Gemstone smelled something fishy when she entered the kitchen that morning. Well, it wasn't fishy, but waffle-y. It was who was making what was causing the smell that was fishy.
Sweetie Belle was at the waffle maker. It's not that Gemstone was surprised to see her aunt in her house. She had been staying at Carousel Boutique to help Rarity during her last few weeks of pregnancy. What surprised Gemstone was the fact that her aunt was cooking, and no matter how old she'd get, her mother would never let Sweetie Belle cook unsupervised.
Something was definitely fishy…or waffle-y.
"Um, Aunt Sweetie?" Gemstone said, clearing her throat. "What are you doing?"
Sweetie Belle looked down at her niece and laughed. "You mean what am I doing in the kitchen without my sister hovering over my shoulder? Well, kiddo, it just so happens that I'm in charge here while your parents are at the hospital."
The filly tilted her head. "The hospital? What's wr—?"
Her eyes grew big as realization came to her. "You mean…?"
Sweetie Belle nodded. "Rarity's water broke last night."
"That would explain the screeching I heard." Gemstone grinned. "So she's coming? My baby sister's coming?!"
"Yup," the mare replied as she used her magic to levitate the waffles out of the cooker and onto two plates. "They didn't wanna wake you, so they asked me to stay with you. They expect us to head on over there after breakfast."
"What are we waiting for then?! Let's go!"
Gemstone galloped out of the kitchen.
"Gem, wait!" Sweetie Belle called. "Your mom will kill me if she finds out you didn't eat your breakfast!"
The filly returned and stuffed the waffle in her mouth.
"Awl duh!" she grumbled before racing off again.
Sweetie Belle shook her head as she followed her, her waffle floating beside her.
Gemstone pressed her face against the glass as she searched the cradles of newborns.
"Which one is she?"
"She's still with her mother," Nurse Redheart said. "This way."
Sweetie Belle took her niece's hoof and followed the nurse. Gemstone grew more and more nervous as they walked through the maternity ward.
"Do you think she'll like me?" she whispered to her aunt.
"Of course, she will," Sweetie Belle replied. "She's your little sister. Little sisters always look up to their big sisters. I know from experience."
"Here we are," Nurse Redheart announced, opening one of the doors.
Rarity was in bed, wearing a blue hospital gown, Fancy Pants standing over her. As Gemstone approached her parents, she realized they were staring down at a small bundle in her mother's hooves. They looked at their daughter and smiled.
"Gemstone," Rarity whispered, holding out the bundle. "Come see your new baby sister."
Gemstone stood on her hind legs and placed her front hooves on the bed to get a closer look. Wrapped in a blanket was a little, round, white head. A horn so small, it might as well be the tip of a pencil came up from its forehead, a strand of lavender curling around it.
"My sister," Gemstone whispered in awe.
"Her name is Jewel," Fancy Pants said, lifting his elder daughter onto the bed.
"Jewel…"
"Do you want to hold her?" Rarity asked.
Gemstone reached out her hooves but hesitated. "What if I drop her?"
Her mother chuckled. "You won't. But be very careful. She's sleeping."
She gently handed the bundle to the filly and Gemstone held the newborn close to her chest. She had cradled a foal before, but this one was surprisingly light, almost like she was cradling a tuft of cloud.
"She's so…tiny," Gemstone muttered.
The newborn's eyes fluttered open and two tiny sapphires stared up at her in wonder. Gemstone expected her to cry, but instead her mouth opened in a smile.
"She likes me!" Gemstone exclaimed.
Her parents laughed.
"I take it you like her too?" Rarity inquired.
"Of course!" the filly declared, giving her sister a gentle squeeze. "She's the most perfect baby sister in all Equestria!"
"Phew!" Sweetie Belle sighed in relief. "I was worried this was gonna be another me and Rarity!"
"Hey!" Rarity protested.
The adults laughed again while Gemstone stared lovingly at her sister. She was so beautiful, so small, so delicate. It had taken forever, but her Hearth's Warming wish had finally come true.
Gemstone brushed her sister's lavender curl and whispered, "I'm going to be the best big sister you could ever have, Jewel. I promise."
When Jewel was brought home, all of Rarity's friends came to see the newborn, with the exception of Rainbow Dash and Soarin who watched through Prism's magic mirror.
"Aw, look at the cutie!" Soarin exclaimed.
"Yeah," Rainbow shrugged. "I suppose she's cute."
"You kidding?!" Pinkie screeched. "She's adorable!"
"I just wanna pinch her cute wittle hooves!" Cheese Sandwich cooed.
"We wanna see!" the Tri-Pies chanted, jumping up and down. "We wanna see!"
Discord teleported in front of the crowd in a police uniform. "Step aside, folks! Potential playmate coming through!"
Fluttershy rolled her eyes as she carried her toddler Zany over to the crib.
"Zany," Fluttershy coaxed, "this is Jewel."
"Jewel!" Zany piped.
"That's right. She's your new friend."
"Friend!"
A pink rattle materialized next to Zany and floated down to Jewel. The newborn clapped her hooves in delight before hugging the rattle.
"Awwwwwwww!" the entire room said in unison.
Applejack carried Applespike to the crib. The dragon-pony was sucking on an emerald. Jewel looked up at the new baby and tilted her head in curiosity.
"Applespike," Applejack whispered, "meet Jewel."
The dragon-pony perked up at the mention of the word "jewel," but was confused since he already had a jewel in his mouth. He looked down and noticed the foal holding the pink rattle. He had seen Zany conjure it up and figured he should give something to the foal too.
He took out his half-eaten emerald coated in spit. Jewel stared at it and let out an unsatisfied shriek. Spike couldn't help but chuckle.
"She really is Rarity's daughter, huh?"
The room erupted in laughter. Jewel broke it with a loud wail.
"Oh dear," Rarity said. "Feeding time."
"Let me feed her!" Gemstone cried, attempting to push through the crowd.
Sweetie Belle stepped her hoof in front of the filly.
"I don't think you'd want to, Gem. You see, newborn foals are fed in a…special way."
The filly tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Her aunt whispered in her ear, which made Gemstone's eyes widen.
"Ew, gross!"
"Told you that you wouldn't wanna help," Sweetie Belle murmured.
A week later, Gemstone's grandparents came to see their new granddaughter. Jewel laughed as Grandpa Magnum cradled her.
"Aw, isn't she just the cutest thing?" he chuckled. "She's got her mother's eyes, her grandma's hair and her sister's smile!"
"Why, she almost looks like Sweetie Belle when we brought her home!" Gemstone's grandmother declared. "You remember that, dear? Oh, she was so adorable! Always gurgling whenever she needed a change!"
"Mom!" Sweetie Belle groaned.
Jewel opened her mouth with a howl. Gemstone immediately jumped up.
"Let me handle it!"
"It's alright, sweetheart," Fancy Pants assured her.
He put his baby girl over his shoulder and patted her gently on the back. She let out a tiny burp.
"Oh," Gemstone said, slumping to the floor. "Good."
A cry came from the nursery and Gemstone raced up the stairs in excitement.
"Don't worry, Jewel! I'm coming!"
But her mother and aunt had gotten there before her. Rarity was holding her nose in disgust. Gemstone sniffed the air and covered her nose as well.
"This one's on you, Sweetie Belle," Rarity grumbled.
Her sister sighed. "I should've guessed."
She used her magic to levitate her niece out of her crib and onto the changing table.
"Can I help?" Gemstone asked.
"I've got it covered," Sweetie Belle said as her magic undid Jewel's diaper.
"Oh," the filly uttered as she hung her head.
Rarity tilted her head in concern. "What's wrong, darling?"
"Is there any way I can help with the baby?"
"Of course, darling. You're a big help around here."
"But I haven't done anything for Jewel since she got here! I haven't fed her, burped her, changed her diaper, sung her to sleep… Shouldn't I be doing something? I'm her big sister for crying out loud!"
"You've done a lot, Gem," Rarity said putting a hoof on her shoulder. "You've made her stop crying just by holding her, you've played peek-a-boo with her, you've told her stories…"
"Yes, but I never do anything responsible. I know I'm not usually the responsible one, Mummy, but I want to be responsible for Jewel. I'm her big sister and I want to help take care of her."
"You're already doing that, by being her playmate and comforter."
"But when can I do something really helpful?"
Rarity lifted her daughter's head so her eyes could meet hers. "When the time comes, I will let you know. Alright?"
Gemstone sighed and nodded.
It was Nightmare Night and Gemstone was jumping up and down so much that her mother was having trouble getting her into her costume. Since they now had six members, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had decided to dress up as the Power Ponies. Rarity had made a Radiance costume for her daughter. If only she could get her in it.
"Darling, hold still!" Rarity demanded.
"This is going to be so much fun!" Gemstone exclaimed. "I love Nightmare Night! And with Lemon Drop in our club, we're going to get twice as much candy this year! Oh, and the festival! I've been working on my throwing! This year, I'm going to beat Prism at the spider web game! I'll beat her at all the games! Except for bobbing for apples. No, I will not get my mane all wet and will not bite into an apple that some pony else sank their teeth in!"
"Gemstone!" her mother breathed as she slid the pink diamond bracelets onto her daughter's hooves. "I know you're excited, but you're not even in your costume yet! Now, sit still while I put these diamonds in your hair."
"Sorry, Mum, but you know I love Nightmare Night! I think it's my favorite holiday after Hearth's Warming! Not sure why. Maybe it's the fabulous costumes! Or the candy! Or both! Oh, and I can't wait to see how Uncle Discord decorated his castle this year! Did you see what he did last year? He made it like Count Drakeula's castle! And guess who he dressed up as?"
"Count Drakeula?"
"Yes! He even grew a second fang! They were so big, I thought they were going to sink them in my neck and drain me of my blood!"
"Where do you get these ideas? Certainly not from your father. Must be your aunt's influence."
"Don't you like Nightmare Night, Mother?"
"Oh, I do, just with all the costume orders I get, I'm always pooped by the time Nightmare Night comes around that I forget to celebrate."
"You're coming to the festival though, aren't you?"
"I'll see if your father and I can swing by. There. Now for the finishing touch."
Rarity used her magic to levitate a purple mask and place it over Gemstone's eyes. The filly looked in the mirror and gasped. She turned around so she could see herself at all angles. She wore Radiance's blue jumpsuit, decorated in a diamond pattern and accessorized with a pink diamond choker and matching bracelets. She touched the tiny pink diamonds that were woven into her mane and tail.
"Oh, darling!" Rarity said amazed. "You look absolutely marvelous! Why, you look just like me, err, Radiance! You know, except your hair is blue and not purple."
"Think any pony will notice?" Gemstone asked.
"Probably, if they're a crazed comic book fan. But they'll forgive you, since you're a filly."
The front doorbell rang, which made Gemstone jump excitedly.
"They're here! They're here!"
Rarity watched as her daughter zoomed downstairs at a speed quite unlike her. She laughed as she slowly trotted after her. She paused when she heard a cough come from the bedroom she shared with Fancy Pants.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Gemstone swiped the front door open and was met with five foals with large sacks hanging from their necks, shouting:
"NIGHTMARE NIGHT! WHAT A FRIGHT! GIVE US SOMETHING SWEET TO BITE!"
Gemstone squealed as she embraced her friends. Then she moved back to admire their costumes. Prism was Zapp, because she had a rainbow mane. Blueberry was the Masked Matter-Horn, with plastic wings and a horn strapped to her back and forehead. Raspberry was originally supposed to be Fili-Second, because her coat color was the closest, but she let Cherry be her since she was her favorite hero. Raspberry dressed up as Mistress Mare-velous instead, with Lemon Drop in a Saddle Rager costume holding her hoof.
"Wow, you look like the real Radiance, Gem!" Cherry complimented. "Except the hair, but still close!"
"Why am I Saddle Rager again?" Lemon Drop asked. "I'm not even a pegasus."
"Aw, but you're so cute in your wittle costume!" Raspberry giggled. "This'll be a great way to spend our anniversary!"
Prism scrunched her nose. "I thought your anniversary was yesterday."
"That was our 58th anniversary. Today's our 59th!" Raspberry squealed as she gripped Lemon Drop's foreleg with both hooves. "And tomorrow's our 60th!"
Cherry gasped. "You guys have been together for fifty-nine years already?!"
"I think she means fifty-nine days," Prism whispered.
"Oh."
"Does every day have to be our anniversary?" Lemon Drop asked with a gulp.
"Every day I spend with my sweetie pie counts!" Raspberry cooed, squeezing him tight.
Lemon Drop looked at the girls and mouthed: Help me.
Rarity came down looking worried, but she smiled when she saw the Crusaders.
"Oh, aren't you all just darling?!" she exclaimed. Then her face turned serious. "Gemstone, might I speak with you in private?"
Gemstone didn't like the tone of her mother's voice, but she nodded and followed her into the kitchen.
"Your father is unwell," Rarity said softly.
The filly gasped. "He's not dying, is he?!"
"Oh no. It's just a cold. However, he has a fever and barely has the energy to get out of bed. He needs some pony to take care of him. Unfortunately, there's also Jewel to worry about. Sweetie Belle and the CMC are playing at the festival tonight. I can't take care of your father and Jewel at the same time."
"Can't you get a foalsitter?"
"Not tonight. Every pony's busy with Nightmare Night." Rarity sighed. "I'm sorry, Gemstone, but I'm afraid you can't go trick-or-treating tonight."
"WHAT?!" Gemstone shrieked. "But…I've been waiting all year for this!"
"I can't handle a sick stallion and a baby on my own. Do you know how cranky they can get? I need your help here."
"But…but…"
"You wanted to be responsible for Jewel. Now's your chance."
Gemstone opened her mouth, but she could find no argument. She hung her head and sighed. She sadly walked out of the kitchen and returned to her friends.
"Sorry, girls," she muttered, "and Lemon Drop. But I can't go out tonight."
"WHAT?!" they all shouted.
"Fancy Pants is ill and I need some pony to watch over Jewel," Rarity explained.
Cherry grinned as an idea occurred to her. "Why doesn't Jewel come trick-or-treating with us?"
"Yeah!" Blueberry agreed. "It'll be fun!"
"And with a baby in our group, we'll get ten times more candy!" Raspberry declared.
"I'm not sure…" Rarity said skeptically.
"I'll take care of her, Mother," Gemstone assured her. "You know I will."
"But out at night?"
"We'll back her up, Aunt Rarity," said Prism. "Don't forget. Gem and I took care of Zany and Applespike, and they're not normal foals! How hard could a little unicorn foal be?"
Rarity raised an eyebrow. "You do know they're magic, right?"
"But Jewel hasn't had any magical surges yet," Gemstone pointed out. "And didn't you say she was an 'easy foal?'"
Her mother sighed. "I suppose you're right. Hang on."
She went upstairs and returned with Jewel in her hoof. She placed her in her buggy that was by the stairs and rolled her over to the Crusaders.
"Now," Rarity said, pointing to the bag attached to the bottom of the carriage, "everything you need is in here: her bottle, at least ten diapers, her food, her pacifier, her rattle, and… Oh!" Her horn glowed and a yellow blanket floated down from upstairs. "Her blankie. Oh! One more thing!"
She raced upstairs and came back levitating a red cape and a black mask. She put them on the foal and grinned.
"There. Now you Power Ponies have a Humdrum."
"Gah!" Jewel exclaimed, clapping in delight.
"Are you sure you can handle this, Gemstone?"
"I'm sure, Mum," Gemstone said, smoothing out the tuft of lavender on her sister's head. "I can even push the carriage! Watch."
She closed her eyes and concentrated. Sure enough, blue light engulfed the stroller and it pushed forward. Gemstone opened her eyes and grinned.
"See? I can do it!"
Rarity smiled and hugged her eldest daughter. "Very well. But remember. Don't talk to strangers, don't take candy from strangers, don't feed any candy to Jewel because she hasn't teethed yet, don't stay out past nine and absolutely no adventuring in the Everfree Forest!"
Gemstone nodded. "Yes, Mother."
Cherry groaned. "Aw, can we go now? At this rate, the candy will be all gone!"
Rarity chuckled. "Yes, darlings, you can go now. Oh, wait!"
She used her magic to take candy out of a plastic cauldron and placed one piece in each of the Crusaders' bags.
"Enjoy Nightmare Night, girls!" she chimed. "You too, Lemon Drop."
The children cheered as they embarked on their nightly crusade. Gemstone continued to push the stroller with her magic. She stood on the tip of her hooves to look at her sister and smiled.
"Are you ready for your first Nightmare Night, Jewel?"
A cheerful "Mah!" was her answer.
They went to Lemon Drop's house first because it was the closest. Lemon Drop felt it was his duty to knock on the door. It creaked open and they were greeted with a "BOO!"
They shrieked in surprise. Standing in the doorway was Lyra, dressed as…they weren't sure. She was wearing a plain white t-shirt and blue skirt and was trying to balance on her hind legs. On her front hooves were plastic things that looked like monkey paws though not as hairy.
"Uh, what are you supposed to be?" Cherry asked.
"Can't you tell?" Lyra said in a spooky tone. "I'm a hu—"
"Don't you start!" called a voice.
Bon-Bon, wearing a classic witch costume, pushed the unicorn aside. She smiled down at the foals.
"Well, well, well," she said warmly. "What have we here? A team of superheroes?"
"We're the Power Ponies, Mommy Bon-Bon," Lemon Drop explained. "I told you this."
"Ah, yes! That's right!" She looked smugly at Raspberry. "Hi there, Razz. Don't keep our boy out too late, now! We wouldn't wanna call the police on you."
"Mom!" Lemon Drop whined.
"Yeah," Lyra chuckled. "We might have to get a SWAT team to break you two apart!"
"Mom!"
"Don't worry Misses Lyra and Bon-Bon," Raspberry giggled, pulling Lemon Drop close. "Anniversary or not, I'll have him home by midnight."
"Midnight? But my curfew is…"
"Hate to break up the mush," Prism huffed, "but can we have our candy please?"
"Of course," Bon-Bon beamed.
She brought out an orange bowl and dropped candy in the bags. After receiving a smile from Jewel, Bon-Bon put extra in Gemstone's sack. Raspberry took a gumball out of her bag and handed it to Lemon Drop.
"Happy Anniversary, sweetie."
"Awwww!" Lyra sighed.
"See?" Bon-Bon said, darting her eyes at her wife. "She remembers anniversaries."
The green unicorn groaned. "One little slipup and you're labeled for life!"
"Two!"
"That second one doesn't count! Who's ever heard of a hoof-holding anniversary?!"
"It happens to be one of the most memorable moments of my life!"
"It would be a lot more memorable if we held hands, not hooves!"
"Ugh! You and your obsession with hands!"
The Crusaders had been watching the quarrel in awkwardness, their heads turning from one mare to the other.
"Trust me, this could take a while," Lemon Drop whispered. "Just back away slowly."
The fillies nodded and did just that.
"Hands can be useful!" Lyra argued. "How else could you pick up something small like a nail or a pin?!"
Bon-Bon smacked her forehead. "That's what your horn is for!"
"Well, what if I wasn't a unicorn like you?!"
"I happen to manage fine on my own! Why must you be so childish?!"
When they were out of earshot, Cherry whispered to the others, "If I didn't know they were married, I'd say they were married."
That got a chuckle out of Lemon Drop.
Spike opened the door and jumped back when the trick-or-treaters shouted their chant:
"NIGHTMARE NIGHT! WHAT A FRIGHT! GIVE US SOMETHING SWEET TO BITE!"
The dragon clutched his heart and breathed. "Oh, that always gets me. Hey, great costumes, guys! Big Power Ponies fan!"
His eyes fell upon Jewel's Humdrum costume and he stiffened. Gemstone glanced between them.
"Are you alright, Uncle Spike?"
He shook his head. "Sorry. Flashback." He grinned. "Who wants candy?"
"Me, me, me, me, me!" the foals pleaded.
Spike brought out a tray of caramel apples. The Crusaders each grabbed one before he could hand them out.
"Is Applespike here?" Gemstone asked as she bit into her apple. "I'm sure Jewel would love to see him."
"He's over at Discord's," Spike replied, "playing with Zany. The others are at the festival. A few more trick-or-treaters and I'm joining them." He bent down and tickled the infant's chin. "Happy Nightmare Night, Little Jewel!"
As they departed from Sweet Apple Acres, the Crusaders examined their candy bags.
"Wow, look at this hoard!" Blueberry exclaimed.
"I think we hit the jackpot!" Cherry chimed.
"Where are we going next?" Lemon Drop asked. "The Party Palace?"
"I wouldn't bother," Raspberry replied. "Mom and Dad are having their own candy-hunting spree."
"Aren't they a little old for that?"
The Tri-Pies gasped. "TOO OLD FOR FREE CANDY?!"
Lemon Drop shook his head. "Of course. But how come you guys don't trick-or-treat together?"
"Believe us," Blueberry whispered. "Mom and Dad's way is even messier."
"Huh?"
"Just trust us on this one," Raspberry warned.
He blinked. "On second thought, I don't wanna know. What about your place, Prism?"
"You have to fly to get up," Prism answered. "Besides, no pony's home. Aunt Scootaloo's playing at the festival and the twins are out pranking every pony."
"Our next stop's in there!" Cherry pointed.
Lemon Drop looked in front of them and gulped at the forest of tall, dark trees.
"Isn't that…the Everfree Forest?"
"Yup!" the fillies said casually.
"But I thought we weren't supposed to go in there!"
"This is the way to Uncle Discord's castle," Blueberry explained.
"Through the forest?!"
"Watch," Raspberry smirked. "Who wants to do it?"
"It's my turn, it's my turn!" Cherry chimed.
She stepped up to the edge of the Everfree, stood on her hind legs and spread out her front hooves.
"Oh great and ancient forces of Chaos, show us the path that shall lead us through! Cotton candy and chocolate of rainstorm and snow, take us to the Castle of Sisters Two!"
Prism rolled her eyes. "Just say the words, Cherry!"
"Oh," Cherry piped, returning to all fours. "We'd like to visit Discord, please."
Lemon Drop gasped as a glowing white path appeared and slithered through the trees.
"What the…?"
"Uncle Discord made that so ponies could make it to his castle safely," Raspberry explained. "Nothing can hurt us as long as we stay on the path."
"But how does he…?"
"Oh, that's right! You haven't met Uncle Discord yet, have you?"
"I've heard about him in school, but…no?"
"You'll love him!" Prism insisted. "He's great!"
"Just don't talk to him about Santa Hooves," Raspberry warned.
"Why?" Lemon Drop asked.
"Again, just trust me."
It was bad enough that things were howling and growling through the trees. The sight of the tall dark castle did not make Lemon Drop feel any less queasy. Lightning flashed, followed by the sound of a mare screaming. The colt ducked behind his girlfriend.
"We're not going in there, are we?" he stuttered.
"Don't be such a scaredy pony," Cherry huffed. "It's just the Castle of Chaos."
"That doesn't make it better!"
"Aw, don't you worry your cute little head, my little Lemony Drop," Raspberry cooed, cradling his head. "I'll make sure no big bad monsters rip you apart and eat you."
"Ooh!" Blueberry exclaimed, looking up at the big iron gate. "I love the new entrance!"
She pushed it open with a creak.
"I'm outta here!" Lemon Drop insisted.
Raspberry grabbed the collar of his jumpsuit and glared at him. "You're coming in with us whether you like it or not!"
The colt nodded hastily. He didn't know which was scarier: the castle or his girlfriend.
The Crusaders bravely walked through the gate. Jewel let out a whimper, but calmed down when Gemstone put a hoof on her. The courtyard was covered in gravestones, a thin layer of fog surrounding them.
"Cemetery," Blueberry piped. "Nice."
"The stones even have cool death words on them!" Cherry chimed. "Check this one out!" She squinted at a small headstone and read the epitaph: "Turn around."
The foals turned and screeched. Standing there was a tall, green zombie pony with long gray hair, lazy red eyes and a long white tongue dangling from its mouth. They back away in fear. Lemon Drop yelped when something grabbed his hoof. He looked down and saw a rotting claw pulling him into the ground!
"I'll save you!" Raspberry declared as she tugged on her boyfriend.
The zombie pony in front of them was getting nearer, moaning in despair. Gemstone moved protectively in front of her baby sister.
"You shall not touch her!"
Two more creatures popped up from the ground. Gemstone shrieked as her eyes beheld two gremlins with spiral red eyes. They opened their mouths and cackled, revealing their pointy white teeth.
Blueberry, Cherry and Prism made a break for the castle, but two more zombies crawled out of their graves and blocked their path. They were forced to return to their friends.
Raspberry managed to pry Lemon Drop free, but the claw was still clutched to his hoof, nothing attached to it. He shook it off and as it hit the ground, a tall, dark creature rose up from the grave. Lemon Drop couldn't see it clearly in the dark, but he was sure the thing had horns. It crouched down and picked up the claw, reattaching it to its arm. Then it opened its glowing red eyes.
The creatures closed in on the foals. Lemon Drop was clinging to Raspberry, shivering in pure terror.
"I want my mommies!" he cried.
The tallest monster reached his claw out to him and snarled. When its face was just inches away, it whispered:
"Gotcha."
The monsters recoiled and shouted: "HAPPY NIGHTMARE NIGHT!"
"Huh?" Lemon Drop uttered.
The fillies and creatures burst out laughing. Then the tallest monster snapped its fingers and the graveyard lit up. The two gremlins changed to reveal two foals: a gray one with spiral red eyes and an orange one with reptilian eyes and a tail. One of the zombies took off its head to show the head of a yellow mare with a smooth pink mane. The one next to her disappeared in a flash of light and was replaced with a pink pony with spiral purple eyes and swirly purple and white hair. In a flurry of green flames, the first zombie turned into a changeling, which made Lemon Drop yelp.
He looked up at the monster that had grabbed him, which was a combination of many different animals. He was holding the middle of his serpentine body as he laughed.
"Oh, I love this holiday!"
"Um, aren't you gonna change too?" Lemon Drop stammered.
"Huh?" the creature said, looking down at him. "Oh no, this is how I normally look."
"Good one, Uncle Discord!" Prism exclaimed, giving the monster a hoof bump.
"You sure had us scared!" Cherry chimed.
"Night of the living dead!" Blueberry nodded. "Impressive!"
"Though I think you overdid it on Lemon Drop," Raspberry said, pointing to the shivering colt.
"Sorry, my boy," Discord said, patting the youngster on the head. "Didn't mean to shake you up too much."
Introductions were made and Lemon Drop's fear diminished, though the sight of Discord was still disconcerting.
"Okay, no more tricks," Screwball said as a bowl of candy appeared in her hooves. "Time for the treats!"
"One more time, just so I've got this straight," Lemon Drop said as he and the fillies walked down the safe path. "That pegasus, Fluttershy, is married to that…Discord, that Screwy pony is their daughter, that changeling is her boyfriend, the baby with the red swirly eyes is her baby brother and that dragon-pony baby is his friend."
Raspberry nodded. "Yup, that's pretty much it."
He stared at her for a moment and then shrugged. "Why not? I have two moms."
"Oh boy!" Cherry chimed as she rummaged through her candy sack. "Can you believe all this candy? See? This is why Uncle Discord is the best!"
"Did he have to be so scary though?" Lemon Drop whined. "I nearly peed in my jumpsuit!"
"Calm down, sweetie, that was the last house," Raspberry assured him. "Now we're off to the festival. Look, we're almost out of the forest."
He sighed in relief. "Oh, thank goodness!"
"Ouch!" Cherry cried. "Hey! How'd this jewel get in here?"
Gemstone stopped in her tracks. "Jewel?"
She hadn't heard her sister whine or coo in a while, and the buggy suddenly seemed lighter. She peered over the rim and gasped. It was empty.
"Jewel!" she screamed. "Girls! Jewel is gone!"
The Crusaders let out equal gasps when they saw the vacant stroller.
"Oh no!" Gemstone exclaimed. "Oh no, oh no, oh no! Where is she?! If I don't find her soon…"
Blueberry interrupted her with a thought, "You don't think…?"
They turned their heads in the direction they had come, into the pitch blackness of the Everfree Forest.
"Oh no!" Gemstone said again. "We have to find her! She could get eaten by a Timberwolf, or a manticore, or a lion, tiger, or bear!"
"Oh my!" Cherry chimed.
"Oh, Mum's going to kill me! I promised I'd take care of her and…"
She trailed off as she started hyperventilating. Prism patted her on the back.
"Don't worry. We'll find her."
"How?!" Gemstone wheezed. "She could be anywhere by now!"
"Look, we'll just go back to the castle. Discord can use a spell that will…"
"There's no time! We have to find her now!"
"Ooh!" Blueberry piped. "This looks like a job for…"
She ripped off her Masked Matter-Horn costume and was now wearing a simple, tan dress with a white collar and a tan hairband in her hair. She pulled out a magnifying glass.
"Nancy Horseshoe!"
"Have you been wearing that the whole time?" Lemon Drop questioned.
Blueberry ignored his question and looked at the carriage through her magnifying glass.
"Uh huh," she muttered, moving her glass towards the ground. "Mmm hmm." She walked around the stroller. "Interesting." She moved down the path. "Uh huh."
"Have you found her trail?" Gemstone beseeched.
"Nope, but I love the way this road glitters! Oh, wait! Yes, I've got it!" Blueberry stood up and pointed in a direction away from the path. "She went this way!"
"How do you know?" Prism inquired.
"She's up in that tree right there."
Gemstone's eyes followed Blueberry's hoof. Sure enough, her sister was sitting high in a tree.
"Oh goodness!" Gemstone shrieked. "How did she even…? Hang on, Jewel! I'm coming!"
She stepped off the path and raced towards the infant. Jewel seemed unafraid of her current predicament. She was rocking and laughing at how high up she was.
"Don't move!" her sister called. "I'm almost…" she skidded to a halt, "there."
Jewel had vanished, but Gemstone could still hear her laughter echoing throughout the wood.
"There she is!" Raspberry announced, pointing to another tree. "I'll get her!"
She wrapped her hooves around the trunk to climb it but as soon as she did, Jewel disappeared again.
"She's there!" Prism exclaimed.
"No, she's there!" Lemon Drop argued.
"No, she's up here!" Cherry cried. "Cherry Bomb!"
She bounced up towards the baby, but she was gone before Cherry could reach her.
Gemstone heard the laughter again and looked up to see Jewel back in the first tree.
"Stay right there!" she commanded. "Girls, Lemon Drop, help me up!"
The Crusaders made a pyramid, with the Tri-Pies on the bottom and Prism and Lemon Drop in the middle. Gemstone used the tree for support as she balanced on her hind legs. She reached her hoof up to her sister.
"Almost…there…"
As soon as she touched her, her fur turned cold. Gemstone looked up in horror as her baby sister had been replaced with the skeleton of a foal. She screamed and fell backward, causing the pyramid to collapse.
"What in Equestria?!" Gemstone hollered.
They grew silent as they heard snickering. They wriggled out of their pile to follow the sound. It was coming from behind the tree. They circled it and found Zany, Applespike and Jewel giggling uncontrollably.
"Oh," Prism groaned, looking up to the sky. "Ha-ha, Uncle Discord! You really got us! Now come out!"
The infants glanced at the older foals and continued laughing. Theirs was the only sound to be heard. Prism blinked in confusion.
"Screwball? Mothball? Aunt Fluttershy?" No answer. "Any pony?"
"You don't think…?" Raspberry said.
They all stared back at the giggling foals. They were pointing up at them, as if mocking them, and falling over at the force of their laughs.
"Did we just get pranked by a couple of babies?" Lemon Drop wondered.
Prism patted him on the back. "You'll get used to it."
Gemstone narrowed her eyes and approached the infants. Jewel paused when she saw the angry glare her sister was giving her. Applespike stopped laughing too, not liking how the pretty unicorn was looking at him. Zany glanced at them in confusion and then turned to Gemstone. Even he melted under her stare.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was?!" Gemstone exclaimed, talking specifically to her sister. "I thought you might've gotten eaten! What were you thinking? Sneaking off with these…these…chaotic twins?! Why, when Mummy hears about this, she'll…she'll…"
She trailed off when her sister started whimpering. The older filly softened. She looked so vulnerable, so innocent. Feeling guilty, Gemstone picked her up and smiled.
"It'll be our little secret," she said, rubbing her muzzle against her sister's cheek. "Just don't let it happen again."
"Good," Lemon Drop sighed. "Because I don't think any pony's going to believe us."
The Crusaders were on the path again, walking back to the Castle of Chaos. The three babies were all huddled together in the carriage.
"I think I'll leave Jewel with Uncle Discord," Gemstone declared. "At least until the festival is over. He'll make sure she doesn't sneak off again. Do you think Mum will understand?"
"She'll certainly be safer at the castle," Prism agreed. "By the way, nice job handling the babies back there. You make a great big sister."
The unicorn filly paused. "Hmm. I guess I do."
"Any pony who can make three troublemakers guilty certainly has skills."
"I just hope Mummy never leaves me alone with Jewel again!"
"Look," Lemon Drop said, "I know you told me Zany has freaky magic and all, but could three babies really do all that?"
"Trust me," Prism said, darting her eyes at the trio. "They're evil!"
Raspberry huffed. "No, they're not! Just look at them! So cute!"
They didn't know it, but the three babies were having a conversation in their own language.
"I told you they'd be mad!" Jewel exclaimed. "My sister's no fool!"
"You had to admit it was funny!" Zany argued.
"Did you see the looks on their faces?!" Applespike giggled. "Boy, I wish we could do that on my big brother and sister!"
"We could, you know?"
"No, sillies," said Jewel. "We can't do the same prank on them. That's just lazy." She grinned mischievously. "We should scare them with evil pears!"
Zany nodded his head in approval. "Jewel, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."