The next morning and afternoon was buzzing with excitement, due to the upcoming Nightmare Night that would be happening in the evening. Because of this, the day just seemed to whoosh on by and last I heard from Rarity who was working on the costumes, she was absolutely drained and exhausted with no energy left, but the rest of us did volunteer to help so it wasn't too bad.

When I got my costume by sunset, I put it on to try it out and I loved it. My costume was like an undercover agent, complete with shades and an earpiece, I really did look like I was one of the agents from Men In Black, now if Equestria had an alien invasion to go along with it, then it would be just perfect for me!

It was the beginning of the evening when I heard a knock on the door, I opened it to find Granny Smith and three fillies in their little outfits.

"Nightmare night, what a fright, give us something sweet to bite." they chanted.

"Hey there fillies, great costumes...and happy nightmare night Granny Smith." I greeted.

"Ah should've been asleep five hours ago." she replied.

"I can imagine, at least it comes around once a year." I then grabbed a bowl of candy I had bought earlier and handed out a hoofful to each of the fillies sweet bags with my magic. "Here you go, just a couple for each for you."

I then saw a young colt in a pirate outfit, waving his sword. "Pipsqueak the pirate at your service, it's my very first nightmare night." he said.

"Is it? Well believe it or not, it's my first time too." I replied.

"Really? Why?"

"It's a long story, Pipsqueak."

Suddenly, Pinkie showed up in a chicken outfit. "Enough chit-chat! Time is candy!" she exclaimed.

"Uhh Pinkie Pie, aren't you a little old for this?" I asked.

"Too old for free candy?" she squawked, "Never!"

I sighed with a smile as I gave out candy to Pinkie, but she ended up plucking the rest of them and zoomed away.

"Well, looks like nopony else is getting candy from this house." I said as I placed the now empty bowl on the kitchen table.

The small group went to the other houses as I left mine and walked around to see the whole town with each and everyone dressed up in costumes, Rarity really went all out to make them look impressive. I wondered what the other four are dressed up as, I walked further into town until I saw Twilight and Spike in their costumes.

"Starswirl the bearded is only the most important contra of the classical era." Twilight stated, "He created more than 200 spells, he even has a shelf in the Canterlot Library Magic named after him. Maybe I should start up a pony group to teach ponies about history, don't you agree Spike?"

Spike could only hum in agreement as he was busy eating loads of candy.

"Evening Twilight and Spike." I greeted, walking towards them.

"Evening Bond, great costume, man!" Spike complimented.

"Cheers."

"That is one amazing costume, Rarity really went to town with yours." Twilight added.

"Yeah, she kinda did, mine is an undercover agent."

"I'm dressed as Starswirl The Bearded."

"And I'm a dragon." Spike replied.

"Does that mean you're double the dragon?" I asked him.

"Umm...maybe."

Pinkie and the fillies then showed up.

"Twilight, Twilight, look at hour hooves!" she exclaimed, showing bags filled up with candy. "Can you believe it?" she then plucked through the candy like a chicken. "And then, we went to Cheerlie's and we got a bunch more candies, didn't we, Pip?"

"Sure did." he answered.

Then a lightening struck above Pinkie scaring her off and the fillies as well. We looked up to find Rainbow Dash in her wonderbolts costume and on a dark cloud laughing.

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

"Lighten up old timer, this is the best night of the year for pranks." Dash replied.

"Look what you did to Spike." she then pointed to Spike who was coughing.

"Oh it's all in good fun, oh look, there's another group over there." Dash then flew away with the cloud.

"Don't worry, karma has a way of biting back, she'll get hers when the night is over." I said to them.

We then walked along and came across an apple bopping game, Applejack was there and in a scarecrow outfit.

"Happy nightmare night, Applejack." Twilight said.

"Howdy Spike, hey Twilight and Bond, nice costumes." Applejack complimented.

"Thanks, I'm a dragon." Spike said.

"She means us, Spike." I intervened.

"With that beard, ah reckon you're some sort of Country Music singer."

Twilight grumbled and Spike giggled.

"And Bond, ah reckon you're some sort of spy."

"Close, an undercover agent." I corrected.

"Anyways, while you here, would you three like to bop for some apples?"

I went first and grabbed an apple with my teeth, then I saw a pony rise up from the huge basin, she then accidentally pulled out a plughole and all the water drained away.

We then heard a crowd gathering outside the town hall, there was a stage set up and Mayor Mare was in a clown outfit, Spike, Twilight and I walked along and joined the crowd.

"Thank you, thank you. Welcome to the nightmare night festival." she announced.

We all cheered.

"Now, all the little ponies who have been out collecting sweets, should follow our friend, Zecora, to hear the legend of...Nightmare Moon." she then laughed in a pantomime way.

"The spooky voice might've worked better if she weren't dressed like that." Spike whispered which Twilight giggled.

Then, a green powder and dust appeared and Zecora showed up.

"Follow me and very soon, you'll hear the tail of Nightmare Moon." she said.

Suddenly, we heard thunder and clouds forming in the sky.

"Looks like we're about to find out the tale being said on our behalf." I commented.

Then in one bright light, a pony in a black cloak and covered from head to hoof appeared on a pony carriage with two guards pulling it. The pony then jumped off the carriage and flew down to the ground, landing softly. It then moved the hood off to reveal...a dark blue mare who showed off her pose with a smile. This caused the other ponies to bow and feel scared, but Twilight and I weren't intimidated.

"Princess Luna." Twilight said as she began to move forward, before Spike stopped her.

So this was Princess Luna, she's a lot bigger and dark bluer than before, I guess she was busy recovering from the nightmare moon trauma all this time. Soon her cloak turned into bats that flew away and she opened her wings and walked slowly before stopping to strike another pose.

"She may be a Princess, but she's no top model." I said quietly.

"Citizens of Ponyville!" Luna announced with a voice that was at a high volume, we all were pushed back like a strong wind. "We have graced your tiny village with our presence. So that you might behold the real Princess of the night!" she continued, "A creature of nightmares no longer, but instead, a pony who desires your love and admiration." some of the ponies began to move away from her as she carried on with her eyes closed, "Together, we shall change this dreadful celebration into a bright and glorious feast!"

Lightning struck again as she finished her speech in another pose.

"Did you hear that everypony? Nightmare Moon says she's gonna feast on us all." Pinkie said as she and the fillies screamed and ran away.

Luna then noticed and stood there surprised. "What? No children no, you no longer have reason to fear us, screams of delight is what your princess desires, not screams of terror!" she then stomped a hoof in the ground, scaring the ponies again. "Madame Mayor, thy princess of the night has arrived."

She then offered a hoof out, but the mayor was scared.

"Well, if none of you are going to do so, then allow me." I said.

I walked forward and offered my hoof out to Luna, which she accepted as we did a hoofshake. I then moved backwards slightly as she offered her hoof out to the others, but they were too scared to do so.

"Very well then, be that way, we won't even bother with the royal traditional farewell!" Luna added before she left the town.

"What was that all about? I wasn't scared." I asked on confusion

"I'm gonna go and talk to her." Twilight said before she got stopped by Spike.

"You can't talk to her, she's Nightmare Moon." Spike exclaimed.

"No she's not, Bond and I saw the Elements Of Harmony change her back to good. It seems like she's having some trouble adjusting after being gone for a thousand years."

"Agreed and I'll come with you." I added.

"Okay, let's go."

Twilight and I walked into the Everfree Forest to find Luna looking at the statue and feeling sad.

"Princess Luna?" Twilight asked which got Luna's attention. "Hi my name is..."

"Starswirl The Bearded." Luna answered cutting her off. "Commendable costume, even got the bells right."

"Thank you, finally, somepony who gets my Costume."

I then nudged Twilight as she was going a bit off topic.

"Uhh Bond and I just came to welcome you to our celebration, my real name is..."

"Twilight Sparkle...and Bond Racer."

We nodded.

"It was thou who unleashed the powers of harmony upon us and took away our dark powers!" she added whist flying and moving clouds.

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

"But of course, we could not be happier, it thou not clear?"

"Well it kinda sounds like you're yelling at us." Twilight replied.

"But this is the traditional Royal Canterlot voice, it is tradition to speak, using the royal wee and to use this much volume when addressing our subjects!"

Her volume of the voice had almost blown Twilight's hat away as she adjusted it in the correct place.

"You know, that might explain why your appearance was met with mixed results." Twilight commented, "I think if you just change your approach a bit, you might be met with a warmer reception."

"Change our approach?"

"Lower the volume we mean." I added.

"Oh, we have been locked away for a thousand years, we are not sure we can."

"Then let us help you, we'll make sure you'll fit in."

"And how will thou be doing so?"

"We can start with helping you lower your volume and I know just the pony." Twilight replied.

"Come on, let's go to Fluttershy's cottage." I added.

We walked out of the forest and over to Fluttershy's house where it looked completely dark, there were no lights on inside the house, looking at the windows.

"Don't worry Princess." Twilight assured. "Fluttershy can give you some great pointers, she's delicate and demure with the sweetest voice."

She then knocked the door.

"Go away! No Candy here! Visitors not welcome on Nightmare Night!" Fluttershy shouted from inside.

"Umm, Fluttershy, it's only us." I said.

The door opened slightly.

"It is you and Twilight." she opened a bit more "Oh and nightmare moon." she then gasped. "Nightmare moon!" before closing the door quickly.

"Uhh wait right here." Twilight then went inside her home.

"Luna, this could take a while, why I don't help you for the time being?" I asked Luna.

"We suppose that would be better, we feel that Twilight may be trying too hard."

"Alrighty, back to the town."

We walked back through the nightmare night celebration but it was the same reception as before when the ponies looked at Luna and took cover, I couldn't quite understand why they were so scared of her, even though we rescued her from the dark powers.

"It is of no use, Bond Racer." Luna said, "They have never liked us and they never shall."

"Our friend Applejack is one of the most likeable ponies around. I'm sure she'll have some ideas." I replied.

We walked on over to where Applejack was with the refilled huge basin of water with apples.

Applejack saw us and she jumped in fright too.

Great, not her as well...I thought to myself before clearing my throat, "Umm Applejack, Princess Luna is looking for a little advice on how to fit in around here."

"Fit in, really?" she asked unconvincingly.

I then showed a displeased look and she suddenly perked up.

"Ah mean uh that's easy, all ya gotta do is have the right attitude. Loosen up a bit, be positive, play some games and have some fun."

"Fun, what is this fun thou speakest of?" Luna asked.

Applejack pointed towards a bowl of plastic spiders.

"Pray tell, what purpose do these serve?"

"Try t-t-t-t-to land the s-s-spider's on the web." a pony answered for us who was shivering.

Luna picked up a spider and threw it at the web, only to miss and land just below the web.

"You can do it, Princess!" Applejack yelled.

She picked up another spider and threw it...this time it landed right in the middle of the web.

"It's a bullseye!" I shouted.

Luna gasped in delight, "Your Princess enjoys this...fun. In what other ways may we experience this?"

"There's a game where we aim and throw a pumpkin at the target." Applejack answered.

"Show us."

We walked over towards the pumpkins, I saw Twilight coming towards us.

"Any luck, Twilight?" I asked.

"I tried and tried, so I had to leave it be. I'm gonna lecture her tomorrow." Twilight answered. "What about Princess Luna?"

"I think we're making good progress." I answered confidently.

"Fire away, Princess." Applejack said.

Luna then placed a pumpkin on a catapult, before putting the weight down and letting go to fly the pumpkin which splattered on the target on the other side.

"It's a bullseye!" I yelled.

"Ha-hah! The fun has been doubled!" Luna exclaimed in delight.

Soon, the ponies who must've been following us cheered.

"Why don't ya try bopping for apples? We've got the best apples in Equestria, Princess."

"I ask that thou call us...me, Luna, fair Applejack. Hear me, villagers, all of you. Call me Luna!" she announced.

The ponies smiled and made positive comments and whispers.

"Show me to the bopping apples." Luna requested and the three of us followed back to the basin.

We saw Pipsqueak who just about fell into the basin. Luna rushed over to fish him out and save him.

"Hey you three." Pinkie said from behind us "Have you seen Pip? We lost him the last time we had to-" she stopped and squawked at seeing Pip being held by Luna's teeth.

"Oh great, she's gonna mess this up, isn't she?" I asked to nopony in particular.

"Nightmare Moon is gobbling Pipsqueak! EVERYPONY RUN!" Pinkie shouted.

The fillies screamed and ran away, Pipsqueak also ran away.

"Help, my backside has been gobbled!" he said, running away.

"Tis a lie!" Luna protested. "Thy backside is whole and ungobbled thou ungrateful whelp!" she stamped her hoof and thunder struck.

The older ponies began to feel scared again as they moved away,

Luna then tought of her actions and changed her mood, "Fair villagers, please do not back away. Let us join together in...fun."

She threw a spider at them, but they couldn't seem to make what she was trying to prove.

I facehoofed thinking that this is not going to end well.

"Not enough fun for you?" Luna asked, raising an eyebrow. "What's say you took this!"

She then used her magic to turn the plastic spider...into a REAL spider!

"A real spider...where's the BFG 9000 when you need it?!" I said randomly.

More spiders were then turned into real ones and the ponies all screamed in terror.

"Huzzah!" Luna exclaimed. "How many points do I receive?"

The ponies continued to scream whilst Twilight, Applejack and myself all watched in horror.

"Do not run away." she ordered, but they didn't listen. "As your princess, we command you."

There was still no response as the whole town was scared and several things were being knocked over.

"BE STILL!" Luna shouted in her royal Canterlot voice.

Soon, everypony stopped and they laid down and began to feel frightened even more.

"Princess, remember. Watch the screaming." Twilight said.

"No Twilight Sparkle, we must use the traditional royal Canterlot voice, for what are we about to say." she then turned to the other ponies. "Since you choose to fear your princess, rather than love her and dishonour her with this insulting celebration, we decree that nightmare night shall be cancelled...FOREVER!"

Luna then flew away to across the bridge, sulking.

"Shoot, we had everything going our way. Luna was happy, everypony in town was happy."

"Yeah and then Pinkie had to come along and screw it up...again!" I said with a hint of anger.

"Calm down, Bond...and now look at them." she added as we saw the fillies looking upset.

"It's not over yet." Twilight declared.

"What are ya gonna do?" Applejack asked.

"I'm gonna do what I do best, lecture her!"

She then galloped off to find Luna.

"Whilst she's doing that, I'm going to find Pinkie who seems to be the one causing trouble around here." I said to Applejack.

"Need help, sugarcube?" she asked.

"I should be fine, I'll just lay some candy down like a footpath and then I'll capture her and tell her to stop."

I then went into an alleyway and laid out the trap. Soon Pinkie came along and ate each candy like a chicken. She was right where I wanted her, I swooped down and grabbed her...she let out a scream, but I placed my hoof in her mouth.

"No! No shrieking! No squealing or screaming either! Okay?!" I asked her in a demanding way.

She replied okay despite my hoof in her mouth.

"I need to tell you this right now, she is NOT...I repeat NOT Nightmare Moon, she is Princess Luna, we restored her to good with the elements of harmony, she's changed and she definitely does not want to gobble you up!" I exclaimed.

"Well duh." Pinkie replied.

"Huh?"

"I know that, geez Bond, I'm almost as big as her, how would she gobble me up?"

By then, Twilight and Luna showed up, hearing the conversation.

"So why do you keep running away and screaming?"

"Sometimes, it's just really fun to be scared."

"Fun?" Twilight asked as she went into a thought, before gasping with an idea. "Pinkie Pie, you're a genius!"

"No I'm not, I'm a chicken." she squawked again.

"Princess Luna! We've finally figured out why you're having so much trouble being liked!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Forgive me if I withhold my enthusiasm." She responded.

"Come with me. I'll explain everything on the way."

"What can I do?" I asked her.

"See if you can get the fillies to the statue of Nightmare Moon."

"I'll do my best."

I then walked around town and asking them to follow me to the Everfree Forest and asking them to bring the candies to the statue. The plan seemed to be working as the fillies were piling the candy by the statue, Pipsqueak was the last one to dump his candy into the pile.

"Goodbye nightmare night...forever." he said depressingly.

Twilight and I waited until the winds blew angrily and Nightmare moon suddenly appeared.

"Citizens of Ponyville!" We heard in a booming voice. "You were wise to bring these candies to me. I am pleased with your offering. So pleased that I may just eat it... instead of eating you!" Nightmare Moon's statue came alive and immediately scared all the ponies. They ran, screaming, while I remained there. The statue transformed into Princess Luna, surprising me. Princess Luna removed the fangs from her teeth as Twilight came out from the bushes.

"I am not certain that did what you meant for it to do, Twilight Sparkle." Princess Luna announced with uncertainty.

"Just wait." Twilight replied, confidently.

"For what?" Princess Luna questioned as she jumped off of the platform. "For... for them to scream some more?"

Pipsqueak had come by and tugged at Princess Luna's hair. "Um... Princess Luna." She turned her head to face him. "I know there's not gonna be any more Nightmare Night, but do you suppose maybe you could come back next year and scare us again anyway?"

She turned her head to see the other fillies hiding behind the bush, but also listening to hear her decision. "Child. Art thou saying that thou... likest me to scare you?"

"It's really fun! Scary, but fun."

"It... is?" Princess Luna questioned, surprised.

"Yeah! Nightmare Night is my favourite night of the year!"

"Well then." Princess Luna replied, bringing a smile to her face. "We shall have to bring…" She began speaking in a booming voice, once again. "…Nightmare Night back!"

"Whoa!" Pipsqueak exclaimed as he was pushed back by the voice of the Princess. "You're my favourite princess ever!" He quickly bowed below her and fled back to his friends. "She said yes, guys!"

"YAY!" The children yelled, bringing a smile to my face as well.

"See?" Twilight asked. "They really do like you, princess."

"Can it be true?" She rose up her hooves and shouted. "Oh, most wonderful of...!" She lowered herself and realized she had been yelling again. "I mean... Oh, most wonderful of nights."

We saw Princess Luna enjoying herself as well. The children even returned to her to give her more candy, which I could tell made Luna feel a lot better and a part of something so inspiring and heart-warming. Princess Luna especially continued to frighten ponies in good fun. One pony, who was dressed as a mouse, was about to bob for an apple when Princess Luna suddenly emerged from the water and scared her. The pony jumped back in fear, but once she saw Princess Luna eating an apple as she hung her hooves over the tub, they all shared a laugh.

Luna, Spike, Twilight and myself were at the statue again where Twilight was about to write what she learned. "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 me that one of the best things you can do with friendship is to give it to others and help them find it themselves. I am 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. And even if my Star Swirl the Bearded costume didn't go over, this still turned out to be the best Nightmare Night ever." Twilight picked up a candy corn, from the pile of candy near Spike, with her magic and ate it.

Suddenly, we heard electricity crackle and looked above us to see Rainbow Dash screaming and flying away rapidly. Princess Luna had descended to us as she lay on a dark cloud. She winked at us as she smiled. Then, she began laughing which eventually led us to join her.

"Well, I suppose I should be leaving now." Princess Luna stated as she began preparing herself for her departure.

"You really need to come to Ponyville more often, Luna…" I announced.

"Indeed." She agreed. "You really showed me how I have friends, and I will be looking forward to the next time I come back. Until then… I shall say farewell." She waved to all of us. "Goodnight and have a happy Nightmare Night."

"Right back at you, Princess." Twilight replied and giggled.

The Princess smiled and began departing back to Canterlot as we waved goodbye.

"Well, I should get back home and into bed, I should go and see Rarity tomorrow, see if she has recovered from all of today." I said to Twilight.

"Good idea, Bond, have a good night." Twilight replied as she picked up Spike who seemed to have fallen asleep.

"Same to you."

I trotted back to the town and into my house. I then took off my outfit and hanged it up, ready for when I could, I would bring it over so that Rarity could have it returned and washed. Getting into bed, I gathered my thoughts about the evening. It was a great night and I did have some fun on Nightmare Night, despite Pinkie nearly screwing it up twice. It seems Princess Luna is now welcomed as a friend in Ponyville and I believe it should be that way, since I am an alicorn myself. Next Chapter: Sisterhooves Social Estimated time remaining: 22 Hours, 16 Minutes