Bitter Autumn

A cold breeze was blowing outside the Ponyville library where Twilight Sparkle and her close friend Spike resided. They were enjoying each other's company and reading books together by the fireplace. Spike was reading an action comic book while Twilight read a Gothic romance novel.

"I wish I had these powers," Spike stated.

"What would you use them for?"

"What do you you mean?"

"Well, you couldn't really fight villains too often since they don't show up much around here. What good are powers you can't use?"

"Maybe I could impress rarity."

"Someone's a show-off, aren't they," the purple Alicorn joked.

Spike stuck his tongue out in response.

"Don't be like that. I'm just kidding."

"It's still mean."

"I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

"Fine..."

"Hey, Mr. Grumpy Dragon, you want some coffee?"

"Nah. I'm still wide awake."

"Okay."

Twilight got up to pour herself a cup. When she was on her way back to her place on the floor, something caught her eye. At first, she couldn't make out what it was, then a figure began to form. Her interest was beginning to pique. It was unusual to see someone out and about at this hour.

"Spike, stay here for a minute. I have to go check something."

"Huh?"

Twilight ignored his question and and went outside.

"Sweet Celestia, it's like a freezer out here."

Twilight inched her way forward through the chilly weather. She called out to the unknown shadow.

"Hello!?"

There was no sound from the other end.

"Can you hear me!?"

Still nothing.

"Maybe they're deaf. I should go in for a closer look."

Twilight made her way closer to the unknown image in her retinas. It wouldn't remain unknown for long; or at least, not entirely unknown. When the shadow began to change into a visible mesh of color, Twilight's brain nearly fried trying to understand what she was seeing. If she hadn't known any better, she would've thought it was a nightmare night decoration, but the body shape was unfamiliar. She'd never seen anything like it before in her life.

"It can't be..."

The closer it grew to her, the more she was forced to accept what her vision was showing her. It was the meatless body of a skeleton. Twilight immediately ran back to the library.

When she arrived back at the library, she was panting and out of breath. Her elation was now replaced with grounded dismay.

"Twilight? What's going on?"

"There's a skeleton out there, Spike, and I don't know what kind!"

"Are you pulling my leg here?"

"Look outside the window!"

Spike did as he was commanded. He expected to see some kind of mirage if nothing else, but that wasn't the case.

"What in the world...?"

"Do you see it!?"

"Yeah. Is someone playing a prank on us?"

"No nightmare night decorations are shaped like that, Spike!"

"Calm down. Maybe it's a new one."

"I got up close and personal with that thing! It's as real as we are!"

"Relax. I'll go out there and see what's up."

"Sorry, but I can't risk you getting hurt!"

Twilight's horn began to glow, and a barrier formed around the library.

"There. That should do the trick."

"You're overreacting, Twilight."

"Better safe than sorry."

Spike sighed. The two of them stood there for a few minutes; Twilight collecting her thoughts while Spike continued to assume it was harmless fun. It wasn't until the Skeleton reached the barrier that things quickly got out of control. Twilight watched in horror as it tore through her defenses.

"Spike, you might want to take another look!"

"What is it now!?"

Spike check the window again and saw the gaping hole the walking dead thing had left in the barrier.

"Okay..."

Spike stood silent for a minute, then screamed his lungs out in terror. Nothing in Equestria could tear only part of a barrier down like that; at least, that's what was thought by its population. Now, they were being proven wrong.

"What do we do, Twilight!?"

"I think I have a plan. If my assumption is correct, it'll start beating on the door any minute. When that happens, we'll force the door open, knock it over, and escape through the hole."

"Good idea, but what if it grabs us?"

"It's easy enough to break a bone or two if we have to."

After only about two minutes, the unidentified creature began banging on the door, just as Twilight expected it would.

"Now!"

She and her assistant burst through the door, knocking the seemingly deformed bag of bones on its rear. They quickly escaped as fast as possible.

"I've gotta' admit," Spike said through heavy breaths as they ran, "that was pretty clever."

"Thanks," Twilight exclaimed as she flew next to him.

"Where do we go now!?"

"We should find our friends and head for Canterlot! Maybe the princesses know something!"

"Alright! Let's sprint for it before that thing has a chance to catch up!"

Both Spike and Twilight picked up the pace until they were practically blurs. Their first stop would be Rarity's boutique.