MLP: The Incredible Shrinking Cutie Mark Crusaders

Apple Bloom heard the knock on the door to her clubhouse, and she smiled knowing exactly who it was judging by the knocking pattern she heard. Apple Bloom opened the door and greeted her fellow fillies, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, aka the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
“Hi, everyone! Thanks for coming!” Apple Bloom said.
“Well, you did say that it was important.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Yeah! What’s so important that I had to leave a flying session with Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo said.
“I’m sorry, Scootaloo. But I think I’ve finally figured it out.” Apple Bloom said.
“Figured what out?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“How to pull off a magic spell that I saw Twilight Sparkle practice one day. Come on, look at this!” Apple Bloom said.

The filly led the other two fairies over to a magic book that she opened up. She flipped through a few pages until finally coming across what she was looking for. The other ponies didn’t have to ask any questions to Apple Bloom considering there was an illustration clearly showing everyone what the spell was.
“A growing spell?” Sweetie Belle said.
“Yep! That’s the one! Just think, girls. We’re already quite helpful around Ponyville, but being 20 times bigger can let us do so much more!” Apple Bloom shouted.
“Oh! Good thinking! And I can hug and squeeze and cuddle Rainbow Dash like a cute little doll!” Scootaloo said.
“Interesting, but…” Sweetie Belle said.
“What’s wrong, Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom said.
“I don’t know. Does being giant really make us much more helpful? We could end up doing more harm than good. I can already see my tail swinging wildly and causing problems.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Awwww… come on! I think it’ll be fun! Besides, maybe we can be giant superheroes on top of all that!” Scootaloo said.
“Scootaloo’s right! If we use this magic responsibly, our giant selves can be just what Ponyville needs. Let’s go for it!” Apple Bloom said.
“Alright, alright.” Sweetie Belle said.

After Apple Bloom spent a few minutes memorizing the magic chant that will activate the spell, she then backed up towards her two friends/teammates.
“Okay, everyone. Concentrate while I say the magic words!” Apple Bloom said. The young filly closed her eyes along with the others.
“Wait, wait, wait! Should we really be inside the clubhouse when we start growing?” Sweetie Belle said. The three ponies looked at each other.
“We can always rebuild it, Sweetie! And who knows? Maybe there’s some reset magic spell for destroyed property!” Scootaloo said.
“Yeah! Like Scootaloo said. And besides… I’m just so excited to execute this spell. Oooooh… Applejack will be so proud I pulled off a tough spell like this!” Apple Bloom said. The three closed their eyes again and Apple Bloom began chanting. The spell immediately worked its magic as the three became surrounded in a blue aura.
“Everyone keep your eyes closed until the magic wears off, even when our heads crash through the roof...” Apple Bloom said as the three did just that.

But that meant the trio couldn’t see the spell go horribly wrong. They weren’t growing. They were shrinking instead. Smaller and smaller they quickly got until they were all the way down to one inch tall.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all felt the spell wear off and they opened their eyes. The scenery looked wildly different, and most importantly…
“Huh? I didn’t feel any bursting through the ceiling…” Sweetie Belle said.
“Maybe we didn’t grow as much as we thought.” Scootaloo said. Apple Bloom, on the other hand, looked up and saw the ceiling a loooooooong ways up.
“Uh… guys.” Apple Bloom said. That’s when all three fillies looked up and realized what had happened. They all screamed.
“EEEEEEEEK!!! WE SHRUNK!!!” they all shouted. The three ran around in a mini-panic until they collected their thoughts and gathered back together.
“Apple Bloom! What the heck happened!?” Sweetie Belle shouted.
“I… I… I don’t know! I’m certain I did the spell correctly.” Apple Bloom said.
“Gulp… how small are we?” Scootaloo said. Apple Bloom walked around and almost walked right into a ball of dust, which ordinarily would be casually brushed aside if anyone normal sized saw it.
“Well, judging by this ball of dust, maybe, well… no more than one inch tall?” Apple Bloom said.
“Whoa… we’re like bug food now!” Scootaloo said.
“Well, don’t just stand there, Apple Bloom! Find a way to make us big again!” Sweetie Belle said.
“I… I’m afraid too! If I mess up again, we could end up even smaller. Like, right into the microverse!” Apple Bloom said.
“Okay, okay, okay. I’m sorry I got upset, Apple Bloom. It’s just…” Sweetie Belle said.
“I know. Maybe we jumped the gun on playing with magic spells.” Apple Bloom said.
“But we can’t just stand here and do nothing. Maybe we should get out there and find someone who can help us… like Twilight Sparkle herself!” Scootaloo said.
“Good thinking, Scootaloo.” Apple Bloom said.

Just then, however, the three fillies watched the door to their clubhouse open up in the distance. Standing outside was a familiar face, especially to Apple Bloom. It was her big sister, Applejack.
“Huh? Apple Bloom? Where’d y’all go?” Applejack said as she slowly walked inside. Of course, to the shrunken fillies, Applejack towered high above them even from a distance, and each of her footsteps on the wooden floor left a thundering boom.
“Uh oh… your sister. We’re in big trouble!” Sweetie Belle said.
“Why? She can’t find us and yell at us, right?” Scootaloo said.
“But she could step on us!” Sweetie Belle said.
“No! We have to try and get her attention! She can help us!” Apple Bloom said as she took a deep breath while watching the ‘gigantic’ Applejack get closer and closer.
“Applejack! Down here! APPLEJACK!” Apple Bloom shouted, jumping up and down. Her two teammates of the Cutie Mark Crusaders joined her, but it didn’t make them feel any better watching as Applejack continued to wander around without giving a moment’s thought to look down on the ground. In fact, her next step with one of her hooves was going to be right where the trio was standing.
“RUN!” Sweetie Belle shouted as the three dashed out of the way before the great wall of orange could come down and crush them.

Applejack continued to walk around wondering where Apple Bloom and the others were, having no idea of course they were literally by one of her hooves.
“Ugh… really, Apple Bloom! I got no time to play hide ‘n seek, ya hear!?” Applejack said. She then took another step and finally looked down, but she was looking down at a small pile of dust that got kicked around.
“Dang, this floor is dirty! I guess them Cutie Mark Crusaders don’t consider cleaning up a top priority.” Applejack said as she walked away from the dust pile (and over the shrunken fillies unknowingly) and to another part of the room. She picked up a broom and dustpan and got to work sweeping.
Meanwhile, Apple Bloom and the others lamented how Applejack couldn’t hear them, but this was no surprise to Scootaloo.
“Sigh… we’re much too small. There’s no way she can hear us from down here.” Scootaloo said.
“You’re right, Scoot! We gotta get up higher somehow.” Apple Bloom said.
“Gulp… provided we’re not swept up like trash! Look!” Sweetie Belle said, watching as Applejack came storming back with the broom and dustpan with her.
“Every pony for herself!” Apple Bloom said as the broom’s bristles came storming towards the trio.

The three put the brakes on and tried to run the other way, only for the dustpan to greet them on the other side. And even then, the wind being generated from the broom flying overhead knocked the three off their feet. They all screamed as they went flying into the dustpan. Applejack, meanwhile, took the dustpan and emptied its contents into a nearby black bag, which she promptly took outside, eventually setting it down on the far edge of the property, past Sweet Apple Acres to be exact. Once Applejack set the bag down, she went walking back towards her home.
“Apple Bloom! We need to have a talk about cleaning up that there clubhouse of yours!” Applejack shouted.

A short while later, a tiny hole was being ripped open at the bottom of the bag. It was from Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all cutting their way out. The trio saw they were in a greatly supersized apple orchard.
“Where are we now, Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“It looks like Applejack’s apple orchard… look how big all these apples are.” Apple Bloom said.
“Not just the apples, but the grass as well…” Scootaloo said.
“I’m scared…” Sweetie Belle said.
“We have to be strong, Sweetie Belle. We’ll get through this.” Apple Bloom said.
“She’s right. I believe in you, Apple Bloom! You have a plan, right?” Scootaloo said.
“Of course! All we have to do is make our way through the apple orchard and somehow get back in the house, then figure out how we’re going to get Applejack’s attention.” Apple Bloom said.
“All the while dodging a bunch of giant ants.” Sweetie Belle said with a nervous look on her face.
“Huh? What giant ants?” Apple Bloom asked. Sweetie Belle pointed nervously behind her teammate, and the other two fillies looked to see indeed a giant ant looking down and growling at the shrunken group.
“RUN AWAY!!!” Apple Bloom screamed as the three went running and the ant chased after them.

The chase went on for almost a few minutes, with the three running as fast as they could, but they would begin to tire out.
“I… I don’t know how much more I can keep this up.” Sweetie Belle said. Apple Bloom suddenly had a determined look on her face.
“Then we’ll fight back! Ha!” Apple Bloom shouted. She turned her backside on the ant and kicked back her rear hooves, hitting the ant in its face. The ant pulled back and shook its head like he was dusting off the cobwebs. Of course, it was a far cry from doing damage to the ant. In fact, it was quite angry as it looked up and let out a cry to the sky.
Seconds later, a few more giant ants rustled their way around the tall blades of grass and threatened to surround the shrunken fillies.
“Yeah, I think you made it mad, Apple Bloom.” Scootaloo said.
“Come on, this way!” Apple Bloom shouted as she and the other fillies made their way past the group. However, they came across a clump of tall grass blades, with no way out but the direction they came in, which was quickly closed off by the group of ants.
“Oh no! We’re trapped!” Sweetie Belle shouted. The three fillies looked up in fear as the ants closed in.
“Well, everyone. It’s been great knowing y’all.” Apple Bloom said.
“Yeah, same here.” Scootaloo said as the three secretly said their prayers, hoping for a miracle.

They got one as a giant grey wall suddenly came down between the fillies and the ants. The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked up and up and up and saw who the wall belonged to.
“Derpy!?” all three shouted. Derpy, much like Applejack, had no idea of the shrunken fillies by her feet. She DID, however, take note of the ants in front of her.
“Oooooooh… ants! Don’t need those running around Applejack’s super awesome apple farm!” Derpy said as she took a casual step forward and crushed the ants. The fillies all twitched as they saw the crushed and distorted remains of the ants.
As for Derpy, she stepped to the side and kneeled down, scooping up a few apples with her mouth into a bag strapped to her backside.
“Anyway, I can't waste anymore time! Don’t want to be fired on my first day as fruit gatherer for the restaurant in Ponyville!” Derpy said. As she set one of her long pegasus wings down on the ground, Apple Bloom felt this was their chance.
“Quick, everyone! Let’s jump aboard her wings!” Apple Bloom shouted.
“Ummmm… are you sure, Apple Bloom? Derpy’s probably not the most trustworthy pony to seek help…” Sweetie Belle said.
“Too late, she’s already making a break.” Scootaloo said.
“Ugh!” Sweetie Belle said as she and Scootaloo quickly caught up with Apple Bloom and the three jumped on Derpy’s wing. Just in time too as she finished filling her bag full of apples and stood back to her full height.
“Okey dokey! All full! Ready for takeoff!” Derpy shouted as she flapped her wings and took off for the air. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all held on tight to the strap of Derpy’s apple bag to avoid getting blown off.

Minutes later, Derpy was flying through the sky admiring how clearly blue it was. So much so that she ended up flying past her destination.
“Yipes!” Derpy shouted as she did a quick turnaround and then dove towards the restaurant at high speed. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo knew this too judging by the incredibly fast downward momentum they were suddenly experiencing.
“Waaaaaah! We have to jump!” Apple Bloom screamed.
“No kidding!!” Scootaloo shouted as the three started to see the ground fast approaching. The three finally bailed out, just as Derpy flew through the seating area (with the few ponies already there diving out of the way) and then literally crashing into the restaurant.
As for the shrunken Cutie Mark Crusaders, they opened their eyes after a somewhat rough landing. By all miracles, they were still alive.
“Whew… we’re alright.” Apple Bloom said.
“Yeah, but where are we?” Sweetie Belle asked. A shadow quickly blocked all sunlight from above. Scootaloo looked up and gasped.
“Um… does that answer your question?” Scootaloo said as she and her teammates were suddenly looking up at a gigantic pony’s behind. They didn’t have time to realize that it was Lyra Heartstrings, judging by her mint colored skin, who was about to sit on them.
“JUMP!” Apple Bloom said as the three ran to the edge of the chair. While they narrowly avoid being crushed by the unknowing Lyra, the force of her sitting down compared to the near microscopic size of the fillies caused them to go flying off the chair.

The shrunken trio all took deep breaths as they sat near one of the table legs, once again lucky to have survived. They looked up and finally saw it was Lyra who nearly sat on them, plus they noticed Sweetie Drops sitting on the other side of the table.
“Oh? It looks like Lyra and Sweetie are dating again.” Apple Bloom said.
“Gosh… isn’t that, like, the fourth date this week those two have been on?” Sweetie Belle said.
“It just shows how much they love each other. Right, Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom said. The two looked over at Scootaloo, who strangely seemed to be laughing.
“Heh heh heh heh…” Scootaloo said.
“Scootaloo, what’s…?” Apple Bloom said. But Scootaloo suddenly burst out before Apple Bloom could finish.
“Waaaaah! We’re doomed!! In a span of 30 minutes, we got swept up like yesterday’s trash, nearly lost our lunches falling off Derpy’s back, almost got flattened thinner than pancakes, and we’re no closer to anyone even thinking about us! We’re doomed, I tell you! DOOOOOOOO…!!!” Scootaloo said, only to suddenly get slapped in the face by one of Sweetie Belle’s hooves.
“Scootaloo! That’s not the right attitude for the Cutie Mark Crusaders to have!” Sweetie Belle shouted.
“Yeah, Scoot! Snap out of it, will ya!?” Apple Bloom said.

Scootaloo shook her head like she had been snapped back to reality.
“Ugh… thanks, guys. I really needed that.” Scootaloo said.
“I get your frustration, but we can’t give up. Giving up only means we’ll stay this size forever.” Apple Bloom said.
“We’re with you, Apple Bloom. But who can possibly help us?” Sweetie Belle said. Apple Bloom took a deep breath and looked out at the rest of Ponyville that laid beyond the restaurant.
“I don’t know… but somebody out there has to have a keen eye. Come on!” Apple Bloom said as she and the others departed from the restaurant grounds.

Unsurprisingly, it was like a jurassic park for the shrunken fillies as they constantly looked up, watching where the giant ponies were stepping left and right. There were many close calls, but ultimately they focused their attention on the fountain.
“Hey, Apple Bloom! Look!” Scootaloo said as she pointed towards the fountain. There, the trio saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon sitting together as always, chatting with each other.
“Oh! That’s Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.” Apple Bloom said.
“Yeah, but… it’s Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Come on, Sweetie Belle. They’re our friends now ever since we finally got our cutie marks. Remember?” Apple Bloom said.
“I know, I know. But still, I can’t help but think of bad memories of when they repeatedly teased us.” Sweetie Belle said.
“On the other hand, they have pretty good seeing and hearing, especially Silver Spoon!” Scootaloo said, prompting a nod from Apple Bloom.
“Which is exactly why we should try and get their attention! It’s gotta be better than spending the next few hours looking for Twilight Sparkle under constant threat of being squashed!” Apple Bloom said. Right when she said that, the trio had to jump out of the way of being crushed by Rarity as she walked by.
“Way ahead of you, Apple Bloom!” Sweetie Belle said as she galloped her way towards the two former bullies, as did Scootaloo and Apple Bloom.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, meanwhile, continued their casual chat from the fountain.
“And that’s when I said that necklace is sooooooo 1987!” Diamond Tiara said.
“Yeah. She didn’t have to take it so personally, though. 87 was a good year from what I’ve read.” Silver Spoon said.
“You actually read? Hahaha!” Diamond Tiara said.
“Pfffft… only so the teachers don’t get on my nerves. Even fashion has to take a backseat to important matters when necessary.” Silver Spoon said. Diamond Tiara sighed, knowing Silver Spoon was right as always.
Before the two could continue their chat, however, Silver Spoon heard a series of high-pitched squeals all of a sudden.
“Huh? Do you hear that, Diamond Tiara?” Silver Spoon asked.
“Hear what?” Diamond Tiara said.
“Very faint voices calling out our names… Down there!” Silver Spoon said as she looked towards the ground at three differently colored specks next to Diamond Tiara’s hooves. Diamond Tiara looked down next and immediately thought they were bugs by her feet.
“Ewwww! Bugs! You go squish…” Diamond Tiara said.
“WAIT, DIAMOND TIARA!” Silver Spoon said.
“Huh? What for!? They’re just bugs!” Diamond Tiara said.
“Yeah… bugs colored like orange for example. When have you ever seen bugs like that!?” Silver Spoon said.
“Ummm… never?” Diamond Tiara said.

Silver Spoon finally laid down flat on the ground to get a closer look. She focused her eyes on the ‘bugs’ and saw they weren’t bugs at all! They were Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all jumping up and down and trying to get their attention.
“Oh my silver spoons! I knew it! They’re not bugs at all.” Silver Spoon said.
“Then what are they?” Diamond Tiara said.
“Would you believe… the Cutie Mark Crusaders?” Silver Spoon said.
“Uhhhh… okay, Silver Spoon. What did you eat for breakfast this morning?” Diamond Tiara said.
“I’m not kidding! Let me show you… it’s okay, everyone. Climb aboard.” Silver Spoon said.
“Oh my gosh! She recognized us!” Apple Bloom said.
“Yahoo! We’re saved!” Scootaloo said as she and the other fillies all hopped onto Silver Spoon’s hoof, holding it as steady as she could as she stood back to her full height. Diamond Tiara looked down and finally recognized the shrunken trio.
“Whoa… you’re right! But look how itty bitty they are…” Diamond Tiara said.
“Ummm… hi, Silver Spoon. Hi, Diamond Tiara.” all three fillies said. Diamond Tiara tried her best to hold a laugh in.
“Y’know… you must be this tall to ride this attraction!” Diamond Tiara said.
“Diamond!” Silver Spoon shouted.
“Sorry, sorry. I know we’re all friends now, but I just had to throw a short joke in.” Diamond Tiara said.
“Hahaha! I liked it, actually!” Scootaloo said.
“See? No harm, no foul!” Diamond Tiara said.
“So what happened to all of you? How did you get so small?” Silver Spoon asked.
“Well, it’s like this…” Apple Bloom said as she proceeded to tell the story of how she and the others shrunk.

It took a couple minutes, but Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon nodded after understanding the situation perfectly.
“So that’s the story. We’ve been trying to find someone that will take us to Twilight Sparkle, hoping she has some kind of antidote that will grow us back to normal size.” Sweetie Belle said.
“And you chose us, after all we’ve said and done to you?” Silver Spoon said.
“Well, to be honest, you weren’t our first choice… but you ARE the first ponies to finally take notice of us.” Apple Bloom said.
“Heh… you can thank Silver Spoon for that. She’s got the best eyes and ears of all fillies!” Diamond Tiara said.
“You know what? I won’t argue with that.” Scootaloo said with a smile.
“Sooooo… you two wouldn’t happen to know where Twilight Sparkle lives, do you?” Apple Bloom asked.
“I do! And we’d be happy to take you there.” Diamond Tiara said.
“Whew! Thank you thank you thank you!” Sweetie Belle said.
“Silver Spoon, please put them on my back. They can ride there all the way to Twilight Sparkle’s place.” Diamond Tiara said as Silver Spoon casually dropped the shrunken fillies onto Diamond Tiara’s backside. The trio breathed a sigh of relief that help was soon on its way, and they had their former bullies to thank.

It would not be a ride without its bumps, however, and it was already a bit bumpy thanks to how quickly Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were moving. Both normal-sized fillies stopped when they heard a familiar adult voice behind them.
“Diamond Tiara!!!” the voice shouted.
“Oh no… my Mom.” Diamond Tiara said as she and Silver Spoon both looked back and saw DT’s mother, Spoiled Rich, approaching them.
“What do we do?” Silver Spoon said.
“Just play along.” Diamond Tiara whispered just as Spoiled Rich marched up in front of them.
“Diamond Tiara, just what are you doing in the middle of Ponyville?” Spoiled Rich said.
“Silver Spoon and I were just playing. That’s all, Mom.” Diamond Tiara said.
“Bah! It doesn’t matter whether you were playing or not. You should be at home working on your homework!” Spoiled Rich said.
“Sigh… yes, Mom.” Diamond Tiara said.

As Spoiled Rich circled around the two, babbling on how she did things differently when she was their age, she suddenly took notice of the different colored specks on Diamond Tiara’s back. Of course, these ‘specks’ were the shrunken Cutie Mark Crusaders, but to Spoiled Rich, they looked like insects.
“And Diamond Tiara! Did you neglect to have your bath yesterday? Now you’ve got these weird colored insects laying on your back!” Spoiled Rich said. Diamond Tiara gasped knowing what might happen next between the shrunken fillies she was carrying and her mom.
“Oh, no no no no no, Mom! I found these bugs out in the wild! Silver Spoon and I were just going to take them home and examine them. You know, for a future school project!” Diamond Tiara said.
“Pffffft! I won’t have disgusting creatures destroy my baby’s shining beauty.” Spoiled Rich said as she took a breath and then exhaled, blowing the shrunken trio right off DT’s back.
“Waaaaaaaah!!!” they all screamed as they fell for the grass below.
“Eeeeeeeek!!!” Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon both screamed.
“Now then, I have to hurry back home for some important business. I expect to see you home very soon, my dearest daughter.” Spoiled Rich said before she walked away.

Meanwhile, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all got back on their hooves, thanking the tall grass blades for breaking their fall.
“Ugh… that Spoiled Rich sure is a spoiled grownup brat!” Scootaloo said. Just then, the two looked up above the tall-as-trees grass blades, seeing Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon towering over them, looking in every direction except down.
“I think we’ve got way bigger problems than Diamond Tiara’s mother, guys!” Apple Bloom said, watching as one of Silver Spoon’s hooves was coming down fast over where they were standing.
“Look out!” Sweetie Belle shouted. The two normal-sized fillies, meanwhile, anxiously looked around the grass trying to find their tiny friends.
“Apple Bloom! Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo!” Diamond Tiara said.
“Shhhh… not so loud, Diamond Tiara! You might blow out their eardrums and draw attention from the other ponies as well!” Silver Spoon said.
“Ugh… sorry, Silver Spoon! I’m not used to looking for fillies smaller than ants!” Diamond Tiara said as she continued scanning the grass trying to find them.

It took a couple more minutes and several more near misses, but finally Diamond Tiara looked in one small patch and finally spotted them.
“I found them!” Diamond Tiara said.
“Whew… thank goodness.” Apple Bloom said.
“Yeah. It only took nearly getting stepped on, like, 15 times before one of you found us!” Scootaloo said.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Maybe next time, don’t shrink as small?” Diamond Tiara asked in a kind and gentle manner to show she was compassionate. She lowered her head and allowed the group to climb up her face and eventually on her nose. It was around that time that Silver Spoon caught up to Diamond Tiara.
“Are you three alright?” Silver Spoon asked. Scootaloo was about to say something a little sarcastic like she did with Diamond Tiara, but Apple Bloom quickly lightened the mood.
“We’re great! We’re just so happy you found us.” Apple Bloom said. Silver Spoon turned her back towards Diamond Tiara.
“Here, Diamond Tiara. Drop them on my back.” Silver Spoon said, with Diamond Tiara doing just that, tipping her face forward and allowing the trio to land on SS’s back.
“This time we’ll walk side by side, so I can make sure nothing happens to you three until we get to Twilight Sparkle’s.” Diamond Tiara said.
“And we’ll walk more carefully too.” Silver Spoon said from in front of the trio. The two fillies then resumed their trek towards Twilight Sparkle’s house.

Inside Twilight Sparkle’s house, Twilight Sparkle was busy as always studying her magic books. So much so, she didn’t hear the door knocking a couple times.
“Twilight! Someone’s at the door!” Spike yelled from the other room.
“Hmmm? Oh… can you get that for me? If it’s a salespony, you know what to do.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“With great pleasure… mwahahaha…” Spike said as he rubbed his hands together. But to his disappointment, he opened the door and didn’t see such a pony. He instead was looking at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, not knowing Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were shrunken on SS’s back.
“Hello. May we please speak with Twilight Sparkle? It’s very important.” Diamond Tiara asked.
“And your names are?” Spike asked.
“I’m Diamond Tiara and she’s Silver Spoon.” Diamond Tiara said.
“Yeah, sorry, but she’s kinda busy. She asked not to be disturbed and…” Spike said, only to be interrupted by Twilight Sparkle’s voice as she came galloping into the room.
“Diamond Tiara? Silver Spoon? Wow… I haven’t seen you two in a while, especially since you stopped picking on the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Yeah, sorry about that.” Diamond Tiara said.
“So how can I help you?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“Well, it’s better if we show you. Can we come in?” Silver Spoon asked.
“Of course! Please, right this way.” Twilight Sparkle said as she led Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara inside and towards her room of magic books, with Spike going back to whatever he was doing in the living room.

Once the trio had the magic room all to themselves, Twilight Sparkle asked the obvious question.
“So what is it?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“Please focus your attention on Silver Spoon’s back. Some friends of ours are in trouble and could use your help.” Diamond Tiara said.
“Ooooooookay…” Twilight Sparkle as she walked towards Silver Spoon’s back. She looked closer and closer and closer until she saw…
“GASP!” Twilight Sparkle gasped.
“Twilight Sparkle! Help us!” Apple Bloom said as she and the other shrunken fillies jumped up and down.
“Apple Bloom!? Shrunken… er, I mean, Sweetie Belle!? And Scootaloo!?” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Are we ever glad to see you!” Scootaloo said.
“Sooooo… I’m sure you’re wondering how we got this small?” Sweetie Belle said.
“Uh… you think?” Twilight Sparkle said.

After using her horn to help pick up the fillies from Silver Spoon’s back and set the trio down on the table, Twilight Sparkle listened to the trio telling the story of how they shrunk,
“So that’s the story. You’re probably going to tell Applejack that I messed up again, right?” Apple Bloom said with a sad face. Twilight Sparkle instead smiled.
“I won’t tell if you won’t either. And besides, this is thankfully an easy fix for me.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Whew… thank goodness. I knew you’d have the answer. You have all the magic answers!” Scootaloo said.
“Well… maybe not all of them, but you see, the reason the spell shrunk you three is quite simple. You literally were thinking big!” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Huh?” All the fillies, even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon behind TS, said.
“You three were undoubtedly picturing yourselves as big as you wanted to grow, but the spell actually works in reverse. It pictures what the other ponies see you as, so by wishing to grow big, the spell instead shrunk you so you would instead see what the other ponies would be looking up at.” Twilight Sparkle said.

At first, the shrunken fillies traded confused looks with each other, but Sweetie Belle seemed to get it first.
“I get it! So if we saw other ponies as small instead, then the spell would’ve made us grow instead!” Sweetie Belle said.
“You catch on quick, Sweetie Belle!” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Now I understand. So if we just think small instead, we can grow back to normal, right?” Apple Bloom said.
“Yes, but I think it’s best if you let me restore you to normal. The growth part of the spell is highly unstable and requires incredible concentration. If the execution is even slightly off… you could grow to some, shall we say, unhealthy proportions.” Twilight Sparkle said, causing the shrunken trio to cringe.
“Maybe that would explain why we only saw her grow that one time.” Scootaloo said.
“We understand, Twilight Sparkle. You’re the master in this room. All we want is to be back to normal size, and we promise not to fool with that spell again for a while.” Apple Bloom said.
“Good. Now then, hold still while I work my magic.” Twilight Sparkle said.

She closed her eyes and chanted out a few words. The fillies in the room, whether they were normal-sized or not, dared not say anything so that TS’s concentration wouldn’t be broken. Soon, an energy bolt came shooting out from TS’s horn, making contact with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Almost immediately thereafter, the three began to grow.
“Oh, it’s working! We’re growing!” Apple Bloom shouted as the three watched the area around them get smaller and smaller. About a minute later, the three were back to their normal size, hopping off the table with big smiles on their faces.
“Woohoo! I haven’t been this excited since getting my cutie mark!” Scootaloo said.
“I’ll never ever take my size for granted again.” Sweetie Belle said. Even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were happy beyond words as they ran up to the three and gave quick hugs and face rubs with each other.
“Thank you, Twilight Sparkle.” Apple Bloom said.
“You’re welcome. I hope you three learned a valuable lesson during the time you were shrunk.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Oh, we sure did. BIIIIIIIG lessons too.” Scootaloo said, which prompted all the ponies in the room to laugh.
“Now then, you all better run home. Applejack’s probably worried sick about you, Apple Bloom.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Oh, you’re right! I wonder if we should tell her about the broom…” Apple Bloom said.
“I’d rather we not. Your older sister can get pretty worked up over moments like that.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Yeah, good point!” Apple Bloom said as she and the other fillies left Twilight Sparkle’s home. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon would return to their homes while the Cutie Mark Crusaders began the journey back to their clubhouse. Luckily they didn’t have to worry about being stepped on or avoiding being ant food anymore! ^______^

END