Corrupted Files

by SpiritOfDancingFlames

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Mystery, Horror, Other, Sex
Length: 4680

There is something dark in that house. Very, very dark.

A mysterious CD appeared recently... The files corrupt as soon as they are listened to. They contain baffling tales that seem to be staged... However, if they are not...
Then that house contains something dark. Very dark. Nopony's ever heard of it, though. It's almost as if as soon as you see the house...You're going to disappear.

Teen for some possibly scary elements, and gore in later chapters. Ponies will not be tagged as they appear, there's gonna be too many. B'sides, it's fun to keep you in suspense :pinkiecrazy:
I deny claim to any characters, save for H. A. Quill and Lil' Sleuthie, who are my own creations.

Published 2016-04-18 21:30:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-09-02 23:46:07 UTC

A Lost Button

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

I found a mysterious, unmarked package on my doorstep recently. There was no indication of who it could have been from. Upon opening it, I found a single CD, which I found to be loaded with audio and video files. Intrigued, I made a backup copy. This turned out to be quite fortunate, for as soon as I had finished transcribing the audio from the first video file, the original corrupted.
I noticed something strange about the video file, the entirety of it has nothing but black, but the audio seems to be untouched.

The nature of the audio is… very odd, to say the least. I leave it to you to decide what you think of it.

-s this thing on? Hello? Ah, sweet, it’s working! Oh, shoot, I didn’t do my- Ah, well, I can edit this out later.

ahem Hello! This is Buttons64Gamer! It’s Trot Fifth, and I’m doing my very first V-log! I got a brand-new video camera for my birthday! It’s got this wireless microphone, too, see? Isn’t this an awesome-looking headset?

Let’s see, what was I- Oh! Right! So, there’s this like, cool abandoned house in the Everfree forest, like, it’s ginormous! Seriously! My friend Pip told me about it. He said it’d be cool to go in and explore it, but he kinda got sick. I said, hey! I can go explore it, and bring my camera so you can see everything too! And he said that would be awesome!

So, that’s what I’m gonna be doing today. It’s Saturday, so I can be out late in case the place is super big inside and takes forever to see everything. I better turn these off for now, I don’t want the batteries to die while I’m in there.

I think it was this button, shoot, it’s too dark in he- oh, it’s already on! Awesome!

Hi, Buttons64Gamer again, I just got to the house. Look at this place! It’s huge! It’s way bigger than I thought it was gonna be, I might have to come back again tomorrow to see everything, wow!

Man, how old is this place? It’s, like, a thousand years old or something! I hope I can get the door open, if it’s locked I might have to go through a window.

creeeeak

Huh? Woah, the door just opened by itself! Wow, I bet the lock’s probably busted, being a zillion years old and all. I guess the wind blew it open or something. All right, viewers, you ready? Here we go, into the darkness! Muahahaha! Don’t be scared!

Aaa-tchu! Wow, everything’s like, super dusty in here. I bet nopony’s cleaned in here since before Princess Luna went to the moon, yeesh. And I can't see any lights! *gasp* What if there’s no electricity? That means they wouldn’t have any video games! Noooo!

SLAM

Huh? What was that? Oh, looks like the wind blew the door shut again. Man, with it opening and shutting in the wind all the time, that thing’s probably gonna fall off the hinges eventually. I should probably prop it open so it doesn’t get- Well, shoot, it’s stuck. Darn. Well, that’s what windows are for. I’ll just get it later. Time to explore!

Good thing I brought a flashlight. Let’s see… Ah, here’s the tape! One second… There! My brilliance is amazing! I should patent this! Huh, I wonder if there’s a patent already for a flashlight taped to a saddlebag… Well, I’ll figure that out later. Ooh, this staircase is ginormous!

Woah, this hallway looks like it goes on forever! And geez, take a look at all the creepy paintings. Muahaha, you scared yet, viewers? Woooo~ their eyyyess are fooolllllowiinng yoooouuu… haha! Just kidding!

creak

Huh? That’s weird, why’d that door open? There must be an open window or something… Let’s check it out! Maybe there’s something cool in here!

Woah… It’s burning up in here. Wow, it’s really, really hot, whew! That’s weird… It’s not summertime yet. Trot isn’t supposed to be a hot month… It shouldn’t even get too warm until Neighpril.

Well, I guess it is the Everfree forest… Still…

creak… creak… creak…

Woah, what was that? Almost sounded like… like somepony was walking… but I didn’t hear the door open! Oh, shoot, what if it’s a timberwolf or something? Maybe I’d better go… I don’t wanna disappoint Pip, but I don’t wanna get eaten, either! Hm… I can come back with more ponies next time, then it’d be safe!

Welp, sorry viewers, I guess this’ll be the end of it for today, signing off, I’ll see you a- What was that?! I thought I just saw something in the camera… Shoot, I can’t rewind while it’s recording. Better turn it-

SLAM!

G-guys, I dunno what that was, but that wasn’t any wind… Maybe I’d better stay in here and hide…

SLAM!

Ahaha… It’s getting closer. Oh, joy… Please don’t be a timberwolf…

SLAM!

Ah! Okay, that’s way too close! I don’t care what’s out there, I’m getting out of here!

I don’t see anything along the hall… Looks like all the doors are closed, so whatever it is must be downstai- aah!

Oh, phew. I thought I felt somepony touch my tail. It must have caught on… Oh. There’s nothing…nothing it could have caught on… ahaha… I’m done with this place. Forget coming back. You ain’t gonna catch me here again!

…It looks like the downstairs is clear, for now… I better make a run for it before whatever that was comes back…

…too late…

Aah! W-who’s there?! This isn’t funny! Stop it!

…foolish child…

H-hey! That’s not nice! W-who are you? Where are you?!

…you’re mine…

Wh-whaaaaugh! Wha-what’s- Hey! Who’s got my tail?! What’s going on?! Stop it, just stop!

thunk

Mooooomm!!

The recording ended here… Some of it was indistinct, and I gave my best guess, but I believe I have it nearly exact. The… odd voice at the end in particular was hardest to make out.

I dearly hope that this is all an elaborate prank. I thought that you should know about this, however, in case you wished to investigate. I will continue to review and transcribe these recordings, in hopes that it will shed newer light, proving that these events were staged. I suppose that everything is possible, but if it is…

Celestia help us.

Yours,

H. A. Quill

Author's Note

I got this idea while weedeating, funnily enough.
I'm uncertain how often I can post, so be patient.
Oh, and y'know what? I'll give a prize to anypony that can guess what H. A. Quill stands for. ^-~

Mystery Not Solved

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

I write to you again with a troubled heart. Unfortunately, this file did not provide any evidence towards my theory of this all being a prank. I do hope you can prove me to have missed something, and that I am wrong.

Hello, everypony, and welcome to the Lil’ Sleuthie’s Mystery Show! My name is Lil’ Sleuthie, and today, I’m going to be investigating a spooky old house that I’ve heard the other foals at school talking about. They say that a colt went missing there, but nopony knows for sure. I don't think he's from our school... or is he? I can't remember anypony being missing...

Well, it’s up to me, Lil’ Sleuthie! I’ll solve the mystery with my trusty magnifying glass!

Phew, this magnifying glass is heavy! My magic’s strong enough, though, I can do it!

I’m taking this tape recorder with me, too, so I’d better pack some extra batteries, just in case! Ooh, and a flashlight. Those come in handy when you’re investigating!

Well, I’ll be going, soon. I’ll turn this on again once I get there. Time for a Sleuthie Adventure!

Here I am, I’ve found the house! It’s very mysterious-looking. Let’s see… First things first, it's time for the Sleuthie Facts! I'll describe the house, since you can't see it. The house looks like it's two stories tall. It’s a shady black color, and it has a big front door with an old-style knocker. It looks like all of the windows are boarded up, I wonder why? Very mysterious.
Wow, this place is huge! I'm walking around the outside, or, trying to. It must be a mansion!
Aw, the back is all fenced in. I guess that's it for sleuthing outside. Let’s go inside!

Phew, that is one long walk from the back to the front. I wonder who lived here? They must be somepony rich to afford a huge place like this, that's for sure. Let's see, does the door just push open?

creak

Well, the front door opened easily enough. I don’t think I have to worry about it. Brr, it’s a lil’ chilly in here, though! I’ll close the door, so the wind doesn't bang it around.

Click!

Huh? rattle The door… locked? gasp Of course! It’s a special detective-catching trap! I’d better be extra careful so I don’t get out-smarted! I’ll be on my guard!

Well, there's a big ol' dining room here. It's got a really long table and lots and lots of places set. Achoo! Everything is super dusty, though.

There's the fancy candle holders all along the table. They all look like they're unused, though, the candles are all the same size. I'd take one for light, but I don't have anything to light it with. I don't see any matches.
Hm... nothing really to sleuth here. Onward!

Hm, it’s not that dark in here with the flashlight, not really. Let's see, what's this way?

The corridors are pretty small. It’s a little confusing, like a maze! So many hallways, goodness… I've been in here for a good long while. Maybe even a whole hour! I think I can stay here for one more, though, before I should get home. Plenty of time for sleuthing!

So many rooms! They're all locked, though, I can't get in any of them. Very curious... I wonder what mysteries lie beyond the doors. Whatever it is, it's sure to be much bigger than my usual mysteries! Mostly I just do little mysteries, like finding a lost toy for somepony. I can sometimes help with homework, too, but I let my clients solve the mysteries themselves. I just give them a clue here and there when they need it.

A-ha! Here's an open one! It's the second to last one here, it's the end of the hall. There's a really big door at the very end, but that's locked too. Let's see what secrets there are to uncover, yippee!

cough I mean, um, let's go forward, ahem.

Hm... Well, it looks like just a plain ol' bedroom. Nothing too exciting. There's a big bed against one wall, it's got some saddlebags... is that a flashlight taped to it? Strange. A bookshelf or two, with a few odd books... none of them have titles, that's wierd.

thump

A-ha! There’s someone here! Give it up, you, Lil’ Sleuthie is on the ca- Oh. Hehe! It was just a lil’ doll. Aw, it’s cute. It’s a little brown colt with a funny little spinny hat.

Huh, that’s weird… it’s not as old and dusty as everything else here, it’s clean and new-looking, just like the saddlebags. Very peculiar...I wonder where they came from?

BANG

W-woah! What was that? It scared m- I mean, it almost scared me, but I am Lil’ Sleuthie, and I am not afraid of anyth-

BANG BANG BANG

Aah! Okay, m-maybe I am a little scared! I don’t know what that was!

Wh-what? It’s…it’s so hot… Why is it so hot all of a sudden?

Can’t solve this, now, can you?

AAH! Who is that? Th-that’s not funny! Cut it out, you d-detective scaring fiend!

BANG

S-stay away from me, wherever you are!

BANG

Ah! Something pushed me! I said, stay away! P-please!

BANG

No! No! Stop it, stop it please! Let me go! Let go!

AAAAH!

…Case closed, little one… You’re mine.

THUNK

I fear, Princess, that I am further from explaining this than I was before. Truly I am left with more questions than answers. I dearly hope the little filly was simply a very good actress… I will continue on in my transcriptions, and will relay them to you, dear Princess. I hope that you can solve this.

Yours,

H. A. Quill

Author's Note

Much apologies for the long-awaited update. This is actually a big step for me, I've been in such a writing slump lately... It's good to get back to this.
Anyway, I have an actual idea for what will be happening now, though I am still uncertain as to whom I will be using. Originally, this chapter was to be Applebloom's perspective, but it did not fit for what I was doing.

A Wilted Blossom

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

Below is the third transcription... The more I go through, the more real this seems.

There were some sounds that were more difficult to describe. I have given my best guess in brackets.

-upid, complicated, annoying piece of- Oh. It’s blinking.

Hi, so, um.. Yeah, I’ve never done something like this before.. If anypony else happens to find this, my name is Violet Blossom. I ran away from the orphanage about five days ago. I couldn’t live there anymore after.. Well.. After something. And I don’t exactly have anything besides some apples I grabbed from the kitchen and a couple of bits, plus a flashlight so I can travel at night.

[Thunder booms.]

Eep!!! Oh, I’m, um, totally not afraid right now, eheh.. Anyways, long story short I got caught up in this massive, and I mean massive, storm. I had nowhere to go, usually I slept in a tree between walking. So, there I was, fearing for my life, when bam! Like a sign from Celestia I see this super old house. I remembered hearing rumors about some house out here being haunted, but I don’t believe in ghosts anyways. My mom tells me--well, told me--that whenever someone died, they went on to the “other life.”

[Rain beating on the roof.]

Sheesh, good thing I found it when I did.. So that’s where you come in Mr. Tape Recorder. After feeling better I found you near the entrance, a little beat up and with a couple of odd stains but otherwise pretty good! I thought about trading you for food, but I think I’ll keep you like a diary or something, maybe even a pet. Okay, maybe not a pet, just a diary.

[Scruffling sounds.]

Wh-what was that? … Maybe it was just the door with all this crazy wind and all, totally not somepony..

Huh.. It. bang. Won’t. bang. Open!

Meh, I’ll try once the storm is gone. For now I’m freezing, there has to be a blanket around here somewhere…

Dang this is a huge house. Super old too. Well, no super old blankets in the super old living room, just some super old chairs and stuff. Okay, that sounds pretty lame, I'm not great at explaining things, but.. It just feels like everything is rotting, or dying really slowly. I'm afraid to sit in any of the chairs because the wood looks like it might break if I do, and the wallpaper is peeling everywhere.

I don't like it.. I'm going to see if the room next door leads to anywhere..

It looks like it was a kitchen. I say was because there's nothing in here, just some rusty forks and spoons so whoever lived here before must’ve been a unicorn too.

A pantry should have some cans of food.

Creeeek.

There's nothing, just.. a knife. A rusty looking knife. It’s probably dull but I'm going to take it anyways, I don't feel very safe here…

drip, drop

Something’s falling from the top of the pantry. Let me shine my flash- Woah! I-it’s dripping something red. Is that blood?? It's dripping all over me and the… The-the knife.. It's not rusted anymore, it looks new, it's soaked in blood…

CRASH!

….

……

………..

S-sorry I'm being so quiet, I'm just really freaked out about what just happened.. One second I was covered in blood, levitating a bloody knife, then somehow I fell on the floor and when I opened my eyes all the blood was gone, and the rusted knife was on the floor.

I think I'm going crazy, they might be right..

….

Everything is normal now, I must be really tired, but I can't sleep now without a blanket or else I might freeze to death!

Maybe this hallway will have something. I’m definitely not going back in that kitchen, or touching that knife ever again…

There’s some locked doors… More locked doors..

[Scuttle, scuttle.]

Wah! W-what was that?

… Must have been nothing, I guess… I'm way too jumpy right now.

Okay, calm down, Violet. Maybe talking to the recorder will help. Yeah, okay, I can do that.

I'm going to sit down for a bit, at least I can see if anyone is walking down the hallway, I'm safe..

I guess if we’re going to be friends and all now, you deserve to know a bit about me.. I'm not really normal, a-and if you don't like me it's okay, you’re just the only thing I have right now..

It started about three months ago… I was traveling with my parents across Equestria to our new home in Ponyville. I was super excited! I never liked the big city or the fillies in it, so I couldn't wait to make new friends!

On the way there we were getting tired and decided to take a shortcut through the forest. We were so close, we thought we'd be safe… Wh-when the pack of timberwolves found us.. I-I couldn't do anything. My mom threw herself in front of me, they started tearing her apart. Dad tried to stop them, h-his blood was everywhere, it just didn't stop flowing… I ran. I kept hearing the growls and the barks but I kept running, I was so scared…

When I got to the town I started screaming for help. Even when they found me I couldn't stop crying and asking for help. No pony would help. No pony could bring my parents back…

They sent me to the orphanage. I didn't like any of the other fillies or the grown ups, so I stopped talking. Every day I would sit in the corner and just think about how my parents screamed while they were dying… They thought I was crazy, and weird. One day a group of fillies tried to scare me by jumping on top of me with twigs and branches glued to them. I-I don't remember much after that, just a couple unconscious ponies on the ground and the looks the other ponies gave me, like.. like I was the timberwolf.

I knew I couldn't live there after that. Not after everything. I was just a joke. A threat. I-I had to run away! Anywhere would be better then there. I'd change my name, change my backstory, like a true spy!

And, well.. That's why I'm here…

Now I wish I wasn't, I'm scared.. But I have to be brave, for my mom and dad. I'm gonna keep exploring down the hallway now…

Hm, well, there’s some portraits of ponies. Only... no faces, just scratch marks where they should be…

Tap tap.

Sorry, my flashlight is starting to flicker on me. I really hope the battery isn’t dying, I’m really scared of the dark as it is…

Okay, I’ve passed like eleven doors now. If these last three doors are locked so help me I’ll knock a door down with all the magic I got!

Oh. This one opened. Totally got this now.

There’s a small magnifying glass with a purple lil' unicorn horn handle on top of a nightstand, definitely not creepy at all. Sweet Celestia I hope that isn’t real…

Besides that there’s a comfy looking bed, awesome! Nothing else, just a closet.

Screeeech

Empty, like I guessed it prob- Woah! Somepony pushed-

SLAM!

Aah! P-please, whoever it is, open the closet! I-I don’t have any bits or anything, but I’ll even give you this tape recorder if you want!

Now you really are alone little filly…

N-no I’m not I just ran away from home! My p-parents will come looking for me I swear! W-why is it getting so hot in here??

BANG!

Let me go! AAH! Stop, stop, stop!

.. Get ready for the “other life.”

Why are you doing this to me?

... Night night, little one... you're mine.

ST-

CRASH

I am going to contact nearby orphanages to see if any have lost a filly named "Violet Blossom" a few days ago. Even if it is not a solid conclusion that this isn't a prank, it will be evidence further towards it.
I will continue to relay the transcriptions as soon as I can.

Yours,

H. A. Quill

Author's Note

Special thanks to Snowflake77, the amazing writer for this chapter.
Another chapter should be up soon, with a mystery writer coming in...

Vale, Filia.

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

I am still awaiting a response from the orphanages. In the meantime, I have transcripted a... far more disturbing video. Once again, black screen, but the audio was... more than a little troubling. I wish I had never heard it...

[Crash; shattering ceramics.]

Oh Celestia… This place is totally cool.

[Sucking noises, possibly a deep kiss]

Mmm… Celestia help me… Maybe save the romance for when we’re not standing in broken glass, sweetie.

I mean, I really would but you look so… Beautiful right now, Dinky. It’s hard to control myself as is, finally being able to do these things with you. I mean... if we did it in public… You know the consequences that would have.

...Yeah...

[The crinkling of glass shards under hoof]

....Look at this place… No wonder everypony at school says it’s haunted. It’s like… Deserted.

Eeyeah... Even everypony at work is scared shitless of this place. Real slasher story vibes here. Though I hope that won’t stop us from… Enjoying ourselves.

Whoa… Hey, check this place out.

[Hoofsteps trotting away]

Shit… Is this thing working? Oooh sweet Celestia… It’s working. You guys aren’t gonna believe this when I tell you what I’m about to do. Gotta find the right place to hide you though…

Come look at this!

Damnit…Coming, sweetie!

[Hoofsteps]

What in Tartarus? The hell are these?

It’s like a little doll-y.

That’s… peculiar… It doesn’t look old as fuck neither... Celestia damn it… Maybe we should find a new joint.

Don’t be like that! Maybe some colt or filly from school had to come here on a dare, wet themselves and left their stuff.

...Yeah. That’s probably it. Hey, I’m gonna go look around for the ah… Perfect spot for us. You just have fun exploring this place and try not to draw any unwanted attention, alright?

Okay! Don’t go too far, my little love muffin. Heheh!

...Yeah. I’ll stay within shouting distance, love muffin.

[Hoofsteps for several seconds]

… … ...Fucking brat. Ugh… Let me see…

[Doorknob jiggle]

Locked.

[Doorknob rustle]

Locked.

[Click—screeeee...]

Here we go... ...A kitchen? Who in Tartarus puts a kitchen in the middle of a fucking hallway? Hm… Maybe...

[Pots and pans clanking, along with the occasional shattering ceramic on the ground]

This looks promising. Hey, look at this guys. I found something long and sharp enough that it almost rivals me in the downstairs department. Heh… I’m a fucking genius of comedy, yeah?

[Distant thud, shortly followed by the sound of metal sliding against the inside of a saddlebag]

...The fuck was that?

[Hoofsteps]

Dinky? Was that you?

…

…

…

Dinky, I’m being serious. Don’t try to scare me, I’ll get really mad! I promise!

...

…

…

Guess it was a squirrel or some shit. Hopefully the little fucker got fried by something in this shithole.

[Doorknob rattling]

Fuck! How are doors still locked?! The fucking frames are rotting out but I can’t even force the damn things open!

[A loud sound, a door being bucked in. . .Click]

...Heyyy, who needs locksmiths when you have glutes of steel like me, huh? I bucked the door unlocked! And what’s this? First I can unlock doors with my legs, now it’s a bedroom with a semi-intact bed? Seems lady luck is givin’ me a hoofjob today, huh?

I just need to set you up… Ah! Here. When I come back, I’ll put you right here. Front row seats, colts, just like you asked. Now to find that little whore…

[Hoofsteps interspaced between silence and shaky breaths]

Dinky?! Hey, where are you?

Over here!

[Rapid tiny hoofsteps—A foal galloping]

Didja find a good spot?

Sure did! Wanna see it?

Mhm!

[A pair of hoofsteps]

Gasp! It’s perfect! It even has pretty floral print blankets! Sniff. ...Sniff sniff. Smelly blankets, but...Big, comfy blankets!

Uh huh. I thought you’d like it.

[Thud]

Hop up onto the bed, I just wanna make sure my saddlebag won’t fall.

Mkay.

There we go… Perfect.

C’moooon!

I’m coming, I’m coming.

...Are you sure it’ll fit?

Yep. I’m positive.

[Metal scraping against the saddlebag again]

Oh Dinky~ I have a surprise for you.

What kind of surpri—...D-Dad, why uhm… Why do you have that?

Surprise, you stupid bitch.

[The next minute or so of audio can only be described as struggling, and the filly screaming. Most of which, was completely unintelligible, save for the following select few lines near the end.]

[a loud crack, followed by a long screech that is abruptly cut off into gagging]

Fucking… Little horn headed whore… Ruining my family tree with your stupid fucking mother… Gr…Not anymore.

[Schlicking noises and faint groans]

[Thunk, thunk, thunk]

Bleed bitch! I’ll get something out of you, you damned mistake! I’ll get back my bits I poured into your fucking mother! Child support my ass, I’ll show you how much you’ve cost me in supporting you, you bitch!

...D-...D-...Da...d…

[A loud 'shink' that I assume is the knife being rammed into her, followed by a loud male moan, and ragged breaths]

...Damn horn head blood… Tastes like vomit poured over shit… Worth every bit this recording will get me.

...Wasteful…

...What the fuck?

[A thud and panicked hoofsteps]

…

Who in Tartarus?! Where are you?!

A sad little king of his sad little hill… Yet, afraid of a little filly… Pathetic.

How’d you know to be here?! Did Filthy tell you?!

Are you afraid of me too, little Doctor? Are you afraid of the darkness within your own heart? Of the sins you’ve committed?

I-I’m not afraid of shit! You’re the one who is afraid, y-you won’t even show your ugly mug!

Be afraid, my little Doctor.

[A thud, followed by the sounds of snapping wood]

Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! Fuck you! Let me go!

You are a pathetic stallion, little Doctor. So very, very afraid of everything. But now… You’re mine, you sad little Doctor. You’re mine.

Fuck! FUCK! Let me go! I’m sorry! I’m fucking sorry, just let me go! I’m afraid, I don’t want to die! I’M SORRY!

thunk

….D...Da..d…?

Silence, child, you needn’t worry. You’re mine as well.

I... sincerely wish that neither of us had to experience that... but, maybe the next one will be better.

I will continue transcribing these, with...ever-dimming hopes of the possibility of a prank.

Yours,

H. A. Quill

«♦»

“Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul.”

― Dave Pelzer

Author's Note

If you haven't already recognized the signature chapter's quote, this amazingly dark chapter is written by ShinigamiKing14489, a very good friend and a very talented author. Go give him a brohoof and a big round of applause.