//------------------------------//
// Creepy (2) - Archonix 
// Story: Dark Paradise: the TwiLuna Group Collab 
// by Habanc 
//------------------------------//


Written by: Archonix



*****


"—forever!"

Twilight screeched and jumped from her seat as cackling, nightmarish laughter echoed around her study. Which was appropriate she realised, as she turned to face the source of her torment, a night-black alicorn that towered over her in a cloud of star-studded mist and power.

She let out a breath and closed her eyes; her attempts to will away the flurry of emotion brought on by Luna's chosen disguise was harder than seemed fair.

"Luna, for Celestia's sake..."

"My love?" The night princess lowered her head toward Twilight, her gleeful grin banished and replaced with a wide-eyed, soulful pout. "Nightmare Night is but a few days hence! I thought... I thought I might again return as she who once tormented all, and what better way to practice than this? It is customary to 'surprise' the foals, is it not?"

Frowning, Luna looked down at her armour and pouted. Then, like the moon exiting its eclipse, the light of realisation brightened upon her face. She closed her eyes and lowered her head yet further.

"Of course, I should have warned you of my intent." With a sigh Luna turned away. Slouching to her haunches, she tugged the helm from her head and held it in her forelegs, lifting it to her face to examine her reflection. "I have lived in this new age for many years, yet I am still unable to account for such simple things as the fear this form might generate in our subjects. Or even in my love."

She raised her head again, turning her demonic eyes to Twilight. The sight sent a shiver down the young alicorn's back; she instinctively fluffed her wings against the non-existent cold, but refused to meet Luna's gaze. The night princess closed her eyes and turned away.

"I see. Then perhaps I shall choose a different disguise this year."

Twilight mumbled something beneath her breath. It had sounded dark and inanimate, though Luna couldn't quite discern the words. The young alicorn's cheeks flushed as Luna's eyes snapped to her once again.

"Twilight?"

Despite the burning of her face, Twilight looked up at Luna and smiled as she stalked the short distance between them. She glanced at Luna's helm, then seized it in her own magic.

"I defeated her once," she said as she examined her reflection in the cold blue steel of the helmet. 

Twilight's eyes flickered to Luna's face, and to the night Princess's great surprise she raised the helmet back over her lover's head and slid it firm against her scalp. Before Luna could fully understand what was happening, she felt Twilight's hoof pressed firm and fierce against the armour across her chest. Twilight's voice was unusually husky when she spoke.

"To the victor go the spoils."