Applebloom falls hopelessly in love with her foalsitter and is constantly trying to woo him. (An Ask Format Story. Takes place before Ask Discorded Scootaloo)
Applebloom and her foalsitter have become very close, but Applebloom is starting to act more on the affectionate side towards him. Ask her about her situation.
This is an "Ask" Format Story, meaning after every chapter, questions should be left in the comments to either Applebloom or her foalsitter and crush, Chrome Hoof (OC).
It was a day like any other on Sweet Apple Acres; Applejack was happily bucking away at a few of the thousands of apple trees in the orchard, with some assistance from Big Macintosh in the heavy lifting.
Applejack slammed her hind hooves into the trunk of a tree, and dozens of apples rained down into the buckets that sat below. She picked them up in her mouth and put them in the wagon latched onto Big Macintosh’s back.
“Alright, better get these inside. The weather ponies scheduled a storm fer tonight, n’ I don’t feel like getting soaked.” Applejack said, motioning for Big Mac to move quickly to the house.
“Eeyup.” He responded as he started to gallop.
On their trip there Applejack had realized she hadn’t seen Applebloom all day. And knowing her sister and her little partners in crime, that is never a good thing.
“You seen Applebloom lately?” Applejack asked her brother.
“She said she’d be with Chrome and the Crusaders trying to get her Cutie-Mark in bee-keeping I think.” Big Mac said.
Applejack chuckled.
“Ah swear, she’s gonna wear out that poor stallion’s nerves. Every time he watches her, he ends up getting his ol’ self hurt.” She said.
“Hehe. Eeyup.” Big Mac laughed. He remembered how last week’s round of crusading had gone. It ended with the Crusader’s completely unharmed, but poor Chrome Hoof had a sprained leg, fractured skull, and his eyebrows were gone.
And you don’t even want to know about how hard he laughed when he saw that he was covered in glitter.
When the pair finally made it into the house, buckets of apples held tight in their teeth, they were presented with a most hilarious sight.
A dark aqua stallion with a lime green mane and boxing glove Cutie-Mark, covered in bee stings, was sitting on the couch while Granny Smith rubbed ointment onto one of the bee stings on his muzzle.
“Just hold still now sonny. Gotta get all this on ya ifn’ ya want em to go away.” Granny said.
When Chrome saw Applejack and Big Mac enter the room staring wide eyed at him, his face turned red in pure embarrassment.
“Aw crap.” He grumbled.
Both ponies immediately burst out laughing, making them drop the buckets on the floor.
“Hahahahaha! You alright there buddy? Ya’ll look like ye got real friendly with a cactus or somethin’.” Big Macintosh laughed, pointing out the several stingers sticking out of him.
“Hey, you try supervising those three 24/7; it’s hard.” Chrome said with a deadpan look.
“Hehehe. Sorry partner. We really shouldn’t be laughin’. But ya’ll should’ve seen your face. Ya’ll looked almost as red as Big Mac.” Applejack said, trying to keep her laughter hidden.
Applejack then shook her head as if she had suddenly remembered something.
“Hold on. Where the hay is Applebloom?” she asked.
Chrome Hoof got to his hooves and turned his entire body around. There, stuck to his side, was Applebloom with a huge blush on her face.
“H-Hey Applejack. Big Macintosh. Bee-keeping didn’t exactly go as planned. I ended up stuck to Chrome from the honey. Other than that, ah’m fine.” Applebloom giggled with a sheepish smile. She tried not to show it, but she was actually enjoying every second she was stuck to her favorite stallion. If he wasn’t so hurt right now, she thought he might like it too.
“Aw jeez. That don’t look good. Big Mac, you wanna help em out?” Applejack asked.
Big Macintosh silently nodded and he trotted over to Chrome and grabbed hold of Applebloom.
“Now partner ah’m gonna warn ya. This is gonna hurt a little bit.” Big Mac said.
Chrome’s face turned to one of complete nervousness and his eyes went pin-prick.
“O-Okay. B-But exactly how painful are we talking ab-“
Big Macintosh didn’t give Chrome enough time to finish before he ripped Applebloom off of his coat.
RRRRRRIIP!
“AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGH!”
Chrome screamed so loud that many of the bats that like to hide in the orchard flew out of their hiding places from the loud noise, and a certain Princess of the night in Canterlot many miles away, had been awoken after hearing a faint yell.
Applebloom continued to apply bandages to where she had been stuck to Chrome, which after she was removed, left a big, red mark.
“Ooooh! I’m so sorry Chrome! If I hadn’t made those bees so mad, this wouldn’t have happened!” Applebloom said with apologetic, puppy-dog eyes with a few tears in them.
“Applebloom, I’ve been in the ring with a stallion that supposedly killed two boxers. I think I can handle a few bees. Trust me, it’s fine.” Chrome said to assure her.
“Y-You’re n-not mad?” Applebloom stuttered with a sniffle.
Chrome rolled his eyes.
“No. You’re just way too cute and adorable to get angry at.”
After hearing that, Applebloom had gone from guilty filly to overjoyed pone. She was practically beaming with a huge ear-to-ear smile. She then proceeded to wrap her front fore-legs around Chrome’s neck and nuzzled into his cheek.
“Thanks. You’re just so nice to me, and ah don’t like seeing you get hurt.” Applebloom said. Chrome gave a warm smile and ruffled the filly’s red mane.
“Hehe. Believe me kiddo, I don’t like getting hurt either.” Chrome said jokingly.
Applebloom felt her face become even hotter when she heard three very audible “Awwwws” from behind them. She turned around to see that her family was looking at her. She had gotten so caught up in the moment that she completely forgot that they hadn’t left the room.
“Now isn’t that just precious?” Granny Smith asked her grandchildren.
“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh said.
“That has to be as cute as a newborn piglet.” Applejack said with a smile.
Applebloom was so very embarrassed that her mind quickly raced to think of a solution to her current predicament.
‘C’mon think! Mah family’s embarrassing me to no end with mah precious Chrome watching! What am ah gonna do?!’ Applebloom screamed internally.
And with that thought in mind, Applebloom quickly ran up to her room without a word before her face turned any more red, which left a very confused Chrome Hoof in her wake.
“…Was it something I said?” He asked nopony in particular.
Applebloom sat in her room, pouting after what she considered a lousy decision on her part to just run to her room without even giving Chrome a little peck on the cheek or something.
“You stupid, stupid, stupid filly! You’re never gonna win his heart at this rate! Ya’ll gotta quit running the second you get a little flustered and do something!” she cried.
She repeatedly tapped her hoof on her head.
“But…what AM ah gonna do? I don’t know anything about courting stallions, but ah love him so much! Somepony help me!” She yelled.
Applebloom meets The Bubbles OR Chrome's Cutie Mark
Applebloom found herself in the ballroom of Canterlot Castle, sitting by herself while everypony else at the Gala was dancing with their special someponies. She was wearing a dress that was just as bright red as her mane; and speaking of her mane, had a sparkling green bow tied into it. Why she couldn’t ever get a dance with a colt was completely beyond her, and it made her feel quite upset.
“It ain’t fair. Why can’t ah have somepony to dance with?” She sighed to herself. She wanted desperately to cry, but decided against it because of the several hundred ponies in the room.
“Well isn’t this a shame. Nopony should be alone here of all places. Especially not such a pretty young mare.” A voice said from behind her. Applebloom turned her head and saw the face of her beloved Chrome Hoof smiling down at her. The rest of him was dressed in a black suit with a red bowtie, and it made Applebloom’s cheeks turn red.
“C-C-Chrome? You think A-Ah’m…pretty?” Applebloom asked with a nervous stutter.
“Certainly the prettiest pony I’ve ever seen.” He replied.
‘Omigosh Applebloom, he likes you! Tell him now! The timing is just too perfect! ’ She thought to herself.
“Chrome, there’s somethin’ ah gotta tell you. Ah…Ah love you!” Applebloom shouted as she hopped into the forelegs of her crush and nuzzled his chest, the blush still present on her face.
“I love you too Applebloom.” He said as he slowly stroked her mane.
Applebloom’s timidity was starting to fade, and she brought herself to ask him something.
“Hey Chrome…can we…you know…kiss?” She sounded almost mute at the end of her sentence.
Chrome chuckled at the cuteness of the blush on her cheeks.
“Of course my dear.” He said.
Applebloom’s heart fluttered as she leaned her face closer to her love’s. A moment later, their lips met and to Applebloom it felt…
Lifeless.
Applebloom immediately woke up from her dream, only to see the reason that the kiss had felt so flat.
In her slumber, she had been making out with her pillow.
“Dang it! It was just another dream!” Applebloom yelled. She looked out her window and saw that it was sort of early in the morning. Looking back at her pillow, she became saddened that she wasn’t cuddling up to the real Chrome right now.
“Oh my dear, sweet Chromey. Why can’t ah have you?” she said to herself as tears started to form in her eyes and she started to sniffle. It had mostly been like this since she met him. Constantly daydreaming about Chrome being her coltfriend, and then coming back to reality and being reminded that he was a stallion and she but a foal who didn’t even have her Cutie Mark yet.
Thinking about how timid she always was around him always made her feel stupid for not acting on her feelings…
All of a sudden, her crying ceased when a blinding white light engulfed the area of her room and made her squint, her eyes trying to adjust to the brightness.
When it cleared, what was revealed was something Applebloom had not expected in the least. A giant bubble of text had appeared in front of her, presenting the following sentence…
To Applebloom: Hello, I just want to warn you of what you've started. You, through a series of events outside of your control, have unintentionally started a string of bubbles( most likely exactly like this one) that will be delivered to you and your friends. These bubbles will not go away( wether you are O.K. with that or not, you will soon find out), and most of the time will try to help you out. I just wanted to give you a rundown of what will be happening for the foreseeable future. Oh, and before you ask, we aren't going to tell you how we got here, we just are, so get used to it.
“…Ummm….okay…ah guess? Don’t really know how ah started this if it was outside of mah control, but whatever, I guess ah’m fine with it.” Applebloom said.
The text block then disappeared in the same flash of light, leaving a very confused Applebloom trying to ponder what just happened.
“What the hay just happened? HOW did that just happen? Who’s talking to me?” Applebloom said to herself.
Dear, AppleBloom, Like stallions, do you?
“Oh another one?...Oh so that’s what this is about.” Applebloom said with a blush on her cheeks and her ears flaying to her head.
“…Look, Ah love Chrome ta death. Ah don’t care that he’s older than me, and ah would go to the ends of Equestria to have such a sweet and gentle stallion as mah coltfriend. But ah just don’t know if HE can ever see me that way. Doesn’t mean ah’m not gonna try though.” Applebloom said.
To Applebloom: For how long have you had this crush on Chrome? On a completely irrelevant note, do you plan on being married to him, do you Applebloom?
“About six months or so. That was around the time Applejack hired him to foalsit me and mah fri-MARRIED?!” Applebloom shouted. All of a sudden, thoughts of her crush proposing to her and kissing him at the alter flooded into her imagination. Just the thought of marrying her crush was enough to make her blush become all the more noticeable on her cheeks.
“T-That would be s-so a-amazing! Next to getting mah Cutie Mark, that would be the most fantastic moment of mah life!” Applebloom swooned.
To Applebloom: How would you feel if Scootaloo got Discorded?
Applebloom snapped out of her fantasy long enough to think about this.
“…Discorded? Like what happened to Applejack and her friends? Ah don’ see that happening to Scoots. Discord got turned back to stone, so he can’t get to nopony anymore.”
For Applebloom: Why not tell your friends? I'm sure Sweetie would be able to give you some advice, being Rarity's sister and all.
Applebloom’s face started to look a little uncomfortable and she rubbed her shoulder.
“It’s a good idea, but ah don’ know if ah can bring mahself to tell them. I mean, what if they think ah’m weird for liking an older pony? It ain’t exactly natural for a foal to fall for a stallion ya know.”
For Applebloom: first rule is that you can't be so desperate. Take deep breaths and relax. Get to know him better, learn his interests and what he really wants in a mare.
Applebloom dug under her bed, pulled out a notebook and pencil, and scribbled something down in it.
“Find out what Chrome looks for in a potential partner. Got it.” Applebloom said, sticking the notebook in her nearby saddlebag.
“Y’know, that question about Scootaloo reminded me. The girls are supposed to come over later so we can get back to crusading. Yesterday didn’t get us any closer to our Cutie Marks…but I DID get to be stuck on the most amazing stallion in Equestria.” Applebloom said to herself, giggling at the memory.
For Applebloom: Bee taming, hmm? Woudn't you have more luck in somthing like apple bucking or cake creating? Well, I think Chrome might just have a sweet tooth for some apple pie! Well, I mean, who can dislike pie? You think you make give it a shot? It's a win-win. You get your cutie mark and Crome delights in your pie!
Applebloom’s ears perked up and she quickly ran to the kitchen, hoping to Celestia that Chrome wasn’t back from his early-morning farm work yet…
Applejack, Big Macintosh, and Chrome all headed back to the house, taking a short break after a few hours of apple-bucking in the early morning.
“That hoof of yours getting any better pardner?” Applejack asked Chrome.
Chrome rubbed his right forehoof and winced in slight pain.
“Kind of. Farm work seems to get it to toughen up a little quicker, so it shouldn’t be too long before it’s healed.” Chrome said.
“Y’know Chrome, maybe when you’re fully recovered the boxing committee could cut you a break and bring you back to the ring.” Applejack said
“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh added.
Chrome rolled his eyes.
“Pffft. Yeah sure. And maybe I’ll sprout bat wings, fly to the moon, and carve the lyrics to that Winter Wrap Up song in it. It’s nice to dream AJ, but knowing the committee, that isn’t gonna happen.”
“Still kinda bitter over that ah see.” Applejack said with a frown.
Chrome shrugged.
“A little. Boxing was my life, and then they took it away from me just because of one lousy mishap. But hey I can't complain too much. I get to work with my old friend. And I didn’t even mention-“
“CHROOOME!”
Chrome was cut off when a blur of white and orange knocked Chrome to the ground, resulting in a loud THUD.
“-Applebloom and her delightfully nutty friends.” Chrome chuckled as he finished his sentence.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had slammed into Chrome and were repeatedly jumping up and down on his back.
“Girls, I think Chrome’d appreciate it if ya’ll got off his back.” Big Mac said.
Both fillies realized their mistake and trotted off of him.
“Hehe. Sorry Chrome. Guess we just got a little excited. We’re just really hoping to get our Cutie Marks today.” Scootaloo said, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof.
“Yeah sorry Mr. Hoof.” Sweetie Belle said looking at the ground with a guilty expression.
Chrome got to his hooves and looked down at the two fillies.
“It’s cool girls. I’m ready to get started with your whole crusading thing whenever you are…just don’t call me Mr. Hoof again. Makes me sound old. I’m nineteen, not forty.” Chrome joked.
“Alright Mr H-err…Chrome. Applebloom up yet?” Scootaloo asked.
“Dunno. Let’s go see how she’s doing.” Chrome led the two Crusaders to the house with Applejack and Big Mac following.
Upon their return, they had been presented with a smiling Applebloom covered in ashes and holding a pie on her head.
“Uhh Applebloom? What’s with the uhhh…you know.” Chrome said, motioning his hoof to the blackness covering the filly in a few places.
“Oh Chrome you’re back! Ah ummm...ah made you a pie.” Applebloom said with a nervous smile, holding the dessert closer to Chrome’s face.
“Awww, thanks Bloom. But your covered in ashes whyyy?” Chrome asked.
Applebloom’s face blushed and her smile turned incredibly sheepish.
“Hehe…ah never said ah got it right the first time.” She said.
This resulted in a facehoof from Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, a chuckle from Applejack, and Big Macintosh still had his usual, “I don’t have a single buck to give” look. Applebloom handed the pie to Chrome, who after taking a single bite from it, stuffed his entire face into it.
“Mmmph-Oh my gosh Bloom, thish ish awesome!” Chrome said in between chewing.
Applebloom mentally hoof pumped.
‘Score! He likes it!’ She shouted internally.
So, Chrome Hoof, was it uncomfortable having Applebloom glued to you via honey?
Chrome looked up from his eating and eyed the text-bubble curiously.
“…The heck? Umm…Well, having another pony stuck onto you does feel kind of…strange. Offsets your balance and all that. Felt like I was gonna fall over any second…how the heck did this…whatever it is, know about that?”
To Chrome Hoof: Hello, if you want an explanation as to what's happening with the bubbles, just ask Applebloom. She got a basic rundown.
Chrome looked down at Applebloom, who continuously stared at the bubbles in shock.
‘He gets these things too?...Uh-oh, this could be bad.’ Applebloom thought.
“Applebloom? Do you know anything about this?” Chrome asked.
“Apparently, ah somehow made these things randomly appear and they’re basically gonna start talkin’ to us. Don’t know why; it just kinda…happened.” Applebloom said.
For Chrome: A boxer, hmm? Just how did you get your name? When I heard the word "chrome" I figured there would be some more, um, "color" to your backstory so to speak
For Chrome: You are aware of these little guys mission, right? Maybe you can help them out by telling them how you got your cutie mark. Unless it's somthing perverse or.. has to do with drugs or.. You know what? Just nevermind that. Also, be sure to keep that Applebloom in line. I hear she's a riot.
Immediately, all three Crusaders surrounded the stallion with beaming faces.
“C’mon tell us! How’d you get your Cutie Mark Chrome?” Sweetie Belle asked, hopping up and down.
Applejack facehoofed.
“Oh, don’t start em on that again. Chrome goes on FOREVER whenever he talks about his foalhood.” Applejack said.
“Oh relax AJ, I promise I won’t take too long. Besides-“ Chrome leaned in and whispered to Applejack.
“You seriously expect me to say no to THOSE faces?” he asked quietly.
Applejack glanced at the three fillies who were all still giving off their adorable smiles.
“…Ah guess not.” Applejack said.
Chrome turned back to the Crusaders and cleared his throat.
“Alright girls, I’ll tell you what happened. It all started in my hometown of Manehattan. My parents had been successful metal-workers in the area, and I guess they wanted me to continue the family business or something, hence the name “Chrome Hoof”. But the problem with THAT was that I didn’t want to go into that line of work. There is just nothing interesting about pounding metal with a sledgehammer all day and night. But at the same time, I had no clue what I actually wanted to do. I was the only pony left in my class without a Cutie Mark, and it was starting to drive me a little nuts. I was one of those foals who would actually LOSE SLEEP over it.” Chrome said.
“So, what’d you do?” Applebloom asked.
“Whatever I did whenever I got frustrated. I went to the gym, set up a ton of punching bags, and beat the crap out of every single one. Helped me vent out a lot. At one point, a good friend of mine watched me box and encouraged me to go pro. It was then that I realized that maybe it was what I was meant to do, and that’s where my Cutie Mark came from.” Chrome said.
“Who was that friend of yours? ” Scootaloo asked.
Chrome pointed a hoof at Applejack from the other side of the couch, much to the surprise of the Crusaders.
“Wait, mah sister helped you get your Cutie Mark?!” Applebloom shouted.
“Uh-huh. Me and her were real good friends back when she was living in Manehattan. I owe my Cutie Mark to that mare.”
Applejack looked bashfully at the ground.
“Aww shucks. It was nothin’ Chrome. All ah did was give ya a little encouragement. Ya’ll had to realize your own destiny.” Applejack said with a blush on her face.
“Sure, but you know how thick-headed I can be. Probably wouldn’t have realized it if you hadn’t said anything. Anyway, I then realized that my name sounded a little strange considering my special talent and everything, so I had to make it work by coming up with what I believe is the greatest catch phrase for a boxer EVER…” Chrome got out of his seat and cleared his throat, and sported the most serious expression he could muster.
“Chrome to your dome, 'till you get lock-jawed” Chrome said in an obviously fake but deep voice.
‘Oh my gosh, he is SO cool!’ Applebloom mentally squealed.
“So, you girls see what getting your Cutie Mark is all about? It’s the very image of who you are. See what I’m getting at here?” Chrome asked.
All three fillies nodded.
“Sure do! CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS PROFFESIONAL BOXERS!” Sweetie Belle yelled, high-hoofing the her friends at the same time and all three of them galloping out the front door, ready to start their crusading for the day. Everypony in the room face-hoofed.
“Now why do I feel like they missed the entire point of the story?” Chrome said with a deadpanned expression.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it Chrome. Those fillies have heard all this before and still don’t get it.” Applejack said, reassuring her friend.
“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh said.
To Chrome Hoof: You should probably watch Scootaloo carefully. I mean with her being the most athletic one and the whole business with...Her parents, but anyway keep a look out. All three of them are your responsibility... So don't mess up or it's on your head!
“Ugh. Don’t remind me.” Chrome groaned as he trotted out the door, prepared to face whatever pain the Crusader’s antics would rain upon him.
For Chrome Hoof: What made you go into foal sitting? It must be really hard and even frustrating at times looking after those, heh, "angels"
Chrome rested his back against a nearby apple tree, quietly watching over the three fillies who were currently punching a punching bag hanging from another tree’s branch. From the looks of it, they were having little success at even budging it.
“I try to learn to keep my cool. You kinda need to know how to tolerate whatever those three will unintentionally throw at ya. You’d go nuts if ya didn’t. How does one go from being a boxer to foalsitter? Well, here’s what happened. I was training for a very important boxing match day and night. To put it bluntly, I was overworking myself. My manager told me to take it easy, but stupid me, I didn’t listen. Well, I threw off one of my punches on my bag, and my hoof broke.” Chrome said, looking at his right hoof.
“Sucks too. My right hook was awesome. But anyway, after that the boxing committee basically told me to piss off. Apparently I was no good to them with a broken hoof, so they fired me. Jerks…But things didn’t turn out so bad for me in the end. My old friend Applejack offered to let me stay here in exchange for the occasional farm-work. But my MAIN duty is making sure these three don’t kill themselves…and hopefully not me too in the process.” Chrome jokingly said, looking back at the crusaders, who were still trying fruitlessly to punch the bag.
“Hehe. Quite the bunch those three are.” He chuckled.
To Chrome Hoof: Do you have any boxer catchphrases? Also, don't take my advice on Scootaloo lightly. Really look after her.
“Other than my one, not really. Not much goin’ on in the old dome I guess. And regarding Scootaloo, I’ve been told about her and her “adventurousness”. Poor kid has had it rough since her parents died. Don’t worry, I intend on watching her to the best of my ability.” Chrome said putting his hoof to his chest in pride.
To Chrome Hoof: Out of the three Cutie Mark Crusaders, who do you like the most?
“I try not to show favoritism here. It wouldn’t be fair to the others if I did…although, I kinda like Applebloom. She’s a sweet kid.” Chrome said. He looked in the Crusader’s direction and saw how tired they looked.
Scootaloo looked like she was desperately gasping for pockets of air, and poor Sweetie Belle was sweating so much her mane drooped down over her face. Applebloom was still going hard at it, constantly throwing punches like crazy and refusing to stop, though it was obvious her stamina was not going to let her go on much longer.
“*Pant, pant* This. Is. IMPOSSIBLE! How does Chrome make it look so easy?!” Applebloom shouted.
For Apple Bloom: *LE GASP!* Apple Bloom! You should totally ask Chrome Hoof to coach you in boxing! Tell him you were really inspired by his story and you want to try your hoof at the business. You spend a lot more time with him, and get to learn what he looks for in a potential partner. It's perfect!
Applebloom’s eyes shifted to Chrome who was still casually laying up against his tree. She quietly squealed to herself when she eyed his rather muscular frame and tried to keep herself from drooling.
She shyly trotted up to Chrome, looking slightly away from him when she was in his field of direct vision.
“What’s up Bloom? Need something?” Chrome asked.
“Ummm Chrome? Ah really liked your story about how you got into boxing, and Ah’d like you to…maybe…coach me?” Applebloom asked.
“Hm? Well sure, no problem Bloom. But are ya sure you’re up for it? You look a little hot; sweating and all red in the face.” Chrome said.
The heat in Applebloom’s face intensified and she smiled sheepishly.
“Y-Yeah. Ah’m alright, really!” she said.
‘Yeah, sweating is REALLY attractive.’ Applebloom thought sarcastically to herself.
Chrome got onto his hooves and trotted over to the punching bag, Applebloom trailing behind. He saw the other two Crusader’s lying on the ground, trying to regain oxygen in their lungs.
“Hehe. I take it you two are done?” Chrome asked with a chuckle.
Scootaloo waved a hoof.
“*Pant* Just *Pant* takin’ a breather.” She said in between breaths.
“You guys *Pant* just go ahead. We’ll be with you in a bit” Sweetie Belle said.
Chrome nodded and brought Applebloom up to face the bag.
“Alright, normally my right hook is my better punch, but as you know, my right hoof is kinda messed up. So just for the sake of showing you, I’ll be using my left. Now watch carefully.” Chrome said, then proceeding to barrage the bag with his left hoof. His hoof seemed to be just barely visible as he slammed it into the sandbag, and Applebloom was in shock. She knew that Chrome was good at boxing but…just…dang. She started to notice the sweat forming on Chrome’s fur, which made him look all the more attractive to Applebloom, which became obvious through the blush on her cheeks.
She then brought herself to ask the big question.
“S-So C-Chrome…what do ya want in a mare?” Applebloom asked.
That question alone made Chrome stop cold.
‘…Wat…well that came out of nowhere.’ Chrome thought.
“Why you askin’ Bloom?” Chrome questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“A-Ah’m just curious, that’s all.” Applebloom replied, the blush on her face becoming even more obvious, hoping she didn’t completely give it away that she liked him.
“Hmmm…Well, I guess I would like a marefriend that has a bit of a tough side, really nice, and being pretty wouldn’t hurt. But to tell you the truth Bloom, I haven’t had much luck with mares.” Chrome’s sentence made Applebloom’s jaw drop. How could somepony as amazing as Chrome NOT have a special somepony?! In her eyes, he was the most fantastic stallion in Equestria; nopony should be alone, especially not him.
Chrome stopped hitting the bag when the reality of what he had just said sank in. His ears folded back, his eyes moved to the ground and he sighed deeply.
It hurt Applebloom badly to see Chrome look so sad.
‘Poor Chrome. Sometimes he just looks so lonely.’ Applebloom thought to herself as she nuzzled Chrome’s injured hoof affectionately to try and cheer him up while looking at him with apologetic, puppy-dog eyes.
Chrome looked down at the tiny filly and snapped out of his daze.
“Hehe, thanks Bloom. You’re a nice kid,ya know that?” Chrome said with a smile.
Applebloom’s face turned red again, and she immediately averted her eyes.
Chrome trotted behind the bag and gave it a pat with his uninjured hoof.
“Well, enough about my cruddy love-life. Time to focus on the task at hoof. Go ahead and give it a punch, just like I did.” Chrome said.
Applebloom centered her focus entirely on the punching bag. She stood up on her hind legs and slammed her hoof into it…
…Only for the rope holding it to snap and cause the entire thing to land right on Chrome’s stomach, knocking him to the ground.
“Arrrgh! Oh jeez that hurts! I guess I was a bit too hard on my barrage….Ow.” Chrome groaned.
Applebloom gasped and put a hoof to her mouth.
“Oh mah gosh Chrome! Ah’m so sorry Chrome! I didn’t mean to do that, ah swear! Girls, help me get this thing offa him!” Applebloom called to her friends, who had only slightly recovered from their exhaustion.
“Oh Celestia! Chrome are you alright?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“He’s got a sandbag on top of him Sweetie. Does he look okay?” Scootaloo asked sarcastically.
To Applebloom: Hello there! May I ask, how often does Chrome get hurt when he comes along in your adventures?
“Too often. Poor Chrome seems to be REALLY accident-prone whenever he’s around us. Alright, girls, help me push!” Applebloom shouted as all three fillies surrounded Chrome and pushed the sandbag off of Chrome’s stomach.
“How do ya feel? You’re not hurt are ya?” Applebloom asked worriedly.
“N-No. I’m fine. I-I just need to lie down for a while. You girls just try to take it easy for a bit; I-I need a break.” Chrome said as he painstakingly trotted to the house, holding a hoof to his stomach as he did so.
Though Chrome said he was fine, Applebloom couldn’t help but feel guilty about what happens.
‘Ah don’t know why he still hangs out with me if ah always get him hurt. Ah don’t get it.’ Applebloom thought to herself.
“Why the long face Applebloom? Feel bad about Chrome?” Scootaloo asked. A shiver went up Applebloom’s spine after hearing Scootaloo’s question. She thought that maybe her friends were becoming a little suspicious.
“Ummm…yeah kinda.” Applebloom said nervously.
To Apple Bloom: Why cant you just tell the rest of the CMCs? If they are really your friends they wont be mean to you about it or leave you.
Applebloom uneasily hoofed at the ground.
‘A-Alright. A-Ah’ll try.’ She thought.
Sweetie Belle was the next to notice that Applebloom was looking a little nervous, and tried to address it.
“Don’t worry Applebloom, Chrome said he’d be fine. Besides, it isn’t like he hasn’t gotten hurt from our crusading before.” Sweetie Belle said.
Applebloom shook her head.
“No no. It ain’t that. It’s just…Well…ah kind of have…AH’M IN LOVE WITH CHROME!” Applebloom yelled, losing whatever bit of composure she had at this point. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo exchanged a few shocked glances before looking back to their friend. Sweetie Belle’s face grew into a huge grin and she started to giggle.
“Awwwww. That’s so cute! I’m so happy for you Applebloom!” Sweetie cheered as she happily bounced up and down.
Applebloom was really relieved that Sweetie Belle didn’t find her crush weird. Scootaloo on the other hoof, didn’t look like she really cared.
“What’s with the lack of enthusiasm Scoots? Ah thought you’d…you know…react…at all.” Applebloom said.
Scootaloo shrugged.
“I’m real happy for you and all, but I just don’t get myself involved with lovey-dovey, girlyness like-
To Scootaloo: Is it true you have a crush on somepony?
“W-What?! No! I’m way too cool for that stuff!” Scootaloo shouted with a rising blush on her cheeks.
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both wore smug grins and chuckled.
“Scootaloo don’t lie, we all know ya got a thing for Rumble.” Applebloom said with that widening smile.
Scootaloo’s ears folded and she started to look all the more irritated and embarrassed.
“Grrrr…Shut up.” Was her only response.
To scoot: remember that no matter what happens your friends love you just keep that in mind for the upcoming weeks
Scootaloo raised an eyebrow.
“Well of course I know that. They’re my friends. Why wouldn’t they like me?” Scootaloo asked.
“Hehe. Sorry for teasing you Scootaloo. Can you forgive us?” Sweetie Belle asked with a light laugh.
Scootaloo rolled her eyes.
“I guess so.” Scootaloo said.
To Applebloom: How about you BUILD something for Chrome? You might, oh, I dunno, get your CUTIE MARK in the process? You AND your friends can. You know, Cutie Mark Crusader Construction Workers, YAY!
To Apple bloom: Try being nice to him, like giving him a present. ( that is when you found out what he likes). You could also give him a picture.
“Awww come on guys, ah’m not really all that great at woodwork. Ah mean, I DID give him this picture frame that had a lot of hearts and stuff with a picture of us in it, but really. Ah’m not really too good at it…he did like it though…hehehehe.” Applebloom was visibly shaking with happiness at the memory.
To Applebloom: You do realize the biggest obstacles of this relationship are more in the legal field... right?
Applebloom’s happy expression quickly faded into a serious deadpan upon reading.
“Ah. Don’. Care. Nopony is going to keep me from my Chromey. NOPONY!”
To Applebloom: Why don't you try using the potion you made for Cheerilee and Big Mac?
“NO!” All three crusaders yelled at once.
“Are you even aware of the catastrophes that went down that day?!” Scootaloo exclaimed.
“We took a solemn oath to never EVER touch that stuff again after what happened!” Sweetie Belle screamed.
“And even if Ah did use the Love Poison, it wouldn’t be fair to Chrome. Ah’d just be being selfish. Ah can’t force m’ to have feelings for me that aren’t real.” Applebloom said sadly.
Sweetie Belle put a hoof on Applebloom’s back, trying to comfort her.
“Don’t worry Applebloom. If you want any help from us, just let us know. We’re always here to help.” She said.
“Yeah, I’m sure we can get Chrome to like you. Just say the word, and we’ll do our best!” Scootaloo said with a hoof pump.
Applebloom smiled warmly at her fellow Crusaders. She felt like a huge weight had been taken off her shoulders. And the fact that her friends didn’t find anything weird about this made her much happier.
“T-Thanks girls. But for right now, Ah’d just be fine if ya promise not to tell nopony. ESPECIALLY not Chrome. Ah’m talkin serious, Pinkie-Promise related business here!” she said.
Both Crusaders nodded.
“Cross my heart, and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye.” They said at the same time while going through the proper gestures of “Pinkie-Promising”
Chrome lay on his back on the couch in the farm-house, waiting for the pain in his gut to subside. The other members of the Apple family (minus Granny Smith who was asleep in her rocking chair) were obviously quite worried over his current condition.
“And yer sure yer alright sugarcube?” Applejack asked.
Chrome groaned.
“For the umpteenth time AJ, I’m fine. I’m flattered that you’re concerned for me, but jeez. And it’s not so much the pain in my stomach that’s been bothering me.” Chrome said, with a bit of an uneasy look in his eyes.
Big Mac tilted his head.
“What’s the matter partner? Ya’ll haven’t been actin’ like your usual, carefree self since ya came back.” He said.
To Big Mac: Can you see this message and how do you feel about Chrome?
"Well, Applejack knows em’ better than Ah do, but Ah’ve taken a likin’ to em’. He’s got a pretty strong head on em’ and he gets along real good with Applebloom and her friends.” Big Mac answered.
“Hehe. Thanks Big Mac. And as for what’s wrong with me, I dunno. I had to explain to Applebloom how I still don’t have a marefriend, and I guess it kinda got me a little depressed.” Chrome said, with a bit of embarrassment.
Applejack and Big Mac both raised their eyebrows in surprise.
“Wait a gosh-darn second. Ya’ll are nineteen years old and ya’ll never had a marefriend?” Applejack asked.
“…I’m not proud of it.” Chrome said sadly.
To Chrome: Have you ever faced a really tough opponent before? Like as in, you don't thing you could beat him?
“As of yet, no. BUT I did come pretty close. There was this pony named “Master Flex” who had accidently killed two stallions from the injuries he inflicted in the ring. I TKO’d the guy by the skin of my teeth. Almost suffered permanent brain trauma from the several blows to the head I got.” Chrome said.
“…His name was Master Flex?” Big Mac asked with a confused expression.
“Same thing I said. Sounds like some sort of workout machine.” Chrome said.
To Chrome: One, how about you give Apple Bloom something nice as a way to say thank you for the pie, like taking her for some candy. Two, heres something for you for their next crusade. *hands a protection suit*.
A large, bulky, white suit landed in front of Chrome from seemingly nowhere, and he eyed the thing curiously.
“…I’m not even going to question how that happened. And you know what, I think I’ll take AB over to Sugarcube Corner later. That pie was AMAZING, and I think she deserves it.” Chrome said. Behind his smile though, he felt pretty bucking scared. For even though he loved the sugary goodness contained in Sugarcube Corner, he had actually grown to FEAR the pink, energetic mare that lived there.
“That’s a real good idea sugarcube. Ah’m sure she’ll love it.” Applejack said, stretching out that word as long as possible with a slight chuckle.
The pain residing in Chrome’s gut was starting to subside, and was getting into a good recovery. His injuries that he had endured from the Crusaders antics had been worse before, so he wasn’t all too concerned. All the while though, Applejack practically demanded that he stay out of farm work for a little bit.
Unfortunately, that also left him in the dust with nothing to do right now, seeing as he also needed to stay out of the Crusader’s antics for the moment due to his injury. Right now, he was reduced to striking up idle conversation with Granny Smith and answering the occasional text bubble.
“Wait wait wait. You need to hop over watering can in bunny outfits while singing the alphabet?” Chrome asked the elderly mare with one of the biggest “What the buck?” faces he had.
“Mmhm. Just one of the many necessary steps necessary in the process of making Zap Apple Jam.” Granny said with a tone of voice that conveyed she didn’t believe what just came out of her mouth was even the slightest bit out of the ordinary.
It wasn’t quite the same on Chrome’s end, as critical amounts of “Wut” began to pump through his brain. Fortunately, he didn’t have to dwell too much on the subject, as a text bubble appeared before him.
Hey, Mr. Hoof, you got a mare? *Wink*
Chrome’s ears flattened and his face clearly showed he was a tad annoyed, and a slight blush was growing on his cheeks.
“Not funny.” He said with a little aggravation in his voice.
To Chrome: Yo buddy! You said you have one heck of a right hook right? So I'm just wondering, is that all you can do with your right hoof?....If You know what I mean
The blush on Chrome’s face grew much more noticeable, and he appeared to be getting a lot more flustered.
“Whoawhowhoa, keep it clean! Jeez…can these things get any more disturbing than that?”
To Chrome: I think that you should take Applejack on a date, that may probably solve your problems about the opposite sex, she was the one who gave you your Cutie Mark after all, what do you think?
Chrome could’ve sworn he could hear glass breaking somewhere in his skull, and he got so freaked out that he rolled right off the couch and flat on his face.
“...Note to self: Text Bubbles can ALWAYS get worse.” Chrome grumbled.
“What? What wuzzit this time?” Granny asked as she reached to the side of her rocking chair, pulled out a pair of reading glasses, and put them over her eyes. She scanned her eyeballs across the bubble’s question, and let out a huge laugh.
“Hahahaha! T’aint no reason to get all worked up Chrome. Personally, Ah think it’s a good idea.” She said.
As if Chrome wasn’t completely red before, he definitely was now.
“Wh-what?! Applejack and I are just friends! That’s it!...even if she is really cute.”
“What was that last part sonny?” Granny Smith asked with a sly grin.
“Uhhh…can we change the subject? Pleeeease?” Chrome asked, practically sweating bullets now.
To Chrome: Don't be scared of Pinkie pie, she just wants to be your friend. Plus WHY are you scared of her?
To Chrome: Hey, there's no reason to be scared of Pinkie, she's a really sweet mare. Energetic, yes, but she means well and she only wants to make friends. But...and this is a big BUT so listen up, Boxer Boy. If she says anything like "your number is coming up" or if you see her mane go straight, run. Don't question me. Bucking RUUUUUUUUUN.
“Oh thank Celestia, something that isn’t related to my crappy love-life. Anyway, let me enlighten you on why I mostly keep my interaction with Ms. Pie to a minimum. I know she has her best intentions, but whenever that mare is around, every last rule of reality goes out the window, and that terrifies me. Basically, Pinkie could pop her head out of a mouse hole or something at any second and give me a panic attack; and from all my time in the ring, I’ve become a little jumpy when somepony sneaks up on me and I can’t stand a shock like that.”
To Chrome Hoof: Have you ever fought Seikimatsu Kyuseishu? You know that one pony that has that super punching barrage and goes "ATATATATATATATATATATATA!"?
“There was blood and teeth EVERYWHERE…I couldn’t even tell if they were mine or his.”
To Chrome: Did you think about training with Bulk Biceps and Iron Will? They could help you. If you do not know who are them, ask to Applejack or Apple Bloom
Chrome deadpanned and gestured to his injured hoof.
“What part of ‘Fired by the boxing committee’ didn’t you get?”
After their little mishap with the punching bag, the Crusaders had decided to try a few things that were a little less on the dangerous side to get their Cutie Marks right now.
In this case it was artwork…And Scootaloo was hating every second of the boringness. Standing still was NOT something that came easy to her.
“Oh come on Scootaloo it isn’t that bad.” Sweetie Belle said to a quite aggravated looking Scootaloo…
Whose coat appeared to be completely grey.
“Friends do NOT use each other as canvases Sweetie Belle. I can’t even put into words how ticked off I am at you two right now.” Scootaloo growled.
Applebloom rolled her eyes. She could understand Scootaloo being angry about something like this, but it was starting to get a little ridiculous.
“C’mon Scootaloo, it was an accident! So what if Sweetie Belle spilled a little grey paint on ya? It doesn’t look TOO bad.” Applebloom said.
“But look at me! I look so depressing! And it’s covering up all of my awesome orange coat!” Scootaloo exclaimed.
“Relax Scootaloo, we can get you to my place and get you cleaned up. If I know Rarity, she’ll have what we need to get that stuff off you.” Sweetie Belle assured her.
Scootaloo seemed to calm down after hearing that there was a possible solution.
“Alright. Let’s hope she can get this off. I don’t want to be grey EVER again.” Scootaloo said.
Applebloom picked up a pencil and clipboard which contained the following list of things the Crusaders had tried to get their marks.
Beekeeping: [Results: Stuck to Chrome] [Conclusion: Considering the results, a minor victory.] Boxing [Results: Possibly ruptured Chrome’s stomach] [Conclusion: EPIC FAIL] Painting [Results: Grouchy and grey Scootaloo] [Conclusion: Colossal failure]
To Applebloom: Hey! Listen! Ok...you know, I'm probably breaking WAY too many laws of time and space by telling you this...maybe I'm not... ugh, wibbly wobbly timey wimey. ANYWAY... SPOILER ALERT, Chrome's taking you to Sugarcube Corner. I think this is the part where you make yourself look pretty.
Apple bloom: GUESS WHAT!?!?! Chromes gonna take you somewhere!! So you might wanna try and look nice but don't over do it. Some guys hate girls that over do it when they are going some where simple.
This made Applebloom’s jaw drop, which caused the pencil she had in her mouth to fall to the floor.
“W-What? C-Chrome’s going to take me out?!” Applebloom asked in a state of shock. A large blush started to creep its way onto her face.
“Oh my gosh Applebloom that’s fantastic! Oooooh. You two are gonna be so cute together!” Sweetie Belle squealed.
Scootaloo, still not one for the all the mushyness of the conversation, cleared her throat.
“Ahem. Yeah Applebloom that’s great, but I’m still…ya know.” Scootaloo said gesturing to her currently grey coat.
Both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle looked at their friend and smiled sheepishly.
“Hehe. Oh right. We still need to get you cleaned off. Well, let’s get you to the boutique.” Sweetie Belle said, about to lead the way out of their clubhouse, Scootaloo being last in line, muttering some things that a filly REALLY should not be saying under her breath as she looked at her tarnished coat.
*Ding!*
The bell above the door to Carousel Boutique gave a loud ring upon the fillies’ entrance into the shop.
“Rarity! Rarity, are you home?!” Sweetie Belle yelled for her sister.
“Sweetie Belle is that you?! What are you doing back so soo-OH MY GOODNESS!” After hearing her little sister’s commotion, Rarity came downstairs, sporting the red glasses she always wore whenever she worked.
Only to be greeted with the sight of the lackluster state of Scootaloo’s fur, which could only be described as an “atrocity.”
“Oh dear Scootaloo! Whatever happened to your coat?! It looks so…drab!” Rarity gasped in pure horror.
While Scootaloo was never one for the incredibly girly, she DID agree with Rarity that she didn’t look her best, considering her friend’s previous antics. All the while though, she still wore that “You don’t say.” look.
“Yeah umm…we tried getting our Cutie-Marks in painting, and well…this happened.” Scootaloo muttered.
“Look Rarity, Sweetie Belle told us you might have something that can get this off of her. Would you mind helpin’ Scootaloo out?” Applebloom asked.
Rarity couldn’t say she was surprised that somehow the Crusaders had tried something so simple but still managed to make a mess…
But…wow.
“Oh but of course! Scootaloo, go upstairs into the bathroom and wash yourself off. There should be a case labeled ‘Emergency Shampoo’ next to the sink. Sun knows you need it.” Rarity said, pointing toward the stairs.
Scootaloo thanked Rarity and trotted up the stairs, incredibly grateful that she would see her orange coat again once this was over with.
And Rarity, with her back turned to the remaining fillies, didn’t notice the text blocks appear before Applebloom.
To Applebloom: You should ask Rarity for advice on how to get Chrome’s attention.
“Ah’m gettin’ ta that.” Applebloom said quietly through her teeth, hoping beyond hope she could get the bubble to go away before Rarity turned back around. She was definitely going to get Rarity’s help, seeing as she was the go-to pony on all things romantic, but nothing said she had to know WHO Applebloom was crushing on.
Thankfully it disappeared before Rarity returned her gaze.
“Honestly, how do you three get into such predicaments? Chrome Hoof must really have his hooves full watching over you three.” Rarity stated that which was quite obvious.
“Getting our Cutie-Marks may be a little difficult, but the struggle is going to be worth it.” Sweetie Belle.
Applebloom wasn’t exactly too sure about how to go about asking for Rarity’s help, so she decided to just try directly asking.
“Ummm…Rarity?” Applebloom started.
“Hm? What is it Applebloom?” Rarity asked.
“Umm…You know a lot about love don’t you?” Applebloom asked, a little bit of nervousness in her question.
Rarity’s interest was suddenly peaked, raising an eyebrow in response. Of all the ponies to ask her on this matter, one of the last ponies Rarity expected was this little filly.
“I might have a great deal of knowledge on the subject of romance. But tell me darling, why do you ask?” Rarity asked.
“W-Well, there’s this pony that I really REALLY like-“ Applebloom was cut off by the sound of Rarity giving out an over-exaggerated and dramatic gasp.
“Oh my! That is just glorious! And finding love at such a young age! Oh please do tell. Who is this colt you have your eyes on?” Rarity asked, now wearing a questioning “duck-face”
“Oh Oh Oh! Applebloom likes Ch-“ Before Sweetie “Big Mouth” Belle could say another word, a pink hoof quickly covered her mouth. Sweetie Belle looked in front of her to see the owner of said hoof, being Pinkie Pie, staring at her with a very rare serious expression.
“Foooorevvverrrr.” Pinkie whispered menacingly.
Pinkie removed her hoof from Sweetie’s mouth, to which Sweetie Belle understood.
“Uhhh…Nevermind”
Pinkie’s demeanor quickly changed back to her usual, quirky and bubbly self.
“That’s better!” Pinkie said while happily hopping up and down.
Applebloom and Rarity were at a loss for words when they saw their friend SPAWN in front of them the second Sweetie Belle was about to reveal Applebloom’s crush , and while Applebloom was relieved, she was still baffled…
Considering the circumstances.
“Erm…Pinkie? What are ya doin’ here?” she asked.
Pinkie turned her attention to Applebloom, continuing to smile.
“Just making sure no Pinkie Promises are being broken this day. Looks like I showed up just in time too! Anyway, I’d love to stay and chat girls, but there’s work to be done! The whole lot of ‘strange’ things just happened at once a moment ago, and I need to get back to business.” Pinkie said, thinking back to the events that had unfolded at Sugarcube Corner…
“Hm. Sort of a slow day isn’t it honey?” Carrot Cake asked his wife, who stood by his side at the register of Sugarcube Corner.
Cup Cake couldn’t agree more. Not many ponies had come into the store today, and standing at the register, just waiting for something to happen could wear quite much on a pony’s nerves. And so far, neither pony was fairing very well in this matter.
And that’s when one of THEM appeared.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cake: *Hands two coupons for a free day at the spa followed by VIP tickets to the Wonderbolts display show*:Take the day off, Pinkie can hold the fort while you're gone.
The tickets mentioned in the text bubble appeared before the two ponies and fluttered to the counter in front of them. The Cakes were pretty taken back by what had just taken place. From the looks of it, a few words had appeared and created coupons to the spa and tickets to a Wonderbolt air show out of complete nothingness, and was now prompting them to leave the store.
This is one of the strangest things they’ve seen yet…
And they live with Pinkie.
“Ummm…alright?...Pinkie dear, can you come here please?”Cup Cake called to her employee, who then emerged from the kitchen in the back, with the usual bounce in her step, and what appeared to be whipped cream on her face.
“Pinkie, we’re going to…Pinkie why is there whipped cream on your face?” Carrot Cake asked.
Pinkie’s eyes darted to said topping which coated almost her entire mouth and chin and gave a sheepish grin.
“Ummm…Because there’s always whipped cream on my face?” She said, whilst licking all of it off in one fell flick of her tongue across her muzzle.
“...True. Anyway, seeing as it’s kind of a slow day, we’ll be taking the day off, and if it isn’t too much trouble, would you mind looking after everything here?” Cup Cake asked.
Pinkie stood on her hind legs and gave an army salute to her employer.
“Yes ma’am! I’ll see to it that everything stays as ship-shape as a shippity-shape can be!” Pinkie assured.
Both Cakes chuckled at Pinkie’s “Sincere Randomness”, thanked her for the help, and trotted out the doors of Sugarcube Corner, which left Pinkie by herself.
Seeing as nopony was around to see, Pinkie took out a few cupcakes and shoved them all into her mouth at the same time, chewing hard on the soft pastries.
Then all of a sudden, a bubble of text, not unlike the one presented to the Cakes, appeared in front of her, stating the following.
To Pinkie Pie: Yes, I am here on behalf of Chrome Hoof. He is showing Applebloom the ways of fine dining so that she can eat dinner with Sweetie Belle at Rarity's without upsetting her, in preparation, I am relying on you to set up ALL the tables to have on top of them, a vase of roses in between 2 candles all of the supplies will be available in the storage room Also, take this *puts Octavia's band in the room along with the sheet music to a romantic symphony*. I bid you adieu
In a flash of light similar to what appeared to bring in the text bubble, Octavia and her band appeared in the corner of the room, continually playing the same, romantic-sounding song, as if they were in some sort of loop.
Pinkie was quite bewildered at seeing this and swallowed her cupcakes.
“Oh, hi Tavi!...Hello?” Pinkie got no response out of the mare, and she continually strung at her cello
Pinkie then moved her attention to the text bubble and read the whole thing over.
“Hmmm…Oh! I think I got it! You’re some ponies from an alternate dimension outside of our time and space that can only communicate with us through these text bubbles, and are currently trying to help Applebloom with a crush through these things!...Just a hunch.” Pinkie said all in one breath, having figured out the bubble’s true intentions.
“Hehehe. Don’t worry. I won’t tell Chrome about this. It’ll be a nice surprise!” Pinkie giggled.
To Pinkie: Here is a secret apple cupcake recipe. *Hands it to her* You should make this for Applebloom.
A piece of paper stating that which was said appeared in Pinkie’s hoof. She looked it over and smiled in anticipation.
“Hehehe. Dis gun be guud.” Pinkie said…
Pinkie was still in Carousel Boutique, recalling the events that had occurred a while earlier. Rarity tapped the pink mare on her head and shook her out of her trance.
“Erm, Pinkie Pie darling…are you alright?” Rarity asked.
Pinkie blinked a few times and shook her head, clearing her thoughts long enough to get back to the conversation with her friend.
“Yup! Just providing the bubble-ponies with an explanation through my thoughts!” Pinkie said cheerfully with an ear-to-ear smile.
“…Alright?...Wait Pinkie, you said you had work to do?” Rarity pointed out.
Realizing that she still had a lot of preparation to go through back at Sugarcube Corner, and hit a hoof to her forehead.
“Oh where is my head today? I got so caught up in exposition that I nearly forgot I had go back to Sugarcube Corner! See you later everypony!” Pinkie said as she trotted her way out of Carousel Boutique, leaving a room of confused ponies behind.
“Well…That just happened.” Applebloom said.
“Uh-huh.” Sweetie Belle said while she slowly nodded her head.
“…So Applebloom, you said you required my ‘Romantic Expertise’ no?” Rarity asked.
Applebloom shook her thoughts of Pinkie’s abrupt entrance and exit, and got back to the matter at hoof.
“Uhhh…yeah. Ah was thinkin’ you could give me some advice, and…maybe…get me to look pretty.” Applebloom said as her face turned a bright shade of crimson.
After hearing that sentence, Rarity was practically beaming.
“Oh absolutely! I would be more than happy to help win the heart of your beloved! Applebloom, when I am done, no colt in Equestria will be able to resist you!” Rarity confidently declared.
‘...Ah hope to Celestia she’s right.’ Applebloom thought to herself.
Scootaloo was in the bathroom scrubbing her mane and coat with the shampoo that Rarity had told her about without any mercy to give. Being covered in grey paint was not something she wanted to do again any time soon. Somepony that had no color at all was practically the opposite of Rainbow Dash, who’s mane was abundant with too many to possibly count. If Rainbow had seen her in this condition, she wouldn’t be able to live with the embarrassment.
She looked at her now-clean fur and smiled.
“Much better. Feels good to have all that grey off. I can’t believe how uncool I looked.” She said.
To Scootaloo: You missed a spot of grey. Oh ya the question. Do you plan to get revenge on Sweetie and Applebloom for the paint?
“What?” Scootaloo looked all around her coat, but couldn’t see any grey left on her…
Until she looked in the mirror and saw a small patch of paint on her nose.
“Oh. Thanks.” She said as she viciously wiped the paint off her face with the rag she’d been using.
Once she removed it from her face, she looked back at the question again.
“Nah. It was an accident, so I can let it go for now. They’re just lucky that Rainbow Dash didn’t see me. If that happened, then I’d probably have a bigger problem.” She answered.
To Scootaloo: *gets out a deck of tarot cards and flips one that shows a stick of butter* I see a whole stick of butter in your future. *flips another one thats just blue* I see blue in your future? *flips one last card that shows scootaloo* and yourself? ok why do I even have cards like those three? *flips a bubble table* i dont even know how to use tarot cards
“…Whaaaat? Is it just me, or are you guys getting weirder?”
To Scootaloo: Hey chicken feathers, how about after Applebloom gets her heart crushed by Chrome, you all go hang-gliding?
Scootaloo noticed the presence of the incredibly insulting nickname that some foals liked to use on her and deadpanned.
“Oh haha. Yeah, like I haven’t heard that before.” She said sarcastically.
Looking over everything else the bubble asked of her, she continued to reply.
“Alright look, Chrome cares too much to blatantly hurt Applebloom’s feelings. The thing is, he’s so thick-headed, that there is seriously NO telling how surprised he’d be if Applebloom ever actually tells him …hang gliding huh? I think Applebloom already tried that. In fact, it was one of the first things she did to try and get her Cutie-Mark before we formed the Cutie Mark Crusaders. It didn’t exactly go as planned…then again…Applebloom isn’t a Pegasus, so it’s kinda obvious she wouldn’t know how flight works…but maybe…” Scootaloo turned her head to look at the wings on her back. She was still unable to fly herself, but she did know most of the basic knowledge of flight mechanics. Her main problem seemed to be getting more than a few feet of the ground without tiring herself out.
“Hmmmm.”
“Ummm…Rarity, I think you might be overselling it a little.” Sweetie Belle pointed out, blocking out the obscene amount of light that reflected off of Applebloom’s dress. Opal had actually been disturbed from her slumber by the intense light, and was now sleeping sporting a pair of sunglasses she had “borrowed” from Tank.
“Whatever do you mean Sweetie? Applebloom looks nothing less of dazzling!” Rarity said, pointing at her handiwork. Applebloom stood on a small platform surrounded by mirrors.
“ There is such a thing as ‘too dazzling’ you know.” Sweetie Belle said.
Applebloom didn’t quite know how to react. She just kind of stood there with a blank expression whilst looking down at her dress. She could say without a shadow of a doubt that she would probably blind Chrome if she went in this, and he already endures enough unintentional physical abuse from their crusading as it stood.
To Apple Bloom: I hope you heeded my warning about over doing it. Your just going to Sugar cube Corner.
To Applebloom: Do you regret asking Rarity for help yet?
‘HEEEEELP!’ Applebloom thought to herself.
Scootaloo was coming back down the stairs, now fully cleansed of all the grey paint. She had been the only one yet to witness Applebloom’s dress…
And she kind of wished she hadn’t when she got an eyeful.
“Gah! My eyes! I’m blind!” Scootaloo cried as a sudden flurry of light filled her vision and was about to fall down the stairs. Rarity quickly managed to catch her in her magical grasp before she could and slowly lowered her back to the ground.
To Rarity: PLEASE!! Just PLEASE DONT over do it, but I think you did ANYWAY!! *sighs* Rarities.
Rarity looked between Applebloom in her overly shiny dress and then to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, the latter in a severe dizzy fit from the sudden flash of light, and the former trying to revive her friend.
“Oh dear…perhaps I may have overdone it just a bit.” Rarity said with a sheepish look. She lit up her horn and managed to get the dress off Applebloom.
“If you could just excuse me for a moment, I’ll get this dress up to code. Honestly, I can’t even imagine what I was thinking.” Rarity said as she floated the dress upstairs with her to her “Inspiration Room.”
“Ugggh. What just happened?...Am I dead?” Scootaloo asked in her daze once Sweetie Belle managed to wake her up.
“No Scoots, ya ain’t dead. Rarity just made my dress to shiny and Ah guess ya weren’t ready for it.” Applebloom said.
Scootaloo gave a big sigh of relief.
“Phew. Good. For a second, I figured that light was the afterlife or something.” Scootaloo sighed.
“Sorry about that girls. Rarity goes so overboard with these things. Whenever it comes down to her dresses, it’s go big or go home.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Hehe. Ah noticed.” Applebloom chuckled.
To Applebloom: Hiya there Applebloom! Please do tell, IF you can Chrome were in an actual serious relationship, what would the other ponies think? On a side note, I can probably bet that your dress would be very, VERY, sparkly. Let's just hope it isn't.
Applebloom’s ears fell to her head and her face showed that she was a little worried.
“…Ah don’t know what other ponies would think of us. Ah know it ain’t really normal for a foal and a stallion to be together…but as long as we’d be happy why should it matter? He makes me feel so loved, so Ah’m gonna do mah best to show him how much Ah love him too.” Applebloom said, with her usual blush returning to her features.
To that apple horse junior- You know what you need? A cannon...because your a child I won't finish that reference. The Dragonborn of Steel out!
The three Crusaders looked between each other, all of them with equally confused faces.
“…Did any of ya’ll get that?” Applebloom asked.
“Nope!” Sweetie Belle said.
“I got nothin’.” Scootaloo replied, shrugging her shoulders.
In her Insipiration Room, Rarity was doing her best to work on Applebloom’s dress. She was levitating several fabrics, bows, ribbons, and things of that nature everywhere in her sight to try and see what would work the best together. Making dresses for country ponies usually took a bit more creativity on her part, seeing that she was used to nothing less than pure elegance.
“Hmmm? Let’s see now…no…no…Oooo this may work!” Rarity said to herself as her eyes, sporting a pair of red glasses, looked over every piece for a potential dress.
To Rarity: I heard you have a crush on Fluttershy. Is it true? Or is your type the nerdy librarian?
Everything Rarity had been levitating had been dropped to the ground when the text box appeared in front of her.
“W-What?! Y-you must be mistaken darling. I don’t…oh how do I put this…erm…’swing that way’ as it were.” Rarity answered, practically sweating bullets. She couldn’t imagine for the life of her where those rumors had first surfaced, but if she ever found out, she could guarantee that whoever started those would surely get a piece of her mind.
To Rarity: Here is a piece of advise for Applebloom's dress, make it so that it can be complemented by a setson hat like the one that Applejack has, believe me, I know who Aplebloom's crush is (who I can't tell you because I Pinkie pro..., you know, I can actually tell you, but it won't be today, sorry) and he is really interested in cowmare stuff; by the way you look as gorgeous as always Rarity, never change.
“Oh he is is he? Well, that certainly does help quite a bit. My muse can prove to act a little difficult when I’m put on the spot like thi-…oh…thank you darling.” Rarity giggled with a slight blush. Keeping in mind the advice given to her, and a little from what she had done for Applejack’s dress for the Gala, she got down to business. Lighting up her horn with her usual, light blue color, she started to levitate some of the necessary materials; fabric that consisted mostly of white, blue, and a little bit of brown in all the right places, as well as the knowledge of crafting a Stetson from memory of Applejack’s signature hat. Placing the blue fabric on the flank area of the ponican she had nearby, she started to sew a few clear ribbons onto it, and started to craft a brown saddle onto the back.
Rarity focused her eyes intently on her work; her red glasses sitting on her snout and occasionally having to be pushed back up to her eyes as a result from sliding back down her face. A majority of the time, she had her tongue sticking out of the side of her mouth in her deep state of focus.
“Oh yeessss. This is turning out quite well.” She said to herself.
To Rarity: You say that after you teach to Apple Bloom no stallion can resist her but... I think Blue Blood resisted your charms, maybe you forgot
Rarity halted for only a moment to read the new question. Seeing the mention of Blue Blood, her face conveyed that she was overly disgusted by the memory.
“Uggh. No. How could I ever forget? Dear, Blue Blood just doesn’t know how to treat a lady. Honestly, he didn’t even deserve my attention. Hmph.” Rarity said as she pushed her elegant mane out of her face…
Back downstairs in the boutique, Applebloom was pacing back and forth, eagerly awaiting on her dress from Rarity to be completed. At the same time though, she was incredibly jittery.
“Ooooh, ah’m so nervous! Why can’t I get this achin’ feeling in mah stomach to go away?!” Applebloom whined.
Sweetie Belle patted her friend’s back. She didn’t think she’d seen Applebloom this uneasy since before family appreciation day at school. She had been so afraid of Granny Smith embarrassing her that she had been on edge the entire week.
“Applebloom, you need to relax. You’re just having some pre-date jitters. It happens.” She said, comforting the yellow filly. It didn’t appear to accomplish too much, because just the thought of a date with Chrome made her face heat up.
“A-Ah jus’ don’t know what to do! Ah’ve never done nothin’ like this before!” Applebloom said.
Sweetie realized her attempt to calm Applebloom down had backfired pretty badly, so she turned to the orange Pegasus in the room for further assistance.
“Uh Scoots? Can I get a little help here?” Sweetie asked.
“How the hay should I know how to deal with this? You know I don’t get this girly, lovey-dovey, mushy junk.” Scootaloo asked.
Sweetie Belle deadpanned.
“Scoots, you and I both know you have a crush on Rumble.” She said.
Scootaloo’s face matched the same color that was currently on Applebloom’s face, and she started to stutter at her friend’s accusation.
“I-I already told you, I d-don’t have a crush on him!” Scootaloo shouted. She was getting pretty sick of this. Firstly, how the holy mother of Celestia did they find out about her crush on Rumble, and secondly, why were they so Tartarus-bent on getting her to admit it?
Sweetie Belle sighed in defeat. Scootaloo wasn’t being much of a help to Applebloom’s situation, and from the looks of it, neither was she.
To Apple Bloom: do your best and try to win him over and be cute.
That actually seemed to help Applebloom’s demeanor a little. Bigger ponies did say that she looked pretty adorable. Heck, even Chrome had made that comment a few times, which made her blush to an unreal extent.
“Ummmm, alright. How’s this?” Applebloom asked her friends as she attempted to flesh out her cuteness as much as possible by smiling and attempting to make sort of a bashful look about her.
“Wow Applebloom! That’s REALLY good!” Sweetie Belle said.
“I gotta say, that’s pretty impressive AB.” Scootaloo also complimented.
“All finiiiished~” The sound of Rarity’s sing-song voice got the attention of the fillies, prompting them to look in the direction of the stairs as the alabaster mare came trotting back down with a new, much more subtle dress held inside her magical grip.
“Well it took some doing, but I think this one will be much more to your liking Applebloom.” Rarity said, using her magic to fit the clothing onto her.
To Applebloom: oh, yes, I know a Rarity will make you fabulous! Now come on! What are you wearing? How's your mane? Do tell~<3
Applebloom’s new dress included a red and white saddle on her back with some brown around the edges, and a blue skirt with a few apple patterns laced around the bottom, and some clear ribbons sown in for good measure. Rarity also levitated a Stetson with a rose crafted into the fabric onto the farm filly’s head.
“And voila! Well, what do you think?” Rarity asked excitedly. The Crusaders could tell that Rarity was ecstatic over this whole situation from the fact that she was practically beaming. She must have some really high hopes for Applebloom’s romance if she was this happy to help.
“Rarity Ah…Ah love it!” Applebloom exclaimed.
“Woooow Rarity! Applebloom looks so pretty! When she’s dressed like that, she’s sure to win over Ch-mmph!” Scootaloo put her hoof over Sweetie Belle’s mouth before she could spill Applebloom’s secret (for the second time). She also gave Sweetie a disapproving stare as she slowly shook her head.
‘…Wow, I’m terrible at this.’ She thought to herself. There was almost no doubt that if Applebloom’s secret got out, it would probably be Sweetie Belle’s fault.
All of a sudden, the bell above the boutique’s door rang, signaling the entrance of another pony. Rarity took her attention off the Crusaders for a moment to see who it was, only to find their foalsitter standing at the entrance.
“Oh! Chrome darling, how nice to see you. To what do I owe this unexpected visitation?” Rarity asked the aqua stallion.
“Afternoon Ms. Rarity. I saw the state the girl’s clubhouse was in and kinda put two and two together.” Chrome looked past Rarity and spotted the fillies in question. “You three sure know how to make a mess don’t ya?” he chuckled.
“Hehe. Yeah. Scootaloo got paint all over her.” Sweetie Belle said.
“That was your fault and you know it!” Scootaloo shot back.
Applebloom didn’t even bother to say anything. She knew for a fact that Chrome was very susceptible to adorable things, and so she put on the same, bashful face she had earlier, hoping Chrome would take notice of her new appearance.
He reacted in pretty much the same way he reacts to anything cute.
A big smile whilst biting his bottom lip.
“D-Do yah, like m-mah dress?” she asked nervously.
“...Of course I do! I mean, who wouldn’t? You look adorable!” Chrome said. Applebloom nearly squeed in delight as she trotted up to her foalsitter and nuzzled his chest fur.
“Mmmmmm~” Applebloom didn’t even seem to hear Rarity as she continually buried her blushing face in Chrome’s fur.
“…Ummm…alright then…Chrome, while you’re here, can I just tell you how grateful I am that you always watch Sweetie Belle and her friends? What with the amount of work I always have on my shoulders I couldn’t possibly be able to handle them all hours of the day.” Rarity said.
Chrome put up his hoof.
“No big deal Rarity. It’s not like any real time is being taken out of my schedule or anything. Most of my time revolves around farm work and these three little troublemakers.” Chrome grinned while slightly ruffling Applebloom’s mane, making her blush even harder.
“Oh but it is a big deal! Applejack allows you to stay in her home in return for your services, while I haven’t properly shown my gratitude! Ooooh, why does Applejack have to look so good and make me look so bad?” Rarity whined.
Chrome facehoofed. He’d only really met with Rarity a few other times before, and he knew she was supposed to be overdramatic and whiney but…wow.
“Rarity, trust me, it’s fine.” Chrome said.
Rarity wasn’t going to take no for an answer on this one though. She was supposed to be the Element of Generosity, so she was used to being generous to others. It would be incredibly rude and unladylike of her to not return the favor.
Then something came to mind, and her ears perked up.
“…Chrome dear, if I recall, you’re single aren’t you?” Rarity asked with an ever-growing smile.
“Oh dear Celestia, I’m just gonna stop you right there. You’re like the third pony to bring this up today.” Chrome said with a discouraged look on his face, looking slightly at the ground.
Rarity edged herself closer to the stallion,.
“Terribly sorry darling, but something about that just baffles me. After all…hehehehehe…” Rarity put a hoof under Chrome’s chin and turned his head toward her, his muzzle mere inches from hers, making his face turn beet red.
“-You are quite easy on the eyes if you ask meeee.~” Rarity cooed seductively.
None of this helped Chrome’s impending nervousness, as he was practically sweating bullets now.
“R-Rarity, what’re you-“
“Shhhh.” Rarity put a hoof to Chrome’s lips to get him to be quiet, and removed it a moment later.
“Just relax darling.~” Rarity said, moving her lips closer to Chrome’s face.
‘Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! What the actual buck is going on?!?!?!’ Chrome’s head was practically reeling. He was seriously not used to this kind of attention from mares, and it made him feel incredibly nervous.
“Grrrrrr.” Applebloom growled as she pushed Chrome backwards and held possessively onto his left foreleg.
“Wha?-Applebloom, whatever is the matter?” Rarity asked the farm filly.
Applebloom didn’t say anything, but only held Rarity with that “Hooves off” glare that rivaled Fluttershy’s stare, and Rarity could have sworn she could see steam coming from her head.
Applebloom made no attempt to hide her anger over the matter. If she was going to ever get Chrome’s love, she couldn’t let anypony else take him from her. But even as cute as she apparently was, how was she supposed to compete with any of the other mares in Ponyville?
To Applebloom: Guys love it when you compliment their hair. I know I do. Do that!
“Ummm…your mane looks…really nice.” Applebloom said, almost in a whisper.
Chrome was trying to get over the initial shock of Rarity’s assault. No mare he had ever met ever put the moves on him like that…save for that one time where Applejack kissed his cheek when they were foals. But it was his birthday that day, and her aunt made her do it, so that didn’t count. Applebloom managed to snap him out of it though; finally he was able to get some relief.
“Really?” Chrome looked up at his blown-back styled mane. No matter how hard he tried, there were quite a few pesky hairs near the front that just refused to stay down.
“…I dunno. Looks kinda scruffy to me. Thanks for the compliment though Bloom. You’re such a sweet kid.” Chrome said with an amused smile, lightly patting Applebloom’s Stetson-covered head, once again making her blush. She looked to her friend on the other side of the room; Sweetie Belle looked like she was about to release a massive squee, and Scootaloo gave her a smirk and a nod.
Rarity was quite put off. Just a moment ago, Applebloom was absolutely seething with rage over Celestia knows what, and now she looked just about as happy as she could be when Chrome complimented her and gave her mane a little noogie. This didn’t quite add up…Not that she was complaining really. Applebloom didn’t look like she wanted to kill her anymore.
“So Applebloom, I was wanting to see if you felt like, maybe going to Sugarcube Corner. After all, you DID bake me a pie, so-“
“YESYESYESYESYES!” Applebloom squealed. While she did know it was coming, thanks to the mysterious bubbles, hearing the love of her life’s own voice say it made her heart nearly explode from glee. Already, she started to nudge Chrome toward the door, hoping to get to her “date” as quickly as possible.
“Woah! Geez Bloom, can I at least finish my sente-AHHHH!” Chrome yelled as he stumbled out the door, nearly tripping over his own hooves, leaving behind the all too well knowing Crusaders, and a quite misinformed Rarity.
“…She seemed quite happy to see Chrome, didn’t she?” Rarity asked.
“She’s happy to see him all the time Rarity. What’s your point?” Sweetie Belle asked, slightly hoping that her sister wasn’t catching on.
“I don’t know, She looked so…unnaturally giddy. I can understand a foal being happy to spend time with her foalsitter but…not THAT much. Even then, it still wouldn’t explain why she got so angry when…oh dear.” Rarity’s eyes widened in realization. “This can only end in disaster.”
The entire walk to Sugarcube Corner felt strangely awkward for Chrome as for some reason, Applebloom was walking unnaturally close to him. She still held that blushing, smiling face and she also seemed to have a slight bounce in her trotting.
“You’re pretty excited huh?” Chrome asked with a raised eyebrow.
Applebloom happily nodded her head, her Stetson falling over her eyes for a moment before she put it back to her head.
“Uh huh. Ah…Ah really like spendin’ time with ya Chrome. You’re always so nice to me n’ mah friends, even after ya’ll get hurt so bad around us.” Applebloom said.
“Hehe. Well, I’d be lying if I said I enjoyed pain. But it’s not your fault. It’s me being a clumsy idiot trying to keep you guys out of trouble…Hey uhh…what was up with that grumpy face back at the boutique? You looked pretty mad when Rarity was getting all flirty with me.” Chrome said.
Applebloom went from happy to terrified in less than a second, suspecting that Chrome could be getting wise to her crush, at a time when she didn’t know if she was ready to confess.
“W-Well A-Ah just…Ah ummm,,,” Applebloom stumbled over her own words, while Chrome looked at her with a questioning face.
“Hmmmm…Oooooh, I think I see the problem here.” Chrome said.
Applebloom’s face turned as red as the apples her name represented, and she could feel a little sweat forming on her forehead as she feared the worst.
‘Ohnoohnoohnoohnoohno! Please don’t tell me he’s-‘
“You like spending time with your foalsitter so much that you don’t want a mare getting all the attention do ya? Don’t worry about it Bloom. I’m pretty sure Rarity was just engaging in a bit of flirtatious teasing.” Chrome said.
“Wha….Yeah! Yeah that’s totally it!” Applebloom shouted, grateful for once that Chrome had such a thick skull.
‘Yeah, it ain’t like Ah wanna marry you n’ be by your side for the rest of mah life. Hahahaha……Oh Celestia, I want you to love me so bad.’ Applebloom thought to herself.
When the two finally made it to Sugarcube Corner, Chrome again slightly dreaded going inside, knowing the pink menace that surely awaited him on the other side of the door. But for Applebloom’s sake, he was going to go through with it.
To Chrome Hoof: Hey, just warning you, Sugarcube Corner might be a bit...er...fancier than you expect.
“What are you guys talking abo-“ Chrome didn’t get the rest of his sentence in when he opened the door and took in just what was presented to himself and Applebloom. Unlike usual, Sugarcube Corner was dimly lit, every table had a vase of roses on it as well as a few candles. Over in the corner, they saw Octavia and her band playing a seemingly endless romantic tune.
Applebloom was beaming at the romantic setting in front of her, but to say that Chrome was confused would be an understatement.
‘…What in the world? Why’s everything all…fancy looking? And…Oh no.’ Chrome looked back and forth when he realized that he didn’t see Pinkie Pie anywhere. It’s never a good sign when that mare isn’t in your direct line of sight.
Chrome would soon find out how fatal it can be to let your guard down in Pinkie Pie’s domain.
“HI!”
“Aaaaah!” Chrome jumped a few feet forward and let out what could be perceived as a rather girly screech when he heard Pinkie’s squeal of delight come unexpectedly from behind him. Being a boxer, he was used to being able to predict his surroundings pretty well. But with Pinkie Pie that was next to impossible.
Applebloom was slightly snickering at seeing Chrome startled so badly.
‘Hehehe. He’s so cute when he’s scared.’ Applebloom thought.
“Hi Chrome! What’s up?! Huh huh huh?!” Pinkie asked with a happy grin.
“…My blood pressure.” Chrome sighed, trying to relax after having the living Celestia scared out of him. This was why he mostly kept his distance from Pinkie. Freaking jumpscares.
“Woooow Applebloom you look so pretty! Are you trying to catch the attention of a certain somepony by any chance? Hmmmm?” Pinkie asked, slightly nudging Applebloom’s foreleg with her own and giving a slight wink.
‘Pinkie, can you not!?’ Applebloom yelled internally, looking a little nervous.
To Pinkie: I can trust you, here, have a medal *Gives pinkie a big chocolate coin on a candy ribbon*
The item in question appeared on Pinkie’s neck, prompting her to start drooling at the sight of it, and she hungrily licked her lips.
“Soooo, you guys want somethin’? I got a new cupcake I think you two’ll REALLY like. ” Pinkie said gleefully.
“Ooooo. What is it?” Applebloom asked eagerly.
Pinkie giggled.
“Why don’t you two just sit tight for a bit, and I’ll get it right out for you! Just…enjoy the atmosphere.” Pinkie laughed as she hopped into the kitchen out of sight of the two ponies.
Chrome was still pretty out of it. Pinkie wasn’t scaring him nearly as bad as she had at his “Welcome to Ponyville” party, but something was seriously wrong with this entire setup. The lighting, Pinkie acting all weird, the romantic music.
He didn’t get it.
Applebloom meanwhile, found herself just staring at the stallion of her dreams with a look of total admiration in her eyes. No colt in her class would be able to compare to the understanding and compassion Chrome had for her and her friends. It didn’t matter to her if he was older than she was. It’s only a ten year difference.
The two of them sat at one of the tables across from one another, Applebloom still giving Chrome her smitten look, which unfortunately for her, didn’t go unnoticed.
‘What is up with that look? She seems way happier than she should be.’
“…Bloom, what’re you lookin’ at?” Chrome asked.
Applebloom snapped out of her trance at that and tried her best not to look Chrome in the eye.
“N-Nothin’.” She stuttered.
What was that all about? Did that nickname embarrass her or something? He hoped not, he’d already been calling her that for quite while.
To Chrome: I will kill you if you hurt AB
To Chrome: I swear to the might of Celestia, God, and Faust herself, if you hurt Applebloom emotionally, physically, or mentally, I will send the entirety of the Army of Northern Virginia to burn down Equis and gut you like a fish. (I will also have a bullet in my 44. just for that moment.)
“Woah, hold on now! I would never, EVER even consider hurting Applebloom! Why would you think I’d even do something like that?!” Chrome responded.
Applebloom giggled to herself.
‘Hehehe. You’re so sweet Chromey.’ She thought.
“I’m baaaaaack~” Pinkie said as she came bouncing back into the room and tossed two cupcakes onto the table. Both had green icing and a slice of apple on the top. Applebloom took a bite out of hers and licked the icing off of her lips.
“Mmmm. Tastes like apples.” Applebloom said in delight.
“Well of course it does silly! Wouldn’t be an apple cupcake if it didn’t taste like apples!” Pinkie cheered.
Chrome took a bit out of his as well.
“Wow Pinkie. This is awesome! Where’d you learn to bake this good?” Chrome said, his wariness around Pinkie Pie starting to tone down a little.
“Oh, I had this recipe ready when you guys came by!” Pinkie said.
“…And how’d you know we whe…you know what? Forget it. I don’t wanna know.” Chrome said, slightly covering his muzzle with his hoof.
“Okie dokie lokie!...Oh I got something else for you guys! Gummy! Come here!” Pinkie yelled. Not even a moment later, a small, green reptile stood up held a single, strawberry milkshake on his head and slowly placed it on the table.
The most noteable thing about it though, was that there were two straws in it.
Applebloom pulled her Stetson over her reddening face and squealed into it.
Chrome still had no clue what was going on.
The door to the Apple Family’s farmhouse opened later that night. An extremely tired-looking Chrome Hoof trotted into the house, with an already-asleep Applebloom sprawled across his back. Applejack appeared to be the only one awake right now, and after seeing such an adorable sight, she slightly laughed to herself.
“So Ah take it Sugarcube Corner went well? How ya’ll feelin?’” she asked.
“Tired. You would not believe the day I’ve had AJ.” Chrome sighed.
Applejack tilted her head.
“What? Somethin’ happen?” Applejack asked.
Chrome rubbed his forehead a little, apparently suffering from a slight headache. The fact that it could have been induced by too much exposure to Pinkie Pie, was not entirely out of the question.
“I went to Carousel Boutique to pick up Applebloom, and Rarity…started flirting with me.” Chrome replied. Almost immediately after Chrome said that, Applejack’s ears fell to her head, and she looked almost worried.
“…Really? Well…ain’t that a good thing? Ah mean, ya’ll were complainin’ about not havin’ a marefriend n’ all.” Applejack said.
“AJ, you know how I get when I’m around mares don’t you? I can’t get a marefriend because I’m always too freaking flustered and scared…ugh. I don’t know why I keep griping about it. It’s my own fault.” Chrome sighed
Applejack put a hoof under Chrome’s chin and lifted his head up, looking straight into his eyes.
“Chrome, that’s enough. Bein’ a little shy around mares ain’t nothin’ to be ashamed of. Besides, ya’ll can talk to me just fine, so…that helps don’t it?” Applejack asked.
Chrome blushed slightly and sheepishly smiled.
“Hehe. Yeah, I suppose it does.” Chrome said.
Applejack patted his shoulder.
“Ya see? Now, Ah’ll take Applebloom to her room. Ya’ll look like you could use some rest.”
“Phew. Thanks Applejack.” Chrome managed to shift Applebloom onto Applejack’s back, relieving himself of the weight on his back. Applejack carried the little filly to her room leaving Chrome to go to the guest bedroom that he slept in and plop himself down on the bed, starting to contemplate his current “mare issue.”
“Hmmm, AJ is right though. I can already talk to her really well, I’ve known her for years and…heck, I’d definitely be lying if I said she wasn’t attractive and-“ Chrome slapped a hoof over his mouth before he said anything else.
