The Crooked Pony

by Litrus

Rating: mature
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Spike
Length: 3380

Ponyville, huh? Lemme tell yah, for one thing, it aint normal kid! Run, run while you still can. It's chasing you.

''Ponyville, huh? Lemme tell yah, for one thing, it ain't normal, kid!''

You're completely and utterly enveloped by a malicious, shrouding veil of darkness. There is no one there to help you; you're all alone. What else can you do, when you're drained of sanity, except for helplessly run?

She didn't believe you. But don't worry, you're not insane. The reason behind it was only because you could see it. Only you could hear it. Only you could fear it. It only wanted you, no one else, just you. You were just unlucky, you were the first it encountered when it emerged from the unearthly land; the Everfree.

Credit to http://partes.deviantart.com/ <-- for the image!
You have been warned.

There was a crooked pony, and he walked a crooked mile,
He found a crooked bit, upon a crooked stile.
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,
And they all lived together, in a little crooked house.

Published 2013-08-03 01:00:03 UTC
Last updated 2013-08-04 04:41:27 UTC

C-1 Tap-tap-tap

''Twilight? Is that you?''
''Uuuuegh, Spikee! Goo bhack tooo behd, it's like, one in the morning, we havee mahny taskss to accohmplishh today''
''B-but.. I saw something outside..''
''I'm more than positive it was probably justt a sstick.. Go to behd Sssspppiiikeee!''
''Hmph! Fine..''

Too tired to rebut against Twilight, Spike finally gave into his sleep exhaustion. What the baby dragon had seen hadn't been just a ''stick'', it had been something much more malicious. Countless days, the baby dragon had been disturbed from his sleep by the odd figure, lurking around outside. He was certain some pony wanted Twilight's blood, or even worst, his blood! After an uneasy sleep, the baby dragon, awoken by his surrogate mother, and almost relative, Twilight, headed to make breakfast for the two. For spike, cooking was quite a regular routine for him. Twilight though, always head cemented into her books, apparently never ''has'' time to make breakfast. Heck, Spike even questions Twilight about why she can't lay down her book just to cook for once. As time past, night came about. The pair, exhausted from a day of hiking with Applejack and co. finally submitted to the night, and both scurried as hastily into their beds.

''Spike.''
''Yea, Twilight?''
''Please do refrain from waking me up tonight, I understand what you see can be, somewhat frighting for you, but i'm positive it's nothing to be afraid of. Tomorrow, we have to get up early and help Rarity gather material for her dresses! You've seen her have a mental break down the last time we told her we couldn't come..''
''Oh man! That didn't end well.. B-but, Twilight... That thing, it-''
''Good, thank you Spike.'' Twilight interrupted
''But Twilight, what i saw.. It just..''
''Hush now, It's much past your curfew little dragon!'' Twilight said, accompanied by a warming giggle.

Spike, tired as ever, gave up again. Soon the two were plum-tuckered into their soothing, warm beds.
Tap-tap* Tap-tap-tap* That noise. That unbearable noise that bothered Spike. Annoyed and somewhat startled, Spike jumped out of bed, and went to check what was causing the tapping. As he slowly made his way, the tapping slowly dissipated into a quietness, and was now no where to be heard. It was as if it had been sent to the moon in an blink of an eye. Confused, Spike made his way back to the bed. Spike noticed something standing near the window. A black shade, it took the shape of a stallion. All the other details of the stallion were hazy and too dark to be seen. Spike knew one thing,
whatever it was, it wasn't friendly. The thing exchanged a glance with spike. Spike was lucky, he couldn't see the features of whatever that black thing had. He was actually still quite scared of it, the way it looked at him. The way it was looking into Spikes very existence and soul, it was almost as if it wanted to eat Spikes flesh, and use his scales to make some accessory from.

There it was again.
That absurd and irritant tapping.
Tap-tap-tap*

''BUCK'' A terrified Spike shouted, but quickly concealing his mouth so Twilight wouldn't wake up.

''S-Spike, is that you?'' Asked a very tired Twilight.
The very moment she spoke, the eerie tapping came to a halt.
''What did I say about playing detective, Spike... Go-to-bed-now.''
''B-but.. Twilight, didn't you hear that?''
''Sure, i heard the paranoid baby dragon wandering the room and shout! Now go to sleep, or i won't let you to go to Rarity's for the rest of the week!''
''What! You can't do that! That's not fair!''
''Oh yes I can, now go to sleep, for the last time, Spike!''

Ticked off, the baby dragon surrendered once again, and gave away to sleep.
Tap-tap-tap*
There it was again.
Tap-tap-tap*
And again.
Tap-tap-tap*

''STO-O-O-P!!'' The baby dragon, shouted in panic. Twilight, much exhausted did not even budge and attempt to stop the rampant dragon's cries.
''Twilight, don't you hear it??!''
''Twilight?!!''

Twilight laid there, snoring and more annoyed than ever, decided to just ignore Spike. The baby dragon, now more filled with fear than ever, ventured out to find the source of the tapping, and the reason it was happening. You wouldn't expect a baby dragon, scared half to death to check up on what, could be one of the most terrifying things in the world to check what was making such an annoying sound, but Spike was different. The thing was, Twilight actually couldn't hear what was going on, nor could she see anything standing at the window, except for the beautiful, gleaming night sky.

Whatever this thing was, it most likely didn't want Twilight, it wanted Spike.

Out of mortification and frustration, Spike quickly lost his sanity, and ran outside. It was dark, all of Ponyville's lights were off. Everypony was sound asleep, safe and protected by one another. Spike quietly snuck around the library, making sure he was leaving no sound in his clawsteps. Every few seconds, he stopped to see where the dark figure was. No luck, whatever it was, it was gone now.

''Ssssspppikee..'' A quiet and echoing voice muttered.

Spike almost jumped out of his scales when he heard the voice travel through the air.

''WHO'S THERE???!''
''D-d-dd-o-oo-nn-n't-t w-w-wo-oo-rr-yy-y-yy...'' The whispering voice cooed, sounding like it was stuttering.
''I-i-i-i ww-iiii-llll-lll eee-nn-d yyyyy-oooou-uuu-rrr ppppppaaaaa-iiiiiiii-nnnnnn''
''WHAT PAIN, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?? GO AWAY YOU FREAKY MEAN VOICE!'' The baby dragon shouted, completely stunned at the haunting voice he heard.

There was nothing there, Spike looked all around with a face filled with complete confusion, and horror. The voice seemed like it was in his head, but it wasn't. He could've sworn in was coming from every direction.

''Ha-ha-haaha-haahaa-haa...'' The voice laughed.

''ww-ww-hhhh-yyyyy dd-oooo-nnnn'tt-tt wwww-eeeee hhaaa-vvveee a-lll-iiittt-llleee fffff-uuunnnn?...''

Now shrieking and in sobbing like a baby in pain, ran for his life towards the Everfree, without a thought.

''Iiii-mmmm ggg-ooooiii-nnnggg ttt-oooo g--eeettt yyy-oouuuu ssss-ppiii-kee!''
''Lll-eetttsss hhaaa-veee ssooo-mmeeee fff-uuunnnn...''
''Hhhh-iiidddd-eee aaa-nnddd ssseee-kkkk, hhii-ddeee a-nnddd seee-kkkk....'' The deranged and unnatural voice chanted.
''Nyahaa-hhaahaa..''

That voice. It sounded like.... Pinkie Pie? But it can't be... That's impossible! Pinkie doesn't sound so croaky and deranged like that voice... No way it can be Pinkie... No way! The baby dragon thought, running for his life at the same time.

____________________________________________________________________

It had been ten minutes already. The baby dragon wasn't accustomed to running for so long so often. All around him, he heard the ghastly voice cackle every now and then. In fact, this actually reminded him of a story that Rainbow dash once told him. The story about the mare who lost her rusty horse shoe. Except, this wasn't a rusty horse shoe, this was a monster, chasing Spike effortlessly, with no true aim or purpose whatsoever.

Spike read a lot of ghost stories about silly horrors such as Nightmare Moon actually eating little ponies in one gulp. He thought that this thing, could've maybe been in a book, but Spike had never laid eyes on a book that mentioned some monster pony chasing other ponies around.

Finally, out of breath, Spike gave up. He rested himself upon a crooked stile, that lead to some new place he had dared not venture past. There it was. The horrifying figure.

''W-w-wha-tt I-i-iss... T-t-thaatt??'' Stuttered the now, mortified, horrified and cry me a river Spike.

Standing about 15 feet away from him, stood none other, than a bloodied, scratched up, scarred, bruised stallion. It's body permeated the air with death and it's foul odor that emitted from it's broken pores and decaying flesh. But, the most horrifying feature wasn't the body marks and blood. No, this was much more disturbing. So disturbing, it made spike want to rip out his eyeballs, put them in a puddle of 3 year old mud, ferment them in expired milk, then put them back in his sockets just to clean off what he was looking at.

It's neck, crooked at an impossible angle. How was that even possible? It's neck just... It's neck was arched to the side completely, just perfectly so it made contact with its own chest. It's eyes, were pitch black bulbs of pure malice. It's eyes were like dark vacuums of space, that threatened to engulf everything that looked into it. It's crooked smile, and unhinged jaw made it seem like it wanted to do more then kill you slowly and painfully... Its smile, resembled that of death. It's smile, was as if it were about to just lunge at you, and rip out your very flesh from your neck and consume you alive, while you were still conscious enough to see the mortifying beast slowly take chunks of blood and flesh from you, and see it drip from its unearthly mouth.

''C-c-crookeed p-p-poonny...'' Spike, now whimpering and sobbing like a lost child.

Slowly, it approached him. The impending terror, slowly creeping up Spikes scaly spine. Its smile, was overwhelming enough to paralyze a cockatrice itself.

There was a crooked pony and he walked a crooked mile.

Author's Note

Made a few edits. I know it's bad,

C-2 Nightmares and predicaments

“HHH-HH-EELPPPP,” said Spike, crying at the top of his lungs in terror. Step by step, slowly as if enjoying itself, that thing approached with a glare on his face, or was it a smile?

‘’Spike??’’ A voice echoed.

‘’Spike, where are you??’’

That voice… It sounds familiar..? TWILIGHT??

‘’TWILIGHT!!’’
‘’SPIKE! WHERE ARE YOU??’’
‘’HELP TWLIGHT, I’M OVER HERE!’’

Gasping and panting like a worried mother would, Twilight finally managed to find Spike.The moment Spike turned his head to see his savior, the monster was gone and out of sight.

‘Spike! Where have you been? I was worried!’’

‘’Didn’t you see it Twilight? That thing, it was chasing me!!’’

‘’What thing, Spike? All I heard was you screaming outside about something to go away?’’

Spike turned around, but the crooked pony was nowhere to be seen for it had gone deeper into the thick forest of the Everfree. Spike stood in silence, hoping that it wouldn’t return.

And then it happened, all the horror, the madness of that night, the sheer terror that Spike felt as he ran for his life finally broke the dam, and he began to cry his eyes out, clutching to his surrogate mother for protection.

Spike was speechless. He knew Twilight hadn’t witnessed anything that had happened at all. Teary eyed and sobbing like a child, Twilight apprehended Spike into a warming and affectionate hug. The surrogate mother Twilight, now also crying with her baby dragon. The two remained in that position for quite a while. Spike was unable to comprehend anything that had just happened in the past 15 minutes of madness.

‘’Spike… I know what you think you may have saw was, disturbing… But please, don’t run off like that again! You know how much I worry about you when you go missing in the middle of the night!’’

‘’I-I’m… I’m sorry Twilight… It was just so scary… I couldn’t take it!’’ Spike said with a wobbly voice.

“Ohh, Spike… Don’t cry! Don’t worry, I’m here now, I can protect you!” said Twilight as she tightened her embrace around Spike, which seemed like he was never going to stop crying. After a short while, Spikes crying ceased. The intense beating of her heart and her warmth made him feel calm and safe.

As the two finally settled down from the turn of event, they slowly made their way out of the Everfree forest. Although it took a while for things to cut in and happen, it was still night. The darkness surrounded them like paparazzi, it was persistent on blocking their vision, and even caused the pair to trip up on a vine. The two shared a quick nervous laugh, and hurried on out of the forest before anything else could happen. Upon arrival, the two calmed down, had a quick lecture to give Spike some reassurance, and then went to bed. Finally, it was morning. Spike had been waiting so long, to finally be able to see a glimpse of light. He was safe. It couldn’t get him anymore as long as he was in the daylight. The two, quickly made off with the days chores and tasks that were set ahead of them. But before he knew it, the night had already begun its descent. The two slept another peaceful night.

It was morning again. Spike was in urgent need to go and babysit Fluttershy’s animals, it was with little warning towards Twilight that Fluttershy was going out. Spike was kind enough not to refuse. Being Twilights number one assistant, he could never refuse an earnest request from his dearly loved.

It was just a few days ago, that Rarity had given Spike a gem, as a token of gratitude for helping her out with a Canterlot order mess up. The designers there messed up the numbers on an order, and ordered 9 less than what they were supposed to receive.

Spike couldn’t help but bring along the gem, given to him by the element of generosity. After all, he did have a crush on Rarity!

Finally having made it to Fluttershy’s cottage, Spike opened the door, only to be greeted by the troublesome little bunny, Angel. Angel was prepared for this; he had the whole thing set up, all just to piss off Spike, and to prove to Fluttershy that Spike was an irresponsible caregiver. The white flurry lunged up, and seized Spikes prized gem.

And so, the chase began. Unaware of Angel’s devious plans, the whole interior of the cottage was in havoc. Animals were throwing a party as if tomorrow was never to be seen again.

Spike, compelled to chase down Angel, that evil little bunny. He led Spike into the Everfree. Spike was too careless to even notice where he was heading.

‘’Angel, get back here! Gimme back my gem, you pest!’’

The bunny only hopped faster and laughed at the unfortunate drake. Soon, Angel was out of sight. Spike was lost, again.

‘’Thank Celestia it’s not night time yet.’’

Having said that, the day quickly transitioned into the night.

‘’Well… This won’t end well.’’ Spike said, with an annoyed expression on his face.

What was Spike doing in the Forest, again? Had he not heaved Twilights warning? Did he not learn anything from Twilights superior lecturing skills? He was much too angered by the pesky bunny, Angel. Spike was now wandering the Everfree, again. In the darkness of the night, again. Spike, soon to afraid to go deeper into the Everfree, began backing away. He tried making his way out, cutting vines that entangled him, wrestled a cockroach, and even had to solve a puzzle, just to try and find the exit, to this labyrinth. Surprisingly, Spike actually found the way out, without encountering the Crooked Pony. He could see the light, poking through and just teasing him.

‘’FREE-EE-EEDOM!!’’ Spike shouted, triumphantly into the air as he made his way towards the light, the saviour, the justice that would keep him out of reaches from that monster.

It was only when he got there, he realised the light was just a fraud. The light was only a hole, that seethed through a broken tree’s leaves. An imitation that dared to provoke Spike. The dragon’s face saddened, filled with hopelessness and anger, he blew a chunk of fire that was powered by his hatred of the mocking light. The purpose of the fire wasn’t to catch onto anything, and cause damage, but to articulate what Spike was feeling. Unfortunately, the fire quickly caught onto the broken tree, only causing it more pain than from its broken branch.

Spike quickly scurried away, from the spread of wildfire, looking for safety. It was then, something caught in his field of vision. Spike tried looking carefully, but didn’t see anything except for something moving towards him. It looked rather small, it had to be Angel, the pest bunny that took his gem. It had to be, who else could it have been other than that small figure?

Spike, infuriated, charged towards the bunny in a mad dash.

The bunny gave out a raspy and rather disturbing cackle. Spike’s heart skipped a beat. A cold drop of sweat travelled down his spiny back. His hands were shaking. There was nothing else Spike could do but scream.

The Crooked Pony trailed behind him at an incredible pace, and didn’t look like it was about to give up anytime soon. Spike was huffing; he just couldn’t handle the pressure of being chased down by a maniac monster. That thing crackled as it slowly and steadily got closer to spike, making Spike’s heart beat almost to the point of a beating bass drum. It would never trip, it would never falter nor hesitate. He was getting closer, and closer, and at one point Spike could smell the rotting essence of the monster.

‘’No… NO NO NO NO NO! NOOOOOO!’’

‘’GET BACK! GET BACK!’’ Spike chanted, while picking up a nearby stick and prodding at the air as the thing crept closer.

The baby dragon was now crying even harder than he had ever. He was shouting, crying, doing all that one would do in a struggle like this, but nothing happened. No pony was around to witness what was happening. Was this the end? It all happened so quickly… Spike couldn’t recall anything that just happened. Only remembered small details, like running, seeing things and all the non-important things that just happened. Spike muttered a few prayers, and last few words, before meeting his untimely demise.

‘’I love you Twilight, please never forget me.’’ Spike whispered, as the last few words struggled to escape his mouth.

How could it all have ended so soon? None of it made sense… It all happened within the blink of an eye.

All that came from the beast, was a disturbing gurgle of blood and saliva. At last, it reached Spike. Slowly, it reached its foul, decayed hoof and felt Spikes scaly face. Spike did nothing, showed no resistance against the thing, for he knew this was truly the end. Spike could feel two bumpy but sharp hooves, trying to split his stomach open. The hooves seemed to have some sort of blade, embedded into the centre bottom of each hoof. The blades began their unmerciful decent, into the baby dragons stomach. Spike could feel his stomach splitting open. He felt his scales being pierced by a sharp cold metal, and the blades entering his stomach. Slowly and painfully, the Crooked Pony shifted one blade upwards, whilst the other slid downwards. They slit Spikes skin easily like cutting cake. The baby dragon could begin to see his own flesh, the mellow pinkish dragon flesh, accompanied by a stream of blood, flowing out from Spikes scales.

Another five minutes past. The dragon was in absolute agony, he could see his own organs now, resting helplessly in his body, while the petrifying fiend slowly dug his wretched face into Spikes completely cut in half stomach. What Spike felt was beyond indescribable. He felt the thing, just bash its face into his organs and bones, slowly feeling the sharp canines knawing on Spikes intestines. The pain was unbearable, and Spikes constant screaming for help was in vain. No one was coming to help him, he was trapped here with this, thing and have his soul slowly ripped apart.

Spike hoped for death, but it wouldn’t come. The Crooked pony was already clenching its stone-jagged teeth on Spikes little dragon heart. His vision was extremely hazy, and all he could feel and hear was true terror.

‘’S-stop…’’ The dragon muttered, as the words left his final few dying breathes.

‘’It.. It hurts.. So much…’’ The baby dragon cooed before death struck him.

Nopony was coming… They all left me here. To die. No… It was that stupid bunny’s fault, he lead me to this trap! I bet he’s working with this thing. I gotta tell everypony… But, I’m already dead..

He found a crooked bit, upon a crooked stile.

Author's Note

With good advice and help of socialdeviance!