“Yes mom, I didn't forget my purse,” Apple Bloom shouted down the hall, rolling her eyes as she stepped out her front door.
“See you guys Friday.”
It was Wednesday morning in the secluded farm that was placed on the outskirts of Ponyville. With Granny Smith passed on, and Applejack becoming older, Apple Bloom was to inherit the farm off of her older sister's hooves. She didn't want to take over the farm, but it was in her blood that she worked for the Apple Family. Her first course of action while running the farm was to find a location that can hold larger fields, and more space for orchards. The outskirts of town was just the empty space Apple Bloom liked for her daily farm life.
Today, she was heading into Ponyville. Not for shopping, but only to meet up with an old friend or two. She was anxious as ever to see the friends she had as a filly. She missed being the Cutie Mark Crusaders so much, that emotion would sweep over her as soon as it crossed her mind. But she also kept in mind that good things can't last forever, so she moved on and took responsibility for the farm like a big mare.
Apple Bloom began her walk to Ponyville humming the Cutie Mark Crusader's theme song. She arrived at the bridge to the city with a tear in her eye and a smile that reached from cheek-to-cheek. She couldn't be more happy that she was going to see her friends again.
“Hey, the school! Me and my friends had so much fun there. But those two fillies ruined so much of it..." Apple Bloom said to herself as she trotted across the bridge into Ponyville. She awed at every sight she put her eyes on. Everything struck her heart as something she missed, and didn't want to leave behind again.
“Now where are those two silly fillies at? I'll check the park.”
Apple Bloom was tempted to run everywhere she went, being full of anxiety and energy. Seeing two figures at the park, both having the shadow of the obvious manes she was looking for, she converted into a full sprint towards her two friends, smiling and laughing as she ran. She could see their faces enough to know it was them. Her friends. The ones she had not seen for fifteen years.
“Hey y’all!” she shouted to bring their attention towards her.
She stopped running as she reached the two mares, one white with a puffy mane, and one orange with a more spiked hairstyle. It took her a little bit to catch her breath, but once some air reached her lungs, she exploded with thoughts and ideas. It was clear that she wanted to make the best out of the three days she had to spend there.
Apple Bloom was panting as she talked, still trying to breathe successful breaths of air.
“Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo! I'm so happy to see you!”
Apple Bloom reached out and gave Sweetie Belle a hug, embracing her with the thought of friendship.
“Long time, no see, Apple Bloom. I'm excited to get some fun started!” She smiled and looked at Apple Bloom, who smiled back in pure joy.
“Hey Scoots, are you exited?” Apple Bloom beamed a smile towards her pegasus friend.
“Of course I am!” Scootaloo instantly went in for a forceful hug, surprising Apple Bloom as her stomach was squeezed by the orange pegasus pony. Apple Bloom quickly embraced her friend, showing her love for their friendships.
“What should we do first? There are so many things we need to catch up on and talk about, I don’t know where to start.” Even fifteen years later, the unicorn's voice was high pitched and soft. Apple Bloom was glad that her friends hadn't changed much, since she was worried they would be completely different ponies by the time she next met them.
“I have something to show you two!” Scootaloo put her front hooves on Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, signaling them to trail behind her as she trotted towards her desired location.
“Hey, isn't this where the Apple Family barn used to be? I forgot that you moved this place somewhere else.” Sweetie Belle remembered when the barn was moved. Apple Bloom was the first of the Crusaders to move out of Ponyville.
“Yea. We took the entire thing and moved it to the outskirts of town, where it would be more of use to us. It was the right decision, I’m sure.”
Scootaloo stopped and looked into Apple Bloom's eyes. “Oh, but there is something you didn't take with you. Something that I decided to keep under control.”
“The barn is completely gone, Scoots... what could be left?” Sweetie Belle was confused at what Scootaloo was trying to get across.
She pointed towards a structure in the distance. Instantly, the two mares realized what she was talking about.
“Oh yea! I completely forgot about that tree house. Clearly, we couldn't bring that with us. It must be old and run down by now.”
“I wouldn't say so. That tree house was a part of our memories, and I would be darned if I was going to let that just fade away. I kept it alive and running all fifteen or so years we've been apart.”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were stunned. How could she keep that thing up for fifteen whole years?
“Does that mean... you haven't even left Ponyville yet?” Scootaloo grinned at them with a crooked smile.
“Yes, but I'll do anything to keep the Cutie Mark Crusaders alive. Even if it kills me.”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at each other, puzzled, both giving off an expression of confusion and a small bit of fear.
“Heh heh, now that's real dedication. But don't you have a job? Isn't there a family you have to tend and care for?” Sweetie became worried for her friend.
“No family, but I do have a job.” Her grin grew larger.
“Ooo! Tell us all about it!” Apple Bloom jumped up and down in anxiety.
“Let's keep going. I'll show you. I think that you will find it quite interesting.” Scootaloo rushed them towards the tree house. They climbed up the ladder until Scootaloo instructed them to a halt.
“You guys ready?” She acted as if behind the door to the tree house, was the most incredible thing the two ponies would ever see. This only made Sweetie and Apple Bloom more and more anxious to get inside.
“Behold!” The door swung open with a creaking sound. Inside the tree house was, in fact, something incredible. Incredibly creepy. The light was dim, but candles scattered around the room attracted the eyes to certain areas. The first thing Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle noticed was the large portrait sized-pictures of them hung up on the walls. Small torches surrounded the three pictures, which intensified their looks.
“What is this, Scootaloo?” Sweetie had a worried tone in her voice, which Scootaloo immediately picked up on.
“It's the Cutie Mark Crusaders tree house, of course!” Silence continued. The two mares resumed their attempt to interpret what was inside the tree house.
“Say... how did you manage to get these pictures of us?”
“Well, I guess you could say I have been keeping track of you guys. What would the Cutie Mark Crusaders be without the two most important members?” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle couldn't be more confused. Things were getting awkward, with all this talk about the Crusaders.
“But, how did you get these photos if we haven't seen you in fifteen years?” They were both expecting an answer. And fast. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were becoming more angry at Scootaloo than confused.
“Yea! What the heck is goin' on here, Scoots?”
“I guess now is the good time to say it. The Cutie Mark Crusaders are back together!” Silence filled the air. Then awkwardness. Both Sweetie and Apple Bloom knew something was up.
“Scootaloo... the Cutie Mark Crusaders was a long time ago. We were just fillies. I don't want to burst your bubble or anything, but we all have our cutie marks. What would we accomplish by putting this together?
“It's not about we. It's about me. It's about us helping each other. I need help.” She broke down into tears. The orange mare was now on the ground, sobbing, and crying as the two other mares just watched. They had no idea what was going on, so all they could do was watch.
“Scoots, please listen to us when we say we do want to help you. We are just confused on why you would want to bring the Cutie Mark Crusa-”
“I NEED MY CUTIE MARK!.”
All three mares sat shocked and speechless. Scootaloo was broken, unable to control herself. She was full of emotions no one could ever describe.
“I just wanted to grow up with you guys. Find our special talents together. But after the two of you left Ponyville, I was stranded. I didn't know what to do. The Cutie Mark Crusaders was my only path towards a future. Without the Crusaders, I'm just a lost filly.” More tears slid down Scootaloo's cheek, as began to sob, covering her eyes with her hooves.
“Oh Scootaloo... that's terrible.” A single tear dropped down Sweetie's face as she felt a great sadness from her friend.
“Hey, Scoots,” Apple Bloom reached in a word after a long period of letting Sweetie doing the talking,
“How about the Crusaders come together one last time for our final crusade?”
“Really? You'll help me?” The orange mare rose from the floor and wiped the remaining tears from her eyes.
“Anything for a friend. You helped us before, now it's our turn.” A sniffle from Scootaloo was all they heard before she quickly snatched both of them into her arms.
In a muffled voice, Scootaloo said, “Thank you. I would be dead if it weren't for you two.”