This is the 5th chapter. Guess I should've given you guys a warning about Rarity's pregnancy in each of the chapters. Sorry about that.
Anyway, I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
dariuscrawford482: Ah~ Ah~ Ah! No spoilers!
Luna Eclipsed
It was night in Ponyville as today is a very special holiday in Equestria. Tonight is Nightmare Night, where a time of all things scary and ponies of all ages dress up, enjoy the fun, games, and lots of candy. Spike was impatiently waiting for Twilight and Comet to get their costume on. Though, he was ironically in the costume of a dragon.
"Ugh, come on, Twilight, Comet!" Spike complained from downstairs. "We're gonna be late for the Nightmare Night festival!"
Twilight then comes out of the bedroom, wearing a costume that consisted of a sorcerer hat and a cape that has stars and crescent moons on them, and also has bells on both of them. She's also wearing a fake beard under her neck. Spike however just simply stares at Twilight's costume as he has no idea who she's cosplaying as.
"Huh? Are you that one kooky grandpa from Ponyville Retirement Village?" Spike asks, puzzled as Twilight made her way downstairs.
Twilight got annoyed that Spike didn't recognize her at all.
"I'm Star Swirl the Bearded!" Twilight told him, who just stared at her and simply blink. "Father of the animorphic spell?"
Spike just blinked twice with a blank look on his face.
"Did you even read that book I gave you about obscure unicorn history?" Twilight asked sternly, sticking a fore-hoof into his face.
"That'll be a 'no', mom. He didn't even read that book." The voice of Comet told her, came out of the bedroom.
Comet is wearing a costume that consisted of a Starchild from the rock band called, 'KISS'. He was wearing a black sleeveless spandex with silver metallic trim and sliver rhinestones. The neckline plunges to a stomach, the sides and back are decorated with metallic star designs. The stretchy spandex black pants was decorated with four silver metallic stars designs with silver rhinestones, black studded belt with silver buckle, black faux leather choker decorated with silver circular studs, black stretchy sleeves with feathered trim along the edge with trimmed in large shiny rhinestones and three star embellish the front. He's wearing black platform boots with silver metallic back heel, silver metallic trims, and silver metallic stars on each side of the boots. He's also wearing a black shoulder-length wig, a white face paint, black star paint on his right eye, and red lips.
"Whoa, Comet! You look so cool!" Spike said with amazement, looking at Comet's costume.
"I've never seen a costume before, Comet!" Twilight adds. "Very gothic like! Who are you?"
"This is a musician and the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer back on Earth." Comet said with a chuckle. "His name is Paul Stanley, he established 'The Starchild' persona for the rock back known as, 'KISS'."
"KISS?" Twilight repeats in confusion.
"They're the rock band back in the 70s. They're also known for face paints and stage outfits, also for fire-breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits, and pyrotechnics." Comet explains. "Paul Stanley is one of the bands along with Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Eric Carr, Peter Criss, and Vinnie Vincent."
"Whoa, sounds pretty hardcore for these guys." Spike states.
"Basically, yeah." Comet nods when they heard the door knocking and Spike rushes over to it.
Spike opens the door to see who it was and it's apparently a trio of fillies accompanied by Granny Smith and Apple Shine.
Apple Shine is wearing a costume that consists of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She was wearing a light-blue pinafore gingham dress over a white shirt with shorty puff sleeves and light blue lacing. Underneath her dress is a white petticoat, light blue ankle socks, and ruby slippers. Her mane is styled in long braided pigtails with light blue ribbon. She's also carrying a basket.
"Nightmare Night! What a fright! Give us something sweet to bite!"
Spike was relieved that it was some fillies, who're dressing as a princess, a ladybug, and a daredevil, at the door and he walked off while both Twilight and Comet comes to the door.
"Hi, everypony. Great costumes." Twilight said cheerfully, then turns to Granny Smith. "Happy Nightmare Night, Granny Smith."
"I should have been asleep 5 hours ago." Granny Smith said wearily.
Spike comes back with a bowl of candy and Twilight uses her magic to pass each one of the fillies some candy. A tiny colt then comes in front of the fillies as he had a pirate costume on. He's attempting to show off his sword skills, but ended up tripping and falling on his face.
He has white fur coat with grayish brown spots, dark tangelo with lighter streaks mane and tail, and very deep reddish brown eyes.
"Pipsqueak the pirate, at your service." Pipsqueak introduces himself. "It's my very first Nightmare Night."
"Since you moved here from Trottingham?" Twilight asks.
"No, my very first Nightmare Night ever!" Pipsqueak replied.
Suddenly, Pinkie Pie jumps out of nowhere and appeared in front of Twilight, Comet, and Spike with a chicken outfit on, and was even acting like one.
"Enough chitchat!" Pinkie Pie said with a chicken squawk. "Time is candy!"
"Uh, Pinkie, aren't you a little old for this?" Comet asks as she went agape while looking at her own sack of candy. "And where's Rose?"
"Oh, she's at the festival. She's dressing as a wicked witch for her first Nightmare Night." Pinkie Pie answered. "And as for the free candy? Never!"
Twilight and Comet rolled their eyes at that and gives Pinkie Pie a piece of candy which made her smile. Twilight then shows off her costume to Pinkie Pie and she only raised an eyebrow, had no idea exactly who Twilight is at all.
"Do you like it?" Twilight asks.
"Yeah! Great costume, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie said. "You make a fantastic weirdo clown!"
Pinkie Pie then pecks out and eats nearly the rest of the candy in the bowl that Spike was carrying and ran off. Twilight however wasn't happy that Pinkie Pie didn't see who she was at all.
"A clown?!" Twilight retorted indignantly as Spike and Comet ushered her out of the library. She then pulled her cape to prove her point. "Look at the borders on these robes. These are hoof-stitched!"
"It's a great costume! Huh! Grandpa!" Spike teased as Twilight growled irritably until a loud lion roar was heard.
"GAH!" Spike yelped before hiding behind Twilight.
Then on a house, a lion in a shadows with his eyes white, showing off the intimidation display. He revealed himself from the shadows, reveals Mario in a lion costume.
"Mario?" Twilight and Comet asked as Mario walked over to them with a smirk.
"The one and only." Mario said as Twilight, Apple Shine, and Comet chuckled.
"You look scary in that costume, Mario." Comet said to his godfather, then turns to Apple Shine.
"Can you guess who am I, Starchild?" Apple Shine asks with a smirk.
"Oh, that's easy, you're Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz." Comet answered as Apple Shine nods, then turns to Mario. "And you must be the Cowardly Lion, also from the Wizard of Oz."
"Eeyup, sure am." Mario replied as Spike glared at him. "But, I wouldn't go as far as 'cowardly'."
"I can't believe you scared me like that, Mario!" Spike said as he slapped a hand over his face.
"Well, maybe it'll teach you not to mock the amazing Star Swirl the Bearded." Mario said with a stern look on his face as Twilight gave him a light nuzzle to the cheek as he chuckled while Spike made a face.
"Can we move on to the festival, please?" Spike asks impatiently.
It was obvious that the answer is 'yes', because both Twilight and Mario will be each other's date for Nightmare Night. Though, it couldn't be a real since Spike, Comet, and Apple Shine are with them.
In the Underworld, Lord Garmadon observed them with a cold look on his face while sitting on the throne.
"Gah! What is taken them so long?! After the event against Discord is over, finding these Serpentine Staffs are a lot harder and longer to find than I thought!" Lord Garmadon shouts in anger. "I need something to get it out of my mind!?"
The flames then shows the Nightmare Night festival, which it got Lord Garmadon's attention.
"Ah yes, the Nightmare Night is tonight, I have so many fond memories of this festival. I remember the time when me and Luna pulled on pranks on to Celestia, she never got over it when we scared her." Lord Garmadon said with a laugh, remembering the days with Luna. "But...it's clear that she forgotten about that memory...and it may not be the same when we meet. Orochimaru, gather your army. You have a mission to bring this festival to ruin."
"Of course, my Lord." Orochimaru replied as he gathered up the Oni's and the Serpentine's.
Lord Garmadon chuckled deeply as he knew it's time.
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Ahhhh
My Little Pony
I use to wonder what friendship could be
My Little Pony
Until you all share this magic with me
Big adventure,
Tons of fun,
A beautiful heart,
Faithful and strong,
Sharing kindness
It's an easy feat
And magic makes it all complete
You all have my little ponies
Do you know all you're my best friends?
At the Nightmare Night festival, there were many stands of food and games assorted out and there was also a huge stage laying out in the middle of all of the festival. Several ponies could be seen, dressed up in various costumes for the occasion. As Twilight, Comet, Spike, Mario, and Apple Shine headed further into the festival, Twilight had been busy telling Mario what had happened, regarding her costume.
"Star Swirl the Bearded is only the most important conjuror of the pre-classical era!" Twilight explains when Spike, Comet, and Apple Shine are behind them while Mario is beside her.
As they continued to walk through the town, Big Mac walked by pulling the cart filled with hay and some ponies in it. The ponies in the cart shouted happily as they past the group.
"He created more then 200 spells!" Twilight continued. "He even has a shelf in the Canterlot library of magic named after him."
Then, they past a stage where some musicians were playing some music and other ponies were dancing.
"Maybe I should start up a pony group to teach ponies about history." Twilight suggested.
"You could try, but I'm not too sure if anypony in Ponyville besides me, Comet, and Apple Shine would attend." Mario said.
"With the knowledge you have, I'm sure that you would make a great teacher." Comet states when his mother giggled.
"Thanks Comet." Twilight thanked her son. "And I bet everypony would love it, don't you think so, Spike?"
Spike however was too busy munching on a bunch of candy that he wasn't looking where he was going, bumps into Twilight and falls on to the ground with all of the candy he's carrying on the ground in a mess.
"Hey look, we're here already." Twilight said. "Should we get something to eat?"
"Uh, I think Spike's already got that covered, Mom." Comet told her.
Twilight, Mario, Comet, and Apple Shine looks behind them to see Spike on the ground and belches from all of the candy he ate. It got them glaring at the baby dragon.
"Maybe I grabbed some candy when you 4 were too busy gazing at the festival." Spike said, chuckled nervously.
"Spike, you are not about to eat that whole pack of candy." Twilight scolds him. "It could get you sick or you possibly get cavity."
"And save some for us!" Comet adds. "This is our first Nightmare Night here in Equestria!"
"Is Nightmare Night the same on Earth?" Mario asks curiously.
"Eeyup, except instead of Nightmare Night, we called it Halloween." Apple Shine explains. "On every year of October 31st, we usually decorate the homes to make it haunted and spooky, and passing out candy to trick or treaters."
"Halloween is also known as 'Hallow's Eve', because it's one night of the year where spirits of the dead return to Earth." Comet adds.
"Wow, I bet you two have a great time on Halloween." Twilight said with a smile.
Comet and Apple Shine smiled when Pinkie Pie and Rose Lotus arrived with the three fillies.
Rose Lotus is wearing a costume that consists of the Wicked Witch of the West from Wizard of Oz. She's wearing a black witch's hat, a black dress, her mane is tied into a bun, her face and hooves are painted in green, and she's carrying a broom.
"Hey, Twilight! Mario! Apple Shine!" Pinkie Pie greets them, but then turns to Comet. "Who's this with you?"
"Pinkie, it's me." Comet said with a chuckle, used his magic to levitate the wig as he revealed his mane.
"Comet! Wow! Your costume's amazing!" Pinkie Pie said with amazement.
"Thanks, it's..."
"...a costume from some kind of a musician in your world that is the guitarist in the 70s and became a Hall of Famer?" Pinkie Pie asks which it's unexpected, but turns to Apple Shine. "Oh! And Apple Shine is a character named a Dorothy and Mario as a lion from the Wizard of Oz book?"
Pinkie Pie then smiled with a squee which it got Twilight, Mario, Comet, Rose Lotus, and Apple Shine dropped their jaws so wide that it were in complete shock.
"How did you know that?" Comet asks.
"Just a hunch." Pinkie Pie simply answered with a squawk, but she and the three fillies were carrying a large sacks loaded in candy. "Anyways, look at our haul! Ah! Can you believe it?"
Pinkie Pie then started acting like a chicken to start eating the candy out of her bag.
What they didn't notice however is that Rainbow Dash in a Shadowbolt costume and was watching the group with a mischievous look on her face.
"And then, we went to Cheerilee's house, and got a bunch more goodies." Pinkie Pie continued, then turns to Pipsqueak. "Didn't we, Pip?"
"Sure did!" Pipsqueak replied.
"Mom, try to take it easy on the candy." Rose Lotus said sternly. "You're already hyper enough as it is."
"And who knows what would happen if you really overload on the sugar." Mario adds, agreeing on the gypsy filly while it got Pinkie Pie clucked in annoyance.
"Come on, Mario! Rosey!" Pinkie Pie remarked irritably. "I could've been more sensible if you had just let me have your candy bowl!"
That got both Mario and Rose Lotus bonked her in the head, making her yelp in pain while rubbing her sore head. Twilight, Apple Shine, and Comet just laughed when Rainbow Dash then sneaked up on the group slowly on a thundercloud.
"Now where was I? Oh right!" Pinkie Pie said with a ponder, then remembered. "And then, we had to stop and wait for Granny Smith, and-"
KABOOM!
Rainbow Dash suddenly hit the thundercloud with her hooves, causing a loud thunderclap over the group and both Pinkie Pie and the foals were startled by this as they ran away. Rainbow Dash then laughs at her prank while Twilight, Comet, Apple Shine, Mario, and Rose Lotus glare at her.
"Rainbow Dash, that wasn't very nice!" Twilight scolded her.
"Lighten up, old timer!" Rainbow Dash said. "This is the best night of the year for pranks!"
"Well, if you're going to some pranks, keep it in moderation!" Apple Shine suggested. "Otherwise, you'll probably give somepony a heart attack or make somepony choke on a candy!"
"Look what you did to Spike!" Mario adds, showing Spike choking on a piece of candy.
Apple Shine then got behind him and did a Heimlich maneuver to him, making Spike get the candy out of his mouth.
"Phew, thanks." Spike thanked the Texan filly as she replies with a nod.
"Tone it down, Rainbow Dash!" Comet shouts.
"Oh, please, it's all in good fun." Rainbow Dash told him. "Oh! Oh! There's another group over there!"
Rainbow then moves her cloud somewhere else before Twilight, Comet, Mario, Apple Shine, and Rose Lotus rolled their eyes at her unruly behavior when Storm Hawk flew towards them.
Storm Hawk is wearing a costume consisting of Black Panther. He's wearing a black tight-body suit with silver trims, silver teeth necklace, and a black panther mask with silver trims and silver eye socket.
"Sorry about that." Storm Hawk apologizes. "She has a thing for Nightmare Night and loves on pulling pranks."
"Yeah, we notice." Rose Lotus said, but noticing the costume. "Are you Black Panther?"
"Yep, pretty cool huh?" Storm Hawk said, then noticed Comet. "Comet, are you wearing the Starchild costume?"
"Yeah." Comet replied. "Your costume is awesome!"
"Same as yours." Storm Hawk said with a chuckle, then turns to the ponies. "Mario, the Lion, Rose, the Wicked Witch of the West, then you got Apple Shine as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, and then Twilight, who's um...a wizard or something?"
"Close, but it's Star Swirl the Bearded." Twilight told him with a giggle as they then walk off to go and see more of the festival while Rainbow Dash scared another group of ponies.
At another section in Ponyville, Applejack, Bright Mac, and Buttercup were hosting the fun and games section. Applejack is wearing a scarecrow costume, Bright Mac is wearing a Tin Man costume, and Buttercup is wearing Glinda the Good Witch of the North costume. Some ponies were bobbing for apples in the area, Twilight, Comet, Mario, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, Storm Hawk, and Spike then arrived at the scene.
"Happy Nightmare Night, Applejack!" Twilight said.
"Howdy, fellers! Hey, girls!" Applejack said. "Nice costumes."
"Thanks! I'm a dragon." Spike said.
Twilight looked indignant since Spike cut off her moment. Mario and the 4 foals just rolled their eyes as how original Spike's costume was.
"She means me, Spike." Twilight said.
"Well, she said costume, hard to tell who she's referring to." Storm Hawk points out.
"I already know mah brother is a lion and Apple Shine as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz she told me about." Applejack said with a giggle, then turns to Twilight. "And with that beard, I reckon you're some sorta country music singer."
Spike laughed at that while Twilight gives an annoyed grunt that Applejack can't tell what her costume is. Mario and Comet however, smacked Spike in the back of his head, making him yelp in pain.
"Spike, make fun of Twilight one more time, and that'll be no gems for weeks. Got it?!" Mario warned him sternly, making Spike nods in fear.
Then, Mario gave Twilight a hug.
"Never mind him, Twilight, you still look amazing. At least me and Comet know who you're trying to be." Mario said as Twilight smiled while Applejack smirked.
"Are you two on a date?" Applejack asked, teasing her brother.
"Ma!?" Apple Shine shouts at her mother.
"It's alright, Apple Shine." Mario assures his niece, then turns to his sister. "And yeah, but just as friends."
Applejack, Bright Mac, and Buttercup just chuckled and accepted their response.
"And who you might be, Comet?" Bright Mac asks, turns to Comet. "Some kind of a...rocker or somethin'?"
"Yeah, basically. I had Kronk made this costume for me." Comet answered. "He's a musician known as Paul Stanley, who established a 'Starchild' persona back in his day."
"Well, ah gotta say, that Paul Stanley fella has good taste in that get-up." Applejack said, then turns to Storm Hawk. "Are ya some kinda cat or something?"
"Something like that, but it's Black Panther." Storm Hawk explains. "Black Panther is the name of a superhero from Marvel comics. But an actor, Chadwick Boseman, died of stage 3 colon cancer. So, I thought I'd wear it as a tribute to the actor who played as T'Challa, known as Black Panther."
"Well, that's mite thoughtful of you, sugarcube." Buttercup said with a smile. "While y'all here, ya' feel like bobbin' for an apple?"
Over at the barrel for bobbing apples, a mare was just about to give it a try until another mare named Derpy Hooves appeared from the spooky water and pulled a drain cover to the barrel which caused the water to drain out, leaving it empty.
"I guess maybe when you get it refilled with some water." Storm Hawk points out.
Some cheers and applauding was heard as the group turns around to see the ponies gathered at the stage where Mayor Mare, dressed up as a clown is giving an announcement.
"Thank you, everypony, and welcome to the Nightmare Night festival!" Mayor Mare announces proudly. "Now, all the little ponies who have been out collecting sweets should follow our friend, Zecora, to hear the legend of...Nightmare Moon!"
Just as Mayor Mare told the crowd, she let out a sinister laugh.
"Spooky voice might work better if she wasn't dressed like that." Spike whispered to them.
"No arguments there." Comet agrees. "Even though, some ponies do find clowns kind of scary."
"Yet, the Joker does it better than her." Storm Hawk states when he and Comet snickered.
"Or would've been a vampire for this holiday." Mario replied.
Twilight, Apple Shine, and Rose Lotus giggled at them when the light green smoke appears and out revealed Zecora who her mane down with spiders on it, wearing a black coat.
"Follow me, and very soon you'll hear the tale of Nightmare Moon." Zecora said as the ominous lighting strikes with the wave of her cloak.
Near the Everfree Forest, Zecora brings all of the little ponies to the statue of Nightmare Moon and Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Mario, Spike, and the 4 foals decided to follow as well as it seemed interesting to them.
"Listen close, my little dears." Zecora began as she showed them the statue of Nightmare Moon. "I'll tell you where you got your fears of Nightmare Night, so dark and scary."
Zecora made a little bit of scary gestures at some of the little ponies to give a more spooky appearance before conjuring some light green dust and she blows on it to make an illusion of Nightmare Moon.
"Of Nightmare Moon, who makes you wary." Zecora continues.
The illusion of Nightmare Moon dives down at everypony as they were indeed surprised and spooked out from what they're seeing. When the illusion made contact with everypony, light green smoke spread everywhere which makes them gasp.
"Every year, we put on a disguise, to save ourselves from her searching eyes." Zecora said.
Some eyes were staring down at two foals which made them scream and ran off, but it was still just Zecora given a scary illusion.
"But Nightmare Moon wants just one thing..."
Pipsqueak runs over and ran into the statue of Nightmare Moon, and when he looked at it, he was indeed scared as he back up slowly.
"...to gobble up ponies in one quick swing!" Zecora finished her sentence.
Pipsqueak then backs up into Pinkie Pie, who had her head in the ground like an ostrich. When they both made contact, they screamed and ran. Zecora then throws more light green dust in the air to continue her tale.
"Hungrily, she soars the sky. If she sees anypony, she passes by." Zecora continues. "So, if she comes and all is clear, Equestria is safe another year!"
The young ponies, except Comet, Apple Shine, Rose Lotus, and Storm Hawk all cowered in fear as Nightmare Moon looked at them menacingly before fading away in front of the moon. Pipsqueak then tugs on Zecora's cloak to get her attention.
"Um, 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?" Pipsqueak inquires timidly, but curiously.
"A perfect question, my little friend." Zecora answered with a sinister smile. "For Nightmare Moon, you must not offend."
Zecora then blows out light green dust once more to create another illusion of Nightmare Moon. It was slowly walking towards the group, very sinisterly.
"Fill up her belly with a treat or two, so she won't return to come eat you!" Zecora said.
The Nightmare Moon illusion then lunges at the group with its mouth opened wide and chomps down at them before disappearing.
"Everypony!" Pinkie Pie screams in panic. "Just dump some candy and get out of here!"
Pinkie Pie and the foals, except Comet, Apple Shine, Storm Hawk, and Rose Lotus, then dumped some candy where the statue was. They thought they've accomplished what they've done before the wind started to blow really fast and thunder was also made. Everypony looked up to see that the clouds have covered everything except for the moon. Twilight, Mario, and Zecora looked at the sky, surprised by what's happening.
"Um, was this supposed to be part of the tale?" Storm Hawk asks in confusion.
"No, I don't believe so." Zecora replies, shook her head.
A white flash then came from the moon as it revealed a shadow figure on a royal chariot with two royal guards dressed up as bat ponies. Pinkie Pie and the foals were scared from what was going on, Twilight, Rose Lotus, and Apple Shine simply stares in shock while Mario, Comet, and Storm Hawk just put on a brave face in case trouble was about to come. The chariot was just close to the ground as Pinkie Pie decided to take action.
"It's Nightmare Moon! Run!" Pinkie Pie gasps with a scream.
Everypony, including Zecora, ran off back towards Ponyville while Twilight, Mario, Spike, and 4 young ponies simply just stares at the figure. Another thunderclap was then made as it revealed some of the figure's face a little more clearly. The 4 foals went wide-eyed as they could probably tell who it was.
"Is that who I think it is?" Apple Shine asks.
"No doubt, it's Princess Luna." Storm Hawk answered when both Comet and Rose Lotus nods with an agreement.
"Who was that?" Twilight asks.
"Don't worry, mom, I don't think that's anypony hostile." Comet told his mother.
"Let's follow them back to Ponyville." Mario suggested.
Twilight nods as they then chases the group out of the Everfree Forest and back to Ponyville.
Back at the Nightmare Night festival, Pinkie Pie and the foals came back into town, screaming which confused some of the ponies until they all looked to see what is going on. The shadowy figure then lowers itself down to the ground and everypony was shocked until the figure took its hood off to reveal herself, who's none other than Princess Luna who had a prideful smile. When the 4 foals saw Princess Luna, they had a big smile of their faces and both Twilight and Mario were also delighted.
"Princess Luna!" Twilight and Mario said excitedly.
"She must've come to Ponyville to celebrate Nightmare Night with us!" Comet states excitedly. "Awesome!"
Twilight, Mario, and the 4 young ponies were getting ready to talk to Princess Luna until Spike stops them and makes them get down to the ground.
"Hey, what gives?" Storm Hawk questions.
"Keeping you guys safe, that's what." Spike told him.
Princess Luna then walks forward and the hood that she's wearing turned into bats as they flew off. Princess Luna spread her wings and walked up to a pony named Cloud Kicker. Luna smiles at her and she feels intimidated as she just cowers in fear, and so did the rest of the ponies
"Citizens of Ponyville!" Princess Luna announced with a booming Canterlot voice that nearly sent a pony flying off. "We have graced your tiny village with our presence, so that you might behold the real Princess of the Night! A creature of nightmares no longer, but instead a pony who desires your love and admiration! Together, we shall change this dreadful celebration into a bright and glorious feast!"
Thunder and lightning then crash as she said that and Pinkie Pie broke the silence.
"Did you hear that, everpony?!" Pinkie Pie called out. "Nightmare Moon says she's gonna feast on us all!"
Pinkie Pie and the foals then run off, screaming which confused Princess Luna as she returned to her normal voice.
"What?! No, children, no!" Princess Luna exclaimed. "You have no reason to fear us! Screams of delight is what your princess desires, not scream of terror!"
Princess Luna stomps her hoof rather aggressively which makes another pony whimper from that. She then turns toward Mayor Mare and her assistant, Raven who's in a devil costume.
"Madame Mayor, thy Princess of the Night hath arrived." Princess Luna said as she extended her hoof out in greeting.
However, Mayor Mare just gasped and cower which confuses Princess Luna. She did the same thing to Raven, but it ended up with her cowering as well.
"What is the matter with you?" Princess Luna asked, expected at least one pony to greet her, but everypony was simply just scared of her appearance. "Very well, then, be that way. We won't even bother with the tradition royal farewell."
Princess Luna then walks off from all of the cowering ponies. However, Twilight, Mario, and the 4 foals saw this and felt bad that nopony was comfortable with her appearance. They glanced at each other and nodded.
"Let's go talk to her." Twilight suggested when Spike stops them.
"You can't talk to her! She's Nightmare Moon!" Spike protested fearfully, causing both Comet and Storm Hawk turning to the baby dragon and give him a deep glare.
"Are you serious right now?!" Storm Hawk shouts angrily. "They used the Elements of Harmony to turn her back to normal!"
"Yeah, we even met Princess Luna ourselves, she's nice!" Comet adds, also angrily. "And now you're saying she's Nightmare Moon again?! What sense does that make?!"
"Whoa there, ya two, take it easy." Apple Shine assures.
"Sorry, but you know how we were when ponies are prejudice against somepony else." Comet apologizes when Twilight, Mario, Apple Shine, and Rose Lotus nods with an understanding.
"We understand where you two are coming from." Mario said, decided to change the subject. "But still, we need to know why they're afraid of her?"
"Maybe her tone had something to do with it." Twilight guessed with a ponder. "Maybe she's having trouble adjusting after being gone for thousand years."
"It makes sense, she's really only interacting with us and her sister, but not any of the ponies from Ponyville or Canterlot." Rose Lotus said. "We can change that though."
"It'll take a lot of work, but we can try and get Princess Luna to change her image, that way we can get the ponies to be more comfortable around her and not be scared." Mario adds.
"Yeah, but two problems: 1) Mom causes pranks during the time of night. And 2) Pinkie Pie also screams and run whenever she saw Princess Luna on sight." Storm Hawk points out.
"But it's not going to stop us, is there?" Twilight said, then looks for Princess Luna. "Now, where did she go?"
"She went that way. Over to where we were when she arrived." Comet answered, points at the Everfree Forest.
Twilight, Mario, and the 4 foals went to go find Princess Luna before Spike could try to protest otherwise.
Unknown to them or anypony else, watching them from the top were the group of Oni and Serpentine that Lord Garmadon sent with Orochimaru. They snarled and hissed for a bit before ducking into the shadows undetected.
Twilight and the others walked over in the Everfree Forest to try and find Princess Luna and they both eventually found her right in front of the Nightmare Moon statue with a sad look on her face. But Princess Luna was thinking about telling Comet Stardust about the news of his old parents, but didn't get the chance because of Pinkie Pie and the foals running away along with the ponies from Ponyville cowering from her appearance.
"Princess Luna?" Twilight called her slowly, earned her attention. "Hi, my name is..."
"Star Swirl the Bearded." Princess Luna interrupted with a remark. "Commendable costume! Thou even got the bells right."
"Yes! Thank you! Finally!" Twilight said excitedly. "Somepony besides Mario and Comet who gets my costume!"
"Mario?" Princess Luna said until she saw the stallion in the lion costume next to Twilight. "Is he courting you? Possibly your betrothed?"
Those comments made both Twilight and Mario blushed while the 4 young ponies snickered.
"Uh...we're just...best friends." Twilight said sheepishly.
"We...uhh...do like each other, but...like Twilight said, we're best friends." Mario stumbled a bit with a nervous chuckle.
Twilight just chuckled back while the 4 foals just laughed. Princess Luna just looked at them blankly.
"Courtship and marriage have changed in the time thy have been gone." Princess Luna remarked.
Both Mario and Twilight just smiled shyly at each other while Princess Luna then turns to the 4 foals, who's still laughing.
"And who might you four be?" Princess Luna asks, making the 4 foals stopped laughing.
"Princess Luna, it's me, Comet." Comet told her, using his magic to levitate the wig and showing his mane. "I'm dressed at the Starchild from the rock band called 'KISS'."
"I'm Apple Shine, dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz." Apple Shine adds.
"I'm Storm Hawk, dressed as Black Panther." Storm Hawk adds, pulling the mask up to show his face.
"And I'm Rose Lotus, dressed as the Wicked Witch of the West." Rose Lotus said.
When the 4 foals told their names, Princess Luna gasps as she then definitely could tell who they are.
"Comet! Storm Hawk! Rose! Apple Shine!" Princess Luna said excitedly as she suddenly used her magic to pull the 4 foals close for a tight hug as she squeezes them super tightly. "Oh, how thy missed you four! I have come at the right time and the right place to see thou four again!"
Both Mario and Twilight then snickered, amused of what they witnessed and seeing them get a taste of their own medicine.
"Princess Luna...can't...breathe..."
Princess Luna then realizes that she's choking the 4 foals and she let's them go while blushed a little.
"Oh, my apologies." Princess Luna apologizes. "It's just very nice to see you four once again."
"It's fine." Storm Hawk said as they stood up. "Anyway, it's great to see you again, Princess Luna."
"Indeed!" Princess Luna agrees in a Canterlot voice. "It was your family who unleashed the powers of harmony upon us and took away our dark powers!"
Apparently, Princess Luna's Canterloy voice caused a strong gust of wind to blow at them.
"And that was a good thing, right?" Apple Shine asked sheepishly.
"But of course." Princess Luna answered in a normal tone. "We could not be happier. Is that not clear?"
"Well, you kinda sound like you're yelling at us." Twilight pointed out, flinching a bit.
"We...can't tell is you're genuinely grateful or being sarcastic." Mario adds when Comet hummed.
"I think I have a pretty good idea why she's yelling." Comet said, earned their attention. "It's most likely a tradition Canterlot voice that only the Princesses, like Luna and Celestia, are using it. Which it could explain why your appearance was met with a bunch of ponies cowering in fear. Maybe, if can change your approach a bit, you might be met with a warmer reception."
"Change our approach?" Princess Luna asks in a booming voice.
"Lower the volume?" Twilight suggested, making a gesture with her hoof.
"You don't need to speak so loudly to make yourself heard." Mario adds. "You could make a pony go deaf for speaking that loud."
"Ohhh." Princess Luna said with an understanding. "We have been locked away for a thousand years. We are...not sure we can."
Princess Luna didn't hide the fact that she felt a little insecure when Storm Hawk thought of an idea.
"I've got an idea. Let's go and see Fluttershy." Storm Hawk suggested.
"The Element of Kindness?" Princess Luna inquires curiously.
"Yep, if anyone who can help, it's her." Storm Hawk replied. "She'll be able to fix the problem that you're having with that tone of yours."
Mario and Comet then walked up to her and extended their fore-hooves to her. Princess Luna was reminded of when she had been first restored. She couldn't help but give a small smile as connected her fore-hooves with Mario's and Comet's.
They then arrived over to Fluttershy's cottage and they're about to walk up to the door when Winter Breeze arrived.
"Hello everypony, Happy Nightmare Night." Winter Breeze greets, earned their attention when the Icelandic filly turns to Princess Luna. "Princess Luna? Are you here for the festival?"
Princess Luna the narrowed her eyes as she looks at Winter Breeze, but gasps when she recognizes her.
"Winter!" Princess Luna said with delight, using her magic to pull the Icelandic filly close for a tight hug. "Oh, how they missed you, young filly! Yes, I came for the festival and I came at the right time to meet you!"
"Princess Luna...can't...breathe..."
"Easy there, Princess Luna, you're chokin' the poor filly." Apple Shine assures her.
Princess Luna then realizes that Apple Shine's right as she let's her go while blushed a little.
"My apologies." Princess Luna apologizes. "It was wonderful to see you again."
"It's alright." Winter Breeze said, adjusting her breathing. "Anyway, it's good to see you again. But what are you doing here? Mom doesn't have candy or anypony coming here in this event."
"That's why we're here, Winter, we're wondering if Fluttershy can help us change Princess Luna's approach." Storm Hawk told her, leaving Winter Breeze skeptic. "Long story, but we could use her help."
Winter Breeze was confused, but gave him a nod with an understanding as they're heading to the front door.
"Don't worry, Princess." Twilight assures her. "Fluttershy can give you some pointers. She's delicate and demure with the sweetest little voice."
Twilight knocks on the door.
"Go away! No candy here!" Fluttershy yelled from behind the door, surprising them. "Visitors not welcome on Nightmare Night!"
Twilight and Mario gives a nervous laugh at that when Princess Luna gave them a skeptical look on her face.
"Mostly..." Storm Hawk said nervously.
"Fluttershy, it's me, Twilight!" Twilight replied. "And Mario, Rose, Comet, Storm Hawk, and Apple Shine too!"
Fluttershy opens the door a little to find Twilight and the others in front of her.
"It is you." Fluttershy said, then opens the door some more to reveal Princess Luna in front of her. Ah, and Nightmare Moon...Nightmare Moon?!"
Fluttershy then screamed as she rushed back and slams the door shut. Princess Luna just keeps her stern and unamused face, causing Mario and Twilight to chuckle sheepishly once again.
"And easily frightened." Winter Breeze said with a sigh.
"Wait right here." Twilight said. "Come on, Mario!"
Twilight then headed inside the cottage with Mario right behind her while they're hearing various animal noises. Then, Mario opened the door as Twilight was literally pushing Fluttershy out of the cottage. Fluttershy tried to resist, but Twilight was too strong for her.
"Fluttershy...you remember Princess Luna?" Twilight proposed.
"Princess Celestia's sister?" Mario added as Fluttershy looked at her nervously.
"Charmed." Princess Luna said, using her Canterlot voice, extending her fore-hoof.
"Likewise." Fluttershy said very timidly before trying to take off when both Twilight and Mario pulled her back outside with their magic.
"Mom, please, she granted my wish when I first came here in Equestria." Winter Breeze pleads, flew to her mother. "Can you hear her out before you ran back inside? It's the least you can do."
Fluttershy knew that her daughter is right, even remembered when Princess Luna helped her by coming to Equestria and bringing the Icelandic filly at her cottage. She then decided to hear Princess Luna out while Winter Breeze turns to her.
"And Princess Luna, mom can get frightened easily when you're yelling at her with that loud voice." Winter Breeze points out. "Can you lower that tone down a bit?"
Princess Luna then understands what Winter Breeze is telling her, realizing that Fluttershy was scared because of the appearance and her voice. She then turns to her and spoke.
"Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star hath spoken of the sweetness of thy voice." Princess Luna said, spoken normally. "We ask thou teachest to us to speak as thou speakest."
"Okay." Fluttershy replied in a quiet, yet a little timid tone.
"Shall our lessons begin?" Princess Luna asks when Fluttershy nodded. "How is...this?"
"Better, but a little bit quieter." Fluttershy suggested.
"How about now?" Princess Luna asks in a normal tone.
"Yes! Well done." Twilight said excitedly.
Mario, Fluttershy, and the 5 foals nodded with an agreement when Princess Luna uses her magic to pull her into a hug. Fluttershy was shocked, but just gave a forced smile.
"I thank thee, dear Fluttershy!" Princess Luna thanked her in a Canterlot voice. "Our normal speaking voice shall surely win us the hearts of thy fellow villagers!"
Pinkie Pie and the foals then appeared up towards Fluttershy's cottage.
"Fluttershy! You've gotta hide us! Nightmare Moon is here and..."
Pinkie Pie then gasps with a chicken squawk when she sees Princess Luna hugging Fluttershy and she got the wrong idea.
"Ah! She stole Fluttershy's voice so she can't scream when she GOBBLES HER UP!" Pinkie Pie screams as she and the foals ran off.
"Nay, children, wait!" Princes Luna retorted in a Canterlot voice while held her hoof out to stop, but they've already out of sight. "I mean...nay, children, wait!"
"Are you...KIDDING ME?!" Comet, Storm Hawk, Winter Breeze, Apple Shine, and Rose Lotus shouts in anger.
"Calm down, kids, breathe." Mario assures them, but groaned in annoyance. "While I understand how you five feel, but the only voices that needs to be stolen is Pinkie's lamebrain mouth!"
"Settle down, Mario, I understand." Fluttershy assures him while Twilight turns to Princess Luna.
"Don't worry, Princess. Time for Plan B." Twilight said with Princess Luna didn't share her enthusiasm.
"Which is...?" Apple Shine asks curiously.
"A little fun and games." Twilight answered. "Your family should be able to help with that."
"Alright, let's see how that goes." Apple Shine said with a sigh.
Back in the town of Ponyville, ponies were enjoying the Nightmare Night once again with some ponies hitting targets with pumpkins and more. However, all of that was interrupted when everypony looked and saw Princess Luna along with Twilight, Mario, and the 5 foals. They all cowered in fear from Princess Luna as they got down to the ground.
"It is of no use, Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star." Princess Luna said dejectedly. "They have never liked us and they never shall."
"Ma is one of the likable ponies around." Apple Shine explains. "She's honest and has some ideas when it comes to fitting right in with what you're looking for."
"And she's the least likely to be frightened." Mario adds sarcastically.
Twilight shushed him sternly, but she regrets it as he raised his fore-hoof in the air as a sign to slap her head.
Over where the ponies were bobbing for apples, Pipsqueak almost fell in one of the barrels, but Applejack caught him just in time.
"Whoop. Careful there, partner." Applejack said.
Applejack then puts Pipsqueak down and he runs off to go do some other things. When Applejack turns around, sees Princess Luna right in front of her as she gets down to the grouns. Mario and the 5 foals rolled their eyes while Twilight and Princess Luna simply just stare. Both Bright Mac and Buttercup arrived.
"Um, Applejack, what in tarnation are you doin'?" Bright Mac asks.
"It's Nightmare Moon! She's here!" Applejack told her father which both of her parents were unamused.
"I know this is a bad time, but it's good to see you again, Princess Luna." Buttercup said with a small smile.
"Likewise, Buttercup, Bright Mac." Princess Luna greets back when Twilight lowers down to her.
"Uh...Applejack, the princess is looking for a little advice on how to fit in around here?" Twilight told her.
"'Fit in'? Really?" Applejack asked doubtfully.
Twilight sternly growls at Applejack.
"Seriously, you don't see us scared." Mario adds in Princess Luna's defense.
"Princess Luna helped me and Storm Hawk by having us living here in Equestria and have a new life." Winter Breeze adds while Storm Hawk nods with an agreement.
"I mean...that's easy!" Applejack said as she quickly stood up and recomposed herself. "All you gotta do is have the right attitude. Loosen up a bit, be positive, play a few games, have some fun."
"Fun?" Princess Luna repeats, puzzled. "What is this 'fun' thou speakest of?"
"Fun is something that's enjoyable to you or everypony." Storm Hawk explains, then turns to Comet. "Comet, can you give her an example?"
Comet nods as he guides Princess Luna to one of the games that were laid out for Nightmare Night and looked confused at one of them which involved a bowl of spider beanbags.
"Pray tell, what purpose do these serve?" Princess Luna asks curiously.
"I'll show you." Comet said, takes one of the spiders and throws it towards a net that was shaped like a web.
When he throws it, it instantly lands in the middle of it.
"The object of the game is you try and land one of the spiders on the web. Now you try." Comet said as he takes Princess Luna's hoof and hands her a spider. "Don't worry, you got this."
Princess Luna looks at both the spider and the web net before she tosses the spider as it lands just short of the web. Princess Luna gets worried from that and looks back at Comet, who's smiled at her.
"It's okay, it's only your first try." Comet assures her, hands her another spider. "Come on, try again."
"You can do it, Princess!" Applejack and Apple Shine called out.
"You've got this, Luna." Mario said softly.
Princess Luna then turns back at the web net with a determined look and she tries once more. When Princess Luna throws the spider, it lands right in the middle of the web.
"Ha! Your Princess enjoys this 'fun'!" Princess Luna said happily. "In what other ways may we experience it?"
Twilight, Applejack, Mario, Bright Mac, Buttercup, and the 5 foals smiled before some of the ponies then start to walk towards Princess Luna as they're not cowering from her this time. Princess Luna decided to try out another game where it involved putting pumpkins on catapults and launching them at targets. Princess Luna places a pumpkin on one of the catapults.
"Fire away, Princess!" Twilight shouted.
Princess Luna launches the pumpkin on the catapult that she was using and the pumpkin splattered all over the middle of one of the targets.
"Bullseye!" Storm Hawk and Apple Shine shouts.
"Ha ha! The fun has been doubled!" Princess Luna replied happily as everypony cheered for her.
"Looks like she's fitting in well." Mario said with a smile.
"Why don't you try bobbin' for apples?" Applejack suggested. "We got the best apples in Equestria here, Princess."
"I ask that thou call us...me...Luna, fair Applejack." Princess Luna replied before announcing to the others in a Canterlot voice, but very pleasant tone. "Hear me, villagers! All of you! Call me, Luna!"
All of the ponies around gave approving chatter to that.
"Luna is a beautiful name, fitting for such a beautiful pony." Mario replied when Princess Luna looked surprised at the compliment.
"Well, aren't you the charmer." Twilight said, not hiding her jealousy.
"Well, when you see Princess Celestia beautiful everyday, you start to say it in a friendly manner to anypony." Mario said with a sly look, causing Twilight to giggle.
"You're cute when you look like you're a charmer." Twilight said as Mario looked at her. "I guess that means you're in love with me, aren't you?"
"Oh, really?" Mario asked. "Well, you don't hear me calling you that."
Twilight gasped as she looked offended.
"Excuse me?" Twilight remarked with a glare.
"Gotcha!" Mario with a smirk, making Twilight glared at him as he, Applejack, and the 5 foals snickered. "Oh, a wise guy, huh? I'm keeping a special eye on you, cutie."
"I'm just playing along." Mario said with a chuckle when Princess Luna approaches.
"Well, thank thee for thou compliment of thy name and ensemble." Princess Luna told him, before turning to Applejack. "Show me to these bobbing apples."
Princess Luna then goes wide-eyed as she sees Pipsqueak land in one of the barrels that were for bobbing apples. Princess Luna rushes over to try and help him out. However, as she was doing that, Pinkie Pie and the foals appeared.
"Hey, guys." Pinkie Pie greets them. "Anypony seen Pip? We lost him the last time we had to run-"
Pinkie Pie then squawks when she sees Princess Luna pull Pipsqueak out of the barrel.
"Ahh! Nightmare Moon is gobbling Pipsqueak!" Pinkie Pie screamed. "Everypony run!"
Pinkie Pie and the foals then run off and Pipsqueak was believe it or not struggling to get out of Luna's grasp.
"Help!" Pipsqueak cried, running from Princess Luna and completely forgetting that she'd saved him. "My backside has been gobbled!"
"Tis a lie!" Princess Luna said, feeling indignant and unamused. "Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungratful whelp!"
Princess Luna stomps her hoof and thunder crashes when she says that as ponies started backing away from which she noticed.
"Fair villagers, please do not back away." Princess Luna said. "Let us join together in...fun!"
Princess Luna picks up and throws a toy spider at some of the ponies as they're all still frightened. The 5 foals were surprised that everypony in Ponyville thought Princess Luna was scary...that they finally had enough. Twilight could tell that the 5 kids were thinking just by looking at their angry faces. She, Applejack, and Mario got in front of them to block them.
"Don't!" Twilight pleads. "I know the ponies maybe a little judgmental of Luna, but I don't think-"
The 5 foals ignored her as they pushed her to the said and they also walked past Princess Luna which confused her.
"Children?" Princess Luna said.
"If these fools won't accept you for who you are...then we'll make them listen!" Storm Hawk told her.
"Cause right now, enough is enough." Comet adds.
Princess Luna then turns to Twilight, Applejack, and Mario, very confused by what they're stated.
"Whatever do they mean?" Princess Luna inquires.
"Whenever somepony insults, judges, or even hurts one of us or their friends...they take drastic measures to get ponies to listen." Mario told her.
"And trust me, that happened one time at the Grand Galloping Gala." Applejack adds.
Comet then starts using his magic, using a 'Banshee Scream' to scream as loud as he can to get the ponies attention. It got the ponies to stop while covering their ears.
"Will all of you quit all of that screaming and scrambling and listen up!?" Storm Hawk shouts when Comet stops screaming.
Everypony that was in the area that gave the 5 foals their undivided attention as they turned and face to where they were.
"We saw yer actions tonight during the time at the Nightmare Night against Princess Luna!" Apple Shine told them. "Or who you rather call Nightmare Moon!"
Everypony were concerned with what the 5 foals are talking about and Twilight, Mario, Applejack, Bright Mac, and Buttercup had worried looks on their faces while Princess Luna was surprised.
"Nightmare Night is one of the most popular celebrations around Ponyville, but after seeing all of you are too stupid to realize that Princess Luna is right in front of you!" Winter Breeze said with a glare.
"And you fools are taking Nightmare Night way too seriously!" Storm Hawk adds.
"All of you are too blind to see that Princess Luna has no experience at all of Nightmare Night!" Comet adds. "She's trying to adapt to our current lifestyle on this day, in this town and you ponies can't see that she's not happy with how you're treating her!"
Princess Luna, Twilight, Applejack, Mario, Bright Mac, and Buttercup are beginning to realize what the 5 foals are telling them. Everypony around were terribly guilty for the way they treated her.
"This is our first Nightmare Night in Equestria and all of you decided to fear Princess Luna rather than show her respect!" Rose Lotus shouts. "Princess Luna is our Princess of the Night, she's also one of the nicest princesses that we also met! She saved Winter and Storm Hawk when she take them here in Equestria! She also helped both Comet and Apple Shine by given them closure, for seeing their family one last time before they're at peace! She's been there for us when we needed the most! So, it would be great that all of you show her a great Nightmare Night for her as well!"
Princess Luna then approaches the 5 foals with a grateful smile on her face, embracing the children.
Until, they suddenly heard claps as they broke the hug and look out from the stage to see that everypony who witnessed the whole thing. Mayor Mare came up to the stage and said something way different than what they're expecting.
"What a fabulous show you put on." Mayor Mare said, leaving the 5 foals shocked.
"Show?!" The 5 foals exclaimed.
"I don't believe that we've ever had a Nightmare Night this thrilling before thanks to your speech." Mayor Mare told them.
"Now hold up a minute, that was supposed to be something that get y'all to convince about Princess Luna tried to fit in!" Storm Hawk points out. "Who told you about that show?!"
"Why, Pinkie, of course." Mayor Mare answered. "Nightmare Night is a celebration that we all do, the ponies play very fun games, eat candy, and even get scared too."
Rose Lotus is now very angry of her mother, and Mario and the 4 foals aren't far behind.
"Alright, everypony on with the festival." Mayor Mare announces.
Everypony walked away from the stage except Twilight, Applejack, Bright Mac, and Buttercup, who had a shocked look.
"This is all Pinkie's fault!" Mario said sternly. "Her squawking is what kept everypony frightened over Luna. When this is over, I'm gonna give her a flank talk about her cluelessness!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Bright Mac said as he and Applejack rushed in front of Mario and tried to restrain him. "Easy there, son!"
"How could they find something like that enjoyable?!" Twilight demands. "I mean, clearly they said was so important about Luna's appearance around Ponyville!"
"I'm guessing thy villagers are still indifferent towards me?" Princess Luna said sadly. "And didn't listen to thou impressive?"
"Oh, they listen, but it's mom who just thought about this 'show'." Rose Lotus told her. "We should go look for her."
"What? Why?" Twilight asks. "She'll just run away from Luna like she did the last couple of times."
"She won't go far." Mario told her. "And Pinkie is still in trouble when we find her."
"Well, you guys go and find her." Buttercup suggested. "We'll stay here and supervising the apple bobbing."
With that, Twilight, Mario, Princess Luna, and the 5 foals went out to look for Pinkie Pie. Unknown to them, Orochimaru and the army of Oni and Serpentine watched everything from the shadows.
"Well, it looks like the children tried to defend Princess Luna. But it's not enough." Orochimaru said with a sinister smirk, licking his lips as he turns his attention to them. "When they head back to the Everfree Forest, it's time to strike."
Back in town, Pinkie Pie was among the crowd of ponies and still acting like a chicken as she saw a piece of candy on the ground and peck down on it, eat it exactly like a chicken. She then turns into an alleyway and notices a trail of candy, instantly goes to try and eat each of them like a chicken. But Mario manages to capture Pinkie Pie with the vines from the ground, wrapping her hooves around. Pinkie Pie tried to cluck again, but Twilight shoves her fore-hoof sternly into her mouth.
"No!" Twilight scolded sternly. "No shrieking or squealing! Okay?"
"Okay." Pinkie Pie replied in a muffled tone.
"There's something I want you to see." Twilight said. "And I promise that it is safe, but you really, really, really can't shriek. Do you promise not to shriek?"
Pinkie Pie replied with a nod when Twilight removes her hoof from her mouth, backs up, and turns to her left as from the shadows, out came Princess Luna, Mario, and the 5 foals. Pinkie Pie was about to make a chicken shriek, but she stopped herself from doing so.
"Mom, you remember Princess Luna, right?" Rose Lotus said as Princess Luna stood before her.
"Ah, the ringleader of the frightened children." Princess Luna remarked. "Hast thou come to make peace?"
Princess Luna extends her hoof out to Pinkie Pie which she looks at it before smiling and extends her hoof out to the princess as well. When they're both about to greet one another, a dark cloud slowly makes it way behind Princess Luna as it made thunder and lightning which frightened Pinkie Pie.
"Nightmare Moon!" Pinkie Pie shrieked with a chicken squawk before running off, leaving a purple egg behind.
"Rainbow/Mom!?" Twilight and Storm Hawk scolded angrily as Rainbow Dash was on her cloud, laughing herself silly.
Now it was Rainbow Dash's turn when Comet uses his magic to make the black cloud shocked her and left her body numb.
Twilight and Mario then quickly teleport in front of Pinkie Pie, pinned her down to the ground.
"She's changed, Pinkie!" Twilight said firmly as Pinkie Pie struggled to get away. "Your daughter and the kids proved that! She's not evil or scary anymore!"
"And gobbling you up? Really?" Storm Hawk asks in annoyance. "Dude, how in the world could she do something like that?"
"Well, duh." Pinkie Pie said simply, rolled their eyes.
"Huh?/What?!" Twilight and the 5 foals exclaims.
"I know that." Pinkie Pie said as a matter of fact. "Sheesh, I'm almost as big as her. How's she gonna gobble me up?"
"Then, why do you keep running away and screaming? Why all this?" Comet questions.
"Sometimes it's just really fun to be scared!" Pinkie Pie answered.
"But not entirely." Rose Lotus told her mother with angry look. "Mom, you've been busy having fun and getting the others to be scared that you were ruining Princess Luna's efforts to just fit in with everypony. We were lucky that we stop them from panicking, but not convinced because of you. She just wants ponies to love and accept, but all she's getting are running and screaming from the ponies. And it hurt her feelings."
"And you owe her an apology...big time!" Storm Hawk adds.
Pinkie Pie is now realizing that she did hurt Princess Luna's feelings, and she noticed the princess sitting quietly with a guilty look on her face. Pinkie Pie then quietly approaches Princess Luna.
"I'm sorry, I was only trying to have fun." Pinkie Pie apologizes, earned her attention. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
Pinkie Pie extended her fore-hoof, but Princess Luna just looked as her blankly before returning the gesture. Pinkie Pie wasn't sure if that meant Princess Luna had forgiven her, but the smile that she gave her helped her feel a little better. Comet then began to sense the dark aura which it's coming towards the Everfree Forest when the hawk spirit arrives. Comet then turns to the hawk spirit as he began communicating.
"Guys, I afraid there's trouble at the Everfree Forest." Comet told them which it got their attention.
Meanwhile, the other ponies were chatting to themselves about Nightmare Night and even some of the foals as well. However, Nightmare Night was only a few hours away from it's end.
"Wow, Nightmare Night sure got even better with they showed up." Pipsqueak said excitedly. "However, it is getting pretty late. I guess Nightmare Night is about to end?"
"Come, little Pip." Zecora said, approaches the foals. "Now don't you fret. Nightmare Night's not over yet. We still have candy left to give, so Nightmare Moon might let us live."
"Yes. Come on, little ponies." Mayor Mare adds. "What's Nightmare Night without the annual candy offering? You don't want Nightmare Moon to gobble you up, do you?"
"Aw, the rainbow wig just kills it for me." Spike muttered, passed Mayor Mare with unamused and deadpan look.
Each of the foals looked at each other and smiled that they get to do another fun thing before Nightmare Night ends. And just as they entered inside of the Everfree Forest where the Nightmare Moon statue was, Orochimaru and the group of Oni and Serpentine jumped out of the bushes as they let out a snarl and a hiss.
"Oh no! IT'S THE ONI AND THE SERPENTINE!" Pipsqueak shouted in horror as everypony screamed while running in hiding.
Suddenly, the magic bolts blasted one of the Oni and the Serpentine away when Mario, Twilight, Princess Luna, and the 5 foals arrived at the Everfree Forest. Mario, Twilight, and Comet uses their magic as their auric hands and went into the fighting stances. Princess Luna then turns her attention to Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru...I should've know you come here!" Princess Luna growled with a scowl. "I see you're here to kill the successor of the Master of Nature."
"That, and I'm here to deal with the bearers of Harmony." Orochimaru told her with a smirk. "And after this, I'll continue the search for the Serpentine Staff to bring back the Great Devourer."
(Combat-by Ron Wasserman)
And soon, Orochimaru, the Oni, and the Serpentine charges after them and Mario, Twilight, Princess, and the 4 foals did the same. Rose Lotus then ran to the foals to get them to safety and away from the fight.
Mario and Comet took on four Oni's as they tried to take them down, but they dodged them, Comet kicked the Oni in the sternum and then deliver an uppercut. Mario punched an incoming Oni away and he and Comet kicked two aside.
Twilight, Apple Shine, and Storm Hawk faced off against 5 Serpentines as she dodged an incoming bite from a Fangpyre and palmed strike away. Apple Shine ducked underneath from the venom and kicked the Venomari at the chest, sent it flying. Storm Hawk delivered a jumping back kick at the Venomari, punched the Constrictai, and Twilight then deliver an uppercut to the Fangpyre.
"Where'd learn how fight?" Apple Shine asks surprisingly.
"I learned from your uncle, Apple Shine. And I've been studying martial arts from Master Wu when I was a filly." Twilight told her.
Princess Luna dodged an incoming bite along with a punch, then she blocks and counter by palm strike to the chin. Orochimaru stumbled back a bit as he then charges after her, about to deliver a right hook. Princess Luna blocks it delivers a forearm strike to the jaw and punches him in the face, then she delivers a spinning back kick to the sternum. She then fires a dark blue magic blast, knocking Orochimaru to the ground.
Orochimaru didn't have time to recover as Princess Luna lands a solid flying kick to the chest, sent him flying to a tree before landing to the ground as he grunted in pain. He only got up to see Twilight, Mario, Princess Luna, and the 4 foals glaring at him. Orochimaru realized he was now outnumbered as the snake glared back at them, stood back up.
"This fight is far from over." Orochimaru said with a snarl before he and the army of Oni and the Serpentine vanished into the shadows.
(Music Ends)
After the fight ends, they turned to each other.
"Great Devourer, what did he mean?" Comet asks.
"It means Lord Garmadon and his group are about to unleash the Great Devourer if he finds all of the Fangblades and the Serpentine Staffs." Princess Luna explains. "And if that happens and if the Great Devourer is unleashed, Equestria will be in grave danger."
It got them, except Mario shocked in horror. Princess Luna then turns to Mario.
"Mario Star, even if you're well-aware of the history and of their whereabouts, I ask of you to do what you can to find these items and hid them where it can't be found." Princess Luna suggested, earned a nod from Mario.
"But Luna, how come you learned martial arts?" Twilight inquires curiously. "I mean, you're a princess, how is it possible?"
"I learned by Wu's father." Princess Luna told her, but sighed. "But...I'd rather not talk about anything else."
Twilight, Mario, and the 4 foals can tell that Princess Luna doesn't want to talk about something sensitive, decided not to pry as they gave her a nod. Princess Luna then felt someone gently pulling her mane.
"Um...Princess Luna." The voice of Pipsqueak said which it got her attention. "I know there's not gonna be anymore Nightmare Night soon, but do you suppose maybe you could come back next year and scare us again?"
"Child! Art thou saying that thou...likest me to scare you?" Princess Luna asks surprisingly.
"It's really fun!" Pipsqueak told her. "Scary, but fun!"
"It...is?" Princess Luna said, clearly the idea of fun and scary wasn't making sense in her mind.
"Yeah! Nightmare Night is my favorite night of the year." Pipsqueak said with a smile.
"Well then." Princess Luna said, then used her Canterlot voice. "We shall finish Nightmare Night off with a wonderful and scary night!"
"Whoa!" Pipsqueak said, being pushed back. "And thanks for saving us! You're my favorite Princess!"
Pipsqueak then hugged Princess Luna's fore-leg and then ran back to the other foals.
"She said yes, guys!" Pipsqueak told them as the foals cheered before heading back into town.
"I don't get it, I thought they're afraid of Princess Luna." Storm Hawk said in confusion. "What gives?"
"I think it got me realizing why mom and the foals are running away." Rose Lotus said, approaching them. "The reason why they're being scared is because that's what makes Nightmare Night fun and not being scared of her."
"Can it be true?" Princess Luna asks before using her Canterlot voice. "Oh, most wonderful of-"
Then, remembered to keep her voice down.
"I mean...Oh, most wonderful of nights." Princess Luna said sheepishly with a normal voice which it got them chuckled.
Back in Ponyville, the ponies gave Princess Luna an apology for hurting her feelings and not accepting her which she accepted it. Nightmare Night continued till the end as Princess Luna enjoyed it as she played more games with the ponies and she even gave some ponies a scare just for fun. Everypony was enjoying their time around Princess Luna as they all had so much fun with her. Comet then approaches Princess Luna.
"Princess Luna." Comet called her, earned her attention. "There's a favor that I want you to do. Think you can do it?"
"Of course, what is it?" Princess Luna inquires.
Comet whispers something in Princess Luna's ear and after he's finished, she nodded.
"Very well, I shall do you a favor." Princess Luna accepts. "But Comet, I wanted to thank you and your friends for trying your best to defend me earlier. Why would you do such a risky thing to defend me?"
"I just hate seeing my friends or mom feeling down from anything that harms them." Comet explains. "Neither of us couldn't stand seeing you downtrodden by everypony fearing you, so we thought that we would defend you. You saved me and Apple Shine for given us a closure, saved Winter Breeze and Storm Hawk by coming here to Equestria. So, we're returning the favor by defending you."
Princess Luna felt touched of Comet's words with a smile on her face as she hugs him. Comet then hugs her back.
Meanwhile, Twilight and Mario were back at the Nightmare Moon statue with Spike writing a letter to Princess Celestia.
'Dear Princess Celestia
When you first sent me to Ponyville, I didn't know anything about friendship. I met somepony tonight who was having the same problem, your sister, Princess Luna! She taught us that one of the best things you can do with friendship is to give it to others, and help them find it themselves! And I'm happy to report that all of Ponyville has learned that even if someony seems a little intimidating, even scary, when you offer them your friendship, you'll discover a whole new pony underneath. And even if my Star Swirl the Bearded didn't go over, this still turned out the best Nightmare Night ever!'
"Well said." Mario said with a chuckle when Twilight ate a piece of candy.
As they're still at the statue, Rainbow Dash was sneaking up behind the three with her thundercloud and just when she raises her hooves up to try and scare them, she's the one who got zapped instead, which made Rainbow Dash scream and flew off, extremely scared with a smoke trail behind her. Mario, Twilight, and Spike were confused by this until they turned around to see Princess Luna on another thundercloud. She gave them a smile and wink before they laughed.
That's it for the 5th chapter.
Thought I do the Wizard of Oz costumes as a tribute to the actors who done the movie in 1939.
Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale
Ray Bolger as Scarecrow
Bret Lahr as the Cowardly Lion
Jack Haley as Tin Man
Billie Burke as Glinda
Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West
Also for the Black Panther costume, thought of it as a tribute to Chadwick Boseman who done as Black Panther.