Chapter 4: On Your Marks
Early one morning, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had assembled at their clubhouse.
"Hear ye, hear ye!" said Apple Bloom, "The first post-cutie mark meetin' of the Cutie Mark Crusaders is now in session!" Apple Bloom smiled excitedly, but it soon disappeared when she noticed that nopony was listening.
She saw that Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were just staring at their new cutie marks, leaving the yellow filly most annoyed. She quickly cleared her throat to get their attention.
"Oh! I'm sorry, Apple Bloom," said Sweetie Belle as Scootaloo kept staring at her cutie mark and turning about continuously, "I was distracted by the radiance of my cutie mark..." Sweetie Belle then gazed at her flank, "Did you say something?"
"I mean..." Scootaloo added as she walked up to the podium, "it's pretty amazing how the colors just pop off your flank. It's kinda hard to look aw-"
THUMP!
Scootaloo was so busy staring at her flank that she walked head first into the side of the podium. She just smiled apologetically to Apple Bloom.
"Look, I know our cutie marks are amazing," said Apple Bloom as she stepped down from the podium, "but is that all we're gonna do now? Just spend our days starin' down at our own flanks?"
"I guess not," Sweetie Belle sighed sadly but kept staring at her own flank.
"Yeah, I supposed that could get real boring..." said Scootaloo in a still dazed tone as she kept staring at her own flank and circling around.
"Yeah..." said Apple Bloom wistfully as she started to stare at her own flank, but then blinked and shook her head to snap out of it.
"This is ridiculous!" Apple Bloom retorted, "We need to go out and do something!"
"Wow, you're right," said Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah, we need to do try new stuff like we used to!" Scootaloo added.
"Exactly," said Apple in agreement.
"Like square dancing!" said Sweetie Belle as she appeared wearing a glittery cowgirl shirt, miniskirt, and brown boots. Some background square dance music was heard as she did a few steps, and then posed and winked.
"Or mountain climbing!" Scootaloo suggested as she was now wearing lederhosen and did a stock yodel.
"Or square dancin' on the mountain we just climbed!" said Apple Bloom, wearing a mish-mash of both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo's outfits, danced to some square dance music and did the stock yodel as well. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stood beside her.
"Yeah," the three fillies said in agreement.
"And the more things we try, the more chances we'll have to finally gettin' our cutie marks," said Apple Bloom, "Come on!"
Apple Bloom then headed to the front door as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo gave her a funny look and then looked at each other.
"Um...Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle called just as Apple Bloom was opening the door.
Sweetie Belle lifted her miniskirt while Scootaloo pulled down the side of her pants, which might have been considered inappropriate if one didn't remember that ponies usually don't wear clothes. They were basically reminding Apple Bloom that they already had their cutie marks. Apple Boom then lifted her own miniskirt to see her cutie mark before she blushed and smiled back sheepishly.
*Main theme*
It wasn't long before the three fillies had removed their outfits when they heard a knock on the door. Sweetie Belle opened the door to find a certain alicorn filly standing outside.
"Hi, Nyx." Sweetie Belle said. "What brings you here today?"
"I wanna hang out with you guys," Nyx replied simply, "Hope you don't mind."
"Not one bit." said Apple Bloom, "We're still deciding on what to do for the day. Make yourself at home."
"Thanks," said Nyx as she walked inside, Sweetie Belle used her magic to shut the door, and Nyx just took a quiet seat behind them.
"Wow...Did we really only ever do things just to get our cutie marks?" Apple Bloom asked as they started at a posted filled with activities that had red X's out of them.
"I don't know," said Sweetie Belle before Nyx was about to answer, "Maybe?"
"Aw, come on!" said Scootaloo, "we did lots of stuff that didn't have anything to do with getting our cutie marks."
"Like going out in play dates with Chase," Sweetie Belle said as Scootaloo smiled in agreement.
"Guys, come on, you all know Daddy is older to date with either one of you." Nyx said with a smirk, making Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo glare at her.
"I guess our point is that we must have done stuff other than trying to get our cutie marks," said Scootaloo.
"Of course we did!" said Sweetie Belle.
"Absolutely!" said Apple Bloom.
It was then some montage music was played as scenes of the past showed Apple Bloom failing at trying to ride hang glider, trying to repair Fluttershy's broken table, and even doing some deep lake swimming.
"Who's bright idea was it for us to keep trying all those ridiculous things to get our cutie marks?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Rainbow," said Nyx simply.
"And may I ask, why you never tried to stop us?" Sweetie Belle asked indignantly.
"Oh I did," said Nyx, "one time over, but even after Daddy told me you guys went against your natural abilities at that talent show, Apple Bloom's impatience led to those cutie pox..."
"Oh, you had to bring that up!" Apple Bloom retorted indignantly.
"Sorry, but he told me about all those other stories." Nyx said with an innocent smirk as her friends glared at her.
"Hey, that's not what I was trying to do," said Nyx firmly, "My point is that you three were so determined to get your cutie marks no matter what means necessary. It didn't help that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were constantly poking fun at you for not having your cutie marks. Even they both admit they just pushed you guys to keep trying to get them your way than earning them the right way."
"She's right you know," said Scootaloo, "cutie marks never used to be such a big deal unless those two were poking fun at us."
"I'm just glad we finally made peace with them," said Apple Bloom, "and it didn't take us getting our cutie marks for them to accept us either. Just showing them that we can be friends instead of enemies." Scootaloo nodded in agreement.
"Huh," said Sweetie Belle, "So now that we don't have to do stuff to get our cutie marks, what is it that the Cutie Mark Crusaders actually do?"
The three pondered.
"Well, what did you get your cutie marks for?" Nyx replied. Apple Bloom then smiled.
"I know what we should do," Apple Bloom said excitedly, "We do exactly what we got our cutie marks in!"
"Helping other ponies!" said the three fillies at once.
"Ponies without cutie marks!" said Scootaloo.
"Or ponies who've forgotten their special purpose!" said Sweetie Belle.
"Exactly!" said Apple Boom as she appeared between them and held each filly with a fore-leg, "We just have to find ponies who need our help! Come on!"
Apple Bloom headed out of the clubhouse as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle followed right behind the yellow filly. But before they did leave, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle did grab one of Nyx's fore-legs so she could come along with them.
(Scene changes)
The first pony that Apple Bloom had thought of to ask for help was Big Mac, who was busy loading up a wagon that was filled with lots of freshly picked apples.
"Are you sure you feel content?" Sweetie Belle asked as she poked out from the wagon filled with apples. She had also gotten an apple stuck on the tip of her horn.
"Eeyup," said Big Mac.
"Not even a tinge of dissatisfaction?" Scootaloo asked as she somehow appeared on Big Mac's head. Big Mac then went to hook himself to the harness of the wagon.
"Nnnope," said Big Mac as he started pulling to the wagon forward and making Scootaloo get off his head.
Scootaloo tried to hover back to the ground, but then fell like a rock to the ground. Or at least she could have if Nyx hadn't used her magic to grab Scotaloo so she landed softly on the ground. Scootaloo smiled to say thank you. Then the three fillies got in front of Big Mac and stared walking backwards to follow him. Nyx was just watching the scene unfold from the side of the red stallion.
"Not even the slightest naggin' sensation that you don't really know what your purpose is in life or why you have a big apple as a cutie mark?" Apple Bloom asked.
Suddenly Apple Bloom tripped and fell backward. Big Mac gasped as the former put on the brakes to avoid stepping on the yellow filly, who cringed and braced for the worst. While Big Mac had managed to stop, he had stopped a little too quickly, which caused all the apples in the wagon to fall on top of him, burying the red stallion.
It wasn't long before Big Mac poked out from the pile of apples and glared at them as he spat out an apple from his mouth.
"Nnnope," said Big Mac annoyingly at the three fillies.
The three fillies were left disappointed as Big Mac kept glaring at them as they walked sadly away. Nyx felt concerned about this.
"Hmmm." Nyx hummed thoughtfully with worry.
(Scene changes)
Next, Apple Bloom was standing before somepony inside a room while Nyx just sat blankly in the background as the alicorn filly leaned against a wall.
"The important thing to remember is that there is no rush," said Apple Bloom.
"The three of us tried for the longest time," Scootaloo added as she leaned in from the yellow filly's right, "but it just comes when it comes!"
"And it's totally normal to feel confused and maybe even a little lost," said Sweetie Belle as she appeared between Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, "But being a blank flank is nothing to be ashamed of."
"And don't let mean ponies or bullies tell you otherwise," said Nyx from the background.
"Oh yes!" said Apple Bloom.
"Indeed," said Sweetie Belle.
"She's right," said Scootaloo, "there will always be ponies who will try to put you down for not having a cutie mark, but don't let them! Just cause they got their cutie marks before you doesn't make them better than anypony else."
"Uh-huh," said Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle in agreement.
"So if you're havin' even the slightest problem..." Scootaloo began.
"...or concerns or questions..." Sweetie Belle added.
"...we want you to know that we are here to help," Apple Bloom finished.
"I...don't think they're too worried about it yet," said Mrs. Cake from the doorway, making the three fillies blink.
They had been doing their little speech to both Pound and Pumpkin, who were just babbling to themselves. They couldn't tell if they had been listening or not, not even Nyx.
(Scene changes)
As some montage music began to play, a doctor was measuring the heartbeat of an elderly stallion. The doctor then turned to see the three fillies just watching him and smiling at they sat on the floor. Nyx was just sitting on the back wall, looking at a magazine. The doctor then showed the three fillies his cutie mark, leaving them disappointed.
At town hall, several ponies were gathered around Mayor Mare as they presented scroll after scroll for her to sign. It was then the three fillies burst through the door with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo ready for action as Nyx watched from behind. Mayor Mare looked at them and then showed them her cutie mark. The three fillies frowned, and they, along with Nyx, backed up nervously to leave and closed the door.
The four ponies were walking down the streets of Ponyville when Filthy Rich walked past with a sack of bits. It didn't take long before the three fillies remembered that he had his cutie mark, looked disappointed, and walked away. The group later saw a pony chewing bubble gum and blowing bubbles. The pony also had a bubble gum dispenser on their flank. The three fillies then saw a pony with a very curly mustache and had a cutie mark to show he was a barber, leaving the three fillies disappointed once more as Nyx felt more concerned for them than before.
(Scene changes)
Eventually, the four fillies were now sitting together at the school playground. Sweetie Belle was sitting upright on one swing while Apple Bloom sat on the other seat on her stomach staring at the ground. Scootaloo was just sitting next to the swing set. Nyx on the other hoof was practicing her jiu jitsu skills.
"This is gonna be a lot harder than I thought," said Apple Bloom.
"Who knew there were so few ponies worried about their cutie marks?" said Sweetie Belle.
"You shouldn't try to make it a problem, guys." Nyx suggested while practicing her katas. "My adoptive mother learned that the hard way."
The three fillies hummed in agreement.
"Kinda makes you wonder why we made such a big deal out of it for so long," said Scootaloo.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Nyx all shot the orange filly a glare.
"What?" Scootaloo asked cluelessly. Neither of the other three ponies bothered to answer her.
"The point is," said Apple Bloom as she jumped off the swing, "helpin' other ponies with cutie mark problems is what makes us special."
"But if we can't find anypony with a problem..." said Scootaloo.
"...maybe we're not special," said Sweetie Belle.
"Oh come on, guys." Nyx said as she stopped her practice and went back on all fours. "You three are special. It's just one of those slow days where finding ponies to help out are far and few. Those days happen to Daddy all the time."
"Oh really?" said Apple Bloom skeptically, "When was the last time you had a slow day in being useful?"
"Since the day Zhao took my previous family away." Nyx said bluntly, making Apple Bloom cringed and chuckled nervously before she recomposed herself as she gave the alicorn filly a smile.
"Well, we're more than happy to keep you company and cheer ya up, Nyx," said Apple Bloom, "I just wish we could have showed you how useful we can be."
"YEAH!" shouted a voice from a short distance away. The four ponies looked to see Bulk Biceps sitting in one of the playgrounds springy seats, which was tilted into the dirt since he was way too big...and how he managed to fit in the seat was the bigger question. Regardless, the four ponies walked up to him.
"I know exactly what you mean," said Bulk, "You can't find a cutie mark problem. I have a cutie mark problem. It's so confusing, and I feel like the solution is staring me right in the muzzle."
Nyx was about to roll her eyes at Bulk's clueless nature, but held back since the three fillies smiled excitedly and were eager to help the muscular Pegasus out.
(Scene changes)
By some great miraculous effort, the three fillies had somehow gotten the muscular Pegasus inside the clubhouse without Nyx having to teleport him inside. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were smashed against opposite walls of the clubhouse. Scootaloo and Nyx were nowhere to be seen at the moment.
"I see why you guys hang out here!" said Bulk, "It's cozy!"
"The Crusader Clubhouse is a safe place, Mr...um...Bulk," said Scootaloo as she strained to get seen from behind the muscular Pegasus.
"Where you can open up without fear of judgment," said Nyx in a strained tone, who was now trying to peek from the opposite side of Scootaloo.
"A place where we faced all kinds of cutie mark problems!" Apple Bloom added.
"A place where we'll go on to solve even more!" said Sweetie Belle, "Starin' with yours!"
"No matter how long it takes!" said Scootaloo as she managed to squeeze out from behind Bulk and got between Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. Nyx managed to squeeze out from behind Bulk as well, but crashed into the fore-ground.
"Or how hard it is!" Sweetie Belle added.
"We'll solve it because that's what we do!" Apple Bloom said firmly.
"Yeah!" the four fillies shouted and then strained as they tried to reach each other for a high-hoof, but couldn't make it.
"YEAH!" Bulk shouted in agreement.
"So...what's your cutie mark problem?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Oh, right," said Bulk, "Uh, well, my cutie mark is a dumbbell, but I've lifted every dumbbell in Ponyville!"
"Have you tried lifting other things?" Scootaloo suggested nervously.
"You mean, not dumbbells?" Bulk replied.
"Yeah!" said Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah!" said Apple Bloom.
"YEAH!" Bulk shouted again and stamped a fore-hoof, but then the floor gave way and he crashed into the ground below. Nyx recovered from his earlier crash and peeked down as the Pegasus from the hole.
"Ooh! I mean...no," said Bulk as he poked his head from the hole he had created. I hadn't thought of that. You guys are awesome!"
The four winced at his shouting before Bulk headed off. But then he smashed another hole in the floor as he reappeared where Nyx had been sitting, which made her hover in the air with an annoyed look.
"But...what happens when I run out of other stuff?" Bulk asked worriedly.
"...I guess you could teach other ponies to lift things?" Sweetie Belle suggested.
"Yeah!" said Apple Bloom.
"Yeah!" said Scootaloo as Nyx hovered over next to her.
"YEAH!" Bulk shouted again, "Wow, you three really have a knack for this!" He then disappeared for real this time. Nyx quickly hovered over the holes to make sure of it.
"Guess I'll go get some wood to fix the floors," said Nyx in a rather annoyed tone, "I'll be back soon!"
"Thanks, Nyx," said Apple Bloom as Nyx flew out of the hole.
"That was easy!" said Sweetie Belle.
"Maybe too easy," said Apple Bloom in a rather blunt tone.
"What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked, slightly puzzled.
"Well, it's lookin' like cutie mark problems are few and far between," Apple Bloom pointed out as she walked over to Sweetie Belle.
"And...?" Sweetie Belle asked, not seeing the yellow filly's point.
"And what if we never find another one?" Apple Bloom asked as she looked at Scootaloo and was starting to panic.
"Well..." Scootaloo tried to reply.
"And even if we do," Apple Bloom continued, cutting Scootaloo off, "we could solve it so quick, it'll be like it never happened in the first place!"
"So...?" Sweetie Belle asked, still not seeing the filly's point.
"So...then the Cutie Mark Crusaders don't have any reason to exist!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both had sad looks on their faces and poor Apple Bloom look like she was about to have a panic attack.
(Scene changes)
It was a few minutes later when Nyx arrived with the extra planks of wood. Once she had managed to get Apple Bloom to calm down, they got to work fixing the floor. Once they had finished, Apple Bloom told Nyx what had gotten her so nervous. Nyx suggested they made a Venn diagram to help them deal with their issue.
"The problem boils down to this," said Sweetie Belle as she held a pointer to the Venn diagram with her magic, "we don't need to go out and do things anymore to get our cutie marks."
"Right!" said Apple Bloom, "and-"
"Ponies with cutie mark problems are hard to find," Scootaloo interrupted as she jumped into Apple Bloom's back. The yellow filly glared at her, but Scootaloo didn't take notice.
"Exactly," said Apple Bloom as Scootaloo hopped off her back, "But even when we find problems, we're so good at solvin' them that most of the time there's nothin' for the Cutie Mark Crusaders to do. So..." Apple Bloom then zipped over to the podium and unfurled a map on the wall behind them.
"I thought we should start figurin' out ways to search all of Equestria for cutie mark problems!" Apple Bloom told them.
"Whoa! Hold on there, Apple Bloom," said Nyx, "I don't think I can convince Applejack or Granny Smith to let you three girls travel across Equestria alone. I'm not even sure Mom and Dad would want me to do that too."
"You could come with us," Apple Bloom proposed, "you are the cool alicorn filly after all."
"I don't know, Apple Bloom," said Nyx with much uncertainty in her tone.
"That kinda seems like a lot," Scootaloo pointed out, "Plus Nyx is the future Princess of Friendship now and Twilight wouldn't want you to help us spread the magic of friendship since your still a kid."
"I don't think Rarity would let me travel to the far reaches of Equestria looking for cutie mark problems," added Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah, I'm sure we'll come across them in Ponyville," said Scootaloo, "And when we do, we'll totally solve them because we are so awesome at it!"
"Technically, I'm an alicorn master in training. Helping to spread friendship around the world is one thing, but mastering jiu jitsu is a whole new level for me when I was with my biological parents before they were taken by the Quinkan." Nyx corrected, making the other three fillies realize that before they smiled apologetically to the alicorn filly. Nyx then thought of what Scootaloo said before. "But when you put it that way to say were awesome, that is true."
"Hoof!" said Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Nyx together as they shared a high-hoof with each other.
"But...what do we do until then?" Apple Bloom asked from the podium.
"Maybe whatever we want?" Sweetie Belle suggested as Nyx nodded in agreement.
"What do you mean?" Apple Bloom asked curiously.
"Well, we used to only do stuff to get our cutie marks or fulfill our destiny," said Sweetie Belle, "but now we don't have to."
"So...we can do things just for fun?" said Apple Bloom before she smiled excitedly. "Are you girls thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"
"Sure am!" said Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle together.
"Makin' potions!" shouted Apple Bloom.
"Scootering!" shouted Scootaloo.
"Singing!" shouted Sweetie Belle.
The three ponies made stunned faces as they landed since they were gonna high-hoof each other until they realized they all had different ideas about having fun.
Nyx sighed, knowing this was going to be all day for her.
(scene changes)
Soon, Scootaloo had set up a very narrow and twisty racetrack that even had a loop-de-loop and then a ramp jump at the end. The three fillies had their own scooters and helmets as Scootaloo approached the start of the course. Nyx was just watching them from the side.
"Just remember - stomp, kick, and roll!" said Scootaloo to the rest of the group as she gestured the movements with a hind leg, "After this, you two are gonna love scootering as much as me!"
"If you say so," said Apple Bloom, feeling just as intimidated as she put her helmet on. Sweetie Belle used her magic to do the same.
"Ready?" Scootaloo asked but didn't wait for an answer, "Stomp, kick, and roll!" Scootaloo then stomped the ground, kicked to get herself moving and jumped as she launched herself down the ramp.
"Whooo!" Scootaloo cheered excitedly as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle watched fearfully as the orange Pegasus raced forward. Scootaloo made going through the track look easy as she effortlessly took each turn at high speed. As she went through the loop-de-loop, jumped into the air as her scooter went through the loop and then landed back on it. She then launched off the ramp, did a super pony pose, and landed safely inside the second story of the barn and skidded to a stop.
"Ta-da!" said Scootaloo proudly.
"Nice job, Scootaloo!" Nyx called with an impressed smile before she turned to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. "Okay, "who's ready to give it a try?"
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle just looked stunned as the former fell off her scooter into some bushes and Sweetie Belle just rolled backwards and fell off soon afterward.
"I don't think I did it right," said Apple Bloom, now covered in grass and laughing nervously. Scootaloo was most indignant, knowing neither filly didn't even try.
(Scene changes)
At the Carousel Boutique, Sweetie Belle was standing before one music stand while Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stood on the other. Nyx was just watching. Sweetie Belle then held a pitch pipe with her magic and blew into it.
"Do...Mi...So..." Sweetie Belle sang.
"It's just a simple harmony," Nyx told Scootaloo and Apple Bloom as she gave them a sheet of music.
The two fillies winced when they saw a very difficult music composition. Even Nyx was rather baffled. She knew Sweetie Belle loved music and writing lyrics, but she had no idea she could read music this complex.
"Simple harmony, huh?" Scootaloo remarked.
Sweetie Belle used her magic to pick up a baton and tapped the top of her music stand.
"And a-one, and a-two, and a-one two three!" said Sweetie Belle.
"Do..." Sweetie Belle sang on key.
"So...!" Apple Bloom sang, slightly off key but was fixable.
"MI!" Scootaloo sang completely off key and so loudly that the other three ponies cringed.
"Wow, that was simple," said Scootaloo as Nyx and Apple Bloom gave her the stink eye. Sweetie Belle was so angry that Scootaloo didn't even try to be on key that she snapped her baton in two.
(Scene changes)
Once Sweetie Belle had calmed down and Nyx had repaired her broken baton, the four ponies headed to Zecora's house. Now it was time to try some potion making and Apple Bloom was trying to show Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo what to do.
"It's just a dash, and a drop, and a drip!" said Apple Bloom as she put a drop of some yellow and blue mixes into a bowl as Zecora was busy working in the background. It was then a single plant sprouted an produced a single apple.
"I see you've improved on your apple growing potion," said Nyx, "Mom will be very impressed." Zecora smiled as well.
"Just a dash, and a drop, and a drip!" Apple Bloom repeated.
POOF!
Apple Bloom, Nyx, and Zecora turned to see Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle covered in brown soot on their face and manes from a potion gone horribly wrong. Scootaloo just spat out her tube annoyingly and glared.
"Oh boy..." Nyx said wearily, Zecora just looked annoyed, and Apple Bloom...looked rather sad and disappointed.
(Scene changes)
Once the mess was cleaned up and the three fillies apologized to Zecora, they headed back to the clubhouse. They were discussing how they all wanted to do different things that only one pony liked and the others didn't.
"...and even though Scootaloo thinks bungee jumping is the bees knees," said Apple Bloom as she marked a red X over the paper with the activity on it.
"...Sweetie Belle would rather keep bees," Apple Bloom continued as she marked an X over bee-keeping and spat out the marker.
"Of course, I'm allergic," said Apple Bloom, "Who'd've thought it'd be so hard to find something for all of us to do together?"
"The problem, if I can be honest with you three," said Nyx, "was that when one of you found something fun, the others didn't really try doing the activity. Or the person in charge of the activity didn't consider the others' feelings."
"What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked.
"Did you really expect Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle to be able to launch off of ramps or loop-de-loops doing scootering the first time?" Nyx asked. Scootaloo sighed.
"Yeah, that was a bit much huh?" said Scootaloo.
"Ya think?" Sweetie Belle retorted.
"And wasn't it unfair of you to expect Apple Bloom and Scootaloo to read advanced music notes?" said Nyx while looking at Sweetie Belle with a glare.
"Oh...right..." Sweetie Belle remarked.
"I thought a simple apple growing potion was easy enough," said Apple Bloom quietly.
"Well it wasn't!" Scootaloo snapped.
"Alright, that's enough!" said Nyx, wanting to avoid a fight breaking out, "I guess the point here is that it might help if you considered the feelings of your fellow Crusaders when you pick an activity. After all, I may be a master of jiu jitsu in training, but if any of you wanted to try it with me. I wouldn't make you do one of my regular courses on the first try. I'd start with something easy until you got the hang of the basic moves and teach you harder stuff as you got better."
"Good idea, Nyx," said Apple Bloom, "If we just consider each other's feelings, we can find something fun for all of us to do together and still have fun."
"Well, I know this might sound crazy and it's kind of opposite of what Nyx suggested," said Scootaloo, "But what if we didn't?"
"Didn't what?" Apple Bloom asked.
"What do you mean, Scootaloo?" Nyx asked.
"Do things together," said Scootaloo, "Well, do everything together." Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement.
"But we're the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Apple Bloom protested as she stamped a fore-hoof definitively.
"And we always will be!" said Scootaloo, "But I really wanna bungee jump! The speed, the height, the fall!"
"The sound of grown stallions shrieking like little fillies," Nyx remarked as Scootaloo snickered.
"Good one, Nyx," Scootaloo replied as they shared a high hoof.
"And I know you two aren't interested," said Sweetie Belle, "But I wanna try crochet."
"Isn't there something you've always wanted to do on your own?" Scootaloo asked Apple Bloom as she and Sweetie Belle asked excitedly. Apple Bloom just gave them both a blank look.
"I don't know..." said Apple Bloom honestly, "I guess I figured we'd always do stuff together. But bungee jumping sounds just as scary as crochet sounds borin'."
"Only if you don't give them a fair try," said Nyx, "Bungee jumping is scary, but Twilight Velvet, my grandmother, showed me and aunt Jade how much fun the thrill can be."
"I didn't know Twilight's mom did bungee jumping," said Scootaloo.
"Pffft, next time she visits, I'll invite you to hang out with us, Scoot," said Nyx, "Twilight Velvet loves daredevil stuff just as much as you do. Last time, we did tightrope walking across a pool of lava with uncle Sunray."
"Cool!" said Scootaloo excitedly.
"And crochet?" Apple Bloom asked rather bluntly.
"Granny Smith showed me the basics," said Nyx, "but that was a while ago and I never really tried to crochet myself. I'm willing to try it again. Guess that means Sweetie Belle and I will be learning the basics together." Sweetie Belle bounced on her hooves excitedly.
"I see..." said Apple Bloom in a plain but slightly glum tone, "well, neither seems to interest me. Sorry."
"That's okay," said Scootaloo, "Sweetie Belle and I can do the things we like, and you can do whatever you like!"
"Just as soon as you figure out what it is," said Sweetie Belle. The two smiled at the yellow filly, not even noticing that Apple Bloom looked a little dejected. Nyx looked a little concerned.
"I guess..." said Apple Bloom quietly and then blinked when she saw Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were heading for the front door.
"Great!" said Scootaloo, "Then we can meet back here and talk all about what we've done!"
"But I don't know what it'll be," Apple Bloom protested.
"You'll find something!" said Sweetie Belle with a grin.
"Something awesome!" Scootaloo added with a grin of her own.
Then the two fillies zoomed away while Nyx walked out of the clubhouse, but then she stopped to turn around to see Apple Bloom still upset.
"Don't worry, Apple Bloom. Everything will workout just fine." Nyx assured her depressed friend quietly before she spread her wings and flew off for home.
It was then Apple Bloom finally turned around and wiped the tear from her eye and sighed.
"Well...I guess now I'll have to," said Apple Bloom sadly as her pink bow went limp.
[Apple Bloom - She looked behind herself as she looked at all the drawings of various activities on the walls and floor. She then headed toward a nearby window as she saw Scootaloo and Sweetie belle, while Nyx went for home, parted ways to go have their fun. She then walked away from the window with her head held low.]
I never imagined myself out on my own
Tryin' to find out what's next for me
The Cutie Mark Crusaders have always been my home
Now maybe there's more that I could be
[Apple Bloom - As she kept singing, a stallion helped her put on a life-preserve as she climbed into a raft with three other adult ponies. The raft then took off with everypony but her using paddles to control the raft. She also bounced into the air every time the raft hit a dip or a bump from the raging waters.]
I guess as time goes by
Everypony has to go out on their own
And maybe someday I'll have to try
Somethin' new that's just for me
A little somethin' that could be
Just my own and I won't feel so left behind
[Apple Bloom - She then jumped into a bucket filled with grapes along with two other ponies. She happily jumped and stomped about, but wasn't paying attention to her bouncing and fell out of the bucket. The two other ponies checked to see if she was alright. Apple Bloom looked a bit dazed, but just looked at her grape colored hooves. Next, she was at an artist studio where various ponies were trying to paint Tree Hugger as she stood on a platform and posed on her hind legs. While the other ponies did various artistic styles, Apple Bloom's painting was very amateurish, which left her feeling more sad and dejected.]
We used to say that we'd be always side by side
Maybe things are changin' and this could mean goodbye
I always thought our friendship was all I'd ever need
We've always been crusadin' - what else is there for me?
[Apple Bloom - She was seen mixing something in a bowl at what appeared to be a cooking class. Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara, and a third pony were also working together at their own station behind her. Apple Bloom then pulled out a beautifully made pie from the oven and set it on the table. She then went to hand out forks only to find that nopony else was at her station. She then looked to see that Diamond Tiara had gone in for a huge bit of their own pie as Silver Spoon used a fork to give their third member a taste. Apple Bloom just looked dejected and left the baking class, leaving her pie behind. As she walked alone, several pictures showing soccer, fishing, sewing, and carpentry were seen around her. She then sat in the middle of a wooden bridge.]
I guess as time goes by
Everypony has to go out on their own
And maybe someday I'll have to try
Somethin' new that's just for me
A little somethin' that could be
Just my own and I won't feel so left behind
Poor Apple Bloom just felt miserable as she sat alone on the bridge, feeling very lonely. Then her ears heard something nearby.
"And one, two, three four," Apple Bloom heard inside what appeared to be a dancing school, "two, two, three, four..."
Apple Bloom walked to the front of the school to listen more and she smiled excitedly, thinking this would help her. It was there where the teacher, named Hoofer Steps was still instructing other little filly and colt dancers.
"One, two, three, four," Hoofer Steps repeated, "Two, two, three, four-" It was then the door burst open.
"Whatever kind of dancin' y'all are doin'," said Apple Bloom excitedly, "you're doin' it together, and I want in!" Hoofer Steps and the rest of the students just stared at her. Apple Bloom quickly recomposed herself.
"I-I mean, uh," said Apple Bloom as she cleared her throat, "Would it be okay if I enrolled in this dance class?"
"Well, let's see what you can do," said Hoofer Steps as she approached the yellow filly, "We have a recital at Town Hall tonight, and a spot just opened up!" She then leaned closer to Apple Bloom.
"Tender Taps is a little too shy to perform," Hoofer Steps told the yellow filly in a hushed tone as she pointed to a colt that had the same mane and tail coloring at Scootaloo, but his purple mane and tail were darker. He was also wearing a dancing outfit as he sat in a corner looking rather timid and waved at Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom just waved back.
"But if you're ready to step into a partnered routine..." Hoofer Steps continued.
"That sounds an awful lot like friendship!" said Apple Bloom, "And I'm ready for anything I don't have to do by myself!"
"Well then!" said Hoofer Steps, "Dancing with partner will be perfect." She then clapped her fore-hooves together. It was then another colt stood in the middle of the dance floor and twirled as he extended a fore-hoof to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom smiled and gently offer him her fore-hoof. He then pulled her up on her hind legs and started to do a slow tango with her as some appropriate music played in the background. Apple Bloom couldn't help but feel a little shy but was able to follow her partner's moves. The colt then made Apple Bloom twirl about quickly.
"Whooooooa!" Apple Bloom yelped as she stopped spinning and felt a bit dizzy, but she quickly recovered and was able to do a finished pose that mirrored her partner. Apple Bloom smiled excitedly. Then there was trouble. Apple Bloom then grabbed her partner and tried to take the lead as some faster tango music was played.
"Whoa, whoaaa!" Apple Bloom yelped again as she made herself and the colt spin about. They both bumped into the other dancing pairs, knocking them over before they fell over. Everypony was all piled up together with Apple Bloom at the top of the pile.
"Whew!" said Apple Bloom, "I feel like that went pretty good, but let's give it one more whirl, because it's important that I do a good job partnering with my new group of friends." The other students just rolled their eyes and groaned silently. Hoofer Steps just stared as the rest of the students got up and gathered behind her.
"Eh...Now I'm think of it," said Hoofer Steps, "you might be better as soloist." Apple Bloom looked very disappointed.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before the rest of the students were back to practicing and Hoofer Steps could tell that Apple Bloom was still looking very glum.
"Uh, partnering is a little advanced for you," said Hoofer Steps, trying to cheer Apple Bloom up, "But there's still lots you can do on your own."
"I'm sorry," said Apple Bloom sadly, "but doin' stuff on my own is exactly what I don't want." Apple Bloom then walked out of the dancing school to leave. Tender Taps just watched the yellow filly exit the dance school. He quickly removed his dance outfit and went to catch up with Apple Bloom.
"Sorry it didn't work out," Tender Taps told the very glum filly.
"Tryin' different things with my friends is always fun," Apple Bloom replied, "even when we were terrible. Now it's just terrible."
"You weren't that bad," said Tender Taps, "You just need to learn a few things on your own. Being a soloist can be fun!" He then started to dance for Apple Bloom. He began to rapidly tap dance on just his hind hooves, then swung around a lamp post, and slid across the ground on his hind knees.
"Ha Haha!" Tender Taps chanted as he danced and then stood back up on all fours, "You just have to do it with feeling!" He then ran up a wall, back-flipped and then landed while doing a perfect split on his hind legs. Apple Bloom just stared with her jaw hanging open but then went back to looking glum.
"Thanks, but..." Apple Bloom sighed, "without my friends, I don't think I'll ever feel again. Good luck at the recital." She started to walk away.
"Oh, I'm not gonna do that," said Tender Tap, "I mean, I want to. It's kind of all I think about. I bet someday my cutie mark will even be about performing! But I could never dance in front of an audience the way I do in class. That's t-t-t-t-terrifying!"
Tender Taps trembled fearfully as Apple Bloom just continued to walk away from him.
"Yeah, okay," said Apple Bloom in a deadpan tone, "Nice meetin' you."
"You, too," said Tender Taps sadly before he tap-danced away on all four hooves.
Unknown to any of them, a certain alicorn filly was watching everything on a rooftop from one of the Ponyville houses. Nyx hummed with concern, mostly for Apple Bloom.
(Scene changes)
A couple of hours later, Sweetie Belle was heading out of the Carousel Boutique, wearing a multi-colored scarf around her neck. She headed to the clubhouse. It didn't take long before she had arrived back at the clubhouse. Sweetie Belle was halfway up the ramp when she saw Scootaloo arriving wearing a helmet, goggles, and stunt suit.
"Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo called out, "You are not gonna believe this, but I think I like bungee jumping even more than scootering!"
"Seriously?!" Sweetie Belle excitedly, "That's amazing! Look what I did!"
Scootaloo was surprised that Sweetie Belle's scarf didn't look better, but she tried her best to be positive.
"Wow, uh, that's, um..." Scootaloo was struggling to say something positive and encouraging.
"Horrible!" said Sweetie Belle, "But it was so much fun! Rarity showed me how, even though she says," Sweetie Belle then imitated Rarity, ""Crochet is knitting's poorer cousin". But I loved it!"
"Awesome!" said Scootaloo before they headed inside of the clubhouse.
When they opened the door, they were shocked to see Apple Bloom sitting alone. Since her back was against them, they couldn't tell Apple Bloom was sulking.
"Oh, hello, girls." said Apple Bloom in calm, but also very bitter and resentful tone, "Have fun pursuing you own interests?" She then gave them a bitter glare.
"Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo asked as Sweetie Belle looked at her with a stunned expression. "What are you doing sitting in the dark?"
"Yeah," Sweetie Belle added, "we thought you'd be out looking for things you like to do." Apple Bloom gave them a very angry laugh.
"I did," said Apple Bloom with a smile that was anything but cheerful and possibly mentally unstable, "I looked all over town. I looked...and I looked...and I looked...and you know what I found?"
The two ponies just looked rather disturbed as they all nervously shook their head.
"NOTHIN'!" Apple Bloom yelled as she got into their faces.
She then quickly opened the blinds, making the two ponies flinch at the bright light. Once their eyes had adjusted, they were shocked to see Apple Bloom sitting bitterly and surrounded by sheets of paper with various activities that had red X's all over them. The papers covered the walls and even the floor as Apple Bloom sat in the middle with a bitter look on her face.
"You tried every one of these?" Scootaloo asked as the two ponies walked up to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom just nodded bitterly.
"And each one just made me feeling more alone than the next!" said Apple Bloom angrily, "I don't see how I'm supposed to be happy that we're not hanging out anymore!"
Apple Bloom just stared at the floor angrily. The two ponies just looked rather stunned and puzzled at what the yellow filly had said.
"Wait, I never said that," said Scootaloo, "I just said we don't have to do everything together." Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement.
"Like when there's something one of us wants to do that the others don't," Sweetie Belle added.
"Oh..." said Apple Bloom as she blinked in understanding, "Well, I guess that changes things."
She then gave them a look that showed both embarrassment as well as sheepishness.
"I thought you might be able to snap out of it, Apple Bloom." A familiar voice said as the three ponies turned to see Nyx standing at the door with a soft yet firm expression.
"Nyx!" Apple Bloom said in surprise as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at her with stunned looks. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough to know you've been trying everything around town." Nyx answered. "I thought you might need some company from somepony I talked to."
Nyx moved aside as Chase came into view and stood next to his daughter. Nyx had explained everything to him and he wasn't going to let Apple Bloom be glum for not trying anything new on her own for something so silly to think her friends weren't going to do anything with her.
"Chase?!" Apple Bloom said in shock as the alicorn master approached her with Nyx by her father's side. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard what you've been doing, Apple Bloom. Nyx told me everything I need to know that you've been having trouble lately." Chase answered. "What made you think Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo wouldn't want to hang out with you anymore?"
Apple Bloom just looked away. Chase released a slow deep breath.
"Apple Bloom. If there's one thing I taught my daughter, it was the fine line between keeping a secret and speaking up when you know something isn't right. She told me because she was worried about you. Sweetie Belle is worried about you and so is Scootaloo."
The three little fillies nodded in agreement. Apple Bloom growled and kept her back against them.
"Don't do this, Apple Bloom" Chase warned gently. "Being angry is not going to help you do everything. Even if it means to listen…"
"Well, what do you want me to say?!" Apple Bloom snapped as she did a fast one-eighty, "That I have a fear of being abandoned just like Nyx was when she lost her family when Zhao took them away?!"
Apple Bloom's lips instantly went inside her mouth before she turned her back against them again. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at her sadly.
"You can't blame yourself for anything." Nyx said with a sad look.
Chase approached Apple Bloom as she ust sniffled a couple of times and then turned around to show her pupils had gotten larger and were filled with held back tears.
"Do ya always have to...to..." Apple Bloom couldn't finish her statement since she lost her grip on her tears and they started to fall and Apple Bloom felt like she would lose it if she kept trying to speak.
"Apple Bloom, I'm not trying to be pushy," said Chase as he sat before the now crying yellow filly. "When you didn't want to feel like an outsider, it's because you didn't have your cutie mark. It's clear to me that you are just as afraid of being abandoned and left alone."
Apple Bloom began to sob as she covered her eyes with her fore-hooves. Mario pulled the little filly in for a gentle hug. Apple Bloom just cried harder.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Apple Bloom sobbed.
"Don't be," said Chase gently as he used a fore-hoof to stroke her mane, "It's just a fear that we need to overcome together. Plus having anxiety certainly doesn't make that fight any easier. But what I want you to understand is that you don't have to deal with this alone. You have your family and your friends to help you get through this. We all love you, Apple Bloom. Nopony is going to leave you."
"Are you sure?" Apple Bloom croaked as she pulled away, but her tears kept flowing.
"Yes," said Chase, "We'll all be here to help you get past this. Just like you three are here to help me deal with my fear of Zhao harming my family."
He ruffled Apple Bloom's mane, which she gave a light giggle as her tears started to slow down.
"Yeah, Apple Bloom," said Sweetie Belle, "we're your best friends. We're never going to abandon you. Pinkie Promise."
Scootaloo nodded and smiled in agreement as they gave the yellow filly a group hug. Apple Bloom gave them a smile as she wiped her eyes and stood up, but the others could tell she still looked embarrassed.
"Honestly," said Scootaloo, "I can't believe you thought we didn't want to hang out anymore."
"I can't believe you tried all this stuff and didn't find one thing you liked," Sweetie Belle added. Apple Bloom just winced at all the crossed out papers.
"Well, I kind of liked dancin'," said Apple Bloom as she showed a crossed out picture of the said activity, "mainly because it looked like somethin' you couldn't do alone, but I wasn't very good at it."
"Well, you don't have to be good at something to have fun!" said Sweetie Belle with a smile
"And being good doesn't always mean you will," added Scootaloo.
"That is very true," said Chase, impressed at their words of wisdom.
"I know..." said Apple Bloom before she smiled, "I met the best dancer in the world, but he..."
"You danced with a colt?!" Nyx called out in surprise, "Hey, Scootaloo. Guess you don't need to find Apple Bloom a coltfriend after all."
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle snickered while Chase rolled his eyes at his daughter's joke with an amused smirk.
"I didn't dance with a colt," Apple Bloom retorted through her teeth as her cheeks turned pink, "I mean I did, but it wasn't him...just...UGH!" Apple Bloom panted heavily as her mane was starting to look a little frazzled.
"Easy, Apple Bloom." Chase said as he rubbed a fore-hoof through her mane to get the frazzled frizz out of it. "Nyx is just teasing. Now tell us about this colt being the best dancer."
"Well...he...was so shy," said Apple Bloom as she got her thoughts back on track, "he couldn't bring himself to perform, even though he really, really wanted to."
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo then blinked as they exchanged a look with each other.
"I don't suppose this dancing pony had a cutie mark, did he?" Sweetie Belle asked as she and Scootaloo smiled. Apple Bloom went agape in realization.
"He...he didn't!" said Apple Bloom, "Oh my gosh, Crusaders! Do you know what this means?"
"We've got a cutie mark problem to solve!" they said excitedly before they shared a hoof bump.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS GO!" they shouted.
Chase chuckled as Nyx giggled.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before the five ponies had arrived at Town Hall auditorium. Two adult ponies were dancing on a stage together as the stallion made the mare do a fast twirl. Tender Taps was just excitedly watching them perform. Suddenly the doors burst open.
"You're here," Apple Bloom shouted. Tender Taps turned around to see the yellow filly, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo behind him.
"Shhhh!" Shoeshine hushed sternly.
Then the audience started cheering for the dancing couple as Tender Taps gestured for the three fillies to follow him. He then led the group of five backstage where they could talk without disrupting the performances. It wasn't until they had all walked in when Tender Taps even noticed that Chase was with them.
"M-M-M-M-Master Chase Young?!" Tender Taps exclaimed, "W-w-w-w-what are you doing here?"
"I'm with my friends," said Chase simply and then pointed a fore-hoof at Nyx, "and my daughter."
"You're Master Chase's daughter?" Tender Taps asked the alicorn filly, who blushed with a sheepish smile.
"Well, adopted daughter and yeah, but Master Chase is really the best father I could ever have." Nyx said as she nuzzled Chase's foreleg lovingly as her father smiled at her.
Tender Taps just stared for a moment before he shook his head rapidly to recompose himself to face Apple Bloom.
"So...what are you doing here?" Tender Taps asked.
"To ask you out," Nyx murmured to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo who bit their lower lips to avoid laughing. Apple Bloom growled at Nyx as the four ponies snickered to each other. The yellow filly then turned to Tender Taps.
"You told me that you wanted to perform more than anythin'," said Apple Bloom, "but I was too caught up in myself to listen. You're the best dancer I've ever seen, and I'm here to convince you to get out on that stage!"
Tender Taps looked at Hoofer Steps as she led the rest of the students out onto the stage. He then looked at the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Nyx, and Chase.
"Um, didn't I also tell you that dancing in front of other ponies is t-t-terrifying?" Tender Taps reminded her, "I don't know if you noticed, but that auditorium is full of other ponies! I can't go out there! What if I'm bad?!"
He opened a corner of the curtain to emphasize his point and trembled nervously.
"Listen," said Apple Bloom, "Did you know that Chase, the Prince of Friendship and Master of Jiu Jitsu, suffered from stage fright?"
"R-r-really?" said Tender Taps.
"It's true," said Chase.
"He used to get picked on when his grandfather disappeared without a trace, especially when those elite snobs mocked him saying that he wouldn't be like Darius Hisomi. Then he learned to overcome it when he focused on his martial arts more and more. Then he was able to find the courage to stand up for himself and his family." Apple Bloom said.
Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Nyx, and Chase smiled in agreement.
"Ooh...I don't know," said Tender Taps timidly.
"We can go on together!" said Apple Bloom, "No matter what, you'll look good standing next to me!"
"And you two would make a cute couple," Nyx remarked. Apple Bloom zipped up to her face.
"One. Day," said Apple Bloom slowly and sternly as a way of saying "zip your mouth or else!".
"He is kind of cute," Scootaloo added.
"One. Day," Apple Bloom told Scootaloo to her face as Sweetie Belle giggled to herself.
Chase chuckled amusingly. Tender Taps hadn't been really listening and was just contemplating his decision. He then looked out from behind the curtain and saw the ponies cheering and stomping excitedly. He sighed to himself.
"All right, I'll do it," said Tender Taps, but then started to panic again, "But I don't have my costume, and the backdrop is all wrong, and we don't have time to change it!" Tender Taps began to panic as the four fillies and Chase just smiled with each other.
"Leave everything to us," said Apple Bloom.
"Then you better hurry, because soon it'll be your turn." Chase advised.
The three fillies then just smiled. It was a pretty accurate description of what they were going to do.
(Scene changes)
Within just a few minutes, Sweetie Belle had crocheted a very poorly done hat and shirt for both Apple Bloom and Tender Taps. It literally was the best they could do on short notice and Tender Taps wasn't feeling any better about the performance.
"I don't know about this..." said Tender Taps nervously as Sweetie Belle used her magic to put on his hat.
"Don't worry, you'll be just fine!" said Sweetie Belle and then waved at Scootaloo who was wearing her bungee jumping outfit on, along with another pony who could be assumed was her instructor. Scootaloo waved back too Sweetie Belle.
"Alright, guys, good luck." Chase said to Apple Bloom and Tender Taps.
Tender Taps gave him a very nervous, but also excited smile. It was then the piano music stopped playing and Hoofer Steps lead the students back behind the stage.
"Here goes nothin'," said Apple Bloom.
Chase then gave Scootaloo a signal. The orange filly then used a bungee cord to change the backdrop. She then landed back on the scaffolding to high five her instructor. Chase and Nyx were most impressed. Apple Bloom then stepped into the stage and smiled, but then noticed that Tender Taps didn't come out.
She discreetly gestured for the orange colt to come out with a fore-leg. Chase then used his magic to give him a little push to the edge of the stage. Tender Taps peeked out and nervously walked into the stage beside Apple Bloom. All the audience could to stare as Tender Taps gulped and trembled fearfully.
It was then some jazz-type music began to play. Apple Bloom then did a few clunky tap dance steps and then pointed for Tender Taps to take it away. Tender Taps then did a few steps but then stopped. The audience just kept staring as one random pony coughed awkwardly. Now Apple Bloom was getting nervous as she saw Tender Taps really did have very bad stage fright. She looked at Sweetie Belle, Nyx, and Chase. Sweetie Belle just shrugged.
"Try to get him to relax," said Chase in a whisper.
Apple Bloom then started to do a very clunky version of tap dancing on all four of her hooves. At first she was doing just fine, but then she smiled and closed her eyes at the same time, which caused her to dance right off the stage and land with a hard thud. The audience just laughed. Apple Bloom then peeked out from the floor to the front tip of the stage as Tender Taps gave her a concerned look.
"Can't be any worse than I was!" said Apple Bloom as she gave him an encouraging smile.
Tender Taps just trembled nervously before one of his fore-knees started bopping to the beat. He began to slow tap dance for the crowd. Then started taping with both his fore-hooves. Soon he was tap dancing with all four hooves and, at the same, was finding his confidence. The audience was stunned and Chase was most impressed.
"Way to go, buddy." Chase said with a smile. "Keep it up!"
Even Apple Bloom smirked as Tender Taps was now dancing confidently as he ran up the backdrop, back-flipped off the wall, and slid to the front of the stage on his hind knees. He then panted heavily as the music ended.
There was a couple of seconds of silence before the audience cheered and stomped happily for Tender Taps. He then stood on all fours and smiled before the cheering audience. Apple Bloom also smiled as well. Then a bright flash appeared on Tender Taps' flank. There was now a top hat next to a spotlight on his flank now! Tender Taps gave a happy whinny, dancing and twirling about excitedly. Chase, Nyx, and Sweetie Belle exchanged smiles with each other.
"Well done, Apple Bloom!" said Chase and Nyx, "Well done!" Apple Bloom just beamed happily.
(Scene changes)
After the recital was over, Tender Taps was outside with Chase, Nyx, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. He was also admiring his new cutie mark.
"I can't believe it!" said Tender Taps, "It's just what I've always imagined it would be! And if it weren't for all of you, I wouldn't even have it."
"All the credit go to these four fillies here," said Chase, "I just helped out."
"No problem!" said Scootaloo.
"It's what we do," said Sweetie Belle.
"I only wish I'd realized what you needed right away instead of mopin' around for no reason," said Apple Bloom as she walked up to the colt. Tender Taps lifted her chin and gave her a smile.
"Well, either way," said Tender Taps, "I hope you keep dancing." He then did a short tap dance and gestured for Apple Bloom to take it away. Apple Bloom did a few taps on her own.
"You know, I just might!" said Apple Bloom, "I just might! It sure is alot of fun, and I'm pretty confident that I'll only get better."
Apple Bloom then walked up Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.
"I'm sorry I was so silly about us all doin' our own thing," said Apple Bloom sadly, "If we hadn't, I might never even tried dancin'!"
"Or find out I needed help!" Tender Taps added.
"And trying new stuff might even make us better at helping them," said Scootaloo, "like how I used bungee jumping to change the sets!"
"Or my crochet to make the costumes!" said Sweetie Belle.
"Well, one thing is for sure," said Apple Bloom, "The Cutie Mark Crusaders will never be the same." Behind her, Tender Taps was pointing and showing off his cutie mark to two ponies that were walking by. They just smiled back at him...very uncomfortably. Sweetie Belle, Chase, Scootaloo, and Nyx just gave Apple Bloom a worried look. She then got between Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and hugged them.
"We'll be better!" said Apple Bloom.
"Yeah!" all three fillies said together and shared a high hoof together. Then they looked at Nyx , who chuckled and then she added a fore-leg to the high hoof as well.
"But Apple Bloom," said Chase in a serious tone as they pulled away.
"Yeah, Big Brother?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Always remember that your friends love you," said Chase, "They'll always be there for you."
"Yeah," said Scootaloo, "We're not going anywhere."
"Cutie Mark Crusaders forever," said Sweetie Belle, "And also, you don't need to feel silly either."
"Just like with Chase, we'll help you get over feeling like this," said Scootaloo.
"Do you trust us, Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle asked. Apple Bloom gave them both a teary smile.
"Of course I do," said Apple Bloom, "You're my best friends." Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle then gave the yellow filly a group hug.
Chase and Nyx smiled at the sight as they turned to each other, sharing a loving nuzzle.
Author's note: Hey, guys.
Sorry for being late. I was very busy last week on for summer job. Since my schedule is gonna be real busy for me, things will get a little 'hairy' for me, meaning I'll be real busy all week with work. But I promise to write as much as I can.
Also, I'm not entirely gonna do Equestria Girls since I missed the Friendship Games episode. I just wanna focus on the Friendship is Magic series right now.
Anyway, sorry for being so late to post the next chapter. I just wanted to give you all the heads up. I'll be sure to post real soon. I promise.
Peace out!
