From formless void sprung an emotion more primal then the elements of harmony. In its wake, nations tremble and the hooves of warriors shake. It is an emotion that many take for granted, yet none have lived without feeling its cold grasp. This emotion has thrived from the beginning of time and goes by many names. However, all recognize it by one common name:

FEAR.

-An excerpt from "The Origins of Fear in the World" within the Celestian Library.

Sugarcube Corner

"Be there in a second!" Pinkie Pie yelled as she ran down the stairs. Earlier the Cakes had to leave the shop and go see the doctor for some reason. With the Cakes gone for a few hours, Pinkie was left to take care of the shop. She had been preparing for the trip she and her friends were planning for only a few minutes, when the bell to the store door jingled.

After having descended the final step, Pinkie dashed in behind the counter to see the customer. The customer was a stallion of average build with gray fur, an orange mane and tail. He wore a black hoodie, which covered a large portion of his frame, and a white medical patch over his left eye. The stallion simply stood there, looking at some fresh Nightmare Night ginger cookies.

While Nightmare Night wasn't for another two weeks the Cakes had made sure to create pastries for the occasion.

"Hey there, Mister, what are you in the mood for today? Oh there is this! and this! Ohooo and I bet you would love this one!" Pinkie said, with a toothy smile as she pointed out the various pastries that were available.

The pony looked up at her with his single yellow eye and a large grin on his face. Despite whatever injury he had concealed behind his bandage, it didn't seem to bother him.

"If you don't mind," the stallion asked, "I would like a dozen of those ginger cookies to go."

"Oki-Doki-Loki!" Pinkie Pie said before she pulled out a paper bag and placed twelve of the ginger cookies inside.

"Here you go!" Pinkie said, giving him the paper bag at lightning fast speeds. The stallion smiled nervously in response to Pinkie's speed.

"Thank you." The stallion said as he reached into his pocket. "How much do I owe you?"

"Well, normally these cookies would go one bit apiece," Pinkie replied, "However, since you appear to be new here, I figured I would give them for free."

The stallion's smile disappeared with shock at hearing this, but once he realized how generous the pink party pony was being his large wide grin returned.

"Thank you very much." The hooded stallion said as he exited the store.

"Have a good day!" Pinkie called out after him. The stallion waved and smiled back at the party pony.

After leaving Sugarcube Corner the stallion pulled out one of the ginger cookies and took a bite. They tasted really good and would probably taste better with a refreshing beverage, he noted. Despite having put some food in his stomach, the burning sensation of hunger remained. No matter, it would be sated soon enough.

At the Golden Oak Library

Twilight was sitting down as she packed her back with a few books; meanwhile, Spike was in the kitchen preparing food for the trip. This would be a chance for them all to discuss their plans for the upcoming Nightmare Night.

"Spike?" Twilight called into the kitchen, "How are those daisy sandwiches coming?"

"I just have three more to go, and I should have enough for the trip." Spike called back.

"Well hurry up, please," Twilight replied, "the girls are supposed to be coming over soon."

Shortly after, the lavender unicorn heard a knock at the door. Twilight stood up and walked over to the door.

"Hello, Rarity," Twilight said as she greeted her friend, "glad to see you could make it."

"Of course darling," Rarity said as she walked into the library, "I wouldn't want to miss a fun trip like this one."

Rarity followed Twilight as she walked back to the table where a few drawings stood out to Rarity. They looked like sketches for a costume of some sort.

"What is this you are working on, Twilight?" Rarity asked. Twilight seemed a little bit embarrassed, for she tried to hide the drawings in a folder.

"Oh... I have just been having a hard time trying to figure out what kind of costume I want to wear for Nightmare Night." Twilight replied, "So I tried sketching out a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing. Sadly, they weren't very successful. Maybe you have some ideas."

"I could probably come up with a few," Rarity spoke, "perhaps when we settle down at the cabin all of us can help you figure it out. However, there is something I need to tell you."

"What is it?" Twilight asked.

"Well, Twilight you see, normally when I go on a trip I leave Sweetie Belle with Applejack and Applebloom," Rarity said, "however since Applejack is coming along she and I decided to bring the Cutie Mark Crusaders with us."

As Rarity finished what she was saying, Sweetie Belle entered the library. She wore a backpack along with a few additional bags that Twilight guessed probably belonged to Rarity.

"Well, if Applejack is okay with it then I don't have a problem," Twilight said, "After all, she is the one who is organizing this whole affair."

Applejack, Applebloom and Scootaloo walked into the library. The farm mare looked a little worn out from chasing the three fillies.

"Don't worry, Twi, there is plenty of room at the cabin for all of us." Applejack gave Twilight a reassuring look.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash entered the library. Seeing her idol enter the room, Scootaloo scurried over to Rainbow Dash.

"Hey guys, ready to go?" Rainbow Dash asked excitedly.

"Not yet," Twilight spoke, "Spike is still making snacks for the trip, and Pinkie Pie hasn't arrived yet."

As Twilight finished saying this, a pink blur zoomed into the room and nearly knocked every pony off their hooves. Once the blur settled the other ponies realized it was Pinkie Pie.

"Sorry for being late," Pinkie said between breaths, "I had to tend to some customers at Sugarcube Corner while the Cakes were out visiting the doctor."

"It's okay, darling. We understand." Rarity said.

"Why were the Cakes visiting a doctor?" Twilight asked.

"I don't know." Pinkie Pie said while bouncing in place.

The girls talked for a few minutes while waiting for Spike to finish making the snacks. Once the little dragon was done everyone took their bags out to a cart Applejack had brought along. The orange farm pony protested when she saw how many things Rarity wanted to bring along. With Twilight's help, they were able to reduce the number of Rarity’s bags, and they stored them in the library basement, where they would be safe. This of course displeased Rarity.

Once that was done, the group embarked for the cabin in the woods.

Asking for Directions

The leaves rustled as the wind blew through the trees. The music of the rustling leaves accompanied the group as they walked along the dirt road towards their destination.

"And then we should turn here..." Applejack indicated as she pointed a hoof toward the a turn in the road.

"We've already walked past this spot five times now A.J." Rainbow Dash said flying alongside her friends.

"You really should have let Twilight read the map dear." Rarity said.

The map Rarity was referring to was a large, worm piece of paper, Applejack was carrying in one of her hooves. The paper was old and brown with small tares along the edge.

"Applejack has more experience in the woods then I do so I don't think it would make any difference." Twilight spoke.

"I tell ya this map ain't accurate!" Applejack said in frustration.

It was past four o' clock in the afternoon when some of the ponies began to notice that the trees looked familiar.

"We’re lost, aren't we?" Applebloom asked her older sister, who was repeatedly scanning her map. While a fair majority of the group was walking, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, along with Spike, were sitting on the wagon that Applejack was pulling.

Applejack thought she had followed the directions to the letter. They had taken the correct road, and, a mile back, they had passed the town of Muleport before entering White Tail woods.

"Yep... Fraid to say it, but we’re lost." Applejack sighed.

"Where did you get that map anyway?" Rarity asked while pointing at the map in question.

"It was given to me and Big Mac by the Orange family." Applejack replied. The Oranges were a family distantly related to the Apples. who for the most part lived in Manehatten.

Twilight addressing Applejack, "So what do we do now?"

"I could fly up high and look for the house." Rainbow Dash volunteered.

"I'm not sure." Applejack replied, "I recall the cabin was hidden pretty well in the forest. If only there was someone around to ask fer directions."

"Hey, look!" Sweetie Bell said pointing ahead of them.

Ahead of them was a small cabin with somepony standing out front. The pony wore a red plaid shirt and a green logger’s hat. The stallion waved at the group.

"Hello there," The logging stallion said, "you appear to be lost. What are you looking for?"

"Hey there," Applejack spoke, "we are indeed lost. My name is Applejack. Whats your name?"

"Oh, my apologies," the logging stallion spoke. "Aside from the racers around here, I have very few visitors. The last visitor I had was a blue unicorn who spoke in the third person. My name is Cutter, and I cut wood for the ponies of Muleport. How may I help you?"

"We’re lookin’ for the Oranges' cabin," Applejack said, "Do you know where it is?"

Cutter pointed down the road, "You are actually pretty close to it. Just keep going down the pathway and turn down the path to the left. After about a mile you should come to the house."

"Thank you."

The group called out their thanks as they resumed their journey down the path. All the while Cutter waved them goodbye.

Muleport News

As of today, the five ponies who ventured into the mountains have been missing for three months. Rescue teams have looked for them but have found nothing, and the search is about to conclude.

At this point in time, some of the ponies’ families have moved on. Rescue experts give grim statistics for the party's survival.

Ponies are nonetheless urged to call the emergency hotline at 1-905-723-4359. Any information concerning the team’s whereabouts is vital. The lives of these five ponies could depend upon your actions.

Into the Cabin

The nine ponies and the baby dragon walked up the steps to the large wooden cabin on the hill. Yellow leaves littered the hill side. The steps were made of rocks and pebbles held together by concrete.

Spike was exhausted when he reached the top of the hill. Along with the things he had brought, he had managed to carry a portion of both Twilight's and Rarity's supplies.

"Whaddya think? Pretty good right?" Applejack said, motioning to the cabin. Once Twilight saw the building she realized she had underestimated the orange farm pony. She had imagined a simple, one-story building, which was far from what stood before them.

The building was at least two stories tall, surrounded by a white picket fence. The walls were painted orange with white trimming.

"How did you come across a building like this?" Twilight asked.

“Why, Applejack, when you said it was a cabin up in the woods, I thought you were referring to one of those small barbaric buildings you see in paintings,” Rarity said. “This building more aptly resembles a mansion.”

The other ponies nodded in agreement. While calling the building a mansion might have been a bit of an exaggeration, as it was not exactly lavish, they could all agree that it was building larger than they had envisioned. Applejack walked up to the white door and inserted a key into the lock, with a resounding click the door opened.

"Uh, well, there was a time my relatives the Oranges lived out here," Applejack answered, "before they moved to Manehatten. While they don't live 'ere anymore, my family still comes by to check on the place, make sure it's okay and all."

After hearing this explanation, the ponies went off to make the place cozier.

Rarity and Applejack went to look for their rooms with Spike following them. The Cutie Mark Crusaders ran around the house, looking for something fun to do. Fluttershy went outside to find some wood for the fire place. Pinkie Pie went to the kitchen to see if she could cook up something to eat. Rainbow Dash wanted to explore the house. Twilight looked around the living room for anything that might catch her interest.

As she did, she saw a rust bronze plaque on one of the pillars supporting the building. Twilight read the words written on the plaque.

"The cycle will not cease until the beast has finished its feast. The beast's hunger will not be tamed until one has finished the game. Discover the lair, uncover the truth. If worthy ye be, then you will be free. If not may Celestia have mercy upon thee. Over and over the clock shall reset, until all these conditions have been met. A great treasure lies within, but only if you have the courage to win."

Twilight scratched her chin with a hoof while she thought over what was written on the plaque, "That is indeed something strange to mount on the wall."

However, Twilight didn't think it was terribly significant, "Probably meant to entertain those who were here for Nightmare Night."

So she went off to find a room to sleep in tonight. Little did Twilight know that she and her companions were being watched.

Off Somewhere else

Grinning broadly the stallion stepped into the room. It was full of monitors showing the interior of the large cabin as well as a few of the areas outside. In the middle of the room, a Pegasus sat watching the screens. She had a pale blue coat with a long black mane and a slender tail. The mare wore black stockings on both her forelegs and her hind legs. On the table in front of the mare was a white ceramic mug filled with steaming hot coffee.

"So how does everything look?" The smiling stallion asked as he walked up to her.

"Well," The mare replied monotonously, as she took a sip of her coffee, "there are certainly a lot more of them than I had expected. Are you sure the machine will function properly with this many?"

"I am quite sure, Sky Blazer." The Smiling Stallion nodded, "However, I don't think I have done this with a dragon before."

"Do you think we should abort, then?" Sky Blazer asked, still in a monotone voice.

"No." The Stallion shook his head. "Considering how small he is, I don't think it will be that big an issue. Besides, we need to do this before hibernation time sets in."

"Okay."

The Smiling Stallion pulled a ginger cookie out of the paper bag and took bite. Then he pulled one out and held it out for Sky Blazer who shook her head.

"Sorry," Sky Blazer said, "But you know I'm not a big fan of sweets."

"Oh well," the Smiling Stallion said, as he wolfed down the cookie, "Your loss."

"Here." Sky Blazer handed something to the stallion.

"What is this?" The Smiling Stallion asked, looking at the object she had given him. It looked to be a puzzle cube of sorts.

"I know you have a hard time solving those three-by-three square Rubik’s cubes, so I thought you might find a two-by-two cube much easier." Sky Blazer replied, taking another sip of her coffee.

"Thanks, I guess."

The mare walked over to the other side of the room where something large sat, covered in a large, white bed sheet. The Pegasus pulled off the cover to reveal what appeared to be a large wheel. Segments of the wheel were separated into different colors much like the wheel one might have seen from a game show. Each of the colored segments had a different symbol. The symbols include: a cupcake, a Parasprite, a house, a dress, and many, many more.

"I pulled this out of storage, just like you asked." Sky Blazer said, as the Smiling Stallion walked over to it. His smile widened as he felt the wooden surface with his hoof.

"It is just as beautiful as the day it was made." The stallion said, as he tried to hug the large wheel.

"What is it?" Sky Blazer asked.

"It is the Wheel of Terror... or was it Misfortune? Can't really remember."

Just then, the door slammed open, and another gray pony with a white lab coat ran into the room. He had a green and brown mane and two red eyes. He had reached the middle of the room when he began to look back and forth between Sky Blazer and the Smiling Stallion, "Hey, guys so I was wondering what kind of potato chips I should bring for the event next week?"

"Event?" The Smiling Stallion asked in confusion, while Sky Blazer face palmed.

"Robipony, the event is THIS WEEK, not next week!" Sky Blazer yelled as she walked over to the other pony.

Hearing this, Robipony's red eyes shrunk, "What?"

"Yes, my friend," the Smiling Stallion said as he walked over, "the event is today."

"Ohhh mann," Robipony's face became really sad and his ears began to drupe, after hearing the news, "I already have some things scheduled for today... and I REALLY WANTED TO SEE A SINGING SIREN PONY MONSTER THIS YEAR!"

The Smiling Stallion walked the bummed out pony to the door, "It is okay, Robi; we all understand you are busy this time of year. Besides, we are not using any singing siren pony monsters this year."

Robipony sniffled. "You’re not?" He was now about outside the door.

The Smiling Stallion shook his head, "No, you see, we tried that last year, and it was deemed so messy that we removed it from the whole event. So they, along with the dyslexic zombies, were removed from the game."

"Why were the dyslexic zombies removed?" Sky Blazer asked.

The Smiling Stallion shrugged, "Apparently, ponies get confused when zombies yelling, 'sniarb' are chasing them. That, and I received a few complaints about it being too offensive and politically incorrect. So instead this year we are using the 'Wheel of Fate' for the event."

Hearing this, Robipony's eyes shot up, "You are using the wheel this year?!"

"Yes, we are," The Smiling Stallion answered, "Why do you ask?"

"Well, the last time we did the wheel event I came up with a great idea for how to make it more interactive with the audience." Robipony answered. Despite still having a wide grin on his face, it was clear that the Smiling Stallion was puzzled.

"Is that crazy pony still talking?" Sky Blazer called out as she sat back down in her chair and took another sip of coffee.

"What are you thinking about?"

*Robipony turns to look at the Reader of the story.*

"Alright, this is what you can do," Robipony spoke to the reader, "Make a wheel out of cardboard and divide into eight portions. In each portion put a different symbol. The symbols you should use are: a cupcake, a dress, a house, a potion, a flame, a Parasprite, an apple, and an eye. Once that is done, place a spinner in the center of the wheel. Before reading the following chapters, flick the spinner and read the chapter with the symbol that the spinner is pointing at.

Or, if you want, you could just roll an eight sided die to determine which chapter to read. I would strongly recommend using the following sequence to correspond with the sides of the dice if you choose to play using this method.

1 - House
2 - Flame
3 - Dress
4 - Potion
5 - Cupcake
6 - Eye
7 - Parasprite
8 - Apple

However, this is only a suggestion.

Now, if you don't feel like making the wheel or rolling an eight-sided dice or just don't feel like waiting for all the chapters to come out, then feel free to read the story in chronological order. The order in which the chapters have been released has been done in a way as to reveal everything in context.

However, this shouldn't diminish the importance of these symbols.

You see, in this game the symbol that is picked will affect our ten quests. Some of these symbols may cause these guests to act differently then they usually would. This is due to some supernatural properties of their environment as well as the symbols themselves."

"Is that it?" The Smiling Stallion asked.

"That is it." Robipony replied clearly happy with his statement.

"Okay then," The Stallion said as he slowly closed the door. "See you later."

Robipony was about to turn to leave when the door opened up again.

"Now, if you finish all that work you are doing and still have a chance to come over again, feel free to bring some 'sour cream and onion' potato chips with you." The Smiling Stallion said before slamming the door shut again.

"That guy really bugs me." Sky Blazer said not taking her eyes off the monitor in front of her.

"Personally, I find him kind of entertaining." The Smiling Stallion spoke, "So, where were we?"

Author's Note

Robipony is a reference to the name I go by when I do my Youtube MLP Readings.