Dr Whooves MONSTER

Chapter 9

It was seconds, perhaps not even that long. The very moment I was out of her sight, Fluttershy dashed inside the party crowd, on the lookout for her friends. One in particular. Finding her eating a candy apple, Applejack smiled and asked, “Where’s Dr. Charming?” She snickered.

“It was a mistake coming with him. I should have never done it.” She shook her head before grabbing a glass and dunking it in the spiked punch, beside Rarity, who turned at the sound of her words.

“Dr. Nuts! Trouble! Where is he?” she smiled.

“I told him to get me a glass of wine.”

“Ouch, you were that mean?” Applejack said, impressed.

“I hate wine,” Fluttershy sighed as she took a large gulp of her punch, finishing the cup in one go.

“What was it that started this?” giggled Rarity.

“He’s just like all the rest. Sure, he has more decency than them, but his kindness only lies in what he can get from me, just like all the Mane in this town.”

“Hey,” Argon interjected.

“Sorry, Argon, girl talk. Mind getting me some wine?” Rarity assured him, to which he only rolled his eyes, setting his helmet back on, and leaving at her request.

Once her man was gone, Rarity turned back to Fluttershy. “First off, thank you for ruining my date. Second, Fluttershy, you’re far too picky. But I must admit, Dr. Nuts—I never thought he was your type.”

“It isn’t his age nor that ridiculous story. I wish people would stop teasing him over it. It’s just mean.”

“Then what is it, then?” Applejack asked, half-interested, as she grew bored of the conversation, diving back into her candy apple.

“I just don’t feel comfortable. If I don’t feel comfortable, then what’s the point?”

“Why, You don’t feel comfortable with anyone; you’re shy,” Applejack interjected. “Hell, it took you three years in our friendship to actually start coming out of your shell. Remember, we’d include you and all you would do is remain quiet unless we directly asked you something.”

“What, you want her dating Dr. Nuts?” asked Rarity.

“All I’m saying is she needs to be a little more open to the idea. But no, Dr. Nuts I think is nothing but a coward. You can do better than him.”

“But that’s the thing! In this town, there are no better than him; they’re all the same.” She stomped her hoof. “I’m going home. When Dr. Hooves comes looking for me, please tell him I felt ill,” and retreated from the party. “I hate Nightmare Night anyway. Such a stupid holiday.” She groaned before taking out her fake fangs and tossing them on the table.

But as she began her leave, she bumped into another figure. A tall one, in a riled-up pumpkin orange suit, matching hat with a horn and antler sticking out, a purple bow tie, and claws for hooves. But the face was a scarred pony. He also had one weathered-looking hoof and a lizard-like leg and tail.

Fluttershy gasped in shock at the sight of him, before realizing it was nearly an impressive costume. After all, everything was fake tonight. “Wow, you look amazing!” she said at him, as did the others who turned their heads to see him.

“Thank you,” he said in a deep, gravelly voice. “Happy Nightmare Night.” He grinned wide with a writhing grin. One tooth was a sharp fang that slid out of his mouth, looking too real.

“Never seen you before,” Applejack tossed in.

“Ah yes, I’m afraid I’m from out of town. Just here to visit a family member.” He nodded before looking around the room. “But it’s a party and I just got here. Why are you leaving so soon? I couldn’t help but hear something about date trouble,” he interwove. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

“No, it’s okay; it’s not that big of a deal,” Fluttershy smiled as he took in his height once more. He was secretly tall, standing nearly twice her size.

“Is that so? Well, I don’t know any ponies, and I’m looking for a bit of fun. Care for a dance?” He raised an eyebrow. His eyes were a haunting blood ruby red, while her amber eyes almost glowed.

Rarity and Applejack exchanged glances and then turned to Fluttershy, who sat with her mouth shaped in contemplation, pondering if she should or not. “Umm, well, it is a party.” She turned to her friends for support.

They both gave a nod, and Rarity shooed her away with a flick of the wrist.

Turning back with a grin, she gave a curtsy and handed the colt from out of town her hoof. With it, he kissed it and pulled her to his side and over to the dance floor.

With the sound of the next song playing, a rather upbeat jazzy one with a hint of piano, he effortlessly took the lead, swinging his hips in tune with the music and guiding her along with him, to which she did not mind.

Meanwhile, after squirting her glass of wine, I turned about to travel back to where I last left her, only to find her on the dance floor with a man I had never seen before. Accidentally, I broke the glass with one twist of my wrist, as I furiously watched her.

She giggled and laughed as he spun her around, holding onto her with such ease. Her hands on her hips—something I didn’t even get to do when I danced with her. Imagine my rage when the mare I brought to the party was dancing with another colt. The red wine staining my jacket, looking like blood, was the least of my worries. “Who is he?” I growled, caring not for the glass on the floor or my good jacket.

I sat watching like a hawk, no more like a lion, as I encircled the two like prey. Every step I took around the room, among the cheering crowd who clapped for the two, was more precise than the last.

He effortlessly spun her around, making her giggle, and when the song came to an end, he dipped her with ease. All the while she had a smile on her face, giggling as she went until she saw me from her dip. Her eyes widened for a moment but soon narrowed as he brought her back to her feet.

“Oh, there you are! Ha! I’ve been looking all over for you,” the stranger announced as he lowered the brim of his hat, shading his eyes.

“And just what is the meaning of this? Who are you?” I nearly barked.

“Time Turner!” Fluttershy shouted.

“That is Dr. Hooves to you!” I snapped back, my hoof clenched in a fist. “And you, care to answer my question?”

The man chuckled. “Really? Do you not remember me? We go way back, don’t we… Father.” He growled the last word as his red and amber eyes glowed from the shadows of his hat.

It was right there and then I recognized him; how could I not? Looking into his gaze, the horrible nightmares of the last twenty years played into my mind. The sight of those eyes. The way he rose from the table. Soon, a chill ran down my spine, and sweat began to pour out of every fiber in my being. Raising my hoof, I visibly shook, lunging for Fluttershy, pulling her away from him just in time, as a burst of magical energy so strong, the entire occupancy of the party, was nearly blown away.

“Father! What does that mean?” shouted Fluttershy as the wind tore through the hair.

“It’s him,” I stuttered, nearly falling to tears. “It’s my monster, come back for revenge.”

With a powerful gust of magical energy surging through the air, it blew back the crowd in shock and horror at the sheer strength. The creature then reached for its bag and began walking up and down the table of sugary sweets and wine.

“Please!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. “Don’t hurt them; do what you want to me, but lay not a hand on the innocent.”

A small chuckle came from the creature's throat, only to rise to a glorious evil laughter that froze all in the room.

“Oh, you father,” he continued to chuckle as he swayed left and right. “I have come for no such reason. I am here only to do two things. First,” the monster quickly snatched a plate of chocolate muffins and set them in his bag. “For each piece of chocolate offered to me, I will spare each pony. And look,” he grinned viciously. “There is plenty here for the entire town! Haha,” he laughed as he began snatching every piece of the substance and set them in his bag.

“And two, to ruin your good reputation. Haha, think of it, father,” he snapped back towards me. “Twenty years go by, and you constantly warn about the monster of the forest, but for no one to believe you.”

And then just like that, he clapped his hands. “I appear before the crowd as a warning. Those who from now on offer me chocolate, I shall not harm, but even better, think of what they will think when they learn your little secret.”

“What’s the secret?” asked a terrified Sir Aragog.

The creature's smile only widened as his eyes narrowed. “You want to know why you now must live in fear of me? It’s because of this cursed soul.” He pointed his eagle-like claw at me. “What will they think when the public knows you grave-robed the body parts of different species, strapped them tighter, and used dark magic to bring to life a monster, all because you wanted to see your little friend again?” He laughed harder.

He then reached into his bag of candy and pulled out a large leather book I recognized as the same one I used so long ago.

“This here is a spell book, but not just any. It is known as the book of chaos and harmony, for it has some of the most powerful spells in all of the world. Such as…” He flipped open a page. “Ah, one of my favorites! Haha," he raised his hand and cast a mighty spell. What he uttered, no one could tell, but from the stone ground of the church sprang thousands of mighty black roots that whipped around the crowd and forcefully held them for dear life. Many tried to run or struggle out of them, but the more they struggled, the tighter the vines held, trapping them in the embrace of the monster's twisted control. Amidst the screams and gasps of horror, terrified of being caught herself, Fluttershy dashed under the tables. Once there she crouched down, holding onto a table leg for dear life, and began to mutter to herself. “There’s no monster; it’s all fake, it’s all fake, just a scary prank, just a scary prank.” She cried and whimpered.

“Just a little taste of my power,” the monster chuckled ominously as he showcased his subsistent ability. He then turned back to the book in his hands, delicately stroking its pages. “This book is my mother, and you, Dr., the man of science, are my father,” he chuckled as he rose to his full intimidating height, as a vine snatched my leg and held me dangling from it upside down, until I was face to face with him. Its face was scarred and gross, skull-like as I remembered. Stopping his hat, he revealed his horn and antler, as his amber eyes glared into my very soul, full of malice.

He seemed to size me up for a moment as he took in my features before chuckling again and stroking his beard.

“Although I must thank you for my good looks. After all,” he flexed his manticore lion arm, “look at these guns. The other arm, not so much,” he shrugged his shoulder. “But the face sure looks good. The scars do give me quite the rugged look, would you say, father?” he laughed again as he scratched my face with his eagle-like claw. I could feel it, like a blade scraping across my cheek.

“I dare say, father, you could use a few to match. Perhaps then people would see how ugly you truly are inside,” I growled before letting my lips falter to a grin again. “Hmm, but after tonight, there will be no hiding, will there? So I suppose there’s no need. No one will ever trust you again after tonight, for now, it is because of you they must live in fear, just like you do. Haha, and you thought my visits were just in your dreams. As if! Hahahaha!” He cackled as my entire body shivered under his gaze.

“This was clearly his plan—waiting for the right moment to strike dread into my soul. His taunting words were true in every sense. I had done everything he said. As I listened to the crowd around me, I knew it was my fault, and that I could do nothing but listen to his laughter echoing among the cries for help. There and then I pleaded for mercy by any god willing to hear me. For the things I’ve done, a mere atheist for years, now on my hands and knees, if I could beg for this to stop.

“They’ll come after you; they’ll destroy you,” I warned, trying to sound stronger than I was. But the shiver in my voice gave away my emotions.

“Hmm, perhaps they’ll try, but with my newfound powers, I, the Lord of Chaos, will not be defeated so easily. And besides…” He leaned closer to me and set his arm around me as if we were old pals. “My life was ruined the day I was created; now it’s your turn.” He patted me, if not slapped me on the cheek, before turning back and began ransacking the place for as much cash as he could get his hands on.

The princess, though, sounded the alarm, and with it a set of guards began breaking down the door into the church.

“Oh darn, guess it’s time to go,” he mused, opening the book to another spell. With a wave of his hand and a single word of which I could not pronounce, the air itself cracked and crumbled away, leaving a doorway into a different space. The space I recognized. It was none other than the old throne room of that dark castle in which I brought him to life.

“Ahh, home sweet home. Well, I am sorry to leave on such short notice, old man, but you know how these things are. Ta-ta for now, but don’t worry, I will be back next year, and every Nightmare Night, just to visit you,” he patted me on the chest before heading through the portal. “Oh, and here I was, almost forgot my candy, haha,” he snapped his fingers and held out his hand.

His candy bag then floated upward into the air, flipped around, taking not just the candy but the entire set of tables full of food. As if it were a vortex with mighty winds, it pulled whatever he wanted within the confines of the bag. The strange thing was, the bag itself did not grow, but seemed to be an endless black hole, never taking. Never did anyone suspect at that moment, nor did I, that Fluttershy, due to how frightened she was, hid underneath the table, would get sucked right into the bag too. Once all of it was gone, the bag returned to its owner’s hand along with his hat. With one last dark chuckle to himself, he entered through his doorway just as the church door broke through, and the guard glided into the room.

But it was too late at that point. With a simple snap of his fingers, I watched as the doorway closed, leaving nothing in its path, as if it never existed in the first place.