Chapter 1: Challenge Accepted
"Once, on old Maretop Hill, a unicorn built her own house. She lived a peaceful, happy life, until one strange day. The unicorn went
mad, and became a psychotic killer. No one knew how it happened, or why, but from then on, the house became known, as the SHADOW
SHACK!"
A soft, startled cry came from the audience. The story-teller, Rainbow Dash, gave a frustrated sigh. "Fluttershy, I haven't even got to the
really scary part yet!" she complained. "S-sorry.." Fluttershy said.
"Now where was I? Oh, yes. The unicorn would lie in wait in her house until unsuspecting ponies would come by, and slay them in the
cover of the night-"
Rainbow Dash was interrupted again, but this time by a gasp. "Fluttershy!!"
"It wasn't me this time!!" Fluttershy whined.
"It was me, sorry..." Rarity admitted.
"Sorry," Rainbow Dash apologized. "So, legend says that every pony that falls victim to her becomes a ghost, and it becomes their
duty to find innocent mares and stallions and lure them to the Shadow Shack, for the unicorn is bound to her house. But, once every year,
the unicorn instructs her ghost servants to find several ponies, instead of the usual one or two."
Once more, a startled cry. Rainbow Dash could tell that Fluttershy was getting really scared, so she decided to wrap the story up.
"There's an artifact within the Shack, that is said to free the ghosts and return the unicorn, and the house, to their original state, but
the unicorn made a spell that made sure that the ponies that entered could not leave until they either found the artifact, or were killed."
The flash light went off, and several gasps came from the audience. When the lights turned back on, they revealed that Fluttershy had
hid behind Applejack. "Its ok, Fluttershy, it was only a story!!" Twilight Sparkle said, stepping forward. The terrified pegasus peeked out at
her friends. "Heheh, I guess it is..." she said, creeping back out and sitting where she was before.
"I'm sorry, was it a bit too scary?" Rainbow Dash inquired.
"Oh you know Fluttershy, she just gets scared a little easily." Applejack said.
"I-I'll be fine.." Fluttershy stammered.
"Yeah, its just a story!! Nice job, Rainbow!" Pinkie Pie giggled.
The friends had gathered at Twilight's house to play games and tell stories. Rainbow Dash had a scary story to tell, but wasn't sure how
Fluttershy would react. Fluttershy had bravely stated, "I'll be able to take it." She was regretting it a little, but at the same time, Fluttershy
knew she had to toughen up a little bit. Just a story, not real, she repeated to herself. It wasn't that scary, anyways.
At the time, Twilight had gone over to where Rainbow Dash was. "Are you sure that none of it is real?" Twilight inquired.
"I'm certain," replied Rainbow Dash, "Why?"
"Because," Twilight said, "There really is a Maretop Hill, and a unicorn really made her house on it."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't tell Fluttershy, but it could be true. I don't want to scare her any more with the thought that it's real."
"I won't tell her, but I want to see if its real or not!" Rainbow Dash bravely stated.
"Well, when are you planning on going, then? You're going to need help if it's as scary as you described."
"Tomorrow night."
"Rainbow Dash, are you serious?" Twilight cried, but then quieted down as to not startle the others.
"Look, I'm going to see if the legend of the Shadow Shack is real or not. Are you gonna come along or not?"
"I wish I could come help, but I have to meet up with Princess Celestia tomorrow night. Be careful! Maybe bring Applejack with you or
something," Twilight pleaded.
"Ok! Challenge Accepted."
"I never challenged you, but ok..."
Chapter 2: Preparing for the Trip
Rainbow Dash considered bringing Applejack, maybe even Pinkie Pie. But first, she would have to find out where Maretop was.
She searched the Ponyville and Equestria maps, but couldn't find anything. So, Rainbow Dash went out to look herself. She remembered
seeing a hill with a strange run-down looking house near the outskirts of Ponyville, so she decided to check it out. As it was daytime, she
was safe. If it was real. Sure enough, she found the house. There was a rusty old gate around the foot of the hill, and on top was the rickety
old Shadow Shack. Rainbow Dash knew it was the one; it just seemed to have a dangerous, haunting air about it.
After finding the place, Rainbow Dash took Twilight's advice and went over to Sweet Apple Acres to ask if Applejack could come help.
"Have ya'll gone crazy?" Applejack gasped, once Rainbow Dash had told her about the conversation she and Twilight had had.
"Twilight suggested that I bring help! Who CAN I bring, then, if not you?" Rainbow Dash complained.
"I don' know, maybe Twilight herself??" Applejack suggested.
"Can't, she has to meet up with Princess Celestia."
"Well... ok, fine. But we'd better get somepony else, too, for desperate measures."
"Rarity?"
"No, she'd probably be afraid of the dirt or somethin'."
"Right... hmm... Pinkie Pie maybe?"
"I don't know, maybe."
"Lets ask, at least."
At that moment, Apple Bloom came trotting up. "Heya, big sis! Howdy, Rainbow! Watcha talkin 'bout?"
"Definitely nothing for little fillies! Why don't cha go see if Granny Smith needs help with somethin for a bit?" Applejack said, hoping her
sister wouldn't get curious.
"Ok, then. Seeya later, I guess." Apple Bloom sighed, and turned to go back into the house.
After Apple Bloom was out of sight, Rainbow Dash turned back to her friend. "I'll go ask Pinkie. When you get some time, can you check
in with Rarity? But don't let word of this get to Fluttershy, I don't want her to freak out or anything."
Applejack nodded and Rainbow Dash flew off to Sugarcube Corner.
Pinkie Pie had been baking a cake for a customer when Rainbow Dash came in.
"Hey, Pinkie... can I talk to you for a sec?" Rainbow Dash inquired.
"Sure! Let me just finish making this batter. I'll only take a couple seconds!!" Pinkie cheerfully called from the kitchen.
Sure enough, it only took a few seconds before Pinkie Pie hopped out, calling behind her as she went, "Please watch the oven for me,
Gummy! I shouldn't take long."
"So, what's up, Dashie?" Pinkie asked.
"Remember that scary story I told yesterday at Twilight's place?"
"Yeah."
"Well, listen, it may be real."
"Huh?" Pinkie tilted her head in confusion.
"There really is a Maretop Hill, and there's a spooky old house on it. Me and Applejack are gonna see if its real, but we're gonna need a little
more help."
"Ask Twilight, silly! I have things to do, but if she says no, I'll see if I can take a little time off and help."
"Twilight's visiting Princess Celestia. Otherwise, she would be coming."
"Oh. Eh, I have to ask Mr. and Mrs. Cake something anyways. I'll see if I can spare time off for tonight."
"Thanks, Pinkie."
"Your welcome!"
After Applejack had finished her daily chores, she headed over to Rarity's boutique. She was still certain Rarity would say no, but she
promised she would ask.
"Hold on, I'll be right out!" Rarity called when the door opened.
"Its me, Rainbow Dash wanted me to ask you somethin!" Applejack explained.
"Applejack!! Let me finish this last piece for a new dress, it'll only take a second!"
Rarity came out into the main room. "Now, what did you want to ask me?"
"You might say no, and its ok if you don't want to come, but Rainbow Dash has decided to see if that one legend of the Shadow Shack is true
or not. She said she may need help, and-"
"Say no more!" Rarity interrupted. "I may have some time off, and we wouldn't want our poor friend going into a possibly-haunted dump
house alone. I'm coming. When is she planning on leaving?"
"Tonight, I think."
"Oh my, well... I'll come. I still have some time left to finish my new line."