//------------------------------// // Chapter 21 // Story: The Angel of Equestria // by Robobrony //------------------------------// Chapter 21 It didn’t take long for the group to locate the others they were looking for, the other guards and their mare friends were all together. Carbon was with Octavia, Lightning Thrash was with Rainbow Dash and Derpy Hooves, Stunner was with Fluttershy, and Fuse with Vinyl Scratch. The other guards, except for Shadow Fang, were there. Charles greeted the group. “Hey every pony.” Charles decided to start using the pony terminology. Charles also noticed all the costumes each one was wearing. Rainbow Dash was wearing a tan button up shirt and a pith helmet. Fluttershy was wearing a butterfly costume with butterfly wings over her own and little antennae on her head. Derpy was wearing a muffin costume, making her look like a giant muffin with legs. Octavia was wearing a black dress that sparkled and was curved and pointed along the end, a black wig that made her mane look longer, and black eye shadow. Vinyl Scratch was wearing what looked like a denim jacket and a black shirt, giving her a punk rocker look. Lightning Thrash was wearing a spider costume, making himself look like a giant spider. Stunner was dressed like a tiger. Dusk Fang and Dawn Fang were dressed to look like timberwolves. Storm Chaser was dressed up like a zombie, he had died his coat green and had fake scars on his body. Fuse was made to look like a ghost, he managed to make himself look pale and had fake webs hanging off his mane with fake spiders on them. They all had a different reaction to Charles’s spooky look. The guards were impressed, as was Vinyl, Octavia gasped in surprise, and Fluttershy let out an ‘eep’ and ducked behind stunner. Lightning Thrash was the first to compliment Charles on his look. “Charles, wow man, you look creepy, how are you doing that?” Charles gave out a sigh, he was getting tired of having to keep explaining how he was making himself look like how he did. “I used my magic to make myself look like this.” Stunner then spoke up. “Nice, you look real scary.” “He looks….um….very scary, eep.” Fluttershy said from behind Stunner. Charles looked concerned at Fluttershy’s direction. “Fluttershy, it’s all right, it’s still me, I just look different.” Fluttershy poked her head out from around Stunner. “Um, I know, you just…..surprised me is all.” She said quietly. She finally came out from around Stunner to greet him. “I must say, you do look awfully ghoulish Charles, very nice.” Octavia complimented. Charles gave a bow and a grin at Octavia. “Why thank you my lady.” Charles then turned to Vinyl. “So Vinyl, is the music ready to go for my performance?” Vinyl raised her sunglasses and revealed her red eyes, she gave Charles a wink as she answered. “You know it, you ponies are gonna love this stuff, the music is very spooky, definitely perfect for Nightmare Night.” Vinyl then lowered her glasses back down. Charles then got curious about Rainbow Dash’s costume. “So dash, I gotta ask, who are you supposed to be?” Rainbow took a heroic pose. “Daring Do of course, DUH.” Charles cocked an eyebrow at her. “And Daring Do is…..who exactly?” Rainbow Dash Gave Charles a bit of a glare. “Are you serious, do you seriously not know who Daring Do is?” “Um, should I?” Charles asked carefully. Rainbow Dash facehoofed and grunted. “Gaaahh.” She removed her hoof from her face and began to explain. “She’s only the most popular fictional character in an excellent series of adventure novels!” Dash explained with a glare. Charles raised his hands in defense. “Whoa Dash, take it easy, I didn’t know, I never saw any Daring Do books so I didn’t know who she was.” Rainbow Dash backed off. “Yeah ok, sorry about that, I’m just such a huge fan of the series.” Charles smiled at her and put his hands on his hips. “I kinda figured that.” He then spoke to all the ponies there. “So, you all ready for the show I’m gonna put on?” Every pony, but Fluttershy, agreed. “Good, me and Vinyl will be starting soon.” Just then, the wind picked up, clouds began to form into a spiral and shoot out lighting, and a dark carriage emerged from the swirling vortex of clouds. A cloaked figure was seen on the carriage that was being pulled by other bat ponies. Fluttershy cringed and once again hid behind Stunner. Stunner just rolled his eyes at her and turned his attention back to the scene. Twilight immediately knew who it was. “Princess Luna.” She said out loud. Charles gave a low whistle. “Nice entrance, wonder if there’s an encore.” He joked. The carriage stopped in mid-air just above where the group was and the cloaked figure floated down. The cloak then turned into a small swarm of bats and flew away, revealing princess Luna as she spread her wings. Every pony and Charles bowed before her in respect. Once they all rose, she spoke. “Greeting my subjects, I wish you all a happy Nightmare Night. Twilight was the first to greet her as she approached Luna. “Princess Luna, thank you for honoring Ponyville with your visit this night.” Luna responded with a smile. “How could I possibly stay away from my good friends here in Ponyville. Besides, I am eager to see this show Charles is going to put on that you told me about in your letters Twilight.” Off in the shadows, watching the scene unfold, Dark Flash mused to herself. “Princess Luna is here too……interesting, perhaps I can kill two birds with one stone, however, I am curious about this performance the creature is going to put on, I could go for some amusement before I make my move. Then I can crush this…..human and princess Luna as well, then taking out Celestia should be easy, hm hm hm.” She grinned as she believed in her success. The group of ponies chatted away as they made their way to the center of town where the stage was set up, they met up with Applejack again and they all gathered at the front, except for Charles and Vinyl. Before leaving, Charles gave each of his marefriends a kiss on the cheek, then took off with Vinyl to get the show ready. All of Ponyville then gathered, even Spike and the crusaders found a seat near the front, Twilight sat next to Luna as the other six girls took seats around her. Dark Flash was curious about this and took a seat in the back so as not to draw attention to herself. Charles hid himself in the creepy house on the stage while Vinyl was backstage, ready to start the music. Charles’s voice rang out through the speakers set up on the sides of the stage. “Mares and gentlecolts, I thank you all for coming. On this night, the show I am putting on is sure to bring fourth your worst nightmares, but I assure you that everything your about to see is all an illusion and nothing can hurt you, I hope you all have a frightful time. This night, I will be performing a song from my world called…….THRILLER.” The door to the front of the house creaked open as Charles stepped out, the sound of his shoes echoed throughout the audience, a flash of light and the sound of thunder erupted, soon followed by the sound of an eerie wind blowing, the shadows of wolves emerged on the cliff in the background and howled at the moon. Charles stopped at center stage and the music began to play. It started low but slowly picked up, upon the crescendo, the eyes of each of the wolves, that were now looking out over the audience lit up in a red glow with each beat. They then jumped from the cliff and joined Charles on the stage, each one was a ghostly white and seemed to have a fog emitting from their paws, their eyes kept the red glow. There were six of them in total, they all lined up next to Charles, three on each side, they continued their howling for a bit. Charles began to sing. It’s close to midnight, and something evils lurking in the dark, The coffins that were set up began to open and human zombies stepped out, slowly making their way to behind Charles. The ponies gasped in horror as they watched the things stumble over on to the stage. But then, to their surprise, they started to dance as the wolves ran around in a pattern. Under the moonlight, you see a sight that almost stops your heart. You try to scream, but terror takes the sound before you make it. Charles had a horrified look on his face as he moved his hands up to his neck, then moved them away as he continued to sing. You start to freeze, as terror looks you right between the eyes, your paralyzed. At this part, Charles looked right at Rainbow Dash and locked eyes with her, giving her a sinister look. Rainbow recoiled a bit but shook it off as the show continued. After the line, the zombies began to sing along as well with the next line as they danced with Charles. Cuz this is Thriller, thriller night, and no ones gonna save you from the beast about to strike, You know it’s Thriller, Thriller night, you’re fighting for your life inside a killer…thriller….tonight. The music played on its own for a bit before Charles started again. You hear the door slam, The front door of the house slammed just as Charles quickly turned to face it, then turned back around to face the audience. And realize there’s nowhere left to run. You feel the cold hand, Charles made a ghostly hand appear and touch Twilight on her shoulder, she yelped and quickly caught sight of it just as it faded out. And wonder if you’ll ever see the sun. You close your eyes, Charles flew behind Luna and placed his hands over her eyes upon his next line. He then removed his hands from her and got in front of her. And hope that this is just imagination. He then went over to Pinkie Pie in a way that she wouldn’t see him as she sat on Luna’s other side and got up behind her. Girl, but all the while, you hear a creature creeping up behind. Charles then put his hands on her shoulder, startling her, she just laughed afterwards and continued to enjoy the show. He got in front of her and continued. You’re out of time. He flew back on to the stage and continued. Cuz this is Thriller, thriller night, there ain’t no second chance against the thing with forty eyes girl. This time the zombies just sang. Thriller, Thriller night. Your fighting for your life inside a…killer…thriller….tonight. Charles and the zombies threw up their hands at the last word. Night creatures calling, the dead start to walk in their masquerade. There’s no escaping the jaws of the alien this time. A flying saucer appeared and flew over the audience, then shot straight up into the night sky and disappeared. This is the end of your life. Charles then had the wolves jump from off the stage and circle the audience. They’re out to get you, there’s demons closing in on every side. A ghost then flew out of the house and up behind Charles. They will possess you, The ghost entered Charles and his eyes went swirly, making himself look like he was possessed. Unless you change that number on your dial. Charles went back to normal and continued as the wolves returned to the stage after giving the ponies a fright. Charles then jumped off stage again and got up to Rarity. And cuddled up to her as he sang. Now is the time, for you and I to cuddle close together. He got in front of Rarity and looked her in the eyes. All through the night, I’ll save you from the terror on the screen, I’ll make you see, He then went back on the stage and continued dancing with the other zombies as the wolves ran about in a rhythmic pattern to the music. That this is Thriller, Thriller night, cuz I can thrill you more than any ghost would ever dare try. Thriller, (WOO HOO) Thriller night, so let me hold you tight and share a killer…diller…chiller… thriller…here tonight. Cuz this is thriller, thriller night, girl I can thrill you more than any ghost would ever dare try. Thriller (WOO HOO) Thriller night, so let me hold you tight and share a…killer….thriller (OW) The music then played on its own again as Charles took center stage at the edge, the wolves howled some more as the dancing became less extatic. Charles was then bathed in an eerie red light as he looked over the audience and just spoke in a creepy voice. The wolves AND the zombies slowly began to surround the audience, as Charles spoke. Darkness falls across the land, the midnight hour is close at hand. Creatures crawl in search of blood, to terrorize y’alls neighborhood. And whosoever shall be found, without the soul for getting down. Must stand and face the hounds of hell, and rot inside a corpses shell. The music played on a bit more, Fluttershy was holding tight to Stunner in fear at this point, as was a few of the mares that had a stallion to hold on to. Twilight and the others were scared as well, but also very entertained by the whole spectacle. The foulest stench is in the air, the funk of fourty thousand years. And grizzly ghouls from every tomb, are closing in to seal your doom. And though you fight to stay alive, your body starts to shiver. For no mere mortal can resist, the evils of….the THRILLER. Upon the last word, the music stopped, the wolves and zombies froze, Charles began to cackle evilly. The wolves and zombies began to shudder, then turned to smoke. They flew up and shot towards the chimney and down it. As Charles continued his cackling, once the last of the figures were gone, he too, flew up with a trail of smoke behind him and shot down into the chimney, his cackling continued on. Suddenly, Smoke shot back out fiercely and gathered above the stage, Charles’s twisted form emerged from the smoke and the ponies all gasped in fear as his eyes could be seen looking over them. The smoke then swirled violently and shot up into the sky, disappearing into the night. Charles just hovered high above the town high out of view of the ponies with the performance done, he put a hand to his ear and was soon greeted with the sound of hoofs stomping the ground and cheering. His show was a complete success. Charles swooped back down and took center stage. The ponies cheering continued. He took a bow and raised his hands to get every ponies attention. Once they finally stopped their cheering, Charles spoke. “Thank you all, I’m glad you liked the show, but please be sure to give some credit to the pony who helped me with the music, Vinyl Scratch.” Charles looked to the left of the stage with a palm outstretched, Vinyl came trotting out and joined Charles. The ponies erupted in more Cheers as Vinyl took a bow. “Thanks every pony.” She said. Once things finally settled down and many compliments on the show he put on, Charles was finally free to be with his marefriends and friends. Spike decided to join the crusaders in some more candy hunting and games, so he scurried off with his little marfriend, Sweetie Belle, with a smile on both faces. Dark Flash decided now was the time to make her move. “That was quite a show the human put on, shame I have to kill him.” She made her way away from the crowd and found a secluded spot, she removed the spell that was hiding her horn and began to concentrate on another one. Back with Charles, he was just chatting it up with his four marefriends, and Luna. “Charles, that was quite a show you put on, I must say.” Luna complimented. “I’ll say, I nearly jumped out of my fur when you made that hand touch my shoulder.” Twilight said. Charles looked at her. “You liked that huh, that was the whole idea, this night is meant for scares after all isn’t it?” “It sure is, and you gave me a good one when you snuck up behind me.” Pinkie cheered. A rumbling started to shake the ground under their hooves. “Ya’ll hear that?” Applejack asked as she and the others looked around. A dragon soon emerged from behind a few houses and let out a mighty roar. It had black scales, a white underbelly, and purple spines. Twilight kept her eyes on the dragon as she asked Charles in a big of fear. “Uh, Charles, I don’t suppose you’re doing that too are you?” “Afraid not, I’m not doing this, and something tells me that dragon is not an illusion.” Rarity then asked. “Then what is a dragon doing here, it doesn’t look very friendly.” As if to confirm this assumption, the dragon smashed a home and chuckled. Charles saw enough. He gave a determined look. “Right, that’s it, this dragon is history.” Charles dropped the spell he was using to make himself look creepy, summoned his armor and…….couldn’t summon his staff. “Uh oh.” Charles muttered. “What is it partner?” Applejack asked with worry. “I can’t summon my staff.” Charles answered. Twilight responded in shock. “What, Why not, you did it before when Discord first appeared here in town!” “Because then, I knew where it was, right now, I gave it to spike as that axe remember, and I don’t know where he is so I can’t summon my staff!” “Then what are you gonna do?” Pinkie asked. The dragon let out another roar as ponies ran screaming and the dragon continued it’s rampage. Charles steeled his eyes as he glared at the dragon. “Whatever I can to keep this town safe.” He then turned his attention back to his girls. “Girls, I want you to find the others and the guards and get them to try and lead every pony to safety, I’ll try and draw the dragon out of town so it can’t destroy anything else.” “But Charles, how are you going to fight that thing if you don’t have your weapon?” Rarity asked. “I don’t know, but I’ll think of something, now go.” Charles then turned his attention to Luna. “Princess, you go with them and get to safety, I’ll handle this thing.” “No Charles, you can’t possibly hope to stop that thing on your own without your weapon, I can help.” Luna stated. Charles looked to the princess. “Your majesty, you are too important to Equestria, I can’t let you put yourself in danger, go with the others and get to safety.” Luna gave Charles a stern look. “Charles, as a princess, it is my duty to look out for my subjects, I can fight as well, I am not about to let you take on that thing on your own, that is an order, understand.” Charles had no choice now, she gave him a direct order, he sighed in defeat and looked at Luna. “Yes your majesty, we will work together then and take out this beast.” Charles turned back to the four mares. “Now you four get going and get out of here.” “Please be careful Charles.” Twilight said to him. “You best come back in one piece partner.” Applejack warned. “We’ll be rooting for you.” Rarity said. “Ooh, I just know you can beat that thing, Charles.” Pinkie said. Charles then gave each of them a kiss on the lips. Twilight then spoke to Luna. “Princess, you come back safe too all right.” Luna smiled at Twilight. “Do not worry, I will return safe.” Charles and Luna then turned to face the dragon and readied for a fight as the four mares ran off to find the guards. Charles gave another glare at the dragon. “All right you overgrown lizard, I don’t know why you came her to attack our town, but I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you do.” Charles and Luna spread their wings and charged forth at the beast.