//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: The After Crusade: A Bloomin' Adventure 
// by bronrg 
//------------------------------//

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Ponyville Train Station
January 14, 2020
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Apple Bloom sat at on a bench at the station, awaiting her fellow Crusaders to arrive. It was a strange sight to see somepony her age, in her teens, still not bearing any sight of a cutie mark. She was wearing a particularly long skirt, as well as a set of other different clothing to cover up her blank blank. She wasn't too happy of it, as can be told.

Sweetie Belle arrived at the station, along with their guardians in Ponyville, Rarity and Rainbow Dash. They were about to head off to Canterlot and Las Pegasus respectively. Sweetie Belle had got a cutie mark based in singing, while Scootaloo got one in acrobatics, but that's for another story. As of now, they were about to head off to their respective destinations to fulfill a job request there in their fields of talent.

Sweetie Belle looked at the yellow filly sitting on the bench and joined her, slowly comforting her, "Don't worry, you'll get your cutie mark soon enough, and you'll be really happy when you do." "I guess so..." The yellow filly answered, then continued, "But can't y'all just stay here and go crusading with me s'more?"

Scootaloo looked Apple Bloom in the eyes, showing a feeling of sadness, speaking, "We'd love to help you, really. But we do have an opportunity when we get to our stop to get a job in that city, and this is a very rare opportunity for both of us. You understand, right?"

Apple Bloom nodded, remarking, "I understand." She pulled her two friends into a hug, continuing to say, "I just hope y'all will do your best when y'all get there."

Both of them hugged back, and turned to their sisters. The train conductor's voice bellowed through the station, "Trains leaving for Canterlot and Las Pegasus in 5 minutes!"

The three fillies got up. Apple Bloom spoke up to the other twp, "I guess it's time we end our talk here. Cutie Mark Crusaders out." She ended with the traditional salute. They both returned the gesture and walked off with their sisters to their trains.

As Apple Bloom waved goodbye for the final time to them, she felt a connection within her and them, and that they'd support her, no matter what she does. She headed home, eager to continue her quest the next day.

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Sweet Apple Acres
January 15, 2020
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Apple Bloom woke up with a though that had been swirling around her mind since before she had left the station yesterday. What if she went on one final crusade around Equestria? She would find her cutie mark, hopefully, and gather some fun, excitement and new friends! She couldn't wait to ask her sister, and immediately went to packing, only to be interrupted by a voice.

"What're y'all doing sugarcube?" The voice rang, as an orange filly came over to give her younger sibling a noogie. Apple Bloom giggled at Applejack, then replied, "I was thinking about going on a crusade, the last one, all 'round Equestria. It'll be cool, I could find my cutie mark, and make new friends too!"

Applejack gave her a small smile, giving her reply, "Of course ya can." Apple Bloom was so happy and jumped for joy, when suddenly a serious "But" came from the older mare, which managed to silence the overly excited filly. Applejack looked into Apple Bloom's eyes as she spoke, "But... you gotta promise me one thing, sugarcube." Apple Bloom stared back intently, questioning her sister, "What is it?"

Applejack's face turned into a smile, commenting, "Promise me you'll have a lot of fun." Apple bloom nodded eagerly, shouting, "I will!" She gave her sister a big hug as she finished packing and headed out, waving goodbye to her family. She walked to the train station, heading to the first stop, the Big Apple...