//------------------------------// // Nightmare Night // Story: The Codex Amicitia // by malletmann //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle examined herself in the mirror, examining her chosen outfit for this year's Nightmare Night. After last year, she decided it would be better to go as something a little more familiar with the local community. After careful deliberation, she had settled on a piece she felt would fit in quite well. Shadowstar was a figure of legend in the Ponyville region. A reclusive unicorn mare, according to myth, she practiced strange and powerful magic, and used it selfishly. The story of the witch had been told for generations, mostly to scare unruly foals. Most adult ponies, however, didn't consider her any more real than the Lost City of Appolantis. Twilight herself had found no historical evidence that such a pony ever existed, though elements of the myth were consistent with several classical literary archetypes. Still, the character made for an excellent Nightmare Night costume. Twilight had researched the Shadowstar myths with great care to make sure she got all of the details correct. The green-stained saddlebags used to carry her foul reagents, the cord tied around her cloak that was originally part of the noose the villagers tried to hang her with, and the burlap sack used to carry away delicious young fillies and colts were all present. She even used a bit of black paint to give her horn a damaged appearance, though she took great care to make sure it was still fully intact and functional. Putting a bit of dark makeup on, she looked at herself in the mirror. At first glance, she almost recoiled from the image in the mirror. Staring back at her was a very different mare, one with old, ragged clothing, and a weathered, menacing face. She had done an excellent job this year, it seemed. "Hey Twilight, are you ready to- WHAA!" Spike shouted as he entered the room, toppling backwards as Twilight turned to address him. "Whoa, that's one creepy costume. Sweet job!" Spike himself was dressed as a knight in shining armor this year. Twilight wasn't sure exactly why, though she suspected it might have something to do with Rarity. "Thank you. After last year, I decided to look to more regional folklore to draw inspiration from. This year, everypony should be able to recognize me. Hopefully." "Don't worry, Twi. I'm sure everyone will love your costume. Now come," he said, assuming a dynamic pose, "The night is young. There is candy to be had!" The town of Ponyville was once again arrayed for the festivities of Nightmare Night. While Princess Luna could not grace it with here presence this year, due to making an official appearance in Trottingham, the atmosphere was in no way dampened. Ponies arrayed in all sorts of costumes participated in a variety of diverting activities, set in a cheerful mood that stood in contrast with the decorations. As she trotted the short distance from her home to the town square, Twilight encountered the distinct yet familiar form of her newest friend Carpathios. The human was this night clad in a dark cloak as opposed to his usual bright red, but he still carried his ubiquitous hooked staff. Although, since as he had explained it the staff was as important to him as a horn was to a unicorn, Twilight would have been surprised if he hadn't had it. "Happy Nightmare Night," Twilight said as she approached the mage. "Looks like you tried to get into the spirit of things. How has your night been?" Carpathios gave a nervous chuckle. "Could be going better, actually. I'm afraid I was a bit overzealous in my original costume design, thinking it would be a good idea to use magic to augment it. Unfortunately, the final result was far more potent than even I originally predicted. Which reminds me, if you see the Cutie Mark Crusaders, would you give them my most sincere apologies? I fear they were not prepared for my appearance." "Don't worry, I'll be sure to let them know if I see them," Twilight said. "So, what was your original costume?" "Have you ever heard of an allip?" Twilight scratched her head with a hoof. "No, I can't say I have." "Oh, well then never mind." Carpathios turned to walk with her. "I must say, this evening reminds me a great deal of the Tales and Tallows celebration of my home village. The main difference seems to be the overall theme practicing of the holiday. Tales and Tallows usually consists of families staying in their homes, locking all of the doors and barring the windows, sitting around the fire and regaling each other with tales of fear and woe. I had trouble sleeping those nights quite nearly into my adulthood. Of course, now with my powers there is very little I have to fear." "That seems a little... confident," Twilight said, choosing her words with care. "Even with all I've learned of magic, I'm still careful of things I don't know about. In some cases, even things I do know about." "There is a difference between boldness and foolishness, of course," Carpathios responded. "I always ensure that I never take greater risks than absolutely necessary." He turned as they arrived at the main gathering. Rarity and Applejack were conversing at a table of refreshments. They both looked up to welcome the new arrivals. "Howdy! Welcome to-" Applejack briefly wore a shocked expression, but it was quickly replaced with a grin. "Well Ah'll be, that's a mighty fine costume. Why, Ah almost thought Shadowstar had come ta grab me for stayin' out too late." "Indeed," Rarity said, giving the raiment a closer inspection. "I didn't know you had such an eye for design. Granted, it lacks a certain flair, but you did get all of the details perfectly." Twilight blushed from the praise. "Thank you. Your costumes are quite nice as well." She took a good look at her friends' costumes. Applejack was currently dressed as a tin pony, which considering her costume last year, made Twilight chuckle a little. Rarity, on the other hand, went with a far more classical appearance. She had eschewed the "obvious" option as a vampire, most likely due to her sister's use of it last year. "Rarity, that's probably the best Ghost of Trottingham Tower costume I've ever seen! I'm glad you could make it this year." Rarity flourished, showing off her costume. "I'm glad you like it. Fortunately, I didn't have nearly as many orders this past week as I did this time last year, so I was able to finish Sweetie's and my costume well in advance. I do wish I had been able to make it last year, though. I haven't gotten a chance to speak with Princess Luna since the first Summer Sun celebration." Carpathios remained silent as Twilight said, "I think it would be a good idea for you two to meet. She could use some more friends. In a way, she reminded me of how I was before I came to Ponyville and we found the Elements of Harmony." It was at this point that he spoke up. "Twilight, I've seen references to these elements in some of my work, but I would like to learn more. Could we discuss them later?" "Of course! I don't know how I haven't said anything about it earlier. We've been talking about magic so much, but somehow I forgot about the most powerful magic I've ever known. I'd be glad to tell you everything I know." She smiled, and adopted her lecturing tone. "For our first lesson, though, I think a demonstration is in order. A key part of friendship is spending time together, so lets have fun tonight!" "Ah can second that! C'mon Carpathios, let's see how good those arms are at throwin'!" Applejack galloped off, and Carpathios followed. It struck him that before coming to this world, he would never have willingly stooped to this level of frivolity. He guessed it was the sincere innocence of these ponies, combined with the very whimsical nature of the world that seemed woven into the very essence of the land that compelled him to cast off his reservations, at least for the moment. Tomorrow, he would have a lot to discuss with Twilight. The party had been going for some time now. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were finished gathering treats and were now trying their hooves at the various games set up in the town, such as the Spider Toss, apple bobbing,. Apple Bloom was quite good at them; years of helping out on the farm had given her excellent coordination. Scootaloo almost kept up with her, much to the competitive pegasus filly's chagrin. Sweetie Belle lagged behind, though. After Sweetie Belle failed her latest attempt, a pair of fillies in expensive-looking costumes sauntered over to them. "Well, that's one more thing you won't be getting your cutie mark in," Diamond Tiara said haughtily. Sweetie Belle's face was downcast for a moment, but then she remembered who was speaking. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo stood at her aid. "Do you honestly have nuthin' better ta do?" asked Apple Bloom. "Ah mean seriously, there's games, candy, just about everything a filly could ask fer. But all y'all wanna do is come 'round here and make fun." Diamond Tiara's attempt to deliver a cutting retort was never finished. She was distracted by the growing shadows behind the Cutie Mark Crusaders. At first she thought her eyes were just playing tricks on her, but then she felt Silver Spoon inch a little closer to her. The darkness deepened, from merely obscuring the distance to perfect inky blackness. Umbral tendrils snaked out of the encroaching darkness, slowly enveloping the surroundings. Diamond Tiara felt her blood run cold. She heard what she guessed was either Silver Spoon's knees knocking or teeth chattering. Her own body was frozen solid with sheer terror. As she watched, the darkness encircled her classmates, but did not seem to get close enough for them to notice. She was vaguely aware of Scootaloo saying something, but her attention was trapped above them. The shadows seemed to solidify into a boiling cloud. A pair of burning red eyes opened, peering upon them. Around these eyes, a grinning skull of some bizarre, flat-faced creature materialized. Apple Bloom tilted her head confused as the two pompous fillies let out an ear-piercing shriek and bolted away from them with as much speed as they could manage. She turned around, finding Carpathios standing behind her and her friends. He wore a black cloak, much less fancy than his usual clothes. She found this strange, as most ponies dress up for Nightmare Night. "Drat. It seems my costume is still too powerful a fright even with the reductions." Soptek! The voice of Carpathios echoed within the Veil. I have found it! The old librarian immediately perked up. The day had been long and filled with toil, and news of his young friend's success would most certainly improve his night's slumber. What have you found? replied Soptek. What is the nature of the power that called out to you through space and time? It comes from the Elements of Harmony. It was their light that first beckoned to me, yet they have been sitting in front of me for my entire stay. The mage I told you of, Twilight Sparkle, is the one tasked with learning the secrets of their power. Such serendipity, chuckled Soptek. This is probably for the best. Agathonis slips further into decay by the day, it seems. Ectellios has assumed the role of Magnus Templi of the Pyrae Circle. And thus gains control of the pyromancers, brooded Carpathios. I reasoned he would build his power base upon such... flamboyant acolytes. Their art is a perfect fit for his temperament. You are still in Agathonis, so you are best to judge how to handle them. Also, do not feel bound by me to keep my success hidden, if you find sharing it to be to our advantage. Soptek acknowledged this resolutely.Farewell, Carpathios. I will be watching and waiting.