//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8 
// Story: The Number 22 
// by Blazing Shadows 
//------------------------------//

Author's Note: Remember to spread the word about this story. I want the horror that is in this story to be felt by many ponies worldwide!!!.....Have a nice day.

Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic or The Number 23, the cool movie this story is based on.



THE NUMBER 22


Chapter 8



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I couldn't believe who it was at my door.....Well, not my door, but my hotel door.....You get what I mean. The moment I saw him, my heart tied itself into a double knot and my mind began to spin, making me dizzy.....But not dizzy enough to blur the face of my visitor from view.

"Orlando! What are you doing here?!"

"Well, now,....is that any way to talk to your boyfriend?"

"Ex-boyfriend! And I plan to keep it that way!"

"Oooh! That was cold!"

"Dash! Be quiet!"

The other two voices came from behind Orlando. I recognized them almost immediately. I pushed Orlando out of the doorway to find Rainbow Dash and Applejack.....along, of couse, with Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. 

"What in the wide, wide world of Equestria are you all doing here?! And, more importantly, why did you bring him?!"

Orlando seemed insulted by this, but I didn't care. That jerk never did help me with my problems when I needed somepony's support.....kind of like the stallion in the book.

"Well, Twilight," answered Rarity, "If you must know, after your little encounter with Applejack yesterday,..."

Hearing this, I noticed Applejack look away, slightly angered.

"...I decided to get the girls together and figure out what might be causing your strange behavior. And it just so happened that this handsome stallion here was in town. We, after introducing ourselves, eventually found out he was your ex. After that, and after finding your note, we got Dr. Shriner to tell us what was going on...."

"Wait! Dr Shriner told you everything!"

"That's correct."

"But, why?! Why would she do that?!"

"Oh, it wasn't hard, my dear." spoke Orlando, "All it took was some....charm."

I hated his guts. I hated his attitude. I hated him altogether. As soon as he said "charm", I knew exactly what had happened. For most fillies, all it would take was a shake of his hair and he could get whatever he wanted.....I guess it wasn't much different from mares. Rarity continued to speak, breaking my thoughts.

"After finding out everything, we managed to use a little spell I found in one of your books to find you. All I had to do was get some of your DNA, ala some hair from one of your hairbrushes, and direct the spell on it to make a homemade tracking device."

"I can't believe you guys! This is crazy!..."

"No," yelled Rainbow Dash, "What's crazy is what Lori told us was going on with you! I mean, seriously, we went over this the other day: There is nothing wrong with the number 22! It's just that egghead brain of yours going off the deep end!-"

"Rainbow Dash!" interrupted Rarity, "Refrain yourself! Now, Twilight, none of us think you're crazy. We just think you may need to start going to some kind of....counseling."

"No,...what I need is a vacation from Ponyville! Some time to get away from all the pressure that goes on!"

I knew that last part was a lie, but I needed to tell them something to make them leave....and take Orlando with them.

"....Alright, Twilight, you win. We'll leave you alone...BUT,....only if you let us take the book away from you for a while."

"What! No! The book is possibly my only hope for surviving the ordeal!"

"....See, this is exactly why we need to take it from you....Not forever! Just...for a little while."

"No, I'm not giving it to you!"

"Pinkie Pie, please retrieve the book for me."

"Yes sir, ma'am sir!"

Against my will, the book was pulled out of my grip by Pinkamena Diane Pie.......Nope, only 17 letters. Thank goodness.

"Oh, come on, Pinkie! Give it back, please!"

"Sorry, Twilight, but this is for your own good."

And, with that, they were gone. I was left alone in Room 22, without the book.....without hope. I decided that I wasn't going to let this stand. I had to get the book back! So, without bothering to pack my things, I put my satchel on and headed out the door after them. I figured they'd keep it at Rarity's, since she seemed to be the leader of their "group.".....The Anti-Twilight Group. After reaching Carousel Boutique, I decided to use a new spell I'd been working on....Well, before my life was preoccupied by the curse. The spell gave the user the ability to pass through solid objects, in this case, walls. So, I focused it on myself and found my body to be transparent.

"Excellent."

After getting inside, I went upstairs to Rarity's room, thinking she'd hide it near her for safe-keeping. However, it seemed that I wasn't the only one who was wanting it that night. For, when I opened the door to her room, I saw a figure in a black ski mask, black clothing, and, for some odd reason, a pearl necklace. 

"AA-"

I couldn't help but scream. The figure surprised me. I managed to clamp my hand over my mouth before I really made that loud of a noise. I didn't manage to wake Rarity up, but I did manage to scare the intruder......Well, the other intruder.

"Don't scream like that or we're both gonna be in hot water!"

"Who are you? Why are you here?"

"Don't you recognize me, Honey Bunches?"

I knew at once who it was by the sappy nickname. It was Orlando. He pulled off the ski mask to reveal his handsome, yet to me, gruesome face.

"What are you doing here?!"

"I came for the book."

"What?! Why?!"

"I wanted to get it for you,....cause...I know how much it means to you."

At first, I didn't know what to say. He was actually thinking about me instead of himself this time?!.....Or could it just be a trick? I didn't have time to think, though, as Rarity began to wake up. I used the spell on both of us, giving us a quick getaway.

"By the way, where did you get that necklace?"

"....Well, you can't expect to go in a fashionista's house without helping yourself to a few things, can you?"

Yep. Same old Orlando. Still, though, he did get me the book. I guess I can be thankful to him for that. After we made it to the library, we stood outside the door, not sure what to do next."

".....So,....thanks, I guess, for getting the book for me."

"Oh...You're quite welcome."

"I guess I'll see ya tomorrow."

"Oh, yes. I'll be in town all week."

"Oh....Well, good night, then."

"Night."

As we parted, I felt as though I had met an entirely different stallion that day. But, as soon as I got in, those thoughts disappeared and were replaced by getting back to reading.

Chapter 8
Brushing Up on My History

I found a run-down hotel on Emerald Boulevard. It was called The Fancy Place. When I entered, I was greeted by a stuffed cougar leaping out at me from the ceiling. I also noticed a few stuffed grizzly bears, timber wolves, and even fish mounted or hanging from the ceiling. I approached the reception desk and was met with an elderly stallion dressed in overalls and a fishing hat.

"How may I help you?"

"I'd like a room, please."

"Okay, I'll need you to sign this paper."

I did as told. I noticed another stallion sitting in a chair by the lounge fireplace. He was reading the newspaper. I figured that he got it from the paper box over by the entrance. I noticed that a paper cost $1.22. A normal pony would find that peculiar.....Not me.

"Okay, ma'am. Here's your key for Room 23."

"How about 22?"

The man reading the paper suddenly put it down to stare at me. He looked as though he had seen a ghost.

"We've actually had some problems with 22. Seems the plumbing's backed up."

"I'll take it."

The receptionist shrugged, exchanged keys with me, and went back to reading his book. I looked around to see what the other stallion was doing, but he was gone. I shrugged and went on to my room. When I got there, I immediately got into bed. I figured a rest was the first thing I needed. However,.....I couldn't get to sleep. My mind was still racing....It was at unrest. I had to explore the number some more, or I might never be able to fall asleep again.

"Okay, let's have a little look here."

I pulled out the book Dr. Lori gave me to read.....The 22 Enigma. 

"Alrighty, then."

"The 22 Enigma has been investigated by many researchers since its founding by Jonathan Frederick Spitz on February 2, 1922. He reportedly claimed, with 22 letters in his name and the 2nd month plus the 2nd day being 22, along with the 22 from 1922, that the curse had chosen him specifically to begin its spread of terror. He supposedly had recurring nightmares about the number taking the form of a shadow-like demon and strangling him. He would wake up sweating all over, with his hands around his throat. He was found dead on February 2nd, 1942, (The second month along with the second day. Also, the 4 divided by the 2nd day, leaving a 2 beside the other 2.) on his apartment floor, having given himself 22 strong drug injections. Since then, many more conclusions have been drawn about the number, but always with different conclusions.

This book frightened me. However, I decided I would continue to read as much as I could.....before the insanity inside me caused me to start hallucinating.


End of Chapter 8!


Author's Other Note: Oh, if only you knew what the future of this story lies in store....HA HA HA!


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