The Stalker (The Midnight Series)

Chapter 5: The (Somewhat) Calm Before The Storm

1

The same morning Rarity left to visit the Apple Family, Sweetie Belle left the house to visit someone. Unlike poor Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle was well aware of the dangers outside her home. She would look around everywhere before she stepped out into the streets, always looking both ways of the roads, and staying away from uncommon areas where there would be numerous people in the way of walking right into danger.

Sweetie Belle wore her favorite white dress, and matching boots. It went well with her hair, with a shining belt buckle at her waist to match the headband. She never missed an opportunity to dress to impress.

The place she was destined was not far, which made things easier to make it back home whenever she had to get back. She went out multiple times, even having been grounded from leaving the house, or whenever her older sister and Applejack were having sex. She needed a place to cool off, and to get away from the annoying climatic adventure Rarity was having. Whenever time was of the essence, she would usually make it back in time before anyone became suspicious.

She arrived at her destination. A little runned down shack, just a couple blocks away from Canterlot High, the Crusaders' Clubhouse. She entered, and closed the door. She looked out to make sure she wasn't followed. The coast was clear, and she looked around inside. The club was unlit, so she was probably a little early.

Sweetie Belle turned on the lights, and took a seat down at the table. She waited for a little while, but there was still no sign of her. She went to the small mini-fridge right by a bookshelf near the door. As she got up, and opened the fridge, she immediately jumped, falling onto the floor. She looked up as she screamed, and Scootaloo appeared before her, chuckling as she got up.

"Dammit, Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle yelled, as she got up, catching her breath. There was still slight pain in her back, having been tense before, after sleeping on haystacks. "I thought I said to stop jumpscaring me like that!"

"C'mon, it was funny!" Scootaloo chuckled. "Besides, it was about time you showed up! I was about to head out due to boredom!" Scootaloo took a seat, putting her feet up on the table. She wore almost the same clothes as last time, heavy jacket, cargo pants, and her brown boots. Sweetie Belle contemplates how often she actually changes, she just always wore the same things, no sense of style, she thought.

"How many times do I have to say... I'm grounded!" Sweetie Belle said sarcastically. "I had to leave, whenever my sister does, or when she's busy!"

"Yeah, yeah." Scootaloo yawned. "So, how long are you able to be here?"

"Honestly, not long enough..." Sweetie Belle admitted, as she stood up, exhausted even, but didn't want to sit. "So, let's just get right into it."

"That's what she said!" Scootaloo chuckled, directly to the reader. Sweetie Belle was looking at her with embarrassment. "Right, so, what are we going to do about Apple Bloom?!" Scootaloo asked. "It's exhausting having to put up with this... it's not our responsibility!"

"Hey, you know just as well as I, that we agreed to help her through any sort of problem!" Sweetie Belle demanded. "It's not my fault you ask the wrong questions! Or care what you say!"

"That's a load of bull! I do care! I just don't like that we have to always be careful, why not say something genuine for once!" Scootaloo yelled, as she stood up to face Sweetie Belle.

"She's too precious and you know it!" Sweetie Belle countered. "You saw how she was, she is traumatized now because of us!" Sweetie Belle began to tear up. She took a seat, as Scootaloo looked away, feeling guilty to Sweetie Belle's emotions going crazy.

"Alright. You're right, it is our fault..." Scootaloo took a seat next to her. Sweetie Belle looked down to the wooden floors, and was sniffing down disgusting mucus in her nostrils. She placed her hand on her shoulder, but Sweetie Belle took her in for a hug. Scootaloo was not into physical contact, but she looked like she needed it. "She is suspicious of us now, right?"

"I know..." Sweetie Belle lifted her head up, and remembered something about earlier, as she wiped her eyes. "I still don't appreciate you calling me high maintenance!"

"C'mon Sweetie Belle... it was just to get Apple Bloom off our case!" Scootaloo admitted. Always so salty, Scootaloo thought.

"Well, it didn't work... did it?!" Sweetie Belle argued. Scootaloo rolled her eyes.

"Fine. I'm sorry about that!" Scootaloo countered. "You always have to be so sensitive!"

"You know what?! If you don't stop it with this attitude, I'm going to leave!" Sweetie Belle responded.

"What?! No!" Scootaloo got up from the table, and stood up to face her directly. "You just got here!" Scootaloo began to beg and tear up as well. Sweetie Belle immediately regretted saying that to her.

"Come here." Sweetie Belle held up her arms, asking her to sit back down with her. Scootaloo wiped her eyes, and sat with her. She sat closer, she leaned unto her like a frightened child. "I'm sorry, but sometimes, I just want you to be emotionally in agreement with me."

"I am... I just don't like it when you say stuff like that." Scootaloo cried. "You know I don't like getting all mushy... why can't we just have fun like always..." Scootaloo pouted, crossing her arms, as she leaned onto Sweetie Belle's thighs, giving her comfort. She was slowly caressing her short purple hair.

"Things are changing Scootaloo... it's not child-like wonder anymore, it's time we start getting serious with things. We can't afford to either, now that Apple Bloom's spirits are being crushed by the dangers of the world... we can't let her get too far... you wouldn't want that, right?"

"I don't want her to suffer, but there's nothing we can do if she finds out about stuff." Scootaloo admitted. "I just... I would like for us to not worry about it. As long as we do what we can for each other, and help others too, then I don't see why we can't just ease up on the heavy stuff!"

"That's why we need you... I need you." Sweetie Belle said, as she wrapped her arms around her head. "You eliminate a lot of pressure and terror we face for just seeing the bright side. If it were only Apple Bloom and me, we would fall and not know what to do. But, you... you always helped us to calm down and think things through... I couldn't have made it past this week if it weren't for you. With my annoying sister and shit."

"Yeah... thanks..." Scootaloo said sincerely, as she blushed, and tried to ignore Sweetie Belle's glowing jade eyes. "What are going to do when she finds out about us? Are we just going to come forward with it?"

"I'm debating on that." Sweetie Belle said with a sigh.

"Why did we keep it a secret again?" Scootaloo asked, as she sat up from the table. Sweetie Belle positioned herself a little more comfortably.

"We were uncertain how she will be, when we both start seeing each other. She knows we talk about things without her. I don't want her to feel left out, but anything with her might just receive a message in one ear and out the other. I'm already in trouble with Rarity, just simply because she heard me cursing!" Sweetie Belle admitted. "I'm already sick of her and her constant need for intimacy from Applejack! It's like living with a bunch of rabbits!"

Scootaloo started to chuckle. She stopped when she saw Sweetie Belle look at her with a serious look on her face. Sweetie Belle started laughing, and Scootaloo joined in with her.

"I see..." Scootaloo agreed. "What about us?"

Sweetie Belle was shocked to hear Scootaloo say something of that sort.

"W-what do you mean?" Sweetie Belle asked nervously, as she blushed.

"Well, we have been together for a little while, right?" Scootaloo blushed, but she was looking at her with narrow bedroom eyes, which made Sweetie Belle heat up. "I mean... we haven't even kissed..."

"Oh..." Sweetie Belle determined. "I suppose that's true..." Sweetie Belle was relieved, and just started moving a bit closer.

"Honestly... I don't feel ready for... you know..." Scootaloo admitted. "Definitely put a hold on that!"

"Oh, in that case." Sweetie Belle was more relieved, and just sat next to Scootaloo.

They both looked into each other's eyes, and slowly started gravitating closer. They were slow, and steady. Both of their cheeks glowed red, and their hearts started to skip a beat. They both puckered their lips, and closed their eyes. As they came into contact, they realized they missed. Scootaloo ended up kissing Sweetie Belle's right eye, and got an eyelash stuck in her mouth. Sweetie Belle missed her skin entirely, and started laughing at Scootaloo trying to spit out an eyelash that was on her tongue.

Scootaloo got the eyelash out, and just launched into her. Their lips met, and asked for this experience to be one to remember. They both lifted their heads away from each other, and they looked away. Taking in their first.

"That was..." Sweetie Belle couldn't find the words, she was heated up so much.

"Awesome!" Scootaloo looked at her, and in her eyes they were jumping for joy. "I have to admit something though..."

"What?! Was I a terrible kisser?!" Sweetie Belle questioned.

"No..." Scootaloo said. "You're great! I just wished... I brushed my teeth..." Scootaloo said, under her breath.

"Gross!!!" Sweetie Belle yelled. "Go brush your teeth right now!!!"

"Seriously?!" Scootaloo questioned sarcastically.

"Go! Or else that first kiss will be your last!" Sweetie Belle demanded.

"Fine!" Scootaloo got up, and headed for the sink. As she did that, Sweetie Belle put on some lip balm and gloss.

Scootaloo came back after two minutes, and requested they continue where they left off. They went in for another one. Scootaloo was immediately turned off by Sweetie Belle's moist lips. She took her face away from her's, and sat away from her.

"What?!" Sweetie Belle questioned.

"Did you just put lipstick on?!" Scootaloo asked, as she crossed her arms, and put one leg up to signify being pissed off. She was wiping her lips.

"It's just lip balm!" Sweetie Belle argued. "Quit being a mood killer!"

"No!" Scootaloo snapped her eyes at her, which Sweetie Belle took a small handkerchief from the table and wiped it off.

"There!" Sweetie Belle yelled. "Now c'mon!"

Scootaloo stuck her tongue out and gave her a raspberry, and continued to sulk.

"How do you think I feel?! Not cleaning your teeth?!" Sweetie Belle argued. "Nasty!"

"Well sorry... I wasn't expecting to kiss anyone anytime soon!" Scootaloo admitted sarcastically. Sweetie Belle took it the other way.

"You didn't..." Sweetie Belle cried. Scootaloo looked at her, as she was taking it the wrong way.

"You knew what I meant!" Scootaloo told her.

"Well, get over here and make me feel better!" Sweetie Belle demanded.

"Fine." Scootaloo said, as she scooted closer to her, and started it again. "Okay, let's just say... I will start brushing my teeth from now on."

"Good." Sweetie Belle said. "You need to have a better schedule. I've been to your place and it's a mess! If it weren't for me, your auntie would expire!"

"Okay, fine. I'll do what you say." Scootaloo responded. "Thanks for helping me by the way."

"It's what I do!" Sweetie Belle said, with a smug face. "Now, for being such a good girl, I have a present for you!"

"What?" Scootaloo lightened up. "Really?!"

"Viola!" Sweetie Belle said, as she held up another lip balm.

"Seriously?! You're not going to make me wear it, right?!" Scootaloo pouted.

"No, you will have to apply it with my lips!" Sweetie Belle said.

"But..." Scootaloo continued.

"Don't be pouty, look..." Sweetie Belle held it up, and it was her favorite flavor of soda.

"Cherry cola?" Scootaloo questioned.

"Yep, now..." Sweetie Belle put it on her lips, and Scootaloo could smell the beautiful blend of crushed artificial cherries within an ice cold cola. "Thirsty?" Sweetie Belle narrowed her eyes with her ruby lips.

"Parched." Scootaloo admitted.

2

They both laid on the table together, their feet down on the chairs. They both were talking to each other, feeling relieved to be together.

"What if we ran away together?" Sweetie Belle suggested, turning over to look at her, the sensitivity and the love they felt made her want to share anything that was on her mind.

"I wouldn't mind, honestly." Scootaloo said, as she looked up at the ceiling. "There's not really much of anything here, besides Rainbow Dash, but she's been too busy."

"I suppose we'd just make the same mistakes that our sisters are doing, right?" Sweetie Belle asked, she turned to face the ceiling.

"It's not that bad, I just hope we actually make better choices than them." Scootaloo admitted. "We'll take Apple Bloom with us, right?"

"Of course!" Sweetie Belle delighted. "It wouldn't be the Crusaders without her!"

"Yeah, I guess you're right!" Scootaloo smiled. "By the way..." Scootaloo said, as she turned toward Sweetie Belle, they both faced each other. "I've been seeing you eyeing Big Mac, what's up with that?!"

"What?! He's kind of cute!" Sweetie Belle admitted. "Are you jealous?"

"No!" Scootaloo yelled, as she blushed. Looking back up at the ceiling, trying to avoid eye contact.

"Look, it just... his eyes are kinda dreamy." Sweetie Belle said. "But, you know he's too old!"

"Sure. Whatever." Scootaloo said, as she started to sulk again.

"Hey, it's okay." Sweetie Belle said calmly. "I heard Apple Bloom say he sweats a lot... that's a no for me, honestly."

"Really?" Scootaloo's head perked up, sitting up. "We should try setting him up with someone!"

"Like who?" Sweetie Belle asked. She sat up as well.

"I don't know... Ms. Cheerilee or someone?" Scootaloo asked.

"That actually sounds cute!" Sweetie Belle delighted. "Definitely fanfic material right there!" Sweetie Belle blushed at the idea of it.

"You and your stupid shipping fanfics!" Scootaloo teased, as she slightly pushed her away.

"Hey, don't you dare insult shipping in my presence!" Sweetie Belle yelled, as she booped her nose.

"Whatever!" Scootaloo snapped her eyes at her again, as she lightly chuckled and looked away.

3

Sweetie Belle heard her phone rang, and it appeared she received a text message.

"Dammit!" Sweetie Belle yelled. Scootaloo faced Sweetie Belle, and saw the worried look on her face. "It's Rarity! She seems pissed." Sweetie Belle sighed, and Scootaloo looked down at the floor.

"It's fine." Scootaloo said, as she stood up to the floor. "Need me to walk you back home?" Scootaloo looked back up at Sweetie Belle.

"No, I just have to book it." Sweetie Belle said, as she tucked her phone away.

"Okay..." Scootaloo was saddened they had to go their separate ways again.

"I'll call you, okay?" Sweetie Belle said, as she held up her hand to Scootaloo's face. Scootaloo gave a passive smile. She smiled back. She went up to hug her, and gave her a peck on the lips.

"Alrighty then, be on your way!" Scootaloo suggested with a weak smile. Sweetie Belle was at the door, and before she left, she threw her lip balm at Scootaloo.

"Keep it for me!" Sweetie Belle suggested, as she winked.

"Sure?" Scootaloo looked at it, and was not necessarily too thrilled to have it.

4

Sweetie Belle ran the entire way back, hopefully being able to get back to her room without suspicion.

She climbed all the way up to the window, and accidently dropped in. She was still feeling the pain in her back, and couldn't balance well on the window sill. She dropped, and slammed herself on the bed. There was a bit of noise, as she sat up. But as she did, she looked up at the sight of Rarity in her room.

"Shit..." Sweetie Belle said, under breath as she got up to face the music.

"Where were you?!" Rarity yelled. "Do you have any idea what being grounded means?!" Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, and tried to ignore her. "Well?!"

"Sorry." Sweetie Belle said sarcastically, as she sat down on her bed. She sighed, and was deliberately trying to ignore her.

"I'm not in the mood to deal with your rebellious attitude!" Rarity scoffed, as she crossed her arms. "You are not allowed out, plain and simple!"

"You know what?!" Sweetie Belle stood up to her, and looked at her dead in the eyes. "When are you in the mood for anything?! You ignore me, you act like this relationship doesn't affect me, it does! Basically do nothing but have your way almost every single day!"

"How dare you!" Rarity was shocked to hear Sweetie Belle talk back to her. "Why didn't you say anything then?!"

"Like you're going to listen to me!" Sweetie Belle sat back down. "It's not like telling you is going to fix anything!"

"You're right... nothing will..." Rarity cried, holding her hands up to her face. Sweetie Belle would always have to deal with Rarity crying a lot, but this time it was genuine, and not something about her fashion or make-up. She stormed out, and shut the door. Sweetie Belle was regretting her words, and laid back down.

5

Scootaloo was walking back home slowly. She was kicking a rock the entire way, always the same boring, empty home. Whenever Sweetie Belle came, she would always brighten up the place, help her clean it up before her auntie would arrive back to check on her.

Her auntie was mainly taking care of Scootaloo, she would check in with Scootaloo every month to make sure she was good on supplies, and to give her some form of parental guidance. But, it was only for a couple days until she had to head back to the university. She was studying an extremely time consuming field in college, and working for a power plant on the outskirts of Canterlot City called "Umbra Corp."

Scootaloo didn't hate her, she actually respected everything she was doing, but it was just the loneliness that would make it seem like she resented her. Her auntie was kind, loyal, and was hoping to get through with studies so she can finally be home, but times were tough, since she wasn't exactly the brightest of the bright minds in college. She had ambition, and that always made Scootaloo keep her head up, even when things seemed bad.

However, Rainbow Dash would often take away the loneliness, but after being in a relationship with Fluttershy, they started to drift apart too. That's why she liked Sweetie Belle. They both felt out of place, overshadowed by most even with the Rainbooms, having to deal with their older peers and their drama. Together, they felt like everything they had to deal with disappeared, and with Apple Bloom making things seem less dark and scary, made everything seem joyous. Their willingness to help others, together could accomplish anything.

As Scootaloo continued to walk, she came to her front door. She took out her keys, and she heard a phone call before she placed the key into the keyhole.

"Big Mac?" Scootaloo questioned, as she held up the phone to her ear.

S: Hey, what's up?!
BM: Hey! Ah need ya to get Applejack for me!
S: What?! What's happening?!
BM: It's Apple Bloom! She is going crazy! Ah need ya help!