Curse of Pinkamina

Clay slowly began to open his eyes. His head pounding with pain, and his legs feeling like lead weights. He lifted his head and groaned realizing that he was now on his back rather than his side. Underneath him he felt firm wood, and he soon realized that he was lying on a park bench and observed his fog covered surroundings. Someone or something had moved him from Sweet Apple Acres. Clay gingerly swung his legs over the bench and got his hooves on the ground. He was feeling drained and he wasn’t sure how well he could walk just yet. His adrenaline from the fight with the beast had worn off now and he was finding even thinking difficult.

“Ok… don’t… ugh… don’t panic. Just find someplace to hunker down… get some rest… and everything will be ok… right?” In response, Clay heard shuffling in the fog along with the crying of a Lamentor, “Who am I kidding… I’m screwed.” Clay sighed, giving a tired chuckle as he imagined that this was the end of the line for him. Still he managed to muster enough strength to move at a slow pace, keeping a tired eye out for what was lurking in the fog.

Each step he took felt like a trial on its own. His whole body was wracked with throbbing pain. Weather from the fight or just running so much, or just the stress from the situation he didn’t know. All he was focusing on was moving and trying to find a place to hide. With each step he took he began to hear the hoof steps approach closer and closer.

His heart began to pound as he realized he was walking right into something, but the fog was so thick he could barely see. He tried to turn so he would avoid running into whatever it was. But he stumbled as he moved his deadened legs, they tingled and throbbed as he walked, his heart racing with fear, he could see the faint outline of the Lamentor approaching. What could he do?

Could he fight back if he had too? He didn’t have much time to come up with a decision as the figure got closer and closer. He could hear it breathing as he struggled to move, his window of opportunity was closing, he had to act now. Clay braced himself and lunged at the creature hoping to at least knock it down.

The creature stumbled as he connected with it. It let out a yell of surprise as Clay knocked it to the ground. But what he failed to notice was another figure beside him as it delivered a swift kick to his head knocking him down and off the first creature. Clay rolled onto his back his strength failing him as the figure that had kicked him placed a hoof on his chest pinning him down. Clay gave a cough from the pressure applied on his chest, and he began to mentally prepare for his end. When suddenly he heard a voice; a voice he recognized.

“Clay?” He looked up to see face of Cutter, along with the angry face of Whirl Wind who had been the one to kick him, “Holy crap Clay we almost killed you!” Cutter pushed Whirl Wind off and helped Clay to his hooves. His back bore a saddle bag filled with canned and packaged foods.

“Cutter?” Clay blinked in disbelief as he saw his three fellow inmates look back at him. Just seeing anyone who wasn’t crazy or some kind of an abomination brought a smile to his face, “Oh Luna am I glad to see you guys.” Clay breathed trying to ignore the pain he was experiencing.

“We thought… we thought you were dead.” Cutter replied a small smile on his features as he looked to the earth pony.
“He should be dead. There is no way you could have survived this long on your own.” Whirl Wind huffed not sharing the same happiness as Cutter.

“Yeah… um… sorry Clay. It was rotten of us to just leave you but, Whirl Wind insisted that we leave you… and you weren’t moving so…” Cutter lowered his head somewhat shamefully.

“Forget about it. I’m just glad to see somepony who isn’t crazy.” He hobbled a bit as his legs began to feel heavy.

“So you’ve seen them then… the monsters?” Crimson Hoof said quietly.

“Yeah… yeah I’ve seen them.” Clay replied with a slight shudder.

“You look horrible.” Cutter remarked noticing the cuts and bruises on Clay’s body.

“Yeah... hey look do you guys have a place I could rest? I can barely walk.” Clay asked looking around nervously.

“Yeah. We got a place. Should be safe enough for us to stay in.” Cutter said calmly.

Clay started to walk, but of course he could only hobble. As he fell to his knees he found himself being lefted up by Cutter once more, propping him against his side and carrying the exhausted earth pony.

“This is suicide. He’ll just slow us down Cutter.” Whirl Wind hissed, shooting Clay an angry glance before looking around to see if anything was coming through the fog.

“It’s not like we have to run yet. Now shut up before one of those things hears you.” Cutter shot back.
The four ponies continued in silence through the fog. Occasionally hearing a cry or growl in the distance making them tense up. Fortunately they did not encounter any monstrosities as they walked through the park. Before long they had passed the carousel boutique… only this time the doors were bolted and barricaded from the outside. Cutter couldn’t help but notice Clay staring as they passed.

“Something wrong?” He asked, slowing down a little.

“I just… I just used to know that place that’s all.” Clay replied somberly, remembering the splendor it once held when he was a colt.

“We tried going in there earlier. But the damn place was boarded up tight, couldn’t break in to grab anything without making any noise.” Cutter answered, stopping completely much to the annoyance of Whirl Wind as he and Crimson Hoof also stopped.

“What?” Clay looked utterly confused.

“The damn thing was completely boarded up when we found it earlier. Nopony was getting in or out easily period.” Cutter looked around nervously as Whirl Wind shot him a glance.

“That’s not possible…” Clay muttered.

Whirl Wind opened his mouth to interject, but soon froze as the group heard the unmistakable cries of lamenters coming from multiple directions and closing in.

“Shit! Everyone hide!” Cutter said in a loud whisper. They darted off to nearby half crumpled building to hide. Clay was carried there by Cutter and placed behind a piece of wreckage while Whirl Wind and Crimson Hoof hid deeper into the house. Just as expected four lamenters shuffled out of the fog and investigated where the group had just been. Their bodies mutilated and contorted by wounds and torture devices, “Holy Celestia…” Cutter whispered to himself as he dared to look over the rubble to see the monstrosities before him.

“Get down!” Clay whispered tugging Cutter down from view.

“S-sorry…” Cutter whispered looking down at his hooves apologetically, “Its just… it’s sad… seeing something like that.” Clay said nothing, but his expression softened.

Hiding from the monsters

The ponies stood still in their chosen hiding spots as they heard the lamenters shuffling and scrapping around the park. For a while there was only their investigation to be heard… then it was replaced by mournful crying and wailing. The two ponies flinched from the sudden crying but they kept still and quiet. For what felt like hours they just crouched behind their piece of rubble just listening to the mournful cries of the monstrosities. The only way Clay could describe it as the screams of the damned. They weren’t sure how long they had been hiding there just listening to the horrible noise, but it felt longer than it probably was. No matter how heart wrenching or terrifying it was the ponies stayed put hoping that they would eventually leave. However as time moved on it seemed more and more unlikely that they would get any reprieve. Then suddenly it stopped. Clay’s ears flicked at the sudden silence and let out a small sigh of relief as well as Cutter. However their relief was short lived when they heard the lamenters begin to shuffle off into the fog disappearing from view… only to be replaced by a new sound. A sound that made the color leave Cutters face. Clay strained to understand what it was. It sounded like chains rattling in the distance accompanied by dull thuds.

“What the hell is that?” Clay whispered looking up to get a look, but was quickly pulled down by Cutter. He didn’t say anything he just looked at Clay wide eyes and slowly shook his head. Clay kept wondering what it was that had Cutter so scared. That is until he heard the chains get closer and the thuds louder. Clay dared to look past his rubble ignoring Cutters silent protests… he almost wished he hadn’t.

Emerging from the fog was a large hulking figure. Even larger and taller than the creature Clay had encountered at Sweet Apple Acres. It slowly made its way into view before becoming more visible. It was garbed in what looked like poorly stitched together cloth which covered all but its hooves which were caked with blood. The creature whatever it was had no visible face as it was obscured by the garb it wore with only two large vacant eye holes to see.

Underneath that clothing one could hear deep breaths that sounded as though it was coming from within a cave, making it sound like it was coming from all directions. It looked around slowly and silently before moving once more, and as it did Clay could see that its back was covered in chains with large bloodied meat hooks attached to them. As the behemoth drew closer Clay had to fight a gasp as he realized that the garb that the creature was wearing was made of tanned pony skins.

The faces could be seen sewed into the cloth their eyes sewed shut. Clay quickly hid from view as it drew closer his body shaking with fear from what he had seen. Then he heard a new noise amongst the rattling chains, the creature was sniffing under its skin cloak looking for its next victim. It began to draw closer and closer to the group, sniffing the entire time until it was almost right on top of Cutter and Clay. Suddenly there was a noise in the distance the creature turned its head and began moving to investigate the noise. The stallions didn’t even dare to look until they were dead certain that it was well and gone.

“Ok… I… I think it’s safe…” Cutter breathed waving a hoof in gesture for the others to follow.

“Damn… I thought we were dead for sure…” Whirl Wind sighed as they began to run to their hide out.

“You alright Clay?” Cutter asked his partner noticing how much Clay was shaking. The earth pony however said nothing as they finally reached the temporary hide out. Which apparently was an abandoned two story home.

“Come on! Get your asses in here!” Whirl Wind opened the door, ushering Crimson Hoof and then Cutter and Clay in before entering himself and closing the door.

There wasn’t really much to the interior of the house. It was rotting and peeling from the inside which caused Clay to secretly hope that it was stable. What little furniture there was had been used to board up the windows and back door to prevent any of the creatures from breaking in. The front door was left dead locked as they all entered.

“Well… welcome to fort piece of crap.” Cutter commented as he made his way to the kitchen to drop off the supplies.

“I guess it’s the best we can do all things considered…” Clay said aloud as he looked around the house.

“She’ll find us… she always finds us…” Crimson Hoof muttered looking fragile.

“What? Who’ll find us?” Clay asked looking to Crimson.

“Bah! He’s been muttering that the last few hours. The only time he ever shut up was when we found you.” Whirl Wind scoffed looking to Crimson with an irritated look.

“She’ll find us… she’s coming… she’ll find us… can’t hide from the past…” Crimson muttered.

“Just ignore him. We’re safe in here as long as we stay quiet when they pass through. And thankfully Crimson knows to do that.” Cutter said returning to the living room, “Well. Since we’re all safe for the time being I think we should get some rest and then try to figure out how to get out of this place.” Whirl Wind gave a glance.

“You mean if… we can get out.” Cutters smile faded slightly.

“I’m sure there is a way. We just have to keep looking.” The unicorn kept his optimism before heading upstairs and was soon followed by Whirl Wind and Crimson. Clay slowly made his way up the stairs still feeling exhausted. A smile spread across his face as he saw the empty bed and collapsed onto it the soft pillow cradling his head as he closed his eyes. He barely heard Cutter call out good night before he fell into the void of sleep.

~~~~~

*Years earlier*

“Rainbow Dash, darling! I really think we have gone quit far enough don’t you think? I’m getting all sweaty!” Rarity complained as she sat in her chair which was pulled by her sister Sweetie Belle.

“You’re getting sweaty…?” Sweetie Belle grumbled as she pulled her older sister and the ridiculous amount of luggage behind her.

“Ah come on Rarity! Where is your sense of adventure sugar cube? Besides it aint the first time you’ve done this.” Applejack replied walking beside the sisters with Apple Bloom in tow.

“I admit that these little camping trips are indeed fun. But the work getting there is not!” Rarity complained her eyes obscured by her fashionable sun glasses.

“It’s not much farther now come on you guys!” Rainbow called back flying overhead.

“Hey wait up mom! Some of us can’t fly remember!” Clay called out below keeping pace with the others.

“Ah don’t worry sugar cube. Rainbow wouldn't dream of leaving you behind.” Applejack gave a reassuring grin to her nephew.

“Ah just can’t wait to get to the spot! Stay up late! Eat marshmellows!” Apple Bloom said with enthusiasm doing a little skip as she trotted behind her older sister.

“I just hope Scootaloo doesn’t get all scared like the first time we took a trip to the woods.” Sweetie Belle teased still pulling the cart.

“Oh that’s so funny I forgot to laugh!” Scootaloo grumbled, zipping past them overhead.

“Alright everyone we’re here!” Rainbow shouted as she hovered over a clearing.

“Oh thank heavens! All this exercise is ruining my mane.” Rarity got up from her chair and made a neat spot for herself in the clearing.

“Alright y’all! Let’s get settled!” Applejack and Applebloom attended to the cart filled with Rarities supplies as well as the tents and sleeping bags. Scootaloo took off to retrieve some fire wood before it got dark while Sweetie Belle and Rarity began to food for the group.

“What can I do mom?” Clay asked smiling broadly.

“Well I’m going to clear up the clouds so we can see the stars tonight. You can um… um…” Rainbow began to look around not really sure what task to give her son, “Why don’t you just help Applejack and Applebloom with the cart ok Squirt?”

“You got it!” Clay galloped off to his relatives and began to help with the cart, “I’ve never been camping before.”

“Ah you’ll get used to it Clay. Nothing like the fresh air and stars over yer head tah make ya feel alive!” Applejack began to roll out her sleeping bag for tonight.

“Not to mention the camp fire songs!” Applebloom chimed in.

“And the smores!” Sweetie Belle chirped.

“And the best of all…” Rainbow interjected flying by Clay and landing gracefully, “Spooooky stories. Mwahaha!” She gave off an evil laugh.

“Scary stories?” Clay raised an eyebrow never hearing one before.

“Ah come on! You’re old enough for that stuff now! It’s fun.” Rainbow then performed some spectacular moves cutting some nearby trees down and placing them around the campsite to make makeshift chairs.

“Ah don’t know Rainbow. Remember what happened last time you told a scary story?” Applejack said as Rainbow finished with her task.

“Hey! I’m not a little kid anymore! I can handle it!” Scootaloo said defiantly as she returned with a pile of lumber.

“Ah was talkin about Clay.” Applejack retorted.

“I can handle it Aunt Applejack really! I don’t scare that easily.” Applejack didn’t look convinced, but she simply sighed and nodded.
“Neat. Now let’s get going! The sun is setting!” Rainbow cried as she flew off into the air to look for any clouds she may have missed.

The group worked quickly as they got their sleeping bags and tents set up. Using her magic Sweetie Belle was able to start a fire while everyone else began roasting their marshmallows. Once everything was set and everyone was settled for the night ahead Rainbow began gathering everyone on the logs to start with one of her famous scary tales.

“So what story do you have for us mom?” Clay asked sitting between Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.

“The headless horse!” Rainbow cried dramaticly.

“That one again sugar cube? Ah think I’ve heard that one at least five times already.” Applejack groaned.

“The olden pony?” Rainbow tried again.

“You told that one too.” Scootaloo remarked frowning slightly.

“Don’t you have any new stories for us Rainbow dear?” Rarity asked levitating a file to sand down her hoof. Rainbow Dash began to ponder for a moment as she tried to come up with a new story. Finally her eyes widened a bit as one sprang to mind.

“I’ve got just the one…” An evil smirk grew across her face. It was even made more devious with the light of the camp fire, “The legend of… the Skinner.” The air suddenly seemed to grow cold around them at the mention of the title.

“Um… Rainbow Dash… don’t you think that’s a bit… mature for such young ones to hear?” Rarity protested.

“We’re all adults sis. And Clay is a teenager; we can handle any old ghost story.” Sweetie Belle retorted giving Clay a slight hug.
“Yeah come on let’s do it!” Clay said eagerly.

“I don’t know…” Rarity bit her lower lip.

“Tell you what. If it gets to be too much I’ll stop right away. Sound good?” Rainbow suggested.

“Oh fine…” Rarity sighed.

“Right then… well. Years ago before any of us were even born there used to be a giant stallion that lived in Ponyville. He lived by himself just outside the Everfree forest only coming out during the night when there were less ponies to stare at him. He usually kept to himself only leaving his home to get supplies and food, but because of his size most ponies were afraid of him; his only friend was a timber wolf he had saved as a pup from the woods.

"It was the only thing that didn’t run away in fear when he was around." Rainbow paused to take a moment to smirk at how intently the younger ponies were listening, especially her son how was leaning in slightly from his seat, “One day the timber wolf got out and the stallion couldn’t find it no matter how hard he looked. Ponies began to panic as they realized a wild animal was on the loose and it was even more dangerous at night now. Eventually everyone’s worst fears were realized as one of the citizens was found dead and mauled in the morning. That set the town in a rage as they began searching for the beast before it killed again.

Eventually they found and cornered the timber wolf. The stallion stepped in begging for them to let it go; that it wasn’t the timber wolfs fault that the mare had been killed. But the mob wouldn’t hear it, and they set the timber wolf on fire until it was nothing but ashes.” Rainbow took a moment to observe the crowd.

“That’s horrible…” Sweetie Belle murmured.

“At least there weren’t any more killings right?” Scootaloo said putting on a small smile.

“Oh no… it got worse from there.” All four ponies gulped at her tone, “See not long after the timber wolf had been killed that they found another body. However this one was different than the last victim.”

“D-different how…” Clay asked unable to suppress a stutter.

“It was found with its coat removed. The skin was completely peeled off leaving a bloody corpse in the street!” All the young ponies gasped, “And each day after that they always found a new victim, skinned and left to rot in the street for somepony to find.

Until one day the remaining citizens decided that they had enough. They held a town meeting and decided that the tall stallion was most likely suspect. So went off with torches and spears knocking down the door of his cottage. And sure enough when they investigated they found bloody meat hooks in the basement and the skins of all his victims tanned, dyed, and stitch make a horrible cloak… but what they didn’t know was that the stallion was waiting for them and sealed the basement door, and began cut them down one by one!

Fortunately there were enough of them to finally the stallion down and he was finally killed with a spear to his neck.” The area was completely quiet, all four ponies leaning in hanging onto Rainbows every word.

“And… then it stopped right…. T-the m-murders?” Clay asked his expression filled with fear.

“Not entirely. You see once the citizens left the basement they returned back to town and got all the saws and axes they could. And then they began to cut up his body so they could stuff his remains in a sack and throw him into the everfree forest to be eaten by the creatures that lived there. Only thing is… once they finished chopping him up they had to take a break because of how big he was. And when they came back… the body was gone.” Again there was a gasp.

“Gone? How could the body be gone?” Scootaloo asked.

“Nopony knows. But after that there were no more murders in Ponyville… but some ponies said that they saw a large figure wearing a cloak in the distance with empty eye holes… just staring back from the trees…” All four ponies began to look scared from that part of the story, “And to this day… if you ever decide to go into the everfree forest… and you hear rattling chains… that means he’s coming, so you better hide… and prey… that he doesn’t find you… BOO!” Rainbow Dash jumped out and startled the four ponies making them scream bloody murder before they started laughing at their reactions… all… except Clay who looked like white as a ghost, “Clay are… are you alright?” Rainbow asked becoming concerned when she saw that he wasn’t laughing. She reached a hoof over to comfort him, but as soon as her hoof touched him he let out a scream and fell backwards landing hard on the ground.
The others quickly helped him up and brushed off some of the dirt before asking if he was alright.

“I-I’m fine… r-really just… just startled…” Clay shuddered.

“Um… why don’t we all get some sleep it’s getting late.” Rainbow suggested.

“Excellent idea!” Rarity concurred, taking Sweetie Belle and trotted over to their tents.

“Yeah… I’m plum tired… night RD! Night Clay!” Applejack turned with Applebloom and made it to their tent as well. Rainbowdash was about to douse the fire with a bucket of water when she noticed Clay shivering on the log.

“Clay… honey… it was just a story. It wasn’t real I promise.” She set down the bucket before sitting next to him.

“I-I’m not… scared really…” Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

“Clay you don’t have to act brave for me. It’s ok if the story scared you. I don’t think any less of you… I guess you were a bit young for that story after all…” She bit her lower lip regretting her decision.

“I’m sorry mom I… I thought I could handle it…” He lowered his head his ears flattened.

“It was still a good story right?” She gave him a slight nudge in the ribs.

“Yeah… it was good.” Clay smiled slightly. Rainbow then leaned in and gave Clay a tight hug to reassure him.

“Even if it was real I’d never let anything happen to you… I promise…” She nuzzled into his mane.

“I know mom… thank you…” Clay nuzzled back starting to feel safe in his mother’s forelegs.

“Alright. We better get to our tent.” Rainbow doused the fire and then trotted beside Clay back to the tent opening the zipper and then getting snuggled into their sleeping bags, “Remember if you have a bad dream I’m right here ok?” Rainbow yawned smiling as she started to drift off.

“Alright… good night mom, love you.” He gave her a firm hug nuzzling into her soft coat.

“I love you too Clay… *yawn* goodnight.” And with that Rainbow turned and was out like a light. Clay one the other hand was having less success as he stared up at the tent his mind racing.

“It’s just a story dummy…” He berated himself as he nuzzled a bit more into his mother’s sleeping form, “At least… I hope so…” Finally Clay managed to close his eyes and drift off to sleep. Leaving his worries behind.

~~~~~

*Present Day*

Clay awoke feeling groggy and sore. Better than he felt earlier, but still feeling rather beat up. He rubbed his eyes and quietly made his way out of the bed and trotted past the others. He groaned slightly as his joints popped with each step; he had defiantly been in better shape. Clay made his way to the bathroom on the other side of the floor and turned the water on splashing cool water on his face. He looked up and saw his reflection his eyes sunken and dark at the bottom. The scar across his eye still as prominent as ever as he looked on both sides of his face to notice how disheveled his fur was.

“You look awful…” Clay muttered to his reflection as the water dripped from his face. He sighed and then dried his face before leaving the bathroom and made his way back to the bedroom.

He got in at a slow pace and pulled the covers over his aching body getting ready to dream once more. However before he could get drowsy enough to do so he heard a noise from outside the house. His ear began to flick as he tried to place the noise… then he placed it… rattling chains... he shuddered and closed his eyes trying his best to sleep. The entire time he did he kept hearing the chilling sound of those meat hooks clanking... waiting for their next chance to tear into flesh.