It was dark when Spike and Trixie finally left the Golden Oak Library, both smiling as they did so. Everypony in Ponyville was out and about tonight, all happy and joyous, with the sound of laughter and excited screams filling the air. As the two continued to make their way into the centre of town, they looked up, seeing a well-decorated banner reading the words "Happy Nightmare Night". Spike smiled at the sight of it. Nightmare Night. I always love this time of year. The parties, the candy, the games, the candy, all the fun that everypony has, and of course...the candy. Looking around, he gazed upon how everypony was enjoying the night. Mares, stallions, fillies and colts were all dressed up in whatever costume they wanted, from clowns to monsters to pirates, and all manner of other things. As for him and his companion, Spike was dressed up in a costume made to resemble a purple dragon, like himself. As for Trixie, she was, for the first time since her move to Ponyville, going out in the garb she wore when doing her magical performances, that of a purple hat and cape. As they finally entered the centre of town, and looked out at all the games and stalls already prepared, Spike looked up to the blue mare.

"Isn't this great, Trixie?"

The mare looked out, seeing the happy faces of all those around her.

"Trixie was never usually one to go out on nights like tonight. But...this does look fun."

Smiling at her, Spike began to run off, heading for the nearest game he could find; a bobbing-for-apples. Seeing this, Trixie smiled a little before calling out to him.

"Try not to get in too much trouble, Spike!"

Spike turned while he was running, waving back to her before heading back for the game. As expected, who should be attending such a game, but Applejack herself, dressed up in what appeared to be a scarecrow of some sort. As she noticed the young dragon approaching her, she smiled.

"Well howdy, Spike! Come to take a chance on the bobbin?"

Spike nodded enthusiastically, stepping towards the container of water, and looked upon the many apples already floating there. He licked his lips, ready to open his mouth and dunk his head straight in. But, he was prevented from doing so by the clear sound of somepony clearing their throat behind him. He turned, and when he did, his eyes widened with shock. For there, standing before him and smiling affectionately, was Sweetie Belle. She too was dressed up for the evening, and her costume was that of a fairy tale princess, with a light-blue gown and even a traditional cone-shaped hat. The young dragon's mouth hung open when he saw her like that, leading to Sweetie giggling somewhat.

"I guess that means you like it?"

After a few moments of silence, Spike shook himself out of his trance and looked to his right, wherein he saw Applejack desperately trying to hold back the laughter she felt from seeing him like that. Although annoyed by that, he put on a genuine smile as he looked back to the unicorn filly.

"Yeah...er...you look great, Sweetie."

Blushing, Sweetie looked away slightly.

"Thanks. You're costume looks good too."

This time, it was Spike's turn to blush, as he raised his clawed hand and scratched the back of his head. He walked away from the bobbing-for-apples game, much to Applejack's chagrin, before speaking up to his young friend.

"Apple Bloom and Scootaloo not here?"

Sweetie Belle shook her head.

"Not right now. They went off to the edge of the Everfree with Zecora, along with a whole bunch of candy. But, I wanted to get in some games before I did that myself."

Spike nodded at that, but then he looked up and around, scouring the crowd within view for somepony. After a few moments, he looked back to Sweetie Belle, a look of confusion upon his face.

"By the way...where's Rarity?"

Sweetie turned and pointed her hoof outwards, right towards the Carousel Boutique.

"Oh, she’s busy tonight. Thing about clothes designers is that they tend to get a lot of business on a night like tonight. She probably won't make it out until later."

Spike nodded at that before turning, looking upon Applejack's game, and seeing the mare still eagerly awaiting any customers for it. Smiling at this, Spike walked up to it and took his place beside the water containing, after which he turned and gave a regal-style bow to Sweetie.

"Would you care for a game of bobbing-for-apples, m'lady?"

Raising a hoof to her mouth, Sweetie giggled a little before, in a gesture mirroring Spike's, she too gave a bow in response, after which she began to walk up to the apple container. Spike watched as she propped herself on the side of it, looking down at the apples below. However, before she dunked her own head into it, they both stopped when they realised that something had just happened. The wind, which had been pretty much unnoticed until now, suddenly picked up slightly. But, as time went on, it became more and more fierce, prompting Spike to look upwards. He saw, to his dismay, that there were clouds gathering in the sky above them, growing darker and more foreboding. Oh no! Please don't tell me it's going to rain! Darker and darker the clouds turned, until finally, there was a massive bolt of lightning, sending many ponies running away in fear. As Spike looked upwards, he began to notice something at the centre of it all. As the clouds began to form some kind of spiral, there was some strange shape in the middle, flying down towards them. Within moments, his eyes widened when he realised what it was; a chariot, dark and shaped in a nightmarish fashion, pulled along by two members of what Spike recognised immediately as the night guard.

But, it was the one in the chariot itself that caught his interest. A mare, clad in a dark cloak, looking down at all below her as the chariot finally hovered over the centre of town. There was another flash of lightning before the mare leapt out of the chariot, gently gliding down to the ground below. As many of the ponies gathered, looking on at the new arrival, they watched with surprise as she pulled back her hood, revealing herself to be none other than Princess Luna. Upon seeing this, many in the crowd instinctively gave a bow of respect to the diarch of the night. But, as Spike looked at them, he noted no worry or fear in their faces, as one might expect from a frightening display like this. Instead, some of them actually looked quite happy to see her. As Luna looked around, gazing with some affection at both the town and its citizens, she began to walk forward, only to be greeted by Mayor Mare, who was currently dressed as a clown. Spike walked closer, listening in as the town's Mayor spoke to the princess.

"Your Highness! It’s an honour to welcome you to Ponyville! To what do we owe this visit?"

The princess of the night smiled at the mare before her before speaking softly.

"I felt it was perhaps warranted that I should go out and observe the night that has been dedicated to me over the years. I felt it might be...interesting."

The mayor bowed respectfully at that.

"Of course, Princess. Please, let me know if there's anything you need."

Luna nodded at that before starting to walk off, with her cloak disintegrating into a cloud of bats, which promptly flew off. Many of the ponies smiled and waved to her as she passed, which was something that brought a smile to her face. Seeing this, Spike too found himself smiling. Luna's been visiting Ponyville a few times now. Guess the ponies here are used to her. Eventually, the dark alicorn caught sight of the young drake, and turned to walk towards him. Spike, likewise, moved to approach her, giving a similar bow like everypony else.

"It's nice to see you again, Princess."

But, Luna raised a hoof, stopping him and simultaneously giving him permission to rise.

"There is no need for that, young Spike. The two of us are friends. So please...call me Luna."

Looking up at her, Spike chuckled nervously a little.

"Um...alright...Luna."

Smiling at this, the princess spoke softly to the young drake.

"I'm happy to see you here, even though Twilight is not. I trust you are coping well without her?”

The young dragon gave a nod.

“It’s fine, really. I mean…it’s been kinda weird not having her around but…I know she’s coming back, so I’m good.”

Luna smiled at that before looking up, gazing at the festivities around her.

“I must confess...this seems far more jovial an event than I was expecting."

Spike looked out amongst the rest of the ponies, many of whom seemed to have gone back to what they were doing before Luna's arrival. But the princess had the right of it, as all of them seemed to be very much enjoying themselves with the games and all the rest of it.

"It's one of the most popular holidays of the year. Everypony looks forward to it."

Luna nodded.

"Indeed. I had perhaps...worried...that my past actions would lead it to be a more sombre occasion."

Spike looked up at her, somewhat concerned at hearing that. Seeing this look on his face, Luna put on a smile and placed a hoof upon his shoulder.

"Fear not, young one. It is all in the past now. I am here to...as my sister puts it...have fun. The duties of the night are all well and good, but even I need some time off every once in a while."

The young dragon smiled at that before gaining a look that made it clear that he'd just had an idea. Turning, he took Luna by the hoof and guided her back to the bobbing-for-apples game, where Applejack watched them approach.

"Pleasure ta see ya again, Princess."

Luna nodded at that.

"And you as well, Applejack. Now, tell me...what is the purpose of this game?"

As the orange earth pony began to explain the rules of the game, Spike smiled to himself, only to then realise that there was somepony else in this that had become completely forgotten in the commotion. Turning, he looked upon Sweetie, who was looking at Princess Luna in utter awe. Smiling at this look on her face, Spike walked up to her and poked her in the shoulder a bit, gaining her attention.

"You know...you can talk to her, if you like."

Hearing that, Sweetie shook her head.

"Oh...I can't! I mean...she's a princess!"

Laughing a little at this, Spike reached forward and held onto her hoof, causing her to blush slightly. Although initially hesitant, Sweetie eventually capitulated and began to allow Spike to lead her to the blue alicorn before them. When they finally reached her, Spike forced a cough, gaining Luna's attention, after which he gestured to his still-worried friend.

"Princess Luna, this is Sweetie Belle."

Smiling, Luna took a step towards the young filly and gave a nod.

"Greetings young one. It is always a pleasure to meet my friends' romantic partners."

Upon hearing that, Spike's face immediately became as red as a tomato, leading to Applejack once more giggling to herself behind Luna’s back. As Spike began to fumble his words in response to Luna's declaration, he turned to Sweetie Belle, wherein he noticed that something had changed in her. In stark contrast to how she behaved earlier, Sweetie's expression soon became one of confusion, as she tilted her head slightly to the side. Upon seeing this, Luna gained a slight look of worry before speaking up to her again.

"Is...is something wrong?"

Sweetie shook her head a little.

"No. It's just...well...you kinda sound like my sister."