Author's Note

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM glittersparkle413!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Special Night of Frights/Alliance Betrayal

Nightmare Night

It had been nine months since Zecora and I found out we were going to be parents, and everything had been going great. Zecora had remained very calm, and our developing twins were safe in Zecora's uterus. But, like Gilbert Griffon told me, there were sometimes when I had to give Zecora some space if I didn't want to lose my head. Zecora sometimes had to skip court and lay in bed, just in case. Plus, due to the fact that she couldn't sleep on her stomach, she had mild insomnia, and was a little cranky for the last few days.

Don't even get me started on the craving part. Like Mom and I, an Alicorn's appetite is bigger than anything else's, and Zecora was carrying two of them. She already had unusual taste preferences when she wasn't pregnant, but pregnancy made it so much worse, like ice cream with hot sauce or hayburgers with peanut butter. But, like I said, I didn't try to oppose to her if I wanted to live. Plus, Zecora's stomach had grown three-times its normal size, and hung from her about three hooves off the ground. But, I kinda liked her like that, because she was even more cuddlier.

Also, Zecora's family members had been living in the Castle to help her through her pregnancy. Arury helped her with mood swings, while Daka, who was now Chief of his village, helped with keeping her calm. As for Uru, I think she was just there because she didn't want to house-sit, because the only "help" she was doing was arguing with Zecora over and over. They all shared the bedchamber that's always been empty, once in a while, I let Arury or Daka sleep with Zecora just in case.

I woke up when Mom's beautiful Sun shone shined lightly through the windows and in my face. After a light yawn, I sat up and stretched. Looking at my travel-size calendar on my nightstand, smiling at the circled date. It was Nightmare Night, and it was my second-favorite holiday. Not only did I not have court, but I still trick-or-treated with Caddie, and I loved it every year. I understand why Caddie still trick-or-treated, even though she was twenty-four. Anyway, I looked over at my sleeping wife and kissed her cheek, waking her as a half-smile formed on her face.

"Good morning, my love", Zecora mumbled low.

"Good morning, Zecora", I said, "Feeling alright this morning?"

"Yes, I'm feeling well", Zecora said, rolling onto her other side and facing me with a smile, "Feeling nothing less of swell". I smiled.

"You know, you don't have to rhyme today", I said.

"Why must I not rhyme?", Zecora curiously asked.

"It's Nightmare Night", I said. Zecora raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"It's really Nightmare Night today?", she asked as I nodded, "Oh my, what a wonderful holiday".

"You enjoy Nightmare Night also?", I asked.

"Oh yes, I really do", Zecora said, finally giving up rhyming for the day, "Nightmare Night is my absolute favorite holiday. It is the one night a year where I can embrace the inner spook I contain".

"Inner spook, you say?", I asked, "Would you explain?" Zecora smiled.

"Well, I dress up to look scary, and travel to Ponyville", she said, "Then, I stand at the podium next to Mayor Mare and tell a few ghost stories. Lastly, I collect the little fillies and colts who are trick-or-treating, and travel with them into Everfree, where I try to spook them with the Tale of Nightmare Moon".

"You tell them Nightmare Moon's ghost story?", I asked as she nodded, "Well, how spooked do you think they get?" Zecora's smile dropped a little.

"The first time I spoke of the Tale", she said, "I spooked every little foal so hard that my family could've heard their shrieks, and I could've sworn that a few of them even wet their costumes". I giggled. "But, this will be my sixth year telling the Tale, and trick-or-treaters don't get scared like they used to". I smiled.

"Well, would you like a little help with telling your story?", I asked.

"What do you mean?", Zecora asked.

"Well, do you know who created Nightmare Moon and her ghost story?", I asked.

"Yes", Zecora said, "It was Princess Luna herself, your own aunt".

"Uh-huh", I said, "And who do we live in this Castle along with?" Zecora realized what I was getting at.

"Oh, Glitter! That's it!", she said, "We'll have Luna dress up as Nightmare Moon and scare the foals right after her story!"

"Exactly", I said, "After that, you'll get the scaring you wish for". Zecora smiled and hugged me.

"You know", she said, "You should tell a scary tale as well".

"Like what?", I asked, "All of the ones I know of are already worn out: Headless Horse, Nightmare Moon, Nightmare Before Hearth's Warming".

"Well, why don't you make one up?", Zecora asked, "Like... don't you know any vicious creatures you could make into a tale?" I thought about it a little bit, then smiled.

"The Ursas", I said, "And they live in the Everfree Forest too! I'll have them do the same thing! Looks like I have my tale!" Zecora nuzzled me.

"You and I will scare those trick-or-treaters right out of their costumes!", Zecora happily said.

"We will", I said, "But first, I need to go brush my teeth".

I got out of bed, stretched my hind legs, and walked into the bathroom, Zecora following me and locking the door behind us. I stood at the sink and brushed my teeth while Zecora sat down on the toilet and relieved herself, not even caring about closing the sliding door. Zecora had told me that she had gone in front of others so many times that she and her family didn't care who was around or even watched while they relieved themselves. Plus, we were married, and shared a bathroom, so that enhanced her reason. Even so, I didn't look at her, remembering the several lectures I had gotten from Mom.

"So", Zecora said, "I assume you are going trick-or-treating with Cadence, correct?"

"You know it", I said, "It's like a tradition for me and Caddie to do it every year. You can't go wrong when it comes to free chocolate". Zecora laughed as I heard the sound of unrolling toilet paper.

"I believe you", she said, "There is nothing wrong with embracing your inner foal".

"Got that right", I said, rinsing my mouth as Zecora flushed the toilet, "Alright, I'm going to go spend some time with Mom before tonight. Once Nightmare Night starts, she stands at the window for hours looking for vandals". Zecora nodded.

"Alright, Glitter", she said, "I'm going to have a shower".

I nodded and left the bathroom, closing the door and locking it with my magic. After that, I walked out of our bedchamber and went across the hall to Mom's bedchamber, knocking loudly.

"Enter", Mom said from the inside. I opened the door, seeing Mom laying on her rug, reading a book. She looked at me and smiled. "Good morning, Sweetie".

"Morning, Mom", I said, laying myself on the rug. I then realized Abigail was also laying on the rug next to her, sleeping deeply. "When did Abigail get in here?"

"She was up a little late last night and said she needed help getting to sleep", Mom said, "So I allowed her to sleep with me".

"Oh, OK", I said, "Oh yeah, Happy Nightmare Night".

"Happy Nightmare Night to you as well", Mom said, kissing my cheek.

"So, what's this year's defense?", I playfully asked. Mom chuckled.

"This year, I think this will end all of the vandalism", she said, "I'm going with the water balloons once more, but instead of water, I filled the balloons with a little something lethal".

"What?", I asked. Mom chuckled evilly.

"Well, as you know, I've tried filling the balloons with many things, hoping to keep vandals away", she said, "Water only made them want to come back, and hot sauce was just a waste. But this year, I've concocted the perfect balloon to keep every vandal away from my Castle".

"What is that?", I asked curiously.

"I've gathered several pounds of poison oak, ivy, and sumac, ground them up, and stuffed them into the balloons", Mom said, "After that, Abigail was kind enough to give me the special 'essence' of my weapon".

"Essence?", I asked, "What essence?" Mom smiled and pointed at her tail. It didn't take a genius to know what she was talking about.

"Wait a minute...", I said, "You stuffed poisonous plants into balloons and had Abigail spray several loads of her own 'liquid' into them?"

"That's what I said", Mom said, "After tonight, the Castle should be safe from vandals".

"Uh... can I... see them?", I curiously asked. Mom smiled.

"They're over in that bucket by the window", she said. I walked over to the bucket, seeing several different colored "water"-balloons in the bucket. I used my x-ray magic to see inside them, and sure enough, she was telling the truth. What made it a little grosser was that they were still warm, and for Abigail to have so much spray to fill 150 balloons was kind of impressive.

"That's... weird...", I said, "But, I have to admit, it's pretty clever also". Mom smiled.

"Although she did help me", she said, "I think Little Abigail overexerted herself a little last night, and she's a little swollen around there". I nodded.

"I'll put some medicine on her once she wakes up", I said, "For now, I'm going to spend time with my wife".

Mom smiled as I stood up and walked out of her bedchamber, using my magic to close the door and walked back across the hall to my bedchamber. Zecora had just finished her shower and was sitting on the bed, her hooves on her large stomach. I smiled and sat down next to her, pulling her into a gentle cuddle as she nuzzled me.

"Glitter...", she asked, "When do you think the time will come?"

"We're in month #9, Zecora", I said, "It could be any day now".

"I hope so", Zecora said, rubbing her stomach, "My tummy has been aching for several days now, and I feel like it's getting larger by every day that goes by".

"That may be", I said, "But in my opinion, the bigger the mare, the cuddlier. You'll never be too large for me to resist cuddling you". Zecora blushed and kissed my cheek.

"You're so sweet, my husband", she said, "I could be surrounded by lions right now and I would still be safe in your hooves". I blushed also.

"Oh you...", I whine-mumbled, "I don't think I'm that comforting".

"I beg to differ", Zecora said, again kissing my cheek. I returned the kiss and stood up.

"Alright", I said, "I need to go see the Ursas and ask them if they'll attend my story".

"Alright, my love", Zecora said, "Be careful".

I nodded and flew out of my open window, once again flying to Ponyville. Once I got there, I stopped for a cupcake at Sugarcube Corner and then flew to the Ursas' cave in the Everfree Forest. Ursa Major was cradling her Ursa Minor, who was sleeping peacefully.

"Oh... is this a bad time?", I asked, whispering low.

"Of course not", Ursa Major said, also whispering, "You're always welcome in our cave. I just ask that you speak low. Minor just fell asleep, and I plan to keep him that way for a few hours". We shared a small giggle as she used her large paw to gather a big pile of leaves and twigs and laid Ursa Minor on top. After that, she rested herself on her stomach and looked at me.

"So, what brings you here so early in the morning?", she asked.

"As you know, it is Nightmare Night tonight", I said.

"Yes", Ursa Major said, "What of it?"

"Well, my wife told me that every Nightmare Night, she takes a group of trick-or-treaters into the forest and tells them the Tale of Nightmare Moon", I said, "But, she also said that they don't get frightened like they used to, so we have come up with a plan to ensure they do. We're going to have my auntie Luna, who created Nightmare Moon, make a special appearance to add the final bit of scare. I also decided to make up my own story about Ursas, and I was wondering if you and Ursa Minor could also appear after my story". Ursa Major blushed.

"A Nightmare Night tale... dedicated to only Ursas?", she asked.

"That's correct", I said, "So, will you make an appearance?" Ursa Major smiled.

"Of course I would, and I'm sure Minor would also", she said, "It would be an honor". I smiled.

"Then great", I said.

"What time are you telling the story?", Ursa Major asked.

"About 11:00 tonight", I said, "Has to be the main hours of Nightmare Night so we can collect as many fillies and colts as we can". Ursa Major smiled again.

"Alright then", she said, "I'll do it". I smiled, realizing that I had my story. I then blushed and looked down at the ground.

"Ursa Major... do you think you could do an Equestrian Royal a favor?", I asked.

"Of course", Ursa Major said.

"Well, ever since I was a colt, I've had this weird fantasy about riding on the back of an Ursa Major", I said, "Do you think you could... allow me to fulfill this fantasy?" Ursa Major smiled again.

"Of course I would", she said, "But may I ask why?"

"I just thought riding on top of a 150-hoof creature would feel like flying", I said, "That was before I could fly. It's stuck around ever since, and I don't think it will leave my mind until I do it".

"OK, then", Ursa Major said, "It's no problem. I'd be happy to fulfill your request".

~~~~~~~~~~

In a matter of hours, Ursa Major had fulfilled my request, and along with Auntie Luna and Zecora, we practiced rehearsing our story for the night. It took two hours, mostly because Ursa Minor would arrive in too early, but he was a baby, so I didn't mind. At that point, I had finished trick-or-treating with Caddie and made it back to the Castle. After another hour of eating candy and spending time with my cousin, Zecora and I went to Ponyville in our costumes and stood in the middle of Downtown.

"Trick-or-treaters of all ages, lend us your ears", I said, speaking in rhymes and in my best Dracula voice, "For my bride and I have some stories that are sure to fill you with fears. If you care to hear our tales, if you care, follow us into the Everfree Forest... if you dare". That seemed to do the trick, as several fillies and colts formed a small crowd around us.

"This sure is a big group of ponies", Zecora said, "But after tonight, we will see how many are left after are stories". Zecora and I walked off into the Everfree Forest, the trick-or-treaters following us. I peeked into the Ursas' cave and made sure everyone was ready. When they were, Zecora started.

"My husband's story will come soon", she said, "But first, I will tell my Tale of Nightmare Moon".

"I love this story!", Applebloom called from the back. Zecora fought a blush and spoke.

"Princess Luna was a very kind mare", Zecora said, "She was filled with so much care. But, that all changed very soon, when she became the evil Nightmare Moon. She turns dreams into nightmares, and walks the nights with stealth. She may even attack ponies with poor health. But tonight is her night, this Nightmare Night we call, and Nightmare Moon may not seem to be here at all. But she could be here, and may want your candy too. If you refuse to hoof over all of your candy, she will eat you!" A few of the younger trick-or-treaters began to scream and run, and Zecora smiled a little.

"Come on!", an orange filly in a wolf costume in the front of the crowd said, "Princess Sparkle, you tell this story every year! I want something new!"

"So you plead for a new story, hmm?", I asked.

"Yeah!", she said.

"Well, what is your name, Ms. Wolfmare?", I asked.

"Scootaloo", the filly said.

"Well then, little Scootaloo", I said, "I have a special one just for you".

"Alright!", she said. I began my story.

"Many think that an Ursa is just a constellation, or some myth", I said, "But I assure you, an Ursa is as real as a pony. Ursas are huge constellations in the shape of bears. Even though they walk Equestria just like ponies do, nopony really has seen what they look like, but I do, and I'll tell you now. The Ursa Minor: fifty hooves tall, blue, over 2,000 years old, and weighs over twenty tons, which is 40,000 pounds".

"How tall is fifty hooves?", Rarity's little sister, Sweetie Belle asked.

"Well", I said, "Just his eye is as big as a pony's body, and his pawprint would make a dragon's clawprint look like a squirrel's, so think about that".

"Wow...", Sweetie Belle said.

"Anyway", I said, "Ursa Minor may seem pretty big, but compared to his mother, he's very tiny. The Ursa Major: 150 hooves tall, purple, over 8,000 years old, and weighs over 100 tons, which is 200,000 pounds. Her eye... is as big as the Moon, and her paw could easily smash a pile of solid diamonds and bedrock into sawdust if she wanted to".

"Whoa!", a colt in the front said.

"Impressive right?", I said, "But, that doesn't make them lovable. Ursas are one of the most vicious creatures in all of Equestria, and they are carnivorous, meaning they only eat animals, including ponies". A few small gasps emanated from the crowd.

"D-do they cook them f-first?", a colt in a Wonderbolts costume said.

"Oh no no no...", I said, "Ursas will just grab a pony right off of the street and eat it raw. In fact, I heard that they eat the places that aren't fatal first, just so the pony can scream with agony before dying". A few more of the trick-or-treaters had ran away, not wanting to hear anymore.

"You call this scary?!", Scootaloo called again, "I wanted a scary story, not a nature documentary!" I smiled, knowing it was time.

"So you say the Tale of Nightmare Moon is no longer scary, and that my story sounds like a documentary?", I asked as Scootaloo nodded, "Well, if you met Nightmare Moon, would you be scared?"

"Nope!", Scootaloo confidently said.

"What if you met one of the Ursas?", I said.

"Nope!", Scootaloo said again. I smiled and stood by the cave.

"What if you met them... all at one time?!", I screamed.

At that exact moment, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and Nightmare Moon all ran out of the cave and stood next to me. Both Ursas growled loudly and Nightmare Moon laughed evilly. About three-quarters of the crowd ran away, screaming loudly.

"WHO DARES SAY THEY ARE NOT FRIGHTENED OF US?!", she said in the Royal Canterlot Voice. Every trick-or-treater who hadn't run away pointed at Scootaloo, who was quivering in fear. Nightmare Moon smiled evilly and stood over the filly as everypony but Scootaloo ran away.

"HOW DARE YOU SAY I AM NOT SCARY!", she said, "AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO HAVE FUN DURING MY NIGHT?!"

"I'm sorry Princess Luna!", Scootaloo pleaded, "I was just tired of-"

"WHO IS PRINCESS LUNA?!", Nightmare Moon yelled, "I AM NIGHTMARE MOON! PRINCESS LUNA IS DEAD!" Ursa Major and Ursa Minor gave another loud growl, right at Scootaloo. Scootaloo quickly threw her bag of candy on the ground and ran out of the forest. Both Zecora and I could see a yellow liquid leaking out of the front of her costume, making us both laugh.

"I think we did it, Zecora", I said, "Everypony ran away frightened, and Scootaloo wet her costume".

"Yes", Zecora said, "And I thank you for your help". I kissed her for a few seconds, and then turned around to face my accomplices.

"Auntie Luna, Ursas", I said, "Thank you so much for your help".

"T'was no problem, my nephew", Auntie Luna said, still dressed as Nightmare Moon, "We love frightening young ones on our holiday".

"And we actually want to thank you, Glitter", Ursa Major said, "We never thought there would be a Nightmare Night tale about us".

"We were so scary we made that filly tinkle herself!", Ursa Minor said happily.

"Yes, you were", I said.

"Alright now", Ursa Major said, "It's Minor's bedtime. You have a good night, Equestrian Royals". The Ursas went back into their cave. I then looked at the bag of candy Scootaloo abandoned to Nightmare Moon.

"What are we going to do about Scootaloo's candy?", I asked.

"I'll bring it to her in her dream tonight", Auntie Luna said, "I'm sure I'll need to after the fright we just ignited in her". We all giggled again. "Alright, my sweethearts, let's go home". Zecora hopped onto my back as I followed Auntie Luna back to the Castle.

~~~~~~~~~~

About an hour later, Zecora, Caddie and I had gotten out of our costumes and gathered in my bedchamber, enjoying candy and watching the video I took of the story-time. I had hidden a tiny camera in my costume and had been filming until Scootaloo ran away and abandoned her candy. We had watched it about twenty times, and each time, we would laugh as if we had seen it for the first time.

"You two sure scared the tinkle out of her, didn't you?", Caddie said.

"You know it", I said, "Scootaloo liked to act tough, but I think she couldn't take it after Auntie Luna screamed at her". Caddie and Zecora chuckled. At that point, Mom walked into the bedchamber, carrying a scroll. "Hey Mom, care to watch the story?"

"I would love to, Sweetie", Mom said, "But unfortunately, I cannot, and you must place it aside also".

"How come?", I asked.

"I received an S-ranked mission specifically asking for you and myself from the Griffon Kingdom", Mom said. I stood up with serious focus. Whenever I received a mission, I was prepared, no matter what rank, especially S-rank. "Here's the gist". I took it and read it aloud.

"Equestrian Royals", I started, "I urgently ask for assistance. The Queen of the Changelings, Chrysalis, has cubnapped my daughter Gilda, and has ordered her subjects to execute me. I have barricaded myself in my bedchamber, but I won't be safe for too long. I ask that only Madam Celestia and Sir. Sparkle help me. Madam Celestia, I need you to rescue my daughter, and I need Sir Sparkle to help free myself. Please hurry, for the sake of griffon monarchy!"

"It's a rescue mission", I said, "But... Chrysalis? I thought we already defeated her".

"I'm afraid not, Sweetie", Mom said, "She's seems to have survived, and now she's targeting the griffons".

"I thought changelings and griffons were aligned", Caddie said.

"Well it seems like a betrayal to me", I said, "Alright, we shouldn't make Sir Griffon and Gilda wait any longer. We need to go help them".

"Please be careful, my love", Zecora said.

"I will, Zecora", I said, "If I should not come back, please promise me you'll look after Equestria and our twins".

Zecora nodded as Mom and I instantly began the mission. Mom flew to the Changeling Kingdom to rescue Gilda, while I flew to the Griffon Kingdom to free Gilbert. Once I got there, griffons and changelings were fighting like drunken ponies in a bar, and it was hard to get to the Castle, Once I did, I saw that I few hundred changelings had formed a circle around the Castle and were guarding it, and when I stood in front of the door, they threatened me with hisses. I effortlessly shoved them out of my way and entered the Castle.

"Sir Griffon!", I shouted, "It's Glitter! I'm here!"

"I'm in here!", Gilbert shouted back, "Help me!" I quickly ran upstairs and kicked the door open. Gilbert with thankfully alright.

"I'm going to get you out of here", I calmly said, "Come on".

"No, Sir Sparkle", Gilbert said, "The changeling's mission is to execute me, and if I go out there, they'll do just that. We need to get my window open so we can fly safely away from all of those scums".

"Right", I said.

"But, it does not open", Gilbert said, "So you and I will have to smash it open". He gave me a baseball bat and grabbed one for himself.

"Alright then", I said. We both went to the window and readied out bats.

"On three", Gilbert said, "One... two..."

Before I heard Gilbert say three, suddenly, something struck me in the back of my head with full force. I dropped my bat and started limply walking around, feeling very dizzy. That's when I passed out. The last thing I remembered was Gilbert turning green and laughing evilly.

Several hours later, I groaned as I regained consciousness. The back of my head was in so much pain, and I was a little confused. I touched the back of my head, feeling a bloody knot growing behind my mane. At first, I had no idea what happened or why I was in Gilbert's bedchamber. The Sun was up, so I knew I had been there for hours. Suddenly, I remembered about the mission. I tried to run to the door, but my hind legs were in shackles chained to the wall.

"Well... 'Sir. Sparkle'", a familiar echoing voice called, "Seems you know how to take a hit". The door opened and Chrysalis walked in, smiling evilly.

"You!", I yelled, "What do you want?!"

"That's a silly question, really", Chrysalis said, "I don't want much. Just the monarchy of Equestria".

"Like my mom would EVER name you an Equestrian Royal!", I yelled.

"Of course not", Chrysalis said, "But if I kill all of the current Equestrian Royals, they will have no choice but to name me the new Queen of Equestria". I tried to attack her, but the shackles were preventing it.

"You let me go right now!", I yelled, "You touch my family so help me!"

"Well, I've come to make a deal", Chrysalis said, "I'll let you go right now, but you must do something for me".

"What?", I asked. Chrysalis smiled.

"Join my changeling army", she said, "We could really use your incredible strength".

"Never!", I said, "I am an Equestrian Royal! I would never become a traitor!"

"You're an Equestrian, yes", Chrysalis said, "But, were you an Equestrian born into Equestria?"

"No, but who cares?!", I said.

"Do you really think that scum Celestia really loves you?", Chrysalis said, "Do you think she brought you here to raise you like her own? What if she was just lonely? What if she just wanted a stronger guard?"

"That's a lie!", I yelled, "Mom loves me!"

"Really?", Chrysalis said, "Remember your eleventh birthday? Didn't Celestia forget all about it? Wouldn't she rather spend time with that useless bookworm rather than her own son?"

"She was just exhausted...", I said, slightly painful just thinking about that.

"And what about Hearth's Warming Eve?", Chrysalis said, "She gave those scums Luna and Cadence great gifts, while she only gave you a book. Do you think a puzzle and a laptop would be better than a book?"

"Well... yes... but...", I said.

"And most of all", Chrysalis said, "When she brought you here, she knew all about your past. Why didn't she allow you to see your parents in the Afterlife first? Celestia can go to the Afterlife any time she wishes, and she's been hiding it from you ever since. Do you think a 'loving mother' like Celestia would keep such a big secret hidden from her own son?"

"She... can...?", I asked.

"Plus", Chrysalis said, "I knocked you out and chained you up six hours ago, and Celestia hasn't come yet. None of those Equestrian scums have come to try and rescue you, not even that zebra you're married to".

"True...", I said.

"That's why I want you to join our side", Chrysalis said, "A strong colt like you doesn't deserve to be a simple Prince. You deserve to be a King. Think about it: Glitter Sparkle, King of Equestria, even higher than your own mother".

"King Sparkle?", I asked.

"Yes...", Chrysalis said, walking closer to me, "Side-by-side, you and I can enslave Equestria together. And you won't have to do any work you must right now. A Royal who has all the power, get his way all the time, and doesn't have to work. Sounds great doesn't it?" I nodded. "And if you join me... I will do the one thing Celestia didn't do".

"You mean...?", I asked.

"Yes", Chrysalis said, "I will resurrect your parents as changelings. Think of how much joy it will bring you... seeing your dear little mother and father again". I smiled.

"OK, I'll do it", I said, "But, you have to let me out of these chains first". Chrysalis smiled and used her magic to snap my chains.

"Welcome to the dark side, King Sparkle", she said, "Now, allow me to give you your first mission. You must take the life of Celestia!" I smiled and smashed the window with the baseball bat.

"Let's go, Chrysalis", I said.

Two hours later...

Being bad felt so good. Chrysalis was making me experience everything I never had. At that point, we had made it into the Castle. Mom, Auntie Luna, and Caddie were sitting in the den waiting for me.

"Sweetie!", she said, hugging me, "Where have you been? I was so worried!" I pushed her off of me.

"Keep you filthy hooves off of me, Celestia", I said, "You weren't worried when I was being held captive in the Griffon Kingdom!"

"Excuse me?", Mom said.

"You heard me!", I yelled, "I am sick of all of this! Walking around in a pretty little crown acting like a Goodie-Two-Horseshoes! I was trapped in the Griffon Kingdom for six hours and none of you wanted to look for me!"

"We tried to", Auntie Luna said, "But we couldn't find you".

"So you gave up?!", I screamed, "You know what, I'm not hearing anymore of this! Chrysalis!" Chrysalis flew into the den, laughing evilly.

"What is this?!", Caddie said, "Why is she here?!"

"I am no longer the Glitter Sparkle you know and love!", I said, "I have aligned with Chrysalis and together, we will enslave all of Equestria!"

"Sweetie!", Mom said, her expression changing, "Don't tell me you are becoming a traitor!"

"I am!", I said, "And so what?!"

"If you harm any of us", Mom said, "We will have to take your life".

"Not if I take yours first!", I yelled, "Chrysalis, keep them from interfering! I'm handling this!"

I jumped on Mom, pinning her right to the floor. Auntie Luna and Caddie tried to help, but Chrysalis used her magic enslave them in her cocoon trap like she did me and Mom during that wedding. I kept Mom pinned to the ground and with the slightest force, I snapped her horn right off of her head, keeping her from using her magic.

"Any last words, 'Mom'", I said.

"Sweetie, you will pay for this!", Mom said, "After the seventeen years I have worked to keep you happy, you repay me by taking my life!"

"I don't care!", I said, "Chrysalis, I'm going to do it! Stand behind me so you can see how much blood comes out!" Chrysalis smiled and did. I lit my horn and prepared to take her life.

Right then, I smiled and kicked Chrysalis right in her face, breaking her nose into pieces. She screamed in pain while I jumped on her, standing right on her chest. With the slightest force, I stepped on her cracked horn, turning it to dust and making her magic flow useless. Without magic to keep it sturdy, the cocoon disintegrated and Mom quickly caught Caddie and Auntie Luna before they hit the ground.

"*cough* *cough* Why?", Chrysalis said, "Why are you doing this? You're on my side, remember?"

"I'm not on your side, Chrysalis!", I said, "I'm on the side of the place I've lived in for seventeen years".

"What is this?", Mom asked, "Explain this, now!"

"Mom... it's alright", I said, "It was a setup. Chrysalis wanted me to become a traitor, and that was the only way she was going to let me go. But I used her tactic against her, and to stand up for Equestria". I used my magic to have Mom's horn regrow to prove that I was still on the side of good.

"But... after all she put you through...", Chrysalis said, "Why would you stay on the side of a worthless world?!"

"You don't know what you asked for, Chrysalis!", I screamed right in her face, "You asked me to kill me family and become a traitor to my home!"

"They're not your real family!", Chrysalis said, "They brought you into Equestria! You. Are. Adopted!"

"Sure, I am adopted! But I don't care!", I said, "These three mares have given me the beautiful life I've never had!"

"But I offered you so much stuff...", Chrysalis said, "The Title of King, Royalty without work, the resurrection of your dead parents".

"That's called bribery", I said, "Nothing could make me harm the ponies who have taken care of me. Sure, being a King is better than being a Prince, but not good enough to hurt my mother. And I'm sure my parents would rather rest in piece than walk around looking like ponies who were in ten knife fights".

"What should we do with a scum like you?!", Mom yelled at her, "You've been trying to take over my territory for years now, and it's going to stop now!"

"I ought to execute you right now!", I said. Chrysalis began to shiver in fear, knowing we could've done it right there and then. "But I'm not". Chrysalis looked up at me in confusion, a tear shown at the corner of her eye from the pain of her nose.

"Why do you refuse?", she said, "You have the chance to kill Equestria's greatest enemy, and you refuse to do so. Why?"

"Because we Equestrians aren't like you filthy changelings", I said, "Sometimes, death isn't the way to handle things. Equestria is a place of love and harmony, not war and death".

"Than what are you going to do to me?!", Chrysalis yelled, "I assume you aren't going to just let me go and allow me to go back to square one destroying Equestria".

"You're assumptions are correct", Mom said, "You have tried and tried again to steal the world my sister and I created so ponies can live in peace, and this time, it seems to have backfired on you". I smiled.

"You know what Mom?", I said, "Why don't you lock her in the dungeon, and I'll have a pair of special guards keep her from trying to escape".

"That's it?", Mom asked, "She deserves more than that, Sweetie. She's been at my throat for 2,000 years". I thought about it and smiled, whispering in Mom's ear. Mom's eyes widened and she smiled. "Of course".

"What did you say?!", Chrysalis said, "What're you going to do?!"

"You'll find out soon", Mom said, using her magic to paralyze Chrysalis so she couldn't escape.

A few minutes later, Mom had locked Chrysalis in an empty dungeon and used her magic to tighten the security. She narrowed the bars a little closer and turned them into solid diamonds. Then, she turned the floor from wood to solid bedrock so she couldn't try and dig her way out. Lastly, she turned the cell completely magic-proof. I smiled, knowing there was no way she was getting out of that cell.

"So, you plan to lock me in a cell?", Chrysalis said.

"Obviously", Mom said. We chuckled a little.

"How long do you plan to keep me in here?", Chrysalis asked,

"Well, that's really up to you", I said, "You see, you will remain locked in this cell until you consent to our one order".

"What is it?", Chrysalis asked. I slid a piece of paper through the narrowed bars and onto the floor in front of Chrysalis.

"The paper my son has given you is a peace treaty that we Equestrian Royals have pre-signed", Mom said, "In order for you to be freed, you must also sign the treaty and allow piece to return to Equestria". Chrysalis' eyes went big.

"No fricken' way, Celestia!", she yelled, "My changelings and I will some day destroy Equestria!"

"Well, right now, you're trapped in your enemy's Castle", I said, "So you're not planning anything right now".

"I'll stand here until the end of the world before I sign that piece treaty!", Chrysalis yelled.

"That may be arranged, Chrysalis", Mom said, "We are not freeing you until your signature is on that paper".

"And to make sure you don't try anything", I said, "I brought in two extra special guards to keep watch on you". I whistled and Ursa Major and Ursa Minor walked in, standing right next to Mom and I. Both growled, and fear began to strike Chrysalis as she shivered. If just their growls made her that scared, their roars would have scared her worst than Scootaloo.

"Well well well", Ursa Major said, "This is the big and evil Changeling Queen? She looks more terrified than a chipmunk surrounded by wolves".

"You try being my height and cornered by creatures like you!", Chrysalis yelled at her.

"Anyway", I said, "These two will stay in here and make sure you won't try anything".

"Pretty foolish plan, you idiot!", Chrysalis said to me, "They won't be here for long! They'll get tired soon and have to eat eventually!"

"Think again, Chrysalis", Ursa Major said, "We're not ponies, we're Ursas. Ursas have so much energy that we can run for a full ten years straight and still have enough to clean this entire Castle".

"And don't worry about the eating part", Ursa Minor said, "Glitter said he'd feed us with meat from the Griffon Kingdom as many times as we wanted". Chrysalis growled loudly.

"Face it, Chrysalis", I said, "Our plan is very accurate and you aren't going anywhere. Only by signing that piece treaty will you be free". Mom smiled and hugged me.

"It seems our mission was a complete success", she said.

"Wait, no it isn't", I said, "We still haven't rescued Gilda yet".

"We're over here, Sir. Sparkle", another voice called. I turned around and saw both Gilbert and Gilda in a cell similar to Chrysalis'.

"Oh, alright", I said, "Why are you in a tightly secured cell?"

"Madam Celestia locked us in her to keep us safe", Gilda said, "Just so nothing else could ruin the mission. I'm safe now, so thanks Glitter". I smiled.

"I guess mission accomplished", I said. Mom used her magic to open their cell and let them out.

"Alright", Gilbert said, "My daughter and I are about to go back home now. We gravely thank you for assisting in maintaining our safety". I smiled and shook his talons. He and Gilda then left and went back to their Kingdom.

"Oh, where are my manners?", I said, facing the Ursas again, "Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, this is my mother Celestia, the greatest ruler of Equestria".

"Hi!", Ursa Minor said.

"So you're the fellow pony that created us?", Ursa Minor asked.

"No", Mom said, "That was my sister, Luna. Would you like to see her?" Both Ursas nodded as Mom left the dungeon area. I smiled and looked at them again.

"Alright you two", I said, "I'm going to bed and checking on my wife". Ursa Major smiled and hugged me with her paw.

"Have a good night, Glitter", she said.

"You too, Ursa Major", I said. After receiving a nuzzle from Ursa Minor, I walked upstairs to my bedchamber and closed the door behind me. I felt a little exhausted and slid my back against the door until I was sitting, letting out a loud sigh afterwards.

"Well, I take it the mission was a success?", a voice said. I looked at and saw Daka cuddling his daughter, who was sleeping peacefully. I smiled and sat down next to the two.

"Yes", I said, "But that kind of mission takes its toll. I had to pretend to be an Equestrian traitor for that villain to turn me loose".

"I'm sure S-ranked missions are the most difficult", Daka said, "But the important thing is, you succeeded, and kept your allies safe". I smiled and gave the zebra a nuzzle.

"And you succeeded an S-ranked mission as well", I said, "Leadership". Daka smiled again.

"Yes", he said, "You have no idea how happy I was when Takador gave me his crown. A foal alone in a candy store would be jealous". I chuckled.

"Well, now we truly are a Royal Family", I said, "Zecora and I rule Equestria, while you rule the Herbivorous Village in Africa". Daka smiled again and returned my nuzzle.

"Uh, Glitter?", Daka said, "Would it be OK if I slept with my daughter tonight? She was a little frightened after you accepted your mission".

"Of course", I said, "I'll sleep with Mom again, no problem". Daka smiled again. "Alright, I'm going to go rest now. You have a good night, Daka".

"You as well, Glitter", Daka said back. I left the bedchamber, closed the door, and walked across the hall to Mom's bedchamber. On the way, I saw Abigail walk down the hall. I smiled and walked over to her.

"Hello, Abigail", I said, "How's it going?"

"OK", Abigail said, "Still a little sore, but OK". I smiled and picked her up. That's when a slightly pungent odor traveled under my muzzle. Abigail saw my muzzle twitch and blushed.

"Sorry", she said, "I'm still trying to recover from filling those balloons. Whenever I spray that much, the scent kinda follows me for a few hours".

"That's fine, Abigail", I said, "I'll get used to it". Abigail smiled and nuzzled me, purring lightly.

"You're so kind, Glitter", she said. I smiled and placed the skunk on my back.

"I'm kind to you because you're kind to me", I said, "Give and you shall receive". Abigail smiled and nuzzled me again. "Alright, let's go lay down". I walked to Mom's bedchamber and knocked on the door.

"Enter", Mom called from the inside. I opened the door and closed it behind me. Mom was playing with Philomena, who had grown five times her size since Ursa Major give her to me. Mom smiled and looked at me. "Hello, Sweetie".

"Hi, Mom", I said, "Enjoying a little pet-play, I see".

"Yes", Mom said, "I had gotten a little bored, so I decided to have a little fun with my phoenix". Mom nuzzled Philomena, making the bird chirp in delight. I smiled and sat down next to Mom on her rug.

"So", I said, "Another graffiti-free year?"

"Thankfully, yes", Mom said, "Though it took two hours to clean, this has been the year that the Castle is completely safe from vandalism".

"Well, congrats", I said.

"I should be congratulating Abigail", Mom said, "If it weren't for her essence, I wouldn't have done it".

"It's no problem, Celestia", Abigail said, "Glad to help".

"So, do you mind if we sleep with you?", I asked, "Daka wanted to sleep with Zecora tonight".

"Of course not", Mom said, "There's always enough room for you and Abigail". Mom placed Philomena back in her cage as I laid down next to Mom, Abigail resting herself on my back. "By the way, after I rescued Gilda and her father, I watched that video you took. You, Zecora and Luna really frightened those trick-or-treaters". I smiled.

"Well, I was just doing a good deed for Zecora", I said, "It's the least I could do for her, since she's going through so much for us". Mom smiled and scooted closer to me, draping her large wing over me like a blanket.

"I'm so eager for the birth", she said, "Two little grandbabies. I've been waiting ever since you and Zecora became one".

"Trust me, I know", I said, "Caddie told me several times". Mom gave me a small nuzzle.

"So, did you enjoy your Nightmare Night?", Mom asked.

"I did", I said, "I pulled in so much candy this year, and I gave Ursa Minor anything I didn't like. I shared with Abigail too".

"Yep", Abigail said, "And I'll tell you, crickets and chocolate make a great combination!" Mom chuckled.

"Well, it seems we all got what we wanted for Nightmare Night", she said, "Glitter and Cadence received candy, Zecora and Luna got the frights they wanted, and Abigail and I kept the Castle safe from vandals".

"True", I said, "It has been a wonderful Nightmare Night this year, and whenever Nightmare Night is pleasant, Thanksgiving and Hearth's Warming are going to be even better".

"Let's hope so, Sweetie", Mom said, using her magic to turn off the light, "I love you".

"I love you too", I said, slowly falling asleep.