//------------------------------// // Where Am I // Story: Stripped Away // by littlebrony //------------------------------// Scootaloo awoke in her bed, her mind still numb to world as she tried to wake up. She found it hard to get up and move some mornings. Waking up to the same bare walls and a room full of empty bunks. The room was cold, even with the warm sun beaming through the windows. This was not a home, but it was all Scootaloo ever had. She was brought to the orphanage when she was just a few weeks old. Her parents had died in a accident in the weather factory. Apparently a cloud chamber built up pressure and exploded, Killing them both instantly. Scootaloo rubbed her eyes with her hoof and looked around. Taking notice of the clock on the wall. 9:36 in the morning it read. “I guess I over slept again.” Scootaloo sighed, and placed a hoof on her stomach. It growled loudly. “I guess I will have to wait till lunch.” Scootaloo said as she hopped of the top bunk. She trotted out the door of the room, and made her way down the hall. Hoping not to catch the attention of…. “Mrs Scootaloo!” A voice said in a screeching tone behind her. Scootaloo turned slowly knowing that she was in trouble. It was against the rules to miss breakfast. Standing above her was Mrs. Horse Feather. Her mane was as grey as a storm cloud, her nose looked to be twisted sideways, and her eyes seemed to peer into a ponies soul through the thick rimmed glasses. “Yes Mrs Horse Feather.” Scootaloo said in a shaky voice. “Young lady what have a told you about missing breakfast?” Scootaloo looked at the ground. “You said that missing breakfast is against the rules, and is subject to punishment by lashing.” Scootaloo said, with memories of the her last lashing flooding her mind. The feel of the hickory stick striking her in the flank, and the searing pain it left behind. She had been in trouble quite a few times for it, more than she could count. “That is correct Scootaloo.” She said with a evil smirk. “But this time I am going to let it slide.” Scootaloo tilted her head in confusion, as Mrs. Horse Feather placed on hoof under Scootaloo’s chin. “Why are you letting it slide?” Scootaloo asked. Mrs. Horse Feather gave a slight chuckle. A weez could be heard coming from her lungs with every laugh. “Why Scootaloo, don’t you know what day it is? “No Mam what day is it?” Scootaloo asked. “It's your birthday dear.” Mrs. Horse Feather said as she drug Scootaloo in for a hug. Scootaloo accepted the hug. It was not often Mrs. Horse Feather showed any affection towards the orphans. Scootaloo then hit herself in the face with her hoof. “I can't believe I forgot my own birthday.” Scootaloo said now red in the face. Mrs. Horse Feather then reached into a bag that was attached to her side, and drug out a small pouch and proceeded to hand it to Scootaloo. “Here you go my dear. Happy Birthday.” Said Mrs. Horse Feather. Scootaloo sat down and looked inside the pouch. Her eyes went wide, she could not believe what she was seeing. It was a bag of bits. Tears formed in her eyes as she looked up at Mrs. Horse Feather. “Why are you giving me these?” Scootaloo asked. Mrs. Horse Feather was not a pony to give out bits. It was unheard of in the orphanage. The most anypony ever got was a stuffed animal or a new blanket. “Oh you think they are from me? Mrs. Horse Feather laughed. “Why don't you read the tag dear?”. Scootaloo turned the tag over, It was from Rainbow Dash. “That blue Pegasus was in here before anypony was up to give you that. She said she would have gave it to you herself, but she got a urgent call from the wonder bolts.” Scootaloo now wore a big smile on her face as she looked at Mrs. Horse Feather. “Go on, go and have some fun. I am sure you and your friends can find something to spend those bits on.” Mrs. Horse Feather said as she trotted back down the hall. It took no time for Scootaloo be outside and whizzing down the dirt paths on her scooter. She was so excited, she could not wait to tell the girls. Then something clicked in her head. She came to a sudden stop, and tears began rolling down her face. She remembered that the girls and their sisters were in Manehatten for a while, and would not be back till next week. Scootaloo’s ears drooped down as she began pushing her scooter slowly down the path. If there was one thing she hated, it was being alone. She felt just like she did before she had met the girls. She pushed her scooter for what seemed like forever, until she came upon a spot she had not been to in forever. It was a little pond out in the middle of a forest. On one side of the pond was a gigantic rock with a little tunnel through it. There had not been anypony there in awhile. It was overgrown with weeds and the water was somewhat murky. Scootaloo made her way over to the rock and climbed on top. She used to come here to get away from the orphanage. Now she just found herself trying to escape the loneliness. There was a nice warm breeze blowing through the trees, and the sunlight was beaming down on the pond. She looked across it to see a dragon fly just inches above the water. “I wish I could fly.” Scootaloo said to herself while rolling over onto her back to look up at the sky. She used to watch Rainbow Dash from here, always leaving a bright rainbow trail behind her as she sped through the sky. Breaking any clouds that got in her way. Scootaloo rolled back over and stood up again, looking over the pond. “I can fly. I know I can.” She said as her wings began to buzz. “If I am going to be alone, I am going to practice flying.” The thought of flying over the girls when they got back entered her mind. “Oh that would be so awesome.” She thought to herself. She slowly moved toward the back of the rock. Crouching down to get a better launch she started buzzing her little wings as fast. and as hard as they could go. With a hard push, she jumped up into the air over the pond. She found herself hovering over the pond. Her wings unable to give her the propulsion needed for proper flight. Soon gravity began to take hold and she started slowly falling into the murky pond. She tried with everything she had to keep from going in. But her wings simply gave out. Causing her to dive head first into the pond. The next thing she knew she was falling through a dark void. Or at least she thought she was falling. There was no wind and know way of knowing if she was up or down. She had never experienced anything like this before. Soon a light appeared in the distance, and it seemed to be getting closer with each passing second. With a sudden splash she found herself catapulted into the air, only to crash down onto a Hard grassy bank. Her ears were ringing and her head hurt. She looked around and immediately knew she was no longer in equestria. This was place was so dull in color yet seemed so full of life. She sat there, as she studied her surroundings. Everything was familiar yet so different at the same time. She gazed upon the trees, that surrounded the pond that she had just flew out of. The texture of the bark and the look of the leaves, was so much different than in Equestria. Scootaloo got up and started inspecting the area further. She was still unsure if she feel safe or frightened. After her brief inspection of the area. Her mind was allowed to wander a bit, as she still tried to process where she was. Her thoughts were cut short by the sound of twigs snapping and leaves crunching. She could tell something was coming, and it was big. Her mind raced as thoughts of what it could be flooded her head. She found herself pacing back on forth trying to figure out what to do. She didn't know if this thing was out to eat her or not. Then she spotted the silhouette of the figure making its way towards her. It's was a lot taller than she was and appeared to walk on two legs, with two more hanging from its sides. Scootaloo panicked, and took off sprinting in the opposite direction. Only to have her hoof catch on a tree root that was sticking out of the ground, sending her flying head first into a tree. Followed by a thud and then blackness. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Scootaloo awoke, her head feeling like someone had hit her with a bat. She then felt something was wrapped around her, it was warm and soft. “Am I wrapped in a blanket?” She thought to herself. Slowly she began to open her eyes, her vision was flooded with light. Slowly though everything began to come into focus. She looked around and found that she was indeed wrapped up in a blanket. Managing to free her legs from the warmth of the blankets she pushed herself up. She brought a hoof up to her head and felt something weird. Her head was wrapped in some cloth. She began to rub her head some more. Only to bring her hoof back down quickly, as she hit a tender spot. Looking at her new surroundings, she noted a really big window that went all the way from the floor to nearly to ceiling. Along with a desk with a few pictures on it. There was also something in the floor making a buzzing sound, and had flashing lights. She looked over to her right and saw a door, it was standing wide open. “Well if whoever brought me here, is trying to keep my prisoner. They are doing a bad job at it.” She thought to herself. She then turned to inspect what she was sitting on. “A Bed?” Scootaloo looked over it. “Oh wow. What ever sleeps in this thing must be huge.” She thought to herself, never seeing a bed that size before. The sound of footsteps coming near the door startled her. Her first instinct was to hide under the covers. “If it see’s that I am still sleeping, it might leave me alone. Then I can make a break for it.” She thought to herself as the footsteps stopped next to her. She felt herself start to shake, and tears form in her eyes. She was scared. All sorts of thoughts were running through her head. “Omc I am going to die here. It's going to eat me.” She felt it start to touch her back. Scootaloo instantly bolted out from under the cover and backed against the wall on the other side of the bed. Her eyes connecting with the thing in front of her, tears now rolling down her cheeks. The thing reached out for her with one of its upper legs. Scootaloo let out a loud squeak, before curling up into a ball. Afraid of what was about to happen. The feeling of two of the leg things began to wrap around her and pick her up. She started to squirm in its legs trying to free herself, only to be pulled in and held tightly. As much as she tried, she was unable to free herself. The things grip was too tight. Then she felt something start to stroke her mane slowly, and gently. “It's ok little one. I am not going to hurt you.” The thing spoke in a very soft yet firm tone. Scootaloo tried one more time to break away from its hold, only to be held tighter, and the feeling of it stroking her mane continued again. “Please let me go.” Scootaloo begged. The stroking stopped as she felt herself being pulled away from it. “You can talk?” The thing asked, as Scootaloo was trying to avoid any eye contact with it. Scootaloo remained silent. All that could be heard was the sniffles coming from her nose. She felt herself get pulled back into it. The thing proceeded to sit down on the bed, where Scootaloo had been. Then it began to rock back and forth while stroking her mane again. Scootaloo was not sure how to handle what was going on. It wasn't trying to hurt her at all. If anything it was trying to comfort her. She shook her head, and managed to pull away enough to look at the thing in the face. Her eyes still wet with tears. She looked at it closely with a puzzled look on her face. And saw it had a beard and kinda short mane. “What ever this thing is, it's a male.” She thought to herself. “So you're not going to talk to me?” The thing asked. “You're not trying to eat me.” Scootaloo asked. The thing gave out a thunderous laugh. “No little one. I would never dream of eating you.” It said with a reassuring smile. “So what are you, and what is this place? Where am I?” Scootaloo asked. “Well my name is Mike, and I am a human. This is my house, I found you by my pond. You had been knocked out.” Mike looked at Scootaloo and gave a smile. “It looked like you tried to head butt a tree.” Mike said teasingly. Scootaloo blushed, and went to rub her head without thinking. Only to wince in pain. “I remember I was running from something and then tripped.” “I'm sorry I guess that was me, you was running from. I heard something splash in my pond and came to see what it was.” Mike then proceeded to rub his own head. “So where am I?” Scootaloo asked again. “You are in the United States of America, in a place called Maine.” He said, then looked at Scootaloo. “Who are you, and where are you from? If you don’t mind me asking.” Scootaloo looked away from him, and thought for a second before telling him. Wondering if she should really tell him the truth. Then figured she might as well, considering that he was being kind to her. “My name is Scootaloo, I am from a place called Ponyville In Equestria.” Scootaloo said, as she looked at him nervously. “I don't know how I got here. I remember falling into a pond in my world, then ending up here.” Her eyes shot wide open, and she ran towards the window. “Mike, your pond. I might be able to get back home, if I jump in.” She said looking back at him with excitement in her eyes. Mike gave a small sigh. “Ok I guess I can take you down to the pond, and give this a shot.” He said as he got up from the bed, and proceeded to pick her back up. With that they proceeded to go back to the pond where he found her. “What if you can’t go back home Scootaloo?” Mike asked as they made their way down the short path towards the pond. “It will work. I know it will.” She said with confidence, with the pond coming into view. Scootaloo quickly jumped out of Mike’s arms and bolted towards the pond. Mike was hot on her trail, in case something didn't work. He watched as she leaped into the air. She buzzed her wings on her sides to try to get a further jump, and landed in the middle of the pond with a loud splash. Scootaloo found herself swimming down, Trying her best to hit the portal that brought her here. But soon found she needed air and breached the water like a shark attacking a seal. “I need to try again.” She said gasping for air, only to go back under for a second attempt. Mike watched as the she tried, and tried again. Until he saw a rush of air bubbles start coming up from where she was. “Oh shit!” Mike screamed, as he made a mad dash towards the pond. He jumped in and swam as fast as he could towards where the air bubbles had been coming up. The cool water chilling him, but that was the last thing on his mind. All he knew, is that he needed to help the little pony. Mike dove into the depths of the murky pond. The pond was only about 12 feet deep, and it was a depth he had reached many times in the past. But he also knew that there was plants down there, that could snag a leg if you was not careful. It did not take him long to locate her. Her body caught by a underwater vine. He feared the worse as quickly freed her and started bringing her up. “Please come back to me.” He thought as he brought her limp body back to the edge of the pond. The cool air cut through him like a knife, as he began trying to do C.P.R on her. With every few compressions he would blow air down her muzzle. Trying his best to get as much in as possible. With each passing second he became more, and more frantic. “Please damnit, breath! He yelled as he took one more massive breath and blew into her muzzle again. Water began to spew out of Scootaloo's mouth, as she began coughing and gasping for air. Each cough bringing up more water. Scootaloo sat up and began trying to catch her breath, like it was the first breaths she had ever took. Scootaloo looked up at Mike and saw tears flowing down his face, along with a smile. Mike was quick to grab Scootaloo and bring her in for a hug. “Your ok!” He said cheerfully, as he squeezed her. Scootaloo pulled away and looked at him. “You *Cough Cough* saved me.” She said, still having some difficulty breathing. Mike started patting her on the back, trying to assist in getting any leftover water out of her lungs. When her breathing finally calmed down, she lept into Mike’s chest and embraced him. “Thank you for saving me!” She cried, as Mike wrapped his arms around her, and picked her up. He began to carry her back up towards his house. Scootaloo just continued to cry, and clung onto him for dear life. Though she had only just met him, she felt she could trust him with her life. Once the two had made it back inside. Mike got to work on getting her dried off and warm. He could care less about how he felt at the moment. His body may have been freezing cold, but his heart was warm. He worked tediously as he began scrubbing her with a towel, trying to get all of her fur dry. He could tell that she was freezing cold, and was determined warm her back up. Once he felt that her coat was dry enough, he began to work on her mane. The sound of a hairdryer starting up startled Scootaloo. But her mind was quickly put at ease, by the warmth blowing through her mane. But with the warmth also came sadness. She had almost died, trying to get back home. She couldn't help but wonder if she would every see her friends again. Mike took notice, that Scootaloo was starting to cry again. He knew why to. Mike turned off the hair dryer, and moved around to look Scootaloo in the face. Scootaloo looked at him, then slammed her hoof onto the floor. “I couldn't make it back!”, she screamed. “Now I will never get to see my friends again. It's all I had, and now it's gone.” Mike couldn't bare to see her like this. He couldn't imagine the pain she had to be feeling. He needed to say something to make her feel better, but what? “Scootaloo look at me.” Mike said, as he took his hand and lifted her chin. “I know it must hurt, not being able to go back to your friends. But I think if you can come here through a portal. Then they should be able to find a way to bring you back.” Scootaloo looked at Mike. “Do you really think so?” Scootaloo asked. “Yeah I do.” Mike said. “And in the meantime while your waiting for that to happen. I will do my best to make you feel at home here.” He said, with a reassuring smile. This seemed to change Scootaloo's mood a bit. “Are you sure I won't get in the way?” “Of course I'm sure.” He said. “As long as you are here. I will keep you safe and make sure you have a place to sleep, and food to eat.” Scootaloo launched herself into his arms again, and nuzzled him under the chin. “Oh thank you MIke. Thank you so much.” Mike could feel a newfound warmth growing inside of him. He had never felt needed before. He felt like this little pony was his responsibility. He didn't even know how old she was, but could tell she was still a child. He was not about to let a child go hungry, or be left out on her own. It just was not right. The two sat like that for awhile. Mike noticed that Scootaloo's breathing had become calm and slow. She had fallen asleep in his arms. His heart melted at the thought. He looked at the clock and noted the time. It was almost 10pm, Then day had been a long one, for the both of them. Mike slowly lifted Scootaloo, and tried to place her on his bed. But her grip was strong. She was not willing to let go, Even in her sleep. Mike slowly managed to free himself of the sleeping pony. He was just about to cover her up and go sleep on the couch, but he decided that he had better stay with her tonight. Since it was her first night in a strange new house, and world. So he grabbed another blanket and pillow and laid down beside her, after turning off the lights. The moonlight shone through the window, onto Scootaloo's face. Mike couldn't help but smile at how cute she looked, just laying there sleeping away. Then he done something that he had never had the chance to do before. Mike leaned over and kissed Scootaloo on the forehead. He watched as she seemed to settle more, by pressing her head into the pillow, and pulling the covers closer. He grinned again, before laying down himself and drifting off to sleep.