This is the 30th chapter. I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
Show Stoppers
Somewhere on Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack and Apple Shine began to lead the Cutie Mark Crusaders down a particular path towards something special. However, only Applejack and Apple Shine knew what it was and had only asked the three fillies to follow her. Apple Shine remembered when she first got here in Equestria, remembered of her mother gave birth to her because of the magical flower, ran off out of the hospital after learning her new appearance, and learned that she won't see her old family after Comet told her. However, Apple Shine made peace with her old family and accepted her new life in Equestria few months ago.
"Where are ya takin' us?" Apple Bloom asked curiously, as well as puzzled.
"We're almost there, young'uns." Applejack called out ahead of the group as the four fillies followed her in single file.
"I've never been here before." Sweetie Belle said in confusion, but Apple Shine has been there once before.
Applejack then pushed a large branch aside as she went by, Apple Shine did the same, pushing a large branch aside as she also went by. Apple Bloom also did the same, but she pushed the branch too hard that it smacked Scootaloo right in the face.
"Ouch!" Scootaloo grunts.
"Oh, sorry." Apple Bloom said, moved the branch out of the view and getting a good view of Scootaloo's annoyed face.
"Are we there yet?" Scootaloo asked impatiently as they continued on their way.
"There? Where? What?" Sweetie Belle said as she passed the branch, somehow left completely clueless to what was going on. "I don't even know what we're doing!"
It wasn't much longer before they arrived at a nearby tree that a very run down tree house on its branches and a ramp leading to its entrance that was in the same condition. Apple Shine then remembered when she came here in Equestria, remembered that she ran towards the same tree house after learning her new appearance.
"Here we are!" Applejack said excitedly as she looked at the tree house happily.
Apple Shine can only look at it sadly while the three fillies didn't see what was so exciting. To them, they just saw a rundown tree house.
"What are we lookin' at?" Apple Bloom asked, not getting what they should be excited about.
"I have no idea." Scootaloo answered in annoyance which for her, it's not worth getting smacked in the face.
"What is that thing?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Though for her, she could tell it looked like a house, but not even sure if she could call it one.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders, welcome to yer new clubhouse." Applejack presented to them.
She had expected them to be excited, but instead, she just got a cold unamused silence. Applejack then noticed her daughter looking at it sadly.
"Apple Shine, what's the matter, sugarcube?" Applejack asked.
"Actually, Ah've been there in that tree house before." Apple Shine said to her mother. "It happened after ya gave birth because of the flower and me learnin' mah new appearance."
Both Applejack and Apple Bloom then remembered of that time when Apple Shine first arrived in Equestria.
"Recalling a time when ya ran away and came here in the tree house?" Apple Bloom asks, earned a nod from Apple Shine. "Apple Shine, we understand how you feel, but ya don't have to worry about that anymore. Yer old family is still livin' in Fredricksburg and they'll do what they can to live a good life."
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle remembered of what Apple Bloom have told them about her back in the cute-cenara. They felt bad for the Texan filly at first, but glad they became friends. Applejack then gives her daughter a hug, but breaks a hug as she and the four fillies approached the tree house.
"This was my clubhouse when Ah was yer age." Applejack told them as she her way towards the balcony. "Sure, it hasn't been used in a while, but it's empty and on a secluded, private part of the farm. And it's all yours. It just needs a little, uhh...TLC."
"TLC as in Tender Loving Care or Totally Lost Cause?" Scootaloo asked curiously before sarcastically.
"Applejack!" Apple Bloom said. "We're supposed to turn this into our new clubhouse?"
"Well, maybe y'all will get yer cutie marks when you discover your talent for...waaah!"
CRASH!
Applejack had just leaned a fore-hoof into the side of the wall, when it collapsed and she tumbled inside, her stenson hat was the only thing that hasn't fallen inside.
"Uh...house cleanin'?" Applejack finished woozily, seeing stars.
The four fillies just looked at each other, knowing that this was going to be a challenge to fix the tree house.
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Ahhhh
My Little Pony
I use to wonder what friendship could be
My Little Pony
Until you all share this magic with me
Big adventure,
Tons of fun,
A beautiful heart,
Faithful and strong,
Sharing kindness
It's an easy feat
And magic makes it all complete
You all have my little ponies
Do you know you're all my very best friends?
After Applejack and Apple Shine left the old tree house, Apple Bloom continued to survey the wreck that was now their wreck as continued to jot down what she might need for repairs. Sweetie Belle just watched quietly, though she was getting bored of waiting. Scootaloo was somewhere around in Ponyville.
"Okay, so we need plenty of wood, hammers, nails, etc...and some paint." Apple Bloom said to her, showing her the list.
"It's gonna take all day to get that stuff!" Sweetie Belle said.
"Most of it is back at the barn." Apple Bloom points out. "The problem is gettin' everything we need from there ta here."
It was just then Mario just finished training Comet in magic and martial arts when he was on his way to Sweet Apple Acres to help his family.
"Oh Mario!" Sweetie Belle called out in a sweet tone.
And not a moment too soon, Mario stopped and noticed the two fillies.
"You called, Sweetie Belle." Mario said with a smile that made Sweetie Belle giggled.
"We need to gather some stuff so we can fix up this ol' clubhouse." Apple Bloom explains. "Can you give us a hoof?"
"Sure thing." Mario said. "Umm..."
"I already wrote down that we need and I actually have another paper of what I want to do." Apple Bloom said showing a second paper with some very precise drawings featuring her projects for the clubhouse.
Mario was impressed.
"Well, in that case, you girls wait here." Mario said. "I'll go bring over what you need. Just make sure you put them away what you don't use when you're finished, alright?"
"Okay." Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle said in unison as Mario ran off to bring the materials they need.
"Isn't he amazing?" Sweetie Belle cooed while Apple Bloom just rolled her eyes in annoyance.
Of course, Apple Bloom liked Mario only because he's her brother of the Apple family and it'll be awkward for her to gush over him. Sweetie Belle didn't even have to complain about what was taking him so long as Mario arrived right away with everything Apple Bloom requested in a one pony wagon.
Once everything was unloaded, the two fillies said 'thank you' and sent Mario on his way. Mario did offer to help, but they insisted they could manage on their own, despite their attempt with rebuilding a side table. Mario was going to trust that his little sister was more prepared this time around.
Meanwhile, Scootaloo was drawing up a map as some birds were chirping from above. She carefully finished a rough sketch of what appeared to be a Golden Oak Library and both Twilight and Comet's home. She nodded to herself as she rolled up her map. It should be noted that she was also wearing a helmet as she hopped onto her scooter.
Flapping her small wings, she revved herself up and took off at high speed. As she made her way past the two ponies, she notices a wooden plank that is set up as a ramp. Scootaloo makes a determined smirk as she rides up the ramp and launches herself up in the air. The ponies gasped as Scootaloo literally goes into the air and a smooth landing on the other side. As continued at her pace, Granny Smith was using her walker when Scootaloo zoomed by, startling the elder pony as she spun around.
"Soup's on!" Granny Smith yelled as Scootaloo zoomed away out of town and down the path off Sweet Apple Acres.
Suddenly, Scootaloo jumped over a tree branch on a ground, ducked underneath the other tree branch, but noticed a branch that was too low for her to duck under appeared and some birds were chirping on it which it got her smirked. In slow motion, Scootaloo made a good two yard jump off her scooter, clearing the branch as her scooter went under without a problem before landing back on and continued moving forward.
Apple Bloom was busy putting a last coat of paint on the ramp when she saw Scootaloo coming at her. Apple Bloom flinched since Scootaloo was coming at her so quickly that she feared being over. However, Scootaloo was in full control and brought her scooter to a complete stop just beside Apple Bloom.
"Whoa!" Apple Bloom said, impressed. "Hi, Scootaloo, back already? You're amazing on that scooter."
"Thanks!" Scootaloo said and then noticed the clubhouse. "Wow, Apple Bloom! You did all of this?"
Apple Bloom apparently was more skilled in carpentry which she was trying to show it back at Fluttershy's cottage.
"Yep!" Apple Bloom nods. "I fixed the broken shutters, sanded off the splinters, rebuilt the roof, painted..."
"That's so cool." Scootaloo said, impressed and noticed some pony is missing. "What's Sweetie Belle up to?"
Apparently, Sweetie Belle wasn't really much help with construction and had just gone off of her own. She was currently just using her tail to sweep a lone picnic table and the surrounding area.
Sweetie Belle (Sings):
We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders...
She just continued to hum the rest to herself for a bit.
...Never stop the journey...
She hummed some more.
"There ya are, Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom said when she and Scootaloo came out of the bushes nearby. "I told ya we can find her by following her awesome voice."
"What's that sweet tune you're singing?" Scootaloo asked.
"Oh, I was just working on our new Cutie Mark Crusaders theme song." Sweetie Belle replied.
"Cool!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo said in unison.
"Teach us?" Scootaloo asked.
"Well, I've only come up with one part." Sweetie Belle said. "But okay!"
The three fillies were soon settled into their new clubhouse as Sweetie Belle began teaching them the lyrics to their theme song. Applejack, Apple Shine, and Mario had just arrived to check up on them.
Sweetie Belle (Sings):
They all say you will get your mark
When the time is really right
Apple Bloom (Sings):
And you know just what you're supposed to do
Scootaloo (Sings):
And your talent comes to light!
That got Applejack, Mario, and Apple Shine flinched when Scootaloo sang loud which it's off.
"Well, uh...I'll be, Cutie Mark Crusaders." Applejack said from the outside of the window, impressed. "You've done a fine job with this place."
"Guess Apple Bloom has some skills in carpentry." Mario said. "I'm eager to see what else she could build."
Applejack and Apple Shine nods with an agreement.
"So, what are you three planning right now?" Apple Shine asks.
"Well, now that we have a real live clubhouse..." Apple Bloom began.
"...and a map of Ponyville..." Scootaloo adds, showing her the map she had drawn earlier.
"...and a Cutie Mark Crusader theme song..." Sweetie Belle said.
"Theme song?" Applejack repeats surprisingly.
"Why a theme song?" Apple Shine asked.
"It's a little something I put in together." Sweetie Belle told her.
"Didn't know you could come up with songs, Sweetie Belle." Mario said, impressed.
"Well...it's no big deal..." Sweetie Belle said, blushing at the attention Mario gave her. "I...well...could come up with a theme song for you?"
"Really?" Mario said, clearly interested with what she could come up with.
"You do realize Uncle Mario is older than you, right?" Apple Shine asks. "And besides, he's probably taken...I think."
"Yeah, this isn't 'impress your boyfriend' time, it's 'Cutie Mark Crusading' time." Scootaloo adds.
Sweetie Belle glared as Applejack shot a skeptical look at Mario.
"Boyfriend?" Applejack said in a deadpan tone.
"We're just good friends and she knows that." Mario points out. "I can't control the fact Sweetie Belle likes me."
Applejack and Apple Shine couldn't help but chuckle.
"Anyways." Apple Bloom said. "We're gonna go out in the world and discover our talents."
"A new adventure!" Scootaloo said boldly.
"And earn our cutie marks!" Sweetie Belle adds excitedly.
"We'll leave no stone unturned!" Apple Bloom declared.
"No mountain unclimbed!" Scootaloo adds in a same tone.
"No meal uncooked!" Sweetie Belle said with determination.
"No sock unworn!" Apple Bloom added.
"Well, okay then!" Applejack said, leaned back from all the determination and declaration. "Sounds like you have a plan. I gotta, uh...leave no apples unpicked! See y'all later! Come on, Mario, Apple Shine!"
"Coming!" Mario and Apple Shine said as they followed Applejack downstairs toward the apple orchard.
"Are we ready to get our cutie marks, ponies?" Scootaloo asked as Applejack, Mario, and Apple Shine disappeared.
"Yeah!" The CMCs said together, ready for action.
The first attempt involved them trying to feed the pigs which was normally Apple Shines chore. They worked together to load up the slop for the pigs to eat. Then, Sweetie Belle rang the dinner bell. Just as they had opened the sliding barn door, the three fillies were overrun by dirty, muddy pigs. Sweetie Belle hadn't gotten back on her hooves before one of the pigs began to lick her cheek. Once they checked their flanks, it's still blank, and they crossed Sweet Apple Acres on the map, and moved on to something else.
The second attempt brought them to Sugarcube Corner. Rose Lotus and Djali were out, doing some dancing. The three fillies gathered around a large mixing bowl that was used for the taffy. They dumped a package after package of taffy flavors on it. It should be noticed that the packaging paper hadn't been removed after when they turn the mixer on. Things seem alright at first, but then the large beater caught Scootaloo's tail. Scootaloo tried to pull her tail out while Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle tried to give her a hoof, but all three were sucked into the mixer and were now being mixed into the rainbow-colored concoction. Fortunately, they're not hurt, but they walked out of the Sugarcube Corner stuck together, sticky fur, manes, and tails, and covered in a torn scraps of packaging. They checked their flanks again, and it's still blank. They cross off Sugarcube Corner and moved up to the next idea.
Their next task was setting up their on beauty parlor in the main area of the Carousel Boutique. Apple Bloom rang the bell to attract customers, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were busy helping their first customer to relax as they tried to create their own dying mixture. The poor mare named Vera left crying like a baby with a multi-colored afro on her head. Yet all of the three fillies cared about was checking their flanks again, but still blank. They moved on to something else.
Next came something a bit more subtle as they set somewhere outside of town. They set up a special two-sided stand. One side had some buttons with shapes on it, and the other side had a collections of cards. Apple Bloom was on the side with the button selection panel while Sweetie Belle had a deck of cards. Sweetie Belle picked a card with a heart. Apple Bloom thought for a moment before guessing a yellow circle. Sweetie Belle shook her head to tell Apple Bloom she was incorrect. Next card had a blue star on it. Apple Bloom made another selections and both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shook their heads. The next card had a green clover. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo noticed Apple Bloom was sweating hard, trying to figure out what the card could be. Apple Bloom ended up hitting all six buttons at once, resulting a collection of cards shooting out and smacking both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in their faces. The two fillies glared at Apple Bloom, who was already checking her flank. Still blank and the same said for Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. They crossed the outskirts and moved on.
Their next task is involving a high mountain climbing through some snowy weather. Tied together with a rope, Apple Bloom took the lead and reached the top of the mountain peak first. Scootaloo was next as she wobbled up to the peak. The two worked together to pull Sweetie Belle to the top. Just as Sweetie Belle got to the top, she knocked the others off the top, causing the three fillies to tumble down to the mountain. This would have been fatal...if the mountain they were climbing on wasn't only a few feet tall and sitting on a giant tree stump that was even taller than the 'mountain' itself. The snow strom was just a single snow cloud. Their flanks were still blank as they crossed out mountain climbing.
Next, they tried doing some deep sea swimming...or deep lake diving. With some flippers and snorkel masks equipped, the three fillies began to swim casually. But they were forced to swim away at high speed when a giant squid started swimming after them.
With that idea crossed out, the three fillies finally made their way towards the Golden Oak Library. Twilight, Mario, Comet, Zane, and Cheerilee were making their way inside. Twilight was the first to enter when she gasped.
"I have nothing to do with this." Spike said as he crossed his arms indignantly.
"What is going on here?" Twilight asked.
"I can take one guess." Comet said in annoyance when they saw three fillies in a large pile of books.
"Hmm...well, we sure aren't gettin' our cutie marks for bein' librarians." Apple Bloom said as she closed another book.
"Huh! I should think not!" Spike said, earned a few glares. "What?"
"Oh boy." Mario groaned, shook his head.
Comet then used his magic to place the books and parchments back into the shelves neatly.
"Thank you, Comet." Twilight said with a smile, kissed her son in the forehead and then turns to the three fillies. "Girls, I think you're going about this the wrong way. Instead of trying to do things you're not familiar with, why not try doing things in areas that you already like?"
"And Zane and I have the perfect place to start." Cheerilee said as she placed a poster on the floor for the three fillies to look at.
"'Showcase your talent...'" Apple Bloom read outloud.
"'...for all to see...'" Scootaloo continued.
"'...Perform in the Ponyville School Talent Show.'" Sweetie Belle finished.
"There'll be all sorts of awards." Zane explains. "Best dramatic performance, best magic act, and more...Surely you can find your talent."
"This would be the perfect place to discover our talents." Apple Bloom said. "Jugglin'!"
"Acting!" Scootaloo suggested.
"Magic tricks!" Sweetie Belle added.
"Square dancin'!" Apple Bloom added.
"Tightrope walking!" Scootaloo added.
"Tiger taming!" Sweetie Belle said.
"GIRLS!" Mario shouts, stopping the three fillies.
"My little ponies." Twilight said. "You're missing the point. Think about the things you already enjoy doing. Think about what you're already good at."
"Sure! We can do that!" Scootaloo said.
"Yeah! We sure can." Sweetie Belle added.
"Well, whatever we do." Apple Bloom said. "We'll do it as..."
"...The Cutie Mark Crusaders!" The CMCs shouted at once and then made their way out of the library.
Mario and Comet were worried about it.
"Why do I get the feeling that your lesson went through one ear and out the other?" Mario asked.
"Don't worry, Mario. I think they will understand one day." Twilight assured him.
"Well, I'll head back to Sweet Apple Acres to help Applejack out." Mario suggested as he left to get his chores finished.
Comet then thought of an idea of the talent he might try, but he can also make it a surprise for Twilight. He then left the library to gather his friends and come up with an idea.
Meanwhile, the CMCs were busy collecting materials. Their first stop was the Carousel Boutique where Sweetie Belle had collected various fabrics for their costumes. And judging the fact that Rarity came storming out was an obvious clue that Sweetie Belle didn't ask her sister about it first.
"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity yelled angrily as Scootaloo took off, pulling the two filles in a wagon with her scooter. "I told you not to touch my things! Come back with my supplies!"
"We're just borrowing them for the talent show!" Sweetie Belle said as they move away from the Carousel Boutique. "Don't worry, Sis, I promise we'll being them back!"
Their second stop was a local fan shop where Scootaloo came out, holding a fan.
"Thanks, Mr. Breezy." Scootaloo said. "We'll return the fan to you real soon."
"What do we need this fan for?" Apple Bloom asked curiously.
"Trust me on this one." Sweetie Belle said before they went on their way again.
Once they collected some supplies, Scootaloo pulled over to check off their items.
"Okay, so 6 wooden planks, 4x8 plywood, a box of nails, 4 cans of paint, and 4 paint brushes." Scootaloo said. "Anything else?"
"Yeah." Sweetie Belle said. "Instructions on how to use 6 wooden planks, 4x8 plywood, 4 cans of paint, and 4 paint brushes."
All that earned was a death glare from the two fillies as Scootaloo hopped back on her scooter and took off, startling the two passengers in the wagon. Their final stop was the Golden Oak Library where Twilight and Spike were standing outside as Twilight gave them a book.
"'Ghosts, Goblins, and Ghouish Figures'?" Twilight said as she handed them the book. "Good heavens, girls. What do you need a book like this for?"
"You'll see." Scootaloo said. "Thanks, Twilight. We'll give it back as soon as we're done with it."
Twilight and Spike watched them take off with concerned looks on their faces.
"What do you think they're up to?" Twilight asked curiously.
"I have no idea." Spike answered. "And I don't know if i should be excited or scared to find out."
Twilight then noticed something was off, which she was missing some pony.
"Spike, have you seen Comet?" Twilight asked. "I haven't seen him since he left few minutes ago."
"Hmm...last I saw, he was heading toward a pony named Octavia." Spike pondered. "But Comet is with Apple Shine, Storm Hawk, Winter, and Rose."
"Why would they go to Octavia?" Twilight asks again.
"I don't know." Spike answered. "Probably because they're performing a talent show for singing."
It got Twilight curious, wondering why would Comet and the others were planning for the talent show. Though, Twilight might have to ask her friends if they knew about it.
Scootaloo continued to pick up her speed when she noticed that needed to stop as some larger wagons were passing by. She had searched for the large ramp, but couldn't find anything that would let her jump over the wagons with her friends riding the attached wagons. As she was waiting impatiently, Mario looked amused.
"The clubhouse isn't going anywhere." Mario said. "What's your hurry?"
"We've got to work on our idea for the talent show and these wagons take so long to move." Scootaloo told him.
"They are heavier than you think." Mario points out. "Besides, Apple Shine is with the others to come up the idea for the talent show of their own."
"Really?" Apple Bloom said surprisingly. "No wonder Apple Shine wasn't here at the farm. I'm wonderin' what kind of talent she's plannin'?"
"Who cares?" Scootaloo remarked, turns to Mario. "Bet I could go faster than you. You are the second fastest pony in Equestria."
That got Mario snorted, but resent that offense.
"It's a race." Mario said.
They waited for the final wagon to just get out their way.
"Alright, ready, set...hey Rainbow Dash is giving autographs!" Mario called out excitedly.
"Where?" Scootaloo squealed until she realized that Mario had taken off, causing Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle sighed.
"She walked right into that one." Sweetie Belle remarked as Scootaloo scowled to herself.
"You can say that...AHH!" Apple Bloom was startled as Scootaloo's take off was so fast they nearly lost some of the items in the wagons.
Luckily, both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were able to hold onto them as Scootaloo was pushing herself at top speed. Scootaloo tried to catch up, but Mario was too fast. He jumped over a few creeks, trees, and big rocks before he left her in the dust.
Poor Scootaloo was out of breath by the time she reached the clubhouse. She just rolled off her scooter onto the grass nearby and panted heavily when Mario towered over her.
"Second fastest, huh?" Mario remarked as Scootaloo glared.
"You were amazing." Sweetie Belle said.
"Hey!" Scootaloo protested bitterly as she sat up.
"It's alright, Sweetie Belle. I'm glad I have at least one fan." Mario said. "Anyways, I better go and help out at Sweet Apple Acres."
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell waved goodbye as Mario disappeared. Then, the three fillies went inside of their clubhouse to get back to work.
"I'm glad we're doin' this as a team." Apple Bloom remarked as they set the materials inside the clubhouse.
"Me too." Sweetie Belle said as she lay the tall fabric rollers against the corner of the clubhouse. "Um...so what are we doing again?"
"A super awesome dramatic song for the talent show, of course." Scootaloo answered.
"Right!" Sweetie Belle nodded. "With super-cool scenery, and amazing costumes!"
"And mind blowin' dance moves!" Apple Bloom adds excitedly
"This is gonna be soo amazing!" Scootaloo said excitedly.
"Sweetie Belle, I think you should be the singer." Apple Bloom suggested.
"What?!" Sweetie Belle exclaims. "No way I'm singing in front of the crowd. Twilight said to do something we like to do, and I'd like to be like big sister, and she's a designer."
"Fine then." Scootaloo said. "You can do the costumes and scenery."
"And Scootaloo, you're great in maneuvers on your scooter." Apple Bloom said. "So, you should do all the choreography. Y'know all those dance moves."
Scootaloo nodded, but then her eyes widened and she shook her head.
"Nah, I'd rather sing a wicked rock ballad." Scootaloo answered. "Why don't you come up with a dance routine, Apple Bloom?"
"Hmm...I'm not much of a dancer...but I do like kung-fu." Apple Bloom said. "That's kinda like dancin'."
Apple Bloom then demonstrated her moves to prove her point.
"Then it's settled!" Sweetie Belle said as she stood on her hind legs. "Let's get started!"
Within a few minutes, they began to get to work. Apple Bloom had borrowed a music player and was trying to come up with the dance moves. She soon found out that simple kung fu moves wouldn't exactly go well with music. She then attempted to try a simple spin.
"One...two...three...Oh! Oh!" Apple Bloom wobbled as she lost her balance and landed right Scootaloo's tail. Scootaloo was sitting nearby, trying to compose some music lyrics with a sheet of music paper and a miniature piano.
"Ow, Apple Bloom!" Scootaloo said in annoyance. "What are you doing?"
Scootaloo then helped Apple Bloom back to her hooves.
"Oh, I feel like I have four left feet." Apple Bloom said sadly. "I can't even spin right."
"Don't be silly." Scootaloo said. "You just gotta keep your head forward until the very last minute, like this..."
Scootaloo then demonstrated a spin for Apple Bloom which she was amazed.
"See? Easy-peasy. You just gotta practice a bunch, that's all." Scootaloo suggested.
"Wow! That does look easy! Thanks." Apple Bloom said. "Okay, let's try this again."
Apple Bloom then tried to do a spin herself, but was soon overwhelmed.
"Oh! Ouch! Ow!" Apple Bloom said, crashed somewhere in the distance. "I'm okay!"
"Keep practicing!" Scootaloo called out.
"Will do!" Apple Bloom replied as she continued to dance.
Scootaloo was trying hard to figure out both the lyrics and the music for the performance.
"We fight the fight, walk the walk! Talk the talk!" Scootaloo said as she tapped the piano keys in a discordant manner. "Eat the...uh...food like a celery stalk? Ugh! I'll never come up with anything! Never, never, never!"
Scootaloo banged her head on the piano keys as she finished her statement with frustration. Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle was working on a costume using a miniature sewing machine. She seemed to be managing herself alright, until the fabric roller began rolling down a nearby slope.
"Come back! back!" Sweetie Belle shouted as she chased after the roller, but it ended up getting away from her. "Ugh! Dumb fabric!"
She then noticed Scootaloo nearby, looking rather frustrated.
"Hey, Scoot! How's the song going?" Sweetie Belle asks, but Scootaloo gave a respond with a raspberry as she does the same. "Oh my! Sounds serious."
"I'm just no good at lyrics." Scootaloo said sadly. "Coming up with words is like...really hard."
"Oh, it can't be that bad." Sweetie Belle states as she read what Scootaloo had so far. "'With out cutie marks, we rock Equestria. We use our stomachs to...digestia?' Umm...well...These are...um...good, but...How about after, 'We fight the fight...'"
Sweetie Belle (Sings):
There is nothing that we hear
We'll have to figure out what we'll do next
'Til our cutie marks are here
"Wow! That's so awesome!" Scootaloo said. "Did you come up with that just now?"
"Yeah...Kind of." Sweetie Belle answered modestly.
"Thanks, I'm totally using that." Scootaloo said as she wrote down what Sweetie Belle sang on the music paper.
"Oh no!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed when she saw the end of the fabrics had rolled into a small pond.
Sweetie Belle wasted no time cutting up the drenched end and hung it along a laundry line to dry as she continued to make her first costume. She lifted it up once she had finished sewing the main pieces of it.
"One, two, three, four, five?!" Sweetie Belle moaned and sighed at her mistake as Apple Bloom twirled by and landed on her bakc.
"Ouch!" Apple Bloom grunts as she sat up.
"How's the spin coming along?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"I think I gotta stick to punches and kicks." Apple Bloom suggested, but noticed the five-legged costume. "You know, ponies only have four legs."
Sweetie Belle moaned in frustration.
"I'll never be a designer like my sister, Rarity." Sweetie Belle said sadly.
"Hey, it's no big deal." Apple Bloom said. "Why don't you use the dress form?"
Apple Bloom points at a nearby mannequin they had borrowed a while ago.
"It'll help you with your patterns and help you put all the pieces in the right places." Apple Bloom points out.
"Oh, is that what that's for?" Sweetie Belle asked surprisingly.
Apple Bloom then noticed that all the paints and colors for their set were all in the colors of brown and black.
"Uh...maybe you should also clean your paintbrush between each color." Apple Bloom suggested.
"Oh, I was wondering why all of the colors looked like mud." Sweetie Belle said.
"You're not using power tools, are you?" Apple Bloom asked.
Sweetie Belle's silence could have implied she was considering it, but she didn't.
A couple of days later, Applejack and Mario were making their way towards the clubhouse to check on the three fillies. Applejack and Mario have already checked on Apple Shine, which the Texan filly told them that she's practicing singing with Comet and the others a few days and got help from Octavia.
"I'm a bit surprised that Apple Shine is takin' some lessons with Octavia for the talent show, hopin' she's doin' okay." Applejack said. "And speaking of which, the talent show is just around the corner. I wonder how the fillies are doin'."
"Me too." Mario said with a worried tone.
He had told Applejack...not what they were doing to get their cutie marks...but rather the fact that the three fillies seemed to be overlooking what they were already good at in their pursuit of trying other talents they had no knowledge or skills in.
"It don't hurt to try new things, Mario." Applejack said. "I'll show you."
They quietly peeked through the window to see what was up when they both cringed.
"Oh! Sorry, Scootaloo." Apple Bloom said.
"That's okay." Scootaloo said. "Ugh!"
"Oops! Sorry, Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle said.
"Oh, my bad, Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo said. "Let's sing the chorus again!"
Applejack and Mario had seen enough and walked away with frazzled looks on their faces.
"Good to try new things, huh?" Mario asked, too stunned to be sarcastic.
"Well, gosh, sure wasn't expectin' that." Applejack said.
"I think that sounded pretty good." Apple Bloom said.
Both ponies could hear the three fillies from the outside.
"Me too." Sweetie Belle said. "You think we're ready?"
"Ready as we'll ever be." Scootaloo said, causing Applejack and Mario cringed.
Mario then motioned his sister that they should leave before they were forced to tell them the truth about their performance.
"Hey! Did you see us practicing?" Scootaloo asked as they rushed outside before either of the two would disappear.
"Uh...Yeah." Applejack answered simply.
"We...saw..." Mario adds, neither pony turned around.
"Well? How'd we do? How'd we do?" Apple Bloom asked eagerly.
'That was so terrible that all three of you are gonna do is humiliate yourselves on a public stage! What were you thinking coming up with something like this? You completely missed the point of Twilight's lesson!'
At least that was went through Mario's mind and was sure Applejack would agree, but all the two could say was:
"Uh..."
"Speechless!" Scootaloo said excitedly. "See, girls? I told you that's what we're gonna do. We're gonna leave them speechless."
"Yay!" The CMCs cheered as they dashed away, leaving a distraught Applejack and Mario behind.
"'Speechless' is right." Applejack muttered.
"Those three are setting themselves up for a big fall." Mario adds. "Should we..."
"I doubt they would listen if we told them, sugarcube." Applejack said. "Sometimes the best lessons in life are the hard ones."
Mario nods with an agreement since the three fillies won't listen to any reason, they're gonna learn the hard way since the talent show is coming up.
Soon, the day of the talent show had arrived and lot of ponies had arrived just outside the Schoolhouse grounds to watch the show. At the moment, both Snips and Snails were both doing a magic act.
"And on the count of three, this rabbit will disappear, and something tasty will reappear in its place." Snips announces. "A one, a two, and a three!"
Snips then lifts the hat when the rabbit disappears, but there wasn't underneath the hat.
"Hey! Where are they?" Snips wondered. "Snails, where are the...carrots!"
Snails had apparently put the carrots in his mouth and was munching on them dumbly.
"SNAILS!" Snips shouts, chasing after him.
"Uh, how about a round of applause for the S&S magic act." Cheerilee said as some applause was made in the crowd. "Now for our next act, we have Sunny Daze and Peachy Pie reciting their favorite poem...on roller skates!"
Backstage, the three fillies, including Comet, Rose Lotus, Apple Shine, Storm Hawk, and Winter Breeze were all ready to go. The CMCs were wearing the black cloaks over their costumes and sat on a large crate waiting for their turn as Sunny Daze and Peachy Pie went skating by them.
"Break a leg!" Sweetie Belle shouted.
"Sweetie Belle!?" Apple Bloom exclaimed shockingly. "What a thing to say!"
"Seriously, are you trying to say that to all of us?" Storm Hawk asks with a glare.
"No, no, no." Sweetie Belle explains. "You see, in the theater, it's considered bad luck to say 'good luck'. So, you say 'break a leg' instead."
"Yeah, but Ah'm not that superstitious." Apple Shine told her.
Comet, Rose Lotus, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk nods with an agreement.
"My little ponies!" Twilight said as she appeared next to them with Mario along side of her. "How are you doing?"
"Nervous..." The three fillies said.
Comet, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk felt the same way.
"Don't worry." Twilight said cheerfully. "You're gonna be amazing. Remember, just stick to what you know best. I can't wait to hear you sing, Sweetie Belle."
"Let's give Sunny Daze and Peachy Pie a round of applause for their act, everypony." Zane announces as the ponies applaused. "And now for the next act, we have Comet Stardust, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk for their singing act."
"Good luck." Twilight said with a smile, watching the five heading to the stage. "I didn't know they can sing."
"Let's just wait and see." Mario suggested.
It didn't take long for the five to enter the background music was a piano playing along with a violin and a cello which was a melodic music.
Comet, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk (Sings):
There's a flower in the smallest garden
Reaching for the light
There's a candle in the darkest corner
Conquering the night
There is amazing strength
In a willing hand
There are victories
That you've never planned
There's a hero
In everybody's hearts
Then the drums played, showing a very sad yet melodic song. The ponies in the audience were staring at them, amazed of their song. Even the Mane 6 and Mario were amazed of the five, including Pear Butter, Bright Mac, and Silver Spoon.
Comet, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk (Sings):
There's a fire inside of everybody
Burning clear and bright
There's a power in the faintest heartbeat
That cannot be denied
Go on and trust yourself
You can ride the wind
You're gonna take your dreams
Where they've never been
There's a hero
In everybody's hearts
As they sang, the electric guitar was playing solo in an upbeat yet sad sound. Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Mario are starting to tear up in their eyes which they felt touched of that song. The three fillies can hear that song, but it also got them fill up in tears along with Pear Butter, Bright Mac, Cheerilee, Zane, and Silver Spoon. The rest of the ponies were feeling touched of that song.
Comet, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Winter breeze, and Storm Hawk (Sings):
Go on and trust yourself
Cause you can ride the wind
You're gonna take your dreams
Where they've never been
There's a hero
In everybody's hearts
There's a hero
In everybody's heart
As they finished the song, the ponies gave them a big round of applause. Comet, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk gave them a bow and then head to the backstage.
"Wow! You five were amazing!" Scootaloo said.
"Thanks, Scoots." Storm Hawk said with a smile.
"We didn't know you sang that good." Apple Bloom said. "How did you get so good at singin'?"
"We ask Octavia for teaching us how to sing for the talent show." Comet explains, then turns to his mother. "Since you and your friends have taken care of us, we thought we wanted to do something nice."
Twilight and Mario gave them a nod with an understanding, realizing that these five foals were returning the favor by singing. Cheerilee and Zane walked up to the backstage.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders, you're up next." Cheerilee said. "Break a leg!"
"Break a leg-"
"Ugh!" Apple Bloom grunts with annoyance as the three fillies zipped away, tossed their black cloaks behind them.
"Uh...good luck!" Twilight called out, worried as she turned to Mario. "Mario, don't worry. Sweetie Belle will do just fine with her friends."
"I hope you're right about that." Mario remarked, worried.
It didn't take long before Sweetie Belle had their props set up and the entire stage went dark. Soon three lights were shining on their heads. They had spiked manes and put on make-up and reggae style outfits to make them look like punk rockers. Their background music was different, resembled a fusion of both late 1980s rock n' roll and pop music.
Scootaloo (Sings):
Look, here, are three little ponies
Ready to sing for the crowd
Listen up, 'cause here's our story
I'm gonna sing it
CMCs (Sings):
Very loud!
The light shines, showing some very amateurish backdrops and scenery. The ponies in the audience just stared at them with their faces hanging out. Poor Applejack tips her hat forward and ducks her head, feeling embarrassed for both herself and the three fillies.
Scootaloo (Sings):
When you're a younger pony
And your flank is very bare
Feels like the sun will never come
When your cutie marks not there
So the three of us will fight the fight
There is nothing we can fear
We'll figure out what we'll do next
As we sang, Sweetie Belle single handedly tried to pull a various types of props from a sun to some hanging spiders. Apple Bloom just continued to stand in place, using kung fu kicks and chops to dance.
CMCs (Sings):
'Til out cutie marks are here!
We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders
On a quest to find out who we are
And we will never stop the journey
Not until we have out cutie marks
Things began to go wrong at this point. For starters, as Scootaloo sang, the fog machine went on the fritz, spreading the smoke around Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom found she couldn't see and bumped into Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom then mae a chop, causing her hind leg to get stuck in the scenery. Apple Bloom smiled sheepishly before she tried to get her leg out of the hole she made.
Scootaloo (Sings):
They all say that you'll get your mark
When the time is really right
And you know just what you're supposed to do
And your talent come to light
But it's not as easy as it sounds
And that waiting is hard to do
So we test our talents everywhere
Sweetie Belle was supposed to cover a hanging spotlight with a blue visor to make the light beam turned blue. But her visor was too small for it to cover the entire light. Scootaloo had to move her only face to be bathed in the blue spotlight.
CMCs (Sings):
Until our face is blue
Things went from bad to worse as one of the dropped props from above hit the giant fan they had borrowed, blowing the three fillies off the stage while they were singing. Some of the props began to teeter as they continued to sing. Sweetie Belle rushed to try and prevent one of the props from falling, but soon the others were wobbling as well.
CMCs (Sings):
We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders
On a quest to find out who we are
And we will never stop the journey
Not until we have our cutie marks
We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders
On a quest to find who we are
And we will never stop the journey
Not until we have our cutie marks!
As they finished their song, all of the props fell into the three fillies, smashing into pieces on top of them. The crowds were silent for another second...before they burst out laughing at them. The three fillies popped out of the mess and saw everyone laughing which it didn't make them feel good at all. It was much longer before the broken props and other items were cleared from the stage. The three fillies were feeling glum and embarrassed.
"Wow." Scootaloo said. "That did not go as well as I expected."
"I can't believe they're laughin' at us." Apple Bloom said.
"Was it that bad?" Sweetie Belle asked out of the blue when Cheerilee and Zane arrived.
"Back on stage, girls." Cheerilee said. "It's time for the awards."
"Back on stage?! No!" Sweetie Belle protested.
"They'll just laugh some more." Apple Bloom added sadly.
"Yeah, what's the point?" Scootaloo replied.
"Girls, let's be good sports. You three made a great effort. You should feel proud instead of being sad." Zane said with a calm demeanor. "Now come on."
The three girls just exchanged worried glances with each other before sneaking into the stage behind the other ponies who had particpated in the talent show.
"Let's hear it for all our talented fillies and colts." Cheerilee announced as the ponies stomped their hooves to make it all sound like they were applauding.
"For the first award goes to...Snips and Snails for best magic act." Zane announced as the two unicorn colts made their way to the stage.
"Hey! Mine's at least shinier!" Snips said smugly.
"Well, mine's bigger!" Snails remarked as they walked away.
"Oh yeah, well...Well, mine is, um...heavier." Snips retorted.
Spike, Cheerilee, and Zane just rolled their eyes at them before moving on.
"The next award goes to...Sunny Daze and Peachy Pie for best dramatic performance." Cheerilee announces.
The two fillies smiled excitedly as they went to claim their medals. the three fillies quivered nervously as they waited.
"The third award goes to...Comet Stardust, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk for best singing." Zane announces.
The five ponies smiled as they went to claim their medals. The Mane 6 and Mario were very proud of the five ponies who worked hard on coming up with that song.
"And finally, the last award of the night goes to..." Cheerilee announced as the three fillies quivered nervously.
Even Applejack was looking very nervous, unsure of what to do if the three fillies left with no award despite their performance.
"The Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Cheerilee said as she rose off her fore-hooves.
"What?!" The CMCs exclaims in complete shock.
"For best comedy act." Cheerilee said as they gave them three medals.
The ponies cheered for them as the three fillies smiled. They still couldn't believe that they have actually won an award.
"Can you believe it?" Apple Bloom said as they were on the backstage. "We won!"
"I knew our act was awesome." Scootaloo replied.
"You know what would be the best?" Sweetie Belle said. "If we won and we get our cutie marks!"
The three fillies smiled as they tore off their costumes and checked their flanks, but they were still blank and let out a long moan.
"Congratulations, ponies!" Twilight said happily as she, Comet, and Mario stood before them. "Job well done."
"Thanks." The CMCs said rather sadly.
"Hey, you don't sound too excitedly." Twilight said, concerned.
"We worked really hard and won a prize, but we still don't have our cutie marks." Scootaloo said with a sigh.
"Which is the prize we really wanted." Sweetie Belle said in a dreamy tone.
"Oh girls..." Twilight and Mario said together.
"And I think there's an important lesson that you three have learned." Comet said. "You see, you girls have been doing this the wrong way and you were trying too hard. So, instead of forcing yourselves to do something that you're not familiar with or something that's nor meant for the three of you, you three should embrace your talents."
The three fillies were completely shocked of Comet's words which he was right about it.
"Well said, Comet." Mario said with a smile.
"And that's not the only thing." Twilight said, looking at her son with a warm smile. "Comet, I'm very proud of you. You and your friends have put that song together and sang it from your hearts. It really touched our hearts."
And with that, Twilight then hugged her son when her eyes are filled in tears again. Mario and Apple Bloom walked towards their niece and hugged her. Rainbow Dash was trying her best to not to cry, but it's hard not to as she hugged Storm Hawk in tears. Both Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy did the same by hugging their daughters in tears.
Rarity, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were watching the heartwarming sight which it got them in tears and their hearts have been touched when the five ponies have put that song together.
That's for the 30th chapter. Sorry about the delay.
I put that song called 'There's a Hero' sang by Billy Gilman which it was also a tribute to the patients who have suffered from cancer.