//------------------------------//
// The Unexpected Letter 
// Story: The Big Grim Happy Family 
// by roguesoul 
//------------------------------//

	It was a day before Nightmare Night and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except for a dragon, an owl, and a phoenix.

Earlier that morning in a flash of green flame a letter had been recieved that both Princess Luna and Celestia would be coming to Ponyville for Nightmare Night and in turn Twilight was out of the house making sure the entire town was ready for their arrival. So, that left Spike with three things to do: Clean the library, try on the costume Twilight got them for Nightmare Night, and then make sure he cleaned the library.

But at the moment he was eating the cupcakes Pinkie Pie had sent over with Owliyous and PeeWee. They were delicious cupcakes and Pinkie had out done herself with the frosting. Each one depicted something from last years Nightmare Night and at the moment, Spike was taking Pinkie in a chicken costume's head off while Owliyous and PeeWee ate a whole grain one showing a Pipsqueak almost drowning in the apple dunking tank.					"Woooooo," said Owliyous is his usual manner while a very angry Spike faceclawed.		

"Twilight Sparkle," he practically shouted, "Twilight Sparkle was the one who bought the costumes and I was wondering what they are?"

"Woooooo," said Owliyous while looking out into the distance as he thought.

"Ughhhh," groaned Spike, while PeeWee put his wing against his head much like Spike had done earlier.		
They had finished cleaning an hour eariler and now were just resting before they pulled out the costumes that Twilight had got them. She hadn't exactly told the what they were; just that them, her, and her friends were theming their costumes. 

After about ten more cupcakes they got up and went to the closet to get the costumes. Spike was hoping maybe they'd be the three musketteers, but he bet it was something stupid like somepony who invented spells or something.
But when he opened the door he saw something very different. 

There were three costumes in the closet, along with some boxes and Smarty Pants whom Twilight had found at Sweet Apple Acres a few weeks ago. The biggest costume which was for Spike was a costume of the Green Lightbulb. Superheroes. Really. Spike shook his head and proceeded to look at the other costumes. The smaller one was black and had a yellow bat on its chest. So Owliyous was going to be Batpony. The final, and the smallest one was that of Captain Marvel. So, PeeWee was going to wear a big lightning bolt on his chest.

After lots of grumbling and after pulling up very, um well tight tights. Spike managed to get all the pets and himself into their costumes. They actually didn't look that bad. Suddenly he got a horrible stomach and in a burp of fire a letter came out of Spike's mouth.

He picked it up and read that it was addressed only to Twilight. So, still in his costume he ran out the door to search for Twilight. While getting some odd stares too.



Meanwhile at Fluttershys.

Twilight had gotten all the girls together and was now showing them to her friends. Rainbow Dash was going to be the Flash, much to her enthusiasm. Rarity was going to be a damsel in distress which she thought was a great idea. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were going to be robbers. Fluttershy was going to be the Invisible Pony. And Twilight was going to be Cat Pony and looked amazing in the black costume.

"I wonder what Spike and the boys think of their costumes," Twilight wondered casually. "What do you gals think?"

"Well, I like it," said Rainbow, who was now flying around like the Flash did. 					
"Oh and that's not even the best part," exclaimed Twilight, "I found a spell, that can enchant the costumes to have the same powers as the superheroes. Isn't that cool; I found it in a book called-"

But she was cut off by a panting Spike. He was panting and holding a letter, which Twilight picked up with her magic.

It read:

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I apoligize for taking away your Nightmare Night, but I need you and the other bearers to go to the ruins of me and my sisters palace. I have reason to believe a group of ponies known as the Grims will be there and might try to bring Nightmare Moon back to life. I need you and your friends to infiltrate the group and figure out when they are going to do it and then report to me. 
And be very careful Twilight, these are dangerous ponies. Oh, and Luna recommends to dye your coats, manes, and tails black. Also have a cover story, they will not trust you at first and you need their trust. 

Princess Celestia

"What's it say Twilight?" asked Applejack. Twilight reread the letter, this time aloud. But she only agreed to do so after Spike was sent out of the room. He had a tendency to worry a bit to much. 

"We have to go to the Everfree forest," squeaked Fluttershy, after hearing the news. 				
"To infiltrate a group of very dangerous group of ponies called the Grims," said Twilight.

"And dye our coats a horrible shade of black; I mean it goes with everything, but it isn't the best coat color," exclaimed Rarity, "Out of everything that has happened this is-"

"The worst possible thing, we know," said Rainbow Dash. 

"I'm not sure I can do this, Twi. I'm not that good a liar," said Applejack as she left to go get the hair dye from the spa. 

"Of course you can, we all can," Twilight called after her, but she was speaking more to herself then anypony else.