A not so dark art.

Chapters

Not so alone in the dark woods of Everfree
Not so alone in the woods of Everfree
Not alone in the forest of Everfree
With company in the stormy forest of Everfree
With company in the recces of the mind
With company... In the bedroom..?
With company in the morning
Alone in the dark woods of Everfree

Not so alone in the dark woods of Everfree

"Skullworthy, remind me to set up a magical ward. I don't want anypony disturbing me." Dead stormed back into her house with the skull in hot pursuit. "I can't believe that! I have spent years here and a small group of ponies looking for a lost item are able to find me." The skull made a few clicking sounds then slowly nodded. "Yeah I guess but still! Anyway we need to wait for the two I sent out to come back."

"Well I can cross getting flown around in the rib cage of a skeletal dragon off my bucket list!" Twilight was trying to make light of the situation. Spike was at the point where he had stopped yelling loudly and was now a bit more relaxed. Rarity was oddly calm given the circumstances. "Well how long do you recon it will be until we touch ground?" Spike was just staring at the ground as they flew over it and Rarity was just taking long deep breaths.

The dragon made an assortment of clicking noises at the dragon, the dragon the responded by clicking back. The two skeletal creatures starting their decent. Once the two creatures were on the ground they both collapsed releasing the ponies and dragon they held captive on the ground. The bones then dug a hole using their claws and buried underground.

"Hey Rarity, Spike how are you two doing?" Twilight turned and saw Spike hugging a nearby tree and Rarity still taking long breaths. "Are you two alright?"

Rarity was the first to break the trace the two seemed to be in. "I've been flying before, but that... Was horrible! I was in its ribs! I can take being dragged underground but honestly! Its ribs!" Rarity let out a huge breath after she finished. "At least their bones were clean."

"Hey Spike how are you holding up?" Twilight looked over to Spike who was still hugging the tree he was on.

"Sweet, sweet earth. I'm glad I can't fly. That was terrifying!"

"Its not so bad Spike, you were probably just scared because it was holding you in its claw." Twilight let out a sigh. "Well we didn't get the Alicorn amulet. So will we have to try again."

"Again!?" Rarity and Spike both exclaimed with looks of shock and horror.

"Well she was summoning skeletons to fly us away. Imagine what kind of power she would have if she was wearing the Alicorn amulet!" Twilight did various gestures to show how bad it would be. "Anyway I think that we should at least try and foil whatever she is planning with the amulet."

"Alright Twilight, I will put my work on hold until we get to the bottom of this. Anyway its a relatively slow week..."

"Thank Rarity, I knew I could count on you!"

"I guess I don't have much of a choice..."

"No you don't Spike, don't worry we will be fine. We have you to look out for us!" Twilight gave Spike a large bear hug before he was able to pull himself away.

Dead Quiet's house was just that. She was relaxing with some afternoon study and preparing for the coming day. The shuffling of skeletons in the field next to the house tending to the crops was all that could be heard. Dead was in the kitchen making herself some afternoon tea. "Skullworthy would you please grab me some milk?" The dragons skull opened one of the many cupboards and pull out a pitcher of milk that was sealed at the top, the skull then levitated the milk over to Dead who relived him of it and then poured some in a large cup that was full of tea. "Thank you Skullworthy! Now I feel like some research, do you have the scroll I was reading last night?" The skull compliantly nodded and opened its mouth relieving a scroll tucked in it. "Once again, thank you Skullworthy!" Dead pulled the scroll out of the skulls mouth with her magic and began reading it.

"Skullworthy! We must attend the ritual room! I have made a BREAKTHROUGH!" The skull quickly rose from what appeared to be sleep and made several clicking noises. "No not this time, you will have to attend. I need you to attend." The skull shot a worried look at Dead. "Don't worry it won't end up like last time my good undead floating skull-friend!" The skull pulsed with energy and the house rumbled as the rooms shifted around.

The ritual room was filled with various symbols and markings. The walls were a stained dark red and a dark magenta. "Alright Skullworthy! We need the soul binding symbol and the rebinding marking setup! However we will also need to shift the lighting to a mark five and three-quarters for this to work." The skull compliantly nodded and pulsed. The markings and symbols shifted and changed until they matched the ones on a chart by the doorway." Excellent! Now Skullworthy! Please levitate in the center of the marking of rebinding!" The skull looked worried and then scared, it made a few clicking noises. "No Skullworthy, this won't turn you into Skulutron... Again." The reluctantly hovered in the center of the room. "Alright Skullworthy! Here we go!"

Dead started channeling an enormous amount of magical energy. Her horn lit up as she strained to hold the magic within her. "Urrghhhhh! Must... Hold... It... In..." She kept the spell up for a few more seconds before it dissipated into the symbol. Dead relaxed for a moment. "Alright Skullworthy! Hang in there I'm about ten percent done!" The skull remained motionless as Dead started to channel a second spell.

An hour later...

"O-O-Okay... I am... Nearly... Done... Hang in there..." Dead summoned up the last of the her spells needed and cast in on herself. "Nazz-ara Mechora." Loosely translated as 'speak again.' A final bolt of energy fired from Dead's horn and hit the floating skull that was enshrouded in a mystic aura. Dead collapsed in a huff and fell into an unconscious state. The skull that was now discharged of energy quickly made its way over to its fallen owner. "Madam! Madam... Oh a voice... New voice! Hello! Heellooo!" The skull could now speak, it was clearly male and spoke with a refined accent sounding like a noble. The skull quickly picked up Dead with a white aura and took her to her bedroom and rested her on the bed. "Please wake up soon, I don't know what the afterlife would be without you..."

Knock-knock-knock

"Drat..."

Author's Note

Originally this was going to be the second visit, but I decided to try and give Skullworthy a bit more personality. I really like writing this story, more so then some of my 'other' projects.

Not so alone in the woods of Everfree

Skullworthy hovered just by the door. He couldn't open the door due to a magical seal Dead Quiet had put on the door preventing anything except her from opening it. However that didn't stop the group that was outside from pounding the door. After a brief moment of thinking Skullworthy was able to formulate a plan. He gently spoke out to those outside. "Ah hello! Who is there?"

"Wait, who is this?" A familiar voice called out. After some thought he decided that it was Twilight.

"Do you remember that floating skull that was by my Mistress?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Well my Mistress was studying a scroll and she must have found one that enabled me to talk."

"I see, and where would she be now?"

"Ah well, you see the back blast from casting the spell knocked her out cold. And she is now resting."

"Is there anything you can do?"

"Besides ask you to polity to leave, no."

Skullworthy received no response instead he heard quiet murmurs and hushed whispers. "May we ask your name?"

"You may call me Skullworthy. And before you ask it has always been my name."

"Okay then Skullworthy. Could we ask you why she needs the Alicorn amulet?"

"If by 'she' you mean mistress, she has already told you."

"Right, we got that she was collecting a old robe set or something or other. But why?"

"Well you see from what Mistress has told me, she wasn't always so pacified around the living. Once there was a time where she would openly attack living on sight. She was more of your stereotype evil necromancer. One time she raided a library and found it to be full of necromatic scrolls and documents to do with the griffon/pony war."

"The griffon wars was years ago, thousands of years ago! How old is she?"

"It in not polite to ask a lady her age. Back to the story, she raided the entire library and stole of the documents and scrolls. She has been studying them ever since."

"Right, so how does this relate to the Alicorn amulet?"

"Well one of the documents contained the plans for a ceremonial war robe that could bolster and pony to an ungodly strong level of magical mastery. It was comprised of a hat, necklace and robe."

"So she found the hat and robe?"

"No she merely spent over two-hundred years making it. How long she took gathering the materials is beyond me."

"Why?"

"She already had most of the materials when she made me. I was originally just going to be a servant to help organised its making."

"What happened?"

"She changed... So to speak, at first she would go on about how she would use the robes to crush her foes. But at some point she realized that... Well I don't know what happened. She just stopped going on about concurring Equestria."

A shuffling could be heard from one of the rooms followed by a long pained groaning. "Oh my head! It feels like its in a vice!" It became apparent to everything in the nearby area that Dead was awake.

"Hey Skullworthy, if she is suffering from magical backlash I can help. Could you get her to open the door?"

"I will see what I can do. No promises."

Dead was lying in her bed. Her eyes were tightly shut and she would occasionally gave and ecstatic jerk. The dragon skull hovered over to her side. "Madam, are you alright?" She gave a long groan. "We have visitors, the group from yesterday. Twilight requested that you go see her, something to do with the backlash."

"This hurts so much! I just want it to end! Oh this should be a happy day.. You can talk!"

"If I might suggest, maybe you could go see Twilight, she said she would help."

"Alright. But shes not getting the amulet." Dead rolled out of her bed and stood up shakily. She stumbled out of the door and into the front door. She crashed into the door with a loud thump. "Ohhh its getting worse!" She groaned loudly as she undid the various locks on the door. The door slowly creaked open reviling the small ground that were patiently waiting. "Heh, what do you want?" she said grumpily

"Just hold still, I'm going to knock your rude attitude off as being caused by pain." Twilight said ecstatically and full of enthusiasm. She channeled a small spell and cast it towards Dead. The bolt hit Dead on her horn and its was enough to make her legs buckle to the floor. A strange warm sensation washed over as she stood up and she found that the pain had gone.

"Thank you, but that doesn't change anything. You are not getting the amulet."

"I never expected to. But that is besides the point."

"Okay then, why did you come down today then? If not for the amulet."

"Ummmmmm, Rarity help me out?"

"Well you see... We are here because... We want to know.... Why you live out here? Yes that's it! We want to know why you don't live closer to Ponyville? Seeing as that's the nearest village." Neither side saw that question coming however with a few nods from her friends Rarity had be reassured that she had done well.

"Well you see Rarity, I am a necromancer. I am in exile and not aloud near any other ponies. And yes that should mean you and your friends."

"I see, well why don't you..."

"Out of the picture. Now if you don't have any more question please get your flanks off my property."

Spike shuffled in front of Twilight and Rarity, despite looks of disapproval from them he spoke up. "Do you collect anything else? I mean you have been making that ceremonial war robe so do you collect anything else?"

"How do you know about that? I haven't mentioned it." She shot cold daggers and the small group hoping for one of them to answer, however she received none. "You know what, I don't really care. I collect various trinkets and magic artifacts I won't go into to detail, seeing as it will just make you stay longer. If you don't mind could you please leave. Its getting late."

"Alright fine. But we will be back tomorrow!" Twilight said promptly as they left.

"Skullworthy. I give up on the living..."

Author's Note

The end of the chapter is not how I wanted it, but I'm trying to do each chapter under 1500 words for some strange reason.

Not alone in the forest of Everfree

The very next day.

"Skullworthy, it would seem that a giga-storm is forming. Do we have any preparations for it?" Dead turn a concerned eye to the large patch of gray that was slowly moving towards her house. The skull quickly pulsated with a magical energy and a while shield covered the house and field. "Ah a shield! Will you be alright holding that for the duration of the shield? I wouldn't want to exhaust you." The skull gave a compliant nod. "Hey whats the matter my good friend? You haven't been so chatty today. What gives?" The skull let out a large sigh and then gave a concerned look.

"If I may say so, I am worried. I am worried that I may say something that will offend you. I am worried you might send me away..." The skull sounded sad, Dead was sure that if he could cry he would.

"Skullworthy. You have been my faithful servant, no my best friend for how long? I could not get rid of you even if my life depended on it. You just mean so much to me..." Dead grabbed the skull with her magic and brought it in for a hug. "Who needs living friends that will betray me and stab me in the back? I have you and that's all I will ever need." A happy tear came out of Dead's eye and fell onto the skull.

"Y-You really mean that? All of it?" The skull looked up at Dead as she refused to let him go.

"Of course I do. I don't know what I would do without you." Dead released the skull from her tight hug and skull bobbed in the air happily. Dead wiped her tears away and turned her attention to the sky. "But that.. THAT I could live without. Lets just hope our 'guests' come early today..."

They didn't.

"Twilight I don't like the looks of the storm. We better hurry up!" Spike said with a pinch of urgency in his voice. While it wasn't raining presently it looked as if a downpour would start at any moment.

"I hate to say it Twilight but it might be a good idea to head home and leave it for today." Rarity said with a slight stressed tone in her voice. "The valley we came down might flood if the rains to hard and I don't want to think what will come out after dark."

"Its alright you two, we will be able to get back safe and sound I promise. And anyway that storm doesn't look too bad." Twilight then turned her attention to the large cluster of gray clouds that were above them. Small bright flashes of electrical energy could be seen hopping from could to cloud. "If we hurry up we will beat the rain!" The group picked the pace up until it was a small sprint.

The group crashed outside of Dead's house just as the rain started to drop. It was small drops that were barely noticeable, however it was a sign of things to come. Twilight quickly caught her breath while the other two took a bit more time. She gingerly walked up to the door and knocked it a few times, within moments the door creaked open relieving the chestnut colored mare. "Ah Twilight and Co. I did not expect to see you today." The mare's normally half jokey half rude attitude reflected well in the almost expressionless face. "I take it you booked in advance?" The attitude was more jokey today so Twilight assumed she was in a good mood.

"Come on, you know why we are here." Rarity clearly wasn't in the mood for joking. If anything she wanted her to hurry up and say no so that they could get home. "So either give us the amulet or not, its your call." Rarity was a lot more forward she even sounded a bit frustrated.

"You know I'm not going to give you the amulet. Such an action would make the whole point of liberating it. Well pointless." The necromancer was stating the obvious and she had more of a fair point. If she had stolen the amulet she wouldn't exactly just give it up. "Anyway... If you knew I wasn't going to give it to you, why show up again?" Once again she had more then a fair point.

Twilight went into deep though for a moment before speaking. "Well we need the amulet for research, I want to know why it corrupt those who wear it." Twilight held out hope that the mare would see the logic in her argument.

"Is that it? Really? I'm not even going to justify that...." A large thunder clap interrupted the mare as she muttered something under her breath. "Great the storm is picking up! Skullworthy! Make sure the shield is fully charged! If you need a helping hoof give me a holler!" It confused Twilight how this mare could treat the dead so well yet be so rude to the living. However a more concerning matter filled her mind.

"Wait, why would you need a shield? Its just a storm." Twilight quizzed the mare. "All you should need is some sort of electrical conduit."

"A storm she says... Yeah sure, just a storm. You don't know how weather works in the deep forest right..?" The mare let out a short lived chuckle.

"Well normally we just have a weather team deal with the weather. And normally they control the weather and we don't have random weather. Save the few times a storm gets blown in." Twilight said with pride as she knew how weather worked.

"Well out here the storms can be a fair bit stronger. To the point where I need to use a shield in order to stop my house from being blown off the face of Equestria."

Twilight's face changed along with her companions finally Spike spoke up. "So you expect to see one of those today?" Spike spoke shakily as he kept his attention to the gray clouds that were darkening. The rain started to pick up and was more like a light shower. Rarity was now looking a little panicked as some shuffling came from the undergrowth.

"Not only are we expecting one, but some of the creatures are seeking shelter, wouldn't want to bump into any of them though, they get cranky when it rains." The mare's matter of fact tone only served to worry the group even more. "Y'know you could have come earlier. You would have avoided this storm."

"Well what can we do?" Rarity asked. An unhappy expression that came across the mare's face only concreted their fears.

Dead let out a large sigh as she glared at the two ponies and baby dragon. She hated what she was about to do, ever fiber in her body was screaming 'NO DON'T DO IT!' But she could not let matters go on as they were.

"I guess... I really guess... You will have to... Stay the night..." Dead shuddered and dropped her gaze to the floor. "I will have to set up the guest beds... For safety purposes you will have to stay in my room while you sleep." She gestured for the group to enter, once they were out of hearing range she looked at Skullworthy and sighed.

"Skullworthy, I really really give up on the living..."

With company in the stormy forest of Everfree

Dead's house was surprisingly well lit the chandelier that hung in the hallway gave if a cozy feel. Various decorations such as wall flowers and a few paintings helped fill the empty space. A small table with a picture that depicted a happy family sat around the halfway mark against the wall. The house didn't reek of dead but it smelt fresh and well clean. The walls were made out of wood and painted a dark brown color and a rug along the floor had a red and blue diamond pattern on it. All these factors made the empty hallway feel vibrant and homey.

"Wow." Was all Twilight was able to say, in her previous visits she had not seen much of the inside of the house. "This is really really nice!" She exclaimed. Spike jaw was dropped as his expectations had been blown away and Rarity was eyeing up the artwork that hung in the hallway. Skullworthy floated over to the group and addressed them.

"Ah, greeting guests. For the rest of the day Mistress asks that you avoid going outside and she also requests that you do not split up. I will act as a translator for the duration of the storm." The skull polity smiled at the group, trying to avoid scaring them.

"Requested? Asked? Really?" Spike questioned the floating skull.

"Well more like ordered, but I didn't want to come off being rude." The skull said in a modest tone. "But well now its out there." A silence fell over the group and remained like a thick fog. The silence was broken when a shuffling pony skeleton came through the hallway with a broom in hoof. The skeleton walked out of the living room and down the hallway, it was viciously sweeping dust as it went. It stopped when it passed the floating skull and made several clicking noises. In return the skull made several clicking noises and then the skeleton kept sweeping, ignoring the group on living.

"What was that about?" Rarity questioned. "What was with those clicking noises?"

"Its just simple communication, nothing to complex."

"What did it say?"

"He just wanted to know if Mistress was planning any sacrifices and wondered if the ritual room needed cleaning."

"What did you say?" Rarity spoke with concern in her voice.

"I told him the truth. And yes it was a he. May I direct you to the main room now?" The group compliantly nodded and they followed the skull through a large doorway.

Why did she let them in? Why didn't she just let them go back into the forest and get eaten? These were questions that Dead asked herself constantly. But she never answered them, instead she just made her way to the kitchen and called out with her mental focus to Skullworthy. Hey Skullworthy ask them if they want any drinks... Why am I being so nice? Never mind, but ask them anyway. A few moments later a voice popped into Dead's head. Of course, they all seem to want tea, par the dragon who wants none.

Dead started heating up some water in a kettle, she poured the water into a small teapot and added a few teabags to the pot. She then poured herself a cup and added a her special bland of herbs and leafs to it. She then placed several cups on a tray and levitated it in front of her. She felt terrible, not only had she allowed the living into her house, her sacred place but she was now making them drinks, she might as well been wearing a maid outfit.

She slowly walked out of the kitchen and into the hallway. She double checked the walls to make sure that nothing had vanished and then she headed to the large double doorway that lead into the main room. Twilight was sat next Spike on the large sofa, while Rarity was sat in a single seat coach. The silence in the room was silent music to Dead's ears however that music soon ended as she placed the tray down. "Thank you ummm..." Twilight stuttered. Not once had Dead told them her name, and she didn't plan on telling them yet.

"Don't thank me yet. I don't plan on keeping you long. As soon as the storm lets up I will kick you out." A silence came over the room. A silence that stayed. The silent sips came from the group as they drunk their drinks, not one of them wanting to talk out of fear of what they receive in return. Dead would occasionally switch who she was glaring at, one moment she would be glaring at Rarity, then Spike and finally Twilight before she went back to Rarity. Every now and then Skullworthy would float around silently observing waiting for conversation. Conversation that never came.

The sips continued until there was no tea left to drink. The tick-tock of a clock could be heard through the entire house as the silence ruled. The silence went on for another hour until Rarity broke it.

"Whats your problem with us?" Rarity sounded frustrated and angry.

"Us? What do you mean us?" Dead remained oddly calm.

"Me and my friends of course! Why do you dislike us so much?"

"You? Your friends? Oh no, its not you in particular. Its the living! They stab you in the back. They betray you when you need them. They ignore you when you plead and beg for help and they shun you when you don't match their rules. They send you away and expect you live with it... They let griffons murder your family and... And expect you to live with it. They blame you for their deaths when you seek revenge... They... The living have done nothing but cause me pain and misery. The dead do not do that. The dead are loyal, the dead always support me, they look out for me and I look out for them."

"Are you alright? You don't look so well?" Twilight asked, she looked worried, she should have been as Dead was in an emotional state. She could do anything.

"No, I am not. This is bringing back memories that I do not care for, nor do I want." Dead spoke flatly, unlike a few moments her voice was devoid of all emotions.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Twilight asked

"Why would I want to do that?"

"When I am dealing with emotional stress I find it is always a good to tell somepony I trust."

"I do not trust anything in this room par Skullworthy. But if you really think it will help I shall tell you. Least I relapse and turn into something I once was..."

Author's Note

I had to put a chapter where I go into Dead's backstory.

With company in the recces of the mind

Dead had gone over the various things that had happened in her childhood that caused her to make the choices that she did. She explained that she lived in a seaside town that was on the boarders of pony territory, she had explained how griffons had pestered the tower on several occasions. She explained the griffons had come into the town one night and slaughterer everpony save for her. She explained how she swore vengeance for her family and her friends. She explained how she tracked the raiders to their own village and she explained that she was able to overpower the village and kill several griffons at the age of eight, how she rose them from the dead and used them to kill the others. She even explained how she saw some fly not to their cities and town but towards pony territory, how they told Celestia that both attacks were her fault, that she had received the blame for it. How she had been banished and forced into exile, how she had been told that she was lucky to be able to live.

"So they blamed you and left you out in the wild to die? At age eight?"" Twilight was in shock at the entire story, and in shock that Celestia and Luna had acted so swiftly without thinking properly. "Honestly I could not believe that Celestia would be so rash."

"Celestia was a different pony back then, she was trying very hard to smooth out relations with the griffon empire. However that didn't turn out so well. hence the pony/griffon war. I respect her for trying but it was rash and not well though through." Dead has a bit of emotion in her voice, she had really opened up. Dead was in fact starting to treat Twilight and her friends like she treated the dead. "Its funny, I never thought talking could be so therapeutic."

"Its amazing what you can learn about somepony when they just talk, you know its never a good idea to bottle up your emotions. Who knows what you could do if they have come out unexpectedly." Rarity said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Maybe someday you will be able to come back to civilization?"

"Sorry Rarity but you are two ponies and a dragon. I can tolerate you, maybe even of accept you. But I don't think I could live with others."

"Well at least you are making progress... I guess." Rarity said with a pinch of disappointment.

"Don't worry Rarity, I'm sure someday she will see sense." Spike added, Spike had remained mainly silent, he had been silently observing the events. A few times during the explanation he had been taken out of the room by Skullworthy due to Dead deeming the memory 'a bit much.'

"Look I appreciate you all listening to me prattle about my misspent youth, but really this changes nothing. I am nothing more then a necromancer living out in exile. Nothing will change nor will it ever."

"Annnd we are back to where we were an hour ago..." Spike said as he crossed his arms and sighed. "Look Twilight, you obviously aren't going to get anywhere with her. We might as well give up and go home."

"Spike we aren't giving up, and also I don't know if you have forgotten but there is a storm outside." Twilight said, ignoring Spike as rolled his eyes.

"Look as much as I love hearing you talk about me within earshot I have to ask that you tone it down a notch, I may be a heartless necromancer who cares more about the dead then I do the living. But I have feelings!" Dead had recovered from her emotional state and was once again perky.

"Well its nice to see you happy, even if you are mocking us..." Rarity said as she stood up. "Well at least the rain has calmed down somewhat."

"That's just me boosting the shield subconsciously, I mean you honestly didn't think the rain had let up? If anything it got worse."

"I don't understand you, you tell us your entire traumatic childhood in all the gory details, yet you have only become less mocking." Twilight sighed. "This is going nowhere..."

"Well at least you gained somewhat of an insight to what made me the murderous killing machine you see today. I mean, that's something right?"

"If anything you just made me question a lot of history. There are legends about Discord and Sombra, evil figures that tried to rule the world. Yet nothing about you, as if they tried to cover it up." Twilight said, she looked down at the floor and sighed.

"Well Twilight, you see. In my last attempt to take over Canterlot I raided the library and stole everything about me. I needed to vanish, I even broke the window the showed Celestia's and Luna's many victories over me."

"I see, then why did they not replace the stolen books?"

"May of or may not have wiped the memories of certain scholars, and eh place a small curse that meant when anypony tried to write about me the couldn't think of anything good to write so they would tell themselves they would do it later." A large grin came over Dead's face as she started happily into the air. "Talking about the time I was transcending from evil to not-so-evil makes me happy."

"What happened that made you change your ways?" Rarity asked politely.

"Oh y'know the usual. Became aware that killing and subjugating ponies wouldn't bring my family back and that I was hurting more then I was helping. The usual evil doers realization." Dead was perky as she spoke, she even let out a small chuckle after she finished

"I was not aware that there was a 'usual' for that..." Rarity said, trying to smile with Dead without forcing it.

Skullworthy appeared in the room, he was floating in the middle of all four of the group. "Madam, it is ready! I am sorry it took so long to get ready, I couldn't find the correct items... But regardless it is ready!" The chirpy skull bounced around with a smile before promptly fixating himself to the wall. "I think I will get some rest, if that is alright with you madam?"

"Of course Skullworthy!" Dead got up and walked over to the skull as its magic drained. She gently kissed the skull its forehead. "Goodnight my friend..." She sighed and sat back down within the group.

"You really do value the dead more then the living..." Twilight said gazing into the skull.

"They support me when I'm when I need them. And Skullworthy is special, he has been there for me. He is more like a brother then a simple minion. Would you not care if he was flesh and bone?"

"Its okay, I don't judge you, at least I have stopped anyway."

"Well," Dead brought a clock out of nowhere without any rhyme or reason. "Its coming up to eleven. I guess its time for some rest for the wicked."

"Wha..?" All three of the other members of the group gave a confused look.

"Bed! What else?" Dead let out a huge laugh, she then got up and headed out into the hallway and found the large bedroom behind the bone door. "I had the bedroom set up specially." She pushed open the door as the three others entered the hallway.

Author's Note

No, this is not going in that direction. And sorry about the huge ugly block at the start, appeared A LOT longer in the viewing then it did in edit mode. Also my initial proof-read was done relatively late so expect more then a few errors that would have slipped past.

With company... In the bedroom..?

Dead jumped on a large double bed. She let out a sound which could only be described as pure foalhood laughter. "Hehehehehe! Its sooo bouncy! I call dibs on this one!" She promptly stood on her bed and pummeled it in a cat like fashion, she then turned her attention to the other beds.

"Oh right... Beds... I don't see what is so exciting..." Spike said as a tired demeanor took over him. "I think I will take this one..." Spike climbed onto one of the large beds. He curled up under the covers and was soon snoring loudly.

"Awww look at little spiky.. Hes so cute when hes tired." Rarity said as she looked over the sleeping dragon. "I must say, that skull really outdid himself! I think I would like to drag this bed home with me." She marveled at the care that had been put into the wooden bed, it looked about as normal as items got in the house of a necromancer. Rarity then hopped into the bed. "I must say this bed is rather comfy, I have to ask how that skull how he did it."

"Skullworthy is a wonderful friend, I'm sure if he was flesh and bone and a pony we would be married or something crazy like that. Sometimes he really outdoes himself." Dead looked happily as she began to settle in her bed, she turned her attention to Twilight who was yet to get into a bed. "So Twilight are you getting into bed or will I have to take over your mind and force you?" She gave a evil smile at Twilight who was now looking slightly worried.

"Your like a filly, a crazy powerful filly who controls the dead..." Twilight said with a smile as she chuckled a bit. "How can you act so immature yet have such a scared past?" Twilight looked over with concern at Dead.

"Well I get like this when I'm tired. You can ask Skullworthy, but this is pretty normal for me. Anyway... Are you getting into bed or are you just going to stand there like a lemon?" She pulled the covers away from the only remaining bed and gestured Twilight to hop in. "Its not like the bed will bite or anything, at least I hope not..."

"Come on Twilight, its not like it is a portal to some realm of Elderich horror." Rarity said partially mocking Twilight. "Oh dear, I think she is rubbing off on me. Sorry Twilight." Rarity said with a slight laugh as she looked down and settled into her bed.

"I'm not that tired, I mean I'm used to pulling all-nighters while studying." Twilight said, half full of pride and half full of shame.

"Well that is no reason for why you shouldn't get into bed. What seems to be worrying you?"

"Its not me I'm worried about, whenever we have been here we have always come back. What will everypony think? They might come looking for us and get hurt/ I don't want anypony to get hurt looking for us while we are safe..."

"Twilight," Dead spoke seriously. "No pony will get hurt if they came looking for you. Believe it or not, my skeletons try and 'stray' ponies away when they get too close to the storm. And if they are that worried you could ask Skullworthy to send a letter."

"Wait how can he... Oh right hes a dragon skull. I guess that will help." Twilight said sounding reassured.

"Alright now Twilight? Think you can into bed now? Hmmmm?" Dead said in a shrill voice.

"Fine, but only because you won't stop going on about it." Twilight then hopped into her bed and pulled the covers over. "But how can I get to sleep? I'm not tired."

"Alright then, do you want me to completely explain necromatic theory to you? Be aware that once it is heard it can't be unheard... Soo where do you want me to start? Maybe basic soul binding? Or bone-weaving?"

"Ummm no thanks, as much as I would love to learn how raise the dead..." Twilight said trying to say no polity.

"Twilight! I am offended! Necromancy isn't simply raising the dead! It is the magic of death!" Dead said sound angry and upset.

"Sorry! Sorry, I didn't mean it like that." Twilight fumbled as she tried to apologize.

"Hehehe... Just pulling your leg. I understand." Dead said calmly with a friendly smile.

"Would you two just hurry up! Some ponies are trying to sleep!" Rarity hollered at the two, it was evident that they had woken her up and she was not in the best of moods.

"Woah calm down Rarity, don't make put a sleeping curse on you. Because I will!" Dead said sounding slightly frustrated.

"A sleeping curse would be lovely! Please do!" Rarity shouted back.

"Sleeeeeep..." Dead said in a hushed tone, within moments Rarity was snoring loudly.

"Ummmm whats it going to take to wake her up?" Twilight quizzically asked.

"Ah... I forget every now and then. But if I remember correctly, a single kiss should do it. Yeah that seems to be the norm in fairy tales so it should work here."

"Oh... Does that mean..." Twilight said in shock.

"Yes, yes it does. Wanna practice?"

"What!? No!" Twilight nearly shouted before realizing how she sounded. I mean... No thank you, I will just have to wing it in the morning... Or get Spike to." Twilight said with a hushed tone sounding apologetic.

"Wait, you're serious? You would really do it? Ha! HAHAHA! Don't worry Twilight, I can wake her up as I please." Dead started laughing hysterically. She almost rolled of her bed in the fit of laughter she was in. "Ahhh.. I'm sorry that was mean, I understand if you don't want to speak to me for the rest of the night..."

"You..." Twilight sounded furious as she built up her anger. "YOU! YOU!! Got me..." Twilight started to chuckle, then she started to laugh and soon she was in a similar state to what Dead was in a few moments ago. "I can't believe you got me! If you hadn't told me I honestly would have! I feel like such a fool!"

"Don't worry Twilight, I'm sure if Rarity was awake she would be laughing with us." Dead said as Twilight started to slow down her laughter. "Anyway I am pretty tired, do you want me to put you to sleep?"

"No that's okay, I'm pretty tired now. Goodnight!"

"Night Twilight..."

Author's Note

Any feedback both positive and negative is welcome. Just please explain it and don't say 'This story is dead.'

With company in the morning

Twilight woke up, she sat up and looked around. Rarity was sleeping soundly, snoring in a ladylike fashion. Meanwhile Spike was fidgeting while he slept in a cute manner. However the last bed was empty, the Necromancer was nowhere to be seen. Twilight jumped out of bed and walked out to the hallway. Twilight entered the kitchen to find it completely devoid of light, she then entered what was still the main room to find nothing there. Twilight finally went out the back door into the large garden. Among the skeletal farm hands she could easily see the Necromancer at the end sat on a bench made from bone.

Twilight sat next to the Necromancer, who kept her gaze off into the distance. The small hill that the house was situated on gave a good view of Everfree forest's depths. "Its beautiful, one of the reasons I live out here." The sun was just hovering over the tree line as it started to rise, as the Necromancer had said, it was a beautiful sight. "You know, you never had to hide it from me. You could have told me and it wouldn't of mattered." The Necromancers normal voice was soft and comforting, however Twilight could tell she was talking about something more serious.

"What do you mean?" Twilight questioned.

"Your dragon, late last night he had a coughing fit and spat out a letter marked with the royal seal. I haven't read it." The Necromancer pull a small scroll out from under the bench with Celestia's seal binding it. True to her word the seal had not been broken or showed any signs of it being tampered with. "I just have to know, did she send you to spy on me?" The Necromancer sounded hurt at the end of her sentence.

"No, she didn't. But I may as well come out completely. I'm Celestia's student and me and my friends are the ponies who bare the elements of harmony." Twilight looked away, and hoped that she would understand. The skeletons that had been shuffling around had stopped and Twilight could feel the full force of their eyeless gaze upon her. The Necromancer was unpredictable in the best of times, for all Twilight knew she could be without flesh within a heartbeat. However she could not predicted what would come next.

A hug.

Twilight felt something wrap around her, something warm and then then a sigh. She looked up and saw the Necromancer hugging her. Not in a loving way, but in a friendly way, a thankful way. It took Twilight a few moments to realize that this was most likely the first contact the Necromancer had have with living in decades, because of this Twilight felt complied to return the hug.

it felt odd for dead, hugging something that was warm and pulsating with life but she did not dislike it. Dead sighed happily as she felt her feelings being returned. Not only had the living who had shown up exceeded her expectations, but they would also be the living who would stop if she ever went down the dark path again. After a full minute she finally pull herself away. "Thank you Twilight. Thank you for being honest, thank you for not freaking out when I hugged you. I haven't had contact with the living since I was eight."

Twilight smiled warmly at Dead. "Its okay, we all need a hug sometimes. I am just sorry for not being honest with you from the start, I was just worried about how you would react."

"Its okay Twilight, sometimes I don't even know what I am going to do. But since you talked to me yesterday I have felt a burden slowly relive itself from my back." Dead smiled, she once again had hope in the living, she felt calm and at peace. "Maybe, just maybe I will be able to return."

"Yeah, maybe someday. I don't know how everypony would react, but I would make it work." Twilight said with reassurance in her voice.

Behind them the sound of a door opening could be heard. "Of there you two are! Looks like the storm has subsided finally." Rarity said happily. "Will you be showing us out?"

"No Rarity, I don't think I will be kicking anypony out yet. However there is a pressing matter I have to talk to you about. You see, Twilight told me about her being Celestias student."

"Before you ask, I know where this is going. I am the element of generosity."

"Thank you Rarity, I know its not easy keeping a secret." Dead gave her a smile. "Now all we are waiting for is Spike, I have news for you all!"

"Somepony say my name?" Spike said as he emerged from doorway and running over to the group.

"Wait, I thought you put Rarity in a sleeping curse?" Twilight ask, suddenly realizing that at no point had Dead undone it.

"Oh yeah, I undid that when I got up, don't worry it should have no after effects. Anyway my news!" Dead said happily. "I think it is about time I told you all my name, seeing as I trust you all. I must warn you, my name was a bit of and odd one. It kind of fits my dark choice of magic... My name, is Dead Quiet! I was called that because that was what I was when I was born, my family though I was dead..."

"Wow... That's kinda depressing..." Spike said, his happy demeanor slowly diminishing.

"Most of the skeletons here just call me Dead. Which is also pretty odd, but its my name." Dead said remaining rather happy. "But I won't consider it rude if you come up with a less... Dead-y nickname for me."

"I don't have a problem with calling you Dead. If its your name, its your name!" Rarity said with happy demeanor that seemed to revive Spikes happy attitude. "So Dead, did you have any other news?"

"Yes, just one thing. And its more of a request. Could you three perhaps take me to Celestia? I won't be able to properly migrate back into pony society without an official pardon. So do you think you would be able to help me?" Dead said with renewed optometrist.

"Dead," Twilight started. "I promise you that we will go to Canterlot and WE WILL get you pardoned! Or my name isn't Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight got up and raised her hoof in the air. Rarity soon followed.

"If you are going to Canterlot you will certainly need a dress! I don't think they would take you seriously if you didn't!" In reality Rarity just wanted to see if she would be able to get Dead wearing a dress like Rainbow Dash had.

"Yes, my rather old dusty robes are a bit, well depressing... Also they have bone inlay, so they are not practical for wearing when in and out of society. I would be more then honored if you make me a dress Rarity. I have a large surplus of old silk that I used when making the battle robes, its magic has drained but it is still some strong silk. Maybe I could give it to you?"

"Hmmm I'd have to see the materials first, but I should be able to take it." Rarity added.

"I hate to be a negative aspect here, but what if Celestia says no?" Spike said in a rather sad tone.

"If she says no I will run back here. She shouldn't be able to find me, and I can always pack up and move."

"Alright then!" Twilight said. "I guess we better head to Ponyville!"

"To Ponyville!" The group shouted simultaneously as they made their way out of the forest towards the nearby village.

Author's Note

Working on a sequel... More or less. And I also had a ton of fun writing this!

Alone in the dark woods of Everfree

Necromancy is a rare magic in Equestria, it is a magic that is surrounded by taboo. Most ponies simply think that necromancy is simply about dragging dead ponies out of the grave and then using them as tools. However to Dead Quiet necromancy is so much more. It was an art, a way of life. Something that gave her purpose to keep on living. It gave her company in her house in the deep Everfree.

"Hey Skullworthy! Hows the farm holding up!" The perky chestnut colored mare shouted over to what seemed to be a dragon skull that was affixed to the wall. The skull immediately looked over to the mare, or it would have had it had any eyes. The skull let out a variety of clicking noises by gritting and banging its teeth around. "Well if they start to struggle get some of the farmkeepers to apply some bone meal, I read somewhere that it makes plants surge in growth when applied." The skull nodded and made several clicking sides. "Always good to hear! Anyway I need to go to the study would you mind pulling the study up for me?" The skull nodded a second time and then its eye sockets lit up and the doorway it at the end of the hallway shifted around. "Thank you very much Skullworthy!"

Dead was an oddity for a 'evil necromancer' she was always perky and she was always had a smile, then again she had always had a smile since she stole the Alicorn amulet from the zebra that lived a few miles north, it was the last in the collection of a ceremonial outfit that was complete with robes, hat and amulet. However she was rather displeased that some fool had corrupted the amulet with untold power meaning she would not be able to wear it.

The study was a large room that was made completely out of bone with a few windows, the outside of the room showed signs of being recently submerged in dirt. A variety of scrolls and books were scattered around the room. Dead leaped to the desk and undid a scroll and started inspecting it. She started making notes about the scroll and talking to herself. Talking to herself was the normality when she was studying. "Hmmp so the whole time I have been using the entirety of the being I could have weaved it into some sort of... Skeletal horror?" She wrote some notes down quickly and then moved onto another scroll. "Ah I see, so spirit weaving can also be used to bring someone back to life if they have recently died, I had no idea! But if they have been dead for long then five minutes I will just bring them back as a mindless minion." She stayed like this for a few hours before emerging from her study and promptly heading to bed.

The next day...

"So Twilight what exactly are we doing in this neck of the woods?" Spike asked as Twilight and Rarity started to pull ahead of him.

"Well Spike, after visiting Zecora we have learned that the Alicorn amulet has been misplace."

"You mean stolen Twilight..."

"Now now Spike, it would be rude to go around accusing ponies of stealing items." Rarity quickly said before stopping. "However I find it odd how the area she might of misplaced it would be an hours walk away."

"Well it might have accidentally fallen into her herb basket and it might of slipped out. We are probably heading to a herb hotspot or something." Twilight picked up the pace. "Come on we shouldn't be too far away!" With a large sigh Spike gave a little sprint to catch up with Twilight.

"Wait for me!" Rarity quickly shouted in a attempt to catch up.

"You know Skullworthy, I don't think I could stand the living anymore. I mean when I interacted with them I was evil, tried to overtake Equestria, heck I even took a swing at some of the competition." The dragon's skull gave a sad look somehow. "You know Skullworthy, I am glad I gave you ability to portray emotions. It really helps me deal with the solitude." The skull now shot a happy smile at Dead and then made a few clicking noises. "Yeah, I love you to good buddy!"

Knock knock

"Wh-What? The door is being knocked? Skullworthy! Come with me!" The skull magically dislodged itself and hovered over to Dead. Dead moved slowly to the door with the skull hovering next to her. She slowly opened the door and started at the ponies and dragon in front of her.

"Hello, I'm Twilight Sparkle and this is spike," The unicorn motioned to small purple dragon who was eyeing up Skullworthy. "and this is Rarity." The unicorn then motioned to an alabaster unicorn who was staring at Skullworthy in horror. "We are looking for an amulet that someone lost in the woods around here..."

"You mean the Alicorn amulet? Sorry but its in my possession now." Dead went to shut the door however a purple aura stopped it. "Excuse me me? Did you not hear me? I said its in my possession now. Please leave before you force my hoof." The lavender unicorn gave Dead a cold look.

"Was that a threat? Because I'l have you know I have faced worse then you."

"Now now Twilight, no need to get angry. I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding."

"I doubt it. I stole that amulet from the zebra because she would never let me have it. Heck she wouldn't even let me near her. Anyway why does it even matter. I obviously don't need it for anything and neither do you."

"Uh Rarity, Twilight? Is it me or is there a floating skull next to her?" The purple dragon shakily said interrupting the stand off.

"You mean Skullworthy? Yeah I made him a few hundred years ago. Possibly the best thing I have made to date." Dead spoke with a pride as she gestured to the skull with a now beaming smile.

"B-But did you have to use a dragons skull?" The purple dragon said while trying to hide behind the alabaster unicorn.

"No, but dragon skulls can portray emotions better then any of race in Equestria... Now please leave. Before I make you."

"Twilight I think we should go. She has a floating dragon skull next to her."

"I'm not leaving without that amulet!" Twilight stomped her hoof on the ground in annoyance.

"Fine by me. Oh enjoy your flight." Dead summoned a small amount of magic energy and discharged it into the ground. Within a few seconds two large rib cages burst out of the ground and entangled the two ponies while a small claw came out the ground and grabbed the dragon. Withing a few seconds a large assortment of bones burst out of the ground and connected with the rib cages and slowly formed a griffon and a dragon. What appeared to be cartilage filled the gaps in the wings and griffons beak. "Please take out guests to the zebra's house. And please you three, don't pester me anymore. Now go!" The two skeletal creatures took off towards Zecora's house.

Author's Note

What started off as a single chapter story with 2.5k words in it has changed! When I was first proofreading it I kinda fell in love