Pumpkinhead

  Washoe valley wasn't a place touched by the chaotic reign of Discord before the Royal Sisters stamped out the anarchist rule. Here many would call a peaceful living, no harm had ever fallen upon the small community that called this valley home.

  A small business owner stepped out of his lovely cottage, he takes in the morning air and sighs at the beautiful sight. His horn lighting in a familiar glow to him, but a small yawn brings him back to reality.

  "Green leaf? What are you doing out this early?" Came a very soft and caring voice. His wife, Heart's desire, stood beside him. "The sun has just rose and your out, anxious to get to work?"

  "Not at all, I want the day to be over to back with you my love." Green leaf smiled, Heart's desire leaned closer into him and enjoyed the sunrise. Together they sat down in silence not needing to say a word about the beauty of the scene. The sun rose over the peaks, shinning brightly upon the valley. "Beautiful as always my love, but I must be off before Helping Hooves gets to the store. You knows how pushy she is."

  The pair shared a light chuckle about Green leaf's coworker ironic behavior. Today was starting off like a well established day, Green leaf's wife was showing the world her award winning smile. Princess Celestia gave this day her best.

  Once Heart's desire went back inside the cottage Green leaf trotted towards the rest of the township with a skip in his step, joy filled his heart as tomorrow would his day off. An entire day with Heart's desire, Green leaf wouldn't miss it for the world.

  "Good morning Green leaf."

  "Morning to you as well!" Green leaf replied to each pony who greeted him as he continued to his workplace. Nothing could bring him down.

  ( Canterlot, present day)

  "Excuse me Princess Celestia, but Lord Fancy Pants is here to see you." Came the voice a young maid.

  "Well Twilight, I will continue the story once I get back." With that Celestia left, leaving behind a very curious Princess.

  Alone in a room with a very large book, Twilight looked over it with careful detail outlined in her mind. The tassel was very peculiar, a soft blue silk with a bright yellow braid. Twilight slowly pulled out the tassel to find gold lettering on it's face. It read "Life has smiled upon you, Star gleam".

  "Who is Star gleam?" Twilight asked to no one in peculiar.

  "She was a very beautiful child, and she held so much promise. I met her only once. If fate been kinder to, we might have had one more princess ruling along side us. But that come later in the story my dear, let us continue." Celestia spoke, giving Twilight a fright at first.

  (Washoe valley, two hundred years ago)

  "Hello Helping Hooves, I didn't keep you too long did I?" Green leaf smiled as he opened the door. "I'm sorry if I did, but my wife and I were making plans for tomorrow night."

  "It wasn't that long of a wait, but five minutes later then we would have some words." Helping Hooves replied as she prepared for the day, moving a large barrel of apple cider to it's sell position. "Cats haven't been keeping their worth here, I can see mice holes. Tell me Green leaf, what you and the misses going to do tomorrow?"

  "We haven't made much plans yet, but we are going to the lake. That much we did decided on." Green leaf chuckled. "So how's the church?"

  "Oh the church is doing wonderfully, we praise the sun goddess in hopes of the crops growing. We also just got a new pony in the church. When are you and Heart's desire gonna join?"

  "We haven't given it much consideration, you know trying for a family and whatnot. But we may join later on once we have a child." Green leaf stated with his hoof to his chin. "Oh well no one can see the future."

  (Canterlot, present day)

  "You had a religion based on you?! I've known you were revered but to be praised as a deity, what was that like?" The ever inquesitive Twilight asked politely.

  "It wasn't a horrible experience, to be held in such a way is wonderful for a time. But I never made claims to being a goddess, but in the many rural areas I'm still worshipped." Sighed Celestia as she gave her answer. "Funny to see myself so high on a social ladder when I just kept Equestria running."

  (Washoe valley, two hundred years ago)

  "Yeah damned path down over to the deep woods, I still will never understand why that witch lives out there." Helping Hooves commented to restart the conversation with Green leaf, who had stayed quiet. "Heard she was only a little filly when she was caught in a fire. Can't say if it's true or not, never met her."

  "What I don't understand is why she's a witch when we unicorns in town that can do things some witch hasn't. I mean I was such a little guy back then when she first moved here, but she couldn't even lift a rock with her magic. It seems odd to call her a witch, all I'm saying is how do we even know she can spook half the town without stepping a single hoof in it?" Green leaf countered.

  "Hey there is one way to find out isn't there?" Helping Hooves grinned, Green leaf's mind could put the pieces together.

  "We're going to visit the witch? Wow I've heard some stupid things but that takes the cake."

  "You're scared, it's alright. Surely you never wanted to know why she's out there in the first place huh? But hey, I understand." Helping Hooves goaded Green leaf.

  "That's not what I said! I'm not scared of anything! I got married so put that in your pipe and smoke it!" Green leaf shouted back to the now laughing Helping Hooves.

  "Alright, prove it. Tonight we head out that way, we see the witch."

  "Fine, after work we go. I know that you won't have the gall to go the whole way."

  (Evening, four hours till midnight)

  "Come on, keep up Green leaf! We're not stopping until we find her cabin!"

  "I *huff* I *huff* haven't run *huff* in a long time." Green leaf panted trying to keep up with Helping Hooves, who had a good fifteen feet lead. Green leaf struggled to keep up with the younger mare as she bolted down the barely visible path. "W- *huff* wait *huff* for me."

  "Fine!" Helping Hooves stopped, waiting for her friend as he slowly caught up. Slowly but surely he stood next to her, his head low and his chest heaving for air. "Wow you need some exercise my friend. We are going to start running before the week is out."

  Ahead of the pair stood a darker section of woods with thick gnarled roots jutting from the ground, low hanging branches aiming to swipe at a face or two should they be close enough. The trees were parted just enough for the path to be seen, it twisted to the left just beyond sight. The two stopped at this opening, eyeing the hard packed dirt with suspension. With nothing more than a nod they continued.

  The sounds were no longer lingering in the air, nothing but silence surrounded the duo. A light fog rolled around their hooves as they drew closer to their objective, they could hear a fire crackling just beyond sight.

  "Okay let's go back Helping Hooves, we made it this far."

  "Why'd you come into my home?" A gravely voice answered back.