Scootaloo and the School of Ghouls

The next few hours went by rather quickly for Scootaloo, them being hectic at best. Both versions of Rainbow and Twilight, as well as the rest of the Crusaders congregated together, with Jack Harness watching from the sidelines (and stealthily giving the 'real' Rainbow a look-over occasionally.) Soon, a plan was set into action. The Crusaders and Pipsqueak would set out to wake the rest of the Elements, including two very grumpy sisters...

☼☼☼

"You wanna do what?!" Applejack shouted, her exasperated voice filling her farm house’s living room "I don't believe this! This whole thing sounds like some sort of tale tale! How can lil' Scoots be a vampire?!"

"We told you already!" Apple Bloom cried. "Her father was-"

"And like I said, it sounds like you're pullin my hoof," Applejack grunted, before giving a heavy sigh. "Listen, I liked my counterpart from that Nightmare Realm n' everything, but those folks seem to have an entire different way of livin' than us regular ole' ponies. And you want to spend an entire half of year on their side of the fence?!"

"It won't be that bad," Apple Bloom grumbled. "Twilight's working on a spell that should be able to turn their rotten food into fresh stuff we can eat. Why don't you talk it over with Ms. Soulshard for a little bit?"

“Ugh, this is too crazy, I really don’t think there’s-“

“Pleeeeeeeeease,” Apple Bloom said.

And puppy dog eyes were given.

"Resistance is futile," Pipsqueak smirked.

Applejack closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "Alright. I'll hear her out, but I ain't makin' any promises."

Apple Bloom gave a wide smile before she immediately gripped her sister in a hug. "Thanks sis, I knew you'd understand!"

Applejack gave a warm smile in return, releasing her. "Well, I won’t say that, but it won't hurt to-"

Before she could finish, Apple Bloom was already half way up the stairs to her room.

Applejack's eyes widened. "APPLE BLOOM! DON'T YOU DARE START PACKIN'!"

The rest of the Crusaders and Pipsqueak couldn't help but stifle giggles.

☼☼☼

"Alright, so, with the powers of light and dark magic combined..." Twilight said, gazing at the burning fields where the Nimbus had crashed.

"We should be able to create a large enough gravimetric singularity..." Soulshard continued.

"To create a large enough temporary pocket vacuum...."

"To starve the flames!" Soulshard finished, now grinning.

At that, the two gazed at each other with raised, impressed eyebrows.

"Geeky hoof!" the two giggled, bouncing two purple hooves together.

"Oh dear night," Rainbow Death groaned, before turning towards her counterpart with a cocked eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to spend an entire semester around these two eggheads?"

"Remember Rainbow, you're doing this Scootaloo," Rainbow chanted to herself, shaking her head in both disbelief and horror. "Yep, totally doing it for Scootaloo."

☼☼☼

"Captain Jack Harness, you have some splainin' to do!" Princess Luna roared with her Royal Canterlot Voice nearby, glaring at the simpering captain as she tapped an agitated hoof. "Why have thou wrecked my beautiful night with thy flaming air titan?!"

The captain raised an eyebrow, quickly fixing his mane. "Since when did you start listening to that 'I Love Moosey' radio show?"

Luna gave a sheepish grin. "Ehehe. Tia has been getting us into modern mediums of entertainment lately... they have been most indulging!" Her gaze then turned serious. "Do not try to change the subject, however. If you believe that Horsehood is becoming a rogue entity, action must be taken against them!"

"I'll take care of them," the captain sighed. "They're my responsibility. And Blackfire is still out there... there's no telling how far she will be willing to go in order to 'defend Equestria'."

"Thou speak as if that is a malicious act!" Luna said, lowering an eyebrow.

"If it's carried out her way, yes. It's possible she might even start an international incident if she heads to where we think Sleighbell snuck off to, and I don't even want to think what will happen if she messes with that Dalek remnant sec in the Eastern Deserts..." Jack grunted, before gazing towards Canterlot. "I will need your help with one thing, though: we need to close down our-" He then winced slightly. "Their headquarters in Canterlot. It's probably already being pulled through a 'sterile sweep', though, meaning by the time we get there nopony or database will be left."

"We shall rally some of our elite guards to see if we can stall their progress," Luna nodded. "Wilt thou be joining us?"

Jack shook his head, giving a warm smile. "I want to say goodbye to somepony first."

☼☼☼

"So wait?! You're going to be going to the Nightmare Realm!?" Pinkie bounced in front of Scootaloo, who quickly gave a nod.

The pink mare's eyes widened in horror. "And you're not going without about a hundred of my famous cupcakes?!"

Scootaloo opened her mouth to respond, but by the time she could, Pinkie was already half-way to Ponyville.

Jack Harness, both Rainbows and Twilights, both Spikes (the undead version back to his miniature size), the Crusaders (and now trial Crusader Pipsqueak), and the rest of the Elements huddled together near an entrance to the Everfree Forest.

"You are absolutely positive they will be one hundred and ten percent safe under your care, darling?" Rarity gulped, gazing directly into the Lich Queen's eyes. "I want your solemn word."

The Lich Queen sighed. "I can't give you that, but I can say that Bogmorts is an absolutely safe school now, and your counterparts will be there as well."

"Hm, Applemoon will?" Applejack said, lifting an eyebrow. "Well that makes me feel better, I guess."

"And dear Scarity too," Rarity pondered, scratching her chin. "You know, I wonder if she took my advice on added the extra curl to her mane?"

"I uh... didn't notice," Soulshard simpered.

Rarity rolled her eyes. "My dear Lich Queen, undead or not, you have a lot to learn about unicorn elegance."

Soulshard sweat-dropped, smiling sheepishly. "Well uh... I'm sure Scarity can teach me a thing or two."

At that, Applejack turned towards Apple Bloom. "Are ya absolutely sure you're down for this?"

Apple Bloom gave a nod, glancing towards Scootaloo, who sulked her head slightly.

"You don't have to come," Scootaloo said sorrowfully. "I feel like I'm-"

Apple Bloom gave her a blank look. "Don't feel guilty about anything! What kind of friends would we be if we didn't support you?"

"Yeah! Plus, I think Bogmorts might be able to teach me things about magic I could never hope to learn here!" Sweetie beamed.

"And I miss my life of adventure," Pipsqueak sighed, glancing towards the western seas. "Captain Sparrow never did give us a dull day, and though one on land may be a change of pace for me, I suppose a little diversity doesn't hurt."

"Ya sure you don't want me or Big Mac to come along though?" Applejack said, still glancing at Apple Bloom, scratching her head. "Neither of us would mind too much."

Apple Bloom shook her head, giving her a warm, but sad smile. "I don't want to drag anymore Apples away from granny. She needs her family nearby."

Applejack gave a chuckle, giving her an slight nuzzle complete with a look of approval. "You may not have your Cutie-Mark, but you're showin' signs of maturity beyond most fillies, ya know that?" She then poked the young Apple's chest. "And you got a stout heart to go with it."

"So do you, my Sweetie Belle," Rarity whimpered, her eyes beginning to tear up. "Even if you do drive me mad at times, I wouldn't give you up for all the gems I have!" she stated dramatically.

"Dawww, don't worry sis! Hey, who knows? Maybe I'll learn a bit of alchemy so I can make you all the gems you need!"

At that, Rarity's eyes widened as she glanced towards Soulshard. "Y-You teach alchemy!?"

Soulshard nodded with a smile. "Well.. the class is being offere-"

"Sweetie! It is imperative that you come back with top level grades at this school!" Rarity said sternly, gems now actually forming in her eyes. "Especially in an alchemy class."

The entire group rolled their eyes.

"Scootaloo," Fluttershy squeaked, smiling down at her. "I know your friends are coming with you, but I just thought... well if you didn't mind... that maybe another couldn't hurt."

At that, she pulled out a small, blue vampire bat who was resting inside her mane. Its eyes immediately fluttered open as it cocked its head, giving several adorable little squeaks as it gazed upon Scootaloo.

Scootaloo's eyes widened in delight. "Oh my gosh! He's so cute-"

Before she could finish, she noticed Rainbow was smirking at her.

"I mean uh... he's so cool!" she coughed, grinning slightly. "What's his name?"

"Fangs," Fluttershy smiled. "I uh... didn't name him, it's a bit-"

"And he has a cool name, too!" Scootaloo beamed.

"He's all yours, Scootaloo. I figured that... it'd be appropriate," she said.

Fluttershy then gave a deep sigh, gazing at Fangs one last time. "Alright little guy, I guess this is goodbye."

Fangs gave her his best equivalent of a smile, before nuzzling her slightly and fluttering over to perch on Scootaloo's back.

"Heh," Captain Harness smiled proudly, glancing down on Scootaloo. "You know, the last time I saw you you were just a little thing. Only about the size of my arm. Though even then I knew you'd grow up to be a trooper."

"I... wish I had more time to get to know you, Captain Harness," Scootaloo said sorrowfully.

"Likewise," he sighed, before putting back on his smile. "But you know, Blackfire often spoke about your father. And everything she ever said about him... came from the heart. I believe he was a thoroughly good man..." The captain put on a smirk. "No matter what size of teeth he had."

Scootaloo gave a slight chuckle.

"Your mother too," Captain Jack continued. "I once knew her... a long time ago."

Rainbow Death gave him a look.

"Not in that way, Rainbow. It was legit," he growled.

Rainbow rolled her eyes.

"And well, I can say one thing Scoots," he said, kneeling down at her level.

A beat of silence followed, before Jack took a deep breath.

"You have her eyes."

And at that, those eyes began to water ever-so-slightly.

... As well as both Spikes’.

"W-What?" bone dragon Spike whimpered. "I have something in my..." He then blinked, remembering his eyes were essentially two red balls of light. "W-Wait, I can't really use that excuse can I? Oh n-night damnit... how am I even crying?!"

"It's alright Spike, I won't tell anyghoul you're a big ole softy on the inside," Soulshard said, giving him a slight hug.

Another few minutes passed as the group said their last goodbyes, and eventually, the lot of them turned towards the Everfree Forest, Twilight now hovering a large case of cupcakes Pinkie had brought. However, one last voice called to them before they entered the dark.

"Scoots," Captain Jack said.

Scootaloo turned towards him, raising an eyebrow.

"I promise I'll find your father, alright?" he said, before smiling. "Good luck over there."

At that, Scootaloo took a deep breath, nodding, before throwing a hoof up towards her forehead in a salute. "Goodbye, Captain."

Captain Jack returned the salute with a wink.

"Goodbye, Scootaloo."

And for a brief second, he wished he could still feel even a tad bit of warmth.

An instant later, the groups finally parted officially, Captain Jack sauntering back towards town with the rest of the Elements.

"Um sir... if you don't mind me asking," Rarity said, scratching her head. "Who exactly are you?"

Captain Jack took a deep breath.

"Captain Jack Harness," he sighed, before giving her a look-over, raising an eyebrow, and grinning. "And who are you?"

☼☼☼

"The portal is right up ahead," Soulshard called, leading the way through the dense brush of Everfree. "Hopefully we're not too late!"

"Yeah, I mean no offense to you guys, but I really don't want to be stuck on this side until Nightmare Night," bone-dragon Spike grunted.

"Hey, you can always become Twilight's number two assistant!" Rainbow Dash grinned.

The real Spike gave her an annoyed look for some reason.

"And I can take you clubbing!" Soulshard beamed. "And I have to say, I'm glad that stench suppression spell is working properly. I didn't want to offend anpony!"

"Yeah... really peachy," bone-dragon spike grunted. "Though I guess it's better than TAG bodyspray."

"I wouldn't mind housing you two for a bit," Twilight smiled. "I'm sure Ms. Soulshard here could help me with my studies!"

"We would make one heck of a team!" Soulshard grinned. "Perhaps while we're at Bogmorts you can teach me more about this... Light Magic of yours."

Twilight raised a hoof. "Speaking of which," she continued. "You say Bogmorts isn't near your version of Ponyville?"

Soulshard shook her head. "It's actually far north of it, and I mean very far north... as in it's in the Frozen North."

"Glad I packed a sweater," Rainbow sighed. "Though us pegasi can take the cold pretty well. Helps for winter weather jobs."

"I hope so," Rainbow Death grunted. "Because even I think the place is cold... and it's very dark as well. Sometimes you can only see about two feet in front of you even with a light source."

At that, Rainbow squinted in thought. "Hm... dark because of... snow storms, by any chance?"

Deathie raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Oh, nothing," Rainbow smirked whimsically.

"Hey, I think I see something!" 'mortal' Spike called, squinting at a glowing light closer by.

"Ah, that's the portal!" Soulshard called, smiling.

The group then entered a clearing, and indeed, a glowing vortex of twirling light sat above a mix of grass and brambles.

"Oooooo," Sweetie oozed. "It's... so beautiful!"

"Don't get too excited, kid, dimensional travel isn't exactly nice on the stomach," Rainbow Death groaned.

"Haha, gee, sure would be nice not to have a stomach right now! Oh hey, wait!" bone-dragon Spike grinned, before gaining an elbow from both Twilights. "Ouch! Oh night damnit!" he cried, glancing at the mortal Spike. "They're going to be teaming up on me the whole time, aren't they?!"

"Mhmmm," Spike nodded. "Just uh... when you want to say smartass comments, let's make them a Spike-thing only."

Bone-dragon Spike shook his head desperately. "Can't be done. Cannot. Be. Done."

"Alright," Rainbow Death said. "Everypony and ghoul... and dragon... into the portal. One by one. Scoots, me and you will go first."

"Hey, wait!" the real Rainbow said. "Why don't I take Scoots first?"

"Because... uhhh..." Rainbow Death said, squinting in annoyance. "Because I know the way ahead!"

"But we're all going to the same place! And it's safe on the other side, right?"

"Oh good Celestia, I can see where this is going," Spike groaned.

"How about you both go at the same time," Scootaloo suggested.

Both Rainbows looked at each other.

"Hmmm, is it possible?" the 'real' one asked.

"Well... yeah," the other said, taking a deep breath. "Alright, the two of us will go through together." She then gave Scootaloo another glance. "Just make sure to hold your breath before entering, alright? Because you're going to have the wind knocked out of you."

Scootaloo gave a nod as both Rainbows turned and flew (while aggressively shoving against each other slightly) into the portal, quickly disappearing with a flash of light.

"Whelp Scoots," Twilight Sparkle smiled. "You're up. At least you won't need to send us a postcard!"

Scootaloo nodded, stepping forward, closing her eyes, and taking a deep breath. "Right... here goes nothing, I guess."

She then stepped into the portal....

And instantly, the wind was indeed kicked out of her.

She gasped for air, her stomach feeling like it had been sent through an earthquake. However, luckily, it didn't take long for her to compose herself. Looking about, she found herself within a large, cylindrical hall of sorts, with a marble floor of black and red diamonds. Surrounding her, upon the walls, were various doors, all with little markings on them.

There was one with mistletoe on it, another with a sponge, another with a Spring Festival egg, one with a turkey, and even one with a bloody butcher knife.

"Greetings, honored guests of the mortal realm!" a bombastic voice then called, its origin stepping into the chamber. "Darksong Shadowbane, the red and black alicorn and most feared creature in all of Edeathstria welcomes you to the TEMPLE OF THE DOORS! DUN DUN DIDDILY DOOM DUN DUN!"

As Scootaloo's eyes widened, a loud-speaker began playing a tune as bombastic as the overpowered alicorn's voice.

"Night damnit, Darksong," Rainbow Death groaned.