The locomotive was a force to be reckoned with.

The bright sun shone outside the window, casting a balmy glare over everything. Alongside the train’s rumbling and racket of the wheels passing over the joints in the rails, we traversed the land at breakneck speeds. Both sides offered stunning views of lush green fields with a myriad of flowers bobbing from the stable outside breeze. Ultimately, it didn’t matter which window we looked out of.

To provide entertainment, the train conductor ardently informed us about any notable locations we passed by. “If you look hard enough, far on our right is a place we call Rumbling Rock Ridge. The environment is characterized by its rocky terrain and lack of moisture, attracting ponies searching for valuable gemstones! And if we ogle even further to our left, just across the river flowing from the Crystal Mountains by the Crystal Empire and stretching all the way to our destination – Baltimare – we can witness Foal Mountain. Legend has it that an enormous bird called a Turul dwells there.”

Starry Vision, Ice Whistle, and I sat on the left side of the passenger car. Across from my beige cushioned seat were Ice Whistle and Starry Vision, facing me. I alone occupied my side, not once averting my gaze from the window’s spectacle.

“Never heard of a Turul before,” Ice Whistle mentioned, talking to nopony in particular.

“Any gigantic creature creeps me out. Especially colossal squid,” Starry Vision confessed, admitting her greatest fears.

I turned my head to the right, greeted by the sight of a shifting forest. Glancing back to the left, we sped by another train track. The railroad split off, one curving left and one going right—us on the latter. The train conductor began discussing of a different place. “At nine o’clock, there’s a track leading to Fillydelphia—a city filled with towering skyscrapers, casting long shadows on the asphalt streets below, much like Manehattan. Except Fillydelphia has fewer, taller structures. Hey, sudden fun fact: their police force consists entirely of unicorns, and they even have a town solely dedicated to dragons! ‘Dragon Town’!”

“Now that I think about it, we’ve never been to a city before,” Ice Whistle stated.

“You’re right… Ponyville isn’t a city but larger than our town by Luna Bay. And when it comes to cities, we only strolled through Vanhoover to get to the train station,” Starry Vision surmised.

Ice Whistle put a hoof on his chest, almost as if he was self-monitoring his heartbeat. “Are you two as nervous as I am?”

“I’m nervous about everything…”

Eyes glued to a mountain, I joined the conversation. “Buildings will be everywhere we move our eyes. I can’t imagine how crowded it must be with all those large structures so close together.”

Their colossal presence must’ve dominated the cityscape. Seriously, were those skyscrapers not intimidating to anypony else? The thought of one leaning over and falling, crashing into the ground, or another building creating a domino effect made my stomach churn. Celestia and Luna, please always keep that from coming to pass.

Scrunching his chin, Ice Whistle reassessed the situation. “Maybe we’re overthinking this. I’m sure we’re just nervous because it’s an unfamiliar experience.”

“Again, I’m nervous about everything…”

I nodded in agreement. This belief was only because I never had the chance to immerse myself in the sights and sounds of city life. So, I’m curious...

Ba-dump!

Why does a smile refuse to leave my face? Why does my heart race in excitement as the train carried me to unknown destinations? Is there not a familiar sense ponies experience when nearing their purpose? Is mine linked with trains?

No. I’m forgetting something.

Later, passing by a mountain on the left and two dense forests on either side, Baltimare was now within sight.

The conductor’s voice came back, furnishing additional information. “Remember when I talked about a river originating from the Crystal Mountains? Well, south of here, spanning from there and Neighagra Falls, is that same river from earlier. It’ll end at Horseshoe Bay up ahead, which is connected to Baltimare and the Celestial Sea. Another fun fact is that the homelands of Griffons, Dragons, and Kirin are across that sea. Following the Celestial Sea north, you’ll find Manehattan and the island where Trottingham resides. Cities famous for cargo and mining respectively. And finally, up ahead is our destination, Baltimare!”

With the bright sun’s assistance, the once blurry and indistinct silhouette of the city now revealed sharp and defined details. The metropolis was a vibrant scenery of soaring monoliths, each telling its story through distinct materials and colors. One building stood out with its transparent exterior as if constructed entirely of glass.

Coming from Luna Bay, where the buildings were identical and made of the same elements, I was astounded by the intricate shapes of the structures here. Further southeast, a harbor came into view, its boats gently bobbing in the calm waters of Horseshoe Bay. As the conductor had described, the river flowed effortlessly into the inlet. At the same time, the capes encircled it, forming a perfect horseshoe outline.

Swinging his hind legs from his seat, Ice Whistle gave a report of our status. “It seems we’ve made it.”

Next, Starry Vision extended all four of her legs. “Can’t wait to stretch my legs out. We’ve been traveling for hours.”

The train came to a gradual stop, instituting a grating sound as it scraped against the rails. Another friendly farewell awaited, greeting us with the well-acquainted signature shrill.

Whoooo!!

“Alright, folks, that’s the end of the railroad. We have finally reached the wonderful City of Baltimare! I hope you enjoyed the ride and wish you a fruitful day!” Stepping onto the alien station platform, we detected a subtle sorrow in the conductor’s voice. All that talking to us must have created a drift of connection, like a lopsided relationship. “I-I’ll… Sniff… I, Steamer, will miss you all!” Conductor Steamer added on, sniffling intermittently, undoubtedly downcasted in the controller station.

Exiting Baltimare’s train station, the cityscape on the other side dazzled us. Everywhere we looked, there was a different type of building, each vying for attention and overwhelming me. Various restaurants, clothing stores, office buildings, residential buildings, and monumental structures waited.

Afar, the harbor was crammed with sights of numerous boats; some docked while others sailed in or out of the city or other establishments.

Eyes agape, Ice Whistle took it all in. “Good Morning Baltimare…”

“Technically, it isn’t morning anymore,” I corrected, stating the obvious.

“True, but it felt like the right thing to say.”

Starry Vision gawked to and fro at every building and moving passersby, which earned us a few odd and curious looks. “So much is happening. It’s like its own little world.”

It was almost like we were ponies coming from the future, or the past in this case.

I almost entirely forgot the reason we were here. We didn’t come for the scenery, food, or fun activities. The primary and sole reason was locating Ice Whistle’s older sister. Only two places came to mind. Either the address given to him by his sister is where she lived or the university she attended. Those were the only places we needed to keep an eye out for. However, that goal seemed quite daunting with the city’s non-stop exercise.

“Let’s start with the address.” Ice Whistle began looking at a piece of paper shrouded in magic. Starry Vision and I nodded in agreement, and then we followed behind him along the grey concrete sidewalks. Between those concrete trails was a wider grey lane where carriages with ponies inside moved along. Stallions effortlessly pulled said carriages, dressed in a yellow visor and uniform, while others waited for their passengers to sit comfortably before galloping off.

Continuing down the sidewalk, Starry Vision stared at what they called a ‘street.’ It was our first time seeing one up close. “We never saw concrete pavement in Luna Bay…”

Starry Vision had a point. The substance differed from the ones in Vanhoover, which were resin bound. The dirt pathways at Luna Bay would sometimes have homes dotted on the sides, but they were too narrow to identify as an actual street. Ponyville was practically in the same boat.

“Or carriages,” Ice Whistle added. “Everything here is so unusual. I heard rumors that the citizens don’t enjoy interacting with the cement—trotting or galloping. So much so that the City Council has taken notice. It seems politics are given a higher level of significance here than in Luna Bay, too,” he explained, ensuring we tread on the right side of the sidewalk. Regardless of how narrow it could be, ponies still trotted both ways. At times, it was almost like we had to squeeze through.

“Or maybe,” I surmised. “Our hometown is the abnormal one since we’re so disconnected from the rest of Equestria.” As I left that remark, I witnessed a mime pony successfully frighten a newborn foal resting in a stroller. This garnered the attention of the mother mare, who glanced over to see why her baby was crying. The mime pony galloped off in a hurry, his alarmed sweat threatening to break down his makeup. I felt bad. He was just trying to entertain the bored foal while her mother read the Equestria Daily newspaper.

In the distance, a pony statue perched atop a tall, slender, beige column, reminding me of an oddly slim lighthouse. However, it wasn’t meant to be. Probably. Then I glimpsed a giant building with a guitar on top. The inside appeared to be a bookstore.

An art museum, a science center, a library, memorials, and multiple parks. Like Starry Vision mentioned earlier, this really was like its own miniature world. The amount of things to do here never ended.

A grin involuntarily formed on my lips as I took it all in. Then a flicker of memory danced at the edge of my consciousness but faded away before I could grasp it.

“What about—”

As if it wasn’t a thought meant to be there. In the mind of a young pony.

“You know, I’m sure we’ll be able to find Freeze Breeze with ease. So let’s dedicate today to us, whaddya say?” Ice Whistle proposed.

“If you’re fine with it, I am,” Starry Vision replied.

With a rosy heart, words slipped out my mouth like butter on a hot skillet. “Yeah, a Baltimare expedition. Let’s do it.”

Ice Whistle grinned at us and continued relaying. “I already know what we can do tonight before we go to our hotel room.”

“What’s that?” I asked. I really had no clue about his plans.

The corners of his lips stretched. “It’s a surprise.”

“Fine. What will we do until then?”

Ice Whistle pounded his chest. “Leave that to me, Thorn.” Sitting outside the restaurant, a pony with a small pub table munched away, casting a worried furrow of their brow in our direction.

I had to give them my condolences.

Sorry for the disturbance.

We ventured into the art museum, immersing ourselves in a world of supposed abstract ‘masterpieces.’ The fancy, slick marble floor felt awkward under our hooves, especially since it was our first time. Before us, the canvas displayed an assortment of paint splotches that seemed haphazardly placed. In all honesty, I couldn’t comprehend what I was looking at.

Ice Whistle tilted his head sideways, taking in the art from a different angle. “Think Splotch Wing will ever get his art accepted into any museum?”

Starry Vision copied his movements. “I’m sure if he really puts his mind to it…”

I mimicked the other two. “If this is acceptable, anypony can.”

An appalled gasp from an elderly mare reached our ears. Each art piece featured a picture of the artist beside it, and by sheer coincidence, this painting had the same mare depicted next to it.

Well, how about that…

“Uh…” Ice Whistle and Starry Vision were as shocked as the elder mare wearing a ridiculously fancy hat. Whis tried glancing my way, but I had already booked it. In turn, seeing me make my escape, Ice Whistle bolted, and Starry Vision soon followed after a quick bow of apology to the offended artist.

“Why I never—! Officer!” The elderly mare bellowed. Is she allowed to do that?! All we did was state our opinions on your piece of work! Sure, I could do the same by sneezing on a paint palette, but it’s just criticism from ponies who don’t understand art! Yeah, let’s go with that.

Behind us, a griffon wearing a dark blue police uniform approached, his wings beating against the wind in hot pursuit. I can finally check off ‘running from the cops’ on my bucket list.

Frantic, blood pumping, we galloped through crowds across sultry streets and between cluttered alleys of buildings, eventually hiding in an antique store. Losing the officer, most likely searching from the skies, we successfully escaped and found refuge to regather ourselves in collective sighs of relief.

The antique store owner noticed our rush and labored breaths. “You folk must really like your antiques. I respect that!” The establishment was filled with, to put it frankly, random crap. I dare say the interior was more of a mess than that elderly mare’s artwork.

“I… do…” Starry Vision heaved and sweated. Even exhausted, she bought an artifact and stored it in her purple saddlebag.

Later, after leaving the cramped antique store, still drained from the police chase, our stomachs growled in protest, craving nourishment. Peering around, Ice Whistle stumbled upon a place renowned for its Margherita pizza, known for its perfect balance of fresh basil and melted mozzarella.

To keep low, we sat around a dark brown wooden table with the cliche red and white checkered tablecloth. I never heard of ‘Margherita’ pizza, so I was taken aback when I saw slices of fresh tomatoes instead of the usual pizza sauce and clumps of white cheese. Still delicious, though.

Next, we visited the library to look at some books. Starry Vision and Ice Whistle indulged in the immersive world of reading. There was nothing else for me to do but join them.

Peeking at numerous-sized book spines, I grabbed at random and found a novel dubbed ‘Daring Do and the Eternal Flower’ by A.K. Yearling. Indeed, this wasn’t the first volume, but there’s no need to be super picky about my first book, right?

An hour after our brief library reading session, we flew on a blimp ride that showed us the City of Baltimare from above. The windowed skyscrapers flared as the neon orange sunlight danced and flickered from their glass.

Eyes entirely fixed on the cityscape, Starry Vision voiced her admiration under her breath. “It’s so beautiful…”

And as luck would have it, I learned something new about my best friend, whose magenta eyes glued on the unaware mare. “Yeah…”

Back on the ground was a casino named Horseshoe Casino, but we weren’t old enough to enter. ‘Must be 21 or older.’ The earth pony officer’s skeptical glare made us realize it was best to leave that idea behind.

A cold blob fell down my forehead. “Yeah, let’s avoid another authoritative chase at all costs, Whis.”

“Aaaagreed,” he concurred.

With an abrupt spurt of air, Starry Vision chuckled.

Next, a theater show charmed us with its incredible talent and artistry, engrossing us in a world of music, dance, and storytelling. However, it was cut short due to a mishap. The establishment’s owner told us of another theater run by a pony named Splendid Seats. We decided we saw enough out of this showing and opted out.

After that, we took our time strolling through a well-kept public garden, appreciating the intricate details of each plant and flower that came with a plaque displaying information about it. Mom would have loved that last one in particular.

From afternoon to night, our day hummed with activities and was abundant in our shared laughter.

The sky became bleak as nighttime descended, with hardly any stars in sight, so much so that I could probably count the number of stars there were.

Oddly enough, despite the bereft atmosphere, it wasn’t chilly. The space had a sedative milk warmth and felt like existence itself firmly enclosed around me. I didn’t realize how different nights were for coastal cities like Manehattan, Baltimare, or even Fillydelphia. This must have been the norm.

Luna Bay may have had the looks, but it didn’t come close to how snug Baltimare felt.

Ah, this feels terrific. Seriously, I could melt like ice cream.

The streets were still lively, but less so than during daytime hours. And despite the late-night atmosphere, distant buildings illuminated with vibrant neon lights, signaling they were still raring for business.

However, on a desolate street, the only sounds were the faint clops of our hoofsteps on the cracked concrete. Majority of the nearby structures remained quiet and lightless.

Despite not having much to look at, Ice Whistle directed our attention with his hoof. “Look over there across the street.”

When Starry Vision’s gaze followed, she stammered and swayed sideways. “H-ha-haunted?”

I studied the building, which promoted itself as a haunted house of apparitions. Were apparitions actually real? I was unsure, but finding out tonight didn’t sound so bad.

Crossing the dark street with some littered products on the side, we now stood in front of the building, low light casting our shadows on the pavement. We waited for the doors to open, with the nippy night air eating away at our hides.

The spooky attraction was sandwiched between two other businesses. One was a store that had something to do with fish, and the one on the right was a tavern. The tavern appeared to be open because of the faint glow escaping the saloon doors, while the other showed no signs of life.

Back to the middle, at first glance, nopony would have thought of this place as a ‘haunted house.’ More like a gift shop or some other small establishment. Though that’s basing it purely off the front. Perhaps it was much more ample on the inside, not that we could see the rest of the building from where we stood.

Out of impatience, I scanned the vast, empty blackness above, longing for a hint of detail to captivate my attention. “Luna Bay never had night skies like this.”

My elevated muzzle led Ice Whistle’s. “Apparently, that’s because of all the artificial lighting throughout the city.”

Then, Starry Vision stopped quaking in her purple knee socks and elaborated, “…You’re right, Ice Whistle. Miss Scarlet Petals taught us about it. It’s called light pollution. Luna Bay doesn’t have nearly as much artificial lighting as any other city or town.”

Meow…

To the right, a black cat snuck around from the curve of the sidewalk, rested under the saloon doors of the other building, and licked itself clean.

Click! Errrriiiiit…

Then, something caught our ears’ notice when we least expected. They opened. The doors actually opened. But when we stepped inside, nopony was around.

How? Maybe they’re a unicorn using magic?

A small makeshift stand of paper on the counter near the entrance had words marked in red. ‘Unless one of you present can hold in their screams, thirty bits will be charged for each participant.’ Quite pricey for a single entry.

Ice Whistle grunted. “Thorn… you just had to pack nothing, huh?”

“Hey, you should’ve told me we would do some activities like this. Otherwise, I would have brought some form of currency.”

Starry Vision cast her gaze downward, timidly swirling her hoof in circular patterns on the plank floor. The sound reminded me of a pencil writing on paper, except more muffled, creepy, and reverberant. “Ice Whistle, we can split Thorn’s entry…”

Ice Whistle crawled to Starry Vision and hugged her front legs from below. “Yes! You’re a lifesaver, Starry Vision! Thank Celestia and Luna, you’re here!”

My expression came to a deadpan.

Suck-up.

They tallied their bits and set them on the counter near the register. I glimpsed around the rest of the room stocked with creepy artifacts strewn about like bones, tapestries of Nightmare Moon, charms, and bottles with odd things floating around.

Click! Errriiiit…

Again, next to a worn couch, a mysterious door swung open on its own, beckoning us to ascend the stairs within. The creaking beneath seemed to come alive with the pulsating vibrations of Starry Vision, all four legs wobbling. “It o-opened on its own, a-again!”

Ice Whistle glanced toward the flight of stairs. “I have to admit, that amount of detail is unsettling. Admirable, but unsettling.”

Errrriiiit…

Each creak became more disturbing. The three of us simultaneously shifted our sights to the rear, curious about what lay in our wake. The front door came inward when we entered. So, believe me when I say this. From our vantage point inside, we witnessed the door closing without hooves or magic in sight until it shut.

Slam!

Two words. Trapped inside.

“A-a-are we s-st-stuck here now?” Cracking a bone in her neck, Starry Vision veered her head toward Ice Whistle, features contorted in fear.

“It is a haunted house, Starry Vision. S-stuff like this should be expected. We have nothing to worry about. Our only option now is to explore and get to the bottom of this attraction.”

Each step on the stairs elicited a high-pitched squeak, like the doors and flooring from earlier. The second set of stairs faced the complete opposite direction. In due time, we reached another door leading to a shadowy, narrow hallway. The closest room on the left being a bedroom where everything was tattered and ripped. To the right, we discovered a room with a chaotic display of books covering the floor. The bookshelves stood neglected and covered in dust.

Ice Whistle had left, concluding our search of the room. “Nothing weird has happened lately. It’s off-putting.”

“They’re doing it on purpose,” I reasoned. “I’m confident they intend to target us when we’re most vulnerable.”

“What does that intel for Starry Vision?”

Glancing hindward, that mare’s eyes swept her surroundings, ears straining to catch the slightest sound other than our voices.

With hooves clopping down the shady hallway and continuous creaks below, we reached a section splitting into two paths. The left led to a dead end with a narrow closet and a hexagon-shaped room, while the right opened an extended hallway with a door at the end.

“From the outside, I wouldn’t have figured the inside was this big.”

Continuing our exploration, Ice Whistle grazed a staircase with banisters twirling upward. “I know what you mean, Thorn. The interior kind of has an odd and unconventional structure as well. Akin to that upside-down house attraction we passed by earlier.”

Yeah, one look on the inside would have made Starry Vision nauseous. Ice Whistle disregarded the swirling staircase and entered the door at the end of the hallway—a room featuring a small theater with red velvet seats and a stage. Amid the cushioned seats, zombie ponies sat motionless, their presence both unnerving and surreal.

Clunk!

A single stage light shined bright, illuminating the center of the stage. That spotlight shone upon a pony with a coat like a deep blue night sky. His top hat matched and had a purple band wrapped around it. Underneath the top hat rested a storm-grey mane. A unicorn, his face partially concealed by a white-half mask and a dark purple cape draped behind. In addition, he bared a lone sharp tooth that could be seen slightly protruding from his lip. The enigmatic figure greeted us from afar, bowing gracefully, voice booming off the walls. “Welcome, welcome! I warmly invite all to experience my spine-chilling Haunted House of Apparitions! Please find a seat in the front row closest to the stage.”

The sloped ground grew steeper with each step, and we eventually found ourselves at the bottom. The showpony extended a hoof, suggesting three seats, each with a plastic—hopefully, plastic—pony skull on its cushion.

Unfortunately for Starry Vision, she was stuck in an outer seat with a zombie pony leaning onto her shoulder and nuzzling her ear. “Yourrr flesh smells deliciouuussss…”

Her eyelids shot open. “I-I-I-I-Ice Whistle… it t-t-talked…”

“What?”

Clunk!

The stage light switched colors from white to dark blue. “My first attractees of the night!” The anonymous showpony extended his forelegs toward the spotlight as if it washed away all his troubles. Then he glanced downward and locked his mint green eyes on us. “Ah, but lest I forget to introduce myself. I am the Pony of Apparitions. I specialize in the spooky, the horrid. Anything with WOOOoooOOoooOOOOoos! I… am Hollow Shack! And it’s my humble pleasure to make your acquaintance!”

Ice Whistle attempted to reason with him, hoping to find common ground. “Yeah, sir, could you kindly let us out of this disturbing haunted house? Your front door closed itself and locked us in. You see, we’re tired and just want to call it a night.”

“If that is what you wish, my icy blue pony friend. But before you go, why not experience true fright first?”

“Heh? What do you mean? Wait, didn’t you hear anything I said?”

“Why I’m just getting started!” Hollow Shack exclaimed.

Clunk! Clunk! Clunk!

Two by one, the stage lights turned on and off intermittently. It added a nice mystique effect to his introduction.

Ice Whistle pointed to the shaking mare. “Well, I think my friend Starry Vision here has had enough.”

“Saddens me to hear that. Truly, it does! But I do hope you understand I have a business to keep up. Besides, it’s already underway…” Hollow Shack replied, swaying his hoof across the first row of seats, then directing it in the area before our hind legs.

“Underway? What’s underway?” As Ice Whistle asked and gulped, something happened. I could not help but shudder as a bone-chilling sensation coursed through my body. With a sudden motion, the carpet before us lifted off the ground, creating a breathtaking scene that left us stupefied. It looked as if a balloon had been suspended below it.

Hollow Shack proclaimed with a hint of sarcasm. “This is bad! It has been unleashed upon our world! Not even the five Princesses can come to Equestria’s aid. All is lost!”

Starry Vision and Ice Whistle embraced one another. My back pushed into the chair with all its strength, slightly reclining the seat back. No telekinetic magic enveloped the red velvet fabric. So how was it floating? The air grew heavy with an unexplained sense of danger like a dark force was gathering.

Fwp!

The carpet fell, and something seeped through the fabric. A white transparent creature resembling a windigo hovered in the air before expanding. Now reaching the stage truss ceiling, its maw glared down at us, teeth baring a razor-sharp edge. From its maw, a viscous white liquid slopped down. It landed on the zombie pony beside Starry Vision, smearing its artificially decayed fur.

Hollow Shack had cried out to us. “Run, my little ponies, run!”

Without a second thought, Starry Vision and Ice Whistle galloped away in fear, leaving the theater room. Angst gripped me, and my heart raced in sync, yet I resisted the urge to flee. “T-that was beyond my expectations. How did you manage that without magic, or is that a real apparition?”

“Gee willikers, aren’t you a weird one?” Hollow Shack said, standing upright and resting a forelimb on each hip. It sort of looked like he was mocking the frightened duo with a charade of chicken wings. “Perhaps weirder than this filly I know. Anywho, to answer your question, I embedded some transparent thread into an object, which is also connected to the carpet in front of you. Then, behind the scenes, I simply used telekinesis on said object. Since you couldn’t see the object I levitated, it appeared the carpet floated up on its own. Picture it as the most basic improvved lever mechanism.”

“How about the windigo?”

Hollow Shack appeared stumped as he rubbed his chin. “Hmm…Hologram projector?”

Not giving it any further thought, I bid my compliments. “Scary stuff. You’re good at what you do.”

Hollow Shack took off his top hat with telekinesis and bowed. “Why thank you, thank you! We try our best.” Then he smiled while his chest swelled in confidence.

ZZZzzzhhh…

Outside, under flickering low light, Ice Whistle and Starry Vision waved goodbye to Hollow Shack and his haunted house. Then, a young filly with a sour expression dragging a colt by his tail approached us.

“Hollow Shack! Did you scare more ponies while we were away again?!”

Hollow Shack made sure his cape billowed when he responded. “Don’t worry, I’ll make this next scare the best yet!”

With a sassy flick of her head and mane, the blue filly ascended the stairs with the red colt dragged from behind. Passing by Ice Whistle and Starry Vision, the colt’s eyes were broadened, grabbing onto the young mare’s hind legs.

“H-help me… I don’t want to go back! It’s real… It’s reaaal!” He lost his grip, then grappled onto the stairs, but to no avail. The brave filly strutted inside, soon followed by the frightened colt seeping into the darkness of the doorway. “Nooooo…!”

Ice Whistle broke the awkward stillness that followed. “I...say it’s time to hit the hay. Let’s head to our hotel rooms.”

“I’m not sure I-I-I’ll be able to s-sleep after that, but a rest is much needed,” Starry Vision replied.

Earlier, when we ate Margherita pizza, Ice Whistle told us about the hotel he had in mind. “I remember what hotel you’re referring to. I’ll catch up with you guys in a minute.”

“Okay, but don’t take too long.” Comforting the shaken mare, his black and grey striped scarf swayed back and forth. Ice Whistle and Starry Vision maneuvered through the dark, empty street, disappearing into the lit-up cityscape.

Hollow Shack’s voice, full of enthusiasm, reached my ears. “Is there something you wanted to discuss? Perhaps you’re hoping for a second round? You’ll have to pay again!”

High up, the stars struggled to display their full glamor over Baltimare. A full moon splayed out its subtle moonlight from above, crickets chirping, and the buzz of the flickering streetlight. Within that black ambiance, I faced Hollow Shack and posed a question. “Doing this for a living brings you great joy, doesn’t it?”

“Hm? Of course! I am the Pony of Apparitions,” he said, tilting his top hat.

“Must be challenging, to live in Baltimare and manage a haunted house on your own.”

“Maybe a little, but it’s not so bad because I harbor zero regrets. The decision to follow my dream was the second most awe-inspiring thing to ever happen to me. Even if it meant further angering my father and leaving my hometown.”

“Second? What was the first?”

He took on a solemn expression. “Experiencing my glint.”

Glint?

The streetlight continued its white embrace while a nearby stray cat meowed. I stared into the light-polluted welkin. Nothingness and occasional white dots lingered. Hollow Shack accompanied me in the bleak spectacle.

“My fellow fan of the eerie—do you enjoy looking up into the night sky as well?”

A tepid waft of the unclogged yet clogged above entered my mouth and capped my nose. “Back in my hometown by Luna Bay, you could say it was a daily routine of mine.”

“Ahh, I see. Why was that?”

“Because I cherished that short-lived pleasure of displacement. And for…” I squinted. “Answers.”

“?” Silence enveloped. Then Hollow Shack eyed my flank and posed his question skyward to the soothing blackness. “Based on that flank, you’re still searching for your dream, aren’t you?”

“Why does my heart race in excitement as the train carried me to unknown destinations? Is there not a familiar sense ponies experience when nearing their purpose?”

“I can’t say I have one.”

ZZZzzzzhhh…

“You can’t say you have one?” Skeptical ovals of mint green met scarlet. “Or are you afraid to admit you have one?”

Suddenly, an anchor wrapped around my heart and sank beneath the freezing waters of Luna Bay. My lips then pursed as I grunted. “Mh...” Warmth wanted to escape my eyelids into the comparable night. I didn’t let it.

“Latent aspirations, is it?” The Pony of Apparitions freed a subtle breath and shook his head, the white light reinforcing his impartial words. “You’re a great pretender. Alas, we aren’t so superficial. Hmm, of course… Night dreams may break down to dust, but pony dreams do not.”

The chill permeating my body protracted, causing goosebumps to form. Then, my lips had never seemed to move with more ease. “You’re right, they don’t. They won’t. We can’t ignore them. Merely because—”

“We’re ponies of Equestria,” we both finished.

With a swift movement, he waved his cape, the coattail grazing the crack and the fern in the sidewalk. “There you have it. It’s that simple. Honestly, that’s a common yet difficult case you have there. Although, for it to have gone on this long… It’s rather commendable. A great pretender and interesting fellow you are indeed.” Hollow Shack pointed at my chest. “I am curious about what you’ll do, but it’s not my place to know.”

I don’t remember that fern being there.

Focused on his flank, I examined the details of his cutie mark. A ghost popping out a jack-in-the-box, breaking through a building window. This pony—this stallion understood my position. And because we were so alike, I absolutely had to know how he handled another issue. “Hollow Shack, have you ever witnessed the beauty of a starry night?”

“Hm? Somewhat, back in my hometown, Hollow Shades. Can’t say I remember it well, though.”

I studied his eyes closer. “Yet you chose the night sky of Baltimare?”

“That’s where my dreams led me, so yeah. I chose Baltimare. Don’t you see?” Hollow Shack diverted my attention by aiming a hoof down the street toward the brilliant skyline and what lay overhead. To help, he teleported us to the roof of the nearby tallest structure. ”Even if it’s not some starry sky, the view this city has to offer boasts its own dormant beauty.”

We overlooked a sea of buildings of all materials, shapes, and sizes from every direction. As well as the occasional open gaps, presumed to be recreational areas and avenues. It was like a million firefly lanterns in the rough. Except, it was perfect as is, flaunting colors of all sorts. Mainly orange, yellow, and white. The night’s gentle warmth only accentuated how the view made me feel. I could say how much I despised that accursed bay all I wanted. Ultimately, being there made me feel more like myself than anywhere else. At least until this moment.

“And sometimes, you’ll have to make tough decisions for yourself. Or perhaps they’ll be easy. Or perhaps…both.”

Countless of those vibrant dots came and went. Fillies and colts fell to the night or savored moments beyond their bedtimes. Mares and stallions left their apartments for the night world or hurried to their shifts. Not to mention everypony and creature throughout Equestria. The world just... kept on going, ideally as it should.

As for myself...

The corner of my mouth briefly curled.

“?” I cocked my head to the side. I followed Hollow Shack well until that last part. What he said was contradictory. Regardless, deep down, I think I understood what he meant.

“Oh, how rude of me. What’s the name of my new fan of the eerie?”

Teleporting back, the streetlight still incessantly flickering its white cube-shaped glare, I answered. “Nature Thorn.”

“Nature Thorn. Meeting you has officially been a pleasure.” He extended his hoof out, and I took it. Our hooves shined white under that streetlight, which fortuitously stopped struggling to function.

“Thanks, Hollow Shack. I should go catch up with my friends now.” I turned away and trod down the quiet street.

From a distance behind me, the working streetlight acted as spotlight while Hollow Shack called out with a hoof reaching straight to the veiled stars. “I bid adieu, Nature Thorn! Whatever your dream may be, don’t be afraid to give chase! Just be sure to remember where you came from and the ponies who helped you become who you are today! Baltimare is fantastic, no doubt… But it can never shine alongside that starry night!”

Wait. Thinking back to the theater room, Hollow Shack said that trick was from a hologram projector, but that makes little sense. The zombie pony leaning into Starry Vision’s seat had an actual white ooze dripping. And with that makeshift lever mechanism, your horn should have glowed mint green from usage. Hollow Shack, you sneaky trickster. That’s not some random phrase you ramble. How interesting... You really are a pony of ‘apparitions,’ aren’t you?

His laugh seemed to echo throughout the toasty barren street and puddled shady alleys. “Hahahahaha!”

Like the other nearby and distant structures, the hotel Ice Whistle spoke of lit up, producing an audible buzz if you stood close enough. Unlike the dark, idle street in which Hollow Shack’s haunted house was located, the surrounding area shimmered with neon lights of all colors, creating a peppy air. Ponies of all races, besides alicorn, traversed the streets, either entering or exiting buildings or loitering on sidewalks. From clubs to casinos to theaters and 24/7 grocery stores, the city offered a diverse range of entertainment options for everypony. However, I had no urge to wallow in any of it because I was ready to rest for the night. That, and I had zero interest.

“Liar.”

Ba-dump!

For a moment, I thought I heard an unmistakable colt’s voice reaching out to me. Except, when I scanned my surroundings, nopony fit the description. Just the constant, lifeful night of the city, breathing as it should.

Ba-dump! Ba-dump. Ba-dump…

While a tipsy brown stallion wobbled my way, I grunted and left the night world of Baltimare to step through the hotel’s revolving doors, returning to the natural world of light. Inside, the lobby was bright, tidy, and barely vacant. Cushioned chairs, some with small tables, were placed on both sides of the lounge.

Other than me, there were two other ponies present. One was the hotel’s concierge, sitting behind a counter to the left. He was a yellow stallion with an orange mane wearing a red, black, and yellow uniform joined with a hat that reminded me of a sea captain’s hat. On the right side waited an icy-blue unicorn sitting on a green couch. Ice Whistle must have realized that even though I recognized the hotel building, I was utterly clueless about the hotel room he rented. Luckily for me, he was a considerate friend.

With four clops on the patterned marble flooring, Ice Whistle’s posterior left the couch to approach me. “There you are. Starry Vision had already gone to her room. Are you ready to go to ours and get some much-needed shuteye?”

I stretched the tense muscles around my mouth, letting out a relieving yawn. “That I am.”

Before we ascended the carpeted stairway, the concierge called out to us. “Have a good night, you two!”

Not long after, I cozied up under the covers of my pure white hotel bed, which happened to be the one closest to the window. My back faced the small desk between my bed and Ice Whistle’s, its lamp providing a subtle light for the dim room. I stared out the window, watching the black sky and its few dots of white, the fresh coldness of the pillow on my right cheek, listening to Ice Whistle’s voice reaching from behind.

“I’m finding it difficult to sleep,” he said.

“Turning off the lamp would help,” I returned.

“Oh, right.”

Click!

The room grew darker.

Truth was, Ice Whistle didn’t want to fall asleep. Tomorrow marked the day we would search for his sister earnestly. Maybe he was too excited because he would finally see her again after seven long years.

“What if… What if she didn’t answer my letters because she doesn’t want to see me again?” Ice Whistle entertained the thought, his voice carrying a hint of anxiety. No, it sounded faint, but I strongly felt he harbored a significant amount. Ice Whistle didn’t want me to see him appearing weak—he didn’t want anypony to. He’s determined to hide any signs of weakness.

“I didn’t know your sister well—or at all. But after hearing how Serene Snowfall talked about her over the past three years, I can say one thing for certain. She loves you wholeheartedly and would never wish not to see you.” Hopefully, my words were a blanket of reassurance.

“In some ways… that terrifies me more. If that’s true, then why hasn’t she responded to my letters? There are multiple answers, and I don’t want any of them to be true.”

It sounded as if he began biting his pillow halfway through his worries. I didn’t have the answers to the heavy cloud hanging over us. And I pale compared to the thoughtfulness and inspiration that Ice Whistle could bring. I don’t bear the qualities of a main character or righteous hero. Not as much as him. “Well, there’s only one way to find out for sure.”

“You’re right. Good night, Thorn.”

“Night.” Staying up after hours wouldn’t help. If you found her half asleep, she would just laugh. Then you’ll have even less time to reconnect because you’re exhausted. So rest well, Ice Whistle. The actual search for answers will begin when the sun rises.

After Ice Whistle fell silent, the darkness outside the window began to obscure my vision. It became darker, and darker, and…

Author's Note

When I wanted the characters to have fun in Baltimare, I thought introducing them to an ambitious character who would add further excitement to their visit would be great. That's when I made Hollow Shack. I liked the idea of him so much that I wrote a spin-off called 'Baltimare's Haunted House of "Apparitions".' It was a short one-shot for Halloween. It takes place 6-10 months before 'Ponyville Arrivals.' After finishing the rough draft for 'The Markless Wonderer,' I decided to give him his own series. I don't think it will be as long as this fic. I also don't know if I'll ever finish or publish it. Guess we'll see.

Hollow Shack even played a fairly vital role in this chapter. He had a philosophical one-on-one conversation with Nature Thorn. An interaction Nature Thorn needed—definitely my favorite part of the chapter.

I plan to hold off on the author's notes for part 3, aka chapter sixteen, and save my last thoughts for the epilogue. With that…

Onto the final chapter and the epilogue!