//------------------------------// // Awakening Courage // Story: Abuse // by Hazel_Hester777 //------------------------------// Years had passed since that day in the Familiar’s Homes. Over the course of that time, Hazel and Hester have both each blossomed in their own ways. They continued to live their lives with each other, but still were under the hold of Hazel’s mother as she started turning her children into pure pawns. That just even strengthened when Hazel and Hester chose to be part of the Fan side, meaning that Hazel herself would soon grow fangs for preparation as Pegasister. On the other hand, both had been developing their other parts in school. Hester had soon been able to get out of her shell from her fears and stayed with Hazel. She had hidden herself in Hazel’s body at school like any Familiar would do when they were to hide. Her fangs had eventually developed and were now fully grown. As they grew, so did her Familiar power and her defenses. Hazel has been progressing rather slower in comparison the Hester, but it was progress nonetheless. She had been able to learn about moving forward but was still shy among crowds. If she tried to speak infront of one, it scares her. Her fangs still hadn’t developed, not even little stubs; they were just her canine teeth. She’s still a hiding type who finds solace in Hester’s comforts when she is in her corner. She had been a bit of a target for many bullies around but then, one day, her soul couldn’t take it anymore. It was the Third Quarter of her year in Grade 5. She wanted it to stop, but not by dying. Hester gave her the push she needed and the courage that was hiding since that day they met. They were in her little corner where she goes to hide during school breaks. “They want to break you” Hester said as she appeared to Hazel when they were alone in her hiding corner again. Her Partner’s eyes showed sorrow as she looked up. Eyes were tearing up, but she didn’t want them to fall. Hester nodded as though she read her Partner’s mind. “They are wrong about everything they said to you. You have friends. You have me. I’m your friend. Rosette is your friend. Crystal is your friend. You have those who care about you. You remember when you told me that those four years ago?” Hazel looked up, nodding. She did remember. “I won’t let them break you. It’s time for us to fight…” she lifted Hazel’s face up before using the nickname she gave her. “…my dear Partner” Hester knew that by this age, she was able to give her Partner a push she needed if she were too afraid or too hesitant about doing something. She did just that to Hazel. The 11-year old girl felt courage starting to build up in her again after such a long time of dormancy and holding. Hazel’s eyes filled with determination and newfound courage. Hester smirked as she floated up to her friend. “Now let’s go tell on them, shall we, my dear?” ________________________________________ “When was the last time we spoke?” Rosette asked her friend, Loyalty Dash. He was a friend that she and Hazel had in common. He had blue hair and black eyes. “I don’t know, but you do” he said to answer her query. Rosette nodded. “I thought she was siding with the evil Pinkamena. It would explain her behavior and distance since she was being somewhat shunned from us. But, I had it all wrong. She was planning a surprise I’m-Sorry Party with the good Pinkamena” Loyalty nodded as he listened intently. “Tell me everything that happened” “We caught her alone after she went to hide again. I, Crystal, Daylight, Serene, ironically also Death Trap. We had her pinned to the wall. I used a bit of my power to keep her Familiar from interfering. She seemed scared but also uncertain. She wanted to make a break for it when she heard the bell ring, but we held her down. Then, she fessed it up. All those things she collected from the hidden corners of her ID’s checklist were merely party supplies in disguise. That art and craft thing I thought was something to use against us was part of the props. And when I questioned her about her behavior, she said…” Rosette felt the tears in her eyes. “Rosette…” “…’because it was supposed to be a surprise, until you ruined it!’” “Rosette…” “She was trying to make amends with us but we denied her chance to do just that. Now, she has been hiding from us. I know that move anywhere; it’s when she thinks we don’t want to see her again so she thinks she’s doing a favor” Loyalty didn’t waste any more time to pull his friend in for a hug. “But I see what she deals with in the classroom due to the fact we’re in the same class” Rosette sobbed. “She’s more vulnerable now to Radiance and her gang. She’s even afraid of just talking. I’m even starting to think she’s gone mute” “There, there” “ATTENTION, STUDENTS, ATTENTION!” The loud sounds of the voice caller immediately scared everyone out of what they were doing. Even Rosette and Loyalty snapped out of their state and paid attention. From the sounds of the voice of their principal on the speaker, they can already tell she’s mad. “Radiance Delight, Death Trap, and Fright Spin, PLEASE PROCEED TO THE LOBBY ROOM NOW! I REPEAT, RADIANCE DELIGHT, DETAH TRAP, AND FRIGHT SPIN, PLEASE PORCEEDTO THE LOBBY ROOM NOW! ” The sudden volume and tone in the principal’s voice was enough to scare everyone who was present. They were all frightened. They never truly heard that tone used by their principal before. The students that were called immediately dropped what they were doing and started to march to the Lobby Room. Radiance Delight and her friends just walked on in fear. Death Trap was red-haired and her eyes were black. Fright Spin was yellow-haired and his eyes were black. They followed their leader Radiance as they entered the Lobby Room. The Lobby was colored creamy white, with the trophies of the school behind the glass cases. Just infront was the office of the Principal Rose Justice. Finally, the door opened and a woman with grey-black hair and black eyes came out of the room. She wore a mahogany vest and white pants. Behind her was a certain shy child, hiding as though for protection. The trio of bullies seemed to be looking in disbelief. Did their easiest target just learn to speak up and tell on them? Hazel seemed to just hide behind the principal in fear that they would hurt her again. The principal looked at the victim and assured her. “It’s okay, they won’t hurt you” she whispered, her tone gentle. Hazel seemed to understand. She went a bit of a distance away from the scene, but stayed close behind the principal. Justice nodded while giving the vulnerable girl a warm smile, which was returned with a small one. She then glared at the trio who were called. All of them looked frightened and looked down. Justice immediately marched up to them. “Look at me” she commanded them. They fearfully obeyed, looking up at their school’s authority. “Do you know why you were called?” All of them looked up; waiting for the answer they already knew. “You all were called for violating one of our most important laws: NO Bullying!” Hazel watched on. In her head, she could feel Hester patting her head. “You’re brave for it, my dear” “You have all been doing all forms of bullying to one sole target, which is no more than a lonely and shy girl named Hazel Nut Vine. For three whole quarters, she has been holding back her feelings about this treatment towards her. For three whole quarters, she has endured the pain caused by all of you. For three whole quarters, she has been hiding in the hopes she could escape it. I don’t even know how she’s even still alive and not tried suicide now from all you have done to her!” She then pointed out their actions each. “You, Fright Spin, threw chewed-up pieces of mint at her even though she didn’t do anything to you!” Fright Spin bit his lip in shame. “You, Radiance Glow, used her head as a bookrest and it’s even a miracle that she hasn’t had brain damage yet!” Radiance fidgeted on her arm. “And you, Death Trap, I expected more from you. You even defended them rather than defending the victim herself. And all because she hides in a corner?!” Death Trap opened her mouth to speak, but she was cut off by Hazel. “I hid in corners to console myself” the shy girl confessed, looking away. Justice nodded while giving the victim a smile. “See? She only does what she does because she was trying to hide from you! We have already lost Jane Rose two months ago by suicide, and I don’t want another causality like that!” she then sighed. “For now, your punishment is suspension form classes for a week, each of you, and you’re al separated. For your entire suspension, you will clean the school as you think about how it would it be like to be in her shoes. And if I ever catch a word of something like this from her or any student again, I’m sending all of you to the Child Rehabilitation Centre!” They cringed from hearing that organization. The Child Rehabilitation Centre was meant for children who were causing problems. They get taken away from their parents and are to stay there until certain that they have changed. In other words, it’s like a pound for kids. Justice then looked at Hazel. “Hazel, I’m impressed that you managed to stay strong enough to tell me the issue before you thought of another way to end it. If they do it again, feel free to tell me, okay?” she patted her head. Hazel nodded with a small smile. She knew she would be free from the pain now. “Now go to your room, it’s almost time for Assembly” Hazel nodded before leaving. As she exited the doors of the Lobby and headed to her room, she felt herself skipping happily. She quickly caught herself and started walking normally. Hester then popped out of her to speak to her. “See, my dear? You have been brave enough to tell the authority. I’m very proud of you, Hazy” Hazel looked down with a smile. Hester then giggled when she noticed something. “Haze, look at your fangs” Hazel was confused at first, but that was when she noticed something on her lips. Hester gave her a small mirror, and when she looked, she was surprised to see that her fangs were showing. For many months, she had been waiting for them to appear, and now they finally did. Fangs mostly appear when a Brony or Pegasister has found what was missing in them; Hazel’s guess was that she was missing courage. Fangs could turn into canines when not in use, like a retractable knife. Hester smiled as her partner made her fangs go back into hiding. Hazel beamed as she chased Hester to their room. Rosette saw the whole thing with Loyalty, but the part with Hester. “Looks like your friend is learning to fend for herself”