Plows that drag on beechen yoke,
Eternal night and poison joke.
Pois'nous, shivering, blackened fen:
Nightmare Night comes once again!
Corpse and copse in bog they fail
and wander lost within their pale.
But hark! three walk meek as sinners.
Mist, they emerge: our contest winners!
It's time, my lovelies. It's been a long haul, one that's taken us from eve to end of this jolly month of October. Many spoops were spooped, and many crepps were crepped, but in the end, we've arrived. It's Nightmare Night 2013 at last, and what better way to celebrate this merry occasion than to honor the stories you've selected as the spookiest of the bunch!
We've all learned so much about each other over this past month. I learned that you all support me in your acknowledgement of Roseluck truly being the greatest and most perfect pony in the world. And I didn't even have to manipulate your choices in any way whatsoever! I love it when everyone is on the same correct wavelength.
Meanwhile, you learned that I... well, I like Roseluck. And hopefully nothing else. But I suppose I'm going off on a tangent again. You all waited patiently for this day, and now I'm happy to oblige. Ladies and gentlemen, your contest winners!
More Than You Know by Obselescence
Author: Obselescence
Description:
Princess Celestia has been keeping a dark secret from her subjects for a very long time. It's not an easy truth to tell, but if anyone can accept her after learning it, it will surely be her most faithful student.
Coming in at third place with an overall score of 228 and an average score of 3.05 , this story, while not coming off particularly as a nightmare night story, has a pretty good creep factor going for it. Overall, it raises a great many questions about the role of omnipotence, and exactly who and how persons of power decide what is best.
I could rant for ages about this topic and Celestia's role in Equestria, but I'll quell my nerdrage and move on to our second place.
The Face Takers by shortskirtsandexplosions
Author: shortskirtsandexplosions
Description:
"They came and took their faces, and then they took their insides. And one day, when the moon itself is fuller than it's ever been before, they'll crawl into our homes... and give them all back..."With an overall score of 230 and an average score of 3.10, this story just barely slips into second place. For many people, myself included, this is what you come looking for in a Nightmare Night fic. Monsters, scary stories, and a plot twist that would make R.L. Stine blush. The blend of traditional scary stories and internet creepypasta works in this one's favor, and leaves you with a delightful tingle down the spine.
Finally, last but not least, and the man who got to choose tonight's header has his prize:
The Lantern by Cold in Gardez
Author: Cold in Gardez
Descripition:
Daring Do has never turned away from a challenge. But when she finds herself trapped beneath an ancient temple with a haunted artifact, she may find herself wishing she'd stayed home.
Our first place fic, with an overall score of 265 and an average of 3.65, makes up for its lesser Halloween theme with incredible pacing, suspense, and atmosphere. It's a longer one, but it definitely takes advantage of that by building an environment with excellent characters and plenty of chilling ambiance and descriptions. It's our winner for a reason, and I couldn't agree more with the decision.
In fact, you'll notice that there isn't even a judge's choice this year, mainly because I'm satisfied with the stories you've elected as the best. I couldn't have ranked them better myself. And of course, let's not forget about our two runners- up, and of course, the rest of the participants! You can find both of those below.
- Red, if at all Possible by Chaotic Harmony
- Reading Room #36 by Flashgen
Congratulations to our winners, and fine pat on the back to all who entered this year's competition. I hope you all have a great Halloween, and I'll be seeing you for next year's edition, as per usual. Now then, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go ahead and get back to working on–
>EXCLAMATION:
>COMPLETED TASKS SO SKILLFULLY
>THAT NOW SHE IS THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE
>END EXCLAMATION
That wasn't supposed to turn on. Where's the off switch... Oops, no, that's the weapons activation button. Oh, the humanity! I pressed the wrong button even though I built the machine myself! Curse my comedic ineptitude!
>HOSTILE ORGANISM MUST TRIXIE
Please no, not the f—
