Only Bone Deep

Chapters

1. Tomarrow Is A New Day
2. It's In The Bone
4. ... But He Will Never Hurt Me
5. Skullduggery
6. Candy Canes Shaped Like Bones
3. Sticks And Stones May Break My Bones...

1. Tomarrow Is A New Day

It's cold... very cold. And it's quiet... too quiet. I can't see anything, though there's a slight glow around my field of vision. I suppose that counts as something. Still, I can barely move, it's difficult for me to even feel where I'm going. In fact, I can't feel anything. Is it really cold at all or is it just the numbness keeping even the warmth from me?

I go to move my hand to my face, but am barred by some invisible surface just inches above me. I feel around, but can't actually feel it. I try pushing and I hear something; crunching. Being buried alive springs to mind and I begin to fret. How much air do I have? How far underground am I? Have I just been buried or am I on my last legs as it is?

I stop struggling against the lid of what I assume is my coffin as I realize something. I'm not breathing. Oh no, I'm a zombie, a vampony, something undead that doesn't need to breathe. I slide my hand along the lid to reach for my neck, but find nothing but spine. I pause again.

I'm truly dead. I think as I bring my hand up to my face. Through the faint glow, I can see the bones. I must have some sort of glowing orbs for eyes. I wonder if when I blink, they blink out of existence. That would come in handy for playing dead... in the truest sense of the word.

I test my theory by closing one eye (or dimming one light). It works, the glow has faded to half. My panic washes away and I'm more fascinated than anything. I am somepony who has somehow cheated death.

Come to think of it, who am I? I think to myself as I scratch my head. I suppose I won't get any answers in here, will I? With that in mind, I begin to claw at the lid of the coffin. I must be stronger than I thought because the wood chips away easily... like bark on the trunk of a forest tree.

I assumed there would be dirt on the other side, but I am surprised to touch nothing but fresh air, actually, there is stone as well. I begin to worry as I feel like I've been buried in cement, but that wouldn't explain the fresh air. A tomb perhaps? I think to myself as I punch out either side of the coffin. My left side stretches out with little difficulty while my right undoubtedly breaks apart. I focus on the left side, kicking and punching my way out. The left wall is destroyed and the lid falls on top of me. I just shirk it off and climb out of the coffin like I would a bed... with a low ceiling.

Free from my resting place, I stretch out, feeling the joints on me pop with excitement at having been used after so long. I turn to look at my home and find that my name, assuming that's what it was has faded over time, corroded away much like the flesh that once must have stuck to my bones.

With no memory of who I am or what my name is, I look around the dark, dank... tomb. I'm in a tomb. I must have been very important to be buried in a tomb. I contemplate as I look at the gifts that other deceased beings have received. Some of them have coins, undoubtedly tributes from their families. I look to my own space and find a single urn. Curious, I open it to find a handkerchief with a symbol on it. I recognize this as the royal family's symbol. So I was visited by royalty? They paid their respects? I muse. It's unlikely that I was the only one. Looking further into the urn, I find a set of black garments. Some form of suit. It's worn slightly over the years and something has eaten away at the tail and cape ( I think it's a cape). Small holes are all over it, but it's more or less intact. It looks like something a Changeling King might wear, though I have no idea how I would possibly know that.

I look myself over and notice that I have absolutely no clothing. Then again, the dead don't usually care for decency... do they? I suppose I'm the only one who's had the chance to care about it. Regardless, I try the suit on. It fits the ribcage nicely, but the legs are not much thicker than the bones, nor is the waist. I must have been a very skinny pony when I was alive.

I tie the belt up as tight as it can go, so the pants don't fall past my waist. I button up the tailcoat and leave the shredded cape alone. I've no current interest for flare. I imagine I'd stand out enough as it is. I take one more look around the tomb before heading for the exit, which is just a few meters from my cubicle. It's a flight of steps that have broken over time, but are still usable.

I learn quickly that the tomb was actually underneath an old castle. It has deteriorated far beyond what the tomb has and the plant life has taken over. I can only imagine how magnificent this place must have been back in its day. Alas, the memories still aren't triggered by what must be familiar to me. With a sense of unfulfillment, I browse the remains of the castle. Beyond is a forest the likes of which I'm sure even I would have never seen before.

The hour grows late and the sun is setting. There is much left to the roof within, and no shortage of wood just outside. The clouds reveal a storm on the way, and although I can no longer feel the touch of cold, I'd rather not be weighed down by wet clothing. Plus, it just seems more natural to huddle around a fire during a storm. I think in addition.

With my mind set, I take my leave of the castle and gather what firewood I can. There's certainly an abundance of the stuff just strewn across the ground. I've a whole week's worth of firewood I could keep it going non-stop, day and night. I gather all I can inside before the rain starts to build. I had quite some difficulty lighting the fire as my bony hands made it difficult to keep a solid grip on the starter without toppling it over. In the end, I had to use the space between my forearm bones to keep the starter upright while I madly twisted the stick back and forth.

With a steady fire going, I found that despite the stress and the lengthy, although minimal manual labor didn't tire me out in the slightest. Perhaps it was because I was stronger than I would have been alive, or perhaps it was the unknown number of years that I'd spent "resting" had caused a build-up of energy that was virtually endless.

Thinking of energy, I began to examine my body. Feeling around, I had a horn. A pretty long one if general knowledge served. I also had two extra appendages just below the shoulder blades. Wings looked really weird without the feathers. Kinda useless now, I guess. With that in mind, I just wrapped them around my torso, letting them end as little more than an extra pair of ribs.

I wonder how I came back to life? I thought to myself. Better still, what took me so long to do it? I added. These were indeed questions to ask. Unfortunately, luck was not on my side. A voice called out in the distance. A young voice by the sound of it.

"H-hello? Is anypony in there?" it called out. I jolted back to reality and stood up. She must have seen the smoke rising from the fire. I thought. The filly's light hoof-steps could just be made out among the pattering of the rain. In a rush of indecision, I panic and slink as quickly as I can towards the nearest shadow.

I'm just in time as a very young filly, younger than she sounds with an orange coat, purple mane and tail and very peculiar clothes steps in and inspects the place.

"Hello? Is it alright if I come in?" she asks. I'm tempted to answer her, but I realize I don't know how to speak, or even know if I can. My only response is to remain in the shadows, the faint blue glow from my eyes the only thing that can give me away. I figure I can shut those off and play dead if she spots me.

Without an answer, the filly enters the patch of shelter I chose and shakes herself off near the far end before hurriedly scurrying to the fire. The poor thing is shaking like a rattlesnake's tail. I only wish I hadn't dismissed the idea of food. I wonder what such a young filly is doing out in the forest alone? She's not wild, otherwise she wouldn't speak so well. I thought, sitting down. The filly looks around the area, and I close my eyes just in time to play dead. She gasps a little, but makes no audible moves to remove me from my place.

A few moments later, I crack an eye open to find her silently sobbing to herself with her back turned to me. The concept of a skeleton within view must be unpleasant to her, especially after the day she's obviously had. The poor, poor thing. What happened? I desperately want to know.

Without warning, she starts to take off her clothing. If I could blush, I would. But the awkwardness of the action is diminished by the sight I see beneath the clothing. Bruises and gashes cover the filly's body like paint covers a canvass. Whomever had the audacity to do something to such a beautiful creation of life was a master at not letting it show. Also a complete and utter bastard! I add to the thought.

I watch in sadness and pity as the young filly moves away from the fire and grabs a damp cloth, undoubtedly riddled with bacteria that would do more harm than good, wet it in even more bacterial water and press it lightly onto her wounds. I hear her wince in pain at the action and I can't stand it.

With her back turned to me, I stand up and sneak out of the castle in search of food for her. Oddly enough, instinct leads me to a berry patch which contains a single bush that has specifically shaped leaves. Taking one leaf from the bush, it constricts like a limb with its blood flow cut into a bowl shape. With my container ready, I pick the riper berries, making sure to avoid the poisonous ones. I don't know how I know which ones are poisonous and which ones aren't, but I just know, and for the filly suffering back in that old abandoned castle, that's more than enough for me.

With a bowl full of berries, I make my way back to the castle. Leaving was simple enough, but I failed to factor in where she would be facing when I returned and when she'd finished cleaning herself off. Luck was on my side this time as she'd apparently cried herself to sleep.

I try for a smile, but I'm unsure as to how it came out. I placed the bowl between her and the fire and went down to the tomb to fetch my cape. It had one more use tonight. Despite the holes, I imagine it would be rather comfortable. Better than what she had on, at least. Fortunately, she's still a small thing, so folding the cape in half still leaves room for her to stretch without her hooves poking out the other end. Doing so eliminated half the holes she would be exposed to.

You rest now, little filly. I think as I place the folded cape over her. She snuggles into it as if it were the most comfortable thing in the world. She still seems a little out of sorts and I spot an old and tattered seat cushion nearby. I smile again, although the gesture is wasted in so many ways, it's not funny. The cushion is little more than a few feet away, within arms reach.

Tomorrow is a new day. I think in continuation to my previous thought as I gently slip the pillow under her head. She moans happily and curls up under the makeshift sleeping spot. And I'll be looking out for you. I add, standing up again and walking over to my shadowy corner. I sit back down and relax my body, letting everything slump into deadness. Still not tired, I just watch her sleep through the fire, adding the odd log every now and then to keep it and her alive from this storm. If somepony were to find her tonight with bad intentions in store, I'd be sure to stop them.

Author's Note

So who noticed the pun in the chapter title?

Also, yes, another new story on top of the twenty...three unfinished ones. I can't help it. Anyway, it's not as if I never get back to the others. Worlds collide was just recently updated and that's like the second story I ever posted.

SO DON'T BITCH ABOUT IT! Fave and comment if you please. :twilightsmile:

2. It's In The Bone

There's something about the way nature sounds after a storm. It's the purest sound of survival one could ever hope to hear. For ponies, a storm is but a fiercer bout of rain. For nature's most treasured animals, with the water flooding their homes, the lightning striking their trees, it's an apocalypse the likes of which they see all too often.

For the young filly just waking up before me, it's terrifying. It's almost humorous to see her looking around for the one responsible for helping her to settle in this makeshift camp. Such a sweet filly she is... though her table manners leave much to be desired. A bowl full of berries the size of plums and she's downed them in a matter of seconds, returning a satisfied burp. Still, food is food; It doesn't matter how it's eaten.

All I do is watch as the filly stands up, wrapping the cape around herself. She looks like a little countess, especially in the morning light. She walks around the still live fire and crouches down to look at me. By now my eyes are closed and I'm dead to the world. All I can do is hear her rummaging around in my clothes, looking for something. I don't mind of course. I've no use for the trivial. The sound ends and I crack an eye open to see her writing something down. She found a quill and the handkerchief. When she's finished, she places the quill back in my breast pocket and goes to leave the area.

I wait another minute after she's gone and begin to move again. I lean over to the handkerchief and pick it up.

To the pony who helped me out last night,

Thank you.

Scootaloo.

Well, she's thoughtful enough to leave a message. How could anypony want to hurt her? I think to myself, leaning back against my hiding space with the handkerchief pressed against my heart...place. Hmm. I hope there's still time to investigate. I think further, standing up and pocketing the handkerchief.

It doesn't take me much time to catch up to the filly. What is difficult to do however, is keep out of her sight. I'm afraid that on more than one occasion, I made her feel like she was being followed; though a true feeling. She leads me to the edge of the forest and I discover a wonderful little town with so many splendid looking ponies.

I'm filled with enthusiasm as I observe the liveliness of everypony. That alone doesn't bar me from my objective as I watch the young filly named Scootaloo walk into the town with uncertainty plastered on her features. She hides my cape behind a barrel on the side of a household and goes on with a well rehearsed smile. So this isn't her first fiasco. Fortunately, as it turns out she has friends who care about her, at least to a certain extent. Looking further, I see that their shared destination is a school. That makes sense, I guess.

I begin to think of a way for me to infiltrate the school without being overly obvious. Hmm.

So I manage to enter the classroom and the only effective disguise is that of a fake skeleton far from majestically propped up by a few metal rods in the back of the room. I hope this works. I grab the fake skeleton and place it in the storage room beside the stand and remove my clothes, tossing them in with the fake. I hear the door open after an ear-splitting ringing and I hurry to the stand, taking a dead stance against the metal rods. I look with squinted eyes as the colts and fillies enter the room, thankfully including the one I'm after. Then the teacher enters. A pretty mare, jolly too.

Scootaloo and her friends sit side by side, but her apparent tormentors are giggling behind her over something I've missed. The subject matter for the class is rather interesting. Something about the history of Starswirl the Bearded. I wonder if I know him?

"Hey Scootalooser, why are you taking down notes on a Unicorn's history? It's not as if you can use magic. You're a Pegasus... if even that." a powder pink filly with a rather rich looking tiara on her head says. I wonder if she's even royalty?

"Just looking for a spell to make you bearable, Diamond." Scootaloo replies in kind. I'd smile if I could. Scootaloo's friends giggle as if to back her up.

"Well it's clear what you consider to be unbearable, Little-Miss-Can't-Fly." Diamond argued. So Scootaloo is unable to fly. Something we have in common.

"You leave her alone!" one of Scootaloo's friends pipes up. A white unicorn with two-toned mane colours.

"Yeah! She'll fly some day! Rainbow Dash is teaching her." replied the other. A yellow Earth pony with a red mane and a very distinctive accent in her voice.

"Oh, sure. When she's dead and gone to heaven. Or maybe there'll be an ironic twist and she'll be a grounded angel. That would be hilarious!" Diamond countered. That statement alone made me dislike her. Unlike the teacher, I was able to play favourites.

"Diamond Tiara, would you like to answer this question on the board?" the teacher asked, drawing each pony to the offending filly.

"No, Miss Cheerilee." Diamond Tiara replied. This filly had the kind of name you couldn't make a silly nickname for like she had for Scootaloo. So that's out of the question.

Another of those ear-piercing rings sounded and everypony left for lunch. With the room empty, I took the opportunity to liberate myself from the stand. Diamond Tiara is mean and cruel to her, but the scars she inflicts are emotional, not physical. There's more to this than I thought.

I replace the skeleton from the storage and outfit myself with my clothes. It's a strange phenomenon to be naked, even though I'm just bones. I need some time to think. I head for the window and leap out, making a run for the forest.

The castle seems an appropriate shelter for the time being. Certainly a quiet place to think. So looking back, even a ruthless filly like Diamond Tiara isn't capable of creating scars like those on Scootaloo's body. So who did? A sibling of Diamond? An abusive parent? My thoughts are cut off as I find myself wandering into the music hall, or what remains of it. The instruments are surprisingly well preserved. Perhaps some music will help me to think things through. I grab a violin and the stick used to play it with and I play the first thing that comes to mind. Even with the hall as decayed as it was, the resonance from the instrument was beautiful. It helped to clear my mind of things that didn't relate to the dilemma I was trying to sort out.

Scootaloo's clearly a sweet girl, hiding in a somewhat gruff and tomboyish demeanour. She can't fly, but that's no big issue in the greater scheme of things. She has friends, so she's not entirely lonely. Whether or not she has parents is a whole other issue. She didn't go to see them when she returned to that town, which suggests that she prefers school over her current residence. Could it be? Has she been cursed with the misfortune of abusive family? Could she be seeking help without knowing how to ask for it? Perhaps I'm over thinking things a bit. I stop playing for a moment to consider what else I might have missed.

It's with the absence of the sound from the violin that I hear chatter in the distance. I wonder... I place my violin back down and head over to the sound of the voices. They're not far from the castle, just beyond the tree line. Further investigation was called for.

I was wrong, completely and utterly wrong. Diamond Tiara and another were responsible for Scootaloo's injuries. I hadn't factored in the addition of a dog leash, if used correctly could create deep gashes in the skin of just about any pony.

"Find any spells to make me bearable, loser?" Diamond Tiara teased. That's why she was striking a fellow student? Over that tiny little quip in class? I clench my fist as I hear the sound of metal striking flesh and Scootaloo's pained cry follows. This is beyond forgivable.

"Hard to utilise those spells when you can't defend yourself, huh?!" Diamond continues to pester the poor filly while the other just stands there, laughing. I have to do something. All that's available to me is what's around me. I find a pretty decent rock. It's not large enough to do any sustainable damage, but it would certainly make its pressence known, mine included.

Another cry from the better of the three makes up my mind for me. With astounding accuracy, I throw the stone. Against all odds, I hit the tiara, knocking it into the river behind Scootaloo.

"What the?!" Diamond demands, turning around to find her attacker.

"Tiara, your...tiara!' the other calls out and Diamond Tiara is forced to abandon her search for me and chase after her possession along the riverbed, leaving Scootaloo alone to clean up again.

I contemplate leaving Scootaloo to her devices, but something compels me to approach her. Against my better judgement, I leave the safety of my trees and enter plain view. Scootaloo still hasn't noticed me, she's too busy cupping her hands in the water. Her top is off again and the fresh scars are bleeding profusely. It's not healthy for such a young filly, nor any pony really, to lose so much blood. I'm little more than a few feet away from her and the crunching of the grass alerts her to my presence.

"Look, you didn't have to help me out. They would have stopped eventually. It was no big deal." she said, not turning around to face me. She was putting on a brave face.

I reach into my breast pocket and pull out the handkerchief she wrote on. I toss it beside her within her view and she gasps.

"You, you were the one that..." she says as she turns to look upon me. Clearly, she wasn't expecting the living dead to be looking back at her. She seems lost for words. I kneel down to pick up the handkerchief and she falls on her rump, crawling back to the edge of the riverbank.

I reach over and dip the handkerchief in water before wringing it out. I make a gesture to offer my aid and she just sits there. Taking her indecision as a yes, I reach my free hand out and go to cup her cheek, but she flinches. I pause to let her know I mean her no harm before slowly brushing my fingers along her unharmed cheek, then cupping her face. I then bring the cool handkerchief to her left cheek which has a cut from the dog leash, still bleeding slightly. I gently brush the edge of the cut, wiping away the dirt that had accumulated around it. She winces slightly before just looking at me.

This is what I wanted. I wanted to reach out to her and touch her, protect her... like a father. A father...Hmm. I reach down again and re-moisten the handkerchief. This time, instead of wringing it dry, I hold it over her wound and squeeze. The water held within falls onto her face and the dirt and blood washes away. These cuts aren't from a leash alone. Some are finer, some are more jagged. I notice. Not just the bully, but somepony else.

"What are you staring at?" I hear her ask worriedly. I draw my attention away from the wounds all over her body and stare into her eyes. I see into the reflection her eyes are giving off. If I try to frown, the green glowing orbs in my sockets form saddened shapes. "Yeah. Diamond Tiara did this to me." she mutters. I notice her school books strewn across the ground a few feet away. I place the handkerchief over her shoulder and reach over for one of her workbooks. Flipping the pages to the back of the book, I grab my quill and write down what I'm wanting to project.

Not just her.

I show her. She sighs in sadness I could never match.

"No, not just her. My uncle... he's been grounded since he had that accident and he drinks allot. Sometimes he breaks a bottle and nicks me, sometimes it's when I'm in the kitchen and he's holding a sharp knife." she replies. I give her a moment to breathe before writing something else down.

I saw you in class this morning.

I show her. She looks at it for a moment longer than necessary before chuckling.

"I thought they'd changed the species of that model for the sake of Starswirl's history. So that was you, huh?" she asked. I simply nodded. "Can't you speak?" she asks. I'm taken aback. Come to think of it, I never really tried. I figured that since I had no lungs or lips, I couldn't form sentences. Then again, I had no heart or muscles and I was still able to move.

I shrug at her. "Alright, well, try and repeat after me." she offers. I look intently at her lips as she speaks a random word. "Thanks." she recites. I'm not sure how I would be able to speak, but I give it a try.

"T...th~th...than~ks... Thanks." I manage. Scootaloo smiles at me as I manage the word. I still don't understand how.

"That's it. Wow, you got it on the first try. Can you try saying other things?" she challenges.

"I... Imagine I could say anything. I've never really tried talking before." I reply. She stares at me with wide-eyes. "What?"

"That's awesome. You picked it up like it was nothing." she says. I guess I did.

"I can do more than talk, you know." I reply. She's interested, that much is obvious in the way she's looking at me.

"Like what" she asks. With a chuckle, I stand to my full height and offer her my hand. To my delight, she takes it with a smile and I help her to her feet.

Author's Note

Fixed that repeat from Diamond Tiara's insult.

Now some of you would probably think of Brook from One Piece now that my guy plays the violin. That's fine. I wondered if I could add that classical laugh in the story somehow, but that would be over the top.

4. ... But He Will Never Hurt Me

Ducking and diving away from pitchforks and other sharp tools is not exactly my idea of fun. But as I do this little activity, I begin to wonder how this might work for me. Sure, I would be labelled as some form of monster or other, but if given enough infamy, My home could potentially keep those away from prying eyes. That would leave Scootaloo free to be with me without being found out. After all, the worst assumptions could occur if somepony spotted a young filly such as her spending time with an undead skeleton. They'd believe she had been brain-washed or something along those lines.

I recall Scootaloo mentioning something about a Zebra in the forest; Zecora, I believe her name was. I might have to pay her a visit in order to talk to her about making the castle safe for a filly. It was common knowledge that Zebras are more in tune with the dead than any other creature known to Ponykind. Still, that would have to wait until morning. While I don't tire, I'm sure she still does, and she wouldn't want a spirit/skeleton/pony knocking on her door in the middle of the night. Besides, I don't exactly know where to find her.

The sounds of yelling die down somewhat as I make it through the edge of the Everfree Forest. Scootaloo had told me that ponies feared it because of its seemingly unaided growth, not to mention the creatures that lived there. It was what convinced me she was safest at home, with her Uncle. As if to validate my decision, snarls and growls emerge from the shadows, sending back the last of the followers brave enough to venture into the forest. Scootaloo was right. Nopony was brave enough to venture into the forest alone in the middle of the night unless they knew where they were going.

Turns out we were both wrong. As soon as I make it to the castle and step through the rubble, I see (rather than feel) myself being jerked forward into the nearest wall. The slight cracking sound made me feel grateful to not be able to feel anything. Without a moment's notice, I was thrown around and pinned, back against the wall. I was then met with the strangest sight I'd ever seen. A rainbow in the night met me before it fell, my gaze following it to a cerulean pegasus mare with magenta eyes... very angry magenta eyes. Oh boy.

"Alright, pal! You better start talkin', otherwise we're gonna see how high up a Skeleton can go before bones start to break on the way down." she threatens.

"You make a very good case, madam. What would you like to know?" I respond. I figure; it's best not to get on the bad side of a very threatening pegasus. She looks at me as if she didn't really expect me to talk, but that expression quickly disappears and gets replaced by the previous one. She was brave.

"Don't 'madam' me, buddy! What were you doing in Ponyville?" her interrogation began.

"Making sure a friend of mine got home safely." I reply, sounding as calm and collected as if I were talking to Scootaloo.

"And why were you in front of Scootaloo's house?" her voice sounded different then. More... controlled.

"She was the friend I was seeing to. This forest is no place for a filly after all." I reply. She seemed confused at to a part of my answer. "Ah, you must be Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo told me so much about you. You're her idol, and her kinda-sorta sister figure, if my short-term memory serves me." I add. Now the pegasus was on the defensive.

"How do you know her?!" she demands.

"I met her not long after I awoke. Poor thing was out here in the forest all alone. She got caught in the storm and noticed I'd put up a fire. Naturally, in order to avoid scaring her, I played dead and watched over her throughout the night. Then this morning, I protected her from a couple of bullies who were being rather... excessive in their abuse. That's when we first became friends." I reply. The cogs in Rainbow Dash's head seem to turn as she works out my explanation. Of course, I omitted some of the details regarding her physical state. There might have been a reason Scootaloo didn't go to Rainbow Dash for help in the first place.

"Say your story is true; why would you care about a single filly when there are countless others in situations much worse than hers?" she asks. A valid question, though not hard to answer.

"Scootaloo was simply the first one I saw who needed somepony to be there for her. If I do have some sub-conscious reason for wanting to protect her, I'm afraid I couldn't say. All I remember are the past two days." I say. I can hear my clothing being slowly and partially loosened from her grip.

"Did she look like she needed help?" she asks. I waste no time in answering that question.

"More than you know." I reply.

"Then why didn't she come to me for help?!" I hear her grip on my clothes tighten once again. Fortunately, I know how to answer this.

"What filly wants to show their concept of weakness to their idol? She probably believed you wouldn't think so highly of her once you found out." I respond, as calmly as ever.

"And what could be so bad that I would think less of her for it?!" Rainbow Dash demands. I bring my glowing orbs for eyes to the right to see the filly in question standing scarred just near the tree-line, a fresh cut on her face.

"Maybe you should ask her that now." I respond, tilting my head so the pegasus holding me to the wall would know we had an audience. Rainbow Dash turns around quickly and spots Scootaloo. Whether she sees the fresh cut or not is difficult for me to tell.

"Dash, please don't hurt him." Scootaloo lets out meekly. It was obvious she'd been crying. A silent pause between the three of us creeps in and it's colder than the night air.

"She can't hurt me, Scootaloo." I say, breaking the silence. "I can't feel pain. I can't really feel anything beyond the emotional." I add. Rainbow Dash finally lets go of me entirely and I am free to straighten my clothes out. Once done, I walk over to Scootaloo who holds me in a tight hug. Rainbow Dash is just standing there, looking at the scene before her. I bring their attention to the latest cut. It's gone over the one I cleaned earlier today.

"Did your Uncle do this?" I ask. She nods.

"Yeah, he caught me laughing at him after you scared him." she says with a slight chuckle. "It was worth it, I guess." she adds.

"Come on, then. Let's get you inside so we can have a look at getting it cleaned." I say, lifting her up into my arms. Sub-consciously, I'd abandoned the concept of my bones coming apart from each other. It was obvious some form of magic was still holding them together. I doubt they'd come apart without my say-so.

"Can Rainbow Dash come with us?" she asked.

"Let's ask her, shall we?" I reply, turning my attention to the stunned mare before us.

"Coming, Ms. Dash? I'll get a fire started so we can warm you both up." I say, stepping past her. Out of the corner of my vision, I notice her shake herself conscious and hear her turn to follow us inside.

It's a good thing we have a roof over our heads. It seems to rain a lot here in the Everfree. It took only minutes for the rain to pour down. Fortunately, I still had plenty of fire wood from last night. Scootaloo sat close to Rainbow Dash as I examined her cut. She'd complained earlier that when she tried to lightly rub the wound, it hurt more than usual. Upon closer inspection, it seems that a tiny fragment of glass had embedded itself into her cheek.

"How do we get it out? Is it dangerous to even do that?" Rainbow Dash asks, clearly more open-minded about my intentions towards her little-sister figure.

"Well, it's not causing the wound to bleed any more than it already is, so I'd say it's not in danger of cutting any vital veins. That being said, the only thing we could use at this point to get it out would be my quill... unless you carry a pair of tweezers for some reason, Ms. Dash?" I ask, looking to the older of my guests. She looks back at me with a raised brow.

"Why in Equestria would I have tweezers?" she asked.

"For when Scootaloo gets splinters learning to fly? I don't know, I'm not a Pegasus, and in case you have forgotten, I have no memory." I respond, slightly nastier than I intended.

"Well you're an Alicorn. Your wing's don't work, but what about your horn? That's not broken, so why not try and pull the glass out with magic?" she suggests. That was something I never considered. I knew I had a horn, but magic was the last thing on my mind. In all actuality, that would help with my reconstruction of the castle greatly.

"Well... I suppose I could try. I haven't actually used magic since I woke up, so I don't know how good I am at it." I say, turning towards one of the available branches of fire wood. Concentrating on it, I willed it to levitate on the spot. The familiar sound of a Unicorn's magic fills my ears and a white aura surrounds the branch before it lifts into the air. It was easier than I expected.

I place the branch back down and return to Scootaloo's little gift from her uncle. "Is this going to hurt?" she asks shakily.

"A little bit. It depends on the actual size of the fragment. We don't know how deep it actually is." I reply. Lying to her about this would not bode well for trust points from Rainbow Dash. I picked up the branch with my magic, broke it in half and offered her the thicker end. "Bite down on this. It should stop you from biting your tongue should this be more... upsetting than I thought." I say. Scootaloo takes the bit of branch and places it between her teeth.

"Very good. Now hold our hands." Rainbow Dash says, taking one of Scootaloo's hands. I take the other and she squeezes them tightly. With my free hand, I turn her face so the light from the fire shows the glass fragment as clear as crystal. With focused concentration, an aura appears around the fragment.

"Alright, I have it in my grasp. Now do we want slow and careful, or quick and... less painful?" I ask. Scootaloo hesitates before mumbling for the second option.

"Okay, one...two...three!" I yank the glass fragment out of her cheek and she gives a slight yelp. It was longer than I expected. Ten millimetres long, Scootaloo's wound had a clean hole in it now. Having sterilised the handkerchief in a pot of boiling water, courtesy of the kitchen, or what remained of it, I began to wipe the wound ever so gently with the nice, warm handkerchief. She seemed to like it against her face.

"Good girl, you were very brave." Rainbow Dash says in a soothing tone very out of character for her (if Scootaloo's description as well as my personal encounter with her was anything to go on).

"Thanks Dash." she says with a hint of shakiness to her voice.

"Now that that's taken care of, we can move on to those other wounds. I want to make sure there's absolutely no chance of infection." I tell her. Scootaloo nods and proceeds to take her clothing off. I only expected her to remove her torso, but it seemed that there were cuts and scars all over. Rainbow Dash gasped in horror at the sight.

"Who the hay did this to you?!" she fumes. Scootaloo seems apprehensive about answering. Fortunately, I can do that for her.

"Those two bullies I mentioned earlier and her Uncle at least." I say. Though most of the cuts were over her torso, there was a considerable amount around her legs and inner thighs.

"Ms. Dash..." I add, stopping the pegasus just short of exploding. I see Scootaloo's underwear come off and I notice something that makes me feel cold. "She's not a virgin."

Author's Note

So the last few paragraphs made me feel wierd writing it, but I figured: Hell, I've already got beatings, let's add rape to the mix.

So this is the latest chapter of Only Bone Deep, obviously. I'm sorry this one took some time, but so many ideas have been racing around in my head and as I'm sure some of you know, it's hard to keep track of them all.

Please leave a comment, I read them all and quite literally feed off of them.

5. Skullduggery

I notice Rainbow Dash is still, uneasily so. She seems to stare off into space... right at me. "I think I broke your idol, Scootaloo." I say, trying to quell the silence. Though it works, it doesn't really alter the subject.

"How... do you know if she's a virgin or not?" Rainbow Dash asks in a tone of voice that suggests if I don't answer correctly, I'm going to die all over again.

"Which part of amnesia have you not understood? I know general facts, but as to how I learned these facts, I cannot recall." I say. It clearly isn't the answer she was hoping for, but at least she cannot make an excuse to use my skull as a musical instrument. "Am I wrong in my claim, Scootaloo?" I ask, turning to the exceedingly abused filly. I can see she's trying to put on a brave face in front of both Rainbow Dash and myself, but the watering of the eyes is confirmation enough.

"Who... could have done this?!" Rainbow Dash says through grit teeth.

"Her Uncle, no doubt. Unless there's somepony else you haven't told anypony about?" I ask. Scootaloo shakes her head. Whether she means 'no, there's nopony else' or 'no, it wasn't my Uncle', I cannot say. I decide she means the former option and I stand to my full height.

"Ms. Dash, would you be so kind as to get Scootaloo cleaned up for me, please?" I ask, looking to the Cerulean mare who is on the brink of rage.

"Why, where are you going?" she asks angrily. I place one hand over my knuckles and begin to crack them.

"I'm going to pay this Uncle of hers a... what do you call it?" I ask.

"Visit?" Rainbow Dash offers.

"Beating. Yes, I'm going to go pay him a beating." I conclude, stepping out to leave the two of them to their own devices.

I had an ulterior motive when leaving Rainbow Dash with Scootaloo. Naturally, I really wanted to find her Uncle and go with what came naturally to me, but I also knew that although dead, I was a Stallion, and it wouldn't have been proper for me to gaze upon Scootaloo's body for too long, even if my intentions were pure. A Gentlecolt should not gaze upon the bare form of a filly.

I hadn't considered the fact that Ponyville's residents would still be searching for me. The town bustles with activity. Naturally, I would have to hide within the shadows. Pegasi fly overhead and Unicorns, along with Earth Ponies light up the streets with a combination of magic light and lanterns. I find it beyond difficult to even come into visual range of Scootaloo's home. I had to think of something, anything.

"Hey, I found him!" I call out. "He's headed for the school!" I yell. Ducking back into the shadows, I watch as all of the ponies try to cut me off at the School. Fortunately, I need only go the other way. I wonder if they'll mistake that fake model skeleton for me? I wonder, chuckling to myself as I do so.

The door to Scootaloo's home was open. Feeling less than courteous to one of the residents, I stepped in and looked around. Her Uncle was obviously out looking for me. Oh, what a surprise he'll find. The house was something strange, at least from my perspective. Everything seemed new and old at the same time. There were devices I didn't recognise, some things were missing, others replaced by newer versions of it. But the picture frames were still as decadent as ever.

One such picture depicted Scootaloo smiling as if she hadn't a care in the world. Another held the image of two ponies I didn't recognise, undoubtedly her parents. Then there was one of her father and her uncle, then there was one of Just her Uncle. That was the winner.

I took that last picture and removed the image from the frame. Using my quill, I began to draw... slanderous phrases and symbols, circling his ugly mug. I found a pin on a pin-cussion near a chair that had been untouched. Going to the front door, I pinned the altered picture to the front and closed it, waiting for him to return. I decided to wait in Scootaloo's room.

While I did this, I took a pillow case from her wardrobe and began looking around the room. Given she was a fan of Rainbow Dash, her room wasn't exactly classic girl themed. There were dolls, of course, but they were of Wonderbolts and apparently, she'd made a little wonderbolt costume for one of her Rainbow Dash dolls too. If this was an unhealthy obsession, I'd leave that for Ms. Dash herself to decide. I took the dolls and placed them in the pillow case. I also grabbed a few posters, some clothes (including undergarments) *skull blush* and her diary.

Taking a chance to be ungentlecoltly, I refrained from packing the diary. I could use something to read while I waited for Dear old Uncle to show his traitorous face.

Dear Diary,

It happened again; everything hurts from head to tail. I can't take much more of this. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle are beginning to suspect something's wrong, especially when I showed up to school with a black eye. I told them I walked into my door knob, but I'm running out of excuses. I could go to the police, but I know that the media will come sniffing at my door once they get wind of this. Once that happens, Everypony will know and my reputation (small as it is) will go out the window along with Rainbow Dash's respect or me. I have to deal with this myself.

Such a mature mind from such a tomcoltish filly. She deserves better than this. I planned on scaring her Uncle into being a more... upstanding pony, but it seems as though I'll have to think of something more drastic. Only Ms. Rainbow Dash knows where I reside and why I'm doing what I'm doing. Whether or not she trusts me is a different kettle of fish.

I realise my name in this town means nothing to either myself or the ponies residing within, so in order to protect Scootaloo's integrity, as she seems to desire, I'll have to utilise my monstrous appearance and sacrifice any claim to innocence I could possibly posess in the future, at least until Scootaloo is old enough to be heard among the public and be considered. Of course Ms. Dash could speak for me, but they'll undoubtedly come up with some nonsense about brain-control.

I sigh in irritation as my thoughts lead me astray. I decide to continue to the latest entry.

Dear Diary,

Today was the best day since Rainbow Dash decided to take me under her wing. I just got home from what seems like a fantasy. I met a living Skeleton. He didn't have a name, so I called him Jack, after my favourite story I have under the mattress. Jack was so cool, almost as cool as Rainbow Dash herself. He was like borderline between Rainbow Dash acrobatics cool, and Twilight's magical talents cool (I still can't believe I'm friends with the newest Princess of Equestria).

The best part about Jack is that he's exactly like the Jack in the story. He has the same style of clothing, the same mannerisms and is exactly how I imagined the fake one to look. The drawings can only give you so much of a realistic appearance.

The best part is that I'll be living with him some day (hopefully soon). I'll finally be free of my good-for-nothing Uncle. I know it's strange, since I just met him today, but I can tell he has a good heart (even though he's a Skeleton).

Oh dear, like future-step-father, like future-step-daughter. I think, returning to the book.

LOL Skeleton joke! I wonder if he'd mind those from time to time? I've been thinking about him being an Alicorn. What if he's related to the Princesses in some way? Twilight might know, now that she's the latest addition to the family. I figure there must be some secrets even the Princesses keep because of personal reasons...

...I just got back from the funniest sight. Jack got found out by Ponyville and came face to face with my Uncle. He did a hysterical laugh that sent the guy flank-first into the ground. It's official, I love my new Dad.

Huh, so she already sees me as her father? I guess that explains why she took off all of her clothes. I think. The diary ends there and I figure that's when my dear step-brother walks in on her.

I snap the diary shut and shove it into the pillow case. I then take a second to calm down and think. She mentioned that book where my name came from. It was under her mattress. I stand up and lift the bed just enough to hear the falling of a moderately heavy object. The book! I think, kneeling down to look underneath the bed. I spot three things, one of which is an infestation of dust-bunnies. The second is a blue scooter and the third is the object I had been looking for.

"Hmm. 'Nightmare before Hearth's Warming'." I read the title out loud. Just as I finish speaking, thunder booms in the distance and lightning flashes, illuminating the cover of the book for a few instances. I then hear the door to the entrance slam shut. What, no 'Honey, I'm home!'? I think, pocketing the novel in my jacket instead of adding it to the pillow Case's contents. I grab one of Scootaloo's belts for some of her pants and begin to seal the opening of the pillow up nice and tight. I then place it at the head of the bed and make a stomping sound so the uncle can hear. With any luck, he'll believe his plaything is home and he'll try to take out his frustration at not finding me on her. He'll kind of get what he wanted. I think to myself as I hear him ascend the stairs.

The door creaks open just as the Thunder and Lightning appear, adding a dark theme to the unlit room. I'm hiding behind the door, watching him step through. He's just as unassuming as I remember. He takes a second to look towards her bed before dropping all form of defence. This is my chance. I slowly close the door, the hinges making a creaking sound. The Thunder sounds again and I swear if I could smile, I wouldn't be able to hide it from him.

The stallion seems frozen stiff. With the door closed, I reach forward and gently slide my fingers along his shoulders, making him shudder.

"At last, we can begin uninterrupted." I say quietly into his ear. Before he can say or do anything, I throw my hand to the side of his face and use all my weight to force him towards the wall. With a loud slam, he's stunned. I turn him to face me and I try as best as I can to widen my eyes as I laugh at him.

"YOHOHOHOHOHO!!!!!!!" I belt out, the sound limited to this house because of the thunder and lightning outside. I see with each flash, the look of horror on his face.

"W-wh-what are you?!" he demands. I pull his face back before slamming it into the wall again.

"I'll ask the questions here, little Pegasus! And the first of many questions I have for you is: Why are you hurting your niece?" I can tell immediately that he is about to try and feign ignorance.

"I-I-I don't know what you're-." *WHAM!!*

"The dead don't care for lies, foal-beater! And I won't hesitate to break your mind to get the answer I'm looking for, either." I threaten. Skull joke! I think afterward.

"O-okay, okay! I admit that I hurt her a couple of times-." *WHAM!!* "Okay! A lot of times!" *WHAM!!* "EVERY NIGHT!!! BUT I ONLY DO IT BECAUSE I'VE LOST MY WAY IN LIFE! I've been grounded and now I'm torn away from the sky I love so much and stuck with a brat that can't pursue my dreams for me even if she wanted to!" he says.

"So you beat her because she's useless as useless to you as your own wings are?!" I growl. He simply nods. "How stale! If this is the pony you were before you were grounded, then you'll get no sympathy from me. If that isn't the case, you still won't get anything from me because you did more than beat her." I say, addressing another issue.

"I don't know what-." *WHAM!!!*

"HER MAIDEN VIRTUE!!! THE ONE THING THAT YOU STOLE WHICH SHE CAN NEVER GET BACK! YOU RAPED THE DAUGHTER OF YOUR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD!!!" I was really getting into this interrogation.

"I swear I don't know anything about-." *WHAM!!!!!"

"ADMIT IT! OR I WILL EAT YOUR STINKING SOUL!!! GAAAAH!!!" I realise that my eyes are literally blazing and Scootaloo's Uncle ins close to wetting himself.

"Alright! I did it! I nailed her. Bitch was getting too cocky for her own good!" he reply shakily.

"So you decided to get a little cocky yourself?!" I demand. He just starts shaking and nods, shutting his eyes to the world around him.

"Good, excellent, good girl. I know the truth now. I can build my resolve around it." I say, releasing him. He cracks his eyes open to find me staring green flames at him, literally. "But I'm not done with you just yet, oh no. You see, you've got to atone for your crimes. But I don't mean prison or anything like that." I say.

I rear both arms back and slam them against the wall on either side of his head. "You're going to live the rest of your life alone and unloved, and I'm going to be watching you, lurking in the shadows. Scootaloo told me about this lovely sounding chap called Sledermane. I liked the sound of him. So you best watch out, Uncle of Scootaloo; Jack Slender will be stalking you for the rest of eternity." I taunt, finishing off with a headbutt. As soon as he touches the ground, I walk over to the pillow case full of items and sling it over my shoulder.

"And don't worry about Scootaloo, I'll make sure nopony ever hurts her again. She'll be your... ghost of the past." I say, opening the window beside her bed and slinking through it.

Author's Note

And here's the conclusion to that little side-story. I imagine almost all of you are shitty at me for going so easy on him, but think about it. Psychologically tormenting him into feeling guilty for what he did for the rest of his life would be far worse than simply a quick and taxing death. This way, there are no casualties other than his own mind. And morally speaking, Jack would become worse for it if he killed.

Also, who likes the idea of Jack Slender?! Name suggested by Multiversity

6. Candy Canes Shaped Like Bones

"No, I prefer Skellington. He's nicer than Slender." says Scootaloo. Having returned from my visit with her Uncle, I find myself completely overwhelmed by the filly's excitement. Even Rainbow Dash, who doesn't really like me that much seems to be happy enough. I soon learn that Scootaloo told Rainbow Dash all she knew about me, and the latter decided I wasn't that bad after all. That in turn elicited some excitement followed by a declaration from the chromatic pegasus; saying she would visit often. The excitement rose from there.

"Yeah, Jack Skellington's an all-time favourite of everypony! Plus, that name would be perfect for the upcoming holiday." Rainbow Dash jumps in.

"Wait, what holiday is that?" I ask. At first, my answer is a pair of giggles that make my heart flutter (if I had one. Skull Joke!). Then they inform me of the holiday the book of Jack Skellington is about. "That's coming up? How far off is it?!" I ask. I hadn't realised what time of the year it was.

"About a week from today." Rainbow Dash replies.

I grow wide-eyed (If I had eyes. Skull Joke!). "Uh-oh! I hope there's still time." I say.

"Time for what?" Scootaloo asks.

"To set things right. I need to redecorate if I'm going to Celebrate Hearth's Warming with you." I reply. I watch as Scootaloo's eyes widen and light up with realisation.

"Does that mean I get to spent Hearth's Warming with you?" she asks in desperation. I look over to Rainbow Dash who seems happy watching Scootaloo come to the brink of bursting with excitement.

"Is there another cute and adorable filly that I care about standing around here?" I respond. As expected, she bursts into joyous cheer, jumping and buzzing around the place. "And I do hope that you will be joining us, Miss Dash." I add, watching as the chromatic pegasus turns her attention to me.

"Huh?" she asks rather dumbly.

"I know a Hearth's Warming isn't really complete without a Family setting, and I think you'd play that role perfectly for her." I say, motioning towards Scootaloo.

I find it interesting to see the expressions on a pony's face when a situation like the one I'd placed Rainbow Dash in, is placed upon them. I find I can see what they're thinking. Dash was no exception. I could tell she was beginning to doubt her abilities as a role model for Scootaloo. Could she be a mother-figure to her? Is she what that filly needs? Would she want me to be a mother to her? What would be involved in such a task? She thought all these things, and the last thought made me smile. Would she love me? As she thinks these things through, Scootaloo leaps at the two of us, bringing us together in a group hug. Of course a real family is what she wants. Of course she'd love you. And of course you'd be a good role model for her. No worse that her Uncle. I try to communicate to Dash as we look at each other; her with a nervous smile on her face, and me with... teeth.

"This is gonna be the best Hearth's Warming EVER!!!" she yells, the sound echoing through the halls. I chuckle and wrap an arm around the filly and another around Dash who seems to have been in another train of thought. The latter starts, that train breaking.

"Of course it is, Scootaloo. You'll be spending it with the real Jack Skellington, and the fastest flyer in Equestria, Miss Rainbow Dash. How could it get better than that?" I ask.

Having made arrangements for Scootaloo to stay with Rainbow Dash for the time being, I found myself left with three days alone to prepare everything for the big night. With what I could remember of Hearths Warming, I managed to find some old banners sporting individual colours of the holiday. I also found an old saw, which could be used for cutting down a tree. Where I'd find a tree suitable for the festivities in this forest was beyond me. I'd wound up asking Miss Dash.

All in all, having cleaned up some old things, as well as stolen festive accessories, such as cracker-jacks and decorations for the tree, things looked good. I left the star down so Scootaloo could put it up herself when the time came. I'd set up the table with plates, chairs, cutlery, it looked like a miniature feast without the food, which was cooking away nicely in the kitchen which I'd miraculously managed to revive. Thank goodness for Magic.

The place was clean, the table was set, there was enough food to feed a dozen ponies, and strangely enough, there were enough places for a dozen ponies too. It was the smallest table I could find. I even had presents ready for when my little family arrived.

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door. I straighten myself out, having had the time to stitch closed the openings on my suit. I casually canter up to the door and prepare to open it. As I do so, I'm met with a surprise. "Happy Hearth's War...ming?"

Not only were Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo present, but a select group of ponies as well. "Sorry, Jack. I told the girls I wasn't going to be spending the holiday with them and they began to follow me around, demanding an answer. I thought I lost them, but Pinkie's like a compass that points to suspicious ponies." Dash says, sounding guilty. I notice that Scootaloo is with two more fillies around her age. I recognise them as her friends from school.

"That's...alright, Miss Dash. Um... there's plenty of room for everypony here. Certainly enough food. Come on in. Just leave your torches and pitchforks outside." I say, stepping aside to let everypony in. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash enter first, followed by a purple alicorn with dexterous eyes. A smal purple and green dragon, Scootaloo's friends, an orange Earth pony with a strange hat I'd never seen before, but kind of wanted. A White unicorn with a mane that seemed to suit her. A yellow pegasus who shied away from my gaze. A little white rabbit that rode on the pegasus' back. Then a large red stallion who gave me the look as if to say he was watching me.

I could have sworn there was one more. I look outside for the last one, but see nothing. Maybe she decided to go home? I shrug and close the door. Turning to my entourage of guests, I find myself assaulted by pink.

"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie, but you can call me Pinkie. I've never seen you before, but I heard about you from the ponies in Ponyville. Are you really a monster? You don't look like a monster, just a well-dressed skeleton. I don't see why everypony's afraid of you. Can we be friends? I'm friends with everypony, and I often throw parties for new friends. By the way, I like what you've done with your party, though it's missing confetti, but that might be more of a casual party or birthday kind of thing. Confetti wouldn't really work with this holiday, so I guess it's okay as it is..."

I interrupt the pink pony by placing my finger against my lips and gently shush her. She obeys and starts to blink as if she'd just been smacked in the face. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Pinkie Pie. My name is Jack Skellington; Scootaloo has dubbed me as such, therefore; I go by that name. I take it, Miss Dash that these are your close personal friends?" I ask, turning to Dash. She nods, still flabbergasted that I managed to shush Pinkie Pie.

"Yeah. You've already met Pinkie Pie. How did you do that, anyway?" She asks.

"You have to know at what point in a rant to use it." I reply.

"Okay... Anyway, this is Twilight. She's an egghead, all into books and stuff." Dash continues.

"Says the second number one fan of the 'Daring Do' series." Twilight counters.

"This is Rarity. She's a fashion designer by trade. Fluttershy's the one hiding up in the chandelier. This is Applejack, her big brother Macintosh, a.k.a. Big Mac. Their little Sister, Applebloom and her's and Scootaloo's friend, Sweetie Belle, who's Rarity's sister. Spike's the little Dragon next to Twilight. And...Fluttershy's pet bunny, Angel." she concludes. I whistle (somehow) at the number that had entered my hall. Thank goodness I cooked enough.

"So, Jack. Tell us; what are your intentions towards Scootaloo here?" I hear a voice call over.

"Twilight, don't do this now." Rainbow Dash interrupts.

"Really, Rainbow. You should be wondering this yourself. From what I've heard, Scootaloo's been taken from her Uncle, who claims to have been threatened by a Jack Slender. Know anything about that, Jack?" Twilight asks. Before I have a chance to reply, Rainbow Dash speaks to me.

"I'm sorry about this, Jack. I didn't bother explaining the situation to them." she says.

"It's alright, Miss Dash. I'll play along. But I have a question for you all. You followed Miss Dash and Scootaloo here to spend Hearth's Warming with them. You must have noticed how happy Scootaloo was to be coming here, no?"

"Yes?" Twilight replies with uncertainty.

"And when her Uncle mentioned my little scare tactic, did you happen to smell alcohol on his breath? I know I did, and I don't even have a nose." I continue.

"Skull joke!" Scootaloo chimes in before continuing with her dinner. I give a little chuckle at that.

"We... noticed his boozed breath, yes." Twilight replies again.

"Now, extrapolate his state of mind and compare it with Scootaloo's joy at coming here of all places. What would that suggest?" I ask her.

"That she doesn't like being with her Uncle?" Twilight replies. I notice that she's realised her argument was about to be invalidated.

"And a filly would only dislike being with immediate family members if those family members were being abusive, which was an obvious situation to me fro the very beginning, and I'm only a week out of my coffin. So the question I propose to you all is this; If I could see that she wasn't happy, then you all should have seen it too. And if so, why didn't any of you act sooner?" Of course, Rainbow Dash was exempt from my question as Scootaloo was always happy around her. And her school friends wouldn't know better. "I caught two of her class mates whipping this poor filly with a dog leash relentlessly, for Celestia's sake!"

By now, everypony, except Rainbow Dash have their heads lowered in shame. "You ask me what my intentions toward Scootaloo are? I'll tell you. I intend to make sure nopony hurts her like that again. If you're all really that worried about her, I suggest you do the same. Happy Hearth's Warming, everypony!" I raised my glass to the shamed crowd and took a sip. I caught the liquid in a magical stomach I'd erected for the occasion.

"Here, here!" Scootaloo added, raising her own glass. Rainbow Just remained silent and took a sip of her own beverage.

"So, Miss Twilight. What is it you do exactly?" I ask.

Author's Note

Nothing like a Little shame on Hearth's Warming. HAHAHAHA!!!

Merry Christmas, everypony! I'll see you next year!

3. Sticks And Stones May Break My Bones...

I pick up the violin again, turning to Scootaloo who had seated herself down by the entrance. While I can tell she isn't much of a music enthusiast, at least not in a classical sense. I know anything would cheer her up at this point. And music never failed to cheer up those in need of it.

I put stick to string and begin playing. I watch as the music puts a smile to her face. It is indeed a merry tune if heard, and it fills my hypothetical heart with joy to see her enjoying herself. Almost immediately after I start playing, she begins clapping in rhythm to my music. I dance around the room as well, adding more joy to the scene.

As the song comes to an end, I placed the violin behind my back and took a bow, the stick hanging in the air. I hear her clapping her hands together, clearly pleased by my efforts.

"You're really good. You should think about doing a duet with Octavia." she says.

"While I'm sure Miss Octavia would love to have a fellow musician playing beside her, I'm afraid that musician wouldn't be me." I reply, placing the violin back down and grabbing a chair to sit across from her. "Mine isn't exactly the kind of face one can distract with music." I add, sitting back to lift one leg over the other.

"I guess not. It's a shame, because you're such a nice pony." she replies, looking sad. I continue to watch as a realization dawns upon her. "By the way, who exactly are you?" she asks. That is a question I'd been subconsciously debating over.

"I'm afraid I can't say. I seem to have developed some sort of amnesia. All I know is that I must have been important at some point or another, because I was buried in the tomb beneath the castle here. And only those of great importance are buried in tombs. Sadly, even my name etched in stone has faded away over time. I'm a blank slate." I reply, crossing my arms to rest my hand on my chin.

"That's so sad..." she says with as much a saddened tone as one could expect from a sympathetic foal. "Hey, maybe you're a long lost prince!" she suggests.

"Well, I was an Alicorn, that much I do know." I respond by unwrapping my wings from around my chest. Scootaloo stares in awe.

"I thought those were just accessories to your coat." she says. I chuckle and flap them a couple of times, making a slight whistle in the air. I then proceed to wrap them around my torso once more and let them rest.

"I'm far from getting accessories, have you seen the state of me?" I jest. She chuckles in understanding and begins to yawn. "I think it's time we saw you home, my dear." I say. Now she looks really sad.

"I don't wanna go. Can't I stay here like last night? Pleeeeeaaaaase?" she begs. I'm uncertain as to how I should proceed. On one hand, I want to say yes because I know what's waiting for her at her home. On the other, this forest is teeming with creatures more dangerous than her abusive uncle. When considering her safety, neither option is preferable to the other, but only one is safer for her.

"This forest is too dangerous for you to spend the night in, Scootaloo. You may have been lucky last night, but who's to say something else doesn't live in these walls from time to time. I'm afraid home is the best option for you." I can see the utter defeat in her eyes and it nearly breaks my heart, even though I don't have one in the physical sense. Still, I can't leave things like this. "Well... at least until I've made it secure enough for you." I add at the very end. The transition from guttered to... exceptionally loud screams of joy is quicker than I can even move on the violin. She jumps around with glee, aided by her little wings. It's beyond the definition of the word cute to say the least.

"In the mean time, let me walk you home. It's nearly dark and if push comes to shove, I can at least bring you back here." Her wide grin tells me I said more than I should have.

During the trip, Scootaloo tells me a little about the town she lives in. Ponyville is a quaint little town with a single school, library and market. Among other buildings, it's just south of the Apple Family Orchard. An orchard that aided in the founding of Ponyville. One of her two best friends, Applebloom is a member of the family and is the sister to the Element of Honesty. I admit, I was curious about the Elements of Harmony. But to my mind, they were little more than a series of tools used by the Royal family.

"And then there's Rainbow Dash. She's my idol and kinda-sorta my big sister... figure." she says. Clearly even she is unsure as to the relationship between herself and Rainbow Dash.

"And does Rainbow Dash mistreat you like your uncle?" I ask. Scootaloo almost seems offended by the very notion.

"Absolutely not! Rainbow Dash is the bestest most awesome pony there is. She'd never hurt me." the filly replies. I smile and look ahead of us. Ponyville is within sight.

"Well then, I guess Rainbow Dash is somepony you can go to if you're feeling out of sorts like today. I'm sure she'd come up with some sort of awesome way to help you come out on top of those other two fillies." I suggest.

"Yeah... wait, why didn't you mention my uncle? Couldn't Rainbow Dash help me with him too?" she asks. Smart girl.

"Unless laws have changed relating to guardianship of a youth, in this instance, yourself. It would be the word of one pony against the rightful Guardian, not to mention those who saw him fit to hold that title over you." I reply. Scootaloo shows her displeasure toward this knowledge with a sad face. "However, that's where I come in." I say, offering her bait. She takes it like a fish out for worms.

"Huh?" she asks.

"The dead, don't much care about the rules of the living, now do they?" I say. Scootaloo laughs as we come to her front door. The streets are virtually empty and nopony would notice a skeleton in the dark unless they were in very close proximity. "Your stop, madam." I say, bowing to the young filly. She giggles before surprising me with a hug.

"Thank you, Jack." she says. I hug her in return for a moment before noticing something she said.

"Wait... Jack? What's that?"

"That's your new name. I remembered reading this book one time. It was called 'The Nightmare before Hearth's Warming'. I won't bother you with the story, but there was a character in it who you remind me of. His name was Jack Skellington and he was renowned as the Pumpkin King because he led countless successful Nightmare Nights. He was a skeleton just like you." she explains. I'm not sure whether or not to be upset that I now possess the name of a fictional character. Either way, I suppose it makes her happy. So I'll use it, if only to address myself.

"Well then I should be the one thanking you, Scootaloo. Right now, I can't think of anypony else I'd want to give me a name." I respond, brushing her cheek lightly with a bony finger. "And don't worry; things will pick up for you eventually." I add.

"You're like the perfect imaginary friend, only you're real." she says, hugging me once more.

"And I don't plan on fading away in the future." I reply, returning the hug once again. We let go and say our goodbyes. I can tell she's more than sad about me leaving her to the mercy of her Uncle, but the fact that I will always return for her should rest easy in her mind.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! IT'S A SKELETON! AN UNDEAD MONSTER IS IN PONYVILLE!!!" a shrill scream pierces the night sky. If I was tired before now, I sure as heck wasn't now. "Get away from here, you foul creature of the underworld!" the pony cries out. I can see lights in houses going off, including Scootaloo's home. Ponies emerged from their front doors, including who I could only assume was Scootaloo's Uncle. That pony in particular was barely ten feet from me. Scootaloo was up in her room, looking down on the whole fiasco with a worried look on her face.

"What the?! What manner of creature are you?!" her Uncle demanded. I couldn't think. The situation was just so sudden. I just let my mouth run its course, and apparently it was in the mood for a good laugh (albeit a strange one).

"YOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!!" I belt out, frightening the heck out of Scootaloo's Uncle. Bonus. I think as I make a dash for the forest.

Author's Note

Okay, so when Scootaloo is jumping with joy, I want you all to think of the Snoopy Dance.

YES!!! I FUCKING DID IT!!! HAHAHAHAHA! People kept comparing the violin playing Jack to Brook, so I fucking added the laugh! Enjoy your days, Motherfuckers!!! YOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!!!!