Chapters Apparition Amphitheater Presents: Misery Tree
Unfold Your Anger, Goddess of Mine
Deep down in the darkest reaches of a moon lit forest, where leaves danced in the cold winds of the harvesting season, a lone, gothic amphitheater rests. Its open air structure stayed constantly invaded by dying foliage and living creatures, keeping it from being called truly abandoned. The wind picked up and wailed through the rows of seats like the moans of death itself, bringing a warning to the empty hall. As the sound of the wind faded, the lights of the open air house suddenly flickered on, illuminating the stage. From the darkness behind the tattered curtains came a figure both plain and peculiar.
At first glance, one wouldn't have noticed much about the interloper, especially if he were standing in a crowd. The creature was roughly six feet tall, wearing dark grey jeans, a light grey hoodie, and had wild, light brown hair. Those features, in of themselves, were most unremarkable. However, upon further inspection, his two more unusual qualities shone through the bland of the grey clothing in the light. Sharp cloven hands, bound in bandages and barbed wire, flexed and cracked in anticipation. Lastly, a half skull mask adorned his face, with a lengthy, rusty nail poking out from the forehead. The thing on the stage cleared his throat before he addressed his phantom audience.
Good evening, my friends. and welcome back to this wonderful little amphitheater. For those of you who don't know, my name is Wrath B. Forgivnez, the host of the last story told. I'm afraid to say that last year I had to skip out on telling a tale, mostly due to deadlines I was unable to meet. It really killed me on the inside, and probably WOULD have if I COULD die. Never the less, I have returned properly, more capable than before.
Last time, I told you a tale of heartbreak and the uncanny ability to rekindle a dead flame, and how little girls shouldn't ever even THINK to play match maker with a proven failed method. A tale of a long lost love reuniting, and the terrifying consequences of when the lover spent most of his life in a box below the ground. It was more light hearted than it was deadly, and not a soul got hurt.
On this night, however, I intend to bring you something a bit darker. Something that starts out so truly innocent, and swiftly becomes something of a fairy tale abuse.
For tonight's tale, I bring you back to the days of childhood innocence and wonder. To a time where a class can take a field trip out to the woods for a few nights, and have a good time before a campfire. A time where they enjoy each other's company, for better or for worse, and share their stories in the dead of night. Good stories, bad stories, but most importantly, ghost stories. Stories obviously made up and passed down from generation to generation, right? But what if some of these stories we tell have hints of truth in them? Worse, what if they are true? Well, one little girl is going to find out the truth of the matter in tonight's little story called:
THE MISERY TREE
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The beautiful noon sky continued to shine on over the quaint little town of Ponyville in its early autumn haze. The serene atmosphere of the changing leaves and the gentle nip of the air gave a crisp reminder to the citizens to be ready for the incoming winter. School was still fresh in its semester and the foals of Cheerilee's class were eager as ever for their latest announcement. Surprisingly, it wasn't a homework assignment or refresher test, but simply the declaration for a new unit and a special idea to start it off. To be frank, at first, the children weren't too thrilled that they'd be spending the next month or so learning about ecosystems, and a pony's role in them. Especially when Cheerilee explained they'd start with the forest ecosystem and the effects an earth pony has when interacting and maintaining one. However, when their teacher revealed her idea to start off their new unit, the class became much more interested.
It was simple. A weekend long camping trip to Whitetail Woods with the entire class, where Cheerilee and another adult would act as chaperons. With the summer season still fresh in their young minds, the prospect of one last camp-out thrilled them. One last chance to go on a long adventure, to roast marshmallows in front of an open fire, and sleep under the stars before waiting until next summer. Even the less enthusiastic kids, silently bemoaning over spending further quality time with classmates they weren't too fond of, warmed up to the idea for other reasons.
Permission forms were sent and signed, the co-chaperon of the trip was selected, supplies were packed, and friends gathered together before the school, ready for the trip. Everyone was excited, and there, at the forefront of the school yard, three little fillies eagerly awaited the start of their journey. One unicorn, whom had a light grey coat and a greyish mulburry mane with a light grey rose streak off the side. One earth pony, whom had a pale light greyish olive coat and a brilliant ruby mane. Finally, one pegasus, whom had a light brilliant gamboge coat and a moderate purple mane. Three unique and colorful saddlepacks sat beside them with rolls of sleeping bags accompanying the supplies they brought.
"This has to be Ms. Cheerilee's best idea yet!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
"One more campin' trip b'fore next summer!" Apple Bloom agreed, hopping in place.
"Yeah, and another chance at finding our cutie-marks!" Scootaloo chimed in. The little pegasus' friends turned to her with nonplussed looks and exasperation. "What? This is the last time we'll have any serious time to go crusading before homework cuts into it, right?"
"Scoots, we've been workin' hard all summer findin' our cutie marks already. Do we really need to spend our most definitely last campin' trip on another list of stunts?"
"I'm still kinda sore from the last time we went out crusading, and Rarity is STILL mad at me for what happened to that ponnequin we 'borrowed'," added Sweetie, "Can't we just, you know, take a break this time? Just hang out like normal for once?"
Scootaloo's face scrunched from the abject disapproval of her idea, but sighed in defeat. "Fine, I guess we can take a break."
"Taking a break from being blankflanks? That'll be the day."
The three fillies spun around to confirm the snobby voice that had always tormented them.
"What do you want, Diamond Tiara?"
"Nothing much," the pale magenta filly stated flatly, flicking her well kept pale violet and white streaked mane, "Just dolling out a friendly reminder not to bother me or Silver Spoon on the trip. We may be all be stuck with each other for the entire weekend, but that doesn't give you any excuse to get all comfy and cozy. Stay in your little bubble of loser , and everything will be just peachy."
The Crusaiders rolled their eyes collectively as Diamond harrumphed and trotted away, nose sticking in the air. "Ya know," Apple Bloom stared, "I can't help but always wonder what's got her crown in a bend."
"Bullies are bullies," Scootaloo replied, "Does there really need to be a reason? Still, its nice to know they don't want to be anywhere near us."
The other two nodded before a loud whistle was sounded off to get the attention of her students. All of the fillies and colts involved with the trip turned back to their school to see their teacher, whom was a moderate cerise earth pony with a light greyish rose and pale streaked mane, and awaited for their instruction.
"I'm glad to see everyone is ready," she said in her trademark, cheerful tone, "Before we begin, I would like to introduce you to our co-chaperon for these next few days, Applejack." Motioning towards a cart full of camping supplies and set ups, it took the light orange mare a moment to stop checking the equipment so she could address the children. Soon after the short hello, replacing her stetson hat back atop her blond mane head, she returned to the cart, inspecting it for anything and everything. "She had graciously agreed to come along with us to keep everyone here safe and well supplied. Let's all give her a round of applause for taking time to do this for us."
The kids in the trip all stomped their hooves in approval, as Applejack tipped her hat over her eyes to hide her appreciative embarrassment. "Aw, shucks kids. Ah ain't that big a deal. The pleasure is all mahn, really." She turned to Cheerilee, before calling, "Alright, Ms. Cheerilee. Ah think we're good to go!"
"If that's the case, then come on class, let's move out!"
The foals cheered as they followed Applejack, Cheerilee, and the large cart of supplies through Ponyville and away from the school.
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The trek was relatively smooth. The class crossed Ponyville, journeyed down the road that passed Sweet Apple Acres, and brought them to the nearby bush bordering the orchard. They entered the forest, following a well plotted trail, and finally came to a clearing where they set up camp in the early evening, Some of the children did complain during the move, as kids would want to do, but were otherwise very cooperative and appreciative. After all, being out in a unique time of the year to have some last minute summer fun couldn't really be rejected.
Upon starting to set up camp, Applejack explained that while timberwolves have relocated further north from the forest here, it would still be very dangerous to go off alone. With that said, Cheerilee grouped up her class in threes, for both convenience with the tents and making sure there were just enough in each group to look after each other. The Crusaders were lucky enough to be kept together, but were warned by Applejack to tone down any actual Crusading this time around, much to Scootaloo's chagrin.
Tents were pitched and two different camp fires were made swiftly, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting thinning rays of light between the partially golden and crimson leaves. At one campfire, Cheerilee hosted half her class, while the other campfire was hosted by Applejack. At the farm-pony's fire were the Crusaders, but along with them were the rest of their school mates. Diamond Tiara and her bluish grey friend Silver Spoon sat opposite of the fillies of their malcontent, along with a light amberish gray and scarlet maned earth pony named Twist. Between the two groups of three, a male white and dark brown spotted earth pony named Pipsqueak sat next to a short and stubby grayish opal unicorn with a dull orange mane named Snips, and his best friend Snails. He was a unicorn male like Snips, but was considerably taller and had a brilliant amber coat and a moderate turquoise mane.
Applejack told the kids she was looking after that she'd be out getting more firewood, and told them to stay put while she was out. With that, the kids sat around the warm fire still going, sticks presented with marshmallows, gently roasting them to varying degrees of quality and success, with the worst of it being held by poor Pipsqueak. After several unfortunate displays of panic time after time, before the last one had been flung from the stick into the next campfire over, the kids decided they had enough marshmallows for the evening. Not because they were sick of it, but more so because they didn't want to suddenly be pegged in the forehead by incoming balls of fire and sugar.
"Well," Apple Bloom said with a sigh, "Does anyone have any ideas of what we should do?"
"How 'bout we tell ghost stories!" Pipsqueak exclaimed in his light Trottingham accent.
Diamond Tiara scoffed. "That's lame," she said, "Besides, none of you would be able to beat MY story anyway."
"Really?" Sweetie Belle asked, "Then, why don't you go first?"
Diamond Tiara sputtered a bit at the sudden question, before huffing at the notion. "Didn't I just say it was lame to do that?"
"Even though ya just said yers was the best? I'd like to see ya put yer bits where yer muzzle is," Apple Bloom said smugly, wanting to call out a potential bluff.
"You did present a challenge, Di," Silver Spoon said with a hint of concern. "Might as well let them have it."
Diamond Tiara looked to her friend for a moment, before sighing indignantly. "Fine," she said, "But I'm only going to tell it once. Very few ponies ever know about this story. My daddy said it is VERY rarely heard, because it's actually a true story and the public wasn't supposed to know about it."
To be honest, everyone was intrigued just what kind of story she had that was actually said to be true. Even the three little fillies that wouldn't normally enjoy the presence of their school time bully were curious to see how far it would go. Besides, even if it turned out to be a total bust, at least they could hold it over Diamond's head when she got particularly nasty towards them.
"I hope you're all listening," Diamond Tiara said in a lowered voice, leaning closer to the fire as the last bit of light from the evening sun disappeared from the sky. "This is the story of a stallion from the streets and a mare from a rich family looking for love. This is a story of how they ran from the ponies that disapproved of their 'love'. A story that went from romance to tragedy, and the birth of a curse."
Apparition Amphitheater Presents: Misery Tree
I Am Here by the Misery Tree
Three hundred years ago, on a night just like this, there was a lonely unicorn mare in high society Canterlot. She was as beautiful as a clear night sky and as talented as she was wealthy. Her life of pampering and upper crust tradition were constant, keeping her life as stress free as possible, away from the toils common folk deal with daily. However, her passions lied in true romance. She dreamed of love ever since she discovered it when she was younger. The knight in shining armor coming to rescue the princess. The dashing and charming rogue come to sweep a mare off her feet. The excitement of love at first sight from an unlikely place, a real diamond in the rough. It was the magic she wished to experience, but there was a problem. She was sick of life living on the highest, and it didn't help that her potential suitors all came from wealthy, boring, unadventurous families as well.
Every time they would come to court her, to dance, to converse, and to woo her, the mare did not but shut them down, denying their advances. All efforts were wasted on this most beautiful and talented mare. When asked why by her parents, she'd explain to them that she sought adventure and excitement. A change from her life, and love that was honest and comfortable, rather than the groomed and formal courting that was constantly presented. Of course, they disapproved. All of her fellow members in high society disapproved. They warned about how it could tarnish her good name, how it could rob her of her wealth and beauty. They even warned her that adventure from commoners breed rogues and villains. It was far too dangerous for a young mare like her to associate herself with those beneath her, they said. Despite all of the warnings, though, she ignored them. In fact, on one of her evening walks, she found a charming gentlecolt of the street. A black unicorn stallion with a winning smile, a quaint but cute little cap atop his dark grey mane and the most brilliant red eyes you could see. She fell hopelessly in love with him.
They were together in secret, enjoying the city life, keeping each other company, sharing each others interests. They seemed inseparable. True star crossed lovers. However, it wasn't long before the mare's friends and family figured out where she had gone and who she was with. One night, they confronted her, scolded her, and barred her from seeing him again, claiming he was nothing more than a stallion with a devil's smile, not to be trusted. She took it as well as someone that was hopelessly in love would, but she went further than going through a meltdown. Knowing her family was wealthy to a fault, she stole away some of the riches, sold some of her higher end belongings, and sought out her dashing stallion. Upon finding him, he told her to meet her by the Tree of Love at midnight, a famous and unique tree that sprouts only red leaves, which was an hour trot to the southwest of Canterlot. He promised her, there, they would meet again and elope to a place far away from scorn and disapproval. He promised her that she would be free of everything.
She did as she was told, coming to the tree earlier than she was asked to, and waited for her tall, dark, and dashing stallion to show up. The cold air nipped at her coat as the red leaves swayed back and forth to the wind, with the mare in the moon herself shining down on the lonely and beautiful sight. She waited, and waited, and waited still, watching the forest around her, the tree behind her, and the moon above. She watched restlessly, and noticed something was wrong. Midnight had passed, and everything was quiet.
The darkness seemed to get tighter, despite the silvery light of the full moon shining upon her, and the wind almost hushed warnings. Her eyes darted about the forest around her, looking into the trees, hoping for her knight in shining armor to arrive and take her away. Everything in the back of her mind screamed to abandon this foolish thought of running away with romance and just go home. Phantom shadows skipped between the trees, just out of direct sight, putting the poor mare on edge. She heard something snap behind her, causing her to turn around in alarm, calling out her lover's name in a panic. But there was no one there.
Leaves swayed as the wind picked up, as if screaming for her to run away and never come back, but she stayed. She stayed for her love. She stayed for the life she actually wanted for once. She stayed...
The sudden feeling of metal pierced her back, catching her off guard and took the wind from her lungs. Pain shot through her body, and her mind swam and fogged over, causing her to collapse from the horrible sensation. She tried to lift her head up, but could barely have the strength to even move. Soon, though, she could feel something search her person, and grab the bits she was carrying, tearing the bag from her body. She wept silently, afraid of losing her chance at love and her own life, and hoped that she would make it out of this. She wept, until the hooves of someone very familiar stepped into her vision. His black coat almost blended with the shadows around him, but the light of the moon lit his crimson eyes like malice itself. He tipped his quaint little hat to the mare, and gave her a devilishly charming smile, tying the bag of bits she had around his neck.
The poor mare was utterly heartbroken. The stallion she got to know, that she fell madly in love with, that promised her a life of adventure and true romance and freedom, had stomped on her heart, stole from her, and was going to leave her to die.
Something snapped in that foggy mind of hers. Through the pain of the knife still inside of her, she got back up to her hooves, and stared down at the now confused rogue that tried to kill her. She stared at him with eyes that burned like the pits of tartarus. In a voice only ever close to Celestia's infamous Royal Canterlot Voice, she said this:
I loved you, I trusted you, and you betrayed me! I was willing to give my life to you, and you tossed it away! If I die here, I curse you! I curse you to a life of misery. A life of misfortune after misfortune, for generation to generation! And, if your blood returns here, I curse you once more in that I will return here as well, and enact the passion of my broken, furious heart! May Celestia have mercy on you, for I will not!
The dark rogue fled from the tree and his former lover, never to be seen again, leaving the mare all alone in the cold, dead night. With the last of her strength and will taken, with the pain and all other feeling finally leaving, she collapsed back to the ground. Her wound leaked and soaked into the soil below, changing the color of the grass around the tree from green to red ever more. As if in sorrow for what happened, the crimson leaves shed from the branches, and drifted down with the gentle wind, and covered her tragically tarnished body. From that day forward, the tree never sprouted new leaves ever again.
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"No one knows for sure what happened to that stallion. Some say he moved into the city of Vanhoover, staying away from trouble and lived off of the bits he stole, still encountering misfortunes, one after another, just like the mare said. Some say he mysteriously disappeared, without a trace or warning. Some say that he still managed to have foals with another, and they too went down the same path that dark rogue did, inheriting the same curse of misfortune." Diamond Tiara paused, letting the story sink in for a moment or two, before she continued. "However, one thing is for sure. When the Royal Guard looked for the mare the next morning, after receiving a report on her missing and following her hoofprint trail left behind, all they could find was bits of fabric from her torn bag, and the tree, leafless. On top of that, there was something wrong with the tree now. Not a soul dared to get near it, feeling as if their own heart was about to be ripped form their barrels. Feelings of unexplained loneliness, sadness, and misery almost infect those that get close enough, driving all who try to leave. To this day, to those that know about this story, it's why we now call it The Misery Tree."
The students around the fire had been leaning forward throughout the entire story, entranced by the surprisingly gothic tale, invested up to the very last word. As Diamond Tiara leaned back with a smug look on her face, the rest of the students sat back as well, mulling over what they just heard. The young heiress to the Rich family looked about her students, waiting for the words of approval and amazement.
"Wow," said Snails with a gobsmacked expression upon his face, "that was sure a really good story, there. How'd you know all of those fancier words, though?"
Diamond Tiara scrunched her face at such a question. "I'm just telling the story how my daddy told it. I mean, yeah, I had to look up some of those words, but that's beside the point."
"I wonder if he's still out there, stealing bits and knocking over mares," Snips said, turning to his friend.
"I don' think that mare were just knocked ovah," Pipsqeak said to them both.
"I have to admit," started Sweetie Belle, "That was a pretty good story." Her friends were about to turn and scold her for praising their bully, but Sweetie interrupted them and continued. "Though, I have to say, that story wasn't really scary. It was more sad if anything. That poor mare. Her poor family, even..."
"Are you kidding?" Diamond Tiara blurted, "She was just attacked by some commoner thief and-and, her bits were stolen, a-and the tree! What about the tree and the grass! And that she disappeared! Isn't that a little freaky?"
"Sorry, Di," Silver Spoon said with a look of regret, "I didn't think it was very scary either."
"I thought it was scary," Twist chimed in with a slight nervous twinge in her voice and a shiver up her back.
Diamond Tiara huffed at the reactions. Granted, she adored the fact that the story was so good, but the point of it was missed. She gritted her teeth, looking back to the fillies across from her, whom were chatting amusing themselves. Except for Scootaloo, whom was staring right at the rich filly.
"I didn't really like the story," Scootaloo said flatly, "In fact, I don't think it's true at all."
"Scoots?" Apple Bloom addressed, "What the hay are ya doin'?"
"The story's a bust," she answered her friend, before turning back to Diamond Tiara, "You loose points for using the oldest cliches in the book. Come on, three hundred years ago? Star crossed lovers? A romance plot? I've heard of 'better' namby-pamby stuff in one of Rarity's secret books!" Sweetie Belle blushed from the sudden blurt of such touchy information as Scootaloo continued, "And to call it true is so hokey. There's no way something like the 'Tree of Love' is actually real. It sounds like it's out of some little foal's coloring book." Apple Bloom averted her eyes from her friend, remembering Applejack talking about some of the love and harmony related things she and her friends were a part of, and not wanting to correct the out-bursting Scootaloo.
Murmurs began to bubble among the little fillies and colts, now beginning to doubt the quality of the story from Scootaloo's accusations. Diamond Tiara fumed for a moment, before she calmed down and returned her own retort. "How about this, then. We're in the forest of where it happened. How about I DARE you to go out and look for it?"
"And why would I go and do that?" Scootaloo asked, trying to call her bluff.
Diamond Tiara smirked for a moment, before she spoke with a smug expression, asking, "Are you chicken?"
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both turned to their friend, hoping to catch her before she ended up saying something she'd regret. Unfortunately, due to the resounding sounds of awe from the sudden insult, Scootaloo ended up ignoring her friends and addressed Diamond directly. "I'm not a chicken!" she growled.
"Scootaloo, wait!"
"Prove you aren't, then. I'll even give you an intensive. If you go out and look for it alone, for real, I'll eat my own tiara. If you FIND it, even though I'll have the satisfaction of knowing I was right, I'll not only eat my Tiara, but I'll dance the jig in front of the class at recess in the beginning of next week. BUT, if you don't... If you stay in your comfy little tent with your little loser blank-flank friends... YOU have to polish my Tiara. For a week!"
"Scoots, don't do it!"
The young pegasus smiled at that former notions and weighed her options. If she at least tried, she couldn't lose, though she WOULD run the risk of getting into trouble. On the other hand, if she didn't go, she wouldn't get in trouble, but she'd have to touch that silly froo-froo crown of Diamond's. She thought about it for a moment, but the competitive streak in her pushed forth her decision, right before exclaiming, "Deal!"
Scootaloo's two friends wailed out a lengthened "NO!", bemoaning their friend's stubbornness.
Diamond Tiara simply smirked, before she rose form her seat, followed by Silver Spoon, and addressed the other foals. "Let's get one thing clear, though. IF Ms. Applejack or Ms. Cheerilee hear a word of this, the deal's off. Now that that's settled, I'm heading off to bed. I've got to rest up if I want to properly enjoy the rest of this camping trip! Ta-ta!" With that, the two rich fillies, followed by a begrudging and nervous Twist, left to retire to their tent.
A few seconds later, Applejack returned to the campfire with the collected firewood, looked about to the remainder of the group, and said "So, what'd ah miss?"
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Late at night, the crusaders laid in their tent. The night was still too young for them to sleep, giving Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle ample time to talk. They discussed the situation, the potential consequences of what would happen if Scootaloo actually went through with it, and how they were going to stop it.
"She's too stubborn not to take it," Sweetie reasoned, "But, I don't understand why Diamond made that deal in the first place. Scootaloo leaving is almost guaranteed, so why would she condition it so she FAILS if that happens? Where's the benefit?"
Apple Bloom sat for a moment, considering the followed discussion, before throwing in her assumption. "Maybe she just want's to be proven right? Scoots did seem to hurt Diamond's pride a bit. Either that, or she wants to get Scootaloo in trouble for wandering around in the middle of the night in a minorly dangerous forest."
"That last one is more likely," Sweetie replied, "Ugh, this is so backwards... Do you know of a way we can keep Scoot from leaving?"
"No," Apple Bloom said, turning around, realizing the tent suddenly felt less crowded, "'Cause, I think, she already left."
The two rose from their sleeping bags, and poked their heads out from the opening flaps of the tent. Just as they did so, they noticed the small frame of their friend about to disappear into the woodland beyond.
"Scootaloo, stop." they said in a hushed voice.
The eager and determined pegasus stopped and turned around for a moment, before Sweetie continued. "Come back, please? We know you feel you have to do this, and no one want's to polish Diamond's tiara, but it's not worth getting into trouble."
"Or, gettin' lost," Apple Bloom added.
"At least, if you're still going through with this, take us-"
"I can't," Scootaloo interrupted, "I can't let you come. She told me to go alone. It wouldn't be fair... and I wouldn't want you guys to get into trouble for MY dare, on the chance I do get caught. Don't worry. I'll be back in no time, I promise." And with that, the little pegasus disappeared into the shadows of the night.
The two fillies sunk back into their tent, before plopping onto their haunches, dumbstruck that their friend just took off. They looked at each other, before looking to their sleeping bags, and decided the best thing they could do is get some sleep, and pray their prideful friend makes it back unhurt, and soon.
Apparition Amphitheater Presents: Misery Tree
Endlessly Devoured to Stigmata Mine
Scootaloo wandered quietly through the forest, head low and eyes darting around the shadows. The night air was harsh against her young coat as the leaves and trees swayed to the wind. She shivered lightly, scowling at the ground.
"This is stupid," she said, berating herself, "Why am I even doing this?" The question was rather pointless, honestly. She knew exactly why she was out here in the dark. There was no way she'd pass up a dare. It was a challenge to her, and the trade off was too good to ignore. Just being out here and now gave Scootaloo her victory, but going all the way would be all the sweeter. Sure, if the tree did exist, Scootaloo would have to admit she was wrong, but that wasn't anything new. She looked back from where she came from. Only darkness followed her, as all signs of the camp she left behind were shrouded from her sight. "I could be joking around with my friends, right now..." The young pegasus sighed as she pressed forward, keeping her eyes pealed. "But she'd probably hound me to keep my end of the bargain. Probably wouldn't be nice about it either. Whatever..."
She kicked a pine cone idly as she kept walking, eyes continually scanning the area around her. It really wasn't anything special deep in the forest. Lots of trees and shrubs, the odd rodent peeking from their hovels, dark shadows between the trees. It was a little boring. The whole woodland even seemed to become quieter as she ever slowly kept moving. But, as she continued to trek further, looking for any sign at all, she stopped suddenly upon realizing something. The forest's ambience wasn't just becoming quiet. It had become dead silent.
The young filly began to get nervous, as she swiveled her ears, trying to hear SOMETHING ordinary from the woodland. Owls hooting, rodents squealing, twigs snapping, wind howling. Nothing at all. Then, as her eyes darted to and fro, searching the trees and dark, something was most definitely wrong. Despite the light of the moon, it seemed like the whole forest was getting darker and darker. Her body began to shake. Her breathing began to get deeper and more rapid. She scanned the area once more, trying to find something, some hint, before she decided to turn around and run like the chicken she was.
It was only for a split second, but she finally caught something different in the corner of her eyes. Turning directly towards it, she locked her gaze on what seemed to be a pair of dull red eyes, surrounded by the shadows of the trees. She took a step back in panic, and held her breath for just a moment, upon realizing the eyes she saw were now looking directly at her. The sound of a twig snapping sent Scootaloo's mind reeling, as she turned around and tried to run.
Bolting from where she was, the filly sped down the path as fast as her small frame could take her. She kept moving, aiming to get as far away from whatever had those eyes as possible. After galloping for a decent distance, she dared to look back, only to notice that a shadowy figure easily three times her size was chasing her. A figure that belonged to those same dull red eyes. Scootaloo's fear reached its height. She picked up the pace, but the figure was gaining on her. Tears welled up in her eyes the worse the situation became. Then, she heard the sound of a jump. On cue, she took a hard turn left, avoiding the pounce, and disappeared into the forest. Sure enough, looking back, she saw the figure lying on the ground for a moment before it scrambled back to its hooves and continued to try to pursue her.
She weaved through the bushes and trees as best as she could, using her stubby wings to help herself over jumps. Her small frame gave her an edge in the densely packed woodland. The dark figure however wasn't so lucky, as it struggled to keep up through the trees, grunting and straining each passing moment. Scootaloo turned back and pushed herself faster, getting more and more distance between her and whatever was after here.
She then saw the signs of a clearing nearby, and gunned for it, hoping she maybe stumbled back to the campsite. I could tell Ms. Cheerilee and Apple Bloom's sister! They'll save me , she reasoned hopefully. However, as she got closer to the clearing, she noticed something odd. The grass seemed darkened. Not just darkened, but red. Did... did I just find it?
The sound of twigs behind her snapping and frustrated growls kicked her out of her shock, forcing her run for the clearing and jump into it. And there, waiting for her arrival was the tree in the story. It was a large, twisted, and darkly looking plant, as seemingly old for however old that story was. Something deep inside herself told her to run away from this thing, but the threat of the shadow chasing her caused her eyes to fixate on a hovel below the roots, just her size. She pitched herself forward and dove underneath the tree, crawling further deeper into the darkness, and adjusting herself so she could see back out into the clearing.
Upon getting safely comfortable, she waited in the dark crawlspace and listened. Upon finally starting to relax under the roots, she noticed something she didn't give any thought to before. The clearing itself was brightly lit with a silvery hue from the light of the moon. It was as if someone was shining a light down as if this were a stage play. Before she could think about it any further, the bushes rustled from whence she came, and the figure that was chasing her stepped out into the light.
It was an earth pony stallion, with a dark grey coat and a black mane. He had a charming little cap atop his head, and had the face of a pony that seemed like a winner, if he ever smiled. The scowl he had however only outlined his intense, dull red eyes, as he looked about in vain. He cursed, as he stomped the ground in frustration. Scootaloo shrunk a little deeper into her hovel, but kept her ears open.
"Damn it!" he cursed again, "I should have moved faster. I should have taken that brat BEFORE she saw me. Could have silenced her, and dumped her off in a lake. Now she'll blab to somepony and I'll be done for." He kicked a nearby rock, causing it to skip away and into the forest. "I can't believe this. I make one little mistake and the everyone in Vanhoover wants my head. Now this? Why can't things go my way for once? Can't a thief get his dues already? I can't survive on good looks, not like my great grandfather."
Scootaloo covered her muzzle, trying to quieten the heavier panicked breathing she was starting, and kept watching the stallion pace and rage. She then realized something. While not the same as the stallion described in the story Diamond told, he had some definite similarities. The little filly then began to wonder what else was real in the story.
Suddenly, there was an odd hush of wind as the tree creaked to it, causing the stallion to pause. He looked about, as if he could hear something was off. There was silence for a moment, and then, they could hear it. Scootaloo gasped lightly in fright, as the voice of a mare could be heard. One that she couldn't recognize.
"You've returned. You shouldn't have returned."
The stallion took a step back, before he began shouting. "Sh-show yourself! Show yourself or else, if I find you, I'll do WORSE than what I'll do to that filly when I get my hooves on her!"
"I can't believe I ever loved you. Even though so many years passed, you haven't changed, have you? Even your children and children's children inherited the disgusting true self that you were."
"Do you think you know me?!" he shouted, louder this time, "I've had a hard life, lady! Nothing has EVER gone right for me! It's as if I've been cursed at birth, and you're going to sit where you are, and lecture ME?"
There was silence for a moment. An almost sad and oppressive silence as the wind died down again, but the wood didn't stop creaking.
"It is time. Time to be punished for what you've done, and what you're ilk have done. It is time for my justice."
"What in tartarus are you talking about?"
Suddenly, a crescendo of creaking wood could be heard, as Scootaloo watched the stallion's eyes grow wide in fear as he took a shaky step back. Then, she saw it. Branches moved like abnormal spider legs, twisting and jerking into place as they got closer to the stallion. As he tried to run away, one of the branches shot forth, and stabbed at his leg, causing him to scream. Scootaloo covered her eyes and ears, afraid of what was going to happen, expecting the absolute worst. And she was right.
The branch that stuck the stallion's leg then began to forcefully drag him back closer to the tree, as more branches began to coil around his limbs, barrel, and head. In the branches' grip, they began to lift the shrieking stallion off the ground, stabbing and jabbing at various points in his flesh. He bled on his wooden binds, dripping down the lengths of the branches. As the binds got tighter, he screamed louder until his throat became sore, only to cry further as the sounds of breaking bones could be heard. Wet heaves of vocal agony pressed harshly out of his lungs, further punctuated by tearing muscle and skin. Then, the sound of wood splintering and collapsing in on itself could be heard. The stallion was bleeding profusely all over, soaking the ground below him, causing him to steadily loose consciousness. However, even the threat of passing out from blood loss was not enough to save him from seeing what was about to happen. Eyes widening in horror, he let out one final, horrible scream as the sound of flesh and bone being ripped apart violently echoed about, punctuated by the sound of gurgling, then silence. The creaking of wood soon ceased as well.
Scootaloo laid under the tree, eyes and ears still covered, waiting out the horrible event that had transpired, trying to gather enough courage to run. However, after feeling something touch her head, she let go of her ears, and scrambled out of her hiding spot, turning back to the tree. Aside from red stains, the tree itself looked exactly the same as she first saw it. She backed away, entirely unnerved that no other trace of the stallion could be found. In the distance, the cry of a wolf echoed through the forest, causing the little filly to snap out of her shock before turning around completely, running back through the woodland.
She galloped through the shadowy nature, eyes tearing up while she tried in absolute vain to forget about the trauma. All she wanted was to be back with her friends, safe and sound. She missed everyone, even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Even if Cheerilee would have punished her for being out like this, she didn't care, as long as she could get away from this nightmare. Despite succeeding, following through the dare had no longer been worth it.
As she moved through the trees, she could hear familiar voices call out her name. Her heart filled with joy and relief as she ran harder through the bushes, determined to meet them. And there, out on the path, was none other than Cheerilee, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and a begrudging Diamond Tiara. Finally reaching the woodland boarder and jumping out of the bushes, she raced up to them, calling out to her worried sick class.
"MS. CHEERILEE!!!" She cried, suddenly hugging her teacher's leg.
Cheerilee was shocked, but relieved, as she wrapped a hoof around the sobbing filly. Her warm look of concern melted to worry and disappointment, as she gently pulled the filly away, and leaned down to Scootaloo's height. "You scared me half to death," she said, "Why did you think this was a good idea. This forest STILL can be dangerous, even without the timberwolves, especially at night."
All the little Scootaloo could say between sobs was, "I'm sorry," repeating herself over and over again. Cheerilee decided it was too soon to scorn the young filly for her action, and thought it would be best to take her back to camp. Upon hearing the thought of returning to camp, the young filly pegasus could only nod in appreciation.
The group swiftly made their way back, following the trail leading to the site. While traveling, Apple Bloom approached her upset friend gently. "Hey, are ya alright, Scoots?"
Scootaloo sniffled, before responding, "I dunno... I think so..."
Sweetie Belle then joined her other two friends in comfort. "Diamond Tiara called the dare off after we told Cheerilee you left. Nothing was worth you taking off like that."
"I know... I just... I guess I just don't like being called a chicken. I felt like I had to prove something..."
The two crusaders hugged their distraught friend for a moment, whom gave no complaints where she normally would. After releasing her, Sweetie Belle then pointed out something odd that was bugging her ever since they found Scootaloo.
"Scootaloo?" she started.
"Yeah?"
"What's with the cap you're wearing?"
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Authorities conducted an investigation upon the woodlands near Unicorn Range after the given testimony by a young pegasus filly. After searching the area, they had come to a suspicious clearing. Red stains were found all over the ground, but the witness' details about a quote unquote "creepy looking tree" were never founded. The only other object in the area worth noting was a small sapling in place of the alleged tree. Investigators had conducted tests on the hat the filly handed over, claiming it had belonged to the culprit that chased her. Samples of the red stains had also been collected. Research had concluded that the red stains were indeed blood stains, and that both the blood and hair samples found in the hat belonged to a notorious criminal that had fled Vanhoover city the day prior. Charged for theft, burglary, assault, second and first degree murders, the criminal is supposedly still at large, but due to the evidence found in the clearing, with the amount of blood left behind, suggests something may have happened. Citizens still have been told to keep an eye out for the criminal, and to report any and all sightings that may lead to his capture.
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In the end of it all, a generations long grudge was finally satisfied by a former lover's scorn, and a sweet little filly learned to not take things to heart, and leave them be when needed. After all, some tales always carry a hint of truth, and no matter how brave you think you are, it may be best to heed them as warnings. Perhaps now she'll stay by the sides of her friends, and even if her passion drives her to do something selfish and reckless, maybe they'll be able to reel her back in. One thing is for certain, she will never, EVER go out in the woods again alone in the dead of night. After all, that's where the worst terrors like to hide.
I certainly hoped you enjoyed tonight's story, dear audience, and I do hope you come back another day to the Apparition Amphitheater, when you want a spooky fix. Maybe I, or my colleagues, will be able to satisfy your macabre hunger. Until next time, my dear sweet children of the night. Beware .
The strange figure then bowed down, satisfied with his work, as the lights flickered off, one at a time, until darkness remained and nothing more. A wolf howled in the distance as clouds shrouded the moon's silvery light, and painted the open aired structure in pitch black. As the wolf's cry died in the air, the ambient sound became silent and still.