The sun was already setting as Cheerilee dismissed her class. It wasn’t that she had run late, but rather that this was a special day of the year. A day that was about the night. It was the shortest day of the year, breaking up the pattern of smooth progression toward longer nights as winter gave way to spring on its way to summer.

In a time only two ponies still remembered, it had been a bit of a celebration. It was always a full moon, and often marked with meteor showers or more conventional fireworks. Often the brightest stars were arranged in the outline of an alicorn, with the moon squarely in the flank. Many ponies had guessed it to be Luna’s birthday, but the sisters who knew the truth never shared. While Pinkie had ruled that out recently with the Sense materia, she hadn’t yet learned the truth. It was the anniversary of Luna’s cute-ceañera.

For the thousand years of Luna’s imprisonment, Celestia had held the date in her timetables, continuing to lengthen the night and keep the moon full every year. On those nights she had shut herself into her sister’s bedroom, giving the staff a push to clean it out properly before she sulked in it, watching the moon with renewed regrets as she waited for the day of her sister’s return. When exhaustion overtook her, Nightmare Moon would assail her dreams, then more than any other night, weakening her faith in the happy ending to come, but never shattering it completely.

Meanwhile, the ponies had come up with their own ways to twist the traditions. The traditional candies offered to the Princess as a gift should she arrive, or enjoyed in her stead in vicarious celebration, instead became a way to ward her off from devouring a pony. The celebration of beauty, excitement, and fairly often loving intimacy instead became a celebration of fear and terror built around the monster she had become, until that perverted further into a playful false fear.

A part of that tradition was dressing up. Some dressed as monsters or villains, others as more harmless things, silly things, or even admirable things. But nopony would go out on Nightmare Night without a costume of some sort. The school children had not been allowed to wear their costumes during class, for fear of distraction, but now that they were allowed to, many drew their costumes from their packs and began to don them immediately, even as others scampered toward their homes.

Apple Bloom put on a tall black and white wig, with a stitched cardboard mockery of her usual bow. Silver Spoon helped draw black lines about her and adorn them with fake stitches like she had been taken apart and reassembled, even while Scootaloo dyed her tail to match the wig. She was to go as Frankenmare’s monster, a walking corpse reanimated through magically harnessed lightning.

Scootaloo’s costume was much easier to don, a wolf-headed mask with gray fur and matching furry vest. She managed it herself, while Silver Spoon was being dyed green by Apple Bloom. The rich pony then needed her friends to tie several green-dyed ropes about her body as ‘vines’, and affix numerous bright blue paper mache flowers all about her body.

“Are you planning to ‘curse’ anypony, miss Poison Joke?” Scootaloo inquired.

Silver Spoon lifted her hoof where the squirt gun full of blue liquid was hidden under one of the fake flowers. “I’ve already paid Aloe and Vera to provide the cure to anypony who needs it by the end of the night.”

They clopped hooves and shared wicked grins, while Apple Bloom gave a less enthusiastic, “Well, alright then.”

“Aaargh!” a high pitched voice growled from the other side of the room. “Who be yon cuties on this fair Nightmare Night?”

The fillies giggled as they turned to see their smallest classmate, the colt named Pipsqueak, standing atop a desk in a pirate costume. “Hi, Pip!” Scootaloo greeted. “Nice costume. Ready to go trick or treating?”

“Avast, yon sweetened treasures await!” he confirmed, hopping down to start heading out the door.

They made it as far as the edge of the schoolyard before Pip paused, speaking normally in a moment of seriousness. “Should we wait for Miss Pie? There’ve been an awful lot of monsters about lately, and it’s already dark.”

“You can if you want to,” Silver Spoon said, holding up the hoof with the partially concealed squirt gun. “But we’re high level monster hunters ourselves, so we’re not worried. You’d be as safe with us as with a member of the other Elements.”

Pip looked skeptical as he considered it, then waved them on. “I’ll just stay here and wait. Pinkie should be by soon. If you’re going on your own, I guess I’ll just see you later.”

They parted amicably enough, and soon the fillies were on the road toward the town center. They quickly got deep into conversation with one another, paying little attention to their surroundings. They were certain if any monster did appear it would emerge with a growl or roar or the like, drawing their attention and giving them a moment to react. As a result, they completely missed it when a six-legged crocilisk approached them and peacefully walked right past.

That is, until it reached Pip and tried to attack. The crunch of the gate’s wood splintering in its jaws got their attention a moment before Pip’s scream for help. “How did we miss that?!” Silver Spoon asked as they broke into a gallop to clear the distance they had just travelled.

“I thought it was just a really good costume,” Scootaloo pointed out, her own wolf-head wobbling from the speed of her run. The pegasus was the first to get into range, and her cayenne spray easily drove the monster off.

“You know… on second thought, I think I will go with you,” Pip said with a laugh.

“You’re not bothering with a costume,” I asked Nanaki as we headed out.

“You’re not,” he pointed out. “And besides, Spike is going as a dragon. So I’ll just go as a human.”

“He’s still clearly in a costume, however redundant,” I pointed out. “And it’s not like this is how I normally look. Either of me. I’m either wearing a Twilight Sparkle costume, or a Cloud Strife costume, depending which of me you ask.”

“Anyways, we’re just going out to get a bite to eat, just like we have every night since we got to town,” Nanaki countered. “It’s not like we’re taking the time to enjoy the festivities.”

“Still… it feels wrong,” I murmured.

“And I for one am partaking of the festivities,” Spike countered. “You two can continue your research without me for the evening. I’m going to get me some candies.”

“That’s fine Spike, just make sure to brush your teeth properly afterwards,” I said, channeling Twilight before the comment reminded me of my own responsibilities. “Diamond, are you and Sweetie Belle going with Spike tonight?”

Diamond shook her head. “I’ll stick with you if that’s okay, Mom. Let those two have fun together. I don’t want to be the third wheel.”

“I’m afraid that’s my job,” Rarity commented, her magic helping her put the finishing touches on her costume. She and her sister had similar vampire costumes, just different enough to compliment one another. “If you’re sure you don’t want to join us, Diamond?”

I’d be tempted to point out Diamond would be a third wheel between Nanaki and I, but Twilight’s presence was already making that a bit awkward. Despite the intimate moments she had already been a part of, our union made any romantic gesture toward me effectively aimed at Twilight as well. And spending time together highlighted the things she and Nanaki had in common that I lacked. It wasn’t jealousy; I knew he wouldn’t leave me for her if we were able to separate, but the longer it happened the more inevitable it felt that she would be included in our family going forward. It was harder for me to object. So having my daughter along to de-romanticize everything was welcome at the moment.

“That’s sorted then,” I said. “So… what do you want for dinner?”

“Why do they keep coming after me?!” Pip asked, after the fourth monster attack. Every single one of them had ignored the fillies until they engaged, but made a beeline for the pirate pony. On the third, he’d taken to fending them off with his toy sword. The fourth he’d even drawn a bit of blood with a strong whack to the snout.

“Maybe they think you’re an easier target? A nice tasty bite-sized treat?” Scootaloo asked.

“That’s not funny!” Pip complained.

“Sorry…” Scootaloo said, rubbing her head. “It is kind of strange though. They do usually at least notice us. Maybe they have something particular against pirates? Who knew?”

“Maybe…” Silver Spoon said, frowning in thought.

“Maybe they just don’t care for poison joke?” Apple Bloom offered.

“That would explain one of us,” Silver Spoon accepted. “What about you two?”

The wolf-costumed pegasus and the walking corpse-costumed earth filly looked each other over and shrugged. The mystery unsolved, they continued on their way, until they were able to find Pinkie Pie and the other foals in their class.

They weren’t the only ones who had faced trouble. Adults as well had been harassed, as was growing far too common, with some ponies being simply ignored by the monsters. The thestrals were up early, flying to the rescue as needed, while the Elements of Harmony stepped in to deal with whatever happened in their vicinity. Those who were present, anyways. Fluttershy was safely locked in her cottage. Much like the Elements of Greatness, giant chicken Pinkie Pie and scarecrow Applejack were ignored by the monsters until they made their attacks. Rainbow Dash was riding about on a thundercloud in a Shadowbolt costume, and didn’t give the monsters a chance to notice or ignore her.

With their protectors stepping in, the ponies settled into a wary peace, keeping alert as they tried to enjoy the festivities. Ponies bobbing for apples would make a quick check around before and after the quick duck of their head. Nopony would try for a pinata without somepony they trusted keeping watch while they were blindfolded. With so many eyes on the watch, a chariot borne by batlike wings approaching through the night sky didn’t go unnoticed. All eyes were on them already when the rider called out loudly.

“Citizens of Ponyville! We have graced your tiny village with our presence, so that you might behold the real Princess of the Night! A creature of nightmares no longer, but instead a pony who desires your love and admiration! Together we shall change this dreadful celebration into a bright and glorious feast!”

Ominous thunder and lightning punctuated the pronouncement, adding an extra sinister layer to it. Pinkie Pie gasped loudly and called out in alarm. “Did you hear that, everypony? Nightmare Moon says she's gonna feast on us all!”

The thestrals guarding the town turned to fly toward her, gathering above the town square as the princess descended. Some who saw them calmed, while others seemed to be even more alarmed.

“What? No, children, no!” Princess Luna objected. “You no longer have reason to fear us! Screams of delight is what your princess desires, not screams of terror!” She stamped her hoof in frustration.

At that, a group of children did approach her. “Greetings Princess, welcome to Ponyville,” Silver Spoon greeted. “Everypony is a bit on edge because of the monster attacks.”

“And also because you’re Nightmare Moon!” Pinkie Pie added from a safe distance.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes at that. “Also, the monsters are being kind of weird tonight. They’ve been ignoring like half of us for some reason. It’d be great, except it makes it a bit too easy.”

Princess Luna was left a bit off-balance, torn between getting down to business protecting her ponies or solving the mystery, and simply basking in the relief of being approached by foals, of all ponies, with no hint of fear. Apple Bloom tipped things over by offering her an apple, its taste so sweet it brought tears freely to her eyes.

“Thank you, children,” Luna said with an overwhelming rush of emotion. It took her a minute to regain her composure, but when she did she was driven to help their problem as they had helped hers. “Can you help me? Gather everypony nearby, and divide them into those whom the monsters harass, and those they ignore. Guards! You will protect those the monsters have been attacking!”

We headed to Applebucks, a restaurant one step up from the hay burger joint with a better selection of meals that fit our dietary needs. We had been there a few times since coming to Canterlot, so it was an easy option to get food for ourselves today.

Or at least, we expected it to be easy. “Twilie?” a familiar voice I had never heard before asked. I stiffened, knowing full well who was asking, and not wanting to acknowledge it, even as I knew the inevitable would be worse if I didn’t.

Nanaki turned to regard the mare who had spoken, and the stallion accompanying her. He looked them over for a moment before questioning. “Are you looking for Twilight Sparkle? You should join us, I’ll let the server know we’ll need a table for five then.”

Pushing through Twilight’s fear, I turned to face the other Twilight. Behind me sat Twilight Velvet, and her husband Night Light. “H-hi mom. Dad,” I let out nervously, almost matching Twilight’s normal voice. She was practically taking control, leaving me to merely nudge her out of her paralysis.

Twilight Velvet looked me in the eyes, then a bit above them at my horn. “Your father thought maybe you had gotten into fashion, or your friend had thought you cutie mark would look good on clothing for other races,” she began. “Why am I not surprised that it’s you turning yourself into something else?”

“Eheheheh,” I let out. “You’re… not still sore about the time I turned you into a cactus and an agave, are you?”

“No! No, no, dear,” Night Light said. “Foals have magic surges, it’s a fact of life. Nothing to keep a grudge over. And if your… special somepony is, well, not a pony, I can see why you might turn to transmutation.” He was eyeing Nanaki critically, unsure how to react to the red-head’s amused smirk.

“Speaking of which, why haven’t you mentioned him in any of your letters home? And don’t try to deny it, we saw your, uh… hands? Clasped together as you walked in here,” Twilight Velvet said.

“It’s not like that! Well, not exactly. It’s… very complicated,” I fumbled, blushing horribly.

“It is, and it can wait until we’re seated,” Nanaki offered, killing the conversation for several minutes of awkward silence.

“I can’t say I get it,” Applejack said, looking around the gathering of ponies even as a vampire jackalope hopped idly past them, starting to stalk the other group until one of the thestrals moved in to drive it away. “None of us have anythin’ in common, aside from bein’ ponies.”

Luna frowned looking at the two groups. Applejack was in a group of ponies costumed as a wide variety of things. Aside from the Elements, there were several other scarecrows, a ladybug and a bee, a lion, and a clown among others. The other group had a wide variety as well: pirate, princess, astronaut, ninja, surgeon, and a few vikings to name a few.

“How can that be it?” Applejack said. “They’re all ponies too,” she pointed at the group the monsters were still after.

“They are, but you aren’t,” Luna pointed out. “You are all dressed as monsters, animals, or other un-pony things,” she said. She gave a small, unconscious, shudder of fear as she looked at Mayor Mare. “The monsters are only going after those dressed like other ordinary ponies.”

“So, what we need here is more monster costumes then?” Mayor Mare inquired.

“Luckily, I have them stashed all around Ponyville in case of costume emergencies!” Pinkie Pie offered, before immediately slamming a crocodile costume onto Berryshine. Physics be damned, the simple motion managed to get the costume into place under her existing explorer shirt and pith helmet, leaving her looking like a crocodile Daring Do. The be-costumed mare trotted over to the ‘safe’ group, clopping hooves with a rather similar looking pony wearing nothing but a sheet with two eyeholes cut into it. “Nice costume,” they told each other in unison before giggling.

With Pinkie on the job, it was only a matter of minutes before every pony in town was dressed as something other than a pony. With that, the festivities were able to get going at full bore. The monsters didn’t stop coming, but soon the ponies were ignoring them as easily as they ignored the ponies.

With things settled down, the thestrals settled into the general area around Princess Luna. A couple stationed themselves on clouds, a couple mingled with the townsponies. Chill Breeze chatted with the pair that pulled the princess’ chariot.

“Sweets for the sweetest mare in Ponyville?” Solar Eclipse inquired, offering the princess a hooffull of Sweetie Drops’ finest. As Luna happily accepted he continued on. “Are you going to be around? I’d love to take you out to dinner once you’ve put the moon to bed. And if you can stay the day, I’d be happy to tuck you into bed,~” he said suggestively.

“What in Luna’s name do you think you are doing?!” Corporal Moonshadow demanded of the stallion as she swiftly dropped to the ground near the two, trying unsuccessfully to separate them without touching either.

“I’m… asking an attractive mare out on a date. I thought that was obvious,” Private Eclipse said. “I wasn’t too subtle, was I? I’ve never gotten that complaint yet,” he added to the princess.

“No, you were not too subtle,” Luna reassured. “And what in my name do you think you are doing?” she asked the corporal.

“But- he- you can’t just hit on a princess like that!” Moonshadow objected, cringing defensively.

“Am I, a mighty alicorn and co-ruler of this nation, presumed powerless to defend myself from the verbal advances of an affectionate stallion?” Luna asked pointed.

“Well, no, I mean-” the mare fumbled before recovering. “No, ma’am! I just thought you wouldn’t want to…”

“You thought I wouldn’t want to be complemented, desired as a mare, and pursued?” Luna continued, calmly accusing.

When Moonshadow didn’t answer, Eclipse stepped in to regain Luna’s attention. “So… this morning at eight?”

Luna glanced toward Canterlot, considered her duties and obligations for the moment, then turned back to him. “I’d love to.”

“It’s not what you think,” I began as we took our seats.

“It had better not be,” Velvet said. “I’ve got quite the vivid imagination, as you’d know if you read any of my books. So perhaps you’d best make me stop guessing.”

“I, well, Cloud, I mean…” I started before pausing, taking a deep breath, and starting again. “Cloud Strife, the human who leads the Elements of Harmony, she recently and unexpectedly gained the ability to, well, do this. Join with a pony to become one person, a combination of both. Nanaki here is actually Cloud’s coltfriend, not your daughter’s.”

“Okay… so you didn’t just turn yourself into a human?” Night Light clarified. “How long does that last?”

“We’re researching how to undo it,” I said. “So far it’s been a few weeks. We couldn’t find a solution in the Golden Oak Library, so we’re trying the Royal Archives, starting with the Starswirl the Bearded wing.”

“Have you tried… not being a magical fusion of two ponies, err, people?” Velvet inquired.

I stared at her in disbelief. “It’s not that simple!”

“Have you tried?” Nanaki asked as well.

“Fine!” I said, closing my eyes and ‘trying’.

I opened them when I heard Twilight laugh nervously and request a sixth chair from the wait staff.