Scootaloo and the School of Ghouls

Twilight's glowing eyes narrowed. Steam puffed out of her snout as sweat dropped from her brow, and her horn began to glow brighter and brighter...

The room became tense. Still. Not a movement was made.

And then...

Shadowed took a deep breath...

CLATTER!

And dropped the sword onto his desk.

"I will not fight you, my sister," he said, sighing heavily.

The group's eyes widened.

CLANK!

CLANK!

CLANK!

He began walking around the desk, Twilight's glare giving way to a look of awe.

Bone-dragon Spike was now glancing through the door. A smile slowly crept over his face, as Shadowed inched his own helmet closer to his sister’s own.

"I know your face," Shadowed continued, his armored, jagged helmet an inch from Twilight's face. "It is the face of kin. And kin... must stick together."

Twilight’s tears of sorrow instantly turned into tears of joy.

"Shadowed..." she said breathlessly. "Now that... that is the brother I know.”

She closed her eyes.

Scootaloo's mouth parted. And even Rainbow Death smirked slightly.

However, Twilight still looked wary when she eventually opened her lids.

"But what about Scootaloo?" she continued, lowering an eyebrow.

"I will not lock up the child if that is what you wish," he said. "But I ask that the sword remain with me."

Twilight stood frozen at that, a suspicious look still on her features. "Why do you need the sword so badly?"

Shadowed gave another sigh.

"As I have said you before: a soldier and his blade are connected through more than hoof and hilt," he grunted. "I have known this weapon... and this weapon has known me. Please, do not part us."

"Would you at least let me examine it for a bit?" Twilight asked. "Just to make sure it isn't... doing anything to you?"

Shadowed stood silent for a brief moment, before giving a curt nod.

"Very well. Take it."

Twilight did just that, levitating the eerie blade off his desk and giving it a curious look-over.

Shadowed then began clanking back around his desk, facing Scootaloo again. He stood silent for a second, and just as she was about to get up, he raised a hoof, halting her.

"Though child..." he said slowly. ”Be forewarned. I have my eye on you. If I manage to find proof of what I suspect, you will face the consequences for not admitting it to me now." He leaned forward. "Do... you have anything to admit?"

Scootaloo shivered, gulping slightly. Finally, she shook her head.

"No," she squeaked.

"Very well, then," Shadowed growled. "All of you. Get out of my office."

Rainbow Death rolled her eyes, gesturing Scootaloo to come to her, for which she quickly complied.

"Come on, Scootaloo, don't want to cut into Shadowed's brooding time," she chuckled.

"And by the way, this doesn't change anything, Rainbow Death," Shadowed snapped. "I still think you're a pathetic reaper."

Rainbow glared at him at that, her eye twitching ever so slightly, but a brief glance at Twilight set her at ease. She took a deep breath at that, before saying, "And I think you're a pathetic headmaster. But I suppose if we can't keep our opinions to ourselves, we can at least keep our blades, agreed?"

"Agreed," he said, nodding.

The group then made haste from the office, but before Rainbow, the last out, shut the door behind her, she was interrupted.

"Oh, and Rainbow," Shadowed said.

She lowered her eyebrows. "Yeah?"

"You may be a pathetic reaper, but you do have a way with melee combat. If you weren't so damned cocky, I'd say you'd make a decent soldier."

Rainbow rolled her black eyes. "Well, since we're doing the whole back-hoofed compliments thing," she grunted. "If you weren't such a paranoid asshole, I'd say you'd make a decent headmaster."

"Uh-huh. Cute. Get the hell out of my office."

"With pleasure," Rainbow growled, slamming the door behind her.

And the group silently made their way back to the main hall, Spike fluttering alongside them.

"You know what? I'm proud of you, Rainbow," Twilight said, smiling to the side.

"For what? Getting in another pissing contest with Shadowed?" she grunted, before glancing at Scootaloo. "Pardon my fancy, kid..."

Scootaloo merely shrugged. "I've heard Applejack and Rarity cuss up storms behind my back before. It's no big deal."

Rainbow smiled at her, before turning back to Twilight. “Heh, but yeah… Twilight… how the heck are you proud of me?”

"I'm proud of you for not lashing out at him again, at least with your scythe," Twilight beamed. "Believe me, I know it's hard to refrain from shooting back at someone like him, and I don't expect that from you. But I do expect you to hold back from physically assaulting my brother, or anyghoul for that matter, and you did just that."

"Heh... yeah, I guess I was pretty awesome back there," Rainbow said, fluttering her wing, and quickly blushing red as Twilight gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Hey! Jeez... stealthy there."

"Ugh, seriously?" Scootaloo groaned, wincing at the display. "Ewwww..."

"Yeah, common! Keep your epic Death-Undeath lesbian romance to yourself," Spike groaned.

"You know you like it, Spike," Twilight winked towards him.

He frantically shook his head.

"Yuh huh. Made of bones, remember? Made. Of. Bones," he huffed. "And you’re like my sister! Bleh! I couldn't get turned on even if-”

He then seemed to remember Scootaloo was there.

"Heh, sorry... god... I'm still getting used to hanging around so many kids."

"Didn't hear anything," Scootaloo said innocently.

Rainbow quickly chuckled.

"Meh, wait til you get older, Scoots," she said, smirking. "I'm sure you'll getting asked out plenty of times. Especially with your fame." It soon became mischievous. "Or maybe you won't even need to wait... you and that little Pipsqueak tyke... anything going on there?"

Scootaloo blushed fiercely, glancing away from her. "P-Pipsqueak?! Ewwww! Seriously?! He's like a brother to me!"

"Hehehe, that's what they all say when they have that red on their face," Spike chortled.

"Oh, leave her alone, Spike," Twilight groaned, rolling her eyes. "You don't want me to tell Rainbow Dash you've been messing with her, do you?"

Spike's reddened eyes immediately went wide.

"Nope," he gulped.

"Hehe, even Spike the badass bone dragon is afraid of a Rainbow," Deathie said proudly. "And I gotta say, I've been warming up to her lately. I don't know why, either!"

Spike rolled his eyes. "Yeah, not like she's you or anything, and there's noghoul who likes you better than you..."

"I wouldn't say that much," Twilight smiled, pecking her on the cheek again.

"Pardon me while I vomit bones," Spike said, gagging.

And soon they were back in the main hall, and Scootaloo's heart leapt at the sight of her friends. Desperately trying to put Artharius to the back of her mind, she quickly joined them at the table.

"Wow! That was quick!" Sweetie beamed merrily. "What'd Shadowed want with you?"

"It was... nothing," Scootaloo quickly said.

"Don't seem like nothin'," Apple Bloom said, raising an eyebrow. "Everything alright, sugar?"

"Yeah, ya look whiter than a sailor who's been up in the crow's nest too long!" Pipbossa said.

The group raised eyebrows at him.

"Well uh... when the moon's blocked and we don't look like skeletons, that is," he said.

Scootaloo glanced away from them, trying to think of some excuse for why he had called her there. She didn't want to worry her friends with the prospect that she might just be infected by some sort of... Lich King.

"It's just..." she said, formulating a lie. "The advanced vampire classes he wants to teach me... I don't know, they just seem so difficult..."

"Oooo! Advanced vampire classes? What are you going to learn about?!" Sweetie chirped excitedly, bouncing slightly. "Mind control? That'd be pretty cool! I still remember what you did to Diamond... a bit creepy, but it could be useful!"

Scootaloo nodded at that, sensing her way to freedom was near.

"Errrr, yeah! Mind control," Scootaloo coughed, chuckling.

"Heh. I'm kind of envious, to be honest," Pipsqueak said.

"Huh? Why?" Scootaloo said in a genuinely worried tone.

Pipsqueak beamed at her. "Who wouldn't want to occasionally get into a free movie or something by mind controlling the guy at the gates?"

Scootaloo put on a mischievous smirk at that. "I could always bite you, you know, to try to turn you... my instincts always tell me you're the tastiest..."

Pipsqueak gulped, his eyes widening as she inched away from her slightly. "Uhhh… Scoots, no offense, but please try not to joke about that..."

"Hahaha, don't be so damned yellow, mate!" Pipbossa cackled, slapping a bony hoof on his back. "She's a ghoul, remember? She's made for scaring! If there's one instinct she should give into, she should give into that!"

Scootaloo let loose a deep sigh. "Y-Yeah... I guess that's true. I guess that kind of is my role in life now…"

Apple Bloom quickly leapt into action.

"Hey! She may be a ghoul but she's still our Scootaloo!" she protested, sensing Scootaloo's disgruntlement. At that, she gave Scootaloo a quick hug, her eyes widening in shock.

So, her friends weren't that nervous around her after all...

"Yeah, and I personally don't mind if you joke around, we all know you'd never bite us," Sweetie said firmly, beaming at her.

Her instincts, however, said otherwise.

"Hehe... goods... you've managed to wear down their defenses... their fear of you... now is the perfect time to strike!"

Scootaloo quickly shook her head.

And her group of friends glanced at her curiously... warily.

"Wah... you mean you would bite us?"

"No! Of course not. I'm just telling my instincts that they can screw off!" Scootaloo said proudly.

"Wuss," Pipbossa muttered under his breath, Pipsqueak quickly shooting him a death glare. "What?!" he grunted. "It's perfectly natural for vampires to feed! They only don't want em' doin' so because Princess Luna told Nightmare Moon that they should quit pullin' that on the other side or else."

"How can you say that?!" Scootaloo snapped. "There's more to it than just feeding. If I bite somepony... or ghoul even, wouldn't they turn into one of me?"

"Even if that were true, which it's not, is that a bad thing?" Pipbossa said, lifting an eyebrow. "You can't say being a vampire doesn't have certain advantages. You get to live for thousands of years! You get to see the world change and grow before you, just like I do, just like a fourth of all ghouls do! That... that is something to live for, lass... perhaps it's something to even die for... as long as you come back."

"Mph," Scootaloo said, folding her arms. "I still don't know about the 'living forever' part. But..." she said, tapping her hoof to her chin. "I suppose the mind control thing could be kind of cool. But y-you say... if I were to ever hypothetically lose control... if I bit somepony that wouldn't turn them?"

"Nay, lass," Pipbossa said, chuckling. "More to it than that. Don’t ask me how it’s done, though…”

"Eh, even so..." Apple Bloom said. "You're still not going to do that, right, Scoots?"

"Of course not," Scootaloo said, shaking her head. "I'd never- that's just wrong!"

"Whatever ya say," Pipbossa said, shrugging. "Though I'd argue that right and wrong are nothing if not relative." At a look from Pipsqueak, he quickly continued with, "Not that I don't have my own moral code, mind you."

"Heh, but still, Scoots," Apple Bloom joined in with a teasing smile. "You're never gonna use that mind control stuff to make your friends do anything silly, will ya? Like on April Foal’s day?"

Scootaloo merely chuckled.

"Na, I promise I won’t. I’m only going to use my mind control powers for good when I get back to the other side!" she proclaimed.

"Hehe, you could be like a vampiric super hero or something," Pipsqueak smiled. "I'd totally be your sidekick." He waved to hooves into the air, before proclaiming: "Pipsqueak: The Boy Swordswinger!" He quickly coughed. "I'd uh... learn how to use a bo-staff, though. Wouldn't want to cut any blokes."

"Oi, how many bloody wusses are there at this table?!" Pipbossa grumbled. "If someone's tryin' ta cut you, you cut em’ back! What me father always said! Otherwise they might just try to cut ya again if you whoop their flanks and let em sit. Some ghouls are just like that, don't like their ego bruised... or their faces."

"Jeez, Pirate Pip, how hardcore is life on the sea?" Scootaloo asked.

"Very," both Pips said at the said time, bluntly. They then looked towards each other, smiling slightly.

"Mmm, makes me wonder, though," Apple Bloom said, raising an eyebrow Scootaloo's mortal friend's ways. "If Scootaloo could turn us somehow, would you two go for the whole vampire thing?"

"Certainly not," Sweetie said, folding her arms. And she sounded so much like her sister that brief instant Scootaloo couldn't help but chuckle.

"Er, no offense, Scootaloo," she soon added. "It's just... eh... I'm happy being mortal."

“None taken,” Scootaloo shrugged.

Pipsqueak seemed somewhat the opposite, however.

"Mph, actually, now that I think of it... I'm not sure if I'd mind," Pipsqueak said, shrugging. "So long as I could keep my instincts under control. Though I dunno, it'd be something to really think about."

Scootaloo shook her head.

"Mmmmm, I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be with turning you guys, to be honest," she said, sighing. "You don't know how it is. These instincts... they can be very pesky at times. Sometimes-" She cut herself off, not wanting to worry her friends with the fact that she felt like biting them all just two seconds ago.

Pipbossa raised an eyebrow. "Sometimes what, lass?"

"Nothing," she squeaked.

"Anyway," Sweetie said, and Scootaloo was almost positive she had ended the conversation for her sake. "I got a new schedule, so... huh..."

"What's up?"

"Erm," Sweetie coughed, glancing warily at her schedule. "Apparently I'm going to be learning how to summon pet demons next..."

"Cool!" Pipbossa beamed. “What kind of demons we talkin’? Goblins? Imps? Ugh, hopefully not those damned Gorgons, though…”

“I’m not sure…” Sweetie said. “I just heard some of the other ghouls talking about it…”

Apple Bloom shook her head. "My oh my... this school gets nuttier by the second."

At that, a new voice nearby joined in, sharing in Pipbossa's excitement.

"Ooooo, watcha got there?" Scootaweb called, her and the three alternate Crusaders making their way to the table.

Scootaloo beamed at them, and two of them beamed back... save for Apple Doom, who seemed to be pretending she didn't exist.

"Summoning and Repelling, huh?" Rotten said, her ghostly form actually moving right through a clearly disturbed Sweetie and glancing at her schedule.

"EEEEP!" Sweetie squeaked, giving a tremendous shiver.

"Oh shoot, sorry!" Rotten gulped, quickly darting backward. "I forgot how cold ectoplasm could be to people!"

"Y-Yeah," Sweetie said, hugging her arms to herself. "I-I'd really appreciate if you didn't do that again..."

Rotten lowered her eyebrows.

"Hey, at least you still have flesh," she huffed, before turning to Scootaloo. "But yeah, we saw you going up to the headmaster's office earlier. Everything alright?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," Scootaloo said in the politest tone she could muster. She was starting to get very annoyed at all the questions about that.

"Totally wasn't accused of being possessed by an ancient Lich King or anything," she muttered to herself.

"What was that?" Pipsqueak said, lifting an eyebrow.

"Er, nothing," Scootaloo said, simpering.

"Heh, well that's good. Shadowed seems a bit... cold," Scootaweb said. "Like, cold in a bad way. I heard about his little fight with Deathie. Some nerve he has, saying she's a bad reaper! She's the best reaper there is!"

"What makes you say that?" asked Scootaloo curiously.

Scootaweb gave a chuckle.

"Heh, where should I begin? For one, she was thrust into the role, but still kicks flank at it,” she explained. "She told me about her past one time. She was born Daemon Iustitiae."

"Daemon wah?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Demon of Retribution," Scootaweb continued. And in a spooky tone, she added, "And those kind of demons, or most demons for that matter, eeeaat souuullllsss..."

The mortals (and Scootaloo) in the group gasped. "So Deathie really does eat souls?!"

"Oh yes," Scootaweb cackled, before lifting a leg. "But, it wasn't really something she was proud of. So... when the position of reaper opened up, she leapt to the role. An all you can eat buffet without the guilt!"

"B-But she still eats souls, though!" Sweetie squeaked nervously. "M-My soul is safe, right?"

"Haha, of course," Scootaweb chuckled, patting Sweetie on the back with a hairy leg, who clearly was trying to hide a look of repulsion. "She only eats the souls of the wicked." She then put on a smirk. "You’re not a sinner, are you, Sweetie Belle? Hehehe..."

"No!" Sweetie squeaked, rapidly shaking her head, a clear look of guilt coming to her.

"Hey, Scootaweb, what's up?" Rainbow Death said, conveniently walking to the table around the same time.

"Hey, Rainbow!" Scootaweb smirked.

Sweetie's eyes widened in horror.

"Nonononono... this can't be a coincidence, she knows!" she hissed in horror towards her friends.

"Knows what?" Rainbow said, lifting an eyebrow.

"Uhhhhh.... nothing!"

"Really?" Rainbow said, knowing what the smirk on Scootaweb's face meant. She then bent forward towards Sweetie, a menacing look on her. "You haven't been doing anything bad, have you?"

"Hoooo boy," Pipsqueak sighed.

"No! Nothing!" Sweetie quickly said, sweat dripping from her brow.

"Mmmmm, because if you did, I might know about it," Rainbow said, grinning wickedly. "Better fess up... or ELSE! BUAHAHAHAHA!"

And suddenly, Sweetie could hold it in no longer. Looking as if she had been a volcano building up pressure, she finally blew her top.

"UGH, FINE! I WAS THE ONE WHO TOOK THOSE BLUE GEMS OUT OF RARITY'S SPECIAL STASH FOR OUR CRUSADERS ART PROJECT!"

The group looked taken aback.

Sweetie's eyes then began to shimmer, as if pleading. "Please don't eat my soul, Rainbow! I promise I'll be good from now on!"

And suddenly, Rainbow broke out into laughter, the rest of the ghouls nearby doing so as well.

"Huh?" Sweetie said, looking clearly embarrassed.

"Haha, jeez kid, you really think I'd do that to you? Course not!" she said dismsively.

She then grinned wickedly again, however, before stating in a low tone, "I only eat the souls of the dead."

At that, Sweetie's pupils dilated. She looked like she was about to take off galloping.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEPPPP-"

And Rainbow and the ghouls broke out into laughter again.

"Haha, sorry, kid... couldn't resist," she said soothingly, patting her with her long, black wing. "Shouldn't have come to a world of ghouls if you didn't want to shiver a bit.” She then cleared her throat. “But yeah, I really only eat the souls of people who have done real wrongs. I'm not like that douchebag Blackblood who shot every one he could get up like a junkie, even the innocent ones. With me, it's the only way I can feed myself. It's sort of like a vampire with blood, only souls are a bit... harder to come by. Though the ones I eat should consider themselves lucky compared to what happens to the worst among them..."

"W-What happens to them?" Scootaloo asked.

Rainbow gave a dark chuckle.

"They get put on ice... til I finally kick it," she said, swinging her lockets about.

"Ugh, Deathie, what are you doing messing with kids like that?" the normal Rainbow Dash grunted, walking over to the table.

"Oh relax, someghoul's gotta toughen them up," Deathie argued. "They are in the Nightmare Realm after all."

"Yeah, but still..."

"Don't worry, it's all fun and games," Deathie said in a calming tone, patting her on the back with her wing. "You're a prankster too, aren't you?"

Rainbow tapped an annoyed hoof as she threw Deathie a look

"Fine, fine... I'll go easy on em'," Deathie grunted, before clearing her throat. "But, anyway, I owe you a bit for cheering me up yesterday, and I hear you're a bit of a flyer. Naturally so."

"Hehe, you heard right!" Rainbow said proudly.

"Well, there's a super-cool ice canyon nearby," Deathie continued. "Crazy jagged spikes jutting out of it at all angles. I used to fly in it when I went to school here." She narrowed her eyes, grinning. "How hardcore are you, my mortal friend? Cus I’m not about to let you cheat death if you find this too… difficult."

"Mph, this sounds like a challenge," Rainbow grinned back at her. "How about a race through it? Let's see who's the fastest flyer in both worlds, shall we?!"

"Fine then. Sounds good to me! Just a friendly competition," Deathie smirked, drawing her black eyes closer to Rainbow's magenta one.

"Nothing to gain. Nothing to lose," Rainbow said, returning the smirk.

"Oh just bloomin' kiss already," Pipsqueak mumbled to himself.

"I heard that," Deathie growled, before putting on a playful smile. "Better watch your soul, sea-dog!"

Pipsqueak rolled his eyes.

"Ugh, what'd I just tell you about messing with my friggin' kids?" Rainbow growled.

"Fine, fine," Deathie said, throwing up her hooves with a deep breath. "I'll tell ya what. Beat me in a race, and I will mess with mortals no more!"

"You're on!" Rainbow said, holding out a hoof. "Just name a time!"

"Mmmm, how about today or tomorrow? We'll figure it out."

"Then it's a done deal!" Dashie proclaimed.

And the two shook.

And it. Was. On-

"But yeah, in the meantime.... do ya wanna go play cards or something?" Deathie smiled.

Or not.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "I thought you weren't into mortal fun?"

"Ehehe, well... Twilight loves mortal fun," Deathie said, scratching the back of her head. "And well... it's becoming a hit over here since Nightmare Night. I've always wanted to learn the whole Throw Fish thing. I hate asking this but... would you mind teaching me?"

Rainbow returned the smile.

"Sure, but I think we should probably start with the name, then," she chuckled. "It's called Go Fish."

"Oooooohhhh," Deathie nodded. “Go Fish… huh, has a ring to it.”

And the two began trotting away.

Almost immediately afterward, the group burst into chatter.

"Awww man! Deathie is going to grease the floor with her!" Scootaweb grinned.

"Pffffft- Seriously?” Scootaloo chuckled, shaking an incredulous head. “She may be Death, but she doesn't have the flying experience Rainbow does, does she? She's too busy reaping souls! Dashie's got this in the bag!"

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yuh-huh!"

"Ugh, how did I know this was going to happen?" Pipsqueak said.

"Came at us like a bucking' pissed off bone whale," Pipbossa grunted.

"Oooo, ever have to harpoon any of those?" Pipsqueak grinned.

Pipbossa gave a hearty laugh. "Harpoon? Lad, most of ours' are made out of bones! We have cannons for them. Harpoons only work on certain beasts..." He then gave Congeria a glare. "Like those god-forsaken sirens..."

"Huh… why do you hate her so much, anyway?" Pipsqueak asked.

Pipbossa froze at that, a remorseful look coming upon him. Pipsqueak quickly returned the look.

"Hey... you don't have to tell me. Sorry I even brought it up."

Pipbossa gave a hearty sigh. "It's alright...  just has to do with my father, is all... I suppose it's been coming, though I'll tell you about it some other day. From one seadog to another, a good scary tale from our own great seas, savvy?"

"Savvy," Pipsqueak nodded.

And suddenly, the clock tower that hung high on the school began to chime. It was now approaching eleven...

"Crap! Time for my next class," Scootaloo gulped.

"What's that?" Sweetie asked.

"Uhhhh.... it's uh..."

She didn't want to tell Sweetie it was Basic Mind Control when she had just lied that it was the 'special class Shadowed had given her.'

"Er, it's uh... flight class!" she suddenly blurted out.

"Oooo, that's awesome!" Pipsqueak said, beaming with enthusiasm. "So, can you use those wings yet?"

"Yeah, soon enough!" she said, standing up from her seat. "But yeah, I'll see you guys later, I really need to get going."

"Yeah. Time for us to splitskee as well. We all have the same next class," Scootaweb chirped, her and the counterpart Crusaders previously having been chatting among themselves. "See you guys!"

"Seeya!"

And they all went their separate ways.

Scootaloo trotted to the door, her mind beginning to roll back to what Shadowed had. But before could make it out, she was interrupted by the gravelly voice of Twilight Soulshard.

"Hang on, Scootaloo,” she chirped merrily. Evidently, her and Deathie being back together had improved her mood tremendously. “Unless you're really running late, there's one thing I wanted to show you really quick.”

"Er, sure!" Scootaloo said, shrugging.

"Come to me then, I'll get us there quickly and back," Twilight said, gesturing her to her side.

Scootaloo did as she was told, and a brief moment later, the two teleported away in a blink of purple light.