Ego's, they tend to pop up every now and again on a certain individual. There are times when a person lets their inner ego get the better of them. Which gives them the urge to show off how amazingly talented, handsome, or beautiful they are, which tends to be annoying to some . However, there comes a time where having an ego can surprisingly be a good thing. These right here are called egotists, to put it in layman's terms, egotists are sports players who were born with a hidden talent that outshines their teammates, which is a great attribute to have on a team in order to reach the top. But this too however can lead to downfalls, as one athletic teen is about to find out.......................

"What do you mean I'm off the team?!" Boomed a voice that echoed throughout the parking lot of Canterlot high. This voice belonged to non other than Lightning dust, one of the star athletes in school behind both Rainbow Dash and Spitfire. The latter was completely shocked at the fact that her captain announced that she was off the volleyball team the second she showed up for their usual team meeting in the parking lot.

This news came as a surprise to the young athlete as she begins to ponder on what exactly she did that caused her teammates to turn on her. But she would soon get her answer.

"I meant what I said Dust" Spitfire said sternly. " Your off the team"

"But why?!" Lightning Dust interjected. " I've been on this team for 2 freaking years! What could i have possibly done to make you guys kick me the star athlete to the curb?!"

"What could I have possibly done?" Cloudkicker replied in a mocking tone. " First off Dust, it's that damn ego of yours that's pissing us off, and quite frankly we're tired of it"

"What an athletes not allowed to do a little showboating after a victory?" Lightning Dust defended.

"Not if its for every single game" Blossomforth cut in. " And it's not just that, you barely cooperate with us or follow the game plans, you just act like your the only person on the team. Plus you barely even pass the ball to any of us, or let any of us score a single goal"

"What are you talking about?" Lightning Dust asked. " I pass it to to you guys sometimes"

"You mean once or twice a game?" Spitfire replied. " The point is Dust, you think the team revolves around only you, and that your the main focus like a protagonist in an anime, movie , or video game, while we're just the NPC's or side characters to you"

"Oh come on Spitfire!!!" Lightning Dust shouted. " You know damn well this teams not complete without an egotist. Plus I'm the reason we finally beat those damn shadowbolts during last years friendship games, and you already know about my dream of competing in the olympics one day? I gotta put up a show if I'm to be scouted by any of the pros and the top rated colleges in the city"

"You , you, you, It's always been about you dust" Spitfire replied. " This is what we're talking about, your ego's out of control Dust. And honestly, I don't think it's ever gonna change, not even Dashes ego is this huge and she's able to keep it at a reasonable level. I'm surprised it took me this long to see your many flaws, I'm sorry Lightning Dust, but I won't allow such behavior such as yours on the team. We already put it to a team vote and it was anonymous, even coach agrees with us. Our decision is final dust, your off" With that the entire volley ball team nodded before walking away, Dust however wasn't about to give up and grabbed onto her former captains arm.

"Captain please, you can't do this!!!!" She cried out. " I've been looking forward to this game all year, my entire families flying out to see me play as well! I'll just die if you don't let me play please!!!!!" Spitfire however, yanked her arm out of Dusts grip.

"I'm sorry Dust" She began. " But our minds made up, your off, and that's final. But if ya do manage to keep that ego of yours in control, maybe we'll let you come back next year. Now if you'll excuse us, we gotta get to practice, you have until Friday to turn in your uniform. Have a good day Dust" With that , the entire team walked away , not even bothering to look back at the shocked athlete whom stood in place, still stricken about what just transpired. Lightning Dust began to breath heavily as she watched her now former teammates walk away from her, the realization that she was officially dropped from the team shocked her to the core. But the teens shock soon turned to burning rage as the retinas in her eyes began to change into a sinister looking red color.

Lightning Dust let out a loud roar as she slammed her fist straight into the back window of a car, with the shattered glass landing onto the the road with one of the shards flying towards and cutting her cheek slightly. The teen didn't even flinch when the shattered window cut into her wrist and hand as she continued to snarl angrily, her retinas still the demonic looking red color along with some veins popping into her forehead which signified her true anger towards her former teammates from their "betrayal" towards her.

A few minutes later

We now find Lightning Dust sitting inside the office of non other than Principle Celestia, who was looking all kinds of upset at the teen, especially given that the car window that she smashed belonged to non other than her younger sister and the Vice principle of the school , Principle Luna, who was just as furious at Dust for the damage towards her Hyundai Sonata especially sine she just bought the thing. And now has to pay for the damages to her destroyed window. After a short silence, Principle Celestia finally spoke.

"Lightning Dust" she began. " I am deeply disappointed in you, just because your upset about something, that doesn't mean that you can take your anger out on someones private property. And now my sister has to pay for a new window on the car that she just bought, and not only that, and I had to practically bribe her to stay outside given how much of a short fuse she has, cause there's no telling what she'd say or do to you after what you did to her precious car. also you could have seriously damaged your arm permanently if you hit the window any harder"

Lightning Dust looked down at her now bandaged arm and hand before finally facing the Principle of the school. " I'm truly sorry Principle Celestia, I didn't know there was a car in front of me when I lost my cool, I swear"

Principle Celestia let out a sigh before speaking again. " I can understand that Lightning Dust, I can see that it was an accident. But like I said, you shouldn't let your anger get the better of you. I understand that your upset about being kicked off the team, and no I can't convince them to bring you back, that's for coach Will to decide. But again, that's no reason to damage someones private property regardless if it was an accident or not"

"I know ma'am" Lightning Dust replied as she lowered her head in shame. " I'm very sorry"

"I know you are" Celestia said. " Since you didn't know there was a car in front of you, and that it was an honest accident. I'll let you off with a warning just this once, but I'm gonna assign you to see the school therapist in order to handle that temper of yours starting next Monday. Do I make myself clear?"

Lightning Dust was silent for a moment, before reluctantly answering back. " Yes ma'am"

"Good" Celestia replied. " You may go home now, have a good rest of your day " With that, the teen nodded before collecting her backpack , exiting the room. As she made her way to the outside hallway, she was met with non other than Vice Principle Luna who looked all kinds of pissed towards the teen who ruined her new car.

"Don't think this doesn't mean you ain't paying for the damages to my car brat" She said angrily before stepping into the office, slamming the door behind her. The teen didn't even bother to try and apologize , as it wouldn't matter as she probably wouldn't accept it anyways. The teen just sulked silently and proceeded to leave the large building, all while coming into terms that her career of representing Canterlot High was officially over.

Later that afternoon

Inside the residence of non other than Lightning Dust, we find the parents of said teen sitting comfortably on the kitchen table eating dinner all while the couple silently recollected at her daughters behavior after coming home an hour ago. After being informed of their daughters expulsion from her sports team, the couple tried to comfort their sulking child but to no avail as Lightning dust simply chose to just sulk in her bedroom for the rest of the night. She didn't even bother to tell them the truth about her damaged arm and hand in order to avoid getting grounded, and instead told them that she fell down the stairs and injured it on impact. As they continued to eat their meal, the couple remained visibly worried about their daughters sudden mood.

"Frank" The woman began. " I'm worried about Lightning dust, she's been locked inside her room for the rest of the day since heading home, she didn't even want to have dinner, I don't even know if she showered"

"I know how you feel Pearl" Frank replied. " If I got kicked off one of my sports teams back in Highschool, I'd feel the same way too. But maybe it's for the best, as this could be that girls wake up call to control that ego of hers before it gets her into anymore trouble"

"I guess" Pearl said. " But still.........................

"I wouldn't worry too much dear" Frank jumped in. " Lightnings a tough girl, she'll get over it eventually. And who knows? Maybe they'll let her back on if she learns to control that ego of hers? The best we can do now is to leave her alone, as it's probably not a good idea for us to try and console her when she's in this state. But one things for sure, we'll have to take her to an actual doctor tomorrow to look over that damaged arm and hand of hers just to make sure it isn't infected" Pearl didn't say anything, but simply nodded in agreement at her husbands response, all while silently praying that her daughter feels better soon.

But I'm sorry to say, but this was easier said than done. As laying in her bed sulking stood non other than Lightning dust who remained visibly upset at her former teammates decision earlier today. The realization that she was no longer part of the team after putting in a lot of work these past two years, and now she'll be skipping tomorrows big game. Whats more disappointed is that her relatives from out of state will no longer have a reason to fly out as she was no longer playing, and to make matters worse, this game could lead to the CHS volleyball team going to the nationals if victorious, and she wouldn't be a part of the experience of going against high school teams from across the globe. As she stared at the selfie she and her teammates took from their last game, Dust let out a long growl.

"I can't believe they did this to me" She said to herself. " They just up and crush my dreams of going to the nationals , all because I made a few mistakes! I was so looking forward to this game , and to see all my relatives cheer me on when I go on to the nationals, and now it's all gone. My hopes and dreams shattered ! Spitfire..................I hope you get run over by the rival teams bus"

"You don't need them" Came a voice from out of nowhere, which earned the sulking teens attention.

"Your far better than either of em. They're just jealous of your talents"

"They don't see that your the most superior athlete"

"They took you for granted, they crushed your dreams"

"Yeah...............they did , didn't they?" Lightning dust responded.

"They sure did, how selfish of them, they don't deserve someone as amazing as you"

"No they don't............................"

"Those traitors don't deserve to play the big game after what they did to you, they deserve to suffer"

"They deserve to feel the exact same pain that you felt when they stabbed you in the back"

"You don't need them my child.........................you don't need them"

"Yeah.............I don't need them" Lightning Dust said in a sinister tone as the retinas in her eyes turned back into the demonic red color from earlier today when she smashed her arm into Principle Luna's car window. " You traitors cost me the nationals, If I can't play.............................neither will you guys"

Friday night

The night of the big volleyball match between Crystal prep and Canterlot high has arrived, the bleachers flooded with both students and families of the respected athletes ready to enjoy the match. The sounds of cheers echoed from both sides as they all waited for their respected teams to step onto the court, with this match deciding on which school is going to the nationals only made the crowd more and more excited , given the fact that one of their respected schools might be making their way to the nationals if victorious. There was no doubt that this game was gonna be epic as it decides it all, but I'm sorry to say that this match was about to take a dark turn........................

Inside the ladies locker room, we find the entire volleyball team all suited up and ready to play as coach Will finished going over the game plan one last time before they stepped foot onto the court. " Alright girls, this is it. After months of training, the big day has finally arrived, we kicked those shadowbolts asses last year, and we'll do it again and rub it in their faces when we win this match and head on over to the nationals while they stand there and watch, now lets get out there and give the audience a good old Canterlot High welcome!!!!!!!" The entire group cheered as they begun exiting the locker room, ready to have a good match with their rival school.

But as they walked down the hallway, Spitfire noticed a sudden mood change in one of her teammates. " Whats wrong Derpy, nervous?"

"No it's not that captain" Derpy replied. " It's just ............do you guys think we were a little too hard on Lightning dust yesterday?" Hell she didn't even show up for school today, or even turn in her uniform as ordered by both you and coach"

"Hell no" Greta cut in. " We're better off without her Derps, I'm surprised it took us this long to finally kick her to the curb"

"Agreed" Misty replied. " I'm sorry Derpy, but Lightnings ego has been out of control since day one. , hell not even AJ's and Dashes ego's are this huge, Dust needs to learn that there's no "I" in team"

"I guess, but...................." Before the cross eyed teen could say anything else, Spitfire placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"This was a hard decision for all of us Derpy" She began. " It really is, but it's true. Lightning needs to learn to control her ego if she want's us to take her back one day. But right now, it's best that we give her space, as shes probably pissed off right now" Instead of responding, Derpy simply nodded in agreement as she knew her captain was right about giving their former teammate some space "for now" With nothing more to say, the group proceeded towards the main entrance of the gym just as the announcer presented the two rival schools.

The entire gymnasium exploded in a chorus of clapping and cheers as the shadowbolts and the wonderbolts entered the court ready to get this game started, son the two groups entered the surrounding area to which the volleyball net stood as the team captains Spitfire and Indigo Zap stepped forward and proceeded to shake hands with each other.

"Sup Zap?" Spitfire said. " You shadowbolts ready to lose to us again?"

"Pfft in your dreams Spits" Indigo redacted. " One loss isn't gonna effect our winning streak, we'll get our revenge, just you wait"

"May the best team win then" Spitfire nodded.

"Hell yeah!" Indigo replied, and with that, the two captains released each others hands as they went to their respected spots ready to start the match, the two teams got into their respected positions as the rep entered the center circle, volleyball in hand ready to blow his whistle to indicate the start of the match. Derpy however was preoccupied with something else as a strange noise can be heard, not from the reps whistle but from somewhere else which got the teens attention. Some of her teammates were quick to notice this and began to wonder what was distracting their cross eyed friend from the soon to be game.

“Derpy, what’s wrong?” Sirrus cloud asked. “ The match is about to begin, why are ya zoning out all of a sudden?”

“Do you guys hear that, Derpy replied as she raised a suspicious eyebrow.

“Hear what?” Greta asked.

“I don’t know” Derpy continued. “ But it sounds strange, almost like…………..something is approaching us?”

“You’re probably just having the nervous jitters” Cloudkicker said. “ Now focus up and stop getting………………….” But before she could say anything else, the mysterious noise that Derpy was hearing grew louder, and it instantly got the other members attention. “ Wait………..I do hear something. What the hell is that?”

The mysterious noise continued ton grow louder and louder as if it was approaching the surrounding area as the teens began to ponder what it was, even the rep was confused as to what the mysterious noise was along with the shadowbolts.

“What is that?” Indigo zap asked.

“Dunno kid” The rep said” Strange, it almost sounds like………………..something revving up” But the entire gymnasium would soon get their answer as the mysterious revving noise grew even more louder until it turned to the sound of something approaching, soon the entire crowd joined into the chat as they too wondered where that noise was coming from, but their confusion would not last long, cause in a split second, the entire gymnasium roared with a sudden bang as a pickup truck crashed straight through the outside entrance , entering the room at top speed. The sounds of blood curdling screams and sickening cracking sounds echoed through the room as the large truck careened into the room moving in various directions as the sounds of panicking students, parents , and faculty could be heard.

After what felt like an eternity, the chaos seemed as if it finally died down as the sounds of the pick up truck were no longer heard, indicating that the wreckless driver was done with their massive stunt. Soon spitfire regained consciousness as she struggled to get up, but found it nearly impossible as her legs felt limb and sore, her vision was groggy at first at as she looked around at the chaos that was around her, the entire Gymnassium was in a battered state as the volleyball nets was completely destroyed along with some of the bleachers, tire marks were scattered along the surrounding area as various athletes lay on the ground motionless with some of their limbs twisted or bent at weird angles as their respected families, whom managed to avoid the chaos, rushed down to check on their respected kids praying that each of em still had a pulse after the impact from the pick up truck, while Derpy, whom managed to successfully dodge the oncoming truck was seen phoning an ambulance all while trying to hold back her tears at the sight of her unconscious friends scattered throughout the court.

Spitfires gaze was now set on the pickup truck, which now stood at the center of the gymnasium with some blood splattered on the interior and the reps motionless figure stuck under the idle vehicle. Soon the driver side door opened up as the mysterious driver soon stepped out, spitfire with her vision still groggy, had a hard time trying to identify the figure as they walked closer and closer towards the shocked and battered teen before kneeling down , the only known feature the fire headed teen was able to identify from the driver was the menacing looking color of her retinas , which were a bright demonic looking red color, the mysterious figure then got closer to Spitfires face before saying in a dark tone.

“You shouldn't have kicked me out” that’s as the last thing Spitfire heard before passing out onto the hard surface .

One month later

The headlines were booming onto various platforms after last months incident, involving the carnage done by a furious teen, 10 students injured , and 3 pronounced dead from the impact of the large pickup truck. The news about this event chilled the spines of many of the onlookers whom were at the scene of the disaster last month, many of the parents and friends of the individuals who didn’t make it were devastated at their loved ones death and thought to themselves “what did they do to deserve that?” This incident continued to blow up on social media as various news letters and online influencers continued to talk about what went down from last months would have been game.

After said incident, the shadowbolts decided to forfeit the would have been match which caused Canterlot high to win by default and to finally move on to the nationals. But given what just went down, a few of the surviving athletes weren’t in the best spirit to play volleyball for a while , especially with their injuries they’d sustained from the impact. Spitfire felt the worst of them all, as she began to wonder if the incident was her fault as she sorely looked down at the two stumps where her legs used to be, as it turns out, the team captain sustained the worst injuries during the impact, while her other surviving teammates were to be alright and only needed to be in various cast for a few weeks until they were ready to get back onto the court. The fiery teen wasn’t so lucky.

As it turned out, her legs were practically crushed after getting ran over by the pickup truck and they were beyond saving, not even the Rainbooms magic was enough to heal them, so they had no choice but to amputate. Spitfire sulked quietly in a corner of her room sitting on her wheelchair as she collected her thoughts. With the fact that she’ll never be able to walk again or to compete in the nationals devastated the teen to the core, but she also questioned herself on whether or not it was her fault for being too hard on the perpetrator behind the gym attack. Speaking of the perpetrator, the bright ember haired girl was soon arrested and brought to court, where she was immediately found guilty for wreckless driving, property damage, assault, and third degree murder, she didn’t even bother to put up a fight as she was dragged away with her parents sobbing uncontrollably at the fact that they won’t see their daughter again for a long while.

As spitfire continued to look down at her stumps, the depressed teen looked back at the day of her former friends court hearing, remembering the sick twisted smile that was written all over the girls face as she was being testified and interrogated. But the one thing that she’ll never forget, was the last words that escaped the girls mouth as she was being escorted out of the courtroom in handcuffs……………………

“It wasn't my fault………………………..”

“The demons made me do it”

Author's Note

…………………………………………….RAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hehe sorry did I scare you? This just goes to show, ya never know how far a persons ego can push em, it can cause em to want attention so bad that they’d do anything for it, even if it mean taking such drastic measures to ensure that they’re the center of attention, and no one else, or they can simply learn to control it as to not cause any trouble, but this is easier said than done as an ego isn’t as easy to contain especially with the size of it, emotions, it’s can vary from many shapes and sizes, but ya never know which one will most likely lead to your downfall if ya let any one of em get the better of you

Well ladies and gentleman, I hope you enjoyed these 4 spine chilling tales of Equestrian terror, and who knows, there might be other gruesome stories out there somewhere, ya never know what kind of horrors are lurking throughout our universe, so be sure to keep your guard up.

Until next time…………..I’m ALoneWolf, and I wish all of you you lovely viewers a happy Halloween 🎃