Ladies of Darkness

The bell rang loudly, signifying the end of school for the day. Spike made his way down the school halls, heading towards the exit. However, he was too busy inspecting his camera that he wasn’t watching where he was going and bumped into a pair of large, soft, bouncy mounds which made him fall ass first on the floor with his camera falling next to him.

“Ow…” Spike muttered, rubbing his sore bum.

“哦我嘅好 (Oh my goodness)!” A woman said in Catanese, “Are you alright Mr. Sparkle!?”

Spike looked up and instantly blushed. Standing over him was a stunningly beautiful woman who looked somewhere between her early to mid twenties with pinkish red shoulder length hair that’s tied in a bun and sharp blue eyes. For attire, she wore a white cheongsam that does little to hide her ample breasts, black thigh highs, and low heel shoes. She also had a silver bracelet with a blue jeweled butterfly on her right wrist for accessory as well as a chinese hairpin placed in her hair bun.

This was Maya Chen, CHS’s mythology teacher. She just started this semester and is relatively new. She has become quite popular among the male students, and with a body like hers it’s not hard to see why.

“Y-Yeah. I’m okay.” Spike answered, shaking out of his stupor. “Sorry about that Miss Chen, wasn’t watching where I was going.”

Maya couldn’t help but smile, “That’s quite alright Mr. Sparkle. Just be a little careful next time.” She said, offering her hand to help him up.

Spike accepted her hand and when he did however, she was able to lift him back on his feet with just a single pull. He figured that Miss Chen was a bit fit under that fancy dress, but he didn’t know that she was this strong.

‘She must hit the gym or something…’ Spike thought inwardly to himself.

“Though, I couldn’t help but notice that you seem to be in a bit of a hurry.” Maya said curiously.

“Er, yeah. I… was given a task by the newspaper club president to… take pictures at certain places and I want to get them done as soon as possible. I wanna enjoy the weekend after all.” Spike said, telling a half-truth. He didn’t want Miss Chen to know where he was really going.

“Miss Tiara isn’t overworking you guys again, is she?” Maya asked sternly, narrowing her eyes.

“No, no nothing like that.” Spike assured her, “Diamond just wants me to just take a few quick pics here and there. It’s nothing serious really.”

Maya still looked a bit skeptical but then made a light shrug, “Well if you say so Mr. Sparkle.” Something then crossed her mind, “By the way Mr. Sparkle, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“And what’s that?”

“I’ve noticed that you’ve really interested in monsters, cryptids, and the supernatural as of late, and I was wondering if you would like to attend my class?” Maya asked, “It’s still the first week of school and many students are still trying to decide what class they want to be in.”

Spike thought about it for a very good minute before replying with a shrug, “I don’t see why not. It could be an interesting experience.”

“精彩 (Splendid)!” Maya said happily, clapping her hands together, “I’ll talk with Principal Equestrious and you can start first thing next week!”

“Sweet. Well, I should be heading out, I’ll see you on Monday then Miss Chen.” Spike said as he picked his camera up from the floor and started to make his way to the exit.

Maya waved at him goodbye, “Have a very nice weekend Mr. Sparkle!” Her soft smile then turned into a devious grin, showing a pair of fangs. “I’m really hoping to get to know you a lot more…”

As soon as Spike stepped out of the building, He heard someone calling out to him, “Yo Spike!”

The green haired young man turned to see a group six guys around his age approaching him.

The first boy was Spike’s best friend Thorax who hopes to one day be an actor. In appearance, he had black hair and vivid opal eyes. For attire, he wore a black jacket over a green shirt, dark gray jeans, and orange velcro shoes.

The second boy was Pipsqueak, or Pip for short, who, despite being the smallest of the group, is pretty brave. In appearance, he had light brown hair and reddish-brown eyes. For attire, he wore a white polo shirt with brown trimmings, light brown khaki shorts, and white tennis shoes.

The third boy was Rumble, an athlete and a surprisingly good cook. In appearance, he had two shades of dark grayish sapphire blue hair and gray eyes. For attire, he wore a light gray tank top, dark gray jean shorts, and white slip-on shoes.

The fourth boy was Button Mash, a gamer who has probably played over a thousand video games in the eighteen years of his life. In appearance, moderate scarlet hair with moderate orange streaks and moderate vermilion eyes. For attire, he wore a light brown jacket over an orange t-shirt that had a picture of a snes controller on it, dark brown baggy pants, and red sneakers.

The fifth boy was Featherweight, photographer and fellow newspaper club member as well as Pipsqueak’s cousin. In appearance, he had the same hair color as Pip’s, dark brown eyes, and noticeable buck teeth. For attire, he wore a white buttoned shirt, brown jeans, and black shoes.

The sixth and final boy was Tender Taps, a skilled dancer but can get shy when on stage. In appearance, grayish and moderate mulberry hair, and moderate purple eyes. For attire, he wore a black shirt, orange jeans, and red tennis shoes.

“Guys!” Spike said cheerfully to his pals but then noticed that they were two guys short, “Where’s Snips and Snails?”

“Pfft, where else? After school detention.” Rumble replied with a roll of his eyes.

Spike just let out a long, audible sigh, “What did they do this time?”

“They got caught peeping in the women's locker room. Again.” Thorax replied with an annoyed tone.

Button just shook his head, “Sometimes I wonder why we hang out with those two dumbasses?”

“Pity…” Pip replied.

“This is getting ridiculous y’know?” Rumble began, “Those two are fourth year seniors now, like us, and they’re still pulling shit like this.”

“I know!” Featherweight groaned, "It's not going to make a good image for the rest of us seniors if those two keep this up!”

There was a brief silence for a good minute for a good minute before Tender spoke up, “Look let’s not worry about this right now. Why don’t we just head on over to the arcade.”

“Good idea Tender.” Thorax smiled.

“Sounds good to me.” Rumble said.

“A good way to end Friday on.” Featherweight said.

“They got a new arcade game I’ve been dying to play.” Button added.

“What about Snips and Snails?” Pip asked.

“What about them, Pip? We aren’t always going to wait for those two retards to get out of detention every time.” Rumble replied.
“I suppose that’s true… Well, they can catch up after their punishment is over.” Pip said.

The other boys then turned to Spike, “So what do ya say Spike? Are you in or are you in?” Rumble asked.

“Sorry guys, I’m gonna have to put a rain check on that.” Spike replied, “There’s something important I need to do this evening.”

“What’s more important than hanging out with friends?” Thorax asked.

Spike sighed, he figured it would be best to tell his pals upfront than to beat around the bush about it, “You guys remember me writing that article about that haunted house over at the edge of Canterlot and near the woods?”

The other boys nodded, “Yeah I remember that you left it on Diamond’s desk earlier today.” Featherweight spoke up.

“Well, she read it and… she didn't exactly find it very appealing.” Spike said, remembering the conversation he had with Diamond and Silver during lunchtime. “However, Diamond did say that she would put it in next week's paper if I got some convincing photos of the place.”

The boys’ eyes widened at this.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Back up a bit dude. You’re not really gonna go over there are ya!?” Button exclaimed.

Spike shrugged, “I don’t see what the big deal is.”

The big deal is that this is Black Manor we’re talking about here Spike!” Thorax said, “That place is off limits and for very good reason. Many people go there and most never come back, and those who did were left as blubbering wrecks! Are you really sure you wanna do this man?”

“It’s the only way to get Diamond to post my article.” Spike replied.

Featherweight then spoke up, “Look Spike, I’ve been in the Newspaper Club a LOT longer than you have. Maybe I can convince Diamond and Silver to post your article without you having to risk your neck just to take a few pictures of what? A few worn down furniture and empty halls?”

Spike shakes his head, “We both know that won’t happen Feather. If Diamond wants proof, I’ll give it to her. Besides, I got a gut feeling telling me that there’s something there.” He finished while holding his necklace.

The other boys looked at each other and sighed, releasing that their friend had made up his mind and that there’s no way to talk him out of this.

“Look man, if your family calls us and asks us where you are, we’ll tell them that you're with us and you're a little too occupied with House of the Dead or something to talk to them. Other than that, you're on your own.” Thorax said with the others nodding in agreement.

Spike smiled, “Thanks guys.”

Little did any of the boys know however, that someone was listening in, and it was none other than Mary who was leaning on a tree that was a few feet away from the boys and heard every word they.

“The Black Manor huh?” Mary said before turning into red mist and disappeared.