*My interpretation of the classic Disney ride, with a ponified twist.*
I do not own the cover image, that amazing artist can be found here!
Chores. Chores. Chores. They never end. Applejack has had enough, and embarks on a long overdue vacation at what she presumes to be a hotel. It looks like a decent enough place, sadly, with 999 guests, it's almost filled to capacity, and large enough to house 1,000 guests at once. But there's room for one more.
However, Applejack soon finds herself the unwilling applicant of the final vacancy, and while attempting to escape from the dark hallways of the dead, first has to escape the very familiar looking residents who want her to stay.
Forever.
Chapters (6)
Still my one of my favorite rides at Disney World second only to Splash Mountain. This fic has my interest.
It's Applejack's turn to see some nightmarish imagery since Apple Bloom ran into that zombie town.
Pro Tip: (This works if you have a multiple park pass)
Since Disney World doesn't sell alcohol, if you can, go to Epcot which does sell booze, get smashed out of your mind, go back to the Magic Kingdom and "really" enjoy Space Mountain.
Well, if you're going by the official comics, the Haunted Mansion would actually be slightly farther away, south of Appleloosa. It was on the map.
It's a pretty fun take on the ride, and seems to stay true to the dark, morbid sense of humor, especially with Discord's lines. I did feel like the cast list at the beginning took away some of the surprise of seeing who would be in each scene, but I like the concept. Especially since the comics seemed to suggest that the Equestrian version of the Haunted Mansion is where the changelings live... but it's your story, so do whatever you want with it.
2745909 Thanks for your comments!
1. The Cast List is meant to generate more of a feeling of watching an old silent film, back when horror was actually... you know. Scary. Phantom of the Opera, Noserfatu, The Mummy. Not this crap we have now. I was never too worried about trying to surprise anyone, so that's alright.
2. I actually never even knew there was a mansion on the map. That's... kinda creepy, actually. I have no idea why that's there or what it is. But no, that was not intended to be THIS mansion. This mansion does not have any exact definable location other than being in the Everfree somewhere, it's 'just one of those things.' Thanks for showing me the map though, that's nifty!
Well I hope this story is good, because I liked and favorited on the concept alone.
I'm very excited to read this.
Flim and Flam as the Ghost Paintings who always shoot at one another?
I'm trying to think of a use for Rarity and RD, but not coming up with anything.
Also, you can't have a haunted mansion story without the Hitchhiking Ghosts.
2746626 I don't have plans for Rarity or Rainbow at this moment, but can easily work them in if something jumps out. As for the hitchhiking ghosts, won't be making that reference for a while seeing as this story roughly follows the actual progression of the ride and those are at the end, but don't you worry, you'll get them!
Enjoyed this chapter, but be careful for stuff like this:
Unless you're trying for a rhyme here, I'd change one of those. It kind of clangs in your head
2780643 Ack! Thank you, gonna fix that right now!
Was that a Fluffle Puff cameo?
2818397 Yes. Yes it was.
Okay, I gotta admit, that was funny.
I wonder, did you take some inspiration from the video game? I never played it, but...
So why were the ghosts similar to the ponies Applejack knew so well?
2829526 That's up to individual interpretation. Perhaps it was some sort of purgatory, or perhaps the ghosts true forms were just so terrifying that they take on familiar forms of the subconscious to help comfort mortal visitors. Whatever the reason, it worked surprisingly well.
As for the game, no. I did extensive research on the history of the ride, watched it from various angles, and studied the actual transcript of the ride from the queue to the exit bay, and worked out a story draft accordingly, fitting each character to the most appropriate pony.
She didn't ask the soldier what she looked like.
2829526 My guess is they could be ansesctors of the other ponies
3021925
Well, if the soldier is Shining Armour, it's obviously Cadence
AJ is smart enough to see a coincidence (or, as i say, coinki-dink,) like that
3364616
That's true.