//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8 
// Story: Scootaloo's Guardian 
// by Dirty Bit 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 8


Trading Stories


Scootaloo could not believe herself when she told her friends to leave after waiting so long with her so-called guardian. It had been so boring without them, and she could not even hope to touch one of the history books without getting threatened by Astaroth. All she could do was think of many possible methods for getting the dark golem to open up and accept her company, as well as get him better acquainted with the rest of Ponyville without any dire situations involving his anger.

The orange filly was able to cope with herself in terms of food thanks to the confectionaries Sweetie Belle purchased from Sugarcube Corner, and she savored each one properly. How Astaroth could not even come to like cupcakes and cookies, she'll never know, but now all she can do was stare at the dark golem as he still read his first book 'Wow...for a guy his size and mind, I'm surprised he has the patience to read...' She was impressed with his patience and how he was so tame as he was lost in the history book.

Astaroth already finished the page involving the founding of Equestria, and he could not have been so irritated on how it was all played out. There was only minor conflict, a magical disturbance from ethereal creatures known as 'Windigoes', and they all made up in the end. Not a single note of bloodshed or agonies of any kind, save for the small insults and the freezing. He was beginning to think that this world could be more than vulnerable for any attack given, and he felt compelled to just stroll out of his new 'home' and destroy the first thing he saw, be it an object or another pony. Present matters aside, he could not help but remember his current position as to being monitored by a little orange pegasus and feel enraged due to his lack of wisdom. First order of business when he had enough knowledge at his own disposal was to make Scootaloo suffer for her arrogance.

Scootaloo continued staring at Astaroth as he finished another page, and then sighed after facing so much boredom. She trotted to her room for a quick moment to look out at her cracked window to look at the sun setting in the sky. The orange filly never expected such time to fly with how much boredom she had to face, and it felt like the day would last forever. Then she turned her head back to see Astaroth in the living room, coming to a decision on how to make him open up.

Her ears perked up as she had eyes of bright realization, and Scootaloo jumped while raising a foreleg in the air "That's it!" She said to herself as an idea sprung into her head. If she was going to make him open up, it would start with stories of their respective pasts so they could compare and comprehend each other's experiences. The only drawback was that Scootaloo did not know how old Astaroth was.

She trotted back into the living room and stood beside Astaroth, her eyes looking up at his grim and occupied face. The dark golem turns another page while the orange filly took her time documenting his movement and kept silent for a few minutes until she finally broke the silence "Hey, Astaroth? Can I ask you a question??"

Astaroth turned to Scootaloo with the same malice-tinted glare and a very disapproving scowl "What is it, runt?" He growled. He did not have time to be hindered by this one when he was busy reading. The dark golem already missed his ax, wanting to kill rather than read.

Working around Astaroth's hateful tone, Scootaloo looked down as she kicked the floor with a hoof "You know, I'm aware you're trying to learn Equestria's history and all, but this thing's been bugging me. You're something that's never been seen in Equestria! I mean, you're not a pony, a zebra, a gryphon, or a diamond dog." She looked up at the dark golem "You're not even a dragon or a minotaur! What are you exactly??"

Astaroth could only narrow his eyes "Your worst nightmare if you don't get out of my sight! Beat it, unless you want me to stray from this book and practice my strength on you!"

Scootaloo gave a glare after another one of his hateful remarks, not wanting to give up "I don't even know why you're acting like that! Are you sure you're not a gryphon at all? Cuz' you remind me of this one that visited Ponyville. She was a friend of Rainbow Da-" She was cut off with a hand covering her muzzle, looking at the dark golem's glare.

Astaroth beared his teeth at the orange filly and growled in a low and dangerous tone "Get away from me..." he gave Scootaloo a push that sent her to a wall, then went back to his book.

Scootaloo was on the wall as some of it cracked with her impact "Ouch..." She hissed in pain, and looked at her patched wounds and muttered to herself "Sweetie Belle just did these some time ago, too..." After plopping herself from the wall, she tried to shake the pain as she trotted back over to the dark golem with another glare 'If getting that big lug to open up to me means taking a beating, then it looks like I'm gonna need medical attention after this...'

The orange filly reached Astaroth's side once again and then summoned the courage to try and match his tone "What the hay is wrong with you right now!? Ever since you woke up, you've done nothing but act like a complete jerk! You hurt me, you hurt my friends, and you even hate them after all the trouble they went for you!! What kind of monster does that to anypony without hesitation!?"

Astaroth directed his attention to Scootaloo and gave a malicious grin "You'd be surprised, runt...Count yourself lucky I didn't kill you yet..." His grin was replaced with a scowl "Now get lost! Or else you'll know how much of a monster I can be!"

The orange filly stood her ground "Not until you tell me about yourself!! Where in Equestria did you learn to act this way!? What are you!?" There was no way was she going to let something big and scary get the best of her like this, but she began having second thoughts when Astaroth set his book down and rose to his feet. She drooped her ears as he kept a predatious gaze on Scootaloo, growling like a provoked manticore.

Scootaloo took a step back as she went to run, but then the dark golem grabbed Scootaloo by the neck and lifted her up to his face "You really do have a wide maw for someone so small and pathetic, maggot...It's as if you actually want me to send you to your grave. Do you really have nothing left to lose?" His words dripped venom as he watched the little filly choke and writhe in his grip.

When he wanted to further her suffering, something inside the dark golem's chest churned and then gave a stabbing pain, causing him to grunt and drop Scootaloo. He dropped to one knee and held his chest with his right hand as he growled in pain, clenching his teeth 'What the hell!? What is this!?'

Scootaloo coughed and gasped for air as she rubbed her neck and wondered if there were any marks from Astaroth's monstrous grip. She wanted to yell at him again, but then she noticed his current position and felt worried "Astaroth? Are you okay?? What's happening??" She galloped over to his side and placed a hoof on his shin, looking up at him with building anxiety.

Astaroth growled more as the pain coursed in his chest, and then he took deep breaths as it passed. Whatever happened to him just now could have been an old wound of sorts, but it felt different...as if something was building up inside of him. After he regained his composure, he noticed Scootaloo looking up at him with a worried expression and grunted in disdain "Why are you still here?"

The orange filly noted his abhorrent behavior, and while she felt compelled to lash out herself, she sighed in relief knowing that Astaroth was okay. Scootaloo replied to him "Do I have to repeat myself? You need me! You need me AND my friends, and we're gonna do whatever it takes to help you!" She looks down and remembers how Applebloom and Sweetie Belle felt around him and mutter "Well...I'll do whatever it takes..." She looks back up with renewed vigor "And if we're gonna be stuck together for the moment, the least you could do is acknowledge the fact that I'm here for you AND tell me about yourself! It's what friends do, ya know?"

Astaroth stared for a moment, slightly befuddled at what he had just heard, but then glared as he picked up Scootaloo "Listen up, runt...And you listen well...We AREN'T friends...We never were friends. If it weren't for the fact that I'm blind to this new world I now reside in, I would've crushed you and those other pathetic maggots and be on my way." He drops the orange filly on the floor and continues glaring down at her.

Scootaloo simply got back up and countered with a glare with her own "Why do you seriously act like this!? Were you born this way or something!?" She could not believe that Astaroth could not take the time to accept Scootaloo's worry or friendship.

Astaroth was silent for a moment, and then he spoke "Yes...I was..." He growled "And I am not too fond of the family that gave birth to me..." The dark golem then looked up as he began having pesky memories of his old cult and its leader '...I wonder if that old bastard is still alive...If so, killing him would make for good sport...'

The orange filly felt sympathy, jealousy, and shock all at once from this revelation "Why would you hate your family?? Were they mean to you or something?? Did your dad give you problems all the time??"

When he heard Scootaloo's voice, Astaroth looked back down at her with the same glare "None of your business! And why should it matter to you anyways?"

Scootaloo stared up at Astaroth after his question, and then looked down with a sullen expression "Because I want to know how it feels...I've never really known my mom OR my dad. Everypony I know has a family to call their own, but I don't have one myself. I've never even had any brothers or sisters..." She looks away and thinks back to before she even met her friends.

[Ponyville Orphanage - 3 years ago]
Scootaloo was playing with the other orphans, galloping and giggling as they had their fun with a game of tag. The old headmistress watched this from her porch with a smile on her face, taking in the warmth of the joy each young colt and filly displayed.

The group ran from Scootaloo since she was it, and the orange filly tripped and fell as she ran. She then got up with a giggle as she chased her friends with a determined smile.
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Many orphans were getting adopted by adult ponies, and they could not be more overjoyed with their new families. Scootaloo was crestfallen that some of her old friends left, but she felt happy for them since they were now being cared for. Soon she'll be cared for as well.
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Two months have passed since Scootaloo's friends left, and she, along with the few remaining orphans were slightly depressed about not being adopted yet. The headmistress consoled each little filly and colt and lifted their spirits with her words, giving them hope for the future.

With each passing day, however, there were not many adults or couples that came to the orphanage.
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Another month passed. The headmistress was worried and sad at who was at the door. There was Mayor Mare, who looked as sad as the headmistress, along with a brown business pony with a slicked black mane, a business tie, and a cutie mark with three sets of moneybags. Beside him was a little pink filly who sported a smug smile.

Scootaloo, along with some of the other orphans were peeking from another room. The orange filly couldn't make out who was at the door, but she noticed the tears on her headmistress' eyes. When the visitors left, the headmistress shut the door and trotted towards the orphans with a hung head, leaving a trail of tears.

When she told them the news, some of the children began to cry while Scootaloo and some others were confused. It was not long until the headmistress joined the crying children.
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Scootaloo, the headmistress, and the orphans witnessed their old home being torn down by some construction workers, and their hearts sank as each wall was wrecked. The children cried over the loss of their home, and Scootaloo tried to fight back the tears and remain strong.

The headmistress placed a hoof on Scootaloo's shoulder and uttered her words to the filly "We're without a home now, Scootaloo...It's up to us to stay strong and try to make a life in this world...I'm sorry that I cannot do anything else for you or the children..."

Scootaloo sniffled while trying to look tough, but some tears escaped her eyes as she stared at what was left of the orphanage.
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[1 year later]
Scootaloo was sneaking near a market stand that was selling assorted flowers. When she got close, she quickly snatched two and scurried away with her life.

The orange filly enjoyed her meal while hiding between two buildings, but then looked down as she sat on her haunches. When she heard hoofsteps, she quickly got up into a defensive position and noticed who came over.

It was a white unicorn filly, who tilted her head in curiousity "What's wrong? Why are you doing that??"

Scootaloo replied by looking away "I thought you were somepony else..." She wanted to remain distant "Why are you here anyway?"

The unicorn filly was taken aback at how harsh Scootaloo sounded, but answered anyway "I was just walking with my family to the cafe for some lunch. But then I noticed you were here, so I came to see you."

Scootaloo scoffed, not facing the filly "Whatever..." She paused, and then spoke again "What's your name?"

The filly smiled and introduced herself with a proper bow "My name's Sweetie Belle! What's yours?"

She was silent, but then the orange filly turned to face Sweetie Belle "...Scootaloo."
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Scootaloo sniffled and had a tear run down her eye after the memory, but then wiped it away as she turned to face Astaroth "But yeah, you already know I don't have a family. But you haven't told me about yours. Why do you hate your family?

Astaroth did not want to answer her question, but her words provoked more memories of his life. He definitely was not fond of his old 'family', and he remembered that along with his adventures as he growled and looked up, letting his memories sink in.

[Grand Shrine of Palgaea]
Astaroth laid on the table in a large temple as members of the Heretical Order of Fygul Cestemus were constructing his appearance. The leader of the cult, Grand Priest Kunpaetku, was supervising his creation with an evil smile on his face. After many hours have passed, they called upon Ares to bring him to life.

"Your job is to find Soul Edge and bring it to me...Go now, Astaroth..." He pointed out the door, and Astaroth bowed to his creator and walked off, leaving the grand priest to laugh to himself at his devious plan.
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Astaroth was busy fighting three people at once in a castle. One was a lady with a sword, another was a man with a stick, and the last one was a man with a set of nunchucks "Don't give this monster an inch! We can't let him get that sword!!" The one with the stick called out as they continued their battle.
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The one with nunchucks performed a victory pose "Night night, Don't let the bed bugs bite..." He smiled as the dark golem closed his eyes.

....Rise Astaroth...You have a task to perform...
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The temple was in ruins, many bodies laid dead on the rubble, and the grand priest glared in disproval "You ungrateful beast!"

Astaroth gave chase to his creator along the ruins, and was about to kill him until the priest escaped at the last minute and spoke as he left "You are nothing more than a failed doll! To think we could have modeled you after the White Giant himself!"
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Astaroth had nearly killed the 'White Giant' in triumph, but then realized his servitude and lashed out in anger, destroying the landscape around him.
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The man with the nunchucks made another victory pose as he faded out of Astaroth's view, the dark golem falling into a pit after facing many injuries "Hehe...just like old times..."
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Astaroth gritted his teeth at the one who killed him twice and clenched his fists 'If HE'S still alive, I won't hesitate in destroying him as well...'

Scootaloo tilted her head at how the dark golem was getting angry while being lost in thought. Maybe he has been faced with horrible memories that could prove far worse than her own. She looked up at Astaroth with a sad smile "Hey, Astaroth?"

The dark golem looked down and glared after he was snapped out of his unwanted nostalgia "What is it, runt?"

Scootaloo smiled "If you went through a lot of trouble in your life, I'm sorry if I brought it up. It's just that...It was hard for me to live alone. That's why, since you're here and all, maybe you could help me out. We could stick together!"

Astaroth looked down at the orange filly with silence, and then scoffed "You need me not to live with you, but to kill you if the moment sees fit." He sat back down and went back to reading his history book "If you're so set on wanting to assist me, you could possibly piss me off to the point where you could make excellent practice for my strength." He said with a dark chuckle as he flipped a page.

Scootaloo drooped her ears and sighed at this 'Well, it's a start...I just gotta try harder tomorrow...' She trotted over to her bedroom window and noticed that nightfall was beginning to set in. Boy, how time flies in Equestria.

With a yawn, she trotted to her blanket to get ready for bed, and then called out to her house guest "Good night, Astaroth..."

The dark golem only replied with a grunt as he flipped another page of his history book. He had a long way to go if he wanted to make it in Equestria.


End of Chapter 8