Scootaloo hugged her jacket closer as a gust of wind picked up. She shivered, wondering what possessed her to go out on a walk in the middle of fall dressed in shorts and a tank top. Her coat was a freaking after thought. Another gust and another shiver. The park seemed like a good idea at the time, though now that too seemed like a bad choice as the weather felt like it was growing colder by the minute. She side stepped towards a large tree, hoping that there would be protections from the cold breeze there.

Today was just full of mistakes, as her eyes fell on a bunch of missing posters stapled to the large oak. This is what she had gone out to try and avoid. Her mind was a rage of confliction and body acted before she could dwell on it. Choosing to go out into the cold air instead of allowing her mind to dip back into depression was a questionable choice if she had ever had one. She covered her eyes, refusing to look at one of the missing posters in particular. Those green eyes staring back were invoking new feelings of anger and regret, washing over her. There was a small desire her gut to let those feelings be consumed, but she refused.

Instead she tried to walk away, only to feel her shoulder bump into someone's back. "Hey!" Came a voice just beyond her sight.

Scootaloo removed her hand and turned to apologize, only for her words to die in her throat. Standing in front of her looking annoyed was Diamond Tiara. She was currently dressed in a light orange autumn dress. The dress went down to her knees. She had on a red scarf. Her bare arms crossed each other as she appeared to have been in deep thought only a second ago.

Her annoyance turned to interest as her eyes recognized the pony who had just broken her from the trance. "Fancy meeting you out here. Lose something?" Her question may have sounded innocent but they both knew it was a jab, the first of many most likely.

Scootaloo bit her lower lip. "Yeah, actually. But I am sure you were well aware of it." The world around her had suddenly disappeared, the chills of the air vanishing as she stared at her old bully. Now she was her center of attention.

Sure, some things had been patched up but others not so much. There was a period of mellowing out but then things changed a few months back. She had slowly gotten colder over time again, seemingly finding pleasure in annoying others for her own personal gain. Her ire seemed to be harder towards Scootaloo for some reason. It had only gotten worse with time. Especially after a fairly recent incident.

"Better keep a firm grasp or risk losing something else." She said with a smile. "Oh wait, you already lost quite a bit haven't you?"

Scootaloo sighed. She was not in the mood to be dealing with her. The pain of loss was already heavy on her mind, her very world seemed like it was falling apart as another seemed willing to swallow up anyone she cared about. Maybe it was time to go talk to a friend instead. Apple Bloom wasn't that far off.

"Whatever, I gotta go. Unlike you, I at least have someone I can go hang out with." DT's smile turned sour. Yeah that hit a sore spot. Silver Spoon had grown distant from her. The once constant companion was now off doing her own thing and Scootaloo knew that it was starting to effect Diamond in ways it hadn't felt before. To add to this, the last time they saw each other, it ended in an argument. One that while no one new what it was for, the fallout was clear. The grey Earth Pony wanted nothing to do with her until an apology was given. Magic vanishing from this world over night had a better chance. Diamond Tiara was just as stubborn now as she was when she was younger. Most likely even more so.

She may be an adult now, but her antics for attention seemed almost school yard bully at best these days.

"At least I know where my old acquaintance is." She sneered. It was another attempt at a low jab but this one might as well have gone right through like a ghost. Only a small chill was felt by it. Still a poor attempt considering her ability at getting under one's skin. But then again, she had been well off her A game ever since her major fight with Silver.

Her arm extended out while her hand gestured outwards. "Yours is off somewhere not even off this universe. Probably better off if you ask me."

Looping back around to that one, again. Fine, time to return with a jab of her own. "Yes and we both know that Silverspoon hates the fact that you know where she is, despite refusing to return. From what I hear, she never wants to see your face ever again unless it comes with one heck of an apology."

Diamond's hand fell to her side and clenched. She blinked and Scootaloo could see her rage begin to take hold. "Shut-up! You don't know what you are talking about!"

Scootaloo took a step forward. "Neither do you! Why are you so insistent on trying to make me angry every time we meet? What is it about me you hate so much?"

She seemed to pause for a second. Her mind seemed to race. Scootaloo almost wondered for a second if she was questioning this herself. That thought quickly died as she glared back. "I hate everything about you. Everything that you have, everything that makes you... You. I hate it all. Every time I see you, you are just a reminder of..." She stopped herself and looked away. A breeze blew past causing her hair to block her expression from sight.

Scootaloo took another step forward. "Of what?" She was now curious. This is the most the Pegasus had ever gotten out of her. Diamond Tiara shook her head. "Forget it. Just..." She ran forward and pushed against Scootaloo. "Just get away from me!"

She pushed hard, probably going for a hard shove but lost her balance. Scootaloo felt her world suddenly shift. By all accounts, they should have landed hard on the ground. Instead, the world around her seemed to glitch out slightly. The ground seemed to faze right past them as the two fell into a dark expanse for a brief second.

Before suddenly warm water enveloped the two as they landed in knee high water of some kind of corridor.

Splash

Scootaloo sputtered and gasped, confused as she immediately sat up, water dripping off her hair and upper body. "What... Just happened?"

Diamond sat up, her long hair dripping water as she stared around in bewilderment. "What... When did Ponyville get a massive waterway installed?!"

The Pegasus stood up, water dripping down from her as she looked up. "I don't know if we are in Ponyville anymore. There is no hole above us. Did we fall through a portal?" She glanced around, seeing that the waterway they were in was covered in tiled walls and bare ceiling. It kind of reminded her of a school shower room in a way or perhaps an indoor pool room with how warm the water was.

The pink earth pony scoffed. "Seriously, why did I have to suddenly get thrown into this mess? Why did I have to get thrown here with you?"

"You weren't exactly my first choice either." Scoots muttered under her breath. She took off her jacket, trying to shake it out. "Is it warmer in here or is it just me?"

"Whatever, this dress is dry clean only so it may as well be ruined. My father is going to be cross with me as this is the second good dress I have managed to ruin this year. I hate this."

The Pegasus rolled her eyes and glanced back, seeing the dress seemed to be sagging a bit. A little chevage was now noticeable. If she could actually stand the pony, she might be willing to admit she had a decent sized rack. At least, compared to her B cupped but still somewhat toned body.

She looked away and back down the corridor. One way led to a small narrow wedge with water still trickling through it, one could barely stick their hand into it, so that was dead end. It was clear which way to go. The other way lead to a slightly more lit up passageway. "Mind as well look for a way out."

She turned and took a step forward, her leg brushing up against a small purse floating in the water. It was covered in flower designs and had a mix of reds and pinks. She bent down and picked it up, only for it to be immediately snatched by DT.
"Don't touch my stuff! I don't like the thought of those hands of yours touching me or anything I own." Her face was red. Scootaloo couldn't believe she had managed to find the most angriest and hateful pony to get stuck with.

"I don't suppose you have something in there that could help us..."

She scoffed. "Of course not, I was only out for a leisurely walk, not a camping trip!"

Scootaloo let out a loud sigh. "Fine, just thought I'd ask." She turned and started walking, only for DT to run ahead of her, splashing water around her.

"I'll lead, my acute sense of direction will help us out more anyways."

Scootaloo stuck out her tongue but realized her associate was already moving on. She drew her tongue back in and rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

The two walked on in silence for a solid hour, the hallway never showing any signs of changing. They passed a few corridors they would have to crawl through all along the wall that may have led somewhere, but DT was determined to keep walking. Eventually, the room next to them opened up, showing that just past a small drop off was a large pool room. But her Earth pony compatriot kept walking, never doing much more than a quick glance. The room was soon closed off again as the hallway made a turn and Scootaloo reached out. "Hey, shouldn't we check around that large room a bit? I feel like we aren't making any real progress any ways. Surely there is something around here that might help us."

The pink pony turned and glared back at Scootaloo. "No, we keep going. My gut is telling me to keep following this water, it has to empty out somewhere. I intend to find out where."

She turned around and kept walking, leaving the Pegasus feeling more annoyed. She soon walked on in silence turning the corner just in time to see DT turn back to her, walking backwards somewhat. "Do you mind keeping up? Its already bad enough I am stuck with you but I may need you at some point. Stepping stool, shield, lookout, something like that. Even something as useless and hard to look at as you would serve some purpose."

Scootaloo debated leaving her alone right there. Surely her chances of survival would be better off without this stupid pony putting her down like this. She glanced ahead, suddenly going wide eyed as she realized the hallway suddenly ended in a big drop off down a vertical shaft into who knows where.

Diamond Tiara suddenly turned and cried out, feeling her hoof step out into open air. Scootaloo lunged forward, feeling her hand grasp the shoulder strap on her dress. She was yanked down onto the floor, suddenly feeling the water splash past her face from the water falling over the edge. The pink pony fell a small bit, soon hanging only by Scootaloo's strength alone.

She hung there for a moment in shock before attempting to move. She could feel the dress begin to tear. Scootaloo let out a small groan as her outstretched arm began to shake slightly from the strain. "Don't move, you're going to make this worse. Just stay still." Her arm hurt like heck and her head was only out of the water thanks to the water flowing over the edge, the rest of her body was submerged. She carefully reached down and grasped DT's other strap.

"Careful, you are going to stretch it out or worse, tear it. This dress is worth more than you will ever make in a year!"

She grit her teeth, though she had a firm grip and now had her in both hands, she was still struggling to pull her up. "Would you prefer I just let go?" She asked between clenched teeth.

DT glanced up and then down in the dark watery abyss far below her. "On second thought, it was getting a bit old."

There was a sloshing sound as the Pegasus glanced to her left, just in time to see her jacket, which she had let go off to try and save her anger fueled pink pony acquaintance, was now been pushed by the flow of water, right over the edge.

She groaned, wanting to try, reach out and catch it but knew it would mean the possibility of dropping DT. Her eyes watched it fall, singing sweet sorrow in her head for her favorite coat as it drifted down into the vertical shafts depths, eventually coming to rest on the water far below.

She felt the pony below her attempt to move which caused a tearing sound in her dress to be heard. "Careful, hang on. I am going to try and cross my arms. That should turn you around. When I do, reach out and grab the edge."

She took in a deep breath and crossed her arms over, now seeing the pink pony looking up at her in fear. "Reach up and grab something! My arms are getting tired!"

She nodded, reaching up with hand, only to feel a strap break. She swung to the side a bit and Scootaloo had to brace herself as she reached down, with her now free hand, grasping at DT's outstretched arm. As the two made contact, the Pegasus started to pull. She soon felt her dangling accomplice grasp the edge, taking some of the load off her arm.

She slowly began to pull her up, feeling more strain on her body as she did so. It was slow tug of war against gravity but soon, she could feel Diamond helping her out, gripping the sides of the ledge and pulling herself up the rest of the way.

Scoots released her grasp, rolling away from the edge as she sat up. She was breathing heavily and clutching her right arm. "Ow..." She wheezed. She glanced over at Diamond Tiara who was on her knees leaning against the wall. Her right shoulder was now bare. She was panting as well.

Her eyes fell upon her scarf as she appeared to be about ready to start crying. She gripped it and pulled it from her neck, hugging it against her chest as she closed her eyes. "I almost never got the chance to... I can't believe I almost..."

She carefully unzipped her small purse and stuck the scarf inside of it, patting it as she zipped it closed again. She looked up at the ceiling, clearly now very mixed on emotions. "I... Listen... Th-thanks." She said slowly, refusing to look in her direction.

"Look, I am not looking to ask for favors here. Glad I saved you and all. But could I ask that you stop treating me like shit till we at least get out of here?"

She took in a deep breath, adjusting her dress slightly. "I'll try..."

"I'll take it." Scootaloo said drying as she stood up. "Lets go back and check that pool room again, see if we can find a way forward."

The two backtracked a bit, soon walking near a very large pool. There was a noticeable hallway that dipped into water in the corner. Scootaloo took a few steps in, examining it. "Looks like we may have to do a bit of swimming. Doesn't look like it goes too far back though. There is just enough room for us to come back up for air if need be."

Diamond let out a low huff. "I have to swim in this dress?"

The Pegasus shrugged. "I'm not gonna judge if you want to swim in your underwear."

Diamond turned away, hiding her face. "I-I can't. I'm not..." She sputtered.

It suddenly dawned on Scootaloo that when she was holding her earlier, there were no signs of a bra. "Oh, wow, alright. You at least got panties on right?"

"Y-yeah." She stammered. "Don't judge me, alright!" She took a deep breath. "I'll swim with it on."

"Cool, hope you don't judge me either." She reached down and began to pull her tank top off. DT glanced at her before quickly turned around. Her hands were covering her eyes.

"Why are you... Taking that off?!" She seemed to be getting angry again for some reason.

"I hate how it sticks to me when wet." She could now see that her acquaintance appeared to be getting redder though now a part of her wondered if that was for a different reason. She let out a low chuckle. "I'll put it back on once I get to the other side and dry off a little." She pulled it the rest of the way off, her breasts bouncing slightly in the freedom. She wasn't going to judge Diamond Tiara for not having a bra when she wasn't a big fan of them either. She glanced bak, seeing the pink pony peaking between her fingers, her legs crossed a bit as she turned all the way around, her other hand messing with something Scootaloo couldn't see.

"J-just get in the water already!" She said at last, refusing to turn around.

There was something different about her, something that she hadn't noticed before. She seemed to be constantly on edge since they got there. She made a mental note to pry into that later, wanting to get a move on in the mean time.

She shrugged her shoulders walked into the water, soon feeling a spike of excitement as the water soon went past her, thighs, core then nipples, her wings buzzing slightly at the touch. Her arms reached out as she began to wade her way into the sunken hallway. She glanced back, just in time to see the pink Earth Pony quickly make her way in, pushing the dress down as she attempted to swim. It looked like a bit of a struggle, between her purse and dress trying to float up, to her pulling down the fabric which was getting in the way constantly, but there wasn't much either of them could do... Aside from the obvious.

Scootaloo took in a deep breath of air before slipping beneath the water, her eyes glancing back to see Diamond slowly doggy paddling behind her. At least she seemed to know how to swim well enough.

The two soon slowly swam on in silence, hearing nothing but the sounds of occasionally moving water as the two pushed their way forward. Their eyes trained on the the lights at the end as they made their way. After a short while of swimming, the hallway opened up again to a new room.

They reemerged, gasping in some air as they waded forward. The room had light bluish blank walls and bare white ceiling. There were mushrooms and shower heads spraying water in different directions into a knee deep pool. The air seemed to be filled with steam. As Scootaloo waded out, she glanced back to see that the dress was now being pulled against by Diamond. She clearly had on an annoyed look as the dress was trying to hug her body. The lower half she was now desperately pulling against was somewhat stuck to her while her nipples shown through the top.

She glanced back at Scootaloo, scowling. The Pegasus quickly looked away, not wanting to get her going again. They continued to walk on in silence, dodging some of the spray but still feeling the dampness of the room surround them. Scootaloo couldn't help but find a strange feeling coming over her. She felt slightly turned on by was unsure why. There was nothing about their situation that called for it and any fun that could be had was being choked out by her pink compatriot.

As they made there way into another small corridor, thankful that the steam was now dissipating a bit here, the next room soon came into view.

This one had fountains shoot up out of the large knee deep pool. A gazebo sat in the middle. The room itself was covered in tiled walls and bare ceiling. Stone white benches of varying heights surrounded the structure. There was no obvious way forward, though Scootaloo could see a small pool in the middle.

She glanced down at her hand, suddenly realizing she had lost her grip on her tank top at some point. Glancing back revealed nothing. The room behind her revealed nothing. The water was clear, there should be a certain article of clothing drifting around in there. But for some weird reason, there wasn't.

Diamond soon caught up, having finally gotten the dress to stop sticking to her so much. She glanced around the room before looking back at Scootaloo. Her eyes drifted down to her legs as she covered her eyes. "Ok, you can put the tank top back on now."

"Yeah, about that." She rubbed her bare shoulder with her right hand. "See, I seem to have lost it." She said slowly.

"Lost it? How?!"

Scootaloo gestured to the room behind them. "I don't know, look back there and tell me if you see it."

The pink pony looked away, ran back and scoured the area with her eyes. Sure enough, despite the crystal clear water, she couldn't see any sign of it. She clenched her fists as she stared hard at the ground. "Are you doing this on purpose?!" She began to stomp over to Scootaloo. Her eyes looking down the whole way.

The Pegasus raised up her hands. "I swear, I don't know what happened. It was there one moment and gone the next."

Her face was red again. She could swear this pony's default emotion was anger. The reddish looking pony glanced up and glared daggers at Scootaloo.

"Why you?! Why do I have to deal with you and your crazy antics? Was it not enough that you ruined my chances at love, now you have to go and..." She covered her mouth. Her eyes went wide as she realized she had let something slip she wasn't supposed to. Her brain had been fighting off something this whole time and now it seemed to just slip out.

Scootaloo took a step forward. "Whoa, slow down a second. I don't recall messing with your love life at any point in time."

Diamond Tiara shook her head. "You didn't have too. You being you was enough."

Scootaloo usually tried to let stuff bounce off of her but this was starting to feel really personal. She took a step forward. "What do you mean by that? What exactly does my existence have to do with anything?"

DT gritted her teeth as she took a step forward, their bodies now inches apart. "Everything! If you were never around, Silver Spoon and I would still be together!" She was breathing heavy now.

A part of Scootaloo wanted to just drop it but another part of her was dead curious and this was the most she had ever managed to get from the usually stubborn pony. "Did I walk in at the wrong time or something? I never once tried asking her out so I know it isn't that."

She shook her head. "No... I mean... Sort of." She took a deep breath. "She and I had something going but she could see there was something keeping me from loving her fully. It was you, you are keeping me from her!"

Scootaloo was flabbergasted at this point. She gripped DT's dress by the collar. "Excuse me? I don't recall butting in between you two at any point in your relationship!" The pink pony in front of her was panting now. What the heck was going on with her.

"You didn't have to, she could see it in my eyes. Ever time you happen to walked near us, that is all it took. I just..." She took a deep breath and stared up at her. "Couldn't take my eyes off you..."

Scootaloo felt her hand slip as it suddenly dawned on her. Like a train it all just kind of hit her all at once. "Oh... Oh... Shute..."

Silence fell between the two off them as the sounds of flowing water was the only thing heard again.

Author's Note

Not used to writing drama like this so hope you are all enjoying it. Only plan on making this 3-4 chapters long. Let me know what your thoughts are down in the comments. Next chapter will be out Thursday. Use this as background music if you'd like. Very immersive.
The Poolrooms Ambiance