a Terrible Tale of Terror
The rusty-colored leaves rustle along the ground through a strong gale. Some fell free from the branches that became barer as the days passed and the nights grew longer. It was that peculiar time of year when foals and fillies wandered around town, parading as ghosts and goblins in search of candy. It was time for Nightmare Night once again in Equestria. But it was the third year ponies would not be celebrating in unison.
See, times had changed around these parts. After the horrible war and the once famed Heroines of Harmony were disbanded, it was deemed that unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies should no longer coexist. Thus, everypony was separated, just like in the olden days. This severing of unity was named 'the Great Divide.'
Unicorns reside in Canterlot, under the esteemed protection of the Sovereign Witch. A powerful Sorceress none of which have ever seen before. She and her coven of followers turned the former city of the Alicorn Sisters into a safe haven for all things magical. Thus began the age where Unicorns with high potency for spells were labeled 'witches' or 'warlocks'.
Pegasi returned to Cloudsdale and expanded their rule over the skies. Without the use of air travel or wings, non were allowed up there.
And the earth ponies? Well... life was rough in Ponyville. Ever since an incident occurred that cost many young lives, folks wanted a new land to migrate to. The ones who remained stuck to their roots, enjoying the smaller community they built. And though they made a living from the crops and materials they could gather, it was evidently clear Ponyville wasn't as prosperous as before.
The magic of friendship had all but been forgotten, a distant memory of better times. But not every pony accepted would allow this separation to spread melancholy. In fact, quite a handful of places were still open to all ponies without prejudice.
A local tavern just a few miles south of Ponyville was one of these locations. Inside was a festive celebration hosted by close friends and co-workers. Patrons were dressed as skeletons, zombies, and science experiments gone wrong. Waiters and servants remained in uniform but wore facepaint to accommodate for the holiday. Even the bartender, a zebra affectionately known as Boss, dressed up as a jolly old pirate.
One servant was a young pegasus stallion, grey in coat with a mane that matched the red leaves of autumn. His face was painted white, black spots around his eyes and lines spreading from his lips, giving his mouth the appearance of being stitched together. A silver tray rested in his palm, carrying a glass of water and a fresh bowl of vegetable stew. He steadily passed by many tables before reaching the patron who requested the order.
"Here you go, ma'am! Our spooky harvest special!" the waiter proclaimed while passing the bowl and glass towards the hungry customer. And as she took a sip and a few spoonfuls, the stallion waited in hopes that his service would be worthy of a tip. Once her mouth was empty, he asked, "Is the taste to your liking?"
"Mmhm! My, it's been ages since I had vegetable stew this good! Do give my compliments to the chef," the charcoal mare praised, eying the waiter cooly under her wide-brimmed hat. Many orange, yellow, red, and brown leaves decorated her attire, filling her slender figure. A long auburn mane cascaded down her back, her horn poking through the bangs.
"Certainly, Miss Elderwood! Can I get you anything else?"
A sultry smile spreads her muzzle as she replies, "No, thank you, dear. I'll be saving my appetite for something special this Nightmare Night~." The autumn witch placed another spoonful into her mouth and not-so-subtly slurped on it extra loudly.
This got a bashful reaction and a nervous laugh before the pegasus waiter went off to tend another table. The unicorn giggled to herself, tangerine eyes fixated with the young lad while she ate in peace.
Despite the friendly policy that the tavern owner went out of his way to establish, some folks couldn't help but feel cautious over the charcoal mare's presence. Her wicked attire likely symbolized her allegiance to the Canterlonian ruler who governed the unicorns. The Sovereign Witch was the one who urged the great divide among ponykind, earning an infamous reputation from equestrians who lacked a horn or magic. Many unicorns who addressed themselves as a 'witch,' 'magus,' or 'archmage' weren't afraid to abuse their extraordinary magic to put those they deemed inferior in their place.
Spotting the pegasus waiter on the move, the bartender reached over to yank him by the collar and pull him aside.
"Yaaagh! E-easy with the hook there, Boss!"
"Listen to me, lad," the scurvy-themed zebra warned. "I'd be wary of that there enchantress if I were you." He pointed towards the autumn witch, who had been watching from afar, batting her eyes with a wide smile.
"What are you talking about? S-she's just friendly!"
"Too friendly. She's been eyin' ye ever since you took her order. Don't you find that creepy?!"
"Well, I mean, it is the season."
Another harsh yank nearly slammed the poor pegasus head into the wooden table.
"Don't be naive, man!" the bartender hissed, dropping character. "There's something dangerous about that mare. I know it! Just... try to avoid talkin' to her for too long."
Scoffing, the waiter pulled out of his bosses' grip, adjusting his necktie. "I think you're taking this Nightmare Night too seriously, Boss. She's a valued customer like anyone else! And It's our job to honor our plack and give swift service and a smile to every pony who comes in! Besides, the lady owes me a tip~."
The young stallion continued his work with a huff while the Boss cast his glare towards the autumn-themed unicorn in the back. She slyly arched an eyebrow before continuing to watch the waiter tend to the other patrons. Eventually, he returned to her table, finding her empty water glass and the half-full bowl of stew.
"How is everything?" he asked politely. "Can I interest you in a refill? Maybe even a box if you're planning to head out soon?"
The charcoal unicorn pushed the bowl aside and leaned forward, loving the way his eyes briefly gazed into the cleavage window her dress provided. Then, with a silky voice, she replied, "As I said, I'm saving my appetite tonight. May I ask what you and that bartender were talking about? He's been giving me harsh looks..."
"Oh him? Pft! He's just letting the holiday mess with his head," he waved off. "Think's you're here to cause trouble or something."
"Ooh... well, that's a shame," she pouted playfully. "I thought this place was open to all pony kind. But it seems not everyone is keen on the idea of true equality. Not that I blame him! Us witches have earned a fearsome reputation over the years~."
"Oh c'mon. Not all witches are bad, right, miss Elderwood?"
The autumn witch tittered, leaning closer to the flustered stallion, fluttering her lashes. "Please... call me Lilium!"
"L-Lilium! Oh wow, what a nice name!" the pegasus laughed, rubbing his neck. "Doesn't seem like a name you'd associate with a wicked sorceress."
"Oh, trust me, my dear. I can be very wicked." Lilium cupped his cheek to pull him even closer, whispering silkily into his ear, "Would you like to find out~?"
Sweat beads down his brow, looking back towards his boss, who wore a stern frown while shaking his head. Yet as he looked back to the lovely patron, any sense of protest died just by gazing into those alluring tangerine eyes. Gulping down the lump in his throat, he huskily answers,
"My shift ends in fifteen minutes~."
Cries and moans echoed throughout the night as the couple took their romp outside. Lilium grasped the tree for dear life as her strapping young stud railed her from behind. The skirt of her dress rested high above her flanks, revealing nothing to stop the pegasus from pounding her marehood with pistoning hips. Pale lacy panties coiled around her right leg. Each thrust pressed her lithe body further into the barky surface, her enlightened sounds encouraging the waiter to plow her harder.
"Haaauh! Oooh yes! That's it, Harder! Ruin me, you beast~!" The witch chanted, digging her nails into the tree
Her elated pants and enticing words called out the stallion's baser urges. The need to lay claim to this offering sow and fill her womb full of his future foals. The sheer thought of impregnating this enchanting mare, her belly swollen and teats leaky with milk. All for him to suckle and pour his passion into. It made his rigid shaft flex harder insider Lilium's honey pot. His flare kissed the back of her womb, driving both ponies into maddening ecstasy.
"Aaaaugh! Fuck, this pussy's amazing~!" The waiter cried out, groping the charcoal mare's flank while pulling her hips to meet his. "I-I can barely hold on!! Haagh!"
Lilium moaned out a giggle. "Are you getting close, my st-aauh~!! S-stud? Ready to fill me up and make me your mare~?"
"Yeess! Oh, please! Yes~!"
The pegasus yelped as he felt an invisible force pull him off the seductive mare, laying him on the cold ground. A magical aura shimmered from Lilium's horn as she straddled over top of him, rubbing her dripping marehood against his juice-layered dick. With a groan, she plants her rump down and hilts herself with the waiter's cock. "Yaaaahhh~! Come for me! Give me your seed~."
The red-haired stallion lent his voice to the cacophony of ecstasy as the witch bounced her rump along his stallionhood. His hand secured her perky tits, thumbs rubbing into her hardened nipples. He gazed up, mesmerized by her ethereal beauty. The moonlight highlights her body and hair, her tangerine eyes glow over a welcoming smile. The pleasure became mind-numbing as her gushing pussy milked the pegasus' dick for that valuable cream.
"Gaaaaaaaaagh! Yes ah-haack! Take it, baby! Take me to-hukk hukk! O-Ohh~!!"
As the throes of climax hit him, the waiter began wheezing out tiny leaves and beads. His flesh slowly shriveled like a raisin, his pale coat becoming a sickly green. His partner ceased her bounds, relishing in the euphoria of having her love tunnel stuffed while this poor stallion rotted like a vegetable. Her smile, once sweet, stretched into a sinister grin as an eerie light poured out from the pegasus' gaping mouth.
His blue eyes glazed over as his freshly made carcass shriveled into mulch, vines, and waste. Gently, Lilium guided her newly acquired soul towards the pouch resting by her hip. Inside, countless glowing orbs swirled around the endless void before the newly harvested victim was added to her collection.
With a sigh of satisfaction, the charcoal mare stood up, pushing her digits into her creamed pussy before licking the contents of her fingers.
"Mmm~! Not bad for a minimal waged servant," she complimented the pile of dead vegetation as if the poor sap were still able to listen. "If you were lucky, maybe our children will turn out just as cute as you were~."
Lilium shimmied her panties back up her waist, dusting the dirt off her skirt, and proceeded back to the tavern to collect her belongings... only to run right into a looming figure with a stitched-up face.
"Aaaaah!" the witch shrieked, jumping away from the fiend, arms held up defensively. But when she looked over it again, she realized it was just a crudely made scarecrow. Letting out an annoyed huff, Lilium placed a hand over her bosom and said, "Of all the things..."
Now that she got a closer look, it wore a faded blue work shirt, straw, and good sticking out from the corners. A green and red scarf coiled around the neck, whipping against the cool breeze. A decorative hat wore over the burlap sack that was used for its face. Lilium giggled at the goofy sown together grin it made, further embarrassed that this scarecrow managed to frighten her at first glance.
"How strange," she pondered, rubbing her chin. "I don't remember seeing this here before... hmm."
She inspected the scarecrow, which remained motionless save for the wind flowing through its clothes. Not finding anything out of the ordinary, the charcoal mare shrugged. "Hmph! Guess I must have missed it."
After playfully tipping the scarecrow's hat sideways, Lilium made her way back into the old tavern. Inside, half the patrons were long gone, likely making the long journey home. Those that stayed sat at the barkeep, where the pirate garbed bartender was wiping away the chalkboard.
"Alright, friends! Gather around," the zebra called, drawing the attention of his customers. "Time for one of my favorite 'Terrible Tales of Terror!'"
"Ooh!" One customer exclaimed excitedly. "What you got for us this year, captain~?"
"Well, that depends... ever heard about the Ponyville Witch Hunter?"
'Ponyville what?' Lilium internally parplexed.
When his audience shook their heads, the zebra stallion chuckled before motioning another waiter to dim the lights. Once everything was moody, he pulled out a large flashlight, pointing its rays under the blank chalkboard. Next, he pulled out small pitch-black figurines, limbs attached to tiny sticks. Lilium ventured closer, curious about the presentation. The bartender noticed the witch lurking by, his brow briefly narrowing before he began his spooky story.
"Now, I heard about this from a family that passed by a couple of years ago," the zebra started, putting his shadow puppets in place, making them act out the scenes he described. "It was on a Nightmare Night such as this! Well before pony folk were split between the Great Divide. It all began in Ponyville, where there were three young mares. A unicorn who craved adoration. A pegasus who wanted attention. And an earth pony, whose only wish was to have a good time."
Lilium's face slowly fell upon seeing the familiar silhouettes dance along with the lit chalkboard. Most notably of the earth mare with the bow atop her head.
"They were invited to a party," the scurvy-themed bartender continued. "And wanted to wear the best costumes. So on the eve of Nightmare Night, they discovered a new shop in town, run by a mysterious mare. Inside were some of the most dazzling authentic-looking outfits imaginable. So enamored with the costumes, the two troublemakers convinced their soft-hearted friend to swindle off with the dresses while the shopkeeper was distracted. But little did they know that it was all part of a ploy..."
The audience leaned closer, 'ooohing' with anticipation. Lilium, on the other hand, began to back away with sweat running down her pours. She figured the incident in Ponyville would have been well known, but to hear it in story form made every hair on her coat stand on end. The charcoal unicorn felt a lump in her throat upon seeing a witchy shadow puppet appear in the light.
"You see, friends, the wicked stranger was no ordinary witch. She was a vile sorceress, seeking out young morsels who had souls ripe for the taking. So she set up that shop to lure the trio of mares with her fancy dress and killer costumes. What made them so killer, you may ask? Why, it's because they were made from the hides of monsters, cursing the wearer as the creatures themselves under the full moon!"
The bartender replaced each mare with the silhouettes of their individual choice, showing off the mermare, werewolf and vampire, making them chase around more miniature puppets.
"Frightened by the ghastly trick, the three monsters returned to the shopkeeper, pleading for help and forgiveness. But all she offered was an even crueler fate," the narrator said, making the witch figure look more prominent and intimidating than the three monsters. "Much like how her friends convinced her to steal the fabrics, the earth pony was fooled by the witch into casting a spell that turned her friends into crops! Where she brandished an ax and harvested their lives!"
The patrons gasped as the puppet play depicted the witch character slicing off their heads, causing Lilium to instinctively grasp her own throat. A twinge of guilt tugged at her heart, seeing the earth pony silhouette alone as her headless companions were removed from the projection.
"The next morning, she found nothing left from that horrible Nightmare Night. No costume shop. No wicked witch. No trace of her friends. And things only got worse when the Great Divide happened. One can only imagine the pain she must have felt, knowing that another witch had caused a rift between everypony. It got to the point that the poor filly isolated herself from everyone she cared about. Her friends were gone, her family moving out, not even her love life was spared the tragedy."
A customer asked, "What happened to her, Boss?"
"Well, friend, that's up for debate," the zebra stallion sighed. "Most assume she died with a broken heart. But some, like myself, believe that something more sinister happened."
A new shadow puppet pushed onto the lit chalkboard, this time depicting the earth mare with a far more angry expression.
"The earth mare finally snapped from all the trauma she endured and sought otherworldly forces to give her the power to take revenge against those pompous witches. And according to some folks down in Ponyville, something did. So one Nightmare Night after the incident, she dragged a unicorn straggler into the fields, using a strange weapon that absorbed all the magic straight from his horn!"
Lilium shuddered at the image of said earth mare dragging the screaming unicorn puppet before mimicking the actions of flaying him apart.
"Holy crap!"
"Bull shit! There's no way that happened, right?"
"Y-yeah! It's only a story... r-right, Boss?"
The bartender shrugged. "Who knows? I only heard it from a family migrating out of Ponyville. Could be just a tall tale... or maybe something did happen that drove them out. Your guess is as good as mine, friend. But personally? I think there is something supernatural at play here..."
The autumn-themed mare slowly and silently stepped away from the bar, having long been uncomfortable with the retelling of her crimes. And just as Lilium was about to exit the tavern, the storyteller's voice caught her.
"Oh, I'd be cautious heading out, Miss Elderwood," the zebra stallion called, a suspicious brow raised. "It's getting pretty late. It's around this time the Witch Hunter makes her rounds, searching for the sorceress who did her dirty."
"Pft! 'Witch Hunter,'" Lilium scoffed, putting on a brave face while glaring at the bartender. "Who would be afraid of a mere earth pony? Certainly not I!"
Her statement brought a smirk to the zebra's snout. "Never asked if you were scared. But I'd be wise to heed these 'tall tales,' witch. Ponies have come in each year telling me they've heard or seen something strange lurking around the woods. Beware the light of a lantern, the calling of crows, or the whistle of an old song. The Witch Hunter is out there. Better pray she doesn't find you..."
The other patrons snickered as Lilium rolled her eyes and left the tavern, slamming the door behind her. Immediately, the chill of the windy night made her rub her shoulders. "Screw that zebra! Bullying me just because I plucked his employee. That incident was greatly exaggerated! He couldn't have possibly known what happened that night," she assured herself. "No, I've seen what so-called 'witches' can do. And none hold a candle to me! Especially not her..!"
As the charcoal mare proceeded down the path leading away from Ponyville, muttering about the lunacy of a fabled 'Witch Hunter,' she failed to notice the scarecrow, which had spooked her earlier, was no longer standing by the post.
As enthusiastic as she was for the season, Lilium was not enjoying the dismal ambiance on her journey homeward. The winds moaned through the trees, leaves blowing along the earthly path. Crickets chirped all around her while an owl occasionally hooted in the distance. The moonlight shimmered through the thin layer of fog covering the forestry. Her horn was alit with a yellowish-green aura, her only source of light through the darkness.
Why was she so unsettled? Lilium knew better than to let some silly ghost story get under her skin. It was an ill tempted way to get back at her for making off with that cute pegasus waiter. Sure, he was correct to assume the worse of her; the autumn witch wouldn't deny her malicious intention from the start. But what really racked her brain was how he knew about her past treasons in Ponyville.
How quickly did word spread amongst the town? Did that pretty little southerner confess to everything that happened? Surely, no one believed she was sound of mind. Lilium made sure there wasn't any evidence that suggested she had been in Ponyville!
A sigh parted her tightly pursed lips. "Get it together, Lilium! You've collected countless souls for years, and nothing has ever happened to you. This is my season! I'm the one ponies should be afraid of!" She declared, warding away the doubts and fears that plagued her mind.
"Besides... even if that awful story were true, I should be miles away from Ponyville by now. No way anyone would follow me this far!"
Lilium resumed walking down the hollow path, her resolve renewed. The elder mare did mean to visit that earth pony years ago. But thanks to that arrogant fool, Tatyana, those plans were foiled as every unicorn was migrated into Canterlot to re-establish it as the capital of all magical Equestrians. Oh, but her time was coming. A few more souls and the charcoal mare would have enough power to...
Her ears perked up when a twig snapped, ceasing all movement. Lilium turned around yet found nothing behind her. No distant silhouette or indication something was coming her way. Just the long road, overstretching trees, and faint mist.
Mentally berated herself for getting startled by a simple sound, she was about to continue her walk before a loud CAWW! made her jump. Roosting on a branch was a lone crow, making its terrible noise while looking down at her.
"Ugh! Stupid bird..." Lilium grumbled, trying once again to just move along. It was likely past midnight already, and she still had miles ahead of her before she reached Canterlot.
That's when she heard it.
It was hard to make out, at first. But gradually, it became more apparent as Lilium continued to walk.
Someone was humming. Loud enough for the song to echo through the woods.
Dread slowly crept up Lilium's spine. Whatever bravado she built up was diminishing quickly as another pair of footsteps grew closer. Against her better judgment, the witch snapped around to find... nothing.
The road remained empty, no matter which way she looked. So where was that singing coming from?!
Frantic pants escaped her throat, wiping her head around to find the source... until the witch shakingly looked towards the trail she was heading down, eyes wide like saucers.
A figure leisurely made their way out from the fog, carrying something over their shoulder that boasted a flickering light. Judging by the wavy snath and the stemming grip, it looked like a modified garden scythe with the lantern embedded in its tang.
As the threat loomed closer, Lilium called out, "Hey! Whose's there!? Cut that out now!!!"
The stranger gave no other response outside their eerie tune, approaching the autumn-colored witch. With clenched teeth, her hands light up with ghoulish green magic, ready to fight back if provoked.
"I-I'm warning you! Stay Back! One wrong move and I'll place a curse so awful, you'll..!"
They appeared to have listened to Lilium's warning, cutting their song short while pausing. The figure stood silently down the road, blocking the charcoal unicorn's path. A gust of wind blew between them as Lilium cautiously took a couple of steps.
'Don't let them scare you, Lilium!' she insisted to herself. 'All they have is that scythe. You've got potent spells, powered by all the souls you harvested! There's nothing in Equestria that can best you in a magic duel!'
But before Lilium could back up her boasts, two new shapes glided out of the fog, flanking the supposed 'Witch Hunter.' Both were cloaked in torn rags, heads hung low. The leftmost creature sported lanky limbs, one slightly longer than the other. And upon further examination, each of its hands was equipped with razor-sharp claws, making an unpleasant scraping sound as it dragged them across the gravel, pulling ahead.
"What... w-what is that? No... That thing can't be real. This is just a cheap trick!" Lilium denied valiantly, yet her body betrayed her and began stepping away from the ghastly threat. "D-don't come any closer!!"
But her warning fell on deft ears as the wraith-like aberration began twitching about, its arms creaking grotesquely before it suddenly flew at her with alarming speed.
Lilium shrieked and fired a magical blast with enough force to knock her off balance. The road erupted with sickly green flames, causing the fiend to halt before, its features revealed in the ghoulish glow while the witch scrambled away.
It was another scarecrow, just as crudely crafted as the one by the tavern. Except its burlap skin had a deeper orangish-brown color to it. Plum-painted straw rested atop its head like a bird's crest. It had a cone-shaped face, adding to its avian appearance, with torn spots to make empty eyes. It bobbed on a rusty pipe held together with straw, sticks, and metal. The 'claws' were actually three sickles attached to hollow rods.
Needless to say, the amalgamation of straw and scrap was a horrid sight to behold. One Lilium wanted no part of as she picked herself up and scurried away. An ear-piercing screech told her the scarecrow was hot on her trail, the sound of iron scrapping right behind her.
The charcoal unicorn hurled more balls of hellish fire at the burlap-sacked monstrosity, desperate to make distance between herself and it. Yet somehow, despite being composed of flammable substances, the flames barely did any damage as the scarecrow retaliated with sharp swipes from its janky limbs.
One slash managed to clip Lilium's sides, the mare howling in pain as she tried a different spell. This time, the witch commanded the branches to sprout from the trees and apprehend the scarecrow. It violently waggled in its confines, making more awful screeching sounds while trying to break free. Cupping her side, the charcoal mare made haste away, looking back in fear as the creature managed to pull one arm loose.
"Aaargh! F-fuuuck!!" Lilium hissed, hand-stained in red from her injured waist. "Why didn't my magic phase it?! It makes no senseg-guugh!"
At any rate, fatigue would catch up to her before the monster would. The autumn witch knew she couldn't keep running with her insides threatening to spill out. There had to be a way out of this nightmare!
"Over here... this way!"
A wispy voice called out, drawing Lilium's attention towards a clearing from the forest. Beyond a worn fence was a moonlit meadow, leading towards a vast cornfield. Had this always been there? She couldn't recall ever passing a cornfield before.
"Hurry... it's safe!" the voice beckoned, only raising further suspensions. But cautions were thrown out the window when the familiar sound of scrapping metal drew close. Lilium rushed into the towering stocks, using the many leaves and stalks as cover. Peering out, she watched her pursuer hover through the forest, dragging its sickle-embued hands along the gravel.
The witch's breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that the scarecrow failed to notice the droplets of blood leading into the fields. If she could find that tavern again, she could patch herself up, wait out the rest of the night and be home tomorrow. Lilium started pushing her way out of the corn stocks when she felt the coast was clear until her arm got caught on something.
"Ghngh! W-what the? Let go of meee-eeeeEEH!?" She muttered as she wrestled to pull her wrist free. But with each pull, the thing yanked harder before pulling her back into the crops. Lilium's protests were muffled as a wooden appendage covered her mouth.
"Shhhhhh," hushed the voice from before. "It'll all be over soon~!"
As she looked up, Lilium screamed upon gazing into the overstretched smile of another scarecrow. This one had a sunhat over its pale burlap skin, pastel-painted straw curling out from under the rim. Out of sheer terror, the charcoal unicorn blasted free from the effigy's grip, stumbling out of the cornfield with a magical aura glowing from her hands and horn. The third scarecrow pushed aside the corn stalks as drifted towards the frightened witch, arms out and inviting.
"S-stop! Get away from me!! Just leave me alone!!!" Lilium cried, her magic flaring, ready to cast a powerful spell until...
Thwack!
Lilium's senses became numb from the pain coursing out the back of her neck. Her ghoulish aura depleted in an instant as the charcoal mare hit the ground. Her vision became fuzzy, consciousness slowly slipping away as her attacker walked out from behind her, a pair of boots in view.
Hazy tangerine eyes traveled up the legs and body of her pursuer before meeting those cold amber orbs. The witch's expression paled. The glow from the lantern's light highlighted the Witch Hunter's pale olive coat and amaranth mane, messily resting over her shoulder. And fixating her hair was that bright pink bow, dirtied and damaged.
With frantic pants, the autumn-colored unicorn finally spoke this fabled pony's name. "A-Aah... Apple Bloom..!?!"
The earth pony's glare hardened as she promptly stomped Lilium's head, knocking the battered witch unconscious.
Lilium stirred from her slip into the void, eyes squinched tightly. Pain pulsated from her head, her side burning with agony. She tried to stretch her arms but found them unable to move. As the witch's eyes hesitantly opened, the first thing she saw was her perpetrator, humming to herself as she inspected the damage done to her effigies.
Wearily, the charcoal unicorn looked up to see that her arms were tied above her hand, rope coiling the arm of a tree. They were back in the woods. Looking down, her dress was ruined with dirt and tears, the left side stained in dry crimson. Futility, Lilium wiggled in her restraints, which only worsened her wounds, causing her to softly weep.
This alerted the earth mare, pulling out of her song to turn around and face her. "Oh good," she said. "You are awake. And here I thought yawl might hav slipped away from the blood loss. That be a lousy way to die..."
"A-Apple Bloom... How did you find me?" groaned Lilium, quivering.
"Apple Bloom?" A cold chuckle left her lips. "No, that mare's been dead for a long time now. You killed her, remember?"
The pale earth mare roughly grabbed at Lilium's cheeks with a gloved hand, squishing her face as she brought her scowl closer.
"You left that filly to suffer alone in torment, made her forsake her family and loved ones so she couldn't burden them wif her existence! And when she died that day, all that remained was vengeance. All that remained... was Death Blossom."
The earth mare shoved the witch away, her body swaying like a tire swing. With the light of the fire flickering from her garden scythe, Lilium took in Death Blossom's form. A filthy white breezy summer dress hung over her form, the hem flounced, and sleeves ruffled. The v neck allowed a glimpse of the black sports bra that concealed her ample bosom, a zipper only partially done near the center. Her arms and legs showed off the mare's lean musculature, muddy boots reaching to her knees.
Death Blossom stuck to her roots and wore simple clothes expected of a farmer, unlike the once flashier outfit adorned by Lilium. One might even suggest she should be cold wearing only a few layers. And yet the filth and muck blemishing her clothes and coat, along with the hostile look in her eyes, made the witch tremble with dread. This wasn't the same bashful yet firm earth mare she met that distant Nightmare Night.
This was a killer. And, judging by the apparitions behind Death Blossom that vaguely resembled her lost friends, highly psychotic.
Speaking of them, Lilium weakly asked, "W-what are those... t-things?!"
"Oh, y'mean Rooster and Acappella? Made 'em myself... with the help of a friend," the witch hunter admitted, casting a long glance at the motionless figures. "They weren't made to replace Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle. No one could ever replace them, really. But they're quite useful when it comes to huntin' down you tricky varments. See, I learned a lot about you spellcasters during my years of bitter isolation. Hit the books, learned incantations, and everything I could about witchcraft... except, of course, how to counter it. No matter what I did, nothing could put an end to a unicorn's magic... until I found it."
"I-It..?"
A sinister smile curled Death Blossom's lips as she continued. "I managed to conjure up an old relic from a forgotten time. Showed me a way that could assimulate magic. Eventually, I found the tools to forge the ultimate weapon that'll render you witches powerless. Just like how I was powerless to stop you from harvestin' my friends!"
"Uuurgh... You're such a hypocrite!!" Lilium spat, embers of defiance glowing in her eyes. "Here you are, talking about how witches are inherently evil, yet that doesn't stop you from indulging in our magic! How dare you, ungrateful wench!!"
"Heh," scoffed Death Blossom. "Maybe so. I've done my fair share of evil just to get this chance with you, Lilium. I've got a lot of unicorn blood on my hands. Some were even just innocent stragglers, minding their own business."
"Vile! Absolute horrid. You've become the very thing you despised! Why, if your friend, Sweetie Belle, were still alive, she'd--HAAAAGH!?"
A hard punch in her fragile gut shut the charcoal mare up. The impact made her retch up blood as it spewed from her mouth as the earth mare yanked her head up, beyond livid.
"Don't chu DARE speak of her, you goat fuckin' BITCH!!" She snapped, delivering a hefty smack across Lilium's face. "It's because of YOU she's gone! There ain't no justifiyin' you're deceitful and connivin' ways! Pretendin' to be a kind spirit of the season when in reality? You're a deplorable cunt!"
Lilium managed to let out a cruel cackle, her face bruised as her attacker clenched her fist tightly. "Go ahead then, Apple Bloom. Take out all your pent-up frustrations on me. It won't bring your friends back~! It won't make up for all those years you wasted in pursuit of this vendetta! What will you gain after killing me, hmm~? You'll still be alone with nothing but the abominations you created!"
Death Blossom fought back the tears threatening to spill out her face. The earth mare refused to give the charcoal mare the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Calming herself with a deep breath, she released her grip on Lilium's dress, turning away as if to consider her words. What would she do after taking her vengeance on the autumn witch?
'Now's my chance!' Lilium thought, her horn flaring up with ghoulish green magic, ready to make this deranged southerner regret laying her filthy hands on the charcoal unicorn. But just before her attack launched, Death Blossom grabbed her scythe to intercept the blast. All her prowess was absorbed into the flame housed in the lantern-shaped ornament atop the weapon.
Yet... when she tried to dispel her magic, she couldn't. Lilium tried rearing her head back, shaking it side to side. But the fires continued to siphon up her magic until it entirely consumed her aura straight from her horn. The throbbing pain in her head doubled, causing the charcoal mare to shriek and flail about uselessly.
Eventually, the process ended, leaving Lilium completely drained. Her dark completion looks paler, her eyes a lot glassier. Through shallow breaths, she wheezed, "What..? W-what happened?! M-My magic! I can't feel it!!"
"I told you, Lilium. I've been anticipatin' this night for a long time," the Witch Hunter reminded before pointing towards the fire, illuminating her scythe. "This mystical little flame is the same spell Tirek used when he sucked up all the magic in Equestria. And with it, I've been spendin' every Nightmare Night siphonin' the magic from every witch, wizard, or spellcaster I came across, praying one night it would be you I find!"
The autumn-themed witch rightfully began to panic, flashing back to that bartender and his story. Her mind frantically went into denial, trying to convince herself this was all a bad dream. That she passed out somewhere on her way home. But the agony coursing throughout her slender body told her the unfortunate truth.
This was real. She was going to die.
Lilium began to sob, tears and snot leaking out her face. Her breathing went into hysterics as she wailed, "P-p-please! F-Forgive me, Apple Bloom! I-I'm sorry! P-Please, spare me! I-I... I don't wanna die!"
"Begging for mercy now, are you?" The baneful earth mare said with a chilling monotone. She reached around to unclip the pouch wrapped around the elder mare's hip. "Tell me... did you show Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo mercy? Did you show any pony mercy right as you took away their souls!?"
"Apple Bloom, PLEASE!! I'M BEGGING YOU, DON'T DO THIS!!"
"Didn't think so..." Pulling at the zipper, Death Blossom opened the leather pouch as thousands of ethereal orbs were released into the evening air. Spiraling spheres dissolved into the moonlit sky. Lilium could only watch as her years spent of spirit collecting came undone. As the vortex of lost souls vanished, two curiously orbs of green and purple color lingers by the earth mare before they ascended, a sense of nostalgia washing over the former Apple Bloom as a tear ran down her cheek.
"Gals..."
"T-There! You've done it!" Lilium exclaimed, desperate to weasel out of her impending fate. to bargain again, wriggling desperately to break free. "All the souls I've stolen have been freed! You don't need to kill me! Just let me go!!"
Death Blossom's harsh glare silenced the witch's weeping. The bigger mare loomed closer, her face drawing inches towards the unicorn's snout. Dryly, the Witch Hunter stated, "Do you really think I'm satisfied with avengin' Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?"
Lilium froze completely, staring aghast at the earth pony.
"No, I've come too far to stop now. Who knows how many witches are out there, trickin' young mares into horrible hexes as you did me. I won't rest until every last one of you have suffered my wrath. Maybe after a few more notches under my belt, I'll take on the head honcho up in Canterlot. But as far as I'm concerned, Lilium? This is where we part ways."
Without batting an eye, Death Blossom turned her back on the autumn-colored sorceress, leaving her swing around her rope-bound limbs while. Then, resting her gardening scythe along her shoulders, the two scarecrows slowly rose their hung heads and levitated to life.
"Apple Bloom!!" She shrieked. "I'll make you pay for this! And when I find you, I'll--"
"Oh, don't worry," assured the Witch Hunter, giving a side glance to the terrified charcoal mare. "You won't be hangin' there long. it be stupid to leave you here and retsart this cycle of violence..."
Death Blossom tittered gently before walking into the hollow mist, her two effigies following behind her like wraiths. But it was what stood behind them that paralyzed Lilium with dread, her eyes shrinking to pinpoints as the earth mare departed with foreboding words.
"... Ain't that right, Harvy?"
There, a few feet away, was the scarecrow the elder mare encountered back at the tavern. Lilium could tell it was the same one as its hat was still tilted at an angle. The goofy-grin stitched over his face now gave an ominous feeling, especially with its face hidden in shadow as the moon highlighted its shape with its rays.
Lilium felt her heart beating out of her chest, panting with hysterics as the tension steadily rose with every passing second. Nothing was happening, and yet she feared for her life as she stared horrified at the motionless strawman, whose clothing rustled with the chilling breezing passing by.
And then... it moved.
The scarecrow's head suddenly snapped up, making a grotesque cracking sound while twisting its neck around. The once vacant holes in its face now glowed a hellish color, casting a menacing gaze over the charcoal witch. Its body began to twitch and ruffle as if tiny critters were scurrying around inside.
"A-Apple Bloom!! Don't leave me! Come back!! APPLE BLOOM!!!" Lilium called out, adrenaline shooting through her veins with the desire to get away from this thing as possible. But no one answered her desperate cries. And there was no way to free herself from the rope tying her arms to the tree branch.
She was utterly helpless to escape her grim fate as the monster began to shed off its disguise. Seam stretched as it pried its stitched mouth open, revealing endless rows of needle-like teeth. Next, it grew in size, sprouting vine-like appendages out its tattered shirt and burlap skin, wriggling about. Finally, the creature's maw unhinged, slacking down its torso where thin, sticky arms stretched out like spider legs.
The abomination shook on its janky limbs, shuddering with anticipation as its prey surrendered to the fear corroding her soul. And at the peak of her terror, the scarecrow lunged at the charcoal witch. All that remained of the Lilium Elderwood was a harrowing scream that echoed throughout the fields as Nightmare Night came to an end.