//------------------------------// // Plans Among Foals // Story: Friendship's New Flight: New Crusade // by Masterob //------------------------------// The ponies made their way to the Apple Family Barn, though en route, Babs couldn't help but notice Cloudchaser occasionally shooting a few glares at her. Babs whispered to Sweetie Belle, "What's that chick's deal? Why does she keep shooting glares at me?" "She found out about your first visit here, so she doesn't trust you, neither does Rumble, he started saying things about you", Sweetie said. Babs angrily blew her hair out her eye, "That kid's talking junk about me? The soonah we rid him of us the bettah" They had finally arrived at the Apple Family Barn. "I'm gonna go get the snacks, me and granny made some treats for everypony for Babs' arrival, Rumble, yah mind helping me?" Apple Bloom asked, being sure to bat her eyes at Rumble. "Not at all, I'd be happy to help you", Rumble said with a cheerful smile, and followed Apple Bloom inside, along with Applejack. Babs looked unconvinced, "He always like that?" "He's a real flank kisser sometimes", Sweetie said. Unfortunately for her, Cloudchaser heard that and angrily approached Sweetie, "I'm gonna ask you once to cut that crap out, Rumble isn't a flank kisser, he's just a nice young foal, maybe you can be a little more like that, otherwise I'm gonna convince your parents to change your name from 'Sweetie' Belle, to 'Bratty' Belle!" Sweetie looked a bit taken back, "Bratty Belle!?" "Hey be thankful I didn't use another 'B' Word that came to my mind", Cloudchaser said. Sweetie went wide eyed, then Cloudchaser confronted Babs, "As for you, I know about the crap you pulled before, if you even THINK about doing that to Rumble, I'm gonna personally send you back to Manehatten in an Ambulance!" Babs got annoyed, "Hey you can't talk tah me like that, I'm gonna tell Applejack-" "Tell her what? Are you a snitch or something?" cloudchaser asked in a mock tone. Babs and Sweetie looked stunned at that. "Doesn't feel so good to be on the other side of that does it?" Babs was dumbfounded, "Wha...you kiddin' me lady?" Cloudchaser got in her face, "Do I look like I'm kidding? Like I said, you upset Rumble, then you're gonna be in a world of hurt, do you get me!?" Babs could tell from the glare in her eyes that Cloudchaser wasn't messing around, and simply nodded. "Good little filly, I'm gonna go inside now, you kids play nice", Cloudchaser said, almost sinisterly. "Damn she's a scary broad", Babs said. "That's why it's hard to really say anything or complain about Rumble, he's got all these mares on his side, his brother is not only Rainbow Dash's coltfriend, he's also a good close friend of Princess Twilight Sparkle, if you upset Rumble, you set off a chain reaction", Sweetie said. "Well let's head to the treehouse, I have more questions about this punk kid, then we can figure out how to get him packin' before he makes things worse, after all, nothing ruins a friendship faster than a colt in your life", Babs said with disdain apparent in her voice. "Tell me about it", Sweetie said. Babs turned to Scootaloo, "Yo Scoots, you comin'?" Scootaloo was barely paying attention, she seemed to have stuff on her mind for a while. "Yo Scoots! Yah there?" Babs called again. Scootaloo snapped out of it, "Huh? What?" "Come on Scoots, lets head to the treehouse, I gotta ask yah stuff about Rumble". Scootaloo nodded, "Sure thing" The 3 fillies made their way to the treehouse. Inside the barn, Apple Bloom grabbed some plates for the Apple Tarts and the Apple Juice. "Ok Rumble, you can take the juice, I'll grab the tarts". "Sure thing", he got the stuff on his back. Apple Bloom checked the tarts but there were still a little hot, "These still needs to cool off, go wait near the tree house, I'll catch up". "Sure thing", as Rumble left, Cloudchaser entered the room, "Hey Apple Bloom, mind if I speak to you about something?" Apple Bloom turned to Cloudchaser, "Sure, what is it?" Cloudchaser approached her and looked her dead in the eye, though unlike before where she showed a threatening stare, this one was more for worry, "I already talked to your sister about this, but I need you to promise me that nothing bad will happen to Rumble". Apple Bloom noticed her concern, "Is this about Babs?" Cloudchaser nodded, "Yes, I know you made up but I want to make sure there's no relapse, please make sure he's alright, between Babs and Sweetie Belle, I worry for Rumble, he's not good with bullies, that's why I protect him from those rich brats. Just please watch over him, he's really fond of you" Apple Bloom blushed a bit, "How fond may I ask?" Cloudchaser snickered a bit and then gave her a playfully sinister look, "You're gonna have to find that out for yourself". Apple Bloom looked a bit disappointed, but took it as a sign of good fortune, "Well you don't need to worry Cloudchaser, I really like Rumble so I won't let him get hurt". Cloudchaser patted her head, "You're a great kid AB". "And you're a great mare CC". They both chuckled a bit at their use of each other's initials. Meanwhile Rumble is about to leave the barn but Applejack stopped him. "Rumble, can ah ask something of you?' Rumble nodded, "Of course, what is it?" "Ah know you want to be friends with everyone, but if those girls give you trouble, I want yah to tell me, ah know Babs is mah cousin and Sweetie is the sister of one of mah friends", she then looked at him in the eye to signify the upcoming importance, "But if they give you trouble, you need to tell me, and remember, telling me if someone's bothering you won't make you a snitch". Rumble nodded, "Ok, I will Applejack" Applejack smiled and hugged Rumble, careful enough not to knock down the juice, "Good boy, now run along". Rumble blushed at the hug, and then left the house as Applejack sighed, "Ah hope Sweetie Belle lightens up". Babs talked in the clubhouse with the fillies, "So what's the story with this kid?" Sweetie Belle spoke first, "What happened is this..." /Flashback/ Scootaloo had just spoke with the crusaders about Rumble joining. "So you want this Rumble kid in our group?" Apple Bloom asked. "Yeah, he's gonna train with Rainbow Dash to be a better flyer, she just left Sugarcube Corner and came to me about the idea of letting Rumble in, what's your girls' take on this?" Scootaloo asked. Apple Bloom spoke first, "Ah like the idea of having another member, but I'd like to meet the boy first, we can make our final decision then". "Wait a minute, do we really want a colt with us? What if he's a pervert or something?" Sweetie asked. "Relax, Rainbow Dash says he's so shy he can pass for Fluttershy's little brother or something", Scootaloo reassured. "Well as long as he's not weird...is he cute at least?" Sweetie asked. "We've seen him in school Sweetie, grey coat, black mane", Scootaloo explained. "Oh right, he seems nice but lets get to know him, but I think he can join", Sweetie said. Apple Bloom nodded in agreement, "Yeah, sounds like a fun idea". /Later/ "Crusaders, meet Rumble", Scootaloo introduced Rumble who waved shyly, "Hello". Apple Bloom approached him, "Hi Rumble, I'm Apple Bloom, this is Sweetie Belle, I'm sure Scootaloo told you about possibly joining our group, I know you had concerns but ah think we can convince you to be a member". "Don't worry, Scootaloo already made me a member, she even asked Miss Rarity to make me a cape", Rumble said. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked surprised. "Wait, we didn't even vote on it, Scootaloo we were supposed to vote and do an initiation like we did with Babs", Apple Bloom said. "And I made those capes!" Sweetie Belle shouted. She would remember making them, since she accidentally ruined one of Rarity's cloths doing so. "You both said you were interested, I figured lets just get to the point. He's a blank flank so he's qualified, not to mention he's a pupil of Rainbow Dash, also his brother & foasitters just befriended your sisters, might as well make him a member". "But it doesn't work like that, there are sacred rules to this Scootaloo, you can't just-", Apple Bloom stopped when she noticed Rumble's ears droop, "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you sad" "It's ok, if you don't want me in your club, you don't have to make me a member, I'll just leave", Rumble said dejectedly. Rumble was gonna leave but Apple Bloom spoke up, "Wait, don't go, it's fine you can be a member, ah would have voted you in anyway, you seem really nice". Sweetie glanced at Apple Bloom, "Really, what about our rules?" "No big deal Sweetie, like Scootaloo said, he's a blank flank, he's qualified, besides", she looked at him with a small blush, "He's really cute". Rumble blushed, "Thanks, you're cute too, you're actually a lot cuter up close". Apple Bloom giggled a bit and blushed, while Sweetie looked somewhat annoyed and muttered, "I'm cute too, where's my compliment?" /Present/ "So that's what happened?" Babs asked. "Yeah, he came in with his charm and went straight for Apple Bloom with it with that whole sympathy play", Sweetie said. "Scoots, you really jumped the gun there", Babs said. "I thought he could be a great member, but it's not turning out like I wanted", Scootaloo admitted. "Well then lets just boot him", Babs said. "Boot him?" Scootaloo asked. "Yeah, me and Babs were talking about it, we need to plan ways to send that kid packing", Sweetie said. "Um...I really don't want any part in that", Scootaloo said. "Huh? So you want Rumble to stay?" Sweetie asked. "I didn't say that, I'm not too crazy about him staying, but I don't want to actively boot the kid. I mean he's really nice and I can't see myself hurting him like that. Besides Rainbow Dash might hate me if I did that, plus I don't want to get on Cloudchaser's bad side or worse, Applejack's". "I'm not worried about Applejack or the others, none of them wanna do anything to get on Rarity's bad side", Sweetie said. "I'm Applejack's cousin, she won't do nothin' and I doubt Cloudchasher would really pull that crap", Babs admitted. "Either way I don't want in on this right now", Scootaloo stated. "Whatevah you say", Babs said. Soon Rumble and Apple Bloom arrived in the club house with the treats. "I got the tarts, dig in", Apple Bloom said and put the tray down for easy pickings. "Wowza, these tarts are good", Babs said. "Thanks, worked hard on them, with granny's help", Apple Bloom said. "Well it worked wonders", Scootaloo said. "Rumble mind passing around the drinks please?" Apple Bloom said. Rumble delivered the drinks, one to Apple Bloom. "Thanks for that Rumble, sweet as usual", she said, once against being flirty. Rumble blushed, then gave a drink to Scootaloo. "Thanks Rumble", she said with a nice smile. Rumble smiled and then gave one to Babs. "Yeah, thanks kid" Babs said, a little attitude apparent in her voice. Rumble raised his eyebrow, then gave a drink to Sweetie, though she just sat there and rudely said, "Don't want one". Apple Bloom then hit Sweetie Belle really hard in the arm. "Ow! Dammit Apple Bloom!" Apple Bloom got in Sweetie Belle's face, "Listen Sweetie, I'm getting really tired of your bitchy attitude! Stop being such a prude to Rumble, otherwise the Crusaders are gonna end up with one less member!" Sweetie looked outraged, she would have done something but she knew that picking a fight with Apple Bloom would not be a good idea. They seemed to be even once but Apple Bloom has gotten stronger with each day she did farm work. Plus if that punch was a sign of things to come she wasn't gonna take any chances, so she took a breath and simply grabbed a drink and simply stated, "Thanks Rumble", with a lot of obvious hatred in her voice. Babs, Scootaloo and even Rumble were surprised at what just happened. Apple Bloom grabbed the now empty tray, "I'm gonna take this inside, when ah come back, ah want a better attitude, Rumble, come with me please". As she left, Rumble followed, still drinking his juice (since he can fly he was able to hold the juice with his hoof). Sweetie Belle was seething, she was furious, she wanted to punch something, "I can't believe her! We've been friends for the longest time and she's willing to throw that away for Rumble? RUMBLE!? Can you believe that!?" "Not to sound like a broken record but, that's colts for yah, always coming between fillies", Babs said. "The only reason I didn't knock her out was because I still have some respect for her family not to do so", Sweetie said. "No offense Sweetie but you're not that much of a fighter, and while Apple Bloom isn't either, she helps her siblings buck apple trees, and she pulls wagons, she's probably pretty strong for her age, so if I were you, I wouldn't try picking a fight with her, she'd probably destroy you", Scootaloo said. "Especially for a colt, they seem to have that affect on fillies, but this DOES leave us with a problem, we can't boot this kid from our clubhouse with Apple Bloom all affectionate for him, she ain't gonna let that happen, we need tah get her on our side", Babs said. "How, she's in love with the kid practically", Sweetie said. "Well we need to get him on her bad side, like what are some things Apple Bloom doesn't like?" Babs asked. "She doesn't like The Flim Flam Brothers", Sweetie said. "How will that help?" "I'm just brainstorming" "To be fair he did compare Babs to Trixie & Lightning Dust, that bothered Apple Bloom a bit", Scootaloo pointed out. "Actually it was more of how angry he sounded, but maybe their association with the brothers would help somewhat", Sweetie said. Babs blinked on confusion, "Wait, he compared me to those whackjobs!?" "Sorta, he said if you got a second chance, so should they", Sweetie stated. "The hell? Can't I give that kid a teeny bit of ass-kicking?" Babs asked. "You want Cloudchaser to send you back to Manehatten in an Ambulance?" Scootaloo asked. "I'll kick her ass too then", Babs admitted, "I can handle her". "Babs, she's an athlete, not gonna be easy", Scootaloo said. "Whatevah then, any more ideas?" "Well she's possessive of her sister, I remember when I wanted Applejack as my sister because Rarity was being a such a bitch to me", Sweetie asked. "Sweetie Belle! That's your sister! Don't say that!" Scootaloo said. "What? She was, whining cause I was trying to help, calling everything 'uncouth', pretty bitchy to me", Sweetie said. "Didn't she end up doing that race with you anyway?" Scootaloo pointed out, referring to the Sisterhooves Social. "Yeah, probably because I was gonna replace her, otherwise she probably would not have given a damn", Sweetie stated with an obvious attitude. "You know Rarity cares about you though, don't call her such things!" Scootaloo shouted, her face showing that she's not kidding on this subject, "You're lucky to have an older sister Sweetie Belle, you know how much I wish Rainbow Dash was my older sister!" Babs nodded, "Kinda agree with Scoots Sweetie, I would never call my sister a 'bitch', even when she gets on my case" Sweetie grew frustrated, "Ugh fine, I take that back then, though if you two lived with Rarity then you'd understand". "Technically you don't live with her", Scootaloo pointed out. "Hey I stay there as much as I stay at my parents' house; dammit can we stay on subject!?" Sweetie shouted. "Fine, anyway what does Apple Bloom's possessive nature have tah do with this?" Babs asked. "Well when I tried to make her my sister Apple Bloom complained, even when she offered to let Applejack be my older sister for one day, she had a tendency to remind me every chance she got, in an almost threatening way", Sweetie said. Babs chuckled a bit at that, "Wow, even I don't get that possessive of my sister" "Yeah, well lately Applejack has shown a lot of affection for Rumble ever since she once chased him and threatened to hurt him", Sweetie said. "...Wow, didn't take Applejack for something like that, that's how she courts colts? Wait isn't he kinda young for her?" Babs asked jokingly. "What?" Sweetie blushed when she realized what Babs meant, "No! She was mad because she caught Rumble and Apple Bloom in a...situation". "Which was?" Babs curiously asked. Sweetie blushed a bit, "He fell on her, in a bit of a sexual looking way, and then she started kissing him", that caused Babs to blush in shock, "Yeah it was really weird to see, anyway since that she's felt bad and now is protective of Rumble to make up for it, we can use that to our advantage. If we get Apple Bloom jealous of Applejack's affection for Rumble, that could cause her to hate Rumble and join our side". Babs still looked shocked from hearing about what Apple Bloom did but shook it off, "Not bad I guess, that's one idea we can use, any others?" "Uhh...not sure, we could also wait for her to get annoyed at Rumble shooting down our ideas", Sweetie said. "Or use that as a chance to scare him off", Babs said. Sweetie cocked her head, "How?" "If he's really afraid of half these stunts, lets just do them and hope he gets so scared, he leaves the group on his own, less headache to deal with", Babs admitted. "Wow, not bad, I think that's all, though what if his brother and Rainbow make get him to change his mind or something?" Sweetie asked. Babs got an evil idea, "If anything, we can get him out by going for the source, you said he's the little brother to Rainbow Dash's coltfriend right?" "Yeah?" "Suppose they broke up? That would also rid us of Rumble since he hangs out with us because his brotha and friends hang out with the sisters and their friends, if we got Rainbow and her colt to split, then maybe he'd leave their group, thus Rumble also having to leave". Scootaloo spoke up, "Wait, we can't do that to Rainbow Dash, she's really happy with Thunderlane!" "Ah she'll get anotha colt, I've seen Thunderlane, she could do bettah, his mane looks stupid anyway", Babs admitted. "Just...at least try to avoid it as MUCH as possible, don't let this get that far"., Scootaloo said. "Fine then, we won't, besides the other plans should work just fine", Babs stated. "They better, you're both really gambling a lot with this", Scootaloo warned. Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, "You worry too much" Meanwhile outside, Apple Bloom and Rumble were on their way back to the tree house after getting rid of the plate. "Apple Bloom, you've been friends with Sweetie for a long time, how do you get on her good side?" "Ah don't know, when ah first met her, she and Scootaloo were helping me against bullies, now she's becoming what she hated" "I gotta figure something out, I want to be her friend, I think she's just worried that I'm gonna replace her, kinda like what Applejack thought my brother was doing, maybe I should do something really nice for her and that will get her to like me" "You shouldn't hafta do that, she should like yah for nothin'", Apple Bloom stated. "I do need to do this, after what you said about possibly getting rid of her, I don't want her to have more hatred. You've been friends so long, I don't want to be the reason your friendship went under", Rumble said. He wasn't ready to be known as the colt that split of The Cutie mark Crusaders. "Ah don't want to lose her as a friend, but ah don't want you mistreated, you're too sweet for that, besides ah was hoping that one day you and I could be a little more than just friends", Apple Bloom said. Rumble blushed a bit, "Yeah I know you have a crush on me, you made that very apparent, but the truth is, as pretty as you are, you're not the only filly I think about dating". Apple Bloom stopped, "Excuse me?" Rumble braced for her anger, "Please don't be mad, I do like you, but until I know for myself who I really like, I don't want you taking a chance on me, it's not fair to you, I won't risk emotionally hurting you". Apple Bloom still looked a bit unhappy at this, she started to glare angrily at him. "I'm sorry if this upsets you but better you find out now than it comes up during our first date or something, it would not hurt you emotionally, and it won't hurt me physically", Rumble said with an awkward chuckle. Apple Bloom kept her glare a little longer, then sighed, "I ain't happy about that, but at least yer honest. And if ah learned something from mah sister is that honesty is something to be respected. besides the way I see it, it means you don't just want one thing", she then grinned, "Though ah ain't gonna give up on yah that easily". "That's why I need to make this work with Sweetie by any means, makes it a little less complicated to make my choice, should you win me over, I want your friends to like me in the process", Rumble said. "Wow, you really are sweet, and considerate, and don't worry, I'm not that mad about this, like ah said I'm at least happy you were honest with me beforehand, I'll take that over screwing up mah friendship for nothing". "Thanks for understanding, you're a great filly", Rumble said with an honest smile. "But I'm curious, who else do yah like? Is it Rainbow Dash?" Apple Bloom asked. Rumble shook his head, "No, I mean I used to have a crush on her, but she's with my brother now and they're really happy together, so I'm not gonna grasp at false hope". "Oh, well who is it?" Apple Bloom asked. "I don't wanna say right now, I'm worried it would affect your relationship with this pony, but it's somepony you know well", Rumble said. "Well just know that I'm not gonna give up on yah that easily", Apple Bloom said. "I know, maybe you can win me over, but that doesn't mean you throw away your friendship with Sweetie Belle, Princess Twilight would frown on that, I'm sure I can figure something out". "You are WAY too nice Rumble, you put Fluttershy to shame...you're not just putting on an act, are ya?" Apple Bloom asked, somewhat joking. Rumble looked to her and smiled a bit, "I'm just doing what Flitter says, always be nice to fillies and never be selfish, besides my conscious would not allow something like that", he then had a playful and sinister like grin, "Unless you have it coming". Apple Bloom giggled, "Just remember, too much kindness isn't a good thing, just ask Fluttershy, if need be, be sure to stand up for yourself against Sweetie Belle, don't be afraid to get tough with her, ah won't get mad". "I'd rather not but if the time comes for it, I will do it, or I'll at least try", Rumble said. "You got what it takes", Apple Bloom said. "Well still, I gotta do something nice for her, maybe Miss Rarity can help me with that, she IS Sweetie's older sister, she'll know what to do", Rumble admitted. "Well we're gonna go to the park later and try to get our cutie marks there, Rarity will be at the park as well, you can speak with her there", Apple Bloom said. "Ok, that's a plan, lets head back into the treehouse", Rumble said. Both Apple Bloom & Rumble entered the treehouse and made plans to attend the park later with the mares.