//------------------------------// // Chapter 6-1: Bad Behaviour // Story: Yo-Kai Watch: The mystery of Springdale // by Tythen //------------------------------// "Ah..." Princess Twilight looked out of the window from her special study room. Down in the castle courtyard, she spotted a platoon of guards doing their daily routine of marching, commanded by a pegasus who she got familiar with over a month after Flash's departure to Springdale. "It's been a month, but it still doesn't feel the same without him around." Twilight mumbled to herself as the guards began marching back and forth. "Something wrong Twilight?" A purple baby dragon hopped to her side, "Hello Spike, it's nothing..." "Hey," Spike peered out of the window, "Burning Blade is doing a great job as Flash's replacement. Heck, he's one of Flash's close allies besides Shining. You still think Ponyville isn't safe without Equestria's 'Gae Bolg' around?" "Flash isn't a weapon of destruction. He's innocent like everypony after the war and a caring brother for his family." "But it's a sign of respect! Why shouldn't we call him that?" "The same reason why we don't call my brother 'Excalibur'!" Twilight retorted, "and I feel guilty for sending him and his family to Springdale! You of all people should know about family, and that place!" "... Sorry." Spike sighed, the image of another dragon appeared in his mind. "I forgot Flash is also another victim of losing their loved ones." "Well, It was kept a secret from me too." Twilight replied, "now that Shining has explained the entire story, I just feel so bad sending him away." "Don't worry!" Spike encouraged, "at least he has Scoots and First to cope with! I wish I could say the same for me but you know... What happened with Patch..." "Spike, I'm sorry for what happened to your brother. I didn't mean to bring back bad memories." "I'm sure he's still here, in spirit. But enough of that," he plopped a scroll onto Twilight's desk. "This is what I was here for, Flash's report." "Ahh..." Twilight sighed in relief as she opened the scroll and read through Flash's report. "And he still never writes it as a normal letter." "He's a soldier! What would you expect?" Spike joked, "Regardless, It looks like he's doing fine! Ever since hearing all about the ridiculous paranormal cases, it says that these number of cases has been decreasing! But... I can tell he's still stressful through his words." "Let me guess, is it Scoots and First?" "Yeah." Twilight replied, "that's the main assumption... Oh look! It seems Flash said that he remembers a few of the ladies asking for some gifts before he left! He says that a letter should be sent to him as soon as possible, and that the next report will come bearing gifts!" "Well then!" Spike grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill nearby, "so glad he remembers for us! Let's see... I've heard that they have special gems that are popular in Neighpon. There were some called Agate, Ivory and Coral! I want to sample some!" He quickly began scribbling down notes. "Now what would you want Twilight?" "Well..." Twilight chuckled, "I'd like a lot of books regarding the culture of Neighpon. They would make perfect additions to the library as well as for my knowledge!" "Hmm..." Applebloom pouted with boredom as she looked to the skies and the horizon from the CMC treehouse. "Ain't never felt this bored when Scoots were around!" "Aww Scoots..." Sweetie sighed, "I know you miss her, I do too, but you know how she misses her family, or what's left of it." "Ah know ah know..." Applebloom sighed, "ah jus' don't get it. We're her friends! Why didn't she tell us 'bout her family? Ah mean, ah've got Granny, Big Mac, Applejack and the Apple Family... All she has is First Base and Mister Sentry... I'd be lonely if I was her..." "Hey Applebloom! Sweetie Belle!" A voice called from below. "Oh!" Sweetie gazed to a few foals galloping or flying towards them. "Twist! Pipsqueak! Button! Rumble! How are you doing?" "Doing fine," Rumble saluted, "but anyway, the little Dragon Spike just handed us some letters written towards you and us. Guess who that is!" "Wow! It's Scoots!" Applebloom quickly galloped down to retrieve the letter and opened it without hesitation. "Dear Sweetie and Applebloom. How have you been doing?" Sweetie read, "It has been a rocky month ever since I left you two for Springdale. I know it sounds a bit unfair, but family is just as important as friendship! Ever since coming here, I've been messaging you guys about how much I've wanted to return to Ponyville, while at the same time, talking about all these hot topics around Springdale, as well as our Neighponese friends! Living here for a month, our new friends remind me all about you guys! Did you also know that two of them don't have cutie marks like we do? They could be the new members of the CMC in Neighpon! I wish that you could visit us one day, I'd be glad to introduce you to them! The picture we sent you this time is me and my little brother hanging out with most of my friends in this very entertaining place known as an Arcade with all these machines! I bet Button Mash would like this place! Then again, First sent something similar to his friends, so they'll get the same picture! Anyway, I hope you can write back to me! With Loving Regards Scootaloo P.S. As usual, this part is for both of your eyes only. we're helping our Big Bro crack the case as soon as possible, so we can get home! With me and my friends, there's nothing we can't do!" "Aww..." Applebloom chuckled at the picture of Scootaloo, First, Nate, Katie, Bear, Eddie, Sarah, and Alex giving funny poses and faces at the camera inside a flashy room with gadgets, crane machines and the like. "Man!" Button moaned as he held a similar picture, "I wanna go to Springdale now! Just look at the many arcades there!" "Well," Twist giggled, "I'm sure they're having a good time..." "Yeah..." Sweetie nodded, "Jus' wonderin'" Applebloom picked up, "ah'm not doubting Scoots' new friends but, how can they convince and help Mister Sentry with the case?" While the young foals continued on bickering about their friend, they were unable to notice that the picture of Scootaloo, First Base and their friends... As well as the many other pictures sent before... Had other 'friends' join in with the image with their own funny faces. "Argh, this is excruciating!" Scootaloo complained as she quickly scribbled down notes and answers of her maths homework just given to her an hour ago. "Uh Scoots?" Katie, Sarah and Alex looked concerned, "you're supposed to do your homework later..." "Well," Scootaloo chuckled as she quickly brushed off the rubber remains from her paper and neatly folded it into her bag. "It's best to do it while still fresh in your mind. That and we're grounded." "What happened?" Alex asked, "Got caught sneaking out at night." Scootaloo sighed, "It was a well worth trip. Too bad that we were found out next morning." "Well, what is your reason for sneaking out?" Sarah prompted, "It's... Complicated," Scootaloo laughed nervously, "anyway, he wants us to have our homework done before we get home. Otherwise, it's extra push-ups for both of us!" "Glad that's over." First stacked a set of papers and clipped them together before putting it in his bag. "At least I won't have to do it at home." "Let me guess..." Nate noticed, "... Got caught?" "Yeah..." "Seriously?" Bear added, "of all ponies, I thought you'd be the most behaved!" "I thought so too, then I had to go sneaking out at night..." "What did you have to do there?" Eddie prompted, "It's... Complicated." First sighed, "regardless, if this wasn't fully completed when we go home, he's going to whip me and my sis into a chubby camp of his own making!" "Alright kids! Class is back in session!" Mr Johnson walked into the room, the school bell chiming away. "Today we are going to learn some history. As you know, the land of Equestria is governed by four princesses. We have Princess Twilight, the Princess of Friendship, Princess Cadence, The Princess of Love, Luna, The Princess of the Moon, and Celestia, the Princess of the Sun." All the students groaned, "I know that you guys know that. And what about the ruler in Neighpon? If it doesn't make you uncomfortable, can either Scootaloo or First Base answer that question?" "Uh..." Scootaloo looked around, "I believe..." First jogged his memory through his history homework just two minutes ago, "her name is Princess Amaterasu, Princess of the 'Rising Sun' rather than the sun itself, and ruler of Neighpon." "Correct!" Mr Johnson nodded in agreement, "but there's something that wasn't made known until a few months ago... As their duty to raise the sun and moon, the Royal Family of Equestria are related to the Royal family of Neighpon! It has been said that they are very distant cousins or rather very close allies from long ago: Blood sisters as they might call it." "Huh..." Scootaloo thought to herself, "I'm quite tempted to visit Neighpon myself one day." "You should!" Katie overheard, "but I think it's best for you to stick to the peaceful rural and country areas. I'm not sure if your mind can survive what happens in the main city..." After spending a certain amount of time in class varying through many subjects, the bell rang for lunch time. Whilst everypony received their meals and sat down and ate, the siblings were focused in doing their homework without any minute to touch their lunch, concerning not only their friends, but even their Yo-Kai companions. "Can't you just finish your homework after eating your lunch?" Whisper asked, "You're food's going to get cold!" Jibanyan replied, "and I'm tempted to eat it myself!" "Nearly finished!" The siblings replied simultaneously as they continued on writing articulate short answers and drawing precise lines. Both ponies sweated in fear and pain as they concentrated with their minds. After a few mentally excruciating minutes, the siblings finally jotted down the last of their words and dropped their pencils with relief. "Phew! Out of the way." First sighed, "Now that that's over," Scootaloo picked up her cutlery, "it's time to ea--nooo!" Scootaloo gasped at her nutrient-stacked plate, now displaying nothing but air. "My food!" "See?" Jibanyan yawned with exhaustion, "I told you!" "You greedy cat!" The filly viciously tackled Jibanyan to the floor, "I thought you of all Yo-Kai would refrain from eating other ponies' food!" "It wasn't me!!!" Jibanyan cried in desperation, "I was only focusing my sights on you! Honest!" "Oh! Were you about to eat it?" Sarah turned around, her face filled with food. "I thought you we're never going to bother with all your homework!" "Wait... Don't tell me you stole my lunch Sarah!" "I did!" Sarah laughed, "what's mine is mine and what's yours is also mine. So gimme!" With a quick swipe, Sarah nicked Scootaloo's papers and bolted out the door, "Sarah!!!" Scootaloo roared as she galloped after her, "give it back!" "What in the world?" Katie looked at the trail of the two fillies, "Sarah? Did you just steal from Katie?" "Well..." First chuckled, "at least I have my lunch still intact." "Hey, it's not fair that you get to eat while your sister can't." Whisper stopped, "But..." "But no!" Nate overheard, "first your sister got her food stolen and now her homework. Are you sure you want your sister to go through a military gym?" "Well..." First thought hard, "perhaps there were some scores to settle with her..." "First!" Whisper, Jibanyan and Nate scolded, "Kidding! Kidding!" First held his hooves in defence, "yeah, let's go help my sis." "Let me come with you." Nate continued, "What did you say?" First tilted his head, "I've been giving it a lot of thought about this Yo-Kai business ever since that time in the Construction building. As much as I'd like to stay out of the business and burden with you and Yo-Kai, I can't help but be curious about the existence of Yo-Kai now, ever since seeing that red oni and seeing you talking to 'air'." "Is that so?" "And I've done a bit of research on Yo-Kai... There's not a lot of information about them, only statements and debates on their existence. They do sound like the usual rumours that are tossed around at school, but I've seen them and lived to tell a tale that nopony would probably listen to anyway... And that leads me wanting to learn more about Yo-Kai." "Is that the only reason?" "Of course not. It's quite envious and unfair to see my friends hang out with friends beyond compare, as well as carrying a burden with those friends. If anything, I'm willing to help." "Are you sure about this???" First asked once more, "you know there's no turning back." "I've made my decision." Nate nodded, "besides, I'm beyond turning back. I'm as curious about Yo-Kai as you are, and I'm not going to let a friend be alone." "You have such a kind heart Nate," First gave a brotherly hug, "I don't care if anypony calls you average or generic as that. To be on the receiving end, I couldn't be happier." "You're kind yourself." Nate complimented, "just like your big brother." "I guess all three of us are alike, aren't we?" First chuckled, "but enough talk, let's go find Scoots!" "Sarah!" Scootaloo yelled as she chased her victim onto the school yard. "Why? What's with eating my food then stealing my homework?" "Isn't it obvious?" Sarah giggled, "what's mine is mine and what's yours is also mine! So everything that catches my eye is mine!" "And that's howz we do it punk!" A raspy and rude voice came from behind Sarah. A young foal dressed in biker-like costumes with a slick pompadour as his manestyle, giving off the vibe of a bad foal complete with sunglasses. The inappropriate attire wasn't as shocking to the filly as the one who was wearing it. "Eddie?" Scootaloo's jaws dropped, "what in the world are you wearing?" "Shut it buddy!" Eddie threatened, "I don't need ta hear you tell me what I wear or don't wear!" "And what's with your voice?" Scootaloo tilted her head to Eddie, "with what you dress and speak, what's with the bad foal look? It sounds really familiar too." "Why?" Eddie continued lashing out, pointing a hoof this time, "because I'm bad! And that's what I am!" "What!?" A paralysing chill ran through her body, "I can't move... Is it because of his intimidating look and atmosphere?" "Say, this punk giving youze a lot of trouble?" Eddie turned to Sarah, "Not anymore now that you've got her locked down!" "It's what I do buddy, now that she's locked down, youze got some business with her?" "Sure! There's plenty of things I can steal from her. Her bags, stationary, and I can start off with that watch around her neck!" "No!" Scootaloo yelled, "anything but that!" "I won't allow it!" First galloped to Scootaloo's side, with Nate, Whisper and Jibanyan behind. "I won't allow you to rob my friend!" Nate defended, "even if you're a friend of mine!" "Shoot!" Eddie growled, "looks like we have company with us!" "First! I wish I didn't have the option to say 'thanks for your help', but thanks for your help anyway! And... Nate?" "I'll explain later." Nate replied, "for now, I'll be joining you." "O-Okay then..." Scootaloo replied, "now quickly, take the Watch before either of them steals it." "Nuh-uh! What's yours is mine!" Sarah lunged forward like a snake and with her teeth grasped on the strap, pulled the watch away from her head, "Dang it!" Scootaloo cursed, "Not if I can help it!" First placed a hoof just as Sarah made a u-turn, tripping her out of surprise. "Woah!" Caught unaware, the watch flew out of her mouth and into the sky. Nate quickly took action and slipped a hoof through the strap of the falling watch and spun it around before halting it's velocity with his other hoof. Realising that she couldn't get it back, she zipped back to Eddie's side, giving an antagonistic look. "Nice save!" First complimented, "Does this thing break?" Nate asked, "because I'm not sure if I did by accident." "It's a very durable Watch that can resist hard impacts or changes of environment! Plus, you can get the thing repaired." Whisper answered, "Whisper says that it's a strong watch." First replied, "now that you've decided to join us, would you care to do the honours of revealing the Yo-Kai behind Sarah and Eddie's behaviour? Just have to click the button and aim the search light at the two of them." "Like this?" Nate released the Yo-Kai lens and Searchlight and aimed at the dastardly duo. In front of them revealed a green lizard-like creature with pants and gauze, along with a giant slick orange pompadour. The one in front of Sarah was a fat chubby bird almost identical to Rockabelly, except that it was mostly purple in colour and lacked the face on the belly. "Well what do you know?" The lizard spoke, "that ain't no ordinary watch, it's the Yo-Kai Watch! Colour me gobsmacked!" "That thing's worth a fortune down in the Yo-Kai World!" the purple bird remembered, "I know you!" First pointed towards the lizard, "you're one of those Yo-Kai thugs that tried to corner me and my sister and blackmailed poor Leadoni! You're one of those Roughraff!" "What you say punk!?" Roughraff growled, "I'm sure you know my name, but I'm not one of those blasted Yo-Kai following that blasted octopus! I haz my own rules! Travellin' with my best buddy here!" "Hee hee! We're here to intimidate and cause trouble for ponies as well as loot their belongings to sell in the Yo-Kai World!" "How despicable!" Nate replied, "Umm guys?" Scootaloo pointed out, "I don't want to interrupt, but I need to see them too!" "Here," Nate quickly placed the lens in Scootaloo's sight in order to see the opposing Yo-Kai. "Have you looked at Whisper and Jibanyan yet?" "Not enough time." "Kay then... Jibanyan? Care to do the honours?" "Alright!" Jibanyan stepped forward, his paws in a fighting pose. "Do your worst!" "Okay then, don't say I didn't warn you punk!" Roughraff laughed as he dived into Jibanyan, inspiriting him almost immediately. "Jibanyan!" Scootaloo gasped at the fog weaving around him. "I'm... I'm... I'm not Jibanyan..." The cat spoke in a very low and harsh tone through the fog. "Jibanyan?" First spoke up, "I said I ayn't Jibanyan!" The voice spoke again. As the mist subsides, a purple Jibanyan with some sharp shades, a blue outfit with a Neighponese word at the back, black shoes, a scar over his left eye, a purple pompadour and green-flamed tales stood in its place. "I go by the name of Baddinyan nyaow." Baddinyan taunted, "and let me tell ya, It's good to be bad!" "Baddinyan?" Scootaloo's jaw dropped, "that's sounds like a bad nickname that First would come up with!" "Jibanyan! Get him out of your head, or no Choco Bars for you!" First hollered, "Oh yeah? You think you can bribe me with Choco Bars? Too bad I've got a stash of them right here!" With a shake of his body, stacks of choco bars fell out of his jacket, "nicked it from the fridge this morning!" "Oh no..." First slapped his head with his hoof, "that's another thing Flash is going to be mad about." "Hah! I can do what I want pal, and if it comes at the expense of anypony or Yo-Kai's mentality, the better! Don't believe me? Just watch! I'mma gonna eat these all day!" "But then what about Dinner!?" Nate gasped, as Jibanyan struck another pose as he stuffed two bars at the same time, "and whatever happened to 'one at a time!?'" First complained, Baddinyan ignored the comments and started eating on a bed that just appeared out of nowhere, "And don't eat on the bed!" Nate blurted, "you'll get it messy!" "I'm confused as of why Jib-I mean Baddinyan's ridiculous hi-jinks are always related to Choco Bars." Scootaloo replied, "As much as I hate to say it," Whisper watched, "Jibanyan's not going to be much help from here." "Then we're going to need something tougher!" First replied, "Well then," Whisper pulled out his Yo-Kai Pad, "I'm sure we can find a countermeasure to these hooligans. Since you know about Roughraff, the other one is known as-whoa!" "Mine all mine!" The puffy purple bird gleefully snatched the Yo-Kai Pad away from Whisper and dashed away. "No! Give it here!" Whisper growled as he quickly floated in pursuit of the thieving bird around the school yard. "I assume the purple bird is related to thievery or some sort." First replied, "That reminds me, how is it that nopony is actually noticing us talking to thin air?" Nate asked, "Normally the schoolyard is supposed to be busy..." "Now that you mention it..." First began to look around, "the place does look pretty empty. But..." He glanced towards the school windows where the many eyes of foals, fillies and teachers were watching with great interest. "We're being noticed alright." "C-Can any of you help me please?" Scootaloo called out, "I'm still intimidated and immobilised here!" "I don't know how we can do that..." "Youze punks havin' a tea party or what!?" Roughraff yawned as he jumped out of Baddinyan, "if youze are thinkin bout them ponies up in that building, they're only juz seein the dude and gal we've inspirited facin' off against you three goody-two-shoes!" "Oh I see..." Nate looked between the Yo-Kai and the spectators, "you've intimidated them to a point that they're afraid to get even close to you unless safe within certain boundaries." "Youze a smart one punk!" "Hello!?" Scootaloo yelled, "I asked you to help me!!! Just keep clicking the watch button until you hit a purple light. Aim the light at me, and the rest should be obvious. "Okay," Nate changed the light mode and revealed a swirling rift around Scootaloo. A few centimetres in front of Nate revealed a circle with another swirling pattern facing towards Scootaloo. Around this circle was a clockwise-rotating ring that had arrows pointing in the same direction. "Well," Nate inserted his hoof into the swirling circle, "You were right about the rest being obvious," and he began rotating his fist in the same direction. As he did that, the swirling pattern rotated faster and faster until it disappeared with a puff of purple smoke. Looking back to Scoots, the flightless filly was no longer covered by inspiritment and showed signs of movement. "Great!" Scootaloo saluted Nate, "Now I'm back in the game!" "Now that Whisper's busy chasing that bird thief for the Yo-Kai Pad, along with Baddinyan being... Bad, how are we going to deal with the two of them?" "What about a duel?" First suggested, "if they think they can cause trouble, we got to show them who's boss!" "Eh? Iz this a challenge I'm hearin'?" Roughraff overheard, "hey Peckpocket! Looks like these blokes wanna fight us!" "Really?" The bird named Peckpocket zipped back, "that sounds like fun!" "Gah..." Whisper slowly crawled towards the bird, out of air and breath. "Do you know who would be a good Yo-Kai to fight them?" Nate asked, passing the watch back to the owner. "I've got one in mind, let's hope he's not busy." Scootaloo took a medal out of her mini pouchbags and flipped it to the air, "Come on out my friend! Calling Pandle! Yo-Kai Medal, Do Your Thing!" Scootaloo inserted the medal of Pandle into the watch and illuminated a red pillar of light. "Summoning Brave!" "Sumo Shave! Flavo Engrave! Flash team'a Brave!" "Pandle!" Pandle posed, and held his head in dizziness. "Woah, Pandle. Something happened to you?" First asked, "I was trying to get to someplace important, but there were a ton of Yo-Kai crowding the roads between me and my destination! And well, you know the rest of it..." "You recklessly charged through, hurting others and yourself?" "Yep! That's pretty much me!" "I hope your important thing isn't a dangerous deadline. If it is, you can go..." Scootaloo replied, "If I was REALLY busy, you'd hear that answering machine from the phone. Ergo, it's no sweat! Something you need me for?" "Yeah, those two." First gestured towards the delinquent duo. "Those two?" Pandle gasped, "Hah! They may look big, but they're certainly no match for me! Especially that Roughraff! I've tussled with him enough to learn a thing or two about taking him down easily. All it just leaves is the other one!" "Aw crud!" Roughraff stepped back in shock, "it's that crazy reckless bozo again!" "Woah!" Scootaloo noticed, "you were right when you said you fought Roughraff before!" "Buddy, what's with the scared look? He's just a tiny midget with a wok and toothpick for a helmet and weapon! What's so dangerous about him?" "You fat dolt! He's a dangerous one! When I tried to tussle with him, he kept on harming himself... And me! Not to mention, that toothpick of his hurts aplenty!" "Is that so?" Peckpocket deviously smiled, "not to worry, let me take care of that. That toothpick is mine!" And he quickly dashed forward, "No!" Pandle gasped as the chubby purple bird swiped his trusty toothpick away from him. "Mine all mine!" Peckpocket laughed, "No!" Pandle broke into a skittering pursuit towards Peckpocket "give it back! That's mine!" "Oh! Not bad! Not bad!" Roughraff applauded, "Pandle! Slow down!" Scootaloo warned, "don't be reckless over that! We can get your toothpick back later!" "No!" Pandle replied, "that Toothpick means everything to me! If there is something that I have to be reckless for, it's that!" "Got you now you Wok-headed shrimp!" Roughraff laughed as he violently shoved Pandle to the side, directing his course towards the school wall. "No!" Unable to change course, Pandle braced for impact as he crashed into the wall, and was knocked back with the collision. "His recklessness is his own downfall. That's an old trick in the book!" Peckpocket laughed. "Hah! Not so tough now are you?" Roughraff taunted, "Oh dear..." First gasped, "now even Roughraff is starting to gain confidence." "Pandle!" Scootaloo immediately rushed forward, "are you okay?" "I'm... Ow... My Toothpick." "I can't patch you up this time, I don't have an aid kit with me." "It's... Okay..." "Pandle, tell me. Is the toothpick important in your life?" "Yeah..." Pandle wept in pain, "it's the last thing I held on to... A memento... Of what caused my recklessness which in turn caused my passing..." "Oh no... Don't tell me you were a little foal like me... Who died?" "I'm pretty sure the answer is obvious..." "I'm... Sorry." "When I was a young foal, I was bullied upon by classmates for being too timid and coward. One day, I was eating with my family at a Chineighse restaurant until it so happens that those bullies came along and jeered and laughed at me. In front of my family! I couldn't stand this type of ridicule in my family, so..." "That's it!" A young light-beige foal with a white stomach, black mane along with red facial markings grabbed a toothpick and threatened the two bullies. "I'm not taking this anymore! You want me not to be timid? I'll show you fear!" "Oh look! He's mad! Let's run!" The bullies laughed and bolted in different directions. "Get back here!" The foal screamed as he viciously swung the toothpick around, attempting to swipe at his forsworn enemy in front. Though the chase weaved between tables and other Ponies, the young foal began to accidentally knock numerous things over. Tables, decorations, walls, and all that had collapsed with the collision, sending plates of food and flower pots toppling and shattering into numerous pieces and stains. As much as the numerous patrons nearby attempted to stop the chase with words or gestures, the young foal was deep in anger to listen to reason. "You'll never catch up with me slowpoke!" A bully laughed as he skillfully slid under a food cart and waited to see what happened. What he didn't expect was that the young foal charged through the food cart, toppling it's cargo, but continued on charging through. The bully froze in fear due to insufficient time to react. "I've got you now!" The foal angrily head-butted the bully and charged all the way into the restaurant pantry where the two collided into a cupboard filled with numerous cooking utensils. The blow caused serious damage to the unlucky bully while the toothpick also pricked his skin severely. The foal however, was rendered dizzy with the collision and laid temporarily unconscious. Above them, the numerous pots and pans began to rumble. "Dude!" The other bully called to his companion, "I think we've caused enough trouble! Let's get out of here!" "Ooh..." The foal woke up with a blurry vision. All he could see was the two bullies quickly galloping away, the toothpick he carried snapped in half, the numerous ponies galloping towards him with desperation and fear, one of them being his caring mother. "Watch out!" His mother screamed as she pointed above him. All the foal did was dizzily look up as a large wok pan fell upon his face, followed by the many falling utensils that came with it. The last thing the foal heard was the sobbing of his mother before he blacked out once more. "And when I woke up, I found myself on two legs and arms, that toothpick grown large, that wok pan attached to my head with a strap, and the attention of nopony." "Oh Celestia, Pandle..." Scootaloo cowered her eyes as she sobbed. After a few seconds, she grabbed a hold of Pandle in an uncontrollable anger. "I won't let you get mocked around anymore, EVER. Do you hear me?" "Loud and clear madam!" Pandle quickly stood to salute, "Now listen to me. Are you sure you are okay?" "Yeah... I think. I just need to eat a random Rice Ball and I'm fine! I loved those when I was still alive!" "Enough backstory! I've cried already!" Scootaloo snapped, "Tell me, do you think it's bad to be reckless?" "No, but many other Yo-Kai scold or mock me for doing that. I think you did too when we first met, and I promised not to be reckless as I can." "I see and I can remember. I wish I could help you more here, so this is as much as I can give you." "What?" "Recklessness is something that multiple ponies do, me, First, Nate, even Flash as well! We all may get a scolding for it, but I've come to realise why we do it. It's because we have something we want to achieve, to aim, to get something at the end of our approaches!" "I never thought about that." First overheard, "I know you paid the price due to your recklessness, but were you happy that you've managed to show those bullies business? Even though violence solves nothing?" "Well... Yeah..." "Now that you're a Yo-Kai, you have an influence of being reckless. To others and yourself. But why must you apologise after that? Though getting your toothpick back with a plan is good, sometimes you need to make a judgement call." "Judgement call?" "A decision of your judgement." Scootaloo lectured, "and your decision was to get your toothpick back no matter the cost. At least, you can be recklessly smart on how to get it back, but the most important thing is don't be deterred. If you keep pushing forward, you will be unshakeable and unstoppable! Understand?" "Unstoppable... Unshakeable..." Pandle repeated, then nodded with certainty, "sure, I'll try to do that." "Alright then," Scootaloo placed a hoof on his shoulders and gave a good luck hug, "you know what to do. Stop that thief." "Wait, before I do," Pandle stopped. He tugged on the strap of his wok helmet. To the spectator's surprise, he loosened the strap and removed the wok from his head entirely, revealing a small but tall patch of black hair. "Aww, you look even more adorable without your pan." Scootaloo complimented, "but what's it for?" "This wok was strapped on to my head the day I became a Yo-Kai. It could be another reminder that I shouldn't be reckless next time... Well, I guess it's too late for my life as a foal. If I'm going to be eternally reckless, then I've got to be strong and stable to withstand everything that comes my way. Here, let me give it to you." "I see... I'll accept it then." Scootaloo held the tiny wok. With another surprise, the wok illuminated a bright light and began to change form. Instead of a wok, a white silk linen ribbon lay in Scootaloo's hooves. "Huh, that's quite a surprise for me too!" Pandle chuckled, "Pandle, I don't think I really can accept something that has a personal tie to your life." Scootaloo replied, "In fact, I think I know what to do with this." And with quick handiwork, Scootaloo swiftly wrapped the ribbon around Pandle's head into a stylish headband, with enough open space for his black hair to poke out freely in the air. "Scootaloo..." Pandle returned the hug, "thank you. I think you've done a great lot for me more than any other Yo-Kai. I'm happy to have a friend like you." Letting go, he turned back to the hooligans with a spark of energy and determination and charged towards Peckpocket. Knowing what happens, Peckpocket ran off, beginning the chase once more. "Hah! We all know how this ends midget!" Peckpocket blew a raspberry. "Rraahhh!!!!" Pandle roared as he put on a burst of speed as well as a familiar blue ball of aura appeared around him. Instantly, the aura was absorbed as it swirled into Pandle's Body, emitting a bright light. Out of the light, a taller, skin-toned humanoid figure ran out with trailblazing speed, a red loin cloth wrapped between his legs, and a look of unyielding anger. "Uh oh!" Peckpocket gasped as he realised the unexpectedly changed Yo-Kai began catching up to him without effort and doubled the motions of his legs in desperation. No matter how much Peckpocket could run, all the efforts were futile as the new Yo-Kai grabbed a hold of his head and furiously swung him to the ground, disarming him entirely. "Ow! Ouch! Okay Okay! No more! Please!" Peckpocket cried for mercy, "Shut up!" Pandle commanded as he rammed his foot upon Peckpocket's head, "give me back my toothpick or I'll do more than squish your head!" "J-Just get it yourself!" Peckpocket squirmed through his suffocation, "just search my body!" Without any other word, Pandle started rummaging through Peckpocket's stash hidden in his fur. "Here it is!" Pandle pulled his toothpick out from Peckpocket and holstered his toothpick onto his back, "I'm a Yo-Kai of my word! Now let me go!" Peckpocket cried, "Oh I'm not done with you yet." Pandle replied as he continued rummaging through Peckpocket. "There's This!" He pulled out Whisper's Yo-Kai Pad, "And that!" And grabbed a set of papers. "Now I'll let you go." "Urgh..." Peckpocket lay on the ground writhing in pain as Pandle scooped up the items and walked back to the group. "I believe this is yours Mr Ghost." Pandle handed the Pad back to Whisper, "Thank you very much!" Whisper bowed, "And these are definitely yours Scoots. It has your name on it!" Pandle passed it to Scootaloo. "My Homework! Thank you so much Pandle!" "Nuh-uh! I'm no longer the Yo-Kai I was before. From now on, call me Undy!" "Sure thing Undy!" First remarked, "Now... Where were we?" He drew his toothpick and advanced on his remaining target. "Uh... No... Please?" Roughraff also surrendered, "I give up! I submit!" "Okay then!" Undy replied, "but I'm not done with you yet!" "Oww! Oof! Argh! Ugh! Help!" The multiple screams of Roughraff echoed throughout the yard as the three foals winced and cringed through the sight of Undy beating up the poor delinquent. On the bright side, this pain was able to break the inspiritment on Baddinyan, turning him back to regular old Jibanyan. "Undy?" Scootaloo called out as she saw the cat back to normal. "I think that should be enough." "I'm sorry everypony." Eddie bowed to his classmates as the afternoon rolled in "I'm sorry to you all, even Mr Johnson, for causing such a problem throughout the School. Bullying, Graffiti, Bad conduct, I shamefully apologise." "I'm sorry too." Sarah also bowed to her classmates, "I'm sorry for all the acts of thievery I committed." "All's well that ends well though." Nate remarked as he observed the situation. "At least everypony got everything back!" "I wish I could stay behind to assist them in scrubbing away the graffiti of the school." First replied, "It's technically not their fault." "I'm still hungry you know..." Scootaloo trotted towards the group, slipping two new Yo-Kai Medals into First's bag "that's something that will never be returned to me." "Hey. To be fair, I never ate either. This shenanigan took over our lunch time, and so all that food had to be used for something else instead of letting it go to waste." First reasoned "Well, it's great to be do-gooders for the day, don't you think?" Whisper asked, "I think this day would be best for Undy," Scootaloo looked out the window, "I'm sure he'll be tackling his life head-on with no fear of backing out from now." "Oh! We need to introduce you properly to our Yo-Kai companions!" First remembered, "I'd like you to meet our butler Whisper and our cat pal Jibanyan!" "You got a butler!? That's so lucky!" Nate replied, "Not to worry young Nate!" Whisper bowed in greeting as Nate's eye passed through the Yo-Kai lens upon both Yo-Kai, "I am happy to offer my services to the friends of Scootaloo and First! Whenever I'm around that is." "Nyice to meet you Nate!" Jibanyan offered a paw to shake, to which Nate shook back, "You know," Scootaloo observed, "now that you know the existence of Yo-Kai, as well as hanging out with them as friends, it certainly doesn't make you 'average' anymore." "That's great to know!" Nate smiled, "but unfortunately, only you guys will acknowledge that!" "It's okay! It's not like it's got you down before. Right?" First laughed, "Hmm..." Eddie noticed the trio laughing with each other, "there's something fishy about them..." "Flash?" Scootaloo and First entered their house, their homework at the ready. "We're home." "Afternoon," Flash entered the entrance hall to greet them, "what's with the delay?" "There's been a commotion that happened in school. Two of our classmates were doing some naughty things. We've had to stay behind to witness their apologies throughout the school." Scootaloo answered, "So that's what the calls from the school were for." Flash remembered as he calmly accepted the homework from his two siblings, "you two stood up to those classmates and managed to stop them without any violence." "Really? Is that what they saw?" First asked, "You're very brave of standing up to them, and I'm really proud that both of you have been solving that problem. Although it's starting to get on my nerves since it brings up memories..." "Flash, are you still mad about that?" Scootaloo noticed, "I really find it hard not to as all those ponies in that building had nothing but praise and thanks for you two. All you just did was break the rule of getting out of bed let alone the house, but what you did out there were good things. I also heard you managed to catch that Human Faced Dog making a mess of public property as well." "Yeah..." First sighed, "I can't say we're happy about what we did out at night either." "But there's a bigger problem at hand now." Flash continued, "all of those ponies claim that they had been erased from existence, something which has been a theory in one of our biggest cold cases so far. Having it be closed, the Guard wants everypony who had witnessed this event to speak at a press conference regarding that case... That includes both of you..." "Oh no..." Scootaloo gasped, "a press conference... Does that mean everypony in Equestria will be there?" "That will include reporters in Ponyville too. I have been trying my damnedest to not put you in public presence in a state like this, but they will not allow it." "We... We have to speak right?" "I don't want to talk about this anymore... I'm sorry I couldn't help you with this" Flash shook his head, "I've made a big dinner for both of you in apology, and I'll look through your homework while you're eating." "Okay then..." First nodded as the siblings went into the main lounge. "Hey Flash?" Scootaloo called out, "Yes?" "We... We still love you big brother. We never intended to put you through like this." Scootaloo hugged Flash with First joining in, "Honestly..." Flash embraced them back, "ever since we've moved here. Things have been getting out of hand for both of us, especially both of you peeking into these cases when I told you not to. But even so, even if it's a breach to guidelines and protocol in the Guard as well as your safety... Your peeking and presence... Words can not express how thankful I am."