Create a new version of paste:

>Day No Pinch Hitter in Equestria.
“But I didn’t do anything!”
>Cheerilee grabs you and pulls you back toward the classroom.
>”Don’t lie to me. I saw what happened.”
>You look up to see Applebloom sneaking away.
>She did this and now you’re taking the blame!
>Scootaloo tries to say something, but Sweetie Belle pulls her aside.
>You try to resist your teacher.
“But, Ms-”
>”I said that’s enough, Little League,” she says as she gives you a slight shake. 
>It’s no use.
>Applebloom and her friends got away with something again. 
>They’re always causing trouble.
>No wonder Diamond and Silver don’t like them.
>They always act like victims.
>Sweetie Belle especially is always pretending to be the teacher’s pet.
>You’ll get them for this.
>Cheerilee lets go of you as you arrive at your desk.
>She waits for you to sit down.
>”Now, are you going to tell me why you did that?”
“I didn-“
>”Little League, why won’t you ever accept responsibility for what you do?”
“It was Applebloom!”
>”Applebloom? She’s one of the sweetest fillies in class.”
“I’m telling the truth!”
>Cheerilee shakes her head.
>”I’m going to have to tell your mother if you don’t admit it.”
>You take a deep breath to shout it wasn’t you.
>Cheerilee sees this and you can already hear her getting angry.
>And if your Mom hears that you got in trouble again...
>She might…
>She might not let you play baseball anymore.
>It’s the one thing she holds over your head.
>Even more so now that Dad left.
“Please don’t tell my mom.”
>Cheerilee opens her mouth to shout, but closes it suddenly, chomping the words away.
>”Uh… well… so you admit you were wrong?”
>You look out the window to see Applebloom peeking.
>She’ll get her’s.
“Yes, Ms. Cheerilee,” you lie.
1/11
>Your teacher leans back with some relief in her eyes.
>”That wasn’t so hard was it?”
>You clench your teeth.
“No.”
>Cheerilee smiles at this.
>”Good. Alright, I won’t tell your mother, but you will have to stay after class for detention.”
“Detention!?”
>That wasn’t part of the deal!
“You said I’d be fine if I admitted it.”
>Cheerilee looks confused as she tries to remember what she said.
>”No, I only said that I wouldn’t tell on you. You still have to learn that your actions have consequences.”
“But… but…”
>”That’s enough, Little League. It’s only for the rest of the week.”
“Four days?!”
>You stop yourself from arguing.
>That won’t solve anything.
>You just sit there moping as the end of recess bell rings.
>
>
>Time seems to fly by, and before you know it the end of school bell rings.
>All the other ponies rush out of class.
>In a moment only you and Silver Spoon are left.
>Cheerilee clears her throat.
>”Alright, detention is for a hour. Do your homework quietly, and no talking.”
”Yes, Ms. Cheerilee,” you and Silver say in unison.
>Your teacher just smiles and starts looking over her papers.
>A quick glance to your left and you see Silver looking at you.
>You give her a confused look.
>She furrows her brow before lifting an eyebrow.
>You shrug to her, not understanding.
>Silver puts a hoof to her chin in deep contemplation.
>Finally she has it.
>She points at you, then at the ground, and then she makes an exaggerated shrug.
>You think she’s trying to ask why you are here.
>You point at yourself, then make your hoof walk across your desk.
>At the edge, you flip your hoof and make it appear to fall.
>Finally you point over at Applebloom’s desk, and pretend to laugh while poorly covering your face.
>Silver nods in agreement.
>You point at her, and raise an eyebrow.
2/11
>Silver looks toward the teacher.
>Satisfied that she can get away with it, she looks back at you.
>With a hoof Silver points at Scootaloo's desk, then points at herself.
>She taps her chest twice to indicate that her left hoof is her, and she repeats it for Scootaloo.
>Silver dances her hooves across her desk.
>She and Scootaloo were fighting.
>Her hooves move to her throat, and she exaggerates being choked.
>”Argh, Argh,” she croaks while throttling herself.
>Then the Scootaloo hoof punches her in the face, and she reels out of her chair.
>A hoof reaches out on it’s own and grabs the desk.
>Silver’s eyes open widely in fear, begging for forgiveness, as she clings to the desk for her life.
>She makes that smug look that Scootaloo always makes, before hitting the hoof holding the desk.
>Silver mimes screaming, and backs away from her desk, pretending to fall.
>She goes too far though, and backs into another chair.
>The instant the seat squeaks you both know the jig is up.
>”Get back to your seat, Silver Spoon.”
>You try not to laugh at Silver as her face turns red.
>”Yes, Ms. Cheerilee.”
>The teacher watches both of you for a few seconds before returning to her work.
>You and Silver both smile at each other. 
>Her story wasn’t very believable.
>You’ve never seen Scootaloo hit another pony.
>Oh well, the CMC caused both of you to be here.
>Silver pulls out some paper and starts working on her homework.
>You look out the window instead.
>There will be time later for homework.
>You see a bunch of stallions hanging around the park.
>Some of them look like they’re drinking.
>Half are wearing grey jerseys with a pink heart on them.
>The other half are wearing blue with a pirate symbol.
>One of them stands out from the others.
>He’s not a pony.
>You watch as he flexes, and swings the bat a few times.
>A pony says something to him and tosses him a can.
>The not pony grabs it with one hoo- one hand and drinks it in one gulp.
3/11
>He crushes the can before throwing it into a garbage bin.
>His team mates circle around him, and he leads them in some kind of cheer.
>They all shout in unison before going to their places.
>The tall not pony is the pitcher apparently.
“Ms. Cheerilee?”
>Your teacher looks up lazily.
“Who’s that?”
>She looks to where you are pointing.
>”That’s Big Mac. He’s Applebloom’s brother.”
>You shake your head.
“No, the really tall one at the pitcher’s mound.”
>Cheerilee looks again.
>”Oh, that’s Anon. He got here a few months ago. I think he said he’s a hyooman, from Urth.”
“A hyooman?”
>Cheerilee just shrugs before returning to her work.
>You look back longingly at the game.
>If only you were out there playing instead of being stuck here.
>You watch as Anon winds up before every pitch.
>He always flicks his wrist just right so the ball sails over the plate.
>Stallions always play slow pitch softball.
>They aren’t athletic enough to play a real sport like baseball.
>In fact you could probably beat these guys.
>
>You imagine yourself at the plate.
>Anon looks at you with worry in his eyes.
>He looks to his left, and Big Mac gives him the slightest nod.
>His arms moves on their own in a long arc before throwing a knuckle ball.
>You hit it squarely in the center of your bat and it flies past the fence.
>The crowd goes wild cheering, “Little League! Little League!”
>You, of course, give them a gracious wave as you trot around the diamond.
>If only…
>
>Wait a second, is that Lyra?
>You look closer at the mint green pony in the stands.
>It is!
>Why is your cousin at a beer league game?
>Anon waves at her, and she returns the favor.
>Lyra’s never mentioned hanging out with a hyooman.
>Well, she mentioned hanging out with a stallion.
>She said that he was tall, and loved playing sports.
>You think harder trying to remember what else she said.
>Lyra mentioned that he made her laugh, and was really cool.
4/11
>But she never said anything about him being a hyooman.
>What if they’re dating?
>
>You imagine Lyra sitting on Anon’s lap, laughing at a witty joke.
>She lays her head on his chest and lets out a contented sigh.
>Anon wraps a strong arm around her and pulls her closer.
>Lyra protests just enough to be proper, but not enough to put Anon off.
>He just smirks at this.
>A hand moves to brush Lyra’s hair as he looks deeply into her eyes.
>She closes them, daring Anon to do anything with her little body.
>Without waiting for permission, Anon reaches –
>
>”Little League!”
>You are snapped out of your daydream to your teacher trying to get your attention.
“Uhh, yes, Ms. Cheerilee?”
>”Detention is over. You can go home now.”
>”Yeah, let’s go,” Silver adds.
“Alright, see you tomorrow,” you say as you collect your books.
>”Bye.”
>
>
>The next day after class.
>Both you and Silver are in detention again.
>Only a few more days before you are free.
>As if on cue, Anon and his friends gather around for another game of softball.
>No, this looks like it’s just practice.
>You wonder if they always play after school, or if this just started.
>Your team only plays on weekends, so it makes sense that you’ve never seen them before.
>Anon goes up to bat, and a pegasus pony is pitching.
>You think his name is Soarin’.
>His first pitch is awkward and doesn’t even come close to the plate.
>Anon shows how to arc the ball before resuming his stance.
>Soarin tries again, and this one looks slightly off, but Anon goes for it anyway.
>He hits it, and narrowly misses Soarin’s head.
>Another pony dives for it, but misses.
>He recovers, grabs the ball and throws it to first just as Anon touches base.
>Safe.
>You watch in awe for the next hour as Anon continues to do well.
5/11
>
>
>Later that day.
>”Oh, hey Lily. I wasn’t expecting you today,” Lyra says as she opens the door.
“Yeah, Mom wanted to do stuff so she told me to come here.”
>You wait expectantly for Lyra to invite you in.
>After a moment she takes the hint and opens the door a little.
>It’s cool having an older cousin.
>She has her own place and can do anything she wants.
>Her roommate is a little mean though.
>”You want something to eat?”
“No, thanks. I’m not hungry.”
>”Suit yourself.”
>Lyra plops down on the couch.
“So… whats new?”
>”Not much. Anon and I hung out yesterday.”
“Oh, that’s that stallion you’ve been dating?”
>Lyra smiles at this.
>”No, no… were not dating… yet. He hasn’t built up the nerve to ask me out.”
>You pretend to smile as you sit next to your cousin.
“Why not? You’re really cool and stuff.”
>”Yeah, but Anon’s different…”
“Different?” you ask while trying to hide that you already know her secret.
>Lyra clears her throat.
>”I get the feeling that he isn’t used to dating… mares…” 
>You offer her a blank stare.
“You mean...,” you say before leaning closer, “he’s gay?”
>”What?! No. He’s… ugh,” Lyra looks away.
“It’s okay Lyra,” you say as you place a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. “You can tell me anything.”
>After a couple moments she nods.
>”He’s a human.”
“A hyooman?” 
>”A human,” she corrects. “He’s kind of like a monkey.”
>You scratch your head to pretend you didn’t know.
>”Yeah, he’s different, but he’s soooo dreamy. Like when he takes the ball in his hands…”
>Lyra talks about Anon for about an hour or so.
>She tells you about where he came from.
>How they met.
>When they got drunk and they cuddled on a couch.
>That one time where she was so close to actually kissing him.
>And best of all, that Anon is the second best softball player in Ponyville.
6/11
>You could tell he was good, but you didn’t know that the Amateur Beer League had a ranking system.
>All in all, Anon sounds like the perfect guy.
>
>
>The next day after school.
>Anon is nowhere to be found.
>You’ve watched for the entire hour, but nothing.
”Silver?”
>”Hmm?”
“How often do those softball players come out?”
>She offers a shrug.
>”I don’t know. I never watch them for more than a minute or two.”
“Why not?”
>”Because if I don’t do my homework here, then I won’t do it at all.”
>You nod in agreement.
>It’s so hard to do school stuff at home.
“Some of them are kind of cute.”
>Silver looks to see if the teacher is paying attention.
>”Really?”
“Yeah, tomorrow I’ll point the good ones out.”
>Silver leans back in her chair, imagining going out with an older stallion.
>
>
>Friday after school.
>It’s your last day of detention.
>Cheerilee is busy with her papers, but she seems to be thinking about her weekend more than anything.
>She doesn’t even get mad if you and Silver whisper to each other.
“There.”
>”The one on third base?”
”No, the tall human. That’s Anon.”
>She ignores you and points at a pony.
>”What about the blue pegasus?”
”Soarin? He’s old.”
>”He is not.”
“Look at the bags under his eyes.”
>”He’s just tired from working too much.”
>You shake your head.
”My cousin Lyra really likes Anon.”
>”Really?”
7/11
”Yeah, she told me about how they’re always hanging out and stuff. Also how she wants to kiss him.”
>”No.”
“Yeah, but he’s a guy, so you have to be really direct with them.”
>”So, she tried to be all subtle or something?”
“More like she was too scared to go for it.”
>You and Silver laugh.
>Ms. Cheerilee clears her throat and scowls at you before returning to her work.
“Anyway, he sounds really cool, so I’m going to go hit on him.”
>”Won’t your cousin be mad?”
>You smile at your friend.
“That’s the point. How funny would that be when I get a kiss from Anon before she does?”
>Silver thinks it over for a minute.
>”And then you would have an older coltfriend. Think about how cool you would be.”
>
>You imagine yourself at the spring formal.
>All of your friends are dateless and alone, but you are with Anon.
>He’s in his best tux, and you of course look awesome as always.
>Your song comes on.
>The one that played the first time you kissed.
>”Would you like to dance, Lily?” Anon asks.
“Only if it’s with you.”
>You take his outstretched hand and move to the dance floor.
>It’s a slow dance, so Anon picks you up and you both start making out.
>With lots of tongue.
>And all of your friends don’t want to watch, but they have to because they can’t look away.
>
>”Little League?”
”Uh, yes, Ms. Cheerilee?”
>”I’m letting you both out early today. Enjoy your weekend.”
>”Alright!” Silver smiles.
“Thank you!”
>You and Silver run out to the field.
>It only takes a moment to find Lyra and to sit next to her.
“Hi, Lyra.”
>”Hello.”
“Who is winning?”
>”The Casanovas, by two runs.”
>”Which team is that?” Silver asks.
>“The grey one’s with the heart logos.”
>”Oh. Hey look there he is,” Silver starts waving, “Hi, Soarin! Hi!”
>Soarin looks around awkwardly before returning the wave.
8/11
>”He waved back,” Silver giggles.
“She likes him,” you whisper to your cousin.
>”What about you? Do you have eyes for one of the players?” Lyra asks, half joking.
“Mmmm, maybe…”
>You all sit watching for the next two innings.
>
>Finally, Anon throws the final pitch.
>Casanovas 5, Mustangs 4.
>The players do the customary high hoofs before drinking together.
>Lyra gets up to congratulate Anon and the others.
>”This is our chance,” Silver whispers.
>You nod, and follow your cousin.
>”Hi, Mr. Soarin. I thought you were really good out there,” Silver Spoon says as sweetly as possible.
>”I do try. Anon deserves all the credit though.”
>Silver sits next to him as he grabs another beer.
>”Wow, you’re like really strong too.”
>She starts leaning on him and complementing his technique.
>You ignore the rest of their conversation.
>”Soarin’s right. You were the best player out there,” Lyra tells Anon.
>”Well,” Anon smirks, “I am the second best amateur softball player in Ponyville.”
>He takes a beer from the cooler.
“If you’re so good, why don’t you play baseball?”
>”Baseball? I could, but I like playing this just for fun,” Anon shrugs.
>”I’m the best baseball player in Ponyville, and I say that you’re no good,” you lie.
>He gives you a confused look before turning to Lyra.
>”Who’s your friend.”
>”She’s my cousin. You can ignore her.”
”I bet that I could hit any one of your pitches out of the park.”
>Yeah, you probably could,” Anon laughs.
>”Little League, stop it,” Lyra insists.
”I bet you don’t play baseball because you know that any filly could beat you.”
>”Lily!”
>Anon puts his beer to the side.
>”So, let me get this straight. You really think you can hit a home run?”
”I don’t think. I know.”
>Anon just smiles at this.
>”Alright. What are the odds?”
9/11
>You put a hoof to your chin to pretend to think.
>The truth is, you already know what you want.
”If you win, then I have to cheer you on all season.”
>”And if you win?”
”You have to kiss me.”
>”What?!” Lyra protests.
>”Like a classy kiss, or a freaky one?”
>”Don’t tell me you’re actually considering this.”
>Anon turns to whisper to her.
>”It’s not like she can win.”
>You pretend not to hear.
”Hmmm, freaky. Also you have to be my coltfriend.”
>Anon laughs at this.
>You feel your cheeks burning red.
”This is serious!”
>”Alright, alright. You’re on.”
>He gets up and walks to the pitcher’s mound.
>Lyra just glares at you as you pick up a bat.
>”Are you ready?”
>You tap the plate twice, before getting into position.
>Anon takes a deep breath as he sizes you up.
>He makes an exaggerated circle before throwing the ball underhand.
>It floats toward you.
>You’re not used to hitting something so slow!
>Wait for it.
>Now!
>You swing as hard as you can, but the ball hits an edge and is a foul.
>Anon tries to hide a smirk.
“Hey! Don’t throw softball pitches. Throw fast, like baseball.”
>He holds up a second ball so you can see.
>”I only have softballs, but if you want me to try, I can give it a shot.”
>You give him your most determined face, and nod.
>”Alright…”
>He moves his fingers over the ball, deciding what to throw.
>Finally he decides, and he lifts a leg.
>He lunges forward as he throws, and you have to swing immediately.
>Even with your quick reaction, the ball hits the cage behind you.
>You could barely see it.
“That was just a lucky throw.”
10/11
>”Sure,” Anon smiles. 
>Anon winds up suddenly.
>You lift your bat.
>This is it, Little League.
>If you miss the next pitch, then you’ll never get to be with Anon.
>Then Lyra will have him all to herself.
>You’re going to have to sit next to Silver as she tells you how cool her older coltfriend is.
>Anon watches you closely before unwinding.
>He frowns before offering, “I’m going to make a slow pitch.”
>What?
>He thinks so little of you that he’s going to tell you his next move.
>To him you’re just a little filly.
>You’re going to show him.
>Embarrass him in front of all of his friends.
>All you have to do, is knock it over that fence.
>Anon winds up again.
>Time slows down, and he lunges forward.
>The ball sails toward you.
>You can feel your heart beating.
>This is it.
>Wait.
>Wait…
>Now!
>You swing with all your might.
>As soon as you make contact you know you’ve done it!
>Anon’s jaw drops as he watches the ball fly in the air.
>One second, two seconds, three!
>Its almost at the fence!
>No!
>It’s not fast enough.
>Your heart sinks as the ball touches the fence.
>You can recognize that familiar sound.
>It wasn’t enough.
>You throw the bat aside in anger.
>Oh well.
>At least now you get to spend time with Anon.
>He walks up slowly.
>You can tell he is slightly impressed.
>He crouches in front of you to gloat.
>”You’re really good. You had me worried for a second.”
>You look away from him.
“Yeah, but close isn’t good enough.”
>He looks at you for a few seconds before taking off his hat.
>”You’re right…”
>He puts his hat on your head.
>”But there’s always tomorrow.”
fin
11/11