Alright, this has been one I've been looking forward to ever since the first CMC chapter. I've had this planned in my head and I think I executed it pretty well so I hope you all enjoy.
"Almost there! Almost there! Almost there!" Scootaloo said as she saw the Povyville school coming into view. Scootaloo's been making a lot of close calls to making it to school lately and she also hasn't spent as much time with her fellow Crusaders as well. To top it off, she was wearing a blue Wonderbolts hoodie that hid her wings.
She's often been going off on her own and doing something by herself. She's also been keeping that thing a secret from everypony. Her aunts, her friends, and even Rainbow Dash. She's been telling nopony wants she's been doing in secret.
She's wanting to surprise them.
"Scootaloo! Over here!" Scootaloo looked forward to see her fellow Crusader's Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, with the former having been the pony to call out to Scootaloo, waving at her and gesturing her to hurry up.
Scootaloo smirked and ran towards her friends faster. She would have brought her scooter on normal circumstances, but this was one of those rare days where she forgot it. But it surprisingly not too much of a problem. Ever since that day she not only got what she thought she would never get; she also found her other attributes increased a little bit. Speed, stamina, strength, etc. While they weren't giant boost or anything they were just enough to be noticeable and just enough for Scootaloo to start working as hard as she could towards that secret project.
"I'm here! Sorry about that." Scootaloo apologized as she stopped right in front of Applebloom and Sweetie Belle while wiping some sweat off her head.
"You outta be! This is the fifth time this week you were almost late." Applebloom scolded her Pegasus friend while stomping a hind hoof to the ground. "If ya keep this up Miss Cheerilee is gonna start writing ya tarty."
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Scootaloo said with the roll of her eyes as she and her friends started walking into the school. "Sorry, I was-"
"Busy we know." Sweetie Belle said with a groan. That's the excuse Scootaloo's been using for weeks and frankly she's starting to get sick of it. "What exactly are you busy with anyway. Come on, you know you have to tell us eventually."
Scootaloo put her hoof to her chin as she hummed in thought. Sweetie was right. She did and wanted to tell her friends exactly what she's been doing. But she wanted to find the perfect time so it would be something amazing and special. But…maybe today was that day.
"Isn't today the day Miss Cheerilee talks about the flag carriers for the Equestria Games?" Scootaloo asked with a smirk. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle looked to each other for a second before nodding their heads at the orange Pegasus.
What Scootaloo was referring to was the opening flag carrying ceremony to the Equestria Games being held in the Crystal Empire in a few months. Cheerilee had informed that of an upcoming announcement that will involve this as it was tradition that a group of fillies would do a flag carrying routine to open up the games. And the town chosen, Ponyville.
"I think today will be the day I tell you guys." Scootaloo said as her friends smiled and perked up. "Let's just get through the school day first. I promise to tell you girls after school."
"We're holding ya to that." Applebloom said firmly with Sweetie Belle giving an equally firm nod.
"Alright class, today we have two special guests with a very special announcement." Miss Cheerilee said to her classroom. "Everypony, welcome the Head of the Equestria Games, Ms. Harshwhinny!"
The door to the school then opened as everypony in the class looked to see it open and the mentioned pony stepping it. Ms. Harshwhinny was an earth pony with a slightly dark blond mane and tail and brilliant orange fur. She wore a dark purple suit with a light purple scarf and blue eyes. Ms. Harshwinny's Cutie Mark consisted of a gold trophy.
Everypony watched as Ms. Harshwhinny stepped into the school and looked at all the students. A sophisticated aura surrounded her and even her voice showed this as she spoke. "Thank you. 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?"
Everypony was starting to get a little excited know as they knew of the announcement coming up. "Well, now you littlest ones will have the chance to compete for a weighty responsibility of your very own." Ms. Harshwhinny told them as she walked up to the chalk board with various pictures drawn on it.
"Oh, c'mon!" A familiar voice said from outside. "Tell them the fun part!" Suddenly everypony watched as, through the open window in the back, Rainbow Dash flew in and landed right next to Ms. Harshwhinny gaining some cheers and 'Ooh's' and 'aah's' from the fillies in the class.
"That's right!" Rainbow Dash said enthusiastically after the students quieted down with Ms. Harshwhinny giving Rainbow and annoyed look. "All you gotta do is show Ms. Harshwhinny the coolest, most spectacular, most rockin' routine and you're goin' to the Games! So, who's gonna be the lucky ponies!"
"It's got to be me." Diamond Tiara said confidently.
"Maybe its me." Another filly said while pointing to herself.
"Maybe it's us!" Scootaloo said while looking at her fellow Crusaders.
"Maybe it's us!" Two male voices said as everypony looked to the back of the classroom to see Snips shakily holding up Snails. But this only lasted for so long as the two soon fell down on the floor with everypony giving them unimpressed looks as Snips says. "Hey! It could happen!"
Rainbow Dash simply rolled her eyes for a split second before her enthusiastic smile returned. "So the winning team gets to carry the Ponyville flag at the Equestria Games! Oh, you are gonna LOVE this!" Rainbow Dash excitedly said while flying up to express her enthusiasm.
However, Ms. Harshwinny didn't seem to share the same enthusiasm as she cleared her throat and gave Rainbow a stern look. "Miss Dash! Will you please curb your overenthusiastic outbursts!" The Earth Pony scolded causing the blue Pegasus to flinch and land back on the ground. Ms. Harshwinny then turned back to the fillys and colts and spoke to them. "Now then, let me be clear on the rules."
Ms. Harshwhinny then walked up to the chalk board and pointed at all the pictures on it. "You ponies will form teams. Each team will create their own flag-carrying routine. Everypony will be judged on grace, style, and originality." As Ms. Harshwinny explained the rules, she pointed to a picture of a dancing pony, a picture of Rarity, and a pony on a ball juggling lobsters respectively. "There's a most complicated scoring system, Which I will elaborate upon now. Firstly-"
But right as Ms. Harshwinny was about to explain and pull down a transparency sheet, Rainbow Dash interrupted her with her usual enthusiasm showing once again. "Aw, get to the nitty-gritty later. Tell 'em the important stuff! Like who's the coach!" Suddenly Rainbow Dash put on a coach's cap as well as blew on a whistle around her neck excitedly. "That's right: me!"
"And you know why I'm qualified to coach you?" Rainbow Dash said as all the students looked at Rainbow Dash with a look that said 'tell us why' to which the Pegasus obliged. "Guess who carried the Cloudsdale flag in the Games when she was a little filly? Me!"
Rainbow Dash then looked up as the memories came to here. "I'll never forget it…" The rainbow maned Pegasus begun to tell the story while flying up again. "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!"
Rainbow Dash then started waving a flag around as Scootaloo watched with sparkles in her eyes. But just then Ms. Harshwinny reached up and took the flag from Rainbow Dash as well as pulling her to the ground. "Professionalism, Ms. Dash." Ms. Harshwinny scolded harshly. "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?" With the last sentence, Ms. Harshwhinny got right into Rainbow's face making the Pegasus back up and stand back up and gaining a more controlled posture.
"Yes, Mr. Harshwhinny." Rainbow said in the most professional tone she could muster. "Y'know, 'professionalism' is my middle name. Rainbow Professionalism Dash."
Ms. Harshwhinny let out a 'hmph' in response before addressing the students again. "Well, in three days' time, Ms. Dash 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." Ms. Harshwhinny said while emphasizing her last words and glancing at Rainbow.
Rainbow Dash kept up her 'professionalism' and cleared her throat before speaking. "Yes. Quite, quite correct. 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!" Rainbow Dash said with her enthusiasm returning making Ms. Harshwhinny narrow her eyes harshly at the Pegasus. "But, I know you're up for the challenge. And so am I! Wooho-"
Rainbow Dash was starting to fly up again and even do a flip, but Harshwhinny's glare made Dash quickly stop and land back down again and clear her throat. "Meet me after school tomorrow at 1500 hours. Sharp. And show me your flag carrying skills. I am outta here." Rainbow Dash was about to fly quickly out, but once again Harshwhinny glared at her and Rainbow Dash started to walk out the door instead. "Professionally. See how professionally?"
Once Rainbow Dash stepped out, Ms. Harshwhinny quietly 'ugh'd' before finishing up what she has to say to the students. "Ponies, the most important thing is this: Your routine needs to show what your town means to you. So, do Ponyville proud. Work hard, be bold, wow me. That is all!" The school bell then rung after Harshwhinny finished and walked out.
The fillies of colts were soon to follow as they all excitedly left the school, with most rushing to go practice a flag carrying routine. This was especially the case for the CMC as they stepped outside together with Scootaloo immediately bringing up them starting their own routine. "So what do you say we come up with the perfect routine. "So what do you say we come up with the perfect routine and win this thing?" Scootaloo asked with her fellow Crusader's immediately agreeing.
"I'd say that's rootin'-tootin' terrific!" Applebloom cheered with Sweetie happily nodding.
However, Sweetie then brought up an obvious concern. "But there's one problem! I bet everypony in class is planning to compete!" This was to be expected. Of course everypony would want a chance to open up the Equestria games and represent Ponyville.
But Scootaloo stayed confident and looked towards Sweetie Belle and kept speaking. "Listen. Somepony in our class is gonna carry that flag, so it might as well be us!" The orange Pegasus said making Sweetie and Applebloom smile widely. "Crusaders, are you in or are you in? 'Cause I'm in!"
Scootaloo then started running with Applebloom quickly following. "Me two!" Applebloom immediately said as she ran after the orange Pegasus.
"Me three!" Sweetie Belle cheered as she ran after her friends.
The three fillies then started walking together as Scootaloo turned her head to her friends and spoke up. "Alright, the winning routine needs to show what's important about Ponyville, right?" Scootaloo brainstormed as her fellow Crusaders nodded in agreement.
"Right!" Sweetie and Applebloom said in unison.
"So... what's special about Ponyville?" Scootaloo asked as she put her hoof to her chin. "It's…it's…" Scootaloo said as she tried to think. But just then her eyes widened as she looked to Applebloom and Sweetie Bell and then herself. She then smiled as an idea came to her. "I got it! It's a place where different kinds of ponies live together as friends!"
"Earth Ponies like me!" Applebloom said as she raised her head.
"Unicorns like me!" Sweetie Belle said while putting a hoof to her chest.
"And Pegasi like me!" Scootaloo said as she jumped up. "So somehow we got to figure out a way to show that in our act."
Sweetie Belle stated while putting a hoof to her chin. "We're gonna need a plan."
"And a lot of hard work!" Applebloom added with a smile.
"And a whole bunch of practice." Scootaloo finished listed as she faced her fellow Crusaders. Scootaloo then put on a determined expression as she turned around and put her hoof to her heart. "But take it from me; we may just be little ponies, but we have hearts as strong as horses!"
The three Crusaders then all started marching side by side as they started singing a song.
CMC:
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.
The CMC could now be seen on a hill overlooking Ponyville as they begun their training by running through a path with the sun shining behind them.
CMC:
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.
The CMC's training involved trying to win tug-a-war with Bulk Biceps, a giant muscular Pegasus, and bucking a punching bag inside the Sweet Apple Acre's farm.
CMC:
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 strong as horses!
The CMC's training could then be consisted of Scootaloo walking up a rather small flight of stairs, and Applebloom trying to lift up a stick with two large apple attached at the end, to which Sweetie and Scootaloo took a large bite out of it.
CMC:
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!
We've got hearts as strong as horses!
We've got hearts as strong as horses!
We've got hearts as strong as horses!
The CMC continued their training even more with Scootaloo once again walking up the stairs, doing sit ups over the edge of a small stage, with Sweetie Belle's help, and actually winning tug-a-war against Bulk Biceps but only because he was scared off by a butterfly.
CMC:
And we're playing to win as we gallop to glory!
We can conquer any challenge we're in!
We've got hea-a-a-arts, hearts strong as horses!
Hearts strong as horses!
The CMC finished their song by jumping into the air and freezing in place…only for slow clapping to be heard and for gravity to take a rather delayed effect in sending the Crusaders back down to earth. When the Crusaders got up, the saw the slow clapping was coming from none other then Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, but of whom were giving the Crusader's cocky looks.
"If that's the best you've got, we're going to win for sure!" Diamond Tiara mocked them in a confident tone.
"We already have the most divine routine planned." Silver Spoon bragged as she and Diamond Tiara circled around the Crusaders.
"It's absolutely sure to crush everypony else." Diamond Tiara stated in a matter-of-fact tone before looking to the Crusader's and punching one of her hoofs into the other. "And I mean CRUSH!"
"But we're winners!" Scootaloo cheered while putting a hoof to her just. "And we have heaaaaarts!"
"Sure, but you know what you don't have?" Silver asked as she and Diamoned walked in front of the Crusader's.
"Your CUTIE MARKS!" Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon said in unison as they pointed to the Crusader's flanks and started chanting in unison. "Blank flanks! Blank flanks! Blank flanks!"
However, the Crusader's weren't put down by this as Applebloom simply raised an eyebrow and asked. "What does that have to do with flag carryin'?"
Silver Spoon rolled her eyes in response and stated. "Having cutie mark-less ponies represent Ponyville would be unthinkable."
"And we, of course, already have our Cutie Mark." Diamond Tiara brag as she and Silver Spoon proudly raised up their flanks. "So, we know who's gonna be in the winner's circle."
Just then Scootaloo got right into Diamond Tiara's face and glared right at the Magenta Earth Pony. "Listen you two! Cutie marks or no cutie marks, you'll see! The Crusaders are gonna carry that flag at the Games."
"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle and Applebloom said in unison with confident tones.
Diamond and Silver rolled their eyes in response as the former spoke up. "Pah-lease!" Diamond Tiara said as she got into Scootaloo's face like the orange Pegasus did to her. "We heard about your little idea of representing the three tribes and considering you, Scootaloo, are in on it, you'll practically be insulting Pegasi."
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle narrowed their eyes harshly at Diamond Tiara with the latter asking. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"No, no, no…please. Continue Diamond Tiara." Scootaloo said in a surprisingly calm tone that surprised her fellow Crusaders. Even Diamond and Silver rose a brow at this, but simply shrugged it off.
With the Pegasus's permission no less, Diamond Tiara continued. "What I mean is the thing that make Pegasi truly unique from the other pony types are their ability to fly. And you. Are. Flightless."
Sweetie Belle and Applebloom gasped loudly before growling and glaring at the two. However, Scootaloo didn't seem to react. In fact, she seemed to have the smallest smirk on her face that went unnoticed by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon with the latter pointing to Scootaloo's Wonderbolts hoodie and mocking the purple maned filly. "Look, you're so embarrassed by your tiny wings that you've started hiding them."
At this point Sweetie Belle and Applebloom had enough of the two bullies with their faces red in anger. Applebloom then decided to walk up to the two and saying. "Why you no good, dirty rotten-"
"I guess you're right."
"…What." Applebloom said in response to Scootaloo's words. Her and Sweetie were stunned shocked to the orange Pegasus's words and even Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara's mouth gaped in response to Scootaloo saying that in a casual tone and with a shrug.
"Yeah, I guess you two are right. How could a flightless Pegasus such as me ever represent Ponyville and my entire race." Scootaloo said in an over dramatic tone all with a smirk on her face. Just then Scootaloo turned around and started walking away with her head held high. "Well, come on Crusaders. Let's try and get out act to work with little ole flightless me."
"O…Ok…" Sweetie Belle managed to say with her and Applebloom still having a shocked expression as they both started to follow the orange Pegasus.
Meanwhile Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon just watched them left. Similar to Applebloom and Sweetie, they were to surprised by Scootaloo to say anything in response.
Once the Crusader's were a good enough distance away from the two school bullies, Scootaloo still had a confident smile on her face and head raised high as her friends walked right next to her with Applebloom asking. "Scootaloo, what the hay was that all about?"
"Yeah!" Sweetie asked immediately afterward. "I thought you would have been furious after those two for saying those things. What gives?"
"Oh, you'll see~" Scootaloo said vaguely. "Just know it has to do with that surprise I told you about." Sweetie Belle and Applebloom looked to each other in confusion in response as Scootaloo continued talking. "Don't worry, you'll see exactly soon. But in the meantime, we got a routine to practice! And I know the perfect pony to help us!"
"Ok first, I'm not a pony. And second, I can't help you today." Lincoln told the three fillies as the Crusader's went to the Golden Oaks Library to enlist the aid of Lincoln Loud to help them come up and practice their cheer with.
And currently Lincoln was seen wearing a toolbelt and some oil stains on him with the entrance to the basement of the Library was open. "Aw! Why not?" The Crusaders all said in unison to Lincoln denial of their request.
"Sorry girls, but me and Twilight just received a…special item from the Crystal Empire today and we're hard at work trying to get it to work so I can't help you three today, sorry." Lincoln explained while adjusting his tool belt and wiping a stain from his cheek.
"Ah shoot." Applebloom said as she lightly hit the floor.
"Now who's gonna help us?" Sweetie Belle asked in a sadden tone as she turned to her fellow Crusaders.
Lincoln put a hand to his chin in thought for a moment. He hummed a bit before something came to him and he snap his fingers, getting the fillies attention. "I think I may have someone who can help." The white-haired human told the CMC making them perk up. They all then watched as Lincoln got on his hands and knees and stuck his head inside the entrance leading to Twilight's basement. "Hey Wendy! Can you come up here please!"
After a moment of waiting, the Crusaders look to see another human head pop up from the entrance…and then an incredibly tall body that cast a shadow on the CMC and made them look up with gapping mouths.
Once Wendy completely emerged and stepped up into the main part of the Library, she looked down at the fillies and gave beamed a big positive smile and crouched down to be more level with them. "Hi! You must be the Cutie Mark Crusaders Lincolns told me about!" Wendy said in her usual positive tone before pointing at each filly one by one. "Your…Applebloom, Sweetie Belle aaaaaand Scootaloo. Right?"
"Uh-Huh…" The CMC said in unison as even through Wendy was crouched, they still had to look up at her.
"Woah…you're huge!" Scootaloo said before getting nudged by Applebloom.
"Scootaloo don't be rude!" The Earth Pony lightly scolded her friend.
However, Wendy simply giggled in response and waved it off. "Oh, don't sweat it. I get that all the time!" The Japanese girl reassured them making the fillies giggle a little bit. "So what's up?"
"They wanted my help for some sort of flag carrying routine for the Equestria Games. Pretty much Pony Olympics in case you were wondering." Lincoln told his girlfriend who 'Oooo'd' in response. "Since me and Twilight are working that special delivery, I can't help them. But I thought maybe you could."
Wendy excitedly gasped as she clapped her hands together and turned to the CMC. "I'd love to!" She told the fillies.
All the Crusaders looked at each other before looking to Wendy and smiling. "That sounds great!" The Crusaders all said in unison.
"Yay!" Wendy cheered as she scooped up all three of the fillies in her arms, making them yelp in surprise, before putting them on her shoulders. "Come on girls! We got work to do!"
Lincoln chuckled as he watched the Crusader's cheer and get carried out of the library by Wendy. He then turned to the audience and said. "That's right everyone it's a Wendy and CMC chapter, this should be fun." But just then Lincoln heard a chewing sound coming from the basement and frowned. "Twilight I swear to God if you're eating my sandwich!"
"Ok! So, what have you girls thought of so far?" Wendy asked with anticipation as she and the CMC sat down in a circle together in front of the stage where they would be showing Rainbow Dash their routine tomorrow.
"Uh…we got nothing so far." Applebloom sheepishly admitted as she scratched the back of her head.
That didn't deter Wendy one bit however as she clapped her hands with a determined expression. "That's ok! Coming up with ideas is honestly the one of the most fun parts about stuff like this. There are tons of possibilities you could do."
"We actually do have an idea for it though!" Sweetie Belle said as Wendy turned to her with an excited smile. "Our theme is the three different type of ponies that live together in Ponyville! Unicorns, Earth Ponies and Pegasi!"
Wendy's eyes lit up once she heard and nodded rapidly. "That's perfect!" Wendy cheered making the Crusader's smile. Wendy then rose up a finger as an idea came to her. "You should show off what makes each type of pony special!"
The Crusaders all looked to each other and smiled and nodded. "Earth Ponies are strong!" Applebloom said as she flexed her hind hooves.
"Unicorns can use magic!" Sweetie added as she made her horn glow.
"And Pegasi can fly!" Scootaloo said as she put a proud hoof to her chest. However, when she looked she saw her fellow Crusaders giving her worrying looks. "What?"
"Well…Scootaloo, it's just-" Applebloom was saying before being interrupted by Scootaloo.
"I can't fly?" Scootaloo said with a confident smirk. This only confused the Crusaders more as Sweetie spoke up.
"Ok Scootaloo, its time to spill the beans, what's going on?" Sweetie Belle asked in confusion with Applebloom nodding in agreement. "Where have you been going every day? Why have you been wearing that hoodie? And why are you acting so confident and cool when Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon made fun of you for being flightless? Usually you act so angry or upset when that's brought up."
"Now, now, girls." Wendy interrupted them in a motherly tone. "Calm down."
"No, its ok Wendy. I was actually about to bring that up." Scootaloo said as she got up and started walking away from everyone just a little bit before turning around and facing. "You're right, normally that would upset me. But not anymore. Wanna know why?"
Sweetie Belle and Applebloom nodded in anticipation.
Before everypony's eyes, Scootaloo suddenly stripped of the hoodie…
And spread her wings.
"Because it's not true anymore!" Scootaloo shouted confidently as she made some strong wing flaps that sent her into the air where she hovered over the ground easily in an identical manner to how Rainbow Dash usual prefers hovering to walking or standing.
"…WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Applebloom and Sweetie Belle yelled in complete surprise as they shout up with their eyes widening like dinner plates while Wendy just stared with slightly widened eyes.
"Were you surprised?" Scootaloo asked in a slightly cheeky tone. She shouldn't help but mess with her friends just a little bit.
"Heck yeah we are Scoots!" Applebloom yelled as she and Sweetie Belle walked up to and looked up at their flying Pegasus friend.
"When did your wings grow?!" Sweetie Belle asked with a giant smile.
"It happened the night after our show and tell a few weeks ago!" Scootaloo told them as she lowered herself a little bit but didn't land on the ground. "I don't know how, but suddenly I woke up at night and when I looked in the mirror, my wings were fully grown!"
"And you can fly now!" Applebloom and Sweetie cheered in unison.
"Yes!" Scootaloo cheered herself with a pumped-up hoof as she did a flip. "I wasn't disabled after all! I was just a late bloomer!"
Wendy smiled sweetly at the scene. She's heard form Lincoln that Scootaloo's wing were a little…underdeveloped. But it looks like that wasn't the case anymore. This just makes things better. "Well I'm really happy for you Scootaloo." Wendy said as she stood up and walked towards the fillies. "This just makes everything better! Let's come up with a great cheer!"
"Yeah!" The CMC cheered in unison.
A few hours later, the four were seen in the same area, but now having a couple of papers with drawings on them and a pile of markers around them. "Alright, I think we got something here." Wendy said as the three fillies nodded in unison.
"So first I'll come in and lift up the Paper Mache boulder to show off the Earth Ponies strength." Applebloom said as she pointed to a drawing of Applebloom lifting up a large rock.
"Then you'll rip it in half and release the glitter which I'll catch with my magic and jump through the glitter cloud to show off the magical power of Unicorns." Sweetie Belle followed up while holding up a drawing of her jumping through a cloud of glitter.
"And finally, Sweetie will move the glitter to form a hope that I'll fly through after emerging from a cloud to show off the flight of Pegasi." Scootaloo explained as she flapped her wings and pointed to a drawing of her flying through a glittery hoop."
"And then finally Scootaloo will grab Applebloom and Sweetie Bell and pull them into the air where she'll raise you two up and all three of you cheer-" Wendy said as she cut herself off at the end to let the Crusaders finish.
"PONYVILLE FOREVER!" The CMC all cheered in unison with Wendy clapping in response.
"All right girls, lets get the materials and get to practicing!" Wendy said as she got up along with the fillies as they all went to gather everything they'll need for their show.
THE NEXT DAY
The next day, Rainbow Dash was wearing her Coach hat and whistle like she did at the school and was standing in front of the stage were the young ponies were supposed to practice their routines. And the next group of young ponies up…
"Show me what you got Cutie Mark Crusaders." Rainbow Dash said as she looked up at the stage. "And make it good."
"Don't worry! We will!" Scootaloo said as she poked her head through the curtain. She was barley able to contain her excitement at both showing Rainbow Dash her and her friends Flag Routine as well as her new flight capabilities.
Meanwhile Wendy was backstage and was also excited about seeing their routine. While she did help them practice, she knew each time was better than the last. And this time they would be showing Rainbow Dash, who she knew Scootaloo admired very much.
"Now, this isn't perfect, but we really like what we came up with." Sweetie Belle said from behind the curtain.
Scootaloo then spoke up from behind the curtain in a dramatic tone. "Since the dawn of recorded time, in one town of amazing amazingness, three types of ponies coexist!" The curtain then parted allowing Rainbow Dash to see the stage set up with cardboard props consisting of an apple tree, some mountains, thee clouds hung up by ropes, and a house on a small hill.
And in the very middle of the stage was a Paper Mache boulder. Just then the boulder was lifted up by Applebloom with a spotlight going over her as she did so. "We are the Earth Ponies!" Applebloom said with green ribbons on her front hoofs.
Applebloom then easily ripped the Paper Mache Boulder in half and released a cloud of glitter from inside. Before the glitter could fall, it was caught in a magical grip before Sweetie Belle jumped through the cloud with glitter getting in her mane and tail making them sparkle. "We are the Unicorns!" Sweetie Belle said as she landed next to Applebloom with a purple ribbon around her horn.
Sweetie Belle then used her magic to move the glitter around and form a hoop. Rainbow Dash then watched as Scootaloo's head popped up from the center-most cloud with blue ribbons seemingly attached to her wings. "And we…" Scootaloo said before doing something that made Rainbow's jaw drop.
Scootaloo jumped from the cloud and flew through the hoop while also doing a flying flip. "Are the Pegasi!" Scootaloo then came down and grabbed her friends off the ground as another cardboard set was place behind them from above showing a few house with apple trees on the sides.
Scootaloo then flew back down with the flag in her mouth before she tossed it making it twirl in the air before flying above the center of the stage still holding onto her fellow Crusaders as she said. "And the town where friendship reigns is our home. Now, welcome to the stadium, the flag of the place we love best..."
The flag then landed back down and landing perfect in front of the Crusaders as Scootaloo lifted her friends up as they all cheered. "PONYVILLE FOREVER! YAY!"
A few confetti blast went off on cue as Wendy pumped her fist and quietly cheered. "Way to go girls!"
"So, what'd ya think?" Applebloom asked as she and the other Crusaders looked at Rainbow Dash with anticipated smiles.
Rainbow Dash's jaw was dropped as much as one's jaw could be, not counting Pinkie's physics breaking antics. She thought the cheer was amazing and without a doubt the best one yet. But what Rainbow Dash was focusing right now was Scootaloo flying and her grown wings. Deciding to go about asking about them as quick as possible, Rainbow Dash was suddenly right in front of the Crusaders as she spoke. "Scoots! Since when can you fly!"
"For a few weeks now." Scootaloo immediately answered, as she was expecting this. "My wings finally grew! I was just a late bloomer after all!"
"Yeah didn't you tell me squirt?" Rainbow Dash asked a big smile and an enthusiastic tone. "I could have helped you practice!"
"I wanted to surprise you!" Scootaloo answered as she flew up to meet Rainbow Dash's eyes. "I wanted to practice on my own a bit so I could show you some things I was able to learn on my own!"
"Well I say you did an awesome job squirt!" Rainbow praised as she refulled Scootaloo's purple mane. "When this is all over, I'm definitely gonna help ya practice."
"Alright!" Scootaloo cheered with a raised hoof.
"Alright, enough about that!" Applebloom said as she pulled Scootaloo back down as all the Crusader's looked at Rainbow Dash with anticipation in their eyes.
"What did you think of our cheer?" Sweetie Belle asked as they all awaited the blue Pegasus's answer.
Rainbow Dash's eyes widened a bit. She had almost completely forgot about that. She was just so happy to see Scoots fly. Rainbow Dash then looked at the Crusaders with a giant smile. "Your cheer. Was. Ama-"However Rainbow Dash quickly stopped herself as what Ms. Harshwhinny told her about keeping her emotions in check came into her head. 'Wait. Hold on now. Gotta stay calm, cool and collected.' Rainbow then got into a professional posture as she spoke. "To give a calm, clear analysis-" But Rainbow Dash cut herself off as what Sweetie said earlier came to her. "Wait. You whipped that act together just yesterday?! That is-" But Rainbow cut herself off once again as she struggled to try and keep things professional. Rainbow cleared her throat but getting into a more 'professional' posture. "Overall, it was... kinda, sorta...Overall, it was okay. Keep working hard. Who knows? You might have a shot. Gotta go!"
Rainbow Dash said the last part of that really fast before flying off. Once she was gone, the Crusaders looked at each other with uncertainty as Applebloom spoke up. "Do y'all think she liked it?"
"I'm not really sure." Sweetie Belle responded with a hoof to her chin. Rainbow Dash's answer was rather…vague.
However, Scootaloo perked up as she looked to her friends with a smile. "You heard her. If we keep working hard, we might have a shot."
"That's right!" The girls looked to see Wendy coming up to them with a proud look on her face. "You girls did great! All you need a is a little more polish and practice, and you're a shoe in to win!"
"Ya really think so?" Applebloom asked excitedly.
"I know so!" Wendy answered with a confident tone. "Look, I gotta go now. But you girls keep practicing, and I'll come by tomorrow morning to see how your all doing."
"Alright! Bye Wendy!" Scootaloo waved as she flew up to meet the tall humans face.
"Thanks for everything!" Sweetie Belle said in a grateful time.
"Anytime girls!" Wendy said as she waved to them while walking away. "See you all tomorrow!"
The sun was setting as Wendy made her way back to the Golden Oaks Library. She was feeling rather proud for herself and the Crusaders for coming up with everything they did. She was sure the Crusaders would win.
Once Wendy approached the Library, she had to kneel down as much as she could and crawl through the door. Thankfully Twilight expanded it when she came into this world, so it was easier to get through then her first few times where she got a little stuck.
Once inside, she saw Lincoln, Twilight, and Spike having dinner together at the table. They seemed to notice her immediately and waved to her as she came up to them with Wendy giving Lincoln a peck on the cheek. "Hey Wendy." Lincoln said as he blushed a bit from the kiss. "How'd it go today?"
"It went great!" Wendy replied as Twilight hovered a plate over to Wendy as well as a glass of water. "The Crusaders cheer was amazing. And its only gonna get better."
"Well that's great to hear." Spike said as he munched on a ruby. "Man, I bet Scootaloo's really happy to finally be able to fly now."
Once she got home yesterday, Wendy told the three of them about Scootaloo's ability to fly. Twilight smiled and nodded but put a hoof to her chin. "Yeah, although I'm still curious how it happened. I don't think something like this has happened before."
"Yeah its strange." Lincoln added as he had no idea that he had great involvement in Scootaloo's wings growing. "Although, why question a good thing ya know. Life just works in weird ways."
"Yup!" Wendy chirped with a nod. She then looked to everypony at the table and asked. "So how's the project going?"
They all sighed and shook their now lowered heads. "Not to well." Spike answered in a saddened tone. "We just can't get it to work."
"Not even with Brainstorm or Gray Matter." Lincoln followed up, bringing up his smartest aliens. "They're great when it comes to science and stuff like that. But when it comes to magic…not so much."
"But we're not giving up." Twilight said after a moment as she looked to everypony with a determined expression. "Today might not have worked, but we're gonna keep trying." Twilight then looked to her cup of water and stared at her reflection. 'I have to see her again.'
"That's the spirit Twilight!" Wendy cheered. "You know what they say, failure is the seed to success."
Those words made Twilight smile as she looked to Wendy with a grateful expression. "Thanks Wendy. I needed to her that."
Wendy nodded at Twilight and said in a soft tone. "Anytime." Just then Wendy smirked and leaned over the table and whispered into Twilights ear. "After this you wanna watch Gurren Lagann?"
"Heck yeah!" Twilight said instantly in response.
Lincoln and Spike looked to each other and rolled their eyes but chuckle. Leave the ladies to their anime, they got comic books to read together later.
"Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! I'm so late!" Wendy said in a panic as she ended up oversleeping and missing when the Crusaders were supposed to show their more practice and polished routine. "I just hope they aren't upset with me."
Wendy then quickly approached the stage where she saw the Crusaders and-
"I just don't see what the problem is."
"The problem is, Scootaloo, that isn't all about you!"
"Yeah you've completely taken over the routine!"
"Huh?" Wendy hummed in concern as she stopped and started witnessing the three fillies in an argument.
"I am not making it all about me!" Scootaloo said with a stomp to the ground. "Is it so wrong that I just want to show off my flying just a little bit?"
"No, but you aren't showing off just a little bit!" Sweetie Belle yelled as she and Applebloom stood sighed by sighed. "You're taking all our lines, you're constantly flying around and messing us up, and to top it all off, you've been making us redo our routine all night!"
"Yeah!" Applebloom added in as she stepped up. "I'm tired, I'm hungry, and now I hate this routine! You're acting like you don't even need us anymore!"
"Uh, girls." Wendy said as she stepped up and tried to get the fillies attention.
"Of course I need you!" Scootaloo told them. "Who's gonna break apart the boulder and make the glitter hoop?"
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle narrowed their eyes harshly at Scootaloo and growled a bit. "That's it! I'm done with this!" Sweetie Belle yelled as she and Applebloom turned around and started walking away.
"Wait! What do you mean you're done with this?" Scootaloo asked as she ran in front of her friends.
"It's obvious ya don't need us anymore." Applebloom stated as she and Sweetie Belle started walking around the orange Pegasus. "Why should we be apart of something that we don't even matter in. Come on Sweetie Belle, let's go get some sleep."
Scootaloo watched in sadness as her friends walked away and left her. But that sadness soon turned to anger as she yelled back at them. "FINE! LEAVE! I BET I CAN COME UP WITH A CHEER SO GOOD MS. HARSHWHINNY WON'T CARE IF I'M BY MYSELF!"
Wendy watched as Scootaloo walked in the opposite direction as Applebloom and Sweetie Belle and lowered her head. "Ah boy…" Wendy said as obviously something was going on that she ended up missing. "I gotta stop sleeping in."
Around two in the afternoon of the same day, Wendy could now be seen with a now fully rested Applebloom and Sweetie Belle inside the Sweet Apple Acres barn. Wendy was sitting crisscross in front of the two fillies as they were explaining everything she ended up missing. Mainly the reason for the argument she witnessed them have.
"Ever since we showed Rainbow Dash our routine yesterday, suddenly Scootaloo got it in her head that she needs to be the main focus of the routine." Sweetie Belle explained as she just told Wendy how at first, they were making simply polish's and fixes to their routine, but as more time went on Scootaloo kept inserting herself more and more into the routine to the point where Applebloom and Sweetie Belle didn't even have any lines.
"We're happy she can fly and all, but all of a sudden she's turned into a huge attention hog." Applebloom added in more with Sweetie Belle nodding. "This cheer is supposed to represent all types of ponies, but she's making it all about her."
"I see." Wendy said as she put a hand to her chin and nodded her head. She was starting to have a good idea what was going on. She just needed a few more pieces of information. "So tell me, what was Scootaloo like when flying was mentioned before when her wings were small."
"She…was sensitive about it." Applebloom slowly answered while averting her eyes from Wendy.
"Yeah, it usually made her pretty upset." Sweetie Belle said after Applebloom gave her piece in it. "She always looked up at other Pegasus flying around and always looked a little sad. Its always been her dream to fly high into the sky but…it was something she thought would be impossible."
Wendy was silent as she listened to the two fillies. She had everything she needed now. Just then Applebloom and Sweetie belle watched as Wendy got up and started walking out of the barn. "Where ya goin?" Applebloom asked.
"I'm gonna have a talk with Scootaloo, you two stand by. I think there's more to this then you two think." Wendy answered them in a gentle tone before walking out of the barn.
Wendy then made her way back to the stage where she saw Scootaloo laying on top of it heavily breathing and sweating. She was obviously exhausted from practicing the routine…all by herself. Just then Scootaloo saw a shadow cast over her and looked up to see Wendy giving her a concerned look. "What…is…it…" Scootaloo said between breathes.
"Scootaloo…we need to talk." Wendy said in a motherly tone as she knelt down to Scootaloo and moved the filly Pegasus so that she was facing her. "Scootaloo, why did you change to the routine to be all about you."
"I didn't I-" Scootaloo was saying before getting a look from Wendy that made her stop what she was saying and advert her gaze. "I don't know ok, just leave me alone."
Wendy didn't and instead but a soft hand on Scoots head. "Scootaloo, your friends told me about you were about flying before your wings grew. It must have been hard huh?"
"…Yeah…" Scootaloo answered quietly as Wendy took her hand of her purple mane. "Its just…you don't know what its like to be a Pegasus my age and not fly while watching even foals do it and…and…"
"Getting teased for it?" Wendy finished for the orange Pegasus.
Scootaloo winced a bit when the silver haired girl said that but nodded in confirmation. "Yeah. Especially Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Them calling us blank flanks was one thing but whenever they made fun of my wings, it just hurt. A lot."
"And let me guess. You saw this as a chance to prove them wrong?" Wendy assumed. Scootaloo's eyes widened a bit in response as Wendy continued. "That's why you wanted to be the focus of the routine and show off your flying. You wanted to prove them and everyone else wrong."
"…Yeeeeeah." Scootaloo slowly admitted in a shamed tone.
"Look Scootaloo, I perfectly understand." Wendy said with a gentle smile before frowning a bit. "But what kind of pony does that make you if you turn into an egotistical filly along the way? How do you think your friends fell? They were really excited to do this with you and you kind of took that away from them."
"I know…" Scootaloo admitted with a lowered head.
"Look, they still want to do this with you. So how about instead of focusing on proving something to those who teased you, why don't you move on and just have fun with you friends." Wendy said with a sweet smile as she rose up Scootaloo's head. "It's good that you can fly now, but don't you think that can be even better if you share your experiences with your friends."
Scootaloo was silent for a moment as she took in Wendy's words. The orange filly then smiled as she looked up to Wendy and asked. "Can you take me to them?"
Wendy nodded and Scootaloo yelped a bit as Wendy picked up and place the Pegasus on her shoulders. "Hold on tight." Wendy told Scoots as she walked back to the barn with Scootaloo hanging onto Wendy tightly.
Once they made it to the barn again, Wendy set Scootaloo down with the purple maned Pegasus slowly approaching the door to the barn and knocking on it. "Applebloom, Sweetie Belle. Are you two in there? I just wanted to say…I'm sorry." Scootaloo apologized as she looked to the ground.
She didn't get a response for a moment, but just then the door to the barn opened a crack with Sweetie and Applebloom's heads emerging with blank expressions. "We're listening." Applebloom said as Scootaloo looked up at them.
"Look, you girls were right. I was making everything about me." Scootaloo admitted as Applebloom and Sweetie Belle listened with the same expression on their faces. "I guess…when my wings finally grew, and I was able to fly…I couldn't help but show off and try to prove everypony who said I would never fly wrong. I turned our cheer into a huge 'prove you wrong' kinda thing to the point where I completely forgot about you guys. It was wrong. Our cheer was supposed to be how every type of pony, including us, live together as friends. Flying or not. So, if you two are still up to it…Ponyville Forever?"
…
Scootaloo started to sweat nervously as Applebloom and Sweetie Belle looked at her with unchanging expression. But just then the Unicorn and Earth Pony gave her friendly smiles as they walked out and hugged their Pegasus Crusader. "Ponyville Forever."
"Aaaaaaw." Wendy gushed as she watched the CMC all hug each other. "So does that mean you girls are back on for the cheer?"
"Heck yes we are!" They all told Wendy in unison.
"And this time we're gonna do it right!" Scootaloo cheered as she turned to her fellow Crusaders. "By representing not just the 3 types of ponies, but the friendship between them!"
"Alright!" Sweetie Belle cheered.
"Come on! We got some practicing to catch up on!" Applebloom said as the three Crusaders all ran off to go properly practice their routine together.
THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE- THE NEXT DAY
"PONYVILLE FOREVER! YAY!"
The Crusaders all finished their cheer in the very stadium in the Crystal Empire where the Equestria Games were to be held in the coming months. Everypony watching cheered as the Crusaders left the stage and went over to the other young ponies who showed off their team's cheer.
The Crusaders were the last ones up so when they were finished, Ms. Harshwhinny stepped up to the stage and in front of the mic, which made some feedback being made, as she announced. "In the Equestria Games, the Ponyville flag will be carried by...Cutie Mark Crusaders!"
"WHOO-HOO!" The CMC all cheered together as the everypony in the stadium whistled and cheer for them. Meanwhile Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon glared at the Crusaders before walking away.
Later, the CMC were back on stage with all of them wearing a ring of flowers around their neck with Ms. Harshwhinny being the one who placed it upon them and Rainbow Dash, Mrs. Cheerilee, and Wendy standing off to the side.
Just then Rainbow Dash flew up to them while still trying to keep a professional demeanor as she said. "Ahem. Look. What you three did was... acceptable."
"Acceptable? Acceptable?!" Ms. Harshwhinny said to Rainbow Dash in disbelief as her own professional demeanor broke for once. "Why, it was totally stupendously the single most amazing thing I've ever seen!"
Ms. Harshwhinny finished with a giddy laugh as Rainbow Dash smirked at her and decided to give the Earth Pony a taste of her own medichine. "Contain your excitement, Ms. Harshwhinny. Remember. Professionalism."
Ms. Harshwhinny's eyes widened as she stood back up straight and cleared her throat. "Ahem. Y-Yes, well, I-" Ms. Harswhinny couldn't find the right words to say so instead she opted for the simpler option. Running away from an awkward situation.
The CMC and Rainbow laughed in response before the CMC yelped as they were suddenly tossed into the air and were caught by Wendy who beamed a smile at them. "I'm so proud of you three!" She said before raising them up high.
The Crusaders laughed before they all looked to each other and joined hooves as they crowd kept cheering for them.
Yes! Another chapter completed!
Ok, so this is gonna be in response to a fellow author here ChaosMagemon/Wildcard25 depending on which site your on. So about the Power Ponies episode...I kinda it existed XD. Really, when I was making the schedule for the chapters from Everfree Invasion and the Rainbow Rocks arc, I decided on the episodes I was gonna do and I completely forgot about Power Ponies. And after rewatching it, yeah I wanna do it. But I don't wanna change the schedule I already have so here's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna wait till AFTER Rainbow Rocks to do it. I'm sure I can easily figure out how to make it fit in during that time frame so just know that.
So, remember to fav, follow, and leave a review and stay tuned for probably the episode I've most been looking forward to turn into a chapter...
...
"BATS"
Just saying it now, my fellow Flutterdash shippers are gonna LOVE this one.
