G5 Adventures in Spooky Buddies

With the help of the caretaker of the Fernfield Cemetery, the Mane 6, Sparky and the Buddies’ kids were able to temporarily escape the clutches of Warwick, but they weren’t sure how long it would be before that happened.

Sunny was glad she was able to save Billy, but she sort of felt bad that the fight between her and Warwick led to Sheriff Dan becoming a monkey. Hopefully, they would be able to change him back when this was all over.

XXXXXXXXX

At the same time, the Buddies, the three fillies, Aurelia, Zelda and Pipsqueak arrived at the cemetary, where Pipsqueak’s body was supposed to be held.

“What’s the plan now, dudette?” Mudbud asked Zelda curiously.

“Everyone,” said Zelda, “look around for Pipsqueak’s body. We don’t have much time!”

The group began to traverse through the cemetery, looking for Pipsqueak’s body on one of the graves when all of a sudden, Aurelia froze between a collection of graves in front of her.

They were for an entire family of dragons that had passed away in a raging forest fire…

…Aurelia’s family.

She was the only survivor of the incident that happened in Fernfield, 1936.

Noticing that Aurelia had stopped before the graves, B-Dawg stopped and looked at Seashell. “Uh… you dawgs go on without me. I gotta see what’s up with the dragon.”

“Okay, B-Dawg,” Seashell nodded. “If you’re sure.”

B-Dawg trotted back over to Aurelia and sat beside her. “Yo, you okay, dawg-ette?”

“Huh?” Aurelia seemed surprised to see him. “Y-Yes, um… I’m sorry, B-Dawg, I normally don’t… get this sappy.”

B-Dawg looked at the names on the graves: ‘Beacon’, ‘Hope’ and ‘Dreamer’, and noticed the dragon symbol above the graves. “Was this… your posse?”

Aurelia paused at this before sighing, telling B-Dawg the whole story. “I was a hatchling when it happened. A campfire had gotten much too out of control in the forest where I lived with my mother, father and older sister. The Fernfield Fire Department worked countlessly for hours to put it out, but it was spreading, meaning we had to flee our home. However, my… my father’s tail got pinned, and he needed my mother and older sister to help him free, while… I was told to get out of the forest while I still could. I waited and waited at the forest’s edge for hours for them to show, and when the fire was put out, I went back in to see if I could find them, but… they were gone…”

Tears came from Aurelia’s eyes, causing her to quickly wipe them away before she continued the story. “They organized a funeral for my family, but… I was too ashamed to go. I thought it was my fault. So, I wandered into Fernfield one night, where I encountered Pipsqueak and his siblings playing in the front yard of 2332 Pine Lane. They seemed very friendly, so we all played together for what felt like ages. We remained friends for the rest of that year, and then… when Pipsqueak and his brothers and sisters got taken by Warwick, I went in to rescue them. Then… well… you can see how that worked out.”

B-Dawg was silent for a moment, not sure what to say. He felt bad for running away from Aurelia so many times. He wished he could relate to her, but he never lost his family. He still could visit his parents and was best friends with all his siblings. Though the thought of losing them was…too much. However, B-Dawg did know a little something about blaming himself.

“I get how you feel, dawg,” B-Dawg finally said. And when Aurelia gave him a doubtful look, B-Dawg continued. “It's true. Don't you dare tell another soul what I'm about to tell you cause I'll deny it til the day I die but…it's my fault the Howlloween Hound escaped.”

Aurelia smiled bitterly. “We already know that, B-Dawg.”

This caused B-Dawg to glare at her slightly. “Yo, give me a break, dawg. I ain't too good sharin’ no feelings. What I meant was… my brothers, my friends and my sister are in danger of getting their souls taken… and it's my fault. If I didn't let my stupid need to prove myself get in the way, they'd all be safe right now. If… if anything happened to them… I'd never forgive myself.”

B-Dawg paused before looking up at Aurelia. “That's where you and I differ. What happened to your family, what happened to Pipsqueak and his siblings, that wasn't your fault. You did everything you could. I mean, you stayed behind in a creepy old manor for 75 years so Pipsqueak wouldn't be alone for crying put loud. I released the Howlloween Hound and put my family, and all of Fernfield, and the world, in danger. You did all you could to save it. You're a hero, Aurelia. I see it. So does everybody else. Now all you need to do is see it for yourself.”

Aurelia smiled as her heart warmed. She didn't quite see herself as a hero yet, not after everything she failed to do, but talking with B-Dawg did make her feel better. “Thank you, B-Dawg.”

“No problem, dawg. Like Seashell said back at Zelda's shop, you're one of us now. We take care of each other. You're an honorary Buddy,” B-Dawg paused before standing up straight. “Alright, enough of all these sappy emotions. Let's go find Pipsqueak’s statue.”

As Aurelia stood up to do just that, Glory came running up to them. “Hey, guys! We found it! We found Pipsqueak's body!”

“Show us the way,” Aurelia urged. The three of them hurried to where the rest of the group was gathered, in front of a small gravesite with Pipsqueak's body on top of it. “Whoa…” Pipsqueak looked shocked as he stared at his own body. “That’s me.”

“Pipsqueak. Rest in peace,” Buddha read the plaque. “Most loyal friend of Joseph. The best pup a boy could ever have.”

“What do we do now, Zelda?” Rosebud asked. “Okay, well, uh, I have to confess,” Zelda started with a nervous laugh. “I've never really returned a spirit to a body, per se. But umm… I'll give it a whirl.”

And with that, Zelda started the incantation. “Help us, spirits, and take this soul. Place it back into the body the Hound once stole!”

Pipsqueak's ghost began to waver, but it wasn't enough, so Zelda decided to say it again. “Help us, spirits, and take this soul. Place it back into the body the Hound once stole!”

As Zelda repeated it, Pipsqueak began to slowly float towards his body. “It's working!”

Zelda, with much more vigor, repeated the incantation a third and final time. “Help us, spirits, and take this soul. Place it back into the body the Hound once stole!”

When Pipsqueak finally reached his body, the statue glowed as he entered it. Everybody waited with bated breath as the glow slowly disappeared and in the statue's place was a young beagle puppy. “Pipsqueak, it worked!” Peach Fizz cheered. “Whoa, guys! My legs!” Pipsqueak tested out his body. “I can wiggle my nose! Wow, guys, I can chase my tail! I'm back! Whoo! How can I ever thank you guys?”

“No thanks needed,” Seashell smiled. “It's what friends do, remember?”

“Pipsqueak, what do you say we get the kinks out of those legs of yours and race?” Aurelia asked with a smirk. “Just like we used to?”

“You bet!” Pipsqueak exclaimed with a smirk. “75 years of not using them and I bet I can still beat you! Remember the rules?”

“Yes, yes, no wings. Ready, set, go!”

And just like that, the two best friends ran around the cemetery, whooping and cheering the whole time, both of them the happiest they've been in 75 long years.

XXXXXXXX

The old man drove the car with the Buddies’ kids, Sparky and the Mane 6 inside it quite a long way through town, and the Mane 6 couldn’t help but wonder where they were going…

…that is, until they finally stopped outside of a small church in town. “Come on, kids!” the man cried out, opening the door and letting the group out of the backseat. “Hurry, hurry, hurry!”

“Out of the way, sis!” Pipp pushed past Zipp as she got out of the car. “Comin’ through!”

“Hey, we’re all going to the same place!” Izzy shouted. “Right? Aren’t we? I’m so confused!”

“Zipp! Any sign of Warwick?” Sunny asked. And after a moment of scanning the skies with her visor, Zipp was able to see Warwick using his staff to chase after them from the skies. “Up there! Hurry! Everyone inside!”

Sunny stopped, getting ready to activate her alicorn form again. “I can cast a protection spell--”

“No need,” the caretaker said. “The church will protect us. Go!”

Zipp and Sunny looked at each other before running into the church with the rest of the group, Sunny readying the protection spell just in case.

Once they were inside the church, Warwick landed outside of it, grasping his staff rightly. “I want… that… BOOK!!” he shouted and was just about to run up the walkway before he was thrown backwards and into the street.

XXXXXXXX

Sunny, who was watching from the window just in case, watched with wide eyes, turning to the caretaker with shock. “Why… how did that happen?”

The man who saved them chose not to answer right away, but led them further into the church by candlelight. “You’ll be safe here,” he said. “Evil like Warwick cannot enter the house of God.”

“Well, then, how come you have a key?” Alice asked curiously. “I’m the organist here every Sunday. Don’t worry, kids,” the man said, placing the candle down. “We beat Warwick once, we can do it again.”

Billy pulled out the photo from the case file Sheriff Dan gave him and looked between it and the old man. “This is you, isn't it?” Billy asked, showing the man the photo. The caretaker leaned down to look at it closer. “You’re the boy from the legend.”

The caretaker was silent for a moment before answering. “That was sure a long time ago.””

“#Plot twist!” Pipp whispered in excitement. “Shh!” Zipp whispered, wanting to catch every word, causing Pipp to roll her eyes. Billy smiled at the old man before deciding to start the introductions, pointing to each respective person. “Well, um, I'm Billy and this is Alice, and that's Pete, and Bartleby, and that's Sam.”

“And I’m Sunny,” Sunny added with a smile. “And next to me is Zipp, Pipp, Hitch, Izzy, Sparky and Misty.”

“Hi new friend!” Izzy exclaimed, bouncing up to the man and holding out her hoof. And after a moment, the man smiled and shook it. “Joseph. Joseph Johnson.”

“Mr. Johnson, we’re gonna do everything we can to help,” Zipp said with a smile.

XXXXXXXX

At the same time, as Aurelia and Pipsqueak raced, the Howlloween Hound entered the cemetery, having followed the Buddies’ scent.

He was close now… he could feel it.

As he entered, he saw the Buddies and company looking around the cemetery. As they heard the bones of his collar clank together, they turned around and gasped. “This time, there's nowhere to run,” the Howlloween Hound said ominously. “Ohhhhh this CANNOT be happening!” Seashell hid herself behind Budderball. Zelda, gathering her courage, stepped forward in front of the Buddies and Pipsqueaks. “Mr. Hound, I am Zelda. I am all knowing and all seeing. I specialize in the mystic and otherworldly. I believe I can help you come from the dark back into the light.”

The Howlloween Hound shrugged. “I actually like the darkness. Now get out of my way.”

Out of the Hound's mouth came a puff of gray smoke, causing a startled yelp from the Pippsqueaks as it engulfed Zelda. When it disappeared, Zelda was turned to stone, her soul already being eaten by the hound.

That was when Peach Fizz lost it. She screamed an ear piercing shriek, the other Pippsqueaks following suit. They did not sign up for this when they jumped through the portal for another Unity Quest.

Upon hearing the Pippsqueaks scream, Aurelia and Pipsqueak stopped in their racing to figure out what was going on. “Oh no!” Pipsqueak muttered when he saw the Howlloween Hound. “Aurelia, look!”

“I see it,” Aurelia whispered, “but we need to keep our heads down. We have to rescue them when the time is right, or else we’ll put ourselves in danger too.”

That’s when the Howlloween Hound turned to look at the owl perched on the branch nearby. “Hoot. Go tell that idiot Warwick I’ve captured the puppies and three of their friends.”

And once Hoot had flown away, the Howlloween Hound turned back to the group. “Now, I have a different plan for you lot.”

“We're doomed!” the Pippsqueaks and B-Dawg yelled. Pipsqueak wanted to help, but he remained quiet. He didn't just trust Aurelia with his own life. He trusted her with the lives of their friends. If Aurelia said it was better to remain quiet, then he'd do just that.

XXXXXXXX

Back at the church, Joseph pulled out something wrapped in an old cloth, piquing the group’s interests. “For 75 years,” he explained as he began unwrapping the cloth, “I held on to this book…dreading a full moon on Halloween night. It's the only night Warick could return to finish the spell.”

As Joseph explained and pulled out the book, Warwick snuck up to the window on the side, looming through it. He spotted his book, his anger growing. “They have my book! How do I get my hands on it?”

Back in the church, Joseph opened the book and the group gathered around him. “Whoa, what's up with this book?” Hitch asked. “The writing's all trippy.”

“It's Latin,” Joseph explained. “I learned the language and studied the book from cover to cover trying to decipher its meaning, so I could stop Warwick.”

“So what's it say, Mr. Johnson?” Zipp asked, pulling out her FlyPad to take notes to look back on in case they had to leave the book in here, the one place Warwick couldn't reach it.

“Warwick will need three items to complete the spell tonight,” Joseph explained, “for the evil spirits of the netherworld to remain here.”

Misty and Billy looked worried at this. “The nether-what-now?”

“Oh, I know all about this,” Pipp brushed off. “That's another name for a place where ghosts live… usually bad ones.”

Zipp looked at her sister, confused and impressed. “How'd you know that?”

Pipp waved a dismissive hoof. “Oh please. It's classic horror 101. Besides,” she shot her sister a sly smile. “You're not the only one who can know things.”

“Your sister is right though, Zipp,” Joseph continued. “Halloween is the one night these spirits can roam free in our world. Only the Howlloween Hound can call them out. Warwick will use those spirits to control the townsfolk of Fernfield.”

“Uh, guys…” Hitch said nervously. “This sounds really bad.”

Sparky nodded and whimpered in agreement to this. “But… you said he needs three things, right?” Alice asked Joseph with a shrug. As long as they can stop Warwick from getting those things, they would be safe. “That's right,” Joseph confirmed. “His staff, the spell book, and one other thing.”

“Well, what is it?” Billy asked, leaving Joseph to continue. “The souls of five puppies of the same blood. And, to reach ultimate power… I haven't been able to figure this one out yet. To reach ultimate power, the Howlloween Hound needs three whose bond that is greater than blood.”

Sunny put a hoof to her chin, thinking. A bond greater than blood. A bond greater than blood...

After a moment of thinking, Sunny gasped as the answer came to her. “Friendship! Friendship is the only bond that can surpass blood!”

Izzy gulped at this. “Like ours?”

Zipp shook her head. “No. There are six of us. Joseph said he needed…”

Zipp's eyes widened as a thought came to her. “Oh no...”

“What?” Pipp asked, panicking at the look on her sister's face. “The Pippsqueaks!” Zipp exclaimed. “Of course!” Hitch said as it made sense. “Those fillies are closer than sisters!”

“But five pups of the same blood…” Misty muttered. “You mean… siblings?”

Joseph nodded at this, and suddenly, they were all hit with the same thought. “THE BUDDIES!!!”

XXXXXXXX

Outside, Warwick continued to watch them until Hoot spoke up from behind him. “Master.”

Warwick yelped and turned to him. “Don't sneak up on me like that!”

Hoot decided to spill the beans at that moment, despite his master's scolding. “The Hound has captured the five puppies. And three fillies, though I'm not sure why.”

Warwick smiled evilly. Those fillies would come in handy... even if they didn't realize it yet. “Perfect…” he muttered. “They will all come in handy in more ways than one.”

As he laughed, Warwick hiccuped. Ugh, he really needed to get that looked into. But first, world domination.

He used his staff to fly toward the cemetery, with Hoot right on his heels.

XXXXXXXX

The Pippsqueaks whimpered nervously under the watchful gaze of the Hound, worried for themselves and for the Buddies.

For some reason, the Hound was keeping a more particular eye on the Pippsqueaks than their golden retriever pup pals.

B-Dawg stepped up hesitantly. The less that got hurt from his mistake, the better. “Uh… look, dawg,” he started in a shaky voice, “uh… you already uh… got me and my siblings. Just uh, let the fillies go. You really got no need for them. If… if you let them go they can uh…”

“Spread word of your greatness!” Glory piped up with a very strained smile. “Y-Yeah! So uh, what do you say?” B-Dawg asked with a nervous grin. The Hound was silent for a bit, pretending to think it over before shaking his head. “Nah, I think I'll keep ‘em.”

Seashell sighed at this, looking at her friend with a bit of sadness. “Thanks for trying, B-Dawg… but it looks like we're stuck with him.”

“W-What do you want with us, Mr. Howlloween Hound, sir?” trembled Peach Fizz. “W-We aren't puppies that are related.”

The Howlloween Hound smirked. “No. I sense that you are much more valuable.”

That's when Warwick showed up, flying through the trees and spitting leaves out of his mouth before he noticed the group. “Good work, Hound. Now all I need is my book. You take these puppies and fillies back to the manor and I will meet you there.”

And with a laugh and a hiccup the startled Hoot flew off back to the church.

As the Hound led the Pippsqueaks and the Buddies away, Aurelia looked down at Pipsqueak, having an idea. “Pipsqueak, I want you to listen closely. I have a plan to save the others. I want you to the back road to the manor so the Hound doesn't see you, and meet me there. I have to follow Warwick and alert someone to help us.”

“Promise me you'll be safe,” Pipsqueak said with a trembling voice. “Only if you promise the same,” Aurelia responded back. Pipsqueak nodded, and the two nuzzled each other before Aurelia flew off after Warwick.

XXXXXXXX

Warwick soon arrived at the doors of the church before deciding to use a spell to get them open. “Open wide like the jaws of a dragon!”

The doors burst open and inside the church, an ethereal wind blew as the others turned to him with terror. “You in there!” Warwick shouted. “I have something you want!”

“Yo, dawgs, it's that creepy old warlock!” Billy exclaimed. “Oh yeah? And what gave it away?” Pipp asked sarcastically. “Stay back, kids! We've got this!” Zipp shouted as the Mane 6 fiercely stood in front of their friends. That's when Warwick delivered his ransom. “If you want to see your puppies and fillies again, you better bring that book to my manor!”

And with a maniacal laughter, he flew off on his staff, leaving the group to look at each other with wide, worried eyes. “Oh, no…” Alice muttered. “They've got the Buddies and the Pippsqueaks!”

“Yeah, but what if they're just trying to trick us?” Billy pointed out. “You really want to take that chance, dude?” Pete asked. “I wouldn't,” Hitch agreed. “Ugh! I knew bringing them was a bad idea to leave those guys on their own!” Zipp said frustratedly. Pipp put a hoof on her sister's shoulder, worried about their little friends as well. “I know, Zipp. But there's nothing we can do about that now. All we can do is everything we can to save them.”

“Right… but we also need to find a way to defeat Warwick once and for all,” Sunny said. “I just wish I knew how.”

“Sunny, we'll figure it out. We always do.” Hitch comforted. “But I'm the alicorn! It's my job to protect everybody!” Sunny countered. “And right now, all I've been doing is failing. I didn't listen to Zipp when she sensed the Pippsqueaks were in trouble and now they're captured by some evil spirit. I tried to save Billy only to turn Sheriff Dan into a monkey! I couldn't keep Warwick from getting the staff! And worst of all? I didn't listen to Misty when she said she got bad vibes from it.”

Sunny sat down on the ground, lowering her head in complete shame and heartbreak. “I'm sorry I let you all down.”

The group was silent for a moment before Hitch walked up to Sunny, sitting down next to her. “You know, I'm the sheriff of Maretime Bay. Have been for years. You know this. Some would say I'm even good at it. But when Maretime Bay needed me to protect them most… I failed. But, you know what? I learned a valuable lesson that day. One you actually taught me.”

Sunny looked up at Hitch, confused. “W-what?”

“No leader is meant to do something on their own. When I failed, you swooped in and did what I couldn't. You can't be responsible for everything. That burden is too great for one pony. When you can't, Sunny, lean on your friends to help. We all make mistakes, but our friends will be there to help us pick up the pieces.”

“Yeah.” Zipp agreed, walking up to the pair. “We've got your back.”

“We'll defeat that no-good Warwick and save the Buddies and Pipsqueaks!” Izzy said, bouncing up. “Together!”

“Together!” Misty and Pipp echoed. “Together!” the kids yelled in unison. Hitch stood up and offered his hoof to Sunny. “So, what do you say? Ready to find a third way? Like heroes do?”

Sunny smiled at Hitch, taking the hoof he held out to her and eventually standing up. “Yeah. Together.”

“So… what's the plan?” Bartleby asked.

“Well… we need to find a way to infiltrate the manor,” Misty said in thought, “so… we should bring the book to Warwick like he asked.”

“But what if he goes back on his word?” Alice asked.

“Don't worry,” Zipp reassured. “We won't let him hurt the fillies or the pups.”

XXXXXXXX

Soon, once the book was gathered, the group headed out to the car to get going… only to only have a large white dragon, Aurelia herself, pant and flop down in front of them, out of breath. “Aurelia! Is that… is that you?” Joseph asked, hurrying up to her. “Joseph?” the white dragon asked weakly, looking up at the old man before her. When Joseph nodded, Aurelia jumped up, suddenly full of energy. “Joseph!”

The dragon immediately hugged her old friend, sniffling back tears as the others looked on. “There… there's so much I have to tell you, so much that's happened tonight!” Aurelia said before she stopped, realizing why she had come to find help in the first place. “The Howlloween Hound and Warwick. They're back and…”

“We know,” Joseph interrupted softly. “Yeah. Warwick gave us a run for our money all night,” Pipp answered back with a scowl. “Then he had the nerve to come back and boast about it.”

“He has the Buddies and Pippsqueaks!” Aurelia continued. “You were with them? Are they okay? Are they hurt?” Sam asked, stepping up. “As far as I could tell,” said Aurelia. “I sent Pipsqueak ahead to check on them until I found help.”

“Pipsqueak's okay?” Joseph asked. “For now, at least,” Aurelia nodded. “Just follow behind me. I know a shortcut that will get us there before it's too late.”

“Just lead the way!” Zipp told the dragon, and they got into the car and followed Aurelia to save their little friends before it was too late.