It was a stormy day. It was a heavy downpour outside, and I'm inside a friend's house along with the others. Occasionally flashes of lightning can be seen if one looks at the sky through any of the windows or hear the booming sound of thunder. The reason why we are inside this house is not that we got caught by the storm, but it's because we are invited.
I sat on a green round carpet next to my fellow pegasus. His name is Thunderlane, and he was one of my best friends besides Writer Rhyme, Ire Heaven, and Stormlight, who all sat to my left. Then, there was Spitfire, Fleetfoot, and Soarin', who was just about to finish his delicious pie when the owner of this house, Moonlight Aura, appeared after walking down the stairs.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation everypony” she then looked around, looking for something “Where is Princess Twilight, and her friends?”
“They haven't arrived yet because of the heavy rain outside” Spitfire replied. I heard Ire grumble and stood up.
“Can you explain why you called us here? I was just making my way to the bookstore when that dumbass Derpy Hooves dropped your invitation letter on my face” she demanded with a glare and furrowed eyebrows which is always stuck even when she's not angry.
“Uh, I was walking in the Everfree Forest when I saw a bright flash that nearly blinded me” she explained. We glance to see Fleetfoot stood up.
“Just what in the hay are you doing in the Everfree. You do know that Forest is dangerouth right?” she said with a lisp.
“Uh, yeah nothing really happened except for some items laying on the ground after the flash” Moonlight said. That made me more curious.
“So, what stuff did you found?” I asked. She turns to me and smiled.
“I'll show you” Moonlight's horn glowed, and she shows a rectangle black box.
“It's just a trash box” Ire deadpanned, receiving a grunt of surprise from the unicorn mare. It's obvious she is offended by Ire's comment.
“It's inside the box, Ire!” she said. She opens the box, revealing some sort of red notebook, and some kind of piece of paper that is shaped in a strange way.
“More trash? And is that scrap of paper shaped like a monkey?” I was little amused to see Moonlight sigh in annoyance and Stormlight let out a soft giggle at Ire's rudeness.
“It got some purposes, Ire. This paper scrap is used for a charm called 'Sachiko Ever After'”
“'Sachiko Ever After'? That's a weird name for a charm” Writer mused.
“That's what the notebook calls it, or whoever named it” Moonlight opened the notebook and showed a page titled after the name of the charm "According to what it says here: the charm is centered around a folk legend in Tenjin”
“I haven't heard of that place before” Soarin'.
“Yeah, let alone Pie World” I added. Soarin' glanced at me with a smile.
“Let me just continue my explanation,” Moonlight told them before continuing her speech “There was a girl named Sachiko-” Writer eyed her with curiosity upon hearing another alien word “-who went missing 30 years ago, possibly in the elementary school she studies in. It is said her spirit wanders the earth, and she is given powers to grant wishes and ease worries to others”
“This Sachiko sounds very nice” Fleetfoot thought. I agree with her. Sachiko does sound nice, but I wonder how she went missing. Did she got lost in the wilderness? Moonlight nod her head in agreement, even the cocky and heartless Ire Heaven agreed with us.
“I can't help but agree,” she said, “She's as sweet as my Stormlight” she pulled Stormlight closer to her but Stormlight playfully pushed her away.
“Ehehe, I'm not that sweet” she blushed and averted her gaze from everyone in the room.
“Oh, come on, Stormlight, admit it. You are cute when your denial” Moonlight teased. Stormlight's cheek turn redder, to which Moonlight, Writer laugh in amusement before Moonlight continued her speech “Okay. The charm is intended to commune with Sachiko's spirit and, if performed correctly, Sachiko will pass through and grant the chanters her blessing. Those involved in the spell will be bound together as true friends for eternity” She lowered the book to look at us with a cheeky smile. Reactions from everypony as immediate, especially Writer Rhyme, Soarin', and Fleetfoot.
“Bound together as true friends for eternity? Now, that's cool!” Writer exclaimed.
“True friends for eternity? As in forever? This is so exciting” Soarin' said.
“Well, what are we waiting for? Let's do the charm!” Fleetfoot gained everyone's agreements, including Ire, who glanced at Stormlight with a happy smile that is so rare to see on her face.
“But what if we performed the charm incorrectly, what will happen?” Spitfire asked, and the atmosphere suddenly felt serious as Moonlight looked at the page of the strange notebook.
“Well, if performed incorrectly...” she stopped and was looking at the page silently for a few seconds before speaking with frustration evident both in her voice and her expression “I couldn't read the whole sentence. There is something black smudged on the page”
“Let me take a look,” Writer said. Moonlight nodded and gave him the notebook. He examined the said book for a few seconds “Whatever smudged on the page, it isn't ink. Strange” he gives Moonlight the book “So, how do we do the charm?” Moonlight flipped the book to the next page and read the contents aloud for us to hear.
“It says, in order to the charm, at least two to ten participants are needed. With the paper Sachiko doll in hand? Mm... I wonder what's a hand. Let's ignore the hand thing. Everyone must need to gather around in a circle and each individual must grip firmly onto the paper doll. Then they must invoke Sachiko by chanting the phrase aloud or in their head 'Sachiko-San onegaishimasu' one time for each participant present. After chanting, everyone holding onto the paper doll pulls it apart, leaving each person with a paper doll scrap. It is important to keep the paper scrap on their person” Moonlight finished, ignoring the last word.
“That isn't so hard. Let's give it a try” Ire said. Even though she doesn't seem excited, I knew she said this because of Stormlight. They were friends since when they were young.
“I don't think this is a good idea, everypony” Spitfire said.
“Don't be a scaredy-cat, Spitting Fire!” Ire snapped at her “Besides, we don't even have to wait for that lavender princess of Friendship and her friends to arrive. We can do this by ourselves, right Stormlight?” I saw Stormlight gave her brash friend a weak nod. Moonlight seemed happy by Ire's unusual and strange enthusiasm.
“Okay, gather everypony. Remember, we have to do this in circles, and Thunderlane did you just sleep during my explanation of the charm!? Get your ass over here! ” we did as she told: we group in circles and Moonlight floated the paper doll to the center of the center “grab hold of the paper” everypony did except for Spitfire, who hesitated. I was standing beside Thunderlane and Spitfire, which is a plus ~❤️ I like it when captain stood next to me “Then chant the phrase” she was the first pony to chant, then everypony followed.
“Sachiko-San onegaishimasu” she chanted.
“Sachiko-San onegaishimasu” Writer chanted joyfully
“Sachiko-San onegaishimasu!” Ire chanted with pride.
“Sachiko-San onegaishimasu” Stormlight chanted in a whispered tone.
“Sachiko-San onegaishimasu!” Soarin' cheerfully chanted
“Sachiko-San onegaishimasu” Spitfire chanted. She sounds worried, but I didn't bother to look at her since it's my turn.
“Sachiko-San onegaishimasu” I said calmly.
“Sachiko-San onegaishimasu” Thunderlane chanted with a smile. We tore the paper doll together, and I somehow slip a shriek when I heard a clap of thunder. We stared at each other for a few seconds until Ire spoke up.
“Did it work?” she said, looking at Moonlight with a frown.
“I guess so,” Moonlight said “Everypony, make sure to keep your paper scraps to yourselves. Don't lose it” Ire nodded
“Okay,” she said before looking at Stormlight and smiled. She said something that I couldn't understand but it seems nice when Stormlight smiled widely. They then hugged.
“Even in my passing” I turn and see Soarin' muttering to himself while staring at the paper scrap which lay on his hoof “Spitfire, Fleetfoot, Thunderlane, and Windy Breeze will be my friends for eternity” his solemn expression gradually turn into a look of joy, even shedding one tear “Wonderful” he then sobbed, earning an annoyed look from Ire.
“You don't have to cry, flycolt, geez!”
“Windy, we're going to be friends forever” I turn to see Thunderlane, talking to me.
“Of course,” I said “Even if peril overtakes us, our relationship will not rot” I was very happy. I got this feeling, the same one I felt when I become one of the Wonderbolts.
Then, we heard somepony knock on the door. Moonlight came to answer the door “Ah, your highness, welcome to my house!” everyone inside the house stopped celebrating to see Twilight outside the door, behind her was a bored Rainbow Dash, a nervous Fluttershy, a beaming Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity. I also noticed Princess Twilight's assistant was with them along with Trixie, and a stallion I hadn't seen before.
Suddenly, Pinkie's tail began to twitch violently, and her hindleg began to kick, narrowly missing Applejack's face “Twitchy tail, pinch knee, something scary is going to happen!” as soon as she said this, the floor began to move.
“What was that?” Writer asked. The floor was moving slowly but I already recognize it.
“An earthquake!?” I spoke up. Then suddenly, the floor suddenly violently shook, knocking furnitures to the floor, and a terrified Stormlight, who was caught by Ire. The rest of us managed to stand up.
“Everypony, stay away from furnitures as quickly as possible!” I shouted but the shaking was too strong. Then I heard a crack.
“Princess Twilight, help me!” I glance just in time for Moonlight to disappear into a large hole forming on the floor and coming right at me and everypony inside the house.
“Everypony, get back, get back!” Spitfire shouted. We ran away from the large moving sinkhole. I heard Stormlight yelp. I turn around to see her laying on the floor, possibly she tripped on her hooves and fell on the soon to be destroyed floor.
“I-Iree, save me!” I watch as Ire turn tail and came to her damsel in distress. She helps Stormlight stand up just in time for the floor beneath them to collapse.
“A hole on the floor, seriously!” Ire yelled along a screaming Stormlight as they are swallowed by the hole. I just witnessed three of my friends die. I heard Writer yelp. I turn to where the stairs, now just a gaping hole. Seriously, did weigh Writer too much for the staircase to handle?
“Everypony, we're going to sa-” Twilight's yell was cut off when the door frame collapsed. Now, it was just me, Thunderlane, Fleetfoot, and Spitfire.
“Everypony, use your wings!” I then just realized that I have wings. Silly me, well every pegasus in the house forgot about our special appendages except for our captain Spitfire. We flapped our wings just in time for the whole floor of the living room to fall in the darkness of the hole “Everypony okay!?” Spitfire glanced at me, and the other three “Good-” and she was hit by a wooden beam to the head. Great, and there she goes.
“Spitfire, No!” Soarin' five in an attempt to save Spitfire. Both of them disappeared and it was just me and Thunderlane left.
“Oh no” well what now!? “The ceiling is caving in!” great. Now we're going to be featured in a newspaper. I'm glad we became so popular in the the
WHAM!
Something hit my head hard. My vision immediately become blurred until only black remained. The last thing I remember is Thunderlane being cut off.
“Windy- Ah!”
The pitch black darkness gave way to reveal a blurred vision. I moaned in pain as I lay on something rough. How was I alive? Well, I don't know, why don't you go and ask the author. Whoa, where did that come from anyway!?
I quickly remember what happened before I went unconscious. I was inside Moonlight Aura's house, we performed a charm. Or maybe a spell, there was an earthquake, I saw Moonlight, Stormlight, Ire Heaven, I went for the staircase and... Fell.
What.In.The.Hay!?
Did the staircase cannot support my weight? Wait, is it calling me fat? I'm not fat! I slowly look around “...Where am I?” I was in some kind of room, a classroom perhaps but this classroom have seen better days, everything look so old, even the tables would agree would me, since some of them are even broken "I was just with everypony inside Moonlight's house...” I have no idea how I got here. I cautiously stood up, making sure not to fell and make friends with the old wooden floor. I was right, I was in a old classroom. The old green background is the clue. I turn around and saw a windows behind them. How odd, their styles are unique. I used my magic to try opening on of them but it didn't budge, not even a little “I couldn't open this one” it look aged. Maybe it got stuck because the room or perhaps the entire building is rotting? If this classroom is old, then the school too as well. I look around and found a torn paper on the wall I took it and took a look at its contents. It wasn't Equestrian, but i knew this is a Neighpon language since I studied to go to that country when i was teen.
'Tenjin Elementary School'
“Tenjin?” Elementary School? Tenjin? Those weird names onces again. First the charm, then this rundown school? Am I dealing with unknown creatures speaking unknown language? I guess not, but if I'm going to meet one soon, I hope they're friendly, they better be cause I don't want to be chased by some sentient creature yet.
As i was walking around the classroom, everything began to shake. Oh no, another earthquake!? I ducked to a nearby desk just in case the ceiling above me suddenly collapse but to my surprise, it was the floor beside that is going to collapse. I yelp and jumped out from the desk just in time for to it be swallowed by the hole. I whimpered as in fear as the earthquake continued to shake everything.
Then, it came to an end.
I sighed in relief “Thank Celestia, it's go- UWAH!” just when I though it's over, a part of the ceiling decided to detach and hit the floor one inch away from my head. I froze in shock. I just almost died. Maybe I should go out of this classroom before it collapse on me. I guess that is a good idea.
I approach what it seems to be a door. Although it looks weird and the style is also foreign but it's still a door. I opened it and I immediately regret my choice.
It was dark.
Now, now, before judging my, I want to tell you something. Do you know I feel about darkness? Yes, that's me. I don't like dark areas, it gives me chills. I immediately shut the door “Oh, please, not at this rate” I spoke to myself. But if I remain here, I'll starve or die of thirst. I'm glad we ate dinner before all that earthquake happen.
I'll just have to sit down and wait for somepony to come in.
...
I waited for several minutes. Nopony came. The silence began to give me chills. I'm very worried for my friends too. What could have happened to them? I sat on the wall of the classroom. I finally decided to leave this classroom to find my friends. I let out a sigh and stood up with some difficulty due to my nerves not listening to me. I'm still shaking from fear, but i decided to try to ignore it. I slowly walked towards the door and slide it open using my magic, revealing the same dark empty halls. As i was going to step out, something went into my mind. Will my friends ever know that I'm here?
“I have to leave some evidence that i am also in this school” I told to myself. I closed the door and began to search for anything useful. I found nothing, except for the wooden beam, the same piece of the school that almost claimed my life. I pluck it off since it was actually embedded on the floor between a tiny gap which was become large upon impact. I went to the podium and wrote my message.
To my friends. It's me, Writer Rhyme. I woke up in this classroom.i waited for a few minutes for anypony to arrive, but I got bored and decided to search for anypony. If somepony saw this, can you please wait for me to arrive?
By now, I carved words to the podium. The letters are slightly messy but still intelligible. I couldn't help but feel ashamed for damaging the podium, but atleast I have a good reason to why I did it. I cast a light spell, before opening the door. I went out of the classroom and into the halls of Tenjin Elementary School.
I walked cautiously, not wanting to fall through a hole. The atmosphere here is very cold, and i felt somepony is watching me. If i was one of my the Wonderbolts, I would have glance around to find my mysterious watcher but i'm just a unicorn writer, not a trained acrobatic pegasus. I don't want to know who is watching me but I'm curious of their intentions. Perhaps they are a guardian of some sort or a spirit trapped in this abandoned elementary school.
Forgive my thoughts. I think i read too much horror novels.
“Ghosts aren't real” I muttered in hopes of calming myself down. I looked to a discolored paper on the wall. It read.
Be aware of the hidden watching eyes that are observing you and every step you make. Make a wise decision before confronting them
“This doesn't help either” this message made me more unnerved of this place, but i think it's right not to ignore its advice. I paid anything to where I'm walking and somehow avoid having my hoof stuck in a hole large enough to fit my hooves. Not long after, I reach the stairs. As I was walking down the staircase, i felt my hoof touch something which is not wood, and I heard a rustle. I looked down to see a comic book.
“Wait a minute, isn't this my Power Ponies comic which Windy borrowed?” the comic book was pick up by a glowing yellow aura. I examine the comic and saw the owner's name written on the back cover.
Its my name!
There is no doubt this is the comic book i bought at the comic store, and Windy borrowed it from me yesterday. There is no doubt Windy is also in the School. And mostly likely, everypony who had fallen into the whole during the earthquake.
“Windy...! Windy, can your hear me!?” I shouted. To my dismay, I don't hear any reply, maybe because I'm still at the stairs? I hastily walked into the first floor.
“Over here!”
I heard a voice. It didn't sound like Windy, but rather somepony else. It sounded more young than Windy and the tone of the voice is soft, and kind, but hints a little fear into it.
“Stormlight, is that you!?” I called out to the voice. I didn't waited. I immediately trot towards one direction.
“Over here!”
My trot suddenly becomes a gallop. I could see a figure, a figure of a pony! I was happy. I won't be alone this time!
“Stormlight, i-!”
*crunch!*
“Ack!”
*Thud!*
I stepped on something while i was galloping and i fell on the wooden old floor with a yelp “Oww... What did i step on?” I look behind me with one eye open since my other is closed from the pain I felt on my forehead.
My eyes widened, maybe a little. What i saw is a skull, or what remains of it. It was crushed by something, most possibly is my front hoof. By the looks of its remains, it shape is oval. It was facing away from me since I don't see any features of any teeth, nose, or empty eye sockets. I knew this is not the remains of a pony. I jerked away from the corpse in mild surprise.
“Why in Celestia's sun is there a skeleton here?” I stood up. Then the voice came. It sounded near, as it the source is just beside me.
“OveR hERe...”
I glanced down at the corpse, not only at its bed but also the body. It was a body some unknown creature. By the looks of it and judging the position of its remains, it walks on two legs instead of four. It wore some kind of dark green clothing and white grey skirt. I guess it's female. What made me glance at the carcass is because the voice was actually there.
“yOu...YoU are nOT HuMAn...” it spoke “iT DOeSn'T mATteR. I PrOmISED tO Big bRotHer, I WiLl hElp AnYONe...” the skeleton began to move and rattle. I took a step back.
“Wh-What?” I said unconsciously. I gasped as something floated out if the skeleton as it twitched violently. The floating thing manifest into a blue flame.
“You must be one of the new victims” the blue flame said “I felt so much pity for a creature like you to find yourself inside this cursed school”
“Cursed?” I lifted an eyebrow. So, this Tenjin Elementary School is cursed? I decided to voice my thoughts “So, Tenjin Elementary School, the place where i stood now is cursed?”
“Yes” I decided to call it a she since she sounded like a mare, or female “Me and my friends are sent here because of a charm that we thought could make us friends forever”
“Why didn't you try to escape the school?” I said. I will soon regret for asking that question.
“Because we can't” the blue ghost sorrow fully replied, “This school is occupied by ghosts from its past. A ghosts like me, and they are certainly not looking to talk to you peacefully. They'll have your head displayed on the walls if given the chance” I felt my fur stand up in alarm. Could I blame myself that I found it disturbing to have your head cut off? ”If you ever see one of them, especially the one wearing a red dress” the blue thing, now confirmed to be some kind of ghost wasn't finish “If you die in this school, starved or killed, you will the pain of your dying moments for all Internity”
“S-Seriously!?” I was so shocked to hear that I took a step back without even knowing “That is so unfair. Why would anypony do this!?”
“I don't know. I don't even know the intentions of whoever owned this place” the ghost looked at her carcass “All I know is they have already killed countless students of different schools from elementary to collegee, even teachers” she looked back at me “But don't worry all about that pain and suffering, atleast you can die together with your friends”
“Not alone?” realization came to my mind, including the comic that a friend borrowed from me “Do you mean my friends are also inside this cursed school!?”
“I have sensed two groups of individuals who recently entered the school, both consists nine members. One of them is you” she told me. If i was happy earlier when i found out his best friend is somewhere in the decaying building, i am now scared and worried. A place filled with ghosts is the last place Windy would want to go, even if she's as brave as the Wonderbolts, Shadowbolts, and the E.U.P. The others would also have the same reactions, most likely Stormlight, who is the youngest of the group.
“No, no, this is so horrible. I have to find Windy and the others fast!” I turn around.
“You won't find her” the ghost stopped me. I gaze at her with anger.
“And what's that supposed to mean!?” I demanded. I don't want to stick around with this ghost and her corpse for too long.
“You are both in the same school and in the same place but not in same space. The school is made out of several spaces”
“for example, a friend of yours could be standing on the same spot as you, but if you and they are in the different dimensions, you meet each other face-to-face. The very easiest way to enter other spaces is... turning into a ghosts as me” she pointed her 'claws' herself.
"Sorry, i don't have any plans to die, and even if these different spaces and the other ghosts will never stop me from finding my friends. Never!” I bravely said at the ghost. At first, I though I made her angry since she was staring at the me with surprise. Then, she smiled.
“You have to keep that kind of personality. Hope are easily dwindle to nothing here” she gave me joyous expression, which turned into a grimace as she clutched her stomach “uuuurgh.... That still hurts” she looked back at me “Good luck, creature” she said before vanished into nothing.
I looked at her corpse and talked to her one last time “Thank you for all the information i need to know” I stood up and backed away. I wanted to show my gratitude for her, but how? “I wanted to express how I'm thankful, but i couldn't find any. I'll come back soon” I leave the corpse alone.
It wasn't too long before i reached the entrance. I stood in front of the door as if blocking its way. I wanted to leave, but i could leave my friends behind.
*snip!*
*snip!*
Author's Note
The ghost Writer Rhyme spoke to is Matsuzaki Atsuko from Hiroo Senior High School. She was stabbed on the abdomen by child spirit and bled out.