Thankfully, the graceful plains of Equestria helped clear his mind after a long day of constant work. A terrible ordeal to be in, the job of a box mover. Yes, that was it. He was instructed to move boxes for a theatre at the nearby town of Trotland. These were heavy loads filled with miscellaneous items consisting of golden trophies, saws, hoola-hoops, poles, and whatever a magician needed. It wouldn't be so bad if only he didn't work alone in the blazing heat.
Chilly air blown from the west, cooling off hours of relentless heat. A night's sky is a relaxing sight for him, a painting of silver twinkles with purple abyss shrouding the great beyond in mystery.
His walk back home was mostly a mundane, uninteresting gander through the field of flowers and river streams. A stark contrast from the day which contained noisy carts and busy bees. Time to time he'd see someone he knew pass by with an awkward stare, prompting him to give a timid response. He so loathed the looks that others gave, longing for a break that lasts a single day.
As he sped up his gait, trotting along a white fence that marked some pony's property, he was greeted by an awful smell that scrunched his muzzle. It was rancid, like spoiled meat left to be picked off by flies. He heard a noise that sounded like an eerie ring, a silent scream akin to an animal that couldn't make a sound. When he tried to find the source of the noise, it traced back to the moon. Nothing seemed off about the crescent white orb in the sky, but it just called to him.
The pony took a few steps off of the trail towards the moon, and into the forest. Shadows enveloped him, and the trees circled. The further into the pitch green biome, the more circles sprouted. Eventually, the moon disappeared and his trance was now broken. One thing from being side tracked was clear, however.
He got himself lost.
Minutes of wandering in the vast forest tired him. He felt as if Equestria had been nothing but woodland now. His hooves grew weak and the night just didn't end. It didn't want to end for him.
He found a nice log nearby and sat.
“A glorious night this is, don't you think?” A voice echoed from behind the trees. “You'll find your way out, don't worry!” The voice got louder.
He turned over his shoulder to see a mare with white fur and silver hair, idly leaning against a tree.
“Wh-who are you?” He cautiously asked, backing up into a mossy boulder.
“I am here to help guide you out of these dark woods. Like I've mentioned already, you'll get out of here.” Her voice was flat. Almost as if it were fake but this didn't bother him.
He started to walk in the opposite direction of the mare, finding her a little untrustworthy.
“No thanks! I can handle this myself!” He yelled back, finding a little ounce of regret in his decision to leave her.
The night was still young, having the rising moon illuminate everything it could. But things were still dark, making the pony wish they were a pegasus or unicorn. Sounds of twigs snapping made them jump from time to time and it always surprised him to realize that was his own doing.
“You know… there's a stream with cute frogs hopping along the bank just a little west of here!” The mare returned, looking down from the mouth of a cave entrance up above.
“Having a blast following me?” He asked, looking at her with sad tired eyes.
“Just accept my help! I have this potion that will get you out of here in minutes, please try it! Oh, please!” She gave him the puppy dog eyes, jumping off of the rocky slope to move in closer.
“Nope.” He turned around and used what little strength he had to walk.
She disappeared within the overgrown brush and bright green foliage, out of his sight. He started to breathe heavier, attempting to push himself despite needing to rest. Feeling as if something is around waiting to eat him, calling it a night is not an option.
The crickets were actively singing. At least this was better than complete silence. He started to lose his sanity from the quiet ambience- or, lack-there-of.
Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before he collapsed.
“DRINK IT!” She yelled in his ear to wake him. It was still dark out.
“Ok, fine! If I die, that's the end of me I guess.” He took the vile of purple liquid in a fancy bottle out of her hand and gulped it down. It tasted spicy, clinging down his throat and making it a little difficult to breathe.
He saw nothing but blackness as the moon above him started to switch. It was cycling until it hit the full moon. The white furred mare observed with intent as her ghostly figure disappeared once again.
“Ms. Burns, wake up.” An elderly pony barked at him.
He was passed out on the side of a building, confused and dazed. The older pony jabbed at him with her cane.
“You're blocking the theatre door. This job won't help you pay for those pills or whatever you're trying to buy, young miss.” She scolded him, moving along elsewhere.
Oh, he had to move. It was only a matter of time before work started back up again.