The Swish of the Scythe

Twilight dressed for school, as she did on any other day. She had just killed the presenter of a popular television show. She didn't care. She had been a slave for so long that she cared about nothing. She had killed her whole family in the end; after Starlight's death, they had had some difficult times and turned to crime. She had killed hundreds over her reign of terror, spanning over a century. She was human by day, and demon by night. It was a routine that she had settled into. Being a psychopath was nothing personal. If a death ended up in the local newspaper, she would either write a letter or pay a visit to the family.

She took the bus to Canterlot High School, in the rural town of Canterlot. She had moved to America about fifty years previously, spending most of her time in Florida. She had moved to the top of the country. Canterlot wasn't even considered part of a state, it was so utterly isolated. Instead, it was known as one of the Equestrian Districts of the North, an area known traditionally for farming and horse-riding. She had wanted a horse for a while now, but was scared that she would do something while she was in her demon form. She no longer saw herself and Twilight by day and Midnight by night; she was Twilight and Midnight. The demon who had cursed her to this life of slavery rarely visited, so she was rarely referred to as Midnight. However, when he called her, she was like a well-trained dog - oblivious to anything else and acting immediately.

The bus stopped outside Canterlot High School. Twilight stepped off and stopped momentarily to admire the horse statue, nicknamed the Wondercolt. It was sculpted well, rearing on its hind legs and halfway through a whinny. It looked as though it was a mythical creature of immense power, and Twilight always imagined it with a long horn and feathered wings. Not the gnarled horn and blue-black wings of her demon self, but a pearlescent spiralled horn and white wings not unlike those of a dove. She loved the Wondercolt.

She found her friends by the entrance. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie waved as she approached them. They knew a little about her dark secret, but not the full extent of it.
"Hey Twilight," said Pinkie, "how are you?"
"Good, but annoyed," Twilight replied.
"Have you heard the news?" asked Rarity. She was clearly upset about something.
"What news?" Twilight questioned her. She had a feeling that Rarity would say -
"The presenter of my favourite music programme has died!" she cried. "How shall I get all my news on the latest hits now?!"
"Come on Rarity, now you can use that radio I bought you for Christmas and listen to some Kerrang!" whined Rainbow Dash.
"Twilight, sugarcube," said Applejack, her voice merely a whisper, "you're looking a little worried."
"It was me," whispered Twilight. She hugged Rarity. "You know what it's like, I can't control myself. It's a curse."
"Now darling, do you think that I would take it out on you?" Rarity said. "He was ill, anyway, he can rest now." Twilight had not informed them that the souls of those she went after as a demon were lost, sometimes forever. She did not want to scare them.

The school bell rang, signalling that there were ten minutes until lessons started. Applejack, Fluttershy and Twilight had double science first. While Applejack was used to gruesome sights because worked on her family's farm, and Twilight was immune to all things disgusting considering her life at night, Fluttershy did not like biology. She wanted to work with animals, but was yet to get over her fear of dissection. Fortunately, as they arrived, the three of them realised that there were no experiments.
"Good morning, everyone," came the voice of Cadence, the supply teacher, as everyone sat down. She was liked by most of the students as they could use her first name and always supported them. "Mr. Bill is unwell so I am teaching today. I am delighted to introduce you to the latest student at Canterlot High."
Everyone turned to the front, silent. Twilight thought hard. A new student could mean trouble if they found out anywhere near the truth. She had been caught on camera in demon form a few nights ago. With any luck, they were marked with a skull and crossbones. However, that would mean a new vacancy. She caught herself and said inside her head, Concentrate.

A girl with bushy red and yellow hair walked into the room. Her cyan eyes held a confidence that few new students could muster, and many boys stared at her golden complexion. She wore a black leather jacket over her mint green blouse, and had cyan leggings. She wore leather boots to finish her look of serenity and confidence.
"Morning, everyone," the girl said cheerfully, "I am Sunset Shimmer, your new classmate. I've transferred from Crystal Prep Academy because they're a load of - I can't use better words at school - rubbish, and I'm a Wondercolt." Everyone laughed at the comment. Crystal Prep Academy were the nearby private school, and they were known for their never wavering rivalry with Canterlot High.
When everyone had settled down, Cadence asked Applejack and Fluttershy to hand out the chemistry textbooks. Sunset sat in the vacant seat next to Twilight. Twilight looked at her using the gap above her glasses. No skull and crossbones. Twilight would not have to get rid of her. Yet.

About ten minutes before the lesson ended, when the level of chatter rose, Sunset whispered, "Hey, bookworm."
Twilight jumped and said, "What?!"
"It's me, Newbie Shimmer."
"Oh Sunset, you scared me."
"Care to introduce yourself?"
"I'm Twilight Sparkle."
"Good to meet you Twilight."
"Know anyone yet?"
"You mean, did I meet anyone before lessons? Nope. I saw you and your five friends hanging out near the Wondercolt."
"Fancy hanging out at break?"
"Sure. Oh my. That TV presenter, the one who everyone called Jazzy, died on the same day as my arrival here! A sign of," her voice dropped, "evil." Twilight shifted uncomfortably in her seat. This girl was a threat to her survival, and she was unsure whether to welcome or fear that.