//------------------------------//
// Learning The Game - Part 3 
// Story: 11 
// by Thunder--Dash 
//------------------------------//

"On the third mile...the real test begins...you may start to see shadows of human-like figures amongst the trees. Do your utmost to ignore them. The road will have also went from tarmac to a sort of light gravel like road..." I read. Scootaloo gasped at the mention of shadows. 

"Sh-sh-shadows?" She asked with a quivering tone in her voice. 

I looked at Scootaloo with a look of compassion, for I knew that this was going to be much harder than even I expected. 

"Scootaloo. No matter what...keep your eyes on the road. Look forward to the wish that you're gonna get at the end." I said looking into Scootaloo's eyes. 

"Y-yes sir..." Scootaloo said. The words seemed to have rolled out of her naturally. However, I felt that deep inside Scootaloo, there was a war going on between the growing courage and the settled fear. 

"That's my girl." I replied. 

"On the fourth mile...get ready...because not only will more shadow figures appear but...voices would start to whisper in the back of your mind..." I read. Scootaloo began to whimper, imagining the voices. I sensed she was about to fall into a near panic, and gave her that assuring look. 

"On the fifth mile...all the trees will disappear as the most beautiful lake and large moon fill the surroundings. This may be what is considered a break...but this isn't the real reward. Keep your eyes forward, no matter how beautiful the surroundings seem." I read. Scootaloo seemed to have calmed down. 

"That reminds me...of the time Rainbow Dash, my friends and I all went on a camping trip..." Scootaloo said with a smile on her face. 

"Hey! Then keep that image in your head. For...from the sixth mile onward...things will only get more difficult and scarier..." I warned. Scootaloo's smile seemed to fade fast, replaced by that nervous look again.