//------------------------------//
// 7 Night Mare Night 
// Story: The Prima Donna and The Tailor 
// by L0rd0f7hund3r 
//------------------------------//



"Stitchy, aren't ye a little old t'be goin' out on Nightmare night?"

"Mom, come on," Stitches pots, "my friends are going, my costume is themed with theirs, it would look silly if I didn't show up. I promise that I won't go seeking treats."

"Give the kid a break, huh, Modi?" Vaudeville, Stitches father says, "He's still the new kid in school. and his friends mean the world to him."

"Right on, Da!"

Modiste, Stitches mother, counters, "He's almost a stallion, Vaude. He should be looking for a mare to settle down withm"

"I found one-" Stitches starts.

"And hopefully,” Modiste continues, "not one of those tarts that keeps coming by every other day."

Stitches and Vaudeville ask, "Tarts?"

"Well, it may just be the one tart. What was her name? Had summat to do with a crown…?" Modiste wonders, rubbing a hoof to her chin.

Stitchen says, "You mean Diamond Tiara?"

"Yes, that's her! Keeps popping by, bringing gifts, expensive ones. Ah hope you aren't talking about her, love."

"No," Stitches says, "Diamond is a friend. Gotta wonder if she sees as more than that, but I'm trying to court Sweetie Belle. You know, the filly I have a duet it with at the Winter Concert?"

"The one that is the little sister to Rarity, Element of Generosity?" Vaudeville asks.

Stitches nods.

"Oh," Modiste muses, "Well, I haven't seen her before. What's she like?"

"I don't think I can describe her accurately," Stitches says, "You really have to see her in person."

"Well, let's just hope she isn't like Sunny Meadows."

"She couldn't be Sunny if she tried," Stitches says, "well, I'm off. I'll try to be back before eleven."

"Ten, sonny boy!" Vaudeville calls back.

"Eleven!" Stitches demands, "Bye Mum, bye Da!"

He is out the door before either parent can protest. His trot takes him from his house near the costume shop to the other end of the town square. He was to meet Silver Spoon and Snips there, then they were to proceed to the Carousel Boutique to give Sweetie Belle her costume. The Crusaders, which included Snips, Silver, Twist, and Stitches, had agreed to go as wait staff for Nightmare Night.

Sweetie Belle's costume took the longest because her sister had confused it with one of her work orders and summarily altered it beyond recognition. Rarity was impressed by the little tailors work, most notably the cuts he used and the seams. The fashionista claimed that only she could make such fine tailoring, which made Stitches beam. He had to remake the costume from scratch, though.

As he made his egress, he looked at all the wonderful costumes everypony wore. He was struck by how intricate many of them were. Pinkie Pie's was probably the most elaborate, though he couldn't guess what in Equestria she was. He passed by many costumed ponies before something caught his eyes, including a sea foam unicorn mare walking upright on her hindlegs, wearing an elaborate dark suit. Parsing the crowd, though on delicate hooves, was Sweetie Belle. Or at least, Stitches thought it was Sweetie Belle. He ran to catch up to her.

"Hey!" he calls out.

The filly he chases turns around and it… Diamond Tiara?

"Diamond?"

The violet maned filly smiles, saying, "Stitches! I'm so glad I found you!"

Dee Tee approaches Stitches wearing a costume that greatly resembles Sweetie Belle. He had a hard time concentrating on Diamond's face because the costume is skin tight. Despite her thick winter coat, Dee Tee's costume conforms to every curve of her body. To enhance the effect, she is also sashaying a little as she walks.

"So" she asks, "what do you think?"

Stitches burbles incoherently.

"Ah, you're such a sweetheart!"

Stitches’ tongue then comes blessedly loose. He manages to clear his head of graphic imagery and returns to the present.

"By all things bright, Diamond, what are you wearing?"

"Do you like it?"

"I'd be lying if I said no."

Dee Tee gives a girlish giggle, saying, "I was hoping you would. I didn't think you'd see it, seeing as you're late."

"Late? For what?"

Dee Tee facehoofs, “The Canterlot soirée? Did you forget?”

“Oh, yeah, that,” Stitches says, “I decided not to go. Sorry for not telling you sooner. I was a little wrapped up in my work…”

Stitches lifts a hoof to show his handiwork. Diamond Tiara’s left eyebrow raises questioningly.

“We Crusaders are going as a troupe of waiters. Snips is our maitreâ’d.”

“Oh,” DeeTee scoffs, “how wonderful.”

“Listen, I gotta go. I was to meet Silver and Snips like five minutes ago. I’ll catch you later.”

“W-wait!” Diamond called, “My plans for the evening kinda fell through. Daddy caught a virus; he’s been laid up in bed for almost three days now. If it’s okay, I wanna tag along.”

Stitches raised an eyebrow then shrugged, “I dunno, Diamond. I’m going out with the Crusaders tonight. I don’t think they would receive you well.”

Dee Tee gave a nervous laugh, “W-well, the Cutie Mark Cry- Crusaders and I have a thing, uh, history. But I promise not to do anything that will incite rancor.”

Another raised eyebrow from Stitches, “Pinkie Pie swear?”

Diamond Tiara groaned. Of course she would need to swear not to cause trouble. The Crusaders are Stitches’ friends; to have the tailor, Dee Tee would tolerate them for one night.

“Okay,” the filly aid, and she took the oath, “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“Good,” Stitches said, “now let’s go. Silver is probably pretty upset about late I am…”

The scarlet Colt and lilac filly wade through the crowd to reach Silver Spoon’s house. Said pony is waiting at the front gate with her coltfriend, Snips. Both are donning their Stitches made costume.

“It’s about time!” Silver says, “What happened to you? I was begi- Oh, now I know.”

"Hello, traitor." said Diamond Tiara icily.

Silver Spoon's reply was just as cold, "Hello, bitch."

"Uh-oh." Snips bemoans.

"What?" Stitches asks.

"These two are gonna go at it," Snips replies, "They were friends once, and maybe more than that, but some shit happened and now they- re not. Spoony told me it was because of what happened after the fiasco in Baltimare. I was there when that happened. It was- bad."

"Wha-?"

"Some stallion tried to force himself on her. I know Spoony's hot and all, but that ain't right…"

"Long time, no betray! Say, how are you and the Cutie Mark Crybabies getting along?" Diamond sneers.

"Much better now that I don't have to suck up to your fat ass," Silver jeers.

"Oh, is that how it is?"

Silver nods, adding, "And I don't have to worry about you stealing anything of mine or cutting out in times of need."

"I thought we put that fainting spell with the timber wolves behind us?"

"If only!" Silver spits, "That wasn't the only time you bailed on me. Or don't you remember?"

"What are on about?" snarls Diamond.

"You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about! You bailed on me when we went clubbing that time in Baltimare. I was stuck with that behemoth while you went you got your freak on. Then again, that's how you are: all you, all the time." Silver railed.

Diamond replies, "At least you had a good time, right?"

"I sure as fuck did not! That stallion almost RAPED ME!"

"But he didn't, did he?" Diamond asked with a nervous laugh.

"No thanks to YOU! Thank Celestia Snips was there, visiting family. "

Diamond waves a dismissive hoof and says, "Okay, whatever…"

"No, not whatever! You were my friend. Not just any friend, my Best Pony Friend Forever. There were times when I thought we might be more. We fooled around a lot when we were younger. I really thought that… Then I find out that you didn't see me that way… And you started to fooling around with that other filly. I didn't care what her name was… I thought I was special to you. I wasted so much time on your ass… So what if your family is rich. You can't buy class!"

"Diamond!" Stitches cries, "You Pinkie Promised!"

Diamond sputters for a moment. That last comment hit her hard. She was about to make a reply when something soft splattered on her face.

"YOU BROKE A PINKIE PROMISE!"

A blur of candied pony sailed toward Diamond as she tried to remove cupcake from her left eye. Her left beheld an irate Pinkie Pie, her mane straightened out from her normal poofiness.

"Nopony breaks a Pinkie promise!" 

Startled, Diamond shuffles backwards- only to run into Sweetie Belle.

"Ouch! What the hay-!"

"Oh, great, I just had to run into Tinkered Belle."

"Diamond Tiara? What's goin' on? Why are you here instead of at Canterlot?"

Diamond tries to answer, but she stammers an incoherent answer.

"Sweetie Belle!" rings Stitches, "Diamond's dad got sick so he couldn't make the trip to Canterlot. I was gonna invite her to pal around with us. I dunno if that's wise now…"

"Well," Sweets jeers, "Isn't that just awful?"

"Go braid your hair in a combine, Sweetie Belle."

"You first, Cubic Zirconium!"

Without forewarning, Diamond turns and bucks Sweetie Belle in the chest. The pale gray filly flies backward, landing in a heap. Her vision is a blurry and the place where Dee Tee's hooves hit throbs madly.

"DIAMOND?!" Stitches yells.

The scarlet colt runs towards Sweets, followed by Silver and Snips. Diamond looks mildly pleased with herself. Her smirk falters when Stitches turns to her.

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!"

"I- I had to! She was insulting me!"

"You didn't help!" Stitches roars, "You got all snarky when Sweetie Belle showed up."

"She shouldn't gotten up in my grill."

Stitches snarls, making Diamond unnerved.

"You promised, Diamond. You Pinkie Pie swore that you wouldn't cause trouble!"

"Wait, Stitches…"

Before Diamond can protest further, Pinkie Pie gets up in her muzzle. She watches as Stitches, Sweets, Silver, and Snips walk away, the tailor pony shaking his head in disapproval.

"I hope she doesn't have any broken bones. She looks terrible…" Stitches tells Silver as they carry Sweetie away. Diamond watches them as they leave, finally losing them in the crowd moments later.

"Hey, HEY! Pay attention here!" Pinkie Pie says.



The lilac filly charges through the manse, ignoring her mother's shocked gasp. She is sobbing wildly. Cantering up the stairs to her room, Diamond Tiara hardly notices her sister peeking from around a corner. Her face is momentarily expressionless. Dee Tee reaches her room, bashes her door open, then slams it shut.

Pearl Tiara looks upon the door of her younger sister with alarm. She goes to the door and knocks three times.

"Dee Dee?"

Silence from beyond the door.

Pearl knocks again, "Dee Dee?"

"Go away, Pearlie."

Oblivious, Pearl knocks again.

"Dee Dee, what's wong?"

"Nothing," Diamond hisses, "Now, go, a, way!"

Pearl tries knocking on the door. Several attempts to coax her sister from her room are fruitless. On her nineteenth and final attempt, Pearl hears the sound of hooves dropping from the bed and plodding to the door. The door flies upon, smacking Pearl in the snout. Blood flies as Pearl collapses to the ground. Diamond sees the scene play out in slow motion, mollified.

"Oh no-" she whispers, "Pearl!"

She pulls a now semi-conscious Pearl into her room. Once she has her sister comfortably situated, she grabs a towel from her bathroom and mops up the blood. Meanwhile, Pearl is starting to stir. Her eyes water as the pain finally hits.

"No, no, Pearl, oh gosh, I'm so sorry…"

Diamond runs to her sister, quietly closing the door behind her. She doesn't want her mother finding out what happened here…

"Oh, Pearl, I'm so sorry…"

"Ow." the periwinkle mare moans.

"Pearly…"

"Dee Dee, dat hurd."

"I know, I know, I'm so sorry!"

"Why u mad?" Pearl asks.

"Mad? I'm not mad. Unless you mean crazy, then I must be, because I keep chasin' this tailor and I can't seem to garner so much as a glance from him!"

Pearl shakes her head and repeats, "Why u mad?"

Confused, Diamond asks, "Sad? Do you mean 'sad'?"

Pearl nods, "Yah, why u mad?"

Diamond sighs and tells her sister, "It's about Stitches again. I show up looking for him, in this ridiculous costume no less, and he can barely say anything about it! I think he liked it, but instead of coming with me, he just has to go with his friends. Oh, and he conveniently forgot to tell me he wasn't coming. I hope Daddy didn't wait long…"

"Nope," Pearl confirms, "He lefd. Sed he couldan wait enny longer."

Diamond sighs again, "That figures. Another opportunity to catch the eye of the tailor and I get upstaged by the prima donna. What am I doing wrong, Pearl?"

The periwinkle pony in just shrugs. She has no advise to give her younger sister.

"DIAMOND TIARA!"

"Oh, fuck-!"

Diamond's door crashes open, this time by Embellishment's hooves.

"Would you mind, little filly, explaining why you are here, at home, when your father stood waiting for almost an hour for you to turn up? He left for Canterlot when he assumed you weren't going to show. Can you explain yourself? And why is your sister's nose bleeding?!"

Diamond explains, "I ran into a- friend of mine in town. I had asked them if they wanted to go but- things got complicated. Then Pinkie Pie gave me an hour long rant about breaking promises. And Pearl's nose is bleeding because I accidentally slammed the door in her face?"

Embellishment seethes, "Diamond Tiara…!"

"Umma?"

Embellishment's face softens, "Yes, Pearly-poo?"

"DeeDee is mad. She makes cry and she hurt. Can Umma leave her alone tonight? Pwease?"

Embellishment looks torn. Diamond Tiara deserves to be punished for hurting her sister, but Pearl is defending her. Could she-?

"Ahem! All right, Pearly-poo, as a favor to you, I will not punish DieTie. She will be grounded for a month, though. I expect so much better from you both."

With that last admonishment, Embellishment leaves, closing the door. Diamond is on the verge of crying again.

"Pearly? Why did you do that?"

"You were sad," Pearl explains, her voice clear now that her bleeding is staunched, "You were hurting so much, Dee Dee."

Diamond can't hold the tears in any longer. She hugs her sister, thankful she won't go to bed with welts and bruises. She thinks, If only I were more like you, Pearl. If only…



"I'm so sorry you guys," Sweetie Belle says, "I honestly didn't think Dee Tee hit me that hard."

"It's okay, sugahcube," Apple Bloom said, "Ah didn't expect her to get so- aggro."

"That," Stitches interjects, "was so random. Is she always like that to you guys?"

"Pretty much," Scootaloo says, "It wasn't as bad when we didn't have our cutie marks. She would just fling snide remarks and stuff."

Silver Spoon has been quiet until now. She seems tormented by something.

Stitches inquires, "Did you have something to say Silver?"

"Yeah," the silver filly says, "I think you heard plenty when I was arguing with Dee Tee. Well, there's a lot more to the story than that. Let's just say, I used to be Diamond's little pet project."

"And you're not anymore?" Scootaloo questions.

Silver shakes her head.

"What's past is past," Stitches says, "Silver is my friend, not Diamond's. She helped us instead of backing up Diamond. You're okay in book, Spoony."

"Thanks, Stitches," Silver says, "You're pretty cool, too."

"OKAY," Scootaloo declaims, "Now that mutual admiration society is done with, can we attempt to enjoy this Nightmare Night?"

"Now wait a minute, darlings," Rarity said, as she assisted her sister into her costume, "My sister is still injured! Honestly, I don't know what ruffian struck you, but the damage is serious- What is this material? It is so luxurious!"

"That's a silk blend, Miss Rarity," Stitches says, "I found it when my mom was cleaning the costume shop one night. It took forever to find a suitable amount to make these costumes."

"Wherever did you get it?" Rarity asks, incredulous.

"Umm, let's just say I had to order it by mail and leave to that."

"Oh, it is so soft… Would you mind telling me where you ordered it from, Darling?"

Stitches shakes his head, saying only "Trade secret."

Rarity huffs and continues dressing Sweetie's wounds.

"Okay, Rarity, I think I can do the rest myself," Sweets says, "and thanks."

"You're welcome, little sister," the fashionista says, "but you take care. I don't want to here about you getting into any more fights. Mother and Father will worry!"

"I won't," Sweets says, "I just want hang with my friends. And maybe get some candy."

"And Stitchen Time?"

The scarlet colt spins on hoof at the mention of his name.

"You have real talent. Maybe someday we could work on a project together?"

"I would love that, Miss Rarity." Stitches beams.

As the Crusaders leave, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom snicker. Silver seems on the verge of exploding into a giggle fit, too. Stitches is bemused by their behavior. 

"Okay, you lot, what's so funny?"

"'Yes, Miss Rarity.' 'It's a trade secret, Miss Rarity.' 'I would love that, Miss Rarity.'" sneers Snips.

"Oh, yeah, very mature," Stitches ripostes, "like I haven't seen the shrine to Fluttershy you have your room, Snips."

"Ah-ha!!" Silver quavers, "I thought you took that down?!"

Snips laughs uneasily.

"I haven't taken it down completely."

Silver huffs. The Crusaders have now gotten to the town square, were the Nightmare Night festivities are taking place. Foals of every age are running through the square; Vinyl Scratch has set up a stage where she blasts eerie party music on the scene. Somepony nearby is humming "This is Nightmare Night" just below the wubs.

"Naughty, naughty," Twist jeers, the company stopping in front of a spider toss game, "Snippy has a shrine to sweet ole Fluttershy!"

Snips takes a swipe at Twist and misses.

"Fillies and gentlecolts," Stitches deadpans, "fillies and gentelcolts…"

Snips now takes a swipe at Stitches and connects. It was a playful blow, but Stitches has a shallow pain threshold.

"Ow! What the bucking Hell, Snips?"

"Relax, Stitch," Snips replies, "I'm just playin'."

Stitches rubs the spot on his foreleg where Snips hit him, "Coulda fooled me."

Twist draws everpony's attention with a gasp.

"Look you guys, it's Princess Luna!"

The Crusaders gawk as the Goddess of the Moon strides through the town square. The Sister Princess is striding among foals and foals-at-heart, admiring the costumes and laughing when somepony tells her a funny joke.

"Whoa…" Stitches breathes, "Princess Luna. Does- does she come here every year for Nightmare Night?"

"Pretty much," Sweets says, "she says that Ponyville puts on the most enthusiastic celebration she knows."

"And with a whole kingdom to ponder…"

"Just be glad she don't use the Equestrian Voice ennymore," Bloom remarks, "Ah don't think my ears can handle the volume…"

As if on cue, The Moon Goddess glides over to them. The crowd of adoring foals and ravenous press part as she moves. She stops only to behold the Crusaders.

"Apple Bloom, it's so nice to see you again."

"Likewise, yer Majesty." Apple Bloom says, bowing.

"Scootaloo, it's been a long time. Have you been sleeping well?"

"Yes, your Majesty."

"Sweetie Belle, how are you? Haven't ruined any of your sister's creations again?"

"I'm doing well, your Majesty. I help out when I can, but I generally stay away from Rarity's workshop. And what about you?"

"I'm doing well, Sweetie Belle, thank you. Snips, Silver Spoon, it is a pleasure."

"She knows my name…" Silver breathes.

"She's a princess who walks through dreams,"  quips Snips, "of course she knows your name!"

"And this stranger," the Lunar Princess coos, "Ah, I remember you. You made a very elegant Night Mare Moon ensemble a few years ago. I heard about it, but have never seen it. I believe your name is… Stitchen Time, yes?"

"Y-yes, y-your Maj- *gulp* Majesty!" stammers Stitches.

"I would love to see it sometime," Princess Luna says warmly, "it's not every day somepony tries to dress like me."

"It would be my greatest honor, Princess Luna."

"I hope all of my subjects have a wonderful Nightmare Night," the Princess says, "and remember… FORGET NOT TO BRING ME TRIBUTE OR SOON YOUR SOUL I'LL STEAL!"

Stitches held his hoof to his ears. He couldn't remember a louder sound in his life.

"Goddess of the Night…" he whispers.

"Yeah," Sweets shouts, "you never get used to it!"

"What?!" Stitches yells.

"Never mind!"

"Would I mind?" the tailor colt said.

"What?"

Sweetie has no warning. Stitches makes contact with her lips and presses into them. Her chest hurts, but whether from Diamond Tiara's kick, this kiss or the fluttering of her heart, she can't say. Why are his lips so soft?

Behind her, giggling conspiratorially, are Bloom and Scoots. Scootaloo mouths the word "stalker" behind her hooves. Silver and Snips are still arguing over the unicorn colt's Fluttershy shrine. Most of the crowd is moving away from the scene. Few notice the string of adolescent foals stopped in the middle of the square.

When Stitches breaks away from the kiss, he looks at Sweetie Belle. He face is a caricature of surprise. He waves a hoof in front of her; her eyes blink when he does. Is she catatonic?

"Sweetie Belle?"

"Uh, I'm okay."

"Hey guys," Twists says, "I thought we were gonna get some candy."

"Oh, right!" Sweets exclaims.

Candy was the furthest thing from her mind. She spent the rest of Nightmare Night thinking of Stitchen. When she went to bed that night, Stitches appeared in her dreams as well. Oh, I hope Princess Luna doesn't see any of this. Sweetie thought, maybe Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are right. He is kinda cute…