//------------------------------// // Episode 4: Eclipsed Determination // Story: Elements of Heroism: Season 2 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// Ponyville, A few hours before Nightmare Night A young man smiled as he entered Ponyville. "Well, this is one of the few nights I can go about without hiding." he said as checked his backpack to make sure that his costume in it. "Yup. Gonna be a good Nightmare Night." The young man darted behind a building and rapidly changed into his costume. Now all I gotta do is wait." He then noticed Shadow's cosplay shop. "Huh. Might as well see if they sell any weapon props." The young man made his way inside. Shadow noticed the door's bell chime. "Hey there." Shadow said with a smile. "Getting in some last minute cosplay shopping?" Shadow then looked over the young man's appearance. He had medium grey skin, red-violet hair and eyes, and his costume was Inuyasha. "Not that you really need much for yours. Sweet Inuyasha costume! Those ears look real!" Shadow then noted the tail poking out from the back. "So is that tail a custom addition to it?" The young man nodded happily. "Yup! Name's Fang by the way!" "I'm Shadow. I own this store. Nice to meet you. So is there anything in specific you're looking for Fang?" Fang nodded. "Just lookinng for a katana prop to use for the sword. Nothing too high-end." "You'll want to check the weapons prop area then. It's a bit farther in the back." Shadow pointed to an area of the store loaded with fake guns, swords, and other various replicas of fictional weaponry. Fang walked over to the area, and found a perfect sword prop for his costume. He then brought it to the counter. "That'll be twenty-five bits." Fang grabbed his wallet out from his backpack, and put the bits on the counter. "Pleasure doing business with you. Enjoy the Nightmare Night Festival!" "Thanks!" Fang said with a smile as he walked off. Shadow looked at the huge stash of bits his store had made. "I didn't think I'd get this much business so early in this town. Looks like there's a lot of people who want their costumes to look great." Shadow's thoughts then turned to Fang. "Huh. If that guy wasn't wearing a costume, I could've sworn that those ears and tail were real with how seamlessly they fit into the rest of the costume. Oh well." Shadow shrugged. "Time for me to get dressed up too!" Shadow soon changed into his Ryu costume. "I wonder if the other guys are dressing up too?" About an hour or so later, Nightmare Night was fully underway! Shadow had scoped out his friends. "Hey guys!" Shadow walked over to see his friends all in costume. Burst was dressed up as Dante from DMC 3, Inferno was dressed like Ken, Steel was dressed as Zack Fair from Final Fantasy 7, Tyrannus went as Kenshiro from Fist of the North Star, Ace was wearing a Link costume, and Ice was wearing a Natsu Dragneel costume. "Gotta say. You all picked out some pretty fitting costumes." "Thanks!" Burst said with a smile. "The girls are dressing up too. Chances are, Twilight's costume is going to be Starswirl. Although, not a lot of people would recognize it." Burst chuckled at the thought. Soon the girls showed up, save for Fluttershy, but not in the costumes the guys were expecting. "Or...they could be showing up dressed Sailor Moon style." Inferno let out a small whistle. "Wow. Good work on your costumes Rarity!" "Why thank you darling." Rarity said with a loving smile. "Of course, you and the boys look quite marvelous in your costumes as well." Twilight had noticed Fang's costume, and went closer to inspect it. "Wow." Twilight said in awe. "Those ears must've taken forever to make! The detail on them is so thorough!" Fang panicked when he thought Twilight would reach for his ears! But much to his relief, she then shifted her focus to his tail. "And this tail! I can't imagine how much you paid for it! Or the amount of time it took to make it yourself! It's nice to see someone else who appreciatees the art of costumes!" Fang smiled happily and resisted the urge to wag his tail. "Nice to meet you too! I'm Night fang! But call me Fang please." He then looked over all the girls. "Never thought I'd be meeting the two teams of great heroes of Equestria in one night." Burst let out a nervous chuckle. "Nice as that is to hear, I'd rather not get full of myself. Heck, Twilight and the girls are the real ones who saved Equestria." "Don't go and say that Burst." Twilight said with a small smile. "You helped us fight off Nightmare Moon, and you and the guys helped fight Discord and held him long enough for us to get the Elements powered up." Fang just smiled as he pulled the two into a hug. "I say you're both pretty great!" Fang said with a grin. Burst let out a small laugh as he scratched one of Fang's ears. "Good boy." Twilight smiled kindly down at Fang, and scratched his other ear. It took everything within Fang to not wag his tail or nuzzle the two people he was hugging. "Well, no sense in just chatting. We've got a festival to enjoy! Plus, Zecora's about to tell the Legend of Nightmare Moon to the kids. Might as well see how they deal with her illusions." The group made their way over to the main stage. However, a new presence also entered Ponyville. Nightmare Moon's spirit looked all around the town. She noticed the many decorations put up for the festival. It couldn't help but remind her of when she and Luna were fused. I guess something good did come from my existence. Nightmare then looked to all the kids who were out in costume and happily trick-or-treating, and smiled to herself. I wonder how Luna would react if she knew something good came from us being fused. She then floated around to the group of children gathered around Zecora and a statue of her, and decided to listen in on the recounting of her legend. As Zecora told the children of her legend, Nightmare actually looked sad as it went on. Do they really think I eat people? Then again, it is hard not to look threatening when some of your teeth are fangs. She then giggled at the sight of all the children offering up their candy after the next illusion made a grab at them. However, she then noticed something. A presence. One she was quite familiar with. Luna?! To Nightmare's shock, Princess Luna soon arrived on a chariot pulled by two bat pegasi. Well. This ought to be interesting. At the same time, Burst, Twilight, and their friends saw Princess Luna land. Princess Luna was wearing a navy blue dress with silver trim along it, and a moon symbol after her cutie mark was at the center. Luna's physical appearance had changed since Burst had last seen her. Luna had dark blue skin, and her hair looked like the stars were siwrling within it as opposed to the rainbow of light that was Celestia's hair. She also wore silver high-heeled shoes and an obsidian crown and an obsidian necklace that had the symbol of her cutie mark as well. "Well I'll be." Burst said with a smile. "So that's what Celestia meant when she said Luna was back to her old self." Twilight smiled. "I didn't expect her to come around this year." However, Fang noticed that everybody else was a bit scared of Luna. He then followed Burst and Twilight to go greet Luna. He soon regretted it. "CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE!" Luna shouted in the Royal Canterlot Voice! "WE HAVE GRACED YOUR TINY VILLAGE WITH OUR PRESENCE. SO THAT YOU MIGHT BEHOLD THE REAL PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT!" Fang clamped his hands over his ears while Burst and Twilight were cringing at the sheer volume! "THE CREATURE OF NIGHTMARES IS NO LONGER. BUT INSTEAD, A PERSON WHO DESIRES YOUR LOVE AND ADMIRATION! TOGETHER WE SHALL CHANGE THIS DREADFUL CELEBRATION INTO A BRIGHT AND GLORIOUS FEAST!" Nightmare was watching Luna's introduction, and she immediately face-palmed. Celestia. PLEASE tell me you updated her on modern speech! I think she's made half the town deaf with how loud she is! No wonder she was called the Mistress of the Royal Canterlot Voice. And she's still using the royal we? She's certainly not making anyone think she's less scary than when we were fused. She then noted Pinkie's reaction to Luna's proclamation. ....ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Nightmare once again face-palmed as she saw the people run in terror. Luna had also taken note of her blunder. "What? No children, no!" Luna called out sadly. "You no longer have reason to fear us! Screams of delight is what your princess desires. Not screams of terror!" Luna's stomp for emphasis didn't do anything to ease the fears of the kids who were cowering because of her. Luna then turned to the mayor, and extended her hand. "Madam Mayor. Thy Princess of the Night hath arrived!" Luna then noticed that the mayor and her assistant were also quaking in terroer. "What is the matter with you?" Luna then looked to all the other citizens of Ponyville and noticed that each one she pointed to cowered in fear! Luna frowned. "Very well then! Be that way! We won't even bother with the traditional Royal Farewell!" Burst, Twilight, and Fang had finally recovered from Luna's royal voice. "Agh!" Burst groaned. "I think I know why people are still scared of her..." "Yeah...." Fang moaned. "That voice is loud enough to rattle a person's ear drums!" Fang had also noticed Luna's sadness. "Still. This is her first outing since she returned. Maybe she needs some help adjusting to modern Equestria." Twilight nodded. "Then lets go talk to her. She needs help getting used to this new world. But first, since group cosplay with the girls is out, I'm changing into my other costume." In a flash of light, Twilight was in her Starswirl the Bearded costume. "There we go!" The three then went off to find Luna, and saw her sitting with a sad look on her face before the statue of Nightmare Moon. "Princess Luna? Hi. My name is-" "Starswirl the Bearded. Commendable costume. Thou even got the bells right." Luna said flatly. "Thank you!" Twilight said with an ecstatic smile! "Finally, someone who gets my costume! Uh, I just came to welcome you to our celebration. My actual name is-" "Twilight Sparkle." Luna said sadly before resuming the Royal Canterlot Voice and hovered in the air with her wings. "IT WAS THOU WHO UNLEASHED THE POWERS OF HARMONY UPON US AND TOOK AWAY OUR DARK POWERS." Luna then looked to Burst. "AND BURST STREAM! IT DOES OUR HEART GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN! WE HAD HOPED TO PAY YOU A VISIT AND TRULY THANK YOU FOR YOUR AID IN FREEING US FROM THE VILE NIGHTMARE" Burst and Twilight winced as winds kicked up as Luna spoke! "And...that was a good thing right?" Twilight asked. "But of course." Luna then landed. "We could not be happier. Is that not clear?" "Then why do you sound so serious? And why're you speaking so loudly?" Burst asked. "You make it sound like you're yelling at everyone." Fang noted. "It's kind of intimidating." "But this is the traditional Canterlot Voice." Luna protested. "It is tradition to speak using the royal we." Luna then struck a regal pose. "AND TO USE THIS MUCH VOLUME WHEN ADDRESSING OUR SUBJECTS!" Twilight, Burst, and Fang soon recovered from Luna speaking. "Oookay. I think that explains why your appearance was met with mixed results." Twilight said with a small smile. "I think if you just changed your approach a bit, you might be met with a warmer reception." "CHANGE OUR APPROACH?" Burst nodded. "Lower the volume?" "Please?" Fang begged. "Oh." Luna had a look of realization on her face. "We have been locked away for a thousand years. We are..not sure we can." "Don't be silly!" Fang said with a grin as he walked up to Luna. "You just gotta give it time!" Luna smiled a little, and then pulled Fang into a tight hug! "Thank you...princess...but I need to breathe....!" Luna soon released Fang. "Thank you..." Twilight smiled and she led Burst, Fang, and Luna to Fluttershy's house. "Now don't worry princess." Twilight said. "Fluttershy can give you some great pointers. She's delicate and demure with the sweetest little voice." Twilight knocked on Fluttershy's door to be met with Fluttershy screaming! "Go away! No candy here! This year's not welcome on Nightmare Night!" Fluttershy shouted from the other side! "Twilight? You DO know Fluttershy's terrified of Nightmare Night, right?" Burst asked. Twilight blushed a little. "Ah heh heh! Fluttershy! It's me! Twilight!" Fluttershy slowly opened the door. "It is you..." Fluttershy then noticed Burst and Fang. And she immediately glomped on Fang. "Oooh! You're so cute with those little ears! I could just snuggle you forever!" Fluttershy then affectionately nuzzled Fang! "Get her off me!" Fang cried out! Burst soon pried off Fluttershy, and she then noticed Princess Luna. "Oh, and Nightmare Moon." Flutterhsy then freaked out! "Nightmare Moon?! AAAHHHHHHH!" Fluttershy then rushed back to her cottage and slammed the door shut! Luna shot a disappointed look at Twilight. "Ah heh! Wait right there!" Twilight said witha nervous smile. Twilight went inside Fluttershy's cottage, and struggled to get the shy pegasus outside. Fang, Burst, and Luna heard all the sounds of struggle. "Do you think she'll be alright?" Fang asked Burst. Burst shrugged. "If she doesn't immediately scream, I'd count that as a win." Twilight soon emerged from the cottage with Fluttershy in her grasp. And the timid skyborn was struggling to get back inside! "Fluttershy...you remember Princess Luna?" Twilight said with some strain. "CHARMED." Luna boomed. Fluttershy then screamed and bolted back inside! Both Burst and Fang face-palmed. Twilight then activated her magic, and pulled Fluttershy out of the cottage. "...Likewise..." Fluttershy said with a fearful smile. "TWILIGHT SPARKLE HAS SPOKEN OF THE SWEETNESS OF THY VOICE. WE ASK THOU TEACHEST US HOW TO SPEAK AS THOU SPEAKEST." "Okay..." Fluttershy whimpered. "SHALL OUR LESSONS BEGIN?" Luna asked. Fluttershy quaked in place. "..okay..." "SHALL ME MIMIC THINE VOICE?" Once again, Fluttershy whimpered. "..okay..." "HOW IS THIS?" Luna asked. "Perfect! Lesson over!" Fluttershy bolted back to her cottage, but Twilight shut the door! "A little quieter princess." Twilight said. "HOW Is this?" Luna asked. "Better!" Twilight beamed. "Extremely." Fang said with a sigh of relief. "Next, we gotta get rid of her 'royal we' habit." "How...about...now?" Luna asked. Burst smiled. "It's perfect! See Luna? You're getting it!" "And...how about now?" "Yes." Twilight said with a nod. "Well done!" Luna then pulled Fluttershy into a hug with her magic. "WE THANK THEE DEAR FLUTTERSHY! OUR NORMAL SPEAKING VOICE SHALL SURELY WIN US THE HEARTS OF THY FELLOW VILLAGERS!" However, the moment was soon ruined when Pinkie showed up with a bunch of kids. "Twilight! You've gotta hide us!" Pinkie panicked! "Nightmare Moon is-!" Pinkie then froze when she saw Fluttershy dazed in Luna's arms. "She stole Fluttershy's life so she can't scream when she gobbles her up!" Pinkie and the kids took off screaming! "NAY CHILDREN! WAIT!" Luna then realized her error. "I mean..Nay children! Wait!" Luna reached out in desperation, but it was useless. However, this steeled Fang and Burst's resolve. "Come on!" Fang suggested. "There's plenty of other people to meet! We can't call it quits now!" Burst and Twilight nodded. "Time for Plan B!" Twilight said with a smile as she led the group back into town. But still, people cowered in Luna's presence. "It is of no use friends." Luna said sadly. "They have never liked us. And they never shall." Fang frowned, and stepped in front of her. "Don't say that!" Fang scolded. "Sure, you've been gone a while, but that doesn't mean they hate you! They just don't know you yet." Burst smiled. "He's right. You remember what I told you when I first visited Celestia?" A small smile graced Luna's face. "Yes. Just show them how nice we can be." "My friend Applejack's one of the most likeable people around." Twilight said with a smile. "I'm sure she'll have some ideas!" The group soon approached Applejack, but she too jumped at Luna's presence. "Applejack? The princess is looking for some suggestions on how to fit in." "Fit in?" Applejack asked. Twilight groaned. "Well, all ya gotta do is loosen up abit! Play a few games! Have some fun!" "Fun?" Luna asked. "What is this 'fun' thou speakest of?" Luna then walked over to the games that were set up. "Praytell, what purpose do these serve?" A quaking girl nervously replied. "T-try to land the sp-spiders...on the web!" Luna looked to the web, and picked up a spider in her hand, and threw it! It didn't reach its mark. "C'mon princess!" Fang cheered! "You've got this Luna!" Burst chimed in! Luna grabbed another spider, and threw it! It hit the center of the web! Luna smiled "Ha! Your princess enjoys this 'fun'! In what other ways may we experience it?" Applejack led the group to all the other activities. Luna launched a pumpkin from a catapult! "Ha ha! The fun has been doubled!" "...I swear that's gonna be on a t-shirt." Burst said with a chuckle. "Why don't ya try bobbin' fer apples princess?" Applejack suggested. "We've got the best apples in Equestria here!" "I ask that thou call us...Luna fair Applejack." Luna said with a small smile. "Hear me villagers! All of you! Call me Luna!" Luna then noticed Pipsqueak fall into the tub of bobbing apples, and rushed in to get him! Unfortunately, Pinkie and her group of kids were also there. And once they saw Luna pulling Pip out, they freaked out once again! "Tis a lie! Thou art still whole ungrateful whelp!" Luna stomped her foot, and lightning cracked along the night sky! Burst and Fang then decided now woule be a good time to get Luna out. They scooped her up and took off! "Unhand me!" Luna protested! "Trust me Luna! This is best for everyone!" Burst countered! However, Luna had other plans. She broke free of Burst and Fang, and used her magic to make a fake spider come to life! The whole crowd shrieked in terror as Luna did the same for the remaining fake spiders! "Oh no..." Burst sighed. "Maybe she should've made her visit in her child form." He then took note of the massive panic. "Do not run away!" Luna cried out amidst the chaos! "As your princess, we command you!" However, this did nothing to quell the panic around her. "BE STILL!" The panic ceased as soon as Luna used the Royal Canterlot Voice! "Princess, remember! Watch the screaming!" Twilight cautioned! "NO TWILIGHT SPARKLE." Luna countered. "WE MUST USE THE TRADITIONAL ROYAL CANTERLOT VOICE FOR WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO SAY! SINCE YOU CHOOSE TO FEAR YOUR PRINCESS RATHER THAN LOVE HER, AND DISHONOR HER WITH THIS INSULTING CELEBRATION, WE DECREE THAT NIGHMARE NIGHT SHALL BE CANCELLED! FOREVERRR!" All the kids in the crowd started cyring as soon as Luna finished her declaration. Burst was furious! "AGH! Great! Just great!" Burst fumed! "So much for trying to help Luna!" Burst fell to the ground on his rear. "I helped save her, and I can't even get people to not be scared of her!" Fang's eyes steeled with determination. "No. It's not over. Not yet! The night's still going on! And as long as there's moonlight, we've got a chance to make Luna be loved! " Twilight and Burst smiled and then noticed a Nightmare Moon stencil on the ground. "If they want scary, we'll give it to them." Twilight said with a smile. The three tracked down Luna, and found her walking alone across a bridge with a sad look about her. "Princess?" "Luna?" Burst asked. "Leave me be. All of you." Luna said with a sob. "Princess. I'm sorry it hasn't worked out how we wanted." Twilight began. "But you have to believe me when I tell you that Nightmare Night is one of the most popular celebrations we have!" Luna glared at her. "Yes. I can tell by all the adoring shrieks of the children as they run away!" Twilight then got another idea. She set a candy trail, and led Pinkie to meet Luna. But it was soon ruined by Rainbow Dash's prank. Twilight then pinned Pinkie and told her that Luna had changed for the better. "Well, duh!" Pinkie responded. "WHAT?!" Burst, Twilight, and Fang said in unison. "I know that." Pinkie said with a shrug."Sheesh Twilight!" "So why do you keep running away and screaming?!" Twilight asked. "Sometimes it's just really fun to be scared!" Pinkie answered. "But didn't you see how much that hurt Luna?!" Burst fumed. Pinkie shrunk back a bit, and Burst sighed. "Look Pinkie. Luna doesn't know that being scared is part of the fun. So when you and the kids were running, she felt hurt by it." Pinkie then hung her head in shame. Burst then smiled. "But if you want scary fun..." Burst looked to Twilight and Luna. "...I think we've got an idea of how to do it..." As Luna and Twilight went off to enact the plan, Burst went to the kids. "Night's not over yet kids. We've still got plenty of candy to haul! Wouldn't want Nightmare Moon swooping down on you." The kids managed to smile and Burst led them on to the Nightmare Moon statue. Wait for it... As each of the kids left their candy offering, a sudden wind blew through! "CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! YOU WERE WISE TO BRING THIS CANDY TO ME! I AM PLEASED WITH YOUR OFFERING! SO PLEASED THAT I MAY JUST EAT IT INSTEAD OF YOU!" An illusion of Nightmare Moon was then present, and everyone screamed and ran off! Luna then returned to her regular form and spit out the fake set of fangs. "I am not certain that did what you meant for it to do Twilight Sparkle and Burst Stream." Twilight and Fang approached Luna. Fang cracked a smile. "Wait for it..." "For what? For them to scream some more?" Luna asked. She then felt someone tugging on her dress, and found Pipsqueak. "Um, Princess Luna? I know there's not gonna be anymore Nightmare Night, but do you suppose maybe you could come back next year and scare us again anyway?" Pip asked. Luna was awed at the sight of a bunch of boys and girls gathered in the bushes. "Child...are thou saying that thou...likest me to scare you?" Luna asked. "It's really fun! Scary. But fun!" Pip cheered! "Nightmare Night is my favorite night of the year!" "Well then, we shall have to bring NIGHTMARE NIGHT BACK!" Luna cheered! "You're my favorite princess ever!" Pip cheered as he gave Luna a quick hug! Luna was stunned. Burst smiled down at Fang. "You know Fang? You didn't give up once tonight." Burst said proudly. Fang grinned. "I've got a whole lot of determination!" A red-violet aura surrounded Fang! "Whoa! What is this?" Burst smiled. "You've awakened as an Element of Heroism. Same as me. You're the Element of Determination. Plus, nice cover with the ears and tail." Fang was stunned. "C'mon dude. I could feel you resisting the urge to aske Fluttershy for a belly rub." Fang let out a sigh. "So why DID you hide your ears and tail?" "Because of girls like Fluttershy." Fang answered. "I'll head back into town. See ya Burst!" Fang scampered off, and found himself back in Ponyville. However, his senses picked up on something new. Fang followed the source, and found it to be a boy roughly the age of the CMC. In a very convincing changeling costume. "So you're not the only one hidden in plain sight, huh?" The changeling nymph froze. "Relax. I know you're not here to make trouble." Fang said with a kind smile. The nymph shivered. "H-How d-did you know?" "Part of my senses." Fang answered. "I can smell the intent of a person. And like I said, you're hiding in plain sight. Same same as me." fang wriggled his wolf ears and wagged his tail. "So...do you have a name?" The nymph nodded. "Narico." Fang smiled. "Well Narico? Do you know how to get back to your family?" Narico shook his head. "..I don't have a family back home. I never knew my parents. But..everyone else says the queen is our only parent. But I don't remember her voice as my mother's..." Out of either pity or instinct, Fang scooped the nymph up. "I don't know how your home works. But I'll tell you how mine works. In a families, we look out for each other. And we make sure to take care of each other. So since you've got no family, how about I become your big brother?" Narico's eyes lit up! "Really?!" Fang nodded. "Sure! Just gotta get you back home. C'mon." And with that, Fang and Narico journeyed to Fang's home. Narico was feeling lonely, so Fang curled up against him to make him feel safe. Narico slept well that night. The statue of Nightmare Moon Burst had decided to stick around the statue after everyone was gone, and looked upon it. "Heh. I'm probably crazing talking to you like this. But I want you to know...at least one good thing came from you being around." Burst was speaking to the statue. "I know you're not here now, but I'd have liked to get to be your friend too." However, Burst was not alone. Nightmare Moon was indeed watching him, and listening as well. But Burst could not see her. She watched silently with a smile as Burst spoke. She'd been watching Burst and Twilight work to make Luna happy. "Well...nice talking to you. I guess." Nightmare then put her arms around Burst, and whispered into his ear. "Thank you..." Burst felt a cool wind blow through the air. He turned around, and still saw the statue ever still. Burst shook his head and headed for home. Nightmare then made her way to the offering the kids had made, and smiled at it. It took a very long time. It may not have been exactly the way I planned, but it happened nonetheless. Still... Nightmare looked to the moon. The pain that was caused is solely my fault... She then smiled as she thought of Burst. At least...there's one person who understands my true motives...