The Fluttering

The first rays of morning burst through the closed blinds, shrouding the room in a warm orange, glow. Pinkie Pie was the first to awaken, her hyperactivity temporarily dulled. Slowly she snuck out of the room, trying with effort not to awaken her friends. Briefly she gazed towards the end of the hallway, her mind focused on the room at the end. What did Zecora mean? Is there some scary ghostie within? My Pinkie Sense hasn't detected anything but maybe the haunting pony slumbers. Pinkie shuddered ever so slightly before turning to head towards the kitchen. Zecora was already awake, a large cauldron of broth set before her. She stirred quietly, her mind far away within its own private world.

"Oh hi Zecora, watchya brewing? Is it a potion?"

Zecora snapped her eyes open, suddenly aware of the pink pony in front of her.

"'Tis simply a little breakfast for you ponyfolk, but if you like I could add some poison joke!" The zebra gave Pinkie a sly wink, having noticed the groggy pegasus behind them.

Rainbow Dash glared at the pair, hearing only the words poison joke. "What are you up to Pinkie? No pranks this early, for the love of Celestia!"

"Who me?" Pinkie smiled innocently, trying with effort not to guffaw loudly at the thought of Rainbow Crash.

Rainbow Dash simply continued to glare, her tired mind not prepared for Pinkies assault to the senses. She shoved the pink pony away and headed to the coffee pot.

"Uggh, before we hang I need to wake up... Unless you want to taste the rainbow!" She held up her fist threateningly before falling head first onto the table, it appeared that Rainbow had fallen back to sleep.

Back within the room Fluttershy began to twist and writhe beneath the covers, her mind far gone into the realm of nightmares.

"Fluttershy....Fluttershy...." A sinister voice whispered from the shadows.

"W-who g-goes there?"

"Come play with us Fluttershy!"

"I d-don't want to p-play!" The yellow pegasus began to whimper, fear taking hold of her emotions. Before her was an empty corridor devoid of any light or discernible exits. Far at the end sat a dark oak door that seemed to expand and retract, almost as if it was breathing. Fluttershy trotted slowly towards it hoping that this nightmare would end.

The further she wandered through the hallway, the more she noticed the blood seeping from the walls and the way the corridor enclosed around her. For what seemed like an eternity she reached the end, her breath now shallow with fear. Grasping hands shot from the walls, trying to pull the pegasus towards them. Fluttershy began to scream and thrash, trying desperately to avoid the fleshy limbs around her. Suddenly the door swung open, a single blood ringed eye stared at the frightened pegasus.

"Your going to love us, everybody loves us! Love us! Love us! LOVE US!"

Fluttershy awoke with an earsplitting scream, her body seized up from the terror. The bedroom door was thrown open, a very distressed Rainbow Dash came barreling through the open door.

"Fluttershy! Are you ok? What happened?"

"I had a horrible nightmare! It was very sc-scary!"

"Flutters, you gave me a heart attack! Are you perfectly sure your alright now?"

"P-positive, as long as eggs aren't on the menu..."

"Hehe, don't worry about that, Zecora made us breakfast!"

"Oh thank Celestia!"

Fluttershy rose out of bed and stepped into her fluffy slippers, her mind quickly forgetting the horrible dream. Slowly she trotted towards the kitchen. At the end of the hall a single door shut loudly, making the timid pegasus fly up into the air.

"M-must have been the wind, it s-sure is cold in here..."

Fluttershy continued on her way, staring back every so often to make sure she was still alone. Satisfied with her findings she left the hall completely. The kitchen door was wide open, assaulting Fluttershy with the mouth-watering scent of honey-dipped pancakes.

"Oh my what a delicious smell! Angel would have loved getting pancakes."

"Hey Fluttershy! How did you sleep? I slept well! Here have a bite of my homemade recipe! Your sure to llliiikkkee it!"

"Alright Pinkie, let Flutters wake up properly before you assault her with... Umm irritable happiness?" Rainbow Dash gave a slight shrug and twirled her hoof in the air, showing Fluttershy what she thought of the pink pony.

Fluttershy simply giggled and nodded in agreement. Suddenly a large fork was shoved into her open mouth, a large chunk of pancake impaled on its tines. The taste was simply divine, the warm honey dripped onto her tongue. A very satisfied Mmm was the only word they heard as the yellow pegasus grabbed a large plate and heaped it with at least a dozen pancakes.

Rainbow Dash stood and stared at the somewhat unusual display, "Umm Flutters? I think you've got enough of em there... 'Least leave some for me."

"Mmfhmmf!"

"Wow, you must really love my pancakes Shy! I must say I'm impressed that you can eat as much as me! Your looking at the three time All You Can Sweet champion!"

Breakfast came and went, everypony was now feeling quite relaxed and ready to investigate the *guests* of the hotel. Zecora sighed heavily at the massive pile of dishes lying in the sink, today was going to be a long day.

The three ponies began their adventure on the left side of the building, each room sealed with a special magic lock. The first one they entered contained a very large tank. They stared in wonder at the large octopus that peered directly at these newcomers. Pinkie tapped rapidly on the glass, the octopus ejected a large cloud of ink as the pink pony gave him a fright.

"Umm Pinkie, I don't think he likes you..."

"Aww but his so...quirky!"

"What kind of hotel keeps octopi? Rainbow Dash, your friend seems quite the animal lover!" Chirped Fluttershy, her face slowly forming into an excited grin.

"Heh yeh, she almost rivals you in the whole animal care thing."

"It says here this little guy is Steve, oh and he loves anchovies! Way to salty... I mean eww meat..." The bright pink pony guiltily shifted her eyes and tried to look somewhat innocent.

"Wait, what? Since when do ponies eat meat?"

"I didn't say anything about meat..."

"Oookay, lets just move on!"

Slowly they wandered towards the next room, an uneasy feeling fell over them at the guttural noises emanating from the iron door. A single look of fear plastered on each of their faces in turn. Rainbow Dash took a brave step forward, a smug grin breaking through the fearful expression.

"Looks like a job for Daring Dash!" Thud! Her hoof vibrated with the impact. Pinkie Pie pushed her aside and stuck a key in the lock.

"Where the buck did you get that from?"

"Oh, my secret key stash... For key emergencies!"

"Right..."

The door swung open to reveal a large tub in the center of the room. Two golden, reptilian eyes peered out from the lip of the metal tub. A large jaw opened wide in a yawn, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth.

"Oh my what a handsome alligator you are, oh yes you are!"

Fluttershy stepped forward and began to scratch the large reptiles chin. His eyes drifted shut in animalistic pleasure. Pinkie and Dash stood with mouths agape at the amazing sight. The yellow pegasus gave her friends a sheepish smile, "Only dragons are scary, other reptiles? Not really. At least alligators aren't huge and fire-breathing..."

"Sometimes you even surprise ME! To think, I've known you all this time and I still get amazed at certain things!"

"Well somethings I like to keep secret from you..." Fluttershy gave a sly wink and continued to caress the alligators rough hide. A small notice attached to the tub revealed his name to be Al.

"This guy just loves to chomp on deer, trout, cockatrice and woah! His favorite snack is phoenix! Hmm flame grilled style..."

"Bwahaha, good one Pinkie!"

"His such a gorgeous alligator, I would keep this big guy if I could! Ooh I wonder what's in the next room!" Fluttershy gave one last pat to the now sleeping alligator before she turned away and flew over to the next room.

"Umm are you alright Flutters? You seem a bit overexcited compared to your usual self..."

"Oh don't be silly! I'm in a personal heaven, animal hotel? Yes please!"

The door before them felt icy to the touch, a fine frost misted from the gap beneath. Fluttershy wrapped a thick cloth around her hoof before pushing the door open. Frigid air burst out from the room sending an icy chill down her spine. Within sat two very confused penguins, their eyes fixed on the fish that Pinkie Pie suddenly pulled from apparent thin air.

"Here have a fish!"

"What? How? Huh?"

"Flutters don't think, just accept the Pinkie."

The yellow pegasus stood dumbfounded at the randomness of the situation. Both penguins yanked pieces of fish out of the earth pony's hoof, a giggle escaping her as the beaks tickled the sensitive padding.

"Hehe, I wonder if these animals love parties! Oh I know, lets have a Beastie Bonanza, with cake and music and..." Pinkie trailed off as her friends tuned out from her voice.

A look of annoyance passed between the two pegasi, "Perhaps its time for lunch?"

"And punch and..."

"I take that as a yes..."

A plate of daffodil and sunflower sandwiches was set on the table, Zecora nowhere to be found. Stuck to the wall was a handwritten note written in a hastily scrawled script,

Dear Ponyfolk,

A matter of importance has come up recently but i made sure to stock the fridge decently. I hope you won't be to lost without me, just remember to stay away from room 237!

Be back soon as the evening moon,

Zecora

"Does that mean I get to cook now?" Asked a somewhat preoccupied Pinkie. A strange sensation worked its way through her stomach.

"I guess, wonder what would require the help of a zebra brew?"

"Who cares, I get more time with the animals!"

"Err aren't you supposed to be element of kindness?" Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out at her friend and tried to ignore the change in Fluttershy's demeanor. Probably just tired from those bad dreams.

"Oh I mean, I hope everything's ok... Wouldn't want anything bad to be happening in Ponyville!"

"Hey guys? I'll be back in a jiffy... The ladies room requires my attention." All they saw was a bright pink blur as Pinkie took off like a runaway train. At the end of the hall she skidded to a stop in front of their room. Her tail began to twitch as the door opened on it's own accord.

"Mr Ghostie! Show yourself... I can feel you there!"

A single unintelligible whisper reached her ears, the icy hand of death grasping Pinkies leg. Her body spasmed at the freezing touch, her tail now twitched like it had a mind of its own. She readied herself for a fight but just like that, the room became warmer and her tail dropped to her side; limp as a rag.

"Well that sure was creepy... Maybe this hotel is haunted!"

"Pinkie! Did you fall in or something?"

"Nope I'm just fine and dandy!"

"Well you better hurry, only got two sandwiches left!"

The afternoon was spent in peaceful tranquility, even Pinkie managed to sit still... relatively speaking. Fluttershy had made a new friend in an adorable little raccoon, his banded eyes firmly caught in hers. Quietly they sat together and played with a small rubber ball. On the other side of the room Rainbow Dash was reclined on a lumpy green couch, her nose firmly planted in the newest Daring Do novel. All throughout the hotel, the silence hung in the air unbroken by even the slightest sound.

Bang!

"What in the-?"

Bang! Bang!

"Err Flutters did we check the basement?"

"I don't think so..."

"Stay here, if there's danger I can handle it!"

"O-ok"

The cyan pegasus set down her book and flew to the large door leading into the dingy basement below. The banging began to settle as the light click of the locks reached whatever was in there. Rainbow Dash yanked the door open, her wings keeping her aloft and out of harms way. A strange hunched form sat crouched in the corner, its beady red eyes glaring at the newcomer.

"Hey there fella, sounds like you want some attention. Come out and show Dashie what you ar- Oh my gosh! What the heck are you?"

The creature bounded forward, the light glancing off the red jewels above his birdlike beak. Rainbow Dash hovered above it for quite some time before she realized what sat before her.

"Hey Fluttershy! Come here, his a real umm sweetheart?"

A few moments passed before the shy yellow pegasus appeared, her curiosity far exceeding her fear.

"Oh my, a bunyip... I thought they were simply an old mare's tale! Who's a cutie bunyip, oh yes you are!"

A shriek of what seemed to be happiness erupted from the creature as Fluttershy began to coo softly.

"Never thought I'd see one of these ugly critters... No offense."

The bunyip nodded slightly, his toothy grin setting Rainbow Dash on edge. Pinkie Pie came bounding down the stairs and pointed at the sign above.

Don't feed the bunyip! Ponies are his favorite!

"Flutters get away from it... He eats ponies!"

"Nonsense he wouldn't hurt a- wah!"

His teeth gnashed together in hunger, sharp claws began to extend from his paws. Rainbow Dash dove towards him and tried to drag Fluttershy out of reach. Before he could grab them both however, Pinkie Pie threw a large steak towards his open mouth. It landed with a wet plop at the bunyips feet, distracting it with the smell of meaty liquid. Silently they crept away from the beast and shut the door behind them. The locks shifted back into place as the sounds of ravenous feeding erupted from the creature beneath.

"Ok so maybe we stay away from the basement door? Why couldn't Zecora mention that?"

"Maybe she didn't know about it?"

"Yeh probably... Anyway I think I'm gonna call it a night. You want me to stay with you again Flutters?"

"If that's alright with you... I'll probably have nightmares about bunyips now!"

Rainbow Dash turned to Pinkie Pie with a questioning look, "You coming Pinkie?"

"Yep, but I think I'll just sleep on the floor thanks!" Pinkie gave a sly grin, knowing full well how Rainbow Dash felt about a certain shy pegasus.

Far away in the Everfree forest, a lone zebra saw a premonition of axes, blood and insanity. Something was not right in that hotel and Zecora prayed that Pinkie could keep whatever evil lurked at bay...