Disaster Anon: G1; D17; Nightmare Night ACT TWO

Nightmare Night: ACT 2 ELECTRIC BOOGIELOOGIE MAN

>How do most people spend the holidays?
>Gathered around a loving family to get fat?
>Parading the streets with their special someone?
>Uniting with enemies for the sake of having a single day of peace?
>For you, these seem like vague concepts, as you find yourself, fully bound and tied down to a chair in a banana suit, spending Nightmare Night as the kidnapped victim of the vengeful Paul Pumpkin.
>Brights Brightly would always tell you to socialize with the ponies in town, and just look where that got you.
>As the mysterious green mare Dustflower continues pointing her katana to your Adam’s apple, Paul concludes his monologue of apparently wanting to celebrate, “his holiday” and he puts the skeleton mask from his costume back on with his magic.
>“I’ve got some work to take care of.”
>With another sharp glow of the eyes, he turns away, and walks out of the door. As it opens though, you see the outside for a few brief seconds, hinting to the location you’re at.
>There are gravestones in the distance; many, many gravestones, so you can only assume that you’re at a cemetery.
>How fitting.
>After a brief pause, you look to Dustflower and tell her,
You know when I get out of here, there will be consequences right?
>“Best hold your tongue less’ I peel you alive!”
Ooh, banana puns. Very ‘apeeling’ if you’re a fourth grader.
>She growls angrily, as a new voice intervenes. Female. Still with the accent, and vaguely familiar.
>“Calm yourself Dusty. Anon is of my interest more so than yours. You were not arrested after all.”
>The katana lowers slightly, and Dust tells the mare, “But he’s so cocky.”
>You can hear hoofsteps from the distance come closer.
>“I admit though, this isn’t about being arrested. No. My grudge with Anon is much more personal than that.”
>The mare comes into view, revealing her form to you; Unicorn, scarred and scratched, with dark green fur, red eyes, a mane of violet, and a cutie mark of a set of three black hoof prints.
>“Isn’t that right Anon?”
>There’s no way you can forget her.
You’re the mare that burned my apple tree and tried to kill me.
>“How true indeed.”
>The mare brings her hooves onto your knees, bringing her face only inches away from yours.
>Without turning to her friend, she tells her, “Dustflower, leaves us be until I tell you otherwise.”
>“But Jade-”
>“You heard me.”
>Reluctantly, Dustflower slowly turns, and walks away, exiting the cemetery’s building, and closing the door with her magic.
>“She’s quite the mare.”
Is there anyone else here?
>“Fortunate for yourself, no. The others have business elsewhere, and two should be enough to handle you…You are certainly the most interesting of creature Anonymous. Never have I met someone able to outwit myself.”
>Jade’s face draws closer to yours, she brings a hoof on your left shoulder, and her eyes lower slightly.
>“It’s a shame; if you were not a human…I would make you my mate. Our children would surely be as intelligent as they are diligent and strong.”
Don’t want to burst your bubble, but murderous sociopaths aren’t exactly a turn on for me.
>She smirks at the statement, before removing herself from your legs.
>“A rock of will power and morale, not even a hint of attempt at freedom through seduction…I like you. Tell me, do you have a mare yet?”
I have no interest in a relationship with a horse, or anything that isn’t human for that matter. Maybe a centaur if I were desperate, and even that’s a stretch.
>Her smirk grows slightly, as her eyebrows arch downward, “Everypony needs a companion, Anonymous.”

---

>Maybe I should’ve gone with Anon.
>The streets are really busy right now, and I bet he’d have an easier time right now if I just flew him over the crowd.
>It’d certainly make Minty feel more at ease.
>It’s already been forty minutes, and there’s still no sign where he went.
>We’re not even sure who to question.
>We thought we saw the skeleton guy who was pulling the wagon, but over time we learned, there’s about a dozen ponies in that exact same full body skeleton get-up. (What’s up with that?)
Are you sure you haven’t seen Anon?
>“Sorry, Firefly. With how popular that guy is, he could be anywhere with any pony.”
Oh, that’s okay. Have a nice day Slugger.
>Slugger trots off to the lettuce stand.
Jeez.
>Brightly tells me, “Don’t worry about it. Like he said, Anon’s a popular dude. He’s probably just tied up at the moment. Now come on. I just heard some lady say the best two words in the world.”
>I open my ears, and sure enough, somepony is yelling “FREE SAMPLE?” to passers a few shops away where the street musicians who play the gadulka, fiddle and flute are performing.
>Ember tells me, “Let’s get some free stuff.”
>Minty adds with a drop of the head, “Maybe it’ll help me drown out my sorrows,” as we follow the voice.
>I’m genuinely excited for whatever’s being given, but there’s a slight uncomfortable feeling making the hairs on my neck raise.
>It’s small, but…well…the music playing in the distance sounds a lot like the folkey music of The Jumpin’ Jacks. They are a group of colts that work at the cola factory and would always drop by during the fairs to entertain the townsponies. One is a purple pegasus colt, who plays the flute, the other a gray earth colt who plays the fiddle, and finally, an orange unicorn colt that plays the gadulka. I’m not saying they shouldn’t be here, that would be mean, but it’s just surprising considering the…incident with their former boss.
>I dismiss the whole thing; they’re entitled to enjoy the holiday, just like any other pony, but as we make it to the sight, things only get more uncomfortable.
>Right next to the very small peach shop of Ms. Peach Blossom, is the massive structure that is the town’s famous pumpkin shop, now being managed by a dark blue unicorn, dressed in a red kimono with a fancy hairstyle and comb, who’s giving out free samples of pumpkin pie.
>The whole thing seems so unsettling, and even worse, are the many ponies, enjoying, and even dancing to the music from the trio of ghostly musicians playing by the jack o’lantern collection.
>The unicorn notices my friends and I, and before I can turn and leave, she announces to us, “would any of you four like a free slice of pie?”
>Ember feels the vibe I’m giving and tells her, “I’m not sure. We’re kind of got a place to be.”
>She levitates a slice on a small paper plate to a yellow filly with pigtails.
>“Very well then. If you change your mind, by all mean, come on over.”
>I whisper to the others,
Guys, I think we should go.
>We would’ve left, but unfortunately, Ms. Peach Blossom (who is wearing a noose around her neck as a costume) waves us over, telling us in her almost always dreary voice, “I shall gladly offer a reasonable discount on my products, if you come over.”
>Despite having at least eight pounds worth of goods in her satchels, Minty can’t resist the allure of discounts, and goes to her, causing us all to embarrassingly follow from behind.
>“It’s a pleasure to have such great heroes grace my presence”, says Blossom with a sort of half-hearted smile. “I have fresh peaches, jams, an assortment of desserts, and my cookbook of course. See what you like and we may discuss prices.”
>Minty begins oogling Ms. Blossom’s stuff, and Ember curiously looks at her book to see if anything in there interests her. I however take the opportunity to build up my courage to talk to the lady at the pumpkin shop.
“I’ll be back in a moment,” I say to Mrs. Peach Blossom.
>“You don’t have to lie. It’s okay if you don’t want anything. I understand the allure of a stand so much larger than mine.”
No-no! It’s not like that! I just…I-I…
>I mumble to myself in frustration, before folding like a napkin and spending 18 bits on a dozen peaches.
>It is then, that I go to the pumpkin shop.
>With a smile, the kimono wearing mare asks me, “Have you considered that free sample?”
Actually, I was wondering-
>She levitates a piece of pumpkin pie to me.
Oh, uh-Thank you very much…Sooo…how’s business been since the…well…since the whole-
>“We’re not our boss, Ms. Firefly.”
I’m sorry?
>“I know what you’re thinking, and I want to make it clear, the Pumpkin Industry is in no way associated with the practices of our former boss. I, as the current leader of the Dream Valley division of the pumpkin family, want to get away from the negative press that has recently been associated with our business, and reestablish a level of trust between us and the citizens. Now would you be a dear, and enjoy the FREE slice of pie before it gets cold,” she says in a serious, but unthreatening manner.
…Okay then.
>“While you’re at it, feel free to take the entire tin for your friends. We’ve got plenty more where this came from.”
I look behind her, and see a stack of about seven pies, with an eight being pulled out of an over by an silver pegasus geisha.

___

>Wanting to defuse some of the tension, I begin a bit of small talk, seeing as there’s pretty much nothing else to do. With Jade resting by my side, I ask her,
Have you always been an assassin?
>“No, I became one upon Paul’s request. In the past, I was what you’d call, a ‘botteler’.
Was this something all of the workers knew about?
>“Of course not. What the workers of Paul had not known would not harm them. It was a very private practice.”
He’d have to have some pretty loyal workers for them to be willing to kill for him. That just doesn’t seem right.
>“The Pumpkin family was good to our ponies. His family was there to house Saddle Arabian immigrants since before I was even born. We…/I/ owe everything to him.”
So in retrospect, becoming a killer was a better alternative to living in Saddle Arabia?
>She pauses, before responding.
 >“You’d be surprised how a difference in gender ratio affects the roles of mares where I come from.”
…I could imagine.
>“Once you are taken care of, we shall leave to Ponyland, and start a new, in the Lumina medicine industry. I will have a new life, a hopefully better one, and I shall be content with what role I am given. A new beginning; An appropriate way to celebrate Nightmare Night.”
>All light from the outside suddenly vanishes, with only the dimness of candles illuminating the room.
Whoa, what happened to the sun?!

---

Ember, you’ve got an explanation for the sudden shroud of darkness?
>She looks to the sky in confusion, holding at her Viking helmet to prevent it from falling.
>“I’ve got no idea. Something must be wrong with Princess Celestia. This is NOT a good sign.”
>Minty yells out with a mouth half full of peaches truffles, “We need to find Anon, in case something bad happens!”
I agree. Brightly, take my stuff.
>With her magic, she removes my bags, and piles it on top of hers.
>“I’ll check the streets,” says Minty as she scurries off.
I’m checking the air.
>Brightly asks, “But how can he help with that arm of his.”
I don’t know, but it doesn’t hurt to get him.
>In a dash, I take off to the sky, flying through the streets, analyzing as many faces as I can through the darkness, and I call out to him,
Anon?! Anon, are you there?! We could really use you right now.
>Where the hay is he?! Did he return from the ride? Where did they even go in the first place? Fluffernutter Forest? Shimmering Springs? UGH! I SHOULD’VE ASKED!
>They must’ve returned by now…unless there was an accident.
>Maybe one of the wagon’s wheels just broke, and they’re walking back from where they went…yeah! That makes sense. I just need to get farther. Check the horizon around the entire town until I find something.
>That makes sense.

---

>Dustflower runs into the building upon the turn of the sky.
>“Jade, what on in the name of Dreamland is going on? Is this Paul’s doing?”
>“No, this isn’t the kind of magic Paul possesses.”
That reminds me. Is Paul going to be okay? Red eyes are never a good sign for magic users.
>Jade tells me, “Silence yourself. I have red eyes and I am perfectly fine.”
Is he using some form of magic supplement.
>Dustflower tells me, “She told you to be silent! You know nothing of magic.”
‘Nebara tai ugonjwe na gangwande.’
>She pauses, confused.
It’s a chant of sickness created by southern zebras, ya Dingus.
>“I will destroy you!” she says with the katana grazing the cheek of your banana costume.
If you were allowed to kill me, you would’ve done that by now. No. I can feel it. Paul wants to end me himself. He’s too selfish to give the pleasure to anyone else. I have until midnight, like he said.
>You keep as calm of a demeanor as possible, but you honestly feel very concerned.
>You can’t escape since your monitored, and the clock continues to slowly wind down until Paul’s arrival. Your only hopes now are your friends, who’ve probably forgotten about you amongst the many attractions of the holiday.
>You don’t want to admit it, but this may be the day that you die.

---

>Where are they! Where are they!!! I’m so stupid! I should’ve come with them! He could be in trouble!
>No.
>This is not my fault . I’m just letting fear take over.
>Anon’s fine.
>He’s Anon! He has to be fine.
>As I take my third lap around the border of the town, I finally notice something in the distance at the southern dirt road that leads to Dream Valley.
>The lack of sunlight makes it difficult, but I think I see something lying in the dirt.
Anon?!
>I fly to the figure as quickly as possible.
>It’ not Anon though.
>It’s a yellow earth mare in a blue guard’s uniform, desperately trying to crawl her way forward.
>She must be a guard from the Campolianna Prison if she’s coming from the south.
Are you okay lady?
>Struggling to speak, she tells me, “My partners and I were attacked on our way here. I can’t feel my hind legs.”
Dear Celestia of Equestria. I’ll get you help immediately.
>“I can wait. Please; you have to let the town guards know, there was an ambush in-”
>Before she can finish, I see a figure, flying towards us at a ridiculous speed.
>It’s that amber mare that used to work at the cola factory. I remember her attacking one of the guards when we solved the murder case.
>A second noise is then heard; a faint whooshing sound that is surely an ambush.
>Not sure what to do, I take to the air as fast as I can, noticing a purple blast of magic shot at my former location by a grey unicorn colt who tried to attack me from behind.
>The amber mare catches me in this moment of distraction, and hammer kicks me right in the back of the head.
>I fall to the ground, landing on my back, and from the sky she announces to her friend, “There’s the mare that brought our boss in. I’ve been dreaming about pounding her sorry pink butt!”
>The guard pony then yells out, “It’s Paul Pumpkin! He’s escaped from prison!”
>The grey colt kicks her in the jaw, effectively silencing her.
>“You talk too much.”
>He then turns his head towards me with a twisted and demented grin.
>This is not going to be pretty.
>The pegasus dives towards me, and I fly out of the way as quickly as possible, taking back to the sky with her tailing me as the gray unicorn tries to shoot me down.
>I roll throughout the air, sharply turning to evade both him and her, and even taking into the black abyss of cloud to make me a tougher target, but I can only fly for so long.
>If I don’t fight back, I’m going to tire out, and then they’ll finish me off.
>I need to do something.
>The peagasus yells from behind, “Just give in. You’re speed won’t get you out of here.”
>A magical blast hits my stomach, searing at my fur and bringing me to the point of teeth grinding pain.
>The unicorn yells out, “Fight me you coward!”
>I get a little teary eyed as I yell out,
You guys asked for this!
>I hope I can pull this off. Mom made it look easy when I was a kid.

---

>From the distance, far, far out west, I can hear the sound of a crackling explosion of thunder. Maybe the sky just has something to do with a storm, but you thought that the pegasi were responsible for controlling the weather or something. Why would they let this happen on a holiday?

---

>My wings give their absolute all as our hooves collide, and we put our wing power against each other.
>I think I might have almost broken the sound barrier in the process, but I overpower her like a champ, bending her forelegs towards her face, and slamming her with a super-fast head-butt.
>It really hurt, and few seconds, I actually blacked out. When my eyes finally opened up, I was freefalling beside the other pegasus, who is about to crater into the dirt.
OH DEAR!
>I spread my wings, and soar across the ground as the yellow assassin’s face makes friends with eight inches of dirt, and after a blast of magic comes from my far left, I know exactly where to go with this extra speed I’ve now picked up…I really hope that assassin’s going to be okay.
>I tackle the colt, and with my collective momentum, I launch him through the sky.
>Feeling totally cool after that, I yell out the coolest thing that comes to my head.
Have a nice flight!
>Nailed it!
>He tumbles unconsciously, far into the horizon.
>With those two taken care of, I spend a moment, to take a breath, collect myself, and think about the situation.
>Paul’s returned, the assassins are back in business, and…Anon could be dead by now…well…this isn’t good.
>I fly over to the Pegasus, and shake her up a little.
Wake up! Wake the tartarus up!
>She’s not coming to. That /was/ a pretty hard fall after all.
>As quickly as I can, I gather a natural cloud from the sky, and buck it over her causing a light shower of rain to slowly wake her up.
>It takes a bit of time, but her eyes do open, and I immediately start to strangle her when that happens.
Tell me where Paul Pumpkin’s at, or so help me I’ll buck a lightning bolt right in your face!
>She spits blood and a tooth in my face, and weakly begins laughing.
>“I do not fear you. I fear no pony.”
I-I’m serious!
>I slam her head to the ground and lift it back up. She only begins to laugh harder as a result.
>“In a matter of hours, your precious savior shall fall, and there is nothing that you-”
>I clock her in the face with a right and drop her back into the wet dirt.
>I then wipe the blood away from my face, but it of course still stains my fur.
DARN IT!
>Why can’t I be more intimidating like Brightly?
Wait, a second…why is he waiting?
>Paul has no reason to wait? He could’ve just finished off Anon and left by now. I don’t get why he’s letting him live, and what’s he possible spending his time doing right now. Why are the assassins settling in Dream Valley instead of leaving…
PAUL’S AT THE FARE!
>I begin pacing as I continue speaking to myself.
 There’s no way that he could’ve gone this long unnoticed unless he had a costume this whole time, and with so many ponies wearing costumes right now, he could hide in plain sight without anypony questioning it. He’s probably one of the skeletons so that he can blend in with the crowd. That would explain why Anon disappeared after the cart ride.
>I feel so clever right now.
I THINK I SOLVED THIS WHOLE CASE! Thank you for the hint mysterious assassin mare.
>She gives a very weak groan, and I smile, all the more smug about how good of a partner to Anon I am.
Don’t worry Anon, I’ll save you!