned “So where are we going today?”
Apple Bloom frowned “Ah was going to visit Zecora, some of her potions might be able to aid us. Healing any injuries we may sustain for example.”
Sweetie Belle yawned “Okay, let’s get going.” The trio headed towards the Everfree Forest, as they trekked into the woods twenty Timberwolves leapt out of the brush. Sweetie Belle smiled “I want to try something.” Her horn glowed and she levitated the twenty of them into the air, juggled them around in a circle before tossing them away.
Scootaloo blinked as they continued through the forest “How did you do that? Last week you couldn’t levitate even a small light bulb.”
Apple Bloom frowned “I’d assume the power of our Personas have amplified all of our abilities. I’d assume that has made us stronger in all aspects.”
A familiar Zebra waved at them with a smile as they approached Zecora’s hut “I haven’t had guests in a while, it’s good to see smiles.”
Apple Bloom giggled “Yes it is Zecora but” she then frowned “we are here because we are need of potion that can heal wounds.”
Zecora nodded “I am busy collecting dew for my newest brew. Go inside to rest while I seek a Timber Crest.”
The three fillies entered Zecora's hut, Scootaloo frowned “What is a Timber Crest?”
Apple Bloom shrugged “They are the discarded shells of Timberwolves, it is not too hard to find them. Timberwolves don’t go into territories where they leave their crests, it’s how they keep from consuming everything in sight.”
Sweetie Belle frowned “Why are they called crests and not shells then.”
Apple Bloom smiled “Because the crests on heraldry used to be made out of them, hence crests. Our family knows everything about Timberwolves, after finding the Zap Apples we had to do our research on them.”
Scootaloo frowned “How long do you think Zecora is going to be anyway?”
Sweetie Belle frowned “Hopefully not too long, it’s pretty boring in here.”
Ten minutes later, Zecora returned carrying a heavy wooden structure and a jar of dew. She smiled as she put them away “You want to acquire potions, I could use the promotion.” She pulled out a box of basic red potions and handed them to Apple Bloom “I can provide a sample for I have ample.”
Apple Bloom smiled “Thanks Zecora, um I was wondering if you could teach me how to brew potions? It sounds like a useful skill.”
Sweetie Belle poked Scootaloo “With what we need to deal with brewing few potions in a pinch would be helpful for all of us.”
Zecora smiled “I have always wished to take a student but it requires you all to prudent.”
Scootaloo blinked “What does being prudent mean?”
Apple Bloom frowned “Being careful and sensible, it’s a common enough word. Applejack uses it sometimes.”
Zecora nodded “Well we will begin next week, just note it will reek.” The three fillies nodded as a bar appeared in front of them.
Hermit Social Link, Reclusive Potion’s Master formed.
The trio nodded to each other with a smile before waving good bye. Apple Bloom was carrying the potions on her back as they left. As they returned to town, Scootaloo frowned “So how many Social Links do we have now?’
Sweetie Belle frowned “Two for all of us plus our families, so that would be Zecora, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara as one. Then there is Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash, how about we alternate hanging out with them after school. We also should spend some time with Silver Spoon and Diamond, there must be a reason for the link.”
Apple Bloom frowned “You think this is some destiny thing?”
Sweetie Belle nodded “I believe it is, yes.”
Scootaloo frowned “So what now? I mean we just visited Zecora.”
Apple Bloom frowned “We meet up at the clubhouse and hang out a bit before school.” Later at the clubhouse, Apple Bloom frowned as she stared at their crusading ideas. She shook her head as she turned to her fellow crusaders “We may have to focus on Persona stuff over our Cutie Marks for a while.”
Scootaloo shrugged “I kind of thought that was the deal, besides we may actually get our Cutie Marks by the end of this. This does sound like some really big destiny thing doesn’t it.”
Sweetie Belle frowned as she saw a lilac unicorn covered in cuts and bruises “Well that doesn’t look good, we need to help them.” The trio galloped over to the mare. Sweetie Belle’s horn glowed as she looked over the wounds, a word came to her mind “Dia.”
Agreen light began to close the wounds and the bruises reduced in size by quite a bit. The mare looked up at the three of them in confusion “Who are you three?”
Apple Bloom smiled “We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders, I’m Apple Bloom.”
Scootaloo smiled “I’m Scootaloo and the one who healed you is Sweetie Belle.”
The mare smiled weakly “I’m Starlight Glimmer, I must thank you for helping me.”
Sweetie Belle frowned “Why were you so injured?”
Starlight looked down with tears in her eyes “Nopony wants to be my friend, I just want to make use of my talent to help others but no-one appreciates me.”
Apple Bloom smiled “Nonsense, we’ll be your friend. If your ever feeling down, just speak to us. No-one should ever be friendless.”
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nodded with their own smiles, the mare gave them a massive hug as tears flowed down her face “Thank you, thank you!” Twenty minutes of crying and hugging later, the Crusaders smiled as another Social Link formed.
Star Social Link, Lonely Unicorn formed.
Starlight smiled “I’ll find somewhere to stay in town and I’ll visit you three sometime.”
Scootaloo smiled back “We’ll hold you to that, see you soon.”
The trio returned to the clubhouse as the unicorn mare left. Apple Bloom smiled “Well it seems that was successful, so what should we do before school.”
Scootaloo frowned “Don’t we have to see that pony who Celestia is sending down, maybe we should see if they are around?” Sweetie Belle was about to speak when a Social Link appeared in front of them.
Fool Social Link Cutie Mark Crusaders went up to Rank 3
Tears formed in Sweetie Belle’s eyes as she flopped onto the floor and wailed “My relationship with you two is better than the one with my sister, who I have known my whole life!” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom hugged Sweetie Belle for an hour.
The CMC were about to leave their clubhouse when a mysterious stallion wearing a cloak that covered his entire body stood there. He shrugged “If you ever need any weapons or armour come to me, I can outfit you for the right price. If you fight shadows they should drop bits, so you will be able to buy whatever you need.”
Apple Bloom frowned “Shadows drop bits?” Speedwing, Velvet and Tremor materialised carrying a bag of bits each.
The stallion smiled “It seems your Personas are holding onto your bits, you three are real lucky.”
Scootaloo frowned “What’s your name anyway?”
The stallion shrugged “Just call me Shopkeeper, now aren’t you going to buy something.” He clapped his front hooves together and two large boxes appeared with a board next to them “This shows all the currents goods for sale. All of the weapons are designed to interface with your natural magic.”
Apple Bloom found a pair of spiked gauntlets and a full suit of heavy plate. Scootaloo picked up a pair of daggers and a set of reinforced leather armour. Sweetie Belle grabbed a long wooden rod with an orb of powerful magics, a set of dark blue robes and a large yellow pointed hat. After paying the stallion, they bound their weapons to their Personas for use while putting on their new armour.
Apple Bloom could barely feel the weight of the plate, Scootaloo was unimpeded by her armour. Both turned to Sweetie Belle only to see two green glowing eyes visible out of outfit, Shopkeeper grinned “A powerful mage left that to me long ago, to find a fitting mage who could make good use of it. I believe one of the latest Persona users would make good use of it.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “Thank you, Shopkeeper. We’ll check in another time.” The trio trotted away, eager to show off their new gear. As they headed towards the school, they noticed the nervous looks that they received.
Apple Bloom frowned “Maybe we are a little overdid it, Ah mean we do stand out quite a bit.”
Scootaloo frowned “I love to show off but this isn’t the kind of attention I like to receive. Should we go back…”
A nervous pair of voices came from behind them, they turned around to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Diamond rubbed her head nervously “I’m sorry for everything, we both are. I didn’t ever expect you to save us.”
Sweetie Belle trotted forward “No matter what happens, we are not going to let petty grievances prevent us from saving the lives of another. To do so would be insult to the gift we have been given.”
Silver Spoon smiled weakly “Do you mind spending some time with us later?”
Apple Bloom shrugged “We don’t have anything on later, sure we could spend some time together later today.”The five fillies trot onto the school grounds, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom strode forward full of confidence while the fillies who bullied them were far more subdued.
Scootaloo frowned at the two bullies “Are you two okay, you are usually so much more confident?”
Silver shuddered “How can you be so calm? Those things are terrifying, even if you can fight them you are only three. Creatures that want nothing more than your destruction.”
Apple Bloom closed her eyes “It’s simple, the three of have been an endlessly chasing a goal. To find out who we are, now have a path to follow. A road to guide us, no matter how thorny it is we will pull through because together we are strong.”
Diamond looked down “I wish I could be that strong.”
Sweetie Belle put a hoof on the pink filly’s withers “Not everyone has to be that strong but it is the responsibility of those who are to make good use of such power.” They enter the classroom and the day passed normally save a few strange looks.
After classes were over for the day the Crusaders were awaiting outside of the school. Diamond and Silver joined them, Silver rubbed her wither “So where are we going?”
Sweetie Belle smiled “Milkshakes from Sugarcube Corner sounds good and then you can watch us spar later.”
Diamond blinked “Spar, what does that mean?”
Scootaloo smiled “Mock fight in a way, help us improve our abilities through training. It will be fun too truly test how we match up against one another.” Diamond and Silver shared nervous looks, Scootaloo smiled “We’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
They entered Sugarcube Corner and all took a seat, Pinkie bounced over. She paused for a split second before grinning madly “Don’t see your five together often, I’ll get your milkshakes.”
Diamond blinked “Uhhhh.”
Apple Bloom shrugged “Pinkie can be at bit strange but her heart is in the right place. You’ll get used to her, besides Ponyville is a weirdness magnet. This is not the strangest thing that has happened in this town.”
Silver sighed “We haven’t really paid much attention to those things. We kind of tried to avoid the weird things.”
Scootaloo smiled “Maybe you will learn to enjoy it.” She then tapped her hoof impatiently “What is taking our milkshakes so long?”
Sweetie Belle frowned “Be patient Scootaloo, we will get our milkshakes in time.”
Pinkie bounced out and put a strawberry milkshake in front of Scootaloo, two bananas in front of Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. She then put a chocolate in front of Diamond and a vanilla in front of Silver “Sorry it took so long, I usually don’t make them for five.”
The five fillies calmly enjoyed their milkshakes before leaving Sugarcube Corner, they headed to the local lake. Diamond looked at them nervously “Are you sure it’s safe for us to be this close?”
Scootaloo frowned “That is a good point, you may want to stay far back. That was you’ll be out of range of our attacks.” Sweetie Belle summoned Velvet while Scootaloo summoned Griffon and Apple Bloom summoned Tremor as Diamond and Silver galloped a fair distance away.
Diamond and Silver began to watch them spar. Apple Bloom burst into a gallop towards Scootaloo, Scootaloo dodged an incoming swing only to get hit by a ball of fire from Sweetie Belle sending into the water. Scootaloo shook it off before galloping towards her unicorn friend at rapid speed. She summoned her daggers and leapt at Sweetie Belle.
Sweetie Belle’s horn shimmered as she dissapeared in a flash of green light, Scootaloo striking air as Sweetie Belle appeared fifty metres over the water. Her horn shimmered as she reappeared next to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom blinked “You can teleport?”
Sweetie Belle grumbled “First time trying it actually, it’s why I ended up so far above the water. I am surprised I managed to get myself to the beach with that.”
Scootaloo frowned as she galloped over “Are we going to continue sparing or are we going to sit here discussing teleportation.”
Sweetie Belle frowned hit Scootaloo with her hoof sending flying into the air “Fine then.” Scootaloo conjured up shards of ice and sent them hurtling towards her two friends. Apple Bloom rushed Sweetie Belle, Sweetie Belle was sent flying sideways by a glancing blow.
Scootaloo slammed into Apple Bloom’s back, then leapt backwards. Apple Bloom shrugged off the blow, Scootaloo frowned “We are pretty tough, those fireballs did little more than singe a few feathers.”
Sweetie Belle frowned “The problem is none of us wish to harm the other which leaves this moot? Maybe we should go fighting creatures in the Everfree Forest.”
Apple Bloom frowned “Maybe another day we should do that.”
They head back to the edge of the beach, Silver smiled “That was amazing. Maybe we should do this again sometime, go to the arcade even and have some fun.”
Diamond smiled sadly “That sounds like fun but I’m not sure if my mum would let me. She would tell me it would be a waste of time.”
Scootaloo rolled her eyes “Come on, there is nothing wrong with having some fun.”
Diamond smiled brightened slightly “I would like that.” The text from before came up going form 2 to 3. Temperance Social Link: Unsure Bullies bond increased.
Silver nodded “Well we have to get going, see you three later.” Diamond waved goodbye.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo smiled as their new friends galloped away. Scootaloo grinned “I never thought I would see the day when the five of us would be friends.”
Apple Bloom nudged her “It was well worth it, I hope we do this again soon but we should pop to see how Rarity is doing.” The trio headed back to the Boutique with smiles on their faces.
Sweetie Belle frowned as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo entered the Carousel Boutique. Rarity was busy stitching a dress, Sweetie Belle sighed “Now I’m starting to see how our relationship got so frayed.”
Scootaloo blinked “What do you mean by that?”
Sweetie Belle pointed to her sister “She has not acknowledged us despite the fact we are we clearly talking about her quite loudly. I have just let this happen for too long!” Sweetie Belle frowned as she stormed over to her sister “Rarity!”
Rarity paused “Sweetie Belle, why are you shouting?”
Sweetie Belle frowned “Sis, we need to talk. I mean how often do we actually spend anytime together. I have noticed that we act as if we are more roommates than siblings and I want us to spend more time together.”
Rarity frowned “I am a busy mare Sweetie Belle, I am always busy.”
Sweetie Belle shouted her eyes glowing green “Sister, all of that means nothing if you let your relationships crumble to dust. How is that I’m starting to have a better relationship with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon then you. We are supposed to be a family!”
Rarity shouted back “Sweetie, my work is important.”
Sweetie Belle growled “Sister, I want to address this before you and I become strangers on the street! When you come and visit only for me not to recognise you anymore. We are so close to that.”
Rarity froze “Are you serious about this?”
Sweetie Belle rubbed her forehead “Yes, I am serious. I just want you include me more, is that too much to ask?”
Rarity looked down “How do you want us to do this?”
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes “No plans, let’s just go out and have some fun.” Sweetie Belle galloped towards the door with Rarity following quickly behind.
Apple Bloom frowned “Should we follow them?”
Scootaloo shook her head “I would love to but this does to be settled between them. We should leave them to it for now.”
Meanwhile Rarity finally caught up to Sweetie Belle as they arrived near the local lake. Sweetie Belle dove into the crystal clear water with a massive smile on her face “Follow me.” Rarity eyed the water before sighing as her horn lit up. The make up faded from her face before she dove in after her sister. Sweetie Belle smiled as she waved at her sister “You enjoying the water.”
Rarity swam over with a smile “I must admit it is quite refreshing during the summer.”
Sweetie Belle looked over her sister’s face. Rarity’s blue eyes seemed to glow more brightly and her white fur was brighter “You know you look quite good without all that makeup you put on every morning..”
Rarity smiled “Thanks Sweetie, I must admit that that many of my clients expect me to put on makeup.”
Sweetie Belle splashed some water towards her “Maybe you should try to go a day without makeup. You cake it on so thick that it must be uncomfortable.”
Rarity smiled “I’ll think about it but let’s enjoy ourselves shall we.”She splashed some water towards Sweetie Belle, Sweetie Belle splashed water back. Rarity giggled “I’ve missed doing this Sweetie.”
Sweetie Belle smiled back “We should devote a least one day a week to going for a swim just you and me.”
Rarity nodded “I can do that.” She then pointed to the other side “Race you to the other side of the lake.” Sweetie Belle grinned, the two dove under the water pushing themselves forward through the water.
Sweetie Belle pushed herself through the water like torpedo, easily matching her sister’s speed. Rarity was starting to wear herself out, Sweetie Belle arriving first as her sister slowed. Rarity took a deep breath as she surfaced “I am out of shape.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “Well maybe that will change if we keep this up.”
Rarity nodded “I hope so.” They both dove back into the water with smiles on their faces. Swimming circles around the other as they pushed themselves through the water. Soon they returned and exited the lake.
As they reentered the Ponyville proper Sweetie Belle waved to Starlight. Rarity blinked “Who is this?”
Starlight smiled “I’m Starlight Glimmer, Sweetie Belle healed my wounds after I had a nasty incident in the Everfree and stumbled into town. I owe her my life.”
Rarity held out a hoof “I’m Rarity, Sweetie Belle is my younger sister. It is a pleasure to see a new face around here, I’m surprised Pinkie hasn’t met you yet.”
Starlight blushed “I put a tracking spell on her so I can avoid her, she has way too much energy for me. Whenever she gets close I teleport to the other side of town and the home I bought I have placed really strong wards keyed to keep her out.”
Sweetie Belle frowned “She isn’t that bad, you just need spend some time with her.”
Starlight frowned “I’m not really very social and I’m not sure I want to a lot of friends. I lost a friend when I was younger and I’m not too open to making that many more.”
Sweetie Belle nodded “I understand that, if you don’t want make everypony your friend you don’t have to.”
Rarity frowned “But those goes against everything we are…”
Sweetie Belle glares at her sister for a moment before smiling at Starlight “I’ll see you later, Starlight.” Sweetie Belle sighed “I’m sorry sis but we can’t force anypony to be a certain way. I still don’t understand the befriend everyone philosophy, I will have to make a lot of friends in the future but I don’t have to befriend everypony.”
Rarity smiled “Don’t worry about Sweetie Belle, now let’s go home. Maybe I can teach you how to use the kitchen without burning anything.”
Sweetie Belle nodded with a smile “That sounds good.” She was too focused on her sister to notice the Priestess Social Link going up from 2 to 3.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had just met up outside of the Carousel Boutique. Rarity poked her head out of the door, wearing only a bit of blush and a slight bit of eye shadow for makeup “Do you mind meeting with Twilight, she has been rather excited to meet with you?”
Apple Bloom shrugged “Sure, Ah don’t know why she would want to spend time with us though.”
Rarity smiled “Well I have work to do, wish you luck with Twilight.” The three fillies trotted calmly towards the Golden Oak Library. They arrived in front of the wooden door, Sweetie Belle calmly knocks on the door.
Spike quietly opens the door and whispers “Twilight is sleeping, she did a massive study binge last night. She was so eager to meet to get all her materials to meet you last night. She didn’t get any sleep until two hours ago.”
Scootaloo frowned “Is this normal for Twilight?”
Spike chuckled “Yes, Twilight three days before any important exam stayed up for two nights straight and was going to do a third. I replaced her coffee with tea so she slept the whole day, she needed the sleep or else she would miss the test.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “Twilight is lucky having you care for her wellbeing?’
Spike grinned “Well someone has to, who knows what kind of madness she would succumb too otherwise. Well anyway I’ll make some food for the four of us, Twilight won’t be awake until lunch time.”
Sweetie Belle smiled eagerly “Can I help?”
Spike eyed her closely as her friends gulped “You will follow every single instruction that I give and if you are unsure you will ask before you do anything? The kitchen is my domain and I am it’s master, also your friends will also be helping otherwise this will take to long.” Sweetie Belle nodded, Spike pulled a chef’s hat out of the ether, placing it on his head as he directed them towards the kitchen.
As they entered Spike climbed onto a stool and clapped his claws “Right pancakes, eggs, milk and flour. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom I am going trust you to handle your own process, this is very simple.”
Scootaloo shrugged “I have to cook for myself often, I make pancakes a lot.”
Apple Bloom smiled “I help my sister a lot in the kitchen.”
Spike then turned to Sweetie Belle with a deep grimace on his face “I have heard the horror stories about your cooking.” His eyes narrowed “By the time Twilight wakes you will know exactly how to make pancakes, you will not leave the kitchen until you do.”
Sweetie Belle gulped at withering glare of the young dragon “Yes sir!” He moved his stool next to bench. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had already started as Spike hopped on the stool and commanded “You need two eggs, milk, self raising-flour, vanilla essence and caster sugar.”
Sweetie Belle slowly brought over the ingredients, Spike frowned “Now break the two eggs into a bowl.” Sweetie Belle quietly followed his instructions, he then got a series of measuring cups and spoons which he put next to the bowl “Now you need to put one and three quarter cups of milk into the bowl.”
She was about to say something but his glare silenced her. She followed his instructions to the letter, he then frowned “No put one teaspoon of vanilla essence and stir.”
Scootaloo smiled as she was stirring her own mixture “Spike is a real competent chef, he is watching every one of her movements intently.”
Apple Bloom nodded “Ah’m glad he is a really good chef. Ah mean who else could teach Sweetie Belle cooking.”
Spike frowned as that task was accomplished “Now rinse and dry the one cup measure. Then put two cups of flour in a different bowl along with a third cup of caster sugar and stir.” He watched closely as she followed his instructions, he then explained “Make a well in the middle and carefully pour the milk mixture into it then stir.”
She carefully held the bowl in her hooves as she poured the mixture. Spike nodded as she began to mix it all together. He then frowned “Now to get some cooking butter and use it to grease the pan, then put it over medium heat.” Soon Sweetie Belle's pan was next to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo's.
Spike directed her to clean the quarter cup measure and the frowned “Now each pancake should be one quarter cup of mixture.” He smiled “Now each pancake should be left for two minutes or until bubbles appear on the surface. Then flip and wait for one-two minutes or until cooked through.”
Spike smiled as Sweetie Belle began putting her pancakes on the plate, all of them looking like they were supposed to. Spike smiled “This was fun, if you three ever want more cooking lessons I’ll be more than happy to provide them.” Then a bar formed in front of them
Emperor Social Link, Talented Chef formed
Sweetie Belle smiled “I’d like that, I would love to become a better cook.”
Spike smiled “Anypony can cook if you practice enough, just because you don’t have natural talent for it doesn’t mean you can’t become really good at it.”
The four of them took the pancakes to the table, Spike brought an extra plate and they shared the pancakes. Spike smiled “I’m glad to have some company that is not Twilight.” He then frowned “I do sometimes feel like I am her servant.”
Scootaloo frowned “You really should speak to her about these feelings, if you feel like she is treating you badly then you should say something.”
Spike shook his head “Twilight doesn't mean to, she is just oblivious sometimes. Besides if I say something she will have a huge panic attack and might run off all the way to Manehatten before I can stop her. She has a bad habit of overreacting to little problems and takes criticism very poorly.”
Apple Bloom deadpanned “Great and we are going to be in her lab.” The three Crusaders sighed as they would have to spend part of their day with Twilight.
Spike frowned as Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom finished off their breakfast “Twilight still won’t be up for a while.”
Scootaloo frowned “Are you kidding me, it’s already nine in the morning. She should be up running the library by now.”
Spike shrugged “Nopony comes in until ten anyway, speaking of which I have to open up the Library.” The three fillies followed him, they all frowned as he walked around the Library putting books where they were supposed to be. He then began checking what books needed to be returned that day.
Apple Bloom frowned “You do this all by yourself, shouldn’t this be Twilight’s job?”
Spike frowned “It is but she often stay up late with projects. She can’t function without me by her side, Twilight can be incredibly dangerous when she starts to panic. Her natural talent for magic is immense.”
Sweetie Belle grimaced “Does that make her dangerous?”
Spike shrugged “I keep her sane, picking up the pieces that could cause her a massive mental breakdown later. She can about as a dangerous an any other gifted magic user if they have a breakdown, I have kept her away from alcohol at parties for that reason.”
Scootaloo frowned “I hope she doesn’t cause a ruckus when she wakes.”
Spike sighed “It’s not her fault, she is just a neurotic mess. If anything the Princess is to blame for not attempting to correct such behaviour. She really should have corrected this when Twilight was younger but now it’s to late.”
Apple Bloom frowned “The Princess had her reasons, surely?”
Spike’s eyes narrowed “Celestia is not perfect, I have done my own digging on her previous students. Her previous student Sunset Shimmer ran away because the Princess was too cryptic and not direct enough, had Nightmare Moon not returned Twilight was heading down the same path.
He then took a deep breath “With her neurotic tendencies she could have become much worse than an arrogant unicorn with delusions of grandeur. I am just so angry that the Princess has done nothing to correct those issues.”
Sweetie Belle had a hoof resting on her forehead “Well I think all three of us can agree that this is definitely shaken my world view. Celestia has been taught to us as being the most important pony in Equestria and that she will never fail us.”
Apple Bloom sighed “Well that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. We need to take everything she has to say with a grain of salt from now on.”
Scootaloo frowned “The fact is even the Princesses know very little about our powers but we have advantage of speaking to one who does. Celestia doesn’t know any more than us so we shouldn’t follow every order she gives.”
Spike smiled “It is rather refreshing to speak with someone so freely about this. I must admit I enjoy these conversations.” The four of them hear the sound of movement from upstairs, “Well I better get Twilight’s breakfast ready.”
As Spike walked away, they saw the Social Link appear again. Emperor Social Link, Talented Chef has ranked up. Apple Bloom frowned “Now to spend time with Twilight.”
Before another word could be said, Twilight tiredly stumbled down the stairs and landed flat on her muzzle at the bottom of the stairs. Sweetie Belle’s horn glowed and she lifted the sleepy unicorn to the table. She then pulled out a chair and placed Twilight on it who proceeded to flop on the table.
Sweetie Belle smiled “Well one thing having a Persona helps with is my magic, I can now feel it and direct it better.”
Twilight groaned as her eyes opened and looked at them, she perked up immediately “Your here, excellent! We should get started right away!”
Apple Bloom frowned “You should at least eat first. You were barely functional until you noticed we were here.”
Twilight frowned as she “No, I need to get my notes sorted out.” She then stood up and began to gallop toward the stairs.
Scootaloo's eyes glowed orange and she dragged Twilight back to the table in an orange light “You will eat. We are not budging on this.” Twilight looked hopefully at the other two only to see stern glares from the other two persona users in the room. Spike walked in with some pancakes and salad sandwiches “Thank you for keeping her, she needs to eat breakfast.” He put the pancakes in front of Twilight and the sandwiches in front of the CMC “Twilight, you don’t eat if I don’t remind you.”
Twilight frowned “But I have so many projects to do, if I don’t eat then I have less time to spend on them. I have to help the three of them too.”
Sweetie Belle sighed “You can’t help others if you don’t help yourself sometimes. You can’t help anyone if you don’t eat and sleep, for the sake of everypony take care of yourself.” Twilight silently began eating.
Apple Bloom smashed her face into the table “Is it really that painful to take care of yourself! I mean seriously, it is not selfish to do the basic things to keep yourself functioning! You are just going to hurt everypony around you if you don’t!”
Twilight turned to her “But then I am wasting time that could be used for other more important things.”
Spike’s eyes narrowed “What about the time of everypony else, I spend hours tirelessly toiling to keep you on track. I would like if you could at least pretend to take some interest in caring for yourself.”
Twilight whimpered “You don’t mean that do you, Spike?”
Spike sighed “I don’t want to hurt your feelings but you do tend to be single minded. Focus on more than just what is in front of you for the sake of everypony. You don’t listen to me about this but maybe you should listen to them.”
Twilight slumped “I’ll try but I’m not sure if I can.”
Spike walked over and gave her a hug “That’s what I’m here for, to help you when you stumble. Not just me, all of your friends are there as well.”
Shortly afterwards Twilight had just finished her and the Crusaders finished their lunch. Twilight smiled “I’ll just get my notes and I’ll be back.”
The three fillies and Spike watched as Twilight galloped up the stairs. Scootaloo frowned “I hope this doesn’t take too long.”
Spike shrugged “I doubt she will take too long, she is really excited for all of this.”
Twilight burst down the stairs in a lab coat and wearing goggles. Twilight smiled “Come to my lab in the basement.” The Crusaders followed her down as Spike began picking up the dishes, Twilight had several machines set up. One was a treadmill, the other two were strange machines that none of them could recognise.
Twilight pointed to one of the strange contraptions “I was hoping to take a piece of your Personas for experiments.”
Sweetie Belle frowned “I don’t know much but I think they are part of our souls. I’m confident that cutting a part of it off would be very hazardous to our health.”
Twilight nodded with a grimace “Yes, soul manipulation is one of the darkest forms of magic. Even many of the most heinous individuals our world had produced wouldn’t dare mess with it.” She then pointed to the treadmill “Alright, this is a physical test. This test starts at 3 km/hr with it increasing by 1 km every minute. Adult Unicorns on average last three minutes, Adult Pegasi five minutes and Adult Earth Ponies ten minutes.”
Sweetie Belle got on first “I’ll start.”
Twilight nodded as she put on several devices on her, one to measure heart rate and another to measure liquid loss as well as various other complicated machines. Twilight then nodded “You may begin.”
Twilight watched as Sweetie Belle was causally trotting, the machine began ramping up as each minute past. The sound of the machine whirring was the only thing filling the air, ten minutes later the machine was still going as Sweetie Belle galloped without the slightest hint of exhaustion. It wasn’t until the hour mark that she started to puff and another hour before she asked to stop.
Twilight’s jaw was wide open as she struggled to process what was in front of her “That should be impossible! Princess Celestia has done this test and only lasted an hour!”
Scootaloo shrugged “Celestia doesn’t have a lot of time for physical exercise, I mean honestly natural ability means nothing if you don’t use it. We ran around getting into all kinds of trouble before gaining this power.”
Apple Bloom frowned “We will only get stronger as we gain greater mastery of our Personas.” Suddenly there was a loud thud, the Crusaders blinked as they saw Twilight laying on the ground.
Sweetie Belle groaned “She fainted.”
Scootaloo shrugged as she looked around the lab “We just shattered her world view, she has grown believing that Princess Celest…” Her eyes narrowed to pinpricks as she looked towards several vials of strange liquids, she trotted over to the mixtures that were all lined up in order and exclaimed “How did Twilight get this wrong!”
Apple Bloom blinked “What do ya mean?’
Scootaloo frowned “I may play the act before I think member of our group but I do a lot of reading when I’m at home. Chemicals like this shouldn’t be put so close to one another unless you are going to use them immediately. A single spill and boom, you will detonate the entire library.”
Scootaloo grabbed a lab coat and a spare Test Tube rack. She put on the lab coat and then moved half of them over to the other rack, spacing them apart one by one. She then did the same on the initial rack before relabeling them all.
Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened “I’m sorry that I ever thought you were stupid.”
Scootaloo laughed “I can be stupid, I’m just knowledgeable instead of ignorant. Besides life’s no fun without a little risk.”
Apple Bloom frowned as Twilight groaned “Well it seems she’s waking up.”
Twilight took a deep breath “Okay, that was not a revelation I was not planning for. Well I’d say we can skip the physical tests considering those results and get to the magic tests and then we dive deeper into understanding this power. Apple Bloom you should go first.”
Twilight guided her to the other strange contraption, Apple Bloom frowned “Ah don’t know what ya want me to do?”
Twilight smiled “It’s simple, you just have focus your magic on this machine.” Apple Bloom closed her eyes only for the machine to glow with her magic. It’s reading shot up to maximum and then it exploded.
Twilight sighed “Well this all seems to been a waste of time, I will need to get some parts to build a much stronger version of this machine.”
Sweetie Belle smiled “It’s not all bad, we got to spend some time with Spike today and he has agreed to help me become an actual good cook. I’m looking forward to it.”
Scootaloo jabbed “By the end of this you won’t burn juice anymore.”
Sweetie Belle shouted “Hey.”
Twilight smiled “Well I’m glad you had fun, if you ever need help with anything just ask.” They smiled as a test appeared before them once more
Empress Social Link, Celesta's Protege formed.
Apple Bloom smiled “Ah wish ya luck in building that machine.”
Twilight smiled “I’ll get to work on it. It may take me a while though.”
Scootaloo frowned “Just remember to leave some space between your test tubes, your run this risk of a massive disaster simply because of that.” Twilight blinked as the three fillies left, noticing the two racks with the test tubes placed in the same order as before but have one empty space between them.
Twilight facehooved “I can’t believe that foal corrected me, I need to stop those late nights in the lab. I am making rookie mistakes again.” Meanwhile the three foals split up for the day to handle their own personal endeavors.