to Bubbel_mob: thanks, I am really glad you like it. I don't think that episode will be included in Living Darkness, but I will try and see if can appear in the sequel
This happens a few days after the last chapter. It is made after the episode "Flight to the Finish"
After Pinkie Pie has rung the bell, all of the fillies, colt along with the two none ponies, head inside for class. When everyone is seated, their class teacher Cheerilee announces. "Today, we have two special guests with a very special announcement!" She waves over to the door where a middle-aged orange mare stands, having a face as if she ate a lemon. "Everypony, welcome the head of the Equestria Games, Ms. Harshwhinny!" The children clap mostly out of politeness, unsure of that disapproving stare is from something they have done.
Ms. Harshwhinny walks inside and after have thanked the teacher for the introduction, she turns to the youngsters. "Now, I'm sure you all know about the Equestria Games," Ms. Harshwhinny states out, still in that hard perfectionist tone that she demands the best quality from everypony. "where ponies from all over the land compete for glory in various athletic pursuits." The Cutie Mark Crusaders group all exchanges a look with one another. The two none-ponies are especially confused about what Ms. Harshwhinny has just explained. Does turn back to the middle-aged mare as she continues. "Well, now you littlest ones will have the chance to compete for a weighty responsibility of your very own." She smiles for ones, though that moment of satisfaction if rudely broken by a distant:
"Oh, come on! Tell them the fun part!" and Rainbow Dash makes a grand entrance by swooping inside, basking in the 'oohing' and 'ahhing' from the children. She lands beside Ms. Harshwhinny and pumped for this soon to be event, declares; "That's right! All you gotta do is show Ms. Harshwhinny the coolest, most spectacular, most rocking routine and you're going to the Games!" She explains while doing all kind of awesome stunts, it did make the youngsters very pumped to this event, "So who's going to be the lucky ponies?!" she asks them loudly.
Thanks to Rainbow Dash's zealous speech, every filly and colt got excited to win this competition.
"It's gotta be me!" Diamond Tiara speaks smugly.
"Maybe it's us." Scootaloo tells her four friends; they all have the same excited gleam in their eyes of that possibility.
"Maybe's it's me." Another filly that sits besides Dinky voices, to then, along with everybody else turn when the two clowns of the class declare: "Maybe it's us!" The two colts, Snips and Snails are trying to show off but all that got them is crashing onto the floor, making quite the racket.
Snips eyes the many staring classmates, pointing out. "Hey! It could happen!"
After have gotten those two colts back to their seats, Rainbow Dash explains the youngsters, still overly enthusiastic about the idea that the colts or fillies from Ponyville might be honored to be part of the Games briefly. "So, the winning team gets to carry the Ponyville flag at the Equestria Games! Oh, you are gonna love this!"
"Ms. Dash," Ms. Harshwhinny calls this embarrassment of a young mare, getting her attention and she reminds this Ms. Dash. "Will you please curb your over-enthusiastic outbursts?" Rainbow Dash smiles sheepishly but does tune the excitement down to a tolerable level. With that settled. "Now then, let me be clear on the rules." Ms. Harshwhinny walks over to the blackboard and draws down quick sketches of ponies wearing a flag. When done, she explains this class. "You ponies will form teams. Each team will create their own flag carrying routine. Everypony will be judged on:" She draws three more drawings, for each done says; "Grace, style and originality." She turns back to the class, "There's a most complicated scoring system, which I will elaborate upon now." and back to the blackboard "Firstly—"
"Aw, get to the nitty-gritty later. Tell them the important stuff!" Rainbow Dash pretty rudely interrupts the other mare, but she didn't really notice once again up on eleven in her excitement, "Like who's the coach!" she pulls out a whistle, to then blow it. "That's right! Me! And you know why I'm qualified to coach you?"
Everyone is no longer focused on Ms. Harshwhinny, instead, it's fully on Rainbow Dash, who keeps on this zealous speech. "Guess who carried the Cloudsdale flag in the Games when she was a little filly? Me!" Especially her biggest idol in the form of Scootaloo, her eyes started to shine of getting the chance to walk Rainbow Dash's hoofsteps, "I'll never forget it—I burst into the stadium, spreading my wings, the flag flapping in the breeze. I did tricks with that flag the likes of which nopony saw before and nopony's seen since!" to then get just as rudely interrupted by the elderly mare, Scootaloo is disappointed, but her mind is spinning with all kind of ideas. She didn't hear what the two adults are talking about, her attention is however dragged back to the present when Ms. Harshwhinny clear, loud yet very controlled voice calls through the classroom. "In three days, Ms. Dash will accompany anypony competing to the Crystal Empire, where you will demonstrate your routines for me and the other judges, will judge you very professionally."
Just gotten the warning of controlling her enthusiasm, Rainbow Dash straightens herself up, saying professionally, "Yes. Quite, quite correct." but it's hard to keep the excitement in check, which makes she flies into the air and tells the whole classroom. "In the meantime, get ready to train, and train hard," Rainbow Dash lands, getting a bit more serious, "because I know this opening ceremony is the single most important thing that will ever happen in your young lives!" that especially made a certain young filly very excited. "But, I know you're up for the challenge. And so am I!" She is around to perform all kind of stunts just to show how pumped she is, but one harsh stare from the other mare, Rainbow Dash composes herself. "Ahem... meet me after school tomorrow at 1500 hours. Sharp." She says like Spitfire would speak when she's up training at the Wonderbolt academy. "And show me your flag carrying skills." Several ponies stared at her confused, but she didn't notice, "I am outta here." again seeing the disapproving stare, Rainbow Dash starting walking out mockingly yet still professionally.
Ms. Harshwhinny rolls her eyes but quickly ignoring that hype bomb, and she turns back to the youngsters. "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!" and with those words, she leaves.
Allowing Cheerilee to resume class.
**After the end of school**
Walking away from school, and incredibly hyped by that speech, Gabby leaps around her four new friends. "That was so AWESOME! Wow, to think ponies are doing such things!" and asks her friends, "Do you think I could be part of the routine even though I'm not a pony?"
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell hesitate, there is one thing in letting none ponies become a Cutie Mark Crusader, but let them be part of a Ponyville routine to represent their town? Before they can voice their uncertainty, Scootaloo speaks up, "Of course you can!" they eyes the very hyped pegasus as she tells them, Sungust and Gabby. "We Cutie Mark Crusaders stick together! So what do you say; shall we win this thing?"
It's so nice to hear that, but, well Logan is seeing a problem "I'm game, but I reckon everyone from class is going to compete." Sweetie Bell nods in agreement
That didn't knock Scootaloo down one bit, and neither should it for her friends. "Listen. Somepony in our class is gonna carry that flag, so it might as well be us!" She explains her friend eagerly of this very possibility and asks all of her friends, "Crusaders, are you in or are you in? 'Cause I'm in!" she rears and starts running.
"Yeah, let's do this friends!" Gabby cheers and follows.
Sweetie Bell exchanges a look with the two others, both having the same face of agreement and they also run after to start on making this routine. All gathered again, Scootaloo brings up the main topic, "Alright, the winning routine needs to show what's important about Ponyville, right?" the four others voices their agreement. "So... what's special about Ponyville?" She wonders out loud, no one answers her and they all stop to ponder. Scootaloo glances to all of her friends… and she got it! "That's it!" She exclaims, making her friends jerk a bit in surprise. Scootaloo puts her hooves around Sungust and Apple Bloom, explaining them all. "It's a place where different kinds of ponies and even other creatures live together as friends!"
"Oh, right!" Apple Bloom gasps at this insight and that leads to the question, "but how do you reckon we make this into a show for our act?"
Gabby flies up in the air, her zeal now up on eleven. "Oh oh, I know how we can do it!" She gestures for them to follow and the four runs after her.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
At the clubhouse, Gabby explains her friends the plan, even making cute small drawings to show them her idea.
'We're the toughest little ponies in town
Got the moves, got the mojo, no harder working ponies around'
The four others exchanges a few words, then nod in approvement, before Sweetie Bell gets up, making a few improvements.
'We are united and we work as a team
We'll be the first ponies out on the flag-waving scene'
They run out with the plan to get started right away.
'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'
They all gather materials for their routine and help each other to create exactly what they have in mind.
Logan did stop and suggested an idea to the four girls and after some pondering, Apple Bloom voiced her agreement, with the others simply nodding.
'We could take a little break, but we don't need it'
Those two started using their family talent of building on this idea Logan came up with.
'We've got hearts as strong as horses
We've got hearts as strong as horses'
Big Mac passes by and asks them, in which the children explain their project.
'We've got hearts as strong as horses
We've got hea-a-a-arts, hearts strong as horses'
And the larger adult pony begins to help them. Much to their joy.
'When we put our minds together, we can achieve'
Finishing it up, Logan and Apple Bloom carry it over to their training area.
'We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and you should believe
We've got determination to represent the nation'
With Gabby and Sweetie Bell holding this new addition to their routine, they turn smiling over to Scootaloo, who is checking her scooter.
'For the win!'
The pegasus jumps onto her scooter and speeds around her beaming friends.
'We've got hearts as strong as horses
We've got hearts as strong as horses'
Logan puts up a diagram for Scootaloo on how she should ride her scooter, the pegasus is making notes of what he's saying.
'We've got hearts as strong as horses
And we're playing to win as we gallop to glory'
With a mouth full of long, colorful fabrics, Apple Bloom runs over to Sweetie Bell and Gabby, both working on them.
'We can conquer any challenge we're in'
They each train hard in their routine, till finally they get it.
"We've got hea-a-a-arts~" the fives friends walk proudly side by side, "hearts strong as horses," they trot towards the setting sun "hearts strong as horses!" and all leap into the air of victory.
It is broken by slow clapping. The group turns around to those who clap mockingly, turning out to be Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The leader of these two bullies gets up and telling them mockingly, "If that's the best you've got, we're going to win for sure."
Even though he's the tallest, Sungust is the timidest too and steps behind, the three frowning fillies and the bit confused griffin. Not that it mattered much as the two bullies started to circle around them.
"We already have the most divine routine planned." Silver Spoon points out and Diamond Tiara declaring smugly. "It's absolutely sure to crush everyone else – and I mean crush." She hits her hoof together for extra effect, which made that weird bird-pony hide further behind the Blank Flanks.
Not one easy to ruin the mood, Gabby tells these to mean ponies (which is a behavior she's pretty used to) "No crushing our awesome routine! You want to know why?" She flies excited into the air and starts singing, "hearts strong as—"
"Sure." Silver Spoon brushes the griffin off and asks this pathetic group of outsiders. "But you know what you don't have?" Along with her partner in crime, points at Sweetie Bell's unmarked flank, "Your cutie marks!" with both crying out mockingly "Blank flanks, blank flanks, blank flanks!"
None of the Cutie Mark Crusaders are amused and really, for Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell, that is getting old. The earth pony of the three asks these two ponies, "What does that have to do with flag carrying?"
Well, Silver Spoon is going to tell them, "Having cutie mark-less ponies, a greedy griffin—" which made Gabby frown and raise a brow, "and whatever he is" nodding to the bird-pony hybrid hiding behind them. "represent Ponyville would be unthinkable."
"And we, of course, already have our cutie marks." Diamond Tiara points at herself proudly. "So we know who's gonna be in the winner's circle."
Okay, it's one thing they bully them at this outside of events, but now they are mocking their new friends! Which by the way are awesome in their own way. Scootaloo decides to take a stand and gets right up in Diamond Tiara's face. "Listen, you two! Cutie marks or no cutie marks, it makes no difference!" she joins her friends, declaring proudly and confidently, "The Crusaders are gonna carry that flag at the Games!" both ponies and other creatures nod in agreement, joining her in standing up to these two bullies. All four hoof/clawbump.
"May the best ponies win!" Silver Spoon says tauntingly, and feeling confidently with friends around, Logan corrects her: "May the best team win." and his friends nods in agreement.
Like a boss, the Cutie Mark Crusaders trots off, utterly ignoring the evil stares their tormenters sends their way.
**The next day. The school grounds.**
Standing before the small scene, Rainbow Dash calls; "Show me what you got, Cutie Mark Crusaders, and make it good!"
Scootaloo replies eagerly and very confidently back. "Don't worry, we will!" She returns to the backstage and Sungust quickly helps her get the blue ribbon-like cloth onto her wings and she jumps onto her spot, glancing down to Gabby, who can barely restrain herself in her excitement.
Taking the stage as the announcer, Logan at first admits to Rainbow Dash. "Now we still need to polish a few things, but this is what we got so far." He signs to Gabby and she starts the music, Logan begins the routine. "Since the dawn of time, countless of different species have been recorded," Gabby grabs the rope and pulls the curtains, revealing the boards Apple Bloom drew, Logan continues the routine they've practiced "But only in one place they coexist in harmony!"
Apple Bloom backs into the stage, waving the green ribbons attached to her front hooves, Sweetie Bell jumps from the other side, her purple ribbon attached to her horn, Gabby then trots proudly into the stage, her red ribbon bound around her neck, waving like a scarf. Scootaloo appears from the cardboard cloud and waves her blue ribbons at the wings. Sungust appears on another cardboard cloud, the only one without ribbons. Instead the one speaking: "And the town where friendship reign is our home." He waves out as if he's standing before a large crowd, "Now, welcome to the stadium, the flag of the place we love best..."
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell prepare the hoop Sungust came up with, and the moment Gabby changes the music into something epic, Scootalook bursts through the hoop on her scooter, riding around in a manner so everyone can see the flag of Ponyville. She then grabs the flag, throws it at Gabby before leaping off as well. Gabby catches the flag, Scootaloo lands before Sungust, who lifts Apple Bloom, Sweetie Bell and finally Gabby lands on top this pyramid, all five declaring in their pose: "Ponyville forever!"
With it done, they break the pyramid and runs over to the mouth agape Rainbow Dash, and Scootaloo admits. "Still a few tweaks needed but that was the gist of what we had in mind. so," she beams up to her idol "what do you think?"
'Only work in progress? These kids are seriously going to win!' Rainbow Dash breaks out of her awestruck stupor. "That was ama—" but stops her excitement, remembering what Ms. Harshwhinny told her to stay calm, cool and collected. So trying to stay those three things, she tells the Cutie Mark Crusaders, "To give a calm, clear analysis—" realizing what they told her right before they started. "Wait. You whipped that act together just after two days?!" but again reminding herself that she needs to act professionally. But she does not know how to voice how awesome that was without going off the rails, Rainbow Dash resolves in telling the eagerly awaiting children, "It was okay. Keep working hard. Who knows? You might have a shot. Gotta go!" and she speeds off before she will throw being collective out of the window.
"Do you all think she liked it?" Apple Bloom asks her friends.
"Wow, I've never been praised by anygriffin like that!" Gabby gasps, her eyes full of joy of what she considers the biggest praise ever.
The three ponies and Sungust give their beaming griffin friend a bit weird look, few of them worried about how Gabby's life was before if she consider that a praise. Shaking off those dark pondering, Sungust admits to the girls. "Well, there is still room for improvement in our routine."
In that case, "You heard Rainbow Dash: If we keep working hard, we might have a shot!" Scootaloo declares and eyeing each of her friends, beaming and confident in having a chance. "So let's keep working! Trot to it, po— uh everyone!" She corrects herself since two of them are not ponies. They all nod and begins to gather their stuff at the stage.
Hiding in some nearby bushes, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are both in shock that those they consider low tier might actually win this whole competition. And that leads to Silver Spoon asking, "How do we stop them? We already called them blank flanks!" and that didn't even work.
Diamond Tiara turns over to watch their now biggest rivals, musing: " Then we need to find a new way to get under their skin." That's when she notices that Scootaloo is unable to fly and having to let that pony-bird hybrid grab the cardboard clouds. An idea comes to mind, "Or maybe... get under their wings." Diamond Tiara smirks deviously. With that in mind, the two walk over to the outsider group, all innocent smiles and praises. "Girls, we just wanted to say your act is quite impressive!"
It made the group turn around, confused that their bullies are… praising them? "Um… thanks?" Apple Bloom replies unsure of what is going on. Gabby recovers quickly, and flying enthusiastic over to the two ponies. "May the best group win, right?" She then flies up onto the cardboard cloud Sungust tried to get down. "Oh, I can't wait to show everyone our routine!" Her eyes wide at the sound of cracking and in last second takes flight, right as the cardboard cloud drops. She stares somewhat surprised down, not seeing the deadpan look Sungust gives her.
The two fillies ignore the excited griffin, walking towards the pegasus with; "Oh, but of course. As a matter of fact," they stop before her. "we think you're very brave."
"Brave? Why?" Scootaloo asks, sensing this is about her.
"Isn't it obvious? It is for us." Diamond Tiara says and with a quick hoofbump with her friend, continues. "In fact, it's obvious to everypony. You're showing all several types of creatures living in Ponyville, yet you have a pegasus pony..." they turn around and point at Scootaloo, crying out at the same time: "...Who can't even fly!"
Scootaloo glances down to her wings, reminded about her disability to actually get off the ground.
Embolded by his time here and fed up by those two ponies, "Will you two knock it off already?" Logan lands beside the pegasus of this group, staring annoyed at their bullies, who has gone a new way of low. "Our show has nothing to do with Scootaloo's flying."
Apple Bloom nods in agreement, "Yeah, what Sungust said. You're just afraid we're going to win!" The two other girls nod in agreement.
That is why they went for the grounded pegasus, but neither would say that. Instead, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara continue to jag at the pegasus's anxiety. "We said you have a chance, but being able to fly might screw it up. Wouldn't it?" She asks her friend, who nods and tells the group: "I mean, a pegasus at your age? You should've been flying long ago."
It hurts. It hurts a lot been reminded that even at her age, Scootaloo is grounded even though her wings are like any other pegasus fillies. But her natural spicy nature kicks in, and the young pegasus demands angry yet still painfully self-conscious of her own disability. "So what if my wings can't get me off the ground?"
"Your career as a flag carrier isn't getting off the ground either." Diamond Tiara smugly retorts back.
Silver Spoon walks back over to the pegasus and tapping the wings, tells Scootaloo in a condescending tone. "Ms. Harshwhinny will never pick a pegasus pony who can't fly to represent Ponyville in front of all of Equestria." and just to make sure they will stay down, Diamond Tiara turns to the two none ponies: "In fact, letting two none ponies represent us is kinda a disgrace, don't you think?"
"Wait a minute, that does not sound right…?" Gabby titles her head in confusion about what those two are saying.
Sweetie Bell steps over, now angry. "Ms. Harshwhinny never said anything about that!" She argues, not about flying and not about who can represent Ponyville!
"I would've thought that was obvious." Silver Spoon throws back, they leave with Diamond Tiara calling after them. "Well, have fun practicing anyway, even if your routine will never—how shall I say—take off!"
"Don't listen to them, Scootaloo." Sweetie Bell tells her friend, but when turning to her, she notices the pegasus is watching Rainbow Dash training two flying pegasi. "Scootaloo? You okay?"
What if Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are right? What if she needs to fly so to represent the pegasi kind fully? Scootaloo watches two of their classmates, flying around with ease. She flaps her own wings, and knows she has to do her best to be a true pegasus. "This routine isn't working how it is. We've gotta rethink my part in the whole thing." The four others voices their confusion, Scootaloo walks over to them, explaining; "If we wanna win, I'm gonna have to fly!" she then turns to Sungust. "Alright, here is what the new routine will be—"
A claw on her shoulder stops the clearly affected pegasus and Sungust tells her softly. "Scootaloo, you shouldn't listen to them… pe— I mean ponies like that," He turns to where those two left, memories of other children that have bullied him springs to mind. "They will do anything to get you. Trust me… I know."
Scootaloo drops her head, reminded at how those two went after Sungust because he was different, but this isn't the same! They might not know the name of his species, but Sungust and his father, Engineer represent their kind perfectly. She does not! "It has nothing to do with them." Scootaloo stubbornly argues and after have removed his talons, she declares. "But we're going to have any chance, then I gotta fly!" She didn't see the in disbelief look the other give her. Scootaloo walks over to an emthier spot and begins to flap her wings rapidly, explaining them, "if I work twice as hard, then—" her wings gives in and she hits the floor. "three times as hard then."
Moving over to the two other ponies, Logan speaks in a low voice so Scootaloo won't hear. "I didn't learn how to fly in matter of two days…" in fact, he still is very uncertain about this new ability of his.
Turning away from the pegasus that is frantic trying to fly, Sweetie Bell asks; "Are we going to change our routine for… uhm, Scootaloo's plan?"
A 'thud' followed by, "I'll just work four times as hard!" from the pegasus and Apple Bloom muses: "I sure hope not…" but didn't sound so sure.
**Late evening**
"Guys, guys, guys! Try it again!" Scootaloo calls, unaware she has pretty taken control over the whole reversal.
After a yawn, Apple Bloom points out, "But we've been rehearsing all the livelong day! We're getting tired!" proving by pointing to Sungust, who stands more asleep, close to dose off at any moment.
The only male of the group does snaps awake at Scootaloo's loud and huffy: "Fine! We'll skip to my big impressive flying entrance." Apple Bloom frowns not at all amused, while Sweetie Bell and Gabby have a gleam in their eyes; very unsure about this whole thing. Not that the young pegasus noticed, she tells the two other ponies to put up the hoop and with; "So after you have done your part I come in—" she jumps over to the hoop, flapping her wings but instead of flying through, Scootaloo instead lands right inside the hoop. Not quite what she had in mind, and back on her hooves. "We'll just..." Scootaloo sighs, "try that part again."
Getting tired of this, Apple Bloom remarks in a hushed tone to the unicorn beside her. "I liked the routine the way it was."
Sweetie Bell nods, turning when Gabby says, also hushed. "Our routine was about all five of us, now it's only about her…"
"There you are." The Cutie Mark Crusaders look behind and see Sungust's father is approaching the scene. He smiles to them, "Have to cut your rehearsal short, it's getting late and I know only through some good rest you can properly refine your little show." He turns halfway around. "Time to go, son."
Logan is sorta glad for this small rescue, but also worried about tomorrow thanks to Scootaloo being obsessed that she should be flying. "So… see you tomorrow?" He says to his friends, although it sounds more like a question, before trotting after his father.
Sungust's father did have a good point. "We should get some rest too." Apple Bloom suggests, turning over to Scootaloo that says: "Don't worry, I'll be flying high tomorrow on our final run-through for Rainbow Dash. I'm gonna get this, you'll see." But the young earth pony highly doubts it.
**Tomorrow**
As feared, the routine Scootaloo wanted them to make utterly bummed, not only was she unable to fly as she wanted but made the four others dislike the routine.
Rainbow Dash was of course unaware of the issues going on with this group, all she could see that this new routine was a disaster and really wanted to tell them her usual way that she liked their former routine better, but still wanting to act professionally, she instead only suggested, before leaving by reminding these children: "I just thought... maybe possibly you might wanna go back to, say, the first version of the act, which was, I dunno, what's the word, better? Just do the routine as it was! Don't mess with success, right? Seriously." and with those words, went to coach other fillies.
Scootaloo is confused, but mostly horrified. "What are we gonna do?! We're competing tomorrow, and I still can't fly! Unless—"
At the end of her rope, which is saying a lot! Gabby groans loudly and flies over to this pegasus, "No offense Scoot, but your idea of this routine… I hate it!" She cries out loud, and landing on the floor, the young griffin speaks pretty much for everyone. "I want to go back at how it was before– it was about us, now it is all about you flying."
"Gabby is right." Sweetie Bell says, "It's like you don't even need us anymore…"
For a moment, they thought they got through to their pegasus friend, "Of course I need you!" but that only lasted for a second. "Without you, who's gonna hold up the hoop?"
Loudly, Apple Bloom groans out her frustrations and stomps off. "You don't listen to yourself! Forget it. Practice your flying if you like, but I need a breather from this stupid routine!"
Hurt and yet still not seeing the main issue, Scootaloo asks the three others. "So? Are you gonna leave me too?"
Gabby is the first to speak, "I'll join you again when you stop acting… well like a griffin." she points out and flies off.
Watching their griffin friend fly off for a moment, Sweetie Bell turns her gaze back to Scootaloo. "I'm sorry, but we're all tired. Gotta needs some rest before going to the Crystal Empire early tomorrow." She and Sungust quietly leave, feeling bad to do so, but like their bit more headstrong friends, seriously need a time-out from Scootaloo's ego routine.
Scootaloo is hurt, but more determent to prove she can fly and make the routine perfect. For hours upon hours, she tries to fly but all that ever got her is a few centimeters off the ground and for only a short while.
at sundown, she has lost all sorts of confidence in herself. "I can't fly. I just... can't." She has finally fathomed this harsh truth and Scootaloo starts sobbing in utter defeat.
Early the next morning, the four Cutie Mark Crusaders are back at the stage, packing the gear for the routine, though not really looking forward to it. Their attention is drawn when Scootaloo walks onto the stage.
"Oh, there you are." Apple Bloom replies coldly, still frustrated that this pegasus pretty much has ruined the routine, but nothing they can do about it now. "Will you help us pack the last stuff or do you want to practice more flying?"
Scootaloo drops her head, utterly in defeat and now seeing that their routine is a major burst, so why try? "I… I'm not going."
Silence, broken by Sungust, Sweetie Bell, Gabby and Apple Bloom's united: "WHAT?!"
"I'm the weak link." Scootaloo explains, "If I go, and fall, flop, or do anything but fly, I'm gonna blow it for you guys." She nods over to the two that is able to fly. "Sungust and Gabby can take my place."
"But none of us can represent the pegasi living here in—" Logan tries to reason with her, but is interrupted by Apple Bloom's angry voice: "So you're just quitting on us? After all the hassle you have put us through?"
In which Scootaloo retorts; "You're better off without me!"
"But that's not true, Scootaloo!" Sweetie Bell argues.
But for a certain earth pony, this is the last straw. "You know what? Forget it. If she's gonna quit, we don't want her, and we don't need her!"
Now hurt but mostly angry, "fine!" Scootaloo snaps and runs off.
With her gone, the remaining Cutie Mark Crusaders exchanges a look with one another, painfully aware that without Scootaloo… there won't be any routine.
They still pack their gear and heads to the train station. Going there, Apple Bloom suggests to Sungust. "Maybe you could jump through the hoop and do the flag thing?"
"Maybe…" Logan muses, not feeling sure in doing such a thing without any rehearsal and least before a huge crowd…
Spotting four of them and no longer able to keep it in, Rainbow Dash swoops over, asking the Cutie Mark Crusaders excitingly, "How's my favorite routine going today? Oh, I just can't keep it in! I want you to win so bad!" She hums out a drumming melody, and doing all kind of stunts just to show her excitement, "– and then Scootaloo does that–" She whistles while looping a single time. "through the hoop!"
Staring up to the excited adult, Apple Bloom realizes that whatever they manage to come up with… will never be as perfect as their first routine. She sighs and admits to Rainbow Dash. "Well, there ain't gonna be a Scootaloo."
Followed by Sweetie Bell explaining, "She's staying home."
"She's what?!" Rainbow Dash asks shocked to hear that her favorite team won't be competing at all, "Why?"
"She thought that the only way to represent Ponyville was by flying in our routine." Logan explains, greatly discouraged he drops his head. "Earlier this morning, she told us she was quitting."
"And then you tried to stop her from doing that, right?" Rainbow Dash asks, the look of the youngsters is enough. "Hang on. Are you nuts?!" She exclaims after a brief facepalm, quickly back to remind these children. "You're a team, and a team never leaves a friend behind!" They lower their head, only looking up by the train's whistle. "No time to lose!" Rainbow Dash tells them and speeds over to the young pegasus' house.
The four look at one another, then with the same look of agreement, they abandon the about to leave train and hurries over to their friend, though greatly annoyed by Diamond Tiara's condescending: "Sorry you can't make it! We'll take a picture for you from the winner's circle!"
"I am really inclined to sic Pyro's dogs at them." Logan remarks as they run. The three girls nod in agreement with that future plan.
They reach Scootaloo's house. Here they find a very heartbroken pegasus, so much so that she had thrown her beloved scooter into the trash. Rainbow Dash voiced her disbelief in that, before revealing that she didn't come alone. The two ponies and none-ponies gave Scootaloo an awkward smile, as their past fight still lingers in everyone's mind.
"I don't wanna see them." Scootaloo says, nose up in the air, and stubbornly pretends she is still mad but is confused as to why they are here. "And what are they doing here, anyway? They're supposed to be on the train."
Thanks to Rainbow Dash's reminder, "We're not going." Apple Bloom declares, stepping towards their understandable bitter friend.
"Not without you, Scootaloo." Sweetie Bell adds, nodding in what Sungust says: "There won't be a routine without you."
Rainbow Dash decides to gently nudge the answer out from this little pony and it works, Scootaloo opens up to what has been bothering her. "I didn't want to ruin their chance to win just because I couldn't fly." And that leads to Rainbow Dash asking: "And who said you had to?"
Scootaloo turns to her idol. Surely she must see the issue here. "But flying's what Pegasus ponies are supposed to do! You flew when you carried the flag in the games!"
"But that was me! You're you!" Rainbow Dash tells Scootaloo, she never wanted this filly to be exactly like her. "And it just doesn't matter if you can fly or not. Your routine was amazing because it represented exactly what makes Ponyville special. You do still know what that is, right?" She flies back when her partner's 'assistance' jumps over with a cheerful: "Friendship!"
The three others walk over and Apple Bloom reminding their friend to the root of their routine in the first place. "Ponies and other creatures living together as friends." She points at all of the members of their club. "Just like us."
That did cheer her up, but only for a moment as the stark uncertainty about her inability to fly, "But Rainbow Dash..." Scootaloo looks up to her biggest idol, one she for so long wanted to be like. "What if... what if I never fly?" and Rainbow Dash lands before her, saying: "Listen, Scootaloo. Maybe you'll fly someday, or maybe you won't. You're all kinds of awesome anyway." Scootaloo smiles at this.
Sweetie Bell walks over in a sing-song voice, "Got the moves, got the mojo..."
Apple Bloom joins, "No harder working pony around."
"We are united and we work as a team."
Everyone, Scootaloo included sings their little song:
"We'll be the first ponies out on the flag-waving scene." and that did it, Scootaloo is back at the game. "Let's get to the Crystal Empire and let's do the routine as it was! And let's win this thing!" She grabs her scooter, a rope and some skies. With the quick help of Sungust, they are out!
"We've got hearts as strong as horses"
Scootaloo speeds away on her scooter, dragging Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell behind on their skies.
"We've got hearts as strong as horses"
Sungust and Gabby are flying right behind them
"We've got hearts as strong as horses"
The pegasus spots a ramp in form of a plank going onto the roof, she smirks and goes for it.
"And we're playing to win as we gallop to glory"
The ponies sours through the air, with their two none-pony friends
"We can conquer any challenge we're in"
Skipping of doing the exact same near the train, this time Sungust and Gabby catching them.
"We've got hea-a-a-arts, hearts strong as horses"
They get inside the train, standing proudly together.
"Hearts strong as horses"
At the Crystal Empire, they do the same sort of teamwork, ending in their pyramid with victories: "Ponyville forever! Yay!" The crowd goes wild, along with their families. Even the giant dragon in the background looks impressed by their show.
Much to their zeal and pride, Ms. Harshwhinny announced that they won and got the honor in carrying the flag representing Ponyville to the Equestria Games. They all whooped and cheered and this news.
Scootaloo does stop and asks her friends, "You know what this means, right?" to then tell them cheerfully, "We are totally gonna get cutie marks in flag-carrying!"
"Uh uh! I would like such a mark!" Gabby replies over the moon, the three others laugh and although no cutie mark did appear on either's flank, none really minded.
sure hope I won't deal with people who died from the cuteness... noticed Gabby is a killer when it comes to that.
