//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: The Odd Life Of ScrewBall // by Mr.RealityTheBrony //------------------------------// Screwball could not believe her eyes, a strange pony and his wife, were actually moving into Screwballs cottage! Although, technically it wasn't her home, and she no one knew she lived there... But that didn't matter right now! She was going to be homeless soon. She thought it'd be best if she didn't seem to suspicious, so she walked away slowly. Screwball trudged her way to her fathers statue and tried not to look sad. But Discord was good at sensing when something was wrong. "And what, pray tell is the matter with you?" Discord said " Not from being with those fillies i hope, because we both know what would happen if you disobeyed my orders" Screwball shuddered at the thought of her Fathers wrath. "No Daddy, of course not" She lied through her teeth. " I would never try to disobey you" "Then what is wrong?" Discord mused. " And don't try lying to me" The Lord Of Chaos added sinisterly "Well, the cottage i've been living in was moved into" She said " And now i have nowhere to live, and i'm scared, and i'm cold, and - She cut off as she broke into tears. "Sweetie, there is no reason to cry, you are a very strong filly and you won't let anything get in your way" Discord said trying to calm down the weeping filly. " I'm sure you'll figure something out, I personally like to sleep under little ponies beds and scare them while their half asleep, its quite a thing to see ----------------------------------------------- Instead of having a lesson that night. They continued to talk for as long as they could. Screwball, not wanting to sleep on the ground again, decided she could sleep in the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse where she was shown earlier. Meanwhile, She and her Dad talked about various things, such as Ponyville demise, taking back the throne which is rightfully theirs, and other boring stuff like that. The conversation soon got to the story of how Screwball had gotten her cutie mark. Its an odd tale at best. The tale starts when Discord was back from his imprisonment in the statue and they were both catching up. Screwball had been saying to her Father how she wished she could go to a baseball game before he left when he snapped his fingers and a stadium appeared right in front of them. She was practically bouncing with excitement as they walked into a crowded stadium. It was full of ponies with different unusual features to them, Such as big eyes, limp horns, deep voices, and there was even one who looked like a hairless ape. As they walked in, Screwball was under the impression that they would be watching the game but was surprised to find that she was actually playing. As she stood at the pitchers mound, her excitement grew as everypony cheered for her. Forced of course by Discord, but cheering nonetheless. She wound up her pitch and threw the ball at the horrified batter. The ball threw at a fast speed, but was going slowly in Screwballs point of view. She watched as the batter swung the bat with all his might. But the baseball went straight over his head and than back down. The whole stadium roared with excitement. She felt the adrenaline rush flow and continue d to throw screwballs at all the batters. After the game she left, satisfied with her game. They continued to walk as Discord shot happy glances at her. She asked him why he was doing this, and he simply replied with " Check your flank" She tried to comprehend what he was getting at and slowly turned her head to her flank. She almost jumped! On her flank was none other than her cutie mark. A screw with a ball next to it. Signifying that she was good at baseball and causing confusion. They both thought about this happily. As there conversation continued, the night grew cold. Discord taught her to conjure up a blanket to keep her warm She told her Father that she knew where she would sleep tonight and she left without a goodbye left. As she grew away from his mental connection. He grew sad, he wondered if he failed as a father, he hadn't been there for his daughter. She grew up without a Dad. But it wasn't entirely his fault. He just wanted to add life to the ponies already dull lives. But at what cost? His Daughter was the only answer. ---------------------------------------------- Screwball ran as fast as she could. The clubhouse was on the edge of Ever free forest but it was still dangerous to be any where near the forest. She came closer to the Clubhouse and soon had relief wash over her. as it came into view. She wan't her good at direction but she did her best. As she walked in, she was hit with the smell of a wet coat of fur. She thought that some animal was in their but was surprised to find the last thing she'd thought would be in there. Scootaloo, She slowly lifted her head with her eyes half open only to reel back with fear. She calmed down when she saw that it was Screwball but her relief washed over with embarrassment. "W-What are you doing here Screwball" Scootaloo said with a stammer " I thought you lived in a cottage by yourself" " Somepony moved in and now i have no place to go" She said sadly "Wait, what are you doing here, don't you live with-" Her words cut off as she realized that Scootaloo had never even mentioned a family member. Scootaloo could only shake her head slowly as molten tears fell down her face. Screwball could only comfort the orange filly by conjuring up a blanket for both of them. Scootaloo continued to tell her dark story of how she had been living with her drunk father and drug addicted mother,both beat her constantly and spewed insults at her. When they had both died from an untimely wagon accident, Scootaloo tried to get away from being in a orphanage by pretending like she had a home. She had kept this secret up for months without letting anyone know. The two girls eventually fell asleep from all the drama from that night. ---------------------------------------------------------- Applebloom had almost finished her chores for the day when Applejack called her over and told her that she needed to fix the roof in the clubhouse. Applebloom tried to get out of it but her sister would have none of it. Applebloom trudged her way to the clubhouse when she heard soft snoring coming out of the clubhouse. She was sure that some sort of bear had made its way in and she would have to get Fluttershy. But she peeked through the window and found two sleeping fillies inside. Perplexed, she walked inside and awakened the two sleeping fillies. They both proceeded to explain their situations without a pause. Applebloom decided she couldn't have her two friends be living in the rickety old clubhouse, so she decided there was only one thing to do, with Granny Smiths permission of course. Applebloom kept it a secret from the other two fillies for the moment and led them to Sweet Apple Acres. The two fillies spent the day helping the apple family with the chores and were having dinner when Granny Smith stood up from the end of the table and told them the best thing they've ever heard in their lives (or at least at the moment) "Hey little ladies, we got a spare room upstairs for ya ta sleep in if you want er sumthin" Granny Smith said, very quick to the point. " She means that we want ya to live with us' Applejack explained "Really!?" Both fillies said in unison, also very excited "Eeeyup" Big Macintosh confirmed Both the fillies squealed in excitement at their brand new home with their bestest friend. After dinner, the girls ran upstairs and played until the time came for bed. Applebloom showed Screwball and Scootaloo their spare bedroom and all the fillies went to bed while thinking about the past day and how they were so lucky to be able to have a warm bed to sleep in, the were happy until they realized that the next day was Monday and they had school, And sadly, their amazing weekend came to an end. But it was probably the best weekend they had all ever had.