//------------------------------// // Prequel // Story: He's Not Different // by Excy //------------------------------// Rudy was sitting in class, staring at the clock, hoping time would go slower. He knew the end of class was coming He knew what was going to happen when he leaves. "And this is why the pegasi and earth ponies split up." The bell rang, signalling the end of class. "Remember, tomorrow we have a test on this! Study study study!: Ms. Cheerilee said to her students. As he was getting out of school, Rudy was thinking about how he would approach another problem. 'How will I tell them? Mom will be considerate, but I don't know about Dad. I really hope they won't hate me because of this. Rudy's train of thought came to a pause when he bumped into something in front of him. "Hey, Rud. How's that wing of yours treating ya?" The colt in front of him said. "Trying to get home, Derange, what does it look like?" Rudy tried walking around him, but to no avail. Derange pulled him back in front of him as they began to circle him. Rudy's heart "Uh-oh, somepony's a tough guy now! What ever will I do?" He teased. Furball was already tired of him and just wanted to go home. He knew that that wouldn't happen. They kept pushing him around, until he dropped is stuff. "Hey, take his bag!" "No stop, I need that!" "And that's exactly why we're taking it." They kept tossing it around. Back and forth, the bag went. He didn't even bother trying to get it. He knew his attempts weren't worth it. He readied his wings, and flew up, grabbed the backpack, and he flew as fast as he could back home. "Hey, we're not done with you!" They yelled. "Go get him." The two pegasi flew in the air as fast as they could. They knew they'd never catch him. "Get back here, cross-breed!" They yelled to him. In the sky, it seemed just as busy as on ground. Pegasi flying everywhere, alot of clouds, it was hectic for Furball. He was trying his hardest not to crash or hit anyone, and for him, that's hard. He was a cross-breed. he can go two times faster than the regular pegasus. But just because he was fast, didn't mean he would be able to outfly them. He noticed they flew 90° upward. He stopped and turned around. They were gone. He knew that wouldn't be the last time he'd them, and it wouldn't be. He quickly flew to ground and flew back to the cottage. He made his way through the door before he flew to his room like a jet. Fluttershy and Spike were relaxing on the couch when the heard the door barge open, followed by slam immediately after. Fluttershy recoiled by the swift movement and the noises. She turned to Spike, whose nose wqs still engulfed in a book. "Spike, this is the third time he's come home and flown straight to his room. I think you should talk to him." Fluttershy said to Spike "Alright I will, one second." He said, not making any effort to move. "Now, Spike." She said sternly. He knew she meant business. "Fine." Spike got up and walked to Furball's room. "Hey Furball, It's me. Can I come in?" "No!" He yelled. Realizing immediately he was yelling, he started again. "I mean... I really don't want you too." "Well then, it's a good thing I'm your father." Spike said entering he room. Furball didn't move. Spike surveyed the scene before him, which wasn't much, but was enough to concern him. Furball was face down in his pillow, covered by his blankets. "Furball? Are you okay?" Spike asked cautiously as he slowly approached the bed. "No!" Furbal muffled in his pillow. "What's wrong?" "Everything!" "Well, I'm willing to listen." Furball sat up and removed the blanket. His face was visibly wet, and his fur was a mess. "These bullies keep following me home, a-and I can't stop them. They make fun of me for being a cross-breed, and " "Oh. Bullies. Have you told anypony? A teacher maybe?" "Teachers don't care. They go to school to teach and get paid. That's it." Spike paid close attention to Furball. He cared abut his crisis, and was really angry. "What happened to your wing?" "I uhh... fell." "Furball..." "I was pushed down stairs by them." "Are you kidding me? And teachers don't do anything? I'm going to school tomorrow. I'm going to talk to your teachers about this." "Dad, please don't do anything. You're going to embarrass me." "If i start embarrassing you, stop me. I'm only going to be helpng you." "No Dad, you can't help me. I'm different and this is why I get bullied. Because I'm a cross-breed. I'm just a joke to everypony. I wish i was dead." "Really, Furball? Dead? I'm not going to let you sit here and talk down like this. You're not different. Look at me boy." Spike said sternly, turning Furballs head towards him. "You're not different. You're just like everypony else. You were born from two loving parents, and you're unique in your own way. Yeah, Papa Spike is starting to sound cheesy, but I'm going to tell you right now, ponies will tell you it's going to get better? It's not. It's not unless you make it better." "Thanks for the words of encouragement." He said sarcastically. "Can you leave now?" "Fine, I'll get out of your scales. But Fur," Furball looked up. "Promise me you'll talk to me about things please. You're my only son. We should be closer." "Okay Dad." These words he actually listened to. He wanted to trust his Dad more, but he was nervous. And he should be.