Into The Swamp

"Are ya sure we're headin' the right way, Sweetie?"
"This is gonna be so COOL!"
"Shhhhhh! I'm trying to read the map!"

The echoing voices of the three excited fillies swept across Flame Geyser Swamp, far from the Cajun Earth Pony settlements, and even further from Ponyville. The cloudy dusk sky was darkening fast. Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo were on a mission. A Cutie Mark Crusader mission, of course.

The Cutie Mark Crusader Paranormal Investigators were off on a quest to prove the existence of the Necromancer of Flame Geyser Swamp, a mysterious boogeymare that supposedly had powers to control ghosts and raise the dead. Of course, they had been eagerly egged on by a suspiciously optimistic Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. None of the fillies were afraid, though. The Necromancer was just a spooky ghost story to keep foals out of the Swamp. The swamp which, besides the occasional Flame Geyser and large wild monster, was pretty peaceful. Especially as they trotted along the worn path that was outlined on their map.

"So what's all this hullabaloo about a neck mincer?" Apple Bloom asked.
"It's not NECK MINCER, it's NECROMANCER." Sweetie Belle corrected, being the walking dictionary.
"What the hay is a necromancer?"
"A necromancer is a unicorn, normally a very powerful one, that practices dark magic and makes deadly brews, especially ones relating to-" Sweetie Belle was interrupted by the third of the group.

"DEEEEEAAAAATH!!!" Scootaloo moaned, in a desperate attempt to frighten Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom, however, was not impressed.
"I don't buy it. That necro-whatsit is probably some ol' coot that tells scary stories, or maybe kinda like Zecora, 'cept it's in the Flame Geyser Swamp. I ain't scared!" Apple Bloom announced boldly. A flame geyser erupted not too far off, and Apple Bloom dashed over to hide behind Sweetie Belle and the levitating map. Sweetie and Scootaloo giggled.

They trudged onward, reaching a rather dark and foggy clearing.
In the middle of that clearing stood the most miserable and gloomiest looking mansion that the Cutie Mark Crusaders had ever seen.

"He lives THERE?!" Scootaloo gasped, "no wonder he's such a jerk, I'd be pretty grouchy if I lived in that dump, too."

The house creaked and groaned as the the three fillies trotted up the porch, ready to fight off some ghosty goos. Nothing happened besides the hoot of a distant owl and the rumbling of the rotting floorboard beneath their hooves.

"Boring. Let's go home."
Scootaloo started to leave when Sweetie Belle reached up and knocked. Then she shouted.
"HELLOOOOOOOOOOO MISTER NECROMANCERRRRRR WE'RE HERE TO SEE YOUUUUUUUU!"

The fillies waited in absolute silence, as the house creaked some more. Suddenly, they heard the clopping sound of approaching hoofsteps. The three fillies gasped and held each other in fear as the giant oak door slowly swung open, revealing a purple light enveloping a misty figure.
Sweetie, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom scooted back as the tall figure approached, and then they screamed as the figure revealed itself.
The skeleton of an adult unicorn mare, with a jagged crack running down the left side of it's skull, animated by a glowing purple aura. It clattered it's mandible, and the three ran as fast as their little legs would take them.

Apple Bloom's bow, in her rush to escape, fell off and fluttered to the feet of the skeleton.

As the three vanished among the willows of the swamp, a deep but hushed voice resonated from beyond the door frame.

"Numbskull, did you frighten our guests again? Shame on you. And dear me. One of the darlings appear to have lost something. Bring it to me."

The skeleton, Numbskull, obediently ducked down, grabbing the bow in its mouth. It wasn't her fault she was a skeleton. She hadn't meant to scare those little fillies. She walked back inside, bringing the bow to her master.

"Good. Get my cloak. I'm going to Ponyville."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The mysterious shadow figure had traveled rapidly, following the weakening trail of the three fillies. He was just about to reach them, not but a few yards from the Everfree Forest, when he heard crying.

At the edge of the woods sat a baby timber wolf. It's mother lay crumpled in a heap, long having stopped breathing. The figure stood over the crying child and the mother. He checked her vitals, which was hard to do to a pile of slag and wood. She was dead.

But not for long.

A flash of purple and green light lanced through the air, smashing into the corpse. Suddenly, there was growling and snarling as the mother timber wolf fought it's way into reforming itself. The yipping timber pup leapt around its mother, overjoyed to see her walking and breathing again. The figure stood over them as he enjoyed their happy reunion.

But not much time could be wasted. He had three fillies to track down, and their trail was growing weak.

The Midnight Stallion

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It was midnight in the Friendship Palace, and Princess Twilight Sparkle had just made herself comfortable in her bed, with Spike already snoring away in his own bed. She was just about to start snoring herself when the doorbell rang.

"Who in all of Equestria would come to call at THIS HOUR?" Twilight exclaimed to the now awake Spike. "It's a few minutes to midnight!"
Spike merely shrugged and passed out again.

"Well, I better go answer it." Twilight grumbled. In a flash, she had teleported to the main entrance. Peeking through the eyehole, she saw a tall figure, wrapped up tightly in a cloak. A long dark grey horn rose out of the hood, levitating a large and familiar pink bow. She unlatched the door and used her magic to open them as she greeted her late visitor.

"Hello! I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle and this-"
"I know who you are," muttered the figure, now clearly a unicorn stallion. From what she could see of his coat, he was dark grey, with a black mane. His eyes glowed purple from the darkness of his hood, matching the aura surrounding the bow. He did not remove his tattered dark cloak nor did he seem to have any desire to do so.

"I am nopony of vital importance," He introduced himself, in a sophisticated, yet quiet, manner, "a small group of foals trespassed on my property, and when my servant went to answer the door, they dashed off, leaving THIS."
Twilight opened her mouth to reply, but the intimidating figure resumed:
"I came here, assuming the Princess located closest to me would know who this bow's owner is, so I may personally return it and also speak with her parents about letting their child out so late at night."

"Well... heh heh... You'll be heading for Sweet Apple Acres, but-"
"Thank you. I will be going now. It was a pleasure to meet you, Princess."

With that, he turned about, and trotted back outside, using his own magic to shut the great doors, plunging the Princess into darkness. She sat alone in the entrance hall, wondering who in Equestria that was. The midnight stallion had seemed a little odd... and rude. She liked him.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Applejack, Big MacIntosh, and a slumbering Granny Smith were each in rocking chairs, listening to the late night radio broadcasts by DJ Pon-3. Of course, the rapid knocking on the door made Applejack leap up to answer it.

When she opened the door, Applejack was shocked, angered, and confused by the three fillies who she had assumed were asleep up in Apple Bloom's room. She slammed the door and rounded on the friends.

"Now what in tarnation-"
She was interrupted by more knocking. Three loud, echoing knocks. The Cutie Mark Crusaders dashed upstairs, followed by the sound of a bedroom door slamming. Figuring it was an angry neighbor there to complain about the ruckus the three had been up to, Applejack opened the door once more, apologizing.

"Dear Celestia, forgive my sister and her-"

She stopped and shuddered as a blast of cold wind washed over her, passing into the sitting room, where it extinguished the fire that had been roaring away in the fireplace. The house went dark as a tall, gloomy, cloaked stallion stepped inside.

"No, allow me to apologize for intruding at this untimely hour. But I believe your daughter has forgotten this." He rumbled, producing a pink bow that he levitated into Applejack's open hooves.
"Ummm... No, I'm only her sister. They call me Applejack and I'm afraid that I haven't-"
"I am Shudderbones. And it is a pleasure to meet such a beautiful mare." Said the shadowy stallion. He lifted one of Applejack's hooves, planting a kiss on it.
"Now, I was wishing to speak with her parents."

This was followed by awkward silence from Applejack and Big MacIntosh. Granny Smith simply snored.

"Deceased, I assume? No problems, I can remedy this."
The unicorn stallion flung off his cloak, revealing a smooth dark grey coat, with black and royal purple mane and a black tail. His cutie mark was that of an ancient ankh. It sent shivers down Applejack's spine.

His horn began to glow purple and green, letting out crackling sounds as his deep voice chanted strange words in a forgotten language. He was performing dark magic. And he was performing it in the Apple Family's sitting room.
Suddenly, loud moans could be heard, and from outside, a pair of blue lights appeared, flying in and manifesting before Applejack's eyes. She heard a scream, then realized it was her own. Big MacIntosh had galloped full speed upstairs, and, before she knew it, Applejack was running right behind him. The magic stopped as the two vanished up the stairs. The lights dissipated, the loud moaning ceased.

Shudderbones, the dark stallion, looked about in confusion. Where had the pretty mare and her large sibling gone? From the rocking chair in the corner, there was rambunctious snoring that Shudderbones assumed to be the grandmother. He didn't want to wake the old pony from her slumber, but he really felt the need to speak to an elder on the matter of trespassing. Which now seemed ironic, due to him not appearing welcome.

Shudderbones spent a moment to wonder why everypony always ran in fear from him.

Especially when all he was doing was trying to use his talents to be helpful.

- - - - - - - - - -

"So the eldest is Big MacIntosh. The youngest is Apple Bloom. And Applejack is the middle child?"

"Aaaa-yup. I reckon they're the oddest groupa siblin's you ever seen, Mister... uhhh... what was your name again, sonny?"
"Shudderbones, Mrs. Smith."
"Aw please, call me Granny. Everypony does."

The two were sitting at the dining room table, sipping herbal tea that Shudderbones had made himself. They had gone up to check on the others, but the three fillies were fast asleep, and Big Mac and Applejack's rooms had been locked. Morning had come swiftly, so the elderly mare and the young gentlemanly stallion decided to wait for the others, sipping chamomile tea.

The sound of hooves on wooden floor told Granny and 'Bones that a certain three fillies had woken up.

"Gee, Granny. I had THE weirdest dream last night..." Apple Bloom said, before seeing who her company was.
"Good morning, Apple Bloom. I am Shudderbones. I believe you forgot this at my abode?" The unicorn levitated the bow and tied it back onto her head gently.

He smiled at her.

The smile turned into a gloomy frown when he saw the look of horror on her face.

"It's-it's-it's-"
The other two fillies had joined in, stammering.
"It's-it's-it's-THE NECROMANCER!" They bolted back upstairs, and Shudderbones hung his head as they heard the door slam once more. Granny nickered and punched him in the shoulder.

"Buck up, Sunny Jim! You'll get it eventually."

"Thanks, Granny...

"And my name is Shudderbones, not Sunny Jim."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Applejack was never afraid. She had no fears, she knew she was strong enough to beat the tar out of any bogey that came her way. Unless, of course, that bogey was a frightening shadow stallion that could summon evil ghosty goos from thin air.

Applejack was afraid. And she didn't like it. What had at first seemed like a flirtatious and even a bit handsome (in a doom and gloom kind of way) stallion had turned out to be a terrifyingly monstrous boogeystallion.

Even Big Mac had run away in fear!

Applejack cursed her sister and her friends under her breath. They had brought that demon into their house. Now she was wondering how she could get the monster to go away.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"So whatever happened to your family, Mr. Bones?" Granny inquired.

Shudderbones let out a sigh. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

"There was a fire at the Bones Manor. We had just struck oil in Flame Geyser Swamp. I was just a colt. I managed to escape. My family... wasn't as lucky."

Granny reached out and patted Shudderbone's hoof in an attempt to comfort him.

"I was too young to leave the Manor then. So I stayed inside. The Manor has a vast library, with spellbooks from all over the globe. I learned how to materialize food, and then I found a peculiar set of encyclopedias of magic. In those books were the darkest of magic spells. Reanimation. Summoning spells. Spiritual communication.
"Of course, I was excited by the prospect of finding my lost relatives. I learned all that I could. My cutie mark turned out to be that of an ankh, an ancient symbol of rebirth and life. But the creatures I summoned were not the ponies who I knew as my family. I now know that you can recall souls as spirits, but you can never truly restore ponies to life. So all the pony skeletons I had obtained in my studies, I simply animated them and they act as my servants and companions. I had been alone for almost a decade.

"Then I made the mistake of visiting Ponyville in broad daylight."

Shudderbones rubbed his temples with his hooves, trying to avoid getting visibly upset in front of the present company.

"They called me a monster. They called me the Necromancer of Flame Geyser Swamp. There were torches. Pitchforks. Stones being thrown. I barely escaped with my life. Ever since, I have only left my dwelling at night, when the other ponies lay asleep. They still told stories about me. Awful rumors about me eating foals and haunting the Swamp..."

Upstairs, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were listening intently. All three had gotten a bit teary-eyed, but Sweetie and Scootaloo blinked back tears in surprise as Apple Bloom walked past them, going back downstairs.

Shudderbones and Granny turned to the filly in surprise. She walked up to Shudderbones, head hung low.

"Thank ya for bringin' back mah bow, Mister Neck Mincer."
Shudderbones smiled feebly down at the filly.
"Please, call me Shudderbones."

She suddenly leapt up, hugging him tightly.
"Sorry if ah hurt yer feelings, Shudderbones. An' Ah'm sorry about yer family. I kinda know how ya feel."

Shudderbones hugged her back, saying nothing. A small tear escaped from one of his darkened eyes.
"We can be yer new family, if ya want, Mister Shudderbones."
Shudderbones grinned.

"I'd like that, Apple Bloom.

"I'd like that."

Amends

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"APPLEJACK AN' BIG MACINTOSH GIT YER LIL' COWARDLY HIDES DOWN HERE AN' SAY HELLO TO MISTER... eh what was your name again?"
"Shudderbones, ma'am."
"SKINNY LOANS!"
Shudderbones and Apple Bloom facehoofed. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, now warmed up to Shudderbones, giggled and sang:

"Skinny Loans, Skinny Loans!" Shudderbones scowled and a blast of purple and green light later, the two were running about, squealing as a blue mare's apparition appeared, chasing them about the sitting room, moaning. Apple Bloom laughed.

Meanwhile, Applejack and Big Mac were still putting up a fight.

"But Granny, that thing's a monster! Raisin' the dead an' all that. It's unnatural! Right, Big Mac?"
"Eeyup!"
"I don' want no arguin', missy, now git down here an' meet this kind feller, Scary Beans or whatever his name is."
"But Granny-!"
"NO BUTS!"
"Big Mac, say something!"
"Nnnope!"

The three fillies and Shudderbones were now sitting on the floor in a circle, playing a very complex version of patty cake that Shudderbones was in no way skilled at. The large stallion was trying to carefully follow every step, but the three fillies were much quicker with their hooves than he was.

"Alright, Granny, I'll come down if Big Mac goes first!"
"Nope!"
"Well, sorry Granny. Looks like THIS mare is staying UPSTAIRS!"
"Ohhh you two, don't make me come up there!" Granny started clopping up the stairs.
"Uh oh."
"Eeyup."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were giggling away, braiding Shudderbones' long black and royal purple mane, much to his annoyance. They chattered amongst themselves, and Shudderbones couldn't help but listen (they were tugging his mane and his ears up, so he heard every word, whether he wanted to or not). They had rekindled their desire to be the Cutie Mark Crusader Matchmakers.
"Ya think he actually likes A.J.? Or do ya think he was jus' bein' nice?"
"I don't know. He seems more Rarity's type. But then again, he was wearing that old cape thing. And he's MUCH nicer. Maybe he's more of a Flutterguy, if you know what I mean."
Shudderbones did not know what a Flutterguy was and did not want to know.
"Guys, he's great at magic. Especially bizarro freaky magic. Obviously he's TWILIGHT'S type."
"Twalaght? I dunno, Scoots. She's a Princess an' all... maybe Rainbow Dash? She likes spooky stuff."
"Hahahahaha! RAINBOW DASH?! I doubt it. Anyways, I think that stallion Steampunk's gotta thing for her. And to be honest, I'd rather them two hook up."
"You only like Mister Steampunk because he let you be his apprentice for a week!"
"Nuh uh! He's super cool. Has all these flying machines, all these cool robot guys!"
"Now now, girls. Maybe PINKIE PIE would like him."
"But Sweetie, Pinkie likes EVERYPONY."
Shudderbones sighed. Today was going to be a long day.

"Applejack! Don' you talk to yer gran'mother like that, ya lil whippersnapper! Now get down there before ah BUCK ya down there."
"Fine! C'mon, Big Mac."
"Nnnop!"
"Big MacIntosh!"
"Eeyup."
The arguing was immediately followed by quiet creaks as Applejack and Big MacIntosh tip-hooved downstairs, with a ticked-off Granny Smith close behind. They looked sullen, and not all that happy to be down. Shudderbones stood, and they turned to him.

They were shocked to see a tall dark stallion, with a messy and crudely braided mane and tail. The fact he was trying his best to look composed and decent made him ever the more ridiculous. The way his face made him naturally look gloomy somewhat hid his kind smile, making him look miserable. Granny Smith stifled a cackle and introduced them to Shudderbones.

"Applejack, Big Mac, this is Shudder... uh... um... Shudderbutt. Shudderbutt, you've meet, or rather seen, these two cowards. Applejack and Big MacIntosh."

Applejack tipped her hat and Big Mac gave a nod. Neither of them looked into Shudderbone's luminous lavender eyes. Applejack's green eyes darted from her brother to Shudderbones, though. Shudderbones stopped trying to smile. They hated him, or rather they feared him. That much he could tell. It was no use asking them to do otherwise. He magically summoned his cloak and removed the ties and bands from his now knotted mane.

"Well, I guess I'm off..." The Cutie Mark Crusaders whined. "Sorry, girls. I've had a rough night and I need to go get some sleep anyways." He opened the door while he threw on his hood, shading his entire face other than his long, protruding horn and his glowing eyes. The way back to his home went through Ponyville, and he didn't want to have a repeat of the last time he had stumbled into the town in daylight. With a swish of his cloak, he vanished from the Apple's doorstep.

Big MacIntosh and Applejack looked at each other guiltily, and then turned to a disappointed Granny Smith. She simply shook her head, nickering quietly. The three fillies and the old mare trotted out the sitting room and outside, to the new day.

"Well... Maybe he wasn' as bad as we thought he was... kinda like Zecora, am I right?"
"Eeyup."
"You remember where he lived?"
"Nope."
"Dagnabbit."

- - - - - - - - - - -

Shudderbones made sure to lock the gate to the fence encircling his gloomy, decrepit manor. He didn't want anymore visitors leading him on escapades of disappointment. He trotted inside, greeted instantly by his glowing skeletal companions.

"Good morning, Rib Cracker. Hello, Humerus. I see your limbs have mended nicely, Heartless." He spoke, gloomily. The skeletons danced about him, glad that their life-giver and friend had returned. One skeleton, that of a mare with a busted head, stepped forward, clattering in question.

"No, no. Everything is fine, Numbskull."

The skeletal mare creaked sadly.

"Yes, I gave the bow back. No, I do not want to talk about how it went. Right now, I wish to be left in peace. I tire."

The skeletons dispersed, obediently, off to do various chores and activities that one would expect from reanimated bones. The one named Numbskull, however, stood there a little longer. Normally, anypony who knew her (which was limited to Shudderbones and her skeletal brethren) would think she was simply staring off into space, completely forgetting her tasks. But to anypony else, she seemed to wonder about Shudderbones' well-being.

She turned about and went off to try and keep the second floor bath from landing in the first floor dining hall. Again.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"Well, Ah reckon this is the place." Applejack said, later that evening as she and Big Mac stared up at the rickety old mansion before them. "Whew-ee it sure looks fancy. Old. But fancy. Rotten. But fancy." Part of the roof collapsed onto the patio. "Fancy."

"Eeyup." Added Big MacIntosh, who didn't look so sure about this 'fancy' manor. He pawed a hoof at the padlock on the gate. Big Mac guessed that Shudderbones didn't want any visitors at the moment. But, as per usual, he said nothing of it. Then he saw the skeleton.

Applejack yelped as Big Mac slipped behind her, quaking. She hadn't seen the animated bones moving towards them. The gate rattled as the skeleton mare groaned in greeting. Applejack's eyes went wide, but she tried her best to keep calm. She had to apologize to Shudderbones. Even if it meant talking to that... that... THING.

The skeleton grinned at them (or at least Applejack thought that was a grin, hard to tell with a skeleton). It smacked the lock hard with a hoof, and the chains fell from the gate with a loud bang. They swung open, and the skeleton ushered the two cowering ponies in. It lead them up the porch (Big Mac's weight almost making the porch collapse) and inside. There, the skeleton shoved a broom into Applejack's mouth and a hammer and some nails into Big Mac's.

Well, Applejack thought, what better way to say sorry than to do a few chores?

Welcome to Panicville

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Shudderbones had been jolted awake from his noonday nap by the sounds of hammers and drills. Grumbling to nopony in particular, the unicorn levitated his cloak towards himself, becoming en-wrapped in it's comfortable folds.

Stomping down the stairs, Shudderbones let out a hoarse shout to the noisemakers down below.

"Oye! Someponies are TRYING to SLEEP! Sweet Celestia, I know you skeletons don't have brains, but you could at least..."

Shudderbones' words were ripped from his muzzle as he gaped in wonder at his newly remodeled foyer. The chandelier had been reattached to the ceiling, gleaming as it shot golden light across the hall. The wooden floors had been rebuffed, swept, and mopped. The old moth-bitten carpet had been replaced by a large red rug, which Shudderbones recognized as the rug from the Apple's farmhouse. And on that rug were two very dirty but very happy Earth ponies.

Applejack smiled broadly and Big MacIntosh beamed. Behind them, a klutzy Numbskull stood, a mop bucket upturned over her head like a battle helmet.

Shudderbones gazed about, taking in the room he hadn't seen in such glory since before... before the fire. Tears in his eyes, Shudderbones ran up to Big MacIntosh, squeezing him in a tight hug. That hug was short-lasting, because Shudderbones swept up Applejack in a twirling hug, ending with a maniacal cackle and a swift kiss full on the lips. He placed the stunned mare down, as he ran about the room, shouting for Numbskull.

"Numbskull! Look! It's the old banners! The stairs no longer look like they'll collapse!" He gasped as he saw the greatest of the entire restoration. "Numbskull... it's the family portrait..."

The painting depicted an elderly grey stallion, a pale, beautiful mare with a black mane, and a dark grey stallion with a purple mane. Sitting between the three beaming adults were a pair of foals, a happy pale filly and a familiar-looking sullen grey colt. Shudderbones reached a hoof up, brushing it against the old frame.

"Grandpa Fossil. My father, Dry Bones. My mother, White As Bones. My sister, Tibia. She was my older sister. They had been hoping for another filly, who they could call Fibula. But... there was the fire..." Shudderbones did not cry. Any tears he had shed over his lost family had been shed long ago. Instead, he smiled. The first honest smile he had had since before the tragedy so long ago.

"Thank you, Sir MacIntosh. Thank you, Miss Applejack." He bowed low, letting his cape fall to the floor. With an honest smile, he looked... nice. The furrowed brows he had wielded now complimented his mane, helping to keep his grey coat from appearing too dark. The hair around his fetlocks revealed handsome stark-white hooves. He appeared brighter. Even his cutie mark, an ankh, seemed to glow with a new, hopeful light. Big MacIntosh smiled broadly and Applejack blushed, still fanning herself with her hat after the rather personal encounter with the overjoyed Shudderbones.

He twirled about, taking in the beautiful sights. He felt good.

"Let's go to town."

- - - - - - - - - -

Applejack, Big MacIntosh, and a cloaked Shudderbones stepped into the bright, festive Sugar Cube Corner. A certain pink mare bounced about, organizing cupcakes by color, size, and flavor (which involved eating quite a few of them).

"Uhhh... Pinkie Pie? Pinkie?" Applejack tried getting her attention. But the mare was too encompassed with her task that she failed to notice.

"Aw forget it. We'll go visit Twilight, then. I was hopin' we coulda grabbed a bite ta eat first."

They left a busied Pinkie to her... I guess you could say it was work, but one would assume otherwise. The way to the castle was a short one, and, along the way, they happened to bump into Rarity, who had just finished grocery shopping. She held her bags aloft via magical levitation while she fussed over Shudderbones' cloak.

"Honestly, darling, it's like you're not even TRYING to look fabulous! And with a mane and such luminous eyes like that, I'm sure you could very well be Equestria's next-"

"Gee thanks, Rarity. But I personally think Shudderbones looks fine. Maybe he wants to keep his old cloak." Applejack interrupted. Shudderbones shot her a thanking look as he turned to smile apologetically to Rarity. The unicorn mare huffed in disappointment, but trotted off anyways, not bothering to ask the mystery stallion's vocation or where he had come from. The trio continued on their way up to the castle, where a rather grouchy Spike was sweeping the door frame.

"Hey, A.J. Hey, Big Mac. Hey, pony I don't know."

Applejack and Big Mac nodded in acknowledgement as Shudderbones bent low to greet the baby dragon.

"My name is Shudderbones. It's a pleasure to meet you..."
"Spike."
"Spike! Fitting name for a dragon."
"Scootch over. I need to sweep there."

Shudderbones scrunched his nose as Spike pushed him aside, sweeping away.

"C'mon, Bonesy, Twilight's in the throne room!" Applejack called.

Bonesy? Shudderbones questioned himself.

He left the dragon to his chores as he stepped into the most beautiful room he had ever seen.

Six thrones (and one smaller one) arranged around a holographic map of Equestria. Above the map, there were tree roots, with glowing orbs dangling from them. Big Mac stood next to a throne adorned with a symbol of three apples, as Applejack sat there. Next to her throne was the tallest of them, adorned by purple and white stars. On that throne sat the Alicorn princess Shudderbones had met the night before. She gaped at the Midnight Stallion, who merely regarded her as he admired and critiqued the accuracy of the map.

"The Flame Geyser Swamp extends a bit further South, and the Bones Graveyard isn't in the DIRECT center. Also, it appears that you are missing the Bones Manor, which SHOULD be directly beside the Graveyard."

Twilight said nothing. Applejack looked from Twilight to the occupied Shudderbones. She wore a look of confusion.

"Uhhhh do y'all know each other already?"
"Oh, my sweet dear Applejack, everypony knows who Princess Twilight Sparkle is."
"Ah meant, does she already know YOU?"

"He's the midnight stallion." Twilight muttered. Shudderbones looked up, this time he wore the look of confusion. Applejack looked incredulous.

"'Scuse me?"
"He came to my castle last night, asking for directions. He left, not even bothering to tell me his name. He... well, to be honest, he had intrigued me. But that's probably because he talked to me like I wasn't a Princess, like I was anypony else. And I appreciated that."
Applejack's face from looking incredulous to looking scandalous when she had heard 'intrigued'. Nopony but Big MacIntosh seemed to notice, but he said nothing of it, as per usual.

"So who are you, midnight stallion, what do you do? Why haven't I seen you around Ponyville in the daytime?"

"I, your Majesty, am Shudderbones. The Necromancer of Flame Geyser Swamp. And I stay out of the daylight for fear of causing panic and of being harassed by the public for my choice of vocation."

Twilight let out a shriek: "The NECROMANCER?"
"Now, wait here, Twilight, he ain't as bad as ya think-"

Spike ran in, wielding his broom like a sword. And as expected, that was when things went downhill rapidly. Thanks, Spike.

"What? Necromancer? Where?"

Twilight pointed a hoof at Shudderbones. She shook from horn to tail. Applejack had never seen her look so scared. But Applejack's attention was taken away from the cowering Princess of Friendship by a yelp. Spike had whapped Shudderbones up the side of the head with the broom, and Shudderbones had accidentally shot a retaliatory spell into the dragon's belly. He now laid on the floor, passed out, as Shudderbones' cloak slipped off, revealing the glowing white ankh on his flank. Applejack was about to ask Twilight and Shudderbones to calm down when he suddenly bolted out the door.

Seconds later, Applejack, Big MacIntosh, and a still cowering Twilight heard the screams of ponies outside. The two Apples glared at the Princess before running off to try save their friend from what most certainly was an angry mob.

A.J. & Mr. Bones

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They found Shudderbones not but a few houses away from the castle, curled up in a ball as a crowd of angry ponies jeered at him, tossing stones, apples, and even cupcakes at the unicorn.

"Shudderbones! Git yer plot up and RUN!" Applejack hollered over the mob.

"But they have torches! And PITCHFORKS!" Shudderbones protested, a rock smacking up right in the forehead beneath his horn. The crowd did indeed have burning torches and a few of the stallion wielded pitchforks.

Big MacIntosh was shoving away the crowd, making a narrow path for Applejack to follow.

"Nope. Nope. Nnnope." One mob member leapt up to the giant red stallion, swinging a pitchfork. Big Mac simply picked him up in one hoof and threw the angry mare across the town square.
"Nope." Seeing this obvious act of treason, the mob threw things at the Apples, too. Not surprisingly, they mostly threw apples. Finally, after what seemed like ages, they reached the dark stallion, curled under an overturned flower cart. They bent over, right next to him. He smiled weakly at them as they were pelted by a sudden shower of pebbles.

"Well, y'all got any plans?" Applejack asked, hopefully.
"Nope."
"Big Mac here took the words right from my mouth."
"Well, shoot." Applejack said, dejectedly.
"Eeyup."
"Guess we're screwed," Shudderbones sighed, "sorry, guys. I had hoped Ponyville had changed, with a castle of friendship and all here..."
Hearing the word 'screwed' coming from Shudderbones made Applejack turn red again. The gears whirred away in her head so quickly that Steampunk the inventor would've been proud.
"Fellas, I got a plan."

- - - - - - - - -

The crowd quieted down as they watched Applejack get onto the fallen cart, helped up by Shudderbones and Big Mac. She cleared her throat several times, looking about nervously at the mob. She could see Roseluck, Thunderlanes, Octavia, and a few other ponies she barely knew. She was still surprised by their aggression towards the dead-riser. She prepared to tell them something that went against everything that being the Element of Honesty stood for. Even Shudderbones and Big Mac were unprepared for her speech.

"Now, I know y'all might not be all that fond of Shudderbones here-"
"He's a menace!"
"RIP HIM APART!"
"Somepony gimme another cupcake!"
"Lemme finish, lemme finish. But there is one reason as to why ya shouldn't hurt Mr. Bones here. And ya know you can trust me, being the Element of Honesty an' all..."
"SO WHAT'S THE REASON?"
"Spit it out already!"
"Hey, where's the bathroom?"
"Ya shouldn't hurt Mr. Bones here because... because..."
The crowd began to get restless. It was now or never.

"Ya shouldn't hurt Shudderbones cuz he's mah new coltfriend."
Gasps from everypony, including Big Mac and a frazzled Shudderbones, who sat on his haunches with his jaw gaping open.
Oh sweet Celestia, Applejack, she thought to herself, what have you gotten yourself into now?

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Applejack and... and HIM?!"
"Applejack likes unicorns?"
"I thought she liked mares!"
"I thought she wasn't available."
"This ruins all my ships! I hate this story now!"
"If she likes him, no! LOVES him..."
"If she likes him, then so will I."
There was muttering among the crowd. But eventually they accepted this as fact and the former mob slowly broke up, ponies each going to their own houses or shops.

Applejack leapt off the makeshift stage and landed next to Big MacIntosh and Shudderbones, who was still gaping at the spot where Applejack had been standing. She looked at the two sheepishly.

"Sorry 'bout that, fellas... Shoulda warned ya about what mah plan was."
Shudderbones said nothing. Big Mac let out a sniffle.
"Big Mac? What's wrong, big brother?"
The giant red stallion let out a weeping cry as he scooped up the still-paralyzed Shudderbones and Applejack in a big hug, and started talking in his deep rumbling voice, that exceeded even Shudderbones' Intimidating Voice.
"Mah lil' baby sis's in love! Ah can' believe it! I never thought you'd buck up to a coltfriend, A.J. Now you'll have a unicorn hubby who can help on the farm, an' Ah'll get ta be an uncle to lil' AppleBones colts an' fillies an'-"

"Big Mac! It's not like that! I jus' said that to get the mob ta go away!" Applejack choked in protest, struggling against the hug. Shudderbones snapped out of his daze, his dark complexion turning to a deep maroon.
"Yeah, she was only saying that to make those ponies back off! Wait, so does that mean you don't-" He was interrupted by Big Mac dropping the two from the hug. The giant stallion didn't listen to them, and began to bounce Pinkie Pie-style in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack pulled Shudderbones to his feet. The unicorn's horn glowed, and his cloak materialized from thin air, tying itself around his neck. She gestured for him to follow. They would have some explaining to do.

Before A.J. and Mr. Bones suddenly became a thing.

- - - - - - - - - -

"Whaddaya mean they're in love?"
The dark unicorn and the orange Earth pony heard Granny Smith shriek from inside the barn. Apparently, Big Mac had beaten them to Sweet Apple Acres. They bolted inside, ready to fight off an overexcited Granny.

"Granny, wait! It's not like that at all!" Applejack shouted. The old mare looked at Applejack with surprise.

"'Course ya are, ah mean, he ain't a nice earth pony stallion like ah'd hoped, but he's a devilishly handsome unicorn, and has a mansion to boot..."
"Granny!"
"Alright alright, now ah know it's not all about money, and ya have mah blessin' an' all, but couldn't ya float a coupla bits our way when ya get married-"
"Granny!"
"Gee, sorry I asked, then," The rambling old mare turned to Shudderbones, "for years I tried getting her to settle down with some stallion. You come along and the next day, you're two lovebirds. I dunno how ya did it, Chickenbones."
"Shudderbones."
"Whatever."
Applejack interrupted: "But Granny, we're not in love! Ah just said that ta get that angry mob to quick tryna string him up from the nearest tree!"

The entire barn went quiet. From outside they heard giggling that told the four adults that the Cutie Mark Crusaders were lurking just outside the door. Shudderbones nickered angrily and his horn glowed with a purple and green light. A blue specter manifested before him, and immediately darted outside. They heard the ghost groan as the girls squealed and ran away. The entire time they ran, they sang:

"Applejack 'n Bonesy sittin' in a tree,
K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
First comes love,
then comes marriage,
then comes-"
"OOoooOOOaooooo!"
"EEEEEEEEEEEEK!"

While Applejack was rambling to Granny Smith about how they were not in love and would never ever even think about being in love, and while the Cutie Mark Crusaders practiced getting their cutie marks in running away from an angry ghost, Shudderbones caught himself.

Caught himself admiring Applejack's flanks as he stood behind her.

Blushing furiously, his dark coat almost turning tomato red, he immediately looked away. He found himself wondering why he and Applejack COULDN'T be in love. She was a pretty mare for an Earth pony, especially one that worked all day on a farm, and Shudderbones couldn't help but imagine using his powers to help harvest and to repair the barn and...

No. He was a necromancer. He studied death magic. She was an orchard keeper. She raised apples, he raised the dead. It was ridiculous to think it would work out. Shudderbones shot a blast of indigo light at the specter and it vanished.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders fell to their bellies, panting. Levitating them, Shudderbones led them away from the bickering mares.

"Mr. Bones, does mah sister like ya or not?"
"Please, Apple Bloom, call me Shudderbones. And I don't know."
"Well, do ya like her?"

Shudderbones thought about Applejack's flanks again. Then about her beautiful green eyes and the way she kept her mane tied up...
He blushed, making sure to keep the fillies from seeing.

"I just met her."
"So? Ya ever heard of love at first sight?"
"A.B., that's just a fairy tale."
"Aw, Scootaloo, it don' havta be, right, Shudderbones?"
Shudderbones merely grunted.

He remembered not but a month ago he had found a book of fairy tales in the Bones Manor library. He had delved into the book, but had noticed something that had just now made him feel terrible.

If this was a fairy tale, Shudderbones, as a necromancer, was most certainly the villain.

Apology Unaccepted

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Later that evening, Shudderbones lay curled up in his bed, with the fairy tale book open in his hooves.

"Starswirl and the Necromancer.

Once upon a time, long ago, in the grand city of Canterlot was a powerful wizard, the great unicorn Starswirl the Bearded. He was beloved across the land, because his magic was that of Light, and it represented all that is natural and in order.
Another wizard, the goat-demon Grogar, was Starswirl's rival. He was a necromancer, and he was incredibly powerful. He used the bells around his neck to raise the dead and to enslave the living. He had enslaved a giant part of Equestria he called Tambelon.
One day, Grogar kidnapped the young Princess Celestia. She had been put to sleep and carried away into the night. Starswirl ventured forth to rescue the Princess. When he reached Tambelon, he called upon Grogar, and challenged the goat to a duel. Grogar accepted, confident of his abilities.
When the two-"

There was knocking at the door. Shudderbones tossed the book to the side. He hadn't been eager to re-read what happened to the necromancer anyways. It felt too much like a foreboding look into his own future. He went down to answer the door, shaking the eerie thoughts from his head. Numbskull approached him on his way down, but he wove off the skeleton mare with his hoof. He didn't have time for her follies.

Thrusting open the great oaken doors, Shudderbones was shocked to see a purple Alicorn and a little purple and green dragon at his doorstep. He recognized Spike, the rude dragon from before. And Princess Twilight Sparkle.

He bowed low. Mostly because tradition told him to do so, not out of genuine respect. He remembered how she had freaked out, causing all of Ponyville to form a mob. They had almost strung him up from a tree before Applejack and Big Mac had intervened.

"Princess, I invite you into the humble abode of the Necromancer of Flame Geyser Swamp. Make yourself at home."

"Thanks," she replied, "but I only came here to apologize for my overreaction when I learned who you were... It was wrong of me to judge you so harshly just because of your... special talent" -she glanced quickly at the ankh on his flank- "and I feel that I should extend the hoof of Friendship to anypony, even to practitioners of... questionable magic." She smiled sheepishly as Spike rolled his eyes and glared at Shudderbones with great distrust. Shudderbones remembered the events of the morning. Vividly. He scowled at the Princess and the dragon. He felt like she wasn't really sorry.

"Yeah. Because I needed reminding of THAT." He snapped. Shudderbones turned away from the two, shaking with anger.

"Listen... I'm sorry... if I had known you were Applejack's coltfriend, I wouldn't have-"

"I'M NOT HER COLTFRIEND!" Shudderbones shouted, his eyes glowing with their purple light, wisps of magic literally smoking out of the edges. The Princess turned pale and shrunk back, yelping. "She... doesn't feel that way towards me. And besides, we've known each other but for the manner of days."
He blinked, and the darkness that had been engulfing his eyes vanished. He continued to glower at the two. It began to thunder outside, occasionally a lightning strike blasted by the window, illuminating the room and casting the Princess and the dragon in his looming shadow. Twilight visibly let out a shiver. The air had suddenly gotten much colder.

"Now," Shudderbones boomed, his masculine voice suddenly deepened and magnified by Twilight's fear, "get out." Lightning flashed behind him, casting her once more in his terrifying shadow.

He didn't have to ask twice.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Applejack and Big Macintosh continued to show up the next few days, making repairs to the Bones Manor. He kept trying to pay them in bits, but they kept shaking their heads, cramming apples and apple pastries into his hooves instead.

He did appreciate the food. Magically materialized hay got old after so many years. He always welcomed them into his home. They often chatted as they worked, but Shudderbones always avoided talking about his visit from Twilight Sparkle. The last thing he wanted was the beautiful mare and the brotherly stallion to think he was a villain... again.

"Ah the vase I smashed when I was a young colt," Shudderbones chuckled, "I got quite the scolding, and as punishment they left it there, so every time I looked at it, I felt guilty. Eventually we just accepted the fact the vase was ugly anyways." He gathered up all the pieces, fondly cradling them in a levitation spell. From that point onward, the Apples made sure to drag out any item they hoped would invoke more happy memories. They were, for the most part, successful.

Beaming at the two, Shudderbones and his skeletons and ghosts (odd blue specters of ponies, griffons, and more that hung about the Manor) waved goodbye to them. Before they had left, Big MacIntosh had scooped him up in a very tight and very unexpected hug. Applejack had given him a quick kiss on the cheek, one he had been careful to return. He wished for a moment that he had the ability to read minds rather than to raise the dead. Numbskull fell from her perch on the upstairs balcony, crashing painlessly into the shrubbery below. Shudderbones chuckled, suddenly glad he was a necromancer.

He wouldn't have his skeletal friends if he wasn't.

That night, Shudderbones considered actually asking Applejack out to dinner. Then he remembered the Grand Galloping Gala. He could obtain a pair of tickets, and ask her to that! The perfect plan made, Shudderbones curled up in his bed, eager for the next day. Then he saw the book.

His smile shattered as he looked at the book lying next to him in his bed. He levitated it over to him, opening it up to the Necromancer story. He began to read where he had left off, almost two weeks ago.

"When the two engaged in battle, the necromancer Grogar suddenly stated his intentions.
"He was in love with the Princess, and wanted her to love him back. When she had refused, he kidnapped her in rage. Starswirl used Grogar's love as his weakness, and struck the goat-demon a fatal blow. He magically summoned a bell, and when Starswirl rung it, both Grogar and the kingdom of Tambelon were banished to Tartarus, never to see the light of Celestia's sun again.
"The Princess saved, and with the evil necromancer defeated, Starswirl the Bearded returned to Canterlot, and was hailed a hero.
"And they all lived happily ever after.
"THE END."

They had all lived happily ever after. Except for the necromancer. Shudderbones let the book fall from his grasp as he pulled the sheets back around him.

He was suddenly less eager for the next day.

Death & Apples

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Applejack knocked on Shudderbones' door, with Big Mac standing by her side holding a tool box in his mouth. They'd been waiting for him for almost half an hour. The necromancer was a night owl, Applejack knew that, but she reckoned he'd at least be able to stay up long enough into the morning to meet them before they got to work. They had to fix the plumbing today, too.

"Ya think he's home, Big Mac?"

The red stallion shrugged, with the same look of concern.

"Ah figure if he wasn't then one a' his skeleton friends woulda answered by now. Ya think he's avoiding us? Why would he do that?"

The red stallion shrugged.

"Somethin's amiss here. We should just open the door."

The red stallion shrugged.

"Are ya even listenin' ta me?"

The red stallion shrugged. Applejack rolled her eyes and turned around, raising her hind legs towards the locked door. Just as she was about to buck the door off it's hinges, the door swung open, with a very surprised Shudderbones blushing at the rather unflattering view of Applejack's rump. Of course, he only saw it for moments before she kicked, unaware that the door had opened.

WHAM!

Shudderbones crumpled to the floor.

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Shudderbones? Shudderbones! Answer me! Ah'm so sorry, ah didn't mean to hit ya, honest!"

- - - - - - - - - - -

He woke up. His head was aching so badly it felt like it was bound to split any second now. He definitely had a concussion. Shudderbones felt lucky that the mare's powerful kick hadn't snapped his neck. He opened his eyes, light stinging his retinas painfully. He was in bed.

Applejack sat by him, on the bed. The light from the window illuminated her, her blonde mane and orange coat shining in the playful daylight. He was thinking about angels when reality gave him a punch in the stomach. More ponies were gathered around his bedside.

There was Big MacIntosh, Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. This wasn't surprising. These past few days, Shudderbones had found them to be the closest family he had. But there were more ponies. Twilight Sparkle and Spike were there. Spike looked genuinely sad. Shudderbones suddenly wondered why they had all looked so morbid and depressed. There were the others, a yellow pegasus, a blue pegasus, a white unicorn, and the one called Pinkie Pie. All mares. But one mare stood out from all of them. A white Alicorn.

Princess Celestia.

She was first to notice the necromancer awakened.

"Good morning, Shudderbones. It seems you have returned to us."

The others gasped and leapt about for joy. Applejack swooped down over the stunned necromancer, locking him in a short-lived kiss, before the "ooh"s of the other mares made her hide behind her hat, blushing. Shudderbones sat up, rubbing his head as his eyes began to glow more brightly than ever. Twilight was at a loss for words. Not for long, of course.

"B-b-b-b-but... you were DEAD! For almost an entire day! No pulse, no breath, no nothing! HOW?!"

Shudderbones' head swirled, and he collapsed with a groan back into his bed. Thankfully, Princess Celestia answered for her former student.

"You forget, Twilight Sparkle, that Shudderbones here practices magic left untouched by countless others. As a result, this may have inadvertently been of his own doing. His use of death magic has, in short, prevented his own death. And because his soul remains pure, despite his darkness, he has not become what many more who have been in his hoofsteps have. He did not become a Lich."

"A Lich?" Applejack questioned, her face full of fear and worry.

"Had Shudderbones permanently died, and had he been truly evil, he would have returned as one of the undead, as a never-dying necromantic monster. A sorcerer whose wickedness has not graced Equestria since even before I have ruled."

In the delirium of Shudderbones' concussion, he interrupted her.

"Whaddayamean... whaddabout... Grogar...?"

Her face softened, and she used a simple spell on the cringing stallion.

"Grogar... was a special case. Now sleep, my little pony. You must be in terrible pain, and I have a feeling you have a lot to think about."

But you didn't answer my question, Shudderbones thought as he fell into a deep, blissful sleep.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Shudderbones trotted down the steps, admiring the handiwork of Applejack and Big MacIntosh. The Cutie Mark Crusaders ran about the house, playing with Numbskull and a colt ghost named Peek-A-Boo. He smiled as he listened to their sweet laughter. It had been a long time since the Manor had been graced with the happy sounds of foals playing.

"Well, evenin', hon" Hon? "Me an' Big Mac here fixed up the porch while ya were sleepin'. Numbskull there helped us out a bit, too. Ah gotta admit, Ah'm gettin' used ta all these specters. They're awful friendly folk ta be around." Applejack said, walking up to him as he wrapped the robes tightly around himself. "Ya feelin' okay? Ah'm sorry again for the kick... If you had really died, Ah would never had forgiven mahself..." A tear fell from her cheek. Shudderbones blinked.

"No, A.J., that was but an accident. Don't worry about it. I'm fine. You're fine. We're all fine. No harm done."

She smiled, blinking tears out of her eyes.

"Thanks, Shudders."
"No problem. And did you call me hon?"
"Eeyup." Big MacIntosh called. Applejack scowled at her brother, who was painting the banister.
"Shuddup, Big Mac. An' did I? Musta slipped my tongue. Sorry about that."
"Again, no problem. I found it adorable." Sweet Celestia, am I flirting? Shudderbones asked himself. He heard giggling from the other side of the foyer, and Big Mac let out a chuckle. Both Shudderbones and Applejack turned bright red.

"Big MacIntosh, stop working. I'm taking you, Miss Applejack, and the foals out to dinner."
"Wha-? Shudders! Ya don't havta do that!"
"Nonsense," Shudderbones said, brushing off Applejack's protests and the cheers from the fillies, "you five have been helping me with my home and my life ever since I appeared at your doorstep with a pink bow... what is it, a month ago?"
"Eeyup."
"Well, ah mean, dinner sounds nice an' all...But ah mean..."
Not thinking, Shudderbones spit out his next few words, sounding incredibly casual.

"Either we all go out to eat, on my behalf, or you go with me to the Grand Galloping Gala."
All noise in the Manor stopped. The giggling, the chuckles, the clattering of bones, the moaning of ghosts.
Applejack looked shocked, but sort of smug. Shudderbones felt some sweat on his neck, but didn't wipe it off. After many long minutes, Applejack answered.

"Well why not we do both?"

What One Does For Bits

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Of course, it was just Shudderbones' luck that he would have to scavenge for his own tickets. He wanted to take the entire Apple family to the Grand Galloping Gala, but they had insisted it be just Applejack and him. They seemed oddly excited for him to finally attempt at a relationship with her. In fact, they took it upon themselves to give him as much help and support that they felt he needed. Which he needed none at all. But they thought otherwise.

Apple Bloom and other two young fillies, whom Shudderbones had already accepted almost as younger sisters, eagerly attempted to drag him into Rarity's Carousel Boutique. He kept putting it off though. He wasn't fond of the idea of spending what few bits he had left on some fancy dress-wear that he would only ever wear once. They managed to get him to schedule an appointment with the elegant (but rather hoity-toity, in Shudderbones' opinion) unicorn mare.

Big MacIntosh occasionally dragged him aside. They didn't speak much, but the look of happiness let Shudderbones know the big softie was glad that he was trying for Applejack. However, whenever Applejack looked particularly stressed about the upcoming Gala and extremely nervous around Shudderbones, Big Mac gave him a look that told him that if he broke her heart in any way, no number of resurrected skeletons could protect him from the red stallion's wrath.

Granny Smith kept distracting him from preparations to go over the Apple family tree, complete with photo albums and stories. He honestly loved the tales, they were often quite humorous, but he was busy. And she couldn't quite understand that. She claimed that they could take the Apple family's cart, which simplified things greatly.

There was only the problem of tickets. Ticket prices had skyrocketed this year, and Shudderbones barely had enough for one ticket, much less a pair. He'd need to find work.

He eventually got over his irritation with Twilight Sparkle, although he only respected her as a Princess after practically setting the entire town snapping on his heels. She pointed out various jobs he could perform as a necromancer. Most seemed quite dangerous. Others seemed lengthy. There was one last job for him.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"You HAVE to be kidding."

A teacup sailed past his head through a shattered window. Inside, the overexcited spirit cackled manically. The home's owner, an older mare with a colt wrapped around her leg looked at Shudderbones with pleading eyes. The Princess darted her eyes from the broken window to the mare to Shudderbones.

Shudderbones' own purple eyes were boring holes into the mother's very soul. She squee'd as a large plate flew out the window, smashing against his horn. He nickered angrily.

"I'm a necromancer. I can raise and control gigantic undead armies. And you want to hire me to get rid of a pesky poltergeist."
"Please, I'll pay you handsomely." She begged. The child hid behind her as a spoon sailed from the window, striking her flank.

The Princess piped up, looking rather sneaky.

"Well, Shudderbones, if it's so easy, why not just get it over with. Show off that skill of yours."

Shudderbones turned his lamp-like eyes towards Twilight, now boring into her soul. He grimaced, making an ugly face at the shrieking poltergeist.
"Fine." He said flatly. He turned towards the house and opened the door. A pie pan filled with cream slapped into his face.

He hated life.

A cackle erupted from inside the house.

Scratch that. He hated the AFTERLIFE. He boldly stepped in, whipped cream dripping from his scowling face as Twilight, the mother, and the colt all giggled. Maybe he hated life, too.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Carrying a large sack of bits and another sack of various spiritual instruments, Shudderbones began going door-to-door, offering to cleanse ponies' houses of spirits.

He dealt next with a family who had a fully developed banshee spirit living cozily in their attic. Leaving their cottage half-deaf and ears ringing but with his bag much heavier he moved on to the next job.

Surprisingly, a young colt was being tailed by a doppelganger, his ghostly counterpart chasing him about. After a quick banishing spell, the mother dropped a hoof-full of bits into his bag. It was all they could afford. But had he not turned up just then, the doppelganger would very likely have stolen the foal's soul. And Shudderbones was the only pony in Equestria who knew the proper way to be-rid of a doppelganger. That was far from the only job that only he seemed capable of doing, though.

The most common paranormal problem that Shudderbones found in Ponyville was the ghoul infestations, especially along Baking Street. Ghouls were basically ghosts of ponies. That wasn't so bad, they were practically harmless. Except for the stench. Ghouls tended to obsess over scent, and the only scent they could detect are the most volatile ones. Rotting garbage, dead fish, they hoarded the trash, dragging it into the walls and floors of the home. They were also rather noisy, not as chaotic as a poltergeist, but noisy enough to keep a family up at night.

The pink mare from earlier, Pinkie Pie, had not one but ten living within her walls, hoarding stale cakes and curdled milk. She refused a removal though. She claimed to not have a problem with them, to which Shudderbones shrugged and said 'suit yourself.'

Shudderbones figured that once he finished making bits for his dear Applejack's ticket, he could easily get a job removing them. And maybe a job expelling other spirits and spooks as well. He had been the only unicorn born in centuries to bother learning necromantic and banishing spells, after all. He wondered if Princess Celestia knew any necromancy as he blasted a ghoul into soul essence. At first he doubted it. But he remembered her eerie knowledge of his seemingly miraculous resurrection. She must know a thing or two about necromancy. She knew Grogar, after all, he thought as he worked.

Lots of ponies had heard of his unfortunate accident and close call with death. Many actually joked about the irony of a necromancer almost dying, but to Shudderbones' surprise most ponies expressed genuine concern. Upon learning he still felt the aftereffects of it all, many sent their get-wells, and tipped him graciously.

Shudderbones enjoyed helping ponies. And he liked being accepted as part of the community. He actually considered magically moving the entire Bones Manor from Flame Geyser Swamp into Ponyville. It would be difficult, but worth it.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Finally, after an exhausting day, he returned to Sweet Apple Acres with a sack full of bits. Enough for both tickets, he declared. After which he unceremoniously passed out onto the couch in the sitting room. The Apples smiled at the snoring unicorn, Big Mac leaned him into the couch, making him more comfortable. Apple Bloom ran upstairs and grabbed him a large quilt. Unsettled by all this, the sleeping form of Shudderbones snuggled up into the quilt, and Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, and Big Mac tip-hooved from the room, to get ready for their own chores.

Applejack stood by Shudderbones for a moment, looking down upon the exhausted stallion. She bent down, and kissed his cheek, then glanced around to make sure nopony had seen her. Applejack then tip-hooved from the room as well. She had trees to buck and a wagon to fix.

Shudderbones smiled in his sleep, reaching up a hoof to touch the cheek she had kissed.

Embracing Nightmares

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This is a dream, Shudderbones thought, glancing about the dark swirling nothingness. There was no doubt about it. But Shudderbones had never had a dream quite like this one.

There was something lurking in the darkness. Shudderbones didn't like it. He wished he could use magic, to light up those dark shadows. Shudderbones was suddenly struck by something that he usually only felt near torches and pitchforks and flying stones.

He was afraid of the lurking darkness. He reached out to it, in a brave attempt to face his fears.

The darkness laughed, a booming echoing cackle. Shudderbones froze, paralyzed.

"Why hello, Shudderbones," a voice boomed, emanating from the darkness, "I don't believe we have met."
Shudderbones tried to let out a snappy retort, but he couldn't speak.

"Now, now, necromancer. We can't have you throwing a hissy fit, now can we?"
Shudderbones could only snarl.

"I figured you would feel that way. But before we get too involved in your little temper tantrum, allow me to present myself."

The being stepped before him, and Shudderbones felt his jaw drop.

It was himself.
Or rather, something that looked like himself...
Except different.
His eyes glowed green instead of purple. His pupils and irises turned red. Purple wisps of smoke reputed from the edges of the demon-Shudderbones' eyes.
He wore a cloak, not the tattered hood Shudderbones loved, but a long billowing cape that held a darkness that sent chills into Shudderbones soul. The ankh on his flank had been replaced by a luminous white stallion's skull. The midnight black doppelganger (and not the ghostly kind) smiled wickedly at the paralyzed necromancer.

"I am what we may call... Nightmare Shudderbones. I am the corruption inside you. Yes, you have a pure soul, never having committed a wrong, but corruption lives in you. In fear. You fear an untimely end. You desperately want your happily ever after. Correct?"
Afraid, Shudderbones realized the Nightmare Force before him was right. He nodded, hesitant.
"Well, you're a necromancer. You're supposed to be the villain. The bad guy, if you will. But you keep shimmying away from your destiny by frolicking with that pitiful excuse for a mare. Really, Shudderbones? An EARTH PONY? Least you could do is try to swoo that purple Princess."
Now angered, Shudderbones fought against whatever magic kept him silent.
"Now, with my help, we can change what could be your demise. We can... become one. We shall rule over Equestria. Take over the surrounding kingdoms. Rule the world!"

With a flash of purple light, Shudderbones freed himself. Glaring daggers at the Nightmare Shudderbones, he hissed:

"Go to Tartarus!"

Cackling, the apparition vanished, leaving Shudderbones alone in the dark.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Shudderbones woke with a start, feeling cold on his forehead. He didn't have to open his eyes to know that Applejack was standing over him, wiping the sweat from his brow. She noticed he had awoken.

"It's night. I heard ya thrashin' about, yellin' in your sleep. Ya had a fever something awful." She whispered. Shudderbones opened his eyes, the lamp-like glow from them illuminating the room. He gazed up at the orange mare. Her mane was down and her hat was missing. She must have been asleep when she heard him having his nightmare.

"Sorry if I woke you up. Just a bad dream."
"Don't worry about it. Are ya alright? Wanna talk about it?"
"I... no. No, it's okay. It's just a dream. I'm already forgetting it as we speak." He lied. He felt bad lying to her, the Element of Honesty, but he didn't want her to worry about him.
"Well... alright. If ya say so." She got up and started to trot out, taking the rag with her.
"Applejack?" She trotted back.
"Yeah?"

Swiftly, he brushed his lips against her cheek. He smiled warmly.

"Thanks."
"Thanks? For what? I was jus' helpin' a friend."
"For everything. The repairs, the hope, everything."

He suddenly felt warm in his chest. A feeling he had never truly felt before. The burning fire leapt about in his chest. He turned his eyes till they met with hers. He wanted to tell her, right then and there, that he was in love with her. But he couldn't, not yet. So instead, he just smiled. She smiled back, unaware of the battles taking place in his mind and heart.

"Well, goodnight, Shudderbones. Unless ya wanna wander, I know your quite the night owl."
"Yeah, I might take a walk. Goodnight, Applejack. Sweet dreams."
And with that, she went back upstairs and into her bedroom.
Shudderbones scowled and punched himself in the jaw.

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Don't worry, Mrs. Cake. I'm sure you just have an angry kobold, is all."
"A kobold? What in Equestria is a that?"
"Oh they're household spirits. Quite useful, if you're nice to them. They'll clean up for you and protect the house. But if they're unhappy... well..."
Shudderbones gestured towards the havoc played out before them, broken glass scattered about the floor. Cakes splattered against the walls and ceiling of Sugar Cube Corner.

"Oh dear!" Mrs. Cake exclaimed, hugging the baby foals close to her in fear, "I never knew we even had a kobold, much less how we could make it mad."
"Of course, regular ponies can't speak to kobolds. But I am no regular pony. You're in luck."
Shudderbones cleared his throat and began to chant in an ancient language, his eyes glowing brightly, his horn crackling with purple and green energy. Suddenly a blue specter materialized. It looked like a really old stallion, wearing rags and snuffling loudly.

"Whaddayawant, necro-whatsit. I'm busy." It croaked.
"Sure you are. What has this innocent family done to offend you, house spirit?"
"Ya'know what? You're a nosy one. But I'll tell ya. Kobolds require food. You should know, yer the necro-whatsit here."
"Why not just take food then? Most kobolds do, just enough to get them by, nothing dramatic."
"Yeah well, I'm no regular kobold, amiright, necro-whatsit?" It sniggered.
"Yeah, yeah whatever. So what do you want?"
"I want my food given to me. Good and proper. A little bowl of milk an' maybe a few stale cakes. I like 'em crunchy."

Mrs. Cake piped up.

"Well, sweetie, why didn'tcha ya say so?"
"Kobolds can't talk to normal ponies withoutta necromancer, miss."
"But you could have written us a message! A letter or something! We'd happily leave out our leftovers for you!"
The kobold scratched it's hairy chin with a wrinkly hoof.
"Huh. Didn't thinka that."

Plans were made for the Cakes and Pinkie Pie to leave out a plate of food and a bowl of milk for the kobold before they turned in for bed. It vanished with a cackle and immediately, objects began to fly through the air, plates magically repairing themselves and cakes returning unsplattered to their stands and boxes. Kobold magic never ceased to surprise Shudderbones. They were like reverse poltergeist, making order out of chaos instead of chaos out of order.

As he collected his pay and left, he heard somepony let out a loud noise.

"Pssssst!!!"

He looked about, confused.

"Psssssssssstt!" Hissed a nearby shrub. Shudderbones looked behind it. It was Pinkie Pie.

"Hey Shuddery Wuddery Bonesy Wonesy! I'm Pinkie Pie, you saw me a long time ago and then I met you for the first time when you died and came back to life, you really have to tell me how you did that it was so cool, but anyways I herd (Get it? Herd? Because we're ponies?) that you're taking Applejack to the Grand Galloping Gala, and I wanna say you two look reeeeeeaaaaaally cute together, but the person reading this probably disagrees and already hates this story because they don't like you but anyways I'm getting off track and I want you to promise that you'll make Applejack happy, because she's my unofficial official cousin and if you make her sad or angry, I'll get very angry, and you don't wanna see me angry."

Shudderbones understood none of that. He simply gazed at the hidden pink mare with a blank look.

"Just Pinkie Promise to take care of her at the Gala!"
"Pinkie Promise?"
"Pinkie Promise!
Cross my heart,
hope to fly,
stick a cupcake in my eye!" To punctuate, she shoved her hoof into her open eye. It looked painful.
"Do I have to?"
"Yes!"
"Will you leave me alone if I do?"
"Ye - maybe."
"Fine."

He took a breath and recited:
"I Pinkie Promise to take care of Applejack at the Gala. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." He shoved his hoof over his eye in same manner she had with hers.

Ouch.

Dreams Will Come True, Right Here At The Gala

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It was that time of year.

Ponies from all over Equestria had converged at Canterlot for the most anticipated ball in months. Shudderbones was decked out in a dapper vest and a top hat he had purchased from Rarity. His date, if he dared to call her his date, was wearing the most beautiful outfit he had ever seen. Rather than having her mane tied back, it was pinned up, completely transforming the mare. The dress was a flattering green and red outfit that reminded Shudderbones of strawberries.

When Rarity had seen her friend, she had blubbered excitedly about an apple jewel or something of the sort. Shudderbones did not know who or what an Apple Jewel was. Then Applejack stepped out of the changing room.

Immediately after, Shudderbones had blubbered incoherently about a beautiful mare and good looks.

Now, Applejack sat in the apple cart with Shudderbones, watching the countryside pass by. Shudderbones held the reins in his hooves. A pair of thick stallion skeletons had been hooked up, and they pulled the cart.

Behind them, a separate wagon held Applejack's friends, who had each scavenged their own ticket.

Shudderbones tried to avoid looking at Applejack, afraid he would screw something up somehow. He found it hard, as every so often her tail would brush up against his from under her dress. He wasn't sure if it was accidental or if she was purposefully trying to get his attention.

He just stared at the road, using his magic and forelegs to keep the skeletons in line. Every tail brush though, Shudderbones swore he heard the carriage behind them erupt into giggling.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Canterlot had been decorated thoroughly for the event, wreaths and garland lanced about the lantern-posts. The lights had all been dimmed and it provided a very moody atmosphere. But those were merely the streets.

The castle itself was basking in red and blue spotlights, giving it a flowing mix of purple, white, pink, blue, and red. It was a sight to behold, and as Applejack gazed up in wonder, Shudderbones dared to look at her. The rainbow of color was reflecting off of her emerald eyes. Shudderbones almost felt his heart give out.

He thought of all that had happened the past month or so. Had those three silly fillies not knocked on his door, had Apple Bloom's bow not fallen from her mane, he would never have met the Apples. Never have met Applejack. Nor would he be performing paranormal tasks for good in the Ponyville community.

They parked before the castle, and Shudderbones handed the valet stallion the reins. The valet climbed in, unsure of the skeletons waiting patiently at the front of the old apple cart. The valet looked to Shudderbones uneasily. He whipped the reins once, and the skeletons tore off down the street, clattering noisily. Shudderbones and Applejack turned away, chuckling merrily as the other's carriage arrived.

The six mares all went separate ways, towards their dates. Applejack went inside with Shudderbones, Rainbow Dash with Soarin, Twilight with a pegasus stallion (Shudderbones believed his name was Flash, or something of the sort). Pinkie had flung herself out of the carriage and was caught by stallion with a similar manestyle, wearing a cowboy hat and a poncho. Fluttershy's date was a bit of an oddity. Shudderbones did not know who he was, but he wasn't a pony. He was long, snake-like and looked like somepony had just grabbed a bunch of animals and stitched them together nonsensically. He called himself "Discord", which Shudderbones found amusing.

They entered the lavish hall, already filled with high society Canterlot ponies. Classical, yet upbeat, music was provided by a pretty mare playing the viola, and a crazy-maned mare at a disk jockey's booth.

Immediately, Shudderbones and Applejack lose the others. Applejack didn't seem alarmed, she simply led Shudderbones towards one of the several tables set up about the hall. They sat down, and immediately one of the waitstaff galloped over to take their orders.

"Just a cider'll do me fine, thank ya kindly."
"Same." Shudderbones grunted. He was never one for parties.

Shudderbones turned towards his date. They locked eyes for a moment, his glowing purple eyes looking into her green ones. The waiter trotted back, handing them two shiny silver goblets. Nodding to each other, they delved into their beverages. Then Shudderbones choked.

His reflection through the silver goblet had glared back at him. Green and red eyes, with purple energy crackling at their edges. Shudderbones coughed several times, and Applejack looked to him in alarm.

"Shudders? Are ya alright?" She asked softly.
He nodded, still coughing, and ran for the closest mirror. He made sure to look down at his coat and mane before he looked. He appeared to be normal. He gazed about. Nopony else besides a concerned Applejack had noticed him. She was still looking at him, from her place across the hall. Then he turned towards his reflection in the large hall mirror.

He gasped.

The Nightmare Shudderbones stood before him, grinning. In place of convenient pony teeth, he had sharp fangs. The eyes crackled, swirling with absolute evil. The Nightmare wore not Shudderbones' outfit, but the billowing cape of shadows he had seen in his dreams. He glared back at the shade, angered.

"What are you doing here, vile thing? I told you, NO."

In a fit of rage, Shudderbones kicked out his forehoof, and the mirror split, it's shattered pieces raining down upon him. The music stopped, all chatter and movement halted. Shudderbones turned turned from the now empty frame and glared at the others in the hall.

All of them had looks of fear and disgust on their faces.

He was feared.

He would always be feared.

He felt tears leave his cheeks as realized what was happening. He wasn't going to be having his happily ever after.

He was the bad guy.

He was suddenly engulfed in darkness. He only saw red as his sadness turned back into rage. His outfit shred itself from his darkening coat, the pieces swirling about him as his eyes closed. They burned. He was screaming.

"Everypony stop being such damn COWARDS!"

His eyes opened, revealing green and red eyes. Purple energy lapsed over the edges, producing thin trails of raw magic. He felt a cape, the cape of the Nightmare, materialize about his shoulders. He grinned, feeling fangs in his mouth. One quick glance at his cutie mark revealed it had transformed into a skull.

Looking down at the shattered pieces of glass, he saw that the transformation was complete. Nightmare Shudderbones raised his head and let out a wicked cackle. Everypony in the room screamed. He let out a lance of magical energy from his horn, striking the ground. Immediately, skeletal hooves erupted from between the tiles, clawing their way out of the floor.

A white Alicorn flew up into the air, and fired a single beam of light at the necromancer. Nightmare Shudderbones vanished and re-materialized at her side, his cape flapping like a bat's wings. He sent a jolt of purple lightning directly into her heart.

She fell from the sky, and crashed into the floor.

Apple Jewel

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Applejack watched as the Princess fell from the air, striking the floor with a sickening crack. Fear had engulfed the orange mare's heart, fear and worry, worry for the stallion who she had fallen for.

The nightmarish demon that proclaimed itself to be Shudderbones was cackling above them, reveling at his obvious victory. Skeletons and ghouls had been summoned, corralling the ponies together. Trapping them.

Princess Luna had completely ignored Shudderbones, flying immediately to rescue her sister. Twilight was struggling against the many spells of skeletal unicorns. Nopony could save them. No pony, of course.

Discord curled up into the air, facing Shudderbones with a confident smirk.

"Hello, Skinnybones. Think you can manage to take on the Master of Chaos?"
Nightmare Shudderbones snarled.
"Yes." He hissed.

Suddenly a full-grown dragon, made completely out of darkness erupted from the floor, snapping up the draconequus. Applejack heard Fluttershy let out a scream. Moments later, a flash of light dissolved the dragon, and Discord floated triumphantly before Nightmare Shudderbones. Everypony in the hall cheered. Until Shudderbones swooped upon the bowing draconequus.

With a single spell, Discord was rendered immobile, and he too crashed into the stone floor, beside the fallen Princess. Fluttershy broke free from the grasp of a giant griffon skeleton, sobbing uncontrollably. She fell before the draconequus.

Everypony looked up in fear at Nightmare Shudderbones, who tsked slowly.

"Now that that has been dealt with, anypony else want to take a gander?" He sniggered. Applejack felt heartbroken. She realized she was crying. What had happened to him? An hour ago, he had been riding calmly with her in an old apple cart. Now he had... she ddn't want to think about what he had done to the Princess or to Discord.

Pinkie Pie was suddenly beside her, holding her. Pinkie glared up at the necromancer.

"SHUDDERBONES! YOU BROKE A PINKIE PROMISE!" She shrieked at him. He turned towards her. Pinkie shrunk as the evil eyes met hers.

He then turned to Applejack. Suddenly, he was different. His eyes returned to normal, his coat lightened. He had a look of horror on his face. Applejack felt her heart swell up with hope, and she reached out a hoof to the levitating stallion. But then he relapsed, once again the sneering Nightmare.

"No! Shudderbones, stop! Think about us!" She cried out, "We love ya, Shudders! Granny loves ya! Big Mac loves ya! Apple Bloom loves ya! I - I LOVE YA!" The stallion landed before her, sniggering. She couldn't help but cry more, harder. So much for crying on the inside.

"Pitiful. To think a stupid hick like you would have dreams of being with Shudderbones-"
"So yer not the same pony!"
"Pony? Ahahahaha... Dear Applejack, I am so, SO much more." To punctuate, he let out a burst of purple light. But this wasn't the warm purple light that Applejack knew. This was sheer evil pouring from Nightmare Shudderbones' horn. The beam of corruption seeped about, transmuting all of the hall, and possibly all of the castle, into a hellscape.

The marble became obsidian, the tiles became rugged stones. All the gems lost their luster and became orbs of darkness.

"Now," Nightmare Shudderbones whispered, looking at Twilight this time, "get out."

And they didn't have to be asked twice.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Applejack sobbed beside her friends outside the castle. Her mane had been ruined, as had her dress, now riddled with tears (from her eyes and gaping holes along the fabric). She had proclaimed her love for Shudderbones, but not towards him. It was towards a monster.

But she knew that wasn't the real Shudderbones. It was something wearing him like a mask. Using his talents.

But still, hearing that horrible remark come from his mouth, calling her a 'hick'...

She cried harder, grabbing onto the also-crying Fluttershy.

Celestia and Discord were okay, but they both appeared to be catatonic. Like they were asleep. Frequently they lashed out; screaming at unseen horrors. It scared them all. Twilight hadn't been able to cure them, and several pony doctors had walked away, shaking their heads in disbelief. The castle had changed, becoming a mass of jutting spires, reaching up into the starless night sky.

There was not only a linger of fear among the Canterlot ponies, but one of hopelessness.

Their Princess defeated, and the other desperately trying to awaken her, they truly seemed defeated. Was this the end of Equestria?

For what seemed like the umpteenth time now, Applejack's heart swelled. No. She picked herself up off the ground.

This wasn't the end of Equestria. And it wasn't the end of Shudderbones either.

"Somepony get mah hat. I'm gonna save him."

- - - - - - - - -

Dress off and hat on her tied-back mane, she had galloped full speed AWAY from the castle. She wasn't going to save him that way. She was no where NEAR strong enough to take him on directly.

She had went ahead of her friends, who dashed off to find the Elements of Harmony (just in case, Twilight had promised), and Applejack had made her way to the Bones Manor. She had to find something, anything, that could tell her what had happened to the kind, loving stallion. She had given up over the library. There were too many books of Dark magic, and Shudderbones had specifically warned her of the dangers of even flipping through some of them. She checked his bedroom.

In the middle of the room was an ornate four-poster bed. Her imagination strayed, picturing the dark handsome stallion upon the bed becoming her to join him so they could...

She shook her head. There wasn't time for fantasies. Shudderbones was in trouble. She noticed an open book, lying cover-up on the floor. It was titled 'Faerie Tails From Across The Land'. She flipped over the book.

"Starswirl an' The Necromancer," Applejack read aloud. She skimmed the short story. "Oh no... Shudders... you can still have a happy ending..."

There was an envelope not far from where the book had laid.

It looked like it had been forgotten. He probably left it behind when they had gone to the Gala. She flipped it over, and was surprised to see her name in gold letters across the front.

She tore it open with her teeth, and quickly used her hooves to unfold the letter. She began to read, imagining that Shudderbones was reading it aloud to her. Knowing him, that was probably what he would have done.

My Dearest Applejack,

We have had the greatest fortune of knowing each other for but a month now.
I know that whatever relationship we have developed in that time is rushed, but I do hope that it will continue to blossom.
Before the day I met those fillies, I was nothing but an empty, terrible mess.
And then you, and the Apple family, came into my life.
Ever since, my morning have seemed brighter and more hopeful.
Every day, I'd see you, and my heart would soar.
I love you, Applejack. And I can only hope you will be able to love me back.
And maybe then, we can have a happily ever after.

"Shudders"

"Ah do love ya, Shudderbones..." She whispered. She had smiled weakly when he saw that he had signed it has her nickname for him. She had a lightbulb moment as she realized what she could do.

Her dawning was interrupted by the creaking of floorboards.

Turning in alarm, she gasped as she saw a mare's skeleton behind her. But this skeleton wasn't attacking her. It cocked it's skull. Applejack noticed the large crack over the side of it.

"Numbskull? Is that you?"

The skeleton mare nodded eagerly.

"Oh Sweet Celestia! Ya have to come with me! Shudders is in trouble!"

She looked hesitant, but the skeleton quickly nodded again.
It was settled. Together, the two mares, one dead and one alive, went to save the connection between Life and the Afterlife.

The Connection

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The walls of Canterlot had begun to shift, and strange portals were opening about the place. Out of them, torrents of ghostly specters flooded into the city, moaning and wrecking havoc.

Ghouls had overrun Celestia's school, while the Princess lay thrashing, having endless nightmares from the curse cast by the Nightmare Shudderbones. Discord too was flailing, letting out horrible cries. Ponies all over were crying, screaming in fear as poltergeists and evil spirits invaded their homes. Twilight turned to the Princess of the Night, hoping for an explanation.

"The barriers between Life and the Afterlife have always been weak, which is why we have spirits residing among the living. Shudderbones, and yes we acknowledged his existence, we only avoided him because his psyche seemed so fragile... Shudderbones was one of the few things keeping the dead from chaotically mingling with the living. Now that he in essence is gone... those walls between us and the Afterlife are breaking. Soon we will have a world where nopony dies."

Twilight pondered this for a moment before asking:

"But wouldn't that be a good thing?"
"One would think so. But spirits are chaotic, they would still exist, tormenting our undying souls for all of eternity. Not to mention, just because we have everlasting life does not mean we have everlasting youth. We would keep growing older and more decrepit, or very existence becoming agonizing."
"So... what do we have to do?"
"You have the Elements, yes?"
"Yes, we're just waiting for Applejack to come back."
"Good. Unless you are able to restore him to his former purity, you will have to encase him in stone. Much like you had done with Discord in the past. He will still be alive, maintaining the openings for the dead to cross over and for the living to call upon them for assistance, but he will be imprisoned. Forever doomed to eternally maintain the gates."

Twilight nodded somberly. Luna had said 'unless you are able'. That meant the likelihood of saving Shudderbones was minimal. They would have to destroy him. She bowed her head low. Applejack wouldn't like that.

= = = = = = = = = = =

"C'mon, Numbskull, we ain't got that much time!"

The skeleton mare clattered as she clumsily flailed about behind the galloping orange pony. Applejack had the letter tucked into her hat. She wore the thin black nylon stockings she had first worn when she defeated the chimera to save Apple Bloom. Now she was wearing them to save the love of her life from himself. Her lasso was slung around her neck, trailing slightly off her left side.

They suddenly hit the brakes, screeching to a stop as a vast blue portal opened in front of them, right in the middle of the dirt road.

""Whoaaaaaa nelly!" Applejack shouted, sticking out a foreleg to keep Numbskull from falling in.

From the portal, several moaning specters floated off. By they're horrible stench, it was a flock of ghouls. They snarled and howled as they passed, and Applejack held her nose with her other hoof. She looked down at the portal and then quickly worked her way around it. Back on the road again, Numbskull and Applejack doubled their speed, thundering towards Canterlot and to the castle where Shudderbones was.

= = = = = = = = = = = =

Inside the castle, the Nightmare Shudderbones stood, eyes closed. His host was fighting. Fighting as hard as he could.

Nightmare Shudderbones opened his eyes, glaring out into the world. He didn't know why Shudderbones loved this place. Or that disgusting family of plebeian Earth ponies. Instantly, a searing pain etched across his brain, and suddenly he was shouting.

"Don't you talk about them like that, you fil-" Shaking his head violently, Nightmare Shudderbones quickly regained control. This was a strong one. But he was the one the Nightmare needed.

He moved, stepping about the Princess of the Sun's bed chamber. He entered the balcony, gazing down upon the chaos below. Ponies screamed and cried, foals lost from their mothers, families torn from their homes. Ghosts, ghouls, poltergeists, and other peculiarities thundered across the darkened landscape. See the cloudy night sky, the Nightmare realized that was a plus of cursing Princess Celestia. The sun would not rise.

Leering, the Nightmare turned back inside. This was getting interesting.

= = = = = = = = = = = =

Twilight and Luna gazed up at the cold spires of the Corrupted Castle. Above it, swirling thunderclouds boomed and flashed, sending streaks of lighting across the sky. Twilight shuddered as Luna spoke in a hushed tone.

"We may need to evacuate the city. We could move the Canterlot population to the Crystal Empire. I am sure Princess Candace would have no problem helping her sister kingdom."

Twilight nodded sadly. Luna had sent a message to Spike, and the young dragon was on his way to help in any way he could. Her friends all wore their Elements of Harmony. They were simply waiting for Applejack, the Element of Honesty sparkling on the ground between them. Suddenly, the orange mare popped into view, wearing a strange outfit, followed by a skeleton with a cracked skull.

"Now y'all, this here's Numbskull. She's on our side. Lemme get my Element an' Ah'll meet ya up in the castle."

With that, she snatched up the Element of Honesty and disappeared once more, leaving behind the mare skeleton. It looked at Twilight and waved a foreleg. Then socked a ghoul that had been sneaking up on her in the jaw. Apparently reanimated skeletons can touch ghosts.

"Okayyy... well then, girls, skeleton. Let's go."

= = = = = = = = = = = = =

Nightmare Shudderbones sat on Celestia's bed, rubbing his temples gently with his hooves. His head ached, sending arches of pain across his body.

A pounding at the door broke him from his reverie. Scowling he flung himself from the bed into the center of the room. Just then, the orange farmer mare bucked down the doors, and they crashed onto the floor. The Element of Honesty shined on her chest. The Nightmare flinched, the light from the gemstone flashing across the room. He snarled.

With a simple flick of her head, she whipped out her lasso. His horn glowed as he prepared a curse. She flung the lasso, wrapping around his horn. She pulled and his head jerked, smashing into the floor. The curse went off, rebounding past the door frame and into the hall. The fall had dazed the Nightmare. Applejack began to shout at him.

"Shudders! Ah know you're in there, somewhere! Ah read your letter! Why didn't ya jus' tell me ya loved me?! Because ah love ya, too! Please, Shudders. Come back to us!"

A dazed Nightmare Shudderbones got to his hooves, standing tall and imposing before the mare. He growled, a deep, primal sound.

"Every mornin' seemed brighter, remember? More hopeful? Ya said... every time ya saw me your heart would soar. Others may be scared of ya, but we love ya, Shudders. An' that's all that matters."

The demon stopped growling, and again Shudderbones was before her, a look of horror on his face.

"Applejack! Run! Save yourself!"
"No! Ah'm gonna stay right here until... until..."
The demon-pony returned, cackling madly.
"Ah'm gonna stay right here by your side until we have a happily ever after!"

The Nightmare gasped. Then started to cough. Suddenly Shudderbones returned with a BOOM, darkness began swirling about, moving away from him. Applejack ran to him, wrapping her hooves around him. She had to get him out of here.

Delirious, Shudderbones began to mumble under his breath.

"I like your mane. So pretty... Where's Numbskull? She needs to bring you tea... Mmmmm... tea with my fair lady..." He dipped his head back and passed out.
"C'mon, lover-boy," Applejack said, scared he might relapse again, "let's get outta here." She picked up the heavy stallion, slinging him across her back. She trotted towards the door, before noticing the swirling darkness that had left Shudderbones' body. It was swelling upwards. Getting bigger, more solid.

Suddenly there was a pony.

"S-Sombra?" Applejack stammered, looking at the tall, regal umbrum before her. Last time she had seen the shadow pony, he had been attacking the Crystal Empire. It merely laughed, a chilling sound that froze her nerves.

"Sombra? No... I am Oscurdia. And I no longer need that fool's body anymore. He is useless to me now. I have obtained his powers, now he's just a meat-sack to me." It hissed. "Now run, run little farmer pony, and remember."

It swooped frighteningly close to her face. It whispered.

"You can't hide."

Horse Jesus

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She ran.

Shudderbones was lost to the world, slung unceremoniously across her back.

She had Shudderbones, unconscious but safe. She had saved him. Now Applejack just had to run. Run and never look back.

Behind her, the umbrum that called itself Oscurdia cackled. The castle was becoming more corrupted by the second, its many halls twisting and curving about. Almost like they were alive. She continually dodged creaking skeletons and ghouls. She had no time to fight. She had to get Shudderbones to safety.

Over her shoulder, he mumbled into her ear in his sleep.

"Applejack..."

She kept running, his muttering energizing her. With a single bound, she leapt over a forming crevasse, not even looking back or acknowledging it.

"I love you..."

A skeletal stallion stepped before her. It raised a hoof, ready to stop her. Applejack whirled around and bucked the skeleton in the rib-cage. The entire skeleton collapsed, and she continued as the skeleton started to reassemble itself behind her.

"Marry me..."

Applejack flushed. Then she remembered he was delirious and unconscious. He was probably just dreaming. Finally, she entered the main hall, where many hours earlier they had been enjoying themselves, sipping cider in the moonlight.

A horde of blue ghosts moan and screamed above her, floating along the ceiling. At least they hadn't attacked her. She didn't stop running. Her hooves crunched as she stepped on broken shards of the hall mirror. Then she trotted out the open door. For some reason everypony waiting outside let out a cheer.

She looked incredulous. The other Elements, her five friends, and Luna were looking at her in worry. They weren't cheering.

Applejack suddenly realized they thought she had defeated Shudderbones. They thought Shudderbones was the evil one.

"No! Everypony, Shudders here wasn' the bad guy! He was bein' possessed! I swear!" They ignored her, but Twilight and the others approached her and the crumpled necromancer lying beside her.

"We believe you, Applejack."
Luna suddenly spoke up.
"Who or what was he being possessed by?"
"It was one a them shadow pony things. Like Sombra! But it laughed when I called 'im that. Called itself 'Oscurdia'."

Shudderbones groaned from his position on the ground. His mane and coat had turned back to their normal colors or light grey, black, and royal purple. His cutie mark had turned back to the ankh. Applejack found she preferred the looped cross to the chilling skull that was there before.
He opened his eyes, thankfully turned back to their warm purple. Applejack breathed a sigh of relief and helped him up onto his hooves. He was still wobbly, and had to lean against her lightly to stay standing. Applejack didn't mind, though. She was just glad he was okay.

"Where am I?" He mumbled. His eyes didn't shine like they usually did. They were dulled, like a light inside them had been extinguished. It reminded Applejack of a lantern that had run out of fuel.

"You're safe," she replied sweetly, "an' that's all that matters."

= = = = = = = = = = =

The others helped her in getting the unstable unicorn down the steps. Luna explained to the Canterlot citizens that Shudderbones was not the evil monster they had seen. He had been possessed, she said, by a demon named Oscurdia. Meanwhile, the Royal Guard had reassembled, and they prepared to storm the castle with the reactivated Princess Luna. Applejack watched the action from her position at Shudderbones' bedside in the makeshift hospital just outside the Corrupted Castle's gates. Shudderbones had been placed beside Princess Celestia and Discord, a symbol of respect that Applejack appreciated.

Shudderbones had promised to work on a counter-curse to the two Greats' afflictions. He had only needed sleep, at least for a while. He had made Applejack promise to stay by him until he awoke, to which she had happily obliged.

Canterlot was in ruins.

Portals had torn apart houses and shops, opening up gateways to the realms of the Afterlife. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had gone for a quick flight to gather the citizens of Cloudsdale to help. Twilight had joined Luna, wanted to help face the umbrum. Pinkie Pie and Rarity were running about, helping those in need.

"Hello, Applejack."

She turned. Shudderbones was awake. His eyes were once more luminous. Applejack grinned at him. Shudderbones smiled back weakly as he climbed out of the bed. He limped slightly as he walked, favoring his right hind leg. But he didn't complain. She knew he wouldn't.

He turned into her general direction, from his position between the princess and the draconequus. He was already working on a cure, as promised. His look of confidence and concentration threw Applejack off.

"Now, I think the curse may just be a-"

He was cut off as Applejack suddenly leapt towards him, mashing her lips into his. The kiss lasted for seconds, but it still shook Shudderbones to the core. Eyes wide, and blushing, he started to blubber.

"I-I-I... I was s-s-s-saying..." She giggled and blushed, honestly the most feminine thing Shudderbones had seen her do.

"Alright lover-boy. Ah'll leave ya to getiin' them two back in order. Ah'll talk to ya later."

And with that, she skipped into a trot, winking at him he left. Shudderbones gulped.

What had just happened? He asked himself.

= = = = = = = = = =

Shudderbones stood over the two sleeping great, still occasionally bursting into fits of terror. They had obviously been cursed with some form of forced nightmare. Possibly one that the umbrum that had possessed him controlled directly. Like a partial possession. He knew what he needed to do.

He needed to exorcise the Good Princess and the Master of Chaos.

He had been given a ready supply of tools and some medical instruments. Of course, there were a few herbs. Digging around in a medical bag, Shudderbones found some incense. He placed it on the pavement, lighting it. Instantly the air filled with it's burning scent, purifying it.

He began to chant, his eyes glowing brightly. His horn crackled with purple and green light, washing over the two. They had been firmly tied down. Discord had be be tied down to two beds. Shudderbones prepared himself for a hell of a ride.

They had already began to writhe, the nightmares trapping them resisting his pull. He chanted louder. Shudderbones felt them fighting him, trying to remain in the minds of the two. They started to thrash, threatening to flip their respective beds. He felt the umbrum's grip on them weaken. Finally, with a shout that he couldn't explain, Shudderbones bellowed to the shaking duo.

"THE POWER OF HORSE JESUS COMPELS YOU!"

He had no idea where that had come from. He didn't even know who 'Horse Jesus' was. But it worked, all the same.

They both gasped, eyes flying open. Exhausted once more, Shudderbones did a quick spell and Celestia and Discord sprung from their bindings. Both Princess Celestia and the draconequus glared at the necromancer, and prepared to lunge for him together when a sharp country voice stopped them in their tracks.

"NOW DON'T Y'ALL DARE TOUCH MY COLTFRIEND!" Applejack hollered. Celestia and Discord, shocked, halted mid-leap, and crashed onto the floor. "Y'all gotta be jokin', he saved yer sorry skins from dem nightmares, an' you repay 'im by attackin' 'im?" Celestia, Discord, and Shudderbones were all shocked by her scolding. The Alicorn and serpentine creature looked from Applejack to Shudderbones, shocked.

Shudderbones squee'd, grinning sheepishly as he waved a hoof at the incredulous two.

"Hello." He said, unsure of how else to greet them. They had just about attacked him, of course. Surprisingly, she rounded on him, too.

"AND YOU! Yer mah coltfriend. Case closed. Ah'll be back ta helpin' Twilight now. Later, hon." Once again, she trotted from the room. As she passed Shudderbones, she flicked her tail, running along the bottom of his jaw. Flushing, he turned to the two. Their jaws had dropped. Shudderbones scowled.

"Close your mouths. It's rude. And I guess I have to fill you in on whats happening. You've been out for as long as I have been, but I've had a head start, as you can tell."

His First Marefriend

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Princess Celestia had joined Princess Luna in storming the castle.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had brought back the Wonderbolts and a battalion of Pegasi soldiers.

Discord had reunited with Fluttershy, the two hugging and then tending to the injured together.

Spike had joined Twilight, the two doing research on umbrums at the Canterlot Main Library.

Pinkie Pie and Rarity had worked together building makeshift tents.

And Shudderbones suddenly had a new marefriend.

Applejack would repeatedly enter Shudderbones' tent as he helped the Princesses draw up battle plans and learn simple banishing spells. She would often hand him a pastry of sorts every few hours, giving him a kiss and a nuzzle on the neck, then going off again to help others in any way she could. Shudderbones loved the sudden relationship, but he wished she'd stop being so open about it. It was getting embarrassing turning back to the Princesses, blushing furiously. Her having called him "hon" and "sugar". And unexpected kisses and lovely nuzzles. The last few times, though, he had managed to nuzzle back and kiss her as well.

The plans he and the Princesses had drawn up were pretty sketchy. The two had apparently taken out an umbrum before. But that umbrum had returned. They wanted to make sure this umbrum went down and stayed down. They were discussing possible banishing spells when Applejack entered for the fifth time that morning (Celestia claimed it was still morning, but the Sun remained down, they did not want to alert Oscurdia).

"Howdy, Princess. Howdy, Princess." She said cheerily to the two Alicorns. "Hey, sugar." She added silkily, trotting up and rubbing her nose against Shudderbones', bearing half-lidded eyes. She gave him a quick peck, and then dug around in the satchel she was carrying, her gaze not once breaking away from his.

"Twilight asked me ta give this ta y'all," she announced, pulling out an ancient scroll, "supposed to be one a' Starswirl's banishin' spells." Shudderbones eagerly snatched it in a levitation spell, unfurling it.

The title read: "The Bell to Tartarus".

Shudderbones gasped. It was the spell from the storybook. A bell summoned by Starswirl, that rang and banished Grogar and Tambelon to Tartarus.

For a moment, he had the desire to shred the scroll to tatters. But then he remembered that he wasn't the bad guy here. He was the good guy. At least he hoped he was. Applejack gave him a quick kiss goodbye and then skipped away. She seemed oddly happy and flamboyant considering the circumstances.

He turned to the Princesses. He found he wasn't blushing this time. Maybe he was getting used to it?

"That mare loves you a lot, my little pony." Celestia said.
Shudderbones let out a sigh.

"I know... And I love her, too... More than anything! But I'm worried..."

Suddenly both Princesses seemed more interested in his relationship than in the task at hoof. Were all mares like this?

"What do you worry about?" Luna asked.
"Do you two... Do you think I'm a good guy? Like, I'm not a villain. I'm a hero?"
The Alicorns looked at each other.
"You are who you make yourself out to be." Celestia answered.
"And who am I?"
"You're Shudderbones."
"No, I mean, what is my purpose? How do I do good?"

"We have always known about you, Shudderbones," Celestia admitted, "ever since the day we got a letter saying a young necromancer attacked Ponyville. We knew you hadn't really attacked them. So we kept an eye on you. We discovered your true purpose here in Equestria."

Shudderbones raised an eyebrow, his glowing eyes widening.

"And that purpose to keep the Life and the Afterlife in coexistence. Separate, but assisting each other. And I, in my own opinion, believe that Oscurdia possessed you because of that. Obtaining your powers would mean there is not one who is maintaining the balance, but two. And one who should be maintaining is simply wrecking havoc. That is why we have to use this," Celestia gestured at the Bell Spell, "to remove him from Equestria before he deals irreversible damage."

Shudderbones looked outside the tent flaps. He had closed off all the nearby portals into the Afterlife, but more of the giant blue wells had formed in the distant. They were still able to be closed, it was just the sheer quantity of them all...

Shudderbones gazed now into a mirror. Rarity must have put it there. Who knows why. Shudderbones looked into it anyways. He was relieved to see a very sleepy, very stressed out Shudderbones stare back rather than the Nightmare Shudderbones.

Learning he was himself again, and that he was indeed going to remain as himself was a huge relief. Suddenly a happily ever after, and a promising future with Applejack. As he and the Princesses stepped up to the top of the stairs before the castle, Shudderbones was thrust into a world of possibilities.

Courting, marriage. Then... a family. Shudderbones wondered what the child of a unicorn necromancer and an Earth pony farmer would turn out to be like.

His mind snapped back with a crash into reality.

"Luna will lead the Royal Guard in a storming of the Castle. Now, I will lead the Pegasi to form a curtain above the castle, to prevent the umbrum's escape. Shudderbones here will take the Elements of Harmony with them, and together, they will perform a spell to hopefully berid of the demon. It is a simple operation. Any questions?" Celestia boomed. "Very good. Now, to victory, my little ponies!"

With a roaring cheer, the Pegasi flew up with Celestia, and the Guard thundered into the Castle with Luna, The Elements, and Shudderbones.

- = - = - = - = - = -

Shudderbones stayed close with Applejack and her friends.

The battle around them was chaotic, everywhere they turned, somepony was locked in combat with any number of terrifying spirits. Shudderbones helped when he could, either reverting the spirits to their non-agitated states, or else banishing them. But he couldn't help everypony. He had to keep going. Only he was capable of casting the Bell Spell, and the Elements had to be present to power his necromancy.

Shudderbones stuck by Applejack's side, sending flashes of light towards anything that lunged for her. The had their tails wrapped tightly together, so they wouldn't lose each other in the battle.

They had reached the crumbling stairs, and the two and the other Elements were struggling to climb them. Occasionally, Rarity, Twilight, or Shudderbones would levitate Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were flying overhead, not daring to venture forth to even scout for them.

They inched their way up, listening to the clatter below. Eventually they had climbed so high that the only noise they heard was the flapping of wings and their own hoofsteps. Applejack pressed up against Shudderbones. It was more out of fear than for the sake of flirting. He couldn't help but use his tail to sweep her closer. The air in the stairwell had gone stale. There was evil near them.

He could sense it.

Suddenly, they all heard a terrible shriek from above them. The girls screamed as a ghoul popped out of the wall, lunging for them. It had even startled Shudderbones. He sent out a banishment spell, and the ghoul dissipated.

They trudged on, avoiding anymore ghouls and making sure that they remained unheard. As far as they knew, Oscurdia only knew about the battle in the main hall. He didn't know about them, sneaking upstairs floor by floor, towards Celestia's bedchamber, where he lurked.

- = - = - = - = - = -

They reached Celestia's door. Pinkie Pie tentatively kicked a hoof at it, and it swung open with a dull roar. They all cringed. There was no way that Oscurdia hadn't heard that.

Silence. Twilight entered the room first, and then Shudderbones and Applejack. The two were close, not letting one stray too far from the other. The other shuffled in. The room was empty.

"So where the hay is he?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

That was when hell broke loose.

Oscurdia materialized, as did several poltergeists and skeletal warriors. Oscurdia had sent out a shadowy lightning bolt, shooting it directly towards Shudderbones, who was unprepared. The poltergeists swooped upon the Princess, and the warriors attacked the other Elements as the bolt arched towards Shudderbones. Everything happened in slow motion.

Shudderbones felt Applejack leave his side, stepping right in front of him. She looked to him, smiling weakly. Milliseconds had passed in what seemed like minutes. Before he could do anything, the bolt of shadows struck Applejack.

He leapt forward, catching her in his hooves as he watched the life blink out from her eyes. Time resumed as he cradled her. Shudderbones watched as Applejack, his first marefriend and the only pony he would ever love, died in his hooves.

The Necromancer of Flame Geyser Swamp

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Shudderbones let out a cry.

A cry of horror, of sadness, of rage, of disbelief.

Applejack lay dead, cradled in his forelegs. Her eyes had glazed over already. Her beautiful features expressionless. Around him he heard her friends cry out her name and his, warning him about the approaching danger. But Shudderbones didn't care. Applejack was dead.

It was déjà-vu. He had watched his family die before. And now he had watched the love of his life die. But now, he finally realized, he could save her. He was a necromancer. No. THE Necromancer. It was time for him to live up to his hated title. He was the Necromancer of Flame Geyser Swamp.

His horn glowing, and the purple in his eyes shining across the room, Shudderbones began to bellow a chant. He fueled the spell with his hatred for Oscurdia. He fueled the spell with his love for Applejack. He thought of what would happen if Applejack died. How he would die. How her family would be racked with grief. He channeled it.

And he brought her back.

She let out a hacking cough, and gasped for air.

"Sh-Sh-Shudders!" She called for him. Shudderbones swooped down upon her, relieved to see the light fully returned to her eyes. He couldn't help it. He kissed her. She melted into him, and for a moment they forgot the world around them.

Oscurdia halted his approach, flinching while letting out a loud hiss. His flinch had released his grip on the spirits momentarily. The poltergeists paused and the skeletons stopped. Twilight cast a spell, a simple banishing one, and the poltergeists flew off, squealing like pigs. Rainbow Dash and Rarity kicked off the Guard pony skeletons, shattering them into piles of dusty bones and rusted armor. Then, Shudderbones and Applejack pulled away from each other, still looking into each others eyes.

Oscurdia snarled.

"You scared off a few poltergeists and knocked over some bones. Good for you, but I'm still here."

"Yeah," Shudderbones rumbled, "but not for long."

Twilight cast the activation spell, and the Elements of Harmony began to glow, coating the room with a rainbow of light. Applejack left his grasp as she and the others were lifted into the air by their magic. Twilight directed the river of magic directly at Shudderbones. He felt it all enter him, empowering his Bell Spell.

Big adventure.

The Element of Loyalty filled him with courage and bravery. He felt dedicated to his mission.

Tons of fun.

The Element of Laughter poured happiness and positivism into his soul, Shudderbones couldn't help but smile and let out a roar of laughter.

A beautiful heart.

The Element of Generosity flooded him with the need to give. He had to perform this spell. For Equestria.

Faithful and strong.

The Element of Honesty, his beloved's element, helped him clear his mind. He could see her clearly, even though his eyes had closed.

Sharing kindness.

The Element of Kindness calmed him, washing over him with peace and love. He morphed that into the spell, and he felt the Bell of Grogar materialize between his hooves.

It's an easy feat.
And magic makes it all complete....

Finally, the Element of Magic filled him with such raw power, he strained to contain it all. He placed his horn on the materializing bell, and he opened his eyes. The rainbow in the room was suddenly met by a greyscale of shades, from blinding white, to the warmest of blacks. His own magic. He let out a cry as he struck the smooth silver bell once with his horn. Oscurdia let out a scream.

He looked to the umbrum, who was clawing at the tile floor with his hooves. He was being dragged into a portal, but not one of the blue ones, but a red one, with howls and moans emerging from it. Tartarus.

He looked to Shudderbones. Shudderbones saw fear in the shadow pony's face. And for once, he enjoyed seeing somepony look at him in fear. Twilight began to speak.

"You can curse. You can murder. You can try your best to make us fear you.
But you can't stop love." Shudderbones looked to Applejack, and she looked to him. They moved close to each other, interlocking his left foreleg and her right foreleg.
"And you can't stop friendship." She looked about, at each of her friends, and even at Shudderbones. He beamed.

And with that, Oscurdia lost his grip, and tumbled into the portal. Instantly, the portal collapsed. Shudderbones was surprised to still see the bell resting at his hooves. Levitating it up with his head, he studied the silver instrument. It was a plain silver bell, with the initials S.T.B. on the outside.

Starswirl the Bearded.

"No wonder the wizard kept so many bells," Twilight breathed, "he didn't want that falling into the wrong pony's hooves. But... I don't think you're the wrong pony. In fact, being the connection between Life and the Afterlife and all... I think you should keep the bell."

Shudderbones felt the bell float suddenly towards him, Twilight levitating the blue silk necklace over his head, letting the bell dangle over his chest. The bell that would the banishing portal to Tartarus, should he ring it with his horn. It would be useful, that's for sure.

Sunlight began to stream into the room as the sunrise woke finally after over three days (or six nights) of waiting. Together, the six mares and the stallion walked over onto the balcony. As they did, the ponies waiting eagerly below and the Pegasi hovering above erupted into stomping applause and cheers.

Shudderbones realized something.

This was it.

Beside the mare of his dreams, surrounded by friends, and adoptive family waiting for him back home.

This was his happily ever after.

And it felt good.

Epilogue: The End?

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SIX MONTHS LATER

The crowd cheered as the levitating Bones Manor touched down at the edge of Ponyville, on the dusty dirt road headed towards Sweet Apple Acres. Shudderbones, Twilight, Rarity, and other unicorns fell to their haunches, panting in exhaustion. The move had taken hours.

Shudderbones felt a familiar pair of hooves slip over his eyes. A mare cooed in a thick country accent.

"Guess who, lover-boy?"
Shudderbones grinned, playing along.

"Ummm... Granny Smith?"
"Nope!"
"Apple Bloom?"
"Nope!"
"Drat. Thought I had that one. Is this Numbskull?"
"Skeletons don' even have a coat of hair, Shudders. And they can't talk."
"Too shay... Could this be the most beautiful mare that I've ever seen?"

"That was corny, but still cute." Applejack said, revealing herself to him. He chuckled as she gave him a peck on the cheek and admired the Manor in it's new location. Ghosts and skeletons mucked about, getting re-situated and back in order. They watched as other ponies from the town went inside, to an open house and a potluck.

Numbskull approached them, creaking.

She gave a clatter.
"Granny and Big Mac are here? Excellent!"
Together, the two went to meet her sibling and grandmother.

After hugs and congrats from the both of them on the new house, Granny tottered off while Big Mac gave him a noogie.

"Geroffofme!"
"Nnnope!"

"So when are you two whippersnappers gettin' married?" Granny Smith shouted, "I want my Celestia-forsaken great-grandfoals!"

Applejack and Shudderbones looked at each other, reddening.

"We've..."
"...thought of it..."
"...but I dunno..."
"...seems too soon." Shudderbones finished. Applejack nodded in agreement.

Granny nodded in understanding, then beckoned for Big MacIntosh to help her up the porch and into Bones Manor. Shudderbones and Applejack looked at each other once more. Maybe next month, Shudderbones thought. Together, tails curled around each other's, they trotted up the porch and inside.

They had more adventures to come.

Shudderbones: The Necromancer of Flame Geyser Swamp

by SkelePone

Into The Swamp

The Midnight Stallion

Amends

Welcome to Panicville

A.J. & Mr. Bones

Apology Unaccepted

Death & Apples

What One Does For Bits

Embracing Nightmares

Dreams Will Come True, Right Here At The Gala

Apple Jewel

The Connection

Horse Jesus

His First Marefriend

The Necromancer of Flame Geyser Swamp

Epilogue: The End?