Cuddle Buddies: Ghost Hunting

How Shiner protected Ivory from the ghost :P
By Shiner
Note: I'm going to hurt you Shiner, even more because you put a smiley on the paper.
Ivory
Author's note: Deal with it
Nighttime in Master's house was never this bad before. You've got to hand it to Ivory since she certainly knows how to wake you up. How is Master still asleep from her constant shaking on the bed? Although, she's not the one getting shoved off the bed. You finally pick yourself up off the floor, and prepare to lay into Ivory.

She's at your side in an instant and trying to pull you along. First she pushes you off the bed, and now she wants to drag you somewhere? What is so wrong that it needed to cut into your precious sleep? Finally rousing your mind, you start listening in on what that silly unicorn wants now.

"...and then I heard a couple other weird noises too. I don't know what it is, but you're the only one who can help me check it out Shiner." She continues to prattle on about weird noises in the dark. Wait, weird noises? Could there be a prowler on the loose? You shake the sleep from your eyes and grab a hold of Ivory. Pushing her against the wall and silencing her, you perk your ears to listen to the ambient sounds of the house. Ivory looks a little relieved, but at the same time you can feel her heart racing. Whatever that noise was, it must have really scared her.

You give her a cue to be quiet and let her go. She follows close behind as the two of you stealthily make your way down the hall. Looking back at her, you shake your head to point forward. She nods her head and you two continue onward. The living room is pretty spooky at night since Master doesn't live in town. It's a small estate about 20 miles from the nearest town as Master said. She wouldn't say which town though. You wonder why because you've already told her that you, nor Ivory, ever want to leave her side. That salesman suggested to keep the location a secret until a certain amount of time had passed. What a jerk.

"Now tell me again what you heard Ivory," you whisper to her as quietly as possible. "At first it sounded like an odd scratch on a window," she starts, "and then there was a couple bumps, like something dense hitting the floor."

If she heard something scratching glass, then the noise couldn't have been too far away. The two of you decide to head back to check the rec room when you both see it. There's a door in the living room that leads to the back patio with a curtain on it. The curtain is being held aloft like someone, or something, was underneath it. The door was shut so it couldn't have been the wind. None of the windows were open either. The shape seemed so human-like, but you could also see through the curtain. It approached a bit more and that was it for the two of you.

You both ran back to Master and shut the door as quickly as you could. Master, for her part, doesn't even wake up as you two scramble to your usual spots beside her. Master had a long night anyway, so you can't really blame her for being that tired. She had to attend a party with certain relatives, and left the two of you home. She didn't stay away for too long, much to your delight, but she reeked of something you recognized as alcohol. Master rarely drinks, so it didn't take much to put her down and out. Someone must have given her a ride home. As soon as she climbed into bed, that was it for the night.

The two of you whimper softly as you try to shake that image from your head. How was that curtain floating if there was no wind and no one underneath it? You decided it would be best to cuddle up next to Ivory that night and watch over her. Despite once being a male human, the little unicorn has lost some of her bravery due to the change. You're guessing the salesman must have done something to her mind to make her more feminine. She nuzzles against you as you keep a close eye on the door. There were no other noises that night, and you soon fell asleep protecting Ivory.

The next morning was filled with listening to Master deal with her hangover, and the two of you examining that back door. 2 hours and you finally had to give up when Master called you two. Not taking any chances, you both rushed over to her, and found a disturbing sight. Something -had- fallen last night, and now Master thinks one of you had something to do with it. Your ears flatten against your head as she questions the two of you in her daze. Master is never ever mean to you, but the thought of disappointing her just frightens you terribly. You're a good pony for Master. Ivory seems to feel the same way as it looks like her little heart is breaking while she listens. Ears flat, tears welling up, and cowering before Master. That's the way it is for both of you, but you didn't do anything wrong. Honest!

The object that fell? It was a box full of photos Master had brought up from the basement recently. She had set it on the kitchen counter nearby. It was also near that door. The living room was the first room you walk into from the front, and it led all the way to the back since the house wasn't -that- big. A hallway broke off to different rooms, but on one side the wall separated it from the kitchen. A counter stretched out from the wall by the door up to a doorway point that allowed access to the kitchen. It was basically a breakfast counter.
INTERMISSION

You look up from the paper at Shiner and cock an eyebrow. He's still looking at you happily while Ivory is nestled into the couch across from you. Was the description really necessary? Sure, you encouraged them to write like they were still telling stories to their fellow writers, but this was a little much considering you were their only audience. If they were writing for you, what would be the point of detailing information you knew all too well? You shrug it off with a slight shake of your head and chuckle before returning to the story.

END INTERMISSION

"Are you two absolutely sure you had nothing to do with this?" Master asks one last time. You and Ivory shake your heads, but Ivory seems to be trying harder to convince Master she's innocent.

"Master I'm telling you, I heard a few strange noises last night, I woke Shiner up, and we came out to see what the noises were. Honest!" Ivory was sniffling hard. The salesman had drilled the idea into your heads hard that disappointing Master was incredibly wrong. A pet should never disappoint its Master, and both of you believe it to the Nth degree. A kind and loving Master to take care of you, but you disappoint her? You couldn't think of a more ungrateful thing in your little head.

Master seems to believe her as she kneels down to hug Ivory. "It's okay my little pony, but I just don't understand what could have caused this if you two had nothing to do with it," she says while stroking Ivory's mane. "Well, nothing seems to be broken at least," you say while looking into the box. This does little to comfort you though. Something knocked this down, and something was holding that curtain aloft last night. You'll need to get to the bottom of this and soon. You'll prove to Master that you and Ivory had nothing to do with this box, but where do you start?

The day continued at a snail's pace as Ivory was still shaken up over Master's questions. Sure, Master was nice about it as well as believing her, but Ivory's mind seemed to be unable to conceive making Master upset. Strangely enough, she didn't cry at all, but you could tell she was shaken up. Maybe last night's scare weakened her mental stability a bit? Finally, she took a nap, and you spent the rest of the day cuddling with Master.

Bedtime soon rolled around and the usual before-bed-activities took place. Some amazing belly rubs later, and the three of you were nestled into bed. Ivory once again curled up next to you, but you only pretended to go to sleep. Once you were finally sure that everyone was asleep, you snuck out of the bedroom with all the stealth of a ninja. Well, that's what you told yourself anyway.

You first made your move to the back door to check out that curtain. It wasn't being held aloft tonight it seems. Assuming it was nothing, you made your way about to check the kitchen. There were no signs of anything, but a small noise quickly caught your attention making you freeze. Silently sticking yourself to the wall between the kitchen and the hall, you made your way over to the edge of that wall. There was another noise like the last one, and you quickly realized what it was.

Just a little bit more... Gotcha!

You quickly grabbed what was making that noise, silenced it with your hoof, and waited until it calmed down. Ivory seems to have snuck out to find you. Maybe she got uncomfortable since you weren't there? You'll feel bad about that later, but first thing's first.

"Ivory, what are you doing? You should still be in bed."

"I came to find you because you weren't in the bed anymore. I... I had a bad dream about that curtain." She responds looking sad.

You let her go and sigh. You really feel bad for leaving her like that. If she had a nightmare, then it's all the more worse that you weren't there. She trusted you, and you abandoned her more or less. You give her a nuzzle, and let her know to be silent from here on. She nods her head, but whispers something to you, "are you trying to find out what was going on last night?"

You nod your head, and the two of you silently walk towards the other side of the living room. Making sure you remained close at her side, you check all the other windows and also check the closet. You're disappointed when you find nothing; however, your fur begins to stand on end as a cold chill pushes through your body. You look in the direction it went and see the basement door wide open. That door was shut when you came out; you're sure of it. To make matters worse, that curtain is being held aloft again. Wait, was the basement door open last night too? You can't remember because both you and Ivory high-tailed it back to Master's bed.

"Ivory, wait here while I check this out," you whisper to her.

"But Shiner," she responds, "I'm not letting you go all alone."

You want to argue with her, but she has a look of determination etched on her face. She must want to prove something if she is this insistent. You only want to protect her and Master from harm, but you can't do that if she fights you every step of the way. Thinking back, she must be eager to show Master once and for all that she didn't knock that box down. You nod your head and start making your way to the basement door.

It's really dark and spooky down there, but it's not like the basement is old. The house is actually only 4 years old, and Master takes great care of it. After you and Ivory came to live here, you both started helping her keep the place clean since Master couldn't bring in someone to help anymore. She didn't want someone to find out she has two pet ponies that could talk and used to be humans. With a fearful gulp, you begin to descend the stairs. The light switch at the bottom was low enough for you to reach, but you have to get there first.

Once you had the light on, you began checking around for signs of anything. Master sure had a lot of boxes down here. Not as many as a hoarder, but still more than a usual amount you think. You two continue to look around, but Ivory stops you for a moment with a hoof on your shoulder. Looking at her, you notice she's curiously checking her surroundings and her ears are twitching.

"I don't think we're alone down here Shiner," she whispers to you.

As if she transferred it to you, that feeling has crept up on you as well. You two aren't alone in this basement. Right on cue, a noise to the right catches your attention. That noise is quickly followed by two screams of terror as you and Ivory catch sight of a skeleton rattling just on the edge of the darkness. It's shaking and it's positioned just outside of the light, but close enough to be seen. Ivory hides behind you, as you struggle to steel yourself. This thing cannot be allowed to harm Ivory or Master.

With a war cry that could scare lions...
INTERMISSION

You once again peek over the papers with a cocked eyebrow at Shiner. He's still sporting that same smile. It is his story you suppose.

END INTERMISSION
With a war cry that could scare lions, you charge the skeleton. You don't reach it as something lunges out of the darkness at you, and it knocks you to the floor.

"Shiner!" Ivory shouts as she rushes over to you

"What was that?" You ask after getting to your hooves and shaking your head.

You then hear a sound that chills your very bones. It's a low growl coming from behind you. Quickly wheeling around the other side of Ivory, you notice just what it was that floored you. It's a... cat? What's a cat doing in Master's basement? Looking back at the skeleton, you notice it's a prop like you would see in a medical class or something. Master must have bought it for fun you guess unless she was a med student at one time, but she never said anything about that.

Looking back at the cat, it's still growling. You slowly approach it and try to coax it over to you with different sounds. It hisses before leaping towards an open basement window and climbing out. There's a slight breeze coming in from that window. You look back towards the upstairs and then to the window once more.

"Ivory," you look at her, "go to the top of the stairs and tell me if the curtain is still up."

She nods and hesitantly heads back up the stairs. You wait a moment and she returns halfway down the steps. "It's still up like something is underneath it."

You make your way up to the window by climbing upon a few boxes. Once up there, you look back to her, nod, and shut the window. You take a moment to lock it as she heads back up. She returns by the time you've made it back to the floor... well, you were a little faster since you fell. You didn't fall too far, but somehow your hoof slipped. You hear a light giggle from Ivory as you stand back up. You fix her a glare and then change to a questioning look.

"It stopped." She says simply.

That was it then. That window being open was holding the curtain aloft. That cat also explains all of the disturbances around the house. The box of photos was light and small enough that the cat could have pushed it off the counter. It also had a certain smell that the cat could have confused for food. The basement door isn't even fixed shut either, and the cat could have easily pushed it open. This also explains a few of the other strange occurrences as things have been moved here or there without explanation. That cat must have been sneaking in looking for food, but where did it come from?

Ivory returns to your side and gives you a nuzzle. "I'm so glad it was just a cat. Aren't you Shiner? Heh, I actually thought there might have been a ghost, but you basically got rid of it." She seems really happy now. She must have been referring to her nightmare on that last part.

"I'm glad too Ivory. Maybe now we won't have to worry about anything else giving you nightmares huh?" You say with a nudge. She puffs her cheeks at you and boops you over the head with a hoof. You chuckle after rubbing your head. "Come on, let's get back to bed." You tell her.

"That's the best idea I've heard all night," she responds joyfully.

You shut off the light and follow Ivory back up the stairs. Given how tonight was pretty scary for her, she opted to take the lead back up since it was further from the darkness. Upon reaching the top of the stairs you secure the basement door shut. You sigh in relief, but quickly tense up after turning to the sight before you. There in the darkness of the living room stands a being covered in a sheet, and it's holding it's... arms outstretched menacingly. Ivory quickly hides behind you once more. You can feel her little bones rattle inside her body.

You take on a battle stance once more as the clothed figure moves closer. You're doing this for Ivory. You're doing this for Ivory. You're doing this for Ivory. That same sentence plays over and over in your head.

With another fearful gulp, you charge the floating sheet and dive into it. It grabs you in mid-air and Ivory screams out your name. You can only stare in horror as it holds you up to where you think its face might be. You begin squirming and struggle as best you can to get away, but it has a firm grip on you. It brings you closer and you stare into where you assume the eyes would be. You begin to apologize to Ivory and Master in your head, but then you get an idea. Closer and closer it brings you for your final hug, as you called it. Once close enough, you let out another war cry and swing your hooves at the sheet.

Why did it say ouch? More than that, why did it drop you? Could you have actually hurt the ghost?

"Shiner," it says in a familiar voice, "that wasn't very nice my little pony."

Your ears perk up suddenly before drooping in realization. The figure removes the sheet covering itself and reveals itself to be... Master!? Oh no, you attacked Master! Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. You begin silently freaking out as you have just done something immensely terrible. You hurt Master!

"M-M-Master," you stammer in surprise, "I swear I didn't know it was you. What were you doing?"

Ivory walks up next to you and sits on her haunches while looking up at Master. Master is currently rubbing her nose, presumably where you struck her.

"It's my own fault I suppose," Master says, "I shouldn't have tried to scare you like that after today's little incident. I also heard Ivory whimpering a little while ago, but when I reached out to check on her; she was already gone."

"I'm sorry Master!" You shout as you rush over to hug her. She responds by kneeling down and embracing you as well. Ivory quickly joins in and you three share a moment.

After that little moment, you begin to explain what had happened. Master quickly shushed you and said, "why don't you write me a little story on this whole experience? I'm sure both of you are tired, and I am as well. I will read your story tomorrow and we can settle this matter then. Okay?"

You only answer with an excited nod, and the three of you head back to bed. You were glad this mess was over, and now maybe Ivory won't have any more nightmares. You cuddle against her once more just to be safe, and she responds with a contented sigh. You look up and see Master smiling at you as she lays on her side.

"You seem to have taken to protecting her quite a bit huh?" Master asks.

"I don't know why, but I feel like I should. Plus, laying together like this was one of my fondest memories about... that place." You respond and look down at Ivory. You notice she fidgeted a little when you mentioned the salesman's place. He was never mean to the two of you, but your memories of that place are jaded due to suddenly waking up there and being a different species. Nothing against that salesman, but you hope to never see him again.

Master just smiles at you and scratches your ear. "You take care of her Shiner," she starts, "I want you to look out for her when I'm not around."

Your only response is a weak "Yes Master," before passing out. You had good dreams that night.
End of Shiner's story

"A cat had been causing all the mysterious goings on huh?" You ask Shiner after setting the papers down on the coffee table.

"That's right Master," he responds, "I guess it had been sneaking in for food or something, but where did it come from?"

You just shake your head. You have no idea, but maybe it belonged to the people who lived down the road? You could always ask the next time you head into town.

"I'm proud of you for protecting Ivory, Shiner." You tell him as you look to Ivory. She was pretty brave herself, but those two rely so much on each other. You're beginning to think two little ponies have earned themselves a treat for solving this little mystery. You can worry about the cat later; however, two ponies still need that treat. You also still feel pretty bad for pulling that trick on them, but you paid for it in spades. Shiner has a bit of strength to him.

You give both of your ponies treats and the three of you cuddle for the rest of the day. They more than earned their belly rubs this day, and Ivory's squee made it all the more worth it.