//------------------------------// // Cutie Mark Crusaders Assemble! // Story: Trouble With Dating // by TheAnimerican //------------------------------// Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo sit in the club treehouse as they wait for Apple Bloom to join them. However, this time she is late and the rest of the Crusaders grow bored. "I wonder why Apple Bloom isn't here yet. She is never late and she is the one that called for this meeting." said Scootaloo. "I know. She said she wanted this to be a surprise. Maybe she isn't feeling well and couldn't come." Sweetie Belle replied. Not long after they shared each other's opinions, the door opens and there is Apple Bloom with a big smile on her face. "She looks fine to me. In fact, she looks just as happy as the day we got our cutie marks." Scootaloo stated. "Girls!!! Guess who came to visit us today!?!" Apple Bloom shouted with excited. Which of course, it was unnecessary since Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were just a couple inches away from her face. "Is it Babs Seed?" "Is it Countess Coloratura?" "Oh how I wish they both came to visit, but nope!" "Well, then who is it?" Apple Bloom joined the Crusader in a line and faced towards the door. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were confused, but then heard heavy hoofsteps and had their attention towards the door. Soon enough, they see a large stallion's head peeking inside. "Trouble Shoes!!!" Scootaloo and Sweetie Bello shout with excitement. "Hi girls. I would come in, but it looks like it would be a tight fit." "Oh. Right." Apple Bloom blushed in embarrassment. They start to hear creaking sounds coming from underneath Trouble Shoes. He looks at the little fillies with a unamused expression. "Figures." Suddenly, the stairs collapsed underneath trouble shoes. The Crusaders quickly got off their flanks and ran to the doors and windows to check on Trouble Shoes. He was conscious and looked at the fillies with an apologetic look. "It's okay. We can fix it." ***My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Intro*** The Crusaders and Trouble Shoes decided to have their get together inside the Apple Family Barn instead until Big Mac and Applejack were done fixing the stairs. "It is good to see y'all again girls. Sorry for the trouble." "Oh it's no trouble," Apple Bloom replied, "We are just glad you're okay. How are things in Appleloosa?" "Well the folks are still...careful of my cutie mark, but at least they don't have torches and pitchforks. Also, I still can't thank you three enough for helpin' me with my dreams of being in the rodeo." "We were happy to help. It wasn't until recently that it was what we were meant to do," said Scootaloo. "Yeah!" The Crusaders cheered in sync. "Hehehe. Well, actually, that is kinda the reason why I'm here. I've been thinkin' a lot about somethin' and I was hopin' you three can help me again." The cheerful expressions on the Crusaders faded into concern. "What is it?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Well...there's this...mare-" Before he could finish, the three fillies gasp in shock. Then, slowly a smile grew on their faces and let out a loud, "Aww!" "You like somepony? That is soooooooo cute." Sweetie Belle stated. "Well? Who is it?" Scootaloo asked in excitement. "Is it somepony we know? Does she live in Appleloosa? Is she pretty?" Apple Bloom was showering the stallion with questions. They begin to notice that the stallion is blushing. "Well...it's uh..." The barn door opens and the Crusaders grow frustrated at the interruption. They look to see Applejack, covered in dirt and wearing her tool belt." "Hoo-wee! It took a while, but me and Big Mac got them stairs fixed right up for ya." "Thanks sis!" "You okay there Trouble Shoes?" Instead of answering right away, his blush grew redder and the sweat dripping from his head became noticeable. His face became so red that you might mistake him for Big Mac. "Trouble Shoes? You are redder than our apples. Are ya feelin' alright?" "Uh-Nope! Nope! I am just fine." Applejack looks at him with confusion and then to her sister, hoping there was something she can tell her. Apple Bloom looked back and forth between the both of them. Then it hit her like a wonder bolt. Quickly, she tried to think of an excuse, "Oh uh...he is feelin' a little under the weather. That's why he...broke the stairs! He felt real dizzy and knocked over them stairs." "I thought y'all said it collapsed underneath him." "Is that what we said? Oh we were just worried and probably changed the story." "Worried? Worried about what?" Apple Bloom quickly got up and started gently pushing Applejack out the door, "Well thanks sis for fixin' the stairs and checkin' up on us, but I am sure you and Big Mac are busy on the farm and I will help you later BYE!" The barn door slams and Apple Bloom gives a deep sigh of relief. She looks to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and sees looks of confusion on their face. Eventually, that same wonder bolt hit Sweetie Belle and looked towards Trouble Shoes with a shocked expression. "Will somepony please tell me what's going on!?!" Scootaloo shouted in frustration. "Trouble Shoes...do you...do you like...my sister?" Unable to answer with a worried look on his face, he closed his eyes and nodded a yes. "You like Applejack!?!" Scootaloo shouted. Sweetie Belle shoved her hoof in Scootaloo's mouth in hoping that Applejack didn't hear that. Trouble Shoes took a deep breath and explained, "Ya know how I told y'all about how I would go to watch every rodeo? Well, when I was a young colt, I was watching what came to be Applejack's first rodeo. She was a little filly, but she was about the best darn thing I have ever seen at a rodeo. The way she can rope, the way she can buck, and her will is what got her through all them rodeos. I always cheered for her at each rodeo and was sad whenever she couldn't make one. When I saw her at the last rodeo, I was happy to see her perform and she was the most beautiful mare there. I believe it was around that time...I realized I had strong feelings for her..." The Crusaders had their jaws dropped listening to Trouble Shoe's story. Apple Bloom was the first to snap out of it and placed a hoof on Trouble Shoe's hoof. "Don't worry Trouble Shoes, we'll help you. That's what friends are for. Right girls?" "Right!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo cheer. "But what can you three do? She is a amazing farm pony and I'm a messy klutz." Apple Bloom gave a giggle, "Well I think I've got the solution. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo can help you with manners and cleaning you up. I can help you with my sister. I know everything there is to know about her. What do you say Cutie Mark Crusaders?" "Of course! Rarity and Rainbow Dash can help us as well!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. "Cutie Mark Crusaders helping Trouble Shoes! Yeah!!!"