It was a dark night. Heavy rainclouds hung in the sky, blocking the light of the moon and stars. Using the patter of the rain and hail hitting the window of the warehouse to muffle my movement, I crept through the building.
One of the members of the Guard had gotten word that a suspicious looking man had been seen entering Warehouse 2B, near the sky docks. Several minutes later, word came in that a body was found two blocks from the warehouse. The way the body was found left only one suspect: Slurry Slaughter.
Slurry Slaughter, the notorious serial killer, was wanted for the crime of murder on 58 accounts over the course of fifteen years. He is active only at night. He kills his victims, one or two at a time, by sneaking up from behind and slashing the back of their head. He then proceeds to continues slashing until the corpse is barely recognizable. I should know. After all, he murdered my parents right in front of me.
It was fifteen years ago. I was only ten at the time. My parents took me see a play at the local theater. We were walking home, happy as any other family. The lampposts lit the sidewalks; it was any other night in Canterlot. I was in between my mom and dad, holding their hands. I was just walking, smiling, until Dad fell to his knees, then to the ground, blood spewing from the sliver on the back of his head. Not entirely sure of what just happened, Mom and I turned around to find a man hidden in a trench coat holding a bloody cleaver, which soon found its way in between my mother's eyes.
I grasped what had just happened as my mom's body fell with a thud. My eyes grew wide and my legs went limp. I fell back and began to pull myself away from the man. He paid me no mind as he leaned over the two corpses in front of him. He raised his cleaver into the air and brought it down on my father. He raised it again and brought it down on my mother. He just started slashing and stabbing my parents' bodies in front of me, and all I did was watch. I was too scared to move. My mind kept shouting, "Do something!", but my body wouldn't listen. I just sat there, staring.
Then, the man got up, standing over the bodies of the people who once resembled my mother and father. He stared at me. His eyes. Those reptilian eyes just bore a hole through me. He smiled a wicked smirk and laughed his maniacal cackle. Then, he vanished into the night.
That was when I had the power to move. That was when I cried. That was when I mourned for the dead. That was when a fire of anger swept through me. I had a hatred. A hatred for that psychopath and a hatred for myself. I was too weak or scared to do anything and because of that my parents were dead.
Vengeance was what kept me going through all those years. I was depressed. I was alone. Where ever I was, everyone was condescending. I was so lonely. Every thought of cutting myself, every thought of ending it all was immediately halted by the thought of those reptilian eyes and how I wanted to see them lifeless. Finally, I was about to see get my wish.
I crouched behind boxes and crates, keeping an eye out for him. The warehouse seemed lifeless, but I knew he was in here, hiding, waiting for me. It didn't take long to find him. As I reached the center of the warehouse, a light turned on, revealing a man in a trench coat, holding a cleaver stained with the blood of many innocents.
"Well, you found me," the man said. Just hearing him speak made me want to decapitate him. I could hear the insanity in his voice. "How long has it been? Fifteen years?"
I drew Equality from its sheath. "You remember me?" I questioned.
Slaughter grew a grin. "Oh, how could I forget you? You were the boy from the night I began." Memories of that night rushed through my head. "You, mommy, and daddy were having such a great time at the playhouse."
"Shut up," I demanded.
He ignored me and kept going. "I saw the three of you walking home, a smile plastered on each of your faces, and thought 'Why do they get to be the ones having all the fun?'"
"Shut up!" I demanded again, louder.
"You wanna know what I find fun? Cutting meat. I was a butcher before all of this. The sound of this cleaver tearing through flesh always gave me a thrill. But that night I thought 'Would it not be more satisfying to chop up living flesh?' So, I found out." He licked his lips as the smile on his face grew even wider. "And it was even better than I imagined."
"I said SHUT UP!!!" I charged at him, sword ready to split his head in two. As I brought the sword down, he blocked it with his cleaver.
"Temper, temper," he taunted. He threw me back and we both took battle stances. "I've been watching you, you know. Ever since that fateful night, I watched you." We began circling each other. "I watched you turn from a little, timid boy into a grown man. Oh, yes; I know all about you. I know you even better than you know yourself."
With every word he spoke, the rage in me was growing faster and faster. "You know nothing about me!" I rushed him again, only for my attack to be blocked.
"I don't, do I? You say you want to help everyone. You say you hate to use violence, but whenever you do, you don't want to stop." His eyes stared through me. Those slits looking into my soul and being. "You say you hate being alone but you choose to spend most of your time in solitude."
"Shut up!" I put more force into my sword, bringing Slaughter to his knees.
"You say you fight for justice, but all you want is vengeance for you dead parents. But guess what. They're dead! And there's nothing you can do about!" He laughed his horrible cackle.
At this point, I wasn't angry. I was livid. I deliver swift knee to his face, and send him flying into a crate. Before he could get up, I charged ready to end it. As Equality swung down, no one was there.
A demented cackle came from behind. I turned ready to block, but he was fast. His cleaver sliced my back, sending a gruesome pain through my torso. As the cleaver came down for a second swipe, my sword was ready to block.
That smile. That fucking twisted smile. It mocked me. It taunted me with a life that was taken away from me. Slaughter knew what it was doing to me. It was making me angrier. It brought my rage to a boil. "Aw. Is poor Scaley-Waley all tuckered out? Maybe it's time for night-night?!" He brought the cleaver down on Equality. The clang of metal rang through the warehouse. Then again. Then again. He repeatedly struck my sword, bringing it closer and closer to my face. That's the first place he wanted that knife to tear through, right between my eyes. Just like my mother.
With each strike, I was brought closer and closer to the ground until I was on my knees. Suddenly, his smile turns into a frown. "You know, you were something special." He said, disappointed. "I expected you to be the one to finally take me down. I guess I was wrong." His smile returned and he raised his cleaver slower than before, indicating that this would be his final strike.
Now.
Right before he brought down the blade, a wooden crate flew at him, breaking on impact and throwing him to the side. As he recovered from his daze, I walked up and put my foot over his chest. He noticed me in striking distance and swept his hand across my thigh. His eyes grew wide as he realized his cleaver wasn't in his hand. Slaughter tossed his head from side to side frantically, trying to locate his cleaver, only to find it on the ground, out of his reach. Coming to terms with his position he stopped struggling and stared at me. His eyes gazing into mine.
"Well, it seems I underestimated you." He began. "Congratulations. You have the notorious Slurry Slaughter under your foot. What do you plan to do now, Mister Scale?!"
"I'm going to kill you, rid this world of your presence, and avenge my parents." I brought the tip of my sword to his throat.
His grin reappeared. "Killing me won't bring them back, you know? Your parents are long since dead."
I grit my teeth. He won't let me leave without killing him for with pure vengeance. "I know. Your death may not bring them back, but it will sure make me feel better." I grab the handle of the sword, took a deep breath, and plunged the sword through the murderer's head, screaming. As the sword made contact with the bridge of his nose, my eyes shot open.
No longer was I in the warehouse. I was back in my bed, in my house, in Ponyville. My covers were soaked in sweat, and I hope nothing more. Breathing heavily, I take a moment and get out of bed. I walk into the bathroom and stare at myself through the mirror. Clumps of wet, blond hair stick to my forehead. My green eyes stared back at me through the mirror.
The memories of those nights rush through my head. The night I killed the man who killed my parents; and the night my parents died. The scar on my back begins to burn as the memories drift by.
Once they had all past, I gave myself a small chuckle. "A nightmare to start off Nightmare Night. Funny."
Happy Nightmare Night! My favorite holiday in my favorite month. As the moon rises and the sun sets, the children roam the street with costumes, going door to door, gathering candy to offer to the evil Nightmare Moon. Those who don't give up any candy are said to be visited by Nightmare Moon and eaten! That, and you get to scare everybody shitless.
Quick history lesson. Before Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon, Nightmare Night was originally to praise the Princess of the Night. People held feasts in her honor and every year Luna would visit one lucky town. After she became Nightmare Moon, people started spreading rumors that if you don't leave candy to offer Nightmare Moon, she would eat you. Oh, those kids and their silly rumors.
Anyway, enough of the history lesson. On to how my day started.
Aside from the nightmare of my own, my day started off like any other. I took a shower. I ate breakfast. Draco ate another set of kitchen utensils. Any other day.
I had several costumes that I would like to wear picked out the night before, but I had trouble picking from those. Grim reaper? No, too grim. Skeleton? No, too overused. Werewolf? Nah, too furry. Sexy nurse? No, that outfit makes my butt look big. Headless horseman? Perfect.
Ah yes, the headless horseman. What a perfect fit for me. I even know an invisibility spell that I can cast on my head. The costume consisted of a black suit of armor, a black helmet with red lights where the eyes would be, and a plastic sword. Who knows what will happen if I brought my real sword to the school house? Oh, yeah, I plan on going to the school house and potentially scarring all of the children. Something about Nightmare Night makes me act more like a child.
I was only missing one thing. A horse. Thankfully, I have an ostrich and a transformation spell. Yay.
I made my way out to the stable where Wolfgang was sitting down, enjoying the morning. "Okay!" I shouted at the bird, startling it. "Who’s ready to scare a bunch of kids?" Wolfgang tilted his head slightly. "That's the spirit!" I clap my hands together and bright light flashes from Wolfgang. I could hear squawks that turned into neighs. Once the light dimmed away, standing where my feathery friend once was was a black, demonic looking stallion. The charred fur glistened in the light from the door. His eyes were glowing red. His hooves left a shadowy trail.
Wolfgang was eying me with displeasure. I could sense that he didn't like this sudden change in body. I remember when Wolfgang was a bird with a bird brain. Recently, however, he has been acting more... sapient, I think is the word. He's been showing more emotions and has been wanting more luxurious wants, like better food and a comfier bed. You wanna know how I know he wants better food and a comfier bed? He wrote it out. He wrote it out on the ground, using his beak like a pencil. I blame Draco.
I shrug at Wolfgang and hitch the saddle on to his back. Wolfgang got used to his new body pretty quickly. I got on the saddle and he was walking like he's been a horse his whole life. Smart ostrich, that Wolfgang.
So, here's what I plan to do. I'm going to basically summon myself at the front of the classroom of the schoolhouse on Wolfgang. There's gonna be weird hieroglyphic ritual circles and a dark purplish aurora spiralling around me. I will laugh manically, causing the students to be scared. Before several of them start crying, I will make it rain candy and everything will be great. I see no way in which this plan will fail or backfire. At all. I'm gonna give these kids the most memorable Nightmare Night ever.
"You ready?" I asked my once winged companion. Wolfgang huffs a cloud of smoke out of his nostrils. "Alrighty then!" I grab my helmet with red light eyes and snapped my fingers to do the starting off effect. I had no clue if the classroom was windy now, but I had to hope. I snapped my fingers again, activating summoning circle and spirals. I finally snapped my finger again, flashing myself into the classroom. I think as I was teleporting away, Draco yelled at me for something. But then again, I don't care for him.
Once my eyes quickly recovered from the flash, I saw scared children in costumes sitting in desks. Perfect. "Greetings, mortals." I began in the deepest most menacing voice I could muster. "I, the Headless Horseman, have come to wreak havoc on this village!" Everyone was now running to the back of the classroom, scared out of their minds. I began my evil laugh. "Mu-ah ha ha. Mu-ah ha ha ha ha ha! MU-AH HA HA- ow!" I had just been slapped in the back of the head with a ruler.
Cheerilee was standing behind me, tapping the ruler in her other hand. She was wearing a witch costume, but not the nose, thank Celestia. Her eyes showed obvious agitation, much like Wolfgang's when he transformed. "What do you think you're doing?" she said sternly.
The children looked at me questioningly now. An actor never breaks character. I leaned into Cheerilee's face. "You dare hit me, mortal?!" A thunderous roar swept the room and the students cowered to the back of the room again. "I am the Headless Horseman! You will bow down to me and all glor- ow! Stop that!" That ruler really hurts.
Her eyes still bore a hole through me. "Scales, what is the meaning of this?" Cheerilee asked without a change in tone. The students started murmuring to each other in a wave of confusion.
Well, there goes my cover. I let out a sigh and make my head reappear. "You didn't even let me get to the part where it rains candy." I said disappointed. That was going to be my favorite part. The children now were either angry that I scared them or let down that they didn't get any candy.
"You almost gave my class a heart attack. What made you think that this whole plot of yours was okay in the first place?"
Look at the teacher, asking all the questions. I put on a serious face as I got ready to give my answer. "Isn't it obvious?" I stand on top of Wolfgang and strike a dramatic pose. "It's Nightmare Night!" I said evilly, thunder booming in the room somehow. "The scariest night of the year! Ghosts and ghouls creep out from the shadows. The dead roam the earth once more. The monsters that lurk under your bed reveal themselves, all in the name of good fun and rich frights!" Wolfgang got tired of me standing on him stood on his two hind legs. Needless to say, I fell on my ass and the whole class laughs.
Cheerilee offers me a hand to help me up. I accept it. "You realized you could have scarred them, right?"
I, realizing the correct answer is also the wrong answer, changed the subject. And by "Changed the subject", I mean "Made it rain candy". All the kids screamed with joy as the delicious sweets fell from the ceiling. Cheerilee gave me a look of disapproval. I gave her a look of pleasure.
Wolfgang was already back at home and an ostrich again by the time Cheerilee started teaching her class again. I tried my best to make the day fun, but the teacher had other plans. Boring plans. Even though it was a holiday, she scheduled full classes. Recess was the only fun thing planned for today. They were learning about the origins of Nightmare Night when a scream came from outside. It went "The horror! The horror!" It sounded ridiculous the way she said it. This was quickly followed by more screams. Although it was probably someone’s prank, I, as a member of the Royal Guard, must check it out.
I exited the school house to find out I was wrong. It wasn't a prank. It was Draco. Draco was wandering through the nearby path that leads back to Ponyville. Everybody must have ran away at the sight of the huge, fire-breathing reptile.
"Draco?!" I shouted. He spots me and slithers his way towards me. He lands with a thud. "What are you doing here?" I ask. "You're supposed to be at home."
Draco huffed. "You made this 'Nightmare Night' sound intriguing. I wanted to join you." Draco looked behind at the now empty worn path. "You never told me where this school house was and the townsfolk don't seem to take the time to listen to my kind." I could still hear the screams of the citizens from here. Realizing what he did, I started laughing hysterically. "What do you find so funny?"
I wipe a tear from my eye as I form an answer. "You walked, all the way from my house to here through town?" I questioned. He gives me a nod and I burst out laughing again. Just the thought of everyone fleeing from Draco, the lazy dragon who has been eating me out of house and kitchen utensils, was enough to make almost any man laugh. "You probably scared every person in Ponyville! That, my friend, has been my very goal for Nightmare Night and you just accomplished it." I continue to laugh, Draco eying me curiously.
"Scales," Cheerilee began, opening the door. "Is everything alright?" Her eyes almost bulged out of her head. A vicious dragon was outside of her schoolhouse, and it was going to eat the children! "Dra-dra...drag-... dragon," she mumbled. Draco moved his eyes from me to her. This was too much for the poor witch, and she fainted.
I, in turn, began to laugh even harder, falling to the ground. "I... I can't-... breath! Ha ha!" My side began to hurt.
The students, worried about their only teacher, walked to door where Cheerilee lay. Now it's their turn to faint. I'm a bad person at times, but who wouldn't laugh at this. Surprisingly, none of them fainted. In fact, most of them ran up to Draco, completely astonished that in front of them was a dragon. Some of the kids were even trying to climb on top of him. I couldn't help but notice from my spot on the ground, that this one kid was taking pictures with his camera.
"Umm... Scales?" Draco asked through the awes of amazement coming from the mob of kids crowding around him. "I'm not very comfortable with this."
Unfortunately, I knew I couldn't let the children overthrow my reptilian friend, as funny as it would be to watch a four foot army overpower a fifty foot dragon. I raised myself from the ground and attempted to the attention of the children. "Settle down, everyone!" I was ignored. "Yo! Kids! Be quiet!" They were not listening to me in the slightest. They were too distracted by the appealing Draco. "I said BE QUIET!!!" I roared to the class. The ground shook under me and thunder rang from the sky. Everyone was now silent. All eyes were on me as I took control of the situation. "Okay, class. Since Miss Cheerilee is... busy, I will fill the role of teacher until she wakes up." Children cheer. It's a great feeling knowing the youth love you. "First off, I would like to introduce you all to my friend, Draco."
In unison, the class let out a "Hello, Draco."
"Greetings, young ones." Draco replied. Now that no one was trying to mount him, Draco seemed to have calmed down.
"Okay, so now that introductions are out of the way," I began, stepping carefully through the crowd of children. "Who wants to hear the story about how me and Draco met?" I took their cheers as a yes. "Well it all started during the dragon migration...."
I moved Cheerilee inside the school house while she was knocked out. She was out for a good few hours. There was only about an hour left of school when she came to. The class, Draco, and I spent that precious time goofing about. We played games, I told stories, and I even taught the kids about Nightmare Night, through the art of big movements and over exaggeration. That is how you get kids to learn. Make it entertaining. Cheerilee seemed to have grown up while I was away and forgot what was entertaining a kid.
Draco seemed to be enjoying himself as well. He even let the children ride him. I just gave those kids something to tell their grandchildren. "Grandpa, you're so boring." "Boring? When I was your age, I was riding dragons!" Instant awesome grandpa.
Anyway, when Cheerilee did wake up, I had to assure her that Draco was not a man-eating dragon and he is not going to devour anyone. Once she was convinced that Draco was okay, I escorted her outside to check on her class and she almost fainted again. I then had to reassure her that Draco will not eat the children riding him. When she was finally able to accept what was going on, she was able to approach her class once again. She was calm, cool, and collected. She was ready to take control of her class and reclaim her job as teacher...
Until I put a spider in her hair. Cheerilee screamed at the top of her lungs in fright. At first, I felt bad about what I was about to do, but that scream made it all worth it. It was almost high enough to break glass. Seriously, they could use it in movies. Cheerilee wasn't as happy as I was about the whole prank. Not at all. Her face was bursting with rage. She began to chase me with her broom.
"Help! Help! The Wicked Witch is after me!" I shouted between laughs. We ran through the maze of children in front of the school, Cheerilee swatting me with her broomstick, me laughing all the while.
I couldn't help but feel a child’s bliss and ignorance. Two childhood friends, all grown up, and still acting like they belong in a playground. We blended right in with the children around us.
It wasn't long before the parents arrived. Most of them freaked out when they saw their kids playing on a dragon. Instead of me having to deal with it, however, Draco spoke up with his calm deep voice that showed age and wisdom. "Stereotypes are a horrible thing to assume. A few of my kind terrorize you and you assume all of us are like that. Simply because I am a dragon does not mean I am not civilized. I thought your kind was better than that. I do not eat humans." That short speech was able to maintain the parents surprisingly. None of them accused him of lying or shrieked, running off with their child in hand. "Besides, humans taste horrible." He wore a devilish grin as the parents stepped back in fear.
I started laughing. "Now you're getting the hang of it," I said encouragingly, patting him on the back.
The kids waved goodbye to me and Draco as their parents quickly trotted them off to their homes. I was waving back when I felt a poking on my thigh. I looked down to see Dinky, wearing a fun-sized police uniform, complete with hat. Omaigosh! She's so adorable I could just eat her! Om nom nom nom!
"Hello, Scales," she says to me with a smile.
I'm no longer 'Mister Scales'. Yay, bonding! "And a 'hello' to you too, Dinky," I say, returning her smile. "I hope you enjoyed your day at school."
"I did. It was the best Nightmare Night ever, thanks to you and Draco." That made me feel all warm inside. "I'll never forget it." And now it was mush. That was what I was aiming for.
"Ah, but the night hasn't even come yet, my dear Dinky, and when it does, that is when the real fun and frights begins." I made my head disappear and made a creepy ‘Ooooooh’ sound. Dinky gives a little chuckle. I hear someone scoff behind. It was Draco. It completely skipped my mind that Dinky and Draco haven't met personally. "And how could I forget? Dinky, you already know Draco. Draco, this is Dinky, Ditzy's daughter."
Draco examined her with his big slitted eyes. "Your mother talks highly of you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." He gives her a scaly grin. She returned it with an adorable smile of her own.
I was about to offer Dinky a ride on Draco when an angelic voice sounded in the distance; and it was getting louder and louder. "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY LITTLE MUFFIN!!!" With that, I was tackled to the ground. Sitting on my stomach, pounding my chest, with tears in her eyes was Ditzy. She was wrapped in what I hoped was gauze. I guess she was supposed to be a mummy. "Don't hurt my Dinky, you monster!"
I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "I'm experiencing the most appropriate case of Déjà vu."
Upon hearing my voice she, she stopped beating me. "Scales?"
With a snap of my fingers, my head reappeared, baring a smile. "'ello, love." I said, with my best Trottingham accent.
"I'm so sorry," Ditzy began, guilt in her eyes. "I didn't mean to tackle you down like that. I thought you were a monster, I mean you didn't have a head or anything, so I just assumed-" I put a finger over Ditzy's mouth.
"It's fine. It'll take a lot more than a tackle to get me upset. Besides, your adorable face is more than enough of an apology." I give her my warmest grin. She blushed uncontrollably and gave me her own smile. We stared into each other’s eyes, no more words needing to be said. Well, aside from "You can get off me now." Realizing what she was sitting on, she quickly got up and offered me her hand. Gladly accepting it, I pulled myself up with gusto.
"Hi, Mommy." Dinky ran up to her mother and gave her a hug.
Ditzy returned it with a much tighter one. "Hello, Muffin!" You could almost hear the air being squeezed out of the little girl. "How was school today?" she asked, releasing her grip.
As Dinky told her mother how awesome her day was, I heard Cheerilee shout. "What do you mean you can't chaperone?" she said to one of the parents.
"I'm sorry, but something came up," the mother said in a saddened tone
"But you can't quit on me now. All the groups have already been made up."
I took this as a cue to see what is up. "Problem?" I interrupted.
Just from the sheer sight of me, Cheerilee's face went from worried to hopeful. "Scales!" she called out as she epiphanied.
"Cheerilee!" I called out in the same tone.
My mocking her flew right over her head. "Are you busy tonight?"
I put my finger on my chin to mimic thinking. "Well, I planned on scaring everybody in Ponyville, but seeing as Draco did that for me already, I would say I'm free. What do you need me for?"
Her face lit up. "Great! The class is having a contest to see which group can get the most candy. Each group has a chaperone to make sure nothing happens to the kids. Do you think you can chaperone a group?" Cheerilee gave me a puppy dog pout. Nowhere near as cute as Ditzy or Dinky, but still cute.
I always loved a little friendly competition, so how could I say no? "I don't see why not."
Cheerilee beamed with gratitude. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she fired from her mouth. She wrapped her arms around me, which caught me entirely by surprise.
"No problem." I said, giving her a quick squeeze and then releasing.
"Everyone is going to meet up here at six o'clock. Make sure you're here."
"I'll be here." I give a wave goodbye before returning to my friends.
Upon arriving back to them, Ditzy seem to be flustered about something. "You can't just do that!" I heard her say to Draco. "What if they form a mob or something and run you out of town, or worse!?" So it was about Draco causing a panic in town.
"I did nothing wrong." Draco argued. "To be put to death for simply walking is outrageous."
"Aw, c'mon Ditzy," I intervened. "Leave the guy... lizard alone. Just because he scared everybody in town... out of their pants... because he was wandering... HA HA!" Thinking about Draco walking through town will always make me laugh.
"This isn't funny, Scales." Ditzy looked serious.
"No, it's pretty funny." I wasn't
"You could get in a lot of trouble."
"How? Housing this lug? Trust me Ditzy, everything will be fine." She gave me her wall-eyed pout. As stated previously, om nom nom. "Oh, hey. Ditzy, are you a chaperone for the trick-or-treating contest thing?" Changing subject. Best maneuver when not wanting people to be mad at you.
It seemed to work pretty well. "Yeah, I can't wait. Me and Dinky's group are going to get the most candy."
"That's nice. Cheerilee just asked me to chaperone a group and considering how I'm chaperoning it, my group is obviously going to win."
"Is that a challenge?"
"Well it's not a peace treaty."
And with that, war was established.
Did I mention how much I love Nightmare Night? Because I really love Nightmare Night. I totally forgot about the fair that they hold in the center of town. It was awesome. Especially when you arrive there on a dragon. Ditzy, Dinky, and I rode in riding Draco. Everyone was like "Oh crap, look at them! They're riding a dragon!" It made me feel so superior to everybody, even though I wasn't.
As Ditzy and Dinky left to check out the festivities, I came up with the idea to put on a mock battle. Draco was up for it. We started to fighting right there in the middle of town. I used a fake sword and Draco apparently has a type of fake fire. It looks like real fire but it doesn't burn. I think it's for finding a mate. Anyway, as we fought, a crowd started to form, cheering us (more specifically me) on. It ended when Draco was on his back and I brought the fake sword down into his chest. He played dead and the crowd let out a roar. Best Nightmare Night ever.
Anyway, as the evening progressed, we ate, we played games, and we scared. I even saw Rainbow Dash pulling a few pranks. Granted they were with lightning but a prank is a prank.
Currently, I'm back at the school house with my assigned group, listening to the rules of the contest. My group consisted of Pipsqueak, the vampire, Featherweight, the detective, Snips, the red superhero from that show I remember, and Snails, the red superhero from the same show.
The rules were simple. The kids can trick-or-treat anywhere inside Ponyville, no buying candy to use in the competition, no using magic or wings, as it is unfair to those without, no stealing other teams' candy, and be back at the schoolhouse by nine. Sounds simple enough.
"Okay, Team Awesome!" I announced to my group. "We are going to go to the opposite side of town. That's where all the big houses are. Big houses, means more money. More money means more candy. More candy means more winning. Any questions?" Snips raised his hand. "Yes, Snips."
"Isn't that a forty-five minute walk?"
"Correct, Snips. That is, indeed, a forty-five minute walk on foot, but it's a fifteen minute ride by dragon." I gestured to Draco. "Draco has so kindly offered-slash-was forced to give us a ride to the other side of town." Snails raised his hand. "Yes, Snails."
"Snips stole my costume." Snails said, pointing a finger at Snips.
"I did not, you stole mine!" Snips shouted at Snails.
"Nuh-uh."
"Yuh-huh."
"Nuh-uh."
"Yuh-huh."
Suddenly, zippers formed around their mouths and zipped shut. Must be an epidemic. "Boys, it doesn't matter if you have the same costume. As long as you're scary."
I hear obnoxious laughing from behind me. "Them, be scary? Please. They can't even scare a fly." It was Diamond Tiara.
"Yeah, a fly." And Silver Spoon.
Picking on my team, eh? "Draco! Eat them!" Today I found out Draco enjoys scaring people. Normally, he would have ignored me, but today, he just let out a roar and crawled over to the two prissy princess. They ran away screaming and we all shared a laugh.
As we were enjoying other people's misfortune, a speaker echoed from the school house. "Attention teams. The contest will begin in five! Four!" Everybody lined up and got down into a running position. "Three!"
Ditzy was right next to me, eying me. "Good luck."
"Two!"
I returned her gaze. "Good luck, to you too."
"One!"
"You're gonna need it."
"Go!" The sound of an air horn rang through the air. Everybody sprinted to the nearing houses while I head to Draco. I sat myself properly on top of him and helped the little one on. Once everyone was safely on Draco back, we jolted forward, reaching speed of at least 20 mile per hour. I didn't think dragons could go that fast.
As we passed the other groups I shouted "Y'all ain't got nothing on my dragon!" No clue why I said that. Seemed appropriate at the time.
It wasn't long before we made it to the beginning of the house. Streets were aligned with big, several story houses, each covered with different Nightmare Night decorations.
"Okay, Team Awesome," I announced to my team. "Go up to each house one at a time. Giving one kid two handfuls of candy seems like a lot less than giving four kids two handfuls. Do not enter anyone's house. If they ask you to come in, say no, and proceed to the next house. If they say the candy is inside their house, you still do not enter. Understand?" Everyone nods. "Good. If you run out of space in your bag, Draco and I will be on the street with more bags." Okay, so I went through maximum candy acquiring procedure, safety, and bags. That's everything. "Now, is everybody ready?"
"Ready!" They all said in unison.
"Alrighty then! Pipsqueak! You're up first."
"Okay, Mister Scales." He had an adorable Trottingham accent. He ran up to the first house and knocked on the door. As it opened, Pip Squeak said "Trick-or-treat!" in the normal singsong tone. The man at the door pretended to act scared and put two handfuls of candy from the bowl in his hands into Pipsqueak's bag. Pipsqueak then proceeded to the next house.
I patted Featherweight on the back. "Your turn, bud."
Featherweight gave me a nod and went up to the first house.
"Okay, your turn Snips... Now Snails." Now, every member of the group was walking from door to door collecting tons of candy from each house. I feel really sorry for these kids' parents, and really great for their dentists.
Two hours flew by quickly. About twelve pillowcases of candy were strapped on to Draco's back as we strolled back to the schoolhouse. Everyone was tired from their evening of walking. The trick-or-treaters were simply amazed at how much candy they got.
The ride home wasn't really eventful. It wasn't until we got back to the schoolhouse when things got fun. All the other teams were already there, trying to predetermine who won the competition. The looks on everybody's faces when we arrived with twelve bags of candy was priceless. Jaws hit the ground. The triumphant faces of my team were even better. Cheerilee was judging every team to see who got the most candy. She gave me a look that said "Really?" I returned it with a look that said "Heck yeah, really!"
We waited patiently for Cheerilee to announce the winners of the contest. "Attention class," the speakers finally rang. "The winners of the candy collecting contest are... Pipsqueak, Featherweight, Snips, and Snails with twelve bags of candy! Congratulations!" We burst out into cheers of victory! High fives, everywhere! "For winning the contest, you all get..." Dramatic pause is long. "Free homework passes!" The rest of my team started cheering louder, while I stopped cheering and looked at the speaker disappointed. But I wanted money. I couldn't care less really. Now that I have my job back, money is no issue.
Ditzy approached me as I was still distracted by me not getting anything. "Well, it looks like you win," she said, admitting defeat. "Congratulations."
Suave mode, activate. I grab Ditzy by the waist and pull her in close. "Care to give the winner a kiss." I stare deep into her eyes. She begins to blush.
"I guess you deserve it." Yes! I lean forward to meet her lips. Her lips were still as soft as the night of her birthday. Although it wasn't as passionate as that night, it's still another kiss shared with the one I love. In the end, that's all that matters.
Ditzy broke the kiss, giggling. "What's so funny?" I questioned.
"You are," she answers. "One moment, you're like a little kid and the next you’re a gentleman."
"Is that bad?"
"No, no. It's one of the many reasons I love you."
"Mister Scales?" a voice called for me. I turn around to see my group, each holding a bag of candy.
"'Sup, shorties? Happy you can get out of homework?" I asked.
"Yeah!" Snails replied.
"We actually wanted to give you something," Snips said next.
"And what would that be?" I asked cautiously, thinking it may be a prank.
"We wanted to give you these!" Pipsqueak said, everyone handing me one pillowcase full of candy. "It's a thank you for giving us a great Nightmare Night!" They all looked at me with those huge eyes, it was almost too much.
"I can't take this from you guys. You worked hard collecting this candy."
"We want you to." Featherweight said... Featherweight said something. Featherweight spoke. He never spoke. He never even said "Trick-or-treat," when we were at the house. That was it. I had to hug them.
"Aw, come here you guys." I wrapped my arms around all four of the youngsters and gave them a bear hug. "Thanks." I released them from their hug and they ran off to their parents. Family... must be a great thing to have right now.
"Well, I guess I better get Dinky home." Ditzy said from behind me. "It's getting late."
"Yeah, it is," I agreed. "See ya tomorrow?"
"See ya tomorrow."
It was around 9:30 pm when I got home. Draco helped me carry the four bags of candy home. I asked him if he wanted any, but he declined. He crawled around to the backyard and, from what I could tell, went to sleep.
As I walked into my home, I simply tossed the bags on to the couch. I let out a yawn and stretched my arms. "Well, I'm tired. Going to bed," I say to myself.
"Aw, but the night is still young." A voice came from the darkened shadows of my house, scaring the shit out of me. I jumped five feet in the air.
"Holy shit! Lulu, you don't do that!" I shout at my unexpected guest.
She chuckles at my displeasure. "Weren't you doing that to everyone in Ponyville?" she queried.
"That's different, that was Draco." She continues to giggle at my adrenaline fueled responses. Luna was wearing her dress that resembled the night sky. It really did look beautiful on her, fitting her personality and role. "What are you doing here anyway? Didn't you already visit Ponyville on the first Nightmare Night you returned?"
"Yes, I did, but something is here now that wasn't here before," she said, sitting down on my recliner, crossing her legs. Luna seems to be acting a bit more... girly, than she usually does.
"Is it Draco? Draco wasn't here last time."
"Not your dragon," she replied. She got up from the chair and walked up me. Not girly... flirtatious. She leaned in close and whispered in a sultry tone, "You." I could smell alcohol in her breath.
Processing... Processing... Analysis complete. I grabbed Luna's shoulders and pushed her to arms distance. "Whoa, there Lulu. I'm flattered, really, but I kinda have a girlfriend, that I love, deeply. Also, you're drunk. So, why don't I help you get back to your room and-" I was cut off by a pair of lips being pressed against mine. Yep, that's alcohol. Luna basically threw herself at me. I had to force her off me again. "Luna! No!"
Luna looked angry. "Tonight is my night! You must give me what I want!"
"Luna, what you need is sleep. Here, the wardrobe is right over here, let me help you-" This time I was cut off by a sudden increase in gravity. My body fell to the ground with a thud. I couldn't move. My limbs were sprawled out. Luna placed herself on top of me.
"But, I don't want to go to bed." She licked her lips as her eyes narrowed on to my mine. "What I want," She leaned down, pushing her chest against mine. "is you."
"Luna, I have a girlfriend!" I tried to remind her.
"Not now, you don't," she whispered into my ear.
"No, I still do." Arguing was futile. I tried to escape the magical bond that Luna had place on me, but I couldn't break free. Without warning, Luna placed her lips against mine again. She forced herself onto me. Why, as a child, would I think a guy getting raped would still be good for the guy? This sucks! Try and try as I might, I couldn't move. My muscles could not overcome Luna's magic.
As I struggled to free myself from her grasp, I heard a creaking sound. The creaking of a door opening. I shifted my gaze upward, and saw the only person I hoped it wouldn't be. Ditzy. There she stood in the door way, eyes watching the scene before them in horror.
It was only then that Luna raised her head, giving me a chance to speak. "Ditzy, this isn't what it looks like." Tears began to run down her face. Then, just like her tears, she ran out the door. "Ditzy!" I called out to her. I tried and tried, harder and harder, I pushed against her magic but no use. "Luna! Let me go!" I yelled at her.
"But you are mine now. She clearly doesn't-"
"Luna! Let me GO!!!" I demanded in the harshest of tones. She flinched from my voice. A moment of silence later, I could move freely. I pushed Luna off of me and ran out the door. "Ditzy!" I called out. I could see her figure running away. "Ditzy!" I called again, sprinting towards her. As I neared her, I called again "Ditzy! Please wait!" As I caught up to her, I grabbed her arm and pulled her back to me. "Ditzy. Please listen."
"Let go of me!" she cried. I wince at her outburst. "Don't touch me." Realizing I still have a hold of her arm, I let go.
"Ditzy, I swear, that whole thing was a misunderstanding."
"What is there to misunderstand?" she yelled through the tears in her eyes. "She's a princess, after all. Why go after the ugly wall-eyed klutz when you can have her, right?"
"Don't you ever call yourself that!" I yelled at her. "You mean more to me than my own life!"
"Then why were you making out with her?"
"I wasn't! She was forcing herself on me. I swear!"
"And why should I trust you?"
"Because I love you, Ditzy!"
"Well, guess what, Scales." She took a deep breath and at the top of her lungs, she screamed, "I HATE YOU!!!"
With that, she ran off. My legs wouldn't move to run after her. When she said those three words, those three specific words, I felt my heart break. I couldn't move or speak. It took my mind several minutes to comprehend what she said and the feelings she put behind. I never thought I'd hear her say those words. All I could do was stand there. All I could do was walk back to my house, broken.
Inside waiting for me was Luna. She looked at me with the most sorrowful of expressions. "Scales, I-"
"Get out." I told her.
"But Scale-"
"Get the fuck out of my house!" I snapped at her. "Because of you, the girl I love hates me! If you think 'I'm sorry," is going to fucking cut it, think again! I want you get the fuck out of here and I never want to see your fucking face ever again!" All Luna did was stare at me, fear in her eyes. All of this rage, building up inside, all for this one person. "WELL!!!" She looked at me one last time, before walking out my front door.
The aching in my chest was unbearable. I could hardly think straight. The only thoughts that ran through my head were of Ditzy and Luna. Ditzy, the girl of my dreams, who I loved with all my heart, hates me. Luna, my once true friend, who has just ruined my life.
The only thing I could think of to ease the rage was to toss out the wardrobe. So I went into my room, picked it up in a field of magic and tossed it out the front door. The sound of the wood breaking on the road did nothing to calm my anger.
Then, the last thing I could only think of to end this fury, was to sleep. I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes. What was once rage and malice turned into pain and anguish. Tears begin to roll down my face as I sob into my pillow. "Please," I begged. "Please let this nightmare end."