FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 1 : Everyday's a pain in the...

The sun was dissapearing behind the arrow of Ponyville's town hall when the lean stallion emerged from the Evergreen forest, his white coat with a light green hue giving him the look of a ghost appearing out of the darkness. He shook his head to get some twigs and leaves out of his bangs and off his travelling bags before letting out a sigh, ears hanging low. The weather had come a little chilly over the past few days as Nightmare Night was drawing closer, so Dream Whisper wanted to sleep in a warm bed, not freezing under a tree this time. The old blanket that was folded in one of his bag had so many holes in it that it was barely keeping him warm anymore. Beside, Ponyville was his destination anyway. With another sigh, he resumed his walk toward the small town. Deep inside he knew things would be the same as usual. In addition of being a stranger, soon he'll be pointed out as the oddball, the weirdo. Its not as if he had a choice, it was his destiny. He rolled his eyes at the tought. His destiny. More like his curse. It wasn't fun but someone had to do it. Everyone could bake a pie or paint a wall but as far as he knew he was the only one able to do what he was doing. And this time it brought him to Ponyville.

After a few minutes he entered the small town. People seem nice, smiling back at him despite not knowing him. A little hope awoke in his heart. Maybe this time it would be different. That's when he heard a snicker, not even disguised. With a look of tiredness he slowly turned his head toward two young fillies, the first one with a crown atop her mane and her sidekick with large glasses.

"Looks like there a new nobody in town." said the fillie with a crown, both of them looking at

his flank.

That was flat out rude. Yes, his flank was blank... well, seem blank to normal ponies. But it would be too long to explain, mostly to two closed minded youngsters. So he just kept walking, only flicking his tail at them in a way to shoo them away. The light was slowly dimming down so he had to find a place for the night before everyone had gone home. He spotted a small cart attended to by an old mare with an old fashionned bonnet and a small fillie that was starting to pack up. The cart still had a few baked good on it and some shiny red apples so he hurried toward it in hope to at least buy something to eat.

"Hey Snip, look at that. Well, its more like you can't, Ah !" said a trailling voice.

He knew what that was : his flank. But he prefered to ignore the comment and hurried before the young fillie was done packing the goods.

"Hello..." said the stallion. "How much for two apples and a muffin ?"

His mouth was watering at the tought of the taste already. The last thing he ate in the past weeky was half dried berries.

"That'd be six bits and... Applebloom ! It's not polite to stare !" said the old mare before turning to her grand daughter to scold her.

The stallion's attention turned to the fillie and her bright yellow coat. She quickly turned her gaze from his flank to look at the ground instead while her cheeks turned a little shade of pink.

"Am sorry mister." said Applebloom, looking down but the young stallion knew that those eyes weren't looking at the ground.

But it felt more as if it was out of curiosity that the young fillie was staring, not out of mockery. The stallion put six bits in the old mare's hoof and takes his apples and muffin. The old mare was giving a scolding side look to the younger one who was at least trying to look away.

"No worries." said the stallion, now a little amused by the young one's fascination. "Could you tell me where I could find a room to stay for a few days, please?"

The old mare's attention came back immediately to him, a gentle smile stretching her wrinkled face.

"Of course. There's always room at the Comfy Stable mr... Am sorry, ah don't seem to remember yer name."

"Dream Whisper. Miss." answered the young stallion with an equally gentle smile, his hanging ears finaly perking up.

"I'm Granny Smith. And this is my grand daughter Applebloom. Excuse her for starring but her cutie mark had been troubling her and some of her friends too for quite a while. Well, the lack of. But it finally came around for the three of 'em."

"And its quite an impressive one you got." complimented Dream Whisper to Applebloom, which made the young fillie to blush some more. "Thank you for the information and the meal, Mrs Smith."

"Call me Granny Smith, like everyone else in town." said the old mare with a wink. "And welcome to Ponyville. We better go its getting late, right Applebloom ?"

"Right granny..." mumbled Applebloom, still staring at Dream Whisper's flank.

The stallion noticed that the young filly was squinting too. Had it started ? In the sky, the moon had perked at the horizon, almost full. It would be full for Nightmare Night.

" Applebloom!"

Both Applebloom and Dream Whisper jumped in surprise. Granny Smith was frowning accusingly at her grand daughter who hurried to the front of the cart.

"Errrr... need some help to pull your cart home ?" suddenly offered Dream Whisper.

He didn't wanted to impose himself but letting an elderly and a kid to pull that heavy cart was... heartless.

"Its real nice of ya Dream Whisper." said Granny Smith with a smile.

10 minutes later Dream Whisper was regreting his offer. The cart was very heavy and he was wondering how the old mare had been able to pull it all the way to the market place of Ponyville. He strained to make the cart turn in the alleyway to Sweet Apple acres and when the two ponies stopped at the door of the red barn that was the Apple family house, the poor stallion collapsed on the ground.

"There we are. It was real nice of ya to help us pull the cart all the way back here." said Granny Smith while a huge red stallion came around the corner and picked the cart from Dream Whisper and carried it effortlessly to the other side of the barn without a word. Dream Whisper's ears drooped even lower seeing how easy it was for that stallion to pull that heavy cart in comparaison to the efforts it took him.

"A pleasure..." he groaned, getting back on his hooves. He brushed some dirt off his coat. "Its getting late so I better go back in town..."

"Alright." said Granny Smith as she walked inside. "But don't be a stranger and come say hi."

"Yeah..." added Applebloom but she gave a look back at Granny Smith and didn't finished her sentence. "Good night!" she added before dashing inside.

"Good night Applebloom!" said Dream Whisper cheerily. He liked that young mare. She was curious and well mannered, unlike so many others.

The ghostly white stallion headed back to ponyville, a little strut in his walk. For once things went rather well. Granny Smith and Applebloom were nice and he coped with much worst then the filly's staring at his butt in the past. The almost full moon had now reached the tree tops of Evergreen forest and the wind hadn't turned cold for the night yet... Dream Whisper smiled at himself. This was a rather nice niiiiigh.... oh dang. The stallion stopped in his tracks, looking at a glowy transparent figure standing at the crossroad. Yep, it had started. The figure was of a see-through light pink, head drooping, her mane of a weak lavender. The mare lifted her head at Dream Whisper, revealing two empty dark eyes. Her flanks and cheeks were emaciated, as if someone had emptied her of all her essence. Dream Whisper groaned, taking a step back. Ponyville was a nice place, he didn't wanted things to turn weird for him again. Seeing the stallion take a step back, the mare lowered her head pitifully. Dream Whisper closed his eyes and sighed heavily. A tingle on his flank came to tell him to do what he had to do. He slowly walked to the ghostly mare, his ears drooping lower then ever.

"Hello." He said in just a whisper.

The mare lifted her head, a weak smile on her muzzle. He had acknowledged her. He _saw_her ! She was finally saved after all this time. Dream Whisper stood there, looking at the ghostly mare. It was always an akward moment. He looked carefully left and right. There was nopony around. Good. Now for the bad news.

"Look, I know what you want but it'll have to wait for a few days, you undertand ?" said Dream Whisper, before bitting his lower lip.

He knew she wouldn't like it. They never like to be said that they have to wait even more. And indeed the mare took a step back, as if shocked. She then walked on him aggressively. Dream Whisper planted his hooves firmly in the dirt. And when the mare tried to push him, to make him move, she just passed through him.

"Understand, it doesn't work that way. I can't do it whenever I want it." tried to explain the stallion. It was always the same thing and it was so tiresome.

The mare flicked her tail at him and it just went through his muzzle, which made him sneeze.

"Now stop that ! It will be in three nights. Be at Ponyville's market place, ok ? That's where it'll happen." said Dream Whisper on a firm tone before walking away toward the small bridge leading to Ponyville. Once on the other side he turned around and saw the mare following him. "No ! Don't follow me."

She took a step toward him.

"I said stay." said Dream Whisper firmly, pointing at the ghostly mare wih authority.

She took another step. Dream Whisper took one back.

"Please don't." he whimpered, realizing the mare wouldn't leave him alone.

The mare smiled and took another step. The next thing the ponies of Ponyville heard is a stallion screaming in despair and galopping through the town in direction of the Comfy Stable.

A polite kock at the door awoke Dream Whisper the next morning. Well, he tought it was morning when a voice corrected him.

"Mr. Dream Whisper, it's way past noon. Would you like to eat a little something?" said the voice of one of the owners of the Comfy Stable through the door.

Dream Whisper's eyes opened wide in one shot. Past noon ? How... ? He looked around and finally remembered where he was. The Comfy Stable was indeed comfy which explains why he slept so late. He jumped out of bed and froze there. By the bedside table was the ghostly pink mare and two other ghostly ponies standing there. The day light made them much more transparent, almost invisible, even for Dream Whisper.

"Yes, thank you Mrs Turndown, I'll be down in a moment." He then turned to the three ghostly figures. "Shoo !" he said in a whisper so Mrs Turndown wouldn't hear him, waving them off with a hoof. "In two nights I said, not earlier."

The three ghosts lowered their heads and left, dragging their hooves as they walked through the wall. Everything had to come in time and he couldn't make IT happen earlier. There was rules for those things. Weird rules, but rules anyway. Dream Whisper quickly cleaned up before walking down to the dinning room of the Comfy Stable. The bed and breakfast style place was run by Mrs Early Turndown and her husband, Mr. Quick Turndown. Mrs Turndown, a mare with a caramel brown coat, a motherly look and an auburn mane which started to show some streaks of grey, was just putting down a nice bowl of soup on the table for the young stallion while her husband was chating with another guest. She pushed back her glasses that had slipped on her nose when a small bouquet of daisies floated in front of her. Immediately she looked at her husband with a smile, the sunny yellow unicorn with a burgundy mane winking back at her while still conversing with the other guest of the Comfy Stable. The mare mouthed a 'Oh, you.' to her husband before taking the daisies and walking back to the kitchen to get a vase for the flowers.

"Bon appetit mr. Dream Whisper." she said before leaving the dining room.

"Thank you Mrs. And its just Dream Whisper."

For a second he had the impression that the grey mare mr. Turndown was talking with looked back at him and it made him feel uneasy. But it was so quick he couldn't tell for sure she did. But the aroma of the vegetable soup came to tickle his nose and his stomach shouted back at him that it was empty. Dream Whisper took a spoonful and slowly brought it to his lips and the taste of the soup made him feel so good. It was comforting and warming him up. He's been on the road for so long that he wasn't able to remember the last time he had a hot meal. And as the comforting feeling had reached his stomach, it was quickly replaced by the uneasy one again. He raised his head from his bowl to see the grey mare quickly walk out. He sat there a moment, looking at her quickly walk away before she dissapear at the corner of a cottage.

"A peculiar one, isn't she ? Someone you know ?"

Dream Whisper's head turned quickly to face Mr. Turndown who was now standing on the other side of the table, a cup of cocoa, where two small marshmallows were floating, right in front of him. The older stallion had that mischevious look in his eyes at all time, a little spark in the eye that make you immediately wonder if what he's saying was serious or not.

"Aaah... no, never seen her before." Dream Whisper took another spoonful in hope that the chit chat would end there.

Mr. Turndown took a sip out of his mug, even taking time to look at the small marshmallows swim in the dark brown liquid. He even smiled at them.

"She was asking if there was abnormal things happening around lately. I told her not much more then usual." That made Dream Whisper to stiffen and choke on his soup a little. "Usually it makes people knowing the town a little to chuckle but she didn't. You see, we have a dragonesque coming to visit a friend on a regular basis so you can guess that weirdness is something people of Ponyville are familiar with. I think she tought I wasn't taking her seriously because she got a little cranky. Anyway, I take it that you slept well. But considering how late you checked in, its no wonder." Mr. Turndown took another sip before looking at Dream Whisper with that sparkle in the eye. "Met someone interresting already ?"

That made Dream Whisper smile. He was glad that he didn't had to explain fully why he came to the Comfy Stable at such an odd hour.

"More like someone nice. Two. An old lady and her grand daughter living in a nearby apple orchard. I help pulling their cart back home. They're the ones that recommanded me the Comfy Stable."

"Oh, the Apples ! Nice ponies. That explains why you were so out of breath. Usually it's Big MacInthosh that pulls the cart. I heard its awefully heavy." said Mr. Turndown before taking a sip.

"Big MacInthosh ?" asked Dream Whisper before taking another spoonful of soup.

"Oldest of the apple kids. Big red stallion with a collar around the neck.

"Oh, yes, I saw him. He's... huge." admitted Dream Whisper.

That made mr.Turndown to burst in laughter. "You can say that indeed. But the nicest pony you could meet. So what brings you to our little town ?"

Dream Whisper stiffened again. By Luna, how was he to explain that ? His brains was thinking quickly but his mouth went even faster.

"Nightmare Night." he blurted out. He then cringed. He shouldn't have, he really shouldn't have said that. Now he'll have to...

"Haha! So the word is spreading, isn't it ? Nightmare Night is special here. Its not in every place that you have the former Nightmare Moon hereself visiting for the night." said Mr. Turndown, downing the rest of his hot cocoa. "We also have the best party planner pony around. Enjoy yourself then !"

His empty mug floated ahead of him as he left to put it in the kitchen. Mrs Turndown was standing behind the western style doors.

"Did you see honey ? The poor pony, he doesn't have a..." she whispered so Dream Whisper wouldn't hear.

"Yes, I saw that I didn't see, dear. But let's act as with all our other customers. He can handle himself I'm sure." replied her husband, rinsing his mug before putting it on the counter. He then suddenly shivered and looked around, seeing no window left open." 'getting chilly early this year..." he mumbled to himself before both mr and Mrs Turndown jumped out of their coat in surprise when the mug felt to the floor and broke in a clatter.

Chapter 2 : So much for a normal start.

When he got out of the Comfy Stable, Dream Whisper instinctively looked right and left to see if the grey mare was still around. There was something strange about her. On the other hoof, many people were saying the same thing about him. He looked up and his droopy ears perked up; there wasn't a cloud in the sky, a few pegasis were flying around, the sun was warm... there was no way he would let this day getting ruinned. It was a perfect day, a perfect _normal_day for a normal pony. He was determined to make this day enjoyable and make a good impression on the ponies of Ponyville despite his...his... His ears dropped again as he looked back at his flank and its lack of apparent cutie mark. But his sad expression changed with a frown of determination, his ears perking up again. No, that wouldn't stop him. Not this time. Mr. and Mrs Turndown didn't even mentionned it. This day started well and it would remain that way. At the corner of his eye he spotted the three ghostly ponies and decided to ignore them. He did told them it wouldn't happen before three... two nights now so they were warn. With an assured hoof he took off and start throtting around Ponyville, smiling cheerfully to the inhabitants saying hello. It was a nice little place with friendly people. He couldn't help to notice how the way was cleared from the little bridge he first crossed to get in town, all the way across the market place to the statue of a pony prancing on a ball... That was probably there that it would happen. Yes, they would come from the bridge and he'll have to lead them to the door that will probably appear on the other side past... He shook his mind. This day was supposed to be normal, no thinking about his usual weird stuff. Unfortunately weird stuff was Dream Whisper's lot and it wouldn't leave him be. He heard a sobbing and he quickly look in that direction. On the doorstep of a cottage, a mare was looking at a key on the ground, crying while looking at it. The key's handle was made in the shape of two entwined horseshoes. Dream Whisper raised an eyebrow. How come a key could make somepony cry ? That's when he noticed the almost invisible stallion standing beside her. His mind told him to ignore the scene and walk away but his heart yelled at him to go talk to the mare. He sighed softly and cross the little fence gate.

"Something's wrong miss?" he said softly so he wouldn't startle the mare.

The mare looked up at him with tear soaked eyes. "N-no... I..." she looked down at the key and start crying again. The ghostly stallion tried to push the key to her.

Here it goes, things were about to become weird.

"It belongs to someone close to you?" asked Dream Whisper to the mare while the stallion was now looking at him as he realized that Dream Whisper could see him.

"Yes..." answered the mare between two sobs. "I gave it to my husband when we met. It... it was supposed to represent the key of my heart. And..." she cried even louder at this point. "I'll never see him again! What am I gonna dooooooooooo?"

Tears were running down on her cheeks like a waterfall. Dream Whisper felt so uncomfortable right now. What could he do to comfort her and not make this suspicious ?

"I might sound harsh miss but... I think all you can do is to move on. I think that's what your husband would have wanted you to do."

The mare stopped crying, her eyes and cheek still wet with tears.

"What ?!? I should just forget..." she said, slowly getting angry but the pale stallion raised a hoof to stop her.

"That's not what I said miss. You can never forget a loved one." quickly replied Dream Whisper. "But despite him being gone, you cannot let your life go to waste. That's what my grandpa once told me."

The mare was looking now at him with a look of terror on her face.

"Why are you talking as if my husband was..." she said with a shaky voice.

The ghostly stallion looked back at Dream Whisper with a look of mixed distress and anger.

"Not of this world anymore ? Well..." Dream Whisper swallowed hard. He had to think quickly. "I... I assumed only something like _that_could have happened to him to..." he looked around. Ponies where getting closer. "... for a stallion to leave a mare like yourself. No stallion in his right mind would have other wise. And I can only guess that his toughts went to you and wanted you to have your heart back since he somewhat figured a way to send you back this key. It was very toughtful of him. He didn't wanted you to be held back because of him. That's the only logical reason I see for this key to be here. Your husband loved you till the end... and probably behond." he said with what was supposed to be a reassuring smile.

Beside the mare, the ghostly stallion nodded and nuzzled his wife, which made her to shiver.

"Is everything alright Mrs Tulip Dew?" asked a deep voice.

Ponies had gathered near the little fence and the stallion that asked the question seem ready to take action against the one that made Mrs Tulip Dew cry. He even took a step past the fence gate.

"Everything's fine. This gentlecolt just had brought me back something I had lost in a long time, that's all." said Mrs Tulip Dew, wipping the tears off her eyes. "If you'll excuse me..."

She then picked the key and when back in her house. Dream Whisper looked at the ghostly stallion and gave him the stink eye. Once Tulip Dew was inside, ponies started to disperse except for the stallion who asked if Mrs Tulip Dew was alright. His leaf green eyes followed Dream Whisper as he left Mrs Tulip Dew's property.

"I was just landing a friendly hoof." excused himself the whitish stallion as he crossed the other stallion.

So much for a normal start. Dream Whispered hurried to get out of the other stallion's view before sitting under a tree. He felt as if he would cry and buck the tree off the ground at the same time. All he wanted was his life to be normal for only a few days.

"Are you ok Mr. Dream Whisper ?" asked a juvenile voice.

"It's just Dream Whisper..." replied the stallion, raising his head. "Oh ! Hello Applebloom..." he looked at two... three other fillies, the third being barely visible under the bright sun. "...and friends."

"You know him ?" whispered the orange little pegasus with spiky purple hairs.

"Of course. He helped me and Granny Smith brought tha cart to Sweet Apple Acres yesterday. Dream Whisper, these are my friends Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle." presented Applebloom with her usual cheery tone. "And we're also known as.."

"The Cutiemark Crusaders !!" they all said togheter. Dream Whisper could almost see an aura of stars and light as they did.

"The cutiemark crusaders ? Its some sort of activity club ?" cautionously asked Dream Whisper, raising a questing eyebrow again.

"Eeeeeh... sorta." said Sweetie Belle. Tilting her head to the side and bringing her hoof to her chin.

"Yeah." said Scootaloo, her wing fluttering in pride. "Its a club we founded to find our cutie mark."

"It was." corrected her Applebloom. "We founded the Cutiemark Crusaders because we were the only ones without our Cutiemarks. We tried a lots of things to found 'em."

The three of them proudly took a pose to the side to show their cutie mark.

"Now we're helping people to find theirs. That's the new goal of the Cutiemark Crusaders!"

A smile crossed Dream Whisper's muzzle. He understood where they were going with that. How cute.

"And I...aah... couldn't help to notice that ya..." said Applebloom, her eyes shyly looking at Dream Whisper's flank.

"We want to help you!" finished Sweetie Belle.

"People here consider us like some sort of experts on the question." finished Scootaloo as if that was settling it.

Dream Whisper brought a hoof to his muzzle to hide the small laugh that tried to escape. He had to tell them because it wouldn't be fair to let them work hard for something that was already done, even if that would surely start him a reputation of a cukoo.

"Its very nice of you, really, but I must decline. As much as cutie marks expert you girls came to become, you can't help me found a cutiemark I already have."

The girls eyes went to his flank, then to his face, then back to his flank and finally back to his face. Again, their smily expression turning to a frown.

"Riiiight..." said Scootaloo.

Dream Whisper shook his head slowly, not loosing his smile.

"Girls, before you had your cutie marks, I'm sure it was rough for you to hear people always remind you that you didn't had them, right?"

All the girls noded. The three of them were still remembering that time very clearly.

"You know what's even rougher ? Its when you actually have a cutiemark and people call you a blank flank just because they can't see your cutie mark. And that's my case. Because of what it is, my cutiemark is invisible. For now."

"Yeah, well, it was nice to talk to you mister..." said Scootaloo turning and walking away.

"Invisible? Is that even possible ?" asked Sweetie Belle, to which Dream Whisper simply noded yes.

Applebloom was thinking, a hoof tapping her chin.

"You said 'for now'. When is it visible then ?"

Dream Whisper's smile grew wider before he took a mysterious tone of voice.

"At the full moon ."

"So we can only see your cutie mark three days a month ?" replied the fillie.

"Yep. That's why people think I'm a blank flank."

"_If_that's true..." said Scootaloo. "... what is you special talent then ? What weird talent can require that a cutiemark can only be seen only three nights in a month ?"

Dream Whisper's ears dropped again. He couldn't tell that to three young fillies. Its not of their age.

"Ah ! I knew it ! It's all horseapple !" exclaimed Scootaloo, pointing an accusing hoof at Dream Whisper.

"It's not !" said back Applebloom before her ears dropped and blush covered her cheeks. "Ah think..." she added, looking at the other two.

"Its not, really. You could not beleive me but I'm not sure you three can handle the explaination. It could give you nightmares and all..." said Dream Whisper, standing and taking a few steps away from the fillies.

"Try us." said Scootaloo, sitting in the shade of the tree as if she was waiting for a good story and having no intention to move until she got it.

Dream Whisper looked back at Sweetie Belle and Applebloom to see if they wanted also to hear it and immediately they sat by Scootaloo.

"Alright, you asked for it. What I'm about to tell you is the truth so no name telling after that, promised ?"

The three fillie immediately closed their eyes and brought their right hoof to their chest solenamly.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." they declared before looking back at their story teller.

"Alright." The stallion sat in front of them. "You three knows what a changelling is, right ?"

"Duh !" the three fillies said, rolling their eyes.

"So you know they feed off the love of ponies. You also know that when a ponie is drained of its love, it turns into a changelling, right ?" continued Dream Whisper with an enigmatic tone.

Again, the three fillies nods.

" WRONG !" Dream Whisper shouted for dramatical effect. "Only a small part of the changellings victims turn into a new changelling. Most of them dry and turn to dust. Well, their bodies do..." he paused.

The three fillies hadn't ran away and were now looking at him with rapt attention.

"Because, as the changelling victim fall into dust, something remains behind. A trace of their former self, also all dried and skinny, stuck to roam the land by themselves because not one can see them."

"Like a g-ghost ?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"More or less." said Dream Whisper, shaking a hoof side to side. "I don't know exactly what they are but they're some sort of wandering spirits."

"And let me guess, only you can see them." said Scootaloo with a scoff. "Easy to say that."

"Again, yes and no." replied the stallion with a light shake of the head. "I can see them but everypony can feel them when they're close enough."

He looked at the transparent fillie sitting by and motion her to come closer. She walked to Scootaloo but the pale stallion motion her to sit on the other side... so the fillie walked all the way through Scootaloo, then Sweetie Belle and finally Applebloom, making the three of them to shiver and feel uneasy.

"What was that ?" cried Scootaloo, trying to shake the cold off by flapping her wings.

"Its one of them. She's sitting by Applebloom right now. I'd say she's just a little younger then you three."

Applebloom looked at the empty spot beside her. "H-hi." she politely said but clearly uneasy.

"So, you just can see them ?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Heck no." said Dream Whisper. "They come to me so I can help them find peace. Because, on the full moon, I can help them crossed to the other world." Dream Whisper's ears droop again, his expression turning to annoyance. "And they know it." He looked at the tree behind him. "Shoo."

But if the three fillies could only see the tree, now there was six phantom ponies standing behind Dream Whisper. He turned back to Applebloom and her friends.

"This happens all the time. So if you see me whispering to no one, its because its one of them."

"And when is the next full moon ?" Asked Applebloom, now very curious, which brought back a mysterious smile on the stallion's muzzle.

"On Nightmare Night." he said, which made the fillies to gasp. "It should be interresting."

There's a moment of silence before Sweetie Belle is the first one to stand.

"Thank you for the story mr. Dream Whisper."

"Just call me Dream Whisper." replied the stallion. He was sure they didn't beleive him. "Now, you Cutiemark Crusaders don't worry about me. And thank you for listening."

He watches the three fillies run off... four fillies run off, as the little pony spirit followed the Cutiemark Crusaders.

"That was a bucket of horseapples. But a nice story to tell around a camp fire." said Scootaloo.

"Do you think ?" asked Sweetie Belle, who the encounter with the small phantom fillie shook a bit.

"Of course it is. Who know changellings better then Twilight Sparkle ? She would have told us so. Beside, they don't drink love anymore now that they all got so... bug-like fancy." replied Scootaloo.

"Ah don't think its horseapple." pipped in Applebloom. "And ah think we should check what Dream Whisper said... with Secora. She knows a lot about weird stuff."

The Cutiemark Crusaders and their invisible follower hurried toward the little bridge leading out of Ponyville and toward Evergreen forest when a blur of pink with a large smile appeared in front of them, blocking the way.

"Hi girls!" almost shouted Pinkie Pie. "Did I saw what I think I saw just a moment ago ? Were you with a brand new pony in town ?" she asked, her head craned forward, her face only an inch from the fillies'.

"T-that's Dream Whisper, Pinkie." said Applebloom, trying to move a little back to get a bit more personnal space. " And am not sure he'd enjoy a welcome party, he looks more like a..."

"Don't be silly. Everyone deserves a welcoming party." replied Pinky Pie, shaking her head as if Applebloom had just speaked nonsense.

"Deserving something doesn't mean enjoying it, Pinky..." said Sweetie Belle.

"Beside, the guy is a little..." added Scootaloo, making little circles with her hoof near her temple.

" SCOOTALOO !" exclaimed both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. "We promised!" added Sweetie Belle.

"Oh. Right. Still..."

They looked back at Pinkie who was already in the middle of the planning of the party in her head.

"... cake, a huge one, and streamers. And balloons, of course. I wonder what would make a good green colored punch..."

The Cutiemark Crusaders looked at each other with a worried axpression. All of them had the feeling that Dream Whisper was more the type of pony to enjoy the company of few ponies and a large party would only embarrass him.

"Leave it to me." suddenly said Sweetie Belle, winking at her friends. "So, Pinkie, does that mean you're done with the Nightmare Night festivities? Everything is set ?"

"Not yet..." said Pinkie Pie after a short moment of silence, as if finally coming back on the ground from her extraordinaire planning. "Why ?"

"It's tomorrow night, right ?" added Sweetie Belle, craning her neck toward the pink mare, as if to help the idea to sink in reaaaaally well. Pinkie Pie's eyes suddenly went wide.

"Tomorrow ?!? ALREADY ?!? Omigosh ! Gottagoseeyalater!" screamed Pinkie, dashing away in panic.

Sweetie Belle watched as Pinkie Pie ran away, an expression of pride on her face before turning back toward her friends.

"We were heading to Secora's, right ?"

Chapter 3 : Jest or not

The way to Secora's home wasn't exactly the easiest one. There was a path but the forest kept invading it, making the zebra's house to be more seclusive, hiden away from her neighbors. The three fillies were walking close to each other while their little invisible tag along was bringing the rear. It wasn't the first time the Cutiemark Crusaders were visiting the zebra but the forest was still impressive. The forest was old, with large tree with knotty branches that looked like witches arms looming menacingly over you.

"Maybe we shouldn't bother Secora." said meekly Sweetie Belle. "I don't see why Dream Whisper would have told us things like that if they weren't true..."

"I don't see why either but better be su..." replied Applebloom just before Scootaloo pushed them both in a bush.

" SCOOTAL..." whined Sweetie Belle but the little pegasus pressed a hoof over her muzzle to shush her.

From their hidding place they could see Secora's house. The door opened and a grey mare was pushed out without gentlness. Secora was standing in the doorframe with a scold while the mare was brushing some dirt off her coat.

"You are not welcomed anymore in my home unless your attitude improve some." claimed the zebra. "It is not because your narrow visionned mind can't understand something that it doesn't exist, so before you call someone a fraud you should give your tongue a few twists!"

"Someone else should take that advice too." whispered Applebloom, giving a side look to Scootaloo, who poked her tongue back at her.

The grey mare gave the zebra a stern look.

"Yeah well... beleive in your mumbo jumbo if you want. Maybe _you_are not a fraud but weird things happen wherever he goes and I will put the lights on his mystifications. So if you hear anything about that stallion, would you _please_let me know. I'm at the Comfy Stable." and without another word or another look to Secora she turned around and walked away.

But as she passed by the bush in which the Cutiemark Crusaders were hidding, she paused, giving the bush a side look. Fortunately for the trio, a shiver came to distract her, the little phantom filly rushing through her to get her attention away from the girls. "What was that?" she mumbled to herself before walking away. Scootaloo, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle remained silent and motionless until the grey mare was out of sight for some time before then walked out of the bush and hurried to Secora's door, which was now closed. With Scootaloo watching if the grey mare was coming back, Applebloom knocked at the door, which opened quickly, showing a frowning Secora. Lowering her gaze, Secora saw that it was the three fillies that knocked at her door and her frown dissapeared.

"Hello little ones. What bring you to my home today ?" she took a step back to let the girls in. As usual, they couldn't help to give a look around, Secora's house was so intriguingly different.

"We were wonderin' if you could give us some answers on somethin' Secora..." asked Applebloom with the direct approche known of the Apple family.

"Well, its more like clarifying something actually." corrected Sweetie Belle.

The mare raised an eyebrow with curiosity before walking back to her cauldron.

"Answers I have many, it all depends of the question. And today seems to be ones of peculiar situations. Ask little ones and I'll see what I have for you." She took a small bottle with a green glitter in it, slowly pourring some in her boiling cauldron.

"There's this stallion that says he can see ghosts and we were wondering if he was pulling our tails or not." said Scootaloo as straight forwardly.

Secora's eyes opened wider in surprise, making her to drop the whole bottle in her mixture. A look of worriness crossed her face just before a loud _ POOF _happened and the whole place was filled with green smoke. The fillies and the mare stumbled outside, coughing and sneazing. When everyone had catched their breath, Secora looked down at the girls with a straight face, as if trying to figure out if they were playing a joke on her.

"I hope this is no jest because this was the exact same subject that brought my previous guest. Except her presance was much less acceptable as she was very much sceptical." she added the last part looking at Scootaloo.

"Wut ..?" asked Applebloom but Sweetie Belle pipped in.

"No, its not a joke Secora." explained quickly Applebloom. "Dream Whisper said he could see invisible ponies that were drained of their love by changelings. It looked just like a spooky story until somehting cold walked through us and he said it was one of them."

" So, was it a trick or it was true ?" finished Scootaloo, looking at Secora with eagerness for her answer.

The mare looked at the three of them in silence, her tail flickered with animation.

"So it is true that our town is hosting someone with a rare virtue. To my opinion trick there was none as some ponies do have the talent to talk with the ones that are gone. Do not doubt of your new friend I'll ask, as his is not an easy task."

"YES !!" exclaimed the three fillies with excitement.

"Told you it wasn't ah bucket of horseapples." said Applebloom to Scootaloo.

"Yeah, yeah... but it was weird so I wanted to check." said Scootaloo, waving her hoof dismissively at Applebloom before turning to the zebra. "Thank you for that Secora."

"You are most welcome little ones. Now if you'll excuse me..." she turned toward her house, still smoking with green fumes. "... I have a hard task of my own."

The Cutiemark Crusaders left Secora, trotting back to Ponyville.

" Dream Whisper wasn't lying. I can't wait to see what will happen on Nightmare Night." said Sweetie Belle, now all excited to the point that she started to jump around instead of walking.

"Me too." said Scootaloo. "But there that other pony. She seems to look for trouble with him. Should we.. ?"

"Keep an eye on her for him ? Absolutely!" finished Applebloom with a determined look.

Chapter 4 : An eye on you

Back in Ponyville, the grey mare was brooding. That zebra witch hasn't been of any help. She was probably a fraud herself, abusing of Ponyville's citizens with her smoke tricks and fake potions. Ponies are so guillable, mostly if you put on a convincing enough show for them. Just like that stallion she was tracking. Claiming he was seeing gone ponies. Horseapples ! He was either a con or completely insane so either way he needed to be put between 4 walls, must they be made out of iron bars or padded. Her gaze catched the sight of the livid pony, sitting at a table and eating a grassburger. Her expression turned to one of resolve. She hadn't enough proof but it was time to comfront him. She would sit in front of him and call him out. Her ears and attention suddenly turn behind her as she eared the noise of leaves being disturbed. She quickly turned around to only see the statue of a pony rearing in a playful way, surrounded by bushed of yellow flowers. What she didn't saw was the Cutiemark Crusaders hidding behind the statue in a cramped position so they won't reveal their presence. The grey mare turned back to her main goal when...

"Mrs Glimmer ! Enjoying your stay in Ponyville?"

Mr and Mrs Turndown were walking her way, their bags filled with groceries and Nightmare Night decorations for the inn.

"Huh ? Oh, yeah... I mean, yes. Very much." said Dust Glimmer, the grey mare, even if her expression wasn't matching her words, something mr. Turndown was quick to outline.

"Then a smile would illuminate that pretty face of your, miss. Don't you think dear ?"

"Indeed. Is everything alright ? Did you had trouble sleeping ?" asked Mrs Turndown with a worried look on her face.

"No ! No, no, the room is perfect ! I slept very well its just that..." urg, she needed an idea. "I don't take much time off so I need to..."

"... to realise that you can relaxe. Happens to a lot of ponies. Don't worry about it. " said mr. Turndown with a dismissive hoof. " So, did you find what you were looking for this morning ?"

Dust Glimmer raised an eyebrow in questionning. This morning ? What... Oh ! The con pony.

"Actually I..." she gave a look past mr. Turndown to where Dream Whisper was eating but the pony was gone. "... I'm still looking." she added with a fake smile.

"I'm sure you will find it, dear." said Mrs Turndown, giving her husband a gentle push so they'll head back to the Comfy Stable. "Oh, diner's at 6. See you then !"

Dust Glimmer nodded but diner was not in her preoccupation. She had to find that pony. Again. She waited for the couple to be far enough before she took a different direction. They made her miss an opportunity. She trotted around, trying to find where the whiteish pony had gone but it seem that she was running out of luck as he appeared to be nowhere. Ponies were now giving her strange looks because of her suspicious attitude but she didn't care. Dust Glimmer was used to it and what those ponies were thinking of her was beyond her concern. For two hours she walked around Ponyville without a sight of Dream Whisper until she finally saw him, hidding behind the corner of a cotage, talking to someone she couldn't see because of the angle. Probably his associate in his scam. She was about to rush toward them when something shiny red appeared in front of her.

"...est, juiciest apples in Equestria. Only two bits, three for five bits!" said an orange mare with a blond mane, her cowboy hat tilted slightly back to leave room to her ears.

Dust Glimmer looked back at her in surprise first, then in anger. Not again!

"If you take a whole bag, I'll throw in a couple of turnovers. You look like yer hungry miss. So, how's that ?" said Applejack, making the delicious looking apple to spin in her hoof.

"Did the Turndowns came to you for their inn ?" asked Dust Glimmer between clench teeth.

"They sure did." replied Applejack with pride.

"Then I'll probably have some for dessert, so no, I don't want of your apples! Or turnovers, or any bakeries you could have !" blurted out the grey mare, hurrying toward the cottage Dream Whisper was standing near.

"Sheesh. No need to be rude." said Applejack, looking at her galop away.

Unfortunately, when Dust Glimmer reached the cottage, the ghostly white stallion was gone. She desesperately looked around, cranning her neck to find him. He couldn't be far. He couldn't have dissapeared. She stomped her hoof on the ground in rage.

"May I help you?" said a soft voice as a yellow and soft pink mare that was standing there with little animals walked to her.

"Where is he ?!?" said Dust Glimmer on an angry tone.

"Who ?" asked softly the gentle mare.

"The c... a stallion, greenish white coat with black mane. Blank flank. He was here just a

moment ago.

"I'm sorry, there wasn't anyp..."

"Don't dare to lie to me!" growled Dust Glimmer, her face now almost pressed against the yellow mare's, looking at her in the eyes. "I saw him, he was here just a second ago so don't tell me you didn't saw him !"

"B-but I didn't..." said the shy mare, tears welling in her eyes, her voice quivering in fear.

"I don't know why you ponies are protecting him..." said Dust Glimmer, walking menacingly and accusingly on the poor mare. "... but this mascarade needs to... YEOUCH!!"

Dust Glimmer took a step back, shaking her right hoof to make the pain go. In front of her was a squirrel that had just bitten her, now standing on its hind feet and squeaking angrily at her.

"Now now, no need to turn to violence. Lets calm down and things will be solve much more quicker." said the shy yellow mare, gently pulling the squirrel behind her. But when she looked back at Dust Glimmer, the pony had already turned around and was walking away, grumbling to herself. "What a strange pony..."

But what Dust Glimmer didn't saw was Dream Whisper walking in the opposite direction, three young fillies talking, walking and jumping around him, covering the sound of his voice as they asked more informations about his special talent, leading him away from the strange mare. But Dust Glimmer wasn't the kind to give up that easily... She kept trotting around Ponyville's market place, searching for ponies that could have withness weird things when Dream Whisper was around. But the more she was asking questions and less the ponies wanted to talk to her, to a point that an old green mare even scolded

her, saying to leave the nice stallion alone. Things seem desesperate when her luck suddenly changed. Looking left and right, Dust Glimmer was forgetting to look in front of her and that's how she bumped into somepony.

"Hey, watch it ..!" she growled to the stallion in front of her but didn't finished her complaining as her eyes met pretty leaf green ones.

She took a step back with a light gasp. The stallion was looking back at her calmly, apparently not angry that they bumped togheter.

"So, you're looking for the weird guy, are you ?" he asked on a mysterious tone.

"Maybe..." replied Dust Glimmer with caution. "And you are ?"

"Springblast." answered the pegasus, extending his wings and bowing a little. His mane was copper brown and his coat was white as snow, making his leaf green eyes even more noticeable. "At your service. I saw the one you're looking for earlier today and weird things happened."

That immediately got Dust Glimmer's attention. That was exactly what she's been looking for for years. A smile finally spread on that serious face of hers.

"Please tell me aaaaall about it."

Chapter 5 : Loose marbles

When Dust Glimmer came back to the Comfy Stable, she was the only one smilling. A large, happy smile. The last two hours has been the greatest time she had in a long time. Springblast did brought her some evidence that her query was indeed up to something but the stallion was charming, not to say more. He told her how Dream Whisper made Mrs Honey Dew cry, giving her a key she hadn't seen in a long time, and how the stallion looked guilty when he poked the stallion about his wereabouts. She sat at the table and its only after she thanked absentmindedly Mrs Turndown for the plate she had put in front of her that she noticed that something was off. First, Dream Whisper was right in front of her and he looked very uneasy, looking down at his plate. The other three guests and mr. Turndown had a cup of hot breuvage in front of them. Dust Glimmer realized that they were all shivering and the hot liquids were even making steam. Mrs Turndown came back, putting a cup of hot cocoa in front of her.

"What a silly weather we have." said the mare with a shivering voice. "Getting this cold so early."

Dream Whisper slouched even closer to his plate. Dust Glimmer looked at him with an accusing frown. The whitish stallion was giving unnoticed looks to the side. What everyone else couldn't see was that there was now 20 phantom ponies gathered in the room, making it very chilly. All were gathered around the table, looking at Dream Whisper eagerly and the poor stallion couldn't tell them to go away. Not without attracting unwanted attention on himself, that is.

"Eat up before it gets cold, sweetie..." said Mrs Turndown to Dust Glimmer, sitting down to eat as well.

Unlike the previous meals, which had been animated with discussions and many stories from Mr. Turndown, this one was silent. Uncomfortably silent. To a point that Dream Whisper pushed his plate gently aside.

"It was delicious Mrs Turndown. I'm so full, I think I'll go for a walk to digest." He excused himself despite having barely touched his meal.

Once outside, he waited. Little by little, the conversations in the Comfy Stable started and grew louder. Things were going back to normal. Good. Dream Whisper casually trotted away. He walked by the last merchands closing their shops for the night, smiling at them and wishing them a good evening. He even wished a good evening to a frowning Springblast that was eyeing him with suspicion. When he reached a remoted area of Ponyville and he was sure he was alone, he turned back to the pack of phantom ponies that had followed him.

"Really ?!? You guys can't wait, do you ? I told you, it can't happen before tomorrow night. To-mo-rrow !" He said stomping his hoof down with each syllable."I can't make it happen earlier, sorry. Now stop pestering me and making everyponies uncomfortable, darnit!"

But the phantom herd was getting restless and they all walk closer on him, the pink mare that he met first replying by stomping her hooves with each step as well. The empty eyes were frowning, all closing on the stallion. The whithish stallion recoiled on him self, ears lower then ever, looking at all those menacing ponies.

"I can't..." he mumbled.

His ears suddenly perked up as he realized something. Indeed he couldn't open the portal to the other side until tomorrow. But THEY needed him to do it tomorow and has he said to the Cutiemark Crusaders, the phantom ponies couldn't hurt him. He straightened, stood tall, his horn shimmering with his magic as a warning before taking a step toward the pink mare.

"ENOUGH !" he ordered firmly. "It can't happen before tomorrow night. Not. Sooner. Now leave me alone..."

He paused to amplify the effect of what he was about to say next. It was mean but he wasn't to let them bully him around. "... before I change my mind about opening that portal."

The expression on the phantom ponies herd faces changed from angry to terrified. He wouldn't, would he ? He wouldn't let them wander for another moon. They slowly backed away under the hard gaze of Dream Whisper.

As he was dealing with the ghostly bullies Dream Whisper couldn't notice two leaf green eyes watching him in the shadow of a large willow. What was happening in front of Springblast was so weird. That pony was talking by himself to what seems to be multiple nonexistant opponents, even getting angry at them. That stallion wasn't a con artist as Dust Glimmer told him, he was completely insane. Maybe even dangerous for the ponies of Ponyville. He had to do something. He was about to rush to Dream Whisper when another idea crossed him mind. Instead he slowly backed away silently. A moment later there was a knock at the Comfy Stable, barely audible over the laughs brought by Mr. Turndown's story.

"I'll get it." said Mrs Turndown, standing and walking to the door. "I wonder who it could be this late."

At the door was standing a smiling Springblast.

"Springblast, what a surprise."

"Good evening Mrs Turndown, can I speak to Mrs Dust Glimmer ?" he asked politely, already looking for the mare in the small crowd gathered around mr. Turndown.

Everyone went silent, turning to the grey mare who blushed under the looks on her. She silently stood and walk to the door while Mrs Turndown went back to the other pones to give the two some privacy.

"Hello Springblast. What is it that you wanted to tell me that couldn't wait until tomorrow ?"

She liked the stallion but she didn't had this much of a good time in a whole day for so long that it was annoying her that someone would disturb it.

"Something you were just waiting for." said the stallion with eagerness, his wings fluttering a bit.

Chapter 6 : Completly nut

After his little "talk" with the phantom herd, Dream Whisper went back to the Comfy Stable. He was feeling suddenly tired and tomorrow would be tiring even more so he decided to go to bed early. As he got to the inn he noticed that grey mare, Dust Glimmer, talking with that green eyed stallion he met at Mrs Tulip Dew's house. They were talking with animation and it made him smile. She looked so stern, it was good to see that she had found someone to make her smile. Quietly he went into the inn, leaving the two ponies alone. Inside, everyone was laughing and talking loudly so he silently went to his bedroom. Yes, a good night sleep would be welcomed. He was pleasantely surprised to see that there was no phantom pony waiting for him by his bed. Finally he was getting the peace he wanted so much. He got in bed, pulling the thick blanket over him with a smile on his face.

The next morning, when Mrs Turndown went to wake him up for breakfast, she was surprised that the door opened before she could even knock.

"Good morning Mrs Turndown ! Let me guess, breakfast is ready. I could smell those delicious waffles up here."

" My ! Are you chipper today." said Mrs Turndown, taking a step aside to let him walk out of the room.

"I have the feeling it will be a wonderful day. I slept incredibly well, Its sunny outside, breakfast smells delicious..." he paused to wink at Mrs Turndown. "... but that's no surprise since you made it. This can only be a great day!"

Mrs Turndown blushed at the compliment.

"Flaterer. My husband is having a bad influence on you." she said with a giggle.

Downstairs the other guests of the inn were gathering to the table where a pile of waffle was waiting for them, with brown sugar, mollass, mapple syrup and chocolate syrup to pour on them, bowls of fruits, a large pitcher of orange juice and one of milk to complete the breakfast.

"Good morning everyone." he said to them all before seating, which made some of the guests to raise an eyebrow. This couldn't be the gloomy Dream Whisper they saw yesterday.

"Someone's chipper today." said mr.Turndown, serving the waffles to everyone.

"Your wife said the exact same thing. But how can it be different with such a great day." said Dream Whisper as three waffles landed in his plate.

"Indeed." added Dust Glimmer with a mysterious smile before taking a bite into her waffle covered with chocolate syrup.

During breakfast everyone was talking loudly, all a little excited about the evening. Tonight would be Nightmare night so with all the activities, everyone was expecting a busy but fun night.

"I've found the nicest coat glitter for my costume. My fairy dress will sparkle under the Nightmare moon !" said one of the guests before turning to Dream Whisper. "How about you ? You didn't told us what you'll dress as ? Maybe a ghost ?" she offered, refencing to the stallion's already ghostly white coat.

But Dream Whisper didn't even flinched at the teasing.

"Nope. Sorry but tonight is a special night for me. I already have something planned." answered Dream Whisper, a smile still on his face

A collective "Awwwww..." rang in the room, some ears even drooping. Except for the Turndowns, all of them weren't from Ponyville so, somehow, they had expected to all stick togheter for the evening.

"Come on now everyone, Dream Whisper said he has ... something planned. I bet he'll have as much fun as we will." said mr. Turndown, sending a wink heavy of double entendeer at the other guests, which made them to giggle and made Dream Whisper to blush.

"I won't say more, all of you have already too much imagination." said the palish stallion after eating his last bite of waffle and standing. "See you all later."

Outside, everypony in Ponyville was installing their Nightmare night decorations. There was a feeling of festivities in the air which made Dream Whisper smile even wider. He couldn't remember the last time he enjoyed the preparations for Nightmare night this much. Usualy it's a slow angish that grows in the pit of his stomach until the night arrives but not today. The noise of overexcited juvenile chatter suddenly got his attention.

"Girls ! Are you Cutiemark Crusaders ready for tonight ?" he asked on a cheery tone.

"Yep !" replied Applebloom and Sweetie belle.

"Wow, someone chipper today." said Scootaloo, noticing that the stallion was even keeping his ears up instead of drooping as usual. "Yes ! Our costumes and everything are ready."

"What are you going as ?" asked Dream Whisper.

"Its a surprise." said Sweetie Belle on a mysterious tone.

"Then I can't wait..." he was to answer when he noticed a nurse waving at him on the porch of the hospital. "...I see you girls later tonight."

"Later Dream Whisper !" They cherfully said before rushing off.

Still smiling widely, Dream Whisper walked to the nurse. As he got closer he could see on her face that the mare was preoccupied.

"Something's wrong miss ? Is there anything I can do for you ?" he offered.

"Eeeh... yes. Could you come in please ?" she said, looking away before walking in her office with Dream Whisper.

Inside was standing two very large stallions, an earth pony and a unicorn, in white uniform, looking sternly at him. Dream Whisper took a step back but before he could say a thing he heard the door lock behind him.

"I'm sorry." appologied the nurse as the two stallions walked on him, the unicorn one's magic lifting a very large net.

Meanwhile, outside, the Cutiemark Crusaders were heading to the Caroussel to get their Nightmare night costumes when Scootaloo breaked suddenly, making the two others to crash in her.

"Why is that wagon doing parked behind the hospital ?" she quickly asked, cralwing from under her friends and before they could start complain.

The wagon in question was a closed one, not an open one like the Apple family had back at home, painted white with a red cross on each side. There was only a very small window in the door at the back, with iron bars in it. There was also a very big lock on that door.

Then came a loud crashing noise from the hospital just before the nurse dashed out and closed the door quickly behind her. The trio of fillies silently sneaked to a window to look inside and they couldn't beleive what they were seeing. Inside, Dream Whisper was kicking and bucking, the large net over his head, shooting his magic at the two other stallions while they were trying to hold him down. The unicorn stallion shot a beam of yellow magic to capture the smaller stallion who countered with a grenish beam of his own. The earth stallion tried to sneak on him but got welcomed with a rough kick in the face. Unfortunately that gave the unicorn stallion the time to trap Dream Whisper's front hoove in magical cuffs.

"We got tha help 'im !" gasped Applebloom, taking a step toward the door but Scootaloo grabbed her by the tail to stop her.

"I have a better idea. We need to keep Dream Whisper in Ponyville until tonight. If they can't bring him away..." she then gave a mischevious grin toward the white wagon.

It took some time but the two large stallions finally emerged from the hospital's backdoor, bruised and panting, dragging a still wiggling and mumbling Dream Whisper. The glow of the cuffs was covering all his hooves, held togheter, then there was some sort of magical protection over his horn and a piece of fabric was covering his muzzle. And yet the smaller stallion was still trying to escape. His gaze noticed the three fillies siting innocently not too far. He tried to call to them for help but they didn't move, simply looking at the scene as he was taken away. He frowned accusingly at them but he was answered by a quick wink from Sootaloo just before being tossed in the wagon and the earth pony to lock the door.

"The nutter they are, the harder theyfight back." he grumbled, giving the lock a shake to see if it

was fastened.

"Speaking of, you better asked that nice nurse to give a look at your eye. He really didn't missed you." said the other, pointing with a cring at the black eye his coworker got.

"Nah, I'll have it checked at Canterlot when this wacko will be in a safe place." said the earth stallion.

They both took their place at the front of the wagon to pull it, the unicorn one fastening the harness on them. They barely had taken a few steps when the wagon started to wiggle on its wheels.

"What the... ?" Grunted the earth stallion before the arm of the wagon on his side dislodged from the wagon itself.

The shift of weight made the wheel on the other side to skew, allowing one of the rear wheel to get free and roll away. After that it took only a second before the wagon felt half apart on the ground.

"Buck !" yelled the unicorn one, stomping the ground in anger just before the lock felt on the ground with a metallic thunk, followed by the door itself, revealing a rather surprised Dream Whisper.

The two stallions roughly grabbed him, pulling him back in the hospital. As he was dragged back inside, Dream Whisper cranned his neck to look at the Cutiemark Crusaders but they were already gone. What made him smile was a few screws left behind on the ground. Inside, the nurse, who was cleaning the mess left by the fight, was first surprised to see the two stallions walk back inside with their prisonner. And when they dropped it on the ground, she understood immediately what was going on and she as immediately dissagreed to it.

"Ooooh no ! This is an hospitale, not a mental ward. I want the three of you out of my office now." she said, stomping her hoof on the ground before pointing the way out.

Dream Whisper frowned at what the nurse had said ; they thought he was insane. Not that it was the first time somepony had said that about him but it was the first time somepony was trying to put him in a cell. But the two stallions didn't budged an inch, keeping their stern expressions.

"Sorry ma'am but our wagon had a technical difficulty so we'll have to keep the patient here until a new one arrives. I'll go ask for one right away." said the unicorn stallion with a sharp tone before leaving by the front door.

When the other stallion was gone, the expression on the remaining one softened.

"Well, since we're in an hospital and you're a nurse... could you... ?" he pointed at his swollen

black eye.

"Oh fine, come this way." said the nurse, sighing and rolling her eyes as the large stallion walked in the other room for examination. Before she followed him she turned to Dream Whisper. "I'm so sorry but they made me. I think you're a very nice pony so please forgive me." she whispered to him before closing the door behind her.

Dream Whisper, sighed, laying there on his side, alone. He had to figure out a way out of there before the sun was down.

Chapter 7 : Out of the shell

When the unicorn came back, he didn't looked too happy. They couldn't get a new wagon from Canterlot until the next day and suddenly every residents of Ponyville seem to be needing their wagons all at the same time. Meanwhile, someone else was, at the opposite, very happy. Dust Glimmer was sitting with a cup of tea and a wide smile.

"Thank you very much for your information." she said to a smirking Springblast. "I admit I thought he was pulling a scam over the guillible ponies but him being a nut case now make total sense. And without you I wouldn't have been able to gather the evidence of it."

"The moment I saw him with Mrs Tulip Dew I knew something was wrong with him. And seeing him talk and get angry to himself... I know its not his fault but he could have become a danger to everypony so I really think it's better that way. Poor Mrs Tulip Dew. She didn't deserve that, she's such a sweet pony..." He paused, taking a sip at his own drink. "Speaking of sweet... do you have any plans for tonight ?" he asked not so subtily.

"Not really. Only that its Nightmare night and since I don't have to hunt down..." she said and paused, blushing violently as she realized why Springblast had asked her that. "Are you asking me.. ?"

"On a date ? Absolutely. If you're interrested, of course." he gave her a charming smile, his eyes diving in hers. "So, what do you say ?"

Dust Glimmer looked away, her cheeks flushed. She never was asked out before. With her running after Dream Whisper all the time she didn't had any time for socializing, even less for romantic matters. She felt suddenly as if she was boiling hot and if there was a swarm of butterflies wiggling around in her stomach. And before her mind had set for an answer she heard herself answer...

"Yes !"

A few hours later the sun was going down at the horizon and the first disguised fillies and colts were appearing in the streets of Ponyville. The whole town was decorated and ready for the night. Ponies were taking out tubs of water with apples floating in it, lanterns were getting illuminated and Big MacIntosh was putting the last ballots of hay for the labyrinth. The sunlight was dimming fast and the festivities were ready to start. Back at the Comfy Stable, the Turndowns had transformed the ground level of the inn into a haunted house. Mr.Turndown was disguised as a bat pony and was putting the last touch to the big spider that would fall from the ceiling each time somepony would walk in. His wife was finishing hanging the sheet making the halls the visitors would have to walk through but he could tell something was off.

"Something's wrong dear ?" He asked, nuzzling her cheek tenderly.

Mrs Turndown sighed and looked down. She rubbed her foot on the floor a little before looking up at her husband sheepishly.

"I know, you already told me that he could handle himself but... you know how I am. I didn't saw mr. Dream Whisper at diner and I'm worried about him..."

"Yes I know how you are. You worry about everypony, all the time. That's because you have the biggest, warmest heart I know. But don't worry, I'm sure he's fine." said mr. Turndown to reassure his wife but deep inside he too had a bad feeling.

But their toughts were interrupted by the sound of hoove walking down the stairs and laughs. The rest of their guests were ready for the night. One of the mares was dresses as a fairy, with a glitery dress and translucid insect wings. The stallion had simply painted his head black, which would make as if it wasn't

there in the night. The other mare had painted stitches here and there on her body and had painted some parts of her body of different colors.

"Well, well, look at you !" said Mrs. Turndown with a large smile.

"Everyone's ready for Nightmare night it seems ! Great costumes !" said Mr. Turndown, nodding in approval for the costumes.

Mrs Turndown's smile vanished are she looked at the three ponies, going from one to another.

"Where's Mrs Dust Glimmer ?" she asked, getting that worried look again.

That got a few giggles from the Comfy Stable's guests.

"Remember that stallion that came to visit her last night ? They spent the whole afternoon togheter, talking." said the black headed stallion.

"Oooh..." cooed Mrs Turndown, understanding. Which got more giggles from the other mares.

At the hospital, Dream Whisper's tries to escape were getting weaker and weaker as he was very... very tired. He looked up at window, seeing the sky turn dark blue. The night was almost there. On his flank, a shape was starting to be visible. He jumped in surprise when he saw three slightly glowing faces suddenly appear in the window.

"He still there." he could hear Applebloom say, her voice muffled by the glass.

"Alright, it's up to you." he heard Scootaloo say to somepony he couldn't see.

He saw Sweetie Belle suddenly press her face closer to the window and squint. It was strange for him to see her so well in the dim light of dusk, as if she was a... So that was their costumes!

"I think I see somethhing on his..." she said but Dream Whisper didn't heard the rest of the sentence as the phantom fillie that sat by the Cutiemark Crusaders the other day just walked through the wall. She then walk to the door without a look to Dream Whisper to undo the lock and open the door for the three girls to walk in, dressed as ghosts.

"Good job !" said Scootaloo, giving a hoofbump to the phantom fillie.

Applebloom hurried to pull away the piece of fabric covering Dream Whisper's muzzle.

"Girls ! Am I glad to see you ! Quick..."

"We'll get ya out of here in no time." said Applebloom with conviction.

Scootallo took a small pouch that was hanging at her neck and start sprinkling it over Dream Whisper.

"I hope Secora's powder will work. We won't be able to drag him out by ourselves..."

She dumped the remain of the sparkling yellow dust on the unicorn's horn, which disolved the ward that had been put on it.

"Dream Whisper, you have to shake it off or your magic won't ...." she quickly said but was interrumpted by the door on the other side of the room, opening energicly.

"I knew I heard something !" said the earth pony that had captured Dream Whisper earlier.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH !" screamed the three girls while Dream Whisper interposed himself between the stallion and the girls.

Dream Whisper's horn started to glow, ready to defend himself and the girls.. then the glow fainted away.

He concentrated but suddenly his magic seem to be gone.

"Shake it off ! Shake the magic powder off !" cried Applebloom.

The earth pony was walking upon Dream Whisper as he started to shake the powder off when an ear piercing shriek got them all by surprise.

"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIK !" screamed the nurse, looking very pale all of a sudden. "A g-gh...a gh-gh... a GHOST!"

By reflex, everyone looked around except Dream Whisper who sighed loudly. But when the earth stallion saw the small phantom fillie standing by the door, he shrieked as well, jumping in the nurse's arm.

"Go, go, go !" said Dream Whisper, rushing out the door, followed by the Cutiemark Crusaders and the phantom fillie.

"Now what ?!" yelled Scootaloo over the noise of their galoping.

"I have to go to the bridge, that's where they'll be waiting for me." said Dream Whisper, looking back at the girls. But looking in front of him again, he suddenly breaked, making everyone else to bump in him.

In front of them was standing the large unicorn stallion, his net held by magic, ready to strike. Behind him was standing Dust Glimmer and Springblast, a little on the side, watching. Behind Dream Whisper, the girls stood as well, showing they would back him up. It was a showdown under the full moon. The unicorn lowered his head, ready to charge the smaller stallion and bring him away for good when...

"Hey Pinkie ! There's a new pony in tooown!" yelled Sweetie Belle.

Flying out of nowhere came a blur of pink that tackled the large unicorn, making them roll in the dirt until Pinkie Pie landed sitting on his chest.

"Hello new pony ! I'm Pinkie Pie ! What's your name ?"

"Get off me you loon!" grunted the unicorn, trying to push the mare away.

"Getofmie Yooloun ? What's a strange name..." said Pinkie before getting rudely shoved off the unicorn's chest.

But Dream Whisper and the Cutiemark Crusaders didn't waste any time and were already galoping toward the bridge. On the other side they could see dozens of phantom ponies gathered.

"Waoh..." simply whispered Scootaloo at the odd sight.

"Still think it's horseaspple ?" teased her Applebloom.

Dream Whisper stopped in the middle of the bridge and turned toward the girls.

"You girls head back in town, I take it from here..." he then looked at the small phantom fillie. "Except for you. You're coming with me." he said with a soft smile. He then looked back at the Cutiemark Crusaders. "See you girls at the pancing statue, ok ?"

The girls noded and took off. But Sweetie Belle stopped after a few steps and turned back toward the small phantom fillie.

"Thank you for your help." she said with a sad smile. "I wish we would have met you sooner." She then took off to catch up on Applebloom and Scootaloo.

"Alright everypony, it is time !" said Dream Whisper, raising his head, ears high and his horn glowing fiercely with his magic like a beacon in the night for the lost souls. "Follow me !"

He turned around and started to galop back toward Ponyville, this time with all the phantom ponies in tow. In town, the three girls were rushing toward the prancing pony statue.

"Make way !"

"Incoming ! Step aside !"

"Get out of the way !"

They were shouting to the all the ponies disguised for Nightmare night. At first noponies understood what was going on until a ghostly glow start to appear at the other end of Ponyville. Instinctively, everypony was stepping aside, leaving a large corridor across town. Then there was one gasp, then another, as more phantom ponies were suddenly appearing from behind bushed and between houses to join the herd. From the sky, soft glows of phantom pegasis were coming down to join the stampede. The two stallion nurses that tried to capture Dream Whisper earlier stepped in but seeing the number of phantom ponies coming their way, they had no choice to quickly get out of the way.

"What in tarnation is going here ?" asked Applejack, walking to Applebloom.

"Weeell, you see, we met Dream Whisper, and Scootallo tought he was talking horseapple when he said that we couldn't see his cutiemark but it was there and now its visible so he has to help the phantom ponies to cross on the other side but there those two stallions who keep getting in the way and..." tried to explained Applebloom.

Listening to Applebloom with a frowned eyebrow, Applejack couldn't make a word of what her sister was talking about but raising her head her eyes grew wide.

"Now that's somethin you don't see every day. That's one heck of an herd."

"Too big maybe for our friend's ability." suddenly said Secora, coming out of nowhere from the crowd and looking quite worried.

Indeed, in the lead, Dream Whisper looked quite worried as well as the herd of phantom ponies was growing fast and he never guided a group this big. From the large crowd of phantom ponies came a gust of chilly wind as Dream Whisper lowered his head, still running. From his horn shot a beam of magic, stopping right in front of the prancing pony, and slowly spreading into a door.

"Its too small !" cried Applebloom, looking from the door to Dream Whisper.

But the stallion knew that and, with a loud grunt, his beam of magic grew stronger, making the door a little bit bigger. The herd of phantom ponies was getting closer and the door was still too small.

"Come oooooooooooooon..." grunted Dream Whisper between clenched teeth, straining, as he pushed more magic through his horn, widening the door.

"DREAM WHISPER, SHAKE OFF THE MAGIC NULLIFYING DUST !" yelled Scootaloo so Dream Whisper would hear her. The stallion shook his head, yellow dust escaping his mane. His beam of magic increased again, making the door a little bigger.

Sweetie Belle stepped in front of the door.

"Maybe I can give a hand..." she said, her horn glowing with magic as she tried to widen the door.

"No!" yelled Secora but too late.

Sweetie Belle's magic bounced off on the magic door and came back straight at her, making her roll in the dirt on a short distance.

"It was very noble of you but this he must do alone." said the zebra, helping the fillie back on her hooves.

Dream Whisper and the phantom herd were getting very close and the door was still too small for the herd. That's when a second beam of magic shot from the shy, doubling the size of the door, just in time for the herd to pass on the other side. Secora raised her head to the sky with a smirk.

"Just in time, your Highness."

In their silent galoping, only a loud _ THUNK! _was suddenly heard. At the end of the stampede came the little phantom fillie who stopped just before crossing the door and waved her new friends goodbye. She then took the few missing steps and once she was on the other side, the door closed in a swirl and the wind died down, leaving the inhabitants of Ponyville stupefied.

"Where's Dream Whisper ?" cried suddenly Applebloom.

"I hope he didn't got stuck on the other side." said Sweetie Belle, still a little dizzy from the blast she inflicted herself.

But the stallion was there, on the ground, his head against the prancing pony statue because he slammed into it by accident.

"Don't worry mum, I'm okay..." he mumbled in a dizzy voice before loosing consciousness.

Conclusion : Blank once more

Unfortunately for Dream Whisper, when he woke up two days later in his room at the Comfy Stable, Nightmare night was over and all the fuss about what happened as well. All that remained was a bandage around his head. On the bedside table was a few cards and flowers, whishing him a quick recovery. The stallion smiled. It was the first time he didn't feel alone after one of those weird nights. Getting out of bed, he picked the cards and put them in his bag, resting on a chair by his bed. Then came the delicious scent of miss Turndown's hot cocoa, tickling his nose. Opening the door, he heard that many people were talking downstairs, Sweetie Belle's voice very recognizable among all the others.

"And then Scootallo had the idea... no, the _brilliant_idea to take out all the screws from the wagon so they couldn't take Dream Whisper away. It was pure genius." she was explaining with energy.

"And you should have seen their face when the wagon felt apart !" added Scootaloo before bursting in laughter.

"Mmh, yes, about that, I sent a note to my sister to give the order to leave Dream Whisper alone. There's so little ponies with his habilitie, they shouldn't be locked away." said a voice Dream Whisper never heard before.

In the living room, the last sentence was said by Princess Luna herself, giving a stern look to Dust Glimmer who became paler. The princess then muffled a small yawn.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm in dire need of rest. Tell Dream Whisper that we all thank him a lot for his work. And if he ever come to Canterlot, he'll be welcome to the castle. I'd love to chat with him."

As she walked out of the Comfy Stable, Dream Whisper hid behind a corner, atop of the staircase. Thanks ? For him ? What did those fillies told who he guessed was the princess of the moon for her to thank him ? He waited a moment before the princess was gone before he walked down the stairs, as silent as he always is.

"Hello everyone. What's going on ?"

Everyone jumped in surprise but a second later the poor stallion was swarmed by ponies. They were all releived to see him out of bed and mostly all eager to tell him about the congratulations he got.

"Wait, wait, wait ! Everypony hold on !" He cried, trying to get a little private space.

He looked around at everyone, a little in disbeleif that they weren't running away from him now after what happened. Then he got a little suspiscious that it was a trap. He did heard princess Luna say he should be left alone but... past experience proved him the opposite many times. But seeing the smile on the Cutiemark Crusaders faces, he felt a little reassured. There was no way these three could have been part of a trap.

"Y-you...don't think I'm... a freak ?" he turned to miss and mr. Turndown. "You won't kick me out of your inn ?"

"Kick a hero out of the Comfy Stable? By Celestia no !" said mr. Turndown with an amused smile while miss Turndown was simply shocked by the idea.

"The princess explained to us what your special talent was and insisted on how important it was, which placed things back in perspective..." admited Dust Glimmer, looking down at the tiles of the floor in shame while Springblast looked litterally away. "I'm sorry, it was all my fault."

At this point Dream Whisper was freaked out. Excuses ? A hero, him ? What the buck ?!? He took a step back with shaky legs. This was too surreal. He was so surprised that he never heard Secora walk in the Comfy Stable.

"It may now feel like an hallucination or a dream but with time and friends it'll slowly sink in. It was just a misunderstanding brough by appearance and trust me, your future is now outlined with brilliance."

Dream Whisper looked at the zebra mare with a raised eyebrow for a moment.

"Secora! You must be Secora ! I was told to come and see you but I didn't saw your house when I came throught the Evergreen forest. And then things got a little out of hands..."

"Yeah, its well hidden..." pipped in Scootaloo.

"It's alright." said Secora with a little laugh. "I was supposed to give a little present but it seems it was delivered right in time, according to the events." she then turned to the Cutiemark Crusaders. "Thank you little ones."

"What present... ?" asked Scootaloo before it clicked in her head. "Oh ! The magic nullifying powder ! That was the present ?"

Secora simply nodded.

"Well, we, the Cutiemark Crusaders, now confirm that you do have a cutiemark and... oh." said Sweetie Belle, pointing at Dream Whisper's flank only to see that it was blank once again. "It's gone."

"Until next full moon." said Dream Whisper with a giggle, ruffling Sweetie Belle's mane.

Later that night, Dream Whisper's saddle bags were packed. The Turndowns had given him enough food to hold for two whole weeks, not counting the apple muffins and turnovers given by the Apple family. Sweetie Belle had for him a brand new blanket made by her sister, with Dream Whisper's cutiemark embroided in a corner and Scootaloo offered him a certificate signed by the three members of the Cutiemark Crusadors attesting he wasn't a blank flank, which made the stallion smile.

"Seems like its time to hit the road for me again." said the stallion with a sigh. For once he wasn't leaving in a hurry to save his tail.

"You'll always be welcomed at the Comfy Stable." said mrs Turndown.

"Come visit when you pass by." added mr. Turndown.

"Count on it." said Dream Whisper with a smile and a weight at the pit of his stomach. Leaving friends is never easy but for the stallion it was the first time he felt it. "See you all."

As he was walking away, he couldn't help to look back a few times to the little group gathered, waving at him. No, it wasn't easy to leave friends. A little further, Springblast was looking for Dust Glimmer and rushed to her when he saw her with her saddle bags on her back.

"Where are you going ? I tought we had..." he said to the mare who only slowed down.

"We do. I like you very much Springblast. But I've been running after Dream Whisper for a long time, trying to prove how bad he was and... I was so wrong. So instead now I'll help him." said Dust Glimmer, her head drooping a little, still in shame of what she had done. She then raised her head and kissed Springblast on the cheek, a long kiss that made his wings to spring up. "I hope you'll wait for me."

She then ran to catch up with Dream Whisper, trotting by his side when she had.

"Need some company for the road ?" she asked, looking shily at him.

"Sure would be nice miss." simply said the stallion, his ears not drooping anymore as he was now proud of himself, while they were both heading in direction of the moon.

The End