>Dammit, why does being a boy suck so much sometimes? why does a girl being sad over a decision being made so hurtful to the heart?
>you gave a glance to Applebloom, she still seemed upset by your words. ugh, did it really mean that much to her?
>you give a glance to Scoots. Yeah, she's not AS upset. But it seems she expected a yes too.
>Then you thought about Sweetie Belle. Would she be upset? DAMMIT. FUCKING GIRLS. FUCK. Why can't they be like boys and just accept a decision!
>Why do they have to make a face that hurts the heart so much. ugghhhhh
>You take in a deep breath to sigh. Then look over to the downtrodden horse. "I mean...I can't just be a crusader without training right?"
>Applebloom looked up at you, oh crap is that a tear in her eye? "W-whatcha mean Anon?"
> Oh god she's crying. seems she was even MORE adamant in making you a crusader than you were not being one. was she that fascinated by your existence?
>you look to the side, away from her. "Well...you know...Don't I need training before I become a crusader? you know, like ummm...proper initiation?"
>With this, at least perhaps she'd be happy again AND you'd have a way out of being a crusader while maintaining a healthy friendship. Trainees can fail, right?
> Applebloom suddenly perked up as she grabbed scootaloo and brought her to the corner to discuss this/
>Applebloom whispered "Scootaloo, do we even have that kinda thing? we never needed ah initiation thing before right?"
>Scootaloo pondered "Well, no. But thinking about it. It is odd were just gonna take in this guy. maybe it's a good NOT idea, he does seem a little off. Don't you think?"
 
 
>"nah! Didn't ya hear him? He's Fluttershy's son. meaning he's probably all nice and friendly. Even if he ain't a pony, he'd still be perfect for ah crusader!"
>Scoots sighed "But that's exactly it, he isn't a pony. He's a....a....I forgot what he is. But I don't think he can EVEN get a cutie mark."
>Applebloom smiled and waved her hoof at Scootaloo "So? that don't mean nothing. And we don't even know what he is. Who knows, maybe he CAN get a cutie mark. Besides, can ya imagine if he ran into..."
>Apple Bloom quivered "Diamon Tiara?"
>Scootaloo put a hoof to her face, annoyed "what does that have to do with anything?"
>AppleBloom put her hoof up "Well, look at him. Nopony knows who he is. And if she actually takes an interest in him. He might follow her. And since he seems to be a boy....I...think...She might have her do really bad stuff to us."
>Scootaloo leered at Applebloom, skeptical "isn't that, you know, a little too specific to be thinking? I'd think She'd just treat him like dirt like she does to everypony else she thinks is beneath her."
>"Come on Scootaloo, Look at him" She points at you, you notice this. You tried not to eavesdrop, but that seemed curious.
>Applebloom continued "Does he seem like the type to be made fun of? or the type she'd make one of her....I dunno...Muscley types?"
>Scootaloo was finding this conversation unamusing "You mean...a bodyguard?"
>Applebloom shook her head "yeah! She'd turn him into a mean nasty guy. and that might make the other ponies hate him. And then think of poor ole Fluttershy! her son would be a bad guy!!! Her heart would shatter like Granny Smith's glass jars! It's up to...no It's our civic duty as Crusaders to make him one of us! not only for being friends, but to make sure he goes down the path of.....umm..goodness!"
>Scootaloo just sat there, blinking "......uhhhh, what if he's already a bad guy?"
 
>Applebloom started rubbing her chin with her hoof, then looked back at you with a smile "Hey Anon! are you a bad guy!?"
>you nearly fell backwards. What kind of question was that?! "ga..gah..umm..n-no. I don't think I've done anything bad anyway"
>Applebloom gave a single nod with a beaming smile at Scootaloo "see, good guy! But, see. That's definitely why his idea of being a "Trainee" is a good idea! We can figure it out as we go."
>Scootaloo gave a quick glance at you, then at Applebloom, she seemed hesitant "mmmm......I...guess it's not a bad idea. I just wonder if he can get a cutie mark. I've never heard of anything not being a pony getting one."
>Applebloom smiled at her "Maybe he can, we won't know nothen until we try! I bet he'll become a crusader officially in no time!"
>Scootaloo wondered about that "yeah but....how do we make him go from Trainee to official crusader then?"
>Applebloom giggled "That's easy Scootaloo, if he's friendly and willing to attempt the stuff we try to get a cutie mark, then that means he wants to crusade too. and if he wants to crusade too, then that means he's a crusade...er! get it?"
>Scootaloo understood, nodded, and smiled "Got it! sounds easy enough."
>Applebloom raised her hoof for a hoofpump from Scootaloo, which she replied with her hoof "then we agree! and it's a good thing we already got somethin ready! we needed somepony to pull the third cart anyway!"
>They both nodded to eachother, you just stared. What did they talk about?
>You look at them "ummm...so um...." you look left and right "whatcha guys....talk about?"
>Applebloom gave you a wide smile "Just talkin' about the trainee stuff. And we agreed! You are officially the first..EVER..EVER...CUTIE MARK CRUSADER TRAINEE! CONGRATULATIONS ANON!"
 
>Well, that certainly was enthusiastic. you just blinked, and then looked at Scootaloo, she was smiling too. Well, you wanted to make friends with them. This...was a start. You just, put up an awkward smile and put your arms up "w-wooo!"
>Applebloom, still smiling at you, grabbed your hands with her hooves and shook it. "Aren't ya excited Anon? Not many ponies get the honor of being a Cutie Mark Crusader Trainee! You are the first after all!"
>You wanted to correct her, but it seemed pointless.before your eyes you saw Applebloom excitingly bounce about. Scootaloo seemed just ok with it.
>You thought you'd feel awkward about this, but after seeing this much of a display of excitement. It actually feels endearing. yeah, this wasn't so bad. it was very...welcoming actually. You couldn't help but make a slight smile.
>Applebloom stopped bouncing.and nudged into you "And the best part Anon, is that your training can already start! We are already packed for our next big plan!"
>You cocked an eyebrow "next big plan? what's that mean?"
>Scootaloo took her turn to talk as she walked over to a window and pointed below "Check it out Anon. We collected a whole bunch of stuff from Ponyville and loaded them up on carts."
>You got up to look, and sure enough. There were three carts covered in tarps. Given the humps. It seemed they were loaded. "whatcha, load up with?".
>Scootaloo said "anything and everything we could find that was cool or awesome." she started to walk towards applebloom, who seemed to be building with excitement "that way, we can be..."
>And then it happened, they both jumped up and yelled "CUTIE MARK CRUSADER MERCHANTS!"
>your head shakes and your ears vibrate from the squeal, oh boy. This was gonna take getting used too. But...the concept didn't seem bad. And if it's as you guessed. It means money is involved. Maybe you could earn some yourself and help Fluttershy out. Yeah, hey. This was turning out...wait a second.
 
> You turned to them "Merchants huh? does that mean...we're gonna be out in the town. By ourselves?"
>They both nodded
> oh joy, you didn't even know how to navigate Ponyville by yourself. And now you were going to be out and about with 2 little flillies.Perfect, if anypony decides to call you out or mistreat you, Fluttershy won't be around to pr....mnnn.
>you enter deep thought. and go back to your thoughts about the money. You wouldn't beable to help Fluttershy WITH money if you couldn't EARN it by being a fraidy cat. No, you had to do this. Not only for the money, but to show everyone, Fluttershy, and even yourself that you can step out. I mean, if these two girls can do it. Then...so can you!
>you clear your throat, and head towards the door "t-then what are we waiting for?" You filled yourself with more courage with every passing second. "Let's sell some stuff!"
>They both hopped towards you and the door as you opened up and yelled "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS"
>you speak up with them "AND TRAINEE!"
>you all yell "LET'S GO!"