Her Starry Sky

With a tip of your helmet and a toss of two bits to Big Mac you happily crunch into your caramel apple on a stick. Nothing could really beat a homemade apple product like the Apple Family's. Humming a little tune to yourself you walk back to the swing-around ride that apparently someone had decided to bring in. Of course it was all decked out in a Nightmare Night theme which was why Luna had to be the first in line to ride it. You didn't know why since she had wings and could fly normally which was why this ride attracted very few Pegasus. Well, there was Scootaloo and her friends but that was beside the point. You could already hear Luna and Pip screaming for joy as it started up and went around as your mouth bit into a piece of wood.

“What the!? Oh.”

In your distraction you had accidentally bit into the stick the apple was on. Spitting it out you go back to watching when there comes a tap on your shoulder. You turn around to see what appears to be a older woman looking at you, only to see it was Twilight wearing Rarity's glasses and her hair in a bun.

“Hello Twilight. What are you? A Teacher?”

“No I'm a librarian!”

Your raised eyebrow does not go unnoticed.

“Well, my last costume didn't go over so well last year, so I went with something a little less-”

“Out there?” you answer, taking a bite as a follow up.

“I was going to say historic.” she snapped.

“So you went as yourself?” you say with a slight smile.

“Ha ha. What exactly are you supposed to be? The Dark Knight?”

Of course not he had a cape! This stupid thing doesn't even have a utility belt!

“Actually no this is the armor that they gave me.” you answer through a bite.

“They?”

“The Guards....for marrying you know who. I needed a costume quick and this worked.”

“Oh.” she said pondering before finally realizing what you were saying, “So you enjoying yourself?”

“Yes. So is Luna. She's um, on that.”

You point to the ride behind you as it starts to slow down. As it winds to a halt there is a distinct “Huzzah” that bellows over the crowd.

“Yep.” you speak while taking your last bite.

“No one's noticing that a Princess is on that thing!?”

“She's disguised as a little cat girl. No harm no foul I say.”

“Well, I'll let you two have fun. I'll be helping run the fun house of horror so stop by there later.”

“What are you going to show them? Ripped books?”

You fight the undying urge to laugh as she casts you a dark glance. She thankfully smiles at the joke and walks away as Pip and Luna join you.

“Have fun?” you ask as you toss the stick expertly into the trash.

“Yes! It was awesome.” shouted Pip.

“Twas a most enjoyable attraction!” Luna added in, her excitement causing her to lose her speech control.

I haven't heard “Twas” since you showed up last year.

Luna's face went red as she realized that. You smiled and look off into the long rows of venue's and carnival games.

“Try your hand at one of galleries?” you ask.

“Yeah! Maybe we can win a prize!” Pip squeaked enthusiastically.

“Prize! I want a prize!” yelled Luna

“Well this shouldn't take long.” you say cheerfully.

Twenty minutes, and 12 of your bits, later you could think how wrong you were on that one. Rocking back and forth on your heels you wait patiently as Luna concentrates on the same target she's been pointing at the whole time. All she had to do was hit the targets and win the prize. She wanted to hit the little red target in the back and win the giant plushy manticore. That wasn't to say she wasn't skilled or anything because even you had hit the stupid target twice and yet it did nothing and she's hit it the last three times. To be honest, however, you pray to your sister-in-law that she misses this last shot on this rigged game. One because you're all out of bits. The second reason is you're going to have to carry that thing all around once she gets tired. Pip meanwhile has had the honorable job of holding the rubber band at the peak of tension while Luna aims. Waiting for the final shot, you hear your name being called from afar. Looking around you see what appears to be a vampire and a scarecrow walking up. It's only a matter of seconds before you realize who they are.

“Hello Octavia, Hello Vinyl. What brings you two back here?”

“Twilight asked me if I could help Pinkie with the music around here.” answered Vinyl proudly.

“And I'm here to make sure it stays at least a little festive.” added Octavia.

“More like to be a buzzkill! Wubs are totally festive! I've been to a dozen Nightmare Night shows with the bass being dropped!”

“Maybe in a club in Manehatten! This is Ponyville! They are a bit more traditional.” argued Octavia.

“She has a point, I mean, we have thatch roof cotta-”

A flash of light instantly catches your eye. You turn around to see the last bit of blue magic swirling around the water balloon in Pips hands. The vendor is busy bringing in another client when Luna drops her hand in signal.

“Oh no.” you get out in fear.

The cowboy let go and the enchanted balloon shot in a bee line, effectively destroying the red target. It then continued to burst through the back wall, continue through two more signs before striking Rainbow Dash in the butt. Her screams of panic were heard all around the fair.

“Nice shootin' Tex!” congratulated Luna to Pip

“Yeah nice shooting.” you say, I know what you did!

This game is rigged! Shenanigans!

No! You just suck at aiming! You can't have one person aim ping pong and one person aim the rubber band like that like that! The sight picture will be off not to mention the angle!

How did you get such a expert on this? And it’s water balloons not ping pong balls! What are you going on about?

You look to Octavia, who is still staring in astonishment at Rainbow zipping around trying to find who attacked her. Only that time instead of slingshots and water balloons, it was slingshots and ping pong balls after allot of drinks.

“Long story Luna.” you say.

The vendor meanwhile is in shock over what happened to his stand, much to Pip and Luna's pleasure. He looks back to the three of you, wondering how that was even possible since none of you were Unicorns as far as he knew. Looking up, you smile innocently and point toward the plushy Manticore above your head. It doesn't take you too long to see the vendor does not want to give it up. He'd rather have you pay for the damages. You meanwhile rest your hand on your sword and smirk toward his direction.

“Rules are rules.” you add.

He gingerly hands it to Luna, who embraces it with as much love as she does you normally.

“It's so FLUFFY!” she screams out.

“Of course.” speaks Octavia.

Not too long after you, the intrepid little duo before you, and Octavia and Vinyl are walking around trying to find something else to do. Luna desperately wants to try the spider toss again and remembering how well that one ended last year managed to hold it off until Pip had his fun at the bobbing for Apples. Thankfully this one is free, well, Applejack let's you in free, and Pip is eagerly waiting for the go.

“So who are these two exactly?” came Octavia, “I recognize the cowboy from seeing you with him before.”

“Oh that's Pip. He's a friend of mine.” you answer.

“You're friends with little boys?” Vinyl came, somewhat confused before receiving a punch from her scarecrow friend.

“Well, mentor slash big brother anything. His parents are always working and when we first met he didn't have many friends. I just kinda took him in. He's actually really fun to be around when he's not crazed on sugar or something.”

“The little brother you never had. How sweet.” smiled Octavia.

“And who is the little girl? His cousin or something?”

“No that's Lun-Lulu. My cousin. Twice removed. Little cousin. On my dad's side. Say hi to the nice ladies Lulu!”

“Hewwo!” she said in a cute little voice.

You manage to hide your laughter at so cute she was acting.

“Awe what a adorable little cat!” Octavia gushes at the sight of Luna.

“She's so precious she could almost hypnotize me with her looks!” Vinyl chimed in.

YES! YES! DO MY BIDDING!

Really? If you're going to shout that make sure I can't hear you.

Huh? What?

Yeah, you just managed to broadcast that one out loud to me.

I guess I've done it so many times by now I don't know when I am and when I'm not.

She grew red in the face and twirled around to relieve some of the anxiety. While it looked adorable, you just grinned slyly.

Not very fun when someone always reads your thought's now is it?

Shut up!

What was that all about anyway!?

What? I can't have a little fun every now and then? Like you don't make snarky comments in your mind?

Touche. Still funny!

I said shut up!

You walk away laughing at her little predicament while Octavia and Vinyl look on confused. They had just watched the exchange of glances between the two of you and had no idea of what to make of it. Before anything else is said there comes the snap of a cap gun and the bobbing for apples begins. Instantly the overzealous Pipsqueak dives his head in and falls in completely, leaving only his stetson floating in the water above. Rolling your eyes as everyone else, including Applejack, looks on horrified you head over flexing your arm to grab the little guy. Diving your hand in you fish around for the kid until your hand comes across cloth and skin. Gripping it you raise the kid out of the water, only this isn't a kid.

“Oh, hello Derpy.”

She spits out her apple and smiles while waving innocently dressed in nothing more that fake bunny ears and a white onesie pajamas. She's apparently just as surprised to see you as you, and by extension everyone else, is to see her.

“Uh, did you see Pip down there?” you finally get out, breaking the silence.

“Um, I think so. Let me go check!”

Diving back under, the bunny mailwoman disappears as if never existing.

“Did anyone even know she was in there?” asked Octavia.

“Ah reckon that's why the thing was so darn heavy.” came Applejack.

Looking in to see if you can see anything in the green water. Nothing, nothing but floating apples and the ripples from where Derpy dove back under. Just as you were about to raise an eyebrow the rabbit emerges holding a cowboy guiltily holding a zap apple in his mouth. Grabbing him in bewilderment, you set the dripping boy aside as Derpy jumps out, holding two large apples and a muffin in her hands.

“Welcome to Ponyville.” you say to your two shocked friends

Creating a wind gust to dry Pip off and readying yourself for Luna's oncoming barrage to try the spider toss, there comes a commotion from afar. Looking toward the stage you see the Mayor dressed as a mummy readying to commemorate the night. Everyone starts to rush to gather around while Luna and Pipsqueak tug at your armor.

“Can we go see!?” came Pip.

“Please! Can we go see!?” begged Luna.

“Yeah, yeah! Of course!”

The intrepid duo tear off as you calmly walk over to the edge of the crowd. As you start, there comes a poke at your side and you turn to see Applejack walking alongside you.

“Nice costume! Did Rarity do it fer ya?”

“Nah, this wasn't from her. This one was more a gift from Luna. It's complicated.”

“Complicated huh? You don't say.” she smiled.

Was it just you, or was she hiding something under that smile?

“So, Gray who's the girl? A friend of Pip's? Or a friend of yours?”

“Friend of both really.” you answer, trying to keep up the charade.

“How much of a friend? Good? Or really good?” she inquired.

"Good. That's actually kinda creepy-oh I see where you're getting at."

Applejack just snickered as what she knew smacked you across the face.

“How did you?” your mouth unable to make anymore words.

Applejack bursts out into laughter at that. She holds her sides barely able to contain herself. How did she know? You knew Applejack was good, but you didn't think she was this good. As she recovered, she was nearly sent over into another laughter spell when she caught sight of the look on your face.

“Ah never forget a face. Even if it looks like a youngin' Ah knew that was Luna when she walked up. That an' we were talkin' in our heads or whatever fancy magic she has.”

So she was that good, “Yeah, She does that to me allot. She tell you anything?”

“Nothin' that Ah already didn' know. Twilight told me what happened. So, Ah'm sorry and congratulations.”

“Yeah, it's interesting situation to say the least.”

“Ya'll gonna tell anyone about it?”

“I honestly have no idea. So far I'm keeping quiet on it and prefer to keep it that way for now.”

“What if she want's to let the world know?”

You ponder at that thought for the moment. You loved Luna dearly, but letting all of Equestria know you two were in a relationship, let alone the scandal that would come from this, who knew what would happen! You shuddered at the mere idea of letting people know.

“I don't know.” you answer honestly, “I really don't know.”

“You can't keep hiding it forever you know. We all know how bad that turns out.”

“I just don't know, Applejack. I just don't know.”

“Well, whatever happens, we'll be here for you.” she comforted, putting her hand on your shoulder.

“There you are.” came a familiar voice.

You look back to see your friends the scarecrow and vampire walk up.

“I wondered where you two went.” you answered.

“We thought you’d ditched us! Looks like you just walked over here.” explained Octavia.

“Well, there was a make-out session in between it, but-OUCH!” Vinyl yelled, getting a thwap from Octavia's arm.

“Yeah, Applejack, this is my old roommate from school, Octavia, and her girlfriend Vinyl Scratch. Both good friends of mine. You two, this is Applejack, farmer, good friend of mine, and one of the Elements of Harmony.”

“Both an honor and a pleasure to meet you.” greeted Octavia.

“Sup!” came Vinyl.

Before anything else could be said, the Mayor tapped the microphone calling the crowd to attention: “Evening Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to Nightmare Night!”

“At least she ain't a clown again.” you say with relief.

“Ah don't know. Ah kinda' liked the clown duds.”

“A clown? Her? Hilarious.” laughed Octavia.

“I ain't kiddin'! She went in a ridiculous clown outfit last year! Surprisingly she managed to scare some of the l'l kids half to death!”

“By what? Honking them to death.” chuckled Vinyl.

You laugh nervously hiding your fear of the evil clown whose only intent is to destroy us all! At least the ominous dark mist was here to protect us from their insidious ways and their popcorn guns! Wait, dark ominous mist? Sure enough floating up above the stage was a blue mist that seemed to be being ignored by everyone else around the stage. Looking around, you spy Luna, or Lulu, looking on happily as the Mayor announced a kick off to the festivities. There was nothing to indicate she was doing this, and you nudge Applejack and point up toward it.

“Uh, was this part of the festival?” you ask her.

“What in tarnation is that!?” she yelled.

Everyone stopped and looked back to you two, and then to where you were pointing. The mist continued to swirl around the stage and seep into the crowd below. A few jumped back or into the air while the children ran for their lives; chased after by their parents. Even the mayor didn't know what was going on when the sky flashed with lightning and boomed with thunder. A little scarred yourself, you reached down and grabbed your sword, but not pulling it out. Last thing the panicked people here needed was a guy drawing a weapon, especially when you looked exactly like a General in Nightmare's Army should she had ever had one. Taking a step back you feel a tugging at one of your boots and you look to see a very worried Cowboy.

“Gray! I can't find Luna anywhere!?”

Now you were alarmed. You were about to jump into the air and try and find her when there came a commotion and shouting from the crowd that was still trying to hide. Looking up there was a new happening going on in the sky. The mist formed into a oddly familiar face and cackled at everyone's fear. No, there was no way, she couldn't have, could she? No, no, no! This wasn't her at all and you knew that for a fact. That being said, where was she? Staring into the sky Twilight ran up and spoke the magic words:

“What's going on here?”

Everyone gave her shrugs. You meanwhile kept looking into the sky as the facial features became more defined her voice all too similar with that laugh. Your grip on your sword tightened as you felt blood being fueled by adrenaline. She had returned once not too long ago, and again she was back again, but not this time! Starting in your lungs and bursting out in a voice as loud as a Royal Canterlot voice, you cry its name:

“Nightmare Moon!”

And with that everyone went into a panic.