Pixel Dust And Hidden Things
How Every Horror Movie Starts
The following text log takes place on the morning of September 7.
PixelDust303: UGGGGGHHHHHHH
StarBrightXO: Tell me about it, been drinking coffee all day
PixelDust303: I reallllly don’t wanna go
StarBrightXO: Nobody does
PixelDust303: Why do I gotta go back…
StarBrightXO: Hey
StarBrightXO: You got to wait until Labor Day
StarBrightXO: I’ve been in class for two weeks already
PixelDust303: D:
PixelDust303: What is that even like
StarBrightXO: You get used to it
StarBrightXO: That’s one thing I’m jelly about tho, more time with friends for the summer
PixelDust303: One perk of Crystal Prep, I guess
PixelDust303: they wait cuz they want everyone to be “fully rested”
PixelDust303: But it’s still tougher than your place
StarBrightXO: Canterlot High? Wouldn’t leave it for anything
StarBrightXO: Do you like Crystal Prep?
PixelDust303: Yah
PixelDust303: It’s amazing and there’s a college I’m looking at, they LOOOVE recruiting at Crystal Prep
PixelDust303: Crystal Prep isn’t fun but I feel like I’m doing the right thing, going here
PixelDust303: Did that make any sense
StarBrightXO: It does
StarBrightXO: I know what you wanna do for college
StarBrightXO: Crystal Prep actually has a film program, so you’re right where you should be
PixelDust303: -happy emoji-
PixelDust303: Makes all the videos on my phone worth it, I spent over a grand on it and it’s the best thing ever, the camera is so good on it
StarBrightXO: Still jealous about it, but you go on with your bad self, I’ve seen the videos you made with it, and I can’t believe you’re only a sophomore
StarBrightXO: Better than some movies I’ve seen
PixelDust303: Like it takes a lot of effort to beat Night of the Everliving Zombies 6, why did you even stream that?
StarBrightXO: Bored
PixelDust303: Fair enough, you still wanna hang out after school?
StarBrightXO: Hay yeah
StarBrightXO: That frozen yogurt place?
PixelDust303: Meet you there
The following text log takes place in the evening hours of September 7.
StarBrightXO: Hey, wanted to say I had a really good time, we should make this a weekly thing
PixelDust303: ARE YOU STILL THERE
StarBrightXO: Yeah, what’s up
PixelDust303: I can’t breathe
PixelDust303: I’m shaking, I think I’m crying
StarBrightXO: Woah woah, slow down
StarBrightXO: What’s going on?
PixelDust303: Can we talk over the phone, plz
PixelDust303: My hands are shaking
StarBrightXO: Okay, we’ll talk
The following audio transcript takes place two minutes later.
PixelDust303: [Crying over the phone, heavy breathing, and a small thud is heard on the floor.] Are you there? Please tell me you’re there. I can’t think...
StarBrightXO: I’m here, Pixel. What’s going on? You were fine when we left.
PixelDust303: Things changed, man. [She stops to cry.] I was walking home and I swear something was following me. I never saw it, but I know it was following me all the way home! Mom’s here, and Dad’s coming home from work, but I’m freaking out.
StarBrightXO: Calm down, take a few breaths. [She breathes through the phone piece.] Just like that.
PixelDust303: [She breathes in and out.] Okay. I-It’s helping a little bit. I don’t know what to do. [It sounds like she’s pulling the curtains over a window.] Is it here? I don’t wanna look…
StarBrightXO: Pixel. If it’s that bad, I can come over. I’m just a few minutes away.
PixelDust303: [Another sound from her curtain as it moves.] What? What?
StarBrightXO: Stay with me. What’s going on?
PixelDust303: Uhhhh...I feel so silly. There’s a cat outside. It was just a stupid cat. What was I thinking? I just let my imagination run wild, I guess.
StarBrightXO: So there’s nothing to be worried about?
PixelDust303: Nope. Man, I feel like an idiot.
StarBrightXO: Hey, it happens to everyone. So what’s up?
PixelDust303: Ehh, nothing. I’m working on the next video right now. It’s really hard to get the filters working. Was the last one any good?
StarBrightXO: It was….it needs work. I was a little confused about what’s going on the first time I watched it, but it was still good. How did you make that all in your backyard?
PixelDust303: I have a big backyard, remember? Anyway, I should probably let you go. They probably slammed you with homework over there. [A few dogs are barking in the background.] Huh. That’s weird.
StarBrightXO: I’ll go ahead and let you go, then. And you’re sure you’re okay?
PixelDust303: [The barking is louder as she’s getting closer to her dogs.] Stop it! And yeah, I’m okay. Thanks for everything.
StarBrightXO: No problem, Pixel Flare. I’ll see you later.
The following text log takes place in the morning of September 10.
PixelDust303: Think I’m FINALLY getting used to school again
StarBrightXO: That’s great...but…..uh….
StarBrightXO: You heard what happened?
PixelDust303: Wat
PixelDust303: Did something happen and you’re not telling me?
StarBrightXO: You probably wanna see this
StarBrightXO: [Enclosed is an attachment of a pic. The picture is of a building downtown. There are several claw marks along a wall, several going a few feet above the ground.]
PixelDust303: WAT
PixelDust303: Please tell me that’s a fake
StarBrightXO: I passed by it on the way to school
PixelDust303: Nonononononono
PixelDust303: It wasn’t all in my head?
StarBrightXO: I’m so sorry
StarBrightXO: It might have been real
PixelDust303: I can’t breathe again
StarBrightXO: The police are already looking into it, they know this isn’t something that happens every day
PixelDust303: It was following ME
StarBrightXO: I know
StarBrightXO: I feel bad about this too, think I should have come over like I thought
PixelDust303: You didn’t know
StarBrightXO: I still feel bad about it
StarBrightXO: How are you
PixelDust303: I’m sitting down because I can’t walk
StarBrightXO: Oh
StarBrightXO: I’m sorry
PixelDust303: It’s okay, I’m still coming over to your place tonight
StarBrightXO: The sleepover? You still want to do that?
PixelDust303: I’d be safe at your place, it’s so huge, and I still wanna do it anyway
StarBrightXO: okay
StarBrightXO: be safe
PixelDust303: Thx
The following audio transcript takes place in the evening hours of September 10, on a gaming console’s voice chat.
PixelDust303: On your right!
StarBrightXO: What are you-- [A bunch of curse words come out.] COME ON! I didn’t even see the guy!
PixelDust303: How are you almost two years older than me, but I’m kicking your ass in this game?
StarBrightXO: Crystal Prep has an eSports team. You have to be on it. [Another crash and burn.] WHY ARE YOU HITTING ON ME? I’M GONNA GET YOU FOR THAT!
PixelDust303: Nope. Just find gaming to be relieving and relaxing. [A few more clicks of her controller.] Annnnd done.
StarBrightXO: WHAT! WHAT! How did you do that? How?
PixelDust303: I pointed the gun at my enemy and fired. That’s all there is to it.
StarBrightXO: Uhhh...I guess that makes sense. [She might be flopping on a bed here.]
PixelDust303: Hey, about that building…
StarBrightXO: Look, I’m sorry I showed it to you. I know it’s been stressing you out all day.
PixelDust303: It’s not that. Do you think we’ll be okay? Whatever’s causing that...I’m scared about it. I don’t wanna know what it is. I just want to be safe.
StarBrightXO: Pixel...I don’t know how, but I think it’s gonna be okay. It’s probably not a good idea to be out at night, but you got friends looking out for you.
PixelDust303: Really? I was sure I wasn’t going to make friends for my freshman year. And then you came along with your friends.
StarBrightXO: I didn’t have many friends once. Let’s just say that someone changed my mind. So I know what you mean.
PixelDust303: Yeah. Thanks for everything. You really calmed me down back there.
StarBrightXO: No problem.
The following text log takes place in the late afternoon hours of September 13.
StarBrightXO: What you up to?
PixelDust303: Getting gas, the tank’s pretty much empty
StarBrightXO: At this hour? You probably need to get home
PixelDust303: I’m going there right after this, I don’t wanna be out here by myself, but I had to go to that weird gas station on the edge of town
StarBrightXO: I don’t like how this feels, you could be in danger
PixelDust303: I’m going to run out of gas if I don’t stop now, I should have done this before school
StarBrightXO: OK
StarBrightXO: Just tell me when you’re on your way home
PixelDust303: Wait
PixelDust303: I heard something
PixelDust303: …
StarBrightXO: What’s going on
PixelDust303: I have to get out of here
StarBrightXO: What’s going on? You’re scaring me
PixelDust303: It’s here
PixelDust303: I can hear it
PixelDust303: I’m getting in my car, I dunno when I’ll be back
StarBrightXO: …
StarBrightXO: I’ll be right there
Pixel’s pale green skin grew even more pale as she piled into the sedan. The car might have seen better days, but the engine still turned over on the first try. She panicked as she shifted the transmission to drive, and she peered into the rear view window. That’s when she saw the figure…
She couldn’t tell what it actually was, but its shadow left a ghastly impression against the gas station building. She saw teeth in its mouth, claws on the arms, and it towered above her. It made her scream when it came closer, and she pressed the pedal to the metal. “GET ME OUT OF HERE!”
The tires screeched as she raced off. She was too terrified to look back, but she heard heavy footsteps coming in her direction. Thankfully, nobody else was here. It was more like a vacant small town at this corner than anything else. That meant she could drive as fast as her car would take her.
Her breaths were shaky and weak, and she barreled down the road. The footsteps only got louder with time, and she freaked out. “Don’t let me die, don’t let me die…” She made the mistake of looking at the mirror again, and she saw a tall figure covered in muscles and brown fur just a couple dozen feet behind her. “NOOOOO!”
She left skid marks on the road as she made a sharp left turn. The monster was quick to join her, and she hit nothing but dirt. This might have been close to Applejack’s farm, but she didn’t care. The trees had to make for good cover. They had to.
Then the worst possible sound rang in her ears. The noise her car made when she was completely out of gas. That’s right. She went to the gas station because she was on the other side of empty...and didn’t get one drop in before the beast showed up…
The car started to slow down from the lack of fuel. “Nononono, not yet! Not now!” It didn’t listen to her pleas, and it only got more sluggish with time. 30 miles per hour...20...10...5...it came to a complete stop.
She whimpered when she realized she had no way out. One heavy footstep later, she knew it was right behind her. Her face was pressed against the wheel, hoping it wouldn’t see her. That was until she saw another figure illuminated from the headlights. It would make her jolt up in shock.
Sunset Shimmer stood in front of the car. She was quiet and unfazed by it all. In fact, she was eyeing the monster directly in the eyes. “Sunset? What are you doing? Get out of here!” Pixel yelled. “It’s going to get you!’
“It’s okay, Pixel,” Sunset spoke warmly. “I got this.” She walked around the car like this was a normal thing to see at night. The monster screeched from the stranger approaching it, and it roared in her face.
Pixel screamed and hid under the seat as much as she could. Her white hair was plastered on her face from all the sweat pouring down on it. And then something happened. She heard whimpers. Crying. And it was...coming from the monster…
She was troubled by the sound, and she lifted her head up. Whatever the monster was, it was frozen into place, and Sunset...Sunset had wings? And weird ears on her head? What is going on? With every piece of courage she had left, she forced herself to open the car door.
The sight left her without words. Sunset had a hand on the creature’s chest, and...the creature wasn’t as scary as Pixel thought. It was tall with wings on its back. The face made her think it was a male, and it was just as muscular as she expected. What she didn’t count on was how soft the face was, let alone that the eyes were swelling with tears.
“It wasn’t right…” the creature spoke. His voice was deep in tone with a harsh scratch, but it managed to still come across as soft spoken. “He...he had a second chance and pushed it away. I thought...it was possible that…”
“I know,” Sunset comforted him. “I heard what happened, too. But the same thing happened to Discord once, and you know how he ended up.”
“Uhhh, what is going on?” Pixel butted in. “What even is that? And what’s up with you, Sunset? Could someone just explain what’s going on?”
“Oh yeah. One second.” Sunset turned to Pixel. “Sorry. I guess I should have told you earlier. He’s nothing you need to be worried about. His name is Scorpan.”
“Scorpan? He has a name?” Pixel balked. “And you KNOW him?”
“More like read about him. I had no idea he was still alive. He must be over a thousand years old by now.”
“...the more you talk, the more you’re confusing me.”
“I’ll explain later, but there’s something I gotta do, first.” She went back to Scorpan. “So that’s what happened? You saw Tirek’s statue in Canterlot, went mad, accidentally fell into a portal, and it made you lose your mind?”
“Yes,” Scorpan noted in sorrow. “All this time, I...I thought he could still be redeemed. I saw it in him. I can’t believe he struck out like that again. I wanted to see him again in a place other than a prison for once.”
“I know. But there was a time where I wasn’t a good person, either. I tried to take over Equestria with my own magic, and...well, things changed.”
“I’m starting to worry Tirek doesn’t have it in him to change like you did. He had two chances and…” Scorpan glanced off to the side. “He…he might be lost forever. I hope I’m wrong.”
Sunset reached up and cradled his face to the side. “Stranger things have happened in Equestria, and he’s still alive. You don’t know what will happen. Just don’t lose hope. Celestia didn’t lose hope in me, and look at me now.”
“Yeah…”
All the while, Pixel was completely blown away. She was tempted to record this on her phone, but she thought better of it. Not like anyone would believe her. Eventually, she stood up and joined in on everything. “So you’re not a monster? I don’t have to run away?”
Upon hearing that question, Scorpan gasped. “The memories are coming back from the last few days…” He stared down at Pixel, making her feel like she was two feet tall in comparison. “I am so sorry. It wasn’t my intent to cause trouble.”
“No...problem…” Pixel was about to melt from the gargoyle looking at her in the eye. “I’ll...just go now..”
“No no, you don’t have to flee. I apologize for everything I’ve done. I won’t do it again. I merely want to return to my homeworld. That is all.”
“And I’ll help,” Sunset offered. “I know where to find portals in this world. It shouldn’t take long. You’ll be back before you know it.” Then she turned back to Pixel. “Are you going to be okay?”
Pixel stood there silently. “You have a LOT to answer for.”
“No kidding. But I’ll explain everything when I’m back. You ready, Scorpan?”
“I’m ready.” He spread his wings out and picked up Sunset. She climbed onto his back as he took off, leaving no trace behind in his wake. That left Pixel out in the field by herself.
“Well, that was the weirdest day of my life. Let’s pretend this never happened again.” She went and got back into the driver’s seat, only to be greeted by the no gas light again.
“Great...now how am I getting back home?” She got out and kicked the trunk in frustration. The car was so beat up that the trunk lid popped up from the blow. There, she spotted a spare gas can. “Oh yeah, I had that. How did I forget?”
She would spend the rest of the night finally getting a full tank of gas, a million questions, and absolutely no answers. Hopefully, Sunset wouldn’t take too long…
Pixel received a text message to meet at the frozen yogurt place soon after. She sat at the booth and watched the yogurt melt in her cup. It was hard to eat anything after what she saw. Hearing Sunset’s explanations was even more awe inspiring. It was like the world around her melted along with the yogurt.
“And that’s about it,” Sunset ended. “I probably should have told you sooner, but that’s a lot to take in for anyone. I wasn’t sure how to break it to you.”
“...it makes total sense,” Pixel trailed off. “I would have asked you if you were on acid before, but I saw a freaking gargoyle, and you had pony ears back there. Even if I thought you were lying, I know what I saw.”
“Yeah. You’re not mad at me?”
“No. You saved my life. And it’s pretty cool that you’re a pony from another world. Do you miss it? Equestria?”
“All the time, but I don’t regret coming here. There’s a lot of good people here.” Sunset patted Pixel on the shoulder. “People like you.”
“Me? I’m not anything special. I just like videos and phone, that’s all.”
“But you’re a friend. A really good one, too. If I wasn’t there to stop Scorpan, I don’t know what would have happened.”
“Good point. Hey, should I keep this a secret? I guess your friends know already, given they turn into weird pony-humans, too. But…”
“At least for now. I won’t hide anything from you again, though. You deserve to know.”
Pixel smiled softly. “You’re a good friend, too. It’s just crazy that I’m friends from a pony from another world.”
That got Sunset to laugh. “Stick around, and that won’t crack the top ten in the weirdest things you’ll see.”
“Heh, yeah. I wouldn’t mind seeing this Equestria one day…”
The following text log takes place in the morning hours of September 14.
StarBrightXO: Morning
PixelDust303: Morning, pony you -uses horse emoji-
StarBrightXO: lol
StarBrightXO: That’s going to be a running joke, isn’t it
PixelDust303: Yes
PixelDust303: You’re literally a horse
StarBrightXO: I’m a pony, not a horse, but yes
PixelDust303: I thought finding out about you would change how I feel about you
PixelDust303: It really doesn’t
StarBrightXO: What do you mean?
PixelDust303: You’re still a good friend
PixelDust303: And you saved my life
StarBrightXO: Yeah
StarBrightXO: I should introduce you to the rest of my friends
StarBrightXO: They got their own pony forms
PixelDust303: DO IT
PixelDust303: There’s another thing I gotta ask
PixelDust303: When you “powered up”
PixelDust303: Uhhh….
PixelDust303: Could you do that in my next video?
StarBrightXO: Hmmm
PixelDust303: -begging face emoji-
StarBrightXO: We’ll see -winking emoji-
StarBrightXO: See you after school today?
PixelDust303: Sure
PixelDust303: Meet you where?
StarBrightXO: My place
StarBrightXO: I’ll introduce you to my friends today
PixelDust303: :D
PixelDust303: Meet you there!
Author's Note
So...yeah, this was different. I've heard of stories that told their stuff this way, and I was curious about it myself. Whenever or not it worked...I dunno. I'll leave that up to you. I feel like it's only the beginning of what I could do with a format like this.
That said, yeah the twist that "StarBrightXO" was actually Sunset was a giveaway when I had to tag her to the story, wasn't it? I picked that username for her, so it wouldn't be that obvious from the logs that it was her.
As for the Scorpan thing, I feel like that alone could fuel an entire story. I dunno if I'm actually going to write it, but yeah, save for the part about going mad, I could see him reacting that way to Tirek getting turned to stone. He definitely wouldn't take it well, that's for sure.
Anyways, this is going to be an interesting story in terms of reception. I want to know if I should keep pursuing this format, because it's definitely intriguing to write in, if nothing else.
