The Shining Descent

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?”