//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Truth or Dare? // by Super Spike //------------------------------// Nightmare Night was always a fun holiday for foals to celebrate. Some go trick-or-treating and attend parties. Others like to enter into scary places to be thrilled. On this Nightmare Night, eight foals decide to go to someplace that would change their lives forever. * * * * While trick-or-treating, four colts walked all over the streets of Ponyville, looking for something to do. Their bags of candy were full of sweets. "Where do you want to go next?" Pipsqueak asked. He was a small white earth pony colt with brown patches all over him, as well as having a dark brown mane and tail, and was wearing another pirate costume. This time with a feather on his hat, a hook on his hoof, and a fake parrot on his back. He loved princesses and had dedicated his life to become a great leader. "I'm not sure," Button Mash said. He was a brown earth pony colt with an orange mane and tail and was dressed in a Joy Boy box. He was a big fan on video games. "I heard of a haunted house that we can go," Rumble said. He was a gray pegasus colt with a black mane and tail and was dressed up as a batpony. He was very daring and dedicated his life to become a Wonderbolt just like his older brother, Thunderlane. "It's a block away from where we are." "Are you sure about that?" Gold Watch responded. He was a pink earth pony colt with a purple and white striped mane and tail and was wearing an astronaut suit. He was a very nervous colt who was very protective toward his sister and his friends. "It's eight o'clock. I have to be home in a hour. Mom and Dad are expecting me." "Relax," Rumble said. "It's just a haunted house. We'll only be in there for a few minutes. I've been to many of those throughout my life. It's just full of ponies that wear "scary" costumes and decorate the house full of "scary" things. So, are you all in?" "I'll go," Pipsqueak answered. "Me too," Button answered. "I...guess I'll give it a try," Gold Watch said nervously. The four colts walked over a distance to see what the haunted house look like. At the same time, four fillies were passing by. "Man, my bag is getting very full," Dinky Hooves said. She was a purple unicorn filly with a yellow mane and tail and was dressed up as Princess Twilight Sparkle. She was very colt crazy and had a huge crush on Pipsqueak. "I think we've been to evewy housth," Twist said. She was a vanilla earth pony filly with a red curly mane and tail, as well as wearing purple eye glasses. She was dressed up as Princess Celestia. She had a huge interest on candy and had a lisp due to missing a few teeth. "Shall we head home?" Silver Spoon asked. She was a gray earth pony filly with a silver braided mane and tail, as well as wearing red eye glasses and a light blue beaded necklace, and was dressed up as Princess Luna. She was a sweet filly who used to bully the Cutie Mark Crusaders, but turned a new leaf after the class election. "My parents are expecting me to be home in a half hour." "Not yet," Diamond Tiara said. She was pink earth pony filly with a purple and white striped mane and tail, similar to her twin brother, Gold Watch, as well as wearing a silver tiara on her mane. She was dressed up as Princess Cadence. She was a sweet filly who used to bully the Cutie Mark Crusaders until she turned a new leaf when she stood up to her abusive mother, Spoiled Rich. "I heard about a haunted house that we can try out. It's a block away from where we are. Besides, I don't have to be home for another hour. What do you say?" "I'm in," Silver answered. "Me too," Twist answered. "Uh, I'm not sure," Dinky answered nervously. "Oh come on, Dinky," Diamond said. "We'll only be in there for a few minutes." "Um, okay," Dinky said nervously. The four fillies then walked toward the haunted house. Upon arriving, they saw four colts staring at the haunted house. "Wow," Button said. "That's one big house." "But where are all of the pumpkins, ghosts, and scary lights?" Pipsqueak said confusedly. "Are you sure that it's the right house?" "I think so," Rumble said as he pulled something out of his candy bag. "Here, I have an article about it. It looks kind of silly, but it sounds cool." The colts looked at the article that stated what the haunted house was about. The Haunted House This house may appear to be any home, but don't let that fool you. It has been known to claim many ponies' lives. Fifteen years ago, seven foals walked inside and decided to play truth or dare, with only one of them escaping. The other six foals were never seen again. Visitors must take caution upon entering because one you go inside, you may end up playing a game in which may never be able to exit the house. "Wow, that's scary," Gold Watch said. "I know, right?" Rumble responded. "Anyway, want to check it out?" "What?" Gold Watch answered. "No way! Didn't you read the article? It says that the house is dangerous." "Oh come on," Rumble said. "I found the article yesterday when I was heading home from school. I'm pretty sure whoever wrote it was just pulling a prank." "Hey guys," Diamond said as she and her friends walked towards the group. "Are you guys going into the haunted house, too?" "We sure are," Rumble responded. "Are you?" "Yep," Diamond responded. "Before we go in, how about you read the article about the haunted house?" Rumble asked. "Okay," Diamond said. She and her friends read the article and then looked at Rumble in shock. "Is it true?" Dinky asked worriedly. "I doubt it," Rumble said. "It's just an article." "Well then, let's go inside," Diamond said excitedly. The eight foals walked past the gate and Rumble turned the knob to try opening the door. Surprisingly, it was unlocked. "Are you sure about this?" Gold Watch nervously asked the group. "Are you sure we're not breaking into someone's actual house?" "I'm pretty sure," Rumble responded. "I think." The eight foals walked inside and saw the layout of the house. It was big with two stories. A grandfather clock was present in the living room, an old TV was present, a kitchen with a refrigerator and a stove was next to it, and the wallpaper seemed to look like any normal house would have. "This is weirding me out," Silver said. "Hello!" Rumble shouted, but got no response. "Maybe we should all just leave," Gold Watch said nervously. "No way," Rumble said. "I'm sure that whomever set this up was meant to scare us in order to fool us and then pop up in surprise." "Yeah, come on, big brother," Diamond said. "You should man up. You're older than me." "By only a minute," Gold Watch said. "Besides, something doesn't seem right here. It's just too quiet here." As Button closed the door, the group saw some arrows on the ground that were pointing toward the living room. "I think we're supposed to walk there," Pipsqueak said. The eight foals saw the arrows lead to the sofa. "The arrows end here," Button said. "Maybe we're supposed to sit here," Pipsqueak said. The foals all sat on the couch. "So, what now?" Diamond pondered. "Are we supposed to wait until somepony walks up to us?" "I don't know," Button said. "This sofa is pretty comfortable." "I know," Rumble said. "Let's play a game of truth or dare while we're waiting?" "Are you crazy?" Gold Watch responded frantically. "What if the article is actually real?" "Oh come on," Rumble said. "Unless Discord is here pulling a prank on us, I'm pretty darn sure that nothing will happen." "Um, okay," Gold Watch said nervously. "Alright then, let's take some cards out and write down a few truths and dares on them," Rumble announced. "Then we'll shuffle the deck and take turns." With that said, the eight foals took some quills, dipped them into ink, and began to write on the cards to begin the game of truth or dare.