//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6 Escalation 
// Story: In The Twilight of Harmony’s End 
// by Leonofsweden 
//------------------------------//


In the Twilight of Harmony’s End
Chapter 6
Escalation



****


As Scootaloo awoke, she felt very much refreshed from a long overdue full night's rest. She lazily stretched out before going stiff for a couple of seconds. Scootaloo thought she heard some pony below and became absolutely terrified that Miss Bad Winnie somehow miraculously managing to escape the timberwolves after all. It didn't take long before Scootaloo realized it was only the old grandfather clock ticking away from the bottom floor that she had mistaken for hoof steps. Upon the recognition, she broke out in an almost frantic laugh.

“She's gone… get a grip Scoots… she's finally gone,” Scootaloo said, trying to remind herself of the fact while cementing the knowledge in her head. Scootaloo settled on the edge of the bed wondering what she should do now.

Usually, in this kind of situation, she would have gone to her friends. But, because of the stupid grown-ups, that was impossible. Although, Rarity hadn't been as hostile as Applejack had, so maybe she could go to Carousel Boutique and see if she could talk to Sweetie Belle.

“No… Well, maybe,” Scootaloo said to herself.

This whole affair with Miss Bad Winnie would most likely become rather complicated before everything was sorted out, especially when every pony finally found out just how terrible Miss Bad Winnie really was. Maybe Scootaloo shouldn't bring Sweetie Belle or Apple Bloom into the middle of this mess if she could help it. Still, just saying hi and talking to a friend would be really nice right now. Scootaloo really didn't have to mention her own problems to Sweetie Belle; after all, she never really did before. It was enough being around her two friends, knowing they were there if she really need of them.

No, what Scootaloo needed was an outside pony to speak to. Somepony that was smart and organized, with good connections to ensure this wouldn't happen again.

“Twilight…” Scootaloo whispered the name, feeling hope that the mare was just the one to help her through all of this misery. With Twilight's help, Scootaloo might finally be able to bring her tormented stay in this Celestia forsaken house to an end.

Once Scootaloo had collected her thoughts and feelings into something she could manage telling others, she would tell Twilight everything that happened to her at the hooves of Miss Bad Winnie. Then she would never have to worry about being sent back to any orphanage again.

With something akin to a plan in her head, Scootaloo arose and made her way down to the first floor. As she looked into the sparsely furnished sitting room, her eyes fell on the grandfather clock ticking away in the corner. She found herself astonished to discover it was almost thirty minutes past noon. She had slept in something fierce. It only made Scootaloo smile more knowing it would never have happened if Miss Bad Winnie had still been around.

With a pep in her step, Scootaloo grabbed her scooter, flung the front door open, and took off at a high speed down between the newly planted trees that had so thoroughly changed her life.


****


Not long after, Scootaloo stood in front of Carousel Boutique nervously rubbing her back hooves together while she waited for her knocks on the kitchen door to be answered. After a few minutes, she knocked again, even firmer than the first time, only for the door to open mid-knock.

“Yes! Yes! Keep your horses on darling I- Oh… it's you,” Rarity said, sounding almost neutral. Scootaloo took a couple of nervous steps in front of Rarity, starting to feeling more than a little bit awkward under the gaze of Sweetie Belle’s big sister.

“Hi… Is Sweetie Bell home?” Scootaloo asked nervously. Rarity looked down at the sorrowful looking Scootaloo and bit her lower lip before giving a defeated sigh.

“Actually, she is not Scootaloo. But even if she was, both I and our parents have decided she will not be seeing you for at least the rest of the month,” Rarity stated as a matter of fact.

“Oh… Okay… Sorry to bother you,” Scootaloo answered forlornly and lowered her head. Upon seeing how downcast the orange little filly was, Rarity had to struggle quite a bit when she started closing the door.

But just as Rarity was about to completely shut the door, a loud grumbling was heard through the crack. Startled by the volume of it, 	Rarity immediately swung the door open again looking down quizzically at a rather embarrassed Scootaloo.

“Was… was that you dear?” Rarity questioned.

“Maybe…” Scootaloo said, looking from side to side, seeing if there was anything she could blame the noise on. But she was instead betrayed by her stomach once again as it growled loudly in front of Rarity.

“Dear heavens, filly. When did you last eat?” Rarity said, eyes wide as she looked down at the furiously blushing Scootaloo.

“Ehhh… I had two muffins yesterday,” Scootaloo answered.

“You haven't eaten anything since yesterday? But it's well past noon!” Rarity exclaimed in disbelief. “Did you skip the meals at the orphanage?”

“There are no meals at the orphanage for me,” Scootaloo said with a snort. Rarity looked questioningly down at the filly.

“Now, now, Scootaloo, just because you don't like the food being served doesn't mean you can just skip them. You want to grow up and be big and strong don't you? Otherwise you’ll never become a good flyer like Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said, trying to lighten the mood. The effect was quite the opposite as Scootaloo remembered how her last meeting with her hero had ended. Realizing that she made a bit of a blunder, Rarity stepped out to pat Scootaloo carefully on the head.

“There, there… Tell you what, Scootaloo. If you would be so kind as to drag my trash cans out front for the trash collectors I will give you five bits for your trouble. Spike was supposed to do it later, but he has unfortunately been detained because of Twilight trying to enhance his letter sending abilities. She ended up removing it entirely instead, therefore Spike is currently in Canterlot so that Princess Celestia can recast the homing spell, plus the new additions Twilight has suggested,” Rarity said, lifting up Scootaloo’s chin with her hoof while smiling at her. “Five bits should be more than enough to buy you a little something until your next meal at the orphanage.”

“Right…” Scootaloo said in a huff, but then realized she could really use the bits. “No problem. I'll come in when I'm done.”

“Wonderful! I really wasn't looking forward to doing that myself; it's just so… icky,” Rarity said with a frown. “But now that you're here everything is alright I guess. So, I will go get the bits while you finish the chore.”

With that, Rarity disappeared back into the Boutique while Scootaloo walked over to the three trash cans at the back. They were all filled to the brim, and it was quite an effort to drag them all to the front.

Why the trash collectors couldn't just walk around the round building and collect them where they stood Scootaloo wouldn't bother asking. It was probably some stupid reason only grown-ups could understand anyway.

As the last trash can was dragged into place, Scootaloo could hear malicious snickering behind her. She didn't even have to turn around to know who was standing there.

“Why if it isn't the flightless wonder. Looks like you finally found your calling, Trashaloo!” a positively giggling Diamond Tiara stated.

“Oh wow! How long did it take you to figure that one out, Diamond? I mean really, Trashaloo? It feels like you're not even trying anymore,” Scootaloo said with a sigh as she turned around to face Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

“I told you we should have gone with blank flank instead,” Silver Spoon said apprehensively.

“Shut up!” Diamond Tiara barked back at Silver Spoon, who cringed visibly at the rebuke from her friend. Without any care, Diamond instead looked through narrowed eyes at Scootaloo.

“You really shouldn't be so cocky without your two buddies around, blank flank,” Diamond Tiara said in a hiss, walking closer to Scootaloo.

“Yeah, and what are you going to do about it?” Scootaloo asked defiantly, not really being in the mood for Diamond Tiara’s games. Without any warning, Diamond Tiara harshly shoved Scootaloo, sending her sprawling in amongst the trash cans. Gritting her teeth, Scootaloo looked up just in time to see Diamond Tiara buck the nearest trash can right on top of her. The lid flew open and all the filth and muck inside of it spilled out on top of the orange filly. Scootaloo shrieked in rage and indignation as she pushed the trash can off of her and stood up, spitting and loudly cursing Diamond Tiara's name.

When she finally looked up she could see the laughing duo disappear off in the distance. With even more foul language, Scootaloo looked for the scooter but realized it was on the other side of the Boutique. With a groan, she wiped her face and stomped out of the trash heap she was lying in.

“Buck you, Diamond!” Scootaloo shouted after them in frustration. “I'll feed you to the Timberwolves as well one day…” she then grumbled to herself in absolute fury.

With her chance for retribution having slipped away, Scootaloo turned around and walked into the Carousel Boutique to collect her pay and hopefully find a bathroom to clean herself. She hadn't walked more than a few steps before a shriek sounded through the air.

“Get out! Get out! Just look what you have done to my beautiful floor! What have you been up to? You are positively filthy! Of all the worst possible things!” Rarity shrieked in horror as she beheld the trail of filth Scootaloo had inadvertently brought in with her. Rarity’s horn lit up and Scootaloo was unceremoniously lifted up and shoved out of the door again. With a thud, she landed outside with a positively fuming Rarity standing behind her.

“What do you think you're doing bringing that filth in here?” Rarity barked. “I told you to bring the trash out front, not roll around in it! By the heavens, you positively reek!”

“It wasn't my fault!” Scootaloo began to protest.

“I don't want to hear any excuses, why’s or maybe’s, young filly! You're not setting a hoof in my Boutique like that! Go down to the river and wash yourself right this instant, Scootaloo!” Rarity said, leaving no space for any protests as she slammed the door in the startled fillies face. Scootaloo blinked a couple of times not really understanding what just happened, before her face contorted in anger.

“Fine! Be that way then! I don't need you or your stinking bits either!” Scootaloo shouted and turned around to walk away, but she didn’t get more than a couple of steps before the door opened again revealing a somewhat pensive looking Rarity. Scootaloo had also stopped and was now looking back over her shoulder at the somewhat regrettable look Rarity was giving her.

“Sorry, it's just…” Rarity actually cringed again looking at how filthy Scootaloo was. “Alright, I did promise you five bits, and even if you didn't do the tasks to a satisfactory level I will still honor the agreement,” Rarity said and floated out five golden bits to Scootaloo. Scootaloo, however, just look back at the white pristine mare and felt her anger starting to boil even more.

“Keep your bucking bits! If you won't even let me wash up in your house after doing your dirty work than I guess I know exactly how much I’m worth in your eyes, Rarity, so I don’t want anything at all from you, got it!” Scootaloo said in a harsh voice and slapped the bits back towards a stunned looking Rarity. Scootaloo once again started to walk off, making Rarity scramble to follow after the fuming filly.

“Wait! Scootaloo, I didn't mean it like that! You're blowing this out of proportion!” Rarity called after the angry young filly in desperation.

“Yeah right!” was all Scootaloo answered while she continued to walk away from Rarity. “Do you think I don't know what every pony is saying behind my back?! ‘Oh, will you look at the little Pegasus. How she can possibly not fly yet I'll never know!’ ‘She'll never amount to anything, will the poor dear?!’ ‘Hasn't even got a Cutie Mark yet! She'll never be anything special that’s for sure!’ ‘She's just a troublemaker!’” Scootaloo said, mimicking the speech of several different ponies from around Ponyville.

Rarity stopped in her tracks as Scootaloo recited some of the very hurtful gossip she herself had actually heard mention behind Scootaloo’s back. But to think that the filly actually knew about them was horrifying on a completely new level for the fashionista. Little fillies weren't supposed to be exposed to stuff like that until later in life, if ever.

“Look, Scootaloo… You shouldn't listen to what some ponies say around town. You're a very special filly, but you still have to understand, darling, that you're not making it easy for yourself being the way you are. You would make it so much easier on yourself if you just-”

“Shut it, Rarity! You have no idea how my life is or what I'm going through, and still you think you have the right to judge and criticize me?! That any one of you has the right to tell me how I should live my life!” Scootaloo roared, once again startling Rarity. The little filly had turned around and was now walking up towards the elder mare, glaring at her with such anger that it did not seem possible that it was coming from such a young pony at all. The look on Scootaloo actually frightened Rarity in a way not many things had.

“Scoo… Scootaloo, please calm yourself. Won't you come back with me and we'll see about getting you cleaned up, and then I'll get you some tea and biscuits, as well,” Rarity tried, hoping to placate the still glaring Scootaloo.

“Forget it! I learned something yesterday, Rarity! In the end, you can't count on any pony but yourself!” Scootaloo said. Her eyes went wide as if she had an epiphany right then and there.

“I'm finally free… I can see the world for what it is now….. I now realize I've been hoping in vain, living in a dream,” the filly said with sad eyes before they once again grew angry.

“Like waiting for someone like Rainbow to help me… HA! What a laugh! There is nothing for a pony like me in this world unless I take it for myself! So buck you, Rarity. I have never seen your supposed generosity unless it serves yourself somehow!” Scootaloo shouted up at Rarity, who stumbled back several steps.

“Buck all your friends, too! Buck all your perfect narrow sighted lives! I'm done! The orphanage is mine now and I won't need any of you grown-ups ever again! You can all go to Tartarus for all I care! I've fed myself many times by grazing in the wild before; I will have no problem doing it again in the future! So you know what, Rarity? You can take all the things you think I need to do to fit in around here, and then shove it somewhere not even the power of friendship will be able to get it out again!” Scootaloo yelled as she ended her anger driven rant, breathing heavily.

Rarity couldn’t even begin to comprehend what had just happened, let alone what was said, before Scootaloo had turned around and began running away amongst the houses of Ponyville.

“No, wait… It's not supposed to go like this… You're supposed to learn your lesson and be happy…” Rarity said heartbrokenly, as she looked towards where Scootaloo had disappeared, feeling that she somehow had failed her, but not understanding in what way.


****


It wasn't long after Scootaloo’s rather heated exchange with Rarity that a much cleaner and calmer filly stepped up out of the water that slowly flows through the little village. She had made do, cleaning herself with plain water and sand off the bottom of the little stream.

Nonetheless, the cleansing now meant Scootaloo felt much better, both physically and mentally. With a somewhat relieved sigh, she sat down on the shore and started thinking of what to do next.

She realized she would need to learn more about what she could eat in the wild. Just eating grass wouldn't sustain her long, and whatever else she could scrounge up in food by helping other ponies around town probably wouldn't be able to sustain her on its own either. But if Scootaloo combined the two options, she might just eat better than she had done in a long while.

So the first course of action was rather obvious: find Twilight and borrow whatever book on bushcraft she could find. Then, maybe, see if there was anypony needing help in exchange for food or bits at the market.

Scootaloo’s stomach rumbled in protest of being empty, prompting a decision that she might do her tasks the other way around. Looking at the market first and going to Twilight later.

With a confident nod to herself, Scootaloo once again set off with a rudimentary plan in mind.


****


When Scootaloo reached the market, she noticed she was a little bit out of luck since it was obvious the market was already winding down, many of the merchants already packing up their stores for the day. Off in the distance, on the other side of the Market Square, Scootaloo could see the silhouette of an orange mare with a Stetson hat on her head.

Not having any interest in meeting Applejack at the moment, Scootaloo decided to stay away from that part of the market.

Fortunately, in the corner of her eye, Scootaloo saw what she was looking for: Carrot Top struggling with putting her produce back on her cart after the market’s end. Right away, Scootaloo made her way over to help Carrot Top get the uncooperative box with carrots back on her wagon.

“Why thank you,” Carrot Top said happily and trotted back for a few more boxes.

“No problem. Do you need some help?" she wondered hopefully. Carrot Top looked back at Scootaloo with a bit of apprehension, the destructive capacity of the CMC being well known throughout Ponyville. But on their lonesome they were mostly like any other filly.

Although, Scootaloo is still rumored to be the worst of the three... Carrot Top though a bit guiltily while she looked back at a still hopefully smiling filly. Right then, as if on cue, Scootaloo's stomach rumbled loudly, startling the older mare before she smiled again.

"Tell you what Scootaloo, if you'd be kind enough to help me with the latest boxes and the stand, I’ll give you two nice big carrots for your trouble," Carrot Top said and nodded Scootaloo over to where she stood waiting.

Happily, the orange filly hopped over to assist the yellow mare put all of her produce back on her cart. To Carrot's surprise, Scootaloo was both more eager and much more helpful than she thought the little filly could be. So when the time came to ‘pay’ for the help, Carrot Top actually felt a little guilty for only thinking about giving Scootaloo two carrots for her work. Therefore, she grabbed the two crooked, but big, carrots that no pony seemed to want to buy, plus one really nice looking, albeit smaller, one as an extra bonus.

"Thank you for helping me, Scootaloo. It was really nice of you. Here, take this, and if I ever need help again, I'll know which filly to ask," Carrot Top said with a smile. With an even bigger smile and badly hidden eagerness, Scootaloo took the three offered carrots.

"No problem! Thanks for the carrots Miss Carrot. I'm really super hungry right now," Scootaloo said without thinking, as her eyes positively sparkled when she looked at her three treasures. Carrot Top looked down at the little filly feeling a bit of concern as Scootaloo more or less gobbled down the strait and tasty looking carrot immediately.

"Are you really that hungry? That rumble from your stomach earlier was not just a little filly wanting a snack," Carrot Top stated knowingly. For a second, Scootaloo froze in place, not knowing how to respond. If she told the truth, that Miss Bad Winnie was dead, they would probably send another supposed caretaker to torment her instead. So there was only one thing Scootaloo could do: lie.

"No, it's okay; I just missed dinner, you know. Out crusading and stuff..." Scootaloo said, while smiling none to convincingly. Carrot Top looked a little bit dubiously at the orange Pegasus.

"Okay, if you say so," Carrot Top answer and hitched herself up to the wagon. When she turned back to ask if Scootaloo wanted to come with her and eat some of her famous carrot soup, Carrot Top found that the little energetic filly had already disappeared.


****


That was a close call, Scootaloo thought as she skidded to a halt just outside of the market. I don't want any pony finding out about Miss Bad Winnie. At least, not yet...

While taking a big bite out of her second carrot, Scootaloo turned around and was met with a fluffy white paw to the face. Giving off a startled cry, Scootaloo stumbled back, dropping her carrot which Angel Bunny snatced out of the air and immediately started munching happily on.

"Hey!" Scootaloo yelled in anger. She jumping forward and slapped Angel away to reclaim her carrot just as Fluttershy came round the corner. Angel crashed down in front of the gasping butter colored mare, who immediately scooped up the now pitifully trembling bunny. Turning to Scootaloo, Fluttershy's pink mane swirled revealing two glaring eyes locking on to the orange filly.

"Scootaloo! What do you think you are doing to poor little Angel Bunny?!" Fluttershy yelled, or at least what passed for Fluttershy yelling, while her eyes froze Scootaloo in place. It wasn't quite the Stare, although close enough to have similar effect. Fluttershy had, after all, resolved not to use the Stare on ponies… too much. But this was still very intense for the little filly.

"You apologize right now to poor little Angel Bunny," Fluttershy said while she held the white bunny out in front of her. Scootaloo had to fight with every ounce of mental strength she had not to immediately cave to Fluttershy’s demand. Even though Scootaloo's eyes were unable to leave Fluttershy's, she could still see Angel's smirking face in her periphery, which, of course, Fluttershy couldn't from her position.

At the sight of the now grinning horror of a bunny, Scootaloo's anger once again flared and she wishfully imagined Angel squealing in the jaws of a timberwolf. The gruesome mental image somehow decreased Fluttershy's mental lockdown on Scootaloo.

White a rough shake of her head, Scootaloo broke of the eye contact between her and Fluttershy, which surprised the older mare greatly as the timid Pegasus took a startled step back.

"No!" Scootaloo shouted furiously, "That mother bucker kicked me in the face and tried to steal my lunch! I should pound his fluffy behind into the ground! And it's not the first time he’s done that to a filly either!"

Pressing Angel Bunny to her chest, Fluttershy gasped and shook her head in denial. "No... Angel would never-"

"Save it. You don't know what that little horror is up to when you aren't looking, do you?" Scootaloo accused.

"No, he wouldn't, he is a good little-"

"Just because you’re such a doormat for him don't mean that the rest of us will put up with his crap! And don't tell me that you don't know he's a little monster, I've seen how he treats you! Putting him down would be a favor to the world worthy of Celestia’s Peace Prize!" Scootaloo growled in annoyance, while she put her carrot back in her mouth, only to turn around and go smashing right in to somepony coming the other way.

What the buck is wrong with every... Scootaloo's train of thought was truly derailed when her purple eyes met two jade green one's glaring down on her with ill hidden contempt.

"What the hay kinds of trouble are you causing now, you damn troublemaker?" Applejack almost spat down at the wide eyed filly on the ground in front of her.

Applejack took in the scene with a now crying Fluttershy fiercely hugging Angel Bunny, who in turn was glaring hatefully at Scootaloo. Snapping her eyes back to the obvious source of Fluttershy’s distress, Applejack's eyes hardened even further.

“I knew it! Can’t turn my eyes from you fer a second before you start making everyone's lives miserable! You better get out of here right now, ya hear, or I will give you the spanking of a lifetime before I drag your sorry flank back to Miss Bad Winnie, and have a real long talk with her about your behavior the last couple of days!” Applejack barked.

The threat of physical violence from Applejack should really have been just as frightening as the last time, but, for some reason, Scootaloo just didn't seem to have it in her to be afraid of getting beaten any longer. With a snort right in the face of a very surprised Applejack, Scootaloo stood up in front of the orange mare.

“Then do it,” Scootaloo whispered while she brushed herself off, not even looking at the angry earth pony in front of her, “what's another bully in my life?”

“What?!” Applejack said heatedly. “Did you just call me a bully?!”

“Yes, Miss Bully. I called you a bully!” Scootaloo shot back.

“Why I ought to-”

“To what! Beat me until I see things your way!” Scootaloo yelled as she looked back up at a stunned Applejack. “Your parents would be so proud!”

The next thing Scootaloo knew, she was back on the ground with the taste of copper in her mouth. Through blurry eyes, she looked up at a frozen and horrified Applejack, who was staring at her own outstretched hoof in disbelief.

Scootaloo felt the side of her face start to sting and swell. With a grunt, she turned over to her stomach and pushed herself up on her hooves again. Behind her, she could hear how Applejack took a few steps towards her.

“Scoots, I-”

“Don't,” Scootaloo said before spitting out some blood on the dirt in front of her. “Don't you take another step…”

Behind her, Applejack was looking everywhere except at the little filly she had just hit when her temperament got the better of her for a second. But, then again, no pony had ever been stupid enough to mention her parents like that before. Especially not when she was already so fired up. It was a low blow and Applejack sure as Tartarus wouldn't let that slide even if she did overreact.

“Look, Scootaloo, I shouldn't have hit you and I’m sorry for that… But you had no right to say that about my Ma and Pa! You have no idea what it felt like to lose them the way we did!” Applejack said heatedly, barely keeping her emotions in check. Scootaloo just snorted as she turned to look at Applejack.

“You’re actually that stupid, aren’t you? Do you ever think before you open your big mouth? The only filly currently living at an orphanage in Ponyville couldn't possibly know how it feels to lose her parents at an early age,” Scootaloo scoffed, glaring back at Applejack. As their eyes met, Applejack could make out much more than just anger in the young filly’s gaze. There was loathing and hate now, as well.

“I… I… I didn't-”

“Shut up! And go back to your lovey-dovey family! You at least still got one!” Scootaloo yelled at Applejack, who inadvertently took a step back, but when Scootaloo turned around to walk away again Applejack shot forward grabbing her shoulder.

“Wait!” Applejack tried but was immediately cut off when Scootaloo bucks with her rear legs connecting harshly with Applejack's chest. With a thud her hunches hit the dirt, and when she looked up Applejack cringed at the disgusted look Scootaloo was giving her.

“Don't you ever touch me again,” Scootaloo said coldly before gathering up her two carrots and walking off leaving a very shamed face Applejack massaging her chest while Fluttershy just sat there sniffling while fiercely hugging Angel Bunny.

Fluttershy looked totally lost as her gaze wandered back and forth between the now receding Scootaloo and Applejack, not knowing what to do in this situation. As soon as the option of trying to comforting Scootaloo disappeared around the corner, she moved over to Applejack, hoping she could at least do something to comfort her friend.


****


It wasn't long before Scootaloo was home again, she just didn't have the energy or will to try and talk to Twilight right now. It was also getting dark, which Scootaloo knew perfectly well what that meant by now. She came to a stop at the front entrance to the orphanage on her scooter, which she had collected from behind Rarity’s boutique on her way home. Scootaloo now looked back at the newly planted trees behind her, she noted that the seemed even bigger and healthier than when she left. There was most definitely some sort of magical aspect to them.

Scootaloo made her way into the empty orphanage. After making sure all the doors and windows on the lower floor were locked, she made her way back up to her room. With heavy steps, she made her way over and collapsed into her bed giving off a sigh of satisfaction. Finally, Scootaloo felt somewhat safe from the world. So she lay there, thinking about the day, about how she once again seemed to end up on the wrong side of everything, even though it never really seemed to be her fault. At least not that she could tell.

And that's when she noticed it. Some kind of new feeling inside of her. It had started with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The feeling had then thoroughly taken root during her heated exchange with Rarity before growing even stronger when she saw the beady eyes of Angel thinking he had her where he wanted in order to steal her carrots. Then even more thinking about the way Fluttershy had taken Angel's side without even a second thought to what had actually happened. But the feeling had finally exploded when she looked up at Applejack after having been punched in the face by the orange earth pony, all for essentially doing nothing more than standing up for herself. Now finally she could identify what was she felt.

Scootaloo felt hatred…

And it felt good…

“Yeeeeeessss…” a voice said to Scootaloo seemingly from nowhere. She bolted upright looking around herself in fright, thinking maybe the timberwolves had made it into the house without her noticing.

“Hello! Is somepony there?” Scootaloo asked hesitantly with her ears flat against her skull. Quickly, she crawled in against the wall where she lay still, looking around her fearfully.

“Not per say… but I feel your sadness… I feel your… animosity… it calls out to me…” the insubstantial voice answered.

“Who are you?” Scootaloo wondered as she looked around herself trying to find the source of the voice.

“I am… a kindred spirit… someone who has been tossed aside… just like you…” the voice answered soothingly.

“Let me guess, I just have to do a few things for you and then you'll be my best friend forever and ever. Get a life, I don't care who you are, because I’m not going to do anything for you just because you can throw your voice!” Scootaloo yelled, and then gave a loud snort. For a little while, she was the only met by silence, but finally a low chuckle could be heard from the shadowy corners of her room.

“I truly like you… young Scootaloo… but remember… when they come for you… and they will come for you… I will offer to guide you… if you accept my offer then… I leave that entirely up to you… now have a good night… my young Scootaloo…” the voice said while it slowly faded away. Simultaneously, the room seemed to lighten up again. Scootaloo hadn't even noticed, but it had been almost as if it was night outside even though it was still early evening.

With a shudder, Scootaloo crawled under her covers to make herself comfortable. Even though she'd been a bit spooked by the voice, it didn't take long for her to succumb to the day’s emotional exhaustion; she quickly sank down into the blissful sleep. At least it would have been, if it wasn't for the fact that she was constantly being chased by an angry orange mare.


****


Thanks to Syvvak - pre-reader/editor
Thanks to Mikemeiers - pre-reader/editor