//------------------------------// // Episode Nine: Artemis Eclipsed (just doesn't have the same effect) // Story: My Little Brony: Mateship is Magic // by Rainy Meadows //------------------------------// MY LITTLE BRONY: MATESHIP IS MAGIC My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Rule 63 Edition EPISODE NINE: ARTEMIS ECLIPSED Developed by Rainy Meadows Cover image by Trotsworth   CHARACTERS: Dusk Shine: Prides himself on being the star student of Lord Solaris – an antisocial who is uneasy about meeting new ponies. Spines: Dusk Shine’s assistant – a baby dragon and his best friend/little sister – sometimes feels unappreciated, and occasionally has to prompt/coerce Dusk Shine. Applejack: Belongs to an extensive family of apple farmers, and is strong and reliable in a bad situation. Speaks with a thick Southern American accent. Rainbow Blitz: An athletic weather pony who idolizes the Wonderbolts and is renowned for boasting and bragging about his achievements. Butterscotch: An extremely shy and easy-to-scare pony who enjoys anything to do with animals, but is not as antisocial as Dusk Shine. His voice is very quiet. Bubble Berry: Quite possibly the happiest, most energetic, most RANDOM pony in the whole of Equestria – obsessed with parties and finds it impossible to be quiet. Lesser characters: Prince Artemis: The younger, more reserved brother of Lord Solaris and controller of the moon. Littlepip: A filly who is part of the group following Berry around getting candy. Zircon: A herbalist who lives in the Everfree Forest. Grampy Smith: Patriarch of the Apple Family. Mayor of Ponyville: ‘Nuff said.   Spines is pacing back and forth in the library, dressed in a dragon costume. She sighs and looks upstairs. Spines: Ugh, come on, Dusk! We’re gonna be late for the Nightterror Night festival! Dusk Shine emerges from upstairs, dressed in a wizard costume with multiple jingling bells and a long fake grey braid hanging from his ears. Spines stairs at him, dumbfounded, as he descends the stairs. Spines: Um… are you that one nutjob grandma from Ponyville Retirement Village? Dusk Shine: (annoyed) I’m Starswirl the Braided. Spines just stares. Dusk: Creator of the amniomorphic spell? Spines continues staring. Dusk: *sigh* Did you even read that book on obscure unicorn history that I gave you? Spines: Um… (there’s a knock at the door) That sounds important! She runs over to the door, opens it and leaps back with a small yelp when faced with three small colts in various costumes. Trick-or-treating colts: Nightterror Night! What a fright! Give us something sweet to bite! Spines wipes her forehead and steps aside. Dusk: (addressing the colts) Hey there, kids! Awesome costumes. Happy Nightterror Night, Grampy Smith! Grampy Smith: (annoyed) I shoulda bin in bed five hours ago! Smiling, Dusk places a piece of candy in each of the bags the foals hold, and Littlepip emerges from the back, dressed as a pirate swinging a sword in her teeth. She falls to the ground, gets back up and salutes Dusk. Littlepip: Li’lpip the Pirate at your service! It’s my very first Nightterror Night! Dusk: Since you moved here from Trottingham? Littlepip: No, my very first Nightterror Night EVER! Bubble Berry suddenly pushes his way to the front, dressed in a large cock-(tee hee)-eral outfit. Bubble Berry: Bu-KAWK! Enough blabber! Time is candy! Dusk: (as Berry devours his candy) Uh, Berry? Surely you’re a little old for- Berry: For free candy?! Bu-KAWK! Never! He sees Dusk’s costume and appears only a little less dumbfounded than Spines. Dusk: Like my costume, huh? Berry: Like it? That’s the best weirdo clown costume I’ve ever seen! Dusk: (as Berry and the foals move on to the next house) A CLOWN?! He and Spines step out into the street. Spines closes the door behind them. Dusk: Okay, I admit it – technically I’m in drag right now – but I made this costume myself! I mean, look at this! (holds up his cloak) The border on this cloak is hoof-stitched and it took me AGES! Spines: It’s a great costume, Granny! (sniggers) Dusk: (facehooves) (opening credits) Dusk continues walking through Ponyville with Spines following him, a massive mound of candy in her arms. Dusk: It’s not like Starswirl the Braided was the most important conjuror of the preclassical era. Oh, wait, IT WAS! (they pass Macareina, who is dressed as Miss Hyde and pulling a cart containing several apparently drunken stallions) I mean, she invented over 200 spells and has a section of the Canterlot Library named after her! (music becomes audible as the draw nearer to the town square, where many of the populace are dancing) Maybe I should start a class to teach ponies about history. I’m sure everypony would love it. Right, Spines? Spines: (mouth full of candy) Mm, I’ll love it! Dusk: (stops and looks around at the festivities) Oh hey, we’re here! You wanna get something to eat? Spines: Oh, er- She gives a small burp and giggles nervously. This is followed by Berry, still surrounded by his troupe of foals, charging up to Dusk and enthusiastically showing him the candy he has collected. Berry: Dusk! Dusk! Look at our haul! Ha, can you believe it? Behind him, Rainbow Blitz (in a Shadowbolt costume) begins pushing a storm cloud in their direction. Berry: And then- And then we went to Cherry Lee’s house and we get LOADS more goodies, didn’t we Pip! Littlepip: You bet! Blitz raises his hooves to strike the cloud. Berry: And then- And then- And then- And then we had to stop to wait for Grampy Smith, and then- and then- Blitz strikes the cloud, causing a massive lightning bolt to startle Berry and the foals, who run away screaming while Blitz rolls around laughing on his cloud. Dusk: (sarcastically) Oh ha-ha, Blitz, that was hilarious. Rainbow Blitz: Will you take a chill pill, dude? Nightterror Night is second only to April Fools as the ultimate in pranking time! Dusk: Look what you did to Spines! He points at Spines, who is gagging and clutching her throat. Blitz: I don’t know if you noticed, Grandma, but this is for fun. Oh hey, there’s another group over there! He speeds away with his cloud. Rolling his eyes, Dusk picks up Spines and walks away as Blitz shocks another small crowd with lightning, cackles and flies in search of more victims. Meanwhile, Dusk and a recovered Spines locate Applejack, who is overseeing the apple-bobbing. Dusk: Happy Nightterror Night, Applejack! Applejack: Howdy Spines, hey Dusk! Nice costume. Spines: Thanks, I’m a dragon! Dusk: He was talking to me, Spines. AJ: So, what are ya? The hair makes me think hippie, but the hat makes me want to say jester… Spines laughs while Dusk’s expression grows sourer. AJ: While yer here, do y’all wanna try bobbin’ fer apples? Dopey Hooves suddenly bursts out of the barrel, dressed in paper bags with the plug chain in his mouth. He yanks on the chain and his expression becomes disappointed as the water drains away. The Mayor (dressed as a clown) then takes centre stage when the music finishes and the crowd begins to applaud. Mayor: Thank you, everypony, and welcome to the Nightterror Night festival! The crowd cheers. Mayor: Now, all the little ponies who have been out gathering sweets should follow our friend Zircon to hear the legend of (spooky voice) Nightterror Nebulaaaaaa! Mwahahahaha! Spines: (whispering) That spooky voice might work on a pony dressed as something a little scarier. Dusk: (sniggers) The stage is coated in thick green smoke, from which Zircon emerges dressed as a spooky-looking shaman (or witch doctor, IDK). Zircon: Follow me with your taste for terror, and you’ll hear the legend of Nightterror Nebula. He leads the foals, accompanied by Berry, Dusk and Spines, to a clearing in the Everfree Forest where there is a large statue of a rearing Nightterror Nebula in all of his terrifying glory. Zircon: Listen close, my little dears: I’ll tell you where you got your fears (gestures at the statue) of Nightterror Night, so dark and scary. (He blows some green dust into the air and it forms into an image…) Of Nightterror Nebula, who makes you wary. The glittering green Nightterror Nebula dives down at the ponies and surrounds them with green fog. The ponies all mill around nervously. Zircon: Every year we put on a disguise to hide ourselves from his searching eyes… An evil face appears behind Littlepip and another little foal, who scream and scamper away as Zircon grins wickedly. Zircon: (as Littlepip screams and crashes into the statue’s plinth) But Nightterror Nebula wants just one thing: (Littlepip looks up at the statue and backs away slowly) to gobble up ponies in one quick swing! While backing away, Littlepip crashes into Berry, who has planted his head into the ground ostrich style. Both leap into the air and scream in terror. Zircon: Hungrily he soars the sky. (the Nightterror Nebula illusion pauses and looks around as three other foals cower in fright) If he sees nopony, he passes by. (the illusion becomes a cloud of smoke which floats up into the air) So if he comes and all is clear, Equestria is safe for another year! The fog once again becomes Nightterror Nebula, who vanishes with a small *poof*. Littlepip: (tugging on Zircon’s robe) Um, Mr Zircon? If we wear disguises to hide from Nightterror Nebula so he won’t gobble us up, why do we still have to give him some of our candy? Zircon: A perfect question, my little friend, for Nightterror Nebula you must not offend. (creates another NN illusion, which stalks towards the shivering ponies) Fill up his belly with a treat or two so he won’t return to come eat YOU! The Nightterror Nebula illusion dives at the foals and envelops them in green, glittering mist. Berry leaps out and screams. Berry: (runs over to the statue – he and the foals start dumping their candy) Everypony just dump some candy and let’s GET OUT OF HERE! Suddenly, as though out of nowhere, a wind blows through the clearing and clouds swirl overhead. The expressions on Zircon and Dusk’s faces suggest that this is not part of the show. Thunder cracks and a carriage emerges from the cloud, pulled by two stallions with snake-like eyes and wings that resemble those of a bat. In the carriage sits a mysterious pony wearing a hooded cloak. Berry: *gasp* It’s Nightterror Nebula! RUN! He runs away in terror, the foals close on his hooves, as the carriage pauses in the sky, lightning flashes and illuminates the sinister passenger’s grinning face. (commercial) Back in Ponyville, the populace enjoying the festivities look around as a still-screaming Berry charges into town followed closely by a group of equally terrified foals and a running Dusk. The carriage comes to a halt above the town square and the passenger jumps out and lands more softly than a cat. He tosses back the hood with a flick of his head and a flash of lightning, revealing the face of a now-older Prince Artemis. Everypony grovels in respect and fear except for Dusk. Dusk: Prince Artemis! He walks forward to greet his highness but Spines pulls him back. Artemis approaches the mayor – his cloak becomes a hoard of bats which flutter away into the night – and smiles down at his cowering subjects. Prince Artemis: CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! (a bystander narrowly avoids being blown away by volume) WE HAVE GRACED YOUR MINISCULE VILLAGE WITH OUR PRESENCE SO YOU MAY BEHOLD THE REAL PRINCE OF THE NIGHT! (lowers his hoof and takes a few steps forward) A CREATURE OF NIGHTMARES NO LONGER, BUT INSTEAD A PONY WHO DESIRES YOUR LOVE AND ADMIRATION! (everypony stars backing away) TOGETHER WE SHALL TRANSFORM THIS MACABRE FESTIVAL INTO A BRIGHT AND GLORIOUS FEEEEEAST!!! He rears into the air with his wings flared and lightning, activated by pure awesomeness, flashes behind his head. Berry: (standing up) Did you hear that everypony? Nightterror Nebula says he’s gonna feast on us all! He charges away, closely followed by the group of screaming foals. Artemis looks on in surprise. Artemis: What? No, children, no! Screams of delight is what your prince desires, not screams of TERROR! He smashes his hoof into the ground, causing yet another pony to cower in fright, and then approaches the mayor. Artemis: Mayor of Ponyville! Thy prince of the night hath arrived! He offers his hoof, either to kiss or shake, but the mayor just cowers, as does the next pony Artemis offers his hoof to. Artemis: What is the matter with you all? The next few ponies he tries all cower accordingly. Artemis: (turns and starts to walk away) Fine! Be that way! See if we care! We won’t even bother with thy traditional royal farewell! Dusk: (standing up) I’m going to talk to him. Spines: (grabbing Dusk’s costume to stop him walking away) What’re you, crazy? You can’t just waltz up and have a conversation with Nightterror Nebula! Dusk: He’s not Nightterror Nebula anymore: I saw the Elements of Harmony change him back to good with my own eyes. Looks like he’s having a few problems with adjusting, though. He finds Artemis in the clearing from earlier, looking up at the statue of the rearing Nightterror Nebula. Dusk: Prince Artemis? (Artemis looks around and gets up) Hi, my name is- Artemis: Starswirl the Braided. Commendable costume. Thou even got the bells right. Dusk: Thank you, finally! Somepony actually gets my costume! (notices Artemis’ dejected face) Well, I just came to welcome you to the celebration. My real name is- Artemis: Dusk Shine. He flies a few feet into the air surrounded by swirling winds and clouds. Artemis: IT WAS THOU THAT UNLEASHED THY POWERS OF HARMONY UPON US AND DEPRIVED US OF OUR DARK POWERS!!! Dusk: (regaining his footing) And… that was a good thing, right? Artemis: But of course! We could not be happier! Is that not clear? Dusk: Well, it’s just that you kinda sound like you’re yelling at me. Artemis: But this is the Traditional Canterlot Voice! It is tradition to speak using the royal We and to use THIS MUCH VOLUME WHEN ADDRESSING OUR SUBJECTS!!! Dusk: (straightens his hat and ‘hair’) Y’know, that probably explains why your arrival was met with… mixed results. I bet if you changed your approach a little, you’d get a much warmer reception. Artemis: (right in Dusk’s face) CHANGE OUR APPROACH?! Dusk: (quietly) Lower the volume! Artemis: Oh. We have been absent for an entire millennium: we are uncertain of our success. Dusk takes Artemis to Butterscotch’s cottage and is leading him to the front door. Dusk: Not to worry, your highness. Butterscotch can give you some great pointers: you can barely hear his voice even when he’s shouting. (knocks on the door) Butterscotch: (from within) GO AWAY! NO CANDY HERE! VISITORS NOT WELCOME ON NIGHTTERROR NIGHT!! Dusk: (nervous laugh and another knock) Uh, ‘Scotch? It’s me, Dusk. Butterscotch: (opens the door and peers around) Oh, it is you. (sees Artemis) Oh, and Nightterror Neb- NIGHTTERROR NEBULA!! He screams and slams the door. Dusk: Bear with me a moment. He enters the cottage and several loud crashing noises are heard from within, along with bleating, neighing and some kind of bubbling noise. Dusk eventually emerges, telekinetically dragging Butterscotch out by the tail. Dusk: (straining) Butterscotch, you remember Prince Artemis, right? Artemis: CHARMED. Butterscotch: (held before Artemis) *gulp* Likewise! Artemis: DUSK SHINE HATH SPOKEN OF THE SOFTNESS OF THY VOICE! WE ASK THAT THOU TEACH US TO SPEAK AS THOU SPEAKEST! Butterscotch: Okay. Artemis: SHALL OUR LESSONS BEGIN?! Butterscotch: Okay! Artemis: HOW IS THIS?! Butterscotch: Goodkaythanksbye! He tries to dart back into his house, but Dusk slams the door and he crashes into it like a pancake. Dusk: A little quieter, your highness. Artemis: HOW IS This? Dusk: Better, right ‘Scotch? Butterscotch: *groan of pain* Artemis: How. About. Now? Dusk: Now you’re getting it! Artemis: And… how about now? Dusk: Yes! Nailed it! Artemis: (picks up Butterscotch and gives him a crushing hug) WE THANK THEE, DEAR BUTTERSCOTCH! THY NORMAL SPEAKING VOICE IS SURE TO WIN THE HEARTS OF THY FELLOW VILLAGERS! Berry canters into view, surrounded by the foals. Berry: Butterscotch, you gotta hide us! Nightterror Nebula is here and- (sees Artemis holding Butterscotch and gasps) He’s stolen Butterscotch’s voice so he can’t scream when he EATS HIM!! He runs away: the foals all scream and follow him as Artemis drops the hapless pegasus. Artemis: NAY, CHILDREN, WAIT! I mean; nay, children, wait! Dusk: (after a facehoof) C’mon, your highness. Time for plan B. Dusk leads the prince back into Ponyville, where the festivities are in full swing, but they come to an abrupt halt when Artemis is sighted and everypony begins to duck down out of fear. Artemis: It is no use, Dusk Shine. They have never liked us and I doubt that they ever shall. Dusk: Look, my friend Applejack is one of the most likable ponies around. He’s sure to have an idea or two. AJ is still manning (ponying?) the apple bobbing games. Littlepip is teetering on the edge of the barrel and almost falls in, but AJ grabs her and pulls her back. AJ: Watch it, li’l lady. (sees Artemis) WHA- (cowers with his hooves over his head) Dusk: (rolls his eyes) Applejack, Prince Artemis is looking for a little advice on how to fit in around here. AJ: (uncovering his face) Come again? Dusk gives him a flat look. AJ: Well, I mean… easy as pie! Y’all just gotta get the right attitude. Loosen up a notch, be positive, play some games; you know, just have fun! Artemis: Fun? What is this ‘fun’ thou speakest of? Dusk and AJ lead him over to a game which involves throwing toy spiders at a web target. Artemis: Pray tell, what purpose do these serve? Cowering pony: T-t-try to land the sp-s-sp-sp-spiders on the web! Artemis gives one of the squishy toy spiders a curious look, then furtively tosses it at the web. It falls about a foot short. Worried, Artemis casts a glance at Dusk and AJ. AJ: You can do it, Prince! Spurred on, Artemis tries again with another spider, this time landing it in the exact centre of the web. Artemis: Hah! Your prince enjoys this… fun! In what other ways may we experience it? Next up is a range of catapults which fire pumpkins at targets. Artemis stands before one which is already loaded. Dusk: Fire away, Prince! Artemis launches the pumpkin and it splats against the dead centre of the target. Artemis: Ha! The fun has been doubled! (ponies cheer) AJ: How ‘bout ya try bobbin’ fer apples, yer highness? We got the finest apples in Equestria here! Artemis: I ask that thou call us… me… Artemis, sir Applejack. (to everypony) Hear me, all of you! Call me Artemis! Villagers: Oh, okay/Artemis sounds good/etc. Artemis: (walking towards the apple barrel with Dusk and AJ) Show me to these ‘bobbing apples’. He sees Littlepip fall into the barrel and dashes over to pull her out. Berry: (turning up still surrounded by foals) Hey you guys, anypony seen Pip? We lost her the last time we had to run from- (sees Artemis with Littlepip in his mouth) *gasp* NIGHTTERROR NEBULA IS GOBBLING LITTLEPIP! EVERYPONY RUN!! He does, as do the foals surrounding him. Littlepip: Help! (jumps from Artemis’ jaws) My backside’s been gobbled! Artemis: ‘Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful wench! He thumps the ground, causing lightning to crack behind his head, and the residents of Ponyville start to back away in fear. Artemis: Fellow villagers, please do not back away. Let us all unite in… fun! (picks up a fake spider and throws it to the villagers) Not enough fun for you? What say you to THIS! He zaps the spider he threw and it comes to life, sprouting glowing red eyes, and then animates the rest of the spiders as well. They overwhelm some of the villagers, but others assemble in the exact centre of the web. Artemis: Huzzah! How many points do I receive? Utter bedlam breaks out. Screaming ponies run all over the place, destroying the decorations. Artemis: Do not run away! (they ignore him) As your prince, we command you- They continue to ignore him, galloping around like fresh-headless chickens (and screaming accordingly) utterly annihilating the decorations while Artemis looks around, growing more and more agitated until: Artemis: BE STILL!! Thunder rumbles and everypony falls silent and still, once again cowering on the ground. Dusk: Your highness, remember to watch the shouti- Artemis: NO, DUSK SHINE. WE MUST USE THE ROYAL CANTERLOT VOICE FOR WHAT WE MUST DECLARE. (takes off, flying into the sky with a backdrop of swirling clouds) SINCE YOU CHOOSE TO FEAR YOUR PRINCE RATHER THAN LOVE HIM, AND DISHONOR HIM WITH THIS INSULTING CELEBRATION, WE DECREE THAT NIGHTTERROR NIGHT SHALL BE CANCELLED FOREVER!!! Everypony looks on with horror and shock as Artemis flies away. (commercial) AJ: (to Dusk) *sigh* We had everythin’ goin’ our way: Artemis was happy, everypony in town was happy… now look at ‘em. He indicates the depressed villagers, many young foals crying and one moaning that he wanted to be a zombie next year. Dusk: It’s not over yet. AJ: What’re you gonna do? Dusk: Only what I do best: lecture him! He runs off in search of Artemis, eventually locating him crossing a bridge with his head bowed in shame. Dusk: Prince Artemis? Artemis: Bugger off, Dusk Shine. Dusk: Your Highness, I know things haven’t exactly gone the way we wanted them to, but you must believe me when I tell you that Nightterror Night is one of our most popular celebrations. Artemis: (deadpan) Yeah, I figured from the adoring screams of the children as they run away. (walks away) Dusk: Artemis… (turns away and ponders) Back in Ponyville, while everypony else is depressed and tearfully tidying up the fallen decorations, Berry is still as in character as ever and squawking no end. He sees a wrapped piece of candy lying on the ground. Berry: Ooh, piece of candy! (pecks it open and eats it, then sees another, not noticing that he is entering an alleyway) Ooh, piece of candy! (eats it) Ooh, piece of candy! (eats it) Ooh, piece of candy! (eats it) Ooh, piece of ca- Dusk leaps out of nowhere and pins him against the wall by the muzzle. Dusk: No! No screaming! No shrieking or squealing either! Got it? Berry: (muffled) Okay! Dusk: (softening his expression) Listen: there’s something I want you to see and I swear to you it’s safe. Now I’m going to remove my hoof, but only if you promise not to scream. Do you promise? Berry: Mm-hmm! Dusk steps away and allows Artemis to step out of the shadows. Berry starts to scream, but stuffs his hooves in his mouth to silence himself. Dusk: Berry, you remember Prince Artemis, right? Artemis: (bitter) Ah yes, the ringleader of the frightened children. (nervous) Hast thou come to make peace? He holds out his hoof to shake. Berry is nervous at first, but then smiles, reaches for Artemis’ hoof… and then lightning flashes behind his highness’ head, illuminating his face in a terrifying manner. Berry: NIGHTTERROR NEBULA!! (squawks like a chicken and runs away) Dusk: (looking up at the cloud) Blitz, what the hell?! Blitz: (laughing) Your momma, that’s what! (more laughing) Berry keeps running away, but Dusk teleports in front of him to stop him leaving the alley. The two collide and roll head over hooves until Dusk has Berry pinned to the ground by the shoulders. Berry struggles to get free. Dusk: He’s changed, Berry. He’s not evil or scary anymore and he sure as hay doesn’t want to gobble you up. Berry stops struggling. Berry: (sarcastic) You don’t say. Dusk: Come again? Berry: Dusk, that’s the most obvious thing ever! I mean, I’m almost as big as him, what would he do, stuff me into a massive funnel and suck me up like a Bubble Berry Milkshake? Dusk: But if you know he can’t eat you, what’s with the screaming and running off? Berry: Sometimes being scared can be a blast! What do you think rollercoasters were built for? I really thought you were smarter than that. There is a pause. Dusk: Bubble Berry, you’re a genius! Berry: No I’m not, I’m a chicken. Bu-KAWK! Dusk: (after releasing Berry) Prince Artemis, I finally figured out why you’re having so much trouble! Artemis: (deadpan) Oh. Yay. Dusk: Follow me: I’ll explain everything on the way. While Dusk puts his plan into operation, a group of foals are trying to console an upset Littlepip. Littlepip: *sigh* Who’d have thought my very first Nightterror Night would be my last, too? Zircon: Come, Littlepip, now don’t you fret: Nightterror Night’s not over yet. We still have candy left to give (Littlepip brightens up) so Nightterror Nebula might let us live. Mayor: Yes! Come on, little ponies! What’s Nightterror Night without the annual candy offering? (spooky voice) You don’t want Nightterror Nebula to gobble you up, doooo yoooouuu? Spines pauses while picking up a fallen banner. Spines: Ugh, lose the wig. Zircon and AJ take the foals to the clearing with the statue in it, and the foals each empty their bags at the foot of the plinth. Littlepip: (mournfully puts down her bag) Goodbye, Nightterror Night. Forever. As she turns to walk away, wind blows through the clearing. Nightterror Nebula: (appearing on the plinth in place of the statue) CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! YOU WERE WISE TO BRING THESE CONFECTIONS TO ME! I AM PLEASED WITH YOUR OFFERING: (AJ’s hat blows off and lands at the foot of the plinth) SO PLEASED THAT I MAY JUST EAT IT INSTEAD OF EATING YOOOOU! Everypony screams and runs away. Nightterror Nebula shrinks and becomes Artemis again, who spits out a set of fake fangs. Artemis: I’m not sure that worked, Dusk Shine. Dusk: Give them a moment. Artemis: (gets down from the plinth) To what? Scream some more? Littlepip: (nervously tugs on Artemis’ mane) Um, Prince Artemis? I know there’s not gonna be any more Nightterror Night, but do you think that maybe you could come back next year and scare us again anyway? Artemis: (confused, looks up at the rest of the foals hiding behind a large rock) Child, art thou saying that thou… likest me to scare you? Littlepip: It’s really fun! Scary, but fun! Artemis: Really?! (pause) Well then, I suppose we shall have to bring… NIGHTTERROR NIGHT BACK!! Littlepip: Whoa! (regains her footing) You’re my favourite prince ever! (hugs Artemis’ leg and runs off) He said yes, guys! Foals: (cheering) Dusk: What’d I say? They really do like you, your highness. Artemis: Can it… really be…? (rears into the air) OH MOST WONDERFUL OF- (shrinks back down) I mean… oh most wonderful of nights. Later: Everypony is enjoying the festivities with renewed vigour – Artemis is fitting right in – while Dusk narrates his letter to Lord Solaris. Dusk: Dear Lord Solaris: When you first sent me to Ponyville, I didn’t know anything about friendship. I met somepony today who had exactly the same problem: your brother, Prince Artemis. He taught me that one of the best things you can do with friendship is give it to others and help them find it themselves. And I’m happy to report that all of Ponyville has learned that even if somepony looks intimidating – even a bit freaky – if you offer them your friendship, you may discover a whole other pony underneath. Dusk picks up a candy corn. Dusk: And even if my Starswirl the Braided costume didn’t go over, this still turned out to be a pretty awesome Nightterror Night. He plops the candy corn into his mouth while Blitz sneaks up behind him on his cloud. He raises his hooves to strike it, but thunder flashes behind him and scares him off. Startled, Dusk looks up… and sees Prince Artemis descending on a cloud of his own. Artemis winks and starts to laugh, and Dusk and Spines join in. (end credits)