//------------------------------//
// Chapter 17: "This Is Nightmare Night." 
// Story: Morning Meir Mysteries: Case 2: A Fright On Nightmare Night 
// by XombieSlayr 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 17: "This Is Nightmare Night."

"Fear can be frightening. But it can be fun if celebrated with friends."
- The Goddess

(Gold Digger's Suite, Early Morning, 12 Hours till NIGHTMARE NIGHT)

"Good morning, Morning! Happy Nightmare Night."

I rubbed my eyes as I smiled at Coco. "Good morning, Coco. And Happy Nightmare Night to you too." I said sleepily. I had been up all night, going over our plan. And though I was very clearly tired, that didn't stop Coco from smiling as cheerfully as I had seen her before. She took out a large bottle of a bright shining golden syrupy liquid and held it up to me, the light from it was nearly blinding as I saw spots dance all around me. "Here you go!" she said cheerfully. "Just spray it on Carlsen's arm and Poof! No more bad voodoo tattoo! HEY that rhymed!" she exclaimed.

I took the bottle from her and thanked her as I held it away from my face. "Um...is it supposed to be this bright?" I asked, squinting my eyes.

"Oh, that'll wear off in an hour or so. That's just the reaction from the gold and Sacrenum Sulphanate!" Coco said simply.

"Oh. Okay. Thanks." I said, knowing it was easier to just say okay.

Coco hugged me goodbye, and wished me luck once more before taking her leave. I closed the door then went into the dining room where everyone was waiting for me to show them the potion.

"It's so bright!" Goldbloom commented, shielding her eyes from the potion's intense light.

I set it down as everyone gathered around it, only to back up from the harsh intensity of the light. But then after a few seconds,the light dimmed immensely, and in the potion a potion like liquid gold glowed and gave off a steady low toned hum.

Karosta turned to Miss Fortune, who was now removing her sunglasses. "So, we just throw this at him or, what?" She asked.

Miss Fortune chuckled and shook her head. "All we have to do is spray a small amount of the potion onto Carlsen's arm. The potion will do the rest." She explained with a clever smile.

Karosta nodded and smiled back. "Okay." She turned to the group at the table. "So, let's go over the plan!" She looked at me respectfully. "Meir. If you would." she said with a flourish as if she was addressing Princess Celestia. I rolled my eyes and smiled as she took a seat. At once all attention was on me.

I cleared my throat as I began. "Tonight is Nightmare Night. Which means the town will be holding their annual Night Of Nightmares Festival at the stadium." 

"First, we go to the festival, and once inside, we'll sneak away to find the entrance to Carlsen's secret voodoo hounfour underneath the stadium." I looked over to Miss Fortune and Karosta. "Miss Fortune and Karosta will stay up top to keep an eye on things for us at the festival, in case Carlsen tries anything we hadn't planned. After we've found the entrance, me, Goldbloom, Pensipony and Gold Digger will locate a few members of the cartel, knock them out, and then "borrow' their voodoo robes and masks, so nopony recognizes us." 

"Once were disguised, we find Carlsen, as he's addressing the cartel. Blending in with the crowd, we wait till he and his followers make their move, then Gold Digger works her magic to distract him, and while she does that, we get on stage, and spray his arm with the potion. If all goes well, Carlsen will be defeated and taken away by Legba, the cartel will disband, and Nawlans will finally be safe for the first time in decades." I finished, taking a breath afterwards.

"Any questions?" I asked. Nopony said anything, but looked around to see if anyone else had anything to say. When it looked like no one was going to ask anything, they all smiled at me. "Alright." I said. "Let's do this for Nawlans!"

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NIGHTMARE NIGHT, Nawlans Stadium, The Night Of Nightmares Festival

The painted purple-and-pink skies melted into a cool starlit night as large orange and black balloons hovered about in the air, and thousands of happy, costumed ponies of all shapes and sizes, made their way around the many large colorful tents, with street vendors, scary games, giant candy sculptures and goodie baskets. Fun but spooky music floated up from every corner of the festival. Unfortunately, we couldn't afford to enjoy ourselves along with everypony else. We had to stop Carlsen. Here and now.

It had been my suggestion that we should dress up to attend the festival, so we didn't look suspicious. (Plus, I have NEVER gone out on Nightmare Night without a costume. And saving the world or not, I wasn't about to start.) 

I had used my newfound magic to create some costumes for all of us, and I had really liked how they turned out. 

Goldbloom was dressed as a zombie pony (She seemed very confused when not me, Karosta or Pensipony would look her in the eye after she put it on.)

Gold Digger was dressed in an extravagant scarlet masquerade, complete with fancy updo pearl necklace and opera mask.

Pensipony was dressed as a Victorian era vampire complete with real fangs (I had used my magic to give them to her. She didn't seem to mind, but I could tell she was annoyed that I went with making her a vampire.)

And I had decided to dress up as Daring Do, the famous adventurer. (For some reason, I felt very self aware putting it on. But it was probably just nerves getting to me again.)

Karosta had wanted to stay in "Police Chief Mode" so she didn't wear anything. And Miss Fortune already looked like she wore a costume, so she didn't bother dressing up either.

With all of us in costume, we made our way through the festival, trying to seem inconspicuous as we searched for any sign of the voodoo hounfour. Or Carlsen.