A note written in an unknown language. An escaped Nightmare bearing gifts. A young colt afraid of the dark. A pegasus in search of a predator.

It's that season. A collection of short stories celebrating that weird, creepy, beautiful holiday we call Halloween Nightmare Night.

Includes Marginalia, winner of the spookest October Writeoff in Writeoff history.

It's been a year since a tragic accident took Applejack's parents. A year, and she still doesn't know what to do with herself. Encouraged by friends and family, she decides to spend the summer vacation at Fluttershy's beach house on Splendora Island. She's not sure if it's helping.

Then, one night, she finds something injured on the beach. No, not something. Someone.

What starts as good intentions steadily grows into something else. Whether that something else is good for Applejack is another matter entirely.

Have questions regarding the story? Visit the Q&A blog!

Now with a TVTropes page.

"PaulAsaran’s attention to detail and use of repetition, flashback, and expression to create an unforgettable story is something I’m still trying to get a handle on in my own work." — leeroy_glBZ

"Impressed every step of the way. Thoroughly good writing." — Shrink Laureate

Inspired 100% by the cover art. The idea jumped into my skull and refused to leave until it was written out.

Props to my wonderful pre-readers: SorenPixels, NaiadSagaIotaOar, and Wanderer D!

Cover art used with permission from LooknamTCN, verily one of the best RariJack artists ever. Check out their immensely enjoyable Tumblr.

Alicorns are immortal. Earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi are not.

Princess Twilight Sparkle has no intention of going through life without her dearest friends...

Even if she has to do something extremely questionable to make that happen.

It's the anniversary of a very important day in Apple family history. Important, but tragic. Granny locks herself in her room, reminiscing about what happened that day and why none of her grandchildren will ever be told the true tale.

A Full-cast reading can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74nfWdVlkso&t=1s

Pinkie Pie's friends learn the shocking truth that she has somepony she loves... but has somehow lost him to their good friend Rarity. Twilight, Rainbow, Aj, and Fluttershy are left trying to solve this emotional conundrum but with very unexpected results.

A minor accident at Sweet Apple Acres sends Big Macintosh to Ponyville in the middle of applebuck season. At first, things seem fine. But then some of the mares begin acting a little...oddly.

Then very oddly. Turns out every other stallion skipped town for a very good reason.

Fluttershy has a heart attack, she's too shy to tell anyone.
Uh oh.

Where DO foals come from? The Cutie Mark Crusaders don't know, but they intend to find out!

It's Hearts and Hooves Day and once again Applejack finds herself uninterested in the festivities. This year, however, Applejack is shocked to hear a strange voice "in the sky" that narrates her life and is pressuring her into romantic feelings for Rarity. Applejack is at the mercy of this unknown source as she is pulled to carousel boutique to seal her fate with Rarity in one sweet simple kiss.

Pinkie Pie challenges her friends to play a game in which they take turns being evil, with the rest of the players tasked to thwart the evil schemes. The stakes are high, and all of Ponyville is caught in the middle...