There's something about the way nature sounds after a storm. It's the purest sound of survival one could ever hope to hear. For ponies, a storm is but a fiercer bout of rain. For nature's most treasured animals, with the water flooding their homes, the lightning striking their trees, it's an apocalypse the likes of which they see all too often.
For the young filly just waking up before me, it's terrifying. It's almost humorous to see her looking around for the one responsible for helping her to settle in this makeshift camp. Such a sweet filly she is... though her table manners leave much to be desired. A bowl full of berries the size of plums and she's downed them in a matter of seconds, returning a satisfied burp. Still, food is food; It doesn't matter how it's eaten.
All I do is watch as the filly stands up, wrapping the cape around herself. She looks like a little countess, especially in the morning light. She walks around the still live fire and crouches down to look at me. By now my eyes are closed and I'm dead to the world. All I can do is hear her rummaging around in my clothes, looking for something. I don't mind of course. I've no use for the trivial. The sound ends and I crack an eye open to see her writing something down. She found a quill and the handkerchief. When she's finished, she places the quill back in my breast pocket and goes to leave the area.
I wait another minute after she's gone and begin to move again. I lean over to the handkerchief and pick it up.
To the pony who helped me out last night,
Thank you.
Scootaloo.
Well, she's thoughtful enough to leave a message. How could anypony want to hurt her? I think to myself, leaning back against my hiding space with the handkerchief pressed against my heart...place. Hmm. I hope there's still time to investigate. I think further, standing up and pocketing the handkerchief.
It doesn't take me much time to catch up to the filly. What is difficult to do however, is keep out of her sight. I'm afraid that on more than one occasion, I made her feel like she was being followed; though a true feeling. She leads me to the edge of the forest and I discover a wonderful little town with so many splendid looking ponies.
I'm filled with enthusiasm as I observe the liveliness of everypony. That alone doesn't bar me from my objective as I watch the young filly named Scootaloo walk into the town with uncertainty plastered on her features. She hides my cape behind a barrel on the side of a household and goes on with a well rehearsed smile. So this isn't her first fiasco. Fortunately, as it turns out she has friends who care about her, at least to a certain extent. Looking further, I see that their shared destination is a school. That makes sense, I guess.
I begin to think of a way for me to infiltrate the school without being overly obvious. Hmm.
So I manage to enter the classroom and the only effective disguise is that of a fake skeleton far from majestically propped up by a few metal rods in the back of the room. I hope this works. I grab the fake skeleton and place it in the storage room beside the stand and remove my clothes, tossing them in with the fake. I hear the door open after an ear-splitting ringing and I hurry to the stand, taking a dead stance against the metal rods. I look with squinted eyes as the colts and fillies enter the room, thankfully including the one I'm after. Then the teacher enters. A pretty mare, jolly too.
Scootaloo and her friends sit side by side, but her apparent tormentors are giggling behind her over something I've missed. The subject matter for the class is rather interesting. Something about the history of Starswirl the Bearded. I wonder if I know him?
"Hey Scootalooser, why are you taking down notes on a Unicorn's history? It's not as if you can use magic. You're a Pegasus... if even that." a powder pink filly with a rather rich looking tiara on her head says. I wonder if she's even royalty?
"Just looking for a spell to make you bearable, Diamond." Scootaloo replies in kind. I'd smile if I could. Scootaloo's friends giggle as if to back her up.
"Well it's clear what you consider to be unbearable, Little-Miss-Can't-Fly." Diamond argued. So Scootaloo is unable to fly. Something we have in common.
"You leave her alone!" one of Scootaloo's friends pipes up. A white unicorn with two-toned mane colours.
"Yeah! She'll fly some day! Rainbow Dash is teaching her." replied the other. A yellow Earth pony with a red mane and a very distinctive accent in her voice.
"Oh, sure. When she's dead and gone to heaven. Or maybe there'll be an ironic twist and she'll be a grounded angel. That would be hilarious!" Diamond countered. That statement alone made me dislike her. Unlike the teacher, I was able to play favourites.
"Diamond Tiara, would you like to answer this question on the board?" the teacher asked, drawing each pony to the offending filly.
"No, Miss Cheerilee." Diamond Tiara replied. This filly had the kind of name you couldn't make a silly nickname for like she had for Scootaloo. So that's out of the question.
Another of those ear-piercing rings sounded and everypony left for lunch. With the room empty, I took the opportunity to liberate myself from the stand. Diamond Tiara is mean and cruel to her, but the scars she inflicts are emotional, not physical. There's more to this than I thought.
I replace the skeleton from the storage and outfit myself with my clothes. It's a strange phenomenon to be naked, even though I'm just bones. I need some time to think. I head for the window and leap out, making a run for the forest.
The castle seems an appropriate shelter for the time being. Certainly a quiet place to think. So looking back, even a ruthless filly like Diamond Tiara isn't capable of creating scars like those on Scootaloo's body. So who did? A sibling of Diamond? An abusive parent? My thoughts are cut off as I find myself wandering into the music hall, or what remains of it. The instruments are surprisingly well preserved. Perhaps some music will help me to think things through. I grab a violin and the stick used to play it with and I play the first thing that comes to mind. Even with the hall as decayed as it was, the resonance from the instrument was beautiful. It helped to clear my mind of things that didn't relate to the dilemma I was trying to sort out.
Scootaloo's clearly a sweet girl, hiding in a somewhat gruff and tomboyish demeanour. She can't fly, but that's no big issue in the greater scheme of things. She has friends, so she's not entirely lonely. Whether or not she has parents is a whole other issue. She didn't go to see them when she returned to that town, which suggests that she prefers school over her current residence. Could it be? Has she been cursed with the misfortune of abusive family? Could she be seeking help without knowing how to ask for it? Perhaps I'm over thinking things a bit. I stop playing for a moment to consider what else I might have missed.
It's with the absence of the sound from the violin that I hear chatter in the distance. I wonder... I place my violin back down and head over to the sound of the voices. They're not far from the castle, just beyond the tree line. Further investigation was called for.
I was wrong, completely and utterly wrong. Diamond Tiara and another were responsible for Scootaloo's injuries. I hadn't factored in the addition of a dog leash, if used correctly could create deep gashes in the skin of just about any pony.
"Find any spells to make me bearable, loser?" Diamond Tiara teased. That's why she was striking a fellow student? Over that tiny little quip in class? I clench my fist as I hear the sound of metal striking flesh and Scootaloo's pained cry follows. This is beyond forgivable.
"Hard to utilise those spells when you can't defend yourself, huh?!" Diamond continues to pester the poor filly while the other just stands there, laughing. I have to do something. All that's available to me is what's around me. I find a pretty decent rock. It's not large enough to do any sustainable damage, but it would certainly make its pressence known, mine included.
Another cry from the better of the three makes up my mind for me. With astounding accuracy, I throw the stone. Against all odds, I hit the tiara, knocking it into the river behind Scootaloo.
"What the?!" Diamond demands, turning around to find her attacker.
"Tiara, your...tiara!' the other calls out and Diamond Tiara is forced to abandon her search for me and chase after her possession along the riverbed, leaving Scootaloo alone to clean up again.
I contemplate leaving Scootaloo to her devices, but something compels me to approach her. Against my better judgement, I leave the safety of my trees and enter plain view. Scootaloo still hasn't noticed me, she's too busy cupping her hands in the water. Her top is off again and the fresh scars are bleeding profusely. It's not healthy for such a young filly, nor any pony really, to lose so much blood. I'm little more than a few feet away from her and the crunching of the grass alerts her to my presence.
"Look, you didn't have to help me out. They would have stopped eventually. It was no big deal." she said, not turning around to face me. She was putting on a brave face.
I reach into my breast pocket and pull out the handkerchief she wrote on. I toss it beside her within her view and she gasps.
"You, you were the one that..." she says as she turns to look upon me. Clearly, she wasn't expecting the living dead to be looking back at her. She seems lost for words. I kneel down to pick up the handkerchief and she falls on her rump, crawling back to the edge of the riverbank.
I reach over and dip the handkerchief in water before wringing it out. I make a gesture to offer my aid and she just sits there. Taking her indecision as a yes, I reach my free hand out and go to cup her cheek, but she flinches. I pause to let her know I mean her no harm before slowly brushing my fingers along her unharmed cheek, then cupping her face. I then bring the cool handkerchief to her left cheek which has a cut from the dog leash, still bleeding slightly. I gently brush the edge of the cut, wiping away the dirt that had accumulated around it. She winces slightly before just looking at me.
This is what I wanted. I wanted to reach out to her and touch her, protect her... like a father. A father...Hmm. I reach down again and re-moisten the handkerchief. This time, instead of wringing it dry, I hold it over her wound and squeeze. The water held within falls onto her face and the dirt and blood washes away. These cuts aren't from a leash alone. Some are finer, some are more jagged. I notice. Not just the bully, but somepony else.
"What are you staring at?" I hear her ask worriedly. I draw my attention away from the wounds all over her body and stare into her eyes. I see into the reflection her eyes are giving off. If I try to frown, the green glowing orbs in my sockets form saddened shapes. "Yeah. Diamond Tiara did this to me." she mutters. I notice her school books strewn across the ground a few feet away. I place the handkerchief over her shoulder and reach over for one of her workbooks. Flipping the pages to the back of the book, I grab my quill and write down what I'm wanting to project.
Not just her.
I show her. She sighs in sadness I could never match.
"No, not just her. My uncle... he's been grounded since he had that accident and he drinks allot. Sometimes he breaks a bottle and nicks me, sometimes it's when I'm in the kitchen and he's holding a sharp knife." she replies. I give her a moment to breathe before writing something else down.
I saw you in class this morning.
I show her. She looks at it for a moment longer than necessary before chuckling.
"I thought they'd changed the species of that model for the sake of Starswirl's history. So that was you, huh?" she asked. I simply nodded. "Can't you speak?" she asks. I'm taken aback. Come to think of it, I never really tried. I figured that since I had no lungs or lips, I couldn't form sentences. Then again, I had no heart or muscles and I was still able to move.
I shrug at her. "Alright, well, try and repeat after me." she offers. I look intently at her lips as she speaks a random word. "Thanks." she recites. I'm not sure how I would be able to speak, but I give it a try.
"T...th~th...than~ks... Thanks." I manage. Scootaloo smiles at me as I manage the word. I still don't understand how.
"That's it. Wow, you got it on the first try. Can you try saying other things?" she challenges.
"I... Imagine I could say anything. I've never really tried talking before." I reply. She stares at me with wide-eyes. "What?"
"That's awesome. You picked it up like it was nothing." she says. I guess I did.
"I can do more than talk, you know." I reply. She's interested, that much is obvious in the way she's looking at me.
"Like what" she asks. With a chuckle, I stand to my full height and offer her my hand. To my delight, she takes it with a smile and I help her to her feet.
Wee new chapter for me
2933416 Why are you repeating it over and over?
2933420 S/he is trying to tell you that there is a repeat in the text in this chapter.
So...... What are they
Are they full blown ponies, or basically humans with ears and tails and what... I'm confused
A real nice story line you got going there. Would be awesome if you could somehow send Scootaloo to his world, but i am sure whatever you are going to write next will be incredible. Keep up the good work :)
Sweeeeeeeeeet!
OMGWTFBBQ!!!!
This...is the best anthro fic...ever...of all time.
That description.... it creeps me out. If a pony that looks like a skeleton walked up to me and asked me if I wanted to play. I'm sure i'd die right then and there.
This story is amazing.
2933457 Ah, bugger.
I'm honestly loving the concept of this story, though from what we've heard is that the skeleton belongs to a male alicorn. Perhaps there is a bit more to the phrase Pumpkin King than most people believe?
Though as you've clearly stated this sturdy fellow is no Jack Skellington and is just based upon his likeness. But, if I hazard a guess the reason for the Crossover tag has more to do with what he's going to be capable of instead of what he looks like.
Mainly being a spirit who is loved by all for his care of children.
2933772 And then you'd be the best of friends... forever
>rape
I am awfull
2932608 i got mixed with Jack as slender
2933938 yes. Yes you are
Go sit in the corner and think about what you did
I really like this story its very different from the others. Hope to see more soon.
ya know boyo, the last thing i wanted when rolling in to work at the schools and taking my first break was to get caught over extending said break reading an amazingly well written heartfelt story about a WALKING FUCKING CORPSE!
now,damnit now i have to fav this. this irks me. i hate scoots and you,you ass, are making me actually care about the little orange future softball player.
upvoted,faved. god damned great story.
hate you.
Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Scootaloo's uncle are harming her?
Time to "live up" to your bony body
static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/7/71013/1325792-grimreaper.jpg
Good story is good...
But why, Anthro? But why.
Where did you pull out those fingers?
Otherwise good stuff!
Amazing story, its quite heart wrenching as well as heart warming. I will be eagerly anticipating your update.
I like the concept, and the writing is decent. The story seems very rushed to me, though. Regardless, I'll continue reading.
Nice pace + nice idea + lovely story + beautiful characters = this story, good work please continue!
Hmm. I'm not sure how I feel about the bullies here. I'm willing to entertain the idea that Tiara would actually move on to physical harm, although whipping seems a bit much. Silver Spoon, however, I can't bring myself to believe that she would go as far as that.
Wha- what happened? So I made a comment I noticed the pun, the next day there are 50 more comments and it is first featured and- did I miss the fact I was talking to a celebrity?
I feel so stupid that I will now give you a PMV that features dumbness.
Whats this? Whats this?
There's color everywhere,
Whats this? There's white things in the air,
Whats this? I can't believe my eyes,
My soul inside is screaming,
JACK THIS ISN'T FAIR!
WHAT IS THIS?!
i love that movie so much! please continue this story!
2933935
Nope.avi
A line here seems to have repeated. as you can see it is not quite needed.
A line here seems to have repeated. as you can see it is not quite needed.
Could you please give some descriptive on what his voice sounds like? is it echoey, and hollow? rasping and wispy? rich and baritone!?
TELL ME!
TELL ME WHAT HE SOUNDS LIKE!!!
EDIT: erm, ahem. sorry... I kinda flew off the handle there.
Apparently Scootaloo is the Zombie Queen. I remember seeing a story where Slenderpony helped her too.
2936202
Is it one where she's a baby and he takes her in, or is it a different one? If so, could you point me to it please.
This story has caught my interest.
I cannot wait to see where this goes.
2935794
2936152 He sounds like this
Also, Anthro.
2934583 24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7cgbrI3Uq1rtvr0ko1_250.gif
2934852 Could you imagine Someone who looks like a pony version of Jack Skellington on all fours? He wouldn't be as tall. I don't know about the rest of you, but I like it when characters are tall and have thin long arms.
2936816
...beautiful...if yet a little disgraceful...but I'm not offended, they did a very good job on that song!
2936835 I agree, and it was hilarious.
Now I have to go cry in a corner and mumble to myself how bad a writer I am compared to this guy, and how my story sucks compared to this, you know, the normal reaction when your hopes and dreams are crushed by someone so much better than you.
2936827. oh i shall let you boyo. and somehow i doubt you will fail.
2936827
You haven't read Background Pony...
Jack Skellington does not resemble a human's bone structure or proportions, so I see no reason the pony version should resemble a pony's. Eh. Whatev.
*tomorrow*
2937012
Tis' a pun... you silly little filly...
2937092
fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/183/e/0/pinkamena_derp_by_zutheskunk-d3kq6ng.png
2937114
Comrade! I am happy to see that I am not the only crazy one here! but...
walkingdeadcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/bugs-bunny-this-means-war.jpg
edit: fixed
Sorry, but because you added that violin scene, my head cannon is that he looks like this
userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/24172431/Brook.jpg
I don't care that the character is an anthro pony. I don't care that you already posted a comment that let's us know what he sounds like. I don't care that he is based off of Jack Skeleton.
For the rest of this story, I shall see him, and hear him, as Brook.
Story's good by the way.
2937277
Hold on, let me get out my I-don't-give-a-fuck cannon.
encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ2s7-lWb2U58LdpjlNaZn2wNyaJ-K-nNJH2_bhaqzA_vYw9Qpk
2937332
have we really stoop so low to use yu-gi-oh card pictures?
2937343
Does it relaly matter? You ruined it when you waged war. I'm not evena brony, I'm a furry, a fifty foot dragon that would eat you if given the chance.
Or perhaps you'd like to answer to my OTHER I-don't-give-a-fuck cannon.
encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTWLkNyWDcnSgQp2LTeD3S9DhDnYLXZrMtF3XU3n-hhg_1Uaih1ow
2937354
Oh dear... Grammar Nazi-ness... empowering... must... correct...
really*
even a*
fifty-foot* (although that one is opinion...)
Plus, tis a joke, in honor of His Majesty Bugs Bunny, but none the less a joke. Plus one doesn't need to be one or the other, I am both a furry and a brony.
P.S.- Foxes for the win... That is all...
the streets are lined with little creatures laughing, everybody seems so happy, have I possibly gone daffy? What's this?