Chapters The Animus: Mane six vs. Slendermane
Twilight was walking with her friends and Princess Celestia down a hallway leading to the door that once held the Elements of Harmony.
"So explain to us again why we are here," Twilight asked.
"Well, I've been working on a new project that will be fun for you all and it's finally finished," Princess Celestia said, using her horn to open the door, "Ladies, get ready to by awestruck."
When the door opened, the mane six was mesmerized what they saw. There were six chairs with helmets in a circle and connected to a main computer in the center.
"Wow," Pinkie exclaimed, "this is the most super duper amazingly great thing in the whole entire thing of things... what is it?"
"I call it, the Animus," Celestia explained, "it puts your mind in a virtual reality area and has you play a game that I have created. I only made one so far but it is sure to please you. Want to give it a try?"
"Boy do ah," Applejack said.
'Sure, sounds awesome," Rainbow added.
"Positively exciting," Rarity replied.
"I could be here all day," Pinkie exclaimed.
"Yay," Fluttershy whispered.
"Sounds good," Twilight added, "but what's the game."
"I call it, Slendermane," Celestia declared.
"Slendermane," the mane six exclaimed.
"You mean the same Slendermane who takes little foals from the Everfree Forest," Applejack asked nervously, "just like the stories Granny Smith would tell me?"
"Yep."
"I'm suddenly having second thoughts," Rainbow said.
"Are you scared Rainbow Dash," Rarity teased.
"Of course not! You know what, I'm so not scared that I'll play the game right now," Rainbow said then flew into a chair and put the helmet on.
"Yay for not being scared," Pinkie exclaimed in her chipper tone and putting on a helmet.
"Ah, what the hay," Applejack said, putting on a helmet as well.
"These seats are pretty comfortable," Rarity added, taking a seat and putting on her helmet.
"I don't know if I can do it," Fluttershy peeped.
"Come on, Fluttershy, it's not real, it can't hurt you, right Celestia," Twilight asked.
"Of course not," Celestia assured, taking a seat at the computer at the center and putting a headset on as Twilight and Fluttershy got in position, "Can everypony hear me?"
"Yes," they all replied.
"Ok, once your in the game, you won't be able to hear me or feel anything from the real world. All you'll be able to hear is each other and the game noise. If you die, virtually I mean, then you'll come back into the real world. I'll be able to see what you see on six cameras on my computer. If you feel like this game is too intense, you may ask to get out and I'll pull you out immediately. Good Luck."
"Hey, why not make this interesting," Rainbow said while Celestia warmed up the game.
"What are ya proposing'," Applejack said.
"We each put up five bits, and whoever still in the game when it ends, wins it all."
"Thirty bits? I'm up for that," Twilight said.
"We all agree," Rainbow asked.
"Yep," the rest replied.
"Ok ladies, the game is ready," Celestia declared, "It will begin in Three... Two... One!"
The mane six watched in awe as whiteness came upon each of them and they appeared one by one at the entrance of Princess's old castle.
"It looks like we're in the Everfree Forest," Twilight said.
"Thanks Captin Obvious, I thought we were in a land of Sunshine," Rainbow smirked.
"Something's different though. Everything looks kind of fuzzy, like we're looking through a camera. It also looks like we can only search the castle becasus there's a gate around the entire area."
"Look everypony, in the sky," Pinkie exclaimed.
Everypony looked up as words we're slowly moving like a credit screen.
"Let's see, it says 'collect the eight pages before HE get you. You have a few minutes before HIS hunt begins or if you collect the first page. HE is dressed in darkest suit and tie, so by the end, YOU MOST CERTAINLY WILL DIE!!!'... well that's not freaky at all," Twilight said nervously.
"Eight pages huh," Pinkie said, "We should split up..."
"No way are we splitting up," the rest exclaimed.
"Alright alright, well, where should we start looking," Pinkie asked.
"Uh, the only place we can look, the castle," Rainbow said.
"Oh that's right, silly me."
The six walked in the castle which seemed darker than they remembered, hallways went off in all directions and they couldn't see the end to each one.
"W-well, w-we should probably gi-give up now," Fluttershy said shaking, "We pr-probably won't even find the..."
"There's the first page," Pinkie exclaimed, pointing between the two flags over Celestia and Luna's old throne.
They all ran up to the first page and read, "Don't look or it takes you."
"Well that was easy," Pinkie declared, grabbing the page, but when she did, they heard a moan echo throughout the Castle.
"Wh-What was that," Rainbow stuttered
"The wind," Twilight said unsurely.
"I didn't feel a breeze," Rarity nervously replied.
"Wait," Applejack said, "ah remember Grant Smith telling me he can appear anywhere."
The six stiffened up, eyes widen and heart pounding madly, as they heard hoofsteps above them. They all slowly looked up and swallowed as the steps died down into silence.
"He's lookin' for us," Applejack whispered.
All of a sudden, there vision flickered even fuzzier than it was early as a low moan came from behind them.
Still eyes widen and stiff, they slowly turned around to see a tall white pony figure in a suit and red tie with no face standing at the entrance of the castle.
They all screamed and ran for the nearest hallway... except for Rarity.
"Come on Rarity," they all called.
"I can't move," Rarity said, still looking at the Slendermane as it slowly walked towards Rarity.
"What," they others exclaimed , then Twilight yelled in realization, "The note! Rarity, look away!"
"I-I can't!"
As the Slendermane got closer and closer to Rarity, everyponies vision started to get even more static by the second until they couldn't see anything at all except static. Then, it stopped, and Rarity and Slendermane were gone.
"Rarity," the rest slowly asked, hoping that she was just hiding...
Rarity screamed as she jumped out of the chair in reality. She was breathing heavily as she saw Celestia and Luna at the computer.
"So your the first one to go, huh," Celestia chuckled as Rarity's breathing slowed and she calmed down, "It looks like you were wrong sis, you owe me twenty bits."
"Horseapples, I was sure Fluttershy would have backed out first... Oh well, it's not over yet. We still got five more to go, which gives me plenty of time to run your bit vault dry!"
"Wanna join us Rarity? We're betting on who's next to go down?"
Rarity, still traumatized by what happened, just looked at Celestia. She finally shook her head and smiled, "Sure. Great game by the way, wish I could have played more."
"Thanks, and all you had to do was look away from the Slendermane."
"Yeah," Rarity blushed, "I kind of panicked."
"Ah, no worries," Luna smirked, "you should have seen Celestia when we did a test run. She nearly had a heart attack! "
Celestia laughed nervously, "well, I already grabbed seven pages and didn't expect Prony to be behind the suit of armor."
"Prony," Rarity questioned, while taking a seat.
"Yeah, don't you know the ancient legends? Prony was a foal Slendermane took into the forest but grew attached to. He gave her powers so Prony and him can hunt ponies forever together in a sort of father-daughter relationship."
"Aww, I knew Slendermane had a soft side," Rarity smiled.
"Yeah, but anyways, Prony starts chasing you after you collect the fourth or fifth page. It's randomized."
"So you said we're betting? How's does that work?"
"One of us picks who's going down next while saying how much they bet on it. For example, Luna picked Fluttershy was going to back out for twenty bits. I took her up on it and she lost since you died first. Oh, and you can say you don't take somepony on their bet, but when you do,,you have to pick a different pony for higher stakes. I was going to go, but you can go ahead and take my turn."
"Alright, I pick... Twilight for... ten bits."
"I'll take you up on that," Celestia said.
"Same here," Luna added.
"Alright then, let's see how this plays out," Celestia declared as they watched the computer screens cameras.
(To Be Continued...)
[Hey readers! You can play too! Just post in the comments on who might go down next and see if your the lucky winner! Your votes will affect the next pony to die (virtually I mean)!!!]
The Animus: Mane six vs. Slendermane
The mane six, minus Rarity, were walking down the hallway with empty suits of armor on each side after their close call with Slendermane.
"Ok," Rainbow said, "so the note says 'Don't look or it takes you.' So does that mean we can't look at him at all? How do we know where he is?"
"We can look at him," Twilight said, "we just can't move when we do."
"That makes no sense what so ever" Applejack replied.
"Just look away if you see him."
The five continued and came across a fork in the wall.
"Pinkie," Twilight said, "quick, right or left?"
"Right... no no! left... right? Up, down? I don't know... quit pressuring me," Pinkie exclaimed.
"You never give Pinkie a choice," Rainbow smirked.
"Hey," Pinkie said as the other four snickered, then, she stiffened up and mumbled something.
"What was that sugar cube," Applejack asked.
"I think I made a choice," Pinkie trembled
The other four started to panic as their vision started to flicker, just like it did with Rarity, as they turned around to see the Slendermane down the left hallway.
"Don't look directly at it," Twilight exclaimed as they all looked down while still keeping the Slendermane at the top of their view. The five started to back up as the Slendermane seem to just stand afar.
"Wait," Rainbow whispered, "I think the next note is behind him."
"What," Applejack exclaimed.
"Yeah, I see it too," Fluttershy peeped.
The five jumped when they backed up all the way to the wall.The Slendermane seem to have notice as it started to trot towards the five from down the hallway.
"What are we going to do," Applejack trembled, her voice higher than Pinkie's.
"I have an idea," Twilight replied, "I'll meet him at the split and before he can grab me, I'll run down the other hallway. That will allow you all to grab the second note."
"But what about you," Rainbow asked
"It's not real Rainbow Dash, I'll be fine."
"Let me do it then, I can fly fast."
"Flying won't matter if he can appear right in front of your face."
"Somepony better go," Applejack interjected, "before there isn't a fork for us to meet him at!"
"You go then," Rainbow said.
"No way am... why is our vision getting fuzzier? He's still at the end of... Fluttershy!"
Fluttershy silently slipped away from the group to be standing at the fork.
"Fluttershy! Get back here or he'll get you!"
Fluttershy just continued to stand as the Slendermane trot increased into a gallop, charging at Fluttershy while on his back, black, squid like tentacles sprouted, making the other four gag.
Their vision got fuzzier and fuzzier like last time until, without any warning, Fluttershy bolted down the other hallway, luring the Slendermane to follow. The others ran to the fork and look down the hallway they went. They saw the chase for a second before they were both swallowed by darkness. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight just stared down the hallway with mouth agape while Pinkie ran up to the note and read.
"You Can't Run," Pinkie said.
"Wait, does that mean Fluttershy can't run anymore," Twilight questioned
"Ah just hope Fluttershy is alright," Applejack replied.
"I'm alright," Fluttershy said, making everypony else jump with a yelp.
"Where are you, and how is it possible we can hear you," Rainbow asked.
"I don't know, but the Slendermane is gone. I'm heading back... oh my."
"What! What's wrong!"
"I found the third note."
"Already?! We just collected the second," Twilight exclaimed.
"Well, I got it, and it says... oh Celestia, that's creepy... it says 'Help Me'"
"Ok, meet us at the..."
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
They were interrupted by a scream down the hall. Applejack took a second to look around then exclaimed, "It's Pinkie!"
They ran down the hall as their vision became fuzzier and fuzzier yet again.
"Pinkie," the three exclaimed.
They came out to the grand hall, where they found the first note, to see Pinkie Pie on her back, with Slendermane above her as his tentacles reach around her mouth and hooves until the other three visions went completely static before clearing out. When it finally did, Pinkie Pie and Slendermane were gone.
"What happened," Fluttershy asked.
"He got Pinkie," Rainbow replied...
Pinkie jumped out of her chair thirty feet in the air, making Celestia, Luna, and Rarity watch in shock as she slowly floated back and forward to the ground.
"How did you...," Celestia started.
"That was the most amazing superduper cupcakingly scary and fun game ever," Pinkie exclaimed.
"I... I'm glad you like it," Celestia smiled, then looked at Rarity, "That be twenty bits."
"Horseapples," Rarity said.
"It looks like I also lost five bits ... oh well, a deal is a deal."
"Speaking of betting, we're betting on whose going down next."
"I know. You didn't think I would forget how to break a wall did you... wait, if I break the fourth wall in a game, but technically don't break it in the story, then and I'm still breaking the wall, or am I breaking a fifth wall? But that doesn't make sense, is there a fifth wall? Hey DF, what do you say... DF?"
"I'm still mad at you for the whole TLS Chapter 14 incident," a voice said.
"Oh come on, take a joke every once in a while."
"You trashed my room and, ironically, completely ruin my drawing of you!"
"Just make another one."
"It's the principle of the thing."
"Fine! Be like that! I hope you die with your tablet in your hand!"
"Pinkie, who are you talking to," Rarity interjected.
"No one," Pinkie said in her chipper tone, "Alright, so I got twenty bits on Applejack."
"Sound go-... how did you know how to bet, I didn't explain any of it," Celestia asked shocked.
"Sometimes, it's just best not to questioned Pinkie," Rarity replied, then looked at Pinkie, "I see you on that bet."
"Same," Celestia added.
"Forty bits," Luna interjected.
"Forty?! That's quite alot," Rarity said, "but I have some to spare, so I'll see to..."
"She can do it with fifty," Pinkie interjected
"Pinkie," Celestia exclaimed.
"Sixty," Luna shot back.
"Seventy," Pinkie glared.
"Eighty," Luna flared
"Ninety," Pinkie defended
"Hundred," Luna exclaimed
Rarity tackled Pinkie before she can make another bet while Luna said, "A hundred it is."
"Two hundred," Pinkie gasped as Rarity was choking her while Celestia hissed, "Pinkie! Shush."
"Alright, back to the game," Luna grinned as she spun around to watch the computer screen.
(To Be Continued...)
[Don't forget readers, your votes count on who goes down next! Will Luna have to pay a hundred bits, or will Pinkie's reference backfire on her? Vote Now!]
Author's Note
Just to clear it out, Luna wins if AJ dies.
The Animus: Mane six vs. Slendermane
"I can't go through with this," Fluttershy trembled as the three others tried to find her.
"Fine by me," Rainbow Dash shrugged, "that's five more bits for me."
"Rainbow," Applejack scolded.
"What she meant," Twilight interjected, "was if you really feel like you can't go through with this, then you can go, we wouldn't blame you."
"... No, I can keep going," Fluttershy peeped, then let out a shriek as the sound of banging came from down her hall, "Oh Faust! He's coming!"
"Stay calm, Fluttershy," Twilight tried to sooth, "Try to make out where you are."
"A dark... there is.... everywhere," Fluttershy voice suddenly started to phase in and out.
"What the hay was that," Rainbow asked as the three shared uneasy looks.
"Fluttershy," Twilight tried again, "Are you ok?"
"... I think... wait... it looks like... Ahh-," Fluttershy appeared to let out a scream that was suddenly cut off.
The three's hearts started to race as they feared for Fluttershy, but continued to make their way through the castle.
"He must have got her," Applejack nervously declared.
"That can't be right," Twilight said aloud as she tried to think, "Our visions would have gone static... There must be some kind of range where we can't hear each other."
"That still doesn't explain why she screamed," Rainbow replied.
"You're right," Twilight sighed, "Well, looks like there is only one option... we'll have to split up."
"S-Split up," Applejack stuttered, "Do you really think that is a good idea?"
"To be honest," Twilight replied, "We probably should have done that from the start. If we stay in a group, he'll be able to get all of us at once. Plus, splitting up will allow us to cover more ground."
"Guess that makes sense," Rainbow Dash said, "But if we split up, he'll be able to pick us off easier."
"How about this," Twilight suggested, "You two head back the way we came, and I'll try to head a little deeper. You might be able to hear Fluttershy again."
"But we won't hear you," Applejack pointed out, "What if something happens to you?"
"Then I'll try not to stray too far," Twilight answered.
"Are you sure about this," Applejack asked.
"Sure as ever," Twilight nodded, "But we better hurry up. If we don't act now, we might lose Fluttershy."
"Fine," Applejack frowned, still not a hundred percent sure if she should let Twilight go on her own, "Stay safe."
"You too," Twilight nodded before they both made separate ways.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack walked back the way they came; however, the dark hallway seemed different. Aside from their visibility shortening, changes like more suits of armor, blood staining the wall, and curtains becoming torn and tattered.
"Was this the way we came," Rainbow asked Applejack who also took notice of the changes.
"Hey Twilight," Applejack called out... but no answer, "Twilight?"
"Do you think she's already out of range?"
"That can't be possible," Applejack said, "It's only been a few... what was that!"
Rainbow and Applejack immediately spun around due to a loud sound followed by the sounds of hoofsteps moving very quickly. The two stood in silence as the hoofsteps died down and disappear, then, Twilight was heard.
"Hey... can... me," Twilight's voice said.
"Twilight," Applejack exclaimed, "What was that."
"I.. Can... hear me?"
"I think she said 'Can you hear me?'," Rainbow Dash told Applejack then said aloud, "Sort of, you are fading in and out, try to step back."
"Ok... How... now?"
"Still a little phasy," Rainbow replied, "Try a little closer."
"... Give... second."
"Wait," Applejack realized, "She seems to understand us perfectly. Then how come we can't understand her?"
"Hey, you're right," Rainbow agreed, "that is weird."
"Thank goodness I found you," Fluttershy suddenly exclaimed, making the two yelp as she appeared behind them, "Oh, sorry."
The two slowed their breathing and calmed down as they realized it was Fluttershy. Then Applejack asked, "What happened."
"Well, after I found the third note, I started to try to find my way back to you all, but then I started to hear small, but quick hoofsteps behind me. It got louder and louder so I screamed and ran for it. I got lost but I was so glad I was still able to hear you three. Speaking of which, why did you just ignore me like that?"
"Ignore you," Rainbow repeated with a puzzled tone, "We didn't even know you were talking."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Applejack added, "Twilight thought there must be a set range to where we can hear each other."
"That's strange, because I heard you talking clearly," Fluttershy replied.
"Well, since we're together, we should try and find..."
"Stay Back!"
"Twilight," the three exclaimed as she suddenly appeared from the shadows, but didn't take notice of them.
"I said stay back," Twilight repeated as she shot a beam into the darkness at a pair of yellow eyes. The eyes dodged the beam, then looked past her to see the three, then let out a grunt before turning tail and run.
"Twilight," Applejack exclaimed, putting her hoof on Twilight's shoulder. She jumped and quickly turned around, aiming a charge horn at Applejack, "Whoa! Calm down, Twilight."
Twilight appeared to have realized it was her and uncharged her horn while letting out a sigh of relief.
"Heh, I'm glad we found you," Rainbow chuckled, but Twilight just looked at her with a blank expression, "Uhh, you alright Twilight?"
"What," Twilight replied.
"I said, are you alright?"
"Say that again," Twilight put her hoof to her ear.
"I said, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!"
Twilight didn't respond, only just stared back at Rainbow with the same blank expression.
"What is wrong with you," Applejack asked, "Did you go deaf or something?"
"If she's gone deaf, then she wouldn't be able to hear you, AJ," Rainbow pointed out.
Twilight expression then turned into a frustrated one as she said, "Alright, stop messing around, we need to find the other notes."
"Stop what," Rainbow questioned.
"I said stop it," Twilight snapped.
The three uncomfortably look at each other then Applejack asked, "Are you alright sugercube."
"Would you please... You know what, never mind! If you want to act like foals, then fine," Twilight snarled as she turned around, "I'm going to go find... It's back!"
The three looked at where Twilight was looking and saw the eyes have returned. Twilight used her horn to give off some light to reveal the eyes to be a terrifying filly. Her filthy mane was overgrown as it hung a good foot or two below her chin from the two of her head. Her light gray coat covered in dirt and blood, her tail being no different. Her yellow eyes we're matched by her yellow, pointed teeth the was giving an evil, heart-wrenching grin.
"What the hay is that thing," Rainbow exclaimed, but Twilight didn't reply, only tried to shoot her magic at it.
It jumped from side to side as it dodge ever attack, letting out a deep, demonic grunt everytime it did.
"If you three are done acting like a bunch of idiots," Twilight yelled, "I would suggest you run!"
Without hesitation, the three ran in the opposite direction, hearing the fight fade away. They stopped when all the ruckus did.
"What was Twilight's problem," Rainbow asked.
"I don't know, she was acting strange," Applejack replied.
"I was acting strange," Twilight deadpanned as she came from the darkness, "What about you three? You we're moving you're mouth like you were talking, but no sound came out!"
"We we're talking," Rainbow defended.
"You... were?"
"Yeah," Applejack asked, "How did you not hear us?"
"I-I don't know... Wait! That thing must have been messing with us," Twilight concluded.
"What was that thing," Applejack asked.
"No idea," Twilight shrugged, "But there is a plus side. I found a note!"
"Really? Nice," Rainbow grin.
"Yep, so that makes four; and, I think I know where the next one..."
Twilight was suddenly cut off by a growl behind her. She turned around to all of a sudden be tackled by the filly-like creature. Twilight used a magic pulse to blast it into the air, but then it stuck to the ceiling to the shock of the four. It then completely turned it's head around that sent a sick feeling through the stomach of the horrified ponies. It let out an ear piercing screech before suddenly pushing off the ceiling, with mouth open, right at Twilight.
"Twilight," the others exclaimed. Then their automatically went to static right before the creature sunk its teeth into Twilight's neck.
Then, it was back to normal as the creature and Twilight disappeared...
Twilight inhaled deeply as she woke up in the real world. She took control of her breathing as Celestia, Pinkie, Rarity, and Luna watched.
"Twilight died," Luna gaped, "She would be the last one I would have expected."
"That'd be one hundred bits," Celestia sneered.
"Horseapples," Luna scowled, "It's just not my night tonight."
"Well, Twilight," Celestia declared as Twilight worked up the nerve to get out of her seat and walk over to the four, "What did you think.
"Pretty good," Twilight smiled, "But was that thing?"
"That was Prony," Celestia replied.
"Ah, I should have known; and, was that the thing blocking our hearing?"
"Blocking your hearing? No, that shouldn't have happen."
"Really, cause it did."
"Huh, must have been a glitch. Can't expect it to be flawless, now can you?"
"I guess not," Twilight shrugged, "well, that was fun while it lasted."
"Fun's not over yet," Celestia smirked, "We're betting on whose going down next, wanna join?"
"Sure, how does it work?"
"Oh, I want to explain," Pinkie exclaimed as she took a deep breath
(59.287 seconds later)
"Alright," Twilight declared, "I got twenty bits on Rainbow Dash."
"I see," the others said in unison.
"Alright, back to the game," Celestia said as they went back to the computer screen.
(To be continued...)
[Vote now readers!!! Whose going down next? Will it be the soft spoken, kind-hearted Fluttershy? The tomcolt, big ego Rainbow Dash? The strong-spirit, farmfilly Applejack? Or the annoying, completely crazy, small minded...]
"You better not mean me," Pinkie glared at the ceiling.
"And if I do mean you," a voice replied.
"Then somebody's number will be moving up," Pinkie deadpanned.
They're was an unsettling silence as the voice gulped, "Point taken..."
