Apple Buck trotted around his room; unable to contain himself. His frown evident as he thought of the dreams. Reality hit him with force he couldn't relent.

"How...am I...?" He frowned, his head lowered. He pawed the floor as he looked toward the vanity. He was the head of the Crusaders, once upon a time, before his cutie mark appeared. He came up with great plans that were above anything else; he swore the other two wouldn't have noticed the real intent on his plans if he hadn't explained it outright. Wording shouldn't be a huge problem, but why was it now then? "It shouldn't be too difficult! Apple Buck, you went in front of crowds during the Equestrian Games. Hay, you've been carried by a filly smaller than you, on a scooter nonetheless! You even didn't care when the other ponies laughed at that, yet you can't confess that you love that marvelous mare?!"

Did he just? His eyes widen as realization dawned on him. Why wasn't it that simple all the time? Scootaloo is beautiful; he just needed to tell her that. Remind her how precious she is to him. Simple. His breath felt stuck as he stared at himself in the mirror. " I just have to repeat that phrase again to her. Just, to her. Crusaders never back down!" He sighed as he stared. Easier said than done. Moments tick by, his mouth moved with silent words backing them. "Damn it!"

"Ya'll okay, Apple Buck?" The deep southern accent followed the hooves that pounded into the wooden floor as he answered. He turned, facing Big Mac as he sighed. "We heard you mutterin' from downstairs."

"Applejack sent you, didn't she?" Big Mac grew silent before entering, nodding as he done so.

" 'fraid she did. Bet some bits on a mare troubling you." He replied. He tapped his hoof on his chin. "Stallions need to talk to other stallions sometimes." Apple Buck frowned. Big Mac sighed, frowning as he beckoned him over. Apple Buck listened, sitting next to his big brother, his head lowered. He wouldn't dare look his way, even for a minute.

"Look, it's..it's not that bad." Big Mac's arm wrapped around him, pulling him into a hug. "M-Mac? I told-"

"Applejack's been worried 'bout this day. We all were ever since you brought that filly over, Scootaloo...was it?" Buck blushed at the notion, turning his face. Blushing in front of his brother? He shook his head.

"That's her name..." He coughed. He didn't need to think long to remember when she came over for the first time. With all the banter, it was difficult to forget. "We were arguing for a while, weren't we?"

"A while don't cover the length of those arguments!" Big Mac laughed. Clearly, he remembered as well. The fight started from something mundane, if he were to admit. Button Mash casually suggested hanging out with Scootaloo would be dangerous, being a girl. When word got to her, she fought back. "It didn't help ya tried acting like a prince to 'er."

Apple Buck rubbed his neck, finally looking his way. "How was I to know she didn't like being treated that way?" Big Mac simply eyed him. He shook his head. "Alright, I know now that it was a mistake to not listen to AJ, but I didn't think she'd go that far!"

"If memory serves, she served you, " He reminded. Scootaloo managed to neuter him without physically doing so. He didn't hear the end of it for weeks, particularly from the male population. It didn't aid the suspicion. Two colts simply couldn't be friends with a filly without having hassle involved. His laugh died down as a serious approach was exchanged."I suppose now ain't the time to recall the history."

Buck weakly nods. He remembered when he became enamored with the pegasus in question now. It was suddenly returning. She was proud and independent, even then. So much so she proved it to the others while humiliating him. Thankfully, Serene didn't care enough to pursue anything that happened that day further. He was always the voice of reason, after all. "I don't like her like that, come on!" He gave his best glare. "She's my best friend, I can't possibly find her beautiful in that sort of way!" Damn his mouth to heck. Word diarrhea couldn't possibly have come at a better time, could it?

"Sounds to me you are head over hooves for that mare, ain't you?" He nudged him playfully as Buck sputtered. His words couldn't form properly, creating a mess that of incoherent letters. "You didn't need to say that to me. I already heard it. You ain't the quietest of colts, ya know."

Buck sighed out, fiddling with his hooves. His heart grew stuck in his chest without the ability to pump. His closed his eyes. He told him, but barely. Certainly, he couldn't take it upon himself to confess to her. Perhaps she didn't care for him in such a light, anyway. A mare like her wouldn't want a colt of his standing. Tears formed at the base of his eyes before he quickly hid them. "She's amazing...it's a shock that she’s my friend right now. She's...she's the most beautiful mare I've ever seen. Most ponies underestimate her sweetness, but they don't hang with her much. " His face flushed as he imagined her again. He didn't need to be a pegasus to fly; he just had to imagine her. "She wouldn’t want me, anyway. It was stupid to think she would."

"Why wouldn't she want you?" Big Mac questioned. Apple Buck's eyes widen as his brother eyed him carefully. "Look, I'm not a love expert by any means of the stretch, but it sounds like your over thinking things. If she didn't like your life style, she wouldn't be friends with ya this long. Now, if you want her, you must confess. It ain't easy, but the reward is worth it."

Apple Buck pondered for a moment. "I can't just tell 'er!" He insisted. "I..I can't even tell my reflection that I do. How can I possibly consider telling her directly?"

"You seemed confident when you told me just now. What's this about being unable to do so to yourself?" Apple Buck did a retake. He had announced it, hadn't he? It was something that couldn't sink in. He told Big Mac. His heart fluttered a bit, regaining confidence.

"I...did, didn't I?" His frown changed into a smile that started to grow with each passing moment. "I..just need to tell her that..." He jumped off the bed with a spring in his step.

"Got a plan already?" Apple Buck shook his head.

"Not really, " Apple Buck grinned as he waved him off, rushing down the stairs. He greeted the rest with a short greet with an occasional apology thrown here and and there from his haste. He tied his bandana and signaled his departure.

"What's got him in a knot?" Granny Smith looked toward her eldest grandchild for the answer as he trotted towards her. A proud smile formed without much help.

"Nothing much. He just needed a change in perspective."

Apple Buck's joy didn't fade in the least as he headed into town. Pinkie Pie had always been the town's most optimistic pony, but some would compare Apple Buck's bright mood to rival the Element of Laughter's as he made his way through town.

'All I need to do is tell her,' He reasoned softly. He sighed softly. 'Get a grip on everything! Your an Apple, we keep level headed!' Truth be told, Apples weren't always level headed. He didn't bother saying it, though. He opened the door and peered through before his cheerful mood diminished.

Scootaloo was in a fighting stance, her wings flared wide as she glared at the three ponies before her. Two of them were earth ponies, the other a grey pegasus. The earth pony mare was gray like the pegasus; her purple eyes shown behind her luxury glasses had a glint of glee as she snickered. Beside her was the classic earth pony colt- his purple and white mane stood out like a sore hoof as did the gray pegasus with a black sleek mane that twirled to her side.

"Silver Spoon, Diamond Crown..Tremble?" Apple Buck eyed the trio as he stepped forward, but was stopped when a soft cry assaulted his ears. Scootaloo glanced over, beckoning him over.

"Tremble..." She said softly before glaring at the pegasus at hoof. Apple Buck didn't need to hear her finish. It clicked instantly as she watched said pegasus back off, holding onto Diamond Crown.

Tremble cheated on Serene.

Author's Note

In this world, colts are more present. Especially in certain episodes like Flight to the Finish.