The Legend Of Dazzling Hollow

Chapters

Chapter 1: Changes In Atmosphere
Chapter 2: Sleepy Hollow
Chapter 3: A Meeting
Chapter 4: Red And Doubt
Chapter 5: Haunted Night
Chapter 6: Lavender And Fuchsia
Chapter 7: Divided
Chapter 8: Costumed Day
Chapter 9: Van Tassel Party
Chapter 10: Costumes And Worry
Chapter 11: The Headless Horseman
Chapter 12: A Truly Happy Halloween

Chapter 1: Changes In Atmosphere

Author's Note

So now our spooky, scary, and probably a little silly :rainbowwild: Halloween story has started. I hope you will enjoy what's to come, and happy October!

Chapter 1: Changes In Atmosphere

The feeling of summer had come and now it was gone. September had long gone by and now it was reaching near the end of October. Now the weather was starting to change into a blissful cold, an environment everyone in Canterlot was trying to adjust to. Not only that, but even the trees were changing too. Once green and full of life, now descending into yellows, oranges, and reds.

Around the city and in town, people were setting up for the big nightmare night itself, Halloween! Costume shops were opening, candy was being sold out in stores, and everywhere as far as the eye could see there was a decoration of a jack-o-lantern, a ghost, spiders, skeletons, zombies, Dracula, Frankenstein, you name it!

And walking in the town after a long day of doing some shopping, was Adagio Dazzle; dressed in a long warm trench coat that kept her skinny body warm in the cold wind. She took a deep breath, smelling the fresh air around. A small gust of the wind blowing through her hair, and the sounds of excited adults and children were all around. She smiled as she watched them excitedly run through some of the streets, eager to go somewhere, probably fun.

Walking past several people, a series of thoughts went through her head.

Adagio Dazzle's log, October 24. Its late October, and only a few days remaining until we hit Halloween. Everyone's starting to show their anticipation for the big trick or treating night. Their enthusiasm is rather friendly to see... though I do wonder as to whether this holiday is worth the celebration. The memories of our poor days in the past have been clouding my judgement. But I'm willing to give this holiday a shot, and to just enjoy it with my closest friends. I imagine with them at my side, along with my absolutely adorable girlfriend, this will be a holiday we will remember for days on. As long as no threats from Equestria or this very world come to combat against us, I hope...

As she stepped into the elevator at the Jigsaw plaza, she watched the doors close as the elevator began to take her up to the penthouse. A few beeps and dings as she kept going up, past several floors and flights of stairs. Eventually, she reached the top and at her stop. She stepped out and walked to the front door of her penthouse, now decorated for the holiday. A small floormat with a spooky cobweb design, and the front door had a foam skull hanging.

Putting her key into the door, she unlocked it and walked inside. Taking off her coat, she put it on the coat rack.

"Girls, I'm home! Aria? Sonata?"

No one said a word. It didn't even look like anyone was home. But wait; what was sitting on the kitchen island countertop? It didn't look like it was there as it should, this looked new.

She walked to the kitchen, her heels making contact with the tiled floor. She looked at the small tag on the side of the box, addressed to her.

"Adagio. Bought these at the market, though you'd enjoy these -- Aria, Sonata," Adagio read. "Mmm..."

She was about to reach the top, but she stopped. Aria and Sonata bought something out of nowhere, making it unclear as to what the contents were inside the colorful box. Not to mention that it was close to Halloween. This had to have been a joke, shouldn't it?

Hesitantly, with a kitchen knife she cut through the ribbon holding the entire box together. And with a careful hand, she pulled the top off the box--

"AHH!" Adagio freaked.

She let out a high shriek at the zombie head that just shot out of the box. The next sound to follow was uncontrollable laughing that made her groan and roll her eyes.

Turning her head, she saw Aria and Sonata appear from one of the halls, laughing hysterically.

"We got you!" Sonata laughed, pointing at her.

"I didn't think you were going to fall for it, but Sonata was right!" Aria held onto her sides.

Adagio looked at her sisters with an unamused face. "That's not funny."

"Yes it is!" Aria howled.

Adagio rolled her eyes. "You decided now would be the time to finally get the jump on me?"

"You were pretty vigilant this month, we wanted to strike when you least expected it," Sonata giggled.

Adagio groaned. "Well if you two are done laughing, can you please get the candy out of these bags?" Adagio set the grocerry bag down on the counter.

"More? Didn't you buy a ton last week?" Sonata asked.

"Yes, but knowing how much people eat candy at this time of the year, and our little end of month event, I think we'll need all the candy we can purchase," Adagio replied, pulling out a few bags. "Oh and that reminds me, Aria, I got a few more pieces and supplies you need to finish your costume."

"Oh sweet, thanks!" Aria said, clutching the bag like a little kid.

"And Sonata, I also found the last pieces for yours."

"Yay!" Sonata cheered, giddy just like Aria.

"Do you have your costume put together yet?" Aria asked, ogling the costume pieces she was given.

"No, not yet. But I'm hoping before the end of the week, I will have finally put it together," Adagio replied, pulling out some of the bags of candy. "Any word from our friends, do they need any costume pieces or parts?"

"Not that I've heard, last time I checked everyone was all good. But maybe your girlfriend will need some help," Sonata commented, plopping herself on the couch. Her fingers pressed the remote, turning on the TV.

"Yes, maybe," Adagio said, starting to think about it.

Aria then had an idea. "Actually, that reminds me, has she seen the place where we're setting up the CHS Halloween party?"

"I'm not sure she has, no. But since I'm walking with her later this afternoon... I think I'll go ask her," Adagio said, walking back to the front door.

"Wait, you just got back, now you're going back outside again?"

"I know, but I just needed to drop off the candy and costume supplies. I'll be back soon, I promise," Adagio said, grabbing a spare key. And then she slammed the door behind her, leaving the penthouse.

Aria just stood nibbling on a piece of candy, while Sonata stayed laying back on the couch.

"How much you want to bet Adagio's going to be completely focused on Trixie saying how great she is to even pay attention to what pops up next?"

"I think we all know that's gonna happen," Sonata said, not even looking to her sister.

After she made it down into the main lobby, she saw Trixie sitting in one of the chairs eagerly waiting for her.

"Trixie!" Adagio smiled.

"Adagio!" Trixie smiled back, almost tackling her in a hug attack. She nuzzled her girlfriend, making her giggle in delight.

"You're always eager to hug attack me, aren't you?" Adagio giggled.

Trixie chuckled, "Y-Yeah, I guess I am."

Adagio smirked and gave a kiss on her cheek. "Now what do you say I show you where we're throwing the CHS Halloween party?"

"Oooh!" Trixie cooed with some excitement.

"Come on!"

With hands holding one another, the two of them left the Jigsaw Plaza. They walked back out into the cold air, making Trixie shiver a bit from the cold.

"Oooh," Trixie shiverd. "Its getting cold soon..."

"We're near the end of October, and November will be soon to come. And then before you know it, Christmas time will be here."

"Yeah, hard to believe," Trixie said.

As they walked, Adagio wrapped her arm around Trixie's side, placing her hand just above her thigh. Trixie couldn't help but scoot a little closer, wanting to stay warm next to her girlfriend.

"I can't believe we'll be spending Halloween together," Adagio whispered, kissing her cheek.

"Our first Halloween," Trixie replied with a little excitement.

"Enjoy some candy, some scary movies... maybe I can ask for your help in getting back at my sisters."

Trixie giggled, "I'm sorry, what?"

"Lets just say I apparently don't know the 'zombie head jumping out of colorful box' gag."

Trixie smiled. "Oh, I've seen that before. Don't think that's the right word, but I have seen that before."

"Did someone pull that prank on you?"

"Um... no, I just saw a prank on HoofTube with that," Trixie blushed.

"Mmm... I see."

Trixie cleared her throat. "So, um, are we getting close to this place that you said was going to be the Halloween party?"

"We should, actually. Let me see," Adagio said, looking at the houses, "okay, lets see... oh, there it is."

Adagio and Trixie stood at the end of the street, gazing up at the attraction. Haunted Horror Party House was the name, reading on the wooden sign mounted in the grass. It looked like your typical haunted mansion; rickety, old, boards barring up the windows. It looked more like it belonged to someone who was once rich, or even a place that housed mental patients. But it was certainly big, with a big circular path to drive in, drop off people, a stone fountain in the middle that was now filled with nothing but moss and vines. Leaves danced about, its trees were bare, and it looked like an absolute mess. Of course, that was its intents and purpose, so it was done well.

"What do you think, Trixie?" Adagio asked, smiling at the destination that would make the perfect party. But Trixie didn't reply. "Trixie?"

When she looked back to her girlfriend, she didn't look surprised or even excited. She looked petrified. She was staring intently at the house like she was in a trance, with a scared face. Eyes widening out of her skull, and a few whimpers of fear.

"Trixie, you're not scared, are you? It's just the outside decoration," Adagio said.

Trixie gulped and took a step back from the house. "Adagio... I have to go."

"Go? But we just walked here, I thought you said you were going to help me."

"I didn't know this was what you meant!" Trixie panicked as she backed away. "Adagio, I just... I-I-I... I can't!"

Trixie started to walk away.

"Wait, Trixie!"

"Don't chase me, I can't help you!"

Adagio wanted to chase after, but she didn't. She didn't know why she didn't go running but she just didn't. She was too confused and disappointed to see her girlfriend just run off like that. And just like that, Trixie had ran off and away, leaving her girlfriend alone and confused.

Chapter 2: Sleepy Hollow

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 3: A Meeting

Author's Note

Sorry this took so long everyone, I've been trying to think on how to make this chapter happen. But its been finished! Enjoy! :twilightsmile:

Chapter 3: A Meeting

After school, Adagio and her sisters met up in one of the classrooms; AKA their practice room. And waiting for them there were three of some of their classmates; the three most popular boys at CHS. Not because of their looks, but because they were as nice as they could be, that's what made them so popular around the school.

Flash Sentry, the blue-haired guitarist who Adagio had met long before after the Battle Of The Bands incident. Micro Chips; one of the smartest techies in school who's IQ was higher than any of them had expected. Last but not least; Sandalwood. An eco-kid, with a mind-set all about peace and love, everyone just called him a hippie, but he didn't care. He knew what the intent behind the name was.

"Hello boys," Adagio smirked, winking at them. Aria and Sonata just giggled from her ever-forever seductive speaking.

"Hey, what's happenin'?" Sandalwood greeted, sitting back in his chair.

Aria greeted Sandalwood with a small fist bump before sitting down in a rolling chair for herself.

"How are you boys? Everything okay, I should hope?"

"Yep!"

"Positively!"

"You know it, bro," Sandalwood replied.

"Excellent!" Adagio's hands clapped. "Now, our friends should be here in a few minutes, but in the meantime, I thought maybe we could just see how you all were doing," Adagio said, holding her head up with her hands with a rather teasing grin. The boys faces blanked, wondering what the intent was behind that rather mischievous snake-like grin.

Sonata giggled. "She teases everyone, don't let her think she's up to something."

And coming right through the door was none other than Octavia and Vinyl, arriving in the nick of time.

"Sorry we're late, luv. I'm afraid the new combination on the locker isn't doing so well," Octavia said, sitting down.

"Its fine, Octavia," Aria empathized, patting her shoulder. "Been having a problem with mine since we got here."

"Stupid new lock systems...", Sonata grumbled.

"Anyways, boys, girls. We have much to discuss. First off, big CHS Halloween party coming Halloween night, we've only got one week for final preparations, so we need to get the final tasks done and accounted. Luckily for us, I have accomplished one of the goals needed," Adagio said, checking off a box on her checklist in her hand. "We have the amount of candy needed, and we picked up some spider-web cotton as well. Has anyone else gathered some supplies or materials we could possibly use for the party?"

"Oh, I got something!" Micro Chips called. "After an extensive amount of digging in my room, I found a few pieces for robotic arms that I had used for robotics club a few years back. I believe if we could cover these limbs up, they could make for a few jump-scares on people passing by."

"Oooh... I like that, use that, definitely use that," Adagio grinned, mischievously. "That's amazing, great work Micro."

Micro Chips grinned.

"Sandalwood, what about you, do you have anything particularly haunting?" Adagio asked, leaning back.

"Yeah dude!" Sandalwood reached over and picked up a small box. "In this box, right here, I've got plenty of rubber spiders, snakes, bats, and any other bugs people find freeeeakkky...."

Aria Blaze was the one to reply. "Ohohohoho, use that, please!"

"You got it!"

"What about you, Flashie?" Sonata asked.

"Oh, well, I couldn't find much but... I do have a few speakers with me that I use for band practice. Maybe we could use them for playing creepy sounds?"

The Dazzlings grinned.

"Now that's more like it. Excellent, everyone. This is all coming together, very, very well. But I can't help but feel we're forgetting something, something important..." Adagio tapped her heel on the floor. "What was it..."

"The jobs--"

"--the jobs, right! Yes! Thank you, Sonata. Anyways," Adagio continued, "We're all taking on specific jobs and positions at the party, and eventually we'll switch things up every now and then. As the one putting all of this together, obviously I'm the hostess," Adagio winked, "Our bandmates, Song Of The Sea volunteered to play a few songs now and then, but of course, making way for other people who wish to stand up and perform with them. Flash, I understand you and your band wish to perform for the crowd?"

"Yeah!"

"Perfect! That's two bands, and tons of karaoke time... and plenty of tracks from Amy's records. Catering; Lyra, Bon Bon, and Sandalwood, you wanted to help cater?"

"Absolutely. I make some serious mean egg rolls."

"Perfect!"

"Don't forget, we've also hired Bulk Biceps as the bouncer. No uninvited guest gets inside without passing his muscle," Octavia clicked.

"And in addition, we've cleaned up some of the halls and other areas of the mansion so that if people wander around, they can without inhaling possible poisonous gasses in the air," Sonata said.

"Wait, what do you mean--"

"--I didn't say gas!" Sonata interrupted.

Vinyl and Octavia giggled.

"Well, maybe we can help set up some small props and functions for a few scares," Vinyl offered. "After all, what's Halloween without some scares?"

"Or even spooky games?" Octavia grinned.

"Oooh, I like it dude. Come on, tell us!"

"Alright, so here's how it goes. We set up a few puzzles, and then there after..."

After their meeting was over, everyone was going home for the day. And to the surprise of Adagio Dazzle, Trixie was outside in the hallway waiting for her.

"Sweetie!" Adagio squeaked. She nearly jumped on Trixie with a hug attack, making her smile. Adagio's hus were always the best, and she loved every one that she got. Trixie snuggled Adagio and she nuzzled her, making Adagio purr like a kitten once more.

"You really are a kitten, aren't you?"

Adagio wiggled her eyebrows. "Maybe."

Trixie blushed, making her girlfriend smile even more.

"Now what are you doing out here, I thought you'd be home by now."

"I would, but I was kinda hoping maybe I could just go home with you? I talked to my mom, she said I could sleepover with you, if that's okay?"

Adagio smiled. "Its always okay, sweetie. Now what do you say we go back to the penthouse?"

"Oh get a room!" Aria scoffed, stomping past the two lovebirds.

"Oh don't mind her, she's just jealous," Sonata giggled, walking past Trixie.

"I am not jealous!"

"Yes you are!" Sonata sing-songed.

Adagio giggled, holding her girlfriend's hands as she walked.

"Say, um. While we walk... perhaps you could continue where you left off?" Trixie asked, rubbing her head.

"Oh? Someone wish to hear more of the Sleepy Hollow tale?" Adagio grinned.

Trixie blushed. "I-I just want to know what else happened, t-that's all."

"And that's perfectly okay with me," Adagio smiled, kissing her cheek. "Now where were we... oh right." Adagio cleared her throat. "We had just arrived in the town where Sleepy Hollow resided. Being new wasn't really much a delight, especially with all of the glares from the people around us. But regardless, we just decided to find the land we purchased and start setting up our home..."

"Not only did we carry tons of wine and other alcoholic beverages that you my dear should not be drinking, we did bring a few useful items as well; tools, clothes, some food, etc era."

The wagon was parked on some mud and dirt, right next to the spot where the Dazzlings were planning to make their new home. Unloaded, everyone was laying down against the barrels, trying to catch their breath from trying to lift all of that weight. The immortals were strong for sure, but picking up heavy loads like that was a difficult task.

"Girls... anyone else just want to... lay back... for awhile?" Adagio asked, panting.

"Agreed..." Aria moaned, laying her head against the wooden barrel.

Adagio moaned. "Girls, I know we're tired but come on, we got to get building."

"Noooo..." Aria and Sonata simultaneously moaned.

Adagio wanted to just drag them by the hair to get them up, but she knew they weren't ready to get back up on their feet for some hard labor. Ever since they left for the trip, they had gone for long days without end, doing nothing but hauling a wagon and trying to keep enormous barrels from falling off. They weren't ready to get back up right now.

"Okay, lets take a vote. We'll lay down for a bit, but after say, half an hour... we get back up on our feet to try and get something together so we'll have a roof over our head for the night. All in favor for resting for a bit, say 'Aye'.

"Aye..."

Both sisters moaned out of sheer tiredness and fell flat on the ground, their heads slamming against the soft sand. Adagio grabbed a glass bottle and just took a big sip out of it, tasting the sweet apple cider that ran down her throat.

"Mmm... that's the stuff."

"Ahem?"

"AH!!!" Adagio shrieked.

Struggling to get on her feet, she stumbled and tumbled around as she tried to get up, and whipping behind her back was a small rifle which she clutched in both arms. She pointed it at the person who said hello, panting and gasping as she got up.

But to her surprise, it wasn't someone there to intending to shock her. It was the opposite, actually. A woman with pale green skin, and auburn hair, dressed in black and blue.

"My, you're a jumpy one. Sorry, miss, I didn't mean to frighten you," the woman replied.

Adagio sighed in relief and she pointed the rifle down. "No, no, its alright. I shouldn't have opened with a rifle pointed at your heart. I'm afraid having spent the last few years in war hasn't really helped my sense of well-being."

"War?"

"Long story. Anyways, where are my manners, I am so sorry. My name is Adagio Dazzle," Adagio extended a hand. "Might I ask who are you, Miss?"

The woman acknowledged her hand and shook it. "Oh, right! My name's Red, Red Threadmaster."

She smiled and shook her hand.

"Nice to meet, Ms Threadmaster. And these are my sisters Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk," Adagio said as she looked back down to the two of them both still sound asleep, "Who apparently still aren't waking up."

"Long journey?"

"I'm afraid so, yes. And I--"

Adagio stopped talking. She could hear some very loud grumbling come from her digestive system, right at her stomach. She chuckled a bit, rubbing her head in embarrassment. "Oh. Was that my stomach? I think I'm a bit hungry."

Red giggled. "Why don't you and your sisters come over to my place? I can cook you three a meal."

"Oh, are you sure? I don't wish to impose..." Adagio asked.

"No, its no trouble at all. Think of it is as my way of saying, 'welcome to the neighborhood'."

Adagio smiled and let out a soft squeak. "Yay. Oh, wait. I better wake up my sisters."

She turned around looking at the two girls who were still fast asleep.

"Girls, time to get up. Get up. Get up!"

The both of them snored very loudly, completely distorting Adagio's cries.

"Do you need me to--"

"--No, its alright. I know just how to get them," Adagio giggled. She cleared her throat and looked down at them with an evil grin. "Girls. We ran out of wine."

"WHAT!?" Aria and Sonata snapped.

Both of the girls immediately jumped up with devilish snares.

"You drank all the wine, I swear--"

"--Kidding!" Adagio laughed. "I thought that would wake you two up. Girls, I want you to meet Ms Red Threadmaster."

"Nice to meet you both," Red said. "So, shall we come along?"

"Right. Lets go!"

"Wait, where are we going?" Aria asked, fumbling on her feet.

"I offered to make dinner for you three. My way of saying 'welcome'."

"Well, thanks!" Sonata smiled.

"Its not a problem."

"Quick question?" Aria asked.

"Yeah?"

"... Do you have apple cider?"

Chapter 4: Red And Doubt

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 5: Haunted Night

Author's Note

Okay, so little update guys, I've been pushing myself hard to try and get this chapter done, and unfortunately, I'm going to be gone for most of tomorrow and away from a computer. I will get back to one later in the afternoon for sure, but for the most part I am going to be gone from it.

Until then, I do hope you'll enjoy what's there, and if there are any mistakes, please tell me, and I will fix them when I get back. Special thanks to Scholary-Cimmerian who was more than helpful when it came to setting this up. All credit goes to him for help here.

Thanks, and have a great evening everyone. :twilightsmile:

Chapter 5: Haunted Night

The next day after school, the Dazzlings and friends arrived over to the mansion that was the base for the Halloween party to come. Still had that rustic and decrepit look as it did the first time Trixie had seen it. Of course, this was the outside. No one had actually seen what the inside of the house had looked like.

As Trixie got a good look at the place, she gulped. She could feet her legs start to tremble and shake at the memories at the awful place she was before.

"Alright everyone, let's go over some ground rules. Inside of the house has gone through a series of renovations since its unfortunate collapse and poor construction in 2005, but it has been completely reinvented and used as a renting party house for all sorts of occasions. And on Halloween night, it becomes our party house," Adagio addressed. "There are still some small little... construction, areas that are in desperate need of repair, so please avoid them by going around the orange cones and safety signs that have been set up."

Everyone replied with resounding nods and 'yes's. Adagio stepped forward and opened up the door of the house. As she walked inside, everyone began to follow behind; including Flash Sentry, Micro Chips, Sandalwood, and soon everyone else. The last person remaining was Trixie who was still standing in fear. Adagio quickly took notice.

"Sweetie, its okay. I know the front looks scary, but I promise the inside isn't. Its just a normal looking house with a creepy outlook."

Trixie gulped. "Um... o-okay..."

She took a single step forward, taking an inch closer. Then she took another step, now she was two more. And then another, and another and another until she was finally on the front doorstep of the house.

"See? That wasn't so bad, was it?" Adagio patted her shoulder.

Trixie nodded, still afraid.

"Come on," Adagio wrapped an arm around her side, finally getting her to walk some more and get inside the house. When they walked in, Trixie couldn't believe her eyes. The house that she remembered before was dank, and decrepit, and disgusting, just like the outside. But it wasn't.

The inside of the house looked like your typical modern day house. If you were to walk in, you would find it completely normal, and not really sharing any connection with the arches on the outside that held the roof and upper levels.

"Okay, so," Adagio clapped her hands. "Just from this foyer structure alone..." Everyone looked around. A set of stairs led to another floor, probably above. But in the foyer they were in, they could see a living area with a fireplace, some couches and chairs, a few plants. It seemed more like the waiting room of some psychiatrist office than it did a room for a mansion.

"We could perhaps leave this entire section alone and just make it like an area for everyone to detox and calm down from some of the wildness," Flash suggested.

"Mmm, I like it. Definitely doing that, leave this area alone. But I know this house has a little party room, so that will be our main party room. Everywhere else we can convert into some miniature scare/game rooms. But leave the main foyer, and the bathrooms alone," Adagio agreed.

Walking into the hallway, they saw a few pieces of artwork that had been framed and hung on the walls. A few small cabinents with some potted plants draped over them, mostly for decoration and display. Nothign too out of the ordinary or bizarre here.

When they pushed the next set of doors open, they walked into a massive open room. It looked like a ballroom, for galas and parties to be staged.

"And here is the room where the main events shall unfold," Adagio smiled. Everyone looked in awe at the room. Already it was started to get decorated in Halloween fun. Fake cobwebs, some streamers, hanging trinkets like witches, spiders, goblins, sticks tied together for a logo of a mysterious witch, etc. A small stage had been set up as well, with a few lights and speakers set up as well, as well as some tables.

"We have most of the equipment that we need set up, but we won't need any of the real stuff until we finally get the party started. Until then, lets get to work!"

Half an hour went by since everyone got to work, and even with the surroundings, Trixie was able to help out. She carried some things, she helped put up some decorations, it wasn't that bad. Of course, it was only made better by the fact that she had her best friends with her to put all of this up.

"So, um, Adagio, what do you think?" Trixie asked, gesturing to the wall that she finished decorating.

"Trixie, that looks excellent! Just the amount of webs we need. In fact, I dare even say that you've almost finished the room..." Adagio pondered as she looked over in the corner. "Of course, we still need to figure out what to do with that hole there--"

Trixie flinched, pointedly looking away from the hole in the floor that her girlfriend was eyeing. But Adagio didn't see Trixie's sudden fear.

"We should definitely find some way to fill it up, so no one can fall in..."

Trixie whimpered, although very faintly. Taking a step back, she shut her eyes and folded her arms, hugging herself discreetly.

"I know that they put some cement down there; but I don't know, maybe we could set up a fishing pool there. You know, one of those games where you fish for a prize. What do you think, Trixie?"

Adagio turned her head, startled. Trixie, had now backed away several steps away from the spot where the hole was. As far away as she could, actually. Their friends were starting to notice her sudden fear as well.

"Trixie? What's wrong?" Sonata asked.

"Alright, sweetie, I'm really concerned now. Please, tell me what's bothering you," Adagio stepped up, cautiously walking towards her girlfriend.

Trixie could only mutter. "I don't know, I don't know."

Aria however didn't approach this with subtly. "Uh, yeah, you do. So come on and just tell us--"

"NO! I CAN'T!!"

Trixie had finally burst. She couldn't take it anymore, and she had exploded. But now the entire room had gone silent. Everyone who had been trying to help out with the party were now turning their heads to the one who had yelled. A stunned silence had fallen over the room. Finally overwrought, Trixie simply her face in her hands, embarrassed.

Adagio frowned, "Oh, Trixie..."

"Hey! Give her some room! Come on, back out, back out, take five guys!!" Aria shouted, trying to shoo everyone out of the room.

And everyone did just that, they stopped working and moved down the hallway to the main foyer for some R&R. People began to clear out, partly due to Aria's order, and help from some others; Flash and Sandalwood, mainly.

As they cleared, Adagio held her girlfriend close in attempt to comfort her. Hugging, kissing her head and just holding her close. "It's okay, it's okay..."

Trixie was still upset, and was visibly whimpering. "No, it's not... I'm so sorry..."

"No," Adagio firmly said, "no, you have nothing to apologize for, sweetie."

"Mmm..." Trixie moaned, still feeling embarrassed.

The couple continued to hug it out, holding each other in a sweet, tender embrace. Adagio rubbed Trixie's back reassuringly, trying to calm her down. Seeing that the area they were in wasn't such a good place to talk, Adagio and Trixie ended up moving from the room, moving into another into another part of the house. The other Dazzlings and the rest of their friends came close behind.

Moving into the kitchen of the mansion, everyone sat down on some of the countertop chairs and other dining chairs in the room so they could talk.

"Sweetie, are you sure that you're feeling better?"

"A, a bit. It's just..." Trixie chewed on the words for a minute, before they came out. "It's just this house. I hate it, I got t-tricked into going here before and..."

"Tricked?" Vinyl asked.

"What in the world happened, luv?" Octavia queried.

"Octavia, she doesn't have to--"

"No, no. I'll - I'll tell you."

"You will?" Sonata tilted her head.

"Trixie, dear, you don't have to. Nobody here's forcing you to," Adagio comforted.

Trixie took a deep breath and sighed. "No, it's all right. I, I should just get it off my chest... Sit down, and I'll tell you what happened..." Everyone took a seat in the chairs, as Trixie took a seat too. "Okay, so... it all began a few years ago, before I met any of you. I was 11 years old..."

"I was a freshmen, just started 6th grade. And just like before when I met all of you guys, I was socially awkward, anxious, and shy."

A little girl in a white T-shirt walked past some other freshmen, quietly moving past, idly by. No one ever saw her, no one looked at her. Compared to everyone else, she felt like she was the smallest person in the school, and was the only thing walking in the hallway.

"No one liked me, no really had interest in me, I was just... there. I wasn't super athletic, or into sports like everyone else. I was more into fine arts and performing. While all the girls cheered during soccer or football games, I was in the school, playing a board game... by myself."

"Now that's just sad," Vinyl stated.

"I think that's kinda obvious," Sonata replied.

"Girls! Please, Trixie. Continue."

"Right, right... anyways."

In a single empty classroom, a little girl just sat at one of the tables by her lonesome. She had an entire board game set up with all the cards and pieces out. But she didn't have anyone else around. She just had herself. Everyone else in the school were all gathered on the bleachers on the soccer field. While everyone was out there, cheering for their school's team to win the game against another school, cheerleaders cheering them on, Trixie stayed put.

Soccer or other athletic activity wasn't really her cup of tea. And while she was happy to just be inside doing her own thing, she did miss the feeling of talking to someone instead of it being herself and/or her stuffed animals. Now once in a while there was another student or a teacher walking outside in the hallway, either to get some belongings or to check up on something, but for the most part they just let her be.

She flipped the game board around so she could move the next player piece. Small tapping hit the plastic board as she moved through some of the spaces. But when she looked up, she could hear two people wandering through the hallway. Probably stopping to go to their lockers for their things. But as they were going down the hall, they stopped. Their heads turned to see the bespectacled girl sitting in the room by herself with no one to talk to or play with.

One of them poked their heads into the room. A pale-purple skinned girl with blond hair poked her head through the door, accompanied by another one with much more darker skin and dark magenta hair.

"Oh, uh, hey. Sorry, we didn't know there was someone else still here," the blond girl greeted.

"T-That's... that's okay," Trixie stuttered.

"Say um, what are you doing, actually? Shouldn't you be outside with everyone else?"

"I-I'm... I'm not a... s-sports... fan."

The blond girl shrugged. "Fair enough. To each their own."

This time the purple decided to talk. "But isn't there anyone out there that you can talk to?"

"Um... no."

"Don't you have any friends here?"

Trixie shook her head, sheepishly.

"What about any sisters or brothers, do they go to school here?"

She shook her head again. "I'm an only child."

"Oh shoot, I'm sorry," the purple-haired girl said. "Oh, I'm Fuchsia. Fuchsia Blush. And this is my friend, Lavender Lace."

"H-Hi," Trixie replied, sheepishly smiling. "I'm... I'm Trixie."

"Oh, right, I remember, you're the new girl. Nice to meet you," Lavender said, opening a palm up to shake her hand. Trixie hesitated, but she slowly reached out and shook her hand, properly greeting her.

"You're not much of a socializer, are you?" Fuchsia asked.

"N-Not really, I'm um... I'm not good with talking to people," Trixie stammered.

"You're talking to us, aren't you?" Lavender smiled. "I think you're doing just fine."

Trixie blushed. "Heh..."

"What are you playing, if you don't mind me asking?" Fuchsia asked, finally looking down at the board game in front of her.

"M-Monopoly," Trixie said.

"But shouldn't you be playing that with more people?"

"Yeah, but I don't have anyone to play with, so I just play with myself," Trixie replied, sinking a bit in her chair.

Lavender and Fuchsia looked with some small frowns. A moment of silence had hushed into the room. But after they looked to each other, the two of them were smiling with ideas.

"Mind if we play with you?"

Trixie blinked. "Y-You want to play with me?"

"What fun is a game if you're playing by yourself?" Fuchsia asked.

Trixie couldn't believe this was happening. They were actually offering to play a game with her, and not let her be all on her own.

Not even sure what to say, she just slowly nodded, and the two girls pulled up chairs and gathered close, getting ready to play.

"So who are you playing?" Lavender asked.

"I picked the top hat," Trixie said, picking up the game piece.

"Then I guess I'd like..." Lavender continued, looking at her options. "I think I'll play the car."

"And I've got the thimble," Fuchsia picked.

"Okay, so, let me just make sure I still know how this works..." Trixie said, picking up the instructions. "Um... okay, I think I've got it."

"For the first time, I felt like I had finally made friends. Fuchsia and Lavender were there for me when I needed them, and they always made me happy. Whenever I was hurt, they were there. Whenever I needed some cheering up, they were there. If I needed a shoulder to cry on to mourn loss, they were there for me as well. And in turn, I was there for them as well."

"So where exactly does the fear of the house come in?" Bon Bon asked, curious.

"That's where we get to October, late Halloween night. I finally convinced my parents to let me go trick-or-treating alone, and so I joined up with Fuchsia and Lavender. We hit houses all over my neighborhood that night, but then... came the one house I would soon regret stepping into."

The trio of trick-or-treaters skipped down the block, sporting out in their costumes with a massive amount of loot in their buckets.

"So, where do we go next? Want to hit the Rich's house, I know that place is stocked with the motherlode of candy; Kinder Regels... mmm," Trixie smacked her lips, just thinking of that sweet candy.

"Actually, there's some place I want to stop at real quick first. I think it could be fun," Lavender said.

"What? What's that?"

"This place!"

Everyone's heads turned, gazing up at a mansion that had been boarded up. Trixie could feel a cliched lightning strike and thunder clap overhead the house, even though it never happened. Just the condemned outlook was enough to make her want to leave.

"... Well we came here, we've seen it, lets go," Trixie said all at once.

"Wait, Trixie, please. I just want to get inside that place real quick. Please? Its really important," Fuchsia begged.

"For what?" Trixie asked.

"I need to get some pictures for an art assignment. I'm supposed to do digital editing on an inside of a house, and I think this house is the best one! There's so much I could do with it!"

"Oh..." The bespectacled dork whined.

"Please? Just for a few minutes?"

"Oh, alright..." Trixie moaned, questioning everything she was doing right now.

"Great!"

Lavender and Fuchsia got Trixie and they all ran into the house. Thankfully, the door hadn't been padlocked or even boarded up. So with a chance to get inside, they opened up the door and walked inside. Within, they could see a few tools like some sawing tables and scaffolding set up.

"So what's going on in here?" Lavender asked.

"Apparently this house is going through some renovations. The last people who owned this place said they wanted to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast or a party house."

"How come? Why not just keep it a mansion?" Trixie asked, looking around at some of the scaffoldings in the dark.

"Well... I'm not sure you should know," Fuchsia teased.

"Fuchsia, come on, behave yourself. Just get your photos, and lets get going. I want to get home before 9:00."

"Come on, just let me tell her, it's nothing."

"Ugh, fine!" Lavender groaned.

"Sooo... what's going on here?"

Fuchsia giggled. "Well, I don't know how much you'd believe this, but... apparently a spirit lives here."

Lightning flashed over her face when she said that statement.

"Wait, what?" Trixie asked, concerned.

"A ghost, a spirit. Apparently the last people who owned this house were moving in as it was under construction. They had a daughter as well, somewhere around our age. But unfortunately... during its construction, she died, falling through the floor. They found her in the basement, but... she died. And so, she was buried under the basement, and rumor has it, she still wanders to this day... in search of trespassers who walk into her house..."

Trixie was shaking and trembling with every word of her story that had been told.

"W-Was there anything that made her spirit stand out?"

"Well, only thing I can really name was messy and raggedy hair, and glowing red eyes. But that's all I know, every time she's mentioned, people only see her body as nothing but a dark shadow. Like all over, you can't even tell if she's wearing anything," Fuchsia replied. "But its just a story."

Trixie gulped, chuckling with fear. "R-Right... just a story..."

"Oooh, perfect spot!" Fuchsia said, looking down a hall. "I'll just be right back, just wait right here. Plenty of moonlight, I think we can still see you."

Fuchsia went running down the hall, looking to get a spot for her photography. Lavender rolled her eyes, groaning.

"I better make sure she doesn't get lost. We won't be too long, I promise," Lavender said, running after Fuchsia.

"But wait, can't I just--"

Too late. Lavender had ran away, and she was now gone from the vicinity.

"--follow. You?"

Now the place had gotten scary. With Fuchsia and Lavender long gone, the entire room became a horror show. The only sounds that she could hear were the sounds of the wind blowing outside, and some of the minor sounds of the house. Small creaks in the floor, a few soft sounds of little nails dropping. It was so dark, she couldn't see a thing, only the light from the moon provided her some light.

Trixie's heart pounded against her chest when she saw how alone she really was.

"Okay... its not bad, its okay. Its just a house under construction," Trixie's teeth chattered.

But the next sound that came after didn't reassure her. She heard a very odd sound, like a door just slowly pushing open. Her body drew cold, looking to the source. But it wasn't from the main door, and she couldn't see any doors open or close in her vision. She didn't recall seeing or feeling any doors nearby. But she could hear one down all the way the hall.

She gulped.

"Lavender? Fuchsia?" She cried.

No reply.

"Ohh... I don't want to go down there," Trixie whimpered.

She slowly started to walk to the hall, but it quickly turned into a run. She pulled out her trusty flashlight, and shined a light down the hall, starting to run through it as she ran to the set of double doors ahead. She pushed them open, greeted to some more light from the moon shining in. She could see a giant empty room, very much like a gala, or a ballroom.

It was a mess! Floor was broken up, parts and broken pieces of wall and pipes were everywhere, it was no wonder how someone could have walked in there.

"Lavender? Fuchsia? Please, come on, this isn't funny! Where are you two!?" Trixie wailed.

She took a step back, but then she heard the sound of a crunch. That wasn't from her foot. Someone was there. Someone made that crunch. And it came from behind her.

Recognizing all that would go wrong if she did, she turned around to see who was there. And when she turned--

"BOO!!!"

"AAAHHH!!!" Trixie screamed at the top of her lungs, and she fell on her back, slamming into the floor. But even worse, was she could hear the floor under her, start to crack. She felt it shake and rumble under her, and instinctively she rose up to try and get away. But before she knew it, part of the floorboards she fell on started to fall apart and fell from under her. She screamed when they broke, her arms clutching onto the edge of the ground.

"Trixie!"

And quickly, a pair of arms grabbed her and pulled her up just as the rest of the floorboards disintegrated. As she was finally on solid ground, she took a giant run away from it, and looked back. Fuchsia and Blush were the ones who had saved her. But then it hit her. They were also the ones who scared her.

"Trixie, are you okay?" Lavender asked.

Trixie wasn't okay. In fact, she didn't even know what to say right now. What could she say to a friend who had done a stunt like that that almost got you killed? She felt like someone had beat her up, hard. A pain that emitted in her heart. A pain that started to make tears in her eyes water.

"No, no, Trixie, wait, I can--"

"No! I don't want an explanation! Just leave me alone and never talk to me again!"

Trixie ran out of the ballroom, and pushed through the doors. Fuchsia and Lavender followed too, chasing her down the hall. Surprisingly, Trixie's speed was picking up and theirs was slowing down. Trixie must have been really determined if she was going to try and run away from those two.

The dork pushed through the front door and

"Wait, Trixie, please!" Lavender cried out. "Come back, its okay! Its just us!"

But it was too late. She was long gone. Just like magic, Trixie had ran far as she could, away from Lavender and Fuchsia. Their hearts snapped when they saw the tear stains on her face, all of that fear that she was clearly showing. They had no intention of scaring her like that, not to the point of making her cry. That's not what they wanted at all.

They wanted to chase after, to give her a big hug just to calm her down. But neither of them could muster the courage to get up and chase after her.

"Oh, Trixie..." Lavender's soul crushed.

"What have we done...?"

Trixie didn't look back to even hear them speak. She just ran... and ran... and ran. Tears running behind, all of her loot gone. Gone into the night...

"And just like that... something that should have been fun became my nightmare. I couldn't sleep for a week after that day. And after that... I was scared to even try and make a new friend, worried that I would be tricked into something like that again, and repeat a near-death experience..."

A silence was in the room. A breathless, shocked, silence as everyone processes what they were just told.

"Oh, Trixie... I am so sorry..."

Adagio opened her arms and pulled Trixie into a much needed hug. She wrapped her arms around her adorkable lover, letting Trixie breathe heavily as she tried to calm herself down.

Sonata didn't say anything. She couldn't even find anything to say. All she could do was cup her hands over her mouth, looking appalled, and with some small tears forming in her eyes. Aria was just as appalled as Sonata, only she looked more furious than she was sad. If she could yell, she would. But upon noticing her upset sister, she killed the urge within to scream at the top of her lungs. She turned her attention to Sonata, putting a supporting arm around her younger sister and giving her a reassuring hug.

Lyra was speechless. "I - I never knew..."

Bon-Bon, was seething. "I swear, if I ever run into those - those girls again..." Bon Bon then whispered something unintelligible, probably some swear words included.

"I think you can call them worse than that," Octavia hissed.

"Octy..." Vinyl frowned, just as appalled.

Octavia frowned as well, and she and Vinyl squeeze hands, a gesture of quick reassurance between them, as Adagio and Trixie finally broke from the hug.

"Sweetie, what happened all those years ago was awful. Nothing like that should have happened, especially to a little girl."

Trixie sighed. "Look, what happened all those years ago is in the past."

"And?"

"... no that's really all I got, its just all happened in the past."

"But still, something doesn't seem right. Didn't you ever talk to those girls after that?"

"No, never. I couldn't stand to face them after that, I just couldn't!"

"Hmm... Well then I think I can."

"What? Adagio, what do you mean?" Trixie asked.

Adagio stood up. "Tomorrow, I'm doing a little hunting. I need to have a little chat with Lavender and Fuchsia. And this time... the seduction is going to work."

Chapter 6: Lavender And Fuchsia

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 7: Divided

Author's Note

All credit for this chapter goes to Scholarly-Cimmerian, he wrote up a magnificent amount of this for me, which I really appreciate, so everyone, big round of applause for Scholary please! Big shout-out, he's the man! You're the man!

Chapter 7: Divided

After school, Aria met up with Octavia and Bon Bon who all gathered back at the penthouse. Everyone else said they would come over to hang out as well, but they had to run some quick errands first. But for the three of them, it meant some time to do a little scheming...

"So, what're you thinkin' Aria?" Octavia asked.

"Well, for starters, we need to get them away from the rest of the party. I was thinking one of the old guest rooms, here." Octavia's finger tapped on a spot on the plans. "From there, the fun can really start..."

Bon-Bon's knuckles cracked. "Sweet..."

Aria and Octavia look at her with some slight fear.

Bon-Bon stared back at them and pouted, defensively. "What? I'm just cracking my knuckles here! Sheesh, you guys... I'm not a psycho..."

Aria quickly shrugged it off. "...Anyway, so we get them in this room here. It leads into another room, apparently an old nursery according to the original plans." She paused, with a small wicked smile. "You know how Trixie said that those girls told her a kid died in the house? I thought we could have some fun with that rumor..."

"Heh. Wicked."

"Yeah. But I think it needs a little bit more. A big finish of some kind."

The front door opened up, and coming inside was none other than Trixie, looking more cheerful and happy. After all, the school day wasn't such a bad day. Aced her geography test, delicious lunch, and of course, plenty of time to be with her friends.

"Hey Trixie, how's it going?"

"Its going okay, nothing bad."

"Nobody gave you trouble?" Octavia asked.

"What? N-no, of course not."

Aria gazed back down at the schematics of the house, and then back to Trixie. "Hey Trix, can I ask ya something?"

"What is it?"

"I just need your opinion. What do you think would be scarier for the house... fake blood from the wall, or maybe a pop-up ghost or zombie?"

Trixie shuddered in fear and disgust. "Ugh, both of them sound pretty bad!"

Octavia smiled. "Hey, that could work! We could use BOTH of them! Thanks, luv!"

Bon-Bon vindictively replied with a "Hehe, yeah, that'd do the job..."

The magician was confused. "W-wait, what are you talking about?"

Bon-Bon and Octavia glanced at each other. Aria, quickly tried to move the papers out of sight, but Trixie manages to snatch them.

"Nursery room... ghost... basement?! Payback prank!?!" She chucked the papers onto the floor, appalled. "I can't believe it! You want to do something awful to those girls?!"

"It's not awful if they have it coming. And they do."

"Yeah. They really do," Bon Bon agreed.

"No! I mean, yes they did something bad, b-but that doesn't mean..."

Before their dispute could have gone further, someone else walked through the front door. This time, Lyra Heartstrings.

"Hey Bonnie! Got a second? Sorry to interrupt, but its really important!" Grinning eagerly, Lyra came bustling in, chattering happily with the cutest smile on her face. "I got some great ideas for a costume and I wanted to ask what you thought--"

It took her a second, but she quickly found out something wasn't right. She blinked, seeing the upset-looking Trixie, and the other girls who looked very uncomfortable.

"Hey... what's going on?"

Without saying a word, Trixie just handed Lyra the crumpled paper that had fallen to the floor over to the ninja. Lyra folded it out a bit to get a clear look. At first glance, it was rather bemusing. But then with a second glance, she quickly saw the true intents behind the schematics.

"Bonnie! I can't believe it! You want to pull a prank on those girls?"

"Hey, fair is fair. They scared Trixie, let's give them a taste of their own medicine."

"No! That's not fair at all! Aria, Octavia, you can't think this is a good idea."

Octavia shrugged, looking a little guilty. Aria frowned, out of annoyance.

"Hey, Lyra, listen to me. You girls - Trixie, Octavia, all of you - have been the best friends my sisters and I have ever known. I'd do anything for you all... and when I find out that some, some backstabbing creeps traumatize my sister's girlfriend years ago and never had to answer for it, you know what? That makes me pretty freaking mad."

"I still want to punch them good for it," Bon Bon muttered to herself.

Lyra put a hand on her hip, one of her eyebrows arching sternly to her best friend. "Bonnie..."

Bon Bon shook her head. "Sorry, but nope. Nuh-uh, no way, nope! They hurt Trixie, I want to give them what for!"

Their dispute was quickly interrupted, a la katana whipping out of nowhere, two in fact, pointed at the three companions.

"Whoa, hey! Watch the sword!"

"Lyra, what's the big idea?" Octavia hollered.

Lyra kept her hands gripped, pointing her blades at her friends. She had no intent of slicing or dicing, but at least keeping them where they stood would be suited enough. At least until they would agree to not go through with their plan.

"I can't let you do this. What they did was a mistake, we should give them the chance! This isn't right!"

Aria, for once, tried to be the voice of reason. "Lyra, I promise, we're not going to take it THAT far. I'm not suggesting we actually hurt them, that's not what we're doing."

Lyra shook her head, unconvinced. No way, she didn't buy Aria's words.

"What's all the fuss about?" Sonata's voice called, going down the stairs from her bedroom to the main kitchen.

"Oh get a load of this, Aria is--"

Once again, they were interrupted. This time from the last people arriving into the penthouse; Adagio and Vinyl.

"What's wrong, Trixie?"

Trixie sighed heavily, in disbelief. "It - it's nothing..."

Adagio frowned. "It doesn't sound like nothing."

Aria quickly spoke up, hoping to turn the situation around. "It's fine, Adagio. Nothing to worry about--"

"--Aria and Bon-Bon want to pull some kind of revenge prank on the girls who scared Trixie!"

"Lyra!!" Bon Bon piped up.

"What?" Adagio said, flabbergasted.

"What? It's not like we're gonna kill them, jeez!" Aria complained. "Everyone keeps thinking we're going to do something horrible..."

"Seriously, we promise, this isn't about hurting anyone!"

"It's just some payback for what those girls did to Trixie!" Bon Bon ranted.

There was a heavy, tense pause. Almost no one had a clue as to what to even say. Until Vinyl broke the silence.

"Girls. Perhaps if I may interject something on the matter?" Vinyl said, grabbing everyone's attention. She looked to Aria and Sonata with a sad frown. "Don't you all remember that pranking is what caused this whole mess to begin with?"

Octavia felt stung. "Vinyl..."

"Octavia... I get that you're not doing this to hurt them. I do. But it's not your decision to make. Not yours, not Aria's, not mine, none of us."

Lyra nodded. "She's right, you know. You're not the one that got hurt."

"It's Trixie's decision to make. Not yours, or anyone else's," Adagio finished.

Aria desperately wanted to argue back, but she found no use. They were right, it wasn't her choice. After all, Trixie was the victim, and not her. Crossing her arms and huffing, she said, "Fine. Trixie, what's your call?"

Trixie had been quiet almost through the whole conversation, and now with all eyes locked on her, she felt more anxious than ever. "I just... I don't know... I don't want to hurt anyone..." She looked away, not wanting them to see a small teardrop roll down her cheek. "I just wish this was over with..."

Adagio wanted more than ever to just quickly end the fight, but she knew this problem wouldn't automatically go away. Knowing her siblings, they would still go through with the plan and pull it on the girls before they could get the chance! Unless... she thought. Maybe they could actually stop them from actually succeeding. If they could get to Fuchsia and Lavender first, maybe they could warn them about their plan!

Adagio sneakily smiled as an idea rolled in her head.

"Actually girls... perhaps you should do it and get it done," Adagio said, trying to sound as normal as she could. "Do it."

Aria and Bon Bon smirked.

"Now you're talkin'. Wait, why are you suddenly agreeing to let us do it?"

"Because I know nothing I can do will stop you, so who am I to stand in your way?" Adagio said, innocently.

Aria snickered. "Trust me, this is going to be worth it!"

"One more thing," Adagio interrupted, "...I know someone who I think would be more than willing to help out."

"Yeah? Who's that?"

A sexy wink accompanied her smile. "Oh, you'll find out..."

Trixie looked to her girlfriend with a sad face. "Dagi..."

Adagio looked back to Aria who was back at it with the scheming. And once they looked away, Adagio carefully pulled Trixie with her back outside the hallway to speak. Checking for the door to close, Adagio snickered.

"They won't have any idea..."

"Adagio, can't we just talk to them? I don't want to scare them," the little dork whimpered.

"Oh don't worry. We are."

Trixie blinked. "Wait, we are? But you just--"

"Sweetie, I'm not perfect. But I know a way you can finally make up with them, and ensure that the prank doesn't go according to plan," Adagio said. "We'll send them the invitations to the party, hopefully praying they'll accept them, and if they do, we'll ask one of the boys to notify us if they arrive and once they do, we all sit down and have a nice peaceful chat about what happened, and hopefully keep them from falling for Aria's prank. Trust me, I know Aria doesn't take pranks too far, but I know we can get her back."

Trixie felt herself smiling at the idea. Once again, Adagio had an idea that couldn't possibly fail!

"Now, all we have to do is just get to them... and end this unresolved issue once and for all. But for now; what do you say we finish up some costumes? I could use a hand," Adagio asked, in a sing-song voice.

Trixie smiled. "I love to!"

Adagio smiled back. But as she was about to reach for the door--

"--Wait."

Adagio looked back and was met by an almost surprise attack from Trixie, who wrapped her arms around her and held her, giving her a kiss on the lips. Adagio's eyes slowly closed and she held Trixie back in a warm and tender embrace. Breaking from the kiss, Adagio stroked Trixie's cheek, and nuzzled her right after, making Trixie giggle.

"I love you sweetie."

"I love you too," Trixie purred.

Chapter 8: Costumed Day

Oct 31st

Halloween had finally arrived. The night for trick-or-treating would fall upon them later that evening. But now, it was just a regular day at school, like any other day. But on the positive side of things, the students were granted permission to wear Halloween costumes to school. Almost everyone was very happy at the announcement, but were a little disappointed by the condition to not to bring any toy weapons or masks inside the school. Disappointing that they couldn't dress in full, but at the same time, they understood why such conditions were set.

Lavender and Fuchsia were dressed in costume just like everyone else. Lavender wore a green outfit that covered her skin in full, except to up to her shoulders. Green gloves were worn as well, a pair of yellow boots and yellow holsters. The black wig helped make her character more recognizable to some of the comic-book fans nearby.

"Hey, Lavender! Wicked costume," Sandalwood complimented, offering a high five.

Lavender rubbed her head. "It's not that wicked..."

"No, seriously, looks awesome. Love the detail."

"Well, t-thanks. But I think yours is better," Lavender said.

Sandalwood looked down at his Tye-dyed shirt, jeans, extended dreadlocks, open toed shoes, peace buttons, all of it. Then gazed back up to Lavender.

"Eh," Sandalwood shrugged. "You doing anything tonight?"

"Not really, no. I might just sit home and watch some crummy horror flicks."

"So no parties, or anything?"

"No. Why?"

"Well the Halloween party's tonight, don't you wanna come?"

Unbeknownst to Lavender, someone in the halls was listening very close. Someone dressed with a gray turtleneck sweater, and a pair of blue lit-up goggles.

"Yeah, but we weren't invited, so there's no reason to show up. Also, that's a little rude to just show up uninvited," Lavender chuckled, slightly.

"Aw, shucks. You should come, its gonna be amazing."

And with that, Sandalwood just walked away to hang out with some more friends. Lavender looked down to her belt, and dug her gloved hand into the little pouch that was hanging by her left thigh. Reaching in, she pulled out a small mirror to take a quick look at herself. Just one small piece of lipstick, and it'd be finished. Popping the cap off of some green lipstick, she applied some of it to her own lips, finishing the overall costume.

Putting her makeup kit away, she found Fuchsia coming her way. Fuchsia was dressed in a superhero outfit as well, albeit slightly different. Green outfit with yellow gloves and boots with some armor plating. There was also a graphic design of a yellow octopus sprawled across her stomach.

"So you're going with superhero, too?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Fuchsia shrugged. "I thought it looked awesome. And superheroes are awesome too!"

Lavender giggled. "Yeah."

Just then, the bell rung.

"Oh no, we're gonna be late! Come on!"

Lavender and Fuchsia picked up their feet, and began to scurry to their next class, along with the rest of their rushing classmates.

At the lunch hour, Lavender and Fuchsia managed to squeeze into the room and find a table for themselves. As they looked around, they could see some people dressed in a few familiar costumes, some of which they recognized as the villainous Power Ponies. But there was a heroic Maneiac to balance out, so that helped complete the image.

A Daring Do was found, there were some Roman and Greek costumes in sight, some pirates, aliens, cowboys, a whole variety.

"You think some of these guys have a bit too much time on their hands?" Fuchsia asked, taking a bite of her sandwich.

"Mmm... nah," Lavender shrugged. "Sometimes people just dedicate enough to get the entire look down, I'm not sure its much of a time-waster."

"Maybe for you, but they're gonna only have that for one day, why try and get all that time and effort?"

"Because, sometimes trying to pull off the look and style takes dedication. Its not like just wearing one hat and you're done, you know?" Lavender said.

Fuchsia rolled her eyes. "Yeah... I know..." Looking around, she watched some of the other students sit down and enjoy their meals. Occasionally, she would point out another costume or so, or at least a cosplay she found cool.

"You heard the rumor right, about Countess Coloratura?"

"Remind me again? What rumor?"

"Apparently she's considering coming here to CHS, something about looking to spend time away from a life of fame and fortune."

"Mmm. That makes sense," Lavender shrugged, nodding.

"Think Adagio will introduce her to this place?"

"Maybe. That girl's got the confidence to show off just about anything, really."

"Well hopefully she keeps her focus on showing off the school and not herself," Fuchsia giggled. "Sweet girl, but total narcissist."

"She's not that much of a narc. She does like to say how great she is, but she at least has consideration for those around her."

"True, true... sorry, been hanging out with the wrong crowds," Fuchsia admitted.

Ten minutes before the bell would ring. Nothing but the sounds of some of the light buzzing from the hallway lights. Possibly from them about to short out, or needing repairs.

But there was only one person remaining in the hallway. That same individual with the black goggles covering her eyes. The lenses were flashing bright blue, as part of the costume. The individual looked down in her right gloved hand, looking at the single envelope that was clutched. The figure grinned before walking towards one of the lockers. Standing in front of it, the gloved phalanges shoved the envelope through the open vent holes of the locker, sliding it in perfectly.

One the mission was done, the person in goggles walked away and giggled. Part One of the mission was done, now all they would have to do is wait and get confirmation...

The final school bell had rung, and now it was time for everyone to go home. Like every day, they rushed to their lockers, struggling to leave, crowded hallways, the usual. Lavender and Fuchsia however, did not wait for the crowds to die down. Instantly, they rushed just like everyone else, and scrambled to get to their lockers.

"So, what do you want to do tonight? You wanna binge watch some Ghost Activity?"

"I don't know, those movies are kinda... not scary? Why not see something that's actually scary?" Lavender asked.

"Well, sometimes its more fun to rip apart the bad stuff."

"True, but--"

A small bap hit Lavender on the top of her head as soon as she opened up her locker. But it wasn't anything that she had shoved in the back of the cabinets or leaning over the edge of a shelf, no. It felt more soft and flat like paper. Looking down, she found the source; an envelope.

"What the heck?" Lavender said.

Fuchsia looked down. "You had an envelope in there?"

"No."

Lavender picked it up and flipped it over. Two names put onto the cover, both of theirs. Looking simultaneously, they blinked in confusion. Lavender's fingers slipped under the end of the back and flipped it open. With her fingers, she pulled out the letter inside and unfolded it out. Their eyes were glued to the paper as they read the words that addressed them.

Lavender Lace and Fuchsia Blush

You two are cordially invited to the Halloween Party down at Underhoof Road. All you must do is show this invitation to our guards, and they will let you inside. Once you come inside, find me. I'll be dressed in full, with the glowing blue goggles. Of course, if it means nothing, just ask the bouncer for who the Screenslaver is. I hope to see you both at the party, and I hope you two will have a wonderful time. Arrive at 7:00 PM, at your earliest convience.

Signed,

Adagio Dazzle
Aria Blaze
Sonata Dusk

AKA; The Dazzlings

Chapter 9: Van Tassel Party

Dear Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk

You three are cordially invited to the All Hallow's Eve Celebration, October 31st at Sunset

We will await your arrival,

Van Tassel

Things were taking a turn for a better for the Dazzlings. As they were told, they did indeed get an invitation from the Van Tassel family, invited for their party. With only a little preparation, the girls got dressed up in formal dresses and walked to the party. Adagio sported a dress in pure purple, Aria's was blazed in a dark green, and Sonata Dusk showed off a pink and white dress that screamed of royalty. It was a half-hour walk, but it did not matter. The cold moor of the night did not help, unfortunately. So cold!

But they arrived in a nick of time before the wind blew harder. Their hair blowing behind their heads from the wind, showing off those beautiful curls. On the front porch, they could see a man dressed in a formal coat and pants, accompanied by dressy shoes and a scarf around his neck.

"Oh, Miss Dazzle, wonderful to see you," the man on the porch said.

"Good to see you to, Mr Van Tassel."

Adagio shook hands with the elderly man, and he shook hands with her sisters. With a small bow, he gestured to the inside of the house, allowing them to walk inside.

"Thank you sir, glad to be here," Adagio smiled, walking past him. When they passed through the door, a brush of nice warm air hit their tender skin. No longer was the cold. And music was in the air! There were a few guests clapping along with the melodies coming from the violinists. There were a few people joining hands and performing dances together, accompanying the sounds. Others were sitting around, chatting, laughing, having a few drinks. The maids were seen coming around, passing some food around and offering them to the guests.

"Well, this just might be the welcoming party we needed," Adagio smiled, putting her hands on her hips.

"Girls, you made it!" Red Threadmaster greeted.

Red appeared just from off to the side, walking to them with a few glasses of rum on a tray. She offered it to them, to wit, they all accepted from her.

"Thank you Red, very glad to see you," Adagio smiled.

"Thanks for the rum! I know what I'll be doing tonight," Aria chuckled, taking a swing of it from her glass cup.

Adagio stared at Aria with a scowl. "Throw up inside the house, you'll be sleeping outside."

Red chuckled. "I'm sorry?"

"Aria throws up after five shots of anything with alcohol," Sonata squeaked.

"I do not!"

"You threw up on The Hardrock," Sonata pointed out.

"I was seasick!"

"That's what you said when you threw up on Hoover's shoes," Sonata sing-songed.

Aria's cheeks blushed profusely. "Hehe, didn't happen, Sonata..."

Red rolled her eyes. "Bickering like this just makes me thankful I don't have a sister."

"Adagio Dazzle?"

Adagio's head turned. It was Burly Bones!

"Bones."

"Very lovely to see you again, Miss Dazzle, Miss Blaze, Miss Dusk. Good to see all of you here again."

Aria was busy swinging down another drink, raising her hand up for him to wait.

"If you wish to be the receiving end of Aria's stomach waste, I recommend you stand back as far away from her as possible. She can't exactly handle all that rum."

Aria swallowed the remains of the rum in her drink and wiped her mouth clean. "Don't tell me how much I can't handle," Aria hiccuped, "I'm good!"

"--And the drunk spirits return," Adagio deadpanned.

"Spirits?" A woman asked from the side. Adagio rolled her eyes, chuckling.

"It was only a figure a speech, Ms...?"

"Right, you don't know me. My name is Rum, Dry Rum, is thy name," she introduced. She shook Adagio's hand. "Sorry to startle you, but I was worried you might have seen a spirit."

"Oh you mean like the supposed spirit that dragged off that fool of a schoolteacher?" Burly Bones snarked.

All three Dazzlings stopped. Their heads slowly turned to look at both humans.

"I'm sorry, 'fool of a schoolteacher'? What exactly do you mean...?" Adagio asked.

"Oh dear, here we go again..." Red complained.

"We had a wonderful schoolteacher in this very town," Dry Rum began. "We mostly referred to him as Mr. Crane. Not only was he a wonderful schoolteacher, but he was very eccentric too. He studied all sorts of myths and legends of ghosts and spirits and--"

"--wasted all of his time chasing fairy-tales," Burly Bones interrupted.

"So we can agree on one thing," Red genuinely said.

"Now, hold on... What happened to that schoolteacher?" Adagio asked, leaning forward on the side of the bench.

"Oh come on, don't tell me you're actually buying that drizzle," Red complained.

"Please, Rum, continue."

"Right, right. Anyways, Mr Crane was invited to a party here just last year on this very night, on Hallow's Eve. But alas, the poor dear was too distracted by our stories that he didn't even see what time it had begun. It had just passed midnight, and Mr. Crane had to travel home as fast as he could. He scurried along, trying not to waste time, but then... he showed up."

"Who?" Sonata asked.

"The Headless Horseman..." Dry Rum said in an ominous tone. "The Horseman found Crane, and when he was found, he ran as fast as he could. He tried to make it for the bridge, and he managed to cross it in time. But it was too late. The Horseman threw his jack-o-lantern, and disappeared off into the night. People around here might say that he just moved away, and some like me know that he was carried away... because from that night on... we never saw him again."

Adagio for once actually start to feel a bit on edge. "Never?"

"Never."

"Oh come on, Adagio, its just an old tale to scare off people who are new around here," Burly Bones replied. "You won't let something like that scare you, will you?"

Adagio wasn't sure what to say. She wanted to say no, but she didn't.

"Oh please, you have to be joking."

The leader of the trio looked to the most popular man in town. "I don't know if it is true... but its important to know any myth and legend in your surroundings so you can prepare for the worst."

Burly Bones scoffed. "Suit yourself." And without another word, he just simply left Adagio alone to dance with the other guests. Most boring man ever, Adagio deadpanned inside. She looked back to Aria and Sonata who didn't change their expressions. They were a little concerned for sure, but they weren't sinking into the depths of fear like Adagio was.

"Don't you girls wish to dance?" Red ask.

"Mmm, no thanks, I think I'd just be depressing to have. You go ahead," Aria said, plunking down next to the fire.

"Me too. Besides, none of the men in here are cute..." Sonata pouted. She too, sat down near the fire for warmth.

"Adagio?"

Adagio looked to her sisters, and then back at Red. She simply shook her head, but Red could understand. She just simply shrugged and went off to join the rest of the dancing guests. Adagio, happy to just be with her sisters, sat down on the couch, cuddled up with a blanket.

"Rum, perhaps you can regale us in some more stories? Do you know any others?"

"I do, in fact. Have you heard of the Fair Folk?"

They shook their heads, saying no.

"Well the Fair Folk were some of the most disturbing manifestations to ever come into our world. They were the unknowable creatures of the forest. They used humans as playthings, torturing them, sometimes even having their bodies for food..."

While the rest of the guests ate, drank, and danced, the Dazzlings indulged themselves into spooky stories and wild speculations for hours, long into the night. And drank, of course. The actual rum helped them enjoy the story just a little bit more than usual. And with all that rum and whiskey, their fears were slowly melting away...

Hours had gone by, and the party had come to a close. The Dazzlings were laying about on the floor, dozing off from the whiskey and rum they had drank earlier, and were near the fire for warmth. They didn't even hear the sound of the man walking down the stairs to the open room. Only the clap of his hands woke them up.

"Alright folks, its time for you to go to your own homes," the man said.

The Dazzlings snapped out of their slumber when they heard the clap, all jolting up at once.

"Oh? It's over?" Adagio said, getting back up on her feet.

The only other people still inside the house was the couple who were telling stories on and on for the girls.

"Oh dear, look how late it's become," Dry Rum said.

"Um, sir, if I may, where is Red? Red Threadmaster?"

"She left the party hours ago, its past midnight."

All three of them stopped.

"P-P-Past midnight?" Adagio stuttered. Her head flipped back to gaze outside. It was pitch black outside, and it only made her eyes sink into her skull.

"Oh I'm glad I don't have to walk through Sleepy Hollow on a night like this."

"Say girls, don't you have to pass through Sleepy Hollow on your way home?" Another guest said.

"Why, um, yes," Adagio said.

"Well if anyone can handle the Headless Horseman, its you three."

"We can? I mean, yes, of course we can!" Adagio said with confidence. She looked away from everyone with an honest nervous face. "I think..." Truth be told, she wasn't sure. She heard the rumors, she heard them all. She wasn't one to truly believe in ghosts and spirits, but knowing the strange tales and myths and creatures that came from Equestria, the likelihood of ghosts was very likely.

But they had to get through there either way. There was no way avoiding the inevitable. Her sisters all got up, and they all left the house, together as a pack.

They walked for about ten minutes before approaching the sign that pointed straight for Sleepy Hollow. The sign that pointed to the glen was very old, its painted words faded from having stood for many years. It stood out of the ground, arched with a menacing tilt, like someone had ran right over it. With nothing more than determination left, they took big deep breaths and walked straight for Sleepy Hollow...

Chapter 10: Costumes And Worry

Trixie carefully rested her final costume piece on top of her head, now she was ready. She stood in front of her mirror, taking a quick look at herself. This outfit in particular wasn't something she'd normally wear, but she only wanted to wear it for Halloween. Technically, she wore a witch's outfit, but this one was a bit more... out there.

Leggings were colored in orange and black stripes, with pointed shoes of equal color. A skirt with a very jagged design, held by a leather belt which had little small key-chains displaying images of magic wands over moons. A sleeveless orange, black, and white top held by tiny straps over her shoulders. Her wrists were covered by black and orange glovewarmers, and small bracelets that sparkled. The last piece was just a witch hat, with a yellow bow wrapped around the top, and a tiny jack-o-lantern hanging off the tail like the silver bell of an elf hat.

"Oh, Dagi, I hope you love it," Trixie giggled. Maybe it was some of Adagio's narcissism or self-loving attitude rubbing off of her, but she actually thought she looked good.

She skipped down the stairs, landing on her feet when she made it back to the main floor. In the kitchen, she could see her mother, Sunflower, cooking.

"Okay mom, I'm going to head out."

"Just one second..." Sunflower said, walking out to take a look. "Oh sweetie, you look so adorable."

Trixie blushed. "Mom..."

Sunflower giggled. "I bet the boys are going to fall head over heels for you."

Trixie's face only went more red. "Yeah, somehow I don't think that's going to happen..."

Sunflower stopped and looked her in the eye. "Just promise me you'll have fun, okay?"

"I will. I promise."

Sunflower smiled and pulled her daughter in for a hug. Trixie hugged her back, and was ready to head out--

"One more thing..."

"Aww, Mom..." Trixie whined.

"One quick photo."

Trixie sighed. "Okay..."

Sunflower quickly pulled out a camera and snapped a cute photo. Once she was done, Trixie grabbed her keys and began to get ready. She stepped outside, her eyes adjusting to the dark atmosphere, accompanied by small bits of light from the spooky jack-o-lanterns.

She walked into her car after unlocking it, and pulled out onto the street. Seeing it was now free, she drove on out to her first location! She had a friend to pick up before she would head to Adagio's apartment.

After parking the car, she walked up to the front door and ringed the doorbell. In a few seconds, the door quickly opened up, revealing her friend who stepped out. Light purple skin and blue eyes visible under her costume. A dark purple suit, looking like something you'd wear to work. But what made this outfit stand out some more was the small brooch that was visible near the neck, and the spandex tight mask that covered the entire head leaving only the eyes and mouth visible. And while not clear, a small indentation of a butterfly was on the mask head.

"A party hosted by the heroes of Canterlot? It makes the perfect feeding ground for my little Akumas..." she said in a deep voice, attempting to sound like a man. She tapped her cane on the ground and pointed up at the air, like she was directing a beast to fly. "Fly away my little Akuma, and heroize a kindred spirit..."

Trixie giggled. "Nice monologue, Starlight."

"Thanks Trixie," Starlight smiled. She jumped on Trixie, giving her a hug. Trixie hugged back.

"You look really good, Le Papillion," Trixie winked.

Starlight giggled. "Thanks. So I guess you're trying to go for a new witch, or..."

Trixie rubbed the back of her head. "I wore it cause... I think Dagi would like it."

Starlight smirked. "Oh really?"

"Y-Yeah," Trixie stuttered.

Starlight just replied with a simple boop on Trixie's nose, and locked the door behind her. "So. Shall we go?"

Trixie smiled and led her to the car. Once Starlight was inside, Trixie turned on the ignition, and drove out again.

"So tell me, why did you invite me? I don't go to CHS, and you told me it was a CHS party."

Trixie still smiled. "Well, because you're my friend, and I think you should be invited. Besides, Adagio's inviting someone from outside of CHS as well."

"Know who she is?"

"Not really. But Adagio says she's bringing her in to help make Aria and Sonata's revenge prank backfire."

Starlight fiddled with her suit while her friend drove. "Remind me again why they're going through the trouble of doing this prank?"

"Because they're my friends, and they care about me. But that doesn't mean I want them to pull it off."

Starlight had nothing else to say. Or really, any idea what to say. But it didn't matter since they were arriving very shortly. As soon as Trixie parked the car, the two friends into the main lobby and went into the elevator. Once the elevator had stopped to the penthouse floor, they got off and walked to the main door where the Dazzlings would be.

The door opened up, allowing Trixie and Starlight to walk in.

"Hey, Adagio? I'm here. Where are you?"

A single light flipped on, projecting the figure that was standing in the room. Someone dressed in dark blue jeans, a gray cotton turtleneck and black gloves. The final piece of the costume was the mask covering the entire head, all in black. The only things that stood out was the pair of goggles and the mouthpiece that helped the masked person see and speak.

"Adagio is not here anymore. She was too busy staring at her screen, reading words off from another screen... Screens are everywhere. We all use these screens, we allow ourselves to get controlled by screens... but screens, are controlled, BY. ME. Screensla--" the masked person started coughing."Agh!" Wheezing and coughing, the mask was lifted off the head, revealing Adagio Dazzle's face, as well as freeing the massive hair that had somehow been contained in her mask. "I can't breathe in this thing!"

Once she had her oxygen collected, she breathed in and out to calm down. "I'll fix that mask, I need to get some more air holes in there."

Putting the mask on one of the kitchen chairs, she looked back at Trixie's costume.

"Oh Trixie..."

Trixie blushed. "D-Do you like it?"

"Trixie, you look so adorable!" Adagio hugged her girlfriend, purring like a cat. Trixie's cheeks only went more red. "I love it!"

Trixie blushed hard, once she was let go from the hug. "G-Glad you like it..."

Adagio giggled and kissed her cheek. "You look absolutely gorgeous, Trixie." Her head turned to Starlight. "Starlight, very good to see you too."

Starlight smiled. "It's nice to see you too." She looked around. "Um, where's Aria and Sonata?"

"That's Slugslinger to ya!"

Coming down the stairs was Aria, dressed up in old western style of clothing. Holsters by her sides, spurs on the back of her boots, black vest over her shirt, and a cowboy hat with a brim that blocked her eyes from sight.

"Back in the Old West. I was the toughest fighter and rough rider you'll ever see," Aria said in her best Western accent she could say. "Now ya'll need to listen carefully, don't touch my guns cause they're the finest revolver's I've got."

"Aria, do not--"

And without even listening, Aria whipped one of the revolvers up and shattered a glass cup on the marble countertop. Adagio scowled. "You're paying for that cup, Aria. Now where's your sister?"

"Right here!" Sonata said, zipping off the stairs, landing on her feet. When she landed, she too was revealed to be in costume as well. Dressed in Roman battle gear, with a small helmet on her head with a blue crest, a sword by her side, and painted scars on her face. "Ready to set off for battle! Oh hi Papillion."

Starlight gave a small bow, acknowledging her presence.

"So, what people are you going to heroize at the party?" Aria asked.

"Mmm, maybe someone stood up, perhaps someone in need of confidence..." Starlight thought out loud with a wink.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of someone knocking on the door. Adagio opened up the door, allowing the two guests who were on the outside, in. Their arriving guests was Lyra and Bon Bon. Lyra was dressed as a Japanese chef, and Bon-Bon in a simple cat costume; dark clothes with cat ears, and painted-on whiskers and nose.

"Hey girls! Oh my gosh Sonata, you look amazing!" Lyra cooed.

Sonata grinned. "Thanks! You too!" She looked to Bon-Bon. "Aww, you're a kitty! That's nice!"

Bon-Bon blushed. "Thanks... I'm not one for dressing up, but Lyra really wanted me too, so here I am. A cat."

Lyra giggled, playfully stroking the top of Bon Bon's hair like you would to a cat. "Hehe. I'll make sure to chop up some sashimi for you, neko!"

Bon-Bon rolled her eyes at Lyra's playful banter. Then suddenly, there was another knock at the front door.

"I got it!"

Aria answered the door. Everyone else, too busy focused on talking to one another didn't see who arrived, until they heard Aria laughing.

"Nice. Nice outfits, you two!"

The girls arriving this time were Vinyl and Octavia. Octavia was dressed in dark, very punk rock clothes. As she grinned, she made the fake fangs in her mouth visible, accompanied by a few carefully painted dabs of "blood" running down from her lips to make her costume apparent.

"Thanks, luv! You look great yourself!"

Aria snorted some more, stepping away from the door. When they walked inside, everyone tuned to look at the last arriving guests.

"You're a... vampire?" Bon Bon asked, tilting her head.

"Punk vampire, Bonnie."

Sonata stifled a laugh. "And Vinyl?"

Vinyl rolled her eyes, huffing and puffing; her arms folded slightly. She wore white dress, with two prominent bite marks painted on her neck.

"Oi, a vampire's gotta have a bride," Octavia stated.

Bon Bon and Lyra were visibly giggling, making Vinyl sigh.

"I knew I shouldn't have taken that bet..."

The British vampire lightly patted her on the back, smiling fondly at her. "Cheer up, Vi. It's just one night. Next Halloween, you can dress me up however you wish."

Vinyl couldn't help but smirk. "Don't make promises you don't want to uphold, Tavi."

"Now we just need to wait for one more; has anyone seen Amethyst?"

Once again, another knock on the door. Adagio smirked and she opened up the door. On the other side, was indeed Amethyst. She walked into the penthouse, very stiffly. Very robotic, actually. A blank, neutral face stayed. A pair of black sunglasses covered her eyes. Dressed in a black leather jacket, pants, and dark gray shirt, she stared at everyone. She kept her head moving in a slow stiff manner, keeping in tune with her robotic acting.

"I am looking for Lavender Lace. I was told she was going to be here, where is she?" Amethyst asked, trying her best to give the most authentic Austrian accent. But her attempt only made everyone laugh.

"She's going to show up at the party, Amy. Her and Fuchsia."

Amethyst stopped. "I'll be back."

"Agreed. Everyone, lets go! We've got a party to host!" Adagio cheered.

Once everyone arrived, the party was now rockin' on. Tons of music blaring out of the speakers, students and guests dancing and talking among each other, some enjoying some of the party games, it was a full house. It was so loud, you could easily compare it to a rave or a college party.

The girls went off in their own separate ways in the party, collective in groups. Adagio stayed in the main party room with Trixie, Starlight, Vinyl, and Lyra. While Aria and Sonata left with Octavia and Bon Bon. Adagio knew they were going to have their plan set into motion, but she wasn't worried. She informed the bouncers to let them know of the arrival of the main targets; especially the other guest they had invited. But for now they would just hang out in the dance party, with a few games.

Octavia, Sonata, and Bon Bon were all gathered together at the main foyer, waiting patiently for Aria to come back. She stepped away from the group to look for someone somewhere in the mansion party, but they were waiting an awful long time.

"What's taking her so long?" Sonata whined.

"She'll be here soon, just wait."

Eventually Aria came back being followed. Fuchsia and Lavender, in fact.

"Oh boy," Bon Bon muttered.

"Stay calm, Bon Bon, its okay," Octavia replied, patting her shoulder.

Lavender and Fuchsia looked up to see the other girls who were nearby.

"Um, is something wrong?" Lavender asked.

Bon Bon tried her best to look convincing, but she could feel it not working inside.

"No. Nothing at all."

Fuchsia tilted her head, but shrugged. "Look, is Trixie up there?"

"Yeah, she is. We thought there would be less noise up there, too loud down here. Just go down the hall, and down to your right. She'll be up there somewhere, there's some living room area up there."

"Okay," Lavender nodded.

But before she and Fuchsia went up the stairs--

"Wait."

Aria and Sonata held back a groan of annoyance.

"What?"

Lavender looked into Aria's eyes, dead on. "Thank you for letting us have a chance to make things up."

Aria blanked. Sonata too.

"Well, um... no problem," Aria cleared her throat.

Lavender smiled, and she led Fuchsia up the stairs. And into the brightened hallway, they left. Aria smirked and chuckled. "The plan is all going together... now I'm going to grab our other guest."

"No need!" Sonata called out. "Found her!"

Octavia, Bon Bon, and Aria looked over to Sonata who was standing with her.

"Excellent... okay, you know what you need to do?"

The guest shrugged her shoulders, not entirely sure.

"Okay, here's what's going to go down..."

So for the next few minutes, Aria broke down the plan to their assistant, who understood quite well the intentions. No more words to share, everyone quickly rushed up the stairs to begin their plan. Scare time had come, and now it was ready to get into action...

15 minutes went by, and there was no sign or indication of anyone arriving. Adagio and her group stayed against the wall, ready to enter the hall if they had to run all the way to the foyer.

"I don't like this, we haven't heard from them in a while. They should be here by now, shouldn't they?" Trixie asked.

"Yes, yes they should..." Adagio worried, gathering her team together. She pulled up a small walkie talkie, and spoke. "Sandalwood, where exactly are Lavender and Fuchsia, have they arrived yet?"

"Yeah dude, Aria and Sonata found them!"

Adagio's face drooped. "What?"

"Yeah, they said something about taking them to apologize to Trixie upstairs. Why?"

Adagio grabbed her own face and groaned. "You had one job, Sandalwood. One. Job!"

"What, what happened?" Vinyl asked.

"Aria and Sonata got to Lavender and Fuchsia," Adagio moaned.

"What!? Well, wait, what about that girl you said you hired, what about her?"

"Let me check. Sandalwood, has our other guest arrived, the one I told you that wasn't from CHS?"

"Not yet dude! I don't even know what she looks like, you didn't tell me! What she look like?"

"She's short! Should sound like a baby Pinkie Pie."

"That doesn't sound good."

Adagio rubbed her temples. "Okay, how about this. She should sound like a younger version of Pinkie, does that help?"

"Okay, much better. Hang on, I'm checking with the others..." Sandalwood replied.

Adagio stood for a moment and waited.

"Oh. Um... Adagio? I have some good news, and some bad news..."

Adagio threw her head back. "What's the good news?"

"Good news is, she's already here. Ringo let her inside."

"Well what's the bad news?"

"Well, Sonata found her a couple of minutes ago and walked with her upstairs to the second floor with Aria. Something about needing her for a prank, or something?"

Adagio dropped the walkie-talkie with a scrunched up, eye-twitching death of a stare. She felt like ripping her hair out, and screaming at the top of her lungs.

"They got to them first!?"

Trixie didn't even need another word. She pushed through the crowd to get to the front of the stairs leading to the second floor. "Alright Aria. Try to scare them huh? Well I'm gonna make sure that doesn't happen. Ready or not, I'm coming up there!"

Trixie's feet picked up and she began to run up the stairs. Adagio raced after as well, accompanied by her friends. She hadn't felt this determined to move so fast since the Battle Of The Bands. Now if she could stop them from pulling them off in time like their escape not too long ago...

Chapter 11: The Headless Horseman

Whether they were ready or not, the Dazzlings walked through that cold and creepy moor known as Sleepy Hollow.

The moon was high in the dark, cloudless sky; a gleaming crescent of silver against a backdrop of deepest black. The air was dry, and bitingly cold; Sonata's breath hissed between her teeth as she followed. Adagio and Aria on the route back to their home. Leaves rustled beneath them, almost the only sound that could be heard on the moorland.

The silence was awful. It wasn't simply quiet, it was oppressively so. The emptiness of the night drew in on them - even Aria, fierce and stubborn Aria chafed at the cloying weight of the midnight hour.

"A-are we there yet?" Sonata asked. Her words came out as a slight stammer, and she could not quite say it was the cold that made her teeth chatter.

"Not quite," Adagio shook her head, "It's still over the next hill and across the bridge."

Aria half-laughed. "Don't worry, Sonata, we'll be out of the scary dark soon," she teased, with a bit more effort than she would care to admit.

Sonata pouted. "Not funny, Aria!" she snapped, "I'm not scared!"

“Both of you, please calm down,” Adagio ordered, wearily. “It’s cold and dark, but we’ll be out of it soon enough.”

“B-but what about the Horseman?” Sonata glanced back, squinting into the shadows of the trees around the path, “Do you think he’s real?”

Inside, Adagio was screaming 'yes' in fear. But she didn't show it. Instead, Adagio shook her head. “No, it’s just a story,” she said, putting a firm tone into her voice as she said, “There’s no ghost in these woods—"

A shrill scream echoed through the trees. Sonata yelped in terror and grabbed onto Aria’s arm tightly. Aria grimaced, her eyes moving around rapidly as she and her sisters tried to pinpoint the source of the unearthly screech.

Then, Adagio sighed.

“Girls, look,” she said, pointing to a distant branch, where a small shape was perched. The three sisters all gazed at the figure of the owl, silhouetted on the tree limb there. The bird twisted its head around, tawny eyes staring into the dark. It screeched once more, an eerie sound, before spreading its wings and taking flight, vanishing into the shadows so quickly it may as well never have been in the first place. Silence fell in the wake of its departure, but to the Sirens it was a blessed relief now.

Finally Adagio spoke up. “See? There you go. It was just an owl. Nothing to be afraid of.”

Aria lightly smacked Sonata’s shoulder, “Not scared, huh?”

“Yeah, well, you were scared too!”

“Was not!”

Adagio laughed in spite of herself at the idea of the familiar, light bickering of the two sisters.

“Come on now,” she chided lightly, “there’ll be time for that once we get home-“

A sharp, dry snap pierced the night, shutting up all three Sirens once more.

It may have been just the sound of a twig snapping, but in that moment – in the dark and the cold of the midnight hour – it was the most frightening sound on Earth. None of them moved, none of them dared to breathe. The silence descended on them again, heavy as the grave. A minute passed, in awful, total quiet….

Before another sound made itself heard to the three sisters.

Tlot-tlot. Tlot-tlot.

The sound of horses’ hooves, striking the cobblestones of the path. Drawing closer, ever closer…

And then, silence once more.

“H-hello?” Sonata squeaked, in little more than a whisper. “Who’s there?”

Adagio summoned up her voice, and called out, “Who are you?”

Aria matched her call with a shout of her own. “Stay back, I’m warning you!”

Nothing.

Nothing but the chill of the autumn, and the silver gleaming of the moon.

And then Adagio saw it. Almost right there, as if it had always been there, at the edge of the moorland.

"Who... who are you!?"

A great black horse, head swaying from side to side, pawing the ground with a mighty, iron shod hoof. And on its back, wreathed in dark clothes and cloak, was a rider, indeed, as the stories said… A rider with no head.

Adagio’s heart skipped many beats. Her breath hissed out of her lungs and she could not get it back. Sonata whimpered, trying to put forth some sound as the terrible rider and his fearsome mount loomed in the darkness on the moor.

“H-h-headless,” Aria repeated, as if saying it would do anything, anything to make the apparition go away.

Adagio started to lose her voice just from the sight of it. She started wheezing. "Hea... headless horseman, headless horseman..." Adagio’s voice returned to her, and she made it known at the top of her lungs. “HEADLESS HORSEMAN!?”

As if responding to her words, the great black horse reared up on its hind legs, and its rider let out a shrill, bloodcurdling laugh--

And the Horseman and his mount charged, and the Sirens screamed and ran. They immediately ditched

Hoofbeats thundered in the night, as the great black horse and its nightmarish rider hurtled after the three sisters.

“Hurry! Towards the bridge!” Adagio shouted, as the Horseman’s chilling laughter rang through the night.

The three of them ran, ran like they never had before, as the pounding hoofbeats bore down on them, the shrill cackling of the headless rider sounding ever louder and ever closer--

Sonata stumbled, her shoe catching on her dress, and she nearly fell as she continued to run. The almost-fall took her off the path and away from the other sisters; she pushed on, still running, even as branches whipped against her face and she could hear horses’ hooves closing in and hot breath almost right at her neck-

She screamed, as something grabbed her arm and yanked her hard to the left. The thunder of hoofbeats rolled past and into the woods out of sight.

“Let me go!” Sonata started to scream, before she recognized Aria’s face before her.

“It’s just us, come on!!” Her sister said, swiftly pushing her along, back onto the path towards the bridge and to safety. Adagio drew close to Sonata’s side, her heart pounding, as she couldn’t help but think of how close she’d been to losing her…

They were at the top of the hill, which led down a stretch of dirt road to the river and the bridge spanning it.

The words from the story crossed their minds:

Once you cross that bridge, the ghost cannot reach you.

“Hurry!” Adagio said, as they ran down the hill towards the bridge.

“I’m hurrying!” Sonata pouted.

“What do you THINK we’re doing?!” Aria snapped.

They had got only halfway down the hill when they heard the thunder of hooves again.

And that awful laugh, drawing ever closer…

The Horseman and his mount came charging out of the dark, sparks flying from the great horse’s shoes as they struck the earth. The headless rider’s cloak billowed out as he rode full-tilt towards his quarry; the cape spreading out like the wings of a monstrous bat--

Bearing down on Adagio, the Horseman grabbed for her as his horse thundered past. The eldest Siren fell to the ground as she dodged away from the specter’s grasp; hitting the ground, she rolled painfully down the slope of the hill and into the cold grass.

Unsteadily Adagio got back up, her dress torn at the shoulder. She hissed in pain, clutching a sore spot on her leg, wondering if she could still run…

“DAGI!!” Sonata’s voice shrieked, as the cackle resounded again, and the roll of hoofbeats drew near.

Adagio whipped around, and she would never forget the sight before her:

The great black horse, red eyes rolling madly, steam puffing from its nostrils, sparks flying as it bore down on her… and the headless rider in black, looming like Death himself, laughing that shrill, impossible cackle…

“No!!”

Aria had never thought she could yell so, but in that moment, she did.

And she and Sonata, forgetting the bridge, forgetting their terror, forgetting everything except their sister, ran at full sprint to their sister, to try and fend off the ghoulish rider bent on taking her from them.

They grabbed Adagio and pulled her back to her feet, even as the Horseman drew up right in front of the three Sirens.

The black horse reared up, hooves kicking out, eyes blazing. Its spectral rider laughed again, even louder than before, and he drew a sword in one hand.

The three sisters all thought the same thing, but only Aria was the one to say it.

They all turned and ran, harder than ever before, back towards the bridge.

Hooves thundered behind them, sparks flying from the horse’s pounding steps, and the Horseman swiped and slashed at them with his sword as he rode up alongside them. Aria pulled Sonata out of the way of a strike that would have had her head otherwise – and Adagio lost a chunk of hair to the hacking, chopping blade.

“Almost there!! We’re almost there!!” Adagio panted as they drew closer, so very close, towards the bridge and the path across the river.

The Horseman doubled his efforts. His horse charged ahead, up to the path. Turning his horse around, the Horseman reared up in the saddle, blade raised high, with one more peal of wild laughter, before charging towards them.

The steel glinted, for just a moment, in the thin light of the moon.

“Down!!” Adagio yelled, and as one, the three Sirens threw themselves to the ground as the Horseman thundered by. Aria nearly rolled into the nearby river, but caught herself.

“Come on, hurry!” Sonata helped her sister back up as they sprinted the final dozen feet to the entrance of the bridge.

Adagio glanced back, daring no more than the briefest glance, to see the Horseman already turning his mount once more…

Then she looked forward, and ran across the bridge with her sisters to the other side of the river.

"Yes, yes, yes!!!" Adagio cheered. "Haha!" She turned around with a shaken up, but admittedly smug feeling. "I'll have you know, we're mythical creatures just like yourself, but we cannot die! And unlike you, we aren't going to vanish!" Adagio mocked with a lot more shake in her chuckle.

The horse let out an angry whinny, watching them. But the horseman wasn't going away so soon. A cackle escaped from the headless neck, and the flaming pumpkin was being raised up.

"Adagio... I think now's the time for us to go!" Sonata said.

"Wait for my signal!" Adagio ordered.

With one last shrieking cackle, the Headless Horseman threw the pumpkin. The jack-o-lantern came flying right at the girls, hurling like a baseball. It only took a few more seconds, and then suddenly, everything just stopped. A bright red flash beamed through the forest, but only for a few seconds. Suddenly, the light died down, and everything was silent.

The Dazzlings weren't anywhere to be seen, and neither was the horseman. All four had vanished from the surrounding area. And all was silent...

Chapter 12: A Truly Happy Halloween

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