//------------------------------// // Requiem // Story: Slender Stallion // by Smore98 //------------------------------// Maneshot was trotting back and forth, trying to shake the feeling that he is now a target my some cult group and a tall, faceless stallion with tentacles. Great way to start this investigation... His headache increased the more he thought about it. He was struggling to figure out why he was spared. He had to find out what this mysterious cult was trying to do, and why they are working with the Slender Stallion. But most importantly... He had to find out where Clear Dawn was. Maneshot walked out into the streets of ponyville, the sun blinding him for a few moments.Then his vision returned to normal. He had washed off the blood and marks on his coat, so he could freely walk with the pony kind again without looking the experiment of a cult. Well, he was the experiment of a cult. Maneshot continued to walk down the path, every step pounding along with his headache. He had to remember the events from Monday evening... "Wait." Maneshot stopped in his tracks. What day is it today? He quickly ran up to the closest pony he could find. Fluttershy. "Do you know what day it is!?" he said quickly, almost unintelligible. Fluttershy was taken back the random unicorn that popped in front of her. Not understanding what he said before, she asked, "Um, e-excuse me?" Maneshot minded his error, and asked the question slower. "Um, I think it's, um", she slowly started to back off. "Friday?" Then Fluttershy flew off quickly. IT'S FRIDAY!? He has been in a coma like state for 4 days!? Now another question was added to the heap of confusion. They did something to Maneshot during his time in dream land. That was obvious..., he remembered the taste of the blood he was choking on and the marks. "Oh goddess..." he then thought of Dawn. Maneshot was traumatized by the events of Monday, and he was already sick to the stomach from his appearance when he woke up. If he could barely take it, someone like Clear Dawn, who was easily nervous... she never took anything this rough on her, and she suffered the same experience... He changed to a gallop as he went toward Clear Dawn's house. -_-_-_-_-_- He arrived at the house in less than 10 minutes. It looked pretty normal, but the inside was dark, and the curtains we drawn. Not good. He walked over to the door, and gave the door a few knocks. Nothing. Clear Dawn would never use the shades. She already had a fear for the dark, and it didn't help that the door was... Unlocked? He looked around to see if any-pony was looking, then he opened the door slightly and peeked in. Pretty normal. Nothing was changed apart from a noticeable bulge on the bed. A pony shaped bulge. "Dawn?", Maneshot called out, "You in here?" No response. He trotted over to the bed. The bulge was covered by a violet colored blanket. Guess the psychological impact was a bit more unbearable... He flipped over the covers not to find a Violet pegasus, but a mannequin. "What the..." That's all he could say before he was up sided by the head. "Oh dear..." Is what he heard before he lapsed to unconsciousness. _-_-_-_-_-_-_ Maneshot awoke again for the second time that day. The only difference is a bigger headache and the lack of tasted blood. He was in the bed of Clear Dawn, who was sitting by him, with a the most priceless face of worry and apology, which quickly changed to gleam of happiness at the sight of her friend awakening. "Oh thank the goddesses!" She exclaimed, hugging the blue unicorn. That then changed to a slap to the head. After returning from another daze, Maneshot sternly asked, "Can you please stop adding to the concussion?" "You did deserve it, kind of." I guess that is a valid argument. I did drag her into the most traumatic experience someone like her can have. He remembered Fluttershy. Maneshot's mind cleared as much as the headache would allow, and he returned to his thinking of what to do next. His thoughts we interrupted by the violet pegasus handing him some soup and water. "What happened to you?" Maneshot asked, concerned about the pegasus's physical and mental health. She couldn't bare to tell him what she had awoken to. "Well... I woke up with blood on my mane and coat, along with weird marks and this note by my side. I... I think I will ok for now, as long as we leave them alone a try to go along with our daily lives." Maneshot thought otherwise. "We have to stop them." Clear Dawn looked at Maneshot, flabbergasted by her friend's idea. "That's absurd", she noted angrily, "They spared our lives for a reason, so as long as we don't speak or think about them." Maneshot took the note he brought with him and gave it to Clear Dawn. "I think this wont be the last of them." He said sternly. Clear Dawn read the note, her stress increasing and eyes beginning to water. She couldn't take the experience again. If heading into the Everfree wasn't enough, they came across masked figures carrying stakes, most likely used to kill other ponies that weren't as lucky. And, to top it off, they are working with a paranormal figure with a stare that is impossible to match. "No... Not again... this can't be happening!" Clear Dawn began hyperventilating. *SMACK* It was Clear Dawn's turn for a well placed hoof to the face. Maneshot stared into her eyes, determined as he was frustrated. As much as he wanted to join Clear Dawn with her sorrow, it wouldn't solve the problem in any way. They had to eliminate this threat once in for all. "Clear Dawn", he began, "We have to stop them. We have to stop this cult. We have to stop this Slender Stallion. We have to stop ponies from getting sucked into whatever this is", He nuzzled her softly, " I promise you, that it will be the better for you, me, and all of equestria." Clear Dawn looked at him. His common determined side has taken over, and once it has, it means that something is going to happen. Clear Dawn was never into the adventuring Maneshot usually went on, or his socially active life. She was like a second Fluttershy, very timid, but as taken the courage actually speak to the colt she knows now. Whenever he had to do something, it always has been for a good reason. She has learned this for the past 3 years shes known him. She hesitated for a moment, then regained control. "Promise?" Maneshot smiled "Promise." _-_-_-_-_ They walked into the main path to the Everfree, in hopes of gaining some information from the zebra that lives within it's depths. "Zecora practically knows all the secrets of the forest, so she can be a good lead to find out what the hay is going on, and what that thing is." Maneshot informed. Clear Dawn was calmer on the main road to the Everfree. It was a commonly used road, and it was by far the safest route. It's path was commonly used by the Mane 6 to get to Zecora's hut. They continued walking their way through the forest. It wasn't as dark as the undeveloped land, but it still had the eerie feeling of being watched by some unknown assailant. Maneshot kept his guard up, while Clear Dawn trotted right next to him. The knapsacks carried some food and water. The note lay at the bottom of Maneshots begin's to crumble from the weight of the items. The forest showed many ways of removing them from it's bowels, with the life-like trees and it's horrifying animals. Maneshot ignored all the threats and calmed Clear Dawn, telling her it's 'just trying to get to you'. The only thing that went through Maneshot's mind was the tall mannequin like pony that has haunted his mind ever since he heard about it. It's formal wear makes it deceiving as a gentlemen from the neck down, It's abnormal face staring with it's nonexistent eyes. It didn't even seem to have a coat. It was bland, pale skin. The only thing that stopped the mannequin look was the tendrils that seemed to form from it's suit. Maneshot's thoughts were uninterrupted by a slight nudge from Clear Dawn, who looked worried by a figure in the forest. A masked pony. It was just staring at them. It showed no sign to attack, which was deceiving, since that last ended with an unconscious colt with a stake by his side. Maneshot decided to ignore them, leading Clear Dawn away from the mesmerizing figure. After what felt like hours, they finally arrived at Zecora's hut. More maskies appeared on their walk, still showing no sign to attack them. As they walked into the hut, the smells of potions and spices filled the air. Cinnamon, salt, and murky water was what it smelled like to Clear Dawn. Maneshot ignored any of the smells and walked up to the black and white zebra. "Zecora?" The zebra, who was working on another brew, didn't look away as she answered, "Ah, hello there Maneshot. What brings you to my loft?" The zebra was well known for her strange rhyming habit. She added a green plant to her mixture, and then took a sip from the cauldron. She was well known for making remedies for the citizens of ponyville, and telling the secrets of the Everfree. Maneshot dodged a hanging root as he approached the boiling cauldron, which had a sickly pale green look. "You heard of the story about that pony in the woods right?" He asked, baring a slight hint of anxiety. He didn't commonly talk to Zecora much. He mostly asked for any potions he might need. Zecora finally laid eyes on Maneshot, "It would be impossible not to, as that is what I do." She gives a slight smile before going to a more serious tone. "However, I have seen this pony, and that colt was no phony." She looked out the window to the outer reaches of the Everfree. She could clearly see the masked ponies outside in the forest, looking right at the hut. She turned to Maneshot, giving a concerned look. "They are unfortunately after you, and there is nothing much I can do." Maneshot looked disheartened. He had hoped that Zecora's experience with whatever was happening to him and Clear Dawn would be helpful. However it seems that he has struck a dead end. "But you have seen him!" He noted, "You must have experienced what we had when we found it." Zecora continued looking out the window at the masked figures, who still had no intent but to stare. "In order to lift this curse, you must observe", She duly explained, 'A 'Slender Stallion' experience is always unique, to observe is to use the correct technique." She walked over to a closet filled with ingredients, and took a small sack from the cabinet, handing it to Maneshot. "This will prevent it's effects, and it will repel his subjects." Maneshot took a peek into the sack, which Zecora quickly closed. "Only use it when he or his subjects are near, or he will be the last thing to fear." Maneshot looked to the bag, then to Dawn, who was still trying to understand the potions and smells, and then back to Zecora. He nodded. "Now I suggest you go, before they bring me woe" Zecora seemed to shudder from this sentence. Maneshot and Clear Dawn began to leave. Just as they were about to go out the door, Zecora stopped them. "I have one more thing to say." Maneshot and Clear Dawn looked back. "Let it pay." And with that, Zecora's hut was closed. Clear Dawn looked to Maneshot. "What was that about?" Maneshot looked to the forest, where the pony outside Zecora's window was. It was gone. "We can't find it, it is impossible to find it." "Then why are we searching?" He looked back to Dawn, who seemed more serious than ever. "Because he will find us." Let it begin...