//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9 - Confrontations 
// Story: Roads of Life 
// by PonyWrites 
//------------------------------//

Scootaloo’s life seemed to be defined by homework now. It was never this way in middle school. There must have been some conspiracy. She was ankle deep in some dumb reading assignment for English. Scootaloo could read through a Daring Do book in a day, but she struggled on each page of… She checked the title. Animal Farm. Her phone rang. She looked at the screen it was Sweetie, coming in with golden wings of light to save her from boredom.
        “Hey gurl.” Scootaloo greeted.
        “Love you babe. I’m about ready to claw my eyes out with all this work. Why don’t we grab a booth at the Corner and make out. You know, for our sanity.” Scootaloo mentally went through her list of assignments. It was long and tedious. She hadn’t accomplished much in the past two hours.
        “I’d love to,” she said. The homework could wait. Serves them right for trying to think kids would do that much in a day, anyway.
        “It’s just gonna be us, since Bloom can’t leave the house still.”
        “That’s fine, hun, I’m already out the door.”
        Sweetie kissed through the phone, “See you there.”

        Since Scootaloo had a vehicular form of transportation, even if it was powered by her own foot, she got there faster. It was midday, not a lot of people where there. Pinkie greeted her with her customary bubbly attitude.
        “Hia! The usual?”
        “Yeah, thanks. Sweetie should be here soon.”
        “OK, great!” Believe it or not, Pinkie actually respected Scootaloo’s tendency to avoid small talk. Scootaloo sat down at a booth and waited. Finally Sweetie came, looking flustered and tired at the same time. They mostly talked about how much they hated the reading. Scootaloo found it boring. Sweetie talked at length about how it was a thinly veiled hammer against capitalism. Then Scootaloo got to wondering why the other animals didn’t revolt. They were discussing that, unwittingly doing their homework, when the door opened. Scootaloo froze, the bell sounding like thunder and lighting. The universe was warning her of something. Sweetie looked to see what was wrong, and at once she knew. She immediately held Scootaloo’s hand, and noted how it shook. 
        Sweetie took a fifty/fifty chance and kissed her girlfriend, on the lips. The odds were in her favor, and Scootaloo recovered and relaxed.
        Her parents looked at her horrified. Her mother’s scowl told her that the scolding her own daughter gave her would most certainly be repaid. She had weeks to think it over, Scootaloo could smell the lecture from here. 
        Big surprise, they didn’t even ask for permission to sit down. Scootaloo briefly glanced at Sweetie. Her eyes were a thousand times worse than when she broke her window, and even then they held the fire of a thousand suns. Scootaloo tried not to grin. The might of an army was hidden behind those eyes. Scootaloo was fueled by her girlfriend's confidence in her. She had this. Hopefully.
        “Hello, mother,” she greeted coldly, “father. Have you been well?”
        “We have been worried sick, young lady,” her mother scorned.
        “Oh bullshit. You came in the store laughing. Besides, you know where I am. If you gave two shits you could come and get me. Or, you know, call.” Scootaloo snorted. 
        “I thought it necessary to give you some space, so you can see how depraved… those sort of people are… with your own eyes.”
        “Well they aren’t. Rainbow loves her girlfriends very much and I love mine!” Oh.
        Well shit. Sweetie squeezed her girlfriend’s hand.
        “You mean you have more than one?” Her mother reeled back, agast. “That’s certainly no way to live!”
        “I don’t know if you’ve realized this, but I’ve stopped listening a long time ago! Sweetie and Apple Bloom love me very much, and I love them!” It was oddly liberating to make her parents not respect her even more. She was already breaking their moral code and snorting it, why not go as far as possible?
        “I see now. If you cannot see the light on your own, you must be led! This phase of yours has gone on long enough. I’ve been talking to a therapist and…”
        “NO.”
        Just who spoke surprised everyone. It wasn’t Scootaloo, standing her ground. It wasn’t Sweetie, defending her beloved, though she was ready to speak. It wasn’t the owner of the store, they were completely oblivious. 
        It was Scootaloo’s father. “Reg? What, we agreed on this!”
        “No. I see it now. It’s all too clear. They’ve been holding hands the entire time. Remember, when we were so in love, and I asked your parents if I could marry you, and I held your hand because I was so terrified. Love doesn’t get any more genuine. I don’t understand why, but I do know what love is. Look at them. They’re both fifteen. Just kids… kids that love each other. They aren’t deprived. I was wrong.” Scootaloo gasped. They weren’t “I’m so proud,” but those words would have to do. “My brother… went to therapy for the same thing. He killed himself a week later. We thought it was because he was diagnosed with HIV, but I see it now. It’s because he broke himself. Tried to be moulded into what he wasn’t.”
        “And we… we broke our daughter. Look at her arms.” Reg wiped his eyes. 
        “She even knows how wrong it is!”
        Scootaloo had only seen her father mad on one occasion. He had just found out the guy that owed him money had skipped town and on top of that hadn’t paid him in nearly a year. His balding dome turned bright red, and Scootaloo thought his eyes were going to explode. This is what he looked like now. Scootaloo grinned madly. Shit was going down, and for once it was in her favor. 
        “No, you cow! This isn’t the Byzantine empire, we don’t self-mutilate in repentance. Because we’re supposed to know one thing, Jesus saved us from all our sins. I always took that as the whole world. John 3:16! You don’t even have to accept him. So even if God doesn’t like the act, and I’m even debating that, you’re good to go. I’ve seen what it’s done to my brother. My daughter. If God tests, he doesn’t drive you to suicide! He doesn’t drive you to hurt yourself. This isn’t a test from God. It can’t be. She was perfectly happy before we sat our happy asses down, but then she was afraid.”
        “Nobody should have to fear her own parents. The problem isn’t with her, it’s with us.”
        “They know not what they do.”
        “The line before that says forgive them! I’m done, we’re leaving, Honey.” Reg practically spat the word. He took Scootaloo’s mother’s arm and practically dragged her out. No small feat, considering she had nearly eighty pounds on him, but he was mostly muscle. Scootaloo saw her mother’s eyes as she left. Scootaloo turned to stone. This was only the beginning. But no matter.
        “Hey, you know what sounds really good right now?” She asked.
        “Victory sex?”
        “You’ve read my mind.”
        “Let’s go to my place, Rarity’s not home and we can make all the noise we want.”

        After they had finished and rested and showered, Scootaloo’s phone went off. Rainbow Dash never made calls. Something was happening.
        Scootaloo answered. “Ya…”
        “Where are you?” Her sister sounded urgent.
        “At Sweetie’s.”
        “OK, good, stay there. There’s a three-hundred pound whale outside claiming to be your mother. She looks very angry and I’m waiting for mom to get home because… well, three hundred pounds.”
        “Can’t you just call the police?”
        “While that would be a good idea, mom just pulled up and she’s warming up her batting arm.”
        “If your mother beats up mine, it’s all over. Police charges, and then everyone will know I’m technically kidnapped.”
        “Shit shit shit shit shit.” The line went dead. 
        Scootaloo dropped her phone and lay prostrate on the ground. For once in her life she prayed, begging God for something to go her way. Preferably just kill her mother. That would be fantastic. But, other than that, a peaceful resolution. 
        Her phone went off again.
        “What..”
        “Right, so I just beat the everliving shit out of your mother. She gave us an ultimatum, and it’s your decision, while I’m still thinking clearly. She won’t press charges if you go home with her and agree to go to conversion… institute or whatever the fuck she calls it. So, what will it be?”
        “C… Can I have a minute?”
        “Of course.” Scootaloo turned to Sweetie.
        “Do I go to camp or court?”
        “Court. Duh.”
        Scootaloo spoke into the receiver now, brimming with confidence. “Tell her to go fuck herself and we’ll see her in court.”
        “With pleasure!” Scootaloo hung up and turned back to her girlfriend.
        “You know that moment in Mecha Destroyer 3 when you can see a rocket coming at you? No time to dodge and since Apple Bloom won’t play medic--”
        Sweetie giggled, graduating on to a full laugh. “I think you have enough HP. Honestly, we might as well start celebrating now.” Sweetie hooked a finger in Scootaloo’s jeans.
        “Really? After all of that?”
        “Worn out?”
        “Sweetie, I just indirectly told my mom to go fuck herself, dragged my adoptive parents into a legal battle, and…” She trailed off as something rattled inside her head. This was it, from here on it was make or break. She would either be returned home or allowed to be her own girl. This moment would define her life. So either out of celebration or a last rite, she kissed her girlfriend with passion surpassing that of the sun. She very much hoped it would be the former. Either way she would be free, but she held faith it would finally work out for her. Unlike everything leading to this day, even this hour.
        “Liberating, isn’t it?” Sweetie asked after they had broken off.
        “Everything I could ever want is so close.”
        “And the best part is, just a little effort and it’s yours.”
        “You’re my freedom.” Sweetie held a finger to Scootaloo’s mouth, silencing her.
        “I know you’re trying to be romantic, but Applejack could write a dissertation as to why that’s a terrible metaphor. Let’s just not talk; we know what we want.” Scootaloo grabbed Sweetie’s wrist roughly and moved it away from her mouth, kissing her again. Who needed to talk, anyway?
        
        After they got clean again and ate they decided to cuddle on the couch and watch TV.  Scootaloo’s phone went off. Four times in one day. Better alert the media, something was happening. It was Rainbow again, obviously.
        “Yo.”
        “Yo sis, ya coming home or what? I’m pretty sure you didn’t do any of your homework.”
        “Yeah I did, I was studying anatomy the whole time.”
        Rainbow laughed a genuine laugh of an overenthusiastic hyena “Niiiice. So are you well enough to walk?”
        “I’m fine, not sure about Sweetie though.” Sweetie herself was snuggling contently and listening to the conversation. Scootaloo grinned and got a terrible idea. A terrible, awful, wonderful idea. She communicated this idea with hand signals. Sweetie was perplexed but decided to go along.
        “Damn girl. I understand if you need to stay there and take care of her.”
        “Yeah, she can’t even move, I’m making her dinner in bed.”
        “There’s a low, low effort joke here but I’m going to assume you mean actual food. We won’t expect you back then?”
        “Not today.”
        “I can’t believe this, but part of me wants to point out how important it is to do homework, but the other part doesn’t give a fuck. Keep up the good work. Love ya sis, see you tomorrow.”
        “See Yaaaaaaaaaaaah. Oh yeah.”
        “Did you just…”
        “Maybe.”
        “I have no response to that, so I’m going to hang up.” The line went dead.
        Sweetie wiped her mouth and looked up at her girlfriend. “Well,” she said, “That was naughty.”
        “I guess I really am depraved.” Scootaloo chuckled.
        “And how does that make you feel?” Sweetie joined in the laughter.
        “I don’t really give a fuck.” 
        “Maybe I need to punish you.”
        “I’m not sure I can go much longer.” Scootaloo pleaded.
        “That’s why it’s a punishment.” Scootaloo whimpered, but gave no further protests as she was lead back to the bedroom. 
        The cycle continued until about midnight, when they had finally worn themselves out. And Rarity had come home.They fell asleep holding each other. Scootaloo dreamed of a cage bird, singing sweetly despite its restraints. The cage opened, but the bird was happy enough, so it didn’t leave. Somebody shook the cage and the songbird flew into the clear blue sky. 


        “So the way this works,” Sweetie explained. “Is since I wore your clothes the last time I stayed at your place, you have to wear mine.” She pulled out a miniskirt and tank top. Since that didn’t meet the dress code she normally wore it with a small over shirt that really only functioned to cover her shoulders. 
        “Ugh reaaaallly? My legs aren’t shaved, I’ll just look like a guerrilla.” 
        “That’s what the stockings are for.” Sweetie pulled out a disgusting pair of pink-striped things that would probably go to Scootaloo’s thigh.
        “Honeeey, it’s fucking pink!” Scootaloo groaned.
        “Shut up or I’ll make you wear heels.”
        “Fine, you fucking sadist. Do I have to wear a thong too?”
        “Ooo, that’s a good idea.” 
        Five minutes later, Scootaloo looked in the mirror. Sweetie and her were nearly the same size, so the tank top hugged her modest features well. The shirt had a half-eaten cookie on it, leading down into a red and black plaid miniskirt. Sweetie had some massive kneehigh boots, which Scootaloo kind of liked. The overshirt was simple red, covering up her arms. 
        “How do girls actually wear these things? There’s like, no fabric.” Scootaloo questioned.
        “You never complained when I wore them.”
        “Yeah, but you’re… not to put us into roles, but you’re the girl of this relationship. I’m practically a man. Those are my boxers on the floor for God’s sake!”
        “We all need to get in touch with our feminine side.” Sweetie giggled.
        “I’d make a lame joke about how I do that every night, but it’s just low hanging fruit. Let’s go get breakfast. And more importantly coffee.”
        “Oh, and remember you can’t sit with your legs spread like you normally do.”
        “Oh fuck me! I might as well just stop breathing!”
        “It’s not like you have gonads to clamp with your own thighs.” Scootaloo shook her head and took a breath before going down the stairs.

        Rarity was looking hungover… but worse at the same time. Kind of like a reanimated corpse. She nodded curtly, holding a mug of steaming coffee, straight. Scootaloo helped herself to some donuts and poured a mug of the black lifeblood. She also found a banana and a peach. She whispered “wanna see how long it takes me to eat this?” And Sweetie giggled, earning them a glare. How dare they be happy in the morning? Scootaloo wanted to ask what Rarity had been up to, but figured any vocalization would end up causing the other girl immense pain.
        “What… The fuck?” Rarity said, voice sounding like leaves crumpling. She downed the rest of her mug and instantly perked up.
        “I slept over so she made me wear her clothes, since the first time she stayed at my place she wore mine.”
        Rarity nodded. “You people. And your sex lives.”
        “Are… you a virgin?” Scootaloo asked.
        Rarity shook her head. “I tried it once. I was bored, we were slightly intoxicated, and I wanted to see what the fuss was about. I still don’t know. I appear to have blanked on his name.”
        Scootaloo shrugged. 

        Rainbow gave Scootaloo her uncompleted homework with a sarcastic “you’re welcome.” Scootaloo snickered. “Also if you could not tease the dyke with the overactive sex drive like that, the dyke would greatly appreciate it.”
        “Oh gosh, I didn’t even think of that.”
        “I’d never… but I was up all night thinking about it. But then again I’m usually up all night anyway.”
        “I was just so… It was like…”
        “Scootaloo, you told your abusive mother to fuck off. I’d celebrate too, but for my sake, try to reign it in.” Rainbow gave a salute and left. Scootaloo thought it an abrupt end to the conversation but then she realized why. The answer was two fold. Apple Bloom walked up behind her, and as Rainbow turned the corner she started laughing, clutching her belly and doubled over. 
        “I don’t think I’ve seen you around before?”
        Scootaloo tried to act like Sweetie Belle and giggle adorably, covering her mouth with the tips of her fingers. “I’m Scootaloo.”
        “Howdy, Scootaloo, I’m Apple Bloom. So what’s a Sweet Thang like you doing in a dump like this? I bet you could go to Crystal High if you wanted.”
        “Oh my, when I moved from Manhattan I didn’t expect the folk to be so… forward.”
        “A city gal. I knew it. Well, I don’t know what it’s like in the city, but round here, if we see something we like, we point it out.”
        Scootaloo could no longer put up the act and started laughing like Rainbow did. Apple Bloom joined in. The bell rang, and after a brief time they recovered enough to go to class.

        Today was definitely a weird day. In third period, Scootaloo actually received a compliment from Diamond Tiara of all people, saying she looked good. Scootaloo was, of course, stupefied. Even in gym class, right before lunch, Silver Spoon gave a similar comment. Scootaloo loudly accused them of being forced into it, to which Silver denied. “You really pull it off. I think you have just the right amount of sass or something.” She said.
        “So you’re hitting on me now?” Scootaloo grinned.
        “No, girls can complement each other. Sheesh.”
        “I know, I’m teasing.” Scootaloo blinked, realizing she was now joking with her former bullies.
        At lunch things got even weirder. Rumble approached Scootaloo from behind, so she didn’t see what Apple Bloom was gawking at. She turned her head and dropped her fork. Rumble was wearing a girl’s cheer leading outfit. Miniskirt, whatever you call those tiny tops. His midriff was smooth and firm, curving like an hourglass. One shoulder strap slipped off and Scootaloo looked frantically around the room, in case she found another attractive boy and had to re-evaluate her sexuality. Again. She found none. So, the exception, not the rule, then. 
        Rumble sat down next to Scootaloo, who was next to Sweetie.
        “Wow, looks like I got three girlfriends now.” Apple Bloom said. “`stead of the tomboy and the…”
        “Boy with a pituitary problem.” Rumble finished. Scootaloo had no idea what it meant, but it made him look hot, so it’s probably fine. 
        “So did you sleep over at your girlfriend’s house too?” Scootaloo snickered, and she was suddenly conscious of her legs fidgeting. 
        “What? No, I don’t think Apple Bloom owns a cheerleader outfit. Apparently Button does. I lost a bet.”
        “Who comes last?”
        “What? No. Is she always like this? Of course she is, she’s not a closet case anymore.” Rumble shook his head. “OK, you’re on the right track.” He turned a shade of jello-surprise. “dick size,” he mumbled.
        “That seems awfully cruel for Button.”
        “The outfit was my idea. If I won he’d have to wear a cage for a week.”
        “Are you sure you’re not gay?” Apple Bloom asked.
        “I’m sitting at a solid eighty-five percent. Just like Algebra.”
        “Wait, I just want to be perfectly clear…” Sweetie started. “There exists, dicks. In the universe, larger than yours?”
        “Yes.”
        “And Button has one?”
        “Yes.”
        “And he had a crush on me as little as a month ago?”
        “Unless that was a dream we both had.”
        “Scoots, hun. Can I…”
        Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “God you’re already a size queen. Go ahead, I think I’ve had enough to last a week already.”
        “Oh thank you, I’ll make it up to you I promise.”
        “Love isn’t a bank account.” Apple Bloom said, causing the others to squint at her. “I mean, there’s no record of debt.” Everyone nodded, but continued their squint.
        “Oh, I get it. She’s basically trying to say not to worry about it, which is how I felt, anyway.” Scootaloo said. She didn’t feel jealous at all. So long as she wasn’t running around with other girls, it didn’t matter to her.