When the Crusaders are stuck with the least people they'd want to be with, they're sure they'll go insane in the snowstorm. But the results of an unplanned sleepover surprise them.
When Cheerilee puts adventurous Scootaloo with fraidy-pony Twist, shy Sweetie Belle with outspoken Silver Spoon, and complete opposites Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara, the Crusaders don't think it could get any worse. But while working on the project, the pairs get stuck in a snowstorm. It's not the sleepover they want. However, they might end up with a whole new perspective on their opposites.
"Alright class, we won't have homework for the next week."
"WOO!!"
"Alright!"
"Because we are doing a project."
"Aw man."
"Dang it."
"It will be a partner project."
"Mith Cheerilee? I have a quethion," asked Twist, waving her hoof in the air. Scootaloo had to blink to keep from rolling her eyes at her annoying lisp. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon didn't bother trying to hold it in, as usual.
"Be nice. She cahn't help it," hissed Apple Bloom. Scootaloo sighed. Ever since Twist wouldn't do the zipline on the class trip, the sweet-toothed pony had been irking the pegasus with every breath she took.
"Will we get to choose our partnerth?" Twist stole a glance at Apple Bloom. Scootaloo bit her lip. That pony is so obsessed with Apple Bloom, she thought, much to her malcontent.
"No, I've chosen the partners for you."
"Dang it." Diamond Tiara's smirk faltered. She knew that now there was a possibility that she could be with one of those Crusaders or even *shudder* Twist.
"The project is about businesses. I want you and your partner to create a business that will interest ponies and be useful. You guys will create an advertisement for one of your products, write a list of products your business sells, and write a paragraph about what your company will do and why ponies would want it." The Crusaders wrote this down on a piece of paper while Silver Spoon washed her glasses and Diamond Tiara used a hoof file. "Extra credit if you actually create a couple of your products.
"Here are the partners," said Cheerilee. She started listing off names.
Finally, Scootaloo's name came up.
"Scootaloo with Twist."
What? Why is this happening to me? Scootaloo thought as Twist waved a hoof and sniffed. Scootaloo shot her as big of a smile as she could muster.
Cheerilee continued. Next, Sweetie Belle's name came.
"Silver Spoon with Sweetie Belle." Sweetie's face went white and Silver Spoon's face hardened.She whispered something to Diamond Tiara and they giggled.
Finally, Cheerilee came down to the last few names.
The last two left were Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara.
Apple Bloom's face was very worried. She looked around to see who else was left. However, it was just her and DT. Diamond Tiara's face was angry. She hissed angrily to Silver Spoon and Silver Spoon whispered some frantic words. Diamond Tiara's face clenched up as Cheerilee opened her mouth.
"And lastly, Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara."
Apple Bloom fell out of her chair. Diamond Tiara would've snickered if she wasn't seething and smoke was pouring out her ears.
"Tho Thcootaloo, what do you want to do for our project?" said Twist as the two walked along the path. "I wath thinking made a thweetth brand."
"Yes, but do I look like I'd think that?"
"Oh."
Scootaloo felt bad, but her agitation was making her mean. She wasn't the type of pegasus to hold in her feelings. That's Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom's jobs. I'm the impulsive one, she thought.
However, I believe they'll have a hard time keeping their mouths shut with Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. Plus, Scootaloo is trying to balance her diet so she can become strong and healthy. Like Rainbow Dash.
"What about sunglasses?"
"Sunglatheth?"
"Yeah. Ponies look cool in sunglasses. Also, they're useful." And Rainbow Dash looks awesome in sunglasses.
"Not tho much in winter."
"Oh. Right."
The two ponies continued on the path. The clops of Twist's hooves marching along and the whir of Scootaloo's scooter slowly gliding disturbed the silent yet biting winter wind.
"Tho, who'th houthe thould we work at? And what date?" Twist asked. Scootaloo looked down.
I can't let Twist see my house; not even the Crusaders have seem my so-called house. No one can know
"Um, would you mind us going to your house?"
"Thure. What day?"
"I'm free most any. Except Saturdays." That's when she trains with Rainbow Dash.
"How about Wednethday?"
"Alright. See you tomorrow." Twist cantered off to her house. Scootaloo gathered her speed and dashed towards the road leading out of Ponyville.
Scootaloo has a scooter for a reason, and it's not just to look cool.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sweetie Belle had nothing to say. Silver Spoon avoided her eyes are she marched ahead, looking regal.
"So, are you gonna say anything or what?" Silver finally snapped. Sweetie cowered a little.
"Uh..... well, can you knit?"
"Yes." A silence followed as Silver Spoon stopped in her tracks and opened her eyes. She turned to face the green eyed unicorn and stuck her hoof at her. "I never admitted that. You got it?" Sweetie Belle nodded.
"Well, I was thinking, since it's winter and so chilly, we could knit scarves," Sweetie Belle said, shivering.
"You're right, I suppose it is quite chilly. We could make it stylish."
"With some sewing and knitting skills, and your fashion expertise, we could create scarves anypony would want to wear. Write a list and a paragraph, draw and advertisement, and we're set for an A+ with extra credit!" Sweetie Belle giggled. "Oh wow, I sounded like a lawyer."
"Well, you don't sound like my father, that's for sure. And he's a lawyer." There was a sense of bitterness in the grey filly's voice.
"Oh." Sweetie Belle thought it best to end the conversation.
"So how about on Wednesday, we go to my sister's shop and start working?"
"Oh, I suppose I could fit it in."
"See you then!" Sweetie called as she trotted off.
"Yes, whatever." Silver said monotonously as she continued clopping along.
But somewhere in that voice, Sweetie could sense a bit of excitement. Her heart warmed as she cantered towards the boutique.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Just so you know, I'm definitely not fine with this either."
"I don't blame you."
More silence. Those were the only words they dared to speak in the burning silence.
Burning wasn't quite the word, considering they were shivering in their hooves.
"Look. I know we hate each other, but our silly feud isn't worth getting an F. So, stop pouting and let's start brainstorming." Apple Bloom said. Diamond Tiara's bravado faltered as she blinked in surprise.
"I suppose you're right."
"So what should we do?"
"Hm... what about... oh, you go first."
"Well, I suppose I'm good at some carpentry stuff..."
"What could we do?"
"I know! Birdhouses!"
"Birdhouses?" Diamond Tiara scoffed.
"Yeah, we could get some examples from Fluttershy and-"
"I'm afraid I'll have to veto that one."
"Alright, got anything better?"
"Hm... are you any good with metal work?"
"No, we aren't creating tiaras."
"Hmph."
The wind slithered past them and the two sighed.
Where are they gonna go from there? It's a deadlock between stubborn and prissy.
"Apple Bloom, why are you so glum? Ahnd shouldn't ya be doin' ya homework?" Applejack said to her pouting baby sister.
"Ah don't have homework, I just got some project doodley." Apple Bloom made a weird gesture with her hooves and Applejack giggled slightly.
"Then what's wrong?"
"It's WHO ah have to do the project with."
"And who would that be?"
"Diamond Tiara. Stupid Cheerilee put me with Diamond Tiara."
"Now, sweetie don't go taking this out of Miz Cheerilee. She's probably trying to make ya two get along. Ah don't blame her."
"We just cahn't get along. Ah mean, we cahn't even decide what to do for the project! We're too different."
"Actually the opposite. You're the same, and that's why you guys cahn't stop fighting."
"What? What do you mean?" Applejack just smiled to herself and cantered off. "DON'T JUST LEAVE ME LIKE THAT! Oh, for hooves sake..." Apple Bloom got up from her sulk spot and went down to her workshop. She took a block of wood and started whittling a figure.
~Diamond Tiara~
"Ms. Tiara, how was school milady," said the butler, Peeves.
"Fine, thank you Peeves." Diamond Tiara gave him her saddlepack and trotted into the dining room.
"Good afternoon Miss Tiara. Your father requests a homework update," said the housekeeper, Miss Clean.
"Project due Friday. Prepare for a guest on Wednesday." Diamond Tiara sighed. "We'll need a business consultant. We're to make a pretend business so we'll need the help."
"Of course milady." Miss Clean scampered off. A maid stayed by Diamond's side. It was her personal maid, Lilac.
"Lilac, do you have a moment?"
"Yes mistress. What can I do for you?"
"Would you mind if I ranted a little?"
"No, of course not mistress."
"So, you know those really annoying ponies with blank flanks?"
"Yes, they call themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders."
"Well, Miss Cheerilee is making me do a project with Apple Bloom of all people. And she's the one I hate the most! In fact, I almost wish I had Sweetie Belle. She's the type to give you a second chance."
"But.. do you want a second chance?"
Diamond Tiara pondered that. Did she want a second chance? Or just to pass the project?
She sucked in a breath and trotted over to the stairs.
"I'll be in my room. Tell Peeves to bring me a vanilla milkshake."
"Of course mistress."
"And Lilac?"
"Yes mistress?"
"Thanks for listening. And.... for the advice."
"Anytime mistress."
~Sweetie Belle~
"A picture perfect ponayy... a picture perfect pony pony pony pony," sang the radio. Sweetie Belle bopped her head as she threaded some embroidery floss through the intricately designed fabric.
"A picture perfect ponayy... a picture perfect pony pony pony pony." Sweetie Belle sang along as the needle popped in and out.
"Thank you so much for helping me on this project! It's Bon Bon's birthday soon and the party is going to be extravagent! Everyone wants new dresses. But don't you have homework?" Rarity asked her baby sister.
"Just a project. Speaking of projects, I'll need some knitting needles and some wool. In lots of colors. And my partner is coming on Wednesday."
"And who would that be?"
Sweetie Belle sighed. "Silver Spoon."
"You mean that sidekick of Diamond Tiara who's always torturing you?"
"That's the one." Sweetie Belle turned her attention back to her threading.
"Photo Finish, that's the name, making everypony pretty is her number 1 game, she do what she do to make you more that you, nopony gonna care to share is true," the radio continued to play.
"So how you gonna deal with that?"
"We came to an agreement on what project to do. We're making scarves since it's so cold."
"That's a great idea! I fully support it."
"You support most anything that has to do with fashion."
"True, true." The two ponies giggled as they shook their hips to the thumping music.
~Silver Spoon~
"Hey Silver Spoon, welcome home!" said Silver Spoon's older sister, Ivory Statue. Ivory was much too cheery for the grey pony, but she still had to tolerate her. Of course, she loves her sister, but a pony such as herself can only take so much smiling.
"Hello Ivory. How has work been?" Ivory owns a jewelry shop in Manehattan with her fiancee, Tanzanite (nicknamed Tanner).
"Amazing! We were named top jeweler in the greater Manehattan area!"
"And wedding preparations?"
"Erm... we got a date."
"And that's it."
"...yes..."
"I'm coming in Spring Break and forcing you to buy a dress and pick colors, and bridesmaids and the bridemaid dress. And who's your mare of honor? You're so behind and the wedding is in-"
"You sound like mom."
"I do not!"
"You're right, you're more like dad."
"That's even worse."
"Oh, you're impossible."
"Thank you." Silver trotted out, her stone face turned away from her peppy sister.
"Wait... what's your homework situation?"
"A project with this unicorn Sweetie Belle. Wednesday we're going to her sister's boutique to work on it."
"Back up. Boutique?"
"Yes... why?"
"Maybe she could make my dress!"
"Uh... I guess."
"Can I come with? PLEASE!!!" Ivory pouted and did puppy-dog eyes.
Silver Spoon sighed. "Fine. For an adult pony, you really are such a child."
"And you should be more of one."
~Twist~
"Hi mom," Twist said, wiping her hooves on the mat at the door.
"Hello sweetie. How was school?" Twist's mother cantered down the hall to see her darling daughter.
"Thuper! We are doing a project and my partner ith Thcootaloo!"
"Cool! What is the project?"
"We're creating a buthineth! We can't find an idea though... But Thcootaloo ith coming over on Wednethday."
"That sounds fun! Come over here, we'll make a snack."
The mother-daughter pair walked into the kitchen.
"How'th father?"
The filly's mother sucked in a breath.
"He's... holding on."
"When will he get better?"
"I dunno Twist, but I hope soon."
"Me too."
~Scootaloo~
The scooter whizzed along the dirt path. The scooter was a present from her grandmother, who gave her the name Scootaloo. For a while, Scootaloo wondered where her grandmother got the money to buy it. Her family was generally poor.
Then on her grandmother's deathbed, she was told.
Her grandmother stole it.
For a couple months, she didn't touch it. But she needed it to go all the way from home to school and back.
She thought of her friends. Sweetie Belle went home to Rarity and they laughed in their sisterly love. Apple Bloom went to the barn to her loving family.
Scootaloo goes to a shack with a father.
Finally, she found the rocky side road and she swerved onto it. She continued along until she came to a wooden house, if you'd call it that.
She propped her scooter up and clicked in the old bike lock. Then, trotted through the door.
"Scoots! Is that you?" Her father turned to look from the stove.
"Yeah." She slung her pack on the small hook on the wall.
"I bargained for an extra blanket today, so you won't be so cold." Scootaloo smiled slightly.
"Thanks, dad."
"So what's your homework?"
"I have a project, so Wednesday I'll be at a....classmate's house," she said, praying she wouldn't get agitated at Twist during project work.
"Ok."
"No drinking while I'm gone, alright?"
"Three months sober," said her father, saluting.
"Aye, soldier," she replied with a smirk. After her mother died, her father spiraled down into a drunkard. They would have been destitute if Scootaloo hadn't smacked sense into him. Occasionally, he'd catch a drink, but she'd bring him down to Equestria again. "So what are you cooking?"
"Corn."
"Ah! Are you serious? Where'd you get those?"
"Stand on the side of the road. Three bits each."
"That's a darn good deal."
"So when are you gonna bring some of your friends over here?"
"Um.... well.... I don't want them to walk so far out." That was a lie. Apple Bloom can go through half of the orchard in an hour. Sweetie Belle would just be pulled in the wagon.
"Alright, but whenever you want them to, just let me know."
"Ok." Scootaloo just prayed it wouldn't happen soon.
"So I hope you don't mind that my sister is coming with me tomorrow. She's getting married and she needs a dress," Silver Spoon said as she slid into the desk next to Sweetie Belle.
"Oh, of course not! Rarity loves weddings, especially the dresses," Sweetie said with a wholehearted smile.
How can a filly be so happy all the time? It sickens me to watch some fillies just go about all happy happy joy joy. I've gone through so much, and those people haven't a clue about what real strength is.
"So, about the scarves..."
"OH! RIGHT! So we should make a number of designs, for fillies, colts, mares, and stallions..."
"Maybe two designs each?"
"Yeah, so 8. We'll have different patterns and colors, and what should we name the company?"
"Sweet Spoon Scarves?"
"I like it!" Sweetie scribbled fast as lightening and continued on.
How can she move so fast? She always seems so shy, but when she puts her mind to it she can do something great, Silver Spoons thought.
"So what should our slogan be? Something catchy... Pinkie is good at that, we could ask her if we can't think of any ourselves. And what should be our signature colors?"
"Hm.... maybe... silver and purple?"
"Yeah, that's great! That could be a good color scheme for one of the mare scarves..." she scribbled some more. Silver Spoon blinked at the filly, suddenly seeing her in a whole new way.
What is this? Do I... ADMIRE Sweetie Belle?
"So we should choose some designs and colors for they uh.... Silver? Yoo-hoo, Equestria to Silver?" Sweetie Belle waved a hoof in front of her face until she snapped out of the reverie of new found confusion.
"Oh, sorry, I spaced for a moment. Heh..."
Why am I blushing? Is this... embarrassment? Today just seems to be full of new things...
Sweetie Belle chattered on, with Silver adding her inputs of designs and color advice. They were getting along quite well to their surprise.
Let's see how fortunate the others are.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tho.... what are we gonna do?"
"I dunno." Scootaloo mindlessly played with the buckle on her saddlepack, flicking it up and down.
"Well, we have to do THOMETHING."
"I'm not functional until I get food."
"....food. I want hot chocolate right now."
"That does sound pretty good."
A couple second of silence passed before a lightbulb suspended itself over Twist's head.
"THAT'TH IT!" Twist raised a hoof in the air in triumph.
Scootaloo fell out of her chair as most of the foals around them turned to look at who made the loud screech.
"Oopth... thorry." Twist laughed nervously as the students returned to their own projects.
"....please do explain, Twist," Scootaloo said, agitated for all the correct reasons this time. The pegasus brushed off her back and fluttered her wings a little before remounting her seat.
"Hot chocolate!"
"Oh... OH! I see it, yeah that's pretty cool actually. Maybe we could do other warm winter treats like...holiday cookies! I bet we can get the recipes from Pinkie Pie!"
"And what about that diet of yourth?" Twist queried. Scootaloo tapped her chin.
"I suppose I could make an exception."
I bet Rainbow Dash made exceptions when she trained...
The two ponies smiled at each other.
Seems they were fortunate.
Let's see the last pair..... (this should be good)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So..."
"So...."
Apple Bloom fiddled with her pencil. Diamond Tiara was so bored she was shining her tiara with a cloth HERSELF.
"We're getting one of my dad's business experts."
"Cool."
The time ticked by as the other classmates chittered and chattered.
"We should do something."
"Yeah, we should."
"Tiaras."
"No."
"Something sparkly."
"N- wait... that's a good name."
"Something Sparkly? Oh, you're right, it has a certain ring to it..."
"But what sparkly thing..."
"Tiaras... jewelry..."
"Sparkles."
"Duh."
"So, we have a name, but no clue what we gon' do with it?"
"Pretty much." Diamond Tiara checked her mane in a small, yet ornate mirror The back of the mirror had a sparkly sticker of Sapphire Shores with a microphone.
"That's a cute mirror."
"Thanks."
"Mirror..."
"What about mirrors..." Apple Bloom smiled to herself.
"Alrighty Diamond Tiara, brace yourself for somethin' sparkly."
"HELLOOOOO?" Ivory Statue's cheerful voice echoed through the shop. The ticks of the sewing machine merged with the radio's hoofpumping beats, currently blasting Hooves Up High by Silva Hound ft. Rina-chan. A young filly's silk-ribbon voice sang along.
The ticking stopped and a pair of hooves appeared around the corner. A unicorn with a curly purple mane and tail appeared and gasped.
"Oh my gosh! You can't really be..... IVORY STATUE OF THE BEST JEWELRY PLACE IN THE GREATER MANEHATTAN AREA! This is almost better than Sapphire Shores here..... and Silver Spoon, Sweetie Belle has been sorting wool over through that door," Rarity exclaimed. Silver Spoon trotted over towards the next room. "So I heard you're getting married..."
"Yes, and I want you to design me dress!"
"OH I'M SO EXCITED! I LOVE LOVE LOVE weddings!"
"Sweetie Belle?" Silver Spoon searched for the younger unicorn, but couldn't find her. However, she did find a mountain of wool of all sorts of colors. Each were sorted into the different scarves they'd discussed and papers of instructions for knitting patterns and scarves were everywhere. Anxiously scribbled notes in the adorably messy handwriting of Sweetie Belle were in an unorganized pile by a basket of knitting needles.
Silver Spoon sighed as she straightened the pile of notes and picked up a needle that had fallen out. She gathered the papers and stacked them next to the notes. She was so engrossed in her OCD attack that she didn't notice Sweetie Belle coming up behind her.
A waft of smelling salts and a cup of hot tea later.....
"Don't you dare ever do that again Sweetie Belle!" Silver Spoon cried, still shivering from her attack.
"I'm sorry," Sweetie said genuinely. Silver softened her expression a bit. Sweetie Belle was too innocent for her to stay mad at. She was always the cutest of the Crusaders and the most kindhearted. And sensible. Silver Spoon expected this from someone like Scootaloo, but not her.
"Apparently Scootaloo has been rubbing off on you." Sweetie Belle's giggle sounded like tinkling bells. Silver Spoon smiled into her tea.
"It's hard to listen when EVERYONE IS SCREAMING AT ME!!!"
Scootaloo stood outside the door, not knowing whether to knock on the door or just leave and come back later. After the mare screamed, the only sounds were the wind and a sappy love song playing from someone's room.
"And Raggedy, you're only home for a few days so would it kill you to be social?"
The love song increased another decibel in volume.
"Oh, for Celestia's sake..."
Scootaloo gathered up her courage and tried to stand like Rainbow Dash. She knocked on the door three times.
"Mother, it'th Thcootaloo!"
"Omigosh, I totally forgot about that! Let her in."
The door opened and Twist stood there beaming.
"Thorry about the noithe, my uncle and couthinth arrived today. It'th a little crazy."
"Oh, I don't mind. It's only life," Scootaloo said, forcing a small smile.
"Come inthide," Twist said, waving her in. The two fillies walked down the hall. In the living room, two small fillies sat playing with dolls.
"Twist who's this?" said one of them. She was an Earth pony with pastel pink mane and pastel mint coat. The other one was the opposite. They were too young to get a cutie mark yet.
"Yeah, who's that pegasus?" She said it like having wings was a disease.
"A thcool friend. Excuthe me Kyla and Katya, we have a project to do," Twist said with a complete poker face. She dragged Scootaloo into another room.
"Who were they?" Scootaloo said with a hint of distaste.
"My couthinth. They're.... erm....... impartial to pegathi," Twist replied with an apologetic smile.
"Why? This isn't the medieval ages; pegasi discrimination is so Dark Ages." Scootaloo wouldn't let the subject go. She's a pegasus. Rainbow Dash is a pegasus. How can anyone dislike Rainbow Dash?
"Their mother was killed by a pegathuth and that wound never healed in their father. They adopted it, but my uncle doethn't actually hate pegathi, jutht the man who killed her."
"Oh."
"Tho we thhould get to work on our project now."
"Yeah, sure." However, Scootaloo just couldn't forget Kyla and Katya's tone and glare.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Welcome, miss Apple Bloom," said some butler stallion. "I shall alert Miss Tiara of your presence."
He walked over to an intercom and pressed a button.
"What is it Peeves?" said Diamond's sneering tone.
"Miss Bloom has arrived and is waiting in the entrance hall."
"I'll be right down."
Peeves stepped away from the speaker. He disappeared through a door on the right wall, and Apple Bloom was alone in the vast and elegant room.
It was nothing like the rustic, wooden ranch house she had at Sweet Apple Acres. It was all marble and pristine white stone' the tiles and walls without the slightest of scratches or particle of dirt. The columns near the arch leading into the next room loomed over the small filly, making her feel uncomfortable and lonely. The spiral staircase on the left had a polished wooden banister that looked like it'd be amazing to slide down.
"Hey," Diamond said, descending the stairs one hoof at a time.
"Hello. You're house is... big," Apple Bloom said, trying not to make an awkward situation.
"Thank you. Shall we enter the workroom I have set up for us? And would you like any hot chocolate?"
"Hot chocolate sounds good."
"LILAC!" Diamond called. A pretty teenage mare with a lilac coat and a yellow mane trotted over.
"Yes mistress?"
"Two hot cocoas, extra marshmallows."
"Yes mistress."
"And Lilac?"
"Yes mistress?"
"If you want one, you can tell Premiere that I asked for 3."
Apple Bloom was definitely surprised, and so was Lilac. She never though Diamond Tiara to be the.... well, nice sort of person.
After that awkward thrill of a moment, Diamond Tiara lead Apple Bloom through the parlor into the workroom. Everything Apple Bloom saw amazed her, and she knew the name Filthy Rich really worked.
"So how does this mirror thing work?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"Ah brought some books so learn how, and ah knew a little from when ah made one for my Babs Seed's birthday."
"Nice. So what do I do?"
"Come up with slogans and designs for the mirrors I guess."
"Awesome."
Despite how normal and easy the banter seemed, the tension between them was an almost visible thin line ready to snap any second now. They both prayed it would hold on long enough for the sake of this project.
