Phoenix walked toward the Library and he paused outside the door, standing behind an elderly mare and three fillies. He glanced up as Pinkie seemed to appear out of nowhere and he could hear her talking to Twilight inside the door. He paused and a gulp sounded from him as he approached once they had left and he walked up and Twilight yelped in surprise at his appearance.
“What?” Nix yelped in reply. “Goddess Twilight! As if I’m not on edge enough.” He complained, a hoof to his chest as he panted for a moment.
“Nix. Oh by Celestia I am so sorry.” She said to him as he breathed out to try to calm down. “What are you doing out? I thought you were going to hide?”
“I was…Would...Rather hide…But I figured I should at least try.” He replied. “This is all your fault, Kahl. I hate you so much right now.”
“You will be fine. Stay with your friends and you will be okay. You wished to work on your Anxiety so this is a start. We will avoid the largest crowds and allow you to acclimate on your time. We worked on your magic this morning so this is a good way to start out the evening. Being around these ponies will get you used to them and over time you will start to not notice the numbers.” Kahl reasoned. “I am not asking you to run into the main group of them. Just do your best.”
“Nix?”
“Huh?” He looked to Twilight, who was staring at him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
“It’s okay. You look really tense.” She said to him.
“I’m a bit fried.” He replied honestly. “I’m already a nervous wreck.”
He sighed and tried to relax as she smiled at him. “It’s okay. You need a costume.”
“I have one. I stopped by Rarity’s place and grabbed one of hers. She said she was hoping I would change my mind and that this one was her idea of a good costume for me. I admit I don’t know what it is.” He replied and showed her the borrowed saddle bag on his barrel.
“Oh good. Come on in and we’ll get you set up. She didn’t tell you?” Twilight chirped brightly.
“She probably did but I was already a bit scattered so I didn’t hear her.” He walked into the Library and waited for her to close the door. He waited as Spike came up to him as well. “Are you a dragon inside a dragon?”
“No, I’m a regular dragon!” Spike replied.
“Okay…” He replied, his voice uncertain as Spike unbuckled the saddle bag from him and the stallion let it fall into Spikes claws.
The baby dragon opened the bag and pulled out a mixture of dark blue, black and red fabrics. Twilight’s magic covered it and she was able to sort out the design and she held it up next to him. She looked pleased and held it out and began to tell him where to put his hooves. He slowly slipped into the costume and backed up as she set the helm over his head. Spike gave a pleased sound and nodded, a claw on his chin.
“I like it.” He said to the nervous stallion.
“What is it?” Nix asked them.
“I think it’s a black phoenix.” Twilight replied to him.
“Seriously?” Nix said to her.
“Just look.”
Her magic brought up a mirror and he chanced a look to the mirror. He could see the black and blue fabrics flowed over his back and flanks to appear as though they were the flowing fire of a phoenix’s tail. The fake wings along the side held snatches of red, dark blue, and black. The helm he wore gave him a hawk-like appearance. His vibrant blue eyes shone through the helm eye slots and he arched his neck to see the effect of the helm.
“Wow.” Spike smiled. “That looks really cool Nix.”
“It does.” Twilight added. “It looks great on you.”
“I guess.”
“You wear it well.” Kahl praised.
Nix heard Kahl’s praise and he held his head up, shifted his flanks, and stretched out his body a bit to allow it to lengthen out. His hind legs had vanished within the costumes ‘tail’. Twilight clapped her hooves and Spike gave a cheer as Nix finally seemed to be able to calm down a bit. He nodded to them and a small smile crossed his muzzle.
“If you need to you can treat this costume as a place to hide. You can hide behind the mask it gives you.” Kahl said to him.
“That’s true.” Nix replied to the Ancient Dragon.
“You ready Nix?” Twilight asked him.
“I guess.” He said and moved toward her. “Okay. Let’s do this.” He finally said to her, his voice more confident.
Twilight opened the door for him and he walked out on Spike’s heels. The baby dragon looked back at him and he looked back as Twilight joined them. She smiled as they began to walk into town.
“Oh. Nice Starswirl costume.” Nix complimented.
“Finally a pony that knows the costume.” She cried out.
He tilted his head at her reply. “Huh?”
“Spike asked me if I was the kooky grandpa at the nursing home and Pinkie thought I was a weirdo clown.” She replied.
“Ha-ha!” Kahl barked out a laugh at her reply.
“Hehe.” Nix laughed in spite of himself and tried to hide his laughter for her sake. “Sorry.”
She glared at him for laughing but her glare faded as a good-natured smile went over her mouth. “Look. There’s the start of the decorations.” She pointed out to him.
“Yep.” He replied and tried to swallow the nervousness down.
“You’ll be great, Nix.” She encouraged. “I’m with you and so is Spike.”
“Yeah. We got your back.” Spike said o him.
“Thanks. Hopefully, I don’t ruin the holiday for you two.” He replied as his steps slowed at the sight of the crowds.
“You’re okay.” Twilight said to him and slowed down to pace him. “You set the pace.”
He looked at her and stared. “You sure? You might end up out here all night.”
“I’m okay. You’re my friend and I won’t leave you all alone.” She said to him and stayed at his side. “You’ll probably get compliments on your costume.”
He knew that she was trying to distract him from the nervousness building in his mind and he tried to latch onto her words and stay involved in talking with her. “Maybe. I’ll make sure to tell them who made it.”
“Rarity will just be really glad that you’re wearing it.” She said to him. “We will have to make sure to show her. You can show off.”
“Show what off?” He replied.
“It looks really good on you. It’s obvious she made it for you.” Spike replied. “Isn’t she the best?”
“I was a bit surprised at the look of utter glee when I walked into her shop.” Nix admitted. “She practically threw it at me and told me to have fun.”
“See? She’s the best.” Spike replied, his voice whimsical.
Nix glanced to Twilight who leaned in close to the helm where his ear was located. “He’s got a huge crush on her.” She whispered to him.
“Oh.” Nix chirped and looked to the dragon and back to the purple mare. She shrugged and he pushed that information to the back of his mind.
Kahl chuckled at the newest information and Nix tried to ignore the crowds they were getting close to. They paused as Spike got some treats from the stalls on the outskirts of the crowd to allow Nix to approach at his own pace. He tried to get close to some but his hooves stopped and he simply stood in place, scared stiff. Twilight had come to him and steered him away from the crowds. He hung his head, he knew that he was ruining their holiday.
“Nix. It’s okay.” Twilight tried to convince him that they were okay.
“Yeah. I’m getting lots of treats. This is the best.” Spike gushed and showed Nix his haul of candy.
“I’m really sorry.” He whispered to them.
Twilight stopped him and patted his shoulder. “It’s okay. See? Spike is thrilled and I love the decorations. If I followed Spike we would be in the middle of it all and he wouldn’t be getting the candy he likes.” She said to him.
He looked to her and he could see the earnest smile on her muzzle and he raised his head to nod to her. “Okay. I just don’t want to slow you two down. I’m… I don’t know.”
“You’re doing better than I thought you would.” Twilight said to him.
“How?”
“Look around a bit.”
He raised his head and he could see that he was in the middle of a group of stalls and several ponies were milling around him and moving past him. He didn’t know any of them and they didn’t seem upset that he was standing dead center in the middle of their party.
“You are doing very well, Nix.” Kahl praised him from the back of his mind. “She is right. You are doing much better than I had hoped you would.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I did not wish to draw your attention to where you are now but I am glad that she did.” Kahl replied to him. “Take pride in what you’re able to do and keep trying. You are doing just fine.”
He looked to them and both Twilight and Spike were smiling at him as he finally realized that he was doing better than he thought he could and he finally felt a little smile tugging at his mouth and he nodded to her. “Okay. So better than I thought. Umm…Lead on Spike.” He said to the beaming baby dragon.
“Come on.” Spike motioned for them to follow and he merrily walked ahead of them.
Twilight bumped his shoulder and he smiled back to her. He looked up as ponies looked to him and he watched as they smiled and a few pointed him out. He paused as ponies were beginning to stare and he could feel his anxiety creeping up his throat. Twilight waited at his side and patted his shoulder.
“They are looking at your costume.” She said to him and he spun his head to look at her.
“Love your costume.” A pony called out as he passed them by, following his foal into the crowd.
“Told you.” Twilight said as other ponies began to comment about it.
“It’s a blackbird.” A familiar pink pony called out as Pinkie and a group of foals joined them.
“It’s a black phoenix.” Twilight clarified. “Show it off a little Nix.” She whispered to him.
Nix stood taller and stretched out his body, allowing them to see the wings and flowing fabrics. His blue eyes glowed through the helm and he felt a smile on his muzzle as another friend had joined them. The foals all seemed to like his costume and he tried to relax in their presence. He listened as they discussed their candy and where they had gotten it.
“Above you!” Kahl’s voice cut through their tone and he looked up to see a black rain cloud above them.
Lightning flashed and thunder roared and he ducked down as Pinkie and the foals all screamed and ran away. He could feel his heart in his throat as he stared up at a now laughing Rainbow Dash. He could feel anxiety in his throat but outrage came roaring up to replace it.
“Rainbow!” Twilight shouted.
“You are such a jerk!” Nix yelled to her.
“Oh come on lighten up Nix. Great costume by the way. Nightmare Night is the best night for pranks.
“Look what you did to Spike.” Twilight barked at her.
Nix looked down to find Spike collapsed to the ground gasping and choking through the fright brought on him by the rainbow-maned mare. Nix looked up as the rainbow mare took off to scare another group of ponies. His teeth ground at her and he looked to the now panting dragon.
“She’s lucky I didn’t light her on fire.” Kahl snarled.
“I thought about it.” Nix replied.
Twilights magenta aura picked up Spike and set him on her back. She gave an annoyed sigh and looked to him. Nix looked to her and shrugged. They walked off toward the games section of the celebration and he stayed close to the other Unicorn as they walked at a steady pace. He looked up and the crowds around the games gave him pause. At his side, Twilight waited as his pace slowed down dramatically. She reached out a hoof to reassure him and he closed his eyes and breathed out a breath and walked slowly forward with her and Spike close to him. He could feel a sense of calm wash over him from the dragon in his mind. A familiar voice caught his ears and he looked up to see Applejack in a scarecrow costume standing close to a half barrel filled with water.
They got close to her and she turned to smile at the other mare. “Heya Twilight! Nice costume.” Twilight smiled as the farm mare looked at the pony with her and she walked up to the stallion and stared for a moment.
“Hey Applejack.” Nix said to her.
“Well, Ah’ll be. Nix?”
“Hey.” He replied and waved a hoof at her.
“Ah thought ya would be hidin’ away.” She said to him.
“I was going to, but I figured I should at least try.” He said to her.
“Ya look good in that costume. Yer a blackbird?”
“Close enough.” He replied.
“Black Phoenix.” Spike said and patted the stallion’s leg.
“Oh. Ah like it. One a Rarity’s?”
“You know it.” He replied.
“Ya okay?” The farm mare asked.
“I’m doing pretty well considering.” He replied to her.
“That’s good ta hear.” Applejack replied to him. “Ya gonna try for an apple?”
“Nah. I think I’d make a bigger fool of myself.” Nix replied and Twilight shook her head as well.
“Ya gonna go fer a hayride?”
Nix opened his mouth to decline but a voice from behind him caught his attention.
“Welcome everypony to the Nightmare Night Festival!”
“Come on.” Twilight said to him and he followed her closely.
They walked back into the main area and Nix kept back and Twilight stayed close as the Mayor of Ponyville began to speak to the crowd. Twilight glanced to him and he tried to back up but she kept a hoof on his shoulder to keep him grounded.
“Lean on her a bit. Let her help.” Kahl encouraged him.
Nix breathed out and moved a bit closer to the other Unicorn who smiled in reply to him. He looked to the town square ahead of them and walked forward a step and stopped at the edge of the main courtyard. Twilight stayed with him and Spike patted his leg as well. He could see that the Mayor was dressed as a clown for the event.
“Now all the little ponies who have been out collecting sweets should follow our friends Zecora to hear the legend of…NIGHTMARE MOON!” She laughed spookily after her words.
Nix raised an eyebrow at her voice as Spike tapped both him and Twilight. “The scary voice might work better if she wasn’t dressed as a clown.”
Nix chuckled as he nodded and Twilight giggled. He watched as a mare in a dark robe came out of the shadows with a wig that boasted serval fake spiders. Nix had to give her credit for the fitting costume. It suited a storyteller. He watched as Zecora led the crowd of colts and fillies off to the side and he looked to Twilight as she motioned for him to follow as well. Spike vaulted to her back as they walked after the small crowd. As she sang Nix found himself smiling as the foals screamed and ran in the directions that she guided them. Twilight laughed at the frights that were being made and they both laughed as Pinkie screamed and ran for the statue of Nightmare Moon. They began to pour their bags of candy at the foot of the statue.
Nix raised his head to speak to Twilight when the wind kicked up and thunder rolled above them. Twilight held her hat in place and looked to the bewildered stallion.
“What the hell?” He called to her and she shook her head as they turned for the town.
He loped at her side and they ran into the main courtyard and slid to a stop at the sight of the hovering chariot above them. Nix stared at it but he couldn’t see past the dark clouds blocking the pony who rode in the chariot. The pony it bore leaped from the chariot and landed in the middle of the screaming ponies and he looked up as the hooded pony threw back the hood and he could see that Princess Luna stood with them.
“It’s Princess Luna.” He said to Twilight who looked closer and her eyes widened at the sight of the Moon Princess.
“Princess Luna.” She started to go forward but stopped when Spike gripped her robe and pulled on Nix's robe as well.
Nix was about to open his mouth to scold the dragon when the sight of all the ponies that now surrounded him caught him off guard. He heard a noise from the dragon in his mind as he stiffened.
“Damnit.” Kahl cursed as Nix went still.
Kahl could sense the panic coming from the pony and tried to focus the ponies gaze on the mare with him but he could feel how Nix had gone still. He reached out with the pony’s ears to listen to the ponies around him to try to find a way to seclude the stallion.
“Citizens of Ponyville!”
Kahl cringed at the volume of the mare’s voice. “Still yelling I see.”
“We have graced your tiny village with our presence so that you might be able to behold the real Princess of the Night. We are a creature of nightmares no longer and am a pony that desires your love and affection. We might now be able to transform this dreadful celebration into a bright and glorious feast!”
She yelled to the crowd and the lightning crackled over her head. The dragon was quiet as he still looked for a way to force the pony with him to act and either run or collapse. He saw about to force the pony’s body to move when a shout went past his ears.
“You hear that everypony! Nightmare Moon is going to feast on us all!” Pinkies screamed and the foals with her were horrified and took off in the pink mares wake.
“What the? Oh for the love of the Flame.” Kahl cursed as he looked to the Alicorn mare.
“Children no! You no longer have to fear us! Screams of delight are what your Princess wishes to hear, not screams of terror!” She shouted and stomped one hoof, cracking the ground.
"That is not helping.” Kahl quipped as he refocused on the stallion. The only sign that Nix was alive was his eyes blinking and the gasping breath going through him.
He watched as Luna spoke to the Mayor but he didn’t focus on her words. He simply knew that she was speaking and he was looking to the frozen stallion. He could see that Twilight was watching the Alicorn as she walked away and then she looked to the stallion. Her eyes widened at the sight of the frozen Unicorn. Kahl began to push his own mind over Nix’s to allow him to move the pony’s body without harming him. He was able to gain enough control to allow him to run as Twilight reached out a hoof and he placed Nix’s hoof in hers and she took off running, pulling the pony with her. Kahl ran with her and kept Nix’s mind protected from the fear that poured from him. He looked up as the mare reached the statue and slowed down at the sight of the Princess of the Night. She stopped and looked to the stallion with her.
“Nix?” She asked him and tried to get his attention.
Kahl focused inward and began to reach out to the shocked pony.
“Nix. You’re safe. You’re only around two ponies.” He said to him and he could feel Nix’s mind slowly responding. He could hear Twilight talking to him but he ignored her. “Only Twilight and Luna are with you now. It’s only them. You are safe and I will help you. I promise you, it will be okay.” Kahl coaxed the upset pony who finally began to come around.
Nix shook his head slowly as the fog went away from his vision and he sat down heavily in place. He was quiet as his ears caught the sound of a voice close to him and he slowly looked up to find a concerned Twilight staring at him.
“Twilight?” He looked at her, he panted as he spoke to her.
“Oh thank Equestria. I thought I’d lost you.” She said to him and hugged him tightly. “Are you okay? You went stiff and I was sure that you were going to collapse, then I reached out to you and you gave me your hoof and we ran all the way out here. So it’s just us.” She said to him as she pushed away from him and regarded him.
“I…I’m…Holy shit.” He cursed as he tried to get to his hooves, only to find that he didn’t have the strength to stand.
“A moment.” Kahl said to him.
Nix was quiet as Twilight patted his shoulders and he could feel strength go into his muscles and he slowly got to his hooves. “Okay. I think I’m okay.” He whispered to her.
She sighed in relief. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Just really umm…Anyway. What happened?”
“Princess Luna is here. What's the last thing you saw?”
“I saw her. Then I saw the ponies around me and…” He shook his head to get the image out of his head as warmth went over him as Kahl interceded and calmed him further. “And now I’m here.”
“Princess Luna is here and no pony knows how to act around her. But in their defense, she didn’t appear in a good way. She hasn’t adjusted to being back with us.” Twilight explained.
“Okay. Okay, I’m with you. So we gonna help her?” Nix asked her as he looked past her to the still Princess.
“I was hoping you would offer to help.” Twilight smiled and stood up with him to approach the Alicorn. “Princess Luna? Hi, my name is…”
“Starswirl the Bearded. Commendable costume, thou even got the bells right.”
“Finally. Thank you! Another pony who gets my costume!” Twilight shouted in clear glee. Nix looked to her and she cleared her throat to go on. “Well, I just came to welcome you to our Nightmare Night Celebration. My name is actually…
“Twilight Sparkle.”
Nix watched as Luna rose into the air with her wings outstretched and the wind and lightning around her. “It was thou who released the Elements of Harmony and took away our dark powers!”
Twilight replaced her hat which had fallen to the side of her head due to the wind from the Princesses words. “And that’s a good thing right?”
The Alicorn dropped to the ground and was close enough to Twilight to reach out and touch her if she wished to. Her voice was still shouting as she went on. “Of course. Is that not clear?”
Twilight replaced her hat again as she replied. “Well it kind of sounds like your yelling at me.”
“Isn’t that what you told her as well?” Kahl asked him.
“Yup.” Nix said aloud and the Princess looked to him as he looked away from them.
“But this is the traditional Royal Canterlot Voice! It is a tradition to use the Royal ‘We’, and to use this much volume when addressing our subjects.”
Nix closed his eyes and his ears pinned to his head at the screaming volume so close to him. He shook his head and blinked at her as she waited for them to speak back to her. Twilight righted her hat and beard as she replied as gently as possible to the Princess before her.
“Maybe that is why your appearance was met with some umm…”
“Bad results?” Nix piped in.
“Exactly. Maybe if you changed your approach you could be met with much better reception.” She finished.
Luna inhaled and Nix pinned his ears as she spoke. “Change our approach?”
“Lower the volume.” Twilight replied.
“Stop screaming.” Nix chimed out with a groan.
“Oh. We have been gone for a thousand years…We are not sure how.” The Princess replied. Her expression was uncertain as she regarded the ponies before her.
“She did fine when you said something to her before. What happened between now and then?” Kahl asked.
“You were okay with me before.” Nix said to her and she looked to him. “What changed?”
Luna looked to him and squinted at him for a moment before understanding went through her. “Thou art Arisen Phoenix?”
“Yeah. Good to see you again.” He said to her.
“I forgot that was your full name.” Twilight mused.
“I don’t use it often. Sounds a bit odd, so I just use my surname.” Nix explained quickly.
“You’ll have to explain any meaning behind that name.” Kahl voiced.
Nix managed not to groan at the dragon’s request. The Princess nodded to him.
“Thou are fitting in well?”
“Umm…Kinda.” He replied.
“Good.” She said and looked back to Twilight who smiled.
“Okay, so I have an idea.”
Princess Luna nodded and waited. “And?” Nix quipped.
She glared at him for a moment and he looked to the ground for a moment. “Well, we could find another pony to help teach Princess Luna how to lower her voice to talk to other ponies.”
“And who do we accost in the middle of Nightmare Night for that?” Nix asked her.
“Fluttershy.”
“Huh?” Nix had to admit he openly stared at her for a moment before he went on. “I haven’t seen her all night now that I think about it.”
“She might be at home.” Twilight explained. “Nightmare Night might be a bit much for her as well.”
“Oh. Fair point.” Nix admitted as Twilight took the lead.
They walked out of town and toward the edge of the Everfree forest. Nix was quiet as he walked forward. Luna looked to him as they walked and he tried to smile at her.
“Though are dressed as a Fallen Phoenix?” She finally asked. While her voice was quieter she was still bordering on shouting at him.
“Yeah. A friend made it for me.” Nix replied, hoping to show her that his volume of speaking was better by replying.
“Interesting choice.” She boomed back to him.
He nodded and pinned his ears as Twilight shook her head at the volume. “Ouch.” Nix complained to the dragon.
“That is growing old, I agree.” Kahl replied. “One would have thought that she would be a bit better adjusted by now. But I suppose a thousand-year gap is a lot to overcome.”
“I guess. By Faust.”
He looked up as they reached a house at the end of the path. It looked similar to the ones in town aside from the trees and birdhouses around it. They walked over a small bridge and reached the front door within a few steps.
“Don’t worry. I know Fluttershy can help us. It will be easy enough to help you have a gentler approach, Princess.” Twilight reassured the Alicorn.
Nix stood back a step with Luna as Twilight knocked on the door. He pinned his ears at the terrified yelling coming from behind the door. “Go away! No candy here! Visitors not welcome on Nightmare Night!”
Twilight looked over her shoulder to them and chuckled nervously. “Fluttershy! It’s me Twilight.”
The door opened a crack and the butter yellow mare looked out from behind it. “It is you and Nightmare Moon.” Her eyes went wide and she screamed as she slammed the door. “Nightmare Moon!”
Nix said nothing at her not mentioning him since he was sure that the Alicorn had taken up her vision. Nix knew that he was taller now but he was still a bit shorter than her. The Alicorn looked unimpressed as Twilights magic covered the door and she looked nervously to them.
“Hang on.” She replied and went into the house.
Nix cringed at the cacophony of sounds coming from the house and he watched as the door was thrown open and the Unicorn shoved the Pegasus ahead of her and kept her in place.
“Fluttershy. You remember Princess Luna?” She said aloud and backed up when the Pegasus stopped fighting her.
Luna reached out a hoof and her voice boomed out once more. “Charmed.”
Fluttershy went a shade paler and stared. “Likewise.”
The Pegasus tried to flee but Twilight slammed her front door, allowing the mare to run into it and stop her fleeing. Nix cringed at the impact and stayed still beside the taller mare. He leaned a bit forward as the mare fell to the ground behind her and rolled to stare at the Alicorn.
“Twilight Sparkle hath spoke of the sweetness of thy voice. We ask thou to teachest us to speak as though speaketh.”
Fluttershy whimpered and her voice as barely a whisper. “Okay.”
“Shall our lessons begin?”
“Okay.”
Nix had to train an ear forward to hear the Pegasus as Luna went on. “Shall we mimic thy voice?”
“Okay.”
“I did not think she could get any quieter.” Kahl admitted.
Nix nodded absently as Luna spoke. “How is…This?” Her voice had gotten quieter but not by a huge margin.
“Perfect. Lessons over.” Fluttershy yelped and tried to flee to her house again. Only to be met with the same closed door.
Twilight’s magic pulled her up front again and she tried to escape but the magenta aura held firm. Nix had to fight not to comment about the butter mare not giving Luna a chance but he bit his tongue.
“A little quieter, Princess.” Twilight encouraged and Nix nodded to her as well.
“How…Is…this?” She asked as she spoke.
“Better.” Nix praised and she seemed to brighten at the progress.
“How about now?”
“Getting there.” Twilight said to her.
“How…is this?”
“Perfect.” Nix said to her and the Alicorn visibly brightened at the words.
Luna smiled widely and her magic grabbed hold of the Pegasus and hugged her tightly. “Oh thank thee, sweet Fluttershy! Our normal speaking voice will surely gain us the love of thy fellow villagers.”
Nix smiled at her clear pleasure and Twilight joined him. He looked over his shoulder at the sound of hooves behind them to find Pinkie and the foals coming toward them.
“Fluttershy! You gotta hide us. Nightmare Moon is here and…!” The mare squawked in her chicken costume and looked to the foals with her. “She stole Fluttershy’s voice so she can’t scream when she gobbles her up!”
Nix cringed as they took off running and screaming. Luna dropped Fluttershy and jumped after the children reaching for them. “Nay children…” She stopped when she heard that she was yelling once more and tried again. “Nay children…”
Nix felt a pang of pity go through him at the sight of the dejected Princess. Nix walked up to her and put a hoof on her shoulder. “It’s okay. We have other ideas too.” He assured her as Twilight walked up to his side and looked to him. “We can introduce you to the others and maybe they can help bring the rest of the town around.”
“It’s no use. They have never liked us and they never shall.” Luna lamented to him.
“We can try Applejack.” Twilight replied, her tone upbeat.
Nix nodded as they began to walk with her toward town once more.
Nix gulped as they approached the apple bobbing once more as Applejack talked to a small group of ponies and smiled at the sight of them. She yelped and ducked at the sight of the Princess.
Nix chuckled nervously and tipped his horn to Twilight. “Applejack. We are trying to help Princess Luna fit in, and could use your help.” Twilight piped up as she bent down to look at the other mare.
Applejack looked to her, her eyes questioning. “Fit in. Really?”
Nix snorted while Twilight glared and she popped up to look at the Princess of the Night. “I mean, that’s easy. Ya just need ta have the right attitude. Loosen up a bit, be positive, play a few games and have some fun.”
“Fun? What is this fun?” The tall Alicorn walked up to a pony that was hiding under her hooves and looked to the small bowl of fake spiders on the nearby table and then to the web several feet away from her. “Pray tell, what purpose doth this serve?”
The pony pointed to the web. “Try to get the spiders on the web.” She whimpered out.
Luna picked up a spider and tossed it toward the web, falling a foot or so short. She looked uncertainly back to the others and Applejack took to encouraging her further. “Try again!” She called out.
Luna got a determined look and picked up another spider. She pulled her hoof back a bit further and tossed the little spider onto the web, landing close to the center.
“Nice!” Nix shouted to her.
Luna looked stunned back to them and a smile went over her muzzle. “Your Princess enjoys this fun! What other ways may we experience it?”
Applejack looked to the two Unicorns with her and Nix nodded to her. The farm mare walked them over to a small field set aside for a pair of catapults. Nix smiled at the sight before him and he trotted a little ahead of them.
“You did punkin’ chuckin’?” He yelped to the mare.
Applejack nodded. “Ya done it afore?”
“Not here, but yeah.” He admitted.
“Then ya get ta go against the Princess.”
Nix slouched at the decision. “Oh come on. That’s not fair she’s bigger than me.” He mock complained and stood next to one of the catapults.
Nix reached over and picked up a small pumpkin and set it into the bowl of the catapult. Luna looked to him and mimicked what he did. “Hey Kahl?”
“Understood.” Kahl replied, laughter in his voice.
Nix put his hooves on the outside of the bowl and waited as Luna looked to his and did as he did. He waited till he could feel a bit of strength go through him and he pushed the bowl down as hard as he could and let go. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Luna do the same and he looked around the catapult to see if he won or not. He watched as his pumpkin hit the target and pushed it over and Lunas hit the target square in the center. He looked up as the Alicorn looked to him and he said nothing as a smile crossed his mouth.
“Hehe.” He chuckled absently.
“Might have gone a bit overboard.” Kahl admitted.
“Maybe a little. But worth it!” Nix replied.
“The fun has been doubled!” Luna shouted.
Ponies’ cheered around her and Nix stepped back to avoid the large crowd that was gathering closer to them. Luna looked around them and Nix could see the look of joy on her face even from the distance. She trotted back to the others and Nix looked to the broken target and considered it for a moment.
“I assume that we will be working on that as well?” Nix asked the Ancient Dragon.
“Yes.” Kahl chuckled a reply.
“That was fun though.” He admitted.
“I am glad that you are enjoying yourself once more.”
“Took a bit but I think I’m okay now.” Nix replied. “At least for now.”
“Better than nothing.”
“Even though I really was not happy with you for insisting that I come out tonight.”
“I recall you used a few words that I had not even heard of.” Kahl teased.
“You deserved them.”
“Hahaha.” Kahl laughed in reply.
Nix was about to speak more when a scream sounded out behind him. “Huh?”
He looked back as ponies were running around and screaming. He watched as several decorations fell to the ground and he looked over the crowd for the purple Unicorn and orange mare. They looked as bewildered as he did as he got up to them.
“What the hell happened?” He asked them.
“I’m not sure.” Twilight admitted.
He cringed as a pole fell to the ground and he could see a pained look cross Lunas face as anger took its place. “Uh oh.” He said aloud as Luna inhaled.
“Be still!” She roared over them.
Nix watched as every pony went still and silent. He looked to the Alicorn as Twilight stepped forward. “Princess, watch the screaming!”
“No, Twilight Sparkle.” She replied and whirled to face the Unicorn. “We must use our Canterlot Voice for what we are about to say.” Her wings opened and she took to the air and spoke from above them. “Since you choose to fear your princess rather than love her, and dishonor her with this insulting celebration, we decree that Nightmare Night shall be canceled! Forever!”
“Oh shit.” Nix cursed as the Alicorn flew away from them.
“Well this is not exactly ideal.” Kahl agreed from the back of his mind. “Now we must pick up the pieces.”
“Yeah.” Nix looked at the two mares and shrugged to them.
“We had everythin’ goin’ fer us. Luna was happy, everypony was happy. And now look at em’.” Applejack lamented.
“What happened?” Nix pressed.
“She helped Pipsqueak from drowning in the apple bobbing barrel and he ran away screaming with the others.” Twilight explained.
“Oh for Goddess sake. This is ridiculous.” He replied. “They keep running and it’s not helping her. Now, what do we do?”
“I‘m going to do what I do best. Lecture her.” Twilight said and gripped his foreleg and dragged him with her.
“Are you serious?” Nix asked as he followed her at a fast trot. “I don’t think that will help.”
Nix looked up as Twilight paused and he could see the Princess walking away from them, her head low. He felt a sense of sorrow go through him as he walked up to her with Twilight.
“Leave me be, Twilight Sparkle. You as well, Arisen Phoenix.” She said to them.
Nix walked up to her and she paused as he set a hoof on her shoulder. Twilight joined him. “I know things haven’t worked out the way we wanted them to but you have to believe me when I say that Nightmare Night is one of the most popular celebrations that we have.”
“That’s true.” Nix agreed. “Ponies love to walk around in their costumes and the lore is popular as well.”
“I can tell. The delighted screams of the children as they all run away.” She replied and walked away from them.
“Princess…” Twilight said to her.
“Hey. Why don’t we get Pinkie to calm down and she can get the others to chill out?” Nix said to her. “She’s the ringleader of the screaming brigade.”
“Your right. Come on Princess.” Twilight said and trotted past her.
Nix looked up as Twilight finished her trail of treats and she looked back to where he waited with Princess Luna. Twilight reached out and grabbed the chicken clothed pony, pushed her against the nearest wall, and spoke to her in place. He could see that Pinkie had nodded about something so the stallion brought the Alicorn forward.
“Pinkie you remember Princess Luna?” Twilight said and motioned with her hoof for the Alicorn to approach.
“Yes. The ringleader of the frightened children.” Luna looked to Nix and he tipped his horn to the mare. “Hast thou come to make peace?”
Nix watched as the Alicorn reached for the others hoof to shake and Pinkie smiled in response and reached out to her.
“Above!” Kahl called out in warning.
Nix looked up. “No!” He yelled as the lightning cracked and thunder roared. He heard Pinkie scream and he could hear her hooves as she bolted and Twilight was yelling after her.
“Kahl.”
“Agreed.”
Nix’s horn lit with their shared magic and he sent a bolt of magic to hit the laughing rainbow-maned Pegasus above him and he heard her yelp and he watched her flee from them. He rolled his eyes and looked to find Luna laying down in the dirt, her eyes staring at the ground.
“Hey.” He said to her. “It’s okay.”
“They will never like us.”
“They do. They’re just trying to adjust as well. They haven’t seen you before. I was scared of you at first.”
“Thou did better than this with us.”
“Maybe. But I was still really uncertain. Once you stop yelling you do fine.” He explained to her. “It’s just hard to get past the yelling and the old thinking.”
She tried to look up to him but her eyes remained downcast and he sat down by her, trying to make her feel better. Twilight trotted back to home, a wide smile on her muzzle.
“Princess Luna. I figured out why you’re having so much trouble being likes.” She said to them brightly.
“Forgive me if I withhold my enthusiasm.” Luna deadpanned.
Twilight was undaunted. “Come on. I can explain everything on the way.”
Nix walked into town and looked up as the ponies were lamenting the turn of the evening. He breathed out and walked into the scattered group. “Okay, I can do this.” He whispered aloud.
“You can. Keep an eye on your goal and you will be fine.” Kahl encouraged him. “Keep your goal in mind.”
“Right.” He said and walked toward the foals that he could see. “Okay if I start this, please help me out.”
“Of course.”
Nix looked around and he could see the main group of foals and he angled to them. His hooves carried him to them and he flicked his head back to send the helm he wore back onto his back. He lowered his heads to them. “Hey, kids.”
“Hey.” One of them looked up to him.
“It’s not over yet.” He tried to sound upbeat as he spoke to them. “There’s still time left tonight for the candy offering.”
“Keep going.” Kahl said to him.
“Who knows? Maybe Nightmare Moon will see your offering and be pleased enough to bring it all back?”
Pipsqueak looked up to him, his eyes wide. “That can work?”
“Who knows? You only fail if you don’t try.” He said to him and nudged the little pony to his hooves.
Nix felt a tap to his hip and he looked up as the zebra from earlier approached him, a smile on her mouth. He backed up a bit as they began to encourage them as well. He began to walk back to the statue and he looked back to see the foals all following him.
“You’re missing your costume.” Kahl said to him. “Best look like you’re having fun as well.”
“Right.” Nix reached back and pulled his helm over his head and broke into a trot to lead the foals forward, Zecora and the Mayor at their heels. He pranced forward and the foals all began to mimic him as he led them. Nix smiled as he began to dance on his hooves and the foals slowly began to smile and laugh as he led them forward. He could hear Kahl chuckle in the back of his mind as they reached the clearing with the statue inside it.
Nix stood off to the side as the foals began to drop their candy onto the ground one at a time. He looked to Twilight who smiled back at him. Pipsqueak was the last to drop his candy and he looked forlornly up at the statue.
“Goodbye Nightmare Night. Forever.” He said as he looked away from the statute to leave it behind.
The wind kicked up as a voice boomed out from around them. “Citizens of Ponyville! You were wise to bring this candy to me. I am pleased with your offering. I am so pleased that I think I will eat it instead of eating you!”
Nix smiled as Nightmare Moon lunged down from the statue and snapped a set of fake fangs at the ponies as they screamed and ran away from her. She released the illusion on her form, spit the fake fangs out of her mouth, and jumped to the ground as Nix and Twilight joined her.
“I am certain that did not do what you wished it to do Twilight Sparkle.” She said to the costumed mare.
“Just wait.” She assured her.
“For what? For them to run away screaming some more?” She asked, her expression hurt.
She paused as her mane was tugged and Pipsqueak looked out from behind her mane. “Princess Luna? I know there’s not gonna be anymore Nightmare Nights, but do you think you could come back next year and scare us again?”
Nix bit back a chuckle at the stunned Alicorn’s expense. “Child! Art though saying that thou likest me to scare you?”
“It’s really fun! Scary but fun.” He assured her.
“It is?”
“Yeah! Nightmare Night is my favorite night of the year!” He said to her.
“Well then! We shall have to bring Nightmare Night back!” She boomed out at the foal.
“Wow.” He lunged forward and hugged her foreleg as he spoke to her. “You’re my favorite Princess ever!” He shouted to her and ran back to the others who were hiding in a nearby bush. “She said yes guys!”
“They really do like you!” Twilight said to her as they approached her.
“Can it be true?” She looked stunned for a moment as a joyful look crossed her muzzle. Her voice boomed out as she spoke. “Oh most wonderful…” She stopped and looked to Nix and Twilight who were cringing. “I mean. Oh, most wonderful of nights.” She said in her normal tone.
Nix walked with them as they came back into town and he broke off to go return the costume to Rarity before it got to be too late. He trotted forward and found her shop with some help from Kahl and knocked on her door. He could hear her hooves coming to the door and it opened for him.
“Oh my!” She yelped and backed up.
Nix smiled and turned his head to the side for her to see his bright blue eyes. “Hey, Rarity.” He said to her.
“Phoenix.” She said aloud and beckoned him inside. “Well, it certainly seems to fit well on you.”
“Yeah, it actually is pretty cool.” He replied. “I was told that I needed to come back and show you since I didn’t put it on earlier when I picked it up.”
“Of course. Let me see darling.” Rarity encouraged him.
Nix turned to the side and put his head up and stretched out to show her the full effect of the costume. She nodded, appraising her work on the pony before her. She clapped her hooves as he posed a few times and with a laugh, he spun to her and pranced in place to make her laugh.
“I will have to use you to model things for me.” She chuckled and began to help him take the costume off.
“No thanks.” He said to her. “That’s way too many ponies staring at me.” He replied and slid the helm off his head and set it aside as the last of the costume slipped off his back.
“Will you be going to hide now dear?”
“Yes. I think I hit my limit a few times tonight and I’m gonna crash.” He admitted and the mare smiled at him as he walked for the door.
“Have a good night Phoenix.” She called out him as he left the boutique and began to walk home.
“You did well tonight.” Kahl said to him.
“I froze once though. How did I get to where I came around?” He questioned the dragon.
“I moved you.” He admitted.
“How?”
“We are in the same body Nix. Do you truly think that you are the only one that can control it?”
Nix slowed for a moment as he thought it over. “Now that you mention it I think I did assume that.”
“It would not surprise me. You were here first, technically. We are still working on our connection. I took control when you were not able to move and I pushed your mind back to allow me to move us. It took a moment, but I had to ensure that your mind was not hurt in the process so I had to delay for a moment. Which thankfully was all the time Twilight needed to act.” Kahl replied to him.
“Well. It worked so I’m okay with it.” He replied as they neared the house and he paused as he called on the key and gently unlocked the door with it in his magic. “Hah! It didn’t fly open this time.”
“Well done. You are steadily improving. I think we can agree that you have worked enough tonight and a good night’s sleep is needed.”
“I agree.” Nix voiced and headed for his room. “A warm shower and sleep. Sounds like a good plan to me.”