Scootaloo and the School of Ghouls

Horsehood Airship - The Nimbus

On Route to Ponyville

Invisible to the eye, the Nimbus trudged silently across the cool air of Northern Equestria, Horsehood's mobile base of operations. On the bridge below her zeppelin main-body, Jack Harness and Starfire sat, their eyes wary, and the former's haunted. Therefore, it was silent, save for the occasional status report of the bridge crew.

"All systems nominal."

"Holding steady at twenty-two kilometers per hour."

"Pressure dropping below normal levels. Increasing."

"Cloaking artifact working in expected perimeters. No unexpected hiccups."

"Good, let's keep it that way for once," Starfire grunted, folding her arms as she sat.

Jack remained silent, merely staring ahead of him out the front window, his mind in a place far away from where they currently tread.

Starfire quirked an eyebrow his way. "Jack?"

He didn’t answer her, the hum of the magic-powered engines the only thing that could be heard.

"Equestria to Jack!" Starfire said impatiently.

"Hmm... yeah?" Captain Harness said, yawning slightly.

"Whatever's on your mind, you might as well spill it," Starfire groaned. "Horsehood needs its leader working at one hundred percent for this."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well... it would help if I didn't have my doubts about this," he sighed. "We're going to be taking some innocent kid away from her friends and what she's built as a family... all because of what she is."

Starfire gave a dismissive huff. "You know she is a threat, captain. Scouts report she nearly fed on the Element of Loyalty," she said, her eyes narrowing. "Not only is she a risk to the innocent ponies there, but she's also a risk to Equestria's greatest tactical assets."

"Assets..." Jack chuckled. "Amazing what ponies turn into when you're in our position. Assets, liabilities, and statistics. Sometimes I wonder if we're just as cold as any computer."

A beat of silence.

Starfire's gazed ahead of herself, away from Jack.

"We'll be whatever we need to be for the good of Equestria," she said coldly.

"Yes..." Jack sighed. "For the good of Equestria."

Starfire gave him a glare. "Oh, don't give me that. That's all you view those notches on your bedside as, isn't it?"

"Hey!" Jack argued. "This is different!"

"Are you sure?!"

"Look, I don't know, OK!" Jack cried, earning the attention of the bridge crew. "I just have a gut feeling that there's another option we're not thinking of." He took a deep breath. "I just wish I knew what..."

☼☼☼

☼☼

☼☼☼

Scootaloo darted through Ponyville, gasping for breath, a burning sensation overtaking her as the late afternoon’s sun beat down on her. Her mind was filled with thoughts, some strange, and some stranger. As well as recent memories...

"Scoots. Where are you going?!" Sweetie-Belle cried as she galloped out of Sugarcube Corner.

"Uh... home. I just really need to get home! Not feeling too hot..."

On the contrary, as she scurried into the orphanage's front door, she was still feeling anything but cool. Smoke was continuing to rise from her back, earning the curious eye of the pony who sat cleaning in the front hall.

"Scoots! Holy Celestia, are you OK?!" Pipsqueak cried, gazing at the smoke.

"I-uh...no! I-I just need to get to my room," she stuttered out, before giving a gulp.

"B-But the smoke!" Pipsqueak squeaked.

"It's uh... just um... snow evaporating, I got some on me earlier," Scootaloo said desperately, gazing at her flank once again. Luckily, the smoke seemed to be dissipating slightly at this point.

"I-I've never seen snow 'evaporate' like that before," Pipsqueak said, still gazing at her intently.

Scootaloo gave a sigh. "Just... just don't worry about it. I-I just need to be alone to think."

"Well uh... if you say so," Pipsqueak said, Scootaloo beginning to saunter down the hall. However, before she made it too far, Pipsqueak's accented voice interrupted her again with: "wait! I almost forgot... you got a letter earlier..."

“A wah?” Scootaloo said.

"Yes, and it didn't come by the mail," Madame Hardknock’s stern voice said, its origin stepping into the scene, holding it.

Scootaloo gave it a quick, curious glance, before continuing towards her room. "I-I'll uh... I'll read it later, OK? I just need to be by myself for a bit."

"Hang on there," she grunted, halting her in her tracks once again. "You know... I've seen letters being delivered in unusual ways before. Via dragon... or via Derpy Hooves crashing through my front window." She then raised a hoof. "However, I've never seen letters just pop out of the fireplace."

Scootaloo's eyes widened. "It uh... must be some new form of magic or something."

"Quite the curious letter, too," Madame Hardknock continued, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "No return address... just some sort of strange symbol on it."

She held the letter out to Scootaloo, her quickly gazing it over. Indeed, it was blank for the most part, just a black envelope. However, in the middle of it was a red, full moon.

"Any idea who it's from?" Madame Hardknock asked.

Scootaloo shook her head, her mind racing at the implications of the symbol... what it could mean. However, at the same time, a bit of hope leapt at her. Perhaps this letter could give her some answers.

"Um.. no clue," Scootaloo said shakily.

Madame Hardknock rolled her eyes. "Well, it's yours to read over when you want. Though still... very curious."

"Y-Yeah... pretty weird," Scootaloo said, nodding as she accepted the letter and quickly scurrying to her room, Pipsqueak still gazing upon her with concern-laced eyes.

"Mmmm... two targets right there...' the voice in her heard chirped. 'You're never going to makes it at this rate..."

"Stop saying stuff like that!" she hissed. "I don't care what it takes! I don't care what I am! I'm not drinking anypony's blood! That's just wrong on so many levels!"

At that, she sighed, opening the door to her small room. It had little of accommodations save for a bunk bed, of which she shared with another filly who was out at the moment. In fact, the only thing she really kept in it was the mysterious note that had come with her when she was put up for adoption.

And now, she had another mysterious item to add to the collection.

Taking a deep breath, she carefully chewed open the top portion of the envelope, a letter quickly falling to the ground with neat, articulated writing. Somewhat nervously, she began to read it over, her eyes widening more and more as she did so:

Dear Scootaloo Wintercall,

It is with great pleasure that I'd like to inform you that you have been accepted into the newly reopened Bogmorts School of Sorcery and Synergy. At this moment, I’d be willing to bet you're probably very curious as to what this letter is about and who you are, and perhaps: who's sending it too. I can assure you that all questions will be answered in time and in person. However, for now, I would like to stress that you shouldn't panic if you are already turning back into your true form.

I, myself, am not a vampire, so I couldn't imagine what you're going through. However, one of my dearest friends, Flutterfright, tells me there can be quite a bit of... confusion inherent to a young one, especially when it comes to dealing with her instincts. For your sake, you must fight these instincts, and cover up your true identity, for many a pony may not understand, even after what happened on Nightmare Night.

However, this brings me to the next topic. Bogmorts is a school designed to help young ghouls such as yourself to control their powers, and more importantly: their instincts. And though it may not be of interest to you, but since this is a school of the Nightmare Realm, we will also teach you how to utilize fear simply for the purpose of good-hearted scaring, as that is a nature inherent to all of us on the other side. Whether or not you choose to embrace your heritage is up to you, though.

As I said, I will meet with you in person soon to elaborate further, but you must take heed: there are forces at work beyond my sight. A group that calls themselves Horsehood may try to take you into custody for their own reasons. You may have a friend among them, but his current... affiliation is questionable. Do not allow them to take you, Scootaloo. No matter what.

Looking forward to meeting you,

- Twilight Soulshard,

Temporary Headmistress of the Bogmorts School of Sorcery and Synergy.

"O-Oh my gosh," Scootaloo said, shaking her head in disbelief. "I have to be dreaming or something... how in the world can I be a ghoul?!"

She then scanned over the letter again, actually sighing in relief.

"She said to fight my instincts, though... maybe there's a way I won't have to feed on blood."

'Perhaps... but on this side of the fence, you must makes do with what you have," her instincts growled.

"Not listening to you," Scootaloo said, bringing two hooves to her pointed ears. "Not listening!"

A knock then came to her door.

"Scootaloo! You have somepony here to see you," the gruff voice of the Madame Hardknock called.

Her eyes widened as she smiled slightly. "It must be Twilight's counterpart. And she seemed nice enough I suppose..."

She then turned towards the door, before shouting, "come in!"

At that, the door creaked open, revealing Madame Hardknock... and somepony who definitely wasn't Twilight Soulshard. Her ears sagged slightly at this as she glanced up at him nervously. He was a stern looking stallion, brown, and wearing a spiffy, clean suit, with a fedora topping his head. To complete his menacing presence, on his side he carried a slung submachine gun, to which Scootaloo recognized as a Thompson.

And as soon as he saw her, he grinned wickedly.

"That's her?" he asked.

Madame Hardknock gave a nod. "Yep, that's the weirdo you're looking for."

At that, Scootaloo gave a gulp, waving her hoof in a Jedi-like manner, hoping her mind-control powers would somehow kick in. "I am not the weirdo you're looking for."

The stallion gave a smirk as Madame Hardknock raised her eyebrows. "You've got a lot to learn before you can pull that crap, kid."

"W-Who are you?" Scootaloo squeaked, backing away from him.

"Just a member of the Equestrian government," he said. "The good guys."

"Horsehood," Scootaloo whispered, her eyes widening in horror.

Madame Hardknock raised a suspicious, and perhaps slightly protective eyebrow. "What in Equestria does the government want to do with this kid?"

"As cliche as it sounds: it's classified," he said, shooting her a glare. "And this isn't your business to deal with. Get out of here."

"Fine, whatever," she growled. "Not my part to get between the government and its dealings..."

As Scootaloo looked at her with pleading eyes, she then began to trot angrily away.

Eventually, the two were all alone.

"You're Horsehood, aren't you?" Scootaloo finally said, her eyes narrowing.

"Horsehood?" the stallion smirked. "Is that some sort of band you kids are into these days?"

"Don't lie!” Scootaloo shouted, stamping a hoof. “She said you'd come for me!"

The stallion quickly chuckled. "Well, let's say I was part of Horsehood. How do you know I'm such a bad guy?" he said, giving her a smile she could just tell was false.

"B-Because that's what the letter says!" Scootaloo squeaked, shaking her head.

"Heh. Who are you going to believe, Scootaloo?" he said. "Some freak from the 'Nightmare Realm', or your own government?"

Scootaloo narrowed her eyes, shaking her head. "And how do I know you're really part of the government? How do I know what Horsehood really is?!"

“You’ll just have to trust me,” he said with a shit-eating grin.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Yeah, trust somepony who looks like he’s part of the Mafia. Fat chance!”

The stallion shut his mouth for a second, glaring at her.

Scootaloo tapped her hoof, waiting for a response.

"Heh, you're smarter than I thought you'd be, kid," he finally admitted.

However, his wicked grin soon returned, Scootaloo giving an audible gulp.

"Not that it's a good thing for you, however. They say ignorance is bliss, and I'm inclined to believe it. I'm done trying to do this the hard way. Time for the more... satisfying way."

At that, he began rising to his hindlegs, and as Scootaloo's eyes widened, he began to grip the machine gun....

"Hey, what are you doing?!" a voice squeaked nearby.

The stallion paused.

"Get out of here, kid. This is between me and your friend here," he growled, glaring down at Pipsqueak.

"Yes, and her being my friend, I'd like to ask you again, sir: what exactly are your intentions towards her?"

A beat of silence.

Scootaloo could tell he was contemplating his options.

"Mph, nothing, kid," he finally growled, moving his hoof away from the Thompson. He then glanced back at Scootaloo. "Looks like you're lucky: this time. However, we'll be seeing you real soon, freak."

At that, he gave a horrid chuckle, before pulling out a pack of cigarettes from a saddle bag, lighting one as he trotted towards the front door.

"Scootaloo, who the heck was that?! He looked like he was part of the mob!" Pipsqueak said, his eyes pleading for answers. "Are you in trouble or something? What's going on?!"

Scootaloo took a deep breath, before gripping a hoody she kept nearby, hoping that by some off-chance it would keep her from burning alive.

"It's too much to explain, Pipsqueak," she said, now visibly shaking in fear. "I... I just need to find Rainbow Dash!"

Not giving him another glance, she scurried out of her room, down the front hall, and towards the front door. Panting, she swung it open, moving back out into the winter's null. And to her surprise, and to her relief, the burning sensation seemed to be at bay for now.

"W-Well, at least I can walk around in the sun without becoming barbecue," she whimpered. “However… what the heck am I supposed to do?! I’m NOT feeding on anypony!”

’Hehehe… you know you wants to, though. For vampires, hunger burns like a fire. And when you try to extinguish it… you’ll take every ounce of water you can get.

“It’s NEVER HAPPENI-”

At that, a voice range out nearby:

"Hey kid!" Rainbow said, smiling slightly, though with concerned laced eyes. "Been looking around for you. Your friends said you just ditched them! Are you OK?"

Scootaloo gave a gulp upon seeing her, her eyes beginning to water.

"N-No," she finally cried. "I'm anything but OK, Rainbow!"

At that, Rainbow took a deep breath, moving close to her and setting a comforting wing upon her back. "Scootaloo... is it about this morning? What's going on with you?"

A beat of silence.

"I-I..." she finally whispered. "If I tell you... will you hate me?"

"Scootaloo," she said instantly, smiling warmly as she gripped her in a somewhat awkward hug. "I could never hate you. Not in a million years. That wouldn't be very awesome, now would it?'"

'She lies. She will abandon you when she finds out what you are... just like your parents probably did.'

"What if I was a monster though..." Scootaloo squeaked. "What if I was a monster who... who might hurt her friends!"

"I know you'd never do that," Rainbow smiled, continuing the hug. "You're Scootaloo, the coolest little filly there is. Almost as cool as another little filly I knew. You could be the daughter of Discord for all I cared and I know you'd still never hurt anypony."

'Sentimental words floating in the wind... meaningless.'

Scootaloo narrowed her eyes in resolve, ignoring the voice, even as her stomach burned for blood.

"I-I wouldn't," she whispered. "And I'm going to make sure I never do."

'BAHAHAHAHAHA! More sweet nothings...'

"NEVER!" she growled, stamping a hoof in resolve.

At that, Rainbow released her from the hug, narrowing her eyes and gazing directly into the young filly's. "Scootaloo... you can tell me anything. You know that, right? I love you like the little sister I never had."

Scootaloo's eyes continued to water. "Y-You really mean it?"

"You and me, kid. It's our resolve against the world," Rainbow smiled. "We're tough customers alone, but tougher together. What hasn't killed us has made us stronger."

Scootaloo took a deep breath, contemplating those words. Rainbow Dash was the Element of Loyalty, after all. Though she was a gruff pony… maybe she would actually listen.

Scootaloo gave a slow nod, before beginning to shakily open her mouth, "a-alright... I guess I'll start with this m-morning-"

"Scootaloo! Rainbow Dash!" Twilight Sparkle called, waving.

"Hey, Twilight," Rainbow Dash beamed, before glancing back at Scootaloo, and then back to her. "Uh... hate to sound kind of bitchy, but would you mind leaving us alone for a tic?"

Twilight gave a grin. "But I have some interesting news! You'll never guess who's popped in for a visit!"

Rainbow Dash squinted an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Follow me, I'll show you!" Twilight called.

"Mmmm," Rainbow said, glancing back at Scootaloo. "What do you say, kid? Mind holding this off a second?"

Scootaloo paused a second, before giving another shaky nod.

"Alright," Rainbow said, before smiling again. "I promise we'll talk later, though. And I don't make a promise I can't keep."

At that, Rainbow began trotting away; Twilight gazing back towards her curiously as Scootaloo remained standing there.

"Actually, I meant for both of you to come!" Twilight said.

Scootaloo quickly raised an eyebrow, beginning to trot towards them.

"Come on Twilight, any hints?" Rainbow said.

"Nope," Twilight smiled cheekily. "I want this to be a surprise!"

"C-Could it be," Scootaloo whispered, shaking her head and giving a gulp. "P-Please don't let it be Horsehood again."

'It probably is... this is a trap set by them! They're using Twilight to get to you...'

"Shut up!" she growled to herself. "Twilight wouldn't do that!"

'All food is the same... they looks out for each other. They don't care who the other is...'

Scootaloo paused in her steps, contemplating her paranoid instinct's words, before shaking her head once again.

"Yeah well, why don't you do me a favor and hush up so I can start looking out for myself!"

'Hehehe....'

After a minute or so, they finally found themselves at the library, Twilight opening the door with a cheeky smile. It was completely dark inside, not a candle blazing. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of Spike's loud snoring.

"Well, go on in!" Twilight said.

Scootaloo and Rainbow glanced towards each other, each raising eyebrows, before slowly... and slightly nervously, stepping inside.

SLAM!.!.!

And as they did, the door became encased in purple energy, before slamming shut.

"Woah!" Rainbow cried, twirling about and calling towards the outside world, "T-Twilight, what's going on?!"

Twilight didn't answer.

"Raiiinbow Dassssh," a throaty, demonic voice called from the blackness. "Long have I waited for this day....

At that, two glowing white eyes could be seen peering at them from the dark. At the same time, Spike's snoring ceased.

"W-Who are you!?" Rainbow called, slamming a hoof as Scootaloo began to shiver. "Show yourself, you coward!"

A bit of evil laughter came after that. "You sure you want that?

"Yes! W-Wait! W-Why wouldn't I want that?" Rainbow gulped.

As she spoke, Scootaloo began backing towards the door. The pair of glowing eyes seemed to be gazing directly at her.

"Hehe... alright. I'll show myself... but I want you to make me a promise..."

"What promise?!"

"That I can have your soul..."

"NEVER!"

At that, the lights flicked on, revealing the cheery, undead, pale face of Twilight's counterpart. "...desire for a gift next Nightmare Night!"

Scootaloo's eyes widened.

Rainbow gave a disgruntled groan. "Ugh... Twilight Soulshard... I should have guessed!"

"Hahaha!" she giggled, smiling warmly. "Sorry, wasn't my best scare, but I've been out of practice lately, you know!"

Rainbow narrowed an eyebrow as the door opened, Twilight Sparkle trotting in with a smirk on her face. "Hah, sorry about that Rainbow, but you've had it coming with all the pranks you've pulled on me."

Rainbow gave her a betrayed look. "Et Tu, Twilight?!"

"Actually, that saying would make more sense if I was one among multiple betrayers," Twilight Soulshard beamed, before giving a slightly apologetic smile afterward.

"Oh sweet Celestia! One egghead was enough, but now there's two I have to deal with?!" Rainbow groaned. "How are you even here, anyway? I thought the portal thingy you guys use was only open on Nightmare Night!"

"Yeah, that's what I thought too," another voice groaned, a certain bone-dragon fluttering into the scene, Spike's counterpart. He was about the size of a small dog, a green mist hovering about his skeletal form. Upon seeing her, he quickly gave the undead Twilight a glare, his red pools for eyes glowing menacingly. "But someghoul just can't let sleeping dragons lie..."

"Ugh, you're here too?!" Rainbow grunted. "You know, I still haven't forgiven you all completely for dragging that freaky douchebag Blackblood to our dimension." She then glanced about, smiling slightly. "Still, it'd be nice to see my counterpart. Where is she, anyway?"

"Out reaping souls," Soulshard smiled. "You would know how she is: ever tenacious."

Rainbow gave a wide, somewhat smug grin. "Haha, I still can't believe me counterpart is Death, though I'm somewhat glad she isn't here!"

"W-Why's that?" Scootaloo squeaked.

Rainbow shot her a grin. "Because this treehouse couldn't handle the amount of awesome that would be in it at once!"

"Oh good god," bone dragon Spike cried. "She's an even bigger egomaniac than our Rainbow."

"Hush, Spike," Soulshard said, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, though I was looking forward to saying 'hi', and Happy Hearth's Warming Eve, by the way, I couldn't just open the portal for any occasion."

"I figured," Twilight Sparkle smiled. "What brings you to this side of the fence?"

"Multiple reasons," she said, smiling whimsically, her eyes twinkling as she glanced towards Scootaloo. "However, the most important is standing right before us."

"Wait, what?!" Rainbow said, narrowing a suspicious eyebrow.

The entire group turned towards Scootaloo, her giving a shiver once again.

"I know you're probably scared," Soulshard said warmly. "But you read my letter, right?"

Without saying a word, Scootaloo gave a slight nod.

"What's going on, Twilight?!" Rainbow growled, glaring at her. "What do you want with Scoots?"

"It's quite simple," Soulshard said. "I'm here to bring Scootaloo to the Nightmare Realm… for a temporary amount of time.”

Rainbow's eyes widened as she glanced rapidly between her young friend and the Lich Queen. "To the Nightmare Realm?! But why?!"

"Because," Soulshard sighed, glancing back at the young filly, her eyes peering right through her. She then took a deep breath, and with a whimsical, though serious tone said, "you're a vampire, Scootaloo. And if my assumption is correct: a very powerful one at that."

The jaws of the entire room fell to the floor.

"Ugh..." a moan came from the loft, Spike sauntering down the stairs, blinking rapidly. The entire room turned towards him, giving him blank looks. "W-What? Did I miss something good?"