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// A Storm of Dodge Balls 
// Story: Heart of the Nova -Prologue- 
// by Silent Nova 
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My next class was at least normal. I found a spot in the back and the students didn't seem to even notice me. The teacher did however as I was a little late but Mrs Mayor Mare let it slide since it was my first day. History was always one of my favorite classes. It was easier to keep up even when I napped and we sometimes studied something I was actually interested in. 

Art was fairly interesting as well. Miss Tree Hugger is very...chilled out. I'm just glad she ain't my math teacher. I doubt I'd get to my seat before I fell asleep.

"That is a very... interesting choice for your painting darling." I look to my right and see a girl with alabaster skin and royal purple hair giving me an unsure smile.

I look to my painting of a gorgeous looking tornado dancing across a plain with a happy little lightning bolt giving it a hug. At least that's what I see.

I look back to the girl with a deadpanned face and spoke in a monotone voice. "It reflects the chaotic nature in my soul and the darkness of my mind." 

She tries to maintain her smile but is looking more nervous and perhaps a bit worried. "Oh that is...fascinating darling. I hope you...uh...enjoy yourself." She then quickly turns back to her painting as I can't hold back and begin to laugh. She gives me a worried look.

"W-was I really...that convincing?" I say between chuckles.

After a moment she lets out a small gasp. As I look at her she looks like she might cry then says "I...I can't believe you would...trick me like that!" She looks almost on the verge of tears as she turns her head away from me.

I fully turn toward her as I try to salvage this somehow. "I-im really sorry. I was...just messing around. I didn't mean anything by it." My chest begins to hurt as I lean toward her.

I then hear her start to...chuckle? As she then turns to face me with a smirk on her face. "And now...I...got...you." As she then boops me on the nose. 

After a few seconds to process my cheeks decide to catch fire. I sat back up a gave a few nervous chuckles. "I...uh...guess you did. I thought I did something to upset you." I then give an awkward smile as my chest does summersaults.

"Oh don't worry yourself about it darling. I could tell you were just messing around with your first statement so I decided to play along." She then gives a few more chuckles. "My name is Rarity by the way. Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She does a slight bow in her seat.

I take a breathe as I try and calm my nerves. "Nice to meet you too. I'm Silent Nova." I give her my own slight bow. 

"Now I am still curious about your painting darling. What made you decide on that for your piece?" She says as she leans to inspect it.

I just shrug looking at my painting. "Eh...I just like storms I guess. I understand they can be destructive. If I could I'd keep them in fields like this but I still find them amazing to watch." I chuckle "Give me a dark overcast day over a bright sunny one and I'm happy."

Rarity looks thoughtfully. "Well that is an interesting view point. I can see how someone can see storms in that way."

I then glance over to Rarity's painting though it looks more like a clothing design. "So you design clothes I take it?"

"What? Ah..." She chuckles. "Yes I design clothes for the boutique I part time for. At least I hope to soon. It is a process but when we have a free period to draw in art I work on my designs." 

I look over her work of....clothing things that I can't make heads or tails of. "Well as far as I can tell you're gonna do great." 

Rarity smiles sweetly. "Thank you for saying so darling." And with that the bell rings for forth period.

After gathering our stuff Rarity walks out with me. "Well I do hope you enjoy your time here Silent Nova. It was a pleasure speaking with you."

I give a smile of my own. "Likewise. I'll...see ya next time." She elegantly waves as we part ways to our next classes. 



As I leave the men's locker room in my gym clothes. "Hey dude, are you ready for some dodge ball?" I hear the familiar raspy voice and sure enough it's Rainbow Dash.

I give her a shrug. "Sure I guess."

"Cool, you're gonna be on my team. Let's kick some butt!" She exclaims as she takes off to the base line and I slowly join the line. 

I look around wondering where the coach is but once everyone is in place I hear Rainbow yell "Go!" Everyone then runs to the center to attempt to get a ball. All except me and a girl with pale yellow skin and light pink hair. She seems very nervous, like she is in a dangerous situation. As we stand there a few balls fly past us and the girl seems to regard them as grenades. I give a slight chuckle at her reactions as she then takes notice of me.

"I-I'm sorry...I'm not...really good at...sports." she hangs her head and hides a little behind her hair.

I wave my hand in front of me to try and reassure her. "Oh no...its fine. I...completely understand. I don't really care much for sports myself. If...you don't mind me asking. Why don't you just sit out if you don't like it?" I then catch a ball that arced toward me.

She looks over to where Rainbow Dash is taunting the other guys to try and knock her out. "Because...Dash wants me to try and get past some of my fears and...I want to as well...I just....."

"Don't know how?" I finish for her as she lowers her head and nods. "I understand. You want to change and be better so you don't disappoint or...hurt anyone around you."

"How did you know?" She looks up with a questioning look on her face.

"Well...I guess I'm in the same boat. I feel like if I do something I'll do it wrong and it could hurt someone or get in the way somehow. So I usually do nothing. I still ain't gotta clue what I'm doing but...its always easier to give advice than to implement it." I then catch another ball. "Sometimes you just gotta push. Even if its the smallest thing you can think of and eventually you'll get where you want to be." I sigh as I remember some things from the past.

She looks around the gym as she thinks then back to me with a small smile. "Thank you...for saying that. I...do want to get better at it but...I know I need to take baby steps."

Well I've been interacting more in one day than I usually do. Might as well keep going. I extend my hand for a handshake. "I'm...Silent Nova." 

She then gently takes my hand. "I-I'm...Fluttershy." 

"Oh yeah...Pinkie Pie mentioned you this morning. Its nice to meet you. Um...If you'd like I'll just stay here and try and catch what comes this way." I say as I look to see the battle still rages with almost half the class out by now.

"Are...you sure you don't want to play with the rest of the class? I'm sure you'd get bored just sitting back here with me." She looks at me with a bit of worry on her face.

I chuckle a little. "You don't have to worry about that. I'm usually out by now anyway." 

Fluttershy seems slightly confused at my remark but quietly says "Ok...thank you." I smile as I face what's left of the students.

After about fifteen minutes. I should've seen this coming. There are four students left on the other team as its just me and Fluttershy left on ours. Rainbow got a little to cocky there at the half way point and the rest of our team are between sulking and cheering on the "new guy."

A random student yells out. "Come on dude you can do it!"

Another. "At least try to get a hit!"

"Try doing something for a change man!" That one erked me but I stay calm.

I know that a rush is about to be called as we are nearing the end of the period. I then hear a whistle chirp out as I see a woman going through papers at the bleachers who I believe is Coach Spitfire. "Rush!" I look at Fluttershy who is hiding behind the basket ball pole. I then face the rushing students.

Before they get closer to throw their balls I hold my hands out. "STOP!" They all come to a screeching hault as they look confused. I try to keep my nerves in check as everyone just stares at me now. "I'd like to...try something first." I turn to Fluttershy. "Could you come here a sec Fluttershy." Hearing my request She peeks her head from behind the pole and slowly walks out and stands next to me. "Ok...now you." I point to one of the students. "I want you to throw that ball in a nice soft arc to Fluttershy and I'd like you to try and catch it. Ok?" As I turn and give her a encouraging smile.

"I-I'll...try." She nods as she faces the boy I pointed out and I give him a nod. Still confused the boy then lazily tosses the ball to Fluttershy. She tries to catch the ball but it bounces out of her fingers. I hear some snickers come from the students on the court and I give them a death glare which shuts them up quick.

I can see she is unsettled by the brief chuckles. "Hey...its ok Fluttershy. Remember what we talked about with taking baby steps. This is a good one. Just keep this up and I'm sure you'll be catching dodge balls left and right."

"Ha like that will ever happen." I hear one of the boys say to his buddy as I slowly turn and stare them down. "Ah...SORRY! I was just joking!" As he shrinks behind his buddy who has gone stiff. 

I turn back to Fluttershy. "Now go on over to the bleachers." 

Fluttershy nods and walks past me as I hear her quietly say "Thank you."

After that I turn to the four students in front of me and say "Ok...time in." I then stretch my arms outward. They seem a little nervous as three of the balls completely miss me but one does manage to hit my leg...and they are only about twenty feet from me. "Well...at least one of you can hit a stationary target." I give a little chuckle as I walk to the bleachers where my team is.

After Coach Spitfire dismisses us to get changed Rainbow Dash walks up to me with Fluttershy in tow. "Heya dude. That was pretty cool what you did for Flutters back there." She then scratches behind her head and gives a sheepish grin. "I...usually try to keep an eye out for her but I...sometimes get a little to focused on the game." Fluttershy gives Rainbow a look from behind her that tells me the word sometimes should not be apart of that sentence.

I just give them a smile "It was nothing. Well...we better get ready for next class." I give them a wave as I turn to head to the locker room.

Rainbow then yells out to me in a joking tone. "Cool...maybe next time we'll get to see you actually play!"

I just sigh knowing I caught at least a few balls. As I enter the locker room all the guys in there seem to shrink away slightly with no one making eye contact. I let out another small sigh as I go to get changed. Well...at least I helped Fluttershy a bit...I think.