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A Second Chance

by Jay David

Chapter 30: Crusaders Rise

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"Darling, what in Equestria are were going here for?"

Twilight let out a brief chortle at her friend's question as the two of them began to make their way towards Sweet Apple Acres, passing by many a laden apple tree as they walked.

"Applejack invited me over for lunch today, and I figured this would be a good chance for you to ask her about that fall line you were making. You said you wanted more of an autumn look for this right? I'm guessing Applejack would be more than willing to have you look around the farm and pick up some colour ideas."

Rarity considered that for a moment before eventually putting on a smile, nodding in agreement to Twilight's plan. Twilight herself nodded before looking forward again, and shortly afterwards, the distinct red barn of the Apple family began to come into view. I'm not lying to her, but I need her to come with me. Because, if I'm right, there's a little filly here who's going to need Rarity's involvement. But, she remained silent, instead just walking as they finally approached the front door of Applejack's home. Twilight was the one to give a knock, and after a minute or two of waiting, the door finally opened, revealing Applejack on the other side. The farm mare smiled at Twilight, but seemed rather surprised to see Rarity there as well. However, this soon passed and, as usual, Applejack gave a friendly nod to the alabaster unicorn. Nodding in response, Rarity watched as Applejack stood aside, allowing both her and Twilight indoors. As the two entered, Twilight looked around. Okay...I know she's in here somewhere. However, she was prevented from seeking out her quarry as Applejack spoke up.

"Well, it's good to see y'all here today. Glad ya could make it!"

Twilight turned and smiled to her.

"Likewise, AJ."

The orange earth pony then turned to Rarity.

"Gotta admit, ah was surprise to see ya here, Rares."

Although somewhat irritated at that nickname, Rarity nevertheless kept on smiling graciously.

"Well, I have a new line of dresses coming up and Twilight here came upon a brilliant idea for me to observe your trees during the turn to fall. If that's okay with you of course, darling."

Applejack gave a hearty laugh at that.

"Shoot, Rarity, it's alright with me. But, do y'all want something to drink first? Ah gotta kettle boilin fer some tea if ya like."

Rarity’s smile grew even wider upon hearing that.

"Oh, Applejack, I would love one!"

Applejack nodded at that before turning, gesturing to a nearby table, to which Rarity and Twilight soon made their way towards. With the two of them seated, Applejack began to busy herself with making the tea. However, as the two unicorns waited, it was here that Twilight began to hear the sound of somepony walking down the stairs. Turning, she smiled as she saw that it was none other than Apple Bloom. There she is, Twilight thought.

"Good afternoon, Apple Bloom!"

The young filly turned, seeing the two guests in her home, before breaking out into a smile herself.

"Howdy! Y'all here fer lunch?"

Twilight nodded at that, at which point Applejack came over, carrying a tray of tea cups and gently placing them upon the table. After that, she turned to her younger sister.

"Y'all off to meet up with Twist, sis?"

Apple Bloom nodded enthusiastically at that, before Applejack smiled and gave her a friendly pat on the head. With that done, the young filly began to walk past her, right towards a saddle bag on the side of the kitchen wall. Twilight watched her carefully as she did this, all while sipping her tea. Okay, Twilight, play this carefully.

"So, Apple Bloom...how's school been?"

Upon hearing that, Apple Bloom froze, and for a moment, she hesitated to answer. In time, however, she put on a smile, though one that Twilight raised an eyebrow at. There's a forced smile if ever there was one. But, she kept quiet, instead staying in her seat as the young filly began to speak up.

"Oh, er...everything's fine! Miss Cheerilee's go some really fun lessons fer us this week, so everything's peachy!"

However, in contrast to how most would expect her to act after hearing that, Applejack turned to her sister with a slight frown.

"Now, Apple bloom. We don't go saying dishonest things in the Apple family. Things are not peachy, are they?"

There was a moment where the young filly looked as if she wanted to speak up and dispute her sister's point, but one look from Applejack silenced her, and she looked down at the ground, almost ashamed at what she'd done. Turning to the other mares, Applejack began to explain things.

"There's been some trouble at school lately. Apparently some high an mighty filly got her cutie mark the other day and is giving Bloom here some grief."

Twilight nodded at that, a look of understanding crossing her face. Rarity, by contrast, seemed aghast at what she'd heard.

"But that's just dreadful! Hasn't the teacher done anything about it?"

Applejack nodded.

"She has. But she can't be everywhere at once. Mostly that pompous Diamond goes after Bloom when nopony's lookin."

Turning from her friend, Twilight looked right at Apple Bloom, looking more than a little sympathetic.

"Is there anything we can do, Apple Bloom?"

The young filly looked up, an appreciative smile creeping onto her face.

"Thank ya, Miss Twilight, but ah don't think y'all could help."

Twilight put a hoof to her chin after hearing that. I know she’ll eventually ask me to use my magic to conjure a mark for her, but that’s not an option. Besides, I’ve had more than my fill of mark-altering magic. Okay, I've got to make this look like I've just come up with the idea. She gained a ponderous look for a few moments before putting on a smile that wouldn't have looked out of place with a lightbulb above it. Rarity and Applejack turned to each other, each looking confused, before turning back to their lavender friend, who spoke up in an excited manner.

"What you need, Apple Bloom, is somepony your age who is going through the same thing."

Apple Bloom tilted her head at that.

"But...ah already have Twist. Who else is there?"

Twilight nodded at that, turning to the other mares.

"Rarity, do you know of any other colts or fillies in town that don't have their cutie marks yet? Maybe Apple Bloom could talk to one of them about all this."

Rarity seemed taken aback by that question, but then looked as if she'd suddenly realised something important.

"Actually, I'm surprised I didn't think of the sooner, but my sister doesn't have her mark yet."

Applejack turned to her with a smile.

"Ya mean Sweetie Belle? Shoot, ah plum forgot about her!"

Before any of them could speak up again, they were shocked to find Apple Bloom had nestled herself in-between them, looking at them with excitement plastered all over her face.

"What?! There's another filly with no cutie mark?!"

Rarity nodded at that.

"Indeed there is, and you know, I think you and her will get along famously."

After hearing that, Apple Bloom broke out into the biggest smile Twilight had ever seen on her, prompting her to giggle somewhat. However, her attention was then diverted to Applejack, who seemed just as deep in thought on this matter as Rarity was.

"Come to think of it...ain't there a little pegasus filly who goes following Rainbow around like a lost puppy all the time?"

Rarity nodded to her farmer friend.

"Oh, you mean Scootaloo? Yes, I think she too is without a mark. It is rather strange I hadn't thought about her in all this time."

Before any of them could speak up on that matter, Apple Bloom began to bounce around the table in a circle, squealing the word "yes" over and over again. It prompted feelings of nostalgia in Twilight as she smiled down at the filly. Look at her. The prospect of meeting somepony in her position has her just as excited as I was when I first became Celestia's student. However, as she considered that, a whole new thought began to make itself known it Twilight's mind.

"Actually...why don't we bring Spike into the mix too?"

Rarity and Applejack turned to her with clear confusion on their faces, with the former speaking up first.

"Um...I do beg your pardon, Twilight, but Spike is never going to get a cutie mark, nor do I think he's that bothered about the whole thing."

Twilight let out a brief laugh at that.

"I know, Rarity. But I’ve come to realise that Spike has no friends outside of us, Pinkie, Rainbow and Fluttershy. I’m the one who looks after him, and thus it’s my responsibility to see that he goes out and meets ponies just like I do. So I think it'd be good for him to get out into Ponyville and make some friends his own age."

The other two mares looked to each other, a look of agreement passing between them, to which Twilight smiled. It's something I'm a little ashamed of for having neglected the first time around. Spike is a child. Children need to be with other children, not just other adults. And maybe it was because he was always so wrapped up in the work I gave him, but I always failed to recognise that he needed to make friends of his own, not just be friends with the mares his carer had grown close to. And if Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle form their little group again, I can think of nopony I'd rather have him be friends with. With that thought over and done, Twilight turned to the young filly, who had begun to get back to her saddle bags, perhaps ready to seek out these new fillies she'd been told about. Giggling slightly, Twilight returned to her tea and took a single sip. So, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are formed. A bit earlier than the first time around, but, at least this way, Apple Bloom doesn't have to face that pompous little Tiara filly at that party and get humiliated, at least not without backup.

"Um...Twilight?"

The young unicorn looked up from her tea, right at Rarity.

"Yes?"

Rarity hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Well...please don't take this the wrong way, but do you think that...maybe...this little get-together you’re planning might divert Spike’s attention away from...well..."

Twilight raised an eyebrow at that.

"...From you?"

Rarity looked a little ashamed for a moment before giving a single nod. Twilight, by contrast, seemed to understand perfectly. Rarity likes Spike as a friend, and always has done. His crush on her was not something she ever wanted him to feel. I know it was harmless, but she only saw him as a friend, and that would mean heartache down the line for him. He's young, and he doesn't know what real love is, at least not yet, so having him pine after an adult like Rarity will never end well. I know I wasn't willing to end this crush of his when I first came to Ponyville, but maybe...maybe it's for his own good that I do so now, before he gets too caught up in it. And maybe she's right. Spending time with others his age might divert attention away from her. And this way, she'll be able to do it without outright turning him down. Thinking the matter over, Twilight let out a sigh before putting on a small smile.

"Maybe you're right, Rarity. That might be good for him."

Rarity breathed a sigh of relief at that, at which point Twilight couldn't help but put on a mischievous smile.

"Besides...he may find more suitable options in this little gathering we're planning."

Rarity nodded in agreement before sipping her tea, all while Twilight watched her carefully, waiting for her to understand what she'd just said. After a full minute of waiting, Twilight's patience was rewarded as her alabaster friend's eyes bulged out and she spat out her tea, right before turning to Twilight with shock on her face.

"WHAT?!"

Next Chapter: An Autumn Moon Estimated time remaining: 15 Hours, 44 Minutes
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