//------------------------------// // The Basic Day of Preparation // Story: A Lost Sunset // by KingJoltik //------------------------------// 'Halloween? What's that?!' thought Twilight as she stared at the book. She quickly put it down and pulled out an encyclopedia in her room's bookshelf. 'Halloween...Halloween...hmm...can't find it. Is it an Earth thing? Guess I better tell Sunset no.' No. I haven't. I tried looking it up but I don't see anything about a holiday called 'Halloween'. What is it? 'I thought so...' Sunset thought as she read the glowing letters. 'I had a nagging feeling she was going to say that.' It's a holiday where everyone dresses up in costumes and try to scare each other. That or get free candy. At least that's what I've been told. 'Free candy...and everypony dressing up and scaring others?! It sounds just like Nightmare Night! But that's...then again, everything she's told me about her world is-' “Twily! Supper's ready!” Shining yelled, his voice piercing Twilight's ears. “I'll be down in a minute!” Twilight turned back to the book. 'Okay Twilight, think about this for a second. Earth has a weird sounding holiday called Halloween that sounds a lot like Nightmare Night...which Princess Celestia told me exists because of Nightmare Moon...huh. Wonder what Halloween's origin is?' “Twily! Come on down or I'm gonna eat your portion!” “Don't you dare Shining!” Twilight screamed back. She quickly levitated her pen to the book. Sorry Sunset, I gotta go. I'm having supper with my family right now. I'll ask Princess Celestia tomorrow. Okay. Talk to you later. Sunset closed the book and laid back down on her bed. 'Darn. Still no real answers...' She stared deep into the ceiling as she continued to think. 'Guess I'll find out tomorrow. Its weird...it feels like I've done this holiday before but I know I've never heard of Halloween. Oh well...' The next day... Sunset woke up in her usual manner and quickly freshened up. After a few minutes, she found herself shuffling into the kitchen once more. There, she saw a very different sight compared to her usual mornings. “Give me my cup back!” Luna whined as her arms flailed up and down. “Give it back right now!” “No Luna! You've had enough! I just watched you chug down your eighth cup! This morning!” “What?!” Luna screeched. “I'll have you know that that is my fifteenth cup this morning!” “Even more reason for you to not have anymore coffee.” Celestia deadpanned. “Oh yeah?” Luna's eyebrow cocked as she folded her arms. “What if I said that about cake?” Celestia leaned in, her eyes squinting with a smug frown. “You wouldn't dare.” Luna's face shined a massive grin. “Try me.” As the two continued to bicker, Sunset tip-toed to the kitchen counter. There, she made herself a small cup of coffee, silently drank it and left to get her backpack. 'Don't question it Sunset...' she thought. 'Just get your stuff, get to school and meet Rarity after school...and meet up with the Music Club beforehand.' She looked back at the duo. 'And make sure you can get a ride before their argument makes you late for school...' A few hours later... “Trixie! I'm here! Where are...” Sunset peeked her head into the clubroom, only to see one resident. The resident's name was one Sunset knew well: Screwball. “Oh, hey Screwball. Where is everybody?” “I dunno.” Screwball shrugged with her usual goofy grin. “I'm guessing they're getting some other stuff for the party.” “The party...right. I still need some practice for that.” Sunset said as she scratched her head in thought. 'This isn't good. Where are they? I'm on a time limit since I need to meet up with Rarity later.' “Don't worry about it Sunset.” Screwball replied, her tongue sticking out. “I bet they'll be back soon. Say, what are you going as for Halloween?” “Me? I...have no idea. I'm about to find out after school today.” “Oh, okay.” Screwball pulled out her trombone and began playing. Sunset, deciding she would just wait for the other club members, soon followed Screwball. A few moments later, Sunset had pulled out one of the spare guitars and began practicing. It wasn't long till they finally had company. “As Trixie was saying, Trixie will be-Sunset! There you are!” Trixie yelled as she entered the room with Octavia and Vinyl. “Where have you been?!” “I've been here...in the clubroom. You know, the place we usually go to practice.” “Oh. Right...” “You're still yelling everything.” Screwball said, a mischievous grin forming on her face. “Be quiet prankster or Trixie will-” Trixie quickly stopped and ducked her head, expecting a pie to her face. Instead, Screwball just sat there, giggling. “What was that? Trying some kind of new dance Trixie?” Vinyl said, laughing. “Shut up! That blasted prankster has been throwing pies at Trixie for the past few days now and Trixie finds it very annoying!” “So you're reflexively trying to dodge them now?” Sunset asked, “Aren't you overreacting?” “You be quiet too Sunset! Trixie is allowed to do whatever she wants, even if it's trying to dodge pies!” “Right...okay.” Sunset said with slight hesitation. “Sorry Trixie.” “It's fine Sunset. Trixie is just...wait a minute!” she exclaimed. “She's gone! Where did that blasted prankster go?!” “She went that way.” Vinyl pointed to the door. “Oh. Well...Trixie will just wait here until she comes back. Then Trixie will have revenge.” 'I have feeling that's not gonna work out.' Sunset thought as she remembered the past month and Trixie's failed attempts at revenge. That and the pies that were thrown after said failed attempts. Along with a certain incident involving ham, turkey and a surprising amount of noodles. Unfortunately, the Music Club agreed to never talk about that incident. Some time later... “Hello darling! Ready to get yourself a costume?” Rarity said as Sunset approached her. “I can guarantee to make you look smashing for the party!” “Thanks Rarity, and I guess I'm ready. We're taking your ride, right?” “That's right darling. We'll be there in no time at all!” One over excited car ride later... 'I think I can safely admit that Rarity is a bit more...reckless in terms of driving compared to Celestia.' Sunset thought as she exited Rarity's car. 'Then again, it's nothing compared to Luna's driving...' a shiver went down her spine as she shuddered about the memory. 'I still can't believe that guy survived. That and the coffee shop...' “Are you okay darling?” Rarity asked with a quizzical expression. “You look like you're lost in deep thought.” “Huh? Oh. Sorry about that.” Sunset apologized. “Let's go inside.” “Agreed. Oh, I can't wait!” It wasn't long till Rarity was ready. She rushed through her house, pulling out several racks of clothes in front of Sunset. As Sunset began looking at the costumes Rarity had made, she found herself amazed and completely confused. 'What are some of these?' she thought as her hand felt the clothes. 'Are a bunch of these some Earth thing? Hmm...then again, maybe I've never done anything like this...so why do I feel like I have though?' “See anything you like?” Rarity asked. “I...I'm not sure.” Sunset replied. “Can I be honest with you Rarity?” “Sure darling. What's wrong?” “Um...I think...I don't remember ever doing Halloween.” “What?! How could...oh right. Your amnesia.” a small sigh followed from Rarity along with a sad expression. “I'm so sorry dear. I'm sorry you don't even remember dressing up for Halloween.” “Thanks...and it's fine. Don't worry about it.” Sunset rubbed her chin as she looked at the costumes again. “I don't know Rarity. What do you think I should pick?” “Hmmm...” Rarity joined right by her, looking at the costumes. “I'm not sure darling. All I know is the biggest problem in this...but not it's solution.” “The biggest problem?” “Yes. You see Sunset...remember last time when I had you over here?” “Yeah. You used me as a pincushion.” Sunset deadpanned. “Don't remind me.” “Now now darling, that was for fashion. Anyways...it was then that I realized something about you.” “What did you realize?” “You...well to put it bluntly, I'm sure you with your body would look good in anything. And when I mean anything, I mean anything.” “Oh...that's bad isn't it?” “What?! No! No, of course not darling!” Rarity exclaimed. “You should be happy to have that kind of body!” “Oh...okay.” Sunset said, not sure what to think. “Anyways darling...perhaps I should take your measurements again and make something new then.” “But the Halloween party's tomorrow. Are you sure there's time?” “No, I'm not. That doesn't mean I can't try.” Rarity shined a grin. “Though, I forgot to ask Sunset. Since none of my costumes suit your fancy, do you have any ideas on what you want your costume to be? I know I asked on the way here but...” “I still have no idea. Do you?” “Hmm...” Rarity looked again at what she had already made. “I have to remind myself of past Halloweens and what I've done with them in terms of costumes...especially last year.” “What was last year?” “Oh nothing much. I just wasn't able to go to the school party last year. Me and Applejack had to take my sister and her sister trick-or-treating. I didn't mind doing it, but I missed hanging out with my friends for Halloween. Thankfully, my parents and Applejack's brother are taking them this year.” Rarity rubbed her chin in thought as she looked at the costumes one more time. “You know what Sunset? Part of me just wants to do something classic. Though for some reason, I also think you would look really good as a she-demon.” “A she-demon?” Sunset slightly shrieked. 'Why do I have the feeling I should be really offended by that suggestion?!' “Perhaps something more simple is necessary here.” Rarity sunk her hand into the rack and pulled out a slick, one piece costume. “You said you needed something that fits and you could still play guitar, correct?” “Yeah.” Sunset nodded. “Then how about a kunoichi costume? I can modify it to be very sleek and flexible.” “A kunoichi? What's that?” “It's a female ninja. I believe it will fit you very well...that and you'll look great in anything.” “You already said that Rarity.” Sunset said as she grabbed the costume, looking it over. “Hmm...you think this will work?” “Of course darling. I'll even make sure you can still play guitar with it on.” Sunset glanced at the costume again, her eyes staring at every part. “Okay...yeah, I think I'll like this Rarity.” “Excellent! I'll get started on the modifications immediately!” “Okay...oh, and Rarity?” “Yes darling?” “Thanks.” “No problem darling.” Rarity said with a wave of the hand. Her eyes then began to shine like a pair of gems. “Now, let the Halloween fashion making begin!”