The Trotsburg Files

[Timestamp: November 3 8:46 AM]

“Check. Check. Check.”

“What are you doing?”

“Just testing out my new camera.”

“Is it working?”

“Audio is, but the video’s not coming in.”

“Maybe if you took off the lens cap, it would work better.”

“What? Oh!”

Light floods the lens as it takes its time focusing and balancing. In front of the camera stands two stallions; one is a pegasus and the other is an earth pony. The pegasus is a beige colour, with a brown mane to match his eyes, with a cutie mark shaped like a pair of wings with a gear in the centre. The earth pony is a dark grey with a black mane and teal eyes, and a cutie mark shaped like a basketball with an eighth note accenting it. Both of them stand in a small room with wooden paneling on the walls, and a darker wood finish on the floor.

“That’s better!” A voice from behind the camera states. “Alright. Check. Check. Looks good!”

“Now that you’ve had fun with your new toy,” The pegasus smiles, “Mind helping us pack?”

“Yeah, sure.” The camera is jostled.

[Timestamp: November 3, 8:54 AM]

A backpack full of clothing and camping supplies comes into focus while breathing can be heard behind the camera. The backpack rests on a small bed with plain sheets and blankets. The camera pans over to two other backpacks, the beige pegasus is still fitting everything into his, and the earth pony is just closing his own.

The pegasus looks up. “Is that thing on?”

“Yup,” The pony behind the camera replies.

“Where did you even get that?” the earth pony adds, slinging his pack over his shoulders.

“It was on sale, I thought it would be a good idea for the trip.” The view is turned as it can be assumed that the camerapony is checking the film.

“Swift, it’s not really a nature walk.” The beige pegasus notes, shoving a hoof into his bag to pack everything down.

“I know that.” The camerapony says, turning the camera right side up again. “This was my idea, remember?”

“Yeah,” The grey earth pony nods, “But I’m more in it for the adventure, you made it sound cool.”

“Why don’t you tell all those watching from home what it is we’re doing.” The pegasus grins, closing his bag up.

The camera is turned around to face the holder, a blue pegasus with a black mane, who is smiling broadly.

“Hello Equestria!” He grandly announces. “My name is Swift Justice.” He turns the camera on the other pegasus. “That’s my buddy Rivet.”

“Hello.” Rivet waves.

The camera pans over to the earth pony. “And that’s Clyde.”

“‘Sup.” Clyde nods towards the camera.

“Together!” Swift announces. “We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!”

“Shut up.” Rivet chuckles, swinging his pack over his shoulder.

“Okay, so we definitely aren’t.” Swift turns the camera back on himself. “But we are going to do some pretty cool stuff.”

“Don’t just hint at it, tell them!” Clyde calls.

Swift looks up from the lens, “Alright!” He turns back to the camera. “So, we’re headed off to this old place down south of here. Supposedly, it’s like the place to be if you’re dead. There are ghost stories and legends out both ends of this place.”

“Tell ‘em the spookiest bit!” Rivet calls, mock excitement mixed with real excitement in his voice.

“Which part?” Swift turns the camera towards Rivet, who crosses his eyes and uses a hoof to make a ring around one ear.

“Oh! Right.” Swift comes back into view, a serious expression on his face, his voice becoming low and serious. “This place… Was once… A loony bin.”

“Sanitorium is more like it.” Rivet mutters.

“It also sounds cooler.” Clyde steps up behind Swift on the frame.

Rivet can be heard laughing. “You had one job!”

[Timestamp: November 3, 12:52 AM]

The shaking camera is turned back towards the face of Swift Justice, who caringly wipes off the lens and turns the machine towards a window. After a second of blurriness and bright light, the camera equalises and gentle greenery fills the frame. The camera zooms in and out, becoming blurry every time the tree line is closer or farther. The sound of chugging and a train whistle can be faintly heard. Occasionally, a bump jostles the camera, causing it to go out of focus and slowly come back in.

“Are you having fun?” Clyde’s voice emanates from behind the camera.

“How could I not be?” Swift replies, turning the camera on his friend.

The inside of a train car comes into view. Both Clyde and the camera are on one bench, where Rivet is sitting on the other, reading a book. Clyde looks into the lens of the camera and then back up, most likely to Swift.

“So, you want to explain why we’re here?” Swift asks from behind the camera.

“Sure, why not.” Clyde shrugs. “Well, we heard there was a place down a ways from Ponyville where a lot of ponies think there are ghosts. Pretty simple story, right? This place is an old Sanitarium, a mental hospital, where they kept some of the worst cases. Like the really dangerous ones. History’s not my thing, but Rivet did the research. Anyway, we’re going there because Swift over here thought we should check this place out. It sounded like fun to me, so I volunteered to come along.”

“Do you think there really are ghosts there?” A serious tone rests on Swifts voice.

“Probably not.” Clyde shakes his head, causing his mane to flop over to one side. Fixing his mane, he continues. “But you never know.”

The camera turns swiftly, bringing Rivet into view. “How about some history, Rivet?”

Rivet looks up from his book, first at Swift, then at Clyde, then at the lens. “Sure. Why not.” Closing the book, Rivet grins slightly as he stares intently into the camera. “Well, years and years ago, before most of us were even born, there was this Mental Institution called Trotsburg’s Hospital For The Mentally Disturbed. It was maximum security, and most of the patients were kept separated for their own safety.
Because of somepony’s stupid idea, some of the staff had to live on site, in case of emergencies. These were known as “Night Watch Staff”. Some of them thought they made a big difference, and liked their jobs. Most, though, hated their job, and especially hated treating the patients.” Rivet’s head shoots up as the train whistle blasts loudly. Turning back to the camera, he adds, “Looks like we’re at our stop.”

[Timestamp: November 3, 1:23 PM]

“-Off before you start filming!”

“I’ve got it.” The voice of Swift soothes in the blackness before it is replaced with dazzling light. “There, happy?” The camera focuses as it is observed that the group is now in a small town. All of the buildings are slightly weathered, and there is a rustic tone about everything. Trees accent the skyline of the town as the camera is focused dead ahead of the group.

“We only have so much film.” Rivet notes from the left side of the camera. “Shouldn’t we be saving it?”

“It’s all good.” Swift turns the camera on it’s side to check the film. “I have a lot of tapes. I stocked up before we left.”

The camera continues to bob up and down in time with the strides of Swift. The group nears the edge of town, as farmlands fill the view, and houses become smaller.

“Hey. Look.” The camera turns to Clyde, who is pointing to a small wagon on the edge of a farm filled with various fruits, just down the road from them. There is a sign with prices on it, and a bucket for payment nailed onto the wooden trailer. Next to the wagon is an earth pony mare with a wide brimmed hat on her head. She wipes sweat from her brow as she waves over to the camera from the other side of the wagon. “I could use a snack about now. How ‘bout you guys?”

“Eh, why not,” Rivet nods, following Clyde towards the stand.

“Sure,” Swift agrees from behind the camera.

The mare smiles when they come closer. “Howdy.”

“Hi there.” Rivet replies, stepping over to the fence. “How are you?”

“Ah’m good.” She nods, tipping her hat to the strangers. “I can tell y’all aren’t from around here. What brings you to town?”

“We’re here to visit Trotsburg’s.” Rivet smiles, casually leaning against the wagon.

As he is talking, Clyde is picking out a few good apples and pears. He rummages in his bag for his wallet and bits.

The mare’s face become very serious. “Trostburg’s, huh?” Pulling her front hooves off of the cart and stepping back. “What do y’all wanna go there for?”

Clyde finally fishes out the bits and drops the min the bucket, warranting a hat tip from the mare.

“We heard about the legends, and we wanted to know if they were true.” Swift calls over from behind the camera. “Do you know anything about it?”

“Most folks ‘round here would rather forget about it.” The mare states, shaking her head. “It’s not a nice place. Now I understand that you’re interested, but I think it would be best if you just let it be. I’ve heard all of the reasons for ponies going over there. You’re interested in history, want to have a cool vacation, some silly dare, fine. But this ain’t no playground. In my opinion, it’s like taking a trip to a graveyard. You can go, but don’t treat it like a fun park.” She looks around, most likely making eye contact with each of the group.

An awkward silence follows her words.

“Well…” Rivet nods slowly, coughs, and starts taking cautious steps in the direction they had been heading before. “Thanks for your concern, we’ll be safe and respectful.”

“Good.” The mare spits on the ground.

The road comes back into view as the cadence of walking shakes the camera as before. Without saying another word, the group moves down the road, hoofsteps on the dirty road are all that can be heard on the film.

The voice of the mare echoes into the microphone. “Hey!” Turning the camera quickly, the machine is aimed back at the country mare behind the fence. She continues when she’s sure they are all listening. “Don’t sleep over in Trotsburg’s. Again, it is not a park. Nopony’s been in there for years, who knows what kind of wild animals have moved in.”

“We’ll keep that in mind!” Clyde calls back over to her. “Thank you!”

“Someone’s been into the hard cider,” Swift mutters into the microphone. Rivet chuckles lightly as they turn back to the road. Swift’s face fills the view as he stares into the lens, upside down as he fiddles for the stop button. “But it does make some good footage for-”

[Timestamp: November 3, 4:12 PM]

It is lightly raining through the trees that canvas the area. Greenery is abundant, and the light of the sun is hidden by a thin layer of clouds, and the brush that surrounds the three ponies. Rivet is seen laughing as he kicks a puddle at Clyde, and Swift chuckles behind the camera. Clyde pushes Rivet, who trips over a fallen log and rolls into a bigger puddle.

“How’s that feel?” Clyde laughs as Rivet drags himself out of the water.

Rivet coughs and sputters, “I’ve had worse.” Spitting out water, Rivet reaches a hoof.

Clyde takes Rivet’s hoof in his and pulls him up. The camera rushes towards the both of them as Swift is heard chuckling to himself. One of Swift’s hooves comes into view as he pushes Clyde down into the puddle, dropping Rivet back in as well.

At this, Swift erupts into all out laughter, pointing the camera directly at the two ponies in the puddle. They attempt to roll onto their hooves, water causing Clyde’s mane to wash into his face, and Rivet to continually slip, sending more water onto Clyde. All the while, Swift is laughing as the camera zooms in and out of the silly scene to catch the reactions of the soaked ponies.

[Timestamp: November 3, 4:14 PM]

Clyde fills the view, his mane dripping down the side of his face, as he looks into the lens with a mixture of joy and hate on his face. “Well, now that we’re good and wet, we might as well make camp for the night.” He hisses at the camera.

Swift snickers from behind the lens. “You look… Hilarious.”

Clyde shakes his head, causing his mane to spray water everywhere. “I think you mean ‘sexy’. Sexy is more the word.”

“Oh!” Rivet runs in front of the camera. “Do you hear that, ladies? Clyde is available!” Swift passes the camera to Rivet, who takes it close to Clyde’s face.

“Am not!” Clyde blurts out, smiling slightly.

“Who’s the lady, then?” Swift calls from a distance.

Clyde's mouth twitches slightly, a hint of giddiness in his voice. “None of your business.”

Swift and Rivet begin in unison, “Ooh!” Then break out into laughter.

“Shut up!” Clyde shakes his head, laughing at the immaturity of his friends. He swipes at the camera, his hoof covering up the lens.

[Timestamp: November 3, 5:39 PM]

Inside of a green tent, the camera is sat on the ground, Rivet, Swift and Clyde are laying out sleeping bags. Rivet is the first to get his laid out and picks up the camera, pointing it at the other two. Soon after, Swift and Clyde get their bags rolled out and lie down on them.

“It’s cool, right?” Swift nods towards the lens.

“Yeah.” Rivet nods with the camera.

“Lemme see it?” Swift motions for Rivet to give him the camera. After a series of shaking and tapping, Rivet is back in view, and Swift continues. “So, since we’re gonna be here all evening, you wanna continue wowing the world with your knowledge of the crazy house?”

“Sure.” Rivet lies down on the bag and turns to the camera. “Where was I?”

“Night Watch hates patients.” Clyde answers from the other side of the tent.

“Right!” Rivet nods, and pauses to think before continuing. “Well, there were supposedly these ‘doctors’ decided to get their sick kicks by experimenting on patients. They would claim legitimate reasons for doing what they did,” Rivet shakes his head, “but they weren’t.”

“What would they do?” Swift asks.

“Some pretty nasty stuff, from what I read.” Rivet sighs. “Icepick Lobotomies, Electric Shock Therapy, anything they could do to these ponies, they did.”

“That is messed.” Clyde groans from the other side of the tent.

“Icepick Lobotomies?” Swift asks.

Rivet says nothing, but he pulls a stick off of the floor and imitates jamming it into his eye and twisting.

“Oh, gross!” Swift coughs.

Shrugging, Rivet replies, “Hey, I never said it was a nice place.”

“Here,” The voice of Swift states, the camera changes hooves as Swift hands it off to Rivet. The camera turns to show Clyde lounging on his sleeping bag, and Swift is excitedly staring into the lens of the camera.

“Now’s where my reading comes in handy.” Swift smiles at the camera, becoming very serious the next second. His voice drops low, and he talks in a serious tone. “I’ve heard that when the place was still open, there was this nurse on the Night Watch. She really hated the patients, and took every chance she could get to do a lot of nasty things to them. Her favourite form of torture was Electric Shock Therapy.
Every night, she would pick a patient at random, she would strap them down, and turn the volts and amps up as high as she could, without killing them, that is. When she had had enough, she would turn it off, unhook them, and take them back to their room on a gurney. Patients reported, after the place was closed down, that she would go back and forth from the labs all night, taking patients with her.
Legend has it that after the place was closed down, she locked herself in the hospital, where she hooked herself up to the EST machine and cranked it up. Since then, whenever anyone has gone over there for the night, they still see her roaming the halls, electrocuting patients.”

“Now that’s creepy.” Clyde rolls to face the camera. “Want to know what I heard? There was once this old mare living in the woods, and she lost one of her rusty horseshoes. So every night, she goes through the woods in search of her rusty horseshoe.”

“That’s a foal story!” Swift reaches over and shoves Clyde’s arm out from under him, dropping him to the ground, Clyde laughing at him. “And not even creepy.”

“Where did you read that?” Rivet asks from behind the camera.

Swift replies nonchalantly. “Equestria’s Best Ghost Stories.”

“Figures.” Rivet states.

“What?” Swift drags out the word in a whiny fashion.

Rivet shakes his head, making the camera shake. “Nothing.”

“What?” Swift repeats, smirking and using the same whiny voice.

[Timestamp: November 3, 11:12 PM]

Swift’s face takes up most of the shot, aiming the camera at himself. The shot is tinted a dark greenish colour. “Alright, well, that’s it for the first day, I’ll see you guys bright and early tomorrow morning. Trotsburg’s shouldn’t be too far away now, if Rivet is reading the map right.”

“Put the camera down and go to sleep.” Clyde calls over. “If you’re tired in the morning, I don’t want to hear it, bro.”