“So her mane really doesn’t flow and wave all the time?” Grace asked eagerly.

“Not at all,” Silver said with a hint of pride in her knowledge. “It’s merely an enchantment meant to add to their appearance, like the crown or other regalia, I think.”

“So…” Grace shuffled her hooves. “What’s her mane like naturally?”

Thomas watched the bat ponies with mild amusement. Grace had been pumping Silver for information on Luna ever since Moonlight had been called away and the Prench mare was all too happy to lord her knowledge over her taller counterpart. That is until Talon came up and elbowed the attendant in the arm before glancing over at the human.

Eyes briefly widening in realization, Silver quickly closed the distance with her companion. “How terribly rude of me. Grace. Surely Sir Thomas would be better able to answer your questions than I.”

“I, uh…” Thomas mumbled as Grace slowly approached. There was nothing imposing or otherwise undesirable about the new mare’s demeanor, yet Thomas found himself struggling to think of anything to say. His hesitation was not lost on his audience.

“Honestly I’m a little embarrassed we didn’t recognize your costume earlier,” Silver said. “And with how many ponies who have been on Halloween already, it’s surprising more haven’t caught on.”

“I’ve been wondering about that too,” Grace added. “If it’s not too presumptuous?” She directed her question at Thomas who gave a shrug in response. “I would have thought the party guests would be paying you at least as much attention as the other attendants.” She gestured off into the crowd where a pair of Celestia’s concubines were chatting away with several guests.

“Guess the costume shields me from their radar,” Thomas said with a halfhearted smile. “It’s actually kinda nice to just blend into a crowd again.”

Silver was grateful to have gotten Thomas talking again, but that almost immediately turned into a pit in her stomach at where the conversation was going. “Thomas.” Action was called for and she wrapped a wing around his back, sending waves of tingles through her fleshy membrane. “I’ll understand if you dismiss what I have to say, but please hear me out first.”

Eyeing the mare skeptically, Thomas nodded for her to speak.

“All my life I grew up in Prance. I grew up with the same landmarks, faces, and customs night in and night out. Coming here, to a new city without any of my old comforts… It’s been a challenge. I realize that probably doesn’t compare to your situation, but I want you to know that if you’re ever feeling lonely, you can talk to somepony who at least partially understands.”

Thomas reached across his shoulder and gently grabbed at the rim of Silver’s wing, noting the way it briefly flinched at his touch only to quickly relax. “Thanks,” he grinned warmly. “And the same goes for you.”

“P-pardon?”

“I know that it’s normal to feel lonely and lost from time to time.” Thomas admitted. “But I’ve got a lot of friends who help me through it. And… I’d like it if you could count me as a friend to help you through the hard patches too.”

Silver’s cheeks took on a deep shade of pink as she stared into the human’s green eyes.

“Plus, if you want to do more comparing, bat ponies are a minority so that’s kinda another thing we have in common.”

“I’d…” Silver coughed as she retracted her wing from its tingly perch. “I’d say you’ve got me beat on that one, being the only one of your kind in all the land.”

“Then again, I sleep with the Princess,” Thomas said evenly as he glanced between the bat mares. “I’m fairly certain your overwhelming jealousy counts as a point for you.”

“How does that work?” Grace asked, ignoring Silver’s flushed face as well as her own. “I mean, isn’t that a point in your favor.”

“No. We’re scoring based on who has the sadder life,” Thomas corrected, finally speaking directly to Grace. “Her wanting a thing I have is a point for her.”

“Thing?” Silver gasped. “Are you referring to the Princess as a-”

“He means access to her fun parts,” Talon chimed in. “And since I’ve been with two of three alicorns, I guess that means I come in last place.” She dramatically pressed the back of her wrist to her forehead. “Oh, woe is me. How ever will I go on?”

“Probably with a self-satisfied smirk,” Thomas deadpanned.

“Yeah.” Talon nodded. “Sounds like something I’d do.”

**********

“Pumpkin king,” a unicorn mare dressed as a spider scoffed as she glanced over at Thomas. “Who does he think he is, dressing as a king?”

“Seeing as how his costume originates from Halloween, I’d say it was Princess Luna who dressed him,” Blueblood put forward and he swirled his glass of wine. “It’s more like dressing up a pet than anything else.”

“So you really don’t think he’s being presumptuous?” The mare asked, though her expression betrayed how she didn’t entirely oppose his suggestion.

“You clearly haven’t been paying attention.” Blueblood smirked as he took a sip. “The colt has little spine to speak of and until recently he followed Luna around like a trained dog. That analogy is unfortunately accurate as about the only thing to make him stand up and hold his head high is in protection of his mistress.” He sighed in disappointment. “I’m afraid, my dear Daisy, that he’ll be practically useless for your objectives.”

“You mean our objectives,” Daisy corrected. “Need I remind you of your considerable investment in our little venture?”

“Certainly not. I only wish to dissuade you from a venture that is certain to fail.” Blueblood assured. “Besides, even if you did have a plan, which I’m guessing you don’t, I imagine you’d find it next to impossible to even broach the subject with those mares and that uncouth griffon always following him around.”

“Oh, my dear Prince Blueblood,” Daisy cooed. “I do believe you’re underestimating me again.”

“Do I, now?” Blueblood raised his brow in intrigue. “In what way?”

“Let’s just say a little birdy told me that a certain buck-toy might have gotten his position through… Let’s say less than honest means.” She grinned conspiratorially. “If such rumors were true, and certain someponies could offer evidence…”

“Certain ponies in authority might be grateful enough to hand out a few favors.” Blueblood finished. “A bold plan, but that still leaves the issue of his little makeshift herd.”

“Oh ho,” Daisy laughed. “You just leave that to me.”

**********

The lights suddenly dimmed as a single spotlight fell on the top of the stairs to reveal Equestria’s royalty. All three alicorns stood proudly with all the dignity their respective costumes afforded, arranged from tallest to shortest. The audience went quiet as they eagerly awaited the royal announcement. The Princesses exchanged looks of confident satisfaction before nodding to the designated speaker.

“Citizens of Equestria,” Luna announced. “As the midnight hour approaches, it fills my heart with such warmth to see such joy and laughter from this year’s Nightmare Night Masquerade.” She paused as the crowd showered her with praise, though her eyes focused on a single black speck in the sea of faces as her human gave an assuring nod. Luna followed up with further expressions of gratitude to the various parties who came together to make this event possible.

Paying only mild attention to the speech, Moonlight weaved her way between the crowd and quickly rejoined the group, only to stop as a paper plane crashed into her forehead. Unable to determine the trajectory as she scanned the room, she quickly unfolded the mysterious parchment and read the single line written in needlessly fancy flare.

“Uh oh,” Was all the unicorn could say before noticing that Grace had received a similar note.

“And while I am eternally grateful for your words of praise regarding what has been so fondly dubbed Halloween, I am afraid that I cannot take all the credit. While Party Banner and his associates assembled the ride based on my design, I must confess that I am not the progenitor of the idea.” Luna paused, letting the tension build as murmurs were exchanged.

Silver noted how Moonlight and Grace had taken up defensive positions on either side of Thomas. All it took was one glance at his costume and the bat pony immediately understood what was coming. Exchanging nods with Moonlight, the Prench bat mare dressed as a Romaren prostitute stepped out in front of Thomas, readying herself as his first line of defense against the coming storm.

“The credit, my little ponies…” Luna took note of Celestia rolling her eyes. “… goes to Senior Concubine Sir Thomas, as the inspiration stems from one of his favorite foalhood stories!” She declared with passionate pride. “It is he to whom your praise is owed.”

Time seemed to slow down for Thomas. Luna had told him this moment was coming, but only if it turned out everyone liked the ride, which they apparently did. His eyes darted about as he was met with looks of surprise and intrigue from the surrounding ponies. The three mares positioned around him offered some comfort, but he found their protection lacking when he noticed Talon was absent, despite her being there when Luna had explained all this the other night.

“Brilliant!” A stallion dressed as a dragon declared as he approached with an excited grin, only to be intercepted by an orange unicorn stepping in front of him and assuming a defensive stance. The stallion took the hint immediately and settled for speaking to Princess Luna’s muse from across the invisible line set by the unicorn and two bat ponies.

“Was this truly a foalhood favorite of yours?”

“Well yes, but-” Thomas tried to answer before being cut off.

“Did you really think such a thing would be appropriate for Equestrian foals?”

“I didn’t really-”

“Did Princess Luna agree to this right away, or did you need to apply methods of persuasion?”

“Wait, what?” But there were just too many ponies clamoring for attention.

“Now, now, fillies and gentlecolts,” Silver did her best to speak above the commotion. “I’m afraid the poor colt is rather shy, so I must insist that you lower your voices.”

“A colt? So it’s true the new Princess is a cradle robber!” A mare said before mysteriously falling backwards, colliding with a serving stallion, and knocked his tray of drinks onto all within the splash zone.

“Oh my,” Silver gasped sympathetically as she cupped a hand to her cheek. “Are you alright?” She asked, not moving from her spot as she struggled against a smirk.

Meanwhile, Thomas could have sworn he saw a familiar red feathered wing disappear into the crowd just behind where the mare had fallen.

“As I was saying,” Silver continued with mild irritation as she raised her hands up high. “You are lords, ladies, and other upstanding citizens of the realm. Surely you wouldn’t want to clamor like tabloid journalists and for Equestria’s only human to think less of you.”

That seemed to get nobility’s attention as the near riot quickly faded into a dull roar. Grace and Moonlight continued to hold their positions by Thomas’ side while Silver, with a serene smile and approachable posture, remained at the front. By some unspoken agreement the guests had begun moving one at a time before Silver where they would politely request an audience and she, for the most part, would grant it.

After exchanging formalities, a stallion named Shirt Trim smiled warmly as he asked, “Sir Thomas. I’m sure we’re all dying to know,” he gestured to the surrounding costumed ponies who were giving them their full attention, “how this infamous haunted house came to be?”

With the support of his friends literally at his back, and a proud affirming nod from Luna still on the stairs, Thomas decided the best approach would be the honest one. “Humans have a holiday called Halloween that’s remarkably similar to Nightmare Night. Ponies have been talking about this night so much that I thought Princess Luna would like to hear one of my favorite Halloween stories, ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’. She liked it a lot. Then we just started talking and she got the idea to turn the first part of the story into the haunted house everyone’s been talking about.”

Shirt Trim bobbed his head in a soft appreciative bow and departed. Apparently part of the unspoken agreement between nobles was that each one only got one question.

Either pony body language goes a lot deeper than I thought, or they're all following some unwritten protocol, Thomas thought. Noticing Silver watching him patiently, he realized what she was waiting for and promptly nodded for her to send in the next one. Damn, she’s good at this. As Silver turned to welcome the next questioner, Thomas found his eyes focusing on her back, as if realizing for the first time how powerful those seemingly dainty wings must be to lift her frame off the ground.

Thomas wasn’t the only one impressed by Silver’s performance. Moonlight couldn’t help but admire how expertly Silver had wrangled the crowd, saying just the right things to make them self-conscious and put them on their best behavior. Talon held similar thoughts, only she went a step further in comparing the bat pony’s actions to what she’d seen from Sun Dancer in equitable situations. Leaders were apparent by their ability to speak and be listened to by all. The white and pink alicorns were well aware of Luna’s thoughts on the matter, along with the fidgeting indigo wings that threatened to bisect them at a moment’s notice.

Questions continued to flow following Shirt Trim. Some nobles had rephrased their initial questions to be much more polite; but there were also questions regarding the monsters present in the ride and the lore surrounding them; requests for details relating to the ride’s namesake and Halloween the holiday, of which there was much interest; and the occasional personal inquiry, which was immediately met with Silver politely suggesting something different. Thomas continued to answer openly and honestly, grateful that there didn’t seem to be anything that might have betrayed his secret. Thankfully, with all the nobles surrounding them and listening intently to the human’s every word, it wasn’t long before they began to disperse and the party returned to normal.

Thomas let out a long sigh of relief when it seemed the Q&A had finally ended. “Well that was an ordeal.” Though he nearly jumped when he felt a hand rest on his shoulder, only to turn and see Moonlight smiling proudly at him.

“You did wonderfully, S-Thomas,” Moonlight corrected herself at the last minute as she beamed at him.

“I’m just surprised everything went so smoothly,” Talon said as she swaggered up to them. “Honestly I was expecting something like a small riot, but then sweet wings stepped in.” She shot Silver a half smile and flicked her lion tail against the mare’s ankle, causing her to blush. “Not bad.”

“Where were you back there?” Moonlight growled.

“Easy there, Smarty.” Talon held up her hands placatingly. “I was blending into the crowd to make sure no one was trying anything from a blind spot.”

“Wait a minute.” Silver had recovered from her blush and was now glancing skeptically between her friends. “Was there something I missed, because it sounds like there was some sort of plan here?”

“Ah,” Talon realized. Glancing up at the stairs, she saw that the Princesses had begun their descent, likely meaning they no longer saw a need for a bird’s-eye-view. “Guess you weren’t there for the briefing. Thing is we got this anonymous tip that-”

“Sir Thomas,” greeted an approaching hot pink mare dressed as a sunflower with petals surrounding her face. Stopping briefly to do the dance of approval with Silver, she returned her attention to Thomas with an eager grin. “Hello, there. My name is Fine Silk and I must say it is an absolute pleasure to meet you in person.” She extended her hand, palm up.

Recalling his brief lesson in party etiquette, Thomas extended his hand into Fine’s, palm down so as to allow her to kiss his knuckles. However, the moment he did, his entire body began to glow as a blue aura swelled around him like a bubble. The group looked on in surprise, but Moonlight was the first to realize what was happening and immediately tackled Fine to the ground.

“Gah!” Fine cried out as she struggled against the larger mare on her back as her chest was pressed into the floor. “What’s the matter with-” but she was cut off as Moonlight tore the top petals from Fine’s head, revealing the dimming light of a lit horn.

“You’re under arrest!” Moonlight declared angrily as her hand slipped into her back pocket, retrieved something concealed in her fist, and slipped it onto the pink mare’s horn. It was a nullifier ring.

“Wha…” Fine shook her head as a brief bout of dizziness took her. “On what charge?” She asked as her struggles faded and her body shivered under the effects of the ring.

“Attempted foalnapping,” Talon informed with a sneer as she removed a pair of cuffs and slapped them on the pink mare’s wrists.

“Wha…” It looked like Fine was having trouble keeping her eyes open. “What are you…”

“Anonymous tip,” Talon informed as she lifted the pink mare up. “Seems some pony got too big for her teats and thought she’d try something stupid.”

“Stupid doesn’t even do it justice,” Moonlight sneered. “You tried to teleport him away without even considering that he might have wards.” She motioned to Thomas as the blue aura was shrinking away. Next she fixed the would-be foalnapper with a look that made the drowsy unicorn snap to attention in terror. “But believe me when I say your failure won’t make things any easier for you.”

Jesus! Thomas thought as a chill went up his spine. His vision was still a little blue, but that didn’t stop him from seeing that Moonlight was not a mare to be trifled with when angered. They’d all known about the anonymous tip from the beginning, save for Silver. The plan was to layer Thomas in extra wards and wait until the foalnappers played their hand. And while nervous, Thomas had agreed to the plan, trusting in his friends to keep him safe. Still, the entire ordeal had suddenly become so much more real and the human was beginning to question if he’d be up for any future parties.

**********

Firestorm had been watching the scene unfold from afar, but something didn’t sit quite right with him. Moonlight was right that the foalnapper was grossly negligent for not considering the possibility of wards. In fact, the whole thing was so horrendously sloppy that… Alert, Firestorm lit his horn beneath his wool hat and quickly scanned the vicinity for any high level magic. It was an absurdly complex and aggravating spell, as even the most common of levitation spells were known to interfere and give off false positives. Few unicorns had the patience for such things. However, the process was significantly simpler when one knew exactly what kind of spell they were looking for.

No pony’s getting their hands on his skinny flanks until I get what I want.

**********

The black stallion painted with white stripes to resemble a zebra grinned as he looked on. Fine had successfully planted the marker. The stallion fiddled with the trinket in his hand and already he could feel its roots spreading through the wards. It was a good thing too because these kinds of talismans were not easy to come by. Soon he would have a complete understanding of the human’s defenses and be able to snatch him up without a fuss. All he needed now was to-

“Umph!” he grunted on his plummet to the ground.

“Sorry!” A stallion dressed as a bandit loudly apologized after having accidentally knocked the poor fellow down. “I… I’m terribly sorry. Here.” He reached down, still speaking louder than was strictly necessary and turning a great many heads. “Let me help you up.”

“Get off me you simpleton!” The painted stallion snapped as he swatted the bandit’s hand away. “Do you know who I am?”

“I’m terribly sorry, sir!”

“And keep your voice down,” the painted stallion hissed. “Do you want the whole castle to hear you?”

“There!” A guardsmare shouted, pointing in their direction. “The signal’s coming from that stallion there.”

“Oh buck,” the painted stallion grimaced. He tried scrambling to his hooves, only to fail to gain traction under the suddenly slick floor. The poor fellow continued to slip and slide as the guards grew ever nearer.

“Oh my goodness,” the distraught bandit gasped. “Can… Is there anything I can do to help?”

The painted stallion turned to face the bandit, ready to tell him off once more, only for his ears to splay at the sight of the bandit’s devilish smirk at his expense and the fading glow of his orange horn. “Y-you?”

“Me,” the bandit sneered with a smirk as he vanished into the crowd.

**********

“Faust above!” Blueblood gasped melodramatically as he watched the guards surround some stallion painted as a zebra. “I knew the Gala was cursed, but I thought at least the Masquerade was still a function of civility and propriety.”

“Goodness,” a teal stallion whimpered as he huddled close to Blueblood. “What’s happening?”

“There, there, my sweet Mint Step,” Blueblood cooed as he wrapped his arm around the smaller stallion and patted his shoulder in reassurance. They’d met earlier in the evening and Mint Step had only just now ceased in his lauding of praise on the Prince. Of course Blueblood could smell a gold digger a mile away, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have some fun with the young stallion before then. “I’m sure it’s just some ruffian commoner making a fuss about housing, wages, or whatever else commoners whine about.”

Despite Blueblood’s offer of comfort, Mint remained focused on the scene at hand. “Th-they’re saying he’s under arrest. I think I heard something about foalnapping. And… what was that with the human glowing earlier?”

Even amidst the ponies in various states of panic, Blueblood became aware of a presence behind him. “Pssh!” he scoffed. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“B-but those looked like magic wards,” Mint insisted. “W-was somepony trying to do something to the Princess’ concubine?”

“Who can say?” Blueblood shrugged. “But who would possibly be so foolish as to attempt something like that out in the open? Granted that the human is under constant guard and the confusion of such a gathering would be a prime opportunity to get close.”

Mint finally turned from the scene of the arrest to look up at Blueblood in confusion. “P-Prince?”

“Though, if that were the case, this would be quite the operation,” the Prince laughed to himself. “I mean, you couldn’t just teleport the colt right out of the castle. Too many wards and it would be too easy to track, especially with the Princesses on the job,” he said as he watched the Princesses approach the suspect and his intended victim. “My body guards used to tell me about these things. No,” he said with a far off and serious look. “I’d wager there are other foalnappers positioned around the castle grounds, ready to bounce the little colt between them and throw off the scent, so to speak.”

“P-Prince?” Mint asked, beginning to grow very worried from Blueblood’s tone.

“But that’s just speculation on my part,” Blueblood laughed until a very uncomfortable Mint Step decided to join in. “Besides, if such a thing were remotely true, you’d think somepony would be on the job by now.”

The presence vanished and Blueblood decided that poor Mint had had enough excitement for one evening. As an apology for the human’s inconsiderate disturbance, he offered the young stallion a tour of the castle, specifically the halls leading to his bed chamber.

**********

It wasn’t long before the guests had been calmed, placated by the reassuring Princesses that all was well. Naturally this didn’t stop the nobility from speculating and piecing together what they’d seen. However, they knew that they wouldn’t get the full story until later, and so contented themselves to dancing as the Masquerade resumed.

Thomas felt like a pin ball as he was carried off between partners. Luna was first, whispering profuse apologies for agreeing to such a plan and cursing Shining Armor for thinking it up. Thankfully Thomas managed to reassure her that he’d consented to everything and that he’d had complete faith in her ability to protect him. He was then stolen by Talon who commended him on his bravery throughout the ordeal. Next came Moonlight, who seemed to be pressing herself up against him as she whispered how glad she was all worked out. Thomas could only press himself right back to reassure her that he was fine, though he didn’t notice the way her tail wagged at his gesture. Last came Silver, who had pieced together what had transpired and was very cross that she was not informed, yet still understood that she did not have security clearance just yet.

As the party went on, many guests speculated as to why Princess Cadence was not dancing with her fiancé; who they later noticed had mysteriously vanished. At the same time, The Captain and his team were hunting down the last of the foalnappers. They had been positioned in various spots around the castle, ready to flee on a moment’s notice, but Shining’s guards had found them disastrously unprepared for the surprise attack. It appeared that their various means of escape had been sabotaged right before the guards made their move. All in all, ten arrests were made that night and Shining returned to a very happy pink alicorn who hogged him through all remaining dances.

Free from criminal interference, the Masquerade came to its inevitable close with most agreeing that it was a rousing success. The guests departed slowly, but not before many stopped to ask for last minute favors from various ponies of importance, including Thomas and Silver. Blueblood returned in time to see off a much disheveled looking unicorn, and to say some final words to Celestia. In the end all retired to their chambers for a much needed rest. Thomas got his only after performing his duties to a very grateful Princess.

And so ended the first Nightmare Night with Thomas the human and Princess Luna.

And so ends the yatta yatta yatta. This chapter was a lot harder to write than I’d expected, especially the ending which you can see is pretty rushed. Grace continues her integration into the group, Luna and Thomas have their moment in the lime light, Firestorm is doing his own thing, and Prince Blueblood plots (literally and figuratively). I was kind of hoping to do a bit more, but I think overall this chapter went well enough.