Insanity (Hallowe'en Special)

The Mind Of A Maniac

Chapter 1:1

By: Shadowflash

Hello, there, reader. You're probably wondering "Why am I here, wasting my time? I could be wandering outside and playing hoop'n'stick!" Well, let me tell you... You're here because you're intrigued. Intrigued by the mind of a madman, and my soothing, and inaudible, but readable, words.

I know what you're saying, too. Don't leave just yet. Push through this story that I have to tell, and I assure you that you may, or may not, be a little... Spooked; or have a shiver tingle up your spine. I know I have, and I will. Enough of me talking about you, however. This, is about me.

I wrote this a while ago, back when I was a boy. I was having awful dreams, and they wouldn't leave me alone. My parent's told me 'It's just your imagination'; which is true. Our mind is filled with euphoria, serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Confusing, aren't they? At the time I thought these were just pointless things. But, when I read over my thoughs... My... My dreams; it seemed to go a lot further. The passage isn't long, but, it is very in-depth. Read well, dear reader. This is my story, and I want you to enjoy it.

**

The day is a beaming and extravagant one. The radiance of the star above Equus was illuminating a rainbow of light overtop the entire land below; known as Equestria. Equestria was always surrounded by many other areas, or 'states', such as the Griffon State, The Islands of Eve, The Northern Provinces, et cetera.

The lands around Equestria aren't the significance, though. The specification that's being looked at is one, small, town. It falls beneath the beautiful, mountain city, of Canterlot. Canterlot looms its golden towers down upon the town, creating the most blissful sight in Equestria; asides the goddesses own creation: Equus itself.

It resides many farms, mostly Apple and Carrot, around said town, and many commodities within. There is a library, a furniture store, a sweets store, fashionista shop, animal care cottage, many gothic, or perhaps european, influenced houses and a town hall, along with market square.

This town is known as Ponyville. A town where everypony knows each other, and will always accept each other. However, there seems to be a new visiter to the town. He seems to be weary, tired, almost ready to collapse; even. Let's have a look...

**

Just outside of Ponyville, along its large, yellow, roads, was a stallion, covered in a black-like substance, only found in the deepest areas of Equestria. Underneath the black, however, is a gently, chestnut, coat, with a light grey mane and tail. His mane was mow-hawk-spiked from his forehead, down the back of his neck. His tail was swift, and drawing downwards to his hooves, then swerving gently upwards, leaving split ends at the finish of said tail. Upon his flank was a large, gold, pickaxe, smashing into a black rock; leading sparks off of it.

This pony's head was aimed downwards, as bags were under his eyes. It's obvious that the pony is tired, ready to collapse on himself, and fall into slumber. He opens his eyelids, revealing his serene-blue eyes. He lets off a sigh as he looks into the bustling town, and then smiles.

"Finally. A place to rest." His voice was rough, coarse, even, as if rubbing sandpaper against your voicebox.

The stallion trotted into the town, spirits lifted now that he may rest. Before he gets about ten hooves in, somepony interrupts him.

"Oh, I'm s-sorry... I didn't see you there..." The voice was soft, squeaking, and coming from very low in front of him.

He looked downward to see a mare; pink mane, curling around her head in a heart shape, with a pink tail, falling gently to the ground - along with butterflies for her cutie mark. Her coat was a faded yellow, and her eyes were a bright blue, close to the colour of the stallions.

"Huh? Oh, it's fine. I'm just tired. I really need to rest." The stallion helps the mare up, seeing that she is on the ground.

"O-oh? N-new here in Ponyville...?" The mare seems nervous, stuttering as she speaks.

The stallions nods, "mhm. Just came from the south and I'm tired as all heck. I feel like collapsing right now. My name's Coalbit, by the way." Coalbit, the stallion, lets out a hoof for her to shake, and she just backs away, falling into her mane.

"Oh... Uhm... My name... Is.. Uhm... Fluttershy...", the mare said, inaudble to Coalbit.

"Uhh... Butterpie? Sorry, I didn't catch it.", Coalbit perked an ear up, and the mare repeated.

"Flut... Fluttershy... So-sorry." Fluttershy, the mare, apologized for being inaudible.

"It's okay. Do you think you can help me out? Trying to find a place to stay tonight." Coalbit smiled, pulling his hoof away, seeing that she won't shake it.

"Well... There's an inn not too far away... I guess I could bring you there." Fluttershy let off a small smile, and Coalbit nodded.

"That'd be great of you. Lead the way, Fluttershy." Fluttershy bounced her head gently, up and down, turning around and walking in front of Coalbit.

Coalbit soon followed, taking in the scenery around him. The houses were very plain, but, he assumed much from a farm town. The houses are timber-framed, with distinct thatched roofs, and overhanging upper floors. They all match each other, with the odd set of flowers, or door numbers changing it up. The only thing that popped out was the giant tree library, along with the town centre. Other than that, it was pretty normal.

As Coalbit followed Fluttershy further, they reached their destination. He was greeted by a longhouse, with the same thatched roof, but with multiple doors of a teak material, along with a large section in the centre jutting out; labelled 'Manager's Office'.

"This is Ponyville's Hay 'n' Stay Inn. It's not bad to stay in to relax. I hope you enjoy your stay, Coalbit, but, uhm, I need to go to my house and work on some things. Uhm.. If that's okay.." Fluttershy smiled, meekly, and Coalbit nodded.

"Thanks. I owe you one. See ya around!" Coalbit started walking to the Manager's Office, and Fluttershy walked off, softly singing...

Hush, now, quiet now...

Coalbit's ears perked up, and his head turned. Fluttershy was gone, but he was slightly enthralled by those lyrics. Something about them didn't stick right with Coalbit... But, he pushed forward, however, and entered the office. He was greeted by a small office space, along with an oak desk in the centre. The walls were a plain sky blue, and a few plants sat in the corners of the room.

Behind the desk sat a pony, leaning forward reading a paper. The pony had a bright yellow mane, and a gentle red coat. The eyes upon the pony were a green colour, complimenting the red coat, but contradicting the yellow mane. It was odd. The mane the pony claimed to the body was slicked back much like Coalbit's.

"Uhm, hello?" Coalbit asked. The pony looked up, and smiled.

"Oh, hello." The pony's voice was soft, and feminine, as it spoke, and Coalbit smiled.

"I'm just looking for a place to stay for the night? I'm really tired and I want to just fall down face first!" Coalbit chuckled and the mare giggled.

"Certaintly. I'm Ms. Hay, by the way. Your name is? Just for record keeping, before you ask." Coalbit smiled at this.

"Coalbit. How much for a room?" The mare looked over a small, red, book below her and spoke.

"Twenty bits for two nights. So, ten bits a night." Ms. Hay looked back up and Coalbit pulled out a small sack of bits, and sat them on her desk.

"I'll take the two nights, then!" Coalbit smiled.

"Well, here's your key; room number thirteen. Enjoy!" Ms. Hay passed him a key, which contained a tag attached to it labelled 'Thirteen'. It made Coalbit shiver; the number being one of bad luck, but he shrugged it off, walking out the door, and walking down the longhouse, counting the numbers as he passed by.

"Here it is," Coalbit smiled as he approached the red door labelled '13', opening the door with the key, then walking inside.

He sighed as he looked around. There was a bed to the right of him, big enough to fit an entire family of parasprites (Which isn't big, but, considering parasprites multiply faster than anything known to pony-kind...). Other than the bed, which has a red-velvet blanket upon it, there was two cabinets to his left and a bathroom near the back.

Coalbit just shrugged and dove onto the bed. He rested his head on one of the pillows that was sunk into the bed. He aimed himself upwards, looking at the plain white ceiling. Coalbit grinned softly, closing his eyes. Blackness started to overcome him...

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to lay your sleepy head...

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to go to bed....

That... The song... Why is it here...? This... I... I don't understand.

Driftin' off to sleep,

Leave the Exciting day behind you...

Driftin' off to sleep,

Let the joy of dreamland find you...

Why...? Why are you here?... I heard you sing it. Who are you? ... Stop it...

He shot up; greeted by blackness, still. His eyes weren't adjusted to the room, quite yet. He glared around him, looking for anything to focus on; light, at least. As he looked, he could make out objects in the room. He found that there were many candlesticks, tables, and cabinets, now in this room. Unable to see, though, he couldn't be for sure what they were detailed as...

Where... Where am I...?

This wasn't his Inn room. After his eyes mostly adjusted to the darkness, he found that this was a completely different room altogether. There was a fireplace across the bed, to his left, along with three tables -- containing candlesticks -- and two, large, cabinets to the right of the fireplace.

In panic, Coalbit shot out of the bed. He raced immediately to one of the tables, finding that there was a large flint striker for him, and he ignited the candle. The room illuminated enough for him to see that this was no longer the plain white room he was in. No, this was different. The walls were made of mahogany, and detailed to look like pillars. The ceiling held onto a chandelier, which was holding onto thirteen candles. Oddly, there were fourteen spots for them, but, one was missing.

"He-hello? Is somepony there..?" Coalbit called out.

No response.

"If this is a joke, please come out. Where am I?" He pleaded to the darkness, a bit of worry slurring in his voice.

Still, no response.

Is this a dream...? No... It's too real. I never dream this vividly. Hallucination? No... I don't do those things... What is this...?

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to lay your sleepy head...

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to go to bed....

"Fl-Fluttershy?... Are you there..?..." Coalbit slowly paced forward near the fireplace.

It ignited, spontaneously, and made Coalbit jump back, hitting a table, making an unlit candlestick fall off. A giggle echoed through the room. Coalbit started to let off a bead of sweat, looking up at the chandelier. W-What's going on...?

"Fl-Fluttershy... If this is about me using you, I said I'd pay you back. Honestly... Just... L-Let me go home..." Coalbit was pleading the air, but no response came.

Coalbit sighed, standing up. He grabbed the candlestick and balanced it so that the wick was staying lit, within his mouth. He walked around the room, and found that there was a door near the south-east corner. He trotted to it and opened it. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a brightly lit hallway.

The hallway had multiple wall-candles, jutting out of gilded holders. In between each set was a suit of armour, fitted around a mannequin of a stallion. The armour gleamed as light bounced back and forth in the hallway, creating shadows beneath it, which also loomed bounced and forth.

As Coalbit stared at the shadows, something was creeping up on him. It was snarling, and making his mind recoil; almost literally. Coalbit jumped forward, and turned around. There it was. That face. The slash across its left eye. The soulless pits of despair. Its toothless mouth. The massive chains that burdened its neck. This wasn't a dream. No, this... This was a nightmare.

Coalbit immediately turned and started to run down the corrider. The creature following gained way, keeping up with Coalbit and lashing out at his tail. Coalbit jumped, gaining a bit more speed, and continued to pace forward. The hallway continued for what seemed like miles. The creature allured itself closer each time Coalbit gained speed, and was slowly nipping strands of hair from his tail. Coalbit was wincing, and as he turned to look, he smashed into something, immediately dazed.

He looked up, feeling dizzy; rattled, even. Slowly, he felt dripping on his forehead, and saw the creature snarling over him. It opened its mouth, letting blood slowly drip onto Coalbit's face. Coalbit couldn't help but grunt and hold in his urge to just punch the creature. Slowly, it started to sing...

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to lay your sleepy head...

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to go to bed....

"No... F-... Fluttershy...?" Coalbit muttered.

"Sleep... Sleep... Dream... Never wake..." the 'Fluttershy' like creature snarled and started to walk away.

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to lay your sleepy head...

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to go to bed....

"I... I don't want to sleep... No...!" Coalbit slowly curled into a ball, placing his hooves over his ears.

"Please, shut up! I ... I just... I just don't want to! Please, stop the singing! Stop it! Make ... Ma-Make it stop!! Please!"

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to lay your sleepy head...

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to go to bed....

"Come on, I give up... Kill me! KILL ME! I don't want to be here!" Coalbit was screaming out his lung. The song continued to echo, repeating the same four verses, over and over, in his mind. It blasted out anything he said, getting proceeding louder, and louder.

Eventually, it all went black.

**

"... And this is patient number three dash seven, zero, zero." A pony was pointing through a bright screen, as he was covered in a darkening field. The pony wore a large top hat, and a monocle over his left eye, sporting a beautiful brown mustache that crossed over his upper lip, and down the sides of his muzzle.

"How'd he get in here?" A thick voice asked, and the pony pointing answered.

"Well, that's a good question. A resident of Ponyville reported screaming coming from room thirteen at the Hay 'n' Stay hotel. As they went inside, the entire room was covered in odd symbols and languages nopony has seen for over three hundred years!" Everypony in the room gasped, as the head pony nodded.

"I know, it is very intriguing. But, he was put in here because he was yelling for the 'voices' to stop. Something about a 'Flutterpie' or 'Buttershy', I'm not sure what the file said, but, he continued rambling her name; saying to stop the singing. We put him in this sound proof room, and he continues to lose his mind." Everypony was commenting on the spectacle in the dim window.

What was sitting in the room was a pony, sitting on their rump. Their mane was grey, along with their tail, and they wore a large, white, jacket, keeping their forehooves bound to their sides. The pony was rocking back, and forth, back, and forth, repeating...

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to lay your sleepy head...

Hush now, quiet now

It's time to go to bed....

"She can't hurt me... Don't let her..." Coalbit said, quietly.

The End

Have a SPOOOOOoooooooKY Hallowe'en, my readers! Gahahahahahahaha!