Fear Itself

by MrPengu1n

Rating: everyone
Tags: Dark, Adventure
Length: 745

What are you most afraid of?

There's something happening in Ponyville at night; ponies are starting to have nightmares for no apparent reason, nightmares of their greatest fears. Twilight is starting to get suspicious, and decides to investigate.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-11-29 18:03:49 UTC

Prologue

"Hello, everypony, my name is Thrill Seeker, and welcome to...the Everfree Forest! Alright,"

The video shows footage of a dark, foreboding forest. The moon shines over the treetops, and then the camera starts nearing the forest.

"Now, this has been one of the most requested places that I should go, and I guess, you guys wore me down. Anyway,"

The video follows a path that leads directly into the forest, below two tall, dark trees.

"So let me give you guys some background on this place. This is, obviously, the Everfree Forest. It's a, a deep, dark, scary forest in the middle of Equestria. I'm sure you've all heard the stories: Timberwolves, Nightmare Moon, and that one legend about a demon emtombed somewhere in the woods, OOOoooOOOooo, spooky."

The video suddenly cuts.

"Sorry about that, guys, I, uh, I tripped over a root. We can't have THAT in the video, heh."

The camera takes a wide, swooping shot of the tall, gnarled trees overhead.

"Anyway, this is also the only place Zap Apples grow, which is why Ponyville was founded on the edge of this very forest. I'm sure you've all heard about the ponies from Ponyville. They're a hardy folk-I mean, they live on the edge of this place, for Celestia's sake!-and they also play host to the newly coronated Princess Twilight. I wonder if I could meet her. I hear she's got some nice-"

The video cuts again.

"This place has a reputation for being the scariest place in all of Equestria, I don't see why."

A timberwolf howls in the distance; the camera stops moving as the howl rings through the forest.

"Can you NOT? How 'bout you don't, huh? Ah, forget you."

The camera continues on, following the same path deeper and deeper into the forest.

"You know, I mean, it's actually quite a nice place! I mean, look at those trees! They're so tall! And just look at this path; this place must not be so abandoned if they have such nice walkways, amirite?"

The video fast forwards.

"I'm gettin' kinda hungry...that glowing moss looks surprisingly appetizing...mm, better not."

The video skips again.

"Look at THIS, guys! Ha!"

The video captures a panorama shot of the treetops. Ponyville can be seen in the distance, illuminated by the starlight above.

"I was just following the path, but it lead to this mountain here, and LOOK at the view! It's amazing! Personally, I think this place get's a bad rep."

The camera turns around to reveal a steep rock wall behind it.

"And, that's not the only thing I found up here, check THIS out!"

The camera rounds a corner to reveal a tall boulder leaning against the mountain.

"I thought nothing of it at first, but according to this guidebook I got before coming out here, there's a cave behind that rock! A massive cave, too! It was sealed thousands upon thousands of years ago for unknown reasons, but it opens...today. Hehehehehe."

A hoof enters the frame, holding a small remote device. The camera angles to reveal several stacks of dynamite propped up against the boulder.

"This is gonna be awesome. Here,"

The camera is jarred as Thrill Seeker takes it off of his camera holding harness.

"I'm gonna detonate it from behind that rock over there, so I'll leave the camera here to get a better shot."

A pony runs off from behind the camera to the stone path looping around the mountain. An explosion blows the boulder over, and it falls to the side with an earth shaking thud. The camera is lurched to it's side, clattering to the ground.

The pony runs back into the frame and over to peer into the newly opened chasm on the mountainside. A faint, 'Awesome!' can be heard.

The pony turns around to fetch his camera, but he stops short, looking down at his hoof in confusion.

He suddenly lunges-or is pulled-into the cave. A faint scream can be heard, which is cut off moments later.

Something black and liquid seeps out of the cave in waves. A hiss can be heard, which faintly sounds like the word, "Free,"

The video cuts.

Some ways away in Ponyville, a newly coronated Princess is awoken by what sounds like a faint explosion, far away. Thinking nothing of it, she rolls over and goes back to sleep, though she can't shake the feeling that something important has just happened-something that shouldn't have happened.