//------------------------------//
// Slowly Fading Away 
// Story: Nightmare's Return 
// by CanterlotGuardian 
//------------------------------//

That night was dark and lonely for the young filly, as she walked the streets alone. Her mother had asked her not to leave the house, but of course she didn't listen. She had to go to the park, she thought. The ghosts that were there came out at night, and she wanted to see them for herself. 

She didn't see any that night, however. Disappointed, she trudged her way back to her house. She vowed to go back the following night, though. She would see the ghosts, she resolved. No matter what.

Slowly, she became aware of eyes upon her, watching her every movement. The moment she tried to bolt away, though, a pair of shadowy tentacles came up out of the ground and grabbed her, dragging her down into the solid earth. She managed to let out a single panicked yelp before she disappeared completely, leaving no trace that she was ever there.

---

In the dark depths of the Everfree forest, a pair of eyes opened, having heard the yelp in her dream. She shuddered. She knew what had happened to the young filly. She pushed up off her bed and began gathering up a few choice ingredients into her satchel.

"To Ponyville I go this night," she said softly, "to spare them from eternal fright."