The Harmony Of Equestria

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.

• Eleanor Roosevelt.

''Will you guys hurry up?'' Spike grew Impatient of waiting.

''Yea, yea, we're coming: It takes time to look this grim, you know.'' I readjusted my shirt.

There's that one day of the year every kid will never get too tired or too old for: Halloween. Next to Christmas, this was another of my favored holidays. You get free candy, get to scare people, and the best part are the costumes you can wear. Apparently, Nightmare Night was a sorta downgraded version of Halloween, though Instead of eating the wonderful candy, It would be sacrificed to the statue of Nightmare moon. Ugh, It pains to say that word.

''Come on, now the time has come to enact my pent-up vengeance and jokes upon the general public!'' Frank yelled.

''In a moment, gotta make sure we look good.'' I checked the mirror.

Talking to Rarity about designing me and Frank's costume was pure genius: I have never looked so better since the first time I wore my suit.

Going for more of a laid back feature, he chose to go as Dracula. The whole ensemble was there down to the fangs and cape. The one thing that made me wonder was how did he get taller? I mean, I barely believed him when he went to Twilight for a height spell to not be treated so small even, the ponies wouldn't care. But somehow In the nick of time, she pulled off the spell and managed to give him a foot and 3 inches of height, so now he would come up to my to about my shoulder.

Twilight went as the ever so known Starswirl the bearded: Sporting a fake, but decent looking beard, cloak, and hat.

Spike went as, and It makes little sense to me: a dragon. That's like me going as myself. Not a very creative dragon.

Then It came down to me: my costume would be an Improvised one. I wore my black and gold fedora with a black dress shirt being worn over a long pocketed cloak with a hood: a pair of long black, thick biker pants, heavy black steel toe combat boots, and to finish It off, I was carrying both Monstrosities known the massive scythe as the vindicator and the spiked bat known as Excailbolg, the former being strapped to a holder that was secured on the lower part of my back.

''Are we ready?'' Spike tapped his foot.

''Relax Spike, I want to sink my fangs Into that juicy candy as you do but we do have to look presentable: only 2 humans, kinda representing our kind here.'' He motioned to me and him.

That was a vaild point he made. This Is our first holiday since coming here, and It would be wonderful to kick off the festivities right. A chance to be more like the local townsfolk.

Walking out to potentially wreak havoc on some unsuspecting ponies, our first stop was to head to a little shindig to start the night off.

Entering the town square, I looked upon the decorations and various costumes that the ponies and nodded. They have the spirit of all Hallow's eve down.

Eyeing Applejack dressed as a scarecrow, we headed over to the dunk tank.

''Happy Nightmare Night.'' Twi greeted.

''Howdy guys, nice outfits.'' AJ commented.

''Thanks, I'm a dragon!'' Spike puffed his chest out.

''She meant us: try and stay on the level.'' Frank huffed.

''Shoot, with that fancy getup, Ah'd figure you're one of them country music singers.'' Aj played with her beard.

''Well, I am known as the king of vampires: Dracula.''

''And my costume Is a little different, but takes after a mix of characters In history back on Earth: I call myself: Artorius.'' I decided.

Our fun was Interrupted by the sound of a thunderclap that shook up Spike.

''Rainbow Dash! why did you that?'' Twilight groaned.

''Lighten up, old-timer. This is the best night of the year for pranks!'' Rainbow laughed, wearing some type of dark outfit.

''Rainbow, you nearly gave the poor kid a heart attack, I mean look at him!'' Frank motioned to a slightly spazing dragon.

''It's all In good fun. Oh! Oh! There's another group over there!'' She took off with her cloud.

Now that Is In good fun, but never jump scare a timid person: you might end up regretting It.

We turned our eyes to the mayor giving a speech whilst being dressed as a clown?

''Now, all the little ponies who have been out collecting sweets should follow our friend Zecora to hear the legend of... Nightmare Moon!'' Mayor Mare spoke.

''Spooky voice might work better If she wasn't dressed like that.'' Spike complained.

Finding what she said to be Interesting, Not. A certain friend of mine came by to join us In our little celebration.

''Once every year, ponies 'shed' their skin, how have you, my friends been?'' Zecora asked.

''Alright, everything has been calm and dandy.'' I smiled.

Our conversation drifted back to Mayor Mare's topic when she offered us a chance to experience a part of Nightmare Night.

''Follow me, and very soon, you'll hear the tale of Nightmare Moon.'' She led us off.

Passing through a part of the Everfree that showed an easy view of the town, we saw a stone statue In front of us as Zecora spoke.

''Listen close, my little dears, I'll tell you where you got your fears of Nightmare Night, so dark and scary. Of Nightmare Moon, who makes you wary. Every year, we put on a disguise, to save ourselves from her searching eyes. But Nightmare Moon wants just one thing: to gobble up ponies in one quick swing!  Hungrily, she soars the sky. If she sees nopony, she passes by. So If she comes and all is clear, Equestria Is safe another year!'' She Informed us.

''But why?'' I asked, curious.

''A perfect question, my human friend. For Nightmare Moon you must not offend. Fill up her belly with a treat or two, so she won't return to come eat you!'' A dust specter of Nightmare Moon hit us.

''Everypony! Just dump some candy and get out of here!'' Pinkie yelled and took off, the other ponies doing the same.

''Hey! I was supposed to make you run and flee In terror! Zecora, you stole my job!'' Frank stomped his foot.

She chuckled as those of us who didn't flee stayed and looked at the sky turning awful darker than I would think It shouldn't.

''Okay, now what Is It?'' Twi asked.

Thunder and lighting filled the air as we took a few steps back as It started to rain somewhat, and by that I mean a lot.

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A figure showed Itself from the clouds as It descended down In the form of a carriage being pulled by 2 bat-like ponies, a another figure In a cloak riding It.

Stopping In the air, the figure jumped down, me having my bat at the ready. Pulling the hood back, It turned out to be Luna.

''Princess Luna!'' Twi sounded happy.

''Citizens of Ponyville! We have graced your tiny village with our presence, so that you might behold the real Princess of the Night! A creature of nightmares no longer, but instead a pony who desires your love and admiration! Together we shall change this dreadful celebration into a bright and glorious feast!'' She used the Royal Canterlot voice.

Having some time to meet and chat with her, the girls weren't as responsive as the remaining ponies fled at the sound of her voice.

''Might want to work on that.'' I smiled.

''Greetings, love: I trust you are enjoying tonight?'' She asked.

''Well, I am now.'' I gave her a kiss on the nose.

''But why dost thy friends leave so quickly?''

''Maybe because of your voice?'' Frank asked, to which I socked him In the stomach.

''How dare you strike your king down?''He held his sides.

''Only thing you're king of Is being a jackwagon...and being blunt as hell.'' I pinched my nose.

Shaking a certain thought of my head, we all headed back to town, Intent on making everypony see the truth about Luna.

Time Skip: 5 minutes later:

Going back to where we started: Luna tried to go about greetings In a way I preferred be not loud. That voice hurts your ears at close range.

''Madame Mayor, thy Princess of the Night hath arrived.'' She offered her hoof to the shaking mare. Then another one. Then another. Same response. Nothing but whimpers.

''What Is the matter with you? Very well, then. Be that way. We won't even bother with the traditional royal farewell!'' She walked away.

''Think we should talk to her?'' Frank pegged.

''We, and by we: I mean myself and Twilight should do that. You and Spike can try convince the town to change their opinion of her.'' I told him.

''Does this mean that?...''

''Yes, but nothing too much: do not want a heart attack victim.'' We walked off.

Following Luna, I shook my head at how the town was treating her because of what happened In the past. Whatever happens In the past should stay that way: especially be It a bad memory.

Coming back to the statue, Luna was sitting down, a sad look on her face. Going over and taking a seat next to her, I cleared my throat and said: ''Are you okay?''

She shook her head no and sighed. ''We should just face the facts, the ponies will never like us, they never have.''

'I think maybe just change your approach a bit, you might be met with a warmer reception.'' Twi smiled.

''How?''

''We could start with your voice, that could be a good place as any.''

''Ohhh. We have been locked away for a thousand years. We are... not sure we can.'' She spoke normally.

''Fluttershy might be able to help us out: she does have one of the sweetest voices.'' Twilight offered.

''Let's go then, I do want to get In scares before the the night Is over.'' We got up and moved.

Time Skip: 5 minutes:

Knocking on her door, Fluttershy must really take voice lesson when she can because my ears are ringing.

''Uh Fluttershy, It's me Twilight!''

The door opened and Flutters partially showed herself.

''It Is you. and Jamir. Oh and Princess Luna.'' She relaxed. ''What can I do for you?'' She smiled.

''Little bit of a predicament here: could you maybe be Luna's voice coach?' I asked.

''I don't see why not.''

''Shall our lessons begin?'' She used the voice again.

Fluttershy nodded.

''Shall we mimic thy voice?''

''Repeat after me: Hello, It's nice to meet you: I am Princess Luna.''

''Greetings: tis a pleasure to meet you: I am princess Luna!''

''Maybe turn It a notch down.'' Twi said.

''How...Is this?'' Her voice lowered some.

''Better. Right, Fluttershy?''

''Mmm-hmm.''

''And... how about now?'' She had a normal voice.

''Good job.'' I smiled.

''Thank you dearest Fluttershy: our new speaking voice shall surly win the affection of the villagers!'' She hugged her.

''Come on, let's go and show the town the truth.''

Heading back to town with some good news, we had a show to put on, well I did at least. Not letting a chance to scare someone pass me by.

Thinking of some Ideas to help Luna fit In, Twilight offered a valid Idea.

''My friend Applejack Is one of the most likable ponies around. I'm sure she'll have some Ideas.''

''I just hope that this works.'' I thought.

Twilight went over to Aj and tried to get some Ideas.

''All you gotta do Is have the right attitude. Loosen up a bit, be positive, play a few games, have some fun.'' She offered.

''And what exactly Is this fun you speak of?'' She was curious.

Following a demonstration of some simple games, Luna tried her hoof at spider tossing which she failed first time around.

''You can do It princess!'' Twilight urged.

She tried again and manged to land one on the net.

''Your princess enjoys this "fun"! In what other ways may we experience It?'' She asked.

''I have a few Ideas.'' A smile came upon my face.

Going with the flow of things, we tried pumpkin tossing though I put my on spin on It and played pumpkin ball. Having one launched at me, I swung my bat In a wild arc, sending bits of orange chunks of the vegetable flying.

''May I have a try?'' She looked happy.

''Go ahead.'' I went over and prepped a pumpkin.

''Here It comes!'' I launched the catapult.

Being away for 1000 years must have taken a toll on her since she looked absolutely cheerful when she blasted It to pieces.

''Hah! Are there any other ways to have ''fun?'' She asked.

''We could play one of my favorite games when I was a kid: Search and Destroy.'' I offered.

''And the rules are pretty simple: all you have to do assign teams of 4 or more, pick a leader and eliminate the opposing team's or flag.'' Frank added.

Time Skip: 10 minutes:

Here me and my team waited at our designated spot as our enemies waited at theirs. My team, or Alpha force consisted of: me, Spike, Pinkie, Frank, and Twilight while Luna's team, or Delta squad had: her, Applejack, Zecora, a colt named Pip, and by some last minute surprise, Azure dressed up as type of devil pony.

''So are we all clear on the plan?'' I double checked.

''Yea!'' My team responded.

Looking out the window of the library, I listened for anything sounding out of the ordinary. Nothing.

Our plan was pretty simple: Spike would perform recon while Pinkie went with me and used her Infamous 'Pinkie Sense' to let us know of any trouble. As for Twi and Frank: they had to stay behind to guard our flag.

Moving swiftly to avoid detection, Pinkie suddenly had a tail twitch and we barely dodged a meeting with a barrage of paint balloons. Looking at Aj and Pip being the culprits, we made a wild dash out of the crossfire.

''Get em'!'' Aj yelled from behind us.

Not paying them any attention as our objective was more Important at the moment.

''Come on, keep up!'' I called to Pinkie.

Seeing our scaly friend a few paces ahead of us, I asked for a sit rep.

''I see the princess Inside with the flag, but no clue where Azure and Zecora are.'' He shrugged his shoulders.

''They must be heading to the library, Aj and Pip was just a decoy to buy them time.'' I reasoned.

''What now?'' Pinkie asked.

So, they want to play like that, eh? Fight sly tricks with sly tricks. Time to hatch a plan.

''Pinkie,  when we go In you're gonna make a beeline for the flag while me and Spike'll cover you.''

Nodding at the Idea, we crept through the door and made our way to the roof.

With Frank and Twi:

Man, this has got to be the worst thing to be doing right now. I'm dressed up as the freaking king of Vampires, so why be here guarding a flag. Rather be causing some slight mayhem outside.

''Do you think they've gotten the flag yet?'' I sighed excessively.

Twilight was reading a book when she lifted her head up and said: ''Maybe, but we should check outside for any possible surprise moves.'' She moved to the window.

Tapping my foot In boredom, once again all that was saw outside was the same thing 2 minutes ago: nothing.

I was about to consider taking a damn nap when something flew through the window.

''And what Is that?'' Twi asked.

''Crude attempt at a stink bomb, but now back you-huh?'' The thing was stuck to my hand.

''Okay, this can not be-''Boom!'' A cloud of smoke filled the room.

''Who's there?'' Twi yelled.

''Protect the flag!'' I said.

The sound of hoofsteps  and magic led me to deduce that one of the Intruders was Azure. Making out a silhouette take the flag, I followed It out the door.

''Stop!''

Running after Azure, she's fast pony, that much I'll give her that. Just hope Jamir's gotten the flag by now.

Back to Jamir's group:

Moving ever so quietly, we made our way upstairs, but the girls thought of a lot of things as Pinkie and Spike were strung upside down by some rope. I however, managed to avoid getting caught.

''Hold on, I'll get you down.'' I said.

''No, just go for the flag: that's all that matters!'' Pinkie yelled.

Going to the roof, there Luna was, a arrangement of balloons behind her.

''So you have made It past my trap?'' She smiled.

''Yes, but now the time has come to take that flag off your hooves.''

''See If you can try!'' She taunted.

Running to the flag, Luna threw a few balloons to try and blind me, but I dodged a few of them while making my way to the objective.

Sidestepping her, I took the flag and declared: ''Win!''

''No!'' She yelled.

Relishing the feeling of winning, my subsequent victory dance was cut short by hearing Frank yelling at Azure: ''Stop! The king of Vampires commands you!''

Jumping down to try and stop her, which hurt my legs something fierce, something she threw obstructed my vision. Trying to find her, I got toppled to the ground.

''Ugh, we lost?''Frank asked.

''It would appear so.'' Azure laughed.

Guess you can't win em' all, least we had fun.

Time Skip: 10 minutes and a small cleanup later:

After that, we headed back over to the town center to enter In the 'best costume' contest, and not to jump the gun, but hopefully I'll get 1st.

Talking for a few minutes as we entered our slips, the mayor put the entries In a box and picked out 4 slips.

''Will Dracula, Starswirl the bearded, The dark mage, and Artorius please show up on stage?'' She asked.

''Prepare to lose, faker.'' Frank said.

''And how am I a faker?'' We made our way to the stage.

''Unlike you, my costume was not made up.''

''You're just jealous you couldn't think of this first.'' A snicker came from my lips.

''Now, If you can tell us a little about your costume, Mr.Dracula?''

''Thank you for asking: unlike that faker over there, my costume Is the great king of Vampires.''

''And what about you Starswirl the bearded?''

''I am better known as the father of the amniomorphic spell and have played many a part In making a bountiful number of spells that have Influenced the pony world.''

''Mr. Dark Mage?''

''...I am the dark mage...that's all.'' The cloaked pony said.

''Artorius?''

''My costume was Inspired by a few elements back on Earth: two of which stand out the most.''

''Well, everypony: who you think has the best costume?'' The mayor asked.

The crowd was silent for a second before a mix of 'Artorius' and 'Dracula' rang out.

''It appears we have a tie, one way to settle this would be to-''Look out!'' A random pony yelled.

A low moan emanated from the crowd as I heard a tinge of magic next to me. Looking over, the source turned to be that cloaked pony using his horn. The disturbance revealed Itself as a pack of-oh my goodness...u-undead...ponies?

''Oh shit.'' Frank said.

I could smell them from here: The torn flesh, Infected wounds, broken and mutilated bodies. I think one of the heads had an eye missing.

''You asshole, why the hell would you tamper with the dead?'' He asked.

The pony let out a laugh before responding: ''I only do what I'm paid to, and apparently that was to have my creations attack you.'' The pony sounded devoid of emotion.

''What Is the meaning of this? As your princess, I order you to tell me!'' Luna yelled.

''I am afraid that matter Is need to know, and you won't when the 'Plan' comes together.''

''Plan?, what plan?''

He then disappeared In a flash of magic, leaving us with the hoard of deceased ponies to deal with.

''Everypony move!'' I pulled out my scythe and handed my bat to Frank.

Putting my weapon In gun mode, I pulled the trigger and put a bullet through the skull of a pony to which It kept moving. Trying again, the same result.

''Don't you remember how all zombie flicks go? Gotta sever the head!'' Frank beheaded a undead corpse.

Following his lead, my extra long and sharp blade unfurled from Its compact prison as we combined our efforts. Delivering a sideways slash, my blade contacted the rotting dead flesh with such speed, a slight crunching sound of the trachea being sliced in half made me slightly cringe. Spotting one trying to chomp down on me, I readied for any possible pain, but It never came. Instead bit down so hard, his teeth fell out and was left with a clueless expression. Looking at him for a second, I smiled and threw him over to Frank who crushed his skull with a downward smack, getting one the spikes stuck and using the ragdoll body to smack away the others. Bringing my weapon behind as I pulled the trigger, the recoil gave me an extra kick for slicing right through the neck of another. This has got to be the best time I have had ever: Not every day my 'urges' can be taken care of, so the situation was taken full advantage of. Seeing one undead In particular struggle to get up, my chance was now.

''Why the big rush to get up?'' I applied pressure to the head which It uttered a groan.

Eyeing the back, a few bullets were put down, more groans coming from the undead corpse. A wicked smile found Its way to my face. Carving a few more scars to the already disposed body, my senses went Into overdrive, my breathing picked a little, and my hands were slightly shaking.

''All of this to work with.'' I thought.

I got so Immersed with my play toy that the sound of Frank snapping me back to reality made me blink.

''Yo, get your shit together, not exactly the time.'' He said.

Siding with him on that, we finished putting these disturbed souls to rest once again.

Time Skip: 5 minutes:

''Okay, that's the last of them.'' Twi Informed us as the rest of us made sure nopony was bitten or hurt.

''Excellent, but a more valid question would be to ask exactly that stallion was and why he did such a savage and horrible thing.'' Luna was baffled.

''Whoever he was, somepony paid him to do this.'' I pointed out.

What kind of sick pony pays another to try and commit pony Populicide? That's a thought for another time.

''Come, we should discuss this at the library.'' Luna stated. Or now, either one.

Before we left, a few of the ponies who Initially were scared witless were now voiced their appreciation on how she stood up and helped fight against the undead. The ponies...loved her, they cared and respected her. Just like we set out to

''First piece of the puzzle down, now for the rest to come Into play.'' I thought.

“Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”

Albert Camus.