Chapters Prologue: Why did you do it?
A blue unicorn with a white mane and tail and wearing a typical white doctors coat sat in a dimly lit room at his desk. He was busy shuffling paperwork with his magic when there was a sudden knock at the door.
“Who is it?” The unicorn asked looking up.
“It’s your 3 o clock. He’s just arrived sir.” A voice from behind the door replied.
“Ah, good! Send him in!” The unicorn put his paperwork away and placed his hooves at his desk.
“Move it!” A gruff voice shouted from behind the door. It swung open to reveal a Canterlot guard pushing in a light gold earth pony bound in shackle into the room. The earth pony was seated in front of the unicorns desk “He’s all yours doc.” The guard replied as he left the room. The unicorn doctor looked at the earth pony before him, his face was shrouded in shadow, but the doctor could still tell that there was a look of anger on his face. He levitated a clipboard and a pen as he readjusted in his seat.
“Hello sir! I’m your psychologist DR. Shimmer horn.” He said in a chipper tone as the earth pony said nothing. “First things first, tell me your name please!” He waited for the earth pony to respond but he still said nothing. “Your name sir.” He repeated again, but like before got no response. Shimmer Horn frowned and then realized that the prisoner might be deaf. “I said what is your name sir!?” He said louder.
“I’m not deaf asshole!” The earth pony replied angrily.
“Oh, then my apologies!” Shimmer Horn replied slightly startled by the response “But I still need your name, sir.” He repeated once more.
“Why do you care what my name is?” The earth pony replied.
“Formalities. We are going to be seeing each other more often after all.” The earth pony scoffed in the dark. “Now… your name please.” There was a pause as the doctor finished speaking.
“Clay.” The earth pony muttered.
“Ah good! Now we are getting somewhere.” Doctor Shimmer Horn was sure he saw Clay roll his eyes. “Do you know why you are here Clay?” He asked.
“Yes.” Clay muttered angrily.
“Murder is a very serious crime Clay. You’re lucky you weren’t sentenced to death.” Doctor Shimmer Horn said in a low tone.
“Right now I wish I was dead.” Clay retorted.
“Why is that?” Shimmer Horn queried.
“Because then I wouldn’t have to hear you talk.” Clay sneered.
“So, that brings me to my next question.” Doctor Shimmer Horn continued acting as if he hadn't heard Clay's remark, “Why did you feel the need to kill a fellow pony?” He leaned forward and looked at Clay as best he could.
“Do you really need to ask that? Doesn’t my file tell you?” Clay asked sounding annoyed.
“Yes, it does. But I want to hear it from you.” He looked at Clay while levitating the clipboard.
“Because the bitch deserved it that’s why!” Clay growled angrily. Doctor Shimmer Horn was startled by his outburst, but regained his composure.
“And… you truly believe that?” He asked.
“With every fiber of my being.” Clay replied.
“I see…” Shimmer Horn started writing on the clipboard, and then turned his attention back to Clay, “Make no mistake Clay, I am sympathetic to your situation… but murder is the worst thing a living being can do to another. You had to know you wouldn’t get away with it.”
“Wasn’t trying to.” Clay muttered.
“Regardless Clay there was no need for you to commit this crime when you could have alerted the authorities.” The doctor continued.
“No need?” Clay replied angrily, “Did you not read the file? Were you not informed of what happened in that basement?” Clay’s voice began to swell with rage.
“Yes I was informed. An earth pony mare, countless victims found in the basement of Sugar Cube Corner, including…” He froze as if he didn’t want to finish.
“Including my mother Rainbow Dash.” Clay finished.
“Yes… the report was… gruesome.” He continued with a shudder. Clay however was still and said nothing, his face still covered in shadow, “And… this is what led you to kill her. What you found in that basement?” Clay nodded, “How did you know it was her? Why not the cakes?” Clay looked at him, a hint of madness in his eyes.
“Life is a party... who else would have written that?” Clay looked away from the doctor.
“Clay… I understand that what you saw down there must have upset you, but-.” Clay’s eyes darted to the doctor and he could see that they were burning with rage. Before he could finish Clay bolted up and put his face right up to Shimmer Horns, making him gasp. He could see the anger on his face, the hatred and pain in his eyes. But what he really saw was a deep cut over Clay’s left eyebrow as if it had been slashed with a knife. Doctor Shimmer Horn recoiled as he looked directly into Clay’s brown eyes.
“Upset… doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt when I went down there!” Clay growled his voice shaking with rage.
“Clay… calm down… you know that what you did was not justified-.” He was cut off again.
“My mother’s guts! Were ripped from her open chest, and stashed inside a bucket with her wings and cutie marks!” Shimmer Horn’s ears rang from Clay’s shouting. “She was chained and nailed to a platform, covered in her own blood and vomit from the pain that she endured! The mortician said that she had been alive and tortured for an hour before she died slowly while that… butcher ripped out her heart! Along with Celestia knows how many more!” Clay looked as if he was about to explode with anger “Don’t… you… dare! Say that what I did was unjustified!” Clay heaved with every heavy breath he took. Eventually he calmed down and sat back down concealing his face in darkness once more. Doctor Shimmer Horn looked at Clay in a startled state for what felt like hours, until finally he regained his composure.
“Despite all that, the report said that you considered Miss Pinkamina to be your aunt, despite not having any blood ties.” He looked at Clay curiously “Was it really that easy for you?”
“Yes…” He replied coldly. Doctor Shimmer Horn looked at Clay sternly.
“Rainbow Dash wasn’t your biological mother Clay.” Clay was silent for a while, before he finally replied.
“She was to me…” He whispered. Doctor Shimmer Horn saw a single tear run down Clay’s cheek. Shimmer Horn then got up and casually trotted over to Clay before sitting down.
“Now Clay, I am going to perform a spell on you that will for lack of a better word, bring out your emotions so that I can better understand your psyche. Do I have your permission?” Clay stared at him as if he was contemplating what he just heard. Finally he nodded, “Excellent! Now don’t worry, I have used this spell on plenty of other patients, and I assure you it is perfectly harmless.” Clay simply stood still as the Doctors horn began to glow. Soon a soft white aura enveloped Clay’s head giving it a slight tingle before vanishing.
“Was that it?” Clay asked giving his head a slight shake.
“Yes. The effects of the spell should occur in a matter of seconds. In the meantime I want you to relax and focus on what you are feeling.”
Clay sighed and shut his eyes trying to relax. As he sat there he tried feeling for anything different about him from the spell. But he still felt the same as he did before the spell and as the minutes ticked by he was starting to think that the spell had failed.
“Hate to tell you this Doc, but I think you’re spell didn’t work.” Clay opened his eyes and they adjusted to the light again. But as they did he noticed something was off. For Doctor Shimmer Horn was sitting very still next to him, and his eyes didn’t seem to want to blink, “Doc… are you ok?” Clay asked as he leaned up slightly to look directly at the doctor. Shimmer Horns eyes were still and seemed to be staring off into space, “Hey doc! You in there?” Clay waved a hoof in front of Shimmer Horns face, but got no reaction.
Clay frowned slightly and was considering getting some help, when suddenly there was a soft dripping noise. Clay looked around thinking it was a leaky pipe, but saw nothing. He listened again and heard the soft dripping. Now that he was really listening is sounded close. Clay looked around again hoping to find the source of the sound, when he stopped dead at what he saw.
Doctor Shimmer Horn’s coat had a small spot of what looked like blood forming around his chest. And as Clay lowered his gaze he saw that the dripping was the blood trickling down to the floor. Clay’s eyes widened as he saw the blood pool at the doctors hooves.
“Help! Somepony help!” Clay screamed hoping that the guards would hear his cries for help “Somepony get in…“ He stopped when he heard a louder squishing noise. Clay turned around to see the blood stain grow around Shimmer Horns chest, and as it did Clay could see something squirming under his coat. Clay simply stared at it with a mixture of fear and curiosity. He was afraid of what might be hiding under that coat; he didn’t know whether to get help, or just sit there. As Clay watched, the squirming became more violent until the fabric started to rip. Clay held his breath waiting for whatever was under there to emerge when suddenly it stopped.
Clay waited in silence as Doctor Shimmer Horn looked back at him with those dead eyes, not blink, or moving, barely even breathing. Clay was now seriously considering leaving the room, just to get away from Shimmer Horn. He made a small motion to leave the chair that he was sitting in when suddenly the coat began to rip once again, and Shimmer Horn began to violently shaking as what was in his chest began to push its way through. Shimmer Horn was convulsing, and his eyes rolled back as his coat ripped open more and more. Blood began to ooze from his mouth and nose as his insides were ripped apart. Clay could feel his heart pounding like a drum as he watched the gruesome display before him. He was paralyzed with fear even though every fiber in his body was screaming at him to run. But before Clay could do anything, a long bloody claw shot out and grabbed him by the throat, holding him in place. Clay gasped for breath as he witnessed a second claw emerge from Shimmer Horns chest and began pushing out whatever it was connected to. Clay struggled to get loose, but the claw held him tightly, and he had no choice but to witness the horror that was unfolding before him.
As the second claw pushed Clay could see the beginnings of a pony like head emerge. It looked up at him with glowing white eyes that seemed to burn into Clay’s soul, it’s teeth were like razors and it was covered in thick red blood making it impossible to tell what it really looked like underneath. Soon it had its chest exposed revealing a somewhat skinny frame giving no hint of its true strength as it continued to hold Clay’s throat firmly as it continued to emerge from Shimmer Horns corpse. As it pulled out its legs, Clay found himself being lifted from his chair as the creature was taller than thought possible. Clay struggled as he dangled above the ground, while the creature placed its other claw over Clay’s throat holding him firmly. The creature now fully emerged looked into Clay’s eyes with its own burning white ones and brought Clay’s face closer to its own. Clay’s heart pounded as the creature stared at him. Then without warning it opened its tooth filled maw and emitted a horrible roar that rang in Clay’s ears. The sound was deafening as Clay began to black out and then finally he saw no more.
“Clay… Clay wake up!” Clay’s eyes snapped open as he heard Shimmer Horns voice ring in his head. He quickly looked around and saw that everything was back to normal. The creature was gone, and doctor Shimmer Horn was alive, “You dozed off there for a few minutes Clay. I must say that was first time that has happened during the spell.” Doctor Shimmer Horn began writing down on his clipboard once more, “I guess you got a little too relaxed.” He sat up and trotted over to his desk once again, “Are you alright Clay?” Shimmer Horn asked noticing Clay’s confused expression.
“Not… really.” Clay muttered as he began rubbing his forehead, “I think I have a bit of a headache.” Shimmer Horn smiled at the earth pony as he once again started writing.
“Well I think that’s enough for today.” Doctor Shimmer Horn said putting his clipboard away, “I think we made great progress.” Clay didn’t say a word as the older unicorn got up and called back the guards. Two guards entered the room, and told Clay to get up. He did as he was told and was escorted out of the room, “Until our next session Clay.” He shouted after him. Clay snorted as he was led down the hallway. Doctor Shimmer Horn returned to his desk and pulled out a file with Clay’s prison number on it. He opened the file and began reading it; eventually he stopped at the phrase “Prone to fits of rage, dangerous, lethal. Use extreme caution.”
“How right they are.” He muttered as he closed Clay’s file “In all my years I had never seen a convict so outraged.” He put the file away, levitated a bottle of whiskey at his desk and began pouring it into a nearby glass. He lifted it up to his mouth and took a quick swig of the beverage. He set it back down and sighed, “It’s going to be a long day.” He muttered as he got ready for his next patient. He looked down at the empty glass at his table and thought back to Clay’s rage earlier. The look in his eyes made him shudder, as he poured himself another glass of whisky. “A long day indeed.”
~Ten Years Later ~
Clay was being escorted down the hall outside DR. Shimmer Horn’s office once more after his latest session ended. For the past ten years he had been doing his best to make the doctor as frustrated as possible. He didn’t like ponies poking around his head, and he wanted to keep Shimmer Horn out. Those memories belonged to him and nopony else. After several minutes he was brought outside by his usual two unicorn Canterlot guards. Once outside he was greeted by a large carriage that was used to transport prisoners, to make them feel like wild beasts meant to be locked up. The guards brought Clay up to a line that consisted of three other ponies in shackles just as he was. He took his place at the end of the line next to a black pegasus pony with a blue mane and bindings over his wings, and kept his gaze forward as the guards left him and moved to the front of the carriage. Clay glanced up as he waited, the sky, a gloomy grey indicating that a storm was approaching. As he watched the clouds go by, the prisoner next to him looked at Clay and began whispering.
“Psst! Hey! What did they arrest you for?” Clay said nothing to the pegasus.
“Roll call!” A guard shouted, as he walked up the line “Crimson Hoof!” He shouted out and a red earth pony with a yellow mane nodded, “Cutter!” A white unicorn with a red mane nodded. His horn had a device on it that was used to block magic, “Whirlwind!” The pegasus pony next to Clay nodded, “Clay!” Clay nodded slowly, “All present sir!” The guard shouted to the front. He left the prisoners to speak with his partner.
“Clay… I know that name.” Whirlwind muttered, as he looked back at Clay. Clay however refused to speak, “Yeah… you’re the pony that cut one of those elements of harmony mare’s, right?” Clay still said nothing.
“Shut up Whirlwind! You’re going to get us all beaten!” Cutter hissed in anger.
“I thought nothing could hurt those mares. Heard that jewelry they wear makes them invincible.” He continued, ignoring Cutter, “You must be one tough bastard to kill one of those ponies! Which one was it, the egghead unicorn?” Clay squinted his eyes, but remained silent, “The fancy white one that lives in Canterlot?” Whirlwind continued, “No wait I know! It was that rainbow bitch wasn’t it?” Clay’s ear twitched.
“Whirlwind, shut the buck up!” Cutter said in a hoarse whisper.
“It had to be. I remember reading about her being found dead in a basement. Your handiwork no doubt.” Clay was dead silent, “Well if it was you, than you have some serious balls man! That filly fooler was tougher than she looked, well not tough enough to not get captured and die anyway!” He gave a slight chuckle.
“That’s enough, you idiot!” Cutter almost shouted.
Whirlwind turned around to face Cutter when he suddenly heard chains moving behind him. Whirlwind looked back to see Clay looking him dead in the eye with an expression that could only be described as murder.
“What?” Whirlwind asked confused. Clay’s response was head-butting Whirlwind in the face causing him to cry out in pain as he stumbled. Clay then pounced on Whirlwind and started pounding his face in with his hooves. Whirlwinds head throbbed in pain and then felt something hard and cold on his throat. He gasped for breath as he looked up to see Clay strangling him with his chains. If looks could kill, the one that Clay was giving him was defiantly lethal, as he pressed harder into Whirlwinds throat.
“Call her a bitch again! Say it again! I fucking dare you!” Clay shouted, as he choked the life from the pony under him. The other ponies watched helplessly as Clay was about to kill again, when suddenly a sharp pain entered Clay’s skull making him yell in pain as he fell to his side. One of the guards had struck Clay with a spell that was the equivalent of a tazer.
“Break it up you two!” A guard shouted, as they rushed to pick up Whirlwind.
“Sweet Celestia, what the fuck is your problem?!” Whirlwind gasped, as he got up.
Clay tried to stand, but a nearby guard stomped on his face making his head spin.
“You get up when I tell you to!” The guard barked, as Clay lifted his head slightly and spat some blood onto the ground.
“Come on! It’s going to rain soon, let’s just go! You can beat the crap out of him when we get back to Canterlot!” The other guard shouted.
“Don’t think this means you get off easy when we get back. As soon as you walk into the dungeon I’m going to give you a scar on your other eye to match.” The guard threatened, as he walked back to the front and ordered Clay and the others to get into the carriage. The line slowly made its way into the cart and they all took their preferred spots. Clay was the last one to enter as the door was closed and locked behind him. Clay took his spot at the end and waited quietly. As for the others, they took all the empty spaces that were farthest from Clay as if they were afraid of him. They all avoided looking at him as best they could and kept to themselves, for they all knew that it was going to be a long ride back to Canterlot.
The carriage had been pulled for thirty minutes, but it felt longer to the ponies inside. The guards were beginning to complain about how long it was taking to transport convicts that no one gave a flying fuck about. And to make matters more uncomfortable the storm had finally caught up with them, covering the sky in dark heavy thunder clouds. It began to rain slightly and one of the guards groaned in annoyance.
“Great! Just great!” He scowled, as he continued pulling.
“Shut up! At least we get to go home to a soft warm bed. Those criminals back there will only have a cold hard cell to come back too.” His superior retorted.
“Yeah, I guess there’s that.” The two unicorns continued pulling the cart and did their best to ignore the weather.
Inside the cart, the four ponies remained quiet listening to the rain beat against the wood. It seemed like the only thing they could do without invoking the wrath of the guards. Clay on the other hand was feeling tired, and although it was probably one of the worse decisions to make in a cart filled with convicts, Clay was finding it harder to stay awake between the rocking of the cart and the rain pouring outside. Clay rested his head back and sighed slightly while his eyes began to grow heavy. And before he knew it, Clay had fallen asleep.
“Clay! Step forward!” A harsh and regal tone could be heard in the dark, the sound of hoofsetps was soon followed, “How do you plead to the charges against you?” The voice continued.
“Guilty.” Clay heard his own voice reply, and the crowd behind him gasped.
“Does anypony here wishes to say anything in his defense?” The voice asked. The room was dead quiet, “Clay, you are hereby sentenced to no less than 50 years in the Canterlot dungeon’s.” The crowd behind him began to mutter to themselves as the voice that had been speaking before moved through the dark, “Make sure that this case is investigated thoroughly Twilight.”
“Yes… Princess.” Twilight replied.
“Move it scum bag!” A guard shouted as he pushed Clay out of what he assumed was the court room.
A loud crash was heard, startling Clay awake from his dream. He looked around and discovered that the rainstorm had transformed into a lightning storm, and was striking dangerously close to where he and the others were.
“Have a good nap sunshine?” Whirlwind sneered, as he saw Clay awaken, “Thought you would be up sooner. That lightning has been getting closer since we went up the cliff.” Clay couldn't understand why this pony kept talking to him as he looked out the barred gate to the side.
“This storm isn't natural.” Crimson Hoof muttered, as he too looked outside, “I don’t see any pegasus ponies out there… and it seems like an odd time to have a lightning storm scheduled.” Clay had to admit that it did seem strange, “It’s almost like… there is a presence behind it… like Celestia herself was controlling it.” Crimson Hoof continued sounding awed by the storm.
Every one of the ponies went quiet fearing what the guards would do to them when they arrived at Canterlot. The guards around town were strict and did not tolerate crimes. But something about the dungeon guards made them hostile towards prisoners. They had heard reports of savage beatings from disobedient convicts, and when those guards could use magic to make your head explode, that wasn't something they wanted to push their luck on. Despite this however, Whirlwind couldn't help but make another comment towards Clay in the lowest voice he could muster.
“When we get back… first thing I’m going to do is wait for the guards to beat you to a pulp. And then, when you’re on the ground bleeding… I’m going to get my fill.” He smirked at Clay, as he finished speaking, but he seemed uninterested.
“I said shut the fuck up back there!” The guard shouted angrily. But no sooner had the guard spoke however, then a bolt of lightning struck within inches of the cart startling everyone, including the guards.
“Come on let’s get the hell out of here!” The other guard said still shaking. His superior nodded, and they both started running away from the storm. The unicorns were running so fast that the cart was rocking violently. Clay and the others were thrown back and forth as the cart shook, until finally Cutter the unicorn couldn't take it anymore and made his way to the front window.
“Hey! Would you slow down? If you keep running like this, we’re all going to go off the Cliffside!” The guards didn't listen and continued to gallop in their fastest speed, “Hey! Did you hear me? I said slow down or you’ll get us all killed!”
“Who the fuck cares! You’re all just the scum of Equestria! And I’m not going to die today because of some killer storm!” The lower ranking unicorn replied, as he and his superior still ran madly.
The lightning continued to strike all around them, deafening them with each bang. It almost as if the storm itself was trying to strike them. The guards continued to run not daring to stop for even a second, as the lightning struck all around them. Until finally a bolt struck right where the cart was connected to the guards and burst it into flames.
But there was nothing they could do as the fire ate away at the wood until it finally snapped off the guards as they galloped and soon the cart was being pulled by nothing but momentum. The guards had rounded a corner disappearing from view, only to be replaced by something worse… a cliff. Clay and the others knew that there was nothing they could do except brace for impact, so all four of them held to the sides as firmly as they could until finally they felt the ground leave them and then gravity push them down as the cart dove straight down to the forest ground below. Clay could see out the window as the ground drew closer and closer until it collided. He was thrown from his spot and smashing into a wall, and saw nothing but darkness.
Clay slowly awoke, his head throbbing with pain. He groaned as he struggled to get to his four legs, his body was wracked with pain, but nothing he couldn’t shrug off. As soon as his vision cleared Clay could see that the cart was crushed, but mostly intact. Clay slowly made his way out the door which had been smashed open from the inside.
“Hoofwork of the others no doubt.” Clay muttered as he ducked under a caved in wall.
Clay shook his head as he got his first breath of air, and began looking around. There was no sign of the other three, and assumed that they made a break for it. As Clay walked he suddenly realized that he could walk normally. Looking down he saw that his legs were still cuffed, but the chain itself was broken allowing him to move freely.
“Convenient.” Clay thought to himself as he began moving again.
Moving away from the destroyed transport, Clay took a moment to look up at the cliff-side that he had just fallen off of. It wasn’t terribly high, but the fact that he and the others survived the fall left him baffled. Still he decided not to question his luck and began to put as much distance between him and the transport before someone came to investigate. As he walked Clay began to think about what his next step was.
“Alright… you didn’t break out, the guards panicked and your cage was broken. None of it was your fault.” Clay was starting to get nervous as he realized that he was now an escaped convict, and that guards would no doubt be looking for him soon. Where would he go? Would his sentence be extended? Who could he trust if he decided to flee? Clay’s mind was swimming with questions as he kept walking. His head was throbbing slightly from the crash, though he seemed fine as far as he could tell. There were no cuts, no bruises, and no broken bones. In fact it was almost as if he wasn’t in the crash at all. In fact all things considered he was very lucky right now, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling he was getting from the lightning storm that had caused the crash. Crimson Hoof was right about it not being a normal storm, he had learned a great deal about the weather from his mother, and the one he just lived through didn’t seem like a weather ponies handiwork. It had a sense of purpose behind it, like it was trying to get them to crash… but that was impossible.
As Clay pondered the phenomenon he failed to realize that the field he was walking through had suddenly began to be shrouded in a thick fog. So thick that he couldn’t see more than two feet in front of his face. Clay looked around and soon realized that he had become enveloped in the fog blinding him in all directions.
“Ah shit!” Clay muttered as he realized that he was now totally lost, “First a freak lightning storm, and now this?” Clay was starting to feel weary, as he slowly continued forward through the fog.
As he walked at a slow pace he kept his ears open for anything that might be lurking in the fog like a Timber wolf. Thankfully he heard nothing as he continued on his way. Still not being able to see anything, Clay was beginning to get worried. Was he just walking in circles? Where was he? The answer to the second one came sooner then he thought when Clay spotted a sign hanging just outside a bridge. He couldn’t make out the words so he moved closer causing the words to become readable “Welcome to Ponyville”
“Oh crap!” Clay cursed as he saw the sign, “Ponyville? Of all places?” Clay shook his head and turned around trotting away, “No fucking way am I going back there.” Before long the sign was hidden from sight as he ran, the further away from Ponyville he was the better.
He continued wandering around aimlessly, his view still obstructed by the fog, until he came across another sign “Welcome to Ponyville”
“Fuck!” Clay shouted as he once again tried to run away, only to end up at the sign once more, “What the hell is this? There is no way I could have ended up here three times in a row!” Clay kicked the ground in frustration, he knew that if he entered he ran the risk of getting caught and being turned in. Not to mention running into one of his remaining family members. Yet it seemed no matter where he ran he was destined to end up at Ponyville, “Well… maybe I’ll get lucky. This fog is pretty thick, so maybe no one will see me.” Clay thought for a moment as he looked at the sign one last time before crossing the bridge that would take him to town.
Welcome to Ponyville
Ponyville was silent. The streets were empty and devoid of any signs of life. Where once homes and shops were filled with life and joy, were now replaced by empty buildings with broken windows, boarded up doors, and dark streets. Clay had never seen Ponyville like this before. Everything from his childhood that he loved was replaced by a dark empty version of its former self. Still he couldn’t be distracted by its current state, he had to get to the other side and get out before he was noticed. He looked down and cursed as he realized how much noise his shackles were making on the road; if he didn’t remove them soon he would no doubt be spotted and recognized for being a convict. As Clay walked around the center of Ponyville he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. It may have been ten years since he was here, but he still remembered what was ahead of him on this street; the bakery that started that nightmare all those years ago, Sugar Cube Corner. The thought of being anywhere near that building brought shivers down his spine, and he immediately turned around to find an alternate route.
After several minutes of wandering Clay was beginning to get frustrated as he realized that he was once again lost. He was beginning to get disoriented from the changed town and the fog that he swore was getting thicker. He sat down on a nearby bench and rubbed his temples in the hopes to relieve some of the tension he was feeling. He was getting nowhere, and the towns emptiness and decaying state was starting to unnerve him. Clay looked around at the town before him, for it was almost nothing from what he remembered and he was beginning to wonder what could have caused this, when he heard a noise in the distance.
“Hello… somepony there?” There was no reply, “Must have been a bird or something…” But as he said the words aloud he realized something. The town was devoid of any sound, no birds, no crickets, not even ponies in the distance. It was so quiet that Clay could hear the blood rushing through his ears, causing him to shake his head slightly, “What happened to my home…? it’s so different.” He looked straight ahead “Can someone give me an answer!” He shouted forgetting he was supposed to keep a low profile, when Clay got a response. But it wasn’t what he expected. In the fog he heard a giggle, a laugh that he knew all too well, “Pinkie!?” He stood up and kept his eyes peeled for any hint of the pink mare. After a few minutes of silence he eased back into the bench.
“Get a hold of yourself Clay… She’s dead… you saw it yourself… she’s dead.” Clay muttered as buried his face in his hooves, “I need to get out of here. The town is messing with my head.” He sighed and looked around from where he was sitting, when he spotted something beside him. It was a strange small item on the bench next to him from what he could see in the fog.
He was sure that it wasn’t there before when he sat down and it piqued his interest. He reached over to pick it up and discovered that the object was a freshly made cupcake with blue frosting. Clay glared at it as if it were alive. He had lost his taste for cupcakes since the incident at Sugar Cube Corner which had been named Slaughter Cube Corner by the superstitious ponies. He contemplated chucking it in anger when he noticed the pink frosted writing on the cupcake “Giggle at the ghosty” Clay felt his heart stop as he read the words. They had been spoken by the late Pinkie Pie before she and his mother became by the elements of harmony. The fact that those words would be found on a cupcake sent a shiver to Clay’s core.
He didn’t have much time to be disturbed by this as he heard another sound in the distance. But it wasn’t a giggle like last time, in fact it sounded like a mare was crying somewhere. Clay got up from the bench and made his way to the crying; it was hard to pinpoint as it sounded like it was coming from every direction. Not being able to see the mare in distress he decided to call for the mare and see if that got him somewhere.
“Hello? Miss? Where are you?” The only reply was the mares weeping, “I hope she’s not hurt.” Clay said to himself as he followed the weeping. Before long the weeping became louder indicating that he was getting close, he kept his eyes peeled until finally he saw a purple mare sitting in the middle of the street letting out heart wrenching sobs with her back turned to him, “Miss… are you ok?” The mare continued weeping as he approached as if she had not heard him, “I won’t hurt you, I just want to help.” He said trying to calm the mare. But the mare continued sobbing which was now starting to unnerve him. As he approached the mare he saw that she was covered in blood and open wounds as if she had been attack, no doubt the cause of her crying, “Oh goddess… do you need help miss? I can get you to the hospital.” Clay was now inches from the mare when she suddenly stopped crying.
Clay was still as the mare stood up her body covered in cuts that belonged to a blade. Something was very wrong, and Clay sensed it as he slowly started to back away. The mare began to slowly turn to face him, every inch he saw was more gruesome then the next as he saw that her cutie mark was completely gone. Not like a blank flank where the mark itself was missing, but there was a crudely cut circle on her flank revealing blood soaked muscle. The mare was now fully facing Clay revealing the true horror. For where sad tear filled eyes should have stared at him were actually empty eye sockets stained with blood tears. Her mane was disheveled and covered in dried blood. She was apparently a unicorn, though the horn that should have resided on her head was removed as if it had been snapped off leaving a jagged nub. And on her chest was a giant scare as if she had been sliced open and sewed back up.
Clay’s mind reeled as he saw the abomination before him. He backed up as his breaths became ragged, his fear only increased as the creature began to walk towards him giving off the same sobs he heard earlier. He was so focused on the monster in front of him that he failed to notice the other that had appeared behind him. He barely had time to turn around and see a pegasus pony version of the other monster, her eyes empty dripping with blood, a chunk of her flesh missing along with jagged nubs where her wings used to be.
Chased by Ghosts
“Oh fuck!” Clay yelled as he tried to run in another direction only to see that more of the creatures were filling the streets. They consisted of unicorns with missing horns, pegasi with missing wings, and earth ponies with nails drilled in their hooves. Clay realized that he was quickly becoming surrounded and bolted to the nearest opening putting as much distance between him and whatever those creatures were. As he ran he could still hear their wails as they followed him down the alleyway, the sounds they made driving his heart to pound like a jackhammer from the sheer terror he was feeling.
“Run! Run! Keep running!” Clay told himself as he rounded corner after corner only to see another group of the weeping ponies forcing him to turn. He managed to evade them for a short time, but he could still hear their cries approaching, “Think! Think damn it!” Clay looked around frantically for anything that could help him get away or escape, but he found none. They were getting closer, he could hear them just feet away, and he was growing tired, “Can’t give up… can’t…” Suddenly Clay began to feel really tired, as if all his strength was being zapped away from his body.
He struggled to stand, but his knees buckled and he fell to the ground. He had never felt so weak or so helpless in his life as the swarm of creatures swarmed around him, and it seemed as if his time had finally come; when suddenly the creatures stopped in their tracks. Clay looked at them in confusion as they all began to look around with what could only be described as terror. He didn’t understand what had the monsters so afraid… until he heard a sound. A scrapping sound accompanied by rattling chains could be heard in the distance. It was faint, but it was enough to cause his attackers to start running in fear forgetting the vulnerable earth pony. Clay didn’t know whether to be thankful or be even more terrified by what had saved him, but he didn’t have time to ponder what had transpired as he got up and woozily made his way down the street. His strength failing him, Clay once again fell to his ground and his head hitting the floor. Feeling absolutely exhausted Clay struggled to keep his eyes open as he faded in and out of consciousness.
“Of all the times… my body decides… to quit on me…” Clay murmured as he finally passed out and fell into a dark void of sleep.
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.
“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.
Clay had been walking to Sweet Apple Acres for the past ten minutes, and he had yet to see anything that might pose as a threat beyond the occasional lumbering shadow of a Lamentor. He was starting to wonder where that swarm he had encountered earlier had gone, after all Ponyville wasn’t that big of a town. But then again he decided to consider himself lucky for not encountering those things again in such a large group. He was still trying to wrap his head around the twistedness of this nightmare he was in. Whatever had caused Ponyville to fall in such disarray was strong, and evil.
“It could be Discord… no this is too twisted even for him.” Clay muttered to himself, “Besides he’s reformed.” He pondered to himself as he kept an eye out for and dangers, “Could Nightmare Moon be back? It has been ten years I suppose anything could have happened… but wouldn’t I have heard the guards mention something about it?” Clay shook his head in frustration, he was getting nowhere. And he knew that the only way this could have any hope of being fixed was if he found Twilight. He doubted he would find Twilight at Sweet Apple Acres given the state that Rarity was in when she told him. But still it was his only lead, and if nothing else he could at least get information from one of the apple family members if they were willing to talk… or were still alive.
It wasn’t long before Clay soon came upon the familiar hill leading to the fabled Sweet Apple Acres barn perched on top. Growing up, Sweet Apple Acres was the pride of Ponyville given that it belonged to the family who founded the town in the first place. And as Clay looked up at the darkened sillouete of the barn through the fog he admitted that he felt a sense of nostalgia as gazed at it. But he knew that darkness had spread to this place too, and there was no telling what he would find when he got there. Clay took a breath and tried to mentally prepare himself for the worse though he knew that was impossible, and trotted up the dirt road to the hill. Before long the barn became bigger and bigger as he approached; Clay couldn’t help but glance around the property as he did, spotting the occasional orchard he had worked on when he was a colt. And he did, his heart was saddened as he saw that every tree around the farm land was dead and bared no apples.
“Forget the apples. Remember why you are here!” Clay reprimanded himself, as he finally came upon the front door of the barn, which despite the state of the rest of the town; it looked like it was in pretty good shape. Almost exactly the way he left it ten years ago. He hesitated as he stared at the door afraid of what his actions would cause. Still he took a breath and gave a few raps on the door. He stood there waiting for a reply but nothing happened, so he tried again, “Hello! Applejack… Apple Bloom… Big Mac?!” Clay called as he knocked a little harder, “Granny Smith…. Babes…?” Again there was no answer, “Twilight! Anyone!?” He knew that he was probably drawing attention from nearby abominations but he didn’t really care at the moment. Not until he got some answers. He gave a frustrated huff and thought about breaking the door down or going through the back, when suddenly there was a click as the front door unlocked.
“Clay… is that you?” A southern mares voice asked, from the slightly opened door.
“Aunt Applejack?” Clay asked his ears perking up. The door slowly opened to reveal the orange cow pony, her mane slightly disheveled, her eyes were very bloodshot.
“Well I’ll be damned… it is you.” She muttered in a not so happy tone. As she stepped out of the barn Clay caught a whiff of something surrounding Applejack. Her breath was heavy with liquor and it was even more obvious when she stumbled slightly as she walked that she was heavily intoxicated.
“Applejack… are you ok?” Clay asked, noticing her current state.
“Oooohhhhh I’m just…. Fiiiiiineeee!” The cow pony shouted drunkenly, “Whole towns gone to hell… monsters everywhere... my friends dying off one by one and no Celestia damn… *Hic* Crops… and on top of that now I’ve got a convicted felon on my door step.” She shot a glare in his direction, “So what yah here fer? A place to hide from the freaks outside? Cause I ain’t givin you one…” Her wobbled slightly as she struggled to look at the earth pony in front of her, though he couldn’t tell he was certain that she was seeing double, “Yah know… you’ve got a lotta nerve showin’ up here… after you did.” There was a fair amount of malice in her voice as she spoke, slurred as it was.
“I didn’t come for shelter or to talk about past crimes AJ. I came here looking for Twilight so we can figure a way how to get rid of this fog.” At that Applejack gave a loud sarcastic laugh.
“What makes you think that little miss know it all would be here?” Clay thought about telling Applejack about Rarity, but he knew she would just laugh it off.
“Just a hunch.” Applejack scoffed at him.
“Well she ain’t here. She hasn’t been down here in years. She used to come and get apples from me to take to Fluttershy. But after mah… *Hic* crops went bad she stopped coming. Not even tah say howdey.” Applejack said bitterly.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Clay replied thinking on what he should do now.
“You ain’t sorry… ah bet you ain’t sorry for anything yah did.” She glared at him as she spoke, an intense hatred in her eyes. Clay looked her dead in the eyes but made no threat in them.
“Applejack… do you have any idea what happened here?” He asked her trying to avoid his past.
“You happened…” She muttered turning back inside the barn.
“Me? You… you think I had something to do with all this?” Clay followed in after her intent on getting an explanation. Applejack on the other hand began rummaging in the kitchen for another case of moonshine cider. When her attempts turned up nothing she yelled in frustration and bucked an empty jug across the room nearly hitting Clay in the face.
“Of course it is! This whole damn thing is your fault! This whole town has gone to Hell in a wagon since that day you killed Pinkie!” Applejack shouted angrily her body shaking with rage… or maybe that was the booze.
“So what? You blame me for monsters popping out of a supernatural fog?” Clay began to grit his teeth in anger and frustration,
“Ah did the best ah could with the crops, but without proper sunlight nothin’ could grow. Eventually we just gave up, tried to save what we could and hold up on the farm.” She finally found a full jug of moonshine, popping off the cork with a firm twist of her teeth and spitting it on the floor before guzzling it down. It was then that Clay realized that the farm was unusually quit. No sounds upstairs or anywhere besides from the drunken cow pony in front of him.
“AJ…. Where… where are Big Mac and Apple bloom?” Applejack stopped drinking suddenly. She parted the jug from her lips and placed it on the ground with a soft thud. She didn’t look at Clay as she lowered her head with a quiet expression on her face.
“They’re gone…” She said quietly.
“Gone?” Clay asked not sure exactly what she met.
“Apple bloom left some time when crops started dying, said that she was going to try to find a way out of the fog… she never came back. Granny Smith soon passed away in her sleep soon after…” She stopped talking as she continued to look at the ground her face solemn.
“And…. Uncle Big Mac?” Applejack seemed to be on another plane of existence as Clay asked the question.
“Some time… after the crops went bad we realized we were going to run out of food. If we didn’t do something we would starve… Ah told him that we would find a way to grow more food… ah told him… to have faith in me…” Applejacks face began to twitch as she recalled whatever it was she was envisioning, “There was enough food to last a few more months… but it wouldn’t last long between the two of us. The more we stayed the more angry we became with each other, ah blamed him for letting Apple bloom go on her own, and he blamed me for damning us to this fog… then one day we realized that there wasn’t enough food to go around between the two of us…” She trailed off again as she took up the jug and took another swig.
“And…?” Clay asked raising an eyebrow. Applejack shot him an angered glance at Clay as she brought the jug down.
“Ah did what ah had to…” She gave a twisted grin, “Guess we found out who was the stronger sibling.” She whipped her mouth with the back of her forehoof as Clay looked at her with wide eyes, “Ah guess you were right Clay. In a fight and when it comes to survival… not even family matters.” Despite how disturbed he was by this Clay somehow managed to put together a coherent thought.
“You’re such a fucking hypocrite. You call me a murderer for years, but when you kill your own brother its survival?” Clay’s blood began to boil.
“You killed Pinkie for revenge! Ah did it because he would have taken up the last of our food! Ah didn’t want to do it! Good sweet Celestia above I didn’t want to… but the fact is that Big Mac was just dragging me into an early grave! At least ah admit to what ah did!” Applejack retorted.
“I don’t even remember what happened that day!” Applejack gave a drunken scoff.
“How convenient! And yet each time they asked you if you felt that it was justified you said it was. Now who’s being the hypocrite?” she took yet another swig of the moonshine, “You’re a Celestia damned liar Clay! They caught you red hoofed with blood splattered all over yah and Pinkie on the floor with a knife in her gut!” Applejack yelled with unusual clarity given her intoxication.
“I don’t fucking remember what happened! I went to Sugar Cube Corner! Couldn’t find mom and Pinkie! Went to the basement and found that freak show! And then the next thing I know I’m standing over Pinkie as she’s bleeding to death!” Clay’s voice rose as his whole body shook with rage.
“You’re a monster! Rainbow should have left you in that forest to die!” Applejack shouted.
“And you’re a drunken failure!” Clay retorted, “Mom never would have chosen you as a friend if she knew how you really were, let alone a partner!” At those words Applejacks eyes went wide with shock, “Oh yeah… I know all about your crush on mom… don’t think I didn’t see the way you looked at her when she had her back turned.” Clay gave a chuckle, “As if you had a chance with her anyway.” Angry tears began to escape Applejacks eyes.
“Get out! Get the hell out!” She shouted angrily.
Clay turned opening the door and slamming it for emphasis. Clay stomped across the field as he decided to head for Fluttershy’s for answers. However he didn’t get far as he suddenly started to have coughing fits, his throat as it became filled with something. Clay hacked and spit releasing a gout of blood, his coughing becoming more frequent as he continued to vomit up more blood splattering the dirt. Clay started to become light headed and he stumbled as blood dribbled from his mouth, until finally his vision blurred and collapsed unconscious on his side.
~~~~~
Clay’s eyes opened painfully as he lifted his head. He winced suddenly as the feeling returned to his body. His stomach throbbed in pain as if he had swallowed a blade; he struggled to get to his hooves and blinked the pain from his eyes. As his vision began to focus he noticed the splatter of blood at his hooves, had he broken a blood vessel, and how could he still be alive? But somehow the pool of blood wasn’t what disturbed him. For as Clay looked he noticed that the from the pool was a bloodied streak starting from the pool and off to the farm like something had crawled from the liquid crimson.
“What the hell…?” Clay muttered, as he began to follow the streak of blood.
It turned to the right and seemed to make its way back to the farm, however as he drew closer he saw that it avoided the front door of Applejacks home and turned to the right again. Clay followed it closer picking up his pace even thought something inside him was screaming at him to leave. Before long he reached the barn with the door slightly ajar… with the blood streak leading inside.
“Applejack… you… you in there?” He knew that was stupid but the quiet was driving him crazy, “What the hell is going on here?” Clay’s mind raced as he drew closer to the barn, what could possibly have crawled out from his blood, “Applejack…” His heart raced as he heard the sound of hoofsteps inside the barn, every nerve in his body was telling him to run but he had to make sure Applejack was ok, “Applejack…?” He reached a hoof out to open the door it trembled as he pushed it ever so slightly, “App-.” Clay didn’t finish as suddenly the doors flew open knocking the earth pony back, hitting the ground hard. He lifted his head his vision blurred from the contact with the door; he shook his head and looked up at his attacker… he wish he hadn’t.
Standing before Clay was a massive earth pony stallion, roughly around the size of Big Macintosh if not bigger. Its mouth was filled with razor sharp teeth and had blood dripping from its maw. Its coat a dulled yellow with blood stains. Around its hooves were giant chains that clanked with each movement. Sticking out of its back were numerous knives and shanks buried deep within its back. The most disturbing feature was its face. It lacked any indication of eyes, no eye sockets, no eye lids, just a head, ears, and a mouth. The creature emitted enraged grows as stood above the convict its head looking left and right but never directly looking at Clay, clearly the thing was blind.
“Oh fuck…” The creature turned its head in Clay’s direction as he spoke, causing the earth pony to cover his mouth as he realized how the creature saw by sound, “Careful Clay… be smart about this.” The creature began to sniff the air giving off loud inhales as it did. It drew closer to Clay as it sniffed before it lost interest and started to trot off at a slow pace.
Clay took this moment to move and think about his next move. Applejack could be in danger, should he try to get her out? However none of this seemed to matter as Clay stepped on a twig and caused a loud snap. The monster suddenly stopped its searching and turned around to face Clay unleashing a demonic roar spraying blood in front of it. Realizing that he had been spotted Clay went into full gallop and made for the decaying field of orchards, at the very least he could slow it down in there. The creature was hot on his heels surprisingly fast for something so big and weighed by chains. Clay bobbed and weaved through a row of orchards, but the monster simply smashed through each tree becoming more and more aggravated at its prey. Clay’s ears rang with the mixed sounds of splintering wood, enraged roars, and clanking chains; all of which were getting closer and closer.
Growing desperate Clay took a dive to the left and out of the creature’s path as it plowed through the trees. Clay stayed low to the ground and absolutely still as it continued running before it stopped and began looking around once more. Clay slowly got up and quietly began to move trying to make his way back to farm. His entire body was on pins and needles as he moved at a rather slow pace; being careful to avoid what was left of the broken trees. His shackles giving the occasional rustle as he moved, causing his heart to jump for fear of alerting the beast. However it seemed as if the monster was just far enough from him that he didn’t hear… or so he hoped as he ran back to the barn. Clay would occasionally look back to see if the creature had started chasing him again, fortunately it seemed that he had lost it in the fog. Part of him wanted to leave Applejack, leave her to face that monstrosity on her own. But he knew that wasn’t right, and hate him or not she was still his family. He trotted up to the house and poked his head in through the front door being careful not to speak too loudly.
“Applejack. Applejack where are you?” He said in hoarse whisper, “Applejack! Come on we have to go! There’s… something out there, and it’s very… very angry!” There was no reply through the house… in fact it looked different from when he left a few minutes ago.
Before the barn looked like it was in good condition save for the empty jugs of cider that littered the first floor. But now that he looked he saw that the wall paper was peeling in various locations, and the floors were covered in dust… and there were dried stains of blood on the floor and walls. Various pieces of furniture were tipped over along with broken items as if a fight had broken out. How could he have not noticed this before? He trotted inside the house looking for any sign of Applejack as he made his way up the stairs following the trail of dried blood.
“Applejack… you up here?” The house was dead quiet as Clay reached the second floor. On each side he saw doors leading to Applejacks, Big Mac’s, and Apple Blooms room, the trail of dried blood seem to be leading into Big Macs room only come back out and turn towards Applejacks room. With some trepidation Clay made his way to Applejacks room and opened the door. The room was empty and covered in dust and the air was stale as he breathed it in. There was a strange odor that Clay couldn’t identify and it made him cough slightly as he looked for any sign of Applejack, “Where could she have gone? She was drunk, she couldn’t have gotten far.” Clay muttered as he looked around the room, then he noticed that the blood ended the bed where there was a large bloodied stain on the covers… along with a tattered and familiar looking Stetson hat on the floor.
“What is this doing here? Applejack would never leave her hat lying around. And certainly didn’t look this bad when I was talking to her.” Clay left the room and made his way back to the first floor, confused by the sudden change of his surroundings, “What is going on around here!” He shouted feeling frustrated and forgetting that he was supposed to be quiet. He lowered his head as he started to calm down, “Is this… really all my fault?” As if to answer his question the front door suddenly burst open splintering into pieces as the blind abomination roared in anger, “Oh fuck!” Clay turned and ran into the kitchen and headed for the back door, the creature not far behind smashing the walls.
Clay barely managed to exit the door before the force of the creature knocked him forward and leaving him stunned. He turned on his back only to come face to face with the monster as it pounced on him pinning him down ready maul his face. However before his attacker could finish Clay picked up a rather large splinter of wood beside him and jammed it straight into the monsters face, causing it to roar in anger and pain as black blood poured from wounded face; allowing Clay a window to escape. He clamored to his hooves and climbed onto the creatures back, a primal feeling had over taken his entire being. He grabbed one of the blades from the creatures back with his teeth and began to tug with all his might. The creature thrashed wildly as the blade was slowly and painfully removed from its back until finally it was removed completely. Filled with rage and adrenaline Clay began to blindly stab at the blind monstrosity’s neck causing black blood to pour from its wounds. He attacked like a mad pony, stabbing at any exposed flesh he saw.
Eventually the creature gave a hard buck and tossed Clay off its back. If the monster wasn’t angry before, it was really pissed off now; Clay ran his mind racing.
“How am I supposed to stop that thing? It’s like a runaway carriage!” Clay thought to himself as he ran as fast as his hooves would carry him, “The only way I could stop it is if…” He paused in mid thought as an idea struck him, “Use something bigger.” He turned to the beast that was still stumbling from its wounds, “Hey!” He shouted as loud as he could, and the creature took notice with an enraged snarl, “You want me? Come and get me!” The monster wasted no time and charged at the earth pony with surprising speed. Clay barely had enough time to jump to the side narrowly avoiding the monster as it ran past him. Clay scampered again and ran to the other side, “Come on! Is that the best you’ve got!?” The monster roared again as it made a hard turn and charged once more. Clay took a breath and made a leap to the side once more and again barely managed to avoid being rammed as the creature ran past him and then… *Crash*
Clay looked up from the ground to see a giant hole in the side of the barn, the added damage was just enough to cause the whole barn to fail. Within a matter of seconds the entire structure began to buckle and crack. Wood splintered and moaned as it could no longer stand and before long the whole building came crashing down causing the blind creature to emit a loud roar as it was crushed under the weight. Clay got onto his hooves and cautiously trotted over to the pile of rubble, had it been enough? As he drew closer he saw the monster half buried under what was left of the barn, it was completely motionless. Clay gave a relieved sigh only to be startled, as the monstrosity gave a sudden roar and tried to reach for him before it suddenly lost it strength and its head went limp as it finally died from its injuries.
“Luna damn, that thing was angry.” Clay cursed as his heart raced. He looked to the rubble feeling slightly guilty for destroying Applejack's home. Where had she gone, had she still been inside when he left? Clay was growing concerned by Applejack's absence until he heard a sound behind him in the fog, “Applejack?” He ran into the direction of the noise praying that it was her. However as he drew closer he stopped when all he found was her stetson hat from the barn, “No… no way that’s not possible!” Clay picked up the hat and looked at it, same holes and tatters like the one he found upstairs. But as he inspected it he noticed something else that had been hidden under said hat… a cupcake with orange frosting and written on it was “Gruffaw at the Grossly.” in red frosting. Clay looked up hoping to see whoever it was who had left the hat and cupcake, “Whoever you are! I’m not playing you’re sick game! You hear me!?” Not surprisingly, there was no answer.
Something did happen however as Clay suddenly began to feel light headed and he shook his head, his eyes starting to get heavy. He stumbled slightly as it grew harder and harder for him to focus and stay awake. The foggy land began to spin as blood rushed to his ears causing them to ring as he stumbled again and fell to his side. He struggled to keep his eyes open as his head hit the dirt. But the force that was causing him to sleep was proving too strong and before he knew it, Clay had passed out once again.
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.
“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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“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.
