//------------------------------//
// Sky's Story 
// Story: The Manehattan Crusaders 
// by Soprano Beat 
//------------------------------//

When they got to the house, Apple Bloom said, "Why don't we go up to my room? We'll be able to talk alone up there." Around them, Applejack was teaching Babs how to buck apples and Big Mac was plowing the fields, so it was kind of loud. "And quieter," Apple Bloom added. She wanted to talk to Sky and ask him why he was so shy, but knew he wouldn't do it unless they were alone, and that, even then, it would take some persuading. Sky was a little nervous, but reluctantly nodded yes.
Apple Bloom lead Sky into the house and up the stairs to the bedroom. Once in her room, she closed the door behind them and motioned for Sky to sit down. As he did so, Apple Bloom hopped up onto her bed and sat down.
"So," she said. "What do ya wanna talk about?" She knew what she wanted to ask him about, but wanted to make sure he was comfortable talking at all first.
Sky shrugged and looked down at his hooves. "I don't know," he answered shyly.
Apple Bloom pretended to think before saying, "Ooh, I got somethin'! It's really more of a question though."
Sky looked up at this. "What is it?" he asked nervously.
Apple Bloom looked down sheepishly. She didn't really think about how she was going to ask him, so she decided to just come right out with it. "Well, I was wondering, why are ya so shy?" she asked.
Sky was so surprised by this that he nearly fainted. "W-What do you mean?" he stammered.
"Maybe that was too quick..." she thought. "Well, Babs said you were pretty shy and ya haven't exactly proven her wrong."
Sky looked back down at his hooves, embarrassed. "I don't know, really..." he answered quietly.
"Oh," Apple Bloom said noticing she had embarrassed him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do anythin' wrong."
"You didn't," Sky said. "I just... don't really know how to answer that and was kind of surprised by it, that's all."
"Well would ya mind me askin' a little more about it?"
"I guess not..."
"Was there somethin' goin' on back in Manehattan? Were ya bein' bullied like Babs?"
"Not really. I guess I've always been kind of quiet, but when ponies started making fun of me for it and being for a blank-flank, I think I just stopped talking for the most part."
"So how'd ya meet Babs and Lily?"
"Babs had seen me at school before and knew I was shy. So, when she found out about my being picked on and that I was a blank-flank, she told me about your club and introduced me to Lily. They stood up for me whenever I got picked on, and I slowly became friends with them"
Apple Bloom was speechless for a moment. She had never heard Sky talk that much since he had gotten to Ponyville and hearing him talk that much surprised her. She soon regained her ability to speak after she noticed that Sky was looking at her funny. "So, ya had friends, but how come you're still so shy?" she asked.
"I don't know really. I just get nervous around new ponies I guess. Even if my friends are around," he answered.
"Hmm... I guess I can see why you're so shy, but what about when you're around ponies you do know? I mean, I know you still haven't been around me, Sweetie Belle, or Scootaloo very much, but Babs introduced ya to us just like she did with Lily right? How come you're still so shy around us?"
"I don't know. I guess... it's just been me, Lily, and Babs for so long, and that I get nervous when in crowds, or even just in big groups, that I just couldn't bring myself to talk."
"Would it make it any better if we just did it like this? Ya know, maybe one or two of us at a time, just talking? And maybe having Lily or Babs in the room too?"
Sky nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. I kind of like this," he said, giving a small smile.
"Great. Hey! I've got an idea. You said you're still shy around new ponies, right?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Yeah," said Sky slowly.
"Well, if ya wouldn't mind, I'd like to introduce ya to a couple ponies that might be able to help. What do ya say?"
"Okay..."
"Good! Now let's go!"
"Wait, you mean now?!"
"Well yeah. You okay with that?"
"I guess so..."
"Great! Now c'mon!"