Chapter One: Open For Business
Eye-catching orange-and-black flyers had appeared all over Ponyville. Ponies gathered around, scratching their heads and muttering to each other.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash stood facing one of the flyers. "What th' heck?" Rainbow asked, digging in her ear.
Applejack's muzzle crinkled. "Alright, what's that varmint up to this time?"
"Why don't you come by the shop and see?" Discord's oily voice asked from behind her. As Applejack and Rainbow Dash whirled to face him, he stretched up and addressed the entire crowd. "Why don't you ALL come on down? If you're looking for high-quality Nightmare Night costumes at low low prices, I, Discord, have everything you could ask for and more! There are dozens of unique, original, bold, and daring costumes to choose from, so come on by! Discord's Discount Disguises, YOUR number one source for your Nightmare Night needs!" He snapped his talons and disappeared; a series of arrow-shaped orange and black balloons exploded into existence in midair, forming a trail pointing into the fringes of Ponyville.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash exchanged glances and raced off in the direction the balloons were pointing, followed by a sizeable portion of the crowd.
In a less heavily trodden section of Ponyville, they came upon what had, until yesterday, been a vacant field with a few moldy old piles of hay and a sandbox. In its place, there now stood a two-story edifice that looked like a scaled-down version of the ancient castle in the Everfree Forest. Orange and black flags were strung up on ropes all over the front of the building, and a huge sign was mounted over the drawbridge that said "DISCORD'S DISCOUNT DISGUISES". Outside, a huge table was set up, covered with festive holiday-themed cupcakes and attended by Pinkie Pie. Despite it obviously being Pinkie Pie, she was wearing a hooded black cloak and her face was painted white, with black makeup around her eyes and mouth. Nearby, Fluttershy was dressed in a cuddly bunny suit, the ears flopping over into her face and her long mane peeking out of the hoodie.
Fluttershy addressed the crowd, trying and failing to reach pitch-pony levels of volume, so that her spiel came out in a voice that went from just above her normal speaking voice to a soft, embarrassed whisper, and every degree of Fluttersqueak in between.
"Come one, come all...oh, if you'd like to, I mean we're not going to force you...oh, um, sorry, I have a script...ahem...come inside for HARE-raising deals on the most fun and frightening Nightmare Night costumes—oh, the frightening ones sound awfully frightening, please try to buy the fun ones if you wouldn't mind...Discord's Discount Disguises is the HOPPING! place to be if you want to scare up some fun this Nightmare Night..."
"Fluttershy, whut th' hay're you doin'?" Applejack asked, approaching the timid pony.
"Eep! Oh, uh, hi Applejack, Rainbow Dash." She looked around nervously and took a deep breath. "Discord's opened a costume shop for Nightmare Night, and I'm trying to help him get ponies inside."
"You two should go inside, it's lots of fun!" Pinkie said. "And spooOOOOOOky..." She let out an evil laugh that made Fluttershy jump three feet straight up.
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. "And who told Discord he could just open up a shop in the middle of Ponyville?"
"I did," Twilight Sparkle said from above, descending into the crowd. Ponies bowed respectfully to their princess, but she waved them off.
"Twi, are you off your rocker?" Applejack asked.
"Applejack...we need to start trusting Discord. He's changed. Or did you forget what happened with Tirek?"
Applejack frowned. "Well...alright...Ah reckon he came through for us, but...he's still Discord! He just ain't...he just ain't..." She trailed off.
"That's the attitude that needs to stop if Discord's ever going to become completely, one hundred percent reformed," Twilight said. "I'll admit I still have trust issues when it comes to Discord, but I'm trying. And letting him open this shop is a step in the right direction." She smiled. "It's just a costume shop. He found out about Nightmare Night from Luna and Celestia and thought it sounded like fun, so he decided this would be how he'd take part. I've already been inside, and it looks like he's really into the spirit of things!" She gestured with a hoof. "Go on in, see for yourselves!" She raised her voice. "That goes for everypony! This really is a good place to buy a Nightmare Night costume!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, and ponies lined up to enter the strange little store. Applejack and Rainbow Dash shared a glance, shrugged, and joined the line.
Once they reached the threshold and saw what lay beyond, their eyes widened. "Whoa," Rainbow Dash breathed.
Dozens of aisles were lined up from front to back, with racks of costumes lining the walls of the store. Signs overhead pointed helpfully to different sections: "Scary Monsters", "Get Your Funny On", "Fictional Characters", "Historical Figures", "Mythology", "For Foals", "Something Sexy", "Beyond Imagination". A set of spiralling stone stairs led up to the second level; a sign next to the stairs said "There's More Stuff Upstairs!" Near the front was a huge cashier's stand. Signs here read "Prices Are Negotiable", "All Proceeds Go To Charity", and "Can't Find What You're Looking For? Ask About Custom Orders!"
Discord appeared behind the cashier's stand. "Come in, ladies, come in! Look around, see what tickles your fancy! I've got everything you need for the most fun and memorable Nightmare Night of your lives."
Rainbow Dash rose into the air, hovering above the heads of the shopping ponies. "Okay...I guess I'm kinda-sorta impressed. Maybe." She flew off toward the Fictional Characters section.
"Hey, wait up!" Applejack cried, weaving through the herd to follow her flying friend.
When she caught up, she found Rainbow staring at a complete set of Power Ponies costumes. Applejack frowned. "Been there, done that," she said. She looked around a bit. "Huh. Con Mane spy kit, now that's interestin'."
"There's a Daring Do costume!" Rainbow said excitedly. After a moment, she added, "Eh...but I guess once you've met the real Daring Do, dressing up like her is kinda..." Something caught the corner of her eye, and she turned...and gasped. "Holy crap!"
"Whut?" Applejack asked.
Rainbow zoomed over to a shiny silver costume that was clearly made for a pegasus. "The Silver Soarer," Rainbow said reverently, running her hooves over the costume. "Oh my gosh...when I was a filly in Cloudsdale, I used to love this comic!" She smiled fondly. "I always begged my dad for it every month, and we read it together. The Silver Soarer was my favorite!" She swept the costume up and flew for the front of the store. "How much?" she cried as she dropped down in front of Discord.
Discord eyed the costume she'd selected. "Ooh, excellent choice," he said. "That one is...fifteen bits."
"Wow, that's all? Seriously?"
"Well, the shop is called Discount Disguises."
"Awesome. I'll—" Rainbow paused, smacking herself with a hoof. "Ah, crap! I don't have any money with me!" She looked down sadly at the costume.
Discord waved a paw. "I'll ring it up for you," he said. "I'll send Fluttershy over to collect later. Or I'll be by myself. Whichever."
"Seriously? Awesome!" Rainbow did a flip in the air.
"Glad to see you so excited, Rainbow Dash," Discord said with a smile. He wrote up a bill of sale, keeping the pink copy for himself, and put the costume in a bag. "There you go, hope you have a happy Nightmare Night!"
Applejack left the Fictional Characters section, wandering into the Monsters section. She chuckled at a wolfpony costume, then recoiled in disgust from a giant spider costume. She rolled her eyes at a vampire bat costume and shuddered at a cragodile costume. She decided to head for the Mythology section, but stopped when she saw a familiar pink bow disappear into the For Foals section. She crept in that direction and heard giggling; the Cutie Mark Crusaders were bouncing around, looking at everything. The costumes in that section were a bizarre mix of everything up to and including the kitchen sink—no, seriously, there was actually a kitchen sink costume. Applejack rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Hey girls," she said.
"Applejack!" Apple Bloom cried. "Check this place out, it's amazing!"
"Are you buying a costume too?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Applejack shrugged. "Ah dunno, maybe. Rainbow Dash already bought one." She looked around. "Well, you girls have fun...Ah'm gonna go, uh...look in that other section." She trotted off, glancing around warily before ducking into the Something Sexy section.
* * * * *
Word spread quickly, and by the end of the first week, nearly every pony, donkey, and cow in Ponyville had visited Discord's shop. Even Zecora had dropped by. Very few shoppers left without buying something.
"I have to admit, I'm impressed," Twilight said to Spike as she read a thick, dusty old book from the old castle. "Discord's making a real effort to fit in and belong. His shop is amazing!"
"Yeah, it's the talk of the town," Spike said. "I found a really spiffy costume!"
"Oh? I didn't see you come in with one."
"I'm keeping it a secret until Nightmare Night," Spike said. "Don't you dare peek."
Twilight giggled. "Alright, Spike." She sighed. "I can't decide on what costume I want. I've been in three times...there's just so many choices, I can't make up my mind!"
"I'm surprised you're not going as Starswirl the Bearded again."
"Even I got sick of that one last year," Twilight said. "I need something new. I just don't know what."
"Well, you've still got time."
* * * * *
Princesses Luna and Celestia dropped by Discord's Discount Disguises one evening. "This is quite an impressive store," Celestia said. "You've truly done well here."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Discord said, bowing. "My humble shop has been a big hit. I predict Nightmare Night will be unforgettable this year." He looked at the two princesses. "Perhaps I can interest the two of you in costumes?"
Luna frowned. "I traditionally attend Nightmare Night in the guise of my former, corrupted self..."
"Oh, come now, Luna," Discord said. "Change is a good thing! You can always do your little Nightmare Moon act right at the end, but why not try something new? Something different?"
"It could be fun, Luna," Celestia said. "I wouldn't mind having a look around myself. There's bound to be something here I'd like..." She frowned. "The problem is finding anything in my size..."
"Oh, alterations are no problem, I assure you," Discord said with a grin. "Go ahead, look around, take your pick! Anything in the store, on the house."
"Well...alright, why not," Luna said. She gave a girlish giggle. "Come, sister! The revelry of shopping calls to me!"
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Very good, it shall be te most chaotic nightmare night ever! And I think I can guess what it is but I don't wan to spoil it.
This is tres, tres grand. Trixie needs to become his sales associate.
But this is acually the second story today I've seen involving Discord and costumes. And it's just as good!
That's a good way to end a chapter
Can't wait for the next one! Keep up the good work.
Oh....my.
I had no idea applejack cared about....that stuff.
Heh. I like how you have Applejack brush off the Power Ponies costumes and then have Rainbow Dash get excited for the Silver
SurferSoarer costume.Excellently chaotic. All I can do is demand more.
Oh boy. I can just see Discord smirking on the inside. Unless the story's a massive double bluff and he really, genuinely just wants to have fun...
We'll see.
In any case, looking forward to more, though I'm not sure how you'll extend this until Halloween. Everypony seems to have already made their selections.
5174213 Tomorrow you'll begin to understand WHY there are eleven chapters to this story.
so they are going to turn into their costumes?
So is this going to be an MLP version of The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XVI: I've Grown a Costume on Your Face which is also a parody of Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge?
5174386 Probably not, since I don't get that reference.
5174289 knowing Discord, probably.
Can hardly wait to see what everyone dresses up as.
Though what I know from what you said about the story...and AJ looking in "Something Sexy"...oh boy.
5174213
Could be, but I'm positive he's up to something.
5174288
I'm going to guess that these "costumes" are a bit more like transformations, hopefully temporary ones...
he's going to turn everyone into what they dress as isn't he?
My guess is that they will end up changing into whatever they picked until they say "Discord" three times backwards while hopping up and down on one leg and brushing their teeth.
I have a feeling that those costumes could end up being more than just costumes.
If you've watched the halloween themed Jimmy Neutron episodes, you'll know what I mean.
Hmmm three d's in succession? Discord is the king of chaos... I know King DeDeDe right?
OOOH BOY. I love this story so much already after only two chapters. The idea that Discord is trying to fit in and is actually doing it well? It makes me wish that it was actually some outside force and not Discord himself that would cause chaos on Nightmare Night, for the sole purpose of not wanting him to get all that trust for him taken away by the end of this story, especially with how much its being shown that they're trusting him after the Tirek incident. But keep up the good work, this is amazing!
Oh god of chaos what are you up to now. This story is hilarious. I wish I could write this well.
Where AJ went into was just too funny.
This is gonna be good!
I can't wait to see what chaos is wreaked by Discord. Or somepony else wreaks on Discord.
5174960
Eh, considering how sincere he seemed after the Tirek incident, I can probably see it going like this: Discord wreaks havoc in some way, everypony's mad at first, but then they all realize how much fun they had. That's my opinion on it, anyway...
I haven't read this yet, but I can totally see Discord selling costumes and then when they are worn on Nightmare Night everyone turning into whatever their costume is....
I have a strong suspicion how this is all going to turn out, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it anyway. I always enjoyed the 'wacky hijinks with costumes' kind of stories.
31.media.tumblr.com/0a7344d98b4366c21adcaa4547a3f2ba/tumblr_inline_nc09ga2AAO1rt6qr4.gif
Time to pull out the industrial popcorn maker and butter melter, cause this is going to be fun to watch.
5175156
I think that exactly that will happen. This is Discord after all.
Man, as soon as Discord went into his salesman spiel, I couldn't stop reading his voice as Bartley from Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. I just couldn't shake it.
Also, nice work on Hawkershy!
It's only entertaining if the ponies get mentally effected by the costumes. After all, everypony knows that being in character is half the fun of Nightmare Night right?
5175561 When Pinkie shows up in this, you are going to go nuts.
(I mean, over her Nightmare Night costume.)
5175602 Indeed!
Also hello again Alex.
5175771
Howdy.
And I'm one of those guys who only enjoys a good TF if the characters mind is effected by the change.
(During he Tartarus Break Out War in the Pinkie Pie variety show special, Sweetie Belle ends up being turned into a little changeling queen, and changes five goblins into her own little changeling minions, and keeps listing off the advantages to being a changeling if ponies would just give it a try. I'd say more, but the rest isn't posted here yet. )
5175790 You and me both. Gradual corruption/mind alteration that goes with Tf is my absolute favorite. Doubley so if the two go hand in hand. Afterall, why force someone to accept a fate when they can willingly enjoy it?
Though I am a bit of a sap for status quo and love happy/good endings.
5175829
I prefer the idea the ponies are OBLIVIOUS to the mental changes. That is the best.
5175835 Even better.
I WANT- NO, NEED MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!
5176060 Like the story description says, there'll be one chapter per day until Halloween.
I think I'd find it cool if once Nightmare Night came around, once you put on a costume, it became real, but you could take it off again at the end of the night, and then anytime you put it on afterwards, you could have the same effect. With any costume.
I'd also be cool if you could include my OC Summer Dash in your story as a wolfpony. Because of this: http://chat.ponytopia.net/profile/Summer_Dash
Maybe include powers too?
Or not. Your choice.
Either way, I've got you one thing here. Permission for an OC, no strings attached.
5176208
I hope someone will find the perfect costume there: A Bow-Tie.
Not a normal Bow-Tie, of course. On Nightmare Night Eve, and only on Nightmare Night Eve, it will make the flesh and skin of the one who is wearing it invisible - leaving only his skeleton to see. And the Bow-Tie, of course.
Can anyone imagine a better Nightmare Night costume?
Also, you stole my idea. I once went trick-and-treating as a kitchen sink.
5176347 Uhh...you do realize that 11 chapters posted one chapter a day for 11 days is actually a lot of updates over a fairly short period of time, right?
And that I have another story that updates daily, and another still that updates weekly?
And I'm working on all three of these stories at the same time?
Glad to see this out and about
I knew it was coming, but I had been away for some time from my computer even though it says I've been online lol I just don't like to log out 
"ballons" balloons...
Hmm... Do the costumes all disappear on nightmare night... that would be soo sad...
I think it's the general "Transform into costume" ,,, but I think it's gonna be something more... Perhaps all these creatures are real and they switch places with them, taking them into other realities, Or an 'see what it's like in this monster's shoes' type of thing...
I'm liking this can't wait for more chapters
This is going to be LEGENDARY! Awesome idea, and can't wait to see where it goes!
Am I the only one getting a huge "Needful Things" vibe from the scene with Rainbow?
I'm kinda surprised. All this talk about costumes and things of clothing and no mention of Rarity. Hmmm... She must be holed up in her shop, muttering to herself "Beaten by Discord at fashion" over and over again, eye twitching every now and again.
Looking forward to this Mythril. Knock it outta the park!
oh maaaan i LOOOOOVE this fanfiction ^^ i always imaged Discord to open a crazy or epic store ^^
Extremely creative idea, I like it. Have a like and a fav.
The Ethan Rayne vibes are getting stronger. I mean c'mon, chaos god and costumes? The medium's been dropped but hay, I don' care!
dis gon b gud.