//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 // Story: Player Number Three // by Candy-Sweets_12 //------------------------------// "See you later Button." Sweetie Belle said as she wrapped her scarf around. "See ya later then." Button said. Sweetie Belle walked out into the chilly day, happy that Winter Wrap up would be soon. She eventually made it to the orchard, where she and her friends agreed to meet. She saw Apple Bloom and Scootaloo in the tree house, who waved from the distance. Sweetie Belle trotted up to the tree and climbed the ramp. "I sure am glad that I hammered in that heater." Apple Bloom said. "Me too, it's been so long since the four of us could just meet up and chat." Sweetie Belle said. She then remembered what she said. "Oh! Sorry Imp," The mare shrugged it off. "How's it going with the little squirt?" Scootaloo asked as she rubbed the small lump on her stomach. "Their fine, yours?" "Same." "Ah' see ya started showing too." Apple Bloom said. "Yeah, when was the last time we even talked with each other anyway?" Imp signed. "A few days?!" Sweetie exclaimed. "Wow we need to catch up." Scootaloo said. "That's right, and you know what? We should have a reunion." Sweetie protested. "What'da ya mean?" "I mean we should have all of the first crusaders come together again, and catch up with each other you know?" Sweetie Belle said as she started to lay down on a large pillow. "That's a great idea." Scootaloo agreed. "Sure, but first, let's catch up now." Apple Bloom reminded the two. "Well, for starters, my life has been a bit over dramatic lately, for both happy and sad things." Sweetie started. "Last night, Button gave me his old propeller hat, for our foal, but earlier this week, I went through an emotional break down, and he wasn't there, I was about to start throwing things until Button came home." Sweetie sighed. "Sounds like you've got a lot on your shoulders." Scootaloo implied. "Yeah, hopefully things won't be so dramatic for a while, I've been on an emotional rollercoaster for months." She said. "Eight more to go." Imp signed, causing the trio to laugh again. "Well at least you didn't crack a tree, your house, or nearly your husband's spine after they got ya upset." Apple Bloom said. "How does Fluttershy get you mad?" Scootaloo joked. "No, I mean mah family, they said that I couldn't do something I wanted to do any more, so I just got angry, next thing Ah know, mah family's eyes shrunk and were petrified at how the tree came tumbling down." Apple Bloom explained. The mares laughed, whilst Imp whistled a tune. "I've been reading a lot, from Twilight, it somehow gets your foal into reading, I don't quite get it, but while I'd like my foal to be as awesome and fast as me and Rainbow Dash, I want them to be smart too." Scootaloo interrupted. "You read?" The three mares looked confused. "Yeah, it's not like I haven't done it before, but ever since Rainbow Dash first showed me Daring Doo, I became more interested, and with Rumble away all the time, I end up reading for pleasure. Besides, I've always liked reading ever since I was introduced as a foal, I just never told anyone, cept' Imp." The two mares looked at Imp. "Ya knew?" "You knew?' The mare smiled and made a motion with her hoof across her face. She was saying, "My lips were sealed." "You could've just told us ya know." Sweetie Belle said. "I read more now than ever, especially when Button's not home, then I turn on music." "Well it's nice to know that we like ta read, but have ya heard from Babs?" "No, why?" The two asked. "Babs is datin'!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "Wow really?" Sweetie Belle said. "Yep. Some stallion she was friends with, I think that he was apart of the Manehattan Branch." Apple Bloom said. "Speaking of relationships, we need to start making plans for the wedding this Fall." Imp signed the three. "You're right, Ah've been working on the sketches, what'cha think of yours?" She showed the Nymph the design she brought in her sketchbook, and Imp smiled. "Glad ya like it, took all day to get the coloring right." Apple Bloom said as she glanced down proudly on the sketch below. "By the way, I'm really sorry about how I didn't have you in my wedding Imp," Sweetie Belle said. Imp shrugged. "No, I'm super sorry I glanced over you when I was looking for bridesmares." "It's ok, I didn't want to anyway, I had to tend the forest during the fittings and rehearsals." She signed to the unicorn. "Ok then," Sweetie Belle said. "Hey girls, did I tell you about what happened to Pipsqueak last week?" Apple Bloom began. "No what?" Scootaloo said. "He was trying to be a gentlecolt and tried doing the repairs around the farm." She giggled at the thought. "He was fixing the windows to the farm when he slipped and fell into the hay. Ah swear that that pony is to much of a gentlecolt for his own good. Ah can't tell you how many times ah had to describe the specific color ah wanted for Mina's dress." The other mares laughed at the short story, eventually she continued. "Of course Rarity likes to help, always coming to my house and bringing sketches and fabrics that might work, and with her help, the wedding dress is finished." "Wow Apple Bloom, I never knew that Pipsqueak could be too helpful." Sweetie remarked. "You think you've got it bad? Every time Rumble is home, he's always asking 'Want to go flying?' or 'Want to go out for dinner?' Whenever I do agree, he's always over doing it. I mean, I'm fine with how he regularly treats me when he's home, but now he's offering to take of a few months just to be with me, I just made four months, If I wanted him around just to be with me all the time, I would've asked." She ranted. "No offense, but that doesn't sound that bad." Imp signed. "I know it doesn't, and I should be thankful, but, I don't feel comfortable asking ponies for things I don't need, or that I can do myself, he treats me like I'll never get out of bed in the morning, or that he may never see me again." "Well, I think that he's trying to make up for not being around all the time." Sweetie Belle inferred. "I guess that you're right." Scootaloo said after thinking for a minute. "Yeah, I mean Button and Pipsqueak do it, Button brings gifts for me, or gets the groceries for me all of the time when I'm left alone," "And It's like ah' said before with Pipsqueak, you just have ta get used to it." Apple Bloom agreed. "I guess that you guys are right, I just wish that he won't take it too far, I don't want him making stupid decisions for me, I'd rather talk about it with him. Before I got my unexpected pregnancy, we were having an argument, but now, it's like he's forgotten about it." "I understand that." Imp signed. The three mares looked at Imp. "How?" They asked. "Every time a stallion sees me, for some reason, they are offering me gifts I don't need, and giving me letters when I'm hanging out with you." Imp explained. "Looks like some stallions have a crush on ya." Apple Bloom teased, causing Imp to blush a slightly darker shade of her coat. "Just like Rarity, you should ask her about it," Sweetie Belle suggested. "You think so?" Imp asked. "We know so." Apple Bloom said. "So what's your role for Winter-Wrap up guys?" Scootaloo asked, changing the subject. "Ah'm making the birds' nests," Apple Bloom answered. "I'm supposed to help with clearing the snow and ice." Sweetie said. " What about you Imp?" Imp shook her head. "You won't be able to attend" Sweetie said. Imp shook her head. "No we're wrong, or no meaning Sweetie Belle was right?" Scootaloo said, raising an eyebrow in confusion. Imp sighed and signed again. "Oh, ok, guess we'll have to do without ya," Apple Bloom said disappointedly. "It's ok, I'm sure you've got a good reason why." Sweetie Belle said. "Yeah, but what should I do? Rainbowdash won't let me get the southern birds or kick the clouds. What else can I do?" Scootaloo pouted. "You're not that bad on ice skates anymore, besides, I'm not sure if there's enough ponies to break it down." Apple Bloom suggested. "I guess that'll work." Scootaloo said. She then looked out the window to find that the sun was going down. "Shoot, I lost track of time, Rumble'll be here any minu-" She was stopped by a knock on the door. "Scootaloo?" A slightly raspy voice asked. "I'm coming." Scootaloo sighed. "See you girls tomorrow." She said. "Ah' suppose that I should go too, even though it's slightly warming up, Ah still et chilled to the bone in this weather. See ya later girls." Apple Bloom yelled out, following Scootaloo out the door. "I should go, you can come to my house if you'd like." Imp smiled at the offer but shook her head. "I understand, see you later then Imp." Sweetie Belle said. "Later." The Nymph signed. Sweetie Belle headed home, happy to get all of those words off of her chest.