The East Field

“Whooooo,” Pinkie Pie finished in classic ghost-story fashion with the traditional wavy arms and warbling howl.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle held each other close, a terrified expression on each of their faces. Apple Bloom sat by herself, a look of shock and disgust painted on hers. “That ain't funny,” she said.

Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes. “Of course it's not funny. We're telling spooky stories, not funny ones!”

Apple Bloom was upset. “But, my big sis never did none of that stuff! Why, Ma and Pa ain't even—”

“What did I never do none of?” Applejack interrupted her little sister as she stepped inside the barn.

Apple Bloom broke fully into tears as she ran to her sister's side. “Pinkie's been tellin' mean stories 'bout you an' Twilight an' Ma an' Pa!”

Applejack wrapped a hoof around Apple Bloom as her eyes narrowed on the pink pony. “Pinkie, you didn't tell 'em... that story, did you?”

Her pink friend nodded her head.

Anger flashed dark across Applejack's cheeks. “What the clop is wrong with you?” As a side thought, she leaned down to whisper to her little sister. “An' if I catch you usin' that word, don't think I won't tan your hide redder'n Big Mac's.” She turned her glare back to Pinkie. “That ain't the kind of story ya go tellin' to fillies! Hay, that ain't the kind of story ya go tellin to anypony!”

“Well, we were telling each other spooky stories,” Pinkie Pie explained, “and Scootaloo had this really great one about vamponies. So, of course I had to come up with something!”

Applejack opened her mouth to reply, but Sweetie Belle spoke first. “S-so you're saying you didn't kill Twilight and bury her in the orchard?”

“Of course not, hon. Twilight's just outside, helpin' me with the roof.” Applejack raised her voice to shout out of the open door. “Twi, can ya come inside for just a sec?”

There was a loud crash outside followed by a series of thumps. The occupants of the barn broke into horrified screams as four purple hooves dangled in the air just beyond the doorway.

“Whoa there!” Applejack rushed forward to lend her back to Twilight as she climbed the rest of the way down from the roof.

Twilight winced as she examined a scraped knee. “Thanks Applejack. The ladder fell and I--” The unicorn stopped as she looked over the horrified expressions inside. “What happened? Is everypony all right?”

The orange mare flicked her ears. “They're fine. Pinkie just told 'em... that story.”

Twilight's eyes widened. “Ohh.”

Pinkie Pie grinned. “Okay, now it's your turn, Apple Bloom. Tell us the scariest story you know!”

Apple Bloom scowled. “I don't think I wanna play no more.”

Sweetie Belle stood up. “Me neither.”

“Spooky stories are dumb, anyway,” Scootaloo joined in.

The pink party pony jumped up. “That means I win! Hooray!” Pinkie tossed confetti into the air.

“Twilight,” Applejack said flatly, “Get my rope.”

“And the shovel,” Twilight agreed.

Pinkie Pie waved at the Cutie Mark Crusaders as Applejack dragged her out of the barn by her tail. “Bye everypony! Maybe next time we can tell funny stories! I've got this great one that starts with Twilight going to visit Rarity for tea...”