>Night Bark at the Moon in Equestria

>You are Carnelian: bat pony and teller of strange tales.
>Incredibly, one of those weird stories has come to life before your very eyes.
>Your grandfather had told you about the Wild Hunt since you were just a little nipper.
>And even though you always took the tale at face value, it seemed a distant thing, like the story of Hearth’s Warming Eve.
>Then Rainbow Dash made fun of the Hunt.
>More importantly, she made fun of its lord, Blackhart the Mad.
>In return she had gotten tricked into taking care of one of the phantom stag’s demon hounds.
“If I hadn’t told that story none of this would’ve happened.”
>“No, it’s not your fault.” Anon reassures you. “It’s Rainbow Dash’s for not knowing when to shut her trap.”
>You both look over to where the mare in question is perched in a tall tree warily looking down at the huge black dog below.
>It’s pacing around trying to figure a way to get at its target.
>“Fluttershy!” the trapped pony bellows. “Can’t you get him to back off?”
>Her timid friend squeaks from her hiding spot behind a tree.
>Princess Sparkle eases up to her friend and soothes her.
>“Fluttershy? Can you try to help Rainbow? I know it’s scary, but really it’s just a big dog. You love dogs, right?”
‘Yah, a big demon dog.’ you think to yourself.
>The butter yellow mare picks her head up. “O-ok. I-I’ll try…”
>You all hold your breath as Fluttershy begins to walk towards the creature that has her friend trapped.
>“Are you sure about this?” Anon mutters to the Princess.
>“No. But Fluttershy is the best with animals. She can charm just about anything.”
>Despite her words, you agree with Anon; this feels like a bad idea.
>“Come here, puppy. There’s a good boy…” Fluttershy starts to reach a hoof out towards the monster hound.
>It turns its head slightly and lays its ears back.
>As Fluttershy approaches, its growl gets louder and louder and suddenly you realize the danger she’s in.
“Fluttershy stop!” you bark.
>Immediately, she pauses.
“Back away from it. Slowly.”   
>As she moves back towards your group the hell hound turns its attention back towards Rainbow’s tree.
>“OK, what was that all about?” asks Applejack.
“My grandpa always told me that the hounds of the Hunt only respect one thing. Strength.”
>“So you’re sayin’ that if Fluttershy had gone in there all sweetness an’ light…”
“It probably would have attacked her.”
>Fluttershy promptly passes out.
>Wonderful.
>“Can’t we just, like, leave Rainbow up in the tree until morning?” asks Pinkie Pie.
>“Pooch is already gettin’ antsy." reasons Applejack. "If we don’t get it penned up, it’s liable to get bored an’ then who knows what’ll do.”
>Anon gestures towards the cow pony. “Do you have a rope on you?”
>“Well, yah, but what do you…?”
>Anon turns towards Princess Sparkle.
>“Highness?”
>“I keep telling you to just call me Twilight.”
>“And disrespect the Crown? Heaven forbid. Do you know any spells that use lightning?”
>“Um, sure.”
>Anon pulls his short sword out of his pack.
>“Why do you even have that thing here?!” 
>“It helps me sleep better at night. Can you cast a spell to charge this thing with electricity?”
>“Ok, but what do you… Oh! I see.”
>Anon wraps a thick blanket around the handle and holds the blade towards Princess Sparkle.
>You feel your mane stand on end as she casts a spell on Anon’s weapon.
>He looks at it critically.
>“It should be good for four or five strong zaps.” she informs him.
>Anon grins at Her Highness.
>“Do they have animal rights groups here in Equestria?” 
>The Princess looks puzzled. “I don’t think so.”
>“Good. Because they would be pretty pissed with what I just invented.”
>He turns back to Applejack.
>”When I get him to heel, you get that rope around his neck, OK?”
>She agrees and you watch with apprehension as cow pony and vampire hunter approach the giant canine from either side.
>They’re not in a hurry but the hound hears them and turns, raising its hackles.
>It’s taller than Applejack, but not as tall as Anon.
>You figure that’s why it hasn’t attacked them yet. 
>Anon makes a small motion telling Applejack to hang back.
>He brings his hand up and starts talking to the dog.
>“Alright puppy. You’re gonna behave or you’re gonna get a nose full of high voltage.”
>At any moment you expect the powerful jaws to take your friend’s arm off.
>Instead the creature actually starts to back down before Anon’s approach.
>Then, a pine cone falls from the tree above and hits Poochy on the head.
>Instantly, slavering black jaws snap at Anon and he back steps, yanking his hand out of the way.
>He brandishes his sword and the dog backs off until its tail brushes the tree behind it and everything goes crazy all at once.
>The great slavering menace lunges to the side catching Anon off guard.
>Making a break for it, the demon hound charges towards the next closest target.
>Before you know what has happened, Applejack is on her back beneath the black behemoth and is barely holding it off by kicking at its chest with her rear legs.
>You know how strong the farm pony is, but you doubt that she can keep those snapping teeth at bay for long.
>Now Anon goes to work.
>He smacks the flat of the sword against his target like a school master beating a disobedient foal.
>You can hear the crackle of the lightning from Princess Sparkle’s spell every time the blade hits the monster but it doesn’t seem to be doing any good.
>The only real result from Anon’s assault is that the dog turns away briefly to snap at its attacker before going back to biting at the pony underneath it.
>Your friend throws away the blanket that had been wrapped around his sword’s handle; the magic lightning now used up.
>You watch in horror as he turns the sword around, grasps it with both hands, and raises it over the dog’s back. 
>He pauses as though trying to figure out just where he wants to plunge the blade.
>You open your mouth. 
>For a sickening moment the words stick in your throat.
>You desperately try again and this time your vocal cords work.
“No Anon, you can’t kill it! You’ll bring the whole Hunt down on us!!”
>He pauses, unsure of what to do.
>With a snarl he throws the weapon aside and jumps on the hounds back.
>He tries to get one of his long forelimbs around its neck but with all the thrashing around he can’t quite do it.
>You turn to the Princess.
>Her horn is glowing brightly but she isn’t making a move.
>Probably afraid to hit her friends.
>There’s really only one other pony that can help at this point.
>You look up to the tree where Rainbow Dash is perched and…
>She’s gone.
>You look around; you can’t see her anywhere.
>Unbelievable! Has she abandoned you all?
>As you wonder what to do you hear a sound.
>It starts off faint at first; a rushing of wind.
>Then a keening sound starts to pierce the air.
>You look up and see something you thought was impossible.
>By the light of the full moon you see a rainbow arcing across the sky.
>And it’s literally screaming your way.
>“aaaaaaAaaaAAAAAaHHHHHHHHHH!!!!” Rainbow Dash comes hurtling through the trees like some kind of multicolored comet.
>Before you can blink, she smashes into the pile of pony, vampire hunter, and demon dog that’s been fighting it out in front of you.
>Suddenly, everything around you is awash with super saturated colors and your mane is being blown back by the force of the impact. 
>Then everything goes black.
>It’s takes a minute for you to realize that your eyes have been overwhelmed by the pegasus's lightshow.
>After blinking for a bit you’re quite relived when you vision starts to return.
>Still seeing spots after that intense burst of light, you call out to see if anyone is there.
>Pinkie Pie returns your call and before you know it she is helping you to your hooves.
“What was that?” you finally manage to croak out.
>“Something I like to call a ‘tactical rainboom’!” she enthuses. “Gosh, I never thought I get to see one so close! That was super-duperiffic-awesome!
“Yah, really… awesome.” 
>At least your vision’s starting to return to normal.
>When you feel steady enough to walk you head over to check on everypony.
>Rarity is tending to Applejack who looks shaken up but otherwise fine.
>Fluttershy is examining a punch drunk Rainbow Dash, probably checking for a concussion after that crazy stunt.
>The hound is lying off to the side, whimpering faintly.
>As for Anon…
>Where is Anon?
>You look around frantically.
>Then you hear his voice from behind a small stand of trees.
>You quickly trot over to see Princess Sparkle standing over your friend.
>He’s conscious, but wincing in pain.
“Are you OK?”
>The Princess answers. “He’ll be fine. I examined him and I don’t think he has anything worse that some bruised ribs.”
“No offense Princess, but he’s not a pony. How do you know?”
>“When he first showed up, I made a very thorough examination of Anon.” She looks pleased. “I know tons about how his body works.”
>Well, that’s both reassuring and slightly creepy.
>But as Anon looks up and gives you a small smile, you decide that you’re relived he’s not seriously hurt.
>A little while later you are all gathered round the campfire again. 
>Poochy is leashed to a tree with Rainbow Dash standing guard.
>Fluttershy is examining the now calm canine to make sure that no lasting harm was done by Dash’s ‘rainboom’.
>Any time the dog makes a sound, Rainbow just waves her multi-colored tail in its direction and immediately it shuts up.
>It’s actually kind of funny.
>Of course, the triumphant mare can’t help but crow about her achievement.
>“And did you see the look on this mutt’s face when he saw me comin’ at him, Applejack?”
>The orange mare just sighs. “Yah, Dash. Fer the hundredth time, he was SOOO scared I thought he was gonna have puppies.”
>“Darn right.” she glares at her new pet. 
>It whines meekly.
>“Oh, stop being so mean.” Fluttershy admonishes. “You’ve already shown him who’s boss. There you go, you look just fine.”
>She pats the dog on the head.
>You’re quite relieved.
>The last thing you want is the wrath of Lord Blackhart for harming one of his hounds.
>Speaking of which…
“Rainbow Dash, all of you, listen to me very carefully.”
>You wait for everyone to pay attention.
“Lord Blackhart will be coming for his dog soon. He’ll probably offer you some kind of reward for taking care of his hound.”
>“Alright!”
“You can’t accept it, Rainbow Dash.”
>“Awww. Why not?”
“Gifts from phantoms are usually more trouble than they’re worth. Just trust me on this.”
>“Are you sure I can’t just take a little reward?”
>“RAINBOW DASH!” everyone yells in unison.
>“Yikes! OK, OK. No reward, got it.” She folds her forelegs and pouts.
>You sit there gazing at the fire, trying not to think about what’s coming.
>Rarity had offered to take the Cutie Mark Crusaders home, but you, Anon, and the Princess had nixed that idea.
“No harm should come to anypony as long as the hound is returned safely and you don’t want to be wandering the woods in the dark right now.” you had argued.
>So now you wait.
>Less than an hour till sun up. 
>In the distance you hear it.
>The sound of a hunting horn.
>Everyone shudders and soon you can hear the tramping of hooves and the rustling of leaves.
>The hell hound, which had been rather subdued up to this point, perks its head up.
>You all gather to one side of the fire, beside Rainbow Dash and the dog.
>Shouts, howls, and the jingling of metal and gear get louder and louder.
>Then you see it coming down the path, directly towards you like a winter’s gale.
>The Wild Hunt.
>You all shrink back as the phantom host plunges into the clearing.
>The first to arrive are more black hounds.
>These ones however are on short leashes being held by diamond dogs and a few gryphons.
>Next comes a menagerie of creatures the likes of which you’ve never seen.
>Mountain lions run side by side with timber wolves.
>Crazed looking stags mingle with foxes and bears.
>There is even a dragon towering behind the rest of the company!
>They don’t stop, but instead rush onwards.
>A few of the host gives your group curious looks and, though it’s brief, you manage to catch a glimpse of their eyes.
>They are not the eyes of the living.
>Hurrying on, the fell creatures continue down the path, leaving the glade momentarily empty.
>You turn your head away from the retreating phantoms and look back down the path from whence they came.
>When you do, your breath catches in your throat.
>Standing in the firelight, like a great statue made of obsidian, is the Lord of the Hunt: Blackhart.
>He too has the eyes of one who is no longer amongst the living and around his broad neck he wears the pelts of many different creatures strung together in a grisly sash.
>You want to look away but you’re caught under his gaze.
>He finally turns his head to the side and you gasp in relief.
>You look down and flanking the huge stag are two timber wolves.
>They glow a sickly blue rather than their species normal green.
>Blackhart gestures with his horns and a gryphon approaches from the shadows.
>It takes you a moment but you realize that it’s Old Bird.
>Rather than the withered old creature you had encountered earlier that night, this gryphon is tall and imposing; his feathers sharp and his tack in good repair.
>But for all that, there is still something wrong about him.
>It’s as though something vital is missing from the bird-beast, the same thing that is missing from all his unholy companions.
>He steps towards Rainbow Dash and his voice is strong and clear, though curiously hollow.
>“Well, lass. I see you’ve taken care of the hound like I asked ye to. That’s somethin’ alright considerin’ its pedigree.”
>A taloned claw holds out a small purse.
>“M’lord would offer ye a reward for bein’ such a faithful steward. Will ye accept this small payment for yer troubles?”
>“Oh, gosh, thanks! But, uh, no.” Rainbow Dash shakes her head emphatically. “We had so much, uh, fun that I don’t need any reward. Right, girls?”
>Everyone agrees loudly.
>“Are ye sure lass?” Old Bird jingles the heavy purse.
>“YES! I mean, yes. That’s okay.”
>“Alright. Then I’ll be takin’ the hound back, if you please.”
>You all part to the side, forming a path between gryphon and dog.
>As he attaches his own leash to the hound’s collar and unties Applejack's rope, Old Bird lets out an exclamation of disgust.
>“Paugh! What have you been into mutt? Smells like someone’s dipped ye in a tub full o’ rainbows.” He casts an accusatory glance at the dog’s temporary keeper.
>Dash, for her part, tries to look totally innocent.
>Old Bird leads the hound back to his master. 
>Without a word the terrible black stag wheels and dashes away after the rest of his company, the timber wolves chasing after him.
>Before he follows, the gryphon reaches into his belt and tosses something small and glinting towards Applejack.
>“Payment fer that blessed cider.”
>And with that, Old Bird speeds off towards his doom.
>The first rays of sun peek over the tree line as Applejack gingerly prods her ‘payment’.
>She looks up at you and gives you a questioning look.
“I think it should be fine, Applejack.”
>She picks it up.
>As you gather around to see what Old Bird left her, Pinkie Pie nudges Princess Sparkle.
>“I’ll bet Spike’ll be sorry he missed this for some silly concert in Canterlot, huh?”
>“Somehow I doubt that, Pinkie. Wow, Applejack!”
>You all look at what the farm mare has perched on her forehoof. 
>It’s a coin; half again as large as a bit and made of tarnished silver.
>In bold relief is the profile of a gryphon.
>“I’m no expert,” Her Highness explains, “but that has got to be one of the oldest coins I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen Princess Celestia’s coin collection!”
>Looking down at the proof of the night’s unnatural happenings, Applejack gets a look on her face somewhere between gratitude and fear.
>“Why in the hay would some critter like that,” she gestures down the path where the Hunt disappeared, “give me somethin’ like this?”
“It’s like my grandpa used to say.” you nod towards the ancient thing in her hoof.
“He used to say that sometimes, under the eye of moon, even the dead can be made to pay their debts.”

Fin.