//------------------------------//
// On the Rails 
// Story: Cutie Mark Crusaders: Legend Hunters 
// by Unicorncob 
//------------------------------//

The next day, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and their big sisters (‘sorta big sister’ in Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash’s case) met up at the Ponyville Train Station at sundown. There was a soft chill in the air, but the lack of clouds allowed the purple sky and setting sun to be visible to anypony still out at sundown.
To say Rarity was displeased to see that Rainbow Dash, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were dressed in their costumes on the train platform would be a bit of an understatement. She was fixing the other older pony with a rather annoyed glare.
“What?” The armoured Pegasus said with a big smirk plastered on her muzzle. “I said we wouldn’t get dressed on the train, you never said we couldn’t get dressed before we get on the train!”
“Ugh, honestly,” Rarity tutted. “What if you got them stained or ripped some seams on the way?”
Rainbow Dash tilted her head. “Uh, Rarity… armour doesn’t have seams.”
Rarity scrunched up her muzzle as she closely inspected Rainbow’s chest plate. “You know what I mean! At least Sweetie Belle had the sense to--Sweetie Belle!” She looked to see her little sister was wearing her black cloak and book strap.
“What?” The filly asked as she put the pointed hat on her head. “Everypony else is wearing theirs!””
“Nothing’s damaged,” the rainbow-maned pony groaned. “I’m not that careless.”
“I know you’re not,” sighed the Unicorn. “I’m sorry, I just worked so hard on these and I hate the thought of something happening to them. I want you all to look your best for the Horrorfest.”
“Rarity, you gotta chillax,” Rainbow Dash said softly, giving her friend a gentle nudge with a hoof. “You really think I’d get such an awesome costume dirty on purpose? You really outdid yourself this time.”
“Yeah!” The Crusaders chimed in. “Thanks again, Rarity!”
Rarity’s white cheeks turned pink with blush at the compliment. “Oh, well, it was all my pleasure. Be sure to tell anypony who made them if they ask~”

After not too long, the familiar chugging of an engine sounded, and the Friendship Express pulled up to the station, its coaches stopping at the platform for passengers to board and disembark. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were anxious to get on board for Hollow Shades, but Applejack and Rarity had pulled Rainbow Dash aside to exchange words. The fillies couldn’t make out what was being said, but it sounded urgent.
“Y’all are absolutely sure ya got this, Sugarcube?” asked Applejack, her ears lowered in worry. “Ah mean, Ah trust y’all with my life an’ Apple Bloom’s, but y’know, Hollow Shades is a pretty far ways away from here.”
“Yes, and there’s the dark forest that surrounds the town,” Rarity added, looking rather nervous herself. “And you know how adventurous those three are. Oh, did I pack enough for her? I know she usually deals with one suitcase, but maybe I have time to run home and pack a few more sweaters?”
“Maybe Ah should go with ya,” the orange Earth Pony suggested, and turned to begin a trot toward town. “Lemme just run home and pack up my--”
Rainbow Dash swooped over and cut her friend off. “Hey, hey! Both of you need to chill out. My parents used to take me to the Horrorfest every year, I know the place like the back of my hoof. And I made sure to get us booked into the inn there. Trust me, I got this.”
Applejack sighed and tipped her cowpony hat, giving her friend a somewhat forced smile. “Well, alright. Just don’t let ‘em wander off anywhere dangerous.”
“And make sure they’re not too cold,” added Rarity, earning a roll of the eyes from Dash.
“And if Apple Bloom starts actin’ all antsy, all ya gotta do is-”
“First of all, we can hear ya,” Apple Bloom called over, the older mares being met with nonplussed looks from the Crusaders. “And second of all, get a move on, Rainbow Dash! The train’s gonna leave soon!”

Applejack and Rarity exchanged awkward chuckles, while Rainbow Dash snickered into her hoof. A cyan ear flicked as the train’s whistle blew softly into the evening air, signalling it was ready to leave in a few minutes.
“Alright, we gotta roll,” she insisted, and hovered over to usher the Crusaders into the coach. “I’ll have ‘em back in one piece in a week!”
“One breathin’ piece,” warned Applejack, with a soft but stern glare.
“One thoroughly unfrightened breathing piece,” added Rarity.
“Alright already, sheesh!” The Pegasus rolled her eyes and disappeared into the couch. In a few seconds, hers and the fillies’ heads popped out of the windows, waving at the two mares who waved back.

“Look after each other!” Rarity called.
“We will!” squeaked Sweetie Belle.
“Y’all make sure ya eat properly!” advised Applejack.
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes with a smile. “Ah’ll bring ya back a candy apple or somethin’!”
“And don’t go wandering into any strange places!” Rarity went on.
“Or go talkin’ to any strange ponies!” added Applejack.
“Or letting anypony touch your costumes if their hooves are dirty!”
“Or takin’ any strange-lookin’ or smellin’ candy!”
“Or--”
Much to the fillies’ collective relief, the second tweet of the train whistle and the sudden forward jerk of the coach cut off the mares’ overbearing (and quite frankly embarrassing) displays of big-sisterness, and everypony waved goodbye for the week.

Once the train had pulled out of the station, and soon out of Ponyville, Rainbow Dash and the Cutie Mark Crusaders settled down on their seats and began buzzing over the Horrorfest.
Though, Sweetie Belle was quiet. She was curiously looking around the coach for other passengers, since she noticed that few ponies boarded on the platform. A curious sight, since she figured a lot of ponies would want to go to Equestria’s biggest Nightmare Night celebration. Though, on the other hoof, maybe they were waiting till it was closer to the very night before travelling over for the real experience or something? Or maybe they were in other coaches and she hadn’t been paying attention?
Whatever passengers were there seemed to have the same idea as the four of them. They were beginning to take costumes out of suitcases and bags and pulling them on, muttering to whoever they were with while wearing excited grins. It made her grin a little too, happy to see the spirit was still alive even out of Ponyville. All her own suitcase had were some glittery scarves and stylish sweaters hoofmade by her sister, as well as the Scariest Legends of Equestria book, a notebook and a pencil.
Then her attention turned to the book in her leather strap at her side. The witchcraft tome that apparently belonged to Princess Twilight Sparkle. She knew she probably shouldn’t try any spells or tricks in it, but it was an honest-to-Celestia book of witchcraft. There was no harm in at least taking a peek, was there?

A shimmer of mint-green magic surrounded the strap as the Unicorn filly undid it with her magic, then she pulled the book into her lap. Despite being a copy, it seemed plenty old, with a faded star dominating the purple hardback cover. Just the cover alone was awakening curiosity and wonder from inside the young magic enthusiast.
“Uhh, Sweetie Belle?” Apple Bloom suddenly spoke up to her, snapping her out of her train of thought. “Ya sure you should be readin’ that book? Ah thought it was just fer the costume?”
“It is,” Sweetie Belle insisted, “but nothing wrong with just reading it, is there?”
“Well you’re the biggest authority on magic of the four of us,” Rainbow Dash admitted, “but still, yeah, I wouldn’t try anything outta that.”
“I’m not gonna,” promised the filly, and it was the truth. All she wanted to do was see what it was all about.

Wasting no more time, she flipped the book open and flicked through the pages, a few interesting diagrams and titles catching her eye. Magic Circles, strange plant ingredients, potions, the whole deal was here. She recognised a few of the names of plants and herbs from Apple Bloom brewing potions with Zecora, the Zebra living in the Everfree Forest. For a moment she wondered if her friend would ever go back to it, given how busy the three were helping foals find their cutie marks.
She stopped at the page describing Familiars, magical creatures that acted as companions to witches, and smirked at the thought of Rarity’s cat, Opalescence, being her sister’s familiar. She definitely could be a wicked enough cat sometimes.

Suddenly the coach jerked upward a bit, causing Sweetie Belle to jolt out of her concentration and the book to flop onto the aisle.
“Shoot!” yelped Apple Bloom, leaned forward as an apple fritter balanced precariously in her hooves. “Nearly dropped my fritter!”
“Heh, sorry everypony,” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Forgot there was a little bump in the tracks there. Haven’t taken the train to Hollow Shades in years and all. You all alright?
”Uh-huh,” said Scootaloo as she adjusted her helmet.
“Just dropped my book,” Sweetie Belle muttered, and her horn began to glow as she attempted to lift the tome off the aisle.

The book indeed lifted off the ground, but not in a mint-green bubble of magic, but instead a violet aura enveloped it. She and the others watched as the book floated up into the air and landed gently on the seat beside her.
She hadn’t even noticed that another Unicorn was standing in the aisle next to their seats. She was covered in a black cloak, but her muzzle had a soft smile across it.
“I believe this is yours, young witch,” she said, having an almost sing-song tone in her voice.
Sweetie Belle couldn’t help but return an awkward grin. “Thanks. I was really sucked into it so I didn’t see the jump coming.”
The mare’s head tilted ever so slightly, her smile unwavering. “Just a filly and already interested in the arcane. That’s always good to see~”
“Oh, my magic’s not that good yet,” the filly admitted quietly, “I was just curious and wanted to have a look.”
“It always starts with curiosity, my dear,” the stranger said ominously, then added with a cheerful tone, “So, are you all going to the festival?”
“We totally are,” Rainbow Dash chirped, tipping her helmet upward a bit. “I’ve been before, but it’s the girls’ first time. I wanted to show them how awesome it is!”
“Well, I know you will all enjoy it,” said the mare, casually checking her hoof. “But if you’d all like to have a real scare, I’d recommend visiting the castle once you’ve settled in~”
“The castle?” asked Scootaloo, leaning toward the mare, eyes wide with wonder. Apple Bloom had also leaned in, cramming her apple fritter in her mouth.
“Oh yes, deep within the forest,” she said ominously. “It’s difficult to miss, especially in the day, but I’d recommend going at night. I’m sure such a brave Pegasus Legionnaire like yourself would be more than brave enough~”
“Hah, nothing scares me!” The orange filly boasted, her two best friends exchanging knowing glances.

“A castle in Hollow Shades?” Apple Bloom asked, tapping her hoof as something came to her. Something that Sweetie Belle had also been wondering. “Is there a vampire livin’ there?”
The cloaked mare walked on a few more paces, before turning to look over her shoulder. “Take a walk there one evening, young scarecrow, and you might just find out~”

A purple shimmer of magic coated the coach door as it slid open, and the mare continued her walk into the next car, not stopping or looking back.