//------------------------------// // Hurtful Confrontations // Story: Chasing the Stars // by Just A Random Pegasus //------------------------------// Monday. It's the day everypony dreads; the day where almost no one is optimistic. No one except Star Chaser, of course. It was a beautiful day for a flight, so she woke up a little earlier than usual. The air was perfect, and there were only a few select clouds in the area. Also known as, one of the best days for weather ever. Star Chaser flew over to school, feeling her mane flow in the wind. She was excited to see her friends again, and get to know Sun Catcher a little more. He seemed like a fun colt to hang with, and she always liked to get to know almost everything about friends. She was the first one to school, so she got a great choice in seating. She unpacked her bags and put a few pencils on her desk. "Hello, Star Chaser. You're here early today!" Play Write remarked, smiling down at the filly. "Yep! It was just too beautiful of a morning to stay inside. I also want to fly as much as possible, since it is my talent." Play Write looked at Star's cutie mark. "Congrats! Did you just get that this weekend? I would think more ponies would be buzzing over you about it!" Star shook her head. "No. I got it on Thursday night." She smiled at the memories before continuing with the conversation. "I kept it hidden, since I didn't want other foals following me around all day." Play Write chucked in response. "I understand that. I was the same way when I was your age!" "Really?" "Yes! I really didn't want to be followed around by others the whole day just because I got my special mark. I even put a piece of paper on my flank to hide it," Play Write laughed again. "So, if you have any issues with others not leaving you alone, you can talk to me." Star smiled. "Thanks, Miss Play Write!" "No problem!" Play Write responded as she went back to sorting through papers. "Haha! I told you he's just a stuck-up!" Came a voice from outside. Star perked an ear up to listen carefully. The door swung open harshly, hitting the wall with a loud bang. A familiar face then stomped through the door; his face tilted to the ground. "Sun Catcher? Sun, what's wrong?" Star asked as Sun took his seat in the back of the room. "I don't want to talk about it..." He murmured in a low tone, putting a folder in front of his face. Star Chaser then heard someone else walk through the door. She looked to find a Pegasus colt prancing in. He had a dark blue coat with a two-toned yellow mane and tail. He looked to the back of the room, his dark orange eyes becoming mischievous. "Oh, look! Snob Catcher has that folder up so he doesn't have to look at the low-class ponies in the room!" He remarked, grinning unpleasantly. A unicorn filly came in the room, snickering. She smoothed out her purple mane while brushing off her yellow coat. She then looked over at Sun with her pink, teasing eyes. "You got that right, Astral Thunder!" She said to the colt as Astral nudged her at the side. "Of course I did, Mythic Comet!" He snickered as Mythic slightly nudged him back. "None of you are right! Bullying is not something young foals should practice!" Play Write interrupted, trotting over to Sun Catcher's desk. Star sighed. She knew the day couldn't be perfect. Star Chaser heard laughter from a nearby lunch table. She looked to see Astral Thunder and Mythic Comet sitting close to each other, saying something entertaining. "Uh, why are you staring at Astral and Mythic like that?" Rain Kicker asked. "What?" "Well..." Rain tried to figure out the look on Star's face. "You look... upset for some reason." Star nodded. "Yeah, I am. They made fun of Sun Catcher this morning." Rain nodded her head in understanding. "Is that why Sun decided to stay in the classroom for lunch instead?" "Yep." Star Chaser responded, her gaze returning to her friends. "Wait, those jerks made fun of Sun?" Flora interrupted, causing Aqua to turn to the conversation as well. "Yeah." "Wow. They were really mean to this one filly in my class last year. It got so bad that she transferred." "Oh." Rain responded, giving a small glare to the other table. "I don't understand bullies." Recess was then called as every foal ran outside. Star turned her glance to the classroom door, where she saw Sun Catcher walking up to the four. "Hey, guys. I'll come out to recess with you." Flora gave a smile. "It's alright. Star told us what happened; we understand it you want to keep to yourself today." Sun shook his head. "No, I want to hang out with you guys. Thank you for your understanding, though." The four smiled as they walked with Sun out to the playground. It seemed like Sun was prancing a little more gracefully than them. Well, probably because it was how ponies walked in Canterlot. The four came to a halt as Astral and Mythic approached them. "Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Astral said as he took a look at Aqua's flank. "A blank flank hanging out with ponies who already have their cutie marks? I can't believe it!" Mythic responded to Astral's comment as the two showed the five their flanks, which were each adorned with a cutie mark. Mythic's displayed riches, while Astral's displayed a thunder cloud. "Oh no. He might become a weather pony..." Rain mumbled to herself. Aqua Flash was staring at the ground, her tail covering a side of her blank flank. "Stop it!" She hissed, tilting her head up. "Oh? You don't like accepting the truth?" Mythic responded. Astral chuckled. "Maybe your talent is denying everything." Mythic rolled her eyes. "What kind of cutie mark would that be?" She then looked over at Aqua. "Makes sense why she doesn't have a cutie mark." "Stop bugging me about it!" Aqua snapped again, this time a little louder. Sun Catcher backed up slowly behind the group as Rain glared at the two bullies. "Yeah! Stop picking on all my friends!" Astral raised an eyebrow, keeping a mischievous look. "Oh, the athlete is protecting the blank flank and the snob. Sounds like a romance novel." Rain's ears folded back. "Uh, NO! I cannot stand romance!" Mythic snickered. "Why not? You obviously are into Aqua." "W-WHAT?! I'm not like that!" Rain responded, her look turning into fury. "Whatever you say, Rain Flash." Astral responded as he walked away with Mythic, laughing. Rain put her hooves over her head to keep from losing it. After a minute, she calmed down and looked over at Aqua. "Are you okay?" Aqua nodded. "Yeah. The question is: Are you okay? You looked like you were about to burst!" Rain nodded. "Yep. That is why you never tease me about romance. Especially when you think I am paired up with one of my friends!" Aqua chuckled to lighten the mood a bit. "Well, at least we know not to set you up on a date with another mare! Or anyone, for that matter!" Rain raised an eyebrow. "I never said that I wouldn't let myself date mares! Gender doesn't matter to me!" "And gender shouldn't matter!" Flora interrupted. "I have two moms, so I get offended when others talk how mares should only be with stallions." "I can see why," Star responded in understanding as she poked Flora in the side. "You're it!" She remarked, dashing away. The rest of the school day flew by rather slowly. Star Chaser was a little nervous about the two bullies. She didn't want her or any of her friends to be hurt by them. The school bell then rung, breaking her from her thoughts. "Alright, class! Have a good day! I'll see you tomorrow!" Play Write exclaimed as everypony ran out the door. A yellow unicorn mare with light purple, curly mane stepped through the door, fixing her glasses. "Thank you for writing a letter informing me about the bullying, Miss Play Write." Play Write looked at the unicorn. "Oh, you're welcome... Crystal Clear, right?" "Most definitely," Crystal Clear looked down at Sun Catcher. "Ready to go, son? Your father and I are going to tell you how to properly defend yourself against bullies." Sun Catcher nodded. "Yes, mother." With that, the two walked out of the classroom, Crystal's head held a little high. "Is that how ponies have to act like in Canterlot? It seems too... proper," Rain Kicker remarked. Star Chaser nodded her head. "Yeah. I would never be able to live in Canterlot." Flora then started giggling. "Can you imagine? Me talking all elegantly? I would have to lose my silly voice!" Aqua laughed. "You would explode if you went a day without saying something funny with that silly voice you have." "Of course!" Flora responded, walking towards the door. "Now, who wants to get something from Sugarcube Corner real quick?" "Me!" The three shouted as they followed Flora out the door.