//------------------------------// // Full of Ambition // Story: Sweet Affection: Young Love // by Masterob //------------------------------// The town of Canterlot was a mysterious place full of strange wonders from time to time, such as feats of magic, or portals to alternate world. So some say at least, many consider it a Fairy Tale, others consider it very much real. In the center of it all tends to be a girl named Sunset Shimmer, along with six other friends. Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity. They seem like normal girls, but some believe there is something extra special about them. They are known for being the friendliest girls, at least in their school, but to others, some sense great potential within them. Some don't care about that, some of them just want to enjoy their day to day life, and find excitement in smaller places, from video games, to outdoor games or just riding scooters. One such boy was a kid named Rumble. He was the younger brother of a local jock named Thunderlane, and was usually seen with one of his babysitters, Flitter and Cloudchaser. Of course they no longer need to babysit him, as he insists he's an adult now. Of course he was still pretty young, and a bit immature. He focused a lot on competition and acted like a tough guy. He even had goals to be a better athlete than his older brother and usually spoke out way too much. Despite all that, he was usually a good kid, he respected his brother and his brother's friends. He was generally nice to other kids, especially three girls in particular. These girls were named Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom was a country girl, and the younger sister of Applejack and Big Macintosh, a High School girl and a boy who had just recently started attending college. She had an adventurous personality, a love for science and chemistry, and was eager to get her name known through some means or another, especially with online videos. Scootaloo is an atheltic girl who was very talented on the scooter or any other wheeled activity. Her parents were explorers and usually traveled the world, so she stayed with her aunts. She looks up to a High School girl named Rainbow Dash and wants to be an amazing athlete like her. Sweetie Belle is a young fashion girl, and the younger sister of Rarity, a very popular High School girl. She's very caring in nature, but has a bit of a sassy side and low tolerance for anything annoying. She's also considered one of the most attractive girls in her age group, and is really into fashion. The girls were known together as The Crusaders, due to their adventurous personalities. They were always up to something, and sometimes trouble seemed to follow them wherever they went. But that's what added to the excitement, and what drew Rumble to them. One day in particular, the girls were seen together in the local park, Apple Bloom setting up what looked to be a big Go-Cart, adding some type of strange liquid to the sides. "Almost got it..." Apple Bloom added the final touches. "There, should be good and ready." "Oh boy, this is gonna be awesome," Scootaloo said. "And safe," Sweetie Belle said. "This is safe, right?" "You'll be fine, just put yer helmet on," Apple Bloom said, strapping on her headwear. The other two did the same as Scootaloo sat in the front, "Alright, who's ready to leave a Mark!" "Not just any mark, a Cutie Mark!" Apple Bloom said. "Yeah, we're the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and we're going to make a name for ourselves!" Sweetie Belle said. "Hopefully in one piece." "Let's do it, to it!" Scootaloo said. Apple Bloom set off the liquid, which had no immediate reaction. "Huh?" "What gives?" Scootaloo asked. "Yo Apple Bloom, did you make that potion right or not?" "It should have worked, ah saw it done in science class," Apple Bloom said. "Maybe it just needs-" Within seconds the potion liquid worked as the three teens were sent flying on their go-kart, hitting speeds close to eighty miles per hour. They sped past several park-goers, including the likes of Lyra, Bon Bon, Derpy, and some kids their age as they desperately tried to take control of their cart. "We're gonna crash!" Apple Bloom shouted. "It's all over! We're doomed!" Sweetie Belle cried. "I'm too young and pretty to die!" "This is so awesome!" Scootaloo cheered. "Can this go faster!?" Sweetie Belle glared at Scootaloo, "Are you...KIDDING ME!?" Nearby at the park’s running track, the young jock Rumble was seen doing sprints, timing himself on his speed and how long he could maintain it. Despite his efforts, he could only glance at his timer in annoyance. "Ugh, still not as fast as Thunderlane, I gotta keep pushing myself," Rumble said, placing the watch away and returning to the starting line. "Now, time to-" "WATCH OUT!" He heard from nearby, followed shortly by a crash. "What in the world?" Rumble quickly ran over to where he heard the commotion. Nearby the Crusaders looked to be dizzy, from both the speed and the impact of their go-kart crashing into a tree. "Uh...is everyone okay?" Apple Bloom asked. "Define okay," a very annoyed Sweetie Belle answered. "What am I? A dictionary?" Apple Bloom teased. "We're fine, nothing we can't handle," Scootaloo said. "Plus, we all had our helmets at least." "That's supposed to make me feel better?" Sweetie Belle asked, taking her helmet off as she stepped out of the kart. "Can we do something else? Preferably less dangerous?" "Danger is half the fun," Scootaloo said. "What's the other half? Going to the hospital?" Sweetie Belle sassed. "Come on, no more bickering," Apple Bloom said. "Look, let's just take a little break before we consider our next major scheme." "Fine by me," Sweetie Belle said. "If it will help you cool off," Scootaloo said. "Um, excuse me?" Rumble said, getting the attention of the three girls. "Is everything alright here?" Sweetie Belle immediately began to blush, "R-rumble?" "Yo, Rumble!" Scootaloo said, walking over to the boy. "How's it going man?" "Just fine, I guess," Rumble said. "What about you? I heard a crash around here." "That? Oh it's just us trying some cool new stunts to earn our Cutie Marks," Scootaloo said. Rumble furrowed his brown, "You mean that thing where you get your plaque or something whenever you do something amazing?" "Yeah, you even get a shirt or any type of clothing to show your mark off," Scootaloo said. "Rainbow Dash got her mark because of her speed, and now she wears her mark on her skirt." "Mah sister Applejack got it fer being such a great farmer," Apple Bloom said. "Sweetie Belle's sister Rarity got hers from how well she can identify rocks and all types of geology." "Yeah, it's true," a shy Sweetie Belle confirmed. "Doesn't your older brother Thunderlane have one?" Scootaloo asked. "Yeah...he does," Rumble said. "Something to do with the weather and stuff." "Don't you know? He is yer brother after all," Apple Bloom said. "I mean...is it really that big of a deal? It's just a mark on a silly plaque," Rumble said. "It's not like it-" "Silly?" Scootaloo said. "Dude, how could you say something like that? It's a HUGE deal for this town!" "It's a huge deal for this whole land, it's a big part of our culture," Apple Bloom said. "I'm just not much for culture," Rumble said. "Look, it's fine if you girls want to do it, but considering you're risking harm on yourself shows me this is a bit unhealthy. I don't think it's worth you girls getting hurt over this nonsense." "Oh Rumble, if you only understood the importance," Scootaloo said. "Maybe one day." "I doubt it," Rumble said, making his leave. "Do what you want, just be careful about it." As he left, Scootaloo shrugged in disappointment, "That boy's weird sometimes." "Ah could see where he's coming from but to dismiss our culture like that, it kind of worries me," Apple Bloom said. "Totally, everyone should want their mark after all," Scootaloo said. "What do you think Sweetie Belle?" "Uh-huh, yeah," Sweetie Belle absent-mindedly said, to the confusion of her friends. "You alright there Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom asked. "You look kind of distracted." "Huh?" Sweetie Belle snapped out of it. "Oh, what were we talking about?" "I swear you get like that every time you see Rumble," Scootaloo said. "It's like you have a crush on him." "Who me!?" Sweetie Belle asked, feverishly shaking her head. "No way, I mean, why would I? He's so weird, he hates Cutie Marks! I could never have a crush on a guy like that. Stop being so silly Scootaloo." The purple haired girl just raised her eyebrow in confusion, "Uh-huh, right. I'm the silly one." "Pfft, like I care what you think, I'm going on that break because I need time away from you and your weirdness," Sweetie Belle said, immediately walking off. "How am I the weird one when she's acting all goofy about Rumble?" Scootaloo said. "Just ignore it," Apple Bloom said. "Fine, whatever," Scootaloo said, taking her own leave. "I have a new stunt to plan anyway." Apple Bloom shrugged it all off, "Mah friends are so weird sometimes." Rumble had returned to the track, ready to get back to his practice, "Alright Rumble, stay focused, you have a lot to do so-" "Yo Rumble!" Thunderlane called, startling his brother. "Don't sneak up on me like that!" Rumble scolded. "What do you want, anyway?" "Hey now, is that anyway to talk to your older and much more awesome big brother?" Thunderlane teased. "Pfft, you wish you were as awesome as I am," Rumble said. "Wow, the arrogance you emit," Thunderlane said. "I remember when I was like that, so young and full of undeserved condidence.” "Whatever, you still didn't say why you were here," Rumble said. "Just dropping this off," Thunderlane said, handing Rumble a Power Heroes lunchbox. "Flitter made something nice for you. A Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, some Apple Sauce, and a Chocolate Chip cookie." He presented a pair of bottles, "With chocolate milk and a sports drink. "I swear, she spoils me too much, it's like she thinks I'm a little kid," Rumble said. "Oh, so you don't want this?" Thunderlane asked. "I never said that," Rumble said, holding his hands out. "Hand it over." "What's the magic word?" Thunderlane asked. "...Please, hand it over," Rumble said. "You are such a punk sometimes," Thunderlane said, giving his brother the food. "But still, there you go squirt." "Thanks," Rumble said. "So, got practice later?" "Yeah, me and The Wonderbolts got a big track meet later," Thunderlane said. "Gonna be awesome." "Even though you're basically in Rainbow Dash's shadow?" Rumble asked. "Hey she can enjoy her moment of glory for now," Thunderlane said. "In time, it will be my time to shine. That girl won't know what hit her until it's too late." "Ha, so full of confience, aren't you?" Rumble said. "But I guess that's what makes us brothers." "Yeah, difference is I usually have what it takes to back up what I'm saying," Thunderlane said. "Can you say the same thing?" "Damn right I can," Rumble said. "No one gets the better of me, I'm the best for a reason!" "Be careful looking down on us from all the way that high, you might trip and fall," Thunderlane teased. "As if," Rumble said. "Anyway, I gotta get back to training." "Good luck bro," Thunderlane said, making his leave. "Thunderlane thinks he's so cool," Rumble smirked to himself. "He has no idea what 'cool' is." Later on, Apple Bloom was seen resting against a pole, taking a drink of water while her friends cooled off a bit. "Well, well, if it isn't Apple Bloom," came the voice of the local rich girl, Diamind Tiara. "Oh, hey Dia," Apple Bloom said. "Oh, and you too Silvie." "Hi Apple Bloom!" Silver Spoon eagerly greeted, though received an annoyed glance from Diamond Tiara. "I mean...hello peasant." "So, Apple Bloom, here alone are you?" Diamond Tiara asked. "Yeah, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were nearby, but they had somewhere else to be," Apple Bloom said. "So none of your silly crusades then? Finally getting smart and giving up on the idea of getting a Cutie Mark?" Diamond Tiara asked. "Uh, no?" Apple Bloom said. "We actually just tried, but we ran into some trouble." "How sad, when are you going to realize that this silly plan of yours won't work?" Diamond Tiara asked. "Only truly greats like me and Silvie earn our marks, while the rest of you are meant to be the bottom dwellers who only exist to make girls like me look good." "Uh-huh, right," Apple Bloom said. "Tell me, how did you earn yer mark?" "Uh...that's not important," Diamond Tiara insisted. "What's important is that I have it, and so does Silver Spoon." "I don't know how I earned mine either, kind of a mystery to me," Silver Spoon said. "You earned it by being exceptional!" Diamond Tiara scolded. "R-right, exceptional!" Silver Spoon said. "Point is, we're both great," Diamond Tiara. "Now stop this silly crusade, it's totally embarrassing." "Ah ain't embarrassed, I'm having fun with it," Apple Bloom said. "Well it's embarrassing to me since your family are business partners for my daddy," Diamond Tiara said. "I can't have my daddy's partners be associated with their weirdo sister who does stupid stunts." "Sorry, but ah aint' stopping," Apple Bloom said. "Like ah said, it's fun and ah get to spend time with mah friends." "If you want fun, there's plenty of normal things you can do," Diamond Tiara said. "How about going shopping with me and Silvie?" "Uh...how is that fun?" Apple Bloom asked. "You get to help me pick out new clothes," Diamond Tiara said. "I have what it takes to be a fashion model. That's what Rarity tells me, and even her future is in danger because she has a little sister who's roped into your weird schemes." "See, talk like this makes it hard fer Sweetie Belle to want to do this stuff with us," Apple Bloom said. "That's good! It means she's much smarter than you or Scootaloo," Diamond Tiara said. "She has so much potential yet she spends her time with you and that Scooter driving weirdo." "What'd you call me!?" Scootaloo shouted, riding over. "You talking trash about me, Diamond Tiara?" "N-no, she wasn't!" Silver Spoon insisted. "She's just messing around." "Can it Silvie," Diamond Tiara said. "You have some nerve running your mouth like this," Scootaloo said. "Flashing your Cutie Mark like you earned it. I bet your daddy bought it for you so you can feel like you're better than you actually are." "Hey! You have no proof of that!" Diamond Tiara said. "Well prove that you're actually worth anything," Scootaloo said. "Or are you just a big faker?" "You're one to talk about being fake! Meanwhile you're the poorest out of all your friends you low-life!" Diamond Tiara said. "At least Apple Bloom has her farm and Sweetie Belle has a sister that's going to be famous one day. All you have is your fake friendship with Rainbow Dash!" "Hey! Our friendship is more real than your Cutie Mark," Scootaloo said. "Girls, come on, no fighting," Apple Bloom said. "Yer drawing too much attention." "She started it!" Scootaloo said. "Her and her stupid fake Cutie Mark." "I don't have to take this from you, I'm leaving!" Diamond Tiara said, stomping off. "Come on Silvie!" "Uh, bye girls," Silver Spoon said. "SILVIE!" Diamond Tiara called, the other rich girl nervously following. "Ugh, that girl is such a pain in the butt," Scootaloo said. "Why do you even put up with her?" "She aint' so bad, she's just too arrogant fer her own good," Apple Bloom said. "Plus ah have to be nice to her, mah parents say it's good fer the farm." "You know what my parents would say?" Scootaloo asked. "All the treasures in the world mean nothing without true value." "They back from their trip?" Apple Bloom asked. "Tomorrow, I was hoping to surprise them with a Cutie Mark but that's clearly not happening," Scootaloo said. "Eh, not like you need a mark to impress yer parents," Apple Bloom said. "Come on, let's go find Sweetie Belle." "Hey tell me, she totally has a crush on Rumble, doesn't she?" Scootaloo asked. "Ah don't know, maybe," Apple Bloom said. "Consider this, a lot of boys our age have a thing for her," Scootaloo said. "boys like Button Mash, First Base and Chip Cutter. It might even go beyond boys, because I think even Dinky has a thing for her." "Pretty sure she doesn't and you just made that up," Apple Bloom said. "Pont is, she has all these boys, yet she has a thing for the one boy who hasn't really made a move," Scootaloo said. "At least, that we know about." "What are you saying?" Apple Bloom asked. "What I'm saying is that...those two are probably secretly dating," Scootaloo said. Apple Bloom raised her eyebrow in confusion, "That's a joke, right?" "I'm serious!" Scootaloo said. "Maybe they're secretly into each other. It would exlain why Rumble looked so worried earlier, he doesn't want his girlfriend getting hurt." "Or maybe he was just concerned because he heard a crash and doesn't want ANY of us getting hurt," Apple Bloom said. "Rumble acts like a big jock, but he's really nice." "Well still, it strikes me as suspicious," Scootaloo said. "Also Rumble ain't the only boy who hasn't shown interest in Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom said. "Tender Taps hasn't either." "That's because he's head over heels for Twilight Sparkle," Scootaloo said. "Oh, speaking of Twilight, we should head over to her library, might be some neat ideas there" Apple Bloom said, making her leave. "Come on, let's find Sweetie Belle." "Wait up," Scootaloo said, following Apple Bloom. Later at the Golden Oaks Library near the edge of town, The Crusaders are seen sitting on their bean bags, reading some books. Scootaloo was reading an adventure book to figure out some new stunts. Apple Bloom was reading a chemistry book to figure out some new potions. Sweetie Belle was reading a fashion book, as she wanted to look pretty. Tender Taps was present as well, reading a book about dancing, but occasionally glancing over at Twilight, who was putting some books away, a huge blush on his face. Moments later, a new entrant came into the library, Twilight immediately greeting whoever came. "Welcome to Golden Oaks Library." "Oh, hey Twilight," Rumble greeted. "Rumble!" Twilight said, Sweetie Belle's face turning red. "I take it you're here to see if the new Power Heroes comic came in?" "Yeah, I know you tend to get early copies," Rumble said. "You can thank my brothers, they love this stuff too," Twilight said. "I could never really get into it, but I will admit, some of the superheroes are kind of cute. Who knew so many cute boys could save the world like this?" "Makes sense, a lot of the girl heroes are cute too," Rumble said. "Anyway, mind showing me where it is?" "Sure, follow me," Twilight said. "Would you ever date a superhero?" Rumble asked. "If I met one," Twilight said. Tender Taps immediately stood up, "I have to go." "Going to buy a cape, Super Taps?" Scootaloo teased. "No...!" Tender Taps said. "Even if I did, that doesn't mean it has anything to do with what Twilight said!" "Sure it doesn't," Scootaloo said. "Well, see you later, Tappy." "Don't call me that!" Tender Taps said, leaving the library. Scootaloo scoffed at his reaction, "We all know he totally has a crush on Twilight, don't we?" Scootaloo asked. "Oh yeah, he totally does, it's like, super obvious," A nervous Sweetie Belle said. "Can you believe how weird some people get when they have a crush on someone?" "You sound like an expert in that field," Scootaloo said. Sweetie Belle furrowed her brow, "I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about." "Hey Rumble!" Scootaloo said, Sweetie Belle freaking out. "Ha, got you." "You suck, Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle said. "Hey you're the one acting gaga over Rumble," Scootaloo said. "Just ask the guy out already if you like him that dang much." "I don't recall saying that I liked him," Sweetie Belle insisted. "Oh fer goodness sake," Appple Bloom said. "Sweetie Belle, if you don't like Rumble, then stop freaking out every time Scootaloo says you do. Yer just proving her point by acting so fidgety." "Me? Fidgety?" Sweetie Belle scoffed. "You're so silly Apple Bloom." "Yeah, sure ah am," Apple Bloom said. "I swear I don't have a crush on Rumble!" Sweetie Belle insisted. "Sure he's nice, with his soft gaze, his nice mane, his winning smile, and that really cute butt of his." This got a weirded out reaction from Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, with Sweetie Belle shaking it off. "But I swear I don't have a crush!" "...You're so full of crap," Scootaloo said. "Okay, that's it, I'm leaving," Sweetie Belle said, making her way out of the library. "Dang it Sweetie Belle, don't just-" Too late, she was gone. "Great. Ah swear that girl is way too stubborn her her own good." "She really likes Rumble but she won't admit it," Scootaloo said. "We gotta get her to confess." "You sure she likes him? And that you ain't just annoying her?" Apple Blom asked. "I know the signs," Scootaloo said. "It's the same reaction Rainbow Dash gets when she's around Soarin." "Soarin? Ain't he her senior? And dating Spitfire?" Apple Bloom asked. "She insists that theyr'e just friends," Scootlaoo said. "Wow, really hope Rainbow Dash doesn't get her heart broken." "Well what do you suggest then?" Apple Bloom asked. "What I'm suggesting is that we find a way to get those two on a date somehow," Scootaloo said. "That's assuming that they're not already secretly dating, so we should also be sure of that." "Okay, let's assume fer a minute that they aren't dating," Apple Bloom said. "Do we know if Rumble likes Sweetie Belle? You said it yerself, he's the only boy who hasn't tried to woo her." "Well we don't know if he likes any other girl," Scootaloo said. "Actually I don't think a lot of kids even know that much about Rumble, he keeps to himself a lot." "So how are you going to see if he's even a good fit fer her," Apple Bloom said. "For all you know, he has a crush on another girl." "Then that means we need to learn all we can about Rumble, and see if we can set him up with our best friend," Scootaloo said. "Plus consider this. If we pull this off, this could be like a special talent for us, and we'll earn our Cutie Mark." "Wow...way to make it about you," Apple Bloom teased. "Hey, it works at least," Scootaloo said. "Come on, let's get going already!" Meanwhile in the other room, Twilight had pulled out the new comic that she had reserved for Rumble, "Here you go." "Thanks, I really appreciate you doing this for me," Rumble said, taking the book. "It's no trouble, it's the least I can for some of the trouble Rainbow Dash has caused you and your brother," Twilight said. "Hey come one now, it’s not like you’re responsible for the weird stuff she does," Rumble said. "Besides, I know she messes with him, but it's not malicious or anything. She just seems to like goofing around." "I'm all for goofing around, but she gets carried away sometimes, especially with the pranks," Twilight said. "Believe it or not, my brother doesn't seem to mind, in fact he admires Rainbow Dash," Rumble said. "Of course he also aims to surpass her, so friendly rivalry." "Competition is a good thing," Twilight said. "Anyway aside from that, not many check out comic books here, you're the biggest fan out of everyone who comes here." "Still, much appreciated," Rumble said. "By the way, how often do the Crusaders come here?" "Pretty often, why?" Twilight asked. "They kind of interest me sometimes," Rumble said. "They're always doing some weird stunt or whatever, because they want their Cutie Mark." "Oh yeah, they’re so eager for one," Twilight said. "I had to study hard in the Theory of Magic to earn mine." "Does it make you feel fulfilled?" Rumble asked. "Sort of, it's nice to have but it wasn't something I was eagerly setting out to get, I just got it along the way," Twilight said. "I know what I love doing, and that's what matters." "At least you get it," Rumble said. "That rich girl Diamond Tiara gives everyone a hard time over something like that. It's just so ridiculous, I mean it's just a mark, isn't it?" "Well, it is a big part of our culture, one that I am still looking into," Twilight said. "I know, but it feels like everyone has to be defined by it," Rumble said. "Why can't they just be happy with what they have now?" "That I can't answer," Twilight said. "Just keep being yourself, and if you can, watch over the Crusaders." "No problem there," Rumble said, a slight blush appearing on his face, one noticed by Twilight. "You seem happy, any reason?" Twilight asked. "Uh...no reason," Rumble insisted. "Well, if you have questions for anything, and I mean just about anything, come and let me know," Twilight said. "Yeah, of course," Rumble said, making his leave. "See you later Twilight." "Bye Rumble," Twilight said, going back to reorganize her books. "Such a nice boy, I hope he figures things out soon." Rumble looked down on his comic as he made his exit from the library. He had a lot on his mind still, between his eagerness to read the comic, his sports endeavors, surpassing his brother, and the Crusaders, including one in particular. "Wonder if Sweetie Belle likes comics?" Rumble asked himself. "No way, she's too fancy for that. Just gotta work on my skills then, that'll get her attention." The boy made his way back home to plan his future.