Greetings, one and all and welcome to the next chapter of Quest For Equestria: Harmonic Heroes. I hope your going to enjoy this chapter, as it based on one of my favorite episodes. And now on to the reviews.
kyrogue23: It only seemed fitting turning him into a girl. Yeah, I admit it was one of my favorite parts to write.
Wolf King 0811: Yeah, at times Morgenstern can act more humane and caring than his reputation would suggest.
And now on to the story.
Another month past and still no word from Celestia on a way back home for the guys. The training Skywalker was receiving from the princess had also been slow, as neither Skywalker, Twilight nor Celestia could find a way to remove the mental block.
"Jason? Jason Skywalker", a voice called to him. Skywalker lifted his head up, while rubbing his eyes. Over at the table other side of the table, Twilight was looking at him with her big purple eyes, "You fell asleep.", the Magi said, closing the book she was reading, "Having trouble sleeping again? You always look so tired, when was the last time you slept well?" she asked as Skywalker started to think,
"This Thursday, two months ago...", he answered gaining a worried expression from Twilight. "Y-You have trouble sleeping ever since you got here?" she asked, he tried to reassure her but she cut him off, "No, it's not fine! What if something happens and your too tired to protect us? What if you get hurt!? What if..." she rattled on before Skywalker stood up and walked up to her and placing his hand on her head, "Twilight, I will never be too tired to protect you and the rest of the Harmonic Heroes.", he said with a smile but she wasn't entirely convinced.
"So, that Nightmare Night is gonna be this weekend huh?" Skywalker said, trying to change the subject, Twilight's expression sadden by his question, "I-I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?" he added notice the look she was giving him.
Twilight shook her head, "Nothing, it's just... That weekend is the only weekend my big brother can get a few days off, no trains go to Canterlot and back during Nightmare Night. I promised Spike to go candy hunting with him, but if I take him to my family... We won't have time to go candy hunting.", she looked down, as Skywalker took in her dilemma.
"Do you... Want me to look after Spike? He can stay over at my place and I'll take him trick or... I mean candy hunting." Skywalker proposed as Twilight face brighten up. "Y-You would do that?" she said as Skywalker nodded. Before he could react Twilight had tackled him to the ground and gave him the biggest hug she had ever give anyone, "Thank you! Thank you!" she squeed.
When she lifted her head, it came to her what she had done as she started to blush brightly, the only thing between their mouth was a small layer of air. "Well... This is awkward..." she said blushing, gaining a puzzling look from the boy under her. "Why?" Skywalker asked, totally oblivious to their situation. Before Twilight could answer, Spike's voice came from another room "Hey Twilight, have...", the purple dragon said entering the room, but he fell silent as he saw Twilight on top of Skywalker. She got off quickly, but Spike couldn't help but smirk at her embarrassment.
"So... You two are studying hard.", Spike said as Twilight shot him an angry glare. "Spike! Guess were you'll be staying this weekend?", she asked as he shrug his small shoulders, "At the guys house. Yeah, I was listening.", he said heading upstairs. Twilight shook her head as Skywalker chuckled.
Meanwhile over at the Apple Family farm. McGrath was being dragged to it by Phoenix, who had a large smile on his face. "Why are we doing this again?", the brunette asked. "Because Pomme wanted a responsible adult to watch AB.", the red head explained.
"Then why the hell did she ask you?", McGrath continued to ask.
"Archmage and Jason where busy studying or some shit, Diva and Sunshine were going to the spa, Rainbro and Chuckles are working, Waffles is stalking Jason somewhere I think, Pomme and Star are... Busy. So she asked me."
"Okay fine, but if he needs you to babysit, why the hell am I here?", he continue to ask as they stood just in front of the front door. "Well I thought it would be a good experience for you. Also you might learn something.", Phoenix explained as he knocked on the door.
"I guess I stick around... Not that I want to.", McGrath said, crossing his arms just as Applebloom opened the door. The small red head looked up to the duo. "Hi, McGrath, Kyle! So... Are you guys gonna take care of me today?", the youngest apple sister asked.
"Ayup, Pomme couldn't find anybody else to do it so she asked us.", Phoenix said with a kind smile and a wink. The shorter brunette next to him suddenly glared at him, "She asked you! I am only here because you made me come!", he said as they stepped inside. "Do you wanna play with me? Let's go to my room and have a tea party!", Applebloom asked as she tugged at the bruenettes arm. "No thanks. But Kyla loves tea parties. Now leave me the hell alone.", McGrath said walking over to Phoenix who was turning on the television. "Come on Moody! You won't die from play with a little girl.", the red head sat as he dropped on the couch.
"Why do you always so those hateful words, McGrath?", Applebloom asked as she looked up at him with her big orange eyes. At this question, McGrath was quite for a moment before continuing, "I don't know! Why do you have to be so freaking adorable!?", he asked as he took a seat on the couch.
"Soooo.", Phoenix said, smirking at him as he and Applebloom started to watch TV. McGrath rolled his eyes before asking, "What do you want now?", deciding against his better judgment to hear him out. "Have you talked to Diva yet?", the red head asked, gaining him a glare from McGrath.
"Now don't give me that look. Don't tell me that you haven't talked to her after the sleep over. Especially after you two...", he said as McGrath cut him off. "We all agreed to never talk about what happened!". the brunette shouted. Phoenix just gave him a smirk, as he relaxed back into the sofa, "Come on, don't tell me you don't have a crush on her.", he winked before realizing something, "Or do you have the hots for Chuckles?"
At this McGrath's expression turned from annoyed to angry, "This discussion is over.", he said, turning his face back to the could have sworn he saw a blush on McGrath's pale cheeks.
And so, Saturday came, Nightmare Night. On Shoveitupyourass Street 15, the daytime part of Nightmare Night was spend decorating the house and setting up drinks, food and other stuff for their Nightmare Night Party. After preparations were in order, Skywalker retreated into his room to put on his costume.
Coming down the stair, Skywalker was dressed in a near perfect replica of the Darth Vader suit. As he descended down the stairs, she saw Spike, who ironically was dressed as a purple dragon, waiting for him. "So?", Skywalker said activating the voice changer, mimicking the voice of Darth Vader, "What do you think? I made it myself." as he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, he spins around to show off the costume.
"Are you that one guy with a breathing problem from Star Wars?" Spike said, gaining a face palm from Skywalker. "Guy with a breathing problem?... I'm Darth freaking Vader! The greatest enemy of the Jedi!", he ranted while he and Spike exited the house to hunt for candy.
Apparently, no one seemed to recognized who Skywalker was supposed to be. The hunt for candy was a great success as they both had two big bags filled with all sorts of sweets. Before heading home, they decide to the festival on the Main Square. A lot of people had gathered, all wearing costumes from a typical princess to zombies, Skywalker thought he even saw a someone dressed as McGrath.
"Thank you, everybody.", Mayor Mare, who herself was dressed as a clown with rainbow wig, big red nose and all that clown stuff, said as she addressed the crowd from the stage, "And welcome to the Nightmare Night festival! Now all the little ponies who have been out collecting sweets should follow our friend Zecora to hear the legend of Nightmare Moon!", she said, trying to sound scary, but in Skywalker's opinion she sounded rather cheesy.
"Spooky voice might work better is she wasn't dressed like that." Spike whispered to Skywalker, who couldn't help but chuckle at his remark as Zecora enter the stage, dressed as a voodoo witch. "Follow me and very soon you'll hear the tale of Nightmare Moon." Zecora said, her spooky voice sounded much scarier than the one of Mayor Mare, "Listen close my little dears, and I'll tell you where you got your fears of Nightmare Night, so dark and scary. Of Nightmare Moon, who makes you wary. Every year, we put on a disguise, to save ourselves, from her searching eyes. But Nightmare Moon wants just one thing. To gobble up people in one quick swing. Hungrily, she soars the sky. If she sees nobody, she passes by. So if she comes and all is clear, Equestria is safe another year!".
"Uh, Miss Zecora, if we wear costumes to hide from Nightmare Moon, so she won't gobble us up, how come we still need to give her some of our candy?", A little boy, named Pipsqueak if Skywalker recalled correctly, asked, making Zecora turn to him.
"A perfect question, my little friend. For Nightmare Moon you must not offend. Fill up her belly with a treat or two, so she won't return to come eat you!" she said, making some children scream in fright. "Everybody!", Pinkie shouted, she was dressed as a chicken, "Just dump some candy and get out of here!" she dropped some candy in front of the statue.
Just as the little kids wanted to offer some candy, the sky darkened as thunder roars in the background. A chariot, being pulled by two Seraph guards, instead of the normal gold armor, these guard were wearing black armor and their wings were those of a bat, instead of the normal feathered ones.
Skywalker gave a deep sigh, "What is it now?" he asked as the chariot landed. Someone wearing a dark cloak exited, as she approached the center of the group, the cloak disappeared into bats, revealing that the new comer was in fact the princess of the night herself.
The princess looked around, giving the group a good look before, "Citizens of Ponyville!" she shouted, with a lot of volume, "We have graced your tiny village with our presence, so that you might behold the real princess of the night! A creature of nightmare is no longer, but instead a Alicorn who desires your love and admiration! Together we shall change this dreadful celebration into a bright and glorious feast!" thunder roaring in the background, startling everyone.
"Did you hear that, everybody!?" Pinkie shouted, "Nightmare Moon says she's gonna feast on us all!", scaring the kids and they all quickly fled.
"What?" Princess Luna said surprised, this time with a normal voice, "No children, no! You no longer have reason to fear us! Screams of delight is what your princess desires, not screams of terror!", her please went unheard as nearly everybody fled in terror. "What is the matter with you?", the princess shouted in frustration, "Very well then. Be that way! We won't even bother with the traditional royal farewell." with that she made her exit, walking towards the Everfree Forest.
"Spike, you go home now.", Skywalker said, handing the dragon his candy bag, "I gonna go talk to her."
"You can't talk to her!" Spike said, almost falling over from the weight of four big bags filled with candy, "She's Nightmare Moon!" Skywalker glare at him from under his helmet, "No, she's not.", he said, with a stern tone to his voice, "I saw the Elements of Harmony change her back to good. But it seems like she's having some trouble adjusting after being gone for a thousand years." and with that he dashed towards the Everfree Forest.
He didn't have to look long for the princess, who was sitting in front of a statue of Nightmare Moon. Hearing someone approach, she turned her head to look at him, giving him a distrustful look. "Princess Luna? Hi, my name is...", Skywalker started with a friendly tone, as his hands moved up to remove the helmet. But before he could remove it, the princess interrupted him. "Darth Vader!", Luna shouted, surprising Skywalker, "Commendable costume! Thou even got the voice and breathing right." she complimented him, making Skywalker grin under the helmet.
"Thank you!" he said, fiddling with the helmet, "I just came to welcome you to our celebration! My actual name is..." he found the button at the side of his helmet, removing the hooks that kept it in check. Removing the helmet, Skywalker shook his head to get his hair back into its usual model.
"Jason Skywalker!", Luna said, recognizing him, before her voice returned her loud volume, "It was thou who unleashed the powers of harmony upon us and took away our dark powers!", she shouted as thunder roared in the background.
"Wow, Wow!" Skywalker said, raising his hands, "Easy there. That was a good thing... right?" he added nervously as Luna gave him a puzzling look. "But of course." she responded in her normal tone, "We could not be happier. Is that not clear?" she asked him confused.
"Well..." Skywalker started slowly, trying not to offend the princess in front of him, "You kinda sound like you're yelling at me.". Luna shook her head as she took in what he said, "But this is the traditional royal Canterlot voice! It is tradition to speak, using the royal 'we', and..." she paused, returning to her Royal Canterlot Voice, "TO USE AS MUCH VOLUME WHEN ADDRESSING OUR SUBJECTS!".
Skywalker looked awkwardly to his left and right, thinking to himself, "So... Royalty spoke in capslock in the past?...", gaining a questioning look from the Princess. "That might explain why your appearance was met with... mixed results. I think if you just changed your approach a bit, you might be met with a warmer reception.", he suggested as Luna shouted at him, "Change our approach!?".
Skywalker cover his hears, "Lower the volume?" he said, pinching his fingers together, gaining a sorrowful look from the princess. "Ohhh." she looked down to the ground, "We have been locked away for a thousand years. We are... not sure we can."
It took some time, but with some pointers and some practice, Luna got her volume under control. Skywalker suggested to get to know some people. This was less successful as nearly everybody was still scared of her, every attempt ended with someone running away while screaming.
"What's wrong with you!" Skywalker shouted, as Pinkie ran away for the third time. Luna dropped her head in disappointment, "It is of no use, Jason." she said, giving a deep sigh, "They have never liked us and they never shall."
"I like you." Skywalker said, he could have sworn that he saw a little smile on the princess face for a brief moment after saying that. "Maybe their just... Intimidate. You are a princess after all." nodding, thinking that must be it, "There is a party at my house, there will be music, snacks and drinks. It will be a perfect way to show that you are just another person!" he explained excited, though Luna had her doubts.
"We... We don't know. How big will this party be?" she asked nervous. At her shyness Skywalker gave her a warm smile, "Its just a small party, fifty people max.", he said, as Luna looked worried to the ground. "We... We guess. Will you be staying at our side the entire time?" she asked, looking up to him with her blue eyes, as he gave her an encouraging nod, "Of course!".
As they approach the house, they could see that the party was already in full swing. People were laughing, dancing and socializing with one another. Luna seemed nervous as she walked close to Skywalker. He gave her a encouraging smile, "Don't worry, this will be fun! All you have to do is loosen up a bit, be positive, and have some fun.", he said as they entered the house.
"Fun?", Luna asked him, surprised over the music, "What is this 'fun' thou speak of? Pray tell, what purpose does it serve?", making the young man think for a minute. "Well...", he started slowly, "F is for friends that do stuff together, U is for you and me, and... N is for anywhere at any time at all. If I remember correctly."
This time, they had much more success to get people to accept Luna, a little bit of alcohol can do wonders. It took some time but eventually Luna loosened up, dragging Skywalker to the dance floor and pretty much forced him to dance, much to his horror and everyone else amusement, though Luna didn't care, she had the time of her life.
Eventually, they ended in the backyard were some games were set up. Luna waited outside, returning greetings she got from the party goers as Skywalker returned with two cans. "Well you seem to be having a good time, Princess." he said handing her one of the cans, which she levitate with her magic. She opened it, she took a sip as a bitter taste filled her mouth. With some trouble she swallowed it, looking over at Skywalker who had already finished his.
"This is some... Interesting chose of cider, what kind is this, Jason?" she asked, while he looked up to the roof. "That my princess, is called a beer." he said as he kept looking at the roof. A crowd started to form around them, all looking at the roof. Luna herself looked up and saw one of Skywalker's friends standing on the roof.
"I'm gonna jump into the pool!", a drunken Phoenix said, who was dressed in his Deadpool costume, as the crowd started to chant, "Jump!" over and over. Luna gave Skywalker a worried look, "Don't worry, he does this every Saturday.", his words had barley left his mouth as Phoenix jumped.
Landing in the pool, a large splash headed to the crowd. Luna closed her eyes, waiting for the water to hit her, which never happened. Opening her eyes, she saw Skywalker standing in front of her, "I can't have a lady become dirty, now can I princess?", he said giving her a smile. "I ask that thou call us...", she slowly said, shaking her head as she continued, "Me... Luna, fair Jason. Hear me, villagers!" she shouted those last words, gaining the attention of everyone, as Phoenix climbed out of the pool. "All of you! Call me Luna!" as she said that, the crowd cheered.
"Nice to have you here, Luna! Looking good in your Vader costume Jason!", Phoenix said as he removed his mask, running a hand through his wet red hair. They had a small talk with him, "So how many costumes have you gone through tonight?", Skywalker asked his friend. "This is still my first one.", Phoenix said before dashing off, as he spotted a few pretty witches. "Phoenix always brings along a second, or even third, costume in case he strikes out with the hottest girl at the party.", he explained to the confused princess.
As the night continued, they ran into Pinkie again, who screamed as she saw him with Princess Luna, before Luna could react Skywalker jumped to her defense, "What's wrong with you Pinkie! You used to be scared of nothing! Why are you suddenly scared of Luna!? She's changed! She's not evil or scary anymore! And she definitely doesn't want to gobble you up!" he shouted, unbeknownst to him this made Luna blush.
"...Well, duh.", Pinkie rolled her eyes, "I know that. Sheesh, Jason, I'm almost as big as her. How's she gonna gobble me up?". He was slightly taken aback by her answer, "Sometimes it's just really fun to be scared.", the girl dressed as a chicken explained before he could say anything.
At five in the morning, Griffifth shouted, "The party is over! You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!" as the guests started to leave. Everybody went home with a smile, everyone but Luna who seemed disappointed for some reason. As Skywalker watched her leave, he rushed out the door and catch up with the princess who seemed to be walking home even though she lived in a different city.
"You mind if I walk with you for a while?" he asked, she turned around looking at him. "Jason? Shouldn't you get to bed?" she asked as he shook his head. "I'm not tired.", he responded, before she could ask he answered, "You seemed disappointed at the end of the night, did I do something wrong?", he asked her as they walked through Ponyville, which is empty at this time of day.
"Not at all. I... Thank you, for everything tonight.", she said giving him a grateful smile, "I don't usually hang out with friends. I'm usually the only one awake during the night.", she looked down at her reflection in a puddle, "I don't really have many friends, just my sister."
Skywalker's figure soon enters the reflection on the puddle, "I could be your friend.", he suggested making her look up at him, as he smiled. "So why do you sleep during the day?", he asked, as they crossed a bridge. "I don't have to, I always used to argue that I could just raise the moon every night before I sleep. But that was when I was young and mother didn't allow it." she answered.
Skywalker put his arms behind the back of his head, "I don't see a problem with that. It's not like the moon is going anywhere." he said making her chuckle. "I think you should tell Celestia about that." he suggested, making Luna nod. "Yes, she is more reasonable than mother is... or should I say was." she added that last part sadly.
Realizing what she meant, "Oh... I'm sorry." he said, but Luna shrugged of his apology. "No, it's okay.", she said as they arrived at the edge of Ponyville, "I'll talk to Tia and maybe we can walk together again some other day." she asked hopefully. Skywalker nodded again, "That would be nice. Come by anytime, your always welcome." he said as she spreads her wings. Before taking off, she turned around and gives him a quick peck on the cheek, then flies off into the night.
And that is a wrap, hope you liked it as much as I had writing it. Many thanks to everyone who reads, reviews, favorite or follows this story, you beautiful bastards. For now I wish you all a fantastic day and I will see you ladies and gents, next time.