//------------------------------// // Growth in Friendship // Story: Sweet Affection // by Masterob //------------------------------// The following day Rumble and Sweetie Belle were on another one of their dates, very happy to be together again, even if they were apart for just a little under a day, but it was a lot for them, mostly Sweetie Belle. This time they were dating at Twilight's castle, where it started for them as a couple. The Princess herself was more than happy to let them stay and enjoy themselves, even giving them a nice book for them to read, which they read together. Tender Taps was also in the library, sitting between Apple Bloom and Scootaloo while looking over at Rumble and Sweetie Belle. "Looking at it from this angle, maybe I was better off not having Rumble as my coltfriend, probably wouldn't have worked out," Scootaloo said. "Maybe, maybe not, but at least they're happy now," Tender Taps said. "Yeah, they kinda look cute together reading that book," Apple Bloom said. A moment later Twilight came into the room with Dinky beside her. "Your magic's really improving, I can see you as a member of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns." "Wow, you really mean that Twilight?" Dinky asked with a hopeful smile. "I honestly do, just keep practicing and I'm confident you'll do great," Twilight said with a squee. "I will, thanks," Dinky said. Twilight nodded and turned to Sweetie Belle, "Would you like to practice your magic with me?" Sweetie Belle turned to Rumble, "You don't mind interrupting our date right?" "Of course not, you're lucky you get to learn from Twilight," Rumble said cheerfully. "Aw, so supportive," Sweetie Belle said with a kiss to Rumble. She stood up and approached Twilight, "I'm ready." "Rumble, you can come watch if you'd like, show your marefriend some extra support," Twilight said. Rumble looked excited, "Wow really? That sounds fun, I'm all for it." With that the couple left the room to follow Twilight as Dinky sat with the other foals. "What's it like learning magic with Princess Twilight?" Tender Taps asked. "Fun, she's s really friendly and very encouraging," Dinky said. "That's great to know," Tender Taps said. "She does seem like a great teacher." "She's smart and caring, she honestly should have more chances to be a teacher, she'll do great at it," Apple Bloom said. "I'm glad I'm improving though, I really wanna be great with my magic, who knows, I can be an Alicorn Princess myself," Dinky said. "What would you be Princess of?" Apple Bloom asked. Dinky tapped her chin, "Huh...haven't really thought about that." "Whatever you choose, I bet you'll be great regardless," Tender Taps reassured. Dinky smiled and blushed a bit, "Thanks Tender Taps, you're really nice and sweet." "He's a good friend, one we really should have listened to more," Apple Bloom said. "It's no big deal really," Tender Taps said. "I'm just glad everything got resolved." Dinky sat with the foals as they started to chat a bit. Both Spike and Starlight watched from nearby. "Glad they were able to handle this mess, those kids really are something," Spike said. "Yeah, something special, I can see why Twilight values them so much," Starlight said. "Who knows, those kids could be the next protectors of Equestria, keeping the world safe and maintaining a balance of friendship and harmony," Spike said. "Like The Elements of Harmony?" Starlight asked. Spike shrugged, "Maybe not that much, or to that level, but something close, something their own." Starlight tapped her chin, looking to the four ponies. "Still, the idea of each of them doing what Twilight and her friends do. Can they handle such tasks?" "Maybe, maybe not, guess we'll have to wait and see," Spike said. Starlight tapped her chin more, then nodded, "I guess we will." Spike gestured away, "Come on, there's some goodies made, I know you'll like them." "Sounds nice," Starlight said, following Spike. Later with Twilight, she's still practicing magic with Sweetie Belle, the young Unicorn seeming to improve greatly. "Nice work Sweetie Belle, have you been practicing on your own?" Twilight asked. "A little, Rarity's also been giving me tips," Sweetie Belle said. "That's good, the more ponies to help you, the better, I imagine Rumble has more than one flight teacher," Twilight said. Rumble nodded, "Thunderlane, Flitter, Cloudchaser and Derpy have all trained me. Though I hope one day Rainbow Dash can give me some lessons." "I can ask if you'd like, I'm sure she wouldn't mind," Twilight said. Rumble shrugged, "Maybe, I think my brother tried asking but she didn't seem too interested to help me, maybe I'm not talented enough." "I'm sure you are," Twilight insisted. "You just need to prove you're worth teaching, which I know you can do. She's probably looking for more than just a fast pony, she wants one who will listen, otherwise it'll be like what happened with her partner Lightning Dust from The Wonderbolts Academy. She was a great flyer, but too reckless." "My brother told me about her, he didn't like her much, but I do hope she's gotten better with that. Still, I would love to train with Rainbow Dash, my goal is to at least be as great of a flyer as she is," Rumble said. "You'll get there, just like Sweetie Belle's getting there with her magic," Twilight said, gesturing to Sweetie Belle levitating some books around with ease. "Yeah Rumble, I believe in you," Sweetie Belle said. Rumble rubbed his head shyly, "That's great to know Sweetie Belle, as long as you're by my side, I feel extra confident to to it." "Nothing wrong with a little encouragement, especially from a pony you love," Twilight said. Sweetie Belle trotted over to Rumble, giving him an affectionate kiss. "I'm that pony, because I love you Rumble." "I love you too Sweetie Belle, I hope we're always together," Rumble said. Sweetie Belle nuzzled against his face, "Me too, promise you'll always be my knight." "I will, you may not be an Alicorn, but you're a Princess to me, and I'm your Knight and Prince, always ready to be there for you," Rumble said. "My Rumbly-Wumbly," Sweetie Belle said before pulling him in for another kiss. The magic she felt from this could not be cast from her horn, it was a special type of magic for her. Twilight awed at this little display, seeing the two foals show such love to each other, and knowing her castle is where it all started, even if it was for somewhat odd reasons. "You two make such an adorable couple, I hope I can be as lucky as you two some day," Twilight said. Sweetie Belle trotted over to Twilight and hugged her, "You will, you're an amazing pony." Rumble also hugged Twilight, "We think you are at least." "One day another pony will see that, you're a very beautiful Princess" Sweetie Belle said. "You're very smart too, and really strong. You're a lot of ponies' favorite Princess, myself included," Rumble said. Twilight smiled and hugged both of them close. "Thanks, you two are so sweet." Later outside the castle, the foals are about to get going, hoping for one last little activity before having to go home. As they were leaving, Tender Taps approached Twilight, a question on his mind. "Um, Twilight...when you were a foal, how did you know who you liked? Or had a crush on?" Tender Taps said. "Oh, um..." Twilight tapped her chin. "I never really had a crush as a foal, not that I remember. I spent all my time reading." "Oh...how about now?" Tender Taps asked. Twilight shook her head, "I haven't been too focused on that lately, why do you ask?" "Nothing, I'm really unsure about this myself, I mean I thought I liked somepony, but I think I like somepony else, she might also like me, but I'm not sure if she really does or if it was just for a moment," Tender Taps said. Twilight shrugged, "I can't answer that unfortunately, I don't know a whole lot about romance, that you'll have to talk to Cadance about. When she comes by I'll ask her for you." "Oh, would she mind?" Tender Taps asked. "I don't see why not, she loves helping ponies with love problems, it's part of her title as Princess of Love, so don't worry about it, ok?" Twilight said, rubbing his mane. Tender Taps blushed a bit, "You're so amazing Twilight, you're one of my favorite ponies to be around." Twilight giggled, "You're so charming. I wish I met a colt like you when I was a filly." Twilight gave Tender Taps a small kiss on his head, causing him to smile blissfully for a moment. He shook his head with a mad blush, "Come on Princess, I appreciate that but I already have two girls I'm crushing on, it would be complicated if I added you to that list." Twilight had a snarky grin, "Ooh, having a crush on a Princess?" Tender Taps glared slightly, "Hey are you enjoying this?" "Who me? Of course not," Twilight said in fake innocence. Tender Taps looked a little annoyed, but shrugged it off with a smile. "You're pretty funny, still I like to think of you as an older sister, not a crush." "I can be that too, for all of you," Twilight said. Tender Taps nodded and trotted off to meet with his friends. As they left, Spike appeared next to Twilight, "So, what do you think of them?" "I think they're full of promise and potential, I'd like to tutor each of them and help bring out their best qualities," Twilight said. "What do you like about them though? The Crusaders are one thing, they're the little sisters of your best friends, mostly, but what about Rumble, Dinky and Tender Taps?" Spike asked. "I like the Crusaders for more than just being the little sisters of Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash, I like the promise each of them have. They have that special bond that me and my friends share. How often do ponies get their Cutie Marks at the same time?" Twilight said. "Well that answers them, but what about the other three? I mean Dinky's just some filly that Derpy watches over, Rumble is a talented flyer and all, but that's mostly compared to foals his age, put him with a more experienced Pegasus and he likely won't look as impressive, and Tender Taps is some kid who hasn't really been around all that much until recently, and all he does is dance, why give him attention?" Spike asked. "While they haven't shown enough of their potential like the Crusaders have, and those girls still have a lot to show, I think that Rumble, Dinky and Tender Taps could be something special if given the chance. I'll admit, there is a chance they might not live up to that, they still have quite a bit to prove, but I believe there is a chance. Besides even if they don't live up to that, they're still special regardless, each in their own way," Twilight said. Spike crossed his arms, "Well I hope they can make something of themselves, I just hope this isn't a waste of time." Twilight rolled her eyes, "Geez Spike, you're acting like I'm already preparing them to be the new Elements of Harmony, not like that's something that can even just be given out. I don't expect that much from them, but I hope they can be close to it at least." Twilight went inside afterwards, leaving Spike to think for a bit. "Even if they're not gonna be the Elements, I hope they can at least be something worth of Twilight's time. I hate to see any of it go to waste, for their sake and Twilight's." Suddenly he heard some hoofsteps and turned to see Starlight, "You have quite the expectations for these ponies." "Twilight's gonna want a younger apprentice to teach, you're already talented in magic and you're learning a lot about friendship, especially considering how close you are to Trixie," Spike said. "Yeah, though I myself have quite a bit to learn, but who knows, maybe I can get a young apprentice soon myself, I'd like to teach Dinky and Sweetie Belle what I know too," Starlight said. Spike nodded, "I guess, anyway we'll worry about that later, lets go inside." Spike led Starlight inside, still thinking over everything about the foals. Not too far off, the six foals are walking through town together, Sweetie Belle and Rumble the closest to each other of course, occasionally sharing quick kisses, much to the annoyance of their friends. "You two are so love-dovey with each other," Scootaloo said. "Big deal, he's my coltfriend, I'll be as lovey-dovey as I want," Sweetie Belle said with a sassy tone. Rumble blushed a bit, "Sorry Scootaloo, I can't help it, she's just so pretty." "Probably should let you two have some alone time soon," Apple Bloom said. "I don't mind, though I hope you can keep Dinky company during that, I don't want her to feel lonely," Rumble said. Dinky glared at her friend, "Thanks for making me sound pathetic Rumble." "Hey you were kinda clingy at one point, ponies once thought you were my marefriend," Rumble said. Dinky blushed, "Ok so I was a little clingy with you a little, I'm not that lonely anymore...though I wouldn't mind spending some time with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo." Tender Taps giggled, "Glad you want to be her friend this time around, things really have changed for the better." "Hey Apple Bloom's not bad, I just didn't like her weird plans, and maybe I got a little protective of Rumble, but he was my only friend at one point, so don't blame me!" Dinky with a mad blush. "It's fine, ah know what it's like to feel protective of a friend," Apple Bloom said. She then trotted slowly to let Dinky catch up to whisper, "By the way, I'm sorry if calling you 'Derpy Jr.' upset you." "Don't worry about it, I just wanna move on and be friends, sound good?" Dinky asked. "You bet," Apple Bloom said, briefly hugging Dinky. Tender Taps looked relieved to see the two as friends, even more relieved that Rumble and Sweetie Belle were happy together. Suddenly Scootaloo trotted close to him, looking at him a bit shyly, "So Tender Taps, I know Apple Bloom might be busy on her farm tomorrow, and I don't know what Dinky's gonna do, but I was hoping you and I could do stuff together, even if it's just the two of us? Not like a date, just us being friends." Tender Taps nodded, "Sounds good, I'd like that." Scootaloo nodded and trotted closely to Tender Taps, turning away from him to hide her blush. She at least was able to move on, but she also knows that her chances with this colt aren't too perfect, but she'll still take that chance. As they walked, they passed by Sugarcube Corner and saw Diamond Tiara talking with Silver Spoon through the window. "Hey, lets ask them if they wanna play with us," Sweetie Belle said. "That sounds great," Apple Bloom said, then noticed Button Mash inside, playing what looked like a video game. "Oh, Button's there too." He looked to Diamond, then back to Button then remembered. "You know, Diamond Tiara and Button Mash would make a cute couple, maybe we can try to help them along." She turned to face the others, "Sound good?" What she got was a collective glare from the five other foals, freaking her out a little. "Don't start that again Apple Bloom," Sweetie Belle warned. "If it happens, let it happen naturally," Dinky said. "This isn't something to mess around with," Tender Taps said. Apple Bloom chuckled nervously, "Sorry about that, ah swear not to make that mistake again." With that the foals gave off a collective smile. "Let's still go inside to speak to them, should be fun," Sweetie Belle said. With that the six foals entered the Bakery to greet their friends. Despite everything that's happened, they're glad they got their love and friendship sorted out. Rumble and Sweetie Belle continue to have their romance as they bond more with the rest of the foals, bring them all together for a nice group of friends. A new and improved Cutie Mark Crusaders, with more ponies to call friends. Rumble is just really glad he got his mare, he really loves her affection after all.