Chapter 6: Forever Filly
At the Carousel Boutique, Sassy Saddles and Rarity were getting the shop ready for the upcoming fashion season. Rarity was at the front counter working on a sketch, and Sassy Saddles was frantically trying to get things in order on the main floor. At the moment, she was stacking up various notebooks into a tall pile and she used her magic to jot down some notes onto a notepad.
"Oh I have to..." Sassy muttered as she picked up some pink cloth, folded it, and rushed to the other side of the room to put it on a shelf.
She then grabbed some rolled up tubes of fabric and placed them onto another shelf. They ran across the foreground to some nearby dresses.
Two of them she hung and placed into a sales rack. The other two dresses she raced back to the front of the store and placed them carefully into some mannequins. The whole time, Rarity was just sketching away and keeping calm.
"Oh! I can't believe the winter-to-spring transition is almost here!" said Sassy and then rushed off across the fore-ground.
"Oh, I know," said Rarity, "I love it so much. I gave it its own term - "Spring-sition"!" Rarity then laughed as Sassy rushed over to another mannequin.
"Ohhh, I like that," said Sassy. Sassy then calmed down but then looked at her tall stack of notebooks.
"I'm going to have to re-label all my binders," said Sassy worriedly, "Right after we finish...everything!" The view zoomed out to show that most of the main floor was a mess, "We still have so much to do! Oh, my bustles and bows! Rarity, did we-?!"
"Already hemmed, ruched, and cut, my dear," said Rarity.
Sassy just sighed and then gasped as she saw a drawer was empty.
"Oh, Rarity, no reason to panic," said Sassy, trying not to panic again herself as she walked up to Rarity, "but, um, we seem to be temporarily low! And when I say "temporarily low", I mean "completely out of"-!"
"The baby blue sapphires?" said Rarity as she used her magic to hold a box full of them, "They arrived this morning."
Sassy just sighed with relief as she grabbed the gem-filled box with her magic.
"Oh. Heh. Wonderful," said Sassy as she placed the box into a shelf and then gasped again, "Oh! What about the design for the-?!"
"And done!" said Rarity as she finished the sketch and show it to Sassy.
"Wow!" said Sassy, "You are good. And you're really outdone yourself this time! The Morning Sunshine Tulip Frock is gorgeous!"
"Ooh, thank you," said Rarity as she walked up from behind the counter, "Look, I know you're worried about something slipping between the cracks. But with your managerial skills and our fabulous designs, we have everything covered."
Sassy just chuckled.
"You're right. You're right," said Sassy, "There are no cracks."
"Would you be a dear and fetch me some vermillion satin from the back?" Rarity asked Sassy, "And I'll start on the Eternal Elegance Empire Silhouette evening gown."
"My most certain pleasure," said Sassy as she walked away.
Rarity then returned to the counter to get to work on her gown. Rarity had just used her magic to pick up a book filled with various sketches when she saw a picture of herself and Sweetie Belle hidden underneath it. In the picture, Rarity was pushing Sweetie Belle on a swing.
"Oh, I love this picture," said Rarity, "When was the last time we had that kind of fun together?" Rarity then gasped, "Why, I can't remember! Has it been that long?! I guess I've been so busy running my shop!" Rarity then gasped once again, "Oh, no! Something, or should I say somepony, is slipping between the cracks!"
Rarity's eyes build up with tears and she started to sob as she stared at the picture.
"I miss my Sweetie Belle!" Rarity sobbed as she leaned against the counter and continued to cry.
It was then Sassy arrived back in the main room.
"Rarity, we're running low on vermilion satin," said Sassy.
"Huh?" said Rarity as she lifted her head, her eyes making her mascara run full force and then burst into loud crying.
"I...I can order more!" said Sassy, thinking the tears were due to the satin inventory.
*Main theme*
It didn't take long before Sassy had brought over a large purple fainting couch for Rarity. The marshmallow mare was still crying as she showed Sassy the pictures inside of it.
"And this is when we pretended we were storybook princess," Rarity sobbed as she showed pictures of Rarity and Sweetie Belle dressed up in various outfits, "And here we pretended we were on a dangerous yet stylish safari."
Rarity choked a sob as black tears dripped onto the pages. Sassy put a fore-hoof on Rarity's shoulder.
"So many wonderful memories!" Rarity sobbed some more as Sassy handed her a tissue.
Rarity blew her nose loudly and kept crying.
Sassy winced as she tossed the dirty tissue into a trash can with her magic.
"Not to put too fine a print on it, but..." Rarity then cried harder, "Sweetie Belle loves playing dress-up. I miss her so much!"
Rarity buried her face into the photo album and lost herself to her tears as Sassy just remained respectfully silent. Then Sassy got an idea.
"Then why don't you go visit her?" Sassy suggested.
"I wish I...could," Rarity hiccupped, "but...between...running...three stores and the spring-sition...I couldn't possibly..."
"But you've already done almost all the work," said Sassy, "I can handle the rest."
"But you've already done almost all the work, I can handle the rest." said Sassy.
"B-b-but...but..." Rarity protested.
"Rarity, go," Sassy added, "I have everything well in hoof."
Sassy then handed Rarity another picture of her and Sweetie Belle. This time they were riding a sled together. Rarity cried some more before she suddenly stopped completely.
"Mm, point taken," said Rarity before saying excitedly, "I am going to visit my sister!"
"Way to immediately turn that around," said Sassy from the foreground.
"We can spend the whole day together! And we can do all her favorite things!" Rarity said excitedly.
"I'm sure she'd love that," said Sassy.
"Oh, Sassy, thank you!" said Rarity.
"Of course!" said Sassy, "Now get out of here!"
"I'm going! I'm going!" said Rarity as she rushed out of the boutique, "Hang on, sis! I'm coming!"
The view zoomed in on Sweetie Belle in the picture as Rarity headed on her way back to Ponyville. In the picture, Sweetie Belle was smiling.
(Scene changes)
"WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!" Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Nyx cheered and giggled as they wore helmets and were now literally surfing down a hill using a giant block of stone they had gotten from Maud.
Nyx had nothing to do today and decided to have fun with her friends. Nyx had to admit that she did find what they were doing crazy. But it didn't bother her.
She was having fun.
"Check it out! I'm hind legging! Woooohoooo!" said Nyx as she bravely stood on her hind legs while riding the cement block and gave a loud cheer.
The three other fillies cheered her on. For some, what Nyx was doing might have been called reckless, but she had done enough advanced martial arts training that this was just routine for the alicorn filly.
The four fillies quickly zoomed down the hill. It was then they passed a Pegasus stallion named Starry Eyes. They rushed past him so fast that the stallion literally screamed in surprise as his mane and tail were blown and stuck in vertical position.
"Excuse us!" Scootaloo called out.
"Pardon us!" Nyx as she kept her balance with ease on her hind legs.
"Comin' through!" Apple Bloom called out.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders mid-mission here!" said Sweetie Belle, "And Nyx, you are included in that sentence!"
"Thanks!" Nyx replied.
Starry Eyes said nothing, but then his mane and tail poofed up into afro hairstyles, which he smiled in approval. Soon the three fillies reached the inner limits of town. Chipcutter was currently using his lunch to make a sculpture. Suddenly, the four fillies noticed that their block of stone was sliding straight for the colt!
"Girls, where's the brakes on this thing?!" Nyx called out.
"I knew we forgot to ask Maud something!" Apple Bloom replied back.
"We'll have to do it the hard way," said Sweetie Belle as the four fillies grabbed the front of the stone in hopes of slowing it down. To their surprise, it worked.
The block of stone came to a skidding halt, but the momentum made the stone stand upright and flung the four fillies off of it. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle landed on their stomachs a short distance away. Scootaloo landed on top of the two fillies. Nyx slide on the ground on her hind legs and she flew over them.
"Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!" Nyx chanted as she spun about and landed softly on her hind legs and shook her head about, "Brrbrrbrrbrr! Who's the queen of the beach?!"
"Whoa, nice landing, girl!" said Scootaloo as she got off of Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle and gave the alicorn filly a high-hoof.
"That was fun!" said Scootaloo as she jumped high into the air and flapped her small wings to give her extra height, "Let's do it again!"
"Yeah, let's do it again!" Nyx said excitedly as Scootaloo smiled in agreement.
"Scoot, Nyx, we've got a job to do," said Sweetie Belle in a serious tone as she and Apple Bloom stood up.
"Later?" Scootaloo asked hopefully, but Sweetie Belle firmly shook her head.
"Didn't know she was the mother of the group," said Nyx to Scootaloo with a smirk. Scootaloo snickered.
"Yet, she's the youngest of the four of us," said Scootaloo. Sweetie Belle just rolled her eyes.
"Excuse me for growing up!" Sweetie Belle remarked, "Now let's get back to business." The marshmallow filly walked up to Chipcutter.
"All right, Chipcutter," said Sweetie Belle to the colt, "We've done our part. The rest is up to you."
"You really think I have it in me to be a sculptor?" Chipcutter asked curiously.
"Yup!" said Scootaloo as she zoomed up with both of her left legs parallel to the ground.
"But why?" Chipcutter asked.
"Because you said you weren't good at anything except getting in trouble for making sculptures out of your lunch, right?" Sweetie Belle pointed.
"And I can tell you're not just doing it because you don't like what you got for lunch," Nyx pointed out.
"That is true," said Chipcutter, "My mom makes the tastiest lunches. Yet I rather make sculptures out of it. Yeah. I can't help it. when I look at my sandwich, it's like it's just asking me to...turn it into a dragon." He then showed his food sculpture he had made before they had arrived.
"That's what is called the passion of creativity," said Nyx, "The issue is that you need an outlet to channel that creativity into something other than your lunch."
"Really?" said Chipcutter hopefully.
"Really," Nyx replied firmly. Apple Bloom then pulled out a hammer and carving tool and placed them before Chipcutter.
"Well, what is this slab asking you to turn it into?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Hmmm...I see..." Chipcutter pondered, grabbed the sculpting tools, put on a blue apron and safety goggles and got to work in rapid session.
Within under a minute, Chipcutter had stopped flying around the stone. He then gave the block a single tap, making the stone crumble. When the dust cleared, there was statue of the four fillies in dynamic poses.
"Whoa!" Nyx said in amazement.
"Wow!" said Apple Bloom, "T-That's incredible! It looks just like us!"
"We knew you had it in you, Chip!" said Scootaloo. Chipcutter just smiled.
"This is way better than sandwich sculpting!" said Chipcutter as he hovered down to the front lip of his new statue.
"Chip, we're proud of you," said Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah, you did a great job," said Nyx. It was then Chipcutter's body rose into the air and began to glow. As he landed back down on the ground, a flash appeared on his flank and there was his cutie mark.
"I finally got my cutie mark!" said Chipcutter excitedly.
"Woo-hoo! All right!" Apple Bloom cheered.
"Yes!" Scootaloo cheered.
"Way to go!" Sweetie Belle said happily.
It was then they heard some sniffling and found that Nyx was crying.
"Nyx, are you okay?" Apple Bloom asked as the others looked at her curiously.
"Sorry," Nyx croaked as she wiped her eyes, "Just seeing I had a hand in helping Chipcutter here get his cutie mark make me feel really happy."
The three fillies awed as they gave the alicorn filly a hug.
"Sorry about that," said Nyx sheepishly.
"No biggie," said Scootaloo, "helping ponies can make even me get a little emotional...once in a long while..."
The others laughed at Scootaloo last comment and then they shared a high hoof together, with Chipcutter added his fore-hoof last.
(Scene changes)
With their mission complete, the four fillies returned back to the clubhouse. Sweetie Belle was also holding what looked like a wooden picture frame in her magic. Scootaloo sighed definitively as they all walked inside.
"Not a bad way to start a day," said Scootaloo with much satisfaction in her tone.
"Not a bad way at all!" said Apple Bloom, "Helpin' ponies is just about my favorite thing to do."
"You said it, A.B.," said Nyx in agreement as they shared a hoof bump.
Sweetie Belle then used her magic to place the picture of Chipcutter onto a wall that was filled with other ponies that the Cutie Mark Crusaders had helped.
"Another satisfied client!" said Sweetie Belle as she put the picture into place.
"Mm-hmm!" said Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Nyx in agreement.
"So who's up next?" Apple Bloom asked as she walked up to stack of folders and grabbed a piece of paper from it.
"I'm pretty sure it's Zipperwhill," Sweetie Belle answered.
"Isn't that the Pegasus who wears a tiara in her mane?" Nyx asked curiously.
"That's her," Sweetie Belle answered, "She needs help reconnecting with her cutie mark - three puppy paw prints."
"Hmm," Nyx pondered, "If her issue is connecting with animals, do you think a pony-dog relationship would count as a friendship problem?" The three fillies blinked for a moment.
"I never thought of that," said Sweetie Belle.
"Could be, Nyx," said Apple Bloom.
"When is she swinging by?" Scootaloo asked as she zipped up to Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle walked away from the three fillies, turned around and faced them.
"Well, I think she should be arriving right about..." said Sweetie Belle when she used her magic to open the door, "...now."
The marshmallow filly then opened the door just as Zipperwhill was going to knock on it. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Nyx were most impressed.
"Wow. You are good," said Apple Bloom.
"It shouldn't surprise me, honestly," said Nyx, "Sweetie Belle grew up around Rarity. Of course she would develop a natural flow to how things run around here."
"I try," aid Sweetie Belle modestly as she turned to face the tiara-wearing Pegasus, who looked rather upset, "Come on in, Zipperwhill."
Zipperwhill then walked inside but then froze when she saw Nyx.
"Hey, I know you!" said Zipperwhill, "You're that filly who is under the care of Princess Twilight Sparkle and Prince Chase Young!"
Nyx smiled softly as she rubbed her foreleg modestly.
"Pleasure to meet you, Zipperwhill." Nyx greeted in reply as they shook each other's hooves.
"Okay, so what seems to be the problem, exactly?" Scootaloo asked.
"It's my puppy, Ripley," said Zipperwhill, "We used to be so close. In fact, I got my cutie mark the day I found him and took him home. But now, it's like he wants nothing to do with me."
"Don't you worry," said Scootaloo to the tiara wearing Pegasus, "You've come to the right place! The Cutie Mark Crusaders are on the job!"
"Trust us," said Apple Bloom, "Before you know it, you and your puppy will be back to bein' besties! And Nyx here will help. Right, Nyx?"
"You got it, A.B.," said Nyx replied back with a smile.
"You have the CMC guarantee!" said Sweetie Belle, "No matter what it takes, we promise you'll have our full attention."
Zipperwhill smiled, but then she was surprised when a familiar marshmallow mare shoved the filly aside as she entered the clubhouse.
"Guess who's here to spend the whole day with her little sister?!" Rarity sing-sang happily.
"Rarity?" Sweetie Belle gasped as Rarity quickly pulled her in for a very tight but heartfelt hug. Sweetie Belle only grunted in reply.
"Mmmm!" Rarity hummed happily. Sweetie Belle just chuckled nervously as Zipperwhill peeked out from behind the older marshmallow mare.
"Aww, sisterly love," said Nyx as she put a fore-hoof to her heart.
Rarity then let Sweetie Belle go and remembered she had bumped the tiara wearing Pegasus filly out of her way.
"Oh! Heh-heh," said Rarity as she patted Zipperwhill's head, "So sorry, dear. You're tiny. I didn't even see you there! Tend to get carried away with my entrances! Ta-da!"
Rarity just laughed as Zipperwhill said nothing. One would have thought Zipperwhill would have been more excited to see Rarity since the filly was still a huge fan of the Pony Tones. Maybe she was too shy or too upset about Ripley was anypony's guess, but more likely the latter. Sweetie Belle walked backwards so she was standing with her other best friends again.
"Rarity, what are you doing here?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"I am here to spend the way with you!" Rarity answered, pressing her nose against her sister's.
"Yeah, but shouldn't you be at your boutique in Canterlot?" Nyx asked curiously.
"Oh, Sassy has it all covered, darling." Rarity answered before looking at Sweetie Belle, "I'm so excited, I could practically faint! You don't happen to have a fainting cough in here, do you?" Rarity walked off as Sweetie Belle just watched.
"No!" said Sweetie Belle as a matter of fact.
"Oh, pfft, of course not," Rarity replied, "It's a treehouse! That would be tres gauche!"
"Not if you had one crafted from apple tree lumber," said Nyx.
"Oh, that would be tres chic," said Apple Bloom in agreement.
"Right..." said Sweetie Belle slowly, "Well, I'm sure am happy to see you, and spending the day with you does sound like a lot of fun, but..." Sweetie Belle bit her lower lip and looked at the others, Nyx, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo all had sympathetic looks on their faces while Zipperwhill looked rather insecure, "I'm kind of right in the middle of something important. I have responsibilities and..."
"Oh," Rarity replied before Sweetie Belle could find the rest of her words. It was then Apple Bloom and Scootaloo exchanged smiles and nods with each other. Then gave Zipperwhill a smile, who simply smiled back. Nyx just had curious look on her face, wondering what they were up to.
"Go on, Sweetie Belle," said Apple Bloom as she, Nyx, and Scootaloo walked up to the two sisters, "We've got this covered. How often do you get to spend time with your sister?"
"Yeah! Go have fun," said Scootaloo.
"You sure you two can handle our client here?" Sweetie Belle asked with concern.
""Client"?" Rarity asked, "Oh, that is so adorable." She then ruffled Sweetie Belle's mane, getting it a bit messy.
"Uh, thanks?" Sweetie Belle replied as she fixed her mane with a fore-hoof, "I think?" Rarity then walked over to a table that had flowers and a bowl of mints. She then sniffled the flowers before noticing the mints.
"Ooh! You have mints to offer your "clients"," Rarity remarked with a giggle, "How...professional."
Rarity then giggled again as she put a mint into her mouth. Nyx looked at her suspiciously.
"Right." Nyx said before Sweetie Belle addressed her and the other CMC members.
"Are you sure you three got this?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"We have it handled," Apple Bloom replied when Rarity looked at their wall.
"Oh, my!" Rarity exclaimed, "Look at this wall of satisfied customers!" She then gasped impressively, "You girls really have come a long way."
"Well, all right then. But, lemme know if you need me or run into any trouble," Sweetie Belle told Apple Bloom, Nyx, and Scootaloo. The three fillies just smiled in reply.
"Come on, come on!" said Rarity as she pushed both Sweetie Belle out of the clubhouse, "You'll never guess what I have planned! And now it's for the both of you!"
Rarity gave an excited squee and rushed down the ramp. Sweetie Belle followed behind the marshmallow mare. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Nyx, and Zipperwhill watched them disappear before they went back to work.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before Rarity and Sweetie Belle were now watching a puppet show. The two puppets were just dancing about on the stage in a goofy fashion.
"Ooh! So fun!" said Rarity with a box of popcorn next to her. The other foals were laughing themselves silly, except for Sweetie Belle, who just had a bored look on her face. Then Sweetie Belle noticed that Rarity was staring at her with a giddy smile on her face.
"What?" Sweetie Belle asked indignantly.
Rarity just giggled as she put a fore-hoof around Sweetie Belle.
"It's just I know how much you love these puppet shows," said Rarity.
"I did," said Sweetie Belle.
"Oh, it's just like old times!" said Rarity, "You, me, greasy popcorn. It's like no time has passed at all."
Rarity clapped her fore-hooves excitedly as Sweetie Belle looked, and felt, very embarrassed.
Not too far away, Zipperwhill was holding Ripley with her fore-legs and dragging him along on just her hind legs.
"Come on," Zipperwhill grunted and sweated as she struggled to carry her...rather large puppy.
Nyx, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo just watched Zipperwhill struggle, not offering any effort to help...for the moment.
Back at the puppet show, Rarity was still the only pony enjoying the show while Sweetie Belle looked bored and annoyed.
"Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!" Rarity said excitedly as she tapped Sweetie Belle's shoulder, "It's your favorite part!"
Sweetie Belle just smiled nervously in reply.
On the puppet stage, one puppet dropped a banana peel and then crossed a fore-leg horizontally for the other not to tell his friend. The second puppet walked in stage to say hello. But the first puppet ended up slipping on the banana peel. The second puppet watched his friend slide about. Then jumped on his back for a ride. They slid back and forth across the stage, posing as they did so until they crashed off stage somewhere.
Everypony but Sweetie Belle laughed.
"Banana peels are so very, very slippery!" Rarity laughed, "It's funny because it's true." Rarity kept laughing as Sweetie Belle laughed nervously.
"What's the matter, darling?" Rarity asked when she saw how glum the marshmallow filly looked.
"I, um, guess I just prefer black box experimental theater," said Sweetie Belle.
"What?!" said Rarity in shock, "Since when?"
"I dunno," Sweetie Belle replied.
Rarity just smiled and went back to eating her popcorn and enjoying the show. Sweetie Belle went back to looking bored.
(Scene changes)
Fortunately, it wasn't long before the show was over. Sweetie Belle was then immediately blindfolded and as the older marshmallow mare led the filly back to town and into a shop. Rarity opened the door with her magic and led her sister inside. Rarity then removed the blindfold from Sweetie Belle's eyes.
"Okay. We're here! Ta-da!" said Rarity with a laugh and cleared her throat as she lead Sweetie Belle to the front counter to sit down, "Aren't you excited to be back here again? Do I know my baby sister, or do I know my baby sister?"
Sweetie Belle just looked around with a puzzled look on her face.
"Uh...yeah...Where is "here" exactly?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously.
"Of, pfft!" Rarity snorted, "Stop being so silly! You know this is your favorite ice cream shop!"
Rarity smiled excitedly.
"Oh. Right," said Sweetie Belle, "From when I was a little filly."
Rarity then cleared her throat to get their attention.
"And I convinced the original owner to come out of retirement to make you your all-time favorite dessert!" said Rarity.
She then clapped her fore-hooves together and giggled to herself. Sweetie Belle looked at Rarity with a skeptical face. It was then an elderly mare with a very pale tan coat and bluish-grey mane and tail appeared wearing her work uniform. Rarity gave the elderly mare a green gem and tucked it into her work hat. The mare then placed a silver platter before Sweetie Belle as she place a sundae the perfect size for a mouse. Sweetie Belle leaned forward and looked at the tiny sundaes.
"Huh. I remember it being much bigger," said Sweetie Belle.
"Well, go ahead, Sweetie Belle," said Rarity excitedly, "I know you're dying to dig in."
Sweetie Belle leaned in a bit, stuck her tongue out, and slurped up the entire sundae in one bite and swallowed.
"Well?" Rarity asked eagerly.
"That was, uh...one tasty bite," said Sweetie Belle with a nervous chuckle and sighed, "Still a little hungry, though."
"We can get another sundae!" Rarity gasped, "Chocolate with rainbow sprinkles, perhaps?"
"Actually," Sweetie Belle answered, "I was thinking something more like a salad."
"A salad?" Rarity said in surprise, "Since when did you get so practical?"
Sweetie Belle wanted to avoid damage control.
"Oh, um... just a joke," Sweetie Belle stuttered with a sheepish smile, "I guess another scoop would be fine for me!"
"Two more Filly Clown Surprises, please!" Rarity gasped as she shouted the order.
The elderly mare came back and replaced the empty platters and cups with two more platters with the super tiny sundaes for Sweetie Belle.
Just outside of the ice cream shop, Nyx, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Zipperwhill were with Ripley, who was just sitting before them lazily.
Each filly was holding a toy in one of their fore-hooves.
"Hey, Ripley!" Zipperwhill called out as she held a very small squeaky bone toy.
"Look at me! Over here!" Scootaloo called out as she bounced the ball with her hind hoof.
Ripley just yawned in reply as he lay down as he looked away from them. Nyx, Zipperwhill, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo just shared concerned looks with each other.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before Rarity had brought Sweetie Belle back to the park. For the moment, a stallion named Twisty Pop was making various balloon objects for a long line of foals. The two ponies were currently at the back of the line. Rarity had an excited smile on her face while Sweetie Belle looked annoyed and then glum.
"I know you must be bored, darlings," said Rarity to her sister. Sweetie Belle just smiled, "This is a very long line for one of Twisty Pop's balloons."
Sweetie Belle blinked and just sighed to herself. She was feeling more dejected. The marshmallow filly then looked across the bridge. Across the bridge were Nyx, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Zipperwhill with Ripley.
"Who's a good puppy?" Zipperwhill told Ripley as she made funny faces and rubbed his head, "Who's a good puppy?! You're the good puppy!" Ripley just whined and continued to look bored.
"Now come on, puppy-wuppy!" said Zipperwhill, "Get the bally-wally." She tossed the toy ball a short distance, but Ripley didn't bother to fetch it.
"Come on, boy! Go and catch it!" Nyx said with an encouraging smile.
"Come on, Ripley!" said Scootaloo, "Like this!"
Scootaloo pretended to be a puppy as she rushed over, grabbed the ball with her mouth and returned it to Apple Bloom.
"Good Scootaloo," said Apple Bloom as she patted Pegasus's head, "See?"
"Just like your owner tossed the ball to you and you liked to naw on it." Nyx added.
The two fillies both looked at Ripley, who was just barking at a squirrel that had run up a tree and wasn't paying the four fillies any attention.
"It's not working," said Zipperwhill with a sigh.
"Maybe if the ball tasted better?" Scootaloo suggested.
"I don't that that's it, Scoot," Apple Bloom remarked as Ripley continued to bark at the squirrel.
Back near the fountain, Sweetie Belle had seen everything.
"Doesn't look like it's going so well," said Sweetie Belle and turned to Rarity. "Umm...Rarity, I'm just gonna do a quick check with the CMCs and Nyx."
"Well, I guess duty calls," said Rarity, not hiding the sadness in her tone, "and-and you, you have that now..."
"What?" Sweetie Belle asked since she was already walking off.
"Oh nothing, nothing," said Rarity, "Go on." Sweetie Belle just kept walking and now it was Rarity's turn to look glum.
Once Sweetie Belle had crossed the bridge, she quickly approached Nyx, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Zipperwhill.
"Hey, look! Sweetie Belle's coming!" Nyx said, gaining her friends' attention.
"Hey, Sweetie Belle," Scootaloo said once she saw the marshmallow filly approach, "How's your day with Rarity going?"
"Well, it's not exactly great..." Sweetie Belle admitted.
"What do you mean?" Apple Bloom asked.
"I don't know," Sweetie Belle replied with some frustration in her tone, "It's like Rarity doesn't even know me anymore."
"What?" Nyx asked in confusion.
"I wish we could say our day is going better," said Scootaloo.
It was then Ripley started chasing after a squirrel. Zipperwhill started chasing after Ripley.
"But we can't," Apple Bloom finished sadly.
"It's gotten very complicated." Nyx added sadly.
"Seems like Zipperwhill's puppy doesn't want anything to do with her," Scootaloo pointed out.
Sweetie Belle noticed in the foreground that Ripley kept shunning Zipperwhill as the tiara-wearing Pegasus put a red bow on his head. Ripley shook it off and ran away, leaving Zipperwhill hurt and most upset as she tried walking after him.
"Hmmm. I see what you mean," said Sweetie Belle and then gasped, "You know, it's an awfully big puppy..."
"Sweetie Belle, hurry!" Rarity called out from the other side of the bridge, "He's making it!" Rarity then zipped away.
"Gotta go..." said Sweetie Belle in a dejected tone. Nyx, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo shared worried looks with each other.
"I hope she'll confess to Rarity that she's growing up." Nyx said with concern for Sweetie Belle.
Back at the fountain, Twisty Pop was using lightning fast hooves to create a bouquet of flowers made out of different colored balloons. Sweetie Belle just looked at the bouquet with a bored look on her face.
Rarity took the bouquet with her fore-hoof. She then gasped.
"I know just what to do with this!" said Rarity.
(Scene changes)
Within just a few minutes, a backdrop had been set up and fashion music was playing. A stallion was in position with his camera. Rarity had decided that she and the two fillies should dress up and take pictures together. Sweetie Belle had a long face since she was dressed like a sheep and Rarity was dressed like Little Bo Peep while holding the balloon bouquet in a fore-hoof.
"And pose!" said Rarity gave a smug smile while Sweetie Belle had a deadpan look on her face.
"And pose!" said Rarity with a smile as she was dressed up like a chicken. Sweetie Belle had the same expression on her face. She was dressed up as a giant brown egg.
"Love the camera!" said Rarity with a smile as she was dressed up as a butterfly. Sweetie Belle was a caterpillar and she had her usual long face.
"Hate the camera," said Rarity with pouty lips as she was dressed as a frog. Sweetie Belle was dressed up as a tadpole with a long face.
"Love it again!" said Rarity as she rushed into the background with a smile that featured big anime eyes. She was dressed as a flower. Sweetie Belle was dressed up as a seedling. She was looking at annoyed as ever.
(Scene changes)
Once the photo shoot was finished, the stallion handed Rarity the photos. The two ponies were still wearing their costumes from the most recent picture. Sweetie Belle was still looking miserable.
Rarity got their attention.
"Sweetie Belle, you did "hate the camera" for all these shots!" said Rarity with a huff as she tossed the photos away, "Let's do it again!"
Sweetie Belle winced.
"No!" Sweetie Belle snapped. Rarity gasped.
Back on the other side of the backdrop, Nyx, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were still trying to help Zipperwhill.
"Come on, Zipperwhill," Apple Bloom cheered, "you can do it."
Zipperwhill stood before Ripley, squeaking the tiny toy bone with her teeth and then held it before Ripley. Ripley looked at the toy, sniffed it, and then walked away. Zipperwhill was looking more dejected than ever as Nyx, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo shared worried looks with each other.
Back with Rarity and Sweetie Belle, the former had recovered from the latter's sudden outburst. '
"W-what do you mean, no?" said Rarity. Sweetie Belle wasn't sure how to speak up.
"Rarity, this is hard for me to say, but...um..." Sweetie Belle said slowly, trying to find her words.
"Sweetie Belle, what is it?" Rarity asked, "You've been acting weird all day. You used to love doing these things with me."
"That's just it!" said Sweetie Belle firmly, "I used to! That's not who I am anymore!"
Back with Nyx, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo...
"This isn't who I am!" said Zipperwhill in defeat, "My cutie mark must be for something else, because my puppy just doesn't love me anymore! Hmph!"
Zipperwhill then ran off, leaving Apple Bloom and Scootaloo felt very sad. Ripley just had a bored look on his face.
Back with Rarity and Sweetie Belle, the marshmallow filly removed her seedling costume.
"But it is you!" Rarity retorted sadly, "You love puppet shows and dressing up and taking silly photos and tiny little clown shaped ice creams!"
Sweetie Belle felt her patience hit her limit.
"Really?!" Sweetie Belle yelled, "If you still think I like doing this stuff, then maybe you don't know me at all!"
Sweetie Belle stamped a fore-hoof and ran away.
Rarity just sat down, whimpered, and began to cry.
"I can't believe Sweetie Belle talked to me like that," Rarity sobbed, but soon her sadness turned to anger, "and after everything I did to set up a whole day of doing her favorite things! I mean, accusing me of not knowing her?! I know her better than anypony!"
Twisty Pop made a balloon heart and offered it to Rarity.
"Um, thank you, Twisty," said Rarity, "but the hard truth is, my sister is being unappreciative right now! And I'm going to give her a piece of mind!"
The marshmallow mare started stomping away as Twisty Pop's heart balloon deflated, leaving him dejected and alone. Unknown to them, Nyx saw everything and decided to go after Sweetie Belle before Rarity could.
(Scene changes)
Sweetie Belle was stomping about to try and release some steam when Nyx caught up with her.
"Hey, Sweetie Belle!" Nyx called out, gaining the marshmallow filly's attention.
"Oh, hey, Nyx." Sweetie Belle greeted indignantly.
"I saw what happened and told the other CMCs that I wanted see how you were doing." Nyx said with concern.
"I'm doing fine." Sweetie Belle said before she added frustratingly. "It's just that… Rarity clearly doesn't know me anymore if she thinks I'm still a foal! Why would she think I still enjoyed all that stupid stuff?" Diamond Tiara was quiet for a moment as she sat down and crossed her fore-hooves.
"Sweetie Belle, when was the last time you and Rarity spent time together?" Nyx asked the filly in a serious tone.
"Well...it was...it was...I...I...I can't remember," Sweetie Belle admitted after seconds of stuttering.
"So...would you say enough time has passed since the last time you spend time together for all those interests to change?" Nyx asked.
"Are you saying this is my fault?" Sweetie Belle snapped defensively.
"No," said Nyx calmly, "I'm just saying that if it's been so long since the last time you've spent time together, would Rarity know that you're interests have changed and you've outgrown all those activities?"
"Well...she's always so busy...and she doesn't even ask me!" Sweetie Belle snapped.
"Why not just tell her?" Nyx asked.
"I'm a busy filly!" said Sweetie Belle, "Between school and my clients, who has the time to..." Sweetie Belle then froze when she realized that Nyx had a point and groaned.
"Hey, I'm not trying to say this is your fault," said Nyx, "but I can tell that Rarity isn't in denial of the fact you're growing up. She looked rather clueless, like she never knew you outgrew any of those activities. It wouldn't surprise me if she was just trying to make up for lost time."
Sweetie Belle just snorted.
"Yeah, well I guess that just means we're growing apart," said Sweetie Belle bitterly.
"Don't say that," said Nyx, "This is fixable. Just because you're getting older doesn't mean you two can't be close anymore. I'm sure she'd listen if you tried talking things out."
"Yeah, well when she's ready to listen, you tell me!" Sweetie Belle snapped and stomped away.
Nyx sighed.
"I hope she comes to her senses later on." Nyx muttered to herself before she flew off to find Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle was just stomping about when she saw Zipperwhill sitting alone on top of a nearby rock.
"Hey, Zipperwhill," said Sweetie Belle, "What are you doing here? Where are Apple Bloom and Scootaloo?"
"They're with my puppy," Zipperwhill answered sadly, "He seems to like them better than me anyway." Sweetie Belle rushed up to her.
"Now, I'm sure that's not true," Sweetie Belle protested gently.
"It is," Zipperwhill replied, "He doesn't like doing anything with me anymore." Zipperwhill sighed as she held up the tiny bone toy, "He didn't even want to play with this. And all puppies love these."
Zipperwhill sniffled a bit and was soon crying. Sweetie Belle examined the toy carefully.
"I think that might be your problem right there!" said Sweetie Belle in realization. "Come on!"
Sweetie Belle took off to find Nyx, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Ripley. Zipperwhill just watched them leave before jumping off the rock, grabbing the tiny bone toy, and then followed after them.
(Scene changes)
Meanwhile, Nyx, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were busy trying to get Ripley's attention. Ripley just yawned as a sign that the three fillies efforts weren't working.
"Find Zipperwhill, Ripley!" Scootaloo groaned as she knelt beside the dog.
"Woof, woof! It's Zipperwhill! Woof!" Apple Bloom told Ripley, but it was no good.
"I'm sorry to say this, guys, but I don't think this is gonna work." Nyx said as she sat down.
Scootaloo sighed loudly.
"It's hopeless," said Scootaloo in defeat and the three fillies saw Sweetie Belle and Zipperwhill rushing up to them.
"Sweetie Belle!" Apple Bloom called out.
"Zipperwhill!" said Scootaloo with a sigh, "We're sorry we haven't figured this out yet."
"Don't worry, girls," said Sweetie Belle. "I think I cracked this one."
"You have?" Nyx asked curiously.
"Uh huh." Sweetie Belle nodded.
That's Rarity was shuffling through some bushes and peeked out from them.
"Aha!" Rarity exclaimed, "There she is!" Rarity then gasped when she saw her costume was full of leaves and twigs, "Oh, dear. Really should have changed." Rarity just huffed, "No matter! I'm going to give her quite the talking to!..." Rarity then noticed that she was talking to the others, "...Right after she's done with her conversation. Anger is no excuse for poor manners, after all."
Despite her hurt feelings, she decided to listen in on the conversation as quietly as she could.
"Okay, Zipperwhill," said Sweetie Belle as she and the tiara wearing pegasus filly stood before Ripley, "What do you see?"
"My puppy?" said Zipperwhill.
"That's not what we see," said Sweetie Belle. "I see a full-grown dog."
"He did get bigger. I guess," Zipperwhill admitted.
"He's not just bigger," said Sweetie Belle, "He's older, too."
Ripley just grunted as he scratched his ear and pretended he was asleep. Nyx realized this and smiled.
"Being older also means that he's not going to play with the same toys he did when he was puppy," said Nyx.
"You don't play with the same toys from when you were a foal, do you?" Sweetie Belle asked Zipperwhill. Zipperwhill then looked at her tiny bone toy.
"Oh. Ohhh," said Zipperwhill in realization, "The squeaker is a little small for him now."
"And he's smart enough to know that if he tries chewing on it that he'll most likely swallow it," Nyx added.
"You're right about that," said Zipperwhill and sighed, "It's just hard for me to believe he not the same adorable little guy I found anymore."
"We understand," said Sweetie Belle.
"Every puppy grows up at some point," said Nyx, "but that doesn't mean he still can't be your adorable little guy. Oops, I mean adorable big guy now." Nyx giggled at her little slip up, making Zipperwhill smile for a second.
"And doing things like you used to won't turn him back into a puppy," said Sweetie Belle.
"You might not be able to turn back the clock," said Nyx, "but just because he's getting older doesn't mean you two can't still be close friends. It just means that your friendship is changing, but that change doesn't have to be a bad thing."
"Precisely," said Sweetie Belle. Zipperwhill nodded in understanding.
"So...what do I do?" Zipperwhill asked.
"Treat him like the dog he is," Sweetie Belle answered as Nyx nodded in agreement, "and find new favorite things to do together."
"If you accept the fact he's older and wants to do new things," said Nyx, "He'll be more willing to spend time with you and be your friend again."
"You think so?" Zipperwhill asked hopefully.
"I know so," said a familiar voice as she made her presence known.
"Rarity?!" said Sweetie Belle.
"Oh, Sweetie Belle!" Rarity said guilty. "I heard what you said and you are so right."
"About the dog?" Scootaloo asked since she and Apple Bloom had been listening to the conversation.
"Yes, but about us, too," said Rarity, "the truth is, I know you're not a little filly anymore. But it's just...the last time we did all of those things together, I...I didn't realize it was gonna be the last last time." Rarity's eyes watered as she gave her sister a sad smile as she sat down before her younger sister, "I loved doing those things with you. It's hard for me to let that go."
Rarity looked away, but did let a few tears fall from her eyes.
"Aww, Rarity!" said Sweetie Belle as she gave Rarity a hug, "I love being with you, too! That will never change! But...maybe we could just try to do different things together?"
Rarity nodded in agreement. Rarity went to give her sister a loving nuzzle when she realized she was still wearing the flower costume. She used her magic to take it off and clear out some of the leaves stuck in her mane. Sweetie Belle then noticed Rarity missed a twig and used her magic to pull it out and tossed it toward Ripley. Ripley jumped up and panted with interest at the twig.
"What is it, puppy?" Zipperwhill asked and giggled, "I mean, Ripley?"
Zipperwhill walked up to the twig and gave it a firm toss. Ripley went after it, picked up it, and brought it back to her. He also gave her a lick.
"I love you, too, Ripley!" Zipperwhill giggled before tossing the twig again for Ripley to go after it. She then turned to the rest of the ponies, "Thank you, Crusaders. And thank you, Princess Nyx."
"No problem!" said the four fillies together.
"Well, if you guys don't need me to help out anymore, I gotta go home now. Mom and Dad are probably gonna be making dinner soon." Nyx said as she waved goodbye to the others before she flew off for home as her friends waved goodbye in return.
Then Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Zipperwhill laughed as they went to play with Ripley.
"Oh, Ripley!" said Zipperwhill happily. Rarity and Sweetie Belle watched them walk off before Rarity looked at Sweetie Belle.
"Sweetie Belle, I'm so very proud of the pony you've grown into," said Rarity.
"And I'm proud that no matter what, I'll always be your little sister," said Sweetie Belle.
"I, uh, have a little bit of time before I have to head back to Canterlot," said Rarity, "Could we spend it together?" Sweetie Belle gave a nod.
"What would a grown pony like you want to do?" Rarity asked.
"Well, I do have one idea..." said Sweetie Belle.
(Scene changes)
It was a few minutes later, Rarity and Sweetie Belle had headed back to the ice cream shop. This time they each ordered a mega-sized clown shaped ice cream sundae that was bigger than their heads. Both sisters had their lips coated in ice cream as they licked their lips. Rarity then gave her sundae a few generous licks on her own.
"Heh, I didn't realize your idea would be such a delicious one!" said Rarity with a giggle, "I don't know how I'm going to finish this."
"Oh! I'll help you!" said Sweetie Belle.
Then she and Rarity giggled to each other as they scooted in close so Rarity could wrap a fore-leg around her younger sibling. The elderly mare then held a camera as she took a picture of them, their lips coated in ice cream and big, toothy smiles on their faces.
Rarity smiled as she set the picture onto the counter of the Canterlot Boutique as she was wrapping up some final adjustments before the shop opened up for tomorrow.