//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Trick-or-Fright! // by Rixizu //------------------------------// “Momma!” Dinky pouted as her mother dabbed her cheeks with a tissue. Jam had splattered against Dinky’s face from breakfast, and Ditzy refused to allow her daughter to leave for school with a messy face. “Just a moment.” Ditzy smiled, rubbing away the remainder of the apple jam. “Okay, okay. Sheesh.” Dinky rolled her eyes but allowed her mother to proceed.  “I’m your mom, Muffin,” Ditzy said, amused at her daughter’s embarrassment, “you won’t be this little forever. Why not allow me this small indulgence?” “Okay fine.” While Dinky loved her momma a great deal, she could be overbearing sometimes.  “Have fun at school, dear.” Ditzy reentered her room and started putting on her mailpony uniform. That was how she paid the bills for her family of two. “Don’t forget your school bag, Muffin!” Ditzy yelled from her room and the filly realized that she had almost forgotten it. How did her momma know that without seeing her? Weird mom magic, she guessed. “Thanks, later!” “Hiya, Dinks!” Apple Bloom said, trotting up to her. “Hey, Apple,” Dinky replied, “get that history essay done?” The farmer scowled. “I guess. How a filly’s supposed to fill three pages, I’ll never know.” Miss Cheerilee had asked them to write a report on Locksmith, some old philosopher from centuries ago. “Right.” Dinky laughed in understanding and sympathy. Thank Luna, her momma gave her that thesaurus for her birthday last year. It provided her with plenty of super long words to help fill up space! “Dinky!” More of her friends gathered along the journey, and they chattered amongst themselves as they walked to school. It wasn’t about anything too exciting, but Dinky didn’t mind. “Oh, look at that, Dinky!” Alula said, pointing towards Dinky’s momma. “What?” Dinky blinked. What was the filly talking about? Her momma was only chatting with Big Mac, Bloom’s brother. “They sure are chummy, aren’t they?” Alula replied, nudging her in the ribs with an elbow. “Makes you wonder.” “Wonder what?” “If you’ll be Apple Bloom’s sister soon.” Alula fluttered in the air with delight. She was one of those rare ponies with both wings and a horn, an Uniasus, or something like that. “What?” Apple Bloom’s eyes widened in astonishment. “That ain’t going to happen. They’re just friends.” “Yeah.” Dinky thought she’d know if her mother had a special somepony. “Really?” Alula’s voice dripped with doubt and sarcasm. “Except, I see them talking with each other an awful bunch.” “Whatever.” Dinky rolled her eyes, letting the Uniasus have her delusions. Still, Big Mac was a good pony. She had a real father, but the situation with him was complicated for reasons Dinky rather not get into. Long story short, he had his own family which left Dinky in a strange position. She loved her pop a great deal, but her relationship with her half-family was awkward. Sometimes she worried they might actually hate her. Her half-sister Sparkler could be cold sometimes. Again, the situation was so awkward, she rather not get into it. Still, they at least gave her extra Hearth Warming gifts every year.  “You got rocks in your head if you believe that.” Apple Bloom said with certainty. “Whatever to you too!” Alula stuck her tongue out. “Anyway, Dinks.” Apple Bloom said, changing the conversation’s direction. “Got an idea whatcha gonna be for Nightmare Night this weekend?” Unlike her friends, Dinky never put that much thought into her Nightmare Night costume. In fact, she usually almost forgot about it until the last minute. She loved Nightmare Night, but the dressing up didn’t interest her. The games and candy were what Dinky enjoyed the most about the spooky holiday. “Well, momma’s planning something special, but I’ll probably just throw on one of my old costumes.” Dinky shuddered at the thought of her mother’s Nightmare Night costumes. Her mother loved getting creative with her getups. It usually involved grabbing whatever she could find around the house and transforming it into some slapdash costume. Dinky turned red thinking about it, recalling the time her momma made her dress as a makeshift dragon. Vampire teeth had been the fangs, cardboard for the wings and horns, and a green-colored paper bag for the scales. Dinky had insisted on real costumes since. It wasn’t cute; it just looked stupid in her opinion. This disappointed her momma, but she relented. “I’m going as a bride of Frankenpony!” Apple Bloom declared. “Got a cool wig and everything!” “I’m going as a hobo!” Alula said, and the other two fillies stared at her in astonishment. “That’s, er, interesting.” Dinky forced a smile. “Come on, Alula, why ain’t you going as a princess or something?” Apple Bloom asked. “It’d suit ya!” Alula snorted, running a hoof through her mane. “Like I’m doing the obvious. Besides, princesses are so tacky.” For some reason, the Uniasus always hated princess stuff, and Dinky couldn’t quite figure out why. Was it because she hated being treated as somepony special? She could imagine being born a Uniasus caused some interesting challenges. They chatted some more as they made their way to class, and Dinky put silly costumes out of her mind for more important matters. -— The days dragged by slowly as Nightmare Night approached, but the day finally came. Her entire class buzzed with excited energy. The fillies and colts chatted amongst themselves, eager to get dressed and get out trick-or-treating. As usual, their teacher gave her two bits before they left for the day. “Now class, remember to stay together in groups and never go out alone.” Miss Cheerilee said, with the gravest air possible. “It’s dangerous to walk out alone at night. Also, never accept anything unless it’s prepackaged. The treat might contain sharp razor blades. You’d never realize it until it’s too late!” She mimicked an injured tongue for emphasis.  Razor blades? Dinky shuttered, wondering what type of monster would do that to innocent foals. “Stick together and you should be fine! Class dismissed.” The town bustled with activity as Dinky walked back home. Ponies were putting their final touches on various game stands or decorations. Already, spooky décor covered the town, and most ponies were already in costume. From the sun’s direction, it wouldn’t be long until night, then true horrors could begin. She promised to meet her friends at Sugercube Corner once she got her costume on. “Momma, you seriously can’t be going out in that!” Dinky ducked her head in embarrassment as they walked through Ponyville’s festivities. It had already gone dark and eerie candlelight lit the streets. “Really?” Ditzy replied. “I think it’s pretty creative, stylish, and happening if you ask me.” Happening? Dear Luna, please tell me she didn’t just say that. On her mother’s behind was a giant old lampshade painted black with a marker and with an hourglass painted red. Dangling from the lampshade were six paper strings which gave the crude appearance of legs. Around her front hooves were paper bags with claws drawn on them, and she had vampire teeth in her mouth to give the appearance of fangs. It made her speech slurred and hard to understand. Dinky had to focus all her attention to hear what she was saying. The costume gave her the appearance of the famed Spider-pony of legend, half pony, half spider. “I think it's pretty scary! After all, Nightmare Night is when the monsters come out to play! It is a little hard to walk in though.” More than once her mother almost tripped over her own hooves.  “Sure.” Dinky remained unconvinced, but couldn’t fault her momma for wanting to be creative. They trotted towards Sugarcube Corner and soon caught sight of Trixie and her momma’s other friends.  “Nice costume.” The magician had traded her trademark cape and hat for a different set of cape and hat. Trixie wore a neat black tuxedo complete with a top hat and a bowtie. Wrapped around her neck was a cape with a red lining inside. On her face, she wore a mustache that twirled upward. Trixie had come to Nightmare Night as a stage magician. “Uh…” Dinky replied, lost for words. “Interesting costume?” Ditzy studied her friend before dawning comprehension struck her. “You’re going as somepony famous, right? Your grandfather?” This conclusion delighted Trixie, who kicked her hooves high into the air. “Yes, I’m going as the Great and Magnificent Quartermoon. The greatest magician who’s ever lived!” This reply astonished Dinky but earned a grin from her momma, enchanted by Trixie’s antics. Soon her mother’s other friends arrived so they could attend an adult party doing boring adult stuff. “Don’t eat too much candy tonight, okay.” Her momma entered lecturing mode. “I don’t want you getting sick. And keep together with your friends.” “Okay, momma,” Dinky replied automatically. Didn’t she just receive the same lecture from Miss Cheerilee a few hours ago? It’s like adults assumed foals were deaf or something. The teacher wore a witch costume with even a fake crooked nose covering muzzle, much to Dinky’s amusement. “Have fun with your friends, muffin!” Ditzy waved before joining her friends in Sugarcube Corner. “So where first?” Apple Bloom asked. “I say we go to Matilda’s house,” Alula suggested. The Uniasus wore a sailor costume with a much too large hat that fell down her face constantly. “She always has the best candy!” Dinky considered this with grave consideration, before nodding her approval. Her mom liked going over to the donkey’s house for pinochle, and Dinky adored her, considering her almost an aunt. Matilda always had treats ready whenever the filly visited. --- “Thanks, Miss Sassaflash!” The three fillies cried in unison as they departed the pegasus’s house. They were happy with the bounty of treats they’d received so far. One house they visited had given them homemade Rice Krispie balls with colorful Nightmare Night themed sprinkles within. Their buckets were already almost half full after visiting only a hoofful of houses. This would be a bountiful night. “We should hit Fluttershy’s house next,” Dinky said after a moment’s consideration, “I realize it’s a little far, but I think she’d appreciate the company.” The poor pegasus hated scary stuff. Dinky imagined her trembling in a corner, despite the festivities being all for silly fun. Nothing scary actually happened on Nightmare Night. Her two friends agreed. On the way, something caught Dinky’s eye. An unfamiliar pegasus filly dressed as a pirate was wandering around by her lonesome, looking at the various decorations with keen interest. Miss Cheerilee’s warning about not traveling around alone struck her, and Dinky trotted over to the newcomer. “Hey, are you new to town?” Dinky asked. “Oh yes, nice town you have here.” The filly replied. Her fur was light blue and the mane covering her head blazed a fiery orange color. She gazed around in amazement like she hadn’t expected to find Ponyville here. “Are your parents around?” Apple Bloom asked. “Or are you here by yourself?” The new filly sighed. “Yes, none of my other friends were interested in coming this year. I’m Morning Glory.” “Nice to meet you. I’m Dinky Doo!” Dinky beamed. She always liked meeting new ponies. Her other friends introduced themselves. “Since you’re all alone, how about you come with us? We’re trick-or-treating.” Morning Glory nodded with enthusiasm, glad that some Ponyvillians were greeting her with such warmness and hospitality. A realization struck her, dampening her mood. “Oh, but I don’t have a bucket for candy.” Dinky searched around and found a nearby store. She rushed inside and returned with a paper bag in her mouth. “Here, this should work just fine.” “Thank you so much.” Much to Dinky’s surprise, Morning Glory took the simple paper bag with reverence. Dinky looked at her new friend’s empty bag and hated how empty it looked. Without preamble, she emptied a portion of her candy into it. “There, much better.” “I guess I’ll give some too!” Apple Bloom also gave some of her candy. Alula only snorted. “Sorry, but I’m keeping mine for myself. It’s my candy, and I can do whatever I want with it.” “Sure, whatever.” Dinky rolled her eyes. They had loads of candy, so why be so selfish? “You’re a real sweetheart, Dinky.” Morning Glory said with a smile. “Well, shall we get going?” Despite promising to hit Fluttershy’s cottage next, they knocked on every other house they came across. Soon Dinky's reservoir of candy had more than doubled, making up for anything she’d lost before. They chatted on the way. Morning Glory was a curious pony, eager to learn everything about them. She provided little about herself, but Dinky didn’t mind and gave several details about her life with her mom. Dinky spoke with pride about how brave and smart her mother was, which impressed her new friend a great deal. “You know, I never noticed how creepy this part of Ponyville gets at night.” Apple Bloom shuttered, giving their surroundings a nervous look. Somehow, despite the glowing street lamps, Ponyville’s outskirts appeared darker than it should be. “It isn’t surprising.” Morning Glory said. “It’s Nightmare Night and we’re approaching the edge of the Everfree Forest.” “What do you mean?” The mention of the infamous forest put Dinky on edge. “Nightmare Night is when the barrier between reality and the supernatural world is at its weakest.” Morning Glory said, sounding like Miss Cheerilee giving a lecture to students. “All sorts of nastiest sneak into the world for fun. It’s why ponies dress in costumes. Then the baddies can’t tell who’s a monster and who’s a pony. That and the monsters also like dressing in costumes.” “Monsters.” Apple Bloom stuttered in fright. “Come on, monsters don’t exist.” Alula stopped herself, considering her next words after everypony gave her strange looks. “Okay, they do exist, but not those types. You’re all being silly.” “Sure.” Dinky shook her head, unconvinced, but let the matter drop. They were only a few steps from Fluttershy’s house. Despite Alula’s confident reassurance, she increased her pace to catch up with her friends and to arrive at the nature-loving pegasus’ cottage quicker. Unlike the other houses in Ponyville, Fluttershy’s house sported no decorations. As usual, it had more birdhouses than the eye could count and she detected more after her last visit. Yet, Dinky saw no birds flapping about. Were they hiding in their houses or something? She sensed a distinct lack of any activity and the silence put everypony on edge. They walked over the bridge that traveled over the small stream running through Fluttershy’s property when a rustling sound caught their attention. They froze, and Dinky’s imagination ran wild. Morning Glory’s words of monsters ran through her head. They tensed as the rustling increased its ferocity. They turned as one as a large figure burst from a nearby collection of trees, trees that led right into the Everfree Forest. The figure was massive, with green scaly skin that contained a hideous amount of warts. The creature’s stink struck Dinky even from this distance, making her recoil in disgust. It smelled like decay and something else indeterminate. Its nose shot out like a spear, far extending long past its head. Long stringy hair covered its head which matted against its skull. Worse were its teeth. They appeared sharp and ragged, easily capable of tearing a pony in two. The creature was also dressed like a giant white rabbit and fake ears extended from its head tilted at an awkward angle. The white bunny outfit was too small for its body and its seams had tore in several areas exposing warty skin. The creature’s small beady black eyes stared at them before brightening, and its massive fangs extended into a wide smile. “How do you do, fellow ponies. Are you going out trick-or-treating? Mind if I join you?” it asked politely.