Childhood Sweethearts

Chapters

Ponyville
First Day Of School and New Friend
Realization
Cerulean's Father
Sweet Apple Acres
You've Got Some Explaining To Do!
Sugarcube Corner
Clearing The Air
A Cold Night
Weather To Fall
Silverline
Introduction
Brawl
Grounded and Memories

Ponyville

Well, here we are. Ponyville.

You thought mindlessly, staring into the distance from your window beside your seat on the train. Unlike your hollow thoughts, the land outside of the window you were staring through was filled with life and busy movement from ponies and taxis and in the background of it all, you could make out what appeared to be some kind of market.

Being as distracted as you was, you didn't even realize that the train had stopped and you were the only one sitting in the carriage. Shocked and snapping back to reality, you quickly took your leave and joined your mother who was waiting outside with most of the belongings that were in your previous house back in Manehatten.

They only consisted of around a dozen or so large boxes and a small safe that held some spare money in it for safekeeping. Only a few of those boxes belonged to you but the only two things that weren't boxed were your helmet and scooter. With all that your mind was still wrapping around, only that could make you elicit a small smile.

Taking your helmet with your hooves, you placed it atop your mane, feeling the weight push down softly on your head. Taking your scooter that was folded for ease of portability, you strapped it to your back and managed to help your mum with carrying your boxes by placing them on your back, lightening her own load.

With a quick thanks to the cargo pony, you and your mother went along to find your new house that you only knew was in the middle of town.
Right through the swarming crowds of the busy market.

Uneasily, you pulled the down the strap for your scooter tighter, feeling it tightly clench to your back as if it was alive and gripping you for dear life. Beside you, your mother looked just as uneasy and staying as close together as you could, you made your move towards the hundreds of browsing ponies.

From left to right, ponies brushed up against you, nearly knocking you down to the floor along with the extra weight on your back containing all your belongings. You could see that your mother was also having the same problem, yet the worst was about to come as you could see a speeding taxi driver heading dead towards you as fast as he could.

You didn't even have time to react before he collided with you and knocked you down, throwing your body forcefully into the wall of a nearby building and you slid down to your stomach as you could feel a softly burning pain in your head from where you hit it, the damage thankfully only being minimized by your trusty helmet that now had an additional memory dented into it.

With blurry eyes, you looked in a daze in front of you by slowly lifting your head, only to see three orange, cream and white figures standing before you.

In your current dazed state, your hearing had gone and you couldn't hear anything but a soft ringing and muffled voices, indicating that they were saying something. Blinking to get the bleariness out of your eyes, you slowly regained your vision and you scratched your ears, eventually getting your hearing back, only to get a throbbing headache as the loudness of the market scene came back too quickly.

As you recoiled in pain, you could feel the hoof of one of the figures looking down to you touch your shoulder. Looking up, you were greeted by a set of gorgeous purple eyes that matched an amethyst's colour and you could see that her coat was a bright hue of orange.

You would be lying if you said you didn't feel the slightest bit of a blush begin to burn your white cheeks. Moving her hoof from your shoulder, she offered it too you and still weary, you slowly placed your hoof in hers before you were lifted from the floor and shakily placed back on your hooves again.

Able to finally get a good look at the three who came to help you, you could clearly see that the orange one was a pegasus, the white one a unicorn and the cream-y one an earth pony whose eyes all held concern.

Feeling the highly discomforting clamp on your head from the strong blow that was your helmet, you unstrapped it from your chin and took it off, immediately feeling a wave of relief pass through you as you felt oxygen and blood flow back to your brain.

''A-Are you alright? You took a pretty nasty blow, there.'' The pegasus said, looking over your features. Placing your helmet down, you scratched your head with a hoof.

''Oh, y-yeah, fine, thank you. Just hurts a bit, is all.'' You said, still feeling most of the damage to your head from that impact. In fact, you were so distracted by the pain that you hardly even realized that your scooter had gone missing from your back. From your suddenly worried look, the concern in the three filly's eyes grew.

''Um...is something wrong? You didn't get beat up too bad did ya?'' The cream coloured one asked, gently pushing back some of her glamorous red hair behind her ear.

''My scooter's gone, has anyone seen it?'' You asked them, trying not to exclaim to save yourself from a wave of nausea. Oddly, you could see the worried frown on the pegasus's face transform into a gleeful smile at the mention of a scooter.

''Wait, you have a scooter, too?!'' She asked, unable to contain herself as she gripped on your shoulders.

''Yes, and I had it strapped to my back right before that guy hit me, along with all my stuff!'' You said before easily pushing her from you and she gave a soft frown.

''Your stuff? Are you new here or something?'' She asked with added curiosity as she looked you over.

''Just moved here actually. Me and my mum were just on our way to our new house.'' As if on cue, you could see your mother coming into view, a worried look plastered on her face. Other than that worried look on her face, your eyes were focused more on what was thankfully on her back and in one piece. Your scooter.

''Blaze, there you are! Are you alright?'' She picked you up and pulled you into a tight hug that didn't do wonders for your back and gave you a smooch on the cheek only a mother could give before placing you back down, an embarrassed blush upon your cheeks that was burning like a pair of rosey candles.

''Muuuum!'' You said in a stereotypical child-like manner that was only said that way in the time of an embarrassing moment such as this. She gave an apologetic smile once she noticed the three fillies standing beside you before she gave back your scooter much to your delight.

''Oh, who's your new friends, Blaze?'' She asked innocently as she motioned to the fillies with her eyes and you let out a soft gawking noise upon her calling them your friends when you haven't gone any further than only making your acquaintance.

''Mum, we've only-'' You began but was cut off by the pegasus of the group.

''I'm Scootaloo and these are my friends, Apple Bloom,'' She motioned to the cream coated and red maned earth pony who gave a small affirmative nod. ''and Sweetie Belle.'' She lastly motioned to the white coated, two tone pink and violet maned unicorn.

''Well, I'm glad to see that you're already getting started making new friends, Blaze. Now come on, we need to get these things moved in.'' She said and you nodded, feeling a slight pang of disappointment that you had to cut the meeting so short. The three gave a small wave goodbye before they left to go back to whatever they were doing and leaving you alone with your mother.

Beside you, you saw that the boxes your things were being held in were dumped beside you, a little torn up but still keeping all of their contents inside.

Restrapping your scooter back onto your back, you restacked the boxes on top and made for your new house. For some reason you couldn't quite so explain, you had the feeling that things in life weren't as bad as you thought they'd be.

First Day Of School and New Friend

Finally, after a day of arranging boxes and old furniture around to shape your new house into a place you could call home, you next task was to go to your new school, located just outside of town.

It wasn't that much different than your average school house with its freshly painted, cherry-red structure with small pink hearts and horseshoes painted just below the start of the roof and around the borderlines of the whole building. On top was a small bell tower with a gleaming, golden bell hanging from a pole that went through it on a vertical axis.

As you neared the school house and prepared to start the day with some nervousness lingering in your mind about how it would turn out, you saw who you assumed to be the teacher standing outside on the porch, welcoming the students as she allowed them entry and to take their seats.

Her mane was a soft pink with a very light hue of white in it that made it glisten softly and it contrasted nicely with her maroon coat and sparkling green eyes that were just a tad darker than Sweetie Belle's. On her flanks was a cutie mark of three blooming flowers with pink petals and smiling faces in the middle over a yellow centre.

Just as she was letting the last couple colts and fillies into the school, you appeared to be the last one and for a moment you could see her looking you over with a welcoming smile and slight curiosity.

''You must be Cerulean! So nice to meet you, I've already heard about you from your mother. I'm Miss Cheerilee, by the way. I'll be teaching you throughout the year.'' She said in a friendly manner. Nodding back in acknowledgement, you gave back a small wave with a hoof.

''Nice to meet you too, Miss Cheerilee. Also, everyone calls me Blaze.'' You said with a smile before you entered the room where all the other fillies and colts were sat and right away you could easily pick out the three you met earlier - Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle - all of which sat near each other.

Scootaloo sat at the back of the room on the far right, Sweetie sat bang in the middle of the room and Apple Bloom sat on the front row on the far right. However, seeing as you were new to the class, Miss Cheerilee took it upon herself to introduce you to the rest of the small class that only consisted of around ten or so kids, you included.

''Alright, everypony, today we have a new student joining us today, so please give a warm welcome to Cerulean Blaze!'' You felt a small blush on my cheeks at the welcome everypony in the room gave me as they applauded with their hooves clattering softly on the surfaces of the desk.

After the small introduction, Miss Cheerilee directed you to the back of the room where she sat you at the only empty desk that was directly next to Scootaloo's. Taking your seat and getting comfortable, you momentarily waved a hoof to her and she gave one back, a warm smile upon her lips.

Moving back to the front of the room and standing beside her desk and grabbing a piece of chalk, Cheerilee trotted over to the large, green chalk board that had a fair amount of old chalk lines across it's surface and began writing before turning back to the class and placing the piece of white chalk aside.

Motioning to the word 'Literature' on the board, she looked back at the class. ''Alright, everypony, let's get today's lesson started.'' She began, scribbling yet another thing or two onto the board before turning back to us. ''I want you all to get out your text books and turn to page fifty-seven. For the first half of the day, we're going to learn about Griffon History.''

You heard a groan or two come from some of the students, obviously less than uninterested in the topic. You, however, had a small smile on your lips at the mention of griffon history. At least there was an upside to moving to Ponyville.

*** *** ***

Time went on into the later hours of the day and you found yourself to actually be enjoying the lesson in class, something that you would rarely ever feeling.

The silence of the room with all the students working was only broken by the sound of pencils scribbling on paper and the occasional turn of a page. Beside you, you could see that Scootaloo had long grown bored and fell asleep in class, her head planted softly on top of her book and her face was facing you.

You thought she looked kinda cute as she let out a soft exhale of air with every breath she took and her expression looked so peaceful. In a way, you thought she looked a little angelic in that pose. When you were about to turn back to your work, the bell that signaled break time sounded and it was enough to wake up the deeply sleeping pegasus as everypony was being dismissed and let outside.

However, when Scootaloo and you were about to leave, Cheerilee stopped the two of you for a moment, looking at Scootaloo who had a confused but somewhat knowing look in her eyes.

''I need you to stay behind, Scootaloo. I saw you sleeping again through class.'' She turned to you, her look softening momentarily. ''You can go, Blaze, this'll only take a moment or two.'' Softly, you looked to Scootaloo and she said for you to leave and that she'd be fine. Slowly but reluctantly, you left the two alone and wandered outside into the playground.

You had no idea what that was about but you could only assume that it isn't the first time Scootaloo had fallen asleep during a lesson that was in session and you couldn't help but have some worry for your new friend.

Just as quickly as you stepped outside, you could see both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle talking together outside by the playground equipment. Not knowing anypony else, you decided to walk over to them and see what they were up to. As they saw you approach, they waved to you and you waved back.

The two of them looked behind you momentarily with expectant expressions on their faces.

''Hey, Blaze? Where's Scoots? Wasn't she with you on your way out?'' Sweetie asked, a brow half raised. You simply shrugged.

''Miss Cheerilee told her to stay behind. I only presumed it was because she fell asleep in class.'' You explained briefly, earning a soft chuckle from Apple Bloom.

''Ah've heard that one before. It's not like Scootaloo ta enjoy literature.'' She laughed momentarily before pointing a hoof behind her. ''Oh, here she comes now.''

Coming beside us, Scootaloo joined the group, a slightly saddened look on her face, causing her two friends to cast worried looks. ''What's up, Scoots? You okay?'' Sweetie asked her, touching a hoof to her shoulder but Scootaloo didn't look up for a moment. ''Scoots?''

''Miss Cheerilee's upset with me.'' She said, her tone sounding sorry for herself. ''She says that if I don't pay attention in class she won't have a choice but to kick me out.'' She finished with a frown, the news shocking her friends and you.

''W-What?!'' Apple Bloom exclaimed in an outburst of shock. ''Kick you out?! Where would you even go?'' Scootaloo shrugged.

''I dunno. I guess it wouldn't even matter. I can't even stay awake sometimes during Twilight Time, nevermind school.'' She sighed. ''I don't know what to do. I'm screwed!''

You couldn't help but feel sympathy for her. That upset look on her face set it all and it hurt your heart to see it. Nudging her hoof with your own, she curiously looked you in the eyes, making her now glistening purple eyes visible to you.

''Hey, Scootaloo, I may not have known you that long but if it'd help, I'd be more than happy to help you with your work. Y'know, if you'd like to, that is.'' You offered to her and she managed a smile but still held that doubtful look.

''I-I dunno, Blaze. I think that she was already upset with me to begin with and that she has already given me too many chances that I think that one was my last. If Miss Cheerilee can't help me, how can you?'' She raised a brow at you quizzically.

You felt a soft blush tinge your cheeks a bright rosey colour. ''I was top of my class back where I'm from.'' You admitted and to your surprise, that got an impressed look out of the pegasus. ''Trust me, Scootaloo, I can help you if you need it. All you gotta do is ask me.'' You said with a smile and she smiled back.

Surprisingly and taking you largely aback, you felt the hooves of Scootaloo wrapping around you and pulling you into a brief hug, showing how grateful she was for your offer. When she let go, you could see that she too was now blushing, a little brighter than the fires in your own cheeks.

''Thanks, Blaze. I appreciate it, I really do. So, when should we get started?''

''Just stop by my place whenever you have the time and we'll work from there.'' You said right before the bell rang again and you found yourself back in the classroom and with your nose deep in the text book again.

Occasionally, you would take a glance towards Scootaloo, seeing that same confused expression from before. With a hoof, she held her head and a heavily confused look was on her face as she stared down at the text book, presumably trying to figure out whatever she was looking at meant.

You thought about trying to talk to her or getting her attention so you could help her but went against it when you saw Cheerilee looking over your way to the back of the room with a knowing expression on her face. Clearly, she has been watching the two of you for a while now.

Immediately, you got back to work until the bell rang, indicating that today was over. As everypony filed out of the classroom in a hurried manner, you were again the second to last one out, followed by Scootaloo. As you exited the school house, she called after you.

''Hey, Blaze, wait!'' She called, causing you to stop with a confused look on your face as you turned her direction, watching her run up to you and skidding to a halt just in front of you. ''You got a minute?''

You blinked. ''Y-Yeah, sure. What's up?''

Awkwardly, Scootaloo started pawing at the floor with her hoof, averting her eyes from yours as a somewhat uncomfortable look crossed her features. ''Blaze, I-I was wondering...w-when you offered to help m-me...'' She stopped herself, clearly looking incredibly uneasy at what she was going to ask.

From her looks alone, you guessed that she never or rarely asked for help with any form of work, especially from a colt in particular that made it all the more impossible for her to ask such a simple thing with all the nervousness rolling through her body.

''Scootaloo...yeah, sure. I don't mind if you want to come around to study with me.'' You finished her own sentence for her, causing her to blush softly. You suppressed a laugh.

''R-Really?'' She asked, clearly surprised. ''You'd do that?''

You nodded. ''Of course. Come on, I'll walk you over.'' At that, her blush seemed to deepen, but you simply thought nothing of it. The majority of the walk to your house was spent in complete and utter silence that was only broken by the breathing of the two of you and the sounds of the birds that sang in the trees above and around you.

All the while, Scootaloo kept her head down and her blush still lingered there, fading a bit. You have only known her for roughly a day and already things in your mind started to get a little awkward. Oddly, she kept blushing when she was around you which you found kind of weird but didn't think nothing of it at the times it happened.

Your train of thought ended as you came to be standing in front of your new house. It wasn't anything different or special than the other traditional Ponyville houses around town but the main structure itself was designed to house four, allowing enough space that is more than enough for just you and your mother.

Times from long ago made you heavily miss the point in life where you used to have a family of three under one roof. With one down from that number, it only left you and your mother to fill the space with the rest of pure emptiness and a memory of who wasn't there anymore.

The roof of the house was made from the typical hay and wood materials that was on most other houses in town and the bodywork matched with the white and brown wood paneling that reinforced it to stand tall and straight. Other than when you got here, the newest addition to the household was your mailbox, standing proudly out front.
It was an average sized, metallic blue painted box with a custom yellow thunderbolt marker attached to the side.

Looking to Scootaloo, you motioned with a hoof for her to follow you inside your house and once you were both inside, you closed the door behind you.

Seeing your house for the first time, Scootaloo took in her surroundings, seemingly quite amazed by the decoration and cleanliness of the room. All the walls were painted in a soft blue colour, nearly matching the light blue in your mane and the ceilings were a perfect white.

With no other movement audible but yours and Scootaloo's own hooves, you realized that you were the only ones home.

On walls pictures hung, displaying old and new memories of your life as you grew up. Despite all the others, you couldn't help but notice see Scootaloo look over to one in particular - a large, framed photo covered by glass that hung on the far wall of the room that was located next to the fireplace at the back end.

It displayed three family members, you and your mother and a proudly smiling stallion with a coat as white as yours and a blue mane and tale with eyes that match that almost matched a perfect resemblance to your own.

She looked as though she wanted to say something but wisely kept her mouth closed, not wanting to unintentionally hurt you.

The rest of the room was just as tidy as the rest and the only furniture covering the available space was a couple of small couches aligned perfectly at the edges of the dark blue rug in a 'L' formation that sat comfortably in the middle. On the centre of the rug was a small, black framed glass coffee table.

You led Scootaloo towards the stairs and the two of you ascended them to the second floor where you showed her to your new room, closing the door behind you with a creak.

Unlike your room back at Manehatten, this one was tidier and much cleaner with the same coating of paint as downstairs. From the left of the entrance of the room stood your bed with Wonderbolt sheets adorning it as the covers with a matching pillow that had the Wonderbolt's thunderbolt logo in a blue shield printed onto it. Beside your bed was a small bookcase, various editions and volumes of books displayed with their spines towards you so you know their identity.

Along the walls were some of your racing memorabilia posters from your old room along with a few pictures on shelves of you and your family, some with the whole family whilst most were only of you and your mother.

To the far right of the room was a small window that sat in front of a small desk that had a few bits and pieces laid out over it. Some were old parts from your scooter that were placed to the left side and the rest were new parts to replace the taken out old parts that were placed onto the right side.

On the centre of the table was the scooter itself, the body detached from the handle bars and ready to be fixed up. Leaning on the side of the desk was the handlebars, in desperate need of repair but you couldn't bring yourself to change them around because of what they reminded you of and how dear they were to you.

Moving beside your bookcase, you pulled out a book from the middle that was dark blue-grey in colour and read 'Griffon Kingdom History' on the front in bold, gold letters. Positioning yourself so that you were sitting on your bed, you placed the book down on your lap and patted the covers with your hoof and motioned to Scootaloo to take a seat beside you.

Hesitantly, Scootaloo came towards the bed and slowly climbed her way on top and all of a sudden, her nervousness was gone as she found great comfort in the plushy covers. Taking a nearby pencil, you hoofed it over to her before taking one for yourself along with a couple pieces of paper.

Without wasting time, you opened the book to around it's midpoint and began reading from there whilst pointing out key facts to Scootaloo along the way to help her out and to show her that it isn't as hard as she thought it was and was in fact pretty easy.

The two of you studied for quite some time and for once, Scootaloo was finding herself to be enjoying what she was learning. She particularly liked the old fighting techniques and strategies that the griffons used in olden times and learning about their older and newer model armour.

However, as the time rolled into the later hours of the upcoming night, you took a momentary glance at your bedside clock and your eyes shrank a little in shock upon realizing that it was nearing half seven! You were both so caught up in your studying that you forgot about checking the time every so often!

Scootaloo seemed to take notice, too as she also began to have a short panic attack. She didn't even tell her parents where she was going after school or even what time she would be home. By now they were probably getting worried!

Shocked, she dropped her pencil and paper and jumped from the bed, her panic growing deeper. Climbing off the bed yourself, you held her shoulders and tried to get her attention so she wouldn't freak out. It seemed to work when her trembling figure started to die down a little and she looked into your eyes.

''Calm down, Scootaloo, I'm sure there isn't anything that bad to worry about.'' You said in a comforting tone and it seemed to work when you could feel her physically relax and she let out a deep sigh to get her rapid breathing under control. ''Come on, if you're that worried, I'll walk you home. How's that sound?''

She blushed again and nodded.

Trotting your way out of your room after Scootaloo and closing the door, you grabbed your blue Wonderbolt scarf with the lightning bolt on the ends and offered it to Scootaloo who hesitantly took it with a grateful smile and wrapped it around her neck.

Leaving your house, you followed Scootaloo by walking next to her as you escorted her home. Outside, the night was growing darker in a blanket of blackness that was followed by glittery, white dots in the sky that set a romantic scene along with the brilliant white light from the moon than hung in the skies above.

All through the time the two of you were walking together, you would take a momentary glance towards the skies, admiring the beauty of the scenery around you. Looking away from the sky, you both momentarily looked into each others eyes before immediately breaking contact as fierce blushes ravaged through your cheeks.

When you finally arrived at Scootaloo's house, you saw that it was pretty much the same as your own house, design-wise. The only difference was that the colour of the structure was of a light blue and grey colour that looked rather plain.

Walking her to her front door, Scootaloo stopped before she could turn the handle to the door and looked you in the eyes with a soft look. She unwrapped the scarf you gave her for the walk back and held it to you.

For a moment, you stared at it before looking back into her eyes with a smile and you pushed it gently to her chest with a hoof. ''You keep it.'' You said softly before she unexpectedly pulled you into a hug.
Whilst you were being held in her embrace, you could smell what you knew was the scent of Tressehoof shampoo.

''Thanks, Blaze. For everything. You're a great friend.'' She said before she broke away with a blush on her cheeks, like you did. She said her goodbye's before she entered her house and left you standing there with a perplexed expression as the last word that left her mouth lingered in your mind.

Friend.

Since the first day you met Scootaloo, it wasn't no lie that you found yourself to take a liking to her and through all the moments you got to hang around with her, from school to your house, you found that you had some things in common. But already, for her to deem you as a friend? That was unexpected.

You let a smile creep onto your lips as you turned around and began to walk home, the word still hanging around in your head.

Author's Note

Sorry about the Tresseme pun! Couldn't resist! Resistance was futile!

Realization

A few days have passed since your moving into Ponyville and you were finally starting to warm up to the place. Your new home had grown nicely on you and you even managed to become friends with some of the school children, including Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

For once in your life you were enjoying the pleasures of socializing with others who were relative to the homely town. Your mother has also settled in nicely, probably even more so that you, and too managed to make friend after she met none other than the town's very own pink party-addict and planner, Pinkie Pie who threw a small party to welcome you and her to the town and to get to know the others.

You may have thought to yourself that Pinkie's ponyisms were a little strange but she was still a pretty fun pony to be around. After all, the party is what got you to to where you are now with your new friends.

Along with Scootaloo, your closest friend so far, you hung out more after school and went on some adventures together that you found very enjoyable. The best thing about hanging out with the three fillies was the part where Scootaloo took you all for a ride on her scooter around Ponyville with you crammed in a small cart that was tied to her scooter with Sweetie and Apple Bloom pressing tightly against you in the small space it provided.

Despite how claustrophobic the cart was to sit in with the two fillies, you had a blast as you were all darted around corners, hauled off of jumps after the crazy daring pegaus and having a bit of a joy ride that put everyone in high spirits as she pulled the lot of you along as fast as she could.

The rest of the day was spent with you all together at Sugarcube Corner, all sat at one of the tables together, Scootaloo seated next to you and Apple Bloom beside Sweetie Belle. With thanks to Pinkie, you were all sipping on and enjoying milkshakes, one of the main signature delectables the shop was known for.

Currently, you were all in conversation with Apple Bloom being the one telling you all about a story with a smile on her lips. When she finished, you all burst into laughter, you nearly spitting out your milkshake in the process but luckily managing to swallow before letting out your own laugh.

It was the story of the time Twilight's assistant, Spike, asked them to watch over all their friend's pets and the disaster it ended up in. With all of them getting covered head to hoof in pet makeup and shampoo and getting all their manes in a mangled and scratched at mess. And who could forget that industrial sized pet dryer Winona had a fun time with as it practically glued her to the floor with the heavy gusts of air it produced?

When all the laughter died down, the attention seemed to be turned to you. Confused at first as to why they were all looking at you expectantly, you waited for one of them to speak.

''W-What?'' You asked awkwardly, feeling slightly uncomfortable. ''Why are you all staring at me like that?'' Apple Bloom smiled.

''Come on, it's your turn, Blaze. A colt such as yourself must have some interestin' stories to tell.'' You blushed lightly and her and Sweetie giggled whilst Scootaloo held back a chuckle.

''Yeah, coming from Manehatten, you must have some good stories to tell. Perhaps about a filly or two?'' Sweetie said with a teasing smile and a wink. You blushed furiously, your cheeks turning candy-apple red.

''Aw, come on guys, quit teasing him.'' Scootaloo said from beside you in her soft but scratchy voice and you could detect a sort of jealous tone in her voice. ''If he doesn't wanna tell a story, he doesn't have to.''

''N-No, it's alright, Scoots.'' You gently waved a hoof. ''I do have some stories to tell, It's just that...I don't feel comfortable telling them yet.'' You said simply, much to their disappointment but further curiosity.

''Howcome?'' Sweetie asked, tilting her head to the side a little. You began to feel even more uncomfortable. However, before you could respond, a voice from your side interjected.

''Hey, that's enough, guys!'' Scootaloo said, softly stomping her small, orange hoof on the table, causing the whole lot of you to jump at the outburst and you nearly fell from your seat as both Apple Bloom and Sweetie flinched, eyes wide. It was only lucky that none of the milkshakes dropped to the floor and caused a mess. Suddenly realizing her action, Scootaloo let out a soft gasp before she left her seat and walked out of the shop, leaving the rest of you in shock and you shared surprised glances.

''What do ya think that was about?'' Apple Bloom asked, getting a shrug from Sweetie. She took a momentary glance at you and from that look you saw in her amber eyes, it was almost as if she was trying to comprehend something in her mind as they pierced you ice coloured eyes.

Feeling awkward and worried for your friend, you said one last thing before getting from your seat and heading outside. ''I'm gonna see if she's alright.''

When you opened the door to leave the shop and stepped outside, you looked around to see where Scootaloo may have gone and you didn't have to look far because she was sat with her back against the wall of a nearby house, located from the left side of the shop from your angle with her head in her hooves and her eyes cast downwards.

Concerned and worried about what was wrong with her, you slowly approached her and gently took a seat next to her. For a while, neither of you said a thing. As the silence got awkward, you softly tapped her shoulder with your hoof.

''Scootaloo?'' You asked her softly. To her silent response, you frowned internally, seeing her like this making you upset. For some strange reason you couldn't wrap your mind around, whenever you saw her upset or hurt, it made you hurt inside, too. You couldn't explain it but you brushed the deeper parts of the thought away, passing it off as only worry for a friend. ''Are you okay?''

Slowly, she picked her head up and rested her hooves on her knees, letting out a sigh. ''I'm sorry about that, Blaze. I dunno why I did that. Something inside me...clicked, I guess.'' She didn't look towards you or meet your eyes as she spoke. Your ear twitched.

Clicked? What did she mean by that? You thought. Probably nothing but I best keep an eye on her. ''Scoots?''

This time, she turned and looked but before she spoke, she looked thoughtful and the smallest of blushes burned her cheeks. ''Y-You...You just called me 'Scoots'.''

Immediately, your eyes widened, worried that you have just offended her in some way. ''S-Sorry! I-I-It's just that Sweetie and Apple Bloom call you it a-and I-I t-think it's c-c-cute, l-like you!'' You said but quickly began to stutter upon realizing the last few words you said and seeing her release a soft gasp caused you to panic, thinking she was about to speak to object or possibly say something that may kill your friendship.

''I-I-I...'' You didn't know what to say. For once, you were utterly speechless and more embarrassed than you have ever been before. The blush upon your cheeks was probably the brightest blush a pony has ever managed to achieve and it mirrored Scootaloo's own as she too was speechless by what she has just heard from your mouth.

Trying to find a way to speak but failing miserably to cover up what you said, you began to stutter and mumble like a fool before you darted off away from her. She called your name, telling you to wait but instead you kept running as fast as you could, the start of a tear stinging your eye.

You ran home to your room, not bothering to say hello to your mother who was sat on the couch on the way in and bolting upstairs to your bedroom, slamming the door shut behind you and letting your hyperventilating lungs calm down.

Sliding back-first down the door, you rested your head against it and clamped your hooves against your temples, your mind rolling in anxiety.

You have just made a fool of yourself in front of your closest friend who also happens to be the first pony to ever open up to you and you felt angry and upset at yourself for calling her cute like that out of the blue. For all you know, she probably thinks that you are a weirdo and that she may never talk to or look at you again!

Tears fell free from your ice blue eyes and trailed down your cheeks, matting your fur. You banged the back of your head against the door in frustration, letting out a small scream, feeling mad at yourself.

You're such an idiot, Blaze! Why did you have to go ahead and call her cute?! You've only known her for like three days and there's no way she'll ever like me back! You blinked, some tears attaching to your eyelids before dripping off. She...she won't like me back...

It was true you liked Scootaloo. You knew you did. As a friend, anyway. Since your first meeting, you finally felt so glad to have somepony you could truly relate to and talk with without feeling like a moron. Even though now you would appear as a moron to her because of what slipped from your mouth.

In your eyes, you thought that she was a cool pony. Despite not knowing her for even a week, you already found something in her that you thought you would never find in any pony, especially a filly - a soulmate.

She was the first filly that you have ever called a friend and found many things in that you could relate to. You and her were practically brother and sister at this point. You were glad to call her a friend. You could only hope that she still liked you, yet some part inside you was screaming in fear and anxiety of thinking the opposite.

With a hoof, you wiped your eyes and sniffled. You let your body deflate and sank further down on your rump.

*** *** ***

Back at Sugarcube Corner, the three Crusaders sat at the table they were previously sat at and Scootaloo had her head on the tabletop, a saddened look upon her face and lingering in her glistening eyes.

''Aw, cheer up, Scoots! I'm sure he ain't got nothin' against ya.'' Apple Bloom said reassuringly to her friend, trying to lighten her mood. It didn't help in the slightest bit. She only sank deeper in her seat, planting her face flat against the table, hiding her teary eyes.

With her ears, she could hear one of her friends, presumably Apple Bloom, getting from their seat and walking to her side of the table with a soft clacking noise against the floorboards. She heard her sit next to her silently and lay a hoof on her back, gently rubbing it comfortingly.

Looking across from her at Sweetie, she motioned with her hoof at her to say something. After all, it was her who did the teasing. Taking hint and feeling guilty for the state her friend was in, she spoke.

''Hey, I'm sorry, Scoots. I swear, I am! I-I was only joking!'' Sweetie said, finishing lamely. Slowly, Scootaloo raised her head and looked at her friend with a piercing glare in her purple eyes that Sweetie had never seen before. It sent a shiver down her spine and made her feel cold.

For a moment, Scootaloo looked like she wanted to say something to her friend to possibly hurt her in some way for what she said but decided against it, knowing how sensitive Sweetie can be when it came down to insults. Besides, she didn't really want to hurt her verbally. She was too close to her to try drive her away with a barrage of insults.

Saying nothing, Scootaloo sulkily picked herself from her seat and stomped out of the shop, not once looking back to her friends. Now alone with her thoughts, she found someplace quiet and away from the shop and her friends to think.

She entered the Ponyville park and found a nearby pond, sitting beside it and staring down at her reflection in the smooth, cool blue water. Just staring at it, she screamed out in frustration, thankfully nopony else there to see her like this.

Sweetie was right though. She had only been joking with her as an unintentional painfully embarrassing comment. A part of Scootaloo was jealous at hearing her mention about fillies back in Manehatten that Blaze may have been with. She hated the thought!

And that was the thing - she didn't know why she felt this way.

Since meeting Blaze for the first time and seeing him helplessly get plowed into a wall hurt her to witness and she barely even knew the guy. The only other colt that Scootaloo knew and frequently hung out with was Rumble, and she knew that Rumble liked her. At first, she passed it off as nothing but then he gave more apparent signs and stronger hints how he actually did feel about her.

However, the catch with her and Rumble didn't add to anything: they had nothing in common apart from them both being pegasi.

It was the same in Blaze's case but there was something about him that stood out from Rumble. Something...different.

He liked to scoot. He owned a scooter of his own. He liked racing. He was cool. He was awesome. And...

...He likes me...

Scootaloo's eyes widened.

Oh, Scootaloo, you dodo! You are such an idiot! He called you cute! He called you cute and he likes you! And you like him, too! Now she felt stupid and confused. Why would Blaze of all ponies like her?

She took a while to ponder this but then the realization came crashing down on her.

Looking back to their first meeting, the day she was told she was failing school and he offered to help her unexpectedly, hanging out more frequently with each other and her friends, going on small crusades around town, looking out for each other and how they act when they are in each other's company.

She felt warm inside when she was with him. She knew that he blushed a lot when he was around her and that she did the same but other than that, they both had a lot in common. In fact, they were more like close relatives than only friends. They were two peas in a pod.

A warm and happy smile crossed her lips. She had a great friend. No, a wonderful friend who cared greatly about her and would always try to cheer her up when she was sad.

Is the reason that he ran off because of her? Was it nervousness or something along those lines? Or did he worry that she may think he was stupid or pathetic? Maybe he doesn't actually like her and she was just jumping to conclusions?

She cringed internally at that last thought.

Don't think like that, Scootaloo, of course he still likes you! All that it was was just a huge misunderstanding. Yeah, that's right; a misunderstanding.

She got up from her rump and looked up to the afternoon sky, watching the clouds and the birds that flew through the terrific blue and white.

''I guess I'll find out at school tomorrow.'' She whispered to herself before turning around and heading home.

Cerulean's Father

The morning was early and happiness washed over you because today, Cheerilee was allowing you back at school! You were happy enough to go back and to get away from your room for a while after being crammed in there most of the time you were suspended and for once, you decided to take your beloved scooter with you for a change.

With helmet on tight and hooves gripping the handlebars, you didn't even wait to get out of the house first before you launched yourself through the front door - thankfully not tearing it off in the process - and began a speedy ride towards the school house where you hoped to see your friends again.

You darted through Ponyville without a care in the world, adrenaline pumping through your body. The wind blew through your gelled back mane that partially hung out of your helmet around the sides and a little at the back, sending a cold sensation down your spine with a series of shivering tingles.

Ponies hurriedly moved out of your way when they saw you coming in hot like a bullet and to make yourself go even faster with a need for speed, you unfurled your white wings and began to flap them, pumping harder with each flap and sending air behind you, causing you to be propelled forward with each burst of wind.

With the school house coming into view and the speed you were going at, you didn't bother to slow down at knowing that you were going to be quite early at this rate.

Getting a little closer and being able to make out the forms of some of the students - a few of which you recognized like Halo and Archer - you decided to put on a show and got an idea as you let a daring smirk cross your lips.

Briefly stopping your wings from flapping, you held them out to their lengths and let the wind brush over them for a moment or two before flapping them once more and lifting yourself off the ground!

In mid air, you cheered and released your rear hooves from the board before letting yourself swoop down to hang beneath it whilst you held onto the handle bars, cheering all the way as you performed a loop, planting yourself back onto the board on the last segment of the stunt before landing down smoothly and skidding yourself to a halt just outside of the school.

Looking around, the students here early stared at you in fascination and awe of the stunt you just pulled off. You smiled your trademark smile and undid the clasp to your helmet before taking it off your head, lightly brushing back the hairs that stood up with a hoof.

Amongst the crowd, you could see the faces of the three crusaders that held the same expressions as everyone else: pure astonishment.

''Wow, Cerulean, that was amazing!'' Halo praised with those beaming eyes of hers, sparkling like golden glitter as always. When Archer came up, he bumped hooves with you and hugged you.

''Good to have you back, Cerulean.'' He smiled and you smiled back. When your gaze turned towards the three crusaders, you could see them all sporting happy smiles at seeing you back. Picking up your scooter, you undid a clasp at the base of the handlebars and gently flipped them down so that they rested neatly on top of the body, securely held in place.

Heading over towards them, you pulled them all into a friendly hug, showing them just how much you missed them and when you broke away, they all gladly returned the hug as one, the whole bunch of you blushing with cheeks like pink glowsticks.

''It's so good to have you back, Blaze.'' Sweetie said, smiling.

''Yeah, ain't been no fun without the last quarter of us.'' Apple Bloom said.

''Maybe now you're back, we can all hang out again and have some fun!'' Scootaloo said with a beaming grin and followed by Apple Bloom, they all put their hooves into the air and after a motion from her eyes for you to join in, you raised your own hoof and bumped it against all of theirs, breaking them apart as they all shouted ''Yeah!'' in unison.

*** *** ***

As the day went on, it transpired better than you could have pictured it - No Diamond Tiara (apparently from the beating you gave her, she now had a broken nose), you were sat next to your good friend, Scootaloo, you were allowed back into being taught by Cheerilee and you were above all, having a great time with your friends.

Glad that everything was back the way you liked it to be, you smiled to yourself. Beside you, Scootaloo mirrored your smile, happy to finally see that once empty seat next to her occupied again.

During the lesson, you noticed that she was more engaged in her work than before, giving you the hint that she took the time she had to study with you to heart and used it to better herself to make sure her grades improved. For that, you were happy to lend a hoof. In front of you, Cheerilee was currently chalking up some more lines to do with today's topic - Luna and Celestia's sun and moon and space.

Astronomy wasn't your favourite subject but you were quite knowledgeable about it. From seeing Scootaloo and a couple other students frown and pause in their writing, indicating they were stuck someplace, that gave you the hint that they weren't so familiar with the subject.

Even Archer and Halo seemed to be stuck with it, along with Rumble who looked as though he didn't understand anything all too much but he took a swing at it anyway.

When the bell rang, you all made your way outside and onto the playground. As you left the room, you took your helmet and scooter with you, bringing back up the folded down handlebars and walking it out of the room with you after placing the helmet on your head, not bothering to fasten it to save time.

Outside, you grouped with Halo, Archer and Rumble who were now talking with the crusaders. You guessed that seeing as they haven't been able to see you on account of you on your suspension from your brawl, they decided to talk more to try rid their boredom.

Seeing you approach, you noticed their frowns transform into friendly smiles.

''Hey, guys.'' You greeted them with a wave of your hoof.

''Hey, Cerulean.'' Rumble replied, greeting you with a friendly embrace and a hoof bump. ''So, what's-'' He paused for a moment, as did everypony else. Confused, you followed his gaze down to your scooter, emanating in all its glory. ''Is that...a Skybolt?'' Rumble asked, stunned as if he saw something of greatly iconic and historical importance. (And he pretty much was doing just that).

You smirked softly. ''Yup. Series A.'' You confirmed, the rest of the group getting in for a closer look, impressed and amazed by what they were seeing. They all stared at it as if it put a spell on them.

Rumble gave an whistle, indicating his fascination for what he was looking over. From the peeling paint to the slightly torn rubber handle bars to the scratched up, blue wheels. ''That is one impressive scooter. These were used in the most famous racers ever! How did you get it?'' He asked, instantly interested and from the looks on everyone's faces, they were too.

You coughed uneasily. ''I...I got it from my Dad.'' Is all you said. That seemed to put an all new limelight on it. This time, at hearing you got it from your Dad, Rumble looked you over, clearly putting something together in his head and you could see it in his ambitious eyes.

Racer...old, iconic famous scooter...blue paint and battered body...white coat, blue mane... Suddenly, Rumble let out a gasp, finally managing to piece everything together and the sparkle in his eyes showed it. Without thinking and everypony wondering what he has just found out, he said;

''Cerulean...is your Dad... Frost Blaze?'' He asked curiously, hoping he got it right.

You could have sworn your heart froze in place. Managing a small, nervous smile and not wanting to make a huge deal, you simply nodded and all of a sudden, everypony gasped loud and surprised gasps, clearly not expecting that to be true.

''Ohmygoshohmygosh!'' Rumble said giddily, hopping on the spot before jumping into the air and landing with a toothy grin behind his lips. ''You mean the Frosty Blaze? One of the bestest racers to ever compete in every scooter race around Equestria on both air and ground?'' You nodded again and he practically burst with excitement as he launched into the air and performed a backflip before fluttering his wings to slow his decent whilst shouting with his hooves around his mouth, ''Hey, everypony! Cerulean's Dad is famous!'' Upon landing, that unearthly toothy grin of his instantly died down when he saw your expression.

You were hyperventilating and unable to calm your own breathing, making you feel light headed. It was very clear that the topic wasn't something that you were all too comfortable talking about. In fact, it was pretty much the only topic you were so uncomfortable talking on, especially after what happened.

''Hey, are you alright, Blaze?'' Apple Bloom asked, coming up to you and worriedly holding your shoulder. You did little to acknowledge this and without a second thought in all your rushing feelings, you turned away from the amber eyes of Apple Bloom and deployed your wings before blasting off into the skies with your scooter, so fast that you barely even noticed your unstrapped helmet fly from your head in the process.

As it came down, Scootaloo caught it by jumping in the air to prevent it falling to the ground and breaking completely. As you were flying away at an incredible speed, the whole group of the six other ponies watched you disappear, left dumbfounded by the outburst.

Almost as soon as you were out of sight, all of the ponies in the playground seemed to have their stares pinned on Rumble, just as shocked by what they saw.

Rumble blinked. ''W-Was it something I said?'' He asked with a shrug but only got concerned glances from everypony else.

''Ah dunno, Rumble, but Ah think it's pretty personal. Didn't ya'll see that look on his face when ya talked about his Dad?'' Apple Bloom said, seeing the others look down. ''Whatever the problem is, Ah think that we should all jus' give him some space.'' To that, everypony nodded with simple 'Mmm-Hmm's', confirming that they agreed with her.

''Do you think he'll be alright?'' Sweetie asked, turning to Apple Bloom who smiled and nodded.

''Ah'm sure he'll be alright if we give him some space.'' She turned to her right. ''What do you think, Scoots?'' She blinked, seeing Scootaloo holding the racing helmet and looking it over. ''Scoots?''

Apple Bloom leaned in, also starting to look over the heavy, history holding gear. Each scratch and mark dented into its surface all resembled a memory that it has seen through its time of existence and the hard life it has been put through. Along the sides, she looked over the white lettering that read 'Cerulean Blaze' and moved her hoof gently over it, feeling the scratches in the plastic.

Looking up to face Apple Bloom, she frowned. ''I'm gonna go put this someplace safe for the rest of the day.'' She said before beginning to trot off towards the school house. ''After school, I'm going to take it back to him. I'll see you guys at the clubhouse tomorrow.'' She said before continuing along her way and entering the school house, leaving the remaining group at a five in quantity.

''Hey, Apple Bloom?'' Sweetie nudged her shoulder, pulling her closer before whispering in her ear. When Apple Bloom got up, the question she was asked lingered in her mind and a soft blush appeared on her cheeks like two pink roses and she looked back to where Scootaloo had disappeared off to.

''Ah think so, Sweetie. Ah think she does.''

*** *** ***

When school was over later that day, Scootaloo found herself walking towards Cerulean's house with his helmet on her back. Arriving at his front door, she banged her hoof against the wood three times and waited.

A moment later, a series of soft clicks could be heard, indicating that somepony was unlocking the door from the inside. When the door creaked open, there stood who Scootaloo recognized as Cerulean's mother. Other than her colours, she was easily given away by her cutie mark of a heart in the shape of a thunderbolt.

''Oh, hi, Scootaloo. What brings you here?'' She asked with a shining smile.

''Hey, Miss Blaze. Cerulean dropped his helmet and left it at school. I'm here to return it.'' Scootaloo said, pointing to the helmet on her back. His mother nodded.

''Yes, sure. He's upstairs. He hasn't even come out for the rest of the day.'' She said with a frown, herself wondering what the problem was with him as to why he was upset.

Nodding, Scootaloo was allowed inside and directed up the stairs and she headed towards Cerulean's room, where she was hoping that he was alright about what happened on the playground earlier that day.

Coming in front of his door, she stood for a moment before breathing softly through her nostrils, bracing herself, and she brought up her hoof and tapped it lightly on the door, awaiting for a response.

*** *** ***

Ever since coming home early, you have had your head in your pillow, your only thoughts being that of your father. It was true you may not have known him for all that long for the time you have been alive in, but what counted most was that when you were born and from there, him, just as much as your mother, have always been there for you and you felt happy inside knowing that he loved you to bits.

However, your thoughts were halted when you heard a series of soft taps against the door. Lifting your face from your now tear-soaked pillow, you wiped your eyes with your hooves, ridding them of any tears that remained.

''C-Come...Come in.'' You managed to say through a cracked voice. Upon command, the door slowly opened and in walked Scootaloo, smiling softly with your helmet on her back. Seeing her, you got down from your bed, surprised by her appearance. ''Scootaloo? What are you doing here?''

She came closer to you and her smile softened slightly when she saw how miserable you looked. ''I came to bring back your helmet. You dropped it when you left, earlier.'' She passed you the helmet and you took it in your own hooves, placing it on your bed before you hugged her.

''T-Thank you.'' You said, snuggling you cheek with hers, finding comfort in the inviting warmth it irradiated. When you pulled away, you could see her blushing a soft pink, yet those purple eyes of hers looked on at you in worry.

''Hey, Blaze? How come you left school, anyway? Rumble didn't mean to offend you or anything, he-'' You silenced her by gently placing your hoof over her lips.

''No. He didn't offend me, Scoots.'' You said simply, your voice low. Removing your hoof, you continued. ''I-I don't like being the centre of attention when it's about my father.'' You said with a frown. Going back beside your bed, you hopped back up, planting your face back into the damp pillow, ignoring the soggy sensation around your face.

Not a second later did you feel Scootaloo come up towards you and join you on the bed, laying closely beside you. Removing your head from your pillow to look at her, you saw her smile sympathetically.

''You know I'm here to talk if you want to, right? I may not have known you very long but I'll do my best to understand you.'' She said, draping her wing over your back and you found comfort in the softness of her touch.

''Scoots, I...thanks but...I don't know...'' You scratched the back of your neck awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. No matter how much you tried to avoid the topic, Scootaloo was persistent on letting the matter slide. She tried not to press too hard to force it out of you but more or less stayed close to you and did her best to comfort you.

After a while of hanging your head, you turned back to face her and let a happy but weary smile spread on your lips. ''A-Alright, Scoots. I'll tell you. Just...please promise me that you'll keep it between us. Please?''

Scootaloo smiled. ''Sure thing, Blaze.'' Opening your wing, you draped your own over Scootaloo's. Them being longer than hers, they managed to reach ever so slightly over her side and from her facial expression, you could tell she was amazed by how soft and how well preened they were.

''Scootaloo, my father, Frost Blaze...he was the best Dad a kid could ask for. I always used to look up to him when I was growing up and I did my best so I could turn out like him.'' You told her, trying to keep your emotions in check. Motioning to your scooter with your eyes, Scootaloo following, you continued. ''He's the reason I took up scooting and why I'm so good at it. He's the reason why I want to get into racing. I...I wanna be just like him.''

A single tear ran down your cheek and you could feel an invasion of them ready to barrage your eyes that were now starting to sting with them. Scootaloo leaned forwards and wiped it away with a hoof. ''What happened to him, Blaze?'' She asked, interested yet cautious on upsetting you more than you already were.

''H-He-He d-died, Scoots. He died in a race.'' You said, some of the tears breaching your eyes and pouring down your cheeks. Scootaloo gasped and her eyes now began to sting with tears of her own and she threw her hooves around you, hugging you close. You too placed your hooves around her and held her close, nuzzling her cheek.

''I'm-I'm sorry, Blaze! I-I had no idea!'' She managed through her own tears. Releasing her, you used your hoof and wiped them away, smiling at her.

''I-It's alright, Scoots. It's alright.'' You said, pulling her into a brief hug. ''Things may have ch-changed for me and Mum since he passed b-but as long as I have his scooter, I-I'll always have a part of him in my life.'' You wiped your eyes and sniffled, trying to regain your composure from your emotional breakdown.

Scootaloo didn't say anything for a moment and only hugged you, now that she knew the truth all she wanted to do was be there for you. You smiled internally at that. You found it nice to have somepony else you could relate and talk to other than your mother and it made you feel warm inside at knowing ponies still cared.

You didn't know Scootaloo all that well just yet but there seemed to be a connection between the two of you that made you both click - like you were meant to know each other from the start. Although you did find it odd, you enjoyed hanging out with her and you found many things that you like to do were things she also liked to do and had an interest in.

The two of you were like long lost siblings in a way.

If only there was some way for you to tell her how you truly felt about her without pushing things too far. You really wanted to tell her how much you liked her and cared for her but the only thing holding you back was the fear of what may come to be if she doesn't feel the same way about you.

You were both friends for the moment and you didn't want that to change over something like telling her your true feelings for her and destroy the friendship you have. The last thing you want is for it to sink.

Eventually, the two of you broke from your caring embrace and Scootaloo hugged you goodbye before turning to leave, asking you to come by Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow and something about a clubhouse as she closed the door to your room.

Author's Note

What, expected something different? Well, nah, I spent like 2 hours on this second half after countless hours yesterday when I should be doing coursework and this is the way I normally do things, so here it is.

Cerulean's Father - BING! Done!

Sweet Apple Acres

Waking up the next morning after having time to contemplate your thoughts on the weird illusion, you decided to push it aside for now and try to find your positive mood through the negativity that your mind was currently rolling in.

Mornings never were your thing and especially not when you are as tired as you are this morning, still feeling exhausted from your emotional breakdown after the talk you had with Scootaloo. Trying to keep your emotions in check and on the side for now, you proceeded with your morning as you normally would do - shower, brush teeth, gel up your hair for your signature look and do what you do.

After you went through those traditional stages for your morning, you made your way down the stairs and was immediately greeted by a pleasant aroma in the morning air that teased your nostrils with its intoxifying, sweet scent, one that you knew all too well - apple pancakes with a hint of cinnamon! Your favourite!

Letting the thick and sweet scent guide you, you followed it as it had you under its spell through the living room and into the kitchen where you found your mother setting out two plates of the delectable sugary goodness onto their surfaces. Noticing your presence, she smiled sweetly to you, a smile only a mother could manage.

You smiled back and when she motioned over to an empty seat around the table, you wasted no time in placing yourself on top of it, eager to get a bite of the pancakes you craved so much. In fact, you were so eager to eat them that you did so without even bothering to get a fork first and it only took you a few seconds at the most to wolf down the whole stack in one go, giving a loud belch afterwards.

Watching you all the while, your mother rolled her eyes at you and you blushed an embarrassed blush. ''Excuse you.'' She said with a soft giggle and you giggled too. ''By the way, Cerulean, honey, there's a note for you over there.'' She nodded towards the end of the table where a small, lined piece of paper was folded and stuck beneath a small plate.

Curiously, you eyed it before gently pulling it from under the plate and unfolding it, reading what was on it.

Hey, Cerulean, just in case you forgot, I want to see if you can meet me and my friends at Sweet Apple Acres today, you know, in case you forgot after last night. We'll meet you at Apple Bloom's house. Don't be long!

-Scootaloo

You blinked and suddenly remembered about her mentioning Sweet Apple Acres and something about a clubhouse. You made a mental note to ask her about that later on in the day. With nothing to do or with anything planned for the day, you decided it was best to get a move on if you were to meet Scootaloo and her friends. However, you thought it would be easier if she gave you a specific time to be over there.

Picking yourself from your seat, you carried your plate to the sink and gave it a quick wash before giving your mother a peck on the cheek and telling her you were going to meet your friends. As you headed to the door and was about to take your leave, your mother called out to you, ''Have fun with your fillyfriend, hon.''

That stopped you dead in your tracks and you could feel the heat of a blush begin to rise up to your white cheeks, glowing radiantly. Turning to face your mother with a shocked expression at what you heard her say. ''Muuuuuum!'' You whined. ''She is not my filly friend!'' You said with a soft stomp of your hoof on the wooden flooring.

It only seemed to amuse your mother further and she giggled at how cute you looked when you were like this. ''What ever you say, sweetie. What ever you say.'' She said in fake belief, obviously knowing about how you felt about Scootaloo, although you thought it wasn't that obvious. Well, at least not to your mother who never really bothered much to pay mind to what you do with and how you are around your friends, let alone a female friend who happens to be one of the few female friends you had that she has met so far.

You felt like saying something back after hearing her remark but cooled yourself down and tried to ignore one word in particular that she said in that sentence: Fillyfriend.

Before leaving your house, you took your racing helmet and strapped it under your chin until it was tight and secure before grabbing your treasured scooter and kicking yourself off with it almost the second you got outside into the inviting warmth provided by the sun, on route to Sweet Apple Acres where your friends said they'd meet you.

*** *** ***

Arriving at Sweet Apple Acres, you marveled at the pure beauty and tranquility of the land. In the orchards, hundreds of thousands of trees stood tall and straight, the light provided from the sun pouring over them and keeping them healthy whilst shiny, red apples hung from their leaves like the bourbles on a Hearths Warming tree.

As you neared closer to the farm, coming up just past the entrance, you saw a farmhouse that stood slap bang in the middle of the farm, painted in an ageing red that was fading into a paler shade than what it used to be, indicating that it has previously been painted numerous times over the years.

It may look like a rotten old farmhouse but it was evidently clear that this rickety, old house has been well maintained by the current owners of the Apple family and despite the signs of age that shows upon its bodily structure that display the amounts of varying abuse it has taken over the years, it still stands strong and serves as a functioning household even after it was first built.

Some short distance away from the farmhouse was located a barn of the same colours and slightly bigger in size, presumably used as storage for farming equipment like most barns were for.

Coming to the front of the old farmhouse, from the first hoof you placed on it after dismounting your scooter, you could feel how fragile the structure actually was and how much history must come from the entire building. Folding up your scooter, you placed it on your back and knocked on the front door and waited for an answer.

Moments after your knocking on the rickety but surprisingly stable front door, it opened with a soft creak and you saw that a familiar orange pony with a blonde mane and emerald green eyes with a Stetson cowpony hat was standing there with a gentle smile on her face when she saw you. This pony you knew from Apple Bloom was her big sister, Applejack who did most of the work in the orchards with her brother, Big Macintosh.

''Well, howdy, youngun, you must be Cerulean.'' She greeted in a sweet, southern accent, shared amongst all of the members of the Apple family in Equestria. ''Come on in, your friends are all upstairs, second door on you right.''

She moved aside to allow you entry to the household and you smiled thankfully at her and she shut the door behind you. Just like it was on the outside, the interior of the farmhouse was very well maintained and had fresh coats of paint on the wall that was a light shade of green and the floorboards were made up of what you could easily tell was aged oak.

Applejack led you to the stairs and let you go up alone, the just as old boards creaking beneath your weight. Coming to the top, you came to a simple corridor with a small window at the end and three doors on the left and two on the right. Following what Applejack said, you moved for the second door on the right side and knocked against it and awaited a response.

When the door opened, you didn't have time to react before you felt a hoof wrap around your waist and pull you inside with a crack as quick as a bullwhip and closing the door behind you with a speed to match.

The inside of the room served as a bedroom that you guessed was owned by Apple Bloom. At least, that's what you could tell from the contents of the room. There was a small dresser that had various hair grooming accessories and tools with a mirror attached to it and in the middle of the room, placed snugly against the wall was a large bed that by a logical calculation could possibly fit more than ten Apple Blooms in it.

Beside the door was a medium sized cabinet that looked as though it was as old or nearly as old as the house itself. And speaking of the house, the interior of the room's walls were painted in the same way as the downstairs area of the building, the paint being just as old looking but if not, fresher.

You were even more surprised to see that the three Crusaders, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were wrapped around your body in a tight hug, taking you aback.

''You're here!'' You heard the voice of Sweetie say happily as she, along with her friends, released you and gave you a moment to regain your composure. ''Now we can finally get on with what we have planned!'' She bounced in unexplained joy and you looked at her in confusion, unsure of if you should feel curious or weary about that last word. Probably both, you thought.

''H-Hang on! Planned? What do you mean by that?'' You asked, feeling a little anxious.

''We can't tell ya yet, Cerulean.'' Apple Bloom said with a beaming smile of her own. Looking next to her towards Scootaloo, she saw that she wasn't even paying attention. Not going unnoticed by your eyes as well, you saw that she had a somewhat dreamy look in her purple eyes as she stared at you as if she was under some kind of mind control spell. ''Scoots?'' She nudged her shoulder and she jumped with a startled expression as she returned to reality. ''You alright?''

A bright blush was starting to burn her cheeks and she looked away from me nervously, feeling pretty embarrassed. ''Uh...y-yeah. Never better.'' She said quickly, doing her best to act like nothing happened and averting her gaze from the rest of us. Apple Bloom shrugged and Sweetie giggled, trying to suppress herself with a hoof and Scootaloo turned to glare daggers at her in warning but it only made her giggle harder.

''Soooo, anyway, Ah suppose ya'll wanna know why your fillyfriend over there wanted ya to come over here?'' She said with a smirk and a wink, much to your embarrassment and a blush that matched the intensity of the newly ignited one on Scootaloo's cheeks as well as yours.

''Hey! He's not my coltfriend! It's not like that!'' Scootaloo protested, earning a laugh out of her two friends as her fuse was slowly lit by burning anger at the torment she was receiving.

''Are ya suuuurrrre?'' Apple Bloom continued to torment her friend, saying the last part like a purr, causing the anger in her pegasus friend to become hot and taking her by surprise, Scootaloo tackled the country filly and pinned her to the floor with her anger burning behind her purple eyes like fire.

''Apple Bloom! I'm gonna kill you!''

''Break it up, you two.'' Sweetie said, the last bits of her laughter dying down before she levitated the infuriated orange pegasus from on top of Apple Bloom whom was still giggling at how she reacted. ''We need to get down to business.'' She turned to you, clearly going to be the only one to say to you what the point of you being here was. ''Cerulean, we asked you to come here because we wanted to ask you something.''

By 'something', you hoped that didn't mean a question such as 'Hey, Cerulean, as blunt as it sounds, do you love Scootaloo?'. In your cautious mind, you hoped it wouldn't be something like that and odds were that it probably wasn't that.

''W-What?'' You asked slowly, feeling weary.

''We want you to become the newest member the the Cutie Mark Crusaders!'' Apple Bloom said in a cheerful voice. Confused at first, you remembered them saying that name someplace before. You didn't know much by what was meant by it, but from a random and logical guess from what you currently knew about them, you thought it was something to do with their special talents, specifically something to do with finding them.

''Yeah, and that means that you'll be able go with us on crusades to find our talent!'' Sweetie chimed in with hardly any concealed excitement. Not knowing how to react, you felt somewhat skeptic about all of this. Apple Bloom caught on.

''Something wrong?'' She asked, raising a brow at you and you immediately dropped your expression to a more neutral look.

''N-No. Nothing.'' You reacted fast, lightly coughing into your hoof. ''I don't have a clue how to be a Crusader.'' You admitted and she only smiled back at you.

''Then we'll show you how! Right, Crusaders?'' She said, looking to both her associates and Sweetie gave a cute 'Yeah!' whilst Scootaloo sat with crossed hooves, still averting her gaze from either of us. She momentarily glanced into Apple Bloom's eyes with that same, fire burning in them before turning back and letting out an irritated 'Hmph'. ''Aw, come on, Scoots, Ah was only joking.''

Slowly, she began to get onto her hooves and she angrily rolled her eyes, walking past the two of them and going past you, towards the door. ''Whatever.'' She huffed, not even taking the time to look at you as she walked by. Something told you that this wasn't the first time she was teased about this.

You looked to the remaining two in the room after she had left and they shrugged, obviously used to her attitude. You rolled your own eyes before turning around and about to take your own leave when you felt the hoof of Apple Bloom tap you on the shoulder, causing you to turn back to look at her.

She didn't say anything but instead pointed towards your cheeks where your blush was still burning with embarrassment from earlier. You blinked before covering it with a hoof, much to the amusement and curiosity of the other two in the room.

''You like her, don't you?'' She asked innocently, making the already intense blush darken in colour. Beside her, Sweetie held the same expression as her friend.

''W-What?! I-No, I mean yes, oh, I just-'' You stammered uncontrollably and Apple Bloom understandingly placed her hoof on your shoulder and caused you to stop and look at her to surprisingly see she was smiling with a knowing look in her eyes.

''Relax, Cerulean. We both know ya like her.'' She admitted, a small blush appearing on her own cheeks. Though light on her cream-coloured coat, it was still visible.

''W-Wait, what?!'' You exclaimed in surprise. ''You knew?!'' At that, she rolled her eyes at you.

''Well, duh.'' She said as though it was more than obvious. ''Ah've seen how you two look across at each other in class and it didn't really take that long for us to figure it out.'' She looked over to Sweetie who smiled to her.

Oh, great, they both knew... You thought. What next, the whole class?

''Apple Bloom! Celestia, please don't tell her! If she finds out, she'll think I'm some kind of weirdo and she won't wanna be friends anymore and-'' You ranted in panic before she shoved her hoof in your mouth, silencing you.

''Whoa! Calm it down, ya big goof! You know that she wouldn't ever not want be friends with you. Besides, that goes especially since she likes you, too.'' She said with a wink and you could have sworn that your heart froze and your mouth went numb, rendering you speechless.

She...likes me, too?

Looking back on all the times you've spent hanging around with her, you did recall her sneaking a few dreamy glances at you and that goes for especially in school.

Though you were shocked upon hearing this from one of her closest friends, you would be lying if you said you didn't feel a pang of hope in your heart along with a smile that you could feel creeping onto your lips ever so slowly.

''Now, come on, enough mushy talk. We've got somethin' to show ya.'' Apple Bloom declared, bumping you softly on the nose before walking past you and motioning for you to follow her out of the door, Sweetie following closely behind you.

*** *** ***

Taking you outside, the trio of friends led you a short way away from the main land that made up the farm, they took you on the brink of the edge of a nearby clearing of trees and towards a tree house of some sort that you guessed has been here for some time but was greatly maintained and appeared to be clean down to the last spec of dust.

A ramp that led from the ground to a small landing to another set of stairs that steered up connected to the main building itself in a similiar greenish-blue colour that was used on the interior of the farmhouse and the main structure of the building was painted in a canary yellow that contrasted nicely with the rose paint that masked the wooden door and the shutters on the windows.
On the outside of the entire structure was a small balcony and railing to go with it.

With all you have seen so far with what the Apple family can do with manual labor and some tools, there was no denying that you were amazed with their handiness skill when it came to renovation work.

''So, this is what you wanted to show me?'' You asked, looking the structure over.

Turning around to face you, Apple Bloom nodded with a smile. ''Sure is! Come on, we'll show ya'll around before we get started!'' And just like that, without any time to react, her hooves wrapped around your shoulders and you found yourself being dragged at incredible speed up the ramp and straight through the door of the building before you were planted on your rump, causing you to wince a little from the forceful blow to your hindquarters.

The inside wasn't all that big and consisted of only a small, hoof-drawn map created by the use of crayons against paper and nailed to the far wall from the front of the clubhouse. To the left were a set of ladders that led to the upper level of the building and the only other thing rather than the map on the wall was a lantern above a white and red painted circle that was directly beneath it.

''This is the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse!'' Apple Bloom and Sweetie announced proudly, bumping their hooves together. As for Scootaloo, she didn't bother engaging with them as she stayed outside on the ground with her back towards us and leaning against the tree that the clubhouse was built into.

Sweetie turned to you with a beaming smile. ''And we want you to become a member!'' She pulled you in and hugged you and you were surprised by the sudden embrace, still comprehending all of what was happening at this current moment in time.

''And that means you get your own cape!'' Apple Bloom joined her and pulled out a red-maroon cape with a golden material layer underneath that gleamed like glitter and on the back on either side, a small blue shield with a yellow filly rearing on her back hooves with a flowing cape behind her was stitched into it.

Looking around for a moment, she looked as though she's forgotten something and all of a sudden, her eyes went wide and she looked down. Sweetie looked at her confusedly.

''We need Scoots ta do the initiation but she's outside.'' She said quietly. Sweetie nudged her shoulder.

''I'll go get her.'' And like that, Sweetie left me and Apple Bloom alone and went to see how her missing Crusader friend was. Meanwhile, that frown on Apple Bloom's face curled back into that sweet smile of hers and she looked back over to you. She came closer to you and sat on the floorboards in front of you.

She didn't say anything for a while but only smiled at you. You raised a brow at her in confusion, expecting her to say something, but much to your even greater surprise, rather than her saying something, she did something.

She leaned closer to you and planted a kiss to your lips.

The brief moment of her lips lightly pressing against yours left an apple-like taste on your lips and you were amazed by how soft they were. Largely taken aback by this sudden affection from one of your crush's best friends, your eyes went wide and your wings shot out from their concealed positions to their full spans, a feather or two falling free from the force of the uncontrollable reaction that was normal in a pegasus.

Blushes burned both of your cheeks and you didn't know how else to react, nor did she. A million thoughts were running through your mind on this display of affection towards you. You had no idea what to do and unexpectedly, Apple Bloom kept her gaze averted from you as she ran from the clubhouse and out of sight within seconds, you only getting a small glimpse of the tip of her red tail on her way out.

Getting up and rushing to the balcony, you saw her charge past a surprised Sweetie and Scootaloo with her head down as she headed back towards the farmhouse. Despite Sweetie running along after her in hopes of finding out what was wrong, she didn't slow down.

With a flap of your wings, you lifted yourself from the balcony and hovered down to the ground where Scootaloo was watching the two running off. With one last flap and your hooves thumping lightly against the ground as you landed and catching Scootaloo's attention, she turned to face you.

For a second, she smiled but the next it turned to a frown and she developed an inquisitive look in her eyes. ''Hey, Cerulean, I--- Why are you blushing?'' She asked softly.

''Uh...um, no reason!'' You blurted, arousing a suspicious look from the pegasus. ''How come you didn't come up? Are you alright?'' You asked but she shrugged, her expression shifting to an uncomfortable one.

''T-That doesn't matter. But what's up with AB?'' That blush on your cheeks intensified and only increased her suspicions.

''I dunno! She said she wasn't feeling too good and - oh, pony feathers...'' Feeling incredibly uncomfortable under the gaze of Scootaloo, you spread your wings and flapped them. ''Igottago,bye!'' You blurted, taking off and blasting away from the farm as fast as your wings would allow.

''Cerulean, wait!'' You heard Scootaloo shout from below in a startled voice but you didn't turn or look back. You just kept going and going, until you were nothing but a spec in the sky from her eye.

You flew high above Ponyville and past it towards some nearby woodlands that were sheeted over with a thick layer of trees and you flew down towards it, knowing that nopony would think to look for you in such a place. You may not have ever ventured into such a place but it seemed good giving your current mixed and confused thoughts.

Finding a large, open space from overhead, you landed and was amazed by how quiet it was. The trees were circling around the borderline of the desolate patch of grass and there was a small lake along with a small waterfall beside it that broke the silence with the rushing sound of water.

Coming up beside the lake, you took off your helmet and your scooter from your body and placed them aside and looked at your reflection in absolute absentmindedness.

Looking into your own cerulean-ice eyes, you could see how confused you looked and all the thoughts behind them. To you, it was bizarre. If Apple Bloom knew you liked Scootaloo, then why did she kiss you?

After all the times the four of you spent together, you have seen them sneaking glances and giggling at the two of you, even once you overheard them mentioning how cute you were together. So from there, it became obvious to them that you did like Scootaloo somewhat more than a friend and that you were falling for her.

Even more importantly, you really wanted to confess to Scootaloo and tell her what you really think of her but other than your nerves that stopped you from doing so, there was a new barrier that came from that kiss from Apple Bloom. The two of them were best friends and have known each other for a long time, so surely this would create a tragic tension in their friendship once Scoots finds out.

Annoyed, you stamped your hoof against the ground and let out a growl of frustration, releasing the anger from your body. However the situation was, you could tell that it wouldn't end well. Especially since you knew that Apple Bloom had feelings for you, too.

As to why, you couldn't wrap your mind around. Over the years of your life in Manehatten, you were reminded of the many times some fillies would ask you out, much to your surprise, of course, and disappointedly, none were what you liked in a fillyfriend and you would always try to turn them down in the politest manner you could.

You sat down and rubbed your temples with your hooves, wanting nothing more than for this to go away. It was too much for your brain to handle and it made your head hurt with all these mixed and bottled up emotions.

On your own for a while, you tried to clear your thoughts by laying down on the grass and staring up at the clouds, allowing your mind to relax and unwind from today's tensions.

Cloud watching was something you used to do when you were a little younger than the age you are now and it always helped you through both thick and thin, like an escape from the troubles of reality when you needed it the most. An example of when you used to do this was back at school in Manehatten when you were teased down to your core. It was the only thing you found that kept you from going insane from the ridicule of others.

Watching the patterns in the clouds of vapor float across the blue sky, you could have sworn you saw one in the shape of a heart. Blinking and thinking you were seeing things, you continued to look on but soon figured out it wasn't a trick of your mind. The cloud was very much in the shape of a heart but what really got your heart thumping along with your attention was what followed.

A cloud in the shape of Scootaloo and you.

You knew it was the two of you because you knew every last trim of her mane and tail, her height and how toned her body was in comparison to a colt's. You continued to watch the two clouds and blushed when you saw them come close and touch lips in a passionate kiss.

At first, you were sure you were only seeing things but then it hit you - was it some kind of sign? As in, what's to come? You knew that she likes you but she didn't know that you returned those feelings for her. As a mental conclusion to all the signs you've seen so far, your only end in the line of questioning led up to one thing:

''She loves me.'' You breathed, getting up from your laid back position and began to pace in thought.

She loves me, she loves me... The words echoed in your head. I love her! Oh, what do I do? I've never felt this way about any pony! How do I tell her? Will she hate me? Never talk to me again? Or... You looked into the pond, seeing your own reflection and the pained expression upon your face.

''If you love her, tell her.''

You jumped back in shock. Regathering your composure, you looked back into the eyes of your reflection, seeing them stare right back.

Did...Did my own reflection just...talk to me?

''Tell her how you feel, Cerulean.'' It said with a weak smile. Gasping in disbelief at what you were seeing, you stumbled back a bit, coming away from the water.

''Okay...I really need a break from this mushy stuff.'' You said tiredly, your voice slightly shaken. Picking your helmet back up and strapping it under your chin and grabbing your scooter, you unfolded it and took off to the skies on it with a powerful flap from your wings.

Author's Note

I bet none of you were expecting that!

This was updated late because, well, I do have a life, believe it or not. Plus, that scene with Apple Bloom and Cerulean? I'm thinking of ways to improve it, so expect SOME changes in future to it when I get my mind on it!

Hope you enjoyed this one!

You've Got Some Explaining To Do!

Author's Note

Tension is abrewing! Come and join the fun! Enjoy this one, I'm tired as f*ck!

This was going to be longer, but because I couldn't be bothered with adding the parts in, I didn't do so. May be bad for my work, but now and again or even once won't kill me.

Enjoy the chapter!

You've Got Some Explaining To Do!

Today was another, casual Tuesday - School time for all the local colts and fillies.

You had long been up since unusually early hours from your annoyingly distracting thoughts and your eyes felt heavy with sleep, threatening to close whilst you were scooting on route to the school house.

Even now, your thoughts became a major distraction to you and they never seemed to leave you alone for even the smallest amount of time, driving you crazy in your tired state. At this rate, the only thing keeping you awake was concentrating on where you were going on your scooter and the wind blowing in your face that felt a mix of both warm and cold, holding a sense of relaxation with it.

Ponyville was gentle and still at this time in the morning and for that, you were thankful. Otherwise, you may very well bump into somepony or something else. Oh, and speaking of things to crash into, your eyes drooped downwards and for a second, you were asleep before you got awoken by a female voice that was caught off guard to your ears and you collided, getting thrown from your scooter and landing on top of the pony and falling down a nearby ditch with them before landing in a heap on the floor, your scooter landing beside you with a crash.

Fortunately, despite your helmet's old age, it still managed to withstand such forceful blows of many severity levels.

Looking below you to apologize to the pony you crashed into, all sleep requirements forgotten, you gawked at who it was, and so did she.
It was none other than Scootaloo, your crush.

In an instant, you jumped off of her, a blush burning your cheeks. Getting up herself and dusting off her coat, she undid her purple and white striped helmet that rested firmly atop her scruffy, purple mane to match and pulled it off. Looking into your eyes, she too blushed a softer shade of pink and when you caught her expression, you couldn't help but notice a strange look in her eye that you haven't quite seen before.

''S-Scoots.'' You said awkwardly and slowly, averting your eyes from hers.

''Cerulean.'' She said back, her voice surprisingly calm. You heard her come a little closer and your heartbeat began to pound with nervousness. ''I've been wanting to see you.'' Blinking, you turned your head back around to face her and oddly, her eyes seemed to hold traces of both worry and...anger?

''Scoots, I-I'm sorry, I should have paid more attention and I-'' She stuffed her hoof in your mouth, silencing you.

''I'm getting tired of this, Cerulean. Since before yesterday, you've been acting so nervous and I'm worried about you. Especially since the other day when Apple Bloom ran from the clubhouse crying.'' Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at you and you reeled back at her intimidating stare and she lowered her hoof to allow you to speak. ''You wouldn't have anything to do with that would you?''

Oh, no! No,no,no,no,no,no,NO! Your mind began to race and your heart felt as though it was doing a rapid drum solo. I should have known she'd figure it out eventually! Oh, no! No! She's gonna hate me! HATE ME! There's no backing out of this one! If I don't answer her, she's surely going to hate me forever!

Slowly, you backed up from her, feeling increasingly uneasy at that stare she was giving you.

No matter what you could do to make an escape, you could already tell that there was going to be no way out from this one.

Slowly but surely, you ended up with you back pressed against a tree and before you could make your move from the position you were now in, you found yourself to be boxed between the tree and the intimidating pegasus whom was now directly in front of you, her muzzle pressed against yours and you could feel her warm breath on your lips.

Though pleasant, it only added to the intimidation factor of the moment.

''S-Scoot-Scootaloo, I-I, um, I-'' You stammered but found no words to form a sentence. She lightly pressed her muzzle against yours, narrowing her eyes further to a piercing glare, like she was trying to pick the answer from you.

''If you got nothing to hide, why are you trying to get away?'' She raised her brow at you, frowning. ''I wanna know what's been going on and you are going to tell me, right now!''

Thump, thump, thump!

Your heart was going at a rapid beat, audible in your ears. All you could do was stare with small, terrified blue eyes into the amethyst eyes of your crush and know what was about to happen.

One way or another, you knew it had to come out.

Awaiting your response to her question, she continued to push against your muzzle, her breath warming your lips so much that you felt them become increasingly moist. Sweat rolled down your head from beneath your helmet and slid past your temple, the cool bead dripping off of your cheek and onto the ground below with a barely audible 'plop'.

As gentle as you could, you shakily pushed her away from you with your hoof against her chest. Staring at you with a slightly softened expression, you tried to calm down your breathing to find your voice to finally come clean.

''Scoots, p-please promise me that no ma-matter what I tell y-you, you will still b-be my f-friend.'' You tried to say as calmly as you could but it came out as a quiet mumble. Seeming to understand you, her eyes softened their gaze upon yours and she nodded once.

Breathing a heavy sigh, you began explaining whilst she listened closely. From when you first met her to how you felt about her and your still developing feelings to the part with the clubhouse where Apple Bloom kissed you out of the blue.

At the mention of what her friend had done behind her back, you could practically feel the anger radiate off of her, as if her orange fur coat had turned into a coat of burning fuel.

''S-S-SHE WHAT?!'' She exclaimed and the purple that made her eyes began to bubble with rising anger. ''Apple Bloom KISSED you?!'' You nodded awkwardly, your nervousness growing ever so deeper. ''Me and her are so gonna have a little talk later at school!''

''NO!'' You exclaimed uncontrollably. Scootaloo looked at you awkwardly for a moment, taken aback by your outburst. Blushing dimly, you said in a much softer tone, ''I-I mean...no. Scoots, please don't! I swear, I didn't know she had a crush on me! But I-''

''But you what?'' Scootaloo said, anger returning to her voice as her suspicion was once again aroused. ''Do you like her? Did you miss something out or do you actually not like me at all?''

Yourself growing a little mad at her saying such a thing after you spilled out your heart and feelings for her, you also began to gain a slightly angered tone of voice. ''Scoots! No! As a friend, yes, but as a fillyfriend? No! I swear, Scoots, we're only friends! Nothing more!''

''I don't believe you!'' Her stubborn mind refused to give in to your pleas of love and affection for her.

''But I do, Scoots! I mean, come on, seriously?! You and me are close friends! I like you and I know that you like me, too!'' You covered your mouth, not meant to say that last part. ''I...I mean...''

Scootaloo's eyes grew wide as a new found anger raged within them. ''Wait, what?! You knew all along?! Who told you? Was it...'' Her mouth hung open. ''...Sweetie Belle...'' She gasped, hurt evident in her voice from her close friend whom she considers her sister that told her biggest secret.

All the while, you watched her brew with boiling anger for her friends' betrayal to her. ''You can't be serious! No, you just can't be! How could she tell you?! How?!''

''Scoots!'' You shouted, grabbing her attention. ''For Celestia's sake, calm down! It was obvious you liked me! Quite a few ponies know about it, in fact!''

She stared at you flatly. ''What?! A few?! How many is a few?!''

''Well, Miss Cheerilee, for one.''

''What?!''

''And Halo,''

''No!''

''and Archer,''

''NO!''

''oh, and Rumble.''

She looked as if she was about to faint. ''R-R-Rumble knows, too?!'' She exclaimed, her own heart pounding furiously at the foreseeable embarrassment that was going to come in the upcoming week.

''Why is it such big of a deal to you? You know that I liked you to begin with, let alone Rumble liking you! Besides, I know you know he likes you, too!''

''Cerulean, I'm gonna kill you!'' She pounced on top of you without a second thought and you thanked Celestia for that helmet strapped to your head when she plowed you head-first into the trunk of the tree behind your back.

On top of you, she thumped you with her hooves, yet they didn't really seem to be felt by your nerves and it didn't pose or render as a full-on assault. It didn't stop her from trying, though.

She pummeled your chest and face with her hooves and knowing that you couldn't hit her for any reason, you easily blocked her semi-forceful blows with your hooves and eventually managed to push her off of you. Yet, she wasn't giving up so easily.

With a flap of her wings, you were taken by surprise when she rammed into you at a high velocity, taking your helmet off from the following impact as you were thrown with her on top of you once again into some nearby bushes.

The two of you rolled around, switching places with who was on top of each other as you were tossed around. Sticks are twigs got into both of your manes and coats with pockets of sticky tree sap and caused them to be stuck up and ruffled, sticking out at all angles and at different places.

Eventually giving up from trying to fight you, seeing that you were too strong to actually physically feel a punch from the other pegasus, she released you and you both frantically got to your hooves, staring into each other's eyes whilst you panted for breath.

''S-Scoots, listen to me! It is all just a misunderstanding!'' You tried to reason with her but she didn't buy it.

''A misunderstanding, huh?'' She rolled her eyes at you and guffawed ''No, I don't think so!''

''Dammit, why are you being so stubborn?! Why won't you listen to me!'' You snapped back, seeming to amuse her.

''Because I don't believe you!''

Your ear twitched. ''Oh, you want me to prove that I don't like Apple Bloom? Is that it?'' She nodded firmly, eyes closed.

''Alright, fine! You asked for it!'' Determination taking over your mind and without a second thought, you came closer to her and with her eyes closed, you tightly wrapped your hooves around the back of her neck and back and pulled her in closer, touching your lips to hers in the best passionate kiss you could offer.

You closed your eyes and hers snapped open, shrinking in shock at what was happening as a blush burned her cheeks, possibly the brightest she has ever managed to burn before.

You were amazed by how soft her lips were against yours and you could easily tell that she thought the same. They tasted surprisingly sweet and were incredibly smooth.

The kiss lasted for a blissful few seconds before you broke away, opening your glistening eyes at the speechless Scootaloo in front of you.

''T-There! Satisfied?'' You asked her. She simply stood and stared at you with shocked eyes, still trying to process the moment of your lips connecting. She looked like she wanted to say something, presumably still go against believing you, but wisely kept her mouth shut.

Coming close in front of you, Scootaloo stopped just inches away from your muzzle and unexpectedly raised a hoof. Eyeing it for a brief second, you barely had any time to react, let alone a second, before it collided forcefully with your cheek and sent you into the floor.

Quickly recovering from the surprise assault, you gawked at her as you rubbed your sore left cheek. Without a doubt, that was going to leave a bruise.

''That's for not telling me sooner about that kiss between you and Apple Bloom!'' She shouted at you, taking you aback. However that compared nothing to what happened next.

Coming beside you, she raised you from the ground with ease, holding her gentle but strong hooves around you. ''And this is to make up for it.'' Without hesitation, Scootaloo pulled you closer and connected her lips with yours, pushing against yours in an attempt of showing her affection towards you.

Surprised at first at the kiss, you slowly settled into it, pressing you lips against hers as the two of you closed your eyes and let pure bliss take over.

You both almost didn't realize that your wings had puffed out at your sides at their full lengths.

After around a minute or so of being locked in the affectionate moment, Scootaloo pulled away and you were a little disappointed that the moment had to end.

''Wow...'' You murmured dreamily. ''...that was awesome.'' You finished, seeing her look back at you with those cute eyes of hers, an all new look behind them.

''You weren't so bad yourself, but you don't beat me just yet.'' She smirked at you.

''Hey, I didn't see you having the courage to start this off! Besides, I could always go for a rematch!'' You retorted with a smirk of your own and she blushed.

''Perhaps some other time, Cerulean.'' She smiled and you smiled back, the taste of her lips still lingering on your own. ''Come on, Miss Cheerilee's probably wandering what happened to us.''

At the mention of school, panic began to set its way in at the realization that the two of you have been down here for a long time.
the two of you went back to get your scooters and helmets and when you strapped them on, you both made your way out of the ditch and carried your scooters along with you.

Upon getting to the top, a challenging smile smeared itself across Scootaloo's lips and with a confused look, you watched her set her hooves onto her own scooter (which was a little more of the down-grade, standard type than yours) and when she turned to you, her smile widened into a daring smirk.

''Race ya!'' And like that, she was off!

Watching her go out of sight, a smirk crossed your own lips as you got on your scooter and flared out your wings. ''Oh, it is so on!''

*** *** ***

The wheels of your scooter screeched as they halted to a stop outside of the school house and you stood with a triumphant smirk at your victory against Scootaloo who also came in with a screech of her wheels and came to a stop beside you.

She panted deep breaths. ''No fair!'' She wheezed. You smiled wider at her, giving her a pat on the shoulder.

''Hey, there's always next time.'' You assured her and she only sighed in defeat at that grin on your lips. Pouting cutely she playfully punched your shoulder.

''Yeah, next time you'll be mine!''

Sharing a laugh, the two of you entered the school house with your scooters, the teacher who was sat behind her desk at the time looking up at you both with a quizzical expression in her light green eyes, her brow raised as she came towards you.

''There you two ponies are!'' She began, stopping in front of you. ''You are over half an hour late! What happened to the two of you?'' She motioned to your coats and manes that sat beneath your helmets.

Confused at first, you both looked each other over, noticing what she meant by all of the visible scuffs and dirt covering your coats and manes, the tree sap and traces of broken twigs still stuck inside them.

Immediately, blushes burned your cheeks and you looked down in embarrassment. Amongst the occupants of school children in the room, you could have sworn you heard a familiar snicker that you recognized as the kind that belonged to none other than Halo.

''Um...we cr-crashed.'' You said quietly, feeling awkward.

''Yeah, pretty hard, from the looks of it...'' A barely audible voice whispered with a delighted giggle that was barely suppressed by the owner of the voice. Your ear twitching, you looked over with wide eyes at Halo whom was trying not to burst into a giggling fit at her desk.

''I heard that!'' You scolded the soft pink filly and she burst into a laughing fit, earning a round from some of the other students, including Archer, Rumble, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. Trying to ignore their teasing and tormenting laughter, you both rolled your eyes and let it go over your head, attempting to turn it on deaf ears.

''Alright, everypony, that's enough!'' The teacher commanded and at the firm voice of their well-respected teacher, silence fell upon the room and once she was satisfied, she turned towards you with one final glare before she ordered us back to our seats and going back to her desk, resuming what she was doing before your entry. ''As for you two, I'm afraid I'm going to have to give you both detention after school.''

Detentions may sound bad, but if it meant you got to spend it with Scootaloo, you seriously and honestly didn't find the need to care less about it. Since opening up to her about your feelings that you had for her, you felt a whole lot more comfortable around her as a friend and- No, she wasn't just your friend now, she was practically your fillyfriend.

When you were seated, you gave a smile to Scootaloo and she gladly returned it. Turning forward, you looked briefly to the row in front of you and to the desk that Apple Bloom occupied. She had her back turned to you and her head was hung down as she was concentrating on writing what you assumed was the work set by the teacher. Like any other day, it was the same - Literature.

You desperately wanted to tap her on the back and see if she was alright after yesterday and possibly get an answer from her but decided against it at the risk of making an even bigger fool of yourself than you and Scootaloo did on your entry not long ago.

Sighing internally, you opened up your desk and took out a pencil before you too started to write the work up on some pre-placed paper in front of you.

*** *** ***

''Cerulean!'' You turned your head from the conversation you was having with Scootaloo, Rumble, Archer and Halo like you always would do during recess to face the furious face of Sweetie Belle whom was stomping her way across to you with a rarely seen anger burning behind her green eyes like torches

Coming directly in front of you and stopping an inch or so from your muzzle, she didn't hesitate to raise her hoof and give you a firm, solid smack across the cheek that sent you sprawling to the left, thankfully not hitting the ground thanks to the agility of Rumble who caught you in his hooves.

With a stunned expression and gaping mouth, Scootaloo turned to her friend with angry eyes. ''Sweetie! What's wrong with you! What did you do that for!?'' She brought her own muzzle up to hers and matched her piercing glare.

Recovering from the surprisingly hard smack from Sweetie, you picked yourself from Rumble's hooves and came out of the daze it put you in. Rubbing your now sore cheek and feeling a pain run through the whole of your jaw, you stared wide eyed at your assaulter. You have never seen Sweetie so mad before and honestly, it was scary for you to witness.

Especially since that anger was all directed towards you for some unknown reason.

''Don't you ever do anything to hurt Apple Bloom again, you jerk!'' She screamed at you with fury filling her angelic voice, adding a more threatening and darker tone to what it would normally sound like as she pushed Scootaloo aside, ignoring her as if it was only between you and her on the playground.

You stared at her with a shocked and confused expression, yet soon realized what she was on about. ''W-What?! Sweetie, what's gotten into you?! I've done nothing to hurt Apple Bloom, ever! Why would you even think that I'd do anything to her! She's my friend!''

She huffed, flaring her nostrils as her anger still burned. ''Well, some friend you turned out to be! She told me about what happened and do you even know how upset she is because of you?!'' At that fire in her eyes, you etched back slightly.

''Sweetie, it isn't like that!'' Scootaloo defended, getting back in front of Sweetie, a mix of anger and fear in her own eyes towards her friend's unusual attitude. Sweetie shoved her chest.

''Oh, you're siding with him now? Who's friend are you, Scoots, his or mine?''

Scootaloo scoffed. ''Are you serious!? Cerulean hasn't done anything to hurt Apple Bloom, and you know it! He told me everything and it's all just a huge misunderstanding! If Apple Bloom told you about it, she surely didn't tell you it right because that wasn't what happened!''

You came beside Scootaloo and draped your wing across her back and she smiled to you and you returned it. Sweetie still held a frown but when she looked at your white, well-preened wing draped across her friend's orange furred back, she held a softer expression in her eyes.

''So that's why you two were late? A little 'alone' time?'' She snickered behind a hoof and some of her anger was disposed. You and Scootaloo blushed. ''I always wandered when you were going to ask her. I'm happy for you, Cerulean.'' She smiled to you and you were caught off guard by her current change in attitude from pure, seething anger to her usual sweetness.

You didn't respond and nor did Scootaloo. For you, it was weird to see Sweetie more furious than a dragon awoken from its nap and to transform back into her usual, sweet and patient self the next second! As a matter of fact, you were maybe expecting another hoof to the cheek.

''So...'' You began, hopefully to a conversation.

''So what?'' Sweetie asked softly, raising her brow at you.

''So, where's Apple Bloom? I kinda need to talk to her.''

Sweetie gave you a mad yet soft look. ''Yeah, you do. I think we should all talk after school about this. Apple Bloom doesn't really wanna talk to you at the moment, so I guess we'll meet you someplace later?''

With a disappointed feeling in your gut, you managed to smile. ''Sounds good. Why don't we all get together at Sugarcube Corner?'' You offered and Sweetie's face brightened at the mention of one of her most favourite places in all of Ponyville.

''Sure. So, we'll see you then?'' She asked and you nodded. Smiling, she took her leave to presumably find Apple Bloom and continue doing whatever she was doing.

Turning back to face the rest of your friends, you said, ''If you want, you lot can tag along, too.'' They smiled and shared nods of agreement, seeming to also be enticed by the sound of going to hang out some place that promises generous helpings of sugary goodness. You figured that if you were going to tell Sweetie the truth, you might as well let the others in on it to drown out any pools of confusion in your relationship as a friend with them.

It was even more to clarify your relationship with your fillyfriend, Scootaloo.

Turning to face her with your wing still draped over her back and slightly over her side, she smiled to you and nuzzled your cheek for a brief moment before leaning her head against yours. A warm smile spread on your lips and you gingerly held her hoof in your own, igniting blushes on both of your cheeks.

Noticing the giggling faces of all of your friends, the two of you blinked before snapping away like a flash and standing casually, pawing awkwardly at the ground and avoiding eye contact.

''So, just friends, huh?'' Archer teased with a laugh, followed up by his sister.

''Oh, sh-shut up!'' You said, only prompting them to all burst into more laughter, including Rumble, the one who has had a crush on Scoots since the day he met her, which was quite surprising seeing as you thought he would be disappointed about you being in a relationship with her.

''Yep, definite fillyfriend!'' Halo broke into laughter and rolled around on the floor with everypony else whilst you and Scootaloo stood there with embarrassed blushes rampaging across your cheeks.

Beside you, Scootaloo frowned. ''I can already tell that this won't be the last we hear from them about us.'' You nodded in agreement, rolling your eyes.

''I figured.''

Sugarcube Corner

Author's Note

Ribe's quote of the day - ''It does exactly what it says on the tin - ''It fucks your house completely!''

This chapter may be changed in future at some point. Can't guarantee it, but we'll see. This one was kinda rushed inbetween college and free time, but I released this early so you could at least have an update! Let me know what you think!

Sugarcube Corner

Over at Sugarcube Corner, you and your friends sat around one of the many vacant tables within the shop. Scootaloo sat beside you on her chair and across from you was Halo and Archer with Rumble squeezed in on the end next to Scootaloo and Archer.

You were all eagerly awaiting the arrival of Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom so that you could finally sort things out between the unexpected conflict that came between you.

Scootaloo looked beside her towards Rumble, seeing that he had his head hanging down and his ears were drooped over the back of his head. With a hoof, she nudged his shoulder lightly and he slowly raised his head to meet his glassy purple eyes with Scootaloo's. She motioned for him to lean closer and when he did, she whispered to him. ''Hey, what's up?'' Rumble didn't respond. He only motioned briefly with his eyes towards Cerulean whom was in a conversation with Halo and then back to Scootaloo before resuming to hang his head.

Scootaloo frowned. She knew Rumble has had a crush on her for as long as she has known him and she understood what he must be feeling like. Even if she was with Cerulean, it didn't mean that she and him wouldn't remain friends. They have been close since the day they met and it wasn't like this new relationship with Cerulean was going to drive a wedge between them, right?

Not a moment too soon, the door to the shop opened and when you turned to see, you noticed that it was Sweetie Belle, an ashamed looking Apple Bloom beside her.

Neither one of them made a sound as they made their way towards your table and took a seat each, Apple Bloom keeping her head down all the while as she took her place beside you and Sweetie between Halo and Archer.

From your position next to Apple Bloom, you could feel the cold radiating from her. You wasn't sure whether to be worried or concerned about it, yet either way, you felt bad for her.

''Apple Bloom?'' You asked in an attempt to get her attention or at least to make her look up. Looking down towards her face, you could see what looked like a crystal clear tear emerge from her tear duct and slide down her muzzle before hanging off and dropping to the floor with an audible 'plop' in the silence of the shop.

''It's no use, Cerulean. She's been like this since yesterday.'' Sweetie explained, looking equally as worried as the rest of the group. No matter how fruitless it may have been to try and get an answer from Apple Bloom or even the slightest acknowledgement, you wasn't about to give up on her.

Momentarily looking towards Scootaloo, you motioned with your eyes towards her friend in despair and taking the hint, she rose from her seat and slowly made her way next to her. She slowly looked her friend over, trying to find the best way to get her to say something but upon failing to do so, did things the casual way and gently prodded her shoulder a single time, getting no response from her.

Looking back towards you, she shrugged in defeat and returned to her seat. You rolled your eyes and your lips held a frown as you continued to look on at the still motionless Apple Bloom beside you until an idea came to mind. It may have sounded stupid but giving the circumstances, you felt it was most appropriate as a course of action.

Slowly looking around the table at each of your friends individually, they looked back at you and motioned for you to do something and without further delay, you did something.

You slowly moved towards her, hoping to Celestia it would at least make her look up, and softly wrapped you hooves around her, pulling her into a hug.

Apple Bloom squeaked softly at the surprise contact yet still kept her head hung low. That was when you decided to amp things up a bit. With a hoof, you raised it towards the back of her head and gingerly stroked down her mane in a soothing motion. At the contact of your hoof, she seemed to calm down and eventually, she began to break into tears, her body shuddering and shaking and she leaned into you, resting her head against your shoulder as she continued to cry.

Giving the moment between the two of you, the silence that the shop drowned in was only broken by the sound of Apple Bloom's crying and you attempting to calm her down.

''Well, that escalated surprisingly fast.'' You heard Halo whisper a little too loudly to Archer and you mouthed angrily towards her ''Shut up'' and she did, blushing madly with cheeks like a pink wildfire.

Apple Bloom sniffled heavily and calmly cuddled up to you whilst you continued to hold her. ''Will you be alright?'' You asked her and she looked up to you with glassy eyes, her amber irises reflecting like glowing jewels. For the first time, you saw her lips curl into a small smile and she nodded once lightly.

''So, do you wanna tell us what's going on or are we just going to sit here awkwardly for a little longer?'' Halo asked and you didn't need to think twice at seeing that she was irritated and uncomfortable with all this sitting around.

''Yeah, I've already heard Cerulean's side of the story and I wanna know Apple Bloom's take on this, too. I don't like all this conflict at all.'' Scootaloo said, looking towards her calmed down friend whom held a surprisingly straight face under Scootaloo's inquisitive gaze along with everypony else.

She sighed and looked over to Sweetie Belle who nodded towards her. ''You'll feel better, AB.'' Taking one last sigh and forcing herself to withstand breaking down again, Apple Bloom bit her lip and began to tell her side of the story. In particular, you wanted to hear what happened after the...events...at the clubhouse and when she began to talk about it, you listened intently to every word.

She went on for about nearly an hour or maybe a little over and the looks on your other friend's faces all ranged from shocked to surprised and some places in between. Well, all apart from Halo who you saw had her head in her hooves as if she was listening to a comedic story. I swear, I have no clue what goes on in her head sometimes You thought to yourself as you mentally rolled your eyes.

As a matter of fact, the only one with a casual expression was Sweetie Belle whom you guessed has heard it before. As for yourself, you were quite surprised. In the time you have known Apple Bloom, it was no lie that you valued her as a friend and the two of you became close alongside her other two friends.

From what you've heard from her friends and a few other ponies, you knew that the Apple family were an honest kind of ponies and for a pony such as Apple Bloom who was brought up in such a family to lie to Sweetie about it either deliberately or out of nervousness (in this case it was the second one) to the point where she actually hit you without knowing it was a huge misunderstanding was mind blowing.

Apple Bloom was crying again by the time she had finished her story and everypony stared at her and she was visibly shaking and uncomfortable under all the eyes focused on her, almost as if they were a bunch of lasers that were melting into her very soul.

''Ah never meant to lie! Honestly, Ah didn't! Ah was just so nervous and scared about what Ah did and Ah'm so sorry, everypony! Especially you, Cerulean.'' She looked towards you with sad, regrettable eyes and you sympathized her.

Yes, what she did caught you very off guard and was the main reason for all this conflict but she was still your friend. You wasn't the kind of pony to hold grudges, especially against one of your own friends.

''I could never stay mad at you, Apple Bloom. As far as I'm concerned, you're still one of my closest friends, and I don't think any less of you.'' You said, pulling her into a friendly hug. Her face transformed momentarily into an expression of happiness but was soon replaced by a glowing blush at what you whispered to her whilst holding her in your embrace. ''If it's any consolation, you're not a bad kisser.''

Breaking away from the embrace, she looked back into your eyes and smiled warmly. ''Ya'll have no idea how much that means to me to hear ya say that.'' You smiled back to her.

From beside you, Scootaloo glared at Sweetie and catching her eye, Sweetie looked confused and appeared to be even a little scared at that stare from her friend's eyes, almost as if they were knives.

''W-What?'' Sweetie asked quietly and shakily, failing miserably to maintain her usual, calm and sweet voice.

''Aren't you going to apologize, too?'' She asked, narrowing her eyes at her and you looked between them with a hint of confusion before it hit you what they were talking about. The time when you and the rest of your friends, excluding Sweetie and Apple Bloom, were in a conversation one school morning during recess and out of the blue, Sweetie comes out of nowhere and slaps you hard in the cheek. I guess the sweet and innocent personality give the demon inside a run for it's money. ''You punched Cerulean in the face, remember?'' Scootaloo said in a low growl, feeling her own blood begin to boil.

Sweetie flinched when Scootaloo unexpectedly used her hooves to brush away the fur on the cheek that Sweetie's hoof struck you with, revealing a pale, black-blue coloured mark in the shape of a hoof on your skin. It wasn't long until Sweetie's eyes began to tear up and she sniffled.

''Oh, my Celestia, I'm so sorry about that, Cerulean, I didn't know what actually happened and when I get mad I just can't control myself sometimes!'' She explained in a single sob, wiping her eye with a hoof. ''Can you ever forgive me?''

You sighed. ''Once more, I'm not one to hold grudges against my friends over a misunderstanding, so yes, I do forgive you. Next time though, at least tone down on the smacking, please. That hurt me more than it hurt you.'' You said, cringing when you lightly made contact with the bruise with your hoof.

''Wow, anypony else got any drama to resolve?'' Halo asked. ''No? Good, because we're in a pastry shop and it's driving me crazy staring at all of these cupcakes and stuff.'' Without any objections, Halo was off like a rocket, not bothering to give the chance to anypony else to say anything.

Watching his sister about to give herself an unearthly amount of sugar, Archer rolled his eyes and frowned before getting up and going after her. ''I'll go and keep her under control.''

You snickered behind your hoof and everypony else turned to look at you with confused glances. ''W-What? She's just so random sometimes that I can't help it!'' They all rolled their eyes at you. Well, all apart from Rumble who had his head hung down again.

Scootaloo frowned and tapped you on the shoulder, causing you to turn around to face her. Leaning close to you, she whispered in your ear. ''Cerulean, do you mind if me and Rumble had some time for a little chat? He seems a little upset.'' She said, motioning with her eyes towards the young pegasus.

You simply nodded and asked for Sweetie and Apple Bloom to follow you towards an empty table a short way away, leaving Scootaloo and Rumble alone together. From your newly seated positions, you all took a final glance back over towards them and you could see that Rumble was visibly upset.

It was the first time you have ever seen Rumble upset and you guessed that he was rarely in this kind of mood. However, given the circumstances, you thought that it was understandable. Something about it made you recall the night when you were in that crazy conversation with the imaginary version of Scootaloo and something about her telling you that Rumble liked her as more than a friend and that she secretly decided not to tell him that she knew.

Somehow, you wasn't sure whether to feel happy or sad about that. Granted, if you were in Rumble's position and developed a crush on Scootaloo when you became friends only to find out that when a new colt comes to town and befriends said pegasus and ends up in a relationship with her, you would be shattered.

You frowned sympathetically. To you, Rumble was like the brother you never had and you did talk a lot more than the others in the school playground.

''Well, since we're gonna be here for a while, would you mind if I bought us all something from the counter? Perhaps a few milkshakes? Mum gave me a few spare bits.'' You offered and both Sweetie's and Apple Bloom's faces lit up.

''Sure!''

''Sounds good!''

Clearing The Air

Author's Note

I started this, and I'm gonna finish it.

Not as long or progressive as I'd like, but hope it put a smile on your face or got a laugh out of you.

Clearing The Air

''So, what do you think they're talking about over there?'' Sweetie Belle asked with a motion of her eyes over to the table at the far end of the room where you were all once sitting. Rumble and Scootaloo were sat together at the table you were at a little earlier and they were both talking, a noticeably saddened expression plastered on Rumble's face and in his glistening eyes. Even from here, you could easily make out tears welling in his eyes.

You were now all sat to a table nearer to the counter. Sat next to you was Apple Bloom and next to her was Sweetie Belle. Across from you, Halo and Archer were seated together with an insanely large assortment of cupcakes. Archer was currently eating his way through a caramel cupcake and Halo...well, she was more or less literally ramming her face into them, wolfing them down faster than she can swallow them.

Whoa, how does one filly manage to withstand all that sugar? You mentally gave a round of applause. Rolling your eyes at Halo, you turned to face Archer and he simply gave a shrug, obviously with the same thoughts on his mind.

Sweetie Belle gave you a nudge, pointing towards the table occupied by Scootaloo and Rumble. ''Do you think he's alright?'' Sweetie asked, sounding evidently worried. Apple Bloom gave a soft sigh.

''Rumble has always liked Scootaloo. Ah could understan' why he feels that way.'' Across from you, Archer piped up, swallowing a bite of his cupcake and nodding, confirming what Apple Bloom had just said.

''It's true. The guy's been crazy about her since he met her. Talk's about her all the time.'' Archer gave a quick glance over his shoulder at Rumble.

''Yeah, could you blame him? I mean, she is kinda cute.'' Halo said, causing you to almost choke on the blue berry milkshake you were currently drinking. You winced at the freezing cold sensation it left on your brain, causing you to clench you teeth in pain.

''W-w-what?!'' You half exclaimed, your voice coming out as half of a groan. Halo blinked at you, seeming confused. ''Did you just say 'cute'?'' You questioned. Halo simply upturned her upper right lip.

''Y-yeah? And? She is cute. Don't you think so?'' She raised her brow at you and your eyes shrank.

''Well...yeah, of course I do...'' You said with a heated, crimson blush burning on your ice-white cheeks as you scratched the back of your neck uneasily with a hoof. ''I just didn't expect you of all ponies to say that.''

Halo gave you an offended look, her lips transforming into a pout. ''W-Wha-you?!'' She stammered, unable to find the words to make a comeback. She huffed in defeat, slowly picking up yet another cupcake and biting into it.

''Alright, you two, enough of that.'' Archer said, a face of disapproval being given to his sister, deepening her frown. ''Besides, I think Scoots and Rumble are coming back.'' Archer turned around and looked over to see Scootaloo hugging Rumble before giving a friendly hoof-bump and picking themselves out of their seats before making their way towards the rest of you.

Upon reaching the table, Scootaloo came around to your side and sat on the free seat beside you. Rumble joined Archer at his side, facing Sweetie Belle. Rumble's expression seemed to have transformed from a gloomy one back into his usual, smiling face. Him and Scootaloo shared a smile.

Nudging Scootaloo's elbow with your hoof, you offered her a drink of your milkshake and she accepted. Sweetie Belle and Rumble shared a glance. ''So, is everything alright? You were being kinda quiet earlier.'' Rumble looked down for a brief moment, releasing an audible sigh.

''Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry about me.'' He said. Looking over to Rumble, you studied his expression, knowing right away that he was still holding onto his feelings. You yourself have known that he liked Scootaloo, and has felt the same way about her for as long as he has known her. The two of them have pretty much grown up together. You thought it was understandable, giving the circumstances. He would probably be over it soon enough.

Not a single one of your friends said a word for most of the time you were all sat together. They all sipped on their milkshakes in silence, all apart from a certain pony who broke that silence by hammering her face left and right with cupcakes. With the way Halo acts sometimes, you sometimes thought that she wasn't actually a filly, but possibly a changeling, or perhaps even some kind of creature from the Everfree Forest.

The silence of all of your friends was already becoming awkward and you decided to turn things around. Thinking, you exchanged looks with Sweetie, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. ''So...'' You began, catching everypony's attention. ''...any ideas on how we could find our cutie marks?'' You asked, noticing a newly found spark in the amber of Apple Bloom's eyes.

''Potion brewing! We could ask Twilight or Zecora to teach us!'' She said with a beaming smile.

''What? Remember last time? You nearly blew a hole through the wall of the library!'' Scootaloo said, an embarrassed blush appearing on Apple Bloom's cheeks and she shrank back in her seat.

''Maybe not, then...''

''Oh!'' Sweetie chimed. ''We could try to get our cutie marks in singing or dress making! Rarity has a few clothes she needs making for a client, so we could see if she needs any help!'' Apple Bloom blew a tuft of her cherry mane from her eyes.

''Somehow, Ah'm not sure that's a good idea, Sweetie. When Rarity's workin', she kinda puts me on edge with how strict she can be. Remember that fit she had when ya 'accidentally' destroyed her sewing room with ya magic, or when ya'll made us them capes with her special, golden fabric?'' Sweetie looked thoughtful for a second, pondering. With a blush, Sweetie sighed, defeated.

''What about racing?'' Scootaloo suggested, your ear twitching. Racing? As in, competitive racing? You thought deeply on this in your mind, wondering on what type of race. Running? Flying? Scooter? When you were living in Manehatten, you knew that there used to be some races, but mostly roller derby racing, which you've seen enough times to know that getting yourself injured or worse is more than an easy thing to accomplish. ''Hey, Cerulean, don't you have a scooter?''

Before moving to Manehatten, you used to live in Cloudsdale, where the very sport of sky scooter racing was born. Your father, Frosty Blaze, was a champion of the sport and the same scooter he used during that race was the one that you owned. It made you nervous to say the least, the idea of using his trademark Skybolt Scooter to participate in racing.

''Cerulean? Hellooo?'' Halo waved a hoof in front of your eyes. Blinking, you shook your head and came back into reality. ''You still with us?'' She asked, to which you blushed, not noticing that they were trying to get your attention.

''Huh? What?''

Halo rolled her eyes. ''Scoots asked if you have a scooter.'' Blinking again, you turned to face Scootaloo. She smiled sweetly to you.

''Uh...yeah. You know I do. My Dad's Skybolt. It's specifically designed for sky and ground racing.'' You said with some pride and some nervousness, wondering what she was getting at. ''Why?''

Scootaloo pointed to the wall directly beside the counter and to a poster pinned to it. It was a white bordered, advertisement of a race, the picture in the centre of it displaying a proud looking colt and filly on scooters, each with daring and competitive expressions on their faces. Beneath the image of them was some text in bold, black letters: Ponyville Scooter Rally - A single lap race around Ponyville for all colts and fillies with scooters!

''A Ponyville scooter race?'' You said, eyeing the poster for a few moments before looking towards Scootaloo. ''I dunno, Scoots. They're good for fun, but have you even seen what can happen during one?'' Scootaloo raised her brow at you, clearly confused.

''What can happen? Like winning?'' She smirked. You sighed.

''No. Getting hurt.'' You deadpanned. She scoffed. ''Scoots, I'm serious. Those types of races are dangerous, especially for kids like us.'' Scootaloo's smirk grew larger.

''Sounds to me like you're scared of losing.'' She teased, prodding your shoulder. You narrowed your eyes at her. ''Don't tell me you're scared of coming last, Cerulean.''

You brought your muzzle up to hers, to the point they were touching and you could feel her warm breath on your snout. ''No, I'm not. I'm scared for you.'' Oddly, this seemed to amuse the pegasus filly and she tried to suppress a chuckle.

From beside you, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle glanced at each other, worried looks in their eyes. Sweetie edged closer to Apple Bloom, motioning with her eyes for her to pull closer so she could whisper in her ear. Catching on, Apple Bloom moved her head next to Sweetie and positioned her ear near her friend's muzzle.

''Something tells me this isn't going to end well.'' Sweetie said as quietly as she could, doing her best to keep quiet enough to minimize the chances of either pegasus's hearing her. Apple Bloom nodded her head in agreement, knowing that Scootaloo goes wild when she gets competitive, especially in racing.

Archer, on the other side of the table, nudged his sister's elbow with his hoof, watching her in concern. Halo's face was tinged green around her cheeks and muzzle and her lips were pressed tight together. ''Halo?'' It was clear that her heavy consumption on the sugary, delectable cupcake assortment has taken its toll on her and her stomach was doing somersaults.

''I-I need to--!'' She gagged, her lips parting a brief second before she cupped her hooves around her mouth to stop anything coming out. A panicked look arose in her glistening eyes and they darted around, hurriedly searching for a restroom to release the contents of her stomach before it was too late.

Within seconds of spotting the nearest restroom, she was off without warning, moving like a purple-coloured lightning bolt, the sound of a door slamming being heard followed by the sound of heavy vomiting.

Archer rolled his eyes and sighed. ''I told her not to eat all of those cupcakes, but does she listen? Nope. Sisters...'' At that, a round of laughter erupted at the table, everypony joining in. When the laughter died down after a minute or two, you turned towards Scootaloo.

''Anyway, it's getting late.'' You glanced outside the window, watching the sun transition out of the way for the moon to take its place. Sweetie and Apple Bloom took notice.

''Yeah, we should both be going. Apple Bloom, why don't you come back to Rarity's with me? I'm sure she wouldn't mind.'' Sweetie offered and Apple Bloom smiled.

''Sure, sounds fun. Ah'll have to tell Applejack first, though.'' Saying their goodbye's, the two left the bakery, on route to the boutique, leaving you, Scootaloo, Halo and Archer as the remnants of the group.

''Archer?'' You asked. ''You coming?''

''Nah, gotta wait for Halo.'' The sound of puking and Halo groaning was heard from within the restroom. ''Sounds like she'll be a while.'' You laughed.

''Scoots?'' You turned back to her. ''Do you want to come back with me? Mum shouldn't mind, we have a spare bedroom, if you'd like to stay over.'' You offered, a noticeable blush appearing on Scootaloo's cheeks and she averted her gaze, scratching at the back of her forehoof.

''Uh...um...'' Scootaloo said, unable to find any words. She glanced over to Archer, clearly seeking help for what to say. Archer gave a one-shoulder shrug and made a circular motion with his hoof, indicating for her to accept. Nervously, Scootaloo didn't speak, but instead nodded her head once and gave an affirmative ''Mmm-hmm''.

With a smile, you both said farewell to Archer and made your leave, heading back towards your house.

A Cold Night

You and Scootaloo were on route to your house after the get-together you and your friends shared at Sugarcube Corner. The moon was creeping out from behind the mountains towering over Ponyville and slowly sliding it's way along in the starry night sky to reach its peak above Equestria, the brilliant, white light illuminating the streets below like heaven's gate opening.

Very few town occupants were out at this time and shops and sales stands were being closed down for the night. Trotting slowly beside you, Scootaloo kept her gaze averted from your own and had her head turned away from you. You wanted to say something to her, but simply couldn't find the words for said something.

The silence was awkward and you felt a little uncomfortable. Something in the back of your mind nibbled away at your brain and you mentally scratched at it, unable to get it to stop. Behind closed lips, you gritted your teeth. With all of your attention being focused on the endless nibbling in your head causing you to feel irritated, you barely even had any time to react before you walked directly into the front door of your house, knocking you flat on your back with blunt force, kicking up dust.

Scootaloo tried suppressing a giggle behind her hoof, that cute smile of hers that made your heart melt visible from behind it. You rolled your eyes at her and a blush burned at your cheeks. She offered her hoof to you and you accepted, releasing a soft grunt of both pain and annoyance.

Shaking off the force of the blow from the door, you pushed open the door to your house and invited Scootaloo inside, closing the door behind you gently, the hinges creaking as you did so.

''Mum, I'm home!'' You called out, getting no response. ''Mum?'' Trotting your way over across the living room towards the kitchen, you poked your head inside and -

''Oh, hi, Cerulean!'' The voice of your mother replied to you from her seat at the dinner table, a cup of what smelled to be chamomile flavoured tea between her hooves and across from her was another pony you couldn't recall meeting, yet she looked so familiar.

The mare across from your mother, also with a cup of chamomile tea between her hooves, had a lively, vibrant orange coat and a well-kept, pristine purple mane and her eyes were a heavenly shade of blue, almost similar to your own but more in the way of sky blue. Noticing her cutie mark from her sat down position, you could see that it consisted of a purple blaze, positioned behind a heart of a darker shade of purple.

The other mare smiled sweetly down at you, that same cute smile that Scootaloo had. ''Well, hello, dear.'' She said, her voice raspy and soft. ''You must be Cerulean Blaze! So nice to meet you, dear. I'm your fillyfriend's mother, Fire Heart.'' You blushed a dark crimson, the burn being intense on your cheeks and the two mares giggled at your reaction to that word. Fillyfriend.

As if on cue, Scootaloo came after you into the kitchen, you presumed after hearing her mother's voice. Her eyes visibly shrank upon seeing her there and she momentarily glanced at you to see your rosy cheeks and then back to her mother. ''Mum?! Howcome you're here?''

Fire Heart smiled gently at her daughter. ''Me and Cerulean's mother ran into each other when we were in the market today and decided to hang out together.'' She motioned a hoof over to your mother who smiled to her. ''We're already friends and might I say, you have one adorable looking son, Sapphire.'' Your blush deepened and you heard your mother giggle. Your blush had deepened to the point it appeared as if your coat was actually red, almost glowing in radiance.

Somehow, you knew that this wasn't going to be the last you heard of this. Fire Heart took a sip of her tea before picking herself out of her chair, as did your mother. Fire Heart thanked Sapphire for the tea and gave her a friendly hug before she turned to Scootaloo.

''Scootaloo, it's getting late, I think it's about time for us to head home.'' She said softly. Looking from Fire Heart to your mother, you intervened.

''Mum, I actually was meant to talk to you about that. I asked Scootaloo to come around because I was wondering if she could stay around for the night?'' You asked and both parents blinked. Fire Heart looked to her side to stare at Sapphire with a thoughtful expression. Catching on to this, Sapphire smiled and nodded her head after a few moments of thinking it over.

''Of course she can, sweetie. If it's alright with Fire Heart, that is.''

''Of course it's alright. I'll be by tomorrow afternoon to pick her up.'' Fire Heart said, scratching behind Scootaloo's ear, causing her to swat at her hoof in retaliation to the display of ''embarrass your foal because I'm a parent and it's my job!''. Giggling, Scootaloo's mother gave her a peck on the cheek and said her goodbye's before leaving the house moments later.

''Honey, why don't you take Scootaloo upstairs while I get dinner going? I'll call for the both of you when it's ready.'' Mum said. Both of your faces adorning smiles, you both made your way towards the stairs and into your bedroom that was located on the far right from the landing. Allowing Scootaloo to take entry first, you closed the door behind you both.

Inside your room, Scootaloo looked around with a newly found curiosity that was evident in her eyes, making them glisten like miniature, purple orbs speckled in glitter. She took in every last detail, especially when her eyesight was directed towards your walls, taking notice of the many racing memorabilia posters and artifacts you had pinned up and arranged around the room.

On the wall parallel to your bedroom door was a small shelf, holding various kinds of racing merchandise. It also held your prized possession - your helmet. What made the item stand out from the rest and what made it special to you was because of who used to own it. Your father, Frosty Blaze.

Your Dad was a multi-champion in sky-scooter races and the many dents forever hammered into the helmet along with all of the scratches and visible signs of wear all symbolized the very moments of joy and victory he found in his career. Sitting beside the battered helmet was a small, marble and gold trophy, the silver-plated plaque on the marble base reading - Winner - Frosty Blaze - Cloudsdale Sky-Scooter Racing Champion.

Scootaloo eyed the trophy for some considerable time and took a glance towards your direction, seeing you also staring at the award. A mark of sympathy entered her eyes, as she knew of your father after the 'small meeting' you both had that night when she returned the helmet to you, having dropped it at school after leaving in a tizzy.

''Your Dad was a racing champion?'' Scootaloo asked, surprised. Your left ear twitched and you averted your gaze from the trophy to Scootaloo, still holding a sympathetic look in her eyes.

''Yes. He won over thirteen races in total around Equestria. He was mostly in Cloudsdale for them, but he went down to Las Pegasus and Fillydelphia a few times to compete. That trophy is from when he earned the title of ''Champion''.'' You explained, seeing her lips curl into an ''O'' shape.

''Anyway,'' You said, hoping to direct the conversation into a more comfortable topic. ''you said before you had a scooter of your own? Well, how about I show you mine?'' You offered and that was more than enough to boost the filly's mood, her eyes practically becoming purple stars as a fresh smile found its way onto her lips.

Mentally chuckling to yourself at her reaction, you trotted over to the far end of your room to where you desk was located beside the window and pointed with a hoof to it, Scootaloo's face immediately transforming into one of awe.

Atop the desk surrounded by neatly arranged bits and pieces and a set of screwdrivers and a little can of oil was your scooter - The Skybolt Series A, one of the very finest and best models of its time and in perfect condition, considering what it was used for. The light blue paint that blended in with the sky was freshly coated with a new layer, giving it that factory-fresh appearance. The black rubber handlebars, once torn and worn out from previous days has been replaced with heavy-duty grips for ease of resistance when riding in harsh weather and the wheels, once scratched and worn were newly added, screwed securely into their places, offering a firm grip on the surfaces they were designed for.

Wrapping your hooves around it, you gently and carefully brought it down from the desk, positioning it onto the floor in front of Scootaloo. Leaning down, you undid the clasp at the bottom of the stem connecting to the wheels from the handlebars and raised the rod up from its resting position on the board of the scooter.

Offering Scootaloo a chance to step aboard the legendary piece of racing history, she hastily accepted and stepped her hooves onto the board, immediately feeling the sturdy, agile structure of the vehicle. Holding the handlebars, her hooves fit comfortably around them.

Compared to her own scooter that was inferior to yours, the agility and strength was effortless in putting hers into its place. This was a top-notch piece of racing equipment that used to belong to one of the - or if not - THE bestest sky-scooter champion of all time. And said champion's son was the new owner of the scooter. And is also your coltfriend. Scootaloo's breath caught in her throat. Coltfriend...

Scootaloo sputtered, stepping off of the scooter and you gently placed it aside, raising a brow at her. ''Scoots? What's up?'' Hehe, he called me ''Scoots'' again. ''You alright?'' You went beside her and sat her down, taking your own place beside her and draping your wing over her back.

''Y-Yeah.'' Scootaloo said quietly, rubbing her cheek with a hoof. ''I just feel kinda sad about what happened with Rumble earlier at Sugarcube Corner. I mean, I knew that he liked me and all, but not that he would be that upset!''

''How do you mean?'' You asked.

''He still thinks about me in that way...'' She said with a sad sigh. ''...Cerulean, he still like like's me. When we were talking, he told me about how he thought of me in that way and then he brought up when you and me became friends and ended up being together. Rumble got put into a bit of a funk from that.'' Scootaloo said. From what you've just heard, your mind didn't know what to think. Rumble and you were friends, and he was like the brother you never had. You, like most of the school ponies in your class, knew how he felt about Scootaloo, having being told by Archer more than once at school and how he's been ''falling'' for her ever since he met her.

With a hoof, you raised Scootaloo's chin, meeting her eyes. With a soft, caring smile, you placed the lightest of kisses to her muzzle, igniting a blush on her cheeks. Pulling her into a hug, you allowed her to rest her head on your shoulder, you doing the same on hers as you both snuggled your cheeks together. ''He'll be alright, Scoots. He just needs time to figure things out and sort them for himself.'' You said, holding onto her.

''I sure hope so.'' Scootaloo agreed.

''He will do, believe me.'' You reassured her, seeing her smile. Oh, how you loved that smile of hers. So vibrant, it could drive away storm clouds. ''Perhaps one day, I could teach you how to race a sky scooter?'' You offered, and her smile extended into a toothy one.

''I'd like that.'' She said like a child on Hearths Warming.

''Great! We'll have to go into one of the fields around town and practice some time. You're going to love it, trust me.'' You said, hugging her. Breaking away from the embrace, Scootaloo trotted over towards the shelf holding your helmet. Reaching a hoof up, she ran her hoof ever so carefully along its shell, able to feel every single dent and scratch mark forever marked into its surface. From small to large cracks and dents, you watched her as she looked the helmet over. It was almost as if she was under a spell as she was touching the relic. Such a treasured piece of racing history.

Removing her hoof from it, she took a deeper look at the memorabilia on the shelf. Other than the trophy and helmet, a framed photo of a stallion with Dark and light blue two-tone mane with blue eyes and white coat was cradling a younger looking version of yourself, both of you with toothy grins.

You noticed her smile, although she didn't turn around. The next item on the shelf was of a concealed, strange looking item in a small glass case. The item behind the glass was held in place by small supports made out of aluminium and there was a small plaque on the inside of the case, built flat onto the base of the case.

Taking a closer look at the plaque, Scootaloo read out loud; ''Frosty Blaze - Team Member of Turbo Wing - Lead Flyer and Honorary Champion'' She gasped to herself, awestruck. Looking back up to the item held by the aluminium supports behind the glass, she raised a brow, unsure of what exactly she was looking at.

Coming beside her, you took a look at the item, knowing what it was straight away. The item held by the supports was a golden badge in a circular shape, a pair of greatly detailed pegasus wings proudly flared out on either side of the circle. In the middle of it was a glowing, yellow thunderbolt, almost appearing as if it was an actual bolt of lightning, magically enchanted to remain stable as a part of the badge.

''That was my Dad's team badge back when he raced for Cloudsdale. He's the one who founded the team and he used to be the leader before...'' You stopped, ears flopping backwards and Scootaloo took hint of what you were going to say, an understanding look on her face.

''Jeez, I'm sorry, Cerulean.'' She said, enveloping you with her hooves and pulling you into a warm hug. Accepting the embrace, you cuddled your cheek into the side of her neck.

''You know, Scoots, I really wish he was still around to meet you. He was a really awesome father to me and he's the reason that I know all that I know today. He would have loved to know you.''

''Aw, isn't that sweet.'' A voice from the doorway said, the both of your freezing in your place. Turning your heads, you both stared in shock at the sight of your mother watching you with a sweet smile. ''Shame I don't have my camera, you two are so adorable together!'' She said, giggling to herself.

In a flash, you both released each other from your hugging position and snapping to a neutral stance, bright, burning crimson blushes raging on both of your cheeks as you scratched the back of your neck awkwardly.

''H-How long have you been there?!'' You demanded. Your mother continued to smile.

''About when you both started hugging.'' She said, letting out a chuckle. ''Anyway, I've got dinner ready.'' Your mother announced before making her way out of your room and back towards the kitchen.

Blushing madly, you turned your attention towards Scootaloo, and you both shared a shocked and embarrassed glance at each other. ''Shall...S-Shall we just forget this ever happened?'' She asked, her voice shaky from the shock flowing through her small body. You nodded hastily in agreement.

''Y-Yeah, that would be best. C'mon, we should go down for dinner, Mum's probably waiting for us.'' Looking forward to the promise of food, the two of you made your way out of the bedroom and joined your mother in the kitchen.

Dinner was surprisingly quiet as you all sat there, tucking into your own plates. It was nothing special, but neither you or Scootaloo seemed to mind - hay casserole, salad and some apple fritters for dessert. You and Scootaloo sat together, taking slow bites at your own food.

The silence was beyond awkward and into the uncomfortable region. The only sound being heard in the room was the sound of every pony's breathing and chewing.

During the whole time, you could still feel the blush that burned your cheeks a short while ago, and judging from the rosy expression on Scootaloo's face, so could she. The two of you didn't share a glance the whole time you were eating, and when you were eventually done with dinner, you asked for Scootaloo's empty plate and stacked it atop your own before hoofing them over to your mother before she took them over to the sink and started washing up.

Making your way back to your room, the time was late and it was about time to be going to bed. The night was cold, despite having heating in the house. The cold didn't bother you that much, seeing as when you lived in Manehatten, the weather was usually cold, especially around this time of year, and it was something you eventually got used to.

''Celestia, it's cold.'' Scootaloo said, a noticeable shiver running down the length of her spine. You took note and draped a wing over her back, lapping it over her side. She hid a blush that deepened when you softly positioned yourself so that your side was touching hers, your body warmth providing comfort for her.

The guest room was nothing all that special. It was the same size as your room and had a few shelves and book cases in places against the walls with small ornaments and trophies arranged neatly on them. Clearly, they were well taken care of, judging from how clean they were. Placed snugly at the back of the room against the middle area of the wall was a bed big enough for about seven to ten foals. The framework was made out of a polished metal with added shine and the sheets to the bed were a vibrant, sky blue, a symbol of a wing in the middle of the sheets in a bold, gold outline and lighter gold inner colouring.

''Well, the bed's all your if you want it. It used to belong to my Dad, but he never used it much on account of being away most of the time for racing around Equestria.'' You explained, trotting over to it with Scootaloo at your side.

Climbing onto the bed, you offered a hoof and lifted Scootaloo onto it with you. Almost immediately, she fell into the softness of the mattress. It was almost identical to a cloud's surface! Plush and soft, it was in pristine condition and promised a relaxing and comfortable sleep. Raising the sheets, Scootaloo climbed in and wrapped them around her, the cold seeming to instantly fly off of her to the newly found warmth of the sheets.

You smiled at that cute and adorable, relaxed expression of hers. ''Ha, that comfortable? The bed was actually custom made by a pony back in Cloudsdale. Dad had a few connections and had this specially made for him.''

''Cerulean?''

''Yeah, Scoots?''

She shifted nervously beneath the covers, holding back a blush. ''Um...do you think you can s-st-stay here w-with me?'' She asked with a stammer, and your heart almost stopped.

Was she...was she asking me to...sl-sleep with h-h-her? I think my brain just melted... You blushed like a red light bulb. She may be close to you, but being asked something such as this? You were unprepared for it. You had no idea how to respond to the question and your mind was drawn to blank. A voice in the back of your head was telling you to accept and crawl under the sheets with her. You wanted to. You really did. Yet, as much as you wanted to, a piece of your mind was telling you that it would be wrong to sleep with her.

You still felt as if it was a little too early in your relationship to do anything like this just yet. Aw, c'mon, Cerulean, it's just a harmless, friendly gesture. There isn't anything wrong about a colt sleeping in the same bed as a filly. That goes especially if she is your fillyfriend. You loved her, but didn't know how to think of what to do, nevermind if you should or shouldn't be doing it.

You've blown it, Scoots, he's thinking of walking away. Q-Quick, do something, for Celestia's sake! Without a second thought, Scootaloo sat up from under the covers, taking you by surprise. Her hooves were found locked tight around your barrel and she pulled you under the sheets, latched onto you like her fur was Velcro.

Your eyes shrank in shock and panic, unsure of what was happening. The covers were enveloping your bodies and you found yourself beneath the young, orange filly, her eyes devious and you could feel her warm breath contacting with your muzzle and lips.

Nothing happened for a few moments. You both stared at each other, unsure of what to do next. Suddenly, a fit of giggles escaped from Scootaloo's lips and you too joined in.

''You should see the look on your face, Blaze!'' She laughed. ''Priceless!'' She let herself down and rested her barrel against your own, putting some weight on your body. Your faces were now only centimeters apart, glowing blushes in the darkness beneath the sheets as you stared at each other.

Wrapping your hooves around her, she squeaked cutely in surprise and you pushed your body sideways, still holding onto her so that your sides were now laying on the bed and your heads were placed on the massive, plushy pillow. Still facing her, you shared a smile and lightly touched muzzles.

Scootaloo closed her eyes, her smile plastered on her lips as she allowed herself to drift off into dreamland. Watching her all the while, you took a moment to contemplate how cute she was in her current position. Beneath the sheets, you could feel her hoof cup around your own in a holding pose.

Her hoof was warm and soft against your own. Snuggling yourself beneath the sheets, you made yourself comfortable. Watching Scootaloo sleep with short, deep breaths and seeing her chest rise and fall, you could tell she was already burrowed in the dreamworld. Cuddling up to her, you averted your eyes down to her lips.

A thought crossed your mind and you blushed heavily. There was nothing harmful about this, was there? What's the worst that can happen? Slowly shifting your head forwards, your lips made contact with Scootaloo's, placing a light peck. They were smooth and invitingly warm. Breaking away, you saw her smile become slightly wider as she slept and she let out a happy, dreamy moan and sigh.

Resting your head back next to hers, you let your eyes slide closed and fell into a blissful sleep.

Weather To Fall

Spit,spit,spit

Specks of rain began to drip from the skies above, dark and angry looking clouds hovering above-head, forming a gloomy canvas that left no star in the night sky visible to the eye.

Without a doubt, it was going to be a gloomy and rainy day tomorrow, possibly for even more than that, given the state of the forecast. Through the window of your Dad's room, the rain could be heard getting gradually heavier in both size and speed, the tiny beads transforming into what sounded more like a perfectly accurate miming of somepony tossing stones at the panes.

From beneath the warm cocoon of bedcovers that you were laying under, the constant and amplifying of taps rapping on the window panes made you stir, your lips transforming into disturbed groans and sleepy complaints that were incomprehensible.

The rain wasn't something that you were not used to, seeing as the weather in your hometown of Manehattan was mostly on the drowsy side, but it was still something that was enough to interrupt your sleeping pattern on a daily basis.

You could still remember those nights of thunderous bashing of golf ball-sized pelts of raindrops hammering into both the roof and window of your old house, like a buffalo stampede over the horizon that was about to run through and demolish the city. You would huddle under your sheets and hug yourself tight to conserve heat, trying desperately to remain warm and comfortable in the biting cold that came with the storms, but to a futile outcome. Even with the heating on, not even the slightest change of temperature took place. It was as if it a cursed, mythical force had embedded itself into the air and rain.

Muttering under your cold breath from the equally as cold bedroom, you had to forcibly pry your eyelids open with tired energy. The first thing your eyes fell upon after they were open and focused was the sleeping and peaceful form of Scootaloo beside you.

She was huddled towards your body, her hooves wrapped in a firm yet loose hold around your barrel, and you hardly realised until you began to try and move, only finding that her hooves were restraining you from doing so.

Although this made you smile, seeing her adorable cheek planted into the pillow next to yours and her lips curved into a small smile, in a state of nirvana, there was no idea in your mind of how the two of you came to be in this position.

Her body was warm against yours, the underside of the sheets of the cover that was draped across you both holding a toasty heat that kept your bodies comfortable.

Your eyes skipped slowly from the sleeping form of your friend over to the window, watching the rain patter down faster. In a way, it lulled you back to a state of sleep, reeling you in for a second rehearse of rest.

You just laid there and watched, enjoying the combination of listening to the sound of the musical taps and raps and the embrace of the sleeping Scootaloo. Peeking down to look at your bodies, momentarily breaking contact from the window pane, you noticed that you too had your hooves encased around the body of Scootaloo.

Your left hoof was wrapped around her back all the way, the touch of her wing tips being a prominent feeling above all others. Your other hoof was half around her neck, resting lightly on the back of her mane, which acted as a cushion. A mental sense of surprise triggered in your mind at how soft her mane actually was. Smooth, silky and, above all, adorable.

Just for the sake of it, you gently moved your right hoof up and down in a stroking motion, prompting a sleepy mumble and slight growth of her smile.

''Mmm, don't stop, Mummy, feels so warm...'' She mumbled, her voice a dreamy whisper as she gave a light series of shuffles of movement beneath the sheets, readjusting herself so that she was now a little closer to you, to the point that her chest was softly touching against your own.

You smiled in amusement at her hardly intelligible wording, watching her closed eyelids, noticing them flicker a few times, almost as if she was waking up. Yet, she never did. Instead, her grip behind your back and around your body tightened as she pulled you even closer, your snouts now only centimetres apart from touching.

You wanted to find out what time it was, but soon came to the conclusion that you simply couldn't, seeing as the clock was behind you on the nightstand, which was a movement that was restricted from the hooves of Scootaloo bound around you like a lasso.

Accepting your fate of snuggling in the warmth of the bed, you readjusted yourself, also, moving yourself with care to the point that you felt comfortable, with your nose touching against Scootaloo's, enough so that you could physically feel small and warm puffs of air exhale from her nostrils and caress the hairs on your muzzle.

It was a sensation that you had no objections to experiencing. With the majority of both of your heads sticking out the bedsheets, from mid-cheek upwards, you felt rather cold, and the warmth that was momentarily generated on your muzzle from Scootaloo's was delivered in small pulses of heat.

You could also detect a hint of mint in her breath, which only added a more pleasant reason to having no objections to the feeling.

Sighing peacefully, the weight behind your eyelids caused them to close ever so slowly, a world of rest soon coming over your body as all of your senses ceased and you fell into a deep sleep.

Next Morning

A feeling of passive thoughts brought a warmth to your chest and mind as your eyes fluttered open after a blissful sleep, a train of emotions that was brought along by the dream that had followed your sleep.

As you blinked the spots of black that resembled ink splotches from your vision, allowing them to refocus, the first thing that you noticed was that you appeared to be all alone.

Scootaloo wasn't on her side of the bed where she was only hours ago.

A quick glance towards the clock that was behind on the bedside table told you that the time of day was actually 9:45. You had slept in late.

Regardless, you were still too sleepy to really have any need to care about it. It wasn't like you had anything planned for the day, anyway, was it?

Instead of focusing on the time, you were more focused on where Scootaloo had gotten to. You were sure that she was there when you were asleep a few hours ago, so howcome she didn't wake you when she eventually stirred awake?

Thought after thought, theories began to pluck at the synapses in your brain, something which you quickly disregarded. She was probably either downstairs or maybe in the bathroom.

With the curious mindset of the whereabouts of your friend, you decided that you would go ahead and check the bathroom first. After all, it was the closest to the bedroom, literally being a door down on the left, next to another door that leads to your Mother's bed quarters, hers being next to yours, on the far right.

Reaching the bathroom door, you gave a pause, stopping directly outside of it. Without pressing your ear against the wooden body of the door, you listened intently for any signs of movement on the inside, yet it was hard to hear anything, even in the purely dead silence that lingered in the air of the house.

The only audible sound that you could hear was a combination of the outside world, an unmistakable clatter of hooves which meant ponies were out and about, supposedly on either a general wander about the town or going to the market, and the sound of what you could only guess was pans and pots, more than likely to be your Mother making something downstairs in the kitchen.

Following the sound, finding it best to give privacy to whomever may be in the bathroom, if anypony was in there at all, you made your way down the stairs and into the kitchen, where, sure enough, your Mother was working her way through making a batch of what smelled like pancakes, enhanced by the angel dust that was known as cinnamon powder.

You watched the blue sapphire-coated figure of your Mother for a moment before she turned around and saw you standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

She offered you a gentle smile, from behind where the handle of a clean pan was securely placed in her jaw. ''Mowig, Cerluian,'' She said in her chipper and crisp voice, ''pwkak?'' She mumbled unintelligibly. At seeing your dumbfounded expression and the confused glint in your blue eyes, she rolled her eyes, as if finally realising what she had in her mouth, before removing it and placing aside on the counter. ''Pancake?'' She repeated, motioning her hoof to the table at her side.

Sure enough, there was a promising stack of pancakes at the ready on a plate with a trio of juicy looking blueberries on the top, their juices partially running down the sides of the entire stack in a dark red-brown, sugary blood trail, a small moat of the juices pooling on the bottom of the plate, resembling a bloody river around a delectable tower resembling a castle.

All tiredness forgotten, a new spark of life perked up in your eyes, and you thanked your Mother before taking a seat at the table. She handed you a fork, and you took it from her with thanks, but as soon as you were about to extend it over to the pancake stack to take a bite from it, you stopped your hoof that held the fork in mid-air, a thought resurfacing in your mind.

''Mum?'' You asked softly, lowering the fork again as you turned to face her. ''Has Scoots come down yet?'' Your Mother only gave a somewhat sunny but knowing smirk as she dumped the pan she was holding previously into the sink.

''Of course, dear. She came down not too long ago, but went back upstairs to use the bathroom, I think.'' She said, and you gave a small half-shrug with your shoulder, turning back to your pancakes.

It was a big stack, so with that in mind, you decided to leave out half of the stack, in case Scootaloo wanted to try some. As you were nibbling at the disks of buttery and delectable pancakes that held as much delight as a pool on a hot summer's day, you could have sworn you heard your Mother's voice mumble something to herself about the way you used the nickname of ''Scoots'' earlier, right before she began humming an unrecognizable tune as she cleaned the countertops of the kitchen.

Eventually finishing the pancakes and alone with your thoughts, you took your leave from the table and made your way back towards the stairs, leaving the plate of the remaining pancakes for Scootaloo, should she want anything if she hasn't eaten anything already.

On route back to your Dad's room, you noticed that the bathroom door was open a crack, indicating that the filly in your mind was out. As you thought, she was in the bedroom, her back lightly facing the bedsheets and her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. She looked as if she was deep in thought.

You entered quietly, stopping only a few feet from the doorway. ''Scoots?'' You started, but your voice toned town a notch, as not to startle her. Her ear gave a sharp twitch, and she half-rolled herself around so that her neck could crane to meet you.

However, unlike the warmth that radiated from your eyes, hers were not as inviting. As a matter of fact, she looked troubled. More than troubled.

It was an expression that you couldn't quite place, yet it gave you the right to feel concerned and even a little worried, and you knew that she could sense it. You could feel it.

''Uh...morning?'' You began tentatively. ''Is something wrong?'' You asked her, and she only huffed and stuck her tongue out at you in a spiteful manner.

Your heart gave a twang of surprise and hurt at this, and you took an instinctive step back, clearly unprepared for this. Whatever was going on, this wasn't the Scootaloo you knew and loved. This was something...twisted. Not right, nor natural.

You had absolutely no idea on this Earth why she was acting this way, or whether this was some kind of cruel prank of hers. Either way, you didn't like it. What happened next was surreal.

The door behind you slammed itself shut, and you winced and snapped on the spot, your coat standing on end at what had just happened. There was no reason for that door to close. There was no force or gust that could have done that on its own! It was impossible!

''Scoots! What's happening? What's going on?'' You asked, taking fast-paced steps forwards and stopping in front of her as she sat upright on the bed, glaring down at you. Her eyes were like knives to your soul.

What was a bright, optimistic purple was now a cold and stony, pebble-like marble of empty colour. Those were not the eyes of Scootaloo.
They were something otherworldly.

In an instant, the form of the filly in front of you snapped at the speed of lightning, zipping to your side, and, for some reason, you got the sensation of being on a boat at sea as the floor (and entire room) began to take on a small vibration, then increased dramatically into a fully-fledged shake.

Scootaloo stood beside you, her teeth barred with an unholy amount of disgust and spite. ''I hate you, Cerulean. This was a mistake from the start. How could I have fallen in love with a pony like you?'' Her voice transformed from her scruffy, tomboyish and trademark tone into a distorted, almost demonic version of her original.

An odd spur of the moment brought your eyes being fixed directly to the iris in an unbreakable barrier of both fright and shock, and as hard as you may try, nothing you did could cause a break in the wall. All that you could see was the cold, dead eyes of the filly in front of you.

From your tear ducts, a stinging sensation could be felt, and an unmistakable wetness was tickling and tingling at the corner of your eyes, moments before you could feel the coldness of it slide down your cheek and hang off of the edge before hitting the floor.

You could hear a growl arise from the back of her throat, like a mix between a dog and an enraged ram, getting louder and louder before it began to demolish your ear drums.

Her orange hooves gripped your shoulders and began to give them a hard shove, and then a shake, causing a spike in your fear factor. Not a moment too soon did you feel your heart begin to tear, a trail of hot tears now burning your cheeks as they rolled down.

Cerulean!

Blaze!

Shake,shake,shake

''Cerulean! Cerulean, wake up! Wake up!''

A muffled out voice called your name multiple times, a voice that you knew and recognised. It was faint, but there. To mix in with the voice, you could feel a tight grip on both your sides, a firm sense at your shoulders.

Your mouth opened and closed uncontrollably, but no words ever came out, only incoherent squeaks and mumbles. A strong thump gave a constant, relentless thwacking at your chest at a high enough force to make it actually physically burn, and an equivalent heat was evident on your cheeks.

''No,no,no,no,no,no...'' You muttered, a choked gasp in the back of your throat, almost like a cry trying to break free. After you stopped, between your muttering, a female voice, the same voice that belonged to Scootaloo, hit your ears, her tones in a tizzy. She sounded like she had been crying.

''Cerulean! Come on, wake up!'' You could hear her say, her tone a desperate hush. ''Come on!'' She shook harder with all of her might, and all of a sudden, you snapped your eyes open in a flash, a sense of relief washing over your body as the grasp of a trance that was just broken left your body.

All that filled your vision was a lock of purple and orange, a pair of glistening purple eyes in the middle of the orange section that you soon found out that they were indeed the eyes of Scootaloo. She has clearly been crying, and held signs on her features of panicked and heavy breathing, almost as if she had been on the brink of being scared to death, and you knew all too well why that was.

She gave a wet sniffle and threw her hooves around you, but you couldn't move through the shock of the moment. You felt her tense as her hooves locked around your barrel, and whether that was because of how freezing your skin had become with fear and cold sweat, or if she was simply relieved, you couldn't pinpoint.

Unlike in the past when she returned one of your hugs to her in a display of friendly affection, there was something quite different about this one. It was as if she was trying to pull you hard enough that you would somehow fuse with her like she never wanted to let you go from her grasp.

You found comfort for your rampaging and racing nerves in her hold, but your heart was still beating at a trillion times a second from the paralysing shock of what you had witnessed moments ago.

''Sc-c-c-Sco-Scoot-t-ts-s...'' You trembled in a cold shower of anxiety and fright. It took all of your willpower to pronounce her name. With tiny eyes, you could only watch her, as the still vigorously vibrating nerves beneath your skin refused to calm down.

There was something off about Scootaloo, and the idea behind it was the vibrations and fear in her own body. It seemed to radiate, like a communicable disease or illness. A quick and calculated guess would suggest that she has probably experienced an equally tension-riddled, soul devouring night terror.

Was it possible that you both had experienced the same dream? (More like nightmare.)

Sucking in a shaky breath, your left hoof managed to free itself from the pits of anxiety and lightly bring itself up to contact with Scootaloo's back, just to let her know that you were okay and to reassure her that all was fine. (As much of a lie as that was.) Upon contact with her back, she gave a violent, startled judder, an easily identifiable shiver coursing down her entire spinal column, freezing to the touch.

''Oh, Scoots, I-I'm sorry.'' You whispered to her in a shaky breath, unable to keep yourself steady and centred.

Not a single word was uttered throughout this time, and you were only able to hold onto her for comfort as a small series of flashes of what happened earlier pulsed within your brain.

It was almost similar to something from a horror film. Violently shaking room, a possessed version of Scootaloo, a dark and gloomy atmosphere...it was all just so surreal and out of the blue.

There was nothing to indicate why your brain thought of such darkness, in the first place. You had nothing against her, and you had a crush on her. She was practically your fillyfriend, somepony that you loved and cared for.

It was so intangible.

Dreams are not meant to be scary, nor something to fear, and even if one were to find themselves in a position such as the one you were experiencing, including Scoots, they shouldn't be able to get hurt. It all made little to no sense. Dreamed-up beings have no physicality, no actual means of force beyond imagination, so the actual reason that the forces you encountered in your dream gave way to a new and disturbing train of thought, one that you knew was fruitless in trying to find a logical response.

It was all a trick of the mind that mirrored what was happening in real life and then projecting it into your dream to make the mind believe that it was happening in the sleep.

To know that you were back in the land of the living and reality was a huge reliever of anxiety to your body. You only wished that the same could go for your fillyfriend. And still, she was crying on your shoulder.

It's one thing to see a colt cry, but a filly that you are close to is like a shot in the heart. Especially her.

Her entire body shuddered and she gave a whimper, holding onto your shoulder and body with her firm hooves. In an attempt to comfort her, you raised your other hoof to create a full hug, hoping that the knowledge of a friendly face and set of ears would help ease her.

''It's okay, it's okay,'' You said reassuringly into her ear. ''I've got you. Relax, Scoot.''

Eventually, she did calm down, her shaky breaths returning to their normal pacing. The two of you sat there in a silent embrace before she eventually broke and pulled away, her broken eyes meeting yours.

Her cheeks were matted down and her eyes were glassy, like an iced-over lake. Her lips didn't move as she scanned your face over, and she eventually spoke. ''A-Am...Am I u-ugly?'' She asked bitterly, her breath cold.

The question alone made your mind gag in bewilderment. That was not at all what you expected her to say. Scootaloo? Ugly? What was she getting at? Had we both actually been in the same, tormenting and unforgiving dream by some odd, mysterious coincidence?

Thinking fast, feeling awkward and fearing that she may take your silence as a 'yes', you came out with the first thing that came into your mind.

''No. You are not.'' You stated.

Her mouth opened, and her eyes began to shimmer. ''Do you really mean that?''

''Yes. Of course I do.'' You confirmed, nuzzling her cheek. ''Why would you even think of such a horrifically stupid thing?'' She looked at you and wiped her hoof across her nose.

''B-Because you called me it.'' She said in a hurt, miserable pout. ''I thought we were friends?'' She said quietly as if you'd just thrust a knife into her chest and impaled her heart.

Your insides churned and cringed at her words. Nothing could have prepared you for what left her mouth when you asked her about why she was saying such horrific things.

She took a while to force herself to explain the details of her story, and it was something that caused a fear to fire up deep within your heart. In every single and identical detail, the night terror that she had witnesses shared a very similar timeline and setting to your own. Same room, same positions, same everything.

Only that it was you in Scootaloo's place and you being the one yelling abuse at her.

The things she said spiked at your skin, giving you cold chills. There was no way on this planet that you would ever say anything of the kind to somepony as meaningful to you as her. Never.

There was only one thing for it. There was nothing more to do nor say. Heck, you couldn't think of anything. Your brain had transformed into ice, and it hurt. It hurt something fierce. Something nasty.

''I'm sorry.'' You said, ears plopped back and flat. ''I'm so sorry.'' You said sincerely, a hoof resting on her shoulder. She had stopped crying and was now fully focused on you. ''I wish I knew why, I honestly do.'' You said, staring into her eyes in a fixed view of her irises, ringed by that gloriously light and gorgeous hue of purple. ''Can you ever forgive me?''

''I already have.'' She said, the first signs of a smile working its way on her lips, the sides of her mouth curling slightly. ''No matter what, you'll always be my friend. Besides, a Cutie Mark Crusader never leaves another fellow Crusader hanging!'' She said in high spirit.

Sharing her optimism, you raised your hoof to the air, hers soon following after it. ''Cutie Mark Crusaders' best friends forever!'' She said, and then you both clonked hooves together, the sound echoing in the dead silence of the room.

Following up with the shared hoof-bump and optimistic attitude, the two of you hugged and forgot about your troubles. If there is one thing that came in short supply in these days, it was ponies that you could call your best friend, and knowing that one of the bestest of said best friends was beside you, a whole new section of your heart was opened up.

The Following Afternoon

''Hey, Cerulean! There you are, we've been lookin' all over for ya!'' The voice of Apple Bloom hollered at you from amongst the sea of ponies crowded around in the street of Ponyville, that was currently split off in sections and bordered off with metal barriers.

From your own position, you struggled to move but managed to push yourself through the smothering crowd of crammed ponies that were all leaning and crowing their bodies upwards and every which way to get a clear view of what was happening in front of them.

Eventually coming up in front of the Southern filly, you noticed that she was with Sweetie Belle, mirroring her friendly smile. ''What took you so long?'' She asked as she glanced to your side as if expecting to see somepony else. ''Where's Scoot?''

''Getting ready,'' You replied simply. ''she's decided to go race without me.'' You said, much to the white unicorn's surprise. ''What?''

''Oh, uh, it's just that we both thought that you'd be joining in too, seeing as you also have a scooter. Don't you?'' She said with a quizzical raise of her brow, eyeing you closely, as was Apple Bloom.

All you gave as a response was a simple shrug and frown. ''I do, but racing is something that I don't think I'm quite ready for. Besides, I've seen what happens in some races, and it isn't pretty.'' You said matter of factly.

''Oh, okay,'' Sweetie said, ''if you really feel that way.'' Just as Sweetie finished her sentence, the voice of a stallion echoed out from a megaphone from somewhere on the track, presumably the starting line.

''Welcome, ladies and gentlecolts to the Ponyville Scooter Rally! We're only ten minutes from the start of the race, so would all of the participating colts and fillies please enter the track and set up at the starting line!''

''Oh! We should probably get over there, too.'' Apple Bloom said with bright eyes and a smile. ''We gotta offer our support to Scootaloo before the race starts!'' She said, and the three of you headed over through the crowd of ponies (with some difficulty) to the starting line of the track.

It took you maybe about two of the ten minutes you had, but you eventually found your way. There was a gap between the barriers that allowed all of you to squeeze through and enter the main track set for the scooter rally participants to ride on, and when you were on it, you instantly noticed the clearing in the area, every obstacle extracted to make it safe for a ride.

The only obstacles set were orange rubber cones with white bands positioned in specific areas of the track, such as corners, where they were arranged so that fillies and colts have to bear themselves around them in a slalom style manoeuvre.

The track was bordered off so that it steers in a full loop around the town of Ponyville, running from the start line in the marketplace through the town centre and around the right borderline of the town and back to the starting line where it will finish after a single lap. From the looks of it, the race will only last a rough twenty minutes, maybe not even that.

You also noted, with thankful stars, that the roads used as tracks were safely barricaded with bales of hay all the way around to prevent injury. Even with racing helmets and elbow guards on, there could easily be more than a simple accident on the negative wishlist.

''The starting line's over there,'' Sweetie said with a point of her hoof to her left, towards where a dark brown coated stallion wearing a black and white striped shirt was standing with a megaphone strapped around his neck with a lanyard. ''come on.''

Over at the starting line, there was already a small group of foals setting up their scooters and checking them over, a total of five children with a ratio of three fillies to two colts. A few of the foals were some that you recognised from the school playground, but you've never actually made any real conversation with. The remaining ones in the group were some you haven't seen before, leading you to believe they might have travelled here from out of town just for this event.

But where is Scootaloo? Shouldn't she be here and readying herself for a race like she planned?

''She's not here, girls.'' You said, frowning. ''Where do you think she is?''

''Beats me.'' Apple Bloom said with a shrug. ''Think she chickened out at the last minute?''

''No, that's not like her. She wouldn't back down from a race.'' Sweetie said, albeit with a laugh from the small joke.

''Wait, is that her?'' You said, squinting your eyes to focus your eyes behind Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle where a small orange spectre was coming into view from the distance, riding what looked like a scooter. When the girls turned to face where you were looking towards, their lips transformed into small smiles, happy to see that their pegasus friend had managed to make it in time.

It took a solid thirty seconds for her to screech to a stop with a short-lived skid in front of the three of you, and you noted her smirk along with those competitive eyes of hers. They blazed like a purple wildfire with a head for a fiery competition. That's not all you noticed, and you could tell the girls picked it out, too, from their expressions of pure amazement as they admired what she was riding.

Her old scooter was...different. Upgraded and freshly repainted with a soft lick of atomic blue paint and black ribbed handlebars for extra grip on those tightly calculated twists and turns. Even the wheels were brand new, the old and dulled red plastic cylinders replaced with a rather eye-catching white rubber tread that was built for offroading and stunting.

It appeared that the only thing that was the same was her purple helmet with double white racing stripes, a tuft of her hair curling out from its confines and tickling her soft orange cheek in the wind.

It was more than obvious she has been wisely occupying herself on the time she had in the days leading to the racing event.

''Whoa, where'd ya find the time for this, Scoot?'' Apple Bloom piped up, closely admiring the bodywork of the scooter. Scootaloo only gave a confident chuckle.

''I had all day to do this,'' she said proudly. ''didn't take too long to get this baby race ready!''

''It looks amazing!'' Sweetie Belle agreed, a tiny surge of green-coloured magic sparking at the tip of her horn. She paused for a moment, as if waiting for your own opinion, and when she found you blankly staring, she gave you a nudge in the shoulder.

''Huh?! Oh! Oh, yeah, yeah!'' You stuttered embarrassingly. ''It looks fantastic, Scoot! You'll be sure to win with it all souped up and ready to go!'' You said, hoping that the worry and concern in your voice didn't betray you in your wording, even if you knew that you sounded sarcastic. Apple Bloom's sharp and perceptive ears seemed to be the only pair of ears that caught onto it, as evidenced by their twitching and her small, momentary glance towards you as if she was going to say something, but wisely decided against it.

''Hey, Scootaloo! Over here!'' A voice called out, one of very familiar tone. It sounded as if it came from where the participating colts and fillies were readying themselves for the start of the race, and sure enough, when all your friends and your own heads turned towards the source of the voice, a bolt of cold, bitter energy zipped down your spinal column.

Diamond Tiara.

The pink devil of Ponyville School. The tormentor of the Cutie Mark Crusaders'. Your nemesis.

She was stood beside a colt on a scooter, painted in a matching grey to his coat, one that resembled char. His white mane was concealed and pinned underneath a rather expensive looking black helmet with white stripes running down the sides. His eyes were a royal blue that were clones of Diamond's own, and his cutie mark was of a trophy sporting a large, silver-plated racing wheel atop a small stand of the same material.

He glared daggers at the four of you, but mostly Scootaloo. You got the immediate vibe that this colt was the competitive kind, but not the nice sort. He had a bad energy about him that you could feel even from your distance. You glared back.

''Nice scooter, Chickenloo. I hope you brought something more dazzling if you want to beat my cousin, here.'' She snickered like the devil himself.

''Cousin?'' Apple Bloom whispered to you and Sweetie, but you both gave a shrug to emphasise your absence of knowledge for any relatives of hers.

''Yes, cousin,'' Diamond said, her breath hot on your ear as she took you by surprise during your murmuring with your friends. She was so sneaky that it was surreal. She could possibly sneak into somepony's nightmares with silent hooves like the ones attached to her barrel! The Grim Reaper would have to find a second line of employment with her on the move in the dark cloud known as night terrors. ''this is my cousin, Silverline.'' She said, motioning towards the young colt. Come to think of it, Silverline looked no younger than yourself. He could very well be in the same age group as you and your friends.

''I'm going to get you back for what you did to me, Blaze.'' She said, pointing to her nose. You noticed a slight imbalance of symmetry in her snout. Ha, if anything, I did her a favour and made her prettier to look at. If only I wasn't being sarcastic.

Nopony dared make a sound or a retort to Her Royal Snootiness, but that dare was broken when a growl built in the back of Scootaloo's throat, gradually becoming louder.

''Leave him alone, Tiaratwit!'' Scootaloo hollered, advancing from her scooter and taking a mighty step towards the little tyrant, only to be held back by Sweetie's hooves, lest she risk the breakout of a brawl between the two.

''That's right, hold your flightless friend back. I'm going to get both of you in future, I swear it.'' She said slowly and coldly, glancing daggers between the both of you and Scoots.

Why that little...! I ought to give her a fresh one where she stands for talking to her like that! You thought to yourself as a bubble of hot anger brewed within you.

''No, Cerulean,'' Apple Bloom said softly with a touch of her hoof to your shoulder. ''don't.''

''Alright, everypony, there's only three minutes left until the rally starts! All participants, please ensure that you're all ready for the waving of the starting flag!'' The announcer's voice boomed out, signalling a small round of cheers from the spectating crowd. You even spotted your Mother in the crowd, standing with Scootaloo's Mum in the front of the barrier, a clear field of view in front of them.

Diamond Tiara snickered to herself. ''Well, I best be off. When my cousin finishes first, you can enjoy your failure.'' She said, right before she trotted off to rejoin her cousin, Silverline.

''Scoots? You ready to get out there?'' You asked her, turning to face her angered facial features that were still scrunched in a nasty, disapproving scowl.

''I'm gonna beat her, that's for sure! So, yeah, I'm ready! Let's do this!'' She said in a warcry-like manner, stepping back onto her scooter and buzzing off with a zooming start. She stopped between two of the other participants, a colt with a blue mane and orange coat and a filly with a rosy tinted coat and strawberry blonde mane.

At the start line, Scootaloo took in a sharp inhale of the crisp and cold air, allowing her nerves to simmer as she built up her posture in a race-ready setting.

Standing between Sweetie and Apple Bloom, you could only stare at the back of the orange pegasus, a well of worry filling with concern for her. Something about this race...it seemed as if something was going to happen, but that ''something'' was what caused you to worry. You don't know how or when it might transpire, but you could feel the bad energy emanating from the thought.

This was not going to end well, and you know it.

''Cerulean, come on, we need to get off of the track, they're about to start.'' Sweetie said, tapping your shoulder and snapping your thought train.

''Right.'' You said quietly, following her and Apple Bloom off of the track and back behind the barrier, thankfully finding yourselves a safe place where the other school children were watching the event, supervised by none other than Cheerilee, whom was sat beside the group.

Every other foal that wasn't racing was sat with her, and that included Archer, Rumble, Halo. They were sat at the front in that exact order, Cheerilee being directly beside Archer. As they saw you and the two Crusaders approach, Archer was the first to wave, the other two quickly gaining notice of your appearance and joining in, motioning beside them with a hoof.

Halo's hoof patted down on an empty spot beside her and you offered a smile as you sat beside her, Apple Bloom seating herself next to you and Sweetie sitting on the end. She was sat in front of a colt you recognised as Button Mash, the only colt you've met that is plainly addicted to nothing but gaming. He was easily identifiable by his green and red beanie with the purple propeller.

''Hey, you three,'' You said as you sat down with them.

''Oh, hey, Cerulean! We were wondering when you were going to show up. We've been waiting for you.'' Rumble said.

''Hey, cutie,'' Halo said, somewhat teasingly and catching you off guard. Her voice was low and smooth as butterscotch candies, but despite being used to her bluntly random personality and hijinks, you took no notice of it and attempted to fold up her words and stuff them inside your mental trapdoor where it shall be forgotten about hopefully for forever.

''Uh, what did she just say?'' Sweetie asked, puzzled.

''Nothing!'' Halo blurted out in a snap, blushing furiously, although one couldn't really notice it upon that rosy coat of hers.

''Halo!'' Archer scowled. From beside her, Rumble tutted.

''Ignore her, Cerulean.'' He said, Halo shooting him a betrayed glare.

''That's already my plan.'' You said with a shrug and roll of your eyes, and Halo gave you a nudge in the arm.

''Rude.'' She pouted.

''Alright, everypony, may I have your attention, please!'' The announcer hollered through her megaphone as his green eyes scanned the crowd. ''Ladies and gentlecolts, it is with my grandest pleasure to welcome you all to the Ponyville Scooter Rally!'' He shouted warmly, a smile barred behind his lips as he spoke, the crowd roaring wildly with cheers. ''I would please like to request that all spectators stay behind the barriers at all times for your own safety, and that nopony litters in the area for risk of health hazards. Thank you!''

''Alright, I suppose this is happening...'' You mumbled beneath your breath.

''Whaddaya mean? Ain't you excited for this, Blaze?'' Apple Bloom asked from beside you, clearly able to hear even your smallest of breaths. She was facing you with a tiny frown. You returned it.

''No,'' You replied with a sigh. ''not really. I just have a bad feeling, is all. Y'know, with Tiaratwit and her cousin out there.'' You said, glancing over to where Scootaloo and Silverline were positioned, bodies at the ready for a launch off start. You saw him glare at her from his place on the right from her. You inwardly groaned at him.

''Wait, so what's up? Somethin's clearly botherin' ya.'' She asked, nudging herself ever so slightly closer to you on the floor by shifting her hindquarters on the ground, her tail wrapped around her flanks.

''I'll explain later, Bloom. I promise.'' You said, and she simply nodded, showing she understood.

''On your marks!'' The announcer's voice blared out once more.

The racers tensed their bodies, ready to rumble.

''Get set!''

They tested their grips on their handlebars, releasing and regripping in a mantra. Some licked their lips and narrowed their eyes in concentration and anticipation for the drop of the flag.

''GO!''

MIDWAY IN THE RACE

''C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!'' Scootaloo panted as she furiously pumped her wings to propel herself forward with extra thrusting power. She has been riding nearly all of her life and the perks on her side was a tolerable resistance to being imbalanced and a sturdy pair of wings. She may not be able to fly and get off of the ground like the rest of her species, but what she can't make up for in flying, she makes up for it in scooting with speed, and her goals of winning were pushing her limits through the roof.

That cousin of Diamond Tiara's, Silverline, was in front, and he was certainly faster than her. Annoying, yes. A challenge for her, yes. She would never give up to her, lest she be branded the loser chicken that she ever so hated being referred to as by that pink-coated brute of a rich filly.

They were currently halfway through the town square, passing by the marketplace, and Scootaloo was already in second place. The other racers, specifically the only other colt on the track and two of the fillies were behind her, although it was clear that they were quite inexperienced to handle the kinds of speeds that Silverline and Scootaloo were travelling at.

They were without a doubt out of their leagues with hopes of winning at the rate they were going at.

Bad for them, perfect for Scootaloo. This gave her just the edge and advantage she needed to keep her head in the game!

Silver was directly in front of her, and she mustered all of her strength in her wings to force herself forward, an aching burn beginning to make its presence known in her back from the friction caused by her wings.

Beads of sweat from her energy drainage were being blown off of her forehead and into the air just as soon as they had formed, but even with the conditioning from the wind, her body still felt heated and tired.

However, she wasn't the sort for giving up without a second heartbeat. She pressed herself harder and harder, the added adrenaline coursing through her causing her mouth to become partially dry as her speed built.

Eventually, she came neck to neck with Silverline, whom shot her a surprised glare, almost as if he thoughts he was hallucinating when he saw her come up.

Swish!

The wind swept into her body, pushing her back with its resistance. The blue eyed colt gave her a rather impressed yet cocky smirk.

''Not bad for a filly,'' He said, his voice lost partially in the rush of wind, prompting him to amplify his vocals to above-shouting level. ''let's see ya top this!''

Without warning, he gave himself an extra push. With him not being a pegasus, but instead an earth pony, he gripped tightly around his handlebars and pushed out a leg to touch the floor, bending his knee in a pumping action to give himself a thrusting momentum, allowing him to overtake Scootaloo.

With a challenging grin, the orange pegasus concentrated her energy into her wings, sending her main focus to powering her wings to pump. It was a quick way to exhaust one's self, but if it meant she didn't have to lose, she would be all for it. Nopony stands her up, and especially not when she has a reputation to uphold, not only for herself but for her sister, Rainbow Dash.

Mustering her body's momentum forward, she again came neck to neck with Silverline. Eventually, she pushed passed him, taking him by surprise, but that surprise was short lived when her wings gained an intense aching sensation that soon transformed into a burn from the speed at which she was flapping them.

Friction and tension in her muscles in her back began to pulse with a burning pain. It wasn't intolerable, but it still hurt the young filly. Regardless, she pressed. It isn't a sensation she hasn't felt before, but only when she was going for a new speed record, this kind of pain arose. It wasn't dangerous, but it might lead to some health related problems in future if the pegasus was to go past her limits, even when they know what risks they are taking.

Unfortunately, as soon as her tired body managed to push by the competitive cousin of Diamond Tiara, they were already coming up towards the borderline of the right side of Ponyville, prior to bolting through the town centre.

She could hear Silverline hot on her trail, shifting straight up behind her and forcing himself to keep up with her. Little to the pegasus girl's knowledge, she was coming up to perhaps the hardest part of the track, one that would prove a challenge - a sharp corner bracketed by a single row of white picket fencing and a hill, a scattered arrangement of cones littering the entire middle, requiring precise and agile calculation for manoeuvring around.

This was going to be a difficult task, for sure.

With a check behind her shoulder for sight of her competitor, Scootaloo spotted him hot on her tail, enough so that she could practically feel him occasionally give her the tiniest of bumps with the bumper of his scooter.

She prepared herself for manoeuvring around the cones, balancing herself as steadily as she could on the board of her scooter, thankful for the extra grip her new wheels provided on the crumbly, dirty terrain of dry mud and soil.

A cone to her right was swiftly avoided with the aid of a single open wing, allowing the air to brush across it and giving her the advantage of being able to swiftly brush herself around it with the assistance of the wind. Silverline, unfortunately for him, did not have the perk of wings for guidance on such obstacles, seeing as he was an earth pony, and this was a large disadvantage that shined many red lights in his brain, causing him to inaccurately calculate any precise manoeuvres and instead collide with the cone that Scootaloo had just dodged.

It threw him off balance, but even as he struggled to correct himself and his balance on his scooter as they both tipped to the side, he eventually righted himself and managed to secure all four of his wheels back to the floor.

With the thankfully fortunate advantage of being able to cut further ahead in terms of seconds between the two due to his endeavour, Scootaloo was granted the opportunity to skip ahead of him in his time of slowing down.

She smirked to herself and steeled her eyes forward in concentration, passing each and every cone as precisely as she could with the aid of her wings for directing her path, skimming with one wing open and flattened with the other closed for aerodynamics.

''Almost there!'' Scootaloo said with a short pant, her wings buzzing loudly as she finished turning the sharp, dirt path and headed back towards the marketplace and to the starting line.

Over the raging wind that blew and brushed against her helmet and pressurised it down onto her head, Scootaloo could hear the cheering and the many hooves of the spectators thundering against the floor in applause of the pegasus's incoming victory of first place. She couldn't help but crack a grin in triumph as she grew closer and closer to becoming the winner. It was a feeling she oh so loved to feel. It brought an accomplishment-triggered warmth to her chest, and it was a sensation she would never grow tired of experiencing.

Your face met Scootaloo's, mirroring her smile. It was a smile of proud origin that you sincerely delivered to her. The Crusaders' beside you cheered alongside you, joining in unison with the entire class, including Miss Cheerilee.

''Woo! Go, Scootaloo!'' Halo cheered as she threw her hooves up into the air, practically screaming her words right before she began to chant her name, eventually reeling in the rest of the class to join in with her.

''Scoot-a-loo! Scoot-a-loo! Scoot-a-loo!'' They all chanted together in a chorus as Scootaloo crossed the finish line, herself cheering as she pumped her hoof victoriously.

I swear, that girl has a seriously infectious habit of manipulation... You mentally said to yourself, a chuckle escaping your lips. You were taken by surprise when the over-active and energetic filly grabbed you in locked you within her firm hold, her bone-crushing strength grip of a hug squeezing the life out of you.

''She won, she won!'' She said happily, pressing her cheek into yours as she pulled you closer to the point where you were both touching barrels.

''O-Okay! H-Hal-Halo, let g-go! I can't br-breathe!'' You pleaded, pushing her hooves in hopes she would let go. You were thankful for when Rumble decided to help out in your time of need, gripping firmly yet gently on her shoulders and prying her away from you until she finally let go.

You sharply inhaled fresh oxygen as your personal space was granted back to you. Despite the death hug, Rumble couldn't hold his laughter back at the moment he witnessed.

''S-Shut up! I have witnesses! That was attempted murder!'' You accused defensively, still recovering, yet it only prompted him to laugh harder, Archer even joining in for added torment. ''Archer, next time, keep her on a ball and chain, will you, please?''

''Sorry, Blaze,'' He said as he rubbed a tear out of his eye. ''there's no keeping Halo behaved, and I learned that the hard way.'' He said, his laughter dying down.

Halo only gave him a raspberry with her tongue, sticking it all the way out at him.

''Mares and gentlecolts, the winner of this year's annual Ponyville Scooter Rally is Scootaloo!'' The race announcer said through his megaphone, followed up with an uproar of cheers of congratulations as the filly of the moment stepped off of her scooter and released the strap from beneath her chin, removing her helmet and allowing her hair to puff out to its trademark glory.

As Scootaloo gazed over the crowd as they cheered, she soon found herself being swept from her hooves by a blue blur, otherwise known as Rainbow Dash.

She held her in mid-air, hooves interlocked in a proud, affectionate hug that took the little filly by great surprise until she returned the hug.

''Scoots, that was so awesome! I was watching from the skies, and you nailed it! I'm proud of ya, sis!'' She said, setting her back down and awarding her with a playful noogie.

''Thanks, Rainbow!'' She said gratefully with a smile. Soon after the two sisters shared their moment, Fire Heart joined up to congratulate her daughter, and you soon followed suit with the Crusaders' and the rest of the class, including Cheerilee.

You wasted no time in giving her an affectionate nuzzle to the cheek before encasing her in a congratulatory hug with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. As best she could, Scootaloo made an attempt at enveloping all three of you at once with her tiny hooves, only managing to stretch around half of your back and Sweetie's.

''Glad to see that you made it out safely, Scoot!'' Sweetie said.

''Yeah, that was amazin'!'' Agreed Apple Bloom.

You simply said nothing, as you felt the hug was enough to prove your proudness of her. Sadly, the group hug was shortened with an annoyingly abrupt interruption caused by, of course, a certain pink brute.

''No, no, no! There's no way you could have beat Silverline!'' Diamond Tiara said with great protest in her voice as she joined in uninvitedly with the congratulations, the whole town dropping silent in an instant of her voice being raised. ''You cheated!'' She accused, and a series of murmuring amongst the crowd began, a sequence of hushed whispering.

''I cheated? Are you kidding me, right now?'' Scootaloo said with pure annoyance in her voice as her eyes narrowed upon seeing the brute approach. She glared daggers at her as if they were wrestlers in a ring, ready to hop straight into an all out brawl.

As they stared each other down, it was almost as if they were waiting for the starting bell to ding.

''Yes, you cheated! There's no other explanation you came first!'' Diamond protested, and Scootaloo scoffed.

''Well, maybe if you put some effort in for who you picked to best me, you might have gotten a better result!'' She said angrily, pressing her snout against Diamond's with a snarl. Her comeback earned a choir of ''Oooh's'' from the crowd.

''She's got you there, Tiara.'' The voice of Archer said smugly with a confident smirk as the other school children began giggling.

''You, shut up! This has nothing to do with you!'' She argued, stabbing a hoof towards the blue coated colt, who was unfazed by the gesture.

''Diamond Tiara!'' Cheerilee snapped at her, immediately catching her off guard at her input of authority. ''One more word out of you and there shall be a week's worth of detention waiting for you every day after school. Understood?'' She finished with a raised brow.

Diamond Tiara grudgingly held back a retort before it escaped. ''Yes, Miss Cheerilee...'' She grumbled.

''Good. Now, I don't want to hear any more remarks from anypony, otherwise, the detention warning still stands.'' She said, individually glancing over her students.

''Yes, Miss Cheerilee.'' They all replied in unison to their teacher, and she smiled warmly as if nothing ever happened.

''I'm proud of you, sweetheart,'' Fire Heart told her daughter as she hugged her warmly. ''hey, I'll tell you what, how about we have a proper celebration? We could invite everypony in town over, too, if you'd like?'' She said, eyes bright with the idea.

''That sounds awesome!'' Scootaloo agreed ecstatically, accompanied with nods from her friends and yourself.

''Great! Everypony can head back to our place if they want to join in with the fun!'' Fire Heart announced. Before anypony could respond, a pink blur whipped in front of her.

Pinkie Pie. Of course. Not a single soul in Equestria can mention the word ''party'' without her appearing out of absolutely nowhere. Kind of interesting, really, albeit mysterious.

''Sounds to me like you need a party planner!'' She said in that hyper voice of hers, filled with nothing but the purest brand of optimism. Seemingly out of thin air, she wheeled out a miniature cannon coloured sonic blue with pink wheels that had yellow flower designs on them. ''You won't be disappointed! Besides, I'm compensating for your welcome party that I totally forgot about because I didn't know you moved to town, and how crazy is that? I mean I know everypony in town or I know when they're coming to town, and it's sooooo crazy that I didn't sense you were already moving in! I mean, it's crazier than-'' A hoof plugged over her mouth. Specifically, Rainbow Dash's hoof.

''Heh, sorry about Pinkie Pie. She can't go for a second without whipping out her cannon or talking somepony's ears off. Right, Pinks?'' She said apologetically, eyeing Pinkie closely with a warning stare as she said the last part.

You couldn't help but giggle at her nature. She was almost like an older twin of Halo. Come to think of it, that would be scary if the two were related. I mean...ugh!

''Well, what's everypony waiting for? Let's go!'' Halo said, backed up by everypony's cheering moments before they and yourself made for the residence of Fire Heart.

''Childhood Sweethearts''

A story by FireRain (Dan Ribe)

THIS OFFICIALLY CONCLUDES ACT ONE

Author's Note

Tricked you, eh? Welcome back to my playground, children! :rainbowlaugh: :pinkiecrazy:

(This chapter was also based upon foreshadowing and symbolism, so I'm hoping you caught on to something in here! :twilightsmile: )

NOTE FROM AUTHOR TO VIEWERS: THIS CHAPTER IS ALSO THE CLOSING TO THIS STORY! THIS IS NOW AN OFFICIALLY FINISHED STORY, AND THIS SHOULD BE HEAVILY TAKING NOTICE OF, AS I'VE NOTICED QUITE A LOT OF VIEWERS SKIP OUT ON THIS BOX AND IT IS QUITE ANNOYING.

Silverline

The Ponyville Scooter Rally had been over for hours and the sun has tucked itself away behind the horizon, leaving the sky a heavenly shade of contrasting glowing orange and yellow.

Somewhere on the edge of the town on a hill, the young colt, Silverline, sat on a hill with his back to a tall oak tree, his head in his hooves as he cried. He had a clear view of the town, a bird's eye lookout over the landscape. His black and grey scooter lay beside him with a handlebar burrowed partially into the soil.

His defeat had burned him with humiliation and the feared gloom of failure. He lost the race to a blank-flank.

Shortly after it had ended, he found this spot on the hill by the tree, far away from any locals and wildlife. It was quiet, but the only sound filling the air was his sobs.

He did all he could. Every last idea an ounce of willpower he had in his being didn't seem to be enough to win for first place.

He was disappointed in himself. More importantly, Diamond Tiara, his cousin, was very disappointed with him.

''You lost?! Against those blank-flanks?!'' He could still hear their little chat reverberate in his ears from only moments after the race had ended and she found him in a ditch, thrown from the track during the bend with the cones on the right borderline of the town. ''I told you to win, and you couldn't even give me that! I thought I could trust you to win and humiliate those blank-flanks!'' She scoffed at him. ''I suppose I was wrong. You're nothing but a failure.'' She said, turning around and whipping his chin with her tail as she turned her back on him, causing him to squirm. ''As a matter of fact, I'm convinced you're just as worthless as they are.'' And then she trotted off in a huff, leaving him in the mud.

It hurt, and he knew it would hurt for a very long time. He was a failure and a nothing.

He lifted his head, bringing up his chin to rest it on his crossed hooves that were resting on his knees, allowing his tears to drip as he looked out over the town of Ponyville. It was all so peaceful, now. The only ponies out were the ones disassembling the race track. ''It's not fair,'' He said through a sniffle. ''I should have won so that Diamond would be proud of me.'' He looked over to his scooter and helmet at his side. ''No thanks to you.''

His hoof scooped under his helmet and he brought it to his face, holding it in both hooves. He stared at it for a while, feeling his tears dry as he concentrated on it. ''You know what,'' He began, feeling a burn in his chest. ''I'm going to prove her wrong. She'll see! She'll have to be proud of me!'' He said with a freshly bake batch of confidence as he placed the helmet back on top of his head, strapping it beneath his chin. ''I've got to prove her wrong! I am worth something!''

He sat up, gathering himself on all four hooves and picking up his discarded scooter from the ground before mounting it. He took a glance towards the town, watching it and the sunset for a moment before he pushed away with a hoof to the ground, taking his leave from the hill and back on route to Ponyville.

There was some business he had to take care of.

Introduction

Author's Note

Well, I figured it's time for something different, so I took it upon myself to write this. Never done a story from this perspective, so apologies for any mistakes.

But, hey, even though it is kind of unusual to speak in this perspective to tell a story, it doesn't stop me from wanting you all to enjoy it! Just give it a chance!

-FR (FireRain)

Introduction

Alone in your room, you sat in front of your mirror, gently applying some hair gel to your mane to create your signature, pulled back look.
With ease you pulled back the sleek strands of your two tone blue and lighter blue mane with your hooves back and after a short moment of getting your mane the way you liked it, you looked into the mirror with a smile as white as your coat.

Blue eyes looked back at you, full of ambition and life.

Through the window to your left you could hear the usual noise of busy streets and ponies - typical for any pony to hear when they live in a city such as Manehatten.

Your room wasn't that much in the way of been tidy, with small amounts of clothing piled in some areas across the floor in random areas and various racing memorabilia sat around, too. However, among the mess was something that you always held close to your heart.

Your scooter.

It may have been fairly clean and rust-free at some point in it's life but despite all of that, it still worked with little difficulty. The handlebars were slightly scuffed and the black rubber that made them was pulled out in some areas. The paint on both the once dark blue body and water-blue wheels has peeled in some places but was still identifiable of once being that colour.

Just on the edge of the scratched and ageing body of the toy was your name, the only newest addition to it since the day you got it - Cerulean Blaze. Laying beside your scooter was a helmet, also with it's own marks of age and abuse. It too was blue, matching the darker colour of your mane with scratches and scuffs covering it from top to bottom.

Even a part or two of your name written on the sides in white were scratched out.

Certainly, many happy memories in your life came after the day of your first ride on your scooter, every scratch and fun moment forever transplanted into your memory and every single scratch. Reaching for your helmet, you picked it up in your hooves, feeling the heavy weight of the item.

A smile formed on your lips and you were about to put it on until you stopped upon hearing your mother's voice from downstairs, followed by the sounds of her hooves tapping and clapping bluntly against the wooden stairs, becoming louder and louder until your bedroom door opened with a soft creak.

Looking over to your mother, you could see her bright crimson eyes staring back at you and a soft smile upon her lips. Putting down your helmet, you continued to make eye contact.

Like usual, your mother's sapphire coat was combed perfectly and contrasted nicely with her frost white mane. She came closer to you and knelt down to your level as you waited expectantly for her to say something and she did.

''Blaze, hon, I have something to tell you,'' She said softly, getting a confused yet curious look out of you as to what it was she was about to tell you. ''we're moving to Ponyville!'' She announced with happiness in her voice.

You felt like an anvil had been dropped on your head at the sudden news.

''M-M-Moving?!'' You exclaimed, staring at her with wide eyes. ''But Mum, all my friends are here! What am I supposed to do about them if we move away!'' Inside, you could feel your heart slowly begin to sink. Not a moment later did you feel the caring hoof your mother touch your shoulder.

''Don't worry, Blaze, you'll still be able to see them, just not that often. Besides, I'm sure you'll make some new friends when we get there. Come on, lighten up, we've got to get packing.'' She said in that same soft voice of hers before she turned and took her leave, gently closing the door on her way out and leaving you alone with your ears plopped on back of your head and eyes cast down at the floorboards.

As your mind was trying to comprehend the sudden news, you pointlessly looked around your room at all of the memories that you were going to leave behind with your soon-to-be-somepony-else's-room. Beside you, you put your hooves around your helmet and lifted it back in front of you with both hooves, mindlessly looking over the scratches that covered it's surface.

A disappointed and empty sigh exited your nostrils and you lowered the helmet, looking around the room once more before saying in a quiet and hollow voice, ''Yeah, packing.''

Brawl

School the next morning wasn't any different than any other school day for you and it involved the typical lectures and timelines during history lessons and literature.

Though these particular topics was something you would normally care a great deal about and enjoy to learn what you can, your mind was too in the dumps and focused on Scootaloo. Nervously, you would glance at her occasionally and see that she was forcing herself to not look at you.

Sometimes you would catch her looking at you out of the corner of your eye but she would just as quickly turn away the second you turned your own towards her. You could tell she was having mixed thoughts and feelings like you were.

When you faced forward and Cheerilee wasn't looking, even both of Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle would take worried momentary glaces at you and Scootaloo. After what happened at Sugarcube Corner, you noticed that the normally excitement-filled eyes of Sweetie had been replaced by pure guilt and she smiled sympathetically towards you.

In the midst of all of this, another colt with a sleek grey coat and thundercloud cutie mark with a gelled back mane in a similar fashion to yours called Rumble seemed to take hint of Scootaloo's mood, too, his worried frown tracing from her to you like he could read both of your thoughts.

You haven't known Rumble for long but you considered him as a friend and you have seen him occasionally hanging out with her when it was time for recess. By the way he talked to you when the topic was on the orange pegasus, you could easily tell from his tone that he secretly thought more of her than just his friend.

A part of you tingled in jealousy at that. No matter, you managed to keep a straight face.

''Cerulean!'' You blinked and flinched at the voice of Cheerilee from the front of the classroom, her voice a firm shout and every set of eyes set on you. ''Please pay attention, you have a test on this tomorrow!'' She said with a stern expression and soft frown upon her lips. You swallowed awkwardly.

''S-Sorry, Miss.'' You apologized, embarrassed for being lost in thought so deeply. Cheerilee smiled softly and nodded before going back to going through the various drawings and points on the board.

Moments passed and you pretended to listen to the lecture on the history of Ponyville and its founding as your thoughts seemed to block most of your concentration.

Thankfully the bell rang and indicated it was time for recess. By the time everypony else had left the classroom to go play outside and mingle with each other, you realized that you were the last pony in the room. At the front, Cheerilee looked to you worriedly, noticing your glum expression and worried eyes.

''Cerulean? Are you alright?'' She asked, coming towards you desk and standing beside you. You sighed softly and lifted your head up to meet her eyes and your ears plopped back on your head.

''Miss Cheerilee? Can...can I ask you something?'' You asked wearily, to which she simply nodded, offering a supportive hoof to your shoulder.

''Of course, dear. Go ahead.'' She smiled.

Nervously, you cleared your throat. ''H-How do you know if somepony l-likes you?'' She seemed to be taken aback by the question and she blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting the question.

''Do you mind if I asked you why?'' Cheerilee raised her brow slightly.

''It's because...because I'm worried that I hurt one of my friends and I'm afraid that she doesn't like me anymore. I don't know what to do!'' You said, planting your face into the desk with a dull thud. You avoided making contact with the teacher's eyes and when you eventually looked back up moments later, she forced you to make contact by gently putting her hoof under your chin and moving your head around so that you faced each other.

She showed you a gentle smile and said, ''It's alright, Cerulean. If you're that worried about her, perhaps I could maybe talk to her for you at some point? If not, I would suggest that you try and talk to her. I'm sure it's nothing too bad.''

You smiled weakly and gave her a small hug before giving her your thanks.

''Run along now, I'm sure she may want to talk to you, too.'' She called to me as I left the classroom and in search of my friend.

*** *** ***

''Hey, Cerulean!'' You heard a voice call mere seconds after you left the school house and entered the playground. Pausing, you looked to where it came from and saw none other than Rumble. He smiled friendly to you and came towards you.

''Oh, hey, Rumble.'' You replied, trying to block out your glum tone. ''What's up?''

''I was about to ask you the same thing.'' He said coolly, motioning with his hoof at your eyes. Looking to where he was pointing, you wiped below your eyes and found your hoof to be slightly wet when you retracted it. Now he was frowning. ''What's got you so down?''

You sighed, not wanting to make such a big deal out of it. ''It's nothing, Rumble. Just had a bad week is all.'' You partially lied, hoping to find a switch in topic.

''Well, you know I'm here to talk if you need me, Cerulean.'' He smiled and you smiled back, bumping his hoof in thanks. ''So, wanna go talk to the others or maybe play some ball?'' He offered and your face began to light up.

''Yeah, sure. That'd be nice.'' With your newly found smile, you and Rumble made your way to the other side of the playground and to a set of benches where another colt and a filly were sitting and in conversation. Upon seeing the two of you walk over, they stopped and smiled and waved to the both of you.

The colt had a slightly raggled soft, dark blue mane and a softer blue coat and golden eyes and a picture of a golden bow and arrow adorned his flank. Rumble waved back at him.

''Hey, Archer.'' He said, bumping his hoof before motioning to you with a hoof. ''This is Cerulean Blaze. He joined not long ago.'' You waved and shook Archer's hoof.

''Hey, Cerulean. Nice to meet you.'' He greeted you with a smile before motioning over to the other pony who had a light pink mane and an off-cherry coat with glistening amber eyes that were like glitter. Her cutie mark was of a red heart with a halo hovering above it. ''This is my sister, Halo Heart.'' She waved to me and I shook her hoof, too.

''So, do you two normally hang out here?'' I asked, hoping to get my mind on a different track of thought that wasn't something that caused distress. Archer nodded, giving a small shrug.

''Yeah, pretty much. There isn't really anything else to do around here, so we kinda just hang out here, I guess.''

''How about you, Cerulean? I don't think I've seen you around town before. Did you move here recently?'' Halo asked you with curiosity tingling in those pretty eyes of hers.

''Yeah, I'm originally from Manehatten. I moved here with my mum a few days ago.'' I replied, happy that I had a chance to get out of my own thoughts and back to where I found tranquility. However, the mention of Manehatten seemed to lure her into an even bigger curiosity.

She opened her mouth to speak but before she could have the chance, a new voice joined in from behind and slowly approaching. Turning, you saw a pink filly with a two tone white and light purple mane with a diamond tiara placed on top of it with a cutie mark to match.

''Well, well, well, what do we have here? Another blank flank?'' She said mockingly, her attention focused particularly on you and your ears plopped back on your head from the comment. It wasn't the first time you have been called names such as 'blank flank'. In your old school back in Manehatten, you were teased mercilessly for being one of the few only students without their mark and for being smarter than the rest of the students.

Rumble stepped in front of you defensively, glaring purple daggers into the pink brute's sapphire blue eyes that were sharp as knives as they glared back at him. ''You leave him alone, Diamond Tiara!'' He shouted at her, not affecting her in the slightest bit.

''What are you going to do about it if I don't?'' She sneered. ''Why are you even hanging out with a blank flank, anyway? You all have your cutie marks and you should be hanging out with your own kind! You're just like those other losers! Oh, what are they called? The 'Cutie Mark Crusaders'?'' She snickered.

At the mention of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, your ears perked up and you felt an anger start to boil your blood. You may not stand up for yourself at times, but when some pony makes an uncalled for comment on your friends, your anger begins to rise.

''What did you just say?'' You asked, taking the filly aback.

''E-Excuuuuse me?'' She said slowly, a shocked expression on her face at your backchat.

''I said, 'what did you just say?'.'' You repeated and she growled at you coldly.

''Oh, yes, of course! It's like a blank flank to stick up for his 'friends' who are totally as worthless as themselves! It must be embarrassing for you - being the only colt in their little club amongst a bunch of useless and talentless fillies!'' Now your blood was boiling. She had just insulted all of your friends in a single sentence and you were ready to make her regret that.

However, from seeing your heated expression, Archer and Halo held you back before you could pounce on her. Rumble stepped closer to her, coming up to an inch or so from her muzzle.

''Leave Cerulean alone, Tiara! He's done nothing to you, and at least he has friends! Where is your puppet, Silver Spoon, anyway? Did she finally get sick of you commanding her like a dog and find some actual friends who don't manipulate her down to the bone?'' Rumble said defensively and coldly, seeing the anger seethe from the filly's eyes.

She looked back at you for a moment and back to Rumble, looking like she wanted to say something to retort to his comment but held back. ''You'll regret that, Rumble!'' She glowered at him. ''Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some certain blank flanks to tease. Particularly a certain flightless pegasus.''

That was it! At hearing that insult, you let out a loud growl that made her cringe and you forced yourself from Halo and Archer's grip before you pounced on top of Diamond Tiara, pinning her to the ground after taking her by surprise.

She looked fearfully into your eyes before you delivered a punch after the other into the filly's face, hitting her in the nose and causing it to bleed as she squirmed and thrashed around as pain coursed through her.

''Don't. You. EVER. Insult. Scootaloo. Or. Her. Friends. You. PLOTHEAD!'' You yelled at her with every punch you made, making her scream. From behind you, Rumble, Archer and Halo pried you from the pink filly by force and held you back, despite your screams of rage for the little ignorant and rude filly.

She hurriedly got to her hooves and wiped her bloodied face and nose with a hoof, a few tears of pain escaping her eyes at the pain it caused to convulse through her body. She growled devilishly at you, her eyes stabbing into your own with equally matched hate. ''You are so going to pay for that, blank flank!''

All around the playground, the other students watched the scene before them in shock at what they had just witnessed. In the background, you could make out the three Crusaders, all watching with the rest of their schoolmates. You didn't look back at them, though.

Coming through the crowd with an angered expression of her own was Miss Cheerilee, glowering at the two of you with a mix of a disappointment and shock. Glaring at Diamond Tiara and her bloodied nose, she gasped before looking over to you still being held by Rumble, Halo and Archer and her face looked like it was going to explode.

''You two, inside, now!''

Author's Note

*Drum Roll, please!* It just got real!

Grounded and Memories

Author's Note

No idea what the purpose of this chapter was and I'm ending it on a weird finish for no apparent reason and sorry that it's short.

I need some time to think. A lot, right now.

-Dan (Ribe)

Grounded and Memories

Well, here you are. Grounded.

Grounded and suspended from school.

All of this because of that tiara wearing little punk called Diamond Tiara. More like Diamond Twit , you thought as you were mindlessly staring at the ceiling of your room, lying on your bed with a bored expression. She deserved what she got after insulting Scootaloo and her friends like that!

You clenched your covers in anger, feeling it still linger within your body. To make matters worse, your mother forbid you to leave the house or do anything fun and Miss Cheerilee was actually making you write a letter of apology to Diamond! An apology letter!

As annoyed as you may be with having to apologize to that little runt after what she called Scootaloo, you thought that something along the lines of;

'Diamond Twit, I'm sorry that you have no friends and therefor try to make others fall apart by picking on them mercilessly to no end and don't regret to inform you that you will spend your life very alone.

Yours not regretfully,

Cerulean Blaze'

Would be suitable to write as a letter of apology to that little gremlin after what she said, insulting many of your friends in the process.

In fact, you thought was a terrific idea and that you should just write that instead of a formal apology like Cheerilee requested you to write. Knowing that you wouldn't be able to return to school and hang out with your friends anytime soon did actually make you regret your move in the slightest sense.

In your case, your downside was not being able to talk with Scootaloo and her friends or Rumble and his friends. You frowned and threw your pillow across the room as your anger was released into the force of the throw before it hit the wall with a cloud-like 'fwomp' sound and crumpled to the floor, creased.

Picking yourself from your bed, you walked over and gave it a solid kick, taking out your inner frustrations and anger out on it. Momentarily, you sighed and looked out of the window of your room, leaning on the desk that sat in front of it, still holding your scooter parts and body.

The streets of Ponyville were pretty much bare, only a few residents of the town out and doing business. Today was the weekly market and in the background of it, you could see who you recognized as Applejack, Apple Bloom's big sister, selling apples along with an elderly pony with a wrinkled, green coat and grey-white mane that sparkled who had a cutie mark of an apple pie.

You frowned. Another disappointed and bored sigh exited through your nostrils and you sank onto your desk, gently nudging a scooter part or two in the process.

It was so boring when all the other colts and fillies were at school and you were the only one of the group aside from Diamond Tiara who was forced to stay home as punishment. With the pink goblin in mind, you growled in hate.

What you needed right now was something to take your mind of her. You weren't really in the mood to read or play a game or anything of the kind, so that left you with one thing: your scooter.

It wasn't just any ordinary scooter that a kid would own. This one was full of memories and it had a very exciting and interesting history. The model was a 'Skybolt A Series' - a scooter mainly designed for racing and stunt competitions. The brand may be a top of the line scooter, but what meant more to you was whose it used to be.

You originally got it from your father, given to you by your mother after the accident.

Getting a little emotional at the small memory, you wiped a single tear from your eye and rested your hoof upon its body. To you, this wasn't just a scooter or a toy, it was like an inanimate version of your father and that was the reason that you held it so close to your heart for.

Your father was the reason that this particular scooter had the reputation it did and as long as you had it by your side, you would always remember him and what he meant to you and your mother.

Looking it over, you knew it was scratched and a little dinged up but painting it over seemed kind of...wrong. Keeping it as it is, like a precious relic, seemed more respectful to you than going out of your way to paint it up and fix it.

With your knowledge and experience with assembling and disassembling a scooter, you put it all back together within minutes, inserting newly bought screws into their rightful slots and screwing them in tight and securely with a screwdriver, replacing all the rusted out and damaged screws as you did so.

With the handlebars slotted and screwed tightly in place, you connected the shaft that ran through and underneath the scooter to the wheels to allow for enabled steering.

You smiled at your work in admiration as you took the scooter in your hooves and hugged it as if it were a pony. When you pulled away and took another look at it, you jumped back in utter shock and made a surprised 'eep' sound at what you saw.

The scooter her taken the form of your orange pegasus friend, Scootaloo. She was staring right back at you and her lips were forming a smile as she looked at you with sparkling purple eyes that you adored. They melted your heart with their beauty along with the pretty appearance of her in the flesh.

''Hey, Blaze.'' She greeted, waving a hoof at you and you shakily gave one back, disbelief plastered on your face as to whether this was actually the real Scootaloo you were talking to through your mind or if you finally went crazy with thinking of her and made your inanimate scooter into a living figure of reality that you could make conversation with.

''S-S-Scootaloo?'' Is all you could utter, still shocked. She smiled and you stuttered slightly. You were actually talking to an apparition of her! How is that even possible? ''Wait...no,no! There is no way I'm talking to you right now! It's just my imagination because I was thinking about you!'' You immediately clamped your hooves over your mouth, eyes going small and a blush burned your cheeks.

The apparition didn't. She continued to smile. You guessed it was obvious that she couldn't blush since it was an emotionless apparition version of Scootaloo and if you said that to the real Scootaloo, she would most definitely have blushed a hot pink that could put Pinkie's colour to shame.

When you were about to apologize for accidentally saying that, she came up to you and pulled you into a hug. What was odd to you above all things other than the fact that it wasn't really her was the fact that you knew this wasn't her and that you could physically feel her around you!

Her mane brushed against your cheek and partially dangled in front of your nose, teasing it with that same shampoo scent that the real Scootaloo had in her mane and she even felt as soft as her real counterpart. When she pulled away, she held onto your shoulder with a hoof.

''Thank you, by the way.'' At your confused look, she continued. ''Y'know, for sticking up for me and my friends. No pony has ever done that. Well, maybe except for Rumble. Guy thinks I don't know he likes me.'' She giggled softly to herself, rolling her eyes.

Oh, so now she acts like Scootaloo and even thinks like her. This is really starting to creep me out... You thought before blinking and realizing that she wasn't there anymore.

Now being alone again, you felt disappointed and relieved at the same time, happy to see that there wasn't a duplicate of your flesh and blood friend standing with you in your room.

Ok, that was weird.

With your mind back in reality, you were focused back onto your scooter, trying to push the image of the fake Scootaloo from your head.