> Cutie Mark Crusaders Death Academy Meisters
>  by Chaos_Azeroth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Welcome to the EDWMA(Enter the Cutie Mark Crusaders)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome Equestria's Death Weapon Meister Academy, located in the lovely city of Canterlot. Or the EDWMA, for short. It's goal, to stop the creation of an evil, demonic entity. Sadly, this is the goal of quite a few ponies. They quest for ultimate power, and start to become consumed by that desire.

It's a large building, big enough for classes and to house the students and faculty. It's run by the most powerful meister, Princess Luna with her weapon Celestia. Celestia was the first to transform into her most powerful form, a Death Scythe. However, one has to wonder if she is the only one. She most certainly, regardlessly, won't be the last. It's the goal of every meister.

Weapons have two forms, pony and weapon forms. They are living beings, and can have children even just like anypony else. Meisters and weapons have been known to have foals, and it's anypony's guess which they will be, weapon or meister. Maybe you'll meet some of these children.

To attain Death Scythe level, a weapon must eat 99 corrupt souls, and then the soul of a witch. If they mess up, all the power of the souls they collected dissapears and they must start over again. Witches are crafty, and even if a meister can find one even the weaker ones are formidable foes. Luckily, if they're good enough, they can make their soul wavelengths the same and help each other become stronger. Teams can even do the same!

A large building, decorated with moons sits near the heart of Canterlot. It's bustling with ponies going on missions, coming back, classes, duels, and lesure activities It's here that Equestria's finest defenders are trained. But it's a long, hard journey and some do better than others. So let's meet some meisters, shall we?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Three young ponies approached the EDWMA. It was Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweety Bell. They had all been exited to find their weapons as meisters. Their weapons, in pony form, also followed. They were Big Macintosh, Braeburn, and Cheeralee. They were also excited, but didn't show it as much. Especially Big Macintosh.

Applebloom had a very special ability, though it wasn't very strong yet. She could see the souls of ponies. She had done this, out of innocent curiosity, to every pony she could. It was also good practice. But her friends, including the weapons, always asked questions about them.

'It's so big,  isn't it?' Applebloom said in awe.

'Eyup,' Big Macintosh, her weapon responded.

'And so cool,' Sweety Bell gasped.

'Well, shucks,' Braeburn, her weapon said. 'What did ya expect?'

'And intimidating,' Scootaloo said.

'Oh, I'm sure you'll all do fine,' Cheeralee said comfortingly.

They walked in, nervous and excited about their first day.
________________________________________________________________
After class, they went to look over the mission board.

'They all look so difficult,' Scootaloo, Sweety Bell, and Applebloom all whined in unison.

'Ehnope,' Big Macintosh said. 'Just too big to handle on your own. But you have me, Applebloom.'

'Aww come on, we can do it,' Braeburn said.

'There's nothing we can't do if we work together,' Cheeralee said, comfortingly.

'But we're only one star meisters,' Scootaloo whined. 'These all seem like they would be more advanced.'

'Oh no,' Cheeralee said. 'I see some that you can do.' She pointed to the three easiest-looking she saw.

'Eyup, perfect,' Big Macintosh said. 'So quit the whining, and let's get to work.'

'All right!' Scootaloo, Sweety Bell, and Applebloom exclaimed.

'But we should work on our soul resonance first, the teacher said so,' Sweety Bell said.

'Suck up,' Scootaloo muttered. Braeburn glared at her.

'I guess we should transform,' Cheeralee said.

'Eyup,' Big Macintosh agreed. Big Macintosh turned into a large hammer, but Applebloom picked him up with ease.

'Shucks, I better to,' Braeburn said. He turned into a small sword. Despite the size, Sweety Bell was proud to wield him.

Cheeralee turned into a scythe. She had some flowery decorations. They all had markings of the colors they were in pony form.

Each meister and their weapon reached out to each other to feel the other's soul resonance and tried to match theirs to the other. It didn't go so well.

'Again,' Big Macinntosh said. Everypony else stayed quiet.  This time, Scootaloo tried way too hard and flew back into the wall.

'Are you okay?' Sweety Bell asked.

'You're throwin' me off!' Applbloom complained.

'No you're throwing me off!' Scootaloo countered.

'We're all making it hard for each other,' Sweety Bell said as a compromise. Scootaloo stood up, angrily.

'But seeeing her soul is throwin' me off,' Applebloom whined. 'Ah can't shut it off right now.'

'No fighting now,' Cheeralee said.

'Eyup, best to work,' Big  Macitosh said.

Again they tried, but this time Applebloom and Big Macintosh succeeded. What had made it more difficult in some ways had ultimately saved the day .An orange aura surrounded Big Macintosh, and he looked bigger due to it.  Unfortunately, she got too caught up in it and attacked.

'Darkness Hunter,' she shouted as she did. Sweety Bell had to jump out of the way of the shockwave.

'Be careful,' Scootaloo chided.

'I'm okay,' Sweety Bell said. 'But do be careful, others could get hurt. By the way, great job!'

'Yeah,'  Scootaloo agreed.

'Eyup,' Big Macintosh said. 'Thanks.'

'I'm so proud of you two,' Cheeralee added, happily.

'Well, sucks, that was good,'  Braeburn said. 'I reccon we better work harder too.'

'Ah'm kind of tired,' Applebloom said. 'Better rest.'

'Eyup,' Big Macintosh agreed. He went  back to pony form, and they sat by the wall.

A black pony with a black, red, blue, and purple mane and tail watched from around a corner.

'Interesting. When they finish, I'll have to tell him the results.'

It wasn't long before Sweety Bell and Scootaloo got theirs, in that sequence. Scootaloo's biggest problem was she was just a little too outgoing. Braeburn's aura was gold, and Cheeralee's was lavender. They refrained, in Scootaloo's case just barely, from unleashing their attacks.

'Let's claim them now, but do them later,' Sweety Bell suggested. 'We need to rest.'

'Ah reccon you're right,' Braeburn said, panting. They claimed their missions, and went to their rooms to sleep for a couple hours. Later, things would get interesting.
> Applebloom and the Dark Rose
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applebloom awoke, and Big Macintosh was already ready to go. She ate a piece of fruit, and threw him one.  He ate it as they walked. Their souls, however, along with the others were being watched.

'What  kinda  enemy do ya reccon it is?' Applebloom asked as they walked, going to the area they'd last been spotted in. Big Macintosh just shrugged.

'Lotta help you are,' Applebloom muttered. Big Macintosh  just ignored her comment.

'Is that how it's gonna be then?' Applebloom asked, obviously annoyed.

'Eyup,' Big Macintosh responded indifferently with a shrug.

'Ya know somethin?' Applebloom stated. 'It's amazing we can be partners.'

'Ehnope,' Big Macintosh responded. 'This is just too imortant to spend our time talking and not looking.'

'Oh I've found where they are,' Applebbloom responded, upbeat. 'We just need to get there.'

'Oh?' Big Macintosh asked. 'You can sense all the way to the Everefree Forest?'

GULP

'Just barely,' Applebloom said softly. 'Let's go.....'
_________________________________________________________
'Yes, I understand,' the pony from before said. 'Yes, they're all close enough to their enemies...The Dark Flowers...Yes, it is strange they all took them as their missions...Will do...'

She had been talking on a small communication device. But to who? She had been talking about Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweety Bell, that much was obvious. But who were these  'Dark Flowers', and what could they do?'
___________________________________________________
'Well we're getting close,' Applebloom said. 'Just a few more feet and we'll see 'em.' It was getting into evening, and Applebloom was a little more nervous being in the Everfree Forest. So nervous about that, in fact, she had forgotten her fears of her enemy and botching her  very first mission.

'Good,' Big Macintosh replied. 'Be ready.'

'Ah know that,' Applebloom snapped. She slowed, and Big Macintosh followed her  lead. He turned into his weapon form, and Applebloom held him. They could see a dark crimson mare with a black mane and tail. She was just standing there.

'What is she doin here?' Applebloom wondered. 'And why is she just standin there? Ah got  a bad feelin...

'I heard you,' the mare said. 'I'm the Dark Flower, Dark Rose. Who are you?' When Applebloom stepped  closer, Dark Rose snorted.

'A meister? From the EDWMA? You look awful young. Why did they send a filly for a mare or colt's job? Are they so eager to kill their students? Are you so eager to die?' Her tone was almost bored.

'Ahm Applebloom,' Applebloom said through clenched teeth. 'And ya shouldn't judge me based on mah age. Ah can do plenty!'

'Then show it!' Dark Rose exclaimed as she grabbed a sword from the other side of her and charged.

'Look out!' Big Macintosh exclaimed as Applebloom dodged. The sword cut just the end of her tail off.

'Ah know!'  Applebloom responded, frustrated.

'Not bad,' Dark Rose said, a little snidely. 'But you can't just dodge forever!' She charged again.

Applebloom jumped at the last second, a risky gamble that thankfully paid off. As Dark Rose was surprised by this, Applebloom swung Big Macintosh. Dark Rose tried to dodge, but Applebloom suddenly changed her swing and she hit Dark Rose in the side. Dark Rose was sent flying, and coughed loudly.

'Oh, that's how it's going to be?' Dark Rose said, her breathing slightly labored. 'Well, I'm not holding back anymore you little brat!' She began to charge, but as Applebloom swung Big Macintosh Dark Rose suddenly sped up and ended up beside Applebloom before she or Big Macintosh knew it. Applebloom tried to block with Big Macintosh, but only barely deflected it  from being a serious cut to her side. The sword still grazed part of her side. There was a thin, shallow cut.

'You wouldn't have been able to do that at all if you hadn't gotten that lucky shot,' huffed Dark Rose.

'Ah outsmarted ya,' Applebloom said. 'It wasn't a lucky shot.'

'Oh you little brat!' Dark  Rose practically screamed. Her breathing was ever so slightly labored, not enough for Applebloom or Big Macintosh to notice. 'I wasn't sure whether or not I'd kill you and eat your soul, you being so young. I thought I'd proabably just defeat you and eat the soul of the next meister they sent. But you are just to much! Your soul is mine!'

'Ah don't think so,' Applebloom said, seriously. 'Ready, Big Mac?' Big Macintosh was glowing orange, but Dark Rose failed to notice this in her anger. This little filly had been far more trouble than Dark Rose had thought she would be, and in her mind had been very rude as well.

'Eyup,' Big Macintosh replied. 'No need ta ask.'

As Dark Rose began to charge, Applebloom yelled, 'Darkness Hunter.' She swung Big Macintosh.

'What,' Dark Roses thought as the wave hit her. 'How could they...When did they...' She was ripped appart by the blast, only her head and chest remaining intact.

'How could you do that....' Dark Rose somehow managed to ask, trailing off as she died. Her remains dissapeared, and a red soul was the only thing that was left.

'Ah told ya,' Applebloom said, responding to somepony who was no longer there. More talking to herself. 'Ah can do plenty.'

Big Macintosh transformed back into his pony form and picked up the soul. He looked at it for just a moment before he ate it.

'Ah know that's natural,' Applebloom began, 'but it's kinda gross.' Her side had bled slightly in the fight, and finally stopped. Dried blood was in her fur.

'Ehnope,' Big Macintosh replied. 'You would understand better if you were supposed to do it.'

'Ewww no!' Applebloom exclaimed as they walked away. 'Ah could never do that.'

'But ya never know,' Big Macintosh countered. 'Did you ever think you could do that? Wasn't there a moment of doubt?'

'Of course,' Applebloom said quitely. 'But this is different. Ah don't think Ah'll ever get used to it.' Big Macintosh just chuckled at that. They went back to the EDWMA, laughing and being as close as any meister and weapon could be without marrying. Maybe in some ways, being a sibling team,  even closer.

'Do ya think we can do good next time?' Applebloom asked. 'By the way, that was clearly not labled the right difficulty. Do ya think somepony tampered with it?'

'Maybe,' Big Macintosh replied. 'Doubt it, though. Why would somepony do somethin like that?'

Applebloom didn't have a response for that one. 'It's gonna be late when we get back,' was all she could think to say.

'Eyup,' was all Big Macintosh replied.
_______________________________________________________________
As Applebloom had worked to complete her mission, the other two had been working hard on  theirs. How did they turn out, success or failure. And what kind of ponies were their oponents? Well, let's take a look how Scootaloo did first.
> Scootaloo and the Dark Lily
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scootaloo got up and streched. 'Don't worry,'  Cheeralee encouraged. 'We can do this together!'

'I know,' Scootaloo replied. 'As long as I have the best weapon in all of Equestria on my side.'

'How nice of you to say that,' Cheeralee replied. 'But that's not true, Celestia is.'

'What? Just because she's a Death Scythe,' Scootaloo responded. 'Or because she's Luna's weapon?'

'Those things help,' Cheeralee said. 'But she's great without that too.'

'Not because she's a Death Scythe?' Scootaloo questioned. 'Well, we better get going.' They left for right outside of Canterlot, and hoped their target hadn't decided to make a move into Canterlot. Scootaloo vocalized this concern.

'I sure hope they didn't decide to go into town,' she said. 'A lot of ponies could get hurt that way. And they might be harder to find.'

'Yes,' Cheeralee agreed. 'But maybe not. Cheer up, we can find them and stop  them with no trouble.'

'No trouble?' Scootaloo said, skeptically. 'Hopefully just not too much trouble.'

They noticed all the ponies going about their daily lives. More ponies had come to Canterlot than usual, and it made both Scootaloo and Cheeralee nervous.  They might show up to try to pick off ponies and eat their souls.

Right before they got to the outskirts,  Cheeralee transformed to her weapon form. Scootaloo held her, and as she walked she bumped into a pony. They were black with a silver mane and tail.

'Hey watch it,' the pony said as she turned. She stopped and stared at Scootaloo and Cheeralee, then burst out into a grin.

'Oh a meister! So are you coming after me then? I'm Dark Lily. I can't wait to fight you! So let's go out of town completely, I don't want us to be inturrupted.'

Scootloo stared in disbelief, not entirely sure what was going on. 'Is she serious?' Scootaloo wondered.
_____________________________________________
Outside of Canterlot, Scootaloo readied herself. In the short time it took to go outside  of town, Scootaloo had decided Dark Lily must be far more dangerous than she previously thought. She charged, Cheeralee raised and preparing to strike.

'WAIT!!!!'

Scootaloo froze. Did Dark Lily just yell at her to wait? It didn't make any sense.

'I wasn't ready,' Dark Lily huffed. 'I have to go get my weapon. How rude!' She smiled.

'I'll forgive you though.' She giggled.

She went over to some rocks and pulled out a mallet. Scootaloo had to wonder again if she was serious.

'Go!' Dark Lilly shouted and charged. Scootaloo dodged as Dark Lily swung her hammer.

'Hey! You dodged it. Good job! But I'm just getting started!' Dark Lily giggled.

Scootaloo went to quickly strike with Cheeralee, but Dark Lilly jumped out of the way deftly. She giggled, and Scootaloo found herself getting angry.

'I don't know how long I can do this,' Scootaloo thought sourly. She wasn't a slow pony, but she wasn't the fastest pony. That hadn't been a problem before, and she had her scooter. She found herself wishing she hadn't left it behind, thinking it would be bad to have around in a fight.

Dark  Lily giggled and came at Sootaloo. She attacked, more quickly this time. Scootaloo decided not to dodge the attack this time, but instead try to block. She managed this with decent success. The strike was harder than she imagined, and she almost didn't manage to hold it back.

'Wow so cool,' Dark Lily said as she jumped back. Scootaloo didn't wait to see if Dark Lily was finished, she charged in to attack. It seemed as if it would hit, but at the last second Dark Lily jumped, and landed right on Cheeralee's side. She looked genuninely confused.

'You inturrupted me,' Dark Lily said, puzzled. 'Are you that eager to fight? And I thought I was excited!' She swung her mallet down, and Scootaloo did the only thing she could think to do.

She swung Cheeralee as hard as she could. And the restults, at the very least, were interesting.

Scootaloo managed to swing hard enough, and surprised Dark Lily enough, to send Dark Lily flying. Her mallet flew in the opposite direction.

'No wait,' Scootaloo said as she advanced. 'I'm not putting up with your stupid games anymore.'

As Dark Lily stood up, she asked, 'what are you, a chicken?' Scootaloo's eyes narrowed, and wordlessly she charged. Dark Lily had no time to register that her plan had backfired before Scootaloo angrily swung Cheeralee. She caught across Dark Lily's chest, but it was not a finishing blow. But the gash did begin to bleed decently. Dark Lily fell, kneeling. The smiling and laughing was gone from her, replaced by shock and anger.

'That's too bad,' she  cooed softly. 'That's really too bad.' She went to stand  again, but Scootaloo had gone to Dark  Lily's weapon, and kicked it to her. In her frustration,  she pegged  Dark Lily right in the chest. Her gash began to bleed profusely, and she fell breathlessly with a sickening thunk. Scootaloo froze, and stared. Dark Lily was not disappearing, however.

Dark Lily struggled to stand, coughing. She coughed up a little blood, and fell again. 'What do we do?' Cheeralee asked, sounding sad and bewildered. 'Should we attack? We have to defeat her, but it doesn't seem right somehow either.' Scootaloo felt the same, but the realization dawned on her that it was far more cruel to leave Dark Lily like that. Dark lily was going to die, it was painfully obvious, and it could be slow or quick.

'I'm really sorry,' Scootaloo whispered as she swung Cheeralee, forcing herself not to close her eyes.  Dark Lily flinched, and Cheeralee ripped  through  her. She disappeared, leaving only her soul. Cheeralee transformed  back to pony form. She picked up the soul, but only stared at it at first. It would  be wrong not to eat it, but it was still so sad. She ate the soul, solmnly.

'You didn't mean to,' Cheeralee reassured as they went back. 'It wasn't your fault...'

The rest of the walk back was silent, both Scootaloo and Cheeralee finding no joy in their first victory.
> Sweety Bell and the Dark Daisy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sweety Bell rushed out of her room as soon as she got up. 'Ah know,' Braeburn said as he ran with her. 'Ah'm excited too!'

'I need a real breakfast,'Sweety Bell said. 'I need to be in the best state for my very first mission!'

'Well, shucks, that's good thinkin','  said Braeburn. 'Ah think ah'll be alright, though.'

Sweety Bell ran to the cafeteria to get a decent-sized breakfast. There were surprisingly few ponies there. She ate kind of quickly, but not too quickly. Braeburn, at first, stared intensely. Not long after Sweety Bell began to eat, Braeburn became impatient and transformed into weapon form.

'I get it,' Sweety Bell huffed. 'But I don't want to make myself sick.' Sweety Bell picked up Braeburn  and set out.

'Lazy....' Braeburn was silent, offended.

'Well anyway,' Sweety Bell said,  trying to smooth things over. 'How do you think it's going to be finding them? I wish I  had Applebloom's ability. They keep randomly seeing them in Canterlot, but not a lot. I wonder where they could be all the other time. Somewhere else, or are they sneaky?'

'Ah think they're in Canterlot,' Braeburn said. 'There's a whole mess of ponies in Canterlot, and a whole mess of places to go.'

'True,' Sweety Bell replied. 'Which makes me say it again. I wish I had Applebloom's ability.'

'Well t'ain't gonna be easy,' Braeburn said. 'But t'ain't nothin' we can't handle.'
___________________________________________________________________________
Walking along the streets of Canterlot, Sweety Bell looked around. The ponies were gathering in one location. Sweety Bell and Braeburn scanned the crowd, but doubted Black Daisy would be there. And hoped not, a fight there could be disasterous. Still, strangely enough, Sweety Bell felt a twinge of disappointment when they didn't spot them. Braeburn, however kept his high spirits and excitement.

'Do you think we'll ever...' Sweety Bell began as they turned down a less traveled street, but promptly bumped into a pony. They were pink, their mane and tail were black with pink streaks.  Sweety Bell bounced back, and looked at the pony, eyes widening.

'You're the infamous mare Dark Daisy!' She exclaimed.

'Why does everypony call me a mare?!?' Dark Daisy shouted, angrily. By the voice, it was obvious Dark Daisy was a stalion and not a mare. Sweety Bell flinched.

'I'm sorry,' Sweety Bell replied. 'It said you were female, and you are pretty. As pretty as my big sister even, and she's the prettiest pony I know. When I saw you, I was actually kind of  jealous.'

'That's still no excuse,' Dark Daisy huffed. 'What if I were told you were a boy?!? Should I assume that?!? And calling me that pretty....' He trailed off, taking a deep breath.

'I'll just let my  scythe do the talking,' he said through clenched teeth.  'Sunshine, where are you?'

'Right here,' came a timid voice, as a bright yellow filly with an orange mane and tail came walking up. She seemed very nervous, and reminded Sweety Bell of Fluttershy a little. 'You know I get nervous when you yell....'

Dark Daisy was looking at Sunshine as she spoke, and her  expression softened. 'I am sorry,' he said. 'But I'm so tired of that. And I wouldn't yell at you.'

'O...Okay...' Sunshine said. 'It's okay...' Then she transformed into a beautiful and ornate scythe, and Dark Daisy picked her up . He charged Sweety Bell.

Sweety Bell easily dodged him. His attacks were obviously fueled by anger, at the moment at least, and Sweety Bell knew she had to be extra carreful not to get hit. But as he kept swinging and missing, he  was becoming more and more reckless. Sweety Bell decided to go on the offensive.

'But you're obviously a meister,'  Sweety Bell said as she swung Braeburn, swiftly.

'Oh no,' came Sunshine's nervous voice, and Sweety Bell froze. Dark Daisy went to attack, and Sweety Bell barely dodged.

'What in tarnation happened there?' Braeburn asked, bewildered.

'It's Sunshine,' Sweety Bell replied as she doged an ever-growing amount of attacks. 'I'm fine now, I know we can....'

She swung Braeburn.

'I know how we can help her be happy now.' Braeburn cut, a shallow one, across Dark Daisy's chest and along one side as Sweety Bell dodged a particularly strong attack.

'Ya didn't swing me that hard,' Braeburn chided.

'You need to calm down, or you might be killed,' Sunshine told Dark Daisy, worried.

'I am calm,' he snapped. And then Sweety Bell really went on the offensive. She was more angry than Dark Daisy had been, but she had a focus he didn't. Because she had a goal in mind, and the determination not to mess it up.

She swung Braeburn, wildly but also focused, and most of the hits were landing. Shocked, Dark Daisy couldn't stop her as he was being cut to ribbons.

'Stop...' Sunshine said. 'Please...'

'Sorry,' Sweety Bell replied as she continued, 'I can't.' Sweety Bell mostly decapitated Dark Daisy, Braeburn not quite slicing through Dark Daisy's bone. Sunshine gasped.

'Finish this...please...' Sunshine said.

'Of course,' Sweety Bell repied softly. She swung Braeburn as hard as she could, and finished the job. Dark Daisy's head went flying. Sunshine transformed back into pony form as Dark Daisy's body disappeared. Sunshine picked up his soul, and looked at it sadly before handing it to Sweety Bell. Braeburn transformed into his pony form and turned away, respectfully, to eat it.

'I know...why you did  it,' Sunshine said. 'But what do I do now. He was usually nice, and...and...I don't know what to do on my own...'

'Come with us,' Sweety Bell said, hoof extended to Sunshine. 'We'll be able to find you somepony, a nice meister that will treat you good all of the time. One you'll be able to work well with too.'

'Really?' Sunshine asked, even more timidly. 'Won't I be in trouble?'

'I'll explain that you didn't choose to do any of it,' Sweety Bell said. 'Did you?'

'Oh no!' Sunshine exclaimed. She tentively took Sweety Bell's hoof, and together they all walked to the EDWMA happily.
________________________________________________________________________________
'It's just as you thought,' the mysterious pony from before said. 'They  took them out, and Sunshine is still alive....Yes...They  do bear  investigating...When can  I come back? I see....Well I'll be glad then...Miss you...Love you too...'