A trial of character...

Scootaloo could feel the sheets of an old bed around her. She didn't feel like waking up. School again... She opened her eyes to see a roof made out of cracked and mossy stones. Wait a minute! Where am I? She bolted upright into a sitting position and frantically began looking around the room she was in. The walls were made of the same poorly kept cobblestones. To her right there was a large wooden door, complete with an antique handle. Scootaloo herself was lying on quite a large bed, but it was obvious it was very old and not well kept. Dust was floating in the room, indicating scarce use. To Scootaloo's left, there was a large wardrobe. Finally, Scootaloo's eyes shot to the front of the room. There was a desk with a small window above it. Rays of sunlight shined through the window, but... These rays of light had a colder feel. It was almost as if this light was being shown through a dark grey tarp, and it just felt evil.

Scootaloo shakily got out of the bed. She could guess she was in a castle, but she had no idea why. She decided to go investigate the desk. Scootaloo nervously approached the desk. It was old and wooden, and it's chair was pushed out. Scootaloo looked to the door, and finally noticed the large red trail on the ground. She took a few steps back, her mouth agape in horror. A blood trail originated from the chair and led all the way to the door, and past it. Scootaloo's heart began to beat out of control. She looked down to the ground and squeezed her eyes shut. Calm down, calm down... she thought. Scootaloo summoned the bravery to go and look through the desk drawers. Scootaloo cautiously walked to the front of the desk, and saw a piece of paper on top. She snatched it and began to read.

My dearest foal, Scootaloo,

I write to you in a desperate time. I know you're probably

confused, but I need you to listen to me. I'm an old friend

of yours, a dragon by the name of Sir Spike. That is as much

of an introduction I can give you, for my time is running out.

I fear it will not be long before she ends my life. Hopefully the

name "Twilight Sparkle" still instills hate in you? If not, then

you will not understand the horrors you will face. You must

go through the seven trials. You must save seven ponies.

six of them being friends of yours, while the last one being

an alicorn. I can hear Twilight's hoofsteps coming down the

hall. Remember, they can all be saved.

Scootaloo saw the rest of the page covered in blood. Twilight? But she's a hero! Why would she kill Spike?! Scootaloo took a step back from the desk. She needed time to think. Twilight Sparkle is insane, Scootaloo guessed. She killed Spike... That was hard to bear for Scootaloo, even though she didn't know the amusing dragon very well. Scootaloo put those thoughts out of her head and began searching the desk. She opened the top drawer, but found it empty. The second drawer had multiple tinderboxes inside, but Scootaloo didn't know where to store them. She thought for a moment, then proceeded to the wardrobe. She opened it cautiously, and took a peek inside.

There were a few clothing items for colts. Scootaloo completely disregarded these, and searched the other corner of the wardrobe. To her delight, she found a faded gray pack that had straps to fit around a ponies shoulders. She took it gratefully, and put it on. Fits perfect, she thought as she tried the pack on. Scootaloo trotted back over to the desk and put the tinderboxes in the pouch. She then opened the third drawer, to find multiple containers full of lantern oil. Scootaloo shrugged, thinking she might as well take them. She stuffed them into her pouch.

Scootaloo sighed shakily. She was still shaken by the sight of the blood trail, and she just wanted to go home. Scootaloo didn't want to cry, but she felt the tears coming already. She sat down on the hard stone floor, and began to cry. She cried and cried and cried, as the sound of teardrops falling and Scootaloo's slight sobbing could be heard.

Where am I?!

Next Chapter: Chapter 2: Outside the Doors Estimated time remaining: 11 Minutes