Chapters Scootaloo's Shadow. Book 1: Return
Chapter 2 Reveal
"Hello Dash," I looked up at her, her face was a triad of emotions: the two most prevalent being confusion and worry, but I could see 'relief' hidden down lower.
"Yu you- you, I just, Scoots!" I smiled: at least I wasn't forgotten. I knew, however, I was about to be barraged by questions.
"Look, I know you're about to ask me a ton of questions, but I don't think I should answer them," Her face showed puzzlement, "Just come by Twilight's tomorrow, I need to talk to her, and everything you ask, and more, I will answer over there,"
"So, I'm not worth an explanation?"
"No that's, ah, yes I do own you all the answers, and I did earn all the hatred towards me for leaving, and I do-" She cut me off with a hoof; I was rambling a bit.
"Don't take it too far; we don't hate you, but we were worried. If you answer any question, please let it be this one: what happened?"
"That one I, I can't answer, not now, at least,"
"Ugh, Scootaloo, where have you been for four years?"
"Well, in Manehatten,"
"Where did you stay?"
"I made uh- a 'friend',"
"A friend? Okay if you say so. Why did you come back, after four years?"
"I, I don't know, I guess I just missed Ponyville, I missed everyone," She smiled, I hoped that put an end to her questions. The answer to that: no.
"If you can't answer those questions now, when can you?"
I thought for a second, "Like I said, tomorrow I am going to talk to Twilight; as she's coming home, you should come over with me. Every question you have I will answer, but I want her to hear as well, you might not believe the answers right now,"
"Okay, Scoots, but, do you have anywhere to stay, it's getting late," The orange ball belonging to Princess Celestia, began to dip into the horizon; the sky's colors moving outward from the star: Orange , then a purple, the color then turning a darker blue until black.
"Honestly, I was gonna sleep on a cloud, where it's quiet and private,"
"You could come back to my house, I have a spare room," I thought about it for a second, I was really considering turning the offer down, as I didn't want to, you know, rip her throat out only hours after meeting her again after four years. Bloodlust, you know how it goes...
"I don't really think that's neces-"
"Do you now? No, I'm not taking 'no' for an answer," I Sincerely hope, that for your sake Rainbow Dash, this ends well... She jumped off the cloud and hovered in the air for a second before I took off after her. Rainbow's face lit up after my wings spread open, seeing this I asked what was the object of her mirth.
"Your wings, they're, they're, big!"
"My wings? Oh yeah, they -err- grew," I sounded like an idiot.
"That's a little more than obvious, I thought they were, you know, stunted,"
"It, they resolved that themselves, so, we were flying to your house?"
"Oh yeah, it's across Ponyville, it shouldn't take that long now you can fly..."
"It would be so much easier for me to just sleep on a cl-"
"No, now come on. I bet I can beat you there,"
"We both know you can beat me, but if we must,"
"OK ready set-GO!" The race wasn't even fair. Honestly, I felt a bit bad for her, I would go as far to say that this race might have hurt her ego a bit. You know, having to wait on me...
Rainbow Dash is one of the fastest flier Equestria, rivaled only by maybe the Wonderbolts on a good day. My 'affliction' gives me somewhat of increase endurance to chase prey (ugh, I hate that word), this endurance allowed me to merely catch up to Dash, but not over take her; she probably toned down her speed as to not create a Sonic Rainboom..
We neared her home, the cloud on which it was built beckoned me. Rainbow Dash landed gracefully, hovering down then touching to cloud before turning and watching my less-than-graceful landing, and by that I mean that I crashed into her home. Head first, I slammed into her wall about a foot above the cloud which it was built on, I then proceeded to fall flat on the cloud.
"Scootaloo! Are you OK?"
I pretended to be hurt; I didn't feel a thing, "Ow, yeah, I will be fine thanks,"
"OK, are you sure?"
"Yeah,"
She opened the door and trotted in, and I was unable to follow her. I hope she doesn't make a big deal over this, "Um, can I come in?"
"What? You don't have to ask that your a friend an-"
"Please, just say 'yes, come in.' and we can be on our way,"
"Um, come in. Scootaloo, you're acting weird," You have no idea. I stepped inside the cloud house, looked around and noticed the cloudy landscape: As you can see, from left to right, we have a cloud couch and armchair, then a cloud counter-top and kitchen, next we go down the cloud hallway to the cloudy bedroom and guest bedroom, within these quarters is a bed on which happens to be a cloud with cloud pillows. Clouds, gotta love 'em.
"I'll take the the guest room?"
"Um, sure yeah. I've had a long day of cloud kicking and weather changing so..."
"Right, off to bed, yes I'm tired too, um good night," Feeling quite awkward, I walked into my dorm, and lie down on the cloud that would serve as a bed (Not that I had any problems about that). I suppose sleep is in order so I might as well let its embrace take me. Every passing moment my eyes grew heavier until...
Shut.
Open. I looked to the opening in the cloud wall; the sun has just started to come up. I don't sleep, and I knew this would happen, I knew I would wake up two, maybe three hours later (if I'm lucky). Vampire's don't need sleep as much as normal ponyfolk do; eight hours can cover a month.
But, I do just love sleep.
Walking. Quietly. Past. Dash's.
"Scootaloo? Is that you? Why are you up so early?"
Door.
Why me? Why couldn't she have let me sleep on my cloud? "Yeah, I'm gonna go outside for a bit, you just go back to bed, OK?"
"Yeh, Yo kaaay," Yawns, so many yawns.
I crept closer towards the door, opened it, then stepped out into the sun. The morning sun is one of the most beautiful occurrences, fitting that a vampire would like the sunrise.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
We turned the corner and the tree-house which served as the library came into view. While on the way there the conversation (which was rather one-sided) had turned to Rainbow Dash's most recent aerial stunt she had perfected, one 'Super Looper Tail-Flip Sure-to-get-me-in-the-Wonderbolts 6000' or something to that effect. We approached the door, and I asked Rainbow, "Would you be so kind and get Twilight, while I look for a book?"
"Uh, sure. After you," She opened the door, and I stepped in. Like always, I winced at the thought of not being invited in, but this is a public place after all. Dash had trotted off to another room to find Twilight; I began to browse the various book titles, all the while, planning out the course of action I was going to take. Ooh, looky, a vampire love novel, these trashy things ruin our 'good' name.
"I don't know why you need me 'Dash, but I'll go in the back room: SO STOP PUSHING!" Oh boy, here we go.
"Look she just need's your help with something, just come on," I grabbed the 'trashy vampire book' as Twilight and Rainbow Dash walked in, Twilight promptly sat on the couch in the middle of the room, as instructed by Rainbow Dash, before noticing me.
"Oh hello, do you need help with anything?"
"That's who I was talking about, she needs your help," Rainbow's cool voice was level, probably waiting for me to reveal my face and make everything right again. Sorry, egotistical time equals over.
I plopped the book into her lap, and she read the title, "Oh, if you were looking to check this out, you could have told me, you did have to do this," She motioned to the room, and the current situation, then returned to the book: reading the title, "Not something I would have chosen, but I can get this ready for you if you want it,"
"No, no, I don't need to check this book out, but I do need something similar from you. Introductions are in order," I began to pull my hood off, "You know, those things ruin our reputation,"
"Nice to meet you, I'm Tw- Wait? Scootaloo? Dear goddesses where have you been? We thought you were dead, where were you?"
"That's what I asked; she didn't tell me though..." Dash cut her off, adding to her statements
"Look if you'd let me explan-"
"What happened to you,"
"Quiet, please," I tried to hush them.
"See, you're asking all the things I was,"
"I. Said. QUIET!" I tried. "Good. Now every question will be answered," I let that set in.
"First, for four years I have be living in Manehatten. Second, you thought I was dead, you had every right to believe it as it's partially true, thir-"
"Wait, what?"
"Let me finish. Third, and the one I hate the most: 'What happened to me'. Let's just cut to the chase, I'm dead, err half dead, well kind of dead but still breathing, I'm a vampire," Oh boy, here we go.
"A what? Do you really expect me to believe that?" Twilight was flabbergasted.
Scootaloo's Shadow. Book 1: Return
Drinks with miss Pinks
"I didn't believe it," 'Tis was all I could say, I didn't have a follow up. Rainbow Dash was sitting on the couch with a blank expression. I chuckled, uhh, proof time! I motioned for them to look at my mouth, flexing it open as physically (Ponily) possible. My teeth were fine, however, on my command, my canines grew to a point. They were bone white and sharp as the spears Celestia's guards would no-doubt point at me if I wasn't careful.
"Cool..." Rainbow Dash broke the silence, and she seemed to be taking this better than Twilight was, whom was having her whole 'Monsters-don't-exist' crisis, "So four years ago this happened? How?"
"Yes, I'm interested too,"
"Well," I began my tale, reveling in the fact that they didn't immediately turn their backs on me calling me a 'monster'. It's the small things, "Four years ago we, my fellow Crusaders and I, were in search of our cutie-mark in the Everfree forest. If I remember correctly, which I did, it was about mid-day on a summer afternoon, we slipped in the Everfree forest via pathway behind Fluttershy's house. It got cold and dark quickly, the vines and trees seemed to be trying to split us up; they eventually succeeded and I found myself alone, in a clearing, the clouds overhead were dark, and seemed to bear rain. I heard laughing and something cooing, calling me a 'poor defenseless filly, far from home,' and it was right. 'It' soon showed itself being a Draconequus,"
"Dragon 'Q's?" Rainbow Dash looked skeptical, thinking this was a joke, or that I was delirious.
"No, a Draconequus, like Discord. You know evil spirit of disharmony," Twilight corrected.
"Actually he was Discord," I had lost her, err, them actually.
"But he was encased in stone..."
"Well, technically, he was a sprite of disharmony, known as suffering, being slightly translucent and smaller than Discord himself. The sprite, Suffering, told me he was going to give me a gift, saying it was fit for a princess of night. You can guess were I go from here..."
"Well you are not wallowing in self-pity so I guess it didn't succeed," Thanks Rainbow Dash, you always see the bright side.
"Rainbow, please. Don't be so insensitive,"
"No, she's right. Although I did go through a period of a week were I was depressed beyond belief," I chuckled slash snorted, "Good thing I don't need to eat, because I didn't," I smiled.
"Excuse me but, I am fascinated, so you don't need to, you know, feed," It took me a second to process what she said.
"Wha? Oh Feed, yeah, that's kinda weird. I could go into detail, unless you're squeamish,"
"Well..."
"What, no not at all. The Dash can take anything," Hmph!
"Twilight?" I asked not sure if I should go into detail or into 'Detail'.
"Oh fine, but if I look green then stop,"
"OK, well, blood isn't needed by Vampires to live, but we do need it to keep from going absolutely berserk around you 'warm fleshies'. It keeps us calm, I can go about a week and a half without my eyes going red with hunger, and I wish that was a figure of speech! The longer one goes without blood the stronger their inherited powers become and more powers become available,"
"If you don't mind the interruption, but, how long has it been since your last, um, 'feeding'," She danced around the word. How long has it been?
"Oh I'd say about yesterday," I glanced at Rainbow Dash, who's face had just dropped, a hoof raised to her neck. I chuckled, Twilight looked lost, "I just messing with you, it was a week ago, in Manehatten," Rainbow's face flushed with a light pink before glaring at me.
"Never. Joke about something like that," I laughed, it felt good I had done that in a while, of course, it has been awhile since I had friends I could joke like that with.
"Yeah, and if you forget the last time you did feed, a headache that could kill a manticore twice over, casually reminds you,"
"Okay, so changing the subject, where did you stay at for four years?"
"Yeah, and who's that friend you told me about?"
"Oh, well about two weeks into being the 'new' me, I was abducted by a member of the group in the slums of Manehatten known as the 'Kabal',"
"Oh, I've heard of them, they're like an organization for criminals. Their head-quarters is a safe-haven for undesirables," Twilight explained.
"Thanks," I said sullenly.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean you,"
"No Twilight, it's alright,"
"So let me get this straight," Rainbow Dash need to pull her thoughts together, "You were abducted into some criminal organization, which happened to be accepting vampire applicants at the time. What? Did you do odd-jobs for them for four years?
"Well I did have to earn my keep, don't worry, everything I did wasn't too terribly illegal. Plus, I did have to learn to harness my abilities, and control my hunger,"
"Oh, I see, your 'friend' you told me about was also a vampire," Rainbow Dash knew exactly where I was going with 'this', "And you lied when you told me that you came back because you 'missed us all',"
"That's not, completely, true. I did miss you, but that wasn't what prompted me to return home. My mentor directly ordered me to return to 'wince I came' and join my friends again, telling me that 'I learned enough to take care of myself, and that I needed to go as soon as possible.' I, of course, was suspicious of the situation, but soon left. It's funny, this all seems so long ago but 'this' was only one-or-two weeks ago,"
"So, if I may be so blunt, why are you telling me all this? Are you not afraid that I'l go and tell Princess Celestia that I know the location of a vampire, or that I may slip up, and whom so ever hears, rats you out?" Blunt? That's pretty blunt!
"Well it's a lot better having somepony you can slip-up around than living in seclusion hoping I don't slip-up and have to lie to Every. One. Of. You. Are you going to, like you said, 'Rat me out'?"
"I wouldn't Scootaloo, I wouldn't do that to my number-one-fan, Twilight?"
"Well, not that I would, but it seems that if I did I would be out one life and a friend, sooooo..." Twilight smiled sheepishly, "What do you plan on doing next? I mean, are you going to tell anypony else or let anypony else know you exist again?"
"I suppose I should tell my fellow crusaders that I'm back," I smiled inwardly, "But I don't want them to have to keep my preexisting condition a secret; it can take a toll on someponies,"
"Well, Scootaloo, because of you I lost out on lunch and a nap, so I'm going to Sugarcube Corner. You two are welcome to accompany me, but I imagine you don't want to be out in public?"
"Actually, I'd like to go, it has been four years since I had good Ponyville food, plus I'm good at keeping quiet,"
"Wait, I thought you had to 'feed' for sustenance," Why must you question me Twilight?
"I can still eat, It just will not prevent me from murdering everypony," Great Big Smile.
"Well since it's after noon we shouldn't have to worry about a large crowd, but that'l mean Pinkie is going to , most likely, be our waitress,"
"It had to come sooner or later, knowing her,"
_____________________________________
We had soon made our way to Sugarcube Corner and sat outside. I saw Pinkie Pie reach the door, and promptly began to brace myself for the gasp then...
"Oh, hey Twilight and Rainbow Dash, oh and," Here it comes, "Scootaloo. Do you guys know what you want to drink?" She said it like it was a normal day.
"Wait, how did you know I am Scootaloo?"
"Ugh, silly, it was my 'Pinkie Sense™'," OH, Pinkie Sense™, I should have guessed. Curse you, you Pink sorceress, my brain can't comprehend you powers.
Hey, thanks. That means a lot!
What? Stay out of my head.
OK, bye!
Wow, that was weird, what, oh they're looking at me.
"Equestria to Scootaloo, Scootaloo come in. Sorry captain I think we lost her,"
"What? Sorry I zoned out,"
"Yeah silly, what do you want?"
"Don't you know?"
"Well duh! Of course, I mean you keep your noggin wide open! I'll be back with those in a bit,"
"What was that?"
"Twilight, you must, and I mean Must study her, she has some untapped power that this world needs,"
"Already tried. The results were inconclusive,"
Scootaloo's Shadow. Book 1: Return
No, Not THAT kind of friends!
No, not THAT kind of friends!
The rest of lunch flew by with relative ease, well except for the whole Invade you mind thing. (Don't you dare...) Rainbow Dash had just announced that her newest trick still needed perfection, and Twilight had library duties to attend to. That leaves me, walking my way to our old club house.
It seems loneliness makes me talk aloud to myself, and thus I began to go over my strategy of reveal once more, "Hey girls, how have you been- No, no, to friendly," I had, once again, donned my hoodie, "Why is it harder to do this than with Dash and Twilight?" The road that I had been walking on slowly turned to a dirt path as it sped off to the farm, which coincidentally, was my destination, "Well, I could just walk up like nothing happened..."
"Hey, Ah ain't never seen you before," Wait, that voice, that palpable accent. Uh no.
"Mah name's..."
Applebloom
"And this here's..."
Sweetiebell
"What's your name?'
Well, hello, it's me, Scootaloo. What, has it been? Like Four years? Boy that's a long time... Oh yeah, I'm a vampire now, so how's your life?
If only it were that easy, "Hey guys," I turned. Their eyes. They grew, in fact, they were so large, they put Luna's full moon to shame.
Re-introductions went smoothly, well, other than the fact that I was badgered about being gone for so long, ah but, what can I do?
"So, Scootaloo? What happened?"
"Come on, you guys need to come up with more creative questions,"
"Wha, what'cha talkin' about?" Oh, Applebloom.
"Look, can we go someplace quieter? Like the orchard, or maybe the old club-house?"
"Well, the orchard is only a couple yards through the bush," Applebloom motioned to the left, where thick under-brush had grown. I couldn't make out past the brush, but I guess she'd know the ins and outs of the paths. I followed behind my fellow crusaders, now that I had time take notice, they seemed to be walking close together. Hmm guess it's nothing, famous last words. We'd pushed through the under-brush,and lo-and-behold, we were walking among the apple trees.
"Alright, Scootaloo, get talking,"
"Straightforward are we?" I began the tale, describing the fateful night, which, they seemed to remember. I told them about my stay in Manehatten, and my residence in The Kabal. Which now brings me to now, "And that's how Equestria was made!"
"What?"
"Never mind, wait, why are you two not running away and screaming?"
"Because it's all a well thought out prank, come on out Pinkie Pie," Oh, well I knew it was to good to be true.
"Is it not a little weird that, while we are all the same age, yet I stand half a foot taller than you two? Oh, and let's not forget my wings," I flexed the latter, "Oh and these," My teeth grew at my command, the canine's growing into razors, you know metaphors like that. Oh, what's wrong with their eyes? Right, fear, oh boy.
"Scootaloo, you're not serious are you?"
"What's wrong, Applebloom? Sweetiebell? Do I have something on my teeth?" I made them grow once more. I do so like messing with ponies. I must have begun to grin.
"Oh, you really had us goin' there for a bit," She wiped the nonexistent sweat from her brow, "Ya were kiddin' right?"
"I wish,"
"Oh my. Your not going to hurt us are you?"
"Hurt you? I may be dead but I am not going to flip out, and bite you. I do have some control. Geez, you'd think your friends would have more trust in you, no matter how unholy and dead you get. So, what's new in your life?"
"You, you act like it's nothing,"
"You learn to live-err exist with it. Unless it bothers either one of you, I'd like to resume that friendship,"
"Well, it'l take some getting used to, but as long as you promise to not rip our throats out then I'm OK with it," I Nodded, I suppose I can always try... "Applebloom, should we tell her?" What's she talking about?
"Ah suppose, she is, after all, our best friend,"
"Hey, wow, look, I'm right here," The suspense is killin- err you know.
"Yes Scoot, look we also have somethin' ta tell ya. But, not as life changin' as yer news,"
"What she means is, that we had begun a, to put it bluntly, relationship," Am I the only one in this town whom can't 'put things bluntly'? Oh wait.
"Cool, when did this happen?"
"Wait, you're OK with it?"
"Well, for one thing you were OK with my situation, and I did spend time in Manehatten. Where, believe me, ponies are pretty open,"
"Oh, thanks Scootaloo. It happened a couple of months after you left, I guess we kinda became closer because we were grieving the loss of a friend,"
"Aww, thanks guys, you're so sweet. Who all knows?"
"Ah told my big sis', she was OK with it,"
"And, I told Rarity, she was a little less than OK, but she's alright now, so besides those two, and Pinkie Pie, you're the fourth,"
"Wow, four years, and I'm only the fourth pony to know?"
"Yeh, Pinkie almost threw us a 'I'm-so-super-glad-you-two-are-together party',"
"Ouch,"
"How long have you been here Scootaloo?"
"I got here yesterday, why?"
"Why didn't you find us then?"
"Oh, well originally, I was going to talk to Twilight, but she wasn't there, so I chilled on a cloud, that is until Rainbow Dash found me,"
"Applebloom and I were on our way into Ponyville, do you wanna come?"
"Sorry girls, I going to have to take you up on that offer some other time. Right now I have got to take care of this splitting headache," I chuckled, I guess it was about time to feed, "Where is the Everfree forest from here?"
"Over there," She pointed to the right, "Why do you ask?"
"Oh no reason, bye," I took off into the sky. I could have done that instead of asking directions, but I did need some way to end the conversation. I quickly found out that flying as fast as possible helps with the headache.
Eventually I land at the edge of the Everfree forest, I looked skyward; it was about five in the afternoon, leaving me about three hours until darkness. My gaze turned back towards the forest, and I began the trek inwards.
It wasn't thirty minutes until I started smelling something a little too familiar: Death. After smelling the air, I located source to be about north, northeast twenty-five meters. Headache still blaring, I sprinted in the direction that the putrid smell is originating from. About ten seconds later I came across the slowly dying animal.
It appeared to be a wolf, or something to that effect. Its back leg was bleeding; the wound oozed pus. The dog's gaze turned to me; its eyes a mixture of hate and pain. Around the wound area, the fur was matted. The forest-grey would have been beautiful, or imposing, if its stature was changed.
It was miserable, nearing the end of its life so painstakingly slowly.
I aided us both.
After I gave it a quick death, I began to drink. Leaning down to its neck, I extended my canines. They slid in with ease. The blood was still warm, only beginning to stop flowing just now. Its infection would not, could not, harm me.
The majestic creature which lie before me, was now drained of blood. Its life essence, used as nourishment. I chuckled wondering, whether or not it had thought so hard after it killed a smaller thing, probably not.
Lucky dog.
I began moving towards a stream, which I had heard to be about ten-to-five meters in the direction I was facing.
I walked into the clearing, and looked at the water. I pooled it in my hooves, and brought it to my muzzle and began to clean.
Blood washes off easily.
Yeah, right.
I must have spent thirty minutes removing the blood from my face, it looked, smelled, and felt clean. I opened my wings into a standing position and began to flap leisurely. Soon I began to rise into the air again. The burning orb had begun to dip below the horizon. I began to fly off towards Twilight's tree house; she had given me a place to stay, due to Rainbow Dash's irregular sleep pattern.
I reached the door within ten or so minutes. I opened it and stepped inside. Twilight must have prepared dinner and begun to eat.
"Oh, Scootaloo, come in. I just prepared some dinner, there's still some left, if you want some; I know you don't need it but,"
"Nah, that's cool. Thanks," I had already eaten, so.
It's not like I need any sleep, and for that reason I just sat around the library. Reading was not something I ever did, or had the time to do, but I can see what I missed out on, and why Dash liked 'Daring Do' so much. It was midnight, or somewhere around midnight, and I had gotten bored. I decided that a little walk through Ponyville would 'kill' some time.
"Look, I swear I don't know anything about what ever it is you're talking about," It was a mare's voice, who'd be out this late, well besides me, of course.
"We both know you're not telling us something, so what is it?" It was a stallion's voice this time, and he sounded angry, or it could have been impatience. Maybe it was none of my business but that mare was in trouble.
"Yeah, tell us where the night-walker is and we'll consider letting you go," This was a different stallion, maybe I should- Wait, 'night-walker' ? OK, now it was my business. I turned the corner and began to walk closer towards the three stallions. They were standing under a lamp-post, the mare saw me first. Her hair was green, while the rest of her coat was orange. The others noticed her change in sight, and begun to turn around.
"Well looks like we got our selves a 'do-gooder'," This was the other.
"I sure we can work this out," I nodded towards the carrot-colored mare, "She obviously doesn't want to be here, and you're looking for a 'night-walker'. Well here I am," I smiled, showing my canines.
The stallion who addressed me spoke first, "Vampire, kill it,"
They rushed me at once, all three of them were earth-ponies, I could have just took off in flight. The maneuver they pulled was a simple one; they began to circle me, trying to get me to pay attention to one while the other jumped me from behind. I was a little smarter than that. I started to stare one down as he circled me, then brought my back hoof up into the other's muzzle. This opened their little attack plan and I back out, now they were all in front of me. I went on the offensive, punching and kicking the leftmost stallion until I had him back pedaling, he was off balance. I rushed him, knocking him on the ground, and bringing one hoof down square with his jaw, knocking him out. One stallion kicked me off of their fallen comrade, a little too late. I stood up, unscathed, and blocked several more unprofessional kicks. His attack opened up, and I took my chance; Punching him in the jaw several times, before kicking his shin. This caused him to fall, where I stomped his chest. Either that knocked him out, or the pain did it. Regardless, he was down. I was quite happy with myself talking on three aggressors all by myself. Yes I'm can handle myself very wel- wait- let me do the math. First one, face slapped. Second one, chest stomped.
Third one?
I felt a hoof collide with the back of my head. I stumbled forward. I was celebrating a little victory, and you had to ruin it. As punishment, I quickly picked him up with my unicorn magic, and threw him against a tree. Wait, When did I get magic?
I turned, wincing, and Twilight stood there.
"Did, did I, did I kill him?"
"No, I don't think so. He might have been a recruit, but they're taught endurance and pain control,"
"Wait, you know who they are?"
"Yeah, I'll explain it later. Do you have any way you can alter something in their memory?"
"A memory alteration spell?," No, a memory alteration toaster, "I can, what do you need me to change,"
"Their orders, take out anything saying they need to go to Ponyville and find me," I thought a little more, "Oh and make them think that there was no threat in Ponyville, and they were going back to their headquarters,"
"OK, done. What next?"
"Hmm, can you teleport them somewhere near the Everfree?"
"Yes,"
I looked over towards the lamp-post, the carrot mare was still standing there. I walked over. Her gaze seemed to reach off to infinity, until her eyes noticed me. I could see her tense up.
"Hey, are you all right? Did they hurt you," She shook her head.
"What happened? Who were they?"
"Bad people with good intentions," I snorted, "They were looking for something, for me actually,"
"They said 'vampire',"
"Yes, I know. I won't hurt you," I left her to talk to Twilight, "Hey, she seems pretty shook up, she probably won't get over this without some help,"
"Alright, I'll erase the memory, but I don't like this,
"Look, you're doing her a favor," I saw a flash of purple as the carrot mare's gaze drifted towards infinity once more, I joined Twilight as she was shaking the mare out of her trance.
"Hey. Hey, Carrot Top, are you okay?" Carrot Top, that's her name.
"Wha, what happened?"
"You must have fallen asleep, my friend and I found you,"
"Your friend? Twilight!" Twilight blushed and I soon caught on to what she had said.
"What, n-no, nothing like that,"
"You know the more you deny it the more it looks like we're, you know," I wasn't helping, but this was funny.
"It's okay Twilight, I won't tell anyone," And with she was off.
Twilight turned to me, the blush only now fading, "And now, you tell me who they were?" She pointed towards the bodies of Carrot Top's aggressors.
"They're a group of Vampire-hunters called the Sarafan Order. Can this wait until we're inside?"
"Fine
Scootaloo's Shadow. Book 1: Return
I give Twilight a history lesson!
I give Twilight a history lesson!
We reached the her house in only a minute or so. Maybe a little faster than I would have liked. Any and all lights had been turned off, it was midnight after all, causing the tree-house to look very ominous. I began to think of the Sarafan Order, and the last time I had any trouble with them:
"I've told you time and time again, they won't show you any kindness, they won't show you mercy. To them, you're just a monster, to them, you're another smudge on the page. They will be ruthless, you need to be quick. They will jump from the shadows, you will push their flanks back into them. They WILL try and kill you, you mus--"
"I know, I mustn't hesitate to return the favor," I eyed the orange stallion in front of me. This lesson wasn't a new one.
"Good Scootaloo, your'e a fast learner," He turned towards the doorway, and began to walk forward. His unspoken command prompted me to trail him.
Twilight pushed open the door, beckoning me in, telling me to 'Come in,'.
We had left the safety of the Kabal, and ventured out into the night. Our listeners had recently picked up rumors of 'a secret organization setting up an area of influence in Manehatten', their motives seemed to point to our worst fears. That's why my mentor and I had set out tonight in hopes of proving those very fears wrong.
The house was in some middle-class neighborhood, a perfect spot to hide the true intent of their habitation. We soon found ourselves face-to-face with three of their so-called 'crusaders'. We fought, and we won. We also gave our anonymity away. The next six months we spent trying to cover our tracks and prevent them from tracking us to the Kabal. It eventually became to much, although the Kabal backed us completely, and my mentor, Vorador was his name, asked me to leave, to go back to Ponyville.
"Alright, we're here, safe and sound, now, spill it,"
"You want me to give you a history lesson?" Surely she knew about them, I mean, yes there existence was all but myth, but if one looked hard enough, especially one allowed to use the Royal Canterlot Library, one could find it.
"Yes, that's what I said isn't it?"
"Yes, I suppose, what do you know about the Sarafan Order,"
"Um, not much actually. During the Classical Period, the Order of the Crusaders rose, but it was more of a figure head for the Canterlot Royal military, serving as a basis for the Ideal citizen, as many other species, like Gryphons, Minotaurs, and Zebras, were being phased into Equestrian life. Part of it broke off and became the Sarafan Order, they still worked under Celestia as a task-force, but they eventually disappeared,"
"So, you know how they began, that's good. Towards the end of the Classical era, various different species of vampires began to be phased in with the species you mentioned, unbeknownst to the populace, of course. Celestia, however, began to see the signs, and ordered the Sarafan Order to investigate. They all but wiped us out. After fifty years or so, Celestia deemed it necessary to remove the Order from the Royal military's rosters. Until recently, they weren't even a worry in even the oldest of vampires, not that any of us actually lived through it..."
"Wow, a whole secret societal battle, completely overlooked by all history books,"
"Who ever began the Order's revival must have known something of us, but no records show any rite of passage type rituals where this information would be passed down through generations. We don't even know if Celestia is behind it, which, would be bad, trying to face an enemy with a Goddess' blessing," I snorted, the last thought had just passed my mind. "So, you could be harboring an enemy of Equestria," I laughed, nervously. I guess that's my thing, "It's late, you probably want to get some sleep,"
"Yeah," What no punctuating yawn? "Good night, oh and if you're going to be leaving anytime later, please, don't incite the wrath of a centuries old 'evil' organization," she smiled. I could feel the sarcasm flow off of that comment.
Somewhere up the steps I heard a yawn. Now all I need is for my tail, ears, and mane to twitch, and I could be Pinkie Pie. Oh and of course the whole mind thing.
The sun came quickly. I had spent the last five or so hours outside, admiring the stars. I never did like sleep, unlike Rainbow Dash. One thing I didn't think I would see was Pinkie Pie.
I, of course, was wrong.
I looked to my left, and saw first, the pink mane bouncing as she walked over the hill. Next came the grin, seemingly directed to me, which, knowing her, it probably was. She eventually reached me, where she sat down, and followed my gaze to the impending sunrise. She spoke first.
"Hey, Scootaloo, what'cha doin' up so early? Wait don't tell me, I know. Is it because your a va--"
"Yes, it is, why are you up?"
"Oh, I love watching the sunrise, it brings a smile to my face, and how could I make other ponies smile if I can't do it myself?" Your logic seems sound. She didn't stay for long, saying that she had some muffins to deliver to Fluttershy.
Muffins.
"I haven't had a muffin in a long time," Of course she was gone by now.
"Muffins?" I turned to see a gray mare standing a few meters to my left, "Oh, I'm a mailmare. Are you Scootaloo?"
"Uh, yeah, I, I got something?" The only ponies whom knew I lived in Ponyville, were in Ponyville. Strange.
The grey mare handed me the white plain envelope, with the words 'To Scootaloo' written artistically on the front.
Strange, no one outside of my friends in Ponyville knew I was here.
Unless.
I trotted back inside the library, where I found Twilight reading a book on the couch, she looked up.
"Oh great, did you really go looking for trouble again?"
"No, I just chilled outside for several hours," She noticed the Letter sticking slightly out of my mane, and inquired about it, "It's a letter. I don't know who from, but I have a hunch," I sat down beside her, and began to carefully open the envelope. I pulled it out, and read it over twice.
--S--
If I'm not interrupting anything I would very much like to join you in P, as M is no longer safe. I will be arriving by train, expect me by tomorrow.
--V--
It was short. Slightly cryptic, but I understood what the message was: He was coming here, my old mentor. I noticed Twilight looking over my shoulder.
"My, my friend I mentioned earlier. He's coming here,"
The rest of the day passed by with relative ease. After lunch, I decided to go and find Sweetie and Applebloom, who were no were to be found, that is, until I looked inside the clubhouse. Let's just say walking into friends deep in a, um, kissing session (And I put this lightly.) I awkwardly excused myself.
I rose into the air and began the path towards the Everfree. Who knows, maybe I'd get killed and never have to revisit that memory of them-- Almost remembered it.
I made way towards the clearing I used to wash my muzzle last night. It was peaceful, it was serene. Especially when no vampires were trying to wash the faces in the clear waters. Until now I didn't know how close this clearing was from the edge of the forest. I sat on a rock overlooking the brook. I sat for a while, motionless, until I saw a rustling in the branches to my left.
A familiar face stepped out, another followed.
"Hey Scoots, Ah hope we didn't scare you,"
"Scare me? Ponies get scared of the dark, ponies are scared of my teeth. What I saw, can not be unseen," I narrowed my eyes to punctuate the overly-dramatic voice I used to make my point.
"Yeah, we're sorry,"
"Shouldn't you have some kind of sign to, I don't know, put on the door, or maybe you could--" Applebloom shushed me. She shushed me with her hoof. I am a mother-freaking force of unholy reckoning. You don't, I repeat, don't just shush a vampire!
"But I digress," I smiled sheepishly.
"You know, if you're jealous, you just have to say something," She shushes me, then teases me!?
"Woah, shushing me is one thing, but calling me jealous is another," I narrowed my eyes once again.
"Fine," She did that smile again, to which I gave an annoyed look to, "What were you doing out here?"
"I came out here yesterday, and I was board, and since you two seemed, um, preoccupied, I decided to come out here, just in case I got hungry..." I could scare ponies, I was always good at that, but the whole 'I-could-drink-your-life-essence-for-nourishment-and-go-about-my-merry-way' seemed to give me an advantage.
An unfair advantage.
"You all are just to easy to scare, it's almost boring. Almost,"
"Okay, well, Me and Sweetie were gonna go get some lunch, did ya' wanna come?"
"I was going to see if Twilight need anything, but if not, then I'll tag along,"
Upon reaching the town square, Sweetie and Applebloom walked off towards the Sugarcube Corner, shouting their 'good-byes' to me. I turned towards the large tree, walking forward, it wasn't until I reached the oaken door that I noticed a cart parked towards the side of the building.
And not just any cart.
Scootaloo's Shadow. Book 1: Return
Maxin' the Nap card.
It was a cart I had seen once before.
I walked towards the door, opening it, then walking in.
"Thank you, and thank you again!"
I moved closer towards the back room, where the voice originated.
"Oh, of course, yes, one 'thank-you' is enough. Oh goddess, stand up, please,"
I pushed open the door that led into the back room.
"Oh Twilight Sparkle, Trixie thanks you as much as she can. All Trixie wanted to know was if Trixie could go about performing an 'I'm-sorry-about-the-show-four-years-ago' show..."
"Uh, yes, of course. Um, no offense but why didn't you do this four years ago? No offense of course,"
"Uh, Trixie hit a rough patch after leaving Ponyville, it took Trixie a while to get back on her hooves," Trixie's glance stole over towards me, "Yes, and Trixie wanted to make this apology her first priority, an-- You!" Twilight Sparkle turned to look at me.
Oh hi there, "Me?"
"What are you doing here? Are you stalking me? I-uh- Trixie is flattered, of course, but. Wait. Are you trying to, you know, off of them?" Trixie had a worried look on her face.
"No. I already told you, I don't drink--"
"Shush, you don't want her to hear about your situation," She motioned at Twilight with her eyes, as if Twilight couldn't hear us...
Silly Trixie
"Uh, yeah, I'm still here..." Yeah Trixie!
"Look, Twilight Sparkle, Trixie is about to tell you something, something to protect your own well-being. It may come as a sho-"
"Yeah, that bridge has already been crossed..." Twilight smiled at Trixie. Trixie, however, was bewildered.
"Wha, why?"
"Don't worry, Trixie, now, on with your business, I'm going with Sweetiebell and 'Bloom,"
About a year into my little 'vacation', Trixie made her way into Manehatten, and after the populace heard about Trixie's 'mishap' in Ponyville, they wanted nothing to do with the azure mare. Their response was a little extreme: as in, they destroyed her stage. She sought refuge in the Kabal, after losing everything. After getting through that thick ego, she made for a good friend.
I pushed past the oaken door outside, and began to walk towards the Sugarcube Corner.
After pushing through Ponyville Proper (It was crowded), I found my query, near the park, the two 'love-birds' sat on a bench. I trotted up to them.
"So, how was lunch?"
"It was lunch," Really? Are you sure? That doesn't sound right...
"Cool. Do you remember Trixie?"
"Trixie, Trixie? Doesn't ring a bell, sorry,"
"Four years ago, showmare, Ursa Minor raging through town,"
"Oh yeah, her? Why?"
"She's doing her show sometime later this week, she didn't say when though..."
"Oh Celestia, Ah don't want another rampagin' monster goin' through town again,"
"Oh quite your belly-aching, it was Snips and Snails who woke it up anyway,"
"Ah suppose,"
"Yeah, we're actually good friends,"
"You, an' Snips an' Snails?"
"What? No, Trixie and I,"
"Oh, when'd this happen,"
"Manehatten,"
"Oh,"
"Never mind that, another friend is coming to Ponyville, he'll be here tomorrow,"
"Oh, really? Cool, what time?"
"I guess when the train gets here, I don't know when though..." No, really?
After we finished our little conversation, we parted ways, those two going somewhere to do Celestia knows what, while I decided to go to my happy-place.
No the one in the Everfree, silly.
I flapped my wings, and took to the sky. Trixie must have left the Twilight's tree-house at some point, as her cart had been magically transformed into a makeshift mobile stage. Trixie was setting up something pertaining to her performance.
"Whacha' doing Azure?"
"Don't call me that, call me Trixie,"
"Fine, why were you speaking in third person to Twilight, but when I entered you dropped it?"
"Uh, it's my professional quirk? I don't know, it's part of the showmareship, I guess, why do you ask?"
"Just a question. Oh, why did you get all 'scared' when I walked in the room? You weren't really scared, were you?"
"I don't know, but we haven't seen each other in a month, so you stalking me did cross my mind,"
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm going to a spot in the Everfree forest to waste the day, you wanna come?"
"Part of me wants to say 'But the Everfree forest is filled with terrible creatures, whom will hop at the chance to eat two defenseless ponies', but the other part of me is more scared of you than them,"
"Thanks Azure, you coming or not?"
"No, I've got things to do, thanks for the offer," She sneered at the nick-name. I revel in ponies misery of mundane things.
I turned around, and unfurled my wings, the left one first, then right. I flapped them once or twice, then I took off. I quickly made my way towards the Everfree, stopping just outside of the treeline. I landed, and began to make my way on hoof. The dense forest made any hope of walking in a straight line fruitless. Although it would have taken me no less than a single minute to reach my destination in the air, I did enjoy a walk through the trees.
The ten minute walk was serene, and quiet, other than the constant twittering of birds and the swoosh of the wind through the leaves. Animals are very perceptive, even more so than the most ponies, birds, that under normal circumstances would stay high in the tree, would fly away, in fear of me. Any normal pony would have seen much wildlife during a stroll through the Everfree (If any was so daring), but not I, no, not the undead pony, most creature were scared of me. I wouldn't even think of visiting Fluttershy's home.
It wasn't long until I heard the babble of the stream, I reached the edge of my clearing, left exactly as it was the last time I visited. The afternoon sun was making its way down its path towards nightfall. The sunny rock that overlooked the clearing would have been a perfect place for anypony whom could nap, just because they wanted too. I lied down on that very rock, smiling at the sun. The gentle breeze played with my mane, like an innocent filly. My eyes grew heavier.
Too bad I can't take-
Naps.
My eyes opened. I groaned as I pulled myself up. I blinked once, and noticed that the day had departed. I looked up; Luna's pride was high in the dark sky.
"Sooner or later I'm going to be teaching Rainbow Dash how to nap properly," I groaned again, the rock hadn't been the most comfortable place in Equestria. I let my wings hang low while I woke myself up properly with cold water. The liquid splashed over my muzzle. My head felt like somepony took that rock and smashed it on my head, with every pulse of my heart came a little bloom of pain.
Maybe it was just the rock...
After the pain some-what subsided I began to flap my wings lazily. I yawned while the wind blew past my wings and muzzle. Being a vampire, I was cold all the time, but tonight, tonight was different, if I was gonna spend my night outside again, I was going to need my hoodie. Twilight's tree house came into view quickly. I circled twice, descending to the ground. I touched the ground running, and I came to a stop about fifteen feet from where I landed.
The oak door stared at me angrily, just daring me to open it. My hoodie was somewhere in the kitchen, so if I was quiet enough I could slip in and out without waking Twilight. The door squeaked, of course, stopping a conversation that I had no idea about. All seven mares looked at me.
All seven of them.
"Is that? Is, Scootaloo?" Three voices rang out in a chorus.
"Crap," Look on the bright side, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash no longer need to keep the secret.
"And that's where I was for four years," After explaining the story for the umpteenth time (Okay, maybe third), the other three mares nodded, seemingly wanting more information.
"Ah'm sorry sugar cube, but that's a little hard to believe," Do they need proof?
"Yes, I agree with Applejack, the story seems a little, the word for it, far-fetched," Okay posh-pony, I got proof!
"We were SO worried about you!" D'aaaw so adorable, I mean, Proof Time!
I moved to open my maw, yet again, but Rainbow Dash was quicker,
"You gonna show them your teeth?" Okay Misses Cheeky Grin, what would you do? Oh right, I am talking to myself,
"Hushy you," I opened my mouth this time, with no interruptio-
"Wacha talkin' 'bout RD?"
"Just watch my teeth!" I glared daggers, and with a huff, I opened my mouth. With my muzzle opened wide, my canines grew to a dagger shape. Yadda Yadda, "There, vampire teeth, I win, now I'm going outside, where's my hoodie at?"
"In the kitchen, where you left it," Helpful Twilight is helpful.
"Is that what our life is like now? Vampire walks in, we question her, and we go about our day?" That was all I heard of that. I sat down outside the library, huddled next to the wall in my hoodie. I probably looked like a homeless pony, but I didn't care. About ten minutes after I walked outside, the door opened again. The seventh mare stepped outside and sat beside me,
"What was their conversation about, Trixie?"
"It appears the rainbow headed one watched me head over to Twilight's this early evening, and told every other of their mutual friends that I planned to 'Murder Twilight for what she did to me.' They got here about thirty minutes before you did. So we all had a heated discussion about me not actually trying to murder Twilight, and why each and every one of them did not want me here,"
"Fun,"
"Quite. Where'd you go for about so long?"
"I was chillin' in the Everfree forest," I felt a shiver run along my back, "Are you not cold?"
"What? No, I think it is a pleasant night, are you?"
"A bit. Gah, being undead can suck at times,"
"I would imagine, so do I need to be worried about you flipping out and biting my neck?"
"Very funny. No, I did wake up with a headache, but not blood-lusting headache," Trixie yawned, "Sleepy?"
"A bi-i-it. Where do you sleep?"
"Well, vampires don't really need sleep, but, I have kinda maxed my nap quota,"
"Nice,"
The night passed quickly, and soon Celestia's domain began to show in the east. At some point in the night Trixie had gone to bed, after falling asleep on my arm. Applejack still seemed to harbor doubts about me, of course me flashing my teeth and hissing didn't help matters. Later today a train was supposed to arrive with my teacher, and friend. Trixie was also supposed to preform her show tonight.
It's a packed day.
Scootaloo's Shadow. Book 1: Return
Chapter 1. Welcome, to my unending hell.
Welcome, I'm glad you're here, this is my Unending Hell.
I was nothing special, just some filly living in a small town. Nothing too different about me, my coat, nor my mane, wasn't some unusual color.
But now, now I was a Monster. Some bedtime story, or rather, a nightmare. A nightmare that resides under beds, and in slightly opened closet doors. Yes, I was an abomination under Celestia's sky. Which I would constantly avoid because of my affliction, which I had contracted four years ago.
After coming to terms with my 'affliction', I left Ponyville, not with a bang or pop, but with a sizzle. I left early, and traveled late. I suppose I should describe my affliction, when it began, I was granted with fangs and a cloak made of pure ice. The latter being a metaphor, meaning I'm constantly cold. Yes I know, I am a Vampire, it's been four years, I've caught on.
My wings also grew in size; no longer were they the puny little chicken-like wings, but now more aged. Currently I am wearing my favorite dark grey hoodie; the hood, which I wear constantly, keeps my face shadowed, allowing me an anonymity. After leaving Ponyville, I traveled until I reached Manehatten.
During my time in Manehattan, I was a low-life, a scum, sleeping anywhere I could. That, of course, changed, one day. I fell asleep somewhere, and woke up somewhere else; the idea, at the time, was a novelty, to me.
As I understand, recent literature has completely ruined the image of a vampire, in fact, if vampires were the same as the ones in ancient mythology, then we make werewolves redundant. Mythology based vampire could turn into three things: A bat, a wolf, and mist. Considering I already have wings, a bat would be ridiculous, and I have yet to discover how to transform into a wolf or mist.
Anyway, back to the story, I was sitting on a stone cold floor, laughing. A dark figure to my left appeared, He walked up and asked me why I was laughing:
"Why are you laughing?" There was concern in his voice, something I haven't heard in a while. I finished laughing more abruptly than I may have wanted.
"I don't know, maybe it's because I woke up somewhere I didn't fall asleep,"
"The reason for that may be the fact that I dragged you here,"
"Oh, where is here?"
"Here, here is the Kabal. A dark refugee for undesirables, with talent,"
"Talent, what is my talent?"
"Well, judging from your appearance, and your body temp. I'd say you're a nightwalker,"
"Nightwalker?"
"Do you prefer, vampire?"
"I don't think I care," His face was lit up a bit more; I could see his coat was a shade darker than orange, and his eyes were a deep blue. His mane: Brown with a black streak running through it. "OK, explain to me this, you found me, a vampire, and without any thoughts for your personal safety, brought me here, alone, why?"
"Correct, to an extent, I can protect myself, don't you worry. This place, this organization needs more of you,"
"'You?' What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, us , vampires I mean, and that brings me to another question: how long have you been a vampire?"
"Um, two weeks,"
Hmm, two weeks, two months, several years, it doesn't matter. I brought myself out of that 'glazed-over' train of thought, and took notice of a stallion standing at the top of the aisle.
"Our next stop is coming up in one hour, Ponyville is one hour away," Wow, one hour out? I suppose sleep is in order. My eyelids began to slide to a closed position, and I drifted off to sleep.
"You're a vampire as well?"
"Yes, I am. Several weeks you say, hmm, I take it you have yet to discover all of your powers?"
"Well, no, I haven't had training , but you're not serious, are you,"
"Of course I am, but such a thing will start tomorrow night, for now let me show you around the Kabal," He began to walk away, and through a spurt of magic, torches adorning the walls lit up, and we were walking towards a door. He pushed the latter open with a nudge of his hoof, he stepped aside and I was granted my first look at the kabal: The hallway I was standing in extended several feet before spilling into a circular room. This room had several halls stemming off at each of the four compass rose points. I looked up and noticed a drainage pipe leading into the dome-like room; water was spilling from said pipe onto a large basin in the middle of the floor. Each space in-between the hallways were lit up with similar torches I saw beyond the door I entered. My face must have shown the wonderment I felt: "The hall over there," He pointed at the entrance to my left, "Is where you'll be staying, they all call it the 'vampire-room," He finished with a smirk. "Unless you need me I'll be in there; you should go and meet with your new, hmm, family," He walked off towards our room, and left me standing there.
My eyes shot open at the sound of a whistle. We must have arrived at the Ponyville station, I looked out at the crowded town, "Not much has changed," Muttered to nobody in particular. I pulled my hood over my head and debarked. I sincerely hoped to catch the one mare that may be able to help me, and if not, she's still one I can trust. With that being said I began to make my way to the library. The walk was short but nice, many of the ponies I saw I remembered, I was extremely grateful when I saw that Pinkie Pie had her hooves full with slightly-older-yet-still-baby Cakes; a party would have broken my cover. Upon reaching the door to the library, I opened it and walked slightly inward before being greeted by a little green and purple dragon. "Hey Spi- err- is Twilight Sparkle here?"
"Um, no, she's in Canterlot for some business, but she'll be back tomorrow,"
"Oh, okay, well I'll have to come back tomorrow then," I turned around and opened the door, disappointed that I would have to wait another day, yet happy all the same to be in my hometown. No reason to miss out on an opportunity to sleep, I looked skyward and found an opportune cloud to sleep on. I looked around to make sure I was alone, after ensuring the latter was true, I hovered to said cloud.
No sooner after lying down, did I fall asleep. I was in a state of bliss; lying here, on a cloud. I always enjoyed the feel of clouds, their fluffy and supporting giving any pegasus a feeling of comfort. There are not enough words to describe the feel of a cloud on my ski-
"Hey buddy, I don't know if you know this but, this happens to be my cloud. So if you don't mind can ya just, move along?" I groaned and began to blink my eyes trying to clear my vision, which was blurry. I sat up trying to see whom happened to be talking me, my hood, which I had kept on religiously, fell down, betraying me. "So when ever you want to move-- Scoota? Scoota? Scootaloo?"
I grinned, I didn't need to deal with this.