Once the laughter died down, it wasn't long before the group of youngsters decided it was time to go out and have some fun and try to find their Cutie Marks. At Apple Bloom's suggestion, Bluebottle left his hoofshoes and doublet behind in the clubhouse so they wouldn't get caught on anything as they rushed about on their various endeavors and 'getting covered in glory'. Much as Apple Bloom predicted, by the time they finished trying all the Cutie Mark attempts Bluebottle and Scootaloo together could talk the group into, they were so covered in 'glory' that had the Acres been a maple grove, they might have gotten Cutie Marks in being pancake toppers. Bluebottle's guards, upon seeing the state their charge was in after his 'outing' with his fiance and her friends, were not amused. Not surprised, but not amused.
Once the group of four were completely cleaned up, Sweetie Belle had a surprise. "Bluebottle, though you didn't earn your Cutie Mark today, you've definitely earned your place amongst us." Reaching in amongst the pile of oddments that filled the parts of the Clubhouse that weren't regularly used, she pulled out...a fourth Crusader Cape. "After Babs Seed joined, I got Rarity's help making a few more, just in case we got more members. Scootaloo, if you would?"
Grinning from ear to ear, Scootaloo pulled out the drums they'd used to welcome Babs as a Cutie Mark Crusader and began playing the same drumbeat, complete with her over-exuberant solo. She had to admit, it felt good to cut loose like that again. Bluebottle grinned widely as he stood tall and proud as though he were being awarded a medal by Princess Celestia herself. Sweetie passed the cape to Apple Bloom as she read off the prepared speech...copied as a form letter from Babs' induction. "We, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, elect Bluebottle to join us as a sis...brother," she quickly corrected herself, much to Scootaloo's amusement. "...friend, confidant, ally, bosom-buddy, gal-uh..." She beckoned one of the guards over. "What's the male form of 'gal-pal'?" she whispered inquisitively.
The guard thought for a time. "...given the area, I think it would be best to go with 'bro'."
Nodding, Sweetie made a quick mark on the scroll. "...bro, comforter, chum of chums..." She glanced over at Scootaloo. "Should we stop here like last time?" she asked hopefully.
Scoot jerked her head towards Bluebottle. "Why do you think I wrote something so long winded in the first place?"
Taking a quick drink of water, Sweetie continued. "Home...boy? Uh...amigo...I still don't know how to pronounce the rest of these...ah, here we go!" Getting to the bottom of the scroll, she turned to Bluebottle. "And fellow Cutie Mark Crusader!" she proclaimed dramatically. "You are solemnly sworn in, here this day, in witness of your fellow sisters, friends, compadres..."
Rolling her eyes, Apple Bloom walked forward to throw the cape around Bluebottle's shoulders as Scootaloo threw confetti.
"Yeah, we can stop there," Sweetie Belle agreed, pushing the scroll at Scootaloo. "You never did revise this..."
Bluebottle tied the cape around his neck with his magic, then lifted one hoof dramatically. "I do hereby solemnly swear to carry the good name of the Cutie Mark Crusaders with me wherever I go, to journey boldly into adventure and excitement in the name of destiny, and seek out in my hometown like-minded brothers and sisters of the quest to bring into the fold! I know not where I shall find such, given the nature of the citizenry of said hometown, but I shall search from tallest tower to lowest gutter until I've found every possible Crusader candidate, and every being, pony or otherwise, worthy of wearing the cape! This I so swear, as a Cutie Mark Crusader, Canterlot Branch!"
As the young ponies cheered, the guards glanced amongst each other. "So..." the one who had answered Sweetie's question began, "who wants to explain the cape to his parents?"
"Not it," the other three guards chorused immediately.
"...I hate you all..."
Sebastian smiled to himself as he tucked Scootaloo in for the night. He once again found himself mentally contrasting his present Master with his previous one, the similarities and the differences. Ciel had acted as though he had no investment in his own engagement, and yet had never hesitated to do whatever it took to make Lizzie happy when it truly mattered...even if he did claim it was because he knew Sebastian would always clean up any mess it caused. Sunrise, on the other hand, was obviously and genuinely attached to her betrothed, an attachment that was visibly mutual. If nothing interfered, they would make a deliriously happy couple someday...on the days they weren't actively trying to kill each other from driving the other crazy. But then, that's what a healthy romantic relationship was supposed to be like, as far as Sebastian was aware.
If nothing interfered...
...revenge to my satisfaction...
Why did those two thoughts immediately connect in his mind? ...he quickly discarded them. The contract was signed, after all, and in blood. There was no way to wiggle out of it for either of them. There were no loopholes. He would serve his Master to the best of his ability as he was ordered to until the contract was fulfilled. It was as simple as that.
As he stepped outside to ensure there was nothing that could be considered a danger to his charge, he saw a familiar figure approaching. "Mr. Rich," he greeted softly. "Isn't it a trifle late to be out? Shouldn't you be at home, tucking your daughter in, and taming your wife?"
At first Mr. Rich said nothing in response. When he did speak up, his voice was completely serious, nearly unrecognizable as his own. "Eyes of the moon-hound hunt in darkness."
Sebastian immediately tensed. That was a recognition code phrase for House Wingshadow's information network, and one that told Sebastian exactly what level of clearance Filthy Rich had. He also knew exactly how he was supposed to respond, to give his own clearance, the clearance Sunrise had assigned him. "The shadows' lies take six eyes."
Filthy's eyes widened in astonishment. "...here," he said finally, passing over an envelope. "It's everything I've gathered regarding...an organization of concern, based somewhat outside Equestria's borders."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "If it is outside, why is it of interest?" he asked carefully.
"It targets Equestrian citizens," Filthy responded. "Specifically the grief-stricken, or the egotistical."
Sebastian slipped the envelope into his jacket. "It will be investigated as appropriate. You have done well. See forever."
"See forever," Filthy responded immediately before turning to go.
Sebastian glanced at the envelope. Things promised to soon become...interesting.
Calling it.. Starlight's cult.
And so we've been introduced another caped crusader.
The beginning of the promising serious arch. I could see the dark cloud in the distance.
When Celestia sees that cape in Canterlot, she will be moved to make a speech:
"Don't try everything only once looking for your talent. Do what you enjoy and keep at it. If you do not have passion for what you are doing, you will not have true talent in it."
8130204
To which Bluebottle will reply, "But that takes all the adventure out of it...and what if I'm passionate for the adventure?"
I want Scootaloo's version of "revenge to my satisfaction" do be her entire family line surviving forever in order to spite the ponies who tried to distroy it.
Then Sabastion's stuck with her, her foals, her grandfoals etc forever.
Question though, covering it in a spoiler tag for blackbutler spoilers
Ceil named him Sabastion after a dead pet, he didn't come with the name, did Scootaloo name him Sabastion because of bizarre pony naming skills or was there a different reason?
8130217
When it came time to name him for his role, she asked him if he had a name he preferred. Considering the parallels in the situations, he picked the name Ciel gave him.
8130204
8130205
I expect she will also stock up om cameras, film, and cleaning supplies. After all, from her view, the Crusaders are likely fun to watch, if a bit messy.
Better up hospital funding a bit too, just in case...
(Why oh why isn't there a Luna Emoticon? She deserves one, too.)
Found a loophole. "Revenge to my satisfaction." Well, they do say the best revenge is to live.
8130439 However that'd only be a delaying loophole. What about something that permanently screws over the deal. Perhaps Sabastion goes overboard in taking the revenge (perhaps killing them rather than facing imprisonment, etc) then the revenge can never be satisfied thus breaking the contract.
It's these little touches that adds more life to your stories. You've made it quite clear that the guards are invested in his safety, but also his emotional care, as they do not just drag him away from socializing. It's like they're his Guardians. And even then, they get exasperated at the more over the top things he happily gets into.
so...Sebastian wouldn't mind if there was a way?
8131094
Not necessarily. Just a point that they're both bound completely to the contract.
The contract IS for Scootaloo's soul, right? Just clarifying as it's never been specified.
I mean, it's often for the soul with demons, but it's best to be sure.
8131332
Yes. When Scoot gets what she wants, Sebastian eats her soul.
8131380
Oh, fun. Hope Scootaloo is okay with being a Soulless husk. Or maybe she'll become a demon herself?
8131400
Actually, this style of soul eating ends in death.
8131403
Oh, fun. Nobody to continue the family line.
8131953
That is the key phrase here. I seem to remember a often used phrased along the lines of:
The best revenge is living well.
Who (Other than you tats....) knows what that may entail for dear ol scoots.
8132274
It means Scoots is the Master Sebastian will never forget.
For anything beyond that, you'll need to wait until The Final Chapter.
8132277
My immedate reaction:
...
Alert, huh, maybe a group had a new story added to it...
OMG Tats responded.... Shit, was I too on the nose? oh. [Slight hyperventilating]
Reads comment:
Oh, phew. Just a cryptic non-answer to my implied question.
Very nice Crusading chapter, I bet Blueblood will be delighted with Bluebottle's new cape and try to help him find some other possible members for the Canterlot CMC branch.
As for Filthy Rich being one of Celestia's spies... his frequent trips now take on a whole new meaning!
8132274
You're paraphrasing, but yeah, that's the gist of the expression in its many forms.
But bear in mind the wording. It's to her satisfaction. You're interpreting it as simply being the best possible revenge. But that's not what it is. Scootaloo can literally be unsatisfied with the revenge dealt out, and the contract stands until she is satisfied, relying on if another attempt at revenge can be made to satisfy her. If another attempt cannot be made, and she remains unsatisfied, the contract is broken and Scootaloo keeps her soul.
With demons, it's all about wording. Contracts are absolute. Demons will ALWAYS try to trick you into giving them the better half of the contract. Even the good kind of demons are tricky in their contracts, even if the price isn't always for the soul.
In this case, Scootaloo was able to trick the demon with her wording. She has the better half of the contract.
But there are cases in stories I've read where the recipient has gotten tricked in the contract to the point their soul is immediately taken upon the task completion, regardless of if the task was done correctly or not.
It's why dealing with demons is ill advised. They're tricky, dangerous, powerful, etc. But they're bound by their contracts 100%.
8132437
You use some good points, and I do agree with you.Demons are tricky, and often have little hidden details. Just like Fay. In short, dealing with demons is ill advised. However, on a personal note, I'd sooner craft a deal with a demon that forge a pact with an angel. Demons are a constant negative, angels end up wonky in how they selectively interpret their directives, whether they come from on-high or with their own dealings. A demon, is out for it's self. Maybe not now, but down the line, you can expect it to act in its interest. Contracts only delay that. But Angels don't. They think in terms of greater good, and absolute good. Not personal gain, or self interest, not even free will. A demon, you can trust to be a monster, but can you trust an angel?
Ooh liking this turn of events!
8132461
Angels don't deal with mortals, demons do. The only thing remotely "holy" that deals with mortals are Spirits.
If you're making a contract with an angel, it's not an angel, it's a demon.
8132483
sometimes it depends on the setting. From what I understand, classically there are more than a few demons that are fallen angels.
8132515
Well, that's the thing. Fallen angels aren't Angels. They're closer to demons. Lucifer himself is a fallen angel.
There is good, and there's an equal and opposite evil. There are angels and there are equal and opposite demons. Naturally, demons are fallen angels and the spawn of fallen angels. But not all of them fell for evil reasons. They have good hearts but do bad things. The good kind of demon.
There's a reason angels don't interfere with mortals while demons do. A war would start that would devastate the mortal realm and likely never end. Angels act as messengers instead, and the mortals must do the work to banish their own demons.
8130219
Okay that makes sense, thanks for the reply!
Scootaloo's vengeance isn't just killing the bastards who killed her parents.
It's living a happy life in spite of that. And Sebestian is an essential part of that. And dying wouldn't be part of that either, eh?
So suit up Sebby dear. You're in for a ride.
8133296 of which kind?
8134004 Not the one you're thinking of. Or at least the dirty kind.
8132437 So what happens if she grows beyond wanting revenge and instead just settles for justice? Would that mean that there is no possibly of 'revenge to my satisfaction' or would that mean that no revenge at all would satisfy her thus fulfilling the contract. If he comes to like her he might find a way to loop hole the contract to stay or make it null and void (no revenge means no bases for the contract) instead of declaring it fulfilled.
8135789
Technically, it would still be revenge. And she would be satisfied with it. So the contract would be fulfilled.
The contract I basically "Revenge must be carried out in any way, shape or form to my satisfaction"
So if she's satisfied with not having revenge, she's satisfied with the revenge in a form. The contract is fulfilled.