Old Times

by Starry Dash

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Sad
Length: 1162

The Cutie Mark ex-Crusaders think for a moment.

Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Applebloom sit by their old clubhouse. It's been twenty years since they've gotten their cutie marks.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-10-11 03:40:02 UTC

What Now?

   The afternoon sun shone down on the green leaves and plentiful fruit of Sweet Apple Acres. The pretty baby blue sky was dotted with but a few, but nonetheless pearly white, clouds. The wind was nothing but a pleasantly cool breeze.

   Residents of Ponyville were trotting up, down and around, doing whatever suited their interests, most unaware of three mares sitting down in front of a small hut in the midst of apple trees in a mournful manner.

   The mare on the very right was an orange pegasus, her long, slightly messy violet mane hanging over her faintly purple eyes, which were flooded with tears. Her strong wings were folded back, and right next to her was a state-of-the-art scooter, the latest model. It shone under the sun, but the only thing she had interest in at the moment was the run-down house. She was called Scootaloo by all who knew her.

   The pony on the very left was named Sweetie Belle. She had a white coat bothered by the slightest tap of gray and emerald green eyes wavering over the house. She was so still you'd have thought she was a statue. Her curly mane in lavender and pink traveled down her back. Her cutie mark was what appeared to be a shield with three vertical stripes in the colors red, light pink and dull purple in that order. A violet star with a music note in the middle topped the stripes. Her horn was glowing a green that matched her eyes. A lace hankerchief was dabbing at her eyes, wrapped with the same green.

    The final pony was an earth pony. Her cutie mark was exactly the same as the other two, except in the middle was an apple and Scootaloo's was a lightning bolt. She had a red mane tied back with a pink ribbon, fiery orange eyes and an apple-yellow coat. Her name was Applebloom. Her gaze lingered at the clubhouse, which was technically her property due to the fact that her Granny Smith left it to her in her will.

   Truth be told, they had come to their old clubhouse to renovate it for selling, but for something like a few hours they sat there, remembering their old memories made in that clubhouse.

   ". . . I miss this place so much," whispered Sweetie Belle, wiping a tear from her eye. "Can't you girls remember all those adventures we had when we were little fillies?"

   "It's like rememb'rin' an old friend," replied Applebloom. The worn-down clubhouse in front of them stood in the clearing of Sweet Apple acres as always. "Or a lil' siblin'."

    Scootaloo nodded while crying silently. To the orphan, the clubhouse had been something like a second home until she moved in with Rainbow Dash.

    "C'mon, gal, let it all out," encouraged Applebloon, patting her on the back. With a sniff Scootaloo wiped away the last tear and looked up at them, eyes puffy and red.

    "That day we no longer searched for our cutie marks and the day we saw the good in Diamond Tiara, it was like a part of us was left behind," murmured Sweetie Belle quietly.

    "Can Ah ask what parts they were?"

    "The blank-flank inside us. . . dissapitaded," the unicorn expressed. Scootaloo looked up in confusion and muttered,"Isn't it dissapitated?" Sweetie Belle shot her a glare.

    "Not helping, Scoot. Also, all the hate we had for Di and Silver disappeared that time. Like all the resentment just went. . . poof."

    Appebloom snorted.

    "Poof? Really, Belle?" the unicorn blushed.

    "How else could I have described it, then?"

    When neither replied, the trio stood in silence for some time. The only noise they heard were the birds and the nature all ariund them basking in the afternoon glory, unaware of the three mares recalling the happy moments of their life as fillied. At last, Applebloom spoke.

    "Well, no point stickin' round any longer. The sooner we renovate the old lil' thing, the sooner we can leave without our hearts breakin'." the farmpony trotted forward with a sad look. She turned around and said,"Well? Ain't ya comin'?"

    "Wait just a sec-Diamond Tiara? What're you doing here?" Scootaloo asked as the earth pony ran towards them. Sweat trickled down the side of her head as a smile broke out on her face. "What happened? Did you sell the clubhouse that fast?!"

    "Even better!" exclaimed the pink pony. "Some foals were starting a Cutie Mark Crusading campaign, and so many fillies and colts signed up! They want to revive the club so badly. This is a better opportunity than selling this side of the apple orchard."

     "No way! Imagine, guys, if we give them the clubhouse as a venue, we can help other foals without cutie marks find their destiny," Scootaloo cheered. Her face softened."Just like we wanted when we were little fillies."

     Sweetie Belle's smile broadened.

     "You're right, Scoots. If you want, we'll find the group right now and-"

     "No." the three whipped their heads to see Applebloom standing there with a sour face. "We ain't givin' up a chance to sell this useless thing an' leave it off. This costs, what? Three thousan' bits'er somethin'? Ah could use the money ta' start off with mah own home and find a job. 'M not lettin' the option go!" Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara exchanged worried and slightly understanding looks.

      "Applebloom, think about all the kids we can help! I don't think getting a new house and a job would be necessary to somepony like you; The Apple family house is your home, and it's part of your duty to help the orchards grow for money," reasoned Diamond Tiara.

      "She's right, Applebloom. It would be much better if-" Sweetie Belle said in a quiet tone.

      "Ya don't control mah life!" snarled Applebloom. "I do what Ah wanna do, ya hear!?"

      "We know we don't control your life, Applebloom," cried Diamond Tiara, looking thoroughly frightened and determined at the same time.

      "We know that you are free to do whatever you want, but please, Applebloom! We don't want to harm you or do anything that you don't want to do. But we just want to do what's better for the future," insisted Scootaloo.

      "This clubhouse is mah property, and Ah decide wha' happens with mah property!" yelled Applebloom through gritted teeth. When none of them replied, she glared pointedly before falling in her own silence.

      "Ah'm sorry girls. Ah jus' didn't want tah remember about the past, then Ah realized Ah can't do nothin 'bout it."

       "It's fine, Applebloom."

       "We understand."

       "Totally."

       The farmpony passed them a small and sheepish smile. "Now, whaddya say 'bout findin' that campaign group later?"

       Diamond Tiara gave her a confused look. "If later, then. . . what now?"

       ". . . . . . Ah dunno."