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The Arrival of Ford Mustang

by RoyalRainbow

Chapter 7: Chapter 7 – Newest Club Member

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Chapter 7 – Newest Club Member

The next day, I continue to help out the Apple Family once again with their daily chores. Overtime, I’ve notice how much my applebucking skills have improved a lot since the first day on the farm. Plus, working on the farm also serves as additional training for my equine physique.

“Applejack!” Apple Bloom excitedly gallops to her big sister. “Ah finish all of my chores today. Can ah go play with my friends now?”

“Ya sure can, Apple Bloom.” Applejack approves.

“Also… can Ford play with us too?” Apple Bloom asks as she stands right next to me.

“Hmm…” Applejack ponders for a bit. “Sure, why not?” I was shocked to hear AJ’s answer.

“Umm… Applejack.” I say as I approach her while Apple Bloom stays where she is. “I don’t think I can do that with all of the work I have to do around here.”

“Nonsense.” Applejack waves me off. “Big Mac and Ah gotcha covered.”

“But Applejack…” I let out a small whine.

“Please, sugarcube.” Applejack pleas very quietly so that Apple Bloom couldn’t hear her. “It’ll be a good idea if somepony keeps an eye on those three little fillies with all of them ‘adventures’ they get themselves into.”

Hearing her telling me that, I can understand Applejack’s concern on this matter from all the Cutie Mark Crusader episodes I’ve watched. I give a light nod to AJ and walk back to her little sister.

“Okay Apple Bloom. Lead the way.” I say cheerfully.

“YAAAAAYYY!” Apple Bloom screeches in excitement. “Come on, Ford Mustang! Ya’ll gonna love what we have in store for ya!” she says happily as she gallops ahead. I follow her behind with a bad feeling in my gut on what’s in store for me.

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Despite Apple Bloom getting a head start, I’ve manage to keep up with her. I’ve also taken this opportunity to work on my flying some more. Since Apple Bloom doesn’t gallop as fast as an average pony, flying after her didn’t become quite as tiresome since my flight speed isn’t that fast.

At last, we arrive at Apple Bloom’s clubhouse where I will meet the rest of her friends. It was good thing we’ve made it in time before my wings begin to strain themselves. But before we can enter the clubhouse, Apple Bloom stops me for a minute.

“Uh… before we enter, ya have to close your eyes for a bit.” she says to me.

“Why?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

“Because it’s a surprise! Now close your eyes!” she replies with a gleeful smile.

After bearing a small smirk, I comply with her demands and shut my eyes tightly. Apple Bloom opens the door and pushes me inside the clubhouse. After hearing the door shut, I hear some whispering from the three fillies, but I couldn’t figure out what they’re saying.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now!” Apple Bloom says with delight. And from hearing that, I finally open my eyes.

“SURPRISE!!” the three fillies shout excitedly in unison.

I look around at what is in display. There are confetti and balloons scattered around the confined space, a small table that has some snacks and beverages, and a banner hanging right above the three girls.

The banner reads: “TO OUR NEWEST CUTIE MARK CRUSADER.” “Newest Cutie Mark Crusader?” Who could that be--?

…Oh no. They can’t possibly mean--!

“W-what’s all of this?” I stammer, even though I know what their answer might be.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Scootaloo asks.

“We’re here to offer you exclusive membership to our club!” Sweetie Belle chimes in.

“Where we gather together to help search for our Cutie Marks!” Apple Bloom joins in. “For we are…”

“THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!! YAY!!” the members shriek in unison once more.

I was so speechless by all of this, that I’m not sure what to say next. After a brief moment of silence, I begin to speak out my mind gently and carefully.

“Look girls…” I say with hesitation. “This is all really sweet… but I can’t accept this. I’m… too old to be a member of your club. Thank you for the offer at least.” I finish it with an awkward smile.

Now it is the girls’ turn to have their own moment of silence. And from what I have feared, their expressions change from happy, bouncy smiles to sad, pouting frowns.

“But… But we just wanna help you.” Apple Bloom whimpers with that same pouty face as in the 1st Episode of the series.

“We’ve been picked on several times for our missing Cutie Marks, but we could only imagine how difficult it must have been for you to not have one for so long.” Sweetie Belle states sadly.

“Yeah… we don’t care whether if you’re a colt or if you’re older than us.” Scootaloo says to me with sympathy.

“Please give us chance!” Apple Bloom begs. “We want to make it our mission to help you earn your Cutie Mark as soon as possible!” And all at once, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle make those extremely cute, pouty faces just like how Sweetie Belle made that one in the episode, “Sleepless in Ponyville.” It’s tough to endure just that one adorable expression, but to resist all three of them at once is an impossible task!

“Sigh… okay.” I sigh in defeat from enduring so much cuteness. “I’ll join your crusade.”

“You really mean it?!” Apple Bloom gasps with renewed hope. I nod in response, and all three fillies cheer vigorously as they bounce around in triumph.

“See, told ya he would join us.” Apple Bloom smirks to her two friends.

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Ughh… how did I get myself roped into this? I know Applejack wanted me to watch over them, but to become one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders is just so humiliating to an older guy like me!

After our initial celebration, the four of us stroll around the town of Ponyville in search of our first activities as Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“So, what shall we do first, Crusaders?” Apple Bloom asks her fellow members. “Rock climbling? Scubba diving? Gator wrassling?” Oh sweet Celestia, I hope she was kidding on that last part!

“Hey, I have an idea, girls!” I suggest with an awkward chuckle. “How about we do something that doesn’t require one of us to end up in a hospital?”

“Well well well… look at what we have here.” An irriating, familiar voice screeches into our ears. The girls and I turn our attention to the mocking source, which came from the chief bully of the Crusaders, Diamond Tiara, along with her lackey, Silver Spoon.

“If it isn’t our good friends, ‘the Lame Blank Flanks.’” Diamond Tiara snickers as Silver Spoon follows suit. Seriously, do these bullies have nothing better to do with their lives?

“Come on, girls.” I direct the three fillies. “We don’t need to waste our time with them. Let us be on our way.” Each of the Crusaders agrees with a satisfying nod as we begin our walk away from the two bullies.

“Wait a second!” Silver Spoon points out. “Is that what I think it is?” Just keep walking, Ford.

“Why yes, Silver Spoon.” Diamond Tiara says with a mocking tone. “I believe they have a new club member.” Never mind them, Ford. Don’t give them the satisfaction. Just… keep… walking.

“Well, look at it this way, girls!” Diamond Tiara continues to mercilessly tease. “At least you three can be stuck together as Blank Flanks for a very long time!”

And then there’s that sinister, snotty laughter from the devious duo. Despite my frustration from hearing their awful laughs, I am willing to continue to walk away from this. But I take a moment to stop to look at the three fillies with me. Their expressions cause my heart to ache. From what I was seeing, I see their faces fill with hopelessness and despair on the possibility to never earn their Cutie Marks at all. For those two bullies to shatter the dreams of these three innocent girls like that makes my blood boil!

I want to shut up their infernal laughter. But how can I do that without sinking beneath their level? Then a thought occurs to me when I think back to the bullies’ Cutie Marks. Once I’ve calm myself down enough, I turn around and approach the two giggling girls.

“Excuse me?" I ask with a forced polite smile. “Can I ask you two a question?”

“What?” Diamond Tiara snaps.

“Just curious…” I start off with Diamond Tiara. “What does your Cutie Mark symbolize?”

“Hmph!” she snorts. “If you must know, it’s because that I am a princess!” she boastfully claims.

“Really?” I say sarcastically. “Because as far as I know regarding with princesses like Celestia, Luna, Cadance, & Twilight, they are kind, compassionate rulers who treat their subjects equally with respect and humility, and they certainly do not abuse their titles like some spoiled, little brat who is cruel, greedy, and selfish to those around her! I don’t suppose you’ve done any those things, have you?”

Diamond Tiara just stands there speechless. She tries to find the right words to say to me, but nothing came out except some stuttering. But I’m not finished yet, I’m just getting started.

“And you, the one with the silver spoon.” I turn my attention to the startled gray filly with glasses. “What does your Cutie Mark symbolize?”

“I… uh… I-I don’t even remember how I got it.” Silver Spoon stammers quietly as she looks at her Cutie Mark.

“I see…” I continue with a deadpan expression. “So here’s my final question for both of you. Who has it worse: the ones who don’t have Cutie Marks for their entire lives, or the ones who have Cutie Marks which doesn’t amount to anything on what makes them so special in the first place?” I think that last question must have fried their little brains while they wrap their heads around such a riddle.

“Well, I see that both of you are still baffled by this. Why don’t I give you two some time to think this over with, okay? Nice meeting you both!” I turn around with a satisfying smirk as I walk back to the awestruck Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“Whoa!” Scootaloo says in awe.

“That was so cool!” Sweetie Belle chimes in with glee.

“Yeah… thanks, Ford!” Apple Bloom smiles with gratitude.

“Hey, nopony messes with my friends! Let alone messes with my fellow Crusaders for that matter!” I express with great pride for what I have done for them.

And all at once, the three gratifying fillies rush at me to give me a big group hug, and I return the comforting embrace.

“Now then…” I break up this tender moment with a big smile. “I believe we have some crusading to do today, am I right?”

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As the day went by, we’ve done a lot of “crusading” activities together. At least we didn’t do anything as extreme and dangerous as “gator wrestling.” And fortunately enough, we all still remain in one piece.

“Alright girls…” I say with relief upon finishing up that last activity. “I think that’s enough crusading for one day.”

“Ahhhh… just one more!” Apple Bloom whines cutely. “Please?!”

Sigh… fine! But after that, we’re going home.” I say firmly.

“Don’t worry! It's not that far from here! Follow me!” Apple Bloom expresses in joy as she leads the charge to our last activity.

A few minutes later, we arrive at our final destination somewhere in the dense forest. I let my jaw drop as I look at our location: A colossal cave with an entrance that reached dozens of feet high.

“Wow, Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo speaks up first. “Where did you find this?”

“Ah I found this cave along the way home from my last visit with Zecora.” Apple Bloom replies cheerfully.

“I wonder if there’s any treasure inside.” Sweet Belle inquires.

“Are y’all thinkin' what I’m thinkin'?” Apple Bloom asks her friends with a smirk. The rest of the girls bear the same smirk upon getting the same idea.

“Uh, girls…” I try to intervene in a tone similar to Fluttershy’s. “I don’t think this is such a good idea--” But that was interrupted by a predictable outcry.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS CAVE EXPLORERS!!”

“Girls! Come back!” I try to call out to them, but it was too late. In a flash, the three fillies rush into the cave without me. I look at the entrance once more before I cautiously make my entrance into the monstrous cavern.

I don’t know why, but this cave is a forewarning of what is yet to come. And frankly, I’m not looking forward to what else dwells within that cave.

Author's Notes:

Regarding with how my OC made Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon shut up is based off a fan comic I read where Sweetie Belle bought out an interesting question regarding with Silver Spoon's Cutie Mark. I wish I could remember the title of the comic though, but I can't find it right now.

UPDATE (1/24/15):

OH MY GOD! I FINALLY FOUND IT! :pinkiehappy:

It's from a well-known MLP Comic Parody Series, "MLP 4KOMA!" This one is Strip #31!

Next Chapter: Chapter 8 – Enter the Dragon, Hindel Estimated time remaining: 6 Hours, 19 Minutes
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