//------------------------------// // Evil Ghost // Story: Unnoticed Threats // by smirker //------------------------------// Doctor Whooves was watching the unicorns make talismans with their magic and enchanted any good luck charms the Pegasi and earth ponies made, everybody went on with their days happily while Roseluck ran to him, "Here you go, dear, a charm to protect you from anymore evil patients since you've already had two of them." Roseluck said, "Thank you, though I doubt it will work." Doctor Whooves remarked, "It will, darling, the next time you get an evil patient, it will glow and alert you that they are bad at heart." Roseluck stated, "I'll give it a try." Doctor Whooves said, Derpy flew to him and crashed, she stood up and held a badly made wooden doll of him and herself, "Here, you go, Doctor, I made you a good luck charm that will heal you when you're injured or mentally tired, I made it shaped like this as a symbol of our friendship." Derpy explained, "Thank you." Doctor Whooves replied while he took it, "Will you have time to hang out today?" Roseluck asked, "Depends, but from what I've heard and read about my patient today, unlikely." Doctor Whooves responded, "Oh, that's too bad, I'd like to hang out with you as a friend again like how we used to." Derpy lamented, "Come on, Derpy, let's go have fun ourselves since he said he probably have time to hang out with us today." Roseluck said, and they walked away while Doctor Whooves went home. He entered his house and then sat at his desk while waiting for his patient, he sighed while looking at the gifts he just received until he heard walking outside about twenty five minutes later, he saw the earth pony stallion come in, he had a white coat, short bright blue mane and tail, and blue eyes, his cutie mark was a white amulet with a sapphire in the center of it. He sat across from Doctor Whooves, "State your name and occupation." Doctor Whooves said, "Stone Enchanter, I'm a talisman maker by using natural materials and alchemy." the stallion responded, "Alright, let's get started." Doctor Whooves spoke, and Stone Enchanter began to tell his tale. Stone Enchanter was an alchemist who lived alone in the woods, he went outside to collect natural materials and smashed them to make them into liquid, he then got a rock and used tools to shape and polish it, he then got one of his jewels and examined it carefully, he put it in the newly made amulet and then connected a chain to it and poured a little bit of his newly made liquid on it to magically enchant it, he smiled and put it in a cardboard box and started writing a letter, he went outside and walked to the nearest post office and filed it in. A few days passed and a Pegasus stallion arrived at his house, Stone Enchanter gave him the newly made talisman and the Pegasus paid him fifty bits, they thanked one another and the Pegasus left, Stone Enchanter put his money away and then looked at a list and saw he had no more clients at the moment, he headed outside and began collecting more natural materials. Stone Enchanter collected leaves, grass, tree bark, honey, clovers, dirt, rocks, stones, and water, he put them in his house and examined them carefully, he cracked the rocks and looked for any precious stones inside, he found a few and stored them in his home. He sat and looked out a window and smiled while taking in the view of nature, he relaxed for a few hours and felt comfort when the wind blew on his face, his attention got caught when he heard fast running in the grass and panting, the rustling got louder and it was coming to his house's door, he stood up and walked to it. He opened the door and saw an earth pony stallion sprinting while panting very heavily and sweating profusely, he had a dark gray coat, long and disheveled black mane and tail, red eyes, and his cutie mark was a striped prisoner uniform, he arrived and almost ran into Stone Enchanter, he grabbed the stallion's shoulders and held him back, "Thank goodness I found you, I'm being hunted, cursed, I need a talisman made to ward off the evil spirit or I will die." the stallion explained quickly while panicking, "Slow down, what is it you need?" Stone Enchanter asked, "A talisman that wards off ghosts, please hurry, I don't have much time yet." the stallion begged, "Ghosts? I've never made a talisman that wards off one before." Stone Enchanter stated, "Please, if you don't, my fate will be sealed, I'll pay you anything and any price." the stallion stated, Stone Enchanter suddenly heard a shattering sound behind the stallion a white flash appeared, the stallion had a cut appear down his entire spine and he fell over while Stone Enchanter stood back, he touched the stallion's neck and there was no pulse. He looked up and jumped back a little when he saw an earth pony stallion a little far away, he had a black coat, a long red disheveled and unkempt mane and tail with split ends, red eyes, and his cutie mark was a gray statue of an earth pony stallion, he was very skinny with red scabs and boils all over his body and was holding a knife in his front right hoof, Stone Enchanter saw the stallion looking at him, he then held up a miniature statue of Stone Enchanter in his front left hoof and showed it to him, he then moved backwards and vanished into thin air. Stone Enchanter sweated heavily while panting a little hard, he checked the stallion and he did not have anything to identify him nor any references to his family or friends, he made a wooden gravestone and buried the stallion and paid his respects, he watched his surroundings for the other stallion and did not see him anywhere, he headed home quickly and went through his family's book on making talismans to repel ghosts. He flipped through the pages quickly and noticed he did not have enough ingredients and materials to make one whole talisman, so he took parts and pieces of the various talismans he could make and smashed them together, he then poured various ghost repelling liquids on it and sighed while hoping it will work. Stone Enchanter looked at the talisman while panting a little heavily and prayed for it to work, he held his front hoofs together and kept his head down while waiting for the stallion to reappear, he soon heard a strange noise outside and the same noise when the stallion cut a miniature statue with his knife. Stone Enchanter felt a sudden sharp pain on the back of his head until the talisman glowed and repelled the attack, he gasped and panted heavily, he looked at his door and saw the stallion there, "You actually repelled my spell, what a surprise." the stallion spoke with a deep and hoarse voice, "Who are you?" Stone Enchanter questioned, "That is no concern of yours, I'm here to give you proposal, I've grown bored, since you can make talismans to repel my powers, why don't you try to save my next victims?" the stallion suggested, "I'm not taking part in a sick game of yours." Stone Enchanter stated, "Shame, I guess you wouldn't mind me going after your customers then." the stallion remarked, Stone Enchanter looked at him and the stallion then held a small gold pocket watch in his front right hoof, he then showed him a miniature statue of a unicorn stallion who had a green coat, short dark red mane and tail, pink eyes, and his cutie mark was a watermelon, he stood up when he realized it was one of his previous customers and the ghost disappeared. Stone Enchanter looked and saw the talisman was still intact, he quickly ran out of his house and through the woods. Stone Enchanter ran to the nearest post office and looked up the address of the stallion named Watermelon Seed, he quickly left and sprinted to the train station and got a ticket, he boarded it and watched outside anxiously, the train arrived at the stop closest to Watermelon Seed's farm and he got off quickly. He ran to his home and he saw Watermelon Seed tending to his fields, he ran as fast as he could while Watermelon Seed looked at him, "Wait! Watermelon Seed!" Stone Enchanter called out, "Oh, Stone Enchanter, what are you doing here?" Watermelon Seed asked, "Here, take this talisman, there's a ghost going around killing ponies and you're its next target." Stone Enchanter explained, "Oh, nonsense, you know that Princess Twilight and her mentors would've dealt with it already." Watermelon Seed remarked, "Well, if that's the case, they didn't get this one, now take it." Stone Enchanter insisted, "Alright, how much do I have to pay you?" Watermelon Seed asked, "This one's free." Stone Enchanter responded, Watermelon Seed looked at him and got ready to take the talisman until Stone Enchanter suddenly turned to his right when an invisible force pulled him, the ghost appeared in front of him and held his pocket watch in Stone Enchanter's face while Watermelon Seed looked on in shock, the ghost then held the miniature statue of Watermelon Seed with his front left hoof while his clock disappeared and his knife appeared, he then cut Watermelon Seed's statue and a shattering sound was heard while Watermelon Seed's statue got engulfed in light red flames and disappeared, a white light appeared and Watermelon Seed had a big cut down his entire spine and his lifeless body fell onto the ground, Stone Enchanter looked on in horror while the ghost forced him to look at him and he held a new statue in his front left hoof, it was a Pegasus with a light blue coat, bright orange mane and tail, orange eyes, and his cutie mark was two paintbrushes where one had blue paint on it and the other had orange paint on it, the ghost then disappeared. Stone Enchanter realized the ghost's target was Color Contrast, another one of his previous customers, he ran to the train station and got a ticket, he boarded the train and got off at the nearest town, he ran to the post office and looked up Color Contrast's address and went back to the train station to get another ticket and boarded the train. He looked outside while sweating very heavily and the other ponies noticed, he waited for the train to arrive at the nearest stop to Color Contrast's home and breathed heavily, the train arrived at it about an hour later and Stone Enchanter ran off of the train quickly. Stone Enchanter sprinted through the woods and Color Contrast's home was far away, he ran as fast as he could while panting very heavily. He sprinted through the thick grass and saw a wooden shack with four canvas' up ahead, one had an image made with red and green paint, one was made with blue and orange paint, one was made with yellow and purple paint, and one was made with white and black paint. He ran to them and saw Color Contrast using a talisman to make his paintbrushes move on their own and paint more images on all four canvas', he looked to his right and saw Stone Enchanter coming, "Stone Enchanter? What are you doing here?" Color Contrast asked, "You gotta take this talisman, Color Contrast, you're marked for death by a ghost." Stone Enchanter explained, "Let him come." Color Contrast said, "What?" Stone Enchanter blurted out, "Look at my conditions, Stone Enchanter, I'm basically broke and living in a rundown shack, all of my family is gone, I have no friends, I can't get employment, and I haven't been able to forget all of the bullying and mistreatment I went through before I moved out here to get away from them, I'm ready for my life to be over, I'm only painting now as a way to pass the time while I wait for death." Color Contrast explained, "You don't want to be my friend or stay in touch with me?" Stone Enchanter questioned, "I don't have any way of communicating with the outside world, and even when I did meet you at your home to have a talisman made to help me paint, I was meant with physical attacks and insults by other people, I lost my desire to form bonds ever since." Color Contrast stated, "What about painting?" Stone Enchanter asked, "I'm burnt out over it, I only started to escape from the reality of living in a dysfunctional household with family members not approving of my cutie mark talents." Color Contrast responded, "How long have you been painting?" Stone Enchanter inquired, "Ever since I was four years old." Color Contrast responded, "Oh, I see, I'd be tired by now too if I made talismans for that long." Stone Enchanter said, "See, you do understand, let the ghost come, I'm tired of life, I hope my life after reincarnation or the afterlife will be better for me if they are real." Color Contrast spoke, "Well, I suppose there's no changing your mind, I'll pay my respects to you after the ghost takes you." Stone Enchanter stated, "Thank you." Color Contrast replied, and they waited, an invisible force made Stone Enchanter look to his left and the ghost reappeared, he showed his pocket watch and Stone Enchanter saw Color Contrast's time was up, he then cut the miniature statue of him with his knife, a white light appeared and Color Contrast had a big cut down his entire spine and he fell onto the grass, the ghost then held up a new statue, it was a unicorn stallion with a white coat, a short black mane and tail, turquoise eyes, and his cutie mark was a chef's hat, the ghost floated backwards and disappeared, Stone Enchanter realized his next target was Gourmet Cook, he paid his respects to Color Contrast and sprinted to the faraway post office, he found Gourmet Cook's address and then went to the train station to get a ticket and boarded the train. Stone Enchanter sat and looked outside, he closed his eyes and looked down while thinking about Color Contrast, he waited for the train to arrive near Gourmet Cook's home and he got off. Stone Enchanter ran to Gourmet Cook's house and knocked on the door frantically, there was no answer, he looked through one window and saw he was not home, he ran around and looked into the cafes and diners around the area and did not see him, he saw a restaurant in the center of the town and entered, he called out for Gourmet Cook and he looked at him, "Can I talk to you?" Stone Enchanter requested, "Hold on, it's not my break time yet." Gourmet Cook answered, Stone Enchanter nodded and he sat and waited while Gourmet Cook cooked exotic dishes for the customers and everybody cheered while he did tricks with the cast iron and oils to make fire fly up, he then spun and threw his silverware around and put on a show while the customers clapped, he then took a talisman out and Stone Enchanter realized it was the one he made for him, he held it up and the jewel in its center glowed, the flames took on pony forms and began dancing in the cast iron, they danced and then gathered in the center of the cast iron and exploded with a small mushroom cloud of fire going into the air and fizzled out. The ponies cheered and Gourmet Cook took his break, he then walked and sat across from Stone Enchanter, "What can I do for you, Stone Enchanter?" Gourmet Cook asked, "A ghost is coming for you, I'm here to give you this talisman so you can repel him." Stone Enchanter answered as he showed it to him, Gourmet Cook looked at him and then took it, "I don't believe you, but since your last talisman worked and you don't seem to be lying, I'll take it, how much does it cost?" Gourmet Cook questioned, "This one's free." Stone Enchanter responded, "Okay, I can make you a dish if you wish." Gourmet Cook suggested, "I spent a lot of my money on train tickets already." Stone Enchanter responded, "How much money do you have left?" Gourmet Cook asked, Stone Enchanter took out his remaining bits and he did not have enough money to buy anything in the restaurant, "Oh, that's too bad, I could've made you something delicious, but it is nice to see you again." Gourmet Cook commented, "I'll stay by you for now in case the talisman doesn't work." Stone Enchanter stated, "Okay, just don't get in the way when I'm working." Gourmet Cook said, "Noted." Stone Enchanter responded, "Good, I'll go ahead and continue my shift now." Gourmet Cook spoke, and he walked away. Stone Enchanter sat and watched Gourmet Cook work until it was time for him to go home, they went to his house and Stone Enchanter watched Gourmet Cook carefully, nothing happened and Gourmet Cook sat and read a cooking magazine, Stone Enchanter looked at the cover and saw the magazine was about famous chefs and restaurants throughout Equestria, he then suddenly felt something pull him to his left and he looked while Gourmet Cook noticed, the ghost appeared and held his pocket watch in front of Stone Enchanter's face while Gourmet Cook's eyes widened, the ghost's pocket watch changed to a knife and he then cut the miniature statue of Gourmet Cook and it turned into flames and disappeared, a brief white light appeared and a big slash down Gourmet Cook's spine appeared and he fell onto the floor while the talisman shattered, Stone Enchanter looked on in shock while the ghost made him focus on him, he held the next statue in his front left hoof, it was a unicorn stallion who had a dark purple coat, long dark red mane and tail, orange eyes, and his cutie mark was a sewing needle, the ghost then moved back and disappeared. Stone Enchanter noticed the ghost's next target was Thread Spool, he quickly went to the train station to get a ticket and boarded it, he panted heavily while he waited for the train to stop at the nearest stop at his home and he got off. Stone Enchanter ran home and quickly began making another talisman while panting heavily, he thought about Thread Spool and soon heard running coming near his house, two stallions ran into his home, one was a unicorn who had a red coat, short black mane and tail, purple eyes, and his cutie mark was a brown wide brim hat, the other was a Pegasus who had a blue coat, long white mane and tail, yellow eyes, and his cutie mark was a gold police badge, they held Stone Enchanter down and he grunted while the unicorn had a black aura appear on his horn and cuffed Stone Enchanter's hoofs, the Pegasus picked him up and flew elsewhere while the unicorn teleported. Stone Enchanter got taken to the nearest police station and tied to a chair, "Stone Enchanter, you are under arrest for the murders of Petty Crook, Watermelon Seed, Color Contrast, and Gourmet Cook, how do you plead?" the Pegasus asked, "Wait, I don't know anypony named Petty Crook." Stone Enchanter responded, "He's that earth pony we found buried by your home." the unicorn stated, "Oh, him, he came to me demanding to have ghost repelling talisman made, he was killed shortly afterwards by said ghost, the ghost targeted me next but I made a talisman and repelled him, he then began targeting my previous customers, Watermelon Seed was first, Color Contrast was next, and Gourmet Cook was his most recent, I managed to give Gourmet Cook my talisman to repel him but it shattered and didn't work that time, if I don't make a new talisman, a unicorn stallion named Thread Spool will die next." Stone Enchanter explained, "A ghost? Princess Twilight and her friends or Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would've already dealt with it by now." the unicorn stated, "Well, they missed this one, this one is killing ponies by destroying miniature statues of them." Stone Enchanter replied, "You mean like a voodoo doll?" the Pegasus inquired, "Pretty much." Stone Enchanter stated, "We got several reports on Equestria's train since many ponies saw you sweating and panting a lot before and after Watermelon Seed, Color Contrast, and Gourmet Cook died." the unicorn reported, "I was trying to save them, the ghost gives me a time limit to get to them." Stone Enchanter spoke, "Really? All of your panting, sweating, and running has made you look suspicious to many." the Pegasus remarked, "I get that, but I'm trying to save them, I think you two would be nervous when there's a time limit on somepony's life, too." Stone Enchanter responded, "Yes, we would, same if we were dealing with a ghost like how you're saying you are, but if what you're saying is true, you should've contacted us and have us try to deal with this ghost, it may be hard, but I think we would stand a better chance against it than you since you're not trained to deal with threats like how we are." the unicorn spoke, "Can any of you make ghost repelling talismans?" Stone Enchanter inquired, "Well, no, but I do have spells to restrain others." the unicorn responded, "Do they work on ghosts?" Stone Enchanter asked, "I haven't tried." the unicorn admitted, "There's also the fact that the living can't touch ghosts unless a spell or magically enchanted item is used but ghosts can touch the living." the Pegasus added, "I'd like to go free, Thread Spool's life is in danger." Stone Enchanter stated, "Relax, another police pony have went to go get him, he'll be here eventually to meet you, until then, we'll keep you detained." the Pegasus said, "Wait? What? No! I've got a talisman to make or Thread Spool will get killed!" Stone Enchanter begged, "Now, now, I've got magic to protect him, calm down and wait for now, Stone Enchanter, we'll ask about the circumstances on the four stallions' deaths afterwards." the unicorn responded, "Please! I have to get home and complete the talisman!" Stone Enchanter implored, "It can wait, Stone Enchanter, we promise you everything will be fine, just calm down and wait for Thread Spool to arrive." the Pegasus remarked, and the unicorn teleported him into a holding cell. Stone Enchanter panted heavily while trying to find a way out, he did not see anything that could help him get out, he checked the floor and walls for any holes he could crawl into but did not find any, "Don't bother, the cell's escape proof unless you can cast spells." the Pegasus remarked, Stone Enchanter tried to pull the cell door open but it was locked, he then tried to squeeze through the bars but could not fit, "You're wasting your energy, Stone Enchanter, if what you say is true, then I suggest you calm down and conserve your energy for dealing with this ghost you mentioned." the unicorn said, "Can I at least have my ingredients and materials for making talismans?" Stone Enchanter requested, "Nope, can't give you anything that might help you escape." the Pegasus responded, Stone Enchanter groaned under his breath while rolling his eyes and he sat and waited. An hour passed while Stone Enchanter waited impatiently, they heard footsteps and he and the two law enforcement ponies looked, they saw Thread Spool arrive with an earth pony stallion, he had a yellow coat, medium-length gray mane and tail, brown eyes, and his cutie mark was a blue peaked cap with a black visor, "Here he is, guys." the earth pony reported, and Thread Spool walked forward, "Wait, Stone Enchanter, you in jail? I never took you to be a criminal." Thread Spool spoke, "Thread Spool, please listen, a ghost has marked you for death, I can make a talisman to save you." Stone Enchanter persuaded, "I find that hard to believe, Equestria hasn't had a ghost haunting others in years, almost every evil ghost has been dealt with by either Princess Twilight and her friends or Princess Celestia." Thread Spool spoke, "Well, they didn't get this one." Stone Enchanter said, "Unless you show proof of your claims, we find it hard to believe you, we haven't had a case involving ghosts in decades." the earth pony remarked, "That would mean Thread Spool has to die." Stone Enchanter stated, "You're not helping yourself, Stone Enchanter." the Pegasus warned, "I'm just saying." Stone Enchanter remarked, "What do you think, Law Follower?" the unicorn inquired, "He doesn't seem to be lying. How about you, Law Bender?" the Pegasus questioned, "I don't trust him completely." the unicorn remarked, "How about you, Rescue Squad?" Law Follower asked, "He doesn't seem to be lying, but let's wait just in case." the earth pony spoke, "You guys are endangering Thread Spool." Stone Enchanter protested, "It's fine, Stone Enchanter, I can defend myself with magic, I'll be fine." Thread Spool reassured, and they all waited. Stone Enchanter panted heavily while wondering when the ghost will appear, it was silent for a few hours and Stone Enchanter then felt an invisible force pull him and he faced the back wall of his cell, the ghost appeared and held his pocket watch in front of his face while the other four became startled. Law Bender and Thread Spool cast spells and a black outline and dark red shield appeared around Thread Spool, they then tried casting restraining spells and tried to make him disappear but they did not work on the ghost, his pocket watch changed to his knife and he then cut the miniature statue of Thread Spool, a white flash appeared and Thread Spool had a long cut down his entire spine and he fell onto the floor while Law Bender, Law Follower, and Rescue Squad looked on in horror, the ghost then held another miniature statue, it was an earth pony colt who had a bright green coat, long bright orange mane and tail, pink eyes, and no cutie mark, the ghost then disappeared. Law Bender and Law Follower quickly opened the cell and let Stone Enchanter out, "We're sorry for doubting you, Stone Enchanter, go ahead and make your ghost repelling talisman, we'll look for that colt he had a statue of as well as who he is." Law Bender stated, "The colt's name is Traveling Caravan, he's an orphan, he didn't have a home last time I met him." Stone Enchanter spoke, "Don't worry, we'll find him." Rescue Squad reassured, and he and Law Bender and Law Follower left and Stone Enchanter ran home. Stone Enchanter sprinted and looked for any settlements, he found an inn and looked for a map, he found one and saw where he was at, he then ran to the southeast and began to see familiar surroundings, he ran more and arrived at his home. He quickly checked his ingredients and materials and saw he might have enough to make another talisman, he went through his family book and looked for any talismans that could either make a ghost become physical form or destroy them, he found one ghost destroying talisman and realized he did not have the necessary materials or ingredients, so he went through the pages and looked for a talisman that could make their bodies become physical, he found several and discovered he had bits and pieces of each one, so he combined all of the materials together, he then made the alchemy chemicals he needed and soaked the talisman in them, he then read the instructions and saw he had to place the talisman on the ghost's body in order for it to work, he took a deep breath and then made another ghost repelling talisman and then headed outside. Stone Enchanter ran to the police station and looked for Law Bender, Law Follower, and Rescue Squad, he did not see them and called out for them, there was no answer, he went into the office and looked through the place's local crime reports, he found reports of mostly robberies, larceny, embezzlement, blackmails, money laundering, bribery, and scandals, he noticed the reports on violent crimes and deaths were extremely low. He searched frantically but found nothing, he then ran to the post office and asked about Traveling Caravan, the stallion at the desk shook his head, he then ran out and went to the train station and got a ticket, he boarded the train and waited impatiently to arrive at the next town, the other ponies murmured about him and the train stopped, he ran off and went to the next post office, he asked the stallion there about Traveling Caravan and he shook his head, he ran out but stopped when he heard Law Follower call out to him, he looked and saw him and Law Bender coming, "Rescue Squad found Traveling Caravan, he's near Fillydelphia, we also found out who that ghost is." Law Follower stated, "Who is he?" Stone Enchanter inquired, "His name's Statue Maker, he's a serial killer from ancient Equestria back when Discord was the ruler, he must've been a small-time criminal since it seems Princess Celestia and Princess Luna overlooked him, we've also found signs that he stopped killing after Discord was overthrown and the Royal Sisters became the rulers, he died bitter and angry about it and continued killing others again after his death since most ponies don't have methods to resist and fight ghosts." Law Bender explained, "I couldn't make a talisman to destroy him, but I did make one that can change his ghost body back to its physical form, I need to know the location of his body and place the talisman on it for it to work." Stone Enchanter said, "You don't have the necessary ingredients to make the ghost destroying one?" Law Bender asked, "Truth be told, I don't have enough materials and ingredients to make a pure talisman, I took bits and pieces of each ghost repelling talisman in my family's book and merged them together." Stone Enchanter answered, "Go ahead and go see Rescue Squad, Stone Enchanter, we'll go through you family's talisman book and gather the ingredients to make the ghost destroying one." Law Follower stated, "You sure about that? The steps are pretty complicated." Stone Enchanter remarked, "I'm sure we'll figure it out, go on now, I'll go ahead and teleport you to Rescue Squad's location." Law Bender stated, "You will? Thanks." Stone Enchanter chirped, "You're welcome, let's hope we can stop Statue Maker and the ghost destroying one works on him regardless of him being in physical or spiritual form, if we can't, we'll have to contact Princess Twilight." Law Bender responded, "Good luck, Stone Enchanter." Law Follower stated, "Good luck to you two, too." Stone Enchanter replied, they smiled and Law Bender teleported him. Stone Enchanter arrived near Fillydelphia and he looked for Rescue Squad and Traveling Caravan, he heard their voices and ran to them, they saw him coming and Stone Enchanter got the talisman out, "See, told you Stone Enchanter was coming." Rescue Squad said, "Traveling Caravan, please listen to him, there's a ghost killing my former customers and you're his next target, I got a talisman to repel him." Stone Enchanter explained, "Wait? You're serious?" Traveling Caravan inquired, Stone Enchanter and Rescue Squad nodded, "The ghost killed one of his former customers in a police station, me, him, and two others witnessed it." Rescue Squad spoke, "Here's the talisman, Traveling Caravan, the other two are going to make a talisman that can destroy him." Stone Enchanter stated, "What about you?" Traveling Caravan questioned, "I need to find the ghost's body so I can put another talisman on it to make his ghost self change back to its physical form, I don't know where his body is, all I know is the ghost's name is Statue Maker." Stone Enchanter responded, "Let me come and help you." Traveling Caravan said, "Good idea, I can protect you better that way, too." Stone Enchanter stated, "Let's go to the nearest obituary and find out about Statue Maker, maybe we can find out where his body's is." Rescue Squad suggested, and he led them. They arrived at the nearest obituary and the stallion gave them a list, they looked for Statue Maker's name and did not see it, they left and Rescue Squad led them onto a train to the nearest settlement, they ran to the newspaper company's building and looked through them for any signs of Statue Maker's burial site, they found nothing, they left and then asked the funeral services about Statue Maker and the stallions shook their heads, they got more train tickets and went to the next settlement. They arrived and checked the newspapers and funeral services on Statue Maker and found nothing, they were heading to the train station until Stone Enchanter felt something pull him to his left, Statue Maker appeared and held his pocket watch in his face, he then destroyed the miniature statue of Traveling Caravan with his knife, a white flash appeared and Traveling Caravan felt pain on the back of his head and the talisman shattered, he exclaimed loudly and panted heavily, Statue Maker then held another miniature statue of Traveling Caravan and disappeared. Rescue Squad rubbed the back of Traveling Caravan's head and he stood up, "Ow, that really hurt." Traveling Caravan remarked, "We have to hurry, you'll die if we run out of time this time." Stone Enchanter spoke, "Come on, onto the next place." Rescue Squad said, and they got train tickets and boarded the train. They arrived at the next settlement and checked the newspapers and obituaries, there was no information on Statue Maker, "Dang, still nothing, we're not going to make it at this rate." Traveling Caravan said, "Didn't you see any clues on Statue Maker's location back when he was alive, Rescue Squad?" Stone Enchanter asked, "Nope, reports only had his name and when in history he was alive, my guess is he drifted all across Equestria." Rescue Squad answered, "Great, he lived in ancient Equestria, too, so he might be buried in an unmarked and forgotten grave for all we know." Stone Enchanter stated, "Let's keep trying, I'm hoping Law Bender and Law Follower can join us soon, too." Rescue Squad replied, and they got train tickets and boarded the train. They got off at the next settlement and checked for any reports on Statue Maker and did not find any, Law Bender and Law Follower appeared and they were worn out, "There, sorry we took a while, we managed to make the ghost destroying talisman, getting the ingredients was hard, we had to teleport all around Equestria to get them." Law Follower spoke, "Good job, we can't find any reports on where Statue Maker might be buried, we're stumped right now." Stone Enchanter responded, "Let's try teleporting around, I can try to use my magic to find him, too." Law Bender stated, "Oh, good, let's start." Stone Enchanter remarked, "Alright, back to your home we go, let's see if I can detect anything on Petty Crook's body." Law Bender said, and he teleported them. Everybody arrived at Stone Enchanter's home and Law Bender picked up Petty Crook's body with his telekinesis, he cast a spell and on his spine and traced the source of the magic attack, a trail appeared in the air and created a path, Law Bender cast telekinesis on himself and followed the magic trail, he arrived at the end and teleported the others to his location. They arrived and the trail went into the ground, Law Bender dug the ground up with his magic they gagged from the stench, Law Bender reached into the hole with his telekinesis and picked up pieces of a stallion's skeleton with parts of it turning into dust and withering away and the bones falling off, "This is Statue Maker's body, also, Stone Enchanter, about the talisman that destroys ghosts, we have revert Statue Maker back to his physical form first because we and the talisman will phase through him if we try to touch him with it while he's in spiritual form." Law Bender stated, "Alright, I'll go ahead and put the talisman on him." Stone Enchanter said and he coughed and gagged from the stench, Law Bender cast a spell to look for Statue Maker and noticed he was watching them from afar and had miniature statues of all five of them, he got ready to destroy them with his knife and Law Bender cast a spell to make the miniature statues disappear and Statue Maker disappeared, Stone Enchanter tried to put a talisman on the skeleton but Statue Maker pulled him away and appeared out of thin air. He tackled Stone Enchanter down and he dropped the talisman, Law Bender tried shooting zaps at him but they phased through him, he tried to stab his knife into Stone Enchanter but he moved around and dodged it, Traveling Caravan ran and got the talisman and Statue Maker looked, he made the miniature statue of him appear and got ready to destroy it with his knife but Law Bender moved it away from him with his telekinesis, Traveling Caravan then threw the talisman to Rescue Squad and he put it around Statue Maker's skeleton's neck, Statue Maker wheezed and his body was no longer transparent. Law Bender, Law Follower, and Rescue Squad ran and tackled Statue Maker down, he grunted and could not move, Traveling Caravan ran and took his knife and Stone Enchanter pressed the ghost destroying talisman on Statue Maker's forehead, smoke came out and he screamed and he exploded and shot the others back. Everybody stood up and saw the ghost destroying talisman has shattered, "It worked!" Traveling Caravan chirped, "Good work, everypony." Rescue Squad said, "Thank you, guys." Stone Enchanter spoke, "You're welcome, come on, guys, we got a report to file." Law Bender stated, and he, Law Follower, and Rescue Squad left, "What are you going to do now, Stone Enchanter?" Traveling Caravan asked, "I'm going to continue making talismans for a living." Stone Enchanter responded, "That's good, I'll keep traveling, maybe we'll run into each other again." Traveling Caravan said, "I hope so." Stone Enchanter replied, "Well, I'll be going now, see ya, Stone Enchanter." Traveling Caravan remarked, "See ya." Stone Enchanter replied, and they went their separate ways. Stone Enchanter arrived home and paid his respects to Petty Crook, Watermelon Seed, Color Contrast, Gourmet Cook, and Thread Spool and prayed for their families and friends to recover, he slept and began having nightmares about his experiences a few months later, he looked up therapists and counselors at the nearest town and found Doctor Whooves and headed to Ponyville. Stone Enchanter was sitting across from Doctor Whooves and panted while remembering, "Wow, I don't blame you for being scared of ghosts, he still went down easier than I thought he would." Doctor Whooves said, "Well, I did have three ponies trained in combat and restraining others there with me, he didn't look like a fighter either, if it was just me, Statue Maker definitely would've been a lot harder, I'm not a fighter myself." Stone Enchanter replied, "Well, price is ten bits, and remember, I'm always available to talk even though I'm going to finish doing this job soon, I'll still do sessions if you have nightmares." Doctor Whooves spoke, and Stone Enchanter paid him and left. Doctor Whooves looked at the time and saw it was pretty early, he headed outside and went to go hang out with Roseluck and Derpy.