//------------------------------// // The Former Cutie Mark Crusaders // Story: The After Years // by thewaffler //------------------------------// A/N: Sorry for the wait, and this is the final edit. Chapter 3: The Former Cutie Mark Crusaders The group that called themselves the cutie mark crusaders, even though they had got their cutie marks within the last few years were still very much friends. For the friends whom could be compared to Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack; the seemingly different fillies got along better than their older counterparts. It wasn't hard to see why. Sweetie Belle wasn't as fussy as her older sister. Applebloom wasn't addicted to work like Applejack. Scootaloo was more flexible than Dash and could act like a tomboy one moment and act like a filly the next. Not to mention with the years of trying to get their marks, they formed a sister like bond. As for their own cutie mark chronicles... Applebloom was always fixing things around the farm, but it was when she as a birthday present to Big Mac had fixed up his plow, that she realized that she really enjoyed the repair work. "Who wants a picture of a hammer on their flank, anyway?" Applebloom remembered Sweetie Belle saying at Fluttershy's cottage after their failed table repair job. It turns out life can be very ironic at times, because that is exactly what appeared as the farm filly's mark. Sweetie Belle was the next member of the club to get her mark. Of, course it was by complete accident as one incorrect course number put the filly in chorus instead of home economics class. It was the combination of not trying to be Rarity and meeting other ponies whom loved to sing had quickly allowed her to overcome her fear of singing in public. It was during the school's performance of a Singin' in the Rain, as she played the role of Sweet Song that won her much praise as well as a cutie mark which came in the form of microphone superimposed over a heart. Scootaloo was the last of the crusader to get her mark, but her story was arguably the most exciting of the three fillies. The orange pegasus was a maverick on her scooter but she achieved greatness by performing both one of the greatest and stupidest stunts of all time. Scootaloo jumped Ghastly Gorge on her scooter and back again without the use of a return ramp. The trick itself required a large ramp and quarter pipe built by Applebloom, Sweetie Belle gathering a large audience and Spike playing the role of the terrified loved one begging her not to jump. Needless to say she did it anyway; She cleared the gorge, caught air on the quarter pipe located thirty yards from the edge and when she reached the apex of the pipe, she switched scooters. The end of trick was the most dangerous part because without the return ramp, she had to beat her wings like crazy as she cleared the chasm again. Lucky for the orange pegasus she did just that, but not without overshooting her landing and ending up in a tree. Once again, 'covered in tree sap.' That day she got both her cutie mark which was a winged scooter wheel and all four of them grounded, even though Spike tried to stop them. (Just imagine the Detroit Red Wings' logo) Present Time The three best friends sat at a table at Sugarcube Corner. With all their prom prepartions and busy last couple of days the three teenage mares haven't had much time to spend with each other. They chose the classic ponyville eatery for several reasons. Spike was working at Donut Joe's Diner. The Library was too boring and quiet. Sweet Apple Acres was quite frankly a mess with all the new work being done to the orchard. The last reason was, it was here at Sugarcube Corner that they became friends in the first place, so it had an air of nostalgia about it. "It's been a busy couple of days since we last hung out like this." Scootaloo let out a content sigh as she was happy to be back with the members of the infamous Cutie Mark Crusaders. "y-yep." Sweetie Belle looked like she had something important to say, but was trying to suppress it out of being polite. "Eeyup, it's a shame we can't visit the clubhouse, but the orchard is a high mess, but in a good way or so mah sis says." (Sweet Apple Acres a year ago) Granny Smith passed away at the age of three hundred and fifty-nine years making her the oldest non-goddess in pony history according to the Stout Book of Records. As being one of the most prominent members of the Apple clan, the turn out for her funeral was enormous with over a hundred and fifty members in attendance. Out of the ponies there, Uncle Orange had taken the news very hard. The stallion was filled with regret at having not seen or talked to his adoptive mother in years and wanted to try and make things right. He offered Applejack his assistance in helping to market the Sweet Apple Acres name, making it known all across Equestria. All through the use of fancy mathematics, new farming equipment and new employees, most of which were unpaid interns from the Canterlot College of Agriculture. (End of flashback) "I'm just happy that the main orchard stays the same. Applejack and Mac seemed happy and to be honest I think I am too. My only issue with the whole thing is that darn stupid rapping genie mascot they want to use to sell our products." The last part made the other shrug their heads in confusion. "The clubhouse won't be torn down will it?" Sweetie asked with hope in voice and Scootaloo looked just as anxious. The yellow earth pony smiled. "I talked to Applejack before she left for Coltifornia and she said it could stay." The two other mares were relieved that their foalhood memories were still intact. The white mare couldn't hold her announcement in any longer. Sweetie Belle clanked her milkshake glass to get the attention of her friends. "I got something special planned for the ten of us." "Ten of us?" "Well, yeah. I heard from Grapevine that Snips and Snails got dates, like real dates." The unicorn shuttered in disbelief at the idea of anypony going out with the two colts. "Wow..." "What she said." "I know right?" "Anyway, what's the big surprise?" The white mare couldn't suppress her joy any longer. "My parents rented us a pegasus pulled limo!" The three young mares squeed at the idea of showing up in style with their dates and friends. Applebloom then shifted her attention back to Sweetie. "Speaking of dates, I heard that you went to see Featherweight's folks the other day. How did that go?" "It depends on who you ask. I had a great time, but Feather not so much..." (Sweetie Belle's Date) Yesterday Evening Sweetie Belle was on on her was to visit her own special somepony Featherweight's house and meet his family for the first time. Feather had given her a brief description of his family. His mother Copper Kettle ran antique store in ponyville. His father Hayseed was always away from home on business constantly as he was a long haul trucker. His cousin Horsepower if memory served her was some kind of body builder. The white mare made sure she was presentable as first impressions were everything and proceeded to knock on the door of the two story brick home. She was greeted not by her boyfriend, but rather an older short light orange pegasus mare with with a light brown mane. "Hello, I'm Sweet--arg..." That was all Sweetie Belle had a chance to say before she was thrown into a bone crushing bear hug from the surprisingly strong mare in front of her. Eventually the pegasus let go and gave the teenage filly time to breath. "I'm sorry, but that's how I tend to greet ponies. What can I say, I'm a hugger." Sweetie Belle looked at the mare with only slight confusion as she had a good idea about the identity of the pony in front of her. "Where are my manners? I'm Copper Kettle and you must be Sweetie Belle. My little Pinny has told me all about you!" Cooper greeted the unicorn with much joy. Sweetie confused at the odd nickname, returned the greeting. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, madam." "Finally, a teenager with some respect. Why just yest--" The middle aged mare was interrupted by the sound of hoof steps coming down the stairs. From the stairway emerged Featherweight and while he was still very skinny with his entrance into adolescence he had become obscenely tall, and because the trucking company his father worked for now offered a full dental plan, Featherweight's crooked teeth and overbite were a distant memory. He dipped his head and nuzzled his girlfriend. "It's great that you could make it, Sweetie. I see you met my mom." To kill the moment Copper Kettle spoke up. "I gotta say Pinny you got yourself a wonderful filly." There was that name again and Sweetie figured it could hurt to ask. "Why do you keep calling him Pinny?" "It's short for pinion which are flight feathers." The older mare smiled as she ruffled her son's recently combed mane. "Anyway there'll be more time for questions on the quiz show of life during dinner, so onward and upward my little ponies!!!" She trotted forward and looked back to make sure the teenagers were followed her. As they made their way through the house and passed the kitchen. The sound of a blender could be heard as as they neared a massive white stallion stood behind it throwing an assortment of vegetables and large quantities of an unidentified white powder into the appliance. "Protein shake, good." He said in a low voice as his red eyes stared off into space as he started to gorge himself on his concoction. "This is my cousin I was telling you about, Horsepower." The grotesquely muscular stallion noticed the three ponies that had entered the room. Sweetie Belle turned towards the large pegasus with a smile. "Hello, I'm Sweetie Belle, Feather's girlfriend." "Pretty, filly." Horse Power patted her on the head and returned her smile before chugging the rest of the blender's contents and slamming the empty container on the counter. His neck muscles tightened and his pupils got smaller as whatever happened to be in the shake was taking its effect on the him. "YEEEEAAAHHH!!!" Feather and his mom simply rolled their eyes at the scene that had unfolded before them, while Sweetie was both confused and scared at the same time. The older mare spoke up. "Power dear, will you be joining us for dinner?" He shook his head. "Me workout..." "Please, it'd mean a lot for you to join us for dinner." Copper Kettle said in her best guilt trip voice and and stared down the massive stallion. "Okay, me am go get food with family after me am finish up here." The three of them made their way to the backyard towards the patio for the aforementioned barbeque. Sweetie first noticed the an older stallion behind the grill. His coat was light tan and he wore a faded trucker cap upon his greying brown mane and with the exception of him being an earth pony, he looked almost exactly like Feather Weight. Of course the earth pony heard them trot onto the patio and jumped over the grill to go meet up with his family and their diner guest. "Ooh, y'all must be that mare Featha's been goin' on about. He's done got 'imself a purty little filly." The unicorn blushed. "I'm Sweetie Belle and it's nice you, sir." "Sir? Who's sir?" He took off his cap and slicked back him mane with his hoof. "I'm Hayseed. You can me just call me Hay; I don' want any of that Mr. Hayseed or sir stuff around 'ere." He then leaned toward his wife. "Babe, you can call meh..." He whispered something unintelligible into her ear which cause the light orange pegasus to turn a deep shade of red and giggle. As the awkward display of affection took place, Sweetie looked back at Feather who at this point only wanted to crawl into a hole for the next ten years. Lucky for the teenagers a cloud of black smoke coming from the grill saved the situation from getting any worse. "Crap, da chow's burnin'!!!" Hayseed stopped his advances on his wife and rushed back to the barbeque to save their meal. Thirty minutes, one embarrassing dinner and one roid induced rampage Later The couple made their way to the front of the house as his parents were in the backyard clearing the table and lifting a now heavily tranquilized Horsepower inside the house. "Sorry for how awkward things got at dinner." Featherweight looked at the ground. "Don't worry, your parents are adorable. You didn't know your cousin was going to freak out and start throwing plates like discus. Plus, I think my family holds the patent on embarrassing moments." Sweetie said while placing a reassuring hoof on his shoulder and gave him one of her trademark heartwarming smiles. Even though the pair hadn't been dating very long, Featherweight felt closer his girlfriend than ever before. It also helped that his family hadn't scared her off. "Thanks for being here tonight. I know we haven't been together for a long time, but I love you." "I love you too, Feather." The two of them leaned forward and as their lips made contact those feelings were only confirmed. After about twenty or so seconds they broke their kiss and just stared at each other. With his wings flared out and a very visible heat that ha spread to his face he broke the silence. "That was nice." "Wanna do it again?" Feeling brash he shot her a cocky grin. "You know it." The two made their way to the porch swing behind them as they launched into an all out lip battle. Their make out session was interrupted by the light of a flash bulb. "That one's goin' in the album, babe." A familiar sounding voice said as the young couple saw Hayseed shaking a polaroid picture as his wife wore a toothy grin. "Ah, can' believe mah little featha's growin' up." The stallion broke down and cried into his wife's shoulder as she tried to comfort her husband. Meanwhile, Feather and Sweetie were both embarrassed and mad for his folks ruining a special moment. "Hey, Feather." "Yeah?" "Let's get out of here." The light tan pegasus put on his best Canterlot demeanor. "Onward my dear." The left the front porch and made their way towards the recently built megaplex to salvage the rest of their evening. (End of Sweetie Belle's Day) "...and then he agreed to watch Early Morning. I could tell he didn't like it, but it was nice of him to see it with me anyway." Sweetie beamed as she finished tell her friends about her day with Featherweight and how he sat through one of the worse, yet most popular filly-flicks in recent memory. Applebloom gave her unicorn friend a nod of approval. "I know if I took Truffles to go see it, he'd be belly achin’ in fancy talk." Referring to the fact that whenever her own special somepony complained it was always in Prench from his native Balegium. "Pfft, you guys have no taste in movies. Me and Spike would rather see that new Just-in Trotham movie: The Mover 4: The Revenger, where he has to deliver a package before time runs out or an entire city blows up!" Scootaloo exclaimed as she got riled up over one of her favorite action series. "Ain't that the second flick?" "No, no, that's the one where he has to get a cure for a virus in the city of Mareami." "There all kind of the same to me." Sweetie Shrugged. "Are you kidding me, they have some of the best stunts ever!!! Like how in the third movie where he catches up to a steam cart on a scooter or when he takes out like fifty dudes with a fire hose." Applebloom joined Scootaloo in her rant towards Sweetie. "Don' forget that time where he beat up a bunch of ponies with candle stick holder!" "Okay, okay they're not all the same." The white unicorn said just so her friends would not directing their fan-filly facts at her. "Changing the subject, what have you been up to Scootaloo?" "Me? Being awesome, what else?" (Scootaloo's Day) Scootaloo found that living near the Everfree forrest had its advantage like being able to practice without having to watch out for anypony. Plus Fluttershy was great at bandaging her up after a trick went wrong. This upcoming prom was a special night for her and her dragon. She after five years was still as crazy about Spike as she was at the beginning of their relationship. Today she was going to surprise Spike at work by baking him his favorite sapphire cupcakes. In truth she wanted to show a little more interest in his hobbies as he was always willing to do whatever she asked of him. However, first she had to practice and this time she was attempting the new stunt in town. The event the teenage daredevil and extreme athlete was practicing for was the Radical Games. Today she was pulling out all the stops for this new trick. "Okay, Scoot's you can do this." She said to herself and with her own words of encouragement, she jumped off a corkscrew ramp, spiraling into three, three-sixty counter clockwise flips. Once airborne the young orange mare managed to nailed her target: the courthouse. From there she proceeded to grind along the the outer trim of the municipal building. When a rapid beat of her tiny wings she got airborne for a second time with and landed on the sloping roof of the building. Just as she reached the end of the roof she performed a quick flick of the tail of the board and jumped to the top of another building, and not soon afterwards she executed a tail grab. She then jumped off of her scooter did a flip in mid air and landed back on the scooter while it was still in motion. Finishing the trick, she ground the railing of the stairs to the mayor's office and came to a complete stop. The crowd that had seen this cheered her name, the flower triplets fainted and a nearby police officer gave her a nice little fine for disturbing the peace and the reckless use of a non-motorized vehicle. 'Still worth it.' She looked over the ticket and up to the clock tower. 'Now, it's time to get cooking, literally.' (2 hours and six burnt batches of cupcakes later) "Awesome, these actually look edible. Now all that's left is to add the inedible sapphires to the butter cream icing." She said inedible sapphires, but to a dragon anything could be considered food. It helped explain how Spike survived Twilight's terrible cooking. Once Scootaloo was done with the treats, she rocketed towards Donut Joe's Diner to hang out with Spike on his lunch break... Meanwhile on the other side of Ponyville Ever since Donut Joe opened a diner in Ponyville business has gone better than expected mostly because of the town being located between Manehattan and Canterlot as well as a quick flight from Cloudsdale. This meant that more of the general populous could get their fill of fresh donuts and amazing coffee. One employee there since the beginning named Spike had the gone from just a cook to the manager of the eatery. The dragon in mention had become a little listless recently and as well paying as his job had been and as much as he enjoyed working there, he felt like he should do something more with his life and because he no longer had the blessing/curse of dragon immortality and had begun to look into other options. Just as he was about to contemplate his future, the familiar sound of screeching scooter wheels could he heard from the back door of the diner. 'Must be time for lunch.' Spike smirked at the predictable motions of his girlfriend. The door swung open and the orange mare placed a basket down. "Hey Scoo--mhmm" Spike was interrupted by a full force glomp and make out session combo from his mare. They broke their kiss and Scootaloo motioned to the basket she had placed on the counter. "Yo Joe, I'm takin' my lunch break!" "Alright, tell Scootaloo I said hello!" With a short scooter ride, the pair reached White Tail Woods Park. Scootaloo opened the basket to reveal two gem encrusted cupcakes. "Since you're always doing things for me, I made you, your favorite with fresh gems from the end Sapphire Season." Spike was taken aback by the gesture, happy that she cared enough to try something new just for him. They weren't perfect, but because his special somepony made them, they were perfect to him. He launched his long lizard like long out, grabbed the cupcakes and inhaled them. "Those, were great Scoots." The cake was a little on the dry side, but the gems really helped the flavor. To Scootaloo it wasn't about baking or if they even came out right, it was about showing the same dragon that cared about her, that she cared about him. "Thanks, Spike. I know I don't say it as much lately, but I truly do love you." The two continued to embrace one another on the park bench for as long as Spike's lunch break would last. (End of Scootaloo's Day) She gave a wistful sigh. "Yep, I don't know how I do it: amazing trick rider and awesome girlfriend." The other two always found it a little funny that for such a tough filly on the outside, Spike always seemed to bring out a more sensitive side in her. When Scootaloo finally broke out of her daydream like stare, the three of them continued to talk about their prom preparations. Special thanks to Allonso Bronyguy for helping me edit this.