But once a year does Nightmare Night come, bringing games of ghoulish fun, sugar on the tongue, and reminders of dark deeds done

But once a year does horror rise, evil re-enacted with costumes and games, ‘ere for everypony’s enjoyment, and not to terrorise

Long gone is the evil we immortalise, most ponies would say, banished by the Bearers and their jewels, allowing once more the sun to rise

Evil is but a nightmare of the past, forever gone, and of which thoughts are bound to never last

But once a year does Nightmare Night come, bringing games of ghoulish fun and copper on the tongue, though her work is not yet done

But once a year does Nightmare Night come, bearing warm bodies, hot blood, and delectable screams of fright

But once a year does Nightmare Night come, and Octavia Melody steps out of the light.

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Inspired by ApocalypsePenguin’s Hush Now in A Minor.

Cover art by VipeyDashie. Used with permission.