Apparition Amphitheater Presents: The Night of the Loving Dead

Chapters

Bequeth Thy Loving - My Body's Cold
I Take You in My Coffin - Where You Can Kiss My Bones
Love the Un-Living - No Skins Attached

Bequeth Thy Loving - My Body's Cold

A dark and empty open aired amphitheater sits in eerie silence. The black and cold of the seemingly vacant seats oppresses even the insects that scuttle to and fro from the rows, searching for shelter and food. Clouds, finally giving way to the wind, reveal the majesty of the full moon, edging the darkened structure with silver linings. Its gothic beauty now in full force, the time has come.

With expert timing, just as the silver light of the moon gently touched every surface finally, the stage light came to life. Bathing in the bright illumination, taking center stage, was a strange bipedal being. Mostly unassuming, he was roughly six feet tall, wearing dark grey jeans, a light grey hoodie, and had wild, light brown hair. His more unusual qualities, however, shone through the bland of the grey clothing. Sharp, cloven hands, bound in bandages and barbed wire, and to take full effect of danger, a half skull mask adorned his face, with a lengthy, rusty nail poking out from the forehead. In a crowd or in darkness, no one would really pay much attention to such a being. But here, in the empty theater, singled out by the stage light, it was all but impossible to ignore. He raised his hand, and coughed gently.

Good evening, my friends. My name is Wrath B. Forgivnez. I will be your host tonight on this little excursion. What would that be, you may ask? It's very simple. With the upcoming season of harvest, we get ready to celebrate a time of year dedicated to the macabre. To the spirits of the dead and damned. To our fears. You folks, as late as you might be, may already know what I'm referring too, so I won't go into too much detail. Instead, I'll tell you why you and I are here.

You are here for one purpose, and one purpose only. A story. Simple enough, no? But the season, and your anticipation, demands a certain kind of story. One of horror and darkness. Of taboo, and the lost. One of tears. I just so happen to know the perfect story for you. Which is why I'm here.

Tonight, I'll be telling you the tale of three little girls, who tried to help a dear old Grandmother. Three little girls that break a rule their guardians set to do so. Worse, three little girls that did not know that it's a very, deadly idea to dig up the past. It's a tale I like to call:

NIGHT OF THE LOVING DEAD

-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-

On a wonderful spring afternoon, the day began to wind down in the little town of Ponyville. Shops ushered the last of their customers out the doors, citizens began to end their daily activities, and the school's bell rang proudly, signaling its closure for the day. From the school, a rambunctious swarm of little fillies and colts dispersed from the front door, starting their treks home for the evening. A trio of fillies followed behind, chatting up a storm about the upcoming Hearts and Hooves holiday arriving this weekend. Plans of handing out cards to friends and families. An innocent and loving past-time they plan on keeping simple this year, lest a repeat of last year, or worse, happens.

It didn't take long for one to realize the day was getting late, however. The young earth pony named Apple Bloom separated from her school friends with friendly good-byes and raced down the beaten path out of the harmonious town. Dust kicked up as her little yellow form moved quickly to respond to deep seated determination. A welcoming warm breeze of the approaching evening ran through her crimson hair and deep pink bow in her gallop. Trees with budding leaves and flowers passed her by as she approached her destination.

Sweet Apple Acres. Home of the honest and hard working Apple family, and one of the founders of Ponyville. Home also to the little filly that charged through the front gate, passing her orange older sister Applejack, and the crimson older brother Macintosh. With a few quick hellos, the rambunctious child ran through the front door and entered the rustic and humble wood house she called home.

"Granny!" the little filly called out with a smile, "Ah'm home! Where are ya?"

"I'm in here, Apple Bloom," a weathered voice responded from the nearby living room, "and pipe down! There ain't no need to yell in the house. 'Sides, Ah ain't THAT deaf... yet."

"Sorry Granny," she uttered before wandering into the homely little parlor. There, upon the little lavender couch sat the aged mare named Granny Smith Apple. Between her lime green hooves sat an old album filled with memories of the past. Her amber eyes gently gazed over the book, with a small knowing smile grew as each picture sparked thoughts of days long since gone. She turned her head slightly and looked upon the young filly.

"Well, don't just stand there, young'n," she chuckled, gently tapping the seat beside her, "Come and join your ol' Gran'ma."

Apple Bloom giggled with childish abandon as she raced to her rightful spot. This is what the little filly was waiting for. Every Friday, after school, Granny Smith would tell her a story about her past. Sometimes a story filled with adventure. Sometimes a story about the simpler life of Ponyville many years ago. No matter the tale, Apple Bloom was captivated, and never missed a week. All she needed now was to ask the right question to get her grandmother to start her story. Apple Bloom's own amber eyes gazed down at the opened album, and spied a photo of interest.

"Granny," spoke the inquisitive young lady, "who's that?"

"Who?" Granny asked, following the little yellow hoof pointing to the photo in question, "Oh that's-" She suddenly stopped after getting a good look and remembering such a face. Colors were moot in a black and white photo, but she could remember them like it was yesterday. Short, dark mane, deep golden eyes, and a light orange coat to match. Apple Bloom wondered why her grandmother stopped, and looked upon her wise face. Granny was smiling, but it wasn't one of joy, or a wonderful memory of adventure or simplicity.

"What's wrong, Granny?" the filly asked.

"Oh, i-it's nothing, young'n. Just forgot somethin' for a second there." She smiled again reassuringly. "Now, this is a photo of a very old friend o' mine."

"How old?"

"About as old as ah am! His name was Jack Lanturn. Once upon a time, after we settled Ponyville, a whole slough of new farmers came to live in the area and grow their own fruits and veggies. The Lanturns were one such clan. Heh, 's kinda funny actually. The Lanturns themselves were smiths and oil workers. But their son took an interest in farmin', and got real good at growin' pumpkins. Big ones, small ones, some shaped like a box, you name it."

"Like the ones we carve for Nightmare Night?"

"Oh, Jack's pumpkin's have 'em beat, that's for darn tootin'. Anyway, the Lanturns came to Ponyville because Jack was so good. They wanted to nurture his talent, like we nurture tree saplin's. And did he EVER take root! He actually started to get famous around here. Gave us Apples a run for our money, ah tell ya. But, it was all good. He became a friend o' mine after a little hagglin' war we had over some fertilizer. Whoo, could that stallion ever haggle. Mah folks never really liked that ah was gettin' so close to a rival farmer, and the Lanturns were, frankly, just as hard-headed. Me and Jack though? We didn't care too much about what everypony was sayin'. We'd frequently sneak out to spend time together, watching the stars, skippin' rocks..."

Granny Smith trailed off gently, reminiscing in the good times with Jack. Apple Bloom craned her neck to get a better look at the album, and noticed another couple photos. One of them was Granny Smith, when she was much younger, standing beside what she perceived to be Jack, still as young as the first photo Granny had. And in the next photo...

"Granny?" She asked, cautiously, "What're you wearin'?"

The elder stopped rambling quietly about the time she spent with her friend and noticed the photo that her grandchild was asking about. She hesitated for a moment, but with a sad sigh, Granny Smith decided to answer her. "That was mah funeral showd, Apple Bloom."

Apple Bloom's eyes went wide in shock and a dreadful sense of curiosity. "Why were ya wearin' a shroud?"

Granny Smith sighed once again. "One day, about a couple months before Nightmare Night, Jack was given a large order of pumpkins. Some rich folk found out he grew some of the finest in Equestria, and wanted a whole lot of 'em. O' course, Jack took up the offer. You'd be a fool not to take it. Though, ah kinda wish he'da been that fool. Jack was able to grow them just barely in time, and had to rush them up to Canterlot, where that rich pony would buy them off of him. However..." She bit her lip gently, eyes watering at the sides, but swallowed the welling sorrow. "... a week after he left, they found his cart full of pumpkins in the middle of the road, tipped over. And they found Jack... beneath it."

Silence cemented in the room. Apple Bloom was too dumbfounded to comment or ask any further questions, while the elder apple fought to keep her tears in check. With a slightly aching heart, Granny Smith continued the story, "They said that one of his wheels got stuck, and he was tryin' to unstick it himself. Though, he weren't a good replacement for a jack, 'specially with all those pumpkins in the cart. Seems the wheel snapped under the pressure, and then..."

"Ah'm so sorry," Apple Bloom uttered quietly, feeling helpless to her Grandmother's tragic chapter in her life.

Keeping her emotions under control, Granny Smith sighed gently. "It's alright, Applebloom. That was many years ago. I know in my heart he's in the great pasture in the sky, having a grand ol' time. We'll see each other again one day." With a reassuring smile and a twinkle in her eye, she closed the book. "Anywhoo," she started again, "Ah guess that's all for reminiscin' about my past. Sorry it wasn't very happy, little darlin'. Ah promise the next one will be extra fun to hear, 'kay?"

Apple Bloom nodded as the aged mare rose from her seat and made her way out of the livingroom, leaving behind the young filly with her thoughts. She couldn't help but recall the sad look in her eye. She couldn't help but assume that, perhaps, Jack was more than just a friend. That maybe her dear ol' granny must feel so lonely without anypony like Jack by her side. Thinking about it further, as long as she knew Granny, she was always on her own.

"Poor Granny," Apple Bloom uttered. With the belief that her grandmother must be so lonely, she hopped off the couch and exited the parlor. Heading up the stairs and into her humble little room, she made a move for her personal bookshelf. It wasn't filled with anything major, but her interactions with Zecora had her curious about potions and ailments. As such, whenever she didn't have homework, or wasn't reading the latest Daring Do novel, she'd always look through one of the few potion books she had. One special book in particular. One she needed to use to help her dear ol' grandma...

-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-

Saturday, one day before Hearts and Hooves day, had cast a warm glow of the evening. Two fillies stood upon the wooden structure, waiting as the minutes ticked on. The orange filly pegasus with a purple mane named Scootaloo leaned forward against the small river bridge's railing. With a sigh, she turned towards her light grey coated unicorn friend with the light greyish mulburry and rose streaked mane.

"Do you know when Apple Bloom said she'd meet us, Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo said.

The little unicorn filly shook her head gently. "No. She just said to meet here on the bridge before sunset. Said it was a Crusader emergency."

"If it's a new plan to get our cutie marks, I'm all ears, that's for sure," Scootaloo responded with a smirk.

The two girls waited in relative silence. As the time continued to pass on, the orange pegasus began to take up stream watching. Her eyes locked on the river that flowed underneath the bridge they were on, and wound its way around the edge of town, disappearing into the Everfree.

"Hey girls!" a voice called out to them.

Sweetie and Scootaloo turned their attention to the approaching Apple Bloom, whom had a small bag slung across her back. With a quickened pace, she soon joined her friends and fellow Crusaders.

"Jeez, what took you so long?" Scootaloo quipped, impatient as always.

"Just had t' finish somethin' before gittin' here."

"What was it that you needed to do? You know we could have helped you." Sweetie Bell added.

"Nah, a know the formula. It just takes a bit of time make."

Scootaloo raised her eyebrow at the statement, "Just what exactly were you making, Apple Bloom?"

The little filly in question let her face tighten into a slightly more worried and urgent tone. "I'll tell you, but first, ah need yer help."

"Of course!" Sweetie Bell answered without hesitation, "Crusaders don't let each other down, after all."

"Yeah!" Scootaloo added, "Especially if it involves getting our Cutie Marks. So, what's up?"

"Well," Apple Bloom started, "It's about Granny."

"Oh, is she doing alright?" Sweetie Bell interjected.

"Ah guess, but..." Apple Bloom paused for a moment, before continuing, "You know how she always tells me a story every Friday, right?" Her friends nodded expectantly. "Well, she told me about a friend o' hers that... well... died."

Sweetie frowned at the prospect, but Scootaloo scoffed, "Well, duh. I mean isn't she, like, a hundred years old or something? Ponies kinda die when they get too old." Sweetie Bell, baffled at the frankness, stared at her orange friend. "What? What I say?"

"You don't understand, Scootaloo. Jack died when Granny was still young."

"Oh..." Scootaloo blushed at the realization of the implications of untimely death, and untimely commenting. "Wait. Wait a minute," she started, quickly loosing her embarrassment of misstep, "Who cares? It happened so many years ago. I'm sure Granny Smith got over it by now. I mean, she seemed fine the last bazillion times I saw her." Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement, albeit hesitantly.

"Ah care!" Apple Bloom yelled, stamping her hoof, "Ah didn't realize how lonely Granny must be until Ah heard the story. You shoulda seen the look in her eyes, Scoots. It broke mah heart..."

Scootaloo, once again, felt defeated towards Apple Bloom's sound conviction and development to the issue.

"So, what are we gonna do?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Well," the young earth pony started, while putting down her small bag, "Ah think Ah've figured out a way to help Granny out of her deep blue funk. All Granny needs... is a good friend. Somepony to care for her, and not make 'er feel so lonely no more."

"Well, we can't just go to the local old ponies home and pick someone out..." Scootaloo snarked.

"Actually, ah think we should. Old ponies are the only ones that could probably help her proper."

"Are you crazy? Those ponies tend to be more stubborn than mules! There's no way they'd willingly help us."

"Which is why ah made this." Apple Bloom unlaced the bag she carried, and pulled out a small, clear bottle filled with pink glowing stuff.

"Oh no," Sweetie Belle said in abject despair, "That's not-"

"ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Scootaloo yelled, "Do you know how much trouble we got into using that the LAST TIME?"

"Don't worry, guys. Ah changed the formula some, so it isn't as powerful, or as demandin'. I even tested it on a frog to make sure."

"Ponies aren't FROGS!" Scootaloo moved up towards Apple Bloom, and put both of her forehoves on her friends shoulders. "Listen to me, Bloom. You have to get rid of that potion."

"But-"

"We got in WAY too much trouble last time we used it, and no amount of tampering with how it's made will EVER let me forget that." She could see the disappointment in Apple Blooms eyes, and it hurt to see her friend seem so down trodden. She cared deeply for Granny Smith, and Scootaloo knew it. With a sigh, she continued, "We'll help you help Granny Smith, ok? But you have to get rid of... that."

Apple Bloom chewed her lip. She worked hard to get it right, staying up way passed her bedtime to read the book, gather supplies (in town), searching Everfree in the morning for the rest of the ingredients, and altering it until it was just perfect. This was the equivalent of being told to throw out an essay for school that she worked hard in writing, and told by her sister that she needed to get rid of it and start all over again. Honestly, though, that happened more often than not for little Apple Bloom. With a sigh, she picked up the bottle.

"Ya'll promise you'll help me?" She asked her friends.

"Crusaders never let each other down... and neither do friends. Right?" Sweetie Bell answered. Scootaloo nodded in agreement.

With that said, Apple Bloom brought the bottle upon the railing, uncorked it, and began dumping it over the side into the stream. Watching the pink formula enter the stream and dilute in the water was dispiriting, but if her friends were willing to help her, the loss of Plan A is acceptable. At least nothing major can go wrong now. At least, that's what Apple Bloom believed.

"Come on!" said Scootaloo, "Let's get some crusading done before the day ends!" Her friends cheered as they raced off the bridge and into town.

Down the stream, around the edge of Ponyville, and into the Everfree, the pink potion traveled the currents. Lost without its maker and its home, the pink formula was carried to a new home and purpose. Through the darkened forest, passing the great wild, it made its way through a small stream passing through an abandoned little cemetery. As if fate were pulling the strings, the pink fluids seeped into the soil of the grave yard. The untamed magic of the Everfree soil enhanced the potion's strength and changed its properties. Before long, the ground began to crack, with pink light shining through the openings, traveling from grave to grave. One such grave, one whom had love lost, soaked in the unnatural and invading magics. Deep under ground, in the coffin of a mangled and crushed pony, a miracle happened as the pink essence corrupted the dead pony's resting place. With a sudden vigor, the coffin shot up through the ground, erected before the gravestone. As things began to settle, the grave box opened slowly, as pink, burning eyes peered out of the darkness.

"Granny... My love."

Author's Note

A strange beginning to a strange tale. I hope you enjoy it thus far. I've got a two more chapters to tell. Stay tuned!

I Take You in My Coffin - Where You Can Kiss My Bones

That night, just before the hour of Heart's and Hooves day, Granny lay asleep in bed, soundly dreaming about her youth. Of the things she's seen and the things she did. A simple, wonderful time of prospect and opportunity, and of friendly competition between good friends. Deep within the realms of her dreams, she was with the best of a friend any pony could ever ask for.

"Fifteen Bits!" Jack blurted.

"Sixteen!" Granny Smith followed suit.

"Uhm, sir, ma'am? I haven't even given you the price yet..." the sales pony said.

"Oh, sorry. Go ahead and tell us the max price."

"It's twenty five bits, ma'am."

"I'll give it to you for twenty!"

"Nonsense, Ah'll give it t' you fer twenty two!"

"Twenty four!"

The sales pony sighed, "If you two are done bidding, I'd like you to please make your purchase and leave. I have other customers to cater to as well, you know."

"Well, ya don't have t' be rude. Alright Jack, you win this round, but only because we're outta time."

"I kinda hate winning by technicality." Jack left the bits on the counter and took the bag of fertilizer.

"Sure ya don't need help carryin' it?"

"Hey, I'm not THAT weak of a stallion."

"Maybe, but ya ain't stronger than me."

"You're stronger than most ponies in town. I don't think it counts..."

Granny Smith began to chuckle, which was followed by Jacks own laughter. They've been friends for quite a while, and Granny wanted it to last as long as possible. A life without Jack, she reasoned, might be quite a lonely one.

Jack stops walking, pausing deep in thought for a moment.

"Hmm? What's wrong Jack?"

"... Granny?"

"Yes?"

"Wake up. I'm here."

"What? Don't be silly. Ah know you're here. Yer standin' right in front of me."

"I am..."

-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-

The aged mare woke up with a start. Eyes having a tough time adjusting to the darkness of her room, she no less attempted to try to look around. It was then she noticed something odd. The window across from her was open, with the moon shining brilliantly, lining everything in a beautiful line of silver. It was an exquisite sight, and eased Granny back into her bed.

"Ah must be imaginin' things," she said, settling back under the covers and closing her eyes.

"Granny..."

"Eh?" she uttered, opening her eyes once again. She looked about the darkened room, still not adjusted enough to see more than black with silver linings.

"Over here Granny..."

Granny couldn't believe her ears. Was the sound of the wind playing tricks on her? Was her hearing aid malfunctioning again? Or, was this another dream. "Jack?" she asked, cautiously.

"It's so good to hear you say my name again, Granny."

She couldn't believe it. There's no way Jack could be back. He's been long dead for decades. She reasoned that it had to be a dream. There was no other feasible way to explain it.

"Are you alright?"

"Ah-ah'm fine." she stuttered.

"I'm glad."

"It's good t' hear from ya again, Jack. I hope this dream can last a while."

"What if I were to tell you that dreams can come true?"

"Then, ah'd say yer head were too far in the clouds," Granny Smith chuckled innocently.

"You haven't changed, have you? I'm glad. I couldn't stomach the idea of you becoming a completely different mare over the years, even if I had one..."

Jack's comment was odd, but Granny payed it no mind. The fact Jack was here and talking to her was more than enough, even though it was just a dream.

"Ah wish mah family could meet you. There were quite a few stories ah coulda told them about us if you were there. 'Specially since my memory is a bit fuzzy sometimes. You were somethin' special."

"Yeah... I'm glad you moved on with your life. Had your family, raised them right. I knew you were the strongest in town."

"Aww, shucks, Jack, Ah'm not as strong as ah used to be. That title belongs to my gran'daughter, Applejack, now."

Jack chuckled again, "I suppose so. Anyway, I can't see you be alone anymore. It depresses me."

"Oh, Jack. Ah'm not lonely. Sure, ah miss you somethin' fierce, but ah've got mah gran'kids to keep my company. Even with my other love long gone, ah'm still happy with what ah have, and ah know someday ah'll see y'all again."

"But why wait? I'm here now."

"But you're just a dream, Jack. Ain't no way ah can be with a dream."

"For once in your life, you're wrong, Granny... dead wrong." There was another chuckle. Granny began to feel nervous. Something was off. The room around her seemed darker now, and the moon seemed all the brighter. She looked beside her, and reached for her glasses. Putting them on, she looked around her room once again. There, in the pitch black, she noticed something she didn't before. Two, burning, pink lights in the dark.

"J-Jack?" Granny stuttered.

"I'm here..."

Granny was beginning to regret this idea, but she had to know. Swallowing her dread, she asked, "C-could you be a dear, and step out into th' light?"

Jack was silent for a moment, before he replied with, "You have to promise me not to be scared and scream..." Granny nodded slowly, hesitantly, and with that, the pink eyes moved through the shadows and made their way to the moonlight cast by the open window. Granny nearly broke her promise.

Before her was Jack. Or, at least, what was left of him. His dark mane was matted and dirty. His light coat was stained green, and sections of his coat and skin were missing. His abdomen was open, with no sign of his organs aside from the tattered strands of skin and muscle. His left foreleg was broken, with the bone sticking out, and the right side of his chest was caved in. Stitches and other primitive attempts at body reconstruction on him were apparent across his skin in a fair few key places. But most striking and shocking were his irises. No longer the lovely brilliant gold orbs of kindness and mischief, but burning pink flames of something ominous. He noticed the bone sticking out of his left foreleg, and pushed it back in.

"Sorry about that," he said nonchalantly, "They fixed me for the funeral, not for walking around."

It was simply too much for Granny. The parody of her long dead friend stood before her, and mocked her perception of reality. A foal's Nightmare Night story was here, in her bedroom.

"Wh-what do you want?" was all she managed to ask.

Jack looked a bit puzzled towards the blunt question, but answered anyway, "Don't you understand? I'm here to make sure you're no longer lonely."

"Ah-ah told you already, Jack, Ah'm not l-lonely."

"Please, don't lie to me, my love."

"Mah family... they won't b-be able t-t-to handle seeing you!"

"I know... which is why I'm taking you with me..."

She screamed.

-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-

The blood curdling scream awoke everyone in the Apple Family house with a start, from the hefty Big Macintosh to the little Apple Bloom. With such a startling noise, they jumped out of their beds, and raced to the origin. Granny Smith's room. Leading the charge, Applejack swung the door open forcefully, and gazed upon a disturbing development. Granny wasn't in her bed.

"Granny?!" she called out into the room. No answer returned, and only the howling wind through the window bothered to disturb the silence.

"Gra~nny!" Apple Bloom called out, almost desperately. There was still no answer. Apple Bloom walked forward, with her older siblings in tow, looking around the room. They didn't have to search too thoroughly however, as Apple Bloom stepped into something strange. Lifting her hoof, she looked down, and noticed spots of pink.

The wind howled through the window yet again, and this time, they finally noticed it. An odor that nearly forced them to gag. It was the stench of rot. Normally, farmers would be quite used to it and worse smells, having to deal with compost, rotting fruits and veggies, and other smelly things on a daily basis. However, this was no ordinary rot smell. This was the smell of death itself. You don't have to encounter anything to know that stench. It always meant danger.

Applebloom, covering her nose, looked back at the small pink spots on the floor, and saw they were leading out to the window. Racing to the open window, she peered outside, and noticed a limping figure carrying a lime green object on it's back.

"Granny!"

"What?!" Applejack cried out in shock, before racing up to the window Apple Bloom was hanging out of, and noticed the figure too, whom was heading straight for the Everfree. "That no good- Big Mac, Ah need you t' go and get Fluttershah and Rarity. Tell Fluttershah t' get Rainbow Dash. Ah'll get Pinkie Pah and Twilight. We'll meet here, and go after that gran'ma napping jerk!"

"Hey, what about me!" Apple Bloom protested, "Ah want to help save Granny too!"

"You stay here, lil' lady," Applejack insisted, "No point in gettin' you in danger as well." With that, the two older siblings ran off into town.

Apple Bloom slumped against the window frame, and watched as the figure began to disappear into the darkness of Everfree. Tears welled up in here eyes. Despite that it looked like it was a seemingly random bizarre occurrence, that happens all the time in Ponyville, the young Apple believed that this was her fault somehow. That the reason why Granny is gone is because of something she did recently. She couldn't pinpoint exactly what she could have done, but the drive to try to make it right tugged at her. After all, if something bad ever happened to Granny, she probably wouldn't be able to forgive herself.

"Ah'm sorry, big sis," she said to the empty night air, "But, Ah have ta do this." With her conviction firmly placed within her heart, she raced downstairs, and began running in the direction of Everfree forest.

-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-

Under the leaves of the dark forest, within the wild vines and shrubbery, creatures of natural destruction lurked in the shadows. The pale moon's light edged the wild beauty of this slice of nature's untamed design, giving every leaf, insect, and creature a beautiful slight glow in the darkness. A pony would be hard pressed to find something that didn't look good in a night like tonight. However, tonight was an exception. Tonight, carrying an unconscious green mare upon its back, the animated corpse of a long dead pony trudged onward through the thick and dark. His steps were uneven, is strength was limited, but his drive was strong. Whatever breathed new life into his decaying frame also gave him the determination to push onward. To push for home. To finally be with his love in the comfort of his own coffin.

"Wh-wha?" uttered a tired voice from upon the undead's back.

"Oh good!" Jack reacted with joy, "You're awake. I was afraid I'd be walking in silence for the rest of our journey. We have a lot to catch up on after all, and I'd actually like to start-"

Granny Smith began screaming again. Jack winced, but kept walking.

"Please, Granny, stop screaming. It hurts what's left of my ears when you do that... and my heart. I know I let myself go after all these years, but what could I do? I was stuck in a coffin the whole time."

"Ah-ah'm not screamin' about that! Ah'm screamin' because you're a zombie!... AND you foalnapped me!"

"I know, I know, but what else could I do? I couldn't just hang around. After all, as you said, your family wouldn't be able to handle it... I doubt the rest of the townsfolk would either."

Granny squirmed, but was too weak and frail to get off his back without breaking something. So, she resorted to screaming some more.

"It won't be so bad. I promise. A few months underground, tops, an you'll be able to stay with me forever."

"Ah don't WANT to stay with you forever!"

Jack winced. If he had a functioning tearduct, he would be letting them flow right now. Instead, he opted to speak his mind instead. "Granny. It's me. We've been friends, more than friends, for years, ever since I came to Ponyville. Don't you want to be with me?"

"Ah already told ya, it's great seein' ya an' all, but Ah have a LIFE now! Ah've had a life for YEARS! And I still have some years left in me!"

"But-"

"KEYA~AH!"

Before anyone could react, a small yellow filly with a dark pink bow and crimson hair swung down from a vine, lept off, and drop kicked Jack in the face. This forced him to drop Granny, and tumble into the bushes. Before Granny could fall and break something, the little filly Apple Bloom softened the blow by trying to catch her. It slowed her decent enough to keep her from breaking something, but bruises were inevitable.

"Granny! Are ya ok?" Apple Bloom asked in worry.

"Ah'm fine. Mah heart is a bit shaken, and ah might bruise in the mornin', but ah'll be fine," Granny said with a slight wince, "Where's your sister and brother?"

"They went t' go and get Twilight and the others, but ah felt they might take too long."

"You came to the Everfree forest, in the middle of the night, ON YER OWN?!" Apple Bloom shrank under the accusation. Granny Smith, however, thought about the whole situation, and continue, "Ah'll let this one slide, since yer savin' me an' all."

"Then, let's get outta here!" Apple Bloom said as she put Granny atop her back and with her natural earth pony strength, combined with Granny Smith's small frame, was able to race out of the Everfree quickly.

However, just a few paces from where they stood, within the disturbed bushes, Jack rose out the leaves. His pink burning eyes etched into something resembling a scowl as he stared into the distance the little filly and Granny galloped off to. He waited too long to be denied like that, and if even a little filly was prepared to fight, he'll certainly give them a fight. With an unnatural, and sorrow filled howl, he let the resident strange magics within him poured fourth. Not fifty yards away, in a little abandoned graveyard, the earth began to quake. Cracks appeared before every single tombstone and seeped with a pink glow from within. Just as quickly, each coffin from under the ground shot up and opened their aged doors to reveal pairs of pink glowing eyes within the darkness of each one.

"Hea~rt..."

Author's Note

Uh oh. I smell a zombie invasion...

Love the Un-Living - No Skins Attached

Applebloom, with Granny Smith atop her back, raced towards the sleepy town of Ponyville. Which wasn't so sleepy anymore from the gathering group of ponies being handled by the lavender unicorn known as Twilight Sparkle, the resident Librarian and protege of the diarch Princess Celestia. Everyone was in a tizzy, and it looked like she was trying her best to calm the awoken ponies down.

"Why do these things always seem to happen here," she uttered to herself, before addressing the crowd, "Please, everypony, calm down. Me and the girls are going to assess the situation, but we can't do that if-"

"WHAT ABOUT THE FOALNAPPER?!" One of the town's folks blurted out. It seems as if word got out and, like usual, every pony in the town had a conniption over the slightest sense of trouble. One couldn't really blame them, since many strange things seem to happen on a day to day basis, but there wasn't really time to let it get in the way.

"What if he strikes again!?" another commented. More concerned murmurs leaked from the crowd as the question was asked. Things were getting out of hand.

"Everypony, PLEASE! We'll find the culprit, and rescue Granny Smith Apple. Set your mind at ease."

"Ahm already saved!"

There was an audible gasp as everyone turned to face the approaching Apple Bloom whom was carrying the frail old mare. Everyone made a path for the little filly and her grandmother, as she in turn approached the front of the group, where Twilight stood to address the gathering of ponies.

"Apple Bloom?!" Twilight asked in shock, "But, how... when... that's our job!"

"Apple Bloom, you can put me down now..." Granny Smith stated softly with a smile.

"Good, cause ah'm pooped..." the little filly stated, as Granny was set right side up on the ground, and collapsed to the ground groggily.

"What in tar-nation is going on around here?" Applejack stated as she galloped towards the crowd, only to notice that the group was silent, Twilight looked a bit dejected, and Granny was safe with- "APPLE BLOOM! I thought Ah told ya t' stay home!"

"But-" she protested.

"No 'buts', young lady. You disobeyed a direct order and risked yer safety! How do ya think we'd feel if something were t' ever happen to you?"

The little yellow filly remained silent, like she usually does when receiving her sister's scorn. But, like times before, it was Granny Smith to the rescue. "Ahh, don't be so hard on the little youngin'. She saved mah life. 'Sides, I'm sure whatever ruckus y'all caused here would've taken too long to clean up anyway. Let it slide t'night."

Applejack deflated under the overruling of her grandmother, and counted her blessings. Granny was safe, so was Apple Bloom. All that was left was to find the foalnapper, and make him answer for his actions.

"Alright, I'm sure the foalnapper is still in the Everfree," Twilight commented, "Once everyone is here, we'll send a search party after him, and make a citizens arrest."

"Pardon me, sugar cube," Granny interjected, "But, Ah don't think ya know what yer dealing with exactly."

"Oh come on, how bad could it be? Is he some sort of vampony?" Twilight snarked. Then, they heard a long, drawn out, animalistic, moaning sound. A sound that sent chills in the air. A sound that made most little foals hide under their blankets. A sound dripping with pain and sorrow.

"Eh, not quite," Granny snarked back.

"Everypony, go back to you homes, and lock your doors." Twilight ordered, as ponies began fleeing to the safety of their houses. As this was done, Twilight and Applejack approached the youngest and oldest of Apples. "You two aughta go home too."

"Ah don't think that'd be a good idea. He took her from there. Wouldn't take much to do it again. 'Sides, the Everfree cut line is near our home."

"Oh. Good point. Ok, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom, you can go to the library. You'll be safe there. Just make sure-"

There was another lengthy moaning sound coming from the Everfree forest, but louder this time. Twilight, Applejack, her sister and grandmother turned to that direction and noticed pairs of small pink lights in the darkness. By the time they could register that the glows were from something's eyes, they could hear a faint chanting.

"Hearts..."

The simple, foreboding chant got louder and louder as the moments passed on. An overwhelming sense of dread crept up upon the mares as they began to slowly realize that now would not be a good time to stand around.

"He's comin', and Ah think he brought friends..."

Out of the darkness of the Everfree, silhouettes of ponies long twisted by the machinations of time trudged forth, eyes aflame in pink, and chanting mindlessly that one word.

"Where's Big Mac and the other girls when you need them..."

"GRANNY SMITH!"

There was a moment of shock when they realized the one addressing the old mare in question was one of the silhouettes in the distance.

"COME WITH US PEACEFULLY! I PROMISE NOTHING BAD WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DO!"

"Granny Smith, take Apple Bloom, and go to my Library, NOW!"

With quick nods, the two Apples departed and headed deeper into the town, looking for Golden Oaks library. Twilight and Applejack stood in defense, waiting for the other girls to arrive to help in stopping this mad occurance. If only their opponents were so patient.

-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-

Jack looked on towards the town. So many years had passed since his departure, and it's shown. Ponyville grew beautifully, like a ripe and lovely pumpkin. He couldn't help but admire the effort the citizens of the town put in to make it prosper so well.

"If only I could have been there with them," he sighed. Shaking his head, he returned to the matter at hand. He wasn't going to leave without Granny. He lost so much after his death already. His aspirations. His family. His dreams. Everything. If he was going to return, he was going to return with the one that mattered the most to him. "It's now or never."

The twisted and rotting corpses on either side of Jack awaited his signal in relative silence. After all, they've waited an eternity, so what was a few more moments.

"Pay attention," Jack announced, "Search for my love. Don't let anyone get in your way. Find whatever you wish to take with you, but MAKE SURE you find Granny if I do not. And NO EATING. Now, go..."

They all groaned in approval, and began shambling towards the town, with Jack slowly following in tow.

"I'm coming, my love," he whispered, forlorn to himself, "whether you like it or not."

-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-

If anypony else would have remained outside, it would have been utter chaos. The walking dead slowly started combing through the town. This was moments after they broke down Twilight's shield that surrounded the entire town. Not to mention that they've bashed down the secondary barricades that were propped up by Applejack and the other girls, once they arrived. The ghouls, however, overcame the girls and made sure they were pinned down and out of the way. Remaining zombies began wandering through the streets, bashing down doors and windows, crawling through every crevasse they could fit through. All done while droning the single minded chant of theirs in disturbing monotony.

"Hearts..."

Screams of terror could be heard throughout the town, as any door in the way was broken down, and any pony in the way was tackled by dead frames on a mission. Jack paid no mind to the screaming, to the damage of property, or to the undead's unusual idea of keeping other ponies out of the way. No, he simply searched for what he was fighting for.

It didn't take him long to come across a familiar sight. A giant tree at the end of the town. A tree that he and Granny used to hang out in when they were much younger. It brought a smile to his face for a moment, before he noticed something off about it. The tree was a home now. Not to forest critters, but an actual pony home, complete with windows. Someone actually lived in it. And there, in the window, he caught a glimpse of a bun of familiar white hair. He smirked, and limped towards the entrance. With a gentle rap on the wooden door, he spoke.

"Granny. Come on out. I know you're in there," he spoke softly, playfully. To his disappointment, there was no reply. Normally, he'd be a very patient pony, but the stallion had been patient for a long time now. Decisively, he kicked open the door, and limped inside.

"Granny Smith," he softly called out, looking around the well lit, natural wood library. He cantered up the stairs, checking the bedroom and guest room. Nothing but books and notes, and a little bed for a small creature. Wandering downstairs, almost tripping on the middle step, he checked the kitchen and bathroom. Both were empty aside from what one normally finds in those places. Finally, he noticed a set of stairs leading down. Slowly moving down them, he came across a locked door. With a gentle tap against the door, Jack attempted to address his love.

"Granny. Please come out. I'll forgive you for running out on me if you do."

"Jack, go away!" said Granny smith, muffled behind the door, "Yer crazy if you think ah'll go with you, 'specially since you've been runnin' around and causin' so much mischief."

"Like when we were young?"

"Ah'm NOT THAT YOUNG ANYMORE JACK!" There was a heavy sigh that followed the outburst.

"It doesn't matter to me my love."

"Please Jack, just listen to me instead of pushin' forth headlong into somethin', for once."

Jack smacked his body against the door, trying to break it down.

"Jack, I'm warnin' you."

The stallion ignored her, and kept slamming against the door, attempting to break it down. All he could think of at that point was how close he was to his goal. How close he was to having Granny for real. How close they were going to be in his coffin.

Suddenly, as the love struck zombie went in for another slap, the door swung open. He flew through the door, tripped on a step, and began tumbling down the stairs. Bones broke, muscles tore, and little speckles of pink dotted the stairs on his way down, before he rested at the bottom of the room. With an effort of will and the unnatural magic within, he pulled himself back together, and rose back to his feet. He turned around, and saw Granny and Apple Bloom at the door at the top of the cellar stairs.

"There you are, you minx. Come on," he said with a smile, "Let's go home, where we can spend the rest of our time together, and beyond."

He slowly cantered upstairs, eyes glued to the old mare of his dreams. He was so close now. So close, that he could reach out and touch her again. So close, that Granny smacked him across the face.

There was utter silence, as Granny's hoof was raised in the air, suspended from the sudden strike. A look of irritation and disappointment was plastered upon her face, rather than a look love for a friend or fear of a creature. Apple Bloom was shocked that she had the courage to make such a bold move. Jack was just as shocked as to what happened. Pain didn't register for him, due to his nerves being mostly absent, but the slap across his face was no less effective.

"You... you slapped me!" Jack said accusingly.

"And Ah'd do it again. Donchya DARE think Ah won't!" Granny hissed.

"But, why?"

"You've been an unrulely, uncouth, and downright AWFUL whipper snapper ever since you showed up tonight. Lan' sakes, you took me from mah home, MAH FAMILY, against my will, scared me half t' death, and attacked the town with zombies. By all rights, ah should be even more mad at you!"

"Even more-?"

"You were mah friend, Jack. It crushed me when ah found out what happened t' ya. Honest it did. Life weren't the same without you. But ah moved on. Get it through your skull! AH MOVED ON! Any sensible pony would've done the same. Ah would've wanted you t' do the same too if the event were reversed. Maybe yer doin' all of this 'cause ya have some unfinished business, but terrorizin' ponies is NOT the way to go. And tryin' to steal me durin' the night isn't either."

Jack fidgeted under Granny's scorn.

Granny's face softened a bit as she continued, "Ah know ya have feelin's for me, and t' be honest, ah had feelin's for you to. But that life is over. It's been over a long time, now."

Jack averted his eyes slightly, before finally swallowing his guilt and shame and looking her in the eyes. "I'm... I'm sorry Granny. I just wanted to be with you. I waited so long to see you again, that I just didn't want to let you go. Leaving Ponyville to see that Canterlot elitist about the business proposal was the worst idea I ever had. Not just because I died, but because I left you behind. I was even thinking about on the way there. Actually, that's kinda how I died... I tried to turn it around, it got stuck, and... well, you probably know the rest."

"Oh, Jack," Granny said with pity.

"Can... can I at least stay with you the night. Maybe cuddle up to you next to you near a fireplace."

Granny shook her head slowly. "No. You've overstayed your welcome, and you need to clean up the mess you made. One kiss is all you get."

"How about a nuzzle?"

"One kiss."

"A gentle hug?"

"One kiss, on the cheek, and that's the only offer you get mister."

Jack stood there in silence. "You got way better at haggling over the years it seems."

"Ah did," Granny said with a smile. She then leaned forward, and gently kissed the part of his cheek that was not yet decomposing. Jack smiled in response. "Now, go. Ya got lotsa things t' do out there."

"Before I do," he said, before he leaned down, looking at the little filly that stood beside Granny, whom shrunk away slightly when the undead pony focused his attention on her, "Hey. Uhm... I'm sorry I took your grandmother, and scared you. Won't ever happen again, I promise." Apple Bloom continued to stare up at him, unsure of what to make of the situation. "By the way," he continued, "That was a nice kick you did back at the forest. Keep working on it."

Apple Bloom smiled at the comment, and made a mental note to keep studying Hoof Fu in the future.

"Lead the way, Granny..."

-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-

It took an hour to round up all of the zombies in Ponyville, but with the combined effort of the Apples, the Elements, and Jack, they were all lead back to the Everfree forest. Amazingly, while property damage was pretty large, all of the zombies really just wanted a hug. It still scared and traumatized the pants off of the citizens, what with the rotting, gore ridden bodies and all, so it really wasn't any better in the grand scheme of things. Many of them needed to have a long, hard shower for the night to scrub off the mix of rot and dirt that stained their coats. Others would need to book psychiatric therapy appointments for the next couple months. But all in all, everyone was still alive and kicking.

At the edge of Everfree, the group stood, watching the shambling corpses return to the darkness to be laid back to rest. Jack turned towards the group he was with, and bowed his head. "I'm sorry I caused so much trouble," he started, "But I won't bother you anymore. That's a promise."

"Ya better not," Applejack quipped with a deadpan expression, "Ah'm gonna have nightmares fer weeks because o' this, and ah don't think ah could handle you comin' back and doin' it all over again."

"Yeah," Jack replied, before looking towards Granny, "Well... goodbye Granny Smith. I'll see you on the other side."

"Take care, Jack." Granny said with a smile, a small tear rolling down the side of her face. With that, Jack turned around and disappeared into the forest. Everyone sighed in relief, as the air around them began to calm.

But, there was still something wrong. Something missing. The group couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't over. As they made their way back to Ponyville to let the citizens know that all of the zombies were gone, they were approached by two sets of hoofsteps. One small, one large.

"Hey guys! Hey Apple Bloom!"

The group turned around, and started screaming. Standing there, forelegs wrapped tightly around a zombie, was Scootaloo.

"Have you met my great, great grandfather?"

-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-v-o-

With unfinished business resolved, and a long separated love finally laid to rest, we all walk away with the lesson that it's not always a good idea to dwell on the past. Sometimes, it's just best to let dead ponies lie. And, not to beat a dead horse, but messing with the rules of nature, especially if you've done it once already, is a catastrophic no-no. Even if you don't mean to cause so much trouble. I hope you enjoyed tonight's story. Come back again, to the Apparition Amphitheater, when you want a spooky fix. Maybe I, or my colleagues, can satisfy your macabre hunger. Until next time, my dear sweet children of the night. Beware.

The strange figure on the stage cackled wildly as the lights began to turn off one by one, leaving the theater dark, and once again, vacant. The moonlight, still fresh in the sky, shone down unyielding, watching over the open and gothic structure.

Author's Note

The final Part of Night of the Loving Dead! I hope you had as much fun reading as I did writing.

Happy Halloween and Nightmare Night, everyone!