The Phantom Pegasus

That night, Twilight Sparkle let the trio stay at her library. Spike incessantly asked the trio to tell him stories of ghost hunting until all their eyes were drooping. When it was time to go to bed, Danny couldn't get a wink of sleep. He was worrying nonstop about Amity Park- how would it fare without him? He kept rolling over, worrying and wondering. I need to get sleep, Danny told himself. I don't want to wake up Sam or Tucker...they need sleep. I just wish I had someone to talk to. What time is it?

Danny looked towards a clock and saw it was midnight. With a sigh, he sat up. His mom or dad probably wouldn't mind hearing him. At least, he hoped not. But he had to talk to somepony. He tiptoed out of the room and went for the bag and got out his cellphone. He turned it on and went to contacts and picked his house.

It rang for a minute, then someone picked up. "Hello?" his mother's voice asked. Danny sighed.

"It's me, Mom...um, were you sleeping? If so, I'm sorry and I'll...uh..."

"Oh, no, sweetheart; I was up, too. I couldn't sleep either."

"Um, okay...Mom? Is Amity Park okay? Um, is everyone still fine there?"

Maddie almost chuckled. "Yes, Honey, we're all still intact. Are you and your friends doing okay?"

"Yeah...Mom, I wish I could go home already. I mean, the people- or rather ponies- are all beyond kind, but I'm just not supposed to be a...a...you know..."

"Pegasus?

"...Um, yeah, that's the awkward word." Danny said, frowning. He heard his mom laugh.

"Oh, Sweetie...I wish you were home too. Your father and I and your sister miss you a lot."

"I miss you guys too. Ugh...I'm homesick, that's for sure."

"We'll get you all home one way or another. Your father and I wasted no time when we got home researching this ghost you mentioned. It's nothing like we've ever heard of; but after a few hours of nonstop research, we may have a lead- it appears to have been spotted multiple times in the Ghost Zone."

"That's good. Thanks so much...well, I feel better that I talked to someone. I couldn't sleep."

"Good. Well, it's late. You should try to go back to sleep. I love you so much, Danny. I'm giving you a big hug and kiss through the phone."

Her son laughed. "Okay."

"Did you get them?"

"I'm sure I did. Night, Mom. Love you."

"Love you too. Night."

After that one phone conversation, Danny found it easy to sleep. Same for Maddie; she happened to be up worrying about her son. She managed to sleep as well.

The next day, all the ponies met Sweet Apple Acres, and once everyone got there, Applejack grinned. "Alright, e'ery pony, let's go." she said. Everyone began to follow her, wherever she was going, and became stopped by the Cutie Mark Crusader's clubhouse. The fillies looked out at the group. Apple Bloom smiled.

"Hi, Applejack! What're you guys up to? Who are those new ponies with you?"

"Can we help?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Maybe we can discover our cutie marks if we come!" Scootaloo cried. Applejack shook her head.

"Sorry, girls; not today. We're busy with something we have to do alone, y' hear? I'll introduce you to our new friends later, okay?" At that, all the crusaders simultaneously groaned. Sam smiled softly.

"In any case, it's nice to meet you girls. I'm Sam, this is Danny, and this is Tucker. We'll really introduce ourselves later. See ya!" she said, as everypony began to continue walking. All the fillies shared a look.

"Are we really gonna sit here and only wonder about what they're doing?" Apple Bloom asked. Both of the others shook their heads.

"We'll have to be careful for them to not notice us, though. Maybe we'll get our cutie marks from managing to sneak past them like spies!" Scootaloo cried. All three shared a high-hoof and ran out to follow the group of ponies.