Of Apples and Oranges, Diamonds and Darkness.

Scootaloo once again was en route to Diamond Tiara's home; wagon in tow ready for another insane day of cutie mark crusading. Sweetie Belle was certain her fantastic idea was guaranteed to earn them their cutie marks and thus, as with every other prospect of cutie mark acquisition she was very excited and ready to go. Too bad Tiara wasn't.

“I'm sorry to keep you waiting Miss Scootaloo,” One of Tiara's butlers explained, “Mrs Tiara will be here shortly—she must be washed and fed prior to her play date.”

Scootaloo wasn't too sure if  'play date' was the word she wanted to associate with their antics but, so long as it made no difference in her new friend coming out to play she was fine with it.

Finally after some procrastination, Diamond Tiara finally came to the door, for some reason she looked a tad surprised Scootaloo was there.

“Hey Diamond!” Scootaloo chirped, “Ready for another day of crusading?”

“Uh.....” Diamond Tiara grew uncomfortable.

“What are you waiting for, hop in!” Scootaloo tapped the wagon with her tail.

“Well...see...it's...” Tiara stammered.

“She doesn't want to be seen with you pathetic blank flanks!” Came a nasty jest from behind. Silver Spoon had come to the house as well and apparently had not gotten the memo that berating the cutie mark crusaders was not a wise choice.

“What? Of course she does!” Scootaloo scoffed, “She isn't a cowardly bully like you anymore!”

“Bully hm? Is that what you call the cool kids now?” Silver Spoon spat, “Listen feather-brain, why don't you get your sappy flank off her property and go play your stupid games in your stupid capes!”

Scootaloo looked to Diamond Tiara expecting defense, instead, she got an obviously overwhelmed Diamond Tiara looking at her hooves.

Her gaze was cut short by Silver Spoon shoving Scootaloo off of her scooter. The toppled filly suppressed that boiling rage she was known for and kept her calm.

“Knock it off Silver Spoon!” Scootaloo growled. “Leave us alone!”

“Or what?” Silver Spoon taunted, “You're gonna beat me up? You already got your dumb fzce expelled, you want to be banished from Ponyville?”

“I'd like to see you try!” Scootaloo stomped.

Scootaloo decided she had had enough and went for her scooter only to realize it was missing. She spun around to see Silver Spoon running with it.

“GIVE ME BACK MY SCOOTER!” Scootaloo screamed as she charged after the prissy earth pony.

For being such a paper tiger Silver Spoon sure could keep Scootaloo moving, both at an impressive gallop down the streets of town. Finally they reached the fields that once were Sweet Apple Acres.

Up and down the rolling hills and lush grass she galloped until Scootaloo tripped into what felt like—and was—a trap. Scrambling to free herself from the sticky sap covered thatch, she was too late.

At the crest of the hill on the border of the forest was Sliver Spoon, a content look on her face.  No scooter.

Scootaloo trudged up the hill and then froze.  She saw the worst thing she ever had seen: Before her, was the deck of her scooter. Wheels gone, with the board snapped 2 times over. The handlebars? Scootaloo heard a 'plunk' in a nearby stream. Somepony else was there but was not to be known.

The sight of her purple scooter, destroyed began to blur as her eyes let the bulging tears burst through as she collapsed to the ground sobbing relentlessly. The scooter had far more meaning and importance to her than the two perpetrators likely could know. Despite that Silver Spoon cackled with satisfaction as she went down the hill and back into town with a grieving filly alone.

Sweetie Belle's looked uncomfortable as Apple Bloom went over today's crusading activities; Scootaloo was not here and she found it incredibly odd, though Apple Bloom insisted she hadn't a clue where the orange pegasus could be.

The duo had tried many things today to earn their marks; all resulting in scuffs and bruises and failure. The main catalyst for the unicorn anyway was the fact that she had this off feeling about her—like some odd subliminal force was telling her somepony she cared deeply about was in some sort of trouble. Apple Bloom didn't give her time to idle, elt alone think as she was hustled into the next activity.

Finally she had had enough.

“Apple Bloom,” She began, “I am going to go see if Scootaloo is okay—besides, it's getting late and Rarity is supposed to watch me for the next few nights while my parents are away.”

“But ah have a few other things I'm sure we'll get our marks this time!” Apple Bloom pleaded.

“It isn't right Apple Bloom.” Sweetie said, “We promised to earn our cutie marks together, Scootaloo isn't here and so, I don't want to earn my cutie mark without her.”

It was indeed getting late, Apple Bloom left the clubhouse as well but headed to the library as opposed to following Sweetie Belle who already knew where she was headed first.

Scootaloo had a special hiding place—more of a sanctuary than anything—She would go there before the clubhouse was available, and at the present it served as a much needed seclusion from everypony else. Nopony but Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom knew of this small cave that was carved beside a stream on the outskirts of town, shielded by thick trees and thick brush in between.

Her eyes had gone dry at this point and she simply lay on the ground with the sound of birds, the stream before her, and the occasional pegasus flying high above. She had been there for at least an hor, letting the silence calm her as much as possible. Between her mishap at home and this, her week seemed to be spiraling out of control.

Scootaloo was pulled from this sulk as she heard multiple hooves crunching the grass, bark, and dirt on the forest floor, the sloshing in the stream, and finally revealing their owners.

“We figured you'd be here.” Apple Bloom said.

“Yeah...” Scootaloo mumbled as she was embraced by her two friends.,

“Rarity says that she knows somepony who might be able to fix it.” Sweetie Belle mentioned.

“I appreciate it but, it wouldn't be the same.” Scootaloo sulked.

Apple Bloom got up from the embrace and looked out into the stream.

“Well, either way we took care of those bullies fer ya.” The butter colored filly proclaimed with a hint of triumph.

“Bullies?”  Scootaloo emphasized the 's'.

“Yup.” Sweetie Belle replied, “Well, Apple Bloom did; I just watched.”

“Wh—who was the other bully?” Scootaloo panicked.

“Diamond Tiara of course--” Apple Bloom turned only to be on her back in the stream, her muzzle barley above the water.

“What the hell did you do to her?” Scootaloo growled; her mod having gone from sorrowful to seething in an instant.

“Ah just—Scootaloo get offa me!” Apple Bloom threw off the livid pegtasus who charged right back. Apple Bloom headbutted the oncoming assault sending the light pegasus spiraling onto her back.

Scootaloo had gotten up to charge again but, like before she was impeded by Sweetie Belle who plead to both of them to knock it off.

Scootaloo wasn't taking this though, she shoved the unicorn to the side and made her move; Apple Bloom now was the victim of a relentless series of hooves , most missing, but the strijes were decsive.

“Scootaloo stop it please!” Apple Bloom whined between dodging blows.

Scootaloo didn't listen and thus was thrown off again and now the tables were turned. Apple Bloom stood over the toppled filly keeping her hooves on the ground.

“Ah ain't gonna hit ya Scootaloo.” Apple Bloom said. “Y'all need ta knock it off.”

“She didn't hurt Diamond Tiara Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle added. “We just told her to leave you alone that's all!”

Scootaloo calmed down as her panting grew heavier and the adrenaline died down, she looked up at Apple Bloom who showed no signs of retiring until she was sure Scootaloo wasn't going to attack again. While Scootaloo had speed and a rather powerful set of hooves, she was light and smaller than Apple Bloom and therefore she wasn't escaping from the filly with the bow anytime soon.

“I'm sorry girls.” Scootaloo sighed. “There's a lot on my mind you know? My beloved scooter is history, my day was ruined, and now I have one less friend because of it.”

“We didn't mean to Scootaloo, we assumed she was part of it!” Sweetie Belle defended.

“Well perhaps you should quit making an ass of yourself and talk to me first!” Scootaloo shot back, albeit quietly.

“You're right.” Apple Bloom backed up to let Scootaloo get on her hooves. “Ah should've come to find you first instead of taakin' matters into mah own hooves.”

“It's alright.” Scootaloo said, “I'll just talk to her tomorrow and sort things out.”

“We should probably get going.” Sweetie Belle said as she looked at the sky which had grown darker even since they had arrived.

“Yeah, I'm sure Dash is pissed waiting for me.” Scootaloo grew a bit uneasy realizing somepony was waiting on her. They made their way to their respective houses with Scootaloo trudging up  the expansive hill that lead to the meeting spot she and Dash had picked for her trips home; though the pony she saw in place of her mother was less than flattering.

“Where's Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo asked.

“Nice to see you too.” Soarin' sighed. “Let's go.”

Scootaloo hesitantly climbed onto Soarin's back as they took off for their house. Whist Scootaloo didn't hate him, she still wasn't sure if she was quite ready for him to take such a role in her life, she never really missed her father for she never saw a need for one. Also it was enough adjusting from a life of self-governance to one of complicit obedience with one mare calling the shots; add an unknown stallion into the mix and she wasn't too happy with it.

As she made her way to her room, Scootaloo realized Dash wasn't home—it was her and Soarin', alone.

Great.

Scootaloo decided the best course of action would be to simply stay in her room until Dash got home and this worked for a little while, though she smelled food and was instantly tempted into the kitchen.

Soarin' had made sandwiches of the toasted variety. One for him and the other for Scootaloo.

“Why are there only two?” Scootaloo questioned as she sat down. “Isn’t mom going to be home soon?”

“She is eating after her errand so I figured she wouldn't be hungry.” Soarin' replied. It was obvious the girl didn't seem to view too highly of hum still.

As Scootaloo took a sizable bite and proceeded to slowly chew the intake, her expression went from curious to repulsed.

“Isn't there something you'd like to say?” Soarin' asked expecting a 'Thank you', Instead he got bits of chewed food on his face and a sour set of eyes glaring at him.

“Yeah, this sandwich is crap.” Scootaloo stuck her tongue out in disgust.

“Now that's rude...I didn't have to make that for you.” Soarin' said irritated.

“No you didn't, and I wish you hadn’t” Scootaloo replied making her way to the trash can.

“Seriously Scootaloo” Soarin' grimaced.

“Yeah seriously, I eat food not shit.” Scootaloo retorted.

“The former Wonderbolt had enough of this. “Scootaloo, enopugh. There is no need for you to talk to me that way. You're being incredebly rude.”

“What makes you think I have to take orders from you?” Scootaloo said smugly.

“As long as Dash is not here I am the adult—I am in charge.” Soarin' proclaimed sternly.

“To hell you are, just do something good for once: Shut up and leave me alone.” Scootaloo turned to trot to her room and was stopped by a rather angry Soarin'

“I don't know how your mother puts up with your potty mouth but I've had it!” The stallion teethed as he held Scootaloo by her tail.

“Let go of me you stupid asshole!” Scootaloo barked, flailing her hooves with one thwacking Soarin' right in the eye. It began to swell almost instantly.

Scootaloo found herself now on her stomach, tail held up exposing her flank. She had no idea what was about to happen but she had the feeling she wasn't going to like it all that much.

“Hey! What do you think you're--” Scootaloo was silenced immediately by a hard smack on the behind.

“OW! DON'T HIT ME!” Scootaloo screamed, flailing madly and gnashing her teeth at the agressing stallion. She looked like a rabid jacked up diamond dog as opposed to a filly.

“Not until you learn to show some respect to your elders.” Soarin' said coldly. Another swat on the flank sent the filly into a rage. She managed to escape his grip but instead of attacking him, she bolted for the front door and out and into the sky.

It wasn't until she was falling she remembered she couldn't fly.

Between a sore, throbbing flank, a migrane, and the horrific fear of plummeting her death, Scootaloo hardly noticed she was back inside with a very angry Soarin;.

“Again she was on her stomach, and somehow, he managed to make it hurt much worse this time.

Scootaloo caved as tears streamed down her face. The last time she was hit weith this kind of force was a dark time she did not want to recall, add the fact that she felt this stallion had no right to disciplene her.

“STOP!” Scootaloo cried angrily.

“Are you sorry?” Soarin' growled.

“YES, YES I'M SORRY!” Scootaloo bawled, “Please. Just. Stop!”

The rest of her speech was inaudible as she began crying uncontrollably. Scootaloo scampered to her room, tail firmly planted over her flank as if it were somehow going to stop another swat if she was to be subjected to one.

Dash was glad to be done with her work for the day. To add to her happiness was a hot-air balloon carry four other mares was arriving at her home at about the same time she was. Throughout the week the mares had been having 'casual time' at each-others' home; similar to what they did prior to leaving Ponyville—another way of getting life back on its normal course.

“Looks like we weren't so late after all.” Twilight smiled as they crawled out of the basket.

“No joke?” Rainbow replied, “I don't know about you girls but I am ready to chillax with some drinks with a few of my best friends.”

“Sounds fine by me.” Rarity said as Dash opened the door. She was greeted with a less than happy Soarin;.

“Is everything okay?” Rainbow asked.

“No.” Soarin' panned.

Sensing the tension the other mares backed out and shut the door.

“What's up?” Rainbow asked.  Then she saw the shiner on Soarin's face.

“.....What did she do?”

“I had the nerve to make her something to eat and ask for some appreciation.” Soarin' answered. She pit it out right at my face and told me it was shit.”

“That's just great.” Rainbow facehoofed. She thought Scootaloo had come to terms with Soarin' being a thing but apparently not.

“I'm sorry to keep your friends waiting—I'll be back on Thursday like I said.” Soarin' kissed his girlfriend and headed for the door.

“Sorry about...her.” Rainbow said weakly.

“Don't worry about it.” Soarin' sighed, “She'll warm up eventually.”

As he left, the mares came in with looks of concern. Rarity being Rarity had eavesdropped and knew very well what had happened.

Rainbow looked at the unicorn with pleading eyes.

“How did you manage her?” Rainbow asked as she prepared some strong drinks for the group.

“I never had to honestly..” Rarity answered. “She never gave me trouble like this—then again Sweetie Belle was there, those two have an odd relationship.”

“I thought we had talked about this and everything was okay...” Rainbow sighed. “Why is she so violent?”

“She certainly does have a low tolerance for diplomacy.” Rarity quipped.

“Don't blame yourself Rainbow Dash,” Twilight added, “If I can recall she was like that well before she lived under sompony ease’s roof.”

“I hoped she would calm down though.” Rainbow complained. “When she's a lover she is a lover, when she is her normal bright and calm slef she's awesome but this?  I don't understand where it comes from. I was never like that as a filly!”

“She has lived on her own most of her life.” Twilight mentioned. “From what I understand of nomadic ponies, they tend to react more on their fight-response as opposed to flight—it's key to survival.”

“So she's defending herself?” Rainbow asked.

“Not necessarily, she just was never raised with the same code of conduct and mannerisms we all were.” Twilight added. “Not to say she doesn't have any, as you said and as we all have seen she is more than capable of being peaceful and compassionate. But it seems that that primal instinct of hers is still very much part of her.”

They sat in silence for awhile, slowly sipping their wine glasses with the exception of Rainbow Dash who felt the need to shoot down several within a short time,.

Rainbow sighed as she saw the light in Scootaloo's room was still on—she was still awake.

“I guess I should go talk to her—what should I say? I already asked her to be nice to him and obviously she doesn't care.”

“Embarrassingly enough Sweetie Belle was always mt proxy for such affairs.” Rarity replied. “I had to raise a hoof only a few times but—my aster managed to keep her from doing things like this, that I know of at least.”

“Maybe she can stay up here for a little while?” Rainbow jested sarcastically as she pushed open the door seeing a sniffling and bitter Scootaloo staring out her window.

Rainbow was silent. She could tell by Scoots' ears that she heard her come in, she knew she was there but did not look at her. Perhaps she was scared?

“Why can't you make things easy for me?” Rainbow started. “Why does it always have to be one thing after another with you?”

Scootaloo didn't respond. She kept her stare to the stars outside.

“Scootaloo I'm talking to you.” Rainbow sternly stated.

No response.

“Hey!” Rainbow shouted. “You better turn around and pay attention dammit I'm tired of this!”

Scootaloo turned, but only with her head which hosted her beady, crying eyes.

“OK.” The filly simply replied as she crawled onto her bed.

“Why were you mean to Soarin'?” Rainbow demanded, “Where did you get the idea you didn't have to listen to him? You're not an adult Scootaloo! I don't care who ti is—even if I am here you need to listen and show respect to Soarin' no matter what!”

“He hit me!” Scootaloo quipped. “He hit me in the flank and it hurt!”

“Serves you right you little brat!” Rainbow barked. “I woulda gave your ungrateful flank a swat too if you were talking to me the way you did!”

“I thought you said you'd never hit me.” Scootaloo hissed.

“There's a difference between discipline and abuse.” Rainbow refuted.

No there isn't,.” Scootaloo shot back. “So grown mares and stallions get to choose when its okay to hurt somepony but fillies get no say? When I take my hoof and ht somepony its called violence but when you use the magical word 'discipline' suddenly it's okay? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!”

“Not like you needed one.” Rainbow scoffed. “Look—I'm not arguing with you right now. I have the girls over and I want to relax. You however are going to bed. Now.”

“You can't just make a special class of ponies who can make rules for everyone but themselves for no reason!” Scootaloo complained.  “Didn't our time in Canterlot teach you anything?”

“Scootaloo.” Rainbow Dash facehoofed. “Clam it. Got to bed.”

“Fine.” Scootaloo pouted as she pulled the covers over.

Rainbow hesitated some as she fought off an oncoming headache. She went to turn the lights out and go back into the main room but couldn't bring herself to deprive her daughter of one thing.

Without a word she gently kissed the filly on the forehead and tucked her in.

“You may be onto something we older ponies are too stuck and stupid to understand—but that still doesn't make what you did okay. We'll deal with this tomorrow.  I love you.”

“I love you too mom.” Scootaloo gently embraced her mother and nuzzled he cheek.

“Wait!” Scootaloo remembered just as Rainbow was to open the door.

“What is it?” Rainbow asked.

“Can you ask Rarity about my scooter getting fixed?”

“Why would your scooter need to be fixed?” Rainbow asked, a hint of worry.

“Silver Spoon swiped it from me broke it.” Scootaloo panned.

“Looks like I have another thing to handle tomorrow.” Rainbow sighed. “Sorry about that Scoots' that's, that's rough. I'll see what I can do as long as you start showing my colt-friend some respect—he's gonna be here for the foreseeable future so—you're going to have to learn to love him.”

“Goodnight mom.” Scootaloo said.

“Night kid. Get some sleep alright?” Rainbow replied.

Rainbow finally left Scootaloo's room and went to finally relax a little.

Tomorrow was going to be anything but fun.Scootaloo once again was en route to Diamond Tiara's home; wagon in tow ready for another insane day of cutie mark crusading. Sweetie Belle was certain her fantastic idea was guaranteed to earn them their cutie marks and thus, as with every other prospect of cutie mark acquisition she was very excited and ready to go. Too bad Tiara wasn't.

“I'm sorry to keep you waiting Miss Scootaloo,” One of Tiara's butlers explained, “Mrs Tiara will be here shortly—she must be washed and fed prior to her play date.”

Scootaloo wasn't too sure if  'play date' was the word she wanted to associate with their antics but, so long as it made no difference in her new friend coming out to play she was fine with it.

Finally after some procrastination, Diamond Tiara finally came to the door, for some reason she looked a tad surprised Scootaloo was there.

“Hey Diamond!” Scootaloo chirped, “Ready for another day of crusading?”

“Uh.....” Diamond Tiara grew uncomfortable.

“What are you waiting for, hop in!” Scootaloo tapped the wagon with her tail.

“Well...see...it's...” Tiara stammered.

“She doesn't want to be seen with you pathetic blank flanks!” Came a nasty jest from behind. Silver Spoon had come to the house as well and apparently had not gotten the memo that berating the cutie mark crusaders was not a wise choice.

“What? Of course she does!” Scootaloo scoffed, “She isn't a cowardly bully like you anymore!”

“Bully hm? Is that what you call the cool kids now?” Silver Spoon spat, “Listen feather-brain, why don't you get your sappy flank off her property and go play your stupid games in your stupid capes!”

Scootaloo looked to Diamond Tiara expecting defense, instead, she got an obviously overwhelmed Diamond Tiara looking at her hooves.

Her gaze was cut short by Silver Spoon shoving Scootaloo off of her scooter. The toppled filly suppressed that boiling rage she was known for and kept her calm.

“Knock it off Silver Spoon!” Scootaloo growled. “Leave us alone!”

“Or what?” Silver Spoon taunted, “You're gonna beat me up? You already got your dumb fzce expelled, you want to be banished from Ponyville?”

“I'd like to see you try!” Scootaloo stomped.

Scootaloo decided she had had enough and went for her scooter only to realize it was missing. She spun around to see Silver Spoon running with it.

“GIVE ME BACK MY SCOOTER!” Scootaloo screamed as she charged after the prissy earth pony.

For being such a paper tiger Silver Spoon sure could keep Scootaloo moving, both at an impressive gallop down the streets of town. Finally they reached the fields that once were Sweet Apple Acres.

Up and down the rolling hills and lush grass she galloped until Scootaloo tripped into what felt like—and was—a trap. Scrambling to free herself from the sticky sap covered thatch, she was too late.

At the crest of the hill on the border of the forest was Sliver Spoon, a content look on her face.  No scooter.

Scootaloo trudged up the hill and then froze.  She saw the worst thing she ever had seen: Before her, was the deck of her scooter. Wheels gone, with the board snapped 2 times over. The handlebars? Scootaloo heard a 'plunk' in a nearby stream. Somepony else was there but was not to be known.

The sight of her purple scooter, destroyed began to blur as her eyes let the bulging tears burst through as she collapsed to the ground sobbing relentlessly. The scooter had far more meaning and importance to her than the two perpetrators likely could know. Despite that Silver Spoon cackled with satisfaction as she went down the hill and back into town with a grieving filly alone.

Sweetie Belle's looked uncomfortable as Apple Bloom went over today's crusading activities; Scootaloo was not here and she found it incredibly odd, though Apple Bloom insisted she hadn't a clue where the orange pegasus could be.

The duo had tried many things today to earn their marks; all resulting in scuffs and bruises and failure. The main catalyst for the unicorn anyway was the fact that she had this off feeling about her—like some odd subliminal force was telling her somepony she cared deeply about was in some sort of trouble. Apple Bloom didn't give her time to idle, elt alone think as she was hustled into the next activity.

Finally she had had enough.

“Apple Bloom,” She began, “I am going to go see if Scootaloo is okay—besides, it's getting late and Rarity is supposed to watch me for the next few nights while my parents are away.”

“But ah have a few other things I'm sure we'll get our marks this time!” Apple Bloom pleaded.

“It isn't right Apple Bloom.” Sweetie said, “We promised to earn our cutie marks together, Scootaloo isn't here and so, I don't want to earn my cutie mark without her.”

It was indeed getting late, Apple Bloom left the clubhouse as well but headed to the library as opposed to following Sweetie Belle who already knew where she was headed first.

Scootaloo had a special hiding place—more of a sanctuary than anything—She would go there before the clubhouse was available, and at the present it served as a much needed seclusion from everypony else. Nopony but Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom knew of this small cave that was carved beside a stream on the outskirts of town, shielded by thick trees and thick brush in between.

Her eyes had gone dry at this point and she simply lay on the ground with the sound of birds, the stream before her, and the occasional pegasus flying high above. She had been there for at least an hor, letting the silence calm her as much as possible. Between her mishap at home and this, her week seemed to be spiraling out of control.

Scootaloo was pulled from this sulk as she heard multiple hooves crunching the grass, bark, and dirt on the forest floor, the sloshing in the stream, and finally revealing their owners.

“We figured you'd be here.” Apple Bloom said.

“Yeah...” Scootaloo mumbled as she was embraced by her two friends.,

“Rarity says that she knows somepony who might be able to fix it.” Sweetie Belle mentioned.

“I appreciate it but, it wouldn't be the same.” Scootaloo sulked.

Apple Bloom got up from the embrace and looked out into the stream.

“Well, either way we took care of those bullies fer ya.” The butter colored filly proclaimed with a hint of triumph.

“Bullies?”  Scootaloo emphasized the 's'.

“Yup.” Sweetie Belle replied, “Well, Apple Bloom did; I just watched.”

“Wh—who was the other bully?” Scootaloo panicked.

“Diamond Tiara of course--” Apple Bloom turned only to be on her back in the stream, her muzzle barley above the water.

“What the hell did you do to her?” Scootaloo growled; her mod having gone from sorrowful to seething in an instant.

“Ah just—Scootaloo get offa me!” Apple Bloom threw off the livid pegtasus who charged right back. Apple Bloom headbutted the oncoming assault sending the light pegasus spiraling onto her back.

Scootaloo had gotten up to charge again but, like before she was impeded by Sweetie Belle who plead to both of them to knock it off.

Scootaloo wasn't taking this though, she shoved the unicorn to the side and made her move; Apple Bloom now was the victim of a relentless series of hooves , most missing, but the strijes were decsive.

“Scootaloo stop it please!” Apple Bloom whined between dodging blows.

Scootaloo didn't listen and thus was thrown off again and now the tables were turned. Apple Bloom stood over the toppled filly keeping her hooves on the ground.

“Ah ain't gonna hit ya Scootaloo.” Apple Bloom said. “Y'all need ta knock it off.”

“She didn't hurt Diamond Tiara Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle added. “We just told her to leave you alone that's all!”

Scootaloo calmed down as her panting grew heavier and the adrenaline died down, she looked up at Apple Bloom who showed no signs of retiring until she was sure Scootaloo wasn't going to attack again. While Scootaloo had speed and a rather powerful set of hooves, she was light and smaller than Apple Bloom and therefore she wasn't escaping from the filly with the bow anytime soon.

“I'm sorry girls.” Scootaloo sighed. “There's a lot on my mind you know? My beloved scooter is history, my day was ruined, and now I have one less friend because of it.”

“We didn't mean to Scootaloo, we assumed she was part of it!” Sweetie Belle defended.

“Well perhaps you should quit making an ass of yourself and talk to me first!” Scootaloo shot back, albeit quietly.

“You're right.” Apple Bloom backed up to let Scootaloo get on her hooves. “Ah should've come to find you first instead of taakin' matters into mah own hooves.”

“It's alright.” Scootaloo said, “I'll just talk to her tomorrow and sort things out.”

“We should probably get going.” Sweetie Belle said as she looked at the sky which had grown darker even since they had arrived.

“Yeah, I'm sure Dash is pissed waiting for me.” Scootaloo grew a bit uneasy realizing somepony was waiting on her. They made their way to their respective houses with Scootaloo trudging up  the expansive hill that lead to the meeting spot she and Dash had picked for her trips home; though the pony she saw in place of her mother was less than flattering.

“Where's Rainbow Dash?” Scootaloo asked.

“Nice to see you too.” Soarin' sighed. “Let's go.”

Scootaloo hesitantly climbed onto Soarin's back as they took off for their house. Whist Scootaloo didn't hate him, she still wasn't sure if she was quite ready for him to take such a role in her life, she never really missed her father for she never saw a need for one. Also it was enough adjusting from a life of self-governance to one of complicit obedience with one mare calling the shots; add an unknown stallion into the mix and she wasn't too happy with it.

As she made her way to her room, Scootaloo realized Dash wasn't home—it was her and Soarin', alone.

Great.

Scootaloo decided the best course of action would be to simply stay in her room until Dash got home and this worked for a little while, though she smelled food and was instantly tempted into the kitchen.

Soarin' had made sandwiches of the toasted variety. One for him and the other for Scootaloo.

“Why are there only two?” Scootaloo questioned as she sat down. “Isn’t mom going to be home soon?”

“She is eating after her errand so I figured she wouldn't be hungry.” Soarin' replied. It was obvious the girl didn't seem to view too highly of hum still.

As Scootaloo took a sizable bite and proceeded to slowly chew the intake, her expression went from curious to repulsed.

“Isn't there something you'd like to say?” Soarin' asked expecting a 'Thank you', Instead he got bits of chewed food on his face and a sour set of eyes glaring at him.

“Yeah, this sandwich is crap.” Scootaloo stuck her tongue out in disgust.

“Now that's rude...I didn't have to make that for you.” Soarin' said irritated.

“No you didn't, and I wish you hadn’t” Scootaloo replied making her way to the trash can.

“Seriously Scootaloo” Soarin' grimaced.

“Yeah seriously, I eat food not shit.” Scootaloo retorted.

“The former Wonderbolt had enough of this. “Scootaloo, enopugh. There is no need for you to talk to me that way. You're being incredebly rude.”

“What makes you think I have to take orders from you?” Scootaloo said smugly.

“As long as Dash is not here I am the adult—I am in charge.” Soarin' proclaimed sternly.

“To hell you are, just do something good for once: Shut up and leave me alone.” Scootaloo turned to trot to her room and was stopped by a rather angry Soarin'

“I don't know how your mother puts up with your potty mouth but I've had it!” The stallion teethed as he held Scootaloo by her tail.

“Let go of me you stupid asshole!” Scootaloo barked, flailing her hooves with one thwacking Soarin' right in the eye. It began to swell almost instantly.

Scootaloo found herself now on her stomach, tail held up exposing her flank. She had no idea what was about to happen but she had the feeling she wasn't going to like it all that much.

“Hey! What do you think you're--” Scootaloo was silenced immediately by a hard smack on the behind.

“OW! DON'T HIT ME!” Scootaloo screamed, flailing madly and gnashing her teeth at the agressing stallion. She looked like a rabid jacked up diamond dog as opposed to a filly.

“Not until you learn to show some respect to your elders.” Soarin' said coldly. Another swat on the flank sent the filly into a rage. She managed to escape his grip but instead of attacking him, she bolted for the front door and out and into the sky.

It wasn't until she was falling she remembered she couldn't fly.

Between a sore, throbbing flank, a migrane, and the horrific fear of plummeting her death, Scootaloo hardly noticed she was back inside with a very angry Soarin;.

“Again she was on her stomach, and somehow, he managed to make it hurt much worse this time.

Scootaloo caved as tears streamed down her face. The last time she was hit weith this kind of force was a dark time she did not want to recall, add the fact that she felt this stallion had no right to disciplene her.

“STOP!” Scootaloo cried angrily.

“Are you sorry?” Soarin' growled.

“YES, YES I'M SORRY!” Scootaloo bawled, “Please. Just. Stop!”

The rest of her speech was inaudible as she began crying uncontrollably. Scootaloo scampered to her room, tail firmly planted over her flank as if it were somehow going to stop another swat if she was to be subjected to one.

Dash was glad to be done with her work for the day. To add to her happiness was a hot-air balloon carry four other mares was arriving at her home at about the same time she was. Throughout the week the mares had been having 'casual time' at each-others' home; similar to what they did prior to leaving Ponyville—another way of getting life back on its normal course.

“Looks like we weren't so late after all.” Twilight smiled as they crawled out of the basket.

“No joke?” Rainbow replied, “I don't know about you girls but I am ready to chillax with some drinks with a few of my best friends.”

“Sounds fine by me.” Rarity said as Dash opened the door. She was greeted with a less than happy Soarin;.

“Is everything okay?” Rainbow asked.

“No.” Soarin' panned.

Sensing the tension the other mares backed out and shut the door.

“What's up?” Rainbow asked.  Then she saw the shiner on Soarin's face.

“.....What did she do?”

“I had the nerve to make her something to eat and ask for some appreciation.” Soarin' answered. She pit it out right at my face and told me it was shit.”

“That's just great.” Rainbow facehoofed. She thought Scootaloo had come to terms with Soarin' being a thing but apparently not.

“I'm sorry to keep your friends waiting—I'll be back on Thursday like I said.” Soarin' kissed his girlfriend and headed for the door.

“Sorry about...her.” Rainbow said weakly.

“Don't worry about it.” Soarin' sighed, “She'll warm up eventually.”

As he left, the mares came in with looks of concern. Rarity being Rarity had eavesdropped and knew very well what had happened.

Rainbow looked at the unicorn with pleading eyes.

“How did you manage her?” Rainbow asked as she prepared some strong drinks for the group.

“I never had to honestly..” Rarity answered. “She never gave me trouble like this—then again Sweetie Belle was there, those two have an odd relationship.”

“I thought we had talked about this and everything was okay...” Rainbow sighed. “Why is she so violent?”

“She certainly does have a low tolerance for diplomacy.” Rarity quipped.

“Don't blame yourself Rainbow Dash,” Twilight added, “If I can recall she was like that well before she lived under sompony ease’s roof.”

“I hoped she would calm down though.” Rainbow complained. “When she's a lover she is a lover, when she is her normal bright and calm slef she's awesome but this?  I don't understand where it comes from. I was never like that as a filly!”

“She has lived on her own most of her life.” Twilight mentioned. “From what I understand of nomadic ponies, they tend to react more on their fight-response as opposed to flight—it's key to survival.”

“So she's defending herself?” Rainbow asked.

“Not necessarily, she just was never raised with the same code of conduct and mannerisms we all were.” Twilight added. “Not to say she doesn't have any, as you said and as we all have seen she is more than capable of being peaceful and compassionate. But it seems that that primal instinct of hers is still very much part of her.”

They sat in silence for awhile, slowly sipping their wine glasses with the exception of Rainbow Dash who felt the need to shoot down several within a short time,.

Rainbow sighed as she saw the light in Scootaloo's room was still on—she was still awake.

“I guess I should go talk to her—what should I say? I already asked her to be nice to him and obviously she doesn't care.”

“Embarrassingly enough Sweetie Belle was always mt proxy for such affairs.” Rarity replied. “I had to raise a hoof only a few times but—my aster managed to keep her from doing things like this, that I know of at least.”

“Maybe she can stay up here for a little while?” Rainbow jested sarcastically as she pushed open the door seeing a sniffling and bitter Scootaloo staring out her window.

Rainbow was silent. She could tell by Scoots' ears that she heard her come in, she knew she was there but did not look at her. Perhaps she was scared?

“Why can't you make things easy for me?” Rainbow started. “Why does it always have to be one thing after another with you?”

Scootaloo didn't respond. She kept her stare to the stars outside.

“Scootaloo I'm talking to you.” Rainbow sternly stated.

No response.

“Hey!” Rainbow shouted. “You better turn around and pay attention dammit I'm tired of this!”

Scootaloo turned, but only with her head which hosted her beady, crying eyes.

“OK.” The filly simply replied as she crawled onto her bed.

“Why were you mean to Soarin'?” Rainbow demanded, “Where did you get the idea you didn't have to listen to him? You're not an adult Scootaloo! I don't care who ti is—even if I am here you need to listen and show respect to Soarin' no matter what!”

“He hit me!” Scootaloo quipped. “He hit me in the flank and it hurt!”

“Serves you right you little brat!” Rainbow barked. “I woulda gave your ungrateful flank a swat too if you were talking to me the way you did!”

“I thought you said you'd never hit me.” Scootaloo hissed.

“There's a difference between discipline and abuse.” Rainbow refuted.

No there isn't,.” Scootaloo shot back. “So grown mares and stallions get to choose when its okay to hurt somepony but fillies get no say? When I take my hoof and ht somepony its called violence but when you use the magical word 'discipline' suddenly it's okay? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!”

“Not like you needed one.” Rainbow scoffed. “Look—I'm not arguing with you right now. I have the girls over and I want to relax. You however are going to bed. Now.”

“You can't just make a special class of ponies who can make rules for everyone but themselves for no reason!” Scootaloo complained.  “Didn't our time in Canterlot teach you anything?”

“Scootaloo.” Rainbow Dash facehoofed. “Clam it. Got to bed.”

“Fine.” Scootaloo pouted as she pulled the covers over.

Rainbow hesitated some as she fought off an oncoming headache. She went to turn the lights out and go back into the main room but couldn't bring herself to deprive her daughter of one thing.

Without a word she gently kissed the filly on the forehead and tucked her in.

“You may be onto something we older ponies are too stuck and stupid to understand—but that still doesn't make what you did okay. We'll deal with this tomorrow.  I love you.”

“I love you too mom.” Scootaloo gently embraced her mother and nuzzled he cheek.

“Wait!” Scootaloo remembered just as Rainbow was to open the door.

“What is it?” Rainbow asked.

“Can you ask Rarity about my scooter getting fixed?”

“Why would your scooter need to be fixed?” Rainbow asked, a hint of worry.

“Silver Spoon swiped it from me broke it.” Scootaloo panned.

“Looks like I have another thing to handle tomorrow.” Rainbow sighed. “Sorry about that Scoots' that's, that's rough. I'll see what I can do as long as you start showing my colt-friend some respect—he's gonna be here for the foreseeable future so—you're going to have to learn to love him.”

“Goodnight mom.” Scootaloo said.

“Night kid. Get some sleep alright?” Rainbow replied.

Rainbow finally left Scootaloo's room and went to finally relax a little.

Tomorrow was going to be anything but fun.