Deep within Pony-Chan's Magical Emporium, one cursed artifact whispered to its owner continually. No matter how far the proprietor went, its voice somehow reached his ears. Even in the little ponies' room.

"You're driving me mad," he grumbled.

"Not mad ENOUGH! Sell me to some innocent victim!"

"No. I know what you'll do to anypony who wears you."

"True...when placed around a pony's neck, I shall overpower that pony's personality with my own madness. But--"

A cloaked unicorn approached the counter. "The Great and Powerful Trixie returns! She demands to buy that necklace."

"No," the shopkeeper said. "I've warned you before! The Alicorn Amulet is far too dangerous."

She whined, "Trixie wants it!"

"Young mare, you are the most obnoxious pony I have ever--"

He looked at the amulet, then at Trixie again. "I doubt the amulet's mind-warping powers can make you any more annoying than you already are. Sold!"

Author's Note

I wrote this for the 2022 April round of Loganberry's Flashfic 150 contest, themed "The Haunting." (link)