Yo-Kai Watch: The mystery of Springdale

Chapters

Chapter 1: Into Springdale
Chapter 2: Meeting the Yo-Kai
Chapter 3-1: School Laughs
Chapter 3-2: Reckless Behaviour
Chapter 3-4: I'm so Hungry...
Chapter 3: The mystery of the Watch
Chapter 4-1: Bug surprises!
Chapter 4-2: Learning to Swim
Chapter 4-3: First World Yo-Kai Problems
Chapter 4-4: Dance off!
Chapter 4: Downtown Discoveries
Chapter 5-1: Country to City
Chapter 5-3: Cuteness and Popularity
Chapter 5-4: Get me out!!!
Chapter 5: The Terrifying Nightmare (Part 1)
Chapter 5: The Terrifying Nightmare (Part 2)
Chapter 6-1: Bad Behaviour
Chapter 6-2: Cleaning Up
Chapter 6-3: A Pressing Suspicion
Chapter 6-4: Blackout Party!!!
Chapter 6: The Mystery of Ms Frost
Chapter 7-1: The Nine-Tailed Charmer
Chapter 7-2: The Serpent Warrior
Chapter 7-3: Reflection
Chapter 7-4: Something Precious
Chapter 7: Our decision
Chapter 8-1: Class debate
Prologue: Sad Farewells
Chapter 3-3: Depressed, Dull and Distracted
Chapter 5-2: Endless Flu bug fights
Chapter 7-5: Something Precious (The Aftermath)

Chapter 1: Into Springdale

Scootaloo and First woke up as if they felt the train was slowing down.

"Are we there yet?" Scootaloo asked,

"It was a very long trip," Flash answered "but we are here, welcome to Springdale." As the foals looked out of the window, the sight that they took in was beyond compare. Everywhere around them were many high-rise buildings. On the ground, they saw brilliantly paved pavements and roads. Many of the wagons seem to run faster than the ones in Ponyville. Everywhere around them, it was truly a modern and futuristic-like civilisation.

"Wow!" First exclaimed, "I never knew this place was beautiful!"

"Man, I wish everypony back home could see what happened to Springdale. Once a remote place with hardly any housing, now a large town! It feels like we're living in actual Neighpon." Scootaloo added,

"I see you're still homesick" Flash noticed,

"Just worried about our friends."

"Do not fear. As I send reports back to the Princess, you may also send letters back to Miss Belle, Miss Bloom and everypony else. Better yet, you can use the magic they have to do that nowadays."

"Sir" one of the guards approached, "we have now arrived at Springdale Central Station. Good luck on your mission, and may Celestia bless you."

"Thanks soldier" Flash saluted back "come on guys, we're heading to our new home."

"This is Downtown Springdale" Flash introduced "the Central Business District of the City. It's where most ponies work, be it office-work, retail or food and beverage. I'll be mostly hanging around here for investigation."

"It's super busy around here" Scootaloo looked around, "tons of ponies!"

"Are we living here by the way?" First continued the list of questions.

"Nope, this place is very noisy. There is a large residential area in this city, where it's much quieter and friendlier, that is Uptown Springdale."

"This place still looks cool and amazing. If everypony in Ponyville lived here, I would call this place home straight away!" Scootaloo replied,

"what about our house back in Ponyville?" Flash countered "is it possible to move it all the way over here?"

"Touché..."

The trip to Uptown Springdale wasn't long and tiring as no sooner did they cross the road found themselves at the border between the two districts. Uptown Springdale was in fact what Flash had said. There were no High-rise buildings, but a large residential area with mostly two story houses and a few shops around here. The number of Ponies milling around were far less than Downtown.

"Huh, you are right. There's not a lot of ponies here. There's enough space to play!" First looked around,

"There are three residential districts in Springdale: Uptown Springdale, Blossom Heights and Breezy Hills. Then there is the commercial districts of Shopper's Row and Downtown Springdale. You'll sometimes find a few stores around in the city that can sell numerous things."

"Like what?"

"In this area, there is a 24-hour convenience store which can sell numerous items as well as buying items that you don't need. There is also a few food-exclusive stores such as a Bakery for bread or a Wet market for seafood."

"Umm... Okay?"

"I just want you guys to know the place as much as I do." Flash explained, "here's our house right now!"

"Woah..." The young foals looked at the house before them. Unlike their family house, this one housed two different floors and was coated in a brilliant white. The roof was tiled with multiple colours and patterns of orange. It was as the house was designed and built just for them.

"This house is beautiful!!!" First gasped,

"Still won't beat our own home," Flash chuckled as he pulled out a key and opened the front door. "You guys want to come in?"

The interior of the house was just as beautiful as it was outside. The flooring was made with wood all glazed and polished. The walls look spotless and clean. The house was a big step up in what they had in Ponyville in every way, shape and form.

"Amazing!" Scootaloo squeaked with excitement as she looked around the first floor. The entrance hall which has two doors that led to a specific room and a flight of stairs going up to the second floor. Upon entering the house, the left door led to the bathroom which was separated into three further rooms. One was the toilet area while the other was where the bathtub resides as well as a mysterious tall cubicle to which the kids learned that it was called a 'shower'. The third room acts as the bridge for those two rooms and the entrance hall, though there is a sink located between the two doors for those to wash their hands. The right door is the living room and the kitchen combined. Apart from the usual kitchen sink, dining table and lounge, the room housed many more interesting items. The fridge was able to also dispense fresh water along with keeping certain foods cold and frozen, there was a small terrace area that also leads to a garden with a tall tree. The most interesting of all, is the black rectangular shaped item that was seated near the wall.

"That is a television." Flash explained, "it can produce animated screens for your display and perception. There are different images depending on what 'channel' you tune it to. Everything can be handled with that device on the coffee table." He pointed towards a black small sphere. Behind the lounge where the TV is facing is a sliding door that leads to a small bedroom. It was small, but it looked very comfy.

"This will be my room from now on." Flash continued "though I will be mostly out during the day, I'll mostly be hanging out around here. Just knock if you need me."

"So, where are we staying?" Scootaloo asked,

"You'll find out now, up the stairs!"

The second floor had a pathway to a sole door standing across the tiny hallway. As the group opened it, the room inside was vast and filled with everything the siblings needed. Separate study desks, separate wardrobes and separate beds. On the plus side, there was plenty of room for both of the children. On the minus side...

"We're sharing the room," Scootaloo's spoke in disappointment.

"Sorry about that," Flash shrugged, rubbing his head.

"I can't do it!" First complained "Big Sis always snores so much!"

"Excuse me?" Scootaloo glared,

"You do!"

"I do not!"

"Do!"

"Do not!"

"SILENCE!!!" Flash commanded with a loud roar. The two kids immediately closed their mouths out with fear and surprise.

"When I was out in the field, I always had to share tents with my other fellow guards, and you know how small they are."

"Okay big bro..." Scootaloo nodded,

"Sorry for fighting big bro!" First bowed in apology,

"Don't worry," Flash calmed down "now one last thing. I want you to promise me that whatever goes on in Springdale, both of you must stay together and be very careful when you're out and about or even at home. The last thing I want are these 'ghosts' from ever harming you."

"Yes Flash," The siblings nodded,

"Come here," Flash opened his arms wide again to embrace his siblings once more. "Although this all about work, I'm afraid we'll be staying here from now on." The moment of care is interrupted when the sound of a doorbell is heard.

"Oh, now who can that be?" Flash wondered as the group head for the door. Opening the door revealed three different and strange-looking ponies with the pupils and irises in their eyes being much smaller or bigger. Two were adults, one mare and stallion, and one was a pale young foal in a red shirt with a white star in the middle that almost looks as old as the kids.

"Hello there!" The stallion greeted "I believe you're the new family from Ponyville right? We're the Adams that live right next door. I'm Aaron, my wife here is Lily and this is our son Nathan."

"You can call me Nate," The foal replied "pleasure to meet you!"

"A pleasure to meet you as well." Flash replied "my name is Flash Sentry, and these are my younger siblings Scootaloo and First Base."

"Nice to meet you!" The siblings replied,

"Oh I see, so you're the new students that are coming to Springdale Elementary right?" The stallion named Aaron asked the siblings "I believe Nate mentioned something about two new foreign students joining the school."

"That's right!" Nate nodded "Scootaloo and First Base was it? Mind if I call you Scoots?"

"No! Not at all!" Scootaloo replied, "as I'll just call you Nate!"

"Fair enough!"

"So," Lily asked, "do you know where your parents are?"

"Actually, it's just us that's moved here" Flash replied "our parents... Well..."

"Oh..." Aaron's smile dwindled "I'm sorry about your loss..."

"It was a very long time ago, but that's why we're all the more staying together," Scootaloo replied

"You guys sure do love each other!" Nate complimented "say, why don't you guys join me? I'd love to become friends with you as well as introduce you to my friends!"

"Sure! Why not?" First nodded,

"Mum? Dad? Can I go, please?" Nate asked,

"Of course dear" Lily agreed "you enjoy your time with your new friends okay?"

"Will do! Come on Scoots and First! Let's go!" Nate called,

"Yeah!" The siblings laughed as they followed along.

"Say Nate, what's the big topic around here?" Scootaloo asked,

"Well," Nate wondered "there's quite of a mix of things. There's the topic of hot Neighponese idols, others are interested in food, clothes, comics, but for me and my friends, we're into bugs and fish!"

"What? Ew..." Scootaloo quivered, "worms and spiders?"

"Not worms and Spiders!" Nate laughed "but actual insects. Ever since Neighponese ponies like us moved here, so did most of the animals migrated! There are cicadas, ladybugs, butterflies and the most popular of all, beetles. Like this!" Nate pulled out a green insect container that contained a beetle happily milling around.

"Woah!" First watched the beetle move around with great interest. "That's quite a big insect!"

"It's a saw-tooth stag." Nate explained "due to the size and shape of its pincers." Sure enough, the beetle housed some sharp looking fangs that almost resemble a saw.

"Is there anything else to beetles rather than catching them?" Scootaloo asked,

"Sometimes beetles would fight each other. For food, mating, territory or even just plain exercise. Regardless, they don't kill each other." Nate added,

"Hey Nate!" A voice called from afar, the three turned to see two more foals galloping up towards them. A unicorn that currently has a set of headphones on his neck while the other was an Earth pony that was quite big for a foal and wore a blue jacket.

"Ah! Eddie! Bear!" Nate called back "good to see you! I'd like you to meet my new neighbours and soon to be new classmates!"

"Hello!" Scootaloo greeted "I'm Scootaloo and this is my younger brother First Base!"

"Pleasure!"

"I'm Barnaby Branston," the big foal spoke, "but you can call me Bear!"

"And I'm Eddie Archer," The foal with headphones replied, "nice to meet you!"

"Hey Nate, is that the Sawtooth Stag that you recently got?" Bear noticed,

"Yep!"

"Hah! That's weak compared to what I got!" Bear laughed as he pulled out his bug container and revealed a larger Sawtooth Stag beetle.

"Woah!" Scootaloo jumped in amazement "that thing's ten times larger!"

"Hey boys!" Another unfamiliar voice called out. This time, a light pink unicorn filly happily galloped up towards them. She had a long dark brunette mane tied with a small pink ribbon. She too, was wearing clothes that consisted of a white and blue-lined zip-up jacket.

"K-Katie!" Nate greeted "what are you doing here?"

"I'd have a feeling I'd be seeing you boys around here when talking about insects," the girl replied "I'm quite interested myself too!" Her eyes fell on the siblings "Oh! I didn't see you guys there, sorry about that! Wait a minute... You guys are Equestrian!"

"Mm-hmm" Scootaloo nodded "we just moved from Ponyville today."

"Ponyville? Wow! You came from where the Princess of Friendship and her friends reside? That's amazing! Have you met the Princess first-hand? What type of people live there? I want to know so much about Ponyville, Canterlot and the Crystal Empire!"

"Oookay..." First gulped,

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Katie Forester," the filly greeted,

"Scootaloo!"

"I'm First Base!"

"Well, I'm glad to have met you guys! It's great to see someone new and foreign to Springdale, it would certainly make things much more interesting than say... Somepony like Nate,"

"Huh? Me?" Nate picked up

"What's wrong with him?" First asked,

"Nothing wrong at all! With him and his Sawtooth stag, he's very... What's the word?... Average!" Katie smiled innocently.

"Average!?!?" Scootaloo and First Base repeated out loud,

"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!" Nate clutched his chest in heartbroken shame and humiliation as the voice of Katie echoed through his mind repeating the word 'average'.

After a heartfelt chat with the kid locals, it was time for Scootaloo and First to go home.

"Wow" Scootaloo broke the silence during their walk back, "you should have seen the look on Nate's face. Who'd knew that he would be mocked for being average?"

"Well" First Base reasoned "he's just a simple-minded foal who's interested in what he does, involving himself in school and doing common hobbies that foals have in Neighpon. Sounds a lot like me when I go to school and play baseball, even though that is my Cutie Mark after all."

"Well that's something, unlike me..."

"You? Hardly! You've got a good bunch of friends who you always work together in order to gain your cutie marks. You being a part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders make you... Stand out from the rest, that's something!"

"Not really, I guess I'm just as average as you. I wake up everyday, go to school, hang out with Applebloom and Sweetie, try numerous activities to gain cutie marks, chase down Rainbow Dash, try to fly, have lunch, have dinner and go to sleep. To me, I'm starting to feel like everyday is the same average day."

"Wow..." First gulped "to think I'd never see my little sister be so ashamed of herself. But even so, there's no one more average than OUR Big Bro right?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Even though he's a lieutenant, he's just like every other royal guard or even a big brother to say the least. Wake up, go to work, come back late and cook meals. But even so, that's our brother, and he cares for us. That's why we love him."

"There is nothing wrong with being 'average' or 'generic'." First philosophised "because NOT being average, generic and ordinary is pretty much hard to avoid as a pony. It happens to all of us in our lives."

"Good point." Scootaloo sighed as they approached the front door of their new home. Flash was also outside, waiting for their arrival.

"Flash?" Scootaloo noticed,

"I see you were away for quite a while, did you perhaps become friends with Nate?"

"Not quite yet..." First answered "but we did get to meet more of the Neighponese children!"

"Through Nate's parents did I learn about the hobbies of the young ones."

"Catching bugs?"

"Exactly. So..." Flash continued, pulling out two bug nets and bug containers "I thought this would be a good idea to understand their culture and way of life."

"Huh, now that you think about it, I remember Nate and Bear showing us those beetles, I'm quite interested myself now..." First remembered,

"Same here," Scootaloo shrugged "though Sweetie and Rarity would cry in horror if even a single harmless cicada was in their boutique. Thanks for the gift Big Bro."

"I've been told that Nate normally catches bugs around Springdale. On trees, in the grassy areas, below the wooden platforms on houses, these are places you may want to go to."

"Sure, sounds interesting!" First piped up

"Be careful, I've heard catching bugs are more harder than you think. You need to be silent and swift to catch even one."

"Challenge accepted!" Scootaloo grinned,

"If you want to be daring, the local mountain north of here also houses some interesting bugs. However, I want you both to stay together and do not go too deep."

"Understood," First mock saluted,

"The local guard force wanted me to be present immediately to discuss the paranormal matters that seem to trigger the problem for the Equestrian tourists. Make sure you're back for dinner, okay?"

"Got it." The siblings nodded,

"Then have a nice day." Flash waved goodbye as he flew off

"Hey sis, do you want to go catching bugs?" First asked,

"Why not?" Scootaloo replied "maybe I'll get a cutie mark out of it!"

Regardless of what Flash said, Scootaloo and First's immediate destination was the local mountain, Mount Wildwood. Determined to catch a good one, the foals experienced the pain and challenge of catching a single bug.

"..." Scootaloo kept silent as she saw a butterfly happily floating in the air.

"Ngh..." First Base held his breath as he spotted a ladybug skittering around the grass.

"Yaaa!!!" Scootaloo pounced down for her target,

"Argh!!!" First roared as he swung horizontally for the catch.

"Ow!" The siblings end up missing their targets and accidentally hurting or tripping each other.

"S-Sorry..." First apologised in pain,

"So this is the pain that Nate and the others had to deal with..." Scootaloo grumbled.

The sun began to set and the two siblings grouped together near the shrine to examine and evaluate their catch.

"What did you get?" Scootaloo asked,

"Just this..." First sighed, holding up his container to show a brown cicada.

"Guess we're not that much different" Scootaloo disappointingly unveiled a green cicada.

"Did you even find any beetles?"

"Nope, not at all..."

"Alright then!" First stood up straight and fired up "we're going to try one last time! We're going to each catch one bug, then we're done for the day!"

"But Flash won't be happy if he comes home first before we do..."

"Then let's go over there." He pointed towards a path clearing where there was a mysterious archway at the entrance of the path. "It won't be that deep into the forest."

"Doesn't look like it. Okay then, one more time." Scootaloo nodded and the siblings trekked beyond the gate and off to where the path leads.

"Hmm... You think there would be any rare bugs in there?" Scootaloo asked,

"I don't know. This is our first time doing this so I can't say it's my instincts." First replied,

"Hey..." Scootaloo noticed a glowing insect fly past them from behind and continued flying forward "over there!"

"Let's get it!" First Base encouraged and they sneaked behind the flying insect until they realised that they stepped into a wide and round clearing surrounded by trees and bamboo rods.

"This is interesting, who knew the path led to here?" First looked around,

"Check it out!" Scootaloo gasped, "look at the size of that tree!" The siblings looked towards a colossal tree that was wider than an elephant and taller than a giraffe. Wrapped around the tree was a thick rope that had zig-zag papers hanging from the bottom in a delicate pattern.

"Wow..." First marvelled at the sight. Looking from top to bottom, something else caught his eye.

"What about that?" First pointed towards a lone mechanism resting underneath the large shade of the tree. As the two inspected it, an idea appeared in their minds.

"Isn't that what we saw when we were at Downtown Springdale? We asked Nate about it too."

"He said it was a capsule machine..." First continued, "you put in a bit, turn the crank, and you get something from one of these capsules. Though..." As he looked at the machine, it was clearly made out of stone, and the capsule prizes inside looked solid as rock with a bland colour of pale grey and rugged black. "It looks as old as the stone age!"

"You wanna try putting one bit in?" Scootaloo dared,

"As if! Not only does it look spooky, it looks so old and plain as hell boring! I wouldn't want to waste my money on getting a piece of rock!"

"Feed me... Feed me..." An ghostly voice wailed.

"Huh?" First picked it up "did you just say feed me?"

"I-I didn't say anything!" Scootaloo replied,

"Feed me... Feed me..."

"There it is again!" First perceived "I swear, that wasn't me saying it either"

"I heard it too alright..." Scootaloo nodded "but if it wasn't you, and if it wasn't me... Then don't tell me..." The siblings fearfully looked towards the stone capsule machine

"Feed me... Feed me... I'm so hungry! Feed me right now!" The spooky voice sang, scaring the wits out of the two.

"Uh... I think it really wants us to feed it a bit..." First replied,

"No, I had enough. This is too crazy!"

"But I don't want to know if we don't!"

"O-Okay then, I'll use my bit." As Scootaloo approached the machine with a bit, she quickly inserted it into the slot and waited for something to go wrong. After a few seconds, nothing ever happened.

"I-I'll turn the crank then" First volunteered as he held the dial and cranked it clockwise. After three spins, the two heard no coin dropping to the bottom of the machine. Instead, they saw the stone capsules quiver and move until one of the capsules popped out of the exit slot.

"This is really bad..." Scootaloo picked the capsule up with trembling hooves.

"Then let's open it together!" First suggested to which Scootaloo reluctantly agreed. Each holding a side, the siblings grunted and pulled until an intense blue light started pouring out of the capsule and a loud pop was heard as the capsule split in two, leaving a blue pulsating orb behind.

"Wah..." The group turned to see the orb floating around in the air. Multiple cyan lines of energy with mysterious language surrounded and rotated around the orb as it started to grow in size and change in shape. A small looking puff was happily dancing around as the seals and lines around it started to vanish and leave him be. Once that happened, the puff opened it's eyes and gave a very large grin at the two young siblings cowering in fear.

Chapter 2: Meeting the Yo-Kai

The young foals awaited their fate of releasing this mysterious puff out of the capsule machine until they realised the fact that nothing was happening to them as well as discovering what the quirky puff before them is. It was a white plump ghost with a swirly top, a short like tail, and a blue lipped face.

"Why hello there young corporeal foals!" The ghost greeted "my name is Whisper! It's an honour to make your acquaintance." The ghost bowed,

"Uh..." Scootaloo spoke first "O-Okay Whisper, while you're at it, what are you?"

"Me?" Whisper madly flew around "I am a Yo-Kai! All ponies call us ghosts, spirits or supernatural creatures that cause strange phenomenon, but we are simply called 'Yo-Kai.'"

"Okay then... But--"

"But what am I doing here?" Whisper interrupted "it all happened 190 years ago when some self-righteous unicorn claimed that I was some evil spirit and trapped me inside this rock!"

"R-Really?" First asked "I doubt mechanisms like Capsule Machines were invented at the time you were er... imprisoned."

"Don't worry about the finer details!!!" Whisper laughed "but seriously, do you know how excruciatingly horrible and long I've been trapped in there? 19 full decades... That's 2,280 months! 9,880 weeks! 69,397 days!!!--"

"Hey sis," First whispered, "this... Thing is creeping me out, should we bolt?"

"Agreed" Scootaloo replied, "but let's try not to break eye contact..."

"--And where do you think YOU'RE going!?" Whisper scolded as he spotted the siblings creeping away slowly.

"Crud" First and Scootaloo halted with guilt "he caught us,"

"At least listen to my story, will you?" Whisper flew to their front.

"Well, it's just that we don't have the time for that now, we've got to get home soon."

"Is that so? Well in that case, let me follow you!" Whisper offered,

"Wha!? But why?"

"Don't you get it? Do you know why I'm currently talking to you right now when I said that I was imprisoned? You freed me! For that, I am eternally in your debt. Starting from this point onwards, I am now your Yo-Kai butler. At your service!" Whisper bowed,

"A butler eh?" First looked at Scootaloo "isn't that what Diamond Tiara has?"

"Sucks to be the pony serving her" She joked, "though, I'm not sure Flash would allow pets..."

"Did you just call me a pet!?" Whisper overheard "how dare you! Once again, I am a Yo-Kai! Not some common animal! And I am your butler, not a pet!"

"Even so, our big brother won't be very happy though..."

"Don't worry! A Yo-Kai is invisible to the pony eye and nopony has ever seen us or will! But since you freed me from that rock however, I am now visible to the eyes of you two!"

"O-Okay then..." First awkwardly nodded "then you can come with us, we've got to get home soon."

Back at home, Scootaloo and First Base were deep in conversation and Q&A with their new mysterious companion, of his origins and the origin of Yo-Kai. While Whisper claimed to have a vast knowledge on Yo-Kai, they caught him multiple times reading off a mysterious device in his possession.

"Yo-Kai Pad?" First looked at the name inscribed on the device,

"Yo-Kai Wiki?" Scootaloo read the screen,

"H-Hey! What are you doing!?" Whisper jumped as he found the two curious ponies looking at his device.

"So you have a source of information for your knowledge which you look at very often..." First discovered

"You wouldn't be that good of a teacher..." Scootaloo sniggered,

"I don't understand what you are trying to talk about!" Whisper embarrassingly held the device behind his back.

"Hey guys?" A familiar voice echoed from downstairs, "I'm home..."

"Oh! Big Bro!" Scootaloo perceived and the two dashed down the stairs with Whisper following behind "how was the meeting?"

"It was pleasantly horrible." Flash moaned, "all this talk about paranormal matters were made true with their evidence and witnesses, I feel like I'm facing a completely different enemy. This is driving me mad and my shoulders hurts like Tartarus." He tried to massage his back, "I think I'm going to skip dinner and have an early rest tonight. Sorry about that if you're hungry."

"No... It's okay..." First replied, "we'll sleep early too."

"Goodnight then..." Flash sighed as he laid down on the couch.

"Goodnight..." The siblings replied as they headed upstairs for bed. Whisper however, took the view all in.

"Hmm... This may be a bit of a problem." Whisper spoke to himself.

The next morning, First and Scootaloo woke up quite early in the morning to see Whisper mysteriously floating in the air with his eyes closed.

"Oh goodness, when he said he would be a butler, he wasn't joking at all..." The flightless filly gulped,

"How long is he going to stay here?" First whispered,

"I think he said... For eternity?"

"Oh dear..." First sighed as the ghostly Yo-Kai yawned loudly and saw the two foals staring back.

"Well good morning to you two fillies!" Whisper greeted,

"I'm a foal!" First retorted feeling offended.

"My apologies First. Anyway, there's something that was milling on my mind before going to sleep. I want to see how your brother is currently feeling right now."

"Why?"

"Just a small theory to test out" Whisper bluntly replied. Agreeing, the siblings made their way down to the living room where they saw their brother still grumbling on the couch.

"Hey Flash" Scoots greeted, "are you alright?"

"Huh? Oh, Good Morning Scoots and First." Flash croaked from inside "and no, my shoulders are still hurting from yesterday, I couldn't even get to sleep."

"Huh, looks like Flash really can't see Whisper at all" First whispered,

"Like I said, I am a Yo-Kai, normal ponies unlike you two exceptions can't see me."

"Well Whisper?" Scootaloo continued "what do you think?"

"Yes, it is him!" Whisper pointed, "he's the culprit!"

"Who? Our brother?" Scootaloo replied, "and for what?"

"Hey Scoots, may I know who you are talking to?" Flash perceived the conversation,

"Uh..." First jumped with surprise, "it's nothing!"

"There's some food in the kitchen where you can make your own breakfast" Flash moaned. Nodding, the siblings went to the kitchen and hid behind the counter to speak.

"So... What's wrong with our Flash?" First repeated,

"He's done nothing wrong..." Whisper answered "but the one on top of him is! He's the reason of Flash's shoulder pain!"

"But..." Scootaloo peeked at her older brother "nothing's on top of him..."

"Oh of course! I almost forgot, though I am a Yo-Kai that is visible to you, the majority of other Yo-Kai are not."

"Wait... There's more of you?"

"The key term is 'similar'. They come in all shapes and sizes, but are invisible to the naked eye as I said."

"Then how can we see them?" First asked,

"Elementary my dear foals, this:" Whisper revealed, holding out a pocket watch that's as big as the sibling's hooves. The pocket watch was orange in colour and a yellow-lined regal design. Coincidentally, the back of the watch has the picture of a filly silhouette in a familiar pose. The most strangest thing however, was that the watch had a swirling background pattern of light-purple, green, light-blue and dark blue behind the arrow hands and covered with a transparent dome. A very strong and flexible leather strap was attached to the watch, which provided a hole big enough for a pony's head to go through.

"Ooh! That looks interesting!" First's eyes widened as Scootaloo took the item but was disappointed when he found out it was a pocket watch. "A pocket watch?"

"This is the Yo-Kai Watch." Whisper introduced "and it's not just any old pocket watch, it's bigger than the common pocket watch and it can enable any ordinary pony to see the Yo-Kai."

"H-How does it work?" Scootaloo asked, "because I still can't see anything on Flash,"

"First, I want you to open the watch's dome." Whisper instructed, "where the watch is hanging from the rope, there is a small button next to it. Press it." As Scootaloo did what she was told, her levels of surprise increased as the dome popped open and made a perpendicular angle to the watch's base. Not only did that happen, a faint blue search light illuminated from a small knob located at the bottom of the watch.

"That 'dome' is the lens of the Yo-Kai Watch, and that blue light is the Yo-Kai Searchlight." Whisper continued, "what you need to do is point the light towards your older brother." Scootaloo continued obeying orders as the searchlight uncovered a dark, hazy silhouette of a small bipedal figure with a large spherical head was spotted jumping on the pegasus' shoulders.

"Finally, I want both of you to look through the lens. It will clear the haze and show the Yo-Kai's full image. The Yo-Kai will then become visible to your eyes permanently, unless it's in a group with undetected Yo-Kai." As the siblings peer into the lens, the watch's properties of what could be described as magic, cleared the dark haze from the silhouette revealing the colour and true form of the figure. The Yo-Kai's spherical head was green with Purple star shapes around his eyes or rather, surrounding his eyes entirely. The body of the figure was light brown and skinny in size. Bearing its teeth and looking very frustrated, this Yo-Kai continued on jumping and kicking Flash's shoulder.

"Woah!" Scootaloo and First jumped together "wh-who is that!?"

"That is Ake" Whisper read off his Yo-Kai pad "he's a Yo-Kai that always kicks the shoulders of any ponies he inspirits. That way, the shoulders of the inspirited pony would always feel stiff."

"So he's the one causing the shoulder pain!" Scootaloo gasped, "no way!"

"Yo-Kai are commonly mischievous and would always inspirit people to make them feel or do things that they don't want. It's kinda seen as what you ponies call: Daily Annoyances."

"In that case," First replied, "how can we tell Ake to stop harming our brother?"

"Two ways, we negotiate with the Yo-Kai, or directly confront it through combat." Whisper replied,

"Uh..." First peeked at the shoulder stiffening Yo-Kai, who was full of frustration as he continued kicking the poor pegasus. "I don't think he's in the mood to talk. The last thing I want is my shoulders made stiff by him."

"Then confrontation it is" Whisper replied, "just call upon your Yo-Kai friends to help!"

"About that" Scootaloo reminded "we don't have any, with the slight exception of you, if you count."

"Then what are you waiting for? Unless you want your Brother to stay stiff and sore forever..."

"Okay okay! Let's go then" First sighed, "hey Flash? We're going out for a walk!"

"Just be careful on the intersection near the Wet Market. There has been many reports of near misses and even dangerous accidents with ponies walking the street while it's full of high-speeding vehicles." Flash warned

"U-Understood" Scoots replied then turned to the group as they walked out the door.

"That intersection..." Scootaloo asked, "you think there's a Yo-Kai behind this?"

"It could be the case" Whisper replied, "let's check it out..."

At the intersection, the siblings waited for a few seconds for something to happen.

"Well" Scoots replied, "I still can't see anything here..."

"Have you forgotten?" Whisper reminded "use the Yo-Kai Watch and point it at the intersection!"

"Oh, right. My bad" Scootaloo chuckled as she popped open the lens and peered through it. Another dark, hazy silhouette of a different Yo-Kai appeared on the other side of the street. Opening it's eyes of purple, it growled ferociously and deviously.

Scoots, First and Whisper stepped back in fear, until the voice of the growl seemed to deregulate into a yawn as the hazy silhouette was cleared to reveal a red and white cat with two tails, each having a blue flame at the end.

"A... Cat?"

"Meow..." The cat yawned and slouched around, pausing to stretch or scratch his own butt. A passer-by unknowingly stood next to it, patiently waiting for the traffic lights. Without any warning, the cat immediately pounced into the pony, tormenting his mind and body, enshrouding him in a thin purple haze. Without any effort, the pony stood in a catatonic-like trance, a goofy face on it's mouth with his eyes changed into the colour of gold and black, the eyes of that cat. "Meow..." The pony spoke,

Whisper and the Siblings watch in horror as this inspirited pony started walking onto the road, just as a high speed wagon was galloping at full speed directly towards the poor stallion. As the wagon continued closing the distance, the cat jumped out of the stallion and delivered an endless flurry of blows from its paws, hoping to take down the wagon. As the wagon driver couldn't see it, he just continued on galloping, knocking the Yo-Kai into the sky with a loud howl. Only to suddenly skid to a halt at this now conscious and confused pony standing in the road.

"What the heck are you doing in the middle of the street!?" The wagon stallion roared,

"I-I swear!" The former inspirited pony defended, "my legs were moving on their own!"

"Woah..." First gasped, "what did that... Yo-Kai do?"

"What every Yo-Kai loves to mischievously do, Inspirit them." Whisper answered, "only this time, this cat yo-kai inspirited the stallion and controlled his movement to walk in the middle of the road while traffic is abound."

"But why would it do that?" Scoots asked.

"Well..." Whisper looked to the sky, hearing the sound of yowling and a red blur aiming straight for them "you may want to ask him." Before the siblings could ask Whisper to stop playing the Pronoun Game, the cat Yo-Kai landed directly beside the three of them, breaking part of the pavement. Although what transpired would greatly impact the Yo-Kai's health and physical structure, the cat calmly picked himself up, brushing away any dust.

"Defeated again..." The cat growled "I'll get them next time!" And resumed to minding its own business. This time however, he sensed that something was actually watching him. He turned around to see three different figures staring back at him, curious at his appearance.

"Meow?" The cat Yo-Kai spoke,

"Meow to you too." The three spoke back in unison,

"Woah!" The Yo-Kai jumped, "you guys can actually see me!? I thought nyopony could ever do that!"

"Anything's possible!" First chuckled,

"So uh..." Scootaloo started speaking "you seem to hold a grudge for the wagons and chariots, why's that?"

"Well..." The cat explained "I used to be a normal cat where my owner is a very sweet filly. We loved each other to death and we did many things together."

"Does that include being very vicious towards anypony, rebelling against your owner and not giving a care for any bad deed you do?"

"Which cat would be in the right mind to do such horrible things!?"

"Good!" Scootaloo chuckled "there's a cat belonging to my best friend's sister called Opalescence who does exactly that. Anyway sorry for interrupting, please continue."

"One day, I was just walking down the street until suddenly..." His mind flashed back to the time where a muscular hoof fell slammed into his entire body, the impact shattering his bones.

"The deed was done quick and I didn't feel any pain..." The cat continued "but I could just hear the last words of my owner. 'Hit by a truck!?' She said, 'You. Are. Lame.' Soon after that, I became... A Yo-Kai."

"Lame!?" The three figures jumped with shock "how horrible!!!"

"I don't believe it!" The cat defended, "she's a very loving pony! She must have her reasons! Though... Even though I did let myself get run over by a truck..."

"Don't say that..." First comforted,

"As long as I can remember, I've been here trying to defeat any heavy and high-speed wagons that cross this intersection in order to become stronger so I can show my owner that I'm nyot lame."

"I see..."

"But..." The cat sighed "it really is nyo use at all... Nyo matter how many times I've tried, I have always failed. I guess I really am kind of lame..."

"Hey you two!" Whisper whispered "now's your chance! See if you can get his hopes up, maybe he can become your friend!"

"Um..." Scootaloo introduced, "my name is Scootaloo and this is my brother First Base. The Yo-Kai following us is called Whisper. Do you have a name?"

"I was given a name by my owner, but I have nyo memory of it anymore..." The cat replied "but some other Yo-Kai started calling me the name Jibanyan. I really like the name, so you can call me that!"

"Well then Jibanyan" Scootaloo started, "from our point of view, I don't think you are lame at all."

"Huh?"

"You've been fighting these large wagons just to impress somepony you love! I don't think that's lame, I think you're brave and determined to face something that neither of us would even do!"

"Really?"

"I'm sure one day, you'll be able to defeat a wagon. Then you'll be able to tell your owner all about it!"

"Th-This is the first time some actually called me brave!"

"Tell you what" First broke in "if you stop inspiriting ponies that cross this intersection just to attack the wagons, then maybe you can uh... Train with us!"

"Don't inspirit ponies while attacking those wagons?" Jibanyan gasped, "I never thought of that!"

"Seriously?" The siblings slouched in shame and embarrassment.

"Hmm..." Jibanyan sighed "maybe it's just because I do it because I really want somepony else to help take them on because I felt lonely." Jibanyan replied "but even though I've talked with other Yo-Kai, I still felt no one was truly with me. Nyopony or Yo-Kai ever complimented or said positive things to me let alone give me support. Now, you two wish to support me and give me motivation, and you're ponies who can see me! I could nyever be more honoured!"

"Oh no," Scoots replied, "the honour is all ours."

"I don't want to inspirit you guys! I want to become friends with you nyaow Scootaloo and First Base! I hope we can stay like this furever and ever!" Jibanyan cried with joy as a blue aura surrounded then separated from him. This blue aura formed into a ball and dissipated to reveal silver medal which floated gently towards Scootaloo and dropped itself into her hooves.

"Amazing!!!" Whisper congratulated "you have just gained a Yo-Kai Medal! This is the symbol and proof that you have a strong bond and friendship with a Yo-Kai!"

"Wow..." Scootaloo examined the medal. One side had the picture of a heart surrounded by a pink colour within the silver frame. The other side had a mosaic-like portrait of Jibanyan.

"Call me anytime whenyever you need help!" Jibanyan replied, "for now, I'll stay here and keep on fighting wagons without inspiriting anyone from now on!"

"Sure thing! Good luck with that!" Scoots waved good-bye then lowered her volume to a whisper "you'll need it."

"Now that we have a Yo-Kai friend, perhaps we can deal with that Yo-Kai on your brother!!!" Whisper suggested "let's go home!"

"Flash?" Scoots called as they entered back into the house "we're back!"

"Argh..." Flash growled and moaned, the stiffness and pain on his shoulders were getting worse and worse as Ake continued on kicking him harder and harder.

"Looks like he's too distracted in his pain to notice you two." Whisper analysed, "if this continues, Flash's may be rendered helpless! He won't be a soldier anymore."

"Then we'd better stop Ake now!" Scootaloo replied with a determined face, "oy! You there!" She called out to Ake,

"Huh?" The Yo-Kai turned his green spherical head to face the the two kids "you can see me? That's impossible! No pathetic pony could ever see me!"

"Actually we can" First replied, "you see, we've got this watch that we can-"

"Save your talk!" Ake rudely interrupted "I'm not interested!"

"Ake, can you please stop kicking our brother?" Scoots asked nicely "he can't take your pain any much longer!"

"No!" Ake refused, "I don't care if he's your brother! I'm going to kick this stallion all I want and I won't stop until I'm satisfied!"

"Listen!" First growled "if you're going to kick anypony's shoulders, kick mine! I'd rather have stiff shoulders than to see by Big Brother feel that pain!"

"But you said you didn't want stiff shoulders this morning though..." Scootaloo mumbled to herself,

"Meh, you're not bland enough. I'm fine with my target!"

"Welp, there goes negotiation" Whisper sighed, "you know what that means,"

"Ake, this is your last warning. Leave Flash alone, or we will make you" Scootaloo threatened,

"Oh yeah? And what can you do to me?" Ake taunted,

"Now's the time!" Whisper replied, "call Jibanyan!"

"H-How?" First asked, "I mean, we have befriended him but how can we call him?"

"Calling and summoning your Yo-Kai friends is the second feature of the Yo-Kai Watch. Put out the lens like before. Only this time, you should focus on the actual clock." The siblings found out that there is some kind of opening in the protective transparent layer covering the clock face and hands.

"That is the slot for Yo-Kai medals" Whisper introduced "all you need to do is insert the medal into the slot. Every Yo-Kai medal has an arrow that normally appears at the top part of the medal, insert it in that direction. Got it?"

"I understand now" Scootaloo nodded,

"Good. Now try it out!"

"Go for it Sis!" First cheered.

"Here goes nothing..." Scootaloo took a deep breath and began her first summoning,

"Come on out my friend!" She flashed the silver-pink medal from before and flipped it into the air.

"Calling Jibanyan!" Scootaloo then caught the spinning medal, ready to insert it into the watch.

"Yo-Kai Medal, do your thing!" With a swift movement, Scootaloo inserts the medal into the slot and the clock hands appeared on top of the medal where Jibanyan's face is, spinning in opposite directions and increasing in speed

"Summoning, Charming!" A voice cried out as Scootaloo held the watch high in the air with the clock face emitting a large pink beam. in the Pink Beam, a familiar figure started to appear, doing a dance.

"Alarming! Boom Boom! Walla Walla, Dance dance! Charming!" An upbeat and catchy chant echoed in unision with Jibanyan's dance.

"Jibanyan!" Jibanyan yelled with a finishing pose, before landing face flat on the floor with a large lump on his head.

"Woah!" First gaped, "what happened?"

"I was in the middle of my training against the wagons. After I got hit, I heard your voice and I got sucked into that portal that led me here to you."

"You see, unlike most monster catching shows, Yo-Kai have their own daily activities and itineraries. There's a high chance that if you summon your Yo-Kai friends, you interrupt something that they could be doing."

"We may be friends, but can I least have some privacy?" Jibanyan moaned and yawned,

"S-Sorry about that... But we can use your help right now. Perhaps you can help deal with Ake?"

"Why is he so tired all the time except when fighting wagons?" First asked,

"He's a cat. Of course he slouches and sleeps all day" Whisper sighed,

"Hmm..." First had an idea "hey Jibanyan, if you help us out, perhaps we can give you..." And from his school saddlebag, he pulled out a chocolate bar "...this?" Jibanyan gasped in delight,

"Is that a Choco Bar!?" Jibanyan energetically stood up, swiped the Choco Bar and began devouring it "it's my favourite food of all time! How did you even know!?"

"Oh..." First jumped with surprise "that's good to know!"

"Alright then, I'll seal my part of the deal!" Jibanyan growled as he leapt towards Ake, "take this you shoulder-kicking brat! Paws of Fury!" Jibanyan unleashed a flurry of punches with every meow he cries. Ake was caught off-guard while taunting and was blown back by the Cat's paws.

"Awesome! Jibanyan's a really powerful Yo-Kai!" Scoots watched with amazement.

"Enough enough! I submit! I submit!" Ake surrendered. As Jibanyan finally relented with a hiss, Ake stood up and bowed.

"I can never thank you enough!" Ake replied "this is the first time someone has ever done something good to me!"

"Wait... What?" First tilted his head in confusion.

"You see, my shoulders were painful and that's normally why I'm so agitated!" Ake explained "but you gave me a nice shoulder massage Jibanyan!"

"It turns out Ake has a shoulder pain himself." Whisper realised "no wonder he causes pain to others."

"You ponyfolk are very nice to me, even when I'm causing harm to your Older Brother. Please forgive me, I'll stop kicking him from now on."

"Thank you very much!" First bowed back "it means a lot to us, he's also a friend like he is as a brother!"

"Friend huh..." Ake wondered "Can I also be your friend too?"

"Hmm..." Scootaloo wondered "okay then! We'll forgive you, let's be friends!"

"Yay!" Ake jumped for joy as a familiar blue aura surrounded him. Scootaloo smiled as another silver medal gently floated into her possession. Unlike Jibanyan's medal, it had a semi-mosaic picture of Ake at the front, and the picture of a creepy evil smile surrounded by a blue colour on the other side.

"Call me anytime when you need my help!" Ake waved goodbye as he disappeared in a puff of purple smoke. When he was gone, Flash immediately stopped groaning, realising that his shoulder pain was completely gone.

"Flash!" First ran over "are you all right? Are your shoulders better?"

"What happened? I feel like the pain has lifted off me in an instant!" Flash asked,

"Don't worry Flash" Scootaloo comforted "it's like you said, a good night's rest will definitely help calm your bones! You just need to be patient."

"I guess you're right" Flash smiled "forgive me if I sounded too harsh and demotivated yesterday night and now, and thank you for your concern."

"It's okay, we're your younger siblings. Your closest friend, and we love you to bits. Which reminds me, don't you have work?"

"Ah yes, although it may be mentally painful, I shall persevere. Thank you for your ease and comfort, I shall head Downtown straight away." And with that, Flash galloped out of the door.

"So..." Whisper started as Flash left the house "this is the nature of Yo-Kai. They will mostly if not always, inspirit many ponies when they have the chance, and can end up causing the pony to perform out-of-ordinary activities and emotions. Do you understand now?"

"Well I'll say one thing, it's really hard to believe Yo-Kai such as you, Jibanyan and Ake exist!" Scootaloo replied,

"Oh no" Whisper chuckled "there are more Yo-Kai than just us three. Neighpon is enriched with many types of Yo-Kai, and as part of Equestria is now populated by the Neighponese, the Yo-Kai too inhabits the entire of Springdale."

"B-But... What if we don't want to see the Yo-Kai???" First asked, "I think we'd be just fine if we forgot that you existed!"

"Oh come on! That's a bit rude to say to your butler and your Yo-Kai friends!" Whisper sighed "besides, it's too late to turn back now."

"Huh!? What do you mean!?" Scootaloo jumped in shock,

"The moment both of you peered into the lens of the Yo-Kai Watch... No, when you released me from that rock. The Yo-Kai Watch and the ability to see Yo-Kai are now a part of you foals forever."

"Oh no..."

"Don't worry! You can always call upon your Yo-Kai friends and as your butler, I will always protect you!"

"You weren't much help back then to be honest..." First spoke in embarrassment, breaking Whisper's cool.

"I-I gave you that watch you know!!!" Whisper defended "anyway, the problems that Yo-Kai cause via possession or illogical business can be seen as small Daily annoyances to Ponies. But when left unchecked, they can grow into big detrimental problems, which can affect a local community or even an entire city or land!"

"Wait" Scootaloo broke in "did you just say that out-of-place Yo-Kai activity left unchecked can cause problems for the City?"

"Yes?"

"T-Then that means..." First gasped "could they be the reason behind these 'Paranormal occurrences'? The reason why Flash was ordered to investigate these cases? The reason why we are living in Springdale!?"

"Specifically, I'm not sure... But since there are countless types of Yo-Kai, they can accomplish the strangest things that can drive the Ponies to question. If Equestria decides to send one of their guards to investigate the 'abnormal behaviour' of this town. It is very likely that this behaviour is caused by Yo-Kai."

"So..." Scootaloo pieced it together "if we can solve Flash's case and close this investigation to a success, then we can go back to Ponyville!"

"Oh! So you foals are actually from Equestria!? You're foreigners!" Whisper exclaimed with surprise,

"Thanks for putting it bluntly," First grumbled,

"But as something trivial and small can cause a big problem to the Princesses, is there a way to stop the Yo-Kai from causing these problems?" Scootaloo continued,

"Simple! All you just have to do is befriend these Yo-Kai like you did with Jibanyan and Ake! Not only will they behave, they can also come to your side whenever you call them. Forging these bonds of friendship can allow you to summon even the most powerful Yo-Kai ever known in existence!" Whisper answered,

"Wow... So if we befriend a certain Yo-Kai, that Yo-Kai can use it's powers to inspirit somepony else?" First asked with interest,

"Even other Yo-Kai too!"

"So we can control these 'paranormal occurrences' if we befriend all the Yo-Kai here." Scootaloo grinned "I like the sound of that,"

"Oy! Don't use Yo-Kai for your own personal gain!" Whisper scolded "that is an abuse of friendship! Yo-Kai have their own lives to lead, you can't control them!"

"Okay okay, chill out Whis," First calmed, "nice nickname, don't you think?"

"but anyway, I can tell you one thing..." Whisper eerily laughed, "from here on out, your lives as well as the lives of others, will never be the same ordinary life you once knew..." The two ponies gulped in fear as they stared at the mysterious Yo-Kai Watch.

"Yo-Kai Watch huh? I feel like we just trotted into the most strangest thing..." Scootaloo started,

"... That we never, EVER should have encountered" First finished "what strange horrors did we get ourselves into? And what will happen later on down the road?"

Author's Note

Note: Scootaloo's watch has a different colour and design as listed above, but will be taking after the shape of Katie Forester/Fumika Kodami's watch in the games.

Chapter 3-1: School Laughs

Author's Note

Hello all! From Chapter 3 onwards till a later chapter, here's how stories are going to be placed:

Chapters that have just distinct numbers (e.g. Chapter N) are major parts of the story, where the siblings delve into the mystery of the Yo-Kai and their relation to Springdale's paranormal problem. Some (if not all) will involve the Boss Yo-Kai from the game/anime.

Chapters that have a part-like number (e.g. Chapter N-n like this one) Are mini stories of Yo-Kai related events that happen within the period between the main chapters. There, the siblings gain new Yo-Kai friends, and learn more about Springdale, friends and family. Although they may be random stories, each contribute towards the knowledge of Yo-Kai to the siblings, and they will become more experienced in harnessing these spiritual connections. Just think of them as the short stories of Sherlock Holmes, except that it's mostly based on solving the mystery of every single oddity in the siblings everyday activities.

Chapter 3-1: School Laughs

A few days after moving from Ponyville to Springdale, Scootaloo and First Base were happily designing and furnishing their territory of the room in order to make it more like home. At the same time, they have been out and about as Flash advised in order to learn where to go around Springdale and the lifestyle of Neighponese ponies. Today however is special day as the siblings are about to find out...

"Hey Whisper, can you put my Rainbow Dash plushie over there?"

"Whis, I need that Baseball Bat right beside my bed!" The endless commands from the two young siblings were really beginning to drive Whisper insane,

"Will you two give it a rest? Why don't you do it yourself!? It's not that much of a hassle!"

"Well... Our Big Bro usually is the one who carries most of our stuff without us asking whenever he's around, so we kind of get used to it." Scootaloo explained,

"Oh sure, anything that you can do by yourselves?"

"Camping, surviving in the forests and outback, lot of military and special forces related things, except for weapon training." First replied,

"Speaking of which, I can hear him coming up the stairs, you'd better put whatever you're holding down. Otherwise, he's going to flip if he sees a few objects floating in the air."

"Scoots? First?" Flash knocked upon the door,

"Come in!" The siblings replied in unison. Flash came in holding their respective school saddlebags.

"Today will be your first day at Springdale Elementary," Flash announced, "so I want both of you to get ready for school, including going to the toilet and eating breakfast. I have already packed your stationary and your water bottles."

"What about lunch?" First asked,

"Provided in School." Flash answered, "every day, a few foals and fillies according to the roster are responsible to manage food for their respective class."

"Ooh..." Scootaloo and First raised their eyes in interest.

"This school is different unlike Miss Cheerilee's school. First is how it is arranged. Students are categorised by their age group and learning development into numerous groups known as grades. Second, due to having different grades, each grade should have the same amount of foals as did Miss Cheerilee's school, maybe more... In other words, there are a countless number of foals attending this school."

"Wow!" The siblings jumped, "this is definitely different!"

"Did I forget to mention that you'll be in the same class as the son of our Next door neighbours?"

"Nate huh..." First repeated, "how much do you want to bet that Bear, Eddie and even Katie will also be in the same class?"

"If those four friends are ever so close to each other, then it's highly likely." Scoots deducted,

"Enough theories for now, find out if they're true once you get there" Flash clapped his hooves "hurry up now."

"Okay! Okay!"

The two foals stood in front of the School Gates, where they saw a large building towering over a large acre of land. The image of a Cherry Blossom flower stood as the School's symbol, as well as on the middle of the pathway between the gates and the school doors.

"Well this doesn't look intimidating..." Scootaloo murmured,

"Let's just hope for your sake, there's nopony like Diamond Tiara here." First replied,

"True." Scootaloo smiled "come on little bro, let's do this..."

"Don't forget about me!" Whisper added,

"Oh Whisper, I forgot you were our 'butler'..." Scootaloo sighed at the Yo-Kai's appearance as the two trotted through the gate and towards the doors, just as the school bell rings.

In Classroom 5-2, many of the young foals were busy tidying up their desks or having a conversation. As soon as the school bell rang, the fillies all ceased their activities and stood up, waiting for their teacher to arrive.

"Good Morning everypony!" An Unicorn with glasses walked in while greeting the class, "today, we have two new students joining our class. Well, come on in and introduce yourselves!" The Unicorn gestured over to the door where Scootaloo and First entered the room and stood by the teacher, looking at their new class.

"Hi everypony..." Scootaloo started, "my name is Scootaloo and I moved to Springdale with my family from Ponyville. I guess you can technically call us foreigners. My hobbies are scooter riding, dancing, not much really... Nice to meet you all!"

"Hi..." First started "my name's First Base and uh... I'm Scootaloo's younger brother, by about a day or a minute. The area where we live in, Ponyville, is watched over by one of the four Princesses of Equestria. In fact, most of the areas that the Royal family live in are quite close to each other. Anyway, my hobbies is that I mostly play sports, specifically baseball, and I love collecting all sorts of items, such as baseball cards or any other type of collectibles if there are any... It's nice to meet you all too!" Many whispers went through between the students.

"It's nice to meet you two." The teacher replied, "unfortunately, our spacing is quite limited so is it alright if you two sit separately?"

"Not a problem at all Mister Johnson." First replied,

"Okay then!" The teacher decided "First, you can sit right beside Nathan. And Scootaloo, you can sit right next to Katie!"

"Knew it..." Scootaloo and First mumbled in unison as they went to their respective desks.

"Hello there!" Katie greeted with a large beaming smile "I'd never knew you'd end up in my class!"

"Katie was it?" Scootaloo replied, "It's good to see you again..."

"So um, if you got a lot of time on your hands, then is it alright if you and I could talk more sometime? I'd like to know more about Ponyville and the Princesses, as well as your friends!"

"Sure um... Okay" Scootaloo shyly nodded,

"Hmm..." First looked around "I would remember Nate's face, but I don't see him around. Where would he be?"

"Hey First! Over here!" A familiar voice called him. First turned to see Bear and Eddie pointing him to two empty seats.

"Nate normally sits in front of us on the side of the class" Bear pointed "so you'll be sitting behind us too."

"Speaking of Nate, do you actually know where he is?"

"He normally never comes this late though..." Eddie answered "something must have come up..."

"Mr Johnson?" A voice came from the door "I'm dreadfully sorry for being late!" The door slid open and a pony wearing a large ball dress beautifully gowned with patterned ribbons gracefully trotted in. Although the dress was a good eye, everypony was speechless on who was wearing the dress.

"Nate?" Bear's jaw dropped "what are you wearing?"

"Oh come on, dear Bear!" Nate replied "it's the latest in fashion. Don't I look simply chic and stylish?"

"Yeah," Eddie answered "so stylish that it makes you very gaudy!"

"Uhh..." First stared at his cross-dressing neighbour trotting over to his respective seat,

"Ah! First! Who knew you'd be in my class!" Nate gasped in delight as he curtsied "it's an honour for you to sit next to me!"

"Eh... The honour is all mine I guess???" First replied, experiencing the biggest feeling of awkwardness.

"By Luna's mane!" Scootaloo whispered "Is Nate always like this?"

"Not at all..." Katie whispered back "I've always known him to be ordinary and average, but he definitely wouldn't act like this!!!"

"N-Nate..." Bear started again "you are looking very silly right now--"

"Ha ha ha!!!" Multiple fits of laughter echoed across the room... Directly at Nate.

"Ha ha ha!" A foal laughed

"Hee Hee hee!" A filly joined in the laughter.

"Hah hah hah hah!!!" Mr Johnson too, burst into fits of laughter. No sooner or later, all the students in the class, including Katie, Bear and Eddie started laughing ridiculously at their friend. Only the siblings were unaffected for some unknown reason.

"How dare you laugh at my dazzling fashion! How rude! All of you!" Nate rebuked,

"Goodness, Nate's words and demeanour today is completely different than what he was a few days ago..." Scootaloo continued observing "Hmm..."

"Well now..." Whisper floated up "this certainly is an interesting class you've got there!"

"More like somepony's pulling the strings..." Scootaloo growled as she pulled out her Yo-Kai watch and aimed the lens towards Nate. Around him, Scootaloo uncovered a Yo-Kai that had the mixture of a ghost's body and a skeleton's skull, but was dressed in the most gaudy way possible. A red and black stripped outfit covering its entire ghostly body, and... eyeshades on its eyeless sockets and lipstick on its lipless mouth!? And even holding a pink parasol!?

"Whisper... Who the heck is that!?" Scootaloo whispered,

"Inconceivable!" Whisper gasped "how can this be-- I mean um..." Whisper immediately brought his Yo-Kai pad out and began searching the Databases. "I believe her name is Dazzabel. She's quite the fashionista Yo-Kai who has quite the idea for a very gaudy design and style. Whoever she inspirits, the pony will think the same way and will dress like that too!"

"Fashion? Those clothes look ridiculous!!! This is not the right time or place and certainly the wrong person to wear that outfit!"

"Well then, negotiation or confrontation as I said before. The choice is yours" Whisper repeated. Scootaloo beckoned First over to explain the situation of Nate's dressing up and gestured him to look through the lens.

"Well I'll be gob-smacked" First whistled "there's a Yo-Kai for such things??? Nek minnit, there is a Yo-Kai responsible for laughing out loud!"

"Uh..." Scootaloo pointed the Watch to another hazy silhouette located at the back of the classroom to reveal a mysterious looking brown and green pot that has a moray eel sticking out of it, laughing the loudest.

"..." First stayed silent in disappointed shame.

"Whisper? Do you know who that is?" Scootaloo asked, "without reading off the Wiki if you can..."

"Yes sir!" Whisper saluted as he pulled out his Yo-Kai Pad "this is--"

"What did I just say?" Scootaloo turned around with an arched eyebrow.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about!!!" Whisper defended, "anyway, this is Heheheel! He's the Yo-Kai that causes anyone to laugh no matter whether a situation is funny or serious!"

"So that explains why even Nate's closest friends are laughing at him when they should be supporting him!" Scootaloo replied, "hmm..."

"Got a plan sis?" First asked,

"I don't know what's happening, but since everypony is laughing well... Heheheel is making them laugh. If Nate doesn't like being laughed at because of it's clothes, can Dazzabel dislike being laughed at too?"

"Perhaps we can ask her," First advised "see what she can do." With Scootaloo nodding in agreement, the siblings decided to get out of their chairs and confront the gaudy-dressed skeleton.

"Excuse me miss..." First got her attention,

"Oh my!" The Yo-Kai squeaked "you ponies can actually see me? This is a first!"

"Yeah, about that... What's with the boy?"

"Oh! You see, I want to make sure my fashion ideas is well known in the Pony world, so I'd inspirit them to make sure they trot out in my style! That way, both Ponies and Yo-Kai would know the brilliance behind the choice of clothes! It's going to be Fancy!!!"

"Yeah... The brilliance of making other ponies cringe and feel awkward..." Scootaloo sniggered to herself, "anyway, I know this mare who makes clothes, but I'm not sure what her reaction would be if she saw the clothes of yours... Which reminds me, if you're so passionate about your idea, why is everypony laughing at you then?"

"It beats me!" Dazzabel replied "I don't know why everypony is laughing at my model! I think he looks rather fab! How dare they! Don't they appreciate my work? Do they think it's a joke!?!?"

"Two problems there Miss Dazzy" First listed out "One: Wrong choice of a model, you're better off using a mare or a filly for your choice of clothes. I highly recommend my older sister,"

"Excuse me!? I'm not wearing that thank you very much!" Scootaloo replied,

"Two:" First continued "These ponies are not laughing at you. Your main target is THAT guy" First pointed towards the laughing eel.

"Is that so?" Dazzabel fumed "well I'll be! Please wait right here!" And flew over to the laughing eel in a huff.

"Sorry, but we're going to have to follow" Scootaloo replied as the siblings tagged along.

"Wow... Everypony must be so inspirited that nopony is taking notice that we're talking with invisible spirits." First noticed,

"Ah... Ponies are always distracted most of the time," Whisper reminisced "your kind hasn't changed for the past 190 years..."

"Excuse me you slimy rude eel!" Dazzabel scolded, "how dare you laugh at my designs!"

"Ha ha ha!" Heheheel laughed "I'm so sorry! I couldn't help it! It's just because you put all those wacky clothes on to a foal! Ha ha ha!"

"And what is wrong with that!?"

"Do you ever think you can just put mare clothes on a foal!? Everypony knows that Mares can pull off stallion clothes, but definitely not Vice Versa! And you call yourself a fashion designer?"

"Why you!" Dazzabel grew infuriated "I think it's time to teach you some manners you good-for-nothing slug!"

"Both of you, break it up!" First intervened "as much as it is interesting to see two Yo-Kai fight, confrontation is the last thing I'd ever want to see!" He turned to Heheheel "Mister Heel, laughing in the wrong situations is very rude and insulting. It can cause tension and malice between parties, leading to dreadful consequences! But..." He turned to Dazzabel "... It's also not right to dress ponies in the wrong situations either. Especially when you're in a school and causing foals to wear mare clothes Miss Dazzy!"

"Hmph" Dazzabel pouted "as long as you don't call me by that dreadful nickname, I'll consider it!"

"Hee hee! I kind of like the nicknames, they are very funny!" Heheheel continued laughing

"Seriously though, why did you inspirit Nate?"

"Can't I just inspirit whoever I want???"

"At least give him gaudy clothes made for stallions and foals,"

"If that's the case then..." Dazzabel sighed "I only have these types of fancy clothes right now. Dresses, corsets, hair accessories, if what you say is true, then I'm afraid I only have outfits suited for mares and fillies."

"Okay then!" Scootaloo butted in "Dazzabel, Heheheel, here's the catch. If a filly were to be dressed in your gaudy-- I mean fancy clothes, will you laugh?"

"Perhaps, but it wouldn't be as ridiculous as how that boy is wearing it" Heheheel answered,

"..." Scootaloo closed her eyes in pressure, sweat pouring down her face as she growled and gritted her teeth.

"Sis?" First asked, "are you alright?"

"That's it!" Scootaloo pounded the floor in frustration "If you guys will stop ruining my first day of school, I'll... I'll do it!"

"Do what?"

"Dazzabel, of all the ponies that you can inspirit and dress... Inspirit me!!!"

"WHAT!?" First and Whisper performed a double-take "are you serious?"

"Anything to stop this laughing and cross-dressing madness!" Scootaloo yelled, "If it's going to shut the entire class up... I will sacrifice myself for the cause."

"That sounds rather dramatic," Whisper gulped,

"Please Dazzabel, as long as you stop driving Nate to further humiliation, you can inspirit me as long as you like! And Heheheel, I hope you won't cause the kids to stop laughing anymore!"

"I'll try not to!" Heheheel nodded "but I can't give any promises, even the smallest twitch can make my funny-vertabrae ring!"

"I'll take the risk then... I don't want my first day of School in Springdale ruined" Scootaloo nodded, "do your thing Dazzabel."

"Sure thing!" Dazzabel smiled with glee as she enshrouded the orange filly with a ominous purple aura "hold still dear! I'm going to work my magic on you!"

First and Whisper's eyes widened with amazement as they saw the result of Dazzabel's work. Their sister and mistress respectively wore a cupcake-shaped dress that almost reaches down to her hooves. She was also wearing a blouse, knee high socks on her back legs, and a headdress made entirely of a large ribbon. Overall, the muted colours and small pattern designs of the outfit made Scootaloo to look very mature and functional without any make-up on her face. Scootaloo cringed as she twirled a small parasol.

"I look so ridiculous..." She cried,

"Wow..." First was the first to speak "I'd never knew you'd look so... Different with these types of clothes. You stand out a lot big sis. And that is such a good look on you."

"Stop it..."

"You don't look ridiculous at all Scootaloo, you look so mature... You look like a very sophisticated mare! If you weren't so young and I wasn't so old, I would definitely ask you out for a date!" Whisper whistled,

"I don't want to be a mare..."

"..." Heheheel just stared at the filly before his eyes. "This... This is truly wonderful... This isn't something to laugh at! It looks very good on you!" He turned to Dazzabel "you truly have done a magnificent job!"

"Why thank you!" Dazzabel curtsied "I can truly say I have outdone myself!"

"Forgive me for laughing at your work" Heheheel bowed in apology "I was out of order,"

"Apology accepted, I forgive you!"

"Well" First smiled "I'm glad we've managed to fix this problem before it got ugly,"

"I believe we have both of you to thank too." Dazzabel turned to the siblings "thank you for showing me that certain clothes can only work on certain ponies. I shall put that in mind as I continue my ideas. As a token of gratitude, I would love to continue using you as a model for my clothes dear Scootaloo, and even you as well First! Once I've managed to make clothes suited for stallions and foals."

"Please don't..." Scootaloo whispered to herself as she nodded,

"Also, as a token of our friendship..." Dazzabel extended her hand with a familiar looking item "I shall give you my medal, should you need to call on me."

"Thanks!" Scootaloo smiled as she accepted the medal.

"I shall also give you mine too!" Heheheel replied as he balanced his medal on his tongue "with you guys around, my life will definitely have more funny times to come!"

"Sure thing!" First Base accepted the medal.

"Now then, we must bid you farewell. Till we meet again!" Dazzabel and Heheheel waved as they disappeared with a puff of purple smoke.

"Phew! Glad we averted this fashion disaster!" Whisper beamed "good job team!"

"Big Sis, you were so courageous and brave to sacrifice yourself to be dressed in something you didn't want to be" First added "I'm amazed!"

"What can I say? Flash taught us to know when and where we must step onto the front lines" Scootaloo giggled, "now, let's go back to our seats and--" As she faced the class, her face of relief turned into horror as every student including the teacher was staring directly at her with wide eyes, dropped jaws, and not a single wave of sound.

"Uh oh..." First gasped as he saw his big sister still wearing the clothes.

The School bell chimed to signify the end of school and everypony was busy galloping out the doors and through the school gates, eager to go home. Scootaloo trotted back with her head lowered in shame, embarrassment and humiliation as First was ahead walking with Nate, who also has his head lowered.

"To even think that I was wearing a dress..." Nate sighed, "what was going on in my head?"

"The idea to make you look as gaudy and flamboyant as possible," First comforted "nevertheless, it won't happen to you again. I'm sure of it,"

"Thanks for not laughing at me by the way," Nate asked, "I'm happy to see other ponies worried about me."

"I wouldn't want to see a... Friend in trouble" First confessed,

"Friend? I do like the sound of that! I would like to be your friend too!" Nate offered a hoof which First shook back, "speaking about clothes, I have to say that your sister, WOW! She was really pretty! Who knew that a foreigner like her could pull off a Classic Lolita!"

"Lolita? Is that what the fashion is called in Neighpon?"

"Yeah! I'll make sure that image of your sister stays in my head for a while!"

"Well then..." First gestured to a large brown box he was carrying "It's great to know that we get to keep the clothes. I'd better show this to my big bro. Better yet, I should have gotten a photo back then!"

"Why you little--!" Scootaloo roared as she tackled her brother to the ground "I'll make sure you're dressed in bruises!"

"Ha ha ha!!!" First uncontrollably laughed as he felt the small but furious force of his sister's hooves.

Chapter 3-2: Reckless Behaviour

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 3-4: I'm so Hungry...

It was another day at school and the siblings were starting to warm up towards their classmates of Springdale Elementary and were happy to become friends to a few of them: Bear, Eddie, Alex, Nate and Katie. Today, the names of the siblings appeared for a very interesting job.

"Hey guys, it seems you are on for today's lunch duty!" Eddie notified as they looked at their classroom noticeboard,

"Lunch duty huh..." First repeated, "is that what we'll do?"

"It's not that hard," Nate assured "all you need to do is wear a hair protector and an apron, and you just have to serve your classmates. That includes pouring bowls of soup, rice, vegetables, sea plants, there's quite a variety of different and healthy meals each day. It also always comes with some dessert and milk."

"Sounds interesting..." Scoots replied, "guess we'll have to find out for ourselves..."

"Hey Whisper..." First whispered to their nearby Yo-Kai butler "do you have any idea about what to do?"

"O-Of course!!!" Whisper nodded as he flipped through his Yo-Kai Pad, "all you have to do is simple. Students come up with their lunch trays, and you have to serve them their meals."

"Then I guess it sounds very simple then. One concern though, the Yo-Kai Pad has information about Neighponese schools?"

"Uh..." Whisper nervously chuckled, "I believe that this is my knowledge you're talking about!!!"

"I see..." First sarcastically replied, "for somepony who's been sealed for 190 years..." Bringing Whisper into even further shame.

As the school bell rang for Lunchtime, Scootaloo and First were prepared, aprons on and serving ladles ready. In front of them on the kitchen cart was a pot of soup that gave off a very savoury aromatic scent, another large pot filled with white soft grains, a tray of salad and boiled vegetables, a box that contained small biscuits in wrappers, and a chilled box with bottles of milk.

"Maybe things aren't that hard after all," Scootaloo concluded "now that explanation's done, let's get ready to serve!"

"Alright everypony!" First announced, "it's time to collect your lunch!" In response, the entire classroom turned to their front, hooves in their mouths and drooling out on one side, creeping the siblings out.

"Uh... Are you guys alright?" Scootaloo asked with concern. That was the last word until all the foals galloped forward to collect their trays and offer them out. This spurred the siblings into instant working machines, adding and pouring precise amounts of rice and soup respectively as well has handing out biscuits and milk as quickly as possible.

"Goodness!" First gasped for rest, "is everypony really that hungry?"

"Apparently so!" Scootaloo hurriedly loaded the food on the lunch trays of their classmates, along with the usual thanks and you're welcome.

"Here you go Sarah!!!" Scootaloo waved off,

"Enjoy Bear!!!" First also did his best to send his classmates off,

"Here you go Alex!"

"Mark, this is for you!"

"Take your time Katie!"

"I know you'll eat this all Nate!"

"Come back if you're hungry Meghan!"

"You're Welcome, Katie!!!"

"Here you are Nate!!!"

"..."

"KATIE!?!?" Scootaloo remembered the name and face,

"NATE!?!?" First had the same reaction,

"Weren't you just here a few minutes ago???"

"I was really hungry at the time..." Katie explained "and today's lunch really is delicious, I can't wait to go back for seconds!"

"When I was taking my lunch back to my table, I found out that I ate it all before I even sat down!" Nate shared, "I still wasn't satisfied yet, so of course I came back! And it seems that everypony else wants to have more too! Doesn't it feel enjoyable when you eat???"

"No fair!" Scootaloo wailed, "we haven't eaten yet either!!!"

"My my!" Whisper overlooked "looks like everypony is really greedy, impatient and gluttonous today!"

"I really don't think that's the case here..." First shared his observation. "I doubt ponies have the ability to eat big dishes like this while moving. Drinking from a bottle or eating a protein bar I can understand, but how can you eat a bowl of rice or soup while holding a tray at the same time? Unless you're Lady Pinkie Pie, that's impossible!"

"Who?"

"Let's just say she's somepony who's actions and existence hold much greater question and debate than all the Yo-Kai combined. Heck, I bet she can even see you without the watch."

"Speaking of the watch, can you handle things here First?" Scootaloo asked "I'm going to hunt down some Yo-Kai."

"I-I shall do my best!" Flash saluted with trembling hooves as he braved on the endless queue of hungry students. While they were distracted, Scootaloo opened the Yo-Kai lens and found three Yo-Kai. Two look exactly like twins, only with different colours, one that looks like a cone-shaped head with elder-like features and ragged Neighponese clothes, all bipedal.

"I'm hungry..." The Grandpa-looking Yo-Kai croaked,

"I wannnnt it..." The Yo-Kai twin gestured. He was light-coloured with black hair and wore a green kimono with a dress of brown leaves, drool running from the right side of his mouth.

"Eat it now... Eat it quick!" The other Yo-Kai twin chanted. This one was tan-coloured, had blue hair, and wore a beige kimono and a dress of green leaves, drool also running from the right side of his mouth

"Well isn't this just great!" Scootaloo sighed, "three more Yo-Kai to crash into our lives... Why don't they crash into something related to Flash's investigation? Hey you lot!" She called out to the Yo-Kai. "What business do you have here?"

"Us?" The grandpa looking Yo-Kai pointed to himself and the others, "are you talking to us?"

"Well I'm definitely not talking to air now, am I?" Scootaloo retorted,

"Impossible!" The light-skinned twin gasped, "no pony could ever see us!"

"Unless..." The tan-skinned twin pointed at the Watch, "that's why!"

"That's right! So you'd better be careful!" Scootaloo warned, "and speaking of being careful..." As Scootaloo kept on lecturing the three Yo-Kai, First is starting to have concerns for his sister.

"With so many ponies around, are you sure that nopony could hear Scootaloo talking to well... Herself?" He asked Whisper,

"They are too hungry to notice..." Whisper continued looking "besides, ponies who are inspirited by Yo-Kai are able to hear other Yo-Kai speaking and will find it normal."

"Hey First! Hurry up!" Eddie yelled to spur First back into work.

"Now, what are your names?" Scootaloo asked,

"I'm Hungramps" The elderly Yo-Kai introduced,

"I'm Wantston!" The light-skinned Yo-Kai bowed,

"And I'm Grubsnitch!" The tan-skinned Yo-Kai curtsied.

"I can tell you're a male," Scootaloo noted,

"He just has feminine manners," Wantston defended,

"Are you guys related?"

"Nope," Grubsnitch answered, "but we definitely know each other very well!"

"Is there anything I can do for you young lady?" Hungramps asked,

"Yeah, stop inspiriting my classmates. They are supremely hungry, desperate and very fast in eating their food. Us caterers need to eat too!"

"Is that so then?" Hungramps tilted his head, "well then... Maybe you can do a small favour for me... And I'll let you young-uns rest."

"Yeah! So will we!" The two drooling Yo-Kai twins added in unison.

"I just want a kind young girl like you to give me my favourite food. Any rice ball will do."

"Oh oh! I want some noodles!" Wantston added,

"Me too!" Grubsntich added,

"Hey First, got any rice balls or noodles?"

"None of the above sis, we only just have rice."

"Can you make them into a rice ball?"

"What do you think I am, a sushi chef!?"

"Uhh..." Scootaloo turned back with a nervous smile, "how about something different? A jelly doughnut perhaps?"

"Doesn't sound healthy, I think I'll pass..."

"Same..." The twins spoke "unless if it's just cup noodles!"

"But..." Wantston added "I shouldn't ask for things I'm envious about..." Scootaloo sighed at her options,

"Do you have any other alternative Whisper?"

"Well for starters, most Yo-Kai you've recruited were through your own words. If you get stuck, maybe call one of your Yo-Kai friends! They haven't been called for some time."

"You have a good idea there, hmm..." Scootaloo thought through the many multiple friends she could call, and cringed at every predicted outcome.

"Jibanyan... Would probably start making a mess... Ake... Like it would help their hunger issues... Heheheel..." Her mind raced through everypony she could remember and disregarded their presence as a bad idea.

"Dazzabel... Pandle... It's so hard!" Scootaloo sighed, then an idea raced into her mind "oh I know who can help me!" And began her Watch Summoning routine.

"Come on out my friend!" Scootaloo showed a medal that was red in colour and what looks like to be the symbol of a bull's curved horns. Flipping it in the air, the mosaic picture on the other side of the medal was the mosaic picture of a katana with arms and legs and a bent blade laying down in a very lazy pose.

"Calling Cutta-Nah!" Scootaloo caught the medal and inserted it into the watch, "Yo-Kai Medal, do your thing!!!"

"Summoning, Brave!!!" The voice from before announced, now assumed it was the watch making the sound. This time, the spinning clock hands and face emitted a Red Beam, where Cutta-Nah was doing some lazy but very sharp and forceful gestures to the beat of the music.

"Sumo Shave! Flavo Engrave! Flash team'a Brave!" A different chant came this time. It was loud, engaging and very tense.

"Cutta-Nah!" Cutta-Nah groaned his name as he finished his dance in his effortless and lacklustre pose.

"Do you really have to call me?" Cutta-Nah complained, "I was having such a good time slacking off, now you want me to do something?"

"Sorry about that Cutta-Nah, can you do something about these guys?" Scootaloo pointed to the hungry Yo-Kai.

"Hmm..." Cutta-Nah stared at the other Yo-Kai, "I think I can handle these dudes. Hey you!"

"Us?" The twins pointed,

"What's with you and eating? Can't you guys just take a break?" Cutta-Nah negotiated, his inspiriting aura affecting the group.

"Uhh..." The hungry Yo-Kai started to feel different, as they started to feel the energy of lethargy and began focusing entirely on something else.

"Eh... I suddenly don't feel so hungry all of a sudden..." Hungramps moaned, "in fact... I don't feel like doing anything..."

"Ugh..." Wantston and Grubsnitch moaned, "I don't feel so peckish anymore either..." And one by one, the students started to feel this uncomfortable heaviness inside their stomachs.

"Ugh..." Nate groaned, "I don't think I can eat anymore..."

"What was I thinking? Trying to eat more than what I should have..." Katie sighed as she heaved back to her own seat. One by one, everypony started to give up on eating and return to their seats with aching bellies. All that was left behind was a fully exhausted and frightened first.

"Is... Is it over?" First gasped,

"Sure, I'll tell you everything," Scootaloo replied as she took a lunch tray, "over lunchtime."

"Is that so..." First replied as he heard the entire story,

"You know," Whisper added, "it is as if you already know what these Yo-Kai do."

"Their names says it all" Scootaloo replied, "Hungramps make ponies hungry, Grubsnitch makes people peckish and Wantston makes people envious of other things. The three of them combined, a very big and gluttonous lunch rush. At least I won't always have to say 'who's that Yo-Kai?' or something similar to that all of the time. It can also reduce the amount of repetition when dealing with Yo-Kai to a very small extent."

"I'm dreadfully sorry about my behaviour youngsters," Hungramps bowed in apology, "I should have watched my mouth and just accept what was offered. Perhaps things could end better than this,"

"We're both sorry too," Wantston and Grubsnitch bowed in apology.

"No problem!" First forgave as he offered a bowl of soup, "you can have some if you want!"

"Thank you," the three Yo-Kai bowed as they started sipping the liquid with great delight.

"Wow, it really does taste good!" Hungramps exclaimed, the twins nodded in response.

"No problem! We've still got seconds, I think..." First looked in the pots.

"No thanks" Grubsnitch replied, "I think we've just learnt that we should be content with what was served."

"Here!" Wantston offered, "I don't have anything else to give you for the delicious meal, so I hope this is adequate reimbursement!"

"Have mine too!" Grubsnitch passed his medal to the siblings,

"I guess I don't have to repeat what you guys have said," Hungramps smiled as he gave his medal, "It's very thoughtful of you to see, talk and share food with an old codger like me. It's been a while since I've done that when I was still a living pony."

"This lunch is free for now, so we can all dig in!" Scootaloo encouraged,

"Uh... Scoots? First?" Nate overheard, "who are you talking to?"

"Uh!... It's nothing..." First nervously chuckled, "we're just hungry!"

"Come on guys! Let's eat!" Grubsnitch called out as the five of them started wolfing down on their lunch.

"Hey no fair!" Whisper gasped in horror "I want to eat too!"

Chapter 3: The mystery of the Watch

One day in the Town of Springdale, it has marked the day for Flash Sentry to hand in a report to the Princesses at the end of the day regarding his investigation. Flash was busy collecting the notes and reports from what he has seen in the city and recorded from Springdale's inhabitants. At the same day, Flash also encouraged his siblings that it was the perfect time to send letters to their friends back home, so they can send all the required items at the same time.

"Hmm..." Scootaloo wondered as she sat on her desk, "what should I write about?"

"Perhaps you should write about Neighpon's culture and way of life here!" Whisper suggested, "the food, the way school works, the times you have enjoyed yourself here, the atmosphere, your friends..."

"How about Yo-Kai?" First suggested "like you and Jibbers?"

"Me-ow!" Jibanyan picked up with a scowl, "don't call me by that nyickname!"

"Hmm... They may not believe us though. But..." Scootaloo thought in wonder as she looked at her Yo-Kai Watch "if we send a picture to them, they'd probably notice the new watch. Perhaps they could see the medals we have too?"

"Speaking of medals, where did you put them?" Whisper asked,

"All in here," Scootaloo opened the desk drawer. The scattered medals surrounded by numerous bric-a-brac shocked the ghostly butler.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Nothing..." Whisper took deep breaths "but I would advise you to treat the medals with respect, they are the calling cards for Yo-Kai that value you as a very good friend!"

"But I don't have anywhere to put it... And look how much we've collected..." She picked up Dazzabel's medal and dusted it, "but now that you mention it, Dazzabel would cringe and cry if she found out I was leaving it in the dust."

"That's true" Whisper nodded, "Jibanyan, Ake, Dazzabel, Heheheel... If my memory serves me correctly, you've have befriended 12 Yo-Kai within this week! Not a bad start if I say so myself."

"But the more we collect, the harder it is to store it and if Flash sees it, he's going to get suspicious of this..."

"No problem!" Whisper saluted "let me handle the storage!" Whisper grabbed the curl on his head and with a strong pull, removed the top of his ghostly head, creeping the two siblings out.

"The heck Whisper!?" First complained, "that was uncalled for!"

"It's where I keep my Yo-Kai Pad." Whisper explained "and this!" He pulled out a large red book. "My gift to you First!"

"What is this?" First asked as he examined the cover.

"This is the Yo-Kai Medallium." Whisper introduced, it can store all the Yo-Kai medals that you have acquired in a comfortable position. However, carrying them around and pulling them out of the Medallium is a bit of a pain. I suggest that you carry six medals Scootaloo, and leave the rest in here."

"In that case," First suggested "if Scootaloo can use the watch, then I get to have the Medallium!"

"Fair trade then!" Scootaloo offered her hooves, to which First shook back. As they continued to draft their own letters, the doorbell rang.

"Oop! Somepony's here!" Scootaloo perceived as she scurried down the doors with the other three in tow.

"Do you think it's Nate or one of our friends?" First asked, as Scootaloo looked through the door hole.

"That's odd..." Scootaloo drew herself back as she opened the door, revealing a very familiar small figure with a round green head.

"Hey guys!" Ake greeted,

"How interesting of you to visit!" Scootaloo greeted, "and how can you ring the doorbell? Anyway, do you want to come inside?"

"Don't have time for that," Ake replied, "but I've got something that you might be interested in... There's been some commotion that has been causing trouble and problems to the Yo-Kai settled around Blossom Heights. Know the place?"

"Right next to Uptown Springdale. Crowded houses, the Old Mansion in the bamboo forest, Shoten Temple, Granny Edna's sweet shop, the Hot Springs Bathhouse, where Bear and his family lives." Scootaloo answered,

"Then I'm sure you know about Timers and More right?"

"That's the watch and clock shop right next to the Branston house." First replied, "old coot that works there goes by the name of Mr. Goodsight, at least that's what I hear from Bear."

"Well, there's a Yo-Kai in there who requires some help and has sent word throughout Blossom Heights, and there's a big reward for it. As I live in the Old Mansion, the information was passed along to me. I thought that it would be a tough job to do it alone without my master, but then I've realised I've got friends who have Yo-Kai friends of their own! You guys!"

"Well, we've got our letters to write..." Scootaloo wondered loudly, "but if there's more Yo-Kai to befriend, then count us in!"

As the group got close to Timers and More, they found a rather small but serious commotion happening outside the front gates.

"Wow! Look at all the guards!" First whispered, "there must have been some robbery that was going on!"

"Excuse me!" One of the local Springdale guards approached the siblings, a stern look on his face, "this shop is under investigation with the owner going through question. If you have an appointment with the watchmaker, I'm afraid that you'll have to come back later."

"Oh I see, understood." Scootaloo replied nodded and began to trot away until a familar voice echoed out from inside the store.

"Scootaloo? Is that you?" Flash trotted out, seeing his two siblings standing outside the store "what are you doing here?"

"I just came to see Mr Goodsight. I have an appointment with him."

"Is that so? In that case, let me check..." Flash went back in for a few more seconds and then came out. "Well, you're just in luck. We've just finished questioning him."

"Thanks bro!"

"One thing though. I don't recall you having a clock or watch..." Flash added, until he laid his eyes on what his sister was wearing around her neck.

"Hmm..." Flash peeked at the Yo-Kai Watch, "that's a rather big and interesting watch if I ever saw one. Where did you get it?"

"It's a gift!" Scootloo fibbed, "or rather, I bought it with my pocket money, which was a gift from you."

"You seem to really like to beat around the bush, don't you?" Flash tilted his head, "regardless. I still think it is a nice find. I hope that you will use it to it's full extent in the future."

"Will do Flash!" Scootaloo saluted then whispered, "definitely to its full extent, finding Yo-Kai and all..."

"We're moving out!" Another guard came out of the store and gestured for the two guards to leave.

"See you back at home," Flash waved goodbye, as the group left the vicinity.

"Well, it looks like the coast is clear. Shall we?" Whisper gestured, with a nod. The group entered.

The group found themselves in a big room where an old pony with white hair with wrinkled skin, a monocle and a red beanie on his head, greeted the visitors.

"Well there's something you don't see everyday," the pony healthily stated, "how can I help you today young fellas?"

"Oh sorry about that Mr Goodsight," Scootaloo advised, "you see, we're just looking for something else..."

"So you know my name?"

"Your next door neighbour told us about you," First replied,

"Ah, the Branstons. They're a rather strict but cheeky family." Mr Goodsight laughed, "but anyway, if my eyes can tell me something. You're here for that job right?"

"I'm not sure I understand what you are talking about." Scootaloo tilted her head,

"Since you've got a bunch of Yo-Kai with you, as well as that fancy watch that you have around your neck. I have a feeling you'd be here for that job."

"Wha--? How do you know about Yo-Kai? Can you see them?" First jumped with surprised,

"Not just seeing them," Mr Goodsight laughed, "I myself am a Yo-Kai too!"

"No way..." Scootaloo and First's jaw were wide open,

"While Yo-Kai may be invisible to humans, there are still many ways that they can communicate with them! The most common is to disguise themselves as normal looking ponies and assist in their society!"

"It must be hard work to put all that disguise on and keep it like that!" First replied,

"Actually, it's quite simple. All you have to do is put a special Yo-Kai leaf on top of your head." Whisper explained,

"As much as you are interested in how Yo-Kai work and operate in this world," Mr Goodsight coughed, "I believe you originally came here because of my concerns. So without any further ado, shall we get down to business?"

"Sorry about that," Whisper apologised,

"Anyway," Mr Goodsight briefed, "there has been a large concern in the Hot Springs Bathhouse today, I myself have been a regular to this place. Nothing spends a good time relaxing in hot water."

"But..." Scootaloo gestured to continue,

"The water has been too hot, and it has affected not only me but many of the other customers in our area. The Guard had to temporarily close the Hot Springs, and put all the staff and regulars in question. Nary a soul knows what was going on, but I do."

"A Yo-Kai?" Scootaloo asked,

"Exactly." Mr Goodsight nodded, "but the Guard would find me crazy if I told them the truth! Unfortunately, I lack the power to negotiate or confront him, so I hope that other Yo-Kai would have better luck than I do."

"How bad?" Jibanyan asked,

"He's quite a big Yo-Kai, and a very large aura emanating from him." Mr Goodsight described, "I don't remember his name, but I saw it with my own eyes, ugly to the extent of a pig."

"Well, that means we've got to clean the pigsty." Scootaloo joked, "but jokes aside, we're ready."

"The area is still blocked off by the Guard." Mr Goodsight informed, "but I do know another way around it. Let me show you the way,"

"Thanks!"

"One more thing youngsters." Mr Goodsight warned, "now that you have the Yo-Kai Watch, you need to keep it safe, as well as yourselves. As time goes on, the Yo-Kai will begin to notice your presence and ability. From the most harmless to the conniving, power-hungry monsters that they are."

The Springdale guards were busy standing watch in front of the Guard line leading into the Hot Springs. What they didn't notice were two little foals climbing up the back wall and sneaking into one of the windows.

"Well, first phase is ticked off the list." Scootaloo stood beaming. "Now just for a quiet roll call. Jibanyan? Whisper?"

"We're here," Jibanyan waved,

"First?" Scootaloo looked around for her brother, only to see him staring at a refrigerator containing chilled bottles of milk.

"Ooh!" First's eyes widened, "there's plain milk, coffee milk, fruit milk..."

"First..." Scootaloo sighed,

"... Amazing Milk!?" First gasped, "that looks much more different than the others and the ones at school! I've got to give this a try!"

"Keep your voice down First!" Scootaloo rasped, "and don't even think about it. Although nopony may be there, stealing is wrong!"

"Aww..." First pouted, then sighed in agreement "yeah, it is wrong. Let's just get on with our duty."

"I sense a very strong aura behind the male side of the hot springs." Whisper spoke, "I believe that must be our target,"

"Are you kidding me?" Scootaloo gasped, "no way would I want to go in there!"

"Come on Scoots, it's not as bad as you think it is..." First moaned, "let's just go in there..." And he went through the flap and door.

"We'd better not keep him waiting," Jibanyan replied as he attempted to pull Scootaloo in, "it's for all those who want to enjoy a bath!"

"Okay okay," Scootaloo sighed, "you don't have to pull me."

The moment the group opened the door that led to the large tiled bathroom, an thick, sweltering cloud of steam blew through their faces making them very uncomfortable.

"Phwar! This heat feels so unpleasantly hot!" Scootaloo tried to shield the steam away from her face.

"Ow!" First jumped in pain as one of his hoofs touched the tiled floors "even the floor is hot!"

"We'll have to bear it!" Whisper panted, wiping sweat off his ghostly body.

"Even Whisper feels the heat!" Scootaloo noted, then looked at Jibanyan frantically wiping himself with a nearby towel, "and even Jibanyan! This is some strong Yo-Kai!"

"Be quick Scootaloo! Use the Yo-Kai Watch!" Whisper advised. With a grunt and nod, Scootaloo started to dart the searchlight all over the place, until she nailed her sights onto the largest bath, where a giant pink, grotesque pig with arms and legs was calmly sitting in the pool, relaxing with his mouth wide open.

"Eww!" Scootaloo cringed, "is that the Yo-Kai around here!?"

"That is Sproink!" Whisper read off his Yo-Kai Pad "he's a Yo-Kai that... That has the ability to make any body of water increase in temperature to the most dangerous flesh-burning scale!"

"Huh, so Yo-Kai really does affect other ponies after all." First thought loudly "this really sounds like a mysterious phenomenon gone bad! Something that is worth investigating and making sure it doesn't happen again!"

"Then let's go get him!" Jibanyan commanded, "I'm ready to unleash my Paws of Fury!"

"Oy you blokes!" A loud grunt and snort echoed, "can you blokes keep it down over there!? Imma tryin' to soak inna bath!"

"Ah," First perceived, "sorry about that Mr Oink..."

"Whaddya call me!?"

"Mister Sproink!" First corrected himself, "c-can I enter the room?"

"Whatevs, just don't make too much noise. And I'mm not sharin' mine."

"No need to sir." First sighed as he courageously set foot onto the boiling tiles. "But we've got a small favor to ask you."

"Then whaddya want?" Sproink oinked,

"Is it okay if you can not make the water so hot?" First asked, "your influence affects other baths and pools, and they can't take the temperature of the water."

"Then it's their fault!" Sproink thrashed his arms with anger, "if they can't take it, they can git out of the water! I'm goin' nowhere until I've had my hot soakin' bath!"

"But surely there are some ways where you can enjoy taking a bath without harming others!" Scootaloo rushed in to object, the sizzling heat of the floor completely nullifying her sense of desperation.

"NO!" Sproink bellowed, "how dare you disrupt me then order me to get out! I'll have to take care of your runts myself!" The giant pig Yo-Kai stood up and hopped out of the bath. His landing rocking the ground around him.

"Woah!" First tried to regain his footing. Sproink snorted as he stared down at the two foals, butler and cat Yo-Kai. Something widened his eyes as he looked closer at Scootaloo.

"Well what do we ave here?" Sproink grunted with greed, "and I thought you were just puny Yo-Kai who lost their corporeal forms. You really are real life foals after all! And carrying the biggest prize!"

"Prize?" Scootaloo asked, "We're not that good as slaves you know..."

"You little runt! I'm talkin' bout yer Watch!" Sproink pointed a thick finger at the Yo-Kai Watch "it's what lets ponies like you see us!"

"Oh... Right..." Scootaloo sighed,

"I'm gonna get a very pretty reward once I get my hands on that watch!" Sproink laughed, "better yet, I'd better bring you two along as well!"

"Wh-What!?" First backed away "we didn't do anything wrong!!!"

"You did runt!" Sproink retorted, "it's for uncovering our existence! Time for you to submit!"

"Run!!!" Whisper warned, and the siblings did so.

"Not if I can help it!" Sproink laughed as he jumped once again and blocked the exit.

"Shoot!" Scootaloo cursed,

"Whisper! Jibanyan! Can you distract him?" First suggested,

"Not if I can help with that either!" Sproink laughed as a upward rising wall of smog covered the door. "I'll make sure you only get out of here when I've taken you down!"

"Aw come on, seriously?" First moaned,

"We're too young to die!" Scootaloo cried, "somepony! Help!!!"

"There's no chance of anypony coming here to stop me!" Sproink continued taunting "and even if they did, I'll boil them as I will to you!"

"Don't give up!" Whisper encouraged, "the Yo-Kai Watch is your chance of escaping! It has the power to summon your friends through any barrier made by Yo-Kai! They can fight for you!"

"I'll start the fight! Paws of Fury!!!" Jibanyan charged as he unleashed a flurry of paw punches against the pig's giant belly button.

"Hah! I knew you'd go for there!" Sproink laughed as he pulled out a small wooden bucket for Hot Springs and used it to cover his belly button just before Jibanyan began to madly strike that position.

"Ow!" Jibanyan reeled from pain after one-hundred strikes on the wooden bucket, causing no damage to the bucket let alone Sproink itself.

"You're predictable!" Sproink howled with laughter as he then threw the bucket at Jibnyan, knocking him right on the head. Jibanyan slid across the floor towards the siblings and Whisper in an unconscious heap.

"Jibanyan!" First gasped as he tried to shake the cat into consciousness "are you alright?"

"It's not over yet!" Sproink added as he picked up more buckets, "'ave a load of this!" And he started flinging the buckets towards the group.

"Run for cover!" Whisper warned as a bucket collided with his face.

"This way!" Scootaloo pointed towards a tall makeshift rock, "remember to keep your head down!" Luckily enough, the siblings managed to run for cover without getting injured or damaged.

"This is going to be a pain..." Scootaloo growled in fury. "This pig is driving me mad, but I still can't think of a way to take him down! All he's going to do is keep on pelting those buckets!"

"Remember!" Whisper reminded, "your Yo-Kai Watch!"

"Hmm..." Scootaloo pulled out the six medals in her possession. "If he always likes to turn up the heat, we need to cool him down."

"But we haven't got any Yo-Kai who could do that!" First replied, carrying an unconscious Jibanyan on his back. "The Yo-Kai we've only got can change the demeanour and emotions of ponies, and it looks like this Yo-Kai won't just go down from that!"

"But how about a fighting chance?" Scootaloo asked, "otherwise, we'd just be flinging random Yo-Kai at him!"

"Well, I can't think of anything else to guarantee a successful strategy!" First replied, "and I can't think of anypony else who would try to do such a thing..."

"If only Flash was here..." Scootaloo replied, "he'd have tactics prepared for this sort of situation!" Then determination flared in her eyes, "Well I'm not going to give up! I'm going to use the military skills he taught us, and we will escape unscathed!"

"Okay then..." First nodded, worry slipping away from his mind. "I'll help you as much as I can. Now, fighting chance. Any of our Yo-Kai friends can do that? Except for Jibanyan of course..."

"Well," Scootaloo pulled out Dazzabel from her six medals "Dazzabel has some fencing techniques the last time we saw her!"

"What about Pandle?"

"Good idea too!" Scootaloo replied, "but he's in your possession. Any chance to pull him out?"

"We're also going to need to know our enemy." First added, "and we just can't let our Yo-Kai friends fight alone. We'll provide cover support if we can."

"If you want to provide support..." Whisper gestured to a large stack of wooden buckets "... You can give him his own medicine!"

"Oy you pig!" First waved as he entered the pig's view. "I'm over here if you want to get me!"

"Bout time you stopped hiding!" Sproink grunted as he prepared to throw a bucket.

"And about time you've stopped throwing!" Whisper floated out of hiding, throwing a bucket straight to the Yo-Kai's face. A battle in the bathhouse was about to begin, and for some unknown reason, old stallions wearing towels around their flanks were dancing along with some seaweed-looking Yo-Kai who seem to be amazing dancers too.

"Argh!" Sproink squealed at the pain of the bucket smashing onto his face, "you'll pay for this!" And set his sights on Whisper,

"Oh no you don't!" First then tossed another bucket straight towards Sproink, this time, aiming for his belly.

"Why you two little runts stop playing hard to hit!?" Sprionk grew into a rage as he picked up a bar of soap instead of a bucket. Tossing it at First, the little foal was tripped and made slippery by the soap that his movement was put into a disadvantage.

"Got you now!" Sproink laughed as he picked up a bucket.

"You'll have to get me first!" Whisper yelled back and tossed a bucket to interrupt his attack. First took this time to slip and slide back to the rock cover as he could. There, Scootaloo was busy looking through the medals on hand as well as in the medallium. Jibanyan was busy knocked out cold but safe from the bucket-throwing chaos behind her.

"Well?" Scootaloo asked, "you look like you're going to slip. What'd you get?"

"He likes to throw things! That's for sure!" First replied as he tried to wipe the soap of his body. "Buckets or bars of soap! Seems the soap has a nasty effect on me!"

"And?"

"One hand he throws the item, the other hand holds a bucket to cover his belly button!" First continued, "I think that's his weak point!"

"Then how are we going to expose it?"

"Let's just keep hitting his face!" First suggested, "I'm going to go back in, Whisper can't hold out all by himself! Be sure to pick your Yo-Kai wisely!"

"Take this!" Sproink yelled as he continued chucking buckets at Whisper,

"I need some assistance please!!!" Whisper cried for help as he tried to evade the oncoming buckets.

"Covered!" First slipped back into view, "here comes the pitch!" And throwing it baseball style, First made a direct hit on Sproink's face.

"Strike!!!" First punched the air in success,

"Stop it!" Sproink yelled, "stop harming my beautiful face!" The next action that the Pig Yo-Kai took gave a critical objective to his enemies. By taking a defensive stance, Sproink used both buckets to cover his face, leaving his belly button completely exposed.

"There it is!" First signalled, "get him!"

"It's my turn!" Scootaloo came out of the hiding spot, two medals in her hoof. Without any time to waste, she inserted the first medal.

"Calling Dazzabel! Yo-Kai Medal, do your thing!"

"Summoning, Charming!"

"Alarming! Boom Boom! Walla Walla, Dance dance! Charming!"

"Dazzabel!!!" Dazzabel posed. In quick succession, she pulled Dazzabel's medal out and inserted the other, which was Pandle's.

"Calling Pandle! Yo-Kai Medal, do your thing!"

"Summoning, Brave!"

"Sumo Shave! Flavo Engrave! Flash team'a Brave!"

"Pandle!" Pandle posed.

"Alright you guys!" Scootaloo guided, "I know you guys aren't used to fighting, but I think you're the best Yo-Kai for this situation!"

"No problem! Let me at em!" Pandle growled, charging towards Sproink

"Calm down Pandle!" Dazzabel restrained Pandle before he even started to move, "we need to think of a plan!"

"Don't worry! I have one, and that's to go all out right on his belly button!" Scootaloo instructed, "since you guys don't take commands, I'll be here to give you guidance if needed!"

"Thanks Scoots!" Pandle saluted, "but I know what to do right now! Pointy Toothpick!!!" And with a very swift movement, he repeatedly poked the belly button of Sproink, causing in to groan and yell in pain.

"Let me add something to the mix!" Dazzabel piped up "Stylish Stab!" Though similar to what Pandle did, Dazzabel held her umbrella in a fencing stance and repeatedly stabbed the large pig with every thrust.

"Yeeargh!!!" Sproink squealed and screamed in pain as he fell dazed and damaged in a lumpy heap, his belly button now exposed even more.

"Hah!!! Looks like we've turned the tables now!" Scootaloo taunted, "Pandle, Dazzabel, let's go!"

"Brilliant!" Dazzabel laughed as she continued stabbing the belly. Every time Sproink was struck on the belly, his skin started to heat up and to First, he started to see red on him.

"Wait!" First alerted, "his belly's already exposed before. This could be a trap!"

"Pshaww!" Scootaloo laughed, "but that's his weak point! We'll finish him off before he can even move a muscle!"

"Why that's it you blokes!" Sproink roared, anger and rage filling his mind and voice as he madly thrashed about. "I'm going to boil you alive!!!" And with that, he stood effortlessly back up and took a deep breath. Everypony's faces fell as with a war squeal, Sproink erupted long jets of flames from his nose, charring the two Yo-Kai in front of him and turning the already hot pools and baths of water into vigorously boiling lava.

"Ahh..." Dazzabell stared at herself in great sadness... "My clothes, my bones, burned and destroyed!!!" She burst into tears of sadness "my heart and body is hurt!!! I look so hideous!!!"

"Dang it!" Pandle picked himself up while heavily breathing "I should have listened to your advice First... We've let our guards down and paid the price. We aren't in any state to fight any longer... We're sorry..." And the two disappeared in a familiar puff of smoke.

"Crap!" Scootaloo stomped her hoof down in despair. "I really was careless, sorry brother..."

"The damage is done..." First comforted, "no use crying over spilt milk. Although..." He started to feel volumes of sweat drip down his face, "milk or anything liquid is going to evaporate in this state! Just look at the water! It's become lava!"

"This is dangerous!!!" Whisper warned, "Sproink has increased the water's temperature to surpass even it's boiling point to become lava! It may be scientifically impossible, but this is Yo-Kai we are dealing with here! If you fall into the pools, you will burn and melt instantly!!!"

"That's nice to know!" First retorted "sounds like we're definitely caught between life and death!"

"I don't think the water-turned-lava is our only problem here!" Scootaloo panted, sweat pouring down her face,

"She's right!" Whisper attempted to wipe the sweat from his face, "thanks to the lava, the humidity in this room has also reached a dangerous level! If you dally here any longer, you'll lose moisture through sweat!!! And you know what happens when you lose too much water and hydration!"

"So either we die by falling in the lava pools, dehydration through sweat, or who knows what this Yo-Kai will do if he takes us down!" First growled, "that's not going to make me back down!"

"Exactly!" Scootaloo added, "is there... Anyway possible to take him down when he's flat on the ground?"

"We'll have to try and make him do it again... He's got a bucket protecting his belly again!"

"Then we'll keep on tossing buckets at his face!" Whisper cried as he continued throwing buckets. After a few buckets have been thrown, Sproink then took a familiar defensive stance by covering his face.

"Alright! Let's strike his face!" First gasped as he joined in the throwing.

"Come on out my friend!" Scootaloo called up two other Yo-Kai, "Calling Wantston!"

"Summoning, Heartful!" This time, a light green beam emitted from the watch. The Yo-Kai being summoned was performing a very light and calm dance to the music.

"Calling Grubsnitch!"

"Summoning, Heartful!"

"Speedy, artful! sing la la la! Everywhere, Heartful!" A group of voices chanted in a slow, serene and a warming tone.

"Wantston!" Wantston posed,

"Grubsnitch!" Grubsnitch posed,

"... Are you serious?" First tilted his head as he started to take deep breaths.

"Oh boy!" Wantston jumped in delight, "we're going to take a bath!"

"Ugh..." Grubsnitch wiped his forehead, "it feels too hot to take one though..."

"Not to question your plans Scoots, but what will the wanting and food-stealing Yo-Kai do?"

"I don't know!" Scootaloo also began resorting to deep breaths, "Hey you guys! Sorry about the heat here, you think you can help calm that mad pig?"

"Hmm..." Grubsnitch looked at Sproink. "I can feel his aura, inspiriting him is going to be very tough..."

"However," Wanston added, "Watch what I can do. Can best friends First and Whisper continue throwing buckets to distract the big bad pig?"

"On it!" First nodded, "I'll continue on fighting till I've dried up!"

"So will I!" Whisper nodded as well and the two kept on throwing barrels straight at Sproink.

"Grr!!!" With every chance, Sproink started to fight back by throwing buckets and bars of soap. This time, buckets collided with each other, causing the many sounds of breaking wood and splintering cracks. This gave enough distraction for Wantston to get up close and personal.

"Hey Big Bad Pig!" Wanston taunted by pulling a face, "open wide!"

"Huh?" Sproink was caught by surprise as a long tongue slithered out from Wantston's mouth. The front of Wantston's tongue was shaped like a five-finger hand and secured a very tight grip on Sproink's Belly Button. Sproink started to feel a lot of fatigue as mysterious purple energy was absorbed from Sproink's Belly Button into Wantston's tongue, where it fluxed and travelled it's way into Wanston's mouth. As that happened, not only Wanston had a light green pleasant aura around him, but so did Grubsnitch, Whisper, Scootaloo and First Base.

"That... Is really, REALLY disturbing." Scootaloo cringed,

"I think I'm going to puke..." First spoke, trying to shield his eyes and preparing a wooden bucket.

"Don't worry best friends Scootaloo and First!" Grubsnitch comforted, "this is Wantston's special power! His Envious Hand... Tongue can absorb energy from victim and share energy to himself and allies! In this situation, it will recover some of your water, but only a little!"

"I guess it does give us more time..." First was still breathing hard, "but it's just getting hotter in here. I can't breathe!"

"Ergh..." Sproink fell to the ground one more time, his belly button and head exposed, Wanston calmly walked back to his friends.

"Well, now that he's like that again, we've got to figure out another way to hit him without him blowing fire from his nose. We've only got about a few mere seconds of breath left before we dry up!" Scootaloo warned,

"Then let's hit his head again!" First yelled as he threw the bucket towards Sproink hitting him clean in the face. Sproink trahsed about once again but this time, he showed no signs of steaming up."

"Yes! That's it! We've got to hit him in the head this time!" Scootaloo punched the air, "we can actually win this!"

"Too late sis..." First panted as he collapsed, "we're out of ammunition..."

"No more buckets..." Whisper floated to the ground like crumpled and dried up paper, "we have no firepower now..."

"No..." Scootaloo clutched her head, "No! NOO!!! We were so close!"

"Umm..." Grubsnitch raised his hand "are you forgetting about us?"

"We have small control of the natural elements of this world!" Wantston finished, "I think our powers combined can finish him off!"

"Are you sure?" Scootaloo crouched to the ground, dizziness and faint feelings raging through her head.

"We'll do what we can!"

"Then do it," Scootaloo commanded before she finally collapsed.

"Let's do this Grubsnitch!" Wantston encouraged, "for our best friends!"

"Yes!" Grubsnitch nodded. As the two nearly-identical Yo-Kai stepped towards Sproink together, they raised their hands in the air.

"Lightning! Give this beast your strongest shock!" Wantston chanted,

"May the power of the Earth slide your rocks onto our adversary!" Grubsnitch chanted. Out of nowhere, a small black cloud appeared to release a single bolt of thunder to strike Sproink's horn square in the face. Sproink twitched and jerked in pain and spasm as the electricity coursed through him. Then, a couple of small but strong boulders collapsed on his face, causing him to squeal in pain.

"Aahhh!!!" Sproink yelled, "I guess... My soak inna bath... Is over." And he collapsed into an unconscious heap and violently disappeared with a very thick puff of smoke, obscuring the entire room. As it subsided, the pools were filled with calm water once more, all the buckets seem to have been repaired and stacked accordingly, and the dancing old stallions and Yo-Kai mysteriously vanished. All that was left behind was two foals and two Yo-Kai who were almost dehydrated to the brink of death, and two identical looking Yo-Kai jumping in victory.

"Yay! Yay! We did it!" Wantston cheered, "we've saved the bath and our best friends!"

"But..." Grubsnitch remembered as he looked at them "they don't look so healthy... Maybe we should tip them into the baths."

"Is the water cold?"

"Hmm..." Grubsnitch tested, "cold and fresh!"

"Okay then, banzai!" Wanston yelled with glee as he and Grubsnitch effortlessly plunged the dried-up foals and Yo-Kai into the cold, rejuvenating water.

"Ohh..." Scootaloo moaned as she opened her eyes, "where... Am... I? It's too fuzzy and blurry..."

"Hey! Looks like she's regaining consciousness!"

"And so is best friend First!" Voices were echoing through her ears and into her mind.

"Take it easy Scootaloo, you don't want to get up so fast. You've gone through a very arduous process of getting hydrated, so you need to take it slowly..." Scootaloo's eyes started to clear up as she started to see the familiar face of Whisper.

"Wh-Whisper?" Scootaloo tilted her head, "am I... Dead?"

"Don't be so pessimistic my dear!" Whisper smiled, "you're very much alive! You and First!"

"Really?" Scootaloo got up to see herself lying on a couch in the familiar room of Timers & More, with First also getting up from the opposite couch.

"It was a very close call though..." Mr Goodsight walked up to them, "what you guys went through was very dangerous. You almost could have died there." He sighed, "then again, I was the one who gave you the job, so it was my responsibility too."

"It's okay Mr Goodsight." First comforted, "thanks to you, we're still alive and hydrated!"

"You really have to thank your Yo-Kai Friends though," Mr Goodsight replied, "after hearing everything, it turns out that you have relied on their help during battle. You have trusted them to help you survive and they did, not only to take down Sproink, but for you to also come back from the brink."

"Huh..." Scootaloo looked around the room, finding Wantston and Grubsnitch, as well as Jibanyan, Dazzabel and Pandle who seemed to be recovering fine.

"Thank goodness you're okay!" Jibnayan sighed, "I was afraid that you wouldn't make it!"

"We'll also be fine," Dazzabel comforted, "I can always make new clothes."

"Dazzabel, Pandle, Grubsnitch and Wantston." Scootaloo addressed, "Thank you. Thank you so much for helping me stay alive."

"We're best of friends!" Grubsnitch smiled back, "we all help each other, through life and death!"

"Besides," Pandle continued, "we are in a sense, spirits. I wouldn't want my friends who are still alive to become one of us so soon."

"The co-operation and friendship between Pony and Yo-Kai is valuable and powerful like any other friendship, and can overcome the most toughest of adversities." Mr Goodsight lectured, "and the Yo-Kai Watch is the bridge to allow this immense power to be harnessed by the right ponies."

"Oh yeah..." First moaned as he regained his composure, "speaking about the Yo-Kai Watch, that Sproink Yo-Kai was talking about it before we fought. Says he was going to give it to somepony. What is this all about?" Mr Goodsight fell silent and a serious look came across his face.

"Then you need to know the situation of Yo-Kai to my extent. The existence of Yo-Kai is unknown to the other lands but Neighpon, but we were here for as long as the world itself."

"Really?" Scootaloo was eager to listen,

"Our names have sometimes been mentioned or even worshipped by Ponies in Neighpon. In reality, Yo-Kai ourselves have established a society similar to how ponies lived, only in a different realm."

"Then how did you get into Equestria?"

"When part of the Neighponese population migrated to Springdale, some might have believed that Yo-Kai migrated with them, this is not true. In fact, we came to Springdale a LONG time ago, under the guidance of King Enma, the king of all Yo-Kai. Coming to Equestria was one of his missions, but he never told anypony what that mission was, nor did he live to tell others or see it completed..."

"But if you've been here for so long, how did you remain hidden?"

"It was only until the Neighponese migrated here did we decide to come out of hiding. It all happened one-thousand years ago, where the skies became red with blood as the moon stood in the sky, refusing to move. When the two Royal Sisters clashed, it threw all the Yo-Kai into disarray and fear, causing them to hide in their home, the Yo-Kai World. By that, I don't mean back in Neighpon, before Nightmare Moon was sealed by the Elements of Harmony, the Yo-Kai managed to create a gate that bridges that gap between the Yo-Kai World and Equestria, right here in Springdale."

"Amazing..."

"Through those one-thousand years, some began to question King Enma's decision of why he wanted to come here into the first place, as well as to criticise the demeanour of the ponies at that time. Even those who have authority would seize the opportunity to fight against each other in a civil war, and cause anypony caught in-between to pay the price."

"But... It's not like that anymore!" First objected, "things have changed! The sisters have made peace! We've got FOUR Princesses now who work together in harmony!"

"As a Yo-Kai who disguises himself as a Pony to become an observer, what you said is true. However, Yo-Kai has never set foot into the main cities of Equestria to find that on their own. Yo-Kai who have the blessing of the King to enter the Pony world can only learn through the accords of Equestria's History. Others who want to enter the world by force are restricted from walking into your world via seals around Springdale. Those 'others' are power-hungry monsters that want to control Equestria and their inhabitants because of their abusive nature and superior authority over other species and themselves.

"B-But... Nopony's perfect..." Scootaloo also spoke,

"As are we..." Mr Goodsight nodded, "however, not all Yo-Kai think the same... King Enma wants to unify both the Yo-Kai and Pony World in a diplomatic way of peace and friendship. But as Yo-Kai are invisible to Pony eyes, he wanted to overcome that adversity. Only someponies have the gift to see Yo-Kai, but not all... There was one pony who wanted everypony to understand the existence of Yo-Kai. So, he built the foundation of what became the sole key item that will connect Pony and Yo-Kai together in the years to come: The Yo-Kai Watch."

"I see... So the reason why some Yo-Kai wanted it is because..."

"They do not share the same ideals that King Enma has, and wants to control Equestria through unethical and violent means. Having the Yo-Kai Watch proves dangerous as even a single pony knowing the existence of Yo-Kai can topple their plans of domination."

"Those who still believe in Enma's ideals, were inspired to design more... Sophisticated models of the Watch, myself included, but mine didn't come out so well... However, I am known for fixing and even upgrading these type of watches... But that's for later. Here is the most important part that concerns your decision, do you really want to continue holding the Yo-Kai Watch? Even when you know what happens if you do?" The siblings looked at each other with concerns, whispered to one another, and made their decision.

"It's... A lot to take in..." Scootaloo answered, "and things got very strange ever since we got that Yo-Kai Watch. But this type of strange really takes the bill... Especially when we deal with Yo-Kai that could harm even us...!" She looked her brother,

"But..." First continued, "we have been told that our life will not be the same once we took this Yo-Kai Watch, and we've accepted that fact and even promised our Yo-Kai friends. Now look at us, if we've escaped the clutches of that Malicious Yo-Kai, there's no doubt that we can do it again."

"And so..." Scootaloo nodded with determination, "we will still keep the Yo-Kai Watch, and we will overcome whatever is thrown at us."

"We won't back down so easily against mischievous and malicious Yo-Kai, because we've got Yo-Kai friends of our own. We will try to help all Yo-Kai if possible." First added, "It's a win-win situation here. This Yo-Kai activity is what caused our family to move here to investigate. We keep activity down, things can go back to normal in Springdale and we get to go home."

"Besides," Scootaloo concluded, "Our old brother has been on duty for a long time now. We can take care of each other, and all the more with our new Yo-Kai friends."

"So you have decided to walk down this path. Very well." Mr Goodsight nodded, "then I shall tell you this. Springdale was a really peaceful place, but what you have said is true, Yo-Kai behaviour has been getting out of hand these days. I have a bad feeling that there is going to be an uprising soon enough in the Yo-Kai World that it could effect Springdale too."

"Though..." Scootaloo sighed, "I kind of wish we get to befriend a cool Yo-Kai when this is complete..."

"Is that so?" Mr Goodsight laughed, "then you'd better take a look at this young Scootaloo!" And he pulled out a familiar piece of technology. Scootaloo gasped as she realised the Watch hanging from her chest is gone.

"Wh-What did you do to it?"

"Don't worry," Mr Goodsight comforted, "it looks as good as it always has been. Though let's just say I made a few improvements. Even cool or cute Yo-Kai carry immense power, and they are very hard to find due to that. So I gave it a good upgrade, and it can allow you to discover new and powerful Yo-Kai to befriend!"

"Really??? I guess that will do!!!" Scootaloo smiled, "thanks a lot Mr Goodsight!!!"

"I'll make sure to inform the Guard about the Hot Springs now, and I'll tie up the loose ends about the incident. If you ever want to upgrade your watch to find more powerful friends, come find me!"

"Sure! We will!!!"

"Just one more thing," Mr Goodsight warned, "Yo-Kai has formed a society very identical to Ponies. Therefore, words and rumours can spread as fast."

"What Rumors?" First asked,

"Two little foals have their hooves on the most important and sole item that can reveal their secret existence to the entire living world. This Yo-Kai Watch is the only item in existence to allow Ponies to see Yo-Kai. Take care of yourself."

"We will Mr Goodsight." The siblings nodded, "thanks for everything."

"Goodbye now!" Mr Goodsight waved goodbye with a smile as the siblings left the store.

As evening rolls by, Scootaloo and First have finished writing their letters, when Flash came back home with an enlightened face.

"Scootaloo? First?" Flash called for his younger siblings, "I need to talk to you."

"What is it?" Scoots asked as the two trotted down the stairs.

"This morning, there has been a dangerous situation in the Hot Springs Bathhouse at Blossom Heights. The water there seem to have spiked in temperatures dangerous to the Pony Flesh."

"Ouch...!" First winced, "that would burn... A lot!"

"This problem wasn't fixed for a very long time. I was afraid that the Hot Springs would have to be closed down, and the staff running it as well as it's regulars would be put under a lot of suspicion and pressure."

"But..." Scootaloo gestured to continue,

"When dusk approached, do you remember Mr Goodsight at Timers & More? He's a regular at the Bathhouse. He has contacted the Hot Springs staff to see if the water was fixed and surprisingly enough, it actually has!"

"Well, all's well that ends well!"

"It's not over yet though..." Flash's face became serious, "Mr Goodsight then confirmed that it was two foals who have spotted something going wrong near the area, and had informed him of the problem. Turns out that it was a leak coming from one of the boilers below the Hot Springs. It has been overworking so hard that it started expanding and pumping in more excess heat. If left unchecked, it could have exploded or worse, turn the water into lava, though that is scientifically impossible."

"Yeah..." First darted his eyes to Whisper, "... That would be impossible."

"Regardless, he wants to reward those two little foals, so the Hot Springs decided to give them a gift."

"Really?" Scootaloo's eyes widened in delight "I bet it's something good!!!"

"... Stop hiding it." Flash sighed, "he told me their descriptions. Two ponies with similar shades of orange, pink mane, blue mane. Of course it's going to look like you."

"Eh heh heh..." First replied,

"I've really got to say. What I think you foals did today was absolutely great. You've prevented what could have been an explosion, and you've managed to let's say, prevent what could have become a cold case due to 'supernatural beings'. Here is the gift," Flash pulled out from behind him, some vouchers and a fancy bottle of milk familiar to First.

"These are vouchers to allow a free one-hour soak in the Hot Springs." Flash introduced, "and this is their most freshest and finest milk they sell: Amazing Milk. I thought we'd might like to try it right now."

"Sure!!!" First jumped in delight "I definitely would!"

First and Scootaloo retreated back to their bedroom, a wide smile on their faces.

"Refreshing!" Scootaloo sighed with pleasure "I never knew that the Neighponese would know how to make the freshest of milk!"

"Here Whisper and Jibanyan!" First provided two small shot glasses, "we've saved some for you!"

"Thanks First!" Jibanyan meowed as he gulped it up.

"How kind of you," Whisper thanked as he to raised the glass to his lips.

"Well," Scootaloo thought loudly, "Mr Goodsight definitely knew on how to make up a story."

"No turning back huh?" First reflected, "we're definitely not turning back anymore, we've made a promise."

"I've got a bad feeling that our Yo-Kai infested life has just begun..." Scootaloo gulped, "I still have regrets about getting this Watch, but we've got no choice now."

"Do not worry," Whisper comforted, "as Yo-Kai are invisible, I'm sure life for both of you will still go as normal. School, Dinner, you get the drill. Otherwise, this wouldn't be a Slice of Life story!"

"Whisper, what is 'Slice of Life'?" First asked,

"Isn't that a story genre that labels stories that look at everyday life of a certain character?" Scootaloo added,

"I-I don't know what you're talking about..." Whisper chuckled,

Author's Note

The Yo-Kai Watch is now able to find more Yo-Kai! (From D-Rank to C-Rank!)

Chapter 4-1: Bug surprises!

"Scootaloo? First Base?" Flash called from downstairs.

"What is it?" Scootaloo asked as she and First galloped down the stairs to his side,

"This magic technology certainly is something." Flash pointed at a computer,

"That's a computer. I've seen some in School as well as one in Nate's house." First remembered, "but it's cool that you've managed to get one!"

"With this new magic device, I was able to acclaim some knowledge that you would get from a book." Flash explained, "and I've found something interesting. Regarding to bug catching, Beetles are more common when Luna brings out the moon."

"Really? Then why didn't you mention that in the first place?" Scootaloo sighed, "but now that you mention it, I think we'll try our luck finding a beetle. Can me and First go out?"

"Sure!" Flash smiled, "since both of you are very responisble together. I'll even let you go out at night for a short while, just to find those bugs."

"Thank you!" Scootaloo thanked, "come on First, let's go!"

Back in Mount Wildwood, Scootaloo and First were busy looking for the beetles or cicadas they can find.

"Hmm..." Perhaps if I can focus my patience on a tree, perhaps I can get more bugs than I can!" Scootaloo planned. On the other hand, First had something else in mind.

"Eddie told me that Bugs really love Honey or Black Syrup." First chuckled as he pulled out a tab of the mentioned item and carefully smeared it on a tree. "Here's hoping that this will be a good distraction!"

"Alright..." Scootaloo hid in the bushes, "need to be quiet..."

"The hunter lays the trap..." First whispered to himself. As the to foals began waiting for their prey to come up, Whisper and Jibanyan just calmly watched from afar.

"Seriously?" Jibanyan yawned, "what's so interesting on catching bugs anyway??? I'd rather just stay home and eat choco bars!"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Whisper answered, "but they seem very focused on it."

"I've got you!" Scootaloo grinned as she saw a brown cicada flying to stand on the trees while making cicada noises.

"Target sighted," First mumbled as a green cicada came to taste the Black Syrup.

"Hah!" Both siblings swung their nets and caught their cicada.

"Focused enough to even catch their target in one fell swoop." Whisper noted,

"Heh, feels like I'm getting better at this rate!" Scootaloo smiled to herself as she popped the new brown cicada with the green one caught a few days ago.

"Not a beetle, but it will do." First laughed as he added the cicada to his collection.

"Hey sis!" First met his sister after their catches "looks like I caught another cicada!!! Green this time, like your first bug. Perhaps you have something better than mine?"

"A brown cicada is what I got." Scootaloo answered, "like your first bug."

"Well, I can't say that I'm disappointed, because this is only the second time." First sighed,

"If only there was somepony who knows a lot about bugs..." Scootaloo replied, wondering on who could teach them.

"Hey Scoots! Look!" First noted a peculiar looking cicada that decided to nestle on the tree with First's black syrup.

"That looks interesting..." Scootaloo tilted her head, "I don't remember Cicadas that can glow purple..."

"Should we try catching it anyway?" First suggested, his answer came to a surprise as Scootaloo swiftly covered the cicada with her net before it could even react.

"You got to think fast!" Scootaloo chuckled as she revealed the glowing cicada in her hoof.

"Uh... Big sis?" First gestured to the Cicada they caught which started to become very slow in his movement of wings until in the sight of everypony, laid lifeless.

"Oh dear..." Scootaloo closed her eyes, "I guess this little Cicada's lifespan just finished." She put the dead cicada down and had a brief moment of silence with her brother. During that moment of silence, the bug burned with a purple-black flame and began to change shape. It grew bigger and bigger until it was half as tall as the fillies. As the siblings eyes awoke, they were greeted to a yellow face with a sharp bug beak, four arms and two legs with a pair of sandals, and a purple belt which held a sword.

"WHAT!?!?" Scootaloo and First stepped back in shock,

"Who dares yell at me!?" The now large Cicada yelled, pulling out his sword and madly slashing the air around him "I have merely just risen from my living body!" The sword swinging drove the siblings further back just to avoid from getting hit by this mad creature. After a small while, the large bipedal cicada sheathed his sword and introduced himself.

"Greetings!!!" The cicada spoke, "my name is Cadin. It is an honour to meet those who have caught me before my death. Min Min!"

"Min Min?" First repeated, "isn't that what roughly sounds like those Cicada cries, only much less natural?"

"Correct, I am a Cicada." Cadin nodded, "a cicada Yo-Kai to be exact."

"Oh..." Scootaloo dropped her fears into disappointment "another Yo-Kai."

"Though... We really didn't use the Watch to find him out. We sort of... Experienced his soul taking form..." First corrected,

"Anyway, your bug catching skills are exceptionally flawless Noble Scootaloo, I was moved!" Cadin complimented, "please allow me to offer you my medal, the symbol of our songworthy friendship!" And offered out his medal,

"Really?" Confusion hangs through Scootaloo's mind as she reluctantly accepted the medal "that was rather fast..."

"Many Yo-Kai have different ways of how they take acts of friendship." Whisper explained. "From the most complicated to the most easiest of all."

"By the way..." an idea popped into First's head, "now that we're friends, do you have any tips on how to catch beetles?"

"Why sure!" Cadin nodded, "they are more common to be found at night, but if you want one so badly... Then I can assist you."

"Certainly!" The siblings stood to attention in unison.

"Amazing... Ponies really are very very passionate at what they do..." Whisper continued observing.

"The first thing you have to know about beetles..." Cadin instructed "is to know what they like to do. Their behaviours, habits and what not." As Cadin lectured the two foals, both Whisper and Jibanyan were bored out of their minds.

"You know what? Perhaps the two won't mind if I just slip away for a little while to do some exploring..." Whisper sighed,

"Can I join?" Jibanyan raised his hand, "I'm doing nothing by just standing here."

"Sure thing," Whisper nodded as the two headed for a stroll around the area, making sure they weren't far from the siblings.

"What do you think we should do?" Whisper asked,

"Maybe perhaps we can find some bugs ourselves!" Jibanyan answered, "why don't we find some for them?"

"A good idea!" Whisper replied. As the two started scouring around the trees, something did indeed catch their eye.

"Well what have we here?" Whisper eyed a Sawtooth Stag "looks like there's a beetle here after all!"

"Then let's grab it! Show Scoots and First that we can be helpful too!" Jibanyan encouraged,

"I like your idea!" Whisper replied, "though... We don't have a bug net..."

"No need for one! All you need is my feline powers! Nyaaa!!!" Jibanyan leaped towards the oblivious beetle. The beetle however, sensed the Yo-Kai's presence for some unknown reason and flew away in time to let Jibanyan slam his face into the tree.

"Gyahh..." Jibanyan floated slowly to the ground, his flat face used as a parachute.

"Oh Jibanyan, rushing head on isn't much of a good idea..." Whisper laughed,

"Now," Cadin challenged "I want you to close your eyes, concentrate, and remember the sound of how a beetle flies."

"..." Scootaloo and First closed their eyes in concentration, focusing on the hearing senses to perceive the sound of the beetle. The beetle that Jibanyan tried to catch flew behind their heads, attempting to escape the irritated pair of Whisper and Jibanyan.

"I hear it!" Scootaloo gasped, "I can actually hear it!"

"Same!" First added,

"Don't break your concentration!" Cadin sharply reminded, "you need to keep on focusing!"

"Sorry..." The two apologised and closed their eyes once more to concentrate.

"Know the exact spot of where the beetle will sit on the tree..." Scootaloo thought to herself,

"Ready?" Jibanyan signalled,

"Release the trap!" Whisper commanded. As soon as the beetle nestled safely on the tree, a badly-made net of leaves came swinging down on the intended target. The beetle managed to fly through the gaping holes of the net, and capturing Whisper instead.

"Wrong target!" Whisper yelled, unable to squirm through the leaves.

"Breathe... Think about what a Beetle would like... And how that desired nectar is attractive to all insects." Scootaloo continued thinking,

"Are you serious?" Whisper stared at the Cat Yo-Kai smearing Black Syrup all over his body.

"Hah!" Jibanyan laughed, "this is going to be easy! I'm just going to simply lure the beetle onto my presence and catch it as its busy!"

"But... First of all, It may attract something else unpleasant..." Whisper warned, "not only that, your actions does look rather suggestive..."

"Shh!!!" Jibanyan hushed, "I can hear some buzzing... It must be working!!!" Sure enough, the sound of insects can be heard, and increasing in volume. However, what came around the corner was not the beetle, but a pack of wasps, desperate to taste that black syrup. The faces of the two Yo-Kai changed from anticipation to fear as they turned in the other direction and bolted as fast as they could with the wasps in hot pursuit.

"AAAHHHHH!!!" Jibanyan screamed for his life,

"Not the bees! NOT THE BEES!!!" Whisper cried as he flew as fast as he could. No matter what, the wasps eventually caught up with them.

"Wait a minute..." Whisper then recognised his mistake as the wasps started to surround him and Jibanyan, landing on his face "they're wasps... And they're not ponies so they could probably see us..." Then started screaming in agonising pain as the Wasps furiously let loose their stingers on the Yo-Kai duo.

"And that's basically the gist of it..." Cadin concluded, "do you guys understand now?"

"Yes sir," Scootaloo and First nodded together, "we understand now."

"Then you know what to do..." Cadin nodded, "try and catch a bug before dusk comes."

"Here goes nothing...!" First headed off into the direction of where Whisper and Jibanyan ran off to. Using his newly taught skills from Cadin, he managed to find a Sawtooth Stag Beetle, what he didn't know that it was the same beetle who gave Whisper and Jibanyan the run for their lives.

"Well what do you know?" First smiled then readied his net "all or nothing!!!" And with one true swing, the net managed to surround the beetle before it even got away.

"Yes!" First victoriously held his first-ever caught beetle with a firm grip, "victory!!!"

In another area, Scootaloo still had troubles of finding a beetle as she continued trotting around the forest.

"I hope First gets a beetle before I do..." Scootaloo sighed to herself, "because there's no way we're going to miss another chance!" And at that moment, true to her words, the sound of beetle wings can be heard. Scootaloo pricked up in excitement then remembered to slowly creep towards the resting area of the beetle. There it was, the beetle nestled on a tree straight in front of the filly.

"..." Scootaloo cocked her head in confusion and awe as the beetle she sees before her was not a Sawtooh Stag beetle like before. Instead, the beetle did not have pincers on it's top, but a long cephalic horn curving upwards as well as the top of the horn shaped in the form of a Y. The appearance of this unknown beetle has captivated the little orange filly.

"Wow..." Scootaloo was all that she could mutter, "this beetle looks so amazing..." She then remembered why she was here in the first place and got her net ready.

"I'm going to catch you..." Scootaloo glared, "and I'm going to hit the marks!" And with a deep breath, she swung the net.

As the sun began to set, it was time for the group to meet up together and go home. First was the first to return to Cadin, but was getting worried about his sister, Whisper and Jibanyan.

"Well?" Cadin asked, "what did you get?"

"I did great!" First replied, holding out the bug container with the Sawtooth Stag inside.

"That's good to know!" Cadin nodded, "now let's wait for your sister." A few minutes later, Scootaloo arrived with a very satisfied and happy grin.

"You look like you've caught something good." First replied,

"I have!" Scootaloo showed her beetle with a smile.

"Woah!" First gasped, "I've never seen this type of beetle before!"

"Amazing!!!" Cadin performed a double-take, "you've managed to catch a Rhino Beetle! They're less common than Sawstooth Stags, and it looks like you've caught a rare one!"

"Really!?" Scootaloo gasped in delight, "I'm so lucky! I can't wait to show the others at school and in Ponyville with my latest catch!"

"And uh... I don't recall seeing your other Yo-Kai companions around..." Cadin added, looking around.

"Now that you mention it, we haven't checked in on Whisper and Jibanyan..." First looked around, "I hope they're alright..."

"We're... Here..." A voice croaked from their side. The siblings and Cadin turned to the source of the voice and jumped in fright.

"AHHH!!!" The group screamed at two familiar looking Yo-Kai sliding themselves on the ground and covered in countless lumps and stings.

"What... Happened?" Scootaloo asked,

"Well this happened..." Jibanyan croaked, "then that happened... And that's how we got into this painful and poisonous situation..."

"Hmm... We might as well patch you up when we get home," First comforted "but first, thanks for your help Cadin."

"We'll definitely be sure to call you for other things!" Scootaloo waved goodbye, "enjoy your new life as a Yo-Kai!"

"Be sure to call me when troubles come! I shall best your enemies with my sword!" Cadin waved goodbye as the siblings left the mountain with the wounded Yo-Kai in tow.

Back at home, the siblings showed them the latest catch of today.

"I'm very impressed," Flash congratulated, "both of you have managed to catch a beetle during daylight. You must be lucky and skilful at the same time!"

"Heh!" First chuckled, "nothing to it!"

"By the way, since they're very small insects, you'd be best to keep them as pets."

"Really? Can we?" Scootaloo gasped,

"Of course!" Flash smiled, "but both of you need the responsibility to take care of it every day. Feed it, care for it, it will save you or help you one way or another in the future."

"Sure." First nodded, "we promise."

"Don't forget to give it a name too." Flash reminded, "that's the number one thing for a pet."

"A name?" First asked his sister as they retreated to their bedroom once again. "What would be a good name?"

"Hmm..." Scootaloo wondered as she looked face to face with her newly gained Rhino Beetle. "What name would you like???"

"If you ask me..." Whisper growled through the bandage wraps covering his entire body, "I'd call them pain and trouble!!!"

"It hurts..." Jibanyan moaned in pain as he lies sprawled on the carpet, also tightly covered with bandage wraps.

Chapter 4-2: Learning to Swim

In the library of Springdale Elementary, the two siblings endorsed themselves into reading about their newly caught beetles as well as Yo-Kai.

"The Sawtooth Stag and the Rhino Beetle seem to have Neighponese names for themselves..." Scootaloo read from a beetle encyclopedia, "Kuwagata and Kabuto respectively."

"Then why don't we just name them by the half of their Neighponese names?" First suggested, "Kuwa and Kabu?"

"Fair enough, the names do sound rather cool." Scootaloo agreed,

"Take a look at this though..." First showed Scootaloo a book on Neighponese creatures "and to think the manticore and dragons were dangerous enough..."

"Woah!" Scootaloo looked at a mix up of a dragon with a terrifying face, deer antlers, fish scales and an ox tail. " A Kirin?"

"Not only that," First pointed to a set of half-lion half-dog creatures "that there is a Komainu!"

"Nine-tailed fox?" Scootaloo continued reading,

"A large, pony-eating centipede?"

"Possessed Paper Umbrellas!?"

"Wow... Just looking at the pictures and lore of these creatures give me the shivers!" First shuddered,

"What about Yo-Kai?" Scootaloo asked,

"Hmm... It's in the Spirits and ghosts section of the book..." First flipped the pages. "Here it is!"

"Woah!" The two jumped as they looked at a sharp tooth like cat creature with two tails that seem to puppeteer the skeletons of dead ponies.

"What is that!?" Scootaloo gasped,

"Nekomata." First read, "it's a cat spirit with two split flaming tails that originates from either the mountains or domesticated cats that died of old age or mistreated by owners. These cats have the ability to grow big, walk on hind legs, learn to talk, and control fire and... The dead... They also like to eat ponies in order to satiate their vengeance."

"Does that description remind you of anypony?" Scootaloo asked, First was confused too, until they looked at one of the sofa chairs, where Jibanyan was peacefully sleeping, the two gulped in fear.

"I-I doubt Jibanyan would be like that. He said that his owner loved him very much, despite calling him 'lame' at his death." First grew nervous and scared, "perhaps we should move on,"

"Hello there!" Whisper greeted as he floated down, "a very nice day to read no?"

"Yeah," Scootaloo replied, "hey Whisper, what type of Yo-Kai are you?"

"Me???" Whisper asked, "why, I'm Whisper!!!"

"Whisper..." First skimmed through the pages to find his butler's description. "Nope, I'm afraid you're not in the book."

"Wh-What!?!?" Whisper floated back in horror, "how can this be!?"

"Perhaps this book was written when you were still imprisoned during those 190 years..." Scootaloo suggested,

"By the way," First continued reading, "do you know what a Kappa is?"

"Oh yes!!!" Whisper shot up in exclamation, "a kappa is a--- It's a Yo-Kai that's..."

"Yep, thought so." Scootaloo chuckled as Whisper ended up using his Yo-Kai Pad.

"A Kappa is a Yo-Kai that is normally found swimming in rivers or any body of water. They can be easily distinguished by their bald spots on their heads, which is actually a plate."

"Right... Did the Yo-Kai Wiki also mention that Kappas are known to pull ponies into the water to drown them and eat them limb by limb?" First asked,

"Uhh..." Whisper gulped "I'm not sure the local Kappa Yo-Kai here would be that uh... Carnivorous."

"Look!" Scootaloo pointed, "they like to eat the pony liver!"

"Oh enough already!!!" Whisper roared, "everypony is different alright!? What if the Kappa swimming in the school pool right now heard you!?"

"Wait what???" First and Scoots stopped reading to clarify what Whisper said, "did you say there was a Kappa in the School pool?"

"Yes there is..." Whisper nodded, "why don't you take a look with your Yo-Kai Watch?"

"Might as well give it a shot!" Scootaloo replied, "let's go First. Hey Jibanyan? We're going."

"Choco bars..." Jibanyan yawned. Without any time to waste, First picked the cat up and plopped him on his back as they made their way to the pool.

"I do recall the teachers saying that entering the pool is prohibited if the Physical Educational Teacher isn't supervising..." Scootaloo remembered,

"You're not going in the pool," Whisper reminded, "just inspecting it. Although you may not see the Yo-Kai in question, you can see the splashes right?" As the siblings inspected the pool, they did indeed see a few waves letting loose some weak currents from a particular spot as well as the occasional splashing of water that seems to follow a pattern of going with the currents and waves.

"It's impossible for an earthquake to come from just a small pool..." First noted. Without a word, Scootaloo pulled out her Yo-Kai Watch and scanned the mysterious force causing the splashes. A blue turned-over bowl surrounded by a leaf pad was casually floating in the pool, not minding the things around him.

"Is this the Kappa you were talking about?" Scootaloo asked, Whisper nodded in reply,

"C-Can we at least have some cucumbers with our names and birth dates etched on it or something?" First replied, "I don't want him to eat us..."

"Did somepony say cucumbers!?" A sound warbled by water came from the pool. The siblings turned in fear as floating leaf pad bowl made it's way to the corner of the pool. Out came a blue bipedal figure with webbed hands and feet, with the leaf pad and bowl on the top of his head. The figure also has a small red water bottle worn around his neck.

"Aaah!!!" Scootaloo cried in fear, "please don't eat us!!!"

"Eat you?" The Kappa Yo-Kai tiled his head in confusion, "why would I do that? I'm not hungry right now. Otherwise, I wouldn't be swimming back and forth. Although, I don't mind having a cucumber in-between!"

"W-Well..." First explained, "it's just that... We heard that Kappas are carnivorous and likes cucumbers..."

"Dude!" The Kappa replied offended, "stop the stereotypes! You think ALL Kappas like to eat ponies? Why, the majority of Kappakind are friendly and honourable, and we are very beneficial to ponies too!" He put his hand to his chest as a symbol of honour. "Besides, I prefer Pizza or Sushi."

"Uh, what's with the surfer accent???" Scootaloo asked,

"I come from one of the beaches in Neighpon. As most of the Yo-Kai decided to migrate to Equestria, I came along. I hoped that there would be more beaches and water so I can enjoy myself, turns out I spoke too soon. On the other hand, I mostly spent time walking around on land than stay in the water. That's why I'm called Walkappa."

"So Walkappa is your name, definitely fits your personality." First replied, "which reminds me, what are you doing in the pool?"

"I've been swimming in the river for quite some time now, I wanted to swim in another body of water. This water smells rather funny, but it feels so fresh and there's no fish in there."

"That's because this water is chlorinated." First replied, "It's what kills diseases and germs in water, but if it's on your body for a long time, it will start eating up your flesh."

"Yikes!" Walkappa quickly dashed away from the water, "is there a shower around here?"

"Dunno, this is my first time entering this area of the school." Scootaloo shrugged, "but it's really tempting..."

"To what?" First asked,

"To swim!" Scootaloo replied, "It feels like fun!"

"Well you've got good news!" Whisper read from the Yo-Kai Pad, "It seems you've got swimming PE lessons right after your recess!"

"Great!" Scootaloo jumped with glee, "I can't wait to swim!!! And not a cloud in the sky!"

"You're more interested in swimming Sis? I'm more concerned how in Celestia you got our timetables on your Yo-Kai Pad Whisper!" First added

By the time their Physical Education class came, the entire area of Springdale received a sudden downpour of heavy rain. As such, the swimming lesson was cancelled and a relief lesson in the Gym was given instead. Scootaloo and First stared out of the window where the pool was receiving sharp bombs of rain water from the skies.

"You jinxed it..." First sighed,

"Shut it!" Scootaloo growled, "how am I supposed to know that it was going to rain today?"

"It seems both of you didn't check the weather forecast..." Whisper sighed as he scrolled through the Yo-Kai Pad, "but neither did I..."

"Yawn..." Jibanyan kept on sleeping on the gym floor.

"Guess we can't do anything else..." First sighed in response.

"Hey you two!" Nate called from the middle of the court. "Aren't you going to come along and join us? We're playing Dodgeball!"

"Oh, coming!" Scootaloo waved back, "let's go First..."

Once the gym session is over, First, Nate, Bear, Eddie and the other foals in the same class retreated to their changing room. Everypony was worn out from all the activities of throwing dodge balls and the pain of getting hit by one. The endless droplets of rain racked at the windows and the roof, creating an endless and tuneless sound.

"Goodness me First, you and your sister throw hard!" Eddie moaned as he rubbed his face,

"Well, I do play baseball," First replied "I thought my cutie mark was a given."

"I didn't get to see your cutie mark until during the match." Bear replied,

"Which reminds me, what cutie marks do you have?"

"My cutie mark is a computer, it represents intelligence." Eddie showed his cutie mark of a wide-screen desktop with the computer machine to the side."

"Mine is a bear, represents how strong and tough I am, as well as the ability to catch most insects and fish." Bear replied, his cutie mark was the face of an adorable brown bear.

"What about yours Nate?"

"Nate's so average, he doesn't have any talent." Eddie replied and both him and Bear burst into fits of laughter.

"Do you mind!?" Nate replied with an offended tone, "Some ponies are sensitive about it!"

"Oh dear..." First eyed Nate's flank, where was was no picture or Cutie Mark present. "You're like big sis..." His train of thought suddenly was suddenly interrupted by the sound of dripping.

"What the heck?" First eyed at a wet spot in the corner of the room, increasing in it's area of effect.

"I..." Nate started looking around, "I don't see any open holes or dripping on the roof." First immediately sprang into action as he used the chairs and lockers to vault himself up to the ceiling.

"You're right, there is nothing here..." First replied

"Don't tell me it's a ghost..." Bear shivered,

"Bear, stop thinking that it's the supernatural. There is a scientific explanation to it." Eddie comforted. The moment Eddie mentioned the supernatural, it hit First.

"Walkappa?" First called out of the window towards the pouring rain.

"First, what are you doing?" Nate asked as he realised his friend was calling out a random name for no reason.

"N-Nothing!!!" First replied. The door to the pool opened as Walkappa strode into the changing room wiping himself off (but his head) with a towel.

"You wanted something dude?" Walkappa asked,

"Do you know anything about this mysterious drippy area?" First whispered,

"Why! Your sister asked the exact same thing!" Walkappa replied. "Turns out the same occurrence is happening on the other side!"

"I see..."

"However, she saw nothing there with the Yo-Kai Watch, and she called me to give this watch to you." And Walkappa handed him the Yo-Kai Watch.

"Hey First?" Eddie asked, "are you alright?"

"Uhh..." First turned around, hiding the Watch from plain sight, "nothing's wrong!"

"Well then," Nate replied, "we'll meet you back at the homeroom. Don't be late!" First sighed in relief as the foals departed from the locker, meaning the coast is clear.

"Righty-o..." First worked the Yo-Kai Watch and scanned the wet spot. Unlike what happened in the fillies changing room, a Yo-Kai was floating on top of the wet spot: A large floating drop of water with two holes for eyes and a mouth.

"Oh! You found me, glub..." The Yo-Kai spoke, a voice that seemed to be muffled by water.

"So this is the guy..." First Base replied, "can I help you? Before that, may I know your name?"

"My name is Droplette." The Yo-Kai introduced, "as for me being here, I was here because Drizzle was around making the rain today. I've been a big fan of him, and I wanted to see him in action! One day, I would like to be him, glub!"

"Wait what?" First jumped, "a Yo-Kai is making the rain?"

"Where ever he goes, the big heavy clouds do too!" Droplette explained, "it's what you ponies have the weather forecast for no?"

"Is that so?" First asked, "well then, is it okay if you can tell him to stop making the rain?"

"I wish I could but..." Droplette sighed, "that's quite a big favor you're asking me, glub... First off, we just met, and you're giving me orders already???"

"Pretty please?"

"And it's not only that, I'm also a bit too shy to meet the Drizzle in question..." Droplette continued, "I always ending up hiding somewhere concealed whenever he's around!"

"Deary me..." Walkappa replied, First just stood in thought and an idea popped in his head.

"Hey Droplette, how about when Drizzle comes around again, I can go as your wingstallion? Perhaps you wouldn't be too shy then,"

"A-Are you sure???" Droplette asked,

"All I'm asking you to do is trust me." First replied, offering out a hoof. "If you need anypony to help you, you can count on me and my sister. We can see Yo-Kai after all. If you are feeling shy, you can always call on your friends or to help overcome your fears!"

"You will???" Droplette asked,

"You bet we will!" A sharp booming voice came from the door leading to the gym, frightening everypony in the room. There Scootaloo was standing at the door with a large beam on her face. "Sorry about that, I overheard."

"S-She can see me too?" Droplette asked,

"That's my sister Scootaloo." First replied, "and yes, she can see you. Once she sees you with the watch that is..."

"Don't worry," Scootaloo replied as she took back the watch and uncovered Droplette for her eyes. "The next time that we see him, we'll be with you!"

"What? Why?" Droplette "why can't we do it now???"

"Look outside... Is it raining?" As Droplette looked outside, a look of surprise spread on his face as he saw the clouds parting and the rain ceasing. The sun peeked from behind the clouds as the numerous pools of water began to stay still and receive rain drops that only causes the smallest of ripples.

"It seems that through our conversation that the rain has finally stopped." Walkappa noted, "sorry that we took your time dude."

"Oh..." Droplette hung his head in shame, "don't worry, this isn't the first time that has happened to me. By that, I mean procrastinating."

"So this is your first time talking to other Yo-Kai?" First asked,

"Not only that, even ponies too!" Droplette asked, "and for a pony, you guys really do look trusting!"

"We're friends!" Scootaloo replied, "we'll help you with any problem you have."

"Friends?" Droplette repeated "I do like the sound of that!" And he formed a very slippery and out-of-place hand to shake hands or hooves with First. As they let go, First noticed that a medal of Droplette was lying wet in his hoof, the back of the medal was Purple like Buhu's.

"You sneaky Yo-Kai..." First chuckled, "but thanks for trusting in us."

"Your spirits tell me that both of you are genuine and true to your word, I will trust you." Droplette replied,

"Have my medal too dudes!" Walkappa offered, "You foals are cool to hang around with! Perhaps I can teach you swimming when we have the chance!"

"Thanks!" Scootaloo replied, "we greatly appreciate it!"

As school comes to an end and everypony retreated to their homes, Scootaloo, First, Whisper and Jibanyan wanted to discuss what happened today.

"So this rain was caused by a Yo-Kai?" Scootaloo arched her eyebrow, "I'm not doubting it, I'm just wondering why in the world would this Drizzle decide to rain on our parade?"

"I know you're still pretty mad about it, but that's what Droplette said," First replied. "Now second on the agenda, I've taken a look at Nate's Cutie Mark. You know what happened? He doesn't have one."

"Really?" Scootaloo jumped, "because that's the same with Katie! Even though she's very intelligent and athletic, I can't fathom to see why she lacks one!"

"Their talent, hmm... Do you think our friends bear some coincidence with the Yo-Kai Watch?" First asked, "just my two cents."

"That sounds a bit ridiculous though. But your cutie mark could be anything as long as it's your talent, so that isn't out of the question. What do you think Jibanyan?"

"..." Jibanyan continued on sleeping.

"Helpful," the siblings sighed then First continued, "I think we're just going too far on this, there's no way something will happen like that."

"On the positive side," Whisper continued, "you've gained two new Yo-Kai friends!!!"

"But we didn't get to swim..." Scootaloo sighed,

"Don't get your hopes up." Whisper continued looking at his Yo-Kai Pad "your teachers have decided to replace one of tomorrow's lesson with your swim lesson! And it's also going to be sunny!"

"Really!" Scootaloo lightened up, "yes! Brilliant!!!"

"I still don't know how you got our school timetables Whisper..." First sighed,

Author's Note

Here will be the schedule of this story.

This story follows a pattern until near the end of the story: Four random slice of life encounters followed by the main story chapter.

The Slice of Life chapters will be released two-by-two, and the main chapter will be released after that.

Chapter 4-3: First World Yo-Kai Problems

"Ahh..." First sighed with relaxation and comfort as he soaked himself into the hot and soothing water in the Hot Springs Bathhouse. "This really is relaxing."

"I must admit," Flash was next to him, " the Hot Springs Bathhouse here does indeed live up to its name. If this place were to be shut down if it were to give this service, I would riot."

"Is that so?" First laughed. Nearby, Whisper and Jibanyan were also enjoying themselves as they sat, stood or floated in the hot water.

"This is sooo relaxing." Whisper moaned, "I feel like all my worries and trials of being a butler has been washed away."

"Whisper, how can you be affected by the water?" Jibanyan asked,

"Water is a part of nature." Whisper replied, "as is the concept of temperature. Which reminds me, how can you be so fine with stepping into water, let alone hot? Are cats not good swimmers?"

"I'm a Yo-Kai!" Jibanyan replied,

"Hey guys," First whispered over to them, "can you quieten down a notch?"

"Why should we?" Jibanyan asked, "nopony hears us anyway..."

"That doesn't happen anymore. I can hear you now." First corrected, "but speaking of life, I've found something interesting..."

"Such as?"

"I don't know if it occurs to you, but the Yo-Kai we've befriended. It seems like the Yo-Kai itself represents a certain behaviour that it passes on to others when inspiriting them..."

"Deep thinking huh?"

"Hey Whisper, and Jibanyan." First asked, "is it me or are Yo-Kai like you more than just mischievous spirits inspiriting ponies to their heart's content?"

"I'm afraid that is a question for you to ponder and answer yourself First." Whisper replied, "I'm not a philosopher, and I've spent 190 years sealed away from the Pony AND Yo-Kai world."

"I've been a Yo-Kai for about a year or two, hanging around that good ol' intersection at the Wet Market. Meeting you and moving to your house is a rather big change in my everlasting existence."

"I see then..." First sighed, "at least it will give me food for thought."

After the time of hydraulic relaxation was over, First, Flash and the others were sitting down in the lounge area, happily enjoying a fresh bottle of milk.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" Flash asked,

"Definitely!" First replied, "washes away any worries and bad memories!" As he took a swig, he quivered at the memory of what happened in the same place and his close experience with death. "... Washes them far... Away!"

"Truly!" Whisper toasted, "what do you think Jibanyan?"

"A toast to that!" Jibanyan replied, holding up his bottle of milk as the two chugged away, "hey Whisper, is it me or are we feeling very happy right now?"

"Why the feeling?" Whisper answered, "I'm glad that we're happy! I would hate to see somepony we know seriously in shambles and despair!"

"Hey Big Bro, shouldn't Big Sis be out by now?" First asked,

"We went into our respective baths at the same time, her soak should be over by now." As they continued talking, the door to the mare's bath swung open.

"There you are!" First waved to a familiar orange filly who stumbled out of the bath.

"What do you want?" Scootaloo rasped back, a sour, unhappy and gloomy look on her face.

"Goodness me Scoots," Flash was taken aback "what in the world happened to you? It seems like you've been standing under a really dark cloud!"

"I don't want to talk about it." Scootaloo sighed as she grabbed a bottle of milk from the coffee table and drained its contents in one gulp.

"Why so glum sis?" First asked politely with a wide smile on his face, "you went into the most relaxing bath ever!"

"Why so happy bro?" Scoots harshly rebuked, "you've went into just every other ordinary common bathtub! What's so special about it anyway?"

"Hey!" Flash snapped, "what is with your attitude Scoots? Apologise straight away!"

"And who are you to boss me around???" Scootaloo challenged Flash, "just because we share the same blood, does not mean you have authority over me! I am sick of you treating me like a baby and tugging me all over the place, especially bringing me here in this foreign city of Froggy Bottom Bog all thanks to your Princess flank-kissing work!"

"Th-This!!!" Flash stepped back in horror and rage, preparing for a powerful backlash. First did not know what was going on, but knew he had to intervene,

"Stop it both of you!" First jumped in, "this isn't the time or place to start fighting!" As the two ponies glared at their youngest sibling, both knew that he was in a sense, correct.

"We shall finish this disscussion at home." Flash growled as he stormed out of the hot spring.

"Sister, what is your gripe today?" First asked with the utmost care,

"What is your gripe today?" Scootaloo repeated,

"I've never seen you being so depressed and attempting to pick fights with anypony, least of all Big Bro!"

"And I've never seen you so happy that any sense of hostility towards you just goes over your head!"

"Are you inspirited???" The siblings asked each other at the same time, realising they spoke in unison, they continued speaking back,

"No I'm not!"

"Yes you are!"

"Can you stop copying me?"

"Copying you? More like talking at the same time with me!"

"Hey Whisper!" The siblings spoke, "is there some Yo-Kai behind this???"

"Yes to both of you!" Whisper jumped back, "and of all the luck, it's those two!"

"Who is it?"

"Well..." Whisper frantically flipped through the Yo-Kai Pad,

"Helpful," The siblings sighed, Jibanyan quickly got a glance and memorised the names.

"Scoots, you've got Dismarelda on your downtrodden tracks. And First, you've been infected by the smiling presence of Happierre!"

"Oh great, why did you have to go and give away our spots?" A gloomy female voice sighed as the flightless filly miserably held out her Yo-Kai Watch to see the purple sludgy and yellow cloud Yo-Kai.

"Ho ho ho!" A cheerful voice with a Prench accent replied, "thanks for spotting us out! I have need of your help!"

"You mean their help." Jibanyan corrected pointing towards the siblings, "Whisper can't do anything."

"Excuse you!" Whisper replied offended,

"Oh great..." Scootaloo sighed, "more Yo-Kai are inspiriting me, again..."

"Great! Here's two more steps to getting back home!" First cheered,

"Interesting, even though we inspirit you dahlings, you still know that you've fallen under our spell."

"We've been dealing with Yo-Kai ourselves." First replied, "that, and our Yo-Kai butler already told us that your inspiriting us ..."

"Is zat so?" Happierre noted, "but of course! You must be those 'siblings' that every Yo-Kai has been talking about! How did I not know that you would be holding the Yo-Kai Watch?"

"So the rumours have begun to spread..." Scootaloo moaned, "great, just when life couldn't get any harder."

"Anyway Mr Happi and Miss Misery," First greeted, "my name is First Base, and this is my sister Scootaloo! I'm probably sure that I'm not this happy, nor is my sister not this depressed."

"Pleasure to meet you!" Happierre greeted back,

"Whatever." Dismarelda sighed,

"If you can be so kind to stop inspiriting us," First smiled innocently and cutely, "that would be wonderful!"

"I'll pass," Dismarelda shook her head, "I like inspiriting your sister and seeing her friends and family apart."

"Ho ho ho!" Happierre laughed, "how can I say no?" And he released First from his possession.

"Thank you very much!" First smiled back, before his face turned into an impulsive and annoyed glare. "Now why?" He growled at the Yo-Kai, taking them by surprise.

"Wh-Why what?" Happierre gulped,

"Why inspirit us?"

"Y-You see, ma Cherie here always likes to cause trouble through inspiriting others, I've tried to stop her so many times, but she wouldn't listen. All because I fought with her."

"Hmph..." Dismarelda looked away in disgust,

"Ma Cherie? Are you guys... In love?" First asked,

"Oui!" Happierre nodded, "husband and wife!"

"Yo-Kai can get married!?" First was bewildered,

"Like I repeated from before," Whisper replied, "Yo-Kai have social lives of their own. From having hobbies, to spreading gossip, to having relationships with each other."

"Wow, Yo-Kai are just as modern as we are! I thought they would be old and historic and all that..." First mumbled to himself,

"Curb your tongue First," Whisper fumed, "I've existed in this world longer than you'll ever have,"

"But um..." First picked up, "wasn't it Mr Goodsight who said that?"

"Whatever..." Whisper growled in shame,

"A-Anyway Mr Happi, instead of telling Miss Mis- I mean Mrs Happi to stop initiating all these fights and inspirits, why don't you actually talk with her and make up?"

"I've never thought of that before!" Happierre realised,

"Seriously? Are you that short-minded?" First sighed again, hoof on his face.

"I'm not in the mood to talk." Dismarelda replied, "and don't call me that either."

"And how long are you going to be like that?" First asked,

"Probably for eternity. " Dismarelda replied, emitting a sigh of sadness.

"You don't seem to happy to not talk," First replied,

"I'm not just a complete blob of darkness." Dismarelda explained, "Sure, I do cause dark and hostile tensions between each ponies, but I don't want to do it all the time. Besides, every time I do it, it's going to make my poor Happierre unhappy."

"You still love him, don't you?"

"I do..." Dismarelda sighed, "It's just... It's just that when we fought, we were on very dire terms against each other and after that, what's the point of love? What's the point of a relationship? It would just be better if we were alone."

"Well, at least I don't have to hear a long back-story," First sighed in relief, "no offence."

"None taken,"

"But listen," First replied, and he took a deep breath before he began. "Life is full of surprises, it's ups and downs, it's motivations and it's trials. But there are many ways to pass through them. Perseverance, Balance, Wisdom, and many other virtues. The most important however, is Friendship or Love. If everypony was estranged from each other, then what would happen to our world? The Princesses will be against each other, mare and colt will divorce, and there won't be anymore ponies that would be happy!"

"So what? I don't care about what happens to ponies..."

"The same goes for Yo-Kai! I think..."

"Don't care for them either..."

"Okay then..." First sighed, "then look at it this way, love is very valuable, because there is the chance that it can be taken away forcibly or just life itself."

"Really? And is there anypony who has that?"

"You're talking to one, and you're inspiriting the other." First replied,

"You guys?" Happierre asked,

"Yeah... Our parents... Well, I don't know a lot about my father, he died a short while after Scoots and I were born, and my mother would never stop crying. They had a common sense of justice, service and loyalty to the Royal family, but she had always loved Dad so much, as he loved her back. The same goes for their children, and to us, our parents."

"Listen, I'm not really interested in--"

"Then my mom died of a broken heart a month after that." First interrupted, "it just left the three of us all alone, as orphans. A few years later living what what we just had, Big Bro joined the Guard to follow after our parents' hoofsteps. It was just us, our caretakers, and our friends. The biggest source of love that we cherished the most, was gone."

"..." Dismarelda kept silent.

"Our brother's love is close to what we have for our parents. He may not be the most interesting pony, but he's all we have, and he really is a caring brother. Your relationship with Happierre is really important. Though troubles may come between both of you, never, ever, split apart. That's my only word to you as somepony who has experienced how precious love can be, and how easy it is to be taken."

"..." Happierre stayed silent,

"I'm sorry if I bored or troubled you all with this story." First finished,

"You really did, a lot." Dismarelda spoke, "but... I understand."

"Ma Cherie." Happierre held his wife's hands, "I am truly sorry for my words, and my projective and commanding behaviour. Can you find it in you to forgive me?"

"Oh my dear sweet honey..." Dismarelda sighed, "I'm really sorry too. Forgive me for my fighting." All at once, Happierre's yellow and cheerful aura, combined with the dark purple and gloomy aura of Dismarelda and dissipated into nothing but clear air.

"What happened here?" First looked around,

"It seems that Happierre's Happy energy works in tandem with Dismarelda's Unhappy energy to negate each other out, creating a balance of emotions." Whisper analysed,

"Little Brother?" What once was a frustrated and depressed Scootaloo suddenly looked at First with a face of guilt.

"Are you okay sis?"

"I'm... I'm sorry for what I have said to you... And brother..." Scootaloo replied, "and like before, the words spoken from my mouth, it really is what I feel from my heart. Dismarelda just allowed me to say it out."

"Sis, I understand you mean no ill-will to the me or the Yo-Kai." First comforted, "but you have said nothing of offence to me. The real pony you need to apologise to is--"

"Big Brother." Scootaloo sighed, tears running down her face. "I know."

"Scoots, remember that it's just us and him, as our own family." First continued, "our friends are far away, and we have trouble making friends here too."

"So there's no use of galloping away." Scootaloo answered, "like Happierre and Dismarelda, I'll have to make up with him."

Back at the Sentry House, Flash was sitting on the couch, pondering the words coming from his younger sister at the Hot Spring.

"Kissing the Princesses' Flanks, never heard that one before..." Flash chuckled to himself, "but Springdale being Froggy Bottom Bog? Think again Scoots, stop acting like a filly."

"Flash." A warm voice came from the entrance of the house. Scootaloo looked at her brother with a very firm face. "Shall we continue this discussion?"

"Very well." Flash nodded, "care to start?"

"What I said was out of order, but it was what I truly thought at the time. I'm sorry for mocking your duty, and I am a fool to say that Springdale was Froggy Bottom Bog when it clear as sky that the place we live in is Springdale."

"..." Flash stayed silent,

"I know that you've tried your best in trying to keep us together after all these years, and I know you've been trying to maintain your job in order for us to survive, and I know how much your duty and devotion to the Princesses are important to you as they were important to our parents..."

"Not another word," Flash snapped, "perhaps you may be right after all. I have been too devoted to the Royal Family, I never had enough time for both of you."

"Flash..."

"I promise to both of you, that I will work my hardest, in order for us to return to Ponyville, to be reunited with your friends."

"... I promise..." Scootaloo nodded, determination once again, flaring in her eyes "And I'll do my best."

"So will I!" First piped up,

"Come here both of you." Flash opened his hooves, and his younger siblings embraced in a hug.

"Don't worry..." Flash comforted, "as long as I'm alive, I will carry the duty of being a Royal Guard, but even more, the duty of being a Brother."

As night falls, Scootaloo, First, Whisper and Jibanyan looked out of the window of their bedroom, gazing at the starry night that covers the residential area.

"We'll do our best right?" Scootaloo asked, "just as Flash is doing the same."

"Of course sis," First nodded, "we'll always do our best."

"You'll have my support!" Whisper saluted, "for my master and for Yo-Kai Kind!"

"And I'll help you too!" Jibanyan added, "because that's what friends are for!"

"Heh..." Scootaloo smiled as she thought to the meeting of Nate, Katie, Bear, Eddie and all her classmates, "maybe making friends wouldn't be so hard after all."

"..." First was moving the medals of Dismarelda and Happierre around his hoof. "Happierre, Dismarelda... Whisper and Jibanyan... And every Yo-Kai... You share the sorrows and experiences that Ponies do in this magic called life. I am starting to believe, that your existence is more than being mere supernatural beings..."

Chapter 4-4: Dance off!

It's another quiet afternoon at the Sentry house, with First feeding Kuwa and Scootaloo feeding Kabu.

"Hey First, want another beetle battle?" Scootaloo challenged,

"You've grown awfully competitive with Kabu when you defeated Bear's massive Stag beetle. Can't you let him take a rest?" First asked,

"Of course not! Kabu and I are always itching for a fight, ain't that right Kabu?" Scootaloo doing a fierce pose of victory, with Kabu doing its best to imitate her,

"You guys seriously have the same personality. It'd be a shame if Kabu can't fly."

"Hey!" Scootaloo gasped, "that's uncalled for!" As if Kabu understood what First said, the Rhino beetle started flying around the room before calmly landing on Scoot's hair.

"I get it Kabu, I get it..." First laughed as Kabu did a mocking dance. The sound of knocking on the door peaked the interest of the siblings once again.

"Wonder who that is???" First peered through the hole of the door to see some mad pony dancing in front of it.

"Don't worry," First looked back with a puzzled expression. "Some mad pony is dancing in front of our door."

"What???" Scootaloo replied as she galloped down. As First continued looking, he noticed a familiar brunette manestyle and light pink body.

"Oh my Celestia," First gasped in realisation, "It's Katie." Opening the door, Katie waved and smiled at the siblings as she continues performing some cutesy and lively dance moves.

"What's up guys?" Katie greeted,

"I think the question is what's up with you?"

"There's a dance concert that's happening at Gourd Park. The Dancing Trio is here to visit!"

"Dancing Trio?"

"They're a new dancing group that came from Neighpon." Katie explained, "their dances are so lively and fast, combining both country and modern. It's so exciting and fun, that everypony seems hooked to do it!"

"Is... That... So?" First asked,

"And that's why I'm here! I wanted to ask you if you would like to come!" Katie continued, "it's just over at Breezy Hills!"

"Hmm..." Scootaloo looked at her non-stop dancing friend, "might as well, can't say I'm not in the mood to be interested."

"Let's go!" First nodded, and the siblings followed the unicorn as they made their way to their destination.

The trio, with Whisper following them in secrecy, trotted towards Breezy Hills, where Gourd Park was located. There, the outdoor concert hall of the area was crowded with ponies. Ponies of all ages, races and sizes were jumping about, and doing any type of dance possible. Ballet, hip hop, disco, all sorts of dances. Through the crowd, the siblings made out the figures of Nate, Eddie and Bear dancing out to the upbeat music.

"Well I've never seen ponies dance like this all over the place." First replied as he noticed three peculiar looking ponies on the stage, "why couldn't it be this crazy in Ponyville?" As the siblings continued on looking, they noticed three peculiar looking ponies on the stage. The three of them had different shades of seaweed-green fur and wearing oriental coats.

"Dance everypony! Dance!" The seaweed-green pony announced, a light stallion voice came out,

"We always love to see others dance!" The dark seaweed-green pony added, this stallion had a very deep voice,

"Let's all dance together!" The pale seaweed-green pony smiled as she raised her hooves to the skies. The moment she did however, something snapped inside of Whisper and he started to dance madly as well. Grabbing a random pole out of nowhere, he spun around and around in crazy poses and moves.

"Whisper?" Scootaloo turned around to see their ghostly friend being crazy, "what in the world are you doing?"

"Dancing!!!" Whisper laughed, "isn't this fun!? Look at my dancing!"

"You call that dancing?" First replied,

"But..." Scootaloo noticed, "how come Whisper's dancing too?"

"Why does it matter?" First asked, "perhaps Whisper also felt the need to dance as is with everypony!!! It's very spirit lifting!" All of a sudden, First fell silent. "But now that I'm talking about it. It really is strange that the dancing trio can affect Yo-Kai like Whisper..."

"Do you think the Dancing Trio are actually... Yo-Kai?" Scootaloo asked,

"I don't think they're doing any harm here..." First replied, "perhaps we'll just leave them be. They've got to stop one way or another..."

"Thanks for bringing us here Katie but I think we should go ba--" Something struck Scootaloo's mind, interrupting her sentence. Without any sudden warning, she began break-dancing in front of her brother and friends. Through numerous twists, spins, and flips that deemed impossible for Scootaloo to do without practice, Katie and First stood in silence as their flightless filly friend ended her dance with a familiar pose from Cheerilee's talent show.

"Peace out!" Scootaloo winked.

"Uhh... Okay?" First clapped in confusion.

"Waa haa haa!" Whisper continued pole dancing.

"I think now's a good time to get going..." First replied as he dragged his sister and Whisper away from the crowd, but as he was doing it, he felt the same snapping sense inside his mind and began to dance like crazy as well.

"You too First!?" Katie laughed,

"La la la!" First sung to a random song as he started twisting on the spot.

"Woo! Yeah! Oww!" Scootaloo continued on dancing

"Waa haa haa!" Whisper continued twirling around the spear. Of all the coincidences, a certain Yo-Kai was watching the dancing and jumping crowd and the moment he saw his friends, he couldn't help it but do what he does best.

"Hee Hee... Ha ha ha ha!!!" Heeheeheel bawled out in laughter, seeing Scootaloo, First and Whisper perform things that they have rarely done. The laughter reached the ears of the siblings and Whisper and they immediately regained their senses.

"Uhh..." Scootaloo looked at her interrupted dance pose,

"..." First closed his eyes in humiliating embarrassment,

"WHAT WAS I DOING!?" Whisper gasped in agony as he clutched the dancing pole.

"Doing some Dirty Dancing!" Heheheel laughed, "but jokes aside, did you have fun with the Dancing Trio?"

"You know the Dancing Trio?" Scootaloo asked, "why are we always missing out on these topics?"

"One: Your family is new to Neighponese territory. News spreads very quickly in this area. And Two: The Dancing Trio are not what everpony thinks they are, they are actually Yo-Kai."

"Oh..." Scootaloo replied,

"Don't sound that excited?"

"I'm starting to get used to it. Every big thing or out-of-ordinary situation is constantly a Yo-Kai's fault." Scootaloo shrugged.

"So who are those Yo-Kai?" First asked,

"The Dancing Trio are walking seaweeds with arms, hands and clothes. "Wiglin is the normal seaweed-green one, Steppa is the dark seaweed-green one, and the pale one's Rhyth, the only female Yo-Kai of the bunch. Not only do these folks cause ponies to dance, they can also make ponies very healthy due to seaweed power."

"Is there--"

"Any way to make them stop?" Heheheel interrupted, "just one simple challenge: Defeat them at their own game. Let the audience decide who is the victor, or one side surrenders."

"This doesn't sound easy..." Scootaloo gulped, "unless we've got somepony who's good at dancing, we've got no chance of winning..."

"If I can help," Heheheel suggested, "me and my eel friends made a music video together and uploaded it on Yo-Kai Social Media, named after one of my friends. I did the rapping part, Croonger did the singing and Urnaconda did the dancing. We received a lot of views, but the reception was rather mixed. Some said it was funny, but others said that it was rather controversial and not meant for all Yo-Kai. Now that I think about it, maybe it's a bad idea showing it to you or mentioning it in the first place."

"In that case, know anypony else?" First continued, "or maybe Flash can know! He's got access to all of Springdale's ponies being a guard and all!"

"I had never thought about that!" Scootaloo replied, "good idea! We'll ask him about it when he comes back. Then, we'll nab those dancers tonight."

"Hey Mister Heel, do you want to come along?"

"Sure! At least there maybe something that I can laugh at!" Heheheel giggled.

"Hmm..." Scootaloo scrolled through the interbook on the computer, looking up numerous videos on the many different dance styles, and how to dance them.

"Tango?" First suggested,

"Nah... I'd rather do a dance without holding hooves or getting close,"

"Then ballet?"

"Too girly..."

"Jazz Dancing!"

"Too quirky!!!"

"Then what are your suggestions?"

"Fan Dancing?"

"I'm a stallion you know!" First replied, "I ain't doing Burlesque!"

"Ballroom Dancing,"

"Didn't you just say that you don't want to get close?"

"Oops! I forgot... How about the Bon Odori? Or Parasol Dancing?" Scoots showed the information to her brother

"That's interesting..." First stopped and thought about it for a moment, "now that you mention it, it's quite cultural, and I think the audience will appreciate it a lot... It's a good idea."

"Really?" Scootaloo's eyes widened,

"If we were NEIGHPONESE!!!" First finished with a loud snarl, "if we act like complete fools, it could offend them pretty badly!"

"Aw come on First," Scootaloo sighed, "I don't think Ponies think like that anymore..." As the siblings started quarrelling on what dance they should do, a voice came from downstairs.

"I'm home!" Flash called,

"Big Bro!" The siblings replied simultaneously as they rushed down to greet him, "we need your help!"

"Sounds serious. What is this about?"

"Do you know anypony in Springdale that can dance?" Scootaloo asked innocently,

"... Are you trying to use my connections to the Local Springdale Guard to know the identity of anypony in Springdale?"

"Uh..." First nervously looks away,

"It's okay." Flash chuckled, "after all, occupations do need to have an benefit to others. So dancing ponies right? Well, there is one called Groovalicious who normally provides classes at the Springdale Community Centre every night, so he's one."

"Hmm... Anypony else?"

"Unfortunately, he's the only one who is a dance teacher. If there is one that I know of who can dance well, it would be you Scootaloo. Shame that I didn't attend your talent show, I heard it was funny."

"Yeah yeah..." Scootaloo sighed,

"Anyway, if there is anypony else, all I can think of are the ladies back at home. Lady Appplejack's Country dance, Lady Pinkie Pie's random dances and of course, Princess Twi--"

"That's it!" Scootaloo lightened up, yelling out loud. "I've got it!"

"What do you mean?" Flash questioned,

"I know who's dance to take and perform in the dance floor!"

"Wait, what dance?"

"First and I are going to stage a dance-off against the Dancing Trio!"

"You mean those dancers in Gourd Park today? That's very courageous, seeing that you guys want to participate."

"Wait, the Princess can dance?" First asked,

"Sweetie Belle told me all about it!" Scootaloo replied, "I'll tell you what it's like."

"Meanwhile, I've got a small dance to show you all too. Ready?" Flash asked. Without letting his siblings decide, he stood on his hind legs and revealed a very large face that was painted onto his body.

"Ka-poom! Ka-poom!" Flash yelled as he thrust out his gut that has the face on it, and swung it around. Heheheel burst into fits of laughter as he always does.

"Eww! Flash!" Scootaloo cringed as the siblings closed their eyes. "That's disgusting!"

"Did you always tell us not to act weird at any time???" First reminded,

"He's inspirited." Whisper sighed as he floated down the stairs. "Do you honestly think your brother would be stupid enough to draw on his belly?" Getting straight to the answer, Scootaloo aimed the lens at her brother and uncovered a plump orange bird sitting on his head.

"Ready?" The new Yo-Kai spoke, and Flash started 'belly dancing' once again.

"Oy! Stop it whoever you are!" Scootaloo commanded,

"Oh? You can see me?" The bird tilted his head, "well you're just in luck! Here to see the great Rockabelly!"

"Rockabelly huh?" Scootaloo answered, "We can see you indeed. If we have a butler Yo-Kai and an eel Yo-Kai following us around, what makes you think that we can't see you?"

"Anyway, please leave our brother alone. He may be strict and simple-minded, but that's not a good reason to inspirit him. Also, we're in a bit of a pickle." First continued,

"Then why don't you belly dance? It would take a load off your shoulders."

"I said I'm not in the mood right no--"

"Actually..." Scootaloo interrupted, a vicious grin spread on her face, "I think this will give us an intense advantage. Hey Rockabelly, can you help us?"

"Help you??? Somepony wants to request my dancing skills? Oh it is an honour!"

"I wonder why?" Scootaloo chuckled, eyeing First.

"Oh no..." First sighed with impending worry "with that adjective, you've got some plan... Don't you?"

"If we can't be the best..." Scootaloo growled deviously "we sure as Tartarus can be the worst. Now let's practice!"

As night falls, the dancing and noises still resonated throughout Gourd Pond, causing quite the ruckus for some quiet souls. Nevertheless, Scootaloo and First trotted back into the party, and this time climbing the stage.

"Dancing Trio!" Scootaloo called out, the three seaweed colour dancing ponies stopped dancing to see who had called them,

"Why hello there!" Wiglin greeted, "it's rare to see someponies who have the heart to go on stage with us!"

"Yeah, it's also rare to see lead dancers stop dancing while the audience is still dancing... And why this music isn't stopping."

"Oh, uhh..." Steppa gulped, "th-there must be a misunderstanding."

"Drop the disguises." First replied, "we know that you are Yo-Kai, and we come with a challenge. A dance challenge!"

"A challenge?" Rhyth gasped in delight, "oh it would be a pleasure to accept it! One condition though, if you win, you can ask anything of us. What would you like? Dance moves instantaneously learned? A lifetime's supply of healthy seaweed?"

"I want you to stop this dancing right away." Scootaloo answered,

"What!?" Wiglin gasped, "but dancing is fun! Can't you see the looks on everypony's faces? They love to dance!"

"You are INSPIRITING them." Scootaloo corrected, "dancing against their will."

"But dancing is healthy and all that," Steppa explained, "it is an alternative for exercise!"

"I can't argue with that." First replied, "dancing does have it's good merits, but too much of it is no good, especially if you're going to be Dancing All Night!"

"Ponies can't dance forever, they need to rest, and they've also got other things to do in life. Otherwise, there would be an imbalance in life." Scootaloo continued,

"Is that so?" Rhyth asked, "then very well, let's begin." With a swift movement, the Dancing trio grabbed something on their foreheads and pulled out a leaf. Right before their eyes, a mystical white puff of smoke erupted underneath each of the dancing trio, enshrouding them from their view. As the smoke subsided, there were three different coloured seaweed with arms and legs and wearing light dance jackets and headbands. Only Rhyth seem to have something extra, long white bandages tied around her body.

"Since this is a challenge," Wiglin waved, "we'll dance in our true form! Surprised?"

"Although we received a brief description of your appearance," Scootaloo replied, "It's still a surprise to see the exact description moving their bodies around."

"So, are you ready to begin?" Steppa asked, "challenger's choice, first or second?" The siblings looked at each other and nodded,

"We'll go second." First answered, "feel free to start the show, Dancing Trio."

"Very well then!" Wiglin posed, as did the other three,

"We are the Dancing Trio! Ten out of Ten!!!" The three chanted in unison and they started breaking out into synchronised movements when the beat of the boombox started. They moved their arms to and fro, they formed a queue and moved their heads in a circular motion like a train, they crouched on the floor and spun around in the same speed, timing and finished their dance with a pose. The crowd immensely cheered at the Dancing Trio's Performance.

"Oh dear!" Whisper replied, "the dancing trio certainly lives up to their name!"

"It's going to be tough to top that." Jibanyan replied. As the crowd cheered for the Dancing Trio, a familiar pegasus was mixed in the crowd in the air, watching the two foals with great interest.

"The Dancing Trio are a worthy opponent." Flash watched, "this is a very hard dance to match, but I've still got my faith in you Scoots and First. You're my younger siblings, and I know you've got a plan back there. You can win."

"Uhh..." First towed a phonograph onto the stage, "I'm feeling really uneasy now. There's no way we're ever going to be winning this."

"First, our goal isn't just to win by dance remember? We can cause them to surrender as well."

"N-No," First replied, "We're going to become a laughingstock here!"

"Oh First," Scootaloo sighed, "please have some humility. Rockabelly?"

"Ready." Rockabelly flew from behind, landing on First's head possessing him. "Ready First?"

"... Ready," a smile spread on First's face.

"Dancing Trio?" Scootaloo announced, "I will be performing the dance of the Fourth Princess of Ponyville. Prepare to be amazed!"

"Wha!?" Flash's eyes widened on what his sister was about to do next. As First kicked the Phonograph to start the music, Scootaloo started to flail around wildly like someone's was riding her on a rodeo. She spun her front legs back and forth then stood on them and spun her back hind legs. She performed a very half-baked twirl around, and performed every other move like was tripping over every banana peel and landing on all fours miraculously, all while her eyes are closed.

"Eh!?" The Dancing Trio stepped back,

"What!? Huh!? What is this!?" The numerous audience cringed and gulped in confusion as they started to trot back or float further from the stage.

"Ahh... Ahh..." Flash's jaw was agape in horror and embarrassment and his face started to turn blue.

"Ka-poom! Ka-poom! Ka-poom!" First on the other hand, started belly-dancing with the large simple-yet-ugly face painted on his stomach. While he was belly dancing to the beat, the ridiculousness of the face and the gut thrusting was enough to enhance the awkward feeling the Dancing Trio and the audience are feeling right now.

"Uuu..." The Dancing Trio held their mouths, almost ready to puke.

"Err..." The crowd started to feel very sick, speechless and embarrassed,

"Daa...." Flash was also speechless, turning even more blue with embarrassment "S-Scoots, F-First, M-Milady!!!"

"Books! Books! Books!" Scootaloo cried as she continued the flimsy rag-doll dancing.

"Ka-poom! Ka-poom! Ka-poom!" First continued thrusting his belly.

"Eee...!" The Dancing Trio started looking away from the siblings,

"Magic! Magic!"

"Ka-poom! Ka-poom!"

"Ahh...!" The crowd on the ground and air, with Nate, Katie, Bear, Eddie and all the other Springdale kids started cringing and trotting back further from the dancing.

"Friendship!!!"

"Ka-poom!"

"Gragh...!!!" An unstable and uncontrollable emotion of emptiness and fear rumbled and surged through Flash's body.

"ENOUGH!!!" Wiglin cried, "it's too much! It's over! I'm done! I submit!" Wiglin surrendered,

"I submit too!" Steppa surrendered,

"Did somepony say submit?" Rhyth replied, changing the words, "because I do too!"

"Yes!" Scootaloo stopped dancing and jumped in the air as a sign of victory "we did it!"

"We won!!! We won!!!" First cheered, until Rockabelly stopped inspiriting him, snapping back to his conscience "wait... Did we win?"

"We sure did Little Bro!" Scootaloo laughed as she approached the Dancing Trio, "good dance guys." She offered to shake,

"That was some... Dance you've got there!" Wiglin complimented as he shook her hoof back. "Perhaps we should learn it ourselves,"

"No worries! You can just ask the Great Princess of Friendship herself!!!"

"Gawk!!!" Flash clutched his throat.

"A deal is a deal. We shall leave the townsponies alone as you wished." Steppa bowed,

"But in return, we'll also entrust our Yo-Kai medals to you!" Rhyth replied, handing her Yo-Kai medal to the filly. Wiglin and Steppa did the same, "don't hesitate to call on us when you need to have spirits lifted. There must be some part of dance in somepony's life."

"I agree," Scootaloo smiled,

"Take mine too," Rockabelly offered, "I'd never thought I'd meet somepony who needed my dancing."

"Sure!"

"M-My apologies Princess Twilight..." Flash lowered his head in embarrassment and shame, "I have indirectly soiled your image... I'll be seeing myself behind bars once this case is finished... And visiting hours are in the evening every Wednesday."

Chapter 4: Downtown Discoveries

The sun shone over Downtown Springdale, where Scootaloo and First Base were enjoying lunch at Nom Burger, a local chain Burger Joint that started in Springdale.

"Mmm!" Scootaloo munched on a normal hayburger, "the way they do the hayburgers here are very nice! What do you think First?"

"..." First said nothing as he explored the medallium in his possession. He scrolled through what seem to be endless pages of empty medal slots.

"Hello? Equestria to First Base!" Scootaloo called, breaking First's trance, but not his attention.

"Hey Scoots, you've got to feel this..." First beckoned over,

"What's with the see/hear/feel cliché?" Scootaloo grumbled. Without any word, First grabbed his sister's hoof and placed it on one of the legend pages, two connected pages with eight medal slots representing certain tribes. An immense power was surging through the pages of the book, where Scootaloo can feel the vibration and power, shutting her up entirely.

"Feels interesting..." Scootaloo replied with amazement, "whatever this is, it feels like there is something inside the pages..."

"It's not just that," First continued, he flipped the pages to the first legend page. Though it showed the usual 8 medal slots, three of them glowed a bright light.

"So uh, what am I seeing here?" Scootaloo queried,

"I don't know, Eight circles of some kind. They look similar to the medal slots, only this time, each has the colour and symbol of a Yo-Kai Tribe."

"So we have the Brave Tribe, Tough Tribe, Shady Tribe, Slippery Tribe, Charming Tribe, Eerie Tribe, and Heartful Tribe..." Scootaloo pointed out in order, "The medal slots of the last three tribes I've mentioned are currently glowing on this page and..." She pointed to the Yellow Medal Slot. "I don't think we've seen any Yo-Kai from this tribe as of now, nor do we know what that tribe is..."

"Why don't we ask Whisper?" First asked, "maybe he could know..."

"He's busy sleeping in today. Luckily, I managed to grab the Yo-Kai Pad off him..." Scootaloo pulled out a familiar device and began swiping the screen. "Now... It seems that Yo-Kai affiliated the yellow colour and wisp-like symbol are known as the Mysterious Tribe..."

"But even though we know the tribe, we don't know what Yo-Kai medal would fit in here..."

"Let me try..." Scootaloo volunteered as she placed her hoof over the Mysterious medal slot. An aura rushed through her mind as she stood still and experiencing a particular emotion or feeling.

"Big Sis?"

"I feel something different..." Scootaloo replied, "from that slot, I feel the sound of a bouncing spring... And quiet but echoing words, as if the voice was telling a secret that was loud enough to hear."

"Hmm..." First then took his turn by placing his hoof on the Tough Medal Slot and he too, felt a mysterious presence.

"Well?" Scootaloo asked,

"It feels so... Like..."

"Hard to put it into words?"

"I feel like somepony who's always strives for third-rate, third place, or the third stallion."

"Your feelings are much more interesting than mine..." Scootaloo replied,

"In that case, let's experiment a little here..." First replied and this time, his hoof rests on the Charming Medal Slot which was currently shining, the sound of a cat's bell rang through his head.

"What did you feel?"

"The ringing of a cat's bell..." First answered, "could this... Could this be somehow related to Jibanyan?"

"..." Scootaloo immediately did the same on the Eerie Medal slot. A wave of sadness and despair washes over her face and mind. "That's highly likely, because this feels like Dismarelda's aura!"

"And what of this?" First placed his hoof on the Heartful and an air of happiness floats through his nose and into his head, "feels so nice and joyful... Yep! This is Happiere's aura!"

"So..." Scootaloo guessed, "in that case, whenever we befriend a Yo-Kai that matches the aura in the Medal slots, then we should be able to make that Medal Slot glow!"

"So, are you proposing to find and befriend the Yo-Kai required on this page?"

"You were interested in it in the first place! And while we are at it, I swore I saw more than one of those pages. Perhaps we can befriend the Yo-Kai for those too?"

"Correct, there are five of them in total. Unlike the first page though, some medal slots of the other pages are... blotched out." He showed her the second page, where most of the medal slots seem to be without any colour or symbol.

"I... I can't feel anything..." Scootaloo replied as she tried to expect a certain aura coming from the empty medal slots.

"Exactly, meaning we have no clue or even an inkling on what Yo-Kai is needed for this medal slot. As for the Fifth and final page..." First flipped the page to reveal the eight medal slots completely empty. "We're completely in the dark."

"In that case, let's figure out how to fully complete the first page!" Scootaloo suggested,

"Good idea. First off, why don't we use the clues given to us?" First asked, "let's feel the auras of the remaining medal slots. I've got the Shady one."

"Then I'll do the Brave and Slippery one!" Scootaloo volunteered and the siblings put their hooves on their appointed medal slots. On the Brave Medal Slot, the flightless filly felt a soft aura which turns tough and strong the more she focused her mind on it. On the other hoof, the aura and magic from the Slippery Medal Slot was very familiar.

"It feels like a baby dragon... Like... Spike..." Scootaloo wondered to herself. "Hey First! What did you feel?" Without warning, First immediately stood up and galloped out of the restaurant.

"First? What the hay are you doing?" Scootaloo chased after him with confusion, not before she picked up the medallium and cleared the table.

"..." First frantically looked around the vicinity of Springdale, desperate to find something.

"First! Where are you going!?" Scootaloo called behind as she caught up.

"Something is guiding me..." First replied, "and it's telling me where to find it!"

"Find what?"

"The Yo-Kai who has the same aura in that book!" First replied as he broke into a sudden gallop once more.

"Hey! Explain further!" Scootaloo called back in hot pursuit.

First eased his speed once he reached the Delivery Bay back alley. His head continued to dart around.

"First... I can't... Keep going like this..." Scootaloo caught her breath.

"Shh..." First raised a hoof to his lips. "He's somewhere..."

"Who's somewhere!?" Scootaloo hissed back, "tell me what you have found!"

"The misleading guidance of my friend!" A raspy voice rang out.

"Uh..." Scootaloo started looking around her surrounding. "A-And you are???"

"I'm Mynimo. The force that guided you here is my friend Leadoni. We look identical, but he and I have different colours."

"I can hear you... But I can't see you anywhere..." First called out,

"Yes you can. If you didn't, I'd keep my mouth shut! Now use your Watch!" The voice replied,

"Oh! So you're a Yo-Kai!" Scootaloo realised as she popped the Yo-Kai Lens out to scan the area. As she aimed it into the docking bay entrance, a small green bipedal Yo-Kai with a horn on his head, a monoeye, a very large hand and long arm on the right, and a small arm and short arm on the left, holding a light purple flag, was rendered visible.

"Huh? You look a little different than the other Yo-Kai..." First noticed,

"I'm an Oni-type Yo-Kai!" Mynimo explained, "depicted whenever there is a horn on the tippy top of a Yo-Kai's head!"

"Okay then Mynimo, why do you want to call us?" Scootaloo asked,

"All about my friend. You see, we've been staying close and having fun, leading fillies astray and causing a panic with their parents. One day, he started to do something... Out of the ordinary..."

"How so?"

"I've seen him beckoning Yo-Kai or collecting different items to someplace or other, never having the time for me. And I thought I would receive the best treatment..."

"And???"

"I've never paid any attention to it. Until I've noticed that Leadoni was leading some other Oni brethren and asking me some of my most treasured items. To make a long story short, I've never seen them around the pony world again."

"Are you trying to say that your friend has become a kidnapper?"

"I hardly believe that my friend would become such a horrendous Yo-Kai." Mynimo replied, "that's why I want to find out for myself."

"And the reason on why you need us?" First asked,

"I can't do it alone!" Mynimo cried, "I need help. I need the best to be my... Bodyguards."

"Oh, so you mean us?" Scootaloo arched an eyebrow.

"Well, you're ponies who are able to see Yo-Kai! That's certainly some bonus points..." Mynimo gulped, "besides, I need the best treatment, and I can get it with my own hands!"

"Your rather spoilt, aren't you?"

"It's my nature! Besides, whenever I inspirit any pony, they too will receive the best treatment from those around them!"

"Sounds very unfair..." First thought out loud,

"Pretty please? Can you guys help me?" Mynimo pleaded,

"Well, I guess taking requests from Yo-Kai won't hurt that bad..." Scootaloo discussed with her brother, "I mean, it can't be bad last time we helped out Mr Goodsight..."

"Why not then?" First replied, then turned to the Yo-Kai, "we'd be glad to help you out!"

"Brilliant!" Mynimo jumped with joy,

"One problem though," Scootaloo butted in, "do you know where your friend is?"

"For all I know, he's been guiding some Yo-Kai and items of value. If you don't fit under that radar, he's completely uninterested. However, he has been trying to guide you, so I believe that there is something about you that is important to him."

"But what do we have which is so important?" First asked,

"..." An unamused Scootaloo grabbed her brother's head and forced it to look at the watch.

"Oh..." First nodded before he blacked out.

At the Academy Shortcut, a blue-coloured version of Mynimo was closing his eyes in focus. He was attempting to pull or guide a certain force towards him.

"This way.... This waaaayy..." He chanted, his large hand alternating between beckoning and tugging. "You're very close now... This way..." Coming into the alleyway, was First Base. He was once again in the trance, following the voice of guidance.

"Perfect..." Leadoni grinned to himself "I have brought the foal here now!"

"Excellent..." A sinister yet crude voice came from the shadows of the alley. From the dark corners stepped out a burly, grayscale, lizard-like Yo-Kai dressed like a punk. With sharp sunglasses and an extremely large pompadour, all while holding a very large nail bat. Beside him are much smaller lizard-like Yo-Kai who were also grayscale, wearing white gauzes around their waists and blue pants, but the sizes of the pompadours were just as big as the Nail-bat wielding Yo-Kai.

"Now then, I've finished my deal ..." Leadoni continued as the White Yo-Kai examined the motionless foal. "Can you um... Set your sights away from my--"

"NO!!!" The burly Yo-Kai roared, "you have not accomplished our deal!!! We wanted TWO of the foals! Especially the pink haired filly! She has the item that our Chairman needs!"

"O-Oh! My apologies!" Leadoni sweated with fear, "I-I'll get her straight away!"

"You're wastin our time you little runt!" One of the small Yo-Kai rasped, "no room for mistakes! Yer friend's gonna come with us now!"

"Please! No!!!" Leadoni pleaded, "don't harm him! Don't harm Mynimo!"

"Hey!" Scootaloo called out from behind First, "you wanted me as well? Well you've got me!" The gang of white Yo-Kai turned back to First to see Scootaloo, standing bravely against the group.

"Well well well!" The leader licked his lips, "look who's decided to show her face! It's our lucky day boys!" The White Yo-Kai gang roared and cheered, "you've got a sweet and bountiful price on your Watch, head as well as the head of this little figure here. You'd better come along with us, and we'll make this painless as possible."

"Me? My Brother? Sorry, but Yo-Kai who command me to do something is out of question. I want you to leave me alone, leave my brother alone, and leave the two oni buddies alone too. I heard everything," Scootaloo shook her head,

"Even so, you're outnumbered here little filly. Tough talking won't save you now!"

"We'll see about that!" Scootaloo retorted, "just because I have the Yo-Kai Watch, doesn't mean I'm an easy target. If I can see Yo-Kai, I can rely on them, as they can rely on me!" From her bag, she pulled out four medals. "And with our friendship, we can take down twice the number of you and your gang! Come on out my friends!" One by one, she started inserting the medals into the watch, calling and summoning forth her friends.

"Calling Jibanyan!"

"Calling Walkappa!"

"Calling Cadin!"

"Summoning, Charming!" The Watch announced each time a medal was inserted. The Charming jingle and song was played as each of the Charming Yo-Kai that was summoned performed their own dance.

"Jibanyan!!!" Jibanyan posed,

"Cadin!!!" Cadin posed,

"Walkappa!" Walkappa posed,

"So... Annoying..." First warbled from the sidelines, "having to hear the same jingle three times in a row..."

"I've got one more! Calling Droplette!" This time, the fourth medal was the eerie medal and as it was inserted, a new voice and new jingle was played.

"Summoning, Eerie!!!"

"Lookily lookily Flippa dede! Lookily lookily Bubba Eerie!" A choir of eerie voices echoed out with a spooky and rhythmic beat, matching the exact description of the mentioned tribe.

"Droplette!" Droplette floated in mid-air without any sort of pose.

"Huh!" The gang leader was unfazed, "at least you have action to back it up! Here's the prize question though, can your posse beat mine?"

"Don't underestimate us!" Jibanyan posed to fight, "I've been fighting wagons and carriages head on!"

"And I am a master of 'Cicada Ninjutsu!'" Cadin boasted, "prepare thyselves to face my wrath!"

"I'm not much of a fighter, but I can pull some neat tricks with water!" Walkappa added,

"Then I'll assist however I can glub!" Droplette waved,

"Tear them apart Roughraff!" The Yo-Kai commanded to his posse,

"Youze got it boss!" The Roughraff grunted in unision and charged towards the group.

"Let's fight with all we've got!" Scootaloo cheered as her Yo-Kai friends were ready to fight back. One of the Roughraff managed to reach Jibanyan in order to deliver a beatdown. Being the cat he is, Jibanyan nimbly dodged every punch, haymaker, hook, lariat or any sort of physical attack that the Roughraff threw.

"Gotta be fast!" Jibanyan taunted as he took the opportunity to deal two claw punches against his opponent.

"Yow!" Roughraff reeled, "youze gonna pay for this!" And with a vengeful punch, Roughraff landed a direct blow onto Jibanyan's face.

"Jibanyan!" Scootaloo called out in concern,

"It's nothing!" Jibanyan smiled confidently, "that slap is only half the power I dealt him!"

"Min min!" Cadin chirped as he nimbly dodged in and out of another Roughraff,

"Stand still you annoying insect!" Roughraff, "I'll squash you to the afterlife!"

"Big words of threats for a misbehaving, brawny and brainless Yo-Kai!" Cadin laughed as he pulled out his sword, "time to teach you a lesson! Here's my secret technique!" With one big swipe of his sword, the giant slash upon the enemy seemed to multiply into many small but deadly slashes, overwhelming the White Yo-Kai.

"Gwarr!!!" Roughraff screamed in pain.

"Cucumbers... Sushi... Pizza..." Walkappa daydreamed,

"Hey you! Don't you go loafin' on me! You're itchin' for a beatdown if you do that!"

"Huh?" Walkappa woke up, "oh, sorry dude. I have a tendency to loaf sometimes. Do you want to fight?"

"Sorry doesn't cut it! But since you ARE sorry, I'll let youze throw the first punch!"

"First Punch? I don't use my fists dude!" Walkappa replied, "I use the power of water!" And with a rising motion with his arms, a torrent of water appeared from underneath the Roughraff and swept him off balance,

"Glubglubglubglub!!!" Roughraff warbled as a pillar of water slammed into his entire face,

"My turn! My turn!" Droplette waved and took in a deep breath. As she inhaled the air, her size grew and grew until it could hold no more.

"It's gonna take more than size to beat us!" A Roughraff laughed as him and three others surrounded the water drop Yo-Kai.

"I didn't say I was going to fight you like this!" Droplette laughed as countless numbers of water droplets erupted from her mouth at the speed of gunfire, pinning the entire group down to their knees.

"Hmph!" The gang leader was still unfazed, "looks like I've underestimated your 'friends'. Looks like I'll have to butt in! Come on boys! Let's show them who there messin' with!" And with a grunt, he stomped towards the four Yo-Kai.

"Hah! I'll take down the big bad!" Jibanyan laughed as he initiated his signature move, "Paws of Fury!"

"Ha ha ha!" The Gang leader laughed as the cat blows rain down upon his body, "is that the best you can do!?" He readied his club and swatted Jibanyan like a fly, "get out of my way!"

"Nyaaa!!!!" Jibanyan cried in pain as he flew through the air and struck First in the face, snapping him out of his trance.

"Oh dear!" Cadin noted, "beware opponent! Your next opponent is me!" He pointed his sword at the enemy.

"Ha ha ha!" The burly leader laughed, "do you honestly think your little pointy metal stick would be a match for my club!?" He copied Cadin's gesture, pointing his large steel club with symmetrically placed nails.

"Well... Uh..." Cadin hesitated and trembled,

"Your weapon is nothing compared to mine!" The leader cruelly laughed as he slammed his club where Cadin stood.

"Cadin!" Scootaloo gasped as she heard a frightful crunching sound. As the leader lifted his club, Cadin was lying in the pothole caused by the club, flat and crumpled.

"I... The enemy has bested me..." Cadin twitched, "I have failed you my friend..." and disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.

"Dang it..." Scootaloo cursed under her breath, "these Yo-Kai really are tough! I need the other Yo-Kai to fall back... Otherwise, they'll be in a lot of pain!"

"Fall back?" Walkappa overheard, "well... If you say so!"

"Retreat! Retreat!" Droplette repeated as she floated to Scootaloo's side.

"Looks like your puny friends are no match for me now!" The leader laughed as he and his remaining number of Roughraff started advancing on the flightless filly.

"Come on Scoots!" Scootaloo said to herself "think! What would my brother do in a situation like this!?"

"Uhh... Sis?" First tapped her shoulder,

"Oh, First!" Scootaloo greeted with a smile, "you've snapped out of it?"

"I have this Yo-Kai to thank!" First gestured to the unconscious Cat Yo-Kai on his back.

"Oh..."

"I saw what was going on, tough Yo-Kai huh?"

"How can we beat them?"

"Well..." First thought, "do you remember those secret agent and superhero comedy comics?"

"No?"

"Well..." First tried to remember, "there was this villain who had the magic to create multiple images of himself with their own consciousness, overpowering the guard platoon. The Sargent however, seemed to pull out a trick and asked the villains this: 'Which one of you is the strongest?'"

"In that case, all the images would say that he is the strongest!" Scootaloo replied, "but that can't be possible because only one--" The answer snapped in her head, "I see where you are going little bro. It's an acceptable trick or tactic to attempt, but these Yo-Kai aren't exactly copies of one another, except the Yo-Kai goons that the leader calls Roughraff."

"No need to," First continued, "the idea is, we just pit them against each other. And which Yo-Kai just loves to start fights between friends, family and colleagues?" He pulled out a particular Eerie tribe medal and placed it into Scootaloo's hooves.

"I... I'm not sure it will be entirely successful..." Scootaloo replied with concern, but a devious grin appeared on her face, "... But I like the plan."

"You done talkin' lovebirds!?" The leader called out, "cause I'm gonna smash you up!"

"We're siblings! Not lovebirds!" First corrected, "and yes! We are done!"

"Come on out my friend!" Scootaloo summoned, "Calling Dismarelda!" She inserted the medal into the watch, "Yo-Kai Medal, Do your Thing!"

"Summoning Eerie!"

"Lookily lookily Flippa dede! Lookily lookily Bubba Eerie!" The Eerie tribe rang out

"Dismarelda..." Dismarelda sighed as she put on a sulking and downfallen pose.

"Good Afternoon Mrs Misery! How are you?" First greeted,

"Please don't call me that." Dismarelda grumbled, "and no. I'm not fine, why do you need my presence?"

"Listen Dismarelda." Scootaloo asked, "we're in some trouble here, and there is something that we need your help for?"

"Really? Somepony actually requires my talents? I'm tempted to do it but..."

"Please?" The siblings asked, showing her pleading, puppy-eyed faces. "Our lives are at stake here!"

"Is that so?" Dismarelda stood up at a protective stance. "Then I'll definitely help. I may be a downer, but I wouldn't want to see my Hubby or my friends hurt." With a deep breath, she exhaled a thick fog of purple smoke which enshrouded the entire enemy group. When the fog subsided, the White Yo-Kai had the purple aura surrounding them, the sign that they were inspirited.

"Argh! I've had enough taking orders from you!" One of the Roughraff complained,

"Yeah! So am I!" Another one added, "I'm sick and tired of you telling me to do this and do that! What kinda leader are you!?"

"Well, I'm sick and tired of seeing your face and your behaviour!" A third replied, this time talking to one of the Roughraff, "your presence makes my stomach get sick!"

"Why you!" All of a sudden, the Roughraff began to attack each other and deal serious damage to each other. The Leader was disgusted by this behaviour and as he too was inspirited, he lashed out.

"All of you punks are Idiots! Worthless! Weak! Why in Tartarus am I stuck with the likes of all of you!?"

"Shut up!" The Roughraff roared as the piled on their leader and beat him senseless, "you're the main cause of all our problems!"

"Wow..." Scootaloo gulped as they saw the cloud of endless fighting between the gang and their leader, "not the best of friends huh?"

"I wonder what would happen to Equestria now if the Princess and the five ladies of Friendship fought like this? Not a pretty outcome..." First dreaded,

"Hey guys!" Mynimo called from afar. Mynimo long arm grabbed the long arm of his friend Leadoni and was waving his flag to get their attention. "Now's a good time to get out of here!"

"Oh! Coming!!!" First and Scootaloo followed the two Oni and escaped from the alleyway.

"I think we're safe here..." First gasped for breath as they grinded to a halt in the Rolling Waves Park near the beach. "They'll have a hard time finding us,"

"Well?" Scootaloo asked the two "are you guys alright?"

"Yeah..." Mynimo gave a thumbs up, "we're good alright..."

"Mynimo!" Leadoni spoke, "I... I'm..."

"I heard everything pal." Mynimo interrupted, "all these things for me, I get it. No apology needed,"

"I'm still sorry!" Leadoni continued, "for doing all these bad things, leading Yo-Kai to become kidnapped, taking away all those items, and putting even ponies in harm's way."

"Listen Leadoni," Mynimo replied, "I understand that you do these things in order to protect me, but nothing would make me more prouder to be your friend than to realise your misdoings."

"And uh, I forgive you!" First chimed in, "no hard feelings at all!"

"I understand Mynimo." Leadoni replied, "now that I'm free from those White Yo-Kai, I'd strive to get those items back and rescue those Yo-Kai!"

"Determined to atone for your sins huh?" Mynimo replied "then why don't I help you? We're both Oni, and we can definitely work together!"

"Really???"

"Of course! We're friends after all!" Mynimo laughed,

"Oh! That reminds me," Leadoni fumbled behind him and pulled out an Aged Charm "this is your treasured thing, right? I couldn't give it to those Yo-Kai, so I decided to keep it for my own, hoping for the day that I can give it back to you."

"Hah!" Mynimo laughed, "now I'm really proud to be your friend! You still kept it all this while! But I think somepony else is more deserving of it." He turned to the siblings, "I cannot tell you how grateful I am, to help find my friend, correct his wrongdoings and even protect him from those Yo-Kai bullies. I think you should have this Charm as a token of my eternal gratitude, not to mention my Yo-Kai medal as interest!" With his long arm, he took the charm and handed it to the flightless filly, along with his medal.

"Oh! I should also give you my medal too!" Leadoni remembered and gave his medal to First, "thanks for helping me be free from those bullies, now I can try to do my best to undo what I have done! And feel free to call on me, I can help you find the way out whenever you get lost!"

"Thanks both of you," Scootaloo bowed, "but you should thank our Yo-Kai friends too! Without Jibanyan, Cadin, Droplette and Walkappa, we would just be as helpless as you!"

"Then we're proud to be your friends too!" Mynimo added, causing the entire group to laugh. As they did, the Shady Seal began to glow on the first legend page of the Yo-Kai medallium and the power within the page grew.

From above, a 140cm tall, bipedal Yo-Kai stood watching the entire encounter. From the small ponies choosing to fight against the White Yo-Kai, to using the Yo-Kai Watch to call their own friends, and the passing of Yo-Kai medals from Yo-Kai to Pony. With a inaudible grunt, he vanished with a puff of purple smoke.

Author's Note

The Shady Seal in the 1st Legend Page has been activated (4 broken, 4 are left!)

Chapter 5-1: Country to City

Another beautiful day shone upon the young siblings, as the flightless filly decided to complete one of her to-do activities today.

"Put this here... Then connect the handle... And it's DONE!!!" Scootaloo gave a sigh of relief she revealed her good old trusty scooter, placed back together again.

"Hey!" First applauded "so you've decided to put it together again!"

"Yep!" Scootaloo nodded, "now riding around Springdale is going to be easy!"

"I hope you remember that you can't ride your scooters on stairs, and that you've got a brother too."

"Don't worry," Scootaloo comforted, "you're going to be riding second wheel! Just make sure you've got a helmet and that you're holding on tight!"

"Good morning you two!" Whisper greeted, "it's another great morning! Don't you think?"

"Good morning Whisper!" Scootaloo greeted back, "it surely is! Especially the time when I take my good old friend out for a spin!"

"Oh? And what do you have here?" Whisper asked, "it looks like one of those two-wheel Neighponese motors!"

"Close! But it's not a motorbike, this is a scooter. It doesn't run on magic, just some good old force from your hoof!"

"Want to come along with us?" First asked, "since you mostly float and all..."

"Okay then! I'd like to see how you go 'out for a spin'!" Whisper agreed,

"Where do you think we should go First?" Scootaloo asked,

"How about Nom Burger? We can get some ice cream there!" First replied,

"Good idea!" Scootaloo winked as he put on her helmet, "let's go!"

"Hey Flash!" First galloped towards the door with his sister while putting on his baseball helmet "we're going out for a spin!"

"Be careful!" Flash warned, "don't go too fast, and watch out for wagons!" He waved goodbye.

Scootaloo and First whizzed through the streets of Uptown Springdale, their faces wide with joy and fun as the wind blew through their mane and around their faces.

"Yay!!!" First cried with joy, "it's great to go on a scooter!"

"Hang tight!" Scootaloo warned and made a sharp turn on to the pavement.

"Woah!" First quickly held on in surprise,

"I've never flew this fast before!" Whisper called out, "you have some talent with your little vehicle!"

"Thanks Whisper!" Scootaloo called back, too focused to turn her head back.

"Hi Nate!" First called out at the house where Nate lives. The young foal opened his balcony and yelled "Hi!" back at the siblings cruising along the roads and streets.

"Hello Katie!" First then called out to Katie, who was trotting down the street carrying some shopping.

"Oh hi!" Katie waved back with a smile towards the high-speed siblings.

"This is fun!" Scootaloo laughed, as they headed towards the Post Office, where the crossing linking the Uptown and Downtown areas of Springdale lies.

"Oh!" First remembered, "remember to slow down on those parts!"

"Dear!" Scootaloo applied the brakes as the scooter skidded to a halt before the road. "I almost forgot that this is Neighpon." The group watched the wagons and heavy carriages carried by burly ponies gallop past.

"Better remember to hit the button to trigger the lights!" First replied as he hit a button on a small box with a display. The word 'WAIT' illuminated on the display screen. After a few seconds of waiting, the traffic light for pedestrians turned green, allowing the two siblings to cross.

"Sometimes, you gotta take things slowly." First chuckled to himself as they slowly trotted across the crossing before getting back on the scooter and whizzing off towards Nom Burger.

"Welcome!" The staff running the counter greeted as the siblings trotted in, "how can I help you today?"

"Hello ma'am! Just two ice cream cones please!" Scootaloo ordered,

"sure thing! Just 60 cents!" The staff replied and accepted the coins, "two ice creams coming up!"

"Well?" First asked as they waited, "what did you think about riding your scooter once more?"

"Exhilarating!" Scootaloo answered, "though, I wish I could go even faster and even do some stunts! It sucks that you had to come along."

"Yeah, well sorry about that..." First sighed,

"It seems like both of you seem to share certain behaviours when you were back in Ponyville!" Whisper overheard,

"Yeah, but it's okay." Scootaloo replied, "it's a nice day outside. It's peaceful, breezy, and speaking about it, not a single Yo-Kai problem in sight!"

"Thank you for waiting!" The staff called to the siblings, "here you go. Enjoy!"

"Thank you ma'am!" First thanked,

"Finally!" Scootaloo licked her lips, ready to dig down, "time for something sweet and refreshing!"

"Hey Scoots," First held the moment,

"Really First?"

"Is it me?" First looked at his ice cream, then back to Scoots "or do you seem to have more than I do?"

"What?" Scootaloo peered at her brother's ice-cream, then back to hers. "No... It looks... just like mine."

"Really?" First looked at his sister's ice-cream, "oh, so it does."

"But..." Scootaloo remembered, "I don't recall my ice cream looking... Different,"

"It still tastes the same, both of you." Whisper sighed while being upside down. "Who cares?"

"Meh... I guess you're right." Scootaloo shrugged ready to dig down.

"Not everything has to be perfect!" First gallantly took a bite... At air.

"What the!?" First looked again, to see his ice cream even shorter, "I-I didn't eat anything!"

"You're still complaining?" Scootaloo replied, "stop thinking too much and just embrace the soft tenderness of the cream!" And she took one big lick... Of the cone.

"WHAT!?" Scootaloo gasped as she realised that what remained of her ice cream a little bit left of that soft serve hidden in the base of the cone. "I didn't eat anything at all!" She eyed the floor, "did I drop it by accident?"

"I don't recall dropping any of mine either..." First also looked at the floor, "Plus, I'm pretty sure I-ahhh!!!" As he raised his head, the fate of his ice cream ended up just like his sister: The biscuit ice-cream cone, with only a few smears of ice cream left inside.

"You've got to be kidding me..." Scootaloo started shaking her hoof in an impending rage. "Y... Y..."

"Sister?" First asked with concern. The sound of cracking and crunching was his answer as Scootaloo crushed her ice-cream cone with her two front hooves.

"YO-KAI!!!!" She bellowed at the top of her lungs

"Keep it down sis!" First jumped, "you'll leave a weird impression on the other ponies here!"

"Whisper, First, there's a no good Yo-Kai eating our ice-creams!" Scootaloo growled,

"Your rage doesn't really justify your accusations..." Whisper countered, "though they may be everywhere, why would a Yo-Kai be interested in--"

"There!" Scootaloo interrupted as she aimed her watch at her brother. A white Yo-Kai was lying on top of his head, lying down in relaxation.

"What!?" Whisper gasped at the realisation.

"Yawwwnnn..." The Yo-Kai yawned, "that was some delectable Ice-Cream. Ain't never tasted anythin' like this since leavin' th' country!"

"There you are!" Scootaloo grabbed the white Yo-Kai.

"Woah!" The Yo-Kai abruptly woke up, "hold yer horses! Ah didn't do anythin' wrong!" As he focused his sight, he was staring straight at a dark orange filly with a very angry face. From Scootaloo's point of view, she was carrying a white dog-like creature with red swirls around his body, yellow eyes, long blue eyebrows that look like actual embers and flames, and a green nap-sack tied around his shoulders.

"Wh-What the?" The Yo-Kai spoke in surprise, "are you a pony th-that can see me?"

"Yes?" Scootaloo tilted her head in confusion but maintaining her angry composure.

"A-And," the Yo-Kai looked at Whisper and First, who was aiming a mysterious contraption with a light at him, "ah assume that y'all can see me too?"

"Yes" First nodded,

"Oh mah swirls!!!" The Yo-Kai exclaimed and struggled in fear,

"Don't move!" Scoots threatened as she continued her angry streak, "otherwise I'll strangle you!"

After First and Whisper managed to calm down Scoots and moved to the Al fresco Café near the Rolling Waves beach, it was time to speak to the mysterious Yo-Kai before them.

"Ah never thought ah'd see a pony or two who would be able to see me in entirety! Y'all must be some interesting folk livin' in th' city!"

"Judging from your language, you don't seem that local. What's your name?"

"Mah name's Komasan." Komasan introduced with a cute introductory gesture, "pleasure to meet y'all!"

"Yep!" Scootaloo concluded, "you're definitely different than the Yo-Kai we normally see around here."

"'Fraid yer right Miss Scoots." Komasan nodded, "ah came from the countryside back in ol' Neighpon. Ah was tryin' to find a place similar to mah home right here in Equestria. Ah've heard rumors sayin' there's some place like it."

"I understand what you mean," Scootaloo replied, "in fact, I know a few ponies who speak like you! Ever heard of Appleloosa? The Apple Family?"

"Hmm..." Komasan wondered, "nope, first time hearin' these places and names."

"Well," First continued, "The Apple Family is a large family that takes pride and love in growing apples for Equestria. There's a big one in Appleloosa, and there's our local area back in Ponyville. My sister is friends with one of the family members."

"Apple growin'? Hmm..." Komasan was lost in thought again, "ah've known such jobs fer ponies, but ah'm afraid ah wasn't part of that."

"So then..." Scootaloo continued speaking, "what do you do? And how did you get here?"

"Back at home, ah was the protector of a Temple." Komasan replied, "me an' mah brother were both tasked with keeping guard as our mama and papa did." His mind darted back years ago, where he sat by a Komainu statue, overlooking the temple gardens before him. "One time, mah brother seemed to 'ave left his post. Said he was goin' away fer a little while. So ah waited, an waited, and waited and waited an..."

"How long did you wait for?" First interrupted,

"Can't remember, 'bout a year? Maybe ten? But anyway, ah do remember that one day. There was some sort of hoe-down happenin' in the garden. There were so many drums, ponies, noises. It was louder than the ol' rooster crowin' in th' mornin'! All that commotion, couldn't help but get mah interest. So ah went to and through the stalls, lookin' at what ah would get from this party. That's when ah set mah eyes on the food of mah dreams." He imagined the first time he saw the beautiful swirly and creamy item called Ice Cream. "Ah couldn't help it. Once tasted it, it was heavenly! Ah just want to eat some right now!" And he leapt up to Whisper head, eager to chomp down on the twirl on his head.

"Ouch!" Whisper cried in pain,

"Whisper isn't ice cream you know..." Scootaloo sighed,

"Oh, mah apologies." Komasan climbed down and bowed in apology. "When the festival ended, ah couldn't stop thinkin' 'bout Ice Cream! So ah left my post fer much longer, hoping to find any sort of ice cream in the countryside. Ah wish ah hadn't done so."

"What happened?"

"When ah came back, there was a wall blockin' the way to the temple, and ah saw some large yellow machines. Ah don't know what they were doin, but ah wasn't able to come back home anymore!"

"The temple was taken down for something else..." First realised, "that's so sad."

"In the end, ah had no place ah could call home, and ah still couldn't find mah brother, nor did he come back. So ah packed up what ah could find, and left the country, and even Neighpon. I hopped upon the long bridge, and travelled all the way t' th' city in Equestria."

"And how did you find it?" Scootaloo continued,

"Crazy ah tell you!" Komasan blurted, "this place was bigger than the sound of the stampeding' cows! Ah got all dizzy walkin' through the crowds of ponies, all them fancy gadgets and machineries!"

"I swear, you really sound like Applebloom and Applejack." Scootaloo noted,

"But ah still wanna continue findin' mah younger brother, even if ah have no idea where the bloomin' heck he is!"

"Well in that case," Scootaloo stood up, "why don't we help you then? Find your brother?"

"R-Really? Are you sure 'bout that?"

"Not at all!" Scootaloo smiled, "besides, I have a plan. It may not work, but it's something."

"What do you have in mind Scoots?" Whisper asked,

"Come on out my friend!" Scootaloo pulled out her watch and a Shady Medal. "Calling Leadoni!" Flipping the medal into the air, she caught it and inserted it into the slot. "Yo-Kai medal, do your thing!"

"Summoning Shady!" With the new tribe chant, a blue light emitted from the watch, and a crude, metal-like tune erupted with very harsh voices as the chanters.

"Marvelously, gutsy free banshee, sing song, Shady!"

"Leadoni!" Leadoni posed, "what can I help you with today?"

"The lyrics of your tribe chant sounds really weird..." First replied, "but that's besides the point."

"We want to ask you for your help. Can you help take us to a certain place?"

"Well, I always love to lead little foals like you astray around Springdale, so of course I know any place you desire to go to!"

"In that case..." First asked, "do you know a Yo-Kai named Komajiro?"

"Komajiro?" Leadoni wondered, "okay then... Now, I'm not sure this is accurate or not, but I know that there is a Yo-Kai who acts as a DJ in the local nightclub for ponies. He goes by the name of KJ. Not sure if this is supposed to be a play-on word. But that's all I can think of!"

"KJ..." Komasan replied, "it does sound an awful lot like Komajiro!"

"But..." First countered "It's a night club! I'm not sure if we're allowed inside!"

"Hang on!" Whisper lightened up, "I have an idea! Why don't we try this?" He whispered into the siblings' ears.

"A-Are you sure this will work!?" Scootaloo jumped, "I know it works on Yo-Kai, but us?"

"Of course!" Whisper laughed "This will make the usual ponies see AND believe! Once night falls and you enter, you'll both blend into the crowd!"

"Uh..." First gulped,

"Let's wait until night falls, then I'll lead you there!" Leadoni replied, "by the way, once I lead you there, I've got other things to do. So good luck for tonight!"

"What about Flash then?" First continued speaking,

"Didn't he say he'll trust us to go out at night time together?" Scootaloo reminded,

"Only for Mount Wildwood! If he finds out we're in a Nightclub, he's going to throw a thunderstorm on us!"

"You are so full of problems and worries..." Scootaloo sighed, "and I thought you'd be tough when you play baseball."

When Luna's night came out, the city of Springdale went quiet, except for some buildings, where loud blaring music was pouring out of one of them. In that building, multiple ponies were crowding the colour-changing dance floor, dancing like they were crazy. On the turntables, an orange pony with interesting facial features, a cap, thick shades, and some accessories stood behind it, scratching disks and adjusting the volume, blaring out techno music from the speakers scattered around the roof and ground.

"Come on everypony!" The DJ announced, "let's dance like crazy tonight yo!"

"Yeah!!!" The crowd called back and continued dancing even more.

"Woo!!!" A mare screamed and spun her head around, her face flushed with red, enjoying herself more than others.

"Hey there!" One of the stallions spotted a pegasus mare. A distinct shade of orange with a long pink spiked-like mane, conscious of her surroundings. "You look new! Can I help you?"

"Uh... N-No thanks!" The mare replied kindly "I-I'm..."

"Don't worry..." The stallion inched closer, "let me show you around... You'll have a good time!"

"Uh..." The mare stepped back in fright and fear,

"Actually," a well-bodied stallion butted in with a firm glare "she's with me." The stallion was also orange, only much lighter than the mare pegasus, and has a mane of dark blue.

"Oh, sorry about that." The stallion disappointingly spoke and trotted away.

"Phew..." Scootaloo sighed with relief, "thanks for the support First."

"Hey, nopony dare touches my older sister." First replied with a smile.

"Well?" Whisper floated next to them, "what did you think about my disguises?"

"Well..." Scootaloo stared at a nearby mirror, the image of the orange pegasus mare staring back at her, "I don't feel any different, but if it managed to fool anypony like that, it is something!"

"Now THAT, is what a butler would do!" First chuckled, "thanks a bunch Whisper!"

"Anytime First!" Whisper saluted,

"Oh mah swirls..." Komasan followed behind, a leaf on top of his head. In the mirror, he looks like a normal greyish-white stallion, with the white eyes instead of yellow, and the swirly features on his face. "A-Ah still feel unusure goin' in' this place y'all..."

"Don't worry," First comforted, "we're on the same boat with you. Now, can you find your brother?"

"It shouldn't be that hard," Scootaloo replied, "remember? Leadoni said that the DJ who comes here goes by the alias of KJ. Komasan also said that it sounded like his brother!"

"But what if it was just a coincidence? What if it's not him?" First replied,

"Alright everypony!" The DJ announced as he scrolled his , "let's kick this beat up to all those loved ones back at home! Your mother! Your Father! Your Sister! Your Bro-BROTHER!?" His voice changed into surprise once his eyes met up with Komasan. The entire audience turned around and stared at the mentioned pony.

"U-Uh... Howdy!" Komasan waved back, with a large gulp. Multiple murmurs went through the crowd.

"Howdy?"

"Did KJ say that countrypony was his brother?"

"Um... I think it's break time for me! I-I'm going to uh... Just leave this place... Y'all... Coming along Komasan?" Komajiro announced, while gesturing towards the back door to his brother, while making sure to choose a certain song to play before running.

"Little Brother!" Komasan ran towards him. As that happened, Komajiro hit play, where a country-like song blared through the speakers. The entire crowd then became a mix of uproar of anger and cheering of laughter. The reasons for these emotions were unknown to the siblings, whether the crowd was angry that their DJ was from the country, or cheering due to the country music.

"That singing..." First perceived as everything went crazy around him, "is that... Pinkie Pie?"

"Never mind that!!!" Scootaloo grabbed his hoof and chomped on Whisper's tail. "We got to get out of here now!"

The two country Yo-Kai brothers scrammed through the kitchen and out the back door without any trouble. Taking a breather, the two began to talk properly for a long time. Looking around and seeing that the path is clear, the two took off their Yo-Kai leaves, removing the illusion.

"Oh my swirls!" Komajiro panted, "ah never thought ah'd see you here!"

"Never though ah'd see you here too Komajiro..." Komasan gasped for breath, "and in places like this..."

"How's the house by th' way?"

"Gone... The ponies seemed to have demolished it when we were away..."

"G-Gone?" Komajiro fell silent, "dang... How long have ah been away? Ah did promise that ah would come back!"

"Yeah, ah was alone..." Komasan continued, "but ah swear ah would find you!"

"Well ya found me alright..." Komajiro replied, "tell you the truth, ah was feeling a little lonely too, even though ah found a good home."

"Ya do?"

"Course! Otherwise, livin' in th' city would be much harder!"

"Ah see..."

"By th' way, you should also know what the city has! Contraptions that can elevate you, food of your own choice served to you, communication between great lengths, how to use the pass gates in order to get into the train, city-life is full of new an' interestin' surprises!"

"I-Is that so?" Komasan gulped then thought to himself "aw dang, livin' in th' city is gonna be much harder than ah thought. Even harder than herdin' a buncha flies into a jar!"

"By the way brother," Komajiro asked, "how did ya find me?"

"There you are Komasan!" A voice called from afar, the two brothers spotted two foals and a plump, white wisp galloping towards them.

"Just in time Miss Scoots and Mister First," Komasan greeted, "these friendly young foals heard me out and were willin' to help."

"So!" Scootaloo focused her watch on the spot next to Komasan, where she revealed Komajiro. "You must be Komasan's little brother!"

"Oh!" Komajiro remembered, "no wonder why you were there! Ah was wonderin' why ah saw two foals with Yo-Kai leaves on their heads. You were helpin' mah brother!"

"So Yo-Kai can see through illusions?" Scootaloo asked,

"Correct!" Whisper nodded, "after all, these Yo-Kai Leaves are designed by Yo-Kai. Only Yo-Kai can see other Yo-Kai's true nature! Some Yo-Kai themselves take on a pony form without the use of a Yo-Kai leaf! Yo-Kai who can do that are very powerful!"

"So I guess Yo-Kai can see through ponies wearing Yo-Kai disguises then." First concluded, "but at least it can fool other ponies!"

"The illusion will be active as long as you keep the leaf on your head." Whisper instructed, "it will only come off by your will and movement. You won't have to worry if it's a windy day! Just remember to take it off before you go home. Otherwise, Flash isn't going to recognise you."

"Yeah," Scootaloo giggled, "he'd be freaked out if he saw his young siblings become as old as he is."

"Anyway," Komasan chimed in "thanks for helping me Y'all! Not only am ah reunited with ma brother, ah guess ah'm stayin' here in the city! Here." He pulled out his Yo-Kai Medal, "call on me whenever ya need help. If ya need somethin' related to dancin' or a guardian, ah'm yer Yo-Kai!"

"Here!" Komajiro offered, "take mine too! Whatever mah older brother does, ah'll do too! It's quite amazin' to see that a pair of ponies that can see us are siblings like we are!"

"Yeah, it is. I also guess we're not the only ones that'll have to adapt to Springdale's lifestyle." First replied, "We'll see you guys around!"

"Catch you later!" Scootaloo waved goodbye to the brothers as they walked their separate ways.

"Hey" First asked, "do you think we'll see them again?"

"Of course!" Whisper replied, "they'll be living here as long as you'll be!"

Dear Mama

It's been a long time since I've had the time able to write to you. Ever since our home in Neighpon has been taken down by the ponies, I felt very lonely for a long time without Komajiro, wandering endlessly throughout the plains of Neighpon and even stumbling into a foreign land! At first, I thought I was never going to find Komajiro, but if it wasn't for two little foals who were able to see us, they helped me find out that he was located in the city, acting like one of them! Regardless, I'm glad that we were able to find each other and settle down somewhere in the city. I don't know how long we'll stay here, but it feels real nice. It's going to be a hard time adapting to city life, but without Komajiro and those two friendly foals to help me out, I may never have a chance! Here's to you Mama, for Komajiro and those two friendly foal folks.

"Hey Big Bro?"

"Yeah?"

"Umm... As much as we can house up here, we've still got a problem..."

"What is it?"

"Well..."

Author's Note

I've decided to break schedule for this chapter due to it being Komasan and Komajiro. That and since University has started, it's going to be hard to write stories. So I may not upload often.

Regardless, thank you for all your support and hope you have enjoyed reading this story.

Also, I will put up a Yo-Kai list here on who has befriended the siblings on which chapters.
Chapter 2: Whisper, Jibanyan and Ake
Chapter 3-1: Dazzabel and Heheheel
Chapter 3-2: Pandle
Chapter 3-3: Buhu, Dulluma, Negatibuzz and Cutta-Nah
Chapter 3-4: Hungramps, Grubsnitch and Wantston
Chapter 4-1: Cadin
Chapter 4-2: Walkappa and Droplette
Chapter 4-3: Happiere and Dismarelda
Chapter 4-4: Wiglin, Steppa and Rhyth
Chapter 4: Mynimo and Leadoni

Chapter 5-3: Cuteness and Popularity

"Ah..." First sighed in relief as he, Nate, Eddie and Bear retreated to the changing room, "that was a good workout."

"I told you!" Nate laughed as he wiped his face with a towel, "a catchy song followed by a simple workout!"

"Ah..." Eddie sighed, "if only we get to listen or workout to music from Next Harmeowny."

"Next Harmeowny? Surely you mean Next Harmony?"

"They're a Neighponese-Equestrian girl band." Eddie explained, showing a picture of them: Five Neighponese Ponies wearing flashy idol clothing, as well as donning cat ears, paws and tails.

"Har'meow'ny..." First realised the pun, "I understand."

"Do you have any singers in Equestria?" Bear asked,

"Not really..." First thought about it, "but if you want singing, there's the Pony Tones, and Pinkie Pie!"

"Are they as attractive as Next Harmeowny?"

"I'm not sure about looks. There's Rarity of course, but most of them are more talented and kind-hearted rather than look good. I can't say that I'm rather attracted to them."

"Speaking of attractions, do you have a special somepony in your mind First?" Nate asked,

"That question came out of nowhere," Bear gulped, "but now I'm curious too. Who do you have?"

"Hmm..." First darted back to Cheerilee's school, easily remembering all the faces of the fillies. "Can't say I've got one right at the moment..."

"That's okay!" Eddie laughed, "that's exactly what Nate says too!"

"H-Hey!" Nate blushed, "w-well... Okay, I do have somepony in my mind..."

"Oh really?" Bear teased, "I bet right after class, you're going to go and flirt with most of the fillies in School!" Eddie burst into laughter, and First couldn't help but release a chuckle.

"What do you take me for!?!?" Nate lashed out, "I'm not a player!"

"Come on everypony," a classmate known as Andy signalled to them, "Mr Johnson told us to hurry up, we've got assembly!"

"Coming!" First called back, "let's go!"

In the Gymnasium hall, the many school fillies of all grades began to assemble and sit on the chairs.

"Over here!" Katie waved to the foals. Catching the signal, the foals trotted over to where she sat. Sarah, a pink unicorn with a short black mane with a cherry blossom patterned dress and a cherry blossom flower as a hair accessory and close friend of Katie, and Scootaloo sat next to her.

"About time you foals got here!" Katie giggled,

"They get it, they get it..." Scootaloo sighed,

"Sorry if we're late," First replied,

"But at least we were here before assembly started!" Nate added,

The Principal of Springfield Elementary trotted up towards the stage and started announcing current news that the School wishes to address, most of which did not catch the interest of the foals and fillies. But all that was about to change when the Principal reminded them of an upcoming event tomorrow.

"Tomorrow will be a special day, where everypony is allowed to dress-up in any fashion possible."

"What!?" The fillies gasped, and multiple conversations echoed through the hall.

"Quiet!" The Principal commanded, "that's right. Tomorrow, you can dress up in any sort of clothes you like. You can dress cool, smart, cute, tough or even... Fancy!!!"

"..." Scootaloo stared in frozen silence, the word 'Fancy' echoing in her mind.

As the day rolled into lunchtime, First and Scootaloo quickly finished their lunch to talk about the entire situation tomorrow.

"Are you going to dress up?" Scootaloo asked First,

"I don't think I have anything special to wear... You on the other hand."

"No" Scootaloo protested "I have bad memories of it. Every time I hear the word fancy now, I hear Dazzabel's voice in it and that drives me to remember that time I stood in the middle of the class in that!!!"

"Oh come on sis!" First replied, "It doesn't look bad on you, you look so modest, so proper, like a lady!"

"I don't want to be a lady!!! Can't you see that in your older sister already?"

"As does everypony in class! You're just as athletic as Katie and Alex. Heck, whenever we play hide and seek, you'd catch everypony in a minute!"

"First..."

"Okay okay! Why don't we ask our friends? What do they think?"

"Alright, let's see what our friends have to say, but I'm still saying no to wearing that Classic Lolita!"

"Hey Nate!" First dragged Scootaloo and found the average foal, "quick question?"

"Sure! Ask away!"

"What do you think of Scootaloo dressed up like that on the first day of school for Dress-up?"

"Well..." Nate cringed, "that's when I remember that I was wearing mare clothes... But definitely a yes! You wear it very well Scoots!"

"Ugh... Really?"

"Definitely!"

"..." Scootaloo lowered her head while First continued looking for Bear and Eddie.

"Hey guys!" First asked, "Scootaloo, Classic Lolita, what do you think?"

"10 out of 10!" Bear nodded,

"I would definitely like to see that again! It would give Maya a run for her money!" Eddie added,

"Oh come on!!!" Scootaloo moaned, "why does every foal want to see me in a dress so badly!?"

"In that case, why don't we ask the fillies?" First suggested, "maybe they have a different opinion!"

"Hmph, they'd better!" Scootaloo growled, "Ask Katie first."

"Hmm..." The siblings trotted through the hallways, "I really can't find her. Where do you think she went?"

"Hello? Scoots was it?" A voice called from behind them, the same Pink unicorn filly with the cherry blossom hair accessory.

"Oh! You must be Sarah." Scootaloo remembered, "is there something you need?"

"Katie's missing"

"WHAT!?"

"When the assembly was dismissed, I was waiting in the classroom for her at lunchtime. However, I never got to see her enter the room let alone receiving lunch."

"That sounds rather serious. Have you told the teachers?"

"Not yet, but if she's not appearing anytime sooner, I might."

"Okay then, we'll try looking for her too. Promise." First promised,

"By the way," Sarah looked at Scootaloo "now that I see you, I remember what you looked like when you were new to our class."

"Please, don't remind me."

"Don't worry! You left a good impression on everypony!" Sarah complimented, "you should have seen Maya's face!"

"And why are you bringing this up?"

"Every time we have Dress-up day, there is actually a contest for the pony best dressed. An award for a foal and a filly for each grade."

"Do I really have to enter it?"

"I can tell you're not fond of wearing frilly garments." Sarah replied, "but look at it in this way. You'll be very courageous in wearing it! At least to me, Katie and the others!"

"Ergh... We'll find Katie, see you later!" Scoots hurriedly ended the conversation and galloped away, leaving Sarah and First in the dust,

"Wow, is she that embarrassed of being a mare?"

"She has a sporty role-model, but she doesn't share the same sentiment about clothes. It doesn't make her look... Cool. But don't worry, I'll explain. Thanks for letting us know Sarah!"

"Hey Sis!" First caught up, "why are you galloping away! Is being asked by many ponies to wear the costume too much to handle?"

"For the last time, I DON'T WANT TO WEAR IT!!!"

"It's not bad! It looks really good on you! Heheheel didn't laugh, so it means you look pretty in it."

"Ugh... How many times do I have to repeat it?" Scootaloo replied, "I don't want to look cute!"

"Even the Cool must be courageous."

"Seriously First, I'm in no mood for your philosophical morals." Scootaloo replied, "just fly with my decision okay?"

"NO!" A loud voice yelled from one hallway, "why did you do that?"

"Excuse me?" Scootaloo turned to her brother "why did you have to yell like that? If you're trying to--"

"Not directed at you." First interrupted and pointed towards the hallway. All the ponies who were present to the sound turned their eyes on a bright pink filly and a foal picking himself up after slipping from what looks like a banana peel.

"Is..." Scootaloo eyes widened, "Is that Katie? And did she...!?" As the foal stood back upright, he was ready to hear what the unicorn had to say.

"I'm sorry!" Katie smiled with a very cute face, "please forgive me!"

"Uh... Well..." The foal's temper calmed down as his face started blushing and smiling. "I-It's okay. It's just an accident!"

"Aww..." Most of the other ponies around also blushed in embarrassment, foal and filly alike, then continued trotting away to complete their individual activities.

"Did... Did Katie just trip up somepony on purpose... and got away with it by being cute???" Scootaloo analysed,

"Well..." First continued looking at Katie, an evil snicker from behind the foal's back. Looking around, she decides to play another prank. This time, she approached a nearby water fountain and turned it on full blast, leaving a filly soaked and drenched in water.

"Hey! What's the big idea!?" The filly student angrily turned at Katie.

"I was just trying to get a drink, but the fountain's too strong. Sorry about that!" Katie apologised, giving another cute face,

"Oh..." The filly blushed and smiled back, "In that case... I understand!" And trotted off like nothing has happened.

"Heh heh heh..." Katie sniggered once more.

"Wha! Katie!!!" Scootaloo couldn't believe what she was seeing, "why are you being such a jerk towards others!? And why are you acting so cute all of a sudden!?"

"I've never seen Katie this mischievous..." First thought loudly, "if there's anything that can cause a change of heart or personality..."

"... It's a Yo-Kai." Scootaloo finished, "let's see who the culprit is." And she pulled out the Yo-Kai lens. Pointing it at Katie, the lens uncovered to the siblings' eyes a small pink and white dog with a purple hat on top of a floating heart.

"Huh?" The Yo-Kai turned around, revealing his face, "I thought I felt something strange..."

"..." Scootaloo and First gasped at the Yo-Kai before them.

"Those big black eyes..." Scootaloo described

"The white paw tips and muzzle..." First continued the description

"Heart shaped eyebrows..."

"The purple hat and floating heart!"

"It's a pink and white dog!" Scootaloo replied,

"WHAAAA!!!?!?!?" The Yo-Kai heard their words and collapsed to the ground out of the absurd realisation from the siblings. "Is that what you really think about me first glance?"

"Oh, so you can hear us after all." First noted. As he continued to be focused on the Yo-Kai inspiriting Katie, a group of fillies went by discussing about something that caught First's attention.

"Hey, did you see how hard that foal was trying to flirt with us?" One filly spoke,

"Interesting though... I know that foal through reputation. Something about being so average... But he looked so charming and dreamy!" The second one added,

"Well, he's going to have to do a lot better than that!" The third filly laughed. Taking the conversation to mind, it couldn't take First a minute to know who the girls were talking about. As he peered into the hallway those fillies came from. The fright caused him to perspire before his eyes. There an Earth Pony wearing a red t-shirt was being a charmer to the numerous girls passing by him.

"Scoots, can you come over here?" First called,

"What is it? We've got Ka--What is Nate doing!?" Scootaloo's jaw dropped as she saw a friend being such a player and a flirter.

"And just after he said he wouldn't do such a thing..." First hoofpalmed, "what is going on with him!?"

"Maybe he has a Yo-Kai too!" Scootaloo suggested and pulled out the lens once more. Sure enough, a levitating Yo-kai was there. It was a Yo-Kai that had very tiny angel wings and a halo that was tied to his long pink swirly hair. Seeing his arms, a pink pistol seemed to have become his left hand, firing at any of the girls walking by.

"Oh no, looks like he does have a Yo-Kai doing this." First sank even further,

"Dang it! If only Whisper was here. He said he's a butler, that means being with us 24/7! Why is he sleeping in like before?"

"It's pretty easy to tell that the Yo-Kai are causing these types of behaviours on our friends. That Heart-riding dog seems to make Katie mischevious and... Cute, and that Yo-Kai who looks like a cowstallion cupid is causing Nate to be flirtatious and attractive!" First de-constructed flawlessly.

"In that case, we've got our plan. Who should we confront? First choice First!"

"Actually..." First peered at the Yo-Kai Watch, and held it up to his sister, "I don't think we have time to take them both down. We've only got half-an hour left for lunch time!"

"Ha ha ha!" Katie started trotting down the hallway, ready to plot her next prank and look cute.

"If any of you mares like to see me, I'll be at the pitch." Nate winked as he started trotting away too.

"They're going in separate directions too!" First noted, "we can't stop them at once! If they act like this in class, who knows what trouble they'll fall into!? Academically and Socially!?"

"Then it looks like we have no choice." Scootaloo nodded with determination, "if they're going to split, then so must we! We'll have our own opponent to face! You cool with that?"

"Divide and Conquer? Even without Yo-Kai, I'll accept the mission."

"Okay then, I'll chase down Katie, you got Nate. Is that alright?"

"Fine by me. Good luck big sis!" First nodded and chased after Nate.

"You too little bro." Scootaloo galloped towards Katie.

"Katie!" Scootaloo caught up with the inspirited filly, cornering her in the empty library.

"Oh hello Scoots!" Katie smiled, "how can I help you?"

"Yeah um, what's with your pranks?" Scootaloo pointed back to the hallway, "I'm not sure you would do such a cruel thing and get away with it."

"Oh Scoots, whatever could you mean?" Katie asked in the most cutest posture and face possible.

"Ergh!!!" Scootaloo cringed, "I... Can't... Take this!!! TOO CUTE!!!"

"Nate!" First ran towards the School courtyard, where the inspirited Nate was continuing his flirting skills.

"Well hey there First!" Nate pointed, "my main stallion! Want to help me pick up some fillies?"

"How about you stop doing that?" First countered, "One, you're freaking me out, as well as any filly AND foal. Two, you just told me you aren't that sort of pony who would do such a thing!"

"Really now?" Nate sighed, "how disappointing... Maybe I should show you what it's like!" The Yo-Kai shot out of Nate's body and aimed his revolver hand at First,

"!!!" First started in fear at the revolver hand before the Yo-Kai released a heart from the barrel.

"STOOOP!!!" Scootaloo focused hard on her mind, beating her self a little in order to resist the cuteness of her friend. "Whoever you are! Leave my friend alone! I'm talking to you Yo-Kai!"

"Oh..." A different voice came out, one that sounded very cute, "so my ears weren't playing tricks on me... Looks like you can see me after all!" Out of his hiding place behind Katie, the cute dog Yo-Kai made his presence towards the flightless filly. "I'm Shmoopie! It's so nice to meet you! What's yours?"

"Well, at least I can put a name to the face, my name's Scootaloo." Scootaloo greeted back,

"So... You want me to stop being mischievous and cute for your friend?"

"Yes,"

"No problems! Only one condition, a game of my choosing."

"... Fine," Scootaloo reluctantly agreed, "name your game."

"If you can find anypony who can resist my charms regardless of condition, you win! I'll stop inspiriting your friend, and I'll give you my medal too!"

"Sounds very generous... And easy... Deal!" Scootaloo nodded,

"Be careful! I'm a very tough Yo-Kai! I won't forgive you if this is not fun!"

"Bring it on!" Scootaloo taunted, "your opponent is me!"

"You???" Shmoopie laughed, "you've got courage, I'll give you that. But in your state, you're already so cute that this is going to be a walk in the park!"

"Hey! I'm tough and cool! The last thing I'd like to be is cute. Do your worst!!!"

"Heh heh heh... Here I go!!!" Shmoopie warned, releasing his yellow inspiring aura, covering the filly.

"Aargh!!!" Scootaloo clutched her head, in the attempts to stop the cute Yo-Kai from getting in her mind.

"..." First stood paralysed as the bullet-speeding heart whipped past his face, the wind kicking up his mane.

"Of course, It does make things interesting around here..." The Yo-Kai spoke, "the name's Cupistol partner, may I know my challenger?"

"First Base..." First spoke, his body still rendered immobile.

"What's with the tense muscles?" Cupistol noted, "shake it off, my little revolver here won't bite! It will just make you... Popular! Like this young foal here!"

"I..." First shook himself, regaining mobility and focus, "I want to you to stop this! At least not here!"

"None can do First." Cupistol shook his head, "I plan to make whoever I want popular wherever I want."

"You know I can't accept that,"

"Then that's too bad partner." Cupistol continued looking disappointed, "if you feel for your friend here, then you might as well console him when I'm done."

"But the actions will be irreversible!" First negotiated, "I want you to stop right here, right now!"

"Let me not repeat myse--"

"I challenge you to a Duel!" First interrupted,

"Oh???"

"We stand at 20 trots apart, once the school bell chimes, we open fire."

"But you don't have a weapon like mine."

"Conditions are this... You have your... Hand-thing, and I have a baseball bat!"

"Whatever are you trying to propose?"

"You shoot me as ususal. Just what the cowfoals of old do. Me, I'm going to swing and hit your love bullet away. Is that possible!"

"Sad to say yes. My charms can be deflected."

"Fine then, a test to see who has the quickest draw. If I win, you stop inspiriting my friend. Understand? And if I lose then... I fall to the effect of your inspiritment right?"

"Indeed..."

"Are you fine with that?"

"If you think of my contagious charm as an embarrassment, then I'm happy to push your image through the dirt!"

"Okay then..." First nodded, "let me pick my equipment first, then we duel."

"MUST... RESIST!!!" Scootaloo kept on reminding herself, "I cannot give in!"

"Hee hee hee!" Shmoopie giggled, "nopony can resist my charms... Not at all!"

"No... NO!!!" Scootaloo could feel herself being pushed back, the thick yellow aura beginning to consumer her entire body as she reached for her bag. "I can't... I CAN'T BECOME CUTE!!!"

"Are you ready Partner?" Cupistol held his hand close to his head,

"I'm ready." First held his baseball bat close. "We march!" Taking 20 trots away from each other, except for Cupistol as he floated, the two managed to float away to an equal difference.

"Good luck First," Cupistol chuckled, "Nopony or Yo-Kai has ever beaten my draw speed. It was nice knowing your 'unpopular' side."

"You think the duel is over before it begins?" First asked, "my older brother always told me, in the midst of a battle, anything can change!" He turned around and readied his bat. "So don't get cocky!" The two duellists were ready to draw, eagerly waiting for the bell to chime.

"Ergh..." Scootaloo crouched, eager and hoping to prevent the mist from ever consuming her body and mind. "Not going to give up... I can't... I CAN'T!"

"Are you done yet?" Shmoopie asked, "I must say though, I have never seen anypony resist this long! Regardless, the end result will be the same..."

"I can't be cute..." Scootaloo etched her hoof away from her bag, a medal in her possession. "C-Come on out my f-friend..."

"But of course, you did try to prepare yourself as you volunteered to be my challenge. Sure enough, at least you'll be remembered as the most mischievous and cutest!"

"I... Won't!" Scootaloo continued speaking, the aura now stretching across her face, ready to consume her whole. "Calling... D-Duchoo...! Y-Yo-Kai medal..."

"Bye bye!!!" Shmoopie waved goodbye as one more push of his mind accelerated the inspiriting aura.

"DO... YOUR... THING!!!" Scootaloo managed to holler out from her mouth before the aura swallowed her up. A bright flash came from within the thick yellow.

"Wh-What's going on?" Shmoopie looked at his victim with a fright when a bright Yellow Beam broke through the mist. A small quirky, spooky and comedic tune with vocals started playing out before ending with a crescendo. The word 'Duchoo' could be heard before the school bell initiated its chime.

"Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong..." The bell echoed out it's music. First took the ability to swing at the first chime.

"Draw!" Cupistol shouted as he fired on third chime, the heart flying straight towards First, seeking to pierce its target

"Raaaaahhh!!!" First roared as he swung hard, his bat sweeping across the space around him... And striking the heart head on... And causing it to fly towards the sky where it disappeared from view.

"ACHOO!" Scootaloo within the aura erupted a loud sneeze like before, blowing away some of the mist, revealing her red and sniffing face once again.

"Wha--? Impossible!" Shmoopie floated back in horror,

"Oh I'm not done yet, ACHOO!" Scootaloo replied, putting her bag into view, she grabbed the medal of Coughkoff and quickly inserted it into the Watch. "Calling Coughkoff! Yo-Kai Medal, do your thing!"

"Summoning, Eerie!!!" A pillar of purple light, blares out from the Yo-Kai Watch, increasing in diameter as goes with every summoning light from the watch. Coughkoff bounced and floated around in the light to the beat of the Eerie song, and finishing with a pose.

"Coughkoff!" Coughkoff yelled out, before breaking out in coughs.

"Coughkoff!" Scootaloo gasped for breath, "I could use some dry coughs right now!"

"Cough!" Coughkoff nodded as he emitted a purple aura to cover Scoots. Without any effort to let it in, Scootaloo began having coughing fits, starting to remove parts of Shmoopie's aura with every cough. The summoning wasn't over however, Scootaloo wasted no time on pulling two more Yo-Kai.

"Calling Hurchin!"

"Summoning, Eerie!"

"Hurchin!"

"Calling Snotsolong!"

"Summoning, Mysterious!"

"Boo-shiggy Boo-shiggy Boogie-woogie! Cling Clang delirious mysterious!" A group of stallion voices sang in a comedic way.

"Snotsolong!" Snotsolong posed,

"Ahh..." Scootaloo's nose turned rosy as red as the drop of snot grew in length and started hanging from her nose.

"Ugh!" Shmoopie covered his eyes in disgust. Regardless, Scootaloo found it time to retract her resistance and let Shmoopie's Aura come over her. Being inspirited by the four symptom-inducing Yo-Kai, Scootaloo turned to face her enemy.

"Hiiii..." Scootaloo showed the cute smile as Katie did.

"Ahh!!!" Shmoopie cried in horror as the looked away once more. "Too ugly! I can't take it anymore! You win! You win alright!?"

"Impossible..." Cupistol looked up to the skies, "such strength could even propel my power?'

"Argh..." First clutched his muscle in pain, "that was certainly not comfortable!"

"I... I lost..." Cupistol realised, and held his head in defeat.

"Show's over... Partner." First sighed in victory before he sat down to rest.

"Amazing!" Shmoopie complimented after he gave in, "I never knew you'd be able to turn the tables with other Yo-Kai!"

"What can I say?" Scootaloo blushed, now free of her inspiritment "When I said I don't want to be cute, I make sure not to be one, that's when I can rely on my Yo-Kai friends!"

"A deal's a deal then!" Shmoopie replied, "thanks for playing with me! It was really fun! It's amazing that you have Yo-Kai friends. Now that I'll release your friend. Can I ask you personally to be your friend as well?" He offered his Yo-Kai Medal!

"Of course!" Scootaloo accepted, "I would love to uh... Play with you again sometime!"

"Yay!!!" Shmoopie jumped with joy as he stood on two legs and surfed around the air using his floating heart as a surfboard.

"Now that's cool AND cute!" Scootaloo replied,

"Congratulations First." Cupistol shook First's hoof, "to think I'd be bested in my own game in a way... You are something..."

"I try my best." First replied,

"Your strength certainly is something, very inspiring." Cupsitol added, "Is it okay if I can become your friend? I can be a great asset to you if you want to befriend different Yo-Kai!"

"Really? That's very interesting!" First exclaimed, "but I won't be a friend just so you can be an asset to me though... You are a tough Yo-Kai yourself. I'd like to be a genuine friend to you!"

"Oh, your words do warm my heart. You must have some natural charm, perhaps you could win the heart of fillies too!"

"Ha ha ha! I wish," First laughed, "but It's great to know that I do have some social charm! My older brother is chock full of devotion, mission, military, weaponry and loyalty to be social!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Katie endlessly apologised to the numerous ponies she had pranked on lunchtime.

"W-What do you mean?" The foal who slipped on the banana peel asked, "It's okay! There's nothing wrong! All is forgiven alright?"

"I'm sorry..." Nate was also apologising to the fillies he flirted with.

"Aww..." Some of the fillies responded, "how cute..."

"Hmm..." The second filly of the three filly group noted, "I kind of liked you when you were charming and dreamy... But at least you're back to normal! Sort of..."

"Apology accepted," the third filly replied, "though... Flirting then apologising does make you rather... Cute. Better than you were at just flirting"

"Ahh..." First watched from afar with relief. "All's well that end's well right? Nate and Katie are back to normal and..." He spun Cupistol's medal on his hoof "two new Yo-Kai friends!"

"Ugh..." Scootaloo stared at Shmoopie's medal. "While I did enjoy Shmoopie's company, I swear that Yo-Kai are having a long term effect on me."

"How so?"

"You should have experienced how hard and painful it is to get inspirited by Shmoopie. My heart keeps on skipping beats, it hurts my breathing and composure whenever I try to resist."

"How so?"

"It's too cute! He's too cute! His influence is so cute that..." Scootaloo took a deep breath then blurted out, "It is nothing compared to wearing that costume!"

"S-Sis?" First widened in delight, "does that mean?"

"Like I said, Surviving the inspiriting of Yo-Kai has a long term effect on my thinking. I mean, if I'm that courageous and brave of confronting Shmoopie's cuteness and surviving, what can wearing a Classic Lolita for Dress-up day tomorrow do?" Scootaloo laughed, "yeah, I'm going to do it."

The next day, everypony who wished so dressed in the most peculiar of dresses and costumes. Some dressed in a Neighponese style, most dressed like Equestrians. Nate, Katie, Eddie, Bear and First decided not to wear any fancy clothing and Scootaloo of course, donned the Classic Lolita once more and she didn't seem to mind or fall in embarrassment. The Principal gave some thanks to all who participated in the dress up contest and explained how the School Board has decided the results. With a slow but steady process, the Principal weaved through the ranks and awards of each grade and class, and everypony clapped when it came.

"Wow!" Katie exclaimed "It's great to see you in those clothes again!"

"For you to wear it once more," Sarah added, who was sitting next to Scootaloo, wearing a gloried version of her original dress. "You really are a courageous filly! How did you decide to wear it?"

"It's a... Long story." Scootaloo replied,

"I'd be happy to become friends with you. That way, we could hang out with Katie, Alex and maybe some other fillies too!"

"Sure!" Scootaloo shook hooves, "I'd love to spend time without my brother following me all day!"

"Harsh!" First overheard,

"Anyway," Scootaloo ignored, "Maya was it? She seems to be wearing a costume with a rather familiar flair..."

"Huh?" Sarah looked at Maya's direction, "oh yeah. She kept on telling everypony that she ordered this dress from a faraway store called Carousel Boutique."

"No wonder why! That dress just screams Rarity!"

"You know the designer?"

"She's one of the Ladies of Ponyville, best friend to the Princess. I'm also best friends with Rarity's younger sister."

"Interesting!!! It seems like you have connections to certain shops and franchises that is rather precious and interesting to us Neighponese!"

"Oh stop it you!" Scootaloo laughed,

"Now, for the winner of Class 5-2, it goes to Sarah." The Principal announced, "congratulations" multiple clapping echoed through the hall,

"Well, it was worth a shot." Scootaloo sighed, "I'm not cute after all. Congrats Sarah."

"Don't worry!" Sarah smiled as she stood up to head to the podium. "I'm sure you'll be in!"

"Don't worry Sis," First comforted, "it's the experience that counts right?"

"Definitely!"

"And now, here are the winners for 5th grade overall." The Principal announced, "In third place..."

"Oh wow, I never knew that there were more prizes!" First noted,

"They announce the single winner for each class, then the 3rd, 2nd and 1st place in the overall grade."

"Oh... Don't tell me..." Scootaloo gulped,

"In second place, it is Classroom 5-2's Maya!" The Principal read,

"What!?" The class gasped, realising that their fashionable and stylish classmate got knocked down,

"Uh..." The filly known as Maya trotted up to the stage, wearing one of Rarity's dresses.

"And in first place..." The Principle continued, "coming also from Classroom 5-2..."

"You've got to be kidding me!" First looked at his older sister, who's jaw was wide open, as if she knew who took the crown for the year.

"Scootaloo! Congratulations!" The Principal gestured. Once again, the usual clapping was there, with some added 'oohs' and 'woahs' as Scootaloo shakily trotted towards the podium without a sound. The large crowd stared straight at her clothes, with the most eye-opening looks ever, some even whistled.

"Oh Celestia...!" Scootaloo cringed and mumbled to herself as she twirled the parasol and accepted her reward, "that's it! I take whatever I said about this outfit back!"

"Smile sis!" First laughed as he aimed a camera at his older sister and snapped a picture, "another brave and courageous memory to add to the family line for 'Sentries'!"

"I saw AND heard that!!!" Scootaloo yelled back.

Author's Note

Couldn't help it. Guess I'll be breaking schedule for this chapter!

Befriended Shmoopie and Cupistol!

Chapter 5-4: Get me out!!!

First thought it would be a great time to scroll through the medallium, looking through the acquired Yo-Kai Medals. Each Medal symbolises their sign of friendship with the paranormal and supernatural spirits they call Yo-Kai. As he sat in the living room, with Whisper and Jibanyan at his side.

"Heh..." First examined Snotsolong's medal, one with a yellow back and the symbol of a wisp. "Now we've got at least a medal from all eight tribes. And..." He flipped to the Legend Pages, one medal slot on the second page now glowing. "We started progress on the Second page! Which reminds me... What are these pages Whisper?"

"Those? These pages are known as the Legend Pages..."

"Legend?"

"I regret sleeping in on the day you found your friend Leadoni." Whisper sighed at himself, "The medal slots that you see are actually powerful seals that contains a very special Yo-Kai within the emblem. These Yo-Kai are called 'Legendary' Yo-Kai."

"Legendary!?" First's jumped up, eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Indeed! These Yo-Kai are extremely rare, unique and most of all, powerful!"

"Wow!"

"And it seems you don't have a lot left for the First Legend Page, you're close to releasing that Yo-Kai!"

"I can't contain myself!" First took deep but fast breaths, "hearing this just wants me to find and befriend all these other Yo-Kai so I release and befriend whoever's inside!!!"

"Woah woah woah!" Jibanyan held him back, "that's not a pure-hearted way or reason on befriending somepony! Yo-Kai can see that in the hearts of Ponies you know... Your offer of friendship needs to be genuine. Otherwise, you'll have no chance of becoming friends with them!"

"Sorry..." First calmed down, "I guess being Power-hungry and desperate isn't really going to help me a lot for other Yo-Kai or even other ponies..."

Upstairs, Scootaloo was in the bedroom writing two letters to send to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle back in Ponyville. Forgetting to send a letter during Flash's report turn-ins, she was desperate to update her current life situation and events till today.

"Alright." Scootaloo proof-read, "I've talked about the places in Springdale town, I've introduced and explained my new friends here in Springdale, and how two of them lack cutie marks... Should I still add some information about Yo-Kai?" Pondering this idea, she decided not to, "perhaps I should keep this presence a secret until required. In that case, it's all done!" She signed both her letters, placed them into envelopes, and stretched out to relax after a job well done. Somepony then knocked on the bedroom door,

"Come in!" Scootaloo called back and in came Flash Sentry. "Ah! Just the stallion I needed to see!" She offered the two envelopes, which Flash skimmed the address.

"I see, you're sending two this time to make up from before." Flash accepted them, "Understood, I'll make sure that it gets to the Lambert Post office safely."

"Thanks Big Bro!"

"But that's not the reason why I knocked. You see, If the calendar downstairs told me something, aren't you and First going out to play with your friends?"

"Oh crud!" Scootaloo remembered, "right at this time! Oh no, I'm going to be so late!"

"Well what are you waiting for?" Flash gestured towards the hallway,

"On the double!" Scootaloo packed a few things and galloped down the stairs,

"First!" Scootaloo called, "we've got to meet Nate, Bear, Eddie, Katie, Alex and Sarah at Triangle Park!"

"Oh no, is it that time already?" First looked at the clock, "welp, time to go!" Packing up the medallium, he, Whisper and Jibanyan joined Scootaloo and galloped out of the front door.

"Stay safe both of you!" Flash waved goodbye, "and make sure to come back before the night rolls in! We're going to be eating out tonight!"

"Phew! Did we make it?" Scootaloo asked as the group screeched to a halt at the entrance of the Triangle Park. As they looked around, they noticed foals and fillies younger than they are, playing on the slide, swings, and sand pit. However, they did not see any of their friends.

"Hmm..." Scootaloo checked her Yo-Kai Watch for the time, "we're five minutes late, don't tell me they left without us..."

"If we were any later, I'm sure they'd swing by our house while some would stay back..." First suggested, "if only we had those fancy magic gadgets that allows long-range communication... Phones, were they?"

"Well, why don't we eat while we wait?" Scootaloo replied, plopping down on a bench, "I've packed myself quite a meal!" She pulled out a Sandwich bought from Everymart. "A quick and nutritious sandwich from the 24-Hour Convenience store!"

"Looks delicious, do you have anything else?"

"I've got some Fruit Drops from Granny Edna's Sweet shop... I can share with you if you're hungry!"

"Thanks for your offer big sis," First smiled, "but I've also packed my lunch too. Transcendent if I must add!" He pulled out a large packet which has the label 'Banter Bakery'. "I've got Banter Bakery's special Curry Bread. Turns out I've bought the last one yesterday."

"Lucky!" Scootaloo exclaimed, "I've heard that those things are a rarity! The baker always made sure that every one of these treats are perfect to it's very core. If a single property of the bread falls short, it's unacceptable to sell!"

"Indeed, and then I've got some Soul Tea to wash things down if the Curry Bread gets too hot for my mouth." First pulled out a can from his bag, "chilled and ready to drink!"

"Oh..." Whisper enviously looked at his masters happily eating down "I should have packed something to eat myself... Do you have anything to eat as well Jibanyan?"

"I am a cat and I like it like that...!" Jibanyan sang as he snacked on two Choco Bars.

"Goodness!" Whisper cried, his stomach rumbling, "why must I be the odd one out!? Ah well, I'd better do something useful... Why don't I check out on Nate, Katie and friends?" And he temporarily floated away towards the residential houses.

After having a nice meal, the siblings still heard nothing or no call from their friends, and the two are starting to get worried.

"It's been about 20 minutes now..." Scootaloo looked at her Yo-Kai Watch "are you sure that Nate and the rest forgot about us?"

"Dunno..." First replied, "why don't we look for them?"

"No need to!!!" Whisper flew back in a hurried state, "they're in trouble! All of them!"

"What?" The siblings stood up, "how?"

"Their parents aren't letting them out. Nate and Katie's parents are saying 'No Way' in the most rudest way possible, Alex, Bear and Sarah's are just yelling at them, accusing them that they're not doing their homework, and Eddie... Well, his parents are being such a pain, blocking the door and refusing to move!"

"Hmm... When we first met Mrs Adams, she was very nice." First remembered, "I wouldn't believe that she would be so rude like that, forbidding Nate go out with his friends..."

"Why don't we check them out?" Scootaloo suggested,

"Okay then... Let's go!" First nodded and they quickly galloped to where they lived... Where the Adams house was right next door, and the Forester House was two streets down around the corner.

"But mum!!!" The siblings could hear Nate's voice from his bedroom, "I've already done all my homework for the week! I've also planned for this three days ago! Everypony else is waiting for me! Please mum?"

"No way!" Mrs Adams replied in the most taunting of expressions.

"What!?" First gasped, on Scootaloo's side, she could hear Katie and her mom arguing too.

"Mom, I've already done all of my work!"

"No way!" Mrs Forester replied, the same taunting expression

"Mother, we've been at this for at least twenty minutes. I've told you I've done everything. Clean the house, exercise, finish all my homework and put an extra hour in studying for the morning! Why won't you let me out?"

"Because I said 'No Way'!" Mrs Forester replied once more,

"That doesn't even make any sense or justification!" Scootaloo blurted out,

"You should also know," Whisper added "that when they said it, they had the most weird mouth put on. Like..." All of a sudden,the sound of two hands clasping together and spreading out an aura, echoed through his mind.

"No way." Whisper replied, giving a goofy and odd looking face and shaking his two palms in a 'no' gesture.

"Wow, that does sound pretty rude." First replied,

"No way," Whisper continued,

"Yeah, tell me about it." Scootaloo added, "with that mouth and hand gesture, it could even offend and annoy the most patient of ponies."

"No way,"

"Whisper, we get it!" First replied with an irritated manner, "you've said that three times!"

"M-My mouth was moving on its own!" Whisper changed,

"Really? Your mouth moved on its own? That's very interesting... But just so we don't rule it out, can you use the Watch Scoots?" This time, the clasping of hands echoed through Scootaloo.

"Noooo way." Scootaloo stood on her hind legs and held out her front hooves in a similar manner to what Whisper was doing before, her eyes and mouth in the most strangest of positions.

"You too sis!?" First jumped, "I'd never hear you say something like that to your own brother!"

"It wasn't me! My lips and tongue just moved on its own!" Scootaloo defended, "I'll get to it ri--" The clasping of hands happened once more, "No Way," Scootaloo repeated,

"I see..." First's eyes widened, "then is it okay if I borrow it for a mo?"

"No way." Scootaloo answered with the same gesture,

"I know you don't mean that," First sighed as quickly swiped the Watch from Scootaloo and started scanning the area. Standing directly in the middle of the Adams and Forester house on the street, a cream-coloured wall with a blue roof and diamond patterned base, with small arms and legs came into view, staring at the siblings. The Yo-Kai's face had diminutive eyes with an orange lining, and an odd shaped mouth, which also has an orange lining, similar to what Whisper and Scootaloo put on when they said No way.

"So this is the Yo-Kai behind this huh?" Scootaloo looked puzzled,

"No way," First replied. Turning to face her brother, she sighed with disappointment and a bit of laughter.

"Thanks Captain Obvious." She turned to the Yo-Kai "but I know my brother wouldn't stand on two legs, shake his hooves, make that face and say No way like that."

"I got it!" Whisper secretly pulled out the Yo-Kai Pad. "His name is Noway."

"Noway? Is it really that simple?" First replied,

"Indeed it is," Whisper nodded, "he's a Yo-Kai that makes other ponies and Yo-Kai say 'No way' to anypony in the most insulting and rudest way possible."

"What!?" Scootaloo turned to the houses, "is that why Nate and Katie's mom aren't letting them out? How rude!" She turned back to the Yo-Kai. "Noway, stop inspiriting our friend's parents immediately!"

"No way!" Noway replied in a raspy voice, shaking his hands in a 'no' pose.

"Please!"

"No way!"

"If you don't do it, I'll make you!" Scootaloo threatened,

"No way!"

"Last chance! Do it now!"

"No way..."

"You've brought this on yourself then!" Scootaloo replied, pulling out Jibanyan's medal and inserted it into the watch, "Come on out my friend! Calling Jibanyan! Yo-Kai Medal, Do your thing!"

"Summoning, Charming!"

"Alarming! Boom Boom! Walla Walla, Dance dance! Charming!"

"Jibanyan!" Jibanyan posed, then decided to nap on the ground.

"Seriously Nyaow? I'm haven't finished eating my Choco Bars!." Jibanyan complained. With Noway wasting no time, he decided to inspirit the new Yo-Kai.

"Huh?" Jibanyan woke with a sudden feeling, then stood up, made the face of Noway, mouth and eye lining included, and shook his hands,

"No way..." Jibanyan yowled,

"Him too!" Scootaloo gasped, "this really is a tough Yo-Kai to deal with..."

"Hmm..." First was carefully looking at the situation, then an idea struck his mind.

"Hey Scoots," First whispered, "do you think Noway has any other vocabulary other than 'No way'?"

"Uh..." Scootaloo thought it out, then turned with a puzzled expression, "what are you trying to pull?"

"I wonder if we could pull reverse psychology on him."

"That sounds like one of those comic book jokes."

"It sounds ridiculous, but it actually works. I know Flash would do the most ridiculous things in order to get his victims to confess during interrogation." First replied,

"Victims? Surely you mean criminals..." Scootaloo cringed, "but anything's worth a shot! I'll give it a few practice rounds first. Just to see if it will work." She turned to Jibanyan, "hey Jibanyan? Can you fight Noway?"

"No Way,"

"Please Jibanyan?"

"No way..."

"Do it, or you won't have a Choco Bar!"

"No way..."

"Not even Choco Bars..." Scootaloo stepped back, "but that's three times. Here goes nothing." She then gave a disappointed look, "fine then. Don't help me." Jibanyan gasped at those words,

"No way!!!" Jibanyan yelled at command, and charged towards Noway.

"No way?" Noway looked at the charging cat Yo-Kai with a confused look,

"It works!" Scootaloo gasped with a smile, "it actually works!!!" A surge of determination coursed through her mind as she put on a victorious grin and continued issuing out precise orders.

"Using the Paws of Fury is strictly prohibited!"

"No way!" Jibanyan replied, "Paws of Fury!" And he let out a blood-curling meow and let loose a flurry of blows his paws. Noway was peppered with an increasing number of paw prints, too slow to block anything.

"Now! The real target!" Scootaloo turned to Noway, "Noway? Say No Way!!!"

"Hmm... Hrrrr!!!!" Noway held his mouth with pressure, unsure whether to say No way or not...

"Got you now!" Scootaloo pointed, "Noway, continue on inspiriting Nate and Katie's mom!"

"N--! N--!" Noway continued on holding his mouth as the commands were against his will, but knowing that he couldn't do anything about it, he relented in defeat.

"No way..." Noway sighed, and let loose his inspiring aura on the two houses. A few seconds later, Nate and Katie galloped out the door.

"Alright! You did it Scoots!" Whisper applauded,

"Not yet! I want some compensation..." Scootaloo continued, "after what you've done to my friends, don't even think of becoming one with me Noway."

"No way..." Noway slouched even further in defeat. A light blue aura surrounded his body which flew into the air and condensed into a Yo-Kai medal. It floated down towards Scootaloo, and the flightless filly grabbed it with victory.

"Now I'm satisfied." Scootaloo replied, "Reverse Psychology is certainly something..."

"S-Sorry about that Noway..." First apologised, "please... Don't forgive my sister's rashness."

"No way..."

"Scoots? First!" The siblings turned to see Nate and Katie galloping towards them,

"Sorry for being late!" Nate apologised with a bow "for some reason, my mom was say 'No Way' all the time, I don't know why..."

"My mom was doing the same thing too for some reason." Katie also bowed, "sorry that we got you worried,"

"No problem, we understand." First smiled, "now that you're out, I have a feeling that Bear, Eddie, Alex and Sarah are suffering the same thing..."

"I-In that case, let's go find them! We can help too!" Nate replied,

"Actually," First looked at his sister, "I think it's best that you should wait at Triangle Park. It's going to be a pain if we split up again waste more time finding each other."

"Good point," Katie replied, "in that case, good luck to you two!" And the two galloped away.

"If they came," First replied, "I don't think they'll understand what we are trying to do."

"Exactly," Scootaloo replied, "Whisper, Jibanyan, let's go."

"Righty-o!"

Galloping towards Blossom Heights, the siblings and Yo-Kai came across shop of Bear's Parents and above it, the Branston Household.

"Mum! Please! I've told you a million times, I've already done my homework! Look! I'm showing it to you!" A familiar voice can be heard from above,

"No! Nuh uh! You've also got a lot to catch up. Your grades need improving!"

"But I PROMISED!!!"

"Oh dear, that sounds like Bear and Mrs Branston." Scootaloo overheard,

"What problem did Bear and the rest fall into?" First asked,

"Reasons dealing with homework, household chores and the like, but all the kids complaints were the same: I've done all that, I promised." Whisper answered.

"Hmm..." Scootaloo replied, "but what Yo-Kai would be specifically responsible for all this?" She pulled out her Yo-Kai Watch and activated it's radar mode.

*Bwoo... Bwoo...* The Yo-Kai Watch echoed out high pitch noises, the indication of a nearby Yo-Kai.

"Hmm..." Scootaloo followed the Watch's guidance, "it seems to be leading me towards... Sarah and Alex's house? Interesting... It's as if it's the Yo-Kai is directly in the middle of the three houses..." As she continued trotting towards the location, something knocked her back.

"Huh?" Scootaloo looked back up front in confusion. The space in front of her was just the continuation of a road.

"That's strange..." Scootaloo shrugged as she continued walking... Only to bump into something again.

"Okay, what is going on?" Scootaloo stretched her hoof out and it stopped at something hard. The only problem was that there was nothing in front of her to signify that there was a wall.

"Scoots?" First asked,

"Something's in the way..." Scootaloo replied, "and I think I know why." She pulled out the Lens and revealed a blowfish with arms and legs.

"Huh?" The Blowfish Yo-Kai grunted, "you can see me?"

"Clear as Celestia's light!"

"Whatever. Whether you can see me or not, you ain't getting past me!" The Yo-Kai replied,

"This is..." Whisper looked through his Yo-Kai Pad, "Blowkade,"

"Blowkade???" First looked back, "don't tell me that's a pun played on the combination of Blowfish and Blockade?"

"I believe you just answered your question First," Whisper replied, "Blowkade is responsible for mostly blocking the ways and paths of most ponies, giving it his all. Nopony knows why."

"Hey Blowkade?"

"What do you want?"

"Can you please stop inspiriting our friend's parents?"

"None can do! Those foals are not going anywhere, and now that you've seen me... Neither will you!"

"Getting into it quick huh?" Scootaloo replied, "well, there are many ways to break a wall down. Jibanyan?"

"Got it! Paws of Fury!" Jibanyan yelled and sent out a flurry of paw strikes once more. The moment his paws touched the Yo-Kai's spiky body, the cat reeled in pain from this throbbing paws.

"Meowch!" Jibanyan cried, "It hurts! And... Why do I feel so tired?"

"Uh..." Scootaloo examined Jibanyan's wounds, "didn't the Science teacher say that Blowfish had some form of toxin?" Soon, Jibanyan began coughing and sweating all over, even to the point where ample amounts of bubbling saliva was spewing from his mouth."

"Eww!" Scootaloo stepped back from the gurgling Jibanyan,

"Oh dear," First gulped with terror as the bravely approached the cat, "it looks like the poison is taking its effect on Jibanyan. We have to do something about it... Fast!"

"Whisper!" Scootaloo called, "do you have anything that can help him?"

"I-I've got some medicine on me, we can apply it on the wounds!"

"Wait a minute..." First realised, "you're not a real blowfish, you're just a Yo-Kai! And your ability is to block anypony's way, not poison them!"

"Grahg! Grrg! Guh... Ahh..." Jibanyan stopped spewing saliva and calmed his muscles, "that feels soooo much better!"

"Ji-Jibanyan?"

"My brain just wanted to mess with my nerves and body systems all of a sudden." Jibanyan replied while wiping his mouth. "But now it's all gone!"

"Well..." First exclaimed without emotion, "thanks for dramatically telling us that we won't get lethally poisoned by him, but we still can't get him to move through physical means..."

"In that case," Scootaloo devised, "we should attack him from afar! Do we have any Yo-Kai that can dish out thunder attacks?"

"Well, I was told Wantston was one who managed to use Lightning on Sproink the last time we fought!" First devised, "think he'll be enough?"

"I didn't want to resort to violence, and neither do the Yo-Kai..." Scootaloo replied, "but this blowfish is stubborn enough to take it like a stallion!" And pulled out Wantston's medal, "Come on out my friend! Calling Wantston! Yo-Kai Medal..." She inserted it, "do your thing!"

"Summoning Heartful!"

"Speedy, artful! sing la la la! Everywhere, Heartful!" The watch sang to the Heartful and light jingle.

"Wantston!" Wantston posed and looked around. "Huh??? I thought Grubsnitch would be here too..."

"Sorry about that Wantston." Scootaloo replied, "we sort of needed only you today."

"Really? Come on!" Wantston moaned, "Grubsnitch and I were currently hanging out with some other Yo-Kai, and we were getting along great!"

"Yeah... Still sorry about that." First bowed in apology,

"Why do you guys want me anyway?"

"Just need some help in zapping a Yo-Kai." Scootaloo gestured towards Blowkade.

"Oh! This guy! I've seen him before... One time, I planned to meet Grubsnitch, he got in my way and made me went a very long way which wasted a lot of time." He punched his hands together, "I've always WANTED to return the favor!"

"Well..." Scootaloo gulped, "glad it got you motivated to help us."

"Actually," an idea popped into Wantston's head, "maybe one of the Yo-Kai I just met could help too. Do you know a Yo-Kai named Komajiro?"

"Him?" First looked through the medallium, "yeah, we know him. Friendly country folk, him and his brother."

"He'd be a great help as well. His dances can summon bolts of lightning from the skies above. Imagine what happens if our lightning powers combined, it would pack a shocking punch against Blowkade, that he will get the message to not block Yo-Kai or poines ever again!" Wantston replied,

"Okay then!" First tossed the medal to his sister, "all to you know."

"Come on out my friend!" Scootaloo held Komajiro's medal, "Calling Komajiro! Yo-Kai Medal, do your thing!!!"

"Summoning Charming!"

"Alarming! Boom Boom! Walla Walla, Dance dance! Charming!" The upbeat charming tune played,

"Komajiro!" Komajiro posed,

"Oh mah swirls!" Komajiro gasped, "there you are Wantston! The rest of us were worried about you!"

"Sorry about that Komajiro," Scootaloo apologised, "we needed some help, and Wantston here suggested you."

"That so? Well, since you brought Wantston along as well... Ah guess the favor ya owe me can be lenient!"

"Favor!?" First jumped at the unexpected answer, "then uh... Sure! We owe you and your brother then!"

"Can both of you pitch your lightning abilities together?" Scootaloo asked, "on Blowkade over here."

"No problem!" Wantston replied as he made circles in the air with his hands, "let's make some noise!"

"Stand back y'all..." Komajiro warned, "it's gonna get dangerous whenever ah dance." And clapping his hands three times, he broke out into a slow but mystical dance.

"Bring the lightning!" Wantston called,

"Come on down y'all!" Komajiro waved his limbs and body wildly as their purple aura swiftly struck the skies above and returned with one big lighting strike straight on the blowfish.

"Yeeeowch!!!!" Blowkade yelped in pain and disintegrated with a puff of purple smoke, leaving behind a patch of black where the lightning struck and a medal in the middle.

"Electrifying!" Scootaloo complimented that was some amazing strike,

"Ow... My eyes..." First winced as he held his eyes together. "You also should have warned us about the flash."

"Tell me about it..." Jibanyan also covered his eyes from the flashing pain.

"Mah apologies." Komajiro bowed, "ah guess Mama Nature are still dangerous to ponies."

"Well then..." Whisper floated over the medal and touched it, hoping that there was no sort of electrical energy still remaining. Knowing that it was now safe, he picked it up and offered it to the siblings. "Three more of your friends freed, and one more Yo-Kai befriended!"

"You know..." First accepted the medal and placed it in the medallium. "I feel like you're a bit too forceful on the Yo-Kai today Scoots... Making friends through violence."

"First, they were blocking our friends." Scootaloo reasoned, "and we've warned them many times about telling them to stop it. Heck, even Blowkade hurt poor Jibanyan over here!"

"I understand that, but two wrongs don't make a right..."

"Oh come on First!" Scootaloo laughed, "why are YOU so morally concerned today? It's like you've gone soft!"

"..." First stayed silent after they've said their goodbyes to Wantston and Komajiro. Glaring at his older sister behind her back.

"First?" Scootaloo turned around when they realise First was lagging behind, "you alright?"

"... It's nothing..." First replied and caught up with the group on their way to Eddie's house in Breezy Hills.

"I've checked Triangle Park." Whisper reported to the siblings, "Bear, Alex and Sarah has met up with Nate and Katie. It's also just hit three in the afternoon. What time did you say that Flash needs you to return?"

"Before the evening," Scootaloo replied, "which probably makes it before Six O'Clock. We've got enough time!"

"And to make up for any sort of time lost, we have you to check up on our friends while we make our way to Eddie's House!" Jibanyan replied, "glad to have you Whisper!"

"I don't recall me being YOUR butler Jibanyan..." Whisper sneered,

"Anyway," First continued, "I've managed to hear what's going on inside the house, sounds like Eddie's using some horsepower through his grunting and all."

"Like I said," Whisper repeated, "his parents would not budge from blocking the door."

"But... It wouldn't be THAT hard to push them out of the way..."

"That's true," Whisper replied, "when I looked at them, they're smaller than Bear's parents."

"But what's with the weight gain?" Scootaloo asked, "it's like something has made them immovable like a lead balloon..."

"HOLD IT!!!" Whisper yelled, frightening the group, "Scoots, what simile did you use?"

"... Lead Balloon. Why is that?" Scootaloo repeated,

"This can't be a coincidence!" Whisper showed the Yo-Kai Pad to the group, "I thought there would be a Yo-Kai around here, and the moment I looked at this Yo-Kai's description, it has to be him!"

"Ledballoon." First read, "a Yo-Kai that is immovable against quite a lot of odds. Whenever he inspirits others, so too will the victim be immovable like a statue. He would also mostly do it when the victim is standing in the middle of a walkway, blocking people so they won't go through."

"So he's like Blowkade." Scootaloo also looked at the screen, "even looks like him too. With different colours of course..."

"Also," Whisper continued reading, "His inspiritment also invokes a feeling of being poked by needles. Specifically, his. However, there is this rumour that his name suggests. The needles of this particular Blowfish Yo-Kai claims to contain traces of... Lead."

"Lead???" Scootaloo gulped, "Isn't that?"

"Very poisonous metal," Whisper continued, "unlike the short term toxin that blowfish exert, one poke from this Yo-Kai can leave you with dangerous long-term effects that come with Lead Poisoning."

"Perhaps we should have brought some safety protection..." First spoke,

"Wow, you're really acting soft today..." Scootaloo remarked, "l-let's just find this Ledballoon already." And flipping out the lens one more time, she found the blowfish standing right next to the stairway up to the Archer House.

"Oh, you found me?" Ledballoon croaked, "perfect. Looks like I don't have any privacy anymore..."

"In that case, why don't you move somewhere quiet and where nopony is around?" Scootaloo suggested,

"That being said, anywhere where Yo-Kai or the two of us can't see you."

"Nah..." Ledballoon sighed, "I'm too tired to move a muscle, I'm to heavy to do such a thing."

"Seriously?" Jibanyan replied,

"If one of you can move me just an inch away from this house, my range of inspiritment will not reach its inhabitants."

"So all we have to do is move you. Is that it?" First asked,

"Pretty much!"

"About that," Scootaloo brought up, "are your needles um... Laced with Lead?"

"Lead?" Ledballoon asked, "well..." He put on a sly grin, "my name definitely says otherwise, but why don't you try to move me yourself? Then you'll get the answer to your question! If you dare..."

"O-Okay..." Scootaloo nodded, hesitant to move any closer,

"Scootaloo, the honour is yours." First gestured,

"I know, I know..." Scootaloo felt weak in her legs, "I'll be off in a second?"

"Scoots?" First continued pressing the matter, until Scootaloo broke up in fear,

"I can't! I'm not going to do it!" Scootaloo replied, "If there's something that I'm going to be tough against, I would do anything BUT things that can risk my own life!"

"Scoots..." First placed a hoof to comfort his sister,

"Sorry everypony..." Scootaloo shivered, "looks like we won't be getting Eddie out after all..."

"Ho ho ho!!!" Ledballoon laughed and taunted, "looks like I'll be staying here for a long time now!" First looked at the Yo-Kai, then to Jibanyan and Whisper, turning his head to the direction of Triangle park, and down to his trembling sister.

"You... You..." First turned to Ledballoon, his leg muscles tensing up, his eyebrows furrowed, his mouth turning into a furious frown. "You dare mock my sister?" He roared at the Yo-Kai, shaking him by surprise, "I won't allow it!!!"

"U-Um..." Ledballoon started sweating in fear as the small earth pony slowly but fiercely marched towards him.

"First?" Scootaloo looked at her completely changed brother. Once soft in his actions and reasons, now developed into somepony strong and tough.

"Rraaahhh!!!" First lifted the dark brown blowfish high into the air with his teeth and without any effort.

"H-Hey!" Ledballoon cried, "What are you doing!? Put me down at once!"

"Here's something you should know." First mumbled through his teeth, "nopony EVER hurts or taunts my sister, except for my friends and me!"

"First!" Scootaloo called, "what about the toxin?"

"Here's something to motivate you to stop being lazy and heavy!" First continued, ignoring his sister's warnings. He began to spin around to prepare for a winding throw. As he spun faster, Ledballoon began to feel spin too, feeling very dizzy.

"Hrk!!!" Ledballoon clutched his stomach, "too fast! I'm going too fast!"

"Raah!!!" First aimed his body towards the sky, and let go of the heavy blowfish, the speed built up from spinning around causing him to fly high into the air.

"Aahhh!!!!" Ledballoon across Springdale, until he was too far to be seen from view, but not before his medal fell out of his body.

"Hmph..." First growled back, catching that something and placing it into the Medallium. "No poison, just the weight of lead."

"Amazing First!" Whisper applauded, "that was some strength!"

"Th-Thanks..." First stuttered, "for the compliment."

"That was cool First! You were super powerful!" Jibanyan continued with the compliments. Scootaloo however, had a blank look of surprise on her face.

"Wow..." Scootaloo let out, "that... Was really unexpected coming from you. I wish to say that it was you, but I'm pretty sure you're far from what you are just a few seconds ago." Pulling out the watch, she placed the lens on her brother. There, a soft but solid cuboid of a rice cake stood behind him.

"Well hey!" The Yo-Kai firmly patted First's shoulder, "ain't youze a strong n tough' un yourself! I like that in a pony!"

"... A Yo-Kai's inspiriting me right?" First asked, unable to see the Yo-Kai behind him,

"That is Mochismo." Whisper read off his Yo-Kai Pad, "soft on the outside, very tough and strong on the inside. Anypony inspirited by him will have a temporary soft demeanour, but will show their fearsome internal toughness and unparalleled strength when threatened!"

"So what I did back then, that wasn't me," First concluded, looking through the lens to permanently see Mochismo,

"Physically, it wasn't you." Scootaloo corrected, nuzzling First, "but on the inside... You really did care for me. Thanks little bro, for standing up for me."

"Aww..." Jibanyan looked at the siblings with a little twinge of jealousy but still full of happiness for the two.

"As much as I hate to break this sibling bonding moment, do remember the time." Whisper interrupted,

"Oh right..." First remembered, ending the embrace with a shove.

"Hey, Eddie?" Scootaloo called to the house, "you in there?"

"Not anymore I'm not!" Eddie burst out his front door, panting for air. "Sorry about that. For some reason, my parents just stood at the door like statues. It was like they're possessed or something..."

"That so?" First asked,

"But that's a ridiculous conclusion. The supernatural doesn't exist, and even if they did, they wouldn't be causing my mom and dad to stand frozen at the door."

"That specific?" First continued asking,

"There's gotta be some explanation for this..." Eddie mumbled, "but that's for later. Have I been keeping you long?"

"Not really," First replied, "everypony's at Triangle Park, waiting for us."

"Why don't you go on ahead?" Scootaloo gestured, "we'll catch up later."

"Okay then, don't be slow!" Eddie waved as he galloped towards Triangle Park.

"Supernatural? We don't exist?" Whisper spoke, feeling insulted, "goodness me! I was in front of him the whole time!"

"Oh Whisper," Scootaloo giggled "remember that not everypony can see Yo-Kai. If one of the greatest minds of knowledge got a hold of the Yo-Kai Watch, especially Princess Twilight, her way of thinking as well as her complexity would go topsy turvy like she did last time when her face went all weird and crazy."

"I'm not afraid to let him experiment or even dissect me, I just want to be more known to Ponies. It's like I'm some sort of ghost!"

"Well..." Jibanyan pointed at Whisper, the siblings understood what Jibanyan meant and laughed.

"You know, being friends with Yo-Kai and helping other friends against Yo-Kai is actually quite fun!" Scootaloo pointed out,

"Yeah." First agreed, "though it may be dangerous. I'm surprised to say this myself: I'm very excited for our next encounter with Yo-Kai!"

Chapter 5: The Terrifying Nightmare (Part 1)

"Hello???" A filly's voice echoed throughout the vicinity. "First? Big Bro? Whisper? Jibanyan?" The names that she called out yielded no response.

"Nate? Katie?" Scootaloo continued calling names, but there was still no wave of sound returned. She sighed, "well that's great. What happened here anyway?" Scootaloo looked around her, the entire district of Downtown Springdale, a grey hazy fog covering everything around it. The sky, the streets, the air, everything had lost colour, leaving behind a constant unchanging shade of grey. The only distinct colour was the Black Sky, along with small yellow floating lights to allow the flightless filly to see everything around her.

"Springdale..." Scootaloo tried to remind herself... "Downtown Springdale to be exact, but it's all... Black and White. Is anypony here?"

"Roar..." A loud moan echoed throughout the land, the filly picking up the sound with hope,

"Somepony's here alright!" Scootaloo mentioned to herself, "Hey!!! I'm over here!!!" She called out,

"Roar?" The loud moan echoed again. This time, with an questionable tone.

"I need your help! Can you come over here and get me?" Scootaloo called out once more, but not until she realised that what she called out to, was her certain doom.

"GROARRRRRR!!!" A large body fell from the sky, landing a kilometre away from the filly, kicking up a large dust wave that crashed over Scootaloo.

"What the...?" Scootaloo coughed as she tried to clear the air, until she saw what she was calling to and stood still in fear. The area where the dust storm originated landed a giant bipedal creature in red stood there. Scootaloo took everything she could describe about this grotesque creature before her. Clawed hands and feet, pointy ears, curved fangs, yellow glowing eyes, a brown loin cloth, a golden horn on his head, and a large Iron-studded club that he carries.

"Ah..." Scootaloo started shaking in fear,

"Ahhh... GAAAAAAA!!!!!" The red beast set sights on Scootaloo and with a loud roar, he charged towards the filly with thundering steps and his club raised high. Scootaloo took this message in order to gallop away, but for some reason, her entire body refused to move.

"Wha-- Hey! I'm trying to move here!" Scootaloo told her legs, "let me RUN!!!" No matter how much she tugged and pleaded, her legs did not budge as the beast stood towering above her with angry eyes.

"Ah... Ah... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Scootaloo released an ear-piercing scream as with a loud 'GARGA!' The large monster drove his club onto the filly's immobile body.

"AHH!!!!" Scootaloo screamed as she sat up straight on her bed. Frantically looking at her body, her limbs seemed intact and mobile. She quickly hopped out of bed and looked at the nearby mirror. An identical filly with a frightened face drenched in sweat and horror looked back at Scootaloo. Regardless of the frightened looks, her body was completely unharmed with no broken bones. Outside, the sound of chirping crickets can be heard and the presence of fog was absent. She then looked at her room mates, First was peacefully sleeping in bed, as was with Jibanyan on top of First's bed and Whisper in the air.

"Oh... Oh my Goodness... Oh Celestia..." Scootaloo slunk to the ground in shaking relief. Without any other word, she climbed back into bed and fell back to sleep once she stopped shaking and calmed down. Until she finds herself in a fog-covered district. Only this time, it was Uptown Springdale.

"Oh no...!" Scootaloo moaned, "again!? Seriously!?"

"Garga... Garga..." The sound of stomping and grunting can be heard. It didn't take a genius to know what that thing was.

"Ahh..." Scootaloo quickly hid behind the corner, noticing the same red club-wielding giant from before, stomping around the streets, looking for something. It also didn't take a genius to know that the 'something' was somepony. Specifically, her. "Please, don't get me again..."

As Celestia brought the Sun just above the Horizon over Springdale, all its inhabitants began to wake up to prepare for their usual day-to-day activities.

"Yawn..." Whisper moaned as he stretched his limbs and opened his eyes. "Good Morning everypony!"

"Huh?" First lifted his head, "oh. Good Morning Whisper!"

"Morning everypony." Jibanyan yawned, "how are you Scoots?"

"Argh!" Scootaloo woke up with a fright, causing everypony in the room to jump with a fright. Her eyes were red with pain and fatigue, a wrinkled face, and a messed up mane,

"Woah Big sis!" First looked at her sister with shock, "what happened to you? You look like you were having a bad dream!"

"I was Captain Obvious..." Scootaloo growled back, "it was ghastly..."

"Well?" First asked as the siblings, Whisper and Jibanyan trotted towards the School, "what was it about?"

"Ugh..." Scootaloo sighed as she stopped for a moment to take a sip of Coffee Milk, "I was all alone in a Black and White version of Springdale. Everything was so foggy. Worst of all, there's some gargantuan of a monster chasing after me! And something prevented me from galloping away and left me cowering in fear!" She continued drinking.

"Scoots," Flash pointed at the drink, "I understand you want to drink coffee milk in order to keep you awake, but the entire bottle? Perhaps you can share some with me?"

"Not everything is coffee in this drink!" Scootaloo retorted, "besides, it's mine!"

"Umm..." Whisper asked for the siblings' attention, "when you said black and white... And a gargantuan... Did that thing hold a... Large Weapon?"

"I think it was a weapon similar to what that White Yo-Kai was wielding when we found Leadoni." Scootaloo replied, "only that the spikes were actually designed with the weapon rather than having Nails pierced through it. Why's that?"

"Well uh..." Whisper gulped, "just a question of enlightenment!"

"Well, I hope school can be enlightening enough to get rid of those bad dreams for today!" Scootaloo sighed as the two walked through the gates of Springdale Elementary and up to the school.

Finding their homeroom, Scootaloo slid open the door to find yet another mysterious scene. Nate, Katie, Eddie, Bear, everypony including the teacher had their heads resting on their tables in a deep sleep.

"Well this is enlightening!" First joked, "looks like everypony's out!"

"I wonder if everypony slept too late?" Whisper theorised,

"Hmm..." Scootaloo nudged Katie, a few grunts came out of the filly's breath, but she never budged. "It looks like it."

"I sense no health concerns from Nate," First replied as he checked his pulse, breath, and any other vitals, "but I haven't checked everypony else though..."

"You don't need a medical genius to tell me that everypony is okay." Scootaloo replied, "It's clear to see that they're all asleep, so don't waste time checking the vitals of everypony, they don't like being examined 'kay?"

"Okay." First refrained his hooves before he could examine Bear,

"Fillies and Foals aren't very good at time management or memorisation aren't they?" Jibanyan asked,

"H-Hey!" First replied, "it's difficult alright?"

"But..." Jibanyan pointed at Mr Johnson "as an adult pony, he should be more responsible about it!"

"Yeah, now that you mention it..." Scootaloo scratched her head in thought. "Mr Johnson is also rather strict about it. Looks like some Yo-Kai's problems, again..."

"Impossible Scoots," Whisper shook his head, "everypony has an off-day you know!"

"Perhaps from your point of view Whisper, but as a student..." First replied as Scoots pulled out the lens of the Yo-Kai Watch, "we see things differently."

"Hah!" Scootaloo uncovered a Purple Tapir with a pink behind, dark purple ears and tail, yellow and red eyes with an orange-flower design next to it, an extended nose that looks like an elephant's trunk, and very sharp teeth.

"Hmm?" The Tapir felt something and looked towards the group, "oh, so that's why Baku felt something strange. You ponies can see Baku." It spoke in a lazy but clear and feminine, voice.

"Wh-What in Celestia's name are you!?" First yelled in fright,

"Shh!!!" Whisper, Scootaloo and Jibanyan quickly covered First's mouth, "you might worry those outside, as well as give the class a rude awakening!" But after a few seconds, there was no reaction from the door or the other sleepy ponies.

"I guess we were mistaken," Jibanyan replied, "that Yo-Kai must be something if he could put all those ponies in such a sleepy state that they couldn't be woken up!"

"Baku heard that!" Baku growled, "Baku is not one of those burly, aggressive, Bulls, Baku is a sophisticated, elegant, cow!"

"Yeah, your English tells me alright," First joked, "and you don't look like a cow..."

"You question Baku's animal knowledge!?" Baku replied offended, "A 'cow' is a name for a Female Tapir thank you very much! That's what Baku is. What do you know?"

"I'm afraid she's right First." Whisper looked up on the Yo-Kai Pad, "A male tapir is called a bull, and a female tapir is called a cow. They're related to Rhinos and Horses."

"Oh really?" First realised his mistake "sorry about that Miss Baku. If that's your name..."

"Indeed," Baku nodded, "Baku is Baku. Apology accepted little pony. And you might be?"

"I'm First Base, and this is my older sister Scootaloo." First introduced, "my Yo-Kai friends here are knows as Whisper and Jibanyan. Despite you being a Tapir, you're a Yo-Kai as well right?"

"Hmm..." Baku stared at First, "Your Face looks nice. Very tasty for Baku!"

"Why thank you! It's nice to see that somepony compliments my nice and tasty fa-- what did you say again?"

"Your face," Baku repeated, "very tasty! And Baku is hungry!"

"Uh..." First stepped back towards the door,

"You're hungry?" Scootaloo took the lead, "what happened? And what do you need to eat?"

"Baku's main diet is dreams. But none of them has been very interesting lately, that it never fills Baku up."

"Oh, so you're not going to eat me. Please don't..." First sighed with relief,

"No worry, Baku won't eat your face." Baku assured, "but your face still looks tasty."

"Anyway," Scootaloo returned to the conversation, "what's this about dreams?"

"Baku makes ponies and Yo-Kai sleepy." Baku explained, "then Baku eats their dreams. However, all the dreams of these foals and fillies are almost the same... Just take a look." With her nose, she released a thick cloud of visible smoke, that enshrouded Nate, Katie, Bear and Eddie. The thick cloud then separated into 4 segments and changed their forms into dream clouds where the dreams the four ponies are visible to the siblings.

"Alright!" A Bear with ridiculously tall legs wearing a heroic tight-suit exclaimed as he posed. "Bearstallion is here to save the day!"

"What is going on in his mind!? Why is he so freaking tall!?" First exclaimed,

"Hey Lava breath!" The tall Bear taunted at a nearby monster as tall as him, "bring it on!" In response, the monster let loose a breath of fire.

"Hah!" Bear jumped back in time, "is that the best you can do? Hragh..!" Bear swung his front legs and put it in some pose, "Bear Buster Beam!" He yells and as retaliation, his arms released a beam of light that knocked the monster flat out cold.

"Huh, no wonder why someponies are embarrassed to share their dreams sometimes. Awkward as heck." Scootaloo remarked as she saw the entire show. Baku trotted towards Bear's Dream cloud and with one deep breath, sucked the entire dream into her wide gaping mouth.

"What the!?" The siblings turned to the Purple Tapir, moving her jaws up and down as if she was munching on the dream.

"Still Hungry..." Baku moaned as she turned her attention to the dream of Eddie next. As the siblings did the same, they came across yet another ridiculously tall foal that looks like Eddie, tinkering and playing with the numerous gadgets in a room that has a view stretching across Springdale.

"Sir?" A random baby dragon entered the office. "I mean uh... Mr 7-foot Archer?"

"Ah! Just the dragon I needed to see." Eddie welcomed,

"Eddie's tall in his dream too!" First noted as Baku slurped up the dream and munched on it once more. Leaving Baku to finish chewing, the group turned to explore Nate and Katie's dreams.

"This is great!" A ridiculously tall Katie danced with joy as she was surrounded with large tall tables filled with hundreds of different types of desserts, especially cakes. "I'm so tall, that I can see and access all of the best desserts around!" She happily levitated a piece of cake close to her and chomped away with a fork.

"Finally!" A ridiculously tall Nate was located at an imaginary store frantically grabbing and pushing every item from the tallest shelves into his trolley. Toys, comics, books, video games, sports equipment, the catalogue was endless. "Now that I'm tall, I can easily get everything from the shelves without having to ask my parents or anypony for help!"

"Sheesh! Even Nate and Katie too!" First replied, "why is everypony dreaming about being so tall!?"

"Don't ask me," Scootaloo answered as Baku sucked up and ate the two dreams. "But hey, seems like Katie mostly likes cakes out of the desserts she picked, almost as much as Princess Celestia... Future Princess of Equestria perhaps? Better yet, the first Neighponese Princess of Equestria!" She joked,

"Kids, the number 8 is the number of how tall I am measuring by feet." A ridiculously tall Mr Johnson instructed, "and if you turn the 8 horizontally, it becomes... Wait for it... An infinity sign! Isn't that spooky or what!?" Mr Johnson laughed.

"Wow, even Mr Johnson too..." First replied as Baku gulped up the contents of the teacher's dream. "Everypony dreams about being tall, just so they could do this or that, or joke with this or that..."

"The pony mind is certainly interesting... And very strange..." Whisper concluded,

"Tell Baku about it." Baku yawned, "regardless, those dreams are all measly bite-sized snacks. Baku's still trying to find her big meal."

"A big meal huh?" Scootaloo thought "so... If you find and eat a dream that fits your stomach. Will everypony then be awake?"

"Perhaps," Baku shrugged, "when Baku full, nopony needs to sleep anymore."

"In that case, what do you need in a dream in order to fill you up?"

"Something... Big. Something... Amazing. At least, any dream that's not as identical or generic as these are, they sort of make me very sleepy..."

"Then how about a Yo-Kai's dreams?" Scootaloo suggested, "like Jibanyan's?"

"H-Hey!" Jibanyan jumped, "I'm not volunteering for this!!! I'd like to keep my dreams secret!"

"Well... It's worth a shot." Baku agreed and released her veil of sleeping gas on Jibanyan. With the gas passing through him awake, the cat Yo-Kai fell asleep when it passed. Jibanyan's dream started to take shame and form itself in front of the siblings.

"Meow... I'm finally 20-feet-tall..." A even more ridiculously tall Jibanyan stood in the sky. "And I'm going to protect my best friends Scoots and First!"

"Aww," Scootaloo blushed, "you're such a sweet cat."

"A Carriage!" Jibanyan gasped,

"Watch out Jibanyan!" First warned outside of the dream,

"Don't worry my siblings, stand behind me!" Jibanyan commanded,

"Woop woop! Yay! Jibanyan! You're our hero! Yay! Go! You can do it!" Miniature Stick figures only resembling Scootaloo and First due to their heads were jumping up and down cheering in the lamest way possible.

"Wow, seriously?" First looked at Jibanyan, unable to think of what he could say next.

"Mildly... Insulting." Was all Scootaloo had to say,

"Raah..." Jibanyan put on a fierce face, power radiating from his body. "GIANT PAWS OF FURY!!!" And though he unleashed a flurry of his paws-turned-fists, one punch was all it needed to smash the carriage into splinters and smithereens.

"Victory..." Jibanyan growled. Far behind, some mares could be heard squealing with happiness and excitement as a group of mares dressed with a mix of idol and cat clothes were galloping straight towards the giant cat.

"That's right, even I can win the hearts of Next Harmeowny."

"Aah!!!" The tiny two figures of Scootaloo and First lamely cried as they were trampled over by the idol group.

"Hey! That's Cold and Harsh!" First exclaimed again in shock,

"So much for being sweet and caring." Scootaloo pouted in disappointment. Once again, Baku sucked up the dream into her mouth and munched calmly.

"Nope, still small. Not satisfied yet." Baku shook her head,

"Well then..." Scootaloo looked at the sleeping Jibanyan, until an idea popped in her mind. "How about... Mine?"

"Scoots? Are you sure about this?" First turned around in realisation,

"Yep!"

"But Scoots," Whisper reasoned, "I don't think it's right to feed Baku your Ni--"

"Ah-Ah-Ah!" Scootaloo interrupted Whisper, "Yeah! You can use me!"

"Okay then, let's see what you've got." Baku replied as her trunk released the gas onto the flightless filly, which she fell into a deep sleep. From her dream bubble came not a ridiculously tall Scootaloo but...

"Fog," First stared at a dense cloud of fog and small yellow lights within it. "There's nothing else to see here but fog."

"Hmm..." Baku thought hardly, "her dream looks very ominous but... It's definitely not like the others. Oh well, bottoms up!" And with one big deep breath, Baku sucked up the dream and began chewing. After a few seconds of savouring the taste, a look of surprise and discomfort spread across her face, and her belly.

"Goodness!" Baku spoke, "this dream... Definitely is something strange!"

"Baku? Are... Are you okay?" First asked with concern,

"Baku is fine. It's just filled Baku quite substantially, but there's something odd about this dream that makes Baku's tummy very heavy..."

"Baku?" First repeated,

"So filling... And so tired. Gonna hit the sack." Baku yawned as she lied on the ground and instantly fell asleep. A few seconds later however, she started shaking and thrashing hard.

"Gaahh!!!" Baku yelled as moved from side to side, "Monster is trying to chase Baku! Please don't eat Baku monster!!!"

"Woah!" First jumped back at the Baku going through torment, "wh-what's going on Whisper?"

"Something certainly is strange..." Whisper observed, "but in this case, when Baku ate Scootaloo's dream, she fell asleep and began doing this. If there was a conclusion that can come from it. Well..."

"Scootaloo's dream of fog," First remembered, "that's her nightmare. Baku just ate Scootaloo's dream which is actually a nightmare. And now, Baku is now experiencing the same dream."

"Well," Whisper shivered with fear, "who wouldn't be scared of that dream?"

"Whisper..." First turned around, "what do you know about this dream? This is the second time you've talked with fear and uncertainty in your tone."

"I-I have no idea what you said!" Whisper deflected, "why don't you try and do something about Baku?"

"Well what can I do?" First asked, "she's in a nightmare right now! How can I communicate to her?"

"Just yell at her or something!!!" Whisper replied. As Baku continued shaking and stirring, she began to uncontrollably puff out her signature sleeping gas all around.

"Go to sleep monster!" Baku continued crying "Leave Baku alone!"

"Oh no!" First backed towards the door, covering his nose and eyes in hopes of not to fall asleep.

"She's losing it now!" Whisper warned, "if she continues like this, the entire gas may sneak out and cover the entire school!"

"Meaning it's going to put everypony to sleep!" First replied and realising that the gas was nearly upon him, he and Whisper exited the classroom and shut the door tightly behind him.

"This is bad," First stared at the clock, 5 minutes after the starting time of school, the bell ringing outside. "We have to do something! Or class is going to be a disaster!"

"First?" A voice came from the hallway. First turned to see his older brother Flash Sentry clad in his armor,

"Big Bro? What are you doing here?"

"Well, today's reconnaissance of you two consisted of Scoots requisitioning a bottle of Coffee Milk out of the frozen supply depot known as the fridge, and walking out the door to carry out your academic duties. However, your daily supply list was missing an important item when I inspected your bedroom." He pulled out two school bags, "since I was going to work, I thought I'd pop by and give you your school bags. I mean, it would be a hassle and an awkward state when you don't have your books and stationery! Only a nightmare would cause you to forget your important items."

"I guess so." First accepted the bags, "thanks a lot First!"

"Also, glad to give you your items outside your class. Both of us wouldn't want the embarrassing attention from your friends. By the way, where's Scoots?"

"About that..." First looked towards the classroom, "can you do something to help the class?"

"Well," First looked at the clock, "I've got plenty of time before I have to start my shift. However, doesn't school start right about now?"

"Yeah, but we'll need you to start it." First replied as he quickly opened the classroom door and shoved Flash into the sleepy fog before shutting it closed.

"What!?" Flash quickly turned back to the quickly shut door, "what is the meaning of thii--..." He wasn't able to finish as the sleeping gas went up into his senses and collapsed into a deep sleep.

"Sorry about that bro..." First re-entered the classroom with an gas mask designed for foals attached to his face, "but you need to wake up on your reaction skills."

"First," Whisper followed behind, also wearing a gas mask, "what are you planning??"

"Hey Baku?" First nudged the nightmare-possessed Yo-Kai. "C-Can you hear me?"

"Help! Help! Help!" Baku cried, "huh? There is some echoing voice from afar..."

"Oh! So you can hear me!" First replied as he saw the dreams of his brother rise from his head, "listen, there's a nice, big, juicy dream right in front of you."

"But Baku can't see anything!"

"Trust me Baku..." First moved Flash's dream towards Baku's mouth, not having the time to see what his brother is dreaming about, "I promise, it's the only way to get you out of here. Just do what you always do when you eat."

"O-Okay..." Baku grunted and opened her wide sharp jaws to begin her vacuum like breath. Slowly but surely, Flash's dream was caught in Baku's deep breath and squeezed itself into Baku's mouth until it was completely swallowed.

"Nom nom..." Baku chewed and munched frantically until she felt the dream's effects. She stopped thrashing and shaking around, and laying with a calm posture, she woke up.

"Baku... Baku's awake," she looked at herself,

"Ahh... Thank Celestia!" First exclaimed with relief that his brother's dream worked,

"Oh dear, it looks like Baku caused quite a mess here. Sorry about that," Baku apologised as she looked around at the gas-infested room. "Baku will fix it." Using her nose like a vacuum, she sucked and cleared away all the gas in the room and back into the nose.

"Hmm..." First carefully took the mask off and gave a little sniff, "nope! Fresh air as usual!" And completely removed the mask,

"Sleeping crisis averted..." Whisper sighed as he took off his mask.

"Thank you so much!" Baku thanked, "that was one bad dream! Thanks for that other dream you gave Baku after that. That dream was so amazing and delicious that it managed to get rid of that bad dream and wake Baku up fully satiated and satisfied!"

"So... You're not hungry anymore?" First asked,

"Yep! As Baku said, now that Baku is full, Baku won't need to eat for some time now. Your friends here will wake up sooner or later."

"That's good to know!"

"By the way, who should Baku thank for this wonderful dreamy meal?"

"This fine stallion over here!" First pointed to Flash, still asleep on the floor.

"HIM!?" Baku jumped with surprise, "but that's... How? Out of all the ponies here, he is the most average-looking of all! An average, generic guard wouldn't dream as big as that!"

"That's my brother Baku." First replied, a little bit offended,

"Oh, sorry. Baku didn't mean to offend your Older Brother, it's just that--"

"No I'm quite surprised myself." First interrupted, "who knew one of his dreams contain much more than all of the foals and fillies here? But then again, little ponies dream big!"

"Baku likes that thinking!" Baku replied,

"By the way, what was his dream like?" First asked with curiosity.

"Hmm... It's really amazing that it's hard to put it in words. Baku guesses that you'll have to see for yourself next time."

"Huh...?" Scootaloo's eyes opened, "did... Did I just go to sleep?"

"Oh! Big Sis! You're awake!" First picked his sister up, "are you feeling any better?"

"Well... I was having that dream... And for some reason, I completely forgot what it was about." She looked around the classroom, "what's Big Bro doing here?"

"What he always does as an honourable member of the Royal Guard," First chuckled, "help ponies out."

"Oh! So you were the one who fed Baku that dream!" Baku bellowed at Scootaloo, "you should have warned Baku that you have a monstrous nightmare!"

"Oh... Yeah..." Scootaloo remembered, "I kind of knew my mind was in a deranged state. Sorry about that. I won't feed you a nightmare next time you try to eat my dreams."

"Apology accepted. After all, it was your brothers who managed to save me from that." Baku turned to First and Flash, "and they've also filled me up full! For that, Baku can thank you as well, to a lesser extent anyway."

"You're welcome!"

"Anyway, Baku is full thanks to you two. Whenever Baku gets hungry again, Baku definitely know who to look for in order to eat the finest dreams!" With that remark, Baku glowed blue, giving the knowledge of what's happening to the siblings.

"Thanks Baku." Scootaloo extended her hoof to catch the glowing blue light leaving Baku. Looking at the light on her hoof once more, it formed into a Yo-Kai Medal of Baku. "Hope you have sweet dreams!"

"Huh?" Nate woke up,

"Eh?" Katie woke up too. One by one, the students began to notice the atmosphere around them and lifted their heads.

"Argh..." Flash also woke up, rubbing his head, "what happened???"

"Nothing of all sorts," First replied, dusting his armor, "you're doing Springdale and Equestria proud!"

"Thanks?"

"D-Don't you have work to go to as well?" Scootaloo picked up his bag and placed it on his back, "you shouldn't keep the force waiting! You've got a case to solve so we can go home!"

"Okay then," Flash understood the message, "see you at home!"

"Bye Flash!" The siblings waved as Flash exited the classroom, "Love you!"

"Man..." First shook himself, "that was dicey."

"I'll need you to tell me everything of what transpired after class." Scootaloo replied,

"Allow me!" Whisper volunteered,

"By the way," First looked around, "where's Jibanyan?"

"Meow..." Jibanyan sat beneath First's desk, still sleeping like a lion.

Though there was a lack of time, the class proceeded as normal throughout lessons and activities. By the time recess rolled in, Scootaloo heard the explanation of everything when she was asleep, as well as the discussions of dreams to friends.

"Wha-!?" Katie jumped in embarrassment and shocked, "how do you know I always like eating dessert?"

"Well... Whenever you day dream in class," Scootaloo reasoned, "you've always been talking about pudding, ice-cream, parfaits, and mostly cake!"

"Aww..." Katie sighed, "now I should really be mindful of what I eat..."

"We're friends!" Scootaloo laughed "we won't judge! Besides, Princess Celestia has a great obsession with cakes!"

"Really?"

"Hey guys!" Eddie and Bear galloped up towards the four foals, "you've got to check this out!"

"Oh no..." Katie gulped, the expression of dread across her face. "Not one of those 'mysteries' again!"

"Rumours?" First tilted his head,

"Well you see," Bear explained, "around Neighpon and even here in Springdale to an extent, there has been sightings and records of things that completely defies logic."

"Loads of these new rumours come up almost every week." Eddie continued, "there's one such as the floating samurai helmet, the night class, the mysterious disappearances at the Springdale construction site, and this..." He showed a photograph of a dog with a completely monstrous face.

"Aieee!" Scootaloo jumped in surprise, "what the heck is that creature!? It's face looks... Really weird!"

"Are you familiar with the mythological, fairy tail creature known as Humans?"

"Well... Yes?"

"This is known as a Human-Faced Dog, or HFC as for short."

"Now that you mention it..." First peered at the picture, "the face does look similar to the faces of humans that Ms Heartstrings always shows."

"When have you been spending time with Ms Lyra?" Scootaloo spoke up,

"Whenever she wants me to play a duet of Harp and Drums!"

"You play drums? I thought your talent was baseball!" Nate replied,

"It's a secondary hobby." First replied, "I'd play rock, classical, Trottish parade, and sometimes as an accompaniment. Not to brag..."

"You dolt!" Scootaloo corrected, "you've always told me that the reason why Ms Heartstrings required you to play for her is to only provide the duration and beat and these sorts of musical terms relating to time!"

"I still consider it an honour to accompany her, regardless if it's just to provide a rhythmic melody."

"Anyway!" Eddie continued, "there has been a sighting of the HFC around Uptown Springdale."

"W-Well..." Katie started to shiver, "about that... I swear... I swear I've seen a Human Faced Dog... Just yesterday near the park area..." Her mind flashed back at night, where Katie was trotting through the pavements all alone. However, she spotted what looks to be a poodle, trotting in front of her, made visible by the street-light.

"Aww... It's a little puppy!" Katie replied, until the dog heard the sound and turned around, where Katie's happy face changed into something worse.

"Ahh!!!" Katie snapped out of it, "it's so scary! I didn't even remember what it was like! All I knew I could do, was just run back home!"

"Okay...?" Scootaloo replied to her reaction,

As school finished, the siblings made their way home with Nate joining them on the path.

"Rumours and mysteries huh?" Scootaloo conversed, "seems rather, interesting..."

"If you must know..." Nate replied, "sometimes the four of us would go looking for those certain rumours. Normally, it would end up with Eddie blabbering all about disproving the supernatural and saying that he'd write a report on it. It's like he has a lot of free time."

"Well, he is an intelligent foal!" First reasoned,

"Yeah... Well..." Nate looked away,

"Hey..." First noticed, "you're thinking about Katie, are you not?"

"Is... Is it really that obvious?"

"Well, when Katie was talking about the HFC, you were looking very concerned..." First explained his observation until something crossed his mind, "now I get it! Your special somepony that you have your eyes on is Katie!!!"

"Don't blurt it out loud!" Nate jumped,

"Aww..." Scootaloo giggled, "how cute."

"D-Don't tell anypony, alright?"

"Your secret is safe with us." First promised,

"Now back to the HFC," Scootaloo returned to the subject, "If you want to look for it, I am quite interested to find it myself! As well as the other mysteries too."

"Well that's no problem!" Nate exclaimed, "It'd be great if you can join me! That is... If you are able to go out late at night."

"Wait... You mean we can't do it now?"

"I'm pretty sure my parents and your brother would be very worried if we weren't back for a long time after school." Nate explained, "besides, we've got homework to complete as well. If you manage to sneak out at night, then all is perfect!"

"Well then..." First looked at Scootaloo with concern, "we'll see what we can do. If we can get out, we'll meet you outside your house to discuss matters."

"Okay then, see you!" Nate waved goodbye as they went their separate ways.

"Yeah, about that... 'If' we can get out?" First turned to Scootaloo, "thou dare talkest to him of ifs!?"

"I didn't want to upset him!"

"Thou should be careful of our brother. The chances of ifs are null with him around! If we break for the night, he'll break our heads!"

"Why are you speaking in broken, olde, English?" Scootaloo replied,

"I dunno, when you said 'if', I just felt like doing it."

Back at home, Scootaloo, First, Whisper and Jibanyan were busy thinking up of a plan to bypass their super alert of a brother.

"Sneak out the balcony?" First suggested,

"Too high for you and I."

"What about just sneaking downstairs and out the door? I mean, he wouldn't mind... Would he?"

"Perhaps..." Scootaloo replied, "but he'd be worried if he finds out we're out of our bed."

"Argh..." A familiar voice came from downstairs as the front door opened,

"Oh look! Flashy's back!" Scootaloo overheard,

"Big Bro!" First called as the two galloped down the stairs,

"Oh, you two... How was school? I hope things had returned to normal..."

"It sure has!" First answered, "how was work?"

"It's definitely... Something... Infuriating and confusing, but I'm afraid it's confidential. And I have to write to the Princesses a few days from now..."

"Well, we've got a few rumours ourselves from School." Scootaloo shared, "there's the floating helmet, the night class, the Human Faced Dog..."

"The HFC?" Flash interrupted, "that's certainly something that I'm still boggling my mind around."

"You've heard about it?"

"I've heard about all of them. They're not too major a problem, so the local force paid no attention to it. I of course, really wondered how each of these happened. But the HFC though, he's a very interesting one!"

"You've seen him!?" The siblings gasped,

"Looks hideous as nearly most ponies say, but I'm not judging because of appearances." Flash explained, "the reports say he's been charged for several things. Stealing, misconduct, a record of complaints from many mares for being a... Never mind that. He was released 2 days ago."

"Wait... Not just you... But everypony else can see them?" Scootaloo asked with great confusion,

"I wish that he would be invisible... But no, he's visible to possibly anypony."

"Interesting..."

"And there's one more!" First piped up, "there's the rumour and mystery that there has been disappearing ponies at the Construction site late at night!"

"Hold your horses!" Flash performed a double-take, "where did you hear about that?"

"These rumours were spread around in school. Why do you ask?"

"Well..." Uncertainty and pressure coursed through Flash's veins, "if information like this is really leaky in this town, I'd file a complaint about that."

"Do you know something about that too?" Scootaloo was eager to listen,

"I... Really shouldn't be telling you this. But if rumours coming from this case spreads like wildfire, I guess there's no harm telling you everything. But promise me, that you will not tell anypony else!"

"We promise not to tell!" First saluted,

"Very well then. The rumour of the disappearances in the building under construction at Downtown Springdale, is one of the most pressing cases in this Paranormal investigation."

"It sounds like some ponies are getting kidnapped. What's wrong with that?"

"It isn't. A lot of Ponies seemed very afraid of it. One of my colleagues were best friends with one of the construction ponies working in that tower. One day, that pony had to take the night-shift, and he never came back, nor did anypony contact him."

"Why?"

"It's because... He didn't exist." Flash replied,

"WHAT!?"

"Which is really puzzling. You see, even my colleague, his own best friend, didn't even seem to remember him. I don't seem to remember him. Even the construction company does not recall registering that name into their databases."

"But how do you know about this when you've never heard of him?"

"These are all assumptions and a theories of this mystery from the local force. If this pony did exist, and we all knew him from one point or another, it's like... That pony... Just faded from memory... Argh..." Flash galloped to the fridge, and pulled out a bottle of Fruit Milk, gulping it desperately. "I don't want to talk anymore about this, I'm sorry. The feeling of it just... Scares me..."

"Flash?"

"How would you feel?" Flash asked, "if your best friend that you've known your entire life, just disappears from existence, and even from your memory? What would happen, if either of you disappears off the face of the world? When nopony will remember except only a select few for Celestia knows why?"

"Well..." Scootaloo tried to think of an answer, "it would be very painful..."

"Sorry about that. Perhaps you should just forget everything I said..." Flash moaned as he retreated to his room, until he paused and peeped his head out,

"One more thing. I'm afraid I can't allow you to go out at Night anymore. Especially not when this Celestia-forsaken rumour and mystery is around. It's just that... I don't want to feel the pain of forgetting any of you."

"We understand Flash." Scootaloo replied, "it be pretty difficult for us if you were to be erased from existence..." As Flash was out from view, Scootaloo and First expressed a face of defeat.

"Now what?" Scootaloo asked once their back in their room. "Do you have any idea how to get us out Whisper?"

"Hmm..." Whisper thought hard, "I could try carrying the both of you, but you'd be too heavy..."

"You know, even though we've been forbidden to go out now," First raised a concern, "should we 'still' go? I mean, if we're dealing with a Yo-Kai that makes anypony fade from memory, I wouldn't want to deal with that!"

"Well..." The realisation hit Scootaloo's mind, "now I'm not so sure myself either... But Nate, he's determined to find that HFC. I think we should support him with that."

"Th-Then in that case, how about we exclude the building under construction? We just look for the other rumours!"

"Sounds about okay." Scootaloo agreed, "but getting past Flash is still an obstacle. Besides, I'm not sure if our bodies could stay up all night..."

"Well well well!" A familiar voice came from the door. The siblings, Whisper and Jibanyan turned around to see a familiar Purple tapir trot into the room. "Of all the luck, Baku get to eat the dreams of you guys again!"

"Baku?" Scootaloo questioned, "what are you doing here?"

"Every night, Baku go to a random house to snack on the dreams of its inhabitants." Baku replied, "but this fine-looking house Baku picked happens to be yours!"

"Thanks for the compliment."

"You seem down on your luck. Something wrong?"

"I don't know, just wondering how to sneak outside at night without alerting our Big Brother is all."

"Is that so? Then good thing Baku is here for you!"

"You can help?" Scootaloo's eyes widened,

"Yes! Baku can help suck sleepiness out of ponies so that they can be awake at night..."

"Sounds awesome, but..." First piped in, "what about Flash?"

"Baku can also take your place at night!"

"Wait..." Scootaloo stopped, "what do you mean by 'take my place'?"

"Baku can change form into you so Big Brother won't be able to tell the difference! You'll understand when we show you. It's a piece of cake! Very tasty, tasty cake!"

"What do you think?" Scootaloo asked First,

"We promised Nate, so now that we have a way out, I guess we don't have any other choices. I'm in."

"Great!" Baku jumped, "since there are two of you, Baku will need to bring a friend along. She's very sweet and easy going, she'll easily become friends with you!"

"Cool! In that case, see you tonight!"

When Luna decided to pull the moon out, Scootaloo and First were ready to go to bed, or so Flash thought...

"Goodnight Flash!" The two called to their brother,

"Goodnight Scootaloo, First." Flash called from down below. The moment they could hear the light switch off in his room, it was time to take action.

"Is he out?" Whisper whispered,

"Yep!" Scootaloo replied, "now, we just have to wait for Baku and her friend."

"Baku is present!" Baku trotted in the room once again,"hope we're not late!"

"Not at all."

"This is my friend Whapir!" Baku introduced the siblings to a Yo-Kai that looks identical to Baku, only that it was white in colour, blue-white eyes instead of Baku's Yellow-red eyes, and purple-pinkish floral patterns.

"Nice to meet you Whapir!" First greeted back,

"Nice to meet you too!" Whapir greeted back, speaking fluently unlike Baku,

"Just out of curiosity, what's your ability?"

"Similar to Baku's, except I give good dreams that meet with anypony's respective happiness or desires." Whapir explained, "I've heard a lot about you two from Baku and what you did this morning. I'd be very happy to be friends with you!" And she offered out her Yo-Kai medal.

"Thanks!" Scootaloo accepted, "for trusting in us right now. I wish we could spend more time together doing things rather than just through connections and one-time jobs, so we get to understand each other more."

"Don't worry, I'm pretty sure we're all going to play a big role later on in life." Whapir smiled. "Now, why don't we get on to work?"

"C-Can we do this now?" First yawned, "I'm getting a little sleepy..."

"Okay then! No more talk! You two stand very still!" Baku instructed.

"..." Scootaloo and First stood still without any words as the two dream-eating Yo-Kai opened their mouths wide. A column of wind began sucking something from a sibling each, where it was unseen. After 10 seconds of inhaling and eating, Baku and Whapir were busily munching while the Siblings find their entire body systems fresh out of bed and awake for the morning.

"Wow! This certainly is something!" First swung around his legs actively, "I feel like a million bucks!"

"Thanks Baku and Whapir." Scootaloo bowed, "now we won't fall asleep by accident!"

"Glad to help." Baku replied, "your sleepy meal is full and lovely Scootaloo. Baku feel like going to sleep."

"Same..." Whapir replied "You should have tried First's sleepiness Baku, it was delicious."

"Blast!" Baku remembered, "Baku should have called dibs on First!"

"Oh well, maybe next time." Whapir replied, "good luck on your night exploration you two!"

A purple thick smoke exploded around both the tapirs and once it resided, an exact form of Scootaloo and First replaced them. Without any other word, Baku hopped into Scootaloo's bed while Whapir hopped into First's bed, and were out like a night, sleeping peacefully.

"..." Scootaloo had her mouth wide open as she stared at her own copy, Baku disguised as her. "So that's what you mean... I've got nothing else to say..." First on the other hand, was awestruck as he looked at Whapir disguised as him from head to hoof.

"That... Is awesome!" First quietly exclaimed, "they're like those changelings!"

"If you say so..." Scootaloo replied, "but it still looks a little bit... Creepy."

"As much as you two are interested in marvelling in Baku and Whapir's disguises, you've got somepony waiting for you!"

"Oh right," Scootaloo remembered, "now quiet First, and you two as well." She warned, "knowing Flash, he's very perceptive, even when he's asleep. Thankfully, we're just as stealthy. So we've gotta hit the front door without any sound."

"Shh..." First gestured a shushing sound to Whisper and Jibanyan as the two silently trotted down the stairs, past the living room and Flash's bedroom, and turned the lock on the front door...

"Is somepony there?" A voice came from the living room.

"Uh-oh...!" Scootaloo looked towards the door, then back to what she was doing. Looking around, she had nowhere to run, as the sound of hooves came closer and closer.

"It's just me Big Bro!" First called out and turned on the lights in the bathroom, "I needed to take a leak."

"Oh, okay!" Flash replied as trotted away from the door. With the sound of flushing and lights turning off, Scootaloo quickly used the distraction to open the lock and the door after it. As the party stepped outside the house with a silent closing sound, the four quickly trotted many metres away from the front door, before resuming their normal pace.

"Thanks for the save!" Scootaloo complimented her brother, "if it weren't for that, we'd be dead meat!"

"We're just out of the frying pan. We've got to get back home when this is over!"

"Quickly now, let's find Nate." Scootaloo gestured to the Adams residence. Silently trotting across the moon-shone tarmac, the two find their new best friend waiting outside his house.

"Nate!" Scootaloo called,

"Oh! There you are! You managed to get out!" Nate waved back, "so glad that you can make it!"

"Of course! We wouldn't let our friends down..." Scootaloo chuckled nervously,

"So, do you have any idea where you think the HFC will be?" First asked,

"We could check Triangle Park!" Nate suggested, "that's where Katie saw it last time!"

"Okay then, let's go!" Scootaloo replied as she lead the way to the park,

"If you must know..." Whisper warned the siblings as the trotted along, "we may be facing a great threat!"

"What do you mean? Is the HFC a Yo-Kai?" First asked,

"If it is, then it's all the more dangerous." Whisper pointed at the Yo-Kai Watch, "if you can only see Yo-Kai with that, then how can Nate, Katie, and everypony else see this HFC?"

"Huh, I've never actually thought of that," Scootaloo remembered, "even Flash could see it as well!"

"Yes." Whisper nodded, "if a Yo-Kai like that can be seen by everypony, that means this Yo-Kai holds tremendous power!"

"Tremendous power huh..." First shook, "I... I hope he isn't that horrendous as that picture!"

"Look! Over there!" Nate pointed towards an area.

"WHERE!?" First jumped, visible by the street light, a chocolate toy poodle was calmly walking along the park road, not minding anyone's business.

"Wait, that's just a dog." Scootaloo replied disappointed,

"Excuse me..." an adult voice from a stallion surprisingly came from the dog as he turned to face the group, shocking them all, including Whisper and Jibanyan. The dog had a grey coloured human face with thick-framed glasses and a ghost-like swirl on top of his head. "... But I prefer to be left alone."

"Human Faced Dog!!!" The five screamed in horror,

"Pardon your language," The dog calmly continued as the five attempted to calm down, "but I preferred to be called Manjimutt."

"M-Manjimutt?" Scootaloo was brave enough to reply,

"Correct," Manjimutt replied, "and I loathe being called a Human Faced Dog." Grabbing an umbrella, he practices swinging it like a golf club and calling out words like 'fore'. While the siblings, Whisper and Jibanyan were unfazed, Nate was the one with much more pressing answers.

"H-How can you talk!?" Nate blurted out,

"What do you mean?" Manjimutt asked as he put away the umbrella, "I talk, just like every single pony or Yo-Kai. Well, most Yo-Kai."

"Wait... Yo-Kai?" Nate tilted his head in confusion, "you mean those spirits causing unreasonable and unpredictable occurrences? But I thought Eddie said that they don't exist..."

"Yep, that's me alright."

"So it is true! You are a Yo-Kai after all!" First replied, "a mythological creature combined with two things to form a ghost!"

"I'd say it's a pitiful life being one at that too." Manjimutt sighed, "whatever I do, I always seemed to get arrested by the Guardsponies."

"What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked,

"Come with me, I'll tell you my story." Manjimutt led the group to a nearby food stand.

"You again?" The night attendant nonchalantly greeted,

"Indeed. I'll take the usual, Toilet Wine." Manjimutt ordered, "and these fine looking ponies and Yo-Kai can have some orange sodas. On my tab."

"Coming right up," the attendant brought out the drinks in an unwavering tone.

"Thanks, I guess." Nate looked at his glass of orange soda with confusion, before disregarding any form of threat and calmly drank away.

"So uh... How did you become... You?" Scootaloo asked as she sipped her drink,

"Well..." Manjimutt's mind flashed back, "I can say that it was something... Depressing. I was just a regular working pony like all of you. Until one day..."

"I'm sorry, but you're fired."

"Wha!?"

"It's nothing personal... It's just business..."

"No..."

"Good luck out in the world, hope somepony else got a job for you."

"The company was going down in sales, a few ponies had to be let go. Unfortunately, I was one of them." Manjimutt explained, then looked at the event where he sat at the same store the group was currently at right now, drinking his problems away.

"WHY!!!!" The pony Manjimutt yelled, "Just WHY!!!???"

"So then, I got drunk, and I decided to join a research lab tour where they are researching on the existence of humans and apparent findings of their DNA with the money I had. Then it all ended for me..."

As the pony Manjimutt strolled across a walkway above tubs of unknown peach-coloured liquid with others, a chocolate toy poodle was barking madly at him.

"Hey!" The tour guide yelled at the owner of the dog, "animals are not allowed in here! Have you forgotten the rules? Areas in the factory are dangerous! If somepony stumbles into one of these experimental vats of liquid... That somepony will be gone for good!" At that moment, the Poodle decided to wrestle himself free from his owner and tackle the Pony Manjimutt. The surprising force of the dog caused Manjimutt to stumble over the safety railway and fell face-first into one of the vats along with the dog. Nothing can be heard as after one large splash, not even a single hoof was surfaced from the watery pit, only a chain of bubbles.

"... At least, that's what I thought..." Manjimutt continued,

While an emergency rescue crew and staff personnel rushed in, they attempted to fish the bodies out of the vat. Neither pony nor dog resurfaced at the end of the net. Instead, there laid the body of a chocolate toy poodle with a green-ghostly cotton tail and hair wisp. Putting the mysterious organism back on dry floor, hoping to see a response. To their shock and horror, the body stood upright as a dog and turned his around, revealing his face to everypony around him. A dog's body with a human face, and completely devoid of any pony features. The only thing that stayed the same, was the black thick-framed glasses.

"And that's how I became... Manjimutt!" Manjimutt concluded,

"So..." The foals and Yo-Kai thought out a mathematical solution,

"(Ugly looking business pony + Chocolate Poodle) x Human DNA = Manjimutt!"

"It makes sense." Nate nodded,

"Well then..." First finished his drink, "thanks for sharing your story. Now we understand how you came around as a Yo-Kai. It's very similar to how Hungramps came to be the Yo-Kai he is. My condolences that you couldn't live as happily as he does as a Yo-Kai."

"Wait..." Nate semi-choked on his drink, "you've seen... Other Yo-Kai?"

"Really?" First tensed up at Nate's attempted prompts and realised what he had just said, "I have no idea what you are talking about!"

"Silly kid," Manjimutt sighed as he walked over to a nearby lamp post after finishing his drink, ready to take a leak, "everypony is like that, unable to see any other Yo-Kai except me. Let me give you some advice, there's always a select group of ponies are able to see Yo-Kai with their own eyes. Yo-Kai are everywhere, dealing with the stress of their life just like you."

"Uh, Manjimutt? What the hay are you doing!?" Scootaloo's eyes widened at his attempted action, "I know you're a dog but... Your actions still looks really awful!"

"Hold it!" Two guardponies quickly flew and grabbed a hold of Manjimutt, "you're doing this again! We told you that conduct like this is not allowed in public unless you have the excuse of being drunk!"

"Looks like it's back to the slammer for you!" The other one spoke as they carried him away,

"DOGGONE IT!" Manjimutt bellowed as he was carried away, not before he managed to toss his medal towards the direction of the foals.

"Well, thanks I guess..." Scootaloo shrugged as she picked up the medal from the ground. The mosaic picture of Manjimutt was present on the Purple Medal.

"Th-The HFC... He gave you something..." Nate pointed out,

"It's... Complicated..."

"You know what? Judging by what I've seen, I'm going to do Majimutt a favor and keep an open mind."

"That's sweet."

"But that doesn't mean I won't be silent about this." Nate continued, "both of you seem to have some connection with Yo-Kai. Are you one of those 'select ponies'?"

"Well... Guess the cat's out of the bag." First replied without any resistance, "we'll tell you everything. You fine with that Sis?"

"At least somepony will know that we aren't crazy!" Scootaloo nodded then took over, "sure. We're not exactly 'select' ponies that can see Yo-Kai. However..." She showed the large watch hanging from her neck, "this is what enables us to see Yo-Kai."

"Wow..." Nate looked at the Watch with amazement in his eyes, "have you ever told your brother about that?"

"No." First replied, "we've kept it secret from him."

"To add to seeing Yo-Kai, we can also befriend them too. The medal we've collected from Manjimutt is the proof that we have a bond of friendship between us. We do favours to help improve his life, and they can do the same to us." Scootaloo continued,

"Hay, we've even got a cat Yo-Kai as a partner and another Yo-Kai as our butler!" First added,

"Yo-Kai huh... Could that be the reason I was wearing a dress to school on your first school days?" Nate asked,

"Also the reason why you were sleeping at school this morning, Yo-Kai is why." First nodded,

"Do you want to see them?" Scootaloo offered, popping open the lens, "If you look through the lens here, you can see the Yo-Kai like we do. If you aim it at a Yo-Kai for a certain period of time, it becomes permanently visible to your naked eye."

"Thanks for the thought but..." Nate refused, "I think I'll be fine with knowing what they're doing through your words."

"If you change your mind, the watch will always be with me!" Scootaloo shook the watch,

"I'll think about it." Nate replied,

"Well then! Case closed! Should we go home?" First asked,

"First, remember why we decided to go outside?" Scootaloo reminded, "we're here to find the reasons behind the rumours!"

"Oh... Right..." First gulped,

"So Nate, do you know the locations of the rumours?"

"The floating helmet is rather mysterious, but it mostly floats around the roads of Uptown Springdale. As for the night class, it's just at school!"

"Okay then, let's go!" Scootaloo commanded and led the way,

"By the way," Nate piped up, "how long have you kept that Watch for?"

"Three weeks," First gave it some thought, "it's not hard to forget when you first meet a Yo-Kai who has the item for seeing other Yo-Kai."

"And, how long has this Yo-Kai been your butler?"

"We released him from his prison after 190 Years." First continued, "once released, he became indebted to us. He's quite helpful, but most times, he's not that knowledgeable either."

"I heard that!" Whisper replied,

"Guys! Hold your positions!" Scootaloo signalled to stop, "quiet... Something is lurking around the corner..." One by one, the foals and Yo-Kai peeked around the corner, wondering what was going on, then it hit them. The helmet of a Neighponese Guard, emptily floating around the streets in front of their school.

"This... This is really... Creepy." First gazed at the floating helmet,

"You think the ghost of an old Neighponese Guard is there?" Jibanyan asked,

"That's one of the theories that Eddie is still skeptical about." Nate answered,

"Wait... What the!?" Scootaloo looked at Nate, then to Jibanyan, then back to Nate, "how did you!?"

"What's going on?" First turned around in shock,

"Wasn't that you who was talking?" Nate replied,

"N-Never mind..." Scootaloo dismissed,

"Hey!" First turned back to where he was looking. Only this time, there was nothing but empty space. "The helmet's gone!"

"Darn it!" Scootaloo replied, "whatever, we can find it floating around next time."

"Hey!" Whisper pointed towards the school, where a classroom on the ground floor was fully lit. "There's something going on in there!"

"You're right!" Nate focused his eyes with Whisper's note, "I see it clear as a ghost!"

"Wait a minute!" First picked it up, "Nate, can you actually hear Whisper?"

"Wh-Who's Whisper?" Nate started to sweat, "I thought that was you who spoke!"

"Nate, I never said anything about the school. Our Yo-Kai Butler did," First analysed as he turned around "so how can you hear--WOAH!" Unbeknownst to Nate, the mysterious Neighponese Guard Helmet that disappeared found itself attached to his head. It not only gave Nate a new look, but also surrounded him with a yellow aura.

"Holy Celestia!" Scootaloo jumped with fear, "how did the helmet get onto your head!?"

"I'm wearing something on my head?" Nate scratched his head, "oh hey! I actually am wearing something! And... I see a really weird ghost and cat following you. Are those the Yo-Kai that are your partners and butlers?"

"Yeah but..." First nodded, "I thought you couldn't see them... Are you actually a selected 'pony'?"

"Impossible." Whisper replied, "It should be plain obvious to see that he is inspirited!"

"Oh, right, the Yellow Aura." Scootaloo remembered, "though, it's quite interesting to see that you've decided to say a Yo-Kai is behind all this!"

"I could say the same!" Whisper retorted, "you couldn't even tell he was inspirited in the first place!"

"Let's not fall apart now!" First broke up, "let's just help Nate first. Big Sis?"

"Alright alright." Scootaloo sighed as she pointed the watch at Nate. The helmet began to shake uncontrollably, pulling itself free from the Earth Pony, and started expelling purple fumes out of his body until it was hidden from view. As the fumes subsided, a floating helmet that has eyes, nose, mouth, and even a nice, straight moustache and beard.

"Well I'll be! You are able to see me!" The helmet spoke,

"Ah!" First stepped back, "so you are a talking helmet!"

"Why thanks for the compliment!" The Yo-Kai bowed, "it's been 100 or more years that I've been recognised,"

"Wait... 100 Years? Just who are you?"

"My name, is Helmsman. It is an honour to meet your acquaintance." The Helmet named Helmsman bowed,

"100 Years?" First repeated,

"Yo-Kai are not just formed from the souls of once living beings or any form of emotion, even objects can gain spirits too!" Whisper explained,

"So you're 'actually' a real Neighponese Guard Helmet yes?"

"From more than 100 years ago!" Helmsman replied, "I was a fine looking helmet, proudly worn by an honourable Neighponese Soldier from long ago, recognised by many through weary wars, blood-spilling battles and his ability to unite his comrades to tip the scales! With his helmet and armour, he was the most fearsome!"

"Sounds like Flash." Scootaloo replied,

"It was until one day... my owner fell in battle..." Helmsman replied, "Of all the places I couldn't protect, it was his eyes. With a stray arrow piercing his skull. It was over for him... And us. I am ashamed!!!"

"Us?"

"On his grave, the helmet which is I, and the body armour, were set on display to honour his legacy. The ponies say, that his soul and his presence still lives on within the items that protected him throughout war, and that he will watch the future endeavour of his country..."

"Touching..." Scootaloo replied, "The love and tribute to a war figure... We can empathise with that."

"The loss of our owner isn't the end to this tragedy..." Helmsman continued, "one day, our land was invaded. Homes were destroyed, villages were ransacked, every living pony was cast out! But worst of all... My armour and I were separated from our owner's grave and each other!"

"That's cruel!"

"Torn apart from each other, I was tossed around all of Neighpon as a museum display and sooner before I knew it, I was all alone..."

"And once you've gained um... became a Yo-Kai, I assume that you've been looking for your other half right? The armour?"

"And still to this day." Helmsman nodded, "I have been looking for my body ever since. I tried placing myself onto the heads of anypony I can see at night, but every single one of them lack the passion, the blood, or the honour of a warrior! When I placed myself onto this foal, I wanted to release myself as soon as possible... He's just so average!"

"Harsh? But to answer your question, we're currently at peace with the numerous lands and races in this big world. There are no longer any wars occurring today, not that I know as of yet..." First informed.

"But don't give up!" Scootaloo encouraged, "I'm sure you can find your other half! The world may be big, but you have all the time in this world to find your other half! I mean, if you are a Yo-Kai from a helmet, then there should be a Yo-Kai from that armour!"

"Hmm... Perhaps you may be right..." Helmsman lightened up,

"Why don't we help you while we're at it!" First asked, "we too are looking out for Yo-Kai. If you want to find your armour, then we can help you too!"

"It's very tempting..." Helmsman wondered, "my mission may take a long time. I wish not to trouble kind folk like you!"

"It's okay." Scootaloo comforted as she stared straight at Helmsman and firmly placed her hoof on her chest, "on my honour as a guard!"

"Is that so?" Helmsman looked carefully in Scootaloo's eyes, "hmm... Such determination to help... It is obvious to see that you are too young an age to be a fearless warrior. However, I can see that you have the eyes of one! And you too! Earth Pony of Orange and Dark Blue! Perhaps you two are related?"

"Brother and Sister." First replied, "our family has been loyally involved with the monarchy through service to the Royal Guard. Our big brother is a Royal Guard too!"

"I see..." Helmsman replied, "so both of you have the heart too... Very well! May I know your names?"

"Scootaloo!"

"First Base."

"Brave and Kind Scootaloo, Courageous and Willing First Base! I graciously accept your help to find my other half! I swear an oath of friendship to both of you! We shall be sworn allies for eternity!" With that oath, Helmsman glowed blue and a Medal popped out of the light,

"Thank you very much!" Scootaloo bowed back in respect, "we shall not let you down. Now can you stop inspiriting our friend?"

"Oh! Forgive me..." Helmsman apologised and released his influence on Nate.

"Huh?" Nate blinked rapidly and looked as the inspiriting aura left his body, "what was I saying?"

"Uh... It's nothing. Right Whisper?"

"Nothing at all!" Whisper replied,

"Who are you talking to Scoots? Is it that Yo-Kai you have as your butler?"

"I see... So you can't remember perceiving Yo-Kai after you've been purified..." First analysed,

"What happened?"

"Nothing, just mystery of the helmet solved!"

"Aww! What's it all about!?"

"Well..." First chuckled as he held the floating helmet "the helmet's alive alright. Contains the soul of an old Neighponese Warrior, or half of it."

"Aww..." Nate looked disappointed, "this is Yo-Kai related, right?"

"Yes." Scootaloo answered,

"I believe you then." Nate answered, "if it's especially coming from you two, I know a Yo-Kai's got to be behind something!"

"Thanks for believing." First thanked,

"No problem. Now, we've got a night class to attend!"

Climbing over the School Gates and approaching the brightly lit classroom window. The three foals and Yo-Kai peered into the windows. There, all they just saw is a group of foals and fillies sitting down and listening to the teacher who was busy showing them some advanced mathematics.

"It's just a normal class, nothing suspicious. Are you sure this rectifies as a rumour?" Scootaloo analysed, "I mean, the Princess of Friendship had to study day and night, being Princess Celestia's student..."

"I understand that..." Nate replied, "but the School System had mentioned nothing about running evening classes. Especially this late at night!"

"Hmm..." Scootaloo peered at her watch. The clock hands point towards half past eleven in the silent night. "Valid point."

"Do... Do any of the ponies look recognisable?" First asked,

"Not at all..." Nate answered, "I mean, I only know all of our class, but not everypony in the school!"

"If this wasn't a normal occurrence..." Scootaloo structured a question, "how can we show or see for ourselves that this isn't a normal occurrence?"

"Could it be one of those Yo-Kai?" Nate asked,

"Why you ask?"

"Just a random shot at the dark." Nate replied, "besides, everything that has been going wrong between me and others, you said they were Yo-Kai. Since the floating Helmet was a Yo-Kai, could a Yo-Kai be pulling the strings behind the evening class?"

"Okay then! We'll help with that..." Scootaloo pulled out her Watch Lens and was ready to aim towards the class, until a fast stream of wind from behind interrupted their process.

"Did you feel that?" Scootaloo looked around.

"A quick burst of wind..." Jibanyan answered, "something just went fast behind us."

"Maybe it's just the wind..." First replied,

"It sure feels strange. Never mind, let's just go back and HEY!" Nate turned around and exclaimed to his surprise at the empty, pitch-black classroom.

"But-- There was a class here a second ago!" Scootaloo tried to explain,

"Even though it may be a trick, it would take much longer than a second for everypony to leave and with the lights turned off!" First added,

"Guys, can you please stop over-analysing and trying to be smart!?" Nate interrupted, "I'm pretty sure that it's a Yo-Kai we're dealing with!"

"Okay okay!" Scootaloo replied, lifting up her open-lens watch. "I'll just see what's going on!" Scanning around the dark classroom, the light picked up nothing but dust and tables.

"Anything?" First asked,

"Nope!"

"Keep looking around..." Whisper advised, "some Yo-Kai might leave a trail of their doings."

"A-Okay!" Scootaloo nodded and continued scanning around the classroom, focusing mostly on the most obscure places. It was until she placed the light on the classroom door that a dark tail of clouds slivered around the bend of the door area and away from view, into the hallway.

"Ah!" Scootaloo pointed out, "a snake! It just slipped into the hallway!"

"Then what are you waiting for!? After that Yo-Kai!" Whisper commanded,

"If we can get into the front door that is," First pointed to the front doors of the school building. "I bet it's locked and set on alarm!"

"Then how about the service entrance?" Nate suggested, "On the right side of the school building, there's a small entrance for the faculty staff to enter the school after hours. I'm pretty sure that the place is still open."

"You sure?"

"I've had to sneak in here with Bear, Eddie and Katie in order to get the best seats to see the firework display for the summer festival held every year."

"Fireworks? Summer Festival? You've got to invite us the next time the festival comes."

"It will be here in two months time!" Nate tried to remember, "of course we'll invite you! We're friends after all!"

"It's a promise!" First replied as they trotted towards the side of the building. A grey square double door, smaller than the main door, lays still between two small trees.

"Well, this is it." Nate introduced, "mares first."

"Gladly." Scootaloo stepped forward and quietly laid a hoof on the door. Slowly applying pressure, the door quietly arched outwards, allowing a passage between the interior and exterior of the building.

"What did I tell you?" Nate chuckled as the group entered the school in single file into a wide room full of office cubicles. "Now this is the teacher's and staff room. The door to enter the school is still locked however, The keys should be on the back of the hall, near the door to the Principal's office. I'll go get it." As Nate was distracted with getting the keys, the siblings and Yo-Kai thought it would be a good idea to recon the hallway from the door windows. Scanning the watch around the first floor hallway, the dark cloudly tail can be seen once more. This time, it left a longer trail where a big clump of clouds was at it's end. Focusing on the cloud ball itself, the watch surprisingly revealed the sillouette, turning the dark clouds into normal clouds of white... And the ball of clouds disappated, leaving behind a smaller floating spirit having elderly features and wearing a traditional Neighponese set of clothes in grey. A hat, a kimono with yellow linings, a khaki-coloured collar of beads, a red charm, and a small, flat, wooden staff.

"Hoo hoo hoo!" An elderly but cheeky tone echoed from the hallway, "I feel like somepony saw through the illusions of my identity..."

"Oh crap! I think it can sense us!" First desperately hid from view.

"Any Yo-Kai can sense that they have been identified." Whisper corrected, "It's not hard to notice when you feel somepony that is not a Yo-Kai is watching you. When the Yo-Kai lens and light fall upon a Yo-Kai, the Yo-Kai would receive a strange feeling. It is more of a passive and pressurising feeling rather than being uncomfortable. However, all Yo-Kai know what that type of feeling means. It is the feeling of their 'invisibility' being nullified to some ponies. Remember that you aren't... Or weren't the only ones that can use a Yo-Kai Watch."

"Are we compromised?"

"No, but the Yo-Kai may be cautious of his surroundings." Whisper explained, "after all, if somepony can point a watch and reveal its existence to that pony's eyes, it tells the Yo-Kai that somepony is around, seeing him."

"Uh oh..."

"Relax little bro!" Scootaloo laughed, "do you honestly think a Yo-Kai that small and elderly is dangerous?"

"Hey guys!" Nate galloped back, a key in his mouth, "I've got it! Let's open it up!"

"Wait!" First warned, but it was too late. As Nate inserted the key and turned the handle, the floating Yo-Kai turned around to see the door open and reveal two foals (and Yo-Kai) facing right back towards him.

"Oh shoot!" First gasped "now we are really compromised!"

"Watch out!" Whisper warned, "there's a haze approaching us at high speeds!"

"Where?" Scootaloo asked,

"Right in front of--!" The mentioned haze quickly swept the group, interrupting all of their current situations and sentences.

"Guys? Where are you? I can't see anything!" Nate cried,

"Cough cough..." Scootaloo coughed,

"Argh!" First tried to back away from the hazy gas, retreating to the staff room to take a break. Suddenly, an unfamiliar aura enveloped him.

"My goodness! Surely you've forgotten that I've been following you?" Helmsman greeted the foal,

"Oh! Helmsman! Sorry about that!"

"At least, it's a great thing that I followed both of you from a distance. Otherwise, you'd be in for a bad time!"

"Why? What's going on?"

"You were ambushed, there isn't just one Yo-Kai... The perpetrator of the haze is a Yo-Kai too!"

"Really!?" First turned around. The haze has subsided, but Scootaloo, Whisper, Jibanyan and Nate looked very woozy and dizzy.

"Well..." Scootaloo replied, "maybe we were compromised after all. Hey First, can you--" A small burst of light interrupted her conversation as she felt something on her flank. Excited but completely surprised, she turned her head to see the picture of the Yo-Kai Watch design imprinted on her flanks as a Cutie Mark.

"OH. MY. CELESTIA!!!" Scootaloo shrieked with joy, "I GOT IT! I FINALLY GOT MY CUTIE MARK!!! MY TALENT IS YO-KAI HUNTING! I'VE GOT TO TELL THE OTHERS!"

"Wait a minute...!" Jibanyan opened his eyes to a large pile of Choco Bars, "NO WAY! Somepony just left a stash of their Choco Bars here! Sweet! I'm in heaven!"

"Hey Whisper!" Scootaloo called, "check it out! I've got my cutie mark!"

"I can see that!" Whisper replied "congratulations!"

"But I couldn't have done it without your help!" Scootaloo continued, holding out a specially customised medal, "here! As thanks and congratulations for being the best butler ever!"

"I-Impossible!!!" Whisper welled up with tears, "thank you! Thank you so very much!"

"Goodness!" Nate shook himself off as he stood up, "what was going on?"

"Nate?" A familiar voice rang through his ears,

"K-Katie?" Nate turned around to see the filly standing behind him, smiling calmly. "What are you doing here? I thought everypony would be asleep!"

"It's your birthday isn't it?" Katie asked, "I thought I came to give you a gift!"

"No, that's months away!"

"Oh, my apologies. In that case, have it anyway!" Katie happily offered a neatly wrapped gift to Nate,

"S-Seriously?" Nate accepted it, his cheeks filled with the colour of burning hot red. "W-Why?"

"It's... Just to show my affection!" Katie smiled back,

"Awwww!!! YES!!!" Nate jumped with joy and happiness as he cuddled the present with affectionate care. Whilst the three were enjoying their greatest desires, First just stared at the three with an empty and confusing expression. To his eyes, the four companions were cheering about their wonderful achievements but was not present. Scootaloo still had a blank flank, not noticing that her back had Jibanyan's teeth attempting to sink into it, Whisper was madly cheering around, and Nate was holding absolutely nothing, and Katie was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a ring of dark clouds were above their heads, shining down a calm light of sky blue.

"Yep! Definitely a good time!" Helmsman watched,

"What's going on with them!?" First blurted out,

"Hah! Jokes on you Yo-Kai Pad! Now that I'm a genuine butler, looks like I don't need your help anymore!" Whisper laughed as he tossed the Yo-Kai Pad behind him, not knowing that First managed to catch it on the way down. Remembering that yellow Yo-Kai's face, First quickly skimmed through the pages of Yo-Kai descriptions till he found the one he was looking for.

"From the mysterious tribe, Illoo!" First read out loudly, "he's a Yo-Kai that can cast illusions upon unsuspecting ponies, putting them in a trance or illusions... Let's see here... 3rd place in the recent Yo-Kai Games? He must be one tough cookie!"

"Hoo hoo hoo!" A voice sailed over him, "so you're the one who found me! It is very interesting that you can't fall into my world of illusions..."

"Yeah... I'm not so sure myself... What did you do to me Helmsman?"

"The same thing a normal helmet does: Protect your head."

"Like those mutant villains from those comic books?"

"Let's not get into the details!" Helmsman interrupted, "let's just say I can protect your head, physically AND mentally! What you need to worry about is that it's not just this Yo-Kai you're facing as an opponent!"

"You did say there was another..." First remembered, "hey Scoots, can I borrow?" The foal asked his sister, pointing at the Yo-Kai Watch,

"Sure! Just remember to return it! After all, befriending Yo-Kai is my talent!" Scootaloo acceptingly took it off and handed it over.

"Thanks. How interestingly generous of you..." First thanked. Pulling out the lens once more, First scanned Illoo's surrounding to find yet another Yo-Kai that looks similar to Illoo, only that it was purple and indigo, with a sky blue bead necklace.

"Hoo Hoo!" The other Yo-Kai giggled, "It looks like you can see through my haze too little youngster! Few can achieve that! My name's Elloo, and I'm Illoo's brother! What's your name foal?"

"I'm First Base! Nice to meet you!" First bowed as a greeting,

"Such nice manners!" Elloo complimented,

"Wait a minute! This isn't the time to exchange greetings!" First remembered, "what are you two doing here?"

"You see Hoo Hoo," Elloo explained, "Illoo here just loves to use his powers and to enjoy and laugh at the reactions of ponies and other Yo-Kai."

"Hoo hoo hoo!" Illoo laughed as he floated around and through the four hypnotised figures.

"And I thought I'd stick with him! Since we're brothers and all. I'd normally help pull him out of trouble with other Yo-Kai with my power!"

"And what is that?"

"Do you remember that whoosh from outside and that oncoming haze?" Elloo explained, "that was me! My power can allow me or others to dissipate into a thin haze and can allow movement at great speeds!"

"Oh I see, so you used your haze form to confuse us, then Illoo managed to use this opportunity to catch Scoots and the group into illusions. As for me, it was a lucky break."

"Hoo hoo hoo!" Illoo laughed, "that is correct!"

"Now that I know the situation here, it comes to my next question. Can you let my friends go?"

"Hmm? Now why would I do that?"

"I'll become your friend! I'll do anything for you!"

"Tempting! Tempting!"

"Hmm..." Elloo gave it some thought, peering at the Yo-Kai Watch. "The device in your possession... That is the Yo-Kai Watch. Is it not?"

"Uh yeah!" First replied, "though I would say that it belongs to my sister. On the other end, I get the Medallium!" He pulled out the red book,

"Hoo hoo!" Elloo shook with excitement, "the book that treasures the bonds between Pony and Yo-Kai! Look like the rumours of two young ponies that can actively see Yo-Kai are true!"

"Once again, word really does spread fast." First mused to himself,

"And due to that, there has been news and warnings from the Yo-Kai community. All Yo-Kai should be careful when visiting the pony realm. Now that there has been the sightings of a Yo-Kai Watch in possession by ponies, it could put the existence of Yo-Kai under threat."

"Really?" First looked at his friends, innocently engrossed in their illusions. "But I understand. For a furtive kind, being identified by the living can be scary."

"But now that I look at you, you just look like any other pony: Not minding the business of other kinds."

"But..."

"Of course, now that you have the Yo-Kai Watch and a few comapnions yourself, you do. However, I see understanding, care, your resolve and reason of finding Yo-Kai. Although it may be self gain, your resolve is to care for others dear to you."

"You can tell? That's amazing!"

"It's just a guess." Elloo chuckled, "besides, you're a foal. Of course young ponies like that wouldn't be evil... Would they?"

"Well, the bullies of my former school used to be evil... I think..."

"And so, I must implore you hear my request. We originally came here not to play pranks on ponies, but to look for our wandering brother. Will it be beneficial to you if you can tag along with us?"

"Your brother huh? Looks just like you?"

"Different colours."

"Then, why don't you two become our friends, and we can rely on one another?"

"What do you think Illoo? Should be let the boy become our friend?"

"Why not?" Illoo laughed, "your friends are very entertaining when they get excited about their desires!"

"Yeah..." First looked back to his friends once more, "they look ridiculous."

"I beg to differ!" Illoo replied, "they are full of life! Full of dreams! It's not just funny, but inspiring!"

"How so?"

"It's... Reminiscent of my living life. Perhaps you'll understand when you'll grow older."

"Okay then, do we have a deal then?"

"Can we wait a bit more?" Illoo asked, "I want to spend more time enjoying myself!"

"Seriously?" First scratched his head, "for a Yo-Kai who looks elderly, you've got the most childish interests..."

"Look who's talking! Hoo hoo!" Elloo laughed, "a kid mocking a Yo-Kai for being a Kid!"

"Hey!" A shout echoed through the hallways. "Who's there!?"

"Uh-Oh...!" First perceived the shout and from the corner of his eyes, found a light increasing in intensity. "I think we've alerted somepony... We need to get out of here fast!"

"B-But!" Illoo hesitated,

"Show yourself!" The guard commanded as he turned towards the hallway where the commotion came from.

"No!" First yelped as he came face to face with the security guard and his flashlight. Standing fearfully still, the Guard looked confused as he began flashing the light in different locations.

"What the heck was that? All I just see is some haze..."

"What are you doing!?" Elloo whispered to First, "now's your chance to get out of here!"

"Oh! Right!" First nodded and pushed his companions towards the entrance they came from.

Safely undetected and back to breathing the outside air, the companions can now rest, their minds free from possession, and great disappointment taking its place.

"M-My cutie mark!" Scootaloo gasped at her picture-less flank once again, "I-It was there! And why does the fur on my back feel ruffled and painful?"

"Argh!" Jibanyan mumbled as he desperately wiped his teeth, "what the heck did I put my teeth into!? This looks like pony fur!"

"My medal! My Yo-Kai Pad!!! WHY!?!?!?" Whisper cried himself to shame,

"Katie..." Nate did the same as Whisper,

"Sometimes living in a dream is cruel." First remarked. "But how did we manage to get out?"

"I inspirited all of you so you could become hazy like me. That way, that large pony was unable to see you."

"I see, thanks for your save."

"Letting you get caught isn't something friends would do. Besides, you've earned both our trust, as we should trust you. Finding our brother is an important thing."

"In that case, I'm sure we can fulfil our end of the bargain!" First promised,

"Very well then," Elloo pulled out his Yo-Kai Medal and took Illoo's too, "take it that our alliance won't be forgotten along the lines of our lives."

"Your word is my honour!"

"So uh... You guys alright?" First looked at his confused and unhappy friends.

"Yeah... I shouldn't let dreams be dreams." Scootaloo sighed,

"One day, I'll make sure that Katie will notice me!" Nate vowed to himself,

"Good luck with that," Jibanyan snickered,

"So now that the mysteries are solved, we can go home now right?" First asked,

"Yeah. I think we've got our answers. Let's hit the sack." Scootaloo nodded,

"Really?" Nate questioned, "because I still feel a little unsatisfied." This put fear and worry into the minds and hearts of the siblings

"Oh-no... Please don't..." First gulped,

"A-Anything but that..." Scootaloo added,

"Come on guys! Don't tell me you're scared about ponies disappearing from a construction building!"

"Well, about that..." First replied,

"Guys stop talking!" Scootaloo warned, "something feels weird."

"Really?" Nate asked,

"The air..." Scootaloo concentrated, "it's dead."

"Oh no..." Whisper gulped, "this is bad."

"Now that you mention it, the nature has gone awfully silent..." First replied. After a few seconds the loud bang of a gong echoed throughout the sky.

"What was that!?" First jumped at the sudden sound of the instrument.

"I-I didn't do anything!" Nate defended,

"Wait!" Scootaloo replied, "I swore I just saw the watch resonate a red aura..." Without any other word, the group looked down at the Yo-Kai Watch. True to Scootaloo's word, the watch resonated a red ring of light a second time, along with the quieter echoing of a gong... Then a third...

"Umm..."

When the Watch rang a fourth time, the gong echoed louder than the first, and the inside design of the watch 'opened' up to reveal a black cover with the red, ominous picture of a devil-like face.

"What is going on with that thing!?" Nate asked,

"Everypony! Be careful!" Whisper warned, "it's coming!"

"What's coming?" First asked, until he started looking around him. "Oh... That's what's happening."

"Oh no... This can't be... It can't be happening... That nightmare... It's real!" Scootaloo clutched her head in shock and denial as a thick fog from all directions enveloped the entire region of Springdale, placing everypony into an atmosphere of grey clouds and fog, and yellow floating lights.

(TO BE CONTINUED...)

Author's Note

Well, I did not expect this chapter to be INCREDIBLY long. It was so long that I'm afraid that it must move on to a new chapter. Regardless, I have been away for some time due to study. But I'm happy to upload and submit this. Thank you for your patience.

Also, Yo-Kai Watch 2 is being localised and released in 30th of September. I can't wait to play it along with Pokemon coming after that (and I love both, coexistence is a virtue for me).

Chapter 5: The Terrifying Nightmare (Part 2)

"GROARRRRRR!!!" A large body fell from the sky, kicking up a large dust wave that crashed over the group. As it subsided, a giant bipedal creature in red stood there. Clawed hands and feet, pointy ears, curved fangs, yellow glowing eyes, a brown loin cloth, a golden horn on his head, and a large Iron-studded club that he carries. This exact description was all too familiar to the flightless filly.

"NO!" Scootaloo screamed, her voice echoing throughout the fog.

"Shhh!!!" Whisper growled, putting a hand on Scootaloo's mouth "be quiet! Otherwise, he and his oni lackeys are going to hear you!"

"Wh-Where are we?" Nate asked the group, "and why is there an invisible ghost and cat following you?"

"Wait! You're here too!?" Scootaloo jumped, "and First, Whisper and Jibanyan! I thought this was my own nightmare!"

"Oh no, this is something that is the same, but is completely different!"

"Whisper, what do you know about this place? It's time to tell us!" First ordered,

"This is Terror Time!" Whisper replied, "It's... It's..." Nothing else to add, he pulled out his Yo-Kai Pad. "It's complicated!"

"Oh great. So my nightmare is Yo-Kai related as well??? Is there a single normal thing in my life not related or caused by Yo-Kai!?" Scootaloo yelled.

"Shh!" Jibanyan shushed,

"It's a very haunting dimension." Whisper explained, "It's like a nightmare. Only this time, you aren't sleeping. Think of it as where your conscious and subconscious are stuffed into one.

"Like that movie?" Nate asked,

"I'm afraid this is not voluntary. Terror Time occurs whenever young ponies disobey their older family members as some sort of 'Divine Punishment'! Although it may not happen immediately, all three of you fit the bill for disobeying your older brother and parents respectively!"

"Gwoar..." A growl could be heard from a long distance. A roar so familiar, that a dreadful shiver went down Scootaloo's spine.

"It's that thing..." Scootaloo perceived, "it's that beast..."

"At least you didn't alert him straight away. Did you?" Whisper pointed out, "and you should be able to move now."

"Y-Yeah..." Scootaloo noticed as she moved her legs "when I was in that dream, I couldn't move at all..."

"Then all of you stick together and be quiet!" Whisper guided, "if you alert him or any of his oni buddies, just run!"

"Okay then..." First nodded, toning his down to a Whisper "now... Where are we supposed to go?"

"I don't know! Just go... As far away as possible!" Whisper suggested, "the quieter you hear the roar, the better!"

The group took the objective to mind and began trotting around with prudence, away from the large red beast as possible. Turning the corner. The group spied on certain dark blue Yo-Kai quarrelling with each other.

"Are... Are those oni in cahoots with Gargaros?" Nate asked,

"They do look like oni..." Scootaloo pointed out, "they have a single horn on their head!"

"An astute observation!" Whisper congratulated, "those are Suspicioni! They're Yo-Kai that are very suspicious of their surroundings, and even with other ponies and Yo-Kai! I'm sure you know what happens when one of them inspirits you."

"You start getting suspicious of anything. Right?" First asked, "Relationships, families, embarrassing incidents, trivial matters..."

"Correct." Whisper nodded,

"Hmm..." One of the Suspicioni turned to the direction of where the ponies were. "I swore I heard something irregular over there. I'm going to go check it out..."

"Uh-oh!" Scootaloo gulped as the group quickly retracted their heads. "We gotta move!"

"Wait!" First listened closely and furtively as possible.

"Are you sure?" Another Suspicioni of the group countered, "I'm finding it hard to believe that. Fillies and Foals are hard to hunt down these days. Are you sure this isn't a ploy to just shirk your duty?"

"Are you still following up that suspicion?" The first one rebuked, "this is the tenth time!"

"You can't fool me! You may have this fierce and focused face, but I can tell from those eyes that you've been tired!"

"That's ridiculous! You want to take this to Gargaros after we've caught those naughty ponies?"

"Hah! This time I'll win! I can see right through you! And I know you've been trying to avoid work!"

"That's a lie and you know it!"

"Both of you..." The third Suspicioni growled, "you've got a lot of nerve fighting with each other... I wonder... Do you guys have a past?"

"Listen! I'm telling you! I can sense something behind those walls! And that something is definitely our someponies!"

"I swear..." Scootaloo sighed, "these guys are getting on my nerves..."

"That's why Suspicioni are stationary sentries." Whisper explained, "we should make this chance to get further away!"

"Understood." Nate replied as the group began changing hiding places. It was until they came across a familiar street with familiar houses.

"Aren't these... Our houses?" First asked as they pointed to the two houses. "They may lack colour, but you can tell by their respective designs."

"Then why don't we hide out in there?" Nate suggested as he ran towards his house and tried to open it. Even with the house key, a few grunts of strength from the blank flank foal could tell the group that these houses were mysteriously locked.

"I guess hiding in our house is out of the question..." First tried his house with the same result.

"Don't tell me that we're stuck here until we get mauled by that beast! Gargaros, was it?" Scootaloo asked,

"That is his name alright!" Whisper continued, "he's the big lug and the main attraction of Terror Time. If he catches you, you're toast!"

"Will... Will we die?"

"No you won't!" Whisper laughed, "if he catches you, you'll just wake up as if this entire thing was a nightmare, completely forgetting on what has transpired. If you do manage to escape or even defeat Gargaros, it shows that you have grown diligently and significantly as a pony in strength, charisma, intellect, dexterity and all that! That being said... I still don't know the exact way to get out of here."

"Hmm... Growing as a pony? I guess it's a personal achievement..." Scootaloo replied,

"Roar..." Another growl can be heard. This time, it was much louder than what it was before. Which only meant one thing.

"We'll need to gallop somewhere else. Fast!" Scootaloo alerted,

"Let's try going to Jungle Hunter!" Nate suggested, "it's the store where you can buy all your bug catching and fishing supplies!"

"Alright!" First nodded and trotted their way to said location. During the way, the siblings spotted some other different looking onis. Unlike the Suspicioni, they immediately recognised the patrolling oni that have very long arms.

"Leadoni?" Scootaloo spied upon the familiar looking Yo-Kai hopping around the streets. "What's he doing here?"

"Leadoni is the other Yo-Kai working with Gargaros. Unlike Suspicioni, they are the ones who patrol an entire area with a specific pattern."

"So... That hinders our chances of getting out unseen... Is that so?" Nate started to feel uneasy.

"Well done Nate! A gold star for you!" Whisper joked,

"that reminds me..." Scootaloo peeked at Jibanyan riding her back. Shivering in fear, unable to move and speak. "How did you guys know about it? Perhaps both of you have been naughty as well?"

"Th-That isn't important!" Whisper trembled.

"Why don't we just ask the Leadoni to turn a blind eye?" First suggested with a smile of hope, "that way, it can buy us some time!"

"Leadoni may look the same, but they are all separate Yo-Kai. Finding the one Leadoni that is your friend is a very unlikely chance!"

"Oh! It's you!" A chirpy voice came from behind.

"AHH!!!" The group cried out in fear, at the single Leadoni standing at their rears.

"Wow! Sounds like this is your first time here!"

"Run!" Whisper warned, "he's going to call Gargaros on us immediately!"

"Hold your horses!" Leadoni laughed, "I won't do that! Yet."

"Wait... Why are you not?"

"Don't you recognise me? It's your friend Leadoni! The Yo-Kai that you defended from those bad Yo-Kai with Mynimo?"

"Really? Is that you?"

"To be fair, nearly all Leadoni look alike, so I won't blame you for instant recognition."

"Wh-What are you doing here?"

"Despite my usual leading behaviour, I also work as a part-time scouter for Gargaros! Since I'm an oni and all..."

"Oh... I see,"

"That being said. Even though we're friends, rules are rules unfortunately..." Leadoni bowed in apology "so with apologies in advance, I must do this..."

"Oh no..."

"Please prepare to gallop for your life." Leadoni warned and raised both his hands in the air. His large arm as waving high as a signal while his other hand was frantically waving his red flag. "They're here Gargaros! I see the ponies!"

"Ahhh..." From the walls of fog close to the group, a red gargantuan beast emerged, gazing down angrily at the foals and Yo-Kai.

"OH MY CELESTIA AND AMATERASU!" Nate yelled, his mane standing on ends "look at the size of that thing!"

"It's Gargaros! RUN!!!" Whisper screamed,

"AHHHH!!!" The group got the message and started galloping away from the red beast.

"Good luck!" Leadoni called out as he disappeared with a puff of purple smoke.

"GAAAAAAA!!!!!" Gargaros yelled and broke into a mad chase.

"Quickly!" Scootaloo yelled with desperation,

"This way!" Nate pointed to an upcoming street, to where they cut the corners.

"Uh... I don't think he can lose our sights now..." First looked back, Gargaros still high upon their hooves.

"Then what can we do!?" Nate asked,

"We'll need to lose it more!" Scootaloo replied as she yelled out commands, "through the park!" The group jumped over the park rails and scampered through the trees. Gargaros trudged through the park, without damaging the trees or the bushes, and not creating a dent on the pavement.

"Through the Triangle Way Playground!" Scootaloo screamed next, ducking under the slides and hopping over the sand pits and swings. Though the group did the same, Gargaros nimbly placed his feet and trampled through the park without damaging everything.

"The Community Center Car park!" Scootaloo commanded next. With a clean sweep between the Community Center and the Car Park. Gargaros did the same, and was beginning to gain distance due to the fatigue of the group. As all things have to take a rest, the group lost their stamina in the front of Everymart... All while the Gargaros got the upper hand and began charging straight for them, his club raised high in the air.

"Oh no... I think we're done..." Whisper gasped for air.

"Why don't you call one of your Yo-Kai friends?" Nate asked,

"I... I can't!" Scootaloo shook her watch, "It won't let me insert any of my medals! I think that red glowing face on the watch and Terror Time is interfering with it!"

"If we don't do something, he's going to be right on top of us!" First pointed at the charging Gargaros.

"Jibanyan!" Scootaloo encouraged, "why don't you help us out?"

"No!" Jibanyan clutched hard, "he's too big and scary!"

"Jibanyan, I know you can overcome your fear against Gargaros! Just imagine him as a speeding wagon!"

"A... Speeding Wagon!" A small anger burned in Jibanyan's eyes

"You can take it down. I believe in you!" Scootaloo encouraged,

"Then your belief is all I need!" Jibanyan jumped off the filly's back, fully determined to stop the raging demon. "Prepare yourself!" Jibanyan yelled as he charged towards Gargaros.

"Gar?" Gargaros tilted his head and stopped for a moment to look at the skittering Yo-Kai Midget.

"I've been waiting for this! Paws of Fury!" Jibanyan meowed as he unleashed a flurry of paw punches directly onto the Oni's leg.

"Alright!" Scootaloo cheered,

"..." Gargaros stayed silently embarrassed for the little cat Yo-Kai trying to fight his hardest.

"Oh... Never mind Jibanyan..." Scooaloo gulped,

"GARGA!" Gargaros roared loudly at the fearless cat, interrupting his punches and pushing him back. Without any other interruption, Gargaros swung his club from underneath, and launched Jibanyan straight into the Sky.

"Meowwwch!!!" Jibanyan cried in pain as he flew high to the sky. Gargaros shook off this distraction and continued charging towards the group.

"Jibanyan no!" Scootaloo screamed,

"Oh no... He's going to be right on top of us again!" First warned, "he's about a kilometre away!"

"What can we do?" Nate cried,

"There has to be a way out!" Scootaloo called to Whisper,

"I'm trying my best to research the place!!!" Whipser frantically scrolled through the wiki, "all I can only find is how scary and dangerous Terror time is!" A puff of purple smoke burst from behind, revealing Leadoni.

"Hey guys! How are you doing?" Leadoni asked,

"Eeep!" Nate and the crew turned around, "can you stop scaring us like that!?"

"Maybe, maybe not." Leadoni shrugged, "but I think there's something you need to know."

"What is it?"

"The way out." Leadoni replied, "whenever Terror Time occurs, rules are that Gargaros must hunt you down, while we must alert him to your position. But rules also list that there must be an opportunity for the victims to escape this nightmarish realm. Since you've got this far with Gargaros chasing behind your backs..."

"Can we get on with this!?" First interrupted, "he's 800 metres away!"

"Okay okay! Here, the exit." Leadoni sighed, revealing a sliding door with golden colours and tree designs, "In order to return back to the normal Pony world, just enter this door, you may end up in a different area than when you entered Terror Time, but it will always be around Springdale! You may want to hurry up though! Like you said First, he's getting very close."

"Thanks Leadoni. You really are a great friend!" Scootaloo smiled as she slid open the door, a green veil of light burst forth. "Come on in!"

"Got it!" Nate charged through the door, his body gone from view once he galloped through the light.

"See you on the other side!" Whisper waved as he was the next to enter.

"400 meters!" First warned,

"One more thing," Leadoni added, "this isn't the end of Terror Time. Whenever you disobey your superiors, you may have the chance to be taken into Terror Time when you least expect it. Misbehave in the afternoon? You could be taken there next morning, or even a week from that day! It's very unpredictable. Just prepare yourself whenever your Watch starts resonating red."

"W-We'll remember that!" First promised, "now he's at 200 meters!"

"Go! Go now!" Leadoni gestured, First nodded and jumped in. Scootaloo was about to follow until she heard a familiar sound in the air.

"Oh! Can't forget about you Jibanyan!" Scootaloo sighed with relief as she neatly caught the cat on her back.

"Oww..." Jibanyan moaned, "he's like a wagon alright..."

"See you later Leadoni!" Scootaloo quickly saluted to her long-armed oni friend before she ran in. Once she disappeared through the light, the door slid shut and vanished with a puff of smoke.

"Garga..." Gargaros slowed his movement, realising that for the first time, his victims have escaped his wrath. He turned to Leadoni, expecting answers to what transpired.

"I'm their friend!" Leadoni replied,

"Garga...!" Gargaros roared in building rage,

"Go ahead, punish me. I'm fine with that. This isn't the first time after all!" Leadoni laughed while he let out a little whisper, "help me..."

The green veil of light surrounding Scootaloo began to fade away and revealed to where Scootaloo was now. The sky was clear dark and blue like before, Luna's moon was shining high in the sky once more, the lights only present were the street lights and those from windows, and there was not a single slight of fog to be seen. Her Yo-Kai butler, her little brother, and her friend stood around her. And of course, Jibanyan was still on her back still experiencing a headache.

"My goodness..." Scootaloo fell to the ground with fatigue but some desired relief. "We did it..."

"Are you okay Scoots?" Nate asked with comfort.

"Yeah... I'm fine..." Scootaloo smiled, "heh... To think we had outsmarted that thing. I feel so good about myself. Getting this personal achievement is the best experience!"

"Outsmarted that thing? You mean that red beast?" Nate asked,

"Yeah!" Scootaloo replied, "we actually did it!"

"Don't forget, it was Leadoni who helped us in the end. Even though he was the one who sent Gargaros at us in the first place." First reminded,

"Leadoni? Gargaros? Are you talking about that tiny long-armed and large red demons?" Nate asked,

"Yeah! You were there with us, remember?"

"I... Guess..." Nate replied, trying very hard to think what transpired. "I mean, it was interesting to see both of you in my dream and that we all galloped away from this beast. There was even a white ghost and a red two-tailed cat that was galloping with us too!"

"Yeah, well... About that..." Scootaloo replied,

"They were real!?" Nate jumped, "I mean... I can believe that, but it's just that the entire feeling was a dream..."

"It's Yo-Kai related." First replied, "the white ghost and red cat are still with us, invisible to your eyes because you chose not to see them. They're known as Whisper and Jibanyan respectively."

"I'll acknowledge their names for now." Nate replied, "but now that I think about it..." He looked around, "I'm starting to think that that 'dream' was real."

"How so?" Scootaloo asked,

"Last thing I can remember was that we were outside the school in Uptown Springdale. If we had entered that door from back then, we should be back outside the school, or to an extent, outside Everymart. How in Equestria did we end up there?" Nate pointed towards a high-rise building that towered over their small bodies. Though common in Downtown Springdale, the biggest difference was that it was incomplete in construction.

"Oh no... Don't tell me this is the building under construction!" Scootaloo gulped harder than she could, trotting back a little out of fear.

"It definitely looks like it! Shall we find out the mystery of the disappearing ponies?" Whisper asked,

"No, no, and for a third time, No!" First replied,

"It's going to be alright First!" Nate comforted, "I assume your Yo-Kai friends are wanting to go right?"

"B-But--" Scootaloo tried to explain, "it's hard to explain... You see, we've heard more about the disappearances of the Ponies in the building under construction."

"Really? What's it about?"

"The ponies that disappear... They disappeared from existence..."

"Wait... Really?"

"Everything about the pony will be erased from anypony's memories." First continued, "and if that were to happen to any of us... I don't want to lose any of you!"

"That's... Really awesome though... I know it sounds dangerous, but it just wants to make me go in more!"

"BUT!" Scootaloo blurted out,

"No buts!" Nate replied, "we're here together. And there's nothing that can scare us!"

"O-Okay then..." Scootaloo gulped, "I guess there really is no turning back... Ohh... I'm starting to question whether I should have gone in the first place..." And she crouched on the floor in despair, fear and depression, while getting a long blanket to cover herself.

"Lighten up Scoots!" Nate continued his comforting tone, "It will be fine!"

"Perhaps... But how did she get a blanket? I don't recall her packing anything... Wait a minute... That buzzing! Negatibuzz!"

"Oh... You actually found me!" Negatibuzz greeted as he approached the group, "howzzz are you doing?"

"Doing fine!" First greeted back, "have you been feeling less than Negative unlike before?"

"It'zzzz been helping! I visited a Psychologist, but he started to become depressed and negative until I left the room. So instead, I had an indirect conversation with him and he gave me plenty of advice. It's not an instant recovery, but it'zzz helping me bit by bit!"

"That's great to know!" First replied, "so um... What are you doing here?"

"Just taking a flight, pondering about my own self and wondering what I really am. After I've met you and that Psychologist, I tried to be positive and not to be supremely negative all the time. It kind of shocked my Yo-Kai friends, but because I've encountered you guys, the ponies with the Yo-Kai Watch, they understand."

"I see..."

"But now, my positive rehabilitation seems to be conflicting with my nature of negativity. It's troubling me and others quite a lot, that's why I'm taking this walk to reflect my life decisions."

"Well, in that case... Can you join us on this journey?"

"I've got nothing on at the moment, so yezzz! I'd be happy and unhappy to help my friendzzzz!"

"Thanks! Though... Can you stop inspiriting Scoots again?"

"Oh... My badzzzz"

Underneath the never ending patterns of red bars, with the many shelves of tools, paint, and tons of yellow-black lines and pylons beside them. The group silently walked through a maze strewn with boxes, ropes, wooden planks, and everything related to construction.

"So... It's a Yo-Kai that has been causing that negativity from before?" Nate asked,

"Yeah..." Scootaloo sighed "I gotta find something that can make me aware of Yo-Kai around me. Perhaps another upgrade for the Watch is required."

"You know, for a Yo-Kai that represents a form of emotion, are you sure you've been inspirited against your will? Or were you so negatively upset already that the Negative Yo-Kai was able to inspirit you because you let your mental guard down?"

"It's not wrong to be Negative." Scootaloo rationalised, "but there must be a right time and the right place for that. As what my big brother has told me, there is a time and place for anything to invoke a certain emotion within you, but there are also times where doing that or anything else would provoke a quarrel or even escalate matters into a fire of conflict."

"Sounds a lot like what First would say too..."

"Flash said it came from our dad, a stallion of proverbs some ponies say... Those two are cut from the same cloth I guess..."

"And speaking of that Yo-Kai, he's travelling with us, right?"

"Yep! I don't know why!"

"Come on sis!" First replied, "it's lucky we bumped into Negatibuzz and that he has free time for us! I mean, if you're still that scared, at least we've got scary friends of our own... Right?"

"Walkappa is helping Droplette find Drizzle, Blowkade and Ledballoon refuse to move, Cutta-Nah isn't interested, Buhu and Dulluma are too depressed, Heheheel is attending a comedy show tonight with his eel friends, the dancing trio are continuing their tours around Equestria, the Komainu brothers are asleep. Every Yo-Kai we know are busy tonight!"

"How did you know all this?"

"Through the Negativity of Negatibuzz, I thought calling my friends would help me! But NO, they were all busy, leaving me further depressed. All we have are Whisper, Jibanyan, Negatibuzz, and the Yo-Kai we've just befriended, wherever they are."

"And that's another question. How the hell did you call everypony we know if you don't have the medallium of medals?"

"You talk too much brother!" Scootaloo bellowed, "I don't care whether my actions and whatever I have done defies your logic!" In response, floor began to shake.

"Woah!" Nate tried to balance himself, "Earthquake? Stampede?"

"I-I don't know!" First answered. After 5 seconds, the rumbling stopped.

"That was weird..." Nate assessed,

"I'm starting to feel like a Yo-Kai is behind this..." Scootaloo gulped,

"then don't dawdle!" Whisper encouraged, "why don't you three hop over these boxes? There are a set of stairs that can take us a floor higher!"

"Nate, our Yo-Kai butler Whisper says that we can go higher. Are you sure you still want to continue?" First asked,

"All the way to the top!"

"Very well then..." Scootaloo sighed as she started hopping up and over the boxes, "make sure you guys stay together here. Jibanyan, its best if you sit on my back."

"Okay then!"

Emerging from the non-moving escalators, the group found themselves in a more complex floor. Where there were thick safety curtains all around, methods of getting around became complicated.

"Places here are getting cramped! If we ever want to get through, we've got to get technical with our movement!"

"Let's see... Long but thin walkway to the other side, cupboards blocking the way, ropes? Of course we're going to have to!" Scootaloo replied,

"But not before we have to make a decision! The path here splits in two. Should we all go one way? Or the other way?" First pointed out,

"The way you word our choices. It almost sounds as this entire journey is a game to you."

"As much as it's scary. I can't deny that it's still fun!"

"Listen, can we just make a decision now?" Scootaloo replied, "we can just split up you know."

"Then... Who with who?" Nate asked,

"Hmm... First doesn't have the Yo-Kai Watch, so Jibanyan, Whisper and Negatibuzz should join him."

"So that means Nate will be teaming up with you?" First asked,

"Correct." Scootaloo nodded, "if something's out-of-ordinary in this place, it's got to be a Yo-Kai... And we'll need to have out-of-ordinary friends to protect us!"

"I thought you said our friends are unavailable,"

"And I thought I stated that the only Yo-Kai we have are Jibanyan, Whisper, Negatibuzz and the Yo-Kai we've befriended tonight. Manjimutt, Illoo, Elloo and Helmsman. You forgot about them?"

"You omitted Baku and Whapir, but they are occupied too. My bad, I forgot."

"Whatever you're Yo-Kai friends are up to, it's fair enough for me," Nate shrugged, "I mean, I may not see them right now, but I've seen the things they can cause."

"Plan settled. First choice?" Scootaloo gestured to the path split.

"I'll go Left." First decided,

"See you on the other side!" Nate waved goodbye as the cutie mark-less foals set forth on their path.

"Stay safe you guys..." First gulped, "please don't fade... I don't want to lose either of you..."

"It will be alright First!" Jibanyan comforted, "I have faith in them. You should too! They're your friends after all!"

"You're right." First nodded, "let's go everypony!"

"Okay..." Negatibuzz sighed as he buzzed behind the group,

"Say Negatibuzz?" First asked, "is it alright if I ask you a personal question?"

"Too depressed to keep it to myself, ask away."

"How did you come about?" First asked, "I mean... Is it a tragic story like what happened to Hungramps and Manjimutt?"

"It's more along the lines of that Cicada Yo-Kai." Negatibuzz answered, "I mean, living through a mosquito's lifespan is so depressing!"

"Oh really? How long did you live for?"

"42-56 days for females, and a mere 10 days for us males." Negatibuzz answered, "we have 10 days to do what we can in our existing lives."

"Sounds fun!"

"It actually isn't. Females are the most important core for the species' survival. They are the ones who suck blood from ponies and other animals in order to reproduce and they can hibernate for up to six months! What else can the male mosquitoes do!? We just drink nectar and plant fluid and mate with the females! Especially for me, I was the runt of the brood! The most unpopular! I only got little from the food I could eat, and no female wants to mate with me! I died living the most unluckiest depressing life, only to become a Yo-Kai that passes out negativity! It sucks!"

"Yeah, I guess it would suck. Living a life full of regret that you must express your distaste with a pun." Whisper answered,

"Just how many animal and insect Yo-Kai have death back-stories?" First asked,

"We're Yo-Kai! Ghosts! Living things who once roamed the world! Isn't it not that obvious?" Jibanyan replied, "I thought it was made purrfectly clear to you!"

"Oh, perhaps I forgot, with all the numerous types of Yo-Kai and their origins. My bad."

"I swear, it seems to me like Equestria is completely devoid of superstitious stories!"

"Well, it's more of a case where these superstitions come to fruition, then the Princesses and Ladies of Harmony completely solve or settle said issue, making these adventures small cute stories to honour them! That being said, there are a few rumours... It's quite dark, so it wasn't mentioned a lot."

"Oh really?"

"There has been a very creepy theory saying that Rainbow Dash, the Element of loyalty was brutally mutilated by Fluttershy, the Element of Kindness. With the Princess (before becoming one) thinking that she was dead, she tried to bring her back through certain means. One was to chant an reanimation incarnation, but it failed. Rather, it was to free Tirek from his chains in Tartarus. Then she tried something like that Doctor animating that large patchwork pony with lightning."

"Sounds very ghastly!!!"

"But it doesn't beat this one. It is said that the Princess tried to 'build' a copy of Rainbow Dash, but it wasn't like that large patchwork pony. Instead, it was made with very hard and solid material. It's sort of like the material used to make some objects or infrastructures here. I think it was called 'metal'. This metal Rainbow Dash was named the R-Dash 5000, designed to be Rainbow Dash in every single way."

"Did it?"

"Hardly. Come to think of it, that machine began terrorising and destroying a few towns chanting four words over and over again. If anything, I'd be more afraid of that than a ghost."

"Then how about a robot ghost?" Whisper suggested, "would you be scared then?"

"Hah!" First laughed, "that's ridiculous. What Yo-Kai would have the idea to become a robot?" With that though, a blue ball of lighting suddenly appeared in front of their view, stopping their tracks. As the ball of energy continued releasing stray electric bolts, a silhouette of a familiar looking cat came to view inside it. After a few seconds, the ball of energy began shrinking and shrinking past the silhouette and became so little that it disappeared. The silhouette from before was now brought into coloured view: It was a dark blue and grey cat with red flames at the end of his two tails.

"What the!?" Jibanyan jumped,

"It appears I have made it in time." The mysterious cat spoke with a squeaky high pitched voice, what looks to be his mouth opening and closing up and down without any other movement.

"Y-Your mouth! Your voice!" First jumped

"Pardon me!" The Cat spoke as it grasped onto some sort of dial on his stomach, "Is this better?" A feminine voice came out instead,

"No!?"

"Hmm..." The cat continued to turn the dial through numerous voice clips "Ten-hut!" A military like voice came out.

"Still no?"

"G'day mate!" A weirdly accented voice came out,

"Still weird..." First answered. With one more turn of the dial, the cat spoke in a deep majestic voice.

"Greetings!"

"Sounds better, I guess it's alright now."

"This is a special feature that has allows me to remember and speak from different voice tones and banks!"

"Features? Different voices? Also, you have a lot of stiff movement for a cat... What are you?"

"I am Robonyan. A robot from the future! Or rather." The Robot pointed at Jibanyan, "I am you Jibanyan."

"M-Me!?" Jibanyan pointed at himself, fear and confusion spread on his face.

"Indeed. I'd love to explain my reasons on how I became a robot Yo-Kai from the future, but I'm afraid that there is no time for that."

"Why?"

"I have come here to warn you about an event that must never occur, lest it will threaten the future of both Pony and Yo-Kai."

"Is it because of the ponies disappearing from existence?"

"Indeed," Robonyan nodded, "the mystery behind this building, it is the work of a dangerous Yo-Kai."

"We've already disclosed that before you came here."

"Oh really?" Robonyan tilted his head, "my apologies for my slowness. Regardless, my duty is still to warn and protect you."

"Well sure then, thanks for your help?"

"However, it seems that your older sister Scootaloo is not present with you. Is she M.I.A?"

"No, she and Nate went down the other path in the road to cover exploration."

"Situation critical!" Robonyan echoed out in a horrified tone "you must reunite with your sister and friend immediately! Otherwise, they may be erased from our databases!"

"What do you mean?"

"You may know that a Yo-Kai is behind the disappearances, but do you know how he intends to do that?"

"Actually we don't know... How?"

"Avoiding it may or may not be as simple as you think. The Yo-kai has eyes on the entire building! If you feel a large ominous presence, do not turn around and look. Otherwise, if you stare at him with his eyes glowing brightly red... Well..."

"It's bye bye?" First finished,

"Indeed." Robonyan nodded and offered a hand, "all of you, come with me if you want to live! Otherwise, the future may forget all of us!"

In the other path, Nate and Scootaloo were silently trotting their way through the obstacles of planks, cupboards and tools left behind, aware and anxiously anticipating the next occurrence of the tremor.

"Say Scoots..." Nate broke the silence, "may I ask you a personal question?"

"Depends on how I feel about it." Scootaloo replied, "what's on your mind?"

"Flash, your friends and home in Ponyville, your entire life before moving here. Do you miss it?"

"Well..." Scootaloo took a deep breath, wondering on how to address it.

"You can be blunt and honest with me." Nate prompted, "I won't take offence, nor will I tell anypony."

"... Yeah, I miss it." Scootaloo sighed, "and it was only for a year that we managed to spend time together as a family."

"Was he never around you all the time?"

"No." Scootaloo replied, "ever since our dad died in action a week after First and I were born. All I saw from mom was nothing but tears and a sad face. She was nothing compared to what she was when Dad was still around."

"I'm sorry about your loss again." Nate apologised,

"It's okay. Besides, mom fought through those tears, and attempted to take the best care of me and First with Flashy to support. But those were the only memories that I could see of my mom before her passing..."

"I... Really can't find any words to sympathise let alone emphasise with you."

"Like I said, it's okay. Flash was so shocked of the news that something temporarily snapped inside him. He began hating and cursing the Royal Guard and monarchy for the responsibility of the death of our families. Rage aside, he also tried his best to raise our family with what little we had left."

"Wow..."

"When the war ended, a soldier a few years older than him came up to visit Flash personally. He's one of many soldiers that survived the war if it weren't for Dad's sacrifice. He came to apologise and pay tributes, respects and thanks for the numerous others he saved. He also gave a letter to Flash, written by Dad a few days before his death."

"What was it about?"

"His understanding of the risks and dangers of war, something which he had decided to take. How he cared for his soldiers as much as his family, and something that he apologises for."

"For what?"

"Not caring for his family even more, as a Husband and a Father. But with it came the reason of why he joined in the first place. He fought for those he loved. His family, his men, you might as well say he loves the whole country as a family, and that he wanted to see them change for the better."

"What did Flash say?"

"He still was very bitter about it, but he's calmed down a lot. This soldier came to meet with Flash daily and he told numerous anecdotes about what dad did in the field and within them, dad's numerous anecdotes about his family and various pep talks of survival. From what Flash told me, they're exactly the same anecdotes told by him before First and I were born."

"Wow..."

"Flash began to realise how dad was being well... A dad for his platoon! One day, the soldier came with a proposition. To pay back a debt as well as a chance for our family to survive, he wanted Flash to join the Royal Guard and to protect Equestria together. With Flash knowing that the war was over, dad was always being dad, as well as to provide for us, he accepted. Those two became the most strongest of allies serving Equestria, and he would always return with his neatly polished armour and words of praise for that soldier. He even gets to be invited over for dinner."

"That's sweet! What was that soldier's name?"

"Soldier? Not anymore... He's Shining Armor, captain of the Royal Guard and husband to the Princess of Love, now governing the fair Crystal Empire."

"Really? And what of Flash?"

"Flash was determined to work hard in order to continue staying at his side. Through his persevering and loyal devotion, he was commended and promoted to the Captain's Lieutenant."

"Props to him!"

"But with every good thing that comes, there has to be something bad to balance the scales. Flash began to leave the house earlier than usual, and he comes home very late. Heck, we had to do most of the housework by ourselves while going to School. But once the Captain was appointed to the Crystal Empire, Flash had to go with, leaving the two of us alone... For about a couple of years."

"That's... Horrible..."

"Oh that's just the tip of the iceberg. Due to that, we were sent to a... Caring house of some sort... It was horrible... But it was the law..." Scootaloo's face turned pale.

"A-Are you sure you want to stop now? I'm getting the feeling that it's becoming too much for you."

"Yeah, you're right. Sorry about that." Scootaloo quickly shook her head around out of fear, "through those moments of torture, all we got through the years from Flash were letters of money, motivation, perseverance, morals and 'love'."

"What's with the tone at the end?"

"Every letter he sends one after the other. Both of us start to feel like he's not... Writing sincerely to us... And every type of word, it started changing from being a letter to just... The Guard equivalent of a School Report..."

"Careful," Nate warned as they approached a long chasm with only a red beam to provide a bridge. "You want to focus on trotting over that first?"

"I can multitask Nate," Scootaloo replied as she fearlessly hopped onto the beam and trotted calmly, "but continuing on, when he returned back home he was a... Completely different stallion... It's like he's become something that Dad didn't want him to be, and Flash promised us!"

"What... What was his promise?" Nate asked as he too crossed the beam and hopped off on the other side with no effort.

"His promise was-" A sudden flash of light appeared from around the corner, interrupting Scootaloo's conversation. "I... I think we should talk about that later..." The two gazed upon the purple aura, seeping around the corner not far away...

"You know..." Scootaloo gulped "I believe we've found the culprit for the disappearances."

"Then let's go!" Nate yelled, charging forward,

"Hey wait! We don't want to vanish along with it!" Scootaloo hurried along. Yet another empty hallway was around the corner as Nate turned around.

"Oh..." Nate replied as Scootaloo caught up, "there's nothing here."

"Really?" Scootaloo asked, "but it was right there!" She continued trotting forward, away from Nate, "perhaps it's further up ahead."

"Okay..." Nate continued to follow until he felt a large shadowy presence behind him. Without any hesitation and a fearful curiosity, the foal turned around to see the face of a giant horror staring back with intense red eyes.

"Aaaargh!" A loud cry from Nate cause the flightless filly to turn around in shock. A giant silhouette surrounded in a purple aura peering from an open window vanished within a second of Scootaloo's attention. Just in front of the window, was Nate covered in the inspiriting aura of a Yo-Kai. The only problem was that the aura was causing him to-

"Help me!" Nate cried in desperation, his entire body beginning to fade. "I can't move!"

"Nate!!!" Scootaloo screamed in horror, "You're! You're! You're vanishing!"

"Scoots! Help me! I don't want to disappear from this world!" Nate continued on crying for help. Scootaloo immediately put up the Yo-Kai Watch and quickly scanned the area, hoping to see the Yo-Kai responsible. Through five seconds of panicked searching, there was no result that appeared on the Watch and Nate's legs were gone instantly, with the rest of the body beginning to follow.

"Scoots!!!" Nate cried, "I-I don't think it's there anymore! It was a large thing outside!!!"

"Nate!?" Scootaloo gasped, "your legs!"

"I-I don't think you can save me... But I still don't want to die!!!" Nate cried, his body vanishing from view, leaving only his head.

"Nate!!! Stay with me! Don't go disappearing on me!!!" Scootaloo yelled,

"If that large thing was a Yo-Kai, and it's behind all these disappearances..." Nate replied, "you need to take him down! Perhaps you can save me and the other victims! Just make sure never to gaze into its--" As Nate's head began to melt into thin air, he hollered his words quickly but was unable to finish his sentence. Now Nate had disappeared. Gone. Vanished. Non-existent.

"NO!!!" Scootaloo hollered in fear and rage, she clutched her head, eager to remember the foal she called Nate and a friend. However, she had realised that she was exaggerating too much, the memory of Nate still rings clearly in her mind.

"Scoots!" A familiar voice rang from up ahead. Eager to get away from what transpired, she galloped towards the source of the sound. Turning around a few more corners, Scootaloo collided into her brother and fell back, breathing heavily.

"Scoots?" First repeated, "a-are you alright? You've looked like you've seen a ghost!"

"I'm fine... I'm... Fine... But..." Scootaloo stammered and stuttered, still shaken on what she had seen.

"Is somepony else here?" Whisper asked,

"Y-Yes!!! And he's gone!!!" Scootaloo screeched,

"Who's gone?" Jibanyan asked,

"Nate! It's Nate!" Scootaloo yelled, "he's... He's gone!"

"Nate!?" The three jumped in surprise.

"Uh sis..." First placed a hoof on his sister's shaking body. "I don't want to be rude but... Who's Nate?"

"NOOOOOO!!!!" Scootaloo screamed her lungs out in despairing agony, "NO! YOU CAN'T HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOUR FRIEND IN SPRINGDALE!"

"Why are you screaming Scoots!?" First jumped back unaware of her reaction. "We've never heard of anypony called Nate, I haven't that is. Have you Whisper?"

"Not a clue I'm afraid," Whisper shook his head,

"Hearing this name for the first time." Jibanyan added,

"Checking databases..." A peculiar robot looking like Jibanyan flashed his silver-ringed eyes of yellow while standing eerily still. "Negative. There has been no records of anypony known as Nate Adams."

"I-Impossible!" Scootaloo continued freaking out, "he's a friend of ours in Springdale!"

"There's Kate, Eddie, Bear, Sarah, Alex..." First listed, "not anypony called Nate."

"Our next door neighbours? The Adams?"

"Of course!" First replied, "they're the ones who welcomed us when we first came here!" First remembered,

"Thank goodness!"

"It's a pity though." First sighed, "they're such a lonely couple, they've always dreamed of having a child."

"Oh no! No no NO!" Scootaloo continued raging, "that can't happen! Nate is still here!"

"For the last time, who is this Nate you speak of? And what are we doing here outside so late at night?" First asked, "shouldn't we be back in bed?"

"We came here because the both of us and Nate decided to investigate this building! To discover the reason behind the disappearing ponies!"

"I-I thought... It was too scary for you..."

"No it isn't!" Scootaloo continued ranting like a mad stallion. "There's something here that is making ponies disappear, and I'm going to find it!"

"Your statement is correct!" Robanyan chimed, "there is indeed somepony affecting this very event, a Yo-Kai."

"Oh yeah! You did mention something about it before." First remembered,

"And... Who are you?" Scootaloo turned to the robotic cat.

"I am Robonyan, a robot from the future." Robonyan greeted, "I have come here to warn you of that exact Yo-Kai."

"Yeah," First continued, "Robonyan said it was this large massive thing that can cause ponies to disappear and fade from memory if you look into its eyes when it glows red."

"Th-That's it!" Scootaloo jumped, "so that's what it was! That was the thing that attacked Nate and made him disappear!"

"Hold on just a minute Scootaloo!" Whisper jumped, "are you saying that this Nate person--"

"--Is actually one of our friends?" Jibanyan finished,

"Yes. You remember when Flashed mentioned the friend of one of Flash's Co-workers had disappeared in this construction building?"

"Yeah?" First answered,

"There's a new addition to that list: Our friend Nate."

"N-No way!" First clutched his head, "you mean he was here with us? Travelling with us at night?"

"Yeah." Scootaloo nodded, a heavy, anxious load lifted of her chest. "In fact, he was the one who put us on this very trip. And I was with him when he disappeared. Perhaps that's the reason why I could only remember him..."

"N-No..." First clutched his head "I can't believe I actually forgot somepony dear to me... It's no use Scoots. I'm trying to think of anything that involved the name of Nate, but I can't get anything!"

"Don't worry." Scootaloo growled, "there's only one thing that we can do to remember..."

"What?"

"This Yo-Kai took away my friend and many other victims." Scootaloo answered, "I'm not going to let him take anymore..."

"I see... You plan to defeat that giant Yo-Kai. Your prediction is that by doing so, you can bring back all those who have been lost in memory and back to existence?" Robonyan queried,

"Right on the mark... Can that happen? If you are a robot and all..."

"It is unclear." Robonyan replied, "I do not have any data on this Yo-Kai. I merely came to warn both of you of the dangers of this building, in order to protect the timeline of my present, your future."

"Okay then." Scootaloo nodded, "if you came to warn us, can you come with?"

"The pleasure is mine." Robonyan replied, "do you have something in mind?"

"Yeah." Scootaloo grunted with determination, as she noticed the rope hanging from a hole right above them. "We're going to knock that slimy monster back into reality!"

Climbing a rope for a pony was incredibly difficult, especially when said climbers were foals and fillies. But with the help of the surprisingly strong Robonyan, the group were lifted to the third storey, the highest accessible point.

"Wow, you've got some power Robonyan!" First complimented,

"I was built and programmed to be strong and invulnerable in any way possible." Robonyan gave a thumbs up, "after all. I am your friend that has been cyberized."

"No way. Are you seriously saying that I became you in the future? Why would I do that?" Jibanyan replied with shock,

"Not all ponies live forever Jibanyan. And with the disappearance of another friend..." He looked at Whisper, "you could not bear anymore losses. So you underwent this treatment, in order to become me."

"You aren't anything like me!"

"I am a cat and I like it like that..." Robanyan neatly replicated Jibanyan's song and dance.

"Wow! Not even a single mistake! But I'm still not convinced."

"I like Chocolate."

"No way!" Jibanyan gasped, "you really are me!"

"I have a choco bar factory built within me." Robonyan replied, "I'd be happy to share my Choco Bars freshly made by yours truly, but we have a task to accomplish."

"Thank you Robonyan." Scootaloo replied, "maybe later we can enjoy something when this is over."

"Sis, are you sure this is the best idea?" First asked, "I mean, I'm all for taking this Yo-Kai down for stealing our friend but... Why go all the way to the top?"

"So we can fight him his own size!" Scootaloo replied, "Perhaps we can see him if we search at that look out!"

"Okay!" First nodded as the group trotted to their destination. Looking around, they see the open clear skies once more. Luna's moon and the endless ocean of stars were shining brightly over Springdale, which has become a magnificent city bright with the normal lights of yellow and white. Although the two were desperately on a mission, they couldn't help but admire the view before them.

"Wow..." First looked at the Downtown District around them. "Who knew Springdale would be so beautiful at night..."

"You know..." Scootaloo gazed with awe, "Springdale is so much bigger than Ponyville, yet it feels just the same."

"Hey Sis, I've been wondering something." First asked,

"What?"

"I mean, once we've found all the Yo-Kai we need in order to close this case once and for all, do you feel like... You know... Staying here?"

"W-Why?"

"I-I'm just asking!" First shook, "don't misunderstand!"

"Don't worry, I'm... Just as surprised!" Scootaloo replied, "as for your question... Part of me really wants to go back to Ponyville. To our old house with Flash, back to Cheerilee's school with Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, to our normal life."

"And the other part?"

"It's really... Interesting to live here in Springdale. All these buildings and fancy transport, all these Neighponese ponies... But you know what really wants me to stay? It's our friends from Neighpon. Kate, Eddie, Bear, Nate... And... Even our Yo-Kai buddies!"

"Really?"

"It's a difficult job trying to find them all in order to befriend them and keep things in order but... I wonder if that job will ever end..."

"Oh no Sis... Please don't say you've decided to give up!"

"Not at all. Besides..." She smiled happily to her brother and her Yo-Kai pals, "every Yo-Kai friend we make, things get easier, we get to help ponies in need, we make more pony friends, Big Bro wouldn't be so stressful... It would feel a lot less lonely! And I really don't want to let our new friends feel lonely if we leave!"

"And what do you want from all of this?"

"If only everything and everypony in Ponyville and Springdale were to be magically joined together. It would be everything I need in my life!"

"That sounds really sweet." First nodded as he embraced his sister, "I would like the same thing too!"

"You are so charming with your words Scootaloo." Whisper sniffed, grabbing a handkerchief to wipe his eyes.

"I'll go wherever you'll go! I'll be your travel companion for life!" Jibanyan wailed as he embraced his two pony friends.

"So this... This is what happiness feels like..." Negatibuzz buzzed, shifting his eyes to a non-unhappy state.

"If only I were in the flesh, I would like to comfort you all!" Robonyan added, "but alas. I am but a robot."

"Now..." Scootaloo returned to her focus, "I believe we are trying to fi-" A massive hand slammed onto the open floor, interrupting the conversation and frightening everyone with a surprise tremor.

"What the!?" First jumped at the sight of a gargantuan hand with purple nails, lying three feet away from the group.

"Maa---" An ugly voice growled as the hands applied pressure on the floor. Before the group's eyes, a large figure began to rise.

"--Siii--" The massive, semi-muscular giant revealed it's completely grotesque features. Dark red hair on the back of his head, a purple-lined pattern strewn across his face, blue teeth, a chubby nose, and a yellow tongue. On the visible part of his chest, he spouted purple lines as well as chest hair the same colour as his normal hair, along with a patch of bushy dark red hair growing from each of its two arms. The biggest defining trait however, was the black and red eyes of the giant. A dreadful power emanated from the red light that felt all too familiar to the flightless filly.

"---Face!!!" The large giant groaned in a low dull tone as he looked down at the miniature ponies and Yo-Kai before him.

"Ugh!" Jibanyan held his nose, "this guy reeks of bad breath!"

"I-I don't think that's the worst of our problems." First started to step back. "I-Is this the Yo-Kai responsible for making ponies disappear from existence?"

"It certainly looks like it doesn't want us to leave quietly..." Whisper gulped, "If anything, I believe we are the next to become victims of our existence erased!"

"This Yo-Kai..." Scootaloo gritted her teeth as she stayed determinedly put. "All those ponies... Nate... I'm not going down without a fight!" She yelled,

"AhhhhhAAAARGH!" The giant roared back his eyes beginning to glow and eerie red.

"Be careful Sis!" First warned, "If you look into his eyes when he's like that, you're going to disappear!"

"I will not let that happen! Rocket Punch!" Robonyan raised an arm at the massive Yo-Kai and fired his round spherical hand. Sailing like a rocket, the fist hit the Yo-Kai square in the eye. Unaware of this sudden strike, the giant roared in pain as he reeled back with his giant hand covering his eyes.

"You know this Yo-Kai's weak points?" Scootaloo asked,

"Robonyan told us all about it." First explained, "this large Yo-Kai's name is Massiface. Like we've stated before, anypony who turns around and looks him in the eyes whenever it's intensely glowing red? Poof. You're history or rather erased from it."

"So the best way to prevent this from happening." Robonyan explained as he neatly caught his fist that ricocheted into the air and attached it back onto his arm. "Is to strike the causation for that power."

"Wow!" Scootaloo looked at Massiface, who now had one eye closed. "I've never thought of that!"

"To be honest however. I only just quickly thought it up when I saw it was about to strike."

"Roar!!!" Massiface bellowed a blood-curling growl.

"He doesn't sound too happy about it..." First gulped, "and I assume it's not just his eyes are a threat. Are they?"

To answer First's question, Massiface lashed out his forefinger and sharply flicked the foal's forehead. Pushing him back with force and slamming him towards the wall behind him.

"First!" Scootaloo quickly ran to her brother's aid, "are you okay!?"

"Ooh..." First moaned, his head spinning in dizziness and confusion. "My head... What happened?"

Massiface took the time to continue his physical rampage and decided to raise a fist to crush the foals and Yo-Kai before them. At the same time, Robonyan aimed his fist at the other eye and fired with a quick trigger. Massiface reeled in pain once again as he was caught unaware once more, using his hand to comfort his eyes rather than attacking his enemies. After recovering from the temporary shock and pain, Massiface looked back towards the group. At the very least, the big humanoid assumed that his enemies were still there, even if he was temporarily blinded on both eyes.

"Target is blinded. Any attempt for attacking will be nought for him. We now have a free chance to strike!"

"What's his weak point? Let me at him!" Jibanyan growled, pounding his paws together for a beat-down.

"Weak point identified:" Robonyan analysed the foe, "you are to aim at the large purple scar on top of his head!" He pointed towards the said target: A fat looking scar shaped like an X.

"Alright! Let's take this thing down!" Jibanyan announced as he jumped towards the gargantuan, ready to dish out his signature move, "Paws of Fury!" And with the war-cry of nyans, the flurry of paw punches rained down upon the marked spot on Massiface. With each punch, Massiface grunted and yelped in pain.

"Let me help too!" Negatibuzz added as he began pecking and stabbing the X with his sharp nose. Though not as powerful as Jibanyan's, attacks, the reaction of Massiface was the same.

"Ah ha!" Scootaloo watched, "we've got our target! Let's get going!"

"Slow down Scoots!" Whisper warned, "what about your brother? Are you going to leave him confused? Why don't you help him while Massiface is distracted?"

"Oh! Scoots! Is that you?" First lazily asked, "I can't hear you properly, my head's spinning like crazy!"

"Alright then." Scootaloo instructed, "then try to stay still, don't move your head too much, and take deep breaths. I'm pretty sure it will eventually go away."

"That can't happen." Whisper shook his head,

"Wait... What!? Why!?"

"That was no ordinary forehead flick. That strike has a lasting impression that can't be cured by normal means!"

"Then what can!?"

"Umm... Err..." Whisper frantically scrolled through his Yo-Kai Pad, "I can't find anything!"

"I'm losing my patience here!" Scootaloo yelled.

"Hey sis..." First grumbled,

"What?"

"Is it just me or is your Watch... Glowing again?" First pointed towards the Watch. Looking down at it again, the watch glowed a different aura. A light purple light calmly glowed and lit its surroundings.

"What now?" Scootaloo examined her watch, "I don't think this is the radar function... Do you know what this is Whisper?"

"Interesting... This is very peculiar... Unless... No way! That's impossible!" Whisper jumped in surprise and horror,

"Wh-What do you know now?"

"L-Listen, you need to change the light!" Whisper instructed, "click the button that opens the dome, then point it at your brother!"

"Yes sir!" Scootaloo complied. The blue searchlight from before turned into a bright purple colour, and although it may look the same, both the Yo-Kai and pony could feel a different power. Pointing the new light towards her brother, a purple transparent orb engulfing the oblivious pony was made present.

"He's... Trapped?" Scootaloo asked,

"Don't just stand there and decipher what you see, you need to break that shell in order to purify him!"

"Purify? Are you saying that-"

"Just do it!"

"Okay okay!" Scootaloo began tapping the glass at various points, with even the softest touch seeming to chip away at this shell.

"There's a weak point on that orb. Just keep tapping away!" Whisper instructed. Scootaloo began frantically tapping at various areas, while seeing that the more she taps the orb, cracks began to show. One spot she tapped emitted a bigger chipping sound and seemed to crack the orb faster than randomly tapping everywhere."

"That's it! Unleash your fury on that spot!"

"Here we go!" Scootaloo whistled as she repeatedly hammered her hoof onto the sweet spot, causing the cracks to become bigger and longer by the second. With one wind-up punch, Scootaloo shattered the entire orb into smithereens that dissolved into the purple wind.

"Hey!" First lightened up, "I don't feel so dizzy anymore!"

"A-Are you okay now?" Scootaloo examined one more time,

"I don't feel so sick and woozy anymore... What you just did to me, it worked!"

"Alright Whisper, what did I do?"

"The Yo-Kai Watch I gave you is a rare design! Not only does it search and summon Yo-Kai, I believe that it has the power to purify any Yo-Kai or anypony!"

"You mean I can cleanse any form of inspiriting?" Scootaloo gasped with realisation,

"Yes!"

"Are you kidding!? That's awesome!" First jumped with joy,

"Hey guys! Are you still in your little worlds? We've still got a large thing to defeat!" Jibanyan called back, taking a small rest from fighting.

"Oh! Sorry about that!" Scootaloo remembered and pulled out some medals, "Come on out my friend!" She flipped a medal into the air,

"Calling Helmsman!"

She caught the medal of Helmsman on the way down.

"Yo-Kai Medal..." Scootaloo inserted the medal into her Watch, "Do! Your! Thing!"

"Summoning Tough!" An orange light emitted from the watch, a silhouette of Helmsman can be seen boldly floating around in a dance with the theme of his tribe along with some powerful drums.

"Gruff stuff! Rough bluff! Red band, jacket stand, bling blang, Tough!" The chanting voices were all bold, strong, rough and as the tribe implies, tough.

"Helmsman!" Helmsman announced, "why hello there young warriors! It seems you have need of my aid."

"Yeah, you think you can pick up the lance once more?" First asked,

"If I had the rest of my armour I could! Are you trying to jest with me?" Helmsman suspiciously stared at him,

"N-No! Not at all! Sorry if you got the wrong idea, we just needed a lot of help we have to take this thing down."

"Then the honour is mine. Let me be the ones to protect your heads!" Helmsman stood in a saluting posture.

"At least you know how to salute without arms." Scootaloo giggled,

"Roar..." Massiface growled as he shook his head, and revealed his black-red eyes once again.

"Warning!" Robanyan alerted, "Massiface has now recovered his sight. He will be able to aim once more with his physical attacks, not to mention his very dangerous existence eraser!"

"Warrrr..." Massiface stepped back with his arms crossed in defence.

"Looks like he's had it rough," First noted, "does anypony need some pick-me-ups? I've packed some veggies, burgers and of course, Choco Bars!"

"Sure!" Jibanyan replied as he stretched his hand back, "just place it in my hand. We've got to keep watch!" At that moment of distraction however, was when Massiface struck with his powers. Turning back to the fight off-guard, Jibanyan was caught staring back at the Giant's sinister glowing eyes and was shrouded with the usual inspiriting mist. Only this time, Jibanyan is beginning to turn transparent.

"Oh no!" Jibanyan cried, "help me! Help me! I can't move! I don't wanna disappear!"

"I might as well! This is your only hope Jibanyan!" Scootaloo gulped as she pointed the purple searchlight at the two-tailed cat. This time, a thick smog of gas enshrouded Jibanyan.

"Smoke! Smoke! What to do?" Scootaloo asked,

"Get rid of it!" Whisper read, "blow it away from Jibanyan!" Receiving the absolute instructions, Scootaloo took a deep breath and sharply blew a gust of wind from her mouth, hoping to get rid of the purple smog. Colliding with the exhaled air, the purple smog began to stir and disperse, decreasing its size.

"My Celestia... It's working!" Scootaloo thought to herself and repeated the process with haste. First also managed to see the smog lit up by the searchlight and joined Scoots in attempting to rescue their friend from disappearing forever. When the last patch of fog was blown away, a bright light shined over Jibanyan, regaining his colour.

"Nya? I... I can move! I'm not disappearing!" Jibanyan looked at himself, "oh thank you Scoots and First!"

"Phew...!" First sighed with relief, "that's was close."

"It worked... I stopped it..." Scootaloo reflected at what she had done with speechless awe,

"Alright!" Jibanyan regained his focus and vigour, "now it's back into the fr--" A clenched fist interrupted Jibanyan by slamming itself right on top of the poor cat. Raising it from the Ground, Jibanyan was flat as paper,

"Nyot again..." Jibanyan grumbled as his thin body was blown by the wind towards the group.

"Don't worry!" First caught the paper thin Jibanyan and began stretching him out, "your Yo-Kai medic is on the job this time!"

"Looks like we're going to need a few new friends." Scootaloo assessed her attention back to the fight.

"Groar!" Massiface prepared to flick the forehead of Negatibuzz this time. In reaction to this strike, Helmsman inspirited Negatibuzz and protected his head before the finger struck. Negatibuzz was blown back to the wall just like First but with Helmsman's power, his head was well protected physically and mentally from any damage.

"Are you alright my brother?" Helmsman asked,

"Oww..." Negatibuzz rubbed his back, "that was some powerful flick. Hurt by incorporeal back, but my head's still reeling from the shock. Other than that, thanks for the safety helmet!"

"Looks like we'll need to call in some of our new friends!" Scootaloo went back to watching the fight, "I think Elloo and Illoo would help nicely?"

"What about Manjimutt?" Whisper asked,

"Hmm... I'm not sure how useful he would be in this situation..." Scootaloo pondered, "besides, he's in prison. If I summon him, it's going to look like he escaped prison, putting him in a worse situation."

"Scootaloo." Robonyan answered, "you are kin of the Sentry Family, are you not?"

"Obviously," Scootaloo rolled her eyes, "but even if those blood ties are confidential, we're not a family worth recognising."

"You are Wrong. Though we have our own kind to think of, Yo-Kai are observers to Ponies ever since the World began. Do remember that we are ghosts after all."

"So Yo-Kai stalk the many lines of pony families around the world?"

"Yo-Kai have done that since Neighpon, and this year, Equestria has now been added to our observation notes. I however am a robot from the future, and have stored all the data of anypony in the world!"

"Really???" Scootaloo's jaws opened, "that's amazing! But what does that have to do with our situation?"

"You are a family of brave and courageous soldiers to Equestria! Disciplined in the arts of military! Your martial skills! Knowledge of weapons! And best of all, your array of strategy and tactics!"

"I'm flattered."

"Then live up to that name!" Robonyan encouraged, "us Yo-Kai may be free-spirited ghosts, but we can't be the strongest through raw power alone. Brains and brawn must work together in order to overcome anything! Be our strategist, be our tactician. I know you can pull through this battle, just like you did with Sproink!"

"You know about that time!?"

"I know the past, the future, and anypony's present."

"I see... This is up to you but... Can you tell me what my future's like? My Cutie Mark? Aside from growing old of course..."

"I'm afraid that you must find that out for yourself." Robonyan declined,

"Fair enough!" Scootaloo nodded, "my friends! My allies! Can you hear me?"

"We're just a few centimetres in front of you young Scootaloo. Must you yell?" Helmsman retorted,

"Sorry. I guess I'm sounding a bit too dramatic. I've got the plan to take our foe down! Please unleash your strongest attacks on the foul demon's eyes!"

"Seriously?" Negatibuzz moaned, "it takes so much energy to do that, and I doubt my special move would do any sort of damage..."

"My bad, sorry for that forcefulness. Is it okay to just focus your attacks at the eyes?"

"That's a command I can take!" Negatibuzz nodded, "one eyesore coming right up!" Flying back towards the giant, a furious flurry of pecks and stabs were enough to cause an eye of the monster to feel tremendous pain in order for its reactive muscles to close it tight.

"I'll call for some more friends to help!" Scootaloo pulled out the medals of Illoo and Elloo.

"Come on out my Friend! Calling Illoo! Calling Elloo! Yo-Kai Medal, do your thing!"

"Summoning Mysterious!"

"Boo-shiggy Boo-shiggy Boogie-woogie! Cling Clang delirious mysterious!"

"Illoo!"

"Elloo!"

"Welcome to the world of Illusion!" Illoo greeted,

"Thanks but... We've got a bigger problem, and it's real!" Scootaloo pointed towards Massiface,

"Hoo hoo! Looks like this young chap's not very happy!" Elloo commented,

"Never was to begin with." Scootaloo joked, "anyway, can you distract him with your illusions?"

"Inspiriting Yo-Kai like these are quite difficult to perform compared to normal Yo-Kai and poines." Illoo replied, "but for you my friend, hoo hoo hoo!" Illoo floated above Massiface's head and with his Ice-cream pole staff, drew a cloudy-rimmed circle. A beam of light sprouted from underneath that circle and shone upon Massiface's bald head, pausing his frantic movement for a while. Signs of resisting this inspiritment were present as Massiface tried to shake his head away from the spell, while Illoo was concentrating just as hard to successfully connect it. With an arduous struggle of five seconds, Massiface gave in and succumbed to the illusion.

Within that illusion, Massiface saw a countless number of ponies lashing out with words and cursing at him with messages of doom and defeat. To make matters worse, Massiface recognised every single one of them. Some included a young mare in high school, a business pony with a smooth moustache, a construction worker, and a young foal wearing a red shirt. Indeed, those were the very ponies that Massiface wiped out of existence, returning to curse and promise him of receiving the same fate.

"Well what do you know? I actually did it!" Illoo jumped with joy,

"Alright guys! He's distracted, aim for that last eye!" Scootaloo instructed,

"Take thizzzz!!!" Negatibuzz volunteered for the job, unleashing the same fury pecking from before, which ended up with the other eye closed.

"Alright Jibanyan!" First encouraged, "back to optimum condition!" Jibanyan finally found himself looking his usual plump self.

"Not a single flat line!" Jibanyan examined himself, "thanks First!"

"Here's a Choco Bar for good luck!" First passed an unwrapped Choco Bar, "I've peeled the cover off for you too!"

"Nyom!" Jibanyan quickly chomped it down, "delicious! Thanks once again!"

"Give it your best shot!" First called back as Jibanyan marched back into the fray,

"Hoo hoo!" Elloo summoned a cloud of hail and aimed it straight for the forehead,

"Rocket Punch!" Robonyan fired his hands once again. The combination of solid stones of ice as well as rocket-propelled fist was enough to give Massiface a big concussion.

"Roarg!!!" Massiface reeled once more in pain, and attempted a reactive strike. With his eyes closed however, he was unable to focus upon his targets and regardless of his slamming fists and forehead flicks, he was unable to land a hit.

"Hoo hoo! I don't even need to use my haze-transformation skills to get away from the likes of you!" Elloo taunted,

"Keep at it guys!" First encouraged, "If you need any healing or refreshments, now's the time to get some without getting hurt!"

"AAAAA!!!" Massiface then performed something different. He furiously slammed the floor once more and stomped his foot at the same time. While he wasn't able to squish anypony due to blindness, that was not the aim of his attacks. Instead, his two actions combined to cause a temporary earthquake which not only shook the Yo-Kai off guard, but was powerful enough to cause some of the construction parts above the group's head to break from its stability and plummet straight towards them.

"Oh no!" First warned as he stumbled to balance, "incoming debris!" Though the team has received the warning, they were unable to react to this sudden danger due to the Earthquake throwing them around and do nothing but brace for the impact. Whilst all ponies and Yo-Kai that had to stand were affected, those who can manage to float were unaffected by the shaking ground. Thankfully, one of the floating Yo-Kai knew what to do.

"Let me be your helmet!" Helmsman announced as he released a wave of his yellow inspiriting aura upon his friends. Within that aura, a spectral samurai helmet appeared firmly upon each of their heads and any sort of debris that fell ricocheted off their heads and preventing and serious head injuries to Pony and Yo-Kai alike.

"Oof!" First rubbed his head after a piece of concrete landed on his head, "wow! That is some quick reaction again! Thanks for the support!"

"Although fatal wounds were avoided, this collision is pretty powerful..." Helmsman took a deep breath, "I need some time to rest."

"I've got some veggies to share!" First reminded,

"Oh! My favourite! Do you happen to have any carrots on you?"

"I was actually buying that for me and big sis, but hey. Sharing is caring!" First reached in his bags and grabbed a fresh carrot for the helmet to eat.

"Oh thank you!" Helmsman swallowed it with one gulp, "I was hoping that I could enjoy my time to eat, but we clearly don't have time!"

"Alright! You know the drill, X marks the spot everypony!" Scootaloo targeted,

"Yah!" Jibanyan performed a technique never seen by the group before, channelling fire out of nowhere into a ball and tossing it towards the Massiface's X-scar. Massiface reeled in pain like he always does, but his reaction was less shaky than when Jibanyan punched him.

"Nyah..." Jibanyan slapped his head in forgetfulness, "I forgot that my spirit power isn't very strong."

"Seriously Jibbers?" Negatibuzz complained,

"Don't call me that!"

"It matters not, as long as Massiface has his eyes closed, we can throw anything against his weak point! Rocket Punch!" Robonyan fired both his fists which sailed straight towards the x-scarred forehead, knocking his head back which a power that could seriously fracture the skull of a normal Pony.

"Roar..." Massiface opened his eyes one more time. His body drooping as he constantly took deep breaths of recovery. Dumbfounded, Massiface realised that the small little ponies... No, the Yo-Kai that joined with them too. What seemed to be his upcoming victims, had turned the tables on him and pushed his strength to the very limit. For once, he had never thought that the ones who will take justice against his crimes would be the alliance of Pony and Yo-Kai. The monster thought to himself, it has been years where ponies had been oblivious or ignorant of his presence, with the sole exception of those who are able to see strung along the lines of time. But to see the alliance of the living and the passed formed once again, after a thousand and one years. The monster laughed to himself, he may be outnumbered and cornered, but he's got one more trick to crush this pitiful alliance.

"He's looking very grim. One more powerful strike and he's gone for good!" Whisper noted,

"Alright then, let's get physical!" Scootaloo alerted,

"Roar!" Massiface let out a furious roar to shake the entire party. Turning his body back, he threw a humongous backhander that collided with the entire party and blew them all back towards the wall. Not even Helmsman was able to put up his head protective powers in time.

"Argh...!" Scootaloo cried in pain as her head crashed into the solidified concrete wall.

"Sis!" First immediately ran to her aid. Due to being in the back lines, the foal received only the wind generated by the back hand alongside Whipser. Jibanyan, Helmsman, Illoo, Elloo and Robonyan were also knocked back too, and had a hard time picking themselves up.

"Don't worry Little Bro." Scootaloo chuckled as she rubbed her head and coughed in pain. "It's just like like the time during the fight in the Hot Springs. It does feel like my head's bleeding... Good thing I always had this with me." She gestured to her bags,

"Oh sis..." First sighed as he spotted an Aged Charm wrapped around her saddlebags,

"Ever since Leadoni and Mynimo gave this to us, I've been keeping it with me ever since. I've got a sturdy feeling within me everywhere I go when I have it."

"Sis..."

"Oh bother..." Negatibuzz moaned in agony and despair,

"Oh Negatibuzz!" Scootaloo noticed, "you're alright!"

"It's a good thing my wings keep on constantly flying, otherwise I'd end up squashed."

"A-Are you okay?"

"Does it look like I'm okay!?" Negatibuzz retorted, "we're on the verge of succeeding, and this nasty Yo-Kai had one last trick that knocked us back entirely! Now most of our friends are down, with me being the only one left ready to fight!"

"Negatibuzz..."

"Please..." Negatibuzz placed a blanket around himself and cowered in depression. "Just somepony help me... I can't do this alone... My friends are all knocked out... And my living pony friends could become extinct and forgotten... My only friends..."

"Hold on Negatibuzz..." Scootaloo perceived, "did you just say that we are your only friends?"

"Yeah..." Negatibuzz replied, "since I'm friends with you guys, I was able to make friends with other Yo-Kai that have befriended you. The psychologist also said something about joining a social group. To tell you the truth, whenever I'm around you guys, things aren't as depressing as it used to be... I don't... Don't want to go back to how depressed I was. I don't want to forget about you guys."

"Oh Negatibuzz." Scootaloo smiled, "you really do care."

"Yeah." Negatibuzz sighed, "I do."

"I understand that you would feel negative when you can't do anything for your friends. A sense of powerlessness."

"Yeah..."

"But I still have faith in you! We all have faith in you! Use that Negativity of yours as your power! Harness it to attack! Use it to fight for your friends?"

"To... Fight?" Negatibuzz repeated, "huh... I have never thought of that..." With the idea in mind, the negative mosquito turned to face the giant Yo-Kai standing before him.

"Negatibuzz?" First called, "what are you doing?"

"Try and help the other Yo-Kai." Negatibuzz turned back, "I'll handle this..." He turned to Massiface. "You. Do you know who I am? I am a Yo-Kai that is depressed 24/7. I'd sit in the corner grieving and complaining the hardships of my zzzzzpiritual lifespan, and causing ponies and Yo-Kai alike to feel the same. But what you did to my friends? You've made me even more depressed than usual. And because of that, I'm not going to sit in the corner anymore." He threw away the blanket, and angrily glared at his foe. "I feel so negative, it's making me angry this time. And there is no way that I am going to let you get away." A blue ball of aura enshrouded the Mosquito.

"Woah..." First stared at awe as Negatibuzz looked at the light around him.

"If you want to make my friends disappear..." With a quick gesture, the blue ball of aura turned into a quick rotating swirl as in drove itself into Negatibuzz's body. With Negatibuzz unwillingly absorbing all the energy, a bright light enveloped his entire body and began to change his form. With an overwhelming explosion of light combining the white light and the blue ball of energy, a new Yo-Kai stood in the middle of all the dissipating power. A purple robe covered the full body of a mosquito like Yo-Kai that had a pair of brown antennae on his head. The Yo-Kai's wings were bigger than Negatibuzz, and his hands-turned claws, red eyes and sharp golden curved nose had added a very sinister atmosphere around him.

"You're going to have to get rid of my negativity first!" The former-Negatibuzz replied as he pierced his nose directly onto Massiface's forehead and began draining his energy. Massiface screamed and screamed in pain and terror. Getting his quota of energy, the new Yo-Kai reeled back and released a certain set of soundwaves that echoed madly into the eardrums of the monster, filling him with despair and leaving him wide open.

"He's wide open now! One final hit should do it!"

"Rocket Punch!" Robonyan mustered enough energy to fire both his hands one more time to brutally hit the scar once more. A tear within the scar painfully burst open and spouted tons of purple mist that violently covered Massiface.

"Roar!!!....." Massiface bellowed greatly in pain as he backed away from the building. Getting onto his knees, his roar grew softer and softer until it became a cry of despair and defeat as he and his mist disappeared into the depths of nothing but empty dust. With the last ounce of his body and smoke clearing away, the roar had subsided, the entire atmosphere went silent. The life-risking battle was finally over.

"... And stay out of existence!" The Mosquito replied.

"Ne-Negatibuzz!" Scootaloo gasped at her mosquito friend, "You've changed!"

"Yeah..." The new Negatibuzz sighed, "Not much of a difference though... Sorry if you expected some form of me to be positive. I'm just further more depressed."

"Even so... Thanks for your help."

"You're right. Something that I learnt from you is that I can use depression for something else apart from moping... And I'm no longer Negatibuzz. You may call me Moskevil."

"Sure thing... Moskevil."

"Victory! Hoo hoo!" Elloo flew with joy.

"Hoo hoo hoo!" Illoo joined in the fun.

"A well fought victory!" Helmsman complimented,

"The credit should go to all of you." Scootaloo bowed,

"Wait a minute!" Whisper remembered, "What of the ponies who disappeared?"

"Fear not," Robonyan answered, "my memory of certain ponies in this timeline are being recovered as we speak."

"Hey that's right! I'm beginning to remember somepony called Nate!" Whisper gasped in realisation.

"Me too!" Jibanyan added,

"Nathan Adams... Nate... I finally remember... My best friend..." First stood still, the memories rushing back into his head.

In front of their very eyes, a large purple fog appeared with multiple silhouettes of all sizes taking shape. When the fog dissipated, a group of ponies stood there, looking around with great confusion.

"Wait..." A mare that looks to be in high school spoke, "what am I doing here? I'm supposed to be at home!"

"What is this madness!?" A businessstallion commanded, "I expected this building to be completed by now! What am I doing here?"

"Huh?" A construction pony looked around, "how long was I here?"

"Hey everypony!" Scootaloo addressed, "are you alright?"

"Huh?" The construction pony looked puzzled, "what are you doing? This is a restricted area!"

"We were looking for our best friend, and apparently he was seen heading into this building. When we climbed to the top, we saw all of you knocked out cold!" First explained,

"Do you know what happened here?" The high school mare asked,

"No idea. Like he said, we just found you all here." Scootaloo answered. "Is there a foal with a red shirt with you guys?"

"Scoots! First!" A familiar voice made its way out of the crowd with its source coming next.

"Nate!" Scoots and First galloped to embrace and nuzzle their best friend with tears of joy, "you're back! Alive! Thank Celestia!"

"O-kay..." Nate uncomfortably stared at his tightly attached friends. "I assume you must have been scared when you saw me disappear right?"

"It's all okay now..." Scootaloo cried,

"The last thing I remembered was turning around to see that monster. Now that I'm standing here alive with a lot of different ponies, it looks like I owe you one. Now can you guys get off me?"

"Sorry..." First remembered and released his grip,

"That's right, I still haven't told you the promise." Scootaloo remembered as she loosened her grip. "Whenever he's patrolling, protecting various ponies, taking names and suspects, he's not doing this for Equestria or the Royal Monarchy in a way, he's doing it as Dad did. The survival of the other guards, the ponies back home who are sceptical about the monarchy and the guard as a whole, he wants to ensure that there won't be another pointless battle with so many lives lost. He's fighting for us, our own family, not just for legacy but love."

"Tall but righteous order." Nate answered,

"It does at first glance, but dad's a selfless pony with so much chivalry. The only thing he regretted was his leaving his family when he sacrificed his life to save his allies, but I could tell from his words that if he did somehow happen to fall during battle, that he would fall happy knowing he did at least something to save anypony. Like Dad, Flash just cares for anypony in general, and would feel heavily burdened and troubled to see ponies think otherwise. Call him the most perfect stallion, but he knows he's far from it, everypony has their limits."

"That's... A long story."

"Well, he's having a hard time adjusting in Springdale as much as we are. But as long as we are together, I don't mind Springdale at all. In fact, I sort of like this place a lot. I keep constant touch with letters to my friends, and I have you, Katie, Bear, Eddie, our classmates and the Yo-Kai too. It's definitely far better than that place..."

"Scoots," Nate replied, "I don't know about losing loved ones, but moving to an unfamiliar place is something I can understand. After all, I did move from Neighpon to Equestria."

"You know Nate," Scootaloo changed the subject, "trying your best to cheer us up, you sound a lot like our big brother. It's something really similar to that of the usual Chivalrous Royal Guard. Very average."

"Hey, that's not nice." Nate replied,

"Don't get me wrong," Scootaloo giggled, "It's a very precious thing and... I'm sure Katie likes that too."

"Really?" Nate gave an unimpressed look.

Ending the conversation, First was busy informing everything to the former victims. "By the way, I think we should inform the Guard about this. How does that sound?" First asked, the group of ponies came with some murmurs and nods, "that's good to know. Do you guys know how to get home?"

"But of course!" The business stallion replied, "all I just need is to call my secretary. And then--" Another swirl of purple mist engulfed the entire group, interrupting the stallion. After a few seconds, the large fog disappeared, and the ponies with it, with the exception of him, Scoots, Nate, and the Yo-Kai.

"What the!?" First stared at the now barren area, "where did everypony go!?"

"Well well well!" A feminine voice laughed through the air, "that was quite a good show!"

"Wh-Who are you?" Scootaloo called out,

"Who am I you say? How rude! Then again, I'm not showing my beloved self to you, so maybe I'm rude too. No matter! Consider this a treat!"

A cluster of purple clouds burst forth from thin air, with a large bipedal nine-tailed fox with the beautiful blending colour of gold and purple appearing within. This majestic creature also housed some curved whiskers as well as long and sharp purple claws on his hands and feet. The fox's golden trimmed ears pricked at the sense of the Ponies staring fearfully at him, and decided to stare menacingly back with his golden eyes.

"You seem scared." The fox greeted, "not to worry, I won't harm you. After all, you've done me a great favour, and I hate owing Yo-Kai or ponies for that matter."

"Th-This power..." Whisper gasped, his entire body trembling, "I can feel... A fearsome fire within him..."

"I see, you can sense my ever fearsome power, oh pasty-faced floaty one."

"Pasty faced!?" Whisper gasped, "how awful, I would like to think myself as Ivory Complexed."

"Like I care," Kyubi replied, "not worth up to my standards."

"H-Hey!" Scootaloo growled, "who are you!? What did you to those ponies!?"

"Don't take that rude attitude with me young filly!" The fox growled even harder, "I did those ponies a great deal and this is the thanks I get!? Sheesh, you kids nowadays. Makes me question whether I should have children or not."

"Umm... Then let me speak," First trotted forward, "a-are you a Yo-Kai? I mean... I can feel a lot of heat coming from you."

"So even ponies can feel my awesome power too!" The fox stared at the foal, "care to try it out?" A ball of flame appeared on his hand, "let me warn you, young foals shouldn't be playing with fire."

"A-Actually, no thanks!" First stepped back in fear, "I-I'll pass..."

"Who are you?" Scootaloo repeated herself,

"My name..." The Fox bowed, "... is Kyubi. It's a pleasure to meet you, or maybe not."

"What did you do to those ponies?"

"Calm down little one!" Kyubi laughed, "or on second thoughts, don't. I do like feisty ones. Anyway, those ponies won't be disappearing from existence ever again, or anypony for that fact. I just sent them back to their homes."

"Oh... Really? Well then... Thanks for not harming them."

"Why should I?" Kyubi sneered, "if you must know, I like living here in Springdale. It's quiet, naturally beautiful, and all ponies Equestrian or Neighponese are entertaining to observe with their own issues and their obliviousness to Yo-Kai. I would hate to see them disappear, no matter how inferior they are."

"Thanks?"

"But you guys... You guys are a first!" Kyubi glared at the group, "a bunch of ponies that can see Yo-Kai! Or at the very least, interested about Yo-Kai. Isn't that right you red-shirted foal?"

"Uh... You mean me right?" Nate pointed to himself,

"Wait! You can see her?" Scootaloo looked towards Nate,

"Her? Are you referring to me?" Kyubi picked up, "why does everypony and Yo-Kai call me a female? I may look and sound like one, but I am male. Clear?"

"O-Okay then!" Scootaloo replied,

"Anyway, I decided to show myself to you, that's the reason why all three of you are seeing me right now. Unless you use your watch to see me permanently, this is just temporary." Kyubi explained,

"Is--"

"Look, I know you understand 'kay? Now. Its way past midnight now, and I assume kids like you have something called 'school' to attend. You've given me the satisfaction of not dealing with that grotesque monster of a Yo-Kai myself so I'm going to reward you guys by taking you home. You cool with that?"

"Well..." First looked at the group, "what do you think?"

"Well, with all that happened, there's enough mysteries for one night."

"Yeah..." Nate nodded, "after being brought back to existence, I think it's enough too."

"Very well then!" Kyubi cackled, "then I shall do that! One more thing though..."

"Yes?"

"The culprit of your 'disappearing mystery' is something that all Yo-Kai know. Everypony knows not to mess with him, but now that he's gone from this world, we can all feel it. Yo-Kai are everywhere, so we know everything Yo-Kai related. Now, I never really cared about you guys, but all of you need to watch your step with Yo-Kai from here on out. You guys ought to stick close, and that Yo-Kai Watch even closer. Farewell little ones. There's a high chance we'll meet again." And with one final bow, a snap from Kyubi's fingers caused a purple flame to erupt from underneath the remaining three ponies and Yo-Kai, burning them into piles of ash which in turn kicked up into a massive dark cloud that temporarily swirled around before vanishing completely.

"Heh..." Kyubi laughed at the charred marks on the floor where his fire once raged, "aren't I just the luckiest Yo-Kai in Equestria? Well, I'd better start collecting heart orbs first thing in the morning."

"Wow..." Scootaloo gasped as she found herself back in the bedroom. "Kyubi wasn't lying when he said that he would take us back,"

"It certainly does save time going back home and the risk of waking Flash up again." First replied with relief, "Since Nate isn't here, I assume he's safely back at home. And our other Yo-Kai friends are back in their homes too. All we have left are Jibanyan, Whisper and Ro--Bonayan?"

"Greetings once again!" the robotic Yo-Kai addressed,

"Shh!!!" Scootaloo quickly shushed in shock, "keep your volume down! Our brother's still asleep!"

"My apologies..." Robonyan apologised and lowered is volume with the knob on his chest, "after everything that transpired tonight, I can safely say that my mission has been accomplished."

"So the future is back on its original timeline?" Scootaloo whispered,

"Indeed." Robonyan nodded, "it was a very close scrape. If Massiface had not been beaten down, I would never know my mission was a failure!"

"Wait... Failure?" First pricked up,

"Quite the attentive one First," Robonyan replied, "unfortunately, I'm afraid my mission is classified, lest you alter it with your own hands."

"I wouldn't do such a thing but... I understand."

"Now that my job has been accomplished, I shall return." A blue portal appeared underneath Robonyan, "but do not worry..." He flicked a medal onto Scootaloo's hooves and began sinking into the portal giving a thumbs up, "I'll Be Back!"

"Okay then..." Scootaloo stared at the vanishing portal, "I guess we've made enough Yo-Kai friends for the day too!"

"A future Jibanyan eh?" First looked at their cat companion,

"Nyo, I'll still say that he's not me." Jibanyan replied,

"It was certainly a wacky day today." Whisper replied, "I think it's time we all earned a big rest."

"Yeah." Scootaloo yawned as she climbed into her bed, "Goodnight First,"

"Goodnight Big Sis." First replied as he climbed into his and instantly fell asleep.

"A promise..." Scootaloo stared at the ceiling, reflecting on what she discussed with Nate before closing her eyes.

The next morning, Celestia's sun was brought over all of Equestria, and everypony began to wake up in all towns and cities. Canterlot, Ponyville, The Crystal Empire, Appleloosa and many other areas, even the Neighponese and Yo-Kai inhabited town of Springdale. Scootaloo and the others woke up feeling very energetic than usual.

"Good morning everypony!" Scootaloo yawned, "First, Whisper, Jibanyan, ready to start a new day?"

"Oh for sure!" First jumped out of bed, "ready to enjoy the weekend! Doesn't Kyubi know that foals and fillies don't go to school every day?"

"Most certainly! What would you like to do today?" Whisper asked,

"We should find more Yo-Kai today! That way, we can reduce the number of cases Flash has to take!" First suggested,

"We should also spend more time with him when possible!" Scootaloo also added,

"Well what are we waiting for?" Jibanyan called, "let's go!" Without haste, the group ran towards the door and opened it to find a familiar orange pegasus furiously glaring straight into their eyes.

"B-Big Bro!" Scootaloo stepped back, surprised by the face of her brother. "G-Good morning! Did you sleep well?"

"I did..." Flash growled with strict tone, "did you?"

"Of course we did!" Scootaloo replied,

"Are you sure?" Flash prompted, his eyes narrowing in further anger,

"Oh Flash, don't you trust us?" Scootaloo innocently asked,

"Uh... Sis..." First whispered,

"What is this energy!?" Whisper gasped, "I sense a rare Yo-Kai!!!"

"You are my younger sister Scoots, and I believe every word you say. But how can I when the first thing I wake up to are so many messages regarding you guys? How many ponies, one of them being my colleague's best friend, claim that they have been stranded within the building under construction and that you guys rescued them late in the night? There's also the fact of ponies being related to them crying out that they finally 'remember'." Flash informed, his eyebrows fiercely arched, "and somehow, I remembered everything about that construction pony my colleague keeps on talking about, when I thought yesterday that he didn't exist."

"Uh... Er... Well..." Scootaloo began to shiver uncontrollably. The same went for First and even to Whisper and Jibanyan.

"Be honest with me." Flash's tone grew louder, "did you go out of the house yesterday night, to find those mysteries?"

"... Yes..." Scootaloo gulped,

"Speak up!" Flash bellowed, "Tell me now!"

"Yes." First bravely spoke.

"Grr..." Flash growled, his face darkened with anger and fury, and broke into a monstrous uproar.

"WHAT DID I TELL YOU NOT TO DO!?!?!?!?!?!? HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!!!" Flash roared, his wings angrily straightened out of intimidation and uncontrolled anger,

"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Scootaloo, First, Whisper and Jibanyan screamed in sheer terror. Their fur and mane stood pricked up on the tip of their ends. If there was anything more terrifying to the siblings than the Red Oni from Terror Time, it would be their brother in a state of rage and the punishment that comes thereafter.

Author's Note

And so concludes this unexpected 2-part chapter done over a few months due to University. I sincerely apologise for my delay. And I may not keep my promise but I'll try my best to continue the mini chapters before the next big chapter. Once again, thank you for all who read the story up to this point.

Befriended Robonyan and Negatibuzz has changed into Moskevil!

Chapter 6-1: Bad Behaviour

"Ah..." Princess Twilight looked out of the window from her special study room. Down in the castle courtyard, she spotted a platoon of guards doing their daily routine of marching, commanded by a pegasus who she got familiar with over a month after Flash's departure to Springdale.

"It's been a month, but it still doesn't feel the same without him around." Twilight mumbled to herself as the guards began marching back and forth.

"Something wrong Twilight?" A purple baby dragon hopped to her side,

"Hello Spike, it's nothing..."

"Hey," Spike peered out of the window, "Burning Blade is doing a great job as Flash's replacement. Heck, he's one of Flash's close allies besides Shining. You still think Ponyville isn't safe without Equestria's 'Gae Bolg' around?"

"Flash isn't a weapon of destruction. He's innocent like everypony after the war and a caring brother for his family."

"But it's a sign of respect! Why shouldn't we call him that?"

"The same reason why we don't call my brother 'Excalibur'!" Twilight retorted, "and I feel guilty for sending him and his family to Springdale! You of all people should know about family, and that place!"

"... Sorry." Spike sighed, the image of another dragon appeared in his mind. "I forgot Flash is also another victim of losing their loved ones."

"Well, It was kept a secret from me too." Twilight replied, "now that Shining has explained the entire story, I just feel so bad sending him away."

"Don't worry!" Spike encouraged, "at least he has Scoots and First to cope with! I wish I could say the same for me but you know... What happened with Patch..."

"Spike, I'm sorry for what happened to your brother. I didn't mean to bring back bad memories."

"I'm sure he's still here, in spirit. But enough of that," he plopped a scroll onto Twilight's desk. "This is what I was here for, Flash's report."

"Ahh..." Twilight sighed in relief as she opened the scroll and read through Flash's report. "And he still never writes it as a normal letter."

"He's a soldier! What would you expect?" Spike joked,

"Regardless, It looks like he's doing fine! Ever since hearing all about the ridiculous paranormal cases, it says that these number of cases has been decreasing! But... I can tell he's still stressful through his words."

"Let me guess, is it Scoots and First?"

"Yeah." Twilight replied, "that's the main assumption... Oh look! It seems Flash said that he remembers a few of the ladies asking for some gifts before he left! He says that a letter should be sent to him as soon as possible, and that the next report will come bearing gifts!"

"Well then!" Spike grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill nearby, "so glad he remembers for us! Let's see... I've heard that they have special gems that are popular in Neighpon. There were some called Agate, Ivory and Coral! I want to sample some!" He quickly began scribbling down notes. "Now what would you want Twilight?"

"Well..." Twilight chuckled, "I'd like a lot of books regarding the culture of Neighpon. They would make perfect additions to the library as well as for my knowledge!"

"Hmm..." Applebloom pouted with boredom as she looked to the skies and the horizon from the CMC treehouse. "Ain't never felt this bored when Scoots were around!"

"Aww Scoots..." Sweetie sighed, "I know you miss her, I do too, but you know how she misses her family, or what's left of it."

"Ah know ah know..." Applebloom sighed, "ah jus' don't get it. We're her friends! Why didn't she tell us 'bout her family? Ah mean, ah've got Granny, Big Mac, Applejack and the Apple Family... All she has is First Base and Mister Sentry... I'd be lonely if I was her..."

"Hey Applebloom! Sweetie Belle!" A voice called from below.

"Oh!" Sweetie gazed to a few foals galloping or flying towards them. "Twist! Pipsqueak! Button! Rumble! How are you doing?"

"Doing fine," Rumble saluted, "but anyway, the little Dragon Spike just handed us some letters written towards you and us. Guess who that is!"

"Wow! It's Scoots!" Applebloom quickly galloped down to retrieve the letter and opened it without hesitation.

"Dear Sweetie and Applebloom. How have you been doing?" Sweetie read, "It has been a rocky month ever since I left you two for Springdale. I know it sounds a bit unfair, but family is just as important as friendship! Ever since coming here, I've been messaging you guys about how much I've wanted to return to Ponyville, while at the same time, talking about all these hot topics around Springdale, as well as our Neighponese friends! Living here for a month, our new friends remind me all about you guys! Did you also know that two of them don't have cutie marks like we do? They could be the new members of the CMC in Neighpon! I wish that you could visit us one day, I'd be glad to introduce you to them! The picture we sent you this time is me and my little brother hanging out with most of my friends in this very entertaining place known as an Arcade with all these machines! I bet Button Mash would like this place! Then again, First sent something similar to his friends, so they'll get the same picture! Anyway, I hope you can write back to me!

With Loving Regards

Scootaloo

P.S. As usual, this part is for both of your eyes only. we're helping our Big Bro crack the case as soon as possible, so we can get home! With me and my friends, there's nothing we can't do!"

"Aww..." Applebloom chuckled at the picture of Scootaloo, First, Nate, Katie, Bear, Eddie, Sarah, and Alex giving funny poses and faces at the camera inside a flashy room with gadgets, crane machines and the like.

"Man!" Button moaned as he held a similar picture, "I wanna go to Springdale now! Just look at the many arcades there!"

"Well," Twist giggled, "I'm sure they're having a good time..."

"Yeah..." Sweetie nodded,

"Jus' wonderin'" Applebloom picked up, "ah'm not doubting Scoots' new friends but, how can they convince and help Mister Sentry with the case?"

While the young foals continued on bickering about their friend, they were unable to notice that the picture of Scootaloo, First Base and their friends... As well as the many other pictures sent before... Had other 'friends' join in with the image with their own funny faces.

"Argh, this is excruciating!" Scootaloo complained as she quickly scribbled down notes and answers of her maths homework just given to her an hour ago.

"Uh Scoots?" Katie, Sarah and Alex looked concerned, "you're supposed to do your homework later..."

"Well," Scootaloo chuckled as she quickly brushed off the rubber remains from her paper and neatly folded it into her bag. "It's best to do it while still fresh in your mind. That and we're grounded."

"What happened?" Alex asked,

"Got caught sneaking out at night." Scootaloo sighed, "It was a well worth trip. Too bad that we were found out next morning."

"Well, what is your reason for sneaking out?" Sarah prompted,

"It's... Complicated," Scootaloo laughed nervously, "anyway, he wants us to have our homework done before we get home. Otherwise, it's extra push-ups for both of us!"

"Glad that's over." First stacked a set of papers and clipped them together before putting it in his bag. "At least I won't have to do it at home."

"Let me guess..." Nate noticed, "... Got caught?"

"Yeah..."

"Seriously?" Bear added, "of all ponies, I thought you'd be the most behaved!"

"I thought so too, then I had to go sneaking out at night..."

"What did you have to do there?" Eddie prompted,

"It's... Complicated." First sighed, "regardless, if this wasn't fully completed when we go home, he's going to whip me and my sis into a chubby camp of his own making!"

"Alright kids! Class is back in session!" Mr Johnson walked into the room, the school bell chiming away. "Today we are going to learn some history. As you know, the land of Equestria is governed by four princesses. We have Princess Twilight, the Princess of Friendship, Princess Cadence, The Princess of Love, Luna, The Princess of the Moon, and Celestia, the Princess of the Sun." All the students groaned,

"I know that you guys know that. And what about the ruler in Neighpon? If it doesn't make you uncomfortable, can either Scootaloo or First Base answer that question?"

"Uh..." Scootaloo looked around,

"I believe..." First jogged his memory through his history homework just two minutes ago, "her name is Princess Amaterasu, Princess of the 'Rising Sun' rather than the sun itself, and ruler of Neighpon."

"Correct!" Mr Johnson nodded in agreement, "but there's something that wasn't made known until a few months ago... As their duty to raise the sun and moon, the Royal Family of Equestria are related to the Royal family of Neighpon! It has been said that they are very distant cousins or rather very close allies from long ago: Blood sisters as they might call it."

"Huh..." Scootaloo thought to herself, "I'm quite tempted to visit Neighpon myself one day."

"You should!" Katie overheard, "but I think it's best for you to stick to the peaceful rural and country areas. I'm not sure if your mind can survive what happens in the main city..."

After spending a certain amount of time in class varying through many subjects, the bell rang for lunch time. Whilst everypony received their meals and sat down and ate, the siblings were focused in doing their homework without any minute to touch their lunch, concerning not only their friends, but even their Yo-Kai companions.

"Can't you just finish your homework after eating your lunch?" Whisper asked,

"You're food's going to get cold!" Jibanyan replied, "and I'm tempted to eat it myself!"

"Nearly finished!" The siblings replied simultaneously as they continued on writing articulate short answers and drawing precise lines. Both ponies sweated in fear and pain as they concentrated with their minds. After a few mentally excruciating minutes, the siblings finally jotted down the last of their words and dropped their pencils with relief.

"Phew! Out of the way." First sighed,

"Now that that's over," Scootaloo picked up her cutlery, "it's time to ea--nooo!" Scootaloo gasped at her nutrient-stacked plate, now displaying nothing but air. "My food!"

"See?" Jibanyan yawned with exhaustion, "I told you!"

"You greedy cat!" The filly viciously tackled Jibanyan to the floor, "I thought you of all Yo-Kai would refrain from eating other ponies' food!"

"It wasn't me!!!" Jibanyan cried in desperation, "I was only focusing my sights on you! Honest!"

"Oh! Were you about to eat it?" Sarah turned around, her face filled with food. "I thought you we're never going to bother with all your homework!"

"Wait... Don't tell me you stole my lunch Sarah!"

"I did!" Sarah laughed, "what's mine is mine and what's yours is also mine. So gimme!" With a quick swipe, Sarah nicked Scootaloo's papers and bolted out the door,

"Sarah!!!" Scootaloo roared as she galloped after her, "give it back!"

"What in the world?" Katie looked at the trail of the two fillies, "Sarah? Did you just steal from Katie?"

"Well..." First chuckled, "at least I have my lunch still intact."

"Hey, it's not fair that you get to eat while your sister can't." Whisper stopped,

"But..."

"But no!" Nate overheard, "first your sister got her food stolen and now her homework. Are you sure you want your sister to go through a military gym?"

"Well..." First thought hard, "perhaps there were some scores to settle with her..."

"First!" Whisper, Jibanyan and Nate scolded,

"Kidding! Kidding!" First held his hooves in defence, "yeah, let's go help my sis."

"Let me come with you." Nate continued,

"What did you say?" First tilted his head,

"I've been giving it a lot of thought about this Yo-Kai business ever since that time in the Construction building. As much as I'd like to stay out of the business and burden with you and Yo-Kai, I can't help but be curious about the existence of Yo-Kai now, ever since seeing that red oni and seeing you talking to 'air'."

"Is that so?"

"And I've done a bit of research on Yo-Kai... There's not a lot of information about them, only statements and debates on their existence. They do sound like the usual rumours that are tossed around at school, but I've seen them and lived to tell a tale that nopony would probably listen to anyway... And that leads me wanting to learn more about Yo-Kai."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Of course not. It's quite envious and unfair to see my friends hang out with friends beyond compare, as well as carrying a burden with those friends. If anything, I'm willing to help."

"Are you sure about this???" First asked once more, "you know there's no turning back."

"I've made my decision." Nate nodded, "besides, I'm beyond turning back. I'm as curious about Yo-Kai as you are, and I'm not going to let a friend be alone."

"You have such a kind heart Nate," First gave a brotherly hug, "I don't care if anypony calls you average or generic as that. To be on the receiving end, I couldn't be happier."

"You're kind yourself." Nate complimented, "just like your big brother."

"I guess all three of us are alike, aren't we?" First chuckled, "but enough talk, let's go find Scoots!"

"Sarah!" Scootaloo yelled as she chased her victim onto the school yard. "Why? What's with eating my food then stealing my homework?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Sarah giggled, "what's mine is mine and what's yours is also mine! So everything that catches my eye is mine!"

"And that's howz we do it punk!" A raspy and rude voice came from behind Sarah. A young foal dressed in biker-like costumes with a slick pompadour as his manestyle, giving off the vibe of a bad foal complete with sunglasses. The inappropriate attire wasn't as shocking to the filly as the one who was wearing it.

"Eddie?" Scootaloo's jaws dropped, "what in the world are you wearing?"

"Shut it buddy!" Eddie threatened, "I don't need ta hear you tell me what I wear or don't wear!"

"And what's with your voice?" Scootaloo tilted her head to Eddie, "with what you dress and speak, what's with the bad foal look? It sounds really familiar too."

"Why?" Eddie continued lashing out, pointing a hoof this time, "because I'm bad! And that's what I am!"

"What!?" A paralysing chill ran through her body, "I can't move... Is it because of his intimidating look and atmosphere?"

"Say, this punk giving youze a lot of trouble?" Eddie turned to Sarah,

"Not anymore now that you've got her locked down!"

"It's what I do buddy, now that she's locked down, youze got some business with her?"

"Sure! There's plenty of things I can steal from her. Her bags, stationary, and I can start off with that watch around her neck!"

"No!" Scootaloo yelled, "anything but that!"

"I won't allow it!" First galloped to Scootaloo's side, with Nate, Whisper and Jibanyan behind.

"I won't allow you to rob my friend!" Nate defended, "even if you're a friend of mine!"

"Shoot!" Eddie growled, "looks like we have company with us!"

"First! I wish I didn't have the option to say 'thanks for your help', but thanks for your help anyway! And... Nate?"

"I'll explain later." Nate replied, "for now, I'll be joining you."

"O-Okay then..." Scootaloo replied, "now quickly, take the Watch before either of them steals it."

"Nuh-uh! What's yours is mine!" Sarah lunged forward like a snake and with her teeth grasped on the strap, pulled the watch away from her head,

"Dang it!" Scootaloo cursed,

"Not if I can help it!" First placed a hoof just as Sarah made a u-turn, tripping her out of surprise.

"Woah!" Caught unaware, the watch flew out of her mouth and into the sky. Nate quickly took action and slipped a hoof through the strap of the falling watch and spun it around before halting it's velocity with his other hoof. Realising that she couldn't get it back, she zipped back to Eddie's side, giving an antagonistic look.

"Nice save!" First complimented,

"Does this thing break?" Nate asked, "because I'm not sure if I did by accident."

"It's a very durable Watch that can resist hard impacts or changes of environment! Plus, you can get the thing repaired." Whisper answered,

"Whisper says that it's a strong watch." First replied, "now that you've decided to join us, would you care to do the honours of revealing the Yo-Kai behind Sarah and Eddie's behaviour? Just have to click the button and aim the search light at the two of them."

"Like this?" Nate released the Yo-Kai lens and Searchlight and aimed at the dastardly duo. In front of them revealed a green lizard-like creature with pants and gauze, along with a giant slick orange pompadour. The one in front of Sarah was a fat chubby bird almost identical to Rockabelly, except that it was mostly purple in colour and lacked the face on the belly.

"Well what do you know?" The lizard spoke, "that ain't no ordinary watch, it's the Yo-Kai Watch! Colour me gobsmacked!"

"That thing's worth a fortune down in the Yo-Kai World!" the purple bird remembered,

"I know you!" First pointed towards the lizard, "you're one of those Yo-Kai thugs that tried to corner me and my sister and blackmailed poor Leadoni! You're one of those Roughraff!"

"What you say punk!?" Roughraff growled, "I'm sure you know my name, but I'm not one of those blasted Yo-Kai following that blasted octopus! I haz my own rules! Travellin' with my best buddy here!"

"Hee hee! We're here to intimidate and cause trouble for ponies as well as loot their belongings to sell in the Yo-Kai World!"

"How despicable!" Nate replied,

"Umm guys?" Scootaloo pointed out, "I don't want to interrupt, but I need to see them too!"

"Here," Nate quickly placed the lens in Scootaloo's sight in order to see the opposing Yo-Kai.

"Have you looked at Whisper and Jibanyan yet?"

"Not enough time."

"Kay then... Jibanyan? Care to do the honours?"

"Alright!" Jibanyan stepped forward, his paws in a fighting pose. "Do your worst!"

"Okay then, don't say I didn't warn you punk!" Roughraff laughed as he dived into Jibanyan, inspiriting him almost immediately.

"Jibanyan!" Scootaloo gasped at the fog weaving around him.

"I'm... I'm... I'm not Jibanyan..." The cat spoke in a very low and harsh tone through the fog.

"Jibanyan?" First spoke up,

"I said I ayn't Jibanyan!" The voice spoke again. As the mist subsides, a purple Jibanyan with some sharp shades, a blue outfit with a Neighponese word at the back, black shoes, a scar over his left eye, a purple pompadour and green-flamed tales stood in its place.

"I go by the name of Baddinyan nyaow." Baddinyan taunted, "and let me tell ya, It's good to be bad!"

"Baddinyan?" Scootaloo's jaw dropped, "that's sounds like a bad nickname that First would come up with!"

"Jibanyan! Get him out of your head, or no Choco Bars for you!" First hollered,

"Oh yeah? You think you can bribe me with Choco Bars? Too bad I've got a stash of them right here!" With a shake of his body, stacks of choco bars fell out of his jacket, "nicked it from the fridge this morning!"

"Oh no..." First slapped his head with his hoof, "that's another thing Flash is going to be mad about."

"Hah! I can do what I want pal, and if it comes at the expense of anypony or Yo-Kai's mentality, the better! Don't believe me? Just watch! I'mma gonna eat these all day!"

"But then what about Dinner!?" Nate gasped, as Jibanyan struck another pose as he stuffed two bars at the same time,

"and whatever happened to 'one at a time!?'" First complained, Baddinyan ignored the comments and started eating on a bed that just appeared out of nowhere,

"And don't eat on the bed!" Nate blurted, "you'll get it messy!"

"I'm confused as of why Jib-I mean Baddinyan's ridiculous hi-jinks are always related to Choco Bars." Scootaloo replied,

"As much as I hate to say it," Whisper watched, "Jibanyan's not going to be much help from here."

"Then we're going to need something tougher!" First replied,

"Well then," Whisper pulled out his Yo-Kai Pad, "I'm sure we can find a countermeasure to these hooligans. Since you know about Roughraff, the other one is known as-whoa!"

"Mine all mine!" The puffy purple bird gleefully snatched the Yo-Kai Pad away from Whisper and dashed away.

"No! Give it here!" Whisper growled as he quickly floated in pursuit of the thieving bird around the school yard.

"I assume the purple bird is related to thievery or some sort." First replied,

"That reminds me, how is it that nopony is actually noticing us talking to thin air?" Nate asked, "Normally the schoolyard is supposed to be busy..."

"Now that you mention it..." First began to look around, "the place does look pretty empty. But..." He glanced towards the school windows where the many eyes of foals, fillies and teachers were watching with great interest. "We're being noticed alright."

"C-Can any of you help me please?" Scootaloo called out, "I'm still intimidated and immobilised here!"

"I don't know how we can do that..."

"Youze punks havin' a tea party or what!?" Roughraff yawned as he jumped out of Baddinyan, "if youze are thinkin bout them ponies up in that building, they're only juz seein the dude and gal we've inspirited facin' off against you three goody-two-shoes!"

"Oh I see..." Nate looked between the Yo-Kai and the spectators, "you've intimidated them to a point that they're afraid to get even close to you unless safe within certain boundaries."

"Youze a smart one punk!"

"Hello!?" Scootaloo yelled, "I asked you to help me!!! Just keep clicking the watch button until you hit a purple light. Aim the light at me, and the rest should be obvious.

"Okay," Nate changed the light mode and revealed a swirling rift around Scootaloo. A few centimetres in front of Nate revealed a circle with another swirling pattern facing towards Scootaloo. Around this circle was a clockwise-rotating ring that had arrows pointing in the same direction.

"Well," Nate inserted his hoof into the swirling circle, "You were right about the rest being obvious," and he began rotating his fist in the same direction. As he did that, the swirling pattern rotated faster and faster until it disappeared with a puff of purple smoke. Looking back to Scoots, the flightless filly was no longer covered by inspiritment and showed signs of movement.

"Great!" Scootaloo saluted Nate, "Now I'm back in the game!"

"Now that Whisper's busy chasing that bird thief for the Yo-Kai Pad, along with Baddinyan being... Bad, how are we going to deal with the two of them?"

"What about a duel?" First suggested, "if they think they can cause trouble, we got to show them who's boss!"

"Eh? Iz this a challenge I'm hearin'?" Roughraff overheard, "hey Peckpocket! Looks like these blokes wanna fight us!"

"Really?" The bird named Peckpocket zipped back, "that sounds like fun!"

"Gah..." Whisper slowly crawled towards the bird, out of air and breath.

"Do you know who would be a good Yo-Kai to fight them?" Nate asked, passing the watch back to the owner.

"I've got one in mind, let's hope he's not busy." Scootaloo took a medal out of her mini pouchbags and flipped it to the air,

"Come on out my friend! Calling Pandle! Yo-Kai Medal, Do Your Thing!" Scootaloo inserted the medal of Pandle into the watch and illuminated a red pillar of light.

"Summoning Brave!"

"Sumo Shave! Flavo Engrave! Flash team'a Brave!"

"Pandle!" Pandle posed, and held his head in dizziness.

"Woah, Pandle. Something happened to you?" First asked,

"I was trying to get to someplace important, but there were a ton of Yo-Kai crowding the roads between me and my destination! And well, you know the rest of it..."

"You recklessly charged through, hurting others and yourself?"

"Yep! That's pretty much me!"

"I hope your important thing isn't a dangerous deadline. If it is, you can go..." Scootaloo replied,

"If I was REALLY busy, you'd hear that answering machine from the phone. Ergo, it's no sweat! Something you need me for?"

"Yeah, those two." First gestured towards the delinquent duo.

"Those two?" Pandle gasped, "Hah! They may look big, but they're certainly no match for me! Especially that Roughraff! I've tussled with him enough to learn a thing or two about taking him down easily. All it just leaves is the other one!"

"Aw crud!" Roughraff stepped back in shock, "it's that crazy reckless bozo again!"

"Woah!" Scootaloo noticed, "you were right when you said you fought Roughraff before!"

"Buddy, what's with the scared look? He's just a tiny midget with a wok and toothpick for a helmet and weapon! What's so dangerous about him?"

"You fat dolt! He's a dangerous one! When I tried to tussle with him, he kept on harming himself... And me! Not to mention, that toothpick of his hurts aplenty!"

"Is that so?" Peckpocket deviously smiled, "not to worry, let me take care of that. That toothpick is mine!" And he quickly dashed forward,

"No!" Pandle gasped as the chubby purple bird swiped his trusty toothpick away from him.

"Mine all mine!" Peckpocket laughed,

"No!" Pandle broke into a skittering pursuit towards Peckpocket "give it back! That's mine!"

"Oh! Not bad! Not bad!" Roughraff applauded,

"Pandle! Slow down!" Scootaloo warned, "don't be reckless over that! We can get your toothpick back later!"

"No!" Pandle replied, "that Toothpick means everything to me! If there is something that I have to be reckless for, it's that!"

"Got you now you Wok-headed shrimp!" Roughraff laughed as he violently shoved Pandle to the side, directing his course towards the school wall.

"No!" Unable to change course, Pandle braced for impact as he crashed into the wall, and was knocked back with the collision.

"His recklessness is his own downfall. That's an old trick in the book!" Peckpocket laughed.

"Hah! Not so tough now are you?" Roughraff taunted,

"Oh dear..." First gasped, "now even Roughraff is starting to gain confidence."

"Pandle!" Scootaloo immediately rushed forward, "are you okay?"

"I'm... Ow... My Toothpick."

"I can't patch you up this time, I don't have an aid kit with me."

"It's... Okay..."

"Pandle, tell me. Is the toothpick important in your life?"

"Yeah..." Pandle wept in pain, "it's the last thing I held on to... A memento... Of what caused my recklessness which in turn caused my passing..."

"Oh no... Don't tell me you were a little foal like me... Who died?"

"I'm pretty sure the answer is obvious..."

"I'm... Sorry."

"When I was a young foal, I was bullied upon by classmates for being too timid and coward. One day, I was eating with my family at a Chineighse restaurant until it so happens that those bullies came along and jeered and laughed at me. In front of my family! I couldn't stand this type of ridicule in my family, so..."

"That's it!" A young light-beige foal with a white stomach, black mane along with red facial markings grabbed a toothpick and threatened the two bullies. "I'm not taking this anymore! You want me not to be timid? I'll show you fear!"

"Oh look! He's mad! Let's run!" The bullies laughed and bolted in different directions.

"Get back here!" The foal screamed as he viciously swung the toothpick around, attempting to swipe at his forsworn enemy in front. Though the chase weaved between tables and other Ponies, the young foal began to accidentally knock numerous things over. Tables, decorations, walls, and all that had collapsed with the collision, sending plates of food and flower pots toppling and shattering into numerous pieces and stains. As much as the numerous patrons nearby attempted to stop the chase with words or gestures, the young foal was deep in anger to listen to reason.

"You'll never catch up with me slowpoke!" A bully laughed as he skillfully slid under a food cart and waited to see what happened. What he didn't expect was that the young foal charged through the food cart, toppling it's cargo, but continued on charging through. The bully froze in fear due to insufficient time to react.

"I've got you now!" The foal angrily head-butted the bully and charged all the way into the restaurant pantry where the two collided into a cupboard filled with numerous cooking utensils. The blow caused serious damage to the unlucky bully while the toothpick also pricked his skin severely. The foal however, was rendered dizzy with the collision and laid temporarily unconscious. Above them, the numerous pots and pans began to rumble.

"Dude!" The other bully called to his companion, "I think we've caused enough trouble! Let's get out of here!"

"Ooh..." The foal woke up with a blurry vision. All he could see was the two bullies quickly galloping away, the toothpick he carried snapped in half, the numerous ponies galloping towards him with desperation and fear, one of them being his caring mother.

"Watch out!" His mother screamed as she pointed above him. All the foal did was dizzily look up as a large wok pan fell upon his face, followed by the many falling utensils that came with it. The last thing the foal heard was the sobbing of his mother before he blacked out once more.

"And when I woke up, I found myself on two legs and arms, that toothpick grown large, that wok pan attached to my head with a strap, and the attention of nopony."

"Oh Celestia, Pandle..." Scootaloo cowered her eyes as she sobbed. After a few seconds, she grabbed a hold of Pandle in an uncontrollable anger.

"I won't let you get mocked around anymore, EVER. Do you hear me?"

"Loud and clear madam!" Pandle quickly stood to salute,

"Now listen to me. Are you sure you are okay?"

"Yeah... I think. I just need to eat a random Rice Ball and I'm fine! I loved those when I was still alive!"

"Enough backstory! I've cried already!" Scootaloo snapped, "Tell me, do you think it's bad to be reckless?"

"No, but many other Yo-Kai scold or mock me for doing that. I think you did too when we first met, and I promised not to be reckless as I can."

"I see and I can remember. I wish I could help you more here, so this is as much as I can give you."

"What?"

"Recklessness is something that multiple ponies do, me, First, Nate, even Flash as well! We all may get a scolding for it, but I've come to realise why we do it. It's because we have something we want to achieve, to aim, to get something at the end of our approaches!"

"I never thought about that." First overheard,

"I know you paid the price due to your recklessness, but were you happy that you've managed to show those bullies business? Even though violence solves nothing?"

"Well... Yeah..."

"Now that you're a Yo-Kai, you have an influence of being reckless. To others and yourself. But why must you apologise after that? Though getting your toothpick back with a plan is good, sometimes you need to make a judgement call."

"Judgement call?"

"A decision of your judgement." Scootaloo lectured, "and your decision was to get your toothpick back no matter the cost. At least, you can be recklessly smart on how to get it back, but the most important thing is don't be deterred. If you keep pushing forward, you will be unshakeable and unstoppable! Understand?"

"Unstoppable... Unshakeable..." Pandle repeated, then nodded with certainty, "sure, I'll try to do that."

"Alright then," Scootaloo placed a hoof on his shoulders and gave a good luck hug, "you know what to do. Stop that thief."

"Wait, before I do," Pandle stopped. He tugged on the strap of his wok helmet. To the spectator's surprise, he loosened the strap and removed the wok from his head entirely, revealing a small but tall patch of black hair.

"Aww, you look even more adorable without your pan." Scootaloo complimented, "but what's it for?"

"This wok was strapped on to my head the day I became a Yo-Kai. It could be another reminder that I shouldn't be reckless next time... Well, I guess it's too late for my life as a foal. If I'm going to be eternally reckless, then I've got to be strong and stable to withstand everything that comes my way. Here, let me give it to you."

"I see... I'll accept it then." Scootaloo held the tiny wok. With another surprise, the wok illuminated a bright light and began to change form. Instead of a wok, a white silk linen ribbon lay in Scootaloo's hooves.

"Huh, that's quite a surprise for me too!" Pandle chuckled,

"Pandle, I don't think I really can accept something that has a personal tie to your life." Scootaloo replied, "In fact, I think I know what to do with this." And with quick handiwork, Scootaloo swiftly wrapped the ribbon around Pandle's head into a stylish headband, with enough open space for his black hair to poke out freely in the air.

"Scootaloo..." Pandle returned the hug, "thank you. I think you've done a great lot for me more than any other Yo-Kai. I'm happy to have a friend like you." Letting go, he turned back to the hooligans with a spark of energy and determination and charged towards Peckpocket. Knowing what happens, Peckpocket ran off, beginning the chase once more.

"Hah! We all know how this ends midget!" Peckpocket blew a raspberry.

"Rraahhh!!!!" Pandle roared as he put on a burst of speed as well as a familiar blue ball of aura appeared around him. Instantly, the aura was absorbed as it swirled into Pandle's Body, emitting a bright light. Out of the light, a taller, skin-toned humanoid figure ran out with trailblazing speed, a red loin cloth wrapped between his legs, and a look of unyielding anger.

"Uh oh!" Peckpocket gasped as he realised the unexpectedly changed Yo-Kai began catching up to him without effort and doubled the motions of his legs in desperation. No matter how much Peckpocket could run, all the efforts were futile as the new Yo-Kai grabbed a hold of his head and furiously swung him to the ground, disarming him entirely.

"Ow! Ouch! Okay Okay! No more! Please!" Peckpocket cried for mercy,

"Shut up!" Pandle commanded as he rammed his foot upon Peckpocket's head, "give me back my toothpick or I'll do more than squish your head!"

"J-Just get it yourself!" Peckpocket squirmed through his suffocation, "just search my body!" Without any other word, Pandle started rummaging through Peckpocket's stash hidden in his fur.

"Here it is!" Pandle pulled his toothpick out from Peckpocket and holstered his toothpick onto his back,

"I'm a Yo-Kai of my word! Now let me go!" Peckpocket cried,

"Oh I'm not done with you yet." Pandle replied as he continued rummaging through Peckpocket. "There's This!" He pulled out Whisper's Yo-Kai Pad, "And that!" And grabbed a set of papers. "Now I'll let you go."

"Urgh..." Peckpocket lay on the ground writhing in pain as Pandle scooped up the items and walked back to the group.

"I believe this is yours Mr Ghost." Pandle handed the Pad back to Whisper,

"Thank you very much!" Whisper bowed,

"And these are definitely yours Scoots. It has your name on it!" Pandle passed it to Scootaloo.

"My Homework! Thank you so much Pandle!"

"Nuh-uh! I'm no longer the Yo-Kai I was before. From now on, call me Undy!"

"Sure thing Undy!" First remarked,

"Now... Where were we?" He drew his toothpick and advanced on his remaining target.

"Uh... No... Please?" Roughraff also surrendered, "I give up! I submit!"

"Okay then!" Undy replied, "but I'm not done with you yet!"

"Oww! Oof! Argh! Ugh! Help!" The multiple screams of Roughraff echoed throughout the yard as the three foals winced and cringed through the sight of Undy beating up the poor delinquent. On the bright side, this pain was able to break the inspiritment on Baddinyan, turning him back to regular old Jibanyan.

"Undy?" Scootaloo called out as she saw the cat back to normal. "I think that should be enough."

"I'm sorry everypony." Eddie bowed to his classmates as the afternoon rolled in "I'm sorry to you all, even Mr Johnson, for causing such a problem throughout the School. Bullying, Graffiti, Bad conduct, I shamefully apologise."

"I'm sorry too." Sarah also bowed to her classmates, "I'm sorry for all the acts of thievery I committed."

"All's well that ends well though." Nate remarked as he observed the situation. "At least everypony got everything back!"

"I wish I could stay behind to assist them in scrubbing away the graffiti of the school." First replied, "It's technically not their fault."

"I'm still hungry you know..." Scootaloo trotted towards the group, slipping two new Yo-Kai Medals into First's bag "that's something that will never be returned to me."

"Hey. To be fair, I never ate either. This shenanigan took over our lunch time, and so all that food had to be used for something else instead of letting it go to waste." First reasoned

"Well, it's great to be do-gooders for the day, don't you think?" Whisper asked,

"I think this day would be best for Undy," Scootaloo looked out the window, "I'm sure he'll be tackling his life head-on with no fear of backing out from now."

"Oh! We need to introduce you properly to our Yo-Kai companions!" First remembered, "I'd like you to meet our butler Whisper and our cat pal Jibanyan!"

"You got a butler!? That's so lucky!" Nate replied,

"Not to worry young Nate!" Whisper bowed in greeting as Nate's eye passed through the Yo-Kai lens upon both Yo-Kai, "I am happy to offer my services to the friends of Scootaloo and First! Whenever I'm around that is."

"Nyice to meet you Nate!" Jibanyan offered a paw to shake, to which Nate shook back,

"You know," Scootaloo observed, "now that you know the existence of Yo-Kai, as well as hanging out with them as friends, it certainly doesn't make you 'average' anymore."

"That's great to know!" Nate smiled, "but unfortunately, only you guys will acknowledge that!"

"It's okay! It's not like it's got you down before. Right?" First laughed,

"Hmm..." Eddie noticed the trio laughing with each other, "there's something fishy about them..."

"Flash?" Scootaloo and First entered their house, their homework at the ready. "We're home."

"Afternoon," Flash entered the entrance hall to greet them, "what's with the delay?"

"There's been a commotion that happened in school. Two of our classmates were doing some naughty things. We've had to stay behind to witness their apologies throughout the school." Scootaloo answered,

"So that's what the calls from the school were for." Flash remembered as he calmly accepted the homework from his two siblings, "you two stood up to those classmates and managed to stop them without any violence."

"Really? Is that what they saw?" First asked,

"You're very brave of standing up to them, and I'm really proud that both of you have been solving that problem. Although it's starting to get on my nerves since it brings up memories..."

"Flash, are you still mad about that?" Scootaloo noticed,

"I really find it hard not to as all those ponies in that building had nothing but praise and thanks for you two. All you just did was break the rule of getting out of bed let alone the house, but what you did out there were good things. I also heard you managed to catch that Human Faced Dog making a mess of public property as well."

"Yeah..." First sighed, "I can't say we're happy about what we did out at night either."

"But there's a bigger problem at hand now." Flash continued, "all of those ponies claim that they had been erased from existence, something which has been a theory in one of our biggest cold cases so far. Having it be closed, the Guard wants everypony who had witnessed this event to speak at a press conference regarding that case... That includes both of you..."

"Oh no..." Scootaloo gasped, "a press conference... Does that mean everypony in Equestria will be there?"

"That will include reporters in Ponyville too. I have been trying my damnedest to not put you in public presence in a state like this, but they will not allow it."

"We... We have to speak right?"

"I don't want to talk about this anymore... I'm sorry I couldn't help you with this" Flash shook his head, "I've made a big dinner for both of you in apology, and I'll look through your homework while you're eating."

"Okay then..." First nodded as the siblings went into the main lounge.

"Hey Flash?" Scootaloo called out,

"Yes?"

"We... We still love you big brother. We never intended to put you through like this." Scootaloo hugged Flash with First joining in,

"Honestly..." Flash embraced them back, "ever since we've moved here. Things have been getting out of hand for both of us, especially both of you peeking into these cases when I told you not to. But even so, even if it's a breach to guidelines and protocol in the Guard as well as your safety... Your peeking and presence... Words can not express how thankful I am."

Chapter 6-2: Cleaning Up

"Alright everypony!" Mr Johnson instructed his class on the Uptown Springdale Western Riverbank, "today, we will be doing our part to making Springfield the cleanest place around!"

"Aww..." The class moaned,

"What's with that attitude?" Mr Johnson replied "this is a public space! Everypony uses this place for recreational purposes. How horrible would it be if it was left unclean! We've got to do our part for Springdale after all!"

"He's got a point..." Bear moaned,

"But isn't that what cleaners are for?" Eddie asked his friends, "I mean, if there are cleaners around the school, I'm sure there are also cleaners around Springdale!"

"If you ask me," Whisper replied, "all of you live in this fair town, so you've got to show how much you love the place by taking care of it! Just like the cleaners!"

"Whisper," Nate sighed, "Eddie can't hear you. Just me, First and Scoots."

"Well then," Scootaloo turned towards her friends, "it's such a shame that we aren't paired on the same team, but at least it's nice to meet somepony new!"

"Speaking of which, do you know who we're teamed up with? Aside from their names of course, since we know that." First asked,

"Meg, or Meghan (or Megan!) As you seem to call her by her full first name, is a cheerful girl that has always the latest gossip and news around Springdale as well as Neighpon, mostly involving idols, cartoons and what not." Katie explained,

"Lucas on the other hand," Nate replied, "he's a really shy but a very kind foal. A lot of others depict him to be strange for some unknown reason, but I haven't seen him do anything suspicious. However, he's the go to guy when there's any sort of uproar between anypony, the mediator that fixes issues and problems quickly and efficiently!"

"Okay everypony!" Mr Johnson instructed, "I want you all to meet up with your group members, and I'll divide the duties between them! After every hour, every group will rotate. Is that okay?"

"Yes sir!" The class replied,

Once all the teams have been assigned their duties, the class was underway through their jobs. Some were tasked to sweep the paved floors while others were given instructions on watering the surrounding flower beds. Though everypony seemed work their hardest in doing their part for Springdale, they were awfully discontent. The sibling's team were assigned to dust off the park benches and vending machines around their area. Along with working hard, the siblings also spent the time introducing themselves to their new partners.

"Nice to meet you!" Scootaloo greeted,

"Scootaloo was it?" Meg asked, a pinkish like pony with a brunette hairstyle and the cutie mark of a newspaper with an exclamation mark upon it. "It's nice to meet you too! It's really nice to meet the filly that beat Maya in fanciness!"

"You still remember that?" Scootaloo gulped in her breath as she released a fake chuckle.

"Of course I do! Any sort of big news in the entertainment business, or school, or rather just the things I'm actually interested in, I keep myself updated about it! After all, it's what my cutie mark is!"

"You must be Lucas right?" First shook hands with a pale-yellow foal with a black mane that covered one of his eyes. On his flanks appears to show the hooves of two separate ponies shaking firmly as it was a vow of friendship.

"Yeah." The foal nodded firmly, "and you must be First, the Equestrian brother."

"Do we still stick out as foreign?" First concernedly asked,

"I-I don't mean that as a bad thing, not at all." Lucas changed his tone, "it's just that... This is the only first time we're meeting foal-to-foal. Sometimes I just can't help but blurt out the bluntness."

"Oh okay. No harm done then." First comforted, "how long have you been living here?"

"Well..." Lucas replied, "Like Nate and the others, I moved to Springdale when the opportunity was given. New atmosphere, new faces, new leaf!"

"Hmm..." First cautiously took in the information, "nothing strange about him as of now..."

"Is this the first time you had to do this?" Scootaloo asked,

"Nope, every class has to clean a designated area in Springdale, and we do this 4 times a term. So things like this are very frequent here. I don't mind cleaning up the place, but it feels like we're doing ALL of the cleaning work."

"Well," Scootaloo shrugged, "I never liked cleaning or fixing in the first place, it's a big hassle."

"Well, as much as I'd love to know more about you and Ponyville, I think we should start focusing on our task." Meg gestured,

"Let's." Scootaloo nodded and sloshed a bucket of soapy water upon the side of a vending machine.

"Uh Scoots?" Meg noticed,

"Yeah?"

"Why did you do that?"

"So it can instantly cover up the entire side!"

"I can certainly see that you really don't like cleaning... You've got a lot to learn." Meg chuckled, "first off: That's a big waste of water. It's conservative to just use the cloth to dip into the water and simply wipe down the area. Like this."

"Oh." Scootaloo watched as Meg demonstrated the way of cleaning while switching her glance to the almost empty bucket of water, then to the excess amounts of water trickling and dripping down the side and finally to the towel on her back. "So that's what that's for, sorry. But--"

"I know I know." Meg interrupted, "it requires more Horsepower and strength, but it works out a lot in the end. At least this place isn't Neighpon. Over there, water is a valuable thing and everypony tries their best to conserve it as much as possible. As for here, you can share the same bucket of water with me for now."

"Thanks!"

Over in the park benches, First and Lucas were diligently dusting off the seating areas while scouring for the largest and smallest of garbage.

"This seems too easy." First wiped his forehead, "at least I just broke some sweat, but that's through repetition of dusting and picking things up in the hot sun."

"You are absolutely right." Lucas replied as he handed some hoof gloves and a plastic scraper, "the real trial begins underneath the benches."

"Really?" First peeked underneath to change his face into pure shock and cringe "Oh no..." Staring at what seems to be a nightmare for a cleaner: Endless stalagmites of chewed gum, stuck like immovable bats.

"Disgusting, isn't it?" Lucas asked, "That's what put me off eating gum ever again, even if it costs 10 cents at Granny Edna's."

"Hurk!" First retched as he poked one of the gum pieces, which left a small dent as the hard plastic edge moulded its shape into the soft moist surface.

"This is so horrific!" First choked, retching once more, "I swear that one's a new arrival!"

"Hah hah, welcome to the real world First." Lucas laughed as First carefully scraped of the dry and wet pieces of gum into a plastic bag, making sure that none of them end up near his physical presence at all costs.

"Hold on a minute..." First signalled,

"What is it? Those pieces of gum aren't going to walk into the trash by themselves you know."

"Do you hear something?" First asked,

"... No." Lucas focused,

"Wait..." First continued perceiving the sound, this time with the extent of pushing his ear onto the floor. "Ah! There it is!"

"Something underneath? That's the sewers known as the Underground Waterway. Narrow in walkways, but stretches throughout Springdale down below. A lot of the times, you can occasionally hear the water running from underneath, which is probably what you are hearing right now.

"I see..." First continued listening, "doesn't sound that strong."

"That so?" Lucas also crouched, "well, I'm not sure how the sewage system works in where you live but..." As Lucas too placed his ear on the paved floor, a sudden look of concern crossed his face. "Wait a minute... It doesn't sound strong..."

"Well, it's not our problem." First replied as he happily got up, his scraper at the ready "We've got gum to scrape!"

"Uh... Weren't you just complaining and gawking at how disgusting the job is?"

"But like you said Lucas, they're not going to clean themselves! We should stop wasting time complaining, and get the job done while we're energised!"

"I'm not sure about myself being energised, but you're right. Let's get this over with so we can complain later."

"Lucas? First?" A feminine voice called as Meg frantically galloped over, "we've got a problem!"

"What is it?" Lucas asked,

"It's your sister First, she's gone insane!"

"How so?" First asked, "If she's insane with speed, then that's typical of her."

"What if she's fired up in doing something?"

"She's normally like that too."

"Literally fired up?"

"Now that type of insanity is a concern." First pricked up, "what is she doing now?"

"She's going all gung ho in wiping and polishing the vending machines, she's going full try-hard!"

"Still sounds like her, the fact that she's on fire is more problematic."

"Then you should talk some sense into her!" Meg suggested as she lead to way to the vending machines. Before their eyes, the three watched a pony wiping down the vending machines all around with mad and rapid movement, with the fire within her eyes and all around her body moving like a fireball.

"When we are given this job, we do it with gusto!" Scootaloo commanded, "We will not falter until the job is done!"

"Well First? What do you think?" Meg asked,

"Join me my friends! And repeat after me! No shirking! No loitering! No giving up!"

"That's something my big brother would say, though a bit more commandeering and forceful than he is." First answered, "but she's very motivated to clean up!"

"Equestria is a beautiful land, with everything in it! I'm going to work hard to preserve that beauty!!!"

"That's true indeed!" First nodded, "but... I don't think she'd be THAT dedicated. Perhaps some of Lady Fluttershy rubbed off on her."

"First, she looks insane enough to me. Can't you tell that from your own sister?"

"I do! And she's not insane! She's just more motivated to be concerned about the environment. I'm happy with that!"

"Then what's with herself being on fire?"

"I have no idea! It doesn't look like it's harming her anyway!"

"You think that thing peeking behind the vending machines is responsible?" Lucas gestured,

"Really?" Meg peeked around, "I don't see anything there..."

"Oh, that's right... Never mind..." Lucas looked away uncomfortably.

"Anything there?" First's train of energised optimism broke into sudden realisation. "Hmm... Hey guys? I'm going to go to the toilet. Is that okay?"

"What about your sister?" Meg replied,

"She's fine!!! She's always like this at home or in Ponyville!" First laughed as he galloped away, not before secretly nicking the Yo-Kai Watch off his fiercely motivated sister.

"You done it again First," First chuckled as he hid behind some bushes. "Flash is going to be mad if he ever finds out that I've been practising my stealth abilities through thievery." Pulling out the lens, he scanned the mentioned spot behind the vending machines. Much to his unsurprising chagrin, a Yo-Kai appeared within the lens, and was uncovered to be a miniature bipedal lion with a flaming mane.

"Rowr!!!!" The lion roared and cheered as it focused his sights on the roaring Scootaloo.

"Okay, she's not fine." First smiled, "Hey Whisper. Whisper?" With First looking around, he spotted the white plump ghost taking a nap on the slopes of the river bank, nestled comfortably in the soft grass.

"Whisper!" First gently tapped the ghost awake,

"Goodness gracious..." Whisper mumbled, "Why do you have the time to ask for my help? I'm busy cleaning the environment."

"Sure you are." First laughed, as he picked up the ghost and shook him violently, scaring Whisper to his wits.

"S-Stop shaking me!" Whisper yelled, "I'm fully awake now! Nothing to see here!"

"This Yo-Kai." First pointed to the blazing lion, "do you know him?"

"Um..." Whisper took out his Yo-Kai pad. "This appears to be Blazion. He's a Yo-Kai that causes anypony to be fiercely motivated and passionate. It can be any action you are doing, or any occupation."

"Wow!" First gasped, "that Yo-Kai sounds like my sister!"

"But I thought she detests cleaning."

"Ironic isn't it?" First continued laughing, "Well, I think it would work out fine!"

"What do you mean?"

"Scootaloo hates cleaning. Now that she's got Blazion inspiriting her, she can do her duty without her facial complaints, and Springdale gets cleaner by the second! It's a win-win situation!"

"First, you seem awfully energetically happy about this. Are you sure you're alright?"

"What do you mean?" First asked, "I feel fine! I'm happy, and I feel so energised! You think there's a Yo-Kai behind that?" And with a joking gesture, First aimed the watch at himself, only to glimpse at the hazy purple silhouette of a butterfly.

"Oh..." First shrugged as he uncovered the Yo-Kai assailant: A butterfly adorned with the three warm colours of red, orange and yellow, with a small hue of light green on his bottom wings. He also has a long yellow curved nose with wisp antennae, as well as the pattern of red eyes on his upper wings. His real eyes however, were just a single black dot in the middle of a white dome, two of them.

"Aww..." First sighed with awe as the Yo-Kai butterfly fluttered frantically when he found out he was discovered. "It's looks like a bright and cute butterfly. Fluttershy would like this... Don't worry, I won't harm you." Feeling the warmth of the foal's words, the small butterfly calmed down and flew closer to the foal.

"..." The butterfly stared intently into First's, without breaking eye contact or changing expressions.

"... Don't talk too much?" First asked,

"This is Enerfly." Whisper pulled out the information, "he's a butterfly Yo-Kai whose dust and powder from his scales can give anypony an optimistic burst of energy, allowing them to perform better without any sense of exhaustion. This can also revitalise and recover any energy lost within anypony or animal, a better supplement than any sports or energy drink. There has been cases about him that whoever he inspirited ended up to be very rich and famous throughout their hard and optimistic work!"

"Wow! He sounds like a good Yo-Kai be inspirited by!" First jumped for joy, "lucky me! Does that mean I'll be famous?"

"Never mind that! What about your sister!?" Whisper pointed to the crazily motivated filly, "Blazion may be a good motivational aid, but what happens if she decides to do something dangerous! Certain cases involving Blazion were certain protests within Neighpon and Equestria, anypony who was motivated in yelling out their ideals got themselves arrested!"

"Hmm... That doesn't sound good at all. I'll try to talk it out." First thought carefully, and trotted over to the lion, with the two Yo-Kai trailing behind.

"Excuse me? Blazion?" First called. With a quick look behind him, the lion quickly spun to face the pony seeking attention. Wearing a dapper martial robe of black and red, the sharp eyed and fanged lion roared in response of a pony looking back at him and stepped back with a martial stance.

"Take it easy Blazion!" First calmed without any form of fear, "I come in peace and negotiation. Is that okay?" The lion tilted his head and thought for a few seconds, then relaxed his muscles and bowed in response.

"Thanks for understanding!" First smiled, "now then, is it okay if you can do a single request for me? It won't take any for your time, I guarantee it."

"First, have you still forgotten that you are inspirited by Enerfly? You're still awfully happy about the situation."

"I really appreciate you motivating my sister to clean up. She always hated cleaning or fixing, which mostly leaves things to me or my older brother to clean up her mess." Blazion bowed at the compliment,

"I was just wondering. After we've been done, can you please not... Inspirit my sister any longer?" First kindly asked. Blazion thought through the proposition, looked at the fired up filly showing her motivation causing her partners to feel awkward, and agreed with a firm sharp nod.

"Thanks a lot! Wow! You really are understanding." First thanked,

"Rowr!" Blazion raised his fists in determined victory.

"Yeah!" Scootaloo raised her hooves in the same manner, the fire around her blazing intensely as she starts working even harder.

"Hey guys!" First came out of hiding to meet the team, "is everything alright?"

"Not at all." Lucas shook his head, "your sister is just getting fired up even more."

"Don't worry about it." First reasoned, "Think about it this way, she's just a furiously motivated gal that wants to get the job done. She won't be too much of a bother if you don't pay any attention to her. Being motivated by doing cleaning may sound lame, but at least it she's opted to do it. That means it's less work for us! I guarantee you, she'll be back to her normal cool self after work. She is trying to be Lady Rainbow Dash after all, Equestria's Fast Flyer!"

"Well, your optimism about your sister's 'motivation' is pretty suspicious too. You've never even changed that smiling face of yours when you left for the toilet!"

"But you've got a good point though..." Meg sighed, wiping her forehead, "thanks to her, I don't have to help Scootaloo wipe down the vending machines, and things can get done faster!" She plopped to the ground with exhaustion, "I'm tired and done as it is... I don't want to do this anymore." The very words and action reached the ears and eyes of the Blazing Lion, and with a shock of horror and anger, he released his inspiritment on Scootaloo and pounced through Meg, inspiriting her in the process. To their shock, a familiar set of flames burst onto Meg as she stood up and tightened her hoof,

"I'm going to make sure I clean this place top to bottom!!!" Meg yelled as she clutched the scraper and rapidly hacked at the pieces of gum underneath the bench.

"Meg!" Lucas gasped, "not you too!"

"Ugh..." Scootaloo collapsed to the floor, "what just happened? I'm so tired all of a sudden, my heart beating as fast as Rainbow's!"

"Scoots?" First quickly ran to his sister's side, "are you okay? What happened?"

"I don't know, one moment I was pumped up, doing things without any complaint and freaking motivated by doing it. After that, something stopped within my body and suddenly all my bones and muscles ache! Wait a minute..." She peered at First's neck, the Yo-Kai Watch hanging down from it. "How are you wearing that?"

"I took it off you when you were uh... On fire." First shook his hooves,

"You didn't. You practice your Sleight of hoof on stealing? You of all ponies! Didn't Flash tell you not to use what we've learnt for bad!?"

"It's the only thing I can think of!" First reasoned, "and besides, it's not for a bad thing! Here, you can have it back. You want to scan the benches and the thing above me. Yo-Kai is why." He passed it back,

"Okay," Scootaloo groggily took the watch and permanently revealed the two Yo-Kai for her eyes. "So who are we dealing with?"

"Blazion," First pointed to the lion, "is the epitome of fierce, fiery, passionate motivation. He's responsible for your vigorous outburst. The one above me is Enefly." he pointed above him "he's one that can energise anypony. He can help you recover your energy, and allows you to be very optimistic. Currently, Blazion seems to be the problem."

"Sounds like trouble." Scootaloo watched as Meg began to take deep breaths, "if Meg is certainly tired out as she said, I dread to think what would happen to her body when Blazion's done with her."

"Oh no! You're right!" First realised, "when he stopped inspiriting you, you were tired out almost immediately!"

"Yeah, maybe I exercise a lot."

"But Meg on the other hand... She's going to get hurt! We need to stop him! Blazion!"

"Rowr?"

"Leave Meg alone! She's really tired! She's not as fit as you think! If you push her any further, she's going to get hurt!"

"Rowr Rowr Rowr!!!" Blazion hopped madly,

"I can't speak Lion!" First called back,

"Blazion said that he doesn't like slackers. If he sees anypony slacking off, he's going to get them working until it is literally impossible for them to continue any further, because you must give it your all." Whisper translated

"You and Cutta-Nah won't get along very well." Scootaloo joked,

"It's not the time for Jokes!" First panicked, "what can we do???"

"Well, how about Enerfly then?" Scootaloo pointed to the butterfly attached to First, "if you said what he is, then why don't you ask him to help revitalise Meg?"

"... Good idea!" First complimented, "hey Enerfly, I know you seem rather interested in me, but is it okay if you-" Without letting him finish, Enerfly flew over and gave a rapid fluttering of his wings. The glittering dust and powder generated from his wings floated down onto Meg, which cause the filly to relax her muscles and slow down, the fire around her dwindling a little.

"Wow! Thanks a lot Enerfly!" First thanked, "I didn't even ask you!"

"Wow! Working really hard does make me feel a lot better!" Meg mentioned to herself, unaware of the two Yo-Kai inspiriting her,

"Seriously Meg? And to think ponies call me weird." Lucas shrugged in disgust. This action once again sparked Blazion, which caused him to change is inspiriting target onto Lucas. ".... Roar!" Lucas roared as he fired up, personality-wise as well as literally. "Let's get cleaning! I will not complain!"

"Phew..." Meg collapsed on the floor once again, unable to move anything but her mouth, her face flooded with sweat, "why did I continue working? It hurts so much now... At least... That energising feeling is still there..."

"Wow, you weren't kidding when you said that Blazion takes a lot out of you." Scootaloo looked at their fully pooped partner.

"At least Enerfly can keep her alive." First replied.

"Wait..." Scootaloo looked around, to see the other groups of their class looking at what was happening. A pumped up foal and a collapsed filly. "Don't tell me they saw everything. Did they?"

"We've got to change the situation. Otherwise, Lucas is going to be more than a 'weird foal'!" First replied,

"Hey Whisper? What do you think?" First asked,

"Finally! You notice me!" Whisper replied, "anyway, I was thinking, why not call Happiere? I mean..." He imitated Happiere's face, "he has a soothing atmosphere."

"Well..." Scootaloo thought to the other Yo-Kai they have, "it seems like the most reasonable option. Making them sick, cute, or whatnot would be a problem. Maybe just smiling would be nice. First?" She pulled out the Watch

"Here," First took out his medallium and passed Happiere's medal over.

"Come on out my friend!" Scootaloo tossed the medal into the air, "Calling Happiere! Yo-Kai medal..." Scootaloo caught the medal and inserted it into the Watch, "Do. Your. Thing!"

"Summoning Heartful!" The clock hands rotated around as the watch released a light green pillar of light,

"Speedy, Artful, Sing la la la! Everywhere Heartful!"

"Happiere!" Happiere smiled, "Bonjour les enfants! To what do I owe ze pleasure?"

"Bonjour to you too Happiere." Scootaloo greeted back, "is it okay with you if you can lighten up the place? Such as that guy?" She pointed to Lucas,

"But of course!" Happiere smiled, "zis is what I do! Breathe eazy everypony!" Happiere flew to the air and let out a wide, open-mouthed smile. A bright yellow aura scattered all around the group, affecting mostly the entire team.

"Eh?" Lucas became catatonic all of a sudden as his surprised face eventually changed into a very happy smile.

"Oh... Ha ha!" Meg picked herself up. Being affected by Happiere, she too began to smile.

"Rowr!" Blazion, the most sharpest and worked of the Yo-Kai copied Happiere's motion and he too smiled. Enerfly also began flying calmly, his white eyes giving a sense of smile.

"Whew!" Lucas smiled as he grabbed a tray with drinks and approached the other team members, "work is certainly exhausting! Why don't we all take a break?"

"Yeah!" Meg joined in, also carrying a tray with drinks, "its fresh lemonade! Ha ha ha!" The contagious smile of Meg and Lucas seemed to cause even greater confusion within the audience, but one by one did they reluctantly accept the drinks with a appreciative smile.

"Phew!" Scootaloo smiled brightly, "all's well that ends well with a good smile!"

"Dang, Meg sure is cute with that smile. Defeintely much better than being scary motivated." First smiled too,

"First, you say that with any lady and filly." Scootaloo laughed, "Didn't you say the same thing about Applebloom?"

"Eh heh heh... I don't know what you're talking about."

"Anyway," Scootaloo turned to Blazion and shook his paw, "I'm glad we can settle things with a smile at the end."

"Rowr!" Blazion smiled, his sharp gaze returned, while sneaking his medal onto her hoof...

"What the!?" Scootaloo unbelievably looked at her palm, a shiny medal nestled on it. Enerfly from above began to rapidly flutter his wings once more, but instead of the energising powder and dust, a medal fell from his possession instead.

"Even Enerfly too!" First replied, "Thank you, you honour us with your offer of friendship."

"It truly is all's well that ends well! Ho ho ho!" Happiere laughed, to which the siblings and Whisper joined in.

After the day-long cleanup was over, First and Scootaloo retreated to their house, enjoying their time outside, yet dreading the day where they must go to court. The biggest thing on the filly's mind however, was what First's impression of Lucas.

"Hmm..." Whisper thought to himself, "I would understand if that he can see Yo-Kai, other ponies would call him weird."

"But... he doesn't have a watch!" Scootaloo reasoned, "he couldn't have seen them. Is he one of the select few?"

"Perhaps." Whisper replied, "maybe we should just leave him be. Where is your brother by the way?"

"He's in the toilet." Scootaloo replied, "although, it's been 20 minutes now. What happened?"

"Ahh..." First strolled out of the bathroom and washed and dried his hands, "it's great to answer nature's call! Better not keep my sister waiting!" Climbing up the stairs and opening the door, he was greeted with an unpleasant and scary view of a very cloudy and foggy atmosphere with yellow lights outside the balcony.

"Oh no..." First's eyes widened, as he opened the balcony doors and looked around. "You've got to be kidding me. Terror Time now!? Is it because of the time I stole from Scoots!? It wasn't a bad thing! I did it in order to solve that cleanup! Why am I in here?"

"GARGA!!!" A familiar giant beast landed in front of him, raising his giant studded club. The sight of the giant oni reminded First about Whisper's words about Terror Time.

"Oh... Hi Gargaros, you look nice today." First greeted nervously, "WAAAAA!!!!!!!"

Chapter 6-3: A Pressing Suspicion

First scrolled through the history of their spiritual encounters within the medallium. Forty-two Yo-Kai medals lay in their possession, meaning a slew of forty-two Yo-Kai friends. With so much connections to the causes behind the case, and yet they were getting nowhere. Worse even, the attempt of solving a case arose to the questioning of it in front of an audience. Due to this, First decided to do something with his Yo-Kai friends before anything bad happens.

"We owe our friends a lot." First addressed Whisper and Jibanyan, "Perhaps it's time to do something for them, if things actually go wrong here..."

"You can give them their favourite food for a start," Whisper advised, "but it may not work later on. For a friendship to last forever, you must do something together that's memorable, then you can build upon more after that."

"By the way," Jibanyan munched on a Chocolate Bar, "so what if Yo-Kai happen to be the talk of pony kind? It's not like they can see them?"

"For a case like this, it's too much to be a rumour." First replied, "Not to mention how it's going to alert the Yo-Kai world."

"Touche..."

"Hey Flash?" A filly trotted up to her brother,

"Something the matter?"

"I'm really nervous..."

"I understand." Flash nodded, crouching down to Scootaloo's height, "I'm nervous too."

"You don't look like it."

"As I always do with numerous emotions. That's what the Princess and ladies keep on telling me." Scootaloo hesitated for a while before Flash continued. "Not to worry. All you just have to do is walk onto the stage once your name is called, then give your testimony regarding the incident. Answer some of the reporter's questions if you can, and if things go rough, the boss or I will pull you out."

"Flash, I need to tell you something regarding that building."

"To save a friend." Flash answered, "Am I right? It's very gallant of you, but you and I recall this as being a witness statement."

"I know." Scootaloo nodded, "but this is something else. First and I, we know the reasons behind those who were disappearing in the Construction building."

"... Continue." Flash spoke with a firm tone,

"I know you'll never believe me, but I mean it, I'm serious." Scootaloo replied, "there was a large supernatural being that's power is able to cause somepony to fade from existence whenever if they stare into his eyes when glowing red." Flash stayed silent as he took the statement in, never taking his firm gaze off her.

"Does First also know this?"

"Like I said, he knows too. We were there together after all." Flash took a deep breath, gave it a little thought, and spoke.

"You are right to say that I would never believe you. However, the severity of the cases being paranormal is the reason why we are here in Springdale in the first place."

"Flash?"

"Also, there was no hesitation in words, and there was no change of tone. Your facial expression stayed serious, and your eyes... You feel uneasy trying to hold this information in. What's more, it hurts even more trying to let it out."

"Flash, stop trying to treat me like a criminal or witness! I am your younger sister!"

"Pardon me." Flash apologised, "but due to that, I believe you. However, I am not sure if it's going to help solve matters for the press."

"I understand Flash..." Scootaloo nervously looked down, "it's just that... I don't know what to say,"

"I'll make sure to intervene when necessary or if you feel uneasy." Flash promised, "And from what I can tell. That incident meant a lot to you. So I'm sure you can remember everything that transpired."

"I do." Scootaloo nodded, giving a weak smile.

"Scoots..." Flash embraced his younger sister, giving a firm hug.

"Flash..." Scootaloo whispered to herself as she hugged back, "I remember everything that transpired. And that's the reason why I'm nervous."

Several minutes later, the siblings got themselves prepared and trotted their way to the Springdale Guard Headquaters located in Downtown Springdale. Entering the doors, the main hall of the station was packed with chairs and various ponies. Some were Guards, some held cameras and notepads, and some were just regular ponies who are interested in watching.

There was a makeshift stage with the background wall patterned with the emblem of Springdale and the Springdale Guard. The Springdale emblem is a Cherry Blossom flower that was newly bloomed. Another Cherry Blossom Flower with wings of gold attached to it and some Neighponese words as a motivational title below making up the Springdale Guard symbol. A microphone stand sat on top of the stage.

"Do you know who's representing Ponyville?" First asked as they looked at the numerous press ponies.

"Only one." Flash answered, "A unicorn of dull black, and a mane of brown, wearing glasses... Her." He pointed to a pony of the exact same description.

"She looks pretty." Scootaloo complimented,

"I've heard rumours of her though." Flash warned, "She's a fierce and lethal reporter. She's carries out her work with extreme accuracy, and is determined to get out the truth for those who had hired her or even herself. Now that I think about it, don't get her attention."

"Okay..."

"Scoots! First! Mr Sentry!" A young boy with his parents approached the siblings in greeting.

"Nate, and Mr and Mrs Adams." Flash nodded in response, "to what calls your attention here?"

"There has been this case of the Springdale construction building has been apparently brought up in the news, and Nate knew that you two were there!" Lily explained,

"So Nate and we came in order to give you our caring support so you won't crack up!" Aaron laughed,

"There are many ways it can go through... We may crack even further." First spoke, which Scoots gave a small thump on her brother to shut up.

"Thanks for coming to see us!" Scootaloo replied, "It's great to see that we have caring friends!"

"I believe we need to take our seats." Flash reminded, "Perhaps we'll see you on the other side."

"Good luck!" Nate replied as the siblings made their place in the front row of the chairs.

"Is your boss nice?" First asked,

"He's a big stallion, but he's a humorous and lovable pony." Flash replied, "but most of all, he's an understandable being with a great vial of patience. You know what to do right?"

"It's simple." Scootaloo repeated the briefing given before leaving the house "Once your name has been called, you need to step up onto the stage and give our testimony regarding the case. Answer a few questions, don't ask everything, then either you or your boss will signal for us to stop."

"And?"

"I don't think there's anything else."

"I'll immediately stop your interview if both of you feel uneasy, so don't be afraid to gesture to me."

"Got it." First listened in,

"Come here." Flash gave his siblings one more hug for good measure, before the panel commenced. "I'll... We'll get through this."

"Thank you all for coming to today's conference." A large white burly earth pony with hair draping over his hooves and a grey but well-cared for mane and beard spoke with a booming baritone voice. "We are all gathered here today to discuss about the case regarding the Construction Building located within Springdale. There has been reports of ponies that uh... Disappear, if what I'm hearing from those who are investigating... I will now let the Equestrian Royal Guard, Flash Sentry, take the stand." Multiple flashing bulbs and desperate questions rose from the crowd of news correspondents as the Leading guard gestured for the orange pegasus to take the stand.

"If you may..." Flash addressed the audience to lower their volume. It took around 5 seconds for the crowd's voices to soften to a murmur, to which Flash looked around before reading his notes.

"This has been one of our most concerning cold cases, that had occurred for a year if I'm not mistaken." Flash addressed, "regardless, I had only just transferred here a month ago to assist Springdale's Guard with their problems as representative of the Equestria."

"Why the introductions?" First whispered to Scootaloo,

"Don't know..."

"Now, many of you ponies are wondering, why the further introduction? Well, consider the time I arrived here, and how long the case has been going for. To tell you the truth, I'm as confused of how this was solved a month after my arrival." Multiple murmurs happened in the audience once again, added with the reporter ponies quickly scribbling down notes or adjusting their cameras for proper photos. The Equestrian reporter stood watching without any emotion, but swiftly scribbling down every word the pegasus said.

"Uh..." The Commissioner gulped in his breath, "that wasn't part of your speech."

"I'm not sure Flash's script was supposed to be like that." First replied,

"He's doing it again..." Scootaloo rolled her eyes, "always changing his script, and using his own words."

"Anyways." Flash continued, "Whenever night falls upon the Construction site, they disappear without a trace. Some claim that they have seen or known ponies who fell victim to that. The problem is, those ponies who are noted or named, have not been recorded in any database whatsoever. A day or two later, those who witness their friends disappearing also seem to have forgotten their victim's existence. Certain theories on why states the involvement a close affection or bond with the victim, or had seen the victim disappear right before their eyes."

"That explains it..." Scootaloo muttered to herself, "We're busted..."

"We'd better spend more time with our pony friends too." First gulped, "hearing that makes me feel guilty..."

"Red Gale devised a theory. He said that he has a best friend who is a construction pony at that building. One night, he went for some late night work or clean-up and was never to be seen again. His wife and his own self were both calling up the company and the Force for this exact disappearance, but only for a day. After that, the concerns about this pony was gone with the wind, and that's how this concern became a theory: Ponies who disappear up there, disappear from existence and memory." The press continued scribbling notes and taking pictures. Flash took a moment to breathe, then continued.

"Now. It turns out that Gale's theory about his best friend is actually true. That pony trotted in late last night, and had matched every single description stated by Gale. Not to mention numerous other victims: A business stallion who heavily contributed to the funding of this building, a high school mare, and plenty others: About 20 in total. The motive and reasons behind these disappearances are still yet to be depicted. Instead, the Guard Commissioner wants every victim and witness related to this case to testify, without their consent. That even includes young foals and fillies."

The murmurs became louder as the audience began looking at each other with concern and worry. The Commissioner desperately gestured to Flash Sentry, as if telling him that some information spoken was uncalled for. Flash ignored him and gestured to the first victim. While the construction pony wobbled up to the stage with nervousness, Flash held his hoof and whispered a few words while guiding him to the microphones. Taking a deep breath, the Construction Pony calmed down and began.

"I have been regularly working at the site for two months, so I was allowed in and out anytime. That night, I left something important at the work site, so I went to achieve it."

"May we know what the missing item was?"

"It was a present for my wife. I was planning to surprise her with a gift she longed for." Hearing the act of love and care, everypony awwed at the statement except for the stern reporter from Equestria.

"Seriously?" The commissioner sighed,

"Your act of concern for your wife is very endearing." Flash complimented, "but unfortunately, what happened next?"

"I managed to find the gift upon the second floor, but as I was about to take my leave, there was this ominous light coming from around the corner of one of the rooms. As somepony who has to report strange behaviour, I had to discover what was going on.

Only when I looked at the light, all I saw was a giant face with glaring red eyes staring right back at me. I only managed to see my own body fading away as that red light swallowed me whole.

When I came to, one of two foals were checking if I were conscious or not. Despite them not being allowed to enter, I also saw plenty of others who were not allowed to be in the building too.

I was told by the foals that I blacked out here with the others, but as we were talking, some sort of fire engulfed me and I found myself back at home when it resided, with my gift in hand. After that, my wife was all over me with tears, Red Gale called, I gave a small statement at the station, and now I've been forced to come here again to repeat myself." The pony concluded. This gave the signal for the media to start asking questions.

"According to the details of your disappearance and appearance, you were found at the building 2 weeks ago, while the time your wife claimed you were missing was about 5 weeks ago, at least a month." A reporter asked,

"Y-Yeah..." The construction pony shivered, "I-I was confused myself too when I was told that I've been gone for that long... It only felt like a short while, at least a day."

"Are you sure you have no idea what was happening between that 31 day gap?"

"N-No!" The Construction pony frantically reasoned, "I-I swear, I'm honest!" The press and crowd now began speaking really loudly, with numerous flashing bulbs and scribbling notes from the reporters. The Commissioner stared at the Construction pony with a glare of suspicion.

"Can you please keep the conversation to a minimum?" Flash commanded with a firm voice. "Are you feeling okay Sir?"

"N-No... Not at all..."

"Then in that case, please let me escort you back to your seat."

"B-But!" The reporter raised, "I'm not finished yet!"

"I'm afraid that he has seem to feel very uncomfortable now." Flash replied, "you may ask the next pony who comes up."

"This feels more like a court trial than a press or media conference." Scootaloo whispered,

"Yeah." First replied, "It tells me that the Guard are still unsure whether this case is fully solved or not. Sitting here feels really stressful and scary. It's anything unlike that musical about Court."

"I hope we don't feel this way when we're told to go up and speak." Scootaloo gulped, "I'm feeling as sick as the poor guy right now..."

The atmosphere around the Guard station progressed from bad to worse, as with every witness: The high school girl who entered this place under a dare, and the Businesspony who wanted to assess the building that he funded and invested heavily. They all ended up with the same response as the construction pony: They were unable to figure out what had happened to them during their disappearance and after they appeared back there. Although some of them were able to answer the media's questions, they were unable to fully explain, causing them to feel an indescribable amount of despair and fear, and Flash had to escort each and everypony off the stage.

Flash looked upon the media, having unsure and puzzling faces, with the Equestrian reporter staring intently at him, writing down every action he performs.

He turned to his superior and his colleagues, a glint of suspicion and disappointment spread across their faces, with the superior growling under his breath. After all: those statements missed their target, and the media's questions were poorly answered or unanswered.

And finally to his siblings, the looks of fear, anxiety, and any sort of worry appear present upon their faces. The brave pegasus swallowed uncomfortably, after all those testimonies, they were the ones to speak next. With a short moment of hesitation, Flash moved to his microphone and spoke.

"Our next witnesses are two young foals who have witnessed and found these victims. B-Be forewarned tha-"

"ENOUGH!" The superior roared as he stood up. "I am sick of these testimonies! We are getting nowhere with this! This conference is over!"

"Sir!" Flash was taken aback, "calm down! We haven't fully uncovered every witness yet! There's still an outcome that can prove important to the case! You can't just stop now! We have yet to address the conclusion!"

"Oh I'll tell you the conclusion... This case is not over!" The commissioner ranted, "Do you honestly expect to believe that some giant bipedal creature with an ugly face can cause ponies to disappear with its eyes? Nopony is powerful enough to do that! And if they so can, they're already dealt with by the Princesses of Equestria!"

"Sir." Flash replied, "but you can't also dismiss that fact that there is a-"

"No!" The commissioner interrupted, "that theory is ridiculous in itself! Ghosts and the supernatural do not exist!"

"Uh..." The fear within the siblings began to change into confusion as the commissioner threw the most childish action ever. "Did Flash say he was an understanding and lovable stallion?"

"Yes..." Scootaloo nodded, "but he hardly looks anything like it, unless..." Scootaloo's eyes arched in anger, "the nerve and audacity. Thinking that it's a fun time to inspirit ponies in such a serious case!?" She grabbed her Yo-Kai Watch and aimed it at the Commissioner, and two identical yellow-horned and dressed Yo-Kai came into view.

"Oni Twins." First stared into the lens and noting the horns, "one red who's just getting mad for no reason and one blue with the look of suspicion."

"We've seen the blue one before." Scootaloo replied, "Suspicioni. He was one of the Oni patrols for Gargaros during Terror Time. Suspicious of almost everything."

"That explains why he was looking so grim all the time." First replied, "And the red oni?"

"No idea. But judging from his behaviour. I'd say he's the reason behind those temper tantrums. I may even gander a guess that the Red Oni's name could be a mix of Tantrum and Oni."

"Tantroni?" First guessed,

"The name fits nicely." Scootaloo nodded,

"Well? What can we do sis?"

"Whisper and Jibanyan aren't here with us. And since we're in such a tight place, we don't have enough time to negotiate and avoid suspicion. It's going to be confrontation, and a snappy one at that!"

"We need somepony to knock them out." First suggested, "Sneak up from behind and make sure they stop."

"Undy's not going to work, even if he's our strongest, or Moskevil for that matter." Scootaloo pulled out Jibanyan's medal, "but for finesse and sharpness, our little Jibanyan would do the trick!"

"Okay then, but don't yell it out." First warned, "we'll cause problems if we do!"

"I doubt nothing will get as loud as the Commissioner." Scootaloo humorlessly replied, before getting ready.

"Come on out my friend..." Scootaloo whispered, "Calling Jibanyan. Yo-Kai Medal..." She inserted the medal, "do your thing."

"Summoning Charming!" The watch blasted,

"Crap!" Scootaloo gulped,

"Cover the Watch!" First jumped, firmly pushing the watch onto the chair's surface.

"Awaming! Boo Boo! Wawa Wawa, Dank dank! Charmi!" The muffled jingle echoed through the watch.

"Jibanyan!!!" Jibanyan leaped out of the summoning light. "Good to see you again! How did the conference go?"

"Shh Jibanyan!" Scootaloo shushed, "we're still in the middle of it!"

"But..." Jibanyan continued, "I'm pretty sure nopony can hear me but you guys..."

"True..." First looked around, seeing how everything that occurred had not turned a single head of curiosity or irritation.

"So uh... You nyeed me fur something?"

"Those two." Scootaloo pointed towards the onis.

"Haven't we seen them befur?"

"Blue one, yes. Red one, no. But they're the same."

"Okay then, take them out?"

"Exactly." First nodded, "the last thing we all want is something important as this to be delayed by some stupid Yo-Kai."

"You want a Choco Bar?" Scootaloo asked,

"No need, I feel great! Just watched Next HarMEOWny's latest music video and it pumped me up!"

"Whatever floats your boat!" First laughed,

"Let's take this quietly." Jibanyan thought to himself as he skittered behind the stage and straight to the back of the unsuspecting red and blue duo.

"And another thing!" The rough rambling continued, "who's to say that you can waltz in to our town and place everypony under suspicion of being possessed by something that doesn't exist! Ghosts have died out long ago, and they'll always stay that way! You honestly still believe the words of your little bra-"

"POW!" Jibanyan pounced upwards and slammed his paw on side of Tantroni's face.

"Wha!?" The red oni spat as he went flying off the Commissioner's Shoulder at straight onto a nearby glass window.

"Hey!" Suspicioni broke his focus, "What did you do to my friend!?"

"Being a pain to MY friend!" Jibanyan retorted, "I'm sure you caught on to my presence before I could even get to both of you. But you didn't... Did you?"

"You blasted-! You took advantage of me when I was busy! Curse you! If I could have told Tantroni, he wouldn't be so stubborn as to keep on going! That blasted fool! I'm going to-"

"Shut up!" Jibanyan quickly rushed forward and smushed the oni's cheeks together, "and put your bits where your mouth is next time!" Bending his head, Jibanyan crouched down, and delivered a wild uppercut straight between the eyes, launching the ever-suspicious Yo-Kai crashing onto the roof.

"Eh?" The commissioner blinked,

"Sir?" Flash asked, "are you alright?"

"Uh..." The Commissioner looked around, seeing himself standing in the middle of the stage, watching the press and the audience, as well as other Guards looking at him with looks mixed with fear, confusion, and suspicion.

"H-Have I been yelling?" The Commissioner asked, Flash blinked in response.

"I apologise for my behaviour." The Commissioner addressed the speech, "please pay my ranting no heed." And trotted back to his seat.

"Sir." Flash halted his movement.

"Yes?" The Commissioner leaned in close

"My younger sister," Flash growled in his whisper, "is not a little brat. Understand?"

"S-Sorry Flash!" The Commissioner gulped,

"Apology accepted Captain." Flash patted his shoulder. "All is well now."

"I see... Continue what you were doing." The Commissioner commanded, Flash nodded and trotted back to the stand.

"Apologies for the delay and the Commissioner's tantrum." Flash replied, "as you can tell, this case has been mentally taxing upon the majority of the Force and division. Almost everypony there would have acted the same whenever we hear outcomes or complaints about it, myself included."

"Wow..." First whispered, "to think that we solved something in one night than they did for a long time with their thinking on the line."

"I feel so guilty about this..." Scootaloo replied,

"Now, I am going to call two witnesses to the stage. These two are not victims to the case, but rather important witnesses to the time and event when the victims were found." Flash continued,

"Uh-oh... Now it's going to be us."

"A word of warning. These witnesses are young foals who are currently in primary school, who are forced to testify here today. After their statements, please go easy on asking questions."

"W-We're not foals anymore Flash." First thought to himself, "you taught us to the fullest after all."

"May you please step onto the stage?" Flash gestured. With a nod of determination, the siblings trotted towards the stand with synchronisation.

"Please state your name and occupation." Flash commanded,

"My name is Scootaloo," Scootaloo introduced, "and I'm currently a student at Springdale Elementary School."

"A-And my name is First Base." First Base introduced. "The same goes for Scootaloo."

"I know this is not easy speaking to a large audience, but is it okay if you are able to recall anything that you have seen at the event?" Flash questioned,

"Yes." Scootaloo nodded, looking at Flash, then looking to the audience, spotting Nate's parents giving cheering gesture. Nate however, seemed to have a troubled face, paying attention to something else.

"It was late at night, and me and First here were out to meet a friend." Scootaloo began,

"He said that there was this rumour of disappearing ponies in the Springdale Construction Site, and he wanted to find out for himself. Being his friends, of course we tagged along." First continued,

"We met at the entrance to the construction building, and we started exploring together."

"Somewhere along the way, the three of us split up within a path on the second floor. Though it turns out that both routes led to the same place, our friend was nowhere to be seen."

"We both explored both paths to see if he was in trouble, but both paths yielded no presence of him at all."

"So we then continued onwards without him, going up to the third floor. It's was near the lookout area, that we found our friend knocked unconscious, along with many other of the victims that came upon this stage. I didn't know that a school rumour like this was actually a dangerous cold investigation."

"And that's everything we know." Scootaloo replied,

"Now, are there any questions?" Flash asked, the multiple bulbs began flashing as numerous ponies from both the press and audience had their hands raised up.

"Excuse me?" A mare spoke up,

"Yes?" First pointed to the mare,

"Were you aware that going out at night, as well as entering a trespassed area, is against the rules?"

"Yes." Scootaloo rolled her eyes, "we are aware of the consequences, but supporting a friend, as well as exploring mysteries was too much to miss out. Besides, those aren't universal rules."

"Seriously?" The mare was taken aback by the response, as were other ponies who began discussing about it.

"Responsible for your mistakes." Flash thought to himself, "you've grown a lot."

"Anypony else?" Scootaloo asked,

"Yes." A stallion reporter stood up, "May we know about how the rumour was spread around in school, and the description about it?"

"Many topics can be shared between friends or acquaintances alike." First explained, "such topics include hobbies, news, favourite food, current life stories, and as such, rumours."

"I see."

"Unfortunately, the only information we received specifically about the building was only just a passing mention. So we were unable to recognise what we were looking for."

"True..." Flash thought to himself, "you only mentioned it once BEFORE I told you further information about it... You kept your promise..."

"I have a question myself," The commissioner raised,

"Okay sir! What is it?"

"I'm just curious. You two look very similar to each other..."

"Sir, please ask questions relevant to the case." Flash noted,

"Are you perhaps siblings?" The Commissioner ignored,

"Yes, we are."

"That's amazing!" The Commissioner replied, "it's so nice to see that siblings like you are getting along and working together to stand up to something as courageous as this!"

"Thanks." First replied,

"You know, it reminds me when I was a child. I was born and raised into a family that has been serving Neighpon over nine generations, and we've been all born to become the greatest Guards ever known, that we may serve the Princess directly one day!"

"Sir? You're derailing the topic here!" Flash waved,

"Despite never having any family member achieving that status, we've been given numerous anecdotes of our proud Guard family and their accomplishments! Speaking of anecdotes, you might want to hear the story about my Uncle Lester!"

"Sir, I'm sure there are many others that would want to ask us questions."

"My Uncle Lester is one notably famous for many of his stories. Ponies have witnessed all his heroics, as well as his battles and blunders, Y'know? Y'know?"

"This is starting to get annoying." Scootaloo's brows furrowed in thought, "can he just shut up!?"

"I can tell you're getting annoyed by the Commissioner." First noted, "don't worry. The audience and others are doing the same."

"Sir! Can you please save your stories for later!? We are wasting valuable time!!!"

"Oh yeah! And speaking of wasting valuable time...!"

"ENOUGH!" Scootaloo yelled as she pulled out the Yo-Kai Watch to reveal yet another Yo-Kai hidden between the legs of the talkative commissioner.

"Oh hey!" A yellow bipedal figure with very thin arms and legs, and a long thick nose spoke in a comedian's tone, "you actually found me! I'd never have thought Ponies would be able to see me one day y'know, y'know?"

"I knew it!" Scootaloo yelled, "so you're the one behind this unimportant and unending babble!"

"Nice to meet you two! Get it? Since you two are together?" The Yo-Kai laughed,

"THAT'S IT!" Scootaloo replied, pulling out a foam bat. "You've brought the punishment upon yourself!"

"Woah! Hey!" Babblong began skittering around "why are you getting so angry? Speaking of getting angry..."

"No more from yo-"

"Stop!" First held his sister in place, "don't give in to your rage! You may end up chasing him around the place and causing even more trouble!. First, put that foam bat away, that's mine. Second, I know how to catch him."

"Sorry about that." Scootaloo sighed, taking a deep breath, "but, he's just so annoying, and now slippery to boot! How can we catch him without getting any attention?"

"We still have Jibanyan!"

"Ha!" The Yo-Kai overheard, "even if you have Yo-Kai friends on your own, it's going to take a long time to catch me without getting an earful of my spiel! And speaking of..."

"Shut up!" A familiar feline voice creeped up behind the Yo-Kai, holding his neck, "I'm sick and tired of your spiel, and so is everypony!"

"Why--! A Sneak Attack! I'd never thought of that!" Babblong gasped,

"I'll give you something to talk about!" Jibanynan threw him in the air, "my Paws of Fury!"

As the long-nose Yo-Kai descended, he was caught by a furious flurry of blows, pummelling every point on his body. The nose, the chest, his super thin arms and legs, everything fell mercy to the ever dangerous paw.

"Nya!!!" With one final uppercut, Jibanyan sent the long-nosed Yo-Kai flying into the ceiling again, shutting him up, as well as that of the Commissioner.

"Oh dear..." The Commissioner snapped back to his senses once again. The ponies around him looking angrier than before. "Have I been shooting my mouth again?"

"Yes sir." Flash replied, "but I'd like to hear more, after we get through this."

"My apologies, again, for taking all of your time." The Commissioner sighed, "I don't know what's coming over me."

"Due to the... Tardiness of the Commissioner. I'm afraid we are running out of time now."

"So does that mean?" First asked,

"Yes." Flash nodded, "you two are finished with your interview. You may step down."

"Phew!" Scootaloo sighed with relief as they began trotting to the sides, "at least we can thank those Yo-Kai for something!"

"Please wait." A firm sophisticated voice came from the audience.

"A-And?" Flash turned to face the last person he'd expect to speak. The sharp brunette reporter from Ponyville.

"We have solved nothing upon the testimony and questions of the two siblings." The reporter replied, "however, there is something that puzzles me greatly. I would like to ask the siblings a question."

"B-But..."

"I would like to hear it from the siblings, solider." The reporter interrupted, and turned to the siblings, "can you grant me a single question? There may be prompts though..."

"I can't--"

"It's okay Flash." First interrupted, returning back to the stand.

"First!" Scootaloo whispered, "what are you doing!? This is our chance to escape!"

"And leave it as chaotic like this???" First replied, "I was not expecting a conference to happen like this today: Especially with the hi-jinks of the Guard Commissioner and the ridiculous and confusing derailment of topics! Leaving things now with what we've spoken, it's going to make the poor stallion a laughingstock, not to mention the entirety of Springdale. If such scenes like this were to reach the Princess or all of Equestria, it's going to... It's going to create a lot of tension between the two nations!"

"Is... That so?" Scootaloo replied, "then it could possibly mean that Neighponese may have to relocate somewhere else, or even out of Equestria... Nate, Katie, everypony, not to mention every Yo-Kai... I understand, let's do it."

"Sure," First turned back to the reporter, "we'll take it. What would you like to know?"

"I'm curious. During that time, you stated that your friend was with you during your exploration. Then you said that he disappeared."

"Yes, we did." Scootaloo gulped, "y-you don't think he was captured. Right?"

"Judging from your statement on how your friend disappeared and was found, it's highly likely that he was one of the victims. If that's the case, how is he not present to talk?"

"Well... Uh..." First stuttered, his head beginning to drench in sweat, his small hairs standing on end and his body began to quiver.

"Or," the reporter continued, "perhaps you'd like to share his concern with us?"

"Oh No!" Scootaloo thought to herself, "I think she's on to us! I... I can't push Nate onto the stage. His parents let alone the entire audience doesn't need to know about this! The last thing he'd expect is to come up to the stage and testify!"

Nate on the other hand, still had his attention elsewhere, and not once did he look concerned for his friend.

"I can tell that you have some personal attachment to this friend of yours." The Equestrian reporter stated, "but if you decide to keep silent, you will not do justice to him or the other victims, or the Guard Force who's been working supremely hard to crack this case, the entirety of Springdale's population and safety being threatened, and even to yourself. If you want to really help everypony for the better..." She pointed her pen at the siblings, "... I suggest you tell us everything, now."

"She's... She's got us cornered..." First shivered, tears began forming in his eyes. Everywhere around him, he began to receive glints, convorsations and stares of curiosity and suspicion.

"Ma'am!" Flash raised his voice, "you are pressing the witnesses too much!"

"Surely you understand soldier..." the reporter turned to the pegasus, "that as your position. You are part of this investigation are you not? And like everypony in this room, everypony is dying to know the mystery behind this disappearance."

"I..." Flash too, began to sweat, "I...! The foals have a right to remain silent... But!"

"Flash!" Scootaloo yelled, silencing everypony in the room. "I-It's okay. I understand the rules and rights to remain silent. But she's right, I think everypony needs to know."

"Scootaloo had completely given in to the reporter. She certainly is something..." First thought to himself,

"Yes..." Scootaloo addressed, "when we were separated with him on the trip to the tower. We had the dreaded feeling that he disappeared like the other rumoured victims as well. It was... Really traumatic in a way..."

"Traumatic? Did you actually see your friend disappear?" The reporter prompted

"Yes." Scootaloo replied, "we saw him. And on the roof, he was found with the other victims."

"... Is it possible to contact him now?" The reporter asked, "as he was the latest victim, surely he can fully remember the experience."

"If he wishes to." Scootaloo replied, "he's here right now. Do you want to come up Nate?"

"Nate?" Mr and Mrs Adams perked up at the mention of their son, "He was there!?"

"Me...?" Nate pointed to himself as he stood up, his sweat beads all over the place. "I... I don't know who you are!"

"What do you mean Nate?" Scootaloo asked, "you know me!"

"Only my name!" Nate replied, "I am not related to this case! It's your own fault for deciding to investigate!"

"What do you mean?" First butted in, "we decided to go there together! We were all looking for you!"

"Why should I go out exploring with you, when I never liked you in the first place!? You're an enemy!"

"What!?" Flash replied, "Mister Nate, neither Scootaloo nor First Base has been antagonistic to you to warrant such negative impulse!"

"You think that? Do you honestly believe what they said?" Nate yelled, "you think your little siblings are sweet little angels? No they're not! They are horrible devils, and they're my enemy!"

"Nate! It is wrong and rude to badmouth anypony! Especially in a public place!" Mr Adams scolded

"Besides," Mrs Adams added, "you've never said anything bad about them ever since they moved here! You've been constantly hanging out with them ever since!"

"No!" Nate replied, "they're my enemy! Why don't you understand me!? THEY ARE MY ENEMY! If you so wish to defend them, then you're MY enemy too!"

"Nate, stop this right now!" Scootaloo charged off the stage and tackled Nate, "I am not your enemy!"

"Scoots!" First chased "what in Celestia is wrong with you? Don't fight with him!"

Seeing as the Witness tackled a random audience member, the entire situation became chaos. The entire audience began cowering over and spectating the fight, the many press members diverted their attention to taking pictures of the fight, the observing guard members spurred into action and did their best to pull the fighting foals apart.

"No..." Flash clutched his head in anxiety, "what's is going on with everypony?"

"Well?" The reporter asked, the only one uninterested in the fight, "aren't you going to do something?"

"Wh-What can I say!?" Flash raised his voice in frustration and confusion,

"I am merely just a reporter. I record any situation on where I've been sent to, and making sure I get enough answers to fully satisfy my report. You on the other hand, are a Royal Guard. What can you do? And what do you think you can do to solve this situation? What would the Princess of Friendship do?"

"What... She would do... I would do?" Flash repeated to himself, "I... I..."

"You weren't like this in your report Flash Sentry." The reporter continued, "the Princesses and the Royal Guard Captain had nothing but high hopes and praises when sending me to Springdale. Don't tell me this was all just for show?"

"..." Flash stayed silent.

"Flash Sentry?"

"Apologies, I was just in prayer for a short while. Be prepared for me to yell." Flash raised his head and trotted to the stand.

"SILENCE!!!" Flash commanded through the microphone, a God-fearing voice echoing across the giant room. Everypony halted in action and voice, and turned to the one standing on the stage.

"Everypony please! No more fighting! No more chaos!" Flash announced, "we have gathered here to learn all about this reasons behind this case, and to comfort those who live in this fair town!" The entire crowd continued staying silent.

"This is not a comedian's bar. This is Springdale's Guard Station, and like every other Guard Station in Equestria, an important bastion for the monarchy!" Flash continued, "seeing the tantrum and babbling natter from the Commissioner, as well as an antagonistic fight between two friends, that's enough! If everypony will be silent," He placed his hoof to his heart, "I will disclose everything there is to this case! Is there any objections? Commissioner?" Everypony continued staying silent.

"I'll take that as a no." Flash began, "I was assigned by the Princesses of Equestria to assist in the cases and investigations of Springdale, working with colleagues and superiors whom I have the highest respect for, or try to."

"Flash..." The Commissioner spoke,

"But going through these cases, they have all one thing in common. Their explanations defies logic."

"Meaning?" The Equestrian reporter prompted,

"These cases, whether it's disturbing the peace, or ponies mentally going insane." Flash answered, "many of them claim to be supernatural. Ever since then, this has been the answer to leave these cases out cold."

"These cases have not been major a concern, until this one." Flash explained, "and to think that so many ponies were kidnapped under our noses to say the least, and in the very end, found unharmed."

"Flash... I thought you were supposed to keep this secret!" Scootaloo thought,

"Scoots, First. Can you come to the stand and say something to the crowd?" Flash asked,

"Umm... Are you sure about this?" Scootaloo asked, "this may be unbelievable..."

"I've given it a lot of thought, and up now, it's the most believable explanation so far, even if it's childishly simple."

"O-Okay." Scootaloo nodded, and dragging First with her, they went back onto the microphone.

"Now. Please tell everything that occurred in the time you went into the building."

"Everything?" First asked,

"Everything, especially the information regarding a large supernatural being like you told me Scoots." Flash answered.

"What???", "Huh?", "Ghosts?", the numerous questions and comments arose from both the press and the audience as the topic of supernatural once again was mentioned.

"Don't worry." Flash whispered to both of them, "no matter what, I will trust you, and I will believe every word you say. Promise?" He held out a hoof. Scootaloo and First looked at each other as in telepathic communication, then turned to a decision.

"... This is on you Big Bro, got it?" Scootaloo replied with First nodding in agreement, grasping the hoof of their big brother.

"I understand." Flash nodded back, shaking firmly.

"Okay then everypony." Scootaloo turned to the crowd, the fear, nervousness and anxiety replaced with a stern look of determination and resolve. "Most of what I said at the start is true, before we came to the split path. There, I went down one path with my best friend, while First went through the other."

"The path I took had nothing notable to mention. It was just a calm stroll down the hallway, until I heard a familiar scream." First explained,

"My path was different. While we were looking around, my friend was looking around without my attention, his eyes stumbled across something horrid, and that's caused him to... End up like the rest of those victims."

"Nate... Is this true?" Flash addressed Nate,

"They're... They're... Not my friends..." Nate began to hesitate,

"Nate, please. Nothing good comes from saving yourself and leaving your friends in the dust. I've had many a good ally fall to that trick, and they were dishonourably discharged and cursed by all. The last thing I want are my siblings to lose a good friend, and that good friend to lose trust and faith with others. It's okay to confess, it's apparent that you were there."

"I... Yes." Nate sighed, giving in, "yes, I was there. And yes I saw it. It was this white gargantuan bipedal with purple stripes and atrocious red eyes. And gazing onto that, caused me to be paralysed and fade from view of others. Last I heard was Scoots' cries and pleas of trying to stay strong."

"Holy Celestia..." Mr and Mrs Adams whispered under their breath.

"And when you came to?" Flash prompted,

"I found myself surrounded by many other unfamiliar ponies, along with my... Friends comforting them. They are the victims who came up to speak here today."

"I see." Flash nodded,

"If there was anything Scoots and First did within the case, if we all succumbed to the power of that large supernatural being, they brought us back to existence. They saved us." Nate began to cry, "Somepony... Somepony who would stand strong against this beast with their lives at stake, would never be my enemy!"

"And to you all," Flash turned to the victims, "you saw and experienced the same thing, have you not?"

"Yeah." The construction pony nodded, as did the others.

"And do you agree on what Nate said? How the siblings saved you?"

"They were the first ponies I saw gaining consciousness." The construction pony replied, "they were concerned with the safety of us, and now that I think about it clearly, they were battered, bruised, they took an awful beating. But they still stood strong."

"If they truly had lost against such a dangerous figure, they wouldn't be here today, as would we now that I think about it." The High School mare added,

"I recall giving my statement before this case, that these young foals have saved my life." The businesspony replied, "These young foals should never have trespassed into that building, but what they have done, I would do more for them than just turning a blind eye to it."

"Hey Red Gale." Flash turned to his colleague, "do both parties speak true?"

"Yep." Red nodded, "All statements written down too. Your two siblings had been receiving nothing but praise, add mine to that pile too." Even the other guards began to nod.

"Now comes the real question, Scoots and First." Flash turned back to his siblings. "Every single innocent pony tied to this case had all complied to seeing this gargantuan creature. Seeing that you have never fleeted from our memories, a theory pertains that both of you have taken this wretched beast down together. Do you think that we will see this beast again?" The siblings looked at each other one more time, whispered, and nodded.

"No. It won't be troubling us any longer." Scootaloo firmly nodded,

"I can hear the certainty in your voice. Though dealing with something dangerous is for another time, I believe you. Anypony else?"

"I believe in them!" The High School mare joined in, " as I said, all of us may not be here if the two siblings failed!"

"I believe in them too." The construction pony agreed,

"With the utmost respect and within my eyes," the business stallion added, "I believe them to the utmost degree."

"Yes." Red Gale added, "like you said Flash, most of our cases involve supernatural, and something like this is just as likely. With all the witnesses to testify, I'm convinced enough to believe in them too."

"I... I may have acted out of line twice now." The Commissioner spoke, "but when I say that I too, believe in them. I mean it."

"I believe in them too!" Nate stood up, "after all, I was there with them, and I saw everything."

"... Is that enough for you?" Flash addressed the reporter of Equestria. Scribbling some last notes, the reporter closed her notepad, put away the pen, and sternly looked back to the guard.

"Yes. Yes it is." The reporter replied, "enough to fully understand and acknowledge this situation."

"Anypony else have any objections?" Flash asked the crowd, "we'd be pleased to listen." Silence filled the crowd.

"I see... To be honest, I wasn't expecting the outcome of this conference to be like this." Flash concluded, "but somewhat, I feel a heavy and mental load has been lifted off by chest. To see a case closed, and my siblings be brave to admit the mysterious. It's a tough trial, but it somewhat makes it the more charming."

"My Goodness Flash!" Scootaloo jumped, "not in front of the crowd!"

"Sorry, just being heartful here." Flash laughed, "but for once in the history of Springdale and even my life, this shady situation can be answered with the least expected reason of all time: Supernatural occurrences. Whether you believe in superstitions or not, I hope that all you can take extra care in the future if possible if something as eerie as this happens. And in conclusion, this slippery disappearing case, can be closed."

The entire crowd then stood up and applauded loudly to those on the stage. The audience, the press, even the Commissioner and the Guard, all clapped for the siblings of the Sentry family.

"I would also like give a special commendation to Scootaloo and First Base. We may not have a medal or reward for you, but know that we'd like to thank and salute you for your bravery to keep Springdale safe... And from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank and salute you for your bravery too." And with that, Flash, gave a firm salute to his siblings while the sounds applause rose once again. The siblings in the end, gave a warm smile to the crowd, and turned to give a salute back to their loving brother. Seeing this, the Commissioner, Red Gale, and other Guards also gave a salute to the siblings, and the siblings also returned them back.

"Thank you for coming today." The Commissioner took the stand, "this conference can finally come to an end."

With the long stressful carnage over, everypony parted ways and returned to their daily lives. With Flash deciding to cover things, Scootaloo and First Base decided to walk back home together, only for Nate to join them.

"First, Scoots." Nate called, "mind if I had a word?"

"Nate." First greeted, "sorry that we had to bring you up on the stage."

"Don't be." Nate replied, "I think it's the right decision you did. I should be sorry, for calling both of you my enemies. Yes, I was scared of being found out, but I realised, getting scolded is nothing compared to losing you as good friends. Your older brother was right, I guess I can't and shouldn't run from what I should take responsibility for." The flankless and average pony bowed, "I take back everything I said. Can we still be friends?"

"Oh Nate..." Scootaloo hugged Nate, "we are always friends. Right First?"

"Right." First joined the group hug.

"Thank you..." Nate started to cry. "Thank you so much..."

"Excuse me miss!" Flash flew towards the Equestrian reporter, who was ready to board the Friendship Express back to Ponyville. "Listen, is it okay if you can do me a favor?"

"Flash Sentry, you seem to be in a hurry after your strong and bold bravado. What do you need?"

"I know this goes against your code but... Anything regarding my siblings, can you omit them? The Monarchy can know all about the details of the case... But is it okay that my siblings can stay out of it?"

"Hmm..." The reporter slyly laughed, "you really don't know what I came here for, do I?"

"Nnnnno?" Flash answered, the reporter gave a furrowed smile,

"The Princess of Friendship wanted me to record and collect details for a case such as this. After all, it is the reason for you coming here after all: Supernatural."

"Do you believe in it?"

"Not at all, but after hearing this, it has convinced me to keep an open mind." The reporter smirked, "but my real assignment I've been given was the assessment of you."

"Me?"

"The Princess cares for you deeply, far than I've ever heard a princess care for her knight since Shining Armor and Princess Cadence. She wants to see whether you have greatly lost your mind or not." The reporter explained, "and from what I've seen, you are handling things very well and all under control."

"I... I take my work very seriously Madam."

"Not to worry, you've also been exceeding the Princess' expectations, as well as a little bit of mine. The reason is the bond between your siblings. Pulling something out like this in an important meeting wouldn't work, but you and your siblings have played your part. As a soldier and a brother, you've exceeded all expectations with flying colours as she would say."

"I... See..."

"Perhaps you have no qualms about giving this information of your siblings to the Princess now?"

"Now I'm rather torn on that..." Flash replied,

"I don't see why you should." The reporter laughed, "nothing but well-earned praise on your conduct. Just like your siblings."

Finally, Luna's night rolled in, and a time like this seemed perfect for the siblings to reflect on what transpired once more, this time with their Yo-Kai friends.

"Wow!" Whisper exclaimed, "sounds like you two had a doozy of an adventure!"

"Within Springdale of course." First laughed, "though, I'm pretty annoyed about what happened. At least we're no longer grounded anymore."

"Yes, I'm afraid Yo-Kai aren't privy or willing to follow the rules of Ponykind." Whisper nodded, "but at least you dealt with any that came!"

"Really? I still thought there was more than those Onis and that annoying long-nosed chatter box!" Scootaloo theorised, "Flash would have given it much more thought than deciding to blurt out the secret, and Nate didn't stutter when he said we were his enemy..."

"Bwoo! Bwoo!" The Yo-Kai Watch radar hummed,

"Oh! Some new visitors!" Scootaloo pulled out the watch and scanned the area. With the siblings looking through the lens, they uncovered not one, but two new Yo-Kai. A small and scrawny old bipedal lady with long arms, and a butterfly with the cold colours of indigo and purple, similar to another butterfly.

"Hmm..." Whisper read the pad, "Tattletell and Enefly. These are the two Yo-Kai!"

"Don't forget about us y'know?" Another familiar voice entered the room.

"You're kidding me." First gulped as he watched the long nosed Yo-Kai return, along with a red and blue oni. "You guys too?"

"I had a suspicion that you ponies lived here." Suspicioni replied, "unfortunately, my friend here was throwing the Tantrum that he was going down the right path."

"Not true!" Tantroni ranted, "you never told me that the ponies lived here! All you just claimed was that it was your suspicion. Do you think it's enough to convince me!?"

"No fighting in the house please!" First reminded, "now. I have seen you before, Supsicioni and Tantroni, and you are?"

"Name's Babblong!" Babblong greeted, "pleasure to meet you! I'm a-"

"I just need the name," First interrupted, "other information can be explained later."

"By the way Whisper, what's Tattletell and Enefly's business?"

"Tell Tell!" Tattletell croaked,

"You sound like an old lady, no offence." First noted,

"Tattletell said that she came to offer her thanks for the juicy information from your brother!"

"Wait... Wha?" Scootaloo twitched her eye,

"And to answer your question, Tattletell is commonly known to inspirit ponies and make them blurt out whatever is on their mind without benefit or consequence."

"And... Enefly?"

"Enefly is one nasty being that is mostly mistaken for our friend Enerfly. Anypony he inspirits will cause him to be antagonistic towards anypony else! Even if it's a complete stranger or good friend!"

"So... He's responsible for Nate?" Scootaloo's eyes twitched even faster,

"Enemy!" Enefly tooted,

"Oh I see..." Scootaloo tensed her muscles, "so all of you caused all this ridiculous nonsense of a circus..."

"Wait a minute!" First pricked up in realisation, "that means Nate...!?"

"WHY I OUGHTA!!!" Scootaloo roared, scaring the five Yo-Kai visitors, Whisper and her brother. "YOU FIVE ARE IN DEEP TARTARUS!!! HOW DARE YOU NO GOOD YO-KAI COME HERE TO MESS EVERYTHING UP!!!!"

"Quieten down Scoots!" First shushed, "it's in the middle of the night!"

"I need some air..." Scootaloo stood up and trotted towards the balcony fuming.

"A-Anyway, we're actually here to pay respects to you, for dealing with us in a stressful time of your life. After all that jazz, it's clear to us that both of you acknowledge the presence of Yo-Kai, and that you care about what we do."

"Of course." First replied, "aside from your antics that brought our family here, it's our home too!"

"First and Scootaloo was it?" Suspicioni asked, "I like the cut of your jib, back in Terror Time and now!"

"You were that Suspicioni that was suspicious of our presence back then?"

"Correct," the blue oni nodded, "and because of that, I'm willing to give you this!" He passed an eerie medal with his mosaic image. "I think it will be put to good use!"

"Take mine too!" Tantroni replied, handing his medal, "otherwise, I'm going to throw a tantrum!"

"Okay okay..." First laughed as he accepted them, "there's no need for that!"

"Tell tell," Tattletell held out her medal and flipped it close to First's hoof.

"Tattletell says that this is her way of saying thanks to your brother's secretive tidbits." Whisper translated,

"Enemy!" Enefly fluttered his wings and a medal dropped from his scaly wings.

"And Enefly was moved by your brother's speech that he apologises for inspiriting Nate. Here's some more compensation he says. He also says that he wishes to be useful to his new human friends."

"Thanks everypony." First thanked, "it's great to see that all of you had found some respect for us. Perhaps it's great telling us the truth!"

"Hey! You forgot about me! Y'know?" Babblong waved like crazy.

"Oh, of course Babblong. And why are you here again?"

"My lot is just like the others! I'm happy to give you my medal too! I know you're a great listener, so I'll give you my medal if ya listen to my stories, how about it?"

"O-kay..." First gulped, "will it take that long?"

"Not at all pal! And speaking about things taking a long time, haven't I told you the story about how my Uncle Lester waited at a train station for a train that said would come by the next minute, but ended up taking a 45 minute delay? It was like he was in Equestralia! And speaking of Equestralia--"

"Oh Celestia..." First moaned, "please save my soul..."

Chapter 6-4: Blackout Party!!!

"Sleepover Party!!!" The siblings exclaimed through the phone: A magical device that was able to transport the very words spoken from other ponies from one area to another.

"Sounds fun!" Eddie replied, "I'm in!"

"Sure thing! Now I get to visit your house!" Bear agreed,

"Really? Thanks for inviting me!" Lucas replied, "This is my first time."

"Cool Beans!" Alex replied, "I can come!"

"Why not? I accept!" Sarah replied,

"Yes, yes and yes!!! Thanks so much for inviting me along!" Meg exclaimed,

"Yep!" Scootaloo closed the phone, "all of our friends so far said they're coming!"

"You certainly seem to be back in full play-mode after your lift." Flash chuckled, "do remember that you still have school to attend."

"We've already done all our homework ever since you grounded us!" First replied, "what can I say? A blessing in disguise!"

"Strange, I think two of your friends haven't been called yet."

"You mean Nate and Katie?" Scootaloo replied, "They're already coming! Reason is, that they're coming over to help us!"

"But Nate..."

"He's off the hook." First laughed, "sure, he got into a lot of trouble, but punishment revolves around more chores. It's like you said big bro, its better off to own up sometimes. Right?"

"It... Depends on your situation." Flash hesitated, "I mean, would you trade betraying your own country for your life?"

"Well..." Scootaloo shifted, "it also depends on what you're giving to the enemy too. Some things are not worth risking your life for, while some are. If it's tied to family and those you love, then that's--"

"Another complicated thing that takes long to put into words within your mind." Flash replied, "you are getting very good with your words."

"Nothing is black and white, and every outcome is unpredictable." Scootaloo replied, while the doorbell rang.

"Got it!" First called, galloping towards the door,

"Must be Nate and Katie." Scootaloo joined her brother to welcome the earth and unicorn foals, bags packed with sleeping gear, and many other goodies.

"Scoots! First!" Katie greeted, "hope most of the work hasn't finished!"

"Actually, we were just beginning!" First replied, "Come on in!"

"Good afternoon Flash!" Nate called as they entered the living room, "thanks for letting us sleep over!"

"Good afternoon to you too, Mister Nate and Miss Katie. No problem at all, would you like me to relieve your load? I can take your bags to where you're staying."

"Sure!" Katie smiled, placing her bags onto Flash, "thanks a lot!"

"I live to serve." Flash replied as he trotted up the stairs.

"You've got a really nice house you know!" Katie turned her attention to her surroundings. The beautifully glazed flooring, the numerous picture portraits of the Sentry family, old and new, around the wall, the delicately clean carpet, couches, and what not, it was a sight to behold.

"Yeah, almost feels like living in a castle!" First joked,

"Oh, that reminds me! I can't believe your brother is one of the Princess' Personal Guards!"

"He isn't!" Scootaloo laughed, "He's the head of Twilight's Guard at the time before moving here, not to mention originally being the Captain's Lieutenant. You could say he takes his duty as serious as a personal guard though."

"Well then," Katie replied, "it's still cool that you know Princess Twilight of all ponies by her first name!"

"That's because the CMC and the ladies of Ponyville go a long way back. Way back before Princess Twilight even became a Princess." First explained,

"Oh!" Nate spotted a peculiar old picture, a young orange Pegasus foal with light-and-dark blue hair, standing proud with two other ponies. The Earth pony had ferocious sideburns of blue connected with a strong beard and a spiky bold manestyle, eyes of blue, and a brilliant mane of yellow. The other pony, a Pegasus, had a coat of brilliant red, with her eyes of purple blending with her luscious and wavy mane of pinkish-purple. "Does this happen to be your parents with Flash?"

"Yes." Scootaloo nodded, "that's Flash when he was old as we are today."

"Your parents are very handsome and beautiful." Katie complimented,

"And they're strong warriors to boot." First added, "But it's a shame that the three of us received our sharp, spiky manes from our dad. If only Lady Rarity can copy this beautiful hairstyle."

"That reminds me..." Nate noticed, "do you talk about your parents much?"

"No..." Scootaloo replied, "in fact, we've kept the fact that First, Flash and I were related by blood almost secret from anypony, our best friends included. Only Captain Shining knew."

"Do you know their names?" Katie asked,

"Ayuvir Falchion and Scarlet Razor." Flash answered, coming down the stairs. "Believe me, it's hard to think that a healer of war would have such a battle-like name and the cutie mark of a crimson rapier cutting through the wind."

"Is she?" Nate asked,

"She was actually a dominant and powerful fencer for the Equestria games before a nurse. Very few could match her precision and agility in the ring of honour, quickly thrusting the foil the moment when 'allez' was announced."

"And how did she end up meeting your dad?" Katie asked,

"It was after a painful battle in war, where most soldiers ended up in one of the local hospitals. My mother came for her regular health check-up, a plea of helped required somepony with nimble abilities. Out of curiosity, not of concern, she went to see what was going on. A soldier, writhing in pain with shrapnel lodged in his front leg. With so many doctors tending to other casualties, they couldn't find any more assistance, but the common folk. Regardless, all she had to do was pull the shrapnel out, it hurt the pony greatly, but it was a successful operation."

"And your dad?"

"The injured soldier was a close ally of my father, and he came to give his thanks. I wish I could entertain you with our memories, but we don't have much time." Flash replied, "I still have things to prepare for the rest of your friends."

"A later time then?" Nate asked,

"Promise." Flash replied, placing his hoof on his chest. "Perhaps you and Scoots can help prepare the fillies' place, while Miss Katie can work with First with supply preparation down here?"

"... Are you trying to put us together?" Scootaloo raised an eyebrow and demanding tone,

"Why would I do that?" Flash joked, "don't you have a coltfriend already? And I thought you were only interested in Pegasi!"

"Oh stop it!" Scootaloo yelled while blushing, "and I'm not a species-ist either!" The other ponies laughed,

"Apologies." Flash replied, "Gallop along now."

Galloping up to the bedroom, Nate was met with two familiar faces.

"Why hello there Nate!" Whisper greeted, "charmed to see you once again!"

"Whisper!" Nate greeted back, "and Jibanyan, was it?"

"That's me!" Jibanyan replied,

"Aside from Katie's stuff, it seems like this whole place is tidied up and ready to party in." Nate inspected, "much cleaner than my room. Don't tell me you uh... Used your Yo-Kai friends, did you?"

"You tell me..." Whisper moaned, "I didn't sign up for this when I became her butler. We had to move heavy items and polish the floor."

"I call animal cruelty!" Jibanyan cried,

"Oh it's not THAT bad you two!" Scootaloo laughed, "I had to do my part as well! Not to mention everypony else! Besides Whisper, think of this as punishment for all the times you DIDN'T help us whenever Yo-Kai was involved!"

"Everypony else?" Nate picked up, "you mean it's not just you three?"

"Oh! Well isn't that a coincidence!" Scootaloo pulled out her watch, "I have yet to introduce you to my other Yo-Kai friends!" Showing the lens to Nate, the young foal looked all around the room to uncover a horde of Yo-Kai flying or walking around the entire room, with either mops, cleaning cloths, dusters, and numerous cleaning tools destined to polish the room from top to bottom.

"Woah!" Nate gasped, "you've got tons of Yo-Kai friends! Though, there's not a lot of similarities when they're depicted in stories."

"Yeah, I thought it was weird at first too. But listening to their side of the story, they're just hopping along with society like we are." Scootaloo replied, "and unfortunately, it's not enough Yo-Kai to close Flash's case, or rather, the Yo-Kai mainly responsible for them. At least I've got plenty to help clean the room for tonight's sleepover! Mundane utility, but awesome as heck!"

"Wow, you really sound like you're treating them as your slaves rather than friends." Nate noted, "I'm pretty sure this isn't like those monster shows you see on TV or on video games. Yo-Kai are actual spirits that have passed on from living, shouldn't you treat them with a little more respect than just house servants?"

"Why thank you Nate!" Whisper butted in, "at least somepony has concern about us!"

"Well..." Scootaloo chuckled while sweating a little, "it's just lucky if you think about it, I called every single one of my Yo-Kai friends to help, and they seemed to be all free and happy to do so! Except for the Dancing Trio though... Besides, I did a lot myself, and everypony here is a witness to that. Right?" She asked the Yo-Kai. One by one, the Yo-Kai present raised their hands, paw, wing, or just jump around since some lacked any of those features, and gave a proper nod and smile. Yo-Kai that can smile that is: Dismarelda, Dulluma, Buhu and others to name a few continued looking depressed.

"Okay then." Whisper sighed raising his hand "I will not overlook the fact that you also did help."

"Even so," Nate continued, "I'm sure cleaning up a room as big as this wouldn't be that hard by yourself."

"Maybe, but I may not be able to finish everything without giving up during the way!" Scootaloo replied, "you know how much I loathe cleaning and fixing, I'd probably give up after a few minutes."

"This is a pain... I GIVE UP!!!" A loud moan came from below.

"Flash?" Scootaloo poked out of the door, "was that you?"

"I'm not doing this anymore!" Flash announced.

"What's going on?" Nate asked as the two galloped down the stairs.

"I don't know!" Katie replied, "the three of us were busy cleaning and stacking certain items. We were nearly finished until Flash decided to throw whatever he was doing and just pout!"

"I don't want to do this anymore." Flash explained with a huff,

"Flash, what is the meaning of this?" Scootaloo reasoned, "Aren't you always the dedicated Guard as most of Ponyville says? Or was that a lie?"

"Sis, I don't think it takes a genius to know what or rather, who's behind this." First answered,

"Oh... There's a Yo-Kai for that?" Nate asked,

"Y-Yo-kai?" Katie jumped at the sound of those words. "Did you just say Yo-Kai?"

"I didn't stutter Katie, I did say Yo-Kai."

"B-But..." Katie shivered, "I thought Yo-Kai are make-believe! Fairy tales and folklore!"

"Ah, right..." Scootaloo remembered, "I forgot that this is the first time hearing about Yo-Kai, not to mention getting creeped out with spooky stuff."

"Don't worry about it Katie," Nate replied, "it's not much of your concern. Everypony acts out-of-normal now and then."

"Like you?" Katie asked, "Because you'd be the last pony I'd think to do something like that."

"Stop implying that I'm average!!!" Nate wailed within as he fell into a mental whirlpool of shame.

"To counter that argument," First replied, "our brother would definitely be the last pony to act out-of-normal."

"So in this case," Nate asked, "I assume you've got a Yo-Kai friend to help you?"

"Yep! And it doesn't take a genius to know who to call." Scootaloo laughed, "Blazion?"

"Rawr!" Blazion came charging down the stairs, his lion stature full of vigour and power.

"Looking motivated as ever, I see!" First greeted, "luckily, we need some of your fiery pep talk. You good?"

"Rawr!" Blazion raised his hands in agreement,

"Umm..." Katie pointed out, "should I be knowing something? Are you being crazy? Am I being crazy? Do Yo-Kai actually exist?"

"Don't worry!" Scootaloo laughed, "Yo-Kai do exist, but in spirit! Fortunately, just a few words of motivational spirit will work!" She trotted up to Flash and gripped his shoulders, "Flash! Surely you haven't forgotten the words of your training! What is the most important role of a Royal Guard?"

"To protect the nation of Equestria, simple as that." Flash replied,

"Okay then, what makes a guard?"

"Devotion and perseverance to the bitter end..." Flash continued,

"You've survived countless trials of war and service, and you think a mere setup of the house that is near completion is going to hold you back?"

"No?... I mean, No..." Flash's tone began rising in confidence,

"Then you can do it Lieutenant Sentry!" Scootaloo rallied, slapping her hooves on his shoulder again, "show everypony the Royal Guard within you! The most unique Royal Guard is one who is fully devoted unlike the others! Show them that the Royal Guard does their best, and are just not placed there to be the average force of justice! Show them that you outshine them all!"

"I... I... I WILL NOT SURRENDER!" Flash roared as he was set ablaze with fury and motivation. "As a Guard of Equestria, I shall complete tasks assigned by the Princesses, as well as my family!" And with that, he furiously polished, stacked, and carried everything to it's responsible area.

"Rawr!" Blazion roared for joy while atop of Flash.

"See?" Scootaloo showed Katie, "a little pep talk, and he's back up and running!"

"Oh... Okay..." Katie spoke, a little shaken, but relieved. "I... Think I should wash my face."

"Allow me to show you the bathrooms." Flash galloped to her side and pointed to the door opposite the door to the living room.

"Thanks." Katie replied as she left the room.

"Wow." Nate applauded, "that was a good distraction."

"Experience when dealing with Yo-Kai hidden from ponies are always helpful. Now, who's responsible?" Scanning the room with the Yo-Kai lens once again, the watch revealed a particular Yo-Kai that was pooped out. Wearing some black monk-like robes, and was resting his knees and lower legs on a floating cushion. The most interesting feature however, was its head.

"Strange... Who is this?" First asked,

"His head looks like one of those Wooden Fish instruments in the music classroom." Nate pointed out.

"I don't wanna! I don't wanna do this anymore!" The Yo-Kai complained, "I hate it when I have to go against Yo-Kai that are more powerful than I am!"

"Oh goodness..." Whisper read, "this Yo-Kai is known as D'wanna. He can cause anypony's resolve to dwindle, which causes them to give up, even at the last moment of completion."

"Hey! Sounds a lot like you when you've been tasked to clean the house Scoots!" First joked,

"Shut up little bro." Scootaloo pouted in embarrassment, "That was of my own doing. A Yo-kai did not supplement my mental resolve."

"That wasn't what you said back then at Triangle Park a month ago. You were so feeble in your resolve that Cutta-Nah of all Yo-Kai inspirited you!"

"That was something else!" Scootaloo defended,

"Wow, to see siblings squabble with each other." Nate laughed, "is there a Yo-Kai responsible for that?"

"As a matter of fact, there actually is!" The siblings answered in unison.

"Wow, and I honestly thought that as a joke..." Nate gulped,

"The Purple Blob? She's called Dismarelda, and she's just that." Scootaloo explained,

"But there's something I'd like to point out Nate..." First replied, "back at the time of the court case, a Yo-Kai was what inspirited you to be against us."

"Really?" Nate asked,

"But after hearing Flash's words, you seemed to overcome this inspiritment and said you weren't our enemy... Do you have some resistance to Yo-Kai powers?"

"I do?" Nate asked, "I thought you'd be the ones who would have such resistance!"

"You dolt First!" Scootaloo laughed, "if you're trying to be philosophical and mysterious, it's not working! We already know that Yo-Kai can be convinced without the use of other Yo-Kai's help. Haven't you forgotten about the days when we first moved to Springdale?"

"Oh..." First gulped, realisation hitting his brain, and drooping in shame.

"You crack me up little bro." Scootaloo ruffled First's hair,

"Huh?" D'wanna picked up the conversation "did you just say Yo-Kai? You can... See me?"

"Yes D'wanna." Scootaloo replied, "yes, we were the one who called Blazion over here to stop inspiriting our brother."

"No way!" D'wanna jumped, "You're friends with Yo-Kai?"

"A ton of them in fact." Scootaloo continued, "and we're a strong bunch. If I were you, you 'D'wanna' mess with us. Got it?"

"G-Got it..." D'wanna gulped,

"Was that pun necessary?" Nate asked,

"Maybe, maybe not. Can't I have some fun?"

"I don't wanna do this anymore, I wanna be friends with you!"

"Now?" Scootaloo replied, "but if you really want to become proper friends, then why don't we do something for you?"

"You're so kind, but showing me that you've got a strong bond with other ponies and Yo-Kai has convinced me to join you. I mean it! I don't wanna be alone!"

"Then how can we tell?"

"Well... There's..." D'wanna thought about it.

"Don't worry D'wanna. We forgive you for that incident, but why don't you come back later to think about what we can do for you. Then, we can become proper friends!"

"Okay then..." D'wanna sighed and unhappily floated out the balcony door.

"Hmm... I feel sorry for the guy." First replied,

"You know, even if Katie's gone, are you sure Flash won't get suspicious about this?" Nate asked,

"He's inspirited, so he can see and think that Yo-Kai are normal. Unlike Helmsman, Blazion also changed his personality, so he's do focused on being what Blazion does. Once Blazion lets him go though, he'll forget that he's ever seen Yo-Kai in the first place..." Scootaloo explained,

"Oh..." Flash groaned as he plopped to the floor in immense exhaustion. "Now I really don't want to do this anymore... At least I finished everything..."

"... And that he'll also grow super tired from working so hard due to Blazion." Scootaloo finished. The group burst into laughter.

"Sorry guys." Katie galloped back into the room. "Did I miss anything?" She looked at Flash, "perhaps I certainly did!"

"He's just tired from working so hard. He's a Royal Guard after all!" First joked, and the group laughed.

"Don't worry. He'll be back to normal before the rest of the crew gets here. So let's go through one final rundown of the house!" Scootaloo instructed.

"Ding Dong..." The Doorbell rang,

"They're here!" Scootaloo grinned as she opened the front door to reveal the remainder of the invited friends. "Welcome welcome!"

"It's great to see you all!" First greeted,

"Yeah, thanks for inviting us over." Alex replied as the group trotted in.

"Say, you've got a nice house here!" Meg complimented,

"Well, we try to maintain it as clean as possible!" Scootaloo replied as they converge into the living room, where Flash, Nate and Katie reside.

"Nate! Katie!" Bear greeted, "so you guys decided to come early?"

"Yep!" Nate answered, "we came to help out!"

"It's wonderfully nice to meet you all, friends of Scoots and First." Flash announced, "My name is Flash Sentry, and I'm the elder brother of both of them. I'll be your party organiser for tonight, and uh..." He pulled out some flash cards, "... I'll make sure that things will go smoothly..." He continued flipping a few more, "if you have need of any assistance, or refreshments, feel free to call on me. I will make sure that your stay here is enjoyable and memorable."

"He's new to this." First joked, and the foals and fillies giggled.

"Oh dear, I should have gotten some advice from Lady Pinkie Pie." Flash sighed to himself, "A-Anyway, I thought we should start off this party with a military activity that I have learnt from training."

"Are you kidding me Flash?" Scootaloo turned in shock, "we aren't here to train for war!"

"B-But I haven't explained it yet!" Flash reasoned, "it involves maintaining our composure through the toughest of situations. These situations can involve fear, distraction and exhaustion, and in this case... Laughter!"

"Laughter?" Nate asked, "you mean like a 'try not to smile or laugh' game?"

"Yeah! Exactly!"

"That sounds like a good idea!" Sarah replied, "I'd love to play!"

"In that case, how do we play?" First asked,

"All of us shall stand in a circle, and one pony will come forward and present to us the one of their jokes or funny actions..." Flash flipped to the next card, "anypony who cracks under pressure will be out. Anypony who survives will have their turn next, if they so happen to stand to the left of whoever had their performance. The last pony left in, shall win! Are these instructions clear?"

"Clear!" Lucas replied,

"Alright then," the group huddled into a circle, "who wants to go first?" Flash asked,

"Me! Me!" Meg volunteered, "I know just a great joke!" And she trotted in the middle, "alright, why did the chicken cross the road?"

"..." The entire group fell silent,

"To get to the other side!" Meg answered,

"umm... I think we all know that joke already." Scootaloo replied,

"Oldest of the old Miss Meg." Flash replied,

"Oh consarn it!" Meg pulled a shocked pose, "that is such fowl play!"

"Pfft!" First covered his mouth in shock and stifled laughter,

"Got you First!" Meg perceived, "you're out!"

"Dang it!" First burst into laughter, "was that the punchline!?"

"Yep, and you fell for it." Nate replied,

"Wow, that really was tricky..."

"Now Scoots, I believe it is your turn." Flash announced, "please step forward."

"Here goes then..." Scootaloo started, "Knock Knock!"

"Who's there?" The rest asked,

"The Great and Powerful!"

"The Great and Powerful who?"

"Behold!" Scootaloo ridiculously posed, "Ze Great and Powerful Trixie!!!"

"Ha ha ha ha!" First and the rest of the neighponese kids burst into laughter, only Flash stayed silent.

"And yep! You guys are out!"

"Aww... You're good Scoots, nice trick." Bear complimented,

"I know right?" Eddie added, "it's almost as if you know how to force us to laugh!"

"Force us to laugh!?" First paused while laughing. Peering behind Scootaloo, he saw a familiar eel laughing his head off.

"A moment please Scoots?" First asked as he continued chuckling under the eel Yo-Kai's spell.

"Yes?" Scootaloo asked. First grabbed her face and glared straight into her eyes.

"Since when did the game involve cheating?" First growled,

"Oh... Eh... I'm not cheating though... What's your proof?" Scootaloo chuckled nervously, giving a very bad poker face.

"I can see Heeheeheel behind you. Thankfully, only Nate and I can see Yo-Kai like you. Can you please be an honest player, and not use Yo-Kai to your advantage?"

"Okay okay..." Scootaloo replied, "I'm sorry... Heeheeheel, jig's up."

"Ha! I knew you're going to get caught cheating sooner or later." Heheheel laughed, "getting caught immediately just makes it funnier!"

"Yeah yeah, whatevs..." Scootaloo moaned, "Flash? Looks like it's just you and me!"

"Very well then," Flash nodded, "I shall accept the challenge, perhaps a few impressions of the ladies and Princess of Ponyville would suffice?"

"Can we pick then? Even if we're out?" Alex asked,

"Since there's two of us left in the game, I think that decision lies to me." Scootaloo replied, "How well do you know and copy the actions of Rainbow?"

"Lady Rainbow you say? Then prepare yourself." Flash replied and pulled some of his hair to the front to match Rainbow's hairstyle.

"Hey everypony! You know who I am?" Flash copied Rainbow's tone, cracking his voice most of the time, "I'm the one and only Rainbow Dash! Equestria's Fastest flier!!!"

"Ha ha ha ha!!!" Lucas, Bear, Eddie, Meg, Sarah and Alex cracked up. "Your voice, I just can't even!"

"Oh don't worry," Flash strutted around like Rainbow, "I'm more than just one fast pony, I'm a proud friend of Princess Twilight Sparkle, the element of Loyalty!"

"Pssh, dang it!" First laughed, "I can't help myself! It sounds so accurate that it's so wrong!"

"Honestly, I think Rainbow sounds awesome when Flash's impersonating her. I like this!" Alex shared,

"Oh I know you can do better than that Big Bro." Scootaloo taunted, "Let's see what else you have!"

"Ponies dream of racing me, and I hope that I can race you someday too. But if you're not cool like me though, keep on dreaming. You have to be fast, daring, and only then I may think about racing with you! Not to worry..." Flash pushed his cheeks in and gave a small familiar puffy face, "It's going to be SO AWESOME!!!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Scootaloo finally laughed, "I can't believe it! I actually lost!"

"Ha ha ha ha!" Katie joined in the entire hall of laughter,

"And I win once again!" Flash continued the impression with a wink, "that's why I'm called Rainbow Dash!"

"Not bad Flash! Not bad!" First sighed with laughter as the noise died down. "What do you think guys?"

"Ha... Ha... Ha..." The Neighponese students continued laughing, only that he was doing it very hoarsely and without any genuine giggle. Their tones of laughter continued going down and down, until they collapsed with exhaustion and a sigh, their faces drained of colour.

"Why do I feel so tired...?" Nate moaned,

"Yawn... Too much laughing..." Sarah moaned,

"I... I can't do this anymore..." Flash also let loose his act, and began to fall exhausted and drained of life.

"Argh..." Lucas collapsed,

"Man... This isn't funny anymore." Bear replied,

"I know..." Eddie added.

"Woah..." First yawned, "suddenly, this doesn't seem so fun."

"He he he. I know right?" Katie smiled while still laughing, "It's a shame that all of your jokes are lame. I think it's time to show you that truth."

"Wait... Katie? What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked,

"I drained all the laughter from your friends and brother." A distorted voice spoke, "now all your jokes are completely lame! Ha ha ha ha!"

"Oh that's a lame excuse to avoid giving away your position..." Scootaloo sprung into action, pulling out the watch and scanning a new silhouette, "Yo-Kai!"

"As if it even matters now." The Yo-Kai giggled. It was a small bipedal figure that was clothed but had the most disturbing of faces. With a small hairbun at the tippy top of the head, what seemed to be the ears of the Yo-Kai were the eyes, with all features on the face replaced with a large mouth with the thickest of purple lips and dual pairs of black buck teeth.

"Eww!!!" First cringed, "who the heck are you!?"

"I am Lafalotta, you insulting foal." The Yo-Kai greeted, "and I am the true judge of jokes!"

"The true judge?"

"Only jokes that I can laugh at are genuine! Everything under that? Unacceptable!!!" Lafalotta announced, "and you ponies never know what a good joke is supposed to be!"

"Give us back our friends' and brother's laughter!" First demanded, "this is supposed to be a fun time, and you ruined it!!!"

"Me? Ruin this party? First you insult me with your face and words, and now you want me to give back the laughter to your friends? It seems Ponykind really is going down the drain with their manners!" Lafalotta growled, "Don't look onto me, all of you ruined it in the first place. All of your jokes were lame. Man, if this was supposed to be a sleepover party, I'd rather be at home enjoying tea and burgers."

"Why you--!"

"Save it First." Scootaloo held her brother back, "they may be a pain, but these are ghosts we're dealing with. One wrong move, and we may end up like them!"

"Well aren't I flattered?" Lafalotta laughed, "to think that I am part of those Yo-Kai that are full of murder and vengeance, I wish! You're lucky you didn't run into the snow lady. She would freeze you to death instantly!!!"

"Then if you're not..." Scootaloo replied, "surely we can do something for you to stop inspiriting our friends, we all want to have a good time you know."

"Well... Since you can see me..." Lafalotta spoke while thinking on the spot, "... Okay then, a very simple game. All you have to do is to make me laugh. Your friends will act as your marking criteria."

"Laugh? That's simple." Scootaloo grinned, "hey Heheheel, you still there? Somepony needs their funny bone tickled!"

"Really?" Heheheel jumped from behind with excitement, "well let me crack them up! Hee hee hee... Ha ha ha ha!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Lafalotta laughed until she stopped with a serious grin. "... No." With Heheheel continuing to laugh, a stream of energy emerged from Heheheel as was sucked into Lafalotta's mouth. As more as this energy continued streaming out, Heheheel began to slow down on his laughing, until the last bits of laughter left the eel all pale and grey.

"My... I can't... Laugh..." Heheheel croaked in horror, "help me..." And the defeated eel shrank into his pot which also turned grey in accordance with Heheheel.

"Oh dear..." First picked up the jar and rubbed it, "are you okay?"

"S-Stop this Yo-Kai... She... She...!" Heheheel whimpered from within.

"Do you honestly think using a Yo-Kai would help you?" Lafalotta taunted,

"Then I guess we got to stick to jokes!" Scootaloo answered, "any ideas First?"

"Hmm..." First wondered, "I mean, I can think of a lot of joke ideas: Puns..."

"Boring and stupid." Lafalotta chimed in,

"Funny moment videos?" First added another idea, feeling pressure.

"Fake..." Lafalotta continued chiming in.

"Jumpscares, questions, tales of tricks, a silly dance..." First continued desperately.

"Hold the horse." Scootaloo interrupted, a wicked grin on her face. "A silly dance you say?"

"Yeah, but I can't think of anything else but..." First's eyes widened, "oh no. You don't mean THAT!?"

"Still, I think we're going to need some assistance." Scootaloo pulled out three Heartful medals.

Meanwhile, all the way in the Crystal Empire, three seaweed coloured ponies of green, light green and dark green were happily performing for the various ponies who came by... That eventually danced along with them. After an hour of rigorous but healthy exercise, the audience was cheering for the wonderful dancing.

"Woow! Thanks a lot for dancing with us everypony!" The dark green one announced,

"We'll be taking a short break for about 10 minutes, then it's back to dancing!" The light green one announced,

"Phew!" The green one sighed with relief, grabbing a few water bottles. "That was some good dancing! I guess it does feel better when you take a break!"

"Yeah! Maybe those two siblings had some truth to their words..." The dark green spoke,

"There's something puzzling me though..." The light green brought up, "I feel like that orange filly had some choreography practice or two before we even met. Why did she pull out that dance when we faced off? I feel like she has a lot of dancing potential!"

"Hey guys???" The green gestured to his two friends to certain green portals above their heads. "We can find out now if you want..."

"Just in luck!" The light green clasped her hooves with joy, "let's just hope it doesn't take long!"

"Let's go everypony!" The dark green one cheered and jumped into it, with the other two doing the same.

"Wiglin!"

"Steppa!"

"Rhyth!"

"We're the Dancing Trio! Ten out of Ten!!!" The Dancing Trio posed, back to the true Yo-Kai forms.

"Greetings Dancing Trio!" Scootaloo posed back, "good to see you again!"

"I uh... Hope you weren't busy..." First gulped

"Oh no! We're just taking a break after dancing!"

"Where uh... Exactly did you dance?" First prompted, his face starting to feel uneasy.

"A place called the Crystal Empire! It's a pretty place where Ponies seem to have crystal clear bodies!"

"Nice!..." Scootaloo gave a motivational hoof pump, just to cover the fact that they summoned their friends from a long distance.

"Anyway," Rhyth asked, "what can we do for you?"

"We need a little bit of help." Scootaloo explained, "this Yo-Kai needs to laugh."

"But we're dancers! I mean, we'd like to help. But what can we do?" Wiglin asked,

"It's no problem, this is what I had in mind..." Scootaloo replied, and whispered into the trio's ears.

"Oh! I see..." Steppa replied, "well then why not? Let's do it!"

"You sure?" First asked,

"Of course!" Rhyth replied, "anything for a friend!"

"Hey Lafalotta!" Scootaloo replied, "let's see you laugh to this! One... Two... Three... Go!" One by one, the five of them pulled out very awkward dance moves and poses that were to similar to everypony but the Yo-Kai. It was none other than the legendary dance of Twilight Sparkle.

"WHAT!?" Lafalotta blurted out. Also one by one, the foals around began to giggle.

"Hee hee hee..." Lucas chuckled,

"Tee hee hee..." Meg sniggered,

"Books! Books! Books!!!" The Dancing Trio chanted,

"Er... Stop that right now..." Lafalotta began to twitch, losing her mind, piece by piece.

"Magic! Letters! Spike!!!" First performed a half-baked twirl, and clumsily tossed Heheheel's jar in the air too, before neatly catching it. Meg and Lucas burst out into laughter.

"Stop it...!" Lafalotta repeated, as she began to shake all around in awkwardness.

"The Princess of Magic!" Scootaloo horrendously posed, "sister to the Captain of the Royal Guard! A complete Egghead!!!"

"Pssh ha ha ha ha!!!" Alex, Sarah, Eddie, Bear, Nate and Katie all burst into laughter one at a time.

"Wow!" First thought to himself, "that actually worked! Nice job Scoots!"

"Stop it!!!" Lafalotta pleaded, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "Stop it now! I can't take the fact on how stupid you look!"

"But most of all..." Scootaloo flailed her arms, "I am the Princess... Of Friendship!!!" And with an exuberant pose, she elbowed First, which caused him to trip and the vase of Heheheel to fly out of his grasp. This jar turned projectile then collided onto the shameless dancing trio, and knocked them over like blowing pins."

"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Flash let loose a gleeful laugh of joy. "I can't take it anymore!"

"N-No..." Lafalotta clutched her mouth, "can't... He.. Hee... Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!" Lafalotta burst into laughter after a delayed half a minute. "I can't! Stop! This regal dance is so lame and ridiculous, that I'm laughing for it to stop!!!" And with that laughing, multiple streams of energy shot out from her mouth and each stream made it's way back into their respective pony. Even Heheheel's energy popped out and was collected by his pot. No sooner did the eel pop out himself and laugh uncontrollably like the rest.

"That was a funny show!" Heheheel complimented, "props for winning the game!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha..." Lafalotta continued on laughing until a blue light surrounded her. This light then coalesced into a medal and landed onto Scootaloo's possession.

"And to the victor goes the spoils!" Scootaloo replied,

"Ha ha ha ha..." Flash continued laughing, "that dance perfectly matched Princess Twilight's dance! Without the chants of course... I wish for an encore!"

"Really?" First gasped,

"Yeah!" Flash replied, while on the inside, he dreaded with fear. "I am so dead..."

After the laughing game, Lafalotta decided to leave the group alone after making friends with the siblings, and the group went through a few more rounds, before it was finally time to call it quits and make dinner as the evening comes.

The Dancing Trio? Well, they've got a long travel trip back to the Crystal Empire full of despair and worry. Aside from that, all the Yo-Kai friends, save for Whisper and Jibanyan, made their departure after the game. They did get a good laugh through Heheheel's anecdote about it though.

"Flash, can you pass the salt?" Scooaloo asked,

"Here you go." Flash tossed the bottle over,

"I've chopped the carrots!" First announced,

"Wow..." Nate watched as the siblings got down to cooking business, "they really don't mess around in the kitchen."

"I can smell it already!" Kate added as she sniffs the air, "it's something delicious!"

"How long have you been doing this?" Lucas asked,

"Well, we had to take care of ourselves..." Scootaloo replied, "what, with our brother going to work every day, and us having school... You understand."

"Does it always get lonely?" Eddie prompted,

"Well, big sis normally hangs out with her friends most of the time, while I do with mine." First answered, "Flash mostly does the late meals, but at times when he comes REALLY late, we managed to pick up some skills of our own!"

"Fortunately, we're managing to cook together after a long time." Flash replied, "so we're here to 'spice' things up. Get it?"

"Ha ha ha, you're hilarious big bro." First sarcastically laughed,

"Hey First, are you done with the bamboo sprouts?" Scootaloo asked,

"Bamboo what now?"

"The sprouts, you know... The important ingredient for this dish? Surely you had prepared it firsthand."

"I uh... I don't know what you're talking about!" First answered,

"First... Where are they?" Flash asked, "this is no time for a laugh now..."

"I don't know... I really can't remember whether I've cut them or not, or actually placed around the fridge... I don't think we even bought them... Clumsy me!" First replied, hitting his head and sticking his tongue out as a comedian.

"FIRST!" Flash slammed the kitchen table, "what is wrong with you!? You were responsible for buying those ingredients, and we've already double-checked the supplies before leaving Shopper's Row! We bought them, now where did you put them???"

"Uhh... Are you okay you two?" Sarah asked,

"Both of you stop it!" Scootaloo shushed, "we have guests! Let's not fall apart! But seriously though..." Scootaloo grabbed First by the neck and held him close, "Where is it First? Tell me now!"

"I really don't know!!!" First defended, "honestly! I can't remember!!!"

"Um... I'm pretty sure that answers your question Sarah." Bear replied,

"Is there something we can do to help?" Alex asked,

"N-N-No!" Scootaloo realised what she was doing and chuckled, "we're fine! Just a small food fight!"

"Hey Scootaloo," Whisper floated down to the kitchen area, "what's the ruckus?"

"Oh Whisper! There you are! Can you see if there's any Yo-Kai around?"

"Family fighting again?" Whisper sighed, "for the last time, that's your own problems. Stop trying to blame things on Yo-Kai."

"Just do it!" Scootaloo rasped, "I don't have time to pull out the watch!"

"Oh okay..." Whisper moaned, until something surprising hit him. "Oh! Looks like there is a Yo-Kai after all! Two of them in fact! And your little brother is their target!"

"Hang on a mo everypony!" Scootaloo announced to the guests, "I'll just do something first. Why don't you guys go upstairs? We've got a lot of things to kill time before dinner!"

"Okay..." Nate and the other agreed and left the room one by one. When the coast was clear, Scootaloo scanned the area above First to find two similar looking hats with swirly eyes attached to their heads along with teeth lining the opening of the hat for some strange reason. One green and one orange.

"Ho ho ho!" The green hat laughed, "looks like somepony can see us!"

"Duhuhuhuh!" The yellow one laughed, "that's a funny joke! Almost like that dance!"

"What about that last dance?" Scootaloo threatened,

"This is Wazzat and Dummkap. Once normal objects given sentient life in the form of spirits!" Whisper introduced, "the green hat Wazzat feeds upon memories of ponies and causes them to forget! Dummkap on the other hand, gives of this energy that causes someone to act very very dumb!"

"Sounds just like what they do!" Scootaloo replied, "hey guys! Can you stop having a laugh? No more funny business!"

"Why not?" Wazzat replied, "we had lots of fun inspiriting those seaweed friends of yours, and making them act dumb and dance to your even dumber dance!"

"I thought it would be a better laugh if we cause more trickery here!" Dummkap finished, and both broke into laughter.

"I see!" Scootaloo fumed, "no wonder why the Dancing Trio were shameless in doing such a silly trick that led them to their dancing defeat! I'll teach you to laugh at something that's funny! Come on out my friend!" Pulling out a mysterious medal, flipped it into the air.

"Calling Lafalotta!" Scootaloo announced, catching the medal. "Yo-Kai Medal, Do your thing!" And finally inserting it into the Watch.

"Summoning Mysterious!" The contraption released a ray of yellow light and played the Mysterious theme.

"Boo-shiggy Boo-shiggy Boogie-woogie! Cling Clang delirious mysterious!"

"Lafalotta! Ahahahaha!" Lafalotta posed, her hand close to her big mouth while laughing. "So soon young foals? How very interesting..."

"We've got a problem. Somepony needs to learn a difference between making ponies laugh and making ponies very VERY angry."

"Then you've called the right Yo-Kai!" Lafalotta deviously grinned, "I'll take away all their stupid laughter!" With a small gesture of her hands, streams of energy were extracted from the hats and into her mouth.

"Ho ho ho ho..." Wazzat's laughing tempo became slower and slower...

"Duhuhuhuhuh..." The same went with Dummkap's.

"..." Both hats fell silent as they stare at each other in thought.

"Well, that should shut them up."

"How dare you!" The hats sharply turned with a crazed glare at the filly. "You dare ruin OUR fun!?"

"W-Well!" Scootaloo shivered in shock, but still stood her ground "this is MY turf... And this is MY party... This is supposed to be fun for MY friends and I."

"Oh really!? Well you certainly like to talk tough!" Wazzat growled, "do you remember what you're messing with!?"

"Yo-Kai. Nothing new actually. I had tons of experience dealing with Yo-Kai under my belt now."

"Scootaloo! Mind your words!" Whisper warned, "they may be Yo-Kai, but they're Yo-Kai that can eat away your memories and make you act like a lunatic!"

"Oh..." Scootaloo pondered for a moment, then realised and remembered the current mood of those Yo-Kai, "oops? My bad..."

"Why you cocky little brat!" Dummkap glared, "how about we show you the feeling, when all that experience is completely forgotten, and that you can act as the dumb lunatic about Yo-Kai!"

"Come here!" Wazzat charged forward, "I'm going to eat all of your memories!"

"Aah!!!" Scootaloo barely dodged the teeth of the green hat in fright, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please don't eat my memories!"

"Too late!" Wazzat roared as he watched Wazzat tried to get a grip with his teeth. "I'm going to take away those memories! I might as well take away the memories of your entire life!!!"

"No! Don't do that either!" Scootaloo ducked and weaved, "that's even worse!"

"First, you'd better do something fast! Or she's going to forget that she has family and friends!" Whisper warned,

"Sorry about before..." First replied, a little shaken, "was I acting like an idiot again?"

"This wasn't your first time?"

"Sometimes, I do things that are dumb, because I really have no genuine idea or action on what to do." First chuckled, "it would normally annoy the others very much, but that's me!"

"Never mind that! Your sister!"

"I see..." First watched his sister stopping, dropping and rolling away from the grasp of the two hats. "She's not going to last long, she's going to need somepony to protect them."

"Who do you have in mind!?"

"Umm... Oh I know! Let's see them bite this!" First pulled out a medal from his medallium. "Sis! I'm going to slide a medal to you!"

"Who is it?" Scootaloo yelled back,

"Blowkade! The moment he comes out, tell him to block their path!"

"O-Okay!"

"Here goes nothing...!" First took a deep breath and slid the medal across the floor, and near Scootaloo's presence. In a mad dash and swerve, Scootaloo swiped up the medal and pulled out the watch.

"Come on out my friend!" Scootaloo rapidly spoke, "calling Blowkade! Yo-Kai medal, Do your thing!!!" Though under critical conditions, she managed to slip the medal into the watch.

"Summoning Tough!"

"Gruff stuff! Rough bluff! Red band, jacket stand, bling blang, Tough!" Blowkade danced with numerous poses of muscle display and tough growling with his intimidation of his spiky body.

"Blowkade!" Blowkade finished posing in a tough and muscular way.

"HiBlowkadeNicetomeetyou! SorryIcan'tgiveyoumygratitudeforcomingbackCanyouhelpblockprotectmeplease!?"

"Pardon?"

"PLEASE BLOCK THOSE HATS!!!" Scootaloo wailed,

"Oh! No time to waste then... You shall not pass!" Blowkade yelled as he crouched into an unshakable position and thrust his arms forward while expanding his spikes.

"BANG!" The sound of collision revealed that the two hats found their mouths sliding across wall of pulsating orange energy, preventing them from reaching their target.

"Mmmf! What is this!?" Wazzat yelled,

"This doesn't feel like pony flesh!" Dummkap cried, "all I can taste is fugu fish!"

"I... I..." Scootaloo slowed down to a halt, her breath and lungs, heavy with exhaustion. "Did you do it?"

"Do not worry young filly! I shall give it my all to block anything that means harm towards you!"

"I won't give up!!!" Wazzat growled, "I'll bite through this if I have to!"

"Relentless, I'll give you that..." First pulled out another tough medal and flipped it over, "here sis, this should weigh them down!"

"Okay then." Scootaloo caught the medal of Ledballoon. "Come on out my friend! Calling Ledballoon! Yo-Kai medal, do your thing!" Once again, the Watch emitted an orange pillar of light.

"Ledballoon!" The other blowfish Yo-Kai jumped out of the orange summoning light. "It's time to get heavy!"

"Yep!" Scootaloo nodded, "take these hats to the ground please!"

"No problem! Let's see if you can lift this!" Ledballoon taunted and with his inspiriting powers, the two hats felt a great increase in their mass and weight, and directly struck the ground.

"Oof!" Wazzat grunted as he went splat on the ground.

"Ow ow ow!" Dummkap yelped on the floor as if we was crushed by a barren of rocks.

"Why...?" Wazzat moaned, the aura of anger now replaced with sadness "why does everypony hate me? Why does everypony want to forget me?"

"What do you mean?" First asked,

"Do you remember? Wazzat and Dummkap are material objects that are given spirits! You can say that both of them were very good hats, probably left for a hundred years..."

"Too true..." Wazzat began to cry, "I was once the favourite hat of a young girl, and was worn almost every day! But as fashion changes, it caused her to turn away, place me into the darkest of cupboards, and the moment the doors to the light had closed, she completely forgot about me!"

"I can relate too..." Dummkap replied, "there was a very young boy who aspired to be a comedian, and he would always wear me for his skits. He was a brilliant joker and trickster, always using me for his most popular talent, pulling out dumb faces, poses and manners! But however, this made him the target of various bullies, and with every broken bone, he had fully regretted the path he took, called me the most dumbest hat that brought his image to ruin, and threw me into the rubbish dump!!!"

"After for so long, we managed to gain the ability to float around now, as well as having mouths and eyes!" Wazzat continued, "by some stroke of fate, we managed to meet each other. I heard the tale of Dummkap here, and I thought, why don't we become a comedy duo? We could be the great stars! The forgetful one, and the dumb one!"

"But nopony ever appreciates our jokes!!!" Dummkap bawled, tears streaming from his eyes, "we're just ghosts of what we used to be!"

"Oh... I didn't know about that..." First replied, "if that's really the case... Then I'm really sorry for what happened to you."

"You two..." Scootaloo sighed, "you just missed the party. You could have helped us with the laughing game this afternoon, you would have been a big show!"

"R-Really???" Wazzat sniffed,

"Yeah! But it's not like you should be unhappy now, you've been given a very special gift of becoming spirits. You do know that you stay like this for a very long time right?"

"Right..." Dummkap replied,

"I think it's really cool that you guys get to live forever! But with that life, you could always find some comedy duo around Springdale. You can make them shine brighter than they ever can!"

"Are you sure???"

"Yes..." Scootaloo held the hats together, "I understand where you came from. After all, I've gotten a firm grasp on what Yo-Kai are all about, so you can have my utmost support. I can be your friend! If I happen to stumble across some good comedy talent, I can give you a call and see if you like it!"

"..." The two hats looked at each other, then back to the filly. "O-Okay then, we trust you..." And once again, the two hats glowed blue, with the light turning into medals.

"Thanks for putting your faith in me you two." Scootaloo smiled as she held their medals, "I'll put my faith in you too."

"Well, I think that was a really great show!" Whisper applauded,

"Wait a minute!!!" Scootaloo remembered, "what about Flash!? Did he hear everything!?"

"Ooh..." Flash grumbled as he picked himself from the ground, "why does my head hurt?"

"Oh! You're awake! That's good to know!" First picked up his brother.

"" Scootaloo mouthed to her little brother. First just simply pointed to the back of his head and gave a whacking gesture of his hoof, followed with a sleeping gesture.

"" Scootaloo mouthed in anger, throwing up her arms in confusion and rage. First just put his hoof to his lips and shushed desperately.

"Hey guys???" A knock on the living room door, "are you okay in there?"

"Y-Yeah!" Scootaloo called back, "we're fine! Did we take too long???"

"Not at all!" The voice replied, "you've got plenty of things to keep us entertained up there, along with a few intriguing questions. We wondered if you were still alright."

"It's all okay." Scootaloo opened the door to her friends, "sorry about the small family scuttle, it's nothing too big. Just a joke gone wrong."

"Well then," Eddie suggested, "just make sure the joke comes at the right time." And the group piled back in,

"" Nate mouthed to Scootaloo, Scootaloo responded with a disappointed nod.

"Sorry about everything guys!" First replied, placing the neatly cut bamboo shoots into the cooking pot. "Dinner should be ready in about half a minute!"

"Where did you find that by the way?" Lucas asked,

"It was at the back of the fridge all along!" First replied, "my bad!"

After a very filling meal, the foals and fillies split into their own groups, ready for bed. Whilst the fillies were upstairs spreading gossips about things in Springdale and Equestria, with some board games to play, the young foals were downstairs with their sleeping bags pulled out, and were completely engrossed on the TV watching random shows or playing random games that Eddie brought along to play. Flash thought this would be a good time to let his young siblings have time with their friends and hit the sack early for tomorrow's work.

"You all know when to sleep right?" Flash asked the fillies,

"Yep!"

"Okay then, Goodnight and have fun!" Flash replied as he closed the door, only to hear the giggling from within to resume.

"And you guys?" Flash turned to the foals, who were all engrossed on a video game where it involved ponies racing with each other in mysterious wheeled motor contraptions. "You all know when to sleep right?"

"Yes boss!" Bear replied,

"Okay then, you have fun too. Goodnight!" Flash smiled back, as he retreated to his room, and slid the door closed.

"Ah, youth..." Flash sighed to himself, "how I envy to have a life as fun as this, instead of working all the time. Bah, no use complaining... Got a lot of work tomorrow, something that isn't as excruciating as a paranormal activities." He closed his eyes in prayer, "Goodnight Father... Goodnight Mother... I hope you are watching over us with Celestia..." And as he stretches himself out on his bed, he drifted away to sleep...

"..."

"... Bro..."

"... Big Bro?"

"BIG BRO!" A voice snapped into his mind, waking the slumbering stallion up.

"Ahh!" Flash flailed around, "what time is it!? Am I late!?"

"No you're not Flash, its 11pm, and your work starts at 7am tomorrow."

"O-Oh..." Flash calmed down, "that explains why it's still so dark..."

"That's exactly what we want to talk to you about..." The voice explained as the stallion fumbled for the light switch, only to realise that after a few toggles, the light would not illuminate, "... All the lights and TV were immediately shut down."

"Whai... What?" Flash raised his head, "you mean... A blackout?"

"If that's what it's called, I think the others were saying the same thing."

"It is," other voices replied in chorus.

"Ah, what an unexpected occurrence." Flash noted as his legs reached for the ground, "is everypony okay? First?"

"Right here," a voice replied,

"Scoots?"

"Over here!" Another,

"Nate?"

"Here!"

"Katie!"

"Yep!"

"Bear?"

"Alive!"

"Eddie?"

"Fine over here!"

"Alex!"

"Present!"

"Sarah?"

"I'm okay."

"Meg,"

"HERE!!!"

"And Lucas!"

"I'm good..."

"Okay then everypony, stay close. Do you have a light source that doesn't require magic to the house?"

"Well, I have my phone, but..." Alex's voice rang out, "... I got nothing, no battery power at all..."

"Hmm..." Flash pulled out a pager, "I just got this due to my work job. Let see if it works." But after a few button inputs, there was no response. "Strange, my pager isn't working either!"

"What should we do???" Katie asked, "all our current light sources don't work!"

"I'm afraid you're right... My trusty flashlight seems drained of battery..." Flash added, "but let's not panic... We do have a light source if I'm not mistaken... Can all of you see the moon?"

"Well, only faintly..." Bear replied, "but I don't know what's in front of me..."

"Use your peripheral vision." Flash instructed, "look to the sides of your eye. It may be a black and white image, and it is hard to get it on the first try, but try your best and huddle towards the window. I've got another alternative light source.

"Okay then..." First replied as the kids started huddling towards the balcony windows.

"Woah!" Nate slipped on his footing while in the darkness,

"Eddie, that's my foot!" Sarah growled, "watch where you're going!"

"Sorry..." Eddie moaned,

"Is... Is everypony here?" Nate asked, his silhouette blankly reflected by the moon, "T-Try to follow my voice."

"I can hear you Nate!" Bear carefully trudged, "I'm coming!"

"Everpony here now?" Lucas asked,

"I think that's all of us, I can see a little of your silhouettes. Hope it doesn't stay like that."

"It won't," Flash replied as a small flame was ignited on a matchstick, which rested itself onto a white surface. The flame passed a bigger flame onto the white surface and illuminated the red face of Flash.

"Big Bro! A candle! Who would have known?" Scootaloo smiled,

"Hey, there's got to be an alternative." Flash laughed, "I've got a few other candles here. Anypony needs to hold something?"

"I got it..." First volunteered, holding the base of the candle and sharing some flames off Flash.

"Well that's a relief!" Alex laughed with her face lit up by the red flames. "Wonder what's going on?"

"Then I believe we need to step out. Single file? Candle holders out at front." Flash replied,

"Got it..." First nodded.

Opening the door, the group piled out to a completely dark street with multiple sources of noise coming from every direction.

"Oh dear," Meg perceived, "this blackout is not just affecting us, but everypony else too!"

"This is a problem." Flash replied, "we need somepony to make contact with the electrical magic department. Otherwise, the magic here will go awry..."

All of a sudden, all the electric poles began to make cracking and sizzling noises, until it unleashed a fury of ferocious lightning sparks and strikes all around the wires that connect from pole to pole, as well as striking the ground. Although it provided a small light for everypony enough to see, it scared them all to the bone. What became silence of confusion turned into screams of horror and desperation for safety.

"Be careful everypony! Retreat back into the house now!" Flash commanded. The group wasted no time and quickly slammed the door away from the vicious electricity.

"What just happened? Tell me that that was just a freak accident!" Eddie gasped with fear,

"Wh-What's going on now?" Nate whimpered, "I-I didn't sign up for this!"

"Nate, get a grip!" Alex scolded, "You're not a crybaby!"

"I've never seen something like this before..." Flash gasped, "did I perhaps jinx us?" The moment Scootaloo heard the words about 'something new', her mind immediately changed her thinking to 'Must be a Yo-Kai!'.

"First! Nate! Over here!" Scootaloo gestured, with the two foals crawling towards her, the filly opened the watch and peered through the lens to see a horrific sight. Miniature little creatures that had the colour of yellow and black were happily hopping around the wires and carrying bits of the electrical energy all around the place. Some even threw them down on the ground to create a lightning strike at some unsuspecting ponies, causing them to scream even more and run in different directions. This figure laughed like crazy as it saw the ponies freaking out at their own work.

"Why that no good little--!"

"Wait! Not just them... Look over there!" First pointed towards a few of the mini creatures carrying some energy past some creatures that look similar to them, but chubbier, and placing their energy before a chubby version of the creature in blue. Who began monstrously munching down on the electricity.

"Who are those guys?" Nate asked,

"Can you get Whisper to check the Yo-Kai Pad?" First asked,

"He's freaking asleep!!! I tried to wake him up so many times! That blasted butler of ours! But I'll take the Yo-Kai Pad off him!" Galloping up the stairs, she grabbed a hold of the sleeping, floating Whisper and pulled his top head out to grab the Yo-Kai Pad from within. Tapping at the screen, the Yo-Kai Pad refused to turn on. In frustration, she held down the on/off button on the side of the Yo-Kai Pad, but a screen had never appeared.

"Damn it!" Scootaloo bellowed, "even the Yo-Kai Pad isn't working!" She rushed downstairs to report the results. "Yo-Kai Pad is out of energy! I bet those things are behind that, and the light sources too!"

"First! Scoots! Nate! What on earth are you talking about!?" Flash called out to them,

"It's nothing!" First replied, "quick, call somepony!"

"Come on out my friend!" Scootaloo complied, performing her summoning sequence, "Calling Jibanyan! Yo-Kai medal, Do your thing!"

"Summoning Charming!"

"Alarming! Boom Boom! Walla Walla, Dance dance! Charming!"

"Jibanyan!" Jibanyan posed, before being groggily tired and dizzy,

"What's the myatter guys?" Jibanyan moaned, "I was having a nice dream! Aren't you supposed to be sleeping too?"

"We could but..." Scootaloo pointed at the endless group,

"Oh! So that's why!" Jibanyan replied, "nyo worries! I'll tyake them down for ruining my beauty sleep nya I'm a gonna sock that Blue beast!" And kicking the balcony window open, Jibanyan mightily pounced towards the Statiking, ready to pummel the blob.

"Paws, of, fuwaaa!!!!" Jibanyan's attack was interrupted as multiple lightning bolts struck the ferocious feline, and dropped him on the ground, leaving behind a very charred body."

"Ooh... This hurts so muccchhhhh..." Jibanyan twitched, "I feel so numb... And dizzy..."

"Oh dear," Scootaloo quickly closed the door, "I don't feel like recovering him. Maybe I'll call him back using the watch."

"What's going on!?" Flash demanded, "why did the window open?"

"It's nothing!" Scootaloo replied,

"We need some plan to take down those things. I don't think we can attack them all!"

"But what can we do?" First asked, "... Oh I know! We've got our own tactician!"

"Pardon?" Flash asked, the siblings turned around with the most innocent of smiles,

"Hey Flash, say somepony is causing a problem like this, using his magic to make the electricity go haywire, but he's got a lot of goons protecting him, who can control a minor amount. What should be the plan of attack?"

"Well..." Flash replied, "It's dangerous with all this electricity in the way, but perhaps if you enter in sneakily..." Flash assessed the situation outside, "you need to find a way to distract the goons, and come out alive if possible, then find some way to make the leader refrain or absorb all of his electrical magic back. That's pretty much it,"

"Okay then, thanks!"

"Are you wanting to try this plan of attack?" Flash asked with curiosity, "I mean, I can tell you've placed yourselves in very dangerous situations, but when I'm around, I don't think this is a good idea."

"Don't worry Flash..." Scootaloo laughed, "why would we?"

"Okay then..." Nate whispered, "plan time. So we need something to distract those guys... Do we have anything or anypony that can do that?"

"Hmm... Actually, I can think of a few..." First smiled as he took his medallium and scrolled through the pages. "I think two should suffice, assuming they don't directly contact them..."

"Okay then, and what about the big guy???" Nate asked, "Something to make the big beast eat everything..."

"Eat everything???" Scootaloo gasped, "That's easy!!!"

Towering over the residential district, the numerous little figures known as Signibble were gleefully having fun with all of the unstable energy, whether it's eating some, taking heaps and bundles to carry, or just throwing them down on the frightened ponies all around.

"Zap zap!" One Signibble laughed,

"Hee hee hee!" Another sniggered, "scaredy ponies go zap when we zap them!!!"

"Ha ha ha!!!" A third Signibble chomped down on the electricity "so delicious!"

"No!" A fourth slapped the third, "we're saving this for our master Statiking!"

"Hoy you lot!" A chubby version of the Signibble, known as a Signiton hopped over, "feeding first, pranks later! Fork all you've collected over! And they'd better be the best!"

"Yes foreman Signiton!" The Signibbles replied as they dumped a pile of energy onto a special basket slung over Signiton's shoulders.

"Alright lazy bums, get back to work!" Signiton replied as he walked along the wires to the blue Statiking.

"Here you go master," the Signiton offered, "best of the best." The blue beast took a small piece of electric and popped it into his mouth. Crunching and munching it whole to savour the taste, the Statiking immediately wolfed down everything that the Signibbles gathered.

"Delicious!" Statiking burped, "I want you to commend the ones who collected these energy... By giving them more work!!! That also means you too, get on with it!"

"Yes sir!" Signiton saluted and quickly hurried back,

"Zap zap!!!" The four Signibbles continued collecting and piling up their salvaged bolts of electrical magic, until the third one decided to have fun, and toss a bunch at another, frying him with surprise.

"Hey!" The first Signibble growled, "what was that for?"

"Zap zap!" The third Signibble laughed, "it's fun seeing ponies get zapped, but I think it's even better when you get zapped!"

"Why you! You won't get away that easy!"

"Oh please!" The Third Signibble pulled a cute face, "please forgive me love doughnuts!"

"D-Doughnuts!?" The first Signibble blushed, "w-well... I-I guess there's no problem done..."

"Thank you! Heh heh heh..." The Signibble sniggered once again, and tossed a few more at his other co-workers.

"Hey! What's the big idea!?!?" The group replied in chorus,

"Oh! Forgive me love doughnuts!" The Signibble replied, making the same face again.

"Hey! That's a one-off incident, but you don't get to use the same trick twice!" The first Signibble noted,

"What on the Yo-Kai World is going on here!?" The Signiton foreman came back, "the master wants more energy! So hop to it!!!"

"Hey Foreman???" The Signibble called, "I QUIT!!!" And grasping a stream of electricity like a hose, he unleashed a splash down of high volatile energy and swung it all around. Zapping and charring the Foreman, and every other electric Yo-Kai in the surroundings.

"HOW DARE YOU!!!" The foreman replied, seething with anger along with the other victims of the hose down, "A cute face isn't going to save you now!!!"

"Ha ha ha!!! Try and catch me love doughnuts!!!" Signibble laughed as he ran away with the angry electrifying horde chasing him down.

"What's going on over there?" Another Signiton foreman watched the incident,

"It seems to me that one of the Signibble is getting tired of working and beginning to prank others." Another spoke,

"Oh... It's that guy again. Is it?" The first Signiton replied, "sucks to be that guy..."

"Yeah, speaking of which..." The second spoke, "you look really electrifying tonight."

"Really? Why thank you!"

"I don't know... There's something about you that wants me to know about you a lot..."

"You think so?"

"Yeah... Can you... Can you teach me on how you look so cool?" The second Signiton pleaded up close,

"Woah! Back off a little! I can smell your breath!"

"Hey foreman!" A third hopped by, "you looking real good today!"

"I-I see... Can you help get this guy of me?"

"Why?" The third asked, "he's got the hots for you,"

"WHAT!?"

"As do I..." The third one grinned. One by one, the Signiton foremen became enamoured with this sole Signiton, and little by little, he felt very VERY uncomfortable.

"Guys... Please... Can you stay away from me?"

"Of course not!" The Signiton replied, "You're so popular!"

"Gahh!!!" The Signiton ran for his life, "Please! Stop! Get away from me! Argh!!!"

"We just want to know how popular you are!" The Signiton replied giving chase. With two big incidents involving all Signibble and Signiton, Statiking was all left alone

"H-Hey!" Statiking roared, "where are you blokes going!? Get back here and work and... Ooh... There's so much unstable electricity around here... And I'm feeling VERY hungry!!!" Standing up, the blue beast began devouring all the wild electricity around the electrical poles and wires, moving as quickly as a cheetah. With every path he takes, no stray bolt of electrical currents were left behind on the wires and poke as the beast chomped down every Volt and Ampere down.

"Munch munch munch!!!" Statiking gobbled as he savagely grabbed fistfuls of electricity and shoved it down his mouth without taking the time to chew. "Yummy!!!" By the time Statiking decided it was too much to eat and to take a break, every single electrical pole and wire was quiet without any more sparks.

"Ohh... I think that was too much... My stomach hurts..."

"Now Jibanyan! Do your worst!" Scootaloo commanded from the house.

"All right!!!" Jibanyan pounced one more time, fully healed from his injuries.

"Yep!" First punched the air in support, "it's time--"

"--For the--" Nate added,

"PAWS OF FURY!!!" The three boys yelled together.

"NYANYANYANYANYANYANYANYANYA!!!" Jibanyan cried as he unleashed his signature move against large beast, pummelling him with the hardest of paws.

"Aargh!" Statiking yelped in pain as the finishing punch sent him a few centimetres back. "Caught me off guard... When I was full."

"Nyo more messing with electricity nyan!" Jibanyan commanded, "it's time you are 'grounded'!"

"I heard that Jibbers!" Scootaloo hollered,

"Hey! That's my nickname for him!" First replied,

"But you rarely use it now... Can't we share?"

"Heh heh heh..." Statiking grinned, "you think, just because I ate more than I should, that I'm a weak spot?"

"Well I'm always ready if you're looking for a gruesome beatdown!"

"Fool!!!" Statiking bellowed, his body emitting countless streams of lightning. "You forget that electrical magic is my power, my energy, my fearsome strength!!!" He pointed at Jibanyan, "and I have yet to show you my power with Electricity!!!"

"Uh oh..." Scootaloo gulped, "we did NOT plan for this..."

"My electricity powers run different than the Signibble and Signiton. Wheras they unleash all their electrical fury, mine absorbs and converts the electrical magic of your life!!!"

"Uhh..." Jibanyan began to lose confidence,

"But now that I've eaten, I'm all fired up!!!" Statiking replied, "enough to keep me going and for you to feel the wrath of my power!!! Kaaaaa!!!" With a tough pose, the enemy Statiking began to charge. The electrical energy surrounding him began forming around and pulsating dangerously. The sounds of electricity crackled all around, like the loudest of firecrackers, causing everypony to cover their ears in desperation.

"I shall sizzle you to ash!!!" Statiking yelled, "Giga---"

"RUN JIBANYAN!!!" First screamed as loud as he could,

"I don't wanna! I don't wanna!!!" A familiar voice echoed over everything as a small plume of smoke made its way into the beast's nostrils, causing him to freeze in his movements and in turn, snap his concentration.

"Wait a minute..." Scootaloo uncovered her ears to hear that the electrical echoes were not deafening to the ears anymore, not to mention that the electrical storm around Statiking and dissipated.

"I... I don't want to do this anymore..." Statiking moaned, "I'm so hungry, and tired... I'm going to go to bed!" And disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.

"Are you guys okay?" D'Wanna floated over to the foals,

"D'Wanna! You, you..." Scootaloo gasped,

"I saw everything," D'Wanna replied, "how the Signibble began causing trouble, as well as the distraction of the popular Signiton, not to mention the ever gluttonous Statiking. All your Yo-Kai friends had helped prevent this electrical chaos from causing dangerous harm to ponies!"

"Well... We got our friends to thank for that, not to mention our big bro for his tactics." First replied,

"But I wasn't expecting Statiking to go like that. I didn't want any of your friends to be harmed by that no good electrical bug, so I did what I did best."

"Oh D'Wanna, you actually saved us!" Scootaloo replied,

"Well, I'm still trying hard be your friend!" D'Wanna replied,

"I think you've done more than that!" Shmoopie, Cupistol, Hungramps and Jibanyan returned to the house, "saving us just because you want to be our friends?"

"It may sound selfish when you say it," Scootaloo replied, "but I can tell you legitimately want to be friends. Here's the catch. Will YOU be OUR friend instead?"

"I don't wanna--- NO. NO! Or I mean, YES!" D'Wanna smiled with joy, "I DO wanna be your friend!!!"

"Then it's settled!" Scootaloo smiled back "Welcome to our team! Friend!"

"Yeah... I wanted to be your friends..." D'wanna wept, tears of joy streaming down his face. As proof of a new friendship, a blue light surrounded D'Wanna and it formed itself to become a medal. Scootaloo caught the medal as it fell, and held it to D'Wanna to repeat the fact that they are friends.

"Oh!" First remembered, "our pals and brother!" He turned to the group, "guys... I'm really sorry about how this sleepover turned out... It was supposed to be a fun party but... With all these incidents, I don't know how to apologise."

"What do you mean?" Alex asked, "cheer up First! There's always next time!"

"Besides," Bear replied, "It's a very rare occurrence that we get to see this mysterious incidents, especially that blackout and electrical problem! I'd say that's, although weird and dangerous, is exhilarating to see!"

"Besides, we'll have plenty of time in the morning to do other things before we actually have to go back." Sarah replied,

"So... Are you guys actually having fun?" First asked,

"Yeah!" Katie replied,

"Of course!" Eddie agreed,

"Yes siree!" Meg answered,

"Well... I'll say things did turn out really weird. But it's fun that I haven't felt for in a long time." Lucas extended, "thanks for inviting me."

"First, Scoots and Nate, may I have a word with you?" Flash asked, the three huddled away from the group and came to a very quiet discussion.

"I just can't help but see how you were constantly looking outside at the Electrical storm..." Flash noted, "and you seemed to be yelling out at something..."

"Well... Maybe there are some brave ponies who came up to stop this!"

"Or it could be supernatural beings once again. However, your case seems to be the most unlikely, because instead of yelling for help, you were yelling commands. It looks like you were expecting certain forces to stop this incident. Something that I can't see."

"Uh..." First gulped, "yeah, it's supernatural activity. What about it?"

"Nothing really, since it somehow is the answer to most of the cases now. I'm concerned about something else..."

"What's your question?" Scootaloo asked,

"This may sound like a very childish question, but were you yelling outside the window, because you can... See the supernatural?"

"Uh..." First replied, "what's your depiction?"

"Like I said, it's a childish question, but it's the only simple thing that I can come to that requires your answer. Of course, another tidbit is about who you're yelling at. The supernatural responsible for the blackout, or the supernatural that was trying to pre-"

"FORGETABOUTIT!" Wazzat appeared from behind and chomped on the Guard's head.

"Woah! Argh!!! Ahhh ha ha haha... Ooh..." Flash's eyes spun as he stumbled and flailed around in dizziness and laughter. Spitting it out, Wazzat took a breath as steam poured out of his hat eyes...

"Huh..." Flash replied, "the electrical storm's over! Thank goodness... These supernatural really are mischievous as stated in the folklore..."

"Wazzat?" First turned back his older sister, holding out her Yo-Kai Watch, as well as the medal of Wazzat. "Oh no..."

"I didn't know that he was observing us!" Scootaloo reasoned,

"You erased his memories!!!" Nate bellowed, "why!?"

"Only just the part where he noticed us!"

"Sis... That was cruel beyond measure. Don't use Yo-Kai to cover up for us, even if it's for the best for both sides."

"I know what I did. And I'll receive my punishment in the form of Terror Time." Scootaloo replied,

"Ow!" Nate winced as a bright flash of light illuminated the entire household, as with every other in the district.

"Ah, looks like the lights are back to normal." Flash noted. Aside from the lights, the T.V screen also turned back on, revealing a show that the fillies and Flash would have least expected to display.

"Stay tuned on the after hours channel!" The Next HarMEOWny members announced, "cause we're going to have some real fun!" And began giggling.

"Uhh..." The foals stood still in sheer terror.

"..." Flash's jaw dropped in silence.

"Eh... Heh heh heh..." Eddie chuckled,

"YOU INSOLENT, INSENSITIVE FOOLS!!!" Flash roared,

"AAAHHH!!!" The boys screamed,

"Well?" Scootaloo asked, "was it bad?"

"Naw, not really. Flash did say that well... It's natural for a stallion to have interest in a mare sometimes, so we're sort of off the hook. He will try to make sure to create some security measures on the TV next time."

"You know, there's a word for that the girls taught me... I think it was called 'Pervert'? Yeah, don't become one. Mum and dad wouldn't be happy, Flash wouldn't be happy, and I'd sure as Tartarus wouldn't be happy to have a family member like that."

"Okay okay, I get the idea. I'll try to resist temptation next time."

"But I'm curious, what did you watch? I mean, ponies don't always wear clothes and all but..."

"To be honest, I still really didn't know what was going on either. Either the others know about mature things, or they're just what you say they are 'Perverts'."

"Oh! I forgot to mention, you know that Signibble that Shmoopie inspirited?"

"What about it?"

"He found out from Shmoopie that we were Shmoopie's friend, so he wants to give his thanks for forcing him to leave his job. It comes with his medal too."

"That's awesome! Pity we can't see it now, it's only just the two of us!"

"Well, since we're all alone, we can relax and ponder and share our bad conduct!"

"Garga..." A dreadful voice echoed throughout the grey, cloudy atmosphere.

"... Or maybe we can save that for another time, and focus on getting out... Wonder if we'll bump into Suspicioni and Leadoni?"

"We are friends, but they have a duty to carry out. So let's not get them into any trouble with their boss."

"Sounds like a great idea!"

"THERE YOU ARE!!!" A red hulking beast stood towering over them.

"Oh! Gargaros! I didn't know you can talk!" Scootaloo greeted, "good to see you again!"

"... Do you honestly think I just say my name all the time?" Gargaros asked with a disappointed look,

"Sorry, it was just first impressions." First apologised, "why don't we get to know more about each other now?"

"Right here right now? Sure!" Gargaros calmed down "I'm happy to share where I came from, my family, my job, the glory of King Enma, I can tell you everything about myself and my life." Suddenly, he dangerously swung his giant, spike-studded club, "AND I'M GOING TO START WITH THIS!!!"

"RUN!!!!" The siblings yelled in fear and they immediately bolted away from his surroundings.

"GARGA!!!" Gargaros roared as he gave chase.

Chapter 6: The Mystery of Ms Frost

Down in the depths of an unknown world...

"Who enters the gate!?"

"Oh Great Chairman... I am here to discuss some news if you so wish it."

"Speak adviser..."

"I believe matters have taken a turn against our favour." The adviser spoke, "attacks from the resistance of Enma are becoming more frequent, and many of our troop numbers and followers are beginning to decrease. Our scouts report its leader doing most of the dirty work."

"The wretched snake!" The Chairman slammed his fist, "he may be powerful and loyal but he can't hold off our entire army forever, and especially if I come to fight him personally!"

"Do you wish to take him down now?"

"That can wait for later though, he'll be cornered once I take over the Pony World."

"I'm afraid that progress is also in a bind."

"I know that! Losing Massiface is the last thing I want to hear from you again!"

"Sir, the ones responsible for Massiface's fall, we've been keeping tabs on them with a lot of discretion."

"And why's that?"

"Two outcomes will happen when our scouters are caught during observation. The Resistance Leader will unleash his serpent fury, or the 'Guardian' will throw an endless sea of flames. Our Yo-Kai are obliterated either way."

"Well, what did the surviving scouts get!?"

"I'm sure you know by now, that those responsible are ponies that seem to know the existence of our kind, thanks to THAT. Using THAT, they have managed to keep a lid upon any Yo-Kai that seems to wreak havoc on their own accord. Since Massiface, many of the Yo-Kai are beginning to be mindful of their conduct when those mentioned ponies are around, and that has led to less chaos within the world. If this continues, may lose the window of a surprise attack."

"... I did not want you to come here with bad news and putrid words. You'd better squive me something good, or you'll regret it!"

"In that case sir, I'm sure that we have our sightings on the 'key'."

"Is that so? Please enlighten me."

"A pony in the early stages of his life. He acts without any proper knowledge about our kind. Should we nab him, then we can make sure that you can fully ascend the throne without any obstacles."

"Yes..." The Chairman grinned, "yes... Looks like it's time to get serious..."

"I assume that your power and influence are able to stretch through both worlds?"

"Of course! I have many followers to dispense on my command, and I'll make sure that they will crush the resistance directly! As for the Pony World... I have a few Yo-Kai wrapped around my tentacles. I've made sure those freeloaders are well rewarded as long as they make the Ponies suffer. As for those who decline my offers, well... They can't do that now, can we?"

"Of course. Your power drives them insane, and under your will?"

"These ponies think they won't have to suffer. I'll make sure they regret it by throwing at them the worst of the worst."

"I assume that you are going to use her?"

"The poor lass thinks that she can escape me, but I'll twist her mind and make sure that she's the cold-blooded psycho that keeps the entire Pony population at bay. Any chance of messing with her, and it's a new addition to the Yo-Kai World!"

"I see... And how long will this be?"

"Let's see them handle things for a week. Near the end of the period, we can tackle the biggest of our problems! We'll retrieve the key, take out the resistance, and I'll see to that personally too. Keeping it like that for a week will push the lass to the limits, but who cares? She's done her job anyway: She's nothing but a ruthless killer. If something goes wrong, then we can send more of our devotees to harass the Ponies! Getting them into the Pony world is no skin off my back."

"I understand." The adviser bowed, "and what of the two ponies that know of our existence? For your information, those ponies are in the same stage of life as the key..."

"Well, it's their fault for interacting with us with that blasted watch, and it's too late for them to turn back now... They can be lumped in to deal with the snow witch."

"I understand..."

"They'll think twice before dealing with her... By the time this plan passes without fail... Their souls will be extinguished!"

Deep in focus, First concentrated his movements as he swayed from side to side, clapping his hooves and slowly spinning around in a form of a slow spiritual dance performed by traditional Neighponese dancers.

"Hey! Not bad for a foreigner!" Komasan complimented as he assessed the foal's moves.

"It's a slow dance considering what I had to go through back home. So it's definitely a nice change!" First gave his thoughts,

"Us folks call this dance the Bon-Odori!" Komajiro explained, "It's a dance to call upon the spirits!"

"Is that so? How... Interesting, considering that you're spirits teaching a dance of the spirits."

"Hey First!" Scootaloo slammed open the front door, "and hello to you too Koma brothers! City life treating you well?"

"Ah'm gettin' used to it!" Komasan replied, "The toy company's goin jus' great!"

"Oh! You mean Dandai right?" First asked, "They've been stacking the toy shelves with the latest ideas of their products!"

"It's a rocky business..."

"Anyway sis, where are you going?"

"Timers & More. I feel like it's time to get the watch upgraded."

"Wanting to find stronger Yo-Kai?"

"I'm not so sure about that. We've faced powerful Yo-Kai like Massiface and Statiking and whatnot. Rather than just find powerful Yo-Kai as well as find those responsible for Flash's job, I don't know... Despite them irritating our everyday lives, I can't help but feel that they got problems of their own. I want to help them live a, you know, a happy life for as long as they live, which would be longer than us since they're Yo-Kai."

"I see..."

"It doesn't matter whether they are Yo-Kai that has immeasurable strength, a wealth of knowledge, or things that could prove very useful to us. I want to find more Yo-Kai, so we can befriend them genuinely, and make sure that they have a good time living in the Pony World. That's my decision on upgrading the Watch."

"Who are you, and what have you done with my Older Sister?"

"First!" Scootaloo replied, feeling offended.

"Just kidding. Those types of words are exactly who my Older Sister is. I just finished dancing with the brothers, so I'll join you!"

"Feel free to call us if ya want another dance First! And you can join us too Scoots!" Komajiro spoke, "see y'all next time!"

"Bye!!!" The Siblings waved as the Koma brothers hopped over the fence and made their way home.

"Shall we go now?" First asked,

"Let's get Whisper and Jibanyan." Scootaloo answered, "then we go."

Within the clock shop, the old Clock maker was casually discussing matters with a customer, as the siblings strolled in with bags of candy from Granny Edna's Sweet Shop, as well as the Scooter, parked near the door.

"Hello Mr Goodsight!"

"Oh!" The two ponies jumped,

"Oh I'm sorry." First apologsied, "we're you still in the middle of a job?"

"Oh no." The customer replied with soft and gentle voice, "not at all. We were just casually speaking as friends."

"Wow..." Whisper whistled as he looked at the fair customer, dressed in oriental Neighponese garments depicting light blue and white. It was an earth pony with a calm coat color of light blue and white, the very same colours of her garments. Her mane of brown consists of a mane bun, and was arranged in a way on the right side, had soft, triangle-end strands, with the left side flowing down like water from a fountain. Finally her eyes were of a deep blue iris, and a small white pupil within the middle. "She's very beautiful!"

"W-Wow!" Scootaloo's eyes widened at the mare before them, "you're very beautiful!"

"Why thank you dear." The mare smiled, "I was unsure if I did my hair, or put on my makeup right for today, but thanks for the compliment!"

"It's good to see you again young 'uns. How have you been? And what can I do for you?"

"We've been fine Mr Goodsight. We just thought we'd stop by for an upgrade of our watch."

"Is that so?" Mr Goodsight spoke, "well, let's see how it's doing!"

"Here you go sir!" Scootaloo complied, placing the watch on the counter.

"My!" Mr Goodsight held the watch, inspecting it from top to bottom. "You've been taking good care of this! You've been using this very frequently I presume?"

"I sure have been, I've been relying on it ever since!"

"Hmm..." Mr Goodsight peered at the watch, then at the siblings. "I can definitely give this watch the next upgrade. But..."

"Oh, we'll pay you if need be." First interrupted,

"Oh no no! Money isn't the issue here, not at all! I just want to see if you're... Ready for the upgrade."

"Do you need another job that needs done?" First asked, "and please something that doesn't involve hot water again..."

"Well, I wouldn't say exactly me, but this fair mare does!" Mr Goodsight pointed to the blue mare.

"Oh! Is that so? Nice to meet you uh..."

"You may call me Ms Frost." The mare greeted, "I'm the owner of Frostia's Place in Downtown Springdale. Have you been there before?"

"Is it that bar that was open at night? Behind the building under construction?" First asked,

"Correct." Ms Frost nodded with another smile, "it seems you know your places well."

"Th-Thank you." First scratched his head in embarrassment. "For the compliment."

"What is it that you need our help for?" Scootaloo continued,

"I am looking for a certain medical herb that can help alleviate your mental reserves. Mr Goodsight is very knowledgeable about herbs, and told me that plenty of them grow near Catfish Pond in Mt Wildwood."

"You can't buy them in stores?" First asked,

"Not as of now." Mr Goodsight replied, "There's going to be a medicine store that will open down the road in the months to come. So I had to do most of the herb gathering and researching myself."

"Is it a hobby that you do?" Scootaloo replied,

"Naw. Even I need some whenever I have medical problems, physically or mentally. You know, since age is catching up with me and all."

"I see..."

"So then," First asked, "do you want us to get some for you Ms Frost?"

"That would be lovely." Ms Frost answered,

"If you can do that," Mr Goodsight informed, "I'll be happy to upgrade your watch without any other strings!"

"Sure! We'll do it!" The siblings agreed,

"Aww..." Ms Frost blushed, "you two are so cute together. Are you perhaps siblings?"

"Yeah! I'm Scootaloo, the older one here."

"And I'm First Base! The younger one here!"

"We'll be back!" The siblings replied in unison as Scootaloo grabbed her scooter and waved goodbye as they exited the front door.

"My my! They're even more adorable when in unison!" Ms Frost giggled,

"I'm pretty sure that it was just luck." Mr Goodsight laughed, "And I'm quite surprised that they immediately took the job. I'll assume that they know what the actual herb looks like. I bet they'll be back, heh heh..."

"In that case, I'll be heading off now."

"You sure you don't want to wait? I've got refreshments!"

"No don't worry! I'll know when they come back." Ms Frost chuckled as she strolled out the door.

"Hey Scoots!" First yelled over the wind speeding through their faces, "that's the first time I've heard you complement somepony on how beautiful she is!"

"You can blame Whisper for that!" Scootaloo yelled back, "of all Yo-Kai, I would expect him not to flirt straight away!"

"It's a compliment!" Whisper followed behind, "and I mean it! She really is pretty!!! Those eyes, clothes, mane, colour!!!"

"Ugh... That's disgyusting." Jibanyan choked, "too bad she's a pony."

"Oh be quiet you!!!"

"In that case, what do YOU think about her Scoots?" First asked,

"Well..." Scootaloo gave it some thought, "I won't deny that she's got some charm. And that smile too! It's so sweet!"

"Yeah..." First added, "I mean, is it me? Or do I feel a pleasant air around her?"

"I can feel it too!" Scootaloo replied, "the perfect temperature of cold. Hmm..."

"Maybe we should visit Frostia's Place one day." First suggested, "I heard that she serves the finest of snacks!"

"Oh!" Whisper gasped, "then you'd better invite me along too!"

"Well..." Scootaloo shrugged, "feel free to come. I mean, nopony can see you!" This group laughed as they sped through the Springdale roads and pavements, heading north to the direction of Mt Wildwood.

Arriving at the base, the group got off the scooter and decided to walk up the staircase manually. Approaching the Wildwood Shrine, the group stopped for a moment to bring back some memories.

"Hey," Scootaloo asked, as she stared at the wooden archway gate leading into the giant tree, the place where Whisper and the siblings first met, "you think that capsule machine is still there?"

"It is," Whisper nodded, "It's known as the Crank-a-kai!"

"The Crank-a-kai eh?" First replied, "interesting name, but fits the ghostly theme."

"Do you think... Like how we found you... That we can...?" Scootaloo suggested,

"You can!" Whisper nodded, "and what's more, there are powerful Yo-Kai sealed in there that are one of a kind! Or so the rumours say..."

"Really? It sounds very interesting... Can you explain further?"

"Comes with an interesting story. Eight Yo-Kai were known for their fearsome power, and have different alignments of morality! Some wanted order, some were neutral, and others were chaotic. Regardless of their intentions, they caused havoc with the powers they acquired. It was so bad that an Oni was tasked to stop them!"

"Oni? You mean Suspicioni and Tantroni-wise, or Gargaros wise?" Scootaloo asked,

"Latter."

"Wow!"

"This Oni tried to tame the eight with might of his own, and succeeded without any effort. However it seems that this Oni became crazed along the way, and ended up decimating everything and everypony, a billion times worse than the 8! Tasked to protect the peace, he ended up destroying it!"

"Crazy!"

"And for once, the 8 had decided put their differences aside, and face a common enemy, whether it's revenge, protection and yada yada. It was an arduous rematch, but it was one where the 8 Yo-Kai became victorious!"

"Good on them!"

"In the end, they sealed the Oni into someplace unknown, and nopony was able to find that location."

"Where could it be?"

"Anything with a seal!" Whisper replied, "and it could be any object or pony in the world!"

"What happened to the 8 Yo-Kai?"

"They decided to go their separate ways, or return to their old habits. Either way, their actions had inspired some ponies to take up spiritual arms, and ended up sealed away for eternity."

"Then uh... How do you know that they are in the Crank-a-Kai?"

"They we're sealed away long before I was, it's a story in Neighpon. How they got here to Equestria though, I have no idea."

"I bet the 8 Yo-Kai would make great friends, don't you think so Scoots?" First asked,

"Breaking their seal won't be enough." Whisper warned, "You'd better give a good reason why they should be your friend, lest they silence you for knowing their existence, or worse!"

"I can't think of anything else worse than losing your life..." Scootaloo gulped,

"A Beetle-Lord/God of War, A white kitsune of ice, A Robotic Spirit of Gold, A Demonic Princess of the Netherworld, A Goddess-like spirit that loves all, A devilish imp responsible for toothache, An immortal beauty, and the Dark Shadow of the Serpent Warrior. Still interested in being friends with the 8?" Whisper described,

"Uhh... Maybe not..." First shuddered,

"Then let's get finished with the job!" Whisper replied, "you wouldn't want to keep the lovely Ms Frost waiting!"

Going to the left of the temple and heading further up the mountain, the large Catfish Pond was revealed to the party's eyes. The pond was large that was rife and packed with many species of fish within the slightly murky waters.

"This feels very peaceful!" Scootaloo noted as she touched the water. The fish schools desperately broke apart sporadic directions as the touch of the water caused a disturbing ripple in the peaceful water. "I'd like to fish here one day..."

"Perhaps some other time," First replied, "and if we get fishing poles. Do you know where the herbs are exactly located?"

"Hmm... Now that you mention it, I don't think we received any information about the herb..." Scootaloo gulped, "looks like we dun goofed! Oops!"

"Should we go back and ask about it?" First asked,

"Actually, why don't we ask the Yo-Kai that live around here? We could probably get a lot of useful information!"

"Well I certainly didn't think about that, good idea!" First replied,

"Then let's start searching!" Scootaloo replied as she pulled out the Watch and scanned the pond and its surroundings. "Hmm... I don't seem to sense anypony around the pond."

"Then let's go up the stream!" First suggested, "perhaps there are Yo-Kai that are close to the pond's source!"

Taking the suggestion to mind, the siblings followed the path of the stream to make their way towards the summit source. With every step, the light of the Yo-Kai Watch flickered through every possible areas in trees, the stream, the rocks, the grass, but nothing has ever turned up. Whisper also tried his best searching around, for Yo-Kai he could spot and give the information to, but he wasn't having much luck either.

"Perhaps everypony here must have gone for a vacation or something..." Whisper sighed,

"Not surprised, since Yo-Kai like you and Jibbers lead very free-spirited lives that aren't what Ponies would expect from spirits..."

"Please, we have lives too you know." Whisper rasped,

"Won't argue with that." Scootaloo answered.

A few seconds later of trotting and searching, a firm aura tickled Scootaloo's senses as she froze solid in place.

"Stop." Scootaloo spoke to the other two.

"What's going on?" First asked,

"Do you feel it?"

"I don't feel anything..." First replied, checking to see if anything touched him.

"This power, it feels like a mountain..." Scootaloo described as she focused,

"I can't feel anything sis, are you telling me there's a Yo-Kai around here?"

"Yeah." Scootaloo scanned her watch at a certain area with smooth rock. "Right... There!" Scootaloo uncovered a mountain-bodied bipedal figure of red and black, with sturdy orange arms and legs, a yellow rope and dark green loincloth, and a very tough and intimidating face.

"Hey! It's a mountain-like Yo-Kai!" Scootaloo gasped, "no wonder why I felt a solid aura before."

"Close!" The Yo-Kai overheard as he stomped on one foot like a sumo. "You are correct that I am a mountain like Yo-Kai, but I am also a sumo wrestler that has the fury of a volcano!" He stomped on his other, "the name's Lava Lord! And I commend you for feeling my power! I've put a lot of work to it from training."

"Woah..." First gasped, "you can feel their presence before even using the Yo-Kai Watch?"

"Thank you very much Lava Lord." Scootaloo bowed in respect, "and yes, it's a powerful aura indeed. Enough for me to feel its presence."

"What can I do you young foals for?" Lava Lord crossed his hands,

"We're just looking for some Refreshing Herbs for somepony, do you know where they are?"

"Of course I do! They're right here!" Lava Lord presented a patch of grass growing some fresh-looking herb leaves, glistening with beads of water in the sun, "the finest of the finest! Every sumo needs their mental reserves clean and prepared for any upcoming battle! Now did you say you need some?"

"Enough to alleviate the stress for a pony?"

"Then one herb will do just fine for your pony in concern! I've grown plenty of them here."

"Thanks Lava Lord!" First thanked,

"Woah woah! Hold your horses!" Lava Lord held his hands in a stop gesture, "when did I say I'm happy to give one to you?"

"But... I thought you said you knew we need some."

"I did, and let me rephrase my comment. I am happy to give one to you, but under one condition."

"Let me guess... A sumo match?"

"Correct!" Lava Lord stomped on his left foot again, and with magic, a sumo ring was formed on the smooth surface of the rock path. "Throw me down or out in the ring of honour, and it's yours!"

"C-Can we call our Yo-Kai friends?" First asked,

"Why not? Go ahead!"

"Right then." Scootaloo nodded, pulling out Jibanyan's medal, "Come on out my friend! Calling Jibanyan! Yo-Kai Medal, Do your thing!!!"

"Summoning Charming!"

"Jibanyan!" Jibanyan posed after the watch had played the charming tune and jingle, emitted the pink charming light, and spat out Jibanyan, along with a box of Chocobars.

"Jibbers!" First slapped his head, "for the last time! Stop stealing our Chocobars!!!"

"B-But First, you kyaow me! I could never put down a Chocobar!"

"If you keep eating Chocobars, you'll become fat, and you'll never be able to defeat a truck like that."

"Oh... Really?" Jibanyan gulped,

"So yeah, we've got an exercise planned for you, if you want."

"Okay! Show me!"

"Him." First pointed to Lava Lord, "can you face him in a sumo match?"

"Oh yes I can!"

"So you wish to be my opponent?" Lava Lord asked as Jibanyan entered the ring, "let's see what you can do, young cat."

"I'll knock you to the ground instantly!" Jibanyan taunted as he delivered his signature move, "Paws of Fury!"

"Hmph!" Lava Lord held his ground and crossed his arms in defence, as the two-tailed cat rapidly punched through, hoping to break his defences. "Not powerful enough! Can you do more?"

"I'm not done yet!" Jibanyan punched even harder, his face beginning to sweat.

"So this is the extent of your power." Lava Lord sighed, "I'm quite disappointed. Let me finish this." And with a quick movement, the volcanic sumo grabbed Jibanyan, and slammed him to the ground.

"Holy-!" First stepped back in surprise and fear,

"Not even!" Scootaloo did the same,

"You see," Lava Lord nobly presented, "I am a formidable opponent, strong like a mountain, and fierce as an eruption. I cannot be toppled so easily young ones. Perhaps you wish to try me on for size?"

"Uhh..." The siblings clutched and hugged each other in fear,

"It's okay, its okay." Lava Lord humbly spoke, "in fact, I rarely have any losses in my spiritual lifetime. Oh how I wish to see my rival again, his power equals mine, and whenever I see him, I boil and explode with fiery excitement! Ready to test his mettle once more!"

"D-Do you know where your rival is?" Scootaloo trembled,

"Last I heard, he found a cavern where he could reside in and rest for a while. I haven't seen him since then though..." Lava Lord answered, "do try and come back. If you wish to help somepony in need, then that resolve should be enough to best me!"

"W-We'll come back later!" First replied as he, Scootaloo and Whisper galloped off.

"Celestia!" Scootaloo spoke, "who knew that he was so strong!?"

"I-I don't see how we can fight him..." First gulped, "out of all the Yo-Kai we have, I don't think anypony could go against him!"

"Noway? Blowkade? Ledballoon?"

"I-I think that's not the point here..." First replied, "we're just relying on your friends. I think this is something that we have to do!"

"'We'?" Scootaloo repeated, "so you want to fight him?"

"I don't know how to sumo, and I'm really afraid of facing him since what he did to our poor cat." First patted the wounded Jibanyan on his head, "but it's the only way... And if I ever want to beat him..."

"We're going to have to learn sumo. Right?"

"Yeah." First nodded, "perhaps we can find his rival?"

"Actually, let me give you a hand." Whisper chimed in.

"Is this the place?" First asked, his voice echoing through a dark tunnel.

"It sure is!!!" Whisper replied, "this abandoned tunnel just west of Catfish Pond is originally a cavern for underground transportation for a war many years ago! Now that there's been peace, some ponies wanted to build a tunnel for it, but it failed.

"How so?"

"Yo-Kai!" Whisper replied, "with the ponies perceiving supernatural forces deep within this area, they decided not to touch it anymore, whether it's fear or respect. Possibly the former."

"I just hope we'll find the rival here. Do you know his name?" Scootaloo asked as the quartet began walking into the caves.

"Well, there's a Yo-Kai News article that talks about a sumo match a long time ago. 'Two roaring rivals, go head to head in the Sumo finals! Mad Mountain vs Lava Lord!"

"Mad Mountain huh..." First gasped, "5 bits saying that he's a palette swap of Lava Lord!"

"Just take it!" Scootaloo retorted, tossing five bits at his face, "if you want money so badly, you can just ask me!"

"Oh... Thank you?"

"Besides, we're looking for him, not making bets about his character."

"Sorry..." First apologised, pocketing the five bits with guilt.

"... Wait." Scootaloo halted once more,

"You can feel a Yo-Kai's aura again?" First asked,

"It was feeling pretty silent here... But this one's strong." Scootaloo replied, "follow me!"

"Wait up!" First yelped, "why is it that I can't feel Yo-Kai, but she can?"

Coming to a lit up dead end, Scootaloo used the Yo-Kai lens to reveal a familiar figure of Lava Lord, only that his arms and legs were blue, the mountain body was of blue and white, the loincloth was maroon instead of green, and his facial features was also in a different colour. The only thing that was the same, was the intimidating face.

"Who dares disturb my meal!?" The new Yo-Kai boomed,

"S-Sorry!" Scootaloo bowed in fear, "we-we were just looking for you. Mad Mountain right?"

"Correct!" Mad Mountain nodded as he threw a Plum Rice ball in his mouth, "you'd better have a good reason looking for me. I didn't come to this place just to receive attention."

"We're ponies..." First thought to himeself, "I doubt ponies know you."

"We wanted you to train us!" Scootaloo asked,

"Well that's something you don't hear everyday!" Mad Mountain hopped up, "interesting proposition. But what do you need my sumo skills for? I don't teach it to Yo-Kai or ponies just because. Not even money can make me do it either!"

"You see... We're looking for some Refreshing herbs for somepony we know, and it just so happens a friend of yours is challenging us in order to get one."

"A friend?" Mad Mountain's eyes furrowed, "you mean Lava Lord?"

"Yes, that's him."

"That stupid fool!" Mad Mountain slammed his right foot to the ground, causing a slight tremor that was enough to shake the entire cave and cause some rocks to fall. "For the last time, those herbs belong to nature! Not you! Just because it's an important necessity for every sumo, does not mean you call dibs on it in the wild! Other Yo-Kai and ponies need it too!"

"Sir?"

"Call me Mad Mountain!" Mad Mountain rasped back, "I'm still young you know!"

"S-Sorry!!!"

"Listen, I'd wager that Lava isn't going to be waiting all day, so I'll train you the best I can! Be warned though! It's tricky. Think you can handle this little foals?"

"Yes!" Scootaloo stood firm, "I can do this!"

"Why not?" First replied, "I mean, if there's an opportunity to face that guy, I would take it."

"C-Can I join in too?" Jibanyan raised his hand, "I wanna fight!"

"No problem little cat! How about you marshmallow face? Care to join?"

"I-I'll pass..." Whisper replied, "fighting isn't my forte..."

"Alrighty then!" Mad Mountain commanded, "your training begins now! I want you all to stand firm and proud!!!" He stomped the floor, "the size of a sumo isn't the main thing that can be intimidating! A good stomp from side to side shows that size isn't just for show!"

"Okay..." Scootaloo copied the routine, slamming her hoof harder than she thought,

"Ow!" Scootaloo winced in slight pain,

"You'd better watch yourself too." Mad Mountain warned, "Overdoing it can cause you problems, even before the command is given to engage."

"O-Okay."

"In due time though," Mad Mountain replied, "you can stomp your hooves on any hard surface, and you wouldn't feel a thing!"

"Well... That's good to know..." First mumbled,

"Hey you!" Mad Mountain overheard, "you'll be doing the same thing too! Understand Pitch?"

"Pitch!?" First gasped, "what type of nickname is that!?"

"Your talent! Isn't that what your Cutie Mark is!?"

"F-Fair point..."

"And you!" Mad Mountain turned to Scootaloo "Blank Flank!"

"Please don't call me that..." Scootaloo growled, "I've been called that name by bullies... Brings some bad memories..."

"A name is a name!!! Ponies may mock you with that name, but you can prove them wrong by showing them what a Blank Flank like you is all about!!!"

"Isn't intimidation no better than uh... Bullying?" First butted in,

"... Touché." Mad Mountain closed his eyes in thought. "Ah, what's the point of names? I'm here to train you as fast as I can, and train you I will! Got it Red cat?"

"Yes sir!" Jibanyan saluted,

"DON'T CALL ME SIR, OR I WILL GET VERY MAD!!!" Mad Mountain roared, his echoes causing a few more rocks from above to fall.

"Yelp! Sorry!" Jibanyan gulped, narrowly dodging a falling one just next to him.

As practice takes at least several days for a grasp on basics or mastery, the siblings and Jibanyan tried to remember the things they have learned in the art of sumo, cramming as much as they could for half an hour: Pushing, tripping, slapping, and standing firm. Through Whisper's cheers of support and Mad Mountain's endless set of new and repeated instructions, the sumo decided to call a break, leaving the three trainees bathed in their own sweat.

"You've got a lot of perseverance, I'll give you that! Your resolve on getting those herbs must be strong!"

"I've never trained this hard..." Scootaloo gasped for breath,

"Wow... And to think Flash's workout programs were tough."

"Hey Pitch, come forward."

"Yes?" First stood up,

"I want you, to face me, right now." Mad Mountain crouched, slamming his feet, ready to rumble. "Prepare yourself!"

"Uh... I thought it was a break!" First replied, shivers running down his spine.

"What's with that look!? Didn't I tell you not to falter in your stance!?" Mad Mountain scolded,

"S-Sorry! It's just that, I feel so..."

"Wrong answer!" Mad Mountain charged and tripped First with a single swipe of his arm. "A sumo never shows fear!"

"Argh..." First picked himself up,

"Again!"

"O-Okay!" First got into position, "just let me adjust myself..."

"Yeargh!" Mad Mountain charged once more, First stood a firm ground, his head locked in to shield the oncoming embrace. Mad Mountain, used the same trick once again, and caused the foal to slip on the ground once more.

"Stop! Stop!" First pleaded, "I'm tired already!"

"Tired!? Or scared!?" Mad Mountain replied, "you held your head back, meaning you're afraid of making contact! What use is your stance, if you don't know what's coming toward you!?"

"W-Well,"

"You play baseball, you should always know you keep your eye on the baseball! Otherwise, you'd miss or even worse, get seriously injured!"

"Ah..."

"You must always be prepared to feel somepony's energy, Yo-Kai or otherwise." Mad Mountain continued, "and do not falter or flee from it. You must stand strong against it! As solid as ice!"

"Stand strong against it?"

"Whether you tussle in the ring for glory, wealth, love, or just for the joy of wrestling, you must stand true to your resolve. Then, you can be able to remember everything you've learned from your training, and that is to feel and withstand the energy of anypony, intimidating or not! Your resolve, your training, use it to your fullest, and create a power of your own, where others can feel it too!"

"Aura?"

"Show me your resolve!" Mad Mountain roared, and charged once more, "I won't be holding back this time!"

"Stand strong. Not only do you need to... You have to... And therefore, you want to!" First mumbled to himself, focusing his sight on the charging mountain. "Don't look away... Put on a brave face..." He stomped his back hoof firmly on the floor, "And clash your powers!"

"Raaahh!" Mad Mountain roared as he barged straight into First instead of tripping him. The foal however, held as much ground as he could and was pushed back by the sumo's weight. Regardless of how powerful or how fast he skidded, First still stood strong, gritting his teeth against the opposing force.

"Yergh..." Mad Mountain continued pushing,

"Argh..." First pushed back, remembering to hold firm his ground, and his enemy.

"Hng..." Mad Mountain began to slow down,

"Ha!" First took the chance to divert his force away from his body and onto his side, causing the mad opponent to stumble in a different direction, as First quickly stepped back, hoping to keep away.

"Hah!" Mad Mountain laughed as he stopped in his tracks, "looks like you've got it Pitch! What'd you think???"

"Feels like a high speed wagon crashing into me..." First gasped for breath,

"Well, at least you know how to divert it." Mad Mountain replied, "looks like you have learnt First, and you've got a good grasp on how to feel the presence of power. I think both of you are ready."

"Really?" Scootaloo gasped,

"We did it!" Jibanyan cheered,

"Yep! You graduated! Here's your graduation gift." Mad Mountain congratulated, presenting his medal, "feel free to call my assistance when you need it!"

"Gee..." First accepted the medal, "thanks a lot!"

"As for me..." Mad Mountain huffed, "I think it's time for me to leave this tunnel once and for all. How about I tag along with you as you make your way to Lava Lord?"

"A-Are you sure???"

"Hey, a teacher's got to be there for his students!" Mad Mountain replied, "enough talk, let's hit the road!"

Back to the streams of the Catfish Pond, the siblings encountered the Volcanic Sumo once more.

"There you are! I have been waiting ages! I assume you've found some new friends of yours to fight?" Lava Lord spoke with nobility,

"Apologies for the wait." Scootaloo bowed in apology, "but I believe we're ready now."

"Nyeah!" Jibanyan wailed, "I'm ready to tussle with you once again with my new moves!"

"Actually..." A familiar grunt came from behind, "you're better taking him on First."

"That voice...!" Lava Lord pricked up, "It can only be the one and only... Mad Mountain!!!"

"Pleasure to see you again Lava Lord," Mad Mountain stepped into view, hands crossed. "I see that you also haven't changed one bit..."

"You don't know how long I've been waiting for this!" Lava Lord deviously grinned, "my blood boils for your battle!"

"I-Is it me? Or did Lava Lord just change his personality?" Scootaloo whispered,

"Seeing his rival does made his blood boil..." First replied,

"So, you've made friends with my rival... I'm up for a challenge!"

"Actually, I suggest the foal here, to be your opponent." Mad Mountain gestured,

"Me!?" First yelped, "B-But I'm just a pony!"

"I certainly didn't see that when you endured my power in that cave."

"I-I thought you were just holding back."

"I am, but I'm not as strong as I used to due to a lack of training. If you can withstand that, as well as divert the force elsewhere, you can end up winning! You can't win with just power alone. To win is simply this. Throw your opponent to the ground, or force them out of the ring!"

"Oh... I completely forgot."

"You may not have the strength, but you've certainly got the fortitude and brains to back it up!"

"O-Okay then!" First nodded, focus coursing through his mind.

"And remember. Depending on your opponent's power, if you can feel it. You know whether you can face your opponent or not. Fight or flight, you've got the resolve and the determination to stand strong!"

"Focus First... Feel the energy!" Scootaloo cheered,

"Okay then, feel it." First replied as he stepped into the ring. "Lava Lord! I will challenge you to a sumo bout!"

"Very courageous of you! Perhaps a student of Mad Mountain can suffice as a substitute!"

"I may have learned from your rival, but I'm still First Base!" First stomped his hooves, "I'm ready!"

"Attention!" A gold snake appeared on the side of the ring, "this sumo wrestling battle will be underway! On one side, Lava Lord! On the other, First Base! I am Slitheref, the presiding judge of this battle, and I will make sure that it is fair and square! Are both sides ready?"

"Yes!" Lava Lord roared, his voice booming across the mountain.

"Yes!" First hollered too, his voice, though not as strong, was filled with the same amount of bravery, courage, and confidence.

"Very well! Battle... Begin!" Slitheref commanded, waving his tail fan.

"Hmph!" Lava Lord held his position strong. First carefully trotted around, awaiting the time he would strike.

"Looks like he remembered the battle with Jibanyan." Whisper noted to Scootaloo, "Whereas the cat charged first, he stood his ground and waited for a chance to strike."

"First won't follow that trick, that's for sure." Scootaloo replied back,

"..." First was deep in focus, maintaining his eyes on his opponent, waiting for the chance to charge.

"Rah!" Lava Lord charged forward,

"Yaaa!" First did the same.

The two fighters locked their bodies together, hoping to cause one to stumble. Limb for limb, hand to hoof, the two rustled and tussled as they spun around.

"There's a problem though," Mad Mountain noted, "since you guys are ponies, it's going to be hard for you to grab a regular sumo, especially somepony like him."

"A-And is that why you decided to train us by standing our ground?" Scootaloo asked,

"Offence is the best defence, whereas defence is the best offence. It's all according to who you are."

"How strange!" Lava Lord muttered, "you lack hands and fingers, but you certainly wouldn't give me the chance to sweep you off your feet!"

"That's because I'll be out by then! Stop flirting with me!" First replied. Trying the tactic before, First changed his direction, and pushed the sumo away from his charging direction.

"Woah!" Lava Lord stumbled a little before he regained his footing. "Not bad! Looks like you've learned the basics of sumo!"

"Hi-ya!" First thrust his hoof forward, landing a direct hit upon the opponents body.

"Not bad! Not bad! Better than the cat!" Lava Lord laughed it off, "now, taste this!" Thrusting his own strike, the palm struck the foal's front body, pushing him to the rope of the ring, and leaving him with an uncomfortable pain.

"Gak!" First gasped in shock, coughing up spit. "That... My body..."

"Don't back down!" Mad Mountain warned, "you have to bear it!!!"

"Argh..." First continued reeling in pain, his head turned away from the enemy.

"Little Bro! Don't give in yet!" Scootaloo cried, First continued clutching the point of impact, rubbing it in the hopes of recovering.

"Heh! Looks like you couldn't handle it..." Lava Lord laughed, "time to finish this!"

"Look out!" Jibanyan warned as the volcanic sumo charged once more, ready to knock First out of the ring. The foal continued breathing heavily, his eyes looking down on his chest, a desperation of finding rest.

"It's over!" Lava Lord charged as he launched an elbow charge against the foal, or what used to be there. Like a shadow, First sidestepped out of the way, and felt the breeze of the sumo brush past him.

"Woah!" Lava Lord gasped at the realisation of his escaped opponent, quickly stopped his motion, posting himself teetering on the rope of the ring with one leg, a simple switcharoo.

"With all my strength!" First growled as he mustered his remaining energy, to give one final push. Everything that he had trained for, in the hopes to win.

"No!!!" Lava lord gasped as with one leg, was unable to withstand a simple nudge of the foal. The lord lost his balance, and his own weight did the rest.

It wasn't painful...

It wasn't powerful...

But it was enough... To be pushed out of the ring.

"Finish!" Slitheref announced, "by being Out of Bounds. I declare First Base the winner!"

"Yes!" Whisper cheered, "you did it! Good job!"

"All right!" Jibanyan yelled, "Glory and Chocobars goes to me!"

"Woo!" Scootaloo yelled, "I'm so proud of you little bro!"

"Well done Pitch." Mad Mountain nodded with a fierce smile, "you may be weak, but you certainly are smart. Proud of you."

"This isn't over..." Lava Lord picked himself up, his face as fierce as a rumbling mountain. "I demand a rematch!"

"Wha!?" First jumped once more, his hoof clutching his area of pain, "again!?"

"Lava Lord!" Mad Mountain yelled, "this battle is over! Both of you need to rest now!"

"Owwargh!!!" Lava Lord roared, his intimidating energy erupted throughout the air.

"W-Woah!" Scootaloo shielded herself, "that's too much!"

"Stop Lava Lord!" First yelled, "You're getting in over your head!"

"I'm going to fight you one more time! And I'm not going to hold back!!!" Lava Lord roared, "I'll crush and burn you into ashes!"

"Stop!" Jibanyan yelled.

The Volcanic Sumo roared, and ferociously stomped his feet, not noticing that an intense bolt of ice was flying directly towards him, and with a single strike, the sumo was knocked off guard, and fell on his body once more, calm and unconscious.

"Woah..." The surrounding group was taken aback by the surprising outcome. "What was that?" The group looked around, wondering where this mysterious spell was cast from.

"Was that... Ice Magic?" Scootaloo asked,

"Ice!? No... It can't be!!!" Mad Mountain gasped,

"Something wrong?" First asked,

"It's a bad omen... To see or even feel the presence of this... I think its best you guys head back to where you need to go. And here," the mountainous sumo took a Refreshing Herb and passed it to the siblings, "you've earned it. I'll take care of Lava Lord."

"Thanks Mad Mountain," Scootaloo bowed, "for helping us!"

"Yeah." First bowed too, "I think I've learned a lot."

"Hmm..." A lone figure from a bridge that towered over the pond, watching the two siblings and their Yo-Kai companions making their way back to the town. "They're not perfect, but they definitely are quite helpful!" The figure giggled, a plume of icy air exhaled from her mouth.

"We're back!!!" Scootaloo announced as the siblings and Yo-Kai companions enter with candy stuffed in their mouths.

"Why hello there!" Mr Goodsight greeted, with Ms Frost also present, waving hello. "You seemed like you took your time!"

"Well, we bought some candy along the trip," Scootaloo replied chewing, "these fruit drops are amazing!"

"Why, I like candy as well!" Ms Frost added, "so, did you get it?"

"It was tricky," First answered, pulling out the required item, "but I got it without any sweat!"

"Why..." Ms Frost beamed, "aren't you two so precious? I cannot even thank you enough for doing this!"

"Then it's mission complete young uns!" Mr Goodsight replied, "Watch please, if you may..."

"Here you go." Scootaloo presented,

"Amazing..." Whisper's jaw dropped, "Ms Frost has such a sweet smile! I'm glad we've managed to do something good for her!"

"Oh yeah, that reminds me. Do you know what the weather forecast is going to be like Mr Goodsight?" First asked,

"Sunny today and tomorrow." Mr Goodsight answered, "why's that?"

"When we were climbing the mountain, we saw a streak of ice falling from the sky. I thought, could it be winter? I mean, it's still summer around here. Right?"

"Hmm..." Mr Goodsight wondered, "meteorology wise, yes. However, there's actually quite a famous tale about that."

"Really? What is it?"

"Mr Goodsight, may I tell the story?" Ms Frost butted in,

"Oh sure! Go on ahead! I can deal with the watch while I listen."

"So what's the story about Ms Frost?" Scootaloo asked,

"The snow woman." Ms Frost introduced, "she takes the form of the mythological creature known as the human, but she's a... Very peculiar being."

"Is it like the Snow Queen?" First asked,

"No... The Snow Woman is the spirit of a young mare that perished horribly in the cold." Ms Frost spoke, "and it left a terrible fate for the poor mare, as well as those who ever encountered her."

"It doesn't sound pleasant..."

"It isn't." Ms Frost sighed, "The Snow Woman creates snowstorms and blizzards everywhere she goes. And anypony, animal or spirit who happens to bump into her or vice versa, receives a frozen death by her icy breath. A ruthless and merciless killer, to put it bluntly."

"Oh... Oh..." Scootaloo began shivering in fear, "Uh..."

"Please don't." Ms Frost spoke with alarm, "the Snow Woman has a softer side too. She may let some victims go, regarding with how good they look, or their age. And, even if they're destined to cause such things... I'm sure they want to change for the better."

"Change?"

"Tell me, with all honesty..." Ms Frost asked, a look of seriousness came into her eyes, "do you believe that like ponies, spirits can change too?"

"If... If they are willing to, then yes they can." First courageously answered,

"I see..." Ms Frost replied, then returned with a calm smile, "thank you for your input, as well as your help. Do stop by my shop next time. You do know where it is right?"

"It's at Downtown Springdale, and open at night." Scootaloo answered, "but... Isn't that like a bar?"

"Oh don't worry, anypony of any age is allowed, and I sell good snacks! Both of you are welcome, Ponies and others!"

"I see, we'll think about it."

"In that case, I shall take my leave." Ms Frost replied, "Perhaps we shall meet again."

"Bye!" The siblings waved as the blue mare left the shop.

"All done!" Mr Goodsight announced, placing the Yo-Kai Watch onto the counter. Aside from being able to properly find stronger Yo-Kai, I've added a new feature. You are familiar with the watch's searchlight for inspiritments, right?"

"Yeah, we had to use it to help purifying a few ponies and Yo-Kai."

"Well then, I've now added a radar for that! You can not only detect Yo-Kai, but also detect whether they are inspirited or not! If the watch glows purple, that's the cue!"

"I see! That's a very useful feature! Thanks!"

"Come back again! There's still plenty more upgrades for the Watch!" Mr Goodsight waved as the siblings waved goodbye and left the shop.

"Well, got any other place to go?" First asked,

"Naw... Let's just head home, we've got school tomorrow!"

"Actually, I feel like there's something troubling."

"Yo-Kai?" Jibanyan asked,

"No, I think there's something concerning about Ms Frost. It feels like she's in great pain."

"I would understand." Whisper replied, "she's such a beautiful mare, it would break anypony's heart to see her so sad, that they must immediately rush to her aid!"

"Whisper, you've been doing nothing but talking about Ms Frost all the time! Can't you talk about something else!?" Scootaloo rasped, as the four trotted back to their house.

Overnight, Luna's moon beautifully shone over the town of Springdale, amongst the ponies peacefully sleeping within their houses. A lone cat was walking upon the walls of the houses, minding his own business and looking for food, until the smallest of snowflakes, softly landed on its nose.

"Reow?" The Cat looked up, noticing that from the skies, hundreds of little snowflakes began to fall, landing upon the ground, signposts, and the fur of the little cat.

"Meow!" The cat shook itself off and trotted to a nearby set of planks for shelter and decided to take a rest. A few seconds later, the cat woke up, feeling a new form of coldness. Looking around him, the cat couldn't believe its eyes. A majority of the steets were now covered in snow, or frozen solid. The falling snow, turned into something worse: With greater numbers and faster speed. A hailstorm was combined with this snow.

"Meeow!!!" A strong gust of wind struck in the cat's direction, blowing its fur into a mess, as well as blowing away the shelter that the cat was resting in not too long ago. Instinctively afraid, the cat began using as much energy he could, to withstand the increasing cold, as well as a proper place for shelter. Looking underneath a car, the floor was completely frozen, with a heap of snow covering almost every inch, ready to topple at any minute.

The cat ran its way to Triangle Park, but like the car, there was no place that was ever hospitable for shelter. With the temperature rapidly decreasing, and the winds picking up greatly, the cat knew that the only way to stay safe, was to take shelter in a pony's residence.

Jumping up to the first-floor balcony of a Purple-roofed house, the cat clawed and meowed at the mirror, but the unicorn filly sleeping peacefully was unable to hear. Taking no chances, the cat then moved to a red-roofed house and did the same thing. The earth foal unfortunately, was also asleep like a calm river, unable to hear the meowing and clawing. With the cat's depleting strength and life. He then jumped to the house opposite, illuminated by what's left of the signpost and the moon, a patterned roof of orange. Clawing and meowing for his life. He attempted to call or signal the inhabitants within and let him in.

Looking inside, the cat was able to see two foals, one pegasus and one earth pony. Sleeping peacefully and without a care of what's happening outside. Looking in front. A red cat was also lounging around peacefully. The cat howled and howled, but all it could ever do was cry to the sky as nopony was able to hear its pleas. The last thing the cat could see, was the twitching ears of the red cat, before it blacked out, ready to give in to his cold fate.

On the other side of the window. Jibanyan woke up after hearing the familiar cries of a cat. Opening his eyes, he gasped at the sight of an unconscious cat outside the balcony, being swallowed up by the snow. Instinctively, Jibanyan jumped on the balcony door's handle, slid it open, quickly grabbed the kitty with his two paws, and slid it back shut.

"Oh my goodness..." Jibanyan gasped, he looked at the hardwood flooring that was covered with snow, then to the window, where the outside world began stirring up a frozen monstrosity, as the moon itself was swallowed up by a stampede of clouds. "What in the name of Lord Enma AND Princess Celestia is going on!?"

Things got severely worse as the town of Springdale woke up. The sun was blocked by a horde of unfriendly clouds, only able to give a faint colour of the dark blue skies and icy haze. Ponies began wondering what was going on, questioning the weather reports and pegasi responsible for this job. The freak snowstorm caught everypony by surprise, and even Cloudsdale had to assist in helping those who are suffering terribly, doing their best to clear roads, clean areas, and the like, but with no avail. A pegasus extremely wrapped up in layers of clothing, galloped his way towards a lone house, with files and supplies in tow. He quickly opened the door and slammed it shut in order to prevent any snow from getting through.

"Flash!!!" Scootaloo galloped down the stairs to embrace her older brother, "are you okay?"

"I guess..." Flash sighed as he unwrapped the scarf around his neck and mouth. "I still feel like my insides are frozen. The wild animals may fare worse though. This is summer, and this freak storm took them by surprise. They don't have the right time to hibernate or shelter themselves for the cold. They could die!"

"I... What can we do for them?"

"I don't know..." Flash sighed as he shook himself from the snow. "There's too many of them, and to tell you the truth, we're not faring well as they are either. If this weather prolongs, it's going to ruin crops, destroy supplies, who knows what other worse things will happen? Fortunately..." He pulled out a dried mackerel, "I've managed to get some food for the cat that took shelter in our house, as well as my work. Are both of you okay back home?"

"The TV can't connect, and we can't call our friends, but that's not the worst of our problems. At least we don't have to go to school!"

"Ha ha..." Flash sarcastically laughed, "Oh, and while I was at it, I also got some information on Ms Frost like you asked." He passed a notebook to his little sister, "This is considered confidential and personal information. Please don't use things for your own gain, and keep this to yourselves. I'm going to take a shower."

"Okay then! Thanks for your help!" Scootaloo thanked,

"Just remember to keep this information confidential." Flash replied as the trotted to the bathroom. With the information and mackerel in her possession. Scootaloo trotted back up to her room, where First, Whisper, Jibanyan, the cat, and a horde of their Yo-Kai friends were milling about, taking shelter from the snowstorm.

"Here you go little one!" Scootaloo placed it in front of the cat. "It's not fresh due to the snowstorm, but it's what we got!"

"Meow!" The cat happily began munching on the fish, and stretched comfortably.

"The cat's lucky that it managed to catch Jibanyan's attention." Whisper replied, "otherwise, who knows what would happen."

"Feline instincts!" Jibanyan placed his paw over his chest, "cats help each other, even in death!"

"Well done Jibanyan." First replied, "we'd do the same thing if we were you."

"Seriously though." Scootaloo looked outside the window, "what in the world caused this snowstorm? It's not affecting just ponies and other animals, but even Yo-Kai too! What do all of you think?"

"These clothes!" Dazzabel moaned, "ruined by this no-good snow!"

"Not my fault!" Moskevil spoke up, "I mean, yeah, If I had the powers, I would do it because this world is already in the depths of despair, but I don't. So not me!"

"But you see, at least all of us are here that we can meet, greet and socialise!" Happiere replied,

"Hmm..." First read through the notebook on the notes of Ms Frost. "Interesting..."

"What's the information?"

"There was a giant freak snowstorm like this in Neighpon before, which permanently changed the habitats within! No living organism survived. Plant, animal, and even pony... Except her. She's the lone survivor! She was found unconscious on the snow, but she managed to wake up!"

"Wow!!! That's a big amount of luck!" Scootaloo exclaimed,

"Oh, she's a little traumatised. But despite that, she continued on with her life, and when the opportunity came, she moved to Springdale, Idaho, Equestria. To start a new business we all know as Frostia's Place. There's been a lot of good ratings for customer service, food quality and yada yada..."

"Hmm..." Scootaloo peered at the outside snowy view, "hey everypony, do you think this is the Snow Woman's doing?"

"The Snow Woman!?!?" The Yo-Kai jumped in shock,

"So the Snow Woman is also feared by Yo-Kai too." Scootaloo noted, without any shock of the Yo-Kai's rise in volume,

"We all do! She's a monster!" Roughraff yelled, "lost many an innocent or guilty Yo-Kai!"

"How dangerous a foe is she? Can she really be defeated?"

"Nopony would dare be brave enough to face her." Undy answered, "even for me."

"And anyways," Dismarelda sighed, "That was a long time ago in Neighpon. When Happiere and I moved here to Equestria, getting away from this icy witch was a small reason on why."

"I've done some research myself." Whisper spoke, "If you're wondering, the tale of the Snow Woman is in fact, a Yo-Kai."

"So... The Snow Woman goes by a different name?"

"We do not dare speak her real name... For it may call her presence... And with it, the worst of snowstorms." Leadoni explained,

"Unfortunately, there has been no official picture as of yet. As no Yo-Kai ever survived to get a picture from her."

"Holy-moly, that's one deadly Yo-Kai!" First gasped, "that's so ruthless and murderous!"

"I believe that there are other Yo-Kai that are stronger than her." Whisper continued, "that nine-tailed fox from before is an example, but I don't know whether he had challenged her or not."

"Or maybe he just doesn't care!" Scootaloo joked,

"But even so, the fear is too much for anyone to pick a fight with her, lest they be eternally frozen in pain, shame, death, and what not."

"Does anypony know what she looks like?" Scootaloo continued asking questions,

"Have thou forgotten?" Helmsman spoke, "nopony dared to find her existence! At least, not me!"

"And she's bound to stay in Neighpon! At least... If she didn't somehow move with us!" Mochismo added,

"Well, now that I think about it... We can't rule that out." Scootaloo replied as she continued staring out of the balcony window,

"Hey First, why is Scootaloo acting like a detective all of a sudden?" Jibanyan asked,

"Beats me," First replied, "but I'm as curious as she is."

"Hey!" Scootaloo noted something strange on the streets. A pile of snow seemed to shiver within the icy winds, as well as moving in the middle of the roads. "I see you!"

Pulling out the Watch, Scootaloo scanned the pile of snow, and within the veil of frozen water. A puppy the colour of ice, was shivering with fright and desperation as he took his time walking with his shaking legs.

"Aww..." First came to see the watch's lens. "Poor puppy."

"Indeed, because that puppy is dead." Scootaloo replied, "I shudder to think whether the poor soul died to this snowstorm..."

"Do you think we should invite him in? Just to save himself from the cold?"

"I don't think Flash would let us leave the house now. I mean, except for finding Yo-Kai, we don't have any other good reason!"

"Hmm..." First replied "I have an idea. Baku? Whapir?"

"Big Bro?" First and Scoots trotted down the stairs, wrapped in layers of warm clothing. "We're going to be taking a nap. Is that alright?"

"It will be fine. I'm currently doing work and writing my report for the Princess in my room. I'll let you know if things clear up." Flash called back,

"Okay then!" Scootaloo replied as she beckoned Jibanyan and Whisper, also wrapped in clothing, to come down the stairs. Silently and quickly as possible, the four opened the door, sneaked outside and shut it tight. The clothes and mane exposed to the wind blew violently in the wind's direction.

"Wow!" Scootaloo yelled over the wind, "this wind really is strong!!! And it still feels like we're wading in freezing water!"

"Can you guys manage!?" Whisper hollered "Because I can't!"

"My eyes!!!" Jibanyan yelped, "It hurts!"

"Your goggles!" First reminded all, "Put them on if you want to shield your eyes!" And as demonstration, he pulled it onto his eyes, where the fragments of ice now were striking the goggles visor than the eyes of the foal. "Better?"

"B-Better!" The party replied, their goggles upon their eyes.

"Then we'd better find that dog before he gets lost!" First spoke, "lead the way Scoots!"

"Hey!!!" Scootaloo and the group turned the corner to see the shivering dog trotting down a long street "Come back!"

"H-Huh?" The dog turned around, a fearful face upon his puppy dog eyes "C-Can y-you ponies s-see me???"

"Yeah!" First approached, "don't worry, we won't hurt you!"

"I-I understandddd..." The dog shivered, crossing his front legs to try and stay warm.

"Do you need any shelter?" Scootaloo offered,

"A-Actually I'm fine, but th-thanks for the other! I-I'm trying to go find the source of this cold storm!"

"What's your name?" Scootaloo asked,

"P-P-Pupsicle..." Pupsicle introduced himself, "N-Nice to m-m-m-meet youuuu!!!"

"I'm Scootaloo,"

"First Base!"

"Whisper."

"And I'm Jibanyan!"

"How cold are you Pupsicle?" Scootaloo asked, as she too, began to shiver "It looks like you're shivering faster than the speed of Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom!"

"I-I've always been like this, sh-shivering in the cold. That's how I died, and n-now I've b-been shivering ever since." Pupsicle explained, "And s-speaking of which, th-that's what I do too... I-I cause ponies to shiver in the cold, regardless of weather or season."

"Sh-Shivering!?" Scooaloo then looked at herself rubbing her own shoulders. "S-So are you the--"

"N-No!!!" Pupsicle interrupted, "I'm not powerful enough to do this! I-I o-only cause sh-shivering! Not responsible for the weather!"

"H-He speaks true!" Whisper replied as he pulled out his snow-covered Yo-kai Pad, "the wiki says so!"

"N-Not only that!" Pupsicle added, "I-I think I know wh-who's behind this! I-I caught a glimpse of her g-going up to M-Mount Wildwood!"

"Her??? Y-Y-Y-Y-You don't mean... The Snow Woman?" First gasped as he shivered in cold and fear.

"Snow Woman? Please, don't call her that!" Pupsicle replied, "she doesn't want to be called that anymore!"

"Then what's her name!?"

"T-Tell you what, you get to areas faster than me. Let me g-guide you to where she went! How about that?"

"And finding her is a chance to stop this snow storm!?" Scootaloo gasped, "I'm... I'm honestly scared about this... But for the sake of everypony and Yo-Kai. Let's go!"

"O-Okay." Pupsicle leapt onto Scootaloo's back, "U-Up the mountain now!"

"The Snow Woman..." First thought as they galloped past the school and up the mountain stairs. "The Snow Woman... Doesn't want to be a Snow Woman... Why does this feel so familiar?"

Climbing up the now very frozen Mount Wildwood, the party was unbelievably shocked on how the cold weather took a toll upon the shrine, and the Giant tree where the Crank-a-kai resided.

"C-Completely buried!!!" Jibanyan noted,

"Th-That's the least of her powers... Sh-She's headed to the Catfish P-Pond!" Pupsicle replied, Heading to the left path of the shrine once more, the group cannot believe the horrors that they saw. The stream, the mountain source, the entire pond: Frozen Solid. In the middle of the Pond, a small lone figure with a blue cape and hoodie stood staring into the chaotic sky, covering Celestia's light.

"..." The girl fell silent as she continued watching violent cold winds, and snow assault upon the land.

"Oh Celestia..." Scootaloo covered her mouth in shock, "this... This isn't natural."

"Hey!!!" First called out to the lone figure. "A-Are you okay?"

"This land... This world... It will not forget... It will never forget..." The girl spoke,

"Wait... What?"

"Kill... Kill... Everything... Pony... Yo-Kai... Every organism of life... The girl spoke,

"Kill!?" Scootaloo overheard, "so it is true! You were behind all this! You came to Equestria! Snow Woman!!!"

"You DARE call me by that name!?" The figure turned around, a small human girl with parts of her dull and dark blue hair covered by the hood, a tight blue kimono with a white band, yellow belt, and some gold boots.

"This... This is the Snow Woman???" Jibanyan asked,

"Hey! Don't call her by that name!!!" Pupsicle reminded, "her real name, though nopony calls her that, is Frostina. Okay?"

"Frostina..." First stared at the small human girl, her hands upon her mouth, head bowed in pain.

"Why... Why...? Why must this happen to me?" Frostina cried, "why does the world refuse for me to change? Why must I become a ruthless monster???" Pulling her hands away, she held a familiar item, now frozen all over.

"No way..." First gasped as the small Yo-Kai let loose of the Refreshing Herb, where it shattered into million pieces, and scattered all over the frozen pond and wind. "You can't be..."

"If both worlds hate me for what I am, then so be it!!!" A massive eruption of wind echoed from her surroundings as she screamed, almost blowing the party away. "I'll freeze everything in this town to absolute zero!"

"No! Stop!" Scootaloo yelled, "Don't do that! Please! All those innocent lives!"

"Innocent? They scorn me, fear me, curse me... And I never had the choice to be this! Left alone... Frozen to death... Why? Just to save a dog!?" The girl replied.

"A dog?" First perceived the words, "Pupsicle, is that 'dog'... You?"

"... Yes. Sh-She tried to save my life when she used to be alive." Pupsicle replied, "but it was no use. Both of us fell to the same c-cold fate: D-Death in that hellish snowstorm in Neighpon long a-ago... And we were reborn as Yo-Kai ever since. At least, I didn't know she would become a Yo-Kai... I haven't seen her since that day, or when I migrated to E-Equestria."

"How did you know it was her?" Scootaloo asked,

"L-Like the stories said. A young m-mare that perished in the s-snow. That and with this cold front, I could feel it... The warmth that she tried to use to save me..."

"Her warmth...?" First repeated,

"Y-Yes, b-but only for a little bit. Now, I b-believe i-it is r-replaced by sh-sheer and utter vengeance, a-along with the c-coldest of hearts... The Sn-Snow Woman..."

"Why won't nopony let me change!?" Frostina yelled, another array of snow, wind, and cold air, blew directly into the party's faces, shaking them to their wits.

"It's getting too cold now!" Whisper warned, "we must do something about the Snow Woman! Or we're all going to end up dead like that in Neighpon!"

"I-I get it!" Scootaloo replied, "but we need to somehow get close to her!!! I mean, a simple fire attack can melt her down, but we need to find some way to do that!"

"Perhaps we can use somepony to keep us warm! Block the winds and snow!"

"We can use Blazion!!!" First suggested, pulling out the medallium, and taking out the medal "I've got it here!"

"Okay then! Hand it over!!!" Scootaloo yelled. First however, had his mind focused on Frostina, crying and writhing in pain and sadness.

"First! What are you waiting for!?"

"Scoots..." First turned back to his sister, "do you honestly think that we can just take her out?"

"Wait... What?"

"The Snow... No... Frostina..." First looked concerned, "I-I don't feel right just taking her out."

"Then what??? If we're just going to leave her there--"

"I KNOW!" First roared, "She's going to freeze everything to death! But she... Can't you feel it? Can you feel that she doesn't deserve this!?"

"Feel?"

"This cold... Pupsicle said he could feel warmth, along with the winds of death and vengeance... I can feel something more than that however... I feel and see from her... Pain... Sadness..."

"Pain?" Scootaloo lowered her watch, "sadness?"

"She said, she didn't want to be this way... She wanted to change... Do you remember what Ms Frost asked us?"

"Tell me, with all honesty..." Ms Frost asked, a look of seriousness came into her eyes, "do you believe that like ponies, spirits can change too?"

"If... If they are willing to, then yes they can." First courageously answered,

"... Spirits can change, if they are willing to." First repeated, until a moment of realisation dawned on him. What happened, and what he was dealing with.

"... The tale of the Snow Woman is a tragic story indeed..." First lowered his head, a tear fell from his eye, which froze instantly as it was blown away in the wind. "But there's always a chance for a happy ending..."

"First???"

"Big Sis." First grabbed Scootaloo, Whisper, Jibanyan, and Pupsicle together, "Frostina doesn't want to do this, and I believe in her... And I also believe that stopping her with violence will make things worse..."

"But in that case, what are you going to do?"

"What we planned. We're calling Blazion. However, I want him to inspirit me. I'm going to march forward, and talk to her."

"You're going to go forward!?" Whisper and Jibanyan gasped,

"But First, even with Blazion's power, if she decides to pull something on you... You'll... You'll die!"

"I know... But I'm willing to take the risk." First shook his head, "She doesn't want to be the 'Snow Woman'. And I believe in her, even if you don't, and even if it will mean my life is on the line. I want to get to her. Not just for the sake of everypony, but her. Is that okay???"

"... You're right." Scootaloo lowered her head in shame, "I didn't believe in her, especially for a Yo-Kai who is the 'Snow Woman'. But if you're insisting on doing this..." She looked back into her brother's eyes, "then I'll believe in you too."

"As will I!" Whisper added,

"And me!" Jibanyan posed with pride,

"I-If you w-want to help Frostina." Pupsicle noted, "th-then I want t-to help you too!"

"Pupsicle, are you sure you can get close to her?"

"I-I'm afraid not. I-I'm just a dog Yo-Kai that owes her. I think a-a brave pony should speak with her."

"Okay then... I'm ready Scoots. Are you?" First asked, taking a big deep breath.

"Good luck First..." Scootaloo closed her eyes and embraced her brother, a thin stream of tears falling from her face. "P-Please let Celestia and our parents protect you for this endeavour..."

"I'll keep on going till the bitter end sis. Like Flash and our parents." First returned the hug.

"Come on out my friend..." Scootaloo chanted, "calling Blazion. Yo-Kai medal, Do your thing."

"Summoning, Brave!"

"Sumo Shave! Flavo Engrave! Flash team'a Brave!"

"Blazion!!!" Blazion posed,

"Rawwwrrr!!!" Blazion clutched his body in the sudden temperature change, but warmed up a bit later thanks to his fiery motivation.

"Blazion, there's something I would like you to do." First asked,

"Rawr?"

"I want you to inspirit me. Inspirit me so not only am I motivated to help the Yo-Kai behind this snowstorm, but that I can survive. Is that all right with you?"

"Rawr!!!" Blazion gave a thumbs up with his paw.

"Okay then... Here goes nothing..." First muttered as Blazion set his fiery passion onto the foal.

"There's a chance... I can help Frostina... If she doesn't want to be the Snow Woman... Then I will help her!!!" First roared as he was engulfed in flames. With one brave step, he began trotting slowly towards the small Frostina.

"You..." Frostina noted the young foal trotting up close, "are you a fool?"

"Maybe," First replied, "but even so, I'm determined to help you."

"Help me? That's pathetic..." Frostina yelled, "nopony can do that. Not even a Yo-Kai. Get away from me, or I'll freeze you to death."

"Are you saying that as a threat? Or are you legitimately concerned?"

"What did you say?"

"Threat? Or concern?" First repeated, "I can feel your pain Frostina. Cold as the winter's bite. But like the dog you tried to save," he gestured to Pupsicle, "he could feel your warmth for a second, and I believe in that too."

"Warmth? There's nothing but a frozen heart for me. Loneliness... Cold... Death... What do you know about my pain!? You're still alive and well!!! Leave me now, or I'll freeze and shatter you to pieces!"

"I'll stand here until I can reach for you!" First retorted, bearing the cold frosty bite, with his resolve, and the blazing spirit within. "I'm not going to give up on you! Even if you don't believe in yourself!"

"Seriously?"

"I may not look handsome, and I may be too young to keep alive," First replied, "but the tale doesn't matter anymore! You've been yelling in pain that you want to change, and I can see that it rings true of you!" He stomped his foot, "I want to help. Can you please allow me, Frostina???"

"Wh-Who are you???"

"I am First Base. And I believe you are Frostina, and that's your real name. Not the 'Snow Woman'."

"You call me... Frostina??" Frostina spoke. As of a sudden feeling, First felt that the ever strong winds, had began to calm, only for a little bit. With a hoof's gesture, he beckoned the team to trot forward slowly.

"Don't worry about the poines behind me," First replied, "the pony is my older sister, Scootaloo, and the others are Yo-Kai who are friends with me."

"Ponies... Yo-Kai... Co-existing?"

"Yes... As Yo-Kai had been observing Ponies ever since the beginning. Some even masqueraded as Ponies. We've had our fair share, and regardless of their origin, we treat them like every other pony, as friends."

"Friends...? I had none..."

"The dog you tried to save back then..." First continued, "like you, he became a Yo-Kai. What he told me, he was concerned for you. He wanted to be your friend."

"Him???"

"F-Frostina..." Pupsicle shivered, "Y-You gave your l-life to s-save me. I-It may have f-failed, but I'm still ever so grateful!"

"Y-You still trust me???" Frostina turned to the shivering dog.

"Y-Yes!!! Like F-First, I do!!!" Pupsicle nodded with determination.

"Frostina, tell me..." First continued, "do you truly wish to change?"

"I... I...!" Frostina spoke, until the sound of cracking ice came from a far area of pond. From beneath, a giant Yo-Kai on a boat erupted from the frozen surface: Shivering from the cold waters, but shaking with rage.

"WHY YOU!!!" The Yo-Kai lashed out at Frostina, "YOU FROZE THE WATERS! BROUGHT HARM TO THE FISH!"

"H-Hey!!!" Scootaloo gasped, "don't interfere!"

"GET BACK!!!" The Yo-Kai spoke, "I'M THE PROTECTOR OF THIS POND, AND THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED ON MY WATCH!!!"

"No... No! I didn't want to do this!!!" Frostina spoke out, a look of anguish on her face,

"Frostina!?" First gasped at the sudden change of tone,

"THEN UNFREEZE THE WATERS! OTHERWISE, I WILL DEAL WITH YOU MYSELF!!!"

"Please!!! I c-can't! I'm being honest!" Frostina continued to defend herself,

"She wasn't?" Scootaloo picked up,

"YOU DARE TRY TO COVER YOUR DOINGS!? I'VE WARNED YOU ALREADY!!! SNOW WOMAN OR NOT, I WILL TAKE YOU DOWN TO PROTECT THIS POND!!!"

"I'm... I'm not!!!" Frostina began to cry,

"Please!!!" First trotted forward, stretching out his front legs in a gesture to defend Frostina. "She speaks the truth!!! She doesn't want to do this!!!"

"YOU WOULD DARE PROTECT HER!? THE MURDEROUS SNOW WOMAN!? IT MATTERS NOT! ALL THOSE AFFILIATED WITH HARMING THE POND WILL FALL BY MY HOOK!"

"Then let it be this way!" First yelled,

"FINE!!!" The Yo-Kai yelled as with a swing of his fishing hook, slashed First in the cheek.

"Argh!!!" First clutched the cut wound, a warm yet familiar feeling spread across his senses, combined with the frozen wind, applying nothing but indescribable pain to his face.

"Ahh... Ahh!!!! No!!!" First yelled in agony, but refused to back away.

"Please!!! Stop!" Scootaloo yelled, "don't hurt my brother!"

"I SAID THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY POND!" The Yo-kai replied, and fishing from the hole he emerged, he pulled out a red-coloured and aggressive-looking fish. Tossing it towards First, the fish brutally collided with the foal and slammed his back and head onto the solid ice.

"Hurk!!!" First spat in shock and pain, his eyes faltered in fear and damage.

"First!!! No!!!" Whisper cried

"First... Don't..."

"No..." First blinked, "I... Argh!" First shook around, grunting and whimpering in pain as he pulled himself from the cold sticky ice. "I... I still..."

"WHY DO YOU WISH TO GET HURT!?" The Yo-Kai roared, "WHY MUST YOU STAY PUT!? YOU DON"T HAVE TO DIE!!!"

"You should know!!!" First cried, in anguish, sadness, and anger. "Just as you want to protect your beloved pond, I want to protect Frostina and her pleas to say that she didn't do it!"

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!?!?"

"I said, she's innocent. I believe in her innocence!" First coughed, clutching not only his wound, but also his head, leaving his entire clothed-wrapped body subject to the wind's ferocity. "And... No matter what... No matter how many times you hit me, wound me..." He stomped the ground one more time and stared angrily into the Yo-Kai's eyes. "I WILL PROTECT HER!!!"

"Protect me..." Frostina whispered, "me??? First!!!"

"Frostina?" First turned back,

"You really would go through all this, just to see me change, right?"

"To what you really want to be." First replied, "And I can tell, that it's not to become the Snow Woman! You really want to be who you really are, and that's Frostina!"

"I... See..." Frostina spoke, "then... I am willing to change..." And as she was about to say her next line, something snapped within her mind, and her cyan eyes went dim. "But it's too late! For I am, and always will be, the Snow Woman!"

"What!?" First was caught unaware by the change of tone, as the last thing he witnessed was Frostina casting some spell, with the energy temporarily causing Frostina's hood to reveal her short hair, as well as a furry of snowflakes and mist to engulf him completely. The sudden burst of Snow Powder caused everypony in the vicinity to shield and avert their eyes.

"First?" Scootaloo turned her head back to see what transpired. Within the clearing of the mist, Frostina stood gazing with awe and wonder, at the shocked, surprised, and scared figure of First Base. Encased within a prison of clear ice.

"No..." Scootaloo gasped in horror, "No! NO! NOOOO!!!!!!" Scootaloo galloped towards her frozen brother. "FIRRRRRRRRRRRRRST!!!!!!" She burst into tears as she slammed her hooves upon the rock solid ice.

"FIRST!!!" Whisper yelled as he too, struck his fists on the ice with no avail.

"Fyirst! Please!" Jibanyan cried, rapidly punching his paws.

"RAWR!!!" Blazion roared in pain, hoping that his power could still affect the foal within the ice.

"Such a foolish foal..." Frostina laughed, "I did sort of like him, too bad he could think that Yo-Kai and Ponies share the same mind and heart. Little did he know that Yo-Kai will be, and always the superior!"

"What... Did you say... ABOUT MY BROTHER!?" Scootaloo turned to Frostina, her face full of rage and anger.

"Open your ears filly, he's a fool, and he paid the price of messing with the Snow Woman with his life." Frostina explained, "I mean, is it obvious? Everypony knows that the Snow Woman is a ruthless killer. Which is what I am, and always will be."

"He believed in you..." Scootaloo tightened her hoof muscles, "He believed that you can change. He trusted you!"

"And like I said, you can never change a Snow Woman. Let me strike a deal with you then, non-believer. Since you had the idea of not trying to change me, why don't you leave now? Take your Yo-Kai lackeys, and go home. You may have lost a brother, but at least you're still alive. Right?"

"Wrong..." Scootaloo replied, "I've lost three ponies that are close to me now... My mum, dad, and now First... Flash, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle... I won't lose another." The filly glared at Frostina with a look of murderous intent. "I may not survive, but I WILL take you down!"

"Scoots!" Jibanyan cried,

"Fool!" Frostina yelled at the charging filly as she blew her away with a cold wind from a swish of her hand. "You have chosen very poorly filly. And now, prepare to join your brother!"

"Bwoo... Bwoo..." A familiar sound echoed throughout the snow.

"What the?" Whisper and everypony else froze. From the Watch, a purple light glowed on and off, and on and off...

"I see..." Scootaloo whispered a voice that everypony was able to hear. "First was right... Meaning you were also right..."

"What nonsense are you spouting!?"

"This!" Scootaloo stood up with a look of determination, showing Frostina the Purple glowing watch, "this is a newly developed feature that can detect the power of inspiritment in anypony. And I know who it is!"

"Your brother, is he not under the spell of that blazing lion?"

"Thank you Captain Obvious!" Scootaloo opened the watch and aimed it at Frostina. "But so are you!!! And a nasty one at that!"

"Crud!!! The blasted Yo-Kai Watch!!! I should have known!!!"

"I am a fool too, for not believing that you can change when you say so, a bigger fool than my younger brother!" She closed her watch, "but my eyes have been opened. Everything has fallen into place. I can now feel your pain, your anguish, the chain that is controlling you!"

"You blasted child! You're not as smart as your brother after all!"

"Trash talking won't save you." Scootaloo replied, "And my mind is set. Like my brother tried to do, I'm also going to help you!"

*Crack... Crack... Crack..." The sound of breaking ice echoed again.

"What now!?" Frostina growled, until a sweat of horror spread through her face, at the ice crystal, melting like butter.

"First???" Scootaloo gasped at the multiple water drops from outside and inside the ice.

"Rawr!!!" Blazion roared with pain and fatigue.

"It looks like Blazion is dead-set and motivated on trying to free your brother!" Whisper replied,

"No! Impossible! Nopony has ever escaped my frozen power!"

"YARGH!!!" The ice crystal shattered as First burst free from his frozen prison. "Th-Then th-that m-makes m-me the first!!! I-I am n-named F-First B-Base after all!"

"First!" Scootaloo galloped to her brother, "you're alive!!! I can't believe it!!!"

"G-G-G-G-G-Good to s-s-s-seee you again. So c-c-c-c-coold. B-Blame the Yo-Kai. A-And th-thanks for the w-warmth B-Blazion. I-I owe you soooo much..."

"Rawr..." Blazion moaned, but gave a thumbs up.

"First, you were right all along." Scootaloo replied, showing Frostina's inspiritment, a storm of furious purple bubbles surrounding the poor Yo-Kai. "She's inspirited, something is controlling her."

"I see..." First replied, beginning to regain proper speech.

"First." Scootaloo slid the Yo-Kai Watch around his neck, and held his hoof firmly onto it. "You know you're the right pony to fix this. Correct?"

"A certain somepony once told me, don't falter or flee..."

"... You must stand strong!!!" Two firm voices came from behind,

"Mad Mountain! Lava Lord!" Scootaloo greeted the two sumo mountains of fire and ice. "What are you doing here?"

"A good friend of ours believes in somepony who's in pain. To think he's against the Snow Woman. He really is a fool!" Mad Mountain spoke,

"But standing strong is exactly what he's doing!!!" Lava Lord added, "and so, we too, shall support him!"

"Take my perseverance!" Mad Mountain yelled, casting his inspiritment upon First, "to withstand the ice, you too can be firm like ice!"

"And take my blessing of the volcanoes!" Lava Lord added, casting his inspiritment. "It should keep you hot and warm, as well as heal any wounds you took!"

"G-Guys..." First gasped, his wound sealing up, his head basking in relief, the remnants of ice melting away, the fires of calm wrapping around him. "Thank you... For everything."

"I won't allow it!" Frostina inhumanely cried, whipping up yet another power snowstorm. "I'll freeze you again, I'll freeze all of you to death!"

"IN THAT CASE, LET ME HELP TOO!" The Ship riding Yo-Kai announced, grabbing First with his hook, "I HAVE SEEN YOUR RESOLVE. YOU TRULY WISH TO SAVE THE SNOW WOMAN, IN WHICH IT RESULTS IN BOTH THE POND AND HER SANITY TO BE PROTECTED. FORGIVE ME FOR HARMING YOU... NOW LET ME HELP YOU! I SHALL TOSS YOU WITHIN THE STORM!!!"

"Okay then, thank you all again..." First nodded as he turned back to Frostina, ready for the final push. "I'm ready!!!"

"Go First!!!" Scootaloo cheered, as the Yo-Kai tossed him into the blizzard, "Save her!"

"Frostina..." First came face to face,

"You... Leave me alone!!!"

"I can't, sorry about that." First chuckled,

"Why... Why do you care about me so much!?"

"Because Yo-Kai... Yo-Kai are a part of a ponies' life, just as we are to you. And with what me and my sister went through, we can almost say that we can, you know. Live in harmony!"

"As equals? With inferior beings like you?"

"Listen, I know that's not what you think, and I know you're afraid of your powers, your role, and the fearsome legacy of the Snow Woman. And that's what I'm here to help." First replied, as he moved his hoof to pop one of the bubbles, only that it bounced back.

"What?" First tried again, but the bubbles refused to pop again.

"You can't break this spell. I am forever in possession of this lass."

"Oh I see... You're the reason behind this." First glared, at the bubbles.

"What good will come from Ponies? Nothing but greed, guilt, lies, and most of all, apathy and disbelief!!! The traitors and 'pets' you call friends. You've dumped their legacy and role in the trash!"

"Frostina..." First ignored, holding the hands of the young girl. His hooves froze instantly at the touch, but First continued holding firm. "I may not feel my hooves as much. But hey, are you still in there?"

"... First..." Frostina spoke, "do you really care for me?"

"The entire world of Yo-Kai has captivated me in more ways than magic itself. It has broadened the boundaries of friendship. Something that all ponykind has upheld. Regardless of who we are, royalty, a ghost, a ruthless killer, or just some average and ordinary pony. Good or bad, we may remember it all, but it's up to you on what you have experienced to shape yourself, and what you want to be in the future."

"M-Me?"

"Somepony knows where we end up later in life, whether we go up to where the deceased are, or as Yo-Kai like you. We ourselves however, don't know what we'll do. So we'll shape it along the way. Alone, or together.

"First..."

"Maybe you didn't want to end up as the Snow Woman, maybe you wanted to have a peaceful time in the heavens, I don't know! But as you came up as a Yo-Kai, a name is just a name. Ponies and Yo-Kai may mock, curse, or fear you with that name. But you can prove them wrong by showing them that the Snow Woman, is not like the fearsome Snow Woman in the tales, but a Snow Woman that is kind, helpful, and wants to use her powers for the better of everypony and Yo-Kai. A Snow Woman by the name of Frostina."

"Frostina... My name... As a Yo-Kai."

"Can you promise me that?" First asked, "Can you promise me that you can change yourself? I will help you if need be."

"First..." Frostina placed her hands firmly upon First's hooves. "I... I can't make promises... But... I will try myself... And I will gladly take upon your assistance." Crying tears once more, the little Snow Woman embraced the Foal, crying as she held him close.

"Then I shall promise you to help you out if you so wish it." First promised as he hugged her back. While enjoying this lovely moment, First remembered why he came here, and glared at the pillar of inspiriting bubbles. With a determined punch, he sent his hoof straight through a single bubble, popping it with a solid bang. With that, First let loose his embrace of Frostina and began punching each and every bubble harassing the Yo-Kai, increasing in velocity with every punch.

"Whoever you are..." First declared, "whatever you did to Frostina." He began popping bubbles faster and faster, "I, will never, EVER, let you harm Yo-Kai like this again!!!" With the many rapid punches, one surviving bubble remained. With a cry of war, First drove his hoof into it, bursting it into non-existence, and completely purifying the Snow Woman.

The blizzard storm exploded into a million fragments, the haze spreading throughout Mount Wildwood and all of Springdale, obscuring everything from view. As it subsided, the Yo-Kai Pony team saw to it that the icy fog was gone like air, and the thick clouds of ice above were beginning to dissipate, letting rays of the sun enter once again.

"He did it..." Scootaloo gasped as she saw the silhouette of her brother and Frostina,

"He did it..." Whisper repeated,

"He did it..." As did Jibanyan,

"He did it..." And the mountain sumos,

"He did it..." And the guardian of Catfish Pond.

"You did it!!!" Scootaloo galloped towards her brother to embrace him once again. "I knew you'd do it!!! I'm so proud of you little bro! I love you so much!"

"As I do to you sis." First hugged her back, stumbling and tripping, as he lost control of his muscles.

"First..." Frostina moaned,

"Yes?" First turned to the now free Snow Woman.

"I did say I'll try... But seeing you is a good start as any. Thank you First. You and your sister, for striving to connect with Yo-Kai." With her last words, she fell unconscious.

"Frostina?" First shook,

"Don't worry..." A voice came from nowhere, "she's just unconscious."

With the crew looking up above, a bigger human, with purple clothes, black overcoat, and an azure scarf with floating dragon heads at the end of the scarf, floated down.

"And you are?" Scootaloo asked,

"I'm afraid I can't make introductions now. I've been watching both of you siblings." The Yo-Kai explained, "ever since you fought those White Yo-Kai, to you fighting Massiface."

"Okay?"

"But to think that you can face the terror of the Snow Woman. I have been blown back by your resolve."

"Thanks, I guess..."

"Please give me Frostina."

"B-But..."

"I am not the Yo-Kai responsible for her mind control." The Yo-Kai interrupted, "I only wish to have her nursed back to health, like you do."

"W-Well, I can see you're not with the enemy, but are you sure we can trust you?"

"Please do." The Yo-Kai replied, "If you truly believed and trust in Frostina in her times of pain, would you do the same for me?"

"... Okay then. But if you harm her in anyway, we won't forgive you!"

"I give you my word, as the leader of the resistance of Enma." The Yo-Kai bowed, as he carried Frostina, and flew away.

"Hey dude," First turned to the Boat-riding Yo-Kai, "will you be okay?"

"Celestia's sun, in due time, will thaw the pond, and the fish will be safe once more." The Yo-Kai replied, "thank you, for protecting this pond."

"And Blazion, Sumo rivals," First turned to their Yo-Kai companions, "thanks for helping me with your powers. I could have fared worse than just aching and broken muscles and bones, not to mention a very bad case of possible Hypothermia. I could have even failed!"

"Yeah, looks like we came just in time." Mad Mountain replied,

"I wanted to give you this." Lava Lord presented his medal, "I've never seen anypony like you out there. You acted like a true sumo. Perhaps the Sumo World may be a rising star for you!"

"Thanks, but I'll stick to Baseball mainly." First laughed as he accepted it, "but I would like to fight with you from time to time!"

"Thanks again everypony," Scootaloo thanked once again, "now, I think we should all go home."

With the brave efforts of the siblings and Yo-Kai, the snowstorm had subsided, the thick clouds were fully gone, and the Sun was shining over Springdale again. Though there was quite a mess left in the aftermath, all the ponies decided to contribute into cleaning the town up. Everywhere, ponies of all kinds, as well as Yo-Kai within the shadows, were scooping up snow, cutting up the frozen surfaces of water, replanting crops once again, and nursing surviving wildlife back to health. It was as if it was Winter Wrap-up all over again, only this time, in summer.

The siblings on the other hand, had their own problems to tend to. First was completely depleted of strength after the incident, not to mention a cold, and spent the next two or so days resting and recovering in his bed.

"Rise and shine little bro!" Scootaloo came in one day, carrying a bowl of Boiled Egg Oden soup. "Flash just bought this from a nearby street vendor. It's hot and nice, so it should make you feel better!"

"Thanks sis *sniff*" First sniffed, "H-How's the Emergenci Winter-rap up going?"

"It's going great. We've been tasked to help clear the roads and repair any roads needed to transfer supplies." Scootaloo replied, "Whisper and Jibanyan did a lot of work, for once."

"That'z good to hear," First droned as he took a sip of Oden stew. "Mmm, this is nice. Hope this will clear this cold faster."

"Well look on the bright side, it's not Duchoo that's inspiriting you, and at least it wasn't Hypothermia!" Scootaloo replied,

"Mmm... Achoo!" First sneezed,

"Hey First, I was wondering. When you were busy purifying Frostina, did you find any link to who might have caused this?"

"I don't know..." First pondered, "But I can definitely tell you what it felt like. Insanity, each and every bubble was filled with a maddening and crazy power, and it's not in a good way either."

"So I guess you can say that whoever caused this, is one crazy and mad Yo-Kai."

"Yeah, I bet he's also responsible for this supernatural craziness plaguing Springdale." First replied, "just think about it. If we defeat him, this entire case could be over."

"I never thought about that..." Scootaloo replied, "but you may have a point. To think that we're very close into going back to Ponyville now."

*Ding, Dong* The sound of a doorbell echoed throughout the house.

"I got it!" Scootaloo galloped down and opened the door to a familiar shivering Dog.

"G-Good m-morning..." Pupsicle greeted, "I-Is F-First doing well?"

"He's got a steady recovery." Scootaloo smiled, "what can I help you with?"

"Th-This..." Pupsicle gestured, handing over his medal, "th-thanks for h-helping me save F-Frostina... I-I couldn't have done it without both of you."

"It's no problem Pupsicle." Scootaloo took the medal, "now let's help each other out more, not as acquaintances, but as friends!"

"O-Oh! And take this..." Pupsicle replied, giving out giant bracelet with the symbol of a Sun. "Th-This Sun Bracelet is a th-thank you gift for First... I-I hope it c-can help h-him grow stronger in the c-coming trials again!"

"Sure," Scootaloo took the bracelet, "I'm sure First will be happy to know that what he's done isn't in vain."

"I-It was n-never i-in v-vain..."

The next day, First was cleared of his cold, and was warm and strong enough to stand and trot once more. Wearing the Sun Bracelet on his front leg, a certain somepony was in his mind.

"Frostina..." First looked out of his balcony window, "I wonder how you have been? I hope that Yo-Kai has treated you well."

"First?" A knock came upon the door,

"Ah, Flash, come in." First welcomed,

"I just received a call from Ms Frost from Frostia's Place." Flash explained, "she says she wants us to come to her place to have dinner tonight. Are you fine with that?"

"Really???" First gasped, "s-sure! I can go!"

"Got it then," Flash replied, "we'll leave at six."

"Well then," Whisper grinned as the Guard left the room, "How quaint to see that Ms Frost has an eye for you! I'm quite envious to see a foal like you win her heart rather than a dashing butler like me."

"Stop being creepy Whisper!" First yelled, smacking him with a foam bat and propelling him against the wall. "And besides, she can't see you! You can just come if you want!!!"

"Okay... Point taken..." Whisper groaned with pain, as he pulled his face out of the wall.

As Luna's moon was pulled up once again, the Sentry Family trotted through the Downtown District of Springdale, with snow becoming less prominent, and making it look like summer once more. Looking at the middle shop of the small restaurant street. The name 'Frostia's Place' was painted onto the building's canopy, as well as on the wall.

"This looks like a chill place." Flash noted,

"Please Flash, the puns." The siblings groaned in unison, shocking their older brother.

"D-Did I say something wrong?" Flash asked, "Is there something cold-related to this place?"

"Oh, it's nothing." The siblings giggled as they looked back to the store.

"Why are you guys speaking in unison?" Flash wondered, "That couldn't have been some luck..."

Opening the door, the entrance bell rung for the Blue Earth Pony to come straight to attention.

"Welcome to Frostia's Place." Ms Frost greeted with a warm smile, "so glad that all of you can make it here."

"Thanks for inviting us." Flash greeted back, "to what occasion are we here for?"

"Your siblings I believe, have helped me greatly during my time of need." Ms Frost replied, "for helping me before the storm, as well as helping me clear and clean out my store during the emergency Winter Wrap-Up. Well, your sister that is."

"Is this true?" Flash asked,

"Yeah," Scootaloo replied, I got Nate and the rest to check upon Frostia's place, and cleared out the alleys behind it. I thought to peek inside and she if she's there, but--"

"Anyway," Ms Frost interrupted, "I want to thank you for your act of kindness, by presenting all three of you meals made by yours truly, on the house." She passed three trays with an appetising dish and a side snack on each, "Please enjoy."

"Wow!" Flash gasped, "this looks really good, thank you very much Ms Frost, and thank you very much Scoots." Flash replied, "now let's eat!" And Flash began eating away without any hesitation.

"Yeah, thanks Ms Frost." Scootaloo smiled as she did the same. First nodded in agreement, and reached for the cutlery, only to stop his hands upon a familiar object.

"Ms Frost..." First looked back to the Earth Pony, showing her a medal with a picture of a very familiar figure: A small human girl wearing winter clothes, "is this actually..."

"A secret between your sister..." Ms Frost whispered, "Like you and Scootaloo, I can see and hear Yo-Kai clear as day. Like your white marshmallow friend behind you."

"So you heard all of his flirty remarks..." First growled in embarrassment, "I'm sorry about his behaviour. As a butler, he should know better."

"It's okay." Ms Frost laughed, "Perhaps I've forgotten the bright side of life, seeing my customers with a smile on my face, happily enjoying their time. I'm very happy that I met you and your sister in Timers & More. Otherwise, things may have turned out for the worse on both me and everypony else."

"It would be a sad shame..." First smiled, "to be unable to see the lovely Ms Frost again, running the popular restaurant of Frostia's Place."

"Heh heh..." Ms Frost smiled back, "anyway, when the time is nigh to call upon this Yo-Kai, think of it as..." She winked as she finished her sentence. "...Me!"

Author's Note

Sneak peak for upcoming mini arcs: A certain Nine-tailed Fox and a Dragon-headed Snake will make their appearance!

Chapter 7-1: The Nine-Tailed Charmer

"Hey! First!!! What are you doing!?"

"Me?" First turned around to see his butler, "I'm a... Just trying to get more friends!"

"Don't you know you need a coin to operate the Crank-a-Kai?"

"Well... I forgot?"

"Well it's a good thing you're here. I was about to mention that if you really want Yo-Kai from the Crank-a-Kai, you'd better use some proper coins. Like these!"

"This?" First examined a red coin with the engravement of a wisp.

"Go ahead!" Whisper gestured, "why don't you insert it and give it a whirl?"

"Okay." First shrugged as he placed the coin into the slot, where it had enabled the lever to properly crank. After a few turns of the knob, a red capsule popped from below.

"Is anypony in there?" First talked to the capsule, shaking it for a little while and putting his ear close to hear empty responses.

"Stop wasting time and just open it!" Whisper yelled,

"Okay okay I get it!!!" First replied. He pulled and twisted, and opened the capsule with a satisfying pop. Breaking the seal, a Yo-Kai began to form before the duo's very eyes.

"Hey, thanks for breakin' me out of that seal!" A familiar figure greeted, "I'd be glad if I'd join you as friends!"

"... Undy?" First asked, his head tilted in confusion. "Your colours look... Different..."

"Of course! I'm Tanbo!" The alternate coloured Undy introduced, "and anypony that's with me's gonna have a wild time and ride!"

"Well thanks Tanbo!" First greeted, accepting the Yo-Kai's medal. "I hope we can work together as friends!"

"Well well well! I think it's time for me to shine now! I bet you're wondering, who is this mysterious character talking? Well, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kyubi. I'm what you call a Yo-Kai, and a fox to be specific... What do you mean you know me already??? Oh whatever! It doesn't matter. All that really matters is me, me and me. I am a fox with nine tails, and fur, the finest colour of gold! Oh, and do note that my nine tails and claw nails have the perfect contrast of being tipped with the colour of purple... My Goodness, I never knew that I could rhyme!!!... What's that about my face? I look scary??? No no no no no!!! This is a face of beauty. The curved whiskers upon my fur, my green and golden eyes, my sharp trimmed ears. Like all Fox Yo-Kai are, I am all about beauty!!!"

"Oh? You mean you saw me before?... A construction site you say? Yes, I am indeed, currently inhabiting the Pony World of Springdale, and some ponies and Yo-Kai revere me as a guardian, and to tell you the truth, I take my duties very seriously. I've seen pesky white Yo-Kai flying about most of the time, pestering other ponies and Yo-Kai, so I set them ablaze with my fearsome flames, and make sure they burn into ashes, or rather leave nothing behind either. Do I do it for those who revere me? Of course not! These white Yo-Kai are a horrendous sight to behold, and their existence disgusts me!!! I will wipe out every single last one of them if I have to, and especially the source behind it!"

"But then again, I would hate to see ponies terrorised to the point of leaving this place as I've said before. After all, it's all about the mares..." A small pink sphere with a spinning heart within, floated above the fox's palm.

"This is a heart stone, and these are gathered by winning the hearts of the most beautiful mares." Kyubi explained, reliving the memories of where multiple mares fell head over hooves with his dashing presence. "Collecting them is no easy task for the average fox, but not for me!!! I have collected Ninety-Nine of these stones and I am one more away from achieving the rank that every fox Yo-Kai wishes to be, a Senior Fox!!!"

"Heh heh heh..." Kyubi laughed as ninety-eight more stones joined the one, and floated around the fox's presence. "Oh how I've been told many stories on how a fox Yo-Kai like me had once flawlessly collected One-Hundered Heart Stones by winning the hearts of that much mares. He was given fearsome celestial power, but it was too much for him that his fire has been completely changed to nothing but cold ice. He was never heard of ever since, but I will make sure that I won't make the same mistake! Now, enough introductions! I must find my final target!!!"

Standing on top of a tree branch, Kyubi scouted the streets below, trying to find the mare that he could call his final target. Turning his eyes back to the middle, he spotted a young filly of extravagant charm.

"My final target..." Kyubi pointed a finger at the direction of Katie Forester, "shall be you!"

"Prepare yourself my dear..." Kyubi laughed as he created a ring of fire around him, engulfing himself in the process. As the fire spun away, a dashing and handsome earth foal stood in the fox's place. A greyish tousled mane with two strands poking out, green eyes, and a singular yet beautifully groomed tail. His coat was of a light tan, along with wearing a dashing blue sweater.

"And now." Kyubi stated, jumping off the three landing perfectly on the ground, "my hunt begins."

"Wow," Katie applauded, "that's an amazing story!"

"I don't know, must have been inspired from the freak snowstorm last week." Scootaloo laughed, "to think there was a storm that was equivalent to the power of the Snow Woman."

"Regardless, it would be wonderful for the Snow Woman if she decided to change her ways for the better of all ponykind. She would make a good friend!"

"Yeah." Scootaloo nodded, "I'm sure she will... Oh yeah! That reminds me..."

"Something wrong?"

"I'm going to go get something at home. Is it okay if you can stay here for a little while? I won't be long!"

"Sure thing!" Katie nodded as she waved a temporary goodbye to the ever speedy filly.

"My target is clear." Pony-Kyubi spoke as he decided to innocently walk while being distracted, and bumping into Katie.

"Oof!" Katie stumbled,

"Oh dear!" Kyubi gasped as he picked the filly up, "are you alright?" He placed her attention to his charming eyes and faces.

"Oh! Um... Yeah!" Katie replied, "I'm so sorry for bumping into you!"

"Oh no, I should apologise for bumping into you instead..." Kyubi gave his mane a shake, "but perhaps this was fate..."

"I beg your pardon?"

"It never seemed known to me, that you are the most prettiest thing I've laid my eyes on."

"Aww..." Katie blushed, "thanks, but I've been wearing a little bit of make-up today thanks to a friend's suggestion. If it really looks that good to you, maybe I should use it more often!"

"Wha!?" Kyubi stumbled back, his two strands and tail turned back into his fox ears and nine tails respective, surprised at the filly's comment.

"Anyway, I'm just waiting here for a friend." Katie explained,

"O-Oh!" Kyubi chuckled, quickly hiding his fox features, "I-It's okay, how long have you been waiting here?"

"Not that long, she's just going back to her home to collect something."

"But it shouldn't take that long! Tell you what." He held her hoof, "then why don't I wait with you?"

"Thanks Jibanyan!" Scootaloo thanked with the two-tailed cat companion riding her back, "thanks for finding and holding on to those tickets! It would have been a pain finding it within the clutter if it weren't for you."

"Thyat's okay." Jibanyan replied, "after all, I get to go to the amusement park with you!!!"

"My treat, my treat." Scootaloo laughed, "after all, you are a Yo-Kai. You can just go on your own from time to time. Nopony will see you!"

"But it's better to gyo with friends!"

"Touché!"

"Hey Scyoots. Who's that foal over there with Kyatie? I thought it was jyust the two of you!" Jibanyan pointed at the two foals in front.

"Who???" Scootaloo followed Jibanyan's paw to see a familiar and unfamiliar face, "Who is he???"

"Somepony suspicious..." Jibanyan hissed,

"Agreed..." Scootaloo's eyes narrowed. "In fact, I don't recall seeing this guy in class. I'd better intervene. Hey!"

The two turned around to see a familiar orange pegasus gallop towards them, "sorry if it took you time to wait Katie. Who's this?"

"You're kidding me!!!" Kyubi grimaced internally in horror, his fox features began to show once again on, "She's the friend!? The filly that slayed Massiface, and calmed the Snow Woman!?"

"Ex-Excuse me, are you okay?" Scootaloo asked, "you look like you're dying or screaming on the inside."

"U-Uh, my apologies. Let me introduce myself to both of you. My name is Kyubi." Kyubi bowed, hiding his features again "and it's wonderful to meet you both."

"Nice to meet you too!" The fillies bowed back,

"Alright, take it easy Kyubi. You can do it, just have to win the girl's heart, and distract the brat!"

"My names Katie by the way," Katie greeted,

"Katie, it's a beautiful name indeed. You must have been blessed to receive a name like that."

"Give me a break, playstallion." Scootaloo rolled her eyes, "and I'm-"

"Scootaloo was it? It's great to see you again." Kyubi interrupted. A moment later, he realised what he said and quickly held his mouth.

"Wait... You know my name?" She suspiciously peered at the pony-fox. "Have we met before?"

"N-Not in person..." Kyubi nervously chuckled, "but by reputation I have,"

"Oh, I'm actually being noticed around here now?"

"Of course!" Katie reminded, "winner of the fancy dress competition for fifth grade? Heroine of the Construction Building?"

"Oh... Right... Not to be boastful, but it honestly just felt like another stressful day gone by!"

"Where are you two fillies heading?"

"Off to the amusement park." Scootaloo replied, "don't tell me you have the idea to go there as well?"

"Well, it does appear that you know my intentions. Do you really mind?"

"Well of course I do!"

"Oh come on Scoots!" Katie replied, "the more the merrier! Why refuse?" She turned to Kyubi, "Sure! Feel free to come along!"

"Katie!?"

"Why!" Kyubi spun around fancily and beautifully and bowed once more, "I thank you within the bottom of my heart dear Katie!"

"Please stop with these overly dramatic lines!!!" Scootaloo internally growled with frustration, "you are going to make me puke!"

"What are we waiting for?" Katie asked, pulling both Kyubi and Scoots together, "let's go!!!"

"Hmph..." Kyubi peripherally glared at Scootaloo, "I have two jobs in this whole world, and this brat intends to intervene in both! I'd better get rid of her during the amusement park. Then, I can finally get along with my mission."

"This foal..." Scootaloo peripherally glared at Kyubi, "I can smell nothing but trouble from him, he'd better not touch Katie, or I'm going to give him what for!"

"Hey Scoots," Jibanyan whispered, "Is it me, or does he feel familiar...?"

"Hmm... Perhaps... He did seem to know us from somewhere... Those eyes... Don't tell me he's a Yo-Kai..."

"Speaking of Yo-Kai, why aren't you wearing your Yo-Kai watch today?"

"I want to spend a Yo-Kai free day today, with the exception of you and Whisper of course. That's why I left the Watch in First's possession. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea..."

"What's he doing now?"

"Uhh..."

"Woah!" First rushed to the School field. with great horsepower, "you sure do like to get here early! Thanks for the help Tanbo!"

"No problem!" Tanbo saluted upon First's back, "after all, I'm indebted to you after freeing me!"

"Of course! I forgot! You're going to be trying out for the School Baseball team!" Whisper remembered.

"That's right. Tryouts are on today, and I hope that I'm able to at least contribute to Springdale with something that I do best!"

"How very noble and thoughtful of you!" Whisper complimented,

"I aim to please." First bowed, "but enough flattery, there are other things that you can focus on as a butler."

"Such as?"

"Actually remembering and reminding me that I have day to day activities to attend? As well as trying to remember certain amounts of lore, without trying to use the Yo-Kai Pad for reference?"

"Oh..." Whisper replied, "then I'd better work harder..."

"Mr Johnson?" First approached his teacher, "I'm here to try out for the baseball team. Are you the one in charge here?"

"Why of course First!!!" The teacher replied, "I'm not just your homeroom teacher, but a good physical education teacher at that, even baseball was a sport that I have lots of experience of!"

"Not to be so nosy," First prompted, "but is it because there are... You know... Not a lot of sport teachers or coaches around here?"

"Yeah, that's another issue... For later!" Mr Johnson chuckled, "anyway, I'll make sure you're registered. Why don't you go warm up?"

"Sure." First nodded as he trotted to the side and began stretching. "One... Two... Three... Four..."

"I've been noticing, your family is quite the fitness type, are you?" Whisper asked,

"Now that... I think about it... That's a good point..." First replied through breaths and stretching, "Big Sis gallops around to be like Lady Rainbow... And Big Bro takes his military exercise to the limit, and both of us even get to share!"

"That's certainly a lot of work!"

"What about you Whisper?" First asked, finishing stretching and grabbing a baseball bat to practice swinging. "Do you have a sport or form of exercise that you do? Or rather, what do you do in your daily activities?"

"Well, I do some exercise through a video program!" Whisper pointed out, "but I do that rarely sometimes. I just normally go online-window shopping for Yo-Kai products."

"Yo-Kai products? What do they involve?"

"Equipment that can help boost Yo-Kai's stats and performance in the legal way, new products from Yopple, a variety of pony food..."

"Those sound like things that normal ponies buy..."

"Oh! We have some consumables that we use that regular Ponies would think as accessories. Talismans for example, is one of them. Though ponies use them as charms or wards against Yo-Kai like us, they do in fact affect us in a way!"

"Is the Sun Bracelet Yo-Kai equipment then?" First asked,

"Yes! I'm not sure if it has the same effect on Ponies, but the aged charm that Scootaloo held seemed to work some wonders for herself!"

"They do add some style." First replied,

"Another important thing is that they also sell antidotes to supernatural curses or diseases. And that works on both!"

"Now that really does sound interesting! If Ponies are able to get a hand on its recipes, we could be able to clear away most incurable diseases!"

"Yes, I can certainly see the advantages ponies get with the help of Yo-Kai. If you are a political ambassador though, what would you provide to the Yo-Kai race that could be useful?"

"Good point..." First thought about it, "maybe faster production of commercial items? I'm sure the Princesses have a vast amount of wealth!"

"Food for thought." Whisper replied, "let's focus upon your tryouts for now."

"Okay!" First answered as he strapped on his baseball gear, chose his Minor League Bat, and trotted for the meeting.

"Here goes nothing!!!" First whispered to himself, "It's time to do my best!"

"Heh heh heh, now it's my turn to speak again! I am definitely going the right way with dear Katie falling for my love. And of all luck! An amusement park! This is definitely the best way to win her love. There are various rides. Some charming, some calm, and some that can scare them to the bone!" Kyubi announced with joy,

"Hey Kyubi?" Scootaloo called out, "who are you talking to?"

"But then," Kyubi growled in anger as he gazed at Scootaloo with his peripherals, "this brat is a serious obstacle in the way. She's always nosy on my plans, and I won't be having that! Although it is interesting... Why doesn't she have the watch in her possession? Is she perhaps... Impossible... Perhaps she knew of my identity all along! And she doesn't hold the watch just to trick me that she doesn't! Nice try little brat, but I'm not falling for that trick!!!"

"Kyubi?" Scootaloo asked once more,

"Nothing!" Kyubi spun around, "I wasn't making a soliloquy! That's for sure!"

"Silly foal." Scootaloo laughed, "soliloquies are for theatrical plays and musicals! Anyhoo, I'm just about to mention that you need a ticket to get in the park. I've only got mine and Katie's so you may need to get one for yourself."

"All covered!" Kyubi replied, whipping an a ticket out from nowhere, "the three of us can enter at the same time."

"You know, that's a really nice trick you did there," Scootaloo complimented, "but... All of today's tickets are sold out for today... And that makes you even more suspicious... How did you get one?"

"I-I ordered online!" Kyubi gulped,

"So you planned ahead huh?" Scootaloo replied, "fair enough. It's something I would do too. In fact, I did buy these ahead of time as well, just like you! What a coincidence!"

"I'm honoured. Where is Katie by the way?"

"She's off to the little filly's room. She just wants go get prepared so she doesn't, you know... Have an accident while we take upon those high-velocity rides. That's why I'm waiting for her."

"Shoot..." Kyubi muttered to himself,

"You know," Scootaloo mentioned, "you're not the only one who has eyes on Katie. Another friend has his eyes on her too,"

"Seriously!?" Kyubi jumped, his fox features appearing once more, "I have competition!? Blast!!!"

"I'm curious though, there are many pretty fillies out there. Why her of all ponies?"

"Pardon?" Kyubi hid his features and regained his composure once more,

"What do you see in her, that makes you want to court her to her every need?"

"Well..." Kyubi mentioned, "She's very beautiful. But aside from that, I haven't given it any further thought..."

"I see, so you're just flirting with fillies by random. And with your... Charms to boot."

"Well, what would you think would be a good idea from winning a mare's heart?"

"Well, you've got to be proper friends for a start, and then you can use your charms!"

"Is that so? It sounds like an... Average way."

"Regardless, it's the best way to properly know each other after all." Scootaloo replied,

"I'm done you two!" Katie called to the group. "Shall we go?"

"Come on Kyubi!" Scootaloo grabbed the fox-foal's hand, "let's not keep Katie waiting, and let's see if you've got the stomach to handle the bone-shaking rides."

"What do you mean?"

"Everypony knows the trick on where you can win a girl's heart by holding her tight when riding a rollercoaster. I'd like to see you handle it!"

"Oh! Uh... Okay..." Kyubi nodded, gulping in anxiety.

"This is not good... I should have thought this one through!" Kyubi internally thought once more, "that brat! Does she think she knows more than I do about winning a mare's heart!? I mean, she is herself a mare and all, but still!? She is more irritating than I have ever thought. I'd better erase her memories of me quick!"

"And don't talk to yourself either!" Scootaloo snapped,

"This is going to be fun..." Scootaloo chuckled to herself, "Looks like Mr Playfoal's going to have a bad time."

"Hey Scyoots. I did a little Odour sleuthing on the crafty pony while you were busy with him."

"And?"

"He completely reeks of Yo-Kai!!!"

"That so? A whole different level than Cupistol."

"What are you going to do? You can't summon your friends! What if he pulls a nyasty trick on you!?"

"On second thoughts..." Scootaloo smirked as Katie dragged both her and Kyubi to their first bone chilling roller coaster ride. "He'll have his hands tied... Good thing First didn't come, he'd be as scared as Kyubi here right now."

*Crackkkkkk!* The baseball bat collided with the baseball, sending it flying with ferocious speeds.

"Not bad! Not bad!" Mr Johnson analysed, watching the ball skimming along the ground and rolling to a halt, close to the entrance of the wagon park. First shivered as he watched from the sidelines.

"It's going to be okay First!" Whisper patted him on the back, "you've practised all the time when you had the chance. It is your talent after all!"

"We'll be cheering for you on the sidelines!" Tanbo replied, "go go First!"

"First Base? Your turn to pitch!" Mr Johnson announced. First trotted to the middle without any other word. Multiple murmurs came up as First was trotting through, mostly the mention of how and the outcomes, that the Equestrian Baseballer is going to bring.

"Here goes nothing." First quietened himself as he checked his mound. Taking a deep breath, he gripped the baseball and focused upon the batter on the plate. Giving a firm nod, First was ready to throw. With one mighty toss, the ball whistled effortlessly through the air, past the swinging bat, and into the catcher's glove.

"Wow!" Mr Johnson checked the radar gun, "that's an impressive throw First! Try it again."

"Nice throw!" Whisper cheered, "You can do it!"

"First! First! First!" Tanbo cheered, "he's first-rate in baseball!"

First repeated his steps on how to regain composure, nodded at the batter, and tossed the ball once more. This time, the ball didn't sail as fast as before, and it gave enough time for the batter to strike true. Everypony watched as the ball rolled across the ground with looks of confusion.

"Huh?" First was confused himself, as he checked his hoof. "What happened? I could feel like I was throwing much harder than the ball went... Did I somehow hesitate?"

"That's strange..." Mr Johnson said the same thing as he checked the radar, "Do you want to try throwing it one more time?"

First tried once again, but the moment he pushed the ball with his hoof combined with his swinging momentum, a mysterious form of opposing resistance caused the ball to slow it's velocity through the air, slow to make an average toss, and with enough speed once again, to collide with the swinging bat.

"What in the-!?" First threw his hooves up, "that wasn't supposed to happen!"

"What's wrong?" Whisper asked, "I was sure that it was a proper throw!"

"Do you think he's holding back?"

"Okay First..." Mr Johnson hesitated, "why don't you sit back down?"

"Y-Yes sir..." First nodded with blank confusion as he waddled back to the sides.

"What's the matter First?" Whisper comforted, "it looks like you've torn something bad."

"It can't be!" Tanbo replied, "I doubt you could pull a muscle with just mere pitching!"

"But I was sure that it wasn't mere pitching... What's happening to me? I could feel like I gave it my all, but all I just did was some really third-rate pitching!!!"

"Hey First!" Nate, Bear and Eddie came along, "sorry for being late. We're here to cheer you on!"

"How's it going?" Bear asked,

"I don't know... Really in the dumps right now... I'm playing my best, but nopony could see it when I threw those last two pitches. Even myself!"

"But First," Eddie remembered, "the way you've practised every break and lunch time, it's impossible for you to mess this one up!"

"Hey First..." Nate whispered, "what actually happened?"

"I don't know..." First whispered back, "I'm only using a third of how much baseball I've played, experienced, or trained... Why are you whispering to me like that?"

"As a friend that watches you practice baseball, I doubt you'd pull something like this. So maybe this is due to... A Yo-Kai?"

"A Yo-Kai that causes third-rate effectiveness?" First drank from his bottle, "that's too specific to be a Yo-Kai."

"But it doesn't hurt to try does it? Well, if you had the Watch that is..."

"Actually, I do." First replied, pulling it out of his bag, "Scoots gave it to me for safekeeping. Says she wants to spend a Yo-Kai-free time with Katie at the amusement park today."

"Give it a whirl." Nate suggested,

"Okay then." First replied as he scanned the area, "but I'm telling you, I really doubt that something like that wou-- Oh you've got to be kidding me." A small spinning top-like building figure with a well-tuned moustache and a body of bronze, stood balancing in the middle of the pitch. He also held a flag to balance himself out.

"Woah..." Nate looked at the bronze Yo-Kai standing before them.

"Is that Yo-Kai... Bronze?" First asked,

"Yep!"

"And that flag..." First pointed, "that neighponese word. Three lines on top of each other with different lengths... What does that mean?"

"... Three."

"Oh you've got to be kidding me!" First repeated, "Whisper!"

"Y-Yes?" Whisper quickly flew to his side, with Tanbo behind.

"Yo-Kai on the field. Who is he?"

"Hmm..." Whisper quickly scanned through the images on his Yo-Kai Pad. "Ooh! It's a very fancy name!!! Castelius the Third!"

"Castelius III?" Nate replied, "Very fancy indeed, a very western name at that. Neighponese royals don't fall under the same name all of the time!"

"Well, how can we deal with him?" Tanbo asked,

"Oh I know how..." First pulled out his medallium, "and I'm going to make him pay!"

"My word! He's going to summon a Yo-Kai friend! And his first time too!" Whisper squealed in delight,

"You mean it wasn't his job?" Tanbo asked,

"He said that he'll take care of the medallium I gave him. The Watch is in possession with his older sister. However, she wanted him to take care of it today because she wanted a day free of Yo-Kai."

"I see... What is she doing?"

*Sss...* The shoulder restraints automatically lowered themselves onto the three ponies. Scootaloo and Katie were nestled in with excitement on their minds. Kyubi and Jibanyan on the other hand (who occupied an empty seat next to Scootaloo that was also restrained), were quivering and shaking like jelly.

"Aww what's wrong???" Scootaloo asked, sitting behind the two ponies, "It's going to be fine Kyubi! You're safely restrained and belted to the seat! You won't fall off!"

"Y-You don't know that!!!" Kyubi replied with a gulp,

"Wow, what happened to your playfoal composure? You really should have thought this through... And you're a Yo-Kai! Aren't you already, you know... Incorporeal?"

"Q-Quiet!"

"You too Jibanyan." Scootaloo turned around, "both of you will be fine. Is that right Katie?"

"Of course!" Katie replied, "it's going to be fun!"

"Mares and Gentlecolts, the ride will now begin shortly." The supervisor announced, "please make sure your legs and hooves are firmly within the seat's boundaries. Hold on to your restraints!" With a click of a button, the coaster train began to move. "And enjoy!"

"Here goes nothing!" Katie laughed as the train began slowly ascending on the slopes. "Are you ready?"

"Ready!" Scootaloo cheered,

"R-Ready!" Kyubi stuttered,

"I'm n-nyot ready!!!" Jibanyan screamed.

As the train continued climbing and climbing, Kyubi and Jibanyan looked to their sides, and noticed that they were high above the ground and nearly touching the clouds. "T-Too high!!!"

"Hey what's with the squirming guys?" Scootaloo continued taunting, "the fun is yet to begin! Can't wait for the quick descent down!"

"That's easy for YOU to say!!!" Kyubi retorted, "you're a Pegasus!"

"We're getting closer everypony!" Katie giggled as the train had a brief moment regaining a straight angle.

"Nya... Gyoodbye cruel world... Again..." Jibanyan cried as the train tipped itself upon the nearly- perpendicular slope, sending itself straight down the rails

"Yeeaaahhh!!!" Scootaloo screamed with gusto as the supremely fast coaster roared down the slope

"Oh Lord Enma save me!!!" Kyubi screamed as his mouth was blowing through the wind.

"Nyaaa!!!!" Jibanyan screamed as his tears erupted sideways across his face and to the back of the other ponies who were screaming with fear and joy. If it wasn't for the fact that Jibanyan is a Yo-Kai and therefore, a spirit, the ponies sitting in the back would have the mouths and faces full of salty tears.

The roller coaster continued swerving and jolting. Madly spinning in quick directions, and throwing everypony by surprise.

"Yay!" Katie screamed for joy.

"Aaaaa!!! Wrggg!!! Eiii!!!" Kyubi screamed as his voices and cries changed with the train's sharp turns.

"Ahhh!!!! Aa..." Jibanyan continued on crying for a moment, then began to feel something snap within him. "This... This isn't so bad!"

"Hahahahahaha!!!" Scootaloo laughed as the train decided to take a small break by going up another ascending hill again.

"Is... Is it over?" Kyubi gasped, taking very heavy breaths with fear.

"Yeah, the first part is over!" Katie replied, "I had a blast! Did you?"

"N-No! Not at all!" Kyubi replied,

"Here, why don't I hold on to you?" Katie asked, grasping Kyubi's hoof.

"Wah!?" Kyubi did a double-take.

"And good luck, because part two is coming up soon!" Scootaloo added,

"Oh no!!!" Kyubi screamed as the train came upon the parabolic slope once more, sending the train into the supreme flight of a peregrine falcon once more.

"This should be simple..." First pulled out Leadoni's medal, "I can just lead him away from here, then he'll leave me alone!"

"How about Mynimo?" Nate suggested, "if his description proves true, then Castelius III would be distracted by the one pony who needs the finest treatment!"

"A bit of collateral damage, but good plan!"

"How about using Baku or Whapir? Put them to sleep, bam! Ineffective!"

"Or maybe we should just make him frozen straight away!" First pulled out Frostina's medal,

"Steal his Flag!"

"Let him slip and slide!"

"Make him slack off!"

"Endless coughing!"

"A terrible cold!"

"The longest of runny noses!"

"An addled mind!"

"Woah! We sound like witches and warlocks here, but we've got so many friends we can call upon to help us get rid of him!" First flipped thorugh his endless pages of medals, "I can't believe how far me and Scoots have gone through!"

"It's like you can cause just about anything good and bad upon anything!"

"Well, I'd better get started!" First grabbed a medal with excitement, swung himself and the watch around, and held the medal to the air,

"Come on out my friend! Calling Leadoni!" He flipped the medal and caught it with ease,

"Yo-Kai Medal." First inserted the medal, "Do Your Thing!!!"

"Uh uh uh!!!" A different voice echoed out of the watch,

"What!?" First gasped at the result, "what do you mean?" Pulling the medal out, he tried again. "Yo-Kai Medal, Do Your Thing!!!"

"Uh uh uh!!!" The same voice repeated,

"What is this!?" First grabbed his mane in shock, "why won't it let me summon my friends!?"

"Oh dear..." Whisper scrolled through the Yo-Kai pad, "While the Yo-Kai Watch features can be used by mostly anypony. Only the Yo-Kai summoning feature is registered and restricted to one pony. Whoever first summoned their Yo-Kai friend with the Watch, is the one who will be summoning it until death!"

"Oh for Goodness sake!!!" First roared in frustration, "I'm the brother of the one who uses the Watch, why did I learn about this now!?"

"Well, Scootaloo has always been summoning Yo-Kai friends in the many Yo-Kai related events,"

"And didn't you say yourself that you'll have the medallium in exchange?"

"Aww... Convenience. I should have thought that one through!"

"Now we're back to square one." Nate sighed, "what should we do about you?"

"Umm, perhaps you forget, I'm still here!" Tanbo waved,

"Oh! That's right!" First gasped, "I still have you!"

"Who now?" Nate asked,

"Oh that's right, I haven't introduced you to Tanbo yet!"

"Uhh, Eddie?" Bear asked as the two foals were busy mingling with themselves and some other unknown force, "what are they doing?"

"Beats me." Eddie shrugged, "it's as if they were talking to ghosts, but they don't exist..."

"That reminds me, where's Scootaloo? I thought she would be here to cheer her brother along."

"She and Katie are off to the amusement park today. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know myself..." Bear wondered, "I just felt like speaking it, almost as if like in those TV shows, when you wonder about somepony else who's not with you, you zoom into their perspective..."

"Ooh..." Kyubi dizzily moaned as his head spun while trotting away from the ride that he would call his biggest nightmare, his fox ears and tails visible and swaying along with the dizziness.

"That was fun!" Katie exclaimed, "don't you think so everypony?"

"Of course!" Scootaloo replied, "what do you guys think?"

"It... Didn't turn out to be bad at all! I actually had fun!" Jibanyan replied, "I want to go again! I want to go again!"

"Shut it cat." Kyubi growled, managing his ears and tail to be hidden again "nopony asked for your opinion!"

"Well nopony could see or hear Yo-Kai normally... And those features..." Scootaloo watched, "So you are a Yo-Kai after all."

"C-Can we take a break please?" Kyubi asked, "I need to regain my uh... Sanity."

"Well, if you say so..." Katie replied,

"Okay! I've got this! I need to think up of something quick! Like--"

"Why don't we go have fun at another ride?" Scootaloo suggested, "like the flying swing?"

"Okay then!" Katie replied,

"Will it be as fun as the rollercoaster?" Jibanyan asked,

"Definitely!" Scootaloo replied,

"Hey come on Kyubi!" Scootaloo slapped his shoulder, "why don't you man up and watch over Katie? It is your aim after all!"

"This brat is really taking my patience to the limit!!!" Kyubi internally growled, "I'm going to do more than erase your memories about me, I'm going to incinerate that cheeky face of yours as a bonus!"

As the day went on, the group went on more high-speed and bone shaking rides, and Kyubi could do nothing but clench his flanks and scream as loud as he could to the max.

"Aaahh!!!" Kyubi yelled as he and Katie spun around and around on the flying swing.

"It's not that bad as the rollercoaster if you ask me!" Scootaloo and Jibanyan swung from behind.

"Eeeek!!!" Kyubi hollered with fear as he and the boat flew straight down the water slope and collided with the aquatic surface to create a big splash, soaking him and everypony else entirely,

"It's just water!" Scootaloo laughed as she shook herself all around, "It's cold, but it doesn't hurt!"

"Heeellp!!!" Kyubi cried as he held on to the middle pole as he crazily spun around in a tea cup that he and the others were occupying,

"This is a tea cup ride!" Scootaloo taunted, "oh my goodness! Don't tell me you need Katie to hold you safe all the way! Be careful! The dizzy spinning might get to you!"

"..." Kyubi whimpered and shivered as he held furiously upon his carriage ride upon the carousel, with Katie sitting up close and laughing like crazy.

"Are you even trying right now?" Scootaloo, riding a horse figure with Jibanyan perched on top of its head. "This is the cooldown! Maybe perhaps you also feel the fear when going down a slide! Hahahahaha!!!"

"Nyahahahaha!" Jibanyan laughed along,

"Argh!!! That's it!!! I don't care if you're trying to save the Yo-Kai and Ponies!!!" Kyubi bared his teeth at the mocking tomboy filly and her two-tailed cat, "I'm going to burn you till there's nothing left! And you too cat!!! Not to mention your Pasty-faced Butler and your Yo-Kai caring brother! Wherever they are!!!"

"You got my back, right Tanbo?" First asked,

"Yep!!!" Tanbo gave a thumbs up, "If Castelius III is going to hamper your swinging skills, I'll make sure that you get to the safe plates as fast as possible!"

"Okay."

"But remember, whether you want to gallop to a plate or not will depend on your decision."

"Got it,"

"And I'm no baseball player, but you should already know this by yourself. Give it your all! Show it that you're trying your best! Grit those teeth!"

"Okay!" First nodded,

"You can do it First!" Nate cheered, "get out there and show them what you can do!"

"Alright now! Batting test! First Base, you'll be first to bat and run, the rest will field."

"Yes sir!" First stepped up to the batter's plate, with bat at the ready. "Ready when you are!" He called out.

Taking those words, the pitcher readied himself on the mound and made himself comfortable. Nodding to First, he was ready to throw.

"I'm going to beat you Castelius III. I'll overcome your power!" First internally yelled as the ball flew straight towards him. With a true focus, First swung his hardest, and with a sudden rotation in his hooves, the swinging bat ducked under the ball's direction and hit nothing.

"Strike!" Mr Johnson called out,

"How dare you Castelius III!" First growled, as he gave a few more similar swings, the sudden hoof rotation nowhere to be felt, "and I'm starting to get sick of saying 'the third' all the time!" With the pitcher getting another ball, he nodded and threw the ball with a mighty toss once more.

"Hit it!" First yelled as he quickly swung the bat into the ball, making sure everypony around could hear the satisfying sound of contact. The ball didn't sail far however, as it began to roll itself towards a left fielder. With haste, the fielder grabbed the ball and quickly tossed it towards the First Basestallion, not noticing that First Base had galloped past the plate way long before, making his way to the second base.

"That should do..." First skidded to a halt on the Second Base, as the first basestallion tossed it to the second, hoping to catch him out. With the other basestallion catching the ball, the referee at the area held his front legs out wide.

"SAFE!"

"Understood." Mr Johnson nodded, "come back to the batter's plate First, let's see you swing one more time."

"Okay then," First nodded as he trotted back, swinging his bat for practice once more. Without any emotion, the pitcher nodded and threw it once more, with an internal cry of war, First successfully hit the ball once more, and gave it all his might to gallop.

"Hmm..." Mr Johnson watched the baseball foal tear across the sides of the diamond, his face going through a lot of pain, determination, and tension. "It's as if he's trying to overcome something supernatural at work!"

"Arrgh!" First yelled, flying past the first and second bases, and gearing for the third.

"First!" Nate called "stop! I don't think you can make the home run!"

"You need to be smart! Even if it may be the last time you run!" Whisper yelled,

"Don't push yourself!" Tanbo added "Don't show all of your physical prowess! Especially when I'm influencing most of it!"

"Oh crap!!! I actually forgot!" First gasped, "He's right! I'm not being honest in any of this situation at all! To think that I'd lose what's most important in this situation, just to overcome Castelius III's power! Got it... I know just what to do!"

"First! Stop!" Nate repeated once again. Instead, dashed passed the third plate, hoping to aim for the final plate.

"First! What are you doing!?" Whisper called. First ignored the cry and continued on galloping.

But somewhere along the way, First slowed down on his galloping... On purpose... As the ball sailed to and fro from the many fielders, and straight into the keeper's glove. The referee held a hoof to the air, and swung it down in an arcing motion.

"OUT!"

"Did it..." First laughed as he collapsed on the ground after finishing the run. "I did it..."

"Hey First, are you okay? You really like to risk it all!" Mr Johnson asked,

"Sorry about that sir. I wish I could come up with a proper excuse, but I guess I really got carried away getting to the end."

"I'm not quite sure I understand..."

"My whiffs with pitching and batting. I wanted to make up for it..."

"Oh First, whatever are you talking about? It doesn't matter whether you are good or not. As long you devote your blood, sweat, tears and love to the game, you're already a player in my book!"

"Seriously?"

"It's just like how the Soccer World in Neighpon went too! Even when cornered by greedy organisations! And with what I've seen on your face, you definitely earned that Cutie Mark!"

"Really!?"

"But it's not the game just yet! There's still a more to tackle! I still think you've done really well regardless, I hope your fielding skills won't let me change my mind!"

"N-Not at all sir!" First stood up, "thank you very much!"

"Thank me at the end." Mr Johnson laughed, "alright, next up--"

First beamed with joy as he trotted to his fielding position, giving words of motivation for the batter after him.

"You see?" A new voice spoke, "sometimes you have to be mature and unafraid if things might not go your way. If you give it your all and show it, even a third-rate player like you can get through!"

"Really?" First turned to the voice, spoken from the very Yo-Kai hampering his performance. "Yeah, you might be right. Thanks Castelius III!"

"It's my pleasur--"

"Is that what you think I would say?" First growled as a devious grin spread across his face, grabbing the Yo-Kai's arms.

"Huh?" Castelius III was taken by surprise.

"I don't know what your intentions were when you decided to inspirit me. But I can tell you that inspiriting me at an important time like this is not appreciated, and I am NOT a Third-rate player! And making ponies and Yo-Kai, a third of their own power, that's your ability!"

"S-Sorry! I-I was just trying to be helpful! I-I'll be your friend!"

"Well, I did come out enlightened, and I also avoided cheating, even though nopony can see Yo-Kai or their powers, and yes I'd love to be your friend! But perhaps you could have done things a bit differently. That way, I would have done something else, rather than what I'm about to do to you!"

"D-Do what?"

"THIS!" First roared, revealing the minor league bat hidden in his possession, all for the opportunity to smash the Bronze-bodied Yo-Kai high into the sky.

"I'm SOOOORRRRYYY!!!" Castelius III screamed as he sailed over the sky, with something falling out of his body before he went over the horizon.

"Man. I hope whacking Yo-Kai won't be as frequent." First tapped his bat as he trotted back to his friends. "Eh?" He turned to a medal that fell and bounced on the ground. "Oh hey! Castelius III's medal! Not only did I have a big chance of getting into the team, I also get a new Yo-Kai friend! I bet it would be great news for Scootaloo, after she's had her Yo-Kai free day of course!"

And as the day rolled into dusk, it was time for the group to go home.

"I had a fun day today." Katie addressed to everypony, "thanks for taking me here! I'm just going to go get some refreshments!"

"Sure thing." Kyubi winked, "we'll be waiting."

With Katie out of view, Kyubi turned his attention on Scootaloo, who was just visiting the little fillies room.

"Say your prayers Scoots, because you'll be prayed for soon!" Kyubi growled, creating a small but powerful ball of fire, ready to fling it at the filly as soon as she comes out.

"Hey Kyubi!" A sharp hoof tapped his shoulder,

"Scoots!" Kyubi turned around by surprise, destroying his concentration "don't sneak up upon me like that!!!"

"Sorry about that, though... You should notice my presence before, as a Yo-Kai."

"Pardon?"

"Kyubi, I think it's dawned upon me ever since in the bright afternoon that you are in fact, a Yo-Kai. What with the features of your ears, tails, and your eyes too. Your appearance and voice is a little bit feminine for a foal, although... I did meet one pony or Yo-Kai before who was like that... A nine-tailed fox Yo-Kai with the power of fire. Don't tell me that you and the fox are the same person?"

"What, is your problem!?" Kyubi roared, "first the building, now this! When will you ever stop hopping into my life!?"

"Sorry, I guess my brother and I always stumble into something Yo-Kai related regardless! And I really did want a Yo-Kai free time today."

"Well, you did have that cat with you..."

"He's an exception, a very close friend!"

"Well, I would say that I'm sorry for ruining your plans, but you've ruined mine."

"I guess that makes it even!" Scootaloo laughed, "but you're quite a mysterious pony, Yo-Kai, er... Pony."

"Pardon?"

"You were all serious and detrimental when me met at the construction site, and you act as the playfoal as another alias completely!"

"Hey, I am and always, will be Kyubi."

"Okay then!" Scootaloo replied, "that actually makes it better!"

"Pardon?"

"At first, I thought you'd be an all straight player, with nothing but lecherous compliments and narcissistic actions, but it turns out deep inside, you're just like the Coyote who fails to catch his prey!"

"E-Excuse me?" Kyubi gasped, blushing in horrific embarrassment,

"Actually, I think it's quite adorable for a... What's the word? A stallion with an androgynous character like you who's adorable and timid than what his mythology says!"

"I... I...!"

"I'll admit this, I actually like you Kyubi!" Scootaloo admitted, "Like I said, it's on the inside that counts! You always make me laugh, and I think it combines well with the false bravado you put up!"

"Why you..." Kyubi blushed even harder,

"We really should hang out more sometime." Scootaloo added, "as a human or Yo-Kai! You'd be a really great friend!"

"Wh-What is this feeling!?" Kyubi gasped from within, "I feel so... Warm... Burning inside... This Brat... What did she do to me? I feel so... Charmed by her..."

"Now that you've given your identity away, I'm curious again. You seemed to have a protective role, so why are you flirting with the many mares and fillies?"

"Well..." Kyubi replied, his trademark grin and smile back on his face, "I'll let you in on my secret. Any mare or filly that falls for me, releases their heart in the form of a heart stone for my keeping. It is a fox's goal to gather one hundred of these, in order to receive great celestial power, and become Senior Fox, the highest rank of all Foxes!"

"How many have you got?"

"Ninety-Nine."

"Ohh... So Katie was your last target?"

"That is correct."

"You know, it's a bit heartbreaking to see that once you've won over their hearts, you desert them. Perhaps they may really want you!" Scootaloo suggested,

"They're ponies, inferior beings, no offence."

"None taken!"

"But, I may reconsider... There are certain ponies, with unexplained beauty, that can rival the high spirits themselves, even a Goddess!"

"Well, I hope you're lucky enough to find one of that calibre!"

"I already have." Kyubi smiled, as a circle of fire appeared around his feet "my plans have changed, Scootaloo. I... I have found a new target! And mark my words, I will gain my final heart stone!"

"Okay then," Scootaloo waved goodbye as the circle of flame erupted into a pillar, where Kyubi was gone once the fire resided. "and Good luck!"

"Scoots!" Katie returned with shaved Ice, "wanna eat while we go home?"

"Yeah," Scootaloo accepted the Shaved Ice, "Kyubi had to leave early though, so I'll say goodbye in regards for him!"

"Kyubi?" Katie twisted her head, "who's Kyubi?"

"You don't know? He was with us for the entire time, riding the rides and screaming like a baby."

"No, can't say I have any memory of that. It was just me and you, wasn't it?"

"No? Well, If you're interested, I can tell you all about him!"

"Sure, what's he like?"

"He's a very charming and narcissistic boy at the beginning, but in the end, he's just a funny guy to hang around. He'd make a really great friend! Shame he doesn't attend our school."

"Narcissistic? What do you mean?"

"He's very proud of it, and it works for most ponies. 99 mares fell for his charm, appearance, and gentlecolt-like behaviour, and he aims to hit 100."

"That sounds creepy."

"Don't worry, nothing of concern, it's just one look and bam! Heart is swept away."

"Oh... That's quite impressive."

"Not for us though, if he's up against me, he's going to do a lot better than that!"

"By the way... There's a rose sticking out of your bag." Katie pulled it out, and showed it to Katie, "does it belong to you?"

"Huh?" Scootaloo held the rose looking at it with great astonishment. A few seconds later the rose caught fire and burned completely. Instead of burning into ash however, the rose transformed into a beautiful wisp of flame that danced around Scootaloo's hooves before disappearing into thin smoke.

"Woah!" Scootaloo was taken aback by the small fire show,

"Wow! That's beautiful!" Katie gasped, "could it be from Kyubi?"

"Yeah, he's also got some neat fire tricks within him."

"Wow, perhaps he is charming after all!" Katie continued, "You think he would to the same to other mares?"

"Actually, I don't really thi-- Wait... Oh no... You're kidding me... So that pony who had the unexplained beauty that rivals Goddesses..." A look of horror dawned upon her face, "Is he...?"

"Yes indeed Scootaloo..." Kyubi watched from afar, taking on his original fox form once again. "I can tell now that you have realised who the divine mare in description is, and therefore, my final target... I know it's not going to be easy as you've proven. But perhaps if I take light upon what you've said to me, and improve my courage and bravery on rides like these, then perhaps you'll see me in a different sort of view... I rhymed again! Anyway..." He pointed towards the orange filly departing the park, "you, will be the target for my final Heart stone!!! And I will stop at nothing to get that! But after what happens once I do... We'll see... After all, you are quite the mare to leave me with a big impression. Very memorable... Heh heh heh... Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!"

"Get ready to drop!" A random voice announced,

"AHHH!!!!!" Kyubi interrupted his laughing with a scream of shock and fear as he sat upon the ride for a big vertical drop just letting go of its brakes... Yeah, he's never going to get over his fear of high-speed rides.

Author's Note

Alright, from here on out, it's going to be one by one chapter.

To everyone, thanks for reading up this far. I've got exams coming up, so it's going to take some time to release the next chapter. Possibly near the end of November will these exams end.

Chapter 7-2: The Serpent Warrior

The next morning after their big day outs, First and Scoots decided to spend their time feeding their insects and doing extra homework.

"Say First," Scootaloo spoke, while feeding both Kuwa and Kabu, "did you manage to get into the Baseball team?"

"I did!" First smiled, while doing his homework, "it was a tough fight, but I did it. How about you? Enjoy your Yo-Kai free day?"

"I don't know..." Scootaloo approached her desk, picking up her cup of water, "Aside from Jibanyan, there were Yo-Kai involved. Just one though, and it wasn't that bad. Maybe it's just... I feel like I'm definitely not going to be left alone now."

"You were warned of this ever since the beginning." Whisper reminded,

"I know, but this is a... 'Different' situation. Hasn't Jibanyan told you?"

"Oh... Right. You remember that fox Yo-Kai?" Jibanyan asked,

"The one who took the victims and us back home in the Massiface incident?" First asked,

"Nyeah, he's uh... Stalkin' your sister."

"WHAT!?" First performed a massive double-take.

"Yep, I'm his final 100th mare in order to become senior fox."

"Wh-What is this supposed to be!? A sacrifice for nourishment!?"

"No no no, don't be silly..." Scootaloo laughed, "he just has to win my heart like his other 99 mares he spoke with."

"Oh..." First gasped with relief, "I thought I would have lost you then!"

"He's going to have a hard time. Mark my words." Scootaloo smirked, as she took a swig.

"Woah!" Scootaloo gasped as she quickly dumped the volcanic contents out of her cup.

"What's the matter sis?"

"My cup! It's... It's lava!" Scootaloo replied, pointing at the lava stain upon her desk.

"Sis? That's water, you filled your cup up a few minutes ago." First replied,

"Really?" Scootaloo asked, rubbing her eyes, the volcanic stain revealed to be just a stain of water.

"Try to be more careful next time Scoots." Whisper sighed as he grabbed a clean towel out of his head and wiped down the table.

"B-But... I swore it looked like Lava." Scootaloo mentioned.

"Really?" First asked,

"N-Never mind..." Scootaloo sighed,

"Scoots? First?" Flash called from downstairs, "you've got a letter from somepony."

"What is it about?" Scootaloo called back,

"I don't know, but it's telling you to go visit your school."

"Doesn't that sound the least bit suspicious?" First asked,

"I see..." Flash spoke, closing his eyes "so you are very well taught to be aware."

"What the!? Flash!?" The siblings jumped once more,

"Do not worry," Flash answered, opening his eyelids to reveal yellow, snake-like eyes, "I won't harm your loved ones, let alone you. I am the Yo-Kai that you saw during the Snow Woman incident."

"Are you the one with that dragon snake scarf that carried Frostina away?" First asked,

"Those dragons are a part of me, not a neck accessory. But if you wish to call it that, then yes. That was me."

"What do you want?" Scootaloo asked,

"Please, I wish for no hostility. I just want you to meet me in person. Up upon the school's roof. Is that okay?"

"As long as you leave our brother be then." First negotiated, a small shiver went through his body.

"You have my word as the leader of Enma's resistance." The possessed Flash beat his hoof firmly upon his chest. "And your two Yo-Kai companions must come along."

"Okay then, see you there!" Scootaloo nodded in agreement,

"I look forward to seeing your presence." Flash bid farewell as the inspiriting aura dissipated away from the presence, leaving Flash unconscious while standing.

"Let's go everypony!" Scootaloo gestured, "and Flash?" She patted her brother's immobile body, "we'll be heading out to school. See ya!"

"Huh?" Flash woke up as the door closed, his eyes returned to normal. "What just happened??? Oh right... Scootaloo said she and First were heading out to school."

"Hey Whisper, I'm wondering." Scootaloo asked as they trotted towards the school and up the stairs, "even if we're living in this place for a long time, why does it always feel like we're visiting something new?"

"Well, Springdale is certainly a big place!" Whisper replied, "and there's a lot places big and small, to be discovered and searched by all!"

"Yeah, exploring around your neighbourhood. It doesn't sound bad at the very least!!! Maybe that's why finding adventure isn't hard, especially when Yo-Kai are involved too?"

"What do you think First?" Jibanyan asked,

"Cold..." First whimpered as he shivered.

"Pardon???"

"It's so cold..." First repeated as he began shivering even further. "I can't move... I'm so immobile... I'm just freezing to death within my own prison..."

"Fir--"

"HELP ME!!!" First screamed, "SOMEPONY BREAK THIS ICE!!!"

"Sweet Celestia First!!!" Scootaloo and the group jumped back, "what has gotten into you?"

"WHAT!?" First yelled back, his view snapped back to reality. "I'm... I'm not freezing? Not trapped?"

"It's summer First, and that ice storm was but a week ago. Are you feeling alright?"

"It... Looks like I have..."

"Why don't you wash up first?" Scootaloo suggested, leading her brother to a nearby shared sink.

"Thanks." First replied as he turned the knob and rinsed his face in hot scalding lava.

"Stop First!" Scootaloo yelled as she pulled her brother out of the lava spewing tap. "What are you doing!? That's lava!!!"

"What do you mean?" First turned around in confusion, beads and drops of lava all over his face. "I thought you told me to wash my face."

"H-How come the lava isn't burning you?" Scootaloo pointed at her brother, "your face would have melted by now!"

"Scoots, it's just water. What are you going on about???" First wiped his face, "I've dried my face and mane, so you won't freak out again."

"O-Okay..." Scootaloo replied, "l-let's just get this over with.

Climbing the northern staircase to its summit, a lone door to their left gave them access to the roof of the school. The siblings and Yo-Kai were able to see the many districts that make up the town. Uptown Springdale with the school above them, Downtown Springdale with the Construction Site in their view point, as well as the vast ocean before them, the cosy and fancy streets of Breezy Hills, and the crowded lanes and apartments of Shopper's Row. To their backs, Mount Wildwood stood strong and proud.

"Well what do you know?" First took in the view, "It's great to see views of the town at a different point."

"Yeah..." Scootaloo nodded, "even regarding the different times of day, it still looks like a completely new landscape."

"Indeed!" Whisper added, "and what's better, we don't have to deal with that hulking giant anymore!"

"You got that right!" Jibanyan replied,

"Massss..." A low voice came from behind as a rising presence shook the surface of the school roof.

"Wait... That sound..." Scootaloo froze, her eyes shrinking in fear.

"Siiii..." A giant shadow loomed over the group, and a shadow that was very, VERY familiar.

"No..." First gulped, "it can't be..." The two foals turned around.

"Faacccceee!!!" A shadow corrupted figure of Massiface roared at them, hair, head, teeth and all. The most notable feature that stayed, was his big red eyes. Glaring deeply into the foal's souls.

"Aaahhh!!!" The foals screamed as they fell to the ground, covering their eyes in hopes that they will not disappear.

"First! Scoots!" Jibanyan and Whisper jumped in shock at their pony friends, squirming and screaming on the floor.

"Snap out of it!!!" Whisper yelled, pulling out an emergency bucket of water and sloshing it all over their faces.

"Wh-What happened?" Scootaloo gasped for breath as she sat up, "I thought I was gone forever!"

"I thought HE was gone forever!!!" First sat himself up too, wiping the sweat off his forehead, developed from anxiety and shock.

"Scoots, First, somethying doesn't seem right with you..." Jibanyan replied, "it looks like you're... Experiencing a lot of bad flashbacks."

"Lava? Disappearing? Frozen?" Whisper picked up, "Do those happen to be related to the Yo-Kai related incidents we had back then?"

"Now that you mention it... Yeah... I feel like we're back there again... With those painful and scary experiences. They were really traumatising now that I think about it." Scootaloo answered,

"This isn't good..." Whisper gasped, "hallucinations, vivid experiences, I think you have a very severe disorder... And I believe that disorder is very common in those who have suffered traumatic experiences such as Guards and Soldiers... Those who had their lives flashed before their very eyes, or had seen the most painful of sights."

"So you've come..." A voice spoke from above, the Dragon-Scarf wearing Yo-Kai floated down towards them and bowed, "It is an honour to meet you properly, Scootaloo and First Base."

"Th-Thanks." Scootaloo bowed back, wincing and slowly recovering from her past experiences, "and I believe you are?"

"My name is Venoct." Venoct introduced himself, "some have called me the Serpent Warrior, or Orochi, back home in Neighpon."

"So... Are you a snake Yo-Kai? What's your story???" First asked,

"A giant monstrous beast of red with two flaming tails..." Venoct explained, "destroyed and burned my entire village... All my family, friends, burned up... And as for me, I swore revenge before my own death, becoming the Yo-Kai I am now..."

"You mean Jibanyan?" Scootaloo pointed towards the cat,

"YOU!!!" Venoct roared at the cat's presence, "YOU are the one I swore revenge on! I will have to destroy you!!!"

"Shouldn't have given him the suggestion sis." First gulped and stepped in for defence. "Jibanyan isn't some ruthless killer. He's a cat spirit who died by the hands of a wagon, and is currently spending his spiritual existence hoping to fight back the ones who cost his life. He's a lot like you Venoct."

"Is that so???" Venoct asked, staring into the cat's eyes. "You look exactly like the beast, albeit a bit smaller and less monstrous."

"Do you know the beast that destroyed you and your home?" Scootaloo asked,

"It goes by the name of Red J. But I haven't seen him since." Venoct replied,

"It does sound like Jibanyan the more I learn about this beast," First pointed out, "but I can tell that Jibanyan only focuses on wagons, not entire villages."

"Anyway, though my search for Red J still continues, I have also been tasked by Lord Enma to fulfill his current goals and wishes: Protecting his son, as well as the ponies from Yo-Kai who wish to do harm. Now that McKraken and his White Yo-Kai has done exactly that, I have formed the Resistance of Enma to oppose them."

"McKraken... White Yo-Kai..." First spoke, "was he the one who was responsible for those who were terrorising Leadoni from long before, as well as inspiriting Frostina?"

"You catch on very quick First." Venoct answered, "Yes. He was responsible for those events. He was also responsible for letting a monster like Massiface loose around the construction site, trapping Ponies and erasing their existences."

"So now we know the name behind all this..." Scootaloo growled, "Looks like we're getting closer and closer to the source of these paranormal occurrences..."

"About that..." Venoct replied, "Like ponies, Yo-Kai has free will of their actions and decisions, so I'm afraid that stopping McKraken won't be able to stop these paranormal occurrences."

"Oh... Really???" Scootaloo gasped,

"There is the possibility of more than one of a Yo-Kai. There can be more than one Pandle, one Fidgephant, many more. A familiar Yo-Kai that appeared on the street might not be the same Yo-Kai that you know and befriended."

"We're... We're not going to stop this... Are we???" First asked,

"Do not give up all hope. As you have kept on befriending Yo-Kai, Yo-Kai are very much mindful now of who and what they inspirit. Thanks to your efforts, it is clear to Yo-Kai that they can be seen very frequently by Ponies."

"Oh well... That actually does sound promising."

"Yes, and it is a very big advantage to us." Venoct explained, "it has forced McKraken to use more of his White Yo-Kai. Yo-Kai who are under his command, share his ideals, and wreak havoc on both Yo-Kai and Pony world."

"If McKraken's all that you said. It could be a silly question, but are we on his most wanted List?"

"Of course." Venoct replied, "scouts and spies have reported numerous attempted attacks and ambushes on you and your family."

"Are you serious!?" Whisper gasped, "but our lives have just as been as normal!"

"As they should be." Venoct nodded, "I've been taking care of that personally, as is that vain fox. Even more so now than before."

"I think I can understand why..." Scootaloo chuckled in embarrassment,

"But that's beside the point. I want to give you a proposition here."

"Hmm..." Scootaloo replied, "You want us to join your cause, to protect the Yo-Kai World, which in turn, protects the Pony World?"

"I wish I can offer you more than just the mere benefit for your safety."

"Do you really need us that bad???" First asked, "have you fought this McKraken guy before?"

"... No..." Venoct replied, "perhaps I may stand a chance against him as of right now, but I can't take the risk. It could lead to severe collateral damage for both."

"Meaning you've only resorted to just defending the town against the White Yo-Kai, correct?"

"That is to say, yes..."

"Well, if we both face a common goal as of now..." Scootaloo thought about it, "what do you think?"

"If we're able to carry out our normal Yo-Kai involved lives thanks to Venoct, I guess we should return the favor." First asked,

"Do I have a say in this as well?" Whisper asked, "as a butler to the siblings, may I submit a suggestion?"

"Go ahead,"

"I'm not so sure that I trust Venoct." Whisper answered, "he may be a powerful Yo-Kai, but I've rarely heard news about him and his resistance on the Yo-kai news. Only news that pop up are very bad ones."

"Perhaps Yo-Kai media is controlled too. It could be slandering and propaganda." First counter-suggested.

"But if that's the case, wouldn't there be like you know... Some information on Pony Hunting?" Scootaloo added,

"We're gyoing off topic here." Jibanyan reminded, "do you wanna help him or not?"

"In the end," Scootaloo concluded, "we can get a very strong friend out of this. Even if he could take on this power-hungry fool by himself. As Flash said, we should always help those who would bring peace, justice, and all those righteous words."

"Yeah. I like the sound of that." First agreed, "Hey Mr Venoct?"

"Have you made your decision?"

"Life may be unpredictable in the long run, and I don't know how long we'll work for, but I think it's for the... For the..." Scootaloo' hesitated as her eyes grew small once again,

"Sis?" First turned to face his sister, who is now sweating profusely.

"It's hot... So hot in here... Why does it feel like a volcano? And the ground... It's shaking too..."

"I do not quite understand." Venoct replied, "while it is currently summer, it is not hot enough to match the temperature of a volcano, nor are we in the middle of an earthquake..."

"No..." Scootaloo trotted to the edge, grabbed the fence and pointed to every body of water around her. "The swimming pool... Catfish Pond... The entire Ocean!!! It's all Lava!!!"

"Is... Is there a problem?"

"Actually," Whisper coughed, "on behalf of First and Scootaloo, I believe that they have gone through some traumatising events in the past."

"So the incident with the Hot Springs, Massiface, and Frostina has surfaced once again." Venoct replied, "Well let me tell you something. Even Yo-Kai can have dreams, nightmares, and hallucinations. And I have been a victim of such."

"Really?" First asked, his body feeling the chills once again. "Then h-how did you get over it?"

"A lot of reflection into my past..." Venoct explained, "the destruction of my village, the death of my family and friends. My oath of vengeance, made me to what I am today."

"R-Reflection?"

"Meditation." Venoct answered, "or rather, I know somepony that can help with that."

*Bwoo... Bwoo..." The Watch Radar glowed,

"Or maybe, there's a Yo-Kai involved!" Scootaloo replied, turning around and scanning the area. Behind them were three Yo-Kai in a row, playing their pranks on the siblings for a minute before realising that they were being watched.

"Oh! Uh... Hi!" One greeted,

"An Icy version of Droplette, very dark red shades of Blazion and a yellow fish with a fan on its tail." First picked out.

"Woooo..." The Icy Droplette exhaled a gust of ice towards First's direction. While it softly blew through his face, mane and body, it unknowingly triggered the memory.

"PLEASE CELESTIA!" First painfully yelled at the top of his lungs, "PLEASE! FREE ME FROM THIS FROZEN HORROR!"

"Stop it!" Jibanyan yelled, rapidly nuzzling the traumatised foal.

"Rrrrrr..." First's shivered in fear, his teeth chattering and colliding with each other, holding the fires of the two-tailed cat close. "My entire body is so numb..."

"I... I don't think we're feeling very well..." Scootaloo gulped, "because of those three. Right?"

"Let me see..." Whisper looked through the wiki. "The one that looks like Droplette is called Slush, and he has the ability to freeze miniscule things like water inside a glass. If many of them show up however, that freezing power will increase bit by bit."

"The Blazion look-a-like?"

"Quaken! He can help those who are disappointed or in depression cheer up from within the heart whenever they're close to his area of effect, which is whenever he takes a step. On the other hand, he can send enough vibrations to make an Earthquake! I believe that because of that, it makes you feel like you're close to a volcano, though... Earthquakes don't always have to happen near a volcano either..."

"Grr..." The long bodied fish growled at the siblings.

"And that is Fishpicable!" Whisper replied, "he is hateful of almost anything! And whatever he hates gets the smack from his paper fan tail!"

"I see... So these three Yo-Kai are messing with your minds."

"Hey!" First called to the three as he regained his mind, "can you please stop with the inspiriting? We haven't done anything to you to warrant such behaviour!"

"Well..." Quaken replied, "we weren't really expecting you to see us..."

"Oh cool!" Scootaloo gasped, "Quaken can actually say more than his name and roar!"

"Yes well, I'm very familiar with my rival..." Quaken continued, "now that I think about it, aren't you friends with him?"

"I thought you said that there was more than one Yo-Kai... What's the big idea Venoct?" Jibanyan asked,

"There is indeed." Venoct answered, "however, it really depends on the nature of the Yo-Kai. I know there are countless of Slush, Droplettes, and delinquents like Roughraff. It depends mostly upon the environmental and mental atmosphere of the land. Other than that, it truly is a small world. I'm the one and only, just so you know..."

"Why should we?" Fishpicable sneered, "I hate the looks on your face, and now that you are able to see us, I hate you even more!"

"Besides..." Slush added, "can't we just inspirit whoever we want? It's just life for Ponies!"

"Not when we realise that it's because somepony else is pulling the strings!" Scootaloo replied, "it looks like we're going to have to settle this right here and right now!"

"Allow me." Venoct bowed, "I shall strike down the instigators." He glared at the trio, "you will not drive them mad any longer!"

"Oh yeah Venoct?" Fishpicable taunted, "and what are you going to--*Snap*" A spectral jaw chomped down upon the fish's face, interrupting his sentence, and making him bite his tongue.

"Gaah!" Fishpicable stumbled out of the grasp in pain, "my tongue!"

"I'd watch that if I were you..." Venoct growled as the other side of his dragon scarf lashed out to bite the trio. The spirit-like fangs razed the forms of the Yo-Kai, as the head quickly drew back for the first head from before to strike again after a split second. This siblings, Whisper and Jibanyan gasped in shock as the dragon heads of Venoct's 'scarf' tore the three Yo-Kai off guard and brutalised them with every breakneck, sound-breaking strike, after strike, after strike.

"Now..." Venoct growled, his scarf relenting. "Are there any other questions? Or shall I strike you down once more?"

"Gwah..." Quaken gasped, complex pain coursing through his arm as he tried to get up, "I... It was just a-!"

"Prank?" Venoct interrupted, his dragon scarf roaring to strike once more, "there is no time for a prank like this... Especially-"

"Venoct!" Scootaloo rushed between the two parties, her arms stretched out in protection, "What are you doing? Stop it!"

"It is prominent that both of you must be in the utmost safety. Anything that will hamper your mental and physical health must be taken care off, especially if it's a Yo-Kai."

"But even so!" Scootaloo refused to move, "Negotiation is of the most upper hand before conflict! And when it comes to conflict, it has to be minimal! You just struck them without any form of resistance and obliterated them!"

"Is that not why I am the Serpent Warrior?" Venoct growled, "besides, negotiation is far beyond the minds of Yo-Kai."

"That's not true!!!" Scootaloo yelled back, "can't you see the three of them? They're scared to bits! Even if Yo-Kai are mischievous in nature, this is too far! I won't let you harm them any further!"

"Hmph..." Venoct growled, "still young I see... There are rules and certain methods that are irrelevant in the horrid times of war. We are currently in such times."

"We know that!" First joined in, "and we know how you felt when you lost your family and friends! Even so, Ponies would never resort to force!"

"And plus! Even if your cause and ideal is considered good, it's not very convincing to see if the leader of the good guys help others by hitting them!"

"Agh... You guys..." Slush moaned,

"Listen," First turned around, "are you sure you guys are not messing with our minds?"

"I-I didn't know you guys were suffering PTSD! Honest!" Fishpicable spoke, "really! I honestly didn't think you'd be suffering really badly about it!"

"Same..." Quaken replied, "since you've told us... I think it's best for us to stop."

"So..." Scootaloo turned around, "you weren't the ones behind all this?"

"N-No." Slush replied, "it's just that you two look ripe for inspiriting. As Fishpicable said, we had no knowledge about your conditions, we only knew you by reputation."

"I see." Scootaloo replied, "Venoct, looks like these three Yo-Kai are innocent. I know you're your own Yo-Kai, but please, Apologise!"

"Hmph... My apologies for striking you." Venoct turned his head, "but I'm warning you, you do anything bad to them once mo-"

"W-We won't!!!" Quaken yelped, "I promise!"

"It's okay." First comforted, "we forgive you, you are just Yo-Kai after all."

"Oh... Thank you..." Slush gulped, "you're so kind and forgiving, not to mention very helpful... Maybe Droplette was right in becoming friends with you..." Slush pulled out his medal, "please be my friend too!"

"A pony that forgives Yo-Kai, even at times of hostility..." Quaken managed to stand upright, rubbing and holding his wounds with one hand, and his medal on the other "take mine too. Glad to see why Blazion was right to pour so much praise to you two."

"I... I'm sorry for annoying you." Fishpicable was the last to apologise, "but thanks for protecting me. Please accept my medal. I don't deserve it, but please."

"I-It's okay..." Scootaloo took the three medals without any hesitation, "It's just that-- It's just... This isn't the way that I would befriend Yo-Kai."

"Pardon?" Slush prompted,

"I wouldn't want to make friends by installing fear, or getting them hurt in the first place." Scootaloo spoke, "right First?" First nodded without a word.

"Enough," Venoct spoke, "you've already made your point about me, and I have already apologised. There's nothing in my soul but vengeance. Understand?"

"So..." First turned back, "if we really are hallucinating about our past journeys, do you know this 'somepony' Venoct?"

"Yes, I believe he is found around the Gourd Museum." Venoct answered, "but a fair warning. It is no easy rehabilitation, as it will put both your physical and mental bodies to the task."

"Fair enough," Scootaloo replied, "we'll do anything to get rid of these hallucinations."

"And your response?"

"Yeah about that..." First shivered, "can we... Can we do this at a later date? Tomorrow maybe?"

"Very well then," Venoct nodded as he began to float away, "I shall give the location should the day come."

Two silent and sick siblings melancholy trotted their way to the museum, with some very melancholy looking Yo-Kai companions behind them.

"Is there something wrong you two?" Whisper asked, "you are on your way to find a cure for your PTSD. Why the long face?"

"It feels like," First replied, "it's as if we just realised what we've really gotten into, times when we've almost had our lives taken are actually coming back to haunt us, like a survivor of a war... Just seeing ourselves swelt in that Hot Spring, seeing our Yo-Kai friends nearly disappear..."

"Not to mention Nate vanishing from my view, or you being frozen solid." Scootaloo added, "and now, in order to stop these paranormal problems, it involves us going to war..."

"I see... That's the problem, is it?" Jibanyan asked, "bad memories..."

"I know..." Scootaloo continued, "that in some way or form, we have to leave this world, and I'm fine with that. But... What we've suffered as a family... I can't stomach it... If we fail, First and I will end up like our parents, and Flash... I don't know how he's going to bear the pain of being the only Sentry left."

"War isn't a pretty or a stepping stone to glory." Whisper added, "and such things carry on to many races and many other worlds."

"You know you don't have to go to this treatment..." Jibanyan suggested, "and you don't have to join Venoct's cause."

"But this PTSD will never go away!" Scootaloo replied clutching her head, "I don't want to see the ocean, river, or the Gourd Pond right now, as a pool of lava! Nor do I want to feel it's heat!" Scootaloo replied, "I- We need to get rid of this, otherwise our lives will never be the same! Even if we decide to fight or not!"

"Are you really sure you want to do this?" Whisper asked,

"Yeah, there's so many crazy things that just happened, but all I want to do is get rid of this hallucination. Right First?"

"Agreed." First replied,

"Now, where do you think this somepony is going to be?" Scootaloo asked as they stood outside the buildings.

"How about that?" Jibanyan pointed to a purple-rimmed mirror with an even darker purple tint, "it seems rather out of place..."

"Hmm..." First examined the mirror, looking at the round reflection, and sliding his hooves across the rim. "It looks it's placed here recently..."

"Then stand back." Scootaloo aimed the watch, and revealed the true nature of the mirror.

"Bleh..." The mirror had two thin arms, two eyes, and a tongue sticking out. "How interesting of you to find me!"

"A mirror Yo-Kai." First noted,

"I've heard word that you are able to clear people's minds with your powers." Scootaloo spoke, "my name is Scootaloo and this is my younger brother First, as well as our Yo-Kai companions Whisper and Jibanyan."

"Pleasure to meet you." Whisper elegantly bowed,

"Yo!" Jibanyan lazily waved,

"Nice to meet you all! I am Mirapo!" The mirror Yo-Kai jumped and waved, "it's pretty amazing to see how even Ponies heard and need of my presence, though I sadly must say I do not know what you are talking about."

"An acquaintance told us that you managed to clear his troubled mind of his past. I was wondering if you can do the same?"

"Oh! You mean the Yo-Kai that seeks vengeance against some rancid beast? I remember entirely!"

"Yeah, him..."

"Very interesting indeed..." Mirapo blabbered, "very interesting... To see Ponies wanting to go through their memories..."

"So uh... This treatment, how does it work?" Whisper asked,

"I wouldn't say this is a 'medical treatment'. Rather, I'd call it a trial, because it goes and works like one."

"What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked,

"My power as a mirror is for anypony to 'reflect' upon themselves. What they did now and in the past, and what they will do in the future. Think of it as a poetic interpretation of looking at the stallion in the mirror."

"And? Doesn't sound that bad..." First continued,

"Let's just say a trip down memory lane..." Mirapo changed to a serious tone, "can end up being a one-way ticket."

"Trapped forever?"

"Naw, just straight-up risking your life. Yours, as well as any Yo-Kai."

"E-Even Yo-Kai too!?" Scootaloo gasped,

"Just because we're dead, doesn't mean we can't die a second time." Mirapo continued, "then again, I was just an ordinary mirror that kept his shape for hundreds of years, which is how I came to be."

"So let me get this straight..." Scootaloo structured, "we do this trial that runs for an unknown duration, and it's possible for me, First, Whisper and Jibanyan to die during this process?"

"That about sums it up." Mirapo nodded, "and the rules within your memory are different from the rules here."

"Pardon?"

"Your ability to see and summon Yo-Kai like us using that?" Mirapo pointed towards the Watch, "Not going to happen,"

"Wh-What will we expect in this trial?" First hesitatingly asked,

"What I exactly told you, your reflection. What I showed to the Serpent Warrior, was his haunting past of nightmares. The consequences and risk he suffered through his trial, will be the same for you."

"Our reflection."

"I wish I can help whisk you away whenever you're in danger, but I'm afraid I can only observe. So I must ask: Are you sure about doing this? Even if it may cost you your life should you fail?"

"..." The siblings looked at each other, then to their Yo-Kai companions.

"It's your personal decisions here." Whisper replied, "but whatever you do, I'll support you. As a butler and a spirit."

"Same!" Jibanyan waved, "I'll stick by both of you! It's the least I can do!"

"Sister, are you sure about this?" First asked," we may not see our friends or Flash for real if we fail in this..."

"... It hurts... I'm scared..." Scootaloo spoke,

"Sister?"

"Those three times... I was scared... Scared of dying, scared of losing Nate, scared of losing you... And yet, when we went through... We fought, and fought..."

"Until the bitter end..." First finished, nodding in understanding.

"It's been a long time since we survived those fatal adversities, and yet we find ourselves scared of it."

"It's like those war veterans who survived the war. They've said they've suffered a lot. Loss of their friends, allies, lives, sanity. It's awful..." First explained,

"Exactly... But ever since we've encountered Yo-Kai. There were things that we've experienced and done, that nopony in existence or reality could ever do. And to tell you the truth... We did remember saying it before right?"

"A month ago, when we accepted the fact that our lives would not be the same?"

"Yeah." Scootaloo nodded, "so we traded our normal lives, for something strange. We'd better use that strangeness to our fullest."

"I... I understand."

"We may be different little bro, but we jumped into the World of Yo-Kai together. It's fair to say that we plough on through sticking together. You cool with that?"

"... Of course sis." First nodded, "even if we have nightmares... If we've brushed past death before, we can do it again!"

"Nopony said this was going to be easy..." Scootaloo nodded, "Mirapo?"

"Yes?"

"We'll risk our lives, to take the trial for the sake of our future!"

"Very well..." Mirapo nodded, "then can all four of you step closer to me?" Nodding, the four figures trotted, walked, or floated forward.

"Best of luck to all of you!" Mirapo announced as his mirror-face emitted light as bright as white,

"Ahh..." The four gasped in awe as the bright white light became brighter and brighter, engulfing all within their rays.

When the light died down, Mirapo was back as the normal dark-purple tinted mirror, with a purple rim. The only difference is, Whisper, Jibanyan and the siblings, were nowhere to be seen...

*TO BE CONTINUED...*

Chapter 7-3: Reflection

Dear Princess Twilight

For your information, this is not a report sent early, but rather an important personal letter to you and the ladies of Ponyville.

As you've already heard from the reporter you sent to Springdale regarding the building disappearance, that there was paranormal strings being pulled by it. I'm also afraid to say that this wasn't the first, nor would it be the last incident involving ghosts.

Bit by bit, the situation is becoming clear to me. This simple and mysterious investigation upon the surface, is a dangerous and ominous hazard within. Even more so that I am beginning to lose my sanity and confidence of ever achieveing this mission.

All these ghostly problems were overlooked by the local Guard, myself included. Yet seemed to made clear to young ponies that I'd least expect to encounter. Scootaloo had told me that in this case, as well as one with literally volcanic hot springs, that they saw and experienced a supernatural occurance. I even daresay that the freak snowstorm a week ago was caused by exactly that, and that I believe my siblings had a part in its prevention.

Day by day, I see my siblings having a look of concern upon their faces, and that they are beginning to feel very, very unhappy. I may not have experienced these things with them, but as a soldier, if they have escaped such things, I fear it may haunt them for a long time.

I don't know how this ghostly carnage can continue... I need... We need help. I can feel that there is trouble brewing with the Spirits, and that Scootaloo and First are trotting striaght into it... There's something strange about these spirits from what I've heard from both Scootaloo and First Base: It's that they represent almost anything in the world. Not just the spirit of the deceased or a century-old object, but of any emotion, behaviour, and every environmental aspect. The ground, the weather, and possibly magic itself. If malicious towards Ponies, it could control the threads of every day life and fate, and can pose a great danger to everypony. Perhaps some ghost can possess somepony to become a psycho murder, and can kill me by ramming me with a wagon.

I just want to let you know, as disheartening as it might be. This investigation by far has placed me at my limits, as well as that of my slblings. I hope that you can get this message in time. But despite all these odds, I am determined to finish this investigation, with my life if need be. And I'm sure the siblings will do the same. Without them, I would get nowhere. Remember: This is only between you and the ladies (and Spike), may all of you stay safe.

In most strongest of regards

Flash Sentry

Scootaloo and First woke up as if they felt the train was slowing down.

"Are we there yet?" Scootaloo asked,

"Wow!" First exclaimed, "I never knew this place was beautiful!"

"Man, I wish everypony back home could see what happened to Springdale. Once a remote place with hardly any housing, now a large town! It feels like we're living in actual Neighpon." Scootaloo added,

"I see you're still homesick" Flash noticed,

"Just worried about our friends."

"Do not fear. As I send reports back to the Princess, you may also send letters back to Miss Belle, Miss Bloom and everypony else. Better yet, you can use the magic they have to do that nowadays."

"Sir" one of the guards approached, "we have now arrived at Springdale Central Station. Good luck on your mission, and may Celestia bless you."

"Thanks soldier" Flash saluted back "come on guys, we're heading to our new home."

"What the..." The siblings stepped out of the Friendship Express and met with a shivering sight. The vibrant colours of the train, the view of the city, the entire atmosphere around them, has turned into a colour of ghostly blue, and was filled with absolute silence. What's even worse, the ponies outside, the Friendship Express, Flash, and even Whisper and Jibanyan, had disappeared from their view. An empty world hangs within the timeless world, with the brother and sister all alone.

"Of course! This is the trial!" First exclaimed, "I thought we just went back through time!"

"Huh... Well, you don't just simply go back in time like that... Unless there's a Yo-Kai involved."

"But... Whisper... And Jibanyan... They're not here..."

"Hmm..." Scootaloo looked around the station platform, the buildings around them, and the dim blue sky above. "Looks like this trial is indeed a reflection like Mirapo said." She stared at her Yo-Kai Watch, "We're still in the now, but we're 'reflecting' on the day that we've entered Springdale for the first time!"

"Hmm... It does feel like it."

"I don't see any life-risking dangers around here though... Seems pretty silent and safe!"

"Well... Maybe that's our greatest enemy. Silence with lack of objectives. If we don't know what we're doing, we may end up starving ourselves!"

"Wow First." Scootaloo sighed, "you always like to start with the bad side of things..."

"Well forgive my negativity, but its not like there's anything that we can follow as a guide--"

"Hey look!" Scootaloo grabbed her brother's head and pointed it towards the view of a blue gas-like orb with swirls floating in the air. "It's a Wisp!"

"A what?"

"A Wisp!" Scootaloo repeated, "I've heard in stories that if you follow it, it can lead you to your destiny!"

"Well..." First stared at the wisp, "there's no trail, but it flies on it's own."

"The thing looks like it's within reach..." Scootaloo noted as she reached out,

"No wait!" First yelled to cease her actions. But by the time that the young filly harmlessly laid a hoof upon the wisp, the small spherical spirit exploded with a loud burst, unleashing forth a bright light that engulfed all.

"Ahh!" The siblings covered their eyes in pain.

"Huh?" Scootaloo opened her eyes once again. Around them was a bedroom with two separate single beds, two different work benches, and a door right in front of them.

"This is our room!" First spoke,

"But... It looks mint and untouched for a while now... And aside from the beds and desks, our stuff's nowhere to be seen!"

"This must be the time where we realised we're sharing the same room." First spoke,

"And speaking of which, I still have a problem with that even today!" Scootaloo pointed,

"You have a problem? YOU have a problem?" First laughed, "Very funny, I should be the one saying that! Miss Snorealot!"

"Why you!" Scootaloo tackled First as the siblings began fighting once more, "take that back!"

*Ding Dong* The sound of a doorbell echoed across the hallways and rooms, catching the attention of the siblings.

"Hey... If this is supposed to be a silent world..." Scootaloo asked, "what's with the doorbell?"

"Only one way to find out!" First asked, pushing his sister off from him. "After all, I'm not going to fight with you all day."

"You started it." Scootaloo sneered as they trotted down the stairs to the never-ending ringing of the doorbell.

"Argh!" First closed his eyes in pain as he looked through the doorbell. "It's bright!"

"Hang on a second. Wasn't this the time when me first met our neighbours?" Scootaloo remembered,

"Mr and Mrs Adams, and especially Nate."

"But why that particular time of reflection?"

"What I just emphasised. Of all the ponies we know, Nate's the only one that was introduced to Yo-Kai. And recently, he's been more involved with our adventures ever since Massiface."

"Okay, I get it now. By the way, why is it that we decided to involve him with Yo-Kai? Perhaps it's out of pity for being so average?"

"Don't be mean." First replied, "we may have our unique talents and appearances, but we're all average ponies to begin with. And if you think about it, I'm starting to believe that our talents, personalities and appearances may be the work of a Yo-Kai."

"Sorry sorry." Scootaloo chuckled, "but honestly, I wouldn't think much about it. Nate was interested to look into the mystery, and because it was Yo-Kai related, we eventually had to tell him."

"And since then, Nate's been a much stronger friend. And he's one that we can also rely and support." First added,

"Heh," Scootaloo giggled as she opened the front door, "we ought to owe him thanks once we get out of this."

"Argh..." First closed his eyes once more as the stream of light broke through the house, and through the siblings once more.

"Well, isn't this a familiar place?" First asked as the siblings were whisked to a Giant Tree in the middle of a quiet forest clearing.

"The Sacred Tree..." Scootaloo answered, "and at their base... The Crank-a-Kai."

"I think it's obvious what happened here." First replied "except... I don't have my saddlebags with me."

"Uh-oh!" Scootaloo checked herself, "I don't have mine either! I swore I had it with me when we went to meet Mirapo!"

"Do you have anything else?" First asked,

"Wait a minute..." Scootaloo checked another part of her body, and pulled out a small purse. Searching its contents with her hoof, a bit that glowed blue was pulled out.

"Then you know what to do Sis." First gestured to the Crank-a-Kai. Scootaloo inserted the coin, but found some trouble when she turned the crank.

"That's strange..." Scootaloo applied more force, "it's not working. Is this thing jammed?"

"Hmm..." First tried hard to remember, "we need to remember how things went back then... Out of sheer obedience to the singing... Scoots inserted the bit, then... Can I try Scoots?"

"Sure!"

"Thanks." First stepped forward, simply turning the crank with ease until the black and dark white capsule dropped out.

"How did you?... But of course!" Scootaloo gasped in remembrance.

"Then you know what happens next." First replied, holding out the capsule.

"Together." Scootaloo nodded as the siblings each grabbed a side of the capsule, and pulled it hard to hear the satisfying popping sound. Without any fear or flinching, the siblings smiled to see their ghostly white butler, dancing among the seals surrounding him, knowing that they've broken his seal and freed their friend once again.

"Why hello-Scoots! First!" Whisper broke in sudden greeting, "Wh-What happened here! Where am I?"

"Hey Whisper! Remember anything?"

"Well... When we saw that light from Mirapo, I was quite blinded for a moment. As the light died down, I found myself floating around here!"

"You mean, you didn't find yourself sealed away?"

"Whatever in the world do you mean?" Whisper gave a blank expression.

"Look around Whisper. Look at the atmosphere. Look down at what I'm holding" Scootaloo instructed. "Seem familiar?"

"I-Impossible!" Whisper gasped at the opened capsule resting within Scootaloo's hooves. "A-Are you saying I was sealed!? B-But I would feel something like that!"

"Well... It's not rather that you are sealed, but were."

"Can you just get to the point please?"

"We're recap-I mean reflecting our own lives. A trip through memory lane."

"And?"

"First and I went through the time where we moved from Equestria into Springdale..."

"Isn't that--"

"And now this is the period of time where we first met you at this tree! And in turn, this is where we began meeting the Yo-Kai in our later lives!" First added

"And isn't that--"

"But I don't think it was over... We still need to find Jibanyan!" Scootaloo remembered, "the intersection. Now!"

"WILL YOU AT LEAST LET ME SPEAK!?"

"Oh! Sorry Whisper. What was it you want to tell us?" Scootaloo apologised,

"Oh forget it..." Whisper huffed, "let's just get to the intersection."

"In that case, last one to the intersection is a rotten chicken!" Scootaloo laughed,

"That would be..." First stammered, noticing a familiar blue wisp flying above them, ready to burst on it's own. "Neither of us..."

"At least I won't have to be called a rotten chicken!" Whisper wiped his forehead in relief as they stood near the intersection in front of the fish market. A red cat laid bruised and battered in the middle of the roads.

"Oh Celestia... Jibanyan..." Scootaloo covered her mouth in shock,

"I can't believe you let yourself get hit by a truck..." A mare's voice echoed throughout the sky. "You lame cat..."

"Wh-Why???" A soul rose out from the dead cat.

"Ji-Jibanyan?" Scootaloo called out,

"I'm... I'm Lame..." The soul spoke, as it began to take shape into a cat spirit that was familiar to the nearby spectators.

"Jibanyan!" Scootaloo called as she galloped forward.

"S-Scyoots?" Jibanyan turned around, swept away by the filly's grasp and embrace. "Is that you?"

"Jibanyan?" First followed behind, embracing the cat as well.

"First... Scyoots..."

"I don't know the exact details of what happened in your death, but let me remind you that you're not lame. All that you've trained, what you've accomplished when you were bound to this location. It was brave, courageous and it's something that anypony wouldn't dare to do. And now, you've been a great friend through and through, even though you haven't been pulling your weight around lately."

"Oh you two..." Jibanyan wailed as he returned the embrace. "I... All I could remember was how I died and became a Yo-Kai, as well the time I've been staying here and fighting wagons, I even forgot how long I've been doing this. Then I got some new memories, of living the life in your house, eating your Chocobars, and having a wacky time together. It's all thanks to meeting you right here in this very intersection. Just reflecting upon my past, I've never got to thank you properly. So thank you. For welcoming me into your life."

'And from there on out, we've been meeting and befriending a countless number of Yo-Kai till the present day." First nodded

"Sorry to break the moment." Whisper chimed in, "but I believe this journey is yet to be over."

"Huh? Oh..." The siblings found the blue wisp floating above them, casually unleashing a bright light once more.

A familiar counter, fridge of bottled milk, a TV, some Tatami mats, and two doors that leads to a humid area. This was the destination of the bright light, where the siblings with their bag of supplies, and their few Yo-Kai companions popped out.

"The Hot Springs." First spoke, Scootaloo emitted a frightful gulp.

"Oh that's right..." First remembered, "that's your main fear. On the bright side, We've got all our bags and supplies back."

"Didn't the mirror say that we may lose our lives here?" Jibanyan reminded,

"So that means it's going to be a rematch with Sproink. But if we slip up and get severely wounded, we're not going to return."

"Oh no..." Scootaloo shook uncontrollably.

"Sister, I know how you feel. But when we first faced that pig, what was going on in your mind?"

"It was... It was the determination to go back home, to Ponyville. It's what kept me going."

"So... Why do you have fears of them now?"

"I... I don't know..."

"Hmm... If there was something along the way that changed our demeanour like this. There must have been something that changed within us."

"What do you mean?"

"I do not mean this in any offence, but I believe... I believe... Our determination is dwindling."

"Wait... What?"

"Scoots. After what we've been through, our friends, the Yo-Kai, and the war to come. Are we doing all this just to go back to Ponyville?"

"..." Scootaloo opened her jaw into the biggest realisation and challenge within her mind.

"Do you... Do you want to stay here?"

"I... I..." Scootaloo stuttered, until a wave echoed within her mind. "N... No way!"

"A-Are you sure about that?"

"No Way!"

"Hang on..." First's eyes narrowed in suspicion, "Noway? Are you around here?"

"No Way!" A wall hopped out from a hiding place,

"Noway!" Whisper jumped in shock, "wh-what are you doing here?"

"He doesn't know." Another voice echoed across the room. "Same reason for us too." One by one, different Yo-Kai hopped out of their hiding spots to greet the siblings.

"You guys..." First gasped.

"Gooooood to see you again!" Droplette waved, "And I see you've also met my close friend too!"

"Helloooooo!" Slush waved too,

"Seriously? Me? Can't you find somepony else?" Cutta-Nah moaned,

"Duhhuhuhuh!" Dummkap laughed, "what am I doing here?"

"We should be asking you that!" First interrupted, "by the Noway, please inspirit Scoots for me will you?"

"No way." Noway refused, releasing his possession over Scootaloo.

"Thank you."

"Of course." Scootaloo remembered as she checked her Watch. "Mirapo said our Watch wouldn't work here because of the rules. I guess we've got the six of you to team up together with."

"Not familiar with the place. Please explain?" Droplette asked,

"Oh yeah, this was the time where a request was given to the Yo-Kai to deal with the pig in the Hot Springs, heating up all that water." Cutta-Nah remembered, "and I believe it was you two that stopped it. Right?"

"Oh, yeah..." Scootaloo nodded, "but we also had Yo-Kai to thank too!"

"Hey Scoots, I can see you've got the Heebie-jeebies." Whisper spoke, "but do remember one thing. This won't go like before, at least. Try not to make it go like before. We have different friends to help us, and to make this battle easy."

"E-Easy?"

"After all, this trial is a one way trip. We either get through to the end, or die trying."

"Hmm..."

"Do you at least want to go in? To see what you're facing?"

"Alright... I'm okay... Let's do this..." Scootaloo took a deep breath as the group walked in to the boys baths.

"Gaw haw haw!!!" Sproink skated around the floor with a bar of soap, doing silly twists and turns before landing embarrassingly on his bum.

"Now that's new." First announced.

"Grr!!!" Spoink hopped back up to his feet, and in a very bad-tempered mood to boot. A purple shroud obscured the door behind the group.

"Not much with talking huh?" First pounded his hooves together, "no matter. It's time to fight! Everypony ready?"

"No Way!" Noway held out his heads in a denying gesture.

"Not really..." Cutta-Nah moaned,

"That wasn't the response I hoped to get..."

"To fill you guys on the subject..." Droplette raised a comment, "It's mostly because of our situation here."

"What about it?"

"You said that we may lose our lives here, did you not?" Slush explained, "and as much as we'd like to get this over and done with, we're also afraid of dying."

"Death isn't fun at all..." Dummkap sobbed, "I don't want to die, you don't want to die, nopony wants to die. It's not funny either!"

"If I really want to go and work my flank off." Cutta-Nah spoke, "I'd like a surefire plan that we'll get through this without anypony dying. Me especially."

"So yeah." Droplette replied, "just for once, we're open to your plans since you're the master strategists. Do you have anything to share? We've got all the time."

SMASH! The dreadful sound of destruction spurred the group by surprise as the splintered remnants of a wash bucket lay by their feet.

"While Hiding!" Droplette yelled as the group ran for cover. Noway on the other hand, slowly made his way to the nearby rocks. The violently tossed buckets crumbled upon his concrete wall body, inflicting no sense of pain.

"No way..." Noway sighed with disappointment.

"Scoots?" Cutta-Nah spoke, "we could use some help right now!"

"..." Scootaloo huddled behind a rock, head tucked in, and sweating in panic.

"Pull yourself together Scoots!" First pleaded, shaking his sister.

"I-I can't think..." Scootaloo meekly cried, "I... I don't how to do this anymore... The heat... The pain... The fear... It's getting to me... "

"Don't give up!" Jibanyan encouraged, "why don't we just toss buckets like before?"

"Can't. We don't have any on our side... I can't think of anything else to harm and distract him... And I don't want to harm you guys."

"Grr..." Sproink clapped two wash buckets together. With every clap, the water's temperature rose drastically.

"Oh no..." Scootaloo lowered her head even further. "It's coming... The Heat..."

"N-Not if I can help it!" Droplette intervened, conjuring a personal shower above the frightened filly. "You've got to stay cool!"

"Th-Thanks Droplette, for the cool water..." Scootaloo lifted her head with a smile, "but... I really don't know what to do."

"Woooo!" Slush emitted an icy breath, easing the thermoreceptors of the filly.

"Thanks to you too Slush..."

"Sis..." First gasped, sweat beginning to ooze from all around his body, the bath's waters beginning to change liquid "It's getting too hot in here. You need to do something about this. Quick!"

"Please!" Dummkap yelled, "it's no fun if you die! It's not even fun if you're giving in!"

"This heat... It's getting to me so bad... Sproink... Lava... Heat... What..." Scootaloo spoke,

Just as before, the pools of water have finally turned into hot pools of lava, sapping everyone present with it's catastrophic temperatures, dehydrating everypony but the pig. Even liquid forms like Droplette and Slush began to dry and dwindle into steam.

"SCOOTS!" Droplette cried, "help us! Give us orders! Tell us what to do!!! I can't maintain my body in this heat!!!"

"Why..." Scoots cried, her falling tears instantly evaporating, replacing a stream of tears into a stream of thin vapour.

"Scoots!" Cutta-Nah complained, "my bendy sword hair is beginning to melt!!! I'm not going to slack off in death! I promise! I don't know what to do though, so tell me something!!!"

"Why am I here?" Scoots asked, her sobbing stopped, her body immobile and damp with sweat,

"Scoots!" Jibanyan replied, "Trust in us! Trust your brother! Your Yo-Kai Friends! Whatever we go through, we're indebted to you, so we'll help you out till the bitter end! For your sanity and that of both your brothers! For your pony and Yo-Kai friends! For Springdale! And especially for you to go back home!"

"Heh... Heh..." Scootaloo giggled,

"Sis?"

"Heh hee hee hee... Ha ha ha ha..." Scootaloo began to laugh, "HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!"

"Oh no..." Whisper gulped, "I think she's lost her mind due to the heat."

"Why did I even accept this trial?" Scootaloo laughed as she grabbed her brother. "Have a guess dear brother?"

"What?"

"WRONG ANSWER!" Scootaloo scolded, slapping her brother's face. "Don't answer a question with another!"

"T-To heal yourself?"

"WRONG!" Scootaloo yelled again, slapping First even harder, "How about you Whisper? Do you know?"

"Uh..."

"And you call yourself my butler!?" Scootaloo mocked as she grabbed Whisper and slammed him onto the rock.

"I-I know!" Jibanyan volunteered, "it's because you want to go back to Ponyville where your true friends are right?"

"Wrong! WRONG! ALL WRONG!!!" Scootaloo hollered and bellowed as she yanked and tweaked the tails of Jibanyan, causing him to yell in pain.

"Hey hey HEY!" Cutta-Nah spurred up, "what's with you all of a sudden!?"

"Wow, you seem concerned today, Cutta-Nah." Scootaloo laughed, "I thought you never cared thanks to your slacking skills."

"Not when a friend is being a psychotic jerk to her other friends!"

"Then if you want me to stop, why don't you give me the correct answer on why I took this stupid trial? It's funny that I have to save Yo-Kai from themselves, and that even their powers can affect one another. Irony is though, I enjoy that a lot, and it sucks if I won't be able to watch for my entertainment purposes! Springdale and his inhabitants would definitely become boring!"

"What are you, a monster!? Did Dummkap inspirit you or something!?"

"I dun nothing!" Dummkap spoke,

"It's a serious matter if you want to protect Springdale!" Cutta-Nah replied,

"Ding ding ding!!! You are absolutely correct!" Scootaloo clapped, "Springdale's such a wacky place filled with wackier spirits. Best thing is, it makes life the wackiest of it all. I'LL MAKE SURE IT STAYS THAT WAY!!!"

"No way!" Noway gasped,

"Hey you!" Scootaloo stood from her hiding spot, "you stupid ugly pig!"

"Grr!?"

"I see you've made the water as hot as lava now." Scootaloo smirked, trotting forward.

"Scoots!" First warned, "get back!"

"Since that day, that has been my worst nightmare: Dying by your temperature raising powers. Guess what? Forget all of that! I want you to strike me with your puny buckets instead."

"GRR!?"

"Growl all you want Sproink, you don't scare me anymore..." Scootaloo growled, "and there's no way I'm going to let you reach boiling point! You hear me? NO. WAY!"

"...!?" Noway gasped,

"Give me your worst Pig." Scootaloo taunted as she trotted closer and closer, "but what ever you do, you won't beat me! Yo-Kai like you are a scary bunch, but I'm 20% Scarier! Now do it! Throw that bucket! Make that water hot! I DARE YOU!"

"GRR!!!" Sproink, lost his temper, leapt into the air, and brought his butt onto the small filly beneath her.

"NO WAY!!!" Noway roared as his defensive powers and body halted the flattening descent,

"Grr!?"

"That's right Sproink." Scootaloo snorted, "and make sure that water stays as lava, okay?"

"Grr?" Sproink eteched an eyebrow, his entire face in a trance, "N... N..." He dropped his wash buckets, "N... No..."

"No way!" Scootaloo and Noway finished in unison. Right before the eyes of the heroes, the volcanic bubbling pools slowly stopped bubbling and became more viscous than before."

"The pools!" First gasped, as the hot red magma began to disappear.

"It's returning to normal!" Whisper finished, "and the temperature! It's going down!"

"Grr!" Sproink gasped to see his undoing of the pools and air around him.

"Ahh yes!!!" Scootaloo laughed, shaking her sweat off "it's great to feel refreshed once again! Now, that I've got my real composure back, me and my friends are going to take you down."

"NO WAY!!!" Sproink retorted,

"WAY!!!" Scootaloo yelled as she galloped forward, picked up a bucket, directly struck his face with it, then leapt forward and delivered a firm hind kick to the sight of injury.

"GRRRR!!!" The pig reeled in pain.

"How's that for a change?" Scootaloo turned to her team and bowed, "thank you! Thank you very much!"

"Wh-What just happened!?" First gasped, "I demand an explanation!"

"Oh dear brother. Have you lost YOUR mind from the heat?" Scootaloo asked teasingly,

"What did you do?"

"Sproink was going to raise the water temperatures and cook us alive, but who says we can't stop it?" Scootaloo explained, "It's what really drove us insane and afraid, and to near death. But I forgot I have one thing that can stop it. Our Spiritual, incorporeal, reality-twisting friends." She turned to Noway, "thanks Noway. Thank you for being my friend. Thanks to you... I'm ready to face my fears."

"Sis..."

"Listen up everypony." Scootaloo called, grabbing another wash bucket filled with cold water from the pools and dumped it all over herself. "We may have stopped his main problem, but that doesn't mean we can't still die!"

"We're all ears!" Droplette replied,

"Last we fought this beast, his belly was the weak point, and he's got those pesky buckets making sure it's covered. Best way is to knock him in the head, and he'll try to hide the face, leaving his belly wide open."

"Then we strike the thing?"

"Yep! But don't strike it too much! Otherwise he's going to blow his top, with flaming nostrils and all."

"So what do we do then?"

"Disregard all of that!" Scootaloo laughed, "same old boss, but different play! This pig spits fire out from his nose, and he likes to turn up the heat. What he enjoys the most as a Yo-Kai, is going to be his downfall!"

"Baths?" Jibanyan asked,

"Better than that! Sproink's going to learn how to conserve water by taking a cold shower!" Scootaloo grinned, "you know what that means you two?"

"Of course!" The water and ice drop replied in unison.

"And you too Noway! Do you NOT know what you're doing?"

"No way!" Noway grunted,

"Then what about me and Dummkap?" Cutta-Nah asked,

"Interested for once Cutta-Nah..." Scootloo rubbed her hooves in glee, "then listen up. You, Dummkap and Jibanyan are going to be setting this up. Do what you do best! I know you guys are smart enough to know!"

"Got it," Cutta-Nah saluted, "and to tell you the truth, you've changed a lot since we first met. I've never seen you like this... A meticulous and cunning mare. That's why I'm so interested."

"To be friends with a Yo-Kai, you got to think like a Yo-Kai!" Scootaloo laughed,

"All right then..." Cutta-Nah growled, "time to put some work in!"

"Charge!" JIbanyan yelled,

"This is going to be a big blast!" Dummkap laughed,

"GRR!!!" The enemy Sproink began throwing and endless amount of buckets and soap,

"Aim properly next time!" Dummkap joked as he sailed and slipped through the bucket field.

"Whoop!" Jibanyan ducked and dodged, picking up Cutta-Nah while on the way. "Looks like you need a lift."

"Thanks! It's tiring just to get up close with all these flying bars of soap and wash buckets!"

"Actually... I may need your assistance." Jibanyan grinned as the front party got closer and closer, "Think you can stomach being shaken around?"

"Huh?"

"Watch this!" Jibanyan yelled, jumping into the air, level with the pigs face, "Halfhearted Chops of Fury!"

"Woah! Woah! Woah!" Cutta-Nah yelped as the Two-Tailed cat grabbed his semi-motivated ally by the handle, or his face rather, and swung him to and fro.

"URGAHH!!!" Sproink growled in pain as the bendy but sharp blade rends through his lips, nose, face, ears, and other facial features, dealing in a hefty amount of pain.

"Let's put a smile on that face!" Dummkap laughed as he chomped upon the Pig's head. Shaking and quivering around in a trance, the Pig was unable to resist the inspiritment, and after a brief catatonic state, he danced wildly and madly, pulling various funny and silly faces.

"Not funny!" First mocked from the side. As Sproink was madly making a fool of himself, little did he notice a stray bar of soap on the ground. In a split second, the soap gave way to the pig's foot and slipped across the ground, taking the big beast along with him.

"GRAGH!" The pig fell in an embarrassing heap once more, his big fat belly exposed for all to see.

"Slush, Droplette, the show is all yours!" Scootaloo commanded,

"Here goes nothing!" Droplette floated over the toppled big and with a deep breath, unleashed a torrent of water drops flying at the speed of a bolt with pure magic.

"Let's goooo!!!" Slush did the same thing. Except he unleashed a torrent of small and sharp icicles that rained down on his opponent.

"YOOOO!!!" Sproink yelled in absolute pain. The Water Drops and Sharp Icicles piercing both his belly and body. Unable to take the pain any longer, the pig twitched only for mere seconds, then ceased completely in movement and noise.

"Bath time is over!" Scootaloo concluded as the defeated pig turned white and disappeared into motes of light.

"Not bad Sis, not bad." First applauded, "and definitely not bad to all of you either!"

"Anything for our friends!" Droplette cheered,

"This was the most fun I've had ever since!" Dummkap replied,

"Sigh..." A new looking Yo-Kai moaned, "that took a lot of energy out of me. This wasn't even worth it at all!"

"And you are?" Scootaloo asked,

"Don't you remember me?" The multiple bendy-bladed sword floated, "It's me! Cutta-Nah! Or rather, Cutta-Nah-Nah now..."

"So you've changed as well huh? You look nice!"

"Thanks I guess..." Cutta-Nah-Nah yawned, "Now that this ordeal is done, can I go back to slacking off now?"

"Sure sure..." First laughed,

"Well done everypony!" Whisper applauded, "how do you feel now Scoots?"

"It's... It's just a distant memory..." Scootaloo replied, "with what we've all been through and the friends we've met, I'm confident that facing a monster like Sproink isn't a problem anymore... It's the little experiences and events in life that makes the most out of big trials and events."

"I was thinking the exact same thing!" First blurted out,

"Well looks like I beat you to the punch." Scootaloo smiled, "which reminds me. What's YOUR determination of fighting alongside me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Surely you have a reason that you wanted to fight as well. Highly likely that it's similar yet different to mine."

"Sis, wherever you go, I'll support you. That's what little siblings do right?"

"Naw, I'm sure you have a personal reason too. It may be similar to mine, but it's yours entirely. What is it? Surely it's not just to go back to Ponyville anymore. Right?"

"Well--" First thought very hard,

"On second thoughts..." Scootaloo interrupted, noticing a blue wisp above them. "You can tell me later..."

The next destination was a frigid mountain, where temples and buildings were trapped with snow, trees and bushes are filled with ice, and a large pond with stream was frozen solid. But as the rules of this reflective world, all the cold and icy winds, the multiple descending snowflakes, all were frozen in time. Behind the gates to the pond's entrance, a white light transported the siblings, Whisper, Jibanyan, and another team of New Yo-Kai to the very location.

"Oh boy..." Scootaloo gulped,

"Oh no..." First gulped, "we... We don't have any protective clothing for this weather!!!"

"Are you seriously concerned about that? You of all ponies should be focusing on something bigger, like your FEAR."

"I just tried to dodge the reality... is all."

"Oh Mah Swirls!!!" A familiar country accent spoke, "what in tarnation happened to the Mountain? It's like that time a week ago!"

"K-Komasan?" Jibanyan turned around to see their new Yo-Kai team mates. Two lion dogs, two butterflies, a sword wielding cicada, and an utterly depressed bird.

"Sigh... This frozen weather again?" Buhu moaned, "So we're really coming to the end of the world. No more Ponies, animals, Yo-Kai, trees, it's all gone..."

"W-We're not in the real world Buhu." Scootaloo chuckled, "rather, we're in the past, sort of."

"This is the time where we fought Frostina." Whisper noted, "It doesn't match with the recurrence of events. Aren't we supposed to fight Massiface?"

"Nope." Scootaloo replied, "I think we're going through personal fears first. We just went through mine, now it's your turn First. And I think it's best that you handle this."

"M-M-M-Me..." First gulped, the cold air hitting him head on with realisation "Is she there?"

"As beautiful as she ever is." Jibanyan answered. Just as before, the lone Snow Girl stood in the middle of the frozen Catfish Pond.

"Clear as ice too! Pun both intended and not intended." Whisper added,

"So why does she look like a moving Ice Sculpture?"

"Do remember that it this is a reflection upon your past memories. The Frostina we know now is no longer the murderous and ruthless Snow Woman anymore."

"Zounds!" Cadin jumped, "That enemy sounds tough to beat!"

"You don't even know the half of it..." Scootaloo moaned, "almost lost a brother."

"Please stop reminding me about the near brush with death." First complained, "but I'll explain it on the way. Are you guys ready?"

"To fight?"

"And stay alive. If you fall in this battle, you fall for good, even if you're a Yo-Kai..."

"Enemy!!!" Enefly tooted in horror,

"So yes Buhu, it will be the end of the world, for you and me if we don't get out of here."

"Phooey..."

"So I don't want to sound forceful, but if you want to stay alive, you probably need to follow my commands. The moment we walk through the gates is the moment we start to fight. Are you ready?"

"As always!" The Koma brothers saluted,

"Enemy!!!" Enefly tooted as he and Enerfly flapped around in a frenzy,

"I shall walk with you in battle, even if it may be my last!"

"Sure, why not..." Buhu glumly spoke.

"Stay safe everypony," First lead the charge through the gates, "we're going in."

"..." The Ice silhouette stared silently into the empty blue skies, paying close attention to the motionless winds and snowflakes around her.

"Hey!!!" First called to the Ice form,

"..." The Yo-Kai silently turned her face to the voices. Her entire body of ice matches the shape and textures of her jacket, her cape, her hood, her boots, but her face was devoid of any facial features.

"Frostina?" First asked with concern and fear, "is that you?"

"...!" The small ice woman responded in the most coldest of ways. She whipped up a combination of ice and wind, and flung it upon her foes.

"Blast!" Scootaloo cursed, shielding herself from the skin-numbing hail and winds. "I knew this wasn't going to be an easy situation."

"Oh mah swirls!!!" Komasan hollered as he grabbed on to First's Tail with one hand, and the hand of his younger brother with the other, "Winds were NEVER this strong in Winter! It's as if a buffalo stampede just straight on charged through a mountain!"

"First? I don't mean to discourage you or anything but... Four of us, save for the Komainu brothers, we really can't take the brunt of any cold attack!" Buhu added,

"Is that so? Then... Be on your guard everypony!" First commanded, "I'll handle this myself!"

"F-First!" Jibanyan called out, "are you sure that's a good idea? You don't have anypony to keep you warm!"

"There's got to be a way to reach out to her!" First called back, "alone if need be!"

"!!!" The Ice Frostina pushed another cold storm upon the party, pushing the foal away from her presence.

"First! Get back here!" Scootaloo called, "I'm not going to let you do this alone! You'll freeze to death once again!"

"B-But still..." First persevered, frozen tears coming from his eyes, "Somepony needs to calm her..."

"Forsooth!" Cadin roared, "for it is a fool's honour to march to death alone!"

"Fool???" First stopped, his eyes twitched towards the back,

"Ain't gonna let mah friend get killed!" Komasan replied, "so jus' give us some tactics! Battle plans! Anythin'!"

"Then stay back!" First yelled, "If I've done it before! I can do it again!"

"..." The Ice Frostina watched as her adversaries fought with each other through words. Without any other word, she prepared to concentrate. What mattered to her was nothing. She had no idea what the young foal was planning to do, but she didn't care. There was nothing inside her. No soul, no feelings, she was just a shade of memory, born from the fears of that young foal. Her only aim was to watch things freeze everything till they can no longer survive, and the foal that fears her the most, was her main goal. Conjuring an energetic ball of cold air, she cast out her coldest of skills, eager to see what is left of the foal and his friends.

"Gak!!!" Caught off guard, the party was blown back by the cold sherbet winds ripping through their fur, skin, shell, feathers, and body. With four of the members weak to the tormenting powers of ice, they were wiped out instantly, lifeless and frozen in the snow.

"I'd never have known..." Cadin coughed, "that the day that I must truly depart from this world is today."

"Well that didn't take long..." Buhu cried as something began burning inside her, "I'm actually okay with this. This feels warm..."

"..." The speechless butterflies dropped to the floor, their wings beginning to burn,

"N-No!!!" Scootaloo jumped in horror at the sight of her spiritual friends. "You can't die! I won't let you die! I-Is there anything I can do to stop it!"

"I'm not sure really." Buhu replied, "every time I tried to end my life, I end up being brought back to life. But if you really want to turn somepony back... Do you happen to have some bitter medicine?"

"Oh! You mean... This?" Scootaloo pulled out a few sets of tightly wrapped small pieces of paper. "The local herbalist gave it to me for free for some reason. I tried to refuse it because of how dangerous it is to just accept... Medicine from strangers, but Flash happened to come along and told me that it's actual medicine that can help cure physical or mental wounds according to the way you prepare it. Interesting that the Royal Guard has knowledge about oriental herbs and medicine. Anything to survive I guess..."

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!?" Enerfly tooted loudly, "HELP US!"

"Holy Hay! You can actually talk!" Scootaloo jumped and quickly unwrapped the papers and rubbed the mysterious brown powder onto each of the four Yo-Kai.

"Ahh..." Cadin gasped for relief as he was able to move his wings and legs once more, "perhaps I am not ready to enter the light."

"Oh come on!" Buhu moaned as the burning within ceased, "I was hoping for a better life!"

"Sorry Buhu, but you, as well as every single one of you, mean a lot to me when you're... Dead, not fully dead mind you."

"If you really put it that way... Life wouldn't suck as much with you around." Buhu replied, a faint smile upon her bird face,

"Yer a sweetheart Scoots." Komasan blushed,

"That's very kind of you Komasan." Scootaloo replied, "even more so when you sound like Applebloom."

"First?" Whisper asked, "why don't you say something? They're willing to go through tooth and nail for you!"

"..." First silently stared at his silent enemy, staring back at him.

"First?" Scootaloo turned around, a voice of concern for her brother. Her eyes widened in horror once again to see the front and back hooves of her brother completely frozen.

"T-This feeling... It's gone..." First shivered,

"Wh-What do you mean? Don't tell me you're going to freeze!!!"

"You're making the syame mystake Fyirst!" Jibanyan warned, "we also need to help you!"

"Help me?" First replied without turning his head, "Yeah, that sounds really nice. I would appreciate it lots, especially against her."

"Well then?" Cadin got up, "what is thy command?"

"She's untouchable thanks to her ranged ice controlling powers." First replied, "So we've got to fight back using the direct tactics or a distraction. I think fire should do the trick."

"H-Hold on a minute!" Whisper interrupted, "did I hear you saying 'fight' and 'fire'? You're not planning on attacking, are you?"

"That's exactly what I'm doing!" First replied, "I felt nothing but cold-blood vengeance from her! This... This isn't Frostina anymore... This is... A ghost, that fits the description of the Snow Woman mentioned in the legends!"

"A fake Frostina." Scootaloo replied, "you know, since she looks like Frostina, but has a body of ice instead, why don't we just call her the ice woman?"

"...!" The Frostina now dubbed 'Ice Woman' instantly fired a powerful bolt of ice against the party, but First painfully stepped towards it's direction, and used his frozen hooves to take the brunt of the hit. With the hit, the frozen areas stretched across halfway through his front legs, First grimaced in pain, but determinedly stood firm.

"First! Stop it!" Scootaloo commanded, "your entire arm is going to freeze!!!"

"This... Wasn't the first time I was frozen." First growled, "and I'm sure this won't be the last. But it doesn't matter anymore. I'll jump into icy waters if I have to! For the sake of everypony!"

"First!" Whisper called, "don't tell me you've..."

"Saving Frostina was a different story. Now, this isn't Frostina anymore, and this 'thing' is beyond negotiation. Her body reflects her nature after all..."

"!!!" The Ice Woman continued focusing her attacks upon First, directing and twisting the cold winds upon his body, First began to freeze once more, the frozen ice covering his front arms, back arms, straight up his body, and turning his mane and tail into sharp icicles."

"First!!!" Scootaloo cried,

"And she fell right into my trap!" First yelled in victory as a blade swung upon the Snow Woman's neck.

The blade sliced neatly through the ice, causing the Ice Woman to feel an excruciating shock around her neck, knocking her off balance and concentration and dispersing the dangerous and cold winds around her enemies.

"I have done it!" Cadin raised his blade,

"Now be careful!" First replied, all but his head turned to ice, "a Samurai must be wary of his enemy. She may not feel anything due being ice, but use your skills to at least disarm her or something!"

"Oh! I know! Have at thee!" Cadin growled as he ducked under the Ice Woman and used his brute body to trip her over.

"Not bad Cadin!" First commended, "have you got anything more?"

"Indeed I do!" Cadin laughed as he zipped around using his fast wings. "But the enemy is verily distracted. I too, could use some assistance!"

"Enemy!!!" Enefly quickly fluttered over with his might and channelled an ominous power within his wings. Aiming himself at the toppled Ice Woman, he began draining countless particles of purple energy into his nectar beak, sapping the Ice Woman of energy, to which the enemy tightened her pressure on the frozen surface.

"Right... If a physical move doesn't work, then a spiritual move would!" First observed,

"Impressive! Even when First's in danger, he's still determined to lead the way!"

"I'm sure the realisation that this isn't Ms Frost anymore is probably what pushed him to the limit." Scootaloo answered,

"Then why don't we support him?" Jibanyan asked,

"Sure. Hey Buhu! Koma brothers! Why don't we all give First and the others a hand?"

"Well, my wind techniques would be absorbed up by the cold wind, but I could cause some bad luck and depression with her!" Buhu replied, "that is, if I can feel any better regarding our situation."

"*Burp*... Enemy!" Enefly burped as he finished his meal, "Enemy! Enerfly?"

"Toot?" Enerfly turned around,

"To beat our enemy!" Enefly replied, releasing the absorbed energy from his wings and connecting it towards Enerfly's wings.

"What the!?" First and the rest gasped in awe as the purple energy turned into a bright yellow colour, then back to purple, and then to yellow. On one side of the wings, the flowing energy connecting Enerfly to Enefly permanently stayed yellow, while the Purple energy on the other side of the wing changed direction instead, where Enerfly was giving energy to Enefly. Both energies glowed brighter and brighter, and as it gained power, it began drawing the butterflies closer and closer towards each other. As the two collided, an green alluring vortex engulfed them, ripping the two butterflies in to pieces and segments of their body, and sucked them into it's source. Like the death of a star, the vortex then crushed itself into a small but intense sphere, and exploded. The sound of shattering glass and the brightness equivalent to the sun filled the skies, blinding everypony, including the Ice Woman, below. A big and extravagant butterfly of purple and yellow elegantly emerged from the fading light, flying proud over the battle.

"Wow..." Scootaloo gasped in awe. "You're... Beautiful... Fluttershy might like you a lot!"

"So elegant... So spectacular..." Whisper praised,

"Enerfly... Enefly... Fused into one..." First continued, "what is your name now, o elegant being?"

"Betterfly!!!" Betterfly squawked, breaking the awestruck atmosphere into an awkward situation.

"Alright, I'll take back the part where I said you were elegant." First cringed,

"Betterfly? So if enerfly causes energy, and enefly causes enemies..." Scootaloo theorised, putting two and two together, "does that mean Betterfly makes others feel better?"

"Then let me show you my bestacular powers!" Betterfly laughed, flapping his wings and scattering yellow glistening powder from his wings.

"!!!" The Ice Woman saw what happened and urgently sent a frigid wind to blow them away, but alas the scaly powder continued descending to the ground without any resistance.

"No way!" Jibanyan gasped, "even the cold winds can't blow his scales away!"

"Ahh..." First closed his eyes in comfort as the powder rained down upon him. A source of calm, relief, and joy spread through his nerves, mind and heart.

"Hmm..." Scootaloo smiled as her brain and muscles relax in the dazzling light, "this feeling... It transcends joy..."

"Hmm... This... Really isn't bad at all!" Buhu exclaimed with a smile,

"Oh... Mah... Swirls..." The brothers repeated, "feels just like bein' welcomed home to some fresh apple pie on a bright clear day."

"This feeling... My broken English is not enough to describe how beautifully and amorous this feeling is..." Cadin sang, "If there was just one simple adjective to describe it, it would be a--"

"BEST FEELING!!!" First screamed at the top of his lungs, his body broken out of the icy prison, "I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER!!!"

"!?!?!?" The Ice Woman was dumbstruck by the foal's freedom of her powers. Nopony had ever done it before! Infuriated, she launched countless Ice bolts at the annoying foal.

"Nice try!" First taunted as he effortlessly ducked, dodged, and dived through the attempted attacks, "but you're not going to stop this feeling!"

'Impossible!!!' The Ice Woman thought to herself, nopony could ever dodge her cold powers and come out unscathed!

"Wow! If you can do all those tricks, I'd love to have a feeling like this everyday!" Scootaloo laughed, "then again... I think I'm already inspirited!"

"You got that right!" Jibanyan stood proud, "It feels like I've just eaten a bunch of Chocobars, which I haven't in the slightest!"

"Oh Buhu?" First called as he nimbly jumped back to the group, "did you say that your inspiritment will work better when you're feeling better?"

"Why of course!" Buhu laughed as her chest face gazed eerily at the Ice Woman, filling her will all sorts of dread, sadness, and depression.

'What is this feeling?' The Ice Woman thought to herself. She was just a shade, a figment from memory, and yet she was privy to these mental feelings. Cowering on the ground once more, she cried and cried and cried to no avail. After all, she was just a figment from memory, a figure without a face, and she was only there just to freeze and kill. Now, her fate was sealed, she will be killed herself.

"She's wide open!" First cheered, "Komasan! Komajiro! Cadin! I'll need your strongest moves!"

"Alrighty then!" Komasan jumped, "ah'm ready to dance! You too little bro?"

"Of course!" Komajiro laughed, "let's do this!"

Clapping their hands in unison, they slowly but rhythmically moved and twirled their bodies around in unison. Spinning in and out, moving their hands around. With a final set of slight prayer, they rapidly shook their bodies as they ritually danced for the skies. From up above, spiritual snakes of fire as well as the wild bolts of lightning rained down upon the Snow Woman, entrancing her in unbearable burns and lightning. The Snow Woman flailed around madly as her solid cold body began to melt from the heat's intensity, fuelled by the energy of the lightning."

"Okay Cadin!" First replied, "I know that you always like to go fast! So why don't we strike together?"

"Pardon?" Cadin asked,

"Cadin, I think you're the best at being an inspirational bard instead of a fierce warrior."

"Oh... Really?"

"What made you take up the sword anyway?"

"Now that you've asked me... I dunno. When I was reborn into a Yo-Kai, I found this sword with me. So I guess I might as well fight with it!"

"I see... Do you still remember the tune of a cicada?"

"Pardon?"

"A samurai inspires courage within others with their strength. That's why so many ponies look up to them, even today." First smiled, "at least, that's what the history books said..."

"I don't understand on what you are getting to..."

"Be the best Cicada Samurai!" First supported, "your fighting style and your song! Combine into one!"

"I... I see now!" Cadin nodded, "thank you for your enlightenment! But... Should we strike fast now? The Ice Woman can recover any second!"

"Not when she's melting!" First laughed as he pointed to the semi-Ice Woman, melting as it flailed and shook around in desperation.

"Oh, twas a shame for her..."

"Komasan!" First called, "I need your fiery powers!"

"Ah'm tuckered out First!" Komasan moaned, "Ah can't fight any longer!"

"Alright then... Set me and Cadin on fire!"

"You kiddin me?"

"Charge!" First yelled as he and Cadin charged towards the melting Ice Woman,

"Oh all right!" Komasan moaned as he tossed a blazing fireball to engulf the two galloping figures whole.

"RRRRAAAAH!!!!" First yelled as the combination of Betterfly's inspiritment as well as Komasan's fire turned him into a raging fireball,

"MING MING!!!" Cadin chirped as he too, became a raging fireball.

Cadin leapt forward and delivered a striking elemental slash through the middle. A stream of water gushed out from the slice. The Ice Woman remained motionless as her entire body began to crumble through the heat, until the foal charged through the remains of her body, shattering her entirely into shards of ice and puddles of water.

"Well," First sighed as he quickly brushed off the heat and surveyed the motionless puddles. "I don't think the cold will bother me anymore. What a good warm-up!"

"Indeed!" A bigger Cadin with a different colour scheme, as well as some new armour raised a larger katana in victory, "twas an excellent time to sing for our heroics!"

"Yes, it's an excellent time to also sing for your awakening Cadin." First congratulated, "new armour, I think your role as a Yo-Kai is made clear to you."

"And from this day on!" The new Cadin announced, "I will be known as Cadable!"

"Congratulations First." Scootaloo trotted over and patted her brother on the shoulder, "you've done great!"

"Yeah," First replied, "speaking about your question: Yes. I also want to protect Springdale, more so for the Yo-Kai. With tormenting and nightmarish origins, or the curse of having to live a longer life as a spirit, they deserve to live a happy life. If communicating with currently live ponies will help them, I'd take that mantle!"

"That's my little brother!"

"But I've also learned that there are things that you can't do alone. That's what friends really are for I guess. We go in together and fight til the bitter end."

"Exactly right!"

"Now... Where's that wisp?"

"I believe it's over there..." Whisper pointed towards a blue wisp travelling to their direction.

"I think the next one's the last." Scootaloo smiled, "and it's going to be a doozy!"

"Just wondering..." First replied, "if we've both conquered our fears now, what's the trial for the third task?"

"Perhaps it's--"

*BOOM!!!* The wisp exploded, consuming the ponies and Yo-Kai before them, leaving nothing behind once the light died down. The final chasm of the trial is approaching. And it's there where they discover what it truly means to protect something precious to them...

*TO BE CONTINUED... AGAIN*

Author's Note

This is going to be a long one, the finale of the sibling's stress is coming right after!

Chapter 7-4: Something Precious

The Springdale Construction Site rose three stories tall, illuminated by the ghostly blue skies around it. Within the top floor or the buildings, the four companions, with another new team of Yo-Kai, appeared upon the Springdale lookout, strectching a sight across the empty town of Springdale.

"This is it..." Scootaloo announced,

"Now we're going to be fighting Massiface." Whisper replied, "perhaps both of you know what you'll be doing?"

"Last I remember, he's capable of erasing anypony from existance." First replied, "almost like facing the reaper."

"I think Robonyan did most of the work too, being an emissary from the future." Scootaloo continued,

"Speaking of which, who do we have now?" Jibanyan asked,

"First? Scootaloo?" A voice called from the side,

"Oh! Frostina!" First gasped at the presence of the little blue human girl, shyly staring back.

"Oh my goodness!" A parasol equipped ghost-skeleton floated around, "what on Equestria is this ghastly place?"

"Dazzabel!" Scootaloo turned to the new source of sound.

"Ugh..." A dull daruma doll moaned as he trotted forward, "what is this maddness?"

"What is this nonsense? Get up and act strong!!!"

"Oh me oh my... This doesn't seem like a good place to pick up some Yo-Kai..."

"Well izn't this a surprise! Bonsoir to all!"

"And Dulluma, Mochismo, Cupistol and Happiere." First answered, "this is our final team."

"Oy you there!" Mochismo roared, "what's going on here?"

"We're going through some therapy..." First replied, "and it involves fighting... Which comes to involve you guys."

"Fighting? Really? That's the last thing I want to do!" Dulluma moaned,

"How dare you!" Mochismo roared, shaking his Daruma comrade, "where's your sense of spirit!? You need to act strong and tough!"

"Look who's talking..." Dulluma retorted, "you're only tough when you release your face, but you're a Mr Softy when you push it back in!"

"HOW!... Dare you..." Mochismo cowered, pushing his rough and tough face back in, and replacing it with his timid, embarassed outer face.

"Oh my Goodness!" Dazzabel gasped, "who's this handsome looking Yo-Kai?"

"Huh? Well hello there..." Cupistol waved. "What brings you to this 'fair' place?"

"Great..." First sighed, "looks like our team haven't got their A-game on."

"Mais non! What is this all about then? Why with the fighting?" Happiere asked, listening to his friends.

"To put it bluntly. We lose in battle we lose our lives." Scootaloo replied in a fearing tone. Hearing those words, everypony froze in silence and movement.

"We... Can... Die? Even Yo-Kai?" Frostina gasped in horror,

"Yep." First sighed, a gloomy and uneasy feeling rumbling in his stomach as he explained the entire story. "... Unlike you guys, we've escaped this two times, but I still don't feel anymore confident."

"So if you really want all of us to get out of here." Scootaloo continued, "we've got to stick together this time, and learn to take commands more."

"Problem is... We don't have Robonyan here, he dealt most of the damage!"

"W-Wait! Even if you may not have a powerful Yo-Kai from that battle, do remember that you have us! We're not weaklings you know." Frostina reminded,

"Yeah... You have a point." First nodded, after remembering what he had been through in the past week, as well as his trial.

"We can do this!" Mochismo puffed, his rough and tough face sticking out to show his nature of toughness. "I promise with my life that we can get through! For our friends!"

"Roaarrr...." A familiar and griseous roar, uglier and hoarse as the face of Manjimutt, echoed from beyond the lookout.

"Don't worry," Scootaloo replied in a calming tone, "we can do this. Wait, hold on a moment..." With a brief second, Scootaloo psyched her mind, telling her inner self the confidence of their trials and victories. Their escape from death, and how they should stand proud instead of afraid.

"Don't worry." Scootaloo replied in a stern tone. "We CAN do this."

"A-Alright then." Cupsitol nodded, "if my lady looks ready, then I shall too!"

"I am born ready my darling Scoots!" Dazzabel cheered,

"Let's rock." Scootaloo replied, signalling her hoof to advance. What she didn't know on the other hand, was that her hoof was pointing straight towards the nose of a hulking, semi-bald, black giant with white striples strewn across his face and body, a giant white x on it's darkened forehead, and a sinster pair of red glowing eyes.

"Scoots? Turn around, but don't freak out." Whipser gulped as the party set their gazes upon their fearsome enemy.

"Oh!" Scootaloo jumped at the sight of their former giant opponent, tainted by a form of darkness, as empty as the vaccum of space. "Didn't expect you to appear out of the blue Massiface!"

"Massiface!!!" Massiface roared, his rotten, spit-spewing, breath brushed through the party, drenching their bodies with the foulest of scents.

"Urgh!!!" Dazzabel moaned, "this is my bestest outfit I've preapred for myself today! How dare you!!!"

"But doesn't she wear the same thing everyday?" First asked, wafting away the foul smell.

"Let's not ask. She'll get mad." Scootaloo shrugged, giving a shushing gesture.

"How putrid!" Whisper growled, "even more disgusting than the time we've fought you! Rotten Fish, animal and pony faeces, the worst of the worst!"

"Listen here you foul creature!" Cupistol growed as he floated forward, "I want you to get your ugly mug and breath away this insta--"

"AAAAHHHH!!!" Massiface interrupted with a roar, that rung and echoed through the ears of everypony in view, striking their nerves of fear.

"O-Okay...!" Cupistol held his hand in surrender as he floated back, "Point taken! Point taken!"

"Is it me, or does Massiface feel a bit more scarier than before?" First asked,

"All of my body parts are shaking like mad, so I'm pretty sure that he is!" Jibanyan replied,

"What's ze matter you two? There's nothing to fear. Ze is jus' a big ugly monster! Why don't everypony smile in the name of fear?" Happiere asked, releasing his bubble lights of yellow.

"Hmm..." Scootaloo's face of worry gradually turned into a sweet smile. "Point taken!"

"Taking a page out of Pinkie Pie! Well, sort of... But definitely a good idea!" First agreed, his mouth beaming proudly.

"Hah!" Mochismo laughed, flexing his coagulated and glutinous rice arms. "I'm so happy, I feel like I can take on anything!"

"GROWAR!!!" Massiface roared louder than ever, a hoarse and shrill voice, combined with the gaze of his purple eyes. Cracks appeared around every single hero, their smiley faces turned upside down in horror as the cracks continued spreading. A dome of cracks surrounded each and every single ally, and shattered with a violent burst. The many fragments that made up the shield of Happiere's power lie colourless and lifeless upon the floor, disentegrating into dust as observed by the fear-stricken heroes of the group.

"Uh... Oh... Umm..." First started to panic, his protection from Happiere's happiness dispelled entirely.

"I-I won't let you harm the children!" Frostina bravely stepped forward as she conjured a giant shard of ice and burrowed it directly into Massiface's white X.

"Oh!" Scootaloo snapped back from fear, feeling a little relieved. "I remember, Massiface's weak spot was that X on his forehead!"

"On the other hand..." Whisper analysed and observed the giant's very passive and unshakable reaction to the cold, "I don't believe Massiface is allergic to ice!"

"Gwoar!" Massiface began his relentless assault, starting off with swift finger flicking. A sharp concussive pain struck the foreheads of the ponies and Yo-Kai. Some had a lingering feeling of confusion and dizziness while some just felt only the pain, but all were blown back to the concrete walls behind them.

"Now this..." First groaned as his head spun and spun, "is something really familiar..."

"Oh me oh my..." Cupistol repeated, stablising his discomforted head, "this type of violence is completely unexpected..."

"Looks like a lot of Yo-Kai and pony needs my assistance!" Scootaloo announced as the Watch rapidly glowed purple. "Sure lucky that I wasn't inspirited by that flick!"

"Less exclaiming, more helping please..." First moaned,

"I got it! I got it!" Scootaloo rambled as she quickly aimed her watch at her buddies and performed their respective tasks and activities to purify them completely.

"It's only for a few days but I must say! You're quite a fast hoof on purification!" Whisper complimented,

"Well, at least I'm being properly notified on what's happening with everypony!" Scootaloo yelled back, "now can you please help me or something?"

"Well what can I do?" Whisper asked, "surely you don't want me to fight!"

"Any help will do Whisper!" First trotted back, a mouthful of building tools and materials carried in a large bucket, as well as another mountains of miscillaneous items on his shoulder, "just like Sproink, we're going to throw things! X marks the target!"

"Hey everypony!" Scootaloo called out, a twinge of courage within her. "I know all of you have been dragged into this without warning, and that we're facing something really scary... And I want to say that I'm sorry!"

"Roar!" Massiface, irritated by the filly's words, winded up a punch ready to strike the filly off her high horse. Little did he know, that by the time he launched his gigantic fist towards the orange chicken, a lump of mochi was below, driving his fist with enough strength that it changed the direction of the incoming fist, just above the ruffled mane of Scootaloo.

"Oops!" Scootaloo gasped, her mane blew against the air current of the giant fist, as well as almost losing her footing. "Maybe I should concentrate more..."

"Please do just that!" Mochismo waved, "less talking, more fighting! It doesn't matter if fear is stacked against us! The absolute best you can do is help our offence! We fight together!"

"Okay then!" Scootaloo nodded firmly, "First!" Understanding her command without a word, First tossed a light but sturdy paint bucket to his sister.

"What a little brother can do, I can do better!" Scootaloo laughed as she quickly assumed a pitching position and threw the bucket with great force. The bucket twirled uncontrollably however, and diverged from its intended direction.

"Okay, maybe not." Scootaloo sighed, as the bucket began falling while flying, below the giant's forehead, but straight against one of his eyes.

"Roar!" Massiface yelled at the sudden pain against his eye, reeling back.

"Great throw!" First complimented, patting the shoulder of his astonished sister.

"Grr!!!" Massiface came back, a state of expressionless anger surged across the building.

"We should be the ones being angry!" Frostina retorted, "causing such trauma to our living friends!"

"You know," Jibanyan nudged his pony friends, "she may not be helpful against somepony like Massiface, but it's still a feat to see the powers of the Snow Woman on our side!"

"Though I wish you'd stop calling Frostina that, you are right that we're able to make friends with a Yo-Kai that has such a fearsome story. Think she'd be a good pony to dress as for Nightmare Night?"

"Do you really bring about Pony traditions at a time like this!?" Dazzabel chimed in, "this is YOUR battle, we're here to help as friends!"

"My bad. Let me cooperate." First bowed in apology, then proceeded to pick up a pair of dividers, and swiftly tossed it, sharp end-first, straight into the other eye of the giant. The giant roared in pain once again, changing the activity of his hands from attacking, to pulling out the dividers, and rubbing his eyes for very little comfort.

"'Eye' saw that coming!" Dulluma laughed,

"But did you really need to make that pun Dulluma?" First replied, "this really isn't the time for comedy..."

"Oh... Okay then... Sorry..." Dulluma sighed, a wave of embarrassment coursed through his mind as he hunched down in self-disappointment.

"Well, at least it managed to take his eyes out." Scootaloo analysed, "now he won't be able to attack us, unless he uses--"

"GRAWWW!!!" The blinded Massiface slammed his gigantic hands onto the floor, creating a violent earthquake to shake the entire building, and beckoning something an unpleasant surprise from up above...

"-that move." Scootaloo finished with a hope-shattering gulp as she looked above. "Take cover!" She warned as a horde of building debris fell upon the team, burying them in dust and rubble.

"Arrrrrgh! no!" First cried in pain as a slab of concrete slammed onto his back and pinned him down to the ground, trapped.

"First!" Frostina coughed through the dust, "I'm trapped!"

"Whisper! Jibanyan! Are you guys alright?"

"I-I think I am!" Whisper called back, "but... Oh no!!! The Yo-Kai Pad!!! This was the most expensive thing I have ever bought!"

"I... I can't feel my tails..." Jibanyan moaned,

"Anypony else!?"

"I... Hey! I'm not hurt at all!" Dulluma spoke up, looking at his surroundings. Indeed, the dullest daruma was very lucky as no debris or red steel rods had landed onto his surroundings.

"Great." Cupistol spat with disgust. "Of all of us unharmed, it has to be the dull and useless one."

"H-Hey!" Dulluma gasped, "that's not nice!"

"Nopony move!" Moschismo spoke, "I'll try to get myself out of this predicament! Everypony stay right where you are!"

"Fat chance!" Dazzabel gasped, "I'm going to get out of here with my own strength!"

"Hey Whisper? Can't you pass through the debris!?" First replied, "it's not natural!"

"I... I can't do it!" Whisper gasped, "I think it's either this world's doing, or that this debris is made natural thanks to Massiface!"

"Hey Scoots, I think everypony's fine..." First called, "how... About..." A dreadful sight set upon the gang as First's face crumpled into sheer terror and unbelievable fear as a thick oozing trail of warm liquid wriggled it's way close to First. Following it's snaking path, First's face became even more pale, his pupils shrunk drastically as he laid eyes upon the source of the red stream... The head of his motionless sister.

"No!" First gasped as he desperately tried to wriggle free, looking around to what had transpired. "No!!!" Though most had by the rubble falling onto their backs, a crimson stain smeared upon a large chunk of debris, had spelt out the dreadful outcome of the flightless filly.

"NO!!!" First yelled a third time, his face filled with rage, confusion, tears, a mish-mash of horrific emotions tearing through his mind.

"First!" Mochismo warned, managing to lift himself free, "don't move! It's dangerous!"

"I'M NOT THE ONE WHO NEEDS HELP!!!" First screamed back, managing to get a footing upon his tomb of debris, "GET TO SCOOTALOO QUICK!!!"

"Oh... Oh no..." Mochismo gasped at the sticky red trail, following it towards the filly. "This is not good. This is not good!"

"SCOOTS!!!" First cried in anger, yanking himself free from the rubble pile, and heaving his body towards his gravely injured sister. "SCOOTS!!!" He held his Sister's wound in shock, the warm fluid spreading across his hoof.

"F-First..." Mochismo spoke, a faltering tone in his voice. "D-Do you need me to do anything?"

"G-G-G..." First stuttered, the horrifying injury on his sister driving him insane, "Get everypony else free, and straight here! Massiface must still be blind. I-I need Frostina especially!" He held his sister close, his tears cascading down his face, and onto hers. "You can't die... You must live!!!"

In the midst of an unknown empty darkness, a soul could feel herself falling endlessly, from the black heights above, the the dark depths below. Sadly, it seems that falling was getting her nowhere.

"..." The filly opened her eyes, diluted of colour, her iris darkened, her pupils gone. She looked around, her body was covered in some ghostly energy, and very transparent.

"..." The filly tried to mutter a word, but she couldn't speak. The thought of what happened to her rendered her completely mute and empty, to the fact that she can't emit any emotion. After a few seconds of falling, a large cauldron of liquid, the same colour as her hair, came into view underneath. There was little she could do to react properly as she landed inside the cauldron with a big but silent splash.

Within the thick, unknown mess all around her, various voices and tormenting whispers rushed into her head, the soul's mind tossing and turning. Clutching her head in hopes to ease the pain, she noticed another horrible thing. Her spectral front legs began taking in the colour of the dark pink fluid of her mane, as well as going through a grotesque change, where the roundness of her legs became thinner and thinner, and from her hoof, sprouted five sharp and scary sticks.

"You can't die..." A voice echoed out.

The soul was unable to hear, as her focus was grabbed by her hind legs slowly intertwining, and like her legs, became one thin tail, floating skittering madly through the rushing liquid.

"Please... You can't die... You die here... You'll be gone for good!" The voice echoed again. The soul this time, heard the crying plea. The soul could do nothing however, but gaze towards the source of the cry, while her body continued on going through the horrific of changes. This time, her entire horizontal body began compressing itself from the front and back, washed with the dark pink dye. There were no sound of crunching bones, but she felt her entire self grow taller and taller, her clawed hooves sliding down hier body.

"Listen! You can't die! You've got a brother, a family! You still have a chance to live!"

"This isn't over! You can fight it! You're with us, you can face death!"

"Scoots!!!" First's voice broke through the liquid.

The soul's ears rang true of the foal's words, a look of confirmation upon a bright light above, the surface of the sea of pink. The soul's eyes furrowed. She fully understood everything that transpired. The echoing words of plea and motivation in the middle of the many voices of darkness, death, screaming. It had given the answer to her fate, but she herself was not done yet. She remembered that she had one goal in mind, and that all she had been through cannot be for naught. Determined, she clawed her way to the surface, bit by bit, resisting all other distorted and discorded voices, a excruciating wound, burning through her abomination of a body, and through her heart, eager to return to the material world, eager to fight against death.

Back in the reflection trial, the now freed but badly injured team huddled around their best friend and ally, her wound temporarily covered with a frozen surface.

"This can't be happening..." First told himself, pressing hard to find a pulse, "this can't be happening..."

"First..." Frostina cried, placing her hand upon the filly's cold hoof, "She's... She's cold... I can't feel any warmth..."

"And..." Happiere bowed in sadness, "I cannot sense any air from her... No happiness either, just emptiness..."

"No..." First slumped on Scootaloo's limp body, sobbing in defeat. "Sister... Why...?"

"..." Mochismo, Dulluma, Dazzabel and Cupistol bowed their heads in silence.

"Groar!" An unwelcome roar interrupted the silent mourning. Throughout the entire time the team had to escape from their rubble trap, as well as to find a means of bringing back their best friend, this time was enough for the blackened giant to fully recover his sight, and to give a death glare towards his foes.

"Fear not then..." Dulluma sighed, "at least we'll all be joining her soon."

"No..." First stood up, a heart stained by sorrow, now replaced with unbridled and dark fury. "That's not what sis would do... Or Flash... Or our parents either..." He turned around, and glared back at Massiface, a gaze even scarier than his giant target. "What we've always done, is fight to the bitter end, even if taken by surprise. We continue marching forward until it's literally impossible for us to continue any further." He roared at Massiface, "Even if you're the epitome of death, I will take you down with my life if I have to!"

"Till the bitter end..." A distorted yet familiar voice replied, "we'll fight... Even through death..."

"That voice...! Scoots!?" First turned around, hoping to see his beloved sister waking up.

"Not... Yet..." Hovering above the lifeless filly, was a dark pink ghost, with her hair shaped like a long feather, two claws connected with arms, the tail of a ghost, and a hole that resembles the silhouette of a shield. The entire group immediately recognised the new form through that hole, as well as her small yet recognisable purple eyes.

"No..." First shook his head in disbelief, "Scootaloo... Sister... You're... Yo-Kai..."

"I have so much more to live... I won't let death from you take it away..." The Yo-Kai of Scootaloo glared without emotion at the giant that took her life. Electrical powers began pouring from her ghostly fingertips.

"ARRRRGH!!!" Massiface swatted the Yo-Kai out of the sky, but never knew that this new enemy was faster than he ever was, quickly appearing straight in front of his eyes, and began clawing his forehead. The blackened giant screamed in pain and anguish from the slashing and the electric shocks, showing no form of perseverance or resistance. It was complete and utter mercy to the Yo-Kai's claws eviscerating away at his head.

"Holy Celestia...!" First stepped back in fear, "I... I never knew Scootaloo was like this!"

"To the bitter end..." Scootaloo spoke as she continued slashing and rending her foe, "To the bitter end..."

"To the bitter end... To the bitter end!" Dulluma repeated with gusto as he stepped forward, "I'll fight to the bitter end! For you!"

"What do you think you're doing!?" Mochismo scolded, "step back!"

"No." Dulluma growled, "I've had enough time being dull... I'm going to fight for what's right!" With a tough aura, Dulluma began summoning very large pebbles to his arms, and madly tossed it towards his eyes.

The blackened giant dreaded this moment: Two pathetic flies giving him a hard time. Once straight up to his face, another pelting mere rocks. Massiface laughed inside, he observed how these Yo-Kai and Ponies are connected strongly together, and how they were broken to pieces when they saw the death of that pony. If he's done it once before, he can do it again. Bearing his teeth, he began his next move.

A sickening roar followed with a wild swat diverted Scootaloo's focus to dodge the oncoming attack, not knowing that the giant's other hand was flying furiously down upon the small Daruma before him. The small Yo-Kai could only show a gasp of horror as the hand's shadow grew darker and darker, while the hand drew closer and closer. Everyone stopped in further shock to see Dulluma nimbly leap to the skies, and dove straight towards his head, like a meteor.

"That was fast!" Dazzabel exclaimed, "he's that nimble?"

The giant laughed and merely held a palm to his face to block the headbutting Dulluma in his tracks. A futile attack, without any effort needed to stop it. Helplessly falling, Dulluma collapsed to the floor, his head ringing from the recoil and concussion, unable to discover that he was smack dab in the middle of the giant's descending hand, ready to crush him with his overwhelming strength.

"Argh!" First gasped in shock as a cloud of dust kicked in with the attack, dreading for the worst when the dust finally settled. Much to his and everyone's complete surprise, the dull daruma was unharmed, merely rolled over onto his back, helplessly wiggling his legs and arms.

"Dulluma? Are you alright?" First quickly galloped over,

"Oof..." Dulluma moaned, "Am I still alive?"

"Uh-huh."

"Impossible... That means someone was able to push me out of the way..." Dulluma replied,

"Pushed... You?" First gasped, "then who?"

Turning their heads towards the giant palm, the curtain lifted to reveal the answer. Scattered and smashed all around the floor, were gelatinous pieces of mochi, and a piece of loincloth, all burning blue.

"M-Mochismo..." First gasped,

"O-Over here..." A voice croaked from a head sticking out of one of the pieces of Mochi.

"You saved me Mochismo..." Dulluma spoke,

"And it's a good thing I did." Mochismo laughed, "so... This is what it feels like to die again..."

"Holy Celestia..." First bent his head again, "two deaths now... I can't take it anymore..."

"What are you saying!?" Mochismo scolded, "do you honestly think it's over for you!?"

"It's... It's just because--"

"Sacrifices needed to be made along the way." Mochismo continued, "especially for you Dulluma, I know you have potential."

"Me?"

"Within that dull shell of yours, there's a big tough and macho personality welling inside you. All I needed to do was drive you in the right direction one day, and I wouldn't have met you if it weren't for First and Scoots."

"I see..."

"Technically, there's a much better way to do this, but since we're all dragged into this mess, I might as well jump in. I never really liked my life as a Yo-Kai. So here's hoping my power can help others, especially for all of you!"

"Mochismo! You're beginning to burn up!" Whisper warned,

"Ouch..." Mochismo growled, the blue flames of death grew in intensity, consuming each and every broken piece of mochi (as well as the loincloth), "looks like I don't have enough time. Listen up everypony! Especially you siblings and Dulluma! I won't be here anymore to remind you to act tough and be strong, so you need to remember that for yourselves. Got it!?"

"H-How can we do that?" Frostina asked,

"Whatever!" Mochismo growled in frustration, "just take it! All of my power!!!"

Mochismo roared as hard as he can, his eyes set ablaze by the blue flames, as his face, the rest of his body, melted into a blue heap of spiritual flames, and let loose a blazing explosion, engulfing all of his comrades and his enemies with one final push of his life. In the end, all that was left of him, was a faint blue wisp, floating helplessly in the air.

"..." Scootaloo watched with silence, the passing of her Yo-Kai friend, not noticing the blue flames calmly burning around her body.

"I can't... Feel anything anymore..." First sighed, Mochismo's flames cascading around his body. "Mochismo... Scoots... All gone. I don't know how to react to this much death..."

"..." Dulluma, without any other word, hobbled over to the remaining wisp of Mochismo and grabbed it by his hand.

"Dulluma? What are you doing?" Dazzabel asked. With no response, Dulluma lifted his head up, the wisp above his gaping mouth, and shoved it down his mouth in one gulp.

"What in the Yo-Kai World!?" Cupsitol performed a double-take, fully aghast. "Dulluma! Did you just eat what's left of Mochismo!?"

Dulluma exploded with a brilliant burst of light, blinding every ally and enemy in the vicinity.

"What's with all the bright light!? Geez louise!" Jibanyan growled,

"Yes..." A gruff answer replied, "yes... I did eat what's left of Mochismo... Because it's his energy that he left behind, for me and for everypony to get through this trial."

"In that case..." First spoke, the sadness within temporarily pushed aside, "you're not Dulluma anymore then. Aren't you? Like what happened with Enerfly and Enefly... You've become one!"

"Indeed... I am no longer Dulluma, or Mochismo... I am... Darumacho!!!" A gorilla-like Yo-Kai sprung from the light. With the colour scheme of a Daruma, his eyebrows impossibly bent upwards like a parabolic graph, red armbands equipped upon his hairy and muscular arms, a grouchy and tough face of teal green spread across his face, his sideburns and beard connected together, blue markings on his chest that symbolises the outlines of what could be his chest muscles, along with some red pants for decency. The new Dulluma roared with pride, his fists clenched with unrelenting strength.

"Wow!" Dazzabel gasped in delight, "I never knew a depressing shorty like you can grow into something so muscular and buff!"

"Really Dazzabel? Is this really the time?" Frostina arched an eyebrow of sarcastic disbelief,

"Mochismo somehow knew of the connection between him and me." Darumacho explained, "that with the power and personality of one like himself, it can push another Yo-Kai like me into a new Yo-Kai with great power!"

"Fusion huh... But that means he had to give up his life."

"Fusion between two Yo-Kai is never a pleasant thing." Darumacho replied, "because even if means greater power, it also means one will lose their personality, no longer the Yo-Kai that you've grown up with. Although I have retained the memories of both hosts, the two Yo-Kai you call friends, no longer exist. The same thing that happened with your butterfly pals whom you mentioned."

"So it's almost like the death of Mochismo is like easing the pain of the two of you fusing together."

"You can put it that way if you like." Mochismo nodded, "but now's not the time for mourning. We all need to get out of here. And get out of here we shall!!!" Mochismo roared once more, a circle of fire erupted from his bodies, engulfing everyone it came across with his fire.

"Huh..." Jibanyan swung his paws, covered in the muscular flames of Darumacho. "They feel strong... I feel strong too!"

"Is that so?" Dazzabel asked, testing out her fencing skills with her burning parasol, "you may be right! I can feel a difference within my techniques!"

"So have I..." Frostina replied, her fists burning bright. "I... I may not be a fighter, but I can feel a difference in physical strength!"

"As have I!" Happiere added,

"Me too." Cupistol raised his burning finger-gun, "I feel like I could pierce through anything!"

"Even me..." First replied, stretching and rotating his burning legs, "I can feel a lot of power within my legs. Do you feel something too Scoots?"

Scoots, who decided to be mute, nodded in response to her brother, and proved it with a flash of her claws, a combination of Darumacho's burning fire and the electricity within her body.

"Everypony!" First took over, "this is Mochismo's gift! We're going to use it to the fullest, right Darumacho?"

"Indeed!"

"Then we're going to fight!" First roared, picking up a large piece of debris with one leg, "we're going to get through this trial! For everypony who's relying on us to live!" With a mighty macho toss, he scored a direct hit onto Massiface's forehead. The giant reeled back in pain and astonishment, the debris stuck straight in the middle of the X.

'How is it possible!?' The giant thought. A mere foal pony, with such anger and power, enough to carry an item twice or more his size, and to throw it with such strength, more than enough force to pierce the skin of his bane.

"Direct hit!" Happiere watched, "very good Monsieur First!"

"M-My turn!" Whisper grabbed two pieces of debris, each bigger than what First grabbed, "I've got the macho power too!" This time, the plump ghost butler tossed it towards the eyes. The cries of the giant once more told everypony that it was a direct hit.

"Alright everypony, let's charge!" Dazzabel rallied and shot forward, with Scootaloo trailing behind. In an immediate desperate counter, Massifiace unleashed his massive arm swipe, blowing back every assaulting Yo-Kai back to the walls.

"Not again!" First gasped as he flew back towards the wall,

"Oh no!" Whisper and Jibanyan roared in pain as they got blown away like paper.

"Woah there!" Cupistol lost his balance in the air as a wall of wind buffeted him,

"No!" Dazzabel gasped in horror as she flew back with her friends. Quickly thinking on the spot, she quickly flew with the wind, past Cupistol, and opened her parasol straight in the Yo-Kai's way.

"Oof!" Cupistol fell face first onto Dazzabel's Parasol and continued pushing her until they slammed into the concrete walls.

"No..." Dazzabel cried in pain. "My clothes... Ripped by the wind... And my head..." She felt a dreadful fissure on her skull, "cracked..."

"You tried to protect me." Cupsitol approached the fashionable skeleton. "That's... Very admirable. May I know why?"

"I know it sounds selfish, but let's just say I have quite an admiration towards you." Dazzabel answered, "and I know that you're a Yo-Kai of popularity, but even then, I still want to protect you, because I still see more than that!"

"Hmm... Very interesting..." Cupistol replied, a small smile upon his face, "then let me give you my thanks." With a wave of his non 'hand-gun', a green veil of light washed over Dazzabel, reparing the crack upon her skull.

"You heal!?" First watched from afar, picking himself off the wall,

"You never saw me in entirety, did you?" Cupsitol replied, "Yo-Kai have more abilities than just their thematic inspiritment! Let me demonstrate!" Another green veil washed itself upon First too, any sort of wound, or broken bone, healed him right back up.

"Happiere?"

"Oui?"

"You do have a somewhat similar 'technique' to mine, right?"

"Oh yes!" Happiere remembered, "zhen I wouldn't be in ze Heartful tribe now would I? Everypony breathe easy!" With a giant deep breath, Happiere exhaled a green mist similar to Cupistol, spreading all around the party, curing and healing everypony of their wounds.

"Well then," First stood up, fully recovered and repaired, "looks like I still have a lot to learn about Yo-Kai after all. Jibanyan?"

"Yeah?"

"We've still got Mochismo's energy, right?"

"Yep!" Jibanyan and Mochismo replied with a thumbs up.

"Then I want you go ham!" First replied, grabbing Jibanyan by the collar, "Paws of Fury?"

"Oh yes!" Jibanyan grinned, pounding his paws together.

"All or nothing!" First roared, tossing the two-tailed cat straight towards Massiface,

"Paws of Fury!" Jibanyan yelled, landing his signature flurry of blows upon random locations of the X, as well as having the idea of hammering the shard of debris lodged in the X further inside.

"My turn! My turn!" Dazzabel joined in, repeatedly stabbing the X in random locations like Jibanyan, only with added style.

"Time to fan the hammer!" Cupistol grinned, letting loose a storm of love bullets at point blank range, streaming straight into it's directed target.

Scootaloo flashed her claws once again, and began mercilessly scratching and clawing away. Not only for the forehead, but swiftly bolted around the entirety of his body, hell-bent on rendering the giant asunder on all fronts. If Massiface were to describe the pain he was feeling from a cat's paws, a sharp parasol, several bullet-shots, and the electrifying claws tearing him apart, all combined together with the macho gorilla's power, some would theorise his reaction and anguish to be far worse than the mental pain of a thousand years imprisoned on the moon.

"First!" Darumacho called, "I want to make a promise!"

"Anything!"

"You! Your sister! I want both of you to keep on fighting for both Pony and Yo-Kai, so that we can live together in Harmony! I'll fight for you always, even if the entire world's against you! Do you understaaaaaaand!!!???"

"I do! I promise!"

"Then lend me your power!" Darumacho commanded, "I want you to focus all you've learnt about Yo-Kai onto me! Your connections, memories, your actions against them. All to me! Close your eyes, and release your power"

"Kaaaaaaaaa..." First growled in fierce meditation and concentration. To Whisper and Jibanyan's view, a stream of orange energy emerged from First, transmitting itself into the body of Darumacho. As the macho gorilla absorbed the energy, his eyes burned so bright, that it caught on fire.

"Here's the final strike! Clear the way everypony!" Darumacho warned as he leapt high into the air. Performing the same attack once more as a Dulluma, he began flying head-first, straight towards the giant's head, like a meteor.

"Get out of the way!" First repeated. Gathering the message, all dispersed from the giant, giving a clear shot for the flying gorilla, burning through the air.

"Burning... BUSTER!!!" Darumacho yelled as his eyes blazed with fury, his entire flying body channelling a combination of Earth and Fire. Massiface raised his palm to shield his face, confident that he'll block the charging gnat once again. The outcome of futility was reversed, as the endless roaring and determination of Darumacho, pierced through the darkened flesh and bone, and broke through the foe's defences, leaving a giant hole in the middle of his hand.

"Oh my goodness!" Frostina gasped as Darumacho slammed into Massiface's head in a direct hit, pushing the lodged debris further into the giant's skull, and he along with it. Behind Massiface's head, a small bulge quickly grew to immense size, and brutally burst open, with the ever-daring Darumacho successfully shooting through.

The sight was horrendus for all to see. Though Darumacho pierced through Massiface's hand like butter, it was a grim story for the head. As there was enough resistance within the head to slow him down, the Burning Buster became a bomb within. With the unrelenting fires drastically heating up the longer he was stuck in there, it was what made the giant's head increase in size in tandem with the creation of pressure. The only thing needed for it to detonate was the limit of how much pressure the Giant's head could take. The split second before Darumacho was able to break through his head, was the time the bulge blew a giant crater in the cranium, removing the entire forehead from the dark giant. There was no more screaming, no more sound. A moment of delayed silence surrounded the room, until the Giant's body dissolved into black motes of dust and fire. The enemy before the ponies and Yo-Kai were vanquished, there was no more additional battle. After everything that had transpired, it was the third and final victory.

"We did it..." First spoke, unaware of the fact that all his Yo-Kai allies, save for his Yo-Kai sister, had disappeared.

"Yes..." Scootaloo agreed, her voice no longer distorted. "We have all pulled through..."

"But..." First spoke, the costs of the battle sinking into his hearts and hope, "was it really worth it? If the loss of Mochismo was not as severe, what about you? You've lost your body... Your life... You live as a Yo-Kai..."

"It's okay dear brother." Scootaloo comforted, her claws holding First's hoof with care, "I'm still alive, in spirit. I'm not dead so to speak."

"But!"

"Do you know the meaning behind this trial?" Scootaloo interrupted, "It is to overcome death, by those who have suffered the same fate. Everypony, even the Princesses, we're all scared of ghosts because of what they can do to us. They're not like your usual Cockatrice, Manticore or Wendigo."

"That sounds really stupid though."

"Then why is it that stories of the supernatural are still popular for the fear they bring?" Scootaloo laughed, "it creates an aura of fear for the reader, as if they themselves, were in the shoes of the many victimised characters."

"Please don't become a story yourself." First replied, "that's the last thing I'd like my sister to be."

"Ha ha ha, I knew you'd say that." Scootaloo giggled, "If only ponies knew that the many ghostly horrors within the dreaded pages were right under their noses the whole time. Breathing as they are, then it wouldn't be a safe world now, would it?"

"You're taking this in an awfully calm stride Sis." First replied,

"I kind of like this body..." Scootaloo took a gander at her spectral body, "matches my mane colour, and I do like the claws."

"Yeah, and what about our friends? What will they do if they hear that you've become a Yo-Kai?"

"I'll be prepared for that." Scootaloo replied, "I'll show everypony what happened to me. Or rather..." She flew towards her lifeless body, and came back to first holding the very important device of all. "We do it together."

"Sis..." First stuttered, placing his hooves upon the Yo-Kai Watch.

"Now that the owner of the Yo-Kai Watch has passed away, I guess it's you who'll do the summoning from now on. It's going to be hard passing the torch to you, but do you think you can do that for me?"

"..." First began crying once more,

"Why so sad?" Scootaloo asked, "you know this isn't goodbye. I'll still be around."

"It's this BLASTED TORCH PASSING!" First yelled back, anger flushed across his face "I can't do this without you sis! We came into this mess together, I want to get out of it together ALIVE!"

"First..."

"You aren't the one who held the torch. I held it with you. I held it with you all the way!" First replied, "both of us held the torch together. Both of us met the Yo-Kai and held the Yo-Kai Watch. We went through the mystery behind this Watch, we discovered various Yo-Kai activity, we had to go through terrifying nightmares like this, and even had to go through death to save the sanity of a Yo-Kai that lives among ponies! These trials were meant for the both of us."

"First..."

"I love you sis." First cried again, embracing his deceased sister, "and if there's anything I want to do now that I'm alive, is to keep you and Flash alive and happy. I never want to be separated from you, ever. Do you... Do you think the same?"

"Well... That goes without saying. I love you even more, both you and Flash. And maybe, maybe... Now that I've become a Yo-Kai, maybe I can be better and do many sorts of things that no Yo-Kai or Pony can do! I can even be as fast and awesome as Rainbow Dash too!"

"As a Yo-Kai huh? If anything, I bet that when you inspirit ponies, you make them very attached to their role model, almost idolising them and emulating them in the same way. Or... Whoever you inspirit can become masters of the Scooter, knowing all the tricks and ways to reach top speed! Or even a good dance choreographer!"

"I think that's reserved for the Dancing Trio..." Scootaloo chuckled,

"Well, until the end of this trial, I'm going to make sure you gain your body back!"

"That's going to be hard though..." Scootaloo sighed, until a familiar blue flame flickered in the hole in her chest. "What the?"

"Wait a minute... Isn't that the flame that Mochismo sent out when he died?"

"Umm..." Scootaloo replied, "I feel... I feel like... I feel like I have actual control of my body..." As the siblings began gaping the wonder of the mysterious blue flame from before, the familiar wisp of the trial floated from where Massiface stood.

"First." Scootaloo changed her brother's direction to face the wisp. "The wisp, it's changed colour... It's..."

"Golden..." First finished, the golden swirling wisp dancing through the sky like a dragon, as if it was celebrating. After a special flying dance, the wisp exploded, ready to whisk the two siblings away to another place, a place where they'd least expect to end up...

The story shall continue in Chapter 7-5

Author's Note

And I think from here on out. This should get the rating of this story changed.

Chapter 7: Our decision

Dear Flash Sentry

What you have written to me is a very serious case. I was made aware of the mentioned snowstorm from the Cloudsdale weather central, and that we were unable to gather any information as of what happened from within. If there is such thing as spirits stirring up trouble within the lives of ponies, it could mean great danger for us all. You have now proven that something is supernaturally afoot in Springdale, and for that, we need to pull a thorough investigation.

But more importantly, how can you say something like that!? The journalist told me that you had it all under control! What is with the sudden emotional breakdown and call for help!? And furthermore, why are your little siblings are involved in all this!? They're just young foals and fillies, how is it that you are so irresponsible for their care? This is YOUR case, not THEIRS. I want you to pull them out of trouble right away! What happened to you!? This isn't the brave Flash Sentry that I know!

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that you've given me all this information regarding the case, and that you're beginning to break it down, but involving a foal let alone your siblings is unprofessional and dangerous! Listen, I'll... I'll think of something to do. Perhaps I'll send somepony over like Spike. I'll also understand that you're still willing to take this case, but please, leave your siblings out of this NOW.

With royal regards from Equestria's faithful Princess

Twilight Sparkle

Flash Sentry took a deep breath as he finished reading the letter from his Princess. Things are beginning to go downhill from here for himself and his family. No more slacking around, and especially no more investigations for the siblings, he thought.

"But..." Flash growled to himself, "what am I thinking!? I know it's dangerous for them but, they've found, survived and solved countless supernatural incidents, even more than I'm doing! Without them, I would have gotten nowhere! Argh, I should have re-written that letter!"

"Flash?" Scootaloo called as they trotted down the stairs, "we're going to be going out to the school, we won't be long this time!"

"After a few days?" Flash asked, "something is amiss here, I demand to know why. Is it related to ghosts again?"

"Yeah," First nodded, "why is that? A-Are we in trouble?"

"You are in trouble," Flash replied, shoving the letter into their faces, "we all are, from you-know-who."

"Uh-oh..." Scootaloo gulped in horror, "this really is bad! Wh-What should you do Flash?"

"I'm afraid the responsibility is not in my hands." Flash stated, "If I had a say in this, I would have kept you out of it, but no. You chose to involve yourself in this, and you've proven to me that you are courageous to handle this together with First. Your own investigations and cases are, to be blunt, so much more informative, and it clears a lot of grey areas. Our investigations in the guard don't even come up close to you. It's such an embarrassing mockery, that it's like one of those Neighponese Cartoons where dangerous jobs like fighting crime or investigating murders are left to young foals and fillies instead of young adults and older."

"Flash, this is all wrong." Scootaloo replied, "I know we shouldn't talk back to a princess when she's furious, but we need to let her understand that this isn't your fault, it's our own choice, and we decided to go through this. All you have been doing is supporting us, and you know it!"

"Indeed." Flash growled in angered agreement, "I assume you want to write back to her?"

"If it's going to put you under suspicion, then we'd better tell everything to you." First answered,

"Yeah, perhaps we should sign the letter too!" Scootaloo replied, "better yet, write everything."

"I appreciate you that you all have concern for me." Flash replied, "so let's start right away."

*Ding Dong* The doorbell rang,

"Now who is this?" Flash asked,

"That..." Scootaloo remembered, "would be Nate."

"Is he here for a play date? Or is he a part of the thing?"

"Latter." Scootaloo replied "because he was involved in the disappearing case, he had to come along."

"Good morning Nate," First opened the door,

"Morning First, Scoots, Flash." Nate greeted back, "how are you two doing?"

"Very refreshed." Scootaloo replied, "just talking about things regarding today."

"Oh... I've come at a bad time. Have I?"

"It's okay. The nitty-gritty of these ghosts are privy between the four of us."

"In that case, I can wait till you guys finish your conversation."

"On second thoughts..." Flash stopped him there, "why don't you three do what you have to do first?"

"Are you sure about this Flash?" First asked,

"Yeah, I can handle a basis of the return letter, as well as things of my own to do, but we can do this in a jiffy. Even if you take all day to come back."

"Okay then." Scootaloo said without any objection, and grabbed her bag of supplies. First did the same and they trotted to the front door.

"Just one thing, the three of you." Flash stopped, "I've said it many times now, but I want the three of you to stay safe and stay together. Even if you've faced these ghosts before, don't underestimate your enemy. They can pull a new trick that can catch you unaware."

"Sure thing Big Bro. See ya later!" First waved goodbye,

"Confident I see." Flash smiled, "best of luck!"

"Just wondering." Nate asked as he closed the front door and trotted with the siblings to school. "Why is it that he doesn't call Yo-Kai, Yo-Kai?"

"If the characteristics resemble a ghost, it's a ghost!" Whisper replied, "that or he's still not used to calling us Yo-Kai. It's fine really, no offence taken."

"Actually, it's because we never told them your actual name. Just referred to them as ghosts for simplicity!" Scootaloo answered,

"Okay then." Nate replied, "so who are we meeting?"

"A serpent Yo-Kai named Venoct." First answered, "he's a... Nice guy, as long as you get on his good side. That's probably a reason why he's so lonely."

"The first time he contacted us, he inspirited and possessed Flash. It was a bit shocking, but at least he was more sensible to write a message instead."

"Listen, I know he's not a nice guy but talking behind his back doesn't seem so... Nice either." Nate asked,

"Just wait till you meet him okay? Maybe you'll have second ideas on defending him." Scootaloo retorted.

"Speaking of which, where is Jibanyan?" Nate asked,

"So many questions today Nate." First sighed, "Then again, you haven't seeing us lately. Jibbers is at the intersection where we met him, deciding to test his experiences from his adventures with us. I hope he'll be able to make a dent on a wagon someday."

"So... Am I just a mere replacement for Jibanyan?" Nate asked, his eyebrow arched,

"Don't sell yourself short my friend!" Scootaloo laughed, "no matter how average or bland you are, it's the least likely that is the most dangerous!"

"Yeah, sure, I'll remember that..."

Once again (save for Nate), the band of friends trotted to the gates of their fair and blooming school. Next to a small statue overlooking the school track, the slippery and secretive client floated nearby, waiting for their arrival.

"So you've come again..." Venoct greeted, "this time, yet another unfamiliar faces greets me. Whom is this pony? And tell me, why is he, of supremely average proportions, of great importance to follow you?"

"This is Nate," Scootaloo introduced, "he may be your average school foal living through a normal life, but he's our best friend because of that. He was also a victim to Yo-Kai incidents, one as such being Massiface."

"N-Nice to meet you!" Nate greeted, his legs and body shivering in the climate of fear. "I-I hope we can get along!"

"This is no time for conversations!" Venoct growled, scaring the wits out of Nate even more, "I came here to listen to your decision. Will you fight for the cause that we, the Resistance of Enma, holds till our last existence in this world?"

"We do." Scootaloo nodded, with the others nodding in agreement, "now's there's something you need to fulfill for us."

"Anything. What do you need?"

"First, the truth. I don't want you lying to us anymore, okay? Especially with the 'we' part. We've learnt from your Psychologist Mirapo, that you were in this alone. I dare hope that you didn't take this consultation a thousand years ago, cause being alone for that long of a time can seriously drive somepony crazy for revenge."

"..." Venoct just kept silent,

"To tell you the truth, I gathered that from the day we properly met, the words and actions from you and the three Yo-Kai you decimated." Scootaloo explained further, "First and I gathered that you needed actual numbers on your side to face McKraken, but it's even more than that. You've been alone for a long time, and you stayed that way."

"All that matters is that McKraken must be defeated and pony-kind protected, regardless if I do this alone or not." Venoct countered, "I have trained hard to destroy every Yo-Kai standing in my way. My power knows no limits."

"Then you don't even know half of what pony-kind can do." First rebutted, "a pony's strength comes neither from their own power, nor the power in numbers. It is the connection, bonds and ties between each and everypony that allows us to climb the highest mountains, push aside the hatred within disputes, and defeat the darkest of demons. If you have been observing us, then you should have known that the many calamities that Equestria has faced had been averted had it not been for the bond of the Royal Sisters, and especially the Princess of Friendship and her best friends. Even you should know this too as Yo-Kai. If a Yo-Kai medal is the symbol of trust and friendship between a Yo-Kai and a Pony, why not make friends with other Yo-Kai? So if you really want to work together to win this, you need somepony to lean on."

"... And the second thing?" Venoct asked, his tone and change of subject made clear to the rest that he was in no mood to discuss beliefs and ideals. Knowing this too, the siblings answered his next question.

"The story." First replied, "the story of how a spiritual race known as Yo-Kai, originated in the lands of Neighpon, and migrated their way to Equestria."

"Very well." Venoct agreed, "Lord Enma could still fulfill his goal of unifying Yo-Kai and Ponies together in Neighpon, but there was a special mysterious power that Enma could feel far into the west. If some power like that can be felt over great distances, it would be powerful. Would it?"

"To put it roughly, yeah." Nate agreed,

"Then there's your answer to why we went to Equestria." Venoct replied, "We've been living within the shadows of Ponies, sometimes inspiriting them or even trotting among them disguised as one in appearance and personality. Like the Neighponese, the Equestrian Ponies soon began to recognise our presence through theory or sightings. It's disheartening to see that the ponies in the west are very... Shameless to interpret and make false information about us, and therefore rally the masses to cripple our presence with their venomous words all untrue, but all 'opinionated', to the point of trying to make us non-existent." A twinge of anger could be seen through Venoct's serpent eyes. "If only Enma weren't so forgiving, I would have made each and every neighsayer at that time suffer physically, the damage they spout at us verbally. Better yet, I would give them a one-way ticket to become the creatures they have scorned."

"I'm... Really sorry that I can't speak for western ponies for their pure hatred and... crippling disbelief... To spark the vengeful spirit within you." First apologised, "but I'm sure not everypony is like that."

"You are correct." Venoct nodded, "there are ponies who do acknowledge our existence, only a few, but there are. Some ponies had the mysterious ability to see the unseen. And as such, began the first communication between Pony and Yo-Kai."

"It was one hot summer day however, when a pony, or two if I'd mention, had the dream or ambition to extend the connection between the living and the dead, rather than just those born with the gift of curse of paranormal vision. Together, they created the first bridge to do so. It is a special device using the most mystical of Yo-Kai material, combined with the contraptions and mechanisms of ponies: The Yo-Kai Watch. Although it is unknown to when it was made, yours is definitely not the first."

"Wow..." Nate listened with awe,

"Then came the defining event a thousand years ago. The year where the Royal Sisters clashed with each other, us Yo-Kai were caught in the middle by surprise. Nopony could do that since the Princesses of Neighpon."

"So the Princesses' power really did affect you!" First exclaimed,

"I wouldn't have guessed really." Scootaloo continued, "I mean, they are Princesses of the land."

"Because of that, many a Yo-Kai were thrown into disarray. Some were instantly exorcised or completely sent to the afterlife as you call it. All were struck with fear and thus, fled back into their world, where we hid for a very long time."

"And then things started building up in your world. McKraken right?"

"Indeed. McKraken was one such Yo-Kai who opposed the ponies even before 1000 years ago. Fully amassed with revenge, power, and preparation, he is attempting to get his own back in the most painful way possible. Lord Enma created ample seals that he keeps around Springdale after his passing, which is enough to keep malicious Yo-Kai from entering, especially one reserved for McKraken. And some that does manage to slip through have been sealed away in some of those seals. The thing about these seals, is that they are anywhere or anything, given power through the nature of Springdale and the magic and spirit held within this world. This fine statue beside me is one of them, locking away a very devious Yo-Kai."

"What about the Yo-Kai Watch?" First continued, "there were plans to develop more, right?"

"Yes. The keyword being 'were'." Venoct nodded, "McKraken knows that Ponies that have the ability to see Yo-Kai has a potential threat to his plans, in case they warn the ponies about his coming. Even if nopony will believe them. He won't take any chances."

"He really did try to take those things down. Right?" Nate asked,

"Not even the most secretive of projects were safe from his suctioned grips. Any presence of the idea shared of the Yo-Kai Watch were destroyed or whatnot. I'm not sure if this could be true, but the Yo-Kai Watch you are holding, might be the very last one in existence."

"Oh geez..." Scootaloo muttered aloud, "Great Celestia you sure are lucky Whisper. Maybe being sealed 190 years with the Watch is a blessing in disguise for the future."

"Thanks I guess..." Whisper replied as he looked away in embarrassment.

"Now have you encountered any Yo-Kai that appear... Pale? White?"

"It was a month ago I believe, we spotted a group of white Yo-Kai. A pale version of Roughraff?"

"These are the monstrous insane creations of McKraken himself. The White Yo-Kai. Though not as powerful, they are dangerously insane as he is, and in no certain way, do they want to be your friend."

"Well, their red eyes surely screams for blood, that's for sure. Matches their dull white colours if they want to be insane psychopaths." Nate observed,

"A most interesting interpretation average one."

"Then what's your interpretation? They're right behind you."

"I'm sorry..." Venoct apologised, as he quickly turned around to face three white coloured, red-eyed Fishpicables, strike them down with a single snap of his dragon scarf, and calmly turned back within a split second. "I don't see them around..."

"And that..." First noted to the terrified Nate as the vanquished White Yo-Kai disappeared in a puff of smoke. "Is why he's powerful. Just one-shot."

"This isn't over yet!" A horde of White Yo-Kai charged from all corners, "we've got you now!"

"An ambush!" Scootaloo warned, "get back Nate!"

"Very well then." Venoct growled, bearing his Dragon Scarf. "Now I see them clear as day. Bad mistake for doing so."

"Clear as day?" Scootaloo readied her watch, "you mean they don't come out that often?"

"Not in such big numbers for a start." Venoct replied, his scarves gnashing away at their charging enemies. First pulled out the medallium and tossed the medal of Cadable and Jibanyan over.

"Come on out my friend!" Scootaloo caught the medal, "Calling Jibanyan and Cadable!" Wasting no time to toss it into the air and perform the pose, she instantly inserted the medals one after another, "Do your thing!"

"Summoning Charming!" As if the Watch knew the desperation and severity of the situation, it swiftly launched two pink balls out of the watch and exploded into summoning portals. One for Cadable, and one for Jibanyan.

"Hey!" Jibanyan rudely spoke, a big lump jutting out of his head, "didn't I tell you that I didn't want to be interrupted?"

"Sorry!" Scootaloo apologised, "but we've got big trouble here!"

"Fair enough!" Cadable replied as he drew his sword, "Then I shall protect my friends once more!"

"Oh fine." Jibanyan moaned as he readied his paws, "but I expect a Chocobar or two as my reward!"

"Hah! Hah! Hiyah!" Cadable grunted, plunging and swiping his blade and dispatching each of his foes one after another. "Beware the finesse of a Cicada Warrior!"

"Hmm..." A thought crossed Jibanyan's mind as he neatly parried a blow from a White form of Cadin and delivered a devastating counter. "Feels like the Yo-Kai don't seem to be doing that much to strike us down."

"Right..." First gathered the message as he watched his surrounding enemies with great intensity. Though one or two Yo-Kai would charge in to deliver a blow, the entirety of the enemy horde seemed to focus on keeping them entrapped in a circle so they wouldn't move around. "They're making sure that we stay surrounded, but they don't seem that intent on destroying us completely.

"Then it's their loss." Venoct smirked, as he continued sweeping through the rim of enemies with his unmatched powers, "We'll just pierce through!"

"Hey Whisper, do you happen to have any sort of items that we can use against the Yo-Kai?" Scootaloo asked, "I feel like we can give some more help here."

"Ever since that trial, I was bound to think that you need something to protect yourself... So I have this!" He pulled out a red doll made from bamboo, plant material, or some sort of reeds, with button eyes. "Weapons against Yo-Kai are illegal and a bit obsolete considering that our own abilities and skills are weapons. But I'm sure this thing will do!"

"A doll?" Scootaloo looked back with a sign of disbelief "this is not the time for a joke!"

"You don't understand! This doll can easily distract any Yo-Kai from what ever they are doing! You can use that chance to get away as quick as possible!"

"Are you kitting me!?" Jibanyan replied, "we're fighting! Not fleeing!"

"Hang on!" First got an idea, "hey Venoct. Do you have something that can take down everything that surrounds us?"

"Underestimating my ability is a foolish mistake First. I'll strike these enemies down when given the opening!"

"Then get ready for that!" First signalled as he grabbed the Getaway Plush and threw it high into the air. Immediately all Yo-Kai before them, Whisper included, stopped whatever they were doing and set all their eyes upon the flying doll.

"What are you doing Venoct!?" First yelled at the awe-stricken warrior, staring peacefully at the descending plush. "I told you not to get distracted!"

"So that's what you mean! Very well. I shall decimate you all!" Venoct snapped back to focus. Concentrating his energy, the dragon heads upon his scarf glowed an eerie blue, and snapped repeatedly at the distracted horde in the quickest of blurs.

Snap

It was one single second, where all pale white enemies were lay slouched on the ground, giant teeth marks scattered all the bodies of each and every foe. The brutal sight lay before the eyes of the foals and other Yo-Kai companions. The giant horde, decimated after a single snap."

"Wh-What just happened?" Jibanyan looked around at all his terrorising enemies rendered motionless and slain.

"A mere distraction." Venoct puffed, calmly dusting his scarf, "that's all it took for mindless puppets, regardless of number, to fall under the power of the Octo Snake."

"..." Scootaloo grew sick at the number of lifeless ghosts, disappearing one by one with in a puff of smoke. A sign that their life, no matter how small it may be, was over.

"Do you honestly think that I can't take McKraken by myself?" Venoct replied, "Do remember that I am fighting for my fallen village after all."

"Maybe... Maybe..." Scootaloo sceptically answered,

"Now that the ambush is over..." Nate replied, "Shall we continue our conversation?"

"Not yet." First replied, "I have a feeling that this entire ambush... This isn't over."

"What now?" Jibanyan moaned, his paws on the ready again.

"The Yo-Kai could have overrun us with numbers, even if Venoct was on our side." First explained, "but for some reason, they were holding back. Waiting for something that could give us a hard time than what we just went through."

"Are you saying this was all a distraction?" Scootaloo asked,

"If that's the case, then what would be of great importance to the enemy that requires our attention to be diverted?" Whisper prompted,

"Oh no..." Scootaloo's head looked up in horror, "Venoct, did you just say that the small statue in the school was--"

Scootaloo was unable to finish as the ground below shook violently, causing everypony standing on the ground to lose their balance, and shake with the ground. Venoct turned to face the mentioned statue, his eyes widening at the sight of it's solid gaze, expelling ominous purple fumes.

"The seal!" Venoct gasped as a small branch of White Yo-Kai gave a sneer of victory at their dumbfounded foes before retreating with a single purple puff of smoke.

"So uh..." Nate called as the ground warped and warbled his voice into something silly, "who's trapped in that seal?"

"Yessss... I can feeeel iiiiiiiit..." A loud slithering voice echoed from the statue, "the ssssealsss are breakingggg..."

"Yesssss?" Whisper perceived, "sounds like a snake Yo-Kai! Friend of yours Venoct?"

"Nopony is my friend..." Venoct replied.

A giant wall of purple smoke burst forth from the tiled symbol in front of the school. Emerging from the smokey veil, was a humongous purple being, with three necks and mouths, a flabby body representing an amphibian, along two human-like legs and sandal-cushioned feet supporting its lower half. The sound of where sticky surfaces were being forced apart echoed uncomfortably through the skies as the monster's three mouth opened one by one. The two mouths on each side released a yellow-ish purple tongue, covered with thick, visible saliva, while the middle mouth revealed a bright red eye within its gaping maws.

"Ugh!" Nate retched in horror as the red eyeball darted around its view, and focusing it's eerie slimy gaze upon the miniature figures before him. "Forget I asked!"

"Freee at lassssst..." Slimamander spoke, the quaking ground subsiding. "Freeee at lassssst... Finally awake..."

"Ugh..." First cringed in horror as he and the others regained his footing, "who the heck is that!?"

"Slimamander..." Venoct replied, "He's a... Very slimy Yo-Kai. One that's very devoted to McKraken, one that loves to eat living beings, and one that I had a hard time trying to seal..."

"Yesss..." Slimamander growled, a purple aura oozing and flaring up around his body, "I can feeeeel ittt... My power! Surging through!!!"

"That won't happen again Slimamander." Venoct replied, "I'll make sure that you stay asleep and sealed inside that statue again!"

"I highly doubt that Venoct..." Slimamander growled, "It was luck that you managed to sssssseal me in there. It won't happen again! I ssssshall consume you... and the ponies next to you... As my firssst ssssnack in Hundredssss of Yearssssss!!! Glrublrlurblrurblrulbrublbr!!!" He roared as his flicked his head and tongue around.

"Okay, that is completely creepy and it does not match the imposing figure!" Nate cried out, "now we've got to take this thing down!"

"Hey Venoct, since you've fought this thing before, do you have any idea on what to do?" Scootaloo asked,

"He's a slimy three-headed snake that acts as it's eyes and it's mouth whenever he so desires." Venoct explained, "the slippery skin of his is tough like an elephant's, so attacking him from anywhere is utterly moot. Best weak point is to aim for his eyes. The catch is..." He pointed to Slimamander, his tongues and eye retracted, and his mouth-eyes closed shut. "He knows it too."

"Then why not use that doll again?" Scootaloo suggested, "it worked on that horde, why not now?"

"Well..." First replied, covered in red-painted reeds, strands of bamboo, and two buttons nestled on top of his head. "It really was a distraction, to the fact that it really grabs the attention of Yo-Kai. I think it fell apart once it used up all that distracting energy."

"I'm afraid it's the only one I have." Whisper replied, "so sorry..."

"Oh come on!" Scootaloo bellowed, "and to think we had a foolproof plan!"

"I shall burn you to ash!" Slimamander roared as the middle head let loose a breath of flames, deflected by a spectral shield created by Venoct.

"Useless..." Venoct taunted as he called a bolt of lightning to strike from above with a snap of his fingers. The three-headed snake jiggled and wriggled in pain and shock when the electricity collided, but as prior to Venoct said, had no effect on his body overall.

"Uhh... Anything else he's weak to?" First asked,

"What about water?" Scootaloo suggested, "if he breathes fire, why don't we douse him with water? Perhaps it could also do something to wash away that slimy body of his!"

"Then you know what to do." First replied, passing another two medals, "Walkappa and Droplette. Go for broke!"

"Come on out my friend!" Scootaloo called, "calling Walkappa and Droplette! Yo-Kai Medal, Do your thing!"

Similar to those two Yo-Kai, the summoned Yo-Kai emerged from their portals which in turn, popped out from the watch and medal.

"What's this?" Droplette asked, "no time to dance and sing?"

"Nope, we got to fight."

"Alrighty then..." Walkappa yawned, stretching his upper and lower limbs for exercise. "What are we dealing with here?"

"Giant three-headed and eyed snake." First presented their enemy. "Assuming that he's weak to water, you're a good friend that we can count on."

"I don't know... Fighting isn't my thing." Walkappa complained, "Is it okay if I can sit this one out and--" A jet of fire flew towards Walkappa's way covering him in flames and black soot, not to mention drying up the plate upon his head.

"Urk..." Walkappa groaned, his body shrivelling like a prune. "Maybe that's a good sign to start fighting."

"Let me help you." Droplette offered and released a shower of water enough to wash and dampen the dried up plate.

"Thanks pal." Walkappa sighed with relief as he began to regain his blue colour and damp composure, "Now..." He glared at the perpetrator, "It's time to fight."

"So if he keeps on shutting his eyes, how do you suggest we make sure they stay open?" Nate asked,

"No idea? Then stand back and observe." Venoct instructed. Approaching the slimy beast, Slimamander retaliated with a wild flailing of his middle head. Venoct nimbly leapt away and jumped all around, giving the giant snake abomination a wild headache.

"Ugh..." Slimamander moaned in dizziness and resorted to his left and right heads into spewing his signature fire breath. Venoct jumped high into the air above the sea of flames and dive bombed towards his enemy. The audience watched the Serpent Warrior snap his fangs upon Slimander's left head, right after closing his mouth. Caught unaware by the sudden counter-attack, the head hanged low and released it's purple yellow-tipped tongue. Hastily changing his target, Venoct aimed for the head in the middle and unleashed his flurry of bites once more. With unbearable pain, the middle head revealed what he held inside, the big white eye with the most devilish of red irises.

"I've got you!" Venoct replied, and mercilessly assaulted the eye with everything he got, or rather, his scarf has got. Slimamander wriggled around in intense pain, the multitude of bites on his eye sending messages of immense agony and torture though his pain-stimulating nerves. All around, the pony and Yo-Kai team watched, and they understood their aim. However, the ever watchful filly saw a flaw in the demonstration of the demonstration on exposing the weak point, a large one at that.

"Venoct..." Scootaloo approached the Serpent Warrior, spying very small sweat drops upon his face, not to mention the large expansion and retraction of his chest.

"Now..." Venoct gestured, "I suggest you follow suit."

"We will, but not if we have a full-proof plan."

"What is there to lose? It is just simple tactics! Aim for the head until he exposes his eye!"

"Simple tactics my hoof!" Scootaloo bellowed, "how much effort do you need to open a single head of his!?"

"..." Venoct hesitated,

"The exhaustion from the White Yo-Kai ambush is hampering your current energy." Scootaloo explained, "and not to mention. If he really has three heads and tongues, there is the possibility of swapping the eye to another head is present!"

"You... You don't think I can do this?" Venoct growled, his eyes glared in anger.

"You can, don't get me wrong. But not in this state." Scootaloo replied, "you need a boost on energy, and we can give you that!"

"I NEED NO HELP FROM PONIES!" Venoct growled, "you want to test your first-time observation against a veteran's experience? FINE!"

"Venoct! Stop!" Scootaloo cried as the Serpent Warrior came to face-to-face with the foe once more. Regaining his stunned eye and closing all of his heads/eyes.

"Sssssstill the sssstubborn one I ssssssee..." Slimamander taunted with a laugh,

"Less talking, more fighting." Venoct growled, "I will slay you right here, right now."

"You do pack a punch sssssince last time we fought. Caught me off guard!"

"What part of 'training' don't you understand?" Venoct smirked,

"As if that'sssss going to help you defeat me!" Slimamander lashed out with his left head, "you honessssstly thought I wassss giving up? I'm not even ssssssstarted!"

"Hmph..." Venoct grinned and dodged the beast's thrashing head, then proceeded to go violent upon the middle head once again.

"Look at me!" Venoct growled as he forcibly yanked the middle eye wide open, but only to see a great deep darkness that leads to unknown and dreary places, and a purple-yellow tongue awoken to the brightness of the sun.

"Now, why don't you look into my fire!" Slimamander laughed with another head as his forced open middle head began to charge fire. Venoct could see a red light from within the black underbelly grow brighter, and redder and hotter. An intense breath of flame burst forth from the forced mouth, catching Venoct within its burning blast, pushing him back with searing flames.

"Grahhhh!!!" Venoct roared as he shook his flames away with a single brush of his hands. "You'll pay for that!" And targeted the right head this time, prying it open with unyielding and persevering strength. But once again, he opened up a big gaping mouth, instead of an eye.

Venoct hesitated, gazing into another buildup of fire coming through once more. The others watched in horror as Venoct was once again caught ablaze by the slimy fire breath.

"Argh..." Venoct floated back, as if he was shot down like a plane. Scootaloo immediately rushed over to his side, and checked for wounds.

"You only went in going with luck, rather than actually knowing where to strike." Scootaloo replied,

"Well how am I supposed to know!?" Venoct growled, "you think this is a game where you can find the pattern of a boss and defeat it!?"

"If you harshly put it that way, maybe." Scootaloo answered, "but look on the bright side, when you forced his other two eyes-I mean mouths open, it takes a long time to recover, making them unable to attack. The others are observing too, and they've taken their measure to attack the last head."

"Let's go guys!" Jibanyan lead the charge as the flurry of Yo-Kai called went straight for Slimamander's left head, the only unopened head. With many slices from Cadable, and a geyser of water from Walkappa, and with the few paw punches from Jibanyan, this influx of energy, compared to Venoct's power, was enough to push the eye wide open once more.

"Phew!" Walkappa panted, "that skin, I thought I would my attacks would never connect!"

"The same, I feared my blade has dulled." Cadable remarked, "this is certainly some opponent that we shouldn't underestimate!"

"Then what are we waiting for?" Jibanyan called, "let's give it our all!!!"

"Maybe they'll need some help. Some 'Macho' Strength is needed!" Scootaloo requested,

"You got it!" First pulled out a Tough Medal, Darumacho's mosaic-like image imprinted on the front. "Calling Darumacho!"

"Summoning Tough!"

"Darumacho!!!" Darumacho roared, "it's good to see that you need me once again!"

"How have you been Darumacho?" First greeted, "not feeling dull at all?"

"Dull? DULL??? That lazy part of me is gone. I am all about muscle and macho!!!"

"Thought so. That's definitely you Darumacho. Think we can work together?"

"If my power allows foals like you to fight mano a mano with enemy Yo-Kai, then I'm your Man!!!" Darumacho roared,

"Alright then," Scootaloo smiled as she saw the three Yo-Kai giving Slimamander a slippery pain in the eye. "Hey Whipser, since you can't fight. Can you do something else for me?"

"No need! I know exactly what you want. If you want to repair the seal, I can do that immediately!"

"Actually, I was wanting you to search up additional information of Slimamander if you can, but that's a good plan too! Thanks Whisper, I'll leave that to you."

"I shall perform my task without any concern!" Whisper bowed and flew towards the purple fume-spewing statue.

"Hey Venoct." Scootaloo trotted over for comfort,

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Venoct growled, "the monster must be sealed again!"

"Venoct, stop, please." Scootaloo replied, "you're badly injured and tired. Any further attacks can cost you your power and life."

"Ssssee?" Slimamander overheard the conversation and laughed, after he got his eye handed to him a second time. "It wassss all luck! A mere sssssslip on a banana peel was the only thing it took for me to losssse my control and a quick opening for him to ssssseal me!"

"Seriously? A banana peel?"

"Don't talk to me about that!" Venoct roared, anger and embarrassment thrust upon the filly.

"Venoct." First came over, "there is no shame, no embarrassment, no honour lost on winning or losing a battle due to luck. What mattered is that you used this opportunity to get your victory and Carpe Diem."

"What?"

"Seize the day."

"I only speak Neighponese and English mind you. I know not of the language you speak."

"Latin." First answered, "but anyway! If you had some allies with you, it would reduce a lot of your load and burden. Hadn't you thought of getting more allies?"

"All the allies I know of are slaughtered long ago. The only thing within me is to avenge them..."

"Perhaps it is true, that it will give you peace to avenge your family and friends." First continued,

"But it won't be over. You'll still be lonely." Scootaloo finished, "even if you are tough, scary, it won't do much if you're alone..."

"Spare me your sympathy! What do you know about losing your family!?"

"Everything." Scootaloo countered with a firm look, "we may not have lost as much you have, but we suffered a loss nonetheless. It's just us and our brother, didn't you know that?"

"..." Venoct glared in silence,

"I don't know how your reflection with Mirapo went, but ours is what reminded us on what we had been doing all the time in Ponyville. Our parents wanted us to make friends and live our lives till the end."

"Now that I think about it Venoct, your tragic history is a lot similar to ours in a way. Where we ended up in our beliefs and paths... I'm sure our distinct states pretty much explains it." First replied, petting a Dragon head of Venoct's scarf.

"First? Scoots? We've got trouble!" Jibanyan warned as the attacking party returned in worry,

"Your sssssnotty little friendsss have caused a lot of trouble for my eye." Slimamander growled, "I demand compensation!!!"

"Can we do this later? They're having a moment here!" Nate butted in,

"Talking isss for wimpssss. And there issss no time for ssssuch matters in war!" Slimamander retorted,

"If you truly believe that working together can take him down, then show me. Show me how strong your friendship is!" Venoct demanded,

"Not without you." First replied, pulling out a mysterious bottle of purple and yellow colour, with a black swirl in the middle and a tag wrapped around the bottle. "You'll need first hand experience, and that is to fight with us as a team."

"First, what is that?" Scootaloo asked,

"Get back everypony!" Nate warned. Slimamander's middle and left head released a large gust of burning breath, combined midway to create a dreadful inferno. With Nate's warning however, the Yo-Kai and Ponies managed to push themselves away from the radius and began finishing up their talking.

"This is called VoltXtreme. 'The juice that will push you to your extreme limits!'" First replied, "when I was going to buy some drinks from a vendor, the machine gave something completely different, one that was not on the display. Flash told me that there has been things happening like this. All for a random stroke of luck should you get this drink. However, its contents listed on the bottle has shown to be quite... Dangerous for the pony body. When a victim ingested its contents, Flash said he was hyper, energetic, caffeinated, aggressive, all the crazy things that addiction to drinks like this would happen. Keep in mind though, that something like this would happen after consecutive drinks of Y-Cola or Soul Tea. This is just ONE bottle, and the effects are 10 times larger than normal addiction, and lasted for a week without sleep."

"Seriously!?" Nate gasped, "that's a crazy drink!"

"You should have seen the aftermath. All of the victim's body systems are completely distorted in their functions and structures, and the pony was bedridden for a fortnight in the hospital, and was given three weeks on rehabilitation and diet. As such, it's banned, but they never stopped dispensing from the vendors, nor were their origins discovered."

"You know what? Remind me never to drink soft and caffeinated drinks again."

"Not suited for ponies I guess." First laughed, "but this is for Venoct."

"Huh?"

"I'm sure this will revitalise you immensely. You'll get your energy back!"

"If you insist..." Venoct sighed as he grabbed the bottle, popped the cap open, and brought the heavily carbonated liquid through his lips. The bitter fizzy contents soaked the serpent's dry mouth full of liquid adrenaline that his body began to shake and stir. His panting and heavy breathing ceased immediately, and the spectral skin upon him tensed greatly.

"This drink... What did you give me?"

"I have no idea myself." First replied, "but before you strike once again. Did you not observe his attacks?"

"Two gusts of flame from his middle and left head. What of it?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Scootaloo laughed, "do you think an eye can spit out fire?"

"!!! I see!" Venoct's eyes widened in realisation.

"I've also advised the Yo-Kai to observe." Scootaloo explained, "they too know what to do now. If you can't match power for power, then fight smart!"

"Not yet," First added, pulling out a Major League Bat from his bags, "It's enough time that I stood from the sidelines being a coach and guide. If I can fight back then, I'll do it now!"

"Let me help too!" Nate volunteered, "if our Yo-Kai friends can power up mere ponies to fight back, I'll gladly help my friends and share that support!"

"Alright then! You can have this!" First replied, passing a Minor League Bat to Nate, "let's swing like there's no tomorrow!"

"Then let me boost your potential!" Darumacho roared and released his yellow inspiriting aura, covering the two foals with his influence, and pumping nothing but raw macho strength and fire.

"Venoct, we may not have met on desirable terms, but even as a Yo-Kai, doing all those things for us, you also need to learn on how to work together." Scootaloo replied, "so that's why I want you to lead this battle."

"... Very well then," Venoct stood up, burned and charred, but full of energy. He turned to the three-headed beast with impatience, and charged at the right head, with the others following behind. "Perhaps can you do the honours, First and Nate?"

"With pleasure. Sandwich tactic?" First suggested,

"Sure! From the left and right!" Nate laughed as the two galloped forward with confidence and bravery.

"Oh no you don't!" Slimamander growled as his right head slammed down like a hammer hoping to smush the two foals flat. The foals split apart from each other as the head fell, and countered with a unified smack on top of the head, then followed-up with another unified yet wild swing straight into the beast's opening. With a loud satisfying crack of the bats, the three headed beast yelled in pain and believe it or not, revealed it's inner eye instantly.

"Impossible!" Slimamander growled, "how can two mere foals reveal my weak point instantly!?"

"Must be a Yo-Kai!" First laughed,

"We strike everypony!" Darumacho rallied, his power influencing and inspiriting the rest of the Yo-Kai. "Feel the power of what a Macho Man is!"

"I can feel it once more!!!" Jibanyan growled,

"Enough talking already!" Nate laughed, "you're making things sound over the top again!"

"We strike!" Venoct commanded, and with cries of war, the Yo-Kai allies joined in with First and Nate as they repeatedly smashed, clobbered, sliced, pummelled, snapped, scratched, and all sorts of nasty violent acts, whipping up a giant comedic cloud of dust, dirt, wind, and more. Scootaloo watched with a joyful smile on her face. A successful plan and a comedic scene of her enemy getting beaten up. The dust settled as the group retreated, a very dazed and damaged Slimamander slumped on the floor.

"Well done everypony!" Scootaloo applauded, "well done!"

"Phew! I definitely felt a much bigger connection!" Walkappa smiled and stood proud,

"I wish I wasn't so weak in my physical strength..." Droplette sighed,

"Now I am verily confident that my blade is sharp as the sharpest blade!" Cadable laughed,

"..." Scootaloo thought for a moment, then turned to First, "Medallium Please?"

"Sure..." First handed it over, "What for?"

"Just to check something..." Scootaloo scrolled through the medal-filled pages. Stopping by at a very peculiar one full of light. "And I'm done!"

"Grr..." Slimamander rose back up, badly damaged and wounded, his heads hanging very low.

"Uh Whisper?" Scootaloo called, "how's the seal work going?"

"Halfway there!" Whisper replied, chanting a few words and dusting the statue, "can you help me Jibanyan?"

"Me? I've never done seal fixing, but okay!" Jibanyan replied as he trotted off,

"I won't let you do that!" Slimamander roared, swinging his middle head for an interruption.

"I won't let YOU do that!" Droplette rebutted, casting a watery spell that interrupted the swinging beast midway.

"Target spotted," Scootaloo grinned, "you know what to do!"

"Is that sssso?" Slimamander chuckled as his right head was the next to swing, Droplette once again launched a gush of water from her mouth to push back the other head with effective force.

"No way..." Scootaloo muttered under her breath, "has he found out?"

"If you think I follow such an easy boss pattern, then you're sorely mistaken. I can learn too!" Slimamander laughed as he shook and flailed all three heads to and fro.

"Hmm..." Scootaloo trotted back within her Yo-Kai and Pony bodies and quickly whispered a plan into their ears to avoid Slimamander's perception. Each Yo-Kai and Pony had got their advice and tactics, and were told that everypony will be doing the same. The entire group was about to find out, the slip up that will shake their minds into complete horror.

"And under no circumstances, are you allowed to interfere. Stick to your order at all costs. Got it?" Scootaloo finished.

"Yes Madam." The foals chorused,

"Alright then,"

"Okay,"

"Sure thing..."

"Very well!"

"I shall perform my task!"

"On the count of three, we begin. One..." The foals prepped themselves ready,

"Two..." The Yo-Kai finished their preparations, ready to act.

"Three!" Scootaloo pointed in command, the two foals charged with bloodcurling roars and bats raised high as they diverged towards the middle head. The Yo-Kai widened their eyes and mouths in horror at the sight of a large three-headed being like Slimamander, being approached by two very small foals.

"Wait! I thought you sai--"

"Don't break the order!" Scootaloo raised a hoof to halt,

"But--"

"DON'T!" Scootaloo growled, "you are to stand and observe Slimamander. First and Nate has theirs. I told you not to interfere, remember?"

"YOU'RE SENDING YOUR BEST PONY FRIENDS ALONE TO DIE!!!" Walkappa yelled, his voice echoing across the battlefield.

"Wait... Alone?" First skidded to a halt and looked around to see that he and Nate were the only ones charging. The others stood far behind, "Scoots! What is the meaning of this!?"

"Sweet Celestia Walkappa, why did you say that out loud?" Scootaloo sighed, "now they're not going according to plan."

"Scoots! What are you doing?" Nate cried,

"Stay focused on your task." The filly commanded, "don't come back here."

"But Scoots!" Nate called back as the filly turned her head away, "we need back up!"

"Well thisss isss interesssting..." Slimamander grinned as he smacked his lips, "so you've decided to ssssend me two tasty living ssssnacks I sssee... Then I ssshall accept!"

"SISTER!!!" First dropped his weapon and screamed for his life.

"Of course..." Scootaloo grinned as her back was still turned on her brother and best friend, swooped up by a head each and swallowed whole, their weapons left on the ground. "Of course I will."

"Ha ha ha..." Slimamander laughed, "so you decided to sacrifice your two friends for my sustenance. You do know that it will recover a lot of my strength right?"

"Oh really?" Scootaloo turned around, a ice cold demonic grin upon her face, "and what is it that you eat in order to sustain yourself? Pony flesh? Or just smoke?"

"What? I don't know what you are talki--Hng? Ack!" Slimamander choked and spluttered mid-sentence, and coughed out two clouds of thick gas. "Im-Impossible!" The three-headed serpent gasped for breath.

"Jokes on you slimebag! There's no way in Tartarus that I will let you eat up my brother and best friend!" Scootaloo taunted with another hoof point as the thick gas clouds leaped beside her, and materialised into First and Nate.

"You certainly didn't sound like you meant it when you gave us the plans, hoo hoo!" Elloo commented, appearing from behind Scootaloo.

"You said that you could turn anypony into mist and fog, which in turn can make them impervious to slippery surfaces. What's with the doubt?"

"It does, but when I found out what you were using it for, it dropped a lot of my confidence. I may be dead, but I'm still old, so please don't play with an elderly heart."

"You are a crazy one sis, you know that?" First growled,

"You owe me dinner!" Nate yelled,

"Cross my heart, and hope to fly, Stick a cupcake in my eye!" Scootaloo Pinkie Promised.

"No... NO!" Slimamander gasped in fear,

"I guess you know what that means..." Scootaloo sneered, "we've already gathered that your eye can only change spots after being exposed by yourself or others. This means the other heads that lack the eye has their mouths. This enables them to breathe fire as well as... Breathe in the air and eat!"

"Damn it all!"

"Even if you decided to fool the location by not breathing fire, your hunger for snacks gave it away! And I made sure everypony was aware of that, so they know what to strike!"

"Raaahhh!!!" Darumacho roared from above, his entire body diving straight toward the targeted eye and directly struck beast where it counts. Had it not been for Slimamander's slimy and tough skin, it would have become a rather bloody and horrific sight like before. This power was enough however, to break away the eyelids and reveal the eye of the beholder itself.

"Now a fourth time should do it!" Scootaloo replied, "but I want to show that I can fight too. May I borrow a bat First?"

"Sure thing dear sister," First replied, passing a Sandlot bat, "let's knock him down!"

"Let's go everypony!" Scootaloo yelled as she and the rest charged. Walkappa and Droplette summoned and unleashed a torrential roar of the powers of a waterfall combined with heavy hitting downpour to unleash a searing pain. Cadable sliced and diced to his with his own joy. Elloo casted a few ice spells himself, then it was finally the three foals and Venoct unleashing an all-out physical attack.

"Argh..." All of Slimamander's heads wobbled in confusion, concussions, headaches and eyesores. His one white eye now covered in red exhausted veins. "I wasss invincible... What have I done wrong..."

"Underestimating your opponent-s." Scootaloo smiled, "what part of 'teamwork' do you not understand? I'm also talking to you too Venoct."

"Hmph..." Venoct scowled, but for once, did not look away from Scootaloo's gaze.

"We've done it!" Whisper announced, "we've fixed the seal!"

"I had to do most of the work though." Jibanyan added, "heck, I'm the one that managed to say the correct words in order to fix it!"

"This... Is... NOT OVER!!!" Slimamander roared as he rallied himself for one final strike,

"Yes it IS!" Venoct retorted, as with a new move, he released a force from his scarf, unleashing various pulses of energy in the shape of dragons, biting each and every part of Slimamander's body, hell-bent on dragging him down.

"No... No!... NOOOOOOOO!!!" Slimamander roared as his entire body was quickly covered in cracks, a blue energy eager to escape from within. With a small glimpse of silence, Slimamander erupted into a million pieces from a blue light within.

"Ahh... The sound of victory." Scootaloo raised her hooves in delight, "well! I guess that does it!"

"Yes. Slimamander is now sealed back in the statue. I can feel his power weakening within."

"Thank Luna." First sighed, "I don't ever want to fight this thickhead ever again, if we have to pull something like this once more."

"Well... About that... There's something that I need to tell you." Venoct replied, "now that there are no more interruptions..."

"Well?" Scootaloo and the rest turned around to face their client,

"It is true." Venoct bowed his head in disappointment, "that I am unable to convince or recruit Yo-Kai to join my cause, no matter how noble it is. I may be rather... Forceful and dangerous, and not to mention where Ponies have been apathetic to Yo-Kai, so too do the Yo-Kai to Ponies. And especially during that battle, perhaps there is a small inkling that you... You may be right. That attaining Victory can be far less treacherous and risky, if forces cooperated together as... Friends."

"Okay then..." First smiled, "glad to see that we can work things out and that you understand."

"I'm not finished yet." Venoct sighed, "do not be discouraged when I say this, but the chances of facing Slimamander will we likely if somepony were to tamper with this seal once again. Like I said, he's sealed. Not completely vanquished."

"Oh..." First died down in disappointment, "I see..."

"You should know by now, that as Yo-Kai, we live for a long time, and we can't be defeated by regular means. Not to mention powerful Yo-Kai like Slimamander here are extremely difficult to completely exorcise, so it can be sealed away for now."

"Wait... So that means..." Scootaloo gasped, her eyes widening in shocking realisation and unyielding horror, "the other big Yo-Kai we fought... Sproink, Massiface... They're not completely gone right?"

"You fought well and defeated both with great strength." Venoct replied, "It will definitely keep them at bay, for a year give or take. Gone completely, I'm afraid that it is not possible."

"No..." First slunk even further to the ground, "then that means."

"The Press Conference. Our testimony, our answers regarding Massiface." Scootaloo dropped in painful defeat, "we lied, he's not gone for good. He's going to come back, they're all going to come back. These dreadful cases... They're not closed forever."

"So that means..." First thumped his head to the ground, "all we've done... We're going to have to keep doing it again... Forever... Springdale's plagued with this supernatural carnage for eternity... And we're never going to finish this job and go home..."

"No..." Scootaloo followed suit, with a loud scream for interest. "DAMMIT! DAMN IT ALL!!! WHY CELESTIA. WHY GIVE OUR FAMILY THIS NEVER-ENDING TASK. WHY DO YOU HATE US!?"

"Stop this shameful attitude at once!" Venoct roared, "Your Princess has no knowledge about us, she is not to blame! Whatever happened to the filly and foal I wanted to meet? Whatever happened to the brave Ponies who stood forward and befriended nearly every Yo-Kai known in the stories?"

"Scoots... First..." Nate placed a shoulder upon them. "Listen... Whoever said you had to do this alone?"

"Nate..." Scootaloo coughed through her sobbing,

"It is truly a great burden, to see your family take up this job." Whisper spoke out, "but just because there is no end to Yo-Kai shenanigans, does not mean this case can never be over. Is that right Venoct?"

"This is what I have proposed." Venoct replied, "our goal is to overthrow McKraken and by doing so will restore order. In that way, Yo-Kai won't be able to harass ponies so much, and all the giant malicious Yo-Kai that cause trouble can be sealed for eternity. In short, this will protect Ponykind in the long run."

"Sniff..." First continued sniffing and sobbing, but his ears are open to the caring and suggesting words of their allies.

"And you don't have to do it alone you two." Nate replied, "look around. You've made many Yo-Kai friends, and you've even introduced me to them! Creepy, cute, interesting, all these sorts of new Yo-Kai makes life not so... Average, not... Normal. And to be honest, I don't think they're easy to get rid off, because they're shaped by life itself! Of course, the giant Yo-Kai can cause problems to Ponykind, but those who've become your friend, multiple forces of nature and emotions, I'd say you're quite lucky to have something so powerful to be your friend. And do you remember what friends do? They stick to your side till the very end. I'm not sure if this was a quote or not but... Friendship between Ponies, Yo-Kai, or any other animal, it's... It's Magical."

"Friendship... Is Magic..." Scootaloo repeated, her sobbing beginning to fade,

"So many friends... Huh?" First also began to slow down on crying,

"No more tears now you two." Jibanyan comforted, "I've think you've done a pretty good job at what you've achieved. You've saved the town about two to three times, risking your life while your at it. Befriending all sorts of Yo-Kai, cheering ghosts up when they're at their worst. We didn't give our medals, our signs of trust and friendship, to you for no reason. It's your kindness, generosity, laughter, loyalty, honesty that we respect and acknowledge, and so we also do unto you. I'm sure your brother and friends from Equestria and Springdale would agree too. If you can achieve so many things with Yo-Kai, you can achieve the impossible!"

"Huh... Friends..." Scootaloo ceased sobbing as she stood up,

"That's right..." First also stood up, wiping away his tearful face. "We can do more with friends..."

"I feel the need to ask you once more." Venoct replied, "this time, in absolute confidence. Do you still wish to join the Resistance of Enma with me? To fight McKraken together?"

"Venoct, we've been through thick and thin." First answered back, "a few giant Yo-Kai, a giant snowstorm, a big trial, not once had our lives been put on risk, but two to three, maybe even more times to come. We'll take the risk that we'll end up like you. No offence."

"Our family would scold us if we had said no!" Scootaloo finished, "we've done so much and come so far like you and I have said. Sure, the emotions can get to us. There are times where we feel bleak and dark. But we've got you guys, and we've got everypony else. I've been told, if things go wrong, we've got to give our biggest smiles. Right?"

"And so," the siblings spoke in unison. "We'll join you. For the peace of both worlds."

"Understood. Welcome to the Resistance of Enma." Venoct bowed with the deepest and highest respect, "and... Thank you, for caring for Yo-Kai. There is one thing that I wish to give to you."

"Welcome gift? Sounds generous!"

"I've been fighting alone for so long, I have learnt along in the battles together. I wish... I want to learn more. About friendship, about teamwork, about what it means to have friends." Venoct knelt before them, holding out the object that the siblings had least expected to see.

"Venoct..." Scootaloo smiled after a brief moment of shock, "Sure, let's learn about friendship and strengthen these bonds between the living and the dead. I thank you for trusting us. Let's be good friends."

"No way...!" First fidgeted with joy as his sister placed the shiny metal medal of Venoct into his medallium. "We're friends with the Serpent Warrior! I can't believe it!"

"Unfortunately," Venoct sighed, "I'm afraid the Watch isn't powerful enough to summon me to your side yet. However, you are still on the path to achieving that power..."

"Hey everypony!" An old pony healthily hobbled over to the school grounds, "how have you been?"

"Mr Goodsight!" First greeted,

"Yep! And I come bearing gifts for the brave ponies!"

"Mr Goodsight." Scootaloo asked, "do you know about the Resistance of Enma?"

"Yep. And I was initially going to join too. I was just fearing for Venoct's safety, but now that you've came along, I'm happy to join the cause now!"

"Tell you what," Whisper replied, "because I'm your butler, I'm happy to join the cause too! For both Ponies and Yo-Kai!"

"Listen you two, ever since you've gotten your hooves upon the Watch, I had a hunch that I'll be seeing more of you lately. Turns out you're going the extra mile to protecting and fighting against yet for us. You've got lots of spunk, and I'm glad to have met somepony like you in my never-ending life."

"Why thanks Mr Goodsight." First replied, "and thanks for helping us upgrade the Watch to help us see and understand more Yo-Kai."

"Yep, and speaking of which, Watch please. I'm going to upgrade it once again!"

"Sure." Scootaloo smiled, handing the Watch over,

"You know." Nate replied as the Yo-Kai clockmaker began tinkering away. "I think you should tell your big brother about this cause. I know you're trying to keep it secret, but I think your family members need to know the whole thing."

"Scoots?" First turned to his sister.

"Of course!" Scootaloo nodded, "but not 'me'. 'We' are going to tell him the whole thing. Tonight."

"But I've got to go home you know. Dinner and Homework?"

"I owe you dinner, remember? We'll talk to Flash and your parents about this! Know any good place to fill us up after a long fight?"

"How about the Ramen store?" Nate suggested, "soup and noodles are both nourishing, tasty and filling!"

"Sounds tasty! Meet you there tonight? On us!" First asked,

"Sure thing." Nate smiled, happy that he was feeling very involved and not mocked.

"One more thing." Venoct added, "the Resistance of Enma has two missions to achieve in order for our cause to be victorious. One is to recruit powerful Yo-Kai onto our side."

"That shouldn't be a problem," First replied, "but I think our current friends can hold all of their weight. Right guys?" The multiple cheers of confidence returned as a determined answer of agreement.

"And second. You may not have known, but Lord Enma has a son, and he was hidden from the clutches of McKraken out of fear that he may end up taking his life."

"A son? So that means--" Nate gasped,

"Yes." Venoct interrupted, "if the son comes back to the throne, the Yo-Kai race will regain their faith to their Lord and King, and thus will be able to carry out order. He is important, in order to regain the throne, as well as to allow access to the Yo-Kai World."

"The Yo-Kai World? You mean the place that you live in is nearby?" Scootaloo gasped with great interest.

"Right under your noses." Venoct replied, tapping his nose. "The Son of Lord Enma has the key necessary in doing that. By that, I mean taking ponies to the Yo-Kai World."

"Oh that is awesome!" First jumped with joy, "we get to visit the Yo-Kai World!"

"Where is he by the way?" Nate asked,

"We hid him within the Pony World, and removed his memories of ever being the son of the Lord of all Yo-Kai. As such, he is living life like a normal pony would. Problem is, McKraken knows that too, and he's desperately trying to get his tentacles on him. I fear he has more information than I do now."

"Any hints?" Scootaloo asked,

"A small one. He is currently in the Pony age of a Young Foal. Now that I look at you, he would be about your age by now." Venoct answered,

"Hmm... Our age huh? Looks like a true mystery is about to begin then." Scootaloo smiled,

"I thank you once again brave foals." Venoct bowed, "Scootaloo, First, and Nate. I thank you for supporting me in the civil war that is to come. I am sorry that we have to fight, but I'm happy that you've come to care for us. I'll continue to watch over the three of you now. So that you won't be harmed by any White Yo-Kai."

"Till we meet again?" Scootaloo saluted,

"Till we meet again." Venoct nodded,

As Luna's night rose over Springdale once again, Flower Road was bustling with groups of Ponies determined to eat out or finish up some late-night shopping. In the ever peaceful North Wind Ramen shop, a grown Pony was silently slurping up his Vegetable Ramen while listening to three foals explaining everything to him.

"Perhaps you want to tell me after you've finished?" Flash suggested, "you've barely touched your food. And this is certainly good stuff!"

"Well, I feel like we need to tell you something important that hunger is pushed aside." Scootaloo replied,

"It's about the supernatural case I assume?"

"Yep," First replied, "there's a lot more to the supernatural than you might think. So you may want to stop eating and listen very attentively for a while."

"I'm listening." Flash nodded as he slurped and gulped down the noodles sticking out of his mouth.

"These things... They aren't limited to causing disappearances and freak snowstorms. They pretty much cause... Everything."

"Everything?"

"Whether you're happy, sad, lazy, angry, hungry, any emotion, any behaviour, any out-of-ordinary action, Yo-Kai is why." First finished,

"Then how do you know so much about them?" Flash asked, "I've only heard few in folklore stories. One like the Snow Woman. I have never heard of such spirits causing emotions."

"That's because we... We can see them."

"See ghosts? That's... Preposterous, but... I know that you've been involving yourself in such things and pulling through. So it's not impossible in a way. But how?"

"You remember this?" Scootaloo presented the Regal Orange Yo-Kai Watch to her older brother.

"That's right, you claimed you bought it with your Pocket Money. It looks in very good form too. You have been using it well. I salute thee for great use of its functions." Flash complimented,

"Thanks, but it does more than just tell the time." First replied, "this watch, can enable us to see those spirits and ghosts."

"..." Flash's eyes widened and mouth straightened out to combine a look of great seriousness.

"This is called the Yo-Kai Watch." Nate introduced, "and don't freak out, but it can also summon them to our side too, if they give us their medal."

"A medal?"

"This," Scootaloo presented the medal of Jibanyan to Flash. The big brother looked at it from head to toe, flipping it around to admire the mosaic-like image of the two-tailed cat, as well as the pink charming symbol behind it.

"For a ghost or spirit to be at your beck and call. Is this some sort of oath of devotion and loyalty to you?"

"Not that far, but you are right." Scootaloo answered, "these medals are a symbol of trust and friendship between the Yo-Kai and us. It's like Princess Twilight being friends with the ladies of Ponyville and Discord."

"Friends. With ghosts that can control almost every aspect in this entire universe and its rules." Flash rephrased, "If that is possible, then you can influence these ghosts to change and shape the universe's rules and atmosphere to your desire. Such power is greater than the Princesses combined."

"Yeah, we thought about that when we first heard of the Watch and how we can befriend Yo-Kai. Pretty cool don't you think?" First chuckled,

"Not a laughing matter. That power is dangerous to boot, if it falls into the wrong hooves." Flash added, "so I'm happy and grateful that it fell into yours. Just don't go play Princesses. Okay?"

"Okay." Scootaloo replied,

"One question though. How long has this been going, and how many have you befriended so far?"

"We started this a day after we arrived in Springdale all the way till today, so it is about a month. As of total Yo-Kai, Fifty-Eight to count, each with a unique ability to control and inspirit something. Happiness, Depression, Invisible Blockades, Electrical currents, great macho strength, The Snow Woman too. We also recently got an upgrade so now we can call a Butterfly that can invigorate others to have the best feeling, and a robotic version of that cat."

"58..." Flash repeated, his entire mouth rendered speechless after that. "58 Yo-Kai. How many of them are there in total?"

"More than 100."

"You've..." Flash started, "you've really come a long way. A VERY long way."

"Well, you know it's not just befriending Yo-Kai. We've also had the job to clear out the Hot Springs, the Building, the Snowstorm, not to mention the trials."

"Trials?"

"The two of us had a trial reflecting on our pasts. It was life-threatening, but we managed to pull through and recover. We've cured our uh... Bad memories of those times, and learnt a lot."

"Hmm... And what have you learnt?"

"How important friendship is. When every friend came to support us all, speaking their minds. Our loved ones here, in Equestria, and especially those who have passed..."

"No..." Flash started, his eyes widened in disbelief, "don't tell me..."

"I know it sounds impossible Flash, but yes. Mom... And Dad... They talked to us..."

"But..."

"Their memories." First explained, "before they died. What they wanted of us before they left... Make friends, stay together, keep you in check for your stubbornness..."

"Me? Stubborn?" Flash growled, "heh, that's a compliment I haven't heard in a long time..."

"Flash..."

"My turn to speak now." Flash replied, his mind clouded with endless decisions, choices, and questions, "all that you've done, all that you've achieved, what you're doing. This is really dangerous, deadly, life-threatening, world-breaking. The fact that such entities like this live casual lives like us, it's surprising that with such existence, that we aren't taking any drastic measure about it."

"Well we should... Because there are malicious ones that plan to terrorise and conquer Springdale and more, for revenge against Princess Celestia and Nightmare Moon."

"Well, I can tell that you've been very busy and keeping a very close eye on it. That's very admirable. I doubt the Princesses would believe of such existence, since it is a Neighponese thing and it's something that they can't see... But I'll try to convince them."

"So you do believe us, right? Everything we've stated?"

"I do. I have from the very beginning that you mentioned it to me during the court case." Flash nodded, "and even more so right now. Telling me the whole story is important rather than telling it later or not at all. My sanity and life would be shattered if I found out that the three of you had died from unknown causes. Your murders would be the last thing I would want to be a cold case. But all of you survived, and that's what really shows me on how much you've grown in physical and mental prowess, even you Nate. Such determination to stay on this path inspires me: Your older brother, and the Royal Guard's Lieutenant, Second in Command."

"I am honoured to hear such praise." Nate thanked,

"By the way. If you told me that you can make friends with them, as well as the fact that there is going to be an invasion, is there going to be some kind of resistance?"

"Yeah." Scootaloo replied, "a spirit named Venoct. The Serpent Warrior. He's the one leading the Resistance for his late ruler, Lord Enma. This Enma had the idea, vision, and goal to unify Pony and Yo-Kai together. Venoct plains to preserve that goal by preventing harm to the Ponies. He wants to strike and overthrow the malicious leader, and restore order to all Yo-Kai, so they won't harass us so much."

"If only the Ponies can acknowledge such kindness, we would make good friends and relations with the dead." Flash shared,

"Problem is, he's the only one." First sighed, "he's a Yo-Kai driven by vengeance, and is strong in strength, but not in the idea of numbers."

"A lone wolf..." Flash closed his eyes in furrowed and deep thought. "I've seen lots of them in my life, myself included... What was his justification?"

"Loss of family and friends." Scootaloo answered, "a bigger loss than us."

"But still painful regardless." Flash looked to the skies, "but knowing you three... I'm sure you have changed his mind. Right?"

"Here's your answer." First replied, sliding Venoct's medal to Flash's range,

"Interesting..." Flash examined, looking at the slippery medal back to front. "Though alone, I'm sure he has some plan to figure this out?"

"Aside from finding and befriending more powerful Yo-Kai, we also need to find Lord Enma's son. Who's hiding among Springdale as a Pony. Our age I believe."

"That should narrow it down a bit." Flash replied, "perhaps I can help assist you in finding them."

"Thanks, we'd appreciate it."

"One thing though," Flash answered, "are you aware that by doing this, that you will be involving yourself in a war? The cause of our father's and mother's death? I won't guarantee that you two will come out safe either."

"Nopony will be safe if we said no. Plus, we can't ignore the problems of another race, especially when we've made friends with them. It's a dangerous job, but Venoct needs the help he can get." Scootaloo answered,

"I see... In that case, very well. I can't say I'm happy that you decided to involve yourselves in the affairs of other parties, but I'd be even less happy if you didn't. Especially when the safety of Ponykind hangs in the balance."

"Knew you'd agree." A smile appeared on Scootaloo's face, "it's family tradition after all."

"By the way... Now that I think about spirits and ghosts of the dead... The court case... This Massiface guy... He can come back, can he?"

"Yeah... A year or so I believe..."

"Then it's all the more to fight this war. With that, it can restore peace to not only Ponies, but Yo-Kai too." Flash replied, "and Venoct's plan... I like it. Dangerous but quick and swift."

"Hey Flash. We actually have two spirits that are living with us ever since we came here. They're right here too. Would you like to see them with the watch?" First asked,

"Hmm... I'm afraid I'll have to pass." Flash refused, "Personally, I don't think I'm ready to see them myself. But I'll definitely acknowledge their presence."

"So Flash... Now that we've discussed everything." First asked, "are you okay with all this?"

"I... You no longer need to ask me for my permission to do such things. The three of you are old enough to make your own choices and decisions." Flash replied, "I'm sure Mom and Dad would say the same thing if they were here. The best I can do as an older brother is to support you in this cause. That which I will do."

"Thanks Flash." Scootaloo galloped over and embraced him fully, "thank you so much my Dear Older Brother."

"Thank you too Flash." First did the same, "this is the best activity and discussion we had as siblings."

"Nate, you can join along if you want." Flash offered, "you're considered family too."

"Sure." Nate replied, hugging the entire group, "I owe the siblings a lot. I'm happy that I'm considered to be family with you."

"Listen you three. Be strong, be brave, be friendly to all Yo-Kai. And most of all, be caring." Flash reminded,

"We will." The three replied,

"There is one thing you can do." Flash replied, "This Venoct. I wish to see him face-to-face one day. So send him my regards and respect. And promise him that he'll take care of you three. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Glad that's settled. Now please let go. Let's finish our Ramen dishes please. I'm still hungry..."

"Hey Nate, First. Can you hear me?" Scootaloo whispered,

"Yeah." Nate and First replied,

"This is going to be tough. But after so much things. We've been through a lot. It speaks for itself that we're not going to give up. You ready to dive into another layer of mystery?"

"Born ready." First grinned,

"Let's do this!" Nate nodded,

"Whisper, you any good with Quill and Parchment like with Technology?" Scootaloo called,

"I'll try!"

"Then Whisper," Scootaloo ordered, "take a note please. To the Princess of Friendship."

Author's Note

From here on out: There will only be two-mini stories this time, then the next full story chapter.

And have a Lovely and Merry Christmas Everyone. I hope you have a Happy New Year with great resolutions!

Chapter 8-1: Class debate

It had been quite some time that the Yo-Kai filled adventures of the siblings occurred at their own school once again. In the comfy areas of the school library, the young foal First Base surrounded himself with stacks of books relating to Yo-Kai and various creatures of Neighponese Mythology. Though some seemed very similar to the very much alive creatures they had in Equestria, he dived deeper, hoping to see those that could resemble powerful and strong Yo-Kai allies. Once formed by curiosity, he looked through every unique and creepy depictions of each ghostly beast before them out of desperation.

"Huh, I never knew how creepy and scary Yo-Kai look when compared to their Neighponese depictions."

"Yo-Kai are meant to be feared by Ponies, and we are meant to haunt them." Whisper replied, "In fact, we still sort of do these things! We're just more... Tame looking."

"You know, now that I look through the monsters yet again..." First turned a picture to the lion-dog beasts and statues, "I'm starting to learn more about the origins of our Yo-Kai buddies. I mean, the Komainu look a lot scarier, but they bear a similar resemblance to the Koma brothers."

"You are correct! Komasan and Komajiro are both based on the Komainu! Great guardians of various temples and shrines!"

"Yeah, I heard that straight from Komasan." First replied, "say... Do you think Komainu statues would look good in front of our house?"

"Yo-Kai research first, house decoration later!" Whisper snapped, "don't you want to save your home!?"

"Okay okay!!!" First chuckled,a cocky grin upon his face. "Man... I wish we could actually work with Yo-Kai this time..."

"How about that Yo-Kai?" Jibanyan showed the two a book he was reading, the brush painting of various humanoid figures: Some with long noses, some with bird-beaks, flying high in the sky and whipping up multitudes of violent winds, which artistic impressions gives it that each single wind has the force of a giant tornado.

"Tengus!" Whisper exclaimed, "these are extremely powerful beings that control the wind!"

"Any others?" First asked, Jibanyan flipped to another page, bookmarked by his hand. This picture displayed a giant and gallant dragon roaring upon his dark, yet fearful opponents. This dragon was unlike one they see around Equestria. Instead of the big belly and body of the usual dragon, it had a long, slippery, serpent like body that was devoid of lower legs and limbs. A beautiful orb adorned with golden decorations nestled firmly within the Dragon's claw, shining as bright as the sun, as the image implies.

"This is the mighty Dragon..." Whisper gasped in awe, "this is the great dragon that can bring fortune, luck and victory! The highest of the Celestial Beasts of the World!"

"Look, all these Yo-Kai are extremely powerful, but a greater problem involves us finding them, as well as the hopes that we can befriend them. I don't think we have a lot of time for that." First reasoned,

"Well, I always have the Yo-Kai Pad! If you need information on a specific Yo-Kai like the Tengu... I've got about four of them!" Whisper added,

"Wow!" First scrolled through the four images of the Tengu. Two were bird-like creatures while the other two had long noses and very bushy and spiky hair. Each and everyone were adorned with traditional neighponese clothes, high-wooden slippers, and a fan made entirely of leaves and stems. "Tengloom, Nird, Tengu, and Flengu!!! Wait... Nird?"

"I believe Nird's description of his Inspiriting powers makes anypony a bibliophile, driving them to read a book or twenty for the hope of knowledge or just for the fun of it!"

"Well, I guess we know the reason why Princess Twilight loves reading so much!" First laughed,

In the familiar classroom of 5-2, the flightless filly was busy doing her role for Venoct's mission: Finding the son of Lord Enma.

"So Eddie, Bear. Since you two are really interested in School Mysteries and stories, can you tell me anything about Lord Enma? Ruler of Yo-Kai?"

"Lord Enma??? Well..." A new look of bewilderment and puzzles spread across the brainiac's face, "that's a tough one... All the mysteries I've heard about are those that I've decided to solve and debunk. A spirit lord on the other hand... I'm likely on the fact that a being that doesn't exist is something that I'm not really interested in looking into. That, and I have no idea who he is at all."

"Oh I see... Well thanks anyway." Scootaloo sighed with disappointment. The final pony friend that she hoped could have an inkling or two on the history, and she received nothing, just like every other pony she asked.

"This is bad..." Scootaloo grumbled as she pulled out a notebook and scribbled Eddie's comments on her never-ending list of failed clues and interviews:

Meg idea about spirits was only related to idol culture. To be specific, idols that had some concerts or shows that had them dressed as the monsters of folklore and legend.

Alex was never brought up with supernatural stories,

Nate's knowledge of Yo-Kai was only through experience with adventures with the siblings,

Katie's only knowledge about Spirits or Yo-Kai are somehow and for some reason, limited to Tree Spirits,

Bear had no flipping idea at all,

And Lucas wasn't fond on talking about ghosts and spirits.

"Is Yo-Kai too small a topic for discussion nowadays!?" Scootaloo grumbled, as she threw her book into the air, "this is such a pain..."

"Scootaloo?" A new voice spoke from behind, "I-I think you threw this book at me..."

"Sorry about that..." Scootaloo sighed as she turned to face a dark-blue maned unicorn filly, with a lighter dark-blue colour. Her mane was designed in a way that it covered her eyes with its shadow, giving off an mysterious and creepy look. "You must be... Lina right?"

"That's right." Lina replied, levitating Scootaloo's notes. "Say... You've got quite the penmanship and word structure. Almost as if you were taking the notes and evidence to solve a case!"

"Actually--"

"A mystery!" An earth pony yanked it from Lina's magic, and began flipping through the neatly scribbled pages, "what's it about?"

"Oi! Don't take things from others!" Scootaloo hastily turned to the thief: An earth filly with thin-framed glasses upon her face, a colour of light blue, and a mane of dull brown. Recognising the face and features, she turned to her memories of the class roll call, and matched the features of the pony responding to her name: Zoey.

"How interesting..." The filly flipped through the pages, "You've been asking everypony about the origins of Lord Enma? The ruler of all Yo-Kai?"

"Oh my!" Lina giggled in delight, "that is certainly an interesting tale that I haven't heard for quite a time now..."

"Wait... You know about Lord Enma?" Scootaloo paused,

"It's rare to hear about it nowadays, since we're in Equestria." Lina giggled, "but the history of such a being is quite interesting to look into, especially if such a being exists. I mean, if he does, we can pretty much control the entire world if we win his favour..."

"Sounds evil... Please don't do that..." Scootaloo gulped, or at least she played along.

"Sorry about that." Zoey replied, "Lina's rather... Mysterious, creepy and suspicious in her own way. Like she's a ghost herself..."

"So yeah, what do you know about Lord Enma? And out of curiosity, why?"

"We'll answer the second question first..." Lina eerily explained, "Zoey and I, are a part of a club that we created on our own, the Ghost Club. We love to learn all about the supernatural, and explore various mysteries that echo around our school or around Springdale. We even sneak out at night to learn more about ghosts, because nopony is around to tell us otherwise, and ghosts appear more at night!"

"I... See... Are you sure you don't get nightmares by doing it?" Scootaloo asked, "you know... When you disobey your parents?"

"We do actually." Zoey replied, "In fact, a lot of foals and fillies said that they had same the dream of a giant red oni chasing them, that is, those who've escaped... Parents use these sorts of tales to scare their kids to behave."

"But..." Lina replied, "we don't know exactly know why and how we all seem to get that same terrifying nightmare... It just happens when we make a grave breach of rules made by older ponies. But we got used to it, we can outsmart the beast once or twice. Except for the time when I saw a blue one..."

"A giant BLUE oni!?!?" Scootaloo yelled in horror, "you mean there's more of those things!?"

"It could be... I mean, I don't remember it entirely..."

"Okay then..." Scootaloo panicked, "let's hope I don't see it."

"Now for your first question." Zoey adjusted her glasses with a secretive devious grin. "We have more than an inkling regarding Lord Enma. And just recently to boot too! It's great what you can find when you sneak into school at night."

"You guys are so bad!!!"

"Well hey, it's not bad when nopony finds out!" Lina evilly chuckled,

"Well, now that I know you've got something about it, can you tell me about what you know of then? It really is important."

"It's an honour, to hear that somepony's interested..." Zoey grinned again, "tell you what. Why don't you join our club? We can share any form of topic regarding supernatural and urban mysteries happening around town. What do you say?"

"Well, I've got nothing to lose either way." Scootaloo replied, "So why not? I'll join!"

"Wonderful!" Lina clapped with glee, "It looks like we now have our third member in our ever-growing club Zoey! We're going to have lots of fun, are we?"

"Of course!" Zoey laughed, a sadistic grin upon her face "so much fun!"

"I'm beginning to have second thoughts..." Scootaloo whimpered, "I think these two can qualify as supernatural themselves!"

"So, Ms New Member," Zoey grabbed Scootaloo by the shoulder, "do you know any mysterious stories relating to ghosts or urban legends?"

"Well..." Scootaloo opened her mouth, a force of peer pressure choking her throat and head, rendering her speechless with embarrassment. "Have... Have you..."

"Well come on!" Lina ushered, "don't keep us waiting...!"

"H-Have you heard about the Snow Woman?" Scootaloo tossed up,

"Already know that." Zoey sighed, "maybe something new?"

"What about what happens after?" Scootaloo countered, "like, the story of how the Snow Woman has decided to change her life?"

"There's a story about that?" Lina gasped, "colour me interested then..."

"Or if you want really something different... Have you ever heard of the story regarding the giant sacred tree in Mount Wildwood?" Scootaloo added, improvising like no tomorrow.

"Ooh!" Zoey gasped in delight, "It's the one behind the shrine right? I've heard it's been there for thousands of years!"

"Then you got to know that there's something... Spiritual behind it. Scary even!" Scootaloo started, speaking in a spooky and mysterious tone. The two fillies sat clenched upon the seats, mesmerised in awe by the alluring tale of the Mysterious Capsule Machine upon the Sacred Tree: Anecdotal-tuned events that Scootaloo and First themselves, experienced.

"Oh I hope this works..." She thought to herself,

"Hey guys, can I be blunt here?" First asked,

"What is it?" Whisper asked,

"The more I look through these extra-powerful Yo-Kai, the more depressed I become on how difficult our job's going to be."

"It's very stressful isn't it?" Whisper replied, "but hey, once you find and befriend one, you'll feel great within! Don't give up!"

"Actually, I'm doing the opposite. I will give up!" First replied,

"WHAT!?" Whisper ricocheted around the library in shock, "What do you mean GIVE UP!? You just stared yesterday!"

"I don't want to do this anymore. This research is getting us nowhere. It only describes what they are, and not where. And even if we find one, my life is on the line if we want to befriend it. I'm not going to be burned by fire, frozen and shattered, crushed by rocks, or fall victim to various nasty ways to die!"

"Are you inspirited by D'Wanna?" Jibanyan asked politely,

"He's got nothing to do with this!" First snapped, "I just don't know where to start! Looking at 'strong Yo-Kai' is a broad and general topic, and there's so much more to look in between the lines!"

"But that is what research is about." Whisper casually replied, "you have to keep on looking and looking till you find a definitive answer. Plus... The Yo-Kai Pad can also show where they have last been seen by other Yo-Kai. See?" As an example, Whisper selected the data of the dark-blue bird-faced Tengloom, and provided a map area of Springdale with a distinct blue pin firmly placed on an abandoned hospital near Shopper's Row.

"Oh." First calmed down, "I... I didn't know..."

"First, I am your Yo-Kai butler." Whisper sighed, "and if you need certain things done, it shall be done, especially if it's Yo-Kai related!"

"Sorry Whisper." First replied in apology, "I guess I really am stressed. I'll try and look harder to make up for it!"

"Actually, it's not how much you need to look, but WHERE you need to look." Whisper added, "working hard is different to working smart. Like you said, if you don't know what to look for, the information you dig up can get you nowhere!"

"Hey First, why is Scyoots being dragged into the library by two unknyown fillies?" Jibanyan asked,

"Scoots? She said that she would be around class asking about Lord Enma-hhhhhh... I have no idea."

Zoey and Lina ecstatically trotted across the room with a very confused and embarrassed filly in tow. One that resembled First's sister.

"First!" Scootaloo mouthed "help me!"

First replied with a simple wave of his hoof and the most 'innocent' smile ever.

"Do something!!!" Scootaloo glared, "you too Whisper and Jibanyan!"

"What can I do?" First mouthed back,

"These two..." Scootaloo gestured at her captors frantically searching the library shelves about Yo-Kai, "Can't leave me alone! I've told them about..." She then pointed to Whisper, "a story formed from how we met! And now, they're trying to find books about it!"

"Isn't the machine still up on the tree though?" Whisper asked, "I mean, if they want, they can just go insert a bit and pull what Yo-Kai they find!"

"Fair point." First spoke,

"Hey Zoey," Lina asked, "what happened to all the Yo-Kai books? It seems like somepony's taken them all!"

"But nopony is allowed to borrow that many, unless..." Zoey gasped, "they've been thrown away!"

"Actually," First spoke up, waving to the ponies "they're all here! This stack over here are all the books I've finished reading, so go ahead and take a gander!"

"Why thank you!" Lina replied as she grabbed a book with her magic, "say... You look familiar. Aren't you Scoots little brother?"

"That's a-me!" First replied, "I see you're busy... Dragging my sister around! Something interesting going on?"

"Hmm..." Zoey squinted with suspicion. "I'm not sure about that..."

"Why not?" Lina asked, "look at him and how much he read! He's just as interested in the supernatural like we are!"

"Keen eye." First replied, "I'll admit that I was interested in what my sister was doing, and after looking through it. I developed an interest myself!"

"Oh Scoots," Zoey laughed, "why didn't you tell us this when you introduced yourselves last month? We could have been best friends way earlier!"

"I dunno." Scootaloo replied with a laugh, "must have slipped my mind!" In the glimpse of a shadow, a face of wrath appeared on the flightless filly's face, grudgingly eyeing her brother. "I will get you for this!"

"What did she say?" Whisper asked, "I couldn't get the mouthing."

"None of your concern. Her anger is focused towards me." First shrugged as he nonchalantly hid his face with a book whose cover seemed to resemble a traditional painting of Shmoopie.

"So First," Lina trotted over, "do you know the story about the Sacred Tree in Mount Wildwood?"

"But of course!" First answered with confidence, looking at Whisper and his infuriated sister, "Scoots have told me so much about it! Has sis told you that if you actually insert a bit into the capsule machine, you can possibly receive the gift of seeing Yo-Kai!"

"I've heard!" Lina replied, "Now I'm actually interested in seeing it with my own eyes!"

"Did she also mention a curse about it?"

"I don't believe so."

"The moment you receive this gift, your look on the world will change, and your life will never be the same. Forever you will be haunted by the ugliest and dangerous of ghosts around!!!"

"Oh... Is that so?" Lina gulped, "then... Maybe not."

"You owe me." First mouthed to Scootaloo with a wink. Scootaloo merely rolled her eyes as if to say 'whatever'.

"So, what are you guys doing here?" First changed the subject,

"Well, since your sister joined our Ghost club, we decided to make she knows how we roll every time we meet together! Look through books, uncover mysteries, all for having fun together!"

"Correction," Scootaloo butted in, "they're doing all those things, while I've been made errand filly! All for the sake of finding who Lord Enma's son is..."

"Sounds fun!" First smiled, "you think I can join in too?"

"Sure! Welcome to the Ghost Club!" Zoey replied, "anypony who's interested in ghosts are guaranteed members if they so wish!"

"Thanks!" First replied, "so, what makes you say this Big Sis? The two seem like nice fillies!"

"Nice and Bossy!" Scootaloo replied, "that's what they are!"

"Oh whatever are you talking about?" Zoey and Lina innocently replied,

"Now that you mention it." First stared at the happy-go lucky faces of the fillies, "I have a feeling that they're demonically laughing behind their sweet faces. Do you think a--"

"There you are!" A sharp voice strutted into the library.

"Mr Johnson?" Zoey and Lina gasped, a gulp running down their throats.

"You're holding up our class trial." Mr Johnson tapped his watch, "didn't we say that we would cut lunch early to discuss this on a specified day?"

"Oh, umm..."

"Our Client, Prosecutor, and the entire class is waiting for you two to confess!"

"Hold the phone. Class Trial? What's going on Mr Johnson?" First butted in,

"Ah, the Sentry siblings. Didn't know you were here." Mr Johnson replied, "two days ago, some of the rooms in the school, the music and science room specifically, have been tampered with as stated by the janitor. I might even say vandalised or trashed, regarding the horrendous mess and damage. Lina and Zoey were accused, and multiple witnesses from our class claimed to have seen the two. As such, we had decided to hold a trial two days from there. I believe that you two at the time, had your hooves tied with assisting the younger graders to reclaim the bunnies that escaped the enclosures."

"Oh..." Scootaloo remembered, "speaking of which Mr Johnson, we forgot to tell you the reason why the bunnies did that in the first place."

"Somepony caused them to go on a stampede!" First laughed, "I'm not sure if all of you saw, but their legs somehow doubled into four long giraffe legs, and proudly galloped ridiculously without a care in the world! Scoots, did you do something to awaken Lord Discord's mischievous side again?"

"Oi! I thought we all agreed that it wasn't the CMC's fault!"

"That probably explains the petrified looks of terror of some other teachers and staff." Mr Johnson adjusted his glasses, "But that's in the past. We need the 'Ghost Club' in our classroom right away. I suggest that you two siblings come too, to watch."

"But Mr Johnson, we don't have any form of defence to help us! How can we possibly carry out the trial?" Zoey asked,

"It should be obvious! You two can fend for yourself! That being said, I would accept it if anypony volunteers to defend you, just like Eddie volunteering to prosecute!"

"O-Okay then!" Lina replied, "Can you help us Scoots?"

"M-Me?" Scootaloo turned around in surprise, "defend you?"

"I didn't stutter... I mean it! Pretty please?" Lina pleaded, a pair of puppy-dog eyes pouted at the flightless filly.

"Your eyes are covered with your mane. How can I know if you really mean it?" Scootaloo grumbled,

"I promise you!" Lina desperately continued pleading, "we promise to tell you everything regarding what you need! We won't boss you around anymore!"

"Argh... But... I'm not sure that I know how to do defend..."

"I'll do it then." First spoke up, "I'll volunteer to defend you."

"First!?" The pony and Yo-Kai group stared at the sole foal of the group. His hoof extended to the air, and planted a straight face filled with courage, bravery and rage.

"I may not know a lot about court trials and all that jazz. But if there's no defence, it's not fair."

"Are you sure? It sounds like they're blackmailing you..."

"We had no knowledge prior to the case and their crimes, and it was only today that we required something from them, no blackmail."

"Very well then, I'll let the class know that you'll be doing it. We may not have enough time for you to go thoroughly prepare though. See you soon." Mr Johnson replied and trotted out of the library.

"My goodness. Just how bad was it, that nopony decided to help you or at least let us know what happened for two whole days?" Scootaloo asked,

"Thanks First..." Lina sobbed, embracing the young foal. "Thank you so much..."

"I know, I know..." First sighed, letting lose his face "now please stop making that face... I can already tell that you two are not guilty."

"What!? He can see through that mane of hers!?" Scootaloo wondered in shock,

"This is certainly going to be dramatic..." Whisper observed, "First Base. A defender of justice!"

"Sounds a lot like Flash..." Jibanyan moaned, scratching his head.

As the sun sailed just high above Springdale, Classroom 5-2 was fully packed and fully silent. All the seats and tables were arranged in the form of a court hall. Three tables were stationed in front of the class. Two tables faced each other, with one in the middle facing the back of the class. The rest of the tables and chairs were positioned at the back areas, members of the audience to make themselves comfortable. Mr Johnson sat at his usual teacher's desk, overlooking the entire class. Zoey and Lina, sat in the middle table, with all eyes facing towards them. The glares of the audience, the stern look from the teacher, the piercing gaze of the prosecutor, and the firm but reassuring stare from the defence.

First kept his cool as he stood firm, even when the glares of the audience, prosecutor and maybe the teacher, were also fixated on him too. A foal who dared to defend the accused. Well, one way or another, he's going to show them that the Ghost Club was innocent, even if it comes to hoofticuffs.

"Say Whisper," Scootaloo whispered to the whispering ghost in the midst of the audience, "shouldn't First have a partner or assistant or something?"

"This is not a game young Scoots." Jibanyan replied, "the two sides must have one head each."

"Alrighty then," Mr Johnson began, "this is actually the first time that I've been doing this soo, please understand if I make a mista---" Mr Johnson dropped his head in a silent trance. A few seconds later, he raised his head sharply, a fierce look upon his face.

"This court is now underway for the trial of the members of the Ghost Club. I am Mr Johnson, and I shall be overlooking this trial. Are both sides ready?"

"The Prosecution is ready Mr Johnson." Eddie answered, brimming with confidence.

"The Defence is ready Your Honour." First answered, also brimming with confidence.

"While I may take this seriously Defence, there is no need to call me that. Just refer to me as Mr Johnson like you always do."

"Understood Your Honour." First replied. The entire class groaned with dismay and confusion.

"Sorry about that sir." Scootaloo apologised over, "if First's into something, he gets very serious and dramatic about it."

"V-Very well, I shall overlook it then." Mr Johnson replied,

"You know..." Scootaloo cocked her head in suspicion. "Why is Mr Johnson so serious about this either? At one time, he was unsure of what to do, now it looks like he's learnt something about law or two! Hmm..."

"Now Prosecution, may we have the opening statement?" Mr Johnson spoke,

"Sure!" Eddie replied, pulling out a script. "Two days ago, just as the janitor was about to leave the school fully clean, a loud brutal noise was heard from the 2nd floor of the School. As a janitor, he went to investigate, and found the doors of the science room opened when it should have been locked, and the interior littered with all sorts of damage. Broken test tubes, beakers, you name it. The next thing he saw was two silhouettes of young foals escaping from the other door of the Science room, and making their way up one floor. Giving pursuit, the janitor then saw the two sneak into the music room and the sound of--"

"May I object?" First politely raised his hand, multiple 'huh's?' and murmurs started filling the room.

"Found something suspicious already?" Eddie turned to First, "how interesting... Then what's up?"

"I'm suspicious on why you must drag the opening statement on." First replied,

"I beg your pardon?"

"Couldn't you just say: 'Two nights ago, two young foals wrecked the Science and Music room, and the Ghost club was deemed the culprits.' There, twenty words exactly!" First explained, Multiple oohs went up through the class.

"Interesting..." Mr Johnson spoke, "you do have a point,"

"B-But there's a lot we can learn initially from the opening statement." Eddie reasoned,

"Yeah, but wouldn't the Janitor come up and speak what he saw? Let him describe. I'm surprised that you had to write up a script that would possibly be repeating the Janitor's testimony." Multiple members of the audience winced in pain, some chuckled with laughter.

"That's... True..." Eddie relented, "in that case, let's go over the evidence. All we have here are three photos, they may not give much, but it's enough to give proper closure to Lina and Zoey being culprits. Please see them here..." First began scanning over the evidence before him with his attentive eyes: The Science Room with broken pieces of glassware, the Music Room with tables and chairs dangerously toppled over, and a hallway, where two silhouettes of young ponies can be found galloping across the moonlit floor. He peered closely at the trashed science room. Glancing at the broken beakers, he found something strange within the picture. The only problem was, he can't make it out.

From the audience however, a pony of her own is scanning the surrounding area with her own item, taking in the most horrific sights ever. Horrific... Yet typical.

"Yo-Kai..." Scootaloo growled, "I knew it... One yellow Oni that looks like Suspicioni and Tantroni, and a golden looking snake..."

"I believe his name was Slitheref." Whisper reminded, "he was refereeing the match when we fought Lava Lord."

"A referee Yo-Kai..." Scootaloo replied, staring at the teacher, "I like the guy. Doing his job I guess. And the other?"

"Contrarioni." Whisper read from his pad, "He would be one that will prolong or extend the time within a debate or conversation by making and dragging on unnecessary statements, and making others constantly disagree with them. He is able to contribute to Family and Domestic Disputes, not to mention debates and parleys between lawyers, and even politicians and members of the royal family!"

"Well that's nice to know..." Scootaloo growled, anger coursing through her hooves, "If Yo-Kai are going to come into play, then I might as well! Come on out my--"

"Hold Scootaloo!" Mr Johnson announced, "whatever you will do, you shall not breach the rules of this court!" The entire audience turned around in shock to see the orange filly, covered and struck with astonishment.

"M-Mr Johnson?"

"Outside help is not permitted. If you wanted to assist, you should have volunteered at the beginning."

"But..." Scootaloo stammered,

"Scoots, if you really think that what is happening is not right. Then you must push!" Whisper encouraged, "this is not Mr Johnson speaking, you know that! It's the judge Slitheref who is speaking. He himself is contradicting his own self!"

"Oh... Oh!!! You know Whisper, you really do have your moments to shine as a butler and a companion in my book. Thanks," Scootaloo smiled, looking straight at Whisper's location, acknowledging that everypony in this room was staring at her.

"Miss Scootaloo, please look here and tell me that you will not try this sort of thing again." Mr Johnson announced,

"Okay then..." Scootaloo replied, turning her face to Mr Johnson, a look of persevering suspicion, "I'll look at you, but what do you think I am trying to do that will badger this trial?"

"Attempting to... To..." Mr Johnson's tone began to falter, as he set his eyes upon the Yo-Kai Watch, plain in view.

"Like you 'sir', I follow the rules to a T. But... Considering what's happening right now..." She gestured to Mr Johnson, as well as the yellow oni, invisible to everypony but other Yo-Kai, Scootaloo and the inspirited Mr Johnson "wouldn't you say that it is a bit unfair?"

"Wh-What's going on?" Nate whispered to the others,

"No idea..." Katie replied in confusion.

"Eh?" The Yellow Oni turned to face the conversing ponies, shocked to see that he was discovered.

"You see, First can't see anything without 'that'... Since it is in my possession. If you can allow -that- to occur in the class... Then why can't I?"

"Th-Then in that case..." Slitheref started to look around the room. Wondering what he can do to make this fair enough. He looked to Contrarioni, glaring and bearing his teeth at the group. He looked to First, who was studying very hard on the small tidbit he has gained, but with a lot of anxiety now present through the sweat drops down his face. "I-I don't know what to do... Perhaps you have an idea?"

"I have an idea... Whisper?" Scootaloo asked and whispered a thing or two in his ear. Nodding with understanding, he flew over to the golden snake referee and whispered the words into his ear.

Slitheref pondered for a moment or two, and nodded in agreement. Regaining his possession on the teacher, he spoke his decree through him.

"I see Miss Scoots. Then considering the circumstances, you... You will be allowed to assist your brother." When this sentence was announced, a chaotic uproar began. Multiple bodies stood up in protest, many heads turned in confusion, voices raised crying protests of mis-explanation. For a class trial, it was a very VERY chaotic scene. Mr Johnson simply slammed his hooves firmly to the ground and let out an ear piercing command,

"SILENCE!!! This situation is far more than mere ponies including myself can comprehend. For Miss Scoots to assist her brother in this trial will make things fair. Her limit is to only assist via pointing out any... Anomalies within the evidence and the upcoming testimonies. Understood?"

"Yes sir." Scootaloo smiled as she proudly trotted to her brother's side with Whisper and Jibanyan in tow. She stood and looked towards the audience, and placed her hoof on her heart,

"I solemnly promise by the Princesses of Equestria that I shall carry out my role as an assistant, and will not take advantage or falsify any form of claim or cheat the system. For we are here to discover the truth, no matter if the intention was good, bad, or in the name of our Princesses."

"Well said," Mr Johnson replied, "I understand. Now please our audience, do not give looks of malice to your courageous classmate."

"Never knew you'd be a stickler for honour," First answered as he sees her sister plop down next to him,

"Runs in the family." Scootaloo winked back,

"So..." First returned to the situation "I'm assuming there's... Yo-Kai involved... Right?"

"Yep," Scootaloo nodded pointing the watch to Slitheref and Contrarioni. "You've seen the snake before, and Contrarioni here is what drags this trial on and on."

"Hmm..." First looked through the evidence, "in that case, you think you can help me? There's something I see that's suspicious..."

Scootaloo pulled out Suspicioni's medal and smiled as she inserted it into the watch. Calling the ever suspicious Yo-Kai, First felt his influence and inspiritment coursing through his veins. As he began to grow even more suspicious and curious of the picture, he started to observe the picture's surroundings. The mysterious and most suspicious thing he picked out from before was a beaker that was broken in two within the science room. Whereas one half was lying on the table, its other half was... still in the air...

"Mr Johnson, Eddie, one of the evidence looks a bit strange..." First presented the science room photograph. "Can you see the broken beaker? Is it me or could it be that... Do you really think when a beaker breaks into two, that one half could have been floating in the air?"

"Hmm..." Mr Johnson looked at the image, "that really is interesting... You may be right! But what are you trying to imply with this evidence?"

"It doesn't change the fact that it could be Zoey or Lina who could have done that." Eddie replied,

"Just a few more questions. Was this picture taken after the crime scene?"

"Obviously!!!" Eddie replied, "and if you want more information, the photo was taken by the janitor an hour later after the crashes."

"An Hour..." First mentally wrote down, "So Eddie, you're the intelligent science whiz. Think you can tell me how a floating piece of glass can be possible?"

"Well, a unicorn can simply levitate it with his or her magic." Eddie answered normally, then looked at the photo again with a shocking revelation, "okay, I think I see what you mean. There is no sign of magical power holding this shard up when this picture was taken. But what are you trying to imply?"

"Well, whatever is holding up that thing... Is the actual culprit behind these vandalism incidents!" First declared. An eerie amount of silence fills the room. Each and everypony stared at the orange foal with puzzled and very strange, sarcastic and cynical looks.

"First..." Scootaloo spoke up, "I may be your sister, but there are things that I wouldn't speculate so much..."

"I believe that there is a term for this in court..." Mr Johnson replied, "bluffing I believe?"

"Okay then First," Eddie replied, "let's say we call your bluff. If that force was what was causing these troubles, do you know the motives behind it?"

"That's a... very good question." First replied, slowly realising what he just said. "Well... To do that, we need to find the identity of this culprit."

"And do you know of this culprit?"

"Uhh..." First frantically pulled out the evidence, frantically going through the evidence once more. His supplementary suspicion pushed to the limit.

"Help me out here Suspicioni..." First replied, "Is there anything else to see in these photos?"

"Look harder!" Suspicioni replied, "for a Yo-Kai to increase his power, the inspirited host must also be focused upon the same emotion and mindset!"

"Hmm... You may have a point." First replied, remembering the time of the Massiface rematch. "Okay then, I'll do my best!" First began examining things even further, to the point of using a nearby magnifying glass to pinpoint the tiniest of suspicious information, and making the entire situation overly dramatic, melodramatic too.

But it wasn't for boring and awkward show. Upon the pictures, areas began to shift and wiggle, and First was able to spot the once empty area around the floating beaker, warp itself to reveal an unsettling sight. The foal's eyes widened and shivered at the once floating, now bounded piece of glass. Wrapped and strangled by a endless bounds of white strings of thread, with all sizes of dust adhering around it.

"Well?" Eddie prompted, "what have you got?"

"The perpetrator..." First replied, "may be something very dangerous." First changed photos, hoping to find something suspicious in the picture of the Music Room. Suspicioni's heightened power revealed layers of green goop, sprayed and scattered across the messed tables and chairs, dripping down the dry wood. What's worse, the Piano was covered all around so much, that it looked like a new paint job of horrendous green.

"Oh no... Oh dear... Don't tell me its..." First began sweating from fear, his anxiety grew as he looked upon the final picture of the two silhouettes. The two silhouettes were the one that began to warp and change, stretching towards each other until the two shadows touch and began mixing together.

The combined shadow grew larger and larger, and shifted itself into the silhouette of a giant beast with two body segments and eight ghastly legs, each protruding from a different section of the body. Its pupiless eyes and sharp fangs dripping with the same green go, glaring vengefully back at the one who looked at it with most suspicious of senses.

The picture no longer had two silhouettes of small young foals, but one giant silhouette of one of First's biggest fears and nightmares: A spider.

"NO!" First leapt out of his seat, dropping the picture.

"First?" Scootaloo spurred her head towards her younger brother's quivering and trembling body. "Are you okay? It looks like you've seen a scary Yo-Kai or worse..."

"What else can be worse than a scary Yo-Kai for me?" First replied back,

"A spider? A giant spider?" Scootaloo asked,

"See!? There's your identity! There's the culprit!" First yelled at the top of his lungs, "Help me out here! Show everypony the true nature of these photos!"

"Okay okay! But I'm going to have to rely on your energy too!" Suspicioni yelled back. In compliance, First glowed orange again, the glowing energy flowed through the air and covered Suspicioni from head to toe. Gritting his teeth, Suspcioni began channelling First's power around him, changing from orange to purple, necessary to fuel his power, and in turn, the effect of his inspiritment.

"Argh!" With a loud roar, Suspicioni's borrowed power exploded through the room, tearing through the mental minds of all pony and Yo-Kai alike and grasped tightly upon their senses. One by one, each pony in the room gasped and leaned back in horror as the pictures slowly reveal their true identity. The spider webs, the green goo, and the giant spider.

"My... Oh my... Dear Celestia..." Eddie squeaked, a sweat-like death came over his face.

"I-Is this your culprit First Base?" Mr Johnson asked,

"Y-Yes..." First replied, "S-Sorry, I'm really afraid of spiders..."

"It's a common fear, alright." Mr Johnson replied. "So... Can you wrap your case up?"

"Sure..." Gaining what little confidence he had left, First stood up and addressed the crowd. "Now, I believe all of you can see that these pictures are rather... Strange. But rest assured, even if we may not know anything about the Spider itself, what we do know is that our two accused here are innocent. Unless..." First dramatically turned to the fillies, "are you capable of spinning silk like spiders?"

"No?" Lina replied, "though it would be a cool power..."

"Are you able to spit out green goop?"

"Are you kidding me!? Of course not!!!" Zoey replied offended.

"Then what do you think everypony? Think Zoey and Lina could do that? Do they also have eight legs? Or sharp fangs?" First asked, multiple heads shook left and right, while some murmured to each other while others whispered 'no'.

"I've heard rumours saying that Lina's teeth was so sharp, that they looked like fangs." A filly whispered,

"I heard that! Not true!" Lina growled, bearing her fangs. The audience ducked in awe and horror at the rumour made true.

"What do you think Mr Johnson? Eddie?" First turned around, ignoring the situation.

"This! This is a monstrosity! I-I don't know how to explain it! How did this spider get so big?"

"I understand Science is used to explain the impossible, but when it comes to the ghosts and spirits like Yo-Kai, let's just say that folklore stories can be used as helpful evidence material... I mean, I used some of those 'Neighponese shows' on the TV for that previous Science Homework!"

"About that," Mr Johnson remembered, "The Science Teacher showed me your report. I thought usage of that material was ridiculous, but he praised it."

"Let's not fall off track here." Scootaloo reminded, "well Mr Johnson? What do you think?"

"Yes, I believe I can make my case... It already seems clear to me that the two are not the culprits. How about you audience?"

"Not at all sir! We're sorry Zoey and Lina!" The audience chorused.

"Quick to forgive," Whisper observed, "how kind! Yo-Kai could learn a thing or two, what with being eternal grudges and all."

"Very well then, I shall present my verdict. I hereby announce that Lina and Zoey are No-"

"Hold it!" A burly voice interrupted, "you didn't get to testify me!!!"

"Oh? Mr Janitor..." Mr Johnson turned around, "I'm sorry. I almost forgot about you... Forgive me for wasting your time."

"I've got my things to testify, and I've got things that are worth mentioning!"

"Then what do you have to add Mr Janitor?" First asked,

"This spider? It's a prank! Those two have brought up a giant costume, and has been terrorising the school!"

"WHAT!?" The entire audience roared,

"But... We've never picked up a giant spider suit." Eddie replied, "unless you have it."

"We wouldn't even know how to get a large spider suit." Zoey replied,

"Then what do you think Mr Janitor?" First asked, "what made you think it could be a costume?"

"Well... You see, it's because this costume came with bearing fangs, and that within the spider costume is some mechanism that is able to spit out that green goop so it can fool us for being a real spider!"

"That really sounds absurd though..." Eddie replied,

"You don't believe me? You don't believe me! I'm tellin' the truth here!"

"Something tells me he isn't..." Whisper noted,

"You think Scoots would pick it up?" Jibanyan asked,

"That sounds really absurd... Don't tell me..." Scootaloo looked towards Suspicioni's yellow look-alike.

"Grr!" Contrarioni gritted his teeth as he concentrated harder and harder, eager to turn this case from being closed.

"He's doing it again..." Scootaloo glared at the Yellow Oni, "he's trying to keep this going on and on..."

"Any ideas?" First asked,

"What I wanted to do in the first place to stop this stupid case!" Scootaloo replied as she yanked out a mysterious medal. "Tattletell!"

"Tell Tell!" Tattletell leapt out of the watch, and bounced around with her long arms in greeting,

"The truth and nothing but the truth from the Janitor." Scootaloo asked, "I'll make some Green Tea for you!"

"Tell!" Tattletell happily nodded and leapt towards the Janitor with a single mighty push of her arms. The small lady grabbed the Janitor's neck and wrapped her arms around it. By the time that the Janitor was about to release another set of nonsensical testimony, the secret-spilling inspiritment took a hold on the stallion and dropped his face to a sudden, catatonic and upset calmness.

"Okay then... To tell you the truth, I'm quite as surprised and shocked as all of you from the spider. I did hear the toppling of tables and chairs, as well as the smashing of glass bottles and beakers and what not, and I did see the two silhouettes of Zoey and Lina. But... The reason why I accused the two fillies was because of a grudge back a few days ago. They were so bossy, telling me to clean up this and tidy that when I first entered the school grounds... When they could actually tidy things up themselves!"

"But... Isn't that supposed to be what a Janitor does?" Scootaloo asked,

"A janitor, not a personal servant! They ordered me to carry and clean up all the books they read in the library, pick up all the scrap they throw away with their mysteries! I have other things that require cleaning than fulfilling the whims of the two! That's why I had to stay back and clean the rest of the school for that entire night! That's when I heard those sounds... And saw the damages, and even the silhouettes! They looked like Zoey and Lina. I thought I would go straight up to them myself and give a stern talking to, but my devotion to attend to all the scenes must be assessed first, so nopony would get harmed the next morning! So I called the rest of the School Staff and Guard to investigate. I also did manage to snap that picture. I was unable to catch then back then, so I thought I would get them to confess for trashing the place!"

"So to summarise it," Mr Johnson read back, "during the day of the incident, you were somehow contracted and bossed around by Zoey and Lina, being their personal cleaner. As consequence, you were unable to do your daily duties, which in turn, had to be done after school, all the way till nightfall."

"That's right." The Janitor sighed,

"Mr Janitor?" Lina spoke up,

"Yeah?"

"I'm... I'm sorry that we bossed you around, when you had your own job to fulfill and complete." Lina replied,

"Is that so? Then guess what. I'm sorry that I falsely accused you for trashing the place. Once I saw that Spider in the picture, I had a feeling that it wasn't you two. In fact, could it be that if I were to approach 'you two' back then, I don't think I would have been here." The Janitor apologised back,

"I am truly happy that we are able to have settled this matter in the terms of apologies." Mr Johnson sighed in relief, "Now, without further ado, I can continue my verdict. I hereby declare Zoey and Lina, Not Guilty!"

A round of applause echoed throughout the classroom in celebration of the revealed truth and amended bonds. The siblings bumped hooves for a job well done.

"By the way," Eddie added after the commotion, "what about this... Spider?"

"I'll make sure to put out a warning to the staff and the school." Mr Johnson replied, "and we'll make sure that the Royal Guard investigates too. And with that, Court is Adjourned!"

"Thanks a lot you two." Zoey shook the siblings' hooves. "Thanks for proving us innocent."

"I'll be blunt here, it was really uncomfortable and boring. Let's hope we'll never do something like this again." Scootaloo replied,

"You can say that again." Zoey laughed,

"By the way," Lina added, "I also want to say sorry on behalf of bossing you around like we did to the Janitor that time. Because of that, we owe you aplenty. Can we be friends for starters?"

"That's the best idea ever!" First nodded,

"You're so sweet First." Lina smiled, First chuckled in response, trying to shrug away his blush.

"And secondly," Zoey continued, "we'll be happy to give you the information regarding Lord Enma. Problem is, we're going to have to..."

"Sneak in at night?" First finished,

"Yeah. Because the thing we found is located in the Teachers Staff room upon one of Mr Johnson's items. Who knows? It could never be there again!"

"Then, I guess we have no choice but to go there at night." Scootaloo threw up her hooves,

"Don't worry. It will be fine." Lina remarked, "perhaps a few days later? Maybe on the weekends?"

"It's a date." First replied, "see you then!"

"Yep." Scootaloo sighed as the Ghost club made their leave, "a court case like this was definitely not like the games we've played. It's boring, slow, monotonous, and any type of drama is too melodramatic or ridiculous." She pulled out a small tea cup, some green tea powder, hot water, and a traditional wood mixer. She sighed as she mashed the mixer up and down, swirling the clear water and green powder within.

"But it's over. And we're still on the path on what we need to find."

"Speaking of which," First turned to two the two Yo-Kai behind them, Slitheref and Contrarioni. "We've got you to deal with."

"Us?" The two gulped,

"Not you Slitheref, you've been doing your job. So it's fair."

"Understandable." Slitheref sighed, "sometimes, matches don't always go 'fair'. Some try to twist the rules in hopes that they will gain happiness or victory from it."

"By the way, Slitheref, were there any other Yo-Kai apart from you?" Scootaloo asked as she carefully presented a hard-brewed cup of green tea to Tattletell. "Because I feel like Zoey and Lina's bossiness, as well as the Janitor's personal problems, wasn't... Willing."

"You are beginning to be quite perceptive of Yo-Kai without the Watch now." Slitheref replied, "I commend thee. Yes, there are two more Yo-Kai are currently with me. And like the onis you've met, there are two others that look exactly like me, hat and war-fan tail. Only with different colours. They're right next to me, so you might as well introduce yourselves to them."

"Sure thing," Scootaloo pulled out the watch and scanned the mentioned surroundings to reveal the palette-swapped snakes of dark scarlet and blue, their faces covered in complete guilt and defeat.

"The red one is Copperled." Slitheref introduced, "he's responsible for causing ponies to be bossy."

"Nice to meet you." First kindly greeted,

"The blue one is Cynake." Slitheref continued, "He's one for making ponies and Yo-Kai upset over every little or big thing, always trying to find fault in themselves or others."

"Hey, I felt like I was under that spell too back then at the library... Was I this depressed Whisper?"

"You definitely were." Whisper nodded in agreement.

"This is the second time that I have watched over a match that involved you two. I must say, I am impressed with your rules and understanding of a fair game. As a just victory, I will give my medal to you. Should you need a fair judge in a bout, you know who to call."

"Thanks, we are honoured!" Scootaloo bowed,

"and I believe that goes for you three as well." Slitheref replied, "you know yourself, that you had interfered in what was supposed to be a fair trial, and yet you use your Yo-Kai nature to extend this into further problems. What do you have to say?"

"Sorry, we'll give you our medals too." Cynake bowed,

"Don't worry." Scootaloo forgave, seeing Tattletell off drinking the tea. "Like you said, we were able to end this upon apologies on the matter. We're all cool now. Right First?"

"... Oh? Uh... Yeah..." First hastily replied,

"Is... Something bothering you?" Jibanyan asked,

"Possibly." First replied, "Or rather... Very likely..."

Author's Note

Befriended: Contrarioni, Slitheref, Cynake and Copperled!

Prologue: Sad Farewells

One day in the Castle of Canterlot, the Royal Court was having quite a ruckus regarding their land.

"Princess Celestia! What you are stating is absurd! There is no possibility that would happen!"

"Unfortunately Princess Twilight, some of the tourists beg to differ. I have no reason to doubt my subject's words."

"But dear sister... The sound of it is quite bizarre and impossible..."

"Ever since allowing the Neighponese to populate and build upon the once-barren land of Springdale in Idaho, these 'paranormal occurrences' started happening as soon as our Equestrians started visiting it, and the locals don't seem to mind."

"Auntie, are you trying to state that--"

"I strongly wish that this mysterious problem was not intentionally brought along by our foreign allies, but this needs to be investigated right away."

"In that case my Princesses, do you want me to round up some fine stallions for the job?"

"I have one in mind... Flash Sentry,"

"Princess Celestia! Why him!? I can't allow that!"

"With all due respect madam, Lieutenant Sentry, my right-hand stallion, is better off protecting Twi-- I mean the castle of Ponyville and its inhabitants."

"I understand your concerns Princess Twilight and Captain Armor. Flash's track record of service in Ponyville is exceptional that despite his overload of being 'serious and tight', he's made sure that Ponyville is completely devoid of criminal activity with flawless discretion. But that's why I think he's the best candidate."

"It's not just me you know..." Twilight pouted "he's got other reasons..."

After the meeting, Twilight handed the orange pegasus guard a confidential file in which he read immediately.

"Springdale, Idaho..." Flash read "I believe this is the location of my new assignment?"

"Yep, I'm sorry about this Flash..." Twilight sighed "... It's just not right! You're the only guard who's pulling his weight as well as everypony to keep our town safe! Ponyville needs you, the mares and Discord need you, I need you!!!"

"But if that's the case," Flash countered "why did you agree to this? Matters regarding different cities and towns needs the agreement of all Monarchs of the Royal Court, including the Captain. If your Highness really wants me to stay here, then this matter would be an impasse. Since you are giving it to me, it shows that you in fact DID agree."

"Ugh..." Twilight grumbled further in shame and sadness,

"Princess" Flash sighed "you can admit to me that my 'attitude' is becoming a hindrance to you and the others. And you already know that when I have been given an assignment directly from the Princesses and Captain, I do it. That which I will do right now."

"Stop it Flash!" Twilight yelled at his face "you can't just leave here without any other word! You can't be THAT emotionless!"

"I wasn't finished yet" Flash continued "while I may comply to the Monarchy's decision, do you remember the details and history from my file?"

"Uh..." Twilight pulled out her notes "Dreamy Cutebottom, Cheeseball..."

"What nonsense is that!?!?" Flash roared, frightening Twilight "is this the reason why I'm being sent away!?"

"S-Sorry!" Twilight apologised "that wasn't your actual details, It's just my comments. I swear!"

"Actually," Flash apologetically bowed "I should be the one to ask for your forgiveness. I should know better than to yell at a Princess."

"Oh..." Twilight remembered as she continued reading "that's right, you're an orphan with... Wait... Am I reading this correctly?"

"If I were to go..." Flash answered "they will be not allowed to legally stay in our household. Either they come along with me or they will go to... I dare not speak the name, and with either decision, they won't be very happy about it. A very important point on which I have reasons to object."

"Why am I knowing this for the first time?"

"The past and secrets of my family are only known to your Brother and is kept confidential."

"Seriously... I didn't know you have..."

"WHAT!?!?!?" Scootaloo yelled in horror "you're leaving big bro!?!?"

"But you've only been here for a year big bro!" First Base replied, "it's not fair that you have to leave again!"

"..." Flash closed his eyes bearing the yells of reason and rage from his younger siblings.

"Come on Flash!" Scootaloo cried "can you for once say no!?"

"No," Flash replied "there, I just said it"

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" Scootaloo roared,

"Seriously big bro, I may not be a hot head like big sis over here, but I'm just as unhappy. We've finally been reunited for Celestia knows how many years, and you have to leave again. Why?" First continued,

"I know this seems unfair for you. In fact, this is very unfair to us" Flash agreed "however, you do have a decision here. You could go back there again... Something which I will swear never to do again..." Scootaloo and First shuddered with painful flashbacks and memories.

"Or..." Flash continued "we go together..."

"Wait," Scootaloo calmed down "us? Go with you?"

"As a family."

"Are you nuts!?" The siblings raged simultaneously "that means we won't see our friends again!"

"You can always keep in touch with them! Just like you kept in touch with me through all these years."

"Even if that's true, our whole life is in Ponyville except for you, we can't just dally up and move away!" Scootaloo replied,

"Yes, but the life that we've known when we were young had been taken away from us before..." Flash sighed with remorse and grief, as did the siblings.

"Mom..." Scootaloo whimpered,

"Dad..." First cried,

"The last thing I ever want is to be separated from both of you or your friends ever again, and everypony would forever curse me including myself if you were to go back to that torturous hole of Tartarus. That's why I'm asking if you could come with me."

"..." The siblings fall silent,

"I know it's hard for you. Do you want me to choose for you?"

"No..." The sibilngs sighed "we'll... We'll go"

"Wh-Where are we going anyway?" First asked,

"Springdale, Idaho," Flash answered "perhaps you have heard of it's recent development?"

"Used to be much more barren than Appleloosa." Scootaloo replied, "but ever since the Neighponese were allowed to populate there, they've changed it into something extraordinary and out of this world. It is said that the majority of the housing there is just as amazing as Manehattan's and even Canterlot! There's also more advanced magic as I can tell."

"I've also heard lots about the Neighponese culture. They hold more festivals than Canterlot and Ponyville, and they all wear so many exotic clothes!" First added

"Yes, that is exactly where we'll be moving. However, what I am going to discuss next is very confidential. Can I trust you to keep your secrecy?"

"We've being doing it for so long when keeping our blood ties secret... Right?" Scootaloo replied,

"I have to go there because there has been these 'paranormal occurrences' happening in Springdale. They say that out-of-ordinary things are going around at day and night. Random outbreaks of emotions from multiple ponies, unexpected power outages, even ponies looking 'inspirited'. That's why I've been called to investigate."

"Sounds ominous..." First wondered "so are we helping?"

"Unfortunately no. The monarchy said that if you are to come along, they have arranged a household for us to live in, as well as for you two to go to a new school: Springdale Elementary." The siblings quivered,

"Don't worry, all the Neighponese ponies must have a knowledge of English language if they are to live in Equestria. That includes foals and fillies that are just as old as you are." Flash calmed, to which the siblings sighed.

"We're... We're really doing this Flash... Aren't we?" Scootaloo asked,

"Yes..." Flash opened his arms apologetically "yes we are..." With tears, the siblings embraced each other. "Don't worry, this house will stay here forever and ever."

At the station of the Friendship Express in Ponyville, familiar faces were present to say their farewells to the three ponies all packed up and ready to go. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Twist and even Silver Spoon came to say their goodbyes. First on the other hand, said his goodbyes to Button Mash, Rumble, Featherweight and Pipsqueak.

"Goodbye Scoots..." Applebloom embraced "we'll miss you..."

"Please don't forget us!" Sweetie added, "we'll never forget you either!"

"I'll always remember you two, and everypony in school!" Scootaloo replied,

"See ya First" Button sighed as he grasped First's hoof "I hope you'll be back again"

"Same" Rumble also shook his hand "I may not be from Cheerilee's school, but you've also been a great friend to me as well."

"You've all been great friends. I promise that I'll come back to see you all." First replied,

"Princess Twilight, Lady Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Master Spike and Discord. I shall take my leave."

"Stay safe Flash..." Twilight replied,

"And bring us back some souvenirs!" Pinkie added,

"Pinkie! Be serious!" Rarity rebuked "though... I am interested in their fashion..."

"You can send me a letter of your needs, and I'll make sure to reply back with your required items." Flash replied, "Scoots, First, are you ready?"

"Yes" The siblings replied as they boarded the train.

"Bye!!!" The numerous sounds of ponies called as the train departed for the long, awry trip to Springdale.

"Goodbye then, everypony... Ponyville..." Scootaloo wept as she fell into a deep sleep.

Chapter 3-3: Depressed, Dull and Distracted

"*Sigh*..." Scootaloo sighed as she sat with her younger brother on one of the benches in Triangle Park.

"What's wrong sis?"

"Nothing, just thinking about everypony back in Ponyville, as well as our house..."

"I know you want to go back as much as I do, but we don't have a choice around here." First sighed "even Big Bro wants to go back as well. You can tell right?"

"Yeah..." Scootaloo replied, "but the sooner this case is closed, the sooner we get home. So we gotta find those Yo-Kai!"

"Speaking of Yo-Kai," First noticed "Is it me or does our classmate Alex look completely different than what she was?"

"Huh?" Scootaloo looked at their cap-wearing classmate unhappily sitting on a swing, the look of on her face was more depressing that what Scoots herself was looking like.

"Deary me, it looks like she's still depressed over the game of tag,"

"That was yesterday at school remember?" First reminded "she still can't be that depressed about it"

"I don't think it's just her you know..." Scootaloo started looking around. All the fillies and foals they could see playing in the park were completely unhappy and depressed to even play with each other.

"Wow, why is Triangle Park such a depressing atmosphere today?" First asked,

"Didn't you just say it was a Yo-Kai?"

"Nonsense" Whisper suddenly spoke from behind, "everypony has an off-day, it just so happens that these bunch of Kids' off-day is today."

"Yeah, that doesn't sound convincing..." Scootaloo replied, "I might as well check it out"

"Oh please," Whisper shook his head at the naivety of the filly as she scanned the area with her watch. "There is absolutely no way that a single Yo-Kai would have the power to--"

"There!" First gasped, as Scootaloo uncovered a blue and yellow bird with two unhappy and depressed faces with one on top of it's neck and a creepier depressed face on it's body perched on top of the slide.

"It's not just her!" Scootaloo replied as the watch's radar alert was still ringing like crazy. The filly continued to move the searchlight and uncovered yet another Yo-Kai: What seems to be a fierce-looking head with arms and legs, giving home to a dull-looking head with only it's blue arms visible.

"What!?" Whisper gasped to his dismay.

"I'm afraid it isn't just a company, it's a crowd!" Scootaloo added as she then uncovered a third Yo-Kai, a mosquito with no legs, 2 arms with two sharp fingers on each hand, and wearing a red hoodie.

"B-B-But..." Whisper tried to find a counter argument,

"Told you so!" Scootaloo taunted,

"That doesn't matter anymore now." First reminded "look at how sad and depressed these Yo-Kai are!"

"Of course! The bird Yo-Kai over there is uh..." Whisper looked at his Yo-Kai Pad "Buhu! She's a Yo-Kai that can cause any sort of bad luck and the unhappiness that follows!"

"And the other ones?"

"His name is Dulluma" Whisper changed the page "he's a Yo-Kai that can slow ponies down and completely demotivate them to not even move a muscle at all! The last one is Negatibuzz. As his name suggests, he can nurture and transmit negativity to itself and other ponies and Yo-Kai. The combination of all these negative Yo-Kai is a very depressing result."

"... Are you reading it again?" Scootaloo picked up,

"N-Not at all!" Whisper denied "I have no idea what you're saying!"

"Let's just get this over with..." First sighed, "any ideas on how to deal with these three blokes?"

"Well" Whisper wondered "I'm afraid your guess is as good as mine... So why don't you go negotiate with them? We can call out our Yo-Kai friends to help too!"

"Sure thing, come on sis!" First encouraged,

"Actually, I think I'll stay and observe for now. Why don't you go talk to them first?" Scootaloo replied,

"Okay then..." First sighed as he stood up and strode over to the Bird. "Hey excuse me, can I talk to you for a second?"

"What? A pony can see me?" The bird raised her head, "oh goodness, is this the end of the Yo-Kai World? Well, it's not like my life as a Yo-Kai is any better..."

"Hey," First continued "what's with your distraction? Can you, you know... Stop it?"

"I'm really sorry about it, I really am," Buhu explained "but something's making me so tired that I'm unable to move from this spot... Not only that, I feel so negative too!" She lowered her head in further sadness "Why do I even exist? All I do is inspirit people and make them distracted and unhappy... Boo hoo hoo!"

"Argh..." First sighed, "I think I know who's making you feel that way, I'll talk to them..." He waved to Scootaloo, who lazily waved back with a yawn. First's next target was Dulluma, heading underneath the slide, he found the daruma slouched and dizzy.

"Hey um... Can I help you?"

"Nah..." Dulluma grumbled "I wish not to trouble you with my current lethargy problems, as it is my nature."

"I know that, but are you affected with anything else to stop your lethargic influence? Perhaps I can help..." First offered,

"Maybe..." Dulluma replied "Something's affecting me to be really negative and pessimistic about things, not to mention being very distracted most of the time!"

"Uhh..." First gulped as he realised the gravity and simplicity of the situation, "I'll be right back..." As he looked towards Scootaloo, the young filly was taking a nap, basking in the calm sunlight. Shrugging off the fact about his sister's lack of help, First turned to the Mosquito Yo-Kai.

"Excuse me, you look pretty down... Do you require any assistance?"

"Yes..." Negatibuzz buzzed "on second thoughts, probably not. So much is happening here, I'd rather just try and hide myself..."

"Well can't you just move somewhere else then?"

"Can't... I'm dull, exzzzzhausted and too depressed to move..." Negatibuzz wailed, First threw up his arms in despair.

"Great," he mumbled to himself "these three Yo-Kai are affecting everypony in the park, including each other! If only there was some way to get them out..."

"Hey First," Whisper called, "find anything good?"

"Yeah..." First growled in frustration "those three are affecting each other as well as the Yo-Kai"

"Sounds like a mess, I'd say we give up and go home..." Scootaloo sighed,

"Sister? It doesn't sound like you to give up so easily... And especially giving up the chance to go back home!"

"And leaving the entire playground unhappy?" Whisper added "it's a disheartening sight to experience should this aura spread,"

"I'm just not bothered anymore, it takes too much energy to help these Yo-Kai or even try to fly. What's the point? An endless number of Yo-Kai are always going to inspirit others, and I'll never be able to fly. I'd rather just spend the rest of my life in the middle of nowhere slacking off."

"Scoots, you're not helping here," a flame of anger sparked in First's mind.

"I know that, but YOU can help me. Can you get me a cold drink? Some Y-Cola would be nice..." She passed a few bits and cents to her brother which he angrily strode off to the nearest chilled drink vendor and inserted the money in. A chilled can with a red design plopped out of the hole below.

"The magic to keep juices like this chilled and in their optimal taste... It surely is amazing," First trotted back with the drink,

"You think?" Scootaloo laughed "this is Neighpon now, where in a whole different country where things can just be handed to us without even moving a muscle."

"That's it sis!" First bellowed "you're definitely not yourself! Give me that!" and he violently grasped the Yo-Kai Watch and pulled it off her neck.

"Hey!" Scootaloo whined as First aimed the watch at his sister. First's eyebrows arched in further anger when he unveils a small sword with some eyes, a rhombus-shaped mouth blends into the hilt's pattern, and a pair of hands and feet, and a very soft and bendy blade.

"Oh, you can see me? Great..." The sword sighed,

"Excuse me Mister Yo-Kai? I am currently not in the mood right now thanks to you inspiriting my older sister," First fixed an icy glare "If you don't stop inspiriting my sister by the minute--"

"Can't, too tired..." The sword interrupted "unless..."

"Unless what?" Whisper asked,

"My favourite food," The sword answered "give me that, and I'll owe you a favor,"

"At least you negotiate quickly... Deal" First agreed, "what's your desire?"

"It's this amazing light liquid kept in mysterious aluminium cans..." The Yo-Kai dreamed loudly "and these cans are kept in the most weirdest of vendors... You just insert the bits in, and hey presto! It comes out from the bottom! Oh, if I only had the money! It is painful that I could never access things like these due to being a Yo-Kai!"

"... Hey Whisper, do you know what he's talking about?" First asked,

"I'm not sure... Please don't glare at me like that... You're quite scary..."

"My apologies," Flash sighed as the Y-Cola continued giving off a cold air, until a sudden chill of realisation went up his spine.

"Hey Mister Yo-K-- umm... What is your name?"

"I am Cutta-Nah,"

"Okay, then Mister Nah..."

"Mate, that is a lame nickname,"

"Well you just have to live with it," First continued "if you want this," he held out the Y-Cola.

"Th-Th-That's!" Cutta-Nah's eyes widened and senses sharpened, "where did you get this heavenly drink?"

"You know where they are located. Only this time, I had the money."

"Gimme! Gimme!" Cutta-Nah's stood up feeling motivated,

"For a slacker, you sure are 'sharp'." First joked "anyway, you promised me a favor if I give you the drink,"

"Anything,"

"I want you to leave my sister alone and go inspirit somepony else, okay?"

"First!" Whisper gasped, "that's not nice to say to your classmate or the other foals!"

"I only came to Triangle Park to play with my sister, to cheer her up." First shamelessly confessed, "but all she's ever talked about is wanting to go back to Ponyville, which then leads her to worry about finding all of the Yo-Kai to solve our brother's case. Now, even Yo-Kai are affecting our emotions and behaviour... And all because of that watch, there is somepony always behind it. With all these never-ending troubles, I really think we should just forget the fact Yo-Kai like you exist in the first place."

"First..." Scootaloo spoke in a completely different tone. First turned around to see his older sister completely concerned and sad, "I'm sorry for my behaviour. Please don't say such things like that,"

"Sister?"

"You're right. I have been whining too much about going home and Yo-Kai" Scootaloo apologised "but it's our only hope of not only going home, but also helping Flash out."

"Sister, you have been inspirited, it's not your fault,"

"All Cutta-Nah ever did was inspirit me to slack off. The thoughts I harboured inside my head were real. I'm really sorry for what I've said." She held his hoof firmly "Let us both make a promise. A promise that we both will befriend as much Yo-Kai that is enough to quell or stop these Paranormal Occurrences completely. And if it affects other innocent lives including ours, then all the more to help them out. Every Yo-Kai we befriend is a step closer to closing the case and going home."

"..." First stayed silent, his head bent in frustration.

"And you too Whisper," Scootaloo turned "sorry that we've been neglecting you for the past two sub-chapters. We'll also promise you that we are going to do our best to find and befriend all the Yo-Kai possible. We won't let you down!!!"

"You... You guys!" Whisper cried, "I'm so proud to be your Butler!!!"

"..." First stood up without a word, and grabbed Cutta-Nah by the hilt,

"Woah! Mercy! Mercy!" Cutta-Nah surrendered,

"Listen well Mister Nah," First whispered, anger in his voice. "My favor is this, there is somepony or three I would like you to inspirit, those Yo-Kai if possible," he pointed at Dulluma, Buhu and Negatibuzz.

"S-Sure!" Cutta-Nah complied as he quickly ran over to the group and did his thing.

"Huh?"

"Eh?"

"What?" One-by-one, the Yo-Kai had the sudden urge to feel weary and lazy and slumped in a heap being complete slackers.

"Too much effort to be depressed," Buhu moaned,

"Too much effort to be dull," Dullma added,

"Too much effort to be negative!" Negatibuzz yelled "I had enough!" A few seconds later after the inspiriting, every foal and filly in the playground regained their consciousness and senses, feeling much better and more positive of themselves.

"Alex," First went to confront his classmate "are you alright? Are you still upset about yesterday?"

"I-I guess???" The Cap-wearing filly replied, "but... I shouldn't be hanging back on the past. I've got to work harder for upcoming challenges next time!" Fire flared in her eyes,

"Well, now isn't a time to give up. If you stumble and fall, it's all the more to get back up and work harder and harder. Glad to see you're back to your old self."

"Yeah," Alex nodded, "maybe I needed somepony to talk to me, thanks for your concern First."

"Well then!" Whisper watched, "guess that's case closed! Perhaps things will lighten up around here from now on!"

"Yeah," Scootaloo nodded, "I wish we had time to play, but I'm happy helping somepony out or to see you, my brother, helping somepony out. Let's go home." First nodded in agreement and they trotted back.

The next morning, Flash went to check the mail early in the morning and found four peculiar looking letters addressed to his younger siblings. Without a word, Flash knocked on the door of Scootaloo and First's bedroom.

"Yes?" Scootaloo answered the door,

"It appears that you have four messages directed to you," Flash announced "I hope it is nothing of concern,"

"Don't think there should be..." Scootaloo replied as she took the letters.

"Well?" Whisper floated towards the filly, "what is it?"

"Hmm..." Scootaloo skimmed through, "these look like thank you letters! If I can read the handwriting that is..."

"'Dear Siblings, I really didn't want to say this, but thank you for your concern yesterday. I guess I felt tired of being depressed for a short while with the interest of doing something else. Although that moment was never going to last, I guess this moment will be stuck in my mind for a long time in my spiritual existence. The moment you finish reading this message, it will disappear. We both really hate for this to happen, but we'll be seeing a each other a lot more often. Regards, Buhu'" And as promised, the letter exploded in a thick purple smoke, leaving behind a medal. Without haste, Scootaloo read the other three.

"'Dear Siblings, thank you for your efforts in trying to help me. I've realised how tiring it can be to be dull and immobilised, so I'll be less dull from now on and try to start moving more often. You guys are cool and lively. Here, you will recieve my medal once you've finished reading. Regards, Dulluma'" Once again, the letter exploded and a medal took its place as the smoke subsided,

"'Dear Siblings, I've found out how annoying I am to others when I became so negative. Normally I've been told to buzzzz off multiple times, but instead, you guyzzzz wanted to help me get over my negativity. With you guyzzzz around, I might smile for a change, but maybe I won't. Here, let's become friendzzzz, I don't know what I'd do without you. I just hope this message will reach the right adreszzz... Negatibuzz'"

"'Dear Siblings. First of all, I'd like to thank you for that Y-Cola that you've given me, I've haven't had that nourishment in a long time. I also apologise for inspiriting you Scootaloo and infuriating you as well First Base. I promise not to be much of a slacker next time if I can... Maybe not, I'll try to be sharp instead. Anyway, I'm not bothered to come and give you my gratitude in person, but I nearly thought that writing a letter would just be as tough. Would that make up for it? Anyway, I'm glad that I've managed to write this letter. Call me when you need me. Sincerely, Cutta-Nah'" And as the final two letters were read, they turned into medals with the puff of the purple smoke.

"Wow... I guess with effort and perseverance, it does come with it's own reward." Scootaloo smiled as she picked up the medals.

"Amazing! That's FOUR new Yo-Kai friends!" Whisper applauded, "did you hear that First Base?"

"Hmm???" First moaned as he slouched on his bead, "oh okay... Yay..."

"Are you feeling unwell?" Whisper asked,

"Nah... I'm not bothered to get out of bed today, too tired being angry yesterday. In fact, I don't feel like doing anything today."

"Are you being inspirited by Cutta-Nah?" Scootaloo joked,

"Nah..." First replied, attempting to go back to sleep by throwing the cover on himself "Not in the mood to be inspirited either,"

Chapter 5-2: Endless Flu bug fights

"Yawn..." Scootaloo yawned as she rested on her bed,

"If you're going to take a nap," First warned, "you'd better not snore."

"Oy!" Scootaloo snapped, "I do NOT snore!"

"Yes you do, you snored last night. Good thing I was in the middle of getting to sleep. Otherwise, I would be staying awake."

"Do you want to go bro?" Scootaloo jumped out of bed, her body in a fighting stance. "I'm well energised to fight!"

"Tough talk sis!" First laughed back as he returned with a different fighting stance. "And it's been a long time since I've got a different type of exercise rather than running around the pitch!"

"Seriously you two?" Whisper looked at his master and mistress with an appalled gasp, "must this really end in hoof combat?"

"Hey! Even Kabu and Kuwa wants to fight too!" Jibanyan spotted the pet beetles casually exited their cages and faced each other in yet another horn lockdown.

"Bring it on sis!" First taunted, "come at me with whatever fighting stance you can make up!"

"Look who's talking!" Scootaloo rebutted, and charged towards her brother, until a Flash rushed into the bedroom with a loud bang on the door, and pushed the siblings apart.

"There will be no fighting from both of you!" Flash bellowed as his hooves and legs stood strong against his siblings' strikes, "only Kabu and Kuwa are allowed to do that!"

"He started it!" Scootaloo was the first to relent, pointing a hoof at First.

"But you know it's true!" First replied, also relenting.

"The matter of snoring is too trivial and irrational to defend your claims through a hoof fight!" Flash replied, "so First, apologise to your sister!"

"Hmph!" First sighed, "sorry Sis. For pestering you about something that you pester me with all night!"

"Cut the trash talk First." Flash warned, "you have certain behaviours that are much more liable to trash talk than snoring."

"Yeah!" Scootloo laughed, "like you taking unnecessary long showers and excessive gum chewing too!"

"That does not give you the right to trash talk your brother either." Flash reminded, "if you two keep on being at each other's throats, both of you are going to get stressed with each other. It will lead to unnecessary bond-breaking, as well as illnesses!"

"..." The siblings stayed silent, still glaring at each other.

"If you guys want to cover up for the most annoying things that you do everyday, then go bug hunting around Springdale and Mt Wildwood and see which one can catch the biggest insect."

"Done!" The siblings replied unanimously and simultaneously,

"Both of you are really competitve to a fault." Flash chuckled,

"Heh..." Scootaloo grinned determinately "It's time for my revenge!"

"I'm gonna make you eat those words!"

"Honestly, can you stop taunting each other?" Flash replied, "I rather you'd wish good luck instead. May the best bug catcher win."

"On second thought," Scootaloo turned to her big brother, "what does bug catching have to do with our pet peeves against each other? It doesn't make sense when you... ou... aah... ACHOO!" A loud sneeze erupted from her mouth, spacing the two stallions away.

"That was sudden." Flash broke the silence, "bless you."

"Thanks big bro, but it feels rather force--ACHOO!" Scootaloo sneezed again,

"... Scoots?" Flash asked, with concern,

"Eww sis!" First replied, "at least cover your mouth when you sneeze!"

"Should I be saying that to you???" Flash then turned to his younger brother with concern, as a very long line of snot was hanging from his nose.

"What's with the look?" First asked back,

"Hmm..." Flash replied, "both of you aren't looking so well..."

"Wha--CHOO!" Scootaloo sneezed "are you talking about? I feel fine as a f-- *cough*." All of a sudden, Scootaloo started coughing too.

"Wow Scoots, you've got a cold AND a cough! Karma must be playing a nasty effect on you. Ugh..." As First continued laughing at his sister's sudden symptoms, he started to feel something pounding in his head, causing him a lot of uncomfort.

"Scoots? First?" Flash started to look at both of them, "looks like I spoke to soon. You guys really are unwell!"

"ACHOO! *Cough* ACHOO! *Cough*" Scootaloo hacked,

"Argh... My head... My nose..." First held his head while trying to deal with his runny nose.

"Sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, and a headache. It seems both of you have come down with a case of flu." Flash observed, "you know what that means."

"B-But!"

"Both of you need to take a rest now. No games, no junk food and most of all, no fighting." Flash replied, "I won't repeat myself. Please put aside whatever qualms you have with each other and focus on resting. If I hear you fighting with each other on this condition..." His face turned emotionless and ferocious.

"W-We understand bro." The siblings nodded,

"Thank you both," Flash returned to his emotionless and calm self, "get well soon." And he closed the door behind him. The moment he was heard trotting down the stairs, the siblings pushed their heads towards each other.

"This is all your fault sis" First growled, "first snoring, now your contagious yet fake flu? You know nothing better than to annoy me huh?"

"I swear to Celestia, it was not me!" Scootaloo replied, "and I feel fine! It was my mind and brain that was feeling funny. And if I was feeling like that, then you are too!"

"Likely story!" First scoffed, "now stop making all those excuses!"

"Will you two stop this nonsense rabble at once!?" Whisper called out, pushing Scoots away from First.

"Nyone of you are at fault here!" Jibanyan pushed First away from Scoots, "what Scoots said is true! Your mind is playing tricks on you! Is that what they call Placebo effect?"

"Excuse me?" First asked,

"Rather, somepony is actually affecting you, four of them."

"You're kidding me... Yo-Kai?"

"Yep! And I know those guys personally! I don't need the Yo-Kai Pad to find out who they are! Unlike somepony..."

"No idea what you're talking about..." Whisper feigned ignorance,

"Anyway, if you could be so kind Scoots, see for yourself." Jibanyan gestured. With another sneeze, Scoots pulled up her Watch and began scanning the room. Near the balcony window, four Yo-Kai silhouettes covered with black and purple mist were uncovered.

"Wow..." First noted as the mist from all four Yo-Kai were brushed away, leaving two ducks with long drips of snot coming out of each nostril and two floating spike balls that has mouths and an eye in the mouth. "You guys don't look any different."

"Well well!" The Mallard Duck Yo-Kai spoke. His voice sounded like an old man that still had a bit of a young tone in him. "It looks like we have been found out!"

"Cough cough..." The brown floating Yo-Kai coughed,

"Hey Duchoo! Coughkoff! And you too Snotsolong and Hurchin!" Jibanyan greeted,

'Amazin'!" The red-crowned crane Yo-Kai replied, "who knew we would see you here Jibanyan! So this is where you live?"

"Ugh..." The dark blue floating Yo-Kai moaned in pain.

"Whoa whoa whoa... First off, how do you know Jibanyan?" Scootaloo asked, "and second, what are you doing in our house?"

"We met Jibanyan during a Yo-Kai party two days ago." Duchoo answered, "we had a lot of fun together! And all safe fun too! Nothing too rash and rude to disrupt the Ponies."

"You'd hardly disrupt them at all." First reminded, "unless you're doing graffiti in the middle of the night, it may freak ponies out due to a levitating spray can."

"As for your second question," Snotsolong continued, "Coughkoff and Hurchin here aren't in good terms with each other. Their methods of fighting against each other requires them inspiriting anypony in order to give them the mind-tricking coughs and headaches."

"Coughs?" Scootaloo pricked up,

"Headaches?" First did the same,

"As for us, we were dragged along. Coughkoff wanted me to support his coughing with my cold, while Hurchin asked the same thing of Snotsolong on combining a very runny nose with headaches." Duchoo spoke,

"We didn't want to fight, but we couldn't let our friends get hurt, can we?" Snotsolong finished, "so we helped them out regardless."

"How long have you been doing this?" Scootaloo continued the questions,

"For the past week," Duchoo replied, "we've been going through different residential houses inspiriting those just to start a fight between enemies, which probably mostly ends up in a draw."

"Th-This..." Scootaloo started to tremble,

"Scoots?" First asked,

"This is RIDICULOUS!" Scootaloo yelled,

"Shh!!!" Whisper and Jibanyan hurriedly shushed, "don't give your Older brother the wrong idea!"

"Why must your hatred with each other be expressed in great levels that innocent ponies had to get-ACHOO! Involved?" Scootaloo rasped as quiet as she everypony could hear her in the room.

"Cough Cough..." Coughkoff coughed as he hesitantly floated back,

"Urgh..." Hurchin groaned did the same,

"They said that Yo-Kai are not seen by the naked Pony eye. In that thinking, ponies wouldn't mind if they feel a bit sick! It's not even real anyway." Jibanyan translated,

"That's hard to say when a pony was fooled by your inspiriting. And he's a Guard!" First replied, a drop of snot beginning to extend from his nose

"Why are you-ACHOO! Fighting anyway?" Scootaloo questioned,

"Urgh, Urgh Urgh..." Hurchin groaned with different types of tones in order to express his emotion.

"Hurchin says that he's always been compared and mistaken for Coughkoff a lot, despite the different colours. And throughout his existence as a Yo-Kai, he is getting tired of it."

"Cough cough cough..." Coughkoff coughed his part,

"Apparently, Coughkoff doesn't return the feeling, and he didn't understand why he was getting so much hate from a Yo-Kai who was identical in shape and different in colour."

"And so, you just went with the flow, fighting back." First theorised,

"Cough!" Coughkoff nodded,

"Hmm..." Scootaloo thought real hard, then came to a decision.

"First, let's call a temporary truce for now. Okay?" Scootaloo offered a hoof, "I'm in no mood to fight if we-ACHOO! Are 'sick' and are dealing with the Yo-Kai responsible."

"Truce." First shook her hoof, "besides, once this is all over, we can fight properly with no holds barred."

"Wonderful!" Scootaloo and First turned to the crowd, "now let's show them how pointless fighting is due to similarity!"

"Look who's talking..." Jibanyan whispered to Whisper,

"I've seen plenty of Yo-Kai that have palette swaps of each other. There's Leadoni and Mynimo, Heheheel and his friends though I've never seen them. I'd even say the country brothers are too!"

"Huh, now that you mention it." Duchoo realised, "don't we look alike as well?" He turned to Snotsolong,

"You're quite right there!" Snotsolong nodded, "You look like me, and I look like you! Only different colours. We have the same body shape, same eyes and same length of our snot!"

"E-Exactly!" First continued, "Just because you look identical, it doesn't mean you have to become strong enemies! I'm not saying you have to like each other, but at least stop fighting or inspiriting others!"

"In fact, nearly most of the ponies also look identical with others despite different colour swaps. Before Princess Twilight became an Alicorn-ACHOO!, She was very identical to another pony named Lovestruck. In fact, she also looks identical to her mother Mrs Velvet!"

"COUGH!!!" Coughkoff coughed loudly,

"He says SILENCE!!!" Jibanyan translated, Coughkoff turned to Hurchin and began speaking,

"Cough Cough Cough Cough, Cough Cough Cough..."

"Urgh..."

"Cough Cough Cough Cough. Cough COUGH Cough!"

"Urgh?"

"Cough," He gestured towards the siblings "cough cough cough, cough cough."

"Urgh"

"Cough cough?"

"... Urgh" Hurchin nodded, "Urgh, Urgh Urgh!"

"Cough." Coughkoff nodded back,

"Umm..." Scootaloo spoke up, "I don't mean to sound rude, but can I understand what is happening throughout the pains and groans?"

"To put it simply, Coughkoff still has no idea what Hurchin's beef with him is all about. But then, he swears that this fighting should stop, and if that's impossible, to put inspiriting Ponies out of the question. Hurchin may still not like him and he still won't stop fighting with him, but he understands, as does he. Perhaps Coughkoff and Hurchin may clear misunderstandings as time goes by!"

"Cough!?"

"Urgh!?"

"Did you make that up?" First asked, the snot dripping down from his nose,

"... For a very long time, they may come to an understanding where they won't fight anymore."

"In that case," Duchoo put a wing on Coughkoff's body, "we'll do the best we can to help both of you."

"As friends!" Snotsolong finished the sentence as he put a wing on Hurchin's body.

"Cough" Coughkoff looked at Hurchin,

"Urgh" Hurchin returned the same stare,

"Thanks for your help today young foals." Duchoo thanked, "thanks to your explanation, we'll also try our best as friends to stop fights rather than support it."

"Here," Snotstolong stretched his wing out, a medal on it. "How bout all four of us be friends with you too?"

"Good idea!" Duchoo placed his medal on Snotsolong's wing,

"Cough!" Coughkoff coughed out his medal, landing neatly on Snotsolong's wing.

"Urgh!" Hurchin knocked himself against a wall then floated over Snotsolong's wing. Opening his mouth, he dropped his medal onto the wing, making a total of four.

"Thanks you guys!" Scootaloo accepted them, "It's great to become friends with you too! And if you still have any problems, feel free to call us!"

"Sure thing! See you!" Duchoo, Snotsolong, Hurchin and Coughkoff flew out of the window, waving goodbye.

"Hmm, how can Duchoo and Snotsolong fly freely? I fear those long snot of theirs would weigh them down!" First asked,

"Yo-Kai anatomy, let's not question their logic." Scootaloo replied, then realised something. "Hey! I'm not sneezing anymore!"

"Oh right!" First felt his nose, "No more runny nose too!"

"Great!" Scootaloo smiled, then glared at her brother, "Truce broken!"

"Gladly!!!" First glared back, pulling out another fighting stance.

"I'm going to prove to you that I don't snore! And I'll use my hooves if I have to!" Scootaloo put on another fighting stance,

"Stop it you two!" Whisper butted in as he and Jibanyan held them back once more. "What happened to your words when you were talking with them?"

"This is something different," First replied, "stay out of this!"

"No!" Jibanyan replied, "you guys are our friends! Not hypocrites!"

"I!" Scootaloo spoke, until she starts to feel dizzy. "I... I... I'm gonna..."

"Argh..." First also started feeling dizzy and heavy,

"I... Actually don't feel so well now." Scootaloo spoke,

"My nose... It's so cold..." First expressed his symptoms through words.

"Hmm..." Whisper looked at his masters, then placed a thermometer in each.

"Oh no..." Scootaloo moaned,

"Don't tell me..." First spoke,

"Yep!" Whisper pulled the thermometers out. "Both of you are sick. For real!"

"Oh come on! That's rubbish! I can fight..." Scootaloo expelled a very nasty and cough, where everypony could hear the phlegm and tightness inside her throat. "Actually... I really can't fight..."

"Me... Me neither..." First Base sniffed, his nose incredibly blocked and runny. "You know what? I'd rather go to bed now."

"Same..." Scootaloo sighed as she stumbled into her bed, "I surrender, you win..."

"Naw..." First did the same, "I did nothing either, you take the victory this time... Get well soon dear sister..."

"You too dear brother." Scootaloo moaned as she tucked herself into bed, where she fell to sleep immediately. First did the same and no sooner were the siblings sleeping peacefully in the hopes to get better.

"Oh the irony of today's situation!" Whisper laughed, "maybe fighting really is unhealthy for the body... Except for you Kabu and Kuwa." All of a sudden, a loud snoring can be heard, turning to the source of the sound, it was none other than Scootaloo herself.

"Nyo way!" Jibanyan covered his ears in agonising pain, "First was right! Scoots does snore after all!"

"Rgh! How am I supposed to sleep now!?" Whisper growled with anger, "that's it Scoots! When you wake up, it's going to be war!"

Author's Note

New Yo-Kai joined:
Komasan and Komajiro (Last chapter)
Snotsolong, Duchoo, Coughkoff and Hurchin (This Chapter)

Chapter 7-5: Something Precious (The Aftermath)

Two young foals lay asleep upon a smooth bench top, a calm wind lulling them with it's breeze. The sound of chirping birds humming a tune politely disturbed the slumbering mind of the foal, causing him to open his eyes.

"Guh... Huh! What? Where now?" First sat up, desperately looking around for any oncoming threats. All around him, there was no dark or looming creature to be seen, or rather, there was no longer a blue ghostly atmosphere. Just clear blue skies, green calm hills, pretty flower beds, and the orange filly beside him, who's snores shatter the peaceful atmosphere.

"For the love of Luna Scoots," First sighed in disappointment, nudging his sister, "you really need to stop snoring. Wait..." Turning back to his sleeping sister once again, First couldn't believe what he saw and felt once again. His sister, with four legs, her small wings, her tail, her body completely physical instead of ghostly, sleeping peacefully in the calm winds.

"Scoots!" First exclaimed, "OH MY CELESTIA!!!" He shook his sister back and forth with tears of joy, "you're alive! You're back in your body!"

"Ugh stop shaking me First..." Scootaloo grumbled, "Five more minutes... And I'm not snoring." She took a deep yawn as she stretched her legs.

"Wait..." Scootaloo halted her stretch, "I can't feel my claws anymor-- A HOOF!" Scootaloo yelled as she jumped up in shock, "my face! My colour, my legs!"

"Welcome back to your corporeal body sis." First tightly hugged his sister, "I missed you so much..."

"O-Okay then... I h-honestly thought I was dead back then... Now can you get off me?" Scootaloo gasped, First's grip squeezing the air out of her.

"Sorry." First relented with an apology, "guess I'm still an attached annoyance to you huh?"

"Not really." Scootaloo smiled as she checked her mane and hair, "but it's strange. How did I get my body back?"

"I don't know either. Can I check something?" First asked, ruffling through his sister's head. A big ugly scar and scalp replaced the spot where the red river once flowed, the wound which cost the filly her life.

"Well? What happened there?"

"It's what killed you back then. There's a big scar on it."

"Ah don't worry, I'll tell Flash it was an accident. Maybe we'll talk about how I got back into my body later. Where are we?"

"Hmm..." First looked around, "it looks really peaceful, but I've never seen anything like this in Springdale, unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Oh no..." First stopped his track of thinking, "this place. This place! This isn't Springdale at all! Scoots, look over there!"

"Where?" Scootaloo pointed towards the direction of First's finger, and gasped loudly when she saw a familiar house nestled upon a top of a tree, safely fenced in, and a ladder leading to it's entrance.

"The tree house of the Cutie Mark Crusaders." First replied, "we're back in Ponyville. And it doesn't look like we're in the trial any longer!"

"Come on!" Scootaloo grabbed First's hand, "why don't we go in? Maybe we can find Sweetie and Applebloom!"

"No fair! When can I visit MY friends?"

"Because Button and Pipsqueak do not visit the tree house frequently, as well as not being crusaders, and Rumble lives in Cloudsale!" Scootaloo answered,

"Okay okay, point taken, let's go." First sighed as they climbed their way into the entrance.

Disappointed that there were no fillies to welcome their presence into the tree house, the siblings were definitely not unaware of a new presence: A purple mirror looking exactly like Mirapo, hanging at the end of the one-room hallway.

"Did you decorate the tree house before you left?" First asked,

"Not at all..." Scootaloo replied as they trotted up close to peer at the mirror, their reflection peering back. "It looks like Mirapo. You think the trial is over?"

"Scoots!" A southern voice called from behind. The siblings stared in disbelief when two fillies trotted up to them, staring at the mirror like they are, "It's good to see you again!"

"Applebloom! Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo turned around ready to embrace their best friends, only to find out that no one was standing behind them.

"But how?" Scooaloo asked as she turned back to the mirror, her two best friends continuing to smile at them. With another three foals joining in the picture.

"Long time no see pal." Button mashed waved,

"How have you been?" Rumble asked,

"We're doing great!" Pipsqueak replied,

"What's going on here, how are we talking to you, when you're not here, and only on the mirror?" Scootaloo demanded, a look of confusion.

"You seem really discouraged Scoots, what happened?" Applebloom asked,

"It's... It's nothing..."

"You're our best friend! Why must we be kept secret of the pain you've gone through?" Sweetie Belle replied, "after all, you've sent us so many letters about you and your brothers in Springdale, it would be unfair for us not to talk!"

"It's a long way between Ponyville and Springdale, but let me tell you right now, how much we've been through ever since you've left us." Rumble replied,

"It's very lonely." Button explained, "very lonely."

"You're always lonely Button..." First replied, "staying in your room all day playing games."

"Why don't you come out and hang with us for a change? Instead of visiting the arcades most of the time." Pipsqueak asked, with the group laughing away,

"Whatever," Button snapped, "the thing is, we normally thought that going to Springdale would be a pain for you, that you would miss your entire life here in Ponyville, you would miss us all."

"But to tell you the truth," Rumble continued, "I think it's us missing you guys, hoping that one day you'll clear whatever job your brother has, and that you'll come back to us."

"We did feel jealous seeing you spending time with your new friends as you've shown us with your letters and photos." Sweetie Belle replied, "I wish that I could join you."

"But there were a few things that yer letter also told us to do." Applebloom replied, pulling out a recent parchment that Scootaloo sent just two days ago, "y'all kept on sayin' that you've always been thinking back upon our memories since we first met and formed the CMC, travellin' and doing lots of crazy stuff together, and that's what's pullin' you through Springdale, and how you've managed to make new friends because of it. Not to mention rootin' fer us to continue our lives with yourselves in mind."

"I guess maybe all that soldier code and moral things are actually helpful for something." Pipsqueak replied, "maybe the guards that we know miss their best friends and family too."

"Oh you wouldn't believe it." Scootaloo replied, "you're pretty much talking about our older brother right now."

"So we thought that we should return the same message back to you, should you ever fall in trouble." Button Mash replied,

"You guys..." First spoke,

"Like you guys, we'll be sure to remember the times we've spent together as good friends." Rumble spoke, "and like you guys, we should also root for you too! So go for it! Face every adversity that you encounter, and think of us!"

"No matter where you are, we've got your back." Button spoke,

"My spirit shall be with you always! In life or even in death!" Pipsqueak vowed,

"Yer mah best friend Scootaloo." Applebloom replied, "ah feel guilty fer not writin to you after all you've written to us. Shows me how much ya love us."

"So whatever you do Scoots, don't lose faith!" Sweeite Belle encouraged, "whatever you're doing in your missions, I want you to help your brother in the best way possible! I believe that you and your brother can do it!"

"No matter where you guys go." Pipsqueak spoke, as the images of themselves began fading away, though all managing to put their hooves upon the siblings' shoulders, "We'll always back you up! Best friends for eternity, in this life, and where ever we go after that!"

"Scoots!" Another familiar pony galloped up to the mirror, "my goodness, thank Celestia and Tsukuyomi that I was able to talk to you!"

"Nate!" The siblings gasped at the sight of their red-shirt wearing friend, "how could you... How did you get to Ponyville?"

"So glad that we're able to catch up!" Three other foals caught up. One big earth pony, one headphone wearing unicorn, and light pink unicorn with a white jacket, galloping up to meet them.

"Katie, Eddie and Bear too." First added,

"Don't forget us!" A few more ponies galloped up,

"And Alex, Sarah, Meg and Lucas."

"Hey listen, there's been something I've been meaning to tell you all this time." Nate started, "I'm not sure if I've repeated myself, but I just want to let you know, how lucky I've been to be your next door neighbour, a classmate, and your best friend thereafter. Especially at tough times with your family, and the case you've been following."

"I wish I could be of help to you as you were to us." Katie added, "I know I'm not like your friends back home in Ponyville, and I know that I'm not a good replacement for them either, but let me just say how happy I am to have met you. Spending so much time with you guys, it makes me feel welcome here in Equestria, and I hope that one day, I can step out of Springdale one day, hoping that I can meet many ponies like you."

"Listen, I don't know how it feels to leave your friends behind, especially when moving to an unfamiliar place." Bear started, "without meeting you, I never knew how lucky I am honestly, to have my friends move with me to Equestria together. Listen you two, I don't want this discouraging you, I want to be a good friend like the friends you have back at your home!"

"Exactly." Eddie replied, "and if things do get out of hand for you, please know that we've got your moral support. I mean, being with you in 'spirit' is not going to help at all, but support and motivation is the best I can do, for wherever you go."

"If there's something you should know," Alex jumped in, "is that I would have felt very worse had it not been for the time we met in the Triangle Park. Ever since becoming friends, I've been really learning more about Equestria thanks to you, and it's also thanks to you that I should never give up. I think I should tell you the same!"

"You're a courageous duo you know." Sarah added her remarks, "I've never seen anypony like that. I'm glad that I've met both of you. It's certainly interesting to have foreign friends, but I'm honoured to see that they've been caring."

"I've always found interest in a lot of things. Mysteries, Idols, especially more so since I want to be an Idol myself. The most interesting thing however, was meeting you and with you introducing me to the wide world of Equestria. I've never been so excited to learn all about your culture, but I could have never done it without you. I know it sounds like I'm just using you, but I can't think of anything better than the reasons why I wanted to become friends. Maybe it was the time where we had fun cleaning the park. But regardless, it was fun! And I'm happy to meet somepony popular like you!"

"I've never met a friend like you before." Lucas was the last to speak, "in fact, nopony ever wanted to be my friend because they always thought me as weird. But thanks to you, I've realised that I've got it wrong the whole time. I was my own enemy into thinking that I could never make friends, even with my own fellow classmates. I want to be a friend like you, giving you support. So that's what I'll do! I know that your past can be painful sometimes, but I also know that you can fight through it, be it shame, embarrassment or pain, I will never think of you in anyway but a very strong friend that will have my support as long as I live!"

"Don't get discouraged," Meg replied

"Don't give up hope!" Sarah rooted,

"We'll be there for you!" Alex spoke,

"We believe in you." Katie, Eddie and Bear spoke together,

"I believe in you." Nate finished, as they too, began to fade from view. "I happy that I can share with you, a life that is never normal."

"Why hello there!" An image of Whisper popped up,

"Hey guys! How are you doing?" Jibanyan waved,

"Our Yo-Kai buddies." Scootaloo spoke as a giant horde of very familiar Yo-Kai approached the mirror. One by one, the current,
The image was then replaced by Springdale Friends. Who they too, shared their feelings and motivation, with the same words of fighting your past incidents.

Fifty-Five different Yo-Kai stood in a circle surrounding the siblings in the mirror's reflection, congratulating and praising them for their very strong endeavours through their trial, and gave them their blessings and protection in the future trials wherever they trot next:

Ake, Dazzabel, Heheheel, Undy, Darumacho, Buhu, Moskevil, Cutta-Nah-Nah, Hungramps, Wantston, Grubsnitch, Cadable, Droplette and Slush, Happiere and Dismarelda, Wiglin, Steppa and Rhyth, Leadoni and Mynimo, Komasan and Komajiro, Duchoo and Snotsolong, Hurchin and Coughkoff, Shmoopie and Cupistol, Noway, Blowkade and Ledballoon, Illoo and Elloo, Helmsman, Manjimutt, Roughraff, Peckpocket, Blazion and Quaken, Betterfly, Supicioni and Tantroni, Babblong, Tattletell, Dwanna, Lafalotta, Wazzat and Dummkap, Signibble, Frostina, Tanbo, Castelius III and Fishpicable.

The siblings couldn't believe how much they have progressed through their ever growing friendship with the souls of the departed, as well as how much they care for two ponies still living in this world.

"Thank you..." Scootaloo smiled, "thank you all... Thanks for showing and reminding us, how important we are to you... Because it reminds us that becoming friends with you, led us to perform so many things that we would never think of doing when we first started."

"It has always been an honour." Whisper bowed, "being your butler. Though someday we may part through the passage of time, I will stay by your side, most of the time."

"You've travelled very far in the path you've chosen." Jibanyan replied as he, Whisper and the many Yo-Kai allies began to fade like the previous groups, "but you've still got a long way to go. And as ponies that choose to co-exist with Yo-Kai as friends, will walk with you."

The siblings began to shed a tear as the disappearing Yo-Kai continued saying their goodbyes and good lucks until they were gone completely.

"No way..." The siblings gasped at their next visitor in the mirror.

"Scootaloo... First Base..." Flash greeted with a bow, "I don't know how to describe this, ever since you've told me that you wanted to assist me in the case of the supernatural, I've been feeling nothing but painful and shameful guilt."

"Big bro?"

"I always still thought of you as little siblings that needed the utmost protection, protection from the horrors of war, the things I had to go through to keep the three of us alive. I've just been shown on how foolish I am to think that." Flash bowed his head in disgrace, "A fool to have taken you with me to Springdale, when you had your entire life and joy in Ponyville, a fool to think that you'd be the same siblings I knew from back when we were together, a fool to leave you for the Crystal Empire..."

"No..." Scootaloo touched the mirror, "that's not true at all..."

"I'm sorry..." Flash sobbed, tears streaming from his eyes. "They say that when Royal Guards cry, it is liquid pride, a sense of honour, how proud you are for somepony. I feel nothing of the sort. One accursed mistake after another, and every thing I've done to myself and you, are hounding me to the bitter ends of regret. I don't know how many times to say that I'm sorry, for leaving you, for taking you away, for not being an older brother, for not being the Flash that I used to be... I've lost everything. "

"Flash..." First began to cry, Scootaloo too.

"But... Let tell you one thing, in hopes that it can ease you, or at least myself." He looked back to his siblings in the most sorrowful and tearful state that their brother's ever been. "When I gave you the choice to come to Springdale with me or not, I really hoped that you would come with me. One, I never wanted you to go to that dreaded and damnable place anymore. I've seen what I does, and how tortured you are when I first came back. And Two, I wanted the three of us to become a family once again, to repair what I have broken, or at least start over a new leaf. Being a Lieutenant in the Royal Guard holds nothing precious for me anymore. Though I still have devotion to Shining, I need to give a bigger devotion to both of you. Because I love you, I've always loved you, even when we're apart. Even when I've been sending emotionless reports. As a Royal Guard, my solemn duty is to protect Equestria and their beloved rulers, with my own life if I have to. On the other hand, that would be betraying the most important duty that I have just remembered when it should never be forgotten, protecting what's left of our family, especially both of you."

"..." The siblings listened with heavy sympathy in their hearts, unsure on what they could say.

"But I guess I'm a fool in thinking that I needed to protect you from now on." Flash sarcastically laughed, "look how much you've grown. You've become braver, stronger, a far better fighter than I'll ever be. Because of you working together, you've managed to dive into the case assigned to me, and gone even further to uncover the mysteries within. It shows me how much you have loved your home, our home. It would have been a grim end for me if you never came along. I am fully in your debt."

The next move, Flash stood firm as a Guard, regaining his serious face, and saluted with all his might. "If there can be anything I can do to redeem myself after all I've done to you, it is this. Your mission regarding the Supernatural, your ways to build a friendship with them, as did the Princess and Ladies of Ponyville to their former enemies, I will support you with all my might. What you've learnt as a soldier and as a survivor, I hope you have used these teachings to the fullest if it's the least I can do. And don't be discouraged if you've fallen halfway, or pushed back with terror. As a Royal Guard serving in a war, I too have suffered the pain and horror of events that haunts me till this day. The death of our parents, the ferocity of the enemy. And the sadness of all the sacrifices that has transpired in order to make the world what it is."

"Of... Of course!" First smiled as he saluted back,

"And one final reason why I will support you." Flash continued, his image starting to fade, "I may have said it before, but I'll say it again. I love you. I love you to the fullest, I should have loved you properly before I left for the Crystal Empire, and I hope that you will forgive me for realising this mistake as of now."

"Big Brother..." Scootaloo saluted as their brother disappeared from view. "You have no idea... How much pain we've been through... If it weren't for you. There are things that we owe you as well, even throughout life." She saluted back,

"But that can wait once we fully meet again." First finished, also giving a salute.

But the biggest and last surprise, was the final duo of ponies, that the siblings would have never expected in their lives at all, trotting over to the mirror to give their wonderful regards as the other did before them, two ponies that were the most important in the siblings' life.

"Hello..." A Pegasus mare of brilliant red colour slowly bowed, her glistening and luscious mane of pinkish-purple, gracefully flowing through the air. Opening her purple eyes to meet the siblings eye to eye, after a very, very long time. "My children."

"No... Impossible..." Scootaloo's eyes widened, tears began forming immediately. "Is that really you Mother?"

"A pleasant day to you fine young chaps." The other pony saluted firmly. It was an Earth pony of brilliant yellow, a blue spiky mane similar to Flash, and with ferocious sideburns and beard as his facial features. "I'd hope you'd have grown into somepony strong."

"Father... Dad!" First blurted out, tears streaming from his eyes too.

"This is certainly a predicament." Scarlet chuckled, "to think that I would give birth to two of the most brightest ponies I've known."

"Our own flesh and blood my dear." Ayuvir added, "truly the most sacred gift for a couple."

"Indeed..." Scarlet nodded, a tear rolling down her eye, "but it was a tragedy, that you were unable to see them grow up and observe the path that they trot."

"Life is unpredictable." Ayuvir bowed apologetically, "especially when you are a Guard serving the war. After many years of surviving through mud, murder, and terror, I met the grim fate which many ponies hold fear of, a week after the news of a daughter and son. The cruelness of irony."

"I wish things weren't this way my beloved." Scarlet continued, "your death upon the field, the loss of a husband, and the children without a father. Even worse..." She turned to the children, "I have paid my debt in the most shameful way possible, a broken heart that yearned for her late husband. The pain and anguish she went through as she took care of her fatherless children. I was so pathetic and disgusted with myself, to allow my children to see me, the Crimson Rapier, as weak as a training dummy."

"Mom... Dad..." The siblings cried, holding the mirror, eager to lay hooves upon their parents, but futile as all they could feel was the cold reflective surface on the mirror.

"I was only with you two for one month." Scarlet continued, "a time like this is far too little for a parent to spend time with her little ones. Not to mention how pathetic and tearful I was for those three weeks. I was afraid that you would get the wrong idea that I did not care for you, as you were too young to experience such loss. Then again, you probably would have when I died, as you three became orphans. But I've always wanted to let you know, wishing that I could speak my mind someday."

"I love you my children. I wanted to see you grow, what you become in the future, I wanted to see where life would take you, as it has to us. I want to see you become what you want. The road you have taken. Had it not for these series of unfortunate events, I would have made sure that you were able to achieve your hopes and dreams. That is the only regret I have, as a pony and as a mother."

"I was happy to learn that I had two new children," Ayuvir spoke, "it was all the more important to protect the land of Equestria and their inhabitants all for you." He placed his hoof to his heart, "Sure, I'd miss seeing my beautiful wife once more, I'd miss seeing little Flash jump and try to hug me around my neck and shoulders with that tough grip and electrifying warm embrace, I'd also miss the chance of meeting my new to children for the first time, but I have no regrets. Even if I fell in the fields of war, I fell knowing that I was content with my life as a living pony."

"Mom..." Scootaloo winced, her face completely full of tears now. "Dad... Please!"

"I know that when we'll be gone, thinking about me and your father would bring sadness to the three of you." Scarlet turned back to her children. I implore you, please don't cry, you've got a big life to live for, and I'm sure that the three of you can overcome the mightiest of adversities and sad times, as long as you three are together, and are in a deep connection with each other, and as well as connections of the many friends that I hope you'll make along the way."

" 'A Pony must stand strong in the face of adversity, but not for glory or honour.' " Ayuvir quoted, striking his heart once again, " 'It is for loyalty and love, for our friends, family, and that is what fuels our drive to protect our lands and ponies for those who wish it harm' "

"If there was one chance that I could say something to you," Scarlet finished, her image beginning to fade, "I want both of you to grow big and strong, take care of your stubborn big brother, make lots and lots of friends, don't be picky with your food, and the most important of all, live life long and happy in this mysterious strange world. I love you my dears."

"As do I." Ayuvir bowed, his image fading too, "may we one day meet in person. Be it this life or the next. As of now, I'll be watching over you from above."

"Farewell..." Their voices echoed through the sky as their forms disappear once again. "Scootaloo, First Base, our lovely children."

"..." Scootaloo wiped her tearful eyes, a smile upon her face,

"*Sniff*" First sniffed, sucking up his dripping hot nose.

"Thank you Mum... Dad..." Scootaloo cried, joy in her voice.

"Farewell... Mom... Dad..." First finished, "... For believing in us... Our loving parents..." With the siblings gazing upon the mirror with bittersweet memories, the glass lit up a bright light, engulfing the siblings, ready to complete the trial, for good.

"Congratulations you two." Mirapo greeted them as the siblings, Whisper and Jibanyan opened their eyes to see the Gourd Pond and Museum around them. Life returned to it's noisy yet populated atmosphere. "You've completed the trial. I am truly inspired on how you've ploughed through with each other and your Yo-Kai friends. So are you feeling any better?"

"I can still imagine the dreadful anguish, but nopony wants to imagine how they would die in a Yo-Kai's hands." Scootaloo replied,

"But yes. I'm ready to move on from my fear." First replied, "and I know what to do from here on out."

'Well done you two!" Whisper congratulated, "you got through unscathed!"

"Actually couldn't have done it without both of you to be fair." First answered back with a smile,

"We work together, we die together." Jibanyan saluted,

"But we've still got some unanswered questions Mirapo." Scootaloo replied, "two important things. I died near the end of the trial, and yet I found myself back in my original form once again. What happened?"

"A very brave sacrifice, made by the bravest Yo-Kai I've seen, and a sacrifice that has not been in vain." Mirapo answered, "you may not have understood what transpired, but your friend Mochismo is more powerful than you might have thought. Leaving enough power in his wilting soul for Dulluma to consume and become Darumacho, he the rest of his fleeting life force, hoping that his other energy is enough to save you from your incoporeal fate."

"You mean that blue flame within my Yo-Kai body?" Scootaloo gasped, peering at the location where her heart was, no hole to be seen.

"It also involved a lot upon you. Though you claim that you had a powerful advantage as a Yo-Kai, which believe me, you actually do, the soul within you, your true decision, decided that trading your material life to become a Yo-Kai with fearsome powers, was out of the question. I can assume that you had the feelings of your experiences and your friends from both near and far, as well as your family, alive or passed on, to balance out your decision. Your resolve and decision was enough for Mochismo's power to bring you back to life. It could be just barely, but it worked, and not once in Yo-Kai history, have I seen a Yo-Kai turn back into the living."

"Then I'm truly blessed." Scootaloo replied as she looked to the skies with a prayer, "thank you Mochismo, thank you for being a friend till the bitter end. Thank you for bringing me back to life in trade of your own. Words cannot describe how much I owe you. Don't worry, your words and powers of bravery and courage will continue on in Darumacho. Your soul and willpower will live on in him and us."

"Now the Second question." First asked, "Everything regarding the finale of this trial. Ponyville, the treehouse, all of our friends, not to mention our family, two thirds of them no longer living in this world, what was that?"

"That, was a special reward from me." Mirapo replied, "as I reflect your memories and past back to you, I've observed more than just your trial with Yo-Kai, but your entire life before that." He bowed in repentance, "my apologies regarding privacy, and my condolences for your parents."

"It's alright." Scootaloo answered, "but what about them?"

"A mirror reflects those who gaze onto it. It may be just a physical image, while some may poetically interpret it as spiritual or psychological and all that. My power of that being a mirror is to reach out and reflect upon others. I was able to look upon the reflection of ponies and figures that you have a deep connection with, and what I have shown you in the mirror, are the unspoken and unheard feelings dwelling from within your friends, from the day you met till now."

"So this wasn't a ploy to make us feel better." First nodded,

"Exactly. This is what they truly think about you, whoever they are, wherever they are. And if you want to know why your parents are there, when they have already left this realm... These are their memories when they were still living. To be specific, the time when both of you were conceived and the word has passed to your father, till the time he gave up his life in order to stop the war. As for your mother, the time duration is only a bit longer than your Father's, as she too died tragically of a broken heart. All these memories of their feelings were about you and for you."

"To think that... After all this... That we'd get something like this in the end."

"I'm sorry for bringing back such painful memories if you feel troubled." Mirapo apologised, "to put you through this terror."

"Hey, you just had to do your job." First comforted, "and we decided to go with it, knowing our lives are on the line. I'm just happy to see that we've gotten or remembered something precious on why we went through this. You've done exactly what we wanted Mirapo, and nopony could ever do what you showed us. It's all the more reason... That Pony and Yo-Kai should co-exist."

"You have very charming hearts both of you." Mirapo bowed, "no wonder why you have these very caring friends all around you two. This is how such determination can push you to the end. If only Venoct could understand the same way."

"Oh yeah, he said he took the trial too and succeeded."

"Alone." Mirapo continued, "he did everything alone. He went through his past with nopony to help him, only his vengeance. When he got through, he was determined to slay the monster that took everything from him, and now he wants to protect Yo-Kai. How can he if nopony would allow him to protect them?"

"I knew it... Venoct's doing this alone." Scootaloo replied, "the Resistance of Enma is only made up of one member. Him and himself only."

"So he really did need us to in order to stand a chance!"

"Nah, I'd take a wager that he would be stubborn enough to fight on his own."

"From what I've reflected in him. All he's ever cared about was just pure vengeance and the thirst to conquer what he so pleases, or what he was told to do, as Lord Enma had entrusted him with. All he ever did though, was focus on McKraken and anypony affiliated with him, for or against." Mirapo explained,

"What do you think then?" Scootaloo asked, "are you alright with McKraken trying to control the Yo-Kai World?"

"I chose to stay neutral in this situation as did many others, as it really had nothing to do with us. Although he may have his tentacles over the World, he wasn't doing any sort of harm. I for one, would even turn a blind eye to the Ponies if McKraken just so happened to attack. I was wrong in choosing so."

"Why the change of heart?" First asked,

"It's because of Ponies who have acknowledged our existence, allowing us ways to see our mistakes, and offering bonds of friendship. Ponies like you, who has come so far over the two months of coming here. As does the many Yo-Kai you've met, please accept my medal as a token of my respect." Making a spitting sound, he presented his saliva-covered medal to the group.

"Th-Thanks..." Scootaloo smiled uncomfortably, irked by the sticky saliva as she picked it up.

"My powers are not limited to mere reflection of the soul, but I am able to travel great distances through the interference of space. Heck, I can even transport those who enter my mirror, and spit them back out to another place, near or far.

"You mean, like teleporting and warping?" Scootaloo gasped with delight,

"Exactly." Mirapo nodded, "and now that we're talking about Venoct, why don't we move to someplace where you can think properly?"

"Sure..." First nodded, "do you think it will be alright? Is it dangerous?"

"Well, if you find the feeling of being sucked into a mirror uncomfortable, that's pretty much the problem. Otherwise, there will be no physical or mental damage. You have my word."

"What do you think Whisper?"

"Completely safe!" Whisper agreed, "it would save a lot of travel time!"

"Okay then, you're on Mirapo. Warp us to your destination!" Scootaloo commanded,

"Very well... Slurrrp!" With a slurping sound, Mirapo's mirror face turned white like before, only this time, there was no blinding and engulfing light. Rather, he became somewhat like a vacuum cleaner, sucking up the siblings and Yo-Kai companions without any effort, and absorbed them completely.

A lone temple sat on a peaceful area in Blossom Heights, the entrance marking the namesake of this temple 'Shoten'. The interior was well painted and preserved with brown soft wood, its interior adorned by various statues of spiritual pony entities, and various dragons. On one corner of the room, Mirapo teleported through veil of smoke, and as his mirror face shone white again, he spat out his passengers in a crumpled and confused heap.

"This is Shoten Temple." Mirapo introduced as his bright face returned to normal. "Thank you for taking Mirapo's Warping system!"

"So... We're here to meditate?"

"Something like that." Mirapo replied, "I'd figure that you'd need the time to rethink things now that your fear is gone and your mind is set. You can properly make the choice here whether you want to join this dangerous cause or not."

"Alright then..." Scootaloo complied as she plopped down onto the polished floor. "Let's talk First. Like you said, we went into this together, we discuss and decide together."

"Understood sis." First nodded, sitting down.

"May we join in?" Jibanyan asked,

"Sure. After all, you two have been joining us through thick and thin, despite not being that involved most of the time." Scootaloo welcomed,

"So..." Whisper started, "after everything we have done for Yo-Kai. What do you think?"

"I have pity for Venoct." First answered, "Tragic past, estranged personality. Plus, if we've decided a long time ago that we'll see Yo-Kai with our own eyes and the Watch, we might as well go all the way."

"How messed up is the Yo-Kai world right now?" Scootaloo asked, "Because from the looks of it, every Yo-Kai we've seen aren't concerned or anything really."

"Political matters aren't much of a concern for Yo-Kai, especially when there's nothing that is affecting them in a bad way, nor are they interested in the benefits the leading party brings." Whisper replied, "so to be blunt, nopony cares."

"So they don't want to be affiliated with any of this?"

"Pretty much." Jibanyan answered, "like me. I'm not a stickler on who's leading the Yo-Kai or not, I'm just interested in fighting trucks for my owner!"

"Hold it..." First halted the conversation, an epiphany resonating in his mind. "So why are you following us Jibanyan?"

"Because you're my best friends and I love you!"

"Even if we're Ponies?"

"My best friend was my owner when I was still alive, and I was normal cat then!"

"First, what are you getting with all of this?" Scootaloo asked,

"Sorry, might have presented the wrong idea." First replied, "Let me talk about it all from the start."

1) Yo-Kai have migrated to Equestria a long time ago. This was led by Lord Enma, a powerful Yo-Kai who wants to unify Pony and Yo-Kai together, who travelled there for a reason.

2) He however, was unable to see his goals achieved before his passing, and it was never mentioned to anypony

3)...

"Umm..." First stopped his track of explanation, "I was wondering. When Lord Enma was still around, did his subjects listen to him?"

"Adored him greatly! He has fearsome power, yet a kind heart, everypony respects him entirely!" Whisper answered,

"I see... Then I assume when he died, there was nopony else that could be his replacement?"

"Pretty much."

"Then that's all I needed to know." First replied and continued,

3) When Lord Enma died, the Yo-Kai no longer had a king they could follow, and nopony was able to replace them. With that, they began to lose their faith in their monarchy.

4) But now that there was nopony for them to listen to, they just began doing things by their own selves. Coming out of their World to the Pony world, and inspiriting unsuspecting Ponies to their hearts content like the cheeky mischievous jerks they are today. That doesn't mean they can do EVERYTHING. Any malicious intent to terrorise Ponies are barred from doing so with Lord Enma's seals and powers left behind.

"Sorry to interrupt but..." Scootaloo interrupted, "If they can control the environment, invoke wrong emotions and wrong times, or play all sorts of dumb jokes on the Ponies just to have fun, doesn't that still count as being terrorised?"

"I don't know the exact details what the seals are warding off specifically!" First retorted, "Anyway..."

5) All that changed when Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon, and clashed with her older sister Princess Celestia. Their conflict seemed to have sparked a fear within the Yo-Kai and thus has gone into hiding. Since it's Princess Celestia and Luna, I can imagine their powers affecting more than just the ponies the environment. Unbeknown to the Princesses, the Yo-Kai that they driven to hiding, is collateral damage."

"I want to add something else!" Whisper pointed out, "I wasn't sealed during the time of that civil war. I may not have remembered everything, but I was fairly certain, that not only did it cause us to flee and hide, it destroyed everything that Springdale had."

"Wait! You mean there were ponies living in Springdale at that time?" Scootaloo gasped, "it wasn't a barren wasteland to begin with?"

"It was quiet, but it was peaceful." Whisper answered, "and then it was all destroyed before our eyes. Only the giant sacred tree remained standing. Everything else? Decimated."

"I... See..." First stopped to take a big breath from the deep influx of information. "Springdale wasn't a wasteland in the first place."

6) But that doesn't mean it's over. Some wanted to wreak revenge on them, to fight back. That's when multiple Yo-Kai parties decided to scour and claim the throne in order to return the favor for this unwanted exodus, with additional damage if need be. One such Yo-Kai goes by the name of McKraken, and he's currently on the throne. Regardless however, nopony seemed to care as they have already lost faith...

7) But somewhere along the way, Yo-Kai began returning to the Pony world bit by bit, and when Celestia allowed the Neighponese to come and develop Springdale to their heart's content, it gave satisfaction to the Yo-Kai that they were able to see the Ponies who had a wide knowledge or even believed in them come to where they have gone, and began walking with Ponykind once again!

8) But that didn't stop McKraken from changing his mind. He still wanted to take down the Ponies, and how much would he have progressed when he planned all these things for a thousand years?"

9) But there are a few dampers for him: Venoct and his singular resistance of Enma. Venoct still held loyalty to the late king, and has carried it for a very long time.

Then there was Enma's vision of unifying Yo-Kai and Ponies together, and the only way to make that happen was to destroy the most important barrier: Seeing and believing. As Ponies, even the Princesses included, are unable to see Yo-Kai because of their nature as ghosts. Though only a select few, whether by ability, disease, etc. Lord Enma had to fix that, but he was already dead. However, there was a pony who was able to develop the device that would rock both worlds, to finally break a hole separating those two races. The Yo-Kai Watch, the watch can permanently uncover Yo-Kai to a Pony's naked eyes, when their eyes peer through the looking glass of the lens, straight into the targeted Yo-Kai.

Since there were still a few who believed in Enma's ideals, they wanted to come up with a design in order to replicate them. It's possible that McKraken has gotten a whiff of this, and ordered those who attempted to make them destroyed. Luckily one survived when it went into Whisper's Possession, and that it was sealed with him 190 years ago.

"And here we are..." First finished, "fighting McKraken and his forces indirectly thanks to Sproink, Massiface, and his attempts to control Ms Frost."

"That's a really well-thought synopsis." Scootaloo applauded, "well done!"

"There's still things left unanswered." First continued, "I still want to get full information on the why. Was Springdale really destroyed by the Princesses? What happened to those who tried to make the Watches, and when was the first watch made?"

"Perhaps we can ask Venoct when we meet him again." Scootaloo suggested,

"Excuse me!!!" A baby voice echoed with complaint throughout the room, "can you keep the noise down!?"

"Wh-Who's that?" The group looked around with surprise at the new voice.

"Over here!" The sound emanated from a Crystal Ball upon one of the corners of the temple.

"A crystal ball?" Scootaloo asked, the entire group surrounding the mentioned item.

"Haven't your parents ever told you that you shouldn't make so much noise in a sacred place like a temple? I was having my beauty sleep!"

"Talking Crystal Ball? Must be a Yo-Kai." Scootaloo devised, pulling out the Watch and scanning the Crystal Ball. Through the lens, the crystal ball turned to be a smaller crystal ball, on top of the head of a baby green dragon with yellow eyes, a tuft of red hair and a red-white bib.

"Well this is new." The dragon spoke, "to think Ponies are able to find me and see me!"

"Aww!" First crouched down to meet face to face, "you're so cute!"

"Watch it bucko! A-choo!" Draggie sneezed, a small puff of fire came out through his mouth and nostrils. "I maybe a baby, but I'm a dragon!"

"But that sneeze makes it even more adorable!" Scootaloo replied, "now where are my manners. My name is Scootaloo, and this is my little brother First Base. These are our Yo-Kai companions Whisper and Jibanyan! What's your name?"

"I'm Draggie." Draggie greeted, "I'm part of the large family of Spirit Dragons that are mighty and majestic."

"A Dragon Yo-Kai?" First asked, "do you also have any ties to the living dragons?"

"When you die as a dragon, you immediately become part of the Spirit Dragon Family, regardless of what type of dragon you are." Draggie explained, "so what brings you here?"

"Just for some recuperation and proper thinking for our life decisions."

"Well I have almost all eternity. Perhaps you can let me in on your spiel?"

"Well," the group looked at each other, "why not? You're a young chap, maybe you can understand."

"I'm older than you two ponies." Draggie pouted, his claws upon his hips in a sassy look,

"Well, you know we have the Yo-Kai Watch right? It allows us to see Yo-Kai with our own eyes."

"Yeah."

"Now, there's the concern about some evil Yo-Kai that are planning to invade Springdale, terrorise ponies, possibly overthrow the monarchy."

"Ooh, that doesn't sound pleasant at all. You want to protect your town right?"

"Of course!" First nodded, "our lives are on the line too! Ponykind could be under threat, right beneath their very noses!"

"You seem confident in doing this. So why the big thinking?"

"Well, maybe we're not THAT confident. Especially when we've been asked by another Yo-Kai to help fight this war."

"You mean Venoct? He's a powerful Yo-Kai that one, but he's not one for making buddies with."

"I gathered as much." Scootaloo replied, "as Ponies, we'd be eager to help others, even Yo-Kai! But... We're talking about the entire Yo-Kai race. Do you think that what we'll be doing, will be beneficial to all?"

"Hmm..." Draggie gave it some thought, clear snot hanging from his nose. "Well, I understand that Yo-Kai are entitled to their own opinions. I know a big majority are fine with the things they are, and are tired of another attempt of conquering the throne, but there are others who really are opposed to whoever's currently ruling. My daddy never told me his name, as it's forbidden in the family."

"Sounds harsh."

"Not only that, we're a family that has a very strong relationship to the late Lord Enma, and we too, share his sentiments, beliefs and visions."

"You mean you want Ponies and Yo-Kai to co-exist?"

"Of course!" Draggie smiled, "after all, just because one thing becomes another thanks to the passing of a life, doesn't mean we can cooperate. Ponies need the power of Yo-Kai, while Yo-Kai need the power of ponies in return. We have the opportunity to work in harmony, and as such, it can truly work wonders, achieving the impossible for both races, and take down all evil! That is what my father said."

"You... Agree with us? That ponies and Yo-Kai can co-exist?"

"Of course!" Draggie held the filly's hoof, "Yo-Kai are the ones that want to co-exist with Ponies first. And... Now that ponies like you have acknowledged our existence... It makes me even happier that you also want the two races to co-exist!"

"Hmm..." Scootaloo smiled, "you're right. We certainly do. Thanks Draggie. I think you've helped us a lot in our decision on what we should do."

"Then let me help!" Draggie volunteered, "everypony still calls me a child, but I want to help Enma's vision come true! All the adults seem to carry this burden. Let the young ones help too!"

"You want to help us Draggie?" First asked, "then sure! We can work together!"

"Yay! Thank you! My new first Pony Best Buddies!" Draggie jumped for joy as he began glowing. The glowing light left the kid dragon and concentrated itself into a medal.

"This is your medal Draggie." Scootaloo showed the little dragon. "I'm sure we can work together."

"We will!" Draggie nodded, "unfortunately, I live here, so I can't be with you very often. I need to guard the place and all... Such a boring task if you ask me."

"Well, I know some who do it for a living, and for honour." Scootaloo chuckled, "anyway, I think we've thought about this enough. Is that okay with you guys?" The males replied with a firm nod.

"Very well," Mirapo spoke up, "do you want me to return you back to your home?"

"Thanks for the offer Mirapo, but I think we'll go by hoof. Too much Yo-Kai powers for one day. I'd just like to breathe the fresh air."

"Very well then, farewell." Mirapo waved goodbye,

"Wait!" Draggie called,

"Yes Draggie?" First asked,

"There's something I need to know." Draggie asked, "do you guys happen to be Equestrian?"

"That's very sharp of you! How do you know?"

"When a life passes away to become a Yo-Kai, they may not receive a lot of their memories of how it happened. However, there's this inkling of memory I still have within me. As a baby dragon, I felt like I have a very big tie to Equestria. I also remember a name ringing in my mind."

"And it is?"

"Spike. That's all I know."

"Spike?" The two siblings looked at each other with astonishing faces, surely he didn't mean that purple baby Dragon that is Twilight's assistant!

"Do you know this Spike?"

"I know he's a dragon like me. Possibly alive and kicking I'd wager!"

"Hmm... We'll get back to you when we find out." Scootaloo fibbed, "see you then!"

"Good luck on your endeavours!" Draggie waved good bye, "and best of luck to whatever path you choose!"

Leaving the temple, the sun was beginning to set, and the skies grew tired, ready to become the night. Though it was a peaceful trot, things were still troubling the filly's mind.

"You know, you did bring up a good synopsis." Scootaloo replied, "but what does that have to do with our decision?"

"Hmm... Now that I think back about it... I really have no idea?"

"For starters, I know that fighting with Venoct to defend Springdale is going to put a lot of ease to the Yo-Kai and Ponies, with the possibility of closing Flash's case for good, but we seemed to derail the cause to now co-existing with Yo-Kai. Why is that?"

"If I may speak my mind." Whisper replied, "the two of you have been nothing but marvels in dealing with Yo-Kai. You two have shown a lot of the Yo-Kai race, that Ponies know of your existence, even if it was meant to be a secret. Because of you, I believe that Yo-Kai are having second thoughts on what they want to do with Ponies. I can guarantee that the Yo-Kai you've befriended are incredibly supportive on you, and would wish for co-existence."

"Hmm... Fair point..." First chuckled,

"... You Yo-Kai sure are sly." Scootaloo smiled,

"I don't understand. I haven't done something bad now... Have I?"

"Naw, it's natural for Yo-Kai." Scootaloo replied, "they always love to inspirit others, and cause them to act as the Yo-Kai themselves. Well, I think with the many Yo-Kai combined, I could pretty much say all of you have inspirited us to co-exist with you guys in harmony."

"Poppycock!" Whisper responded, "we would never take away your autonomy! You also have a choice in this too, your own will!"

"I know, I know. I'm just joking. But even so, after what we've been through, meeting and having adventures with you guys. It wouldn't matter if you inspirited us to think that way. Because it's my will and decision, that I want Pony and Yo-Kai to live in harmony!"

"I second that." First waved,

"Scootaloo! First!" A group of voices called out,

"Oh! Nate! Katie! Everypony!" The siblings found themselves surrounded by their Springdale friends,

"Your brother hasn't seen any of you around for the entire day. He's really worried, as are we." Nate explained,

"After searching for you this morning, he yielded no clues as he said. So he's called us for help!" Katie replied,

"We've been looking for you all day." Lucas added, "where have you guys been?"

"We were just meditating and relaxing in Shoten Temple." First answered, "nothing wrong."

"That's a pretty long time for meditation..." Bear noted,

"But it's okay, we were there because we had a lot of thinking to do. Just mind boggled with tough decisions."

"Well you could have shared it with us!" Eddie replied, "I mean, it's something rather than just thinking about it yourself or seeking 'divine' help, not trying to be offensive or anything..."

"Well, there are some things an individual has to take up on his own." First replied,

"Though I'll stay open upon spirits and what not, Eddie is right that you should speak things with us." Sarah answered,

"After all, aren't we friends?" Alex added,

"Yep, and it's what we do. I'm not sure if you'll believe me, but I'll say it if you want."

"Well, I'm not really concerned at the moment. If you want to kept it personal, it's okay." Meg butted in, "but just so you know. Whatever you do, I'll support you. After all, we are indeed friends, and we'll go through thick or thin together."

"Yep, so will I." Lucas nodded,

"Count on me!" Sarah spoke,

"I've got your back." Eddie replied,

"You have my support!" Bear called,

"I'll help you in anyway possible!" Katie spoke,

"And you know me you two." Nate replied, offering a hoof shake, "I'll travel with you, especially since you know what."

"Of course Nate." Scootaloo returned the hoof, shaking firmly.

"Thank you." Nate added, "for sharing your life with me. And thank Amaterasu that I was able to speak my mind."

"Yeah..." First embraced Nate, to which everypony joined in. In that moment, everything felt like déjà vu to them, but it felt real, personal, and all the more heartwarming. With a quick goodbye, the friends split apart, and the siblings on their way back home.

Entering Uptown Springdale, the group galloped into an unexpected Pony that they have yet to see. A fair pony with the colour of snow blue.

"Ms Frost." First greeted, "good evening right?"

"Scootaloo! First Base! Ms Frost exclaimed, "You're all right! I can't believe it! I thought you... Scootaloo..."

"I got better." Scootaloo spoke with a comforting tone, "It's thanks to Mochismo that I'm still alive today."

"That's really warming to hear that everything turned out okay. I was going to visit your house today for a proposition, but you weren't there. Your older brother told me you'd be at the School, but I never saw you around there either. I got worried and began looking for you, and that's when I was taken to your trial... It was a lot to handle, but knowing me and my history, it wasn't a big of a problem as much as I wanted it to be... But now that you're here, I can tell you everything I needed to, when I wasn't available at the time of the trial."

"What would you like to ask?"

"Let me start by apologising to you First." Ms Frost admitted, "I want to say sorry, about the time during the Snow Storm. How I have traumatised you to kingdom come. I know it wasn't my fault, but it was my powers that drove you to fear."

"Ms Frost, it's okay." First replied, "the time when I had to face your fear, it was the trial before Massiface, the one where you joined with us."

"You have such a forgiving heart. I can understand why Yo-Kai seem to have a deep attachment or respect for you. And that's another thing. Scootaloo, there's something I'd like to offer you... Not to repay a debt or as an apology, but as somepony who is able to tolerate and even live with Yo-Kai, there's something I want to offer you for this burden."

"What is it?" Scootaloo asked, "is it another reward? A new location of a Yo-Kai?"

"It's not Yo-Kai related." Ms Frost replied, "rather, it's a... Request for assistance for Frostia's Place."

"Assisting the lovely Ms Frost!" Whisper gasped, "What a sudden turn of events Scootaloo! She's offering you a--"

"I may live for a very long time due to being a Yo-Kai disguised as a pony, but even a Yo-Kai has it's problems when it comes to running an important store for Springdale's economy. I've been running the Place for a long time now, but there comes the time where even I need help, or even a replacement if something were to happen to me. A bar can be run by its owner and her apprentice. Scootaloo, I'd like you to work with me."

"A job for..." Scootaloo whispered, "A-Are you sure about that? I mean, I'm still in school... I still young for that!"

"Don't worry, I've made sure to go over the details with Flash and he's got the applications for it." Ms Frost smiled, "it still is your choice, and you have all the time in the world to decide whether to help me or not. I do have a very long time after all." She winked, "but back to your decision on Yo-Kai. Whatever you choose, best of luck. We are friends, and I will see to it that I carry out my role as one."

"Thanks Ms Frost." Scootaloo nodded, a calm smile on her face, "and thank you for your offer, I will think about it."

"That's amazing sis!" First gasped with joy, "you've been offered a job! I can't believe it!"

"..." Scootaloo pondered with wonder as she silently walked home, her head towards the sky.

"Sis?"

"Oh!" Scootaloo snapped back to reality, "Sorry, just a little bit of extra reflection for me, mostly about what happens if I chose another path. I'd just imagine how different it would be if we didn't accept the Watch. We wouldn't learn... A lot of things to be honest, and who knows? Maybe we would just be completely swept over by McKraken and we wouldn't even know!"

"Unless you're Robonyan, you would never really know what happens in our future." First replied, "and even so, he will keep it classified. Better off discovering it ourselves."

"Yeah." Scootaloo agreed as they knocked on the door of their house.

"Scoots! First!" Flash opened the door, a heavily worried look upon his face, "you're alright! Where have you guys been?"

"We've haven't went into the wilderness. Just a long meditation at the local temple in Blossom Heights." First answered,

"Oh, well that's a relief. Just tell me next time or let me know if both of you are away for a very long time. Okay?"

"Sure okay." Scootaloo nodded,

"Also, there's something I need to tell you." Flash replied, "I did some... Meditation of my own as well."

"What of?"

"My life." Flash replied, "and the many mistakes I made throughout it. The dumb and regretful decisions I've made, like the time I left you for the Crystal Empire."

"Flash... What's going on?"

"This has been haunting my mind ever since I transferred there with Shining Armour." Flash replied, "and I should have told you sooner, but devotion to the Guard had clouded my memory, prioritising that over you two."

"I am sorry, sorry for leaving you all alone. I am also sorry for taking you away for your friends in Ponyville, and I'm sorry that you had to be involved in all of this supernatural madness. My duty and track record is not cut out to be a guardian let alone a brother, and I'm sorry for that."

"..." The siblings silently watched him with calm but serious faces as the disheartened soldier continued his spiel.

"I don't know how long I have stayed as a pony with no emotion. I never realised how I lost my way long ago. These acts are beyond forgiveness, but I want to redeem myself. I want to make a promise. I may never be a brother, but can you at least fully trust me, as I'll fully trust you?"

"Flash..." The siblings looked at each other, and gave a warm smile, very satisfied that what they heard from Flash's heart in the mirror, stayed true in person, and happy that he has spoke his mind, to show that he was a caring brother through and through. "It's okay..." Scootaloo trotted forward and hugged her brother. "No matter what happens, even if we are set a distance apart, or even if we somehow fight, I know you have a noble intention inside you that determines what you do. You are not a guardian or a soldier assigned to protect us. You are my big brother, born with the same blood, did your best to raise us and help us live, at a cost."

"Yes." First agreed, also embracing his brother, "we're family big bro. Going to Springdale with you also has it's good sides. For example, we explored a new culture, new nationalities, new ponies, new friends and most of all... After a long time... You have have been working so hard to become a brother. It almost feels like when it was just the three of us all alone in Ponyville."

"Scootaloo... First Base..." Flash began to cry once more, real tears flowing from his real eyes."I... I love you... I don't want to separate from you ever again..."

"We love you too big brother." The siblings replied in unison. "And besides, we can always recover what you have lost. Together. As a family." And the family embraced each other, tightly, strongly, and lovingly, promising never to let go of each other.

"*Sniff..." Whisper cried, dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief, "this is such a touching moment..."

"Yeah." Jibanyan nodded, also beginning to tear up. "It's good to see reconciliation between friends."

"First" Scootaloo whispered,

"Yeah?"

"I think I know what to choose now."

"Have you made your decision?"

"No... Not yet... Do you know what to choose?"

"Pretty much... I pretty much have the same thinking as you do... From those eyes of yours, I can tell that you know what to choose."

"Then it's settled. This isn't my decision or yours. It's like you have said, we are together in this."

"You're right..." First nodded in fierce confidence and determination. "It's our decision."

"For the sake of our friends... In Springdale and Ponyville..." Scootaloo started,

"And the sake of our family... Our brother... Our Yo-Kai friends... And of all things... Our own sake..." First finished,

Author's Note

And so, this three-chapter long 'mini-arc' comes to a close, the main chapter comes along next.

I'm sorry if the story-line was very detached at the moment. I promise you, it will fix itself from here onwards.

Thanks to all of you who has been reading so far. I've had an emotional time, dealing with the story and anything Yo-Kai related. I also thank you for taking the time and reading this story. To see that view count go up, even if it's just one per day, is something precious. So I say again, thank you for reading.