My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
A Night in the Haunted Mansion
By: Darkraptor20
(BASED ON DISNEYLAND’S HAUNTED MANSION RIDE)
The sun had set as the full moon rose over the magical land called Equestria, and a group of friends were making their way home from a good time in the city of Canterlot. Unfortunately, storm clouds have begun to gather over them as thunder roared through the still evening.
“I can’t believe we have to walk all the way back home!” shouted a white unicorn with an elegant purple mane and tail.
“Lighten up, Rarity,” said a blue Pegasus pony with a rainbow mane and tail, “It’s only a little ways away”.
“A little ways away?! Rainbow Dash, it may be a little ways away for a Pegasus, but not for the rest of us”.
“Buck up, Rarity!” said an orange pony with a blonde mane and tail and a brown cowboy hat, “Walkin’ back home ain’t so bad. We’ll be home lickity split!”
“Not fast enough, if you ask me,” pouted Rarity.
“Oh, cheer up, sis!” said a little unicorn next to her with a light purple mane and tail. “At least we had fun at the Summer Sun Celebration!”
“Oh, how I love attending that Celebration!” smiled a purple unicorn with a dark purple mane with a magenta highlight.
“I know, Twilight,” yawned a purple scaled dragon with green spikes. “You always arrive early”.
“Either way, we wouldn’t be like this if somepony would have hurried it up,” said Rarity, eying a pink pony with a poofy magenta mane and tail. She had balloons with streamers and confetti in her mane as she was giggling. “We could’ve caught the last train to Ponyville, but now we have to hoof it over”.
“Well, I just didn’t want to miss a moment at the celebration!” said Pinkie Pie, hopping alongside a yellow Pegasus with a pink mane and tail. “Right, Fluttershy?”
Fluttershy just smiled as she nodded. Then two more little ponies ran in front of them. One yellow with a red mane and tail with a pink bow; the other an orange Pegasus with a purple mane and tail.
“What’s wrong, Apple Bloom?” asked Applejack.
“Oh, we thought we could earn our Cutie Marks if we were able to win some games,” said Apple Bloom with a sad look in her eye.
“But the only thing we got was this,” said Scootaloo, holding a balloon.
“What’s wrong with that?” said Pinkie Pie. “I love balloons!”
“Yeah, but the real prize was to get our Cutie Marks, and so far, nothing”.
BOOM!
Thunder roared, startling the little ponies. Fluttershy just jumped into the nearest bush.
“Oh dear!” said Rarity. “It sounds like the storm is about to hit us!”
“Then we better git a move on if yer wantin’ to git home fast,” said Applejack.
Suddenly, she felt a cold drop on her nose. She looked up as it began to drizzle.
“Oh no!” shouted Rarity, “It’s starting to rain! And I just got my hair done as well!”
“Well, come on, girls,” said Twilight, “We better get out of this rain. Rainbow, think you can find us a cave or some shelter till the rain stops?”
Rainbow Dash nods as she flies up to see if she can find anything. She looked down the road, then to the forest, but stopped as she spotted something: a large, white and black house in the forest. “Hey! I see something! Over there!”
“What is it?”
The friends follow Rainbow down a dirt path to a wall with ornate gates, one of them open. Rainbow lands as they all stare up the path leading to a white mansion overgrown by the forest. Fluttershy shook, getting a bad vibration from looking at it.
“What in Equestria is that place?” asked Applejack, holding Apple Bloom close to her.
“I don’t know,” said Twilight, looking at the mansion closely, “I’ve never been down this path before”.
“Well, whatever it is, t’is a good place to get out of this storm”.
“But… I…” started Fluttershy, feeling the wind pick up as it swung the other gate open. “I don’t know…”
“Oh, come on, Fluttershy,” said Twilight, “There’s nothing to be scared of. It’s just an abandoned house, that’s all”.
“But what if it’s… haunted?” asked Spike, causing Fluttershy to shriek as she ducked into some bushes.
“Spike! Fluttershy, don’t listen to him. There’s no such thing as ghosts. Now, come on, you can’t stay out in the rain”.
“Yes, I can!” said Fluttershy, hugging onto a tree as Rainbow Dash pulls her by the tail.
“No…you…can’t!” muttered Rainbow, “We…need…to…stick…together!”
BOOM!
The thunder roared, causing Fluttershy to leap up and run towards the mansion, Rainbow Dash in tow. The others quickly tried to follow as the rain began to speed up to a downpour. The ponies shook off the water as they stood on the porch, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy by the door. Rainbow grabs the doorknob, but it wouldn’t open. Twilight tries with her magic, but no luck.
“Well, we could always stay here until it…stops…?” Twilight was interrupted as she heard a squeaking sound. The friends see the door open up by itself as if it was inviting them inside the house.
“Ooh! Let’s go!” said Pinkie, hopping to the entrance.
“Well, it beats being cold out here,” said Twilight, taking Spike with her on her back.
“I don’t know...” said Fluttershy, trying to back away from the house. “I… don’t like… to go… in…”
“Well, alright then,” said Rainbow as they were the last two outside. “We’ll all be inside while you are out here… alone…” Fluttershy’s eyes widened up as she looked around. Rainbow smirked as she approached the door and tried to close it, but gets knocked back as Fluttershy swoops inside. “Glad to see you changed your mind”.
Twilight lights her horn as she sheds some light into the room. It was an old Victorian style place, with chandeliers each holding five candles, dusty old furniture, and a clock that seemed to still be ticking. Looking up, they see an old chandelier covered in cobwebs.
“Ooh! Eww!” said Rarity, trying to keep her distance away from the furniture. “Has anypony ever heard of spring cleaning? This place is a mess!”
“Well, this place has been abandoned for years,” said Twilight, looking at some portraits of ponies. “Judging by the attire these ponies are wearing…” she wipes away the grime and dust. “I’d say this place is over a 100 years old… maybe more”.
“What if this place really is… haunted?!” asked Apple Bloom. The mentioning of ‘haunted’ caused Fluttershy to jump onto Rainbow Dash’s arms. Rainbow sighed as he drops her.
“I told you all before that there’s no such thing as haunted houses. Ghosts don’t exist”. Twilight looked at a picture frame of a young, handsome colt wearing a fine suit. Underneath it was an engraving. “Hmm… ‘Master Gracey’… Oh my. It appears like he was the last owner of this house”.
“What if he never left?” shivered Spike, causing Fluttershy to yelp a little, scared.
“Either way, ghost or no ghost,” said Rarity, looking at the photo. “He can haunt my house any day!”
“Rarity has a crush on a ghost!” sang Sweetie Belle. Rarity looked at her, blushing, and was about to say something when…
BAM!
The loud noise caused the ponies to shriek, Fluttershy jumping onto Rainbow Dash’s arms again.
“What was that?!” asked Applejack.
“The door!” said Scootaloo.
Twilight tried to open the door with her magic, but to no avail. “That’s weird. Something’s wrong with my magic”.
“Really, Twilight?” asked Spike, hugging her neck, “Just don’t kid around right now?”
“I don’t ‘kid’ around, Spike”. She tried to cast another spell, but it stopped as it began. Only the light spell was still active, but began to dim. “I can’t seem to do it”.
“Here,” said Rainbow Dash, “Allow me!” She flew up to the corner of the foyer as she went towards the door with all her might, but…
BAM!
She crashed hard onto it, the door not even budged.
“Rainbow!” said Twilight, going to her, “Are you okay?!”
“Yeah…” said Rainbow Dash, getting up, “I’m... OW!” She noticed that her wing was hurt.
“Oh no,” Twilight went to inspect her friend, “It looks like you sprained your wing with that stunt!”
“I’m fine! Really! I’ll just… OW!” Rainbow couldn’t flap her wing without a jolt of pain.
“Oh dear. Does anypony have a First Aid kit?!” Her friends shook their heads.
“First Aid?” said Pinkie, “Nope. But I do have these streamers and Popsicle sticks!”
“That’ll have to do”. Twilight levitated the items to Rainbow’s wing and mended it into a splint. As she finished, her magic dispelled again as the items fell to the floor. Applejack tried her luck on the door by bucking it. After a few attempts, it wouldn’t budge.
“Oh, horse-feathers!” said Applejack. “We seem to be corralled in here like sheep”.
“Sheep? I thought I was a Pony?” said Pinkie.
“In the meantime, what do we do?” asked Rarity. “I’d rather be outside than in here with this… filth, cobwebs, dirt and grime! Ugh!”
“GOOD EVENING,” rang an eerie voice. Fluttershy jumped back with fright.
“You say something, Twi?” asked Applejack.
“I was about to ask you the same question,” replied Twilight.
“WELCOME FOALISH MORTALS, TO THE HAUNTED MANSION...” The disembodied voice echoed in the room. “I AM YOUR HOST, YOUR GHOST HOST...KINDLY STEP THIS WAY...THERE'S NO TURNING BACK NOW...YOU WILL NOT BE HARMED, BUT YOU WILL NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL YOU TAKE A TOUR OF MY HOME...WE HAVE SO FEW VISITORS, LIVE ONES THAT IS...” Then, the voice rang into a loud, maniacal laugh.
The Ponies looked around, trying to find out who was saying that, while Pinkie Pie just covered herself in her arms as she hid under the dusty sofa. “G-g-g-ghost?!”
“Now do you believe this place is haunted, Twilight?!” said Spike, holding her arm, “Even the ghost admitted it was haunted!”
Suddenly, like the disembodied voice, organ music soon filled the air, echoing across the room.
“This has got to be a joke or a trick!” said Twilight, “I don’t believe in ghosts since they DO NOT EXIST! This can’t be logical!”
“Open yer eyes and ears, Twi!” said Applejack, “What else could explain that voice and…” she gulps “Creepy organ music?”
Twilight sighed. “Now, what did it mean by ‘step this way’? Step inside where?”
“Hey, look!” said Sweetie Belle, running into an octagonal gallery, followed by Scootaloo and Apple Bloom.
“Was that there room there before?” asked Applejack.
“That’s weird,” said Twilight, “Where did it come from? We would’ve noticed it by now”.
“OUR TOUR BEGINS HERE...” began the Ghost Host, “IN THIS GHOSTLY GALLERY...”
“Either way, it looks much better than this room,” said Rarity, going inside carefully.
As the friends made their way in, Rainbow pushing in Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, they look to see gargoyle statues holding candles in their claws. Twilight’s magic seemed to have stopped again as her horn stops emitting light. Then they see four big portraits of ponies. One was a colt with a mustache and in an elegant suit. The next one was an elderly pony with a rose in her mouth. The third one had a pony dressed like a ballerina and holding a pink umbrella. And the last one had a colt wearing a boulder hat and having a stern face. The friends moved into the ‘dead’ center of the room, looking at the portraits, the doorway gives away, trapping them inside.
“HERE, IN THE GALLERY...” stated the Ghost Host, “YOU SEE THE PAINTINGS OF SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS AS THEY APPEARED IN THEIR CORUPTABLE, MORTAL STATE...EVEN IN THIS FLICKERING GLOOM, YOUR PALLOR BETRAYS AN AURA OF FORBODING...YOUR TRUSTING MORTAL EYES TELL YOU THAT THESE WALLS ARE STRECHING...”
With that, the friends do see the portraits stretching, revealing more to each portrait: the mustached mare was actually standing on a giant keg of lit dynamite. The elderly pony was on top of a grave with a Stallion’s bust of a head and axe through it. The ballerina pony was in fact on a weak tight rope, about to fall into the mouth of a giant alligator. And the stern colt was in fact on top of another colt that was on top of another colt that was already halfway down in quicksand.
“This can’t be logical!” said Twilight, still not ready to believe the house was actually haunted.
“BUT LOGIC SAYS NO, IT IS MERE HALLUCINATION…” continued the Ghost Host.
“Ha ha!” chuckled Rainbow Dash, “He’s got your number, Twilight!”
“THEN LOOK ABOVE YOU, EXAMINE EVERYTHING CAREFULLY...YOUR LOGIC CANNOT DENY THAT THIS CHAMBER HAS NO WINDOWS AND NO DOORS, WHICH OFFERS A RATHER LOGICAL CHALLENGE: TO FIND A WAY OUT!” The Ghost Host cackled a loud laugh as the friends do see that there really was no way out of that room: they were trapped! “OF COURSE, THERE’S ALWAYS…MY WAY”
Lightning flashed from above the room, illuminating the attic area. There seemed to be no roof! From the rafters a corpse swayed dangling by a taut rope. But this was no ordinary dead pony; this was the corpse of the GHOST HOST HIMSELF! Twilight and her friends stared with eyes wide open in horror at this frightening sight! Then the candles all went out, leaving the Ponies in pitch darkness. Suddenly a loud scream of somepony or something shatters the silence in the room as the unseen victim falls down until ending with a crashing thud. The Ponies all screamed in terror and held onto one another. In a few seconds, the candles on the gargoyles relit themselves as the Ponies looked up, only to see the ceiling back to normal again. At the same time a secret panel on the opposite side of the gallery slid open exposing a dimly lit hallway beyond.
“Th-that…was…scary!” muttered Pinkie Pie, hugging Fluttershy as they both shook with fear.
“Yeah, it was, huh Apple Bloom?” Applejack stated to her sister, hugging her side. Then she turned to Rainbow Dash, who was hugging her tightly on the other side. “You can let go of me now”.
“Oh!” Rainbow Dash let go, blushing a little. “I…I wasn’t scared! I just… had to make sure you weren’t scared!”
“Way to go, Rainbow Dash!” said Scootaloo, appearing from Rainbow Dash’s back.
“Now do you believe in ghosts, Twilight?!” asked Spike, hugging her neck.
“I really don’t want to admit this but… It may be possible!” Twilight was now scared that a ghost not only proved to be real, but also outwitted her. Did it also have something to do with her magic not working properly?
“OHH...” apologized the Ghost Host. “I DIDN'T MEAN TO FRIGHTEN YOU PREMATURELY, THE REAL CHILLS COME LATER, HMHMHMHMMM... NOW, AS THEY SAY, LOOK ALIVE AND WE'LL CONTINUE OUR LITTLE TOUR...AND LETS ALL STAY TOGETHER PLEASE...”
The Ponies left the portrait gallery and entered a dimly lit hallway with three windows on the left, and five portraits on the right. There was one Colt in armor, a pony that looked very much like Rarity lying on a couch, a tall stallion in an elegant suit, and a pony just staring out. In the middle was a sailing ship with magnificent sails. With a flash of lightning, the portraits changed to a skeleton Colt in rusted armor, a were-Tiger Pony, a zombie Stallion, and a medusa Pony. The ship turned into a beaten old ghost ship with torn sails. They all continued, except Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, walking very slowly and carefully, still scared from the last event.
“Fluttershy!” said Twilight, “Pinkie! Come on! We have to find a way out of here!”
“I’m… scared….” Mumbled Fluttershy, fearing that one of those portraits were going to spring on her.
“There’s a ghost here!” said Pinkie Pie, “And I don’t want to meet more!”
“I never knew you were afraid of ghosts, Pinkie Pie,” asked Sweetie Belle, on top of her sister.
“She is,” chuckled Rainbow Dash, “Especially when I said there was a ghost behind her that time with Mare-Do-Well”.
“Wait!” said Pinkie Pie, “There really wasn’t one?”
“AS YOU CAN SEE…” began the Ghost Host, “WE HAVE 999 HAPPY HAUNTS HERE, BUT THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE THOUSAND…” His laugh echoes through the hallway. “ANY VOLUNTEERS?”
“Gee,” said Applejack, “How thoughtful…”
“OF COURSE, IF YOU CONTINUE TO LAG BEHIND, YOU MAY NOT NEED TO VOLUNTEER!” The Ghost Host cackles loudly, causing both Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie to jump up and run into the rest.
“Just how are we going to get out of this here… place?” asked Applejack.
“I don’t know, Applejack,” said Twilight. “But looks like we have to follow what this… Ghost Host has in store for us”.
“I’m not scared of him!” said Rainbow, thrusting her forearms in a boxing pose.
“That’s not how you were back there, Rainbow,” smirked Applejack.
“Hey! I wasn’t scared, alright! I was just… caught off guard”.
“Girls, focus,” said Twilight, leading them around the corner, the light so dim that it could have been hiding something in the shadows. “We have to continue to find a way out of this… place”.
“Or perhaps a cleaner room,” said Rarity, looking at a dusty chair and table, along with an old, unreadable book.
“AND NOW, A CARRIAGE APPROACHES...” boomed the Ghost Host’s voice. “TO TAKE YOU INTO THE BOUNDLESS REALM OF THE SUPERNATURAL...TAKE YOUR LOVED ONES BY THE HOOF, PLEASE”.
They watch as five black pony-less carriages came down the stairs, opening to accept them.
“What do you think?” asked Twilight.
“I say it may be a trick!” said Rainbow Dash.
“Perhaps, but with my magic being useless in here and no other means to get out, it seems we have to board these… buggies”.
“More like Dooooom Buggies,” chanted Pinkie Pie.
“Knock it off, Pinkie”.
“Seems like it can only hold two of us each,” said Applejack. “I’ll go with Apple Bloom”.
“Ooh! Ooh!” exclaimed Scootaloo, rushing to Rainbow Dash, “I want to be with Rainbow Dash!”
“I’ll be with my big sister, Rarity!” said Sweetie Belle, being next to her.
“Guess Spike and I will take one, and Flutteshy and Pinkie Pie can ride together,” said Twilight.
In no time, the ponies positioned themselves. Up front was Twilight and Spike, followed by Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, then Rarity and Sweetie Belle, behind them were Applejack and Apple Bloom, and the last one held Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo.
“Ooh!” said Spike, “Why do we have to be the ones in front?”
“Calm down, Spike,’ said Twilight, settling in.
“DO NOT PULL DOWN ON THE SAFETY BAR PLEASE...” said the Ghost Host, “I WILL LOWER IT FOR YOU...” As he said it, the bars lowered and clicked into place, “AND HEED THIS WARNING...THE SPIRITS WILL MATERALIZE ONLY IF YOU REMAIN QUIETLY SEATED AT ALL TIME.”
As the Ghost Host ended, the buggies sprang to life as they moved the ponies up into the mansion.
“Well, at least we don’t have to walk this big place,” said Rarity, Sweetie Belle holding her hoof.
“Okay, this isn’t so bad…” said Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie shutting her eyes. The Buggies turn a corner as they stare down a long hallway of rooms, a lone floating candelabra swaying in the middle. The suit of armor next to the hallways began to rattle. “Not…so…bad…” She shivered as she hugged Pinkie Pie.
“IT'S NICE TO SEE PONY FOLKS ENJOYING THEMSELVES...” said the Ghost Host, “IN MY HOME, EVERY ROOM HAS WALL TO WALL CREEPS AND HOT AND COLD RUNNING CHILLS...”
“That’s nice…” said Spike. “But I’m not considering living here as…” he gulps, “the one thousandth resident…”
“Is it over?!” asked Fluttershy, taking a peek.
CAW! CAW!
Fluttershy shrieked as a crow above them crowed. It stared at them with its piercing red eyes.
“It’s just a dumb bird!” said Rainbow Dash.
“ALL OUR GHOSTS HAVE BEEN DYING TO MEET YOU!” continued the Ghost Host, “THIS ONE CAN HARDLY CONTAIN HIMSELF!”
“Rainbow Dash, look!” said Scootaloo, pointing to her right.
The friends were passing what looked like a funeral service with flowers and a coffin… with a decayed hoof trying to break free.
“LET ME OUT OF HERE!” It cried. “LET ME OUT OF HERE!!”
“How about ‘no’!” Spike shouted as they continued onwards. “We’ve already got ghosts! We don’t want zombie ponies!”
“Z-z-zombie p-ponies…?!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
Apple Bloom shivered with fright as she held on tight to her sister’s arm.
“What’s with you?” asked Applejack.
“Oh… nothing,” said Apple Bloom. “Just…I’m really scared of zombie ponies!”
“A.B., this is the first time we see one”.
“Maybe for you…”
Before Applejack could ask, the Ghost Host returned. “WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T BETRAY YOUR PRESENCE BY SCREAMING...FOLLOW MY VOICE...COME, I SEE YOU HAVE ACTIVE IMAGINATIONS...THAT'S GOOD...”
“I wonder if he was talking about Pinkie Pie?” asked Rainbow Dash.
The ponies now traveled down a hallway with many portraits of whom they believe are, or were, the residents that reside here. Each door they passed seemed to be acting very strangely. One had the handle move frantically as though something wanted out. Another had its knocker knock the door constantly. One door seemed to growl as it expanded its middle, sounding as though a beast waited within. The last door looked like something was breathing heavily. The Doom Buggies passed by a large grandfather clock… with the hour almost striking 13 and a shadow of a claw passing over it.
“This place is getting more and more illogical!” said Twilight.
“Twilight, I thought you believed in this now?” said Spike.
“I…I…”
“UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ALL SEEM TO HAVE TROUBLE GETTING THROUGH… PERHAPS MADAME LEOTA CAN ESTABLISH CONTACT… SHE HAS A REMARKABLE HEAD FOR MATERIALIZING… THE DISEMBODIED…”called out the Ghost Host, “LET’S ALL TAKE PART IN THE SÉANCE, SHALL WE?”
“What’s a séance?” asked Scootaloo.
“A séance is a ritual to talk with the deceased,” said Twilight.
“As in… contacting the dead?!” said Sweetie Belle, holding tighter to her sister’s arm.
“Sweetie Belle, honestly!” Rarity pushed her sister off a little. “Hug me anymore and I’ll lose all feeling in my arm!”
The Ponies entered the room, where various musical instruments were seen floating around, from a tambourine to a giant harp. In the middle of the room were a chair, a table, and a crystal ball. The crow was back, perched on top of the chair. They were able to hear somepony chanting.
“Serpents and spiders, tail of a rat. Call in the spirits, wherever they're at!” chanted Madame Leota.
“Reckon she can help us git out of here, Twi?” said Applejack.
“Perhaps…” said Twilight. “Let’s meet her first”.
The Doom Buggies turn to the table, but they all gasped, Fluttershy shrieking. Madame Leota was a pale green unicorn head INSIDE the crystal ball.
“Rap on a table, it's time to respond!” continued Leota, “Send us a message from somewhere beyond!” As on cue, the ponies heard a loud tapping on her table. The Doom Buggies stopped as the séance continued. “Goblins and ghoulies from last Nightmare Night awaken the spirits with your green light! Creepies and crawlies, toads in a pond, let there be music from regions beyond! Wizards and witches wherever you dwell, give us a hint by ringing a bell!”
Right on cue, there was a strange green light emitting behind the ponies as the musical instruments began to play. They were huddling to their partners, getting more frightened. The Doom Buggies started to move again, leaving the séance area. Fluttershy tried to calm down. Pinkie Pie brings a paper bag out of her saddle bag and gives it to her. Fluttershy began to hyperventilate into the brown bag.
“THE HAPPY HAUNTS HAVE RECEIVED YOUR SYMPATHETIC VIBRATIONS AND ARE BEGINNING TO MATERIALIZE…” came the voice of the Ghost Host, “THEY’RE ASSEMBLING FOR A SWINGING WAKE AND THEY’LL BE EXPECTING ME… I’LL SEE YOU ALL A LITTLE LATER”. With that, the Ghost Host leaves the Ponies as the Doom Buggies turn a corner onto a balcony.
“Ooh!” said Pinkie Pie. “By ‘swinging wake’, did he mean a party?”
Just then, they perked their ears up as macabre music echoed through the chamber.
“Yeah…” said Rainbow Dash as the Doom Buggies turn to face a grand ballroom. “A party for ghosts”
A party was indeed taking place, and it was one of the strangest parties anypony has ever seen, even for Pinkie Pie. This room is highly upper class Victorian, with decorative wood pillars, wood paneling, flowery vine wallpaper, tile floors, a fireplace at one end of the room, two large front doors, gigantic windows and overstuffed chairs and tables. The ballroom, which has been vacant, empty for years is unusually active tonight as the Ponies were witnesses to a social gathering of a most unusual order! For the room, in its moldering elegance, has dozens of half-transparent spirits milling around in it. There was a long dining table covered with decayed food and wilted flowers, cobwebs hung everywhere, and when a birthday ghost blew out the 13 candles on a cake several other ghosts disappeared. They re-appeared when the ghost inhaled again because the cake was lit with TRICK CANDLES! The fireplace logs are burning down into green flames and a jolly ghost reclines on the mantle, his arm around a marble bust. Nearby there was an elderly lady rocking and knitting. When she rocked forward, she disappeared. When she rocked back she too reappeared.
“Um,” began Pinkie Pie, looking at the ‘guests’, “Maybe I’ll skip this one party”.
“See, Twilight!” said Spike, holding onto her, “If those aren’t ghosts, then what are they?!”
“I…” gulped Twilight, watching two ghosts sit side by side, hoof in hoof as they rock back and forth with drunken smiles as they seemed to be laughing and having a good time. “I can’t believe it…”
“Believe now, Sugar Cube,” said Applejack, hugging onto Apple Bloom, who didn’t mind as long as she hugged back.
The front doors are open wide, and outside they saw a hearse parked, a coffin spilled out its rear doors and into the ballroom. Out of the box emerged more ghosts wearing various party costumes as they float inside to join the celebration. Above the ceiling wailing wraiths fly in tight circles, arms eerily outstretched. Also above the banquet table hung a magnificent crystal chandelier, containing a number of lit candles with a portly Pony wearing a top hat is precariously swinging off the edge of it, his hooked cane the only thing keeping him from falling to the floor below.
“I wonder,” said Rainbow Dash, “Did he actually die like that? Or is he just doing it because he can do what he wants?”
“I don’t know,” said Fluttershy, still shivering as she backed up more into the Doom Buggie, “I just want out of here!”
“For ghosts, they’re pretty good at parties!” said Pinkie Pie. “Just look at them dance to the music!”
The Ponies look down as they see six ghoulish couples twirl and waltz in circles very fast, sweeping through the tables and chairs without touching them. And at the end of the room a lone organ with tall pipes resting against the wall, with an organist sits at the keys, playing them madly. Above him an arching river of silently screaming faces rise out of the pipes and disintegrate into midair upon reaching their peak.
“The music is haunting, yet beautiful to hear,” said Rarity, looking at the dancing ghosts.
Before they knew it, the Doom Buggies turn left as they entered what looked like the attic. It is filled with everything imaginable, from clothes, toys, mirrors, instruments, rugs, etc. In a corner they were able to hear what sounded like the wedding march. Along the way, they see portraits of a married couple.
“Well, this isn’t too bad…” said Fluttershy, looking at the portrait.
“I DO!” rang a voice as a Pony head sprang out from behind, scaring Fluttershy to jump and hit her head on the Doom Buggy.
“What was that?!” asked Applejack. She looks at the portrait and yelps. “HOLY TELITO!”
The Ponies looked as the Groom’s head from the portrait was MISSING! They then notice more portraits of the same Filly Bride, but each Groom had their head disappear. The Doom Buggies turn as they see a shadow of a pianist Pony playing the wedding march.
“GAH!” screamed Spike as another Pony head popped out.
“This is too scary!” screamed Sweetie Belle as she closed her eyes and put her head into Rarity’s side.
“Was this Pony nuts or something?!” said Rainbow Dash, seeing another headless Groom portrait.
“Perhaps…” shook Scootaloo as she pointed forward. “Why n-n-not ask her y-y-yourself?!”
The Ponies turn to see none other than the Pony Bride, now a ghost, and smiling at them… or better yet, at Spike. She was dressed in an elegant Wedding dress which was falling apart, her veil billowing as if the wind was there.
“TILL DEATH…” An axe shone as she lifted her hooves up, “DO US PART”.
“Sorry!” said Spike, “Currently seeing somepony else!”
The Ghost Bride chuckled as the Doom Buggies exited the attic through a giant open window. The Ponies gasped as they saw what looked like a graveyard, with hundreds of ghosts flying out from it as they disappeared into the night sky. The Buggies turned as they went down the mansion, having the Ponies look up at a clearing night sky… and trees that seemed to want to grab them.
CAW! CAW!
Fluttershy shrieked as she looked up to see the crow again, watching them with its red eyes.
“Is that bird following us or something?” asked Rainbow Dash.
The Doom Buggies made it to the ground as it turned to enter the graveyard. They gasped as they see an elderly Pony holding a lantern in its mouth, shaking with fear. A dog stood next to him, also shivering with fear.
“Hello?” asked Twilight as they passed in front of him, “Can you help us?”
The Pony took no notice to any of them, too scared to move or speak.
“Hey!” shouted Rainbow Dash, “We’re talking to you! Are you blind?! Or deaf?!”
“Did you have to say that?” asked Spike as they leave the caretaker Pony behind.
“Say,” said Applejack, perking her ears, “Anypony else hear… singing?”
As the moon climbs high o'er the dead oak tree,
Spooks arrive for the midnight spree.
Creepy creeps with eerie eyes start to shriek and harmonize.
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize!
The Doom Buggies move within the graveyard, where what seemed like countless ghosts were playing around or singing the creepy song. A group of musician ghosts were standing nearby, each holding a different instrument of a bagpipe, a harp, a trumpet, a flute, and a drummer, drumming on top of a gravestone. Two royal Ponies, by their outfits, were balancing on a teeter-totter gravestone as a young Filly was being pushed by a young colt. The Ponies saw a hearse stuck in the mud, the coachpony and duchess having a tea party together with an English couple, all talking, laughing and singing along to the music. The coffin had slipped out and its contents a shrouded corpse also was sipping a cup of tea. Behind the hearse on a hill a group of ghosts were enjoying a bicycle ride through the tombstones.
“I wonder why they’re still here?” asked Twilight.
“I wonder if we’ll ever find a way out of this place?!” said Fluttershy, closing her eyes.
“I wonder whose singing that song!” said Pinkie Pie.
When the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake,
Spooks come out for a swinging wake!
Happy haunts materialize, and begin to vocalize.
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize!
The Doom Buggies turn as the Ponies meet four stone busts singing in a barbershop quartet, one of them on its side. They pass along as they meet more ghostly dancers and singers. Two spirits wearing opera theater costumes joined in with the melody and a huge masked executioner mare was singing a duet with a decapitated knight and prisoner, the knight holding his singing head in his extended hoof!
Now don't close your eyes and don't try to hide,
For a silly spook may sit by your side.
Shrouded in a daft disguise, they pretend to terrorize.
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize!
When you hear the knell of a requiem bell,
Weird glows gleam where spirits dwell.
Restless bones etherealize, rise as spooks of every size!
Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize!
“At least the song’s very catchy,” said Pinkie Pie.
“We’re glad you’re enjoying this, Pinkie,” said Rainbow Dash.
“Now where are we heading into?” asked Twilight as the Buggies seemed to have entered what looked like a stone structure.
“AH, THERE YOU ARE, AND JUST IN TIME!” rang the voice of the Ghost Host, causing Fluttershy to shriek again with surprise. “THERE’S A LITTLE MATTER I FORGOT TO MENTION: BEWARE OF HITCHHIKING GHOSTS!”
“Hitchhiking what?” asked Twilight as Spike shook her.
“Twilight, look!”
They saw three pale, green ghost ponies holding their hooves out as though they were looking for a ride. A tall Pegasus colt, a medium Unicorn Filly, and a short, bearded Earth Pony.
“Uh… no thank you,” said Sweetie Belle, “We can’t fit anypony else here”.
“THEY HAVE SELECTED YOU TO FILL OUR QUOTA, AND THEY’LL HAUNT YOU UNTIL YOU RETURN!” The Ghost Host laughed.
The Doom Buggies turn as they go down three giant, oval mirrors. The Ponie stare at themselves… and gasp to see a Hitchhiker Ghost in the Buggie with them.
“AAHH!!” cried Twilight, “You can’t be real?!”
“Don’t get him mad, Twilight!” said Spike, holding her hoof.
“Ugh!” said Rarity, “Honestly, when was the last time you got out of those clothes?!”
“Sis,” said Sweetie Belle, “I don’t think she’s changed for a REALLY long time!”
“Hold it, Buckeroo!” said Applejack, “T’ain’t no place for small fry!”
“Is this one full grown?” said Apple Bloom, “Because I think I’m as big as him!”
“Get out of here!” said Rainbow Dash, thrusting her hooves at the Hitchhiker, but to no avail.
“Rainbow Dash, stop!” said Scootaloo, ducking from the attacks.
Fluttershy just kept her eyes shut the whole time while Pinkie was looking at the ghost.
“You don’t look too scary or bad for a ghost. Perhaps I was just being silly to myself this whole time. Yet perhaps if I got to know you more we can be better friends. Oh! Oh! Want to be friends? We can hang out all the time and have quite the chat…” The Ghost couldn’t take it as it disappeared. “Hey! Where’d you go?”
“THEY HAVE SELECTED YOU… WELL, MOST OF YOU, TO FILL OUR QUOTA, AND THEY’LL HAUNT YOU UNTIL YOU RETURN!” laughed the Ghost Host, “NOW I WILL RAISE THE SAFETY BAR, AND A GHOST WILL FOLLOW YOU HOME!”
The Doom Buggies stop as the safety bars opened up. The Ponies looked as they see light emitting from a walkway to their right. Fluttershy was the first one to go out the area, followed by Spike. The others quickly tried to get out, but were stopped by what looked like a miniature version of Madame Leota.
“Hurry back! Hurry back!” Little Leota shouted, “Be sure to bring your death certificate, if you decide to join us. Make final arrangements now! We've been dying to have you!”
“No thanks!” said Scootaloo, trying to get out.
The Ponies ran outside, where the morning sun seemed to begun to rise. They were outside once again, but at the side of the mansion. They came out from what looked like a crypt.
“That was some crazy house,” said Sweetie Belle.
“Crazy? Try all around psycho!” said Scootaloo.
“Well, at least we’re finally outside and this nightmare is over,” said Twilight.
“Thank Celestia,” said Applejack.
“The next time we see something like this, let’s skip it and find a cave instead,” said Apple Bloom.
“Don’t look at me,” said Rainbow Dash, “How was I suppose to know that this place was crawling with ghosts?!”
“Well, let’s get Fluttershy and head for home,” said Twilight, “I really need to get back to reality”.
“I’ll say,” said Spike, turning to his side, “Don’t you agree?”
“Yessss…” hissed a pale green ghost Pony.
The entire group shrieked as they galloped away. The ghost pony chuckled, but he wasn’t alone.
“That was funny!” said Pinkie Pie, “You sir are a natural! You think you can do Nightmare Night? Or whenever I want to prank somepony! Oh, better yet, you can try and be in one of my friends house and when they come you shout ‘Surprise!’ and see their expressions! Or maybe…”
“AAAAAHHHH!!!” wailed the ghost as it flew back into the crypt, the door shutting behind it.
“Now what’s gotten him all scared about?”
