Born For Loyalty

I checked out my costume, everything looked good. As to be expected from Rarity's work. Then I checked myself out in a mirror. It at a glance some might think it was an alternate Wonderbolts uniform. I can see that but its that Shadowbolt thing Nightmare Moon created. It was tight against my form, I saw muscle lines. Yet it was still comfy. So awesome Rares. Putting the goggles over my eyes I left my house and flew to Ponyville after a short detour.

With my tool in hooves and observed the ponies below me. Found one and slowly approached from above. Was almost right above them. And then bucked the thunder cloud causing a lightning bolt to shoot out and my target below literally neighed like a horse on earth. That got me laughing hard.

“Damn you Rainbow Dash!” My work was done and I pushed my cloud to the next target.

An hour later I got Twilight who just glared at me. I gave her an impish smile. And she rolled her eyes making me chuckle as I moved on. Soon I spotted Pinkie and the kids near the statue of Nightmare Moon and that ticked something in my head. ‘Wait, if this halloween like holiday is based off of Luna’s alter ego then…oh shit.’ As zecora, who looked nice in her outfit finished the tale and the kids raced to dump their candy when the clouds went ominous and swirling in the sky revealing a full moon. Wind picked up and with a flash a flying chariot appeared. It was long, slim, angular, and dark. Seriously I would not be surprised if there was a bat signal on it somewhere. Heck it was being pulled by two bat ponies with a hooded figure riding. As it got close to the ground the hooded figure leaped from the chariot and landed gracefully on the ground. Then flick of their neck the hood fell back to reveal Luna with a smirk on her face. Then her hood and cape t7rned into a group of bats. Okay that is cool. Then she spoke blasting us all with its volume and force.

“CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! WE HAVE GRACED YOUR TINY VILLAGE WITH OUR PRESENCE! TO SHOW YOU THE REAL PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT! A BEING OF NIGHTMARES NO MORE!” I had a feeling this was not going to end well. Luna was making a major blunder. Well time to save the night.

“Hey Luna!” I yelled and Luna turned and smiled at me.

“FRIEND RAINBOW DASH!” Honestly surprised I wasn’t blown away from that as I landed and put a forehoof around her. She was a bit surprised by it but before she can say anything. I said.

“Some advice Luna. No megaphone.”

“Megaphone?” she asked.

“That thing you just did.”

“The Royal Canterlot Voice?”

“That’s its name? Yeah, likely giving out the wrong vibes with it. You want ponies to like you right?”

“Yes.” Luna sounded confused.

“Then don’t use it unless an emergency. Makes it much more useful and gets ponies attention better.”

“I understand my friend.”

“Good, another thing you be aware of is the nature of this holiday. Did your sister tell you anything about Nightmare Night?”

“No she did not. I found out there was a holiday based on night and since Ponyville is where you are located and here is where I returned from where better to celebrate and show my ponies who I really am.”

“Ah, well here’s the thing. The holiday is based on Nightmare Moon not you as Luna.”

“What!?”

“Yeah, why? You have to ask your sister. But it is similar to a holiday back home called Halloween. Based off of a Pagan holiday called All Hallows Eve. Its all about scary things and fun.” I pointed to some of the costumes. “See what the ponies are wearing. Not all are scary. For this night a pony can be a wonderbolt, a wizard, a knight, a princess, or a shadowbolt.” I puff out my chest to show my outfit. Luna glances over it and I see a glint of approval.

“That is a well done outfit.”

“Rarity made it for me. Now this holiday ponies liked to be scared on purpose.”

“What for?”

“Ponies can have fun being scared. Not all the time of course but a night like tonight where they feel safe they can get scared but have fun.” I directed to her to a warehouse that was made up like an old haunted house. I pointed in its direction. “Watch the ponies going in and out.” Luna did so and saw ponies in weird outfits chatting happily. Then they enter the Haunted House. She soon her screams of fright but after a few minutes the same group of ponies left the Haunted House and were laughing and dissing each other. I watch Luna observe it all. As more entered I watched Luna watch in awe. The mare was speechless. “there is also the game area.”

“Games?” she asked looking away from the ponies and at me. I gave her a grin and directed her away from the house to the fair area. There was various halloween themed games set up and yes I said halloween, its how I mentally call it so shut it. I helped out Luna to a few games. It was a tad rough but she got into it and more importantly the ponies started to warm up to Luna.

After a few rough we grabbed some snacks and sat at a table to eat. There I found Rarity with an Morticia style dress. We greeted each other as we ate. She has been at the more refined parties for the holiday.

“So Dash, I thought you were planning to prank ponies tonight?” Rarity asked.

“I was,” I answered. “But Luna here needed my help so I am doing this instead.” I could see the wheels turning in Rarity’s head. Despite our interests being polar opposites I admired her ability to figure things out.

“I see, so your plans for the rest of the night?” I tapped my chin in thought. Then possible idea. Looking at Luna I ask.

“Luna, is that Nightmare Moon form something you can do at will?”

“Yes I can, in fact my sister uses an altered form all the time.” I swear the light bulb above my head.

“You mean those paints of her with a pink mane are correct!?” Luna nodded.

“Indeed, you are correct Dash. That was her original mane color. In fact that form you saw me in when you used the Elements on me is my true form.”

“Then you and Princess Celestia take these lovely forms for what reason? Minus beauty of course.” Rarity asked.

“Safety. My sister and I are -for all intents and purposes- avatars of the sun and moon. They have much magical energy in them. Too much for a pony to handle. As such we have to channel the magic to different places in our body depending on how much we want to draw. Size increase is the usual, but in our time my sister and I found that channeling it in our manes and tails worked too. Hence the reason my mane is like this.” She pointed to her starry mane.

“Interesting, but getting back on point. Since you can to that I have an idea.” Both mares look at me as I explain my plan.

An hour later me and Luna were by the Nightmare Moon statue.

“Are you sure about this Dash?” Luna asked again.

“Yes this will be awesome. Now get into that sexy Nightmare form.” Luna blinked at my comment.

“You think that form is sexy?” Luna asked.

“Yeah, sure your sister has that big curvy thing going but you had that sleek predatory look.” I adjusted a cloud. “Maybe because I used to be a human male and not sure how I feel about my sexually but I liked that form.” There was silence for a minute I looked over to Luna and she was covered in her mane. Was there a blush on her muzzle? I couldn’t say it was covered so fast. After a minute of a starry cloud below me Nightmare Moon was now below me. She looked up at me and I saw those slitted eyes again but not with anger and hate bit with curiosity and some fear. I smiled at her. “Looking good now get into position. If I know Zecora the foals should be here soon.” She nodded and with a spell she made the Nightmare statue disappear and took its place. Soon Zecora arrived with the kids and Pinkie. After Zecora told a scary Nightmare Moon tale me and Luna acted and I bucked the cloud to provide some lightning and thunder. I heard the screaming and then running. I flew down as all I saw a pile of candy and a fleeing dustcloud. Luna resumed her prefered form.

“That was actually fun!” Luna said. “Though what do we do with these?” she pointed to the pile of candy.

“Some we return to the foals, some we keep for ourselves but the bulk go to the foals too sick to celebrate the night.” I look over to Zecora. “Great story telling Ze, told ya you be great at it.” She nodded.

“Thank you for the suggestion my friend.” I gave her a smile and after delivering the candy to the sick foals I called it a night.