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Tales of Apple Scratch: Roseluck & Fleetfoot

by RoyalRainbow

Chapter 2: Chapter 2 – A Simple Cakewalk

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Author's Notes:

This chapter more or less takes place in-between Chapter 7 – Cloud Kicker can Change! (A Bit) in "Apple Scratch: Onward to the Equestria Games!"

Chapter 2 – A Simple Cakewalk

The first day of the Equestria Games was over, and at Bon-Bon’s Tavern, a couple of the teams were celebrating their first medals. Soarin of Canterlot won a silver medal in the Flying Obstacle Course, but most notably, Ditzy Doo of Ponyville managed to surprise everyone with her mind-boggling speed and agility and earned herself and her team their first gold medal!

Throughout the rest of the night, in the midst of Ponyville’s celebration, the three Wonderbolts and Rainbow Dash spent most of their time questioning Ditzy Doo and asking the modest, young mother to consider on becoming a Wonderbolt one day. But to their surprise, Ditzy humbly refused the Wonderbolts' generous offer to recruit her into the acrobatic team/military elite as she was happy enough as the town’s postwoman as well as for her maternal reasons regarding with her precious daughter, Dinky.

As Ditzy started to bid her farewells to her new friends, Fleetfoot realized that she didn’t get a chance to see Roseluck in a long while since the qualifications, so she asked the blonde Jupitarian real quick, “Hey, Ditzy! You wouldn’t happen to know where Roseluck is, would you?”

“Hmm… I think Rose and Allie left a little while ago.” Ditzy answered after pondering for a bit.

“Oh.” Fleetfoot muttered subtly to her disappointment, which Spitfire was the only one to catch that as she slightly raised an eyebrow.

“Oh no!” Ditzy gasped all of a sudden.

“What’s wrong?!” asked Rainbow Dash in alarm.

Frantically, Ditzy patted around her pockets before pulling out something from one of them. In her hand, it was an orange prescription bottle with a white cap securing it. Inside the plastic container were less than a dozen pills, probably painkillers.

“Nurse Redheart asked me to give this to Rose the next time I see, but I was so swept from all the attention, that I completely forget about it!” Ditzy scolded herself in a very regretful manner before she softly bopped herself on the head. “Gah, I’m so stupid sometimes!”

“Oh, please don’t say it like that, Ditzy!” Spitfire reassured her adorably sad friend in a motherly tone. “You’re being too hard on yourself!”

“Yeah, you’re an amazing person to talk to!” Rainbow chimed in as well.

“And a wonderful mother with the luckiest, cutest daughter in the world!” Soarin added with a comforting smile. “Besides, you’ve got your precious, little ‘Muffin’ to take care of first! So if it’s okay with you, we can deliver that to your friend ourselves!”

“R-really?” Ditzy stammered in surprise. “You would do that for me?” After the Wonderbolts and Rainbow Dash nodded in response, Ditzy wiped her moist eyes as she expressed her gratitude with a warm smile, “Thanks, guys! You’re all so very nice to me!”

After Ditzy Doo gave the medicine bottle to Spitfire, the lead Wonderbolt asked her recruits, “So, which one of you wants to make the delivery?”

Fleetfoot was about to volunteer right away, but an overly excited Rainbow Dash beated her to it as she said, “Oh, I’ve got this! I can bring this to her in ten seconds flat--!”

But Spitfire caught wind of her comrade’s earlier reaction and presented the bottle to Fleetfoot instead while she interrupted the eager captain of Cloudsdale gently, “Actually, why don’t we let Fleetfoot take care of this? She is the only who knows Roseluck out of all four of us. Think you can handle it?” she asked with an all-knowing wink.

The white-haired Jupitarian blinked speechlessly a few times before she broke into a welcoming smile once she got Spitfire’s hint. “No problem!”

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After receiving and securing the package, Fleetfoot swiftly left the local tavern and proceeded to look for Roseluck. Taking the search high off the ground, she soared steadily as she rapidly looked around town from a high point of view. Finally, she spotted a familiar figure with rose-colored hair as she walked alongside with another woman, who had her blue hair tied up in a simple ponytail. Quickly, the Wonderbolt skydived toward the two before making a soft landing right in front of the Ponyvillian athletes.

“Fleetfoot?” Roseluck exclaimed in surprise.

“Hey, Rose!” she greeted with a slightly exhausted smile. “I’ve got something for you!” From the pocket of her gray Canterlot jacket, she pulled out the prescription bottle that Ditzy entrusted her and gave it to Roseluck.

Slightly puzzled by this, the red-haired woman asked, “Wait, is this for me?”

“Yep.” Fleetfoot confirmed with a nod. “One of your friends forgot to give this to you before you guys left, so I volunteer to deliver it myself while the rest of them can enjoy their victory party.”

After noticing the label on the bottle, which had instructions written by Nurse Redheart, Roseluck said with a gratifying smile, “Oh well, thank you so much for doing that for me.”

“Nothing but the best from Fleetfoot Express!” she grinned with pride. Then, she pondered on that idea with a rub of her chin and a broad smile. “Hey, that’s kind of catchy! Maybe I can run a new business once I retire from the Wonderbolts!”

“Don’t expect to make Ponyville as your starting position for your future job.” Allie Way objected with a playful chuckle. “We’re already satisfied with our own delivery services, thanks to our reliable Ditzy Doo.”

“Ooh, a job with some stiff competition? This is starting to sound more promising that I could’ve imagined!” Fleetfoot commented with a very devious grin.

After sharing a laugh with the two, Fleetfoot then asked with a slight slender of hope, “Anyway, since I’m already here, do you girls mind if I tag along?”

“I don’t mind it at all.” Roseluck answered cheerfully before turning to her blue-haired friend. “Do you, Allie?

“Actually, my house is right over there.” Allie pointed it out with a thumb. “So maybe your new friend can escort you back if you’re okay with that, Rose.”

The young Eponian looked at Fleetfoot, who bore a soft, comforting smile. Then she turned back to the Titanian and reassured her, “We’re be fine, Allie. Thanks for walking with me though.”

“No problem. Get better, okay?”

“Okay, sure. Goodnight, Allie.”

“Goodnight, Rose.” Then she turned to the Juptitarian and offered her gratitude in a sheepish smile, “And thanks Fleetfoot, for… you know, for everything you’ve done for us today.”

In return, Fleetfoot replied warmly, “Happy to be of service.”

As Allie Way jogged to her home, she looked back and waved to the Roseluck & Fleetfoot while winking and saying to them with a teasing grin, “Have fun, you two!”

While Fleetfoot waved goodbye to Allie, Rose felt a sudden blush as a reaction to that purposefully teasing comment her friend just made. After Allie Way closed the door to her house, the remaining two began their steady walk to Rose’s residence while the rosy Eponian tried her best to diminish her embarrassing blush, which thankfully wasn’t noticed by Fleetfoot.

After a momentary amount of silence while strolling through the gaslight streets, Roseluck softly cleared her throat and started off with a simple topic in mind, “So Fleetfoot… what do you think of Ponyville?”

Fleetfoot took a moment to think about it, but then, she answered with hesitant honesty, “It’s… different than what I’m used to.”

Disheartened to hear her say that, Roseluck responded with a subtly dejected face, “Oh… I guess a small town like this is nothing compared to the places you’ve been to.”

Realizing on what she just said, Fleetfoot hastily explained herself with her hands waving frantically, “No no! I didn’t mean it like that! I meant ‘different’ in a good way! I mean it’s true I’ve been to some of the biggest and most well-known cities in Equestria, so this is one of the first small towns I’ve ever been to in a very long while, that’s all!”

With a brief giggle over the Jupitarian’s sheepish rambling, Rose reassured her with a gentle smile, “It’s okay, Fleetfoot. I understand. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy the sights that Ponyville has to offer.”

After composing herself, Fleetfoot suggested mildly, “Well… if we have time, maybe you can give me a tour around here someday.”

Once she quickly gave it some thought, Rose replied with an approving smile, “Sure, I wouldn’t mind that at all.”

Suddenly, the Eponian felt a twinge of pain coursing through her left foot, and she nearly fell over. Luckily, Fleetfoot was there to catch her before she helped Roseluck stand back up as she instinctively limped on her left foot.

“Rose, are you okay?” asked Fleetfoot with concern.

Roseluck winced in response, “Sorry, I guess I’ve been putting a bit too much weight on my leg lately.”

“Well we certainly can’t have that, now can we?” Fleetfoot smirked all-knowingly. And in a flash, she picked up the surprised Eponian off the ground and into her arms.

“W-w-wait, what are you doing?!” Roseluck flustered with an increasingly glowing blush as she nearly squirmed in place.

“Giving you a ride home, of course!” the Jupitarian answered with a wink.

“There’s no need for you to do that! I just need to sit down for a bit, that’s all!”

“Nonsense! You need your rest and to save your strength for your next competition, and I wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer!”

“B-but… I’ve never been up in the air before!” Rose trembled in fear.

Noticing her passenger’s reasonable discomfort, Fleetfoot reassured her sincerely. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything reckless. I promise.”

After she looking into Fleetfoot’s sincere, fuchsia eyes, Rose gave it some careful thought before she calmed herself down and gave her approval with a slightly nervous smile, “Okay then. I trust you.”

“Great! Just wrap your arms around me and hold on tight, okay?”

Following her instructions, Roseluck placed her slender arms around the Wonderbolt’s neck and interlocked them firmly. Once she felt secured enough, the rose-haired flower girl timidly nods her head to confirm her readiness.

With a wide smile, the Jupitarian declared with glee, “Alright, here we go!”

After summoning her light arctic blue wings, she gave them a gentle flap as their takeoff went smooth and steady. At first, Rose didn’t mind their ascension when she was looking at the ground, but after they passed the rooftops, her fears got the best of her, and she abruptly tucked her head into Fleetfoot’s neck while flinching impulsively.

Once the composed Wonderbolt stopped at a suitable altitude, she cooingly whispered to her frightened companion, “Hey Rose, you’ve got to see this!”

Reluctantly, Roseluck opened her eyes and looked down at the city. But before she turned away, her gaze widened as she stared at the marvelous sight before her. The beloved town she grew up in is lit with numerous, vibrant lights as they emitted from colorful billboards, yellow city lamps, and orange windows from their houses. The soothingly warm colors served as a nice contrast to the deep-blued city. Never before had she seen this side of extraordinary beauty from her hometown, even at night!

As she is pleased by the awestricken reaction of her wide-eyed friend, Fleetfoot commented with a satisfied grin, “You know, I may not have much of an opinion of Ponyville just yet, but the view is pretty amazing from up here.”

“…Yeah, it is.” Roseluck responded warmly as she cozily laid her head on the Wonderbolt’s left shoulder.

While Rose continued to admire the nightscape, she was starting to get really comfortable in her seated position as her initial fears began to fade away from memory. As for Fleetfoot, she was feeling the opposite when Roseluck is mindlessly snuggling close to her. With her pale face going red, feelings began to stir inside of her; feelings that she had thought she buried long ago.

“Brr!” said Roseluck as she shivered all of a sudden. “Did it get chilly all of a sudden, or is it because we’re so high up?”

Alarmed by this, Fleetfoot looked at her hands, which were firmly holding Roseluck underneath her legs and back. And to her horror, she saw them involuntarily covered in a chilly mist.

Oh no, not here! Not now!

Despite her mental state of panic and her fears on what would happen if this kept going, Fleetfoot hastily advised Roseluck, “Uh… why don’t you go ahead and show me where your house is?”

In spite of her puzzlement over the Wonderbolt’s sudden hastiness, Rose realized that it’s already late as it is. So she quickly surveyed the town until she found her home and pointed it out.

“There. It’s the house right next to the greenhouse I work at.”

Once Fleetfoot pinpointed the location, she descended a bit faster than what she had intended. Thankfully, Roseluck didn’t notice this abrupt chance in pace. Once they have landed right in front of the doorway, Fleetfoot kneeled down and gently let go of Roseluck before the florist delicately touched the grassy floor.

As Fleetfoot tucked her diminishingly cold hands behind her back, she inquired in a clear voice, “So, how did you like your first flight tonight?”

“It was… exhilarating, but in a good way actually.” said Roseluck with an honest smile.

“I’m glad you like it. It’s not everyday you get free rides from a Wonderbolt. Just keep it to yourself, will you? Fans will go crazy over special privileges like that.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for everything, Fleetfoot. I’ll hopefully see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see ya--!”

“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!”

Greatly startled by the high-pitched shriek, the two athletes turned around sharply and were completely surprised by the sudden approach of the self-proclaimed announcer of the Equestria Games, Pinkie Pie. Not from the fact that the youngest Council Member appeared out of nowhere, but from seeing the unusual scowl she was expressing as she hastily stomped toward the two.

“I’ve been looking all over for you, Fleetfoot!” the pink-haired Eponian exclaimed in a very ill-tempered tone.

Puzzled by this, Fleetfoot greeted her simply, “Oh, hey Pinkie Pie. What’s up?”

“Don’t you ‘Oh-hey-Pinkie-Pie-what’s-up’ with me, missy!” she got up close as she repetitively pressed a firmed index finger against Fleetfoot’s chest. “I warned you on what would happen if you attempted to use your wings in that hurdle race, didn’t I?!”

Instinctively, Wonderbolt raised her hands up in the air as she explained herself with a sheepish smile, “Hey, take it easy, Pinkie! I didn’t mean to break the rules like that--!”

“ZIP IT!” she interrupted as she growled right in front of Fleetfoot’s face. “And now… you’re going get what’s coming to you…!”

From this unexpected, assertive demeanor, the white-haired Jupitarian made a subtle gulp as she was starting to feel very small in front of the much shorter, childlike genius. Meanwhile, Roseluck stood there as she felt utterly helpless in front of Pinkie’s intervention. The young botanist began to worry on the possibilities that the Games’ official had changed their mind over Fleetfoot’s disqualification, and that they want to extend that punishment by expelling her from the Games themselves, so they must have sent Pinkie Pie to take care of that in their place. Suddenly, the underage inventor reached for something behind her back as Roseluck dreaded on what’s to come for the extremely nervous Fleetfoot.

“…with this delicious chocolate cake I’ve made for you!”

In an abrupt change, Pinkie Pie instantly went back to her cheerful, perky self as she pulled out a white cake box in front of the utterly speechless Wonderbolt, whose blank expression is mirrored by Roseluck’s.

With great perplexity, Fleetfoot could barely comprehend her own state of confusion, “I… you… huh…?”

But then, the smiling Pinkie Pie explained herself in a matter-of-fact manner, “Yeah, I know I said that I will personally stuff your face with it, but considering on what you did out there for Rosie today, I figured that you might as well have your cake and eat it too!”

From recalling that misleading forewarning, Fleetfoot hesitantly accepted Pinkie’s gift as she softly expressed her gratitude. “Umm… okay… thanks, Pinkie.”

“No pro-blem-o! Oh, and don’t try to eat the whole thing by yourself! Believe me! It really wasn’t a good day for me when I had to go to the dentist the next morning! They definitely did a great job when it came to me having a bright, shiny smile, but... oh the pain! THE PAIN!

As Pinkie Pie exaggerated her plight in a trembling manner and with various gagging noises, Roseluck and Fleetfoot looked at each other in silent confusion, and all the Wonderbolt could offer as an answer is a casual shrug.

With a sudden perk of cheerfulness on her face, Pinkie waved goodbye to the two flabbergasted women before she happily bounced away, “Anyway, enjoy! La-lalala-lala~!

After Pinkie Pie left the scene, Roseluck and Fleetfoot were completely staggered by the young councilwoman’s shifting moods, until finally, Rose spoke up with an awkward smile, “Well… that was… weird?”

In response, Fleetfoot broke in a soft laugh as she said, “That’s Pinkie Pie for you!”

They eased the awkward tension with a hearty giggle between the two before Fleetfoot opened the cake box as Roseluck leaned in for a peek inside. Once the lid had been lifted, the two girls gazed at the prized dessert with hungry eyes. Like Pinkie Pie promised, there was a chocolate cake inside with shell-like trimmings around its circular edges. But the most striking feature for this delectable cake was the frosting that’s on top of it. Arrayed in a circle are eight red roses that were nestled on soft, green leaves. And at the center of the encircling flowers was a blue horseshoe with a yellow arc underneath it that showcased a few feathery features.

Despite wanting to question the cake’s coincidental characteristics, Roseluck overlooked that by saying how amazing the details were, “Wow! She certainly put a lot work into that just for a one cake!”

“Yeah, she may be a bit eccentric, but man, is she a mad genius when it comes tasty treats!” Fleetfoot stated with a smile, “Especially when they’re for the parties she would host.”

Once the cake box was closed up, Fleetfoot handed it over to Roseluck as she ascended the doorsteps. “Anyway, you should have it instead of me.”

Surprised by this very kind gesture, Rose gently pushed the enclosed box back as she politely turned down the Wonderbolt’s generosity. “Thank you, but she gave it to you. It’s your cake after all.”

“Oh no, I insist.” she pushed it back a bit firmly. “You should take it after all you have been through today. Besides, I shouldn’t be having sweets when I’m competing in one of the biggest events in the country.”

In a rare display of cheekiness, the Eponian responded back with a raised eyebrow and a shrewd grin, “Ah, so you figured that tempting me with this cake will make it easier for you to thin out the competition, hmm?”

After blinking speechlessly, the Wonderbolt broke into spontaneous laughter as she got the irony of that witty retort. “Okay, you got me there!”

“Well… how about we each have one slice tonight, and then I can save the rest for later? I’m sure my roommates would definitely appreciate it if they get a chance to try one of Pinkie Pie’s signature desserts.”

After a brief moment on the opened invitation, Fleetfoot consented with an amusing smirk before extended an index finger up, “I’m okay with that, but remember… only one slice, and that’s it for you, young lady!”

With a subtle chuckle, Roseluck rolled her eyes as she said, “I think I’ve managed myself just fine when it comes to desserts.”

Impressed by Rose’s resolve, Fleetfoot prepared to see this challenge through after arching a high eyebrow and bearing a very wide smile. “Oh? Wait until you have Pinkie Pie’s cake first! Then we’ll see how well restraint you are after that!”

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“Wow…” Roseluck awed in paralyzed state of astonishment and fulfillment. “I’m never going look at birthday cakes the same way again!”

“See! What did I tell you?” Fleetfoot chuckled with glee by her friend’s awestricken expression before she finished the last bite of her cake.

Inside Roseluck’s home, they had just finished their individual slices of cake as they are completely satisfied by its deliciously rich, chocolaty taste. Along with their dessert, the hospitable Eponian also served each of them a glass of milk to go with that cake. After chugging what’s left of her beverage, Fleetfoot noticed how entranced her new friend was she couldn’t keep her eyes off of that devilishly tempting cake.

Slyly, Rose reached for the cake spatula nearby as she suggested with a mischievous smile, “…Maybe we should each have just one more slice before we call it a night--!”

Quick as her name, Fleetfoot lightly smacked Roseluck’s hand away from the spatula as it caused the flower girl to yelp from the slightly stinging sensation.

“No! Bad, Roseluck! Bad!” she chided playfully.

“Aww, come on~! Just one more~!” she whined childishly while rubbing her faintly sore hand.

“I’ve already told you: one slice is all you’re having, and that’s final!”

Reluctantly, she crossed her arms and let out a harrumph in a cute, pouty manner. “…Fine.”

After a brief chuckle between the two, Fleetfoot packed up the three-quartered cake away in its box and proceeded toward the refrigerator while Roseluck took care of the dishes and utensils as she brought to them the sink.

Once she placed the cake box on a proper shelf, Fleetfoot closed the door as she reminded Roseluck, who was busy washing the tableware in warm, soapy water, “Did you remember to take your medicine?”

With a roll of her eyes, Rose replied with a sarcastic smile, “Yes, mom! I just took it with the glass of milk I had earlier. Remember?”

“‘Mom’, huh?” the Jupitarian responded as she approached the preoccupied Eponian with a very crafty smile, “Well in that case, maybe I should tuck you in bed and give you a goodnight kiss while I’m at it, hmm?”

While this latest act of teasing caused Rose to blush right away, Fleetfoot was dangerously close to her as she started to pucker her smacking lips like she was a gaping fish. With her close proximity endangered, Roseluck shielded herself with the use of her arms as she pushed the playfully affectionate Wonderbolt away from her while she is unable to contain her giggling from seeing that ridiculous kissy-face.

“Stop that! You’re going to wake up my roommates!”

“Okay okay!” she said with a lighthearted chuckle as she finally ended her juvenileness. “I’ll go on ahead and let myself out.”

True to her word, Fleetfoot walked toward the door and opened it, but just when she was about to step outside it, Roseluck rushed up to her and called out loud, “Wait, Fleetfoot!”

“Yeah, what is it?”

Once she turned around, Fleetfoot became suddenly staggered once she faced the impassive Roseluck, who was really up close and personal. Being on the receiving end of this, the stunned Wonderbolt started to tremble and blush uncontrollably as the red-haired Eponian slowly extended her right hand towards the Jupitarian’s rosy face. Upon direct contact for that one second, Rose’s delicate fingers were touching Fleetfoot’s cheek as the latter of the two was frozen stiff. Within that very short time frame, the astounded Wonderbolt could feel the surprisingly incredible warmth from that graceful touch of her endearing friend.

But then, time resuming at its normal pace as Roseluck retracts her right hand, and the dazed Fleetfoot snapped out of it before she saw what lead to this involuntary discomfort. On her index finger, Rose had just wiped off some chocolate icing from the bewildered Wonderbolt’s cheek. Afterwards, she brought the frosting-covered finger to her lips and sucked it off in one felt swoop. After that, she faintly licked her lips while softly moaning to herself from its reminiscing deliciousness. Then she turned her attention to her wide-eyed, blushing friend and realized on the level of embarrassment she had unintentionally put themselves through.

“Sorry.” Rose explained with an apologetic blush as she swiftly turned her soft green eyes away from Fleetfoot. “You just had some frosting on you.”

“Oh, r-right. Thanks.” she responded as she too turned her head away while sheepishly scratching the back of her white, fluffy hair.

At last, Fleetfoot stepped outside the house before Roseluck gently closed the door, but then she stopped all of sudden as she peaked through the door’s opening as the two locked blank glances with one another. Eventually, Rose bid her farewells first.

“Well… goodnight.”

“‘Night.”

After exchanging their simple goodbyes and tender smiles with each other, Rose finally closed her door with a soft clatter. Fleetfoot then faced the other way and prepared her takeoff, so she can finally turn in for the night. But before she did that, she delicately caressed her left cheek as she recollected the soothing warmth she just experienced recently. Pushing her curiosity over this unique radiance aside, she took flight and swiftly headed toward her hotel room, just so she can be prepared for another day in the Equestria Games.

Next Chapter: Chapter 3 – Relieving Tensions Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 48 Minutes
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