A Ponyville Ghost Train

The Discovery

Spike laid awake that night, not able to get to sleep. He had seen an actual ghost. It wasn't just the fact that it was a ghost, but the way it appeared had frightened him. All he could see was the black eyes, the blood on his face, and it's blank stare into the Everfree, but when he closed his eyes, the engineers eyes were black with red pupils. His teeth were as sharp as a sharks teeth. What scared him the most was a demented smile on the engineers face as he drove his train right towards him, ready to run him over.

Spike's breathing became heavy as the nightmare seemed so real. While Celestia had informed them that Crimson and Hope were not evil, but most likely lost souls trapped in this world, seeing a real ghost for the first time had left a major impact on him. Something inside Spike had changed, and he wasn't sure if it was for the better or not.

"Spike," a voice said. Spike turned and saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders in the doorway to his room.

"What's wrong?" Spike asked.

"We heard you scream and wanted to make sure you were OK," Scootaloo said.

"I'm fine," Spike replied. "Just a nightmare."

"About the ghost?" Sweetie Belle asked. Spike nodded. "Celestia said that he wasn't a mean pony. Why are you afraid?"

"Because that was the first time I ever saw a ghost," Spike answered. "When I got to the station, the air became cold and heavy. Crimson's eyes were completely dark with no life in them at all. In the dream, he had red pupils and his teeth were that of a shark. He was actually about to run his train over me as I stood there."

The girls could only listen as Spike sat there and told them how it felt. Since they never saw the ghost, they were spared from the nightmares that have plagued many other ponies when they saw the ghost train.

"Maybe what Rainbow Dash said was right,' Scootaloo suggested. The others turned and looked at her. "I mean, it was an older stallion that told Twilight the tale. Plus, he's related to the crew of the engine so he could be holding out on telling us where they're hiding at if they did steal the supplies."

"But what about what Celestia said?" Apple Bloom asked. "She did say that the two were some of the nicest ponies you could meet. Plus, they were always doing the right thing and never going on the other side of the law. Crimson was even a member of the guard."

"Maybe it might be best if we get some sleep," Spike said. "We'll never know what will happen until they get back." The others nodded and went back to sleep. Spike tried to close his eyes, but he couldn't. He suddenly felt a body next to him. He turned to see Sweetie sitting next time him and giving him a back massage.

"I figured I would help you get to sleep," she said. Spike smiled as he began to drift off. This time, instead of having a nightmare about the ghost, he began to dream of him and his friends all having fun. What was strange about this dream was that they were riding in the tender of the ghost engine, this time fully restored with Crimson and Hope giving them rides. All of them laughing and enjoying the sights.

The next day, the others were getting their supplies together when there was a knock on the castle doors. Rainbow went to open it only to find Iron at the door.

"What do you want?" Rainbow asked, her eyes narrowing at Iron. To her, he was still guilty by association with his family. She was determined to prove that this entire thing was a hoax and that he was the one pulling it.

"If you think I'm here to brag about the ghost of my father and grandfather you can think again," Iron said, not in the mood for Rainbow's accusations. "I'm actually here to help you'll out by giving you supplies from the forge." Iron stepped to the side and showed them all the parts needed to restore the same engine that 104 was.