Scootaloo was used to being pushed around by other ponies. Rainbow Dash and her friends, Miss Cheerilee, even her parents were always telling her what to do. She put up with manure from the terror twins, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, everyday. Hay, she even did things that Sweetie and AB suggested to get them off her back, ‘for the greater good’ they’d always say. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could have prepared her for Babs Seed.
The constant teasing she could handle. Being a blank flank as well as a pegasus that couldn’t fly left her open to insults. Those sorts of things she could handle; after all, Rainbow Dash had promised she’d accomplish both of those things. If her idol said it, it had to be true. Even chasing the trio through town and ruining what could have been an awesome day she could put up with. They had ended many a day early due to being covered in tree sap. Taking their clubhouse had even been a forgivable sin because it wasn’t as though the other filly would be visiting the Apple family forever. The terror twins would buzz off back to whatever corner of tartarus they had come from once she left, anyway.
No, the one thing that had set Scootaloo off more than any other on the long list was making Sweetie Belle cry. She and AB knew that their fellow crusader was a sensitive soul, and that was part of what made her such a great friend. She really did care about everypony and would do anything for and with her friends, even if she thought it was a terrible idea. Protecting the unicorn she loved like a sister was a job she’d taken upon herself. Apple Bloom was just as tough as she was, and even though it was the worst on the yellow filly, Scoots knew she’d be okay as soon as Babs was gone. Sweetie, though, had cried worse than the times before AB; when it was just the two of them going through the scorn and ridicule together. For that reason alone, Babs had to pay.
Rising early that morning, she set out for Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Bloom had mentioned that Babs would be spending the day in town again and nopony would be around to see her off. Her scooter made the trip a breeze as she buzzed from one side of town to the other, the wind flowing through her small wings. Several of the early risers, mostly market ponies, waved as she blew past. She was a mare on a mission and she couldn’t get distracted by Dazzle Flash’s comic book stand. Rapidly approaching her destination, she slowed down, killing her speed until she was confident she couldn’t be seen from the gate yet. Hopping off her scooter, she walked it to a thick stand of trees and laid it on its side. Sticking to the trees, she could see that her target wasn’t quite leaving yet. It was perfect.
Waiting until she saw the other filly marching toward her, she casually emerged from the brush with an excited grin. Continuing to look back the way she came, Scoots bumped into an unsuspecting Babs, sending the pegasus crashing to the ground.
“Well well, if it isn’t Chumpaloo. What’re you doin’ out here? Come to play with the other cutie mark crybabies?”
“Whatever, just go away. I’m taking Apple Bloom to see a really cool—nevermind, I’m leaving.” Standing up and shaking off, she attempted to continue on her way. A strong hoof grabbed her shoulder, spinning her in the direction of the other filly.
“Show Apple Bloom what? It’s not like there’s anything to do in this town.”
“Just go play with the terror twins, you’ve already ruined everything since you’ve been here.” She tried to move away, but the hoof held her fast.
“Show me what this cool thing is. I might wanna show it to DT and SS.”
Scootaloo fought the urge to gag at the abbreviations. How could anypony willingly want to be around those two long enough to have nicknames for them? The thought gave her the willies just thinking about it.
“What if I don’t want to?” Her wings fluttered as she shifted her stance. “All you three are gonna do is ruin it for everypony.”
“That’s for me to decide, now show me. You think things are bad for Apple Bloom now? Forget the floor, I’ll make her sleep in the barn! Test me and see what’ll happen to your little marefriend.”
Gritting her teeth to hold in the curses she shouldn’t even know, she took a deep breath. Everything was going according to plan and she couldn’t back out now. “Fine.”
“Get movin’ then, I ain’t got all day.” Shoved in the direction she had come from, Scootaloo was forced to start walking.
She’s such a bucking cunt! Rainbow Dash was right, cursing really does make you feel better, even if I don’t really know what it means.
A few minutes of walking brought the two fillies to an opening in the trees. A small lake sat in the middle of a clearing, wildflowers in full bloom spread all around. A turtle poked its head to the surface for a moment before seeing them and diving back to explore its home. Being close to the Everfree ensured that nopony would be around to find the two.
Babs stopped and stared in wonder, taking in the breathtaking view that nature provided. “I gotta admit Scootalame, this is better than I thought it’d be.”
“This isn’t even the coolest part. What I wanted to show Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle is right over there.” She pointed with a forehoof.
Babs walked closer the edge of the water, intent on finding out what the mysterious cool thing could be. As she trotted ahead, Scootaloo grinned to herself. It was time to enact her plan.
Getting behind the bigger filly, she braced herself. This would be tough, but it had to be done.
Grasping the other filly’s hind legs she set her wings to maximum power and jumped, pulling with all her might. Babs’ legs came out from under her as she went end over end, landing on her back in a daze. Scootaloo held her, hovering steady, and before Babs could figure out what was going on, she dropped all four hooves into her midsection.
The pain was incredible!
Pressing the advantage, she began stomping. Anything that was exposed got trampled under her small orange hooves as she continued to rain blows down on the bigger filly. Using her wings to keep her balance as if she was on her scooter, she kicked as hard as she could.
All Babs Seed could do was try to shield herself. She ached in places she didn’t even know could be in so much pain. Scootaloo wasn’t letting up, either; if she didn’t do something she was going to get trampled to death.
“Scootaloo, stop!! Please, I’m sorry!”
“No, you, bucking, aren’t!” Each word was punctuated with slaps and kicks.
Scootaloo reared back intending to deliver another vicious kick and Babs seized the opportunity to get away. Scrambling to her hooves, she winced as her body took in the new aches and pains. The scrappy pegasus was much stronger than she looked. Pawing at the ground, Babs rushed her attacker, hoping to get the upper hoof. What she hadn’t counted on was the scrappy pegasus’ determination or how many times the crusaders trained as kung fu ponies. Dodging the clumsy charge, Scootaloo’s next volley of punches and kicks flew true. Once again Babs found herself on the ground, covering her face and vitals alternately. Tears streamed from the bully’s green eyes. Pinning the other orange filly by the shoulders, she snarled in her face.
“You made Sweetie Belle cry!”
“Please Scoots, I said I’m sorry!” Babs shrank back, shivering at the other filly’s fury.
“Listen good, okay? Don’t you ever, ever make my friend cry, you got that? Those are my sisters, and I’ll find you and beat the snot out of you again!”
Babs just nodded, shaken by the experience. The teasing in Manehattan had been unbearable, but she had never been in a fight before. She didn’t know how to handle this and she hurt all over. Holding back a sniffle, she turned away from the pegasus.
“I won’t say nothin’, I promise. Just please leave me alone.” Then she gave in to the tears, letting them flow freely.
Scootaloo nodded and began making her way back to her scooter, leaving her tormentor where she was. She didn’t know if things would get better, but she knew one thing for sure; nopony was allowed to make Sweetie Belle cry as long as she was around.