(RE-WRITE NOW AVAILABLE!) Long ago in a town that sat near a forest. When darkness fell upon the town, something devious happened as others lurked around. There were only 15 remaining residents yet death can be lurking around any corner.
(RE-WRITE NOW AVAILABLE!) Long ago in a town that sat near a forest. At that time, Celestia was unable to tame the horrors and dangers of the night. When darkness fell upon the town, something devious happened as others lurked around. There was only 15 remaining adults yet they only have days left. Who will survive in the town called Salem?
A corpse of pony hung on a tree outside the town, it’s wings limp and crows picked at the rotting flesh. The soft sound of hooves moving towards the centre of the town around 15 houses, their lights all on as sunset neared. One mare lifted her head from the ground.
“Afternoon” She said, a blank look on her face. The multicoloured residents looks up at the sound of the mare’s voice.
“Hello Ludwig. Nice to see you survived.” A black coloured stallion said toward the white mare.
“Oh nice to see you too Black Ink,” Said another stallion with a bitter tone. “Anyone want to address the elephant in the room.” his blue and red hair covering his eyes.
“Which is, Mai?” A light blue pegasus mare said while she flew over her normal spot.
“What do you think Feather Doe? Oh maybe it's the fact that someponies here want to kill us?” Mai said as he adjusted his hat. The other sat there in silence. “Is no pony gonna say anything? Bloody great.” The stallion grumbled as he sat back down.
“I think we should all get along.” Another mare said, her pale gold hair tucked under her bonnet.
“Oh shut it Goldie.” Another Unicorn said, His coat a dark gray.
“Hello Brother.” Mai said with a slightly more cheerful tone.
“I suggest a role call!’ Chirped another mare, her bright pink hair bounced around her on her bright blue coat.
“That’s a great idea, Bubbly” Ludwig said as she pulled out a scroll.
“But you can see we’re all here.” Mai replied.
“Then what’s your idea?” A pegasus replied, her pale pink hair snaked across her mint green coat.
“Oh, I don’t know Vine Flower, How about we just go to bloody bed!” Mai shouted at the younger mare.
“Mai. Calm down for once please,” Ludwig calmly replied to Mai’s outburst before she unrolled the paracment. “Black Ink?”
“Here.” The black stallion opposite Ludwig murmured
“Goldie?” Ludwig scanned the area looking for the mare.
“H-Here.” stammered the white and pale gold pegasus.
“Misty?” A gray earth pony looked up. She sat on the ground while a brown book lay in front of her.
“Hmm? Wha? Oh s-sorry I was reading.” She stuttered.
“Great, who else isn’t paying attention!” Mai snapped before everyone turned and glared at him. “What?! It’s an honest question!”
“Swift Lighting? Vine Flower?”
The pegasus mare from before raised her mint green hoof while the stallion next to her nodded, his blue bangs bobbing up and down as he moved his head.
Another black stallion raised his hoof, next to him sat a light gray stallion. He too nodded his head. The dark grey stallion from before raised his hoof.
“I’m here! Duh!” Bubbly said with a cheerful tone as she jumped up and down on the spot.
“We know Bubbly. Now let Ludwig finish.” Absential said, he’s multi coloured mane falling over his eyes.
“Danke Absential. Anyway, Cider, Dove Wings, Phoenix, Feather Doe and Mai?”
A slightly drunk unicorn mare lay on the ground, a gun and bottle lay next to her as she raised her hoof. A pure white pegasus who was sitting up in a nearby tree nodded as she fluttered down from her perch.
“I’m here.” The voice came from a fiery red earth pony sat nearby said tree reading a book. Feather Doe landed next to Ludwig, a grin plastered across her face.
“I’m here. Calm down, alright?” Mai grumbled, a grumpy look across his face. Shadows started to embrace the town as the residents looked at each other once last time before night fell.
Mai waited till his two other companions slipped into the house as he looked out the window. “About time.” He muttered as the two unicorns entered the room.
“Well it isn’t my fault that Bubbly wanted to stop by her house to get cookies.”
“Mmhf!” The mare said, her mouth full of cookies.
“Shut it you two! Who’s next on our list?” Mai yelled as he sat down impatiently in a chair, the round table in front of him containing scrolls upon scrolls of information on the remaining residents.
“Well, I heard that Misty was claiming to be the Lookout bu-”
“But I thought Goldie is a better target! No one will even notice that she’s gone!”
“Goldie it is.” Mai stated as he crossed out the drawing of the mare on the parchment with a black feathered quill. “Now go and do your jobs!” He shouted at the two before they scrambled through the door.
In the doorway stood Ludwig, her bonnet was gone and so was her apron. “Ludwig. Nice to see you.” Mai muttered under his breath.
“Ja. Anyway, I’ll be back soon, there's something I need to take care of.”
Mai nodded at the mare before she left the building, a slight smile across his face.
Outside, the night air cold and bitter as the mare slowly made her way towards another’s house. A sudden noise made her turn around as she held her breath. A cloaked figure stood behind her, a gleaming knife shining through the cloak. She snarled under her breath as she trotted away. “I don’t have time for you. I’ve got to get somewhere”
When she turned back the figure was gone. Ludwig walked towards a house, the lights were still on. She picked up the black coat she had stashed the morning before. She drapped it across herself as she entered the building. The smell of books, parchment and burnt candles lingered in the air around her. She slowly entered the supposed bedroom of the owner. His gray body moving to the motion of breathing. She carefully lifted the the gas canister she had stashed outside the house. She unscrewed the lid with her magic before she covered the room in the liquid. She then walked into the kitchen and dumped the canister on the floor. She froze as she heard a groan from the other room. She quickly rushed outside and trotted by darkened window, a lit match in her grasp. She tossed it through the open window. The house went up in flame as the mare walked away, a grin across her face
Mai woke up with a start as he heard a knock on his bedroom door. Mai slowly got up from his bed while rubbing his head. His hair slightly messy. He trotted over to the door and opened it. Standing there was Ludwig, she had her hair up in a bun, her apron had a few unknown food stains across the middle. “I made breakfast.”
“What kind?” Mai grumbled at the mare.
“Barley pancakes. Like everyday.” She laughed as he trotted forward and ruffled her hair a little. She sat down at the table opposite him as he walked into the room. The dark wooden table had marks and scratches from years of use and wear. A small stack of pancakes lay atop a plate, a glass of water placed next to a set of cutlery. Mai sat down in the worn wooden chair and picked up his fork with his magic. Ludwig got up and walked over to the kitchen bench and lifted up a newspaper before tossing it over to him. “You heard the news?”
“What news?” He said between bites of pancakes.
“That Mouse Pad’s house went up in flames last night by unknown means.”
“Weally?” He questioned, his voice still muffled by the food. She replied by nodded as she too sat down at the table. Mai turned and looked towards the closed door in the hall. “Is Feuer still asleep?”
“Ja. She seemed restless last night.”
Mai nodded before getting up and walking towards the closed door. He slowly opened it with his magic. The window was open and the light blue curtains were blowing in the slight breeze from outside. The early morning light shone through the thin curtains upon the sleeping figure below. Hoof-made wooden toys and dolls littered the floor, a few shoes clustered around the door to the closet. Mai moved over to the sleeping figure and tapped their shoulder.
“Mmh.. five more minutes, Daddy.” A small female voice said from under the covers as she moved around.
“Up you get before me and your mother eat all your pancakes.”
“Pancakes?!” A small filly darted from under the covers. A large smile covered her muzzle. The young filly had a white coat like her mother yet her hair was a mix of bright blue, fiery red and jet black. It curled up like her mothers yet rather than the cold gray eyes Ludwig owned, she had deep violet. Feuer ran out of the room in joy, her nightgown fluttering behind. She ran into the kitchen before plopping herself down into a vacant chair.
“Good morning, dear.” Ludwig said before she placed the filly’s plate down onto the table and kissed her forehead. Ludwig sat down next to Mai as she lifted her own fork with her magic.
“Says here that Swift Lighting is getting married in a weeks time.” Mai mentioned as he ruffled the newspaper to straighten it up.
“Why that's lovely! Who’s the lucky mare?”
“Cider.” He bluntly replied.
“But she’s a unicorn. Isn’t she?” Ludwig seemed baffled by the news.
“What’s wrong, Mamma?” Feuer said as she looked up from her food which was almost finished.
“Meeting is soon. Feuer finish your breakfast then go to your room.”
“Yes Mamma.” The young filly said as she got up from her spot and left the room.
“Cmon, Ludwig. Meeting time.” Mai said as he got up from his chair. The two trotted outside, each going to their own spots.
They all halted in their tracks as they saw the two corpses lying in the middle of the town, one of them burnt to a crisp and was almost unidentifiable. The first corpse belonged to Goldie, her white wings bent awkwardly and blood stained her coat. A bullet wound obvious on her chest and next to that wound was a knife wound. One of the mares gasped when she saw the other corpse. Vine Flower gasped as she looked at the second corpse. The second corpse belonged to Mouse Pad, everypony knew his house went up in flame last night. They had all thought he escaped. Tears welled Vine Flower’s eyes as she wailed in sorrow. Feather Doe walked over to Ludwig and embraced her in hug.
Misty stepped forward a grim look plastered her muzzle. “I-I saw who stabbed Goldie.”
All eyes turned onto the earth pony as she stood before everyone. Misty raised one hoof and pointed to Phoenix. “I saw him do it!!” She yelled at him. The stallions wings flew up in defence as he started to yell at the mare.
“What are you talking about you foolish mare?!” He shouted back at her.
“Woah, Woah! Calm down Phoenix,” Feather Doe said as she landed next to him.
“Well I know for a fact the Misty is Lookout.” Ludwig said, a plan look on her face.
“How? The Sheriff is dead!” Mai retorted at her.
“Well, if you were paying attention you would see that beside their bodies are will and death notes which are left by the killer. There’s only a death note for Goldie seeing as she didn’t leave a will due to being the Medium. Mouse Pad’s will, “ She lifted up one of the papers, it wasn’t covered in blood or burnt like the other. “Mouse Pad The Sheriff, I have discover that Misty is lookout. He then goes on to tell us other stuff and there seems to be a half written name but i can’t make it out.” She passed the will around to the others.
“What does the death note say?” Shadow Nexus said while he sat at the steps to the center of the town.
“I got it here,” Vine Flower said, tears still streaming down her face. “This burning feeling you feel? It is shame. T-That’s all it says.” She dropped the scroll and feel to the ground as a fresh wave of tears befell her. Swift Lighting held Cider close to him as the whole town went silent for a few moments.
“I say we hang Phoenix.” Dove Wings stated. The other muttered in agreement expect for Phoenix who was panicking.
“All in favor of hanging Phoenix Of Salem?” Shadow Nexus said. The eleven remaining adults of the town shouted a cry of agreement that rang throughout the town. Phoenix stood atop the large platform in the middle of the town while standing upon a wooden stool while a loose noose hung around his neck.
“Your doomed anyway. So it doesn't matter if I die. There’s still a Werewolf, an Arsonist and the whole bloody Mafia.” He said before he broke out into insane laughter. Shadow Nexus bucked the stool from underneath him. Everypony except Ludwig and Mai turned away. A bitter and blank expressions covered their faces as his body went limp as it hung like a terrible party decoration. The sound of wolves could be heard as the sun set behind them
Feather Doe looked at the full moon as it sat behind some clouds as the feeling of her coat growing longer around her body started. She ran towards another’s house and entered it discovering it to be Black Ink’s abode. She stumbled inside, her muzzle growing longer till she had entered the drawing room fully covered in fur and completely unrecognizable. Sitting in the room was Absential and Bubbly Wind both of them standing over the dead corpse of Black Ink. She charged forward and swiped at both of them. Bubbly ,seeing her approach, shoved Absential in front of her causing him to be tore to shreds. As he screamed in pain Bubbly grabbed a hardcover book from nearby and threw at the window causing it to shatter. Seeing it as her chance to escape she jumped out of the window and ran into the night.
She arrived at Mai’s house huffing and tears running down her muzzle. She halted outside the drawing room and collapsed onto the floor. Mai and Ludwig ran out from the kitchen due to hearing her enter the house. “Bubbly! What’s wrong?” Mai said as he lowered himself near her.
“I’ll get something to calm her.” Ludwig said before heading back towards the kitchen.
“A-Absential.. H-He..” Mai froze at the mention of Absential.
“Bubbly. Where’s my brother?” He said with rage.
Meanwhile in another house, Shadow Nexus was being held in a large cage as another pony looked at him from the shadows. The bars were slightly rusty from years of use and a small bucket sat in the corner next to the chair in which he sat. “For the last time Nexus, what’s your role?”
“I told you i’m the Mayor. Vine Flower, just let me out.”
The pony on the other side leaned forwards showing her rose coloured mane and mint green coat. “I’m not letting you out till tomorrow morning.”
“Fine.”
In another house across the street, inside her house sat Cider, a small bottle of alcohol and her gun sat next to her, a bear trap in by the front door and crates that she was leaning up against block the rest of the house except for the small bedroom which used to be a study. She stared at the window as minutes ticked by once or twice she would lift the small bottle up to her lips. Bags under her eyes suggested lack of sleep. After what seemed hours the door slowly opened causing the mare to snap to attention. “Dear? It’s me!” The figure called before they put a hoof forward into the bear trap, a cry of pain came from the stallion’s mouth as he stumbled forward. Cider lifted her gun and took aim. With a burst of fear she pulled the trigger at his head. Bits of brain and other gore splattered across the room. She yelped in fear at his mangled corpse before she lay against the crates behind her, tears streaming down her face.
Pinkie Pie trotts into view while the background behind her is black and white, an outfit close to that of the cast is what she’s wearing.
“Hi, umm you're probably wondering why i’m here and the background behind me is black and white. Well this is a story right? I’m just here to clarify some commonly asked questions about this fic. For those who commented thanks! That goes for those who added the story to their library. First questions is.. Umm.” She pulls out a laptop and looks at it intently. “Ah yes the cast list. Well I’m guessing by now you know who the bad guys are and some of the town members, well those who are still alive. Anyway the cast list is as follows, Black Ink the Doctor, Goldie the Medium, Misty the Lookout, Swift Lighting the Escort, Vine Flower the Jailor, Mai the Godfather, Ludwig the Arso, Feather Doe the Werewolf, Shadow Nexus the Mayor, Phoenix the Serial Killer, Mouse Pad the Sheriff, Dove Wings the Investigator and Cider the Veteran. Geez that’s a long list. Second question, Do i have an editor? Well no i don’t least not right now. Third question, how many words per chapter? Well my old goal was 1000 words per chapter but now that i have stuff ta do it’s as much as i feel like writing. Fourth question, Does this still follow the rules of the game? No and yes. It follows some rules but characters can escape death or not, for example Bubbly should of died when the WW came through but she escaped. Fifth and final question, Who’s my co-writer? That would be my mate, Mai. His OC, Mai, is in the story obviously and he’s been reading through it and helping me write bits. Hehe, anyway back to the story. I’ve taken up about 2 quarters of this chapter writing this bit. My author's note will still be down the bottom but i thought i’d add a bit of fourth wall breakin’”
Pinkie Pie chucks the laptop away and walks off the screen with a cheerful jump.
Morning couldn’t of come sooner for Cider as she stumbled from her house. Three corpses lay in the center of the town as they all gathered once more. Ludwig already held the wills and death notes with her magic as she started to read the one that belonged to Black Ink.
“Black Ink died last night, he was killed by a member of the Mafia. His role was Doctor. I shall now read his will and death note. Night one I attempted to heal Ludwig think she would be targeted, she was not attacked. Night two I need to restock my supplies therefore i don’t think i’ll be able to heal anyone tonight,” Ludwig paused before lifting the death note and reading it aloud as well. “Don’t stay quiet.” She then shuffled to through the papers and lifted the next will. “A-Absential died last night,” She said with a gulp. “He was mauled by a Werewolf. His role was Framer. I shall now read his last will. You will regret the day you messed with the Mafia, we aren’t a family but we have bonds like one.” Mai was staring at the ground while Feather Doe and other comforted him. Ludwig pulled out the dead note and started to read it.
The world around him seemed to of crumbled, Mai stared at the dirt ground, the sounds around him going numb. There was shouting around him telling him to get up off the ground, that he had a duty. He rose his head and looked at Ludwig who was standing in the middle of the town, her hair wasn’t tied up in a bun like normal.
Ludwig lifted the final scroll. “Swift Lighting died last night, he was shot by the Veteran. His role was Escort.” Cider rocked back and forth on her spot while three bottle lay around her, all empty. Tears ran down her muzzle as she cried.
“Enough. This is enough!” Shadow Nexus yelled at everyone who was gathered there. “Crying and panicking won’t get us anywhere! We only have a group of 6 children, 3 of which belong to Feather Doe! 2 of them are orphans since yesterday seeing as Goldie and Black Ink died!”
“We’ve gotten the Serial Killer and one member of the Mafia.” Bubbly chirped in a slightly sad tone.
“We know Bubbly.” Misty replied.
“So who are we hangin’ now?” Mai muttered.
“I don’t know..” Shadow Nexus said, a slightly confused look on his face. “I guess we can just end this meeting for today.” Everyone murmured in agreement before heading back to their own spaces. Ludwig trotted over to Feather Doe while Mai started to walk back home. They trotted towards the store that Misty owned, it was a small cafe mixed with a food supply store. The slightly rusty sign hung from its hinges above them. They sat down at one of the tables while a young colt trotted over to take their order, him being one of the recently orphaned children. Misty, feeling guilty at condemning the young colt’s father to death, took him in. He now helped around the small shop to earn his keep. The two mares ordered a coffee while they sat in the afternoon sun.
“How have you been, Feather Doe?” Ludwig asked as she sipped her drink.
“Busy, being a single mother in these times is difficult, especially when raising three foals.” She replied. “Umm Ludwig, can I trust you to keep a secret?”
Ludwig looked up and nodded. I hope she’s telling me something i can use against her. A slightly grim look covered her face as she looked at her friend.
“I-I can’t handle all of this stress, w-with raising the foals and everypony dropping like flies.. It’s too much.”
“Woah, woah. Calm down.” Ludwig got up and rubbed her friend’s back. Ludwig looked down at the mare’s hooves, under the sleeves of her dress were faint cut or bite marks. “What are these?” Feather Doe pulled herself away suddenly from the mare before running away leaving a stunned Ludwig in her path.
Meanwhile Mai hung out some of the washing outside the house while Feuer ran around him. A slight breeze flew by and it ruffled the foliage in the tree above. The creaking sound of a wooden gate opening signalled that Ludwig had arrived home. She came around the house and seemed to of spotted them. Mai stood behind a sheet and peaked around it to greet her. “Hello. Where have you been?” Mai said.
“I’ve been out with Feather Doe.” She replied as she came over to help him. They completed the laundry and started to head inside for dinner
