The cool autumn breeze rustled the leaves outside the Golden Oak Library as Twilight Sparkle, Comet Tail, and Spike made their final preparations before heading out into the town's Nightmare Night festivities. The scent of caramel apples and roasted pumpkin seeds wafted through the open window, carrying with it the distant sounds of foals laughing and ponies celebrating.

Twilight adjusted the broad-brimmed, star-speckled hat on her head and turned to Spike with an expectant smile. "So, what do you think of my costume?" she asked, striking a dramatic pose.

Spike, dressed in his usual dragon self (because, as he insisted, he was already the best costume), tilted his head and squinted at her. "Uh… are you supposed to be that kooky veteran from Ponyville's nursing home? The one that feeds crackers to pigeons?"

Twilight's jaw dropped. "What? No! Spike! I'm Starswirl the Bearded!" she snapped, stomping her hoof. "Did Comet teach you anything about unicorn history? No, scratch that, PONY history? Starswirl was only the most powerful conjurer of the pre-Equestrian era! He was the teacher of Clover the Clever, one of Equestria's founders!"

Spike blinked, clearly unamused by her outburst. Before he could retort, Comet, who had been quietly observing, smirked and quipped, "You're overestimating his attention span. If it's not about gemstones or comic books, I doubt he retains the information for more than five minutes."

Twilight facehoofed while Comet chuckled. Shaking her head, she turned to her coltfriend—only to stop mid-motion as she finally took a good look at him. He stood there with a plain white sheet draped over him, two holes cut out for his eyes.

Twilight arched a brow. "Please tell me you're joking."

Comet blinked at her, his expression unreadable beneath the cloth. "What? It's a classic."

"You mean lazy," Twilight deadpanned.

"I considered dressing up as Fleeing Whisper, the great archmage of the West," Comet said, lifting a hoof as if to make a grand declaration. "But halfway through realizing how much hoof-sewing that would take, I got dizzy and decided this was a better use of my time."

Twilight groaned, but there was a hint of amusement in her sigh. "You are impossible."

Before Comet could respond, the doorbell rang, followed by the excited, high-pitched voices of foals.

"Nightmare Night! What a fright! Give us something sweet to bite!"

The trio turned to the door, and Comet, still draped in his ghost sheet, trotted over to open it. Standing outside were three foals: Rumble, dressed as a miniature Wonderbolt; Dinky Doo, wrapped in a tiny fire fighter costume and Pipsqueak, the smallest of them, proudly wearing a tiny pirate coat and a red bandana.

Comet chuckled and levitated a bowl of candy toward them. "Alright, alright, here you go." He dropped a generous hoof-full into each of their bags.

Pipsqueak's face lit up. "Thank you, sir! This is my first Nightmare Night ever!" he said excitedly, bouncing on his hooves.

"Oh yeah?" Comet asked, amused. "You don't have Nightmare Night back in Trottingham?"

"Nope! We've got the Harvest Moon Festival instead. It's all about stories and singing and sharing pies. But this—" Pipsqueak's eyes shone as he looked around at all the spooky decorations. "—this is amazing!"

Comet smiled and turned to Rumble. "And how on earth did you convince Thunderlane, Miss Chestnut, and Ditzy to let you three roam around alone?"

Rumble smirked. "We're not alone," he said, puffing up his chest.

Before Comet could ask what he meant, a blur of feathers and energy barged past him into the house.

"Alright, everypony! Time is candy! Let's move, move, move!"

Cheese Sandwich, dressed in an oversized, ridiculous rooster costume, struck a dramatic pose, flapping his fake wings with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Comet blinked at him, unimpressed. " I am not giving candy to a fully grown stallion."

"Comet!" Twilight scolded, nudging him with her hoof. "Nopony is too old for Nightmare Night." She levitated a piece of candy into Cheese's bag.

Cheese gasped theatrically, placing a hoof over his heart. "A betrayal most foul! Treachery! I shall remember this slight, Comet Tail," he declared, pointing an accusatory hoof at him, before spinning toward Twilight with a grin. "And a good deed from you, dear Twilight."

Twilight rolled her eyes but smiled as Cheese turned back to the foals. "Alright, troops! Time to hit the next house!"

Just as they were about to leave, Cheese paused, tilting his head as he examined Twilight's outfit.

"I love your costume, by the way," he said cheerfully. "Very convincing homeless tramp look."

Twilight's jaw dropped. "I—WHAT?!"

Spike and Comet burst into laughter.

"You're kidding, right?" Twilight sputtered.

Cheese Sandwich gave her an innocent look before turning and trotting off with the foals in tow. "Happy Nightmare Night!"

As the sound of giggling foals and clucking noises faded into the night, Twilight stood frozen in place, her mouth opening and closing as if searching for words.

Spike, still snickering, nudged Comet. "We'd better get going before Grandpa here forgets where we're going."

Twilight whipped around. "Spike, I swear—"

But before she could launch into another lecture, Comet—grinning behind his ghostly sheet—gently nudged her forward. "Come on, let's go see what Ponyville's got in store for us tonight."

Still grumbling under her breath about how nopony appreciates true historical figures, Twilight finally relented, and the trio stepped out into the lively, spooky streets of Ponyville, ready for whatever surprises the night would bring.

The streets of Ponyville were alive with the energy of Nightmare Night. Lanterns shaped like grinning pumpkins cast a warm glow over the cobblestone roads, and costumed ponies laughed as they moved between stalls. The crisp autumn air carried the sweet scent of caramel apples and candy corn.

Twilight Sparkle, Comet Tail, and Spike strolled through the town square, weaving between costumed foals collecting sweets and older ponies enjoying the festivities. Twilight, however, was far too preoccupied to enjoy the night.

"I just don't understand it!" she huffed, adjusting her wizard's hat for what felt like the hundredth time. "How can ponies not recognize Starswirl the Bearded? He's only the most important historical figure in unicorn magic! His research laid the foundation for modern spellcasting! He was Celestia's trusted advisor! How can—"

Spike, who had been lagging slightly behind, let out a loud belch before shoving another hoofful of candy into his mouth. "Mmmf, Twilight, you're overthinking this," he said, his words muffled by sticky caramel.

Twilight shot him a glare. "Am I, Spike? Or is everypony else underthinking it?"

Comet Tail, who had been doing his best to contain his amusement, decided to intervene before Twilight worked herself up even further. "Twilight, look, I get why you're frustrated. But you have to remember, not everypony spends their free time buried in history books."

Twilight gasped. "I do not spend my free time buried in history books! I spend my work time buried in history books! There's a difference!"

Comet smirked. "My mistake." He gently nudged her. "But seriously, ponies do know who Starswirl the Bearded is. They just… might not know what he looks like."

Twilight frowned. "I suppose…"

Comet continued, "Think about it—he lived over a thousand years ago. The average pony might remember his name and contributions, but outside of scholars and mages, not many have seen an old sketch of him. If you were dressed as, say, Nightmare Moon, everypony would recognize you immediately."

Twilight groaned. "So what you're saying is, unless it's something that scares foals or has a catchy legend behind it, history doesn't matter?"

Spike let out another belch, looking entirely too content with himself. "I mean, kinda. "

Before Twilight could go off on another tangent, they were approached by two familiar fillies—Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom—who trotted up, their candy bags jingling with each step. Right behind them was Braeburn, clad in a simple but festive plaid vest and a cowboy hat decorated with small bat ornaments.

"Howdy, y'all!" Braeburn greeted with his usual bright grin. "Enjoyin' the night?"

Twilight took a deep breath, letting go of her Starswirl frustration for the moment. "We are, Braeburn. What about you? Weren't you helping Applejack with the apple bobbing station?"

Braeburn chuckled. "I was supposed to, but Thunderlane volunteered instead." He raised a brow, rubbing his chin. "Kinda strange, considerin' he's never done it before. Not once in all the Nightmare Nights I've been here."

Comet tilted his head, thoughtful. "Now that I think about it, Thunderlane has been spending a lot of time at Sweet Apple Acres lately."

Sweetie Belle smirked and elbowed Apple Bloom. "Guess that means you'll be callin' him 'brother-in-law' soon, huh?"

Apple Bloom's face turned a deep shade of red. "What?! No way! It ain't like that!"

Braeburn laughed, though there was a flicker of something contemplative in his eyes. "Well now, ain't that a thought? Thunderlane, part of the family…" He let out a good-natured chuckle, shaking his head. "Guess we'll just have to see what happens."

Twilight, eager to change the subject, straightened her posture. "What do you three think of my costume?"

Braeburn gave her a once-over, then beamed. "I love it! Got that whole country-star look goin' on, just like one of them folk singers from the old days."

Twilight's eye twitched. "Country-star?"

Sweetie Belle tilted her head. "Is that what you're supposed to be?"

Twilight groaned. "I am Starswirl the Bearded!"

Sweetie Belle blinked. "Who?"

Twilight gasped in opened her mouth, ready to launch into an impassioned speech about Equestrian history—

A sudden gust of wind silenced her. The torches lining the street flickered, and the cheerful laughter of ponies gave way to whispers and gasps of alarm. A shadow loomed over the town square, and all eyes turned toward the sky.

Descending from the darkness was a grand chariot, carved from onyx and decorated with silver filigree in the shape of crescent moons. Two imposing thestrals, their leathery wings stretched wide, pulled it through the night, their golden eyes glowing against the dimming light.

Princess Luna had arrived.

As the chariot touched down, ponies scrambled backward. Foals cowered behind their parents, and shopkeepers ducked into their stalls. Even Braeburn, normally so carefree, took a cautious step back, his ears flattening.

Twilight and Comet, however, stood firm. While Twilight's analytical mind was already working to assess Luna's demeanor, Comet couldn't help but notice how much the princess had changed since her return months ago. Gone was the small, timid alicorn who had been freed from Nightmare Moon's grasp. Before them stood a regal figure, her ethereal mane flowing like the very night sky itself.

Luna's piercing gaze swept over the gathered ponies. The tension in the air was palpable, as if everypony was holding their breath.

Then, in a voice that echoed like rolling thunder, she spoke.

"CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! WE HAVE ARRIVED TO CELEBRATE THIS NIGHT OF FESTIVITIES!"

A wave of sheer volume rippled through the crowd, sending hats flying and candy bags tumbling to the ground.

Everypony except for Twilight and Comet trembled in place.

Comet leaned slightly toward Twilight and whispered, "I don't think they were ready for the Royal Canterlot Voice."

Twilight sighed. "It's going to be a long night."

Princess Luna stood tall on the raised platform, her wings spread majestically as she addressed the gathered ponies of Ponyville. The flickering lanterns and jack-o'-lanterns cast eerie shadows over the square, making the already anxious crowd shift uncomfortably. Yet, Luna remained undeterred, her voice resonating with authority and grandeur.

"Rejoice, my little ponies! No longer shall Nightmare Night be a time of fear and trembling. Together, we shall change this dreadful celebration into a bright and glorious feast! A night of cheer, laughter, and abundance!"

A loud gasp rang out from the front of the crowd, and in an instant, Pinkie Pie's shrill voice pierced the silence.

"Did you hear that?! She wants to feast on us! Run!"

Panic spread like wildfire. Ponies screamed, scattering in all directions, leaving behind only a few bewildered stragglers. Luna's face fell, her regal poise faltering as her ears flattened. Her deep blue eyes scanned the rapidly emptying square, taking in the terrified expressions of those who still lingered, their hooves trembling.

"No! We meant no harm!" Luna declared, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation. "We wish only to partake in the festivities, not to consume our subjects!"

She turned to the mayor, who had been among the few ponies to stay. Hoping to regain some semblance of order, she approached with dignity and extended a hoof.

Mayor Mare's pupils shrank, her eyes darting between Luna's extended hoof and her looming, powerful form. Misinterpreting the gesture as an aggressive move, she yelped in fright. Without a moment's hesitation, she turned tail and bolted after the others, screaming, "Everypony for themselves!"

Luna recoiled, watching as the last of the ponies disappeared into the night. The only sounds left were the rustling leaves and the distant laughter of those who had found shelter. A heavy silence fell over the square.

Hurt and dejected, Luna sighed, lowering her hoof. Her wings drooped as she cast her gaze downward. "Very well, if that is how my subjects perceive me, then we shall depart… without even bestowing upon thee our royal farewell."

She turned, her midnight-blue cloak billowing behind her, and walked slowly away from the abandoned town square.

Comet Tail and Twilight Sparkle, who had remained in place throughout the entire ordeal, exchanged concerned glances.

"That didn't go well at all," Twilight murmured, watching Luna's retreating form.

"No kidding," Comet replied, his brows furrowing. "She came here trying to make things better, and now everypony's running from her like she's Nightmare Moon all over again."

Spike, who had been clinging to Comet's leg the entire time, finally found his voice. "So… that's it, right? We just let her go and call it a night? Maybe—maybe even board up the windows until morning?"

"We have to talk to her," Twilight says firmly, adjusting her hat.

"Agreed. She's trying, and they're just... well, not making it easy." Comet's gaze follows the retreating form of the alicorn, her midnight-blue coat blending almost seamlessly with the darkened sky.

Spike, however, is far from convinced. "You do realize she's still incredibly powerful, right? What if she gets mad at you for approaching? What am I supposed to say to Mom if she turns you both into frogs? Or to Shining Armor? I don't know how to write 'your sister and her coltfriend got zapped' in a formal letter!"

Comet smirks. "For one, I doubt Luna would turn us into frogs. And two, we already helped free her from Nightmare Moon's influence. If she wanted revenge, she's had months to try."

Twilight places a reassuring hoof on Spike's shoulder. "She's just struggling to fit in, Spike. We can't leave her like this.

The little dragon sighs, his cheeks puffing as he crosses his arms. "Fine. But if she does turn you into frogs, I'm telling Mom that it was your's and Comet's idea."

Twilight patted Spike on the head before turning to follow Luna, Comet right beside her. "Come on, let's go talk to her."

The two unicorns trotted after the retreating princess, leaving Spike grumbling under his breath before he sighed and ran after them. "Ugh... I'm gonna regret this, aren't I?"

The full moon shone brightly over the outskirts of Ponyville, casting long shadows over the damp grass. Comet Tail, Twilight Sparkle, and Spike walked cautiously through the mist, following the path that led them to the ancient statue where Princess Luna now sat, gazing forlornly at the night sky.

Luna's ears twitched at the sound of approaching hoofsteps, and she turned sharply. Upon seeing them, her eyes flickered with recognition.

Her gaze landed on Twilight first.

"Ah! Thou art dressed as Starswirl the Bearded!" she bellowed in the Royal Canterlot Voice, her wings flaring dramatically.

Twilight gasped, her face lighting up. "Yes! Finally! Somepony who gets it!" She beamed, practically bouncing on her hooves.

Luna nodded approvingly. "We know Starswirl well! He was a mentor and a friend in our youth! Thy costume is most accurate!"

Twilight nearly squealed with excitement. "This is the best night ever!"

Before she could go into a giddy rant about historical accuracy, Luna's gaze shifted to Comet Tail. Her teal eyes widened slightly in realization.

"Thou art one of the Elements of Harmony," she declared, her voice booming with the force of a thunderclap. "It was thou and thy companions who freed us from the grasp of darkness!"

Spike, who had been standing casually beside Twilight, yelped at the sheer volume and promptly collapsed in a faint.

Comet winced, rubbing his ear before glancing at the unconscious dragon. He sighed, then looked up at the alicorn with a small, knowing smirk. "Okay. First thing's first… we really need to work on that voice, Your Highness."

Luna frowned, tilting her head in confusion. "But this is how the royal family hath always addressed their subjects! It is tradition, passed down from the noble unicorns even before the founding of Equestria!"

Twilight, finally calming down from her Starswirl excitement, took a step forward. "Actually, Princess, that tradition was outlawed by Celestia about eight hundred years ago."

Luna's wings twitched in surprise. "What?"

Twilight nodded. "She felt it was alienating the citizens, making them feel like they were being commanded instead of spoken to. She wanted to find a common ground with her subjects, so she stopped using the Royal Canterlot Voice."

Luna blinked, processing this. "Truly?"

Comet nudged Spike, who groaned as he started to wake up. "Yeah," Comet added, giving Luna a reassuring look. "So, maybe let's try turning it down a little?"

Luna hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. "We… we shall attempt it." She cleared her throat, then spoke again, only slightly quieter than before. "How is this?"

Spike tensed. Twilight winced. Comet just raised an eyebrow.

"Still pretty loud," he said.

Luna frowned, lowering it a little more. "And now?"

Twilight's ears twitched. "Uh… better, but—"

Luna huffed and took a deep breath, this time speaking with a gentler, more natural tone. "And now?"

Twilight's face brightened. "That's perfect!"

Luna blinked, surprised at how different she sounded. "It feels… strange."

"You'll get used to it, Your Highness" Comet said with an encouraging smile. "And now that you're not shouting at everypony, we should head back into town and try mingling again."

Luna stiffened. "Return? To the festivities?"

"Of course!" Twilight said eagerly. "You won't know what else to improve if you don't try."

Luna glanced away, hesitant. "We are… unsure."

Comet chuckled. "Then let's find out together."

Luna studied him for a moment, then exhaled slowly. "Very well."

With that, the four of them—one still slightly nervous alicorn, two confident unicorns, and a dragon rubbing his temples—began making their way back toward Ponyville, the stars twinkling above them.

The streets of Ponyville buzzed with excitement as Nightmare Night festivities raged on. Everywhere, costumed ponies laughed and played, but the moment Princess Luna's presence became known, a strange stillness overtook the crowd. Ponies instinctively shrank back, cowering behind barrels, stalls, and one another. Even foals scampered away, their tiny forms disappearing into the crowd as Luna's imposing figure loomed closer.

Comet, Twilight, and Spike walked closely behind her, trying to shield her from the worst of the fearful glances. Luna's posture drooped at the sight, her gaze growing distant.

"I knew this was a mistake," Luna murmured, her voice laced with frustration. "They still fear me."

Spike, ever the optimist, patted her hoof gently. "They just need time to get used to you, Princess."

Comet remained focused. "It'll get better. You just have to keep trying." He glanced at Twilight, who nodded in agreement. "Let's make the best of it."

They approached the apple bobbing pool where Thunderlane and Applejack stood, chatting in easy camaraderie. Applejack's emerald eyes gleamed playfully as she laughed at something Thunderlane said, and the dark stallion grinned in response. Their casual closeness, the way Thunderlane leaned in slightly, the way Applejack's tail flicked toward him—it was subtle, but undeniable.

Thunderlane noticed Luna first. His laughter cut off instantly, his body tensing as he took a step forward. His wings spread protectively, and he planted himself between Applejack and the approaching princess.

"Stay back!" he ordered, his voice firm and unwavering.

Applejack's eyes widened in terror as she finally noticed Luna. Without thinking, she dropped to the ground, her hooves covering her head.

Luna's heart twisted. "No… please, do not fear me," she whispered.

The tension thickened, but before it could escalate further, Comet stepped in. His voice was calm but commanding.

"Thunderlane, it's okay," Comet said firmly. "Luna is here to enjoy the night with everypony. The Elements cleansed her of Nightmare Moon's darkness. She's not a threat."

Thunderlane's eyes flicked between Comet and Twilight, his wings still half-flared. Slowly, recognition settled in, and his stance relaxed. "I… I'm sorry. I overreacted."

"There is no harm done," Luna assured him, offering a small but understanding nod.

Comet gave Thunderlane an encouraging look. "Think you can recommend an activity for Luna to try? Something fun?"

Before Thunderlane could respond, Applejack—now more composed—stood up, dusting herself off. "How 'bout tryin' to land the fake spider on the web?" she suggested. "It's trickier than it looks."

Luna tilted her head. "A spider?"

"Yes, ma'am," Applejack said with a confident grin. "It's a real challenge."

Luna's curiosity was piqued. "We accept this challenge."

She missed on her first attempt. And her second. The sight of the mighty princess concentrating so intently on something so simple made a few foals giggle. A small smile crept onto Luna's face at the sound.

By her fourth try, the spider landed neatly in the center of the web.

"I did it!" Luna declared, wings flaring in delight. "We have bested this game!"

Applejack chuckled. "You sure did, Princess."

Luna turned back to the group. "What other amusements doth this festival hold?"

Twilight brightened. "There's bobbing for apples, pumpkin catapults, and a costume contest."

Luna clapped her hooves together. "We shall partake in all of them!"

The night stretched on, and Luna truly began to enjoy herself. She laughed as she struggled through the apple bobbing game, delighting in the challenge. She joined in the games and contests, and though many ponies still watched her warily, others began to warm up.

Time passed, the moon inching higher in the sky.

The change was gradual. At first, ponies only watched from a distance, murmuring to one another. Then, a few foals dared to follow Luna as she moved between games. They were cautious at first but soon became enthralled by her dramatic way of speaking, her enthusiasm for their games. Some even cheered when she won the spider toss a second time.

Luna smiled more often now.

Comet and Twilight exchanged pleased glances. It was working.

By the time Luna tried her hoof at pumpkin launching, more ponies had gathered. She narrowed her eyes at the oversized slingshot, took a deep breath, and let the pumpkin fly. It soared across the festival grounds before splattering against a target with a satisfying thump.

A few ponies clapped. A small step, but a step nonetheless.

Luna turned to Twilight and Comet, her expression full of hope. "This is truly enjoyable."

Just as it seemed like everything had settled, disaster struck.

It started when Luna came across a stand offering traditional Nightmare Night treats—caramel apples, candied corn, and small baskets of pumpkin-shaped sweets. Curious, she picked up one of the candy baskets and examined it.

"What is this delightful creation?" she asked.

"Offerings for Nightmare Moon," a foal answered, his voice tiny.

Luna's ears perked up. "Offerings?"

Twilight quickly whispered, "It's part of the tradition. The story goes that ponies give sweets to Nightmare Moon so she won't gobble them up."

Luna blinked. "…So they believe that if these were not given, we would eat them instead?"

The foal nodded hesitantly.

Luna's expression darkened, a storm brewing behind her eyes. They still see her as a monster.

She sighed, shaking her head. "Foolishness. We would never—"

Before she could finish, one of the foals tripped while carrying a candy basket. The treats spilled across the ground.

Luna, trying to be helpful, instinctively scooped up a hoof-full of the candy with her magic. She turned toward the foals, her eyes glowing softly from the spell's power.

"You have dropped thine offering," she said. "Come, take it."

But the foals, already nervous, misinterpreted the scene completely.

All they saw was Luna, illuminated by the eerie glow of magic, holding candy in her dark, swirling aura. Her deep voice, powerful even when gentle, sounded ominous to their terrified minds.

One foal gasped. "She—she's choosing who to eat!"

Another screamed.

The panic spread like wildfire.

"She's going to eat us!"

"Run for your lives!"

The foals bolted, screaming in terror. A few older ponies, seeing their panic, assumed the worst and joined in. Within seconds, the entire square erupted into chaos.

Luna's mouth fell open. "Wait—no! We would never—"

Ponies shrieked, scrambling to escape her. A mare threw herself in front of her child, sobbing, "Please, don't take my baby!"

Luna reached out a hoof. "Stop! We do not wish to harm thee!"

But it only made things worse.

A stallion shouted, "She's going to devour us all!"

The sheer absurdity of the accusation made something in Luna snap.

Her patience, her efforts, everything she had tried tonight—it was all for nothing.

Her wings flared as her expression twisted with frustration.

"ENOUGH!" she bellowed, her Royal Canterlot Voice shaking the very ground beneath them.

The town fell silent.

Luna's gaze swept over them, hurt flashing across her face before she steeled herself. "IF THIS NIGHT ONLY SERVES TO MOCK US, THEN WE SHALL SEE IT ABOLISHED!"

Gasps filled the air. Ponies exchanged stunned looks, too afraid to speak.

Twilight and Comet, standing off to the side, felt their stomachs drop.

Comet stepped forward carefully. "Princess, please—"

Luna turned away. "WE HAVE SPOKEN."

With that, she spread her wings and took off into the night sky, vanishing into the darkness.

The festival laid in ruins, decorations knocked over, candy scattered, ponies whispering in hushed fear.

They glanced around uncertainly, their joyful celebrations now tainted by the weight of the Princess's final decree. Was Nightmare Night truly over?

"She... she really meant it?" a mare whispered, clutching her foal protectively.

Applejack exhaled sharply and adjusted her hat. "Shoot. That went about as well as a snake tryin' to square dance."

Thunderlane frowned, scanning the sky where Luna had disappeared. He turned to Comet Tail and Twilight, his wings twitching. "What do we do now?"

Twilight bit her lip, her ears flattening against her head. "We have to go after her."

Spike groaned, rubbing his temples. "Great. That means going into the spooky, dark woods after a really emotional alicorn with serious volume control issues. Sounds fun."

Comet placed a steadying hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "She's upset. She thinks everypony still sees her as a monster." He glanced around at the uneasy crowd. "And... looking at how everypony reacted, I can't exactly blame her for feeling that way."

Applejack huffed. "Well, she sure ain't helpin' herself much by shoutin' like that. But cancelin' Nightmare Night? That just ain't right."

"Then we'll fix it," Twilight said with determination. She adjusted her Star Swirl hat and turned toward the Everfree Forest. "We just need to explain that this was all a misunderstanding."

"That, or she turns us into bats," Spike muttered. "Either way, should be interesting."

Comet chuckled and motioned for Twilight to lead the way. "Come on. Before she decides to ban every holiday just to be safe."

With that, the trio disappeared into the darkness of the Everfree Forest, leaving the uncertain murmurs of Ponyville behind them.

The Everfree Forest was eerily silent, save for the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional distant hoot of an owl. Twilight, Comet, and Spike followed the faint trail of disturbed grass where Luna had stormed off, the princess's heavy hoofsteps leaving a clear path. The tension in the air was thick—Luna had been humiliated, and her anger had only worsened the situation. Now, she had fled into the darkness, believing that Nightmare Night had only served to mock her.

Twilight's pace quickened as she saw the familiar silhouette of a stone bridge ahead. "There she is!" she whispered.

Luna stood at the edge of the bridge, gazing into the river below. The moon's reflection rippled in the water, distorted by the occasional floating leaf. Her dark wings were half-unfurled, and her starry mane swirled in slow, melancholic waves.

"Princess Luna!" Twilight called, slowing her approach to avoid startling her.

Luna turned sharply, her expression unreadable. "What dost thou wish, Twilight Sparkle? If thou art here to plead for that wretched festival's return, do not waste thy breath."

Twilight hesitated, but Comet stepped forward. "We're not here to argue, Princess," he said calmly. "We just want to talk."

Luna narrowed her eyes slightly but did not immediately rebuff him.

Twilight took the chance to speak. "We know things didn't go the way you wanted tonight, but you have to understand—ponies love Nightmare Night. It's not meant to insult you. They don't see you as a monster."

Luna scoffed, looking away. "Then why do they cower in fear? Why do they scream at my presence? I wished to partake in their merriment, yet they tremble as though I am still Nightmare Moon."

Spike shuffled forward, clearing his throat. "Uh, well... yeah, but, to be fair, you do kinda have a... scary way of talking sometimes."

Luna arched an eyebrow.

Comet sighed. "What Spike means is that fear isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes, ponies like being scared in a fun way. It's why Nightmare Night exists—it's a night to celebrate thrills and frights."

Luna regarded him with skepticism. "Ponies find amusement in terror?"

"Some of them, yeah," Comet said with a small smile. "It's like... a game. A way to feel excitement in a safe way. They know the scares aren't real."

Twilight nodded eagerly. "And if you give them a chance, I think you'll see that for yourself."

Luna's gaze flickered with uncertainty, but after a moment, she folded her wings. "Very well. I shall test this theory of yours."

Twilight beamed. "Great! Come back with us, and we'll show you that ponies don't fear you—they respect you."

Luna hesitated only a moment longer before nodding. With renewed purpose, she stepped forward, allowing Twilight and Comet to lead the way. Spike let out a relieved sigh and fell in beside them.

As they made their way back toward Ponyville, the air seemed lighter, as if the weight of the princess's sorrow had lifted—if only just a little.

Luna followed Twilight, Comet, and Spike back into Ponyville, though her steps were slow, uncertain. The streets were quieter now, ponies still wary after the earlier disaster. Though decorations still hung from the buildings and candle-lit pumpkins flickered in doorways, the air of festivity had dimmed.

The princess exhaled softly, feeling the weight of her mistake. Would they even listen?

They reached the town square, where a few ponies still lingered. Among them were a trio of foals—Rumble, Dinky Doo, and a tiny spotted colt Luna vaguely remembered from earlier. Pipsqueak, if she recalled correctly. The little earth pony noticed her first, his eyes going wide, but instead of cowering, he grinned and trotted up to her.

"Princess Luna!" he chirped, his voice bright with excitement.

Luna blinked. "Thou dost not tremble before us?"

Pipsqueak shook his head. "No way! You're my favorite princess!"

Luna's wings twitched slightly at that. "But… we frightened thee and thy friends."

"Well, yeah," Rumble admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But, you know… that's kind of the point of Nightmare Night."

Dinky nodded. "Being scared is part of the fun! It makes the candy taste better!"

Pipsqueak bounced on his hooves. "Yeah! And your big scary voice is amazing! You're just like Nightmare Moon from the old stories!"

Luna flinched slightly. "That is… not our intention."

Comet stepped forward, smiling. "But maybe it could be. If ponies like a little fright on Nightmare Night, maybe you could give them that… in a way that they'll enjoy."

Luna frowned, glancing toward the foals again. "Thou art saying… we should embrace this fear?"

Twilight nodded eagerly. "Exactly! Instead of trying to stop Nightmare Night, you could become part of it! Instead of running from you, ponies could have fun being scared by you."

Luna's eyes darted between them, still uncertain. "We… we do not understand how such fear can bring joy."

Pipsqueak beamed. "Then let's show you!"

Before Luna could respond, the foals took off, calling for their friends. Within moments, ponies cautiously began to gather, curiosity overcoming their fear. They murmured among themselves, hesitant but intrigued.

Luna glanced at Twilight and Comet, both giving her reassuring nods.

She stood in the center of the square, watching as her subjects assemble. Some still lingered at the edges, wary, but the foals remained at the front, their eager expressions expectant. The princess hesitated, unsure how to proceed.

She had spent the night trying to appear friendly, approachable—only to terrify them further. And now, they wanted to be frightened? It made no sense.

Twilight stepped closer. "I know it seems strange, but just watch. Let them come to you this time."

Comet nodded. "You don't have to force it. Just… have a little fun with it."

Fun. Luna still wasn't sure she understood what that meant in this new era. But if they insisted…

She inhaled deeply, straightening to her full regal height. She let the tension build, waiting until the gathered ponies began to shift uneasily under her gaze. Then, in a fluid motion, she unfurled her wings, casting long shadows against the flickering lantern light.

"CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE!" she bellowed, her voice echoing into the night. A gust of wind ruffled capes and costumes alike. Ponies gasped, some instinctively ducking, but nopony ran. They were watching. Waiting.

Luna's lips curled ever so slightly.

"YE HAVE DARED TO SUMMON THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT UPON THIS MOST FEARSOME EVE," she continued, stepping forward with slow, deliberate movements. "AND SO, WE ASK: DOST THOU POSSESS THE COURAGE TO FACE THY FEARS?"

Silence stretched for a moment. Then, a voice rang out—Pipsqueak's, bold and determined.

"Yes, Princess!"

Luna grinned. "THEN PROVE IT!"

She reared up, her mane swirling like a midnight storm, then snapped her wings downward. A burst of enchanted wind sent the leaves swirling like a spectral dance. Ponies shrieked—but it was not the same shriek of terror from before. It was laughter.

A moment later, Rumble and Dinky took off, leading a pack of foals through the square in mock terror.

"She's coming for us!" Dinky cried.

"Run before she gobbles us up!" Rumble added with a grin.

Luna's eyes widened. She wasn't sure what compelled her, but she lunged forward, her voice dipping into an exaggerated growl.

"THERE SHALL BE NO ESCAPE FROM THE NIGHT!" she declared, swooping low as the foals shrieked in delight and scattered like leaves.

Luna landed with a chuckle, watching as the game unfolded. More ponies joined in, parents playfully urging their foals to "flee" from the mighty Princess of the Night. Even the adults started laughing, their fears melting into joy.

Cheese Sandwich, who had been watching with clear excitement, quickly jumped in. "Alright, everypony, new challenge! If you dare face the Princess of the Night, step forward!"

A few brave souls—mostly foals—gathered before Luna, looking up at her expectantly.

Luna leaned down, a mischievous glint in her eye. "AND WHAT PRAY TELL, SHALL WE DO WITH THEE?"

They giggled, some hopping excitedly.

"Tickle monster?" Pipsqueak suggested, wiggling his hooves.

"Or maybe a royal decree of extra candy?" Rumble added with a smirk.

Luna tilted her head, considering. "VERY WELL!" She swept her hoof across the group. "ALL WHO SURVIVE THE NIGHT SHALL BE GRANTED AN EXTRA HELPING OF SWEETS!"

The foals cheered, and the townsponies laughed and clapped.

Twilight nudged Comet with a smile. "I think she's finally got it."

Comet chuckled. "Took her long enough."

Luna turned toward them, her expression softer now, though still carrying a regal air. "We… believe we understand now. This night is not merely about fear… but the joy that comes with facing it."

Twilight beamed. "Exactly!"

Luna took in the scene before her—ponies running, playing, embracing the thrill of the night. The celebration had reignited, and this time, she was not an outsider looking in.

She spread her wings, her voice ringing through the square, this time warm rather than commanding.

"THEN LET THIS NIGHTMARE NIGHT CONTINUE! LET US REVEL IN THE DARKNESS TOGETHER!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, the music picked up once more, and for the first time in a thousand years, Luna truly felt like she belonged.