Chapter 5

"Put 'em there, we'll need some space to work," said Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom rushed over to where her friend pointed, and placed the plate on the ground, the muffins remaining in place fortunately. With that out of the way she promptly returned to her friends. She guessed it was time to get started.

"Let's do it," said Scootaloo, holding a poorly made lasso in her mouth.

"I don't think she's noticed them yet," said Sweetie Belle. "But she has finished off the cloud."

"Hey Derpy, we've got some muffins for you down here!" called out Apple Bloom, as beside her Scootaloo started to swing around, trying to get the lasso moving.

Above in the sky Derpy's attention suddenly snapped to them, her flight coming to a halt as she hovered in place above the ground. Apple Bloom saw Derpy's eyes dart from looking at her to the muffins and then back to her and her friends. She just felt truly uncomfortable under Derpy's gaze, something she had never experienced happen before today- it definitely felt off. But then again she guessed Derpy had never been like this before today.

"I don't think she's going to come down here," said Sweetie Belle.

"Oh she'll come," was Scootaloo's muffled reply.

Apple Bloom knew that that was the case- the greedy look on Derpy's face gave away her intentions. Derpy had become entranced by the fresh muffins and she just knew Derpy was going to come down and get them. Derpy just wouldn't be able to resist them.

It didn't take long to be proven right.

"Get ready I guess," said Sweetie Belle as Derpy drew in her wings and swept down to the ground below.

She landed a short distance from the plate, giving a cautious sniff in the direction of the muffins. Her eyes gave the briefest glance towards the fillies, but quickly ignored them and returned her full attention back towards the treats. She licked her lips hungrily- Apple Bloom hadn't seen her do that before- it certainly was creepy.

Finally her stomach overcame her caution and she crept forwards, one small step at a time towards the plate. She gave one final sniff, nudged one of the muffins with her nose and promptly devoured one of the treats.

As she leant back, licking the crumbs around her mouth, Scootaloo yelled out "Now!"

The fillies charged forwards, and Derpy, too busy savouring the muffin was slow to react. Scootaloo threw the lasso forwards, and to the trio's relief it landed around Derpy's neck. Derpy's eyes widened as she realized what was happening, wings thrusting out in defiance.

"Grab on!" called out Scootaloo. "Don't let go!"

Apple Bloom was the first to react, grabbing hold of the spare rope behind Scootaloo. Sweetie Belle followed her friend, daintily taking hold of the remaining rope. She the rope delicately in her mouth.

Apple Bloom braced herself as Derpy grabbed another muffin and started her ascent. Scootaloo found her front legs starting to lift up from the floor, while Apple Bloom was dragged forwards.

She certainly was surprised by this- she had no idea that Derpy was so strong. She guessed maybe the Pegasus ponies just had a particular strength in their wings- she'd have to ask Scootaloo some time. In front of her she watched in disbelief as Scootaloo was fully lifted up into the air.

Apple Bloom bit down harder on the rope, getting a tighter grip on the rope even as she felt her own front legs lift upwards. Her eyes widened in surprise as Scootaloo suddenly dropped in front of her, slipping from the rope. Now it was just her and Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo picked herself up and rushed to Sweetie Belle, trying to find more rope to grab with her part now being out of reach. However the rope slipped from Sweetie Belle's mouth and was dragged away, Apple Bloom being lifted up into the air as she maintained her vice like grip on the rope. Scootaloo chased after the rope, unable to grab onto it. In front of her Apple Bloom's tiny legs kicked out as she tried to touch ground, and then started flailing. She wasn't on solid ground now!

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo watched on in stunned silence as their friend was lifted higher and higher up into the air.

"Look, she's flying!" squeaked Sweetie Belle.

"That's not fair," grumbled Scootaloo to herself.

Above them Apple Bloom felt her grip on the rope loosening. Her mouth ached; pain was streaking across her teeth too. Her jaw burned and she knew that she couldn't hold on for much longer- she was going down. She couldn't angle her head properly to see the floor below- she had no idea how high she was.

And then she felt it- her time on the rope was up. She closed her eyes as the rope slipped from her grasp and she fell to the ground below. Please don't be too high she thought to herself. Or at the very least she wanted to avoid breaking anything.

She came to a sudden stop- that was less painful then she had been expecting. It had almost been kind of gentle in a way. She slowly opened one eye and was surprised to see she was still not quite at ground level.

"What's the matter? Scared?"

Apple Bloom slowly turned her head to find Scootaloo just about holding her. Her tiny wings were flapping at full speed, an orange blur.

"Scootaloo you're flying!" exclaimed Apple Bloom.

"More like hovering," said Scootaloo in an embarrassed tone. Apple Bloom's quick look down revealed that the two ponies were 'flying' about two feet above the ground.

"I did manage to get a bit higher until I caught you though," said Scootaloo.

"Thanks Scootaloo, you're my hero!"

"Yeah I know," said Scootaloo with a smirk.

"But Derpy's getting away," said Apple Bloom, watching the older pony slowly vanish from view, rope still trailing behind her.

"Can't you just give me this moment?" grumbled Scootaloo as she landed, Apple Bloom dropping to the floor with a faint thud.

"Oww you're heavy," said Scootaloo, stretching out her front legs and mumbling to herself.

"Well Granny Smith has been cooking a lot more recently," said Apple Bloom feeling a little awkward. "Wait did you just call me fat?"

"Not in those words," said Scootaloo averting her eyes.

"Wow Apple Bloom you were brave, and then you fell and then Scootaloo flew and saved you- it was amazing!" squeaked Sweetie Belle in one long breath. "Well apart from Derpy managing to escape."

"That's kinda what I said," said Apple Bloom.

"So what now?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"We're the cutie mark crusaders, we do whatever we can until our faces are blue!" said Scootaloo trying to lift her friends' morale.

"Let's go find Derpy!" said Apple Bloom.

"…again," added the slightly less enthused Sweetie Belle.