Friendship is Magic: The Seventh Element

by Master Mr B

"When the sixth element is revealed, a special element can appear that is a combination of the other six. It serves as the controller that bounds the power if the six elements together. But nobody, not even the royal sisters, have ever uncovered this...Seventh Element..." Follow my OC as he takes part in the adventures of FiM. And possibly win the heart of Twilight Sparkle...

74. Flight to the Finish

Flight to the Finish

Pony's Log Number 405: Scootaloo's always been a very special filly. And to think that a certain little brat would stoop to hurting her for something that is beyond her control...

One day at the Ponyville Schoolhouse, Cheerilee was getting her class ready to make a very important announcement.

"Today, we have three special guests with a very special announcement!" Cheerilee announced, "Everypony, welcome the head of the Equestria Games, Ms. Harshwhinny and Equestria's very own Prince Mario Star!" Ms. Harshwhinny entered inside the schoolhouse with a stern look on her face as Mario walked in behind her with a casual but calm smile on his face.

"As if Mario wasn't handsome enough!" Sweetie Belle remarked, "Now he's got wings!" Several other fillies, including Silver Spoon, sighed in a lovesick fashion. Diamond Tiara just rolled her eyes. However, now that Mario was a Prince, even Diamond Tiara found that she didn't despise Mario as much as she used to. She even stopped openly being rude and smart-mouthing him, but she didn't try too hard to be nice to him either.

"Thank you," said Ms. Harshwhinny as Cheerilee stepped aside, "Now, I'm sure you all know about the Equestria Games, where ponies from all over the land compete for glory in various athletic pursuits. Well, now you littlest ones will have the chance to compete for a weighty responsibility of your very own." The Cutie Mark Crusaders, as well as every other young ponies were listening with interest. The three fillies exchanged curious looks with each other.

"Oh, come on!" said a familiar voice in the distance, making Ms. Harshwhinny's eyes pop out, "Tell 'em the fun part!" Rainbow then flew into the classroom from a window, did a few flips on the air. The young ponies oohed and ahhed as Rainbow made a clean landing in front of both Ms. Harshwhinny and Mario, who both looked rather indignant.

"Show off..." Mario muttered.

"That's right!" Rainbow continued, "All you gotta do is show Ms. Harshwhinny the coolest, most spectacular, most rocking routine, and you're going to the Games! So who's going to be the lucky ponies?!" Rainbow posed in mid air as she spoke as she got some glares from both Mario and Ms. Harshwhinny.

"It's gotta be me!" Diamond Tiara said in her cocky manner.

"Maybe it's me!" said Aura.

"Maybe it's us!" Scootaloo said in honor of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"Maybe it's us!" Snips and Snails said together as Snips attempted to hold Snails above his head with his forelegs. They soon collapsed to the floor on top of each other. Four little fillies gave them a glare.

"Hey! It could happen!" Snips protested but the glares continued as one filly just rolled their eyes.

(Main Theme)

"So, the winning team gets to carry the Ponyville flag at the Equestria Games!" Rainbow continued in her enthusiastic manner, "Oh, you are gonna love this!"

"Ms. Dash," said Ms. Harshwhinny, having enough of Rainbow's over energetic personality, "will you please curb your over-enthusiastic outbursts?" Rainbow just flinched back at bit before Ms. Harshwhinny headed over to a blackboard that held pictures of young ponies in small groups holding a flag. Mario stood on the other side of the blackboard.

"Now then, let me be clear on the rules," Ms. Harshwhinny explained, "You ponies will form teams. Each team will create their own flag carrying routine. Everypony will be judged on grace, style, and originality." She pointed at some drawings of young ponies demonstrating the three qualities on the black board, "There's a most complicated scoring system, which I will elaborate upon now with some assistance from Prince Mario. Firstly-" Ms. Harshwhinny was about to pull down a rolled up poster from above when Rainbow got in front of her and Mario.

"Aw, get to the nitty-gritty later," Rainbow interrupted, "Tell 'em the important stuff! Like who's the coach!" Rainbow then put on a red whistle around her neck and a blue sports cap. She then blew her whistle loudly at Ms. Harshwhinny and Mario's expense.

"That's right! Me!" Rainbow boasted, "And you know why I'm qualified to coach you?" The Cutie Mark Crusaders in particular looked at her curiously.

"Guess who carried the Cloudsdale Flag in the games when she was a little filly?" Rainbow continued, "Me! I'll never forget it - I burst into the stadium, spreading my wings, the flag flapping in the breeze. I did tricks with that flag the likes of which nopony saw before and nopony's seen since!" As Rainbow spoke, Scootaloo could feel herself growing more and more excited. Then Rainbow waved a flag above her head when Ms. Harshwhinny sternly pulled Rainbow back down.

"Professionalism, Ms. Dash," Ms. Harshwhinny scolded as Rainbow sat down, "I must insist. If you want to keep your job as coach of these ponies you must maintain a professional attitude and keep your emotions in check! Am I making myself absolutely, one hundred percent crystal clear?" The Games Inspector pony didn't hesitate to get into Rainbow's face to make her point.

"Yes, Ms. Harshwhinny," said Rainbow in her cool demeanor, "Y'know, "professionalism" is my middle name, Rainbow Professionalism Dash."

"You once said your middle name was Danger," said Mario bluntly, "even I thought it was Ash-"

"No, it's not that okay!" Rainbow interrupted as she covered Mario's mouth with a fore-hoof. Mario pulled the fore-hoof off his mouth.

"Just don't forget how much trouble you got into the last time you didn't stay professional," Mario added sternly, "Plus you're not the only pony coaching for the flag competition. I'm going to be coaching as well. Let's not forget that I, too, once carried the Equestria Games Flag for Canterlot when I was a young colt!"

"Really? Whoa! Cool!" said the young ponies excitedly.

"Hmph!" said Ms. Harshwhinny before continuing, "Well, in three days time, Ms. Dash and Prince Mario will accompany anypony competing to the Crystal Empire, where you will demonstrate your routines for me and the other judges, who will judge you very professionally." As the young ponies listened attentively, Ms. Harshwhinny gave them all a stern look, especially to Rainbow, who just looked at Mario.

"You gonna be okay going to the Crystal Empire stadium?" Rainbow asked in a concerned whisper.

"I'm gonna wear a disguise," Mario whispered back, "they can't heckle a pony they don't recognize." Rainbow hummed before facing Ms. Harshwhinny.

"Ahem. Yes. Quite, quite correct," said Rainbow before hovering into the air in her enthusiastic demeanor, "In the meantime, get ready to train and train hard, because I know this opening ceremony is the single most important thing that will ever happen in your young lives! But, I know you're up for the challenge. And so am I! Wooho-" Scootaloo was smiling excitedly as Rainbow went to do another flip, but stopped mid-way when she noticed the death glares he was getting from Ms. Harshwhinny and Mario gave her stern glares.

"Ahem...Meet me and Prince Mario after school tomorrow at 1500 hours. Sharp," Rainbow said, trying to act professional, "And show us your flag carrying skills. I'm outta here." The Cutie Mark Crusaders shared smiles with each other. Rainbow then tried to take off in her usually over-the-top manner when Ms. Harshwhinny and Mario gave her the stink eye.

"Professionally," said Rainbow in a snooty manner before walking off, "See how professionally?"

"Ugh," Ms. Harshwhinny snorted.

"Why do I put up with her?" Mario groaned in annoyance.

"You mentioned something to me about Ms. Dash being like a little sister to you," Ms. Harshwhinny replied.

"Right," Mario replied with an eye roll.

"Ponies, the most important thing is this," Ms. Harshwhinny told the others, "Your routine needs to show what your town means to you. So do Ponyville proud. Work hard, be bold, wow me." Ms. Harshwhinny didn't resist exaggerating her face when she gave her advice, "That is all!" She then snootily walked away as Mario cleared his throat.

"And remember, as coaches, Ms. Dash and I are here to help you do your very best," said Mario, "Don't be afraid to come up and ask questions about your routines. See you after school!" Mario then flapped his wings and hovered off.

It wasn't long before the school bell rang to mark the end of the day, several young ponies exited the schoolhouse in multiple directions chattering amongst each other. The Cutie Mark Crusaders made their exit walking side by side together.

"So what do you say we come up with the perfect routine and win this thing?" Scootaloo suggested.

"I'd say that's rootin'-tootin' terrific!" said Apple Bloom.

"But there's one problem!" Sweetie Belle pointed out, "I bet everypony in class in planning to compete!"

"Listen," said Scootaloo as she pointed a fore-hoof at Sweetie Belle, "Somepony in our class is gonna carry that flag, so it might as well be us! Crusaders are you in, or are you in? 'Cause I'm in!" Scootaloo stood in her hind legs excitedly. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle smiled before Scootaloo headed off first.

"Me, too!" said Apple Bloom followed the orange Pegasus. Sweetie Belle just blinked cluelessly for a moment.

"Me three!" said Sweetie Belle as she went to catch up with the other two fillies.

"Alright," said Scootaloo as they walked down a path together, "the winning routine needs to show what's important about Ponyville, right?"

"Right!" said Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle in agreement.

"So...what's special about Ponyville?" Scootaloo as they all stop moving to think, she then looked at Apple Bloom, then Sweetie Belle's horn, and then her own wings, "It's...it's...I got it! It's a place where different kinds of ponies live together as friends!"

"Earth ponies like me!" said Apple Bloom.

"Unicorns like me!" said Sweetie Belle.

"And Pegasi like me!" said Scootaloo jumped into the air and flapped her wings excitedly, "So somehow we got to figure out a way to show that in our act."

"We're gonna need a plan," said Sweetie Belle.

"And a lot of hard work!" added Apple Bloom.

"And a whole bunch of practice!" Scootaloo said confidently, "But take it from me, we may just be little ponies, but we have hearts as strong as horses!"

[Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle - The three fillies marched in place and sang with Scootaloo leading the march. Sweetie Bell marched on the left of Scootaloo and Apple Bloom to the Pegasus' right. As they sang, they swapped positions so each filly could march in front before Scootaloo retook the lead. They then looked up to see the sun shining above them before rushing to the top of the hill that overlooked the entire town. They looked at the view with determined looks on their faces.]

We're the toughest little ponies in town
Got the moves, got the mojo, no harder working ponies around
We are a trio, work as a team
We'll be the first ponies out on the flag-waving scene

[Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle - the three fillies silhouettes were seen as they ran across a background featuring a sunset. They then were struggling in a game of tug of war against a rather bored and indignant Bulk Biceps. Then Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were taking turns bucking a sandbag as Sweetie Belle watched. Apple Bloom sat down in exhaustion as the sand bag bumped her flank. Sweetie Belle offered Apple Bloom some water, but the yellow filly refused.]

We get going when the going gets tough
We know our very best is just never enough
We're kinda short, but so what? We don't get defeated
We could take a little break, but we don't need it

[Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle - Scootaloo then led the march with Sweetie Belle behind her followed by Apple Bloom behind Sweetie Belle. The three sang and marched along a blue and white stripped background, with the white stripes having pink hearts on the walls while the ground had shadows of waving flags. The three fillies shadows combined to create one adult pony. They were then seen marching side by side as the background rotated with a pink heart in the center.]

We've got hearts as strong as horses
We've got hearts as strong as horses
We've got hearts as strong as horses
We've got hea-a-a-arts, hearts as strong as horses

[Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle - Scootaloo struggled to climb a small flight of stairs. Apple Bloom struggled to lift a dumb bell made out of a long stick and two extra large apples...until Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle took large bites out of each apple. The blue and white background was seen with Scootaloo marching in the center with Apple Bloom peeking out from the left and Sweetie Belle from the right. Then Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were marching side by side at an angle when Scootaloo zipped between them on her scooter, wearing a grape stripped helmet and purple goggles.]

When we put our minds together, we can achieve
We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and you should believe
We've got determination to represent the nation
For the win

[Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle - Scootaloo climbed the flight of stairs again, but does so without looking exhausted. Apple Bloom then spotted Scootaloo as she did some sit-ups. Since Apple Bloom was standing on a table, Sweetie Belle held Scootaloo from below to help the orange Pegasus do some sit ups.]

We've got hearts as strong as horses
We've got hearts as strong as horses
We've got hearts as strong as horses

[Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle - Scootaloo then made it up the flight of stairs easily and looked at the setting sun in the distance. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle just shared funny looks with each other since the flight of stairs Scootaloo was training on was only three steps high. They then did the tug of war against Bulk Biceps again, who was still bored until a butterfly scared him off, making him let go of the rope and sending the three fillies flying backward. The three fillies just looked at each other and laughed. They then marched in place against the blue and white background with the pink heart.]

And we're playing to win as we gallop to glory
We can conquer any challenge we're in
We've got hea-a-arts, hearts strong as horses
Hearts strong as horses

The three fillies marched down a path towards a sunset background before they did a high climatic jump with a fore-leg raised into the air.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

"Whoa!" the three fillies cried out as they landed hard back on the ground, "Oof!" There nearby were two familiar bullies sitting and clapping for them in a demeaning manner.

"If that's the best you've got, we're going to win for sure," Diamond Tiara bragged.

"We already have the most divine routine planned," Silver Spoon added as she and Diamond Tiara circled the three fillies like shark surrounding their prey. They then walked in front of them.

"It's absolutely sure to crush everypony else," Diamond Tiara continued as she stood on her hind leg and clapped her fore-hooves together deviously, "and I mean crush."

"But we're winners!" said Scootaloo before trying sang but was a bit off key, "And we have hearts-"

"Sure," said Silver Spoon smugly, "But you know what you don't have?"

"Your cutie marks!" Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara said together before chanting, "Blank flanks, blank flanks, blank flanks!" The three fillies just looked indignant. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom glared while Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes.

"What does that have to do with flag carryin'?" said Apple Bloom.

"Having cutie mark-less ponies represent Ponyville would be unthinkable," Silver Spoon remarked.

"You do know that Mario carried the flag as a blank flank right?" Sweetie Belle remarked. Silver Spoon was speechless as Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes.

"That was then, this is now," said Diamond Tiara arrogantly, "They certainly wouldn't chose blank flanks to carry the flag now. And we, of course, already have our cutie marks. So we know who's gonna be in the winner's circle." The two rich fillies didn't resist showing off their cutie marks.

"Listen, you two!" said Scootaloo sternly as she got into Diamond Tiara's face, making the rich pony flinch, "Cutie marks or no cutie marks, you'll see! The Crusaders are gonna carry that flag at the Games." Scootaloo then backed over to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle as they smirked and shared a hoof bump together.

"May the best ponies win!" said Silver Spoon as she had a stare down with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

"Game on!" Scootaloo said confidently as she had a stare down with Diamond Tiara.

The next day, Cheerilee was standing off to the side of a handcrafted stage so the young ponies could practice their routines. Rainbow and Mario were standing up front and center. Mario was now wearing his own dark yellow cap with a yellow whistle around his neck.

"Show us what you got, Cutie Mark Crusaders," said Rainbow as she hovered impatiently, "and make it good!" Mario just rolled his eyes at her when Scootaloo peeked out from behind the curtain.

"Don't worry, we will!" said Scootaloo.

"Now, this is just a little something we threw together," Sweetie Belle warned, "It's not perfect yet, not even close."

"That's perfectly alright, Sweetie Belle," said Mario gently, "Just do your best and we'll help you iron out any kinks in the routine."

"Okay," Sweetie Belle replied, "Thanks cutie." Mario chuckled. He might be a married pony, but that didn't mean the little marshmallow filly's crush had subsided. Meanwhile, two little rich ponies had decided they had nothing better to do than spy on the competition from behind some bushes.

"Let's watch the Cutie Mark "Goof-saders" do their saddle routine," Diamond Tiara sneered.

"They're gonna be a hot mess!" Silver Spoon added as they both snickered to each other, but then hushed themselves to avoid being caught. Neither filly wanted Mario to know they were watching.

"Since the dawn of recorded time," said Scootaloo, "in one town of amazing amazingness, three types of ponies coexists!" The curtain then opened to show some various props on the stage.

"We are Earth ponies!" Apple Bloom announced as she walked backwards dragging a green ribbon on the stage.

"We are unicorns!" Sweetie Belle added as she bounced across the stage with a purple ribbon tied against the horn.

"We are Pegasi!" said Scootaloo as she stood on a cardboard cloud waving some light blue ribbons, "And the town where friendship reigns is our home. Now, welcome to the stadium, the flag of the place we love best..." It was then a drawing of Ponyville appeared in front of them. Then a spotlight appeared over a hoop covered with a white tarp. The hoop was lifted up by Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle as Scootaloo drove through the tarp with a pretend version of the Ponyville flag on the back of her scooter. She then jumped off the scooter, slid on her hind knees to the center of the stage as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle used a single hind leg to stand on each of Scootaloo's fore-hooves.

"Ponyville forever! Yay!" the three fillies shouted as Scootaloo's scooter just rolled by behind them. Rainbow, Mario, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon were all left in complete shock.

"It's kind of a work in progress," said Scootaloo modestly as she and the other two fillies walked up to Rainbow and Mario, "So? What did you think?" Mario just blinked and then noticed the stunned look on Rainbow's face.

"Well, Dashie?" Mario proposed.

"That was ama-" Rainbow nearly interjected but then recomposed herself as the three fillies looked at her with blank faces.

Wait. Hold on now. Gotta stay calm, cool, and collected. Rainbow told herself as she hovered into the air as the three fillies looked at her with concern.

"To give a calm, clear analysis-" said Rainbow calmly before blurting out, "Wait. You whipped that act together just yesterday?! That is-"

Professionalism, Dash, keep those emotions in check! Rainbow reminded herself to avoid losing her cool.

"Overall, it was...kinda, sorta..." Rainbow said quickly until she saw the three fillies look at her with large hopeful eyes, "Overall, it was okay. Keep working, Who knows? You might have a shot! Gotta go!" Rainbow then zoomed away as Mario just rolled his eyes and shook his head at her behavior.

And I thought Spike had self-control issues Mario thought.

"Do y'all think she like it?" Apple Bloom asked with uncertainty.

"I'm not really sure," said Sweetie Belle.

"You heard her!" said Scootaloo, "if we keep working hard, we might have a shot!"

"Not might, Scootaloo," said Mario, "You have a good shot at winning. Rainbow took off because she was trying not to fangirl over the routine and make your fellow competitors feel bad. That performance and your concept were very well done. If you just smooth out your routine a bit more, you'll could definitely win hands down!"

"Thanks, Mario," said Scootaloo before turning to the other two fillies, "So let's keep workin'! Trot it, ponies!" Scootaloo then lead Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle back toward the stage as Mario headed over to help out another group. Back in the bushes, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had recovered from their initial shock.

"Did you see that?!" Diamond Tiara exclaimed, "I can't believe I'm saying this. They could win!"

"But how do we stop them?" Silver Spoon asked worried, "We already called them blank flanks!"

"Then we need to find a new way to get under their skin," said Diamond Tiara as she glared at the Cutie Mark Crusaders, she then noticed Scootaloo's wings as a devilish smirk appeared on her face, "or maybe under their wings." Silver Spoon blinked.

"You sure that's a good idea?" said Silver Spoon, "Aren't we crossing the line going that far? If Prince Mario finds out..."

"He won't," said Diamond Tiara, "Scootaloo's too much of a tough girl to ever admit we insulted her wings. This just might be what we need to do to finally take the Cutie Mark Crusaders down!" Silver Spoon just huffed.

"Are you sure it's even worth the hassle?" Silver Spoon asked. Diamond Tiara took offense and got into her face.

"Are you saying you don't want to win?" Diamond Tiara snapped.

"Of course I do!" Silver Spoon retorted as she put a fore-hoof on Diamond Tiara's shoulder, "It's just I remember what happened the last time you tried taking extra measures to take them down!" As if being grounded and losing her allowance hadn't been bad enough, Silver Spoon parents actually spent weeks making her question her friendship with Diamond Tiara. As much as Silver Spoon wanted to admit her parent's words hadn't gotten to her, they still flooded her mind, especially in situations like this.

"I underestimated them, okay! I admit it!" said Diamond Tiara, swatting Silver Spoon's fore-hoof away, "But not this time. You've been reading that guidebook I stole from Prince Mario haven't you? Studying it cover to cover?"

"Yes..." said Silver Spoon slowly.

"Then we're ready for 'em!" Diamond Tiara said confidently as she looked around to see that Mario was busy.

"And what if Prince Mario finds out?" said Silver Spoon. Diamond Tiara just smirked.

"Once we win the flag competition," said Diamond Tiara, "It will all be worth it. Now c'mon!" Silver Spoon just sighed and followed her best friend. She knew by now that once Diamond Tiara set a goal that there was no deterring her from it.

Meanwhile, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were busy packing up their props when the two rich fillies made their move.

"Girls," said Diamond Tiara in the sweetest tone she could muster, "we just wanted to say your act is quite impressive!" Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked at the two as if they had grown an extra head.

"Wait...what?" said Sweetie Belle in disbelief.

"Um...thanks?" Apple Bloom added skeptically.

"Oh, but of course," said Silver Spoon as she and Diamond Tiara walked in front of the two fillies and headed over to Scootaloo, "As a matter of fact, we think you're very brave."

"Brave? Why?" said Scootaloo puzzled as a very devious smile appeared on Diamond Tiara's face.

"Isn't it obvious?" Diamond Tiara replied, "It is to us. In fact, it's obvious to everypony. You're showing all three types of Ponyville ponies, yet you have a Pegasus pony..." The two rich fillies shared a quick high-hoof together before smirking.

"...who can't even fly!" Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon taunted as they pointed their fore-hooves at Scootaloo. The orange Pegasus suddenly looked hurt.

"What in tarnation does that have to do with anything?" Apple Bloom demanded as she and Sweetie Belle glared at the two rich fillies.

"I'd say not even being able to fly has everything to do with everything," said Silver Spoon, "Doesn't it?" The two rich fillies walked up to Scootaloo, who was examining her small wings nervously.

"I mean, a Pegasus pony at your age?" Diamond Tiara taunted, "you should have been flying long ago."

"So what if my wings can't get me off the ground?" Scootaloo snapped.

"Your career as a flag carrier isn't getting off the ground either," Diamond Tiara remarked as Silver Spoon poked one of Scootaloo's wings.

"Ms. Harshwhinny will never pick a Pegasus pony who can't fly to represent Ponyville in front of all of Equestria," Silver Spoon added smugly.

"Ms. Harshwhinny never said anything about that!" said Sweetie Belle angrily as she and Apple Bloom kept glaring at the two rich fillies.

"I would've thought that was obvious," Silver Spoon as a matter of fact.

"Well, have fun practicing anyway," said Diamond Tiara, "even if your routine will never-how shall we say-take off!" The two just walked away in their snooty fashion, leaving Scootaloo feeling rather dejected. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom just looked indignant.

"Don't listen to them, Scootaloo," said Sweetie Belle, but noticed that the orange Pegasus wasn't listening, "Scootaloo? You okay?" Scootaloo was watching Rainbow and Mario as two other Pegasus fillies doing a synchronized flying routine. She looked at her own wings for a moment.

"This routine isn't working how it is," said Scootaloo to the other two fillies, "We've gotta rethink my part in the whole thing." Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were shocked.

"What?" Sweetie Belle interjected.

"Why?" Apple Bloom asked.

"If we wanna win, I'm gonna have to fly!" said Scootaloo as her two friend remained in a state of shock.

"Is that even possible?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"And by tomorrow?" Apple Bloom added.

"Maybe I can win if I work twice as hard. See?" said Scootaloo as she flapped her wings to hover in the air for a few seconds before plopping to the ground, "Oof! Maybe...three times as hard."

"Golly, I don't know, Scootaloo," Apple Bloom said with uncertainty, "I don't think that's the problem."

"Well, I know this for sure," said Scootaloo as she stood up, "flying is the only way we're gonna win, so it's back to practice." Scootaloo then ran off.

"Is this a good idea?" Sweetie Belle asked skeptically.

"Whoaaaaa!" Scootaloo shouted from off screen as she tried flying again and crash landed off screen, making Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle winced at the impact.

"I'll just work four times as hard!" Scootaloo shouted.

"Probably not," said Apple Bloom as Sweetie Belle rolled their eyes.

"Think we should tell Mario about this?" Sweetie Belle proposed.

"I don't think so," Apple Bloom replied, "I mean we could tell him what Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon said, but those two are denser than a block of cement. I'm more worried about Scootaloo. Even if we tell Mario what's going on, since when has Scootaloo ever opened up to him?" Neither of them knew of the dream Scootaloo had when Mario and Princess Luna confronted her over her fears about Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah...and I don't know why though," Sweetie Belle added, "Mario is the easiest pony in Equestria to talk to. I can cry my eyes out and admit anything to him without feeling silly."

"Same here," Apple Bloom, "now how can we convince Scootaloo..."

"C'mon you guys!" Scootaloo shouted, "I got an idea for the routine!" The two fillies sighed before rejoining the orange Pegasus. By the time the sun was setting, the three fillies were still trying to perfect the new routine Scootaloo came up with, but the results had been anything but successful.

"Guys, guys, guys!" Scootaloo sighed in frustration, "Try it again!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle glared at her. They had hoped after nearly several dozen failures that Scootaloo would have come to her senses. Actually, it's kind of cynical considering the countless times the two fillies had ignored common sense themselves when trying something they weren't good at.

"But we've been rehearsin' all the livelong day!" Apple Bloom yawned, "we're getting tired!"

"Fine!" Scootaloo snapped, "We'll skip to my big impressive flying entrance." Scootaloo walked away to get ready as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shared skeptical looks with each other.

"So you've done your do-si-do to the left," said Scootaloo as she did quick versions of what the two fillies were supposed to do, "then to the right, and then there's the hoop. Then I come in-" Apple Bloom then held up a hoop as Scootaloo tried to fly through it, but she plopped to the ground just before she even got close to the hoop and knocked it over.

"Not quite what I had in mind," Scootaloo remarked as she tried to fly off, grunting as she did so, "We'll just...try that part again."

"I liked the routine the way it was!" Apple Bloom told Sweetie Belle in a hushed tone.

"Me too!" Sweetie Belle added in the same tone, "But all she cares about now is flying! Maybe we should talk to Mario about all of this."

"Don't worry, I'll be flying high tomorrow on our final run-through with Rainbow Dash and Mario," said Scootaloo as she continued her efforts to try and fly, "I'm gonna get this, you'll see." She then crashed landed once again off screen. Apple Bloom just looked most annoyed while Sweetie Belle looked worried.

"Well?" Sweetie Belle asked, waiting for an answer to her previous question. Apple Bloom sighed.

"Maybe once he and Rainbow see the new routine," said Apple Bloom, "we won't need to. They'll talk some sense into her."

"I hope so," Sweetie Belle replied, "Otherwise, I'm speaking up!"

"Fine by me!" Apple Bloom remarked, feeling too tired to protest.

The next day, Rainbow and Mario were standing in front of the stage waiting for the three fillies to rehearse their routine again.

"Okay, Cutie Mark Crusaders, this is your final run before you show it at the stadium tomorrow," said Rainbow before she hovered into the air, "You're gonna absolutely, positively-"

"Rainbow!" Mario sneered sternly. He was getting very irritated with constantly keeping Rainbow's enthusiasm under control. Rainbow then covered her mouth and landed.

"-have a lot of fun, heheh," said Rainbow sheepishly, "Okay, go!" Rainbow then blew her whistle. The curtains opened to show Scootaloo already on top of the prop cloud, waving her ribbons. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle then approached the stage with no enthusiasm or energy.

"Ponyville!" Scootaloo panted, "Home of the, um..."

"Friendship!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle remarked in hushed tones.

"Ah, friendship, right!" said Scootaloo, "Uh, there are four...no, three kinds of ponies." Apple Bloom yawned as she followed Sweetie Belle by mistake.

"Left, left!" Sweetie Belle corrected in a hushed tone.

"I'm sorry! I'm just tired!" said Apple Bloom, "And then I dip, and then we turn, and-Sorry!" Apple Bloom then bumped Sweetie Belle twice. Rainbow and Mario just looked completely shocked at the messy routine. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle then struggled to lift up the hoof with the tarp over it. Scootaloo then tried to fly through it, but only bumped the tarp and knocked the hoop over as she hovered between the two fillies.

"Ta-da! Oof!" said Scootaloo before plopping to the stage and panting, "So? What'cha think?" Rainbow and Mario were both stunned, the former's eye even twitched.

"That's...y'know...good and all, heheh," said Rainbow, trying to be optimistic as she rubbed the side of her head, Mario gave her an "are you serious look", "I just thought..." It didn't help that Scootaloo had an eager smile on her face while Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were too exhausted to care. Actually, the two exhausted fillies were hoping either Rainbow or Mario would tell Scootaloo the truth.

"...maybe possibly you might wanna go back to, say, the first version of the act," Rainbow said at last, "which was, I dunno, what's the word, better?" Scootaloo looked disappointed as Rainbow hovered above Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

"Just do the routine as it was! Don't mess with success, right?" Rainbow added, "Now I need to...go coach these other ponies! And don't forget, we've got to catch the early train for the Crystal Empire. See you in the morning!" Rainbow quickly hovered over to two nearby fillies before taking her leave. Mario just shook his head at the blue Pegasus.

"How on earth did Ms. Harshwhinny think she could be a coach?" Mario muttered before turning to the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"Listen girls," said Mario, "I'm gonna be on the level with you. That routine was not very good at all. Your original routine was so much better! Now why in Equestria did you feel like you needed to change it?" Sweetie Belle wasted no time stepping forward.

"Because..."

"Uh...we just wanted to try something new is all," said Scootaloo as she cut Sweetie Belle off, "Don't worry. This routine will be ready to go by tom..."

"No! Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle snapped, "I'm telling Mario what's going on and you can't..."

"C'mon, Mario!" Rainbow retorted as she hovered above him, "I need your help with this other group! Now chop-chop!"

"Give me a sec, Rainbow!" Mario snapped irritably, "Sweetie Belle wanted..."

"Seconds up!" Rainbow cut Mario off and pulled him away before he could protest. Sweetie Belle watched Mario disappear, seeing that her opportunity to tell Mario the truth had been taken away.

"UGH!" Sweetie Belle grunted angrily before burying her face on the stage and pounding a fore-hoof on it as she started to cry, "I was gonna do that right thing for crying out loud! I was gonna tell him the truth! It's not fair! It's not...fair..."

"It isn't fair that we have to change to routine!" said Scootaloo, "What are we gonna do?! We're competing tomorrow, and I still can't fly! Unless..." Her two friends were now at their wits end.

"I'm just too tired," Sweetie Belle snapped as she stopped crying and sat up, but she still slumped forward a bit, "I can't keep going!"

"Me too!" Apple Bloom added, "I'm tired, I'm hungry, and now I hate this routine! It feels like it's all about you now!"

"She's right," said Sweetie Belle, "it's like you don't even need us anymore!"

"Of course, I need you!" said Scootaloo, making the two smile, "Without you two, who's gonna hold up the hoop?" That wiped the smile off both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle's faces.

"Rrgh! You don't listen to yourself!" Apple Bloom retorted in frustration before walking off, "Forget it. I'm going home to get some sleep." Sweetie Belle looked worried when Scootaloo gave her a sternly glare.

"So? Are you gonna leave me too?" Scootaloo snapped. As frustrated and exhausted as Sweetie Belle felt, she remained calm. She looked over to where Mario was and saw that he was very busy with their other groups. She knew it would be awhile before she could speak to him.

"We've gotta catch the early train to the Crystal Empire," Sweetie Belle told her gently, "I'd better get some rest. And I am going to discuss what happened with Mario later. See you in the morning, Scootaloo." Sweetie Belle then walked away.

"Snitch," Scootaloo muttered but Sweetie Belle didn't hear. The orange filly would never know that Sweetie Belle was so exhausted that she forgot about speaking to Mario. Scootaloo went back to work...alone.

"Come on, Scootaloo!" the orange Pegasus told herself sternly, "Do it for Ponyville! Just got to try twenty times as hard!" She began to flap her wings, but then plopped to the stage. Then the sun began to set in the background.

"Thirty times as hard...!" Scootaloo said in a strained tone as she tried again but still plopped to the stage, "Oof!" Now it was nighttime and Scootaloo was still trying.

"Just...a...little harder!" Scootaloo yelled to herself only to tip over as she tried to hover again. By sunrise, Scootaloo was still trying but failing to fly. With a final strain, she plopped to the floor again as she watched a butterfly hovered past her face.

"I can't fly," said Scootaloo in defeat as she faceplanted the stage, "I just...can't."

A little later that day, the train whistled as it waited at the station platform.

"Crystal Empire! All aboard!" the train conductor announced. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon quickly pulled their luggage to the train in the background while Snips and Snails were carrying and pulling large stacks of stuff in the fore-ground. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were searching the station for their missing third crusader, who hadn't shown up yet.

"Scootaloo? Where is she?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"She'd better get here soon!" said Apple Bloom, "This here train is about to leave!"

"Here I am..." said a familiar orange Pegasus with a half-hearted tone.

"We were scared you were gonna miss the train!" said Apple Bloom as she and Sweetie Belle approached her.

"I...I'm not going," said Scootaloo sadly.

"What?!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

"I'm the weak link," Scootaloo explained as she flapped her wings, "If I go, and fall, flop, or do anything but fly, I'm gonna blow it for you two!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were most upset.

"I can't believe your quitting on us!" Sweetie Belle replied.

"But you're better off without me!" Scootaloo retorted.

"That's not true, Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle protested sadly. Apple Bloom then stamped a fore-hoof angrily.

"You know what, Sweetie Belle," said Apple Bloom angrily, "Forget it. If she's gonna quit, then we don't want her, and we don't need her!" Scootaloo looked hurt but then looked at Apple Bloom angrily.

"Fine!" Scootaloo yelled as she looked away from them.

"Fine!" Apple Bloom yelled back as she looked away from Scootaloo indignantly.

"Fine..." Sweetie Belle agreed, but did so reluctantly with an eye roll at both of her friends.

"All aboard!" the train conductor shouted as the train whistle blew. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle headed for the train. Scootaloo waited until the two fillies were on the train before sadly watching the train leave the station.

"Nopony understands how I..." Scootaloo then froze when she remembered a story. A story about a certain alicorn Prince, sitting alone in a wheelchair, feeling all hope was lost, only for those his so called friends to turn his back on him. Scootaloo felt her tears drip down her cheeks.

"I should've told him..." she sobbed, "but now it's too late..." Scootaloo slumped to the ground and just let herself cry.

Inside the train, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were just watching the view from the back window. They saw Scootaloo sitting alone on the train platform but were too far away to see that she had started crying.

"Hey girls," said Mario as he walked up to them and then Rainbow flew over them excitedly.

"How's my favorite routine going today?" Rainbow asked the two fillies excitedly, "Oh, I just can't keep it in! I want you to win so bad!" She began to flying about to the background music excitedly.

"Bom, bom, bom, bom...," Rainbow chanted, "And then Scootaloo does that..." She half-whistled, "through the hoop!" Mario just chuckled to himself.

"And you complain Pinkie's too hyper when she gets excited," Mario said smugly. Rainbow chuckled sheepishly, but neither of the two fillies were laughing.

"Well, there ain't gonna be a Scootaloo," said Apple Bloom.

"She's staying home," Sweetie Belle added.

"She's what?!" said Rainbow and Mario together in shock.

"She got it in her head that the only way to represent Ponyville was by flyin' her routine," Apple Bloom explained, "When she couldn't do it, she told us that she was quitin'."

"May I ask where Scootaloo got the idea in her head that she needed to fly?" Mario asked. Sweetie Belle stepped forward.

"Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon," said Sweetie Belle, "That's what I was trying to tell you yesterday when Rainbow pulled you away." Mario gave the blue Pegasus a glare. Rainbow looked away and chuckled apologetically.

"And I would have tried again," said Sweetie Belle, "But Scootaloo wore us out trying to fly. We had hoped she would have come to senses, but she ended up quitting."

"And then you tried to stop her from doing that, right?" Rainbow asked as she got into Apple Bloom's face.

"Well, actually, we kinda told her..." Sweetie Belle began timidly.

"...uh, that we didn't want a quitter," Apple Bloom finished. Rainbow slapped a fore-hoof to her head. Mario gave them a very angry glare.

"Hang on. Are you nuts?!" Rainbow scolded, "You're a team, and a team never leaves a friend behind!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked ashamed.

"I can't believe you would say that to Scootaloo!" Mario added sternly, "Scootaloo has a genuine concern for her wings. Not only are they smaller then a normal Pegasus's wings at her age, but nopony can determine if she's just a late bloomer or if she might be..." Mario paused since he didn't like to say the technical term aloud.

"...you don't mean..." Sweetie Belle exclaimed with tears in her eyes since she figured out the word Mario was saying.

"Yes...but like I said, nopony knows for sure," Mario continued, "The point is that her flying problem is something that is beyond her control and she needs all the love and support of her friends to deal with it. For you to say you don't want a quitter is like saying you don't care for her at all!"

"We do care about her!" Apple Bloom said sadly.

"She's our best friend," Sweetie Belle added, "But she doesn't open up to us! She doesn't even confide in you or Rainbow Dash! We don't know what to do..." Mario listened attentively before narrowing his eyes with determination.

"Then it's time for an intervention," said Mario, "Rainbow..."

"Way ahead of you, big bro!" Rainbow replied as she hovered over to the train's emergency brake and pulled the chord. The train immediately came to a stop.

"Come on!" said Rainbow as she burst open the door and zoomed out with Mario speeding away. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle jumped off the train last. It was then two familiar rich fillies poked their heads out of the window.

"Sorry you can't make it!" Diamond Tiara taunted, "We'll take a picture for you from the winner's circle!" She and Silver Spoon laughed as the train pulled away. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle just gave them dirty looks.

"I do not like them one bit," said Sweetie Belle bluntly.

"Put on some speed, girls!" Rainbow shouted.

"We can deal with those two later," said Mario, "it's time for the three of us to team up!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle smiled excitedly as Mario made his horn glow pink. Mario made them twirl into the air as they charged up a triple hoof-bump. Once the magic had fully charged, they made the hoof-bump.

"FRIENDSHIP BOOST!" Mario shouted as he and the two fillies rocketed back to Ponyville, leaving Rainbow dumbfounded and far behind.

"No fair! I wanna do the friendship boost too!" Rainbow whined before zooming to catch up to them.

Inside of Scootaloo's bedroom, she began tearing down several Wonderbolt posters that were hanging on her walls before tossing them into a nearby waste basket. She then tossed her scooter into it as well before sitting on the floor and continued to cry. She had stopped shedding tears since leaving the train station.

"You're throwing away your scooter?!" Rainbow interjected as she peeked inside of the filly's bedroom. Rainbow had managed to catch up easily once the Friendship boost had worn off just yard shorts of Scootaloo's house.

"That's not like you, Scootaloo," Mario added with concern as he entered the filly's room as well.

"Rainbow Dash? Mario?" Scootaloo said in surprise when she looked behind herself to see the blue Pegasus and alicorn prince hovering nearby.

"Not just us," said Rainbow as she kicked the door open wider to show Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle giving her some apologetic smiles on their faces. Scootaloo smiled, but then remembered what they had said to her and glared at them.

"I don't wanna see them," said Scootaloo as she turned away, "And what are they doing here, anyway? They're supposed to be on the train."

"We're not goin'." said Apple Bloom firmly as she took a step forward.

"Not without you, Scootaloo," Sweetie Belle added in the same tone as she took a step forward. Scootaloo felt her eyes water as she began to cry again.

"Scootaloo, please," said Mario firmly as he sat in front of her, "talk to me. Let me help you. I love you, Scootaloo..." Scootaloo then burst into loud sobs as she buried her face into Mario's shoulder. Mario held the weeping Pegasus gently for comfort. Inwardly, Mario was grateful Scootaloo hadn't put up any resistance in opening up. It wasn't long before Scootaloo had settled down a bit when Rainbow hovered over to her.

"What's gotten into you, Scootaloo?" Rainbow asked with concern.

"I didn't want to ruin their chance to win just because I couldn't fly," Scootaloo explained sadly as her tears continued to fall.

"And who said you had to?" Rainbow asked.

"Yeah," Mario added, "Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon have a lot of nerve saying you have to fly to have a chance at winning. Being able to fly, or having your cutie mark, doesn't matter when it comes to winning the right to carry the flag at the Equestria Games."

"But flying's what Pegasus ponies are supposed to do!" Scootaloo protested as she looked at Rainbow Dash, "You flew when you carried the flag in the games." Mario hummed in understanding. While he knew what the two rich fillies had said to her was behind all of this, the fact Scootaloo wanted to be like Rainbow made sense as well.

"But that was me!" said Rainbow, "You're you! And it just doesn't matter if you can fly or not."

"That's true," Mario added with a smile, "You don't need to fly to be special."

"Your routine was amazing 'cause it represented exactly what makes Ponyville special," Rainbow continued as she hovered beside the orange Pegasus, "You do still know what that is, right?"

"Friendship," said Sweetie Belle.

"Three kinds of ponies livin' together as friends," said Apple Bloom, "Just like us...Earth ponies..."

"...unicorns..." Sweetie Belle added.

"...and Pegasi," Scootaloo finished before she looked sad once again, "But Rainbow Dash, Mario...what if...what if my wings never grow? What if I never fly?" Scootaloo gave her wings a light flap as tears resurfaced from her eyes.

"Listen, Scootaloo," said Rainbow, "Maybe you'll fly someday, or maybe you won't. You're all kinds of awesome anyway."

"She's right," said Mario, "It won't matter to us because we care about you."

"Who's the toughest little pony in town?" Rainbow teased as she noggied Scootaloo's mane from behind, making the latter smile.

[Sweetie Belle - stood left of Scootaloo]

Got the moves, got the mojo...

[Apple Bloom - stood right of Scootaloo]

No harder working pony around

[Scootaloo - The three fillies wrapped a fore-leg around each other.]

We are a trio, work as a team

[Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle]

We'll be the first ponies out on the flag-waving scene

"So let's get to the Crystal Empire and let's do the routine as it was!" said Scootaloo as Mario and Rainbow hovered nearby with smirks on their faces, "And let's win this thing!"

[Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle - Rainbow burst out the front door leading the way with Scootaloo charging forward on her scooter wearing her helmet and goggles. Mario ran alongside of the orange Pegasus since he was way faster on the ground then flying for the moment. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, using their teeth, were dragged along as they wore their own helmets, goggles, and some wooden skis on their hooves. Scootaloo and Mario maneuver between the crowds of ponies. Scootaloo then saw a wooden plank leading up to a roof top. Scootaloo narrowed her eyes and buzzed her wings harder to increase her speed.]

We've got hearts as strong as horses
We've got hearts as strong as horses
We've got hearts as strong as horses

[Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle - The three fillies launched off the ramp. Scootaloo did a "Super pony" pose as the other girls did a pose of their own before landing smoothly down below. Granny Smith walked up Scootaloo to give her a high-hoof as the three fillies and Mario raced by. The four ponies then raced through some woods, a desert landscape, and up and down some hills.]

And we're playing to win as we gallop for glory
We can conquer any challenge we're in
We've got hea-a-a-arts, hearts strong as horses
Hearts strong as horses

As they made their way down a path, Mario slowed them all to a stop.

"What's up, Mario?" Scootaloo asked when he suddenly packed away their gear and Scootaloo's scooter into his magic saddle bags. Rainbow then realized they weren't following her and back up to the group.

"What's the hold up!" said Rainbow, "We gotta catch our train!"

"Time for five of us to team up!" said Mario, making the three fillies grin excitedly, even Rainbow gave a squee, "It doesn't matter what obstacles they put our way. We'll blow past anything they throw at us!" Mario then made his horn glow as he, Rainbow, and the three fillies charged up another hoof-bump.

"FRIENDSHIP BOOST!" Mario shouted as they rocketed down the path way at high speed.

[cue Double Boost theme in background]

Mario lead the way so just as the boost was about the wear off, they rocket off the top of a tall hill. The momentum landed them right on top of the roof of the back of the train. Mario then pulled out a green pipe that let the five ponies enter the inside of the train car.

"Wow, now that was a rush!" said Scootaloo excitedly after she landed out of the pipe. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement.

"Even I have to admit the "friendship boost" is pretty awesome," Rainbow added as she and Mario shared a hoof bump. The young ponies and colts were amazed to see the five ponies pop out of the pipe, except for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The former growled angrily to herself and pouted in her seat.

"Now what?" said Silver Spoon as she saw the three fillies shared a hoof-bump and a hug.

"Don't you worry, Silver Spoon," said Diamond Tiara with a determined look on her face, "We're gonna get that to carry that flag one way or another."

At the Crystal Empire stadium, the crowds cheered as Scootaloo jumped through the hoop, smashing through the tarp, and then skid to a stop before the Equestria Game's flag as the three fillies did their final pose.

"That's what I'm talking about," said Mario impressively, wearing a white polo shirt with his wings inside of it, black shorts to cover his cutie mark, and some sunglasses to hide his eyes. Once all the groups had finished their routines, Ms. Harshwhinny approached a wooden podium and tapped the microphone.

"In the Equestria Games, the Ponyville flag will be carried by..." Ms. Harshwhinny announced as the four teams awaited eagerly to hear who won, "...The Cutie Mark Crusaders!" The three fillies stood on their hind legs and cheered before they made their way to the stage. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon snarled before they walked away in a huff. A nearby filly watched them leave for a moment before looking away. If she had keep watching, she would have seen the two rich fillies whispering and snickering deviously to each other.

Back with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Ms. Harshwhinny placed the flower wreaths around their necks. Rainbow and Mario then hovered over to them.

"You three ponies have done Ponyville proud," said Mario with a smile.

"Ahem. Look. What you three did was...acceptable," said Rainbow in a rather professional tone.

"Acceptable? Acceptable?!" Ms. Harshwhinny spluttered with a very excited smile on her face, "Why, it was totally stupendously the single most amazing thing I've ever seen!" The Games Inspector pony gave a giddy laugh as Rainbow looked at her indignantly.

"Contain your excitement, Ms. Harshwhinny," said Rainbow, "remember - Professionalism."

"Ahem, Y-yes, well, I-" Ms. Harshwhinny stuttered, feeling very embarassed as she rubbed the back of her head and laughed nervously. She then took off as Mario, Rainbow, and the three fillies laughed.

"I...better go make sure she's alright," said Mario as he flew off. Scootaloo then looked at her flank.

"You know what this means, right?" said Scootaloo to the others.

"What?" Apple Bloom asked.

"We are totally gonna get cutie marks in flag-carrying!" said Scootaloo as Rainbow blinked, rolled her eyes, and hovered away.

"Yeah!" said Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle together as the three fillies shared another laugh.

"No...you won't..." said a very stern voice from behind them. The three fillies stopped laughing and turned around to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon standing before them with devious smirks on their faces.

"Neither of you will be carrying that flag," Diamond Tiara continued darkly, "In fact, you three are going to have an accident and will ask for Silver and I to take your place because you won't be healed in time for the games." The three fillies glared.

"Is that a threat?" Sweetie Belle asked sternly.

"We took you down once, we can do it again!" Scootaloo added. The five fillies were unaware that Rainbow had stopped flying off and was listening to the exchange from a short distance away.

"I doubt that," said Silver Spoon as she pulled out the handbook, "we've been studying everything there is to know about your little turn battles. We're ready for you this time!"

"We've got nothing to prove to you!" said Apple Bloom, "Y'all just a bunch of sore losers. Let's go you guys." Rainbow smiled, glad that they were going to take the high road.

"Who said we were giving you a choice?!" Diamond Tiara snapped as she and Silver Spoon charged at the three fillies. Rainbow almost went to go intervene when Mario, with a concerned Ms. Harshwhinny at his side, held her back. Sweetie Belle made her horn glow to perform the only magic trick she could do at the moment.

Summoning a turn battle.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders GO!"

(Cue favorite RPG Boss battle theme)

The Cutie Mark Crusaders stood ready for battle as they tossed their victory wreaths aside. They weren't going to question fighting this time around. Mario had even taught them special Pony Attacks. While Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle did Pony attacks that required just the two of them to work together, Scootaloo knew how to do Trio Pony Attacks that did far more damage but required all three crusaders. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon snickered.

"Give us your best shot!" Diamond Tiara taunted.

"I bet the best you'll do is tickle us," Silver Spoon added, showing she wasn't afraid to fight either.

"Alright you smart mouths," said Scootaloo, "it's time for a little racquet ball." Scootaloo then summoned a giant hammer. Together the three fillies brought the hammer down and slammed it into Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The two rich fillies turned into paper cut outs placed against a brick wall. Sweetie Belle served as the three fillies took turns hitting the ball against the two rich fillies. Then the ball went high into the air. Scootaloo smashed it first and then Sweetie Belle. As the ball headed to Apple Bloom, she grunted to charge up her power, and then swung her paddle at the ball, causing it to smash the brick wall apart.

"Oh yeah!" the three fillies cheered as they were soon transported back to battlefield as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon flinched from taking damage as they landed. Diamond Tiara laughed.

"What's so funny?" Apple Bloom demanded.

"Good try, but pathetic as always," said Diamond Tiara, "Oh Silver Spoon!"

"Coming right up, best friend!" said Silver Spoon as she pulled out a cupcake and tossed it over to Diamond Tiara. Diamond Tiara gulped it down, making her body glow light pink.

"What did she do?" Scootaloo demanded.

"According to the handbook," said Diamond Tiara, "You three aren't the only one who are allowed to have perks in battle."

"Perks?" said Apple Bloom puzzled.

"Yeah, your perk is that the three of you can jump and use your hammers to avoid and counter our attacks," said Silver Spoon, "We can have our own perks. Such as whenever you deal damage to Diamond Tiara, I can feed her cupcakes to restore all the damage you inflicted on her."

"Uh-oh," said Sweetie Belle worried.

"Silver Spoon has her own perk," said Diamond Tiara, "Show 'em girl!" Silver Spoon then sat up on her hind legs and pumped her fore-legs, making her body glow green.

"Whenever you deal damage to me," said Silver Spoon, "I get to raise my defense, making it harder for you to deal damage to me! I'd say that evens the battle a bit." The three fillies looked worried.

"So what's the plan now?" Scootaloo asked in a whisper.

"Obviously we need to take Silver Spoon down first so Diamond Tiara can't heal herself," said Sweetie Belle, "As for Silver Spoon, we just need to take her down quickly before she raises her defense too high or they have a chance to wear us down."

"Good plan," said Apple Bloom as she pulled out her first Pony attack, "Green Shell!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle then reeled back and then took turns kicking the shell at the two girls. They tried their best to avoid hitting Diamond Tiara and focus on taking down Silver Spoon first, but some of their kicks hit the tiara-wearing filly. Then Sweetie Belle made the shell spin about as it made its way to Apple Bloom, who gave it a firm kick with her hind leg.

STRIKE!

The shell ten-pined Silver Spoon.

"Yeah!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shouted as they returned to their positions. As expected, Silver Spoon healed Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon raised her defense. Sweetie Belle grunted.

"I'm not afraid to fight this time," said Sweetie Belle as she pulled out a fire flower, "Time to bring on the heat!" Sweetie Belle tossed the fire flower into the air, turning herself and Apple Bloom into shades of orange as they took turns tossing bouncing fireballs at the two rich fillies.

"Oh yeah!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shouted before tossing larger bouncing fire-balls together. Then the fire balls exploded, leaving the two bullies in grey soot. Like before, Silver Spoon gave Diamond Tiara a cupcake to restore her heath and Silver Spoon raised her defense once again.

"Now it's our turn!" said Diamond Tiara. She and Silver Spoon then got in front and behind Sweetie Belle respectively. They took turns tossing Diamond Tiara's tiara back and forth between her as Sweetie Belle jumped to avoid getting hit. They did manage to fake her out at least once and Sweetie Belle got hit. Then they repeated the attack with Scootaloo. Scootaloo used her wings to try and give herself some extra air time to improve her dodge accuracy. After five tosses, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon couldn't hit Scootaloo and returned to their positions.

"Now I'll show you what I can do!" said Scootaloo as she brought out the giant hammer again as the three fillies brought the hammer down on Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The two now paper cut-outs floated down from above as the three fillies, standing on clouds, watched them float down a tall cylinder.

"Ready girls?" Scootaloo asked. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle nodded as Scootaloo grabbed a hat with a propeller on it with her fore-legs, Then Apple Bloom grabbed Scootaloo's hind legs and Sweetie Belle grabbed Apple Bloom's hind legs. The three then twirled about as they descended down the cylinder, navigating to snag Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's cut outs with Sweetie Belle's hind legs. They passed through three sets of magic rings on the way down to increase their attack power. When they reached three sets of platforms below, they drilled through the first two and then...

SMASH!

The three fillies drilled about intensely against the two cut outs for maximum damage and broke apart.

"Oh yeah!" they cheered before they returned to the battlefield. The two rich fillies flinched when they landed. Silver Spoon quickly fed Diamond Tiara another cupcake to restore her health before she raised her defense once more.

"Raising yer defense won't make you invincible!" Apple Bloom warned as she pulled out...Pinkie's party cannon?!

"How'd you get Pinkie Pie to let you use that?" Diamond Tiara demanded angrily.

"She taught Sweetie Belle and I how to use it," said Apple Bloom. The yellow filly then put the cannon down. Set the target for Silver Spoon before she and Sweetie Belle climbed inside. The party cannon then fired six ponies out of the cannon in the following order: Apple Bloom, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Sweetie Belle. The rich fillies saw the fillies fly overhead and out of sight.

"Ha! Ha! You missed!" Diamond Tiara laughed.

"You can say that...ACK! EEK! AAH! UGH! OOF! OW!" Silver Spoon was about to mock the two fillies when the "six" fillies stomped her back in the order above before jumping into the air again. Then the "six fillies spin jumped into Silver Spoons back in reverse order, with the last stomp being the critical hit by Apple Bloom. The two fillies shared a hoof-bump as they returned to their position.

"Time for a drop from above," said Sweetie Belle as she held a hat similar to that worn by a pony named Button Mash, "Drop Chopper!" The hat then flew away as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle followed it. As the hat hovered within jumping reach, Sweetie Belle grabbed it with her fore-legs and then Apple Bloom grabbed Sweetie Belle's hind legs. The propeller hat took the two fillies high into the sky. Diamond Tiara laughed as she saw them scooping ahead.

"Like their gonna nail either of us from that high up," said Diamond Tiara mockingly.

"I know right," said Silver Spoon, "Like they know how to accurately target somepony from above..."

SLAM!

It was then Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle spin jump right onto Silver Spoon, dealing heavy damage. It even created a shockwave that did some splash damage to Diamond Tiara. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle returned to their position with a stylistic side-somersault.

"You can fight all you want, but we're unstoppable," said Diamond Tiara arrogant as she waited for her cupcake, but it never came.

"Silver Spoon!" Diamond Tiara snapped, "Where's my...GASP!" Silver Spoon's body gave off a bright light, followed by a shower of stars, then she disappeared from the battlefield. Silver Spoon was out of the battle.

"You...you...you...rrrrrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Diamond Tiara screamed in rage, "Now you're gonna pay!" Diamond Tiara then made her body glow red, meaning she had raised her attack power despite the fact she was nowhere close to being defeated yet. Then she pulled out a giant red and orange mushroom and tossed it over herself. Diamond Tiara grew to be four times the size of an adult pony!

"AAAAH!" the three fillies screamed as Diamond Tiara chased after them. Along the way, the three fillies noticed that some colored crystals were blocking their way and ran around to try to avoid them. But all that dodging had given Diamond Tiara the chance she needed to get right behind the three fillies before jumping into the air, making her fore-hoof glow...

WHAM!

Diamond Tiara did a painful splashdown on top the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The three fillies wobbled over from the attack and recomposed themselves.

"Okay...that hurt," Scootaloo groaned.

"Oh, I'm not done yet!" said Diamond Tiara as she walked up to them, then threw her tiara sideways so it spun around clockwise. The three fillies managed to avoid the attack by jumping in sequence the first time, then the second, but the third time, Diamond Tiara caught it and changed the tiara's direction to counter-clockwise, causing it to hit all three fillies. Poor Scootaloo was clocked in the head and left dizzy, causing her to miss her attack turn.

"Oh no..." said Sweetie Belle, "and we don't have any refreshing herbs to cure her dizziness!"

"Then focus on Diamond Tiara!" said Apple Bloom as she pulled out a giant firecracker, "Confetti Blast!" Apple Bloom then set up firecracker as she and Sweetie Belle jumped into it. After a short countdown, the firecracker took off into the sky.

"Take this!" said Sweetie Belle as she stomped Diamond Tiara. Apple Bloom then did the same holding the firecracker in her fore-hooves. The firecracker then glowed as it tried to fly away, but Apple Bloom guided it into doing a loop so it exploded right on top of Diamond Tiara in a large shower of confetti.

POP WHISTLE!

"Oh yeah!" said Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

"Let's continue with the party theme, shall we?" said Sweetie Belle as she pulled out a balloon. Apple Bloom got into position as Sweetie Belle hooked up the balloon to a teeter totter platform. The two fillies then took turns jumping onto the teeter-tooter to inflate the balloon. After about eleven jumps, the now very large balloon exploded as several mini bouncy balls flew into the air.

"Yikes!" said Diamond Tiara as several balloons came falling down on her, each one doing damage. Scootaloo finally recovered from her dizzy spell.

"So...what did I miss?" Scootaloo asked.

"GRRRR!" Diamond Tiara snarled afterward as she used another orange and red mushroom to get big again.

"Forget I asked!" Scootaloo yelped as the three fillies were chased about once more. They managed to last a little longer against the Mega Diamond Tiara but the rich filly still managed to catch up to them and deal another splashdown attack. The Cutie Mark Crusaders wobbled back to their positions once more, groaning loudly.

"Hey, you three really seem to enjoy that move," said Diamond Tiara with a devious smirk her face as she pulled out another orange and red mushroom and made herself big again.

"Not again!" the three fillies exclaimed as they made a run for it.

"Girls! Try jumping over the crystals instead of going around them!" Scootaloo shouted as the girls did their best to stay ahead of Diamond Tiara. At first, the three fillies found that jumping really did help keep their distance from the giant filly, but then they messed up a few jumps and lost momentum. Once again, Diamond Tiara was able to perform another splashdown on the three fillies. Now the situation for the Cutie Mark Crusaders was looking troublesome. The three fillies now had messy manes and tails, scratched and rough patches of fur on their coats, and were panting heavily. Even Apple Bloom's giant bow looked a bit tattered.

"Ugh, I'm not feeling too great," Apple Bloom groaned since her whole body ached.

"Me neither," said Sweetie Belle wearily, "I don't know how much more damage I can take..."

"Perfect!" said Diamond Tiara, "One more good splashdown and you're all finished!" The rich filly laughed sinisterly. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were in shock and worry.

"It's official," said Sweetie Belle plainly, "Diamond Tiara is literally trying to destroy us!"

"No...she won't," said Scootaloo sternly despite looking just as battered and exhausted, "No matter how much she tries to beat us down. We'll always come through, because we can conquer any challenge we're in. We've got hearts as strong as horses!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle smiled since they knew Scootaloo was right. Scootaloo then charged forward and did a multi-hammer attack. Instead of producing five after images of herself for the attack, she made nine. Each one raised their hammers one at a time until Scootaloo did the same, waited for her hammer to glow, and then brought it down on Diamond Tiara for max damage. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at Scootaloo skeptically.

"Why didn't you use another Trio Pony attack?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I was trying to make her dizzy," said Scootaloo, "and buy us some time to defeat her."

"Well, it didn't work," said Apple Bloom as she pulled out a stripped ball, "Beach ball chuck!" Diamond Tiara laughed.

"Seriously?" Diamond Tiara sneered, "You think a beach ball is gonna hurt me?" Apple Bloom ignored her as she and Sweetie Belle ran off into the distance. Apple Bloom set up a beach ball about four times as big as themselves that was connected to a rope. Sweetie Belle jumped on and held on tight as Apple Bloom held the rope and spun about a few times before the rope broke and sent Sweetie Belle and the beach ball flying into the air. Sweetie Belle carefully titled the beach ball to adjust the altitude. Diamond Tiara felt her jaw drop when she saw the big beach ball coming straight at her.

"Geronimo!" Sweetie Belle shouted as she brought the beach ball right on top of Diamond Tiara, flatting her into a pancake as the beach ball bounced away.

"Aah!" Sweetie Belle yelped as she fell off the bouncing beach ball and she and Apple Bloom returned to the positions as Diamond Tiara un-flattened herself.

"Now it's my turn," said Sweetie Belle as she pulled out a gold star and tossed it into the air as they stood with Diamond Tiara between them. Then a pile of smaller silver stars appeared beside each filly as they took turns trying to link up as many smaller stars to the gold one. Then the gold star glowed red and the two fillies retreated as the star crashed down on Diamond Tiara with each silver star bopping her on the head for extra damage.

"Your finished!" Diamond Tiara screamed as she ate another orange and red mushroom and chased after them once more. Despite feeling so worn out and exhausted, the three fillies concentrated by keeping their side movements minimum and timing their jumps accurately. This time...they escaped!

"Get back here you...UGH!" Diamond Tiara groaned as a giant red crystal rose from the ground and she crashed headfirst into it. Diamond Tiara wobbled forward rather dazed and found that by failing to do her attack, she lost her chance to attack a second time.

"Now's our chance!" said Scootaloo, "Time to go fly a kite!" Scootaloo brought out the giant hammer as the three fillies once again slammed it onto Diamond Tiara. The rich filly growled as the giant hammer hit her, leaving her cut out with an exaggerated facial expression as it became a kite.

"Now ain't that a face only a mother could love," Apple Bloom remarked.

"Well, we know what to do with it!" said Scootaloo as the three fillies smirked. Using their teeth, Apple Bloom then began to race down a path to rise the kite as high as she could into the air, then Sweetie Belle took a turn, then Scootaloo, and then Apple Bloom took over again as she raised the kite higher into the sky.

"Go Scootaloo," Apple Bloom shouted as the orange Pegasus ran up the rope of the kite. As Scootaloo made her way, she could feel her anger burn inside of her as she reached the cut out.

"This is for hurting and insulting my friends and for making fun of my wings!" Scootaloo screamed as she raised her hammer, waited for it to glow, and then slammed her hammer down on the kite, causing it to head back down to earth. The kite increased falling speed as Scootaloo pressed her hammer down on the kite until...

SMASH!

The kite slammed down on the ground as Scootaloo jumped away from it.

"Oh yeah!" said the three fillies before they returned to their positions and Diamond Tiara plopped to her position.

"Nnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" Diamond Tiara screamed a light glowed from her body, followed by a shower of stars, before disappearing from the battlefield. But after she did disappear, a present was dropped. Inside was the handbook Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had used to learn the turn battles. It now belonged to the three fillies.

(Battle Victory!)

The three fillies were then brought back into reality when they heard the sound of the stadium cheered for them loudly. They had forgotten all about the crowds and where they were. Even Ms. Harshwhinny was very impressed. Mario and Rainbow applauded them.

"Well done, Cutie Mark Crusaders," she told them, "You showed that young filly whose boss. You have certainly earned your right to carry the Ponyville Flag." The three fillies smiled. They would have cheered, but were too sore and tired from the battle. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon just groaned as they laid on the ground looking battered and worn out. They didn't need long to realize they had just humiliated themselves in front of the entire Crystal Empire.

"Diamond..." Silver Spoon groaned quietly.

"What..." Diamond Tiara snapped in a tone that was meant to be snippy but had none of the bite in it.

"This isn't worth it..." said Silver Spoon.

"What is?" Diamond Tiara asked puzzled.

"Teasing those Crusaders," said Silver Spoon, "Every time we've made the effort to knock them down, it always just comes back to bite us and making our parents angry. All we're doing is making ourselves look bad."

"What's your point?" Diamond Tiara snapped wearily.

"We know we're better than them," said Silver Spoon, "We know we're above them. We've got cutie marks! We don't need to waste our time with them. They'll never amount to anything! All they're doing is dragging us down!"

"What are you saying?" Diamond Tiara asked angrily.

"She's saying," said a familiar alicorn Prince sternly, "that you are just wasting your time bullying my three best friends. All your doing is hurting yourself, Diamond Tiara."

"Yes, your highness," said Silver Spoon quietly.

"And let me make something else clear," said Mario, "Those "blank flanks" as you call them are just as special and important as you are. They are best friends with a Prince after all. And let's not forget that their sisters are heroes and holders of the Elements of Harmony. They are under the protection of the royal crown! So I suggest you think twice before hurting them ever again! Do I make myself clear?" Diamond Tiara glared before sighing to herself.

"Okay...okay..." said Diamond Tiara in a calm but quiet tone.

"I'll be holding your word to that, young lady," said Mario firmly, "Same for you Silver Spoon."

"Yes, sir..." said Silver Spoon nervously before Mario walked away. The two rich fillies then struggled to stand back up.

"So...they have connections after all," said Diamond Tiara to herself.

"They certainly do," said Silver Spoon, "Does this mean...we'll leave them alone now?" There was a long silence before Diamond Tiara took a slow deep breath.

"Yes..." said Diamond Tiara before she narrowed her eyes at them, "For now..."

"W-w-what?!" said Silver Spoon in shock, "But Diamond..."

"We need to find a new strategy to knock them down," said Diamond Tiara sternly, "now come on." Silver Spoon groaned before she followed her now limping best friend out of the stadium. But deep down, it bugged her that everything she had said had gone right over Diamond Tiara's head, causing those questions her parents had been asking to nag her thoughts all the way home.

Later that evening as the train made its way back to Ponyville, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had fallen fast asleep on their train seat. Scootaloo was still awake sitting quietly as Rainbow was snoring soundly beside her. Mario was just looking over the now recovered turn battle guidebook in a seat across from the orange Pegasus.

"I gotta make sure you don't fall into the wrong hooves ever again," said Mario to himself as he tucked the guidebook back into his magic saddle bag when Scootaloo walked over to him.

"Umm...hey," Scootaloo said in a rather quiet tone.

"Hey, Scootaloo," said Mario, "Feeling any better? That was one tough battle."

"You can say that again," said Scootaloo before adding confidently, "But it's nothing I can't handle!"

"True, you are one tough filly," said Mario with a smile, but then noticed that Scootaloo looked on the verge of tears.

"No...I'm not..." she croaked before trying to take some shallow breaths to recompose herself. Mario used his magic to pull the orange Pegasus into his fore-legs to he could hold her.

"Let go," said Mario softly, "I'll protect you." Scootaloo didn't need to be asked twice before she buried her face into Mario's chest and just let herself cry. Mario just said nothing but rubbed her back gently until Scootaloo had run out of tears. Scootaloo then pulled away and sniffled.

"Is it true?" Scootaloo asked.

"What is Scootaloo?" Mario asked her back curiously.

"That I...I can just...do what I did and you...don't think I'm weak...or uncool," Scootaloo whimpered.

"Of course," said Mario, "You know, Scootaloo, being open with how you feel isn't a weakness. As much as Rainbow tries to act like all she needs to be brave is her "awesomeness", she also has good friends who love and care about her. She knows that she can go to her friends when she has those moments of feeling upset, hurt, or even week. That's what friends are for, to be there for you when you struggle to find your inner strength and self-confidence."

"So...what was I supposed to say to my friends? "Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon really hurt my feelings. Now I feel like a useless Pegasus and cry my eyes out"?" Scootaloo asked irritably.

"We wouldn't have gotten so frustrated with you if you had," said a voice. Scootaloo then noticed that Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were now awake. They had been listening to the conversation.

"We all could tell Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's words bothered you," said Apple Bloom, "why didn't you just tell us?"

"But the routine..." Scootaloo protested.

"...was already set and ready to go," said Sweetie Belle, "We had plenty of time to help you before heading to the flag competition. Why didn't you just tell us the truth?" Scootaloo grunted.

"Because I hate feeling so weak," Scootaloo snapped before adding sadly, "I was...embarassed..."

"Because you can't fly?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Because what they said really hurt me," Scootaloo replied as her tears began anew, "and I didn't want it to, but...sometimes the teasing just gets to be too much..." Mario pulled her close as Scootaloo let her tears fall. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle hugged Scootaloo from behind, shedding their own tears for their friend.

"Why do ponies think they can poke fun at us so much?" Scootaloo sobbed, "I can't help that don't have my cutie mark. I can't help that my wings are tiny. That I don't know why I can't fly...but I still feel like I'll never be..."

"...accepted...or loved for who you are?" Mario guessed as Scootaloo pulled away and nodded.

"We all feel that way sometimes," said Apple Bloom as she and Sweetie Belle pulled away and dried their eyes.

"Me, too," said Sweetie Belle, "But we can get through it, as long as we look out for each other. Even if you don't feel comfortable talking to us, we just want you to find somepony you can open up to, like Mario."

"Mario is a really great listener," said Apple Bloom, "he'll always make you feel better for doing so and he'll help you." Scootaloo looked at Mario and smiled.

"You're right," said Scootaloo as she faced Mario, "and...I'm really sorry I didn't come to you sooner. Or pushed you away...I'm...just not comfortable doing stuff like this...I didn't mean to make you think I didn't like you. You can pretty much guess I have just as big a crush on you as my friends."

"I understand..." said Mario, "And no need to be embarassed about that. You are a girl after all." Scootaloo blushed.

"I...love you, Mario," the orange filly said timidly.

"I love you too," Mario replied as he hugged her with one of his wings.

"That does include us right?" Sweetie Belle asked skeptically as Apple Bloom looked a tad jealous.

"Oh, come here you two!" said Mario with a chuckle as the four ponies shared a group hug together.

"You three will always have a special place in my heart," Mario told them, "and I love all three of you the same."

"We love you too!" said the Cutie Mark Crusaders before giggling to each other as they held Mario.

"Mario..." Scootaloo asked.

"Yes, Scootaloo?"

"Do you think...I'll ever fly..." said Scootaloo sadly, "Nopony seems to know...not even the doctors..."

"Scootaloo, you are looking at a pony who was told by the most intellectual doctors in Equestria that I would never walk again," said Mario, "Look at me now. I can walk, fly, and run at Mach 2! If I can beat the odds, then so can you! You just gotta do your best and work hard at it every day. It might take a long time and you might have days where you don't make any progress, but as long as you don't give up. You'll fly. I know you can."

Scootaloo just smiled.

Phew! I wasn't expecting such a huge alternate ending, but I did promise myself you guys would see a rematch between the CMC and Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon as well as a heart-to-heart with Mario and Scootaloo.

Some bronies of the show often say that this episode settled the issue about Scootaloo ever being able to fly. Even creator Lauren Faust said Scootaloo might be disabled. But this episode never flat out says that and the show has pretty much ignored the topic since. There is a chance we might finally get some answers in episode 20 of season 8. Either way, I'm hoping they'll have her fly before the show is over. Even if they say otherwise or don't address the issue, I certainly will plan a post-show episode of my own where Scootaloo flies.

Okay then...next time Mario will become faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single...

...wait a minute! He already does that...

oh boy...

Peace Pony Fans!