Here it is, the 31st of October! The Nightmare Night...

It has been a very hard month. Learning how to stitch things together was really difficult... I think I wasted at least a good five meters of fabric trying to come up with something decent. But hey, I managed to do everything right in the end! And now I have deep respect for tailors and seamstresses — they do it for a living. And I can certainly say that if they passed the hardships of beginners, they deserve some respect.

Also, my friends and I went through a few changes in the costumes. Mine remained mostly the same, while Moonshine's went through a few minor changes. For one, we decided that there'll be no crown. We came up with something different, and maybe even more interesting — more jewelry. Idea is, Ghuleh the Zombie Queen is obsessed with jewelry because of loss of her beauty. Thus, she wears a ring on her horn, a few emeralds on one of her ears, a big necklace (though, it looks more like a piece of armor) with a big emerald in it. So, it really adds to the picture.

Blueblood's suit didn't change much but we decided that the robe isn't necessary — it will hide most of the armor. Instead, he will wear a simple dark-green cloak. The second thing is, we decided to get rid of the visor and instead rely on the dark the hood gives. A pair of glowing green eyes under the hood are more evil-looking than just a plain visor. Also, we decided to change the fur color — make it completely black. And adding a pair of long fangs did it — the look became great.
Also, the armor. I added some decor — some curved lines. It made the suit of armor look less bland than it originally was.

Oh, but what a pain was making Moonshine's dress! I'm glad I didn't have fingers to do it — they would be completely devastated by now.
So, I'm looked in some history books that had pictures of rulers. I picked some ideas, added some of my own, and here it is, the dress! It really suits a ruler.
Also, we had a hard time finding wings for Moonshine. Nevertheless, we got a working pair of fake wings. By working, I mean that they can fold and unfold by the wearer's will. They can't be used for flying, obviously.

Moonshine and I used some body paint to make the skull on our faces. It looks scary and great at the same time! Also, Moonshine got some makeup for her not-bone-exposing side of her face — and she looks freaking gorgeous with it!

***

All of us are now at the apartment, preparing our suits. I've cast spells for us to change some colors — I got very dark gray fur and black mane, Blueblood was painted black from head to hooves, and Moonshine's mane was turned black. Dark colors, yay!

"It's a bit hot in here." Blueblood complained after putting on his suit and cloak. "But it's fine."

"I'm fine here." Moonshine said, looking into the miniature mirror I gave her. "Oh, I look great! Even with... the skull."

"So, everypony's ready?" I asked after finishing dressing. "We have a whole night ahead of us."

There was no school today. Firstly, because of the holiday, and then because it's Sunday. However, I can clearly see that there are ominous pumpkins all over the place, and that means that the school isn't empty.

So, we have a full night ahead of us. We are going to school to party there until midnight (it's nine p.m. now), and at midnight the winner of the costume competition will be decided. And then, we are going to walk around Canterlot asking for sweets... That will be fun!

My friends and I rehearsed a lot to get our roles right. Blueblood must always be silent, I must speak for everyone, and I must speak as ominously as possible. And Moonshine must order us around and be that higher-than-you type of person, always looking down on others. She didn't want to do it at first, but she understood it is needed because it'll look strange if a dark queen of zombies is nice to everyone. So, yeah, we went all-serious on everything.

I really hope we win the competition. So much effort went into this project! If it fails, I will be like "How the fuck did we lose?". Because seriously, we cannot lose!

***

We entered the school. Holy hell, there're a lot of ponies in here! It seems that everyone is here, from the first grade to last. The hall is filled with ponies, that's what I can see. There are also two long tables and candles floating in the air, and the night sky can be seen. It looks beautiful and magical and... It all just looks great! Yeah, that's how you do 31st of October! There are pumpkins, but not too much, and I see that they are carved differently. And... Hm, it seems that instead of Jack-o-Lantern, they use pumpkins with Nightmare Moon's face carved in them. It makes sense, it's Nightmare Night, after all.

So... There are lots of food and drinks on the tables. The tables themselves are covered with indigo tablecloths.

What I noticed is that shades of blue, and black prevail. It is indeed a celebration devoted to Nightmare Moon.

Actually, I've read about it in a book. It says that since the banishment of Luna who became Nightmare Moon, her dark alter ego was worshiped as the night protector and defender of those who live under the moonlight. Basically, this celebration is just worshipping Nightmare Moon, dressing as creatures of the dark, and taking part in festivities.

Well, I can see a variety of costumes. A pony dressed as a vampire, a werewolf, timberwolves, bats... Yeah, there's a lot. There are also a few Nightmare Moons walking around, a couple of night guards (Maybe some of them are even real, we never know), some Lunas, and a Celestia. Though, no one has any body paint as far as I see. It seems my idea was rather original!

And I've just noticed that everything went silent as everypony's staring at us.

The three of us stood, watched by the crowd. And I prepared for something like this!

"Allow me to introduce," I spoke with the most royal tone I could get. "Ghuleh, the Zombie Queen!" I gestured at Moonshine.

"Hello, dear ponies!" she spoke in a tone so maliciously sweet... Holy crap, that is something I've never thought I'll hear! She did it perfectly. "And, as a queen, it is my honor to present my loyal servants." she pointed at me. "He is Euronymous, the advisor befitting a ruler like myself. And he—" she pointed at Blueblood. "Is my Lord Protector, the best of knights!" hey, that's actually a good title! Did she just come up with it? "Oh, and I am so glad to see all of you here tonight... On this Nightmare Night!" she said, royally raising her head as only a monarch could do.

And everything erupted in cheering. Wow, we did it! I'd never thought we could do so much just by entering!

***

After everything settled down, we began to taste the variety of foods and drinks. Some cookies, sweets, even a piece of cake, that is what we tasted. And I find it delicious! Especially those cookies that look like the moon. Even if they look gray, they are absolutely fantastical!

"Good costume!" I heard someone talking to me. I turned around and saw that it was a vampire-dressed teenage pony. "Where did you get it?"

"Made myself." I replied. And that is true!

"Oh sweet Luna, that is amazing!" the colt extended his hoof. "Your mask looks really good, too!"

"Thanks," I replied, hoof-bumping him. "But that is face paint."

"Even cooler!" he smiled. "By the way, how did you do that thing with the eyes? I know that lenses are for different color, but size?"

"That's some magic." I replied. Why is he even asking that?

"And how does it feel?"

"It's fine." I answered. "And... why are you asking that? Are you so interested?"

"Well, yeah, I am!" he replied excitedly. "I've recently got my cutie mark, and it says I'm a good designer! Currently, I just look and learn. I want to become famous one day!" his grin grew. "Creating different costumes is my passion!"

"Good luck with that, then." I smiled in return.

The night's going well.

After a few hours of partying and anonymous socialization (no one ever revealed the true names, including the three of us), all of us were gathered in the concert hall. Somepony stepped on stage, and it seems it is... the director himself! And he looks like a dark mage — he wears black robe, his eyes are glowing red. I managed to recognize him only by the beard. And hey, even he isn't too old for this!

"Ladies and gentlecolts," he spoke. "Today, we are gathered here to celebrate Nightmare Night!" he raised his left hoof, and the crowd cheered. "However, it is more than this... There is a competition of who did the best costume for tonight. Those who wish to compete, please come on the scene."

Here we go! After exchanging nods, the three of us went to the stage. The majority of the crowd stayed behind while about thirty-fifty ponies came with us. And their costumes are rather good, in my opinion.

"Good, good!" the director spoke in an evil voice. Darth Sidious, is that you? "Finally, the competitors are here! So," he turned to us. "Is there anypony who can play the grand instrument? To set the mood for our celebration... Anypony?"

He pointed at the pipe organ. Oh hell YES! Playing such an instrument on the 31st of October is what I dreamt of since learning how to play organ!

I raised my hoof.

"Oh my, it seems there is somepony." he walked to me. "Who are you?"

"Euronymous, the loyal advisor of Her Majesty Ghuleh, the Zombie Queen!" I replied.

"Very well, then." he turned to Moonshine. "Your Majesty, may Euronymous show us his skills?"

"He is my court organist. I carefully picked him — and he is the best" she replied. "You shall never find anypony better than him. Of course, he will play music for this wonderful celebration."

Well, it seems Moonshine was taking acting lessons. Otherwise, I have no explanation of how greatly she executes her role as a queen.

I walked to the pipe organ. What do I play... I need something that sounds somewhat evil and beautiful at the same time. Hm, I may have an idea...

"It is a tradition of ours," the director spoke. "To play this majestic instrument every thirty-first of October to praise Nightmare Moon! She deserves the beautiful music only such an instrument as pipe organ can give. So, Euronymous," he turned to me. "Be so kind — play an opening to the costumes competition. Play whatever you like."

And I know what I will play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVfUbjD6Gzk&

As I started playing, everything but the pipe organ became silent. Everypony looked at me and listened as I played this great and haunting piece of music. Using my two hooves to play two notes simultaneously, I used my magic to play the rest, and my hind legs helped me with the bass.

Well, I can almost hear the jaw-dropping from the crowd. I think they are surprised that I can play something as complex as pipe organ just like that.

And I can't wait for the competition itself!

***

After playing the opening, the crowd cheered and applauded me for the music. What can I say, I'm awesome tonight!

"Thank you for your excellent performance, Euronymous!" the director told me with a smile on his face. "Now, let's get to our competition.

"As you can all see, there are a total of forty-three ponies on stage. They will introduce themselves now. We already get acquainted with Ghuleh the Zombie Queen and her loyal advisor Euronymous. Is there anypony else in your company?" he asked us.

"Indeed there is." Moonshine nodded, then pointed at Blueblood. "The Nameless Ghoul. He is my Lord Protector, the best of dark knights. His real name means nothing — his actions speak louder than words."

Blueblood nodded silently.

"So, are the three of you together?" the director asked.

"Why, of course! A queen must never travel alone." Moonshine did an evil grin. "Who knows what will try to stop her from reaching her destination or completing her goals..."

"Very well, then!" the director bowed. "Glad to have you as our guest, Your Majesty."

It seems he also knows how to play a role. And it's absolutely awesome! I've never seen anything like this before! If every Halloween celebration was as entertaining as this! I would really partake in every one of them!

So, as far as I can see, the three of us have earned the favor of the ponies. Moonshine is playing the act very well, I played organ music - everything is going like we wanted it to. After all, we didn't prepare for nothing.

Some time later.

We've watched what others had to offer. And... I was disappointed. Poorly-done performances, mostly. Some ponies had great costumes but they just didn't go along with it, in my opinion. It's like acting like a joker when you're dressed as a knight. It just doesn't make any sense... Though, there were some funny moments here and there that set everypony laughing, but still... I suppose the three of us were the best. No one outdid us! There were some attempts to play a musical instrument, but those were mostly simple piano or harpsichord melodies. Not that great, but still decent.

And after that performance we did on the scene, everypony wanted to talk to us. We really did something great! So, while Moonshine was mostly silent, I explained everything to those who gathered around us. The story did less impact than our performance, but still did well. Speaking the truth, I expected much less than what we got. But it seems we are really good tonight, and everything's in our favor. The best night ever! We just need to find out who won the competition, as the counting of votes almost ended by now. I really hope we win.

So, this night was really fun. I'm not sleepy at all, I am excited! And after tasting those wonderful cookies... Everything was worth it! The effort I put into the costumes, Moonshine's act, and if it wasn't Blueblood we'd be separated and this awesome idea wouldn't have come to my mind. So, everypony took a part in making this. And even if we don't win, I will still be happy that I had friends having fun with me.

"Attention everypony!" the director was on stage again. "The votes were counted, and the winner is chosen. Or, dare I say, winners..."

Is he speaking what I'm thinking?

"The three ponies were decided as winners of this year's costumes competition. They showed not only their hoof-crafted costumes that were did rather well, but also a great performance that set the mood for the celebration as a whole. So, the winners are: Ghuleh the Zombie Queen, her loyal advisor Euronymous, and her Lord Protector, the Nameless Ghoul!"

Is... Is it real? We win? Oooh yeah!

The director had a small golden-colored goblet and a three pieces of paper in his hoof.

"Euronymous, be so kind." Moonshine said, not losing her act. "Take what is rightfully ours."

"Yes, my queen." I bowed to her, and then walked up on the stage and to the director.

"Having someone as creative as you is wonderful!" he spoke just loud enough for me to hear as he handed me the prize. "I've never witnessed such a performance! Congratulations! You can check the papers in any Equestrian Bank or just use them to buy whatever you want to spend your money on. Don't forget to tell your friends now!"

He turned to the crowd as everypony cheered and applauded me for the win in the competition.

"So, ladies and gentlecolts, our celebration comes to an end." the director spoke to everyone. "It was a pleasure seeing you all here tonight! See you a week later!"

Oh goody, there's also a free week! That is great!

Wow, I still can't believe we did it. I better tell my friends about that and give them what they deserve. This money we got will come in handy!

Yeah, I did it for the money, but it was still funny and awesome. The end result matters less to me than the whole process... And now I can say that Moonshine and Blueblood are really my friends. After what we went through together, the friendship was sure to be formed.

And I am happy it did.

Author's Notes:

So, what do you think of the trio's costumes?