Twinkle/TOCP's Thirty Minute Ponies Stories

by Twinkletail

Prompt #157: The Tale of the Last House

The Prompt: The very last house of Nightmare Night.

Four wandering eyes envisioned the prize; a bounty full of sweets
They took their friends' dare, the young colt and mare, to go for tricks and treats
They welcomed things scary, and yet they were wary, each quiet as a mouse
The colt and the filly both thought it was silly to visit that final house
For stories had told of young ponies more bold who entered that domain
Though warned to beware, they did not take care, and were never heard from again
This particular wager held rewards quite major, but outweighed by this strange mystery
Yes, candy brings mirth, but what was it worth to claim sugar-induced victory?
The colt had protested, but the filly contested, for the team with the most confections
Would claim both teams' earnings and fulfill all her yearnings; for candy, she had a strong predilection
The colt, although wincing, took little convincing, and slowly his will was bent
His anticipation ceased his hesitation, and towards the house the two went
They trod up the path, past the broken birdbath and around all the long, creeping vines
They stepped past the door, and the creaks of the floor sent shivers down their small spines
Of bravery bereft, the colt nearly left, but the filly would force him to halt
For five minutes they'd stay to make their friends pay the sweet candies they'd add to their vault
The filly was given pause upon the sight of large claws reaching for them from under the mat
But she felt silent joy when she saw it was a toy, and upon a nearby couch she sat
Then the two had a fright with a shut of the light; they were sure they would meet their ends
For a witch, rumors tell, in this house did dwell, and she'd likely not see them as friends
They attempted to flee, but they could not see, and collided with a table
They could take no more, and cowered on the floor, awaiting consummation of this fable
But five minutes did pass, and the lad and the lass were relieved to find it was a lie
Their friends waited outside, but were then forced to hide, until one let out a loud cry

"Wh..what happened then, Miss Zecora?" Apple Bloom's trembling voice asked. Sweetie Belle clung to her friend's side, hiding her face behind the big cat ears that were part of Bloom's costume, and even Scootaloo was visibly shaken. The zebra smiled and responded.

"I cannot answer that, my sweet little cat, but perhaps when you go out tonight
If you go past that dwelling, you'll hear some faint yelling...but try not to tremble in fright."

Right on cue, a yell was heard in the distance. The Cutie Mark Crusaders shrieked in terror and fled the scene, as the zebra chuckled to herself.

"Thanks, Zecora," Applejack said, stepping out from behind a nearby tree. "Ah've been tryin' ta get Bloom ta slow down on the sweets fer ages."

Comments

[Makokam]

Didn't really follow the ending all that well, but you get major points for Zecora's story.