//------------------------------// // 17~Nightmare Night // Story: Youngblood // by Centurion Pike-Wall //------------------------------// October 24, 3095 Imperial Calender (1522 AD) Scootaloo's House, Ponyville Depressi looked up from his homework, his ears catching a loud cry of alarm. He looked out of his room's window, being greeted with an odd sight. His Uncle was pinned to a ladder by what appeared to be wires, with said wires also keeping the ladder from collapsing to the ground. He held something on a piece of cord in his wing, which was dangling close to the ground. Whatever it was, it had startled DJ, who was just getting back to his paws, his wooden sword next to him. "What in the flying fuck is that!!?", DJ exclaimed. "And why the Hell is it going on the roof!?" Hoping to calm his brother down, Depressi peaked his head out the window. He called down, "I agree with my brother. What are you doing?" "Getting ready for Nightmare Night", Rumble called, freeing himself from his cord bonds. He fell to the ground with a *thud*, before springing back up. "It's in a week, and Scoots suggested I get it down now." "Nightmare... Night?", DJ asked. "What is?" As Depressi turned to head downstairs, Rumble began to explain. "Well, it started a long time ago. You know about Nightmare Moon, right?" "Yes", DJ said. "Well, after that happened, ponies were still afraid of her", Rumble said. "They told their foals to give an offering at the base of the statues of Luna, which were still around at the time. Other traditions were added. The wearing of costumes, which were supposed to keep Nightmare Moon from realizing you were a foal and snatching you up. The collecting of candy from others, instead of from their parents. And, over time, it evolved into what it is today! Foals-and Pinkie- go door to door in costume, getting candy and offering up some of it to a statue of Nightmare Moon we have on the edge of the Everfree." "So it's a festival of sorts?", Depressi asked. "I guess you could call it that", Rumble said. "Besides the Trick-or-Treating, there's also parties, games, and all sorts of spooky events. Sweet Apple Acres has a corn maze. Twilight holds a scary book reading at Golden Oaks. And... and Pound Cake acts like your mom did, pranking ponies." The two brothers looked at one another. DJ said, "You can't make this shit up." "Don't be such a blowhard", Depressi admonished. "Etesia Finem isn't all that much different in function. Just... reversed, I guess." "I guess", DJ shrugged. "So", Rumble said, interjecting. "Would you two mind helping me? I thought I could take care of it myself, but you both saw how that worked out." "Of course, Uncle", Depressi said. "You can tell us more about this holiday as we do so." "Great", Rumble said, picking up the dropped object from earlier. Given the better look at it, the two fully realized that it was a fake skull. DJ muttered, "I have so many questions..." ++++~++++ 1 week later Depressi once again looked out his window, this time as the sun had just set. Outside, foals roamed in packs of up to ten, led by an older pony. They carried sacks or plastic containers, and were dressed in costumes ranging from Pirates to Superheros to Royal Guards. Every building as far as the eye could see were covered in various decorations, once again of an incredible variety: Fake bones, scarecrows, multi-colored lights, and carved and gutted pumpkins he was told were called "Jack-o-lanterns". "Well, you were right about this being an odd sight to behold", DJ said, coming up next to him. "You got any plans?" "Yes, actually", Depressi said. "The cakes invited me to a party at Sugarcube Corner. On the way, I thought I might take in a few of the sights. You? Any plans? With Flurry, perhaps?" "I know what you're insinuating, and fuck you", DJ said, before shaking his head. "Nah. I'm just gonna shut the window, take my meds, and see if I can get some Gods damned sleep." Depressi nodded, patting his brother on the shoulder. "Goodnight then. I'll try not to wake you when I come back." Depressi put on his own hat and left his room. As he got to the bottom of the stairs, he heard a knock on the door. Scootaloo, dressed in a witch outfit, answered the door, and was greeted by a chanted chorus: "Nightmare Night, what a fright! Give me something sweet to bite!" "Of course", Scootaloo said, using her wing to grab some candy from a bowl near the door. As she put them in each of the offered bowls and the foals left, she turned and gave Depressi a smile. "Hey. Headin' out?" "Yes, Aunt", Depressi replied. "I'm going to Sugarcube Corner. I'll be back in a few hours." "Key's under the doormat", she reminded as he stepped out of the house and onto the streets. Normally, he would simply fly to his destination, skipping the crowds and the winding streets. However, wanting to take in the foreign sights and sounds, he chose to proceed to Sugarcube Corner on foot. As he did, he noticed a few others looking his way. Recognizing most of them despite their costumes, he simply assumed that it was because of the fact he lacked one that he was getting looks. Off to his side, he heard a voice call, "Hey, Depressi!" Looking over, he spotted Southern Rose, along with the new CMC and another foal he didn't recognize. They came up to him, and he saw that each of them were wearing a unique costume. Southern herself was dressed in a red jumpsuit with a black balaclava (Something from these Power Pony comics he had heard about?). Styx wore a long, star-decorated robe with a pointy hat and white beard that reminded Depressi of Miss Trixie's getup. Cherry was wearing a literal cherry made out of painted cardboard. Grace was wearing a fancy dress and a tiara, no doubt being a Princess. Apple Fritter was in a black coat with a massive collar and plastic fangs. Silver was wearing a timberwolf costume that looked to be made from real wood. The final foal, a gun-metal coated unicorn with a curved horn, was surprisingly enough, in the regalia of a Pryhan Praetor. "Salve, Amicus", Depressi said. "What are you doing in costume, Southern? I thought this was mostly a thing for foals?" "Well, it is", Southern said. "But, mah Aunt asked me ta watch Fritter and the others, so ah figured ah'd break out mah old Misstress Mare-velous costume fer the occasion. An' where are you off to?" "Sugarcube Corner", he said. His curiosity finally got the better of him, and he turned to the unfamiliar foal. "Excuse me, but is that meant to be a Pryhan Praetor uniform?" "It is!", the colt said excitedly. "My Aunt said that your mom was one. Did I get it close?" "Well, my mother is a special case, but you got it pretty close", Depressi said, chuckling. "I almost stopped just to salute you! What's your name?" "Thanks!", the colt said. "I'm Prince Rising Dawn. Nice to meet you." Depressi stopped, before smiling and bringing up his clenched paw to his chest. "Guess I have to salute you anyway. Ave, Princeps." Rising Dawn smiled, although Apple Fritter looked uneasy. Southern Rose interjected, and said hurriedly, "Well, we should be goin'. Ask Pumpkin ta save a Spider Cupcake fer me." "Will do. Vale, Amicus", Depressi said, before resuming his slow walk to Sugarcube Corner. On the way, he spotted a few other ponies he recognized: Mrs. Cozy Glow, who was talking with Mrs. Morning Glory beneath a tree, both dressed as monsters. Peppermint, dressed as actual peppermint, leading a smaller foal he assumed was her sibling down one of the streets lined with houses. Pound Cake, who, true to Southern's word, was stalking through a bush in a robber costume with a bag slung between his wings. After a little more walking, he finally arrived at Sugarcube Corner. It was as decorated, if not more so, than any of the other buildings he had seen. Bats hung from the gumdrops that lined the edge of the roof, fake bones were scattered atop it, and carved pumpkins sat stacked three high outside. Inside, he could make out the shapes of dancing and moving around ponies, along with lots of flashing, multi-colored lights. Loud, somewhat unusual music flowed out the windows, the slightly cracked door, and out of whatever other crack the soundwaves saw fit to escape from. Depressi pushed the door open, and was hit over the head with all of the potency of the party at once. Ponies of all colors, species, and of both genders were inside, dancing, eating and drinking, or simply standing and talking. All of them were dressed in costume, with as large of a variety as the foals trick-or-treating outside. The counter had been covered with a thick black felt, which was in turn covered in platters of snacks and a large silver bowl. Loud music came from a DJ booth set up in the back, at which Soundboard was putting out a wall of sound that made Depressi's ears ache. The whole thing smelled of cheap food, sweat, and a vaguely of fruit punch. In other words, the opposite of the kind of party he was partial to. Before he could turn to leave, he was spotted by Pumpkin cake. "Hey, Depressi!", she called, coming up to him. She was wearing a skeleton costume, complete with face-paint. "You made it! Where's your costume?" "Salve. I... I wasn't made aware that I was to have one", Depressi said. "Oh", Pumpkin said. "Well, my brother has his old Shadowbolt costume upstairs. I can go get it for you and you can change out back." "Shadowbolt? As in those things Nightmare Moon used to try and dissuade my mother from opposing her?", Depressi asked. Pumpkin nodded. "Yeah. Your mom made it into a costume the... Well, the last year she was in Equestria. A few years ago, before he got "Too old" for it, Pinkie made him a really good copy of it. I'll go get it." "No, no thank you", Depressi said. "Perhaps it'd be best if I went home." "Already?", She asked. "But it's barely eight." "Yes, I know. But, still, the party in there?" He flicked his paw inside, before shrugging. "It's just not my type of party. Hell, it isn't DJ's, and he's the rowdy one." "Well, isn't that the reason of why you came here? To get out of your comfort zone?", Pumpkin asked. Depressi nodded. "Yes, I suppose so. Still, standing around awkwardly for a few hours doesn't seem like my idea of a good time. No offense, of course." "No, I get it", Pumpkin said. "I felt the exact same time when Glitterati invited me to one of his garden parties. Oh, I never felt so awkward in my life!" "Who?", Depressi asked. "Oh, he's a friend of mine. I'll introduce you at some point", She said, putting a hoof on his shoulder. "Look. You'll have fun. If nothing else, we have a dartboard, so you can occupy yourself." "Alright", Depressi said. "Now, where is this costume?" ++++~++++ "Well?", Pumpkin asked. Depressi shifted a bit, before shifting his wings. "A little snug in the crotch, but not bad." Depressi lifted his head up from examining his body, turning to look at the mirror. The suit, despite not being of the best quality, still seemed pretty sturdy. It was a bit small for him, hence the tightness, but not to a miserable degree. He pulled the goggles over his eyes, and his vision was tinted yellow and narrowed. "Alright!", Pumpkin said. "Let's go!" Depressi followed her down the stairs, and soon lost her in the crowd. He scanned the floor, looking for something to do, before finally settling on the buffet table. He snaked through the crowd, his home giving him experience in such an endeavor. He reached it, picking up and examining a small, multi-colored piece of candy. He popped it in his mouth, chewing slowly, which eventually slowed further. "Hey", another familiar voice said. Maraschino came up next to him, dressed as a Hyena. "I take it you just discovered Candy Corn." "You call it 'Candy Corn'?", Depressi questioned. "What in Kuolema and Elama's names does that have to do with corn? It tastes like vanilla candle wax." "How do you know what vanilla candle wax tastes like?", Maraschino asked. Depressi deadpanned. "Let's just say that, as a kid, I was incredibly... impulsive", he said, before shuddering. "Now, you didn't answer my question." "In all honesty, I don't know", Maraschino said. "Now, how about we do something fun." "What, exactly?", Depressi asked. Maraschino said, "Follow me." The two of them once again had to weave through the crowd, before ending up at the back, just in front of the kitchen. A few other ponies as well as the Zebrican exchange student were gathered around a wooden tub filled with water along with several red and green balls. As they arrived, two of the ponies dunked their heads in, emerging with a ball in their mouths. As they got closer, Depressi realized that they weren't balls; they were apples. "Bobbing for apples", Maraschino said, seeming to have sensed what Depressi was thinking. "It's not that complicated. Just stick your head in the water, then grab an apple with just your teeth. Give it a shot." Depressi nodded, walking up to the side of the tub. He exhaled, took another breath, then dove his head into the water. The goggles gave him some respite from the water. He bit down as hard as he could, before lifting his head up. He was greeted with a *plop* as the apple fell back into the water. He scowled, before dunking his head again. "He's gonna be doing that all night, won't he?", the Zebra asked Maraschino. "Yep", Maraschino said. The zebra scoffed and muttered, "Bull-headed Pryhans." "Hey, least he's trying", Maraschino said. "It's better than some creatures ever attempt."