The past few weeks have been tiering after Faust returned I was bombarded with thankyou's left and right from the royal siblings and it continued throughout the week. I wasn't left alone for a minute not even in the bathroom it got so bad I had to call in Faust to make them stop now I was resting in my bed. But, I suddenly opened my eyes with a start I was drenched in sweat and was breathing hard after a frightful nightmare. Once I got my breathing under control I turned my head to see a sleeping Luna with a peaceful smile on her face. I smiled at the midnight blue alicorn before I got out of bed and let Dust out and stood on the balcony and let the warm autumn breeze blow into my face and calm my nerves. I looked at Ponyville and saw decorations being put up when I got a good look a smile crept its way onto my face. I walked back inside and sat on Luna's side of the bed and gently shook her resulting Luna to let out a growl.

"There had better be a good excuse to wake me up this early," Luna grumbled as she pulled the blanket over her head.

"Oh course it's nightmare night tonight but I don't mind Dream Catcher taking over your roll as Nightmare Moon tonight," I said with a smile but Luna gave out a tired uh huh.

I gave a shrug before I got off the bed and walked over to the closet and picked out some clothes and walked over to the bathroom. I was about to turn the handle on the door when the bed sheets from the bed we're thrown off and Luna shot up and looked at me.

"Nightmare Night is tonight and you dare say my sister will take over my duties as Nightmare Moon," Luna said angrily as she stomped her way over to me.

"I thought you didn't want to be Nightmare Moon anymore," I teased.

"You know what I mean!" Luna shouted.

"Ok, ok I'm sorry," I said as I held up my hands defensively remembering enough stories from Shining about upsetting a pregnant alicorn.

"So you’re having the first shower?" Luna guessed.

"Well yeah," I said.

"Have you ever heard of mares first?" Luna asked.

"Well you can go first I just thought you'd want to see the smile on Pip's face," I said.

"What?" Luna asked.

"Well you can have the first shower if you wish but since this is Pip's favourite holiday and it will be his first with us I thought you'd might want to tell him the good news. Plus you get the first pick of breakfast either way it's a win, win here but I'll let you choose," I said

"Very well I'll inform Pip and you can have a shower," Luna said as she left.

I was walking through Ponyville on my way to see a certain fashionista about a costume and I saw Pinkie and Rainbow looking at places and talking to each other.

"Hey you two what's up?" I asked.

"Hey Ash we're discussing on where we can lay some hidden pranks," Pinkie said.

"Pinkie that's supposed to be a secret," Rainbow snapped.

"Oops," Pinkie said.

"Don't worry you two I won't say anything ok just make sure Luna isn't caught in it alright also pray it's not Spitfire either otherwise I can't help you," I said.

"Noted oh Ash are you going to tell that story you know the one you promised to tell tonight while we were heading to the knight's tomb?" Rainbow asked causing me to lift a finger to my chin in thought.

Flashback

I was sitting by the fire in the tomb with the others Rainbow had just finished telling a story about some old pony with a rusty horseshoe but I couldn't help but let out a yawn when she finished.

"Was that a yawn I just saw?" Rainbow asked giving me a glare.

"Sorry Skittles but that story was so boring I think you killed my boredom with boredom," I said lounging backwards against my seat and closed my eyes.

"I found it terrifying," Fluttershy squeaked.

"Alright Ash you tell us one then," Twilight said causing me to open my eyes.

"Wait me tell a ghost story?" I asked while pointing to myself.

"Come now Ash surely you must at least know one ghost story," Rarity said.

"I do have a story but it's not exactly a story for tonight," I said while resting my hands behind my head.

"Why not?" Rainbow asked.

"Well for starters it's more of a story told on Halloween or in this case Nightmare Night and it's by far one of the most famous ghost stories from my planet," I said.

"Hey Ash are you talking about?" Rage asked before he drummed his fingers against his seat which I nodded before he cracked a smile.

"Alright then next Nightmare Night you tell the story I don't care how scary it is," Rainbow said.

"Fine I promise," I said.

"Hey Ash I never got to ask but how was it with Luna was she inexperienced?" Celestia asked with a shit eating grin.

End of Flashback

"Aw yeah I did promise that anyway I'd better go get myself set up for when the party begins but first I need to see Rarity so I'll see you both later," I said as I waved to the pair and walked off to Rarity's.

I was standing in front of a mirror I was wearing black pants and shoes with a white long sleeve shirt and an over lapped black vest with silver buttons. I put on a black cape and top hat and gave myself a once over in the mirror. I smiled at the outcome before I grabbed a cane stick and whistled for Dust and the crow flew onto my right shoulder.

"Shall we go Dust we're late enough already," I said.

Dust gave me a squawk before I walked out the door and walked down the stairs to the entrance hall where I saw Luna fiddling with Pips eye patch he was dressing up as a pirate again this year and Luna was going to put on her Nightmare Moon outfit later at the candy offering.

“How do I look?” I asked causing the pairs head’s to snap in my direction.

“Wow dad you sure look fancy,” Pip said.

“Beloved who are you supposed to be?” Luna asked.

“I’ll tell you when we meet up with the others but for now I’ll give you my name Jack the Ripper at your service,” I said as I held my arms out and gave a small bow.

Luna gave a small giggle before I took her hand and we walked out the door we gave the maids and the immortals the night off to enjoy themselves and Luna cast a spell on the door to provide any trick or treaters candy when they come knocking. We kept walking till we reached the games area of the festival and I saw everyone was here even the royals and all in a costume.

I saw Twilight in a warrior outfit and Comet was in a super hero costume AJ was wearing a lion outfit and Caramel was a zombie Rarity was a mermaid while Thunderlane was a rock star. Then there was Rainbow in an astronaut outfit and Soarin as a Shadowbolt I then saw Pinkie Pie in an 80’s roller mare outfit and Pierce came dressed as a ninja. I also saw Mac dressed as mummy and surprisingly standing next to him was Fluttershy wearing a black dress. I also saw Spike in a double headed costume and Nocturnal Shadow in a black cat costume Trixie was in a necromancer costume and Gilda in dark clothing and black face paint all over her face. Spitfire and Fleetfoot were also there wearing Shadowbolt outfits and Apple Bloom was dressed as a platypus. Scootaloo was a Wonderbolt and Sweetie Belle was in an old fashioned Prench costume like the ones in the French revolution while Rumble came as a cyborg. Faust was dressed as the Mysterious Mare Do Well which showed her form had completely filled out since she returned Chrysalis came dressed as her changeling self and Celestia wore a gypsy outfit and Rage and Eris wore a demon and angel costume. Then there was Discord who wore a voodoo witch doctor costume complete with top hat and skull face paint. I then saw Shining Armour in a demon outfit and Cadence dressed up in a leather corset and horns and webbed wings my guess she was going as a succubus and in her arms was Crystal Bright also dressed up as a demon. Dream Catcher was also there but like Luna she wasn’t going to get dressed up yet until the offering but they all seem to be having a good time.

"It appears we're a few short at the moment has anyone seen them?" Discord asked as he held his talon above his eyes and looked around.

"Art thou talking about us Discord?" I asked in an old British accent.

The group turned to me and smiled.

"You're late you lot," Rage said causing me to pull out a pocket watch and open it to look at the time.

"Fashionably," I said before I closed the pocket watch and put it away.

So what are you supposed to be some prissy noble?" Gilda asked as she flew up to me.

I gave Gilda a dark smile before I rested my right hand on the cane's head and faster than she could react I pulled out a blade from the cane and held it at Gilda's throat.

"Actually Gilda I'm going as a serial killer known as Jack the Ripper his targets were mainly females but after he killed them he pulled out their organs and sent them to the police as a way to taught them. The man was a ghost no one saw him when he killed and the reason why he's so infamous is because he was never caught not even by the best police force could catch a glimpse of the guy. Now old Jack is long dead but people say his ghost still haunts London streets looking for his next victim," I said.

"Noted," Gilda said fearfully before I sheathed the blunt metal blade in the cane.

"So if I may ask Gilda what's your costume?" I asked.

"I'm going as a shadow vigilante," Gilda said proudly.

"Guess they're your idols," I chuckled

"I must say I was a bit disgusted when you first told me the origins of your costume but it came out rather nice did it not?" Rarity asked.

"You did an amazing job Rarity now tell me Faust how is your first Nightmare Night so far?" I asked resting my hands on my cane.

"It's wonderful much better to actually be here in pony," Faust said.

"Well this night hasn't even gotten to the fun part speaking of which we should head over to the stage I think I'm on soon," I said.

"Oooo are you going to play that song like you did last year?" Pinkie asked.

"Sort of only different song same artist," I said before I walked over to the stage I climbed up on the side and saw a pair of musicians working on their songs. "Sup you two."

"Ash nice to see you man," Vinyl said she was wearing a vampire costume complete with fangs and red contact lenses.

"What brings you on stage," Octavia asked wearing a phantom of the opera costume.

"Oh I'm playing a song from my world and doing a little performance," I said before I selected a song on my IPod and handed it to Vinyl. "Oh and Octavia can you also take care of this and Dust while I'm out there?" I asked as I held out my cane to Octavia.

"Yes I can do that?" Octavia said before she took the cane and Dust flew onto her shoulder.

"Great oh Vinyl I forgot to ask but how's your cousin Wooden Toaster? He mentioned he was putting a song together for tonight," I said.

"He's doing good and I have the song with me tonight," Vinyl said.

I gave a nod to Vinyl before I turned my attention over to Mayor Mare who was dressed as a judge.

"Thank you everypony and I'd like to thank each and every one of you for coming out tonight on this tremendous celebration and to welcome our newly returned Queen Faust to our little town," Mayor Mare said causing the audience to cheer. "And again for tonight Ash Blade has offered to come up on stage to kick off the celebration," Mayor Mare said as she gestured to me I then walked out and waved to the cheering audience.

"Thank you madam mayor now this a special night for everypony here and I have quite a treat for you all but first, I'm going to need a little help," I said before I snapped my fingers and the song began to play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIx_HbmRnQY

All of a sudden coffins burst out of the ground in front of the stage causing the audience to jump back in surprise after some silence the coffin lids slowly slid open and decomposing hands pushed the lids open the rest of the way. Figures stepped out of the shadowed interior of the coffin revealing the rotting corpses several more hands popped out of the ground and zombies crawled out of their holes and lined up in front of the stage and the coffins disappeared into the ground. Ghosts materialised next to me and all kinds of monsters and ghouls appeared on the rooftops before we all began to dance. Many in the audience knew of my little act and enjoyed the dancing monsters while others were scared out of their minds. As the song ended the monsters and ghosts vanished into dust and the audience applauded before I took my hat off and swept it under me as I gave a bow. I then walked over to the side of the stage and retrieved my IPod, cane and Dust from both Vinyl and Octavia and both were amazed at how awesome the performance was before Vinyl played a song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ4GbrenPwk

I bounced my head in time with the beat and gave Vinyl a pat on the shoulder before I walked off the stage and over to the group.

"Well I have to say I'd never thought you'd be one for waking up the dead," Shining said in an amused manner.

"Basic holograms that any unicorn can conjure up actually," I said.

"Holograms nice touch," Faust praised.

"That was sensaaaational."

I turned around and I was met with a flashy pony dressed in a mummy costume with Egyptian jewellery she had a cream coat and blue mane and tail and golden eyes.

"Sapphire I'm so glad you decided to join us," Rarity said as she greeting the new pony.

"Good evening Miss Rarity thank you so much for giving me a call that song made me missing my hair appointment all worth it," the pony said.

"Excuse me but I don't believe you've introduced us Rarity," I said.

"Oh where are my manners Ash and everyone who doesn't know her this is Sapphire Shores the pony of pop music," Rarity said.

"And you’re the fabled knight of Equestria Ash Blade I gotta say you have quite the taste in music who was that?" Sapphire asked.

"Michael Jackson king of pop in my world," I said.

"Damn if we were able to talk maybe we could make some sweet music together," Sapphire said.

"If only that was possible," I said.

"How come Ash," Rarity asked.

"Because Michael Jackson died a while ago and his death triggered a worldwide time of grief and mourning," I said.

"He was that famous?" Rainbow asked shocked.

"He still is no one can come close to his talent so he died with his title he had a good heart and cared a lot about the everyday life that surrounded him even wrote songs about it," I said.

"Now that sounds like something I need to hear," Sapphire said.

"Well next time we get to talk I'll show you every Michael Jackson song I have but right now I'm afraid I must be going I have a bit of a schedule to keep that must be done before the candy offering," I said.

"What do you mean Ash?" Chrysalis asked.

"I made you all a promise to tell a ghost story from my world when we were at the tomb so you'll have to excuse me oh and Sapphire if you’re up to it your more than welcome to join in," I said.

"I'd like to see what it is you've got cooking up hon count me in," Sapphire said with a spin at the end.

"Great," I said.

"When will we know when you’re ready," Rage asked.

"Don't worry you'll know," I said with a smile before my body clothes and cane turned into bugs causing the group to shriek and back away before the bugs scattered with Dust flying away.

"Now that's how you bug out," Rage said with a laugh while some in the group just face palmed. "What?"

Third Person P.O.V.

The festival continued into the night till Mayor Mare stepped up on stage once more and announced it was time for the candy offering. Zecora also appeared out of a blast of green smoke on stage wearing her evil enchantress costume like last year. She then led the children into the Everfree to offer their candy to the statue of Nightmare Moon but when they finished the statue came to life.

"CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE YOU WHERE 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!" Nightmare Moon shouted.

"Look out Nightmare Moon has eaten a foal because they didn't give her their candy run for it," Pinkie shouted as she pointed to Nightmare's swollen stomach.

The foals screamed in fear before they ran only to run into another Nightmare Moon.

"And just where do you all think you’re going?" The second Nightmare Moon asked.

"There are two now everypony hide!" Pinkie cried and all the foals scattered into some bushes to hide while the adults chuckled.

The CMC were cowering up against a tree in perfect view of the twin Nightmare's.

"It appears there are a couple of foals still here," the Nightmare Moon on the alter said.

"Indeed and they do look tasty," Nightmare said.

"B...But we gave you our candy," Rumble said in a scared voice.

"Yes but not enough for the both of us," the Nightmare Moon on the alter said before she got off said alter and walked towards the terrified foals.

"So I suppose we'll have to settle for you," the other Nightmare Moon said.

The foals cowered as the Nightmare Moons stepped closer the Nightmare Moon from the alter picked up the trembling Pipsqueak with her magic and licked her lips. Pip looked away but instead of teeth he was greeted by a kiss on his cheek.

“Ew mom,” Pip whined as he whipped off the kiss while the Nightmare Moons laughed and turned back into Luna and Dream Catcher.

Suddenly a flash of lightning and thunder went off causing all eyes to turn to the sky as lightning bolt then struck the ground in front of some trees and the trees began to move to the side creating a pathway. Two poles rose up and out of the ground and the tops lit up with fire and a gust of wind blew through the clearing and in a faint whisper from the wind said 'This way'.

"I think that's Ash telling us he's ready," Rage said.

"Well then let's not keep him waiting," Discord said before the group walked through the path of trees and as the group walked the forest came alive with music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOtEdhKOMgQ

The group soon walked into a graveyard and suddenly, shadows danced on the trees and tombstones and sang along with the ghosts that flew through the air jack o lanterns rolled along the group’s path as they sang. The monsters lead the group through the graveyard before they came to an old house in ruins and a tree was growing out of it the group walked inside and saw a monster under the bed and underneath the stairs. The group left the house to see what appeared to be the ruins of a town as the group walked towards the town more and more monsters appeared like a clown that ripped off its own face before it disappeared in a cloud of smoke. A strong wind suddenly blew through the abandoned town that also sang. When the group recovered from the wind they saw a shadow that looked like Nightmare Moon who also appeared to be singing before it turned into a swarm of bats. The group continued their walk the foals staying close to their parents and jumping slightly when a guillotine cut a pumpkin in two. As the group passed a scarecrow the scarecrow came alive and touched Rarity making her scream and jump in fright before the scarecrow grabbed a flaming torch and swallowed the flame causing the scarecrow to burn and dance around. All the monsters gathered around and watched the scarecrow dance and breathe out fire causing the foals to move back and watch in amazement. The scarecrow then leapt into the air and into a fire pit making fire explode from it suddenly a shadow walked out of the fire and once it stepped out of the fire pit the flames that clung to the spectre melted off revealing Ash. Dust then circled the air before he landed on Ash’s shoulder the monsters let out an applause along with the group and Ash tipped his hat to everyone.

"I must thank you all for coming on such short notice please have a seat and we can begin," Ash said as he walked over to one of the many log benches that surrounded the fire pit and sat down.

"Those monsters won't hurt us will they?" Scootaloo asked nervously pointing at the monsters hiding in the shadows.

"Have no fear Scootaloo they're only here for a little entertainment like the rest of you," Ash said as he petted Dust.

The group nodded before they all sat down on the log benches.

"Is everyone comfortable?" Ash asked receiving nods from the group. "Alright then now this story has been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years and has scared many a human over its time prepare for a scare as I tell you The Legend of Sleepy Hollow!" Suddenly lightning flashed overhead along with thunder causing the fouls to huddle against their parents and scream. "RD what the hay was that for?" Ash asked as he looked at a thundercloud looming overhead.

"What I'm just trying to set the mood," Rainbow said peering out from behind the cloud.

"First off I'm not even at the scary part secondly I've already got that covered thanks now if your done please sit down and let me tell the story like I have planned," I said before Rainbow did as instructed and flew down and sat in-between Gilda and Soarin and crossed her arms over her bust with a pouting look on her face. "I swear RD you cause more trouble on this night then the CMC does in a year," Ash said earning snickers from the group while the CMC and Rainbow had embarrassed blushes on their faces. ”Now that everyone's settled our story begins in a small town similar to Ponyville that goes by the name of Sleepy Hollow. The day started out like any other day the only difference was that that day marked the arrival of a man he was tall and lanky but handsome by human standards and could easily be mistaken for a scarecrow in a field,” Ash said as a figure made of fire stepped out of the pit who matched the description in the story the audience gasped at the magic as they watched the burning figure walk around the abandoned town square. As Ash continued his story more and more figures appeared like the man giving the group a view of what happened in the story. "The man's name was Ichabod Crane now Crane was nothing like the big burly men that lived in the town Ichabod preferred knowledge then fighting or hunting the women of the town all took notice of Ichabod earning him the jealousy of all the other men in the town. But Ichabod only had eyes for one girl and her name was Katrina Van Tassel the most beautiful woman in Sleepy Hollow. But there was a problem Katrina was engaged to Ichabod's greatest enemy Brom Bones Brom was considered the town strong man and hero but despite all the awards and praises from the town Katrina was falling for the lanky schoolmaster which angered Brom to no end. Brom wanted nothing more than to be rid of Ichabod forever and on the night of Halloween or Nightmare Night as it's called here Brom found his chance to be rid of Ichabod. The schoolmaster had been invited to attend a special party and it is there Brom found out that Ichabod is highly superstitious Brom decided to tell a story to scare Ichabod so badly he would leave Sleepy Hollow for good. With his mind set Brom walked into the centre of the party to tell his tale."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRU_vH4Kk2g

The children began to grow board with the story but when the song began to play and audience became enthralled and the very forest itself sang along. Ash then picked up a jack o' lantern and it lit up on its own as the fire in the pit dimmed.

"After the party ended Ichabod rode home but the problem was the only way home was through the very woods Brom mentioned the horseman haunted and as Ichabod rode his horse through the woods but his head would not put to rest the story he heard that night. Suddenly, fog crawled in through the trees and the air began to get colder and the moon was soon hidden behind the clouds darkening Ichabod's path. Ichabod soon got the feeling he wasn't alone in the eerie woods anymore so he tried whistling a tune to calm his nerves but the sound only echoed through the haunting trees and the wind suddenly picked up making a lonely pained filled howl making Ichabod's blood run cold. Ash said as the sound of someone whistling and the wind howling rang through the trees causing some in the group shiver. The moon soon repapered from behind its cover allowing Ichabod to see once more. Suddenly, a tingling sensation tickled the hairs on the back of the schoolmasters neck and a shadow appeared over Ichabod and a spectral evil laugh echoed through the woods," Ash said before an evil laugh rang out from the woods the foals gripped their parents for dear life. Ash could see his friends were freaking out even fear was beginning to grip Rainbow and Gilda. "Fear washed over Ichabod's face like a mass flood his face began to pale and ever so slowly Ichabod turned around only to regret what he saw. There up on a hill silhouetted by the moon was a figure on a rearing horse and in the figure's hand was a sword with a red hot blade and resting on the shoulders of the figure was a flaming jack o' lantern. Ichabod knew then and there he had come to face...THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN!” Thunder boomed above Ash before he continued the tale. "Ichabod immediately returned his sight to the road ahead of him and sent his horse into a gallop but the horseman was not about to let his prey escape the houseman let out a guttural cry before he snapped at the reigns of his horse. Sparks flew from the hooves of the rider’s unholy steed as he chased Ichabod through the trees the horseman's horse was larger and faster than Ichabod's but thanks to the size difference Ichabod was able to slip through narrow areas in the trees forcing the horseman to take an alternate path. Ichabod hoped and prayed for a miracle to save him from the terrifying rider and as if his prayer had been answered Ichabod saw the bridge that leads out of the hollow and remembered Brom's warning about the demonic spirit not being cross the bridge. Ichabod spurred his horse to go faster and when Ichabod looked behind him he saw the horseman preparing to take a swing at Ichabod with his sword. Fortunately Ichabod ducked just in time to avoid the burning blade and the sword simply took off a few hairs instead of Ichabod's head and as the two riders continued their race to the bridge Ichabod continued to try and dodge the horseman’s deadly blade. As the pair reached the bridge the horseman stopped and Ichabod rode over the bridge only when Ichabod reached the other side of the bridge did he stop to look back at the horseman who let out a cry of anger allowing Ichabod to let out a sigh of relief for his escape. But the horseman wasn't done yet he reached for the jack o' lantern on his shoulders and pulled it off revealing the horseman's stump of a neck. The horseman let out one final cry before he threw the fiery pumpkin at Ichabod," As the group was distracted by the flaming figures Ash threw the jack o' lantern he was holding into the fire pit reigniting it and causing a boom startling the audience and causing smoke to creep along the ground. "The town's people of Sleepy Hollow were awoken to the sound of an explosion and the cries of a horse when they looked outside their homes they only saw Ichabod's horse galloping through the streets it's saddle burning slightly and in tatters. Everyone raced to the bridge to investigate what happened only to find a smashed pumpkin and Ichabod's hat," Ash said causing the groups eyes to grow with fear. "After the incident life went back to normal a new schoolmaster came and Katrina married Brom but nobody to this day knows what happened to the poor schoolmaster. Some say he escaped the horseman and left never to return again others say it was Brom who chased Ichabod out of town but most know the truth. Ichabod Crane had become another victim of the HEADLESS HORSEMAN! Ash shouted causing many in the group to gasp or scream in fear.

"Great story Ash also nice touches with those flaming figures along with the music and sound effects," Twilight said.

"Yeah only I wasn't scared though you'll need to try harder hen that," Rainbow said sounding tough.

"Agreed don't get me wrong it was scary but not scary enough to scare me," Gilda said.

"If you say so but I have to ask why were you shaking like leaves during the running through the leaves?" Ash asked.

"It...it's cold out here," Rainbow defended rubbing her arms to keep warm.

"Y...yeah we just got a chill that's all," Gilda said.

"And yet you both have coats of fur and your also wearing clothing. Yet I'm not the one wearing a coat of fur and I'm not complaining," I said causing Rainbow and Gilda to pout and look away while the group laughed.

"Excuse me mister Ash but how did the horseman become headless?," A colt asked.

"Well I could tell you if you feel you’re up for more of a scare," Ash said causing many in the group to nod. "Alright then first you need to know nobody really knows how the headless horseman became headless but this is one of the most popular theories. We need to go further back in time when the land where Sleepy Hollow stands was engulfed in war and chaos," Ash said as more burning figures appeared "The British came to the lands seeking to build new settlements and homes but after having enough of being pushed around the settlers of the new land decided to start a revolution and take the land for themselves. Obviously the British were furious at the revolution and decided to call in support to get the settlers back under their rule by calling in German mercenaries called hessians. The horseman was also one of these hessians but he was different because unlike his compatriots who came for the love of gold and fame the horseman came for the love of carnage and bloodshed when battle joined on the fields he would be there. He was infamous for riding his horse hard into battle cutting off heads left and right whether it be the settlers or British he had no loyalty to anyone but himself. He rode on a giant black steed and his teeth were filed down to sharp points to add to his demonic appearance not even the civilians of towns were spared from this rider if he hadn't had his fill of death in battle he would attack innocents,” Ash said as a flaming figure on horseback appeared and started cutting off the heads of other flaming figures foals hid from the flaming spectre and the adults watched in fear. "The horseman's trail of blood ended one day in the woods near Sleepy Hollow a cannonball ripped the horseman's head clean off his shoulders and the horse took several bullets before it died. Neither the settlers or British dared to touch the horseman's and horse's body and left it to rot and as the years went on a tree grew where the horseman's body lay and a small wild pumpkin patch grew close to it. But not once did the tree have a single essence of life on it no leaves grew on its branches and no insect dared touch its bark for you see the tree was made of pure evil. Now the thing about this tree is that the horseman can use it to return to the world as a headless spectre seeking heads to replace the one he lost,” Ash said.

"Oh Pulease that story is so lame none of that is actually possible," Diamond Tiara said trying to hide her fear.

"Hey don't say that my dad's story was awesome," Pip said in anger.

"It's alright Pip if she doesn't want to believe it then fine not our problem ok the only opinion that matters is yours," Ash said rubbing Pip’s head.

"Hey Ash you said the horseman had a jack o' lantern as a head where did he get it?" Applejack asked.

"I mentioned wild pumpkins grew around his tree so he must have carved one somehow when he rides so he can see where he was going," Ash explained.

"That makes sense," Applejack said

"Hey Ash you said the horseman's tree was black and dead right?" Rainbow asked.

"Yeah why?" Ash asked.

"Well that tree over there is both black and dead and if you listen there aren't even any crickets chirping around here," Rainbow said pointing at something.

Ash looked in the direction the finger was pointing and saw the tree she was talking about and it was the same as the one in the story Ash stood still and listened to the sound of nothing.

"Well I'll be damned your right," Ash said.

"Pfft big deal besides the so called headless horseman is on the knights crappy world also who said that the horseman will want a pony's head," Diamond Tiara said.

"Funny thing about ghosts and spirits Diamond Tiara is that they can appear in any world and the only way for the horseman to appear is if his tree is in that world and the clock strikes midnight. Also if you were listening the horseman doesn't care what the head looks like just as long as he has one so he could come for mine or yours," Ash said pointing himself then at Diamond Tiara.

"Yeah right as if I'll...," Diamond Tiara was cut off as the bell from Ponyville clock tower struck midnight and a whinny from a horse echoed through the trees.

"Ok very funny RD as if we weren't scared enough," Twilight said as she rolled her eyes.

"But I didn't do anything this time," Rainbow defended.

"She's telling the truth Twi," Applejack said.

"Alright then Pinkie it must have been you," Twilight said.

"Not me Twi," Pinkie said.

"Discord?" Twilight asked in slightly scared tone but Discord just shook his head. "What about you Ash?"

"Twi do I look like a horse?" Ash asked before the whinny rang out again only louder this time.

The group turned their attention to the source of the whinny which happened to be the tree and hoof beats could be heard coming from it as well suddenly a hole in the tree opened up and a giant black steed with blood red eyes and let out a snort of fire leapt out of the hole. The figure on the horse's back was tall and wore old brown armour and a black cape that was ripped and had holes in it and carried a sword with a red hot blade. But, the main focus on the rider was the lack of its head.

"IT'S THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN!" Diamond Tiara, Rainbow and Gilda screamed in sync.

The figure then climbed off the horse and walked over to a pumpkin growing out of the ground and picked it up before the pumpkin spun around in mid-air and bits of pumpkin flew off the pumpkin. The pumpkin suddenly stopped spinning revealing a skull face on it and the horseman then put the pumpkin on its shoulders and the pumpkin lit up with fire before he let out an evil laugh.

"Go all of you I'll buy you some time," Ash said.

"Are you nuts?" Caramel asked.

"Faced worse," Ash said before he pulled the sword out of his cane and charged at the horseman.

The horseman did the same and the two locked blows sending sparks across the clearing.

"GO NOW!" Ash shouted causing the group to run.

The group ran through the trees the foals let out screams of the horseman as they ran and they did not stop running till they reached the bridge that crossed over into Ponyville.

"I'm going to go help Ash," Shining said.

Before anyone could stop him Shining then ran across the bridge before anyone could do anything and ran till he was in-between Ponyville and the Everfree. Shining then stopped to catch his breath before continued his run to help his friend.

“AAAAAHHHHHHH!” a familiar sounding scream echoed from the forest startling Shining and filled him with dread.

Before he went to run again something caught Shining’s eye he looked at the object to see it was a light flickering in the pitch black entrance of the Everfree and it was growing. As the light got bigger he saw it was a face made of fire and as the light exited the shadows of the trees it revealed the headless horseman on its steed and a bloodied and red hot edged sword in hand. Shining looked at the horseman in fear before his face turned to one of courage.

"Where's Ash horseman?!" Shining demanded.

The horsemen responded by reaching behind it's back and pull out a sack the same size as a head dripping with red liquid Shining stared in horror before the horseman put the sack away and grabbed the reigns and gave them a flick and the horse slowly walked forward. Shining was paralysed on the spot before his face twisted into anger and fired a spell at the horseman but the horseman took it on without flinching. Shining stared in shock while the horseman flicked the reigns again and the horse speed up. Shining then decided to run and the horseman gave chase Shining ran not daring to look back and see how close the horseman was. Shining then saw the bridge and the others were shouting at him to run and so Shining did. He ran and ran until his hooves burned but he did not stop running. He made it to the bridge he leapt onto it and rolled along it he saw the horseman charge at him but when the horseman reached the bridge the horseman hit an invisible wall preventing him from crossing the bridge.

"Your safe dude," Rage said as he pulled Shining the rest of the way off the bridge.

"He's...He's dead...That thing killed Ash it has Ash's head in a sack on its saddle," Shining said.

The group looked at the horseman in horror and saw the sack Shining mentioned Luna at first had sadness on her face but then it became anger she fired a bolt of magic at the horseman. But, the horseman used it's sword to bash the bolt away like it were a bat and a ball the group stared in shock at the horseman before Rainbow stepped up.

"Hey look at me I'm the big bad horseman and yet I can't cross a tiny little bridge," Rainbow taunted.

The horseman then reeled back on its horse before it grabbed the pumpkin that sat on its shoulders revealing the decomposed stump of a neck where a head once sat.

"You just had to open your mouth and piss him off didn’t ya?" Rage asked in a sarcastic tone.

The horseman then threw the pumpkin at the group but Faust created a shield with the magic to protect the group. The pumpkin exploded and the group closed their eyes and looked away and when everything was silent the group opened their eyes to see they were where they stood but candy was raining from the sky. The group heard laughter and turned see it was the horseman who was laughing before the horseman coaxed back an arm up to where the head should be and grabbed something. It pulled it back and out of nowhere appeared a hood and the face under it revealing a familiar human's face.

"HAPPY NIGHTMARE NIGHT!" Ash cried in laughter.

"ASH!" the group screamed in shock.

"Aw man the looks on your faces says it all," Ash laughed before the horse turned back into Ash's bike.

"You’re dead!" Gilda cried as she flew at Ash and tackled him to the ground and began to strangle him.

"Gilda let up would you and let me throttle him," Luna said as he managed to get Gilda off Ash.

"Ok that's enough no one will throttle anyone," Faust said cooling the situation.

"Thanks Faust sorry if I took the prank too far," Ash said rubbing his neck

"That was a prank!" Twilight screeched.

"Duh if it wasn’t obvious I wanted to bring the horseman to life tonight to give you all a scare and from your reactions I did one hell of a job," Ash said.

Suddenly laughter rings out from behind the mares and everyone turned to see Discord, Dream Catcher, Chrysalis, Celestia, Rage, Eris, Shining, Cadence, the stallions, the CMC, Trixie, Spike, Nocturnal Shadow, Fleetfoot, Spitfire, Applejack and Rarity laughing but the biggest amounts of laughter were coming from both Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.

"Dude that was awesome," Rainbow while she laughed.

"You *hic* sure had *hic* us *hic* fooled," Pinkie said while she laughed and hiccupped from the fright.

"Oh so much chaos I'm going to be satisfied for weeks," Discord said while laughing.

"Same," Eris said being the first to recover.

"The look of fear on you face Spits was priceless," Fleetfoot laughed.

“I could say the same thing about you,” Spitfire said as she calmed down from her laughter.

"Aw man I should have seen this one coming," Rage said.

"Hey where's Fluttershy," Ash asked but Mac showed me Fluttershy who had passed out. "Oh crap I didn't mean to scare her that badly."

"Don't worry Ash she passed out from when the lightning stuck in the clearing from when we were offering candy to Nightmare Moon or in this case Nightmare Moons," Soarin said.

"Whew that's a relief I doubt she would have been able to handle that story but anyway what are you all doing sitting there there's candy in front of you and you’re not going to have any?" Ash asked suddenly the CMC and Pinkie burst into action and went to grab a much candy as possible.

"Ash where did that candy come from?" Luna asked.

"Oh you remember when you said that you couldn't eat all the candy that was offered to you last Nightmare Night and that you had to throw most of it out," Ash said.

"Yes I remember," Luna said.

"Well after you all left the clearing I grabbed all the candy in front of the statue and filled the jack o' lantern," Ash said.

"So you’re saying that the foals are taking back the candy that was given to me without realising it?" Luna asked.

"Spot on Luna and don't worry I know you hate to miss out so I saved you a bag as well," Ash said as he held out a bag for Luna.

"You always seem to know how to please me Ash whether it is a simple talk or something else and even if it was on me that prank was rather fun," Luna said as she nuzzled into Ash’s neck and took the bag.

"Thanks but what happened to the rest of the foals and their parents?" Ash asked

"They ran back into Ponyville seems your costume scared them pretty well tonight," Faust said.

"Well it's too bad that the horseman can't cross the bridge tonight otherwise it would have been fun for both Nightmare Moon and the horseman to hunt," Ash said.

"Who said you can't," Dream Catcher said.

"Uh the legend," Ash said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Dream Catcher's right Nightmare Moon should able to whip up a spell on the bridge," Luna said with a devious smile.

"Well alright then if the mistress of the night would be so kind?" Ash asked with a bow.

The foals and adults who went to the candy offering ran through town screaming while the residents just watched.

“What’s going on here?” Mayor Mare asked as she ran over to the frightened group.

“The Headless Horseman is coming!” a filly screamed as the group continued to run.

Mayor Mare simply stared in confusion at the fleeing group she then turned Zecora who had walked up to the Mayor out of steam from running.

“Madam Mayor what exactly is happening?” A pony wearing an undead groom costume asked as he stood next to an undead bride carrying a foal in her arms.

“I don’t know they just screamed something about a horseman Zecora please tell me what happened?” Mayor Mare asked as she turned to the zebra Zecora was about to respond but a clap of thunder shook the sky.

“CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE BEWARE A CREATURE HAS COME THIS NIGHT A CREATURE THAT CAN MATCH MY POWER BUT THIS CREATURE DOES NOT WANT YOUR CANDY BUT A HEAD TO REPLACE THE ONE HE LOST. SINCE I AM NOT ONE TO ABANDON THIS CREATURE I HAVE BROKEN THE BARRIER AT THE BRIDGE TO ALLOW HIM PASSAGE INTO PONYVILLE. SO IF YOU WISH TO KEEP YOUR HEAD FLEE BEFORE IT IS SEVERED BY THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN!” Nightmare Moon shouted in the Royal Canterlot Voice from a rooftop.

Suddenly a whinny rang out and all eyes turned to an abandoned street with fog creeping out of it the sound of hoof beats thundered against the ground and the headless horseman appeared from around the corner it's sword raised high in the air. The crowd screamed in fear as the horseman leaped onto the stage and reeled back on its horse and let out an evil laugh but the laughter turned into normal laughter and the horseman pulled off the invisible hood revealing Ash.

“Happy Nightmare Night to all and to all a horrifying night!” Ash cried causing the crowd to clap and cheer.

“Dude awesome costume way better than the costume you were wearing before,” Vinyl said as she stepped out from behind her turntable with Octavia.

“But why did you have to scare us all half to death?” Octavia asked in an angry tone.

“I was telling a ghost story from my world and I decided to bring it to life if you were there you’d understand,” Ash said.

“That costume can certainly cause a fright but how did you create that fight?” Zecora asked.

“Oh yes it was a hologram of the horseman I created to make the prank believable and considering the results it went rather well. But honestly you all need to stop falling for the holograms it’s getting kinda old,” Ash said with a grin.

“That was quite a scare although I should have expected it was you Ash.”

Ash looked at the owner of the voice to see the undead bride, groom and child but Ash recognized the faces easily.

“Fancy Pants, Fleur I’m so glad you made it,” Ash said as he climbed of his steed and jumped off the stage and embraced the couple.

“Quite the costume Ash you certainly had me scared,” Fleur said.

“It should of if Faust, the princesses and Discord were scared,” Ash said.

“Now that must have been some story if it scared them,” Fancy said.

“Hey next Nightmare Night I could pull this routine off again and tell the story if the Mayor and Zecora don’t mind that is,” Ash said.

“Well it seems the ponies enjoy it and it was certainly scary what do you think Zecora?” Mayor Mare asked.

“I do not mind this feat in the end it was quite a treat,” Zecora said with a smile.

“Then it is settled the horseman she become a part of Ponyville’s Nightmare Night I bet tourists will be scrambling to come see this new attraction along with our two princesses of the night,” Mayor Mare said.

“Fantastic but you must excuse me cause the headless horseman’s prowl is not yet done there are more to scare and a head to collect so I must be on my way,” Ash said before he jumped back on stage and onto his horse Ash then pulled on the hood and reeled back on his horse and jumped off stage and into the streets.

The horse galloped through the streets until it stopped on a hill that looked over Ponyville and the moon was behind him casting his shadow over the town Ash let out a smile that was unseen by anyone who saw him. Ash reared back on the horse one final time and raised his sword high and let out an evil laugh before he rode off to Sweet Apple Acres.

Author's Notes:

Happy Halloween/Nightmare Night