The Shining Descent

Chapters

Chapter 2: Mazes and Typewriters
Chapter 3: Prism, Oh Prism
Chapter 4: A Nightmare for a Drink
Chapter 5: Room 237
Chapter 6: A Ball to Remember
Chapter 7: Snapped Transistors
Chapter 8: All Work and No Play...
Chapter 9: Redrum Overload
Prologue
Chapter 1: The Vision
Epilogue

Chapter 2: Mazes and Typewriters

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Chapter 2

Mazes and Typewriters

With everypony gone, and the Overlook Hotel feeling hallowed out, Fluttershy walked the halls with a cart bearing food under a metallic cloche. As she trotted over the mottled, marble floors of the main lobby, the cart made slight clinking sounds, as the plate and glass filled with orange juice slid ever so slightly back and forth from the force of her hooves ministrations.

Passing through the remainder of the lobby area, and entering the carpeted halls once more, the sound of her slight trot was reduced to a muffled thumping sound. Her pace never faltered as she made her way through the rest of the hall and opened the door to the room where, she, Big Mac and Apple resided during their lengthy stay. Entering the room she quietly pushed the cart into the bedroom area of the residence, making sure not to wake Apple in the room over. She stopped the cart in front of a dresser, decorated with a large mirror. The piece of intricate furniture bore ornate patterns and designs carved into it.

“Good morning, Hun,” Fluttershy said, beginning to stir Big Mac from his deep slumber. “Your breakfast if ready,” she said, placing a hoof on the dome raising it slightly, revealing the meal beneath. The meal was revealed to be two, heartily filled Dandelion sandwiches.

“Fluttershy, what time is it?” Big Mac states, starting to lift himself from the warm enveloping embrace of the bed sheets. He groaned slightly as he did so, and stretched a long bone-cracking stretch.

“It’s about eleven-thirty.”

“Eleven-thirty,” Big Mac repeated, “sweet Celestia.” Big Mac then raised himself the rest of the way from the bed and began to rub the sleep away from his weary eyes. Placing all four hooves on the ground, Big Mac walked into the bathroom adjacent to the comforting bed.

“I guess we’ve been staying up too late.”

Big Mac, now checking himself over in the mirror that resided above the bathroom sink responded, “Eeyup, I know it.” He chuckled slightly after the thought.

Walking back out into the bedroom, he gestured for Fluttershy to join him in the dining room. Fluttershy complied with the gesture and followed Big Mac into the dining area. They then both sat at respective seats. They had been getting good at it now, too, picking up on some tips from Lyra, here and there. Although they had been getting better at it, Big Mac still struggled with the concept due to his robust size. Apple, on the other hoof, was very fortunate and fit quite comfortably within the square section of the wooden seat.

Fluttershy then piped up again, egger to speak. “It’s really pretty outside. Why don’t you and I go for a walk after you finish your breakfast?”

Big Mac picked up his glass of orange juice, grasping it tightly in his left hoof. He took a quick swig and swallowed hard. “I suppose I ought to do some writing first.” He then placed the glass back down on table somewhat loudly, abruptly. Fluttershy then looked towards Apple’s room, checking on him to see if the startling noise had woken him. Fortunately it hadn’t.

“Oh. Okay.” Fluttershy responded meekly and somewhat quietly. “Any ideas yet?” Her voice perked up at the initial asking of this question. She was extremely proud of Big Mac, and everything he has accomplished. She had read everyone of his books, front-to-back at least five times. Though she was his wife, doesn’t mean she needs to like his work. But Fluttershy did. She loved everything about them, particularly the ones about his life, his past. Even the deeply dark, depressing parts of his life, when he and Applejack’s folks had passed away. Leaving them both to take care of Applebloom for themselves.

“Lot’s of ideas, Hun. Just no good ones.” He then brought his Dandelion sandwich to his maw and took the first bite. He chewed in silent delight.

“You’ll think of something. It’s just getting back into the grove of writing things again, that’s all.”

Big Mac swallowed his chewed food before answering. “That’s all it is.” He then took another bite of his sandwich, placing it back down onto the plate. Finishing this bite of food quickly, he spoke up again. “Hun. When we came up here together and I had seen the hotel…It was as though I had been here before. I mean we all have moments of Déjà vu, but this was absolutely ridiculous. It’s almost as If I knew what was going to be around every corner.” Big Mac then proceeded to make an ‘Ooh’ noise, motioning with his hooves like Applejack had always done when she and he would tell ghost stories to their younger sister.

2…

Big Mac’s typewriter lay static on a large oak table in the middle of a gathering hall. The hall was decorated with various ancient tapestries that would render some immobile. As well, the typewriter was already loaded with a fresh, snow-white piece of Amen Pomerantz typewriter paper, ready for immediate action. Except, hoof clacks never met with the glistening keyboard. Instead a loud banging sound could be heard emanating throughout the hall instead. The sound was that of one you would get whipping a tennis ball against the wall.

While Big Mac attempts to gain insight towards his story, Fluttershy and Apple had headed off to the hotel’s famous maze.

3…

Walking towards the large, hedge maze Fluttershy spoke sweetly and teasingly to, young Apple. “The loser has to keep the whole of Equestria clean. How’s that?” The pair then started to half-gallop towards the maze, in a halfhearted race of mother and son.

“All right, mom.”

“And you’re going to lose.”

The sentiment behind the words was that of encouragement, but would sting some if they weren’t coming from his own mother.

Then the focused tone of the words became something of a game, as she started to motivate him otherwise. “I’m going to get ya’.” She said encouragingly, as she chased her son. “You better run fast.”

“You better watch out,” Fluttershy continued, “I’m coming in fast.” She was indeed gaining ground on her son, in this little game of cat and mouse.

As Fluttershy continued to chase her son into the entrance of the maze, they passed a bulletin board baring a poster of the maze, which had the layout of the whole thing pasted on it. The maze was square in shape, although slightly rectangular in execution. Many of the paths in the maze brought you to one, uniform section lying in the middle of the ponymade structure. The maze didn’t really have a proper exit, either. It was just mainly for learning the history of the hotel. The information Fluttershy’s relatives wanted the residence to know, that is.

Slipping partway into the maze Fluttershy implored to Apple. “Slow down, Apple. You win. Let’s take the rest of this walking, okay.” In Fluttershy’s older age she was losing some of the minute athletic abilities she had. The primary one being running for long periods of time. Come to think of it, she started to slow down somewhere around the time Apple had been born.

Complying with his mother’s wishes, Apple slowed down as he was told, and walked alongside his mother. Now at a steady pace, the two explorers made their way through the maze reading all the panels that lie within. Most of the panels they read related to the construction of the building, and the history of the remote area it lay on. As they continued to walk, they turned to their left and went down an out cove.

It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” Fluttershy asked Apple, still walking down the short out cove.

Apple replied with a simple, “Yeah,” as they continued to walk through the hedges.

Coming to a dead end, which had a bell for ringing if you were lost, and another sign for reading, Fluttershy and Apple turned around and trotted steadily back up from whence they came.

4…

Big Mac taking a jaunt through some of the hotel he had not seen yet, he comes across a small study-like section. This section of the hotel contained, four separate loveseats (upholstered in what looked like a faux-leather material), and a sectional filled with many magnificent books. Many of them ranging from neo-classical to post-modern. The room also had a large, darkly stained table holding up a large recreation of the maze outside the hotel. He then remembered Fluttershy mentioning something about going to the maze with, Apple, and moved upon it.

Walking over to the table Big Mac smacks the tennis ball off the floor one last time, before finally approaching the table. Looming over the table, he stares deeply into the structure. As he stares he swears he can see something. But what that something was, he wasn’t exactly sure. He lowers his head closer to the table, and as he does so, two small black silhouettes began fading into view.

Is that Fluttershy and Apple? He thought in solitude. It couldn’t be, could it?

Big Mac began to lower his head even closer now towards the tabletop structure. Bringing his head nearly just a few centimeters from the model, his vision began to clear. Vision now clearing up, the vision of two silhouettes was replaced with the presence of a small ant. Big Mac became somewhat…Agitated with the sight of the inferior creature, and began blowing down on the ant. The force of Big Mac’s breath, felt like hurricane force winds to the ant, as it scurried away in a hurry attempting to avoid the breath.

As the ant ran away Big Mac followed, blowing increasingly more on the tiny creature.

Eventually, the ant made its way out of the model, and onto the hard, varnished wood of the table. Running as fast as its legs could carry it, the ant continued to run. Big Mac, getting tired of the game he had created, lifted his hoof and sent it crashing down on the ant, squashing, and killing it instantly.

Lifting his hoof he elicited a sigh of relief, followed by a brief, maniacal chuckle. He then placed his hoof back down on the rooms’ tiled floor, and then proceeded to exit the room, returning to his previous room of study. Perhaps he now had the inspiration he needed for his novel? Or maybe he was just ready to get back to chucking his ball at the wall.

…

Fluttershy and Apple had long ago returned to the Overlook, and Big Mac had retreated back to his place of creative solitude; the large gathering hall. As he sits in the half-lit room, one can only hear the meticulous tapping of the typewriters keys. But what they don’t hear, are the words of the author. The brainstorming. The planning. The process. You only hear, or see the final product.

At the large table he sits at, he has open a gigantic dictionary, and a large cream colored lamp illuminating the keys.

Fluttershy, now entering the room, can only hear the tap, tap, tapping of the keys, as her hooves clacked against the hardwood flooring of the room. Despite the loud clacking of her hooves, Big Mac never raises his head from the keyboard; mind deadlocked on the story. The main focus.

“Hi, Hun.” Fluttershy drums up. “How’s it going?”

The typing of the keyboard quickly came to a noiseless standstill, as she makes her final approach towards the table. Big Mac then rips the paper he had been typing on from the machine, and crumples it up before throwing it into an adjacent wastebasket.

“Fine.” He replies coldly.

“Did you get a lot written today, I can’t wait to read it?”

“Yes.” He responds, equally as coldly as the first.

“Hey, Rainbow Dash said the Pegasi call for snow tonight.”

Big Mac huffs, turning his full attention from the keys to Flutters. “What do you want me to do about it? Call up Princess Celestia and have her cancel it.” He was growing increasingly annoyed. All he wanted to do was write. To have everypony leave him alone in peace.

“C’mon, Hun.” Fluttershy started up again, just as enthusiastic as before. “Don’t be so grouchy.” Flutters then nudged him with her hoof playfully.

“I’m not…Being grouchy!” He said pushing her hoof away. His voice was now beginning to escalate in tone. “I just want to finish my work.” He was now growling, nearly as deep as a timber wolf, now.

“That’s okay, Hun, I understand. I’ll come back later with a couple of Daffodil and Dandelion sandwiches for you. Maybe I’ll be able to read something then.

Big Mac rubbed the bridge of his snout, looking back towards the typewriter. “Fluttershy…Let me explain something to you real quick.” He took a long pause for supported, obvious emphasis. “Whenever you come in here and stop me by interrupting, you break my concentration.” He then looked over to Flutters with wide eyes, striking the side of his head as he said: “You’re distracting me. And then it will take me forever to get back to where I was.” He then picked up extra papers, and tore them apart in front of her. “Understand!?”

Fluttershy, still standing next to her love, now dazed and confused, nodded and said. “Yeah.”

“Fine.” Big Mac said rolling his eyes struggling to stay seated as he spoke. “We’re going to make a new rule: Whenever I’m in here, and you hear me typing…” He then smacked the space bar furiously and out of rhythm. “…Or whatever the Fuck you hear me doing in here! When I’m in this fucking room, it means I’m working in here! And that means you don’t fucking enter the room, at all! Now, do you think you could do this for me? Can you handle it, dear?” The final word in his sentence was exaggerated harshly, cruelly.

“Yeah, I-I understand.” Fluttershy was on the verge of crying, but tried hard to keep her composure.

“Good. Now why don’t you show me right now by getting the fuck out of here?” Big Mac then rose his right hoof, and pointed it towards the end of the hall Flutters had emerged from.

All Fluttershy said before leaving the room was, “Okay.” Then she walked to the end of the hall and left quietly. As Fluttershy was halfway out of the room, Big Mac reset the typewriter, and looked back down to return to typing away.

Just as the typing had started, Fluttershy exited out into the rest of the empty hotel, dropping to the floor beneath her. Falling with a light thud, she began to weep lightly in the next room.

What is happening to Big Mac?

Chapter 3: Prism, Oh Prism

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Chapter 3

Prism, Oh Prism

Apple strolled through the hallowed halls of the Overlook Hotel. He was in search of anything that might be of particular interest to a colt of his age: Mystery, danger, and most of all, adventure. The process of seeking adventure could be that of a long one. You see, if you look in the same place, you are bound to find nothing. Just the same old, uninteresting emptiness that the rest of the living world offers. But if you were to seek out the unthinkable and most obscure place to find this mystery, danger, or adventure, you are bound to be in luck. And that’s how Apple felt as he roamed the halls. He knew he needed to find somewhere new to experience the unexperienceable. And as he continued down the hall, he began to pass by Room 237. The room he was told he should not go into. By his aunt, and by Mr. Green Hooves. But Apple, alone, was not keen to listening to the wishes of his aunt, nor the intelligible Mr. Green Hooves. So, against the wishes of both Mr. Green Hooves, and Mrs. Tumble, Apple trotted over towards the royal looking double doors, and placed his hoof on the knob. Grasping the knob firmly in his hoof, he attempted to turn the knob some. He was unsuccessful. Instead, the knob stayed still reluctant to budge in either direction he twisted it. Giving up on twisting the seemingly frozen doorknob, he lowered his hoof back to the ground and stared longingly at the wooden obstruction.

Staring in the wood, Apple began to see something. The vision was quick, like lightning. And left the faint of heart, lesser stallions. As it flashed before his eyes, Apple gasped in horror, as he seen the same young filly as before. Except this time, the filly was standing in a long hallway, peering into Apples very soul. The sentiment was sending chills down his spine. Then suddenly, a flash of crimson colored liquid began to flood the hall. The substance surrounding the filly, encasing her in the unparalleled embrace of the liquid. Surrounding her, it began to gush forth down the hall towards Apple.

The fluid, now smashing into Apple, sprung him back to reality, as his vision snapped back to that of the door in front of him. Coming to the realization that he was indeed back in the real world, Apple turned and began to run away from the room, back down the hall in the direction which he had just come. Running past all the doors, he kept taking occasional glances back, trying to see if what he had seen was attempting to follow him, or not. Luckily, it had not, and Apple made his way back to the confines of his comforting bedroom.

2…

With Apple napping soundly, and Big Mac typing away in the gathering hall, Fluttershy was left alone to wander through the Overlook. Wandering through the endless abounds of hallways, Fluttershy figures she should call Applejack and check up on how Angel and her other animals friends have been doing.

Walking into the Telephone room, she notices a large switchboard, strewn with various color coded wires. The wires connected from incoming ports, to the numbers of the rooms the calls would be destined for.

Stepping up to the board, Fluttershy grabs a bright blue wire, and plugs the prod into the port marked: Switchboard Room. She then rose the small headset to her ear, calling out in an attempt to make contact with somepony in the outside world. But all that could be heard through the speaker was static, so Fluttershy proceeded to pick up another wire and try the same thing. Calling out once more, she still received no answer.

“I knew it.” She said to herself. “All that snow must have knocked out the telephone lines.”

Coming to the conclusion that the phone lines must be down, Fluttershy replaces the headset to its previous post, and trots out of the room. Making her way through the long hallway, she comes to the main offices of the hotel. Entering the offices, she walks over to a Ham Radio stationed at a long darkly stained oak dresser. Picking up the receiving end and turning the machine on with a silent click, she began to talk into the microphone.

“Hello. Is anybody there? Over.” The ‘over’ at the end of the statement was a form of telling the recipient of the message that you have finished speaking, allowing them to give input to the conversation.

“Hello. This is Mountain Patrol. May I ask who is speaking? Over.”

“Hello Mountain Patrol, Fluttershy speaking. Over.”

“Well, how do you do Miss Fluttershy? What brings you into the world of radio? Over.”

“Well,” Fluttershy begins to respond with. “We’re up at the Overlook Hotel looking after it for the winter, and I was wondering if the phone lines were out? Over.”

“How you guys doin’ up there, Miss Fluttershy?” There was a slight pause before he continued his statement. “And yes, quite a few of the phone lines are down, due to the heavy snowfall last night. Over.”

“Any chance they will be repaired soon? Over.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be able to say. Most winters they will remain that way until the spring. Over”

Fluttershy fidgeted slightly, her stance faltering as she began to become agitated. “Boy, that storm really was something, wasn’t it?”

“Why yes, it’s one of the worst ones we’ve had in years… Is there anything else we can do for you, Miss Fluttershy? Over.”

Fluttershy readied to lower the microphone back down onto the Ham Radio, but stopped, continuing to speak. “I suppose not. Over.”

“Well if you guys have any problems up there, just give us a call. Oh, and, Mrs. Fluttershy. It might be a good idea to leave your radio on all the time. Over.”

“Okay. We’ll do that. It was real nice talking to you. Bye-bye. Over and out.”

Wrapping up the conversation and placing the microphone back atop the radio, Fluttershy made her way out of the room, and back down to the laundry to finish her previous mundane task.

3…

Apple careened down the halls of the Overlook Hotel, now by the force of his new found toy. A small scooter. He had always wanted his own after meeting Scootaloo and her friends, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. The three were 11 years older than he was, but they got along well, non he less. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom all had acquired their cutie marks well over 9 years ago. Scootaloo’s being a flaming car tire; Sweetie Belle’s being silver plated Elvis Mic; and Applebloom’s being a blooming Malus Flower.

Taking his second left down the hall, Apple skidded around the corner, causing the carpet to bunch up slightly, making him stop almost instantly. Stopping, he looks down to the wheels of the scooter, groaning in protest as he’d done so. “Stupid carpet’s always in the way.”

Repositioning himself, Apple stands himself firmly on the base of the scooter, ready to take off once again. But he doesn’t. Instead, Apple stares down the hall in perpetual horror. The filly he had once seen in the hallways of his visions before now stood at the end of the hall he looked down. Shocked and bewildered, Apple refrains from moving, even an inch. He just stares hoping this is just some joke his mind was playing on him.

That can’t be the filly I seen earlier, could it? He thought to himself. I must just be hallucinating. Maybe I should go get some rest?

But, before Apple could move and proceed down the hallway to have some rest, a voice catches him off guard. “Hello, Apple.”

As Apple turns back to the figure his eyes shot open wide, pupils reducing to nothing more than pinpricks.

“Come play with me, Apple.” There was an uncanny and foreboding pause, before the filly spoke again. “Come play with me, Apple. Forever…And ever…And ever.”

As the last ‘ever’ pierced through Apple, visions of the accident filled his young, tormented mind once more. Visions of the filly, laid splayed out on the carpeted floor, blood everywhere, leaking out of every buckshot, and axe riddled hole on her small body. Apple flung his hooves over his eyes, trying to block out the mess that lay before him.

Now, convulsing and rocking back and forth on the floor, Apple reopens his eyes, and peers down the open hallway. As his hooves are lowered, he finds the hallway completely empty and void of life.

Lifting himself back onto his hooves, Apple begins to mutter to himself. “Prism…I’m scared.” He then looks up and over to his adjacent right, locking eyes with a figure. The figure, although shaded somehow in the brightly lit hallway, could be seen to have a darkly tinged red coat of fur. The color of his mane was unknown, though.

The figure that Apple was now calling for, began to speak, albeit quietly.

“Remember what Mr. Green Hooves said, Apple.”

The mental images of what Apple and Mr. Green Hooves had talked about played back frantically in his mind.

“‘There’s no need to worry about ‘shining,’ Apple. There are some whom can do it. And there are some who cannot. But, there is one thing you should know about it. The shining is governed, kind of like a picture book, Apple. It shows you things. Some good. Some bad. But remember, it isn’t real. And it can never, never hurt you.’”

Coming back, Prism began to speak again.

“Remember. He said, “It’s like pictures in a book, Apple. It isn’t real, and it can’t hurt you.”

Looking down from the towering figure, Apple continues to mount his scooter, and boots down the hallway, like greased lightning.

4…

Sitting in the hotel’s small den with his mother, Apple listed to the electronic broadcast of a radio play. While Apple listened to the play, his mother sat contently on an adjacent sofa, reading a small novel titled: Home is where the Apple Is. The book was indeed one of her husbands, and she had just gotten some time to catch up on, and finish it.

As Fluttershy flipped aimlessly through the pages of the book, Apple continued to listen to the radio play. The play was somewhat of romantic drama, about somepony named, Clearwater. And another named, Levi Horseshoes. Apple wasn’t one for the romantic stuff, but he enjoyed hearing other ponies having a good time with one another. Which is how, Clearwater and Levi spent most of the episodes. They would go on escapades together looking for adventure, and wind up finding true love along the way. But along the way there were always displacements, and they did not always end well. This caused the series to have the critical chemical of drama that Apple needed. For without it, the play would be nothing more than a mushy love-fest. And nopony likes that garbage; well, except for Rarity maybe.

…

As the episode came to an end, a commercial oozed through the speakers of the radio. Apples ears fell back, as he always hated when the episodes came to an end.

He then spoke. “Mom. Can I go up to my room and get my Skychariot? I’m getting bored.” Apples attention span was about as large as a mouse.

“Not right now, Hun,” Fluttershy responded. “Daddy’s asleep.”

“But moooom.” The mom was prolonged and exaggerated. “I won’t make any noise. I promise.”

“He only went to bed a few hours ago. Can’t you wait till later? You got other toys down here.”

“I won’t make a sound. I promise I’ll ‘tiptoe.’”

“‘Tiptoe?’” She scoffed. “Fine. But really don’t make a sound. Promise?”

“Yeah, mom. Thanks.”

Apple rose from the floor with renewed gusto, and made his way for the hall. Fluttershy then quickly turned around, attempting to catch Apple before he made his way into the hallway.

“Make sure you come right back. I’ll be making us some lunch soon. Okay?”

She then heard Apple yell, “I will,” from the confines of the hallway he had now entered.

5…

Entering the hall, that lead back to the hotel room, Apple and his family resided in, he was caught off guard by Prism yet again. Prism trotted slowly from around the corner and stood, leaning against the wall, approximately 10 feet from Apple.

Apple, attempting to ignore Prism, continued to walk down the long hall. But, Prism was adamant, and continued an attempt to warn Apple.

“Apple,” Prism began, “you shouldn’t go in there. Your father isn’t well. You should stay away from him, from this place. You…Need…To…Leave.”

Prism’s voice then began to waver off, as Apple made his way down the remaining hall, to the door.

Reaching the door to the room, Apple opened it slowly, attempting to keep from waking his slumbering father. Apple knew not to wake his father when he was sleeping. He knew the consequences would be dire. But to not wake the sleeping giant, one must be as quiet as a mouse. And that’s what Apple was trying to do.

Entering the confines of the apartment, Apple ‘tiptoed’ across the ground.

As he came to the opening of his parent’s bedroom, Apple was stopped by his father. “Apple, come here.” He said in a deep monotone voice.

“I’m only up here for my Skychariot, I’m sorry if I woke you. I’ll leave right now if you want me to?”

Big Mac chuckled softly, albeit deeply. It was almost maniacal. “No. No, it’s fine. Just come here for a minute.”

Reluctantly, Apple slowly approached his father. Something wasn’t right. His father didn’t look so good. His coat was going a shade paler than it usually was, and his hair looked raggedy and greasy. As if it hadn’t been washed in days.

Big Mac pulled Apple into a tight, warm embrace, even a close father and son would find awkward and confusing. Big Macintosh then began to nuzzle into Apples mane, giving him a light kiss as he did so. He followed this by speaking to Apple.

“How’s it going, Apple?” He said this pulling Apple even closer into the hug.

Apple simply responded with an, “Okay.”

To which his father replied with, “You having a good time here?”

Apple, again, replied as simply as he had the first time. “Yes, dad.”

Beginning to nod his head up and down in a rhythmic fashion, Big Mac replied. “Good. That’s good, Apple. I want you to have a good time.”

“I am dad.”

The room then fell silent before Apple continued.

“Dad?”

“Yes.”

“Do you feel bad?”

“Nah, not at all. I’m just a little tired’is all.

Apple began to question the well being of his father. “Then why don’t you just go to sleep.”

“I can’t, Apple. I just can’t… I got too much to do.”

Apple looked up into his father’s emerald green eyes. “Dad, do you like this hotel?” He asked.

Big Macintosh then began to laugh again, shaking so as he did. “I do. I love it… Don’t you love it?”

“I guess so.” Apple replied.

Big Mac now started to shake Apple. “Good. I want you to like it… I wish we could stay here…Forever…And ever…And ever.

There was another Equestria shattering silence.

“Dad?”

“What?”

“You wouldn’t do anything to hurt mommy or me, would you?” The question was flat, straight forward, and to the point. The dagger-like point stinging, mortifying any normal father.

“Now why would you ask me something like that? Did your mother tell you something like that? That I would hurt you?”

“…No, dad. Not at all.”

“Are you sure she didn’t?”

“Yes, dad.”

Big Mac rose his eyebrows and smiled mechanically. “I love you, Apple.” He paused. “I love you more than anything else…In all of Equestria… And I would never do anything to hurt you… Never, ever.” Big Mac then gritted his teeth in ferocity” You know that, don’t ya’?”

“Yes, dad.”

As Apple said the words, Big Mac began to nod his head up and down in correspondence with the music to his ears.

“Good…”

Chapter 4: A Nightmare for a Drink

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Chapter 4

A Nightmare for a Drink

Fluttershy was in the basement of the Overlook Hotel, maintaining the copious amounts of water heaters the building had. The process involved checking the temperature, and approximate voltage it was running at. For if the machines were to run at too high a voltage, the heaters would explode, sending the building, and whoever happened to be in it sky high. It didn’t matter if they had wings of not.

As she was checking and marking down the information for the water heater, she was also waiting on a load of laundry. The sheets that had been used for over three nights now, were having their routine wash, and needed to run a full cycle. So, as they washed she monitored the equipment of the old building. Turning a few dials and switches, Fluttershy changes the temperature of the third water heater. She then changes the voltage output of one of the buildings generators, to better accommodate for the new draw of electricity.

Bringing herself back around the wide corner, she comes full circle and now stands at her, still in use laundry machine. As she stands there and waits, she can hear the swoosh, swoosh, swooshing of the bed sheets as they make their way around the center spindle. The bright white sheets bathing in a high concentrated bleach to clean up any dirt stored in the tight weaves of fabric.

“Ah! ...Ah! “

There was the sudden uttering of a slight scream, emanating through the hallowed halls. Fluttershy’s ear perked up instantly, springing to immediate attention. Was that Big Mac? She thought to herself. No. It couldn’t be.

“Hah! Ah!”

There was another scream, which thundered down the halls, into the utilities room. Fluttershy, now, began screaming herself. Not out of fear, but out of concern for whom it was. Galloping through the halls of the Overlook, Fluttershy yelled for Big Mac. “Big Mac? Big Mac, is that you?”

No answer.

She tried again.

“Big Macintosh, are you okay?”

She had now made it back up to the first floor, and was galloping into the large gathering hall Big Mac had been writing in earlier.

Arriving at the gargantuan doorways that led into the gathering hall, Fluttershy ran through them with incredible speed. Continuing her sprint, she ran through the whole of the gathering hall to the other side in less than ten seconds.

“Big Mac!”

Big Mac was stationed at his makeshift desk, typewriter loaded, fast asleep. He was having a dream; clearly it was a nightmarish vision full of terror and tribulation.

2…

“Apple?” Big Macintosh called out menacingly. “Fluttershy?”

Big Mac was walking down the blackened and blood red halls of the Overlook Hotel. He was carrying a shotgun, slunk on his back over his right shoulder. As he walked through the halls, he gritted his teeth like sandpaper. From how hard he was grinding them, the sound could be heard reverberating over a mile away.

Stopping the horrendous grinding motion of his jaw, Big Mac spoke again.“It’s okay you guys, no need to hide. I just want to play with you.”

And indeed play was what he wanted to do. Play with the splattered innards of Apple, or Fluttershy. Maybe he would even chop them up into fine pieces of mush to place into a blender, grinding them even further. And, perhaps when he’s done pureeing them he would pour the grotesque mixture into a small glass, and chug it down as if it were a milkshake.

…

Finally, after searching for what felt like an hour, he had found his son.“Ah, there you are, Apple. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Do you know where your mother is? I’ve been meaning to talk to her about something…Important.”

At the instant of hearing his father, Apple turned and bolted down the hallway.

“Where you going, Apple? Are ya’ lookin’ for ya’ mother, too?”

The question was obligatory. Of course he was looking for his mother. In the moment of being chased by your shotgun wielding dad, you tend to run for your mother. But what Apple didn’t know, was that he leading his father right to his mother.

“Running is useless, boy.” Big Mac said, his voice becoming increasingly growly, almost demonic now.

He continued to chase Apple down the hall, until they came to Room 237. Apple ran through the door with remote ease, where his father stopped for a moment. He stared at the door, looking into its absence, almost as if he remembered something there. Shrugging it off, Big Mac began to slide the door open slowly.

The door nearing full gape, Big Mac clopped into the room.

“Daddy’s home!” He exclaimed with his new demonic demeanor.

He walked through the suit looking for both, Apple and Fluttershy, but found nothing. That is, until he checked the far back room of the suit. Entering the room, he found both, Fluttershy and Apple holding each other, crying.

They were crying hard.

“Aw, na’ isn’t that just sweet. Little baby boy’s hidin’ from daddy with his mommy. You both’a makin’ me sick! Now get up and follow me! Now!”

The duo, reluctantly got to their hooves, and followed Big Mac into the main living quarters.

“Now both of you sit!”

They sat like cowering dogs, with their tails betwixt their legs.

“Now why are you trying to hide from your old man, Apple?”

Apple, now free to speak, spoke. “Because you’re scaring us dad.”

“Now what makes meso scary?” So scary was emphasized by the demonic demeanor once more.

“Well, you’re chasing mommy and me around the hotel. And you have that.” Apple rose his hoof up and pointed it towards the shotgun Big Mac had resting on his large back.

“What? This?” Big Mac said, lowering the shotgun into Apple’s face. “This little beauty here is a Remington shotgun, Apple.” Big Mac motioned to the blood red walls of his descent. “Capable of blowing you into a red messy mush, that would mainly become part of the eggshell colored walls.” He nudged the shotgun against Apples face. “Would you like to become part of the walls Apple?”

Fluttershy began to weep, “No,” loudly, causing all of Big Mac’s attention to become drawn to her.

“Do you want this instead, bitch!” Big Mac moved the shotgun in front of Fluttershy’s face, and smacked it into her flesh hard, bludgeoning her.

Retracting the barrel from Flutters face, a bruise could be seen starting out in her bright yellow coat, and she began to cry even harder.

“Dad!” Apple cried out. “Why? W-why are you doing this?”

Turning his attention back to Apple, Big Mac grinned a mischievous grin, his teeth beginning to show as he did so. They were jagged and sharp, almost as if they had been filed down into that shape with a hoof file.

“Why?” He repeated. “Because, I have to. The hotel told me to. It said, ‘Big Mac, the time has come. The time to claim the entity of your loved ones is here. If you consume their souls, you’ll become a more powerful being. Something, even the princesses would worship. Everypony would grovel at your hooves. All you have to do is kill them. Kill them and take their souls. Their souls are the key.’” There was an agonizing cloud of silence as Big Mac pointed the shot gun back over to Apple. “And I intend to take what is rightfully mine.” With the last uttering’s of his words, the trigger of the shotgun was pulled with the tip of his hoof.

BAM!

The shell was struck, and the pellets careened down the barrel, causing a flaring at the end of it. Releasing into the air, the pellets came into contact with Apple’s young, delicate flesh, tearing it apart. Blood, chucks of bones, and even some of his lungs left his dying body, splattering and lodging into the wall. Seeing the life fading from his being was more than enough to cause Fluttershy to go into a state of hysteria, and she screamed harder than she ever had before.

“APPLE!”

Big Mac then uttered, “Shut up bitch,” before sending an accompanying blast from the shotgun into her face. The force of impact caused most of her face to shatter, rip, and tear away, turning into a splattered, mangled mess. The sight looked like something you would see only in a horror movie. Her skull was half fragmented, and most of her brain was displaced, caked onto the now red walls.

As he stared at the vision of what he had just done, created, Big Mac heard a voice calling his name. It was Fluttershy. She was calling his name in panic.

Turning around, the door frame turned blinding white, before the brightness overtook him.

3…

Falling to the floor, a loud gasp escaped Big Mac.

“What happened?” Fluttershy asks. “You were screaming bloody murder.”

Big Mac started flailing himself about on the ground. Fluttershy tried to pick him up, but was struggling.

“Honey…” Fluttershy finally got a grip on Big Mac, pulling him towards herself. “What’s wrong?”

Big Mac was still in a state of dazed confusion, as he continued to scream.

Fluttershy began her attempt to comfort him, by somewhat petting his mane and back.

He then finally spoke.

“I had the most…Terrible nightmare I’ve ever had in my entire life… It was the most horrible dream I could ever dreamed –“

“Well, it’s okay, it’s okay now… Really.”

He looked into Fluttershy’s eyes with a state of concern. “I dreamt that I…That I killed you and Apple. But I didn’t just kill you; I shot you guys, and then chopped your bodies up into little pieces.” Fluttershy continued to comfort him, while a state of confusion spread across her face. “Sweet Celestia. I must be losing my fucking mind.”

He began to cry.

“Everything’s going to be alright,” she said as she grabbed both his forelegs, starting to pull him up. “Come on. Let’s get you up off the floor.”

Raising him off the floor, Fluttershy placed him in his chair. Helping dust him off now, Fluttershy could hear somepony’s hooves clacking into the hardwood of the floor and she looked up. Her eyes meeting with Apple walking into the room caused her to panic slightly. She had to think of something fast.

“It’s okay Apple. Daddy just has a headache. Now, go off to your room and play, okay.”

But Apple continued to walk forward into the room almost lifelessly.

“What did I say, Apple? Mind what I say to you.”

And still, he continued to trot forward, as if something else had been driving him. Fluttershy looked back to Big Mac. “Let me get him out of here. I’ll be right back.”

Walking over to Apple, Fluttershy repeated pieces of her pervious statement, albeit broken somewhat.

“Apple, why aren’t you minding what I’m saying.”

As she reached Apple she could tell why he wasn’t responding accordingly. Looking to her son’s neck, she could see hoof imprints, suggesting somepony had attempted to strangle him. Her eyes went wide as she looked back over to Big Mac. “You did this, didn’t you?! You Monster… You did this!” She then started to shoo Apple in the direction of the staircase, so they could leave. But not before she could get out one more, “Monster.”

She and Apple then left the hall, leaving Big Mac to sit and contemplate what had just occurred.

4…

Big Mac, now walking down the long hallway that led to the dance hall, shook his hooves around in dismissive anger. He was now yelling out profanities, that would usually bother somepony. “Celestia damn bitch! Who does she think she is?! Telling me I did that to our son! Dumb Bitch!”

The screaming and profanities were beginning to tire out the robust stallion, as he made his way into the dance hall.

Walking into the dance hall it could be seen that the hall was still done up from the last grand occasion. There were great big tapestries adorning the walls, that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. The images bore resemblance to the princesses, Celestia and Luna. The hall was also lined with an extensive amount of seating arrangements, that sat around one uniform dance floor. There also happened to be a stagnant bar sitting directly in front of him. Maybe the occasion happened to be the Great Ball? Perhaps not. Big Mac isn’t really the type of pony to go out dancing, especially in the public’s eye. He is a writer after all, and to a writer image is everything. Once you’re caught making a mockery of yourself, you career can go from prosperous and beneficial, to nothing in ten seconds flat.

Stepping up to the bar Big Mac took an awkward seat on the bar stool. “What I wouldn’t do for a drink right now.” He said out loud to nopony in particular. He then placed his forelegs on the large glossy counter, laying his weary head in the clasp of his hooves as he did so. As he sat motionless, looking down into the shining surface of the counter, he heard somepony’s hooves clacking on the marble flooring. Fluttershy, he thought. Raising his head from its seemingly permanent perch, he came face to face with a stallion with brown colored fur. He also had a large black tuxedo on, covering his cutie mark. From all Big Mac could tell, the thing could have been a martini glass complete with an olive skewered from a toothpick.

“Hello, Mister Macintosh. Lovely evening today, isn’t it?”

Big Mac looked up to the bartender in bewildered amusement, before words began to flow freely from his muzzle. “Why yes it is, Mix-a-lot. Why, yes it is.”

Mix-a-lot approached the counter, and began to lean over it casually before asking the question that Big Mac was begging him to ask. “What’ll it be, sir?”

Big Mac leaned in further, completing the look of suspicion the two would make in a large crowd. “Well I’m sure glad you asked me that, Mix, I sure am.” Big Mac turned slightly to his left, creating an uncomfortable arch with his foreleg, and patted his side. As he patted his side a small rattling could be heard, echoing through Mix’s ears. “‘Cause it turns out I have 60 bits right here in my pouch.” Big Mac pointed his hoof towards Mix. “And I was worried they would be in there until next March.” Big Mac leaned forwards again, pausing for emphasis. “So here’s what: Let’s say you slip me some hard cider…A little glass… And some ice. You can do that can’t you Mix? You’re not to bust right now, are you?”

Mix-a-lot began to move from his stagnant position. “No, sir. Not at all.” Mix then turned around and picked up a bottle of cider, a little glass, and then placed them on the counter.

Setting the bottle and glass down, Mix bent over to pick the ice bucket up. Lugging the bucket up in his teeth, he places it on a slightly shorter shelf behind the counter.

“Good, Mix. You line ‘em up an’ I’ll knock ‘em back, one by one.” Big Mac pulled his pouch from his side as Mix began to pour his drink. “Working stallion’s burden, Mix. Working stallion’s burden.”Opening his pouch, he peered inside. The inside of the pouch was as barren as a nuclear wasteland. “Say, Mix. I’m temporarily light at the moment. How’s my credit in this place, anyways?”

“Your credit is perfectly fine, sir.”

Placing his empty pouch back by his side, Big Mac proceeded to speak. “That’s swell. Say, I like you Mix. I always like you. You were the best of ‘em… Best damn bartender…From Manehatten to Whinnypeg.”

“Well thank you for saying so.”

“No Problem, Mix.” Big Mac said as he stared at his drink, rotating the glass in his hooves, shaking it slightly, causing the liquid to swirl around. The ice colliding into the edges of the glass and themselves, making clinking sounds. Raising the glass up, he proposed a lackluster toast. “Here’s to 10 years on the wagon… And all the irreparable damage that it has caused me.” He then rose the half full glass to his lips, sucking the liquid into his maw. Big Mac made a face of content, as coldish-warm liquid caressed him, sliding down his esophagus, and into his awaiting gut below.

“Is everything okay, Mister Macintosh?”

“Things could be better, Mix. Thing’s could be – Pardon my language – A whole fuck lot better.”

Mix began to speak with remote concern overturning his voice. “I hope it’s nothing to serious.”

Macintosh tapped his now empty glass, gesturing for more alcohol before continuing. “Nothing serious… Just a little problem with the old…Sperm bank upstairs. Nothing I can’t handle, though. Thanks for your concern.”

“Mares, Mr. Macintosh. Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em.”

Big Mac, agreeing with the statement, rose his glass, slightly nudging towards Mix. “Words of wisdom, Mix. Words of…Wisdom.” He then took another chug of his drink, stirring it lightly after removing it from is wet lips. “I never laid a hand on him, for crying out loud. I didn’t. I wouldn’t harm a hair on his Celestia blessed hair, not a single one. I love that little son of a bitch. I’d do anything for him. Any. Fucking. Thing.” Big Mac paused again, beginning to flare up in anger. “But that bitch! As long as I live… She’ll never let me forget what happened.” Stopping for a second to look around to see if somepony else would hear their conversation, Big Mac continued to talk. “I did hurt him once, okay. But it was an accident. A completely unforeseen chain of events. It could have happened to anypony, Mix. Even your young colt. And it was 4 damn years ago! All I was trying to do was pull him up…”

5…

Galloping towards the dance hall, Fluttershy was yelling for Big Mac. “Big Mac, thank Celestia you here.”

Fluttershy approached him with great haste, almost completely out of breath. Gasping in panic she attempted to speak regardless. “There’s somepony else in the hotel with us. There’s some crazy mare in one of the rooms. She’s the one who tried to strangle Apple.”

Big Mac looked into Fluttershy’s eyes with an utter lack of general interest or concern. “Are you out of you fucking cotton-picking mind?”

“It’s t-true. Really. Apple told me… He went up to one of the rooms, and the door was open. He went i-inside, and saw this crazy m-mare in the shower. And… And she tried to…To, to…Strangle him.”

“Which room was it in.” Big Mac responded, thoroughly unimpressed.

“Room 237…”

Chapter 5: Room 237

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Chapter 5

Room 237

Room 237 is the room of nightmares. The beast of everypony’s deepest burdens. The room that sends you to the brink of madness and back again. But, can Big Mac, despite the slip in his mental stability, survive the division bell this room tolls. For the ringing of the bell would bring the devastation of a crippling force down upon the spirit of Big Mac himself. Helping him slip that much further towards total insanity. The state, which he is reluctantly welcoming into his life.

So as Big Mac walked towards the room of his burdens, he thought to himself in solitude. Fluttershy must be losing it. A crazy mare in 237? How could there be somepony here without us knowing sooner? The question he asked himself was pointless as he knew where the mare had come from. She had come from the deepest darkest corner of his disgruntled mind. The space he likes to pretend doesn’t exist; his cognitive insanity.

Walking up to the door, it was reviled to have been left open ajar. Fluttershy’s doing, no doubt, He thought to himself, sliding his large hoof in-between the door and the frame, pushing it open slowly. Stepping inside he was astonished to hear the shower running. Confused, he cautiously made his way towards the bathroom.

Looking into the room, all he could make out was the dark silhouette of a figure behind the foggy shower curtain. Pressing forwards, Big Mac walks into the bathroom, calling out to whomever was behind the shower curtain. “Hello, is anypony there?”

No Answer.

Instead he got the foreboding sound of constant water flow. He piped up slightly louder this time, fully including his masculine vibrato. “Hello? Hello, who’s behind the shower curtain?” There was still no answer, but instead he received an unconventional response. Instead of simply replying to him, the mare slid the shower curtain open instead. The pegasus pony mare then stepped out and began to walk towards Big Mac.

All this time Big Mac just stood there, mouth practically agape, as the mare continued to walk towards him. Sure ponies were usually naked, but this felt different, almost wrong. The mare was soaking wet, dripping warm water onto the tiled floor, and still walked towards him. Her mane was a bright blonde, and her coat was of a somewhat white color. Her resemblance was very similar to Surprise. But she lacked the corresponding cutie mark. Instead she had no cutie mark to be found at all. She must have been one who had never really found out there true destiny, just hovering, helping out when needed.

Rubbing up against his body on her initial approach, Big Mac shuttered as he continued to watch the mare encircling him, like a jungle cat stalking their prey.

As she made her third circle around him, he must have communicated with her telepathically, as she stopped dead in her tracks and looked at him. They stared into each other’s eyes, something clicking mentally between the pair. Something in Big Mac made him want to flee, but something kept tugging him back, forcing him to stay. Perhaps it was his animalistic instincts; the mare was quite astonishing after all.

They were still staring into each other’s eyes, before they lunged for one another. Clasping at one another in heated abandon, they kissed passionately, their tongues violently assaulting the others in a battle for control. They pulled each other deeper into the kiss, their tongues still swirling in uncontrollable fruitfulness.

Pulling away from each other to catch their breaths, they looked again into each other’s eyes. What was it about this mare that attracted Big Mac to her? He was being unfaithful to Fluttershy, and it was wrong. But still, somewhere deep down inside his being, this felt so right. Like he needed to be here, right this instant, doing exactly what he was doing, regardless of the consequences.

They lunged back into their kiss, more violently then before. Big Mac beginning to tug at her mane, and her beginning to reach for his sheath. Big Mac began to moan loudly, as the ministrations of the two were beginning to drive each other closer to the inevitable. But all that was brought to a screeching halt when Big Mac heard groaning. And the groaning was reverberating into his busy mouth.

Eyes jutting open, Big Mac stumbled back, almost falling onto his haunches. The beautiful mare he had just been fraternizing with now began to decompose. Her coat no longer a whitish color, but a repulsive muddy green color. Her hide had begun to fall apart and to the tiles below, revealing the delicate flesh beneath. Her mane was no longer a bright, vibrant blonde color. It was now a dark grey, with white streaks; most of it had already fallen out and onto the floor of the bathroom.

The mare began to hobble towards Big Mac, as he finally mustered up the courage to run away from the mare. Leaving the room, and exiting into the hallway, Big Mac slammed the door to room 237 hard. He turned back towards the door and stood there for a second, looking into the varnished oak panels, before bolting down the hallway towards his suite...

Chapter 6: A Ball to Remember

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Chapter 6

A Ball to Remember

Pacing back and forth in there suit Fluttershy was in a state of panicked dismay. Big Mac had been gone for over an hour to investigate that Celestia damned hotel room, and had yet to return. The limbo she stayed in was causing her to become conserved, and perhaps antsy. She was beginning to contemplate leaving the room and go on another search for her husband. But that was until the door opened with a loud, thunderous crash.

Stepping through the door, Big Mac huffed and puffed enough to have knocked the Three Little Pigs brick house down easily. Kicking his hooves against the ground dismissively, he walked into his and Flutters bedroom, to be greeted cheerily by her.

“D-did you find her? Was there anypony in the room?” Fluttershy questioned with an obvious state of concern.

“No,” Big Mac replied bluntly. “I didn’t find nopony up there, just an empty room.”

“That can’t be.” Fluttershy was starting to think; perhaps Apple and she were coming down with a state of cabin fever. But that couldn’t be. Apple had to have seen somepony up there. He just had to. “You did go to the room Apple said, didn’t you? To room 237?”

“Yes, dear, I went there.”

“…And you didn’t see anything up there?”

“No,” he replied back, “not a single thing.”

Walking over to Apples room now, Big Mac questioned, “Is he okay? How is he doing?”

“He’s fine,” Flutters replied, “he’s still sleeping though.”

“Good.” Big Mac said peeking into the darkness of the colt’s bedroom, all before retreating his head and closing the door so it was slightly less ajar than before.

Turning to face Fluttershy, he placed a hoof on her shoulder and coxed her into the other room. It was from here that Big Mac continued to hold Fluttershy as she shuddered, sobbing deeply. He brushed through her mane, cooing to her softly to reassure her that everything would be okay.

Raising her head and looking directly into the strong stallions emerald green eyes, Fluttershy began to question the situation and, perhaps her abilities as a mother. “What do I do, Big Mac? I just don’t know what to do anymore… It’s like I’m on this downward spiral, and I just can’t stop. I feel as if I’m losing control.” She looked away, continuing her loud sobs. “What about Apple? Will he be okay?”

Stroking her mane while he spoke, he said: “I’m sure he’ll be his regular old, bouncy self in the morning. There’s no need to worry.”

Flutters mind turning back to the room of question, she continued to prod for information. “Are you sure it was the right room? Ma-maybe Apple made a m-mi-mistake.” Her words oscillated as she continued to talk through the tears.

Big Mac, now looking down, spoke softly gently about the situation. “He had to have been, though. The door was open, and the lights were on. It couldn’t have been any other room.”

Fluttershy still couldn’t understand it. The bruises on his neck, the way the door just ‘so happened’ to be open, the lights were on. There was too much information pointing to the fact that somepony else was inside the hotel with them. Why else would the lights and door be open?” Ghosts? Ghouls? Demons? It was all highly unlikely. To outrageous to even think of, let alone actually exist.

Pulling away from her mate, she looked back towards Apple’s room and spoke. “Somepony had to have done this to our son, Big Mac.”

“Fluttershy,” Big Mac stated, his voice turning into that of a more serious tone. “We need to think of all the possibilities here. And maybe…And maybe he did it to himself?”

Turning back from the door in an instant, Fluttershy defended her son. “No! That’s not possible… Why would he do such a thing?”

“But Fluttershy.” Big Mac grasped her hooves, and held them closely to his chest. “Once you rule out his story…There’s no way… No other explanation in the book, as to who did this to him but himself.”

There was no response.

“It wouldn’t be that different from the stunt he pulled before we came up here.”

The stunt he spoke of was the incident where a call-in doctor had been called upon to visit there residence. When Nurse Redheart arrived, Fluttershy had told her Apple had been complaining of a constant headache, which never seemed to dissipate. And upon questioning Apple, he told Nurse Redheart that he has been hearing somepony talking to him, telling him to do things. When she questioned further, all Apple could give her was the voices name, Prism. Nothing more, nothing less. The Nurse had pressed further, curious of Apples condition, but he informed her that Prism had told him to cease speaking of him. Fluttershy was then recommended to take action, and study his behavior more closely. “Perhaps he needs to be placed into a mental institution, Mrs. Fluttershy.” Nurse Redheart told her. But Fluttershy would never abandon her child like that, especially over something so small as a voice caused by a headache speaking to him. That was ridiculous. Mad pony talk.

“I think…” Fluttershy finally spoke up. “…We need to get Apple out of here. There is something not right about this place. I can feel it, Big Mac. Can’t you?”

Big Mac chortled slightly at what Fluttershy had just suggested. “Get him out of here?” He repeated, slightly confused at first.

Flutters nodded.

“You mean… Just pack up and leave the hotel.”

She nodded again.

Big Mac stood, composure still flawless, before he broke down. “It is just like you to make a problem like this. When I finally have the chance to accomplish something…For us… When I’m really into my work! You go ahead and fuck it all up.” He got into Fluttershy’s face and continued to scream out of control. “I could really write my own success story if I went back home now, couldn’t I?” He pulled away from her face, turned around, and smacked his forehooves on the dresser in front of him. He looked into the dressers mirror and continued to yell. “Working on the farm again! Digging holes, plowing fields, and bucking apple trees. Does any of that really appeal to you, Fluttershy? Does it really?”

Fluttershy rose her hoof attempting to make physical contact with Big Mac, but he smacked it away, and pointed his hoof in her face. “I’ve let you fuck around with my life for so long, but I’m not going to let you fuck this up for me.”

Retracing his hoof, he placed it back to the carpeted floor, and made way for the front door. Reaching the door, he flung it open and it smashed into the wall with a loud thud. He stepped out into the hallway and slammed the door shut behind himself before storming throughout the hotel.

2…

Striking various silverware and glasses from their roost, Big Mac trudged through the Overlook’s sparkling kitchen and into the long hallway towards the dance hall.

Walking down the hall, Big Mac’s ears perked up as he could hear the soft melodies of an ensemble playing from the dance hall. He ran down the short hall to the pair of open double doors he had left open earlier. Looking into the dance hall, he could see various ponies all about. Some sitting at candle lit tables, eating meals, and generally chatting each other up. The other half of the group was on the dance floor, slow dancing to the soft melody being played in the background. The tune was mainly brought forth by the magnificent violin and cello, which beamed with sound that projected to all corners of the glorious hall.

Genuinely interested in where this would go if he were to stay, he walked into the hall, which upon entering he was greeted by a gentlecolt dressed in a black jacket, and red bowtie. “How about a jacket, sir?” The stallion then reached out to Big Mac, black jacket in hoof. “It would fit the occasion much more, then simply wearing nothing, good sir.”

Still curious of the event, Big Mac took the jacket and thanked the stallion for his generosity. He then walked through the hall and made his way towards the bar.

Sitting down on the same stool as he had before, Mix-a-lot approached the counter, and welcomed Big Mac to the Ball. “Hello, Mr. Macintosh.”

“Hello, Mix,” Big Mac responded. “Been away for a while, but now I’m back.”

“And it is so wonderful to see you, Mr. Macintosh.”

“Shaking his head up and down feverishly, Big Mac said: “And it’s great to be back, Mix...”

“So,” Mix began, picking up a glass as he started cleaning it. “What’ll it be, sir?”

“Scales of the dragon that bit me, my good sir.”

“Bourbon on the rocks with a shot of hard cider it is, sir.”

Shaking his hoof appreciatively, Big Mac chimed, “that’ll do her,” before grabbing a hoof full of assorted nuts from the martini glass next to him, and throwing them into his mouth hungrily. Chewing loudly, he turned his attention back out to the full hall. He could never have imagined it could look like this. The Great Ball of 980. How glorious it looked. It was mesmerizing.

The hall was covered in a thick blanket of cigar smoke, which made the whole room look like a foggy day. Everypony continued to talk, eat, and dance as if he wasn’t even there at all.

Clearing his throat to get the attention of Big Mac again, Mix cough subtly. As he turned back around Big Mac elicited speech at a low pitch. “Ah. Almost forgot.” He then took his bits pouch from his side and opened it up. Pulling a twenty bit piece from the confines of the pouch, he attempted to hand it over to Mix, who stopped him mid act.

Raising his hoof up to stop him, Mix said, “No charge, Mr. Macintosh.”

“No Charge,” Big Mac asked quizzically. What is this guy thinking, Big Mac thought?

“Your money’s no good here, sir.”

Big Mac looked down to his money, then back up to Mix. “Orders from the house,” Mix said.

Still remotely confused, Big Mac repeated the statement, albeit coming across as a question. “Orders from the house?”

Whereas Mix simply replied to it with, “drink up, Mr. Macintosh. You’re going to need it.”

“Mix,” Big Mac began to question, “I’m a stallion who likes to know who’s buyin’ their drinks for ‘em. “

“Mr. Macintosh,” Mix started up, bending his figure over the shellac oak countertop. “That is nothing of your concern, I assure you.” The tone in which Mix now spoke, was one of sternness, and solid composure. He spoke as if everything else in the whole world was more of a concern then the liquor Big Mac now drank.

“At least it’s not important at this point in time,” Mix finished.

“Whatever you say, Mix. Whatever you say.” Finishing his statement Big Mac rose to his hooves – Drink in hoof, and walked away from the bar into the whole of the seating area. Most of the ponies within it confines talked petty dribble that was little to no interest to Macintosh himself. So instead, he moved towards the dance floor, swaying side to side to the sweet beat of good Ol’ fashioned Jazz. The song sounded similar to a Jazzy interlude Foxtrot, coupled with a hint of Smooth Jazz sprinkled on top.

Continuing to sway towards the inner dance floor, a waiter pony walked by holding a large silver platter covered in advocaat, and stumbled into him, spilling the glasses contents all over Big Mac’s natural coat, and newly adorn jacket.

“Oh no, sir. Oh no.” The waiter pleaded, whilst resting his tray down on the bars countertop. He turned and began to wipe the drinks remnants from the black jacket, but is was doing no good. The liquid was beginning to settle in, and would prove harder to get out if he continued to try.

“I’ve ruined your jacket,” the waiter pony said.

“It’s alright, Jeevesy. No harm done. I got plenty of jackets.”

“Well, it’s advocaat, sir. It tends to stain. The waiter pony then bent over and proceeded to pick up the two fallen glasses that did not break on the hard, tiled flooring. He then began to speak. “I think the best thing to do …Is to go into the gentlecolt’s room, just over there.” He pointed to the room with his free hoof before continuing. “And try to remedy this situation with some water.”

Finishing picking the glasses back up, and placing them on the bar counter top as well, the waiter turned back around to face Big Mac. Big Mac noticed a splotch of advocaat on the waiter’s jacket as well, and pointed it out to him. “Looks like you have gotten a spot on yourself, Jeevesy, my friend.”

“Doesn’t matter, sir. You are the important one.” They then made their way towards the bathroom.

“Well that’s awfully nice of you to say, Jeevesy.”

They stepped into the bathroom, Big Mac holding the door for the waiter to enter. “Here, let me just hold this for you.”

“Why thank you very much, sir… Now let’s see if we cannot improve this situation with some water, shall we?” The waiter pony then grabbed a washcloth from above the basin and dipped it into the water within. “This should help some, sir.” He then turned back around and began to pat and rub at the spill on Big Mac’s jacket. “I shall not keep you more than a moment.”

“Tell me, Jeevesy. What do they call you around here?” Big Mac questioned.

Charming, sir. Charming Tail.

“Charming Tail?” Big Mac questioned with wide eyed bewilderment.

“Yes, sir.” Charming replied. “Mr. Charming Tail…”

Chapter 7: Snapped Transistors

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Chapter 7

Snapped Transistors

“Mr. Charming,” Big Mac questioned quizzically. “Didn’t you used to be the caretaker here? You took care of it during one of its down seasons.”

“No, sir, why I don’t believe so,” Charming Tail responded.

“Are you a married stallion, Mr. Charming, sir?” Big Mac prodded for answers to what he was seeing with his own two eyes. For what he seen was peculiar and out of the ordinary, and if this really was Mr. Charming, hewas the caretaker of the Overlook. But it was impossible. Impossible, yet it still insisted to exist, and bludgeon his mind with wave after wave of precocious afterthought.

“Yes, sir I am,” Charming Tail finally responded. “I have a wife and little filly.”

Big Mac’s eyes frantically shifted into various alternating directions, unable to pick whether to look at Charming or the blood red walls. “And…” Big Mac began. “…Where are they now.”

“There somewhere around here,” Charming motioned lifting his hoof and waving it in a circular motion passively. “I’m not quite too sure where they are at the moment, though.”

Charming then continued to clean off Big Mac’s jacket, before lifting one of his hooves up and beginning ministrations into his bright red coat.

Big Mac stopped him and took the cloth in which Charming used to clean his jacket.

“You were the caretaker here. I remember you from a Ponyville, Equestrian history book...” Big Mac paused. “…And…You, uh, shot your wife and filly… Before chopping them into little bits, then ended your own life.”

Big Mac tossed the spent washcloth onto the rim of the basin, as Charming looked into his razor-sharp gaze, contemplating whether or not to come clean about the whole affair. But telling the truth was so passé.

“No, I don’t have any recollection of that.”

Big Mac smiled a wide toothy smile before he spoke. “Mr. Charming… You were the caretaker here.”

Charming shook his head dismissively, his short black mane waving side to side as he did so. “Sorry, but I beg to differ with you, sir.” Charming raised his left hoof, and placed it on Big Mac shoulder. He then leaned into his figure slightly, attempting to whisper into his ear. “You are the caretaker, Mr. Macintosh… You’ve always been the caretaker.” Charming placed his hoof back onto the floor with an insignificant clack, before he began to circle around Big Mac. His smile faltering before he continued to speak. “I should know, sir. I’ve always been here.” Big Mac’s features stressed into a smile before fading almost instantly, once more. “Did you know, Mr. Macintosh –“Charming continued “– That you son is trying to bring a third party into our little predicament here? Did you know this?” Charming’s voice was starting to sound more and more hostile.

Big Mac shook his head, before quickly responding, “No.”

“He is, sir.”

“Who?” Was all Big Mac could muster up to question.

“A sheer, Mr. Macintosh.”

“A sheer?” He questioned

“A sheer…Cook.”

“How? How can he be doing that?”

“Your son…” Mr. Charming began to explain. “…Has a very great talent. And I’m not quite too sure if you realize just how great it is.” He looked Big Mac dead in the eyes once more, his pupils penetrating Big Mac’s manly demeanor, turning him into a lesser stallion. “He, right now, is using that very talent against your will.”

“Well,” Big Mac stated. His anger could be felt from a mile away. “He is a very willful colt.”

“That he is, Mr. Macintosh. That he is… A very wilful colt. A very naughty colt, if I may be so bold, Mr. Macintosh.”

“It’s his mother,” Big Mac stated as he began to laugh.” She’s…Interfering.”

Charming placed his hoof back on Macintosh's shoulder. “Maybe…Maybe they need a good talking-to… If I may speak freely, sir.” He then whispered again into Big Mac’s ear. “Perhaps…A bit more.” There was an agonizing cloud of silence, before Charming continued to speak. “You see, sir, my filly didn’t really like the Overlook at first. She even tried to burn the place down. And when my wife tried to stop me from doing my duty, from taking care of the building…I…Corrected her.”

Big Mac, now in a state of frivolous thought, began to smile. The smile continued to grow larger and larger, until he finally was able to speak. And what he said would have caused any other sane pony to become concerned, terribly concerned. “Perhaps they do need a good talkin’-to.”

Chapter 8: All Work and No Play...

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Chapter 8

All Work and No Play…

Outside the Overlook, the wind whistled and moaned as snow and ice pellets flew across the blackened sky. The weather was so atrocious it stopped any and all transportation by flight. The only way to get around was from machinery specifically designed for such a task. Snowcats. But anypony who dared to go outside in this weather was a crazy pony. A crazy pony indeed. For if you were to get stuck in this weather, you would surely parish from the conditions alone; not to mention the potentiality of getting stuck and starving to death…

“Awake. That’s all you ever are, is awake,” Prism said to Apple. “You need to get your sleep. For sleep is good for the brain, young Apple.” Prism trotted over to the side of Apples bed, and loomed over him. Apple tried to see his face, but it was still shrouded out in the blanket of eternal darkness. “You need to listen to me Apple. And you don’t seem to be doing such a good job at that. That’s why I’ve come to you. You need to heed my words Apple or I’ll be forced to make you. And you won’t want that, dear Apple, you don’t.”

Just as Prism finished his spiel, Fluttershy trotted through the bedroom door in tears. “Honey,” Fluttershy started, “we need to get our stuff together, we’re leave –“But Fluttershy was cut off when Apple lunged forth and began to chant. He began to chant one word and one word only: “Redrum.”

“Redrum,” Apple stated in a growly voice.

Fluttershy sat onto the bed next to Apple and began to coax him. “It’s okay honey. Did you have a bad dream?”

To which Apple responded with: “Redrum” once more.

As Fluttershy began to shake Apple in a dated attempt in springing him from the dream world, she missed Apples eyes rapidly shifting to the left of her to look into the far corner of the room. For in the dark, back corner of the room sat Prism. Apple was attempting to negate the communicative ministrations of Prism, but it was no use. Prism was too strong and he broke through Apple’s will, like the Friendship Express gliding through a barricade.

When Prism spoke, Apple spoke. It was a finely tuned game of Chutes and Ladders, as Prism would speak, but the words would radiate forth from Apples maw as if they were his own; albeit gargled and raspy.

“Redrum.” The two said in unison.

Fluttershy stroked Apple’s mane out of his eyes and spoke to him again. “Come on, Apple.”

“Apple’s not here right now, Mrs. Fluttershy.”

“Come on, Apple, wake up. You just had a bad dream. Come on…Everything will be fine.”

Apple stared directly into his mother’s eyes before saying, “Apple can’t wake up right now, Mrs. Fluttershy.”

“Wake up Apple, right now! Come on! Wake up!”

“Apple’s gone away now, Mrs. Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy then pulled Apple into her warm embrace, before sobbing into his neck. She wept until she couldn’t weep any longer. She then pulled herself from his small frame, and looked into his bright green eyes longingly before stating: “Oh, Apple.” She then pulled him back into a hug, sobbing again slightly.

2…

Big Mac walked through the halls of the Overlook in need of some release. He had been feeling pent-up with the frustrations of being unable to continue any further with his novel. The ideas just wouldn’t come to him; the inspiration just would flow. It could have been considered maddening even. But his worrying about his novel all ceased when he heard the sound of a radio broadcast coming from the Overlook’s Offices.

Closing the gap on the door, Big Mac leaned in to hear if Fluttershy was inside; possibly calling somepony else for help. Thankfully, for him, it wasn’t. The radio was just receiving a message from the Mountain Patrol units.

Walking into the room, Big Mac could now fully make out what the Rangers were rambling on about. “Mountain Patrol calling The Overlook. Do you copy, Overlook? Over.” Big Mac approached the oak dresser and placed both his hooves atop its metallic case. Then, in one swift motion, he flipped the machine onto its faceplate and stared at the back of the miraculous ingenuity. Locating the silver covers fastening clips, he popped them into the open position. Placing the machine back down flat, he ripped the lid off the machine, and looked thoroughly through the circuitry. His eyes falling upon the machines fuses, he tore them from there sockets, the speakers audio churning to a gargled halt before completely fading from existence.

“That takes care of that,” Big Mac said to himself. “Now…Time to have that chat with Fluttershy.”

3…

Fluttershy sat in there hotel suit, Big Apple at her side. She was attempting to get Apple to eat some cereal while her listened to his favorite radio play again. But the efforts were proving to be futile, as Apple continued to stare blankly into the distance, just as he had when he “talked” to his mother last night.

Apple, Honey,” Fluttershy said turning to look him in the eyes. “I’m going to go have a chat with daddy, okay?” There was no answer. Apple just continued to look into the wooden box lifelessly. Not receiving an answer, Fluttershy reluctantly walked over to the sofa in the neighboring room, took a baseball bat lying up against it and left the room.

4…

Walking into the hall Big Mac should have been clacking away on his typewriter in; Fluttershy’s hoof clacks were wary and unsteady. For the slightest overly exaggerated noise could have stirred an infuriated response from her husband. But, the lack of Big Mac’s presence was more of a looming and foreboding tone.

Something about this room felt different; Fluttershy couldn’t place her hoof on it. Was it the lack of Big Mac, the clacking, or the fact that the air felt heavier? Regardless, Fluttershy trudged on into the center of the room, continuing her frivolous searching for Macintosh. But Macintosh was nowhere to be found.

Fluttershy stepped up to the desk Big Mac had transformed for his artistic needs, and looked over what he had been working on. The page loaded in the typewriter read:

‘All work and no play makes Mr. Macintosh a dull stallion.

All work and no play makes Mr. Macintosh a dull stallion.

All work and no play makes Mr. Macintosh a dull stallion.’

Pulling herself from the typewriter, she moved over towards the stack of papers he had finished typing out and began to rifle through them.

The same result.

For every page Big Mac had wrote, he had filled it with the same mindless drivel. The same WORDS and total loss of cohesion were evident when his work was viewed. How could somepony consider this sane? This wasn’t sane. This was a cry for help; a need to get out, to break fee. And that’s what he was going to do.

Lost in total astonishment, Fluttershy never even realized Big Mac had been trotting up behind her the entire time.

“How do you like it, dear?” Big Mac half cackled with glee.

Fluttershy screeched loudly and spun around, baseball bat still in hoof.

“How do you like it?” Big Mac questioned again, starting to push forward uncomfortably.

Fluttershy backed away hurriedly as he approached, almost falling over after bumping into the corner of the large desk.

“What are you doing down here,” Big Mac said, his tone beginning to shift to the tone it had been when he had his night terrors a few nights prior.

“I, I-I just wanted to talk to you.” Fluttershy responded in a flustered panic.

“Okay then. Let’s talk.” Big Mac finished approaching his desk and pulled out the chair before sitting down. He then pulled his stack of finished work over towards him, and started flipping through it meticulously. “What do you want to talk about,” he said, turning to face Fluttershy with a crooked smile. His teeth had begun to elongated and sharp as his voice deepened and crackled further.

Clutching the baseball bat for dear life Fluttershy began to stutter out a response, slightly chocking on the words while she did so. “I-I…I don’t…Really remember.”

Big Mac lifted himself back up from his seated position and started his stride towards Fluttershy back up, and this time he wasn’t stopping. “Are you sure you don’t remember what it was? Are you sure it wasn’t about Apple, Fluttershy? Maybe it was about him. I think we should discuss Apple… I think we should discuss what needs to be done with him.”

Fluttershy continued to back up through the hall towards the large staircase that cascaded into the room. “What does need to be done with Apple, Fluttershy?”

“I-I don’t know.” Fluttershy responded.

“Oh, but I think you do. I think you have some very good ideas of what could be done with him…” Big Mac pointed his hoof into his red chest before continuing.”…And I would like to know what they are, hm.”

“Well…Well, I think Apple…I think Apple should be taken to a doctor.”

Cocking his head to the side in a state of disbelief and slight confusion, Big Mac repeated, “You think ‘maybe’ Apple should be taken to see a doctor?”

They were now three quarters to the staircase as Big Mac continued. “You think, perhaps, his heath is at stake?”

“Yes.” Was all Fluttershy could muster in-between her heavy sobs.

“Do you care about Apple?”

“Y-yes.”

“Do you care about me?”

“Of course I do.”

“Of course I do!” Big Mac taunted back. “Have you ever really thought about my responsibilities?” He then questioned.

“What are you talking about?”

“Have you ever thought about my responsibilities to my employers?” Big Mac asked, smacking his chest, causing a thunderous thud to reverberate throughout the hall. “I have signed a contract! A solitary binding agreement to look after the Overlook until May 1st… And I have accepted this responsibility. Do you have any idea what an ethical and moral principal is? Do you?” Big Mac had now begun to chase Fluttershy up the staircase. As she backed up continuously, she constantly had to struggle to stand.

Her mind had now reached a point of hysteria, as she begun to swing the bat back and forth in front of Big Mac in an attempt to keep him away.

“Stay away from me!” She yelled out over the tears.

“Why, honey?” Big Mac questioned.

“I just want to go back to the room with Apple.” She confessed keeling over, continuing to wave the bat frantically as she did so.

“Why?” He questioned again.

“I-I just need a chance to think things over.”

“You had your whole fucking life to think things over, Fluttershy. What good’s a few more minutes going to do for ya’?”

“Stay away from me! Don’t hurt me!”

“Fluttershy?” Big Mac exclaimed.

Fluttershy kept swinging, nearing the top of the staircase as she did so.

“Darling... Apple of my eye. I am not going to hurt –“

“Stay away from me,” Fluttershy cut off.

“Now, honey, you didn’t let me finish my sentence.” Big Mac paused. “I said, ‘I am not going to hurt you.’ I’m just goin’ to bash you brains in… I’m going to bash them right the fuck in.” Finishing his statement Big Mac laughed heartily.

Fluttershy swung the bat again, screaming “leave me alone” as she did so. As the bat came around the right side of Fluttershy’s figure, the wooden rod came into contact his Big Mac’s face, causing him to elicit a gut wrenching cry before falling onto the stairs, rolling down them. His body hit the landing with a noise so loud, it could only be categorized as quake-like. Quickly coming to the conclusion of what she had done, Fluttershy ran down the staircase to Big Mac. Placing her two hooves around the scruff of his neck, she began to drag him off through the hotel.

5…

Walking through the kitchen, still carrying the weight of Big Mac, Fluttershy made her way towards the large pantry door. Unlatching the door Big Mac stirred in his unconscious state, and began to awaken. Panicking now, Fluttershy grabbed the bottom latch of the door and attempted to pry it open, but it wouldn’t budge. Continuing to reef on the handle, Fluttershy paused momentarily before taking in the circumstantial conditions of the latch. Upon further investigation, the latch could be seen to have a metal pin inserted through a cut-out in the handle to prevent it from opening involuntarily. Ripping the pin out, Fluttershy was finally able to pull the bottom latch open with a thud.

Beginning to slide the door open wide, Big Mac began to wake further. “What are you doing?” He questioned in a slurred haze.

Fluttershy ignored his question and began pulling him into the room.

“What’s going on? What are you doing?” He questioned again, attempting to grab the door frame as he slid mercilessly into the produce storage.

Pulling him into the middle of the first row of food, Fluttershy ran around him and out into the open kitchen. She then turned quickly and began to shut the door, just as Big Mac began to crawl towards the doorway.

Slam!

The door slammed shut, Fluttershy replacing the locking mechanisms back into proper order.

“What are you doing Fluttershy!? We can talk about this,” Big Mac pleaded.

Fluttershy just backed up slowly, grabbing a vegetable knife from its wall hanger.

“Fluttershy, c’mon listen to me. Just let me out and we can forget this whole Celestia damned incident ever happened. It’ll be just like nothing ever happened.”

Fluttershy just fell to the floor, cringing and sobbing harder than she had ever cried before.

“Honey, I think you hurt my head really bad.” Big Mac stated, before pausing slightly. “I feel sick to my stomach…And dizzy… I think I need a doctor.”

“I can’t let you out of there, Big Mac,” was all Fluttershy said, before rising to her hooves, and walking to the exit.

“Honey?”

“I got to go now,” Fluttershy stated, still crying. “I’m going to try and get Apple down to Ponyville in the Snowcat. I’ll bring back a doctor.”

“Fluttershy?” Big Mac questioned worriedly. “Fluttershy?”

“I got to go now,” was the last thing Fluttershy said before completely leaving the kitchen, heading back to the hotel suite to get Apple.

“Fluttershy! Fluttershy! You got a big surprise coming to you! Go check out the Ham Radio and the Snowcat, and you’ll see what I mean… You’ll see what I MEAN!”

Chapter 9: Redrum Overload

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Chapter 9

Redrum Overload

Pulling out of a comatose-like sleep, Big Mac staggers to his hooves heading for the pantry’s large, steel door. Banging on the door furiously, he grunted and moaned in displeasure. The door was still locked.

“Mr. Macintosh,” a mysterious voice from beyond the door interrupted. Big Mac stopped in his tracks, lowering his hooves back down to the floor.

Placing his only his left hoof back up against the door, he questioned, “Charming? Charming, is that you?”

“Yes, Mr. Macintosh.” He responded.

“Well, uh, hello, Charming.” Big Mac was confused, but slightly intrigued. How did Charming know he was in the pantry? Was he watching him and Fluttershy earlier?

“…Mr. Macintosh. It seems you have hardly taken care of the business we have discussed.”

“Well, now, Mr. Charming,” Big Mac stated, throwing his hooves into the air, then back against the door. “No need to rub it in, okay?”

“I fear Mr. Macintosh, that you haven’t got the stomach for it. And I’m not the only one thinking this way. Others have started to think this way too; that you haven’t got your heart in this place…That you can’t kill for it, Mr. Macintosh.”

Well don’t you worry, Charming.” Big Mac started, turning around, placing his hooves on the shelf to his adjacent left, knocking some cans of tomato juice off in the process. “I have the heart for it. Trust me. Give me one more chance.”

“It appears Fluttershy is a little more…Resourceful than we could have ever imagined. And I do fear, sir that you are going to have to deal with this in the harshest way possible. Can you do that for us…Mr. Macintosh?”

“Yes. Yes, I can, Mr. Charming. All I need is one more chance.” And as soon as Big Mac finished his solemn promise, the door to his right began to thud as the locks were unlatched.

The door opening up, Big Mac trotted tiredly into the kitchen, and looked Charming directly in the eyes. “I’m going to handle this, once and for all,” he said, before trotting of into the emptiness that was the Overlook Hotel.

2…

While Big Mac stumbled through the hotel and Fluttershy slept off his tangent rage, Mr. Green Hooves was making his way back to the Overlook. The cook was worried that they may be in trouble, due to the fact no one was answering the phone, and when he called the Mountain Patrol’s Office they had told him they were not responding to their calls on the radio either.

So, now, Mr. Green Hooves was trekking through the treacherous snow in a rented Snowcat. The snow crunching loudly under its heavy load. The engine moaning loudly as it forced its way through shallow and deep snowbanks. The machine was quite a work of art. Too bad the “work of art” back at the hotel wasn’t working.

3…

Fluttershy cooed softly in her sleep, as Apple slunk out of his room and into his mother’s. Entering the room his attention was torn away from his slumbering mother, and to the dresser that adorned the large mirror. Walking up to the mirror, Apple looked into it. Looking in the mirror one could see the bathroom door in the mirror. It was in that moment Prism had an idea.

Assuming control of young Apple again, he trotted him to the kitchen. He needed to warn Fluttershy, and Apple wasn’t doing an efficient job at it. So, grabbing a vegetable knife from the kitchen, Prism moved Apple back into the bedroom. He then proceeded to make Apple pick up a stick of lipstick, removing the cap, and twist the bottom with care and precision. Taking the lipstick, he moved towards the bathroom and forced Apple to begin to write onto the bathroom door.

The word he spelt out was “Redrum…” And while he was pressing the lipstick to the wood, he chanted out the word as if it was some sort of sacrilegious ceremony.

From the constant chanting of the word, Fluttershy began to stir out of her sleep. She opened her eyelids slowly, as she looked off the right side of the bed.

Eyelids cracking open, she was surprised to see Apple standing there, looking right into her eyes, and still chanting the word Redrum. Looking down to his raised hoof, the glistening knife came into view. Fluttershy jumped out of bed in complete shock. “Oh my goodness,” she squeaked, “why do you have that, Apple?”

Apple didn’t answer; he just continued to chant the sacred word.

Fluttershy, now grabbing ahold of Apple, looked into the mirror. Upon setting gaze into the mirror, the word murder could be seen smeared across the bathroom door in red lipstick. Fluttershy gasped in frenzied panic. She had no idea of what to do, or what to think. She just knew she had to get Apple out of their now.

Suddenly, there was a crashing from the front of the suite. Big Mac had attempted to kick the door in, but it was ineffective against the reinforced steel plating in the door, and the thick hinges that held it in place. “Fluttershy!” He screamed. “Let me in, or I’m going to have to do something I really don’t wanna do!” There was a pause for decisive decision making, but the door never opened. “…Fine you leave me with one choice, Hun. Don’t tell me I never warned you.” With one final, enraged kick into the door, Big Mac picked up a fire axe with his maw and began to smash into the door, smashing piece by piece of wood out of the way.

“I told you, Hun! And now I’m coming in!” He swung the axe numerously more times, as Fluttershy grabbed the seemingly possessed Apple and, with her seemingly superpony strength, pulled him into the bathroom, locking the door as she did it.

Another loud crash was heard as Big Mac collapsed the first obstruction in his way. Running into the bedroom, he made his way for the bathroom. “Open up Fluttershy…And I won’t have to hurt you…” Fluttershy was now in a state of uncontrollable panic. She was now trying to pry the bathroom window open, so both she and Apple could escape the horrible atrocity Big Mac had become.

Pulling increadibly at the window, Fluttershy tried to open it with great force. But it was useless; the window had frozen shut and would not budge. Turning to Apple she looked into his green eyes and spoke to him as Big Mac continued an intelligible tangent from beyond the door. “Honey,” She began. “I can’t get the window open…” She was on the verge of tears again. “…But I want you to know, no matter what happens, daddy still loves you.” She then took Apple and placed him behind herself, shielding him from his father.

“Fluttershy if you’re not going to let me in, I’ll have to knock this door down.”

“I’m not letting you in, you monster!” She screamed back. “Why can’t you just leave us alone?”

“Why?” Big Mac repeated, almost laughing over the fact. “Because, I need to fulfill my duty. The hotel needs it. Wants it. Desires it. But you wouldn’t understand. No pony understands like I do.”

“But, Big Mac,” Fluttershy plead. “If you just listen to me, I can get you help. A doctor. Somepony to see what’s wrong.”

“I don’t need a doctor anymore,” Big Mac retorted, “I’m my own stallion. I know what’s going on. I don’t need help!”

“Honey, I think you do –“That was the last phase to half leave Fluttershy’s mouth, before the door was met with an ear shattering crash.

“If you think I need a doctor, I’ll show you I don’t need a doctor.”

Fluttershy screamed as she pushed Apple further behind her. The door was then hit again with a smash of the axe, breaking away more fragments of the wood. Through the hole being made by the axe, Apple could see his father rearing up the axe, before bringing it back down on the door. More wood flew across the bathroom, some hitting Fluttershy and Apple.

“BIG MAC STOP! PLEASE STOP!” But, it was of no use. The stallion was feeling ruthless, like a cold blooded killer when he handled that axe, and he liked it.

Bring the axe down again, a hole big enough for Big Mac to shove some of his face through had formed. Bringing himself closer to the door, he spoke. “Here’s Big –“But something cut him off. Something other worldly. Something he had encountered before but also hadn’t. It felt new but familiar at the same time. He was being spoken to. Not with the tongue as one would expect, but with a strain of brainwave unbeknownst to Mr. Macintosh. For his son was speaking to him the way Mr. Green Hooves and Prism spoke to him. With the mind. And it was in this moment that Big Mac was relayed an important message from his son. Apple had told him: “The water heater in the utilities room, the pressures to high. It’s going to explode.” Big Mac didn’t know what to think of this warning. Was it a ploy to get him to ignore Fluttershy and him? Or, was he actually telling the truth? Was the Overlook really going to go sky high in a matter of minutes? Regardless, the thought process would have to wait.

Big Mac screamed at Apple and Fluttershy once more before barging out of the room and down the hallway towards the utilities room.

Making his way downstairs, Big Mac heard somepony else’s hooves clacking on the tiled floor. Being cautious he peered around the corner. Coming into view just by the end of the hall was Mr. Green Hooves. “The sheer,” Big Mac said in a low, monotone voice.

Now Mr. Green Hooves was a liability, a thorn in Macintosh’s side. And he needed to get by him. Or, better yet, kill him. Remove him from the ever expanding equation, once and for all.

Pulling around the corner quietly, Big Mac slunk over to one of the pillars, “tip toeing” as he did so. Placing his back up against the pillar, Big Mac stood on his hind legs to avoid being seen by the approaching stallion.

As Mr. Green Hooves approached, he moved slowly, quietly, as to not be heard. He was checking his surroundings frequently, eyes shifting to the left then to the right in an almost rhythmic fashion. Then, as he came up upon one of the buildings large, red pillars, he stopped. His ears perked up as if he had heard a pin drop. Mr. Green Hooves turned around slowly, almost trembling as he did so. The Overlook was a scary place. He should have been honest with Apple, but didn’t want to worry him. Why would he want to worry a colt about a place as a hotel?

He then turned back around. And when he did he was greeted from the shinning edge of an axe going straight into his skull. The axe made a smacking sound as it came into contact with his skeleton, before making an accompanying squishing sound from the gushing blood that was now leaving his forehead. He gargled out incoherent nothings as the life began to drain from his body. This was the end. The way he was going to die. From a huge crazy caretaker stallion by the name of Big Macintosh. Life can be such a cruel and heartless bitch.

Once Big Mac got a good enough grip back on the axe, he pulled it from Green Hooves head with a sick sounding thwick sound. As the blood began to gush further from his head, It pooled around his being as Big Mac took the axe back down on him, this time severing his head. His head rolled approximately 3 feet from his body before it stopped, proceeding to get soaked in blood spewing from his newly sliced arteries.

Lifting the axe back up from the ground, Big Mac sighed and wiped the sweat from his brow before galloping back in the direction of the utilities room.

4…

With Big Mac gone from the suite, Fluttershy took Apple, gathered his and her stuff, and made great hast towards the entrance of the hotel.

Arriving downstairs, Fluttershy screamed in horror as she seen the dismembered body of Mr. Green Hooves lying lifelessly on the cold, hard floor. Covering Apple’s eyes, Fluttershy guided him to the entrance of the building.

Making it to the giant double doors, that just months ago welcomed them with open arms, they stepped through them and out into the near blizzard that ragged on outside. “C’mon honey, come with me,” Fluttershy stated grabbing ahold of Apple’s hoof as she pulled him to Green Hooves’ abandoned Snowcat.

Climbing inside Flutters pressed the push button start and the machine chugged to life. She turned to look to Apple and brushed his mane out of his face. “Everything’s going to be okay, Hun,” she reassured. She then put the Snowcat into gear, and began to pull out of the Overlooks long, snow covered, crescent driveway, before heading down the hill towards the Mountain Patrol Headquarters.

5…

Down in the basement of the Overlook, Big Mac was struggling with the first water heater. The damn thing was out of control. The pressure and temperature had flown through the roof, causing instability in the system. The instability was so severe, that it caused the systems premonitory alarms to go off, whining in a high pitch squeal of electronics and impatience.

“What the fuck is wrong with this thing!” Big Mac screamed.

The sirens continued to wail.

“Ah, I can’t think with all this noise.” Big Mac picked up a nearby piece of replacement piping belonging to the building’s plumbing system and chucks it at the alarm. The piping ricocheted off the alarm and smacked into the side of the boiler. There was a moment of silence before the boiler exploded setting off the others in the system to do the same. The explosion was so intense that it vaporized Big Mac and caused the buildings foundation to crack, give away, and for the building to come tumbling down to the snow covered ground around it. The heat from the blast was another situation all together. As the boiler exploded it ignited various pieces of wood, causing the Overlook to not only fall apart, but go up in flames as well…

Prologue

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Prologue

It’s been 10 years since Fluttershy and Big McIntosh were bound in the sanctity of marriage. Within the period of 10 years Fluttershy and Big Mac had accomplished much for themselves: They have moved in with each other, at Fluttershy’s cottage. Big Mac, despite Fluttershy’s reluctance in his career change, supported him when he left his post at Sweet Apple Acres, to become an author. Publishing such works as, The Truth in the Matter; Home is where the Apple is; and If You Believe, You can Achieve. The books he had managed to publish, spanned various genres from, motivational, thriller, and even books with an element of extreme personalized state. Fluttershy on the other hoof, continued here Celestia given talent of taking care of, and communicating with the animals of Equestria.

Also, during this period of Celestial marriage, Fluttershy and Big Mac had been blessed with the gift of a young pegasus colt, which they named Big Apple. Big Apple was born 1 year after Fluttershy and Big Mac got married. He had a silky bright red coat of fur, with a brown mane slightly streaked with pink. He however, still, did not have his cutie mark and waited in great anticipation. Now Big Apple was 9 years old, and vary curious of the world. One of the things that made Big Apple so curious of the wide open space that was equestria, was his gift of telepathic communication. Despite rarely using his gift, Apple never told his parents of his great gift, scared of what they might think or say. Ponies don’t just hear other ponies’ thoughts. Or be able to send them full length sentences, as well as short phrases directly to their minds, reluctant of muzzle movement. Although sporting a mental advantage over other ponies, he hardly used the gift, until one night when a horrible accident occurred.

On one cool evening, at about 5:00 pm, Big Mac had stumbled home from an afternoon of drinking…Heavily. Upon stepping into the cottage, he had noticed his earlier days work scattered on the wooden floor amongst his son’s miscellaneous toys. The papers were strewn across the vast scope of the floor, all out of order, and out of context. To say the least, Mr. Macintosh was not in the best of moods considering his alcohol intake. And upon noticing his son in the haze of various papers, and the red mist of anger, he had placed his hoof on his son’s shoulder, grabbing it. Pulling his shoulder, a little harder than he should have, he dislodged it. At the wailing and out-forced crying of her son, Fluttershy ran into the living area of the cottage.

“What’s wrong, Apple,” she screams out in horror. As she reached the living quarters, she noticed her husband still had his hoof resting just above her son’s now dislocated shoulder. She yelled again, running over to Apple. “How could you, Big Mac! How could you do this to your son! Y-You Monster!” Sure their relationship had been slipping these past few months, but Monster? That was a little much. Regardless, Fluttershy, now coaxing her son to the door, began to comfort him. Filling his mind of promises of being “okay,” and that everything would be “alright.”

2…

Five months have passed since the accident; Fluttershy had forgiven Big Mac for his slight slip in vision. In the time since the incident Big Mac had vowed to never touch the drink again. Always reminding himself of what had happened last time, whenever the urge was too strong.

In the time since, Fluttershy has also changed somewhat. She now began to talk to her distant family, which resided on the outskirts of Canterlot. Her distant relatives owned an old hotel, which had been around for over 75 years. The Hotel’s name, ‘The Overlook Hotel’. It was in the time of October, that one night, when Fluttershy had contacted her aunt Tumble, that she had inquired that Fluttershy, and her husband come up for the 5 months of downtime the hotel would have during the winter season. As the hotel gets snowed in every year, somepony would have to reside up there the whole down period. And aunt Tumble thought Fluttershy, was the perfect candidate. Fluttershy, reluctant at first, due to here immense responsibilities, agreed after asking Applejack if she would check up on the animals once every day. Applejack agreed, so Fluttershy agreed.

Upon receiving the good news, aunt and uncle Tumble got the building ready for closing, as Fluttershy, Big Mac, and Big Apple all prepared for their long stay at The Overlook Hotel.

3...

Arriving at The Overlook Hotel, the content family of three stepped down from the buggy that rode in on. “Finally,” Fluttershy stated stepping down from the pony powered form of transportation. We’re finally here.” She, now looking up at the monstrous building, stopped her regale.

“Wow, hon. This place looks great, perfect inspiration for my new book!”

“I knew you’d like it, dear.” Fluttershy said, now nuzzling her head against her life bound mate's strong chest. “Now let’s go meet up with my aunt Tumble. She’ll be pleased were here, and so early too. C’mon.” Fluttershy, Big Mac, and Apple all took off to the giant hotel in search of Fluttershy’s aunt and uncle. Who all would find later, packing.

Walking into the giant hotel, Apple began to “ooh” and “ah” over the different array of amenities that covered the interior of the hotel. Polished marble floors, leather couches. But most of all, he noticed the giant games room just across the way. Grabbing his mothers, light green dress, she looked down to him. “Mom,” he started, “can I go check out the games room?”

Fluttershy looked to the games room, than back to Apple, before finally turning towards Big Mac and proceeding to ask the same question her son had just asked her. “Honey, Apple would like to go check out the games room. Would that be alright?” Fluttershy was always skeptical over leaving Apple alone, whereas Big Mac was not, so she always liked to make sure somepony else agreed with the action.

Big Mac turned around, facing Fluttershy and simply stated. “Eeyup! Sounds alright, as long as he promises to behave himself.” Big Mac than leaned down towards Apple, before he could muster up the energy to answer.

Finally gathering the energy to answer his towering father, Apple finally spoke. “Yes, yes I promise. I’ll be good.”

“Alrighty then, you may go. But just remember what I said, behave yourself.” Just as Big Mac was able to finish his statement Apple had sprung, and flown into the games room, with the speed of a colt in a candy store. The confectionery of Sugar Cube Corners to be exact.

With Apple now gone into the other room, with the endless entertainment of arcade games, Flutters and McIntosh made their way for the receptions desk.

As Fluttershy and Big Mac approached the receptionists desk, a mare with a creamy white coat, and rose red mane greeted them. The whole time she kept he head down, scanning the guest registry in front of her. “Hello and good evening. I’m sorry, but we are not taking anymore guests due to the imminent closure of the building.”

Big Mac chuckled slightly at the comment, as the mare was clearly oblivious to who stood in front of her. After she heard the chuckle she raised her head before turning a bright shade of crimson, which seemed to cover her entire coat. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Shy. I’ve terribly busy today.” Her voice wavering as she spoke so.

“It’s quite alright, Mrs. Scrolls. I was just wondering, where –“

“Where Mrs. and Mister Tumble are, yes. Well, they just left to pack their carriage, but… There they are. They’re back.” Mister and Mrs. Tumble approached the long awaiting group.

“Hello Fluttershy!” Mrs. Tumble yells over to the group, all while quickening her pace.

“Aunt and uncle Tumble it’s so nice to see you. It’s been so long.”

“Why, yes it has, dear Fluttershy – And Big Macintosh, it’s so nice to see you again to dear.” Mrs. Tumble trotted over and pecks Fluttershy and Big Mac on the cheeks respectively. “And where’s Apple, I want to see how big he’s gotten.”

“He’s in the games room at the moment,” Big Mac elaborates.

“Oh that’s quite alright dear,” Mr. Tumble states. “Big Mac and I need to discuss something anywho. So why don’t you and Fluttershy run along and go find Apple, while we have a chat.”

“Yes dear. C’mon Fluttershy, let’s go find Apple.” Mrs. Tumble then guides Fluttershy away with an extended wing, as they make their way into the games room.

“Okay, Mr. Macintosh. Now that’s it’s just the two of us, we can have a little talk.”

Chapter 1: The Vision

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Chapter 1

The Vision

Big Macintosh and Mr. Tumble walked into his offices. Entering the room, it could be seen to be decorated with various Polaroid’s, depicting miniscule and grand events that the hotel had seen in the past; not only ones it had housed guests of, but ones it had the pleasure of hosting itself. The most popular of these exclusive events, was the Great Ball of 980 A.N.M.M. The event took place several years before Nightmare Moons return, and is considered among most ponies to be one of the best parties, next to the Grand Galloping Gala itself. The only thing most ponies don’t know about this event is the horrible incident that occurred the very nights that followed said event.

Taking an awkward seat in front of Mr. Tumble, Big Mac opened his muzzle to speak but instead Mr. Tumble began to speak.

“Mr. Macintosh, I do believe you are curious as to why I have pulled you aside. Yes?”

“Actually,” Big Mac began to reply, “yes. Yes I am. Would you care explain?”

Mr. Tumble was hesitant for a moment, shuffling in his seat. He then started to clap his hooves together slightly, silently so.

“I believe you have heard of the special event we hosted here, over nearly thirty years ago. That’s fair to say, correct?”

Big Mac pondered the question for some time in his head, and then he simply responded with a simple, “Eeyup.” Big Mac knew of this event. He had heard about it from Applejack’s and Fluttershy’s friend Twilight when he happened by the library one faithful day. He had been there doing research for a book he had been writing; the book he’s still writing. The book he desperately needs new inspiration for.

“Good,” Mr. Tumble replied, “then we’ll be on the same page when I tell you this story. And I would appreciate it if you would listen to the whole thing, before you completely devote yourself to looking after the hotel for us this winter.”

All Mister Tumble got in response, was a silent nod of agreement, a solemn agreement. One Tumble knew all too well. But there was still one question on Mr. Tumbles mind: Would Big Mac still accept the responsibility? Or would he refuse it out of trepidation? But the story still needed to be told. And told it shall be.

“Now, this story begins a few nights after the Great Ball. A night as normal as any other, except something was off. It was in the air. You could feel it in the air, like a heavily clouded day, which drowns out Celestia’s gorgeous sunshine.” Mr. Tumble leaned over his pristine mahogany desk before continuing; but not before he cleared his throat dryly. “…Our old caretaker, Charming Tail; a lovely fellow. He wasn’t feeling right. He had been easily agitated up until the incident. You see, he, his wife, and their little filly had been staying here while he took care of the building for us that winter. And on the night of December 18, he killed his family and himself, with my prized shotgun no less. It was suspected he had a case of cabin fever, terrible thing it is.” Mr. Tumble took another long pause, and caught a long haul of air in his lungs before finishing his tale. “And I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t want to stay here. And I totally understand –“It was now Big Macintosh’s turn to talk. And he had something to say that would both surprise the owner of the hotel, and fill him with glee.

“It don’t bother me none Mr. Tumble. I would still love to take care of this place for you. It will still give me a chance to work on ma’writin’. I haven’t been very lucky with inspiration lately, and maybe this is the place that could help with that?”

Mr. Tumble shot out of his chair at that reply, as it almost literally sent him through the roof. Now hovering in the air he said. “Now, why don’t we go find Fluttershy and show you ponies around the hotel some before we part?”

Agreeing with the statement, the two stallions walked out of the office and into the large expanse of the main lobby once more. They continued to talk about various things as they went in search of Fluttershy and Mrs. Tumble.

…

The first location in the hotel that they checked was the Games Room. Walking into the Games Room, they began to search around frantically, hoping to find Fluttershy, Apple or Mrs. Tumble. But alas, nopony could be found. So, they figured the Misses must have already beaten them to it, and began to show Fluttershy around the building…

2…

Fluttershy, Apple, and Mrs. Tumble began to walk down a long hallway decorated with rose colored floral wallpaper. Walking down the hall they passed many rooms, where the guests would bed for the night. Many of them already gone for hours now before the hotel would no doubt close.

As they began to pass room 237 though, all perseverance of time had been abandoned. Apple stopped dead in his tracks and just stared at the door in ominous pleasure, fascinated by it. Staring looking into the void of the wooden doors, Apple began to have a premonition, the feeling of something wrong. Wrong with the hotel. Something evil.

As he continued to sit still, staring into the endless void, Fluttershy and Mrs. Tumble continued on down the hall, neither of them even realizing he was lagging behind.

The sliver of a void he looked into began to rip open, bringing upon visions. Visions of another time, a time before his own. He seen a young filly lain on dirtied, carpeted floor. The carpet matched that of the current rug that had been lain out. The filly was covered in blood, and lay dead, forelegs and hind legs splayed out across the carpet. Apple just stared, trembling in shock and horror. He then began to hear howling moans of torture and despair. It was the young filly calling out to him for help, but he couldn’t do anything. All he could do was just stand there and watch. Watch in horror as the filly –Despite already being dead – Continued to gush blood profusely. As the blood poured forth from her body it began to gurgle and boil. Each bubble that popped out to the surface of the scorching, sticky crimson goo, cried out with the previous moans and cries of torture. The blood soaked its way through the carpet, like a snake threw dew covered grass as it made its way towards Apple at the voids threshold, decibel levels of the cries increasingly intensively as it did so. Then his concentration was broken and the void smashed shut before him in a fury of green light and firework-like sparks.

Apple dare not tell anypony of what he had seen. They would think he was crazy. Was he crazy? No, he couldn’t be, could he?

“Apple,” Fluttershy called out, turning to look for Apples general position.

Apple turned and looked to his mom. As he did so, Fluttershy had just made her full turn, and met Apples big green eyes with her own bright teals. It was in this moment of stopping, that Mrs. Tumble did the same. Turning, she gasped in horror.

“Apple, can you get over here please.” There was a slight tone of anger in her voice, but neither Fluttershy, nor Apple took note.

Since the tone of anger was not received well, Apple galloped over to his great aunt and said. “Yes, great auntie Tumble. Is something the matter?” The question was so innocent, but the response was not.

“Now Apple. You shouldn’t go snooping around this place that that, without somepony; especially in that room. You could get hurt. And nopony wants that, right?” The anger could be felt more when she talked this time, creating tension in the conversation.

“But, Auntie!” Apple whined.

“No butts about it, and that’s that.”

“That’s right,” Fluttershy stepped in. “You should stay with us for now, until we’ve had our lovely tour. Then maybe, just maybe, you could go off and play. Okay, dear?”

“Fine, mom,” Apple moaned

Apple would listen. Apple will listen until it was time for him to have free reign.

Taking the tour into the kitchen, Mrs. Tumble took it upon herself to introduce Fluttershy to their head chief, Mr. Green Hooves.

Walking into the kitchen, Mrs. Tumble began to call for the head chef in charge.

“Mr. Green Hooves,” Mrs. Tumble called. Eventually there was a response and a tall, dark black stallion appeared from around some cooling racks. He bore a puffy white chef’s hat and a white coat to match. His cutie mark could be seen, as it resembled that of two vegetable knives crossing over each other.

“Why hello there, Mrs. Tumble. And how might you be this lovely evening?” The stallion spoke with meaning and presence. He walked over towards the small group. Standing in front of them, he looked down to Big Apple, and then looked back up towards Fluttershy and Mrs. Tumble.

“I’m quite alright, Mr. Hooves.” She giggled as she said the words, and then pointed a palish-yellow hoof towards Fluttershy. “Mr. Green Hooves. This is my niece, Fluttershy; she’ll be looking after The Overlook for us this year. Would you like to help me show her around the kitchen for awhile?”

“Sure thing Misses Tumble, no problem at all. It would be my pleasure.” He then removed his chef’s hat, and performed a slight bow before speaking again. “Mrs. Fluttershy, please follow me.”

Fluttershy thanked Mr. Green Hooves for his kindness, and began to follow his lead around the large gleaming kitchen.

He had shown her many things: The large stoves where the all the chefs would cook for the guests; the large storage freezer; and the large pantry.

3…

“And this is the pantry we keep all sorts of things in here, cereals, canned fruits and veggies, Rice Krispies. Pretty much anything that is in a box or can.”

“Wow. This is really impressive Mr. Green Hooves.”

“Why thank you, Fluttershy. And you can just call me Mr. Hooves, dear.”

“Okay. Well, thank you Mr. Hooves for showing us around. I think we should go and…”

Apple stood at the door, while Fluttershy continued to look around the pantry in awe. While Apple stood by the large metallic doorway, Mr. Green Hooves looked over towards the door. Apples eyes went wide in shock, as he began to hear Mr. Green Hooves the way you hear your own thoughts. Almost the way Apple could read ponies minds.

...You like ice-cream Apple? We got a whole bunch of different kinds of ice-cream down here.

Apple just continued to stand there in awe, before Fluttershy struck him and Mr. Hooves out of the trance they were in.

“C’mon Apple, let’s go find your dad.”

The group then stepped back out into the kitchen. As they did so, Big Mac and Mr. Tumble found their way into the kitchen, and called for them down the short hall.

Meeting up with them in front of the freezer, Mr. Tumble announced that he and Mrs. Tumble would be departing soon. Big Mac sounded somewhat relieved with that conclusion, because he had been dying to get settled in and start writing. But that would have to wait for now.

“Apple,” Mr. Green Hooves started, bending down slightly as to look Apple somewhat in the eyes. “Would you like some ice-cream?” He then looked back up to Fluttershy as he rose back to his hooves. “Is it okay if I give Apple some ice-cream?”

Fluttershy turned to Big Mac with a look of slight unease. “How did you know his name was Apple? I never told you what his name was.”

Green Hooves, shuffled slightly in place, glancing quickly back and forth in-between Fluttershy and Apple looking for an answer.

Then he spoke.

“I must have heard you call him that earlier. That’s the only way I could know his name.”

Fluttershy couldn’t remember ever mentioning his name, but if Green Hooves knew it, she must have. “I don’t ever remember mentioning his name, but I must have.”

Mr. Hooves’ expression calmed and he felt much cooler under the collar. His line had worked, and he was in the clear. “So would it be okay for Apple, here, to have some ice-cream?”

“Yes I think it would. Apple, dad and I are going to sent aunt and uncle Tumble off now. When were done there we’ll come back to get you, okay?”

“Great,” Green Hooves said, “So it’s settled. Apple can have some ice-cream. C’mon son,” Mr. Hooves motioned for Apple to walk forward towards one of the many tables that sat in the kitchen. “What kind of ice-cream do you like?”

Epilogue

The Shining Descent

By: The Sentimentalism Brony

Epilogue

In the weeks to come, The Overlook Disaster, as it was referred to in the Ponyville Local, was the top trending news story of the year. Everypony in the town and beyond had heard of the disaster, and had reached out to Fluttershy, Apple, and the Apple family with their deepest sympathies they could. Fluttershy welcomed the celebration for her husband’s life, whereas Apple jack tried to stay away from everypony, sheltering herself for the next few weeks to follow. She just needed to vent in the comfort of her own family.

Regardless of how, or what anypony thinks of how the Overlook collapsed, one mystery still remains unsolved: The next day when they started excavating the rubble for any remains of Big Mac, they stumbled across his typewriter. The typewriter was sitting unscathed, at the desk it had sat the whole time before. It was reloaded with a sheet of Amen Pomerantz parchment paper. The page also had some interesting text printed on it.

The newspaper article quotes:

‘All work and no play makes Mr. Macintosh a dull stallion…’