Luna's Nightmare Night Challenge
Applejack offered a bag of apples to Pinkie. “Will this do it for ya? I certainly don’t want you to not have enough apples for those pies.”
Pinkie had turned her attention to the sky and did not register Applejack’s question.
“Pinkie, you feelin’ alright?” Applejack shielded her eyes and looked up to where Pinkie’s attention seemed to be fixated. She could barely make out two flying ponies coming towards the market from the direction of Canterlot. After watching the flying forms for a moment, she realized something was different about the pair.
Pinkie voiced Applejack’s inner thought, “Those aren’t pegasi.”
All activity in the market came to a halt as the two bat ponies landed in the center of the square. Every eye, from customer and stall owner alike, turned towards them.
The younger of the pair started to fidget under the scrutiny. “Captain, why are they staring at us?”
“It’s not every day a pair of the Lunar Guard comes to town in broad daylight. Relax, they're just curious.” She smiled as she caught sight of Applejack and Pinkie. After making her way over to the apple stand, she held out a hoof to the apple seller. “You must be the Element of Honesty.”
Applejack nodded and shook the offered hoof. “Applejack’s the name. What brings you to these here parts?”
“Captain Night Flight of the Lunar Guard, it’s an honor to shake hooves with one of the Elements. We're here on official Nightmare Night business. We need to put up an announcement and visit the school here in town.”
Applejack pointed to the Ponyville message board. “There’s the best place to post an announcement. If you follow this street towards the edge of town it will lead you right to the school.”
“Thank you.” Night Flight looked towards her fellow guard and started to give him an order. “Cadet, post the announc…” She stopped mid-sentence and watched as Pinkie examined the cadet with a level of scrutiny that would have done a scientist proud.
The young bat pony fascinated Pinkie. She put her hooves all over him as she examined his various features. “Nifty ears, cool cat eyes, wild looking tail, wicked armor, you’re really neato.” She gently pulled out one of the cadet’s wings to its full span and then rubbed her face against it. “You even have soft wings.”
The cadet blushed at the unexpected contact. “Captain, may I have permission to post the announcement?”
Night Flight retrieved the announcement from the cadet’s saddlebags. “Permission denied. One of our duties on this trip to was to get ponies used to seeing and being around us bat ponies. You’re doing a fine job of that.”
The cadet swallowed as Pinkie all but wrapped herself in his wing.
Night Flight took her time pinning the announcement to the market’s message board. As she worked, she would steal glances over at the cadet.
Pinkie climbed onto the cadet’s back and poked on his armor wherever she could reach. She would occasionally find a spot that allowed her access to his coat and she would tickle him with her prodding hooves. He did his best to answer questions that the townsponies asked while trying not to laugh at Pinkie’s unintentional tickle torture.
“That weren’t all that nice.” Applejack grinned at Night Flight.
“He needs it. He’s a bundle of nerves around ponies that are not of the bat variety. You should have seen him when we visited the Crystal Empire. I thought I was going to have to slip him a tranquilizer.”
“He goes and gets that nervous just seeing new ponies?”
“That’s the main issue with him, but he also thought the mares there were the most gorgeous things he had ever seen.”
Applejack snickered.
“Cadet, we’re done here. We need to move on to the school.” Night Flight could not help but grin at the cadet’s relieved expression.
“Yes ma'am, be right there!” He carefully got Pinkie off his back and quickly made his way to the side of his captain.
“You did well. The Element of Laughter is known to be quite a hooffull.” Night Flight began to lead him down the street, leaving the market behind.
Pinkie trotted over to Applejack. “That was so neat! I’ve never gotten to play with a bat pony before.”
Applejack shook her head. “Pinkie, you’re a right mess.”
With the two bat ponies gone, the ponies in the market turned their attention to the announcement.
Applejack scanned the parchment. She whistled in amazement at what it promised. “Looks like Luna is really gettin’ into the Nightmare Night spirit.”
*****
A knock on the door halted Cheerilee’s instruction. It had been quite some time since anypony had interrupted her class. As she made her way to the door, she worried that something bad had happened in town. “Please, don’t let it be Discord up to his tricks again.” After opening the door, she was shocked to stillness at the sight of the two lunar guards.
Night Flight warmly smiled. “Good day Miss Cheerilee. We have an announcement from the Princess of the Night. May we come in?”
It took a moment for Cheerilee to regain her ability to speak. “Of course, you’re more than welcome.”
As the pair of Lunar Guards walked to the front of the classroom, there was a collective gasp from the students.
“Good afternoon. I am Night Flight and this is Silent Wing. Princess Luna has ordered us to visit you this day. She has a message that she wishes us to relay to you.” Night Flight nodded to Silent Wing. “Read them the announcement.”
Not expecting to be ordered to do so, Silent Wing fumbled with his saddlebags for a couple of moments before he managed to pull out the second copy of the announcement. In a slightly nervous tone, he read:
Let it be known to all school aged fillies and colts that this Nightmare Night shall be one of special grandeur. I Luna, Princess of the Night, declare a challenge to you one and all. Ponyville shall be turned into a hunting ground for ghouls, monsters, wizards, and any other creatures or ponies that you see fit to adorn yourself as on Nightmare Night. Your quarry shall be a hoof-selected group of Lunar Guards who need to better their evasion skills. Know this; you too shall be hunted. Another group of my guards will be your pursuers and will do their best to ensure you do not succeed in your capture of their fellows.
The rules are simple. Those fillies and colts who are able to catch one of my Lunar Guards will be given a boon. Those caught by the second group of guards shall be dismissed from the game.
Choose your costumes wisely, as they will have a great impact on your ability to succeed in your quest.
All citizens of Ponyville are invited to attend the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the contest.
Your Princess of the Night,
Luna
Silent Wing rolled the announcement back up and then placed it back into his saddlebags.
Night Flight, having years of experience training cadets, knew what to ask the class. “Are there any questions?”
A roomful of hooves shot into the air.
Night Flight nodded to a colt seated towards the middle of the class. “I believe your hoof was first.”
“What does she mean, ‘we should choose our costumes carefully’?”
The captain smiled at his Trottingham accent and eager tone. “I’m not at liberty to say. However, I will give you this hint; go for something functional for a bit rough play.”
The small piebald colt nodded with almost comical intensity. “Yes, ma'am."
Night Flight nodded to a yellow-coated filly with an apple red mane.
“Can we work together in teams?”
Night Flight had to pause for a moment. “That is a good question. I honestly don’t know if you can or not. Princess Luna will have to decide that. I’m sure she’ll explain the final rules in more detail on the night of the festival.”
The captain pointed to a pink unicorn filly. “You’re question was next.”
“Does your armor make you look like that?”
To answer, Night Flight took off her helmet. Her silver gray mane fell to her shoulders. To the disappointment of some of the foals in the room, her appearance did not change. “Our armor does not change our appearance in any way. There are no enchantments placed on them beyond those used for protection.”
A musical voice whispered, “I really like her mane.”
Night Flight came up with a wonderfully wicked idea. “I can see a couple of you still don’t believe me. Cadet, remove your armor.”
“I can’t do that, ma'am. I’m still on duty.”
She raised her eyebrow at his refusal. “Did you just speak back to a superior officer and disobey a direct order?”
Silent Wing swallowed and then proceeded to take of his metal shell of protection.
Night Flight turned the cadet’s disrobement into an educational exercise. She had the colts and fillies try to name each piece of armor as he removed it. She took each piece from Silent Wing and had the students pass it around the classroom.
Cheerilee had to stifle a laugh, but she did feel sorry for the cadet. She hoped that Night Flight would have pity on him and allow him to put his armor back on soon.
With each piece of armor that came off him his embarrassment grew. As the last piece of his armor came off Night Flight pointed to him. “As you can now see no magic is involved with our appearance. Cadet, turn around slowly.”
Silent Wing did as he was ordered. The students looked him over with intense curiosity as he made a full circle.
An orange pegasus filly pointed out, “Hey, he even has a cutie mark!”
Silent Wing automatically glanced back at his cutie mark of a pair of bat wings attached to a shield that was decorated with a crescent moon. “I’m a pony just like you. Of course have a cutie mark.”
Night Flight ordered him, “Cadet, lay down on the floor.”
He had an idea of what was coming. He silently prayed to Luna that he was wrong. He got down on his belly, tucking his legs underneath him.
Night Flight asked the class, “How many of you have seen a bat pony up close?”
Not one hoof was raised.
“Well, here is your chance.” Night Flight waved her hoof towards Silent Wing in a grand presenting gesture. “Feel free to come and look at him as close as you want.”
Silent Wing’s Nightmare Night started early as the giggling and cheering throng of young ponies descended on him like a swarm of parasprites on a cupcake.
*****
Night Flight chuckled as she noticed Silent Wing’s expression. “You’re still mad at me about the school incident aren’t you?”
Silent Wing nodded.
“You came out of it alright." She smiled and winked at him. "You even got a nice, long hug from that teacher.”
At the memory of Cheerilee’s reward for being a good sport, Silent wing smiled. “I guess it wasn't that bad.”
“Besides, you might get your chance at revenge soon enough. If you do, play nice. Remember thought, they're only foals.”
Night Flight pulled herself up to attention as she heard Luna come towards the door at their backs.
“I know. I'll behave.” Silent Wing matched Night Flight’s formal posture and then opened the door for Luna.
Luna regally stepped out from the town hall.
The waiting crowd of stallions, mares, and foals fell silent as Luna made her way down the stairs.
Luna looked across the gathered ponies. With a hint of the Royal Canterlot Voice, she ordered, “Those colts and fillies brave enough to accept my challenge follow me.”
A surprising number of young ponies, all in costume, began to trace Luna’s footsteps. She led them to Sweet Apple Acres. Once there, she made her way into the barn, the foals close behind. With a bit of her magic, she shut the barn doors behind them, causing some of the young ponies to jump.
The barn had been decorated for Night Mare Night. Spider webs hung from the barn’s support beams, carefully placed lanterns caused the shadows to dance and sway, carved pumpkins sat upon hay bales, and cut out ghosts and other creatures of the night were hung around the barn’s interior.
Luna turned to the crowd of gathered foals. “More of you answered my summons than I thought would. I’m glad to see that. However, your number may soon dwindle. I wish to present you with a taste of the terrors you will face tonight. If you wish to bow out after experiencing this little display, I will think no less of you."
Without another word, Luna used her magic once again. All the lanterns in the barn went out, throwing the barn into utter darkness.
A few of the foals screamed as the light in the barn vanished. One by one, the lantern’s flames began to return. However, instead of the comforting and warm yellow color they once had, they burned a pale and sickly green. The new light caused the previously benign decorations to take on a sinister appearance.
A colt asked, “Did that ghost just move?”
As if waiting for that very question as a signal, all the barn’s creature decorations sprang to life and dove for the foals. The collective screams of the children reverberated off the barn’s walls.
As suddenly as the display began, the lantern’s lights returned to their normal color, the decorations appeared back on the walls, and the barn lost its menacing air. One of the barn’s doors slowly creaked open, allowing for an escape.
“Now is the time to take your leave, if you do not think you are prepared for this night.” Luna waited for their reaction.
A couple of minutes passed. While a few of the foals seemed to be less sure of themselves than when they had first followed Luna, they all stayed.
Quietly, almost without a sound, a number of the Lunar Guard began to file into the barn.
Luna proudly told the foals, “I would have expected no less of you brave children of Ponyville.” Luna nodded towards one of the Lunar Guards. He and nine others of his fellow guards stepped forward. Luna’s horn lit and the guards’ armor began to glow softly as if giving off moonlight. “These are the Lunar Guards you are to chase and capture by means of touching them. They have been instructed not to take to wing, use magic, or to hide themselves for long periods. You will have two hours to try to catch as many of the Guards as you can. You may work individually or in teams. Be aware that if you work in a team you must share the boon awarded to you.”
The leader of the ‘hunted’ Lunar Guards bowed, and stated, “Your majesty, we await your command.”
“Be swift from here, and do not quake at what this night shall offer you.”
The guard was not expecting the dark tone of her words. After a moment of hesitation, he led his charges out of the barn.
“Merciful Luna, what happened?!” one of the guards yelled.
The barn door shut with an ominous thud, nearly catching the tail of the last guard.
The foals, their eyes wider than before, turned their attention back to Luna.
“They shall have a five minute head start and then you shall be free to pursue them. Captain, step forward, I have need of you.”
Night Flight made her way to stand in front of Luna and bowed. “I am yours to command.”
“Choose five of your guards and have them present themselves. They shall join you on your pursuit.”
Night Flight named five of the Lunar Guards, one of which was Silent Wing.
Luna nodded in agreement at Night Flight’s choices. “Two earth ponies, one bat pony, one pegasus, and a unicorn. You have formed a group with a good mix of strengths.” Luna dramatically put hoof to her chin in thought. “However, something seems to be missing.”
She pointed at Silent Wing. “I see now, you need to be more fitting with the spirit of this night. We shall soon fix that.”
A pair of yellow glowing eyes suddenly appeared in the loft above Luna. “Yes, yes we shall.”
There was a snapping sound and Silent Wing went stiff. His armor melded into him, turning into a layer of lizard-like scaling that covered most of his body. His head and face became like that of a chicken. Slowly, he changed into one of the most dreaded creatures in Equestria, a cockatrice.
The gathered foals stepped back from him. Some of the colts and fillies in the back of the group found themselves pressed against the barn doors.
Luna smiled at their reaction. “He is but the first of the creatures you shall have to out maneuver this night in pursuit of your goal.” Luna’s appearance began to shift to a taller, darker, and more foreboding form. “I too shall partake of the hunt. I suggest you put a good distance between you and this place before ten minutes come to pass.”
The foals collectively screamed as Luna’s transformation ended.
Standing before the frightened foals was Nightmare Moon, in all her stunning and terrifying glory. The dark alicorn lit her horn and the barn doors swung wide.
Needing no further encouragement, the foals raced into the night.
Nightmare Moon pulled the barn doors closed and laughed. “That was the most fun I have had in ages. Discord, your part was well played.”
Discord spiraled his way down one of the support beams of the barn. “I thought it was a bit over the top for my first attempt. I’ll have to do better with the others. I have the children’s transformations to think of too.”
“Just do not arm them with items that could cause harm to my guards or themselves.”
“I assure you that no guards or young ones will be put in danger by any of my magic.” He winked at Luna. “Besides, I want to be invited to play again next year. The evening has yet to begin and I’m already having a ball.”
With wave of his talons, Discord changed the other guards into beasts of twisted natures. All save the unicorn, who he transformed into the image of a villain with nearly the notoriety as Nightmare Night herself. Already focusing his attention on the colts and fillies racing into the orchard, Discord vanished into the night.
*****
Apple Bloom slowed to a halt as she realized the horrible condition of the orchard. “What happened to our trees?!”
The other Cutie Mark Crusaders stopped with her and took in the whole of the devastation that had befallen the orchard.
The apple trees had wilted. Whole sections of their bark seemed to have sloughed off, and lay on the ground as if a disease had suddenly struck the trees. The apples were withered and poisonous looking.
Apple Bloom gave into her despair. “We’ve lost everything!”
“No, Apple Bloom, you haven’t.” Discord appeared before the Crusaders, genuinely moved by the filly’s concern for her home. “I’ll change your little group first and give you a hint.”
He waved his paw, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders felt a change overcome them.
Scootaloo looked herself over and jumped up in down on her newly acquired talons and paws in excitement. “This is so awesome!” Instead of wearing a griffon costume, she had been transformed into a griffon herself.
Apple Bloom stood before them as a young timber wolf, complete with wooden body and glowing eyes. Finding herself unable to speak, Apple Bloom whined, pointed a paw at Discord, and then pointed at the apple trees.
Discord understood her intended message. “That won’t be necessary at all." He pointed to Sweetie Belle. "Your friend here can help you see things for what they are. That’s the only hint I’ll give you.” He vanished without another word.
Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Belle. “What did he mean by that?”
Sweetie stepped out of the full robe she had been wearing, revealing that she looked exactly like Twilight Sparkle. Sweetie explained, “I asked Rarity what I should dress as if I was going on an adventure.” She rubbed one hoof over a foreleg in embarrassment, before continuing, “She said Twilight was the one who led them on their adventures, so I had Rarity paint me up like Twilight was before she became a princess.”
“That’s an awesome idea! Now we have one of the most powerful ponies in Equestria on our team. We’re sure to catch one of the guards now!”
Apple Bloom stared at one of the nearby trees, her ears and tail drooped in dismay.
Sweetie concentrated, tapped powers and knowledge of magic she never had before, and cast a spell. While the magic did not set the trees right, it allowed the three to see through the illusion that had been cast over Sweet Apple Acres for a couple of moments.
Apple Bloom pranced around in a good imitation of Winona’s happy dance when she got a treat upon seeing the trees were perfectly healthy.
A chilling, twisted howl came from the direction of the barn, causing all three of the fillies to shudder at the sound.
Sweetie took up the mantel of being the group’s leader. “We’ll lose our chance at a prize if we don’t get going. Apple Bloom, use your nose to see if you can track one of the guards. Scootaloo, fly above us and keep your eyes open for anything glowing.”
Scootaloo stood stock still for a moment as what Sweetie had said fully sank in. “You think I’ll be able to fly?”
“It’s worth a shot.”
Apple Bloom nodded, put her front paws on Scootaloo’s shoulders, and gave her a small bark of support.
Scootaloo waved a talon in front of her face. Grimacing, she told Apple Bloom, “I’ll try anything to get away from your breath right now.” She freed herself from Apple Bloom’s paws and took a steadying breath. With a crouch and a leap, Scootaloo took to the air. She whooped with delight at finally being able to get into the air under her own power, griffon body or not.
Apple Bloom dropped her nose toward the ground. Catching a whiff of their quarry, she raised her head and let out a howl of her own. She raced down the path letting her nose lead their way.
Sweetie did her best to keep up. “Good thing Twilight’s good at running long distances, or I’d be in serious trouble.”
*****
Pipsqueak boldly trotted down the alleyway. His newly transformed Royal Guard armor glinted with what little light was available. The town looked as if it had been abandoned for years. All of the buildings and homes were in disrepair. Some even leaned dangerously, giving the impression they could fall at any moment. The odd breeze would blow by; whistling its way through the structures and making them creak and crack.
The dismal atmosphere did not dissuade Pip from his goal. He asked his partner, “Where do you think they’re hiding?”
Dinky shook her head. “I don’t know for sure, but I would try town hall. There are a lot of different rooms a pony could duck into there, and it should be open.”
One of the things that the pair had quickly discovered was that all but the public buildings had been sealed from entry. Pip had guessed that they had been magically closed to keep ponies from wandering into them during the challenge.
“Sounds like as good a place to start as any.”
Pip stopped as they came to the edge of the square. He pressed himself against the wall and motioned for Dinky to do the same. “I don’t like this. It’s the perfect place for somepony to set up an ambush.”
A scream echoed from between two of the buildings. They watched as Truffle Shuffle, transformed by Discord’s magic into a robotic version of himself, ran into the open. Following closely behind him was Silent Wing. It did not take long for the cockatrice to tackle the robot to the ground and pin him.
Silent Wing shouted towards the night sky, his voice distorted by the change he had endured, “Discord, I’ve got one!”
Discord appeared beside the Lunar Guard. “That makes three for you. Not bad at all.” With a snap of his claws, Discord transported Shuffle from underneath Silent Wing’s restraining talons.
“Where do you send them?”
“Back to the barn, nothing too traumatizing I assure you. You may want to hunt somewhere else. I think you’ve made enough noise with the last two that you’ve frightened off the others.”
“Thanks for the tip,” Silent Wing told him, before taking to wing and heading towards the town’s park.
Pip asked, barely whispering to Dinky, “Why didn’t he just turn Chowder to stone?”
“Because spells like that need a real body to work on. Chowder was a robot so his flesh couldn’t be turned to stone.”
After making sure that Silent Wing was out of sight, Discord motioned for Pip and Dinky to come towards him. At first they refused, which annoyed him no end. “It would be no trouble at all for me to summon somepony much nastier than him if you don’t come here right now.”
Reluctantly, the pair stepped out from their hiding spot and made their way to stand before Discord.
Pip nervously hooved the hilt of his sword. “Why are you helping us? I thought you were on their side.”
“I’m the Lord of Chaos; I’m on nopony’s side. I’m just here for the fun of it.” He pointed towards one of the upper windows of the town hall. “I believe you were just looking for something like that.”
“Thanks, I guess you’re not so...” Pip stopped as soon as he came to the realization that Discord was nowhere to be seen. “Did you see him go?”
Dinky shook her head. “No, I didn't. He must have vanished when we looked at the light.”
Pip started towards the town hall’s entrance. “We should be really careful when we go in the building.” After easing the door open, he carefully examined the interior of the town hall. There seemed to be nothing stopping them from reaching their goal. "This feels like a trap."
“Does to me too.”
They eased their way into the building. They could barely make out that there was a soft glow coming from one of the upper meeting rooms. Pip smiled at Dinky, pointed up towards their goal, and then slowly led the way up the stairs. For a few moments, the sound of their armors’ plates and studded padding moving was the only thing that could be heard.
Pip suddenly tripped. He got back to his hooves, but could not move.
“You alright?”
“Something’s grabbed my leg.”
Dinky looked down at his leg and gasped. The shadows from the stair’s railings had reached out and wrapped themselves around Pip’s right hind leg. “Hold still. It’s some kind of trap spell.” With a bit of magical power, granted to her by her transformation into a Royal Guard by Discord, she quickly undid the binding tendrils of darkness.
She let out a relieved breath as the shadows slowly retreated to their natural positions. “At least nopony was here to take advantage of that trap. We’d have been caught for sure.”
“Ah, but someone is here to take advantage of that trap,” a hissing voice told her.
A large mass of shadows slid up the side of the staircase and engulfed Dinky’s hind legs. She began to sink into the shadows as if being drawn down by some unseen force. “Pip, help!”
Pip locked his forelegs with hers, stopping her descent into the unnatural darkness. He desperately worked to get a better grip on her. “Hang on to me! I won’t let you go!”
“The two Royal Guards fighting together till the end,” the voice taunted. “How touching.”
Pip’s eyes went wide with fear as Sombra stepped out of his nest of shadows and started to make his way up the stairs.
Pip urged Dinky, “Cast that spell again, or we’re in deep trouble.”
“I can’t concentrate enough! Leave me, and go get the guard!”
“Royal Guards don’t abandon their fellow ponies!”
Pip looked back towards Sombra’s ascending form and gasped as a timber wolf made its way into the town hall’s entrance. It sniffed around, looked up the stairs, and snarled in their direction.
Dinky’s eyes widened. “What was that?”
“It’s a timberwolf.”
Sombra stopped his climb and turned towards the wolf. He groused, “Go find some of your own, these are mine.”
The timberwolf seemed to take umbrage at Sombra’s tone. It raced up the stairs, its growl turning more vicious the further up the stairs it flew.
“What in the name of Luna are you doing?!” Sombra yelled, as the timberwolf bit into his hind leg.
The wooden monster and Sombra began to struggle. They fell, locked together in combat. They fought a rolling battle all the way to the bottom of the winding staircase, neither one able to gain an advantage over the other.
Pip watched in disbelief as a griffin entered the building.
The griffon saw the fight between Sombra and the timberwolf. It leapt into the middle of the fracas, adding its beak and claws to the timberwolf’s fangs.
Unknown to the ponies below, a dark presence seeped its way through one of the upper windows and coiled itself in the rafters. It had been drawn by the unexpected sound of the battle. It watched with interest as the struggle below continued.
Pip called out, as he saw Twilight enter the building, “Twilight, we need help!”
Sweetie ran up the stairs and wrapped her forelegs around Dinky’s chest. She had to raise her voice over the din from below to be heard, as she told Pip, “I’ve got her, draw your sword!”
Even though he was shocked at hearing a voice other than Twilight’s come from her mouth, Pip did as he was told. Sweetie’s horn lit and a spell leapt from it to the sword’s blade. The blade began glowing with a white light. Sweetie shouted to Pip, “Cut the shadows!”
With a frantic strike, Pip cut the connection of the enchanted shadows to Dinky. The severed shadows slunk back to their rightful places. Seeing Dinky was safe, Pip sped down the stairs and joined the fray.
The previously hidden Lunar Guard saw his chance. He bolted past the fillies. He carefully avoided the melee and made his way out of the building.
Sweetie called down to her comrades, “The guard is getting away!”
Before Dinky and Sweetie could join in the fight, the three strange allies forced their foe against the wall.
Pip pointed his blade towards Sombra’s throat. “Yield honorably, or I’ll let my friends here eat you.”
To add to Pip's threat, the timberwolf licked its lips with exaggerated slowness.
“You wouldn’t.”
“You tried to hurt Dinky. They can take a chunk or two out of you for that.”
Dinky cheerfully announced, “I have a better idea.” She turned to face out the town hall’s door. “Discord, we’ve got one!”
Sweetie looked at Dinky as if she thought the filly had lost her mind. “Why are you calling that crazy weirdo?”
From behind her, Discord answered, “Because, Sweetie Belle, I’m the official referee for this evening’s events.”
Sweetie jumped straight into the air and was surprised to be caught by Discord.
“Now, now, I’m not that scary.” Discord nodded towards Sombra. “Especially when you compare me to that monster, I’m not bad at all. I may have had a little fun with ponies in the past, but I certainly never brutalized or enslaved them.”
Sombra rolled his eyes at the comment. “I’m just playing the part. Don’t go overboard on me.”
Discord pointed at Sombra. “You’re supposed to stay in character!”
Sombra snapped, “Just tell these brats to let me go and you can leave!”
Discords eyes narrowed at Sombra’s tone. “I think not.”
Sombra’s mouth dropped open. “What do you mean, ‘I think not?’ I’ve got a job to do!”
“Not anymore you don’t. You’ve been eliminated from tonight’s fun. Better luck next year.” He placed Sweetie back on the ground and motioned for Pip to lower his sword.
“I can’t be eliminated! It’s not in the rules!”
“Nothing in the rules prevents your being eliminated either.” With a snap of his claws, Discord sent the Sombra look-a-like back to the Apple’s barn.
Scootaloo sarcastically muttered to nopony in particular, “I guess dressing like a half-bit villain makes you act like one too.”
Discord snorted and thought aloud, “My magic worked a little too well with that one." Discord looked down as Dinky unexpectedly hugged him. “Why you suddenly feel the need to plaster yourself to me?”
“Thank you! He would have been on our tails as soon as we left here. You’ve given us a fighting chance to catch that Lunar Guard.”
Discord drew his talon down his beard in thought. “He did seem like that kind of stallion. Not one bit of sportsponyship in him at all.” He turned his head towards the town square as if hearing a note only he could hear. He gently removed Dinky’s forelegs from around his belly. “Speaking of games, rules, and playing nice, I have to go. It seems another of your fellows has been caught. Good luck, you’re going to need it.” He vanished, leaving behind an odd dusting of feathers.
Pip bowed elegantly to the three unexpected reinforcements. “Thank you for coming to help us. I doubt we could have beaten him by ourselves.” He rose back up and asked them, “Who are you?”
Pointing to each of the members, Sweetie introduced their group. “Scootaloo’s the griffon, Apple Bloom’s the timberwolf, and I’m Sweetie Belle as Twilight Sparkle.”
Dinky scratched behind one of Apple Bloom’s ears, causing one of the wolf’s hind legs to thump in rhythm with the scratching. Dinky cooed, “Who’s a good timberwolf? You are!”
Scootaloo slapped a talon to her forehead. “That’s just three shades of wrong, Dinky.”
“We need to get after that guard." Sweetie looked out the front door of the town hall. "He has a good head start on us and who knows what kind of attention we attracted with our fight.”
Pip sheathed his blade and pointed towards the back of the building. “Let’s go out the back." He led them to the rear exit. "I think the closest public building from here is the library.”
The dark presence seeped out of the building and reformed itself on the roof. Nightmare Moon watched as the foals slunk through the back alleys.
Discord appeared beside the Princess of the Night. “You’re going soft. If they had been any of the other foals from earlier you would be gobbling them up by now.”
Nightmare Moon did not even turning her head towards Discord. “Indeed, this group has shown a bit of quality the others have lacked. I intend to test them myself.”
Discord raised a bushy eyebrow. “They certainly showed a little spunk with Sombra. They’re clever too. Having me eliminate him like that was an unexpected bending of the rules.”
“One thou relished in partaking in. How many children remain?”
“Of the forty two foals that started only fifteen are still in the game. Eight are out since they caught two of your guards.”
“Good, then my plans shall not disturb the others.”
“What do you have planned?”
“I shall see how they fair against forces that they cannot put sword or claw to. Then, if they manage to prevail, I will set the elemental against them.”
“You are going to test their breaking point then.” Discord looked almost pityingly towards the foals.
Nightmare Moon’s form dissipated, as she returned to being a dark mist. She drifted down through the alleyways, following the surprisingly capable band of friends.
*****
“We’ve got a problem,” Pip reported from his hidden vantage point near the end of the alley. "The cockatrice is trying to hide in the library’s branches. He’ll get us for sure if we just rush him.” His eyes settled on Apple Bloom. “Wait a minute, we have someone here who is immune to his magic,” he declared.
Sweetie patted Apple Bloom on the shoulder. “We’re lucky you chose to be a timberwolf tonight.”
Apple Bloom nodded.
Dinky asked, “Why doesn’t she say anything?”
Scootaloo pointed towards her face. “I’m having enough trouble talking with this beak. She can’t even get any words out.”
Pip looked back towards the library. “We can’t send her against him alone. The cockatrice might be able to pin her or something.”
Scootaloo took charge. “You guys hide further back down the alley. As soon as that monster gets close, use your magic to glue his eyes shut or something. Apple Bloom, get behind that crate and get ready for a fight. Pip, if you can, help Apple Bloom with the bird.”
Pip realized what Scootaloo had planned. “This is going to be brilliant.”
Scootaloo flanked where the cockatrice had hidden himself. After she found the spot she planned to ambush him from, she quietly flew up, gained some height on her intended victim, and then dove in full griffon style into the library’s withered canopy.
Her impact with the cockatrice stunned them both. Scootaloo and the monster tumbled through the tree’s sickly branches. They struck the ground with a thud that could be heard from where the others were hiding.
Pip adjusted his helmet in anticipation of combat. “Well, that didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped.”
Scootaloo had difficulty getting up, having had the air knocked out of her. She still managed to start to scramble towards her friends.
Sweetie gasped, as the cockatrice got to its legs. “She’ll never make it!”
Apple Bloom sped from the alleyway. She put herself between Scootaloo and the fiendish bird. The growl Apple Bloom gave him chilled the foals and made the cockatrice take a step back.
Apple Bloom lunged. Her fangs barely missed the creature’s tail.
The cockatrice began to take off, hoping to escape the wolf’s wrath by taking to the air.
Dinky broke cover and raced to Apple Bloom’s aid. “You’ve not getting away!” She let loose with a bolt of magic, which froze the cockatrice’s wings in mid beat.
The cockatrice plummeted back to the ground. The stunning impact with the ground addled him for a precious few seconds.
Pip stepped from the ally. “Get back here, or he’ll turn you to stone!”
From behind him, Sweetie calmly told Pip, “No, he won’t.” Sweetie’s magic bolt shot past Pip’s ear, and struck the beast.
In place of the monster, an orange with leathery wings, chicken legs, and a snake tail flopped around on the ground.
Pip could not help himself and began to laugh hysterically.
Sweetie called out, “Discord, we have another one for you!”
Discord appeared in a puff of smoke. He looked back and forth between the struggling orange and monster hybrid and the grinning foals. For the first time in centuries, he was stunned by the weirdness of what he was seeing. “I don’t even want to know.” Without another word, he and the eliminated hunter vanished.
Nightmare Moon had seen the entirety of the capture of her compatriot. Part of her was shocked that the cockatrice had fallen so easily. The other part was thrilled at their victory.
She waited until all the members of the young group entered the library. As soon as the last one entered, she used her magic and sealed the door shut behind them.
Nightmare Moon turned her head to her luminescent servant. “If they get out of there, you’ll have your chance.”
The pale figure whinnied in anticipation.
*****
Pip pounded his hooves against the door. “We’re trapped!”
“We’ll, at least we can still see what we’re doing.”
As soon as the words had left Sweetie’s mouth, every source of light in the library went dark. The moonlight streaming through the windows was their only source of illumination.
Pip complained, “You had to say that.”
Dinky made a hushing noise. “Did you hear something?”
They all froze and waited. The rustling and sliding noise around them slowly began to grow in volume.
“It’s coming from the walls!” Scootaloo shouted.
“No, it’s coming from the bookshelves!” Sweetie yelled in panic.
Given life by dark magic powers, the library books started flying from the shelves and attacking the foals. The flying volumes harassed and struck them from all angles.
Apple Bloom’s and Scootaloo’s attacks against the books proved to be ineffective. Either the books were too fast for them to hit or tough enough that the blows and bites did little harm.
Sweetie grabbed the library’s center table with her magic and began wildly swatting books from the air. While her plan worked to slow the books’ onslaught, it also put her friends in danger of being struck too.
Dinky formed a magic barrier around herself. “Get in here, quick!”
They dived into the protective spell’s sphere and took a moment to recover.
“I’m going to feel every one of those hits in the morning,” Scootaloo moaned.
Sweetie pointed out, “At least they didn’t give us paper cuts.”
“I don’t know how long I can keep this up. They’re really starting to pound on the shield now.” Dinky winced with each blow to the magic barrier.
“I could take over for a bit,” Sweetie offered.
Scootaloo shook her head. “That only puts off them getting us. We have to come up with a plan."
Pip faced out from the others and watched the books. “We need something magical to attack them with.”
“I’m not that good a shot,” Sweetie confessed.
Out of frustration, Pip pulled out his sword and pointed it towards the swarm of tomes. He laughed at himself. “Of course, my sword’s enchanted!”
Dinky yelled at him as he leapt from the protective dome, “They’ll beat you into the floor!”
Pip pitched himself at the books with a fury that would have done a dragon proud. Book covers were ripped, severed pages flew all over the library, and the smell of singed paper filled the room. As the last book flapped its last, Pip half-collapsed from the beating the books had given him. “In the stories, they don’t tell about the hero feeling like he’s going to pass out after he completes his heroic deed.”
Dinky hurried to him and threw her forelegs around him. “You could have gotten hurt!”
“I didn’t want us get eliminated after we’ve done so much.”
Dinky hugged him tight. “Just don’t do that again,” she ordered.
He put his sword down and returned her hug. “Yes, ma'am.”
Scootaloo tilted her head. “Yes, ma'am?”
Pip coughed into his hoof. “She outranks me. I lost a bet, so she’s my captain tonight.”
Scootaloo pointed at the disaster that was the library. “That means she can tell the real Twilight about her subordinate destroyed every book in her library to win a game.”
Dinky squeaked out, “I think I’ll go find Sombra and let him have me instead.”
*****
Nightmare Moon motioned towards the library. “You may now attempt to subdue them.”
The pale figure strode towards the library, leaving a trail of frost on the street’s stones.
*****
Apple Bloom's keen ears swiveled towards the library’s door. She turned her head and held still as if waiting for something.
“Is cold all of a sudden or is it just me?” Sweetie asked.
Dinky’s eyes widened as she told them, “I can see our breaths.”
Apple Bloom dropped into a low stance and growled at the doorway.
A deathly white face appeared in the door.
Pip picked up his sword and pointed it towards their new foe. Through chattering teeth, he named the creature that was coming towards them, “It’s a windigo.”
Scootaloo dove at the beast. Upon making contact with it, she yelped and then fled back to the group. “Apple Bloom, don’t attack that thing! It’s too cold to touch!” She shook her talons to bring the feeling back to them.
Pip picked up his sword. “Get out of here. I’ll hold it off.”
Dinky started to stay by his side, but Scootaloo grabbed her and began pulling her towards the stairs.
Sweetie tried to talk sense into Dinky. “Our only hope is that we can get Twilight’s door open. I’ll need your help for that. You have to concentrate or we’re all going to get caught.”
“We can’t leave him!”
“I’ll be right behind you,” Pip promised. “Just go!” He started walking towards the windigo. He swore, “I might not get out of here, but by Luna herself I’ll make sure you’re not getting them.”
The windigo snorted, blowing twin white clouds of breath into the air in defiance.
The others raced up the stairs as Pip and the windigo began their duel. It quickly became apparent that the same magic used to seal the buildings had been used on Twilight’s quarters. Neither Dinky nor Sweetie could break the barrier.
“Horse apples! We’re trapped!” Scootaloo roared.
Apple Bloom whined as she watched Pip slow in his fight with the windigo.
“That thing will kill him!” Dinky shouted.
Pip slipped on the now frozen pages littering the floor. He fell flat and gasped at the impact. The air seared his lungs as he tried to breath and he began to have trouble focusing. With a show of bravado, he lifted his sword toward the frozen form looming over him. “You haven't beaten me yet.”
Sweetie shouted to Pip, “Hang in there!” She teleported to stand over him and blasted the windigo with a burst of offensive magic. While the bolt of magic did nothing more than shock the windigo, it bought her enough time to teleport Pip outside the library. After making sure Pip was uninjured, Sweetie teleported back to the top of the library’s stairs. She teleported again, setting her and Dinky right outside the library’s door. “Put a barrier on this door and don’t let that thing out!”
Sweetie swiftly repeated her teleportation trick twice more bringing her remaining friends to the relative safety of the exterior of the library.
Dinky began to sweat with the effort of maintaining the shield as the windigo began to use its powers against her. “Can’t you just teleport it to the Everfree Forest or something?”
“Things that are really big or really powerful in magic are hard to teleport,” Sweetie told her, "I can't move it that far."
Scootaloo stomped the ground in frustration. “So we’re done. Either that thing gets us or one of the other monsters attacks us from behind while we keep this thing pinned.”
Pip managed to get to his hooves. “Sweetie, do you have that spell Twilight cast during the Hearth Warming play in your head?”
Sweetie closed her eyes and concentrated on finding the right spell. “I’ve got it.”
“Good! Captain Dinky, you can punish me later, but right now this is the best I can come up with.”
“What are you talking about?” Her spell faltered and failed as Pip hugged her and broke her concentration.
“Cast the spell!”
Sweetie released her attack just as the windigo stepped out of the library. The spell struck the windigo causing it to whinny in shock at the unexpected blow.
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom joined in the hug.
“Again!” Pip whooped.
Sweetie flung herself onto her friends and cast the spell again.
The resulting bolt was stronger and knocked the windigo back a bit. It swayed as the spell’s powers began to diminish its own to the point that its mane began to melt. The windigo decided it had had more than enough and fled from the foals.
“We did it!” Dinky cried in relief.
Scootaloo quickly removed herself from the others. “How much more mushy can you get? We were saved by a group hug.”
“You’re not saved yet.”
The friends broke apart and hastily turned to face the new threat. Nightmare Moon had found them. Beside her stood a full-grown timberwolf, a manitcore, and an ahuizotl.
Pip defiantly told her, with more conviction in his voice than he truly felt, “We’ve beaten Sombra, a cockatrice, a dark enchantment, and a windigo." He pointed his sword towards Nightmare Moon, daring her to come closer. "What makes you think we won’t beat you too?”
With a flare of her horn, she caused the light from his blade to fade and its edge to dull. “Let’s see if you can back your boasting.” Nightmare stepped away from her servants. “Remain where you are, these are mine,” she ordered them.
The town’s clock tower began to chime.
Pip swung his sword, but the attack was easily parried by Nightmare Moon’s powers.
The dark mare gracefully avoided Apple Bloom’s attack and the timberwolf was swatted away for her efforts.
Sweetie’s and Dinky’s magic did not even touch the alicorn. She barely gave them enough attention to deflect their attacks.
Scootaloo’s claws and beak did not even mar Nightmare Moon’s obsidian coat. The Nightmare used her prehensile mane to sling the offending griffon from her back.
Pip swung again, only to have his sword pulled from his hoof and slung towards the library by a flash of dark magic.
Even without a weapon, he threw himself at her.
As the last ringing of the hour sounded, Nightmare Moon caught all the foals in her power and bound them. “You’re out of time.”
Scootaloo screamed in rage. “Like Tartarus we are! Sweetie, Dinky, get us out of this and I’ll kick her flank back to the moon!”
Luna shifted her form back to its usual appearance. “Child, the challenge is over. You have succeeded.”
“What?!” Scootaloo squawked.
Luna smiled. “Two hours have passed and you were not captured. You also eliminated two of my guards, overcame my spell, and defeated my elemental. You did far more than what was asked of you.”
Discord appeared beside Luna. “And a fine time was had by all. Your fellow ponies enjoyed the show too.” He waved his arms and the town returned to normal.
The foals, now back to being young fillies and colts in costumes, were shocked to see that most of the town’s ponies were in the square. They had watched the challenge hidden behind Discord’s glamour.
The crowd stomped its applause and cheered the group’s success. The friends were glad to see that their fellow challenge participants were among the gathered ponies.
Luna motioned towards the other foals. “All of those who caught one of the guards step forward and join your friends.”
Only eight more joined them. Luna herself presented each of them with a medal. One group consisting of Snails, Snips, and Featherweight had captured one of the guards. They were presented with a gourmet basket of candies and sweets from Sugar Cube Corner and Sweetie Drop’s Chocolates and Candies. The other group, whose odd mixture of foals was surprising to everypony, consisted of Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara, Twist, Rumble, and Berry Pinch. They too, received a basket of edible delights.
Sweetie accepted the basket for their group, when it was presented.
Luna addressed the gathered crowd using a controlled amount of her Canterlot Voice. “Due to these brave foals’ accomplishments this night they shall be allowed to ask for one additional boon.”
Apple Bloom turned to her companions. “What kind of prize would we all get somethin' out of?”
The small group huddled in debate.
The Lunar guards, returning from the barn, or their various hiding spots, moved through the crowd and joined Luna.
Pip grinned as an idea came to him. “How about this, we ask for training from some of the Lunar Guards. That way Dinky and Sweetie can get magic lessons, Apple Bloom and I can get some martial combat training, and Scootaloo can train with one of the Shadowbolts. We can have fun with them, and we’ll be able to catch even more Lunar Guards next year.”
“I like the way you think,” Apple Bloom told him.
The others agreed.
Pip stepped before Luna, bowed with practiced formality, and told her their desired boon.
“That is a most excellent idea.” Luna turned to her guards. “Step forward, Silent Wing, Nightingale, and Silver Shadow. You shall be stationed here for a week so that you may train these brave foals.”
After presenting themselves to Luna, each of the named Lunar Guards bowed to the foals.
Silver Shadow looked over with mock sternness at the two unicorn fillies he would be training. “I’m going to work your flanks off. I have to get even for your friend nearly taking a hunk out of mine.”
Apple Bloom blushed, recalling that she had bitten him. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s alright; it’s what I get for being a jerk.”
Pip extended a hoof to Silent Wing, who took it without hesitation. “Nice to know you’re going to be the one training us. You made pouncing Truffle look easy, even with him being a robot.”
Silent Wing rubbed the back of his neck with a hoof. “You didn’t do too badly tonight yourself.”
Scootaloo held back, barely looking at Nightingale.
Nightingale walked over, put a hoof under Scootaloo’s chin, and raised the filly’s eyes to meet hers. “What’s wrong? Am I not the one you wanted to give you lessons? I’m sure I can be swapped for somepony else.”
Scootaloo’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s not that. I’m just going to waste your time. I can’t fly yet.”
Nightingale hugged Scootaloo. “Little one, at your age I couldn’t fly either. That doesn’t mean that I can’t help train to get ready.”
“Thank you.”
Luna turned back to the gathered ponies. “So ends the first annual Nightmare Night Challenge. Next year, it shall be even more spectacular!”
Discord snapped his fingers and the town returned to its haunted appearance. “Let’s get this festival started!”
With a cheer, the ponies did just that.
Before she could make a move to join the festivities Luna found herself hugged by a young colt.
“Thank you for doing this for us. You really are my favorite princess.”
Luna hugged Pip to her chest. "That means more to me that you will ever know.”