Chapter 1: Reunion At The Gym

4.30 pm. Finally, work was over. Despite enjoying herself with her work at the Cloud Factory and more likely, the colleagues there, Scootaloo was glad work was over for the week. She began trotting towards her locker to put away her helmet and coat, making conversation with some of the ponies she liked working with.

"So Scoots, what're your plans for the weekend?", one of them asked her. "Gonna hang out with your friends again? What do you call yourselves, Cutie Mark Raiders?"

Scootaloo rolled her eyes, cracking a smile at the other pony. "Cutie Mark Crusaders, man. Don't know yet, actually, I was planning to work out at the gym tonight and tomorrow."

Another pony joined in the conversation. "What about Sunday?"

"I'm going to be lazy and sleep in, duh. What else are Sundays for?", Scootaloo replied to which they all laughed.

A little while later, she arrived home, quickly made some dinner and prepared to leave for her weekly workout. Maybe she would finally find someone for some company this time. Apple Bloom always has a lot of work on the farm with Applejack and Big Mac out of town for their visit to Aunt and Uncle Orange, and someone would have to take care of the farm since Granny Smith became too old to do it on her own. As for Sweetie Belle, well, she was way too busy with her singing career down at Canterlot. She would occasionally visit Ponyville just to be reminded of her foalhood friends, but growing up in stardom has gotten her to turn into some Rarity 2.0, albeit not as bad as the original. So sweating in a gym was a no-go. Babs Seed, of course, lived too far away from Ponyville to ask her over for just a weekend, not to mention she was busy with her orange farm in Manehattan.

Once again, however, she would have to go alone. She didn't mind too much though. After flying for five minutes or so, she trotted inside the gym and put on her sweatbands. One around her head, and one around each hoof, all colored the same as her mane. Surprisingly enough, she looked tough, yet adorable with them on.

As she stretched her hooves and wings, an unfamiliar male voice began speaking to the group she exercised with.

"I'm quite sorry to tell you, but your instructor, miss Flitter, has called in sick. She's currently at home with the feather flu. So I will be your temporary instructor."

Not looking up yet, Scootaloo slightly groaned under a sigh as she heard some mares in the group giggling. "Oh Celestia, it's one of those 'way too handsome colts'. Now I can forget having interesting conversations during exercising..."

The stallion glanced around in the group, sporting a friendly smile. At spotting Scootaloo, he trotted over to her still stretching, standing in front of her. "Hello. Aren't you Scootaloo?"

Her eyes slightly widened and she glanced up to see a grey stallion looking back at her and she stood up. "Hold on a sec... Rumble? Thunderlane's younger brother, am I right?"

Rumble chuckled, running a hoof through his black mane. "Heh, yeah, it's me. I wasn't sure if it was you, so it'd be embarassing if I were wrong, huh?"

She giggled and quickly cleared her throat, as giggling wasn't something she did often. "Yeah. But oh my Celestia, Rumble, look at you! You've gotten big, man!"

Curiously inspecting his body, he proceeded rubbing the back of his neck, smiling awkwardly. "I uh... I have?"

"Mhm." She noticed some other mares looking at the two and whispering to each other. Rumble turned away from Scootaloo, but was still looking at her.

"So uh, after we finish "my class", you uh... Wanna grab a drink?"

Scootaloo raised an eyebrow, but gave a friendly smile.

"Sure."

Author's Note

So yeah, chapters will be very short, as usual. This is just my take on the Crusaders' later lives. Hope you will all enjoy, I'm writing these real quick and all. Stay tuned for the next chapter! :D