Please...!
I didn't mean to...!
---Shhh, everything is fine now. I'm not mad---
NO DON'T---!
---Shhh, fine. Everything is fine. Fine, fine, fine....---
The following story is grimdark, having dark elements, mature language, gore scenes and more. Not intended for the weak of heart.
Rated M
MLP: Friendship is Magic is copyright and owned by Hasbro and Lauren Faust
The night's beauty seemed to cast over the land quietly, as if not to disturb those who were off to slumber after a long day. Shade, hues of dark became more and more apparent as the sunset faded beneath the sky and revealed an array of purples and azure. Stars bloomed from the darkness, beacons of light that guided someponies to their destinations. The moon loomed overhead, the glow of faint yellow seeming to be the only noticeable light anymore. Ponies all all kinds would go within their homes now, having completed their tasks for the day and were ready to check in for the night. The steps of steady hooves soon died out as homes became dark and peaceful. A humming could be heard a distance away from Ponyville, soft and small as if a mother was cooing to their child. Crickets seemed to chirp and dance about as birds of the night sprung loose their songs of heart and love.
A typical night within this peaceful land it seemed, well..For most ponies that is.
Scootaloo was alone, as always. The day went well for her, having had fun with her friends and learned a few new things to boot! Though, everypony was in bed now, and all that remained was the young filly and the night sky above. After the recent events with the campfire with Rainbow Dash, and the appearance of Luna as her aid; She grew to enjoy the night's embrace a bit more. It didn't seem scary as of late, the feeling of the brisk light breeze across her coat was nice and as to was the silence.
It left her time to think, to reflect and to learn. Well, normally that was the case anyways.
Tonight seemed different for the young filly. Dull eyes seem to peer at the ground instead of the sky, an expression of sorrow on her young face. Tonight was painstakingly lonely, even for her and it was becoming a thorn in her side. Most ponies didn't know this but Scootaloo was an orphan and to make matters worse; Homeless. She wouldn't tell anypony, and why would she? It wasn't their business and she didn't need their pity. Her parents had died long ago, and she carried on just fine. She had an idol and friends to keep her going, and that was enough. A yawn, a stretch and soon Scootaloo began to pace about as she tried to ease her mind.
"Everything is fine....Tomorrow I'll get my cutie mark for sure, and then maybe I can finally know my destiny....
Hm, it's a bit cold tonight though...I better find somewhere for shelter."
Her pacing and outward thoughts had led her to the clubhouse, which was always a god choice to sleep at. Everytime she did and Sweetie Bell and Applebloom showed up, she would simply say she wanted to get started early, as the saying goes; The Early bird catches the worm! They probably didn't belief her, but she didn't mind. As long as she didn't have to tell the truth on why, then everything was fine. A big yawn and stretch was ensue as the filly flopped on the floor and quickly fell asleep.
---Why am I doing this?---
"OH GOD NO---"
---Oh I know...That is why...---
The dream seemed to end just as it started as Scootaloo shot up in a heavy sweat, her eyes tiny and widened from fear. What was that all about? The voice sounded so familiar? Strange, the filly shook the eerie feeling away and tried to fall asleep again, and much to her disliking; Failed. Beams of morning light shone through the clubhouse, a shocking realization that it had been a full night's sleep and it was already morning. Glancing around, she noticed a note on the table and trudged over to read.
Dear Scoots,
Hey! We saw you fell asleep and decided to leave you be and head to Sugar-cube Corner! When you wake up can you come down? Today's the day we get our cutie marks!
-----Sweetie and Apple
Well, that wasn't expected.
She was already ready to get started, grabbing her scooter and dashing out the door. The nightmare still lingered, and she wondered why it had happened and Luna didn't stop it. She stopped it before, so why not this time? Ah, it didn't matter. Rounding the corner, she barreled down the street and zipped past each pony that she passed by as she made her way to Sugarcube Corner. As they said, Sweetie Bell and Applebloom were already there and waiting for her. Embarrassing to say the least, but it couldn't be helped.
"Heya there Scootaloo! What took ya so long?" Chimed AppleBloom, waving at her friend.
"We saw you sleeping and thought we would get todays plans panned out! Guess you fell asleep working on the same thing huh?" spoke Sweetie Bell as she opened the door.
Out popped Pinkie Pie who jumped up and down around the three crusaders, a plate of cupcakes hot from the oven upon her curly head. She seemed estatic as she hopped about singing her cute tunes of happiness.
"ooooOOOooo Cupcakes! I love you so, cupcakes not muffins no! CuuuupCaaakkkkkess-- Oh Hiya girls! Are you here for some cupcakes? They're delicious!"
Scootaloo nodded and headed on in as the other two followed with a very hyper Pinkie Pie behind them. As the cupcakes were placed on the table, they all sat in their usual spots and began to go over todays events. Today they were going to try deep sea diving and hiking! It seemed easy enough, though Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell had their worries about the deep sea diving, and Applebloom seemed way too estatic about it all. What would such a cutie mark look like anyways? Maybe a moutain with stairs for hiking? The very thought made Scootaloo giggle a bit. As she giggled, the dream seemed to re-enter her head, the dark images sinking their grip into her more.
She tried to shake them away, but they really seemed important for some reason. But why? Everything seemed so distant now as she merely sat there and watched the events unfold. It soon ended as Sweetie poked her with a worried expression upon her face. Scoots smiled awkwardly and waved it off as day dreaming and set them all off on the adventure. Having no sea near, and not being able to travel far, they chose the nearest body of water to test it out on. With snorkles on, the equipment ready; Scootaloo dived first, sinking to the bottom quite quickly. It... was peaceful. Her tiny wings fluttered in the currents as she scuffled along the bottom and merely enjoyed it.
---fine....Everythings fine....I got it finally...---
She gagged and coughed as the thoughts startled her up to the surface, flopping on the side of the river and breathing heavily. Her two friends seemed worried but she just smiled and looked at the sky. Well, she sucked at deep sea exloring; Then again, that dream ruined it a bit. A dream...Right... It felt more than a dream. It was like it was trying to tell her something...But what? It didn't matter, it couldn't matter. She had to push it aside, and as she did so, the world seemed to blur past her asthe day progressed. It seemed like she was just watching a movie and not able to really do anything. Finally the day ended and she bid her farewells to her fellow crusaders and headed towards the clubhouse once it was clear to go. This night would be different, she had to make sure of it. As she laid down, her eyes closed and sleep overcame her mind. The dream started up once more, but now more real.
The walls were dark, cold as if made by stone. No lighting was within this room side from a small candle within the middle of it all, a single flame to light the cage. Screams could be heard, laughter bellowing as they neared. A flash of blue and various hues was soon showed but from who's eyes? It was Rainbow Dash! The mare of speed was chained to the wall, hooves mangled from abuse, her wings spread and hooked to stay open. It was horrific, the stale stench from the room, the broken body of her idol before her eyes and yet she could do nothing. An eerie laugh rose from the throat of the stranger, the very eyes she was seeing through narrowed as if a grin was set upon the pony's face. A weak, almost pitiful sigh left the lax lungs of Rainbow, her eyes a mere dull shade of what they nce were as she gawked at her attacker.
---Oh Rainbow Dash....It's fine, see? Everything is fine, it was meant to be this way...I know it's hard to explain, especially since I had to break your legs..You shouldn't have tried to run; I didn't want to do that to you...No no, I just want everything to be like they should be---
"m....Monster....Sco...."
---Monster? Rainbow Dash....That hurts....You sound just like those fillies...Now look what happened to them? Do you want that to happen to you?---
"w..what are you--- APPLEBLOOM!"
And there is was, the sight that forced her to wake once more. The image of skin strewn about, a skinless heap of ponies tossed aside as if they were ready to be cooked, stakes of wood extending from their maws through their bodies and out their flanks. It looked like a BBQ was about to happen. But, that wasn't the worst of it. The eyes seem to focus on two skinless fillies, eyes closed and dressed up as if they were dolls; Their mouths sewn into smiles.
It was Sweetie Bell and AppleBloom; her best friends. Who had done all of this? Even as she woke up fully, her body trembled as she sobbed and rocked to and fro.
"Just a bad dream....A bad dream, they are all okay...Everything's fine....Wait....fine....?"
The saying made her want to throw up, as it was the very thing the monster said over and over again. She ran out of the clubhouse and through the forest tears pouring down her face with each step. She couldn't get it out of her head and soon she found herself tripping on a branch and falling down a small hill and landing in a bush. With a groan and a gross sob, she curled up there and just cried. That's all she could do was cry, that is, until somepony arrived and spoke up.
"Ya alright sugarcube?"
It was Applejack, and boy was Scootaloo happy to see her! She ran into the mare and sobbed, trembling as she did so. Applejack was confused and yet stroked her mane warmly as she smiled awkwardly.
"Hey now, you'll be alright, I promise...."
---Such a pretty coat---
Scootaloo nodded and shooed the thought away as she calmed herself down, feeling her own anxiety beginning to lessen by the comfort of this country mare. With a sigh, she wiped her face and tried to cover up the puffiness from crying. It was pitiful but that dream was simply too horrid to even speak about. She had to keep this sealed tight, make an excuse why she was crying; Anything but the truth. Applejack didn't really seem to believe the little filly, but then again; She was a bit of a worrywort at times. The rest of the night, Scootalooo stayed with the Apple family and slept over with AppleBloom. It was nice, and she wished it could happen more often. As the beams of morning spread through the room, the filly gave a hefty yawn and sprawled on the floor peacefully. Her gaze was half lidded as she merely gawked at the ceiling above; Her mind blank.
Purple eyes narrowed as something seemed off, examining the ceiling more closely. At first, the wood looked normal, every day average planks that held up the structure to keep them safe from weather. Now however, the carvings in the wood seem to shift and stretch into words. Was she going crazy?
'Wake up and everything will be fine'
What on earth did that mean? This was nuts, everything wasn't making any sense as as it seemed her head was spinning and the room turning; It finally clicked. Glancing down at her flank, a look of horror soon appeared as she saw blue fur on her flank with a very familiar cutie mark. She screamed, backing into the dresser and falling inside clumsily. Shaking and trembling, her hooves searched for something of comfort and came across something worse; A squishy mass of something. Slowly, her gaze met that object and another blood curdling scream arose from her tiny lungs as the soft flesh like object was in fact a skinless filly just like her dream.
Dashing out of the room, she ran through the house to find a mirror, crying and sobbing as everything seemed to shift to that of her dream, becoming more and more like it was all real. Ah, finally she had found a mirror and looked and was speechless.
"..I..Is that me?"
Inside the mirror held the reflection of the young filly, purple locks curled just right to make that spikey yet nice look on her young features. She looked normal, yet darker coated and soon she caught gaze of her wings and her flank and merely stood there with near pin pointed eyes.
Her wings started out like her own, yet blue feathers sprouted out to make them longer, as if to help her fly and upon her flank was her idol's cutie mark; Rainbow Dash's cutie mark. This couldn't be real and yet, there it was in front of her. Maybe she was still asleep? No...This is real. A smile soon spread across the fillies face as the house finally vanished and shattered away to reveal the very room from her nightmare. Everything was fine, yes; Just fine.
Steady steps were taken as Scootaloo giggled and stared at the very horror of the room. Casual steps would carry out as she walked up to the skinless remains of her friends and smiled even more. She seemed to start a conversation with them as they merely sat there.
"Heya Scootaloo! Where ya been? We've been waitin for ya all day!"
"Yea, Rarity kept me a bit busy with some chores but I wanted to hang out so I finished them quickly!"
---I'm sorry girls...I fell asleep, but everything's fine now....Just fine...---
Author's Note
I had this idea in my head and I hope it turned out okay. I believe there is some darkness to Scootaloo, seeing as she's always alone and all.
Well, I hope you enjoy.