Well, here's another day of my pony life. Today, I have three lessons of Magic. Also, I'm going to meet Blueblood and tell him that idea I got yesterday.

I have a feeling that I, he, and Moonshine are going to win that costumes competition. At least, I hope we win. Keeping it positive is the first step towards victory, is it not?

So, that idea I have... It is about dressing as completely fictional characters I've made up. Well, not completely, but still... I think it will be rather original, because that was inspired by a song that doesn't exist here by a band that doesn't exist here, too. I already have some sketches in my mind. I should discuss everything with my friends, though. I don't want to start making costumes without their agreement. Besides, what if they have better ideas? I'm not the center of the universe, after all.

After grooming, feeding my cat and cleaning her litter box, and putting on the clothes, I went to school, accompanying Moonshine. She looked fine, by the way. I guess she's less nervous than usually... Maybe she achieved something at previous lessons? I'd like to know.

So, here's the school. On, I'm so excited about the idea! I don't know why, though, it's just a plan and all... Ugh, I guess I'm excited about winning those four hundred bits. I'd be able to buy a whole orchestra with those! Well, besides the pipe organ, obviously. That stuff is as large as a house. Electric organs... nah, they don't have that feel to them as the real ones. You know the difference when you've experienced both.

It seems I went on rambling in my mind again.

Hm... What rambles did I have during just a few weeks? Music, sexual stuff, religion... The only thing I haven't touched yet is politics. Ah, wait, I did! I thought about being a prince. Well, it seems I had all possible thoughts I could ever have. Huh.

Hm, what if alicorns did something like that? They go full rant about politics, and then become rulers just because of those thoughts in their minds. That would be hell lotta fun. Really, just imagine that! When I ramble about something, things happen that are connected to it one way or another. I thought about music — I played the organ, got myself a guitar, thought about creating a band. I thought about being a prince — I had to tell Luna the truth about myself. I had a religion rant — I had a brief history lesson of religion. I thought about sex — I got worried about my relationship with Moonshine after that kiss incident. It's all connected! If I have a thought, it comes true sooner or later.

Hm... Maybe thoughts materialize? I have magic and stuff, and who said magic can't turn thoughts into reality?

Better not think of ancient evils coming to life. Totally.

...

Damn, I've just thought about it. Well, stupid me. I bet there's going to be something connected with that sooner or later. Well, if my theory is right.

Alright, I think I did enough rambling for today. Duh!

So... What was I going to do? Uh... Right, talk to Blueblood and Moonshine about my idea! I totally forgot that over to my... brain stuff.

Anyway, Moonshine and I entered the school. This time, the lessons take place in one of the auditories, not outside. And rightfully so — it's cold. Moonshine, however, had only a scarf. One. Scarf. I don't know how that can protect against cold. Maybe I'm just less tolerant to low temperatures? It may be so... My fur isn't exactly thick. It's rather short, too.

Hm, do ponies change fur for the winter like cats and other animals do? If so, why hasn't I changed yet? Maybe it has something with the fact that I'm an alicorn... Maybe it's the first time changing and my organism is taking it slow. Ugh, I don't know biology much to know how fur changes. All I know is that if you have a cat, its fur will be all over the place, even in your mouth.

Alright, here's the auditory. It has no desks nor chairs but many... Uh, how are big pillows called? Just big pillows... Maybe? Uh, it doesn't matter.

"Um," I heard Moonshine, and turned to her. "Why are you here? You can use magic."

"I have an idea for costumes that I want to share with you and Blueblood." I replied. "Besides, it would be boring if I stayed at the apartment."

"Um, okay." she nodded, awkwardly ending the conversation.

Yeah, I remember being as shy as her. I've improved since then, but I'm still a little bit shy when talking to anyone like a friend to a friend... Or just, uh, talking about personal stuff. That is the most difficult thing to do. You fear you'll be laughed st, you fear your secrets will be told... Ugh.

Well, I just have to wait until Blueblood's here. Some thoughts, maybe? When you do something, time passes quicker.

Thinking about different bands... Metal music, for one. If I ever try to bring it here, I need something that will both be surprising, a little bit shocking, and not too brutal. Something like Death Metal isn't what I want. Besides, I don't like those genres that involve lots of growling or screaming. Some call it true metal, but I do not. Hey, clean vocals can sound good! Well, a little bit of aggression may be added, but growling... That is extremely brutal and I can say that it's only for rather strange people. I can't enjoy those kind of vocals, they're just a pain to my ears.

Not that I hate those who like growling. It's their choice and they don't force it onto me. Well, not counting those assholes that think metal with clean vocals isn't metal at all. But hey, everything has its own kind of assholes.

Anyway... What band would I bring? I suck at composing songs and writing lyrics. I can play something on one instrument. Even two, if counting that time I played a heavy guitar with bass guitar simultaneously... That was really hard and just an experiment which turned out not really good.

So, I can only play a few instruments at a time, and they must be of the same kind. Otherwise, if I try to mix, I get total crap. Like, a very smelly shit. Well, I can add drums to almost anything and I know how to play them rather well, but who can't? Drums aren't that hard to do if you have a sense of rhythm and some imagination. At least you should be able to count to four, though.

Well, I have to use a band I like. I've got a few of them that are the best among my list: Ayreon, Disturbed, Ghost, Powerwolf, Oomph!. There are other bands, like Skillet, Sabaton, System of a Down, but they aren't my favorite. Especially the latest. It has some good songs, yet there are songs that can be called complete chaos.

So, Ayreon is a rather sci-fi themed rock opera, as far as I remember. Yes, not metal, but the sound is still good. I like listening to it, but playing? Uh, well, I can play it, but... Ugh. Besides, I don't know the band much to say anything about their on-stage presence or even their appearance. I've just stumbled upon this band accidentally while looking for some fanfiction of Adventure Time.
And if I ever think of assembling a band like Ayreon, I'd need many people for different voices. Well, I can do a lot of voices... Or maybe not. I don't know if pony-me can do that variety of voices I could do when I was a human. I should put that to a test. Oh, and I certainly remember female voices being really hard for me to act. So, not the best choice.

The next band — Disturbed. I like their songs for sure, but I neither know the band as in their performance on-stage or even their looks. Well, the same as with Ayreon, I suppose... Besides, they have a theme... I don't remember, something about control through the media. One of their albums sure does... Such a theme has no sense being used in Equestria. Nah, not a choice either.

Ghost. That satanic-looking band with satanic songs for Satan. Inverted crosses, pentagrams, six six six, all that stuff... And surprisingly clean vocal. Seeing that most bands that have something anti-religious or satanic have growling vocals, it was a surprise to me when I discovered that band. I've been to a few of their concerts, and I can say Ghost is fun. There was a great performance once that had nuns walking around offering condoms and praising sex. That was fun.
The lead singer has a good sense of humor. Also, they use choir in some of their songs, and that is one of my favorite things in all kind of music. They're a rather original band that is not following others, too. They have good and original music, each song has it's own theme and sound... And I definitely like their anonymity, a feeling of mystery around them. I heard that they do it because they want to be recognized as a band and liked as a band, not just because they're famous individuals. Yeah, that is a rather good choice for the band.

Powerwolf. Well, that is also a little bit... satanic and religious. I like that stuff, obviously. So, they're heavy metal to the bone. Powerful sound, clean, aggressive vocal, some opera vocals, pipe organ... Mmmh, yummy! I've been to a few of their concerts, and they have some powerful on-stage presence. I also remember that one time in Russia when the lead singer was taught profanity. It was fucking hilarious! Can be my choice, too, if not counting the first album and that one song in German in one of their albums. The first album doesn't have good lyrics. The band's members didn't know English much back then.

Oomph!. That is a good-sounding band. The only reason I can't take it — most lyrics are in German. And I sure want others to understand what is sung.

So, let's conclude — I may pick either Powerwolf or Ghost. Both feature religious stuff, good music... A little bit shocking, surprising... Definitely what I need. I just have to decide which to pick.

Or maybe I should pick classic... On the second thought, nah. I don't listen to it often. I don't have full discography of it either. Besides, starting with something non-classical may lead to something interesting.

However, I'll make a decision later. Blueblood's coming, and he doesn't seem to be in a good mood.

"...Hello." I warily greeted him.

"Hi." he sighed, sitting down next to me. Suddenly, he exclaimed: "Ugh, I hate it!"

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"My parents told me that I shouldn't waste my time on Nightmare Night." he replied sadly. "That it'll make me look stupid and childish as if I'm in the kindergarten. Ugh!" he threw his hooves in the air. "I cannot do anything without them telling me not to do that! This stupid, that stupid, those childish... I will take part in the competition, no matter what they say!" he crossed his forelegs and sat there with a grumpy face. "I want to do fun things, not noble stuff! It is so bo-oring!"

"I have good news for you, then." I replied. "I have an idea on the costumes."

"Better not be just skeletal princess Celestia and her royal zombie guards." Blueblood snorted.

"No, not that." I guess that is often picked. Dressing up like the ruler of the country is sure a fun thing. "But I think taking it up a notch will be better."

"What do you mean?" his ears perked up.

"I've got an idea." I gestured for him and Moonshine to move closer as I prepared to tell them. "So, listen...

"I have an idea. We're a trio, right? Each of us will get a unique costume, but there'll be a theme. So, the idea of a trio that is ideal for the Nightmare Night." I took a deep breath. "Zombie queen, her loyal skeletal advisor, and a dark knight that serves as her protector."

Well, that song I listened to a while back really inspired me to make something good out of it.

"That isn't too different from just dressing up as skeleton-Celestia." Blueblood deadpanned. "What's original about it?"

"Uh, first of all, those aren't Celestia or her guards." I replied. "We can make a legend out of it! A myth of a long-gone... alicorn queen."

"That sounds... interesting." Moonshine leaned closer.

"I'm listening, too." Blueblood nodded. "Maybe you have a good idea.."

"So," I cleared my throat. "The alicorn queen by the name Ghuleh ruled a part of Equestria a long time ago, even before Celestia and Luna were born. At first, Ghuleh was a good ruler, kind to her subjects. She was very beautiful and was loved. But power corrupted her... In search for more, she performed a ritual that called upon black, dark forces." I told. I have some imagination, after all. "They gave her what she wanted — power. But it came at a price — her subjects turned into carnivorous, mindless predators — zombies. She herself became but a shadow of her past self — half of her face exposing bone, her colors either darkening or paling. Thus, she became a queen of zombies. She has pale-gray fur, mane and tail as dark as her heart became, and two different eyes: one dark-green on the normal side of her face, and one fully toxic-green on the bone part. Her gaze is cold and hard to bear...

"But any ruler, be it kind or evil, needs an advisor." it becomes hard for me to come up with a decent story. I'm no writer, after all. "He once was one of her many suitors, and now he serves her with undead loyalty. Called Euronymous,—" that is one of the names of Satan, as far as I know. Sounds malicious. "—he stroke fear into anyone that came to the Zombie Queen. The look he had was the most terrifying — dressed in a dark-gray simple suit that featured a new royal crest — a bone cross. He has no facial skin, his eyes different: one brown, and one icy blue; the latter's pupil much smaller than the normal eye's one.

"And any ruler needs a loyal protector. The strongest of all, the one that is simply referred to as a Nameless Ghoul, is a stallion that is proficient with deadly martial arts and dark battle magic. He is never seen without his black steel armor that he wears underneath the dark-green robe. He bears a big sword that he can use with the most efficiency."

I finished my speech. Oh, that was hard, figuring out how to do ot right. I hope these two like the concept.

Hm, maybe I should become a writer?

"This sounds..." Blusblood's eyes widened. "Awesome! You came up with something really good!"

"And scary..." Moonshine added. "But I like it."

"Great, then!" I replied with a smile.

"But how do we make everything?" Blueblood asked. "We need a lot of stuff to make the costumes. We'll also have to get a body paint, and the good one is expensive."

"I think we'll find most of the needed stuff in that castle we explored during the weekend." I replied. "As for the looks, I think I can do something with my magic. I don't think changing color is too hard."

"And what do we do?" Moonshine asked, pointing at herself, then at Blueblood.

"I need you two to go with me to the castle." I answered. "We'll need a couple of bags to carry the stuff. Besides, Moonshine, you wanted to explore that castle, remember?"

"That sounds... good." she nodded.

"Yeah, pretty cool." Blueblood nodded. "So, we'll start on Saturday? And we'll need sketches, at least. Flame, can you do that?"

"I'll try, but I can't promise anything. I'm not particularly good at drawing." I replied. And that is true. My drawings aren't really art in any way. Sketches, though... Maybe I can make it.

The three lessons passed rather quickly. My friends and I discussed the costumes some more, coming to a conclusion that we can make everything in time if we work hard.

Well, I love work! Could sit and watch it all day... I'll have to place a mirror in front of myself do to that, though.

Also, during these lessons I helped Moonshine. She had a big problem concentrating her magic. She just couldn't calm down to actually have any control. But with some of my words in which I assured her that she can do it, she did it! She telekinetically moved a pebble at least forty centimeters high. After keeping it there for a few seconds, she dropped it. I told her that what she did was great and that soon she'll be able to do better. Her face almost literally brightened. Then, something happened...

I noticed that she moved her face closer to mine. For a few seconds, I felt her breath on my own face. Then, she blushed and turned away. I guess I was close to receiving another kiss... Which worries me. I still don't know how to act. But I think I can safely confirm that she indeed has attraction towards me. And it certainly doesn't make anything better.

Also, I made a theory. Judging by what I saw here in Equestria, ponies do grow up faster. Judging by Moonshine's and Blueblood's behavior, they're already teens. Well, in the mental state, not physicall. Maybe it's just them or maybe I don't know shit about psychology (which I don't, honestly speaking). I think I'm going crazy right here...

Other pupils seem... normal. As in, human normal. Like those kids I saw everyday. They talked about games, some other stuff... And nothing mature. No love, nothing like that.

This world can't stop surprising me.

...

Alright, I need to do sketches. After I get back to the apartment, of course.

So, here I am. I need a pencil and a piece of paper.

...

Okay, I'm ready to draw.

Hm... I should imagine myself. First of all, I think I need a change of colors. Instead of my pale gray, I need dark gray. Also, I need to replace my red mane with something... Black. Yeah, that'll look alright, I suppose. The color scheme isn't bright, it will do the trick of scaring.
The next thing I need is facial paint. I need to get an anatomy book since I'm going to draw pony skull. Since I'm going to make it even more evil, I need pronounced brow line (however the term is for it) and make it into some kind of evil... frown. Something like that, I suppose.
For my eyes, I need to find lenses or make magic do the trick. There's nothing else.
The suit that I'll wear, the last thing. I think I'm going to make it look like what members of Ghost band wear. It looks stylishly evil and rather official. Yeah, it will do.

So, that's all about my costume. I think that crude and outright crappy sketch I've just made makes it clear how I want everything to be done.

The next — zombie queen. I'm not going with green fur color for cliché zombie color — it'll look stupid. Instead, Moonshine will have her natural fur color, maybe a little bit paler. Eh, no, her fur's already white. But her mane and tail must be darkened. Since she hasn't bright colors in them, they can easily be painted black. And since her mane is rather long, a royal hairstyle may be made. It will look well!
She'll also need facial paint. Instead of my full-face, only a part of her face will be painted. Maybe even just a small part than will show bone. Something in the mouth area or to the side where the cheekbones (if ponies have ones) are visible. Yeah, this way I'll make her look scarier but still beautiful... And yeah, I consider her beautiful. For a number of reasons, and none of them is love, because—

I should stop trying to explain myself to myself. It is crazy and makes no sense.
...

Ahem.

So, about Moonshine's dress. It needs to be black and shades of green, preferably darker ones. I need to get a picture of a royal dress to make something good, though. Alright, the color palette is noted.

Crap, I forgot the eyes. Well, situation there is just like mine, nothing to add.

And the last costume — Blueblood's. Well, it's just armor, and I prefer gothic armor. It looks cool and... I don't know, sharp, maybe? But a closed helmet is a must — no one must see the face.
The robe is just that, a robe. Same thing as cape but with sleeves. I don't think it'll be difficult to find.
Aso, he will wear something that will hide his mane. And the tail must look not so royal as his does... It will be dirty and feature some dried ketchup-blood.

Alright, I suppose I did a... I don't know if I can call it a decent job. Whatever... I think these sketches are fine.

Well, I think I can only wait for Saturday to come. We have a castle to explore. Who knows what good stuff we'll find there that will help us with the costumes.