//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: The Mare Who Cried Monster. // by ChromeRegios //------------------------------// The FLASH!! I had forgotten about the stinking flash! I was so worried about the click of the shutter; I had totally forgotten that this stupid bucking camera had an automatic flash! The instant flash of white light made Mr. Warts cry out angrily. Startled, he raised his hands to cover his bulging eyes. I stood frozen in the aisle, frozen by carelessness, frozen by... -and I HATE to admit it- My stupidity! "Who's there?" he growled, still covering his eyes. I realized he hadn't seen me yet. Those big eyes must have been very sensitive to light. The flash had momentarily blinded him. He let out a monstrous roar that echoed off the four walls of the vast room. Somehow I revived my senses enough to pull myself back out of view. "Who's there?!" he repeated, his voice was in a rasping snarl. "You won’t get away!" Oh, yes I can... I answered him through my thoughts. as I saw him lumbering in my direction. He lurched further toward me while swaying awkwardly, as if his eyes were still blinded. I gaped in horror as he approached. He seemed steadier which each step. His bulging eyes searched the rows of shelves. he was breathing hard, each breath a furious foul. "Who's there? Who's there?" Get going! I told myself, still gripping the camera with both hooves. Get going! What are you waiting for an invitation?! "You won't get away!" The monster cried. With a grin, I flared my wings and readied myself to dash out of there. He was three rows away, his eyes peering down the dark aisles. Searching for me! He hadn't seen me yet, I knew. He didn't know it was me. I just have to wait for the right moment, an opening so I can fly out of here with the proof safely in my hooves. So what was I waiting for again? I was about to bolt out of there, when I bumped clumsily into a shelf of books. Several of them toppled to the floor making loud thudding noises. Fly! Don't stop! Just fly! Why is it that it's taking me so long to move?! I was so weighed down by my fear that it's making my body refusing to move. Run! Rainbow Dash! He's right in front of you! Finally, my legs started to cooperate. Strapping the camera in my neck, I began to glide through the dark aisle toward the back of the room. If only there's enough light, then I could just navigate myself out of the darn room through the front door! "You won't get away!" The monster bellowed from the next aisle. "I hear you! I know where you are!" Uttering a cry of terror, I ran blindly to the end of the aisle then turned toward the doorway - and crashed into a low book cart. The thing toppled over as I fell on top of it, landing hard on my stomach and knees. The camera bounced from my hoof and slid across the floor. "I've got you now!" The monster growled, moving quickly from the next aisle. I scrambled to get up, but my hoof was caught in the cart. The monster lumbered toward me, panting loudly. Once again, my fear tried to paralyze me, I tried to push myself up with both front hooves, but my body felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds! I'm dead meat! I thought. Finally, my wicked awesomeness prevailed and pushed myself up and freed myself from the cart. Dead meat. Dead meat! The panting, growling monster was only a few yards away now, lurching out of the row of shelves. I grabbed the camera and stumbled to the door, my knee throbbing and my head whirling out of control. I'm not gonna make it! And then I heard a loud buzzing noise. At first, I thought it was some sort of alarm, but then I realized it was an alarm clock! What the hay kind of alarm clock would make a buzzing noise?! Twilight have some weird taste on clocks nowadays... I pulled myself into the doorway and turned, as the monster hesitated at the end of the aisle. His bulbous, black eyes floated up above his face, his gaping mouth drooling green liquid, twisted into an "O" of surprise. He stopped short, startled by the sudden interruption. Saved by the bell! I thought happily, literally. And I mean literally. I pulled open the heavy front door and burst out into freedom towards the skies of Ponyville. I flew for two blocks, my wings flapping wildly into the night breeze, my heart refusing to slow its frantic beat. I closed my eyes and flew, enjoying the feel of the cold, fresh air on my face, with the light of the moon shining on me, the sweep of my mane flying behind me as I fly. Feeling free. Free and safe! When I opened my eyes and slowed my pace, I realized that I was gripping the camera so tightly, that my hooves hurt. My proof... I had my proof!! One snapshot. One snapshot that nearly cost me my life. But I had it in the camera, my proof that Mr. Warts was a monster! "I have to get it developed," I said out loud. "Fast." I flew the rest of the way back to Fluttershy’s home, cradling the camera under my hooves. As her house came to view, I had a chilling feeling that Mr. Warts would be waiting there. That he would be waiting beside the front porch, waiting to grab the camera from me, to rob me of my proof! I hesitated near the small bridge that leads to Fluttershy’s front door. I walked up the front lawn slowly. No one there… Was he hiding in the bushes? Around the side of the cottage? You’re being stupid, I scolded myself. How could Mr. Warts get here before you? Besides, I wasn’t even sure he had recognized me. The light’s we’re out in the library. The room was dark. The closest he had come was the aisle next to mine and he was blinded for a long while from the camera flash. I started to breathe a little easier. Yes, it was possible that the librarian didn't know who he was chasing. It was possible that he never got a good look at me at all. While I ponder with those possibilities, Fluttershy came down to her front door as she entered. I rushed after her, going to the front door and came inside. “Hi, Fluttershy!” I called as she turns towards me. “Oh, hello. How’s it going?” She asked. Her body a bit sweaty and her mane were disheveled. She looked tired. “Fluttershy, can we get this developed – Right away?!” I demanded, shoving the camera toward her. “O-oh my.” She squeaked. “I just got home, and I’m a bit hungry. Let’s talk about it at dinner, okay?” “No, Shy – really!” I insisted. “I have to get this developed. There’s something very important on it.” “What’s so important?” Applejack asked who entered the house as well. Looks like she already got home. “Oh! AJ! I didn’t realize you’re home! How’s your vacation?” Fluttershy asked. “Ah, well… I wouldn't call it a vacation, it’s sort of a work vacation, now… what’s this important thing y’all talkin’ ‘bout?” She asked me now. Looks like she’s interested. I had the urge to tell them. I had the urge to tell them that I had a photo of the monster in there. But I stopped myself. I knew these two wouldn't believe me. I knew they wouldn't take me seriously. Not after the pranks that I did to these two and others a long time ago. “I’ll show it to you when it’s developed,” I said. But they just stared at me. “Uhh…” Before I can say something, Fluttershy spoke. “Oh! I forgot, I haven’t gone to the market to buy some food to cook! What’ll I gonna do?” She frowns looking down the floor. “Ah know! How ‘bout ah treat y’all out to dinner?” Applejack offered. Surely, Fluttershy smiled and accepted her offer. “Great!” I cried. “Can we eat at the Square? At that little Japonese restaurant you like?” I turned to AJ. “Please? Please? Then I could get my film developed while we eat.” “I could go for some ramen,” Fluttershy said thoughtfully. Then she turned her gaze on me. “You’re really eager to get your film developed, don’t you?” “Come on, tell us, Dashie. What’s in it?” Applejack insisted. I couldn't hold it any longer. “It’s a picture I snapped of Mr. Warts,” I told them excitedly. “It’s my proof!” I insisted. “Maybe when you see the photo, you’ll finally believe me.” “Say, what now?” AJ tilts her head at me. I forgot, she hasn't heard my story yet. “Rainbow Dash said that the librarian who’s staying at Twilight’s is a monster.” Fluttershy shook her head. Applejack then looks at me with a sour look. “Look, Dashie, you’re our friend and all… but y’all gonna have to spot this gosh-darn stories about monsters living in our community.” “You’ll see… once you see this picture, you’ll believe!” I snapped back. “You’re right; I’ll believe it when I see it.” Applejack said, still shaking her head. “Where’s Scootaloo? Let’s bring her along with us tonight.” Fluttershy asked, looking around her house. I told her I’ll get her and meet up with them later at the restaurant. I got out and flew off to get Scootaloo. Scootaloo said she needs to take a bath before she can come, so I took a bath with her. It was a fast shower, if you know what I mean. After then, we flew off, drying ourselves on the way and arrived at the restaurant five minutes later. I pushed the button on my camera to rewind the roll of film. “I’m going to drop this at the one-hour developing place for a bit,” I told Scootaloo. “You go on ahead inside, tell them I’ll be back in a second, I’ll just pick this up after dinner.” “Oh, alright.” Scootaloo huffed, then goes on inside. After dinner, I told myself, I won’t have to talk about monsters – I’ll show you all! Later that evening, dinner seemed to take forever. A colt near out table didn't stop complaining the whole time. He said his noodles tasted funny. He said the hay strips were too greasy, and the soup was too hot. Also, a foal won’t stop crying across the hall and this noise is deafening! And despite all of that, I barely paid any attention to what anyone said. I was thinking about my snapshot. I couldn't wait to see it – and to show it to the others. I could just imagine the looks on their faces when they saw that I was right, that I haven’t been making it up – that Mr. Warts really was a monster. I imagined both of Scootaloo and Fluttershy apologizing to me, promising they’d never doubt me again. “I feel so bad,” Imagined Fluttershy saying, “I’m going to buy you the Wonderbolt Storm Suit you've always wanted.” “And a ticket for their sky show next week!” I imagined Applejack saying. “Please forgive us for doubting you.” “And I’m sorry too,” I Imagined Scootaloo saying. “I know I’ve been a real jerk to you lately.” “You can go to mah room too, and do a little~” Suddenly, Fluttershy’s voice broke into my daydreams. “Dash? D-did you hear what I’ve said?” I snapped back to reality, nearly losing my balance on the chair. “H-huh?! No… I… uh… was thinking about something,” I admitted and start eating some of my noodles. “Bet she’s thinking about those monsters!” Scootaloo cried, raising both hooves up over the table as if she were a monster about to attack me. “C’mon, Dashie. No monster talk.” Applejack said sharply. “Well, don’t look at me!” I cried. “She said it – not me!” I pointed an accusing hoof at Scootaloo. “Just finish your dinner, Dash, please?” Fluttershy sighs, and looks a bit disappointed. I hate seeing her like this, I really hate making anyone upset over these things. I usually stop, but I already gone this far to bring this monster down, and I’m not about to give up just yet. Finally, we we’re opening some sort of cookie with a fortune on it. Oddly enough, I thought this kind of cookie was given through another country, but I didn't pay much attention to such trivial things at the moment. Mine said something about waiting for sunshine when the clouds part. Well, duh! I've been kicking clouds to let the sunshine in every winter wrap up. Guess this one just told me what I already know. Applejack paid the check. Scootaloo nearly spilled a glass of milk when we were about to get up. I went flying out of the restaurant to get to that photo store. I was so excited, so eager, I couldn't wait another second. The little photo store was on another block from where we were, so I sped up a bit and got there ten seconds flat. I tore into the store, up to the counter, and called out loudly to the young mare at the developing machine, “Are my photos ready yet?” “She turned to me suddenly, startled by my loud voice. “Oh! Uhm… I think so. What’s your name?” I told her. She walked over to a rack of yellow envelopes and began slowly shuffling through them. I tapped my hooves on the countertop with a rhythm, staring at the stack of yellow envelopes. Couldn't she hurry it up a little? I asked myself nervously. She shuffled all the way through the stack, and then turned back to me. “What did you say your name was again?” Trying not to sound exasperated, I told her my name again. I leaned eagerly on the counter top, my heart pounding, and stared at her as she began once again to shuffle through the yellow envelopes, moving her lips as she read the names. Finally, she pulled one out and handed to me. I grabbed it and started to tear it open. “That comes to fourteen bits even,” she said. I stopped what I was doing and realized I didn't have any money. “Uhh… I… I’ll have to get my friends,” I told her, not letting go of the precious package… somehow that didn't sound right in my mind. As I was about to turn and call for them, Applejack came in the doorway. Fluttershy and Scootaloo waited outside. She paid for me. I carried the envelope of photos out of the store and pulled it open, removing the snapshots. “D-Dashie, calm down,” Fluttershy said, sounding worried. I stared down at the snapshots. All photos of Scootaloo’s birthday party along with Pinkie and me. I sifted through them quickly, staring at the grinning faces of me, my friends, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and with others. Where is it? Where is it? Where is it? Of course, it was the very last photos. The one on the bottom of the stacks. Pffh, I knew that. “Here it is!” I cried. Fluttershy, Scootaloo and Applejack leaned over my shoulder to see. The other photos fell from my hooves and scattered all over the ground as I raised the photo to my face- -and nearly lost it.