//------------------------------//
// Second chapter 
// Story: A bet of bits 
// by Rebel Brony 
//------------------------------//

Pipsqueak was sleeping in his bed snoring loudly. He was dreaming of Scootaloo laying down on his bed and cuddling with him. He looked into her eyes and smiled. However, reality came rather suddenly as he was awoken by a pegasus with no resemblance to his crush whatsoever. Rumble had decided to barge into Pipsqueak’s room, unannounced, and was now shaking his friend back and forth making sure he was awake.
“Pipsqueak, Pipsqueak wake up and put that thing away, we have work to do today!” Rumble exclaimed. Pipsqueak noticed the clock said it was seven in the morning.
“Rumble, it is seven in the morning on Saturday. What do you want?” Pipsqueak grunted. Rumble was his best friend, but he could get annoying at times. 
“I have a plan to get Scootaloo to like you.” said Rumble, excitedly.
“This will not go well.” Pipsqueak sighed.
“Why do you like Scootaloo exactly, is it because they say athletes are more flexible?” Rumble asked to embarrass him. Pipsqueak stared at him for a moment before he spoke, “Alright, let’s go.”


Scootaloo had woken up early as she normally does. She had taken her shower and was now heading outside. However, she heard her name being called. She let out a sigh.
“Yes, mom?” Scootaloo asked annoyed.
“Can you come here for a minute?” her mom asked.
“Fine” Scootaloo huffed. She walked to the kitchen and sat down in a chair. The kitchen was bland with no real sense of decoration. The wallpaper was a bright white and the cabinets were a yellowish color that made the room look really tacky, the window was covered up in a poor attempt to keep the sunlight out and the table stood out as the darkest thing in the room. Her mother was sitting across from Scootaloo.  She had a slightly orange coat with a pink mane. She cleared her throat and began to speak.
“Scootaloo, I have a few things I need to talk to you about.” the elder mare stated. Scootaloo was sitting there almost like a statue.
“Yes, ma’am?” Scootaloo asked.
“You seem to be distant lately Scootaloo, is there something wrong?” her mother asked. Scootaloo looked around and told her it was nothing. Her mother was smarter than that, she knew something was up.
“Is it about a colt, or a mare, I’m not biased?” her mother asked reassuringly.
“ I don’t want to talk about it.” Scootaloo said, looking out the window in a daze.
“Alright, if you need something let me know. By the way, could you pick up some flour while you’re out?” her mother asked.
“Yes, ma’am.” Scootaloo said. Scootaloo walked out of the house after saying goodbye.


Rumble had gotten a catapult somehow, if Pipsqueak ever disagreed with his friend on anything it was something like this. The contraption did not look quite safe, in fact it was the complete opposite. The wheels were cracked, the wood looked as if eaten by termites, and as a whole it looked condemned. Rumble’s plan was to launch Pipsqueak directly at Scootaloo to get her attention. This was probably not thought through very well by the mastermind of the plan. However, it would be nearly impossible to convince him otherwise. Pipsqueak was almost as confused as the other ponies walking by.
“ So, your plan is to launch me into the air, who gave you this idea?” Pipsqueak asked.
“ I just thought it up.” Rumble said, matter of factly. Pipsqueak facehoofed at the comment. 
“ You are gonna put me in the hospital, and Scootaloo too!” Pipsqueak exclaimed. Rumble flinched at the comment, as it was shouted in his ear. The ponies set there waiting for the pegasus. After a moment they saw an orange dot, Rumble then beaconed Pipsqueak into position.
Scootaloo flew threw the air thinking of the stunts she would do. The pegasus swooped down in a dive and gained speed as she fell, she then pulled up mid fall and made a loop. She had so much elegance Pipsqueak could do nothing but stare. Rumble was slowly getting disgruntled.
“ How did ya come up with this?” asked a feminine voice.
“ From a cartoon,” said Rumble absent mindedly.
“ ‘re Ya Insane?!” yelled Applebloom, causing Rumble to jump.
“ Oh, I didn’t see you there,” said the colt sheepishly and then defensively added, “ and no I’m not.” Applebloom decided not to bother with him and walked towards Pipsqueak.
“ Hey Pipsqueak, whassup?” Applebloom said.
“Nothing much.” Pipsqueak answered, still distracted. Applebloom knew what to do she pulled Pipsqueak away from where Rumble was, who was ignoring everything. Rumble was thinking how to pull his plan off then looked around to realize Pipsqueak wasn’t there.
“Shoot,” said Rumble, annoyed.

Applebloom stood in front of Pipsqueak. She was wearing an old army helmet and stood on a platform.
“Now listen Pipsqueak, ah’m goin’ ta get ya on a date with Scootaloo. But first ah’ll take ya down ta Rarity’s house fer a makeover.”
“But I-” Pipsqueak began.
“No buts.” Applebloom interjected. Pipsqueak didn’t like where this was going nor did he know how Applebloom knew about his crush. Pipsqueak wanted to run away but found he couldn’t move as a hoof was slowly dragging him. These ponies are gonna be the death of me, he thought to himself. he also noticed a gray pegasus running up to them. Rumble got next to Applebloom to ask what she was doing.
“ What are you doing with Pipsqueak?” Rumble asked.
‘ Help me’ Pipsqueak mouthed.
“ Sweetie Belle and ah are gonna give him a makeover.” Applebloom answered.
Crash!
Scootaloo had been performing a stunt and it had went badly, she crashed into a stack of hay, letting out a disgruntled sigh.
“What did I do wrong this time?” Scootaloo said out loud. Pipsqueak was surprised and jumped, landing awkwardly on Rumble. They both blushed at their predicament. As they got up they heard laughing.
“ Why y’all  ‘re redder than a pair o’ ripe apples.” Applebloom stated. Scootaloo couldn’t contain her laughter at the sight. Pipsqueak had knocked over Rumble and Pipsqueak’s flank was now in his face. As they struggled to get to their feet a white filly walked up.
“ hey guys,” said Sweetie Belle cheerfully. She walked up and looked confused at the two colts.
“ What are they doing?” She asked.
“ Just being colts.” replied Scootaloo, who was still giggling a little.
“ Well, is everypony ready?” Sweetie asked.
“ Ah think so,” said Applebloom.