Equestrian Horror Story: Hotel Le Trot

by Old Goat Abadeer

Rating: teen
Tags: Original Character, Trixie, Mystery, Horror, Starlight Glimmer, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 14943

Gold Key run old hotel. Gold Key do job very well. Trixie & Starlight come to stay. Ghosts of Manehatten come to play!

Trixie & Starlight spend the night at the Le Trot one of the oldest and most extravigant hotels in historic downtown Manehatten. Though once they get there the place seems to be deserted, save for one lone stallion named Gold Key.

Will the two survive their stay? And whats this old hotel's dark secret anyway!?

Published 2017-09-12 05:30:11 UTC
Last updated 2017-09-27 01:42:56 UTC

Chapter 0: Luna's Fullmoon Sonata

"Hmmm, hmm, hmmm, hmm, hm, hmm"

"Hmmm, hm, hmmm, hmm, hmmm"

A figure hummed to themself as they steadily trotted through the halls, letting the sound of Behooven's Lunar Sonata playing through the P.A. system fully consume their senses as they let out a relaxed sigh.

"Almost time now, yes almost time" the figure said in low yet soft & raspy voice using their magic to levitate their pocket watch to them as they slowly but surely made their way down the stairs. Making it to the final step and trotting to the center of the main plaza just as the clock in the lobby jumped to life.

DING!

"One"

DONG!

"Two"

DING!

"Three"

DONG!

"Four"

DING!

"Five"

DONG!

"Six!"

DING

"Seven. Yes so close!"

DOMPHHHPHH

"Ahh, No! The eighth one is still off!"

The unicorn stallion looked up from his pocket watch with a rather disgruntled curl of the lip.

"I know it is just still early September and you are not yet fully awake my dear, but a foul chime like that simply won't do. Please do try better in the morning."

He waited for awhile in the center of the lobby hoping for a reply, but of course none ever came. After five minutes or so he trotted over to the front desk and used his key to unlock his office door behind it.

Gold Key sighed and stepped into the office, closing the door behind him. Looking around the old familiar room he chuckled. In truth the room was more a study than an office. A desk full of old parchment, quills, ink, and pens strewn about. Shelf after shelf of books, Magazines, & Magical/Alchemic/Scientific Periodicals, most very old, though a small few quite new. The room dimly light with old candles powered by magical silver flames and to his left his mirror. Looking at himself in the mirror he let out a soft chuckle. He did look like quite the gentlecolt if he did say so himself. A dark tan coat with a short but well groomed black mane and a shiny gold skeleton key cutie mark on his flank all well accented by his uniform. Red and white trim, bronze buttons and a nice big pocket on his left side for his pocket watch to rest in. And finally a pith black skeleton key dangling from the thread around his neck.

He smiled and said to himself.
"Truly no pony is more suited to run the Le Trot than I. Wouldn't you agree dear?" He asked moving his gaze to the old grandmare clock in the middle of the room.

Slowly he moved closer. The old clock was a sight to see. A polished black wood exterior with a silver pendulum and weights inside. Bronze hands complimenting a solid gold back with blood red ruby numbers etched in.

Gold Key levitated the black key up to the clock, inserted it into the socket, and began to twist it as he spoke.

"Hello again my love. Are you feeling well? I know you are sad nopony came to visit us during the summer. But I can feel you waking up now that the autumn moon draws near. And I bet I know why. You feel it too, that chill in the air. It will be getting cooler soon, and the days will get shorter. As the leafs fall the ponies of Equestria will require a suitable rustic yet beautiful retreat for themselves. And that of course is where we excel." He cooed as he finished winding up the clock.

"Infact my dear. I have good news. We will have two new guests coming to stay very soon." Gold Key said with a subtle yet devious smile on his face.

"Two very special guests."

Author's Note

Sort of a short prolouge chapter. Starlight & Trixie come in next time. And plenty of scares & cuddles to come!

Please enjoy and any constructive criticism is more then welcome!

Chapter 1: Bright Stars & Scaredy Trix

CRACK! BAM! KHATHOW!

The thunder cracked as rain fell down from the heavens above to the old cobblestone streets below.

"It's raining bats & frogs!" A very disgruntled unicorn mare blurted out as she did her best to keep her hat from blowing away as she ran.

"I think you mean cats & dogs Trix! And yea it is, are we almost to the hotel yet!?" The second unicorn mare asked, as she quickly trotted beside her friend, using her magic as an umbrella to take the blunt force of the heavy rain above them. Though it didn't much help with all the droplets the wind was still blowing in their face.

"Trixie did not ask do be corrected Starlight Glimmer!" The showmare huffed as she ran. "But yes, once we turn left at the end of this road we should be able to see the Le Trot!"

"Good" Starlight wheezed. "Because I honestly dunno how much longer I can keep this spell up and I don't want to get any more soaked then I already am!" Starlight exclaimed.

The two friends turned at the end of the street in unision and let out a sigh of relief as they saw the big ol marquee in front of them that read...

"GRAND OL LE TROT HOTEL: THE RUSTIC RELAXATION DESTINATION"

"FINALLY!" The two ponies cheered in unison.

The two mares slowly walked through the enterance and Starlight closed her eyes and smiled in relief as she was finally able to stop using her magic to try to shield them from the rain. As she opened them again she looked around and took in the sight around her. The main plaza of the Le Trot was magnificent. White marble pillars, gold paint on the ceiling and golden & bronze fleur-de-liz insignias across the walls. Black marble floor and in front of then a grand golden & ruby staircase leading up to the second floor where they could see an elevator at the top.

"Trixie, this, this place is magnificant!" Starlight exclaimed as she continued to look around eyes wide and mouth agape.

"Hehe, yes, Trixie knows. After all only the finest will do for The Great & Powerful Trixie and her Super Sensational & Special Bestest Friend!" Trixie exclaimed as she gave Starlight a wink.

Starlight blushed and let out a small giggle.
"Flattery me too much Ms. Lulamoon and I might think you're flirting." She said in a sultry tone.

"Well now, Trixie can't say she thinks thats a bad thing." Replying in kind.

All of a sudden as if out of nowhere the two mares were broken out of their moment by hoofsteps and the sound of a dinging bell.

"Good evening ladies. How may I be of service?" They heard a stallion's voice say.

Looking to their left the two saw the male unicorn behind the check-in desk giving them a rather stoic look.

The two blushed wondering if he had heard their little back and forth but they decided to move forward none the less.

Trixie put her hooves up on the counter and after clearing her throat exclaimed. "Hello good sir, I am Trixie Lulamoon and this is my mare, er merry friend Starlight Glimmer."

"Ahh, yes, you were the mare that reserved a room for the week, for oh what was it again? A magicians convention I believe." Gold Key asked.

"That is correct good sir. Trixie is in town for the annual Manehatten Magic Megacon!" She replied with excitment oozing from her voice.

"Very good. I am Gold Key, the proprietor of this establishment, and just let me say that we are delighted to have you spending the week with us." He said with a smile.

"Um, who's we?" Starlight asked. "No offense but this place looks pretty deserted."

Gold Key let out a small sigh "well it is rather late, most of the staff clocked out by eight you see and as I am the only one who actually lives in the hotel, yes it is quite deserted here but given you are checking in at 10:30 I am not quite sure what else you expect."

"Um, sorry." Starlight replied.

"No offense taken my dear" Gold Key replied. "I know the weather was not kind to you on your journey here. So let us get you to your rooms so that you can rest & warm up." Gold Key said as he levitated a key off the rack behind him.

The three ponies entered the elevator and Gold Key pressed the button for the fourth floor. "You two shall be staying in room 418. It is one of our finest sweets. A fully stocked fridge with the finest foods and ciders. An extravigant bath/shower combo, a nice selection of the most recent novels and theatre magazines and the comfiest king sized bed in all manehatten."

"Wait, a king sized, as in one bed!?" Trixie asked with a gulp.

"Why yes, is that a problem?" Gold Key smirked.

"Not at all" Starlight replied. "Right Trix?"

"Haha, of course not." Trixie blushed.

"Excellent, ah, here we are" Gold Key announced as they stepped out and trotted down the hall to their room.

Opening the door to the room the two mares were in awe yet again as the suite was indeed quite impressive. Burgandy floor and drapes. The blue crystal door to their left leading to no doubt an equally impressive bathroom. Black tiles in the kitchen area with a crystal chandelier hanging in the middle of the room, its light illuminating the entire space. With the king sized bed to their right wrapped in dark royal purple sheets.

"WOW" the two mares awed in unison.

"So, the room is to your liking then I take it?" Gold key asked.

"Oh yes, very much so." Trixie replied
"Uh, uh huh" Starlight stamnered.

"Excellent!" Gold Key smiled.

"Now of course there are a few notes & rules to go over. First off. This hotel is protected with ancient runes that nulify magical forces. So no magic will spurt from those horns of yours, pegasi are unable to fly, and earth ponies strength are tempered." Gold Key exclaimed.

"Wow, that seems kind of extreme doesn't it?" Starlight asked.

"Perhaps, but this is an old hotel and upkeep is not cheap, we want to prevent as many accidents as possible."

"That makes sense, I guess." Trixie nervously muttered. "But how come you can still use magic then?"

"Well as I said, I am the owner of this establishment. I need to be able to protect it and its occupants." Gold Key explained. "On to the next points. Breakfast is at 8:30 A.M. sharp. And other meals can be ordered via roomservice from noon to eight. And the final most important reminder is of course to be sure to lock your doors before you go to bed, for safty percautions of course. Wouldn't want to be sued just because some silly fillies forgot to lock the door and wake-up with their saddle bags missing." Gold Key smirked.

"Um, OK, I guess all that sounds reasonable...kind of" Starlight replied with a tinge of uncertainty in her voice.

"Well then, I bid you all good night." Gold Key bowed as he left the room closing the door behind him.

There was a brief pause.
"That guy is weeiirrdd!" Trixie said turning torwards Starlight and throwing her saddlebag down on the floor.

Starlight just rolled her eyes. "Well i'm going to go take a warm shower and go to bed. How about you?"

"That sounds like a plan to me!" Trixie smiled.

Trixie woke-up in a cold sweat. She looked around and realized that it was still dark. She tried to use her horn to light up the room but to no avail. "Oh thats right, no magic in the hotel she thought." She stared at the night stand next to her and saw 2:25 A.M. flashing on the alarm clock.

"Ugg, why is Trixie up so early!?" She quietly mumbled to herself staring at the peacefully sleeping Starlight Glimmer beside her.

"Sweet Celestia she's cute when she's sleeping" Trixie thought. Smiling at her marefriend.

Trixie's happiness quickly faded though as she looked in front of her and saw a ghastly figure at the foot of their bed. A ghostly figure of an earth pony mare holding its head in its hoof, its eyes black and empty, its smile full of sharp fangs.

"AAAHHHH!! GHOST!! STARLIGHT H-HELP!!" Trixie screamed holding her hoofs over her eyes.

All of a sudden Trixie heard a rustling and felt a hoof touch her

"EEP!" She yelped.

"Whats wrong Trix!?" She heard Starlight Glimmer ask.

Trixie stuttered her eyes still closed. "Over t-there" she whined pointing forward with her right hoof.

Starlight looked forward only to see an empty room. And let out a disgruntled huff. "It was just a bad dream Trix, go back to bed"

"I-it was not, it was real Starly, Trixie saw it with her own two eyes!" The mare said giving out a low sob.

Starlight huffed but scooted closer and embraced the shivering unicorn next to her. "Its ok Trix. I'm here and I won't let any mean ol ghost get you, promise." She said with a gentle voice.

"You mean it?" Trixie said leaning further into Starlight's fur.

"Of course, after all, what kind of Marefriend would I be if I let a ghoul eat my girl?" she replied with a wink.

Trixie just smiled as the two lied back down and returned to Luna's dreamland.

Meanwhile, invisible in the corner a dark spirit just smiled and scoffed. "Aww, how cute, and pathetic!"

Author's Note

A few notes.

-sorry if this was kind of tame but gotta build up first.

-yes Starlight & Trixie are a couple in this story but they are both kind of new to it, thus the reason Trixie is reluctant to call Star her marefriend infront of strangers.

-The scares are just getting started... more heavy terror in future chapters.

Chapter 2: Deadpan Humor

GOOD MORNING MANEHATTEN THIS IS MIXTAPE AT PQXL STATION 109.3 COMING AT YOU WITH ALL THE CLASSIC ROCK YOU NEED FOR YOUR MORNING COMMUTE!

Trixie instantly jumped up hearing the blaring noise coming from seemingly out of nowhere and blinked until the world around her came into focus. She could see Celestia's morning sun peaking through the windows as she looked at the night stand to see the source of the blaring noise coming from the alarm clock as it blinked 7:30 A.M.

"Uuggg" Trixie moaned and she stretched and slowly got out of bed.

She looked over at Starlight who was also awake thanks to the radio's loud outburst, however unlike Trixie she had no intention of getting out of bed yet it seemed.

"What time is it?" Starlight asked with a yawn, stretching her front hooves.

"Just a little after 7:30" Trixie replied, trying to hold back a yawn of her own.

"So, about an hour till we are supposed to be down for Breakfast eh. Well i'll let you take the shower first since I got it last night." Starlight said still stretching out on the bed.

"Trixie approves of your wise & generous decision." She playfully replied as she trotted towards the bathroom.

Trixie entered the shower and closed the golden shower curtain behind her. Twisting the knobs she let the water flow over her. It was abit cold at first but after a minute or two it signifigantly warmed up. "Ahh perfect" Trixie sighed as she let the warm water build up and the steam puff around her. After her little nightmare last night this is what she needed she thought.

"Why did I dream about a creepy thing like that anyway?" She wondered. "Maybe that carrotdog I got outside the train station yesterday was bad or some...."

But before Trixie could finish her sentence the shower curtain flew open.

"EEP!" Trixie screeched.

"Calm down Trix, its just me." Starlight chuckled.

"Starlight!? What do you think you are doing interuppting Trixie in the middle of her great & relaxing shower!?" She huffed while subconciously moving her hooves to try to cover herself.

"Well, I ah, you see..." Starlight stammered

"Out with it!" Trixie huffed.

"I figured it might be quicker if we took a shower together. I mean its like the old saying you scrub my back, I scrub yours." She replied with a blush.

Trixie could feel her face turning bright red. "That is not how that saying goes Starly, but Trixie agrees that your idea has merit. You may shower with Trixie."

"Oh like your one to talk Ms. raining bats and frogs" Starlight joked as she joined Trixie in the shower and picked up a sponge. Now, where should I scrub first Ms. Lulamoon?" She asked in a sultry tone.

As the bathroom door opened steam wafted out along with the two ponies. They looked up at the clock in the kitchen area.

"8:14 guess your plan wasn't the timesaver you hoped it would be" Trixie smirked.

"Maybe not, but it was still a pretty good shower none the less" Starlight chuckled giving Trixie a sly wink.

"KNOCK"
"KNOCK"
"KNOCK"

The two mares almost jumped back an entire foot before they realised the sound was coming from the front door.

"Now who could that be?" Starlight wondered.

"Trixie does not know, but she does not enjoy being surprised like that." She huffed as she made her way to the front door. As she opened the door she was getting ready to chew out whom or whatever was on the other side, but as soon as she opened the door she paused.

Infront of her was a pegasus mare with gray fur and silver hair done in pigtails wearing a maid outfit.

"Um, hello? How can Trixie help you?"

"I'm Deadpan, the maid in charge of the fourth floor, so I just thought I would see if you needed your room cleaned or if you needed new sheets or more towls or anything." She said in a fairly robotic tone.

"Um, no, Trixie doesn't think....well actually yes perhaps we could use more towels."

"OK" the pegasus said in the same stoic voice pushing her cart into the room.

Trixie just moved aside staring at the mare as she entered and her eyes almost fell out of her socket when she saw the maids cutie mark. A spiderweb with a black widow sitting smack dab in the middle.

"Umm, Trix? You okay?" Starlight asked.

"Ah, yea sure, I guess i'm just feeling abit peckish. Lets go get some breakfast."

"One West Fillydelphia style omellete for Ms. Lulamoon and one mile high stack of pancackes for Ms. Glimner." Gold Key sung as he levitated the freshly cooked breakfasts towards his guests. "Enjoy"

"This looks absolutly magnificent" Trixie replied looking at the expertly crafted meal.

"And these pancakes are delicious!" Starlight chimed in shoving a large syrup filled bite into her mouth.

"Careful Starlight dear. If you eat a stack of pancakes that big every morning you'll end up chubbier than Pinkie Pie" Trixie joked. "Then again that would just give me more of you to love, so that might not be so bad."

Starlight quickly swallowed her food and stuck out her tounge at Trixie.

Then the two burst out into laughter and were surprised to hear their outburst echo so. They looked around and noticed they were the only ponies in the plaza dining area.

"Huh, I wonder where everypony else is?" Starlight asked with a confused look on her face.

"Yea, Key said Breakfast was at 8:30 sharp, but we're the only two ponies here...."

Trixie turned her head around to face the check-in desk Gold Key was once again sitting behind.

"Hey, where are all the other guests?" Trixie yell-asked across the room.

Gold Key looked up and trotted towards the two. "Well Ms. Lulamoon, currently you and Ms. Glimmer are the only two guests staying at the Le Trot." He replied.

"Really?" Starlight asked with a confused look on her face. "But this is such a nice hotel? And its a convention week. I find it hard to believe nopony else would want to stay here."

"Yes, well, truth be told the Le Trot just can't compete with all the new mega hotels out there in the newer districts. They offer discounts to Bridleway performances, meal tickets, free tours of the city, TV's in every room and free wi-fi for those new fangled P-Phones that came out earlier this year."

"Wow, the hotel business sounds rough" Trixie blurted.

"Yes, it can be. However its not all doom and gloom. September is a slow trickle but business really picks up for the month long Nightmare Night celebrations in October, and than of course you have Hearthswarming in December...." Gold key rambled as he slowly returned to the check-in desk.

"Man, this really is a dog eat dog town I guess, huh Trix." Starlight joked trying to lighten the mood. But Trixie didn't reply she was stuck in her own thoughts, internally screaming at the realization she and Glimmer were the only two ponies in this giant hotel.

"Now that was one heck of a first day!" Starlight beamed. "Who knew Magicon could be so fun!" She squeed.

"Or so expensive." Trixie replied. Pointing to all the large swag bags she carried on her back.

"You can't blame the convention for your lack of self control Trixie." Starlight snickered mockingly levitating her own much smaller bag which only held a limited edition Starswirl plush, a couple of t-shirts and some all organic healing potions she got from a very polite or as Trixie accused him overly flirty Zebra.

"But Starlight!" Trixie pouted. "Trixie needed all of these things! They are all going to be used in Trixie's next performance!"

"Even that 3000 bit picture of Harry Hoofdini?" Starlight chuckled.

"It was an autographed photo and it had been authinticated by reliable sources!" Trixie huffed.

"Yea, authinticated by the colt that ripped you off" Starlight retorted.

"Laugh all you want, but I gurantee you its the real deal and when we get back to Ponyville we can have Twilight authinticate it and you will be eating your words Ms. Glimmer." Trixie sneered.

"OK, whatever you say Trix." Starlight replied rolling her eyes.

The two laughed as they continued their evening walk down the cobblestone streets of downtown Manehattan, at least until they
reached the hotel.

They both stopped in front and just looked at the old somewhat massive eight story structure. "Welp back to the old, empty, creepy, and magicless hotel I guess." Trixie sighed.

"Aw, c'mon Trix its not that bad. I mean sure not being able to use magic is inconvienent, and kind of ironic given we're here for a magic convention, but its not the end of the world." Starlight replied, trying her best to cheer up her marefriend.

"I suppose you're right Starly" Trixie sighed.

"And hey, who knows, maybe if you actually eat a good dinner tonight you won't dream about creepy ghost mares." Starlight joked.

"Haha, very funny!" Trixied huffed.

After taking some down time to recharge from a day long romp at Magicon the two ponies decided they would just stay at the hotel for dinner and order room service. And thankfully they didn't have to wait too long as a mere 15 minutes after they made their order they heard a familiar knock on their door and Deadpan slowly trotted in with their food.

"Apaloosian Souffle for one Trixie Lulamoon and Trotingham Stew for one Starlight Glimmer" she announced in her monotone voice as she set the plates down. "Anything else I can get you?"

"No, this will do nicely." Starlight smiled back.

"OK" Deadpan said as she trotted back towards the cart.

"Um, wait." Trixie muttered. "This food isn't poisioned is it!?"

Starlight just set there dumbfounded by her marefriends question.

Deadpan slowly turned around. "No, its not poisoned, but I guess I could poison it if you want, but that would probably make you sick, so I would'nt reccomend it." She replied as monotone as ever.

All of a sudden Starlight burst out laughing to both other ponies surprise.

"Y-you are just like my friend Maud from back in Ponyville. You both have such a dark sense of humor."

"OK" Deadpan replied as she just continued pushing her cart out of the room being sure to close the door behind her.

As soon as Deadpan left the room Starlight composed herself and looked sternly at her marefriend. "Seriously though Trix, why would you even ask her something like that?"

"Well, her cutie mark was a black widow and I just kind of worried that she might...." Trixie stammered

"That she might what? Be some kind of crazy murderer?" Starlight scoffed.

Trixie just replied with a blush slowly nodding her head.

"C'mon Trix, i'm sure she's a perfectly nice pony. Maybe her family runs a pest control service and this hotel job is just something she does on the side."

"Y, you're probably right Starlight, i, i'm just being paranoid." Trixie replied.

"Good, now that that's settled, lets eat!" Starlight beamed smiling and licking her lips as she prepared to devour her dinner.

Meanwhile on the other side of the door Deadpan was listening and did her best to resist chuckling as she looked down at the Nightmare potion she held in her hands.

"Good job my dear, good job." A voice said as if verbally caressing the mare from the shadows.

Author's Note

Build-up, Build-up everywhere. But the scares are coming soon I swear!

And yes the hotel has phones. Yes that is how they ordered room service. No I still don't know how ponies use them!

Chapter 3: Trixie's Terrifying Dreamscape!

Trixie troted down the dark hallway of the fourth floor of the Le Trot on her way to, actually now that she thought about it she wasn't sure where she was going or what she was going to do. She didn't remember leaving the room or what she needed. Ice perhaps? Did this place even have an ice machine?

"Oh well, Trixie will just go back." She said to herself. But as she turned around she froze. She staired in disbelief as there was nothing but pitch black behind her. No lights, no candles, not even the vague outlines of doors or a floor just pitch black nothing.

Trixie gulped. "On second thought perhaps I best just keep going forward." She stuttered as she turned back and proceded on her previous path.

Trixie walked for what felt like hours but the hallway just wouldn't end. She increased her pace and eventually began to run but to her surprise this seemed to just make things worse as before her eyes the hallway seemed to magically stretch even further. This did not detur Trixie however as she kept running, until she tripped over her own hooves and landed flat on her face.

"Owoowww" Trixie moaned as she picked herself up and rubbed her nose and horn.

As she looked back up her eyes became wide and a smile filled her face. As if out of nowhere a break, a turn had finally appeared in the hallway. She trotted toward it and veered left only to find a dead end.

"Oh you have got to be bucking kidding me!" She shouted. Staring at the small space which seemed to consist of a mirror a table & two small chairs.

"Excuse me miss, can you help me?" She heard a soft voice ask.

Trixie looked down and saw a young earth filly staring up at her.

"EYeeaaa!" Trixie screeched jumping back at the unexpected surprise.

"Please miss. I'm lost. Won't you help me?" The young filly asked again.

Trixie took a good look at the little pony. She did'nt look dangerous. A dark blue coat with a soft golden mane and a cutie mark of some kind of flower. She could'nt be more then 8, maybe 10 years old.

Trixie composed herself and responded. "Um, wh-what are you doing here all by yourself? Where are your parents? Your friends?"

"I don't rightly know miss. I just, i've been lost and I can't find anypony else. Can you help me?" The young filly asked once more.

Trixie thought it over for a few seconds and decided that it would be better to have somepony else walking in this creepy hotel with her rather than continue to walk alone. And it would be kind of a jerk move to abandon a scared child.

"OK, Trixie will help you little.... um...?"

"Moonflower, my name is Moonflower m'am."

"Well little Moonflower, you just stick with Trixie and she is sure we will find whomever you are looking for!"

"Oh thank you m'am!" Moonflower smiled hoping next to Trixie as she began to walk back towards the main hall. To Trixie's surprise however it seems the hall had changed yet again. Now it was the path forward that was blocked by a pitch black emptyness and the way she had come from once again restored! Hallway, lights, doors & all.

"Maybe if we look in these doors we might find somepony miss."

"Um, maybe." Trixie stammered.

Trixie walked up to the first door on the left and opened it. She looked inside and just saw a dim light, a single lamp was lit and there seemed to be a lone stallion in the room crying.

"Um, sir? Are, are you ok?" Trixie asked.

Suddenly the stallion turned around his face bright red with nothing but anger & hatred glowing in his eyes.

"GO AWAY!" He shouted as the door turned bright red and slammed shut in Trixie's face.

"OK, grumpy much." Trixie huffed.

"How about this one miss?" Moonflower asked pointing to the door behind her.

"Sure, why not!" Trixie replied rolling her eyes. As she opened the door she paused for abit she didn't really feel like getting yelled at again. But then she looked down at Moonflower's sad eyes and just sighed and opened it anyway.

Trixie's entire body went cold as she looked in the room and saw three pony skeletons and a swarm of Flyders buzzing around above. She quickly slamned the door shut.
"Nope, nope, nope, nope" she repeated as she trotted off Moonflower closely trailing behind.

Each door they tried was more disturbing than the last. A Griffon pecking out a pony's eyeballs, a Zebra sacrificing a cute little bunny in some horrible archaic blood ritual, A yak trampling a poor crystal pony to death and worst of all a ventriliquest dummy turning on its master and shoving its hand up their bum like the pony was the dummy! OK maybe that last one was kind of funny but still pretty messed up. Trixie eventually decided to give up on opening doors and just decided to trot down the hall until something else came up. But as she did she noticed Moonflower became more & more disgruntled.

"Ugg! This is getting us nowhere! Are you gonna help me find my friend or not!?" The filly huffed.

"Hey, Trixie is trying her best!" She snapped back at the foal.

"Well your best sucks!" The filly retorted.

"Yeah well, I bet your friend abandoned you because you're such a brat!" Trixie sneered.

"That, that's not true! Thats not true!" Moonflower began to sob. "Gold Key would'nt do that!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean....wait... Gold Key? The hotel owner, but he!?" Before Trixie could finish a cold wind seemed to blow out of nowhere. Trixie shivered and turned around to see it, the ghost from the other night, with its head attatched this time, but every other feature still the same. Its dead black glowing eyes, its sharp teeth and a maniacal meanicing screech of a laugh.

"RUN!" Trixie shouted as she picked-up Moonflower tossed the filly on her back and did a 180 to run back as far away from that thing as fast as ponily possible!

Trixie ran as fast as she could doing her best to not look back unless she felt it was absolutly necessary, as each time she did she saw the ghostly mare was still right behind her. Before she could turn her head back the last time however she heard Moonflower shout "Look out!" But it was too late as the ponies fell into a deep seemingly endless pit of darkness.

"Uuuggg, wha-what happened?" Trixie asked, looking around, her eyes adjusting to the world around her and when her senses fully returned she froze in horror. She looked at the room in disgust. A dungeon with blood soaked walls and an alter in the center no doubt used for demonic rituals.

"Help!" She heard a voice scream from across the room. Looking quickly in that direction she saw Moonflower chained to the wall, screaming & panicing. Trixie reacted out of instinct trying to run to Moonflower but something was holding her back, she quickly noticed that she too was in chains. Trixie tried to use all the strength she had left to break the chains but it was of no use. All she could do was listen to the poor filly sob and scream for help, that is until she started screaming in terror. Trixie looked at Moonflower and saw the unbridled and primal fear in her eyes, she was staring at the alter. Trixie turned her head and saw in kind the same terror, doing her best not to scream herself.

At the alter stood what Trixie could only describe as an abomination. A bipedal creature, not all that different from those Q-Menz or whatever they were called that Starlight had told her about. But this one had no features, no mouth, no nose, no eyes or ears, it was just a pitch black sillouette with spikes protruding from its body and blood dripping from a crease in the middle of where its face should be. The beast walked towards Moonflower and as it did the crease widened and revealed 4 slits that opened into a disgusting mouth simmilar to that of a giant pongolian death worm. Its hands stretched revealing claws, its nails on its feet grew ever sharper as it approached the filly.

"No! You, you stop right there you monster! You demon! You leave that child alone!" Trixie screamed.

The beast stopped, it turned its head. And in a low raspy voice it muttered.

"One of All"
"One of All"
"One of All"

"What, does that even mean!?" Trixie shrieked.

The beast just slowly limped towards Trixie, raising its hand and preparing to slash her. Trixie's eyes widended as she knew there was no escaping what was about to come.

"ONE OF ALL!" The beast screamed as it slashed its claws against Trixie's face

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!" Trixie screamed as she rose up and quickly opened her eyes. To her surprise she found herself back in her hotel room. She quickly looked at the clock on the nightstand and saw it flashing 2:25 A.M.

"Sweet Luna's Flank, not again!" She huffed as she began to sob. All of a sudden she felt two hooves embrace her and she saw Starlight no doubt awakened by her outburst tightly hugging her. She looked in Starlight's eyes expecting to see anger, afterall this is the second night in a row she had woken her up. Instead however all she saw was concern. Trixie began to sob even more furiously and buried herself in her marefriends fur. She knew Starlight would probably chew her out for the abrupt interruption to her sleep in the morning, but for now she was just glad to be safe in her marefriends arms.

Chapter 4: Starlight, Moon's Bright, First Mare I Scare Tonight!

Starlight Glimmer poured her and Trixie a hot cup of coffee. Sufficed to say it had not been an easy night for the two. Trixie had once again woken Starlight up with her nightmares and no matter how much Starlight tried to convience the mare to go back to sleep Trixie had refused. Meaning they both had been up before the sun.

Starlight yawned and trotted over to the table and handed Trixie her cup.

Trixie with a sad look on her face just looked down at the coffee and said. "I i'm sorry about last night."

Starlight finishing her latest sip of coffee cleared her throat in order to respond. "Its OK Trix. And besides you've already apologized like a hundred times by now. Its not your fault you had a nightmare....two nights in a row." She said before taking another sip.

"I know" Trixie replied. "It's just, I feel kind of bad, I wanted this to be our week. Fun, exciting, romantic. But here I am just acting like some scared foal." She pouted.

"Hey, don't worry about it. We'll go to Magicon, look at some of the exhibits, listen to some guest speakers, maybe even try to sneak into one of those V.I.P. Panels." She said with a devious smile.

"I like the way you think Starlight Glimmer." Trixie chuckled in kind. The two quickly finished their coffee and eagerly headed out in preperation for the day ahead.

The trolly cart that took ponies to the convention center was pretty cramped. It seems that as the radio had said there really were ponies from all over Equestria coming to the convention. Trixie looked around and saw plenty of unicorns and even a few earth ponies and zebra she guessed were probably herbalists and potion makers. And to her surprise there was even a dragon on the trolly as well. "Huh, I wonder what Dragon Magic is like?" she thought. All of a sudden though she was brought out of her own mind when she heard Starlight's voice.

"Hey Trix, you know, i've been thinking."

"About what?" Trixie asked.

"Well, about your nightmares. I mean it is kind of odd to have bad dreams that intense two nights in a row without Princess Luna taking note and coming to interverine." Starlight said placing her hoof on her chin in thought.

"Yea, well, maybe she just sucks at her job." Trixie huffed.

"I don't think so. Luna is one of the most caring ponies i've ever known. Heck i'd argue she probably cares about the ponies of Equestria even more then Celestia."

"Yeah, well then why am I being attacked by monsters right of an H.P. Poncraft book in my dreams!" Trixie screeched.

"Well, I think it might have something to do with those runes Gold Key mentioned. They make it where ponies can't use their magic right? So maybe that works two ways. If the building restricts or inverses magical aura than it might prevent outside forces from detecting it as well. It might pretty much be a magical dead zone." Starlight said with a gulp.

"Please don't say dead zone" Trixie moaned.

"Sorry" Starlight blushed. "What I mean is, its possible Luna may not be able to see your nightmares. If the Le Trot is more or less a black hole for magic, odds are even her dream walking ability would be effected. As far as she knows we are having a hard dreamless sleep."

"Great! So you're saying i'm doomed!" Trixie dramatically stated.

"No, no, no. I did'nt mean that Trix. We'll figure something out. I promise!" She replied with a half hearted smile.

All of a sudden a voice boomed inside the cart.

"ATTENTION PASSENGERS. WE HAVE ARRIVED AT THE MAGICON CONVENTION CENTER. PLEASE PROCCED TO THE FRONT OF THE TROLLY IN AN ORDERLY FASHION."

Inside the convention center was more or less organized chaos. Ponies trotting every which way, trying to find their way through the massive building and its maze like set-up to find the panel or stand they were looking for.

"So what do you want to do first?" Starlight asked "we could go to the Harry Trotter book signing, or take a potion making class, maybe take another look at the Starswirl the bearded exhibit!?"

" Oh, ah, I dunno whatever you wanna do is fine." Trixie yawned.

Starlight looked at her marefriend with concern. It seemed whatever she had dreamed about last night really had worn her out.

"Tell you what. Why don't you go to the concession stand and get us some sodas. I'll go back to that potion stand I saw yesterday and see if I see anything else worthwhile." Starlight suggested.

"Oh, so your gonna abandon me for some flirty Zebra. Is that it?" Trixie whined.

"Of course not silly. But I can tell you're still tired. A soda might help wake you up. And honestly i'm a bit thirsty myself." Starlight replied.

"Fine, i'll go get us some drinks. But if I see that Zebra flirting with you again i'm turning him into a frog!" Trixie joked as she headed off torwards the concession stand.

"OK" Starlight whispered. "Time to put operation save Trixie Lulamoon's dreams into action!" She said as she quickly trotted off.

Finding the Zebra's potion stand wasn't all that hard as she had remembered exactly where it had been set-up the previous day and which zigs and zags to take through the massive convention to get there as quickly as possible. And thankfully before she knew it she was exactly where she needed to be.

"Hey, miss Starlight. You still looking quite alright." She heard the male Zebra say as she approached the stand.

"As much as I appriciate the flattery Zeno I don't really have time for it." Starlight chuckled. "Plus my marefriend said she would turn you into a frog if she caught you flirting with me again."

"Alright, alright, all business I see. So tell me Ms. Starlight, what can I get ye!?" The Zebra asked.

"Well, the hotel we're staying at has these weird runes that prevent us from using magic and Trix, er my marefrirnd keeps having these aweful nightmares and I can't just pop into them using a spell, so maybe, I was hoping, you had a potion that could help."

The Zebra scratched his chin and thought for a moment. "Dream walking magic is powerful true. To copy Luna not even a potion can do."

"Oh" Starlight sighed.

"Hold on now, it may be true that I can't potion just potion Luna you. But there may still be a way. Though dangerous it is I say."

"Really?" Starlight asked. "What is it!?"

"Dreamwalking may be restricted true, but a solution I still have for you. To get to the root of this nasty dish. All you have to do is switch!" The Zebra said picking up a dark purple bottle with gold letters that said Dream2Dream.

Starlight picked it up and read the instructions on the back

1 32oz bottle of dream2dream
Poor 16 oz into each glass and drink an hour or two before bed. If done properly participants will switch dreams.

"So, if I, I mean we drink this i'll get Trixie's nightmare and she'll be able to sleep?" Starlight asked.

"Yes, however...." Zeon said his voice getting quite serious in tone. "Anything that happens there will effect you in the real world too young mare."

Starlight looked at the bottle and replied "that's a risk i'm willing to take."

Sometime later Starlight found Trixie at the Starswirl exhibit staring at one of the famous mages old hats.

"There you are, i've been looking all over for you!" Trixie huffed. "Here's your soda by the way." She said as she handed Starlight the rather large cup.

"Sorry, I got a bit sidetracked." Staight blushed.

"So, did you find what you were looking for?" Trixie asked.

"As a matter of fact I did. How does some rare South Zafrican wine sound to help take the edge off tonight." Starlight replied in a seductive tone.

"Sounds fine to me. Buck at this point i'm willing to give anything a shot!" She snorted.

"Good." Starlight smiled. "I hoped you'd say that." Starlight hated lying to Trixie about the actual contents of the bottle, but she knew that if Trixie knew the truth she would never agree to the plan. And she was determined to end her marefriends nightmares once and for all!

Starlight and Trixie yawned in unison as they headed towards the bed.

"Thanks for everything today Starlight. And sorry if I was a bit grouchy." She blushed.

"Oh, its alright. Anypony would be grumpy if they had to put up with nightmares like that. I just hope that wine helped you relax." She chuckled.

"You know what, I think it did. I really am feeling a lot better. Maybe i'll even get an extra hour of sleep tonight." Trixie chuckled back getting herself comfortable on her side of the bed.

"Yea maybe" Starlight yawned in reply as she too slowly found her perfect sleeping posistion. Before the two mares knew it. They were both sound asleep.

"COME FLY WITH ME COME FLY COME FLY AWAY!" A loud musical voice boomed. Starlight opened her eyes and found herself in a rather large ballroom. All around her ponies were dancing to some old timey swing music being performed on the stage by some pegasus stallion that Starlight didn't recognize. The room was grand as the rest of the Le Trot tall windows and walls with a peaking circular ceiling that made the whole thing almost look like a merry-go-round. If merry-go-rounds were covered with Gold & White marble.

She then looked down at herself and noticed she was wearing a beautiful blood red dress and matching hoof-boots. All of a sudden she felt a tap on her back, she turned around prepared to fight but only saw a young stallion standing before her. "Hello m'am, I noticed you looked a bit lonely, would you like to dance?" The stallion asked holding out his hoof.

Starlight paused for a bit, but after a moment took his hoof in return an stuttered. "Yea, sure, I guess." She said as she let the gentlecolt lead her closer to the front of thr dance floor where the band was playing.

"So, what brings a pretty young thing like you to a stuffy ol place like this?" The stallion asked with a sly grin.

"I, I ah, i'm not sure actually. Who are you anyway?" Starlight asked.

"Names Gold Key" The stallion replied "But my friends call me stud." He boasted.

"Gold Key, you mean like the hotel owner!? Then that means!" All of a sudden the memories of the days events came flooding back to her. "I did it, I did it, i'm in Trixie's dream!" She squeeled with delight.

All of a sudden the music stopped and the room went dead silent. Starlight looked around and saw all the other ponies now staring at her. Their eyes filled with anger as they began slowly moving closer chanting.

"Not the one."
"Not the one."
"Not the one."

She turned around hoping to see if Gold Key had also been effected or not, but to her surprise he was gone and a small earth filly was in his place.

"Huh, wha...wha!?" She stammered.

"What are you doing here m'am" the small filly asked, her eyes wide & inquisitive.

"What am I, what are you? Who are you?" Starlight stammered.

"I'm Moonflower m'am, and I think you did a very bad thing m'am. The others seem pretty mad." Moonflower said pointing behind Starlight. Starlight turned around and her eyes grew wide. All around her ghostly ponies with pitch black eyes and dagger sharp teeth were slowly limping towards her.

"Oh no." Starlight gulped, resisting the urge to panic. "C'mon kid, we gotta get out of here! She said as she turned around to scoop-up Moonflower only to find that she too had dissapeared and in her place, a large bipedal monster, a beast, an abomination.

Starlight panicked and froze as the thing rose its claws and screamed "NOT THE ONE!" Slashing Starlight on the face. She screamed in agony and fell back. She felt the burn of the cut and could feel blood slowly trickling out. She picked herself up as fast as she could and winced in pain. She tried to use her magic but her horn just would'nt respond. She did her best not to break out in tears as she heard the beast and its army of sharp toothed ponies slowly limp closer.

All of a sudden however as if out of nowhere she heard a door bang open and a blinding white light shown through.

"Well what are you waiting for you daft little foal! Run!" she heard a familar voice boom. Starlight ran towards the light and saw the door where Gold Key was holding out his hoof waiting for Starlight to grab hold.

"Wake-up Starlight, wake-up!" Trixie screeched. The mare had been abruptly awoken when Statlight had kicked her in her sleep. At first she was mad until she looked at her marefriend and noticed the scared expression on her face and to her shock saw her face had a fresh bleeding cut on it.

"Wake-up Starlight Wa...." But before Trixie could finish her sentence she was knocked off as Starlight jumped up with a loud gasp.

Trixie shuffled to get back-up and check on her marefriend.

Starlight just looked at Trixie, panic in her eyes and asked. "What time is it!?"

Trixie looked at the alarm clock and gulped as her heart sank. "Ta...t.... two twenty five A.M."

Starlight grabbed Trixie and hugged her tight. "Trix, there's something very wrong with this hotel, and I think we need to ask Mr. Key what exactly that thing is."

Author's Note

Welp, looks like both ponies have survived their initial tussle with the beast and lived to tell the tale. But who the heck is this creepy Moonflower filly and how is she connected to Gold Key & The Le Trot!? Well, you'll just have to wait and find out I guess. :derpytongue2:

Chapter 5: Confrontation......Sorta.

Chapter 5: Confrontation......Sorta.

Starlight & Trixie got up early despite the incident that night. After taking a quick shower Starlight used one of the healing potions she had bought at the convention to clear up her cut. Part of her wanted to let the wound stay, but she knew if she did that Gold Key would notice and panic before she could properly interogate him. Not long after she finished apllying the salve she heard Trixie come out of the restroom.

"You ready Trix?" Starlight asked her marefriend with a serious & confident look.

"You know it." Trixie replied with a sly grin.

Later down in the lobby the two unicorn mares set & waited in the dining area until the clock struck 8:30 A.M. and Gold Key came out of his office to greet the two.

"Good morning ladies." He greeted with a smile. "Glad to see you. After you decided to stay in your room for breakfast yesterday I was worried I had offended you somehow."

"Oh no, nothing of the sort Mr. Key, Trixie was just.....feeling a bit worn down is all." The showmare replied.

"Well i'm sorry to hear that. But I guess conventions do that to a pony. Too much fun in one sitting & what not." He chuckled pouring the two ponies a hot cup of coffee.

"Yeah, conventions can be pretty overbearing. But not nearly as exhausting as nightmares." Starlight chimed in.

Gold Key paused. "Come again?"

"Yes it's True." Trixie sighed as she posed dramatically. "Trixie has been plauged with visions of ghastly ghosts and macabe monsters in her sleep!" She sobbed.

"Well, ah, i'm a, i'm sorry to hear that Ms. Lulamoon." Gold Key replied.

"So ah, can I get you two anything for breakfa....." But before he could finish he heard Starlight utter a single word.

"Moonflower."

"Um, come again miss?" Gold Key replied.

"Moonflower. Wasn't that the name of the filly in your dreams Trix?" Starlight asked looking at her marefriend.

"Yes, and she was ever so adorable, but those mean old monsters were just as intent on eating her as they were me!" Trixie pouted.

Gold Key froze in place. A look of pure terror in his eyes.

"Got yea!" Starlight thought to herself, a smug sense of satisfaction slowly covering her face in the form of a knowing smile.

"I ah, I ah, I just remembered I have some business ah need to take care of at the bank today." He stammered sheepishly before running towards the exit.

"Well that didn't quite go as planned." Trixie huffed.

"True" Starlight replied. "But now he knows we know and he can't stay away from the hotel or avoid us forever. We'll get what we need from him eventually." She smirked. "Besides he's not the only pony we can talk to."

"Oh no, you don't mean....her!" Trixie meeped.

"Afraid so Trix. Afraid so." Starlight replied.

Starlight & Trixie walked down the left hall of the first floor until they finally found what they were looking for. A door that read STAFF LOUNGE: EMPLOYEES ONLY.

Trixie gulped. "How do we know she's even in there?"

"Well I did'nt see her upstairs this morning, so this would be a good of a place to look as any." Starlight replied.

"OK, if we must" Trixie sighed.

The two opened the door and sure enough there set the pigtailed pegasus mare sitting at a small circular table eating a bowl of oatmeal tapping her hooves along to whatever song was playing under the headphones she was wearing.

"Uh, M...Ms. Deadpan." Trixie Stuttered.

No reply.

"You're gonna have to try harder than that to get her attention Trix." Starlight chuckled. "Its pretty clear that she's lost in her own little world."

"Well, then I vote you do it Starlight." Trixie said slowly shoving her marefriend forward with her left hoof.

"Fine" Starlight replied as she rolled her eyes and walked towards the pegasus.

Starlight grabbed the headphones off from Deadpan's head and screamed "HEY NO SLACKING ON THE JOB!"

The poor grey pegasus was so startled by this she instinctivly tried to fly away but of course only ended up failing and falling flat on her back along with her chair. She looked up and saw Starlight & Trixie staring at her.

"That....was totally uncool!" Deadpan snapped at the two.

"Oh hey, an emotional reaction." Trixie chuckled. "I guess she's not a robot after all."

Deadpan picked herself up and wiped her uniform to make sure she had'nt gotten anything on it. "That's a stupid thing to say. Of course i'm not a robot. What do you even mean?" She huffed.

"Well the other day you were pretty ahh...." Starlight replied akwardly.

"Pretty what!?" The pegasus asked an angry look in her eye.

"Stoic. Monotone. Robotic." Trixie blurted out.

"Trixie!" Starlight exclaimed.

"What? She asked." Trixie snickered.

"So....it happened again huh?" Deadpan sighed.

"What happened?" Trixie asked a confused look on her face.

"Well, yea see..." Deadpan started out. "Sometimes I kind of maybe get influenced by the Spirits here and they make me act different and do things I don't usually do, or something like that." She replied as if it were no big deal.

"Wha, what!?" Trixie stammered with her mouth agape.

'Yea, like this place is super haunted by some dark force from beyond time. Its wicked awesome! Though that ghost mare can be super bossy. Do this, do that, make sure the blue one gets the Nightmare potion in her food!" No chill at all that ghost.

Trixie's face seethed with anger. "I knew it! I knew you poisioned me. Me the great & powerful Trixie! How dare you!" She yelled getting ready to strike. Though her effort to attack the mare was blocked by a single hoof Starlight held out in front of her.

"Hold your horses Trix. We still need more information from her." Starlight stated doing her best to hold Trixie back and prevent her from ripping the pegasus mare limb from limb.

"Now Deadpan, what in Equestria made you think it was ok to give Trixie a Nightmare potion!?" Starlight asked.

"I dunno, its like. The ghost gets in my head and she just whispers stuff, yea know. Like how ths potion would assure Trixie would have a bad dream and how it would make things easier."

"What do you mean easier?" Starlight asked.

"I dunno. I mean, the ghost has always liked scaring people, I mean that's what ghosts do yea know. But there's something about that marefriend of yours she really likes. Dunno what though." Deadpan replied.

"Well I don't like her!" Trixie huffed, tears now rolling down her eyes.

Starlight looked at her marefriend and gave her a hug.

"Do you know who the ghost is? Or who she used to be?" Starlight softly asked Deadpan a pleading look in her eye.

Deadpan felt a tinge of guilt building in her throat. "Sorry, but, I don't. I've only been at the hotel for about 3 years. Maid before me quit as soon as I got here and Gold Key never tells me anything. He just tells me not to worry about it and as long as I do my job everything will be ok." She replied.

The two mares just looked at each other, a growing sense of defeat building in their bellies.

"But ah, You know...." Deadpan stuttered. "I could, I could probably let you into his office. I mean I have the same set of keys he does." she said, holding up a keychain with an assortment of keys.

"Oh thank you!" Trixie squeeled with joy. "Trixie is pleased by this action and promises she will now be more leniant when she attempts to get revenge on you." she exclaimed with a smile hugging the Pegasus.

"Ah, thanks, I guess." Deadpan blushed. "Just don't tell the boss ok."

"Don't worry, we won't. Pinkie promise." Starlight replied placing her hoof on her eye.

Author's Note

Well, looks like our heroines luck may be turning around. But what will they find in Gold Key's office? And what kind of music was deadpan listening to anyway!?

Chapter 6: Journal

"Okay, you two ready?" Deadpan asked the the mares behind her.

"As ready as we'll ever be." Starlight replied.

"No, but I feel it doesn't really matter." Trixie gulped.

Deadpan put the key in the hole and unlocked the door. "Well, here we go." She chuckled nervously.

The ponies slowly and cautiously entered the room and were surprised by what they saw . Instead of a sterotypical office was a room that looked more like a private study.

"Wow, this is different." Starlight exclaimed.

"And kinda creepy." Trixie added.

"Yea, the boss pretty much lives in his office. Only makes sense he'd want it to be comfey, and messy." She said kicking a piece of rolled up parchment across the floor.

The two continued to look around and take in the room before both their eyes met on the old pitch black grandmare clock in the center, its red numbers glistening under the candlelight.

"I don't have to be able to use my magic to tell that thing is evil." Starlight hissed.

"And even creepier than the rest of the room." Trixie meeped

"Yea, that's the old lady. Gold Key's prized possesion. I swear I hear him talking to it sometimes." Deadpan laughed.

"Ugg, thats even creepier!" Trixie moaned.

"Tell you what, i'll stand by the clock and make sure it doesn't do anything funny while you two look around." Deadpan snickered.

The two nooded in agreement. "I"ll go look at the desk on the right and you take the bookshelves on the left." Starlight said.

Trixie was somewhat reluctant but agreed.

As soon as Starlight got to the desk she noticed it wasn't quite as chaotic and disorganized as he had first believed. The ink was fresh and quills were lined up side by side. Blank parchment to the left and used parchment to the right. In the middle old pages seemingly ripped from books. Starlight looked down and read the titles.

Nature of the Outer Gods by H.P. Poncraft

Integrating Yak-Yakian runes into Ponish Architectute by O.G. Abadeer

So You Accidentally Summoned A Shadow Demon by Baron Brimstone

"Huh, well.... thats an interesting choice of articles." Starlight nervously told herself.

"Starlight I think I found something!" She heard Trixie shout from across the room.

Starlight looked over and saw Trixie slowly climbing down from the top of one of the bookshelves. "Look at this" Trixie squeed holding up the thick dusty old book that said in gold letters Property of G.K.

"G.K.? G.K.! Gold Key! Trixie this must be his journal! You're amazing!"

"Ha, I know." Trixie smirked. "Now lets open this baby up and put an end to this mystery!"

Starlight grabbed the journal from Trixie and made her way back to the desk.

"OK, lets do this!"

Entry #000
My name is Gold Key and I am writing this journal for posterity should anything ever happen to me. Incase I fail at my duty to protect this hotel from harm. Incase I fail to protect her from harming others. Let it be known I did what I did out of love. I do not regret my actions but I apologize to the citizens of Equestria if those reading this have been made victims of her wrath. I did my best to contain her, to please her, but I guess it wasn't enough.

Journal Entry #001

I guess the only place to start is the beggining. My great great grandcolt built this hotel with his bare hooves along with his friends. For so long it was the pride of Manehattan and every year he held a grand ball for our family and the families of his friends that helped bring his dream to life. And that year, when I was still just a young foal, no older than six or seven, I first met her. The most adorable little earth filly I had ever met. She told me her name was Moonflower and we became fast friends. We would run and hide & play throughout the hotel. The maids and bellhops called us the most adorable little things they had ever seen. On the last day of the reunion however Moonflower was nowhere to be found. Eventually I went to her room and her mother told me that she was sick I asked why and her mother told me of her condition, how she was meek, not born with the natural strength or resistance of most Earth ponies, but that despite that she still often over exherted herself and she needed rest. I felt sorry for my new friend and rushed to her side. I found her in one of the beds coughing between sips of water. She saw me and blushed and told me she was sorry she could'nt play. That she wished she were strong like her mom & dad. I just laughed and told her not to worry because our friendship would make her strong. I promised.

"Aww. That's so sweet." Trixie cooed.

"Yea, maybe. But something tells me this story won't have a happy ending." Starlight replied as she read on

Journal Entry #002
Years passed and my friendship with Moonflower grew & grew until it became true love. On the 75th annual Le Trot Ball I met-up with Moonflower. We had both just turned 18 and there was passion as strong as the fire that burns in a dragon's belly. I swept her off her feet at the dance and near the end of her favorite song I asked for her hoof in marriage once again promising her our love would keep us strong. She cried, I cried and there were tears of happiness as she said yes and embraced me with the tightest hug I had ever felt her give.

"Its like a faity tail." Trixie interupted

"You know most origional versions of those don't have happy endings" Starlight scoffed. "Now stop interupting!"

Journal Entry #003
After my great great grandcolt passed away he left the Le Trot and a small dowery to my father, however he had no interest in the hotel and gladly gifted the property and money to me. Moonflower and I gladly accepted and we used the funds to make the proper repairs and to start a small flower shop in the building across the street as it had always been a dream of hers. And life was good, until....until it wasn't.

"Uh, oh" Trixie gulped.

"Seriously if you don't stop interrupting i'm putting the journal up." Starlight huffed.

"Fine, geez, your just as bad as Twilight when it comes to books." Trixie pouted.

Moonflower got sick. Real sick. Runing a shop and helping me run a hotel was just too much I guess. I told her everything would be ok though. I told her she just needed rest, that my love would always be there to keep her strong. I was wrong. I brought in the best doctors in Equestria. I even had some brought in from Zafrica and Abnysia. I even tried everything I could think of but they all told me there was nothing I could do. Nothing but be there for her until the end. But I..... I refused to accept that.

Journal Entry #004
I got as many books as I could find on anything I could think of, healing magic, theoretical immortality, dark magic tomes, the works of Equestria & Griffonstone's top cultists and eventually I found what I needed. A rudimentary crossroads summoning spell. I knew it was dark magic. I knew it was wrong but I would do anything to save my beloved Moonflower's life. Though nothing could prepare me for what was to come.

I set-up the spell. I thought I had everything perfect, but I was wrong. I used to much batwing, too much blood. What I got was no mere crossroads demon. But something much more vile. I had awoken one of the 8 eldrich's that slumbered in the darkness beneath the world. He introduced himself as Phaster: The God of fear and asked what I wanted of him. I did'nt hesitate to tell him my story and to my surprise he agreed to help. I know I should have questioned this but I did not. I accepted his help, I had to save my Moonflower no matter what!

The two mares just looked at each other and gulped. They were terrified by what they had just read but they knew they had to brave on.

Journal Entry #005
I took the creature to my room, to where my life, my love, my Moonflower slept looking so peacful despite being in such pain. The beast limped over to her and I heard it whisper to her how her pain would end and she would be free as it's long black claw stabbed her through the heart and I could do nothing as I heard her scream out in horror. I whailed in agony and anger as I saw my beloved in pain but the roon filled with pitch black dark and when the light returned they were gone. No sign of the monster or the mare I loved. I was scared, I was confused and I was mad. I ran back to my office to get a candle deadset on burning things down but when I opened the door I saw a mysterious black grandmare clock now in the center and its mere presence both terrified & soothed me. On my desk a black key.

Journal Entry #006
It started small. I would see something out of the corner of my eye. Sense her presence. I would hear her laugh. And then one day I finally saw her again, not in flesh but in spirit. She looked just as beautiful as ever. Despite the lack of a physical form. I asked her where she had been and she didn't know. But she did know she was hungry. I asked her for what she said she did'nt know but it was something she knew she needed. The years passed and I quickly found what it was as more and more guests left the hotel, fleeing in the dead of night, terror in their eyes. She was feeding on their fear. It was just gotten worse and her apperance has changed from beautiful to terrifying. I have tried to appease her, contain her with additional magic & runes. But I fear someday, just as my love failed to save her, my efforts will fail to contain her. And the darkness infecting her will be freed."

Trixie & Starlight closed the journal and backed away. Terrified by what they had read, but even more terrified by the hoofsteps they heard behind them.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE!" Gold Key shouted.

Chapter 7: Ave Verum Corpus

"WHAT THE HAY DO YOU FOALS THINK YOU'RE DOING IN HERE!?" Goldkey yelled at the three mares his eyes filled with rage.

"W, w, we, uh, um." Trixie fumbled unable to get the words out as she found herself doing her best to hide behind Starlight.

"I let them in" Deadpan replied a serious look on her face.

"Well, obviously." Sneered the still enraged Goldkey. "But why!?"

"Why? Why!?" Starlight screeched. Now it was her turn to be mad. "You let ponies stay in a hotel haunted by some demonic version of your dead wife, where they aren't even able to use magic to protect themselves and and you wonder why anypony would want to investigate why they were becoming the target of such an attack!" She finished her eyes red with rage, a small red cloud fumming from her horn.

"Oh, you've done it now!" Trixie sneered back at Goldkey. "Starlight's magic gets super strong when she's angry. Not even those silly runes of yours can stop this flankwhooping!" Trixie Cheered.

"ENOUGH! EVERYPONY CALM DOWN!" They heard a voice scream in a demanding tone. Everpony stopped dead in there tracks and starred in bewilderment at Deadpan who was now giving them a very stern look. "Listen Boss. These two have every right to be mad at you, you've enabled this ghost's bad behavour long enough." She said pointing her hoof in Gold Key's direction.

"Ha!" Cheered Trixie

"Shush" scolded Deadpan. "You two are still guilty of breaking into the bosse's office and reading his journal without his permission. You could've just waited until he got back and confronted him in a calm & collective manner then."

"But you're the one that let us in here!" Starlight huffed.

"Irrelivant" Deadpan replied.

Goldkey sighed. "Deadpan's right. I've been to complicent for far too long. I know what Moonflower, or whatever is left of her is doing wrong. But I, I just thought if I waited long enough I could have her back for real." He sobbed

Starlight moved towards the stallion. "I understand. I know what it's like to feel like you've lost everything. When I was just a filly my best friend Starburst left. I didn't deal with it well. I even ended up starting a crazy cult at the edge of Equestria dedicated to equality & the removal of cutie marks." She told him, with a nervous chuckle in her voice.

"Yes, and Trixie was once so emberrased by the now princess Twilight Sparkle that she used dark magic to beat her up and enslave an entire village." She added non-schelontly.

Goldkey chuckled "He, I guess we all make mistakes."

"True, but it doesn't change the fact we really need to do something about all this" Deadpan chimmed in.

"I would'nt know how" Goldkey sighed. "The thing that took over Moonflower wasn't just some lesser or crossroads demon, but a full on poncraftian abomination!"

"Well, we know what it wants" Deadpan replied. Staring at Trixie.

"Wha, me!? N, no way? Why!" Trixie stuttered once again moving to hide behind Starlight

"Yea, no way I would just use my marefriend as bait to lure out some demon!" Starlight sternly replied. "There has to be another way!"

"Like what?" Deadpan asked

"Well, in, in our dreams Trixie and I both saw Moonflower as a filly, which means part of her, the real her is out there some where, we just have to help it regain control!" She exclaimed.

"You, you think so!?" Goldkey asked

"Worth A Shot." Deadpan replied.

"Good, then let's...."

DING!

DONG!

"Eya! What was that!? " Trixie yellped.

"Oh No, No, No No, it's still daytime, why, why is she waking-up!?" Goldkey asked with a shocked look on his face. Running towards the clock.

"Calm down sweetie, calm down. There, there's no need for all this fuss!" He pleaded, slowly stroking the clock as if it were a frightened child.

"WANT!" A voice from the clock boomed. Everypony in the room jumped back.

"M, moonflower?" Goldkey stuttered.

"WANT!" The voice boomed again

"What, what do you want?" Goldkey asked

"WANT HER!"
"WANT MOON!"

The ponies all looked at each other in confusion. Until it hit one smack on the horn.

"Oh no." Starlight shuddered "Deadpan was right, it does want you Trixie!"

"But why!? Trixie has never done anything to it!" she sobbed.

"No, but your last name is Lulamoon" Goldkey chimmed in. "It may be a long shot but I would guess somewhere down the line the two of you share a distant relative from the moon clan, which means you would potentially have a compatible magical aura for a full...." Goldkey stopped and gulped.

"A full what?"

"Possesion" Goldkey blurted out. His eyes wide, cold sweat running down his brow.

All of a sudden the room went dark and everypony screamed. And when the light returned Starlight was paniced to see Trixie was gone.

"Wha, No! Trixie! Trixie!?" Starlight paniced looking all around the room for the mare.

"I'm sorry, she's gone" Goldkey replied.

"No, she, it, it had to have taken her somewhere!" Starlight sobbed.

"Yes, it most likely took her to the ballroom" He sighed

"OK great, which way is it!?" Starlight asked panic.

"Its not anywhere. I had that part of the hotel demolished some time ago. The only place it still exists. Is there. In her world." Goldkey gulped. Staring at the Grandmare clock.

"Then that's where we're going." Starlight replied. "All of us" she said giving an ice cold glare over to Deadpan.

"He, sure, why not. I mean it's not like i've got anything better to do" The pegasus chuckled.

"OK then. You two hold on to me. I'll use my magic to unlock the runes and transport us into the clock. But this will drain alot out of me. I'm afraid I won't be much help once we get there." Goldkey stated.

"Don't worry, i'm strong enough for all of us, ecspecially when i'm pissed off" Starlight replied placing her hoof around Goldkey.

"And hey, who knows, maybe I can find a way to poison the ghost." Deadpan chuckled wrapping her wing around her boss.

"OK ladies, bucklr up, here we go!" Goldkey replied, his horn glowing bright with magical aura that soon consumed the entire room. And before long, the three ponies were gone.

"Starlight, wake up" The unicorn heard a voice say. Starlight opened her eyes and saw Deadpan staring at her. Starlight slowly got up on her hooves. "Ugg, what happened?" She asked.

"I dunno, but, I think we made." Deadpan replied. "Look"

Starlight looked around and realized Deadpan was right. The room around them looked like the plaza of the Le Trot except everything was black and red and the air smelled of decay.

"Where's Gold Key?" Starlight asked worridly.

"Oh, he's fine, just out of it." Deadpan replied pointing to her back where Starlight could see Goldkey sprawled out on top the pegasus completly unconcious.

"Wow, I guess the spell did take alot out of him." Starlight replied.

" Yep. Looks like its just the two of us inside a creepy shadow world controlled by a supernatural force that is deadset on making your marefriend its meat puppet." Deadpan chuckled.

"Not funny" Starlight huffed.

"Sorry, I joke when i'm nervous" Deadpan replied.

"Well you can save the jokes after we save Moonflower and Trixie." Starlight huffed. "Now, which way do we go?" The unicorn asked confused trying to peer ahead of the darkness as much as she could. All of a sudden however a door opened in the middle of the room and a bright light shown in.

"Well, that was easy" Deadpan chuckled

"Yeah, abit too easy" Starlight replied. "Be careful. You never know what this thing might have planned."

The two ponies walked towards the room and as they entered they found that sure enough it was the ballroom and to Starlight's surprise it was just as beautiful as the one in her dream. It took her a moment to realize that music was playing and that Deadpan was staring with a confused and shocked look straight ahead. Starlight looked ahead and was shocked to see Trixie wearing a black gown, dancing all alone in the middle of the room.

"T-Trixie!?" Starlight squeed in joy running towards her marefriend.

"Trixie? No my dear. I'm afraid not" A voice replied. Starlight stopped in her tracks halfway to her love. That wasn't Trixie's voice, it was deeper more voluptious and even a slight bit butch.

"Ha, who are you, wha, what have you done to Trixie!?" Starlight screamed.

"That's a good question young one." The voice replied. "Well, first I was me, and then I was nothing, then I woke-up and was me again, but then I was Moonflower, but that wasn't enough so I took this one as well, so I guess now i'm her or she's me, or will be me once the syncronization is complete." she replied.

"And what happens to the real Trixie?" Starlight asked.

"Well she'll be gone of course, along with the annoying remnants of the last one." The demon in pony's skin replied.

"So like, what's even the point of all this?" Deadpan chimmed in.

"Simple" The fake Trixie replied "I've been here gathering power for many moons, and with this new body i'll be able to go out into the real world. I'll find my brothers, wake em up if I need to so we can destroy Equestria and then the rest of the multiverse until everything is darkness once again. Than we'll destroy that and everything will be monsters again." The voice cooed.

"Like we'll let you get away with that!" Starlight huffed angrily.

"It's not like you have much of a choice dear. I mean you could strike me dead with your magic right here & now I guess. But then what would happen to poor Trixie?" The possesed pony taunted.

"That's it! You give me back my mare right now bitch!" Starlight screamed as she charged towards the monster.

Deadpan watched from the sidelines as the unicorn charged towards the demon and decided that now was her chance. She threw Goldkey off her back and gave the stallion a firm slap on the face.

"OW!" The gentlecolt replied darting up in a panic "Deadpan what the!?" Goldkey began to ask.

"No time!" She replied. "Starlight is fighting her possessed marefriend or whatever so while she has its distracted we need to find that lingering remnant of your wife or whatever!" She quickly explained.

"OK. I understand. Though I don't think we'll have to go far." Gold Key replied.

"And why is that?" Deadpan asked.

Goldkey just pointed up at the ceiling. Deadpan looked-up and saw a small cage with an unconcious filly inside.

"Well, isn't that convenient." Deadpan sighed rolling her eyes. "On it boss" she chuckled as she spreadout her wings, preparing to take flight.

Meanwhile back in the middle of the room Starlight was fighting the Trixposter with all her might. Shooting beam after beam of pure magical energy, alternating between red & blue beams only to have each one blocked by oozing black forms created by the tricky ghoul.

"Give....her...back" Starlight huffed, her breath getting heavier with each make bolt, blast & bomb released.

"Oh, you poor dear. It must be so hard. All that raw magical power and not a thing you can do to save the one you love." The Abomination laughed.

"I.....won't....won't give....up." Starlight huffed focusing her energy preparing to let out another powerful blast.

"Like that will really do any good." The pseudoTrix scoffed.

"Well it did good enough if you ask me." A voice from above chimmed in.

The two confused combatents looked around until they saw a streak swoop down next to Goldkey. It was Deadpan and she was holding the cage the last true remnant of Moonflower was sleeping in.

"NO!" The demon cried in a booming voice louder then that of even the royal sisters. "GIVE THAT BACK!"

"He, I don't think so. Here yea go boss" Deadpan said as she opened up the cage waking the filly up.

The young filly opened up its eyes and slowly made its way out of the cage.

"Is, is it really you?" The little filly asked. Looking up at Goldkey.

"Yea, its me Moonflower. It's me." Goldkey sobbed. "I'm sorry, i'm so sorry. This, this is all my fault." He cried.

"It's ok. I know you were just trying to help me feel better." The little filly replied with a smile. "And now, its time for me to help you." The filly said as she trotted towards the mare formerly known as Trixie.

"What are you doing!?" Get back!" The monster screamed.

"Sorry Mr. Monster. But I'm gonna have to ask you to get out of that nice pony. I don't think she wants you in there." The filly chuckled. "And neither do I" she said in a more seroius tone as she jumped towards the beast. Dissapearing into Trixie.

"Wha, what is even going on!?" Starlight asked a confused look on her face.

Trixie began convulsing, her body seemingly attacking itself as she spat & sputtered & twitched before a giant black glob shot from her horn & the terrifying ghost of the adult Moonflower reformed in the air above.

"Trixie!" Starlight screamed running to the unconcious mare. Starlight grabbed her Marefriends limp body and began to sob. All of a sudden though she heard a small sound. A moan, followed by a series of coughs as Trixie opened up her eyes and stared into Starlight's.

"St, Star, what happened?" Trixie asked in a weak raspy voice.

"It doesn't matter, all that matters is you're OK." Starlight sobbed holding her marefriend tight.

"It's not over yet." They heard Deadpan & Goldkey reply in unison.

Starlight looked up and saw the ghost of Moonflower, just hovering there.

All of a sudden it spoke. " I told you. She didn't want you in there and neither do I!" The appariton boomed.

All of a sudden the entire room shook. The ghost eminated a heavy energy and itself began to shake. Everypony in the room just stood in awe at disbelief in what they saw. Somehow after all these many years Moonflower was finally doing it. She was finally purging herself of her true disease, finally seperating her spirit from the so called God of Fear's.

After the shaking stopped & the energy subsided the ponies saw Moonflower, returned as a full grown mare standing triumphantly in front of them and the abomination back in its origional form reeling in pain on the other side.

"See, no one needs you here" Moonflower sneered.

"NO! NO!" The beast screehed.

"YOU ARE NOTHING WITHOUT ME!"
"THIS PLACE IS NOTHING WITHOUT ME!"
"YOU, YOU NEED ME, BOTH OF YOU!" The mad god screamed.

"No. We. Don't!" Goldkey replied, standing next to Moonflower.

"So true my dear" Moonflower agreed. "All we need, all we've ever needed was our love to keep us strong." She said placing her head on his right below his horn.

As if out of nowhere a pink light began to glow atop Goldkey's horn. It grew & grew until a great energt burst forth taking the shape of an Alicorn staring at the beast preparing to strike.

"NO! NO!" The eldrich horror screamed as the Alicorn prepared to strike. And with another burst of magic it lurched forward and struck the beast smack dab in the center of its being, obliterating it completly.

All of a sudden the world began to shake around the ponies as they were engulfed by a blinding light.

The ponies looked around and breathed a sigh of relief, they were back in Goldkey's study. Trixie & Starlight hugged one another tightly. Deadpan breathed a sigh of relief, and Goldkey & Moonflower kissed for the first time in many, many moons. And most importantly, the old clock was gone.

"Well guess that's the end of tha..." Deadpan began to say before the entire hotel began to shake.

"Everypony run!" Trixie screamed heading for the door.

The group reached the outside and stared back at the hotel, watched as black ooze gushed from the cracks and bricks and wood moaned and cracked as the building shook and with one final desperate moan, completly collapsed.

"OK, now it's over, right?" Trixie asked nervously.

"Yes, its gone now. I can no longer feel its presence" Moonflower replied. The rest of the ponies shocked to see the mare slowly fading away becoming less physical and more well... see through.

"No, what, whats happening. I, I just got you back! I can't lose you now!" Goldkey cried.

"Oh you silly foal" Moonflower chuckled "As long as i'm in your heart i'll never truly be gone. I'll be watching over you always." She replied putting her hoof on her loves face, stroking it one last time.

"Yea, no, buck that" Starlight replied. "Trixie, wrap your hoof around mine, right now!" Starlight demanded. "OK, but why?" Trixie asked.

"Because we're doing a hardcore restoration spell on Moonflower, right now."

"OK, what do we do?" Trixie asked.

"I don't know, but we're gonna do what I do best, get emotional. I know you & Twilight like to joke about it, but my magic is powered by my emotions, so that's what I need. Think of every good happy thought you can. Your first magic trick, when we first met, our first kiss whatever. We're gonna power of love the heck out of this!" Starlight announced triumphantly.

"OK. I'm game." Trixie replied.

The two ponies focused all their energy and emotions into one large magical blast straight at Moonflower.

Moonflower winced at the intense light from the magical burst but when she looked at herself she found she was no longer fading. She had indees been fully restored.

"Wow, it's a miracle." Deadpan chuckled. As she watched her boss and his wife embrace for yet another passionate kiss.

"So, what now?" Do we tell Twilight & the other princesses about all this?" Trixie asked Starlight.

"No, there's no need for that." Goldkey interupted. "I know of a pony in Trottingham that can help make sure that monster's breathren are kept in check. If they are awake like he was that is."

"Oh, a vacation, sounds lovely dear." Moonflower chimed in

"Yea, I always wanted to see those old castles and mansions" Deadpan exclaimed.

"Well then. We best get going" Goldkey chuckled as he turned towards the two mares.

Starlight & Trixie just set and watched as the three trotted off down the street into the sunset.

"You know, that's really neat and all" Trixie interrupted. "But where the hay are we gonna stay for the rest of the week! And what about a refund!? What about all the stuff I bought at the con!? What about my cape & hat!?"

Starlight just stared at her marefriend and rolled her eyes. Only Trixie would complain about stuff like that after everything they'd been through.

THE NEXT DAY

Twilight Sparkle walked down the main hall of the castle of friendship as she heard the front door knock repeatedly.

"I'm coming, i'm coming" she shouted. Grumbling under her breath how she wishes Spike was here to do this instead of out digging for jewels with Rarity & Ember.
"Little sneak of a dragon's building himself a harem while I have to stay home & do paperwork" she joked under her breath.

Twilight finally got to the door and was surprised at what she saw. Starlight & Trixie both looking somewhat run down.

"Well, you two are back from Manehatten early. How was the trip?" She asked politely.

The two mares just stared at each other and giggled. "You don't want to know."

THE END.

Author's Note

OK. Story is finally complete!

And yes don't worry gold key mailed the two a refund. And yes he Moonflower & Deadpan will return at somepoint down the line. And yes this mysterious pony from trottingham might be important

And yes Starlight & Trixie will be treating themself to a spa day to recover from this experience.

And no Spike isn't really trying to start a harem, Twy was joking...I think...who knows, lil dragon's got charm.

Anywho thanks for reading and hope the ending was satisfactory.