//------------------------------// // By Any Means // Story: Sticks and Stones // by Raymanguy //------------------------------// ~One day before incident~ Blur. From the time Scootaloo woke up this morning, the whole world around her felt like a misty blur. It seemed to her that nothing could penatrate the mental fog her ever racing mind was creating. Three things did, however, the first two of them didn't feel like anything more than simple distractions, but the third strangely cleared the fog away. Those first two were her morning walk to school, and the lunch she ate with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle (though even that felt hazy). The third was the bell signaling the end of the school day. Now that the fog was lifted, Scootaloo could finally think clearly and so she, along with everypony else in the class, began putting away their things and started to prepare for the rest of their day. As she cleaned her area, seperating the trash into a small pile, her mind was given a short break before contemplating the thoughts that had been at the forefront of her mind even during the mental fog. Thoughts of him. Ever since Scootaloo had last seen the colt, her mind had been stuck on him. Her mind conjured up many questions, all of which Scootaloo hadn't the answers to. The biggest question she came up with was, why she was so interested in him anyway? Maybe she wanted more friends, or maybe just the one. Maybe she thought that this experience would improve her social skills, or maybe her social skills were fine and talking to him just gave her this nice feeling. Maybe her interest was in the secrets he held so close to his chest, or maybe it was just worry over her (potential) friend. Scootaloo's mind was at full gallop once more, caught between confusion and skepticism, searching the depths of her knowledge for answers. She still had none. Scootaloo groaned, her inner frustration becoming evident as she swept everything off her desk and into her saddlebags. She took a few deep breaths and quickly looked around the room. The room was practically empty aside from Cheerilee at her desk and a couple others still getting their things together or putting things away in their cubbies. Nopony had paid attention to her, so with a reliefed sigh, she slid the saddlebags onto her back and slowly approached the cubbies near the front door. The constant barrage of questions without answers was maddening, the small conflicts in her mind had evolved into an all out war. She needed answers and she was gonna get them. She vowed that today, she was going to learn something about him, anything about him, by any means. At least something to hopefully appease her ravenous curiosity. She looked up to see the cubby she usally put her stuff in, and then proceeded to do so. When she looked to the left, however, she stopped. There he stood, rumaging around in his saddlebags. He was still wearing the same checkered shirt from the day before, but something was different. He looked the same though with the same checkered shirt, same chestnut mane, same light grey coat, same amber eyes. "What is it?" Scootaloo thought as she turned round and slid the saddlebags off her back and into the cubby. "Hey, Scootaloo." Scootaloo looked at him, he wasn't looking at her but rather into his saddlebags. "Hey. How's it going?" The colt plunged his head into the bag and started moving his head like he was digging with his muzzle. He responeded, but his head being in the bag was making him sound a bit muffled, "Okay, I guess. Nothing special." Scootaloo, now finshed putting away her belongings, trotted over and sat down on her haunches beside him. "What are you looking for?" The colt's head stopped moving for a moment, then it popped out entirely. He was staring forward and spoke slowly, "I...don't know. I can't remember." He turned to face Scootaloo, at which they both began to lightly chuckle that quickly escalated to hardy laughter. Scootaloo wasn't really sure what was so funny, but it clearly was and so their laughter continued for short while longer until they both had to stop and catch their breath. Scootaloo felt much more at ease after that and a moment later, regained her composure. The colt pushed his bags slightly into his cubby with his muzzle, then turned around and pushed it in the rest of the way with his hindleg. "So," Scootaloo began, "Want to...uh...walk home like yesterday?" The colt looked at Scootaloo and smirked, "I'll have you know, I haven't any apples today." Scootaloo raised a hoof to her chest and made a face that clearly showed her mock shock, "As if I only wanted to walk with you for your apples." Scootaloo trotted toward the door, "You don't know me at all." The colt chuckled and followed her out, "I guess not." What started out as a brisk trot out of the schoolhouse, quickly slowed to casual walk after they had turned down the same path from the day before. Scootaloo's mind was allowed to wonder as the relaxing silence between them set her at ease. Scootaloo looked around the path they were traveling on, she noticed the trees' leaves had started turning into orange, brown, yellow, and red. The leaves hadn't begun to fall just yet as the Running of the Leaves was still a few weeks away. She started to get just a little excited, "Winter is coming." Scootaloo mentally whispered as a rather large grin graced her face. Winter was her favorite season, though she didn't have any real reason why, it just was. Scootaloo looked up, beyond the trees, to cloudy sky above. Her mind conjured up the fantasy of herself soaring round the sky, wind rushing through her mane as she sped up with a couple flaps of her wings. Scootaloo shook her head and realized that, in her daydreaming, she had stopped walking and the colt was further up the path. She galloped to catch up and slowed down when she was directly beside him. She tried to clear her head, but something distracted her. As the colt had walked, the bottom edge of his shirt had risen slightly up his back. She saw the weird birthmark from the day before on his back in full view now and something wasn't right. It was a misshapen semi-round spot that looked blue in the center and black round the edge. That wasn't what had drawn her full attention though, that was the fact that there was another spot on his side facing her that was so similar, it was almost identical. She looked him up and down as they walked, she only found one somewhat hidden beneath the collar of his shirt. Scootaloo's eyes widened as the puzzle put it self together before her eyes. She had done many things since the formation of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, some of which occasionally brought similar results. She knew what they were. Those were not birthmarks, those were bruises. "You okay, Scootaloo?" Scootaloo, at that moment, realized she had been staring at him. She looked up to see him looking over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. Scootaloo chuckled nervously, "I-I'm fine, hehe...never better." The colt's eyebrow seemed to raise even more before he shrugged and faced forward. Scootaloo couldn't hold back the flood of new questions now drowning her mind, and with this flood came a new wave emotions. They came so quickly, she had trouble grasping what most of them were. Though one question managed to wade it's way to the front of her mind. "Where did he get those?" Scootaloo keep her eyes on the path ahead, all the while her mind ran wild. She needed a distraction. Luckily, the colt was about to grant her just that. "Hey, can I ask you something?" "Shoot." "How long does it normally take for a letter to arrive if both adresses are in town?" Now it was Scootaloo's turn to raise her eyebrow. "Umm...I think it's about two days. I don't really send letters enough to know for sure. Why'd you wanna know?" "No reason." The colt quickly responed "Well, that was oddly specific for you to just be wondering." "I guess I'm just weird like that." The colt stated simply. Scootaloo just rolled her eyes. She got the feeling that this would become regular thing. They were rapidly appoarching the split in the path and Scootaloo was getting antsy. Their walk had to have lasted much longer than yesterday's, but she still had effectivly learned nothing about him. If anything, she had more questions. Not even the relaxing silence between them could calm the storm of frustration, worry, and anticipation whirling roung her head. She had to think of something and fast. Before she knew it, there they stood at the split, staring into the small but dense forest streching out before them. "Well, I guess I'll see ya later Scootaloo." Scootaloo turned her attention to the colt who was still staring into the forest. He turned and looked at Scootaloo, then he closed his eyes, tilted his head, and softly smiled. Scootaloo can't help but return the gesture. She still had no plan, just a crazy idea. It was crazy, but maybe crazy enough to work. Scootaloo opened her eyes and saw that the colt had taken his leave. She shouted, "See you tomorrow!" The colt waved a hoof and continued walking. Scootaloo took a seat while she watched and waited. His body became smaller as the gap between them grew. She had to make a decision now or she risked losing him altogether. She lowered her head, closed her eyes, and tapped her head with a hoof, hoping the right choice would come. Her head rose slowly as did her eyes. The colt was still in her sights. It was now or never. She stood up, decision now made, her brow furrowed in determination, proceeded to shoot off the path and into the forest. She galloped in a short ways before slowing to a more leisurely pace so he couldn't hear the soft clop of her hooves on grass. Scootaloo checked that she could see him inbetween the trees seperating them. She kept her distance, making sure she stayed close to a tree in case he looked in her direction. She knew that following him like this was more than a little over the top, but the bruises had changed things in a major way. Her and the Cutie Mark Crusaders had followed ponies before, but this was different for her. She had to make sure he was okay, and she had vowed to learn something, anything, by any means. Time seemed to speed up, even though the colt was indeed walking at an incredibly slow pace, as the sun now looked as though it would soon set. As time ticked on, Scootaloo had more than enough time to think. She thought about what she might find out and what to say if she was caught. She also had made some conclusions. At this point, Scootaloo had come to the conclusion that he was heading home. She knew that this path lead to another fork that was also the long way to Fluttershy's cottage, but the likelihood that he was going there was not very high. Scootaloo reviewed the facts in her head and had also come to the conclusion that what ever caused those bruises was not an accident. "It takes a lot of force to bruise somepony. He clearly can climb trees, because how else would he have gotten that basket up there yesterday, but not even falling out of one could bruise him up so bad." She didn't like where this train of thought was leading at all. Scootaloo peeked round a tree and saw the same sight she been seeing since she started following him. The colt merely walking forward and staring at the ground. She was starting to feel as though hiding behind these trees was becoming unnecessary. She looked ahead of him, the split in the path now visable, and saw him head left thus proving he had to be heading home. Now, slightly excited and immensely nervous about the confirmed destination, Scootaloo picked up the pace. After about five more minutes of walking (or in her case, spying), Scootaloo was able to make out the shape of a house inbetween trees. She walked toward the edge of the forest a fair distance away from the colt, who still hadn't looked up from the ground, and now saw the back of the rather small sized home. It was white that looked orange in spots thanks to the rapidly decending sun. The colt walked toward the front of the house, but looked as though he passed the front enterance. Scootaloo retreated back to the forest and softly trotted to other side of the house. As she passed by, Scootaloo took note that the back of the house (as in the part that was facing the forest and that she was currently sneaking behind) had no windows or anything. It was simply a white wall from the ground to the roof. She thought it interesting for some odd reason but continued on undeterred. She came out of the forest and slid against the wall al the way to the corner. When Scootaloo looked round the corner, she saw what she could only describe as the backyard. Dirctly beside the house was a little red doghouse. The roof of which was tattered and faded paint peeling from what only could be lack of maintenance. Straight across from there was a large tree that looked as though it was in the middle of winter, leaves gone, trunk greyed. A pulley was attached midway up the tree with a clothes line connecting to the house and running parallel the ground. Scootaloo returned her gaze to the doghouse, then she looked up the adjacent wall and spotted a rectangular window immediately above the doghouse. She heard the colt's hoofsteps change as he moved from the dirt to grass. Scootaloo slid back to the cover of the forest and positioned herself a few trees down for a better viewpoint. She now saw the colt appoarching a side door previeously concealed from where she had been standing. The colt stood at the door without moving, just staring. The colt's head sunk as he sighed a long, weary sigh. Instead of going through, he turned and walked back toward the front of his house and, to what Scootaloo could assume, the front door. Scootaloo crept forth and hid behind the doghouse,after a brief moment she quietly tapped on the roof of the doghouse with her hoof. Then, she slowly swept her hoof across, appling pressure in various spots. "Seems sturdy enough," Scootaloo thought, then stood on her hindlegs and pulled herself on top of the doghouse. It took her a moment to find her balence, but considering she had stood on smaller things, it proved little challenge for her excellent hoofwork. Scootaloo scooted herself along until she was underneth the window sil. She stood on her hindlegs once again and could now see through the window. Beyond was large kitchen with tan cabinets overtop olive green counters. Dishes were strewn across the counters both left and right while beneath the window were two sinks with a single faucet. The floor was tiled and checkered in white and olive. Staright ahead was an rectangular archway leading to what must be the living room. To her left near the archway was a door slightly ajar, which was probably the door the colt was going to come in to begin with. Scootaloo inspected to her far right, just a refrigerator and an oven, before attempting to make out the living room. She saw only the shadows of furniture as a faint light flickered in the center of the room cauising the shadows to shift around violently. What really blocked her view was what appeared to be a large chair. She couldn't tell whether it was the shadows or if the chair was rocking back and forth ever so gently. What she could see, however, was the front door only partly blocked by the chair. So it was evident when said door began to slowly open to reveal the colt crouched behind it. Something shifted round in the flickering light until it's shadow shourded the colt in darkness. "Where the hay have you been?" The voice was that of a young stallion with a slight low pitch and overflowing with authority and clearly very irriatated. The figure strod slowly toward the door, his shadow decreased in size as he got closer. Soon the young stallion's upper half was in Scootaloo's frame of vision. He had dark blue coat and emerald eyes that were locked solely on the colt. His mane lay neatly on his head, Scootaloo couldn't tell what colour it was because the light only made it darker. "I asked you a question," the words slid through gritted teeth, "Where were you?" The colt seemed to shrink even lower, "I-I was out." "You were WHAT!?" The stallion stared daggers at the colt's now shivering form. The colt slid himself slowly into the doorway, as he did he managed only a whisper, "I'm sorry." "Oh, you'll be sorry!" The stallion raised a foreleg up above his head. The colt froze and braced for what was to come. Scootaloo gasped as understanding invaded her mind. Suddenly, another voice boomed, "Midnight Star!" This was the voice of fully grown stallion, it was even deeper than Big Macintosh. Scootaloo let out a sigh of relief. "You know the rules." "Why yes, of course dad." The young stallion chuckled, "Rule 16: Not in the face." The stallion moved his foreleg onto the door handle and grinned wickedly. He slammed the door on the colt's mid-section. The colt let out a yelp. The young stallion's grin only grow wider as he slammed the door a second time, and a third, and a fourth, and a fifth. Scootaloo was in shock at what she saw playing out before her. Tears welled up in her eyes and slid down her cheek. After a rough total of fifteen or so hits, the stallion stopped and took a step back, he beamed aa the colt pushed himself out from between the door and the door frame. At this, Scootaloo's tears of sadness became ones of rage. She wanted nothing more than to rush in there and beat the mess out that guy, but she knew she couldn't. She was small and weak, she still couldn't fly high enough the look that stallion eye to eye. Scootaloo lowered her head as the tears changed to those of helplessness. Through her stifled sobs, she heard that young stallion, appearently named Midnight Star, speak once more. Scootaloo wiped her face and peered again into the window. "Now, why don't just go to your room," he put strange emphasis on the last word, "And take your namesake with you, worthless colt," he muttered the last part but muttered loud enough that the colt could clearly hear it. The colt was back on all fours and began making his way toward the kitchen. He seemed ok, no limping, no cringing, nothing. He walked into the kitchen, head held high. His eyes remained locked on the ground. He turned to the back door and pulled it back with a hoof. CRASH! A bucket of water fell down thwaping him on the head and soaking him to the bone. Midnight Star laughed loudly, "Knew you'd trip that! Ha ha! Your such an foal!" Scootaloo was not amused. The colt didn't move for a moment. Simply continued to stare at the floor. Scootaloo couldn't bear to see anymore. She hopped off the doghouse and trotted toward the forest. The sun was gone, it's light replaced moon gracing the sky. She hid behind the closest tree and sat. Tears rapidly buliding up in her eyes. A door squeaked, she poked her head round the tree and the colt coming out of it and dragging something with his teeth. He gave one big yank and out came a large black bag. The bag no longer blocking it, the door slammed shut. The colt let the bag just sit there and stared at it, then he turned around and walked slowly toward the tree. He stood at the base and looked up at the clothes line. He lowered his and bite the collar of his still dripping shirt, with one quick jerk, the shirt came off and he swung it overtop the line. Scootaloo was transfixed by what she saw. It wasn't what she had expected. Underneath his shirt, his entire mid-section was wrapped in gauze bandages. She was without words, her heart went out to him. The colt shook the water out of his coat and walked over, not toward the door, to the doghouse. Scootaloo was confused for second until the colt just stopped in front of it, sighed, and walked in. "That's his ROOM! They make him sleep outside!" She couldn't take anymore and trotted away form there. Trotted into the forest and towards home. Her mind was blank as her trot transformed to a gallop. Scootaloo had lost track of time but that didn't matter now. Nothing mattered. She to come up with something to think about, but to her at that very moment, nothing mattered. Nothing except finding a way to help him. Somehow, anyhow, and by any means.