//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Welcome home, Sis // Story: Outcast // by RedScootaloo //------------------------------// "Scoots! Hey, Scoots!" No. I don't want to talk to you right now. Scootaloo kept walking, seemingly ignoring the usual beautiful, now annoying voice of Sweetie Belle. "Scoots, come on! Scootaloo! Talk to me-?" Sweetie continued nonetheless, only to be interrupted by an annoyed sigh. Fine. Here we go. "What is it, Sweetie?" Smiling about finally have her attention, the white-coated filly started talking. "I'm so happy you finally made it back! I missed you so much! And after you were gone, Applebloom changed more and more.. I don't know, it was so strange. She suddenly started to hang out with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, and-" Cutting her off again, Scootaloo raised her voice. "I'm glad to be back, too. I've missed you." Suddenly Sweetie was serious. "Listen, I'm not sure how this has been in Manehatten, but you can't just kiss anypony here in Ponyville! Also, I- Listen, Scoots, I don't know if I am a fillyfooler. The only reason I kissed you back was because I was- I was confused, I didn't know what to feel or do. I need some time to think about that. Until then though, I'd like you to just be my friend, not my fillyfriend. Okay?" Scootaloo felt like something thick was stuck in her throat. "'kay," she whispered. "Was that everything?" Too cold. It isn't her fault. She just needs some time. Don't be so rude. "Well, when do you think we get time to hang out again?" Sweetie seemed to be just like the old Sweetie Belle again. Scoots decided to play along. "Not now, gotta catch up with Rainbow Dash, I've got my first flight session today!" She actually was able to let her voice sound excited. "Oh. Alright, cool. Well, you know where you can find me. Good luck!" Without any more words, Sweetie turned and left. "...Thanks..." Scoots whispered. --- "Are you even trying, Scoots?" Rainbow laughed. "Just kidding, I know how hard it is. But once you got it, you'll be as awesome as I am. Well, probably not as awesome, but- oh, listen to me trailing off again. Alright, one more time!" Scoots sighed and went back to the line Dash had marked her to start from. I need to concentrate. Dash is trying so hard to teach me how to fly, but I just can't think about anything else than Bash or Sweetie Belle. "Focus!" Dash's voice ripped her out of her thoughts. She started running. Up the hill, jump and spread your wings. Flap as soon as you notice you're going down. You can do it, Scoots. She ran, she jumped, she spread her wings, and she fell like a stone. Her eyes closed, she waited for her fall to finally end with her crashing on the ground. Surprisingly though she stayed in the air. She dared to open her left eye. She was held by a cyan pegasus. "Careful, filly. You're gonna get yourself hurt." The familiar voice filled her with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry Rainbow Dash!" "Nothing happened, Scoots. Just.. just flap your wings next time, okay? You think you're up to another try today?" --- Scootaloo found herself stuck with her face in the mud, created by the heavy rain, again. She had been training quite a while after Rainbow Dash had left, and by now every bone in her body seemed to ache. But she had to do it. She couldn't let Dash down like this. She had to try harder. She ran, she jumped, she fell. She ran again, she jumped, and... she fell. It seemed impossible. She didn't even know why she didn't spread her wings. It just seemed like her whole body clenched, as soon as her legs left the ground. She just didn't understand. At least, that was what she kept telling herself. But what shot through her body when she jumped was not mistakable. She was afraid of heights. She grinned. Funny, eh? A pegasus that is afraid of height. She sat down, ignoring the water dripping off of her. She would have cried, if it wasn't for the voice bringing her back to reality. Rainbow Dash had returned to bring her back home. Home, to spend the whole night near Bash, who was completely angry at her for what she did. And she couldn't even take it amiss. It was all her fault...