There it was hanging in the shadows. The purple and dark blue fabric blended into the dark. The eyes though, were clearly visible in the darkness and stared intently out at you. The broad hat hug suspended on a hook just above the head of the costume. If you looked at it just right it appeared to be resting on it.
That's just what Lilly was doing, looking at the costume hanging the dark closet. With the light so low you couldn’t see the imperfections and cheap materials that made the Nightmare Night costume. She like every other foal in Ponyville had grown to admire the Mysterious Mare Do Well. Every foal just had to be her on the school costume party and for Nightmare Night.
When Lilly moved to town she just had to have a costume too. The thing was that when she went out for her first Ponyville Nightmare Night she was the only pony who was dressed as her. The thing about Mare Do Well was that she disappeared as quickly as she had come. No pony knew why or where she went. It was simply assumed that she left to help others though some rumored that she left after a fight with Rainbow Dash.
The ponies can often have short memories and Mare Do Well quickly faded out of their imagination. It was even easier to let the memory fade with the six elements of harmony protecting the town. When Lilly and her family had moved to town the hero pony had was becoming old news. Never the less Lilly still was enraptured by her. She had made many ponies tell and retell the stories of how she saved the ponies of Ponyville Her costume was just so cool! It was awesome! She had saved ponies and then just vanished until she would return again. She could do it all! She was super-fast, super strong, super magic and could fly! She had to be alicorn but was way too small to be one of the sisters. Lilly would almost suspect Twilight but not she was not a princess back then. Lilly so wanted to see her one day but more than that she had so wanted to be a hero like her one day.
After Nightmare Night Lilly had snuck off to where nopony would see her a few times while wearing the costume. Then she would play superhero and rescue imaginary ponies from imaginary monsters. After a while she had hug up the costume and left it recognizing it as just a game.
Now things where a little different. After a venture into the Everfree to save her pet hedgehog she now had super strength. She had encountered real monsters. She had snuck her way past them and left them confused and not knowing what had happened. She had outwitted a little dragon, saved him and survived a dangerous place. Oddly she hadn’t needed any super strength to do any of it.
With the super strength now that idea of being a superhero didn't seem like such a silly fillies dream anymore. She had a superpower now. Maybe, just maybe she could try being a superhero. She had a custom and Mare Do Well probably wouldn’t mind. There was one problem though. Everypony from school knew about her strength. After the school election it wasn’t just hers and Prickles little secret anymore. She could blamed Diamond Tiara for letting the cat out of the bag but then again she did lift up a building to retrieve her ball while other ponies were around. Somepony might have noticed anyway and after Diamond Tiaras turn around it would only hurt herself for Lilly to stay mad at her.
The ponies of the school hadn’t told any of the adults so maybe...nah. She wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret forever. Even if none of her classmates told on purpose sooner or later one would slip. Oh well, it wasn’t like she was really considering it. It was just fun to pretend. Why not play superhero a few more times, Lilly thought as she took her costume off the hangers.
After tucking the costume into her saddle bags Lilly found her pet hedgehog Prickles who had crawled under the sofa and headed outside. Prickled poked the back of her neck and pointed to the house next door.
"Oh, Granny Crumpet," Lilly said and hurried back inside. She came out with a milk bottle. "I always forget the milk," She muttered to herself.
Granny Crumpet was a little old pony that lived in the house next to them. She was already there when Lilly's family had moved to Ponyville. Her husband had passed away almost a year ago and she lived by herself. She still got around fairly well but because of her age she still had trouble. She was older than Granny smith after all. Lilly family hadn’t been in Ponyville very long before she noticed the older pony trying to clean up her yard. She seemed to have so much trouble bending over that Lilly just had to run over to help her. From then on Lilly had begun to regularly go next door to see if she needed help with anything. One of the things Lilly did was picking up the milk devilry for her. The milk pony delivered during her nap so Lilly kept in their fridge that the elderly pony didn't have to get up early. Granny Crumpet was kind of a stubborn old pony who didn't like accepting help but she eventually accepted that she need it. Some things she wouldn’t let Lilly do for her because as she explained if she didn't keep moving she soon wouldn’t be moving at all.
Lilly headed to the door and knocked. From beyond it she could hear shuffling and knew that it would be a minute or two. Granny Crumpet usually could get to where ever she wanted to go but that didn't mean she got there very fast. Lilly hated it how some of the other foals would make fun of her sometimes. Didn't they know that one day they would get old and would reap what they've sown? Anyway Granny Crumpet was not boring. If they had taken the time to get to know her they would know that she had seen more places than most pegasus and been on as many adventures that the elements of harmony.
The door creaked open revealing the aged mare. Her once blue hair was now completely silver. Even her jet black coat was streaked with the same silver color.
"Oh, Lilly. You remembered the milk," She said adjusting her glasses. "Thank you darling." The aged pony took the milk bottle in her magic. "Would you like a cookie or anything?"
"No thanks," Lilly replied. "Is there anything that you need me to do for you today?"
"No darling, run along and play. I can see the purple cape hanging out of your saddle bags. Mare Do Well is going to save Ponyville again?" Granny Crumpet chuckled as she spoke.
Lilly blushed but smiled at the same time as she stuffed the end of the cape back inside. "Yes..maybe."
"Go on and have fun and don't be embarrassed," Granny Crumpet said. "Your only young once and don't I know it."
When Lilly checked her bags again as she left making sure that everything was hidden. Granny Crumpet was right but she was still sure that her classmates would laugh at her. It was a little hard to completely conceal the entire custom in her saddle bags but thankfully the hat was made to fold up and the suit was just loose fabric.
Lilly made her way through Ponyville with Prickles riding on her back. A few ponies waived to her but none asked where she was going. With the castle of Princess Twilight Sparkle looming over the houses the entire way Lilly thought up new adventures for Mare Do Well. Her trip through the Everfree had supplied her with many ideas.
Lilly had considered asking Twilight about the small magic dragon that she had encountered. She had checked every book in the school library and had even visited the Ponyville castle’s Library. Twilight all too happy to see a young pony interested in books had let her look through them for as long as she wanted. It had been a fruitless search even though she had many old books. She could have just asked Twilight outright but if it was something hard to look up it was probably rare knowledge and Twilight might ask how she knew anything about them. Lilly couldn’t claim that she read it in a book because the Princess would want to know what book so that she could read it herself. If she claimed that somepony told her she might want to know who. Lilly could not risk her mother and father finding out that she had gone into the Everfree so in the end she decided that it was better to be curious than make trouble for herself.
Lilly soon reached the castle and was glad to see that nopony was around. The reason that she went to the castle was that most ponies didn’t walk up to it unless they had a reason and she had never seen anypony behind it. The perfect place to play Mare Do Well without being embarrassed.
"Well Prickles," Lilly said pulling out her large purple hat and putting it on. "Let's get dangerous."
Villains And Monsters Not So Imaginary
In short order Lilly was in full costume and running around the castle as she fought imaginary foes. There was so little activity near the side of the town that faced her chosen play area that she dared venture beside the castle and even run in front of it.
Prickles played with her for a while before he burrowed his way under a stump where he could munch on some tasty roots. Lilly played on. Thinking that the castle was empty she chased her foe around the castle base in an arch that would lead her past the entrance. She was just about to cross the path when she heard the doors swing open. Lilly skidded to a stop like a deer caught in headlights and turned to look. The six elements of harmony came walking out and chatting so excitedly that they didn't notice Lilly at first. She didn't have time to escape though.
"Oh my goodness, Look!" It was Fluttershy who was pointing Lilly out.
"Awww, that is so cute," Twilight replied waiving to Lilly who could think of nothing else to do but waive back.
"Looks like Mare Do Well has come back to save the day," Rainbow Dash commented nudging Pinkie Pie.
"I thought everypony had forgotten about that," Said Spike who was riding on Twilight's back.
"Sadly the pony who made the costumes for Nightmare Night never did quite do it justice," Rarity commented. "Don't worry darling, when we return you come see me and I'll fix up that costume for you," She told Lilly. "What's your name dear?" Lilly turned pale beneath the mask.
"That is mighty cute but come on ya'll. Our families are awaitn' on us and not ta mention the train," AppleJack interrupted. "We're late as it is."
"Oh, right."
"Great choice of costume though," Pinkie Pie said with a knowing grin that she shot at the others.
"You take care of Ponyville until we get back." Rainbow Dash called over her shoulder.
Lilly waived back as they headed into Ponyville. She had forgotten that the six elements of harmony were leaving to attend a party in the Crystal Kingdom. Candace and her husband had arranged a party to celebrate their accomplishments and there were a lot. They are all bringing their families. Rainbow Dash was taking Scootaloo since she was an honorary sister and also so she wouldn’t be the only Cutie Mark Crusader left behind.
Lilly had remembered her mother telling her about it and asking if she wanted to come along to see them off. Most of the town would be there. That would explain the lack of ponies on this side of Ponyville. She had planned to go but then she had forgotten when distracted by her Mare Do Well costume. She wasn’t surprised that they had liked her costume. According the pony who ran the hot air balloon service they were big fans. She claimed to see three of them wearing costumes once. It was the day that Ponyville had held a celebration in her honor. If they had bought costumes, they had to be fans.
Lilly climbed up a tree to get a look. She could just see over the buildings enough to glimpse the crowd on the other side of the town. She could see the smoke stack of the train standing over the rooftops. It idled for a while and when she heard a cheer from the crowd carried across Ponyville the smoke stack began to move. Lilly watched as it headed down the track until it was nearly lost from sight. Getting bored Lilly made her way back down and continued her game. The valent Mare Do Well circled around the castle with new ideas to add to her game. Then Lilly heard the distressed snuffling of Prickles who had gotten himself stuck beneath the stump. Lilly raced over and pulled the stump out of the ground with the same ease she would use to pick a flower.
"A-Ha!" Lilly held Prickles up in one hoof as she held the stump in the other. "Another helpless creature saved by Mare Do Well!"
Prickles looked down at her, shrugged then pulled a piece of root off his spine and began munching away.
Lilly put Prickles on her back and pointed to the empty space in front of her. "Now to save the helpless crystal mare from the evil King Sombra's trap!"
"AAAHHHH!"
The very real scream took Lilly completely off guard. She froze and blinked at the empty patch of ground with her hoof still pointing. Then more screams echoed out of Ponyville followed by an explosion. Lilly stared fear and disbelief at the buildings as the screaming continued. Then her mind was jolted into action as the image of her family flashed across her mind. Her legs were racing towards Ponyville before she realized what she was doing. The only thing that she could think about was her bother, her sister, her mom and dad. They were not at home but had been out for the sendoff. That would put them right in the middle of whatever was going on. Prickles reattached the root to his spines and held on tight to her mane.
With her ears flattened back Lilly raced with all she was worth towards those screams. Her cape flapped in the wind behind her as her blue clad hoofs pounded on the path. She quickly passed ponies who were running in the opposite direction. She never saw them spin around as after she passed to stare wide eyed at her.
"Mare Do Well," One breathed. "Mare Do Well is back! Though..is she smaller?"
Lilly never heard him over the screams and as she rounded a turn she saw the reason for the crys. At the sight of it Lilly's legs locked up and she skidded to a stop so sharply that she fell into a sitting position. It was some armless monstrosity that walked on two legs like a chicken but was in no way cute or funny. Each foot had claws longer than her legs. It’s face was nothing more than a huge mandible like beak. It consisted of one huge beak shaped upper jaw with three part mandibles underneath that acted as a lower jaw. All of them were sharp and so hard looking that it would not be a surprise if it could bite through a tree. It didn't help that it was large enough to fit her inside of its mouth. Its hide was like that of a dragons’ and it’s back was covered in spikes. Worst of all was that though it stared straight at her the thing seemed to have no eyes.
The thing paused when it spotted Lilly it began stalking her. Prickles squealed and ran up the back of her neck to hide beneath her hat. When it suddenly spat a burst of energy at her Lilly snapped out of it. She jumped aside and it struck the building behind her. It spat another then another leaving Lilly jumping left and right. It finally released an ear splitting shriek and charged at her. Lilly spun around and bucked with all her might. The monster flew backwards and crashed through a wall.
Lilly stood there staring after it wide eyed as her legs shook beneath her. Even with having super strength Lilly had never truly been in a fight before.
"It's Mare Do Well!"
Mare Do Well has returned!...She's smaller than I remember. Does she look smaller to you?"
Lilly turned just now noticing the ponies behind her. In her panic she had almost forgotten that she was wearing her costume.
A scream up ahead alerted her that this was not over. She raced towards it with the ponies cheering her on. If they could have seen the look on her face though they would know that she would have loved to have the luxury of running away now.
Lilly raced to the new street to find an even stranger sight. Serval ponies were trapped inside magical bubbles and were pounding on it in vain. Other ponies were either running or standing next to a trapped pony too terrified to do anything but not able to leave their loved one. Two monsters stood in the street spitting the burst of energy at the ponies. When it hit on one it would turn into a bubble and trap them inside.
Lilly had no idea how her super strength would affect magic but she couldn’t think of anything else to try. Lilly raced up started punching them will all her might. They exploded with a loud pop and vanished. The freed ponies scrambled out of the way and the monstrous things turned their eyeless faces towards Lilly. Just like the other they began spitting blast of magic at her Lilly dodged most of them but when one hit its mark a hard buck took care of it.
With a snarl they raced towards her. Lilly grabbed the first one by the jaws and slung it into its companion. They collided with a meaty crash and were sent rolling across the street. Dazed one raised its head and spat a burst of energy at her. More out of curiosity Lilly tried catching the wad of magic. To her surprise she was able to snag it out of the air. It was vibrating so hard that it felt like her bones would raddle. It felt like holding cold fire that had a semi-firm substance. Unable to hold it for more than a few seconds Lilly threw it back at them. The two monsters were instantly encased in their own magic.
With growing confidence, she raced towards the main focal point of the commotion. She pulled up short when she saw a unicorn directing five more of the monsters towards the town square. Then he lit up his horn and sent a blast of magic to the already damaged town hall that was looming over the buildings.
"Hey!" Lilly yelled as he prepared to send another. He spun around to look at her and his eyes made her cringe. Lilly couldn’t quite name it but there was just something wrong with that unicorn. Seriously wrong. As was as if there was a cloud of dark magic resonating off him. Lilly quickly stood up on her hind legs and raised her fore hoofs into a fighting stance.
"Awww. Is the widdle foal gonna’ fight the big bad unicorn," He mocked as he walked casually towards her. "You 've even got your widdle costume on. Are you going to be a super hero and save your widdle town from the big bad ponies and their monsters?" He stopped in front of her and leered down at the filly. "I'll let you make the first move. Go ahead, give it your best shot."
Lilly did. She grabbed him by the mane slung him around over her head like a sling and then let go. Whatever he tried to say quickly turned into screams as he hurtled over the buildings and out of Ponyville.
Lilly paid little attention to him as he hurtled away and raced around the building to where she could see a pegasus taking to the air. Like the unicorn there was just something off about him. He stopped and hover above the damaged town hall. The roof was hanging lopsided and the broken off doors lay in the street.
In the street below the remaining five monsters had the mayor and other prominent members of Ponyville cornered. The ground was covered in trampled confetti and the huge banner that had been hug in front of the town hall was laying dirtied on the ground. The pegasus hovered above it all with an evil leer on his face.
"Finally! We waited for a while for your six little defenders to all leave," He announced. "Now we have our chance.”
"What do you want with us?" Mayor Mare called up to him.
"I don't want anything to do with you," The pegasus laughed. "We've been hired to kidnap every member of Ponyville that we can. Someone wants to ensure that a certain six ponies do not get in their way when they make their move." The pegasus scratched his chin and looked over Ponyville. "Sadly for you they also want us to destroy this little town too." To his surprise his remark was met by cheering. "Did you not hear me ri-"He started to yell before he saw what was going on below. He stared down, stunned at the sight. His monsters were gone and a foal sized pony wearing a costume had a wriggling mass wrapped in the banner that he had torn down. She was spinning it above her head and quickly released it. The huge fabric banner hurtled out away from Ponyville where it split open above the Everfree and rained monsters down on the trees.
The pegasus stared slack jawed at the sight a moment before recovering. "You little-" A well-aimed door from the town hall collided into his stomach sending the pegasus hurtling away in the direction of his monsters.
Now Lilly found herself alone with the mayor and other ponies. For a moment silence hung over the town. Then they burst into cheers. Lily felt her face blushing but soon she felt she chest puff out. More ponies were coming out of hiding and quickly joined the cheering. Lilly couldn’t believe it. She had actually saved Ponyville. She was living her dream. But…now what? What do you do when the bad guys are gone?
A loud creak and snapping of wood jolted her out of her thoughts. Lilly looked up to see the supports for town hall’s roof giving away. With a groan the top of the building fell. Ponies ran while Lilly raced over and caught it before it hit the ground. Ponies cheered even louder and Lilly felt her chest puff out so much she thought that it would burst. Wanting to impress the crowd more she looked up at the top of town hall. Last time the hall was damaged like this they lifted the roof on top and reconnected it. That took so many pegasi but she could surly get it up there.
Judging the distance Lilly bent her knees beneath her and leapt, throwing the roof upwards. The roof soared upwards right over the top of town hall and crashed to the ground on the other side where still intact roof splintered into pieces.
Now Lilly’s face was as red as a beet under her mask. She quickly waived to the ponies who were just staring at her now and then ran away as fast as her legs would carry her.
“A-hem,” Mayor Mare started finally as the small figure faded into the distance, “I dub this hero Little Mare Do Well. Though so small she has done well by the citizens of Ponyville, not the town hall but I’ll let that go."
