The sound of pouring rain echoed across the country road that Kalfu walked down. He wasn’t really heading anywhere in particular, he was just out exploring the unfamiliar land that surrounded the forest. After all, he needed to get familiar with the townsfolk and those that lived on the outskirts. Always best to know your clients! He walked with a small jont in his step with his walking cane in one hand and a black umbrella in his other, just enjoying the day before he came upon what appeared to be a rather large apple orchard. The beautiful trees decorated with the various colors of different apples that appeared to be tended to so well was definitely a sight to behold. Almost picture worthy.

With a light jump in the air, he started to float over the fence in a Marry Poppins style with his umbrella, even though he was actually flying all on his own,it was still fun to do. Once he got a closer look at the trees, he noticed that a few of the trees had apples that were….grayed out? His curiosity peaked, he levitates up and takes hold of one of the apples in his hand before turning it over in his grip before trying to pull it loose. No such luck of removing it, however. He rubs his chin in thought before shrugging and lowering back down onto the ground and ventures further into the orchard, admiring the meticulously maintained property.

“My goodness. This reminds me of the plantations that my gram told me about back in the day. Except this all seems to be nothing but apple trees. Apples must be quite a big commerce item around here…” he said as he continued his leisurely stroll, not knowing that a watchful set of emerald green eyes were staying on him as he walked along. However, this did not deter him from exploring further. After all, he wasn’t causing trouble for anyone. They could watch him all day long if that was the case.

As he got deeper into the orchard, he came across what appeared to be a club house in the middle of a small opening. He smiled as he remembered those days of having a little hideaway of his own where he and his friends spent summer days and nights doing what boys did at his age, getting into trouble and just living life, hatching crazy plans and schemes to kill their boredom even if for a few hours. “I assume whoever runs this orchard has a young one who uses this little hideaway…” he said to himself as he walked closer to the building before peeking inside of it.

What he saw inside of the club house made him smile again. Plans…lots and lots of plans, ideas, charts. He wasn’t sure what it was all for, but it was clear that whoever used this place had a solid goal in mind to work towards. He smiled to himself and continued on his merry way, hoping that whatever they were setting out to accomplish was within their grasp someday soon. A good goal to work towards was always something good to have as a child.

Soon enough, Kalfu circled the property to the point where he came across a large red bard that seemed closer to an actual house. As he made his way closer, a blonde headed and tank furred pony stepped out from behind one of the posts under the porch with her arms crossed under her chest, staring at Kalfu with a look of both suspicion and curiosity “Howdy there, stranger. Ya look rather lost. Something He can help ya with? She asked in her rather heavy southern drawl, something that Kalfu himself was rather familiar with given where he grew up.

Kalfu removed his hat before placing it to his chest and gave a light bow in greeting before flipping it back on his head “I am not here to cause no fuss, madam. I am simply here to admire your orchard. You have done quite well to make sure that it is in pristine condition. I imagine that it can get quite busy, especially a few nights ago when you were all celebrating…what was it you call it here again? Nightmare Night?” he asked as he was trying to make small talk with the stetson wearing, freckled faced mare.

She gazed at him a little more closely now. From what she could see, she noticed the few details that she had heard about someone looking like him from the various visitors who came to play the games and run through the corn maze “Ya know, Nightmare Night is only once a year, Spooky. You might wanna lost the outfit n’ dress up like normal. But, now that I get a good look at ya, I remember some of the others talkin’ about somepony who was doin’ all kinds of magic spiritual stuff. Ya really know how to draw in the customers. Perhaps next Nightmare Night, ya could bring that act here so that it is more centralized. We usually hold all the attraction here at our farm-.” she was cut off as she watched him disappear from where he stood before reappearing in front of her with an arched brow and a sharp toothy grin, nearly making her fall backwards off the porch and into a large puddle.

“A business proposition, hmmm? If there is profit to be made, you have my undivided attention, little missy.”. Given that he was slightly shorter than her and looked younger than her as well, being called ‘little missy’ by him rubbed her the wrong way just a tiny bit “W-well yes. Ah think it would be quite the fun time for both the adults and kiddos alike. From what Ah heard, you racked in quite the amount of bits, but ya also allowed the youngins to pay with candy instead of charging them bits. That was awful sweet of ya.” she said as she leaned back against the post once he stepped back a bit himself.

Kalfu chuckled lightly as he leaned back against another post when resting his walking cane against his side “You’d be surprised how much value is in a sweet to a child rather than an adult, my dear. A business decision isn’t always about money. It's about what is most important to you. And the choice of willing or not to give it up if you truly desire it. All transactions must be fair. No excess or insufficiency. SOmetimes, what they ask for is easy to pay for. Others well….sometimes the cost is too great for what they ask for.”.

The air between the two was rather tense for a few moments, the sound of the rain hitting the wooden roof of the porch covering as the mare didn’t know what to make of his rather cryptic words. She could sense that they were full of mystery, but at the same time, they didn’t possess an ounce of dishonesty. Suffice it to say, it threw her off. “But, yes. I would enjoy bringing my little shop closer to the festivities if you will have me. I think it would be a good time all around for the night.”.

She was lost in thought for a moment before she shook her head, bringing herself back to reality before nodding in agreement “Uh-..um yeah. That sounds like a good deal to me, partner. Muh name is Applejack by the way. What’s yours?” she asked as she held out her hand to him. He takes her hand into his, giving a firm grip and shake as he peered up at her from under the brim of his hat with another toothy grin “I am Kalfu the Voodoo King. A pleasure to meet you, madam Applejack.”. She didn’t know why, but as she shook hands with him, she felt a cold shiver run down her spine right as he touched her, as if her very soul was reacting to the amount of power that surged through his touch.

“Just…what in the hay are ya? Ya don’t look like any kind of pony Ah ever seen before. In fact, ya don’t look like a pony at all from what Ah can see…” she said as she leaned in for a closer look. Kalfu rubbed his chin in thought before letting out a soft ‘hmmm’ before answering her “I suppose…the closest thing I can call myself to you right now is a ghost. Both in a literal and figurative sense even though I am clearly here and currently solid and not see-through. It's rather hard for me to explain.”.

Applejack stared at him dumbfounded. How in the world was he a ghost if he wasn’t seen through or acting as a ghost should? It didn’t make sense to her in the slightest! She slowly reached out and grabbed at the hem of his coat, rubbing and gently tugging at the rather soft, silky fabric which made Kalfu chortle at the action. She quickly pulled away as she got that same electrical buzz along her spine again that sent her soul into a shudder. “Ah dun like the feelin’ Ah get from ya, partner. Ya make somethin’ inside me squirm. And I dun know what that somethin’ is.”.

Kalfu chuckled lowly in his throat before reaching out with the lower end of his walking cane, placing the tip right in the middle of her chest “That’s your soul, my dear.” he said in a matter of factly tone while lightly tapping that same spot before pulling his cane away from her “Every living thing has one. And yours tells me quite a bit about you. You are a strong and true pony. Honesty is everything to you. A fine quality to have especially in a friend. You believe that family and friends are above all, even over yourself. Very admirable indeed. But remember, it's okay to be a little bit selfish every now and then. Just a little bit.”

She placed a hand over the spot where he had tapped her with his cane with a look of astonishment on her face. How in the world did he know those things about her when all she really told him was her name? “How did you…?” she asked before he shrugged slightly. “I have always had a gift for seeing the qualities of one’s soul, I suppose. It’s all part of my line of work.” he said as he then turned his head to the screen door that led inside the house then back to her once more.

“I see three other souls huddled together just against the other side of the door there. They must be curious as to who in the world is keeping their family member so busy outside.” he said as he tapped the tip of his cane on the wooden porch a couple of times, making the screen door and wooden door both open at the same time. Three other ponies suddenly fell forward as the doors swung open. First a large, brawny red stallion, then a green elderly mare, and then a small yellow little filly. Kalfu chuckled again to himself before turning to the group, tipping his hat to them politely before turning his attention back to Applejack who now started between him and her family.

“They have such quality souls as well, Applejack. Make sure you keep your kin close to your heart and never let them go. Because they could be taken from you at any time, anywhere.” he said before tipping his hat to Applejack before making his way off the porch and back into the rain, holding his umbrella back over his head. “Threats ain't exactly a friendly thing to make around here, Spooky.” she said as she watched him suddenly stop and turn his head slowly with a somber expression and tone “I am not speaking as a threat, but from the heart and experience. After all, your mother and father hope for the same thing. They love and miss you dearly. And hope to be with you again one day. What were their names again? Bright Macintosh and Pear Butter? A truly strong and sweet couple. Don’t do anything to upset them again. They were quite sad when you left your home to go and live with your aunt and uncle in the big city..”.

He then continued to make his way into the orchard, leaving Applejack and the others standing there as if they had been hit with absolute shock. Applejack then shakes herself back into reality again before giving chase after Kalfu into the orchard. She now had so many questions for him at this point and she wanted answers, now. But, every time she got close to Kalfu, he’d vanish behind the next tree over, only to appear several rows down to only disappear again once she got closer each time.

She nearly caught up to him before tripping over her own hoof and falling into a shallow puddle of water. She slowly lifts herself up as she gazes up at Kalfu who now stood there gazing down at her, along with the spirits of Applejack's mother and father on either side of him. They smiled happily at their daughter before speaking to her “We love you so so much, Applejack. We miss you and can’t wait to be reunited with you.” and just like that, they both fade away, leaving Applejack’s face drenched in rain and now tears as they flow from her eyes like a waterfall.

And with that, Kalfu simply steps under a tree and slowly slinks into its shadow, removing his hat and placing it to his chest as he sinks into the ground and out of sight. But not before leaving behind a small little trinket for the crying mare. A necklace with an apple and a pear carved out of a couple precious stones that houses a piece of both of her parents’ souls. As per request from them. Now, as the price of this was that they walk along with Kalfu for eternity.

It makes me quite happy to see this story getting so much love so quickly. I don't think any of my work has gotten so much attention in such short of time. Thank you all so much <3

May the darkness grant you peace.