*Nicholas POV*
So this is what Ronin would call a cat fight scenario
Was the first thought to go through my head as I noticed Applebloom and Sweetiebelle staring daggers at Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon, the latter two doing the same. Scootaloo seemed indifferent to the whole scene, more occupied with leaning against Tak. Said changeling was looking very uncomfortable with the situation unfolding in front of him.
"What do you want?" Tiara asked with venom drenched with every word. Appleblooms eyes narrowed and she stepped forward.
"We want ya tah leave Nick alone!" She said as Sweetiebelle stepped forward as well.
"Yeah, he's our friend and your not taking him from us!" She said as Tak sighed and I raised an eyebrow at the way the girls were acting.
Diamond Tiara, however, was not amused. She got out of my lap and went face to face with Applebloom.
"I don't know what is going on in that little brain of yours, but I will tell you this. Back off!" She said as Applebloom growled and they butted heads.
Having enough of the situation, I stood up and got in between them, holding them both back by placing a hand on their foreheads.
"Enough!" I stated loudly, stopping both of their struggling. I turned to Diamond first. "There is absolutely no need to start any fights today! We just got done patching up one issue, we don't need a fight added to the list!" Diamond looked away, but I could tell she was contemplating my words.
I heard Applebloom snort at what I said to Diamond, but that stopped immediately as I turned on her. "And what is your problem?! I told y'all I was helping Tiara, but you decide to come over and get in her face?" I state as Applebloom points to her.
"Ya don't understand, Nick. She's ah bully and-" She never finished as my patience finally wore out.
"YOU DON'T THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT?" I yelled as everyone and everything in the playground stopped cold to turn to us. "I know she's a bully, ok. Heck, I WAS bullied by her when I first got here. But peo- ponies can change, Applebloom. They just need to be shown that others care." I went over and stood behind Diamond Tiara, wrapping her in a big hug. "Now, if it wasn't obvious before, I am currently dating Diamond. And if you can't support that due to a petty grudge you have, then don't bother coming anywhere near me anymore." I said as Appleblooms eyes widened and she took a step back, tears coming to her eyes.
"What is going on here?" Cherilee said as she approached us. Completely done with the day, I released Tiara from the hug and faced her.
"Nothing, I was just leaving." I said as I turned and ran, leaving the grounds entirely.
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Tak POV
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...that was unexpected.
I had never seen Nicholas so angry before. And as he ran off, I had a deep instinct to follow after him for some reason.
Is this feeling part of having friends and worrying about them? Or is it purely pity that guides my emotions?
I was pulled from my contemplative state as Cherilee ordered the class inside. After we took our seats, she pulled Diamond, Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, Scootaloo, and myself outside for questioning.
"Now, I want to know why Nicholas was yelling at Applebloom." She stated as Tiara went to answer, but I cut her off.
"Allow me, Teacher. There was a altercation where we approached Nicholas and Diamond Tiara along with her friend Silverspoon. These two-" I pointed to Applebloom and Sweetiebelle. "Immediately started arguing with Diamond on the subject of Nicholas. After a few choice words were said, a fight nearly broke out. Thankfully, Nicholas intervened and seperated Bloom and Diamond." I took a breath and continued.
"However, due to more things being said and tempers being raised, Nicholas snapped at Applebloom and stormed off as you arrived." I sighed and lowered my head. "I should've stopped this from happening." I muttered.
Ms. Cherilee smiled at me and lfted my head by the chin. "It's alright, Tak. You couldn't had known how bad it would get." She turned to the Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle. "You two go inside with Tak, I will talk to these two in private about the situation that has occured." I walked inside with Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle, honestly peeved at how Applebloom had enraged Nicholas.
As we sat down, Scootaloo turned to me, worry clear on her features. "Where do you think Nick went?" She asked as I sighed and looked out a window.
"I have no idea, Scootaloo. But I do hope he is ok."
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No POV
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Cherilee turned from the door as Tak and the other two crusaders went inside. Today had proven to be rather eventful in the worse way possible, but if she was to be able to salvage anything from this, she was going to have to get through to the fillies in front of her first.
"Applebloom, Diamond Tiara. I hope you know that due to your actions today, you both are in big trouble. Now, Tak informed me of what happened, but only you two can explain the why." She said as Diamond looked at Applebloom with a slight glare before speaking.
"I think I know exactly what her deal is." She said as she smirked. "Your jealous of the fact Nick likes me, aren't you?" She stated while Appleblooms face started turning red.
"Is this true?" Cherilee asked, already starting to piece together the puzzle.
Applebloom hesitated before nodding slowly. "Yes ma'am. It is. When ah saw how he was holding Diamond Tiara, it caused this weird bubbly feeling tah rise in mah chest. Next thing ah know, I'm gittin in the face of Diamond Tiara." She shrunk a bit as a tear or two left her eyes. "And know I've ruined mah friendship with him over somethin' dumb like this!"
Cherilee shook her head. "Now, I don't think thats true, Applebloom. I just think Nicholas needs some time alone right now. However, this sort of thing can not be allowed to continue. So unless you can find a way to move past this, I'm afraid I might have to recommend Nicholas be taught from a more...home-based environment." She said as both of the fillies eyes widened.
"You can't do that!" Diamond Tiara said loudly. "Just because we got into a argument doesn't mean its Nicks fault!" But Cherilee shook her head.
"Sadly Tiara, it seems that he might be a negative influence on his fellow students. So if you can't make amends, he will not be allowed back in my classroom." She said with a no-nonsense tone. Applebloom gulped and turned to Diamond Tiara with an outstreched hoof.
"Ah know we ain't friends and all, but maybe we could be nicer to each other. For Nick?" She said hesitantly as Diamond Tiara glared at her for a monute before shaking the hoof, albeit reluctantly.
"If that's what it takes for Nick to stay here, then I guess I have no choice." She said as Cherilee smiled warmly.
"See girls, was that so hard. After all, with the talent show coming up again, the last thing we need is any more distractions." She said as the girls turned to her in suprise.
"We hosting another talent show? Why?" Diamond asked as Applebloom nodded, equally confused. Cherilee smiled at the two, oddly giddy.
"The town loved the first one so much, I decided to host another one for our students. Especially since we have several new ones with us this year." She said as she turned to the door. "Now come on girls. Lets head back inside." They did as told as they walked back into the classroom.
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Raiden POV
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I walked out of the bakery with bits in hand and absolutely no incentive to work for the rest of my life. But as I leaned against a wall to rest for a sec, I turned my head and saw Nicholas run past me.
That boy is supposed to be in school. I thought as I gave chase, following him as he ran towards Sweet Apple Acres.
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Ronin POV
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I had just finished lunch with Applejack and her family and was getting ready to leave when I saw Nicholas running this way with Raiden shortly behind.
What the hell is going on. I thought as Nicholas cleared the fence and kept running. While Raiden, who had spotted me, motioned for me to stop Nicholas. I nodded and cut through the apple trees, cutting him off and tackling him to the ground.
"Get off me!" He yelled as he struggled, but to no avail as I pinned him down.
"What the heck are you doing here, kid?" I said as Raiden caught up with us in a huff. Guy really needs to work on his cardio.
"Its nothing, so leave me alone!" He yelled again, but there were tears in his eyes. I sighed and picked him up and wrapped him in a hug. When he gets like this, being gentle is the only way to get through to him.
"Well, it doesnt look like nothing." I said with a soft chuckle as he hugged me back. "So spill, kid. What happened?" I released him and he sat on the ground with me and Raiden sat in front of him in a triangle shape.
Nicholas sniffled a bit before starting. "It started at school during recess." He started as I growled slightly. Of course something happened there! I swear, if he's being bullied again...
Nicholas continued as if he didn't hear me. "I was helping my girlfriend with her friend problem and-" Raiden interrupted as my jaw dropped.
"Wait...did you say girlfriend?" He asked as Nicholas went red a bit in his cheeks. I smirked and raised an eyebrow.
"Farm girl junior or the seamstress from hell's sister?" I said as Raiden rolled his eyes while Nicholas giggled.
"Neither, actually." He said as both Raiden and I were know totally lost. "That actually is part of the problem, though. I may be currently dating a girl who may or may not have been a bully to the crusaders."
Ok, was not expecting that. I could feel the grass touching my jaw from how low it was hanging while Raiden was completely at a loss for words.
"Let me get this straight. You, the boy who has been bullied for years, is DATING one now?!" Raiden said after recovering. Nicholas quickly dawned a face of pure determination.
"Yes, I am. And nobody is going to judge me on this. I can help her be better, guys. And if I manage to stay dating one of the cutest girls around here all the while, then that's a win-win scenario for me." He said with a cocky grin as I started laughing.
"That-a-boy, Nicholas!" I roared with delight. "Believe me, I am in no place to judge who you date. Hell, I'm dating a queen and a sugar-pumped party juggernaut at the same time!" I said before clamping my hand to my mouth. oopsy, Raiden and Nick didn't know that yet.
Raiden turned to me in suprise. "Wait, you've already started forming a herd?" He asked as I raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah...but how do you know what that is?" I asked as he shrugged slightly.
"Twilight told me at the Canterlot party about it. But honestly, that really shouldn't suprise me none." He said with a laugh as Nicholas sat there with a blank face.
"But...why Pinkie though? She's so....weird." He said as I rolled my eyes.
"I thought we weren't judging our girl preferences." I said as a hand from Raiden clapped my back.
"Hey, we arent judging. We're just complaining in secret." He said as I snorted with laughter with Nicholas and Raiden joining in shortly after. After we finished laughing, I stood up and looked to the setting sun.
"Welp, it's getting late. Ima head back to my house. Raiden, could you take Nicholas to Fluttershys?" He nodded and turned to Nicholas.
"Now, tomorrow we are going to that school explaining why you ran off, aight?" He said and Nicholas nodded. "But first, we explain to Fluttershy why you didn't come home at the regular time. She is bound to be worried sick." He said as Nicholas's eyes widened in fear.
"Oh, man. she is gonna be upset!" He said as I laughed started my jog home.
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Nicholas POV
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We arrived to the cottage and Raiden knocked on the door. The door peeked open slowly before swinging wide open and me being pulled into a deep hug of a very worried pegasus.
"Oh my goodness where have you been!" Fluttershy asked/cried as she pulled away and looked at me with a look that could kill. "You had me worried sick, Nicholas!"
I sighed and smiled weakly. "I kinda lost my cool earlier and stormed off the school grounds. Raiden and Ronin helped me out though, so I'm ok now." I said as her expression softened instantly.
"Im just glad your ok, Nicholas." She said softly as she hugged me again. I smiled and embraced her back.
"It's ok, Fluttermom. I'm perfectly fine." I said to her softly, noticing the raised eyebrow of Raiden at the nickname I have for Fluttershy. I released Fluttershy from her hug and turned to Raiden. "Thanks, bro...for everything."
He smiled and did a mock salute. "Anytime, brother. Behave now for Flutters, ok!" I nodded and he turned and walked off, probably about to pass out the second he hits a bed. I turned to notice a slight blush on Fluttershys face, the reason quite obvious.
I walked past her smiling, but not before whispering "Raidens kinda hot, huh?" in her ear. Then proceeding to laugh my butt off as her wings shoot out, leaving her in a blushing frenzy.
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Ronin POV
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I walked into my house and stretched slightly, eager to sleep after the long day. As I walked past Taks room, I noticed his door was open.
Odd. I thought as I looked in and once again was suprised as I saw Tak and Scootaloo cuddling together in his cacoon.
What the hell is going on!