Being Brave part II

"Open your mind. Rid your doubt. channel the air from your lungs to your snout." Said Zecora "Hind legs back, foreleg thrust, push away your bad thoughts. That's a must." Cory and CMC were right behind her as they copied her moves. "Beware of dins, noises and sounds, for these distractions should not be abound."

"Wow, I am really becoming one with my inner zen today." Said Scootaloo after which everyone shooshed her.

"Whoops. Sorry." She replied sheepishly.

Nightmare Night was a few hours away. Everypony back home was trying on their costumes, decorating their homes, ready to please Nightmare Moon with their supply of candy. Cory, being assigned the event planner for Ponyville, thought it would be best to calm his nerves and ease his stress with a bit of Tai Chi near Zecora's hut. In addition, upon his new duties as a Cutie Mark scout master, decided to make this his first activity for the CMC. Sporting the ascot they gave him, and a backwards ball cap, he really felt like a good role model to these young fillies. Though they couldn't really understand how this pertained to tonight's events, they were still pretty satisfied with what he planned for them.

Once again, he had found himself in the middle of the peaceful part of the Everfree Forest. Only instead of petals, leaves of every color were falling gently onto the autumn ground. Cory had already attained enough experience from Zecora to be able to move the leaves with the flick of his hands. The CMC stared at awe as they created a whirlwind before their very eyes. Together, the leaves looked like a cyclone surrounding them in a menagerie of red, yellow and orange. then, with the command of his hands and her hooves, the whirlwind burst apart as the leaves trickled against the gleam of the sunlight above, every falling fragment looked like a golden feather softly falling to the ground, covering the forest floor with their hues and shades.

"Don't worry girls." said Cory "With practice I'm sure you'll all be able to do all that too."

"Thanks so much for tagging us along for your weekly meditation practice." Said Sweetie Belle as they all finished their tai chi.

"Well, always glad to plan activities for you three." he replied.

"Hey, come on. You're our scout master now." Said Applebloom "You're always there when we need ya."

"Wait, what time is it?" asked Cory as he looked at his watch. "Aw jeez, we'd better go. Ponyville is expecting us right now.

Cory calmly picked up his backpack and flung it around his shoulder.

"Thanks for letting the Cutie Mark Crusaders practice with us Zecora."

"It's makes me smile to descend, our words and teachings to your friends." Zecora replied.

The CMC latched onto him as she said this. Applebloom tugged on his left leg, Scootaloo clung on his right arm, and Sweetie Belle climbed on his shoulders, making him feel like a strong tree.

"Well, I..um" Cory cleared his throat "I'll see you at the festival tonight. Right?"

Zecora replied with a nod while he waved and walked back to Ponyville with the three little fillies still clinging onto him.

"So what kinda Nightmare Night ya got in store fer us Cory?" Asked Applebloom as they reached the edge of the Everfree Forest.

"Oh, you'll see." He replied

"Ugh! I hate it when I don't know." Groaned Scootaloo while the others quietly chuckled.

By the time they arrived, the sun had already turned in for the day and the moon was shining it's beams onto the land. Everypony in Ponyville was preparing for the Nightmare Night festival. All the painted and textured to look like German Expressionist artwork. The streets and squares were filled with booths and games for all to play. Younger ponies were already trick or treating at other ponies doors singing "Nightmare Night. What a Fright. Give us something sweet to bite." A filly and a colt were bobbing for apples in one of the barrels. Pinkie Pie, dressed as a clown, could be found already beginning to collect her stash of candy, gobbling it up like a pig. All this reminded Cory so much of Halloween, his favorite holiday back home.

The theme Cory decided upon this year was inspired by a film he fondly remembered: "The Nightmare Before Christmas." And why not? From what Twilight taught him during his history review sessions, he believed Nightmare Moon and the music of that film was a match made in heaven. Cory gently dropped the three fillies friends as they ran off to put on their costumes. Just then, Applejack and Spike approached the scene sporting two costumes. Spike was a dog and Applejack, a scarecrow.

"Woo Wee! You sure are being a role model to them girls." Commented Applejack , to which Cory blushed.

"So, when do we get to see your big show?" asked Spike enthusiastically.

"In about two hours." He replied.

"Well that gives us enough time to explore the scenery." Said Twilight, and off the three of them went, melding with the crowd and mingling with any passing booth.

The hours had gone by and the time was drawing nearer. Night air had laid upon the grounds of Ponyville. Everypony was now gathering in the main square Cory had now put on his costume: A giddup of Commander Easy Glider, the original choreographer of the Wonderbolts. His heart thumped against his chest, wondering how they will make of his latest creation.

"Sorry I'm all fidgety tonight." Said Cory "This is kind of my first Halloween-like party I've had in awhile."

"What's Hall-o-ween." Asked Spike.

"It's kind of a human version of Nightmare Night." he replied

"Don't you be nervous sugarcube." reassured Applejack "I betcha this is a festival to remember for the ages."

Suddenly, the lights all around dimmed, the crowd hushed to a murmur, and a symphony of eerie music started to play.

Before the crowd appeared Princess Luna, in all her starry glory. Everypony, Cory included, bowed gently in respect to her presence. Her cape disappeared into a flock of bats as she spread out her glorious wings, looking onto the crowd.

"Citizens of Ponyville!!" She declared with a voice like God. "I hereby declare this years Nightmare Night, the most frightful, and bone chilling yeeeet!!!!"

Thunder and lighting clapped amongst the sky, as fillies and colts of every age applauded in squeals of laughter and joy.

"But none of this glorious evening could've ever been possible without the amazing work and imagination of one individual!" She continued. "We all of this fright and mare to our one and only human resident, CORY AGEEES!!!"

The Spotlight fell on Cory as Everypony cheered him and chanted "Cory! Cory! Cory!". He gave a sheepish grin and waved hello to the crowd, to which they promptly gathered around, asking for his autograph. Then he looked at Princess Luna as she gave him a wink of approval, to which he winked back.

"OH MOST WONDERFUL OF NIIIGHTS!!!" She cried to the heavens as everypony cheered back. Then she flew into the sky and disappeared into the clouds.

The night rolled on as the Ponyville residents continued to engage in various activities. Cory, on the other hand, was found quietly sitting down to a nice caramel apple, admiring the sights and sounds of a festival he never had.

"Hey Cory!" Said Twilight as she approached him, sporting what looked like a cheerleader outfit. "That was a great performance you set up?"

"Thanks." he replied.

"Hey. Now that you're here. There's somepony I'd like you to meet."

Cory tilted his head up. Before him stood The Princess Of The Night herself with gentle smile across her face.

"Luna." Said Twilight "This, as you may now, is Cory Agees."

"I do believe this young gentleman has met me before." Said Luna, much to Twilight's surprise.

"Well done Cory." Said Luna as she approached him. "You have told of your problems, and you have conquered most of them. Plus you have improved well in your basic skills."

"Well, I probably wouldn't have if you didn't come into my dream." Said Cory.

"Oh no." She replied. "I was merely there to give you advice. It is you who is the true victor in this internal battle. This night is for you. You earned it Cory. You brave, brave, boy."

Then she turned to Twilight.

"Fellow Princess." She said "As always. Adieu."

Twilight and Luna bowed in respect as Luna once again flew to the sky and disappeared into the night.