The Red Archives

Scooteroll wasn’t sure where he was right now. A quick look around showed he was surrounded by apple trees on all sides. He walked slowly through the trees, vaguely remembering the path he was on and where it went. It didn’t take too long before the trees gave way to an old sight.

“The clubhouse,” Scooteroll said and took in the sight of the old tree house he and his friends used in their youth.

“Howdy there Scoot.”

Scooteroll perked up and looked around until he laid eyes on a yellow mare with a red mane walking toward him. Scooteroll blushed a little at his old friend as she stopped next to him and looked over the clubhouse.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been here, hasn’t it?” she asked with a small smile.

“Yeah, it has,” Scooteroll answered, “It’s, uh, good to see you again Applebloom.”

“Same here Scoot, though ah wish Sweetie Belle could join us.” Scooteroll had to agree, it somehow wasn’t the same without the third crusader. Then again, he had wanted to talk with Applebloom for a few years now. He was about to say something when Applebloom started walking up the ramp to the entrance. “Ya wanna come in? Ah’m feelin’ a little nostalgic.”

“S-sure.” Scooteroll followed Applebloom into the clubhouse and shut the door behind them.

That was when Scooteroll woke up, same as the last time he had that dream. He sighed and rolled onto his side to see that it was nearing sunrise. Scooteroll sat up and stretched his wings, hearing some of the joints crack from being curled up against his sides, and got off the bed to walk to the window.

Scooteroll didn’t know what drew him to Manehattan. Best guess was that he needed to get away from Ponyville for a bit and Manehattan was the closest city. Everything had started to move too fast for him: first Rainbow Blitz got married and had a kid soon after, his friends slowly grew apart after they got their cutie marks, and then there was Applebloom. Scooteroll shook the image of the mare from his mind and slowly made his way to the bathroom. He started the shower and settled down to enjoy the feeling of the water run down him.

‘What happened between me and Applebloom is in the past,’ he thought to himself, ‘So why can’t I let her go?’ The answer was a simple one: there’s no way he coul. He, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle were very close for most of their childhoods into their teenage years, and the short time he and Applebloom had tried dating was a good time for both of them.

Scooteroll looked back at his cutie mark, a flaming wheel to show his skill at scooter riding, and sighed again. He lamented at how complicated life had become as he focused fully on cleaning himself.

Once Scooteroll finished his regular morning routine, with a fairly average breakfast, he tried to think about what to do that day. He thought about going outside to practice his scooter tricks, but something else was on his mind.

‘Why can’t I stop thinking about her?’ he thought and rubbed the sides of his head in frustration, ‘Maybe some fresh air will help me clear my head.’ With that plan set, Scooteroll got up from the table, walked to the nearest window, opened it and flew out. He forgot that the weather team was planning a fairly large storm for the next few days, but he didn’t let the cloud cover deter his flying. Much like any other pegasus, Scooteroll enjoyed the feel of the wind rushing through his mane as he flew in between the skyscrapers of Manehattan and past other pegasi who had the same idea. He stopped when the first rain started to fall and he began the return trip home. He had gotten back when the storm really started coming down. He closed the window behind him and shook himself off.

The flight unfortunately didn’t do much to clear his mind. He stretched out on his couch and listened to the rain drip onto the window. The gentle sounds in addition to the dull day in general lulled Scooteroll into a light sleep.

“A-are you sure Scoot? This is kind of embarrassing,” Applebloom said as she and Scooteroll walked through Ponyville. They had only started dating a few days ago and were still more or less nervous about the situation, which led to Scooteroll to try the tried and tested pegasus tactic of draping a wing over Applebloom, which made her a little more embarrassed.

“Of course I’m sure Applebloom,” Scooteroll replied and nuzzled Applebloom’s head, “you are my filly friend after all.” He chuckled inwardly when his words caused her to blush deeper than she already was.

“Ah guess, but that’s a bold statement coming from you.”

“What is that supposed to… oh.” Applebloom grinned widely when Scooteroll realized what she was talking about: if she and Sweetie Belle could help it, Scooteroll will never live down his odd day as a flower filly for the rest of his life.

“Ah thought you looked very pretty.”

“Shut it. So do you want to do anything today?”

“Nah, wanna go see what Sweetie is doing?”

“Sure, and maybe some lunch afterwards?”

“We’ll see.”

Scooteroll woke up from his nap and blinked a couple of times. With the world still a little blurry he sat up and looked around his apartment.

‘I dreamt of her again. I haven’t thought of her for almost two years, so what changed that I can’t get her off my mind?’ Scooteroll didn’t have time to think that over since somepony knocked on his door at that moment. Scooteroll sighed lightly, got off his couch, and stretched his wings before walking over to the door and opening it.

“Hi, mail delivery!” the earth pony mare said joyously and held out a letter to Scooteroll.

“Oh, thanks,” Scooteroll said and took the letter. The mare continued to smile awkwardly at him for another moment. “Oh right, payment. Give me a second.” Scooteroll walked into his apartment to set the letter on the table and picked up a spare bag of bits he keeps around. After paying the mail mare, she left with a “thanks” and left Scooteroll with only himself and the letter. He checked the address on the letter and was mildly shocked to see it came from Canterlot. He quickly opened the letter and read it.

Dear Scooteroll,

First of all, how are you? It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other hasn’t it? Well, it turns out I’m going to have some free time soon and I’m going to spend it visiting Elusive in Ponyville.

I’ve heard you’ve had some kind of falling out some time ago, but I hope you can still come. Wouldn’t it be great if the original Cutie Mark Crusaders all got together in Ponyville?

I’d understand if you don’t want to go, but I would really like to see you again. If you are going to come, you don’t need to write back and I’ll see you there!

Sincerely, Sweetie Belle.

P.S. Nopony really told me what happened with you. I guess it’s none of my business, but did something happen between you and Applebloom? Either way, I hope to see you soon.

Scooteroll set the letter aside and lay down on the couch again.

‘Sweetie. Just another friend I’ve lost track of over the years. And she’s going to be in Ponyville?’ Scooteroll rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. His mind wanders as he thinks things over, Applebloom’s voice echoing past sentiments.

“Are ya sure ya want to try this?”

“I don’t know,” he remembered saying at the time, “but if you want to…”

“Ah’m just a little nervous, but ah trust you. Ah love you Scoot.”

Remembering events such as that made Scooteroll happy. On the other hand…

“Why would you do that?!”

“A-ah didn’t mean it like that! It was just a joke!”

“Joke my flank, you can’t just do stuff like that! We’re not foals anymore!”

“I screwed up. She was just having fun after all.” He rolled onto his side and sighed, “What should I do, she might still be angry.” Scooteroll thought on it for a moment and remembered something from way back when.

“Remember squirt, in matters like this it’s always best to ask how the other pony feels. You never know until you ask after all. I got away with it because I’m awesome, but not everypony is like me,” Rainbow said while leaning against a cloud.

“So I just ask her to go out with me? It’s that easy?”

“If she likes you, I’m sure she’ll be fine with it. Who is the lucky filly any- Dawn careful! Daddy’s got you!” Scooteroll watched Rainbow zoom out to catch his young daughter on the cloud and Scooteroll scuffed the ground.

“Won’t know until I try.”

“Heh, Rainbow Blitz is still helping me years after I last saw him. He’s so awesome.” Scooteroll rolled off of the couch and walked to his bedroom, “I guess I could use a little vacation. It’s not like I have a job I can’t take a break from.”

The next day, the Apple family was experiencing a normal morning. The farm’s resident rooster crowed in the early morning to wake up the ponies that ran the farm, Applebloom being the first one to wake up. She stretched in her bed and proceeded to gently get off it and walk to her dresser.

“You up Applebloom?” Applejack shouted from downstairs.

“Ya, ah’ll be down in a second!” Applebloom shouted and opened the first drawer. She had stopped wearing her old ribbon in favor of a green bandana, although she still kept the ribbon for sentimental reasons. After tying the bandana around her neck she proceeded downstairs to join her sisters. “What’s the agenda for today?” she asked and sat down at the table.

“Yer sister and ah are going to work the eastern field today, while you’re manning the stall in the market,” Applejack said and set a plate of toast and a jar of apple jam in front of Applebloom.

“Again? Why can’t ah ever help ya in the fields?”

“Ya did yesterday, which means today ya work the market.”

“Alright, ah just want to help you and Gala.”

“And ya are. We’re real grateful to ya fer helping us with all this.” Applejack pulled Applebloom into a big hug.

“Thanks sis,” Applebloom returned the hug. When Applejack broke the hug Red Gala walked in carrying a letter in her mouth, which she set on the table.

“Nice to see ya’ll are awake,” Gala said and pushed the letter to Applebloom, “This is for ya Applebloom.”

“Really, who’s it from?” Applebloom asked and picked up the letter and perked up excitedly at the address. “It’s from Sweetie Belle!”

“Well what are ya waitin’ for? Go on and open it when ya want, and don’t forget your breakfast,” Applejack said.

“Ah won’t, and ah’ll read it on the way.” Applebloom set the letter aside and dug into her breakfast, which was soon made into a real breakfast that the sisters ate gladly. Applebloom was the first to finish so she stashed the letter in her bandana and picked up her plate and took it to the kitchen.

“Ya headin’ out?” Applejack asked.

“Mhmm, is the stall in the barn?” Applebloom called from the kitchen.

“Eeyup,” Red Gala answered.

“Ok, ah’ll see ya later then.” Applebloom gave Applejack and Gala a quick nuzzle and walked outside. Sweet Apple Acres had grown in the past few years and although the Apple siblings knew the layout of the orchard, Applebloom was sure she hadn’t seen half of the new orchards. After looking out at the trees for a moment Applebloom walked over to the barn and sat down to read the letter and it didn’t take long to open it.

Dear Applebloom,

I hope this gets to you before I actually get to Ponyville. Canterlot has been so much fun in my time as a singer, but I’d like to come for a visit in a few days.

I hope you’re doing well in the couple years I’ve been gone. We have a lot to catch up on!

Sincerely, Sweetie Belle

P.S. I hope you don’t mind that I invited Scooteroll as well. I don’t know whether he’ll be coming or not though.

“S-Scooteroll?” Applebloom asked and let the letter fall to the ground. “Oh that’s no good.” Applebloom nearly lost herself when Applejack brought her out of her thoughts.

“Are ya alright Applebloom?”

“Wha? Oh yeah, ah was just on my way.” Applebloom picked the letter up and entered the barn. After a quick set up that she had gotten used to, she hitched herself to the cart and was on the way to Ponyville.

‘Ah hope this doesn’t end badly.’

“Ok, I think that should be it for the trip,” Scooteroll said and closed the saddlebag. “I can’t believe I’m actually going to do this. If nothing else this will be an interesting trip.” With that bit of false optimism instilled, Scooteroll looked out to check the time and saw the moon making its way over the horizon.

“Ugh, dinner time already? I guess I’ll make a sandwich tonight.” Scooteroll gave a quick flap and flew over to the kitchen. After very poorly putting together a lettuce and daffodil sandwich and settling on the couch, he proceeded to slowly eat it and think on some things.

‘I wonder how everypony else is doing? I know Sweetie is doing alright and Rainbow Blitz is probably really busy with the Wonderbolts and Shimmering Dawn.’ He swallowed his bite of sandwich and thought to a certain mare. ‘I wonder how Applebloom’s doing. I would guess she’s helping at Sweet Apple Acres or building something for the town.’ Scooteroll took another bite and let his thoughts drift to Applebloom.

“I gotta get my mind off her for a while,” he muttered and finished the sandwich. After disposing of the plate Scooteroll decided to turn in for the night. It was a bit of a flight to Ponyville after all and he’d need all the strength he could muster. As he drifted off to sleep, he couldn’t help but think back to a night long ago. A very special night for him and Applebloom.

“’Meet me at the old clubhouse,’ she said. What exactly did Applebloom want?” Scooteroll asked himself. He had probably been waiting for almost half an hour at this point, though thankfully he didn’t have to wait for much longer.

“Scoot!” Applebloom called out to Scooteroll as she trotted up to him with some saddlebags on her back, “Sorry ah took so long, it took some talking to get Red Gala to give me some of these.”

“Some of what? Why did you ask me to come here?”

“You’ll see. Now c’mon, let’s get inside.” Applebloom led the way into the treehouse, with Scooteroll right behind her, and shut the door when they were both in. Scooteroll looked around the clubhouse with mild confusion.

“Is it me or is this bigger than I remember?” he asked looking back at Applebloom as she set her saddlebags on the floor.

“It is. I like to use this for building practice,” she answered and awkwardly scrapped the floor, “It’s worked out so far.”

“Huh, that’s kind of neat I guess. So what did you get?”

“Hold on,” Applebloom dug through the saddlebags and brought out a couple of bottles filled with a brown liquid. “Want some cider?”

“Sure,” Scooteroll said taking a bottle, “Is it just us here tonight?”

“Ya huh, but I’m sure you won’t mind Scoot.” Applebloom settled next to Scooteroll and nuzzled against him which he returned.

“Nah,” Scooteroll said and started to open the bottle. Once he got it open he took a quick sip and flinched a little. “This cider tastes a little different.”

“It’s a bit stronger than the usual cider you drank. Special recipe too.” Applebloom said and took a drink as well, coughing a little afterwards. “Wow, this really is strong! What did Gala do to this?”

“I don’t know, but I kind of like it.” Scooteroll stretched his wings and hugged Applebloom with one of them. “You got any more after these?”

“A couple.” Applebloom held up the bottle so Scooteroll could clink the bottles together, “bottoms up?”

“Sure thing.”

One bottle each later, the couple was relatively buzzed and enjoying themselves while nuzzling against each other and making out. They both leaned against a wall, tongues dancing around the others and stroking the coats roughly. They eventually had to break for air and pulled away from each other, a small strand of saliva stretched out between them.

“I really like this cider,” Scooteroll said with a slight chuckle.

“Me too,” Applebloom said and quickly repositioned herself so she was sitting on Scooteroll’s lap, “Want some more?”

“It’d help, but I’d like more of you right now.” Applebloom laughed loudly at that, though Scooteroll didn’t really care and rubbed Applebloom’s coat.

“That’s the worst thing ah ever heard!” she said and giggled a little when Scooteroll started kissing along her neck, “Ya’ll better be able to make up for it.”

“Of course, just get another bottle of cider please.” Scooteroll managed to grab Applebloom’s bandana with his teeth and pulled it off, which caused Applebloom to shiver a little and kiss Scooteroll again.

“Maybe in a bit,” she said in between kisses and squeaked a little when Scooteroll pushed her onto the floor with him on top of her. It was then that they noticed a new kind of feeling between them through the buzz. “Scoot, is that…?”

“Uh… I think?” Scooteroll answered blushing heavily, though anything else he had to say was lost Applebloom experimentally rubbed against him. The resulting groan caused his eyes to widen and look worriedly at Applebloom’s grin and equally red face.

“Excited huh? Ah can’t say ah ever had that happen to me before,” she said. The way she said it caused Scooteroll’s wings to rapidly extend behind him.

“Uh, that hasn’t happened to me before.”

“Ah’m sure it hasn’t, but… are ya sure ya want to try this?” she asked. Scooteroll had to think for a moment before he realized what she said.

“I-I don’t know,” he answered and hissed a little when Applebloom rubbed his wings lightly. “But If you want…”

“Ah’m just nervous I guess,” Applebloom said and shifted a little when Scooteroll rubbed her flank, “But ah trust you. Ah love you Scoot.” Scooteroll could only give a small “Uh…” before Applebloom kissed him deeply and slipped her tongue into his mouth. Scooteroll gave a surprised yelp and pushed against Applebloom and returned the kiss with equal fervor. They both moaned into each other’s mouths and rubbed against each other, their bodies giving away how excited they were.

“Shouldn’t we do something?” Scooteroll asked breathing heavily, “foreplay or something?”

“Do ya want to?” Applebloom asked and rubbed against Scooteroll, both of them blushing heavily at the contact.

“I… no I guess,” Scooteroll answered and shifted a little because of his slowly hardening appendage, “What would we even do?”

“Ah guess we could try later if ya want, but…” Applebloom trailed off and looked at Scooteroll, who brushed the side of her face and kissed her, his tongue easily making its way into her mouth. They moaned a little when he shifted his hips and prodded against Applebloom. Scooteroll reveled in the feel of the mare beneath him, drank in her taste, and smelled her hair deeply before claiming her.

Applebloom’s pleasured moans briefly turned pained when Scooteroll penetrated her with the impatience he always displayed and was seated fully in her in a second. Scooteroll tried to ease her discomfort by kissing her harder and hugging her closer. They broke for air about a minute later.

“Are you ok?” Scooteroll asked running a hoof down Applebloom’s side.

“Course I ain’t ok!” Applebloom shouted at him, which caused him to pull back slightly. Applebloom breathed in a couple of times and bucked into Scooteroll when she was done. “Now come on, t’ain’t polite ta have just one bite of an apple.”

“You need some work on that,” Scooteroll commented and kissed Applebloom again and pulled out of her slowly and pushed back in just as slowly. Scooteroll groaned at the feeling of Applebloom squeezing around his member and nuzzled against Applebloom.

“Faster…” Applebloom whispered between pants. Scooteroll gave a small grunt and pulled Applebloom’s lower body up higher and started thrusting faster. Applebloom squeaked in pleasure at the increased pace and bit her lip to try and hold any more in. It was a futile effort and she let out heavy pants as she lost herself in the act. Scooteroll pushed Applebloom’s forelegs above her head and held them there as he once again started making out with her, both of their eyes closed from the stimulus. After a couple minutes of this, Scooteroll broke the kiss and slowed down for a moment.

“Are you doing alright?” Scooteroll asked.

“Mhmm,” Applebloom answered with a nod, “and ya taste like cider.”

“Well, do you want some more?”

“The cider or you?”

“Who says you can’t have both?”

“Why don’t we finish up before we worry about that? Now get up, ah wanna try something.” Applebloom managed to free a hoof and pushed her coltfriend’s chest. He took the hint and got up, pulling himself out of her in the process and causing the both of them to hiss slightly at the sudden absence of the other. Scooteroll stumbled a little and sat against the wall as Applebloom got up and just as clumsily sat on his lap.

“So, what did you-?” Scooteroll started just as Applebloom kissed him forcefully. He didn’t object to the gesture and wrapped his forelegs around her midsection to pull her closer, his slightly wet member pushing against her. After a minute Applebloom broke the kiss and slowly ran a hoof down a slightly dazed Scooteroll’s chest.

“Ah wanted to try this,” she whispered to him and kissed him briefly on the lips. It ended too quickly for him though as Applebloom moved to his neck as she grinded against him. That also ended when she moved off of him and licked his chest. Scooteroll didn’t realize what she intended until he felt a lick that sent a jolt of pleasure through him.

“What was-?” he started to say and stopped when he saw Applebloom gently licking his crotch. She held it still with a hoof and licked it from the base to the tip, every lick running through him like electricity. His heart was hammering in his chest, his body wanted more, but his mind wanted it to stop. Unfortunately he couldn’t act on what he wanted as he watched Applebloom lick around him, her head and rump bobbing up and down just enough to be hypnotizing. Applebloom gave Scooteroll one last lick and opened her mouth to-

“No!”

-Have Scooteroll pull out of her grasp and back into a corner. Once he was away, his heart started to slow as well as his breathing settling. That was nearly undone when he looked back at an absolutely heartbroken Applebloom.

“Did ah do something wrong?” she asked.

“No,” Scooteroll answered and tried to think of an explanation, “It’s just that… it… didn’t feel right.” Even though it felt like the truth, it seemed incredibly weak when Applebloom started crying.

“Ya could have told me before ah tried it,” she said and rubbed some tears from her eyes. Scooteroll’s wings felt loose enough to fold back into his sides and he looked down dejectedly.

“It’s not like I experimented before this, I couldn’t have known.” Scooteroll stood up and slowly walked over to Applebloom. He leaned against her and she leaned back into him, nuzzling him slightly and letting the tears run their course. After a few minutes, Applebloom stopped crying and nuzzled Scooteroll again.

“Ah don’t want to do this tonight Scoot,” she said.

“I don’t really want to either. You want to finish that cider?”

“Yeah, ah can use a drink.”

And that was the end of their first time: finishing off the cider and falling asleep in the clubhouse hoping they would have better luck next time.

When Scooteroll woke up the next morning, he felt simultaneously refreshed and horribly tired. With the dream, or rather memory, still fresh in his mind he started his usual morning routine: brush teeth, take shower, eat breakfast. After going through this routine for a while he was more than ready for this little vacation he was forcing himself to go on.

‘I should probably get ready to go. It’s kind of a flight to Ponyville,’ Scooteroll thought as he put his cereal bowl away and walked to the bags he packed earlier. He secured the bag onto himself and checked to see if his door was locked before he flew out his window, closing it behind him. Once his apartment was secure, Scooteroll took off in the direction of Ponyville. While he was flying, a single thought made him nervous.

“Oh man, what am I going to do if I get there first?”

Luckily for Scooteroll, he didn’t have to worry about that since it was Sweetie Belle who got there first. She managed to talk her way into coming alone, so there was no agent to keep an eye on her. Even then it seemed that most ponies recognized and waved at her, which she nervously returned.

“I think the market is this way,” Sweetie whispered as she turned down a street and found she was just outside of the market. She smiled widely and made her way through the crowded marketplace. Several of the stalls caught Sweetie’s eyes, so she stopped at some of them and bought some produce. After the first couple of stalls, Sweetie saw the Apple family’s stall and started trotting toward it. After she got a bit of celery from that stall over there.

“So why is it ya are the one that came with me instead of Applejack?” Applebloom asked Red Gala.

“Ah lost a bet with Applejack and ah have ta keep an eye on ya fer a while,” Gala answered.

“A bet, what exactly did ya’ll bet on?”

“The kind of things little filly’s like ya shouldn’t know about.”

“Ah’m almost twenty, what exactly is it ah shouldn’t know about?”

“You would be surprised.” The new feminine voice surprised the two sisters and they turned to Sweetie Belle.

“Sweetie Belle!” Applebloom said and hugged her friend, “Ah didn’t know you’d be coming today.”

“I guess I got into the habit of sending letters shortly before I do something,” Sweetie said releasing the hug and looking over the apples on the cart, “So how have you been? It’s been a couple of years hasn’t it?”

“Eeyup. Ya want an apple?”

“Sure, I’ll have a few. What about Scooteroll, have you seen him lately?”

“Eenope,” Red Gala answered and gave Sweetie the apples she pointed out.

“Yeah, ah haven’t heard from him for a while. He just kinda moved away one day.” Applebloom sulked briefly before shaking her head and looking back at Red Gala, “Ah’m sorry sis, ah’m getting a little distracted.”

“ ‘S alright,” Gala answered and looked at Sweetie, “how long are ya going to stay Sweetie Belle?”

“A couple of days at least,” Sweetie answered, “I’m gonna visit Elusive and look around town a little in the meantime, so it should be easy to find me.”

“Alright,” Applebloom said and gave her friend a quick hug, “ah’ll try and find ya when ah’m done with work for the day.”

“Sure, and if you see Scooteroll before me, can you tell him I said hi?”

“Oh um, sure.” Sweetie smiled and walked away from the stand with a wave. Applebloom sighed softly and rejoined Red Gala at the stand.

“Ya never did tell us what happened between ya two,” Gala said.

“Yeah, ah didn’t,” Applebloom answered and returned her attention to her job.

Scooteroll settled onto a cloud just outside of Ponyville and looked over the town of his childhood.

“Huh, it seems bigger than I remember,” he commented, “I wonder if it’s just me.” Scooteroll lay down on the cloud and tried to pick out individual ponies on the ground. “Where do I start? I guess I could- is that Sweetie Belle?”

Indeed he could see Sweetie Belle trotting along the street below. She didn’t seem to have noticed him, so Scooteroll started thinking the requisite thoughts that usually come with this situation. He grinned widely and leapt off the cloud in a gentle glide and landed a few paces behind Sweetie Belle and trotted the rest of the way.

“Uh oh, which way was Carousel Boutique again?” Sweetie Belle whispered and looked around, “it’s been too long since I’ve been here. I think it was-“

“That way!” Sweetie Belle jumped in the air and turned around at Scooteroll, close to laughing like a mad colt.

“Scooteroll!” Sweetie yelled at him, more happy than angry, “What did you do that for?”

“Sorry Sweetie, I just saw it and I had to do it.” Scootaloo laughed a couple more times, not noticing the dirty look Sweetie was giving him, and eventually calmed himself enough to properly talk. “Anyway, you seem to be doing well despite being lost.”

“I am not lost! I just… forgot where the streets went.”

“Yeah, that tends to be what ‘lost’ means. You’ve spent too much time in Manehattan haven’t you?”

“Shut up Scooteroll!” Sweetie looked away with the tiniest blush.

“Well, since I’m here, I might as well help the big city mare find her own home here.” Scooteroll walked past Sweetie and looked back at the unicorn, “you coming or not?”

“What? Oh, coming!” Sweetie Belle trotted up to Scooteroll and followed him through the streets. Much to her embarrassment, Sweetie found she was only two blocks away from Carousel Boutique.

“I still can’t believe you sometimes Sweetie. Still the same airhead I remember.”

“Shut up Scooteroll. Still, thanks for walking me here.”

“No problem. Well, I better go get settled in. Have you seen Applebloom around by any chance?” Sweetie noticed the hesitation when Scooteroll asked that.

“Yes, I talked to her a few minutes before you scared me. Last I checked, she was selling apples in the marketplace.”

“Ok, thanks for letting me know. You remember where my house is right?” Scooteroll waited for Sweetie to nod and took off when she did. “Alright, swing by there when you want all of us to meet. Later!” Scooteroll took off toward the east end of Ponyville, leaving behind Sweetie Belle as she knocked on the door of the boutique.

Scooteroll slept pretty well that night and, since nobody came by while he was eating breakfast, he assumed that he would be safe to wander for the day. He flew to the main street of Ponyville and once he landed and started looking around the town.

“Wow, the town is a lot bigger than I remember. No wonder Sweetie got lost.” Just then, Scooteroll got the sudden and all too familiar feeling of somepony watching him. ‘No, she couldn’t have found me so soon… could she?’ He looked around and confirmed his suspicions when he looked at him and saw a pegasus filly grinning up at him.

“Hi Scooteroll!” she said excitedly and continued grinning.

“Um… hey there Dawn,” Scooteroll said waving at the filly, “You seem to be doing well.”

“You bet! Dad has been teaching me how to fly. You wanna see?” One thing Scootaloo learned when it came to Dawn is that she had figured out the long held secret technique to make anyone do anything: puppy dog eyes. He tried to resist, but an eight year old filly staring at you in the most adorable manner was really hard to resist.

“Uh, sure I do. Where are your parents though?”

“Mom is shopping, but I told her where I was so I’m good. Now watch me!” Dawn concentrated hard and started flapping her wings rapidly, which slowly lifted her off the ground. Soon enough Dawn had reached Scooteroll’s head and started slowly flying over him. She still had some ways to go though since she ran out of steam above him and fell onto his back.

“Darnit, I always fall while doing this!” Dawn complained and pounded Scooteroll’s side in frustration. Scooteroll laughed and lowered down so Dawn could get off him.

“Don’t worry about it kid. You’re already ages ahead of me when I was your age.” Even though it brightened up Dawn’s disposition immensely, he really wished it wasn’t true. Dawn seemed ready to say something when she was lifted up by a purple magic field and gave the most pouty face as she floated over to her mother.

“That’s where you went. You get to be more like your father every day, you know that?” Twilight said and set her daughter on her back, “And I have to say it’s a pleasant surprise to see you here Scooteroll.”

“Heh, it’s nice to see you to Twilight. You seem to be doing well.” Twilight smiled brightly at Scooteroll, who couldn’t help but return the favor.

“Yes, that’s true. Between Shimmering Dawn learning how to fly and being in charge of rearranging half the magical archives, I’ve been keeping myself busy.” Twilight started walking past Scooteroll who decided to follow since they were both heading in the direction of Sugarcube Corner. “What about you?”

“Oh, you know, I’ve been alright. Manehattan’s actually kind of boring when you live there.”

“Really? I wouldn’t have expected that from the city that never sleeps. I guess that’s why I love Ponyville, there’s always something going on.”

“What, like the two near world ending catastrophes that happened here? Those I’m glad to live without.” Twilight paused for a moment to scratch her head.

“I suppose so. So are you staying long? I think Rainbow’s coming back from his recent show soon.”

“I don’t know. I was only planning on staying for a few days to see Sweetie Belle… and I guess Applebloom too.”

“I’ve… only heard bits and pieces from Applejack. I’m not going to pry Scooteroll, but you should know that your separation hurt her just as bad as it probably hurt you.”

“I… I know. I just need to think for a while.” Scooteroll looked up at the approaching Sugarcube Corner and sighed slightly before asking, “Are you going to be coming in with me?”

“Definitely. Dawn has a play date with the Cake twins today. She’s gotten really close with those two lately.”

“Mom, we are not on a play date! They’re helping me find my cutie mark!”

“Alright, well good luck with that. I have some things to do.” Scooteroll left the mother-daughter pair to their little argument and entered the bakery.

Scooteroll was surprised how little Sugarcube Corner had changed, though he really shouldn’t be so shocked. It was only about two or so years after all. Pinkie and one of the twins were working the counter while Sweetie Belle was there with Applebloom of all ponies. He froze on the spot just as Sweetie noticed him and waved.

“Scoots, over here!” she yelled across the bakery and caused everyone to turn to him. He didn’t notice any of them except for a set of orange eyes that looked at him as he quietly walked to the table.

“Hey Sweetie… Applebloom,” Scooteroll said deliberately looking away from Applebloom.

“Hi Scooteroll,” Applebloom returned quietly.

“I’m really glad you could come. I take it you got the note I left you?” Sweetie asked.

“No, I just happened to be coming over here. Do you mind if I sit down?” Applebloom scooted over enough for Scooteroll to sit comfortably next to her. Their table sat in a very stiff silence for several minutes.

“So…” Applebloom finally spoke up, “how’ve ya been Scooteroll?”

“Fine, I can’t really complain,” Scooteroll answered. The awkward silence filled the air again and Sweetie Belle was starting to feel very nervous.

“Who wants cupcakes?!” Pinkie Pie shouted suddenly appearing next to the table balancing a plate of cupcakes on her head.

“Yes, I’d love some!” Sweetie shouted picking the plate up magically, “I’ll pay later ok?”

“Nope, everypony deserves a nice plate of delicious cupcakes after leaving for a long time!” Pinkie then pulled Scooteroll into a crushing bear hug. “It’s so great to see all the original crusaders back in Ponyville!” She released Scooteroll, who took a deep breath and sat back down again. “Try not to get covered in tree sap!” was the last thing Pinkie told them as she bounced away.

“Wha- THAT WAS ONE TIME! One time!” Scooteroll shouted at the pink mare and planted his face on the table when it was clear she wasn’t listening.

“When was that? Ah can’t remember being covered in tree sap,” Applebloom said.

“I think Scoots is talking about the time we tried zip-lining. I could have sworn tree sap was more involved in our exploits though.”

“Nope, it was just the one time,” Scooteroll said into the table and lifted his face off of it, “and if there was any other time that happened to us, I have willfully forgotten such a time.”

Applebloom laughed and said, “Like the time you broke your scooter and-“

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA- I can’t hear you!” Scooteroll shouted her down with a scared look on his face.

“Oh come on, that was really fu-“

“NO!”

“…But-“

“No Applebloom, you promised to never speak of that again!” At this point everypony in the bakery was staring at their table.

“I’ve got to hear this story just because of how Scooteroll is acting, but… maybe we should talk somewhere else? Ponies are starting to watch us,” Sweetie said waving nervously at the ponies looking at her.

“How about we never talk about that, but leave anyway because yeah, I’m getting uncomfortable too.”

“Can we take these cupcakes with us?” Applebloom asked.

“I’ll go get a box,” Sweetie said getting up and walking to the counter. Scooteroll looked at Applebloom and felt dread at the devious smile she was giving him.

“Ya broke yer scooter in half,” she said and covered her ears in preparation of the massive scream Scooteroll made a second later.

After getting their cupcakes boxed and getting more or less kicked out of Sugarcube Corner, the trio of ponies walked through the streets toward the park, with Sweetie Belle and cupcake box trotting happily in the center with Applebloom and Scooteroll on either side of her once again feeling uncomfortable.

‘Come on Scooteroll, are you a stallion or what? You have to find a way to break this atmosphere!’ Scooteroll wracked his mind for any kind of topic to talk about. “Hey Sweetie, what have you been up?”

“Huh?”

“I was just wondering what you’ve been doing since I last saw you.”

“Oh! Nothing really, just… singing and stuff.” Applebloom leaned closer to Sweetie and noticed a small discrepancy.

“Yer blushing.”

“What?!” Sweetie nearly dropped the cupcake box in shock and Scooteroll saw that she was blushing.

“Hey you are. Why is that?” he asked.

“I’m not blushing! My face is just hot.”

“Yeah, that kinda happens when you’re blushing.”

“Do ya have a crush on somepony or something?” Applebloom asked with a smile.

“No I don’t! How did we get to this topic from my singing?!” Sweetie took a cupcake from the box and took a bite of the ‘comfort food’ as Elusive calls them.

“Yer right, sorry. So, you sang in anything ah would have heard?” Sweetie shook her head and swallowed the cupcake.

“I don’t think so. I’ve mostly done small vocal roles for another artist.”

“Really, like who?” Scooteroll asked. Sweetie didn’t answer immediately, instead mumbling and coughing into her hoof. “…Yeah, that’s not entirely clear Sweetie. Can you try again?”

“…Vinhurndlyn.”

“Ah heard a v in there.”

“Vin…” Scooteroll’s eyes widened and his jaw practically dropped. “No way! You worked with Vinyl Scratch?!” Sweetie’s blush returned and Applebloom gave him a confused look.

“Who?”

“You know, DJ Pon-3?”

“Oh, ah heard of him. Doesn’t he help Pinkie with parties every now and then?”

“Heck yeah he does! What songs did you help him with Sweetie, I totally need to double check everything I have!”

“I don’t have any big roles in any of his songs. Can we please change the subject, this is really embarrassing!”

“I don’t see how, but alright. Can I have a cupcake?” Sweetie levitated a cupcake to Scooteroll who took it in his mouth and ate it on a single gulp. The three decided to take a short break, so they moved to the shade of a nearby tree. Scooteroll took perch on a branch while Applebloom and Sweetie Belle lay down where they could.

The park was fairly occupied at the moment; foals were playing nearby under the watchful eyes of their parents, the odd couple were sitting around enjoying the scenery with their partner, or just friends enjoying the day. Sweetie couldn’t help but sigh at the sight.

“I missed this town,” she said and gestured to the field with a hoof, “There’s just something that draws you here no matter where you go.”

“You’re a crappy poet Sweetie, but I have to agree,” Scooteroll said and adjusted his position on the branch. “I couldn’t get this place out of my mind for the past two years. I guess you never realize how much you miss your hometown until you come back to it huh?”

“Mhmm,” Applebloom agreed with a nod, “Ah’ve never been out of Ponyville for very long though.” The trio got started on finishing the cupcakes and generally making small talk for the next half hour. After a while Applebloom sighed and looked up at Scooteroll.

“Why are ya’ll up in the tree? Too uncomfortable to eat with us mares?” Scooteroll looked down and vowed not to give in to the earth pony’s teasing.

“It’s really comfortable to nap in a tree. Not like either of you would know anything about that.” His counter seemed to work as Applebloom and Sweetie Belle stood up, the former with an annoyed look on her face.

“Now don’t be like that,” Sweetie said and held up a cupcake in her magic, “There’s one cupcake left, and if you come down it’s yours.”

“Do you really expect that to work?” Scooteroll asked with the only reply being a smile from Sweetie that said, ‘yes, I do.’ Scooteroll sighed and rolled off the branch into a gentle glide down to the mares, flapping only once to align himself properly. The second he landed on the ground though, he heard a quiet snap.

“What was that?” He asked. The answer was revealed when a snare clasped around his hoof along with Sweetie’s and Applebloom’s and flung them into the air screaming and holding onto each other. They shot over several ponies and almost hit a pegasus during their out of control spin until they landed in the branches of a tree and fell down to the ground in a pile.

“Ugh, is everyone ok?” Applebloom asked once she regained her sense.

“I’m fine,” Sweetie said dazedly, “why are there so many stars out?”

“Somepony has their hoof on my wing. Whoever that is please move it,” Scooteroll said.

“Ah can’t really move off of anyone. Ah think ah’m stuck.” Applebloom tried to untangle herself from the others, which failed and only seemed to make the situation worse. She soon saw exactly why it was so hard to escape. “We… seem to be covered in tree sap.”

“Are you serious?!” Scooteroll shouted angrily and pounded his head into the ground, “I thought we were past this years ago!”

“Who set that snare anyway?”

“Aha! The trap I set this morning worked! Does my genius know no bounds?!” The excitable mare cackled madly in joy while her daughter stared in confusion.

“Why did you set that mom?” the daughter asked. He mom simply laughed and patted her on the back.

“Well Muffin, some ponies are really stubborn when it comes to ponies they love and more often than not they need an extra little push to get things going.”

“Like with you and Carrot Curl?”

“Yes, but with less tricky dating tactics and more traps and tree sap. Because what better way is there to bring ponies together than tree sap?”

“Well, I can think of a bunch of different ways that wouldn’t harm anypony,” the daughter replied, “and what if they had sat under a different tree?” Her mother laughed and stared into her eyes.

“Oh Muffin, nopony escapes my wrath.” Dinky’s ears flattened and she backed away from her mother.

“Um, ok mom. Maybe we should disarm any more traps you may have set?”

“Good idea Muffin!” Ditzy nodded and turned to the snare hanging from the tree and saluted saying, “Rest in peace Henry the eighth, you’ve done your duty well.”

“Henry the eighth?”

“I cannot believe this. Covered in sap again!”

“Ah quit your whining Scooteroll, we can get this cleaned off.”

“Would this be a good time to mention I had a reservation at the spa? If you’re alright with getting clean there, then-“

“If it gets me clean, then I don’t care. I am so over tree sap,” Scooteroll said very bitterly.

“Ah have no objections, since ah’m not too keen on sap either,” Applebloom said.

“Then it’s settled, to the spa!” Sweetie shouted enthusiastically and took a single step, only to drag the other crusaders down into another pile.

To say that the walk to the spa was difficult and embarrassing for the former crusaders would be an understatement. Everypony they passed stared at them curiously but seemed to shrug it off given who they were. They also had to coordinate their steps near perfectly to keep from falling, which they constantly failed at. By the time they reached the spa, they were a lot dirtier than they were when they started, and definitely made for a sight for the Pelo when they walked in.

“Um… hello,” Sweetie said nervously with a wave, “I don’t suppose you can squeeze my friends in with me?”

“Sweetie Belle, yes?” Pelo asked flipping through the appointment book in front of him.

“Y-yes, you know… Elusive’s younger sister?”

“I know who you are, and yes we can fit your friends in.” Pelo walked away from the front counter and walked to a door leading to the back and shouted, “Sister, we have a challenge today!”

“Excellent, bring them back here!” answered a voice from the back, no doubt Pelo’s twin. Pelo motioned for the trio to follow him back, which they did in an incredibly clumsy fashion. By some miracle, they had made it to the main bath without any major tripping incidents.

“Ok, now please get in the bath,” Pelo said pointing to the bath that his sister was currently preparing. The trio entered the bath and already felt the sap dislodge from their coats. Scooteroll didn’t waste any time in pulling away from the mares and toward his own corner of the bath.

“Ah, this is heavenly,” Sweetie sighed sinking into the waters. Applebloom removed her bandanna and placed it to the side of the bath. “I understand why Elusive is so keen on going to the spa.”

“Ah’m not a particularly big fan,” Applebloom said quietly.

“Well, just try to enjoy it. You and Scoots don’t have to stay any longer than you need to.”

“Ah know, and thanks for letting us come along with you.”

“I hate sap!” Scooteroll screamed as Pelo washed some sap out of his mane.

“…At least he’s enjoying himself.” Sweetie looked between Applebloom and Scooteroll and once she realized the situation she had unintentionally set up, she smiled deviously as a plan started to form in her head. Unfortunately, Applebloom noticed this.

“What was that?!” she asked.

“What was what? I didn’t do anything,” Sweetie defended.

“Yes you did! You made the face!”

“The face?”

“Did she make her planning face?” Scooteroll asked.

“Yes she did!”

“I’m not planning anything, I just thought of something funny that happened earlier.”

“Ah think that’s a lie. What are you pla-“

“Pardon me,” Lotus said from next to Sweetie Belle, “but are any of you going to be interested in any extended treatment?”

“What? Uh, no thanks,” Applebloom said.

“I’m fine,” Scooteroll said none too glad that Pelo stopped scrubbing his mane.

“Of course, that sounds lovely,” Sweetie said getting out of the bath.

“What?!” Scooteroll and Applebloom both shouted.

“Oh don’t worry about me guys, you can go ahead and leave when you’re done here. I’ll find you later ok?” Sweetie gave them both a wink and walked further into the spa with both of the spa ponies, leaving behind a very baffled Applebloom and Scooteroll.

“Well…” Applebloom started.

“Yep, we just got duped.” Scooteroll said and sank into the water looking anywhere but at Applebloom. Once he was sure that they would be sitting there in awkward silence, he decided to continue cleaning up and started preening his feathers. He glanced over and saw Applebloom looking away blushing, something he remembered her doing all the time back when they were dating.

“Ya know, ah think it’s a good thing she did that. We’ve been avoiding the subject since we met up.”

Scooteroll stopped preening to sigh and say, “I know. You can’t exactly bring something like that up without making things incredibly awkward.”

“But we’re gonna have to eventually.”

“Just not somewhere where ponies can eavesdrop.”

“Ah think ah know how to solve that. Ya remember where the clubhouse is?”

“Of course I do, I’d never forget where it is.”

“Good, be there at seven and we can talk then. Ok?”

“Alright, I’ll see you then.” Applebloom nodded and got out of the bath.

“Thanks Scoot. Ah’m gonna go now, so… you finish what you were doing there.” Applebloom grabbed her bandana and walked out as fast as she could.

“Preening is normal for pegasi and it’s natural for couples to help! It was normal to ask!” Scooteroll shouted after her.

When Scooteroll had finished cleaning, he left the spa and started killing time. Unfortunately that turned out to be near impossible since Applebloom started taking center stage in his thoughts again. He kept thinking of red hair against his face and how warm she felt hugging him. He aimlessly took another tour of the town and napped on a cloud until the meet up time rolled around.

‘Better get going. Thank Celestia for flight.’ He took off towards Sweet Apple Acres, relying mostly on memory to find the treehouse. He spared a glance up to the stars and, while not enamored by them, at least he appreciated their beauty. When he returned his attention to the ground in time to find he was flying over the clubhouse and brought himself down for a quick landing.

“Wow, this place doesn’t look like it aged at all,” he commented on seeing the clubhouse. As a matter of fact it looked better than when he was a kid, as evidenced by the fresh paint job and what seemed to have several additions. Scooteroll had a good idea who was responsible for this.

“Howdy there Scoot.” Scooteroll flinched and looked back at Applebloom, marveling at how sneaky she could be when she wanted to be. “Ah’m surprised that you actually came.”

“Of course I came,” Scooteroll said hiding the offense he felt and turned back to the clubhouse. “Man this place brings back memories.”

“Eeyup. Ah’ve actually been here more often lately since the new Crusaders took it over.”

“W-wait what? Did you say ‘new’ Crusaders?”

“Eeyup, Shimmering Dawn and a couple other foals around town have become the new Cutie Mark Crusaders.” The horror Scooteroll felt at that moment must have been easily shown since Applebloom rolled her eyes and added, “Don’t worry, they haven’t caused any severe property damage. They’re under stricter rules than we were.”

“Oh thank god,” Scooteroll sighed and shook his head, “I’d hate for Dawn to get hurt.” Applebloom laughed and smiled for the first time since she appeared, which Scooteroll was happy to return. Applebloom then walked past him and started up the ramp stopping halfway to look back at Scooteroll.

“Ye coming?” she asked and trotted the rest of the way up the ramp.

“Oh yeah, coming,” Scooteroll said and flew up to the door and followed Applebloom inside. Applebloom shut the door behind him and walked to a beanbag in the corner while Scooteroll stood astounded by the amount of paper on the walls and floors. He had little doubt that the new crusaders were busy in recent times. Just out of curiosity he picked up a random paper and read it over.

“Sorry about the mess, you know how foals are,” Applebloom said sitting down on the beanbag.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. ‘Cutie Mark Crusader tomb raiders?’ Didn’t we do that once?”

“Ah think it was actually treasure hunters.” Scooteroll gave a small grunt, put the paper back where it came from, and sat on another beanbag. The awkwardness that followed them all day reclaimed the atmosphere until Scooteroll sighed.

“We can’t keep dodging the issue anymore huh?” he asked.

“Nope,” Applebloom said and sighed as well, adjusting her bandana slightly, “Ah just don’t know where to start.”

“I’m sorry.” Applebloom flinched at the suddenness of the apology and couldn’t speak as Scooteroll continued. “You know, for leaving and all that.”

“Ya don’t have to be. Ah mean, ya’ll wouldn’t have left if ah hadn’t-“

“If you hadn’t done what you’ve always done since we were foals. In hindsight, the whole thing was one of your least elaborate pranks.”

“Least elaborate? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean it’s not to the same level as the letter incident. You know what I mean, so don’t play dumb.” Applebloom blushed lightly and looked at the floor.

“…It was supposed to be a joke, ya know.”

“And I can see that now. Leaving Ponyville was honestly one of the worst decisions I’ve made. I’m sure nopony has ever had such a meltdown over a joke before.”

“…Still, ah’m sorry about that. Is there some way ah can make it up to you?”

“Honestly, no.” Scooteroll sank a bit lower into his bag and sighed, “I was angry for maybe a year, but after that I just got bogged down in tedium. Manehattan really is a boring city when you’re by yourself.” The two ponies fell into silence again and Applebloom scooted her bag closer to Scooteroll.

“Ya’ll really did freak out horribly, ya know. It’s kind of funny in hindsight.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me. And everything seems funny in hindsight, no matter how bad it was at the time. I’m sure you remember when we tried to hook up Red Gala and Cheerilee?”

“Yep, and we had to do all of Gala’s chores because of it. And ah still say it made sense at the time.”

“Yeah, it did.” Scooteroll said and scooted closer to Applebloom. “So just so we’re clear, we’re both agreed that we start over on this right?”

“No,” Applebloom said and got up, “we ain’t starting over.”

“…Why?”

“Simple, we already got our Cutie Marks, so we can’t spend a few years doing insane tasks to get them.” Applebloom set a hoof on Scooteroll’s and asked, “How ‘bout we just go back to what we were like before our little scuffle?”

“Um… friends or more than friends?” Applebloom smiled deviously, pushed Scooteroll back, and sat on his lap.

“Ah’m fine with more than friends,” she said wrapping her arms around his neck and started leaning toward him. Scooteroll blushed at how close she was getting and found his body was moving in its own when his arms wrapped around her torso and closed the remaining distance to kiss her.

The second their lips made contact, it felt like a floodgate burst open as they hugged each other as close as possible and quickly escalated into as heated a kiss as they’ve had. Scooteroll licked Applebloom’s lips and immediately felt her tongue invade his mouth and she pushed her chest hard against his. They soon broke for air and pressed their foreheads together. Applebloom licked her lips as Scooteroll started rubbing her back slowly.

“Ah missed that,” she said quietly.

“Yeah, all those dreams I’ve been having lately don’t measure up to this.” Applebloom smiled and snuggled against Scooteroll, more than content to just fall asleep right there. Even so, there was one question that stuck with her.

“Ah don’t suppose there’s a chance you can move back here?” she asked. Scooteroll nuzzled the top of her head and thought for a moment.

“I’m honestly not sure. Even if I could, it would take a while to get all my stuff together. I just don’t know right now.”

“Alright, thanks for telling me.” Applebloom cuddled against the pegasus and shut her eyes, an idea already forming in her head.

The next two days were a blur for Scooteroll and Applebloom, who spent most of the time catching up with each other and Sweetie Belle, although the former involved more making out than actual talking. Sweetie Belle was probably the most ecstatic when she found the two of them talking like normal ponies.

“Wow, when did you two get close again?” she asked when she stumbled on them eating lunch. Applebloom and Scooteroll shared a quick look as Sweetie sat at the table.

“A little bit after you decided to ditch us at the spa,” Scooteroll said.

“I didn’t ditch you! I simply released you to enjoy the rest of your day in your own way while I enjoyed it in my own way.”

“So… ya ditched us.” Applebloom deadpanned.

“Oh hush, me leaving you alone got you to be friends again, so why complain about it?”

“I’m not complaining, but you still ditched us.”

“Whatever, did you two want to do something besides talk about how I supposedly left you alone for an extended period of time?” As it turned out, most of the conversation afterward was almost entirely of teasing Sweetie about that. Despite that, Sweetie was smiling the whole time at how her nonexistent plan worked.

Unfortunately, Scooteroll said he had to go back to Manehattan soon and started packing his things for when he had to go. Applebloom had mostly been quiet the whole time, which worried Scooteroll since she was only like that if she was either really depressed or had something going on in her head. He didn’t really let it get to him; after all, Applebloom was one of the strongest mares he knew.

Once he had his things packed and was on his way out of his house to say his goodbyes, he came across a sight he didn’t think to see: Applebloom kissing him with a pair of saddlebags.

“Howdy Scoot. Bet yer wondering what ah’m doing here huh?” she asked with a large smile that immediately set off Scooteroll’s alarm bells.

“I… I guess? I was actually on my way to say bye to everypony before I go back to Manehattan.” Despite what he thought she would react, her smile actually grew wider.

“Funny you should mention that, since ah’m planning on coming with ya.” Scooteroll’s eyes widened at that and he involuntarily took a step back.

“W-what?” was all he could get out.

“Maybe ah should explain a little. You see, ah talked with Applejack and Gala a bit yesterday, and they agreed after some discussion that ah should try my hoof at selling some product on my own in Manehattan. So ah put some stuff together real quick so ah could come with you today.” Scooteroll stared at the mare’s grin and felt incredibly uneasy.

“You can’t be serious. Why would you suddenly decide on that so suddenly?”

“It’s been in the works for a while, so it’s not as sudden as ya think. Besides, would you really live with yourself knowing ah could get lost in the big, scary city?”

‘Dammit, she’s got me and she knows it! Curse her and her mastermind tactics!’ “No, I guess I couldn’t. I just wish you would have given me a little more warning about this.” Scooteroll shut the door to his house and started trotting down the road with Applebloom next to him.

“Look at it this way, now you get to spend more time with me.” Scooteroll caught that little grin of hers and he was still certain she was hiding something. For now, he would let it sit and hopefully she’ll slip up.

“Hey Scoots, Applebloom!” A nearby Sweetie Belle shouted and made her way over to the pair, “what’s with the saddlebags? You shopping or something?”

“Well, no. Sorry about this Sweetie Belle, but I gotta get back to Manehattan today and Applebloom seemed to have made some kind of deal with her sisters to sell cider or something in the same city.”

“Aw, you’re leaving already? You’ve only been here for a few days.”

“And ah’m not selling cider,” Applebloom added, “and it ain’t cider season anyway.”

“Whatever you say. So I apparently been drafted to keep her safe while she’s over there.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet of you!” Sweetie trotted over and pulled her friends into an tight hug, “I am so happy you two got back together! Do you know how awkward it is to be a mutual friend to a couple that broke up?”

“Sweetie, I can’t breathe!” Applebloom forced out while struggling against Sweetie’s arms.

“Don’t ruin the moment Applebloom.” Sweetie Belle very well could have kept the hug going forever, but they were fortunately saved by Shimmering Dawn and her father before they could suffocate.

“You might want to be careful there Sweetie Belle, they’re looking a little blue there,” Rainbow said poking Scooteroll.

“Oh fine, I’ll break the hug of friendship,” Sweetie said and reluctantly let go of her friends, who gratefully started to take deep breaths.

“Thanks Rainbow Blitz, you saved us!” Scooteroll said once he got enough breath to talk.

“It’s no problem squirt. I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of a death hug. Ain’t that right Dawn?” The filly giggled as Rainbow rubbed the top of her head and bounced over to Scooteroll.

“So whatcha doing Scooteroll? Daddy was just about to take me flying when we saw you getting a… as… uh…” Dawn stuck her tongue out as she tried to pronounce something.

“Assaulted?” Scooteroll offered and ignored the dirty look Sweetie Belle gave him.

“That’s it! Can you come watch me fly? I’m getting better every time!”

“Really? Well isn’t that the most rotten set of timing ever.” The smile dropped off Dawn’s face and she turned to her father.

“Let me guess, you gotta go back to Manehattan?” Rainbow asked. Scooteroll nodded, not wanting to look his idol in the eyes.

“You’re leaving again?” Dawn asked walking to look Scooteroll in the eyes.

“Yes, but I’ll come back. I’m not planning on staying away as long as last time.” Scooteroll knelt down to be eye level with Dawn.

“When will you be back? I really want to show you how my flying’s been going.” Scooteroll didn’t know how to answer that and when he looked back at Applebloom she only offered a shrug.

“How about in two weeks?” Scooteroll finally suggested which brought a smile to Dawn’s face, “and if I can’t make it then, then I’ll definitely be here the week after.”

“You promise?” Dawn asked holding a hoof out.

“I promise,” Scooteroll said and bumped hooves with Dawn. She laughed in an excitable manner and started hopping around Scooteroll.

“Hopefully I’ll have some free time then,” Rainbow said and wrapped an arm around Scooteroll, “you and I have a lot of catching up to do.”

“Uh, yeah, that’d be great.” Scooteroll laughed and rubbed his mane nervously.

“Stallions,” Sweetie Belle commented with a roll of the eyes, “I have some errands to run. I’ll try and visit next time I’m in Manehattan, ok Scoots?”

“Sure, that sounds good.” Scooteroll pulled away from Rainbow and walked over to hug Sweetie. “Take care ok?”

“You too,” Sweetie returned and broke the hug to go give Applebloom one. While doing so, she whispered, “selling product huh?” into Applebloom’s ear.

“Eeyup,” Applebloom whispered back.

“Well, good luck with that,” Sweetie said pulling away and giving Applebloom a wink. Applebloom pretended not to notice that and waved at Sweetie as she trotted away.

“Come on Dawn, your mother is waiting for us. You know how she gets when we’re late,” Rainbow said spreading his wings.

“Coming Daddy!” Dawn shouted and quickly gave Scooteroll a hug. “Bye Scooteroll!” she said and ran to her father. She managed to fly onto his back so he could take off. Scooteroll waved the two off and turned back to Applebloom.

“Two weeks huh? How are ya ever going to keep that on your mind?” she asked with a smile.

“I’m not that bad at keeping a schedule. Now come on, you’re going to miss your train if you wait too long.” Scooteroll said and started trotting to the train station with Applebloom by his side.

“What, you’re not coming with me?”

“I never said that.” Scooteroll draped a wing over Applebloom’s back and pulled her close.

“Good, ‘cause ah’d kick your flank if ya did.” Scooteroll chuckled at that, with half of him already dreading what he got himself into again.

Despite Scooteroll’s reservations about train travel, he found the ride to Manehattan to be enjoyable. This was due in no small part to the sleeping mare leaning against him for most of the ride. He was very close to falling asleep himself until he saw the lights of Manhattan growing brighter on the horizon.

“Hey Applebloom, wake up,” he whispered and shook the earth pony gently.

“Five more minutes, Granny,” Applebloom mumbled.

“Sorry Bloom, you gotta wake up. You can sleep when you get to town.” Applebloom groaned and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

“Are we there yet?” she asked and looked out of the window.

“Just about. Where are you staying here anyway?”

“Well, ah do know a friend that may let me stay with him,” she said and looked at Scooteroll expectantly.

“…alright fine, you can stay with me while you’re here.” Scooteroll sighed and shook his head as Applebloom kissed him on the cheek.

“Thanks Scoot,” Applebloom said and nuzzled against Scooteroll.

The rest of the ride passed in relative peace. When they left the train Applebloom couldn’t help but gaze around the city as she followed Scooteroll. They got a small dinner from a stand on the way to Scooteroll’s apartment.

“So where is everything? The market and the like?” Applebloom asked once she grew bored of sightseeing.

“I actually don’t really know, I usually buy my food at a grocery store,” Scooteroll said. “I guess we can look around for one later, but right now I want to go home and go to bed.” Applebloom nodded in agreement. At the most, it took about ten minute of walking to get to his apartment, and when they got there Applebloom was slightly less than impressed with his average abode.

“This is kind of… lacking ain’t it?” she asked once she saw the inside.

“It’s affordable, which is a miracle in this city,” Scooteroll replied and shut the door behind them and walked to a table to set his bags down. “Anyway, go ahead and make yourself at home. I’m a bit short on beds though, so we’ll have to figure something out.”

“Don’t worry, ah have an idea of what do,” Applebloom said quietly locking the door and setting her bags down.

“I bet you do. So why did you really come with me Applebloom?” he turned to Applebloom who had an innocent grin as she walked toward him.

“Come on Scoot, do ya really have to assume ah have some higher goal?”

“Because I know you, so what are you planning?” Applebloom just grabbed one of Scooteroll’s hooves and tugged him over to the couch.

“Did ya really think ya could just wander back in my life after two years, then sweep me off my hooves, and ah’d just let you go again?” Scooteroll replied by kissing Applebloom and falling onto the couch with her on top of him. After a minute of gentle kissing they pulled away from each other to catch their breaths. “Ah tricked ya,” Applebloom whispered into Scooteroll’s ear.

“I figured. I take it the whole ‘selling stuff’ thing was an excuse to follow me here?”

“Nah, that’s a side bonus. Ah just wanted to try livin’ with ya for a bit. We are old enough after all.”

“Does your family know about this?”

“What do you think? They said ah’m a grown mare and I can do what ah think is right, though ah still have to with harvest and the like. That’s a given though.”

“So, what you’re really going to try living here? It’s kind of hard living here you know.”

“Well ain’t it better to split it with somepony else? It’s no use trying to change my mind on this; you’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not.”

“There’s that Apple stubbornness. I really wish you would be straight with me on these things instead of-“

“Yadda yadda yadda,” Applebloom interrupted and kissed the colt under her again. She really did miss doing this, along with the feel of his lips, his hot breath, and his hooves running along her back. Several minutes passed with them like this, just holding each other and kissing with the occasional short break, until the sun was noticeably on its descent. “So, bed huh?”

“Maybe a shower first. I could use one right now,” Scooteroll replied and tried to move Applebloom off of him.

“Would you mind if ah joined you?” the question would have knocked Scooteroll flat if he wasn’t already lying down.

“W-what?!”

“Don’t act all embarrassed. We took a bath together a few days ago.”

“That was at a public spa!”

“And do ah need to remind you that we’ve done much worse than take a shower together in the past?”

‘Does she have to bring something like that up?!’ Scooteroll sighed and pushed Applebloom off of him. “Fine, just be careful where you step ok?” Not exactly what he wanted to say, but good enough for now. He got off the couch and walked to his bedroom with Applebloom in tow, and from there to the bathroom. Applebloom shut the door behind her and started undoing the braids in her mane and tail (a small habit she picked up from Applejack) before moving on to her bandana while Scooteroll took a couple towels out and set them on the sink. He turned to her and was about to say something when Applebloom suddenly leaped at him and kissed him, pushing him onto his hind legs and back into the counter in the process.

“Jeez Bloom, can’t you wait until we’re in the shower before you do stuff like that?” he asked slightly annoyed.

“Nope,” was her answer followed by a kiss on the cheek.

“Just get in.” Applebloom laughed and followed Scooteroll into the shower. He seemed really nervous as he turned the water on and sat down to let the water run over him. He also tensed up when Applebloom hugged him from behind, which she definitely noticed.

“Wow, you really are nervous huh?” she asked rubbing his chest softly. He shivered ever so slightly and his wings unfolded a little. “First time taking a shower with a mare huh?”

“Stop making fun of me when you’re in the same boat as me,” Scooteroll complained and flinched when his wings touched Applebloom’s arms.

“Sorry, you’re just cute when you’re nervous.” Applebloom leaned over his shoulder and drew him into another kiss. Scooteroll gladly reciprocated, turning around so he could get a better angle, and pushed her onto the floor. The water matted down their coats and manes, though neither of them cared lost in the moment as they were. They deepened the kiss after a moment, their tongues dancing around their partner’s and their hooves caressing and holding each other.

Applebloom broke the kiss, a small bridge of saliva trailing behind, and said, “So are you gonna clean me, or am ah gonna do that myself?”

“I’m ok with either option, though what do you want?” Applebloom didn’t attempt to move at Scooteroll’s question, which was enough answer for him. He pushed himself off of her and grabbed a bottle of shampoo while looking the mare over. Applebloom was giving him this sultry sort of look, some loose strands of hair falling in front of her eyes, and at least had the decency to roll on her stomach for him.

Scooteroll leaned over her and squirted some shampoo on her back and started rubbing it all over her coat. This simple task was immediately compounded when Applebloom roughly pressed her hind quarters against his crotch and wiggled it ever so slightly. Scooteroll’s mind blanked for a moment before shaking it away as just an accident and continued cleaning Applebloom’s coat.

“Wow Scoots, you musta really missed me,” Applebloom commented and pressed harder against Scooteroll, where he immediately realized how hard he was getting and that it was pressed against the mare underneath him.

“Bloom, what are you doing?” Scooteroll asked subconsciously pressing harder against the mare.

“Ah’m not doin’ anything,” she answered giving him the same ‘I tricked you’ smile she always gave him, “but you know ah’d be more than happy to oblige you on anything you wanted.” Scooteroll’s wings flared fully and he blushed furiously, all signs that she had him.

“I can’t believe you’re actually going there. You work fast.”

“Too forward for ya?” she asked pulling away just slightly.

“Let’s at least get clean before you do anything like that.” A small part of Scooteroll’s brain was screaming at him for saying that, especially when Applebloom frowned and sat down with her back to his chest so he could finish cleaning her coat.

“Ah wanna do your coat after you’re done,” Applebloom said and gasped slightly as Scooteroll started lathering her chest.

“Sure Bloom, and your mane?” Scooteroll asked eyeing a flicking ear.

“It’s fine for now. Just- ah!” Applebloom stiffened when Scooteroll licked and nibbled one of her ears while rubbing up and down her chest. Applebloom leaned back into Scooteroll and grabbed one of his hooves and pulled it down to her nethers. Scooteroll got the message and started to slowly tease her folds and enjoying the moans she gave off. One of her own hooves joined Scooteroll’s and pressed it ever so slightly into her.

“Ah Scoot!” Applebloom moaned and pressed as hard as she could while Scooteroll rocked his hoof up and down inside of her. He then released her ear and positioned Applebloom in the shower stream to wash the suds off.

“Alright Applebloom, you’re clean now. I guess it’s my turn?” Scooteroll asked and put his hoof back on her chest. Applebloom then turned around and scooted close to Scooteroll and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Yeah, it is your turn,” she said with a very noticeable blush and grinded against Scooteroll’s now rehardening erection. “Quick question though, ya still hate oral right?”

“Yes, so don’t even ask,” Scooteroll replied flatly with thinly veiled anger.

“Just making sure.” Applebloom slid up Scooteroll’s member and ever so slowly impaled herself on it. The both of them let out pleasurable groan and Scooteroll grabbed Applebloom’s flanks to help guide her inch by inch. Applebloom could feel her nerves firing at a thousand paces once Scooteroll was fully hilted inside of her. She crossed her neck with Scooteroll’s and shivered in pleasure as the water fell over them and Scooteroll rubbed her back.

“Ah missed you Scoot,” Applebloom whispered and bit Scooteroll’s neck.

“I missed you too,” Scooteroll said and nuzzled Applebloom’s wet coat, “and you want to know something else?” Applebloom emitted a questioning groan, which caused Scooteroll to laugh and kiss her neck. “I love you. I don’t think I’ve said that for a while.”

Applebloom pulled away from Scooteroll and said, “Ah love you too,” and licked his lips before kissing him, which was returned with equal energy. Scooteroll started thrusting into Applebloom, releasing a moan from Applebloom and caused her to clench around him and begin moving up and down along him. She broke the kiss in order to moan loudly and start saying lust fueled nothings into his ear. After a minute of drinking in the mare riding him, with all the kissing and excitement that comes with that, Scooteroll finally had to ask the question.

“Hey Applebloom, can you start with cleaning me?”

“What? Oh sure, just don’t stop ok?” Scooteroll nodded and Applebloom blindly searched for the discarded shampoo bottle and, once she found it, pushed Scooteroll onto his back and squirted some onto his chest. She didn’t stop lifting herself along the stiffness inside her as she attempted to lather his chest. “Is that good?” she asked once she was sure it was lathered well enough.

“Yeah and…” Scooteroll paused to grab Applebloom’s flanks and bring them down all the way onto him, “don’t forget my wings.”

“R-right.” Applebloom slowly took a wing in hoof, causing Scooteroll to hiss and shift a little inside her. “Ah~! That felt amazing Scoot, do that again.” Scooteroll paused for a moment and imitated the action, causing another groan to emanate from the earth pony. He smiled and started grinding slowly inside her, the sensation increasing the more he did it.

Applebloom was in ecstasy, her mind slowly clouding from pleasure as she neared climax. She shook her head to force herself back to the task at hand, taking the shampoo bottle with her free hoof and squirting some onto the feathers and lathering it as best she could. Due to the sensitive nature of pegasus wings, Scooteroll started to increase the pace of his grinding while occasionally lifting Applebloom and bringing her back down. That didn’t help with Applebloom’s state of mind and she only just finished lathering the wing before she gave into the waves of pleasure wracking her body.

“Ah can’t take more Scoot, ah’m gonna burst!” she shouted and clenched her hind legs as tight as she could.

“I know. I…” Scooteroll moaned loudly and repositioned his hooves onto Applebloom’s chest, “Can you get off real quick?”

“What, why? Just give me a minute and ah-“

“Just do it, I promise you’ll love it.” Applebloom stared into Scooteroll’s eyes for a moment before lifting herself slowly off of him, suddenly feeling really empty without his member filling her. “Ok, now lean against the wall,” Scooteroll instructed, giving Applebloom an idea as to what he wanted.

“A-alright,” she said and following the instructions facing away from Scooteroll. A slight creep of embarrassment flicked through her as she moved her tail away to fully present herself to the pegasus. She waited a moment and felt hooves on her flanks and an immediate fullness as Scooteroll penetrated her to the hilt again. She gasped at the feeling which fell away to soft moans as Scooteroll wrapped his arms around her lower torso and pulled out until only the tip remained before pushing back in.

“Ugh, you’re really tight Bloom,” Scooteroll whispered and started increasing his pace.

“Ah, don’t stop Scoot!~” Applebloom yelled feeling her stomach clench tightly, “ah’m real close!”

“Me too!” he shouted and quickened his pace further, feeling pressure building up in his loins. He laid his chest on Applebloom’s back and had enough rational thought to ask, “Do you want it in or out?”

“Ah don’t care, just finish what ya started!” Scooteroll didn’t know how to take that, but he didn’t have much time to decide since Applebloom chose that moment to climax. She screamed loudly and clenched around Scooteroll tighter than ever and coating his member with fluids. He was now only a few thrust away from his own climax.

He had only a couple seconds to make his choice, and he made it. He thrusted as deeply as he could before climaxing, his own pleasured screams joining Applebloom’s. He spilled burst after burst of his seed into Applebloom until everything came to a standstill.

The two of them were breathing heavily, their weight supported by the wall, and Scooteroll pulled out of Applebloom and carefully sat the mare on the ground. He sat down as well and started to tiredly wash the shampoo of his wings.

“That felt amazing,” Applebloom said turning to Scooteroll with her hind legs crossed, “So much better than our first time.”

“Heh, you got that right,” Scooteroll agreed and started straightening some feathers on his wings, “I’ll be with you in a second, gotta finish cleaning and all that.”

“That’s alright.” Applebloom sat there smiling at Scooteroll until he finished cleaning and turned the shower off. “You mind if ah sleep with you tonight?” she asked standing up shakily.

“Of course not. It’d be a little weird if I couldn’t sleep with my girlfriend.” Scooteroll smirked lightly at Applebloom, who smiled and kissed him. They exited the shower and started toweling each other off, sharing more than a few kisses along the way. Once they were dry they left the bathroom and walked over to the bed.

“Pony pile!” Applebloom suddenly shouted and tackled Scooteroll onto the bed. The ensuing tussle lasted for almost half a minute before ending in a stalemate, mostly because both ponies were exhausted from the shower session. They laughed quietly in their embrace and shared a couple more loving kisses as they waited for sleep to overtake them.

“Ah love you Scoot,” Applebloom said feeling her eyes slowly shut.

“I love you too. I always have, and I’m really sorry about all that’s happened between us,” Scooteroll replied and felt Applebloom’s lips on his again.

“No more apologies about that,” she whispered in between several kisses, “if ya ever want to say sorry again, just kiss me. It’ll mean more that way.” Scooteroll laughed quietly and hugged Applebloom tightly.

“There are going to be a lot of kisses in your future,” he said closing his eyes.

“Ah’ll enjoy every one of them.” Applebloom gave Scooteroll one last kiss before drifting asleep, the soft sounds of the city serving as their lullabies.