The following morning, the Apple Family have just prepared breakfast, a meal necessary for the work ahead. But between the four farmers, one wasn't enjoying the meal.
“Is there something wrong, Apple Bloom?” Asked Granny Smith.
Apple Bloom stirred her porridge before looking up. “Applejack, Mac, Granny, I have to tell you something.”
Back at Great Valley Drive, Cosgrove was just fitting his white tux. When he moved his arms, the suit moved with him. Outside of his room, Dapplewood was chewing on his cereal when he heard his brother walk by.
“I’m going to get my suit tailored, Dapplewood.” He yelled out before walking out the door.
With a fast drive over to the Carousel Boutique, Rarity had Cosgrove stand on a platform, measuring his shoulders and torso.
“So, have a special somebody you plan to bring to the dance?”
Cosgrove remained stiff as a tree when he answered, “No.”
Rarity stopped measuring, looking up from her glasses. “Not even a certain farm-”
“She would tell me if she wanted to.” Cosgrove interrupted, looking down at the fashionista “Seeing as she is grounded along with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.”
Rarity looked at him, jerking a little of the thread before continuing her work. “One of the qualities a lady likes in a gentleman is respect, and you have it.”
“What would a gentleman find in a lady?” He asked, getting pricked in the finger on accident.
“Oh dear! I am so sorry!” - Rarity snipped the knot off the needle, replacing it with a new one - “But to answer your question, it really is up to you darling.” - She turned around again to grab another roll of similar threads, temporarily leaving him at the mercy of her cat - “But even then there is the character of a lady that one appreciates.”
Having finished her adjusting, Cosgrove moved his arms around; No discomfort, nor awkward movement. “This'll work. Thanks, Rarity.”
“I will need to do some fixing on the trim.” - Rarity walked towards the staircase - “Wait here while I get the red thread.”
Cosgrove, alone again, felt Opalescence scratch at his khakis, loosening one of the brown stripes.
“Will you stop that!” he yelled with a stamp of his foot.
Back at Sweet Apple Acres, the family was dead quiet. Big Mac and Granny looked at Apple Bloom with disappointment, while Applejack held her hand over her head.
“You haven't told this to anyone else before now?” - She asked, looking to find her sister shaking her head slowly - “Then I suggest you do, starting with Cosgrove, after you've asked him about Cogsworth.”
Apple Bloom looked up, lip quivering, “Wh-what happened with Cogsworth?”
“They never said…” - Applejack stood up from her chair grabbing the dishes - “But if you don't tell him, and he finds out on his own... we’re gonna lose him.”
Apple Bloom looked at her grandmother and brother, their angered looks enough to justify the seriousness of what she just told them. She took out her phone, sniffling as she found his name on the bright screen.
Back at the Thunderfoot residence, Cosgrove just placed the refurbished tuxedo in the display case. With a smirk, he took out his math book, comparing his answers to those in the back when he felt a buzz in his pocket. He took out his phone, seeing Apple Bloom’s school picture on the cover.
“What’s up, Apple Bloom?” He answered
“Hi, Cosgrove.” - Apple Bloom answered from the other side of the line, trying hard not to voice her sadness - “Can I ride with you to the dance?”
Cosgrove raised an eyebrow, “Applejack’s not going to the dance?”
“Oh she is,” - Apple Bloom tried to come up with a convincing answer - “we just have so many cases of apple cider that we would need the passenger seat.”
Cosgrove took a look at the program of the dance, studying the hour of the dance before answering, “Yeah, I’ll come by. Five O’ Clock sound fine to you?”
Back at the other side of the line, Apple Bloom tightened her lips, holding back her tears, “Yeah, that’s fine.”
“See you-” The phone hung up before he could finish. The Maximal took a look at his clock - “Better finish up on those problems.” He said, taking out a pencil and correcting his progress.
The hours become minutes by the time he put on his good pants and white tuxedo. Dapplewood stood behind him, eating a small bag of Ginger Snaps.
“Keep the comms open while I’m gone, okay?”
Dapplewood nodded as he crushed a cookie into pulp. As his brother reached the front door, he whistled, racing to the top of the stairs to give him an A-Okay gesture with a wink. Cosgrove gave his little brother a sarcastic look before opening the door and walking to his car.
Taking the usual route over to Sweet Apple Acres, he found that, true to her word, the truck was indeed being loaded to the brim with crates of Fizzy Apple Cider. Though his entrance was calm as he helped load the rest of the crates, his welcome felt lukewarm as he noticed Big Mac’s furrowed brow.
“That’s the last of it.” - said Applejack, rubbing her head before hearing the front door open.
Apple Bloom walked out of the house in her Fall Formal dress. Her expression too struck Cosgrove as odd; events like these excite her and her fellow Crusaders.
“Is there something wrong, slugger?” Asked Applejack, noticing his confused look.
“Nothing.” - Cosgrove shook his head - “Nothing’s wrong.” - the daily glow receded over the mountains, signaling them to move.
“Let’s be off.” Said Applejack as she entered the truck.
As they drove towards school, the Maximal slowly furrowed his brow. Far as he knows, this is the first time the school had a Valentine’s Day dance in a long while, so why does it feel gloomy? They soon reached Canterlot High, where several pairs of students of the opposite sex entered the school. Though riding in the same car, a dance can have several other purposes besides dating. Having been out of the loop thanks to the stake out, meeting up with his fellow Maximals would be the first on Cosgrove's mind and no doubt the same would be for the Crusaders.
“Well,” - Cosgrove turned the ignition key, silencing the engine’s purr before stepping out - “better not keep them-”
“What happened to Cogsworth?”
Cosgrove stopped in his tracks, turning back to the Crusader standing still in the snow. Back inside, the Rainbooms, the Crusaders, and the Maximals, respectively sans a member, gathered around the lobby, waiting for them. For the first, they didn’t have to wait for long.
“Hey, AJ!” Pinkie Pie noticed the Honest Bearer’s disappointed face.
“Applejack?” - Fluttershy stepped to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder - “What’s wrong?”
“Is Apple Bloom with you?” Asked Sweetie Belle, receiving a scowl from Applejack.
“You two come with me.” Applejack motioned Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo before walking to her right, her slow pace could mean only one thing.
“Applejack,” - Rainbow jogged up to her friend - “what’s going on?”
Applejack took out her phone, flipping the touch screen over to Dapplewood’s phone number. The youngest Maximal himself was watching a rerun of "Sharknado", a freshly made orecchiette dinner in his lap when his grey-purple eyes spotted his phone screen lighting up, showing Applejack’s picture.
“Dapplewood, patch over to your brother’s phone.”
Back outside, Apple Bloom looked forward as Cosgrove walked towards her, looking flustered.
“Please, I need to know.”
“Apple Bloom,” - Cosgrove swung his arm around - “what happened between us and Cogsworth is none of your-”
“Teammates never keep secrets!” Apple Bloom interrupted him
Cosgrove kept a furrowed brow before walking back to his car, sitting on the front bumper. In a Transformers Prime style flashback, a large group of students gathered around Twilight, berating her, jeering at her, cursing her name.
“Twilight was so desperate to prove she wasn’t Anon-a-Miss. Your sister and the other Rainbooms unavailable, she came to us.” - the Maximals next to Twilight as she was hard at work, showing evidence that her computer was devoid of any proof she is Anon-a-Miss - “Twilight, thank God, didn’t contain everything. But there is only one other Techie with the skill to be able to nab online info: Cogsworth.” - The Maximals were now in Cogsworth’s house, each party bantering one another - “We came to his house for a little talk. He said that he had nothing to do with it, only that this fiasco was bugging his computer. But I am not a person willing to take any chances.” - In one quick jab, the Maximized Cosgrove tore out the internal hard drive before leaving - “Since then, Cogsworth cut me off from his friend's list, and I haven’t spoken to him since.” - The flashback finished with Cosgrove looking forward with a predatory glare - “He had it coming either way.”
Apple Bloom lowered her head, “It wasn’t Cogsworth.”
Her date turned back, “It wasn't? Then who? Trixie?” - The farmer lifted a shaky fist, lip quivering, before pointing to herself - “You?”
“And Sweetie Belle… and Scootaloo…” - Apple Bloom sniffles - “Ever since Twilight transferred over here, I got jealous because Applejack was hanging out with her instead of the family. So I created the account and posted my sister’s nickname there. It didn’t work as we hoped, so Sweetie Belle posted about Rarity’s Closet of Shame, then Scootaloo posted about Rainbow Dash. When everyone started posting everyone’s information…”
Back home, Dapplewood threw his dinner at the TV screen, hissing at his phone.
Apple Bloom watched as Cosgrove lurched back, his lips twitching as he tried his damnedest to contain his anger, “Cosgrove, I am so sorry!”
Cosgrove stepped into her view, towering over as he drew his face over to hers - “Every single insult Diamond Tiara threw at you. And throughout this time… That I thought…” - He narrowed his eyes - “You’d be the last person to get jealous.”
Such a glare gave the Crusader something that she could easily be honest about: she was afraid. If the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree, he could easily tear her apart here and now. But had it been for her better judgment, none of this would have happened. But now she and her closest friends have caused more damage than Roma Candle, the Dazzlings, and Principal Cinch ever done. She stood straight up, holding her arms close to her body.
She closed her eyes, ready for the worst. A hard punch, a loud scream, the sound of him transforming into his beast mode. She could only wonder as her view was in total darkness.
“We hurt someone dear to us… I won’t ruin ours.”
Apple Bloom opened her eyes to find her date gone from her sight, shifting her hazel brown eyes to her left, seeing him locked in a full embrace. Cosgrove looked straight ahead with eyes sad, angry, and tired.
“It’s a deep scar… but like the ones I bear, it will fade.”
Such an honest opinion coming in her ear, Apple Bloom teared up, crying as she joined the embrace, her sobs echoing the front courtyard as snow floated down to the floor.
Back inside Principal Celestia’s Office, the schoolmaster released the PA system button, pinching her temples as she took in the confession. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked up with sorrowful eyes as their friends and relatives, who had very much the opposite expressions, Rainbow Dash and Rarity especially. The Maximals were also very sour, having gone in a wild goose chase that severed ties with a classmate they have been with since Elementary School.
“We’re so sorry…” Weeped Sweetie Belle as she rubbed the side of her hand across her face.
“And you should,” - Rarity narrowed her eyes - “you are lucky no one was hurt enough that… that…”
“She gets the point, sugar cube.” Applejack finished before Rarity went too far.
“Posting private information like gossip will not be tolerated ever,” - Vice Principal Luna leaned forward - “Is that understood?”
Celestia picked up the phone, drawing it close to her mouth. “And to be sure, you three will serve detention for the rest of the semester.”
Not wanting any further discipline or harm, the two Crusaders agreed with a wholehearted, “Yes.”
Back outside, Apple Bloom and Cosgrove slowly released each other from the embrace.
“Thank you… for understanding.” Apple Bloom said as slid her thumb across his knuckles before looking at his face. There were still hints of anger, but not anywhere close to exploding
The Maximal and Crusader looked up, seeing the snow intensifying before the former took off his tuxedo, wrapping it around her before they approached the front foyer just as a blast of ice sealed the doors shut. Cosgrove and Apple Bloom turned around, seeing two pairs of glowing eyes. Having fought a corporate Dakotaraptor and aged high priest respectively, They assumed a battle position, ready to fight for their home once more. Judging by their silhouette, they appeared to be their age.
“Rogue Wondercolt or Shadowbolt?” Asked Apple Bloom.
The bearers of the glowing eyes stepped forward into the light, the one on the left bearing blue-green and white armor, the other have blue and white armor. Both stood on digitigrade toes and have little stubs for wings.
The blue one cackled before the green one answered, “Neither.”
In a shift of science and sorcery, the two beings became beasts twice their usual size, the green one that can easily be described as a dragon, the other appearing to be a bear with a bird head and wings.
Cosgrove snarled before gesturing to the farm girl, “After you?”
“I will Make my Mark for My Heart is as Strong as a Horse!” Apple Bloom chanted, sprouting her ears and ponytail.
“Cosgrove, Maximize!” He roared, gaining his more animalistic qualities.
The two cyborg beast's rose on their hind legs, accepting their challenge. Cosgrove was the first to charge, rushing to the ursagryph with claws thrashing about, the volley of teeth and beak missed by the bopping of each one’s headbutts.
The dragon charged at Apple Bloom, jumping into the air with a flap of his wings. But brute force can be no match for technique, as is improved with thanks from the Mummies. Now with a clear conscience, Apple Bloom slid to the left, grabbing the beast by the neck and tossing him over to the doors.
Such a thud echoed in the hallways, alerting the Rainbooms and the remaining members of the Crusaders and Maximals to run towards the foyer. But with the doors sealed tight, they watched the battle ensue outside before rushing to the parking lot doors.
The battle was turning against the Crusader and the Maximal. This is their first time having to fight beings with mechanical aspects; even Cosgrove’s claws only scratched the armor. And metal is much sharper than bone, and Cosgrove was beaten to the point of bleeding before the beast he fought rose on his hind legs and slapping him to the ground. The ursagryph turned his attention to Apple Bloom, who was holding the dragon by the horns, the inside of his beak glowing orange. The farmer would have been charbroiled had the ursagryph’s beak hadn’t been shut, stopping the stream of flame from reaching her. Turned around, the beast was met beak to muzzle as a completely feral Cosgrove gave him a Don Bluth-esque glare, baring his blood dripped teeth before tossing him aside.
In the shadows, another spectator watched the battle.
“It’s the perfect blend of science and sorcery.” - The interloper tapped his fingers together - “Skystalker and Darksteel can change form at will, they can fly by mechanical means, they use magic without tiring, and best of all, they are one hundred percent obedient.” -The magic seeping from the medallion around his neck intensified, intensifying a violet glow from his eyes. Pressing a button, the left armrest sprouted out a small gun barrel - “But a bullet is a bullet.”
He looked to his left, Skystalker managed to buck Apple Bloom off, pinning her to the ground with one of his claws. He looked to his right, Cosgrove put up a better fight now but was still weakened enough for Darksteel to knock him aside and pin him down. The choice is his to make: One of the girls who were responsible, or the person supporting her. And with the latter spilling blood over the snow, the person took aim at the Maximized human, narrowing his eyes as he lifted his finger at the trigger.
Apple Bloom squirmed as Skystalker’s toothed maw glowed a bright blue, ready to end her here and now.
“Get yer claws off my sister!”
The only warning Skystalker ever got when another lasso wrapped around his neck, pulled away from his prey. Applejack swung the mechanical beast in one massive arc, smacking Darksteel off Cosgrove. The spectator turned his head to the parking lot, the other power ready members bursting out and attacking the two mechanical beasts. With a flare from his nostril, he backed away into the shadows. Darksteel and Skystalker fended off their enemies as long as they could, exposing large areas of grass as they unleashed their dragon fire. But the combination of Equestrian magic, Egypt-Tsu, and Dinosaur savagery proved too much for them. With a couple roars, the two interlopers turned around and fled the schoolyard.
The victory was short-lived right away; Cosgrove had lost so much blood that he reverted to his human body, lowering his shoulders before falling forward on the ground.