Luna Eclipsed

Pony's Log Number 204: Sometimes even I forget that I'm not the only one who struggles to feel like they are loved and accepted...

Tonight marked one of the spookiest nights of the year, for it was Nightmare Night. A time of all things scary and ponies of all ages dress up and enjoy fun, games, and lots and lots of delicious candy. Spike was getting impatient as he, already dressed in his costume, was waiting for Twilight to come out with her costume.

"Ugh, come on, Twilight," Spike complained from downstairs, "We're gonna be late for the Nightmare Night festival." Twilight then stepped out of her bedroom wearing a blue wizards cape and hat that had stars and moons on them with bells along the bottom of the cape, as well as the rim and top of her hat. She had also tied a white beard on her chin as she posed before Spike.

"Huh?" said Spike looking puzzled as Twilight made her way downstairs, "Are you that one kooky grandpa from the Ponyville Retirement Village?" Twilight went agape before looking at the dragon indignantly.

"I'm Star Swirl the Bearded!" Twilight told Spike, who just stared at her and blinked, "Father of the amniomorphic 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 more sternly, sticking a fore-hoof into his face.

"Uh..." Spike tried to come up with a reply, raising a finger in the air when he heard some knocking at the door, "That sounds important!" Spike then ran towards the door, sending Twilight spinning about and getting herself tangled in her own cape. Twilight just gave him an indignant glare once she had recovered as Spike went to open the door.

"Nightmare Night! What a fright! Give us something Sweet to Bite!" shouted three little fillies who were dressed up as a lady bug, a daredevil, and a fairy princess. Spike yelped due to the loud shouting before recomposing himself with a sheepish and sweaty grin as Twilight made her way to the front door.

"Hi, everypony," said Twilight cheerfully to the three fillies, "Great costumes. Happy Nightmare Night, Granny Smith."

"I should have been asleep five hours ago," said Granny Smith wearily as Spike came up with a bowl loaded with delicious candies. Twilight then used her magic to give each little filly a single piece each. It was then a very small and young brown and cream spotted colt, wearing a pirate's costume pushed his way out of the crowd. He attempted to show off his sword skills but ended up tipping and falling onto his face.

"Pipsqueak the pirate, at your service," the young colt said with a salute and a British accent, "It's my very first Nightmare Night."

"Since you moved here from Trottingham?" Twilight asked him.

"No, my very first Nightmare night ever!" Pipsqueak replied but then one pink pony dressed as Ella Pollo Loca appeared.

"Enough chitchat!" said Pinkie with a chicken squawk, "Time is Candy!"

"Pinkie Pie, aren't you a little old for this?" Twilight asked as the pink pony/chicken went agape as she was looking at her own candy sack.

"Too old for free candy?" Pinkie remarked before giving the purple pony a death glare, "Never." Twilight just rolled her eyes before giving Pinkie her piece of candy. Pinkie eyeballed it excitedly until she noticed one of Twilight's bells dangling before her nose. Twilight smiled as she shows Pinkie her costume and continued to jingle the bells on her hat.

"Do you like it?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah! Great costume, Twilight!" said Pinkie, "You make a fantastic weirdo clown!" Pinkie then used her beak to gobble up most of the candy in the bowl Spike was holding and took off at high speed. Twilight was feeling a bit offended.

"A clown?" she retorted indignantly as Spike ushered her out of the Library, "Look at the borders on these robes. They are hoof-stitched!" Twilight pulled her cape to prove her point.

"It's a great costume! Huh! Grandpa!" Spike teased as Twilight growled irritably until a rather large cat silhouette appeared before Spike.

"HISS!" the giant cat hissed as the cat growled at Spike in the shadow.

"GAH!" Spike yelped before hiding behind Twilight. The cat then came into the light. It was actually a pony wearing a cat costume that had golden yellow fur and white chest hair and some paws shoes on his hooves. Twilight could easily see by the face who it was.

"Mario?" said Twilight. Mario just walked up to her.

"Meow," said Mario. Twilight laughed.

"You look so cute in that costume, Mario," Twilight remarked as Spike just looked at him annoyed.

"Mario, scared me in that?" said Spike as he slapped a hand over his face.

"Well, maybe it will teach you not to mock the amazing Star Swirl the Bearded," Mario replied as Twilight rubbed a hoof behind his ear. Mario chuckled as he used his horn to make it sound like he was purring. Spike just rolled his eyes.

"He always was Twilight's pet," Spike muttered.

SWIPE!

"NAH!" Spike yelped as Mario swiped one of his cat claws at him, causing him to fall into his back as Mario and Twilight chuckled to each other.

And to answer the question: yes, they are each other's date for Nightmare Night. Though one couldn't call a real date since Spike is with them. Mario didn't want Spike to feel like a plus one.

(theme song)

A cardboard cutout of black crescent moon that had Nightmare Moon's face on it could be seen as one saw that the rest of Ponyville was decorated for the Nightmare Night. Several ponies young and adult could be seen dressed up in various costumes for the occasion. As Twilight, Mario, and Spike 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 told Mario with Spike right behind her. As they continued to walk through the town, Big Mac walked by pulling a cart filled with hay and some ponies in it.

"Yeah! Whoo-hoo!" the ponies in the kart shouted happily as they past the group of three.

"He created more than two hundred 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," said Mario, "but I'm not too sure if anypony in Ponyville besides me would attend. Remember that time I tried to set up a club for train lovers? Nopony showed up! Only Spike but all he could do at the time was suck on the toy train he was holding."

"I...actually remember that," said Spike, now carrying a tall stack of candy and other treats in his hands, "my little engine that could...never did find that toy after it fell out of Twilight's saddle bags during a field trip." Spike sighed to himself as Mario gave him a sympathetic smile. It was certainly a toy Spike loved in his younger days.

"Well, I bet everypony would love it," said Twilight, "don't you think so, Spike?"

"Mm-hmm!" Spike replied as he continued to munch on some candy, "I love it." Spike may have been referring more to the candy than Twilight's group idea, but the purple pony hadn't noticed until she looked and saw they were in the middle of the festival. Twilight and Mario's sudden stop caused Spike to crash into Twilight, sending all his goodies to the ground.

"Hey look, we're here already!" said Twilight, "Should we get something to eat?"

"BURP!" was all Spike could say showing his full stomach. Twilight jut glared at him.

"Never mind him Twilight," said Mario, "we can help ourselves! I've got plenty of bits so we-"

"Twilight, Mario!" Pinkie called out as she and several other young fillies were with her carrying large sacks loaded with candy, "Look at our haul! Ah! Can you believe it? And then, we went to Cheerilee's house, and got a bunch more goodies. Didn't we, Pip?"

"Sure did!" the young colt replied.

"Pinkie, try to take it easy on the candy," said Mario, "Who knows what would happen if you really overload on the sugar?" Pinkie clucked in annoyance.

"Are you still sore I ran off with your candy bowl?" Pinkie remarked irritably.

"Two words: roast chicken," Mario said quietly. Pinkie gave a loud chicken squawk and pecked Mario's head several times with her beak.

"Owowowowowowowowowow!" Mario remarked as he sat down looking rather dizzy. Twilight just giggled. It was then a ominous dark cloud approached Pinkie from behind. It was Rainbow, dressed up to look like a Shadowbolt. She deviously hovered just behind Pinkie and raised her fore-hooves in the air.

"Now where was I? Oh right!" Pinkie pondered and then remembered, "and then, we had to stop and wait for Granny Smith, and-"

KA-BOOM!

Pinkie let out a frighten chicken squawk as a bolt of lightning struck her in the rear, making her jump and take off. The other young ponies began to scream and run off. Rainbow was just laughing herself silly as Twilight and Mario, who had recovered thanks to the lightning bolt and having been frightened himself, glared at her.

"Rainbow Dash, that wasn't very nice," Twilight scolded.

"Lighten up, old-timer," said Rainbow, "this is the best night of the year for pranks!"

"Look what you did to Spike!" Twilight remarked, showing poor Spike chocking on a piece of candy that he had been eating when the lightning struck. Mario went to tend to Spike so the dragon could breathe again and then gave Rainbow a death glare.

"Some jokes are funny, but not this one Rainbow!" Mario snapped, "and besides, you know that I have...issues...with lightning." Rainbow just smirked.

"All the reason," said Rainbow as she discreetly raised a hind leg behind her, "to face it head on pussycat!"

KA-BOOM!

"Raaaaaaaaaaainbbbbbbbowwwwwwwww Daaaaaaaa-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaash!" Mario yelped as he was struck by lightning and shrunk to one third his regular size. His speaking voice also got higher, so he now sounded like a chipmunk.

"Hey, what's the big idea? OOOOH! When I get my hooves on you Rainbow Dash!" Mario yelled in his high pitched voice. Twilight was left surprised. She had never known lightning had this kind of effect on Mario as Rainbow just laughed.

"It's all in good fun," Rainbow told Twilight, "Oh! Oh! There's another group over there!" Rainbow then disappeared as Twilight put a now worn out Spike onto her back as Mario returned back to normal size. In the background, Rainbow could be heard shooting lighting at some other ponies, making them scream as she laughed maniacally before zooming away.

Elsewhere on the festival grounds, a large bucket had been set up for ponies to play "bob for apples". One pony reached in to grab one while two other ponies went to take their turn as well. Applejack was nearby overseeing the game, wearing a scarecrow outfit.

"Happy Nightmare Night, Applejack, " said Twilight as she, Mario, and Spike, who had recovered, arrived at the game.

"Howdy, Spike, Hey, Twilight! Hey, Mario!" said Applejack, "Nice costumes."

"Thanks!" said Spike, "I'm a dragon." Twilight looked indignant since Spike cut off her comment. Mario just rolled his eyes as how original Spike's costume was.

"She means me, Spike," said Twilight.

"What about me?" Mario asked.

"Well, aren't you just the cutest little kitty I've ever seen," Applejack remarked.

"Purr," Mario hummed as he wagged his cat tail.

"And me?" Twilight asked.

"With that beard," said Applejack as she tapped Twilight's clip-on beard, "I reckon you're some sorta country music singer." Twilight just grunted annoyingly as Spike laughed. Mario just gave her a side hug.

"Never mind Twilight," said Mario, "You still look amazing. At least I know who you are trying to be." Twilight smiled as Applejack smirked.

"Are you two on a date?" she teased.

"Yeah, but just as friends," said Mario as Twilight nodded in agreement. Applejack just chuckled and accepted their response.

"While y'all are here," said Applejack, "ya' fell like bobbin' for an apple?" It was then two ponies were about to take their turn when Muffins popped out of the water wearing paper bags on her head and body for her costume. She then tried to grab herself an apple and ended up pulling out the plug to the water in the bucket. Applejack, Twilight, Mario, and Spike just watched quietly before they heard some cheering and applauding in the distance. Mayor Mare was on a nearby stage, wearing a clown costume with a giant rainbow afro.

"Thank you, everypony, and welcome to the Nightmare Night festival," said Mayor Mare proudly as everypony else cheered.

"Now all the little ponies who have been out collecting sweets should follow our friend Zecora to hear the legend of...Nightmare Moon!" Mayor Mare told the crowd before trying to laugh sinisterly.

"Spooky voice might have worked better if she wasn't dressed like that," Spike whispered to Twilight and Mario.

"I don't know Spike," Mario replied, "I've seen plenty of creepy clowns when I was a young pony. I'd say the outfit works." Twilight just giggled at the two when a green cloud of magical smoke appeared and Zecora appeared before the crowd. Her costume was a simple but slightly tattered black cloak and she had left her mane down and covered in spider hair clips.

"Follow me, and very soon," said Zecora, "You'll hear the tale of Nightmare Moon."

With the strike of some ominous lighting and a wave of her cloak, Twilight, Mario, Spike, Pinkie, Mayor Mare, and several young ponies followed her towards a statue of Nightmare Moon that had been set just a little ways into the Everfree Forest.

"Listen close, my little dears," Zecora began as she shows them the statue of Nightmare Moon, "I'll tell you where you got your fears of Nightmare Night, so dark and scary..." She got into the faces of two fillies, who cower fearfully in each other's hooves, as Zecora blew some green magic dust from her hoof and it turned into Nightmare Moon herself, who smiled deviously at them all, making them all gasp as the green alicorn dived right at the group, turning back into dust.

"Every year, we put on a disguise, to save ourselves from her searching eyes," Zecora continued as the dust surrounded them all, two young ponies look spooked as some eyes poked out of the dust and then a devious smile. Two young ponies notice, look at each other and then they, along with some others, screamed. Poor Pipsqueak ran for his life, only to crash into the base of the Nightmare Moon statue.

"But Nightmare Moon wants just one thing: to gobble up ponies in one quick swing!" Zecora continued as the eyes of the pony statue glared at Pipsqueak menacingly. He slowly began to back away until he bumped into Pinkie, who had been so frightened that she stuck her head into the dirt like an ostrich. They both screamed the moment Pipsqueak bumped into Pinkie and they took off in opposite directions.

"Hungrily, she soars the sky," Zecora pressed on, using her green dust to create a green cloud with Nightmare Moon scouting from it, "If she sees nopony, she passes by. So if she comes and all is clear, Equestria is safe another year!" The young ponies all cowered in fear as Nightmare Moon looked at them menacingly before fading away in front of the moon itself.

"Uh, Miss Zecora," Pipsqueak asked timidly as he stepped forward, "if we wear costumes to hide from Nightmare Moon, so she won't gobble us up, how come we still need to give her some of our candy?"

"A perfect question, my little friend," Zecora answered with a sinister smile, "For Nightmare Moon you must not offend." She then blew some more green dust to recreate Nightmare Moon once more, "Fill up her belly with a treat or two, so she won't return to come eat you!" The green Nightmare Moon opened its mouth, air diving at the group before turning back into more green dust. Pinkie screamed.

"Everypony! Just dump some candy and get out of here!" Pinkie told the young ponies as they created a large pile of candy and turned to leave when a loud clash of thunder was heard as well as a loud whistling of the wind. Clouds began to cover the sky above as Twilight, Mario, and even Zecora looked up with worry and concern, making the other ponies start screaming again. Suddenly, a chariot appeared with a cloaked figure sitting inside and being pulled along by what appeared to be two Pegasi guard ponies that had the ears and wings of a bat. Everypony just backed away nervously as the chariot approached and swooped down towards them. Everypony ducked as Twilight and Mario looked at the chariot with concern.

"It's Nightmare Moon!" Pinkie gasped in front of the two ponies, "Run!" Everypony minus, Twilight, Mario, and Spike began to run for their lives. Just then a flash of thunder lit up to show the pony's face under the cloak, showing a devious smile and glowing white eyes.

Back at the festival, the other ponies were just enjoying themselves. Then Pinkie led a group of screaming ponies through the festival grounds, even giving a few chicken squawks herself. The ponies just gave them funny looks until they noticed the sky had gotten darker. Some more thunder and lightning clashed in the sky as the chariot came into view above them as the clouds covered the moon and stars. Several ponies screamed with fright as the chariot landed. The cloaked figure than removed their cloak, revealing themselves to be Princess Luna. Unlike the last time she had been seen, her stature was much healthier and her mane and tail now flowed much like Princess Celestia's. The difference was her mane and tail were in shades of dark blue with a twinkle that imitated the stars in the night sky. Princess Luna had a determined smile on her face as the other ponies trembled fearfully before bowing down, including Spike.

"Princess Luna!" said Twilight and Mario excitedly. They were only able to take a step forward before Spike pull them down. They glared as Spike put a finger over his mouth so they would keep quiet as Princess Luna approached the other ponies with a stern look on her face. Some bats even flying away from behind her. She then made her way towards a pony, whose name was Cloud Kicker. The ponies just whimpered as Princess Luna stood before her. Princess Luna smiled, but the ponies only cowered more. Princess Luna took notice before deciding to speak.

"Citizens of Ponyville!" Princess Luna announced with a booming 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!" Despite Princess Luna's words, her loud voice made the ponies more fearful. As Princess Luna stepped forward, the other ponies started to back away from her. The fact more lightning and thunder struck nearby didn't help Princess Luna's case either.

"Did you hear that, everypony?" Pinkie called out, "Nightmare Moon says she's gonna feast on us all!" She and the group of young ponies all screamed and ran for their lives. Princess Luna just looked at them puzzled.

"What? No, children, no!" Princess Luna exclaimed, "You have no reason to fear us! Screams of delight is what your princess desires, not screams of terror!" Princess Luna then stomped a fore-hoof making Mayor Mare and another pony named Raven to gasp.

"Madame Mayor," said Princess Luna, "thy Princess of the Night has arrived." Luna extended her hoof, but Mayor Mare just continued to tremble fearfully.

"What is the matter with you?" Luna asked as she extended her hoof to the other ponies, who also just kept their distance.

"Very well then. Be that way," said Princess Luna indignantly, "We won't even bother with the traditional royal farewell. With that, Princess Luna just walked away with her nose in the air. Mario and Twilight had seen everything.

"I'm gonna go talk to her," said Twilight.

"Me too," said Mario, "I've been wanting to get to know my aunt for a while now." Twilight smiled and nodded in agreement, until she felt somepony holding her back. She looked back to see that it was Spike holding into the end of her cape.

"You can't talk to her!" Spike protested fearfully, "She's Nightmare Moon!"

"No, she's not," Twilight protested, "I saw the Elements of Harmony change her back to good. But it seems like she's having some trouble adjusting after being gone for a thousand years."

"Yeah," said Mario, "Even I know how it feels to try and socialize with ponies when you feel like you don't belong."

"Since when have you ever felt that way?" Twilight asked surprised, "I mean sure I kind of ignored you growing up cause I was into my studies, but...I never made you feel that way...right?" Mario just gave her a sad smile.

"No," said Mario, "I'm referring to the time before I met you. When I used to feel alone." Twilight just looked at him sadly before giving him a warm smile.

"Then you should be able to help Princess Luna," Twilight told him, "especially since you understand how she feels. Now come on." Mario and Twilight went to go find Princess Luna before Spike could protest otherwise. It wasn't long before the two ponies found Luna just sitting quietly before the statue of Nightmare Moon. Twilight and Mario watched quietly before approaching.

"Princess Luna?" Twilight said slowly. The dark blue alicorn blinked before keeping a indignant look on her face as she kept her back towards them for the moment as Twilight continued to speak, "Hi, my name is..."

"Star Swirl the Bearded," Princess Luna remarked, "Commendable costume. Thou even got the bells right."

"Thank you! Finally!" said Twilight excitedly, "Somepony besides Mario who gets my costume!"

"Mario?" said Princess Luna until she saw the colt in the cat outfit next to Twilight, "Is he courting you? Possibly your betrothed?" Those comments made both Mario and Twilight's checks turned bright red.

"Uh...we're just...best friends," said Twilight sheepishly.

"We...uhh...do like each other, but...like Twilight said, we're just best friends," Mario stumbled a bit with a nervous chuckle. Twilight just chuckled back. Princess Luna just looked at them blankly.

"Courtship and marriage have changed in the time thy have been gone," Princess Luna remarked. Mario and Twilight just smiled shyly at each other, eager to change the subject.

"Getting back on topic here," said Twilight calmly, "Uh, We just came to welcome you to our celebration! Mario is the same Mario Princess Celestia said was your nephew. My actual name is-"

"Twilight Sparkle," Princess Luna finished for the purple pony before continuing in her booming voice as she rose into the air, "It was thou who unleashed the powers of harmony upon us and took away our dark powers!" Twilight and Mario both flinched at her loud tone and backed away as the winds around the alicorn picked up a bit.

"And that was a good thing, right?" Twilight asked sheepishly.

"But of course," Luna answered in a normal voice, "We could not be happier. Is that not clear?"

"Well, you kinda sound like your yelling me," Twilight pointed out, flinching back a bit.

"We...can't tell if you are genuinely grateful or being sarcastic," Mario added.

"But this is the traditional royal Canterlot voice!" Princess Luna explained, "It is tradition to speak using the royal "we", and to use..." She finished in her booming voice, "...this much volume when addressing our subjects." Princess Luna's voice made Twilight's beard stick out to the side before she ironed it back down and adjusted her hat. Mario also had to take time to groom his cat tail since it had puffed out due to Luna's voice.

"You know, that might explain why your appearance was met with...mixed results," Twilight answered as Princess Luna looked indignant, "I think if you just changed your approach a bit, you might be met with a warmer reception."

"Change our approach?" Princess Luna asked in her 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, Aunt Luna," said Mario, "You could make a pony go deaf speaking that loud at close range."

"Ohhh," said Princess Luna, "We have been locked away for a thousand years. We are...not sure we can." Luna didn't hide the fact that she felt a little insecure.

"You can do it," said Mario, "I believe in you." Mario then walked up to her and extended his fore-hoof/cat claw to her. Princess Luna was reminded of when she had been first restored and Mario had offered the same extension to her. Princess Luna couldn't help but give a small smile as she connected her fore-hoof with Mario's. They wasted no time leaving the Everfree Forest and heading towards Fluttershy's cottage.

"Don't worry Princess," said Twilight as they made their way towards the front door, "Fluttershy can give you some great pointers. She's delicate and demure with the sweetest little voice."

"And when you really get to know her, she can be a bit sassy," Mario added.

"Nah, I think that's only with you," Twilight remarked as Mario rolled his eyes as Twilight knocked a few times on Fluttershy's door.

"Go away!" Fluttershy shouted from behind the door, surprising all three of them, "No candy here! Visitors not welcome on Nightmare Night!" Princess Luna just gave a skeptical look as Twilight and Mario just chuckled sheepishly.

"Fluttershy, it's me Twilight," the purple pony replied, "And Mario too! Don't you wanna see how cute Mario looks as a kitty cat?" Fluttershy then slowly opened the door.

"It is you," said Fluttershy as she relaxed a bit before smiling as she opened her door wider, "Oh! Mario does look very cute as a kitty! Ah, and Nightmare Moon..." Fluttershy then gasped, "...Nightmare Moon? EEEK!" Fluttershy rushed back inside and slammed her door. Princess Luna just keeps her stern and unamused face, causing Mario and Twilight to chuckle sheepishly again.

"Wait right here," said Twilight, "Come on Mario!" Twilight then headed inside the cottage with Mario right behind her. Thought Mario felt a little uneasy since he didn't want to have to get into a fight with Fluttershy or get The Stare from her. There was some light struggling, but only between the two girls. (Well Fluttershy did stomp Mario's cat tail...twice...) Then Mario opened the door as Twilight was literally pushing Fluttershy out of the cottage. Fluttershy tried to resist, but the purple pony was too strong for her.

"Fluttershy...you remember Princess Luna?" Twilight proposed.

"My aunt?" Mario added as Fluttershy looked at the dark blue alicorn nervously.

"Charmed," said Princess Luna, using her booming 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.

"Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star hath spoken of the sweetness of thy voice," Princess Luna explained, still using her booming voice, "We ask thou teachest to us to speak as thou speakest."

"Okay," said Fluttershy in a very quiet and fearful tone.

"Shall our lesson begin?" Princess Luna asked, not realizing how much her booming voice was frightening the poor yellow Pegasus.

"Okay," Fluttershy said with a whisper.

"How is this?" Princess Luna asked, glaring at the yellow Pegasus.

"Perfect, lesson over!" said Fluttershy hurriedly as she tried to zip inside once again. This time Twilight was ready for her as she shut the front door and Fluttershy smacked right into it. Mario cringed.

"Oooh, that's gotta hurt," Mario muttered.

"A little quieter, princess," said Twilight.

"How is..." Luna began on her booming voice but quickly lowered her volume a bit, "...this?"

"You're getting there, Aunt Luna," Mario replied.

"Better. Right, Fluttershy?" Twilight responded as Fluttershy un-pasted her face from the door.

"Yes," Fluttershy responded nervous but giddy daze as she tumbled to the ground.

"How...about...now?" Princess Luna asked, her tone still loud but not as bad as before.

"Making progress," Mario said with a smile.

"Now you're getting it," Twilight added in the same tone.

"And...how about now?" Luna asked now using a normal tone.

"Yes! Well done," said Twilight excitedly.

"Fantastico!" Mario added, clapping his hooves for the alicorn. Fluttershy was trying to crawl away when Princess Luna picked Fluttershy up with her magic to embrace her. Fluttershy was in such a state of shell shock that her face became petrified with fear and her entire body went limp as the dark blue alicorn held her.

"I thank thee, dear Fluttershy!" Princess Luna told her in gratitude...and using her booming voice, "Our normal speaking voice shall surely win us the hearts of thy fellow villagers." It was then Pinkie arrived with her little group of young ponies.

"Fluttershy! You've gotta hide us! Nightmare Moon is here and..." Pinkie gave out a loud chicken squawk as she saw Princess Luna holding a still limp Fluttershy, "...Ah! She stole Fluttershy's voice so she can't scream when she gobbles her up!" She and the other young ponies screamed as they ran away.

"Nay, children, wait!" Princess Luna retorted in her booming voice and then lowered her tone, "I mean...nay, children, no, wait!" But Princess Luna was too late. Mario groaned.

"The only voice that needs to be stolen is Pinkie's," Mario remarked, "Crazy chicken..." Twilight just rolled her eyes before walking to a now sad and dejected alicorn.

"Come on, Princess," said Twilight, "Time for plan B." Luna didn't share Twilight's enthusiasm. But before they left, Mario did have to feed Fluttershy a green and white mushroom since the poor Pegasus had passed out.

Back at the festival, some ponies had set up some pumpkins on some catapults and then launched them into the air.

"Hooray!" they chanted as the pumpkins splattered onto some targets in the distance. A few other ponies were just dancing to the band music again. Then everything came to a stop when they saw Princess Luna with both Mario and Twilight. One pony bowed down and whimpered.

"Aah!" shouted one pony named Sassaflash as several other ponies were also screaming, running away, or trembling as the three ponies walked by.

"It is of no use, Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star," Princess Luna said dejectedly, "They have never liked us and they never shall." Mario and Twilight felt a more optimistic about the matter.

"Our friend Applejack is one of the most likable ponies around," Twilight told the princess, "I'm sure she'll have some ideas."

"And she's the least likely of our friends to get frightened," Mario added quietly as Twilight shushed him sternly to avoid being heard. Applejack had fixed up the "bob for apples" game and Pip was standing on the edge of the pool of water.

"Heee...!" the young pony giggled as he tried to lean in to get an apple, but lost his balance and was about to fall in when Applejack swooped in save him.

"Whoop, careful there, partner," said Applejack before she turned to see Twilight, Mario, and Princess Luna. Applejack jumped at the sight of the princess before she whimpered fearfully and crouched to the ground and covered her eyes. Some looks were exchanged between Princess Luna, Mario, and Twilight..

"I take it back," Mario muttered, only getting a jab from Twilight as she lowered her head towards the frightened orange pony.

"Uh...Applejack, the princess is looking for advice on how to fit in around here?" Twilight told Applejack.

""Fit in?", Really?" Applejack asked doubtfully. Twilight grunted annoyingly at her.

"Seriously, you don't see me acting like a...ahem...scardy cat around her," Mario added in Princess Luna's defense, not afraid to make a cat pun.

"I mean...that's easy!" said Applejack as she quickly stood up and recomposed herself, "All you gotta do is have the right attitude. Loosen up a bit, be positive, play games, have some fun."

"Fun?" said Princess Luna puzzled, "What is this "fun" thou speakest of?" Applejack then guided Princess Luna towards a mini game where a bowl was filled with toy spiders and a spider web was set up a few feet away.

"Pray tell," Princess Luna remarked as she picked up one of the toy spiders, "what purpose do these serve?"

"Try to land the sp-spiders on the web," Cherry Berry stuttered. Princess Luna just eyeballed the spider and gave it a light toss, coming up short from the web and looked back at Applejack, Twilight, and Mario.

"You can do it, princess!" Applejack called out.

"You've got this, Aunt Luna!" Mario cheered. The dark blue alicorn then made another attempt and this time landed the spider right in the center of the web.

"Ha!" Princess Luna said excitedly, "your princess enjoys this "fun"! In what other ways may we experience it?" Applejack, Twilight, and Mario smiled before they brought the princess towards the pumpkin catapult.

"Fire away, princess!" Twilight shouted as the alicorn launched the pumpin into the air and made it go SPLAT on a target for the bullseye.

"Ha ha!" Princess Luna replied happily, "the fun has been doubled!" The other ponies started to come up to her and were now cheering as well.

"Double the pleasure, double the fun..." Mario chanted.

"What are you? A bubblegum advertisement?" Twilight asked annoyingly.

"Bleh" Mario remarked indignantly, "Just supporting my Aunt." Mario then pouted as Applejack and Twilight snickered to each other.

"Why don't you try bobbin' for apples?" Applejack suggested next, "We got the best apples in Equestria here, princess."

"I ask that thou call us...me...Luna, fair Applejack," the alicorn princess replied before announcing to the others in a loud but very pleasant tone, "Hear me, villagers! All of you! Call me Luna!"

"Luna..." the other ponies replied approvingly.

"Luna is beautiful name," Mario replied, "fitting for such a beautiful pony." Princess Luna looked surprised at the complement.

"Well, aren't you the charmer," Twilight remarked, not hiding her jealousy.

"Hey, she's my aunt!" Mario protested before feeling rather timid, "I...can tell her that...right...I mean...we're family..." Twilight then giggled.

"You're cute when you look like you're in trouble," said Twilight as Mario now glared.

"That's for the "I look cute when having an anxiety attack" comment," Twilight remarked and Applejack snickered.

"I was serious you know," Mario retorted as Twilight look unamused.

"You are in love with me aren't you?" she remarked. Mario just gave her a bored look.

"Guilty as charged," said Mario plainly as dark blue alicorn approached.

"Well, thank thee for thou complement of thy name and ensemble," Princess Luna told Mario before turning to Applejack, "Show me to these bobbing apples." It was then Pipsqueak was once again trying to bob for an apple when he lost his balance again.

"Whoa!" Pipsqueak yelped as he tumbled into the water with a loud splash. Luna gasped silently as she ran over to save him. It was then Pinkie arrived with a now larger group of young ponies. She seemed to be a very popular pony to go trick or treating with, even if she looked like chicken that was stuffed with candy and ready for roasting...

"Don't make me peck you!" Pinkie warned with a chicken squawk.

BLEH!

Anyway, Pinkie approached Applejack, Mario, and Twilight.

"Hey, guys," said Pinkie, "Anypony seen Pip? We lost him the last time we had to run-" Pinkie then gave a frighten chicken squawk as she saw Princess Luna bring up Pipsqueak from the water.

"Ah! Nightmare Moon is gobbling Pipsqueak!" Pinkie shouted, "Everypony run!"

"Pinkie, knock it...ROWR!" Mario gave a cat-like yelp when the young ponies screamed and ran right over him.

"Help!" Pipsqueak cried out, running from Princess Luna and completely forgetting that she had saved him, "My backside has been gobbled!"

"'This a lie!" Princess Luna said, feeling indignant that Pipsqueak didn't bother to say thank you for getting him out of the water, "Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!" Some thunder and lightning clashed behind her as the other ponies started to back away from her fearfully.

"Fair villagers, please do not back away," Princess Luna said to them, "Let us join together in...fun!" She picked up a toy spider and tossed it towards them, but the pony just flinched as the toy landed by them.

"Not enough fun for you?" Princess Luna replied, feeling her patience start to decline, "What say you to this?" Luna than cast a spell to make the toy spiders grow in size and come to life. They charged forward, even crawling right over a pony, knocking them over and making them pass out. The other ponies screamed as the spiders all gathered into the center of the web.

"Huzzah! How many points do I receive?" Princess Luna asked, but her only answer was Golden Harvest screaming for her life since one of the toy spiders was on her face. Soon everypony else was screaming and running amok.

"Do not run away!" Princess Luna called out, as Daisy screamed next.

"As your princess, we command it!" Princess Luna shouted, but the ponies were so frightened that they were now crashing into things. First was a barrel of apples, two ponies crashed into each other, one ran right into a vending cart, which knocked off a giant rolled up candy display that started rolling towards another group of ponies as they ran for their life. Soon lights and other decorations were torn down from the chaos. Even Mayor Mare tried to climb up a set of flags, only for the post holding them up to topple over. Princess Luna felt her patience hit her limit.

"Be still!" the alicorn shouted in her booming voice, causing the other ponies to stop running and thunder clashed behind her again. The other ponies were now trembling around her once more.

"Princess, remember!" Twilight said once things had calmed down, "Watch the screaming!"

"Losing your patience won't help make the situation better," Mario added, having recovered from being run over.

"No, Twilight Spark and Mario Star!" Princess Luna retorted sternly in the same voice tone, "We must use the traditional royal Canterlot voice for what we are about to say. Since you chose to fear your princess rather than love her, and dishonor her with this insulting celebration, we decree that Nightmare Night shall be cancelled! Forever!" Everypony was left in shock and sadness, including Twilight and Mario. It wasn't long after Princess Luna left that Applejack sighed to herself.

"Shoot, we have everything goin' our way," Applejack told Twilight and Mario, "Luna was happy, everypony in town was happy, now look at 'em." They looked about to see destroyed decorations, saddened adults trying to clean up the mess, and young ponies crying. Some comforted by the adults.

"But I wanted to be a zombie next year," one young pony sobbed and the cries of other young fillies and colts could be heard as well. Mario's heart reached out to them as he felt very angry.

"This is all Pinkie's fault," he said sternly, "her squawking is what kept everypony frightened over Aunt Luna. Forget roasting, I'm deep frying that chicken when I get my hooves on her!" Applejack and Twilight just looked indignantly, especially since ponies don't eat meat. It was then Twilight got an idea as she noticed a discarded Nightmare Moon decal on the ground.

"It's not over yet," said Twilight.

"What are you gonna do?" Applejack asked curiously.

"I'm going to do what I do best," said Twilight with determination, "Lecture her! And Mario will help me...once he puts away the giant pot of grease!" Mario just looked indignant as he sat next to a large metal pot filled with the bubbling liquid inside of it.

"Chill out," said Mario, "It's just bath water with honey to make it look like grease and I added baking soda for additional bubbles! But Pinkie won't know that..." Mario snickered until he noticed the deadpan glares on Applejack and Twilight's face.

"Oh...fine!" Mario conceded reluctantly as he used his magic to make the pot disappear. Then he and Twilight went to search for Princess Luna. It wasn't long before they both found the dark blue alicorn just walking sadly across a bridge near the park.

"Princess?" said Twilight gently.

"Aunt Luna?" Mario said in the same tone.

"Leave me be, Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star," said Princess Luna sadly.

"No, Aunt Luna," said Mario, "I won't let you leave feeling like nopony would love and accept you. That just isn't true. I know I love and accept you."

"Well, your opinion doesn't matter!" Princess Luna barked but then bit her tongue as Mario flinched away and was on the verge of tears.

"Mario, calm down," said Twilight gently, "She didn't mean it, okay." Mario sniffled as he let two tears stream down his face before recomposing himself and drying his eyes. He gave her nod to assure Twilight he was okay.

"Princess, I'm sorry it hasn't worked out how we wanted," said Twilight gently, "but you have to believe me when I tell you that Nightmare Night is one of the most popular celebrations we have."

"Yes, I can tell," said Princess Luna, now making it clear she was being sarcastic, "by all the adorning shrieks of the children as they run away!"

"Princess..." said Twilight sadly as she and Mario watched her walk away. Twilight pondered before she got an idea.

"Mario?" she began.

"Yes, Twilight," Mario asked her curiously.

"I never thought I'd say this, but..." said Twilight before giving him a smirk, "Are you up for a little chicken hunt?"

"Oh yeah, Mario time!" Mario replied as he stood on his hind legs and squatted to activate his "hero's sight" spell.

Back in town, the other ponies were still whimpering and crying as Pinkie was continuing to cluck about. Whether she knew about Nightmare Night being cancelled was anypony's guess, but she still tried to remain positive despite the gloomy faces. The pink pony then caught sight of some candy on the ground. Her eyes sparkled as she pecked off the wrapper and ate the candy inside. She then noticed a trail of candy and followed it, pecking and eating the candy as she went along. She was about to move into the next candy when time slowed down. Mario poked out of his hiding place and fired his magic blast. But true to Pinkie's nature, she easily sidestepped the magic blast as it passed her harmlessly.

"Nice try," Pinkie muttered annoyingly, thinking she had outsmarted Mario when she suddenly shrieked and chicken squawked as another pony pounced on her. Mario was actually one step ahead of her. Figuring Pinkie would somehow avoid the shot, this left the pink pony open to being tackled by Twilight and pinned against the wall. Pinkie tried to chuck again but Twilight shoved her fore-hoof sternly into Pinkie's mouth.

"No!" Twilight scolded sternly, "No shrieking. No screaming or squealing either. Okay?"

"Okay," Pinkie replied, her voice muffed by the hoof in her mouth. Twilight just stared at her.

"There's something I want you to see," said Twilight, "And I promise that it is safe, so you really, really, really, can't shriek. Do you promise not to shriek?"

"Mm-hmm," Pinkie replied, despite the fact that Twilight's hoof had been removed, her lips were still tucked into her mouth. It was then Princess Luna walked over with a stern look on her face. Mario was beside her with the same look on his own face. Pinkie's eyes widened before she nearly chicken squawked but covered her mouth to catch herself.

"Pinkie Pie, you remember Princess Luna, right?" said Twilight as the dark blue alicorn stood before the pink pony.

"Ah, the ringleader of the frightened children," Princess Luna remarked, "Hath thou come to make peace?" She extended her hoof towards Pinkie. Pinkie smiled as she extended her hoof as well. Princess Luna smiled back, but then a black cloud appeared and shot some lightning behind her, making her look ominous and Mario found himself shrunk once again.

"Nightmare Moon!" Pinkie shrieked with a chicken squawk before running off, even leaving behind an egg.

"Rainbow!" Twilight scolded angrily as Rainbow was on her cloud laughing herself silly.

"AAH!" Now it was Rainbow's turn to shriek as she soon found herself covered in sticky honey. Mario had fired his second "hero's sight" shot at her.

"Serves you right for ruining a touching moment!" Mario yelled, shaking a fore-hoof at her and speaking with a chipmunk voice since he was still shrunk. Princess Luna didn't know what surprised her more, the fact Mario was now one-third his size from getting hit by lightning or the fact his magic blast turned into honey. As for Pinkie, she was running for her life to get out of the alley when Twilight teleported in front of her and pinned her down.

"She's changed Pinkie!" Twilight said firmly as Pinkie struggled to get away, "She's not evil or scary anymore! And she definitely doesn't want to gobble you up!"

"Well, duh," said Pinkie with an eye roll.

"Huh?" said Twilight puzzled.

"I know that," said Pinkie as a matter of fact, "Sheesh, Twilight. I'm almost as big as her, how's she gonna gobble me up?"

"So why do you keep running away and screaming?" Twilight asked.

"Sometimes it's just really fun to be scared!" Pinkie answered.

"Fun?" said Twilight puzzled but then she got an idea, "Pinkie Pie, you're a genius!"

"No, I'm not," said Pinkie, "I'm a chicken." Pinkie then gave another chicken squawk.

"A dodo bird is more like it," said Mario, now back to normal size and stood beside Twilight.

"Hey!" Pinkie retorted.

"Pinkie, you've been so busy having fun and getting others to be scared that you were ruining Aunt Luna's efforts to just...fit in with everypony," said Mario as he looked at the dark blue alicorn, who was sitting quietly feeling sorry for herself, "She just wants ponies to love and accept her and all the running and screaming hurt her feelings. I don't know if you heard, but she canceled Nightmare Night for good because of it."

"Oh no! That wasn't what I was trying to do at all!" Pinkie exclaimed, "I just wanted everypony to have fun. No more Nightmare Night means no more free candy either..." Pinkie quietly approached Princess Luna.

"I'm sorry, I was only trying to have fun," Pinkie told her, "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Pinkie extended her fore-hoof this time. Princess Luna just looked at her blankly before returning the gesture. Pinkie wasn't sure if that meant Princess Luna had forgiven her, but the smile that the alicorn gave helped the pink pony feel a little better. That was then Twilight chose to speak.

"Princess Luna!" Twilight said excitedly, "I've finally figured out why you're having so much trouble being liked!"

"Forgive me if I withhold my enthusiasm," Princess Luna remarked in a deadpan tone.

"Pinkie already apologized for hurting Aunt Luna's feelings," said Mario, "We shouldn't have any more unwanted shrieks to scare everypony if we try again."

"I actually think Pinkie might be onto something," said Twilight, "Come with me. I'll explain everything on the way." Mario and Princess Luna just looked at each other before following the purple pony.

The rest of the young ponies were now with Zecora and Mayor Mare as the other ponies were sadly still trying to clean up the mess around them.

"Gosh, I never thought my very first Nightmare Night would be my very last," said Pipsqueak sadly.

"Come on, little Pip," said Zecora, "Now don't you fret. Nightmare Night's not over yet. We still have candy to give, so Nightmare Moon might let us live."

"Yes, come on, little ponies," said Mayor Mare, "What's Nightmare Night without the annual candy offering? You don't want Nightmare Moon to gobble you up, do you?" Mayor Mare then laughed sinisterly as Spike walked by unamused.

"Aw, the rainbow wig just kills it for me," he muttered.

"Come on, kids!" said Applejack as she joined the group, "Doesn't that sound like fun?" The other ponies just looked rather afraid than excited. In the end, the young fillies ventured alone to the Nightmare Moon's statue and were leaving their candy before it one by one.

"Goodbye, Nightmare Night, forever," said Pipsqueak as he placed his share of candy into the pile. It was then thunder was heard and the wind began to whistle loudly. It was then the Nightmare Moon statue came to life.

"Citizens of Ponyville!" the statue announced in the Canterlot royal booming tone, "You were wise to bring this candy to me. I am pleased with your offering. So pleased that I may just eat it...instead of eating you!" The young ponies all screamed and ran off. A few seconds later the Nightmare Moon statue turned into Princess Luna herself. She just watched them run off as she spit out what appeared to be fake vampire teeth.

"I am not certain that did what it meant for it to do, Twilight Sparkle," said Princess Luna, still uncertain of what Twilight had planned.

"I mean it was a good performance," said Mario, "but I'm still not following either..."

"Just wait," said Twilight.

"For what? For...for them to scream some more?" Princess Luna asked as she hopped off the pedestal. It was then she felt something tugging on her mane. She looked down to see that it was Pipsqueak.

"Um...Princess Luna," the little pony said bravely, "I know there's not gonna be anymore Nightmare Night, but do you suppose maybe you could come back next year and scare us again anyway?" Princess Luna was taken aback by the his proposal.

"Child. Art thou saying that thou...likest me to scare you?" Princess Luna asked in disbelief.

"It's really fun!" Pipsqueak told her, "Scary, but fun!"

"It...is?" said Princess Luna, clearly the idea of fun and scary was not making sense in her mind.

"Yeah! Nightmare Night is my favorite night of the year," said Pipsqueak with a smile.

"Well then," said Princess Luna, "We shall have to bring..." she finished with her booming voice, "...Nightmare Night back!"

"Whoa!" said Pipsqueak as her booming voice pushed him back a bit, "You're my favorite princess ever!" Pipsqueak then hugged Princess Luna's fore-leg and then ran back towards some bushes where the other young ponies were hiding.

"She said yes, guys!" said Pipsqueak.

"YAY!" the young ponies cheered before heading back into town.

"See? They really do like you, princess!" Twilight said excitedly.

"Looks like you're quite popular after all," Mario remarked, now understanding Twilight's plan.

"Can it be true?" said Princess Luna before she said in her booming voice and stood on her hind legs, "Oh, most wonderful of-" As the thunder clashed behind her, she remembered about keeping her voice down.

"I mean...Oh, most wonderful of nights," Princess Luna said sheepishly in her normal voice. Mario chuckled.

"I love you Aunt Luna," he said gently. Princess Luna wasted no time using a wing to pull him close to her for a hug.

"I love you, too...my nephew," Princess Luna said gently, Mario smiled and hugged her back.

Back in town, the mess had been cleaned and everypony was enjoying the Nightmare Night festival. Princess Luna and a few other ponies played spider toss. Then three little ponies gave her some candy, making her smile. Then when another pony went to bob for an apple, Princess Luna surfaced from the water, startling the pony as she just ate an apple. Everypony just shared a good laugh.

"Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight recited as Princess Luna was enjoying herself, "When you first sent me to Ponyville, I didn't know anything about friendship. Mario and 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 we're happy to report that all of Ponyville has learned that even if somepony seems a little intimidating, even scary, when you offer them your friendship, you'll discover a whole new pony underneath..."

As Twilight continued to recite the letter beside the Nightmare Moon statue, Spike was sitting nearby writing it with a large stack of candy next to him.

"...And even if my Star Swirl the Bearded costume didn't go over," Twilight concluded as she put a piece of candy in her mouth, "This still turned out to be the best Nightmare Night ever!"

"Indeed," said Mario as they both shared a chuckle with each other. It was then a familiar black could was approaching behind Twilight. Rainbow smirked deviously as she raised her hooves to strike. Then she felt lightning zap her instead, causing her to scream and fly away as fast as she could. Twilight and Mario saw her take off before looking back. There was Princess Luna, now sitting comfortably on Rainbow's black cloud. She gave them a smile and wink before they, including Spike, laughed.

Tonight had certainly been a fun night.

A little late with this one since Nightmare Night was last week, but better late than never!

Peace Pony Fans!