//------------------------------// // Confusing, Crazy Castle // Story: The Completely Normal Pet of Spike the Dragon // by DauntedSuperior //------------------------------// ‘I’m a little black kitten, flying though the air, against the night sky, how did she see me!?’ I thought as the ponies continued trotting around the castle walls. Applejack said something about seeing the door, but I was still lost in thought of the battle that could’ve been. ‘I mean really, how?... I should be thankful since now my cover isn't blown...’ then another thought hit me as I heard their hooves striking stone flooring instead of dirt, ‘Why am I keeping this a secret again?’ I sighed and dropped the question deciding to think about it later. “Alright, it doesn’t look like anypony’s been here. That means the others are still somewhere else in the castle.” Applejack stated as she moved to one of the tents, me still on her hat, “It’s pretty obvious that this place is haunted,” ‘Really, I hadn't noticed.’ “So we’re goin ta take it slow from now on an Scruffy will go first ta make sure it’s safe.” ‘... Not sure if that's racist or not.’ I thought as Apple Bloom rushed in front of her sister. “Ya can’t let Scruffy go first! What if a ghost gets him?” the little filly shook her head, “If it was Winona-” “Gonna stop ya right there Bloom.” Applejack readjusted her hat, “He’s gonna be right on my head the entire time.” “Oh, sorry.” she stated before a clatter from one of the tents drew our attention. A random metal cup flew out of a yellow tent followed by another and a frying pan before Applejack spoke up, “Scootaloo, what in tarnation do you think yer doin?” The little pegasus’ head popped out the front of the tent, “Uh, getting a camera?” she stated as if it was obvious before going back into the tent. “Ya don’t got to throw things around to do that. Besides, I think you’re in the cookin supplies.” Applejack stated as we watched a pot fly out of the tent. “Found it!” Scootaloo cried triumphantly before walking out of the tent wearing a helmet with a metal frame on to it. That metal frame was holding a camera, “My dad helped me make this when I told him we were going ghost hunting!” she said excitedly. “Why was it with the cookin stuff?” Apple Bloom asked quietly. Applejack let out a sigh and shook her head, “Alright, ya got yer camera now let’s start down another hallway and try to find out where everypony-” “Ahhhhhhhhh! Get it off! Get it off! Get it off!” Rarity’s voice echoed from the hallway on the right wall at the back of the room. “That was Rarity!” Applejack stated before galloping towards the hallway. I could hear Apple Bloom and Scootaloo following as fast as they could, “Rarity! Keep screaming so we can find you!” “Never thought I’d hear my sis to tell Rarity to keep screamin.” Apple Bloom said to Scootaloo, electing a chuckle from both of them. Meanwhile, I was looking left and right for any kind of spirit that I would need to warn AJ about. We took another turn as Rarity screamed again, though this time it sounded muffled and farther away. Applejack had to of noticed as she growled and picked up the speed. We followed the hallway past some cool banners and kept running, though we didn’t hear Rarity’s voice a third time. It wasn’t long before the walls seemed to blend together, but it wasn’t till we ascended some stairs that I completely lost where we were. A few more moments later and Applejack began to slow down as we came upon a hallway that ended with a very decorative door. It was black with a silver cresent moon in it and one look immediately gave me that ‘Don’t mess with it’ sense. I heard AJ give an annoyed sigh as she turned to go back down a different hallway. “That’s jus’ great.” Applejack said as she looked down on the two fillies, “Can anypony hear Rarity still?” they both shook their heads, “Well gosh darn it. Knew I should’ve roped Dash into helpin...” Scootaloo collapsed onto the ground as if she had just ran a marathon and Apple Bloom was panting but still on her hooves, “Can we-” “Ain’t got time to rest.” Applejack stated before lowering to the ground, “Now hop on, it was stupid of me ta rush off like that, but we still don’ got time ta lose.” as the two moved to do as she had asked I felt the a cold chill run through me and the hairs on my neck stand on end. “Hey, what’s up with Scruffy now?” Scootaloo asked as I continued to look around frantically for any paranormal signs of activity. “He’s caught wind of somethin, somethin we don’ want ta stick around ta see.” Applejack stated before she started back down the hallway. Once again I got to watch the walls and paintings pass by as Applejack lead us, at a slower speed, through the castle’s second floor. As the search continued though the hairs on the back of my neck refused to calm down. Dread began to sink in my stomach as I continued to look around. ‘It's following us...’ the thought was a frightening one. Apple Bloom had started a conversation with Applejack about something while Scootaloo tried to point her helmet cam in whatever direction I was looking in. “....” my ears twitched as I thought I heard something, “Ahh...” ‘What was that?’ “Everypony quiet!” Applejack quickly said as we stopped at a corner by one of the moon banners. Her ears began to move to and fro to try and hear the noise again. “AHHHH!” the scream sounded like it was suddenly right behind us. Applejack got half way turned around before I saw a white blur fly out from behind the banner and slam into all of us. The next thing I knew I was in the air and about to fall towards the ground. A quick curse to gravity was all I could do before I watched the ground quickly approach my face before I shut my eyes. .... Instead of the hard ground, I was surprised to feel I was being held in the air. Looking down I saw I was encased in a light bluish aura of magic. It felt weird though. I’ve been grabbed by magic before and it was like a soft but firm grasp. As it was now I felt like I could slip out of it if I moved too much. I was suddenly dropped the few inches to the ground, landing on my feet. Behind me I could hear groans of pain and discomfort. Turning around, I found out what had hit us. From underneath a dazed Applejack I saw Rarity spread out and trying to catch her breath. Behind her I could see the crusaders all piled together, also dazed from the look of it. Sweetie Belle's head was even swaying from side to side like she was dizzy. Apple Bloom tried to get up almost immediately, swaying on her three hooves as she used the fourth to rub the side of her head, “What hit us?” “We did...” Sweetie and Rarity both said in unison. I smiled, ‘About time we caught a break.’ with no real urgency I started to walk towards the group before the hairs on the back of my neck stopped me. I turned my back to the group and looked down the hallway. A shimmer of in the moonlight was all I saw. The hallway behind it seemed distorted, but with the chill that was going through me, I knew there was something there. The others behind me began to talk and apologize while my eye never left the figure. ‘Wait, my eyes!’ slowly I channeled magic into my eyes to see if it would do anything. Everything around me got clear as crystal and I could see a distinct out line of a pony, but no more. Then it stumbled backwards and I heard the muffled strike of it’s hooves on the stone ground. I saw it turn and run, the sound of hooves striking the floor quickly fading away as a thought struck me, ‘My eyes... whoever or whatever that was saw them glow and ran...’ I heard the others start to move towards me, but I continued to ignore them as a thought went through my head, ‘That didn't seem like a ghost to me... just what is going on in this crazy castle?’