//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: Betrayal at House on the Hill 
// by Arrow 
//------------------------------//

Foals and adults alike frolicked and played well into Nightmare Night. A joyous, if macabre time was had by all. Ponyville had, as always, unleashed all the stops in throwing the celebration. Six best friends in a treehouse library, however, had made different plans for the night.

“So,” Rainbow Dash looked incredulously at the black cardboard box that Twilight had produced. “remind me again why we all decided to stay indoors during Nightmare Night? We could be outside having some real fun instead of being cooped up in here!”

“As fun as last years’ Nightmare Night was, neither Fluttershy nor Rarity were able to make it.” Twilight explained. “So, I decided to look for something we could all do together, and I think I found the perfect game.” she finished triumphantly.

“Betrayal at House on the Hill?” asked Rainbow Dash. She eyed the board game skeptically.

“That title don’t seem right.” Applejack noted.

“I didn’t name it,” Twilight said defensively. “but trust me, it’s a good game. Basically, it’s about six friends who explore a haunted house, and we build the house using these cards. So the next time somepony plays, the house will be different! Eventually one of the friends is a traitor who has to do all sorts of scary things to the heroes. We've got two books that'll tell each side what to do to win."

“Love haunted houses!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed jubilantly, bounding in place. “They're great fun for the scarers in setting things up, and for the scarees because they can enjoy it! Is 'scaree' a word?”

“Don't think so,” Applejack replied dryly. “and neither is 'scarer'.”

"This is a bit more involved than a haunted house too," Rarity added. "with all the dice rolls and sides."

“How scary is the game?” Fluttershy asked. Rarity, who was next to her, felt a small shudder from the pegasus.

“It's just a board game,” Twilight said confidently. “so really things only get as scary as your imagination will let it.”

“Besides,” Rarity added. “we'll all be right here. No one's going to actually put you through anything, dear. We've all faced far worse than a silly board game.”

“And there's nothing magical about this board game.” Twilight quickly added as Rarity felt Fluttershy tense. “It's all just die, cards, numbers, and words. No, we're not going to ACTUALLY go into the haunted house. I've already checked it for spells...not like it's going to have any on it in the first place. That said...part of the fun is role-playing each of the characters as if you were in it."

Fluttershy visibly relaxed, though her anxiety remained high. "I guess you're right, Twilight; we really have faced a lot worse things. Discord, Nightmare Moon..."

"I'm fairly certain the trees that Nightmare Moon turned into scary faces were scarier than this." Pinkie Pie reminded. "Just don't forget to giggle at the ghosties!"

"It's all just words," Fluttershy reminded herself. "I won't let it get to me. Not after all that. It's just a board game.

"Well," Rainbow Dash said excitedly. "let's get started, then!"

Twilight opened the black box, using her magic to make each of the pieces fly into position. She begun enthusiastically explaining the rules...

<==>

It was a dark and stormy night. Twilight and her friends stepped into the haunted house on the hill confidently. She assured her friends that there was nothing haunted or mysterious about it at all. The wooden floor creaked menacingly as the six friends peered around. Everything about the house was foreboding and unwelcoming, the darkness penetrating; even Twilight and Rarity's illumination spells seemed less effective than normal. The two doors leading to other rooms were slammed shut, while the stairs in front of them led to an inky blackness.

“Twilight, are you sure this is a good idea?” Applejack asked as Fluttershy brought up the rear, doing her best to keep a low profile.

“I want to go home!” Fluttershy squeaked and ran for the door behind her.

“Fluttershy, there's no reason to be afraid!” Twilight chided gently. “It's just an old creaky house. Besides, the game doesn't let you leave, there aren't any tiles for the outside.”

Fluttershy gulped and did her best to keep up with the group while Rarity's fashonista eyes were already criticizing the interior decoration. “Eurgh, even the air is mangy and old...to say nothing of the construction of the place. Haunted house or not, this place should have been designed to last!”

Rainbow Dash paid Rarity no heed and gently ribbed Fluttershy. “Aww, come on, Fluttershy! Where's your sense of adventure?!” Rainbow Dash confidently bolted to the door leading to the left and disappeared from view, while Pinkie Pie happily bounded upstairs, followed by Rarity.

“Eh, I better follow RD,” Applejack said. “she needs somepony to keep 'er outta trouble.” she followed the route Rainbow Dash took.

“You should follow Applejack.” Twilight told Fluttershy. “She is, after all, the most loyal and dependable of ponies, right?”

Fluttershy couldn't agree more and took off after Applejack with uncharacteristic speed.

Twilight gave her friend a gentle smile and opened rightmost door, eager to prove her friends' concerns in vain. As the door handle clicked open obligingly, she couldn't help but feel that would be the last time the six of them would meet as friends.

That thought scared her far more than the house did.