It was a dark and stormy night, and somewhere an organ was playing that usual creepy tune. We enter a study where the lights are off except for the two burning candles and the occasional flash of lighting from the window.
The being in the chair is turned away from the door. "Greetings." Is all they say before turning abound and revealing himself to be a small purple and green dog in a mini-tuxedo.
"And welcome to tonight's tale of terror. Where we find everyone's favorite school become the scariest place on earth!" Lightning flashed and Spike gave an evil laugh....before transforming into a coughing fit.
"Sorry." He coughed. "Still working on that." He readied himself before continuing, "Tonight's story of 'Elements of Equestria' may not be suitable for young children, pregnant women, people with heart problems and...parents. So please, if there is anyone like that reading this now......just go read something else or watch TV or something. Wouldn't want that scary chainsaw guy right behind you to get them!" Spike paused before breaking out in laughter. "Got ya didn't I?"
"Spike?" A distant voice called out. "Are you playing 'scary storyteller' again?"
"No Twilight!" He called out in worry before quieting his voice. "Look, I'm trying to keep this on the down-low so just try to keep your screaming as quiet as possible okay? Good. Now, prepare yourself for a tale, told by a dog, full of spooks and creeps, signifying your doom!" He gave another evil laugh.
"Spike?"
"Nothing Twilight!"
It was that time of the year again.
A time marking the end of the warm seasons, a time of celebrating those who have passed before us.....and a time of eating as much candy as you can before you get sick.
Boutiques and designers were busy as costume sales spiked around this time of year. Stores were offering special deals on candy. Houses were decorated in fake cobwebs, skeletons and carved pumpkins, trying achieve the proper 'haunted house' look that was expected.
Indeed, Nightmare Night had come to pass once again.
"Okay class, I know your excited about Nightmare Night, but we still have work to do." The history teacher said with a slight growl in his voice. He was a large man with wild green hair with an impressive beard to match. Mr.Lobo eyed his students like a predator hunting his prey until that had all quieted down. In celebration for tomorrow, they had been allowed to dress up in costumes varying from historical figures, classic monsters to modern celebrities. The werewolf spoke again.
"Now, to prepare for tomorrow and the coming days, let's take a look back on the celebration. Who can tell me the name of the holiday before it was known as 'Nightmare Night?'"
After a moment, as few hands raised and the teacher called on one of them.
"It was called Samhain or sometimes All Hallows' Eve." Bon Bon said, dressed up as a secret agents.
"Correct. Now who can tell us the story behind why it was changed?" He looked around. "Miss Dash?"
Rainbow Dash, dressed up as a Zapp from the Power Ponies, jolted awake from her mid-class nap. "The answer is 42!"
This got laughs from the other students and a growl from Mr. Lobo. "No Rainbow Dash, '42' is not how Samhain became Nightmare Night!"
Rainbow blushed with embarrassment and slumped down in her seat. Mr. Lobo called on someone else.
"Yes Twilight?"
Twilight Sparkle, dressed as an Amazon warrior, spoke clearly and knowingly, "It was coined 'Nightmare Night' about twenty years ago after the sorceress who tried to plunge Equestria into eternal night: Nightmare Moon!" This caused some students to shudder, having grown up with stories about one of the most powerful and evil threats Equestria has seen, even though she was gone by the time they were born. "After Nightmare Moon was defeated, she became something of a scary story for kids. Parents told their children if they misbehaved, then Nightmare Moon would comeback on Samhain and eat them! Soon, she pretty much became the symbol for Samhain and people began referring it as 'Nightmare Night' so much they officially renamed the holiday."
Mr. Lobo nodded at his top student. "Indeed, very well said. In fact, this Nightmare Night is extra special is because it marks the Twentieth anniversary of Nightmare Moon's defeat! Not only that, it marks the beginning of the three days the spirit world is closest to the mortal world and celebrates the supernaturals and normos coming together. So it is a very special holiday to us especially." His lecture was interrupted when the bell rang, signaling the end of class. "All right then class, enjoy your break and I'll see you afterwards." With that, the the students rushed out of class, eager for their three days off.
"Finally!" Rainbow said, walking up besides Twilight and Applejack, who was dressed as a scarecrow. "I thought he'd never finish! Seriously, who teaches this stuff?"
"Maybe a history teacher?" AJ asked, one eyebrow raised. "You know, if ya paid attention once in a while, you actually might find some of this stuff is actually interesting."
"Whatever. All I need to know for tomorrow is how many people I can scare! This haunted house is gonna be awesome!"
Indeed, Canterlot High was celebrating Nightmare Night by turning the school into a 'haunted house' complete with spooky gimmicks.
"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight scolded. "Nightmare Night is one of the most important holiday in all of Equestria precisely because of what Mr. Lobo said: to celebrate supernaturals and humans coming together in harmony."
"Not to mention the CANDY!"
The trio jumped and turned around to find Pinkie Pie dressed as a chicken.
"I've got the perfect route planned out this year, guaranteed to provide us not only with the highest amount of candy possible, but also the most delectable!" Pinkie stated proudly and professionally.
The other girls exchanged a look before Rainbow spoke up. "Pinkie...aren't you getting a little too old to go trick or treating?"
Pinkie's eyes widened at this. "Your NEVER too old for free candy!"
"Besides, she's also helping me babysit that night."
The girls saw Sunset dressed up in a tight black top, pants with red heals, along with Rarity as a detective from her favorite book series and Fluttershy as an angel.
"Pip's moms are paying me to take him and his friends trick or treating and Limestone said Pinkie offered to help me." Sunset watched as Pinkie acted like a real chicken, clucking and pecking at stuff. "....or maybe Limestone just wanted me to watch Pinkie too."
"Just try to get her done quickly, we need her help to make CHS the scariest school in the city!" Rarity said. "We need all the help we can to turn this school into the most a true menagerie of horrors!"
"Well I hope you all have fun tomorrow." Fluttershy said sincerely. "I will be perfectly happy hiding in my room all night reading with my animals." Indeed, it was something she did every year since she was small. It's not that she didn't appreciate what Nightmare Night was all about, but the poor dear frightened easily and she found it was easier to just stay away from all of it.
AJ checked her phone. "Well, I'd better get going. I have to help finish the caramel apples for tomorrow. See ya."
"We'd better get going too. We have to make this the scariest night ever!" Rainbow cheered.
And so everyone was off to start their own preparations for Nightmare Night, but the night would turn out much more horrifying than anyone ever expected.
"Spike what's going on up there?"
"Nothing Twilight!