//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6: It 
// Story: Nightmare Night 
// by Dreadnought 
//------------------------------//

The colt meandered around the Appleloosa County Fair, taking in the sights.  There were booths with all sorts of carnival games, passing out prizes for winners.  Tents housed vendors who hawked anything and everything to the festival goers.  The smell of sweet treats and fried food drifted lazily through the air.  Upbeat country music could be heard from the bandstand.

"Out of the way!" yelled an orange pegasus mare.  She and her two friends, an ivory unicorn mare and a yellow earth mare with a red bow in her mane, raced past him to one of the rides.  A moment later, a brown pegasus filly chased after them.  

Momentarily disoriented, the colt walked down a back alley.  

"Hello there," came a voice.

Startled, the colt turned to see a stallion.  He was dressed in baggy clothing and large clown shoes.  He wore white face-paint with two long red stripes running from his mouth up to near his eyes.

"Hello," the colt greeted.

"I'm Troubleshoes, the Dancing Rodeo Clown."  He gave a quick silly jig.

"I'm Corn Harvest," the colt volunteered.

"You look like a foal who likes to have fun."

Corn Harvest shrugged.  "Sure."

"Well, step right into my tent," said Troubleshoes, holding a flap open.

"I - I'm not sure."

Troubleshoes looked downcast.  "I just wanted some feedback on my new routine.  I'm giving it tonight before everypony at the fair."

"Oh, okay, I'd be happy to help."  The colt walked into the tent.  

Troubleshoes gave an evil grin, bearing his fanged teeth.  He followed the colt and let the tent flap drop....