Chapter 2: A Fateful Encounter

Hope: Day 1

Hope’s POV

We soon left Fluttershy’s cottage and began walking to our destination, on the dirt roads. Mainly I was following Twilight and Fluttershy from behind.

While the three of us were walking, Fluttershy asked me, “How did you know my name?”

I hesitantly and nervously replied, “Err, well, err in my world, you guys are famous.” Instantly realising what I just said, I suddenly thought, ‘Oh crap.’

Twilight, looking very curious, asked, “What do you mean?”

Worrying that in this world, they may freak out if I told them that they are from a fictional kids show, I try to cover up on what I just said, “Err… who wouldn’t know about the Elements of Harmony?” I’m sure Twilight had noticed that I hesitated for a second, but thankfully she just shrugged the thought off.

As we continued walking, I was surprised that the two mares didn’t ask any more questions. But I got the idea that they were busy focusing on the task.

Shortly after, Shy slowed down, I could tell that she was worried. I had the idea that bringing Fluttershy along really wasn’t such a good idea, so I tried encouraging her, “It will be okay. I am sure there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

She tried to make an effort by smiling and then journeyed on with us.

For the first time since I had arrived here, in Equestria, I started thinking, ‘How did I get here? I knew it was too real to be a dream. But I have always wanted to come to Equestria. Plus, I have always liked Fluttershy, because she takes care of animals and Twilight because of her awesome magic.’

After about ten minutes, we meet up with the rest of the other four, of the Mane Six. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Rarity.

Suddenly, there was a flash of pink in my face that caused me to flinch. Yes it was the one and only Pinkie Pie.

The pink mare started blurting out, in excitement, “I haven’t seen you before and if haven’t seen you before, that means your new. And that only means one thing, a PAR-” I quickly interrupted her, just as she was pulling out her party cannon, out of nowhere, “We will have the party later Pinkie, I want to check out this haunted mansion first.” I then walked past her, to the other three, before she attempts start one.

Applejack, raising an eyebrow, asked, “Not to sound rude sir, but wha’ are ya?”

I replied, smiling, “I am a human, Applejack. Also before you all introduce yourselves, I already know who you all are.”

Rainbow quickly flew to me and began questioning, “You heard of me? Do you have any special talents?”

I happily replied to the pegasus, “Who wouldn’t know the most talented flyer in all Equestria.” She smiled and replied with pride, “Yep, that’s me.”

I then finish, “And for talents, err… it doesn‘t really matter.” She looked a little bit disappointed at that last part.

Rarity then asked, “Would you fancy coming to my boutique later, dear? I may have something a little more fashioned for you to wear.”

I replied to the unicorn, “I would love too, maybe you may have something I have been after for ages.”

She replied happily, “I may just be able to help you.”

Soon after, Twilight called out to us, “We better get going, is everypony ready?”

Rarity replied, “Coming darling.”

While we were about to start walking to the mansion once again, I realised nopony had asked, “By the way, my name’s Hope…”

Once we all had arrived at the mansion, the first thing that we noticed, was a dark cloud casting a shadow, pouring with rain over the mansion. I think some pegasus may have moved that nasty cloud over the mansion, just for a little joke.

Further examining the mansion, I noticed that it has a left and right section, with a second floor.

Rainbow, rubbing her head with her right hoof, while being puzzled at the sight of that cloud, spoke, “The skies should be clear today.”

Then we all looked down and noticed two figures, stood facing the mansion in front of us. Out of all the possibilities, one is dark-blue female alicorn. I immediately knew who this alicorn was. It is best friend’s favourite pony, Princess Luna, still looking the same since Nightmare Night.

Standing on the right side of her, was an unknown male white dragon, standing roughly the same height as her. His hair is a long dark-blue that resembles her mane, with his tail being a meter long. He also has large powerful wings that he can easily fold behind his back. Strangely, I noticed his body shape has some similarities to humans, back on Earth, but I guess it’s just my imagination. Lastly, he is wearing some white short pants that goes with his colour. I thought for a second that he could be hostile.

As I turned my attention towards Shy, I could see that she was terrified at the sight of that dragon. So I shouted out to him, without trying to sound too rude, “Who are you, dragon?”

Both the dragon and alicorn turned to face us and then he answered, “Hi, I am Nightfall.”

I could had sworn that I saw a smile on his face, when he saw me. I had only just noticed that he has a horn on his forehead too. Can he use magic?

The rainbow mane pegasus then opened her big mouth, clearly not impressed at his appearance with her crossing her hoofs while in midair, “Great, another lame dragon!”

He could only chuckle at her words.

Just before I was about to speak, the Princess of the Night spoke first, “It is nice to see thou all again. Nightfall, here, is a good friend of mine. My sister had asked us, to help thou out with the investigation.”

My missing best friend, back on Earth, would be so upset if he found that she was going out with this dragon. It is probably for the best to forget about it though.

Anyway, I was just too excited to go inside the mansion, so I shouted out while running to the front door, with the process of getting soaked in the rain, “Come on, I want to go inside.”

Twilight also spoke, “Let’s go girls.”

Once everyone, err everypony, was inside, I looked back to see that Shy was stood at the entrance, scared. So I tried to help her relax, “Fluttershy, come on, I’m sure there is nothing to be afraid of.”

She hesitated for a moment, but then decided to nervously join us, inside.

As the two of us made our way inside to our waiting friends, the lavender unicorn, Twilight, called out in her serious tone, “Alright everypony, Princess Celestia has asked us to investigate this mansion. She says that she has been getting numerous reports, of ponies seeing ghosts and strange goings on.”

Looking around at everypony, I could see that Rarity was nervous. Shy, as I feared, was looking quite terrified. Everypony else though, didn’t look bothered at all.

Twilight, carrying on with her speech, “Normally, I think it’s best when we do this together. But seeing that we are in such a large group, it would probably be best if we split into groups of three. That way, we have a fair number of ponies in each group and it will be harder for us to get scared.” She said the last part with a bit of humour in her voice, “Not that there is anything to be scared of.”

Looking around the room, could tell that RD was trying to hide a giggle. Is she planning some pranks?

Luna then spoke, “I agree, this will make the inspection much easier.”

Twi then said, “Okay, lets all decide what groups we are all going in.”

I quickly suggested to Twilight, “I think you and Fluttershy have both got questions for me, so I’ll go with you two.” She nodded, while Fluttershy smiled. I then walked towards Twilight, with Shy shortly following after.

Nightfall then spoke, seriously, “I’ll go with Luna.”

AJ then says while walking towards them, “I’ll go with ya two. Maybe I’ll get to know ya two better.”

The rainbow mane pegasus then spoke out, excitedly, “All yea, that just leaves me with Rarity and Pinkie.”

Pinkie called with a happy tune, “Okay, let’s get this mansion explored.” She then pulled out her detective hat and magnifying glass, out of nowhere.

Rarity, however spoke unhappily, “Lets just get this over with, this place is filthy.”

Once all the groups were decided, the lavender unicorn spoke once again, “Okay, that just leaves us of, where we are heading. I guess we start on the bottom floor, right section.”

Nightfall then decided, “I guess we check the second floor, left section.”

Rainbow thought for moment, “Okay we check the second, right section.”