//------------------------------//
// Schoolfillies React To (or rather play): The Affected- The Manor VR 
// Story: Ponies React To 
// by Matthew_Golezerg 
//------------------------------//

Matthew stared contently out of his window, though contently wouldn't be an appropriate word for other people. Most of what he could distinguish were faint silhouettes of nearby  houses and tall buildings in the distance. Most of the calming view of the streets were unfortunately veiled by a sandy brown haze that arrived from a forest fire in his neighbouring country of Indonesia. No government warnings were declared, but mass media have been broadcasting around the clock informing the public to remain indoors and recommended face masks when stepping outside.

In Matthew's case, he didn't mind. In fact, he found all this miserable weather mildly enjoyable. He wasn't sure why but he had this lingering sense of alienation when he noticed the lack air pollution back in Equestria. The cleanest air he has ever breathed in his life, the most luscious greenery he has ever saw, it felt like heaven. It felt a bit nauseating to him. So seeing black smoke from open burning and jet trails from the aircrafts above was a bit refreshing, he believed it was a reminder to himself that things like these were something only humans like him could familiarise with.

By the way, the window that I meant was the one that belonged to his house on Earth.

Earlier that week, he had been busy packing up his belongings and amenities, especially those that didn't came from the land of Equestria. He had made his decision to leave Equestria for good to return to his world. A place where he called his true home, the place where he belonged.

"Let's see, am I missing anything?" he did a run-down on his list and glanced at the contents of his suitcase one last time. Nothing seemed to be missing, all his clothes and camera equipment were all set and ready for travel. Anything else that was given to him in this land was returned, like his laptop and Crystalphone. It didn't belong to him, it was never his to begin with. They were gifts from those who loved him, gifts that he didn't deserve. Bringing in any of those stuff with him to Earth would disturb his conscience. Besides, those things wouldn't work at all in his world anyway.

There's one thing he'd thought best left behind though, and that would be that sandwich that escaped somewhere. He had yet to find an explanation as to why it suddenly had a life of its own and was out after his blood. He's not going to bother wasting his time finding it and asking about it though, he shuddered nervously at the traumatic moment where he nearly trashed an entire living room just barely fending him off. He preferred that abomination would find itself comfortable here and away from him, besides he heard ponies had experience with monsters like that.

"Well if there's nothing else, I'm done here." he zipped up his bag and went to the door. Where he made his last trek to Twilight's castle, hoping she would be kind enough to send him back to where he came from. Because he knew well that nopony wanted him to go, and by the looks of it, didn't have a good reason to.

Before that day though, she often times refused to talk to him for a while after he showed her the reaction video he recently posted yesterday. However, that's the effect Matthew wanted to see in the first place, and the reactors were no different. But unlike them however, Twilight did one better and seek to understand Matthew's species, from his culture down to his science. Her friends were suspicious of her, thinking Twilight was making plans to travel to Matthew's dimension.

Matthew wished the best of luck to her regardless, because her friends would make sure she didn't get any chance of it. Twilight wouldn't belong there, she wouldn't understand. Her home is in Equestria, where she has friends and family who need her more than Planet Earth does.

She started to feel more comfortable with Matthew around though as time went on.

Matthew arrived at the castle, and went inside. He had a moment to think, why does no one here ever lock their front door? But then again, this was Equestria, crime was often scarce. Yet in America, there were those individuals who would leave their doors unlocked, which confused him. America isn't the safest place to be in the world. It's basic common sense for your house to be secured at all times.

But then again, he never lived there and never grew up knowing why. His parents did though for a while to study, and that's where they met.

Focusing back to reality, he realized he made it to the Round Table, or a map or a magic GPS or- you know what? You can make your own jokes about this.

He looked around the room, obvious to everyone there was no one in sight. It wouldn't be strange though, unless you got guards posted in these empty hallways, it felt like it was abandoned for about a week or so. This castle was humongous and even in a room of ten ponies still felt the room empty.

Fixing his footing, he figured she was out to do something and thought a little exploring for a bit would be nice while waiting for her to come back soon.

Placing his suitcase beside one of the thrones, he then made his way to one of the big doors in the room. When entering into one of the halls, it seemed to be decorated with all sorts of spooky stuff like carved pumpkins and the sort.

When he thought about it, when he was outside, heading to Twilight's, most of the ponies was starting to decorate their houses with ornaments and heard discussions on what costumes to wear and fillies challenging  each other on how much candy they could collect on the next week or so. All of them related to being Nightmare Night or something. He figured that this was Equestria's equivalent to Halloween, often celebrated in the US or Britain or anywhere that mainly believed in Christianity. Which was a new sight to see because his country never celebrated Halloween, whatnot believing in a different religion.

He then slid open another door in front of him. The room was filled with books neatly stacked beside each other, to put it directly, it's a library alright? 

However, what intrigued him the most was a huge contraption in the middle of the room. Matthew was impressed when he saw it, he never knew Twilight would build something great like Nikola Tesla or other inventors.

All that's left missing from them was what she had just built here. His friends didn't mention much of it, either they wanted it to be kept a secret or he wasn't spending time with them enough to feel comfortable sharing about it.

Well, whatever the reason was, it still looked amazing. And then, he had the most terrible idea ever, he thought he could get it to turn on and see what happened. I mean, you've got to expect him to do that. He's 16 years old and wasn't that mature, despite the hardship he suffered early in his life.

He approached closer to the machine. But like most first inventions, there were no easy way of telling if there was a switch or a button to turn it on. Later updates of inventions often simplified the position and mechanics of it, this wasn't it.

The door swung open behind him, alerting him and making a dash behind the machine, hoping whoever entered, the most possible being Twilight, didn't spot him snooping around something potentially dangerous.

The hoofsteps were getting somewhere closer and it seemed irregular, possibly there was another pony or more alongside the first, making him tense up. But then again, he had no reason to hide from anyone in this place. Well, trying to turn this machine on was a good reason why but other than that, nothing forced him to be hidden from others.

"We've discussed this, Twilight. If he wanted to go, we shall let him go," the voice felt regal and soft, but stern and blunt. Definitely the Princess was here.

"I know, Princess. It's just that- we'll probably never see him again." which was true. Matthew never planned to return here, he already spent a year living in this place what he called paradise. But all good things must come to an end as they say, and he has to endure hardships to move on in life.

"Twilight, you must understand that we must respect his decisions, wether we like it or not." Matthew was starting to feel sympathy, and also curious. Why were they recapping their discussions here? He guessed this was the last place where he could be around. Twilight did say the room was not allowed to him unless permission was granted.

"I do, it's just that, I'll never get to tell him," wait, what was he going to tell him?

"Tell him what, Twilight?"

"To tell that I love him," this shocked Matthew to the bones. Holy crap, she liked him, as a girlfriend?! This wasn't happening, how could she love him? He had nothing in common with her,physically or psychologically. He never even developed any affection that was more than friendship, especially to everyone he met.

He was starting to feel guilty. He had already endured this with his family, they loved him so much, and he spat on that love by trying to kill himself. It led him here, where something more or less similar was going on.

However, he still needed to get home. It's where he belonged, and will be for the rest of his life. He couldn't deny that, even if he tried to. He wished that since Twilight liked him, she could come along with him, and see what it felt to be in his shoes. Yet he thought ahead about that, if Twilight joined him, Equestria would crumble. They needed her here, where she had a responsibility to hold.

A place where she belonged.

"Well Twilight, I'm sure he shall love you too," Celestia tried to comfort her, but she replied with sobs. Was she crying? Dear god, this was getting sad. That was it, no more hiding anymore.

"I'm sorry if I didn't notice," he soon revealed his presence to them. It became clear that he listened to their whole conversation, which surprised both of them. 

"I didn't know you felt that way," he soon scratched the back of his head in shame. Such a man like him could be so ignorant about others, ignorant about their gratitude for enjoying the content he made. But more importantly, ignorant to those who loved him.

Twilight was left speechless after what he said, tears floated on her eyes.

"But Twilight you have to understand, I need to go." he went on,"I have my responsibilities there, and so do you here."

Twilight let him carry on, she wanted to know if he loved her or not.

"So I'm sorry, I have to leave." tears started forming on his eyes."But thank you for telling me what you really feel about me."

Twilight then rushed to him and hugged him and shed tears all her heart out. In his religion, he wasn't allowed to touch other woman than his wife or his relatives, but he's going to let her hug him all she wanted, caressing her hair to show how grateful he was for her.

She soon let go, knowing what to do next. No one had said a word, and they prefer it that way.

"Promise you won't come with me, please?" Matthew begged. It was a pitiful one, but he needed to say it.

Twilight nodded, wiping the tear streams of her cheeks.

"That was sweet, Matthew," a voice came from the door.

They both looked towards the sound, where every reactor was there. The Mane Six, the Backgrounds, the Schoolfillies, all went here to say their last goodbye to him.

"Here's your bag Matthew, you're gonna need it," Scootaloo let go of the suitcase. He smiled, such a caring group. Something he could call his family.

He soon retrieved the case and nodded to Twilight signalling that he was ready. They all wished him good luck and goodbye, something he would only hear only once.

He replied back the same thing, but to Twilight, he wanted to say something special to her.

She readied her magic, and soon the portal was starting to take shape. Before he entered, his last words to Twilight were, "I love you too, Twilight." he then disappeared into the portal, where it then closed.


Matthew would never forget that day, and he certainly wouldn't forget Twilight. Such a love that can never be together, was still better than no love at all.

He looked at his watch, it was starting to enter four 'o clock. But he didn't need to worry about anything, it's a Sunday evening and he already took care of his errands. His work hours didn't start until the weekdays, when he was going to be busy.

Seeing as he was just leisurely sitting outside his window, he decided to get something to drink while he's at it. He then went to the kitchen and got a can of cola from the fridge. He already had finished his share of eating meat for the past days, then there was something to worry about, grocery shopping.

He then saw his arm reflected something green from the right. He then faced the source, where suddenly a wisp of aura was circling mid-air.

He couldn't believe what he's seeing. Twilight couldn't have made another portal already, could she? She promised.

The aura began to turn into a portal that he was too familiar seeing. Then out jumped something that was so fast he couldn't comprehend what it was, because it knocked him down with it.

The world blacked out on him, his ears began to ring and a muffled voice was heard. Then the thing the toppled him down started putting its weight off of him, letting him breath a bit more easier.

His vision regained, and the person was in view, or more accurately, eight persons were in view. Which was strange, until one began to speak, which after that he recognized everyone immediately.

"Uh, hiya Matt,"

He knew that voice, who else could it be than those schoolfillies?

Matthew found himself lying on a ceramic floor, groaning very loudly with lots of frustrated thoughts in his mind. He got back up, dusted himself off, and asked one simple question.

"How the hell did you get here?"

To which Sweetie Belle answered,"We found something that could teleport us to another dimension. We uh... learned that the hard way."

More groans of frustration emanated from Matt's mouth. How were they going to get back?

Matthew then noticed something, they were standing as tall as he was. "Hold on, let me turn the lights on," he then pressed a nearby switch and the room was illuminated, revealing what just happened.

"Holy s***, you lot are humans!" he declared out loud.

The group checked themselves, they were indeed turned into humans. All teenagers aged between fifteen to seventeen, thankfully wearing clothes that somehow fit their physical description.

"Matthew, what's goin' on?" Applebloom was starting to freak out.

This was going to take the whole evening to calm them down.


It was midnight and the group was chilling in the living room with Matthew exhausting his breath trying to explain how the human body works.

"So right now, I'm considered a mare?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"You mean a woman? Yes, you are," Matthew just confirmed it.

"Now with that talk done, how are you going to get back?" Matthew tried asking the teenagers for ideas.

Snails tried giving a plausible answer,"How about you call Twilight?"

Which wasn't an option considering his contacts from Equestria stayed in Equestria with that Crystalphone. Besides, 
no telecommunication companies were considering inter-dimensional connections as even a real thing."No, I can't,"

But this got him thinking, Twilight contacted Matthew no problem, and she was still in Ponyville for God's sake. How was she able to get a line through?

This was what happen if you don't ask a lot of questions.

Spike was starting to panic,"Guys, how are we gonna get home?"

Matthew wasn't helping,"I don't know Spike. I don't know." he hung my head.

But then, he got an idea, "Do you mates know what sent you here?"

Thankfully, one of them replied, "Well, we got here by touching this thing," Sweetie Belle extracted a glowing stone out of her pocket, it emanated a green glow.

Matthew sighed in relief, this was going to be easy. "Well then, you can go back now,"

But the others noticed a flaw of trying to," Uh Matthew, we don't know how."

He was back to square one,"Why don't you try to remember how it got you here?"

"Well, all we know is that it sent us here when we touched it,"

"Then, why isn't it teleporting you back now?" he noticed Sweetie Belle was holding it, and nothing was happening.

Scootaloo gave out her theory, "I think it needs a recharge or something,"

He then groaned some more, wondering why things like this had to be so hard.

He then gave up on trying,"So, now that you're all stuck here, what should we do?"

All replied with silence for a few seconds, until Silver Spoon suggested,"How about we do another reaction here?"

Matthew was going to say this wasn't the time, saying he left all of that behind him, then suddenly a lightbulb appeared above his head.

He still had the channel up and running and for whatever reason was still connected to Equestria's website. An impossibly strange phenomenon but a convenience he was grateful of nonetheless. So it was possible to upload a video and have someone in Equestria receive the message and report Twilight the news, sending them back home in a snap.

"Well, I'm off to prepare the set then, and I know just the thing that could set the mood right tonight,"



Schoolfillies React To:


Gaming



This Episode:


The Affected-The Manor






All of the cast were led into a dimly-lit room, with candles lit in strategically-placed locations to set the atmosphere just right while still providing illumination for the reactors' face. When asked the reason for the change of lighting, he explained that since in their world Nightmare Night was imminent, so it seemed appropriate to prepare the scene according to the celebration if necessary to get the ambience right.

Many began to feel anxious to start doing their work, it's pure instinct to tell when their environment can bring an unsettling feeling in their mind. Yet none were prepared to play the game that was more or less specifically chosen for this event.

The computer screen was booted up and revealed the game they were about to play. The one that probably made some piss their bottoms, or suffering from terrifying nightmares for about a day or so.(I'm such a terrible person, though that shouldn't come as a surprise)

"The Affected, the horror experience. Oh no, you're not serious," Sweetie Belle wasn't amused.

Upon reading the title Scootaloo was trying hard to stay calm, "Oh come on, Matthew. Really, do we have to do this?" she recomposed herself, "Well, it IS Nightmare Night so I should've expected you to pull something like this."

"Oh shucks, I knew yer gonna pick somethin' scary!" Applebloom was just as shocked as Scootaloo was.

"Ah man, you're not serious. Are ya?" Snails may be... you know, a bit slow on things. But he knows horror when he sees it. On the bright side, he had Snips to accompany him with.

"Jeez, should've known this would happen," Spike wasn't surprised obviously.

"Silver Spoon, if I don't make it out alive, tell Pipsqueak that I uh... actually love him," Diamond Tiara faced her best friend, admitting her secret crush. Silver Spoon agreed whilst trying her hardest not to laugh.

There were all in fear and dreaded what this game will result them in the end, but I made it worse afterwards, because what they were about to play was only half of the surprise.

So today, we're playing this a little differently. I then took the monitor away and placed it out of view somewhere.

"Wait, what are ya doin'?" Applebloom was the first to question.

"How am I suppose to play if you take the screen away?" Sweetie Belle made a good point. However in this world, there's always more than one way to play a game.

"Please tell me I don't have to play this!" Diamond Tiara was not excluded from the horror she was going to endure, and neither was Silver Spoon.

"Yes, I'm not playin' it. Thank you,"Scootaloo let her guard down too soon, you should never loosen up on Halloween night.

Instead, you'll be playing it using... this. I handed them an Oculus Rift.

"What's this?" Of course, the response was appropriate to these kind of ponies-turned-humans kind.

"The hay did you give me?"

"Wait, you're not telling me, that I have to wear this on my head?"

"Oh no, I know what this does,"

"Oh come on, Matthew. This is torture!"

This is called the Oculus Rift.

"A what?"

"Gotta be honest, the name sounds kinda cool,"

"Whoa, who came up with that?"

Do you know what it does?

Most admit they know nothing about the device. An understandable response coming from a world where technology has yet to advance far enough to achieve such a device.

This is a virtual reality headset that allows you to play the game through your actual eyes and head movement.

"Ooh, that's interstin',"

"I can't believe you have this sort of technology now,"

"Dear Celestia, that's some futuristic stuff here,"

"Oh Luna, you just made the game ten time scarier than it already is!"

I assisted them getting strapped on the Rift with the headset in place, they were ready to begin. Most were already amazed at the ability of seeing in the point of view of the character in the game.

"Holy crap, this is amazing!"

Snips were looking around the room while Snails gave him a little space to avoid getting hit by his friend's carelessness.

"Why isn't this technology with us, dear Celestia,"

"It's great and all but, why do we have to play this game?"

I then placed the monitor back into place for the other pair who didn't get a chance to try the Oculus Rift to see through the eyes of their unfortunate friend.

They then proceeded to read a few notes on the walls warning them the game contained a couple of jumpscares at certain points in a level and to those with a heart condition should refrain from playing the game.

None of them suffered from any heart diseases or the sort, but the warning already gave them enough information that jumpscares were included in the game.

And none were glad to know this bit of info.

"I don't have any heart condition but, I think I might cry,"

"Now you don't say,"

"Alright, Spike. Don't be such a pussy," ...that was an interesting to way to encourage oneself.

They went ahead to read the instructions on how to begin. They were explained that to press a lift button, they needed to stare at the lift button and the button will be pressed automatically. Only then, they're allowed to step inside the elevator.

All of them eventually complied with the instructions and soon were inside the lift, the only difference was their various degrees of dread and anxiety and more importantly, confidence.

"Alright, time to do this,"

"Don't worry, Diamond. I'm right here with you,"Silver Spoon comforted and hugged her arm signalling she was right beside her.

"Boo!" Snips suddenly jinxed his friend, to which he responded with a smack on his head."Don't do that, Snips! The hay is wrong with you?"

"Here we go, into the depths of darkness," such optimism can only be found in some individuals.

"Just to say this, I hate you Matthew," Scootaloo really wanted to punch Matthew in the face at that moment.

The elevator door then retracted into their position, revealing the location they were about to step in.

All reactors then moved forward into the manor. The lighting around them was sufficient enough to give them all a false sense of security, yet there were not falling into much of its illusion.

"I know something is gonna pop out on me, I know it will,"

"I like this. This looks like I'm in the game!"

"Not only is it in 3D, but it also tracks your head movement,"

"Why do your kind made this?"

They all went through several rooms and corridors, with each getting them to feel more anxious than ever before. Suddenly, the sound of a door creaking can be heard, and most of the cast were able to see where it came from.

"Oh no, no, no, no,no ,no, no. I ain't goin' in there,"

"Well, there's the first,"

"Silver, are you still there?" To which she responded with a yes. "Don't worry, Diamond Tiara. Just think about Pipsqueak, okay?" she then giggled, to which her friend just moan in annoyance. She never should've revealed her crush to her.

"I never felt something so intense since that Crystal Empire incident,"

"Oh no, I can't do it!" Snails then removed the Oculus then shoved it to Snips,"Why don't you try it?" Snips obviously pushed it away, refusing to continue where he left off. Soon, I convinced Snails to put it back on.

Some did the obvious and went into the room with no hesitation. The door then shut behind them, and were locked in.

"Crap, I'm locked in,"

"S***, s***, s***." Scootaloo frantically looked around, knowing well that she's screwed.

"Oh dear mother of Celestia, please help me,"

The only light source left in the room was a lone lamp, shining on an Ouija board.

"What's that thing?"

"I already got mah cutie mark so there ain't a reason to do witchcraftin' now,"

"Oh Celestia no! I've heard stories from my sister about the Ouija board and ever since then, I don't want that thing near me,"

Many others didn't say much about the Ouija board, all of them asked questions than freak out. They then opted to approach the board and you guessed it, the wine glass began to move. To them, it wasn't out of the ordinary because magic was massively used to seeing it in their lives, but what made them began to shiver was it spelt out a word, most notably a warning.

"R.U.N."

Suddenly, the light all went off, leaving the character completely in the dark (and not to mention shocked all of the reactors). Luckily, a flashlight was turned on, regaining some of its vision.

"F***, this is getting old,"

"I really need to get this over and done with,"

Some let themselves whining in fear while others repeatedly swore their heart out throughout the game.

"Matthew, I'm shaking right now,"

"My Celestia, I'm sweaty! You know that?"

They then met their first person in this lonely and creepy manor. None of the reactors weren't coming near to that girl, singing a lullaby very calmly in a place like this was definitely NOT ordinary.

"Oh no, no, no, no, I am not going near her,"

"Oh s***, no. Go away,"

And, as you guessed it, a jumpscare.

"Aah!"

"Oh my Celestia!"

"Holy f***!"

"Aargh!"

"Oh s***!"

And a bunch of other reaction that you guys could just go figure from here.

At first they were reluctant, they should be. But soon they regained the courage to proceed through more rooms and corridors and getting through another jumpscare.

"What the ffffff.... the hay?!"

Others screamed from hilarious to the downright boring type of scream.

They made their way into a giant room, where a piano was playing.

"Well, this is more peaceful,"

"*sigh in relief* please can I quit the game now?"

But then, objects started to float all around the room.

"Whoa, holy crap,"

"Whoa, this is mystical,"

The rest didn't find it much of a surprise, considering magic was such a factor to this.

They then made their way upstairs, where all of the lights went off, leaving them in the dark again. The reactors often froze. Only a single door was open and that's all where they needed to go.

They went through the many shelves on either side.

"This feels like Twilight's library. Only ten times more scarier,"

They then encountered the same girl that was jumpscaring them throughout the game.

"Oh no, I am not falling for that again. No way!"

"Crap, her again?"

"Dammit," she tried to run back, but knowing the game forced her to to her, whatnot with the door locked behind her already,"*groan*, I have to go through her, don't I?"

Since they weren't given much of a choice, they went back to the girl, which then jumpscared them yet again.

"F***!"

"Holy s***!"

And a bunch of other vulgar words that I don't have to mention.

I soon told them to stop playing, which most of them were gasping to hear.

"Celestia, that was the most tense thing I've ever done in my life!"

"Next time Matthew, don't do this..."

"That's the most amazing thing I've ever felt. It definitely made me feel like I'm in the game,"

"I'd prefer being Twilight's guinea pig than play this again,"

"Good horror is something hard to find and this might be its lifesaver,"