The Carnival of the Damned

The underbrush of the forest lashed out as Rose sped deep into it's secluded shadows at breakneck speed. Something had been out there, something...possibly a new creature. She ignored the twigs and branches as they scratched at her legs and scraped up her coat, focusing only on the location of the sighting. A clearing was nearby here, she knew this from many years or roaming the land.

It was with a sudden burst that the mare stumbled out of the line of trees into the wide clearing of tall grass. The last of the sun's rays still played across the swaying sea of the forest ground. A calming sight if not for the strange tip of purple close to her right. Cautiously she approached, hearing a faint moaning of pain.

“Owwie...”

To her surprise, she observed a small orange filly sitting with her hind hooves sprawled on the ground in what she could only consider was a crash landing. A n unkempt mane and tail of inky black contrasted the brightness of her coat quite well, and complimented a much too large witch's hat that sat askew on one of her ears. Taking the scene in further, Rose was surprised to see a very old looking wooden broom close by.

“That's right....the Nightmare Night festivities are next week...” Her quiet words startled the strangely costumed filly who leaped onto her stockinged hooves and spun around to face Rose. Her eyes were a bright jade, clear and seeming full of depth as she stared at the mare.

The eyes were first set into a  defensive glare as she took in Rose's form for the first time, yet better examining the other, the eyes blinked, flickering to shock, confusion, elation, and ultimately sorrow in a seeming blink of an eye. Full tears brimmed on the small pony's eyelids, spilling over into large drops as they fell to earth.

“W-W-WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” This sudden cry confused Rose as the little witch sped over to cling to the mare's front hoof. “M-Miss! My mommy...my daddy... I-I...I'm lost!” The small filly sobbed as Rose tried her best to offer a consoling pat.

“L-Little one...You shouldn't wander into the Everfree alone. It is very dangerous, especially for someone so small as yourself. P-Please calm down. Tell me what happened. You spoke of your mother and father? Are they close by? Did you run off?”

“M-Mommy is sick! Daddy sent me for help.... Medicine.... please help!” The orange filly tugged at Rose, nudging at her.

“Medicine? Are they in Ponyville? Little one, why don't they go to a doctor? I can't think of anypony who would go into the Everfree when there is help so readily available in town...” She resisted the urgent tugging, a little confused by the odd story presented to her. The filly was not to be swayed, she looked up at Rose, a small spark of anger present.

“Daddy said to find the Rose Lady! Zecora knows the Rose lady. Zecora pointed from her home.. I looked... I got lost, please please please! You must come quick or mommy won't make it!” The tiny witch dashed off into the forest, Rose finding no choice but to follow.

“Ah! Wait, please! Do not run off into unknown land!” The shadows quickly consumed any light that had been afforded by the clearing. Dusk was well past, and night was rapidly drawing over the land, making the darkness even more threatening.

Both raced ahead, one following the other as the orange blur glanced back every now and again to ascertain the unicorn's presence before darting off at a quicker pace. A small grin of triumph as she turned to look once again, before she was brought to an instant halt my a dark immovable shadow. The filly rubbed her snout, glaring at the obstruction as Rose trotted up to a halt close by.

“Ah! Sir Kuromaru!” She huffed a little, catching her breath from the chase through the forest. H”ow odd to see you here. Is something the matter? Where is Okiku?”

Ryn glared down at the little orange pony who had dared to crash into him so carelessly before setting down the parcel that he had carried in his mouth.

“Delivery. You forgot something at the cafe.”

“Oh! I nearly forgot!” She levitated the box over to her.”Thank you for coming all this way.”

“Okiku said you rushed out suddenly...was something wrong?” He glared at the witch, who glowered back in defiance. “Who is this?”

“I was following this filly. She said she was lost. Her mother is sick in Ponyville, and her father had sent her to Zecora to search for me.”

The dark pegasus raised an eyebrow, looking down at the witch.

“Oh? That's funny. I just spoke to Zecora earlier at Nurse Redheart's clinic, asking if she had seen you. She said she has been in town all week, and was staying at the inn until the rash of current flu cases had subsided. As for  heading to Ponyville, You are a long long way off from there. Now then... where are you really headed?” He lowered his head to be eye level with the orange witch, who bristled with fury as she stared daggers back.

“Tch... you....” She stamped angrily on the floor as a flash of green light and smoke filled the area. Ryn and Rose coughed as the fog cleared, yet the strange filly was nowhere to be seen. The mare looked in questioning to the other, who continued to wear a stoic expression. After a few minutes, he sighed.

“Come on,  let's get you back to your home. I've had enough of this strangeness for one day, and it's dangerous enough out here when the sun is up. I'm not about to become a meal for an Ursa.” He trotted over to Rose and took the box of teas once more. The unicorn nodded to him, and they  both set off through the forest once more.

….