> Costumes
>  by Talon and Thorn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Two mares and a rabbit walk into a haunted house
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Evening Trixie,” said Pokey as he wandered into the residence, “You look a bit different today,” he pondered his employer for a second “Did you do something with your mane.”
 
“Oh, ha ha ha, I’m in costume, just like everyone else today,” she turned a on the spot to let her assistant get a good look at her. In place of her normal cape and wizard’s hat she instead wore a black formal suit with its tails draped over her flanks and a frilly white shirt. On her head sat a tall top hat. The costume looked a little baggy on her. “Today I am not the great and powerful Trixie, I am Quartermoon the Magnificent,” she bowed, “One of the things Princess Luna said we could dress as is someone we admire and there was no better magician than grand-père. “ Trixie’s eyes dropped for a moment and she almost seemed to shrink, “I miss him,” she said in a small voice.
 
“I’m sure he’d be very proud of you,” reassured Pokey feeling rather awkward. “Anyway, the beard’s a nice touch,” he gestured at the neatly trimmed goatee on Trixie’s chin, “It looks almost real?” he gave it a tug with his magic.
 
“Ow. It is real,” said Trixie perking up. “I found the spell for it in one of the books I borrowed from Twilight.”
 
“Does she know you still have them? And can I borrow it now you’re done?”
 
“What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her, and I knew you can’t grow your own,” she grinned in triumph.
 
“I could if I wanted to,” argued Pokey looking sheepish, “I just don’t have the time. The spell doesn’t have any side effects does it?” He looked intrigued and slightly horrified.
 
“I don’t think so,” she sounded a little unsure.
 
“Well, it could make you male in other ways...” he trailed off.
 
“Such as?” Trixie’s eyes went wide, “You don’t mean... Oh Luna, no. Why would you even think that?” she shuddered in revulsion.
 
“Anyway it is a nice costume, did Rarity make it?” He said changing the topic.
 
“She offered to, well insisted and pestered would be better words for it, but why have a copy made when you have the original.”
 
“So that’s?”
 
“Yes one of my Grand-père’s own costumes, it needed a bit of taking in to fit, but I think it works almost as well as yours my cute fluffy assistant.”
 
Pokey himself was wearing a grey rabbit suit which covered his entire body, the ears hung loose on his head, his muzzle had a pink nose and whiskers added and a fluffy tail stuck on top of his own completed the costume. “Yeah, well you won that bet probably fair and mostly square. I still don’t know why the apple trust had so many of these things lying around but I’m glad Rarity worked her magic on it and made it slightly less embarrassing, slightly. So what do you think?”
 
“I think I’ll need a bigger hat. Anyway we have a lot to prepare for tonight. Cheerilee should be gathering up the foals to ‘trick or treat’ in less than an hour then I have to put on a show for them.”
 
“Because you so hate doing that and being the centre of attention,” said Pokey sitting at his desk.
 
Trixie glared at him for a second before continuing, “Then Carrot has put on a party for the girls up at her place.”
 
“I still don’t understand why we’re doing all this.”
 
“Because Luna thought it would be a good idea. You had to deliver all these pamphlets, didn’t you read any of them?” Trixie used her aura to lift a small booklet from her desk, on the cover was a smiling image of Luna in strange armour and the words ‘Your guide to Nightmare Night’. “It’s some new holiday that Luna thought up, apparently her twin in that other world though it would ‘double our fun’ or something. Luna thought that with all the Corona based problems Ponyville could do with more fun so she decided to try it out here first,” she started to flip through the pages, “Apparently foals get to extort sweets from the townsfolk, then Luna demands her cut, we all wear costumes and save apples from drowning, among other things. It’s a bit like Mardi-Gras at home.”
 
“Seems strange to me but I guess we shouldn’t question royalty. So what is it you want me to do anyway?”
 
“Well I thought I’d start the show with....”
 





 
“Now Opal,” said Rarity, “Hold still while Mommy finishes fitting your costume.” Restraining the squirming feline in her aura the white unicorn attached the last of the outfit. Once released the cat hissed and ran for a corner to hide her shame.
 
Sighing the fashionista admired herself in the mirror, at least she recognised her good work, even if her pet didn’t. The unicorn was dressed in an elegant black dress which fitted her perfectly, if she did say so herself. It reached the floor and trailed along behind her almost making it seem like she was gliding over the ground. Her normally purple curly locks had been died raven black and straightened so that they framed her face making her white coat stand out even more than normal. The only hint of colour was the blood red lipstick she wore.
 
This new holiday was a literal Luna sent opportunity for her. With ‘Nightmare Night’ premiering in her own home town anypony who was anypony would be flocking to take part. Although most of the visitors would be bringing their own costumes it was still a chance to show off her work. Using her considerable diplomatic skills she had ensure that all of the element bearers would be wearing her costumes, as well as many other notable individuals. Well, almost all of the elements, she noted with irritation, Trixie had been her normal disagreeable self and decided to make her own costume. Still that amateur attempt should make her own efforts look even better by comparison.
 
Deciding she looked as good as she was likely to the costumed unicorn headed down into her basement. On the way she was overcome with a wave of dizziness and nearly fell. She steadied herself and yawned mightily. Finishing all the costumes had been a herculean task and she had rather been burning the candle at both ends to get things finished. It had been two, no three days since she’d had a chance to sleep but sacrifices had to be made for fame.
 
The basement store room had been cleared of the rolls of fabric that normally resided here and in their place stood a large iron cauldron heated by a magical flame. The contents, a faintly glowing greenish liquid was simmering as it had been for several hours now. Rarity had followed the instructions exactly and it was almost time for the last ingredient now. She would have to find some way to thank Twilight for the idea when she got the chance, it was a shame that the noble unicorn hadn’t accepted the costume she’d offered. Still she was sure she would think of something.
 
Taking a last moment to read the spell book again Rarity began to circle the cauldron chanting as she went.
 
“Mimi kusimama hapa mwili wa nyama tayari kuwa roho
Kuja kwangu
kuingia kwangu
Sisi kuwa moja”
 
A faint green mist started to rise from the depths of the liquid.
 
“Mask uso inakuwa
Moyo inakuwa roho
Akili inakuwa tambiko
Nafsi inakuwa mungu”
 
“Mask uso inakuwa
Moyo inakuwa roho
Akili inakuwa tambiko
Nafsi inakuwa mungu”
 
Rarity picked up a large pile of crystals each carefully carved with a rune on it and dropped them into the cauldron before incanting the last part of the spell.
 
“Mimi kuchukua fomu yangu ndani ya fomu yako kuelewa ulimwengu
Kuchukua ya mwili yangu na kufanya kama wewe tafadhali”
 
For a moment nothing happened and Rarity was afraid she had gotten something wrong then a glittering cloud emerged from the liquid with a spider’s web of green lights connecting each particle. Suddenly a wave of energy boiled up from the cauldron bowling the white unicorn off her feel before passing through the buildings walls and spreading out into the town beyond.
 
After a moment Rarity picked herself up and looked around. She suddenly felt amazing, all traces of tiredness and weakness had left her, she felt strong, powerful and a little hungry. She rolled her tongue over her protruding canine teeth, definitely hungry. She should probably get a meal to celebrate her success. Trying to decide where and who to eat Rarity walked up the stairs to her living quarters.
 





 
Trixie had been using her illusion powers to nightmare up the residence when the wave of magic hit her. Luckily she had not been actively perceiving magic as the wave flowed past or shy might have been injured, even so it seemed to her that the sun had suddenly come out in the middle of a moonless night. The shock was enough to knock her from her hooves, “Merde!” she swore as she nursed a bruised fore leg, “What was that?” She turned to her companion, Pokey stood rock still in the centre of the room a green web seeming to cover his form for a second.
 
“Pokey?” repeated Trixie in horror. Then to her dismay his form started to shift, the first thing she noticed was the horn of which he was so proud of disappeared while the ears on his costume filled out and began to twitch. His rear legs grew and folded underneath him while his hooves melted into paws. His muzzle shrunk and the nose and whiskers making up his costume melded to his face, finally his eyes turned solid black. Trixie had a sudden flashback to the horrible accident which had changed Lyra into a bear like creature, but this was different, where previously had stood a stallion now there was a giant rabbit. “Pokey!” Trixie gasped.
 
The creature opened its mouth to reveal long sharp incisors, “Eeeeh, What’s up Trix?” the creature asked with Pokey’s voice.
 
“You can understand me?”
 
“We’ll of course I can, I wouldn’t be much of an assistant if I couldn’t, although you don’t make it easy with that strange accent of yours.”
 
“What strange accent?” she demanded, then shook herself, “Never mind, you’re a rabbit.”
 
“Nothing’s getting past you today is it? I thought you noticed that when you hired me.”
 
“But you were a pony, now you’re a rabbit. What happened?”
 
“Are you sure you haven't started on the Bourbon already? I’ve always been a rabbit, what kind of pony would be called Pokey Bunny?”
 
Floored by this announcement Trixie collapsed onto her seat, a glass, or a bottle of Bourbon did sound good right now. But no, what if Pokey’s transformation was some sort of attack by Corona. She had to get to the bottom of it. Concentrating she cast the ‘Alicorn eyes’ spell Luna had taught her. She blinked, the background magic looked odd, most of the room seemed drained of magic while Pokey almost shone. Strands of magic linked points all over his body holding together dozens of spells; illusions, transfigurations, invocations in a constantly shifting pattern, it was almost beautiful and far beyond her understanding. In some ways it looked like the spells were being generated by Pokey himself.
 
Sighing Trixie deactivated the spell and sat head in hooves wondering what to do, at least only Pokey was effected. Then a horrible thought struck her and she rushed for the door.
 
Outside the town was in chaos
 
In the sky above a dozen wonderbolts flew, at least one of them she recognised as having previously being an earth pony. Animals of various shapes and sizes roamed free, a bear she assumed was once a pony was curiously peering into the second floor of a building while the occupants fled through the back door. A giant ladybird crawled over the roof of sugarcube corner while a pink cavepony mare dragged a white unicorn stallion in a spacepony costume into the building. In the distance a pack of diamond dogs loped through the streets.
 
Switching her magic perceiving spell back on Trixie surveyed the disaster, all of the transformed ponies were webbed with the net of spells in the same way as Pokey although each was covered in a different mix.
 
“Well this is different,” said Pokey standing behind Trixie in the doorway.
 
“This is a disaster, I don’t know what’s going on but I’m sure somepony’s going to blame me for it, somepony always does. I need to tell Luna about this,” she reached for her hat only to realise that the one she wore was her grandfathers and not the one that allowed her to transport messages to Canterlot. She ran back into the house. The hat stand was bear, as was under her chair, the storage cupboard, the kitchen, the bathroom and under her bed.  “Hat, here hat, Hat, Hat!” she called searching under the furniture for the errant item of millinery.
 
“It’s in for its ten thousand letter tune up remember,” said Pokey chewing on a large carrot he had gotten from nowhere.
 
“Oh, yeah,” Trixie remember telling Luna that she was sure she could run one little festival without needing to call for help. “Curse you irony,” she mumbled. She concentrated for a second to see if she could summon it to her but the distance was too great, and the background magic too disrupted, for her to work the spell.
 
“Ok, we’re going to have to fix this by ourselves,” announced Trixie.
 
“How are we going to do that? It’s us against a whole town of transformed ponies. It’s just lucky that neither of us were affected.”
 
Trixie eyed the giant rabbit her assistant had been changed into, “Yeah, lucky,” she nodded, “I don’t know exactly what did this but it’s obviously magic and there's only one pony in this town who knows almost as much about magic as me, Twilight Sparkle!”
 





 
The trip to the library was surprisingly uneventful. It appeared that most of the more rowdy transformed villagers had spread out from the town centre while most of the unaffected inhabitants were hiding at the moment. The most dangerous moment was when a huge black chariot had come rumbling past pulled by a masked stallion. Trixie had had to throw herself to one side to avoid being run down while Pokey had calmly hopped over the whole thing earning himself a look of admiration from the small red and yellow clad passenger.
 
“Road Hog!” screamed Trixie shaking a hoof at the rapidly disappearing vehicle.
 
“Calm down,” said Pokey, “We’re here,” he gestured at the tree than housed Ponyville library, its branches were covered in fake cobwebs, somewhere an owl hooted. “Now we can get Twilight to look at you.”
 
“Good. Wait why me?”
 
“Well obviously you’ve been effected, you thought I was a pony earlier. Maybe that beard is touching your brain?”
 
“There’s nothing wrong with me! It’s the rest of the world that’s crazy.”
 
“Rrrriiiigggghhhht,” said Pokey with a knowing smile.
 
Trying to calm herself Trixie knocked on the door set in the tree trunk.
 
“Happy Nightmare Night!” announced Twilight as she threw the door open. “Trixie? Where are the foals? Why do you have a beard?” She craned her head around to look past her visitors. “The book said that only foals would be collecting treats.” The purple unicorn was wearing a simple sackcloth cloak and hood tied with a plain cord.
 
“It’s an emergency and it’s a costume,” started Trixie before trailing off, “What are you wearing?”
 
“Do you like it? It’s a historically accurate version of Clover the Clever’s outfit as described in Ponyvers ‘The history of our planet volume twenty four’. Most of it’s made from fabric found at the Rhome dig site a few years ago, over two thousand years old and wonderfully preserved. Few know how to do the old style stitching any more but I found a craftspony in Stalliongrad who still did it and I had to get a machine specifically built to plat the cord in the right way. I think it’s worth it to be completely authentic.”
 
Trixie stood mouth open staring at the simple garb, “How much did all that cost?” she asked.
 
“It was quite expensive but probably not more than twenty or thirty thousand bits.”
 
Trixie’s head spun, Twilights costume was probably worth more than most of the other costumes in town together.
 
“That’s a lot of moola,” said Pokey. Twilight stared at him as if noticing his form for the first time.
 
Shaking her head Trixie pushed her way into the library, “Twilight we need to talk.”
 
The inside of the library was just as over decorated as the outside, there was not a single free from cobwebs or lacking a fake spider or rat. “I like what you’ve done with the place,” noted Pokey, “Very homie.”
 
“Why do you have a giant rabbit with you?” Twilight whispered to Trixie.
 
“He’s my assistant,” she hissed back.
 
“Your assistant’s a giant rabbit? Did you pull him out of a hat or something?”
 
“My assistant was a pony wearing a rabbit costume. Then a wave of magic hit and he turned into a rabbit, it’s affected a lot of other ponies around town but not everypony. I’m surprised you didn’t feel it, it knocked me off my hooves.”
 
“I think I might have been in the basement,” said Twilight pacing somewhat nervously, “It’s magically shielded.... to protect the books.”
 
“Magically shielded? Why do books...”
 
“Do you mind if I look at him?” asked Twilight quickly changing the subject, both Trixie and Pokey scowled.
 
“Who’s him? The cat’s father?” asked Pokey, then his face softened and he twitched his whiskers, “Fine, you won’t find anything, but make sure you get my best side.”
 
Twilight’s eyes and horn glowed for a moment as she activated her own spell detection spell. “Oh my,” she gasped, “This is fascinating, so many spells at once, I don’t think I can name even half of them.”
 
“What do you think of the reduced background count,” asked Trixie.
 
“That is interesting, I think the spells are feeding off of the background magic as well as the targets personal magic. It seems familiar, oh no, oh no.” The purple unicorn suddenly took off bouncing from bookcase to bookcase searching for something.
 
“I have that effect on some mares,” said Pokey.
 
Trixie ignored him, “What are you doing? You didn’t have a hoof in this did you?”
 
“No, not me, Rarity,” said Twilight coming to a stop.
 
“Rarity? What’s this got to do with her?”
 
“We’ll she came around last week to try and find some books about costumes. She looked awful. I think she was pushing herself too hard trying to make all the outfits for Nightmare night. Anyway I don’t get too many visitors, I think most of the town is still sore about the Ursa, so we got chatting and I talked to her about this book I’d read about Zebra magic. She must have taken it.”
 
“Zebra Magic! My old nemesis! Why is it always Zebra magic!” cried Trixie.
 
“She’s had some bad experiences with Zebra magic,” noted Pokey.
 
Twilight was rather taken aback by this outburst, but continued anyway, “For many of their ceremonies they wear masks or costumes to appear like a certain totem animal or object, the sun, big cats, etc. and they use magic to, well, become their totem. I think that’s what this is, I didn’t think it was so literal though. I thought it was little more than an illusion to make the costume more realistic. Hardy real magic at all.” Trixie huffed at this. Ignoring her Twilight continued her lecture, “But I remember something about a more powerful version of the spell that allowed the subject to gain the actual physicality and powers of the totem. The powers are drawn from the targets unconsciousness. So if someone thought the totem had the strength to crush a boulder then the spell would grant them that strength, within limits of course.”
 
“So Pokey can do what he thinks a giant rabbit can do?” asked Trixie.
 
“Yes.”
 
“How do we counter the spell then?”
 
“Well the background magic is limited, if we wait long enough it’ll run out and the spells will all wear off but that could take hours maybe even days this near to the Everfree. I can’t remember the reverse spell and Rarity has the original book so we’ll need to get it from her.”
 
“Then we need to get to Rarity’s right now before anypony gets hurt,” yelled Trixie rushing to the door, followed by a gently loping Pokey.
 
Twilight followed them to the door then hesitated.
 
“What is it?” asked Trixie sounding annoyed.
 
“I can’t,” she waved the hoof with the alarm bracelet on it, “If I leave this will go off and I’ll get in serious trouble.”
 
“Come on this is an emergency,” urged Trixie.
 
Twilight paced backwards and forwards looking distressed, then a thought struck her, “Wait you can give me permission to leave, you can shut this off!”
 
“Well, yes but the paperwork! Particularly if I don’t arrange it in advance,” moaned Trixie, “It’s so much easier if you just leave without permission.”
 
“You’d prefer for me to be thrown back in prison rather than having to fill in some forms? How lazy are you?”
 
“She’s got you there doll,” agreed Pokey.
 
“Ok, fine. I Trixie Lulamoon representative to the Night Court of Ponyville hereby give permission for the prisoner Twilight Sparkle to leave her dwelling.” A spark shot from her horn to the bracelet and it glowed with a blue light for a second, “But you owe me.” she grumbled as the three of them walked and hopped towards Carousel Boutique.
 





 
Once again the journey was short and uneventful although cries of panic echoed through the streets.
 
“Ok,” said Trixie, “Now we have to get Rarity to undo the spell she’s placed on the town. Let me do the talking, I’m sure I can sort this all out.” She knocked on the door to the boutique.
 
The door opened on the second knock revealing Rarity, her form wrapped in a flowing black dress and her long black hair falling almost to her hooves. Her normally pale coat was so white it almost sparkled in the moonlight. “Ah, darlings, you must be the takeaway I ordered.” her normal accent seemed to have a hint of something more exotic in it. She did a double take “Trixie? Ms Sparkle? A large rabbit? This is unexpected.”
 
Trixie stared for a second then shook her self, “Rarity, have you been playing around with Zebra magic?” she said without guile.
 
“I don’t know vhat you are talking about, but please come in, we can discuss thiz further.” The white unicorn gestured for them to enter, looking at each other Trixie and Twilight shrugged and entered. Pokey started to hop in after the mares only to be stopped by their hostess. “Iz your pet houze trained?” she asked looking at Pokey suspiciously.
 
“Hey, I ain’t anyponies pet, I’m Trixie’s assistant,” scowled Pokey the expression looking sweet on his lapine face.
 
“Pokey?” gasped Rarity, “Oh, my costume has vorked even better than I had hoped, so realistic, oh, I shall be zo famous for this.” She danced a little jig before remembering herself and glided into the living room of her house.
 
Twilight and Trixie looked around the room, neither had been here before but it was not what they had expected. The room was a mess with off cuts of fabric and sewing equipment strewn all over the place.
 
“Ah, vhere are my manners,” said Rarity using her aura, which for some reason had turned black, to clear a free area for them to sit, “I’ll get you some drinks.” She drifted out of the room.
 
“I think that mare’s a bit loco in the coco you know,” whispered Pokey leaning towards his companions while tapping a paw to his head.
 
“She does seem strange,” agreed Twilight.
 
“I don’t know, she’s always eccentric, but I think she’s lying about the magic, this place is practically humming with it.”
 
“You can feel it to?” asked Twilight. “I can’t tell where it’s coming from but I think..”
 
She was cut off by the return of Rarity. The black clad pony was levitating a bottle of wine and three glasses behind her. “Here you are, nothing but the best for my guests.” She passed the glasses to her companions and filled them up.
 
Trixie tasted the drink, it was very good. “You’re not having any?” she asked.
 
“I don’t drink.... vine,” replied Rarity with a hint of distaste.
 
“Your loss,” said Trixie as she took another swig.
 
“I have to say your costume is very... quaint Trixie. The beard is a nice touch, not many mares could pull one off.”
 
“Thanks,” said Trixie not sure if she was being insulted or not.
 
Twilight put down her glass, “Do you mind if I have a look around?” she asked, “I haven’t seen your house before.”
 
“Oh, I’m afraid there isn’t time for that right now, I’m just about to start dinner.”
 
“What are you having?” asked Twilight politely.
 
Rarity reared back and opened her mouth revealing large canine teeth, on cue a rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance, “Vhy you my dear.”
 
Pokey spat out a mouthful of his drink, “She’s a vamponey,” he yelled.
 
Trixie looked ready to follow him when she remembered how good the wine was and swallowed instead.
 
“Oh, it’s twue,” moaned Rarity bringing a hoof to her forehead, “I am one of the cursed children of the night. Cursed to remain forever young and attractive, cursed to live forever, cursed to only have an ever fashionable black wardrobe, cursed with all these cool powers and this amazing sex appeal. Actually that doesn’t zound so bad.” She sounded thoughtful.
 
“Run,” yelled Trixie picking a chair up with her power and swinging it at Rarity, it exploded as it hit her leaving the vampire unharmed but looking surprised. She recovered quickly and lurched towards her attacker fangs bared. Pokey leapt forwards, and grabbed her in a bear, or rather rabbit, hug. With a shrug Rarity broke free and hurled the surprised rabbit through her window and out into the street. “Zuch rudeness,” she muttered, turning back to Trixie, “Now vhere vas I?”
 
“Get away from her!” yelled Twilight holding a shard of wood in her aura from the broken chair.
 
Rarity backed away from the enraged unicorn, hissing as she went.
 
“You wouldn’t really stake her would you?” whispered Trixie.
 
“No,” replied Twilight, “but she doesn’t know that, now try and find out where the magic is coming from.”
 
“Good plan,” said Trixie starting to edge towards the door.
 
“Opalescence,” cried Rarity, “Save Mummy.”
 
“Who’s....” started Twilight when suddenly in a flash of black and white a bat winged, fanged cat dropped from the ceiling onto her and started to lash out with its claws and teeth. “Aghhh, get her off me! Get her off!” yelled the unicorn, the impromptu stake dropped to the ground forgotten.
 
“Hold on!” yelled Trixie, “I’ll help you.” she ran towards Twilight to help her friend only to be knocked aside by Rarity.
 
Panicked Twilight ran screaming from the room pursued by the flying cat.
 
“Now don’t play vith your food for too long Opel dear,” remonstrated Rarity after her pet. “Now on that note,” she smiled nastily at Trixie.
 
The magician looked around the room and realised she was alone with the vampony, deciding discretion was the better part of valour she cast an invisibility spell over herself and disappeared.
 
“Oh dear,” said Rarity, “My dinner haz disappeared, if only my senses were so heightened that I could smell vhere she was, oh vait,” In a flash she was at the other side of the room pinning Trixie to the wall, she smiled showing her fangs, “zhey are.”
 
Trixie wanted to scream but she caught a glance of Rarity’s glowing red eyes. It was surprising how deep they were, a small part of her cried out that this was a bad thing but most of her wanted to look deeper to see if there was an end to the long tunnel they seemed to have become. Distantly she heard Rarity complain about there being hair in her food then she felt a stabbing pain in her neck but she was too caught up in her captor’s hypnotic gaze to pay any attention. She gasped as she felt herself deliciously emptying into the white mare’s delicately sucking mouth and her entire universe narrowed to just the bite.
 





 
Outside Pokey picked himself up and brushed off the shards of glass from his coat. He turned back towards the house and shook a paw at it and its occupant. “Of course you realize, dis means war!” he yelled. He started to stride towards the building, then stopped, if he was going to win this he was going to have to start fighting like a rabbit. He thought for a moment then looked down at the ground and a smile grew over his face.
 
Taking up a diving pose Pokey leapt into the air and started to burrow as he hit the ground quickly disappearing in a pile of dirt which started to move towards the boutique.
 





 
Twilight didn’t know where she was. She seemed to have lost the spiteful ball of fur and fangs for the moment but some instinct told her it was nearby. The rooms and corridors around her were dimly lit by a few weakly glimmering fire flies.
 
She opened a door and entered what looked like a foal’s bedroom. The walls were colourfully painted and here and there were hoof paintings of groups of ponies. The floor was strewn with a number of toys and games.
 
Twilight cautiously stepped in, wary of an ambush from the flying cat. As she passed the bed she noticed an equine form lying on the floor and jumped, almost crying out. She stood still for a moment willing her heart rate to slow before cautiously lighting up her horn. The shape appeared to be a large doll or puppet of some kind, it was in life scale and was painted in white and pink. Its glass eyes stared past her.
 
Twilight was just cursing herself for her silliness when with a creak the doll’s head turned towards her and spoke with the squeaky voice of a small child, “Hi, I’m Sweetie Bell. Would you like to play with me?” clumsily the creature started to get to its hooves.
 
With a scream of terror Twilight run towards the nearest door and wrenched it open, she rushed into the space beyond and slammed the door shut behind her hearing it lock. She found herself in a small cupboard barely large enough to fit her.
 
Slumping down and shaking slightly Twilight started to feel around her, her hoof came into contact with something cold and furry. Opel gave a loud hiss and leapt at the pony that had disturbed her.
 
“Buck” swore Twilight as the vampire kitty descended on her again.
 





 
Pokey broke through the surface in a cramped room, the only source of light was a green glow emanating from a large cauldron placed in the centre. “Where am I?” he asked himself, “I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque...”
 
“You my loathsome lagomorph,” came Rarity’s voice from behind, “are in my lair.”
 
Pokey spun around to find Rarity standing at the top of a flight of stairs, next to her stood a dazed looking Trixie. The magician’s costume was rumpled, her hat was missing and her mane ruffled, there was a vapid smile on her otherwise blank face and two small wounds on her neck.
 
“Trixie?” called Pokey in horror.
 
“Your friend is mine, she had felt the ecstasy of my dark kiss and serves only me now,” crowed the vampony.
 
“I will do as you command mistress,” mumbled Trixie.
 
“And I command you to, ewww a bug,” screeched the white mare rearing back from a cockroach as it crawled along the wall, “Take it away, take it away,” she whined.
 
Obediently Trixie picked up the insect on one hoof, “What shall I do with it mistress?” she asked in a monotone.
 
“You can eat it for all I care, just get it out of my sight.”
 
Following the instruction Trixie placed the bug in her mouth and chewed with a crunching sound, both Pokey and Rarity screwed up their faces, “Needs more pickles,” commented Trixie dreamily.
 
“So doll,” asked Pokey dipping a paw into the green liquid, “What’s cooking?”
 
“Get away from there,” screeched the vampony. “Get him my minion.”
 
Trixie staggered down the stairs and towards Pokey. He calmly took a hop backwards and Trixie leapt for him only to disappear down the hole he had arrived via. Pokey looked down at the pit and then back up at Rarity, “Ain't I a stinka?” he said before putting his shoulder to the cauldron, trying to push it over without success.
 
Enraged Rarity zoomed down the stairs and charged at the rabbit throwing the cauldron aside in her rage before levitating into the air carrying him with her. “You will beg for death by the time I’m finished with you,” she snarled before noticing his eyes were on the upturned cauldron, its contents leaking away, “No,” she screamed dropping the rabbit to the ground and rushing to the mess on the floor.
 
"What a maroon." commented Pokey as he picked himself up. Suddenly there was a fizz and a stench of ozone the green glow faded away the spell that had been blanketing the town was discharged and the magic effecting the costumes stopped. Pokey Bunny shuddered as his ears dropped and he returned to his pony form again. He looked around confused. Next to him Trixie was clambering out of the hole she had been stuck in.
 
“What happened here?” asked Rarity, also returned to her normal form.
 
“You enchanted the whole town,” cried Trixie.
 
“I did? I only wanted to make my costumes more realistic.”
 
“Realistic!” screamed Trixie. “You turned to a vampony! You bit me! It was... confusing and Icky!” The blue unicorn’s anger drained away for a second, “And sort of exciting, mistress.” She looked shocked, “Where did that come from? Am I still hypnotised?”
 
“Still at least no one seems to have been seriously hurt,” said Pokey calmingly.
 
“She made me EAT A BUG!” yelled Trixie her anger returning, “I can still taste it!”
 
“It’s not like it’s the first time you’ve eaten something strange,” said Pokey with a grin.
 
“A BUG!” screamed Trixie again, before starting to calm down, “I hope my friends came out of this better than I did.” She looked around. “What happened to Twilight anyway?”
 





 
Twilight realised that she was not longer trapped in a cupboard with a bat winged vampire cat but instead a perfectly normal cat in a bat costume. Then she realised that that didn’t improve the situation.
 
“Aghhh, get her off me!”



> Heroes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As soon as Snails heard about the new holiday that Princess Luna had started he knew just who he wanted to dress up as, the spectacular Spiderstallion! He’d been a fan of the comic book hero for almost as long as he could remember. It had been his friend Snips who had first told him about the arachnid adventurer, when the hero had first been described to Snails he had imagined a pony with eight long legs like a spider, which sounded really cool. He’d been a little disappointed when he’d actually seen the comic and realised that he was only a normal shaped pony but once he’d read the stories he’d loved them. Spiderstallion could shoot webs and was really strong and fast and best of all he was a really smart guy and was always ready with a wisecrack even though he was a normal guy who had problems and got scared and stuff. For some reason Snips really liked that.
 
So as soon as he’d heard about the festival and that Miss Rarity would be making the costumes he’d turned up at carousel boutique with his pocket money and begged the white unicorn to make him a Spiderstallion costume. After a half-hearted attempt to persuade him that red was not his colour, she’d suggested black, the fashionista had agreed to make the required outfit. He’s even managed to make web shooters to go along with it and everything! They only shot silly string and were as long as his legs, but that was almost as good as the real thing! Snails had put the costume on and admired himself in the mirror in the bathroom, he felt like he could patrol the town looking for trouble, as long as it was foal sized trouble anyway.
 
He was admiring himself in the mirror when he heard a knock at the door. “Can you get that, honey?” called his mother from his parent’s bedroom.
 
Snips rushed down the stairs and to the door passing his father, Dewdrop, on the way, the elder stallion was wearing a guard costume and slowly picking himself up out of his chair. Snips yanked open the door to find Snips standing there in a blue costume with white stars on it. “Greetings citizen,” announced the short foal in a deep voice.
 
“Wow, you’re Captain Equestria!” exclaimed Snails.
 
“I know,” replied his friend in his normal voice, “Isn’t it cool?” he spun round in place to show off the costume, “Rarity made it for me. I’ve even got this awesome shield.” He held out the accessory which appeared to be made out of a large metal plate painted in the appropriate colours. “Now if any villain tries to zap me, *zap*, I can deflect it back at them *pow* and they’ll be all like, oh no, and I’ll be like, take that villain. Captain Equestria is so cool, cuz he fought Corona and then got frozen and he’s fighting evil again now, he’s the best superhero ever!”
 
“Nope, Spiderstallion is,” replied Snails.
 
Before the disagreement could continue Snails mother, Shutter Bug, rushed down stairs taking them two at a time. “Oh, don’t you both look so handsome,” she said. The mare was wearing a costume that made her look like a ladybug to match her name, Snails had helped to build it making sure the legs and antennae were the right length. “I need to get a picture of you both.” She stepped back and lifted the camera around her neck, “Smile.”
 
Snips struck a pose flexing his non-existent muscles and Snails just grinned into the camera as his mother snapped picture after picture.
 
“Oh, Raindrops you look so beautiful,” announced Dewdrop drawing the room’s attention back to the stairs as Raindrops descended looking rather self-conscious. She was dressed in a long flowing pink dress and a conical hat balanced precariously on her head with a veil covering part of her face.
 
Shutter Bug turned and started to take pictures of her daughter, “Princess Platinum right? It really suits you.”
 
Raindrops blushed and looked down, “Rarity made it, you don’t think she went over the top do you?”
 
“You’ll always be my little princess,” said Dewdrop hugging his daughter, “Now everypony else can see it too.”
 
“Thanks Dad,” she mumbled.
 
Snails looked at his friend, unusually Snips hadn’t said anything for a while. The tubby foal stood transfixed staring at Raindrops with wide eyes, “Dude,” he whispered, not turning away, “Your sister’s a girl!” It sounded like he’d just discovered a great mystery of life.
 
Snails examined the statement from several angles, after some consideration he decided it made sense, “Yep,” he agreed.
 
“I always knew she was a girl but she’s a girl, all sort of pink and soft and girly.”
 
“Yep, ‘cept she’s yellow not pink” repeated Snails, he was distantly aware that Snails behaviour was unusual but he couldn’t put his hoof on exactly what was wrong.
 
“Come on, let’s have a picture of you all together,” called Shutter bug.
 
Raindrops trotted over and placed herself between the two colts, Snips’s eyes following her as she went. She draped her wings over the two colts causing Snips to turn purple.
“Come on boys,” said Raindrops once her mother had finished a roll of film, “Let’s start on this trick or treating thing before I drop you all off with your friends.”
 
“Ok,” said Snails. Snips remained quiet continuing to stare at the yellow pegasus as she trotted out the door. Only once she’d left the building did he seem to come to and run after Snails and Raindrops.
 





 
The streets of Ponyville were packed, not only were most of the town’s population out and about but many out of town visitors had arrived to join in the festivities. Everywhere there were ponies of all shapes, sizes and tribes wearing a variety of costumes. There were ghosts, vamponies, clowns, scarecrows and animals. There was even one brave soul wearing a Corona costume although most of the crowd were giving her a wide berth.
 
Raindrops led her brother and his friend from house to house as they travelled from her home towards the school where Cheerilee had agreed to meet them. They had collected treats from each of the dwellings they stopped at, many of the homeowners commenting positively on the trio’s costumes.
 
Raindrops felt very self-conscious about her outfit. It had taken her several attempts to work up the nerve to talk to Rarity about it. At first she had considered going as a barbarian or warrior of some sort, maybe even a cloud. Then she had seen the princess outfit in the window of the boutique and had had a vision of herself wearing it while dancing with a handsome stallion in an enormous ballroom surrounded by scores of jealous mares looking on, and she just knew she had to have it. Now she was actually wearing the dress she felt exposed which was odd as it was more than she normally wore. She felt that everypony around her was staring and although it made her uncomfortable she had to admit there was a part of her than liked the attention.
 
The small group of ponies had just finished collecting sweets from a street when Snails noticed a herd of stallions approaching. They were mostly workers from the Apple Trust come into town for the festival and were all dressed in various diamond dog costumes. They were led by a black coated earth pony with a red spiky mane mostly covered by his costume, that of a great mastiff.
 
The leader moved away from his friend and started to walk towards Raindrops, Snails recognised him as Tugger. Snails did not like him. A month ago Tugger had been spending a lot of time with his Snail’s sister. Raindrops’s had been happy, not fake happy like when she’s seen that doctor and said those bad things about Snails that he didn’t like thinking about, but really happy. He’d even heard her singing through the thin wall between their bedrooms and it hadn’t even been raining. Then a few weeks ago Tugger had stopped being around and Raindrops stopped being happy. A lot of ponies thought Snails wasn’t very perceptive but he knew when his sister was upset, she spent more time at her rock hitting place and he’d seen her crying on the roof. Snails didn’t like it when his sister cried, it made him feel bad inside, small and cold. To try and cheer her up he’d given her his favourite millipede, Leggy always made him feel better, and Raindrops had thanked him and hugged him but she’d stayed sad. Snails didn’t really understand what had happened but he knew it was Tugger’s fault that Raindrops had cried.
 
“My sister doesn’t want to talk to you,” announced Snails putting himself between Tugger and Raindrops, “Go away.”
 
“Yeah, go away,” said Snips positioning himself next to Snails and digging his hooves in, he didn’t know what was going on but wanted to help his friend.
 
“Sorry little guys, this is really cute,” said the black stallion, “But I want to talk to her.” With minimal effort the earth pony shoved the two colts aside and walked past. “Hey Droppy,” he called, “Nice outfit.” Snails stared after him in impotent rage.
 
Raindrops turned to him a scowl on her face, “It’s Raindrops not Droppy,” she said, “And what do you want? Took up another bet to date me?”
 
“Now you were never meant to find out about that,” he replied conciliatory, “Besides I think we had a real connection.”
 
“Oh, that would really mean something, if you hadn’t said the same thing to Cheerilee and Carrot Top on the same night. But hey forgive and forget right,” she sneered. “How about we try again?” She smiled evilly, “I know I could,” she leaned closer and whispered in his ear. The stallion started to grin then his eyes grew wide and a look of terror passed over this face, “WITH A SLICE OF LEMON!” Raindrops hollered in his ear. Tugger gave a yelp and galloped away as if shot from a cannon trying to keep his rear legs together as he went.
 
“And don’t come back,” yelled Snips at the retreating stallion.
 
“Yeah,” agreed Snails.
 
Raindrops glared after the retreating figure as he and his friends ran off, then she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, counted to ten and smiled sweetly, “Thanks for trying to protect me boys but I can deal with creeps like him by myself,” she sighed, “Come on, plenty of candy still to get.”
 





 
“Right, next stop is the school house,” called Raindrops to Snips and Snails. The trio had deviated from their original plan, the siren call of more sweets having distracted the colts causing them to take a meandering route through town.
 
“One more house, please,” pleaded Snails.
 
“Uh hu,” agreed Snips, the pudgy colt had been uncharacteristically quiet so far.
 
Raindrops glared at her brother but weakened as he looked up at her with wide eyes through the holes in his costume. “Fine, “ she agreed. I’ll just be at the end of the road, meet me when you’ve finished.
 
“Thanks sis, you’re the best.”
 
“Uh, yeah, your gre..great,” stuttered Snips unable to meet Raindrops’s gaze. The yellow mare trotted off to the end of the road while her young associates made their way to a nearby house.
 





 
Unbeknown to them, elsewhere in Ponyville a certain white mare had started her plan to become the most famous costume maker in Equestria. Waves of magic spread out from her shop passing harmlessly over most ponies. Only those whose costumes contained certain carefully created crystals were affected. Crystals such as the ones in Raindrops, Snips and Snails costumes.
 





 
Tugger was starting to feel better now that he’d had a few stiff drinks to calm his nerves. Why did the cute ones always have to be so crazy?  he thought, he was fairly sure what Raindrops had threatened to do to him was physically impossible, but he didn’t want to risk her trying anyway. It was probably a good idea to keep out of her way for a few weeks at least. She was a looker, it was a shame she’d found out about the bet and that she didn’t put out, still plenty more fish in the sea as they say.
 
Tugger suddenly felt a burning sensation, as if something red hot was being pushed through his costume into his neck. He felt dizzy for a moment and the world seemed to flash green then reached up and scratched the tingling area with his hind paw, fleas thought Big Fido. He looked around, why was he in a pony city? The last thing he remembered was.. Come to think of it he didn’t remember much. He looked around, the rest of his Diamond Dog pack looked just as confused, but that wasn’t unusual. He sniffed, the air was full of unfamiliar scents, but there was one that he recognised from somewhere, something that belonged to him.
 
“Pre-ty Pony,” he howled, “We find Pre-ty Pony. The call was taken up by the rest of his pack as they started to bound through the streets of Ponyville scattering the confused residents before them.
 





 
Raindrops was standing at the end of a street when the wave of magic struck her. She was encased in a web of green light and felt dizzy for a moment. She almost fell but righted herself just in time. Princess Platinum looked around, what was this strange place? How had she gotten here? Where were her guards? She did not recognise the buildings around her, they were neither the rough huts of the common earth ponies nor the mansions of the Unicorns and were certainly not cloud dwellings.
 
There had to be somepony around this place that could tell her where she was and where her entourage had gotten to. She swore that Clover only had to see a book and she’d go missing for a week. Picking a turning at random she began to walk, “Clover!” she called, “Clover, where are you girl? I’m starting to get angry now.”
 
She turned a corner and found another pony, a pegasus, for some unknown reason she was wearing a butterfly costume, she never would understand the ways of the lower classes. “You there!” she called, “What is this place?”
 
The other pony turned to face her, she looked surprised for a second but then grinned and curtsied, “Why this is Ponyville your majesty, and we are so glad to have a princess of your calibre visit us.” there was a hint of mocking in her reply which Platinum did not like.
 
“And where is my entourage?”
 
“You mean the other elements? I don’t know.”
 
“Elements? What are you talking about? I mean my guards and hoofmares and such.” She stamped a dainty hoof on the ground in frustration, the construction of this strange place was so shoddy that the stones beneath her hoof broke under the force.
 
The pony she was talking to suddenly became very nervous and started to back away, ears and tail down, “No..Now there’s no need to get angry Raindrops,” she stuttered, the stared, “Where are your wings?”
 
“Who is this Raindrops pony? I am Princess Platinum of Unicornia and I demand that you take me to my people right now or I will have you whipped for your insolence.”
The pegasus’s slow retreat turned into panicked flight and with a last glance towards the angry princess the butterfly clad mare became a spot in the sky.
 
“You better run!” yelled Platinum shaking her hoof at the fleeing pony, “Wait until I tell your mistress about this, Hurricane with be most displeased!” She suddenly noticed a shadow had fallen over her, a rather large shadow. With a gulp she turned and saw several large canine shapes looming over her.
 
“Pre-ty Pony,” one of them growled.
 





 
Snails and Snips were just preparing to knock on a door when the magic hit them. The physical changes brought on by the spell were more pronounced on the colts than Raindrops. The ‘web slingers’ built into Snails’s costume shrunk while a subtle glow appeared around his hooves. The effects on Snips were even more obvious, the plump colt grew taller, although still shorter than his lanky friend, and his musculature became more pronounced. The shield strapped to his foreleg morphed from a painted tray into a real piece of armour.
 
Captain Equestria shook his head, he had felt dizzy for a moment. He looked around, he appeared to be in some small town, had he been summoned here by one of his many foes? Next to him stood a figure he recognised, “Spiderstallion?” he exclaimed, “Did you bring me here?” Although often portrayed as a hero he had read certain newspaper articles that claimed that the red suited figure was a villain. Given the circumstances the Captain could take no chances, he placed a restraining hoof on the other stallion’s shoulder.
 
Spiderstallion blinked, what was he doing here? This didn’t look like Manehatten. A hoof landed on his shoulder, somepony had avoided his Spidersense! Reacting instinctively he grabbed the figure and with a twist threw it over his shoulder. The supersoldier twisted in the air as he hurtled past Spiderstallion and landed on his hooves ready to counterattack. He charged forwards to find that the other hero had already leapt into the air and was scampering up the wall of a nearby house.
 
“You’ll have to do better than that gramps,” mocked Spiderstallion.
 
“In my day kids showed respect to their elders,” replied the blue clad hero. He slipped his shield off his leg and flung it at the arachnid themed adventurer forcing him to leap from his vantage point, the shield bounced off the wall with a clang and returned to his grasp.
 
As he flew through the air Spiderstallion gestured and long streams of a sticky liquid erupted from his wrists. Captain Equestria threw himself aside to avoid the projectiles, however, as he did so the door to a nearby house opened and an elderly unicorn wearing glasses emerged just in time to be struck in the face by the goo.
 
“Sorry, Sorry,” cried Spiderstallion, immediately forgetting his feud with Captain Equestria, “Let me help you,” he ran towards the stricken civilian and helping to pry the gloop from his face.
 
“‘Nuff said kid,” said the unicorn, “Wow those are some great costumes,” he pulled the last of the ‘web’ from his face, “This stuffs really clever, did you make it yourself?”
 
“Yeah, it’s my own invention,” Spiderstallion smiled under his mask, it was nice to see that the common ponies liked him, regardless of what certain newspaper editors said. He felt a hoof on his shoulder again and he tensed.
 
“Stand down soldier,” said Captain Equestria, “I saw you help that civilian, I think we might have a misunderstanding here. I take it you didn’t bring me here?”
 
“No, I thought you might have. Look sorry about that gramps thing, I really do respect you a lot sir,” he replied nervously.
 
“Think nothing of it. I shouldn’t have been so quick to suspect you. If you didn’t bring me here I wonder...”
 
Suddenly the air was split by a feminine scream of terror, without a further word the two heroes galloped together towards the source of the sound.
 
“Excelsior,” commented the old unicorn as they left.
 





 
“Pre-ty Pony,” repeated one of the Diamond Dogs as it reached out to grab Princess Platinum.
 
“Get away from me you brutes,” she shrieked, flailing out with her forelimbs, not noticing one of her glancing blows knocking the creature clear across the street. She turned and with a shriek ran, only to be confronted by another dog. Swerving away from it she came face to face with yet another, “Help me! Somepony Help me!” she screamed staggering back, before raising a hoof to her brow and fainting.
 
The largest of the dogs picked up the princess in his arms and threw her over his shoulder, “Big Rex have you now,” he announced, “Now I can...” his voice trailed off as he realised he wasn’t entirely sure why he had wanted to kidnap this particular pony, “Do something to you,” he finished lamely.
 
“Release her!” came a cry from behind them, the Dogs turned to face the diminutive form of Captain Equestria who had struck a heroic pose upon arriving at the scene.
 
“Yeah, like get your hands off her, you damn dirty Dog,” quipped Spiderstallion as he bounded towards them.
 
Big Rex gazed at the two approaching heroes with contempt, “Dia-mond Dogs destroy Pu-ny Ponies,” he ordered.
 
With a howl the pack of dogs rushed at the colts.
 
With a gesture Spiderstallion glued one of the lead dogs feet to the ground. With a yelp it crashed forwards taking several of its following companions with it. A Jack Russell Terrier leapt over the pile of canines and attempted to grab the red clad figure from the air. However, Spidie was too agile and avoided the flailing dog by twisting, only to land on the side of a nearby wall remaining at right angles to the rest of the world, the Jack Russell tilted his head in confusion.
 
Another Dog attempted to grab Captain Equestria but the blue clad hero leapt up out of its grasp and span in the air before landing a strong kick on it’s jaw snapping back it’s head and flooring the beast. A further enemy approached and the Captain threw his shield at it, it leapt aside and the projectile flew past its head. With a grin the creature continued to advance on the hero only to be knocked to the ground as the shield ricocheted off a post behind it and crashed into the back of its head.
 
Big Rex stared at the battle not believing that his pack was being defeated by these miniature heroes, he decided that for the moment discretion might be the better form of valour, “Dog’s,” he called, “We are leaving!”
 
“Oh no you don’t, the lady stays here,” announced Captain Equestria.
 
“Yeah, why don’t you stick around,” said Spiderstallion shooting streams of web at Big Rex, however the giant hound managed to pull its feet from the sticky substance before it fully hardened.
 
Racing after the now retreating dogs the Captain hurled his shield at the large canine but to his surprise Big Rex caught it in a large paw and spun it back at him. Spiderstallion swung down and at the last moment knocked his ally out of the way of the flying disk allowing it to plough harmlessly into the roads surface. However, by the time the two hero’s picked themselves up the Diamond Dogs were nowhere to be seen.
 
“We must get after them,” announced the Captain, “and rescue that.. who was she anyway, she was dressed like a noble from my time. My original time anyway.”
 
“I don’t know maybe she was going to a costume party?”
 
“Perhaps, or maybe these creatures have access to a time machine.”
 
“They don’t look like the sharpest tools in the box in fact they don’t look like the sharpest bowling balls in the box.” quipped Spiderstallion.
 
“Maybe they are the minions of an evil genius. Still we must find where they went to.”
“How about we ask Fluffy there,” replied the masked hero pointing to the trapped Diamond Dog which was still futilely trying to free itself from the webbing.
 
The dogs ears picked up, “How you know Fluffy’s name?” it asked, “Are you a mind reader?”
 
“No that’s another guy with less hair. Anyway can you take us to your friends?”
 
Fluffy sniffed the air, he could smell his companions not too far away, “Yes,” he admitted, “But why should Fluffy help you?”
 
“Because it’s the right thing to do,” explained Captain Equestria.
 
Suddenly Fluffy found himself suspended upside down from a wall by a strip of webbing in Spiderstallion’s grasp. “Because you’re very heavy?” gasped the lanky hero.
 
Fluffy gulped, the ground looked a long way away, “Fluffy help heroes,” he announced.
“Good Dog,” said Spidie lowering the dog to the ground.
 
Fluffy glanced at the Captain who was looking on disapprovingly, “Fluffy doing this because it’s the right thing to do?” said the Dog nervously.
 





 
The Diamond Dog pack had taken up residence in a barn on one of the smaller farms near Ponyville. They had stashed the princess in a hay loft.
 
Now that he had some time to think Big Rex was trying to decide what to do with his prisoner. However, thinking was not one of his best skills and his captive was not making it easy on him, she kept talking all the time. She had demanded food and drink, which seemed reasonable, they had given her a pitcher and a few loose carrots they had found around the place. Then she had required more comfortable straw, Rex wasn’t even sure that was possible surely straw was straw, then she wanted more clothes, where were they supposed to get those from? And she still wouldn’t shut up?
 
“I will never let you sate your foul bestial lusts on my fair form, I would rather die first!” announced Princess Platinum.
 
Big Rex scratched his head, he didn’t really know what she was talking about although foul bestial lusts sounded good, maybe she would scratch him behind his ears or even cook him something, he was starting to feel hungry.  
 
“Unless,” continued the princess, “You wouldn’t happen to be a handsome prince cursed into this ugly form until you are freed by true loves kiss?”
 
Rex looked confused, “No Rex is really a big ugly dog, no curse needed.”
 
“Ah in that case. Oh, won’t a hero come to save me?” she cried.
 
With a crash the doors to the barn were thrown open silhouetting three figures in the moonlight.
 
“Let that mare go now, beast,” announced Captain Equestria.
 
“Oh sir Knight,” squealed Platinum noting the figure carried a shield, “Save me from my captivity!”
 
“How pu-ny ponies find us?” asked Big Rex.
 
“Sorry boss,” mumbled Fluffy from behind the heroes, trying to look small, “It was the right thing to do?”
 
“Get them!” roared the Diamond Dog leader, “Get the pu-ny ponies!”
 
“Hey,” cried Spiderstallion as he lifted himself into the roof of the barn, “I’m not a puny pony, I’m a punny pony.” None of the dogs seemed impressed as they leapt at him from the ground, “Come on, that was comedy gold.”
 
Meanwhile on the ground two of the largest dogs had rushed at the Captain, he dexterously slid between their legs before popping up behind them and kicking one in the back sending it flying across the barn to come to a stop in a bale of hay. The other swung around catching its attacker a glancing blow which the captain blocked with his shield before swinging it at the dog catching it around the head and knocking it to the ground. He turned to see a third dog rushing at him he prepared to throw his shield at it. Suddenly the beast came to a stop looking scared it rubbed a recent bruise on the back of its head. It considered its situation for a second before deciding to lie down quietly where it stood.
 
There was a round of applause from the back of the barn and Captain Equestria saw the anachronistically dressed mare standing there cheering him on. Her face was flushed and she was fanning herself quite vigorously with one hoof.
 
Noting her position the Captain began to rush towards her.
 
Up in the rafters Spiderstallion was also accounting for himself well. A number of Diamond dogs had attempted to clamber up to get him but he was too agile for them and several were now stuck to the walls or had fallen to the ground and now lay in groaning piles. A further dog leapt at him but he swung away and grabbed hold of one of the buildings main supports.
 
“I’ll crush you like a fly,” bellowed Big Rex, he gripped the support and began to tug at it with all his might.
 
“Look can’t you tell, I’m a spider not a fly, what do they teach in kennel school now a days? Wooha,” he cried as the big dog managed to dislodge him from his perch and he fell onto the creature.
 
Surprised by the sudden appearance of the lanky colt on his head Big Rex staggered backwards but managed to grab the red costumed hero in one paw.
 
“I’ll crush you!” he yelled but to his surprise his victim proved to be stronger than expected and managed to prise open his paw. He stared at the hero for a moment, slack jawed.
 
Spiderstallion took his chance and swung a hoof at the large canine catching it on the snout and knocking it to the ground, “That’s for making my sister cry!” he yelled. He froze for a second, he didn’t have a sister did he? He put the thoughts to the back of his head as the creature started to get up again. Spidie spun and kicked back at the creature ribs making it howl in pain before he leapt on its back and pinned it to the ground. For some reason he found hurting this particular dog very satisfying.
 
At the back of the barn Captain Equestria rushed towards the dog’s hostage, two of the creatures seemed to pop up in front of him but his momentum allowed him to knock one aside and he hurled his shield at the other forcing it to duck back down into the hay. He vaulted into the loft to land next to the mare in the pointed hat.
 
“I should get you out of danger Miss,” said the Captain lifting the mare, she seemed heavier than he expected. Without another word he leapt down to the ground eliciting a little scream of either fear or excitement from his passenger. He landed rather heavily but gently put his charge down next to him. “Be careful Miss there might be more of them around.” he scanned the barn but it appeared that all the dogs had had the fight knocked out of them.
 
“Oh, sir knight you are my hero!” sighed the Princess, “Let me reward you for saving me.”
 
“No reward is necessary citiz...” began the humble hero could finish he was gathered up in her forelegs and she kissed him deeply.
 
Isn’t that just the way, thought Spiderstallion, I beat the boss and he gets the filly.
Suddenly there was a fizz in the air and a stench of ozone as the spell that had been blanketing the town was discharged and the magic effecting the costumes stopped.
 
Raindrops was suddenly aware that she was kissing Snips of all ponies, her brain shut down for a moment then quickly rebooted and she threw the pudgy colt to the ground. “What? How? Why? What happened?” she demanded of the universe face glowing bright red.
 
“Wheeeeeee!” muttered Snips from the ground, not moving, a wide grin on his face and all four legs pointing straight up.
 
Around them a dozen bruised and battered stallions started to stagger to their hooves and wonder what had just happened to them.
 
“Hey, sis?” asked Snails, “Why’d you kiss Snips? Does that mean you have to marry him now? That’s what Sweetie Bell said when Pip kissed Dinky. Would that make him my brother?”
 
“So wrong,” muttered Raindrops trying to wipe her lips off her muzzle, “So very wrong.”
Snips started to move and got to his hooves a smile still cracking his face, “Dude, that was awesome, I can’t wait to tell everypony at school about this.”
 
Raindrops raised a hoof to the sky, “TRIXIE, I DON’T KNOW WHY BUT I BLAME YOU FOR THIS!” she thundered.


> The Bat, the Cat and the Plant
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hey, Dad,” yelled Scootaloo as she rode into her house on her scooter, “I’ve got the best costume ever.” She cruised down the hallway before skidding to a halt at the foot of the stairs.
 
“What have I told you about riding your scooter inside,” came a call of paternal disapproval from upstairs.
 
“Sorry Dad,” the orange filly guiltily leapt off of her vehicle.
 
“I had a few ideas about what you could wear myself,” said Heavy Roller descending the stairs, “But show me what you got.” Don’t be a guards uniform, don’t be a guards uniform, he thought.
 
“It’s a guards uniform, just like Mom used to wear,” her voice tailed off slightly.
 
Heavy examined the costume she was holding in her teeth, it wasn’t of the best quality but contained simple barding, a rather ornate helmet and a toy spear. It did look similar to the one Nocturne used to wear. The one she had died in. The one he had buried her in. He couldn’t bring himself to see his daughter wear that, not yet.
 
“Yeah, it’s kinda cool,” he replied trying to sound excited, “But how about this one?” he retrieved another costume from over his back.
 
“Is that?” Scootaloo gasped her eyes widening.
 
“Yep, Rarity made it for me.”
 
“And do you?”
 
“I’ve got the one that goes with it, and there’s a surprise in the garage as well.”
 
“Can I?”
 
“Yes you can try it on now.”
 
“You’re the best Dad ever!” she hugged his leg.
 
“Thanks old chum,” he smiled.
 





 
Cheerilee decided that she was going to like this new holiday that Luna had created. Ok, it meant she had to spend the evening with foals but she did that most of the time anyway and she got to wear a costume this time. When Rarity had offered to make costumes for all of the element bearers she had considered letting her class make the decision on what she should wear, but considering all the horrible options they could have come up with she instead decided to just go with what she wanted, and in this case what she wanted was Catmare.
 
She’d never been that much of a fan of superhero comics but the feline themed antagonist, she couldn’t bring herself to thinking of her as a villain, had always called to her somehow. The idea of such a strong, wild character who was her own mare had always called to her. The costume that Rarity had come up with wasn’t her favourite interpretation of the character, but she had to admit that the purple suit did look great on her, it covered well but could have maybe done with being a fraction tighter, no point being too coy, still it would do for the foal’s party at least. If she had the time she had, unbeknown to Rarity, put together her own version of the costume for the adults party later. It was black and rather more risqué, it even came with a whip, she hoped she could remember how to use one, it had been a while.
 
“Are you sure I can’t do anything else to help?” she asked her friend Carrot Top. The two of them we carrying several bags laden with fruit and vegetables.
 
“No this is fine,” replied her companion. She’d offered to host a party for her friends tonight after Trixie’s show but had gotten off track when Trixie had asked her to help set up her stage. Now she had a hundred things to do and only a few hours to do them in, she hadn’t even had a chance to put on her costume yet. Running into Cheerilee had been a big help.
 
“Ok, just let me call in at Heavy Roller’s place and tell him I might be a bit late.”
 
“Is he helping to chaperone the foal’s party again? He does do that a lot doesn’t he,” said Carrot Top with a raised eyebrow, “He seems to like to spend time with you.”
 
Cheerilee blushed, although it was well hidden by her coat, “We’re just friends.”
 
“Would you like to be more?” she chided her friend.
 
“Well, maybe,” she admitted, “But his wife died less than two years ago and his daughters in my class that would make things awkward, it’s one of the reasons why I broke up with Rarity. I don’t think it would work out.” She hung her head for a moment, “Anyway now’s not the time to be maudlin.”  She knocked on Heavy Roller’s door.
 
The Door opened to reveal a small pony dressed in costume. Her face had a domino mask on it and her chest a red top with a large R on it, her flanks were covered by green shorts and her back with a flowing yellow cape. “Scootaloo?” asked Cheerilee, “Wow, that’s a good costume, Robin right?”
 
The foal glowed in pride, “That’s right Miss Cheerilee, she’s the best superhero ever, she can do all sorts of stunts.” She examined her teacher and her costume, “You’re catmare? You better not steal anything while I’m around or I’ll have to stop you,” she struck a pose.
 
“I’ll remember that,” laughed the teacher, “Is your father around?”
 
“Dad,” yelled Scootaloo into the house, “Cheerilee’s here.”
 
Heavy Roller trotted down the hall towards the door, “Just a second, this costumes a bit tight.” He was wearing a grey bodysuit covered by a long black cape through which projected fake bat wings. His head was covered by a cowl.
 
“Batstallion!” mock gasped Cheerilee. The costume looked good on him she thought, it might be part of the outfit but he looked more muscular than usual.
 
“Catmare! My old nemesis,” announced Heavy Roller theatrically. “You look great in that costume, Cheerilee,” he looked down a little bashfully.
 
“You to, what are the odds we’d pick costumes from the same comic?”
 
“Well they’re quite popular no doubt you’ll see more Batstallions around town tonight and I know Scoots likes the series so I thought I’d get us matching costumes.”
 
Cheerilee shook herself a bit, it took her a few seconds to remember why she was here in the first place, “Me and Carrot Top have some groceries to deliver before the party tonight so I might be as bit late, are you ok to look after things for a while without me.”
 
“Shouldn't be a problem but I think I can help you out, I’ve got something to in the yard to get you there quicker, wait here,” he trotted back into the house.
 
“Do you know what you dad’s talking about Scootaloo?” asked Cheerilee sounding curious.
 
“No, but he did say that he had another surprise for me.”
 
Suddenly the gate to Heavy’s workshop opened and he emerged pulling a large black vehicle.
 
“Oh my gosh!” cried Scootaloo running over towards it, “It’s the Batchariot, this is so cool!” She leapt inside it and started to play around with the various controls.
 
“Yep,” grinned Heavy with a grin, “I’ve been working on her since I heard about Nightmare Night. I’ve fitted it with all sorts of tricks, even a little steam engine to make it easier to pull.” He turned to Cheerilee and Carrot Top, “So ladies, can I take you both for a ride?”
 





 
After the mares had loaded their shopping into the back of the chariot, Heavy had offered to pull both it and the rest of them home by himself. Cheerilee had refused and told him that she’d help take the load as well, giving Carrot Top a glare to prevent her offering the same. After a brief argument the teacher and the mechanic had ended up pulling the vehicle through the streets of Ponyville and gathering many looks of surprise and jealousy from the populace as they went.
 
Scootaloo was originally disappointed by the fact that unlike the one in the comics the Batchariot her father had made could not fly. However, she soon got into the spirit of things propping herself up on the side of the chariot and enjoying the feel of the wind in her mane. Which left Carrot Top to help steer the vehicle.
 
Cheerilee was also enjoying herself, it wasn’t often that she pulled vehicles and the exercise felt good. Of course being packed next to Heavy Roller and feeling the movement of his muscles as they went wasn’t hurting either, they definitely weren’t just part of the costume. Thus it seemed far too soon that the border of Carrot Top’s farm came into view. They stopped the chariot near the entrance and started to unload the goods.
 
Just as they were finished a young stallion in a clown costume came barrelling past on his way into town, “Out of my way pipsqueak,” he yelled shoving Scootaloo aside and into the border fence. She gave a cry of pain.
 
“Hey,” yelled Cheerilee checking to see if the orange filly was alright, “Watch where you’re going.”
 
To her, and probably his, surprise Heavy Roller took off after the youth and tackled him to the ground.
 
“Hey what gives?” yelled the surprised Stallion.
 
“You just shoved my daughter, you hurt her,” hissed Heavy Roller hauling the sweating youth to his hooves and shoving him against the fence.
 
“I’ll be more careful in future! Sorry! Sorry! I swear to Luna I won’t do it again!” screamed the now panicked Stallion.
 
“Don’t swear to Luna, swear to ME!” growled Heavy Roller.
 
Cheerilee watched on in amazement, he rear legs suddenly seemed too weak to hold her weight and she sat down legs splayed. “Waha gooby?” she asked unintelligibly.
 
“Wow,” agreed Carrot Top similarly affected by the spectacle.
 
Heavy Roller seeming to realise what he had just done dropped the other stallion who stagger off desperately wondering where he could get a cleaner costume. Heavy rushed past the stunned mares to his daughter, “Scoots, are you ok, where does it hurt? Should I take you to the hospital?” he panicked.
 
“Dad!”, said Scootaloo looking embarrassed, “It’s just a scratch. She raised a foreleg to show an angry looking scrape.”
 
“There’s a first aid kit in the chariot. Do you want me to kiss it better?”
 
“Daaaaaddddd!!” wailed Scootaloo again looking as if she wanted the ground to swallow her up.
 
“I’m sorry about that, I don’t know what came over me. It must be the costume,” said Heavy Roller turning to Cheerilee.
 
“I want to have your foals,” she mumbled eyes wide.
 
“What?” said Heavy in surprise.
 
Behind them Carrot Top had retrieved the first aid kit and had begun to bind the foal’s injury she almost choked on a bandage when she heard Cheerilee’s admission.
 
The schoolteacher shook herself out of her daze, “I said, thanks again for your help with the foals.”
 
“That’s ok, it’s good to meet Scoots friends.”
 
“Ok, I’ll pick you up, I mean Scootaloo and you up in about an hour we should get to the school house on time then.”
 
“It’s a date, errr meeting then.”
 
Heavy Roller gathered up his daughter who was testing out her bandaged leg. “Come on we better be going.”
 
“Ok, Dad. Thanks Ms Carrot Top.” she said politely. She hopped back into the chariot while Heavy attached himself to the front again and they rolled away.
 
The two mares watched they went, “Yep, you two are definitely only friends,” teased Carrot Top.
 
“Shut up!” said Cheerilee blushing, “Do you want me to help you unpack or not?”
 
“Thanks. Well if you don’t want him I might snap him up myself.”
 
“Don’t you dare!” replied Cheerilee with a bit more venom than she’d expected, “So what costume are you wearing anyway.
 
“Well there seems to be a theme so far, you see I’m going as....”
 





 
Just under an hour later Cheerilee had finished helping Carrot Top get ready for the party and was on her way to meet up with Heavy Roller and Scootaloo. She had considered popping home first and maybe changing her costume but she didn’t have the time. She was just passing through the city centre when she felt a wave of force seem to emanate from the direction of Carousel Boutique. The force knocked her off her hooves and threw her back several feet before continuing out into the rest of the city.
 
Catmare landed dextrously on her hooves like her namesake and looked around. The other ponies in the area seemed to have been affected like her and most were now picking themselves up. One or two were acting strangely, there a giant chicken stalked the streets and elsewhere a large ladybird was crawling up a house to the disgust and panic of several nearby ponies. Still it wasn’t much different from a normal Saturday night in Gotham City. She realised that she wasn’t in that city now, where was she?
 
Looking around to try and fix her position when something caught her eye, something shiny. The sign outside the building stated it was ‘Amethyst Star’s Fine Jewellers’ and that it was currently closed for the holiday. However, the window full of shiny jewellery said to her that she should have a look around.
 
Making sure that nopony was paying attention to her she examined the door, it was solid as was the window. The locks were first class as well, good, she liked a challenge. With a flex of her leg a claw extended from the end of her glove and she poked it into the lock, biting her tongue in concentration. It took her less than five minutes to pick the lock, either it wasn’t as advanced as she’d thought it was or she was just that good, probably the latter.
 
She carefully let herself in, some shop owners, particularly unicorns, placed further magical alarms or traps within their stores. Her trained eye spotted a small gem out of place near the door, an alarm. She knew the type, there would be two of them and if anything living passed between them then the unicorn who had placed them would be warned. She carefully prized the crystal off the wall and moved it across the room to sit next to its twin. The alarm defeated she strolled into the building.
 
The shop floor was small and apart from the few items in the window most of the displays were empty, the owner was apparently cautious enough to keep most of her goods in the safe when the shop was closed. It took the professional thief little time to locate the strong box and even less time to open it. The shopkeeper had made a common mistake by spending all their money on external security and then scrimping on that inside the building.
 
Catmare stared into the safe, off to one side was a large bag of bits, ewww dirty, but the rest was full of rings, necklaces, earrings and other items of jewellery. She grabbed a hoof full and held them up to her face almost inhaling them, ah the sweet smell of success. She looked around for something to put them in and found some empty saddlebags, she began to search through her loot, she found an item she liked very much indeed. It was a small pendent but exquisitely designed in the shape of a cat its form picked out in diamonds and its eye’s glittering emeralds. This one she would keep for her personal collection she thought placing it carefully around her neck.
 
“Put that back Catmare, it doesn’t belong to you,” came a gravelly voice from the other side of the shop, it sent tingles up and down the criminals spine.
 
She turned, “Batstallion,” she gasped, stretching her lithe form in anticipation, “It that a utility belt or are you pleased to see me?” she raised an eyebrow and was pleased to see the stallions face flush a little.
 
“We can do this the easy way, or the hard way,” announced Robin as she entered to stand by Batstallion. She cracked her hooves.
 
“As your boss knows kid,” she replied without taking her eyes of the stallion, “I like making things hard.” She reached down and grabbed the bag of goodies in her mouth before starting to leap towards the door leading further into the shop, however, Batstallion was quicker than her and was already moving to cut her off. Swerving in mid leap she turned to the main door currently guarded by Robin. Pushing off with her hind legs she leapt over the surprised foal and into the street beyond.
 
Not stopping for even a second she quickly grabbed hold of the drainpipe of a nearby building and used it to scale the wall and reach the roof. She was glancing around deciding where to hide when she saw Batstallion exit the building below and unfurl his wide bat like wings before leaping into the air after her. She always forgot he could do that, still he did look absolutely magnificent like that. Behind the dark stallion Robin also look to the air her wings buzzing as she lifted off after her mentor.
 
Racing down across the roof Catmare leapt between buildings trying to put some distance between herself and her pursuers. Behind her the caped crusaders rose to roof height and started to swoop towards her. Swerving from side to side the feline thief dodged as Robin swept towards her from one side, she managed to put a chimney between herself and the filly forcing Robin to peel away from the roofs.
 
Seeing an opening Catmare leapt for a nearby building of near unique design, the building was shaped like a carousel with statues of ponies decorating the second floor. Her hooves almost slipped as she landed but she managed to scramble onto the ledge. She backed behind one of the statues and tried to steady her racing heart. She watched the bright shape of Robin flash by and held her breath for a second. Nothing happened. She’d gotten away!
 
“Games over Catmare,” came a familiar voice and a shadow detached itself from the statue next to her. “Put down the jewels and come quietly,” said Batstallion.
 
She gasped in shock and the bag fell from her mouth to edge of the roof. Then she gathered herself, “I think I’d prefer to make some noise!” she hissed extending the claws from her gloves again and took a swing at the dark figure. It dodged back but she felt it snag fabric as it went.
 
Batstallion lunged forwards towards his attacker knocking her forearms aside. The two of them rolled together across the roof. Catmare ended up face down with the large stallion pinning her to the ground she struggled briefly writhing and arching her back to try and throw her captive off, then led still, “Are you going to tell me that’s just your belt?” she purred.
 
With a snarl Batstallion lifted her to her hooves and slapped a pair of hoofcuffs on her before retrieving the bag of gems and storing them in his belt. “You’re coming with me”
 
“Promises, Promises.”  
 





 
Now she was restrained Batstallion slowly lowered the unresisting mare to the ground and attached her cuffs to the Batchariot parked a short distance from the jeweller’s shop, Robin was standing next to the vehicle.
 
“Are you alright?” asked robin pointing at the small tear in Batstallion’s costume, a thin line of blood could be seen staining his coat.
 
“It’s just a scratch,” he grunted.
 
“Want me to kiss it and make it better?” offered Catmare.
 
“Don’t play games Catmare,” demanded Robin, “How did you bring us here? Wherever here is.”
 
“‘fraid I don’t know anything about it, Girl wonder. I was just noticing that myself when I got distracted by the pretties in that shop. How about you let me go and I’ll help you find out where we are?” she gave a sunny smile.
 
“No deal,” snarled Batstallion.
 
“Well you can’t blame a girl for trying, can you?”
 
While her partner continued to interrogate the restrained rogue Robin began to search the area they were in for any clue as to what had brought them here. In an alley between two of the local shops she came across a long vine of a type she didn’t recognise just lying on the ground, “Holy greenery,” she whispered turning it over in her hooves.
 
Suddenly she was aware of a figure standing next to her, looking up she noticed the figure was wearing a green body stocking covering her natural yellow coat. Her long orange mane and tail were intertwined with vines. “Poison Ivy,” she gasped.
 
Without saying a word the plant pony took a hoof full of dust from a pouch and blew it into Robins face. She was instantly overcome by hacking coughs and dropped to the ground eyes watering.
 
Once Robin was incapacitated the green pony dashed over towards the chariot. Noticing her out of the corner of her eye as she was talking to Batstallion, Catmare called out a warning. Spinning around Batstallion tried to throw himself out of the way of the charging mare but it was too late and she grabbed him by the head and drew him into a deep kiss, for a moment he tasted lilacs then his senses overloaded.
 
Smiling at the dazed stallion Poison Ivy turned to Catmare who had taken the short distraction to free herself from her bondage and was rubbing her sore hooves. “Thanks Ivy. What are you going to do with him now?” she gestured to the stallion who was wobbling on his hooves eyes wide.
 
“Oh I have a good number of vegetable friends in need of compost back at the farm and a,” she shuddered slightly, “wood chipper with that fools name on it.”
 
“I can’t let you do that Ivy, I’d like his wood in one piece,” said Catmare striking a fighting pose.
 
“And after I saved you,” commented Ivy looking relaxed, “I guess there is no honour among thieves. Just as well I prefer plants.” She stepped back and withdrew another handful of dust before throwing it at Catmare. The criminal tried to dodge but some of the cloud hit her in the face causing her to sneeze and cough uncontrollably, she staggered and then collapsed. She attempted to crawl towards her opponent who looked down at her before kicking her away with her hoof.
 
“Come along slave,” commanded Ivy, “You have a role in the wonderful cycle of life, as plant food.” Entranced Batstallion followed her out of town.
 





 
Robin felt herself gently being lifted to her feet, something wet hit her in the face and she found she could see again. Blinking she looked up with bloodshot eyes. Above her stood Catmare holding a water bottle.
 
“That should get the last of it off,” said the mare.
 
Robin gave a final cough and spat out the last of the spores Poison Ivy had nailed her with.
 
“Thanks,” she said politely, the dropped into a defensive posture. “Why are you helping me? You’re one of the bad guys.”
 
“Woe there red bird, Ivy got me to, I’m certainly not on her side.”
 
“Where’s Batstallion?” demanded Robin.
 
“Ivy hit him with her lipstick whammo thing. You know that’s cheating. I don’t need any artificial chemicals to make a stallion my slave. I guess she has to compensate somehow, some mares have it and others don’t” she boasted.
 
“Where did she take him?”
 
“She said she was going to chop him up to feed to her plants, I’d guess a farm or something, she went in that direction,” she pointed down the high street.
 
Robin leapt into the back of the chariot and unhooked something from within, it was a bulky red and yellow scooter with a large R symbol on the front. She mounted it and started to head off in the indicated direction.
 
“Hey wait up, you can’t take on Ivy by yourself.”
 
“Why should you care? Batstallion just stopped you getting away with all those jewels, you should be glad that he’s gone.”
 
Catmare stopped for a moment, why did she care? The truth was that she didn’t want anything to happen to Batstallion, she enjoyed their little games of cat and mouse too much. Oh she might bite and scratch sometimes but that was just being playful, marking her territory almost. But she didn’t want Robin to know that, it would ruin her reputation, “He’s still got those jewels on him, unless I get him back I don’t get them.”
 
“I knew it! It had to be money!”
 
“Yep, I only care about cash,” she said with a weak smile, “So for the moment Ivy’s my enemy as much as yours, an alliance of convenience then?” She held out a hoof.
 
Robin stared at it for a moment then grudgingly shook it, “Agreed but as soon as we’ve dealt with Ivy you’re going straight to jail.”
 
“Gotta catch me first,” noted the thief hitching herself onto the front of the Batchariot.
 
The two of them trundled on out of town.
 





 
“It’s this one,” said Robin bringing her scooter to a stop.
 
“How do you know?” asked Catmare, “This whole place seems to be surrounded by farms,” Indeed they had found four so far and only given them the most cursory inspection before moving on.
 
“I don’t know, a gut feeling. Batstallion and Ivy are here. I’m sure of it.”
 
Looking at the grounds Catmare could feel it too, if Ivy was going to be anywhere, she would be here. She unhitched herself from the chariot and stretched, she wasn’t used to pulling such a load. “This place isn’t huge but it’s not tiny either, it could take us a while to find them.”
 
“I’ll take a look from above,” said Robin leaping into the air.
 
Catmare caught the pegasus by the tail and hauled her back to the ground, “Not so fast girl target. You might spot her, but she’d see you in your yellow and red glory.”
 
“So how do we find them then?”
 
“With our eyes, look.”
 
Robin looked down and made out the impression of two sets of hooves making their way into the grounds of the farm. A short distance away was one of the vines that grew through Ivy’s hair. “Oh.” she said.
 
“It certainly shows that you were trained by the world’s greatest detective.” snarked Catmare bringing a blush of anger to Robins cheeks.
 
“Follow me,” snarled Robin stomping on ahead following the trail, Catmare followed more gracefully shuddering slightly as her hooves sunk into the mud.
 
The duo quickly came to a fenced off area, the gate had a large warning sign on it, ‘Danger Everfree Cuttings. Do not enter’ it read. The fence looked much newer than the rest of the farm.
 
“Well this has Ivy’s hoof prints all over it. I say we break into there and deal with her now,” said Robin stamping her hooves.
 
“Slow down, let me have a chance to look round the place and find out where Bats is before we go in half-cocked.”
 
“Why do you keep getting to tell me what to do?”
 
“You know what they say, beauty before youth,” said Catmare as she quickly picked the lock and prized the gate open.
 
“I’ve never heard anyone say that before,” Robin looked puzzled.
 
“Well they should, it’s a good saying.” With that Catmare slinked into the compound leaving the filly behind.
 
The area inside the walled off area was quite large and was marked off into various areas. In each area different types of strange plants grew, to one side was a plot of bright blue flowers to another strange vaguely pony shaped tubers sat in pots.
 
Catmare gave a shudder, this place gave her the creeps. She made her way across the garden avoiding contact with any of the greenery. As she went she could hear a noise that made her heart race, the grinding sound of a wood chipper. She rushed towards the sound and peeked around a low bush. There on the far side of the clearing lay Batstallion strapped securely to a conveyor belt which was slowly pulling him towards a chipper, he was no longer under Ivy’s control and was struggling against his bonds. Over him stood Poison Ivy working the crank for the machine and looking down on her captive.
 
“You’ll never get away with this Ivy,” roared Batstallion.
 
“Oh do be quiet caped crusader, you’ll upset my green friends, they’re very sensitive.”
 
Holding her position Catmare prepared to rush out and tackle the green hooved villainess. So intent was she on her prey that she didn’t notice a vine lash out and wrap itself around one of her hind legs. Suddenly she was tugged into the air and held upside down, “Whaaaaa,” she cried.
 
Ivy spun round to see the black clad mare being suspended over a large bulb bigger than a pony. “Well done Twoie,” she purred, “You caught a nasty little spy. Momma’s so proud.” She Turned to Catmare, “I let you live once due to professional courtesy but now, well my poor baby’s just so hungry.
 
The bulb split open into four to reveal a soft pink fleshy sack within and sharp teeth like thorns coating the inside. The tentacle holding Catmare up started to slowly lower the struggling mare into the gaping mouth.  
 
Suddenly there was a flash of red and yellow and Catmare found herself borne through the air by Robin. “You’re too heavy,” gasped the foal as their course started to bend towards the ground.
 
“Are you calling me fat?” asked her outraged cargo.
 
In response Robin dropped Catmare to the ground, she landed on her hooves, before turning back towards the pony eating plant. Seemingly enraged by the loss of its meal the creature was waving its tentacles in search of another victim. Slamming into the barrier fence with her hind hooves Robin leapt back at the plant monster and took one of its vines in her mouth biting clean through it, “Sorry, but this meal bites back,” she called.
 
On the ground Catmare found herself charged by a furious Ivy who leapt on top of her and tried to crush her throat with her hooves. The two mares rolled around on the ground trying to gain the advantage, the crashed into the conveyor belt next to the struggling Batstallion. “I bet you’re just loving this,” muttered Catmare looking up at the Dark Knight, then cried out as Ivy wrapped a hoof in her opponent's mane and pulled.
 
Suddenly there was a fizz in the air and a stench of ozone as the spell that had been blanketing the town was discharged and the magic effecting the costumes stopped.
 
“Hey, I can fly. I can fly!” shrieked Scootaloo in delight realising where she was. Unfortunately it was just at that moment that the extra magical boost that was keeping her in the air faded and she began to plummet to the ground. “Why can’t I fly?” she wailed.
 
“Carrot Top?” asked Cheerilee suddenly finding herself straddled by her friend.
 
“What’s going on?” asked her likewise confused companion. “What are we doing in my experimental patch?” She looked around, “”Scootaloo!” she yelled in horror as the orange filly fell towards the open mouth of the plant creature.
 
Pushing the farmer aside Cheerilee scrambled to her hooves and leapt into the air to shove the falling filly aside only to be captured by another tentacle and pulled towards the gaping maw herself. She tried to dig her hooves in but was inexorably pulled towards it.
 
“Hang on!” yelled Carrot Top grabbing a hose in her mouth and dragging a tank of liquid towards the creature. She put the tank down and began to pump it with one hoof causing a spray of liquid to emerge from the hose towards the plant creature. Instantly its tentacles went limp and its mouth slowly started to close up again.
 
Cheerilee laid where she had been dropped for a few moments while Scootaloo got shakily to her hooves. “Carrot Top?” she said calmly, “Why do you have a pony eating plant in your garden?”
 
“I didn’t know that’s what it was,” moaned the yellow mare, “I’m so sorry. After Zecora nailed us with all of those potions I thought about what I could do with all the rare plants in the Everfree so I started to collect some cuttings. I didn’t mean for anypony to get hurt.”
 
Cheerilee get up and winced slightly, “Well not much harm done. Maybe you should be a bit more careful about what you grow in future.”
 
“Eh, could somepony untie me,” asked Heavy Roller from where he still lay.
 
“I don’t know,” said Cheerilee hungrily looking up and down the costumed stallion, “You do look kind of good like that.”


> The case of the dangerous duo
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Bonnie are you sure that you want to go out this evening? I know you’ve had a hard couple of weeks.” Lyra looked down at her marefriend with concern. The candy mare had been working herself to the bone ever since Princess Luna had announced the new holiday. Originally thinking that she would be forced to give treats to all the town’s foals the white mare had worried that she might have been driven to bankruptcy. However, when she realised that the whole town would have to buy sweets to give to the kids she had been forced to work flat out to meet the demand. So far nightmare night had turned out to be highly profitable for the candy mare if exhausting, plus it gave her the chance to test some new recipes on the trick or treaters.
 
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to miss this for a minute,” said Bon Bon, “I’ve always wanted to try out these costumes.”  She gestured at her clothes, she was wearing an old fashioned yellow dress and a white cap. “Yours makes you look very distinguished.” She indicated to her partner who was dressed in a suit and fedora hat.
 
“I suppose so, but why do I have to be the stallion?” Lyra pouted trying to look more feminine.
 
Bon Bon sighed, “It just makes sense that I’m Bonnie, it’s my name after all, so that makes you Clydesdale. I remember really loving that play when my parents first took me to see it, it seemed so special to have one of the characters with the same name as me. The story was so romantic, the two of them so in love and going up against the world.”
 
Lyra smiled indulgently, her knowledge of the history behind the duo they were dressed as was better than her partners but as a bard she recognised the necessity to bend the truth a little to make a good story. Plus she understood how much Bon Bon loved the play, she did keep dragging the two of them to it every time it was performed anywhere near Ponyville.
 
Suddenly there was a knocking at the door. “I’ll get that,” said Lyra as she levitated up one of the toy repeating crossbows that went with their costumes.
 
“Be careful with that, they’re expensive.”
 
“Yeah but with the killing you’ve made this week you can afford them, plus they’re so cool.” Lyra swung the weapon around, her horn flashing as she spraying the wall with a hail of foam darts.
 
“You and your toys, sometimes I don’t think you’ll ever grow up.”
 
“You know you love it really.”
 
“True,” said Bon Bon kissing Lyra on the nose, “Let’s both see who it is,” she picked up her own toy weapon, “We can try the aniseed balls this time.”
 
The door opened to reveal Ditzy Doo and her daughter Dinky both also in costume. The older mare was wearing a suit and a bowler hat with a cane under one wing while the small unicorn had on a tweed jacket with a cape and a deerstalker hat firmly in place on her head. Clutched in her mouth was a curved pipe, she blew hard and several bubbles emerged from the bowl. “Trick or treat,” they both announced.
 
“Ditzy. Dinky,” Lyra cried, “You’re Sherclop Holmes aren't you?” she admired Dinky’s costume, “And you must be Dr Watson then?”
 
The cross eyed mare nodded. Dinky took the pipe from her mouth and scrutinised the older couple, “I deduce that...” she stared myopically, “You’re wearing really old clothes, did people used to wear things like that when you were foals?”
 
“Hey,” said Bon Bon insulted, “We’re not that old Dinky.”
 
The foal looked chastised, “Sorry, who are you dressed as then?”
 
“She’s Bonny Prancer and I’m Clydesdale, they were criminals from, well a long time ago, they robbed banks and stuff,” said Lyra.
 
“So they were bad ponies. Why do you want to dress like them?” Dinky looked confused.
 
“Well they really loved each other a lot and had a lot of fun together,” pointed out Bon Bon her eyes shining, “and the banks they robbed were run by some bad ponies who took people’s money.”
 
Lyra felt she should correct some of her partner’s misconceptions but now didn’t seem to be the time.
 
“What happened to them?” asked Dinky.
 
“Eventually the guard caught up with them and..”
 
“They felt really bad about what they had done and went to prison for a long time before spending the rest of their lives helping other ponies,” said Ditzy interrupting the tale with a more foal friendly ending.
 
“That’s not ...” began Lyra before noticing the look in Ditzy’s eye, “That’s just what happened.” she agreed, Bon Bon nodded as well. “So why did you decide to go as the great detective?” she asked changing the topic.
 
“Sherclop Holmes is a really smart pony, he can tell everything about somepony just by looking at their hooves,” cheered Dinky.
 
“She’s been into the books since Twilight lent her one for a school project,” said Ditzy.
 
“They have some really hard words in them that Momma helps me with, but they're fun to read. Apart from the one with the big dog in it, that one was scary,” the foal shuddered, “I’m not sure if I want a dog any more if they’re scary like that.”
 
Ditzy gave her daughter a quick hug, “Don’t worry most dogs are friendly. Anyway Rarity was nice enough to make these costumes for us.”
 
“Yeah, she made ours as well,” said Bon Bon, “Oh I almost forgot, here are some sweeties for you Dinky,” she dropped a few treats into the foal’s bag. “Tell me what you think of them, oh and remember to tell all your friends where you got them from.”
 
“Thank you, Ms Bon Bon,” said Dinky politely.
 
“Well we better be off,” said Ditzy, “We have to meet up with Cheerilee soon.”
 
“Are you coming to the party after Trixie’s show?” asked Lyra.
 
“Heavy Roller has agreed to look after all the foals for a bit so I should be able to spend some time with you and the rest of the girls.”
 
“Good, see you there then.”
 
Mother and daughter both said their goodbyes and Dinky once again thanked them for the sweets before the two of them left heading for the schoolhouse.
 
Bon Bon watched the retreating foal, “We need to get ourselves one of those,” she said wistfully.
 
“Bonny,” said Lyra reproachfully.
 
“Oh, not for a while, but some when.”
 
“Yeah, some when,” said Lyra nuzzling her marefriend, “and when we do it’ll be perfect. Now come on, you decided I’m a stallion for tonight so I think I should show off my moll to the rest of the guys,” she gave Bon Bon a telekinetic slap on the flank making her squeak. “Get your gun we’ve got a town to wow.”
 





 
Lyra and Bon Bon were strolling through Ponyville when Rarity activated the spells built into the costumes she had made for them and others around the town. The physical changes to Bon Bon were minimal, she became a unicorn version of herself, but Lyra was aglow with green light as her unconscious transformed herself to match its opinion of what Clydesdale should look like. Her form swelled and muscle was added to bulk herself out. Most noticeably she left her feminine form behind as she transformed into a stallion.
 
“Hey, Clyde,” drawled Bonnie in a newly obtained Manehatten accent, “Where are we?”
 
“I don’t know, honey,” he replied tightening his magical grip on his repeating crossbow as he looked around suspiciously.
 
“Looks like another two bit town, still it doesn’t matter as long as we have each other,” she nuzzled her stallion.
 
“I suppose so,” he replied not sounding convinced. Then his glance fell on a nearby building and a grin spread over his face. “Now that is something that does matter.”
 
Bonnie looked up, “What is it?”
 
“That bank over there, little place like this there's probably no security around to stop us, definitely no guards. We can make a killing then I’ll get you all the pretty things you like and we can have some real fun.”
 
The pair creeped over to the banks entrance, all the buildings around it seemed to be shut and there were few other ponies around to notice them. In the distance they could just about make out panicked cries but nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be occurring near them. The bank’s front door had large glass panels in it and the two criminals peered inside.
 
As far as they could tell there was only a single pony within the building, a rather stressed looking unicorn stallion with a dark blue coat and a thinning black mane. He was sitting at a desk in a side office, they could only see him as the office door was open. He was hunched over a large book, a quill float nearby occasionally darting in to make notes in the ledger.
 
The bank’s front door seemed secure, Clyde was sure he could break it down eventually but it would take time and attract attention. A more subtle plan was needed. “Honey,” he said, “I need you to get that nice stallion over there to come out here.”
 
Bonnie did not seem please at this news, “Do In have to? You know I don’t like doing that.”
 
“Sorry, you’re going to have to take one for the team. I’ll make it up to you later.”
 
“Fine,” she agreed with bad grace and knocked on the door as Clyde disappeared round the side of the building.
 
Inside the stallion practically fell off his chair in surprise the quill going flying. He picked himself up and looked around nervously before noticing Bonnie standing at the door. He looked confused and started to trot towards the front of the bank.
 
“Bon Bon?” he asked from the other side of the door, “What are you doing here? The banks closed for this Nightmare night thing.”
 
“It’s Bonnie not Bon Bon. How do you know me?” the confused criminal asked starting to back away.
 
“I did help arrange your small business loan, I remember you from then.”
 
“I think you got me mixed up with somepony else. Anyway my cart threw a wheel, I need a big strong stallion to help me fix it.”
 
“I’m sort of busy right now, can’t you get anypony else?”
 
The white mare pushed herself up against the glass panel, “I’d be really appreciative, if you could help me,” she said breathily.
 
“Oh,” said the bank worker as the penny dropped, “Lyra not giving you everything you need at home then? There’re some things you just need a stallion for, right,” he grinned lustfully and unlocked the door before walking out into the street.
 
Clyde rushed around the corner and put his crossbow to the surprised stallions head, “Lyra?” gasped the bank worker, “I was joking about... Wait what have you done...”
 
“Shut up,” yelled Clyde slapping the surprised stallion with his hoof.
 
“Owww! What was that for? Why do you have that toy?”
 
“It’s not a toy,” said Clyde, he pointed the crossbow at a wall and several bolts threw out embedding themselves in the brick.
 
“Now Mr...” said Bonnie pointing her own crossbow.
 
“Penny Pincher,” the stallion blurted out sweat dripping down his face.
 
“Now Mr Penny Pincher, we’d like to make a big withdraw.”
 





 
“Interesting,” said Sherclop, she rolled her neck and looked down at her hooves. The magic in Dinky’s costume had caused her to grow and mature but the magic had its limits and she was still a short pony. Her coat and mane remained more or less unchanged although her horn had lengthened into a pointed spike.
 
“Sorry, what was that I felt a little dizzy for a moment there,” said Watson steadying herself on her cane. Ditzy’s transformation had resulted in her wings disappearing as she became as earth pony mare and in addition her eyes had straightened and she had shrunk slightly but became more muscular.
 
“I dare say that is because you are not yourself and neither am I.”
 
“What the Tyrek do you mean Holmes?”
 
“We are not ourselves, I believe we may be some form of magical constructs.”
 
“You haven't been on the salt again have you?” asked Watson sighing.
 
“Salt? Now that is interesting, further proof to my theory I think.”
 
“You really do think we’re some kind of copy don’t you?”
 
“I’m afraid so, for several reasons. I know that I have memorized the composition and location of over one hundred soil types found around Trottingham, yet when I try to actually think of them, I can only bring three to mind those mentioned in your published case books. In addition you are currently significantly larger than I am, why this should be I am not sure, maybe who or whatever has created us has limited resources and was not able to create us both full size. Thirdly you have mentioned salt and from your tone I take it to be an intoxicant or hallucinogen,” the words felt strange on her tongue as if she hadn’t used them before, “But I am unaware of anything about its effects. We were obviously created from different sources of information. Most interesting. It may seem a fantastical idea but when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
 
“That’s quite astounding,” stuttered Watson, strangely she didn’t feel the existential dread she would have expected from being told she was an artificial creation, although maybe that was a side effect of being artificial. “But why would somepony do that?”
 
“As no one appears to be around, it may be accidental, or possibly for the entertainment of some unknown party. We will have to investigate our environment more to find out.”
 
Watson looked around they seemed to be in a small town of some sort, certainly nowhere that she recognised but nothing seemed to be particularly out of place, the street they were standing in was largely deserted.
 
“This way,” commanded Holmes apparently picking a direction at random and striding off, only partially hampered by her reduced size. Watson followed behind limping slightly her war injury was acting up, although if Holmes was right she had never actually been in battle.
 
Their journey through the streets raised more questions, few ponies were outside and the few they did see seemed to be running from something. At one point a pack of diamond dogs approached them and Watson prepared for a fight but the creatures ignored them and ran past with a call of “Pre-ty Pony.”
 
“Curious,” was Holmes’s only comment on the situation.
 
Eventually the detective drew his attention to a building to the right, “What do you make of that Watson?”
 
“It seems to be a bank, I can’t say I recognise the company ‘Ponyville Trust’ I guess that’s where we are then.”
 
“And the door?”
 
“Why, it’s open.”
 
“Yes, and the sign shows it as closed. Odd no? Not to mention the several crossbow bolts stuck in the wall there. Worth a closer investigation don’t you think?”
 
“The pair approached the building, Holmes briefly stopped to investigate a patch of ground in front of the bank. Watson raised his cane as a weapon before gently pushing the door open, the inside seemed empty. The two investigators moved quietly through the bank. Holmes listened at a side door, noting the name tag showed it belonged to the bank manager. She gestured to Watson before pushing open the door to reveal a dark blue unicorn stallion. He was lying on his side with his legs tied together gnawing at the ropes in an attempt to free himself. He looked up in panic at the strangers. “Don’t hurt me,” he squealed.
 
“Don’t worry my good stallion,” said Watson stepping forwards to help the stricken pony, “We’re here to help.”
 
“What happened here?” asked Holmes looking around the office.
 
“Robbers, two of them a stallion and a mare, I was just  finishing some things off then they turned up, they had crossbows, they forced me to open the safe and give them bits,” babbled the bank worker as Watson undid his bonds and pulled him to his hooves.
 
“Don’t worry, Mr?”
 
“Penny Pincher,” replied then stallion automatically.
 
“Don’t worry Mr Pincher. I happened to be the world’s best consulting detective, I’m sure I’ll be able to get your money back.”
 
“Umm, aren’t you taking this Nightmare night thing too far?”
 
“Nightmare night?”
 
“The fancy dress and everything it’s not like you're the real Sherclop Holmes.”
 
“Of course,” she turned to her assistant, “Just as I suspected.” Turning back to Penny she continued, “Well I guess we should summon the guard then, they should be able to deal with this.”
 
“No wait! I don’t think we’ll need to involve them, anything public could harm the banks reputation.” The stallion looked panicked.
 
“Well I can be most discrete then,” not waiting for an answer Holmes continued, “Now my companion has medical training it’s best if you let her look at you for the moment. To make sure you’ve suffered no lasting harm”.
 
“Now what did they do to you?” asked Watson leading his patient out of the office, meanwhile Holmes picked up a quill from the floor and flipped through a ledger on the table.
 
“The stallion punched me in the horn and I think I passed out, I can’t get my magic to work.” cried Penny starting to shake.
 
Watson gently prodded the unicorns horn, “It’s not cracked,” she moved her hoof through the stallions field of vision and his eyes followed it. “I don’t think there's any serious damage, you should be fine in a few hours.”
 
“Oh that’s a relief,” signed Penny, “But how are we going to find them.”
 
Sherlock breezed back into the room cloak billowing behind him. “That is simple, the criminals left with a cart. They would have needed one to carry the loot, I judge it had four wheels, although the rear left one was stiff. The vehicle was probably approximately five feet wide and seven long. Painted Blue.”
 
“Hey,” Penny leapt up, “That’s my cart! They took my cart?” He rushed to the door and looked out, “They did take my cart!”
 
Watson looked at Holmes who was gazing at him companion as if waiting for him to say something. He sighed, “How did you work that out?”
 
“Simplicity itself,” stated the small unicorn, glowing with self-importance. “There are tracks just outside of a heavily laden cart, the marks indicate the stiff wheel and the dimensions can be easily calculated from the wheel pattern.”
 
“And the colour?”
 
“Well that was a guess but as the only pony here it was likely to be Mr Pincher’s and most ponies paint their vehicles the same colour as themselves. Anyway we don’t have any further time to lose waiting here Watson the game's afoot.” The small unicorn rushed out the door followed by Watson and Penny.
 





 
“That was really special Lyra, I mean Clyde” sighed Bonnie as she cuddled up with Clyde. Why had she said that, who was Lyra? Luckily the stallion didn’t seem to have noticed. The two of them were in bed together covered by recently rumpled sheets.
 
“Yeah,” he agreed sleepily, “It felt different this time. You like my deposits just as much as making withdraws from that bank,” he chuckled a bit at his own double entendre.
 
“Honey.”
 
“Humm,” replied Clyde consciousness starting to slip away.
 
“We did well today didn’t we, we really hit the jackpot.”
 
“Yeah, we did good,” he mumbled.
 
“Good enough to get out of the game?”
 
Returning to awareness Clyde stretched and looked around the cramped room. Bags of bits were scattered all around it. “I don’t know, maybe. Why?”
 
“Well we could settle down somewhere where no one knows us and, well maybe raise a family. Just the two of us.”
 
“Maybe,” said the stallion sounding unsure, “But can you really see us on a farm or something, you’d be climbing the walls within a week.”
 
“You’re all the excitement I need.”
 
Clyde rolled over and began to nuzzling Bonnie on the neck, “So you need some more excitement do you?” He asked between kisses.
 
Bonnie’s ears pricked up, “Clyde,” she squeaked, “There’s someone in the other room.”
 
Quick as a flash Clyde rolled out of bed and grabbed for his crossbow. He gestured to Bonnie to stay where she was and stalked towards the bedroom door. He pushed it open a crack and peered into the rented apartments other room. A mare in old fashioned garb was creeping towards him. Snarling Clyde flung the door open and pointed his weapon at the intruder. “Hold it,” he yelled.
 
To his surprise the stranger did not appear intimidated and instead went straight on the offensive. Striking out with her cane the mare knocked the crossbow from his aura, then charged forwards shoving him into the wall behind him.
 
However Clyde was bigger than his opponent and certainly no stranger to brawls. He pushed his attacker back using his aura and swung a hoof at her jaw. Watson dodged back and counterattacked landing a blow on her opponent’s horn dispelling his magic. The two started to tumble around on the floor. However, the greater strength of the earth pony proved to be too much for the unicorn stallion and he found himself pinned to the ground.
 
“Give up,” ordered Watson holding a forearm to his opponent's throat, “You're beaten.”
 
Suddenly a hail of bolts flew over the doctors head and she leapt aside. Bonnie stood in the doorway to the bedroom her aura flashing as she worked the crossbow’s mechanism. “Get away from my stallion!” she yelled.
 
Watson scampered across the floor trying to avoid the incoming fire, he took cover behind a sofa.
 
“Thanks Babe,” said Clyde as he got to his hooves and staggered over to join his lover.
 
“Are you alright?” she asked sounding concerned.
 
“I’ll live,” he replied rubbing his neck, “Now kill her and we better get out of here, she might have brought the guards down on us.”
 
“I’d rather you didn’t do that. She is rather dear to me,” came a commanding voice. Totally unnoticed till now Holmes strode over from the corner of the room towards the pair of criminals in the doorway.
 
Bonnie gapped for a second then began to turn her weapon to bear on the small unicorn. “Whoa there titchy,” she started. Holmes flicked out a single hoof and to her surprise Bonnie found herself on her back behind the unicorn.
 
Angered by the attack on his lover Clyde turned to Holmes with a snarl but stopped when he felt the crossbow press against his head. He swallowed loudly.
 
“Fascinating device,” commented Holmes holding the bulky weapon steady in her aura, “I believe I understand it enough to use. Unless you wish to try your luck?”
 
“Dammit Holmes, couldn’t you have done something earlier?” asked Watson standing up from behind the chair noting the numerous bolts embedded in it.
 
“I’m confident you had everything under control, you even looked like you were enjoying it.”
 
“Who are you people?” asked Clyde his eyes still fixed on the weapon head at his head.
 
“I am Sherclop Holmes and this is my companion Dr Watson,” said Sherclop gesturing to Clyde and Bonnie to move to the far wall of the room.
 
“Like from those books?” asked Bonnie looking confused.
 
“Books? Interesting we are fictional then?”
 
Before Holmes could say anything more Penny Pincher stuck his head around the door, “Is it over?” he asked fearfully.
 
“Ah Mr Pincher, yes the robbers have been apprehended and we have recovered your banks money. It’s in the bedroom.”
 
“Oh good, I’ll just make sure it’s all there,” said the stallion heading towards the other door.
 
“Of course. GRAB THAT STALLION WATSON!” shouted Holmes gesturing at Penny.
 
Acting instinctively at his friend’s command Watson lunged at the bank worker and pinned him against the wall.
 
“What’s going on?” wailed the unicorn.
 
“Why, I am stopping the bank robbers of course,” said Holmes, “Only there were two robberies going on today, were their not? These hoodlums,” he gestured at Bonnie and Clyde huddled against the wall, “Were robbing the bank physically, hardly a true test of my abilities any old thief taker could have dealt with them. You, however, were robbing your employers in an entirely different, but no less criminal way.”
 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Let me go!” demanded Penny.
 
“Oh, do be quiet. You have been defrauding your bank for quite some time now, I assume that they have recently become suspicious of you resulting in you needing to run now.”
 
“How do you know all this Holmes?” asked Watson.
 
“Simplicity itself,” replied the diminutive unicorn, beginning to pace backwards and forwards while keeping the criminals covered with his weapon. “My suspicions were first raised when we found Mr Pincher, he was not gagged, if he had chosen to cry for help any passer-by would have heard. Yet he was silently trying to free himself. Why? Because he did not want to be found there, the bank was closed, he had no reason to be on the premises.”
 
“I was working overtime, you’ve got it all wrong. Let me go,” begged Penny struggling weakly.
 
“I think not. You were not even in your own office, the name on the door was Holly Bit. A quick search of the ledger proved my suspicions, there had been several recently added transactions moving bits into a specific account, written using your own quill which I found discarded on the floor. A note on the offices calendar stated that the ledger would be transferred to the Canterlot head office the next day, once that had been done you would have been free to collect the monies from any other office. Thus the reason why you did not want the guard involved in this theft, not to prevent your employers embarrassment but if it was reported no doubt a full audit would be carried out and your fraud discovered.”
 
Penny stopped struggling and went limp in Watson’s grasp.
 
“Of course the last piece of evidence was your cart, why bring it to work? What would you need to transport? I got a look at it parked outside, it contains most of your possessions does it not? You were ready to leave town before you could be discovered.”
 
“It’s true, all true,” sobbed Penny, “I didn’t mean for it to get this far, I started small just a few bits here and there, no one noticed they were missing, it was so easy. But then a few became a lot and I’m sure Holly’s on to me. I can’t go to prison, I can’t, I’ll put all the money back. You can keep the bits here, just let me go, please.”
 
Holmes opened her mouth when suddenly there was a fizz in the air and a stench of ozone as the spell that had been blanketing the town was discharged and the magic effecting the costumes stopped.
 
Holmes's form shrunk and Dinky gave a squeak of surprise as she returned to her senses. Lyra staggered as her body returned to its normal female configuration, “Not again,” she gasped as her body finished stretching and bending.
 
Ditzy her eyes recrossing and wings reappearing staggered backwards while Bon Bon, who was least physically affected, looked around in confusion. “What happened?” she asked.
 
Penny Pincher, taking advantage of the confusion, made a break for the door shoving Ditzy aside, she fell back and landed with a cry of pain.
 
“Momma!” cried Dinky, “Bad Stallion!” she pointed the crossbow at the fleeing Penny and pulled the trigger.
 
Expecting to be impaled on a brace of bolts Penny threw himself to the ground but to his surprise a number of soft foam darts bounced off of his flanks. He was just starting to get up when Bon Bon pushed him back down with a hoof, “Stay down!” she snarled. Looking up at the angry mare Penny decided to follow her advice.
 
“Are you alright Momma?” asked Dinky rushing to her mother’s side.
 
“I’m fine muffin,” replied Ditzy rubbing her wing, “Just a bit of a boo boo.”
 
Meanwhile Lyra was examining the bedroom finding several bags full of bits. “I guess we’ll have to take these back,” she said a hint of longing in her eyes.
 
“I think the bank might get angry if we kept them,” agreed Ditzy looking around.
 
“We certainly wouldn’t want there to be any lasting consequences of whatever happened today, would we?”
 
“No, no consequences at all,” said Bon Bon somewhat unsurely resting one hoof on her abdomen.



> Metal beyond words
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“I just want to forget that tonight ever happened,” grumbled Trixie as she stomped back into the residence. Her neck was bandaged and a large cardboard cone had been affixed around her head. According to Nurse Redheart it was too stop her scratching at her wound. Trixie was certain the nurse had some sort of vendetta against her. It wasn’t her fault she’d accidentally halved her clinics budget, all the forms looked far too similar, and anyway she’d fixed it in less than a week.
 
“I can agree on that,” said Twilight, the purple unicorn was covered in sticking plasters almost from head to hoof, her coat had had to be shaved to allow them to be affixed over her many scratches and she was looking very sorry for herself as well as a little cold.
 
The two of them had spent the last several hours in the Ponyville hospital and it was rapidly approaching midnight. The magical disaster which had resulted in the place being overwhelmed by the number of minor injuries caused by a proportion of the population living out their fantasies. Luckily there didn’t seem to have been any serious injuries.
 
To Trixie’s amusement Prince Blueblood had been among the injured having apparently been attacked by his enchanted marefriend. The medical reports she’d sneaked a peek at said he had suffered a minor head trauma and severe chafing. Trixie wasn’t entirely sure what had occurred but it sounded unpleasant.
 
“Well I had fun,” noted Pokey, the only uninjured member of the trio, “It’s not every day I get to see what it’s like to be another species. I’d leap at the chance to do it again.”
 
Trixie was about to reply to her assistant when she noticed the office was filled with her friends.
 
Raindrops was standing in the centre of the room dressed in an slightly torn pink dress, her brother and Snips were standing behind her wearing gaudy superhero costumes. Both looked exhausted and the shorter colt’s eyes had a dreamy sheen to them as he gazed upon the yellow pegasus.
 
Cheerilee was wearing a purple leather cat suit and leaning against a stallion in a Batstallion costume. An orange filly in a matching Robin costume was asleep on the stallions back.
 
Carrot Top was wearing a green body stocking and sitting at Pokey’s desk. Ditzy was wearing a bowler hat and leaning against the desk, while Dinky, wearing a deerstalker, led in her back making gentle snoring sounds.
 
Lyra and Bon Bon were standing at the opposite ends of Trixie’s desk, the aqua unicorn wore an old fashioned suit while her cream marefriend wore an equally antiquated dress. Propped up in Trixie’s seat was a bound and gagged unicorn stallion.
 
Trixie opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t decide where to start so she shut it again.
 
“Trixie, what happened to you?” gasped Ditzy staring at the magician’s bandaged neck and strange head covering.
 
“She got bit,” noted Pokey.
 
“Bitten?” asked Carrot Top, “By what?” she began to poke at the blue mare’s neck causing her to flinch.
 
“Vampirus Rarityus.”
 
“What?”
 
“Rarity was using Zebra magic to enhance her costumes, it backfired on her and turned her into a vampony. She bit and hypnotised Trixie but Mr Pearce managed to remove the spell turning everypony back to normal,” summarized Twilight.
 
“I wish mistress would bite me again,” mumbled Trixie looking spacy, “It felt nice,” she let the last word out as a long sigh. Then she shook her head and fire returned to her eyes, “Arghhhh! When is that going to wear off?!” she cried.
 
“Rarity did always like to play dress up, and to bite,” noted Cheerilee, Heavy Roller’s eyes grew large, “We used to date, if you’re lucky I’ll tell you all about it,” she continued wiggling her eyebrows.
 
“Wait a minute!” exclaimed Raindrops, “Rarity did all this? I thought one of Trixie’s spells had gone wrong.”
 
Trixie harrumphed, “The great and powerful Trixie’s spells never go wrong,” Lyra and Bon Bon glared at her, “Well hardly ever.”
 
“So where is Rarity now?”
 
“She’s back at the boutique deciding on the best outfit to wear while she throws herself on the mercy of the guard.”
 
“You just left her alone? What if she runs?”
 
Trixie and Twilight looked at each other, “I’m sure mistr... I mean Rarity wouldn’t do that,” mumbled Trixie.
 
“Neither of us were at our best,” noted Twilight, “We were both injured. I was attacked by a beast from Tartarus itself.”
 
“Rarity’s cat.”
 
“Beast from Tartarus itself! Eye’s big as dinner plates and claws, claws everywhere!” Twilight started to rock back and forwards gently, clutching her tail for comfort.
 
“Ok, so we messed up, I’m sure you all got through this much better than we did,” growled Trixie.
 
“Um,” said Lyra holding up a hoof, “I think I robbed a bank. But don’t worry we left all the bits safely in our... low... class... motel...” her voice trailed off and Bon Bon face hoofed, “You don’t think that will be a problem do you?” she continued brightly.
 
Trixie just glared.
 
“I definitely robbed Sparkler’s store,” noted Cheerilee cheerfully. Ditzy stared at her. “Don’t worry I’ll put it all back, and give her a few suggestions on how to improve her security.”
 
“We beat up a bunch of stallions, it was awesome,” noted Snips not breaking eye contact from Raindrops.
 
“And Digger,” noted Snails, “But he deserved it!” Raindrops, Carrot Top and Cheerilee all nodded in agreement.
 
“I sort of kissed Snips,” said Raindrops sheepishly. Cheerilee did a double take and reluctantly moved away from Heavy Roller to position herself closer to the colt and the weather pegasus.
 
“It was amazing,” noted the love struck colt.
 
Trixie tried to facehoof but was stopped by the cardboard tube covering her head, she batted at it angrily but only managed to cause it to knock painfully against her horn, “Ok, so you didn’t do better than me. Now, and this shows just how messed up things are given that this is the least important thing to have happened. But who is that?” she pointed at the bound stallion propped up in her chair. He struggled at his bonds for a moment before unbalancing and falling to the floor, no pony helped him up.
 
“That’s Penny Pincher, he was embezzling from the bank,” noted Ditzy, “Dinky figured it all out,” she bent around to nuzzle her dozing daughter.
 
“It was fun, just like the stories in my books,” mumbled Dinky raising her sleepy head, her mane ruffled.
 
“I got to fly,” commented an equally drowsy Scootaloo before snuggling deeper into her father’s mane.
 
“I suppose it was sort of fun,” said Heavy Roller, “Getting to play a hero.”
 
“I got to rob a bank!” noted Lyra with more enthusiasm. “It’s not like it’s something I’ll get to do again.”
 
“You never forget your first bank job,” said Cheerilee dreamily. The rest of the party turned towards her, “Or so I imagine,” she added blushing slightly.
 
“I got turned into a stallion, and me and Bon Bon...” her voice trailed off as she remembered there were foals present, “Well it was different, you know.”
 
“I suppose it was sort of romantic,” said Bon Bon muzzling her marefriend, “The two of us against the world, living as outlaws.”
 
“It nice to be a princess,” agreed Raindrops with a sigh, “Being rescued by a handsome knight.”
 
Snips preened. Cheerilee give Raindrops a hard stare and tipped her head towards the blue colt.
 
The yellow pegasus knelt down to get her head closer to the colt. “Look Snips it was nice of you, of both of you,” she motioned to her brother who grinned, “To rescue me but you know I wasn’t myself when I kissed you and you weren’t yourself either.” She looked awkwardly around at the rest of the room who were hanging on her words, “What I’m trying to say is that you’re a great little guy and I’m sure you’ll make some filly very happy someday but, I’m a bit old for you.”
 
Snips screwed up his face in thought, “So you’re saying we should wait a while before getting married?”
 
Raindrops looked torn for a moment, “Ok, yes. Let’s go with that. If you still feel the same in about ten years we can talk about it.”
 
“I will wait for you my lady,” declared Snips with a bow. Raindrops blushed a little.
 
“Anyway,” said Trixie changing the subject. “Some of you really enjoyed tonight?” she said incredulously.
 
“It was interesting to be somepony else,” said Ditzy, “And nopony got hurt.”
 
“Apart from Digger,” noted Raindrops with a grin.
 
“No one who matters got hurt,” agreed Carrot Top, “And it’s given me some ideas on how to use my plants to deal with any of Corona’s minions who try to attack us. Still no eye beams through,” she muttered.
 
“Are you seriously telling me you’d do it all again?” said Trixie.
 
“Well, not without being warned, but under controlled conditions it’d be fun,” said Cheerilee, “Haven't you ever wanted to be Daring Doo? Or Wonder Mare?”
 
“No,” said Trixie sorely, “Trixie is great and powerful enough as herself thank you.”
 
“I suppose there is some merit to it,” said Twilight considering it.
 
Suddenly there was a rumble of thunder from outside.
 
“There’s no storm scheduled,” noted Raindrops.
 
“What now?” complained Trixie as she and the rest of the room rushed for the door which being too small to allow all of them through at the same time resulted in a ball of hooves and tails rolling out into the street.
 
Outside the sky seemed to have split open to reveal a black vortex from which dozens of bat winged, fanged ponies were emerging and orbiting in formation. The few ponies still on the street were frozen in place at the sight. Suddenly a single larger shape emerged and majestically swooped towards the ground. It was an alicorn so black in colour as to look like a hole in space clothed in armour of blackened steel along which tongues of black flame licked, it’s eyes glowed a demonic red. Her wings seemed to blot out the sky and its horn was sharp as a winter morning. Oddly a bright multi-coloured fluffy clown wig adorned her head.
 
“Greetings my subjects,” bellowed Luna as she touched down, fire rising from the ground where she stood, “I declare Nightmare night to be officially opened.” She looked around but apart from the elements and their friends the rest of the town’s folks seemed to have fled.
 
“Sorry, I’m late,” she said to Trixie in a more normal tone, “Some fool reported a Corona sighting, it turned out to be a filly in a poorly thought out costume. What do you think of my outfit?” She turned to give her pupil a better view.
 
“The wig is an interesting choice,” noted Trixie.
 
“As is your own millinery,” noted the princess prodding the cone surrounding Trixie’s head. “Some of my advisors considered my costume too frightening for the general populous. Although several of my younger subjects stated it was ‘Metal beyond words’ one asked to include my likeness on an album cover. Anyway I had to tone down my image, hence the wig.” She looked around at the damaged town. ”Did something occur here?” she frowned, “You said you could run one little festival without something going amiss.”
 
“There were one or two problems,” admitted Trixie shuffling her hooves, “But my friends said it made the night more fun,” she continued with a nervous grin. “I can tell you more while you extort sweets from children and we save some apples from drowning.”