I'm honestly surprised how many similar holidays this nation has compared to the ones we celebrate. They're just named differently. Tonight is Nightmare Night or in a human's case, Halloween. Even today I often go back on the memories of when I would dress up as my favorite characters like SpongeBob with the occasional scary original like the skeleton. I usually don't dress up anymore these days, but tonight is different.
Twilight Sparkle invited me and Sparky to the Nightmare Night festival. I was told Princess Luna will also be coming by to have fun. I met her and Celestia during the first month of our arrival. Let's just say, like the other ponies, they think I conduct myself more civilly than my neighbors. Anyway I decided to go as something very creative, thanks to the help of Rarity the fashionista and a little help from Big Macintosh.
The costume was one of those ride in train box costumes I can wear like a set of overalls. I designed and painted it to look like a black and grey 4-6-0 steam engine. What's even better it has a small compartment I can use to store whatever candy I get. Aside from that I'm also wearing blue overalls, a red t shirt, a red bandana and an engineer cap. Sparky is wearing a small train conductor cap Rarity designed as well as a small cute red bowtie for her. I decided tonight she could be my little conductor.
After making sure we were ready, we walked outside. I wanted to leave a bowl of candy for any passing kids. I did make sure to leave a note. It said 'Take two and only two pieces, THAT MEANS YOU PINKIE.' Knowing her she might either go along with it or ignore it and swipe the whole bowl, but that's a future me problem. But as soon as I opened the door I was greeted by three certain fillies. "Nightmare Night! What a Fright! Give us something sweet to bite!"
I chuckled as I see the Cutie Mark Crusaders in costume. Apple Bloom was dressed to look like a black widow spider with a black abdomen on her tail and four extra fake legs attach to her side. Sweetie Belle was dressed like a cat with black ears, whiskers, and a black tail. And Scootaloo was dressed to look like a crow with a yellow beak, a black cap on her head, and bigger fake black wings on her real wings. Behind them was Cheerilee who was looking like a Zombie with her makeup and fake stitches. I smiled and offered them the bowl and good thing they read the sign. "Happy Nightmare Night you four. You lucky you caught us before we left for the party." I said as the three fillies took two pieces each.
"Lucky us then, I assume you're off to the festival?" Asked Cheerilee.
"Yes, aren't you gonna come at some point?" I asked Cheerilee.
"Yes, it's just Applejack asked me to chaperone these three for a bit then bring them back to the festival for games." She explained.
"Hey Mr. Wilkins will your neighbors have a problem with us going to their houses?" Asked Sweetie Belle.
I chuckled a bit. Being called that made me feel old. "Sweetie we're not in class. Just Matthew is fine tonight. As for your question the married couple to my right do follow tradition so they might have candy for you as for the neighbors on the left well... they might have poor opinions on costumes. They always have a way of labeling certain costumes as offensive."
"What's wrong with our costumes?" asked Scootaloo.
"Personally I see nothing wrong but be careful. Now if you all excuse me, we have a party to go to. I'll see you all there." I said as I rubbed Sparky's head, placed the bowl down and started leaving for the festival.
But a couple seconds later I saw those four ponies run past me as I heard two certain yelling SJWs from their house. "How dare you dress up like that! Think of the ones that suffer arachnophobia, ornithophobia, and ailurophobia!"
I sighed knowing this night of terrors has just begun. Let's hope Cletus and Karen don't cause a ruckus as well and just give out candy.
We arrived at the festival to see so many ponies in costumes of different kinds. I noticed a fancy carriage not too far from the festival grounds. Look like her highness came sooner than I thought. I soon saw her tossing fake spiders to a web. I walked over just as she landed one in the center. A few nearby ponies cheered. "Haha my fun has been doubled yet again this year!" Exclaimed Luna.
"Nice toss there your majesty." I said as I strolled up.
Luna turned to see me. "Oh Matthew, good to see you again. I see your dressed up as I assume a train engineer? Do they wear large boxes on them?"
I gave a chuckle. "Oh no this is just to give the look some pizazz."
"I see, how are you adjusting to your stay?" She asked.
"It's been wonderful with all the citizens of this community being so friendly. Although I can't say the same for my neighbors."
Luna frowned slightly "Yes I was told of the strange occurrences with those four other humans. Are they really that sensitive to a few things?"
"Allison and Jesse, yes. But with Cletus and Karen they're just racist, homophobic and just sensitive about quality service."
Luna thought for a moment. "Humans are just as strange as ponies I suppose."
"Well enough about them, how about we go and triple your fun now?" I asked.
Luna chuckled before flaring her wings in excitement. "Yes! The night is young and so much more fun must be had!"
The night was indeed fun so far. There were many games that had candy prizes. Some of which I stored in my locomotive box. Cheerilee and the crusaders eventually joined in on the fun. However this year the ponies added a new feature to the celebration, a small campfire was setup in a quite area where ponies can gather around and share ghost stories. I listened to the few scary tales of legends around Equestria. There was even a story that reminded me of Slender Man. "You guys want to hear a story from my world?" I asked.
"Are there ghost on your world too?" Asked Scootaloo Excitedly.
"Tell us the the tale!" demanded Sweetie Belle.
I glanced over my costumed audience. There were the crusaders, Cheerilee, Luna, Twilight Sparkle as a scientist, Applejack as a Timberwolf, Rarity as a devil, Rainbow Dash as Daring Doo, and Derpy with her two daughters as Astronauts. I cleared my throat. "Very well then, there once was a man who was considered eccentric by some. Others called him crazy. He was known for hiding many strange things in his house and they say at night people can hear him saying and chanting weird things in his basement." I began.
"One day the man met a little boy at a swap meet. The man claimed he sold magic charms and can give ordinary items magical abilities. From cheap toys to expensive jewelry. The little boy had a model steam locomotive he got from another seller. He asked him what can he do to his new toy train. The man looked over the toy and said he could make it just as useful as real trains by being a way to travel to the world beyond the living."
I took a moment to look over my audience. They seemed interested and were expecting me to continue. "The little boy, excited by magic, simply gave him the train. The man told him to come back to his stand tomorrow. But when the boy came back the next day, the man was gone. He soon found out his house has burned to the ground. All that the firefighters found that was undamaged was his toy train."
The ponies gasped as I continued. "He took it home after finding it, but nothing magical came from it. Later that night though, he heard strange sounds coming from the room that had his train set. When he entered, he saw his locomotive outside the tunnel of his layout. The tunnel behind it was glowing red and strange sounds could be heard inside. The sounds almost sounded like screaming from a crowd of people. The boy didn't move as for some reason he felt scared. Then to his surprise the engine began moving on it's own. It then charged into another tunnel that was emitting a bright white light. When it went in the lights from both tunnels died down and disappeared and so did the engine."
"What happened?" asked Dinky.
"The boy soon found out his train can now visit both afterlives. The paradise known as heaven, and the devil's underworld. He would never play with it because every time he tried to catch it, the train would escape and disappear either through a tunnel or fade away like a ghost. He seen it not only on his layout but on every train set he sees, whether it being his own or someone else's. Sometimes he even sees it just sitting in strange places like bookshelves and dark closets. It's practically a curse to him that follows."
"So what happened to the strange man?" Asked Rarity
"Some say he died in the fire because in my world, there are rules for trying to see the afterlife before your time is up. Some say it's a sacred rule that results in eternal punishment."
All the ponies were silent until Twilight spoke up. "Well that was quite a story. Nicely done."
Everyone agreed and nodded. I returned it with a smile appreciating my audience. But that was short lived.
"Citizens of Ponyville! We are here to stop this holiday of oppression!"
Oh come on! Why couldn't they stay home to give candy like Cletus and Karen? We went away from the campfire and saw Alison and Jesse on the makeshift stage. "Dear Citizens after our research we came to the conclusion that this holiday is bad for you and must be banned!" Allison said.
Everyone was shocked by this. Luna flew up and landed by them. "You two! What gives you the right to ban a holiday that was made in my honor?"
The two ladies were shocked by this. "Your honor?! How could you say that? This holiday labels you as a scary fiend! Its practically a mockery to you and what's worst these ponies have the audacity to dress up as things that are deemed offensive! We're doing this for you! How can you be supportive of your own mockery?!" Asked Alison.
There was silence in the air as the tension was so thick, it could be cut with a knife. "You're right this holiday was made based on a time when my mind wasn't right with the world but ever since my return, my sister and friends have shown me that there was more to this night than terror, it was made to be fun because like a good friend said to me, it's sometimes fun to be scared." Said Luna.
The two looked at her with dead panned expressions. "Was this by any chance the same pony that was the ringleader of the frightened children who made you sad that one year?" Asked Jesse.
"HEY! I sent a long apology letter for that!" Yelled Pinkie Pie from the crowd, who was dressed like a pirate.
"Yes, but that night was an eye opening experience and for that I allowed the fun of this night to continue. Although I will say for two humans who are against my holiday, you two do know how to dress up like a weird witch and a strange clown."
I snickered knowing she was confusing they're clothing style for costumes. I did tell her humans only have limited hair colors and that they can dye them. The two stared at her horrified and offended. "How dare you!"
They were about to lunge at her, but her guards came and stopped them just in time. They'll probably be in the Sherriff's office locked up for the rest of the night. I was just about to go play another game when suddenly the local DJ had a problem. "Those two girls stole the Nightmare Mixtape! Now what can I play?"
I suddenly had an idea. I ran home and picked up a CD and went back. Good thing the music technology is compatible with Earth's own. "Hey Vinyl put this in. Its a guaranteed horror song for parties."
Vinyl did so and the music started. We all danced the night away.
All in all I can say this was a good night, despite the ruckus those two caused. We all had fun and I got to talk with Luna more. She really was a fun mare to hang out with. I came home to find the bowl nearly empty. There were a few pieces left but I saw a note inside. 'I took a hoof full. Sorry. -Pinkie Pie' I chuckled and went inside. After taking off my costume and putting Sparky to bed after removing her costume, I went up to my train layout, but not to play.
Let's just say there was some truth to my ghost story as it was a memory from my past but not really a curse that follows me everyday. The layout was silent but there was an ominous red glow coming from one of the tunnels. A few seconds later a 4-6-0 steam locomotive came out. It's tender having the word 'Southern' and the number 1102 under the cab window. It stopped when it was closest to me near a small station. "Yeah, nice to see you too this year." I said.
The train stood motionless It's headlight flickering in the barely lit room. I took a few pieces of candy and placed in the gondola it had attached to it. "This life wasn't easy to adjust to, but I had help along the way with friends. The way I see it, your presence is important now more than ever, after all you're the only one I can trust to send a little something to my parents in heaven now. See you next year little buddy."
The 1102 started moving to a another tunnel that had a more pretty light coming from it. It whistled as it left the station and vanished into the tunnel to heaven. I smiled as only one thing came to mind. "Happy Nightmare Night Equestria and Happy Halloween Earth."