//------------------------------// // NightDerp Night // Story: Crystal Horned Alicorn // by DeltaPow //------------------------------// Chapter 8: NightDerp Night It was the day before NightMare Night and having my words thrown down my throat by the School Fillies, I walked into the Everfree forest, by myself. 'I can't believe I am even considering this... being Celestia for NightMare Night, I am really pressuring myself to do us.' I thought with a grumble. I made my way to near to where I landed. I found the Poison joke flowers. I started to walk to them when a gray blur stopped me. "Prince!, don't walk there... those flowers are not funny." a mare pegasus pony said to me in a odd sounding way. Her eyes looking in odd directions. "Don't worry... uhm, what is your name miss?" I asked. "Derpy Whooves... please Prince, don't go in there... people will laugh at you." She said with a frown. "That's the idea, I don't mind people laughing at me miss whooves, I brought this on myself." I sighed. "Why make people laugh at you on propose? That doesn't sound very fun." She tilted her head in confusion. "Its for my nightmare night costume. The Poison Joke makes me look and sound like Princess Celestia and since it works. As my costume as well the princess has sent me a copy of her crown that I can wear for the holiday." I said with a disappointment, "So I got to do it." "Then I can't let you get in there. Its no fun for you... you shouldn't be laughed at Prince." Derpy said as she tried to force me to unable to move forward. "Why are you so adamant with keeping me from doing this... it has to be more too it than anything else?" I asked Derpy started to cry, "Everyone laughs at me, I just want to be a friend... It hurts.. Now I am here keeping an eye on the everfree forest now. So no pony gets hurt." "hey, what about this... If you let me get to the poison joke, then I want you to be apart of my costume theme and be my guard for NightMare Night Tomorrow?" I asked. "Really!, you really mean that?" Derpy asked. "I Pinkie Pie Swear." as I placed my hoof on my eye with it closed. As Pinkie Pie seemed to have followed me to ensure my promise. "Never break a Pinkie Pie promise." Pinkie said glaring at me. "Never break a Pinkie Pie promise." I responded as I looked at Derpy. She got out of my way, I rolled in it... then got out. By then Pinkie retreated as poison joke makes her unable to talk and not having that happen again she was long gone. "I need to get to a shower now to wash off the extra gunk." As I said that, Derpy Flew up and got a cloud jumping on it, making it rain and a few thunder strikes.. "Thanks Derpy... just be a little softer on the cloud... it might not strike lightning." as I dried myself off with magic. "Okay, you still want me to be your guard." Derpy said with a smile. "Pinkie Pie Promise binds me... also I will look and sound like Celestia except my horn will be crystal ok..." I informed Derpy. "I might make mistakes but I am not stupid." Derpy said feeling insulted. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to insult you... what about this... hang out with me today, no matter what pony says I am going to hang out with you and get you a costume fit to be a royal guard." I apologized. "Alright Prince.." Derpy said following me. "I don't want to be nosy, why does every pony make fun with you?" I asked. "Its not that they make fun of me, its more that they hate me because of my mistakes." Derpy informed me. "Hate you?, I can understand they might dislike your actions being persistent." I reasoned. "I wish they would accept me as who I am." Derpy said frowning. "Hey, no sad faces when your with me.. Even I can get annoyed with persistent failure. I shouldn't take it out on any pony. That's what I think, maybe you need to change how you operate with other ponies." I stated, it seem not to really change Derpy's mood. We started to fly to ponyville. "I dunno Prince, It seems like a hopeless cause." Derpy said. "Hey come on Derpy, lets go and see we can get you a costume." I said as we head to ponyville. When we got there, It seemed ponies started to avoid us that it seemed too obvious, It started to annoy me. "I can see what you mean Derpy... This is not fair to you." I said as Derpy fell into a tench. "Ouch... Am Ok..." Derpy said, as I came down to see if she was. "Here let me help you." I held out a hoof, Derpy grabbed my hoof I pulled her up. Derpy almost was prepared for something bad to happen. "Normally... Something bad happens to someone that helps me." Derpy stated. "Maybe no pony tried to be your friend regardless of the dangers til now." I replied. "Thank you Prince." Derpy blushed. "Just Call me Ethan." I said. "OK... maybe we should get out of this tench." Derpy said excitedly getting up without using her wings, I gave her a push up with my magic. Then I flew up getting out of the trench a bit messy. "Derpy, you are very silly." I chuckled a bit, "Come on, I need to talk to Twilight before we get your costume." We made our way to Library as I knocked on the door, Spike came to the door before he said anything he noticed Derpy and dashed for cover. "Hit the DECK!" Spike shouted, this pulled the attention of Twilight which I started talked to her. "Hello Twilight, I all set for tomorrow. Derpy will be in costume as one of my guards for NightMare Night. I have to ask, why is every pony so distant from Derpy?" I asked. "Well I think I know but I hardly met Derpy, hi there, I think because of all the chaos that generated, that's what I heard." Twilight said saddly. "Spike, I think you owe Derpy a apology." I demanded of spike. Spike wasn't trying to be rude, he seen the chaos in action, he got up and walked to the door in fear. "I am sorry for my actions Miss Whooves." Spike Apologized. "That's alright... I accept your apology" Derpy accepted with a smile. "Twilight I wanted to ask, whats your costume going to be?" I asked Twilight. "Well I have something in mind since your going as Celestia, I was going to go as my brother, I asked him if he send me a mare suit verison of his armor... he had one made and it was sent to me when you got that copy crown from Celestia." Twilight told me. "I was wondering what that crate was for when it got here." I said still seeing the crate outside. "So we will be in theme, that will be amazing, Derpy what do you think?" I asked. "It going to be awesome." Derpy said as Rainbow Dash flew in. "Derpy, I thought I told you to keep in eye on the everfree forest... seriously out of..." Rainbow said with slight anger making Derpy be in fear. "Rainbow, I had Derpy come with me, She was keeping my well-being in check. If you have a problem with Derpy's actions recently, you can direct them to me as I asked her to hang out with me." I interrupted rainbow dash as Derpy was getting comfortable. "You did? She Did? Your still ok? I umm... I am sorry Derpy.." Rainbow Dash Apologized in defeat. "She was trying to keep me from falling into the Poison joke, As it would have harmed my image as prince. I find that honorable to look out for other ponies. Even when I wanted to be effected by it." I stated. "I been hard on Derpy, I am happy that she did that, and surprised. I should be more awesome than that." Rainbow Dash said. "Why don't I have Derpy hang out with me, I don't mind and it will allow everyone to relax.. besides if any damage is done I don't mind replacing it. I might regret saying that but It still going to be fun." I suggested. "Yay!" Derpy Yelled. "Why not, Your doing me and Derpy a favor." Rainbow Dash agreed. "I will hold you on that Rainbow Dash." I said with a grin as Rainbow left to continue what she was doing. "So Pri... Ethan, we going to get my costume?" Derpy asked. "Lets head to my house, Twilight do you wish to join us?" I asked Twilight. "I need to finish a few details on my custom... I want to make it last as it was a gift from my brother." Twilight declined. "See you later then." I stated as me and Derpy head to my home. Once we got to my house 2 guards where there, Steel grid and Iron Wall. "Hey Steel where the rest of the unit?" I asked. "They pulled vacation time, me and Iron wall will be here for Nightmare Night." he replied. "I got a question, do you know anyway I can get a armor set for my mare friend here for nightmare night?" I asked. "There is a Smith in ponyville but you need to get it all placed together... I can get something made for your friend Prince. It will only be a conceiving costume." Steel grid said. "go ahead and do it, please be quickly since tomorrow is nightmare night. Also Just a heads up I just jumped into the poison joke and I will look similar to princess Celestia and have the same voice tomorrow except my horn will still be crystal... and I promised that I wouldn't act too unlike the princess." I said as Derpy giggled. "Ok Derpy since we got your costume going to be taken care of what do you want to do?" "Well... I dunno, I normally just stay at my home." Derpy added. "what does your home look like? Why don't we go see it til we get something better to do." I suggested Derpy nodded yes and started to lead me to her home in the sky. It was slightly outside the town of ponyville, It seemed like a small cloud shaped like a medium trailer home. "That looks pretty neat." I said excited, 'But yet it seems oddly familiar. At least its small, I don't mind small places.' I thought. "Well Ethan... this is my home, nothing special..." She said opening the door, the inside there was some ice sculpture that looked amazing. "Did you make these?" I asked. "Its a small hobby on the side, but I am never really good." Derpy said. "Have you tried to show your hobby to others, you be surprised how good you are." I encouraged Derpy. "You really think so?" Derpy asked with some excitement. "I know so... well think of it" As I started to sing (yep, sing) Ethan: I see a pony that has a skill that no pony believed in Look at all sculptures you made Like this one Derpy: Mayor Mare? Ethan: Yes, you got her looks just correct, every pony would be surprised These sculptures look so good, Believe it Derpy can you see it? Derpy: Rainbow Dash? I don't think.. Ethan: Yes! Look at this one, got her likeness down perfectly. Believe me its seriously cool Come on Derpy...what do you see. Derpy: I see the shapes of ponies that I want to be friends. Ethan: go on? Derpy: Its Ponies that I want to see the real me not some mistake. I see in these Sculptures that I am more than that To be in a real friendship not some outcast. Ethan: Some day, It will be a shock, if you just try You got the sculptures Derpy: I got the sculptures Ethan: To Prove Derpy: It. We both started to laugh, I seemed to lift her spirit. "I have an idea, Twilight might be able to help you. This is a art that you can be very proud of. How do you make these sculptures?" I asked. "You want me to show you? Here place on these" She hands me goggles. "ok.." I sounded unsure placing on the goggles. Derpy went outside and started to generated a small ice rain above her home. Moving in circles she made a good sized cube. Taking another storm cloud jumped on it... getting shocked in the process then moving around angles continuing... it kept cutting the ice until it was a small sculpture of me. "That was fast... and it looks soo cool... pardon the expression." I said, looking at the sculpture it was of me standing smiling. It looked so smooth maybe its because of the lightning strikes that made the ice melt to smooth it and shape it at the same time taking off the Goggles. Derpy body was smoking from getting hit by lightning... still having after shock. "Thanks, But how are we... going to show ponies if we take them out of my home... they will melt." Derpy asked. "Lets go see twilight first. Lets show her by getting her up here." I suggested. "Okay, Ethan." Derpy replied. We head back to the Library, to see twilight again. "Twilight sorry to bug you but have you gotten enough ice sculpture artists for the upcoming Gala? Since your organizing everything." I asked. "I compiled a list of artists and made a shorter list of those that are highly qualified, then I need..." Twilight Paused as I looked at her, she knew what I ment, "I haven't finished anything... why do you ask?" "Well I was hanging out with Derpy, til I found a ice sclupter artist that made a very good sculptures. If you want..." I asked. "Yes I do... if this artist is good, why not get see this artist first hoof." Twilight said. "You will need to get in the hot air balloon because this artist is a Pegasus. The clouds keep the sculptures cold." I said. "I see, Spike, get ready we going on a balloon ride." Twilight commanded as they got the hot air balloon ready. Derpy and I waited a bit outside and saw the balloon taking off. Heading to Derpy's House, She went ahead and once we got there still was my sculpture. "This is amazing work, it looks just like you." Twilight said. "Derpy did it. In about 2 minutes." I added. "Really!, Its very efficient and be helpful .." Twilight was almost speechless. "Ya! Woo-hoo" Derpy agreed. "Every pony going to be surprised." Spike said. "I am happy that Derpy's ability will get notice. " I said still flying near the balloon. We returned to the Library, it was getting late after talking about stuff for the Gala, pretty boring details. "Derpy, tomorrow at noon, meet me at my house ok?" I asked. "Okay Ethan." Derpy said flying to her home. I returned home after seeing my guards, Steel grid was just finishing up the costume guard armor. "That's very convincing, you did this yourself steel?" I asked. "Iron helped, its skills we needed to learn to maintain our equipment." He answered. "believe me I never thought I would use these skills too often when I first joined the Royal Guardian School." "Ya, I know what you mean... So will it be ready. Thats good thank you Steel." I said. "It might be abit big but it will work for that mare." Steel said. "heading to bed, when I wake up... no jokes ok." I demanded. "Very well Princess." Steel said with a grin. "Oh your good..." I glared at Steel. "I try." Steel responded. I went to bed, I made sure the cloak I used was ready so no pony saw my costume so I don't be seen until nightmare night. Luna had no idea of my costume but she would be joining me. I went to bed. Reader Note: all text in '''' is me talking in Celestia's voice within my Quotes. It was the next day and I awoke heading to the mirror, I found that the poison joke took effect and it was the same like last time. I looked and sounded like Celestia except my horn was still crystal. I took a shower drying up. "Lets get my cloak on, I don't want to ruin my costume before tonight. How does her hair flow like that..." I said still annoyed I am going though this. Placing my hat on with the crown in front of the hat. I talked into the main room, it seems that Iron wall and steel grid where playing some card games. "Steel, where is the costume for Derpy?" I asked... As Steel grid was spooked jumping a bit. "Oh Prince Ethan, Its over there. All done." He stated in relief. "That costume you got is very convincing." "Why thank you for noticing." I said with sticking out my tongue then took a look at the armor. "What is this made out of... its very light in weight?" I asked picking it you. "Its a wood without water... it might look like the real thing but it would break instantly if not carefully made, but I made sure it would be strong enough if anything would to happen.." Steel grid answered. "I am going to see Twilight to see how she is doing with her costume." I moved my hood up and when I went outside Derpy was waiting... it was about an hour or so til noon. She looked at me with the hood on and guessed it was me. "Your costume inside, but lets wait until tonight to place it on ok?" I asked Derpy, "lets go check on twilight." We walked to the library, it seems many ponies where getting ready for the event tonight. Some Ponies already had their costume on. I saw Fluttershy with a bunny suit with rabbit ears. Rainbow dash was a shadowbolt from last year. Pinkie Pie was in a disco suit. We got to the Library, me and Derpy came in seeing that Twilight was in a Shining Armor suit. Spike was in a dragon suit from last year. I closed the door behind me and took off my hood, "That armor looks good on you Twilight." I Complimented her. "Thanks Celes... I mean Ethan... I am sorry but your costume going to make ponies confused." Twilight giggled. "That crown makes that much more real." "The Poison Joke makes no mistake. Princess Celestia must have wanted to place a small joke on her sister." Spiked commented. "Ready to head to my place and pickup Derpy's costume since we are all together?" I asked, as Derpy shake her head yes. We all made it to my place, after much damage to the livingroom but the yellow rose was untouched, Derpy got the costume on. "Sorry.." Derpy said looking around. "No worries... as Rarity would say, they where last year design." I said with some regret. Spike chuckled. "Well, lets get going" Twilight said. We head for town square, it was getting late as the sun was setting. Our group was waiting, a few ponies asked me how I managed to look and sound like Celestia. I Explained that it was only by luck this happened. Derpy just stood by me like a normal guard, Nothing seemed to happen as long she was near me. 'Friendship is clearly a powerful force here, a true friend can show the best of another.' I thought smiling at Derpy. "What is it?" Derpy asked me. "Nothing Just enjoying having fun with a friend." I stated. "I got to say Ethan, thats one great costume. Its neat that you go so far to look like the Princess" Applejack said, "Its mighty neighborly of ya to have Derpy join ya..." Derpy shake her head in agreement. "I haven't seen Rarity, Is she going to be joining us tonight?" I asked. "Rarity did say she need to do some final adjustments on her costume... I dunno what it is." spike said. "oooh that's a great costume Ethan, If I didn't know better, I would have thought you where really the princess." Pinkie Pie said. As she finished that message wind picked up and it seemed that Luna was here with her normal entrance being carried in by a chariot of her guards with having bat wings. She seemed very surprised to see her sister here.. normally she would be asleep. "Sister... wait a moment, Crystal horn... Ethan is that you?" Luna asked. "Yep, Its me, more or less." I answered her. "That's very nice spell to look like Celestia and sound like her." Luna added. "Its a plant that's called Poison Joke, that grows in the everfree forest." I corrected Luna. "Its nice to see you Luna." Twilight welcomed Luna. "Nice to see you on this glorious night Twilight." Luna replied. "I can see that this is going to be very fun." I stated as Luna got some duct tape and made sure I didn't talk. This made every pony started to giggle. I ripped it off and removed the duct tape from luna. "ahhhh, ruining my fun." Luna stick her tongue at me for a moment. "Lets play some games." Spike suggested. It was pretty up forward games. Derpy seemed to have drained one of the apple dunking barrels. some how. Then Fluttershy almost got frozen in being scared, derpy got her to unfrozee by making her laugh. Derpy also pranked rainbow dash by using her own cloud against her. "This is very enjoyable NightMare Night." Luna said. "Indeed Luna, This was more fun that I thought it would be." I said. "YOU!" a voice shouted. It seemed to be a Pony fall with a soccer ball cutie mark. It was a mare that was yelling at Derpy. "Shouldn't you be watching the everfree forest." The mare demanded. I was about to act but luna stopped me telling me I shouldn't get involved. Derpy was on the other side of the event grounds we could clearly see and hear whats going on. "What is it final victory?" Rainbow dash stepped in. "Derpy is pony like the rest of us." "That causes damages and places fillies in danger." Final Victory snouted. "Derpy is harmless, your anger isn't warranted." Twilight added other ponies agreed. I whispered to Luna, "I think its a good time for me to interrupt this before it gets out of hand." Luna Agreed as she told me how to use a megaphone projection spell. "ENOUGH!" as I said to every pony walking to the group. "I think interrupt this little argument. I feel that something important is being missed here. Final Victory, I believe thats your name. I believe that every pony has a fair say even if their actions are misunderstood. You shouldn't be demanding someone to do something when they are clearly just trying to help or just trying to be a friend. Every Pony makes mistakes, some more than others. You should never take action for yourself." I said in a normal voice volume. "I was just doing whats right..." Final Victory said. "At the expense of some pony?, Its clear that Derpy Whooves isn't doing any harm. Its because no one tries to understand her by talking to her. If you did that you might discover something important that would have changed your judgement." I stated. "I am sorry.. I was out of line Derpy." Final Victory said. "its alright." Derpy hugged Final Victory which the crowd accepted. "Now whats every pony doing, we are here to have fun!" I stated as every pony continued. "That was a good thing you did." Luna said. "I think Celestia would have done something similar." I said sticking my tongue at her. Final Victory and Derpy seemed to get along after that, some things moved on and I believe every pony understood her much better than being a problem for them. I wrote to Celestia: Dear Celestia Its not every day ponies try what they see in others but only their problems. When you take the time to learn about some pony more often you can see something more than being the problem. Its something that the Ponies here in ponyville have learned today. It also allow me to gain a new friend. Prince Ethan P.S.: Luna was fooled for only for a moment. The crown did help I am going to return it as it seemed every expensive. Spike sent off my letter as I told every pony to stay around. As Derpy pulled out a good sized cube of ice and started to crave it out with a cloud of lightning. It became a very nice looking sculpture of every pony there, but the best part was Derpy giving Final Victory a hug, showing they where now friends. Then Derpy hit a pole which made the whole sculpture break. "Oopise." Derpy said.