//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: From Rumble With Love // by Locomotion //------------------------------// The following day, Blue Finch, Memphis Belle and the Cutie Mark Crusaders held a big party for Scootaloo at Sugarcube Corner. Rumble's back had been so badly injured that he had to use a wheelchair until it was fully healed, but it didn't stop him from joining his parents and his new fillyfriend at the bakery. He spent a great deal of time getting to know the other Crusaders, and telling them of how Scootaloo had saved him from being flattened. “Wow, Scootaloo! You actually managed to fly?!” gushed Sweetie-Belle. “That's so cool!” “I'll say,” chimed in Tootsie Flute. “Looks like Rumble's advice has made all the difference – not to mention his training.” “Keep it up, and you could well give Mare-Do-Well a run for her money!” joked Pipsqueak. Scootaloo laughed heartily. “Yeah, I suppose so,” she mused. “I'd still have to give it a few years, according to Rumble, but if I do improve on my flying skills as much as I'm hoping to, I'll totally rock!” “If you improve?!” chuckled Tornado Bolt. “Correction, Scoot – when you improve! No way are there gonna be any half-measures while Rumble's around!” “And it's all because of your bravery and determination that he still is, Scootaloo,” added Blue Finch kindly. “Memphis Belle and I would both like to thank you for saving our son's life.” Scootaloo blushed with pride. “It was nothing really.” “You're too modest, Scootaloo,” smiled Memphis Belle. “Blue Finch may have gained an awful shock from hearing that Rumble had been brought down into his path, but it was nothing compared to what we would have felt if we realised he and the other racers had killed his own son. What you did yesterday was truly heroic, and we're eternally grateful for your bravery.” “Aw, thanks, Memphis Belle,” beamed Scootaloo. “No – thank you, Scootaloo,” interjected Rumble softly. “I owe you my life after yesterday.” He leaned over the side of his wheelchair and wrapped his forelegs around her as much as he could manage. Scootaloo nuzzled fondly against his neck as she returned his embrace. At this point, Apple Bloom came over to the young couple looking deeply ashamed of herself. “Scoot...Ah'm awful sorry about what Ah nearly did to Rumble yesterday,” she apologised meekly. “Ah din' mean to put him in danger la'k that; Ah was just so annoyed with how selfish Ah thought y'all were bein' that Ah became obsessed with gettin' mah own back.” She looked at the floorboards, ruefully scraping a hoof against them. “Seems Ah was the selfish one, lettin' mah vengefulness get the better of me...” “Vengefulness?” interrupted Sweetie-Belle doubtfully. “Is that even a word?” Scootaloo smirked broadly in amusement. “What are you, a dictionary?!” she joked, and everypony else laughed. Sweetie-Belle just rolled her eyes. “Ah dunno if y'all can find it in yo' hearts to forgive me,” finished Apple Bloom glumly, “but if not, then Ah understand – it's not as if Ah deserved it anyway. It's just...life won't be the same without Scootaloo back in the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” There was a long silence. Scootaloo and Rumble exchanged doubtful glances, and the other Crusaders eyed all three of them anxiously, wondering what the orange Pegasus filly's answer would be. Apple Bloom simply sat on her haunches next to Scootaloo, still afraid to even look at her. Eventually, Scootaloo spoke up; “Well, granted I'm still annoyed at you for how Rumble nearly lost his life...” Apple Bloom hung her head guiltily. “...but you and Tootsie Flute were right all along. You've all opened my eyes to how......magical love can be, and I would never have gained such a cute and loyal coltfriend as Rumble if it weren't for you guys – and that includes you, Apple Bloom, even if you did go about it the wrong way,” Scootaloo went on. Apple Bloom looked up to see Scootaloo smiling gratefully at her – there was still a twinge of annoyance in her expression, but she could now see that it was greatly overshadowed by her gratitude for bringing her and Rumble together. Even though she had been sorely opposed to it a few days ago, the tomboyish Pegasus filly couldn't be gladder of the outcome, and the young farm filly felt all the more humbled by it. “So...will y'all be part o' the Cutie Mark Crusaders again?” she asked hopefully. Scootaloo grinned broadly. “Oh, you bet I will, Apple Bloom – on one condition.” “What's that?” “That Rumble's allowed to join as well.” Apple Bloom didn't need to be asked twice. “Done an' done!” she conceded heartily. She then turned to the rest of the group; “Cutie Mark Crusaders, let's hear it fo' Scootaloo, the hero of the day!” The seven fillies and two colts stood up on their hind legs and bumped their hooves together, letting out a huge cheer for Scootaloo – but the loudest of all came from none other than Rumble, the newest member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.