//------------------------------//
// The Finale 
// Story: Count's Traveling Haunted House 
// by misskoifishpony 
//------------------------------//

Rarity entered into the ballroom, with massive amounts of sweating soaking from her body. She had heavy panting going on, and Spike holding tightly on her mane while sweating and panting as well. They entered from the hallway next to the one where Discord and Fluttershy came out of. Spike was the first to pass out and he clumsily fell off Rarity. Twilight and Applejack were the first to go to Spike aid. Twilight called out to Spike "Spike!"

The rest of the group ran towards Rarity just to the side few inches away from Spike. Rarity was trying to desperately to stay standing up, and in result her legs wobbled with no end. She slightly looked up to her concerned friends. Fluttershy was the first to ask "Oh Rarity, are you alright? What-what happened to you and Spike?"

Rarity panted "I-I can't decide what's worst…tonight or…the Grand Galloping last year."

After Rarity managed to utter those words, her werepony admirer skipped merrily out of the portal behind her with an excited grin on his face. Once he saw his beloved Rarity, he called out "Ah there you are my beautiful beastie!"

Hearing that werepony's voice made Rarity freak out and in result made her tired legs finally give up on her. The werepony witnessed Rarity falling to the ground, and pounced into action to catch her. He exclaimed "Rarity!"

Luckily, he was able to catch her before her head would crash into the hard stone floor. Rarity's fluttered opened once she was in comfort of the werepony's large and furry front arms and paws. She sighed as if just waking up from a nap "Oh my…what a dream I just had…there was…"

The werepony smiled and answered softly "It was no dream my sweet little marshmallow."

Rarity's eyes immediately opened to their full capacity. She slowly turned her face to the front. She found herself staring in the face of the creature she was trying to get away from. She pushed her front hooves against his chest and shouted "GAH!"

The werepony chuckled at this, and beamed brightly at his adorable lover. He was enjoying every moment holding her in his arms in this romantic position. He didn't even notice how much she struggled in his embrace. While barely using his strength, he managed to crush Rarity's front hooves back into her chest by nuzzling into her messy mane with his large muzzle.

Rarity tried to push and extend her front hooves out, but she couldn't. She felt she was suffocating in the werepony's powerful grip.

Meanwhile, Rarity's friends were all staring at this situation with awkward and uncomfortable expressions. Fluttershy tapped the werepony on the shoulder and said "Um…Diego?"

The werepony named Diego stopped his nuzzling, and turned his head towards Fluttershy while still holding Rarity in his arms.

He exclaimed "Fluttershy!"

Then, he released Rarity from his grip and gave Fluttershy a big bear hug. He added a loving "Cuz! Good to see ya!" during this hug.

Fluttershy squeaked during this tight bear hug "Good to…see you too…Diego."

All the while, Rarity landed somewhat harshly to the floor after Diego's release. It didn't hurt, but it most certainly insulted Rarity. This made the white unicorn tapped the ground with her front hoof in slight irritation.

During the incident with Diego and Rarity, Twilight and Applejack were able to wake up Spike by splashing water in his face. And soon in this process, bringing Spike back on his feet. They slowly walked towards their friends.

When Diego released Fluttershy from their hug, Fluttershy asked Diego "Could you…give me a moment with Rarity?"

Diego responded while walking towards the mob in the center of the ballroom, "Sure thing!"

Once Rarity set her sights on Fluttershy, Rarity exclaimed while jumping into Fluttershy's arms "Fluttershy! Thank Celestia you're here! Thank you so much for….well you know."

Fluttershy answered "I'm so glad that you're okay Rarity. Sorry about my cousin Diego. He can be very…affectionate."

Rarity questioned "How in the world can a werepony be your cousin?!"

Fluttershy chuckled nervously "Well, he's a very distant cousin on my father's side of the family."

Rainbow whispered into Rarity's ear "Well, her dad is a bat pony. Not to mention, all the monsters in the room are her relatives."

Rarity shouted while whispering to Rainbow "Pardon?!"

Rarity then robotically turned her head towards Diego and the large gathering of creatures in the center of the ballroom. While Diego was happily chatting with some relatives, he felt some pony's gaze right behind him. He turned his head to find Rarity…staring at him. This made Diego smirk at her. Then he pursed his lips at her as a sign that he was sending Rarity a kiss from all the way across the room. After that, he gave her a dashing wink.

All of that made Rarity placed her front hoof to the side of her head in pain, and she sighed in confusion "Oh I need to lie down."

Once the group of friends were gathered, Fluttershy slowly turned to her parents and explained to them "Mama…Papa…I'm sorry that I haven't visited in a while."

Her parents looked at each other first before Mavis answered softly "It's alright little mouse, we…we understand."

Count Batula added "We should have…I should have known how this Haunted House can be too much for you."

Fluttershy responded "Actually Papa, after tonight…this haunted house isn't too bad."

Count Batula asked in a joyous voice "Really?!"

Fluttershy giggled "Really."

Count Batula let out a hearty laugh before squeezing his wife tight in his arms. This hug made Mavis smile at him, happy to share in his joy. Count Batula exclaimed "Haha that's my girl! Truly the bravest of us all! Able to face a dragon in the eye and save Equestria all by herself as the Element of Kindness itself!"

Fluttershy explained "Papa, my friends and I save Equestria together as the Elements of Harmony. Not just me."

Count Batula waved his hoof in front of him and nonchantly stated "Yeah, yeah. Sure. Of course my little mouse."

Fluttershy sweetly gazed at her parents before saying "I promise to visit the family for now on. Once week, I promise. That is…if you guys don't mind settling the Haunted House here in the mountains of Ponyville?"

Batula and Mavis looked at other excitedly, before responding together "We're moving here!" The married couple gave each other a hug before Count Batula announced to the family "It has been decided my family! The Batty family shall move here to Ponyville so that our dear little mouse can visit us!"

All the creatures in the room cheered and celebrated at the great news. The renewed spirits of the family made Fluttershy and all her friends smile. Fluttershy felt so good to see her family once more, while the others were truly able to see how loving and non-scary Fluttershy's family is.

After an hour or so getting to know the family and partying with them, the gang started heading out of the castle. Fluttershy's family gave them a good and happy farewell before they left. Showing their excitement for when Fluttershy and her friends will return. As the gang was walking around the mountain trail, Fluttershy told her friends "I'm so sorry that I didn't you guys sooner…about my family. It's just that my family can be a lot…to take in all at once. I just didn't know what to do, especially when we started heading towards the house. I panicked and before I knew it, we were there and…"

Twilight placed her hoof on her shoulder and said softly "Don't be sorry Fluttershy, we completely understand. Every pony knows how that feels like…to have a crazy family."

Applejack remarked "Ain't that the truth."

Pinkie pie cheerfully added "You betcha." while the rest of the gang added their similar sentiments about the topic. They all agreed that families can be crazy both on the outside and on the inside. However, despite this, that is what makes families great and that is why we love our families no matter. Not to mention, they will always love you even when they are crazy.

It wasn't until tonight…under the light of the Harvest Moon…on Nightmare Night…did Fluttershy truly understood this. She silently gave her thanks to the Harvest Moon…to Nightmare Night…and to her friends for this lesson. Her beautiful smile glowed softly in the dark but shimmering night.

THE END....for now;)