//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: "There you are!" // Story: Colts Meet Crusaders // by Dusk_Shine6995 //------------------------------// (If you made it this far then I suspect you know what it is and who its by ;) ) Chapter 6: “There you are!” “What about me?” Dusk queried. Scootaloo pointed to his flank and answered, “What about your cutie mark?” Dusk shrugged like it was nothing. He spoke up after a moment, “Well... I dunno, I guess I don’t know my talent.” Applebloom deadpanned, “Seriously?” Dusk just shrugged again. “How the hay do ya go from findin’ five ponies cutie marks but don’t know your own!?” She yelled. Dusk sighed and answered, “I don’t have talent, can’t write, can’t run, can barely fight. Rumble, Elusive, and I have tried everything in the book.” Sweetie Belle facehooved and asked, “Honestly how did you find our cutie marks but not your own?” Dusk acted, again, like it was nothing and simply said, “Logic, proof, and what little mind power my crazy mind has.” He smiled and chuckled. Everypony else though were concerned for him. “But Dusk, it’s your cutie mark, won’t you feel left out without us not having them anymore?” Elusive asked. Dusk shrugged and said, “You guys won’t treat me any differently so what do I care?” Scootaloo was tearing up from his obliviousness and anger towards him, “You don’t get it, when we have to stand up for you and your blank flank, no one will take us seriously anymore, you’ll have to take the beating all alone...” Dusk smirked at her and threw on his Outcast voice, “Not a change in my opinion.” Scootaloo shuddered and smiled, both angrily and happily. “Dusk we can’t repay you for finding out cutie marks... maybe we can do the same for you?” Rumble offered. Applebloom broke in, “That’s a great idea!” Dusk shook his head, a little sullen. ‘You can’t help that which has no talent.’ He thought to himself. He looked at his friends and smiled. “You guys wouldn’t listen to me if I told you not to anyway, so why not?” He said happily. All of his friends smiled, a little something extra was in Scootaloo’s smile, Dusk noticed but he couldn’t quite tell what it was. “So what all do you like Dusk?” Sweetie Belle asked. Dusk went with the obvious and least helpful reply of, “I unno.” Though in his mind he immediately thought, ‘Making Scoots blush.’ He smirked at the thought and waited on everyones anger. Scootaloo facehoofed and spoke once again, “Why do you have to make this difficult.” Dusk smiled wide and proud before saying, “Because it’s fun.” Elusive shook his head, “Dusk, seriously, what do you like to do?” he asked. Dusk shrugged, again, “I don’t know, play video games, have fun, mess with friends,” he began whilst thinking, ‘Especially Scoots~’. “Solving problems, helping friends, run the bar with you and Rumble. Honestly I like a lot of things but none of them have led to a cutie mark.” He sighed and looked down sadly, “I just don’t have talent,” he glumly stated. “Dusk stop saying that, please...” Scootaloo begged, quietly. “Alright fine, but I’m going home, it’s late,” Dusk said. Without another word he teleported away. Scootaloo frowned and looked down. She let out a sad sigh before saying, “I hope we figure something out for him... I bucked up.” Sweetie Belle and Applebloom hugged her softly. “Don’t think like that, we all bucked up,” Sweetie tried to comfort. “Yeah, come on we’ll think of somethin ta cheer him up,” Applebloom said before yawning cutely, “but he’s raht it is late.” Scootaloo nodded and prayed Dusk’s house was unlocked. After a day like today, she definitely didn’t want her dad to ruin it. “Applebloom want me to walk you home again?” Rumble asked. Applebloom smiled happily and nodded. Scootaloo suppressed a giggle, ‘Sometimes I wish Dusk would do that with me, I mean we have before but... it seems like he’s pushing me away.’ She thought. Elusive walked up next to Scootaloo and smiled at Sweetie Belle. “Hey Sweets, walk with Rumble and Applebloom, I’ll catch up, ok?” Elusive said and asked. “Ok Elusive, but don’t keep me waiting,” Sweetie answered blushing, “US, US, I meant us, yeah...” Rumble and Applebloom laughed and teased her about it as they walked away. Elusive turned to Scootaloo and said, “Don’t worry about Dusk, he’s tougher than he looks and this happens to him allllll the time.” Scootaloo cocked her head and asked, “What do you mean?” Elusive re-explains, “He gets like this after talking about his dad, it’s nothing new. He may seem depressed and he seems to be pushing everyone away. In reality he wants us there. He’s just overthinking it, so go to him and keep him safe and loved ok?” Elusive smiled wisely and happily at Scootaloo. She smiled and gave him a small hug. “Thanks Elusive, I’m going to him tonight, I’ll see you later,” Scootaloo said. She then grinned and took the sky. She flew a little slowly due to her inexperience. In the end though she made good time and opened the door to Dusk’s house. She noticed a faint voice, she presumed Dusk’s, and headed towards his room. Sure enough it was Dusk’s, however she had expected him to be playing xbox. Instead he was singing. Scootaloo pressed her ear to the door and listened. Her jaw dropped, ‘My Celestia, he is amazing at singing!’ She squeed in her mind. An idea shot into her mind and she couldn’t wait until tomorrow. Scootaloo sat outside of Dusk’s room listening to him sing. After he finished his song, Scootaloo heard a happy sigh. She waited a moment before knocking on the door. “Hey Dusk you decent in there?” She asked through the door. There was a gasp on the other side of the door, then Scootaloo could practically hear him smirk. “We’re ponies dummy we don’t wear clothes normally,” Dusk said. Scootaloo shook her head and walked in. Dusk feigned fear and embarrassment, “Ahhhh, don’t come in I’m naked!” he shouted smiling wide. Scootaloo shook her head and put a hoof to his cheek, “Shut up... you know you made me worry when you left.” Dusk frowned and looked down. “I’m sorry Scoots,” he apologized. Scootaloo shoved his head and walked past him. “You’re forgiven but you will make it up to me soon,” She said cockilly as she swaggered to his bed. Dusk smirks and walked up behind her. She suddenly turned around and shoved his head again, “Ah, ah, ahhh, I get the bed, you’re on the floor tonight,” She said with a unusual girlish tinge in her voice. He shrugged, “Alright, I guess, figure I deserve it for scaring you,” He said, dismissively. Scootaloo climbed onto the bed and smiled at Dusk. “Glad you agree,” She said, giggling. “Well goodnight Duskie, see you in the morning,” she bid goodnight and laid her head down, closing her eyes. Dusk plopped on the floor and closed his eyes as well. About five minutes later, just before Dusk fell asleep he heard rustling on the bed. He looked up and was greeted by Scootaloo’s beautiful purple eyes. “Duskie I forgot my teddy bear... will you sleep with me instead?” She asked, very, very, cutely. Dusk smiled and almost died of d’aww. Before he could stand however, Scootaloo put on her pout and puppy eyes. Dusk stood up and practically dove onto the bed. Scootaloo blushed and giggled. “You are so cute sometimes Scoots, you know that?” Dusk complemented. ‘Oh now I’ve gotta let him have it!’ Scootaloo thought evilly. She opened her puppy eyes more and folded her ears back, “Y-you don’t alweady think I’m cute?” She evilly pouted. “N-no not like that, y-you’re beautiful Scoots, j-just s-sometimes you just act soooo cute,” Dusk stammered. Scootaloo smiled and put a hoof to his lips. “It’s ok Duskie, I was kidding,” she said. She then blushed as she thought over his words. “Y-you think I’m b-beautiful Dusk?” she asked, shyly. Dusk smiled, not caring that he was caught. Dusk said these next words more sure than anything in his life, “Scootaloo, you’re the most beautiful filly I’ve ever seen.” Scootaloo blushed bright, smiled, and averted her eyes. Dusk put a hoof to her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. Her smile changed to a shocked expression. Dusk smiled before saying, “I mean it Scoots.” He leaned forward and kissed her deeply. Scootaloo returned the kiss, in it’s entirety. They lay in his bed, entrapped by the kiss. It felt like forever since Scootaloo got a kiss from him. Though in reality it was probably a few hours, she didn’t care. All she cared about is that she is kissing his plush lips. Dusk broke the kiss smiling. “As much as I desperately want to continue this, I’ve got stuff planned for school tomorrow as The Outcast, so gotta get to sleep,” Dusk said sadly. Scootaloo smiled and kissed his nose. “I understand Duskie, get your sleep,” She beckoned. Dusk smiled and laid down in his bed next to Scootaloo. She pushed him onto his back and laid her head on his chest, “Mmm, my favourite pillow and teddy bear,” She stated cutely. Dusk blushed, wrapped his hooves around her and kissed her head. “Goodnight Scoots,” He said sleepily. “Nighty night Duskie,” she said back. They both yawned and fell asleep quickly, the days events having worn them out. Scootaloo awoke the next morning smiling. She looked down at the aqua marine pony below her and smiled a little wider. She nosed at his stomach. “Wake up Dusk,” she said in a sing song voice. Dusk grumbled incomprehensible things and huffed. She giggled and nosed him again, “Come on Dusk wake up,” she sang again. Dusk grumbled again and tried to roll on his side. He was stopped because there was a filly laying on him after all. Scootaloo grinned evilly as a devious idea entered her mind, “If you don’t start getting up I’m going to sit on your head,” she threatened. Dusk chuckled tiredly, “Go ahead,” he said dismissively. Big mistake. Scootaloo got off of him, when she did he rolled onto his side, then she sat directly on the side of his head giggling like mad. Dusk’s eyes shot open and he flailed about. Any effort to escape was stopped by Scootaloo’s rump on his head. She finally released him, now full on laughing. Dusk sat up and glared at her, blushing, “You’re evil,” he chided. Scootaloo hopped off the bed and brushed her tail under his chin , “I know,” she sang once again. Dusk blushed brighter as his eyes fluttered. When the tail no longer had contact with his neck and chin, he looked at Scootaloo. She was smirking back at him with half lidded eyes. Dusk got up to follow her, she didn’t object. Once she reached the door however Scootaloo shut the door in his face. Dusk smiled and shook his head as he heard the filly laughing like none other on the opposite side of the door. He looked back at his bed and frowned knowing that if he laid back down he would have Scootaloo’s rump on his head again. Then he thought about that again and quickly laid down. Scootaloo made her way to the bathroom in Dusk’s house thoroughly excited for the news she had for her friends. ‘I can’t believe Dusk is going to get his cutie mark!’ she beamed mentally. She did a girly hop and squeed a little. ‘Ohhhh the girls are going to FREAK!’ she continued her girly mental celebration. She reached the bathroom surprisingly quick. Once inside she turned on the hot water, prepared to take a long, hot, bath. Once the tub was filled she slowly lowered herself into the water, “Ahhhh~” she sighed happily. As she fully relaxed her girly celebration came back as she started smiling wide for no seen reason. ‘Ohhhh this could be so awesome!’ she screamed mentally. ‘Oh my Celestia it would be so cool if we started a band!’ she audibly squeed and forced herself to calm down. Now calm, she sat back and relaxed in the tub of boiling water smiling at the possibilities. Meanwhile Dusk was wondering why there was a strange lack of plot on his head. He shrugged and sat up, “So much for that...” he said to himself sadly. He sighed and stood up, “Jeez what’s taking her so long?” he asked the wall. The wall didn’t answer him so he decided to go check. He quickly trotted down the hall to the bathroom. He pressed his ear to the door and listened for anything of interest. It was quiet so he assumed she was asleep. So what should he do? He slammed his hoof hard again the door and shouted, “HEY WAKE UP I NEED THE SHOWER!” He heard Scootaloo flail around and water splash. He grinned wide and heard the water plug come out. When Scootaloo walked out she whipped him in the face with her wet mane. Dusk smiled and went to kiss her cheek only to be met with Scootaloo’s hoof. “Nope you lost your kissing privileges just now,” She said sternly. Dusk frowned and folded his ears back. “Sorry...” he apologized and slowly walked into the bathroom. Scootaloo smirked and kissed his cheek. “Oh I can’t stay mad at you,” she said cutely. Dusk smiled and closed the door slowly. Once alone in the room Dusk went about his rituals. Up went the volume on the stereo, and in went the Linkin Pony CD. Scootaloo shook her head and walked back into Dusk’s room. “Honestly... how didn’t I notice before?” she asked herself staring at the many posters in the room. Her awakeness was failing her now that Dusk was in the shower. She was itching to just flop onto his bed and sleep. “N-no! Gotta stay up...” She said as her head went limp for a moment then snapped back to attention. She swayed again and put a hoof on the bed, “N-no... a couple minutes couldn’t hurt could it?” She asked as she plopped onto the bed. She squirmed under the blanket and started drifting off to sleep. Dusk was just finishing up his shower. He dried off his coat and decided his hair wasn’t worth drying. He began walking down the hall to his room. He swayed a little, the showers effects wearing off already. Once in his room he giggled softly at the sight. There, in his bed, was a cute orange pegasus curled up and cuddling a pillow in her sleep. “Oh my Luna, she is so cute,” He whispered to himself. He walked up to Scootaloo and kissed her nose. She made a scrunchy face but smiled in her sleep. Dusk smiled wide and carefully took the pillow’s place in Scootaloo’s hooves. After a bit of rearranging they lay there comfortably. Dusk was soon overcome with sleep. *two hours later* Scootaloo woke up slowly. She dreamily looked up at Dusk, “Mmmph, morning Dusk,” She greeted. Dusk smiled down at her and nosed her forehead. “Morning,” Dusk answered back. Neither of them really noticed it was almost ten, neither of them cared yet. Scootaloo purred softly as Dusk rubbed her forehoof gently. He smiled from her reaction and gave her ear a small nibble. She eeped and blushed from his nibbles. “Stop it,” she complained half heartedly. He gave her ear another small nibble and stopped. She smiled and snuggled her back up against his chest smiling. “You’re too cute,” Dusk said as he wrapped his hooves around her, pulling her tighter to him. She giggled softly. He nuzzled her neck causing her to lull into a daze. One she quickly snapped out of, sitting up. “OH BUCK WE FORGOT SCHOOL!” she yelled. Dusk chuckled and shook his head, “Do you really care about school?” he asked. She shrugged, “Sort of, there was something important I had to do today,” she said looking at the clock. “Nine thirty... alright if we go now we can make it before lunch,” she calculated. Dusk smiled and nosed her head, “Or we can be there right now, are you ready?” he pointed out and asked. She nodded and answered, “Yeah, lets go.” She took a deep breathe and Dusk teleported them in front of the school. Scootaloo blushed realizing she was still snuggling Dusk, right in front of school. She shoved him away and punched his shoulder, “You did that on purpose!” she scolded. Dusk threw his hooves in the air smirking. His smirk betraying the innocence he was trying to exude. Scootaloo rolled her eyes and punched him again. She then stood up and walked into the school, Dusk following right behind her. They had to check into the office but once there the principal was furious. “Scootaloo!?” he screamed, “Late for school? Dropping grades? What’s happening to you!?” each word in his sentence became louder and louder. “You used to be such a good stu-” he was caught up by Dusk raising his hoof. “What!?” “Calm your flanks, alright, it’s my fault she’s late,” Dusk said calmly. Scootaloo looked at Dusk in awe. ‘How can he just say that to the principal without getting screamed at.’ she thought. “Alright, alright, try to keep her on time next time Outcast,” he said with minor disdain in his voice. Scootaloo went to speak but Dusk cut her off, “Ok I will, sorry.” He then gently nudged Scootaloo towards the door. Once a ways away from the office Scootaloo smacked Dusk on the back of the head, “What was that?” she asked. Dusk giggled softly before speaking, “Don’t know if you noticed but our principal plays favourites.” he sighed annoyed, “I’m among his least favourites but if it weren’t for me then he’d have more transfers, rape, and drugs in his school, so he forgives me being late, rebellious, and, quote unquote, crazy, while I forgive him being an utter buckhead.” Scootaloo playfully nuzzled up to him and cooed, “Oh our hero.” Dusk blushed and nudged away the giggling Scootaloo. “Ohhhhhh I bet Sweetie could find you some tights!” she sang. Dusk’s coat changed to red, at least around his face, for a moment as he stammered, “N-no d-don’t you dare!” Scootaloo was laughing hysterically at this point. Once she calmed down she spoke, “Ok hero boy, I gotta get to class,” she leaned in and whispered the rest, “I’ll see you soon my little outcast.” She turned her head and kissed him on the cheek then took off down the hall running. Dusk smiled wide and touched the cheek she kissed as if it were the first time. He sighed and went to his class, “That filly is going to be the death of me.” he happily mumbled to himself. *in class* “You’re late Scootaloo,” The science teacher said flatly. “Sorry Mr. Chain,” Scootaloo apologized. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle waved Scootaloo down to their seats. Mr. Chain told Scootaloo what she missed before he let her sit down. “Hey Scootaloo!” The other two Crusaders welcomed. “Hey Sweetie Belle, Hey Applebloom!” She eagerly answered. Before her friends could speak Scootaloo leaned in, “Girls I have a plan for Dusk and his cutie mark!” Her friends gasped with bright looks crossing their faces. “Really howdya figure it out?” Applebloom asked. “I walked in on him singing, it was amazing,” Scootaloo beamed back to Applebloom. “Like Sweetie Belle amazin?” Applebloom wondered aloud causing Sweetie to blush. “Yes!” Scootaloo whisper screamed. “So what’s your plan?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Well I think we should,” She whispered the plan to the crusaders, whose eyes grew wider and wider from the details. *After school* “Hey Rumble,” Elusive yelled out as he trotted up to his friend. They were just outside the school entrance, Rumble was waiting Elusive, and Dusk. “Bout time Elusive,” Rumble chided. Applebloom giggled and shoved Rumble’s head. “Be nice,” Applebloom teased causing Rumble to giggle as well. Elusive and Scootaloo shook their heads. “Dawww you two are so cute together,” Sweetie Belle sang. Rumble and Applebloom blushed. “Ah’m not cute!” Applebloom yelled. Rumble smiled, leaned down, and whispered into her ear, “Yes you are.” Applebloom blushed bright and punched Rumble’s shoulder. “Quiet you!” she yelled again. Scootaloo, Elusive, and Sweetie Belle burst out laughing, making the two blush even brighter, but they started laughing as well. After a few minutes the laughter dies down. “Where’s Dusk? I haven’t seen him since this morning,” Scootaloo asked. Rumble was about to ask what they were doing this morning but, as if on cue, the doorway to the school burst open, revealing four hoofball players charging after The Outcast. Scootaloo gasped and was about to intervene when Rumble put a hoof on her shoulder smirking. “Believe it or not, he knows what he is doing,” Elusive said then pointed a hoof at the scene. The Outcast was sprinting straight to a dead end, the hoofball players hot on his tail. “We got him cornered!” One of the mob yelled. The Outcast kept sprinting straight for the wall. “Can’t catch me pansy plots!” The Outcast yelled back. That set the hoofball players off even more so, just as he had planned. They doubled their efforts to catch The Outcast. One of them just about bit down on his tail until he jumped, ‘ran’ up the wall, and did a backflip over them. The hoofballers realized their folly too late and ran muzzlefirst into the wall. The next thing they knew, The Outcast was gone. They stood up, hissing from the pain. Elusive, Rumble, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom were standing there laughing at the hoofballers. “What are you laughing at!?” The largest of them yelled. “You,” Elusive said dismissively. The four colts were once again angry, now they had easy prey, or so they thought. “Oh yeah? Last mistake you’re ever going to make!” One of them screamed. The hoofball players charged at them. Rumble and Elusive took aggressive stances ready to protect the fillies. The fillies however matched the colt’s stances ready to fight for themselves. Mere moments before the hoofball players would have made contact, Dusk, not in his Outcast getup, tackled them from the side. He managed to knock two off their hooves, stunning the two standing. Elusive and Rumble seized the opportunity. They dove at the two standing hoofballers. Elusive punched his opponent straight in the muzzle, flooring the stunned colt. Rumble pulled a one eighty and bucked the colt square in the chest sending him soaring five feet backwards. The two that Dusk knocked down stood back up and flanked him. They both dove for him at the same time. Dusk just laughed and teleported out of the way, making the two slam into each other and flop on the ground with an audible thud. The hoofball players recollected themselves then ran as fast as they could. The colts walked back to the Crusaders smiling. “Our hero’s,” Scootaloo mock swooned before punching Dusk in the shoulder. “Ow, what was that for?” Dusk asked. “Taking on four colts by yourselves and not letting us help,” she said flatly. ‘You had me scared...’ she thought forlornly. “We knew what we were doing,” Rumble cut in, puffing out his chest. “Ah’m sure ya did,” She said sarcastically. “We did...” Rumble mumbled. Applebloom giggled and snuggled up to him. Elusive just smiled, fighting back giggles, as Sweetie Belle checked him over for cuts. He wasn’t even hit but he knew it would make Sweetie Belle happier to make sure. Sweetie Belle was checking his neck when she slyly kissed it, causing Elusive to blush slightly. Scootaloo walked up to Dusk with her head tilted. Dusk smiled and leaned forward to kiss her. Scootaloo had other plans however and walked backwards slowly. “Gonna have to work for it,” She teased. “Challenge accepted,” Dusk responded. Scootaloo ran off with Dusk hot on her hooves. Scootaloo smirked back at him and picked up the pace. Once out of sight, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle grabbed Rumble and Elusive’s forehooves and began running. The colts stumbled but fell into step. “Whoa! What’s the rush?” Rumble asked. “Scootaloo found out what Dusk was good at, this is a part of her plan to get him to discover it,” Sweetie Belle yelled as they ran. “Fill us in on the rest before we get there then,” Elusive yelled back. “Alraht the plan is,” Applebloom explained the plan. *Up with Dusk and Scootaloo* Dusk knew he could catch her easily enough, but this was way too much fun to stop. ‘Not much further!’ Scootaloo thought excitedly, ‘He’s going to be bucking stoked!’ Scootaloo took a hard right and almost slipped but used her new ability of flying to avoid falling. Dusk didn’t have that luxury but it didn’t slow him down. As he was about to stumble, he jumped kicked off a tree and sped after Scootaloo. Dusk noticed that Scootaloo was heading to the stage. ‘What is she planning?’ Dusk pondered. He slowed his pace a little causing Scootaloo to panic. ‘Oh no he is on to me,’ She thought. She thought frantically for a way to keep him going. She smirked and started swishing her tail. Dusk stumbled and almost fell but he sped back up to keep up with her. ‘Damn it all, how does she do that!?’ Dusk thought angrily. The stage was within sight. ‘FINALLY!’ Scootaloo screamed in her head. She jumped onto the stage and found a place to hide as fast as she could. Dusk just missed where she hid. “Where arrrree youuuuu Scootalooooo,” Dusk sing songed. Scootaloo grinned from her spot. “Sing for me and I will,” She sing songed right back. Dusk stopped in the middle of the stage and blushed. “M-Me sing?” He asked. Scootaloo giggled and flew up to the overhang. “Yep, I know you can... please for me,” She begged. Dusk sighed, “I don’t want to... but I will,” he said softly. Scootaloo squeed audibly then covered her mouth blushing. “Too late, I heard that,” Dusk teased. Scootaloo blushed and shouted, “Just shut up and sing already!” Dusk chuckled then answered, “Alright, only because you squeed.” Scootaloo blushed brighter while Dusk took his spot on the stage. He took a deep, slow, breath. “Alright here I go...” he said. He began singing. Rumble, Elusive, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle snuck up in front of the stage just as Dusk started singing. They cheered as loud as they could for him. He smiled a little as he sang. Scootaloo flew down to her friends slowly as he sang. Then something Dusk definitely didn’t expect happened. He was enjoying this... a lot. His horn charged up about three fourths of the way through the song. A whole lightshow was firing out causing Scootaloo and Rumbles mouths to drop. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom let out simultaneous, woah’s. Elusive grinned up at his friend and used his magic to hold up a sign with a ten on it. The song drew to a close and Dusk looked down at his friends, smiling sheepishly, “Was I really that good?” he asked expecting a no. “You were amazing!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “You’re just saying that,” Dusk tried to counter. “Like buck she is, dude, if she were lying,” Rumble said, “Then that wouldn’t be on your flanks!” “Wait what...” Dusk exclaimed, “WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT MY FLANKS BRO!” Rumble facehooved, laughing. “Oh shush, he meant yur cutie mark,” Applebloom teased. Dusk chuckles before speaking, “I know, what he meant silly. Now what’s my cutie mark?” He looks at his flanks and saw it. A microphone with a magic blue bolt protruding from the bottom. “Pretty awesome Duskie, let’s go celebrate!” Scootaloo proclaimed. They all began laughing. “Well I vote we head to Berry’s delights, have some food, force her to make us a cake, and have a tartarus of a time,” Elusive offered. The Crusaders were a little skeptical. “You want to go to a bar?” Scootaloo asked. “Sort of, not for what bars are typically used for, and we get a discount cause we work there, how’s it sound now?” Elusive explained and asked. Applebloom nodded and agreed, “Sounds good ta me, let’s get goin!” They all began walking to the bar. They exchanged funny stories and silly, and often cheesy, jokes. One being, “How are dynamite and a tornado similar? One second it’s bright and sunny... the next second your house is gone.” They were having the day of their lives, nothing but brightness ahead of them. Their mouths watered at the thought of the cake they would force Berry or Rosetta to make. Finally Berry’s Delights was within view putting an extra jump in their steps. They opened the door to the bar laughing at the latest joke when they heard a voice. “Oh there you are, you little slut,” the voice yelled angrily, “we were just looking for you!”