The House

Rainbow Dash sighed happily as she walked through the Ponyville market. She hadn't been there for quite some time and had figured that it wasn't too bad of an idea to restock her food cabinets when she went to make breakfast that morning and only found half a box of hay oats. She had been out to eat so many times recently that her pantry had slowly, unnoticed to the Pegasus, become empty. The evening had begun to set on Ponyville and the temperature had begun to drop with the rising of the moon. Rainbow looked at her grocery list, mentally checking off several items that she had written down.

"Lettuce, tomatoes, cherries, daffodils, cheese, oranges...All I need now is Carrots and Apples." She whispered to herself. She cleared her throat as she took her time walking through the market, taking care to avoid spilling any of her recently acquired groceries from her saddlebags. "I've gotta find a new way to carry this stuff around..."

To her surprise, Rainbow Dash laid her eyes upon Twilight Sparkle, one of her best friends, approaching the same carrot stand she was. Rainbow quickened her pace as she caught up to the princess.

"Hey, Twilight!" Rainbow said with a smile.

"Oh hi, Rainbow Dash!" Twilight said with a smile. "What brings you to the market today?" Rainbow smirked cheekily.

"Uh..." Rainbow turned to the side, showing her filled saddlebags to Twilight, exposing the self-evidence of her purpose at the market to the alicorn, making her blush.

"Oh, wow." Twilight said, throwing a hoof against her forehead. "I feel like a regular idiot right now."

"It's alright, Twilight." Rainbow said. "Same thing happens to me sometimes. So what, you're just...making a carrot run or something?" Twilight giggled.

"Oh, no. It turns out that carrots are an ingredient to a certain potion I'm concocting at home." She explained. "It has to be stirred constantly, and I've got Spike back at the library stirring it. So I actually have to get back as soon as possible."

"Oh, Princess Twilight!" The pony in front of her said. "I didn't even know you were there. Please, move ahead of me." Twilight shook her head.

"No thank you. I'm no different than I was before." Twilight said with a genuine smile. The stallion nodded and smiled.

"So...I guess that's a no to hanging out today, huh?" Rainbow asked.

"I'm afraid I can't, Rainbow." Twilight said with a frown. "Sorry."

"No problem, Twi." Rainbow said. "I'm sure Pinkie or Fluttershy are up for it."

"Are you off work today?" Twilight asked.

"Pretty much." Rainbow said. "Boss said I can go early. Not much else needed to be done today."

"I must admit, I envy you." Twilight said with a sigh.

"Why?" Rainbow asked with a small laugh, raising a hoof. "You're a freakin' princess."

"Well, it's not really that. The princess thing is actually pretty cool." Twilight said with a smile. "I've just had a lot to do lately, and I'm kinda tired."

"Well do you need help?" Rainbow asked. "Like I said, I don't really have much to do."

"I wouldn't really have anything for you to do, Rainbow Dash." Twilight said. "Spike and I have it under control."

"Alright, then." Rainbow said. Twilight must have read disappointment in Rainbow's tone, because she immediately frowned in worry. In reality, Rainbow felt no disappointment at all.

"I'm sorry! You can come if you'd like." Twilight spouted, earning a raised eyebrow from Rainbow Dash.

"Uh, it's okay, Twi." Rainbow stated. "Seriously."

"Okay." Twilight said. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." Rainbow said with a small laugh. "Geez, Twilight, what's gotten into you?" Twilight realizing her misperception of Rainbow, blushed heavily and giggled nervously at her mistake.

"Nothing, really." Twilight said before hearing Carrot top call to her.

"Next, please." The carrot selling mare announced. Twilight turned to her and smiled.

"Yes, I'd like five large carrots, please." Twilight said curtly. "I'm kind of in a hurry."

"Five large carrots." Carrot top said, laying Twilight's order on the counter. "Anything else?"

"No, thank you, that'll do it." Twilight said with a small nod.

"Five gold bits is your total." Carrot top said with a smile. Twilight paid the mare, earning a smile from her. "Thank you for your patronage." Twilight nodded and turned to Rainbow.

"Bye, Rainbow. We'll hang out soon. Maybe even fly around a little." Twilight said.

"Totally." Rainbow said with a nod. "See ya." Twilight Sparkle waved as she flew back in the direction of Golden Oaks Library. Rainbow turned to Carrot Top as she stepped up to the counter.

"Hey there." Rainbow said. "I'll have what she had."

"Five gold bits, please." Carrot Top said as she placed the carrots before Rainbow Dash. After putting the money on the counter, Rainbow Dash took the carrots and put them in her saddlebag before continuing on to Applejack's apple stand.

Applejack sighed heavily as she propped her head up with a forehoof. She had been at the stand all day and the boredom was eating away at her insides like a parasitic bug. Business had been rather slow that day, with only a few customers. But when Applejack saw Rainbow Dash walking toward her stand, she smiled happily.

"Howdy, Rainbow Dash!" Applejack said. "What're you doin' here?"

"I'm buying apples, duh." Rainbow said jovially with a smirk.

"Oh, look at you, a regular comedian." Applejack said, raising an eyebrow. "Ah meant Ah haven't seen you here much lately."

"Yeah well, I've been eating at restaurants lately, so I haven't needed to come by here in a while. My pantry is completely cleaned out so I need to go ahead an refill it." Rainbow said. "And you kinda sell the best Apples in Equestria, so..." Applejack blushed at the comment and smiled.

"Well, thank ya, Dash." Applejack said. "That's awfully sweet of ya to say."

"Wouldn't say it if it wasn't the truth." Rainbow said with a smile. "I'll take five apples and a carton of apple juice."

"Two gold bits." Applejack said.

"Wow. Are you having a sale or something?" Rainbow asked with a smile. Applejack shook her head.

"That's just the friend price here." Applejack said, giving Rainbow Dash a small nod as she handed her the sack of Apples and the carton of apple juice. "So how have things been goin' for ya lately, Dash?"

"Can't complain, I guess." Rainbow said. "Weather Patrol is alright. Some days are great and some days aren't so great."

"Ah hear ya." Applejack said. "The buckin' part of my job is over until next summer, so now I feel like I'm missin' a part of me." Applejack laughed subtly.

"Yeah. I've been really bored lately." Rainbow said with a small sigh. This statement sparked an idea in Applejack.

"Well how about you and me hang out tonight?" Applejack asked. "Business is pretty slow today, so Ah could close up shop early."

"That sounds awesome, AJ." Rainbow said. "I was actually going to go ask Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy. The only reason I wasn't gonna ask you is because you were working. But it would be awesome to chill."

"Alright, then." Applejack said, beginning to take out the "Closed" sign for her stand. "What do ya wanna do first?"

"I actually need to take my groceries home." Rainbow said. "I'll meet you back here in twenty minutes." Applejack nodded.

"Ah'll gotta go home and let my family know Ah'll be out tonight anyway. See ya then." Applejack said. Rainbow nodded and took to the skies in the direction of her cloud home. The cool autumn evening air was pleasant for the Pegasus. Mild enough to keep her relaxed, but not completely frigid either. It was the perfect night to take a stroll around Ponyville.

Rainbow arrived at her house and eagerly went about putting away her groceries. She stopped and considered which cabinets to put the food in, but in the spirit of getting back to Applejack, Rainbow decided against proper organization. Taking extra care not to bruise the Apples, Rainbow finished with her groceries and regarded her pet tortoise Tank who had come to greet her. Rainbow smiled down at him and picked him up before giving him a quick nuzzle.

"Hey, Tank." Rainbow said. "Got some new food for ya. It says on the can that it promotes 'Speedy reactions among turtles and tortoises.' I figured you'd like to try it." Rainbow poured the recommended serving amount printed on the can into Tank's food bowl. The tortoise slowly approached it and took a bite. His eyes widened as he went into his shell. Rainbow grimaced for her tortoise.

"Sorry, buddy." Rainbow said before picking up his food bowl and throwing the food in the garbage. She gagged at the smell of it. "I'll get you the old stuff real quick." She then poured Tank's usual food into the bowl and watched as he began to munch on it happily.

"Enjoy, little guy." Rainbow said. "I'll be back soon. I'm gonna go hang out with Applejack for a bit." With that, the cyan mare left the house and flew down back toward Ponyville. She landed in the market and approached Applejack happily.

"Alrighty! Ready to go?" Rainbow asked. She smiled widely when she saw Fluttershy standing by Applejack. "Hey, Fluttershy. Whats up?"

"Oh, I stopped by to say hello to Applejack, and she told me that we were going to do something fun together." Fluttershy said, returning Rainbow Dash's smile.

"Ah invited her, if that's okay, Dash." Applejack said.

"What are you kidding?" Rainbow asked. "Of course its okay! So what did you guys want to do?"

"Oh, I know the sweetest little place that just opened that serves good-" Fluttershy began to say quietly.

"Why don't we go to the bar for drinks?" Applejack asked, not hearing her timid friend. "Maybe we could grab a little bite to eat there too."

"Sounds good to me." Rainbow said. "It's been a long day. Somethin' to take the edge off seems nice. Fluttershy? You okay with that?" Fluttershy looked down toward the ground blushing.

"Oh, I-I'm okay with anything." Fluttershy said.

"Alright, its settled, then!" Rainbow said. "Let's get going!" The three friends left the market and moved through town to the local bar and eatery. Only four other ponies were at the bar, allowing for the three mares to relax. They rarely went to the bar, and when they did, it was either with friends or alone to forget something. The inviting atmosphere of the bar was nice and homey. Cheerful music played on a jukebox across the building from the three of them. They sat at the bar and flagged the bartender, a middle-aged blue unicorn with a silver mane.

"Evenin', ladies." He said. "Night on the town tonight?"

"Yep." Applejack said.

"I'm gonna start off with a shot of Lone Star's Whiskey." Rainbow said.

"Yeah, Ah'll have that too." Applejack added.

"Startin' off strong tonight, huh?" The bartender said.

"Hay yeah!" Rainbow said with a smirk. The bartender nodded and looked at Fluttershy, who blushed heavily.

"And, uh...what'll you have?" He asked her. Fluttershy looked to the side.

"We're not getting wasted tonight, Fluttershy. Just start out with a shot of whiskey like Applejack and me. After that, we'll get some mixed drinks." Rainbow said. Fluttershy gulped.

"I don't know..." Fluttershy said. "I've never...really had whiskey before."

"Well that's a completely different story!" The bartender said with a laugh. "If you've never tried whiskey, the first shot's free!"

"Well, how 'bout that, Fluttershy?" Applejack said. "Ya get it free!"

"Oh well, I guess if it's free..." Fluttershy said.

"Couldn't somepony exploit that system?" Rainbow asked. "You know, just keep changing their appearance and keep coming in for a free shot?" The bartender shook his head.

"No one really ever has. And besides," He looked at the three of them and smirked. "I'm good with faces. I'll be back with your shots." As he left, Applejack looked at Rainbow.

"He's nice." The farm mare said.

"Yeah, he is really cool." Rainbow said. "Never heard anything about that whiskey thing." The bartender brought three shot glasses and a bottle of whiskey.

"Alright, two shots." He said, pouring the alcohol into the small glasses. He looked at Fluttershy and winked.

"And a free one for the newbie." He said. "Enjoy, ladies. Anything else for you three?"

"Yeah, some chili cheese hay fries." Applejack said. "Y'all wanna share?"

"Sounds good to me." Rainbow said before downing her shot and clenching her teeth briefly. "That's good." Applejack giggled and drank her shot as well, letting out a small,

"Whoo!"

"Alright, Fluttershy." Rainbow said. "Your turn." Fluttershy eyed her shot in fear as she picked it up.

"What's it like?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, it burns like fire." Rainbow said with an evil grin.

"Well thanks for not lying to me." Fluttershy said with a gulp. "I...I'm still not sure."

"Oh, come on, Fluttershy..." Rainbow said.

"Rainbow, we don't have to make her."

"But he gave it to her for free." Rainbow said. "He might be insulted." Rainbow raised her eyebrows at her shy friend. Applejack sighed heavily and rolled her eyes.

"Fluttershy, just do it so Rainbow can rest easy tonight." Applejack said, furrowing her eyebrows. Fluttershy looked at the glass again.

"I guess just this once..." Fluttershy said with a small gulp. "Oh, Goddesses..." The yellow pegasus drank the liquid and immediately spat it back up, coughing and gasping. Rainbow burst into wild laughter.

"Rainbow Dash! You quit laughin' right now!" Applejack said to the daredevil, who was bent over the counter, banging her hoof on the wooden surface.

"Oh! Oh!" Fluttershy gasped. "I'm never...trying that again!" When Rainbow calmed down, she sighed and looked at Fluttershy.

"So, how was it?" Rainbow asked.

"It was awful." Fluttershy said with a small cough. "I can't believe either of you drink it..."

"It's all in what you're used to, Fluttershy." Applejack said. "Ah reacted the same way with my first shot. And Ah'd bet fifty gold bits that Rainbow reacted the exact same way too."

"No I didn't!" Rainbow immediately spouted incredulously, raising an eyebrow.

"And there's the proof." Applejack said, elbowing Fluttershy. The yellow mare giggled as the bartender brought their hay fries out and put them down before the three mares.

"So, how'd you like it?" He asked Fluttershy.

"Uhm...I can see how some would like it, but I'm not too big a fan." Fluttershy said. "I'll just have a mild drink now. What would you recommend?"

"Well I'd say you should have a screwdriver. It's a shot of vodka in a glass of orange juice. It's about as mild as it gets." The bartender said.

"I'll have that." Fluttershy said with a smile.

"Bring me a whiskey and cola, half-and-half." Rainbow Dash said.

"Ah'll have that too." Applejack said.

"Comin' right up." The bartender said. Rainbow and Applejack dug into the hay fries, while Fluttershy mildly took one fry at a time.

"Oh, this is so good." Rainbow said with a sigh. "Maybe it's because I was so hungry."

"Ah hear that." Applejack added. "Ah was cravin' somethin' nice and fatty. Haven't had anything like this in a while." The bartender returned with their drinks and set them before the three mares.

"You just flag me down if you need anything else." He said with a smile and a nod. Fluttershy cautiously sipped the screwdriver through the straw in the cup.

"Oh, that's much better." She said with a smile.

"Girls," Rainbow said as she raised her glass. "I propose a toast...To Fluttershy. May your tolerance grow stronger someday in the future." Applejack and Fluttershy laughed as they knocked their glasses together in preparation for the rest of the night.

_____

The excursion lasted for quite some time longer after the three mares left the bar. True to their word, none of them were intoxicated completely, but the feeling of euphoria that came with very slight inebriation had set in for the three of them, making their night all the better without the future embarrassment of pure drunkenness. They had walked around Ponyville, having a grand time and gone to the local movie theater and seen a comedy movie afterwards.

"That movie was awesome!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as they exited the theater.

"Ah couldn't stop laughin'! Every five minutes it had me bustin' a gut!" Applejack said with a wide grin.

"It was a tad vulgar for my tastes, but I enjoyed it." Fluttershy said.

"At least you've lightened up." Rainbow Dash said. "Three hours ago, you wouldn't have even thought about going to see that movie."

"I suppose you're right. I guess I'm more flexible about things when I'm...what was it?...zipped?" Fluttershy said before giving off a small yawn. Rainbow and Applejack burst into uncontrollable laughter, making Fluttershy blush heavily. They eventually settled down and Applejack placed a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder.

"Its buzzed. You tired, sugarcube?" Applejack asked the yellow mare.

"Yeah." Fluttershy said. "I didn't get much sleep last night. Angel kept waking me up because he was scared."

"Ugh, that rabbit." Rainbow said. "He needs to respect you more."

"He was scared, Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy said. "It wasn't a matter of respect."

"I didn't mean that. I meant in general. Whenever I come over to hang out, he asks you for something ridiculous, and when you say that you can't do it, he gets all mean and stuff." Rainbow said. "I'm just saying you should demand respect from him, or you're never going to get it."

"I don't mind." Fluttershy said.

"But don't you want him to...ah forget it." Rainbow said.

The three mares continued walking through the night, the autumn breeze chilling the three of them pleasantly. They walked along the outside of Ponyville, on the path that they all knew led to Fluttershy's cabin. An owl hooted, making Fluttershy jump and let out a small squeak.

"It's okay, Fluttershy." Applejack said putting a hoof on her friend's shoulder. "It's just an owl."

"It just surprised me." Fluttershy said with a small sigh.

"Well, there's your house." Rainbow said with a smirk. "You can make a break for it before the owl gets you." Applejack slugged Rainbow in the shoulder, earning an exclamation from the pegasus.

"Ow! Geez..."

"Don't listen to her, Fluttershy." Applejack reassured Fluttershy.

"I was just kidding, you know." Rainbow said, rubbing her shoulder.

"It's okay, Rainbow." Fluttershy said. "I know you were kidding." They approached the doorstep of Fluttershy's cabin and Fluttershy turned around to address her friends.

"Thank you for a lovely night." Fluttershy said. "I needed something like this."

"No problem, Fluttershy." Rainbow said with a nod.

"Happy you could be there." Applejack stated. Fluttershy hugged each of her friends and stepped back.

"Goodnight." Fluttershy said with a smile.

"'Night, Flutters!" Rainbow said with a grin.

"Sleep well." Applejack said, tipping her Stetson hat at her friend. After Fluttershy went into her cabin and shut the door, Rainbow and Applejack turned around and headed for Ponyville.

"Why do ya give her such a hard time?" Applejack asked Rainbow Dash.

"She needs to grow a thicker skin." Rainbow said. "It's worked out pretty well so far, save for the whole Angel thing."

"Ah get what your tryin' to do, Rainbow." Applejack said. "But you've hurt Fluttershy's feelings before..."

"I know that." Rainbow said. "And I've apologized to her every time. But I've known her for a long time and ever since she was a filly she's been the doormat of others, and I just...hate it so much, you know?"

"Yeah, Ah get it." Applejack said with a nod. "Makes sense now that you've put it that way."

"See? I'm not just some stupid jock!" Rainbow said, giving Applejack a small shove. Applejack laughed and jumped at Rainbow. The pegasus dodged it and snickered tauntingly at the farm mare. Applejack smiled and began chasing Rainbow toward Ponyville and eventually cornered her cyan friend against a building.

"Now you've got nowhere to go." Applejack said with a wide grin.

"Who says I'm trying to escape?" Rainbow countered and vaulted off the wall, flying into Applejack. This surprised the farm mare and knocked her over. The two of them began to wrestle, laughing and growling loudly. The lights to a nearby building turned on and a stallion came out onto the porch.

"Do you mind? We're trying to sleep." He said with furrowed eyebrows. Rainbow and Applejack immediately separated and nodded, Rainbow clearing her throat. Applejack quickly retrieved her Stetson which had fallen from her head.

"Right. Sorry, sir." Rainbow said promptly. "Let's go, AJ."

"Apologies, Mister." Applejack said. "We'll leave now." As they left, Rainbow shoved Applejack playfully.

"Nice going, you woke up the whole town." Rainbow said, smirking.

"What're ya talkin' about?" Applejack asked. "You're the one who went and tackled me!" The two mares left and walked through Ponyville in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres, playfully arguing with each other. They arrived to the front gate to the orchard and stood for a moment.

"Well, it's been fun, Dash." Applejack said with a smile before turning around. "G'night."

"Wait a sec, AJ." Rainbow said. The farm mare stopped and turned back around toward Rainbow Dash.

"Alright. What's up?" The farm mare inquired.

"This may seem kinda random....and it is. Like, totally spur-of-the-moment. But..." Rainbow said before narrowing her eyes at Applejack. "Let's race."

"Race? At this hour?" Applejack asked with a small smile. Rainbow nodded enthusiastically. "Ah...Ah don't think so, Dash. It's really late and-"

"Oh come on!" Rainbow asked. "Your family probably isn't gonna be expecting you to be back for a while."

"Still...Ah really don't think tonight's that good of a night." Applejack said.

"What, are you wussing out on me?" Rainbow asked with a raised eyebrow. Applejack furrowed her eyebrows.

"No. Ah'm-"

"You're actually being a wuss right now!" Rainbow said. "I can't believe it!"

"Seriously? Come on, Rainbow, Ah-"

"I mean, I've always thought you were brave, but I guess I was wrong." Rainbow continued.

"Rainbow, this is really childish-"

"You're a wuuuusss!" Rainbow sang annoyingly.

"Alright, fine!" Applejack said with a small laugh. "Ah'll do it if ya shut your trap!" Rainbow smirked to herself, satisfied.

"Okay." Rainbow said. "We're gonnna race around Ponyville, to this very spot, along the edge of the Everfree, if you think you're mare enough." Applejack huffed to herself.

"Let's just get this over with so Ah can beat you and go to bed." Applejack said. Rainbow snickered and drew a line in the sand. They both crouched behind the line and focused on their goal.

'Easy as pie.' The pegasus thought to herself.

"Ready..." Rainbow said with a smile.

"Set..."

"GO!"

With the final word, both mares took off into a sprint, moving like lightning through a storm cloud. Applejack pumped her legs powerfully, propelling her forward with a speed that nearly matched her strength. Speed came naturally to Rainbow Dash, who was quite possibly the quickest pony in Equestria when her wings were used, and on her hooves she was far from a slouch. The buildings of Ponyville whizzed by the competing mares, blurs that ran along side their focal point, which was the imaginary track that stretched around the town.

"Getting tired yet?" Rainbow taunted her friend.

"Are you kiddin'?" Applejack asked. "Ah could go on for hours!"

"We'll see!" Rainbow responded as she pulled ahead of the farm mare by a few feet. Applejack suppressed a gasp and worked harder and harder to propel herself forward to come into a tie once again. Applejack looked over at Rainbow Dash, who was panting nearly as much as she was.

'If she wins this, Ah wont hear the end of it for weeks!' Applejack thought to herself and growled as she tapped into a reserve of energy she didn't know she had to bring herself further ahead of her cyan friend. The urge to use her wings rose up within Rainbow Dash, but she suppressed it immediately, knowing that cheating would bring her the win, but it wouldn't be right.

They were halfway around Ponyville at this time, and nearing the Everfree more and more. Applejack became nervous at the sight of the dark woods, looming over her head so intimidatingly. But she pressed on despite this and reveled in the fact that she was winning the race. She took another glance toward the Everfree and caught a glimpse of something. Something that sparked her curiosity. It seemed to sparkle in the moon light. The caused Applejack to stop and back up to try to get a better glimpse of what she had seen. This, in turn, stopped Rainbow Dash. The pegasus turned around and raised a hoof, narrowing her eyes.

"Applejack! What the hay?" Rainbow said. "Why'd you stop?"

"Dash, come look at this." Applejack said. "Ah think Ah see somethin'."

"I mean, I was about to pull ahead and turn around at you and raise my eyebrow all cool and stuff..." Rainbow said, disappointed.

"Rainbow, seriously, come look at this." Applejack said.

"What? What is it?" Rainbow asked.

"Well come over here and see, consarnit!" Applejack said with a smile. Rainbow Dash sighed heavily and moved next to Applejack, her eyebrows furrowed. Her eyes widened when she saw what Applejack had seen herself.

"Woah." Rainbow said.

"Yeah, ya see it?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah. What do you think it is?" Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah don't know, but its shiny." Applejack said.

"Let's go see what it is." Rainbow said, beginning to move toward it.

"Rainbow, we need to be careful about this!" Applejack said. "We don't know what that is! It could be some kinda predator!"

"Yeah, and I know that even if it was, I could put you on my back and outfly it in a second." Rainbow said. "Come on! Where's your sense of adventure?" Applejack shook her head and followed Rainbow Dash into the forest. The object came closer slowly. It was much farther away than it seemed from outside the forest, but it was steadily getting closer and closer. Applejack admired Rainbow's courage in this situation, the ability to enter the woods without fear in the pursuit of discovery of whatever the thing was. Before long, Rainbow Dash and Applejack came upon the object. It wasn't shiny and it wasn't anything of value.

It was a house.

"Well now, look at that." Applejack said, regarding the structure. "Ah wonder how long this has been here."

The house was a testament to how time can degrade almost anything. Probably once beautiful and strong, it sat in the middle of a small clearing, dilapidated and worn, the white paint chipping and the wood that composed most of the house looking to be rotten. Plants grew up the sides of the house like hideous, green veins and several of the windows were broken. Overgrown grass grew around it like some sort of natural barrier. A former behemoth of wood and metal, now worn down to a tired husk.

"We saw the window shining in the moonlight." Applejack said with a sigh. "That's a bummer."

"I can't believe I've never noticed this place." Rainbow said. "I fly around Ponyville all the time."

"How often do ya look half a mile out into the Everfree Forest though?" Applejack asked.

"You've got a good point." Rainbow said. "This is the perfect Nightmare Night attraction."

"Yeah, its creepy alright." Applejack said.

"I'll give you ten bits to go in and stay there for ten minutes." Rainbow said.

"Seems like a waste of time to me." Applejack said. "It's just an old house."

"Come on, Applejack. Don't make me do the whole 'wuss' thing again." Rainbow said. "Wussie, wussie, wuss-" She was silenced by Applejack's hoof being placed on her mouth.

"Let me save ya the trouble, sugarcube." Applejack said as she furrowed her eyebrows and began to walk toward the dilapidated house. "Besides, its your money."

But Applejack stopped dead in her tracks when they heard something.

Something coming straight from inside the house.

It was a scream.

Obligatory End-of-Chapter Author's Note: I'm back, baby! It's been a nice little break but I have missed writing my pony fiction so. Consider this more of a prologue to the story more than anything. I am a huge horror junkie and it was only a matter of time until I wrote a story like this. The stuff I have planned is gonna get freaking nuts! Don't be afraid to leave a comment and tell me what you think. Cheers!