Chapter 1: It starts at midnight
"NO I don't want to do this anymore!" Fluttershy sobbed.
"It's going to be ok Fluttershy I promise," said Twilight.
"But everypony else is dead, what if he comes for me next?" Fluttershy whimpered.
"She's right Twilight I can't do this," Trixie whimpered hiding behind her.
Twilight looked over to the clock to see what time it was, her ears drooped to find out that it was only 1:50 A.M. Why did she let Rainbow drag her into this mess, she obviously knew that this game would lead to death. She would've yelled at Rainbow after this was over IF she was still alive. It's been several hours since she and her friends had started The Midnight Game and the only ones who had managed to survive were Fluttershy, Trixie, Spike, Starlight, and herself. Everypony else had gotten caught by the Midnight Mane. Twilight closed her eyes as a tear rolled down her cheek, she wished that this would end soon.
Several Hours Earlier
Nightmare Night was just around the corner and Twilight was getting ready for the party meanwhile Rainbow Dash was flying around telling her about a ritual she recently found on the internet. Apparently the objective of the ritual was to walk around in the dark while avoiding a paranormal entity called The Midnight Mane.
"So as I said, since it's almost Nightmare Night I think we should try this game," said Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow I told you I don't trust this Midnight Game of yours," said Twilight. "What if somepony actually dies?"
"Ha as if the Midnight Mane was actually real, I bet you're just scared," mocked Rainbow.
"I'm not scared, I just don't think it's safe to play this game," said Twilight.
"Then prove it, prove your not scared," said Rainbow pointing her hoof at Twilight.
"Ok fine we'll play it when the girls get here," said Twilight hanging up a banner.
"Great I knew you'd listen to me eventually," laughed Rainbow.
"Twilight I don't like this," said Spike looking nervous.
"Don't worry Spike it can't be THAT bad," said Twilight.
"I wouldn't assume that Twilight," said Spike. The three was just finishing up the preparations just as the guests started to arrive. Once everypony had arrived Twilight and Rainbow explained the plans for the night.
"So in conclusion I decided to cancel all other activities so that we can do this ritual Rainbow mentioned," announced Twilight.
Everypony nodded their heads in approval before Thorax asked,"Wait so how exactly does this Midnight Game go?"
"Rainbow the rules," said Twilight. Rainbow pulled out a piece of paper out of the bag that had all the materials they needed, and handed it to Twilight. "Ok so the objective is to walk around in the dark while avoiding the Midnight Mane and try to survive to 3:33 A.M.," said Twilight.
"Oh goodie a game that lasts for three hours!" cheered Pinkie Pie.
"The items we need to perform this ritual are a piece of paper with somepony's full name and a drop of their blood, a candle, and some matches," said Twilight.
"Oh my," whimpered Fluttershy.
"The rules goes as follows, Somepony must write their full name on the piece of paper and let a single drop of their blood sink in, the paper must be placed in front of your MAIN wooden door," said Twilight.
"And don't forget to turn off ALL the lights," added Rainbow.
"Light the candle and place it on top of the paper, knock on the door 22 times, note that the hour MUST be 12:00 A.M. upon the final knock, open the door and blow out the candle, then close the door, you have just let the midnight mane in, immediately relight the candle and that's when the game begins," Twilight rolled up the paper and asked,"Does everypony understand the rules?" Nopony answered. "Alright then let's start this,"
"Who's writing their name on the paper?" asked Spike.
"For this occasion we'll ALL write our names down," said Twilight. "Oh one last thing," announced Twilight. Everypony looked up at her. "I almost forgot to mention that those who gets caught, the Midnight Mane will induce a hallucination of your WORST fear until 3:33 A.M.," said Twilight.
"Ohh kay now I'm having second thoughts," said Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash excitedly flew around passing out papers and pens for everypony to write their names on.
"Alright once you're done writing your names, I'll cut your hooves with this kitchen knife, remember ONE drop of blood," said Twilight. One by one everypony began lining up to get their hoofs cut. While that was going on Rainbow quickly flew around turning off all the lights while Twilight lit some candles. "Looks like everypony is ready," said Twilight. "Ok everypony place your papers in front of the library door and place your candles on top of your papers. Everypony did as they were told as Twilight walked up to the door. "Spike what time is it?" asked Twilight.
"11:50 P.M.," Spike answered.
"10 minutes we begin," announced Twilight. The group waited patiently as the clock ticked in the silent dark room.
"11:59 Twilight," Spike reminded. Twilight nodded.
"Alright everypony let's do this," said Twilight turning towards the door. She raised her hoof and started to knock. "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22," Suddenly upon the final knock the clock chimed to indicate it was midnight. Everypony picked up their candle and blew it out. Twilight opened the door and closed it shut as her friends quickly started relighting their candles. "Ok let's go," said Twilight. With that everypony split up and began wandering around the library. The Midnight Game has officially started.
12:00 A.M.
Twilight continued to walk around while Spike sat on her back holding his candle. "Twilight I'm scared," said Spike.
"Your not the only one," said Twilight shaking as she walked.
Rarity continued down into the basement trembling in fear, stupid Rainbow Dash was SO going to regret playing this game.
"This is so not cool," said Rarity. Rarity yelped as a loud bang came from behind her she quickly turned around to see that nopony was there.
"Sweet Celestia that scared me," said Rarity. Suddenly the light on her candle went out making Rarity yelp. She fumbled for the matches panicking rushing to light her candle but to no avail. "Come on you stupid candle!" Rarity hissed. She finally managed to light the match only to see a figure standing across from her. "What?" asked Rarity. Before she knew it, her whole world went black.
Thorax and Trixie walked around the library with terrified looks on their faces.
"Oh I really don't like this," said Thorax.
"Me neither," said Trixie. Suddenly the once silent library went from quiet to loud as Rarity's scream echoed through the walls making everypony jump.
"What was that?" asked Trixie.
"I don't know but I don't like it," answered Thorax. Suddenly Trixie's candle went out making her scream.
"What oh no, no, no, no, no please don't, please don't, please don't," said Trixie panicking to light her candle. She finally managed to light her candle thanks to Thorax's help.
"Thanks for that," said Trixie looking up.
"Anytime," said Thorax. But Trixie's smile had melted away. "Trixie what's wrong," just as Thorax asked his candle went out making Trixie run off screaming. "Wait Trixie come back!" Thorax called out. But before he could run after her he froze, slowly turning around he saw some sort of figure staring at him. "Oh no," he said.
Although everypony seemed terrified by what was going on, only Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash seemed happy that they were playing this death game.
"Wowie this is fun," laughed Pinkie.
"Sure is," agreed Rainbow Dash. "Say what time is it Pinkie?"
"It's 12:30 A.M.," answered Pinkie.
"Got it hey let's try heading downstairs," suggested Rainbow.
"Okie Dokie Loki," said Pinkie Pie following her friend down. The two made their way down to the basement not noticing the black stallion standing several feet behind them. The two happily explored the basement while the candle shined brightly in the dark room.
"Wow since when was the library's basement this dirty?" asked Rainbow.
"Maybe it's Twilight and her research," suggested Pinkie. "Either way we shouldn't touch it,"
"Yeah I guess you're right," said Rainbow dropping a book on the ground.
"Hey Dashie look," said Pinkie running over to the other side of the room. Rainbow Dash looked over as Pinkie Pie held up a mask to her face. "I bet the Midnight Mane looks like this,"
"Haha if he looked like that he would be so ugly," laughed Rainbow. But when Rainbow looked over to Pinkie she saw that she wasn't smiling or laughing as usual. "Hey Pinkie I was just joking," said Rainbow. "Pinkie what's wrong?' asked Rainbow Dash suddenly worried. That's when Rainbow realized that Pinkie wasn't looking at her but something BEHIND her. She slowly turned around to see a black stallion staring at them. He raised his hoof and soon both candles went out.
1:00 A.M.
Fluttershy continued to cling onto Starlight's arm trembling in fear while Starlight tried her best to keep her composure.
"I want to go home," cried Fluttershy.
"I do too," said Starlight stroking her mane. Suddenly a piercing scream rang out in the library causing the two to flinch.
"What was that?" asked Fluttershy.
"I don't know," said Starlight. Suddenly, out from the darkness Trixie cam running towards the two and past them screaming.
"Trixie?!" Starlight called out, but she was already long gone. "I wonder what happened?" asked Starlight. Suddenly both Starlight's and Fluttershy's candles went out causing the two to scream and run after Trixie.
Applejack aimlessly wandered through the library trying to stay alive she turned to the clock. "1:30 A.M." two hours and 33 minutes remaining. If she kept this up she might be able to survive.
"Man I'm hungry," said Applejack. "Wonder if Twilight has any food," said Applejack. She walked into the kitchen and looked around herself. She slowly but carefully opened the fridge and pulled out any apple and took. a big bite,"Mmmm just like the ones on our farm," said Applejack. She started making her way out of the kitchen when she noticed a figure standing at the doorway.
"Hey Twilight doing good?" the figure didn't respond. "Oh come on sugarcube don't be-" But Applejack's statement was cut short when she realized that he wasn't Twilight.
"Oh no," said Applejack. Without warning her candle went out,"Crap," said Applejack.
"NO I don't want to do this anymore!" Fluttershy sobbed.
"It's going to be ok Fluttershy I promise," said Twilight.
"But everypony else is dead, what if he comes for me next?" Fluttershy whimpered.
"She's right Twilight I can't do this," Trixie whimpered hiding behind her.
"Girls calm down," said Starlight. Unable to quiet down Trixie and Fluttershy, Starlight desperately looks at Twilight.
"Spike," Twilight says.
"1:50 A.M.," answered Spike. Twilight's ears drooped upon hearing that she had to survive 2 more hours before this nightmare was over.
"Somepony make it end!" sobbed Trixie.
"Don't worry it's almost over," said Twilight. "We just have to-,"
"Um Twilight," Spike spoke up.
"What is it?" asked Twilight. Spike pointed to something in the darkness. Because Twilight couldn't see it clearly she had to squint making out a black stallion standing there, staring at them.
"Who's that?" asked Spike. Twilight had no clue at first but that's when she realized that this could be her last Nightmare Night ever. Both Trixie and Fluttershy freaked out and ran followed by Starlight leaving Twilight. Tears began to form as Twilight's candle went out.
Author's Note
Ok so pretty creepy if you ask me but to those of you who don't know the Midnight Man is an entity that people summon to punish those following pagen religions. It's a very dangerous game so it is highly suggested that you play this game at your own risk.
2:00 A.M.
Trixie Starlight and Fluttershy quickly ran into Twilight's room and began barricading the door with whatever they had before hiding. Absolutely terrified Fluttershy continued to cry fearing for her life. This is not how she wanted to die. And neither did Starlight nor Trixie.
"How much longer?" asked Trixie.
"An hour and 33 minutes," answered Starlight.
"I can't do this I'm sorry," sobbed Fluttershy jumping out of her hiding spot.
"Wait what are you doing?" asked Starlight.
"I'm going home, I'm sorry but I can't take this anymore," sobbed Fluttershy running to the window.
'Wait Fluttershy stop!" Starlight called out to her. But it was too late, when Fluttershy swung open the window a black stallion was standing on the other side. Fluttershy's eyes widened with pure terror as she took a step back.
"No," she whimpered. The stallion came in and slammed the window shut before putting out Fluttershy's candle. Both Trixie and Starlight screamed as they ran out of Twilight's bedroom relighting their candles in the process.
"This is impossible, there is no way anypony can survive this long" whimpered Trixie.
Starlight quickly checked the time 2:20 A.M. ,"Stay strong Trixie we're almost through with the night keep going," said Starlight. Trixie wiped her eyes with her handkerchief as Starlight led the two down into the basement. For the next few minutes the two continued to wander around the dark house occasionally relighting their candles when they needed it. Each time the Midnight Mane seem to get faster by the moment.
"How long have we been doing this?" asked Trixie catching her breath. Starlight looked at the clock to check the time. 3:00 A.M.
"It's three, just 33 more minutes, you can do this Trixie let's keep going," said Starlight. Trixie let out a sigh of relief to hear that they were gonna make it to the end. Suddenly both of their candles went out. The two quickly took out their matches and relit the candles as they got up and began moving again.
"Almost there keep going," said Starlight. Each time the two made a move, so did the Midnight mane. Each hour that passes Midnight Mane starts becoming more active than you expect, each time the two slowed down, time slowed down as well.
"3:20 A.M., almost there Trixie keep it up," said Starlight.
"Yeah," said Trixie. Finally this Nightmare was gonna end. Suddenly Trixie's candle went out. Panicking she reached for her box of matches only to realize something.
"What is it Trixie?" asked Starlight.
"I ran out of matches," Trixie answered. Suddenly the black stallion appeared behind Trixie. Slowly turning around Trixie let out a scream before she suddenly disappeared with the black stallion.
"NO!" Starlight yelled. Trixie didn't come back. Starlight choked back her tears as she continued on with the game.
3: 23 A.M., the end was coming. "Almost there," said Starlight.
3:25 A.M. Relight the candle and move on.
3:27 A.M. "It's so close yet so far,"
3:29 A.M. She could see it the end was in sight.
3:30 A.M. One final push.
Finally it was 3:31 A.M. Starlight had mad it through the entire night without dying, she was going to beat the Midnight Mane.
3:32 A.M. "I've done it I won," said Starlight slumping down on the couch. Wiping her forehead she was getting ready to celebrate. when her candle went out. She reached in her bag to find she had run out of matches. She watched as the Midnight Mane approached her. Starlight closed her eyes and clenched her teeth ready for her judgement. When the clock struck. Starlight looked at the clock 3:33 A.M. She had done it, she won the game. She looked up as the Midnight mane turned around and walked out the door. Starlight slumped on the couch feeling relived to have finish this death game.
But now it was over. Starlight got up and walked out the door leaving the library in it's current state.
Author's Note
The End. Not scary in my opinion but still glad to see that Starlight made it out ok. R.I.P. for everyone else though.
