Baltimare's Haunted House of "Apparitions"by Fluke TaleChapters1. Grand Opening – The Pony of Apparitions 🔮2. Nightmare Night – Hollow Shack and the Hollow Visitor 👻3. Fans of the Eerie 🎃4. So, Why "Apparitions" ❓1. Grand Opening – The Pony of Apparitions 🔮Author's Note This is a short spin-off of another series I'm writing. 1. Grand Opening – The Pony of Apparitions 🔮 The magnificent City of Baltimare. Life here was constantly on the move. In this place, ponies never experience boredom, always finding new adventures to embark on. When nighttime fell, Baltimare transformed into a mesmerizing cityscape of neon lights. Nopony would EVER want to leave. Me included. I’m a twenty-four-year-old unicorn stallion specializing in the spooky. You know, the WooOOOoooOOoooOOooos. The scary! The horrific! The frightening, bone-chilling fear that lurks in the innermost depths of your heart! An unrenowned owner of a haunted house attraction. Upon entering the first floor, visitors were greeted by a counter with a register, ready to accept their bits. The room was filled with creepy artifacts scattered haphazardly. Odd-shaped pony skulls, tapestries of Nightmare Moon, charms with unknown languages written on them, witch bottles of odd shapes and things floating inside, cursed voodoo dolls from my village, odd jewelry, and a closet of numerous masks. I leaped into my showbiz chair and looked at the spooky pony in the mirror, which was embellished with many miniature light bulbs. Me! That stallion’s coat was as dark and enchanting as a night sky painted deep navy blue. A sharp tooth peeked out on the left of my mouth while my irises were mint green. Above my storm grey mane was a top hat that matched the color of my coat. There was no hole for my horn, so I just wore it on my head, the horn relatively free. The purple band around the top hat added a nice touch to the overall look. Last but not least, I just needed to add the missing piece. After opening my closet, I saw masks filling every few inches of space. This was an occasion to use my favorite one! The white-half mask. From its original state as a whole white mask, it now lies broken in two, each half telling a different story. I placed it on my face and glanced back into the lit mirror. “Hmm… something isn’t right.” Dear Luna, how did I forget my lucky dark purple cape of dismay? A swoosh cut through the air as I fastened it on. “Now it’s showbiz time!” With Princess Twilight Sparkle’s magic, the sun sank below the horizon, casting a golden farewell before the moon took its place. That’s right. Tonight was Nightmare Night! Dashing to the front door, I flung it open, bracing for what awaited outside. “Welcome! Welcome all to Baltimare’s Haunted House of Apparitions!” I had poured my heart and soul into designing posters and spreading them around the city. I could almost hear the lively cheers of Baltimare’s residents and tourists. But I found myself on my knees, forelegs splayed out in anticipation. The silence was deafening. That can’t be right, though... I veered up at the black sky, peeping an eyeball, my gaze fixated on the space beneath the staircase before sweeping it across the entire expanse of the shady street. It was empty, and my heart was just as so. The street itself was devoid of vitality. Other than my labored breath of anticipation and elation, no sound or hoofstep could be heard as the place remained pony-free. I was raised in a small town called Hollow Shades, reconstructed after Princess Twilight took reign. The moment I received my cutie mark, I knew it was meant to be. It symbolized a jack-in-the-box ghost pony charging out of a haunted house window. But after my mother’s death, my father’s expression turned sour with disgust at the sight of it. This emotional struggle has always been a part of me, shaping my journey. ”It’s simply the most ridiculous mark I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’m astounded by the sheer ridiculousness of it.” So, without his support, I moved to Baltimare, intending to spread the wonders of the eerie. For I am a pony of all that is creepy. ”You long to support yourself through the means of this unconventional garbage? Then vanish from my sight this instant!” I am... ”Your ‘dreams’ are so outlandish, it’s almost comical! But you’re just a hollow—” Shack. ”Joke!” Hollow Shack. Pony of Apparitions. And what scared me the most was the realization that my grand opening was a complete and utter disaster. And that he was right. Under the oppressive, pitch-black sky, a heavy emotion weighed down on me. I retreated inside my failure of an establishment and switched off the lights, one by one. And with a loud familiar thud of a shut door, there was nothing left to do—but to close up shop. 2. Nightmare Night – Hollow Shack and the Hollow Visitor 👻I, the Pony of Apparitions, could not get any shut-eye. After closing up shop, I went home to my hotel room. The two-star hotel room was a generous size, providing just enough space. It contained a mattress with brown sheets and pillows, a cabinet, a window with curtains, a bathroom, and a small table for two. I would have to establish my haunted house as a functioning business to sustain my living expenses here. Leaning over to the other side of my bed, I was startled by the unexpected tickle of my cat’s furry rear end against my face. “Mrrrrr…” “Vampy… this is my bed. I got you that super omega feline tree tower with a bed for a reason.” Hiss! “What’s that? I shouldn’t give up on my dreams?” Hiss! Vampy, my black cat, angrily slapped me in the face several times. She preferred the finer things in life, indulging in a world of luxury. “Sorry, you had to have me as an owner...” Upon realizing I couldn’t sleep, I put back on my workplace uniform and jumped on my bed to make a declaration. “You’re right, Vampy! I can’t give up on my dreams!” Startled, distinct knocks came from the floor above. My lovely upper neighbor must have been trying to get my attention. “Shut the #### up, Hollow Shack!” “Sure thing!” With another thud, I exited the hotel and strolled the darkened streets for my nightly trot back to the workplace of my dreams. The street my business, ‘Baltimare’s Haunted House of Apparitions’ lived on was empty the last time I was there. The lane was a culinary haven, with various restaurants and stylish condos dotted along its length. As well as other businesses, like a ‘fishing’ store, a tavern, and more. But from there, my hotel building was around a half-hour walk. In the Central District, to be exact. While strolling through the yellow and orange-lit streets of Baltimare, I could not help but admire the young colts and fillies in their diverse array of costumes. One of them had an excellent Nightmare Moon outfit. The princess I looked up to the most. One time, in the enchanting setting of my hometown – Hollow Shades – I, a young colt, found myself face-to-face with her and Princess Celestia. Surrounded by shady trees in a small open green field, I observed Princess Luna's majestic mane and tail. She had a crescent moon backdropped with black splotches on her flank. I approached from behind. And then, I spoke my first words to her. “Will I ever be able to send shivers down ponies’ spines as Nightmare Moon does?” She turned around and replied with a hint of astonishment. “Wh-what did you say?” I could only look at her with my mouth agape in awe, and then a giggle broke out from nearby, from the shady trees of the forest that encircled and concealed Hollow Shades. “I think you’ve got yourself a fan, little sister.” The voice came from Princess Celestia, standing even taller than Luna. Two alicorns possessing traits from all three pony races. My jaw lowered to the grass. I stood there in silence. Princess Celestia nudged Luna with her white wing. “Well, don’t just stand there, Luna, answer him.” “Uh… Sure! With determination and a focused mind, there’s nothing you can’t achieve!” Princess Luna proclaimed. “Really?” I asked. Luna nodded her head in a cold sweat. “Woohoo! I’m going to be the scariest pony known across Equestria!” I exclaimed, running circles around the two retired princesses. Luna then stopped me by telekinetically lifting me toward her. “You’re an odd little one… What is thy name?” With an excited inhale, I answered with no hesitation. “Hollow Shack!” As her magic kept me suspended in the air, I wasted no time asking another question that had been burning my mind. “Princess Luna, why do you still wear a foal’s bib?” “Pfft~, Hahahaha! I-It-...It does look like a foal’s bib!” Princess Celestia laughed, sprawled out on the ground, dark green grass rustling underneath. Luna’s expression was stern; her jaw clenched as she refrained from speaking, and her eyebrows furrowed. “A bib! A bib! Luna, did you hear?! Hahaha!” “I’ve heard sister.” “HA—” Ahh… that was fourteen years ago. Before I discovered my cutie mark, but that was enough daydreaming. Does that count as daydreaming? While striding back, I couldn’t avoid noticing the impressive skyscrapers of Baltimare. There was a great variety of shapes and colors among the buildings. Open stores and businesses were lit up with festive decorations. Candles and carved-out pumpkins laid out on porches and thick porch banisters. Occasionally, the air was filled with the sound of music as the ponies, dressed in their costumes, danced to the tunes played by a band. Then, at last, I found myself on the barren street where my haunted house loomed. You would not have expected it, but my business was between two unrelated establishments. I trotted down the concrete sidewalk and entered my house of scares, trying to ruminate ideas. I needed something that would attract everypony. I sat down behind the counter register, drawn to the view outside the window, tapping my chin deep in reflection. “Hey, what’s up. Mind if I stay here for the night?” “Sure,” I replied. Back to brainstorming… Wait, who in the hay said that? I turned my head and saw a mare beside me, her transparent appearance taking me by surprise. “What in the wide lands of Equestria? Are you a ghost pony?!” She responded as if she didn’t have a care in the world. “Yeah… always have been.” As she levitated and moved, her ectoplasmic body sheened and revealed everything behind her—the light of my mirror, in particular. She had a dull white coat contrasting with her pale grey tail. That goes for her mane, which was styled in a butterfly cut. “Of all places in Equestria, what are you doing here in my haunted house?” Then I gasped, coming to an answer while standing atop the counter. “I know! You wished to meet the great Pony of Apparitions! Does a ghost like yourself want to be spooked by me that much?” “Don’t flatter yourself, guy. I just needed a place to duck and hide from those pesky Smile agents.” “Smile agents?” I tried to think of what that meant but couldn’t make heads or tails of it. “They’re an organization founded to ensure the safety of Equestria’s land. From threats posed by dangerous creatures and such. Guess I fit the bill, Bill.” “Bill? Luna, no, that’s not my name!” “Blah, blah, blah, blah… blah. Can I stay here or not?” She crossed her translucent forelegs. “Did you not read the sign? This is the Haunted House of Apparitions! You’re more than welcome!” “Coolio, I’ll just sit on this comfy couch.” The ghost pony floated over to my couch and levitated marginally on the cushions. “You can do that?” “Of course, it’d be annoying if I just fell straight to the world’s core, you know?” The curiosity piqued my interest, so I had to ask. “Are there... more of you?” She shrugged, letting the day’s weight slide off of her, and leaned back into the plush, worn couch. “Don’t know… Don’t care…” “Hey...” A light bulb flickered above me (not figuratively), casting a light on my face. “That’s it! If you agree to work for me, I’ll ensure your safety from those Smile agents for as long as you want.” Her ears perked up, and she floated off the couch to face me muzzle to muzzle. “Is that a promise?” “A promise of promises!” With a flap of my cape, I reached out my hoof. The ghost pony waved her ethereal hoof through mine in a blur of movement, leaving me a bone-chilling sensation through my foreleg. “WooOOoo… Cold.” “Sorry.” She apologized and tried distancing herself. I shook off the frosty sensation and asked a much-needed question. “What shall I call you, friend?” “Hmm… Banafrit sounds nice.” “Aw, I was going to call you Ghostine. But Banafrit it is!” I leaped off the counter, and my hooves dropped to the plank floor, acting as the seal of our partnership, concluding with a resounding clop. “Baltimare’s Haunted House of Apparitions is back in business! It’s showbiz time!” Initially, I had no intention of revealing myself to anypony. Floating as fast and far as I could from Manehattan, I stumbled into Baltimare, soon arriving in a building watching some egotistical freak boast about showbiz. It was clear from the twinkle in his eyes and the spring in his step that he was truly content, and I couldn’t help but feel envious. I watched as he put together his stupid outfit, finishing it with a cape of dark purple. He soon galloped to the front door of the building, and I followed. I felt his enthusiasm radiating towards me, compelling me to phase through the wall and glimpse the delighted pony’s smiles waiting just beyond, to soon find out... There was none. No… It was too late to stop him. The distinct sound of a door being swung open echoed through the night air, followed by the unexpected sight of a dressed-up unicorn sliding across the porch on his knees, ultimately stopping at the base of the staircase. “Welcome! Welcome all to Baltimare’s Haunted House of Apparitions!” His voice boomed into the vast expanse of the dark, empty sky. No… don’t look… He opened one of his eyes, glancing up toward the sky. Soon after, he looked straight ahead of him down the staircase. Disappointment hit him hard as he surveyed the vacant, desolate street and the chilling atmosphere inside his haunted house. Ears tucked and plodding back inside, he turned off the lights, leaving the building bathed in darkness. He trudged away, the closed sign rattling against the door with a hollow, metallic noise traveling the empty street. I wanted to follow, but a surge of uncertainty flooded my mind, making it impossible to proceed. I sought refuge in his haunted house, hoping to escape the outside world for the night. Two hours had passed when he returned. This time, I craved a more involved approach, no longer content with just levitating and watching. Heheh. Pony of Apparitions, eh? The Pony of Apparitions – Hollow Shack – made me a deal. The weight of his words settled on my weightless shoulders. A promise I knew he couldn’t honor like a fleeting dream or object slipping through my hooves. In the grand scheme of things, he was an average unicorn, going about his daily life in Baltimare. He was no superhero. And yet, he remained adamant that he would guarantee my safety from those unnerving Smile agents. Why would he do that? Is it because he’s desperate to keep his business afloat? I watched his ridiculous purple cape billowing, adding a touch of whimsy to his excitement about his haunted house being back in business. No, you could see his caring nature in how he interacted with his surroundings and himself. He wasn’t a superhero. But, from my perspective, Hollow Shack was my hero. The one who accepted me with no hesitation. He may have needed me now for business, but I can tell. How he smiled and greeted me showed how thrilled he was to have me around. Banafrit. For all I am or can be. 3. Fans of the Eerie 🎃Unfortunately, I found myself outside stuck with my friend Jade Rain, regretting the decision. Tonight was Nightmare NIGHT! Everypony dressed up like scary creatures. Their costumes were so convincing that I had to remind myself they were just ponies in disguise… They are, right? Ponies in disguise? They’re not going to eat me?! SOMEPONY, ANYPONY, ANSWER MEEEE! “You better not be horrifying yourself with your inner thoughts, Emb,” Jade Rain, my best friend, said, hitting me on the back of my head. “Sorry…” As we navigated the lively street, the smell of hay and candy mixed with the sounds of festive ponies and the sight of charming apartment complexes. From both directions, costumed ponies trotted along with bags and buckets in the mouths of themselves, an older pony, or saddlebags. Fillies and colts were delighted in the abundance of candy they had composed. But for some reason, my friend wanted to indulge in activities other than collecting sweet treats. “Come on, stop quivering like a frightened mouse, Shining Ember.” “J-Jade Rain, you k-kn-know I’m not fond of Nightmare Night…” “So?” “I’m scaaaared!” I earned worried looks. Pedestrians stared at me with concern. “What are you all looking at?!” Jade Rain hollered. Everypony continued going on about their night, walking from building to building. “You’re a red pony with even brighter red hair. You stand out, Shining Ember. Learn to toughen up, will you?” “I-I-I can’t be a brave filly like you, Jade Rain…” “That ‘knight in shining armor’ costume you got on isn’t fitting for a colt like you.” “You’re the one who wa-wanted us to dress up as a knight guarding a p-princess.” “I know. I’m having second thoughts about it.” “We’re still friends, though, r-r-right?” “Best friends, now let’s find something scary to indulge in.” “Why are we out here without adult supervision? We’re only ten years old. Where is your older brother?” “He acknowledges my ability to take care of us both.” I sank to the cracked grey sidewalk, covering my face with my hooves. “Okay, seriously, Ember, next year, I’m getting you a turtle costume. And if I can’t find one, I’ll make it.” Out of nowhere, a grown mare with a white blanket covering her appeared, her presence was an air of mystery. She was dressed up as a creepy ghost, and her costume emitted an unsettling, ghostly moan as she moved. “OOOoooOOooo…” “Celestia, save us!” I cried out. Jade Rain brought a hoof up to her forehead, and I clamped back into hiding. “You two looking for some entertainment?” “We are!” Jade Rain answered with excitement. I vividly remember my mother’s warning to steer clear of strangers who uttered such phrases. B-but if she tried anything, J-jade would put a stop to her. “Aw, that’s adorable. I overheard you say each other’s names. Jade Rain is the blue filly, and Shining Ember is the red colt. Do I have that right?” “You do. Now bring us to a place of entertainment, blanket face!” Please don’t do this, Jade! I want to go home! The blanket-covered pony brought me and Shining Ember to an unoccupied shady street. I backed up with unease. “Hey… you’re not a weirdo, are you?” The ghost mare’s eyes, outlined with a black marker, bore into us as it turned around. “No, but the pony running this joint is.” “Oh, okay!” I replied, all concern discarded. “You’re missing the part where she said ‘haunted house’ Jade! And if she says somepony else is the weirdo, then what kind of f-f-fr-freak awaits us?!” “It’ll be fun. Calm down.” Traversing down the dark, empty street, we arrived at a building I didn’t expect to be a haunted house. The blanket-covered mare opened the door and brought us inside, charging me at the register right by the entrance. “Twenty-five bits to enter.” “Twenty-five bits?! Are you all con artists?!” Seriously? That much for a one-time entry? “We’re running a business here, kid. Not a charity. Twenty-five bits. Or, if the both of you can hold in your screams, it’s free.” That would have been a deal if this easily frightened turtle named Shining Ember hadn’t been with me, so I just paid the con artist front and center. As I paid, the register emitted a cheerful chime. Ding! “We have two customers, Hollow Shack!” Another freak showed up. He was a unicorn stallion dressed up in a top hat, a cape, a singular sharp tooth, and a white half-mask. “Welcome to Baltimare’s Haunted House of Apparitions!” Was this a circus in disguise, too? “So… this ghost right here is one of those ‘apparitions’?” The joker in the midnight navy blue top hat replied in a whisper. “Shh… This isn’t a time for questions.” The entrance was quite unsettling. It resembled a room where a witch had perished, like stumbling upon an uncharted tomb from centuries ago. The bizarrely shaped bottles, filled with a liquid of strange hues and curious floating objects, did the trick. It almost made me throw up dinner. It was showtime now that Banafrit was wearing her ironic Nightmare Night costume. I pointed to a staircase leading to the floor above. The blue filly easily followed my directions, but she had to drag the red colt by his tail. Confirming they made it to the next floor, signaling Banafrit, she seamlessly passed through the white blanket, disappearing into the ceiling. How would I get up there, you ask? Something every showpony worth their bits needs. Camouflaged amidst the surroundings was a secret entrance concealed from plain sight... Nah, I’m just kidding. I used teleportation magic. I am a unicorn, after all. From my vantage point behind the wall, I observed our young customers. A blue filly and a red colt. They appeared to be around ten years old, and the colt trembled at the slightest of noises. It would be easy to scar him for the rest of his life, but the filly might be more challenging. Why scare children? Because nopony believes them. It’s as simple as that. If they told their parents they saw a ghost, Mom and Dad would brush it off casually, saying, “That’s interesting, sweetie,” without showing much concern. I’ll go easy on them, though. We want them to come back. They stood in a narrow hallway with many doors leading to who knows where. The blue filly, Jade Rain, opened the nearest wooden door to the left. It was a dreary bedroom, with tattered curtains ominously fluttering with a slight breeze. Not only were the curtains tattered, but the room itself was in a state of complete disarray. Were they always like this, or did Hollow Shack… “Pfft, is that all you got?” Jade Rain asked. Is that all you got, Hollow Shack? A room with an eerie atmosphere just won’t be enough. Wait… what’s that? Something was descending a string. I don’t know how Hollow Shack is doing it, but this might work if Jade Rain fears this critter. The spider delicately landed on the red mane of Shining Ember. Jade Rain turned around and noticed it. “Ember, don’t freak out.” “What? W-w-why?” Reacting, Shining Ember flattened himself against the wooden floor, trying to remain unseen. He put his front hooves to his face, caressing the tip of his red mane—causing the spider to move down to his muzzle. “AHHHHHHHHHH!” The screaming colt ran off into the hallway, entering another room. It was a real spider… Not a prop. I doubt it was a part of the haunted house attraction. Jade Rain pressed her hoof against her forehead in exasperation. Tell me about it. They’re both idiots. But they’re our idiots. The brave filly entered the hallway again, then opened the nearest door from the right side. There was no sign of Shining Ember in there. Regardless, she continued inside. In the spacious room, a tall bookshelf stood, its shelves covered in cobwebs and neglected books strewn across the floor. “Is this joint just some old home you bought and neglected to clean?!” I wondered that myself, and… now I’m believing it is. Maybe Hollow Shack had no idea how to run a haunted house. Suddenly, a bookshelf collapsed, kicking up a dust cloud and enveloping the room. Coughing, Jade Rain attempted to shield her mouth from the swirling debris. Next, a shadow moved through the screen of dust. Dressed as a sinister werewolf, Hollow Shack stood tall, his presence looming over the unsuspecting filly. As the dust cloud dissipated, his mighty roar resounded, announcing his presence. “Rawr!” “That… was... so cool! How do you roar like that?! And I can’t believe you used a cloud of dust to sneak around! It was like you appeared out of thin air!” Jade Rain hopped around in admiration. “Oh, well, you see—wait, no—where’s your friend?” Hollow Shack asked, shattering the unsettling immersion. The mismatch between his natural ecstatic voice and the ugly werewolf mask was… jarring, to say the least. “I don’t know. Your spider scared him off to another room,” Jade Rain answered. “Spider…? Hey, little filly, how about we make a deal?” Another one? “I’m listening.” Hollow Shack proposed his idea. “If I startle him enough to make his coat lose its color, will you pay double?” Jade Rain squinted her small eyelids. “You’re so on.” “Your time has come, Banafrit,” Hollow Shack proclaimed. “Who’re you talking to?” Jade Rain wondered, her small head turning in every direction. The wolf sassily placed his wrists on his hips. “Why, it’s my trusty assistant.” I entered from the ceiling, looking down at the quivering red colt known as Shining Ember. He was hiding in a linear closet. The reason for it being this high was… questionable, but whatever. In the cramped space under the hanging clothes, he stuttered to himself, his voice shaky. “T-there’s n-n-n-no way for anything to scare me from here unless they open the d-d-d… door.” True, but something tells me he would have been startled either way. But I was a ghost pony. Opening the door was an option, but I found the idea of phasing through it much more effective. Shifting through the ceiling again, I took a few hoofsteps backward before descending to the floor below. While staring at the closet door, I gradually phased through it, revealing a trembling pony with his hair standing on end. I could have altered my physique into something vile. But as I looked at this poor fellow, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Being myself and seeing me slip through solid material should prove enough. I signaled for somepony to knock on a wall, and the thud resonated to here. With his curiosity piqued, Shining Ember darted his eye up to meet mine. “Hey.” “Eep.” He fainted; the intense red of his fur coat and bright red mane and tail dulled out. :| We stood in the eerie hallway of my haunted house, our gazes drawn to the open closet. Inside, a blacked-out colt had lost all the color in his fur. Cha-ching. “That was awesome! Are you a real apparition?!” Jade Rain's eyes widened in interest. “That I am, kid,” Banafrit answered. “I can’t believe this is an actual house of apparitions! I thought it was just a false advertisement!” The filly exclaimed and gasped as she looked toward me. “That means you’re a real pony of apparitions! Not some bum in a cape!” “Well, he might be both,” Banafrit murmured. “Bingo! I’m Hollow Shack! Pony of Apparitions! The spooky! The bone-chilling! The bearer of all things unnatural as a terrifying force that instills fear in all who witness his presence!” I can say with confidence that my grand opening was a success. Ponies may not have been lined at my doorstep, but this is what I wished for. This was enough. To have a pony recognize my name and purpose. I will forever remember these two as my first fans. My fans of the eerie, Jade Rain and Shining Ember. Welcome to the family. “Your friend isn’t… dead… is he?” There were certain purposes for which I had to ask. “Nah… this always happens.” We lingered on the staircase that doubled as the entrance and exit to my haunted house, exchanging goodbyes with our first customers. I flipped my cape, making sure it flapped in the wind. “Thanks for the bits!” “Since I got to see and become friends with a real apparition, I’m the one who ripped you off, old man!” “The great Pony of Apparitions is only twenty-four years old! And keep telling yourself that!” “Will you visit often, Jade?” Banafrit asked. “You pulling my tail? You got yourself permanent visitors!” Jade Rain jumped and responded with the blacked-out red colt perched over her small back. “I’m going to tell everypony in school, and then some! But I’ll be sure to leave out certain details.” She winked at Banafrit and me before fading into the quiet solitude of the deserted street, trotting beneath the low lights. “Splendid! I’d say that went great!” I stood there watching my fans of the eerie walk around a corner leading to the next street. Banafrit then broke the silence with a swift and concise statement. “…This won’t be enough to pay your rent—” “—Yeah, I know.” 4. So, Why "Apparitions" ❓Beyond the confines of that stuffy werewolf costume, I was still dressed in my favorite, comfortable attire. My face was completely exposed, and I proudly displayed my sharp tooth, which peeked out of my mouth as I donned a purple cape and deep navy blue top hat. From the roof of my haunted house, I laid sprawled out on my back atop said cape, my mint-green irises fixated on the vast expanse of the black night – and my half-white mask lying beside me. Here and there, a few stars shimmered like distant diamonds, tempting me to count a thorough tally. There was a serene silence up here, broken only by the occasional clops in the distance and the constant chirping of crickets. “Haah…” I sighed a breath of relief. Beside me, my newfound partner and friend floated tenderly about three inches off the ceiling—an actual apparition—a ghost pony. Like me, she, too, looked up at the black night. And just in case, we had the white blanket ghost costume at the ready. “Hey, Hollow Shack. There’s something I’ve been wondering.” Banafrit shot me a question, and I would always be open to answer. “Ask away.” “With no prior knowledge of spirits and such, what’s the reason behind your self-proclaimed title, the ‘Pony of Apparitions’? Even the building…” “It… just sounded right.” “Anything closely related to a pony’s purpose to get their cutie mark gives off a distinct feeling, right?” “I’m not sure, maybe. The memory of the day my cutie mark was bestowed upon me by scaring my mother is a pleasure I will never forget. That spirit would always linger when I thought about doing it to another pony, and the next, and the next… Even planning how to was enough.” “So then... do you think apparitions are a part of that?” she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. I tore my eyes away from the black sky, with its occasional passing dark cloud, and shifted my head horizontally toward Banafrit. Following her dull-colored eyes, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of emptiness. Not because she was a transparent ghost. I shifted my gaze in the opposite direction, releasing a soft breath through my nose, and muttered back, “What are you saying, Banafrit? I’m Hollow Shack, the Pony of Apparitions. I think we both know the answer to that.” Soon after, we both heard voices in the distance. “Look! A haunted house is over here.” “You want to check it out, babe?” “Yeah!” “I’ll just knock on the door and see if anypony answers.” They sounded like a grown mare and stallion—a couple at that. With a burst of passion, I grabbed my white half-mask and propelled myself into the air, my cape swirling in harmony. “Look’s like my cat will starve tonight.” “…What?” Banafrit said with a blank expression. “It’s Nightmare Night! We couldn’t possibly close up shop when we have chance encounters like this. Since they’re adults, I’ll handle this on my own. However, if things go downhill, I’m depending on you to give our customers the scare of a lifetime.” I galloped down the roof and entered through the nearest window, leaving Banafrit behind. There’s no need to worry about how she gets inside. She was a ghost, after all. She would phase through with no problems. “Once again, it’s showbiz time!” I watched Hollow Shack leap through a window, his hoofsteps pounding as he sprinted to the front of his store in a hurry. “I’m just going to leave this ghost costume behind.” Phasing through the roof to the first floor’s ceiling, I was eager as Hollow Shack swung open the door, waved his cape, and welcomed the new customers. “The name’s Hollowwwww Shack! And I’d like to welcome you to Baltimare’s Haunted House of Pony Apparitions!” As the mare clopped her hooves together in engrossment, a sense of joy washed over me. I couldn’t help but smile. Author's Note This is officially my first published and completed fimfic. Though there is potential for more stories with these characters, I have no plans for it now. I wrote this mostly for fun (technically in general, I write for fun) and for Halloween (Nightmare Night). Also written in two days, hopefully, my writing style wasn't too rough. Let's take a quick look at the characters, shall we? — Shining Ember is a pony scared of everything. — Jade Rain is a filly putting up with the crap that comes her way, not letting anything get her down for a good time. (Initially, I thought it would have been a fun concept to have Jade Rain be a red pony, while Shining Ember was blue. As a sort of weird joke, but when I did that, I ended up confusing myself... So yeah, I scrapped the idea.) — Vampy is a pet cat trying her best to live a life of luxury. — Banafrit is a laid-back mysterious ghost pony looking for a place to belong. — Our protagonist, Hollow Shack, is a fellow enraptured by all that is creepy. A unicorn stallion not afraid of following his dream, even if it meant living his life on the streets. As mentioned before, this is a small spin-off of another series I'm writing. The story takes place around the same time, within the same universe. Specifically after the first act of said story. Anyway, if you've made it this far, I'd like to express my humble thanks for reading my first published fanfic and fimfic. Of course, any likes and favorites are appreciated. Have a nice day and or Nightmare Night!
1. Grand Opening – The Pony of Apparitions 🔮Author's Note This is a short spin-off of another series I'm writing. 1. Grand Opening – The Pony of Apparitions 🔮 The magnificent City of Baltimare. Life here was constantly on the move. In this place, ponies never experience boredom, always finding new adventures to embark on. When nighttime fell, Baltimare transformed into a mesmerizing cityscape of neon lights. Nopony would EVER want to leave. Me included. I’m a twenty-four-year-old unicorn stallion specializing in the spooky. You know, the WooOOOoooOOoooOOooos. The scary! The horrific! The frightening, bone-chilling fear that lurks in the innermost depths of your heart! An unrenowned owner of a haunted house attraction. Upon entering the first floor, visitors were greeted by a counter with a register, ready to accept their bits. The room was filled with creepy artifacts scattered haphazardly. Odd-shaped pony skulls, tapestries of Nightmare Moon, charms with unknown languages written on them, witch bottles of odd shapes and things floating inside, cursed voodoo dolls from my village, odd jewelry, and a closet of numerous masks. I leaped into my showbiz chair and looked at the spooky pony in the mirror, which was embellished with many miniature light bulbs. Me! That stallion’s coat was as dark and enchanting as a night sky painted deep navy blue. A sharp tooth peeked out on the left of my mouth while my irises were mint green. Above my storm grey mane was a top hat that matched the color of my coat. There was no hole for my horn, so I just wore it on my head, the horn relatively free. The purple band around the top hat added a nice touch to the overall look. Last but not least, I just needed to add the missing piece. After opening my closet, I saw masks filling every few inches of space. This was an occasion to use my favorite one! The white-half mask. From its original state as a whole white mask, it now lies broken in two, each half telling a different story. I placed it on my face and glanced back into the lit mirror. “Hmm… something isn’t right.” Dear Luna, how did I forget my lucky dark purple cape of dismay? A swoosh cut through the air as I fastened it on. “Now it’s showbiz time!” With Princess Twilight Sparkle’s magic, the sun sank below the horizon, casting a golden farewell before the moon took its place. That’s right. Tonight was Nightmare Night! Dashing to the front door, I flung it open, bracing for what awaited outside. “Welcome! Welcome all to Baltimare’s Haunted House of Apparitions!” I had poured my heart and soul into designing posters and spreading them around the city. I could almost hear the lively cheers of Baltimare’s residents and tourists. But I found myself on my knees, forelegs splayed out in anticipation. The silence was deafening. That can’t be right, though... I veered up at the black sky, peeping an eyeball, my gaze fixated on the space beneath the staircase before sweeping it across the entire expanse of the shady street. It was empty, and my heart was just as so. The street itself was devoid of vitality. Other than my labored breath of anticipation and elation, no sound or hoofstep could be heard as the place remained pony-free. I was raised in a small town called Hollow Shades, reconstructed after Princess Twilight took reign. The moment I received my cutie mark, I knew it was meant to be. It symbolized a jack-in-the-box ghost pony charging out of a haunted house window. But after my mother’s death, my father’s expression turned sour with disgust at the sight of it. This emotional struggle has always been a part of me, shaping my journey. ”It’s simply the most ridiculous mark I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’m astounded by the sheer ridiculousness of it.” So, without his support, I moved to Baltimare, intending to spread the wonders of the eerie. For I am a pony of all that is creepy. ”You long to support yourself through the means of this unconventional garbage? Then vanish from my sight this instant!” I am... ”Your ‘dreams’ are so outlandish, it’s almost comical! But you’re just a hollow—” Shack. ”Joke!” Hollow Shack. Pony of Apparitions. And what scared me the most was the realization that my grand opening was a complete and utter disaster. And that he was right. Under the oppressive, pitch-black sky, a heavy emotion weighed down on me. I retreated inside my failure of an establishment and switched off the lights, one by one. And with a loud familiar thud of a shut door, there was nothing left to do—but to close up shop.
2. Nightmare Night – Hollow Shack and the Hollow Visitor 👻I, the Pony of Apparitions, could not get any shut-eye. After closing up shop, I went home to my hotel room. The two-star hotel room was a generous size, providing just enough space. It contained a mattress with brown sheets and pillows, a cabinet, a window with curtains, a bathroom, and a small table for two. I would have to establish my haunted house as a functioning business to sustain my living expenses here. Leaning over to the other side of my bed, I was startled by the unexpected tickle of my cat’s furry rear end against my face. “Mrrrrr…” “Vampy… this is my bed. I got you that super omega feline tree tower with a bed for a reason.” Hiss! “What’s that? I shouldn’t give up on my dreams?” Hiss! Vampy, my black cat, angrily slapped me in the face several times. She preferred the finer things in life, indulging in a world of luxury. “Sorry, you had to have me as an owner...” Upon realizing I couldn’t sleep, I put back on my workplace uniform and jumped on my bed to make a declaration. “You’re right, Vampy! I can’t give up on my dreams!” Startled, distinct knocks came from the floor above. My lovely upper neighbor must have been trying to get my attention. “Shut the #### up, Hollow Shack!” “Sure thing!” With another thud, I exited the hotel and strolled the darkened streets for my nightly trot back to the workplace of my dreams. The street my business, ‘Baltimare’s Haunted House of Apparitions’ lived on was empty the last time I was there. The lane was a culinary haven, with various restaurants and stylish condos dotted along its length. As well as other businesses, like a ‘fishing’ store, a tavern, and more. But from there, my hotel building was around a half-hour walk. In the Central District, to be exact. While strolling through the yellow and orange-lit streets of Baltimare, I could not help but admire the young colts and fillies in their diverse array of costumes. One of them had an excellent Nightmare Moon outfit. The princess I looked up to the most. One time, in the enchanting setting of my hometown – Hollow Shades – I, a young colt, found myself face-to-face with her and Princess Celestia. Surrounded by shady trees in a small open green field, I observed Princess Luna's majestic mane and tail. She had a crescent moon backdropped with black splotches on her flank. I approached from behind. And then, I spoke my first words to her. “Will I ever be able to send shivers down ponies’ spines as Nightmare Moon does?” She turned around and replied with a hint of astonishment. “Wh-what did you say?” I could only look at her with my mouth agape in awe, and then a giggle broke out from nearby, from the shady trees of the forest that encircled and concealed Hollow Shades. “I think you’ve got yourself a fan, little sister.” The voice came from Princess Celestia, standing even taller than Luna. Two alicorns possessing traits from all three pony races. My jaw lowered to the grass. I stood there in silence. Princess Celestia nudged Luna with her white wing. “Well, don’t just stand there, Luna, answer him.” “Uh… Sure! With determination and a focused mind, there’s nothing you can’t achieve!” Princess Luna proclaimed. “Really?” I asked. Luna nodded her head in a cold sweat. “Woohoo! I’m going to be the scariest pony known across Equestria!” I exclaimed, running circles around the two retired princesses. Luna then stopped me by telekinetically lifting me toward her. “You’re an odd little one… What is thy name?” With an excited inhale, I answered with no hesitation. “Hollow Shack!” As her magic kept me suspended in the air, I wasted no time asking another question that had been burning my mind. “Princess Luna, why do you still wear a foal’s bib?” “Pfft~, Hahahaha! I-It-...It does look like a foal’s bib!” Princess Celestia laughed, sprawled out on the ground, dark green grass rustling underneath. Luna’s expression was stern; her jaw clenched as she refrained from speaking, and her eyebrows furrowed. “A bib! A bib! Luna, did you hear?! Hahaha!” “I’ve heard sister.” “HA—” Ahh… that was fourteen years ago. Before I discovered my cutie mark, but that was enough daydreaming. Does that count as daydreaming? While striding back, I couldn’t avoid noticing the impressive skyscrapers of Baltimare. There was a great variety of shapes and colors among the buildings. Open stores and businesses were lit up with festive decorations. Candles and carved-out pumpkins laid out on porches and thick porch banisters. Occasionally, the air was filled with the sound of music as the ponies, dressed in their costumes, danced to the tunes played by a band. Then, at last, I found myself on the barren street where my haunted house loomed. You would not have expected it, but my business was between two unrelated establishments. I trotted down the concrete sidewalk and entered my house of scares, trying to ruminate ideas. I needed something that would attract everypony. I sat down behind the counter register, drawn to the view outside the window, tapping my chin deep in reflection. “Hey, what’s up. Mind if I stay here for the night?” “Sure,” I replied. Back to brainstorming… Wait, who in the hay said that? I turned my head and saw a mare beside me, her transparent appearance taking me by surprise. “What in the wide lands of Equestria? Are you a ghost pony?!” She responded as if she didn’t have a care in the world. “Yeah… always have been.” As she levitated and moved, her ectoplasmic body sheened and revealed everything behind her—the light of my mirror, in particular. She had a dull white coat contrasting with her pale grey tail. That goes for her mane, which was styled in a butterfly cut. “Of all places in Equestria, what are you doing here in my haunted house?” Then I gasped, coming to an answer while standing atop the counter. “I know! You wished to meet the great Pony of Apparitions! Does a ghost like yourself want to be spooked by me that much?” “Don’t flatter yourself, guy. I just needed a place to duck and hide from those pesky Smile agents.” “Smile agents?” I tried to think of what that meant but couldn’t make heads or tails of it. “They’re an organization founded to ensure the safety of Equestria’s land. From threats posed by dangerous creatures and such. Guess I fit the bill, Bill.” “Bill? Luna, no, that’s not my name!” “Blah, blah, blah, blah… blah. Can I stay here or not?” She crossed her translucent forelegs. “Did you not read the sign? This is the Haunted House of Apparitions! You’re more than welcome!” “Coolio, I’ll just sit on this comfy couch.” The ghost pony floated over to my couch and levitated marginally on the cushions. “You can do that?” “Of course, it’d be annoying if I just fell straight to the world’s core, you know?” The curiosity piqued my interest, so I had to ask. “Are there... more of you?” She shrugged, letting the day’s weight slide off of her, and leaned back into the plush, worn couch. “Don’t know… Don’t care…” “Hey...” A light bulb flickered above me (not figuratively), casting a light on my face. “That’s it! If you agree to work for me, I’ll ensure your safety from those Smile agents for as long as you want.” Her ears perked up, and she floated off the couch to face me muzzle to muzzle. “Is that a promise?” “A promise of promises!” With a flap of my cape, I reached out my hoof. The ghost pony waved her ethereal hoof through mine in a blur of movement, leaving me a bone-chilling sensation through my foreleg. “WooOOoo… Cold.” “Sorry.” She apologized and tried distancing herself. I shook off the frosty sensation and asked a much-needed question. “What shall I call you, friend?” “Hmm… Banafrit sounds nice.” “Aw, I was going to call you Ghostine. But Banafrit it is!” I leaped off the counter, and my hooves dropped to the plank floor, acting as the seal of our partnership, concluding with a resounding clop. “Baltimare’s Haunted House of Apparitions is back in business! It’s showbiz time!” Initially, I had no intention of revealing myself to anypony. Floating as fast and far as I could from Manehattan, I stumbled into Baltimare, soon arriving in a building watching some egotistical freak boast about showbiz. It was clear from the twinkle in his eyes and the spring in his step that he was truly content, and I couldn’t help but feel envious. I watched as he put together his stupid outfit, finishing it with a cape of dark purple. He soon galloped to the front door of the building, and I followed. I felt his enthusiasm radiating towards me, compelling me to phase through the wall and glimpse the delighted pony’s smiles waiting just beyond, to soon find out... There was none. No… It was too late to stop him. The distinct sound of a door being swung open echoed through the night air, followed by the unexpected sight of a dressed-up unicorn sliding across the porch on his knees, ultimately stopping at the base of the staircase. “Welcome! Welcome all to Baltimare’s Haunted House of Apparitions!” His voice boomed into the vast expanse of the dark, empty sky. No… don’t look… He opened one of his eyes, glancing up toward the sky. Soon after, he looked straight ahead of him down the staircase. Disappointment hit him hard as he surveyed the vacant, desolate street and the chilling atmosphere inside his haunted house. Ears tucked and plodding back inside, he turned off the lights, leaving the building bathed in darkness. He trudged away, the closed sign rattling against the door with a hollow, metallic noise traveling the empty street. I wanted to follow, but a surge of uncertainty flooded my mind, making it impossible to proceed. I sought refuge in his haunted house, hoping to escape the outside world for the night. Two hours had passed when he returned. This time, I craved a more involved approach, no longer content with just levitating and watching. Heheh. Pony of Apparitions, eh? The Pony of Apparitions – Hollow Shack – made me a deal. The weight of his words settled on my weightless shoulders. A promise I knew he couldn’t honor like a fleeting dream or object slipping through my hooves. In the grand scheme of things, he was an average unicorn, going about his daily life in Baltimare. He was no superhero. And yet, he remained adamant that he would guarantee my safety from those unnerving Smile agents. Why would he do that? Is it because he’s desperate to keep his business afloat? I watched his ridiculous purple cape billowing, adding a touch of whimsy to his excitement about his haunted house being back in business. No, you could see his caring nature in how he interacted with his surroundings and himself. He wasn’t a superhero. But, from my perspective, Hollow Shack was my hero. The one who accepted me with no hesitation. He may have needed me now for business, but I can tell. How he smiled and greeted me showed how thrilled he was to have me around. Banafrit. For all I am or can be.
3. Fans of the Eerie 🎃Unfortunately, I found myself outside stuck with my friend Jade Rain, regretting the decision. Tonight was Nightmare NIGHT! Everypony dressed up like scary creatures. Their costumes were so convincing that I had to remind myself they were just ponies in disguise… They are, right? Ponies in disguise? They’re not going to eat me?! SOMEPONY, ANYPONY, ANSWER MEEEE! “You better not be horrifying yourself with your inner thoughts, Emb,” Jade Rain, my best friend, said, hitting me on the back of my head. “Sorry…” As we navigated the lively street, the smell of hay and candy mixed with the sounds of festive ponies and the sight of charming apartment complexes. From both directions, costumed ponies trotted along with bags and buckets in the mouths of themselves, an older pony, or saddlebags. Fillies and colts were delighted in the abundance of candy they had composed. But for some reason, my friend wanted to indulge in activities other than collecting sweet treats. “Come on, stop quivering like a frightened mouse, Shining Ember.” “J-Jade Rain, you k-kn-know I’m not fond of Nightmare Night…” “So?” “I’m scaaaared!” I earned worried looks. Pedestrians stared at me with concern. “What are you all looking at?!” Jade Rain hollered. Everypony continued going on about their night, walking from building to building. “You’re a red pony with even brighter red hair. You stand out, Shining Ember. Learn to toughen up, will you?” “I-I-I can’t be a brave filly like you, Jade Rain…” “That ‘knight in shining armor’ costume you got on isn’t fitting for a colt like you.” “You’re the one who wa-wanted us to dress up as a knight guarding a p-princess.” “I know. I’m having second thoughts about it.” “We’re still friends, though, r-r-right?” “Best friends, now let’s find something scary to indulge in.” “Why are we out here without adult supervision? We’re only ten years old. Where is your older brother?” “He acknowledges my ability to take care of us both.” I sank to the cracked grey sidewalk, covering my face with my hooves. “Okay, seriously, Ember, next year, I’m getting you a turtle costume. And if I can’t find one, I’ll make it.” Out of nowhere, a grown mare with a white blanket covering her appeared, her presence was an air of mystery. She was dressed up as a creepy ghost, and her costume emitted an unsettling, ghostly moan as she moved. “OOOoooOOooo…” “Celestia, save us!” I cried out. Jade Rain brought a hoof up to her forehead, and I clamped back into hiding. “You two looking for some entertainment?” “We are!” Jade Rain answered with excitement. I vividly remember my mother’s warning to steer clear of strangers who uttered such phrases. B-but if she tried anything, J-jade would put a stop to her. “Aw, that’s adorable. I overheard you say each other’s names. Jade Rain is the blue filly, and Shining Ember is the red colt. Do I have that right?” “You do. Now bring us to a place of entertainment, blanket face!” Please don’t do this, Jade! I want to go home! The blanket-covered pony brought me and Shining Ember to an unoccupied shady street. I backed up with unease. “Hey… you’re not a weirdo, are you?” The ghost mare’s eyes, outlined with a black marker, bore into us as it turned around. “No, but the pony running this joint is.” “Oh, okay!” I replied, all concern discarded. “You’re missing the part where she said ‘haunted house’ Jade! And if she says somepony else is the weirdo, then what kind of f-f-fr-freak awaits us?!” “It’ll be fun. Calm down.” Traversing down the dark, empty street, we arrived at a building I didn’t expect to be a haunted house. The blanket-covered mare opened the door and brought us inside, charging me at the register right by the entrance. “Twenty-five bits to enter.” “Twenty-five bits?! Are you all con artists?!” Seriously? That much for a one-time entry? “We’re running a business here, kid. Not a charity. Twenty-five bits. Or, if the both of you can hold in your screams, it’s free.” That would have been a deal if this easily frightened turtle named Shining Ember hadn’t been with me, so I just paid the con artist front and center. As I paid, the register emitted a cheerful chime. Ding! “We have two customers, Hollow Shack!” Another freak showed up. He was a unicorn stallion dressed up in a top hat, a cape, a singular sharp tooth, and a white half-mask. “Welcome to Baltimare’s Haunted House of Apparitions!” Was this a circus in disguise, too? “So… this ghost right here is one of those ‘apparitions’?” The joker in the midnight navy blue top hat replied in a whisper. “Shh… This isn’t a time for questions.” The entrance was quite unsettling. It resembled a room where a witch had perished, like stumbling upon an uncharted tomb from centuries ago. The bizarrely shaped bottles, filled with a liquid of strange hues and curious floating objects, did the trick. It almost made me throw up dinner. It was showtime now that Banafrit was wearing her ironic Nightmare Night costume. I pointed to a staircase leading to the floor above. The blue filly easily followed my directions, but she had to drag the red colt by his tail. Confirming they made it to the next floor, signaling Banafrit, she seamlessly passed through the white blanket, disappearing into the ceiling. How would I get up there, you ask? Something every showpony worth their bits needs. Camouflaged amidst the surroundings was a secret entrance concealed from plain sight... Nah, I’m just kidding. I used teleportation magic. I am a unicorn, after all. From my vantage point behind the wall, I observed our young customers. A blue filly and a red colt. They appeared to be around ten years old, and the colt trembled at the slightest of noises. It would be easy to scar him for the rest of his life, but the filly might be more challenging. Why scare children? Because nopony believes them. It’s as simple as that. If they told their parents they saw a ghost, Mom and Dad would brush it off casually, saying, “That’s interesting, sweetie,” without showing much concern. I’ll go easy on them, though. We want them to come back. They stood in a narrow hallway with many doors leading to who knows where. The blue filly, Jade Rain, opened the nearest wooden door to the left. It was a dreary bedroom, with tattered curtains ominously fluttering with a slight breeze. Not only were the curtains tattered, but the room itself was in a state of complete disarray. Were they always like this, or did Hollow Shack… “Pfft, is that all you got?” Jade Rain asked. Is that all you got, Hollow Shack? A room with an eerie atmosphere just won’t be enough. Wait… what’s that? Something was descending a string. I don’t know how Hollow Shack is doing it, but this might work if Jade Rain fears this critter. The spider delicately landed on the red mane of Shining Ember. Jade Rain turned around and noticed it. “Ember, don’t freak out.” “What? W-w-why?” Reacting, Shining Ember flattened himself against the wooden floor, trying to remain unseen. He put his front hooves to his face, caressing the tip of his red mane—causing the spider to move down to his muzzle. “AHHHHHHHHHH!” The screaming colt ran off into the hallway, entering another room. It was a real spider… Not a prop. I doubt it was a part of the haunted house attraction. Jade Rain pressed her hoof against her forehead in exasperation. Tell me about it. They’re both idiots. But they’re our idiots. The brave filly entered the hallway again, then opened the nearest door from the right side. There was no sign of Shining Ember in there. Regardless, she continued inside. In the spacious room, a tall bookshelf stood, its shelves covered in cobwebs and neglected books strewn across the floor. “Is this joint just some old home you bought and neglected to clean?!” I wondered that myself, and… now I’m believing it is. Maybe Hollow Shack had no idea how to run a haunted house. Suddenly, a bookshelf collapsed, kicking up a dust cloud and enveloping the room. Coughing, Jade Rain attempted to shield her mouth from the swirling debris. Next, a shadow moved through the screen of dust. Dressed as a sinister werewolf, Hollow Shack stood tall, his presence looming over the unsuspecting filly. As the dust cloud dissipated, his mighty roar resounded, announcing his presence. “Rawr!” “That… was... so cool! How do you roar like that?! And I can’t believe you used a cloud of dust to sneak around! It was like you appeared out of thin air!” Jade Rain hopped around in admiration. “Oh, well, you see—wait, no—where’s your friend?” Hollow Shack asked, shattering the unsettling immersion. The mismatch between his natural ecstatic voice and the ugly werewolf mask was… jarring, to say the least. “I don’t know. Your spider scared him off to another room,” Jade Rain answered. “Spider…? Hey, little filly, how about we make a deal?” Another one? “I’m listening.” Hollow Shack proposed his idea. “If I startle him enough to make his coat lose its color, will you pay double?” Jade Rain squinted her small eyelids. “You’re so on.” “Your time has come, Banafrit,” Hollow Shack proclaimed. “Who’re you talking to?” Jade Rain wondered, her small head turning in every direction. The wolf sassily placed his wrists on his hips. “Why, it’s my trusty assistant.” I entered from the ceiling, looking down at the quivering red colt known as Shining Ember. He was hiding in a linear closet. The reason for it being this high was… questionable, but whatever. In the cramped space under the hanging clothes, he stuttered to himself, his voice shaky. “T-there’s n-n-n-no way for anything to scare me from here unless they open the d-d-d… door.” True, but something tells me he would have been startled either way. But I was a ghost pony. Opening the door was an option, but I found the idea of phasing through it much more effective. Shifting through the ceiling again, I took a few hoofsteps backward before descending to the floor below. While staring at the closet door, I gradually phased through it, revealing a trembling pony with his hair standing on end. I could have altered my physique into something vile. But as I looked at this poor fellow, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Being myself and seeing me slip through solid material should prove enough. I signaled for somepony to knock on a wall, and the thud resonated to here. With his curiosity piqued, Shining Ember darted his eye up to meet mine. “Hey.” “Eep.” He fainted; the intense red of his fur coat and bright red mane and tail dulled out. :| We stood in the eerie hallway of my haunted house, our gazes drawn to the open closet. Inside, a blacked-out colt had lost all the color in his fur. Cha-ching. “That was awesome! Are you a real apparition?!” Jade Rain's eyes widened in interest. “That I am, kid,” Banafrit answered. “I can’t believe this is an actual house of apparitions! I thought it was just a false advertisement!” The filly exclaimed and gasped as she looked toward me. “That means you’re a real pony of apparitions! Not some bum in a cape!” “Well, he might be both,” Banafrit murmured. “Bingo! I’m Hollow Shack! Pony of Apparitions! The spooky! The bone-chilling! The bearer of all things unnatural as a terrifying force that instills fear in all who witness his presence!” I can say with confidence that my grand opening was a success. Ponies may not have been lined at my doorstep, but this is what I wished for. This was enough. To have a pony recognize my name and purpose. I will forever remember these two as my first fans. My fans of the eerie, Jade Rain and Shining Ember. Welcome to the family. “Your friend isn’t… dead… is he?” There were certain purposes for which I had to ask. “Nah… this always happens.” We lingered on the staircase that doubled as the entrance and exit to my haunted house, exchanging goodbyes with our first customers. I flipped my cape, making sure it flapped in the wind. “Thanks for the bits!” “Since I got to see and become friends with a real apparition, I’m the one who ripped you off, old man!” “The great Pony of Apparitions is only twenty-four years old! And keep telling yourself that!” “Will you visit often, Jade?” Banafrit asked. “You pulling my tail? You got yourself permanent visitors!” Jade Rain jumped and responded with the blacked-out red colt perched over her small back. “I’m going to tell everypony in school, and then some! But I’ll be sure to leave out certain details.” She winked at Banafrit and me before fading into the quiet solitude of the deserted street, trotting beneath the low lights. “Splendid! I’d say that went great!” I stood there watching my fans of the eerie walk around a corner leading to the next street. Banafrit then broke the silence with a swift and concise statement. “…This won’t be enough to pay your rent—” “—Yeah, I know.”
4. So, Why "Apparitions" ❓Beyond the confines of that stuffy werewolf costume, I was still dressed in my favorite, comfortable attire. My face was completely exposed, and I proudly displayed my sharp tooth, which peeked out of my mouth as I donned a purple cape and deep navy blue top hat. From the roof of my haunted house, I laid sprawled out on my back atop said cape, my mint-green irises fixated on the vast expanse of the black night – and my half-white mask lying beside me. Here and there, a few stars shimmered like distant diamonds, tempting me to count a thorough tally. There was a serene silence up here, broken only by the occasional clops in the distance and the constant chirping of crickets. “Haah…” I sighed a breath of relief. Beside me, my newfound partner and friend floated tenderly about three inches off the ceiling—an actual apparition—a ghost pony. Like me, she, too, looked up at the black night. And just in case, we had the white blanket ghost costume at the ready. “Hey, Hollow Shack. There’s something I’ve been wondering.” Banafrit shot me a question, and I would always be open to answer. “Ask away.” “With no prior knowledge of spirits and such, what’s the reason behind your self-proclaimed title, the ‘Pony of Apparitions’? Even the building…” “It… just sounded right.” “Anything closely related to a pony’s purpose to get their cutie mark gives off a distinct feeling, right?” “I’m not sure, maybe. The memory of the day my cutie mark was bestowed upon me by scaring my mother is a pleasure I will never forget. That spirit would always linger when I thought about doing it to another pony, and the next, and the next… Even planning how to was enough.” “So then... do you think apparitions are a part of that?” she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. I tore my eyes away from the black sky, with its occasional passing dark cloud, and shifted my head horizontally toward Banafrit. Following her dull-colored eyes, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of emptiness. Not because she was a transparent ghost. I shifted my gaze in the opposite direction, releasing a soft breath through my nose, and muttered back, “What are you saying, Banafrit? I’m Hollow Shack, the Pony of Apparitions. I think we both know the answer to that.” Soon after, we both heard voices in the distance. “Look! A haunted house is over here.” “You want to check it out, babe?” “Yeah!” “I’ll just knock on the door and see if anypony answers.” They sounded like a grown mare and stallion—a couple at that. With a burst of passion, I grabbed my white half-mask and propelled myself into the air, my cape swirling in harmony. “Look’s like my cat will starve tonight.” “…What?” Banafrit said with a blank expression. “It’s Nightmare Night! We couldn’t possibly close up shop when we have chance encounters like this. Since they’re adults, I’ll handle this on my own. However, if things go downhill, I’m depending on you to give our customers the scare of a lifetime.” I galloped down the roof and entered through the nearest window, leaving Banafrit behind. There’s no need to worry about how she gets inside. She was a ghost, after all. She would phase through with no problems. “Once again, it’s showbiz time!” I watched Hollow Shack leap through a window, his hoofsteps pounding as he sprinted to the front of his store in a hurry. “I’m just going to leave this ghost costume behind.” Phasing through the roof to the first floor’s ceiling, I was eager as Hollow Shack swung open the door, waved his cape, and welcomed the new customers. “The name’s Hollowwwww Shack! And I’d like to welcome you to Baltimare’s Haunted House of Pony Apparitions!” As the mare clopped her hooves together in engrossment, a sense of joy washed over me. I couldn’t help but smile. Author's Note This is officially my first published and completed fimfic. Though there is potential for more stories with these characters, I have no plans for it now. I wrote this mostly for fun (technically in general, I write for fun) and for Halloween (Nightmare Night). Also written in two days, hopefully, my writing style wasn't too rough. Let's take a quick look at the characters, shall we? — Shining Ember is a pony scared of everything. — Jade Rain is a filly putting up with the crap that comes her way, not letting anything get her down for a good time. (Initially, I thought it would have been a fun concept to have Jade Rain be a red pony, while Shining Ember was blue. As a sort of weird joke, but when I did that, I ended up confusing myself... So yeah, I scrapped the idea.) — Vampy is a pet cat trying her best to live a life of luxury. — Banafrit is a laid-back mysterious ghost pony looking for a place to belong. — Our protagonist, Hollow Shack, is a fellow enraptured by all that is creepy. A unicorn stallion not afraid of following his dream, even if it meant living his life on the streets. As mentioned before, this is a small spin-off of another series I'm writing. The story takes place around the same time, within the same universe. Specifically after the first act of said story. Anyway, if you've made it this far, I'd like to express my humble thanks for reading my first published fanfic and fimfic. Of course, any likes and favorites are appreciated. Have a nice day and or Nightmare Night!
