//------------------------------// // Chapter 42; Graduation // Story: "Just Kiss Already!" And Other Rumbaloo Tales // by Candy-Sweets_12 //------------------------------// The auditorium was absolutely packed to the brim with ponies. It was as though all of Ponyville, and several ponies from out of town were packed in there. Scootaloo glanced behind one of the doors, finding Rainbow Dash and Soarin' entering through the front door with a few other ponies. Rainbow Dash caught her eye and winked, causing Scootaloo to smile. "That's a lot of ponies." "And dragons. Spike's here with Mina." Sweetie Belle pointed out, slipping on her graduation cap. "He is?" "Yeah. he just came back into town a few days ago." Apple Bloom explained. Just like the wedding. the dressing room was bustling with Seniors, a few of them were wiping away tears while others were talking excitedly. Once everyone had their robes on, they all filed out of the room to meet up with the boys. "See you on the stage." Scootaloo said with a wink. Her friends nodded and they went to their assigned places. The crowd fell silent as, one by one, the seniors slipped out from behind the doors. Bright flashes from cameras nearly blinded her, but she kept walking. Everyone filled out into the row of seats set out for them. Scootaloo glanced to the left, spotting her mother and father sitting next to Rumble's parents. She spotted Blossom and Thunderlane sitting next to them, along with Flitter, who was wiping a tear from her eye, and Cloudchaser. Rainbow Dash and Soarin waved. Scootaloo's father gave her a reassuring wink. Causing her to grin. When she turned to the right, she spotted Sweetie Belle's family with Button Mash's. And saw that Apple Bloom's family took up a large part of the room. They all whooped with cheer when Apple Bloom walked out, and among them. Pip's family sat next to Applejack and Big Mac. 'Everyone's here.' she thought, glancing through the crowd. Snip's family, Snail's family, Twist's, Zippoorwhill's, Featherweight's, everyone's. was there. Even Twilight was there with Flash and her other friends. And only more ponies were coming into the room. The Principal stepped out onto the stage, stepping up to the Microphone and adjusting, whilst the Assistant Principal stood off to the side. Everyone fell silent. "Welcome," she called out, "thank all of you for joining us today in this ceremony." The crowd cheered at her words. "This year has been rather interesting for our Seniors, there were accomplishments, and there were set backs. But right now, I'm proud to see each and every one of the Seniors in this room today, and I consider it my great honor to have been their Principal. "These extraordinary students have done things that left me speechless, made accomplishments seen as impossible, and I'm glad to have seen them grow throughout the year, into the adults they're meant to be." Many of the Seniors smiled up at her, while some looked down and wiped away a few tears, Sweetie Belle included. Scootaloo felt as though her stomach had a ton of butterflies stuck in them. As the principal continued on, she couldn't help but glance at Rumble, who sat several seats to her right. He caught her eye and smiled, banishing all of the butterflies she smiled back. "...But enough about me, let's get to the students." she said, she turned away from the microphone while the Assistant Principal took her place, her eyes glanced down to the book of names. "Apple Bloom." she called out. The Apple Family cheered and stomped, along with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom walked proudly onto the stage. Receiving her diploma and grinning to her heart's contempt. After a few more names were called, Button Mash came up next. He earned a round of applause as well, especially from Sweetie Belle. One by one, names were called, eventually, Featherweight approached the stage, earning an uproar from Zippoorwhill, Pipsqueak coming in soon after him. Then Rumble took the stage, smiling down at the applauding audience, especially Scootaloo, who cheered loudly. And slowly, one by one, the amount of ponies between Scootaloo and the stage was getting smaller. "Scootaloo," the Assistant Principal called out. Scootaloo heard her family and Rumble's cheer deafeningly with her friend's families. She stood up and walked down the aisle, the Principal holding out her diploma to her. "Congratulations." she said with a smile. "Thank you." Scootaloo said. They turned to the camera to snap a quick photo, and Scootaloo walked off of the stage. She held her diploma out for her family, and they all cheered in glee. She even saw her father wipe a tear from his eye, while her mother snapped a picture. Once back down, Scootaloo stared at the slip of paper in her hooves. This was it, she was done with this chapter of her life. She was becoming an adult. But she didn't feel sad, and she no longer felt nervous, she felt happy. Rumble glared at her and smiled, holding up his diploma, and she returned the gesture. Yeah, she was definitely happy. Snails was called up, and quickly followed by Snips. Sweetie Belle then came up and earned a loud round of applause, especially from Button Mash. Twist came on the stage, and received loud applause from all of her friends and their families in the audience. And finally, there was Zippoorwhill, who grinned widely with her diploma. Featherweight and everypony else stomped the ground for her. Once the last students were called up and seated, the Button Mash walked up to the stage. "As mentioned before, we've overcome many obstacles through out the years. I've been there with every single one of you the whole way, and the compassion, the confidence, the consideration, the kindness, the loyalty, and the friendships and accomplishments that were made make me proud to be a part of it all. I'm here to say, we did it. We've gone through every challenge thrown our way to get where we are today. We're officially becoming members of society, we're officially becoming adults. This chapter of our lies is over. And a new one is about to begin." Button Mash continued. "I am genuinely excited to experience it, to become independent and finally grow up to be what we're meant to be. "That, my fellow students, is something I am proud to be apart of. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to say, 'We did it! We finally made it to the top!' Something we've worked so hard for majority of our lives, and now it's finally here." Everyone in the room cheered a deafening roar, stomping on the ground as Button Mash left the stage. The Principal taking his place. "I want you to move your tassel to the right." Ever Senior did as told, big grins reflecting on their faces. "Congratulations class of 2016!" The Seniors cheered and jumped about, their caps flying into the air above. The crowd stomped loudly for the group. Many of the couples jumped into each other's arms, cheering all the while. Eventually, the Seniors had to file out, of the room, but they remained just as excited. Scootaloo met up with her friends and grinned. To everyone's surprise, the trio started bouncing about as though they were little fillies again. Shouting 'We did it!' repeatedly. "You sure did, Squirt." Rainbow Dash said, setting a hoof on a surprised Scootaloo's shoulder. "I'm proud of you Scoot." she said. Scootaloo grinned and smiled. "You're not getting sappy are you Rainbow Dash?" she asked with a grin. "I just might." the mare admitted. She pulled Scootaloo into a hug, who gladly squeezed the mare back. Rainbow Dash pulled away and saw Scootaloo's parents approaching their way. "I'll see you at the Academy." she said. "Wait, you mean I got in?" Scootaloo asked, her eyes lighting up. "I figured it'd be better to tell you the news face to face rather than give you a letter." She patted Scootaloo on the back, "Congrats," Soarin' said after her. "Thanks." Scootaloo replied gleefully. The two then walked away as Scootaloo's parents approached. "I'm so proud of you." her mother said while giving her daughter a squeeze. "Thanks Mom." "Way to go champ, you really made your old man proud." her father said. He put a comforting hoof on her face and she grinned. "I must've, with the tears I saw you wiping away." "What can I say? I'm proud of my little girl, she's officially grown up." Scootaloo pulled her father in a hug. "Thanks Dad." she said. "I think that someone else wants to congratulate you too." her mother said, pointing to the door. Scootaloo looked to it and fell speechless with the rest of the crowd. "Hey Scoot," Spitfire said. "Hey." she said softly. Spitfire chuckled. "I imagine Rainbow Dash already told you about your acceptance into the Academy. I've got to say, you and that coltfriend of yours impressed me." "T-thank you. That means a lot coming from you." Scootaloo said. "No need, I just wanted to congratulate my future colleagues." she said with a wink. "Thank you!" Scootaloo said. Spitfire chuckled again. "Not a problem, hey, where is that coltfriend of yours anyway? Don't want to keep all of the good news between us." she said. "I'm here." Rumble said from behind. "Oh, I take that you overheard me then?" Spitfire asked with a grin. "Yep. And thanks, that means a lot to us." Rumble said. "No problem, kid. See you at the Academy." Spitfire said. She then walked off to talk to Rainbow Dash and Soarin'. Rumble looked to Scootaloo. "Congrats, Scoot." he said. "Thanks Rumble, congratulations to you too." Scootaloo replied. Rumble blushed a bit and looked directly into Scootaloo's eyes. Without a word, she kissed him straight on the lips. Smiling all the while. Much to everyone's shock. "Whoa, okay, hold on." Scootaloo's father said, breaking the two apart. "you're not that grown up yet." he said. "Dad!" Scootaloo said. "Save the tonsil tennis for later please." he said. "We weren't-" "Don't ruin my good mood lover boy, unless you want me to ruin my baby girl's special day." he said, giving Rumble a terrifying glare. "Yes sir." Rumble gulped. "Could you cut it out Dad?" Scootaloo begged. Scootaloo sat at her table, drinking an orange soda as she stared at the room full of ponies. 'Pinkie really outdid herself with this graduation party,' she thought. She looked to her left to see Apple Bloom approaching her. "Hey AB, what's up?" she asked. "Have ya seen Pip? I wanted to talk to him." Apple Bloom asked. "No, why, is it important?" "No." Apple Bloom replied while blushing. "It must be if you're blushing like that." Scootaloo teased. "Yeah." she admitted. "He wanted to talk to me. You sure you haven't seen him?" "Positive, I haven't seen him since we left the school." "Shoot," Apple Bloom said. "I'll let you know if I find him." Scootaloo said. "Thanks." Apple Bloom said. She walked off and Scootaloo continued with what she was doing. "Pip? Pip? Where the hay are ya?" Apple Bloom called out. "I'm here." Pipsqueak said, trotting over to her. "There you are, what took you so long?" "My Mum wanted me to take some pictures. She can be quite choosy when it comes to something like that." Pip admitted. "Oh, well that Ah' can understand." she replied. "Now what was it you wanted to tell me?" Pip drew in a breath. "I've been thinking a lot lately, and, I've actually like you, a lot, for a while AB. For years in fact." "Years?" Apple Bloom asked, taken back. "Yes. And, when you asked me if I wanted to go on a date...I don't know what happened. I just sort of panicked. I didn't expect you to ask me of all ponies that, since I thought you took more of an interest to Tender tap." "But we're only friends," "I know that now. I'm sorry for assuming. But, I regretted turning you down like that." "I know that, I've still got those flowers you got for me." "Wait, you do?" Pipsqueak asked with a blush. Apple Bloom blushed as well. "Of course, they were absolutely beautiful, and it was one of the nicest things a colt's ever done for me." Apple Bloom said. "Well, I'm glad you like them." "Well, what was it you wanted to tell me?" "Oh!" Pipsqueak jumped. "I wanted to...ask you....on a...date...." he said. "What?" Apple Bloom asked, taken back. "I wanted to as-" "No, Ah' heard ya the first time, I mean, what?." Apple Bloom interrupted. "I understand if you don't want to, I mean, It's been like several weeks since you last asked me, and we've been friends for such a long time. I'd also understand if you hated me." "Why would Ah' hate ya Pip?" Apple Bloom said. "Because I rejected you and was oblivious to your feelings." Pip explained. "Well, just ta let ya know, Ah' don't hate ya. I don't even dislike ya in fact. I don't have the same exact feelings as before, but some of them are still there." "Does that mean-" "Yes. Mah' answer's yes." "Really?" Pip asked in surprise. "Yes." Apple Bloom answered simply. "Oh thank you Apple Bloom! I'll do my best to make it a good date for you." "Nothin' too fancy. Ah' don't favored that type of stuff." "Alright. Thank you Apple Bloom, for forgiving me, I mean." Pip interjected. "Not a problem, now, we should probably get back to the party," Pipsqueak nodded and Apple Bloom lead the way. "Oh, and Pip?" said, stopping in her tracks. Starting to blush a bit. "Yes?" "One more thing." she whipped around and grabbed his face, kissing him full on the lips. Pip's eyes flew open, and he blushed furiously through his spotted face. Apple Bloom kept her eyes closed, blushing all the while. When she finally pulled away, Pip stood in shock, his mouth hanging open. Apple Bloom took to closing it with her hoof and giggling. "Ah' just wanted to do that, just once." to her surprise, Pip grabbed her soldiers and returned the favor, shocking her as well, though, she eventually slipped into the kiss. "Bleh." Scootaloo whispered from a bush in the distance. "Oh look who's talking, Miss 'I don't want to kiss him full on the lips.'" Sweetie Belle mimicked. "Fair point, but look," Scootaloo pointed to the pair, who were breaking away for air, a string of saliva between their mouths. Scootaloo pretended to gag. "I see your point. But that happens all of the time." Sweetie Belle said. "Because you kiss Button every single chance you get." Scootaloo said. "I do it by occasion." "Yet, a couple of months ago, you said you weren't interested in dating." "And?" "If that can change, so can the, 'kissing on occasion' thing." Sweetie teased. "Shut up Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo said with a blush. "Hey Scoot," Rumble asked. "Yeah?" she said. "You want to go up there?" Rumble asked, pointing to a cloud in the sky. "Gladly." Rumble took Scootaloo's hoof and they flew up to it, the sun setting in it's place. "So we did it." Rumble said once they reached it. "We sure did." "What do we do now?" he asked. Scootaloo thought for a moment before shrugging. "Guess we'll find out soon enough." Rumble wrapped a wing around her. "I'm moving out of my parent's place soon." Rumble said. "That's great! So you found a house?" "Yep, it's not perfect, but it's a cloud home, just like I wanted." Rumble said. "Good to hear." Scootaloo said. She lay her head onto Rumble's chest, listening to his heart beat. "This was an amazing day." Rumble said. "It sure was." Scootaloo said with a yawn. "Tired?" "It's been a pretty long day." Scootaloo explained. "I am too." Rumble admitted. The two fell silent as, one by one, the stars came into place. The night sky taking on a lavender hue. Scootaloo's eyes began to droop, despite her trying to stay awake. "Rumble," she said finally. "Yes?" he asked. "I love you." she said, just before nodding off. Rumble smiled. "Love you too, Scoot."