G5 Adventures in Spooky Buddies

The Pippsqueaks were being called on yet another Unity Quest with the Mane 6, this time during Nightmare Night, and they couldn’t wait to see where this adventure was going to take them.

Maybe it was going to be another adventure in space... or with Mystery Inc solving another mystery... or maybe in some new location even the Mane 6 hadn't been before!

Whatever the destination was, our favorite fillies couldn't wait to find out where they were going and who they were supposed to help.

XXXXXXXX

A brightly colored portal opened along a dirt road in the middle of the forest, and the Mane 6 and the Pippsqueaks stepped out of it and looked around. They didn’t see any landmarks that looked familiar, so they weren’t sure where they were…

…until Hitch spotted a school bus at an old manor at the end of the road. “Hey, look over there!”

The others turned and spotted a school bus at the manor, and Zipp used her visor to zoom in on it. “Fernfield Elementary… yes! We’re back in Fernfield!”

“Does that mean we’re gonna see the Buddies and their kids again?” Glory asked hopefully. “It sure does!” Sunny beamed with happiness as her response. “Come on! Let’s hurry over there and say hi!”

The nine ponies hurried over toward the old manor, sneaking past what looked like a class of students, looking around for the Buddies. The ponies knew that wherever the kids were, their four-legged companions weren't far behind.

They were beginning to grow worried, wondering if they were called here because the Buddies were in trouble when they heard voices.

“Sunny! Guys! You’re back!”

“It's good to see you dudes again!”

That’s when the ponies turned to see Alice, Bartleby, Sam, Pete and Billy waving to them, with the Buddies barking and approaching them happily. “Billy, Alice! Sam! Bartleby, Pete! Buddies! It’s good to see all of you too!” Seashell smiled. “Happy Nightmare Night/Halloween!”

“Same to you dawgs,” Billy said. “Are you here for another one of those… mission things?”

“Unity Quests, Billy, but… yeah, that’s why we’re here,” Hitch nodded. “We’re just… not sure what the mission is yet.”

At the same time, the Pippsqueaks were talking to the Buddies a good distance away from their owners (who still had no idea that their pups could talk), who were excited to see their friends again since the last time they were in Fernfield. “It’s so good to see you three again,” Rosebud told Seashell. “How have you been since our little… misadventure in space?”

“Great!” Peach Fizz exclaimed. “Though, life in Maretime Bay hasn't been nearly as exciting since.”

“Yes. Going into space has given me a whole new perspective on life and the vastness of beyond,” Buddha said in that ethereal calm voice of his. “Hey, all I know is that that's the only time you'll be seein’ me eating broccoli,” Budderball said, causing the others to laugh. That’s when the kids’ teacher approached, looking surprised to see them. “Kids? Who are these ponies?”

“They’re our friends from Equestria, Mrs. Carroll,” Alice explained as the ponies smiled and waved to the teacher. “They’re here for a… special Halloween mission, and we were wondering… could they join us for the rest of the field trip?”

Mrs. Carroll paused, before answering with a small smile. “Sure they can. Just so long as they promise not to get in the way or cause any interruptions.”

“Yep, no distractions. You won't even notice we're here,” Zipp said, raising a hoof as though pledging an oath. Mrs. Carroll kept her smile, but it was a bit strained. She doubted nine colorful talking ponies could really go unnoticed, in fact, she figured they’d be the most distracting thing in this whole town, but she just nodded anyway.

Soon, the entire class gathered around the front of the manor, with the Pippsqueaks standing near the Buddies. “This manor has been boarded up for quite some time,” said Mrs. Carroll, “and it all starts with a legend that began about 75 years ago…”

XXXXXXXX

The year was 1937.

The citizens of Fernfield gathered in front of town hall, preparing to leave for the manor on the edge of the town limits. They drove off in their cars, hoping they wouldn't be too late in order to stop an evil plan that was dangerously close to unfolding.

However, back at the manor, Warwick the Warlock, the most dreaded warlock in the area, was already beginning his spell to take over the town, and it wouldn't be too long now before everything was ready. His owl, Hoot, stood at his perch not too far away, and five young beagle puppies sat behind Warwick, having been taken from their homes and families by him. “Tonight… is the night,” Warwick said with growing excitement. “On Hallow's Eve, when the moon is full. I'll show all those fools just how powerful Warwick the Warlock really is!”

“Master, you are the evilest,” commented Hoot, still sitting on that perch near Warwick. “Yes I am,” Warwick said as though it were obvious, giving Hoot a look, before walking away to continue preparing his spell.

Little did Warwick know it, but a young dragon with white scales and blue eyes, a Light Fury, to be more precise, named Aurelia snuck into the manor through an open window and used her cloaking powers to climb the stairs until she found where Warwick, Hoot and the puppies were.

She had to stay out of sight until the right moment… in order to save the puppies, who were some of her best friends.

Pipsqueak, the smallest of the puppies, walked up to Hoot. “Excuse me, Mr. Hoot, sir? When do we get to meet the Howlloween Hound?”

Aurelia's gut churned at the mention of the Howlloween Hound, knowing good and well that whoever this was... it definitely wasn't anyone worth meeting. “I think the master's almost ready,” Hoot responded, looking down at the tiny pup, still unaware of Aurelia's presence. Warwick went to a closet, opening the doors and pulling out his most prized possession: his spell book. It was vital to performing the spell that would summon the Howlloween Hound.

Pipsqueak hurried back to his brothers and sisters when Warwick came back, setting his spell book on the stand, and flipping through the pages before finding the one he needed. It was almost time… and Aurelia knew that she needed to act fast to save her friends.

XXXXXXXX

Outside, the citizens of Fernfield pulled up to the manor, hurrying out of their cars. The sheriff, known all around the area as Sheriff Jim, approached the gate, with his trusty bloodhound, Deputy Tracker, who was barking at the manor. “The manor!” the sheriff exclaimed in an angry whisper. “That no-good Warwick. He must have the puppies.”

That’s when he turned to one of the other men on site. “Give me those bolt cutters.”

The man handed them over, and the sheriff used them to cut the chains keeping the gate closed and locked, and Deputy Tracker. who ran ahead of the posse, and the others hurried towards the manor.

XXXXXXXX

Inside, Warwick heard the sounds of a dog barking and hurried to the window to see silhouettes in the distance, approaching the manor. “Drat!” he muttered before looking up at the full moon. “We must hurry.”

Aurelia flapped her wings and flew a bit closer to the puppies, still cloaked and out of sight to avoid Warwick or Hoot detecting her.

Even she needed to see this for herself.

Warwick stood in front of the mirror, holding his scepter in one hand, while the other he held towards the mirror, beginning the incantation. “Howlloween Hound on All Hallow's Eve, with the moon full and bright, open a portal beyond light! Call three times to summon a Hound of great might! The souls of five puppies you shall have on this night! Howlloween Hound.”

The air seemed to tense as Warwick called out the first time to the Howlloween Hound. An ethereal wind began to blow softly in the room of the manor. “Howlloween Hound!” Warwick cried again, and this time, Aurelia began to see something forming in the mirror. “HOWLLOWEEN HOUND!!!”

And by the third shout, a canine figure with glowing green eyes appeared in the mirror, covered with mist, and causing Aurelia to tense within her hiding place. At that moment, the Howlloween Hound in the mirror spoke. “Who dares summon me?”

The Howlloween Hound's voice sounded old. Almost older than time itself. Pipsqueak looked up at the brown dog that stood in the mirror. Dread welled up in his gut as he looked up into those green eyes. Something about this dog made Pipsqueak want to run in the opposite direction.

After a moment, Warwick spoke up to him. “I do, Hound! Warwick the Great. I have the five puppy souls of the same blood. I believe they are what you need to open the portal.”

Those piercing green eyes turned to Warwick, who shook a little with fear. But he wouldn't let fear hold him back now-- he worked too hard for this. “And why should I open the portal for you?” the Howlloween Hound asked after glancing at the five puppies. Luckily, Warwick had a solid answer he knew the Hound would agree to. “Because together, we shall unleash all the creatures of the underworld on Fernfield. And then you and I shall rule the land, Hound.”

The Howlloween Hound smirked, intrigued. “I like the sound of that.”

“But we only have this Halloween night, while the moon is full.” Warwick paused and turned to the five puppies, leaning down towards them. “The Howlloween Hound will see you now.”

“Let me go first!” the oldest sister of the five volunteered, walking up to the mirror, completely oblivious to the danger that was before her.

Aurelia knew that as long as she was cloaked, she would be fine, so as Warwick, Hoot and everyone else were distracted, she snuck closer to Pipsqueak and whispered in his ear. “Pipsqueak? It's me, Aurelia,” whispered the young dragon. “I used my cloaking magic to sneak in. Are you okay?”

Pipsqueak gasped when he heard the dragon's voice. “Aurelia?” he whispered. “Have you come to see the Howlloween Hound too?”

Aurelia sighed, wishing her friend wasn't so oblivious sometimes. “No, Pipsqueak. I've come to rescue you. You and your siblings are in danger.”

Pipsqueak looked confused at this. “Danger? What do you mean?”

“Look… just hang tight, and I'll get you outta here as soon as help arrives,” Aurelia promised. “I just gotta wait for the right time.”

XXXXXXXX

At the same time, the posse arrived at the front of the mansion, ready to burst in and save the puppies from Warwick. Among them was a little boy around the age of six named Joseph Johnson, and his father... Pipsqueak's family, who had been ever so worried about the beagle pup and his siblings since they went missing. “Pipsqueak!” the little boy yelled, fear for what the warlock had in store for his loyal pup evident in his voice. “We have to find him, Dad! He's my best friend!”

“We will, Joseph,” his father promised sincerely. Deputy Tracker pawed at the door, alerting the sheriff to the fact that the door was probably locked. “Grab that tree trunk!” ordered the sheriff, pointing to a group of men nearby. “We have to break down the door!”

The group of men complied, grunting as they did so. They knew this wouldn't be easy, but they had vowed that this night would be the last time Warwick the Warlock would hurt another soul in Fernfield.

XXXXXXXX

Back in the manor, almost all of Pipsqueak's siblings were turned to stone, their souls taken from them. Pipsqueak was now scared, understanding what Aurelia was talking about when she said he was in danger.

“PIPSQUEAK!!!”

Pipsqueak heard Joseph calling him from outside, as did Hoot and Aurelia, causing the dragon to realize that now was their only chance to escape. “Pipsqueak, it’s now or never,” Aurelia whispered. “Decline the invitation to the Howlloween Hound and I can get you out of here!”

Pipsqueak nodded and turned toward Hoot. “I-I changed my mind,” he said to the owl politely. “I don’t wanna go with the Howlloween Hound.”

“Master, the puppy doesn't want to go now,” Hoot repeated what Pipsqueak told him, tilting his head. Warwick sighed in frustration, turning to Hoot. “All I wanted was a wise owl. And I've seemed to have gotten a moronic parrot.”

He then turned to Pipsqueak with a devious smile. “You're next.”

That’s when Aurelia uncloaked herself, snarling and biting the warlock’s hand as he reached for Pipsqueak, causing him to yell out in pain. “Come on, Pipsqueak!” the young dragon urged. “Let’s get out of here!”

With a nod, Pipsqueak ran for the exit, Aurelia right behind him. “You can’t escape!” Warwick called as they fled the room. Then, in an attempt to stop them before they got out of the manor, Warwick dropped his scepter and stood on top of it before it floated up and followed Pipsqueak and Aurelia out of the room.

XXXXXXXX

Aurelia and Pipsqueak didn't want to stay in this manor another second, quickly navigating the hallways until they reached a grand staircase that led to the main foyer. “Come on, Pipsqueak!” Aurelia said as they ran down the stairs. “He’s catching up to us!”

“Might as well accept your fate!” Warwick yelled, gaining on them. Both Aurelia and Pipsqueak screeched to a stop when they saw the closed front door, the other side of it banging, threatening to break it wide open. Aurelia gasped as she saw Warwick gaining on them, spreading her wings and flying up to attack. “Stay away from him, you big meanie!”

She launched plasma blasts at the warlock from her mouth, but unfortunately, he managed to dodge them before he knocked Aurelia clean out of the air, causing her to shriek and fall to the ground, disoriented.

With Aurelia out of the way, Warwick swooped down and grabbed Pipsqueak right as the front doors swung open to reveal the mob of townspeople. They hurried in, only to stop when they saw the puppy in Warwick's arms, much to Joseph's horror. “PIPSQUEAK!!”

Deputy Tracker barked threateningly at the warlock, and soon enough, Aurelia was able to steady herself and growl, her wings lifted to show she was ready to attack. “Stay back!” Warwick threatened, hugging the puppy closer to him. “Stop, Warwick!” the sheriff commanded, just as Warwick pulled out a bottle with clear liquid inside, taking off the cap with his mouth and spitting it back out. “Stay back! Or I will turn you all into toads!”

When two men didn't heed his warning and took a step forward, he tossed the clear liquid in their directions and brown smoke engulfed them. When it disappeared, in their place were two toads, just as the warlock promised.

Aurelia let out a shriek, completely terrified of toads. The rest of the men gasped in shock and horror, but Warwick wasn't finished. “Soon, you will all be my slaves!”

He throw the now empty bottle down on the ground and flew back up the stairs with a maniacal laugh, Pipsqueak still in his arms. Joseph didn't care about his threats, and hurried up the stairs, despite his father's protests. “Deputy Tracker,” Sheriff Bob commanded, “after him!”

Deputy Tracker barked and ran up the stairs, causing Aurelia to gasp in panic. “Deputy Tracker, wait for me!” she cried, using her tiny dragon legs to hurry up the stairs.

XXXXXXXX

The first rays of sunlight were beginning to peek over the distant mountains, and Warwick put Pipsqueak in front of the mirror to face the hound. “Quickly, Hound. Dawn is here! Take the last puppy.”

“I’m fading,” said the Hound, but Warwick was desperate. “Complete the spell!”

The Hound released an eerie howl, and smoke emerged from his mouth, separating Pipsqueak's spirit from his body, and turning his puppy body into a statue, just like his brothers and sisters. “Pipsqueak!” Joseph yelled as he ran to his best friend who was reduced to nothing more but a stone statue. However, before he could, Warwick grabbed him, attempting to hold him in place while also holding his scepter. “There's nothing I despise more than petulant young children!”

Aurelia had climbed up the stairs and was about to help Joseph when immediately... she froze, seeing Pipsqueak's ghost slowly approaching the mirror with the Hound. “No! Pipsqueak!!”

She was too late... she couldn't save her friend... and that hurt her deeply.

Joseph stepped on Warwick's foot and freed himself from the warlock, also causing Warwick to cry out in pain. However, before the Hound could consume Pipsqueak's soul, the sun shone into the room, blinding the Hound. “The sun! My eyes!”

And because he was blinded, the Hound could not pull Pipsqueak's soul into his mouth, causing it to break free and float above his statue.

Deputy Tracker charged into the room, snapping Aurelia out of her stunned trance before they both attacked Warwick, causing him to drop his scepter onto the ground.

After getting the deputy and the young dragon off of him, Warwick turned to the Hound in panic. “Hound! Open the portal!”

“I need all five puppy souls,” the Hound told him as he began to fade. “It’s too late, Warwick.”

And just like that, the Hound had disappeared back into the spirit world, causing Aurelia to catch her breath. At that moment, the sheriff, Joseph’s father and a few other men barged into the room. “It’s over, Warwick!” Sheriff Jim said. “You’re under arrest! Enough of your black magic! You're through.”

“Never...!” Warwick responded, holding up his hands as though they were a shield. “I'll take this town under my control one day. Mark my words... I'll be back!”

And before anyone else could respond to Warwick's claim, he jumped through the mirror and disappeared into the spirit world before the mirror returned to its normal state. Joseph walked up to the stone statue of his best friend as the sheriff and his father gasped in shock at what just occured, the sheriff speaking first. “What in tarnation just happened?”

Tears filled Joseph's eyes as he turned to his father with sad, pleading eyes. “Dad... look what he did to Pipsqueak.”

Aurelia let out a sniffle as she approached with Joseph’s father, saddened by the loss of her friend. Joseph’s father crouched down in front of his son and tapped on Pipsqueak’s stone body. “It’s just a statue, son.”

“No, it’s Pipsqueak,” Aurelia sniffled, feeling to blame entirely for what happened. “We have to turn Pipsqueak back!”

But as she said this, she wasn't looking at the statue. Rather, she was looking at his ghost that hovered in the air, tears filling her eyes. “Joseph, Aurelia,” Pipsqueak called to them. “I’m right here.”

Aurelia fought back tears when he said this, hearing every word. But nobody else seemed to hear Pipsqueak. The sheriff seemed to sense something, because he looked around the room, but it was with fear. “We have to get out of here… now!”

The father, desperate to help his son in any way he could, stood up and grabbed the spell book, knowing there had to be some kind of spell to reverse the damage caused to Pipsqueak and his siblings.

As they began to leave the manor, Pipsqueak found himself pursuing them, Aurelia slowly following behind. “Wait… why are you afraid?” he questioned. “It’s just me, Pipsqueak.”

The humans didn’t seem to hear him as they left the manor, and a woman worriedly approached Sheriff Jim. “What happened, sheriff?”

“I don’t know,” said Sheriff Jim, “But, hopefully, it won't happen again.”

When they all left the manor, Pipsqueak tried to follow them, but he couldn't make it through the front door, some kind of shield preventing him from leaving. “Oh no! I’m… trapped in here!”

When Aurelia noticed Pipsqueak wasn't following them, she stopped, turning back to face him as her heart broke. She couldn't leave him all alone in the creepy old manor, with nobody to talk to, especially since it seemed that she was the only one who could see him. “This home,” said Sheriff Jim, “is officially condemned!”

Taking a deep breath, she quickly ran into the manor before the sheriff closed the doors, listening to what he said next. “Let's board it up, boys! I don't want anyone going in.”

However, Aurelia running back into the manor completely confused Pipsqueak. “Aurelia? What are you doing? You gotta go back out there!”

“...no, I don’t,” Aurelia said to her friend firmly, but sadly. “It’s my fault you’re like this, and apparently, I’m the only one that can see you. It must be for a reason. I… I just can’t leave you alone like this. I’ll find a way to change you back… I promise.”