Through the Cavern

"I gotta say, man, that costume looks awesome!" Spike marvelled. He was walking alongside Ricky and Twilight, who looked utterly ridiculous in her Starswhirl outfit.

"Thanks, but Rarity's the one who deserves the credit here. I had no idea that she was going to be able to pull this off for me. I mean, she even got the spear to look right!" Ricky was pretty excited about his Scorpion outfit. He had made a point of using the original design so as to make Rarity's job go easier, but he wasn't expecting her to use fancy leather.

"Well, that's Rarity for you. Always has to make a big impact." Twilight replied. As they walked, they had to keep stepping off to the side for groups of fillies. One of these groups was being led by Bulk Biceps, who was dressed as a beach bum, goofy straw hat and all.

"ALRIGHT! Let's stay as a group!" Bulk glanced over and spotted the three of them "Evening, your highness!" Bowing, he lost his hat. Twilight had to laugh at this "Relax, Bulk. You don't have to bow every time."

"Sorry, it's a force of habit. You guys off to the party, then?" Biceps put his hat back on as the fillies behind him began to roll their eyes in annoyance. Ricky noticed this and remembered having to suffer the same thing as a kid.

"Yeah! It's gonna rule!" Spike jumped happily, and his knight's visor clanged down hard. Muttering in frustration, he pushed it back up, blushing slightly. Bulk glanced over at Ricky and whistled "Wow, that is some outfit you have on, dude! What are you supposed to be?"

"I'm Scorpion, actually." Ricky replied, not expecting his roommate to know who or what he was talking about.

"Really? Huh, you don't look like any kind of scorpion I've seen before. They usually have more legs, and a tail, and-"

"No, I'm...you know what, never mind. It's not that important. Are you going to be there also?" Ricky asked, glancing at the impatient group of fillies.

"A bit later, yeah. I just have to finish up my route first." Turning to the kids, he smiled apologetically "Sorry, you guys. We're gonna start moving right away. Say goodbye to the princess."

"Happy Nightmare Night, Princess Twilight!" the fillies chorused, and happily went along their way. Twilight smiled as she watched them go "I really do love seeing kids have fun. They'll enjoy themselves even more when they get to see Princess Luna at the party."

"Princess...Wait, how many princesses are there in this place?" Ricky asked, starting to get confused. Spike rolled his eyes at this, but Twilight didn't seem to notice "Well, you've already met Celestia and myself, obviously. Luna is Celestia's younger sister, while Cadance is their neice. Meanwhile, I happen to be Cadance's sister-in-law."

"That...is a tad confusing." Ricky scratched his head, and Twilight shrugged "It doesn't really matter. You'll like Luna regardless of how we're connected."

Ricky was about to respond, but decided that it was best to let this one be "Whatever. So, what now?"

"Well, we don't have to be at the party quite yet...let's just wander around and see what's happening." Twilight suggested, and Spike nodded "I'm game. Ricky?"

"Cool."

"Alright, let's wander, then!"

***

As the three of them made their way through the town, Ricky was surprised at just how similar Nightmare Night was to Halloween. There were minor differences, of course, but for the most part they were indistinguishable. He looked over at Sugarcube Corner, which appeared to have been done up like a witch's house.

"Hey, that looks pretty cool. Why don't we go check it out?" Ricky pointed out what he was talking about. Twilight followed his gaze, then shuddered slightly.

"Are you sure you want to do that? Pinkie has a tendency to go crazy with the authenticity of certain things." Twilight said. To further prove her point, a pair of young colts came running out, screaming.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH THAT, SNAILS!!" the smaller colt yelled as they passed the trio.

"Well, you know that I can't be relied on for much of anything!"

Ricky watched them go "Wow...I think you might be right. Maybe we should pass on that one."

The three of them began to walk past, jumping as a bloodcurdling shriek followed by demonic laughing rang from the bakery. Ricky could hear young ponies screaming and laughing, Pinkie's cackling being the loudest sound of all.

"Jesus...that pony is not normal." Ricky said as they quickened their pace. Spike nodded "You're telling me. I like her and all, but she is way too much."

"Oh, don't worry about her. This is the one night a year she can just have fun, so why spoil it for her?" Twilight retorted, then her face lit up as she saw Rainbow Dash and Rarity walking up to them.

"What took you guys so long?" Rainbow asked, removing her safari helmet "We've been waiting forever!"

Twilight rolled her eyes at this "It's been twenty minutes, Rainbow, be a little more realistic. Great costume, by the way!"

"What can I say? Only Rainbow Dash can pull off the awesomeness that is Daring Do!" Rainbow struck a heroic pose, and Ricky silently laughed.

Meanwhile, Spike was nearly drooling at the sight of Rarity, who was dressed in a jewel-studded Egyptian dress "W-wow, R-r-rarity, you look incredible!" The little dragon looked like he was about to pass out from the sight of her. Ricky stared at this, partially fascinated and partially weirded out.

"Oh, thank you, Spikey dear." Rarity batted her eyelashes at him, and he swayed on his feet. Twilight giggled "Okay, Spike, walk it off."

"Such a dear, dear boy. Richard, darling, I'm SO pleased at how you look in that costume!" Rarity said happily, clearly pleased with her handiwork.

"Hey, you have an eye for art. But, seriously, I'm getting pretty stoked to get to this party."

"Totally!" Rainbow said happily, running in place "Come on, come on, come on..."

"ALRIGHT!" Twilight said loudly, then excused herself "Sorry, that was uncalled for."

"Whatever. Race you guys there!" Rainbow took off, taking Rarity's headdress with her. Gasping, she narrowed her eyes "Why I oughta...RAINBOW DASH, YOU RETURN THAT THIS INSTANT!!!" She raced after her friend. Spike, realizing Rarity had gone, ran after her, yelling for her to wait.

Ricky was about to go after them when Twilight stopped him "Hey...remember what I said the other day?"

"What? What are you...Oh! Oh, right, THAT thing...yeah, what about it?"

"Well...are you nervous, or anything like that?"

"I wasn't until you brought it up..." Ricky groaned "God, I really don't know how to handle this sort of situation...I mean, I've never had a girl just come right out and said that she was really into me before. I just don't know how I'm going to respond here." Removing his mask, he lit a smoke and sat down.

"I'm sorry that I brought it up, but...I just don't want anypony to be hurt by this, alright?" Twilight offered helpfully "If you find you have to turn her down, just...do it lightly, alright?"

"Yeah, I guess...you know what? I'm not going to let this ruin my night or anyone else's. I'm gonna face her and hear what she has to say...whoever she is."

"I'm really glad to hear that, Ricky. Try not to think about it too much if you can. Now, come on, we have a party to go to." Twilight smiled at him, and Ricky returned it.

"You're right, Twi. I'm just going to have fun, and when this happens...well, it happens." Ricky stood up and pitched what was left, then pulled his mask back on.

"That's the right attitude to have. Now...race you!" Twilight suddenly ran off. Surprised, Ricky gathered his senses and ran to catch up, his friend's advice ringing in his ears as he did.