//------------------------------// // Night 14 // Story: Nights on Horlick's Hill // by RarityEQM //------------------------------// It was a little bit later than normal when Scootaloo found herself racing along the dirt path from Ponyville towards the Hill overlooking Everfree forest. Aunt Lofty just had to stay up listening to one of her radio dramas. Bah. Still, it wasn't like the stars in the sky were going anywhere. Diamond would be there, of course. While dedicated to Princess Luna and the night itself, Diamond was a filly just like any other, and fillies were prone to fits of goofing off when they could get away with it. Sure enough, Scootaloo could spot an occasional burst of flickering light from the hill as she sped towards it. Diamond's contrail kicking in when she collided with something. Scootaloo wrinkled her brow. What was she colliding with? Was it the ground? Scootaloo drew herself closer, parking her scooter at the base of the hill and wandered up the hillside, keeping a careful eye on the silver filly above her. Yup. Diamond was colliding with the ground. Over and over and over again. She scrambled up the tree to the highest branch, peered at the ground below and threw herself into the air. She fluttered and flapped black and silver wings, but the result was still the same: The girl crashed into the hillside with a brilliant burst of light and a shower of sparkles. Scootaloo winced. She knew all to well the pain of attempting to fly and while Diamond managed to occasionally get into the air, it seemed to be an occurrence that was happening less and less for the crystal filly. Scootaloo sat down quietly on the hillside and watched. She didn't want to interrupt Diamond's concentration. She'd feel absolutely horrible if this was the attempt that would have sent Diamond soaring into the sky only for her concentration to be shattered by Scootaloo's approach. The filly climbed to the top of the tree again, but this time she seemed to hesitate. Had she noticed Scootaloo? It didn't seem like it. She didn't turn, or wave or greet her in any fashion. She simply stared sadly into the night sky. Had she given up? Scootallo sighed quietly and was about to offer the girl her condolences, but congratulate her on the attempt, when Diamond pitched herself into the air again. She crashed into the ground with an echoing thud. Ouch. While Scootaloo was well aware Diamond couldn't feel pain, and her crystal skin protected her from most physical damage, she could only imagine the havoc all of this was having on her self-esteem. Sluggishly, Diamond climbed to her hooves and pulled herself into a sitting position at the base of the tree, leaning back with her head against the trunk where she gave a sorrowful sigh. She barely even glanced over when Scootaloo sat down next to her, opting to simply close her eyes and pull in a deep breath, her voice spilling from her muzzle in a sad, haunting melody. I feel like I'm always on a ledge I kinda like the little rush I get When I stop and hold my breath And watch the world get all hazy Every time I crash into the earth, I wish that pain would help me suffer when I'm hurt For real, cuz this is driving me crazy. Flying high, is just, a fantasy and this thing, inside, it's killing me, I'm afraid that this is forever, I kinda think that I won't get better I know it's dark and my end's not so far away, I'm always scared, that it's today It's always worse after midnight I can't pretend that I feel well, I'll fall apart by the weekend These nights drag on and on and on Solemnly, Scootaloo reached a wing over and let it rest on Diamond's shoulder. The silver filly glanced over and Scootaloo flashed her a warm smile. She too, drew in a quiet breath and let her thoughts out in the same sad melody Diamond had begun. I can't keep your voice out of my head All I hear are the many echoes of The saddest things you said And it's driving me crazy We can find the best in all of this And I'm always looking out for you Cause you're high on my list And I know it sucks lately Flying high, might be, a fantasy, deep down, inside, it's real to me And I know that you fear forever, And you're afraid that you won't get better And things seem dark but it ends in another way so trust'n me, you'll be okay! We will hang out after midnight, We won't pretend that you feel well We'll hit the Hill on the weekend These nights rock on and on and on It wasn't much, Scootaloo was aware, but it was all she had to offer. And she offered it freely. A friend to lean on. A message that Diamond didn't have to deal with her issues alone. The silver filly stared for a moment, before she leaned in, resting her shoulder against Scootaloo's, the two swaying together to an invisible melody only the two of them could hear. We will hang out after midnight, We won't pretend that I feel well We'll hit the Hill on the weekend These nights rock on and on and on We will hang out after midnight, We won't pretend that you feel well We'll hit the Hill on the weekend These nights rock on and on and on!! Gratifyingly, Scootaloo got to watch the slow progression of Diamond's morose frown into an upbeat smile and found hers matched perfectly. She gave the filly a squeeze around the shoulders and leaned back against the tree. "You're confident things will 'end another way' huh? What are you basin' that on, Scoots?" Diamond asked quietly. Scootaloo let her shoulders rise and drop casually. "Easy. I made a wish," she grinned, and pointed up towards the sky, at the shooting star passing overhead, which was all it took for Diamond to pounce her friend in a fierce hug.