An icy shiver crawled slowly down Zecora’s spine as she continued on her path. She knew the shiver did not come from the numbing cold combined with her wet coat. Instead, it came from the unnerving silence around her.
After living in the Everfree for nearly four years, the Zebra knew that it was never this quiet in the magical forest. She hadn’t even seen any of her pursuers ever since she attempted to escape from them. Not that she was complaining; but she didn’t know why. Perhaps they were leading her to an area where they could more easily kill her, or maybe she had lost them?
Her inner musings were interrupted when the thick curtain of trees revealed an old castle across a deep looking chasm. A small bridge connected the two land masses with each other, it barely looked sturdy enough to hold a single pony, much less one of those heavy creatures that were after her.
A smile found its way to her lips as she realised that this was where the Golden Freddy had sent her. Once she crossed the bridge, she would be safe. If they even tried following her, they would surely snap the bridge and plummet to their deaths. Even if they somehow survived the fall, it would be impossible to climb back up.
With her shoulders relaxing for the first time since the night started, Zecora started traversing the gap.
Unfortunately for her, she was never able to see the smiling figure starting at her from one of the broken windows.
Far above the treeline, The Puppet observed the events unfolding below. It would seem the purple cloud had kept its promise. He knew that the one he sought was within that castle. Killing him would be so very simple. His target might be strong, but it would be impossible to fight off seven of them at once. The Zebra was of no consequence, she would not survive the night, even if he had to deal with her himself.
But something wasn’t right.
His target was aware of him. It should know that it was at a disadvantage. But it remained stationary, as if mocking him, daring him to come closer.
The playful smile on the Puppet’s white mask morphed into the same fierce scowl he had used earlier that night. He pointed a single elongated finger at the castle, and was immediately answered with the tell-tale scream of Foxy.
All thoughts of capturing the Zebra left his mind. He only had one objective now.
Springtrap will pay!
After entering the castle, Zecora went straight towards one of the smaller rooms near the library. She remembered Twilight Sparkle mentioning that the area was the most intact of the entire castle.
She had to get warm, and quickly, before hypothermia set in. It may not be winter, but the chilling evening combined with her dripping wet coat could cause unnecessary complications.
Zecora’s only problem now was dealing with her metallic pursuers. While she may be safe for the time being, she had not tried to cover her tracks as she went so they could follow her easily. She thought of the bridge outside, thinking that it would keep them out before snorting in laughter. I am not about to place all of my hopes in a few strands of ropes.
Thump Thump,
Thump Thump,
Zecora immediately became alert when the echoing footsteps reached her ears. She took extra care not to make any noises, not even daring to move to a better hiding spot than her current position in the middle of the room.
As the seconds ticked by in silence, Zecora became increasingly aware of the dripping sounds the water was making as it fell from her coat.
Thump Thump,
Thump Thump,
The terrifying cadence of the echo increased in volume. A lump of ice slowly grew in the mare’s stomach as she realised that if she stayed where she was, she would get caught with no means of escape, but if she were to run, she would immediately give away her position, which would force her to run from several incredibly fast machines in narrow passages.
Damned if I do, damned if I don’t… She thought, not even attempting to form a rhyme.
Taking a deep breath, she stood up, muscles ready to run like she had never run before.
Zecora sprinted out of the small room, but the moment she looked towards her left, towards the exit, time slowed down for her.
She could see the new creature in all of its terrifying glory. Its entire body was a dark brown, leathery colour. It had a few holes in it, but not nearly as many as Freddy or Chica. Within the holes she could clearly see patches of red.
Her heart nearly stopped when she locked eyes with the creature. It had a macabre smile plastered on its face with bits of its own skin in between them, as if it chewed off its own lips to always wear that sinister smile.
Its teeth parted, letting out a terrible hiss, causing Zecora to snap back to reality and without any hesitation, spun to her right, hoping to find salvation deeper in the castle.
To her horror, the red fox was waiting there for her, hook upraised and promising a painful death should she approach.
By now she was shaking, her only exits had been cut off. She slowly backed up hoping to find some sort of salvation in the tiny room behind her, but stopped short as she felt a hand being placed on her back. Too terrified to do anything else, she looked behind her.
No… She didn’t want to believe it, she refused to No no no… but standing between her and her only remaining hope was a tall creature with a deathly pale face and a smile that seemed to mock the fact that she was about to die.
With her back against a wall, Zecora knew there was only one possible option left to her. She jumped away and bent low, readying herself for a fight she was sure to lose.
Three against one…this will not be fun.