The Carnival of the Damned

"Fillies and Gentlecolts! Foals of all ages! I am most pleased to welcome you all to the Carnival of the Damned! Please 'step lively' as they say. There is much to see and much to do!"

The blaring voice broke into Rose's mind as she struggled to rouse herself from the inky blackness of an unconscious state. With a bit of struggle, she finally succeeded in those efforts and opened her eyes to the night sky above. The scene that lay before her was unusual. Many different ponies gathering around a central raised pedestal where the familiar tawny gypsy salespony stood addressing the crowd. Behind him was a sea of eerie colors. Circus tents of green, orange and purple rose up to the sky as signs lit up the rows and wooden stands that littered the valley. The largest sign stood directly behind the raised platform, bearing a box, a skull, and leathery bat wings on each side. The lettering was large enough even to be seen from far off, proudly displaying the name 'Carnival of the Damned' in a bold text. A chill swept over her as she read the ominous name. Dimitri, however, seemed not to miss a beat as he continued his speech, further egged on by the rising enthusiasm of the crowd below.

" Looking to try your luck? Roll our 'Dice of Misfortune' for a chance to win big prizes! If rides are more your speed, we have a wonderful selection. Take a trip on the 'Carousel of the Dead'or maybe the 'Tunnel of Forgotten Memories'. For a better view, our 'Midnight Ferris Wheel offers a full glimpse of the land including yonder Castle Rosencroix." He swept a hoof in the air as a cloud of green magics rose up to form a foreboding silhouette of the castle painted against the backdrop of a full harvest moon. The sight and name left Rose pale. Was it only an illusion? She couldn't possibly have returned here. Her departure from this land was to have been one of permanence. How then had she come back to this realm. The stallion's voice continued from his stand. "You can also see some of the most rare and exotic creatures of far off lands at the 'Creature Emporium! Maybe you are more for shopping? Our caravans and shops are filled with antiques and strange relics I can guarantee you will find nowhere else. All this we bring to you and more!"

A sly grin as he looked about the crowd murmuring with excitement. "Only a small entrance fee, and you can experience all our carnival has to offer. Step right up!"

The multitude of onlookers broke out into happy shouts of anticipation as they moved in a group to push their way to the ticket booth. The mare winced, pulling herself up from the cold ground only to be caught in the tide of bodies headed into the strange fair.

"Ah! Please wait!" Her cries went unheeded, sounding strange even to herself as a sharp pain echoed through the back of her head. "Oww...what happened...?" She moved away from the crowd, glancing about to spot the strange gypsy still atop his pedestal. If any answers were to be found, then he would be the most likely to have them. Rose started forward with a grim look of determination, fully bent on questioning the salespony. Dimitri was quick however, catching sight of the mare and sending a knowing wink in her direction before clearing his throat to garner the excited crowd's attention.

"We thank you most humbly for your patronage and welcome you to our carnival. However I ask that you carry this bit of wisdom with you always: 'Not everything is ever as it seems'. " With a hearty laugh, the gypsy stamped a hoof down on the pedestal. Immediately a flash of light engulfed the stallion. A blink, and he was gone.

Rose stared in wonder before wheeling about every which way to search for the elusive gypsy in vain. He had escaped and she let out a sigh of frustration. There were so many questions on her mind, yet the only one who could rightly answer them at the moment had vanished without a trace. She had been stranded... lost in the eerie carnival.

...

The door to the cafe swung open forcefully as Ryn entered.

'No. Not again. This can't happen again. She's already vanished once, with nothing to show for it. Why again? Why now?'

"Meep! The little ghost lifted her head to peek over the tall counter top waving as Ryn passed by, headed straight for the staircase leading up to the living area of the shop. "Ryn-Ryn?"

And who was that pony? He saw me. I know he did. And that smile...Dammit!

The timid specter followed, curious as to his strange behavior. "How did the delivery go? Did Rose like the muffins?" Ryn didn't speak as he entered the room, grabbing a side satchel and filling it with an assortment of supplies. Okiku watched from  the doorway, knowing from the silent fuming that Ryn wasn't in the best of moods. He was never that was without reason, and that worried her even more.

I'll have to go back. That's likely where he took her. Back to that land. That place. What was that music? That glow...

"Ryn? What happened? Is everything okay?" The pegasus mumbled distractedly as he continued to fill his bag.

"She's gone. Taken. There was a pony... a caravan... he took Rose..."

"Meep?!" Oki flailed her ghostly hooves in a panic as she began making circles about the room. "Rose is gone? Where? What happened? Where did she go? She didn't even say goodbye!" She sniffled while continuing to make a round circuit about Ryn, the later finally halting her with a hoof to ruffle her mane. She looked up to see the other swinging a bag over his shoulder before he pulled her into a tight hug.

"M-meep?"

"I'm going to go find her, Oki. I'll bring her back, promise." The ghost sniffled, looking up to the pegasus with big pleading eyes.

"B-But Nightmare Night is coming up... I want to go trick or treating..."

Ryn smiled, walking back down the stairs with the ghost trailing after him.

"I'll be back before then, Rose too. I promise."

"R-Really?" The specter's face lit up with happiness once again as she hopped up and down excitedly. "Good! I have lots of plans! I'll need to decorate, bake cookies, carve pumpkins and..Meep! This is so exciting!" Ryn couldn't help but give a small chuckle at the young filly's excitable nature.

Good. The last thing I need right now is to worry Oki. She wouldn't understand this, and the danger there is too much. He sighed. "You do that, Oki. Get everything ready for us." He gave one last hug to the little ghost before nudging the door back open as the fall wind swirled about through his black mane.

"I'll be back soon, promise."

Okiku waved as the door shut, Ryn not daring to let the grin slide from his face until he could no longer turn and see the shop. He would have to pay a visit to Zecora. If anypony knew a potion or spell of location in the Everfree, it would be her.