The moon shone a pale blue hue in the sky high above, the vast horizon a bleak abyss of darkness as not a single star came out to dance about the cosmos. The wind carrying a soft chill among the plains, caressing the dew ridden grass and daintily wafting across the treetops.

The pastel blue light casting a eerie glow across all it touched, bringing forth a touch of devious magic to the world of humanity. Perhaps an echo of equestrian magic dancing upon the strands of reality, bringing forth a bit of ‘Nightmare Night’ dread.

The ‘Apple Family Farm’ quiet as the breeze and twice as calm, the large rural house in the distance lit up by a soft glow of orange light. The sound of laughter muffled within, the flicker of hope held dear around the family home.

Though many were enjoying a calm halloween night inside, be it bobbing for apples or a quick glimpse of a horror movie on the television. One stood outside away from the melodic voices, far from the flowing cider of good times. A young blonde girl dressed in a simple cotton white dress, matching heels dug deep into the mud of the earth as she leaned against a nearby fence.

Her name was Applejack, her flowing silken mane let free to sway among the wind. Dark green eyes full of defeat, a somber frown pursing her lips while memories of the past clawed through the haze of her mind.

Glimpses of the past flashing into the present, the faint murmur of voices pushing through the abyss. This night was indeed haunting but not by tricks of the living, but instead the horrors of the dead. The young girl holding back a stream of tears, eyes becoming tainted by mist of a wicked memory.

“Jackie, are you ok?” The melodic voice of a friend echoed out from the darkness, causing the young girl to snap back into the reality of the now.

Turning around with a twirl of the dress and the flutter of lashes, spotting Pinkie wearing a simple costume of a witch for halloween. Draped in long elegant black silk, spilling down to the ground below towards flirty knee length umbra boots, her wild pink hair topped with a matching hat.

“I’m fine hon, just thinkin’ about the past.” Jackie gave a solem reply, her friend skipping over with a joyous aurora around her.

“The past is a place behind us, I’d rather enjoy the gift given to us in the present.” Pinkie jumped up atop the fence her legs crossing playfully, Jackie flashing a mild smirk in reply.

“Just as the years go by, I get to thinkin’ about my parents.” The blonde gave a small shrug in place, thoughts racing through her mind.

“You miss them hmm?” Pinkie placed a tiny hand upon her friend’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze of comfort.

“More every passing day, did you know my Ma’ used to throw a ‘Harvest Party’ every halloween?” Jackie pushed away from the fence, swaying hips side to side as she walked down towards the open field.

“Ohhh! I love parties, was it the one like now!?” Pinkie sprung off the fence as well, skipping down the hill following her friend.

“Sort of...just smaller.”

“A private get together?” Pinkie gave a bright beaming smile.

“My Pa’ would build a large bonfire in the center of this field, my mom setting up the chairs in a large circle!” Jackie did a twirl in place, the brisk chill air lifting the bottom of her dress delicately.

“Smores!?” Pinkie watched her friend dance in awe around the large open space.

“Darn tootin! With hotdogs, sodas and more!”

“My kind of party!” Pinkie ran over and did a large spin herself, both girls giggling aloud in the moment of happiness.

“Mom would always bring the music, playing upon her guitar. Dad telling us spooky stories, while Mac would always try and scare me!” Jackie did one last spin, the echo of the bonfire blazing brightly before her.

“Whooo!” Pinkie fell down to the soft lush grass with a thud, clapping happily along with the graceful moves of her friend.

The bonfire slowly fading away, the crisp wind becoming a icy chill. Jackie suddenly coming to a stop in the open, her eyes gazing to the emptiness with a saddened gaze. The memories of the past haunting her, simply a time lost to the wind never to return.

“But those days are gone, I’d give anything for just one last night.” Jackie fell to her knees in a deep silence, holding back a stream of tears.

“He thought that too.” Pinkie slowly got to her feet, walking over to her friend and gently lifting her chin up to the distance.

Applejack gasping in awe as out of the darkness a spark of light burst to life, a blazing orange bonfire glowing brightly in the cold abyss. The warmth of light basking all in illumination, chairs of all kinds spread in a large circle and coolers of snacks overflowing at the sides.

She let the tears flow freely, her friends and family stepping out of the dark. Each holding a stick for snacks or her little sister holding a book of scary tales, her brother smiling warmly as he held their mother’s guitar in his hand.

“Happy Harvest sister!” Big Mac chuckled holding the guitar out towards his little sister, the young girl sobbing aloud before simply pulling in for a large embrace.

The two sharing a loving hug in front of the blazing echo of the past, Pinkie quick to pounce over with a joyous giggle. Jackie nodding along in agreement before Rainbow Dash gave a loud woot in the distance, the blonde teen clutching the gift of her mom close to her heart.

“Did you plan this?” Jackie spoke up in a cracked voice, her brother rushing away to help start up the smores.

“Big Mac did, he needed help of course sooo…” Pinkie gave a sweet smile to her friend, slowly wiping away a trail of tears from her cheek.

“The past can never really die, not with friends like you.” Applejack quickly hugged her friend tight, Pinkie giggling and pulling in close with a smile.

“Yeppers! Like I said AJ, enjoy the gift of the present.” Pinkie gave a sly wink.

Two brights stars high above, shining through the darkness. Casting a flicker of hope, among a bleak sky.

Author's Note

Thank you to Coolzzzzz!

For giving me confidence to try out writing myself, my first story to be written online!

Used to writing in notebooks, hope you all enjoy!