Curse of Pinkamina

Darkness. Darkness was all he could see. Darkness was all he could feel. Wherever Clay was, it was cold, dark, and unforgiving, as he tried to make sense of where he was. He could see the occasional shadow flicker in the distance as he swam in this dark abyss. He saw shapes that he didn’t recognize in the distance. They danced as he tried to make sense of what they were or why they were there. A faint hum could be heard as the blood rushed to his ears as this dark void was devoid of any sound. Until….

“You’ll be there right? Pinkie could really use the help.” He heard a mare’s voice in the distance.

“Yeah. Of course I will. I just need to meet Firefly first.” He heard his own voice reply.

“Don’t take too long. I don’t want to be eating all those cupcakes by myself.” The mare chuckled.

“I’ll be there soon. I promise.” He replied to the mare.

“I promise….. I promise….. I promise…” He heard his own voice repeat the phrase over and over and over. He began to wish it would stop when suddenly, it changed to another mare’s voice. One that haunted his dreams for ten years.

“Claaaaaayyyyyyy……” The voice whispered in a playful yet eerie tone, “It’s not over yet…. We still have so many cupcakes to make…. And Rainbow is so lonely…. She misses you.” Pinkie’s voice sounded closer now, “Don’t you want to see her again? Don’t you want to be with her? Don’t you want to see the cupcakes she made? They were made just for you….” Pinkie then began to laugh her usual playful giggle, but as she continued it started to warp and change into something more menacing and cruel. It rang in his ears no matter how hard he tried. He felt like he was drowning in darkness as his head filled with the pink mare’s laughter. He felt like his head was going to explode as Pinkie laughed, he shook his head as he tried to drown her out, but it was no use. He screamed as he was being driven mad and then….. it stopped.

Clay awoke with a gasp as he bolted up. His breathing labored and shaky, as his mind tried to make sense of what was going on. When suddenly he felt a hoof on his shoulder causing him to flinch and look at the pony with wide terror filled eyes.

“Hey, hey! Take it easy.” The voice and hoof belonged to a pegasus stallion. He had dark green eyes, a light blue coat, and a dark blue mane with a yellow streak. He gave Clay a friendly smile as he started to calm down and get a sense off his surroundings.

Clay was no longer in the streets, but instead what looked like a house that was falling apart. The only light source that was visible were the candles that were placed around the living room that he and the pegasus were in. From what he could tell all the windows were boarded up with planks of wood and nails. Even the front door was bolted shut making it hard for anything outside access to the building. Clay shook his head in confusion placing a forehoof on his forehead as his head throbbed.

“Where…. Where am I?” Clay asked, as his eyes adjusted to the dark.

“My home; or rather what’s left of it, since this damn fog came in.” The pegasus lit a nearby candle so they could see each other better. Once it was lit, the pegasus turned to Clay who was just realizing that he was lying on a sofa, “Names Evening Storm.” The pegasus continued, but Clay wasn’t sure how to answer his rescuer. Deciding to play it safe Clay tried to come up with a false name.

“I’m…” However before Clay could finish, Evening Storm cut him off.

“I already know who you are.” He looked directly into Clay’s eyes, “You’re Clay… the one who killed Pinkamina.” Clay raised an eyebrow, “Everyone here knows who you are. What you did. It is a small town after all, and murder isn’t a very common thing in Equestria, let alone Ponyville.” Storm continued, as Clay eyed him ready to attack if he had too, “Relax. I’m not a threat… it’s out there that you have to worry about.” Clay sensing the truth in Evening Storms words gives a slight nod and gets up from the couch.

“What happened here? What happened to Ponyville? What were those… things?” Storm sighed slightly as he tried to put everything into words.

“Ten years ago, shortly after you were arrested; the panic and the fear of the incident that was later called Slaughter cube corner was still fresh. Many were looking for answers as to why their friends and loved ones had been baked into pastries and why it had gone unnoticed for so long. There were little to be found, and things only got worse when many of the towns ponies left to be somewhere more secure or away from the crime scene. Soon after the fog arrived trapping anyone that was lost to it. Many tried to find the cause of it, but no one could escape nor could they destroy it.” Storm took a moment to let what he had said sink in.

“You’ve… you’ve all been living like this… for ten years?” Storm nodded silently, his face solemn, “And…. the monsters?” Clay asked.

“They arrived soon after the fog. No one knows where they came from or what they wanted. We began to call them lamenters and barricaded ourselves in our homes as you no doubt saw.” Clay shuddered slightly, as he recalled the disfigured ponies that he encountered earlier. Storm was about continue when suddenly there was a soft tapping followed by the sound of a weeping mare outside the door causing both ponies to go quiet.

“Can they get in?” Clay whispered.

“No… they never try to enter the boarded up buildings. We should be safe.” Clay wasn’t very reassured as there was suddenly a loud bang outside followed by a loud wail that sent a chill through his spine.

“What do they want?” Clay whispered.

“Nopony knows… they usually move too slowly to catch anyone. And no one leaves their homes unless they are desperate.” The sounds of the wailing began to fade as the lamenter left the front door.

“I can’t stay here. I need to find a way out.” Clay muttered, as he began moving past Storm.

“It’s suicide… you’ll never make it.” Storm warned.

“They caught me off guard last time. I’ll be careful this time. Now is there a way out of here that won’t draw attention?” Storm looked at Clay with a mixed expression of admiration and skepticism.

“You can take the basement door and exit from the cellar door. Its locked but I have the key.” He walked over to a table and grabbed a small key handing it to Clay, “I still think you should stay here. I still have some food that should last the both of us for a while.” Clay shook his head.
“I’m not going to starve to death while holed up in a house. In fact… I’m going to find the cause of this fog and destroy it.” Storm looked at Clay silently before giving a slight smirk.

“Well then… I wish you luck. But be careful… believe it or not there are worse things in the fog besides the lamenters.” Clay nodded and made his way to the basement door, but then suddenly stopped as something occurred to him.

“Why did you save me if you knew who I was? Many ponies see me as a killer… a monster.” Storms smile faded replaced by a look of melancholy.

“My son… Luminous Shadow. He was one of the victims of Pinkamina .” He takes a few steps towards Clay, “As a citizen of Ponyville I can’t agree with you killing another pony…. But as a father who lost his son to that butcher…. You have my thanks for avenging his death.” He held out a hoof out to Clay, who took it and gave a firm shake, “Better get going. They won’t be away for very long.” Clay turned to the door and opened it and started to trot down the stairs, but once again stopped when he heard Storm speak behind him.

“Oh one more thing. Avoid the places marked with the signs.”

“Signs? What signs?” He turned around again to speak to Evening Storm, but was met with empty space. Clay looked around and saw no trace of Storm anywhere, even the candles that once littered the living room were no longer burning. In fact they looked like they hadn’t been touched in years, the wax melted to the very bottom. Feeling slightly disturbed Clay made his way down the basement feeling around in the dark hearing nothing, but the sound of his breathing and his own heartbeat. Something about the basement was making him anxious, his breathing and heartbeat slightly increasing as he tried to figure out where Storm could have gone. Fumbling through the dark, Clay was starting to think of things that might be lurking in the dark. Creatures with blank staring eyes and long claws that were eager to rip into his flesh, “Grow up Clay… your mind is playing tricks on you. If anything was living in here he would have warned you…. Wouldn’t he?” Clay’s heart quickened its pace as he continued walking praying for even the tiniest hint of light. When suddenly he bumped into something solid and cold, “Ow!” Clay shook his head and felt around in front of him to feel a metal object, “Found you…” Clay took out the key and fumbled with the lock. Eventually he managed to insert the key and opened the lock allowing the cellar door to open with a slight creak.

Clay emerged from the door and looked around to make sure that the coast was clear. Once he was sure that it was safe, Clay entered the open once more feeling slightly relieved being able to see once more even though that it was still hard to see with the shroud of fog. Shutting the door behind him, Clay began to plan his next move. What Storm had said about the fog was true; no matter how hard Clay tried there was no escaping the fog. So if he had any hopes of escaping he would have to discover the cause of the force keeping him here and stop it, but with monsters around every corner and the town changed so much that was easier said than done, and on top of that he didn’t even know where to start looking. Clay thought of his options all of them looking slim, but there was one option that had a lot of potential, though the thought made him scowl.

“There is only one pony here that would know how to break something like this… if she’s still alive.” He turned to face a familiar looking tree in the distance. It was blurred, but he recognized the outline anywhere, “I have to find… Twilight.”

Clay made his way across the seemingly empty streets keeping his eyes peeled for the slightest movement in the fog. For the most part everything seemed clear, but there was still a twinge of paranoia in the earth ponies mind. Eventually he began to see Twilights library start to form in front of him. He still didn’t like the idea of asking Twilight for help given that they all disowned him when he was convicted. But if any pony could figure out what had befallen the town and how to stop it, she was the one to contact. The tree was now more visible to him and he could see the front door to the library. However his hopes were soon smashed as he saw that the front door was completely boarded up.

“Crap….” Clay tried to think of what he should do next while still keeping an eye out for any lamenters, “She could be inside like Storm was… but there is no way I could find out without drawing attention.” He started to rub his head as a migraine started to form, “Come on Clay… you have to think. If she isn’t home where would she be?” As Clay thought he felt a pressure on his temples, he closed his eyes and kept rubbing them trying to relieve the tension, when he suddenly heard a slight dripping noise. This caused him to open his eyes and look around to try and locate it. It sounded close… too close. Clay started to move and find a safer spot to think, when he felt his left foreleg step in something wet, he looked down and saw several drops of red liquid on the ground. He started to wonder where the blood could have come from when he suddenly felt something under his nose. He brought a hoof to his nose and felt something warm and wet.

“What the…” He looked at his hoof to see that it had spots of blood on it, “A nosebleed…. Why?” Clay muttered to himself before he suddenly heard sounds from behind him. He turned around expecting to see a Lamenter. What he saw was something…Different.

What was approaching the earth pony convict was a creature that he had never seen before, and the mere sight made him feel as if his sanity was slipping with each second. The creature was a pony with two heads but each head and side was different from the other. The head on the right was a pale grey with a black mane and tail with a saddened look on its face, with black eyes that resembled empty sockets. It hung its head emitting moans of pain as it made its way over to Clay. It was difficult to determine the others coat and hair color as it was drenched in blood, its teeth were razor sharp, and its eyes were a bright white that lacked any pupils that unnerved Clay as it looked at them. Unlike the other head, it thrashing around and snarling like a rabid animal. Clay was stunned by what he saw; his mind reeled as he began to wonder how such a thing could possibly exist.

He soon snapped out of his thoughts as the creature was now dangerously close; he back up and seeing no way to defend himself he simply ran. He would look back occasionally to see if the creature was still there, and each time it was. He looked around left and right for a way out, when suddenly he saw Rarity’s Carousel Boutique down the road. Seeing no other options Clay made a dash for the front door praying that it was unlocked. He frantically turned the knob and was rewarded with a click and the door slightly opened as he pushed and forced his way inside shutting the door behind him.

Clay caught his breath and listened to the door for any sign of the creature. He couldn’t hear anything however; no hoofsteps, no snarling, not even the wind, and took that as a good sign. He let out a small sigh as he stepped away from the door and surveyed his surroundings. The interior of Carousel boutique had changed since the last time he had visited ten years ago; the once beautiful purple curtains and drapes were riddled with holes appearing to have been eaten by moths, the wall paper was torn in multiple places and hung limply to the walls. The once immaculate floor was covered in dirt and dust as if it hadn’t been cleaned in years. Knowing full well that Rarity wouldn’t stand to live in a place like this Clay was concerned that she would let her own home get this bad, monsters or not.

He carefully trotted through the building, his chains scraping against the floor with each step. He kept an eye out for any lamenters or anything else, but so far the building seemed vacant. He began to wonder what he should do next since he had to get back to the library and contact Twilight if she was there at all, it was the only hope he had of escaping this nightmare.

“And then what? You think they’re just going to let you walk out of here? You’re no better than those monsters to them. As you no doubt saw all those years ago.”

Clay gave a slightly angry huff as he checked one of the rooms. It was true that all of his aunts were quick to see him off to jail despite the fact that they knew what he had witnessed and why he had done what he did. He knew that killing was one of the worse crimes he could commit, but how could he just let Pinkie get away with what she had done not just to him, her best friend, but to all those other ponies and families that had lost someone because of her; and besides he was still family. Certainly they wouldn’t just throw him to those monsters… would they? As he searched a dark and empty room to try for one of the windows, his mind flashed back to the moment he found his mother strapped to the board, her chest sliced open and vacant of any organs. Her eyes glazed over and lifeless as she lay there, before he flashed back to reality. Ignoring the memory he tried the window to find that it was locked and boarded.

“Fuck…. Not getting out that way.” He turned around to exit the room, but as he entered the doorway he suddenly heard a noise that wasn’t there before. It was faint and coming from upstairs, but he recognized it from when he was younger, “That sounds like Rarities sewing machine.” He looked up the staircase with a sense of curiosity and dread, “I should just walk away… right now.” He sighed and made his way up the stairs following the hum of the sewing machine.

He arrived at the top of the staircase and listened for the machine. It led him down the hallway and past several doors as it became progressively louder. Clay began to mentally check each room trying to remember what each one was for. As he trotted deeper and deeper down the hall he finally came to where the noise was the loudest… Rarities room. Clay opened the door, making it emit a loud creak. As the door opened Clay realized that there was someone else in the room working on the machine, even in the dark he could recognize the fashion mares silhouette.

“Rarity?” He whispered, half wanting to approach her and half wanting to leave before she saw him. She was still working on whatever dress she had by the looks of it, so there was a good chance she hadn’t noticed him yet. But then again maybe he should talk to her? She might know where Twilight was and then he could escape this nightmare. Before he could make a choice one way or the other, Rarity spoke.

“Sweetie Belle… is that you?” She asked, still not looking at him. Clay remained silent his heart pounding, “Have you come with those fabrics I asked you to get? This dress cannot be finished until I have the right materials.” Clay said nothing, what could he say? What could he do? “Please come here Sweetie… I need those supplies…” Clay couldn’t put a hoof on it but something about his aunt was off the more she spoke. Why wouldn’t she turn to look at him? “Oh! Of course. How silly of me.” She gave a dainty laugh, “You must be waiting for your present. It is your birthday after all.”

“Birthday… what?” Clay murmured.

“It’s over there on the desk. I hope you like it Sweetie.” She waved a hoof to the side still refusing to look at ‘Sweetie’, “Go on now. I looked in every shop for it.” She said cheerfully.

Not sure of what else to do, Clay cautiously trotted over to the desk where a small blue present lay wrapped in a deep purple ribbon. The room was dark but he could make out the shapes of her mannequin’s around the room. Which given the current circumstances gave them a sinister and unnerving feel as their eyeless faces seemed to stare at him. Clay reached the desk and with slight hesitation he opened the present meant for Sweetie Belle. He reached into the box and pulled out its contents, inside was a small flashlight that he could pin to his chest.

“The batteries are already inside Sweetie. I wanted to save you the trouble.” Rarity giggled.

Clay attached the flashlight and pressed the button. A small circular light shone illuminating part of the room. Clay turned around observing his surrounding, spotting fabrics that were covered in dust, mannequins that were worn and tattered; even the floor was covered in a fair amount of dust. As he turned to Rarity he gave a slight gasp, but Rarity didn’t seem to notice. As the light shone on the unicorn it revealed that she was in the worse state he had ever seen her. Her mane was dull and disheveled as if it hadn’t been taken care of in years. Her body was thin revealing her bones under her white coat which was stained with what looked like old dried blood and even more sickening large chunks of her flesh were missing as if someone had cut it with a knife.

“Rarity…. What…. What happened to you?” Clay asked in an audible tone, not even trying to sound like Sweetie Belle.

“Whatever do you mean Sweetie? I’m fine.” She replied, happily still looking in front of her, “Oh… you must mean my skin. I simply needed some more materials for my dresses but there were none to be had. Luckily I myself am made of such wonderful materials.” Clay stared at her, stunned by what he had heard.

“You… you did this?”

“Why ever not? A dress maker is nothing without her material’s for her dresses.” Suddenly she levitated a nearby blood stained knife and started to carve a small portion from her cheek. Clay gave a startled scream as he covered his mouth in disgust. She levitated the slice of flesh and placed it onto the cloth that she was sewing, “There we are.” She said happily ignoring the fact that her face was bleeding profusely.

“Oh goddess…” Clay gagged, almost losing his lunch.

“Really Sweetie Belle. You act as though you’ve never seen me sew before.” Rarity responded, still working on her grotesque creation.

“Look… Rarity… I need to know where Twilight is.” Clay finally managed to keep his stomach under control.

“Twilight? Why she’s over at Sweet Apple Acres to talk with Applejack. Honestly Sweetie, do you ever listen to a word I say?” She replied, completely demented.

“Right… um… I need to head over there so I can get some… cider so we can keep working.” Clay said, starting to leave the room.

“Of course. Some cider would be most appreciated.” She started to hum what sounded like the art of the dress as she continued working, while Clay made his way back to the hall, “Oh…. And by the way…” Clay stopped as Rarity spoke, but unknown to him a small smile had formed on the unicorns face, “It was nice seeing you again Clay….” Clay turned around sharply to confront Rarity only to find that the room… was empty.

“That… that’s not possible… she was right there…” Clay babbled to himself, as he stared at the now empty and quiet room, the machine had been turned off, or maybe it was never on in the first place. “Am I going crazy?” He tried to rationalize what he had just witnessed. Not just now with the room but everything before that. The monsters, the fog, the storm, Evening Storms sudden disappearance, none of it was adding up, “What the fuck happened here…” Clay muttered as he quickly left the boutique; hoping to never return to this place again.