Author's Note
HELLO! this story came to me in a dream so it is a little everywhere! If dreaming or thinking of these things indicates I have a problem please let me know! I don't care if you like the story I just want to get it done.
-ErrorPanda
The Shed
The Shed.
Bucking apples, it was tough work but you were up to it. You were a very strong and independent mare after all, and today was like any other. simply doing what your cutie mark entailed, those without cutie marks could not understand the simple satisfaction that brought. You are Applejack, bearer of the element of harmony known as honesty, friend to princess twilight sparkle, and hero of Equestria. Your resume is quite extensive if you ever to acquire another job but, that is not necessary for the apple farm is the most successful farm in Equestria.
After you finish work you normally either hang out with friends, cook with the family or simply take a nap. your life is a enjoyable one, and not much can bring you down. One of your pride and joys is your little sister Applebloom, she is a goofy young filly who always seems to get into mischief. Sometimes however she does something particularly, unintelligent, and is able to get under your fur, but that is mainly because you worry about her, at this moment after work on the farm you realize Applebloom has not finished all of her chores.
You know from experience that she is probably making trouble with her friends, and you should probably go check on her to make sure they have not done something unsavory.
”I wonder what she is getting up to this time?” you silently ponder to yourself
”Hopefully they ain't pullin teeth again” you paused for a moment lost in thought, then you pick up the pace, your first stop being her and her friends joint clubhouse. thankfully it is nearby as you watched them construct the humble tree held abode.
You climbed up the ladder and confidently pounded the small treehouses door. after a moment of shuffling the door opened to you, you could feel your smile turn into a frown when you noticed that both of your sisters friends, Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo, were accounted for, But not Applebloom.
”oh... *ahem. scuse me but have yall seen Applebloom around? she I've been lookin for her.” you asked calmly to the two smaller fillies, they looked between each other slightly puzzled at your request. You felt a small pit in your stomach as you began to worry.
”oh!” exclaimed Scootaloo, ”She had to leave for a moment to check on her weird shed thing.” calmly explained the little orange pegasus.
”yeah!” added Sweetiebelle, ”She hasn't been gone that long! we can show you where it is!” exclaimed the unicorn filly, jumping to her hooves.
”yeah just follow us!” continued Scootaloo as they both pushed past you out of the treehouse. You of course are a little miffed that they almost pushed you down the ladder, but knowing that Applebloom was safe cooled cooled you off so you let it slide.
After following the ”Crusaders” as they would cutely call themselves. You came upon a small rundown shed. it was a peculiarly creepy in nature, made from sides of sheet metal and had a simple flat roof. The door looked cheap as well but the main interest is that you had never seen something like this before in your life. It was apparently made by Applebloom but everything is old and rusted. It is partially hidden from view by trees meaning you could only see it if you came from a certain angle.
You decided that it must be a job venture in a particularly unfortunate position. This often happened with their escapades. you heard some clangs coming from the shed so you decided applebloom was inside. you troted over to the door and gave it a knock, *Thud. *Thud. Went the door and you did not hear the sounds change at all.
”must be working hard on whatever is in there” you muttered to yourself sliding the door open to see a very crowded shed, full of boxes and broken furniture. Becoming slightly annoyed at her antics you plunged into the shed pushing past boxes and climbing over furniture, you pass over the large mount and jump off it and you fall.
You fell.
The thought entered your mind that you were falling longer than you should be. your brain switched on alarms as the floor which was not were it was anticipated failed to show. Time slowed, light had faded as it was blocked by the mound behind you. a yelp leapt from your throat at this unexpected turn, yet your hooves found the floor and you were flooded with relief as it was only a few inches lower than you had anticipated, nothing to worry about.
You landed safely on the cold hard stone.... wait a moment. the floor wasn't stone you think, quickly looking down you see the floor is constructed from large stone bricks.
”What in the tarnation” you mutter swiftly looking around in the dark musky hole you find yourself in. looking left and right you see that you are in a dark pony made looking tunnel that reminds you of the sewers of Manehatten. either side of you are dark musky hallways that lead out to darkness. Behind you is what appears to be the entrance to the shed behind you fused with the wall. it looks almost natural.
suddenly she shock of realization shivered through your spine, your sister was not here. a familiar adrenaline coursed through your veins, you had dealt with your fair share of world threatening events but you were not expecting this one. the hair turned damp and musky making breathing difficult.
”APPLEBLOOM! YAH HERE?” you shouted into the tunnels, nothing came back. Not even an echo it was like the sound was absorbed by the walls.
”aw shoot,” you mumbled looking around once more before steeling yourself and after straightening your Stetson you looked for any signs of Applebloom. after staring at the stone floor you notice a red hair caught on one of the stones leading to your left. Taking one last look at the door you set off into the abyss.
strangely, you were not coated in darkness when you left the area filled with dim light, as it seemed to follow you around.
”at least I can see around me” you think darkly, wishing that you would find her quickly. Just after the door gets out of sight you come to a T intersection, After considering both option you conclude that Applebloom would probably would not go left a second time, taking the right path seemed like the safest option anyhow, you weren't sure why.
This next path was much longer, the dead silence and the low visibility started playing tricks in your mind. Gritting your teeth you shooed off these illusions, until you had to catch yourself from falling out of the tunnel as you had stumbled upon a large open room, with a staircase lining the sides going both up and down the room which seemed to expand downwards into the abyss as well as upwards to more blackness.
”Well, its probably just night time here or there's a roof.” you whispered to yourself, hoping to try and ward of the pit of fear that had been growing in your belly. You take a look around, seeing that the whole complex is made from that same stone bricks, as well as there is still no echo. Taking a second look around you see that the large spiral staircase around the room is doted with hundreds square holes similar to this one at equal intervals.
”What kind of crazy ponies would build this?” you asked yourself looking over the edge into the abyss, feeling the pit in your stomach grow the longer you looked at it. You still saw no signs of Applebloom, but decided that maybe she would hear you if you shouted out here. After all if she had went this way she was probably looking for a way out and was going up.
Steeling yourself you then tried to shout your sisters name. ”applebloom” you whispered frustrating you tried once more but all that you could get out was but a whisper.
Instead of thinking that it had something to do with this strange place you tried to shout with all your might. ”APPLEBLOOM!!!” the sound range clear and true tearing out of your mouth as if it was champagne being uncorked, and you felt some of your dread fade away. But when silence filled its place you could feel it enter you and bring with it a sudden dread and fear of the worst.
Now frantic you shouted her name once more ”APPLEBLOOM!!” the only difference is that this time there was an answer. ”what?who?” You could not make out the caller but filling with hope you unleashed another ”APPLEBLOOM IS THAT YOU?!” Once again there was silence, then a faint, ”what are you?” the voice was raspy and slithered its way into your ear from below. This was not your sister.
You hear the voice coming from below, that deep pit of fear, now you understood why ponies weren't afraid of the dark, but what was in the dark. Your voice caught in your throat preventing you from responding when you heard it speak again.
”My, my. Aren't you a bright one. you practically glow!” The voice was now coming from across the dark room which you could not see past the shade that was being cast into it.
”i-*gulp*I am lookin for mah sister, Applebloom you seen her round these parts?” stumbled out of your mouth as you took a step back to the entrance of the tunnel.
”Sister? If you mean another like you? Then I have not seen any at all.” It rasped out in a tone that carried both male and female qualities.
”I have not seen any such as you before. Oh do not be afraid small one. My intentions are as pure as the shadows.” You sensed that this creature was lying, you frowned and stepped forward as menacing as you could muster.
”Now you listen here!” you exclaimed ”Don't get up to no funny business with me, just tell me where mah sister is and I'll be headed out” you stomp your hoof for emphasis, and you sense the creature recoiling. and you could hear it move around both walls at once, you reasoned it was large enough to stretch between the two.
”I guessed a thing like you would not enjoy it here, I can lead you to your sister. If you give me something in return, since you dont want to play the fun game. ”
Sensing truth to it's words you replied ”Yeah, no games! just tell me where mah sister is and uhm, what is it you want exactly?” The creature maneuvers over to you, still unseen and it snakely whispered
”Your sister is not here, this I know to be certain. You are not my prey and this confuses me much, So I have a question. It leans in revealing the gross disfigured head into the dim light emanating from you.
”Are you edible?”
The creatures head, you could see, was but a disfigured snake like tube ending in a cone like structure ended with a flat toothy mouth. when it spoke you could see rows of mangling fangs in its maw. It had no eyes and you could barely see the outline of its skinny insect like proportions and its large claws gripping the stones in the wall. You held back a yelp and stared at the creature in its red tinted uneven carapace.
Any normal pony would have fainted, but you are no average pony. You instead turn and buck the creature in its unnatural face with all your might. you feel your back hoofs slam into this things jay and you feel it bend like the mouth of a metal can. You then take off down the tunnel to the sound of a deafening screech. and not a moment to soon you hear the scrape of claws in the tunnel behind you. following the clop of your hooves.