Burning Hair
Ponyville could not have asked for a better Nightmare Night. With the appearance of Princess Luna, to the sheer amount of joy she brought the young fillies and colts, Big Macintosh couldn't be happier.
His only regret was not be able to meet the princess in person. His cart ride duties had taken up his entire night, and while he won't deny he liked the attention some of the mares were giving him, he did wish he could have seen little Applebloom running about in her costume. He sincerely hoped Applejack would stop her from eating a lot of candy.
His cart was starting to get a little heavier with each trip. He had reached the end of the route, and decided to call it quits for the night.
“Sorry girls, but ride's over,” He said. A few disappointed groans came from his passengers, before they disembark. Big Mac unhitched the cart from himself, as he cantered alongside the group to reunite with the rest of the festivities. A strange scent drifted by.
“So, Big Mac. Have any plans for the rest of the night?” Nurse Redheart asked. Her question was indeed innocent, given her tone. The other mares giggled amongst themselves, hearing a devious undertone that wasn't really there. Big Mac looked at the other mares, raising an eyebrow. Raindrops and Cherry Berry looked away innocently, while Cloud kicker challenged the stare.
“Well, first I need to find mah sisters,” Big Mac said dismissively, turning his attention to the direction of the rest of the town, all gathered around the games and talked with the Princess of the Night. Big Mac made a mental note to introduce himself before night's end, as the six of them made their way back into town.
It wasn't long before the group went on their merry way, leaving just Big Mac and Redheart in search of the rest of the apple family. Ponyville was quite alive in the dark, with festive lanterns littering the town from rooftop to street corner. Eager fillies and colts dashed from one door to another, hoping the ponies were still home and not already at the festival itself.
Princess Luna was in sight, as well as the mass of ponies she had gathered. Now in the town proper, The red stallion basked in the scent of the multitude of sweets, and the occasional perfume that dressed a passing mare. As they absorbed into the crowd, Big Mac caught sight of the Scarecrow his sister was disguised as.
“Applejack!” He called. The orange mare turned her head away from the apple bobbing tub, before trotting up to him.
“Howdy, Mac. Your cart rides over?”
“Eeyup.” Big Mac looked to either side of his sister. “Where's Applebloom?”
“She's with her friends. Pinkie Pie was leading a herd of foals all through town.”
Big Mac looked at her incredulously. “Where are they now?”
Applejack bumped her hoof into his side. “Oh, don't be so paranoid, Mac. They're fine! The only thing she needs to worry about is an upset stomach.”
Big Mac whipped his head around. A strange smell rushing by, and leaving as soon as it came. “Did ya smell that?”
“Smell what?” Redheart asked, reappearing out from the crowd. Big Mac unconsciously took another sniff, and the smell of sweets returned.
“Well howdy, Nurse Redheart! I'm liking the Pirate outfit,” Applejack complimented.
“Why thank you, Applejack. Your Scarecrow actually looks rather comfy.”
“Oh, it is. Straw can feel real nice if you pack it up tight,” Applejack stated, idly pressing against the puff on her chest.
“Do you mind if I borrow your brother for a second?” Redheart suddenly asked, before she began cantering away, not waiting for an answer.
Raising eyebrows at each other in confusion, Big Mac opted to follow her. The nurse and farmer find themselves somewhat secluded from the rest of the crowd.
“Listen Mac, about the other day...” She started, hoping he would catch the hint.
Big Mac was distracted, his nose raised to the air before he came crashing back down to earth. “Wha...? Oh yeah. Look, Ms. Redheart. Think nothing of it. It was a mistake. No harm done.”
“Does it have to be a mistake...?” She mumbled to herself, looking away from him.
Big Mac continued to scan the town for Pinkie Pie and whatever little group she was leading. There were plenty of ponies up and about. He saw Raindrops chatting with Cloud Kicker near the punch, Carrot Top and others chatting with the Princess, and Ditzy Doo trying land a spider on the web. Caramel was having fun with Cherry Berry at the dance, Raindrops was cantering slowly towards the edge of town, and the Cakes were trying their best at the pumpkin catapult.
Still there was no sign of her little sister anywhere.
“Is everything alright Mac?” Redheart finally asked, seeming rather sheepish all of a sudden.
“Yeah, I just need to find Applebloom,” Big Mac stated, as he began cantering towards the stage.
“You really care about her, don't you?” Redheart was close behind him.
“Of course, she's practically mah--” Big Mac halted his words, as he caught a glimpse of Cheerilee galloping towards Applejack.
Concern and fear took over. “That can't be good. C'mon!”
The two of them raced back to his sister. As they drew closer, Mac could hear shortened breaths, and whimpering.
Cheerilee was speaking frantically to Applejack. Big Mac noticed the Cutie Mark Crusaders right next to her, and paranoia escalated with the absence of Applebloom.
“What's goin' on!?” He shouted, finally upon the group.
“We can't find Applebloom!” Cheerilee cried. “Go on girls, tell him what you told me.”
Scootaloo was the one who spoke up. “We were with Pinkie Pie, making our last rounds around Ponyville. There were only a few of us left, once Pipsqueak had to go to bed. Pinkie was leading us back to town when--”
Sweetie Belle interrupted. “When we started smelling this weird smell! It smelt kinda... kinda like...”
Big Mac froze, as a shiver cascaded down the length of his spine. “Like burnt hair...”
“Yes! Like somepony accidentally burned their mane or something!” Sweetie shouted.
“When Cheerilee came to pick us up, we noticed Applebloom was gone!” Scootaloo finished.
Overwhelming panic enveloped the red stallion, and he could see it was consuming Applejack as well.
“Where were you guys when Cheerilee picked you up?” Applejack asked, speaking a thousand words a minute.
“We were near Fluttershy's cottage,” Cheerilee stated, trying her best to keep herself calm.
Fluttershy's cottage, near the Everfree Forest. The mere thought shook Big Mac to his core. “We need to go. Now.”
Redheart stepped in. “I'm coming with. If she's hurt--”
“Don't even finish that sentence,” Mac said, with rather a threatening tone.
Without another word, the group quickly galloped off in the direction of Fluttershy's isolated home. Big Mac's heart raced, as he led the mares and fillies away from the town, the night getting increasingly darker.
Glancing at the night sky, Big Mac noted tonight was a new moon. Maybe that's why she could be here, he mused, no moon to raise. The thought only distracted him slightly, and his nose was caressed by the scent of a singed mane.
The distressed group came upon the cottage like a train, almost trampling the ground beneath their hooves. As they came upon the door, Big Mac stepped aside to let Applejack knock, deciding the face of a friend would ease Fluttershy.
Out of the corner of his eye, Big Mac spotted the yellow pegasus in question, trotting in a field in the distance, in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.
Without a word, he charged. Galloping off in search of answers he hoped Fluttershy would have.
“Hey! Mac!” Applejack shouted. “Where ya goin'!?”
The group's attention was diverted from the stallion, as Fluttershy slowly opened the door.
* * *
Mac's muzzle was assaulted by the odd odor, almost in full force as he approached the trepid pegasus. He noticed it had changed. The smell of burning hair was now mixed with some other strange scent. Something akin to dried blood.
He was only a short ways away from her, as she passed under the shadow of a tree. He was almost directly upon her, as the odor grew stronger and stronger, burning his eyes. The shade from the tree had covered the pegasus entirely, as she limped her way across the field. Big Mac opened his mouth to speak, but the stench grew palpable, his stomach threatening to vomit. It was impossible to see under the shade, as he outreached his hoof to the very faint line of her frame.
His hoof met nothing but air, as his eyes cleared. The odor had vanished, as did the timid mare. He shifted his gaze, before trotting around the trees a few times, to ensure she wasn't hiding.
Fluttershy was nowhere to be found.
“Macintosh!” He heard Applejack call from afar. Turning to face them, he could make out the shapes of the three mares. Applejack quickly pulled her brother into a hug, as Cheerilee and Redheart came to a stop. “Why did y'all just run off like that?”
Big Mac struggled to find the words, as he tried to piece together what he just saw.
“We found Applebloom,” Redheart said, obviously relieved. “She went to Fluttershy's when she got lost.”
Big Mac's sigh seemed to shake to earth for the mares. The tension is his body still tightened, absolutely confused with what he saw. His fear continued the climb the longer he stood there.
“It's very late. Fluttershy is letting us spend the night at her place,” Cheerilee said,as he began to trot back to the cottage. Big Mac followed, on shaking hooves.
The stallion followed the four mares in shock. There was no real way he could wrap his head around it, even thinking that his mind was simply playing tricks on him didn't seem a satisfying answer.
He was broken from his terrified thinking by the sight of the cottage. The group strode inside, and came across Fluttershy setting up makeshift beds for everyone. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and (thankfully) Applebloom were fast sleep on the couch, curled into little balls of fur.
Big Mac was absolutely exhausted, more mentally than anything else. With a final good night, Fluttershy left the group as she went upstairs. All Big Mac needed was a corner to rest his head on. With the mares finally decided where to rest for the slight remainder of the evening. Applejack slept with the fillies, Cheerilee slept next to the table, and Redheart opted to sleep next to Big Mac himself.
He sighed. Everything was fine now. Everyone was safe and sound, and he could finally put this rather disturbing night behind him...
...Mac woke in a jolt. Rubbing his eyes, he could feel Redheart's breath on his shoulder. He took a look outside, seeing it was just before Celestia's dawn.
He unconsciously began to survey the room. Applejack still rested with all three fillies next to the couch, Redheart rested herself against him, and Cheerilee was sharing her blanket with Berry Punch. His eyes began to close once more, as sleep wished him back home. Everything was perfectly--
Big Mac's gaze shot towards Berry Punch, her back to him. Big Mac Breath began to shake, as she lifted her head, turning her gaze towards him.
He suddenly became aware of the scent of burning hair...
Also LikedSimilarAuthor
- DuskPhoenix · 1.4k words · 114 6 · 3.9k views
- RB_ · 1k words · 360 22 · 16k views
- DuskPhoenix · 2.7k words · 83 4 · 2.6k views
- Magpiepony · 1.8k words · 182 8 · 7.6k views
- DegeTheMighty · 2k words · 62 1 · 2.2k views
- DegeTheMighty · 1.4k words · 67 1 · 1.5k views
Stats
Page generated in 0.159 seconds
Total duration
952 users online
219,353 hits today, 2,244,100 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
Thanks for not letting me sleep at night with that cover picture. Will read sooner or later. Man, now I'll never go to sleep.
3302521 Almost always the first to comment, I'm impressed
3302534
I always look at the notification box... it's my best friend.
fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/325/9/9/pinkamena_by_davidlc-d45into.png
Not like, you needed any sleep either.
3302554 Don't start this
NSFW(? Just in case)
i.imgur.com/TBrhiOW.jpg
I have no problems Turning my comments into a nosleep thread
is there more cause i couldn't and can't be bothered to check
3302574 EENOPE, is a one shot
3302578 then why leave it on a cliff hanger like that!?
3302592 It's kinda what I do
Although, this is part of one-shotober. If I feel the need, like my other one-shots, I may make a sequel of some kind
3302578
This inspires me to write a similar horror story but based off of sound :P
3302602 is this original or did this come from another creepypasta thing or something?
3302614 The concept is based off of several creepypasta I've read pertaining to skinwalkers, or something of the like.
3302634 if you do decide to make a sequel i hope it'll be about where it was coming from and why aj and mac seemed panicked cause i think they were panicked over more than just applebloom dissaperaing
3302651 Good eye...
There are reasons the ponies are scared of the Everfree. This creature is one of them.
3302656 i only noticed it because big mac seemed to be familiar with it and he seemed to know the exact danger of the situation since he went from panicked to threatening when nurse redheart suggested that she should come along should applebloom be hurt
3302717 There is a little more to this (there always is unfortunetly
)
Big Mac had no idea what he was exactly facing, but he's heard stories. They all have.
The reason they were so freaked out was because Nightmare Night has a very tarnished reputation when it comes to strange happenings.
And with Big Mac and Redheart. Well, there is a LOT more to that.
3302742 so i'm guessing this creature lures unsuspecting prey in somehow or does it always carry the scent of burning hair?
3302753 It's a trait it has, but serves only to hinder its subtlety. I'll be honest, I haven't developed this thing as much as I want.
3302771 don't worry i know how you feel i've yet to finish my ocs backstory yet so i can't imagine how hard it must be to make one for a monster
3302823 In due time, this won't be the last sighting of it
3302842 can't wait!
Please update this soon!
I have waited a long time for a monster story with Big Macintosh!!!!
3305059 Sorry bro, but this is a one shot, so there won't be any direct continuation.
HOWEVER
That being said, there are several planned sequels to some that I'll do after One-shotober is done, and this will be one of them. We'll see more of this monster, and maybe a even more of Big Mac's situation. Most likely a prequel.
I liked this, makes me want to write another horror one shot.
Nice and creepy. Just the way a horror fic shouldf be.
Sorry, but I don't really understand this fic
Hi there. I hope you don't mind, but I liked this fic so much I've put together an audio version.
5159061 I hope neither of you mind, but I liked this so much that I've altered the content for my amusement
Man, lingering sense of foreboding here.
5175752
oh dear god why XD
This really is too spooky!
I'm a little confused with the ending there, as well as with what Mac saw by the forest.
listened to scribbler's reading and... *shivers* jeez, that ending. just what was that thing anyway?
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT!?
...
...
...I HATE IT WHEN THEY STARE!
Look away!
I'm a fan of mysteries, open endings, and uncertain nebulous terrors, but this story seemed almost unfinished. All the elements were there, but I think you needed one or two more paragraphs to actually reach the point where it would be a decent open ending. Something like, having the creature stand and walk out the door, leaving Big Mac to silently stare out the open door into the predawn mists.
Or maybe there was something I missed. Did the creature have something to do with the romantic tension Mac was wrapped up in with Redheart? Was the creature a metaphor for the horrors of incest: that one line about Apple Bloom being "almost like his daughter" being more than just a little too telling? Was it supposed to represent something about Cheerilee, perhaps the looming horror of commitment in a relationship when Mac still wants to run around? It just seems that there was something here that I should have picked up on by the end, something that would have justified such a sudden stop to the story.
EDIT: Okay, so I went back and listened to the audio recording Scribbler did of this story. Strangely enough, the ending totally works better the second time through. I get it now. The terror is that the thing is inside the house, and has been for a while now. Now it is aware that Big Mac knows...
You're right. That was the proper stopping point. Giving the story any sort of continuing ending after that point, would spoil the unknown tension of what happens next. But I still want to believe there was some strange horrific social metaphor the creature was supposed to represent.
All I have to say is...?
Nice ghost story, though the ending left something to be desired. Really gets me in the mood for Nightmare Night.
aw man. That was scary as hell.
This is absolutely disturbing. Great work, bro!
Pony version of a fleshgait?
That cover art freaked the crap out of me. Ultra creepy. Good fic too.
5175752
I am very dissapointed that I laughed listening to this
This writer is quite good
This entity seems like it’s either a fleshgait, a skinwalker, or an illusion that really IS Big Mac’s imagination. Who knows, maybe that was part of the point of the cut-off ending. We smell blood at one point, is it a fleshgait creature like the Fluttershy lookalike in “Let Her In”? Is it a skinwalker, a malevolent witch with the ability to shapeshift similar to a changeling? Or is it Big Mac suffering from hallucinations of some sort, perhaps ones related to whatever is going on between him and Red Heart? All I can guess is the hallucinations thing is thrown out the window immediately because others can smell the scent too.
Either way, this story was very well-written. I loved reading it!
I don't get it
Oooh. Short, sweet, and spoopy. Very nice.
Afaik, this was before Changelings were revealed, yes? Well, I've got three words; fear-based Changelings. Eh? Anyone? Changelings that feed on fear?
11374009
I see the likelihood of this being high, or it is an entirely unique species that can also shift forms?