Pumpkins are a holiday fruit.
http://anonpone.pineapplecomputing.com/pumpkin/
>>25736075
Back at the patch, a path of squashed pumpkins is left in the wake of the larger pumpkin that you rolled down the hill.
Also, the staff is broken. Great.
"Is this bad? I think this is bad."
Summer pokes at some gourd remains.
>"I dunno. Maybe it's a good thing?"
"That's probably wishful thinking. Soon it'll be raining frogs or something because we broke it."
>"What if nothing happens?"
As if on cue, a voice calls out from behind you.
>"HEY!"
Of course.
You turn to see the tall pumpkin guy yelling at you.
>"DID YOU DO THIS?!"
"Uhh..."
>"YOU DID! URRRGH! YOU HAVE BROKEN THE STAFF! NOW THE PUMPKING WILL NEVER RISE!"
He holds up your disguise.
>"DESTROYING MY PUMPLINGS WAS ONE THING, BUT HOW COULD YOU DESTROY SUCH A LIFE AS THIS!?"
"What?"
>"EXPLAIN YOURSELF! OR FACE THE WRATH OF THE STRAWMAN!"
What do you do?
You have 2 Zaps and a Smoke bomb.
In your spell inventory, you have a summon.
>>25736098
If the pumpking will never rise it sounds like it's about time for the Strawman to switch sides to the winning team.
>>25736098
explain ourselves, obviously
I'm sure he'll understand
>>25736098
Use summon on the pumpkin he's holding.
Just cause we broke it don't mean we can't fix it.
>>25736098
Grab that mask and put it on our cat, explaining to him that that life is not destroyed.
>>25736098
Wait, is he yelling at the disguises and not our heroes?
Or did I read it wrong this time?
>>25736150
>'How could you destroy such a life as this!?' he says as he holds up the disguise.
He is indeed yelling at us. We destroyed the innocent life of our disguise.
>>25736098
That's my hat.
I'm not responsible for you mistaking me for a pumpkin.
>>25736098
We found it like this and that is one of our disguises.
>>25736098
Lick lips, claim that tall pumpkin looks delicious.
>>25736075
>>25736126
>>25736128
>>25736129
>>25736146
>>25736150
"Alright, fine. We will."
You stand up pointing at the hill where the adults are held.
"THAT? That is not cool."
>"What? The ponies?"
"Yes the ponies!"
>"A necessary part in the awakening of the Pumpking."
"You kidnapped our parents!"
>"They were necessary!"
"YEAH! TO US!"
>"NEVERMIND THAT! You destroyed the life of this pumpling! I rather enjoyed this one's company! What do you have to say for yourself!?"
"That pumpkin? The one you're holding?"
>"Yes!"
"What about the others?"
>"They were not interesting, so they do not matter to me. But THIS ONE I LIKED!"
"Give it here."
>"What?"
"Give me the pumpkin."
>"I will NOT! You would just desecrate it with your pony germs!"
"It was my disguise in the first place! Now give it here!"
>"Why I NEVE- disguise?"
"YES."
>"What do you mean 'disguise'?"
You hold out your hooves.
"I'll show you if you give me the pumpkin."
>"Hmph. Fine."
He places the pumpkin in your hooves.
>"But if this is some sort of ruse, I'll-"
You place the pumpkin on your head.
"Hello tall pumpkin man. It's me, pumpkin."
He reels back.
>"EGADS!"
"See? It was just a normal pumpkin."
>"BUT-"
"LOOK GUY"
>"MY NAME, is the STRAWMAN"
"WHATEVER. The pumpking isn't gonna rise anymore, right?"
He grumbles.
"SOoooo, cut your losses and switch sides."
Summer, Jackie and the Strawman all say "What?" in unison.
Summer whispers to you.
>"Is that smart? He did steal our parents."
"Maybe he'll change?"
He clears his throat.
>"Ahem. Why should I?"
>>25736410
Because right now you suck.
Seriously, you got beat by two kids.
>>25736410
If you don't we'll grind your rind to make our pies!
>>25736410
What other choices do you have?
>>25736410
help us, or we'll mercilessly smash this adorable pumpkin mask and you'll never get to see its cute little face ever again, even if it isn't a real pumpkin person
>>25736410
What, like spending all of your time with the pumpkins is interesting?
You liked talking to me? I am but one of many, many ponies, lots of whom are just as interesting as me.
Join with us and you can have friends. Not just underlings, but FRIENDS.
>>25736438
"Because you got beaten by two kids. Only TWO. There's a whole town of em just over there."
>"I-I...hrmm."
"Plus, you won't be totally alone. We already have Jackie on our side. You can be gourd buddies or something."
Jackie jumps behind you.
>"N-no... He's a p-pumpkin."
>"She's afraid of pumpkins."
"We know. Look, do you wanna come help us get the adults out of the big pumpkin head thing?"
He scratches his pumpchin.
"You could always be a nice pumpkin pie."
He reels back.
>"You WOULDN'T"
"I WOULD."
He starts to sweat, which looks strange.
>"If I help you, will you guarantee my non-pie-ness?"
"Sure."
He puts his hands on his sides.
>"Fine."
"Great. I hereby pronounce you as not a total bad guy."
He looks over to Summer.
>"You don't actually bake pumpkins into pie, do you?"
>"Yeah. It's really tasty."
He shakes his head.
>"You ponies are truly terrifying."
Summer pats you on the back.
>"Good job! So, what's the plan?"
>>25736681
Ask if he knows anything about combating the scare spice. Also ask if the pumpking can actually smite ponies or if he's just a giant voice or what.
>>25736748
This.
Also ask if he will give us a hug now that we are friends.
>>25736681
Tell him to talk to the big pumpkin. Get him to help lift all those adults out.
>>25736764
>Ask
You mean take the hug now owed to us from our new friend.
Perhaps we should ask what the Pumpking was actually supposed to do.In case it was really fucking metal and we want to help him find a was to raise it consensually like making the best haunted house in Equestria.
>>25736681
>pumpchin
>>25736681
>>25736748
>>25736774
>>25736801
"Okay. First order of business."
You start walking towards Strawman.
>"What are you doing?"
"Hug."
>"What? I'm not going to hug you."
"You need to. You owe me one. All new friends owe me a hug."
You jump at him before he gets away, hooking yourself to his leg.
>"Get off my leg"
"No. So, I got a few questions for you."
>"Fine."
"Can the Pumpking actually smite ponies?"
>"Not anymore he can't."
"Wonderful. Now, do you know anything about the scare spice?"
>"It's spice that scares you."
"Yeah but-"
>"That's literally it. You wash it off, and it goes away. Get it on you, and you get scared."
"Is that the only way to get it off of you?"
>"Is water the only thing you can use to wash mud off of you? No. You can use vinegar, or milk, or ice cream, or molasses, or lava or-"
"Alright fine, I get it. Hmmm, could you talk to the big pumpkin guy in there to lift the adults out?"
>"Fine. But I don't know how I'll convince him to do it. You'll have to think of something."
"Deal."
You and your group head over to the pumpking.
>"CAN YOU GET OFF OF MY LEG NOW?"
"Fine."
>"Thank you. So, what do I tell the Pumpking to convince him to bring up all the pods?"
>>25737520
Tell him that corporate is moving base of operations to a place with looser regulations and lower taxes.
>>25737520
Tell him VIT.A.MinS has discovered unusually high alkaline levels in the local soil and needs to move the pods until the cause is found.
>>25737520
>>25737553
>>25737613
"Tell him that VITAMINS has discovered dangerously high levels of alkaline in the local soil and they need to move the pods until the cause is found."
>"Vitamins?"
"He'll know what you mean."
>"I don't know what I mean."
"Great, even better."
>"But that doesn't make sense."
"Look, HE thinks that VITAMINS is trustworthy, so just play along with it."
>"Fine."
He descends into the hole.
Summer sits next to you.
>"Think it'll work?"
You shrug.
"Maybe."
You wait there for a while.
Suddenly, a tentacle lifts out of the hole carrying a pod!
"Huh, it must have worked."
Pod after Pod was lifted out of the hole, laying them carefully on the ground around it.
After an hour, all of the pods were out of the pumpking. Strawman hopped out.
>"That's the last of em."
"Awesome. Now we just need to wash em all off."
>"Uh, there's one more thing."
"What?"
He points down.
>"He's still there. What're you going to do with him?"
>>25737878
Well, he can't do the pod thing anymore. We'll have to get him another job. Has he ever wanted to act? He could be a theater!
>>25737878
Does Strawman have any wishes for him? Like, does he want us to have mercy, or is he cool with us burning it down and turning it into a giant pie?
>>25737878
inform him that you need to inspect the facility's mandatory self-destruct device then press it and run away like you would a doorbell any other hallowe- I mean spooky horse night
>>25737878
Lets reason with him!
Maybe he's not that bad a guy if you get to know him.
>>25737878
Turn him into the best haunted house the world has ever seen!
>The pumplings get jobs at the haunted house.
>Big pumpkin gets to scare ponies.
>Nobody needs to get abducted!
Everyone Wins!
>>25737878
can we just sort of... leave? what can he do from down there?
>>25737878
>>25737912
>>25738151
>>25738006
"Well, what do you think?"
>"What do you mean?"
"I dunno. Isn't he like, you dad or something?"
>"No. He was supposed to be our leader."
"What're you thinking we should do with him?"
He shrugs.
"That's not helpful."
>"Why is it on me? It's your town. You decide."
"Do you want me to have mercy? Or are you cool with turning him into a giant pie?"
>"That still sounds horrific."
"Hmmmmm... Does he have any ambitions? Like, could he have another job? Oh! He could be a theater!"
>"I don't think he'd enjoy that."
"Then give me suggestions!"
>"I HAVE NO SUGGESTIONS. IT'S UP TO YOU."
Summer coughs.
>"Um, if all of the pods are out of him, won't he like, power down?"
Strawman looks at the hole. The tentacle is limp on the ground.
>"I hadn't thought of that."
"Is he dead?"
>"I have no idea."
You all stare at the hole.
"Wait, I have an idea."
They all look at you.
"Strawman, are there any more pumplings left?"
>"Yes."
"Okay, now hear me out. Why not turn him into a haunted house? We could have the pumplings working there, and the pumpking gets to scare ponies!"
>"Hmmmm... I suppose that could work."
"See? Everyone wins! And no one has to get abducted!"
>"Alright, but you'll need to explain that to him."
"I can do that."
You hear a clunking noise. Summer is tapping on the pod of a particularly terrified adult.
>"Should we get them out? It can't be healthy to keep them in there."
>"There's no real rush then with the Pumpking. You can deal with your adults."
"Great."
What do you do with the adult's pods?
>>25738396
Uh, we need something pointy to open them and a hose.
>>25738413
Race to see who can get the most adults back into town.
>>25738434
We should probably get all the kids down here to help.
>>25738396
attach all the pods to each other in a chain and hitch them to your broom-broomstick, drag them to the nearest body of water and start bashing them open with rocks or whatev. tell the cat to bring a bucket so you dont have to throw the helpless adults into the pond and drown them on accident
>>25738413
how many are there? if it's too many, we should release pegasi first so they could make it rain to wash the spice off the others to quicken the process
>>25738662
Considering how our mom was I don't think they'd be able to help.
>>25738396
>>25738413
>>25738437
You think for a moment.
"Why not get the other kids to help? Have em roll the pods down the hill."
>"That could work. But, we don't know where the other kids are."
>"You mean those children?"
Strawman points out to the town. You look in that direction and see all of the kids gathered around the crater where you blew up the pumpkin monster.
"Yeah. Them."
You and Summer head down to the crowd. They're all wondering what made the big "boom", and after a few minutes of explaining, you and the mob of children make your way up and down the hill, carrying and rolling the pods with the adults.
While rolling a pod with a colt, you ask him where they were this whole time.
>"We were at the schoolhouse. The playground is there."
Of course.
Soon, all the pods are laid out in the town, with fillies and colts prying the pods open carefully, being sure to not get any spice on them and putting the adults together.
You had told a few of the pegasus children to try and make a raincloud over the adult-pile to help wash away the spice. Being untrained kids, they didn't know how to make a strong rainfall, but there was a light drizzle.
The Adults were slowly but surely getting the spice washed off of them.
You stand, looking at the progress.
A white cat hops onto your shoulder.
"Oh, hey Porridge. How's mom?"
>"She is recovering well. Resting at the moment, as she should. I take it you solved our problems?"
"I think so."
>"What is he doing here?"
She looks at Strawman.
"Don't worry. He's on our side. We're gonna turn the pumpking into a haunted house, and let the pumplings run the place."
>"I see."
The Strawman taps on your shoulder.
>"Now that this situation is taking care of itself, you should go explain to the pumpking that he's going to be an attraction."
"Hmmm. Think he'll be mad?"
>"Only one way to find out."
Do you go talk to the pumpking?
>>25739144
Lets go talk to eldritch abominations! hell yes!
>>25739144
>Do you go talk to the pumpking?
It would only be polite for us to be there when we tell a sentient being that he is going to turned into an amusement park.Drink his tears
>>25739144
Yeah, we should inform him face to face. It's the personal touches that count, when you're a witch.
>>25739144
>>25739161
>>25739204
>>25739250
You head back up to the hole. As you make your way down, you hear the voice of the pumpking call out to you. In the main room, you see that his light is much dimmer, and his face much less intimidating.
>"hhhhhhhhhhheyy... you look ffffffamiliar... wwwhat's up?"
>>25739265
Not much. Hey, we gotta talk. Your original plan isn't quite gonna happen.
>>25739144
go back down and tell pumpkong the higher ups at GOURD (Governing Office for Underground Round Dudes) have informed you to upgrade his scare systems to a consent-based model that utilizes local currency to better integrate itself into the surrounding econo-structure
>>25739265
Hey, so the whole pumpkin king thing ain't gonna work out. But, there's a backup plan! How would you like to scare ponies all day every day?
>>25739286
>>25739300
>>25739321
"Not much, but hey, we gotta talk. Your plan isn't going to happen."
>"mmmmy plannn?"
"Yeah. So, instead o-"
>"wwwwwhhat plann?"
"You know, your plan. Anyways, We thought of a good idea. How about instead of-:
>"plannnnnnn... is it a good plannn?"
"Yes. Now, the plan is to turn you into a haunted house, and it'll be run by your pumplings. That way you can still scare ponies. Sound good?"
>"..."
"Hello?"
>"hhhhhhmmmmm? ohhhhhh, sorrrry... i dozzzzes offf there fffor a ssseconnd. what were you sayinnnng?"
"The plan is to turn you into a haunted house and to have your pumplings work in it."
>"sssssssounnnds gooood llllittle ponnnnny... ssso what doo you nnned meee too dooo?"
>>25739371
Uh, not much. I guess later you can help bring down all the props and building stuff?
>>25739371
Actually, how about instead of a haunted house we just turn him into a smoke den for ponies to get high in?
>>25739371
Be spooky, setup a first aid station. Not much really. The pumplings can set up the maze like walls, ghosts on strings and moose eating walnuts.
>>25739394
anahn pls, smoking is bad, m'kay?
Besides, there's no way that would be healthy for him.
>>25739408
>Besides, there's no way that would be healthy for him.
>>25739371
just uhh go to sleep until we can get you some clean renewable scare-negy
(said while sloshing gasoline all over the floor in preparation for torching the place)
>>25739542
>>25739371
>>25739404
>>25739391
"Uhhh, can you call all your pumplings here?"
>"yyyyyyyyeahhhh..."
"Okay? Um, then just set up the haunted house however you want. Mazes, ghosts, all that jazz."
>"wwwwwwwillll......"
You sait for him to finish his sentence, but you realize that he's asleep. You shrug and walk out.
Up top, some pumplings are already there.
>"What's going on?"
"Oh uh, you guys are gonna be in charge of a haunted house. That way you guys have something to do, and the pumpking gets to scare ponies. Is that cool with you guys?"
The pumplings look at each other, then back to you.
>"Yeah."
"Great. I gotta go help waking up some adults. No hard feelings, okay?"
>"Hard feelings? For what?"
"Nothing. Good luck with your haunted house!"
They wave back at you before they head down into the pumpking's head.
While you walk out of the pumpkin patch, you pick up your hat and your broomstick.
So, now that you've tied that whole mess up, was there anything else you wanted to do?
>>25739714
did we accidentally the quest? I feel like we might be missing something
let's go see if mother is lucid yet, perhaps she can give us more information
>>25739714
Lewds.
>>25739714
I would give the default answer to that question but, it's not that kind of quest.
Ask Jackie what she wants to do with her life now.
After checking on adults, Wait impatiently for the haunted house to open so you can be the first pony to go in.
>>25739714
We should get Jackie some therapy. Seriously.
>>25739741
yes
with the cat
rollan
>>25739714
>>25739730
>>25739745
>>25739771
You head back to the group of children and terrified, but safe adults. Summer is hugging her mom and dad, although they still look quite exhausted.
Looking around, you find Jackie hiding from Strawman. You tap her on the shoulder.
"Hey Ja-"
>"AUGH!"
She jumps away from you.
"Whoa, it's just me."
>"S-sorry. What did you n-need?"
"Walk n talk with me."
>"O-okay?"
As you head back to your house, you pat Jackie on the back.
"Jackie, I think you need help."
>"Wh-what?"
"You're phobia of pumpkins is bad for you. Really bad."
>"Wh-why do you say th-that?"
"You know why. So, I think you should start to face your fears."
>"H-how?"
"Hmmm, tell ya what. I'm sure there's a therapist in ponyville, so we can talk to him when we get the chance, but we should also have you try some pumpkin pie."
>"P-pumpkin pie?"
"Yeah. It's super good."
>"B-but-"
"You gotta. It's so delicious. Anyway, what are your plans now?"
>"W-well, I don't really know. D-do you think I could stay with you t-till I find out what to do?"
"Totally. I'm sure mom won't mind."
>"Th-than-"
"Oh! Hey, we're here! Welcome to my humble abode."
You walk up to the door of your house.
"C'mon in!"
>"O-Okay."
You and Jackie walk into your home. Inside, your mom is lying on the couch with a cup of warm coffee on the table in front of her.
>"Oh, welcome home my little hero."
You smile.
"Are you doing alright?"
>"Much better now, thank you."
Did you have anything to ask your mom?
>>25739949
Can my gourd pal stay here? She's got nowhere to go.
>>25739949
so, like, how did the pumpkins manage to subdue you, superpowered witch-mother?
also, are you aware of any other pumpkin related threats lurking around other than that big underground inside-out pumpking weirdo who we defeated with phony bureaucracy?
>>25739964
Sleepovers every day!
>>25739949
mother, can I be rewarded with one of those grown-up spellbooks you keep under your mattress? I mean, i did save the town after all
>>25739964
>>25739977
>>25739984
"So, how did you get captured by pumpkins?"
>"Well, I was asleep. I wake up because I hear a noise, then I get this powder thrown on me. After that, I don't remember anything."
"Yeesh. Are there any other pumpkin threats you know about?"
>"No. I didn't even know about THIS one. I'll look through my books to see if there's anything else, but I think we'll be okay for the time being. Porridge told me everything though. You were very brave."
She rustles your hair.
"Oh, I almost forgot. This is my friend Jackie. She needs a place to stay for the time being. Can she stay with us?"
>"Of course."
If you could give a thumbs up, you would be giving two to Jackie.
"Sooooooo, since I kinda saved the town, could I see one of those spellbooks for grown ups that you have? As a reward?"
>"Sure."
"REALLY?"
>"When you can handle them."
"Awwww."
>"Tell you what. Tomorrow, I'll teach you a lightning spell, okay?"
You look up at your mother, beaming.
"Deal."
As the day drew to a close, the adults were taken to their respective houses. Strawman showed up at Selena's house because he too didn't have a place to stay. The pumplings and the Pumpking started their haunted house and became a huge hit across Equestria. Summer kept working at her parent's store, and Porridge took long naps in the sun.
What did we learn on this adventure?To not trust a my sense of timeNothing really. We got through this by lying, hiding, and blowing up things that aren't ours.
What a story.I'm choosing to end it here. There's nothing more that we really can do that would be substantial. Anyways, I cannot express how deeply sorry I am about this whole debacle. Really, I am. I've learned my lesson, that's for sure.I hope to see you guys when I'm able to get back to my other questsGood night everyone! Thank you so much for playing!
>>25740269
fuck yes lightning, bye nippu
>>25740269
Night Nips.Don't worry about it.
>>25740269
Thanks for this quest Nips, it may have taken a while but it was still enjoyable as fuck
You should do more non serious quests more often
Now for the most important questionJackie lewds where?
>>25740304
would you smooch a pumpling?a) HECK YESb) HECK YESc) HECK YESd) HECK YES
>>25740269
It was fun nips, but yeah, kinda disappointing. This thread especially. I don't know exactly what you had planned for this, but this ending feels forced and rushed.
I'm looking forward to making terrible decisions in Lost tho. That's going to be fun.
>>25740304
>You should do more non serious quests more often
didn't he do that one quest with semon demon? and the grappling hook? that was a blast.
